Treasurer Stacy Garrity Waives Fees for PA 529 GSP Accounts, Reduces Fees for PA 529 IP Accounts Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced that asset-based fees will be waived for PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) account owners for the second consecutive fiscal year. Fee waivers will be funded by PA 529 GSP surplus earnings. PA 529 Investment Plan (IP) account owners will also see a second fee reduction this year, as state fees will decrease by 0.5 basis points (0.005 percent) effective September 1, 2023. Last month Treasurer Garrity announced a reduction in operational support fees by 1.25 basis points (0.0125 percent). Combined, the IP fee reductions will result in a savings of more than $800,000 for account holders throughout this fiscal year. “I’m cutting these fees because the great PA 529 College and Career Savings Program should be as affordable as possible for every family in our state,” Garrity said. “Lower fees help Pennsylvanians save more for their children’s education. PA 529 accounts are a tremendous tool to help the next generation afford the training and education they’ll need to enter the workforce, whether they attend one of our great technical schools, community colleges, or four-year universities – or if they enter an apprenticeship.” There are more than 287,000 PA 529 accounts, including more than 111,000 PA 529 GSP accounts and more than 175,000 PA 529 IP accounts. Families have nearly $7 billion saved for future education expenses. PA 529 accounts are designed to help Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, apprenticeship and K-12 educational expenses. Both PA 529 plans have significant state and federal tax advantages, and assets saved in PA 529 accounts do not affect eligibility for state financial aid. The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Account earnings are based on college tuition inflation rates, and families can choose the tuition credit rate they wish to save at from community colleges to Ivy League universities. The Morningstar Silver Rated PA 529 IP offers a variety of investment options, and account earnings are directly tied to financial market performance. To learn more about how to start saving with PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.
Waverly Community House to Host 2023 Cocktails for the Courts Waverly Community House is hosting the 2023 Cocktail for the Courts summer party on August 18th from 6 PM – 8 PM on the front lawn of the Comm. Tickets are $35.00 per person and $40.00 at the door. There will be music by The Mark Nolan Jazz Duo and light Hors D’Oeuvres, Beer, Wine, and a Signature Drink. All proceeds benefit Comm Tennis and Recreation Programs. To buy tickets, click here.
Johnson College to Host Instant Enrollment Decision Day Johnson College is hosting an Instant Decision Day for prospective students on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside Woolworth Hall on the Johnson College Scranton campus. To register to attend, visit johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective students with an immediate enrollment decision. Students must supply their high school and/or college transcripts. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes a Johnson College application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
Geisinger Medical Center Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Clinic Moves to Grow Programs Geisinger Medical Center’s Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Clinic has relocated to bring together clinicians who collaborate on congenital heart care at every stage of patients’ lives. Geisinger has provided pediatric and adult congenital cardiology and cardiac surgery care to children and families in northeastern and central Pennsylvania for decades. Recently, the pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery practices and related subspecialties moved out of their longtime hub in Foss 6 at the medical center and into a new home on the fourth floor of the Danville campus’ Hospital for Advanced Medicine. The move allows Geisinger to offer more appointments to patients needing pediatric cardiac services and provides needed space for enhanced diagnostic testing and accommodating programs as they grow. The new clinic will house outpatient pediatric cardiology for clinical visits and diagnostic testing, and subspecialties, including adult congenital heart disease, pediatric preventive cardiology and pediatric and adult congenital cardiac surgery. Aligning these teams allows patients with congenital heart conditions to visit one location, where they can see the experts they’ll need from birth through maturity and throughout adulthood. The move also makes navigating the Geisinger Medical Center campus easier for patients, as the new space is adjacent to patient parking. Pediatric cardiology services in State College, Hazleton, Muncy, Lewistown, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre will not be affected and are expected to continue growing.
Marywood Opens Store with Amazon “Just Walk Out” Technology Marywood University and Gourmet Dining Services LLC are proud to announce the grand opening of an on-campus convenience store powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One, a palm-based biometric identity and payment service. Located in the entryway of the Main Dining Room in the Nazareth Student Center, the new convenience store—Marywood Pacer Nation—opened its doors to the University community on August 4, 2023. The implementation of Amazon’s cutting-edge Just Walk Out technology is designed to eliminate checkout lines and provide an effortless customer experience. As the first university in Pennsylvania to launch Just Walk Out technology in an on-campus convenience store, Marywood University is taking the lead in enriching the student experience through cutting-edge technology. Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One is made possible by artificial intelligence like computer vision and deep learning techniques, including generative AI, to accurately determine who took what in any retail environment. Amazon built synthetic datasets to mimic millions of realistic shopping scenarios as well as photorealistic synthetic palm images to ensure accuracy in any environment. Customers simply use their credit card or, if enrolled in Amazon One, may hover their palm over an Amazon One device at the store entry gates, grab what they need, and the technology automatically detects what is taken from or returned to store shelves, creating a virtual shopping cart. When customers have completed their shopping, they leave the store without stopping to check out and their credit card will be charged for the items they took. Amazon One is easy to use and takes less than a minute to enroll. Customers can pre-enroll online at https://one.amazon.com/getting-started and complete the enrollment process at an Amazon One kiosk. Once registered, each time a customer wants to use Amazon One to pay at Marywood Pacer Nation or any location that accepts Amazon One for identification, entry or payment, they’ll just hover their palm above the device. It’s that simple. “This milestone represents another significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to enhance the Marywood student experience,” stated Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D, Marywood’s President. “I am grateful to our partners, Gourmet Dining Services LLC and Amazon, for their collaboration and support in bringing Marywood Pacer Nation to life, designing it with our students’ needs in mind.” “We are thrilled to bring Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One to the students of Marywood University,” said Jon Jenkins, Vice President of Just Walk Out technology, AWS Applications. “With Just Walk Out and Amazon One, students will find an innovative way to purchase the items they need with a frictionless shopping experience so they can quickly get back to their studies — even early in the morning or late at night.” In the initial planning for the Marywood Pacer Nation store, Gourmet Dining Services LLC surveyed students to hear firsthand what products they would most like to see in a new convenience store on campus. Their recommendations influenced the robust assortment, which includes a vast variety of food and beverage options, toiletries and other everyday essential items. Marywood University and Gourmet Dining Services LLC are committed to providing students with new and exciting on-campus experiences that cater to their needs. Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One allows the store to operate unattended if needed, enabling extended hours for busy students. Now, students and guests can grab food, beverages, and other essentials conveniently, in a way that fits their academic schedules and is free of long lines at checkout.
Tobyhanna Celebrates Interns Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) observed National Intern Day on July 27 by spotlighting depot employees who joined Team Tobyhanna through internship programs. The Pathways Program provides streamlined Federal employment opportunities for students near graduation and recent graduates. Current students can participate in the Internship Program for temporary summer jobs, while recent graduates can apply for permanent jobs at Tobyhanna. Blake Praschak is bringing the knowledge he has gained as an Electrical Construction Technology student at Johnson College to Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Electrical Cable Branch. Praschak said joining Team Tobyhanna was easy because “everyone talks about how great (TYAD) is.” Seeing it firsthand, Praschak agrees with the sentiment. Blake has been supported and mentored by his colleagues in the shop. “I learn something new every day by watching, paying attention and soaking in as much as I can. And when it comes time to apply what I’ve learned, work leaders know you will make mistakes and are happy to work with you. They tailor your work to get you different experiences.” Praschak has gained valuable hands-on experience with soldering and cable manufacture through his work in the cable shop. Most importantly, he feels he is being molded into the best employee he can be for a noble cause. “Tobyhanna’s mission helps you get up in the morning. Knowing that your work is important to the safety of our nation’s warfighters is a rewarding feeling.” Chief of the Electrical Cable Branch Bob Olshefski said Blake, and all student workers, are part of a long-term strategy to ensure that experienced team members are mentoring the brightest minds of the next generation. “Students offer a fresh perspective and are eager to learn processes. Having students in the shop helps to create a synergy and rejuvenates the shop into a learning and teaching mode. This generation of students has displayed respect, want to learn, and an appreciation of the knowledge they are receiving.” Penn State student Megan Askew recently joined Team Tobyhanna in March. A lifelong admiration for America’s military personnel led her to their current position as a student trainee Production Controller in the Production Management Directorate. “My father is a U.S. Navy veteran, and I was interested in working as a civilian to support servicemembers like him,” she said. The Pathways program affords Askew the opportunity to work alongside experienced production controllers and logistics management specialists to learn the business side of Tobyhanna’s mission. Assigned to the Joint Threat Emitter program, she monitors cost and schedule, collaborating with production floor personnel to ensure a timely, quality product for the warfighter. Although her career aspirations were originally not focused on the logistics field, Askew noted how her experiences here have shaped her future plans. “I really enjoy what I do, and I can absolutely see myself having a long career at Tobyhanna Army Depot,” she said. “There is so much opportunity, and I want to take advantage of it,” She also wants to further her education by gaining a Master of Business Administration degree when she graduates from Penn State next year. Askew praised her experiences thus far at the depot. “Tobyhanna is a great place for interns.” An artist at heart, Megan spends her free time painting, singing, and learning new musical instruments. Internships can often be the foundation for a long and rewarding career, according to Chase Gardner, Chief of the Project Engineering Branch. While a junior at Penn State, Gardner entered the Pathways program’s predecessor, the Student Career Experience Program, as an intern and worked part-time at Tobyhanna while completing his degree. He says the experience was extremely valuable. “Interning allowed me to gain practical experience that complemented my academic studies,” he said. “The opportunity also allowed me to see what types of skills I would need to be an engineer at Tobyhanna and then ensure I took those classes to round out my skillset.” After graduation, Gardner joined Team Tobyhanna as a full-time electrical engineer. As a lifelong learner, he sought out additional developmental experiences in the Production Management Directorate; the Command Group; and through various leadership trainings – all of which led to his current position. “During the first seven years of my depot career, I had a singular view of the depot. Developmental assignments helped me understand the business as a whole, a critical skill to advance in my career. Gardner encourages self-starters to pursue a depot career, noting the vast array of career options. “Endless opportunities exist at Tobyhanna. You just need to seek them out.” Students interested in future internship opportunities with Team Tobyhanna can apply through USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov. For more information, students can visit the Office of Personnel Management website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/ Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, dubbed TOBY2035, has four strategic focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications and aims to posture the organization for future success. The Invest in Our People team is focused on recruiting the best talent to join Team Tobyhanna, including interns, who bring a fresh and unique perspective to the workplace.
Tobyhanna Showcases Agility with New Satellite Terminal Project A unique and dynamic new mission is expanding Tobyhanna Army Depot’s portfolio of capabilities. Personnel from the depot’s Production Engineering Directorate recently completed the inaugural Hardened Transportable Terminal – Modified, or HTT-M — the perfect example of how Tobyhanna Army Depot’s dynamic workforce and innovative approaches position the organization to deliver superior C5ISR readiness for the joint warfighter. Depot personnel worked with the Missile Defense Agency and Department of Defense contractors to design and manufacture a modification of the existing Hardened Transportable Terminal. The term “hardened” refers to the terminal’s ability to endure interference produced by high-altitude electromagnetic pulse threats. The HTT-M is the key communications support element to the deployed AN/TPY-2 radars. The HTT-M provides high-altitude electromagnetic pulse and survivable nuclear, biological, and chemical communications. The asset is a subset of the modernization of enterprise terminals — or MET — program, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar mission to upgrade nearly 90 communication terminals worldwide. The modernizations provide heightened stability and ten times more bandwidth for satellite communications used by Soldiers and DOD officials globally. While the HTT’s main purpose is to serve as a temporary bridge between METs, it can become a permanent fixture when a MET is not a viable option due to space constraints. According to Jonathan Strzelec, chief of the Production Engineering Directorate’s SATCOM and Site Installation Division, the three-year design, development, and manufacturing project represents a major success for Team Tobyhanna. “Tobyhanna Army Depot has taken on similar projects in the past, but this is the first of its kind for this specific variant. We built the entire thing from floor to ceiling in an effort that was like building a house — we even built the kitchen sink, for lack of a better term,” he said. The prototype HTT-M includes several storage containers with environmental control units, a generator, and a hardened operations and maintenance van. Engineering Lead Nicholas Paras outlined the herculean effort, noting that it included the talents of artisans from across the depot. “This build required the fabrication of more than 1,800 piece parts as well as extensive welding, wiring, and painting by team members in the Systems Integration and Support Directorate,” he said. “[The Systems Integration and Support Directorate] also completed the integration of the shelters and worked closely with engineering personnel for installation tasks,” adding that engineers and engineering technicians conducted extensive testing once the HTT-M was fully assembled. Mike Vivlemore said the workload allowed TYAD engineers to challenge themselves and reaffirm depot capabilities. “This was an exercise in proving our capabilities. This project both challenged and improved our already lofty design capabilities,” said Vivlemore. Vivlemore serves as the chief of the Production Engineering Directorate’s Design, Development and Fabrication Division. Strzelec lauded the effort and its benefits for both the customer and Team Tobyhanna. “This project adds to the already impressive list of assets Tobyhanna has provided to our Nation’s warfighters,” he said. The satellite communications enabled by the HTTM are a critical part of warfighter readiness, and the mission directly aligns with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035, which has four focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future, and Strategic Communications. TOBY2035 aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
The Honesdale National Bank Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Memorial Fund Supports Graduate The Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Memorial Fund, administered by the Trust Department at The Honesdale National Bank and local Honesdale businessman Paul Meagher, continued its support of those pursuing higher education with the awarding of scholarships to 2023 graduates with a total distribution of $18,418.86. These prominent Honesdale residents created the Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Memorial Fund to support designated charitable organizations within Wayne County, as well as, to provide scholarships to deserving graduates of Wayne Highlands High School. Ernest was the brother of the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Honesdale resident, Lyman Lemnitzer. Chloe Rogers, the 2023 recipient of the “Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Nursing Scholarship” is scheduled to attend James Madison University to study nursing in the fall. She is a 2023 graduate of Wayne Highlands High School. The Women’s Auxiliary of the Wayne Memorial Hospital selects the nursing scholarship recipient and is based on scholastic achievement. This scholarship totals $18,418.86. The Honesdale National Bank Trust Department has managed the investments of the Memorial Fund since its inception in 1991. Through prudent investment of the trust assets, grants in excess of $2.7 Million have been paid to qualifying recipients to date. A total of $432,070.80 has been distributed through the Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Scholarships alone. For more information about the HNB Financial Group, please call 570-253-3355 or visit the HNB Corporate Center in Honesdale.
NEPA Gives Raises Over $1.2 Million in 24 Hours for 227 Nonprofits On Thursday, June 1, into Friday, June 2, 2023—in just 24 hours—227 local nonprofit organizations across eight counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania worked together to collectively raise a total of $1,211,399 for the fourth annual NEPA Gives. This year, a record-breaking number of donors contributed to the total amount raised, with 6,211 donors taking part in NEPA Gives.Promoted as the largest philanthropy event in Northeastern Pennsylvania, NEPA Gives was hosted by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, in partnership with The Luzerne Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Carbon County Community Foundation, Posture Interactive, and other community sponsors to raise awareness about the critical work nonprofit organizations carry out across the region and to help charitable organizations raise much-needed funds.Adding to the excitement, to celebrate NEPA Gives, the Scranton Area Community Foundation also hosted a free, all-ages in-person event on Friday evening, June 2, at the Hilton Scranton Conference Center to coincide with First Friday Scranton. The ‘Give Gathering’ celebration included live entertainment including music by Black Tie Stereo, giveaways, real-time and live-streamed updates on NEPA Gives with Chris Strub, known nationally as ‘The Giving Day Guy’, and opportunities for the general public to meet many of the participating nonprofits. A NEPA Gives kickoff event was also hosted by the Luzerne Foundation, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Scranton Area Community Foundation on Thursday evening, June 1, at Rodano’s in Wilkes Barre. There was also a NEPA Gives event at the Settlers Inn in Hawley, sponsored by the Settlers Cares Foundation in partnership with Wayne County Community Foundation and Pike County Community Foundation.Additionally, to celebrate the giving day, Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti made an official proclamation declaring June 1-2, 2023 as NEPA Gives Day.“NEPA Gives is all about supporting the charities that are doing important work right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We had a record-breaking year with over 6,200 generous donors supporting NEPA Gives this year providing support for hundreds of local charitable organizations,” she added.Over 6,211 donors generously supported NEPA Gives. NEPA Gives was also generously supported by numerous sponsors including Coterra, Hawk Family Foundation, Moses Taylor Foundation, Fidelity Bank, Neighborly, Lamar Advertising, Schwartz Mack Foundation, Women in Philanthropy, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, and many others.“People that want to move here, come here, or stay here in Northeastern Pennsylvania want to know that this is a community that cares and the entire network of social service activity speaks to that and the generosity of this community,” said Bob Durkin, President and CEO of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “It really all comes together beautifully in NEPA Gives.” Hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes and matching incentives were awarded to participating nonprofits for notable achievements, all sponsored by generous businesses, foundations, and donors across the region. This was the fourth year for NEPA Gives. To date, NEPA Gives has raised over $4.1 million for hundreds of local nonprofit organizations in Northeastern Pennsylvania since it began in 2020. NEPA Gives 2024 is planned for Friday, June 7, 2024.To learn more about #NEPAGives, visit nepagives.org or contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Manager of the Scranton Area Community Foundation at 570-347-6203.
Northeast PA Area Health Education Center to Host Career Exploration Event The 2nd Annual Healthcare Career & College Exploration Event, organized by Northeast PA Area Health Education Center, is pleased to announce that registration is now open for exhibitors and sponsors. The event will take place on Thursday, October 12th, from 10-2 pm at the Viewmont Mall in Dickson City. Following the overwhelming success of last year’s event, which drew participation from over 200 high school students representing more than 6 counties, this year’s edition is set to exceed expectations. Based on the valuable feedback received from participants, the event organizers have implemented several modifications, including an adjusted schedule that will conclude the event at 2 pm, providing a focused and impactful experience for all attendees. In collaboration with the Northern Tier Industry & Education Consortium (NTIEC) and the Wayne/Pike Workforce Alliance, Northeast PA Area Health Education Center is proud to host this event, uniting esteemed industry professionals, colleges, universities, and organizations committed to healthcare education and career development. Through this partnership, the event aims to provide an unparalleled platform for students to explore diverse healthcare pathways.
