Local Executive to be Awarded Honorary Degree

Pankaj N. Patel, of Tolland, will be awarded the honorary degree of associate in humane letters, honoris causa at Manchester Community College’s 47th commencement ceremony, to be held Thursday, May 26, 2011.

Patel is Plant Manager-Manufacturing at Timken Aerospace Transmissions in Manchester. He has been instrumental in granting the college significant funding crucial to the success of its manufacturing programs. He has been instrumental in granting the college significant funding crucial to the success of MCC’s manufacturing programs, including supporting the purchase of software and equipment and funding a scholarship in the Precision Machining program.

Manufacturing has long been an important part of Mr. Patel’s life. In 1992, he joined The Purdy Corporation (now known as Timken) as Senior Gear Engineer. He progressed through various managerial levels within the organization to his current position as Plant Manager-Manufacturing. With decades of experience in manufacturing, Mr. Patel recognizes the importance of supporting the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Mr. Patel is a strong supporter of the mission of MCC to provide quality education and up-to-date career skills. Despite his extensive, job-related international travel, Mr. Patel has found time to be an active member of the MCC Foundation Board of Directors, which he joined in January 2010.

Mr. Patel earned a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering from BVM Engineering College of SP University, India. He has continued his education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for post-graduate studies in Management, and at New Jersey Institute of Technology for post-graduate studies in Engineering Management.