Lackawanna College Receives Grant to Support Adult Literacy Lackawanna College was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) to support adult literacy. This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s more than $10.6 million donated to support adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states in which Dollar General operates. With today’s grants, the DGLF also surpasses helping more than 20 million individuals achieve their educational dreams since its inception in 1993. The Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) will provide free ESL classes to benefit the residents of Hazleton, PA. The LLA will offer three, 10-week ESL classes that will occur in Summer and Fall 2024 and Winter 2025. Experienced ESL Instructors will provide responsive, individualized, in-person instruction of literacy skills. Additionally, take-home lessons will assist Spanish-speaking individuals with limited English proficiency to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills by at least 2 proficiency levels to attain Adult Basic English proficiency. Lackawanna College also offers Continuing Education Certifications for the Workforce and an English Proficiency college certificate in an 18-credit program that advances English learning and prepares learners for college-level work. “We believe individuals of all ages deserve access to a quality education, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is thrilled to support thousands of learners across the country as they enrich their lives with literacy and education,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “This year’s spring grant cycle is equally exciting as we surpass impacting more than 20 million individuals. We hope these funds provide resources needed to positively change students’ lives, helping them to build a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.” The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs. The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam. Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.
Geisinger Mail-order and Specialty Pharmacies Receive URAC Accreditation Geisinger Mail-Order Pharmacy has earned the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) accreditation for Mail Service Pharmacy and Geisinger Specialty Pharmacy received re-accreditation from URAC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation. By achieving these accreditations, the mail-order and specialty pharmacies continue their personalized approach to the specialized pharmacy and medication needs of their patients. “Geisinger Pharmacy finds ways to provide our patients affordable options when it comes to their prescriptions and other pharmacy needs,” said Michael Evans, chief pharmacy officer for Geisinger. “As a URAC-accredited organization, we meet rigorous standards for health care quality, safety and accountability while continuing to make better health easier for our patients in central Pennsylvania.” URAC is the independent leader in promoting health care quality by setting high standards for clinical practice, consumer protections, performance measurement, operations infrastructure and risk management. “Mail service and specialty pharmacies provide a critical connection for patients receiving specialized pharmaceutical care,” said URAC President and CEO Shawn Griffin, M.D. “URAC’s Mail Service Pharmacy Accreditation recognizes excellence in the areas of pharmacy operations, medication distribution and patient service and communication, all of which are valuable components of the patient care experience.” Geisinger Specialty Pharmacy also received reaccreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) in 2023. To learn more about pharmacy options through Geisinger, visit geisinger.org/pharmacy.
Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients Scranton Area Community Foundation has awarded twenty students from thirteen different high schools a prestigious scholarship through the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund. This competitive scholarship provides $5,000 per year for each recipient for up to four years to assist with continuing education expenses. The following students are first-time recipients of a James F. Swift Scholarship: Noah Beckish (North Pocono), Caden Brennan (Carbondale), Jocelyn Brown (Carbondale), Holly Burke (Scranton Preparatory), Carolyn Chakiris (Mid Valley), Elizabeth Cummings (Old Forge), Celia Emiliani (West Scranton), Kate Evans (West Scranton), Nikauri Fernandez (Holy Cross), Emma Field (Scranton), Sarah Goetter (Mid Valley), Geanna Kirchner (Dunmore), Savannah Lockwood (Dunmore), Antonia Piraino (Lakeland), Allyson Stafursky (Valley View), Makenna Stugus (Abington Heights), Alexa Williams (Riverside), Sarah Wolfe (Riverside), Meghan Wong (Scranton), and Angela Zeng (Abington Heights). In addition to the 20 new recipients, there were 57 James F. Swift Scholarship renewals in 2024. The following students are recipients of a James F. Swift Scholarship Renewal in 2024: Ava Aulisio, Emma Aversa, Jacquelyn Bitter, Alexander Bond, Jillian Brennan, Cameron Butka, Joel Cali, Sofia Capozzi, Kaeden Carr, Riley Clarke, Ryan Coleman, Alyssa Cosklo, Ava Decker, Jayden Evans, Erileidi Fernandez, Sofia Flores-Weidner, Hunter Geise, Sadid Hassan, Courtney Hazelton, Matthew Howard, Emma Illian, Elina Joshi, Michael Kazmierczak, Eliana King, Kendal Johnson, Lorna Lynch, Dana Mackin, Hailey Matechak, Sara McCormack, Finley McHale, David McKenney, Thomas Milewski, Connor Monahan, Ayman Mounota, Owen Morgan, Julia Murphy, Mia Muskey, Paige Pezanowski, Ron Prislupski, Meredith Purcell, Mila Racibor, Ritu Regmi, Taralyn Reilly, Lexee Risner, Michael Rodyushkin, Kayla Rose, Chloee Rumford, Ryan Salony, Michael Sewack, Gabrielle Snee, Christian Snee, Ethan Symuleski, Alexis Tanana, Benjamin Thompson, Martin Turi, Jayde Waibel, and Molly White. The James F. Swift Scholarship Fund has awarded over $5 million since 2008, benefiting over 340 local students. Created in 2002 through a gift by Mr. James F. Swift to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund supports higher education for students graduating from high schools in Lackawanna County. Following Mr. Swift’s death in 2006, the Scranton Area Community Foundation gratefully received a significant gift from his estate to the scholarship fund, allowing many students from Lackawanna County to pursue their academic and professional goals through higher education. The scholarship aims to provide an ongoing matriculation stream at Lackawanna County colleges and universities. The Scranton Area Community Foundation aims to award 75% of the scholarships to students who plan to attend institutions of higher learning in the Lackawanna County region. Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi praised Mr. Swift’s generosity, noting that “he has left a permanent and enduring legacy for our region’s youth. His scholarship fund makes higher education more attainable for generations of students.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation partners with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) in the Partnership for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Program to offer qualifying students additional financial aid. Through PHEAA, scholarship recipients may be eligible for additional dollars toward their tuition. For more information on the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, please contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Director of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, at 570-347-6203.
Geisinger Announces Medical Center Expansion Geisinger officials today announced major plans to make better health easier for the central Susquehanna Valley and beyond with a proposed $880 million expansion of Geisinger Medical Center. The proposed project will feature a new 11-story tower that will be constructed at the front of the hospital, near an expanded main entrance area. This expansion will dramatically alter and improve the Geisinger Medical Center campus through modern spaces and tools to meet the region’s current and future healthcare needs, focusing particularly on patient experience and high-level care. The new tower will feature a larger emergency room to serve more patients and provide a more efficient flow of care. The new ER will double the square footage of the current space and increase it from 45 beds to 60 beds. Updated and expanded intensive care units and operating suites will surround the ER to allow collaboration between teams as they care for the sickest and most severely injured patients. The hospital will transition to a 100% private-room facility for a more comforting and modern healing environment, so each patient will have their own room to recover and be with their loved ones. It also allows more space for teams to work collaboratively on a patient’s care plan. “Our community has depended on Geisinger for world-class health care for more than a century,” said Terry Gilliland, M.D., president and CEO of Geisinger. “We’re continuing that legacy today as we announce the largest expansion project in the nearly 110-year history of Geisinger Medical Center. This project will truly transform care. It’s proof of our commitment to making better health easier for our communities today and into the future.” Beyond the clinical expansion, the project improves campus convenience with a proposed multi-level parking garage near the front of the hospital. The garage will connect to the hospital with an enclosed sky bridge, offering patients and visitors an easy way to reach the facility and its emergency services. The parking garage also will better connect the hospital with the Pine Barn Inn, which will continue operations adjacent to the hospital. “This project will completely reimagine the Geisinger Medical Center campus to strengthen collaboration among our staff and units for better patient care,” said Megan Brosious, chief administrative officer for Geisinger’s central region. “Our patients will have a modern care environment where they can continue receiving expert care right here in Danville, as they’vecome to expect from us over the past century. And our teams will have the space they need to provide that care.”The investment comes at a time when the need for expanded health care access is growing in Pennsylvania and across the country. In central Pennsylvania, the 65 and older population, which typically requires more health resources and specialized care, is expected to grow over the next decade. This expansion marks the latest investment in the region’s health needs. The system recently started construction on Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Danville, a 96-bed inpatient facility in Mahoning Township that’s expected to open in 2025. Geisinger Medical Center provides specialized treatment options and services not widely available in the region, including Level I trauma care, transplant surgery, advanced cancer care and Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. It is also a Magnet hospital and a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and it was the first hospital in the country to receive a Comprehensive Heart Attack Center designation in 2022.Danville’s project is happening in parallel with a similar expansion at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center near Wilkes-Barre. These investments underscore Geisinger’s commitment to creating a better patient experience for northeastern and central Pennsylvanians.Geisinger Medical Center campus development work is already underway, with a roadway project in front of the hospital that will improve traffic flow. The Danville expansion project is expected to begin in 2025, starting with the planned demolition of Dickey Clinic to make room for the tower. Tower construction will occur in phases with the new tower slated to open in 2028. The last expansion on the campus occurred in 2010 with the opening of the Hospital for Advanced Medicine tower.
Allied Services Employee Earns Health Executive Qualification Allied Services Integrated Health System is proud to announce that Brianna Hoban, NHA, PCHA, Administrator of Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center in Scranton, has earned the prestigious Health Services Executive (HSE) qualification from the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). This achievement underscores Hoban’s dedication to excellence in long-term care and her commitment to continuous professional development. The HSE qualification is a significant milestone for healthcare administrators. It reflects a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of long-term care, including nursing homes, assisted living, hospice, and home and community-based services. It serves as a benchmark of quality and competence, ensuring that leaders in the field are well-equipped to manage and improve long-term care services across different settings. Brianna Hoban has been a vital part of Allied Services. She previously served as the Assistant Administrator before taking on her current role as Administrator of Allied Services Scranton Skilled Nursing Center, a 327-bed facility. In addition, she holds the position of Assistant Vice President of Skilled Nursing Administration, where she provides operational and administrative support to the leaders of Allied Services’ Wilkes-Barre-based skilled nursing facilities. Hoban’s educational background includes a degree in Health Services Administration from Marywood University. Her HSE qualification attainment enables Hoban to enhance her expertise further and bring innovative, high-quality care solutions to the patients and families served by Allied Services. This accomplishment allows her to continue her pursuit of knowledge and make an even more powerful impact on the long-term care continuum, benefiting the entire community. “We are incredibly proud of Brianna’s achievement,” said Senior Vice President of Skilled Nursing, James Cooney. “Her dedication to advancing her knowledge and skills exemplifies the values of Allied Services and our commitment to providing exceptional care. Brianna’s leadership and expertise are invaluable assets to our team and the individuals we serve.” Allied Services remains committed to fostering professional growth among its staff and continually improving the quality of care provided. Congratulations to Brianna Hoban on this outstanding accomplishment.
Marywood University’s Spring 2024 Dean’s List Locals Marywood University recently announced area students named to the Spring 2024 Dean’s List from each of its colleges, including the College of Health Sciences and the Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies. Undergraduate students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-4.00 on 12 or more graded credits merit this academic honor. Students who believe they may have been omitted from this list in error should contact the Dean of their respective college. Area students named to the Dean’s List from the College of Health Sciences as declared by Dean Shelby W. Yeager, M.Ed., LAT, ATC, CSCS, include: Joanna Aguirre, Wilkes Barre; Katelyn Ainey, Jessup; Reese Allen, New Milford; Valerio Amato, Dupont; Paul Appolt, Scranton; Cassidy Asinski, Waymart; Adele Banfield, Pocono Lake; Madison Bialy, Dickson City; Megan Bidwell, Honesdale; Rachel Black, Mountain Top; Seth Blakiewicz, S Abingtn Twp; Alyssa Bollard, Kingsley; Vanessa Bompane, E Stroudsburg; Karli Boyer, Pine Grove; Halle Bryk, Pittston; Emma Budnovitch, Roaring Brook Twp; Noah Budnovitch, Roaring Brook Twp; Bethany Burns, Susquehanna; Olivia Canfield, Honesdale; Juan Cardenas, Jessup; Joseph Cardillo, Dunmore; Jessica Cardone, Hawley; Allyson Carpenter, Scranton; Jessica Carpenter, Scranton; Mackenzie Carr, Greentown; Rebecca Castimore, Lords Valley; Izabella Chmil, Scott Twp; Samantha Christian, Pittston; Corey Cicci, Scranton; Bailey Cinamella, Covington Twp; Jonah Cogliette, Dunmore; Ryan Coleman, Archbald; Jenna Collins, Duryea; Laci Connor, Archbald; Lily Connor, Roaring Bk Tp; Jennie Contreras, Old Forge; Kylie Coy, Montrose; Francheliz De Jesus Correa, Carbondale; Skylar Dearie, Carbondale; Makayla Decker, Avoca; Morgan Decker, Avoca; Mia Demarco, Pittston; Alexis Devanney, Fell Township; Molly Devine, Scranton; Todd Dotter, Thornhurst; Gabrielle Eldridge, Nanticoke; Eduardo Escobar, Harding; Myia Evans, Elmhurst Twp; Destiny Evans, Meshoppen; Alicia Farrell, S Abingtn Twp; Tanner Fenstermacher, Luzerne; Mackenzie Ferry, Pocono Pines; Noah Fontanella, Archbald; Chloe Fosko, Tunkhannock; Tela Fotta, Dalton; Madelyn Franceski, Vandling; Brandon Freedman, Fleetwood; Dhruvi Fuletra, Plains; Skylar Gagnon, E Stroudsburg; Page Gittens, Tamaqua; Gianna Giumento, Throop; Ryan Glatzel, New Milford; Autumn Goonan, Dickson City; Makayla Gregory, Waymart; Priscilla Grill, Scranton; Sadie Grochal, Shavertown; Amanda Gross, Moscow; James Guariglia, Pittston; Mason Guelho, Stroudsburg; John Guichay, Scranton; Zohal Gul Mohammad, Scranton; Haley Hallman, Blandon; Courtney Hammond, West Lawn; Natasya Handijaya, Scranton; Kortney Harry, Noxen; Shawna Hauck, Hamburg; Caleah Hawley, Eynon; Lauren Hegedus, Scranton; Michaela Henderson, Olyphant; Stephanie Hicks, Throop; Ashley Hrywnak, Spring Brook; Rosemary Jacks, Scranton; Abbey Jackson, Olyphant; Aiyanna Jean, Cresco; Jonathan Jenkins, Susquehanna; Kylee Jezorwski, Dunmore; Sarah Kagan, Hanover Twp; Will Kalinich, Scranton; Tristen Kalt, Jermyn; Daelyn Karboski, Olyphant; Heather Kauffman, W Abingtn Twp; Emma Kobylanski, Olyphant; Carissa Kopenis, Hanover Twp; Noel Korkuti, Clarks Summit; Morgan Koutch, Ashland; Kayla Kristopaitis, New Boston; Matthew Laboranti, Peckville; Jeffrey Lake, Clarks Summit; Morgan Langan, Clarks Summit; Athena Legates, Thompson; Grace Lehman, White Haven; Kristen Lello, Avoca; Kaylyn Lewis, Hallstead; Natalia Lic, E Stroudsburg; Anna Liuzzo, Mayfield; Emmanuel Lomax, Bushkill; Jasmine Loury, Scranton; Denis Madera Collado, Jessup; Kathleen Magda, Wilkes Barre; Nicholas Mancuso, Old Forge; Alyssa Marion, Peckville; Juliauna Mason, Mountain Top; Hailey Matechak, Carbondale; Elizabeth Mathias, Wyoming; Morgan Mayne, Eynon; Sara McCormack, Scranton; Willow McDonald, S Abingtn Twp; Wriley McDonald, S Abingtn Twp; Abby Megotz, Scranton; Mason Mendygral, Kingston; Brett Miller, Scranton; Madison Miller, Clifford Township; Skylar Milovcevich, Dingmans Fry; Samantha Mitchell, Lakeville; Christina Monroe, Olyphant; Journey Moran, Kingston; Madison Mower, Roaring Brook Twp; Alyvia Mroczka, Mayfield; Grace Murtagh, Olyphant; Maggie Nagle, Forest City; Fajrun Najih, Blakely; Lauryn Notari, S Abingtn Twp; Nicholas Notari, S Abingtn Twp; Abbie O’Brien, Scranton; Celeste Orchard, Lake Ariel; Rebecca Ottensman, Nanticoke; Victoria Para, Pittston; Isabella Parise, Jessup; Megha Patel, Dunmore; Sarah Pavlovicz, Scranton; Lynda Perez, Long Pond; Marzinete Pilch, Archbald; Caitlyn Posdon, Hawley; Jack Rafferty, Scranton; Jessica Raharjo, Scranton; Katrina Ramos, Scranton; Brandon Reed, Taylor; Allison Rempe, Moosic; Matthew Richards, Dallas; Camille Rillstone, Ransom Twp; Emily Rinaldi, Duryea; Natalie Rinaldi, Tobyhanna; Tatiana Roldan, Milford; Jordan Rosenberg, Gilbert; Samuel Rosetti, Archbald; Morgan Sakulich, Shavertown; Damien Saltsman, Kutztown; Mahnoor Sami, Jessup; Breanna Sanon, Cresco; Gracie Secor, Avoca; Taylor Seprosky, Archbald; Kelsey Sholtis, Larksville; Carl Shygelski, Taylor; Mary Siracuse, Jessup; Riley Skelton, Honesdale; Sydney Skrutski, Archbald; Laura Slivinski, Scranton; Megan St. Ledger, Jessup; Abigail Stalter, Jermyn; Merison Stecik, Avoca; Kacie Szczech, Dickson City; Cataldo Talutto, Scranton; Danyelle Tech, Dunmore; JaeAnna Topa, Scranton; Courtney Toroni, Peckville; Marie Traverse, Milford; Alexis Turner, Clifford Twp; Emily Umlah, Hanover Twp; Jasmin Veloz, Bushkill; Anthony Viscomi, Scranton; Katie Ward, Glen Lyon; Rebecca Webb, Shoemakersvle; Cian Wescott, Scranton; Shaskia Wibowo, Scranton; Kahley Williams, Drums; Samantha Wilson, Dickson City; Madeline Wittig, Frackville; Chloe Wolfe, Prompton; Lauren Youngken, E Stroudsburg; Lorna Yushinsky, Archbald; Aleena Zahradnik, Archbald; Leah Zambetti, Yatesville; Emma Ziminskas, Jessup; and Michael Zuzzio, Archbald. Area students named to the Dean’s List from the Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies as declared by Dean James J. Sullivan, M.ARCH, RA, AIA, include: Jihad Abdallah, Greeley; Annabel Adams, Brackney; Elizabeth Adams, Brackney; Madeline Adams, Brackney; Mariah Addis, Peckville; Hanna Adonizio, S Abington Twp; Rye Ahronson, Scranton; Kaelin Alicea, Saylorsburg; Tatiana Amaral, Roaring Brook Township; Adam Anderson, Berwick; Mia Angelicola, Waverly Twp; Olivia Arcuri, S Abington Twp; Nathaniel Armstrong, Clarks Summit; Andrew Babinski, Scranton; Zoe Badner, Greentown; Bryce Baldwin, Susquehanna; Vesna Baric, Tobyhanna; Matthew Barletta, Scranton; Colton Barrett, Dunmore; Jake Barrett, Peckville; Brandon Bartley, Mountain Top; Gavin Beck, Moosic; Daniel Becker, Honesdale; Bria Beggin, Jessup; Chase Benjamin, Archbald; Noah Berkoski, Scranton; William Berlew, Courtdale; Mia Blume, Dunmore; Marlena Bompane, E Stroudsburg; Mia Bonavoglia, Scranton; Vincent Bonavoglia, Scranton; Kiarra Bonning, Harding; Logan Bowling, Luzerne; Faith Bravo, Dunmore; Esmeralda Brito Romero, West Hazleton; Jocelyn Brotzman, White Haven; Joseph Brown, Dunmore; Julie Bryan, Lake Ariel; Caitlyn Burdick, Waymart; Jacob Burkhart, Old Forge; Brennan Burnside, Scranton; Joel Cali, Old Forge; Dylan Campbell, Scranton; Bryan Cano, Scranton; Ashley Capone, Scranton; Brandon Carlson, Lakeville; Jordan Carty, Mount Pocono; Nicholas Casella, Old Forge; Joanna Castro, E Stroudsburg; Carter Cerretani, Clarks Summit; Emily Chamberlain, Luzerne; Sephora Charlot, Scranton; Phoebe Cheesman, Dalton; Maya Chorba, Peckville; Thomas Ciccotti, Scranton; Maria Cicerini, Jefferson Twp; Olivia Ciullo, Dunmore; Vito Ciullo, Scranton; Lauren Clancy, Clifford Twp; Caroline Coar, Dunmore; Isabella Coleman, Factoryville; Nicholas Colombo, N Abingtn Twp; Brianna Conniff, Archbald; Gavin Connor, Carbondale; McKenzie Connor, Childs; Christopher Conserette, Peckville; Chloe Conway, S Abingtn Twp; Makyla Cordaro, Scranton; Daniele Cragle, Old Forge; Shannon Croll, Milford; Nickolas Curtis, Waymart; Damanta Dahal, Scranton; Matthew Davis, Saylorsburg; Thomas Day, Moosic; Joel Decarli, Archbald; Aviel Decastro, Scranton; Sarah Demchak, Carbondale; Tehya Dietrich, Carbondale; Macrina Dolinish, Old Forge; Cali Domin, Jefferson Twp; Collin Dougherty, Shavertown; Kyle Driscoll, Roaring Bk Tp; Molly Driscoll, Roaring Bk Tp; Emily Duris, Monroe Twp; Collin Eisenhower, Sugarloaf; Jayden Evans, Olyphant; Kayleigh Evans, Taylor; Ryan Evans, Dalton; Madison Evans, Cressona; Emma Eynon, Dunmore; Ellen Fago, Hawley; Kyle Falcon, Mohnton; Jaden Fedorchak, Carbondale; Elaine Felipe Olivares, Scranton; Dilenny Feliz, Peckville; Dominique Ferraro, Jessup; Avery Fiorillo, Clarks Summit; Bridgette Flannery, Lake Ariel; Alison Fortuner, Carbondale; Jolie Fraggetta, Milford; Kami Frindt, Hawley; Gianni Gaitan, Cresco; Anastasia Galko, Roaring Brook Twp; Elizabeth Gething, Old Forge; Maxim Gingo, Shavertown; Josh Godlewski, Taylor; Frank Golden, Dunmore; Dominique Gomez Juarez, Scranton; Fabiana Gonzales, Old Forge; Savannah Gonzalez, Dingmans Fry; Alyssa Green, Nescopeck; Kelsey Green, Nescopeck; Zachary Grosvenor, Kingsley; Mason Gumble, Tafton; Destiny Hallock, Throop; Charles Hamm, Waverly Twp; Matthew Hartz, Hazleton; Justin Hartz, Orwigsburg; Shawna Heckman, Old Forge; Jocelyn Hittle, Morgantown; Emma Holbrook, Clarks Summit; Julian Homa, Mountain Top; Kaylie Hontz, Wilkes Barre; Zachary Houston, Exeter; Ava Howells, Douglassville; Samantha Howey, Honesdale; Colby Hughes, Scranton; Corey Iyoob, Jessup; Ty Jackson, Olyphant; Emily James, Hanover Twp; Gabriel Jenceleski, Nanticoke; Kyle Jenkins, Scranton; Matthew Jesse, Dallas; Bo Judson, S Abingtn Twp; Corrine Justick, Jefferson Twp; Delaney Kaeb, N Abingtn Twp; Olivia Kaschak, Archbald; Shelby Kaschak, Jermyn; Aiden Kelly, Fell Township; Megan Kielar, Carbondale; Taylor Kizer, Scranton; Rebecca Klemovitch, Waymart; Eleanor Kloss, Sprng Brk Twp; Michael Kobierecki, Dickson City; Jennifer Kobylanski, Dickson City; Esther Korkuti, Clarks Summit; Elsa Kovatch, Archbald; Diane Kraus, Covington Twp; Matthew Kubasti, Hunlock Creek; Sara Labar, Scranton; Cydney Lahr, Herndon; Connor Laity, Lake Ariel; Matthew Lastauskas, Waverly Twp; Braden Law, Plymouth; Alivia Lawless, S Abingtn Twp; Madelyn Lee, Douglassville; Thomas Lee, Scranton; Mercedes Lee, Noxen; Jodi Lowthert, Long Pond; James Lucia, Covington Twp; Tristan Luczak, Hanover Twp; Isabella Luongo, Old Forge; Kathleen Lynott, N Scranton; Ashlyn Maas, Carbondale; Sarah Macdonald, Scranton; Jaylene Maisonet, Tobyhanna; Hudson Malinowski, Waymart; Vanessa Mancuso, Olyphant; Aubrey Mangan, Scranton; Marissa Manza, E Stroudsburg; Lydia Marotti, West Pittston; James Marsh, Duryea; Sarah Martin, Archbald; Nelly Martinez, Scranton; Jade Marzolino, Scranton; Jayden Matute, Scranton; Mercedes McAvoy, S Abingtn Twp; Jack McCabe, Old Forge; Coleman McCain, Great Bend; Michael McCann, Dallas; Allison McDermott, Lake Ariel; Danilo McDonough, Scranton; Jacob McLane, Scranton; Nathan McLane, Scranton; Emma McNally, Olyphant; Isaiah Meals, Fleetwood; Kirsten Melton, Scranton; Giavana Mercatili, Archbald; Jennifer Mercereau, Greentown; Marina Miesko, Sprng Brk Twp; Laura Mildner, Moscow; Mary Miles, Carbondale; Thomas Milewski, Jefferson Twp; Emma Monahan, Fell Township; Jillian Mooney, Dunmore; Kevin Morales, Scranton; Nolla Morawiec, E Stroudsburg; Macey Morcom, Moscow; Owen Morgan, Jermyn; Paige Morgan, Olyphant; Amanda Morgan, Greentown; Riley Mulherin, S Abingtn Twp; Connor Mulhern, Duryea; Alexandra Murphy, Orwigsburg; Jacob Muth, E Stroudsburg; Yamile Nader, Beaver Mdws; Donia Nazmy, Wilkes Barre; Rebecca Nieto, Hawley; Marissa Nowak, Exeter; Jessica Nowakowski, Duryea; Lauren O’Brien, Pittston; Thomas O’Keefe, Milford; Emily Orlando, Scranton; Nick Oruska, Montrose; Cecelia Otis, Olyphant; Jake Pajalich, Avoca; Karen Pan, Stroudsburg; David Paramo, Scranton; Megan Pavlowski, Dunmore; Casey Penzone, Jermyn; Chloe Perko, Bear Creek; Ava Perrins, Throop; Kailee Perry, Carbondale; Julia Pesotine, Hughestown; Logan Pfaff, Scranton; Alexander Poehailos, Waymart; Angel Popko, Dickson City; Chloe Pugh, Mountain Top; Emily Raffaele, E Stroudsburg; Anaid Ramirez, Effort; Joshua Ramos, Mahanoy City; Elyse Rehder, Clarks Summit; Robert Reilley, Wilkes-Barre; Fiona Reinhard, Kunkletown; Ethan Rickard, Honesdale; Ayana Rivera, S Abingtn Twp; Emilee Paige Robinson, S Abingtn Twp; Brittnie Rodriguez, Scranton; Madelynn Ross, Wyoming; Emily Rowe, Forty Fort; Emily Ruggles, Damascus; John Russo, Milford; Joseph Sanfilippo, Wyoming; Abigail Sankus, Wilkes Barre; Abigail Saverslak, Dickson City; Autumn Savitski, Shavertown; Daniel Sayre, Tunkhannock; Sophia Scalese, Old Forge; Brielle Scheland, Old Forge; Santo Schiavone, Clarks Summit; Marissa Schuler, Harveys Lake; Lia Schwenk, Dunmore; Alexander Shields, Scott Twp; Jada Siino, Newfoundland; Haylee Sileo, Dunmore; Gradon Silva, Sprng Brk Twp; Kevin Slywka, Moscow; Andrew Smith, Archbald; Matthew Smith, Old Forge; Gabrielle Snee, Olyphant; Todd Snyder, Meshoppen; Alexandra Solimine, Lake Ariel; Nevaeh Sorensen, Scott Township; Grace Spisso, Taylor; Kailey Stevenson, Montrose; Italia Storey, Scranton; Andrew Straka, Peckville; Milana Straub, Scranton; Jakub Stromko, Tobyhanna; Ruiwen Su, York Haven; Antonia Summa, Dunmore; Jessica Sunar, Scranton; Natalie Sweeney, Jessup; William Sweeny, Eynon; Jonelle Symonies, Carbondale; Alexandra Taffera, Moscow; Kevin Talley, Lake Ariel; Carissa Tallo, Dunmore; Trevor Thomas, S Abingtn Twp; Samantha Thomas, Factoryville; Caryn Thompson, Scranton; Gabrielle Troch, Newfoundland; Brianna Trutt, Lake Ariel; Nicola Veniamin, Waverly Township; Elizabeth Vito, Dupont; Lilly Vito, Dupont; Larissa Waite, Henryville; Julia Walsh, Scranton; Mira Walsh, Scranton; Justine Walters, Roaring Bk Tp; Kenneth Ward, Scranton; Victoria Weber, S Sterling; Benjamin Werle, Meshoppen; Kevin Whitaker, S Abingtn Twp; Colby White, Jermyn; Mia Wilkus, Scranton; Benjamin Williams, Honesdale; Abigail Wilson, Scranton; Christian Winkler, Jermyn; Zachary Witte, Lakeville; Sean Wolfe, Nanticoke; Claire Wood, Montrose; Molly Yatchyshyn, Bernville; Lauren Yencho, Dickson City; Kyra Yergey, Fleetwood; Maggie Yerkes, Milanville; Taylor Zackarias, Tunkhannock; Brenda Zakarias, Scranton; Rachel Zarubski, Dunmore; Noah Zeigler, Lake Ariel; Jenna Zerilli, Effort, and Anna Zuby, Peckville.
Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival Kicks off Excitement As summer heats up, Saint Joseph’s Center is excited to announce a series of pre-events designed to build community enthusiasm leading up to this year’s Summer Festival, WNEP-TV Telethon, and Go Joe 27 Bike Ride. These Community Ride Alongs are a celebration of the collaboration with our valued community partners. The Ride Alongs, walks, and runs, continuing now through the end of July, will feature a variety of interests from Family Fun Walks and Bike Rides, to collaborations with local breweries and restaurants. “These pre-events are essential in encouraging excitement and bringing people together, all culminating at the Annual Summer Festival,” says Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM President/CEO Saint Joseph’s Center, “These events wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our community partners who share our mission of making a difference in our community.” Saint Joseph’s Center is blessed to have so many community advocates who have helped grow these events into what they are today. Anthracite Bicycle Coalition has assisted in creating multiple “Rides” over the years and throughout the area including bringing in local restaurants like Barrett’s Pub in Archbald, Groove Brewing in Scranton, and McGrath’s Pub and Eatery in Dalton. This year, we are also pleased to include Scranton Running in some of these events along the Heritage Trail. The Rail-Trail Council of NEPA continues to host rides in Simpson and Forest City. Partners throughout Luzerne County include Wilkes-Barre Bike Gang, who host rides along the Levee Systems and local parks, and The Cycle Yard, who partnered with Susquehanna Brewing Company to bring stationary exercise bikes to their outdoor area. The community is also invited to join Saint Joe’s as they send off Joe Snedeker, WNEP Meteorologist, on his 27th Annual Go Joe Bike Ride on Friday, July 12th at Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton. This Launch Party will feature Go Joe T-shirts and other merchandise sales, raffle chances, and much more. Go Joe 27 merchandise can also be purchased online through Saint Joe’s Website, stjosephscenter.org, with an optional free pick-up date of July 11, 3-6 pm. More details are located on webstore. The collaboration with partners extends beyond sponsorship to active participation in event planning, logistics, and community engagement. Each contributes unique resources and expertise to ensure the success of Community Ride Alongs. Please see the events listed below and join Saint Joseph’s Center for a fun-filled Summer! Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Archbald Ride & Walk at Trailhead & Barrett’s Pub: Registration: 5:30 pm Start Time: 6:00 pm Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Rails to Trails: Simpson/Morse Ave to Forest City – Start Time: 5:30 pm Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Wilkes Barre Gang – Start Time: 6:00 pm Sunday, July 14, 2024, The Cycle Yard at SBC, Pittston – Outdoor Spin Class – 12 pm Thursday, July 18, 2024, Groove Brewery/Olive Street Trailhead: Registration: 5:30 pm & Start Time: 6:00 pm Friday, July 12, 2024, WNEP Go Joe Launch Party, Cooper’s Seafood, Start Time: 4 pm Other fundraisers for Go Joe 27 and Saint Joseph’s Center include Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day on July 24th, Montage Mountain Water Park Day on July 21st, and a Liturgy at Saint Peter’s Cathedral in downtown Scranton on July 21st at 10 am. These pre-events will culminate in the eagerly anticipated Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival set to take place July 26th and July 27th from 4-10 pm, and July 28th from noon- 7 pm. For more information on the pre-events and the Summer Festival, please visit stjosephscenter.org and follow us on social media at “Saint Joseph’s Center”. Photo caption: MaryLou Grogan, Committee Chair; Lynn Gavin, Auxiliary Coordinator, Saint Joseph’s Center; and Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President/CEO Saint Joseph’s Center.
Pennsylvania Treasury Department Praised for PA 529 Pennsylvania Treasury Department has been praised for PA 529 Investment Plan. Morningstar, a financial services company that rates 529 plans across the country, recently reinforced the reasons it awarded the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s PA 529 College and Career Savings Program Investment Plan (IP) its Gold Rating in November – making it one of only two plans in the nation to receive Morningstar’s highest rating. In a recent article (“Morningstar’s Top-Ranked 529 Plans”), Morningstar praised Treasury’s “aggressive negotiations for lower fees and additional fee breakpoints” which “led to a more positive investor experience.” It also highlighted the department’s “effective and steadfast advocacy on behalf of its investors [which] puts the plan a notch above peers.” “My team and I are proud of the fact that we earned Morningstar’s Gold Rating because it means that we’re doing a great job for the hardworking Pennsylvania families who use the PA 529 IP to save for education,” Treasurer Stacy Garrity said. “Our focus is always on the people who are saving every dollar they can to give their children and grandchildren the education they want and deserve. We will continue working day in and day out to give Pennsylvania families even more reasons to save for their child’s bright future with PA 529.” The PA 529 IP allows families to choose from a variety of investment portfolios, including target enrollment date options, which automatically adjust asset allocations to become more conservative as a child reaches the anticipated date of enrollment in post-high school education. PA 529 IP earnings are dependent upon financial market performance. Since taking office in 2021, Treasurer Garrity has overseen several changes to PA 529 plans, making them more accessible and affordable for Pennsylvania families, including eliminating the minimum deposit to open an account and reducing the minimum contribution to one dollar, on top of multiple fee reductions that have saved more than $11.5 million for families across the whole PA 529 program, which also includes the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP). There are nearly 301,000 combined PA 529 IP and GSP accounts with more than $7.7 billion in assets. The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program helps families steadily and strategically save for future educational expenses like tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board and more at qualifying technical, collegiate and apprenticeship programs. PA 529 plans offer significant state and federal tax advantages and saving with PA 529 does not impact Pennsylvania state financial aid eligibility. To learn more about PA 529 accounts visit pa529.com, call 800-440-4000 or email pa529@patreasury.gov.
L.R. Costanzo Co. Inc. Completes Project at Johnson College Johnson College has once again teamed up with its long-standing partner, L.R. Costanzo Co. Inc., to erect its latest northeastern Pennsylvania masterpiece: Johnson College’s Ideal Saldi Hall. This new building, serving as a dramatic gateway to all who enter the 44 acre campus, not only welcomes visitors and students, but also stands as a symbol of Johnson College’s innovative spirit. Ideal Saldi Hall houses state-of-the-art classrooms; student areas; computer labs; the Biomedical Equipment Technology program; administrative offices; including Financial Aid, Admissions, Advising, President’s Office; and the “Hallway of Industry.” Spanning two stories, this extraordinary structure features an expansive second floor with a floating, cantilevered classroom above a student gathering area. This impressive edifice overlooks the school’s beautifully landscaped greenspace and alumni garden. A first of its kind on the campus, this building allows for intuitive learning and teaching by featuring a type of “live laboratory” for students. Johnson College requested design features that leave most of the interior building envelope exposed, in order to foster real-world learning. This includes uncovered ceilings, observable structural steel, visible ductwork, and wide open spaces, allowing teachers to bring their classrooms to life by encouraging students to experience, firsthand, what they are learning. “The partnership between Johnson College and L.R. Costanzo began years ago and goes beyond the construction of campus buildings,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. “Everyone at L. R. Costanzo, including many of our alums, participate in our Professional Advisory Committees and career fairs, interact with our students during their classes and labs, and students frequently visit their construction sites through internships and in-industry tours. Our collaboration shows what it means when we say industry is our students’ campus.” Bringing Real Life Experience to Students Another unique aspect of this remarkable project has been student engagement with professionals from L.R. Costanzo. Senior Project Manager Benjamin Washington and Senior Project Engineer Stephen Peterson regularly serve as guest instructors, providing educational learning throughout course of the project. L.R. Costanzo is also affording paid internships so students can continue learning outside of the college environment. “Our goal is to expose students to true life situations by showing them that what they’re learning in the classroom and labs really does translate in the real world,” states Stephen Peterson, Project Engineer. “In other words, we want to expose them to the various types of jobs in construction, since there is no one path to get there.” Benjamin Washington, Project Manager says, “Taking part in the creation of a building that not only serves as a welcoming showpiece for Johnson College’s constituents, but also provides real time, hands-on learning for its students, has been incredible. Knowing that we are actively contributing to furthering a student’s education has made this job rare and extremely rewarding.” Alumni Involvement Both Johnson College and L.R. Costanzo are proud of their alumni involvement in not only this project, but in numerous other projects along the east coast and beyond. “There are several L.R. Costanzo team members who are proud graduates of Johnson College including myself in 1985 (my father, Tony, 1946, who attended through the GI bill served as my inspiration); Ideal Saldi Hall’s Project Superintendent, Joseph Carlo (1985); and it’s Estimating Manager, Kevin Coolican (1985),” states L.R. Costanzo Vice President of Operations, Matthew Michalek. Project Superintendent and Alumnus Joseph Carlo states, “We take an enormous amount of pride in all our projects, but this one is particularly close to our hearts. Our team is working hard to ensure that this building will exceed expectations.” Michalek continues, “As a locally-owned and operated family company, our leadership strongly supports this wonderful institution. In fact, Louis A. Costanzo served as Board Chair and his son, Louis E. Costanzo served as a Board Member. Currently, our Business Development Executive and Johnson College alum, Candy Frye, 1994, is also Board Member.”
