The Scranton Cultural Center Announces Free Concert Enjoy a concert given by the United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on July 1 at 7:00 p.m. The concert, entitled “America the Beautiful” is free and open to the public. The Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus are the oldest and largest of The U.S. Army Field Band’s performing components. Founded in 1946 and 1957 respectively, these two ensembles combine to present joint concerts on their national tours. They have performed in all 50 states and 30 foreign countries for audiences totaling hundreds of millions. The 60-member Concert Band and 29-member Soldiers’ Chorus perform regularly in some of the most famous concert halls in the world, and just as often in the humblest auditoriums in the smallest of communities. The joining of these two ensembles allows them to offer unparalleled versatility of programming, ranging from orchestral masterworks and operatic arias to Sousa marches, jazz classics, and Broadway musicals. The band and chorus also perform independently, and have recently shared the stage with such ensembles as the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to their national tours, formal concerts, chamber recitals, and educational outreach, members of the Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus frequently represent the Army at formal and ceremonial functions, including the Presidential Inaugural Parade, presidential funerals, the Army All-American Bowl, and diplomatic efforts overseas. To learn more about the military’s most traveled musicians, visit ArmyFieldBand.com. The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus concert is sponsored by LT Verrastro and supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts. The concert will take place in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase. Tickets are free to the public and are required for admission. They can be acquired at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.
Johnson College Fall 2022 Distance Learning Program Johnson College is now enrolling for its Fall 2022 Distance Learning Program for high school and adult students in the rural areas of Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna counties. It creates a direct route for students to complete any of Johnson College’s seventeen 2-year associate’s degree programs and ultimately a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages while staying in their communities. To learn more about this program or to register for courses listed below, please visit Johnson.edu/usda-registration or email the Johnson College enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu. Students will have interactive, two-way access to Johnson College faculty and participate in remote education, discussions, testing, and skill demonstrations via high-tech telecommunications equipment in classrooms at Forest City Regional High School, Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, and Western Wayne High School. Furthermore, Lakeville Library, Newfoundland Library, and Pleasant Mount Library will be equipped with laptops to give community residents access to career exploration services and information about courses at Johnson College. In addition to the distance learning opportunity this program provides, students will have access to Johnson College’s full array of on-campus support services including tutoring, counseling, career services, financial aid, internship opportunities, and exposure to industry from day one. Distance learning will help high school and adult students reach their full potential and connect with the region’s essential careers already in demand. Distance learning courses available at all participating high schools will include: BUS 105-1 E-Commerce – Mondays, 4 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. CDT 123-1 Surveying & Mapping – Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ART 110-1 Contract Drawings – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. ART 105-2 Blueprint & Schematic Reading – Fridays, 1:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. ART 110-4 Contract Drawings – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. PRG 101-2 Programming for Enterprise – Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Additionally, a special job training course in intermediate shielded metal arc welding will be available through Honesdale High School. This 8-week, 90-hour course will provide the necessary knowledge and skills for an entry-level welder. Through theory and hands-on practice, students will learn oxy-fuel, gas tungsten arc (TIG), gas metal arc (MIG), and shielded metal arc (Stick) processes. Lectures will include basic metallurgy, welding codes, non-destructive examination, and welding symbols. Emphasis will be placed students’ ability to prepare material and perform welding of fillet and grieve welds in carbon steel using E7018 electrodes in all positions. Students will have the opportunity to take the qualification test. This program is funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.
Boback’s Bill to Create a Day Care Program for Older Veterans Passed by House Legislation that would create an elderly veteran’s day care program within the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives recently. “We have a deep feeling of gratitude and admiration toward the men and women who have served our country, said Boback, who chairs the House Veterans Affair and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “This program would provide an additional layer of support for these veterans and their families.” Boback’s proposal would establish an adult day care program to be known as “Community-Based Palliative Care,” Under the legislation, the DMVA would administer a non-hospital specialized medical care in a veterans’ home or with a partner in a related health care facility licensed by the Department of Health to veterans who are living with a serious illness. “For veterans facing challenging medical conditions or illness, palliative care can provide relief from pain and suffering – and can offer additional benefits for family members who may be acting as a veteran’s informal caregiver,” Boback added. “The ultimate goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family, regardless of diagnosis.” House Bill 1972 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Geisinger Health Plan Ranked Best Commercial Health Plan For the third year in a row, Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) ranked best among commercial health plans in Pennsylvania for member satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study. In its third consecutive win, GHP earned a 17-point increase year-over-year. The study examines several key factors, including cost, coverage and benefits, customer service, information and communication, and provider choice, all of which Geisinger rated higher in than the previous year. “Health coverage should be affordable for everyone, especially in times like these,” said Kurt J. Wrobel, GHP president and executive vice president of insurance operations for Geisinger. “It is no easy feat to be named the top insurance plan in Pennsylvania, but this study shows that our members and patients get the quality of care they deserve and expect from the name they trust most with their health. At Geisinger, we always have, and always will, put our patients, members and communities first.” The 2022 study was conducted among commercial HMO, PPO and POS health plan members drawn from online panels. Results are based on responses across 147 health plans in 22 market-based U.S. regions as identified in the 2022 study. Of the 147 plans evaluated, 139 are eligible for ranking. As part of one of the country’s most well-established integrated health systems, GHP maintains a provider network of more than 29,000 doctors and 100 hospitals across Pennsylvania. More than half a million members trust GHP for their healthcare coverage. To learn more about J.D. Power’s rankings, visit http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2022061
The Wright Center Appoints Constantini to Associate VP The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education have named Scott J. Constantini as its associate vice president of Primary Care and Recovery Services Integration. In his new role, Constantini will advocate for a preferred future in primary health care and medical education for trauma-informed, community-based primary care, behavioral health and recovery services integration initiatives, while engaging in legislative advocacy and relationship building with regional, state and national stakeholders. Constantini will also serve as The Wright Center’s internal champion for trauma-informed training for all employees and advise the organization in its journey toward trauma competency. In addition, he will promote a culture of integration within The Wright Center and represent community programs that flip the model of primary health care to the prevention of high-risk behaviors. He also will collaboratively support leadership of the Behavioral Health Service Line and interface with payors and internal stakeholders, while working directly with grants and project management as the primary subject matter expert related to behavioral health and addiction for relevant grants and projects. Constantini is a graduate of Penn State University with more than 25 years of experience in mental health, trauma, substance misuse and leadership management. He is a member of the Lackawanna County Recovery Coalition, Lackawanna County Overdose Review Team and sits on the Recovery Bank Steering Committee. The Wright Center, which strives to be an optimal employer, has more than 600 workers in Northeast Pennsylvania and at its graduate medical education training partner sites across the nation. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org.
The Dime Bank Donates to the Wayne County Community Foundation The Dime Bank donated $50,000.00 to the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Through the WCCF, The Dime Bank’s donation provides significant funding for the Wayne Highlands, Western Wayne, Wallenpaupack, and Forest City Regional school districts for STEM programming, nutrition education, math/language arts summer and after school programs, and dual enrollment scholarships for college courses at Johnson College. WCCF Executive Director Ryanne Jennings stated, “This year the schools have some innovative stuff happening including Wallenpaupack’s aviation program. We really appreciate businesses’ support, like The Dime Bank, of the EITC program through the WCCF. This program allows our school districts to provide additional and innovative STEM programming in the district. The Foundation also benefits from the administrative fee for managing the EITC program and is able to provide capacity building, grant making, and fundraising technical assistance to nonprofits in our community year-round.” Wallenpaupack Area High School BCIT Department Chair, WASA Founder/Director Eric Greenberger stated, “The Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation program prepares young people in our community for specific careers in the aviation industry. Students can pursue academic pathways that include professional pilot, aviation management, air traffic control, and aviation maintenance. Students that successfully complete the program may continue their studies at local universities and or flight schools while attaining credentials necessary for employment at local, regional, and other airport facilities. EITC funding is used to support instructional equipment, tools, supplies, professional consultation, and other essential building blocks of the program. This unique academic opportunity is a testament to the consistent efforts of The Dime Bank to invest in local community, education, and infrastructure. A strong investment in our young people today, will yield great returns for all of us in the future.”
Treasurer Garrity Celebrates #MadeInPAMondays Anniversary Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced the first anniversary of her #MadeInPAMondays social media campaign, which highlights the great work of manufacturers and makers all across Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania’s manufacturers and makers are such a vital part of our economy, and it’s so much fun to share the great work they do,” Garrity said. “Manufacturing is the backbone for so much of our state’s rich history, it’s a vibrant part of our present – and a strong manufacturing base is essential for our future.” “Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector employs more than a half-million people on the plant floor, sustaining millions of additional jobs among suppliers, distributors, and vendors,” said David N. Taylor, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association. “Manufacturing creates over $92 billion in value for Pennsylvania’s economy every year, while also offering the highest wages and benefits in the marketplace. Our manufacturing employers anchor the local tax base, too, upholding the quality of life in our communities. The people who make things in Pennsylvania have amazing stories, and we are grateful to Treasurer Garrity for sharing them every week.” The #MadeInPAMondays campaign has put the spotlight on companies both large and small across a wide array of industries, including athletic apparel, automotive, batteries, candy production, concrete, control systems, data storage, glassware, iron, leatherworking, locomotives, medical, military & national defense, pottery, steel, woodworking, and many more. So far, #MadeInPAMondays has included 53 businesses representing 50 counties. Yesterday’s feature highlighted Wilson Forest Products in Greene County. The family-owned company has been in business since 1931 and produces premium grade cooperage stock for a world-wide marketplace, including recent expansion of premium cast production for the wine and spirits industry. All of the highlighted businesses can be seen on this interactive map. “It’s been great to connect with these impressive Pennsylvania businesses and highlight some of the many products made right here in PA,” Garrity said. “I’m excited to visit more businesses and continue promoting all that our great state has to offer.” To recommend a Pennsylvania-based business to be highlighted as part of the #MadeInPAMondays campaign, email PATreasuryNews@patreasury.gov.
University of Scranton Students Win Fulbright Grants Two members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2022 have been awarded 2022-2023 Fulbright grants, the prestigious international academic exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government that awards competitive, merit-based scholarships for recipients to spend a year conducting research or teaching abroad. Through the 2022-2023 Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Peter Amicucci ’22 won a Fulbright-Lappeeranta University of Technology Graduate Award to Finland, and Crysta O’Donnell ’22 won an English Teaching Assistantship to Andorra. Widely considered to be the premier international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, the Fulbright program awards grants based on the recipients’ records of academic achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. “Both graduates will benefit greatly from their Fulbright experience. Crysta’s aptitude for languages and appreciation of different cultures make her well-suited for a career in foreign service. Peter will absorb and learn sustainable supply chain management practices from a world-renowned institution and put that knowledge into practice throughout his career,” said Susan Trussler, Ph.D., associate professor of economics and finance and The University of Scranton’s Fulbright Program Advisor. Since 1972, a total of 127 University students have been awarded Fulbrights. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program, which operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. Peter Amicucci, Poughquag, New York Growing up in the scenic Hudson Valley, Peter Amicucci has always been in awe of nature. “I enjoy hiking and just being in nature. Mount Beacon is a favorite spot that I go to throughout the year with my family and friends. The views are beautiful,” said Amicucci. “Being near the Hudson River also made me aware of the damage pollution can have on the environment, as well as the positive impact of clean-up initiatives. That’s where my interest in sustainability began.” Amicucci studied sustainable practices in his coursework at Scranton. His class in Quality Management included the study of environmental management systems. As a Fulbright student, he plans to learn even more about sustainable practices. Amicucci will pursue a two-year Master of Science degree in economics and business administration with a concentration in supply management at Lappeeranta University of Technology in Finland. Dr. Anni-Kaisa Kankonen, vice dean of academic affairs and professor of supply management at Lappeeranta University will serve as his mentor. “Lappeeranta University of Technology is known for its expertise in supply chain management and Finland is one of the most sustainable countries in the world,” said Amicucci. The focus of his research will be on sustainable supply chains specifically for the tourism industry. He will look for ways to make ecofriendly improvements throughout the supply chain of the service sector. His planned courses include “Green Logistics” and a project course on “Sustainable Business.” He will also take courses on Finnish language and culture. His ultimate goal is to create a consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses in the tourism industry, such as hotels, theme parks and commercial transportation companies, develop and support their sustainability efforts in the procurement, manufacturing and delivery of their goods and services. In addition to course studies, Amicucci plans to immerse himself in the local Finnish community through his love of music and sports. He has played the trumpet since the fourth grade and was a member of the University’s Performance Music Concert Band and Strings Ensemble. He was also a member of Scranton’s varsity wrestling team. In Finland, he plans to join a music ensemble and a wrestling club. Amicucci earned a bachelor’s degree in operations management, summa cum laude, from Scranton with minors in mathematics and business analytics. He is also a member of the Business Honors Program, one of the University’s five programs of excellence. At Class Night, he received the University’s Excellence in Operations Management Award. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, Amicucci was inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon, (international economics honor society), and Alpha Sigma Nu (national Jesuit honor society), where he served as vice president. In the 2021, he came in sixth place in both Future Business Executive and Organizational Behavior and Leadership at the Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference, and came in first place for Future Business Executive and second place for Organizational Behavior and Leadership at the 2021 Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference Qualifier. He was the president and founder of Scranton’s Phi Beta Lambda chapter. He was also a member of the Business Club, PRISM (Portfolio of Responsible Investment Under Student Management), Business Honors Club and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. His semester studying abroad at Fordham University London Centre was cut short in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the summer of 2021, he participated with about 200 college students from across the country in a leadership development internship at Hershey Park. In the greater Scranton community, he volunteered with Big Friends, Little Friends. Crysta O’Donnell, Riegelsville, Pennsylvania Crysta O’Donnell was born in Nicaragua in a multi-ethnic home where French and Spanish were spoken daily. As a Fulbright Teaching Assistant, O’Donnell will travel to Andorra, a small country that borders Spain and France, where both Spanish and French are dominant languages. She will teach English and American culture at an Andorran School. “Andorra’s official language is Catalan,” said O’Donnell, who looks forward to learning yet another language. “As a Fulbright student, I will also have the opportunity to learn and practice Catalan.” Languages come easily to O’Donnell, who learned English at a very young age at a prestigious elementary school she attended. She is fluent in Spanish and English and advanced in French. She also has a natural love and interest in learning about different cultures. The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship award will also allow her to develop her other passions: teaching and diplomacy. O’Donnell enjoyed teaching her younger sisters the languages she mastered. While serving as an English as a Second Language tutor at Scranton, she developed creative approaches to helping students learn English. “I used images, art and songs by popular artists to help students understand the words, meanings and culture,” said O’Donnell. “I plan to do the same with my students in Andorra.” O’Donnell’s interest in a future career as a diplomat began when she and her mother and sisters emigrated to the United States. She saw first-hand the challenges and barriers faced by those entering the country, as well as the importance of the resources and assistance others can provide. O’Donnell wants to be a resource to others in the future. As a Fulbright student, O’Donnell will also volunteer to coach youth soccer. In addition, she will research how the cultural and linguistic diversity of Andorra’s people relates to their allegiance and engagement with the sport of soccer. O’Donnell earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies and Hispanic studies, summa cum laude, from Scranton with a minor in French and a concentration in Latin American studies. A Dean’s List student, O’Donnell was inducted into Alpha Mu Gamma (national foreign language honor society), Phi Alpha Theta (international history honor society) and Pi Sigma Alpha (national political science honor society). At Scranton, she was president of the Spanish Cultural Society and a member of the Mountain Sports Club, the Archery Club and the Fencing Club. She also volunteered the University’s Leahy Clinic, serving as an interpreter for migrant families.
