Grant to support engineering program at Penn State

Grant to support engineering program at Penn State

Corporate donations to educational institutions have been an American tradition and a source of hope for many - such as working adults - who dream of a better future. A new grant from Norfolk Southern may thus help a new generation of railroad engineers acquire vital skills.

The Norfolk Southern Foundation - a charity arm of one of the biggest transportation companies - has given $100,000 to Penn State Altoona to help develop a Rail and Transit Engineering (RTE) degree program.

"Through [the RTE] baccalaureate degree program, we have the opportunity to play a vital role in training engineers for placement within the expanding railroad industry," says Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, chancellor of Penn State Altoona.

"The potential benefits of this program for our students, our college and the railroad industry are limitless," she adds.

As the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates demand for civil and industrial engineers will be growing dynamically by 18-19 percent over the next seven years, those who consider a career switch or want to boost their skills may consider enrolling in an engineering program.

For busy working adults, online degrees offer the flexibility and cost-effectiveness that typically suit their needs.