Rally for Restaurants: E-commerce Workshop Lackawanna College has been awarded a $150,000 CARES Technology Assistance Grant to support an initiative that will create e-commerce solutions for struggling Scranton restaurants. This funding will be used to support 36 restaurants in the Lackawanna College Rally for Restaurants: E-commerce Edition presented by the Venture Lab. Participants in the program will be able to: Launch websitesCreate online ordering systemsReceive training on how to use digital media to boost sales Restaurants who complete the program will receive one year of ongoing and cost-free tech support through the Lackawanna College Venture Lab for marketing, online ordering, social media, and the restaurant’s website. How to participate: RSVP to the e-commerce workshop hosted locally at the Venture Lab inside Lackawanna College. Can’t attend the workshop? Send an email to venturelab@lackawanna.edu with your first and last name, business name and state your interest in the Lackawanna College Rally for Restaurants: E-commerce Edition.
Lackawanna College Training Future Scranton, Wilkes-Barre Officers Lackawanna College’s Police Academy Class 255 is off to an impressive start. Comprised of 11 officers from both the Scranton and Wilkes Barre Police Departments, this cohort of cadets embarked on a fully funded police training program in the Scranton campus on April 26, 2021. Both the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Police Departments will pay for the cadets’ tuition. The departments are eligible for reimbursement upon cadets’ completion of the program by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer’s Training Commissions (MPOETC) thanks to an Act 89 annual grant of $5 million authorized in 2013. This grant stipulates that police officers must be trained and certified through the Act 120 Pennsylvania Municipal Police Basic Training Program for the departments to receive reimbursement. “Currently, MPOETC will reimburse a department 75 percent of the tuition and 45 percent of the hourly wages required for the training of any cadet hired by the department and paid to attend the Lackawanna College Municipal Police Academy,” Lackawanna College Director of Police Academy Operations John Chilleri explained. Lackawanna College’s Police Academy is the only academy in northeastern Pennsylvania authorized by MPOETC to provide both the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Basic Training Program and the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Annual Mandatory In-Service Training (MIST). “The academy also provides law enforcement training for police departments in 13 counties in the Commonwealth, including lethal weapons training (Act 235) and customized training programs, meeting the training needs of law enforcement agencies, private security, and other first responder organizations,” Chilleri added. Class 255 is expected to graduate in December 2021. Learn more at www.lackawanna.edu.
Rally for Restaurants Announces Not Just One, but Five #RallyFinale Contest Winners Lackawanna College Rally for Restaurants and Metz Culinary Management had committed to raising up to $10,000 for the #RallyFinale Contest through their final dinner event with Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, but exceeded the amount, raising $14,000. Instead of awarding just one grand prize, Rally for Restaurants awarded the grand prize of $10,000to the winning restaurant, The 16th Ward which received the most community votes along with $1,000to each of the four finalists at an award ceremony on May 10 at 409 on Adams at Lackawanna College. In collaboration with Metz Culinary Management, the Rally for Restaurants #RallyFinale Contest asked local restaurants to submit videos explaining how the funds would help support their eatery after being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finalists stated that the funds would help replace equipment, pay for building repairs, cover bills, and pay employees. “The spirit of Rally for Restaurants is an entire community coming together to help our local restaurants survive the pandemic,” said Stephanie Decker, AVP for Social and Economic Impact at Lackawanna College. “We are blown away by the overwhelming support. Once again, Northeast Pa. comes through for our area businesses. Lackawanna College is not a community college, but we are a college for our community and together we are making a difference.” The Lackawanna College Rally for Restaurants initiative was able to donate a total of $79,300 to the local restaurant community and generate over $17,000 in scholarships for students in the Kiesendahl School of Hospitality. “Our community continues to come together in amazing ways. We have a long road ahead to help our businesses and households recover – projects like Rally for Restaurants are a huge piece of getting us there,” said Scranton MayorPaige Gebhardt Cognetti. “We were overwhelmed with the positive response and attendance this past Thursday for the final night of the Rally for Restaurants event held at the College featuring our Ruth’s Chris Steak House menu executed by the service and culinary team at Lackawanna College,” said Jeff Metz, President & CEO of Metz Culinary Management. “The sold-out event allowed us to raise even more money than we expected which will allow us to give back to the community in an even more meaningful way. We are proud to help support local restaurants as we are all in this together.” #RallyFinale Contest Finalists included The 16th Ward, Bar Pazzo, POSH, El Buen Amigo, and Eden a Vegan Café.
Lackawanna College Receives $5,000 Grant to Support STEM-Focused Summer Camp Lackawanna College has received a $5,000 Business Education Partnership (BEP) grant from the Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board (WDB) to support the FIRST LEGO League: Robot Game Camp, a STEM-focused, hands-on summer camp for Scranton School District students in grades six through nine. Run by the Continuing Education department, the program will run Aug. 2 – August 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students will work in teams and engage in a friendly competition to build and program LEGO robots to accomplish tasks and meet challenges. These unique challenge missions will provide students with hands-on experiences that relate to a variety of STEM occupations, such as engineering, coding and information technology, architecture, manufacturing and logistics, the trades, and technician positions. “Lackawanna College supports the community through youth programming and activities that encourage growth and active learning,” said Bridget Duggan, Lackawanna College Youth Program Coordinator. “Through this grant, we are able to provide accessible opportunities to Scranton School District students that get them excited about the STEM field. Partnerships like this are extremely valuable to everyone involved.” The college has opened registration to Scranton School District students for the FIRST LEGO League: Robot Game Camp. The program will be available free of charge with 15 spots available. This project is funded, in part, under an Agreement with money allocated by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, through the Lackawanna County WDB, and its Fiscal Agent, Lackawanna County. For more information and to register your child for the FIRST LEGO League: Robot Game Camp at Lackawanna College, call Bridget Duggan at (570) 961-7883 or email dugganb@lackawanna.edu.
Lackawanna College Pinky Swear PACK Honored for Fundraising Efforts The Lackawanna College Pinky Swear Ambassadors on College Campuses to Help Kids with Cancer (PACK) were honored at a virtual event on May 26 by the Pinky Swear Foundation for raising $4,200, becoming the second top fundraising group in the foundation’s “It Takes Two” fundraiser out of 69 registered PACKs around the country. “This award shows the dedication of our students in their mission to support children and their families who are living with pediatric cancer,” said Stephanie McDaniels, faculty advisor for Lackawanna College PACK. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Pinky Swear Foundation to spread awareness, fundraise, develop student leaders on our campus and make a difference.” The Lackawanna College PACK raised the funds by hosting a basket raffle that included a large spring-inspired basket valued at over $400 including gift cards, chocolate, and surprises donated by Lackawanna College PACK students. The basket raffle pulled in a remarkable amount of donations from Lackawanna College students, faculty, staff, and the Scranton community. This was Lackawanna College PACK’s first fundraiser. “We are always amazed at the incredible passion and dedication of our Pinky Swear PACK members,” said Frankie Behr, Pinky Swear Foundation Student Leadership Manager. “The efforts seen from the Lackawanna PACK are incredibly creative and we are even more excited that every dollar they raised will actually be tripled thanks to our partners at KLN Family Brands and a generous family foundation. This support will help so many families when they need to most – right now.” Learn more at www.lackawanna.edu.
Lackawanna College Signs Transfer Agreement with SUNY Orange Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) and Lackawanna College Lake Region Center have jointly approved a transfer agreement that provides a seamless and smooth pathway for SUNY Orange graduates to transfer to Lackawanna and remain on track to earn a bachelor’s degree in four years. For qualifying SUNY Orange graduates who intend to transition immediately to Lackawanna College after earning their associate’s degree, Lackawanna will waive the transfer application fee, extend students a $1,250-per-year scholarship, consider them for tuition discounts if they are eligible, and provide access to Lackawanna advising while the students are still enrolled at SUNY Orange to facilitate an easy transfer process. For their part, SUNY Orange graduates must maintain at least a 2.8 grade point average and enroll full-time at Lackawanna in one of the College’s seven bachelor’s degree programs. “I’d like to thank President Dr. Jill Murray and her team at Lackawanna for collaborating with our staff, led by Dr. Erika Hackman, vice president for academic affairs, to provide SUNY Orange graduates with a viable and a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree at an institution that is close by,” said Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange president. “A handful of Lackawanna’s bachelor’s degree programs align perfectly with our degrees, specifically in the areas of accounting, business, criminal justice and human services, and I’m confident their RN-to-BSN program will be of interest to our nursing grads.” “This agreement is a culmination of our efforts to partner with SUNY Orange to create streamlined pathways for students who desire to continue their education at Lackawanna College, where they will achieve bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields and make a difference in our communities,” said Jennifer Passenti, director of the Lackawanna College Lake Region Center. Nestled in the heart of downtown Scranton, Lackawanna College remains one of the oldest educational institutions in the region. For more than 120 years, the College has been empowering students to become the next generation of leaders, and its roots in Scranton run deep. Since its formation in 1894, the College’s mission has always been to provide a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives and better their communities. Presently, the College has five satellite centers in Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Tunkhannock and Towanda, Pennsylvania; an Environmental Education Center in Covington Township; and a rapidly expanding main campus in Scranton. Lackawanna College is accredited by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The College prides itself on its focused class sizes, which allow for personalized attention from skilled and extremely passionate faculty; its progressive curriculum, innovative programs, and cutting-edge learning studios that better prepare students; and the unparalleled student support services and active student life community that deepens each student’s college experience. For more information, contact the SUNY Orange Academic Advising office at advising@sunyorange.edu or call (845) 341-4070. For additional information about Lackawanna College, contact Jennifer Passenti at passentij@lackawanna.edu or call (570) 226-4625.
Dr. Jill Murray Named an Editorial Board Member for Esports Journal A recent press release announced on May 18, 2021, Lackawanna College President, Dr. Jill Murray has been named as an Editorial Board Member for the new journal for Esports, Annals of Esports Research (AER). Read the Annals of Esports Research (AER) press release below. We pleased to announce a new journal for Esports, Annals of Esports Research (AER). AER is the first North American Esports journal and is an international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to expanding the scientific basis and qualitative and quantitative knowledge of Esports by publishing quality articles concerning the field. AER publishes innovative original research, opinion, and educational information related to Esports. All disciplines and approaches to understanding Esports are encouraged with a special interest in the health, performance, and experience, and well-being of players, fans, and coaches and industry practices and outlooks and the teaching, management, and research of Esports. Our goal is to advance academic and industry discussions and research in Esports. We welcome empirical, conceptual, and qualitative research and industry-driven manuscripts. As Annals, we are interdisciplinary and cross the barriers between industry, the academy, and medicine. AER is a gold-standard open access journal published through Harrisburg University. It is a no-fee journal and all published articles will be freely accessible. We are an Emerging Sources Citation Index Journal. The journal welcomes submissions from international contributors and researchers of all specialties. Our Editorial Board includes academic and industry partners. Eric Darr, Ph.D. – President, Harrisburg UniversityMark Candella – Director of Student and Education Programs, TwitchJoey Gawrysiak, Ph.D. – Program Director, Associate Professor of Esports, Shenandoah UniversityWayne Kimmel – Chairman of the Board, Managing Partner, SeventySix CapitalLindsey Migliore D.O. – Esports Physician, Founder, GamerDoc, Faculty associate for NYIT Center for Sports Medicine.Glenn Mitchell, M.D., MPH – Professor of Healthcare Informatics, Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Harrisburg UniversityJill Murray, Ph.D. – President, Lackawanna UniversityCharles Palmer – Associate Professor of Esports, Director C.A.R.E, Harrisburg UniversityWim Stocks – EVP Partnerships & Commercial, Belong Gaming & Vindex Categories of Interests: Clinical Topics, Esports and Medicine, Esports and Health, Analytics/Modeling, Bio-Medical, Business, Marketing, Economics, Esports Management, AR/VR, AI, Finance, Education/Pedagogy, and Esports, Sociology, Psychology, Communications, Media, Cultural Studies, Statistics, Prose and Other. Please visit our website: Annals of Esports Research (harrisburgu.edu) To submit a manuscript to AER, please visit: https://harrisburguniversity.submittable.com/submit Please direct manuscript inquiries and general journal questions to Jennifer L. Metz, Ph.D., at AnnalsofEsports@harrisburgu.edu or jmetz@harrisburgu.edu
LCEEC Announces Expansion of Conservation & Natural Resource Certificate Program The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) has announced the expansion of its popular Conservation and Natural Resource (CNR) certificate program. Now, students can take the program at their Environmental Education Center in Covington Township or at their Towanda or Sunbury locations. The program is currently accepting applications for the fall semester and is set to begin in August 2021. During this 15-week accelerated program, students will complete five undergraduate-level field biology courses at the LCEEC located on 211-acres of diverse habitat in Covington Township, Pa. The curriculum focuses on the conservation and interpretation of our natural environment. The program includes instruction in environmental interpretation, wildlife management, freshwater ecosystems, dendrology, and ornithology. Students will also experience both classroom and hands-on field training throughout the program. The CNR certificate is appropriate for anyone seeking a career as a park ranger or in a related field. Students may also take individual courses. Courses are transferable into two or four-year degree programs. Upon graduation, students will receive a CNR certificate and transcripts of their undergraduate coursework. Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2021 semester and financial aid is available. The CNR program is also approved for WIOA funding for displaced workers or individuals with high financial need. Please call PA Career Link for Lackawanna County to verify WIOA funding eligibility. For more information about the program, please visit lackawanna.edu or contact Sharon Yanik-Craig at yaniks@lackawanna.edu or call (570) 842-1506.
Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center Summer Day Camp Registration Open This summer, local youths ranging from ages five through 13 will have the opportunity to participate in summer day camps, which are focused on connecting children to nature. They will take place at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Rd., Covington Township, Pa. Each weeklong camp takes place at LCEEC’s beautiful 211-acre property and LEED Gold Certified facility. The property is home to native plants and wild animals, forested areas, a stream, a marsh, meadows, instructional gardens and both indoor and outdoor classroom space. Campers will spend time exploring natural habitats and playing summer games while the experienced staff guides campers through innovative experiential activities including hiking, stream and forest ecology, environmental activities, nature-based art projects and much more. Focusing on discovery and teamwork, children gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all life while daily interactions with one another helps develop cooperation skills and encourage friendships. A low camper-to-counselor ratio ensures children are safe, supervised and engaged in activities that keep their minds and bodies healthy. Camp themes change weekly and include Honey Bee Conservation, Wilderness Survival, Backyard Habitats, Closer Look, Eco Explorers and Eco Quest. Camps will follow COVID 19 Safety Guidelines recommended by the CDC and ACA. For more information or to register contact the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center at (570) 842-1506 or email yaniks@lackawanna.edu.
Rally for Restaurants $10,000 Cash Prize for #RallyFinale After raising nearly $50,000 for restaurants and over $12,000 for student scholarships, Lackawanna College Rally for Restaurants and Metz Culinary Management have committed to raising up to $10,000 to award to one local restaurant in need. “Rally for Restaurants exemplifies the College’s commitment to bettering the communities we serve, namely in this case, our restaurant community,” said Stephanie Decker, Lackawanna College Associate VP of Social and Economic Impact. “Thanks to the generosity of Metz Culinary Management and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, our #RallyFinale event will deliver on that promise in a big way.” Rally for Restaurants at 409 on Adams will feature Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, a franchise operated by Metz, for their final dinner service on May 6 at their #RallyFinale event. Metz Culinary Management will award all proceeds from the event to Lackawanna College who will run a community-driven contest to award the full amount raised to a local eatery. “As a partner with Lackawanna College since 2015 as their onsite foodservice provider, Metz Culinary Management is thrilled to work in conjunction with their local Ruth’s Chris Steak House to support Rally for Restaurants,” said Jeff Metz, President and CEO of Metz Culinary Management. “Our commitment to raising money for those in need locally is part of who we are as an organization and we are proud to support this worthy cause.” Restaurants can participate in the Lackawanna College Rally for Restaurant’s #RallyFinale contest by submitting a 60-second video on how the funds will be used to help their restaurant at www.lackawanna.edu/rally by Friday, April 30. Lackawanna College will announce the finalists on May 3 and open the vote to the public. The contest winner will be announced at the #RallyFinale event with Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse on May 6. For more information, reservations or to donate to Rally for Restaurants, visit www.lackawanna.edu/rally.
