Johnson College

Since 1978, an integral part of Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology (CCMT) Program has been the construction of a modular home that is then sold.

Joseph Musheno ’78, CCMT Program Chairperson, states, “There is a tremendous amount of knowledge gained from real live work experiences. Our students benefit immensely by building the modular home. It is also something that the students will be forever proud of.”

Simplex Industries, Inc., of Scranton, partners with Johnson College in order to commence the engineering and building process. Additionally,students from the Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology, and Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology programs provide their expertise during construction. The homes are inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Industrial Housing Department in order to ensure that the building meets all local and state regulations before sale.

Over the years, Johnson College’s modular homes have been purchased by first time homeowners, families, and those looking for vacation homes. Many times, the customer has been part of the planning process and specified the number of rooms and layouts themselves.

This year’s modular home, which will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, can be yours! Interested home buyers can contact Mr. Musheno at 570-702-8933 or jmusheno@johnson.edu for more details.

This story and more are featured in the Spring 2011 Johnsonian newsletter.

Click the image below to access the Johnsonian online or download the PDF here.

Since 1978, an integral part of Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology (CCMT) Program has been the construction of a modular home that is then sold.

Over the years, Johnson College’s modular homes have been purchased by first time homeowners, families, and those looking for vacation homes. Many times, the customer has been part of the planning process and specified the number of rooms and layouts themselves.

The College’s CCMT Program prepares students as entry-level technicians in layout, estimation, construction, and erection of residential construction including installation of trim, furniture, stairs, and cabinets. Each year, the modular home construction process allows students to apply their skills in an authentic setting using industry standard tools and equipment. The students build a typical modular home, which includes drywall, cabinets, windows, electricity, and plumbing. Modular homes are different than mobile homes. They are created in boxes. These prefabricated boxes are then transported to the building site for the completion of construction.

John L. du Fief III ’79, a graduate of Johnson College’s CCMT Program, says of the construction of the modular home, “It afforded us, as students, to learn to actually construct a house from the ground up. To fit all the components together and understand how each step relates to the previous step… we learned that each step had to be completed with accuracy, in order to go on to the next step.”

After Mr. du Fief graduated in 1979, he began working at John L. duFief, Inc., a small family-owned construction company that his father established in 1958. In 1988, he took over as President of the company. He explains, “While at Johnson College, I learned that good workmanship will always be rewarded… My work holds up and my reputation for my attention to detail is without equal.”

Simplex Industries, Inc., of Scranton, partners with Johnson College in order to commence the engineering and building process. Additionally, students from the Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology, and Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology programs provide their expertise during construction. The homes are inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Industrial Housing Department in order to ensure that the building meets all local and state regulations before sale.

Joseph Musheno ’78, CCMT Program Chairperson, states, “There is a tremendous amount of knowledge gained from real live work experiences. Our students benefit immensely by building the modular home. It is also something that the students will be forever proud of.”

Construction of this year’s modular home is currently underway. The home, which will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, is available for purchase. Interested home buyers can contact Mr. Musheno at 570-702-8933 or jmusheno@johnson.edu for more details.

Members of Johnson College’s Class of 2011 are constructing this year’s modular home.
From left to right (Front): Jeffrey Walter ’11, Factoryville; Tyler Rosko ’11, Taylor; Lawrence Foster ’11, Scranton; Vincent Rowe ’11, Honesdale
From left to right (Back):  Justin Munley ’11, Scott Township; Matt Vacendak ’11, Clarks Summit; Lateck Miles ’11, Scranton; Michael Zangardi ’11, Scranton; Gary VanVranken ’11, Tunkhannock; Richard Norgard ’11, West Caldwell, NJ; Simon Frailey ’11, New Milford; Christopher Smith ’11, Havertown; Denny DeWolf ’11, Tunkhannock

The Class of 2010 hard at work on last year’s modular home.

Students in Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Program recently designed trees for Community Medical Center’s “Holiday Lights” fundraising event.

The “Holiday Lights” tree lighting and reception took place on Saturday, November 20, 2010. As part of the benefit, donors were invited to sponsor ornaments in honor of or in memory of loved ones. These ornaments currently adorn the trees created by Johnson College students in CMC’s main lobby.

From left to right: Christopher Smith ’11, Havertown; Vincent Rowe ’11, Honesdale; Denny DeWolf ’11, Tunkhannock

On September 25, 2010, the 131st Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania Convention Parade marched through Hanover Township. Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology Program students teamed up with the Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company to build a special parade float for the occasion. The float’s theme was, “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With.” It won 2nd place out of 30 entries. Spectators crowded the streets for miles to enjoy the parade, which consisted of over 8,000 participants from all over the state.

For details, please contact:
Joseph Musheno ’78
Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology Department Chairperson
570-702-8933

Recently, John and Patricia Atkins graciously made a gift to Johnson College to establish an endowed scholarship on behalf of their dear friend and local carpenter, F. David Mercanti. The Atkins, along with the Mercanti family, met with Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President and CEO of Johnson College, to share stories about David and receive an up-close look at the Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology Program area. The F. David Mercanti Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student each year from the Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology Program.

Patricia Atkins, Waverly; John Atkins, Waverly; Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President and CEO, Johnson College

Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology students recently completed a fulfilling community project. The students helped to boost the area’s holiday spirit by assisting First Night Scranton 2010.

First Night Scranton is an annual family-friendly, arts-oriented New Year’s Eve party that brings performers from all over the world to downtown Scranton. The evening includes music, storytelling, dancing, crafting, and a midnight fireworks show to ring in the New Year.

First Night utilizes unconventional spaces throughout downtown Scranton, from bank lobbies to art galleries. Ms. Andrea Talarico, First Night Scranton Co-Chair, searched for a permanent solution to marking venues for the event. Ms. Talarico states, “Choosing Johnson College to build the venue markers was a perfect way to reach out to area students and involve them in this important community event.”

Over two and a half months, Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology students worked on designing, constructing, and painting twenty-five wooden venue markers. Each marker is numbered and can be lit from the inside clearly displaying the venue number. Ms. Talarico explains, “Since First Night is an evening celebration, lit signs serve as an aesthetically appealing way to make event locations clearly visible. Also, venues change from year to year. The new markers offer portability and durability.”

Mr. Joseph Musheno ’78, Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology Chair, states, “A lot of work was involved but it was a fun and rewarding project for the students.”

Details about First Night Scranton 2010, including where to purchase admission buttons, can be found at www.scrantonfirstnight.com. For information about Johnson College and its Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology program, please visit www.johnson.edu.

From left to right: Vincent Rowe ’11, Honesdale, PA; Christopher Smith ’11, Havertown, PA; Denny DeWolf ’11, Tunkhannock, PA

On November 18, 2009, Johnson College students in the programs of Automotive Technology, Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology, Diesel Truck Technology, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, and Precision Machining Technology gathered to observe a tool demonstration given by NAPA Auto Parts.

Sterling Oddo, a representative from NAPA, gave the students a brief overview of the company’s vision, resources, and locations. NAPA is a leader in its industry with more than 380,000 parts, 6,000 store locations, and 64 distribution centers.

Mr. Oddo exhibited a variety of tools. At the close of the demonstration, students were able to examine these items and take a look inside the NAPA Tool Truck. Each student was also presented with a NAPA Student Discount Card. The card offers significant savings, allowing them to build up their own professional tool collection while still in college.

David Manasek, President of Manasek Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA Auto Parts, values the partnership between NAPA and Johnson College. Mr. Manasek explained to the students, “The quality of education you are receiving here at Johnson College is a great asset to you in the job market today. You have great instructors who care about your future.”

For more information on Johnson College’s programs of study please visit the College’s website, www.johnson.edu, or call (570) 342-6404 or (800) 2WE-WORK.

Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology students examine some NAPA Tools.
From left to right: Michael Zangardi ‘11, Scranton, PA; John Abbott ’11, Susquehanna, PA;  Lawrence Foster ’11, Philadelphia, PA; Jeffrey Walter ‘11, Factoryville, PA; Simon Frailey ’11, New Milford, PA

From left to right: David Manasek, President of Manasek Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA Auto Parts; Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair; Robert Murray ‘82, Automotive Technology Chair; Andrew Zwanch ‘82, Precision Machining Technology Chair; Sterling Oddo, NAPA; Joseph Musheno ’78, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology Chair; Adam Turner, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology Chair

On September 18, 2009, Johnson College Instructor Joseph Musheno and his Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology students welcomed guest speaker Mr. William Senepedis, Professional Surveyor. Mr. Senepedis explained and demonstrated the procedures used by surveyors. Students were able to learn firsthand about the connection between surveying and carpentry.

Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology program prepares students as entry-level tradespeople in layout, estimation, construction, erection of residential construction including installation of trim, furniture, stairs, and cabinets.

From left to right: Michael Biduck ’10, Inkerman; Brendan Bonner ’10, Springfield; Timothy Gaughan ’10, Scranton; Cory Simon ’10, Hallstead; Mr. William Senepedis, Professional Surveyor