June 6, 2011

     YORK – When Jason Murrow left Red Lion High School, he didn’t think he’d ever go back to the classroom. “‘Hate’ is a strong word and that’s why I used it” to describe his view of going to school.

He entered the carpentry apprentice program at Kinsley Construction Co. and discovered one important thing: “I love the construction industry but didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in a ditch.”
 

     When Kinsley Construction and HACC-York Campus paired up in 2006 to offer a way to earn an associate degree in technology studies, Murrow jumped at the chance. He and eight of his fellow workers recently became the first group of Kinsley employees to complete the program, with a combined 3.62 grade point average.

They were recognized at a reception at the HACC-York Campus on May 11 for earning their associate degree while on their way to becoming carpentry journeymen.

“Congratulations, you now are among the 29 percent of York residents who have earned a degree beyond high school,” Jean Treuthart, campus vice president, told the graduates.

She continued, “We had no model but we were enthusiastic to work with Dave Herman of the Kinsley Education Center and other Kinsley representatives to make this work.”

     Marjorie Mattis, D.Ed., campus executive dean, worked with Kinsley to articulate the company’s carpentry courses into HACC credits. The next step was to provide the remaining 40 hours of credits for the degree.

     “We knew it would be a long haul for the students and a challenge but Kinsley never waivered in support of the program,” Treuthart said.
 

     “HACC made it easy for us to help our employees get to the next supervisory level,” said David Herman of the Kinsley Education Center, where the company’s apprenticeship programs are offered. Herman and Kinsley instructors were joined by HACC instructors who taught the required courses, one course per semester on a Wednesday.

     “HACC stepped up to the plate when Kinsley Construction came to the college with the idea,” Murrow said. He credited HACC’s Shelley Hobbs, campus manager of business services, and Janet Rich, counselor/instructor, and Deborah Rohrbaugh, administrative assistant at Kinsley Education Center, for making it easier for the students to succeed.

     “We also got a great incentive from Kinsley to get an A for reimbursement,” Murrow said.

     The graduates are:

     Thomas Keener, who graduated from Kennard-Dale High School and the Kinsley Apprenticeship program in 2010.

     Justin Kilgore, who graduated from Red Lion Area Senior High School and the Kinsley Apprenticeship program in 2010.

     Michael Lohss, who graduated from Dallastown Area High School and the Kinsley Apprenticeship program in 2010.

     Jason Murrow, who graduated from Red Lion Area Senior High School and plans to complete his Kinsley Apprenticeship this year.

     Dennis Roland Jr., who graduated from Hempfield Area Senior High School and the Kinsley Apprenticeship program in 2009.

     Cody Shepp, who graduated from York County School of Technology and the Kinsley Apprenticeship program in 2009.

     Jedediah Smith, who graduated from York County School of Technology and the Kinsley Apprenticeship program in 2008.

     Jane Thomas, who graduated from Towson (Md.) Senior High School and the Kinsley Apprenticeship program in 2009.

     Zachary Zimmerman, who graduated from Dover Area Senior High School and plans to complete his Kinsley Apprenticeship this year.

Caption: Nine carpentry employees at Kinsley Construction Co., York, recently earned associate degrees through a partnership between their employer and the York Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. Pictured at a reception held May 11 in their honor are, from left, Jean Treuthart, campus vice president; Kinsley employees and HACC grads Jedediah Smith, Dennis Roland Jr., Jane Thomas, Zachary Zimmerman and Thomas Keener; David Herman of the Kinsley Education Center; employee and HACC grad Jason Murrow; and Marjorie Mattis, D.Ed., campus executive dean. Three of the employees were on the job and couldn’t attend.