Lackawanna College Awarded Grant to Support Diversity Initiatives A $2,500 grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence will help Lackawanna College build a multi-stage diversity and inclusion improvement plan. The grant will provide funds for the College to hire a consultant service to assist in creating and administering a comprehensive institutional equity audit. The audit will focus on the student experience, examining organizational practices and policies related to diversity and inclusion. “There’s a need to identify the College’s strengths and weaknesses, so we can create a more vibrant college community, improving the experience for all students, particularly those who have been traditionally marginalized and underrepresented,” said Joya Whittington, project director. “I’m grateful that we were approved for this grant so we can begin to implement institutional and social change.” Faculty and staff members on the College’s Diversity, Equity, Justice and Inclusion (DEJI) committee will lead the project. Branching off from the audit, the committee will establish a multi-phase Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) improvement action plan and initiate short and long-term educational activities.
Department of Defense Military Packaging Design Training Now Available at Tobyhanna Army Depot PSCC’s Wade Myrthel assists a PACK 2 student during capstone testing. The Army’s premier training for military packaging has a new home. The Army Sustainment Command Packaging, Storage, and Containerization Center (PSCC), located on-post at Tobyhanna Army Depot, has fully implemented a new version of the critical PACK 2 Military Packaging Design Course. The course educates Department of Defense (DoD) personnel on techniques to properly design packaging that protects high dollar mission critical items from the rigors of military storage and the defense distribution system’s complex network of air, sea, and land transport – a challenge that requires simultaneously controlling costs, conserving resources, and minimizing unit pack size and weight. Thanks to the efforts of PSCC personnel, the DoD now has a comprehensive design course to address all of these concerns and provide DoD packaging designers with the skills they need to successfully support mission requirements. Since 2008, the closure of the School of Military Packaging Technology (SMPT) and the effects of attrition have resulted in a significant gap in the DoD packaging subject matter expertise. In response to this need, PSCC developed a redesigned PACK 2 that leverages the packaging expertise of in-house personnel and the resources available in PSCC’s Packaging Applications Testing Facility. The eight-day course consists of classroom lectures, as well as hands-on instruction in PSCC’s world-class packaging testing facility, which includes water intrusion, random vibration, and simulated handling testing apparatuses. A variety of packaging-related topics are covered in the training, to include design requirements, design methodology, shock and vibration, fragility, suspension systems, cushioning properties, cushioning design procedures, special packaging instructions, and validation testing. The culmination of the course is a capstone, requiring students to build and test a package that can meet military packaging standards – and withstand durability testing. Beginning in the first lesson, the capstone is integrated. By immediately following up each lesson with a relevant exercise, students get to reinforce what they have just learned and obtain a clearer picture of how it applies to real world design. According to David Gomes, re-launching the course was an arduous effort. “Our team spent the past year developing the PACK 2 course and ensuring it met the rigorous standards of the Defense Packaging Policy Group (DPPG),” adding that PSCC was chosen for the mission due to the subject matter expertise of its employees, as well as their modern testing facilities. Gomes is a senior packaging specialist in PSCC. A pilot of the course was held in late FY21 and included representatives from the DPPG, the Defense Contract Management Agency; the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armament Center; the U.S. Marine Corps; and the U.S. Navy. Gomes noted that the course benefitted attendees as well as PSCC personnel. “Having personnel from various DoD Components in one room allowed for dynamic cross-collaboration and discussion.” The pilot – and PSCC’s instructors – earned rave reviews from attendees as well as DPPG representatives, who gave the green light to fully offer the course to the DoD community. General Engineer Brian Rawhouser says the entire DoD – especially Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) – will benefit from having the PACK 2 training on-post. “The packaging fundamentals taught in this course ensure military assets are protected from environmental impacts, transportation and handling, and remain in a ready-for-issue status throughout the supply chain. That has a direct impact on TYAD’s mission; for example, proper packaging can reduce warranty claims, increase safety, and, most importantly, ensure materiel readiness.” The PACK 2 course is scheduled to run again in late January, April and July 2022. Those interested in learning more about the course or about PSCC’s unmatched facilities and team, please call 570-615-7257 or visit PSCC’s website at https://www.pscc.army.mil/. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for C5ISR systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities. *please note: These photos were taken at various times during the year, during which the Department of Defense guidance on masking/COVID-19 precautions changed in step with the guidance from the Center for Disease Control.
Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Scholars Present Cardiovascular Research at International Conference Dr. Muhammad PirDr. Najam Saqib Dr. Hamza HanifDr. Muhammad Affan A team of cardiovascular disease fellows and internal medicine residents at the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education recently presented their scholarly research, “Comparison of Radial vs. Femoral Arterial Access for Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” at an international conference in Orlando, Florida. The Cardiovascular Research Foundation’s Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Conference, an annual scientific symposium, is the world’s foremost educational forum that specializes in interventional cardiovascular medicine. It features major medical research breakthroughs and leading researchers and clinicians from around the world presenting and discussing the latest evidence-based research. Drs. Muhammad Pir and Najam Saqib, cardiovascular fellows, and Drs. Hamza Hanif and Muhammad Affan, internal medicine residents, co-authored the research presentation. It involved the review of 14 studies and 12,272 patients to assess existing literature on radial versus femoral arterial access for complex percutaneous coronary intervention. Radial access was associated with a significantly lower rate of major bleeding, but the work discovered that overall procedural success was superior when utilizing the femoral artery. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education features three fellowships: Cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology and geriatrics. Over three years, the cardiovascular disease fellowship trains fellows in community-based settings with globally and nationally recognized, board-certified cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons. Fellows also hone the knowledge and skills needed to provide state-of-the-art cardiac care, while advancing the specialty field through their own scholarly research and practice. Overall, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education has had 75 scholarly abstracts, written on a wide array of topics in medicine, accepted for presentation at professional conferences since the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, go to thewrightcenter.org or call 570-343-2383.
The Robert and Rose Cavanaugh Fund to Feed the Hungry Poor Grants $14,680 in 2021 to Fight Hunger In 2021, The Robert and Rose Cavanaugh Fund to Feed the Hungry Poor granted $14,680 to programs in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne Counties. The Fund, which was established in November 2018 at the Scranton Area Community Foundation through a planned gift from the late Robert and Rose Cavanaugh, supports entities and programs such as pantries, meal services, and food kitchens that are dedicated to serving the hungry poor. The 2021 grant recipients and the purposes for the grants are: ● Catherine McAuley Center – “Food Pantry For Women and Families in Need” ● CEO Weinberg Regional Food Bank – “Food Delivery and/or Food Supplies” ● Here For A Reason – “Food Packaging and Distribution” ● Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry – “Food for Food Pantry” ● Meals on Wheels of Greater Pittston – “Food Preparation and Delivery” ● Meals on Wheels of NEPA, Inc. – “Food preparation and delivery” ● NativityMiguel School of Scranton – “Hunger Relief for Families of NativityMiguel School” ● NEPA Youth Shelter – “NEPA Youth Shelter Grocery Fund” ● The Greenhouse Project – “Plants, Food, and Skills for Sustenance” ● ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund – “ThinkBIG Holiday Gift Card Program” ● United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA – “Angel’s Attic Food Pantry” ● Wayne County Community Foundation – “Wayne County Emergency Food Relief Fund” Recipients were selected through a rigorous application process. Applicants were invited to submit grant requests for up to $5,000 using the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s online grant portal. Ryanne Jennings from the Wayne County Community Foundation explained how the grant supported their efforts to provide fresh food to their local emergency pantries, “Wayne County Emergency Food Relief Fund purchased $3747 in local produce, eggs and dairy for the in Wayne County. Our pantries have very limited storage for items that require refrigeration, so the Emergency Food Relief Fund helps to provide the funds needed to purchase directly from the farmers directly before the pantries distribute their food to our community members in need of support.” For more information about grant opportunities at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, please contact Cathy Fitzpatrick, Scranton Area Community Foundation Grants and Scholarship Manager, at 570-347-6203, extension 301, or grants@safdn.org.
Johnson College Fall 2021 President’s List Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who were enrolled in 12 credits or more and completed the 2021 Fall Semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher. David Neiman, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Shavertown, PA Bennett Sisto, Computer Information Technology, Scranton, PA Jonathon Kaville, Electrical and Construction Technology, Old Forge, PA Julia Price, Heavy Equipment Technology, Scranton, PA Alexander Mros, Radiologic Technology, Wilkes-Barre, PA Johnathan Gilson, Heavy Equipment Technology, Honesdale, PA Jon Dellia, Physical Therapist Assistant, Olyphant, PA Benjamin Terry, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Richmondale, PA John McDonald, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Pittston, PA Brittany Bethel, Veterinary Nursing, Dallas, PA Antonia Latorre, Computer Information Technology, Taylor, PA Silas Beck, Computer Information Technology, Covington Township, PA Philip Davitt, Electrical and Construction Technology, Dickson City, PA Jonathan Petrasko, Computer Information Technology, Peckville, PA Richard Christianson, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Susquehanna, PA Natalie Lamoreaux, Physical Therapist Assistant, Pennsdale, PA Evan Wilcox, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Milanville, PA Cody Mackin, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Taylor, PA Jason Chilko, Automotive Technology, Bartonsville, PA Alexander Nallin, Veterinary Nursing, Scranton, PA Michael Salansky, Computer Information Technology, Harford, PA Joseph Ingraham, Diesel Truck Technology, Binghamton, NY Richard Mikloiche, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Vandling, PA Virginia Murray, Automotive Technology, Jessup, PA Brandon Grandinetti, Computer Information Technology, Olyphant, PA Colton Esslinger, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Susquehanna, PA Jacob Banta, Automotive Technology, Trucksville, PA Donald Smith, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Tunkhannock, PA
Winter Blues Guitarmageddon Blues Festival Returns, Blues Legend Joe Louis Walker Set to Headline on February 25 The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is pleased to announce that its 6th Annual Winter Blues Guitarmageddon will return on February 25 and continue as a one-night Blues festival featuring an eclectic mix of local, regional, national, and international touring artists. Grammy-nominated, six-time Blues Music Award Winner and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Joe Louis Walker is confirmed to headline. “We are beyond excited to be back this year as a one-night mini-fest, with plans of expanding to a weekend event in 2023,” says organizer Maria Santomauro. “The last two years were challenging, but we are grateful to be back presenting live music to the greater Northeastern Pennsylvania regions again!” Boasting a career that spans over 50 years, Headliner Joe Louis Walker is regarded by NPR as a “legendary boundary pushing icon of modern blues” and is a true guitar powerhouse with distinctive vocals. He has toured the world’s most renowned music festivals sharing the stage with Muddy Waters, Thelonious Monk, Ronnie Woods, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Charlie Musselwhite and John Mayall, to name a few. In addition to his own twenty-five albums, Walker has played on Grammy-winning records by B.B. King and James Cotton and collaborated with a diverse group of first-rate artists including Branford Marsalis, Tower of Power, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. His latest album “Electric Electric,” features a diverse mix of blues-stomping and horn-powered originals as well as a few out of the ordinary covers, like “Werewolves of London” (Warren Zevon) and “Hotel California” (The Eagles). Adding to the lineup is King Solomon Hicks, who returns by popular demand after his debut in Scranton at Winter Blues Guitarmageddon: Next Generation in February 2020. At that time, he was just releasing his latest work “Harlem”, which was awarded Best Emerging Artist Album at the Blues Music Awards. The album was produced by three-time Grammy Winner Kirk Yano, who has worked with Miles Davis, Public Enemy, Mariah Carey and more. Rounding out the lineup are local blues rock power trio Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen and the soulful, Philadelphia-based Deb Callahan Duo featuring Allen James. The concert will take place in the Scranton Cultural Center’s Grand Ballroom at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Seating is reserved and tickets range from $40-50 in advance and $45-55 day of show. They can be purchased at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. The 6th Annual Winter Blues Guitarmageddon is sponsored by UGI Utilities, Inc. and LT Verrastro. It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts. PLEASE NOTE: Masks are required for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status. They can be removed for eating or drinking in the designated area, which will be located on the Lower Level. For additional information about the SCC’s current COVID-19 Mitigation Policies, visit SCCMT.org/COVID. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.
2021 SAF Annual Event Celebrates Over $5 Million in Grant Distribution The Scranton Area Community Foundation held its 2021 Annual Community Celebration on the evening of Thursday, December 2nd at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. The Annual Community Celebration event was an opportunity for the Foundation, its Board of Governors, and supporters to share and celebrate their impacts and accomplishments in 2021. Laura Ducceschi, CEO & President of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, and Ken Okrepkie, Chairman of the Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors, hosted the event which was live-streamed to supporters. Posture Interactive provided production services, including video production, streaming, and designing the stage dressing. At the event, members of the Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors celebrated the generosity of donors and friends that enabled the Foundation to distribute over $5 million in grants and scholarships from charitable funds, and an additional $2 million from Foundations under management. Also recognized were featured community partners and funds who have made a significant impact in 2021. Featured Community Partners were William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Lamar Advertising, and the Hudacek Family. 2021 Featured Funds were Anne Marie and Paul Kelly Fund, NEPA Invitational Fund, and Patrick J. and Patricia J. Mellody Memorial Fund. Also honored at the celebration was Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants & Scholarships Supervisor at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, for her 20 years of dedicated service to the Foundation. For more information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation, please contact 570-347-6203 or info@safdn.org.
Rep. Cartwright, Advocates Highlight Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding for Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today was joined by local partners following the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to begin discussions on efforts to reclaim and clean up abandoned mine lands (AML) in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on November 15, 2021 with Rep. Cartwright’s support, will create good-paying American jobs, heal scarred land and clean polluted water. It includes $21 billion for addressing Legacy Pollution and will clean up brownfield and superfund sites, reclaim abandoned mine lands and plug orphan oil and gas wells. Pennsylvania has more unreclaimed abandoned mine land acreage than any other state in the country and represents 40.7% of the country’s reclamation costs. Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will support the reclamation of AML sites in Pennsylvania with nearly $3.8 billion coming directly to the Commonwealth. An estimate of each state’s recipient amount can be viewed HERE. “With these funds, we will be able to reclaim our land and water from mine run-off, protect and create jobs and grow our economy. And to do it, we need our public and private partners to be talking to these three folks and their peers who are familiar with the work and who know our needs,” said Rep. Cartwright. “We need municipal and county leaders and landowners to get involved. We need them to help identify places for remediation or ask if they have a mine running under them and how they can give these environmental remediation efforts access.” Rep. Cartwright also noted that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will improve the environment by reducing the air and water pollution caused by AML sites and the effort to protect the people, homes, businesses and infrastructure currently at risk. He highlighted the economic development activities that are likely to result from the reclamation efforts and the impact it will have on Northeastern Pennsylvania’s growing economy. Rep. Cartwright was joined today by Bobby Hughes, Executive Director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), along with other advocates. EPCAMR has long been engaged in advocacy to clean up the AML sites in Northeastern Pennsylvania and welcomes the funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. “EPCAMR is interested in continuing to develop positive relationships and open dialogue with private landowners and entities across NE PA that may or may not be aware that their land and associated mine water pollution from AMD could be eligible for funding under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. No shovels will get put into the ground or funds put on the table without the consent of the landowner where these historic problem areas and features are located in our coalfield communities,” said Bobby Hughes, Executive Director, Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR). “We want to help facilitate access agreements, conduct water quality and flow monitoring, connect landowners with private companies interested in reclamation and mine water cleanup, advocate for clean energy alternative projects such as solar or mine pool geothermal projects, ensure that any liability concerns are addressed and resolved, navigate potential funding sources, and work with them to restore our watersheds impacted by past mining practices. We will continue to advocate for opportunists to create job opportunities and economic development through infrastructure investments in clean water from polluted abandoned mine drainage (AMD) and reuse of these abandoned mine lands for manufacturing and mixed use industrial or commercial development, in addition to warehouse distribution centers.” Left to right: Charlie Medico – Medico Industries, Inc.; Bernie McGurl – Executive Director, Lackawanna River Conservation Association; Bob Durkin – President & CEO, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Rep. Cartwright; R. John Dawes (back) – Executive Director, Foundation for PA Watersheds; Lindsey Griffin – Executive Vice-President & CEO, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce; Bobby Hughes – Executive Director, EPCAMR; Michael Hewitt – EPCAMR. Learn more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act HERE.
Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn Names Three New Principals Effective as of January 1, 2022, attorneys Ryan Molitoris, Christopher Quinn and Kevin Walsh will be advancing to Principal status of the law firm Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn. Molitoris and Quinn will join eight other Personal Injury Attorneys and Walsh will join nine Business Law Attorneys in Principal status. Ryan Molitoris Attorney Molitoris was born and raised in Plains, PA. He graduated from the University of Scranton with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy and a minor in History. He then pursed his legal career at Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, PA, graduating Magna Cum Laude in the top 10% of his class – while serving as the Executive Managing Editor for its Law Review. Before joining Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, Molitoris served as a Staff Attorney in the Pro Se Office for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Prior to that, he served as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk to the late Hon. Edwin M. Kosik and as an Associate Attorney for the Siejk Law Firm in Scranton, PA. Molitoris is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Luzerne County Bar Association, the Lackawanna County Bar Association, and the Federal Middle District of Pennsylvania. His practice areas include medical malpractice, premises liability and motor vehicle accidents. Christopher Quinn Attorney Quinn was born and raised in Clarks Summit, PA. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a minor in Political Science. He then pursued his legal career at Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh, PA., where he was a member of the National Trial Team, a National Member of the Order of Barristers and recipient of the Court Call Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy, as well as the Shalom Moot Court Award. Prior to joining Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, he served as a Law Clerk to Lackawanna County Judge Hon. Terrence R. Nealon. Quinn has been named to the 2022 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch – Medical Malpractice Litigation. He is a member of the Pennsylvania, Lackawanna and Luzerne Bar Associations and the Northeast Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. His practice areas include medical malpractice, products liability, trucking and auto accidents. Kevin Walsh Attorney Walsh was born and raised in Drums, PA. He graduated from Bucknell University with his bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He then pursued his legal career at Syracuse University College of Law, where he was selected as a recipient of the Lampe Bar Scholarship. Prior to joining Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, Walsh was an Associate Attorney with Donald G. Karpowich, Attorney-At-Law, P.C., and with the Law Offices of Tullio DeLuca. Walsh also began his legal career serving as a Law Clerk to Lackawanna County Judge Terrence R. Nealon. Walsh is a member of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. His practice areas include real estate transactions, banking and creditors’ rights, zoning, real estate and general litigation matters.
Johnson College Announces Tuition Freeze for Third Year in a Row After achieving the third year of record-setting enrollment this fall, Johnson College is announcing that tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year will not increase. The $17,700 annual tuition cost set for fall 2021 will freeze for the upcoming year. Liz Renda, Chief Financial Officer, is proud of Johnson College’s ability to alleviate a student’s debt burden. She shared, “The third year of record-setting enrollment and smart fiscal management has led directly to this tuition freeze and our overall level of affordability for students.” “The key reasons students choose Johnson College are that our programs are in-demand with up to 100% placement rates for specific programs and the affordability and value of the education they receive. Plus, a student’s immersion in industry from day one,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO. “Our industry partners guide our curriculum to ensure that our students become talented, essential employees who fill employer workforce needs. The College’s strong relationships with industry partners have resulted in local, desirable, live labs, and internship opportunities, for our students to experience the hands-on education they expect from Johnson College.” The tuition freeze will increase students’ return on investment. Bill Burke, Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs, shared, “Our two-year degree and academic certificate programs have the highest ROI in the short-term because students enter the workforce sooner, and with less debt.” Johnson College ranks #1 for immediate return on a graduate’s investment for education among local institutions based on a 10-year return, according to a recent Georgetown University study. Enrollment is still open for the spring 2022 semester, which begins on January 18, while the fall 2022 semester starts on August 29, 2022. Financial Aid is available to eligible students. Currently, a majority of Johnson College students, 94%, receive some financial aid.
