University of Scranton Spring Schemel Forum Collaborative Program with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the Schemel Forum at The University of Scranton in collaboration with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, will present “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Resiliency: The Long Term Health, Legal and Societal Consequences.” Dennis Dawgert, M.D., a local pediatrician, will discuss the effects of ACE, which were described in a groundbreaking study in 1999 conducted by Vincent Felitti, M.D., and Robert Anda, M.D. The ACE study showed long-term effects of many common health problems and a shortening of life expectancy. Subsequent studies have shown increases in learning disabilities, incarceration and other psychosocial issues. The traumatic events that cause ACE include physical and sexual abuse, familial dysfunction and the separation of a child from the caregiver. Reservations are required to attend this free event, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom on the fourth floor of the DeNaples Center, with a reception to follow. To register, contact Alicen Morrison, Schemel Forum assistant, at 570-941-6206 or alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. For more information on Schemel Forum programs and memberships, contact Sondra Myers, Schemel Forum director, at 570-941-4089 or Sondra.myers@scranton.edu.
Sheetz and Lackawanna College Partner to Provide Educational Opportunities Lackawanna College has announced a partnership with Sheetz, Inc. for a scholarship program that will offer tuition assistance to its employees. The program will benefit full- and part-time students enrolled at Lackawanna’s main campus in Scranton, its five satellite centers and students who are pursuing an online degree. “We are so excited to partner with Lackawanna College,” said Amy O’Brien, the employee programs coordinator for Sheetz, Inc. “Sheetz believes in providing opportunities for each employee to reach their full potential. The new partnership with Lackawanna is another opportunity for our employees to do so.” Based in Altoona, Pa., Sheetz, Inc. is one of America’s fastest-growing family-owned and operated convenience store chains with over 585 store locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina. A store recently opened in Scranton, Pa. on Jan. 17. Employees who qualify for the Sheetz College Tuition Reimbursement program will be offered a Lackawanna College Business Partners Scholarship. Full-time associate degree-seeking students will be eligible for a yearly scholarship. Milo Reilly, a Lackawanna College student pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, is the first recipient of the Sheetz scholarship. “The scholarship will help relieve some of the financial burden,” said Reilly. “Sheetz is helping me achieve my degree at Lackawanna and to develop the skills I need to have a clear career path within their company.” To qualify for the program, recipients must be actively employed by Sheetz, be enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program at Lackawanna, have completed their FAFSA and must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Scholarships will be awarded for fall and spring semesters only. For more information or to apply visit www.lackawanna.edu or contact the Admissions Office at (570) 961-7898.
Keystone College Environmental Education Institute to Offer Fly Fishing Course The Keystone College Environmental Education Institute will offer a six-week Introduction to Fly Fishing Course each Saturday from 10 a.m. – noon from Feb. 2 through March 9 in Lackawanna Hall. Expert guide Adam Nidoh will introduce participants to the art fly fishing through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on demonstration. Participants will learn about trout behavior, trout stream entomology, fly-fishing strategies, basic fly-tying and fly selection, and have time for casting practice. The six-week workshop is open to all ages 14 and older, and is appropriate for beginners and those with some experience who want to refresh their skills. The cost for the course is $115, which includes the cost of gear. To register or obtain more information, call (570) 575-3927 or email sharon.burke@keystone.edu. Keystone College’s Environmental Education Institute (KCEEI) offers a variety of hands-on educational activities for those interested in learning about, protecting, and enjoying nature.
Incubator Welcome The Chamber, through its Ignite program, recently held an incubator tenant welcome celebration at the Scranton Enterprise Center. New tenants pictured include Leaders, L.G. Sonic US and The Veloce Group. The GUIDE app is also a new incubator program tenant.
Fresh Faces: Blue Eagle Logistics, Inc. Fresh Faces Blue Eagle Logistics Inc. Scranton, PA Member since 2018 www.blueeaglelogistics.com Andy Plank What inspired you to start your business? As a child, I spent many Saturdays as a child with my father, Bob Plank, as he dealt with his weekly paperwork in the trucking field, where he worked for more than 35 years. After 25 years in the corporate world, my wife and I wanted to return to the area and when the opportunity presented itself to purchase a logistics company, I knew it was the right fit for me, What do you like about doing business locally? Blue Eagle logistics fills a niche for local businesses who want to make sure that their time-sensitive freight is handled safely. The shipments we handle are expedited to fill an important need, such as delivering a part required to keep a manufacturing plant running, a hospital machine needed for a patient’s specialty testing, medicine being air freighted to someone in need, or even a family’s Christmas gift arriving in time for the holiday. Why did you decide to join the Chamber? The Chamber’s role in organizing groups such as the Logistics and Supply Chain Partnership Meeting through Skills in Scranton to identify and resolve critical industry issues is an important need to sustain our area. Providing programs like Engage! to communicate resources to assist business and industry with local and state resources is also very worthwhile. We want to be part of this movement to further spur our area’s continued growth.
151st Annual Dinner Announced Featuring Matt Higgins of ABC’s Shark Tank Matt Higgins, the newest shark on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank,” and vice chairman of the Miami Dolphins will be the featured speaker at the Chamber’s 151st Annual Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, March 28, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton. Tickets are now available at scrantonchamber.com.
