Keystone College News

Lackawanna Hall Renamed in Honor of Professor Howard Jennings

It’s official. Jennings Hall is now the home of Keystone College’s famed Woodlands Campus headquarters in honor of the late Professor Howard Jennings.

In a touching Homecoming Weekend ceremony, a group of Howard’s family, friends, and colleagues gathered to pay tribute to a man they all loved and respected and who has done so much for Keystone College. Professor Jennings passed away in 2017 after serving Keystone for nearly 50 years. Keystone has also dedicated a portion of the Woodlands Campus as the Professor Howard Jennings Nature Preserve.   

“For so many years, Howard Jennings represented the very best of Keystone College,” said Keystone Interim President John F. Pullo, Sr. “Today, we gather to honor his memory and all that he accomplished for Keystone.”

Professor Jennings arrived on the Keystone campus in 1968. In addition to his teaching duties, he played a crucial role in establishing the beautiful and scenic system of hiking trails on the Woodlands Campus, as well as the Ecology Club and the Keystone College Environmental Education Institute.  

“Howard was truly a great thinker. He had a vision for Keystone and worked to have that vision become reality,” said retired Keystone Professor Jerry Skinner, Ph.D. He was a great man, a great friend, a great colleague. I miss him every day.”

 Professor Jennings’s wife, Susan, and their sons Leigh and Eric, and Eric’s wife, Sylvia, attended the ceremony.    

Susan spoke of her husband’s love and respect for Keystone College, its beautiful campus, and its wonderful people.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have Keystone as another home,” Susan said. “I’m so very proud to have all of you here today as we celebrate this special day.”

It was indeed a special day as the Keystone community can now celebrate Jennings Hall.