Penn State Scranton Business Club Explores Benco Dental Penn State Scranton believes integrating real-world experiences outside the classroom is crucial for students’ success and development. Acknowledging this, Penn State Scranton’s Business Club recently embarked on a tour of Benco Dental in Pittston, Pennsylvania. Guided by Lecturer of Business Kevin Feifer the excursion offered invaluable insights into the inner workings of one of the nation’s leading dental distributors. “Company tours provide practical, real-world experiences that complement classroom learning,” said Feifer. “They showcase industry procedures, offer networking opportunities with professionals, and inspire students to explore potential career paths.” During the tour, Danielle Dominick, culture and people senior talent coordinator at Benco Dental, led the students through an engaging exploration of the company’s corporate facility. Students gained firsthand exposure to supply chain management functions and learned about the importance of marketing, from sales strategies to customer service. “The tour of Benco Dental provided our students with a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context,” said Feifer. “It’s crucial for students to understand how concepts learned in the classroom translate to practical applications within the industry.” The tour concluded with an informative session dedicated to internship and full-time job opportunities available at Benco Dental. Students left with a deeper understanding of potential career paths and the skills required to succeed in the dental distribution sector. “These experiences are vital in preparing students for success in their future endeavors,” Feifer said. “Some of our students aspire to start their own businesses after completing their degrees, and the entrepreneurial spirit of Benco Dental has inspired them to pursue their dreams.” Business club members Francesca Villano and Jermin Gilbert shared their key takeaways from the tour, emphasizing the company’s rich history, operational insights, advanced technology, and significant role within the dental industry. “The tour provided valuable insights into Benco Dental’s supply chain system, including how they source products, manage inventory, and distribute goods. Getting a glimpse of how these things actually work in a real business setting was really fascinating! I would definitely recommend touring Benco Dental for anyone interested in supply chain management,” Villano said. Gilbert also expressed his exceptional impression of the tour, highlighting Benco Dental’s wide range of supplies, equipment, and services. “This trip enhanced my understanding of concepts learned in the classroom. The tour guide highlighted the departments that make up the heart of Benco Dental,” Gilbert said. “Being a financial service student, this tour provided insight into the inner workings of a company of that magnitude. Benco Dental offers jobs for various departments such as financial department, marketing, management, accounting and so much more. “ Feifer and Penn State Scranton’s business club extends its gratitude to Benco Dental and Danielle Dominick for providing this enriching opportunity for students to expand their knowledge and explore potential career paths. Such initiatives play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of business leaders and innovators.
Penn State Scranton to Offer Summer Youth Programs As the summer months draw near, Penn State Scranton’s Center for Business Development and Community Outreach (CBDCO) department is gearing up for its popular Nittany Cub Summer Camps, offering a blend of fun and educational experiences for children. Penn State alumni and employees are eligible for exclusive discounts for these exciting camps. The Nittany Cub Summer Camps at Penn State Scranton are designed to engage children in various areas of interest, with a strong focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). Spanning four weeks from the second week of July to the first week of August, these camps aim to stimulate creativity and cater to different learning styles and capabilities. “We offer half-day weeklong camps from July 8 through Aug. 2, 2024,” Penn State Scranton’s CBDCO Education Specialist Jo Ann Durdan said. “Nittany Cub Camps are a great way for young campers to discover STEM/STEAM concepts while having fun and making friends.” Camp offerings include a wide range of activities, from engaging projects and crafts to participating in sports camps. Campers will have the opportunity to explore their interests while learning and developing skills in various disciplines by engaging in a wide range of projects and activities. Families interested in enrolling their children in these camps are encouraged to act fast, as some camps tend to sell out quickly. “We welcome you to become part of the Nittany Cub Camp family,” Durdan said, who herself is an alumna of Penn State. “As a personal story, my daughter Elizabeth had attended the summer camps, and since my husband is an alum, we were able to take advantage of the discount. This helped us financially to be able to send her to more than one camp. She loved all the camps that she attended and is now an instructor.” Penn State Scranton’s Nittany Cub Summer Camps have a long-standing tradition of providing children with memorable summer experiences, combining fun with a supportive environment. Parents are encouraged to review the Summer Youth Camps Policies and Information to stay updated on important details. For families seeking an enriching summer experience for their children, Penn State Scranton’s Nittany Cub Summer Camps offer a perfect blend of education and entertainment, creating lasting memories for young campers. Call the center at 570-963-2600 to register your child and for more information about special discounts for the children of campus alumni and employees.
Penn State Scranton Hosts Annual Spring Concert Penn State’s Scranton Musical ensembles will present their Annual Spring Concert as a gift to the Greater Scranton community on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 4 p.m. at The Theater at North. What: Spring ConcertWhere: The Theater at North 1539 N Main Ave, Scranton, PA 18508When: Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. The concert will feature performances from the Penn State Scranton Chorale, The Roc[k]tet, and Campus Jazz Band. Performances will include “a variety of music ranging from spiritual, patriotic, big band, pop music, etc.”, said Director of Music Sharon Ann Toman. The concert will also feature a guest chorus, the Blue Ridge Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Amy Zaukaurauskas, who will perform a joint patriotic choral work with the Penn State Scranton Chorale. Toman, an award-winning associate teaching professor of music and program coordinator for the Arts and Humanities at Penn State Scranton will be directing the Spring Concert and the campus’ three musical groups. She received Bachelor of Music degree (B.M.) in Piano Performance from Marywood University, Master of Music degree (M.M.) in Piano Pedagogy and Music History from The Catholic University of America, and doctoral studies at Temple University and further studies at Manhattan School of Music.” “Students in the Penn State Scranton music program, as well as myself, are so looking forward to performing our Annual Spring Concert,” Toman said. “The students have been working hard with rehearsals and preparing for our Spring Concert, and once again, I’m proud to say that these live performances are a gift from Penn State Scranton to the Community. So please do come out to this performance as there will be music for all age groups to enjoy!” Amy Zakarauskas is a choral director, pianist, accompanist, and vocal and piano pedagogue with over 12 years of experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Mansfield University. She serves as director of the Blue Ridge School District’s Middle School and High School choruses. In addition, she serves as a pianist at the First Presbyterian Church in Hallstead, PA and also teaches piano lessons at her piano studio.” Many Penn State Scranton students, faculty, and staff will be involved to make this concert a wonderful experience for those who attend. Their names are as follows: The Roc[k]tet: Chelsey Cruz, Jason Daloul, Justin Griffiths, Rowan Mulligan, Halle O’Neil, Luke Rusin, Megan Schmidt, and Jacob Webb. Penn State Scranton Chorale Sopranos: Cassandra Harmon-Stochla, Rhiannon Garofalo**, Eileen Giovagnoli*, Vanessa Hodges, Janet Melnick*, Carly Mignano**, Rowan Mulligan, Vivian Ni and Halle O’Neil. Altos: Adriana Bonafede, Chelsey Cruz, Alexis Fisher, Kristin Green*, Meg Hatch*, Rebekah Howells, Chloe Kramer, Rose Morel, Danitza Acosta, Megan Schmidt and Isabella Touseull. Tenor/Bass: James Bernosky, Matthew Coggins, Jason Daloul, Olivia DeVore, Paul Frisch*, Justin Griffiths, Alexander Karp, Luke Rusin, Jacob Webb, and Jayson Zimmerman**. *Indicates faculty/staff. **Indicates friends of PSU. Penn State Scranton Campus Jazz Band Flute: Sharon Ebert*, Ceiwynn Longworth. Violin: Nina Burke, Randall Kasorek**, Solei Lasanta. Alto Sax: Robert Bishop**, Mayer Crean. Tenor Sax: Jack Mead**, Vivian Ni. Trumpet: Molly Abdalla*, Jacquelyn Bitter, Gabriella Bruford, Melina Petrini, Steve Semonich**. Trombone: Stan Kalafut**. Guitar: Gary Caolo**, Katrina Concepcion, Riley Martin. Bass: Ray Petren*. Drums: Griff Lewis*, Dave McKenney, Carl Mignano**. Aux. Percussion: Nicholas Pallman, Debra Smarkusky*. Keyboard: Sharon Toman*. *Indicates faculty/staff **Indicates friends of PSU.
Penn State Scranton Donates to Keystone Mission Penn State Scranton: With cold weather already impacting Northeast Pennsylvania, concern for those who may not have the necessary warm clothing, particularly winter coats, was a primary concern for students in Penn State Scranton’s BA 321 class. So much so, that they made conducting a community-wide coat and clothing drive their semester class project. Under the guidance of Assistant Teaching Professor Frank Sorokach, the students completed their project on Friday morning at Penn State Scranton’s Business Building with a formal presentation of close to 600 winter items to Scranton’s Keystone Mission. A $600 donation from Adidas was secured by the students working on the project earlier in the fall, but they did not share that with Keystone Mission, so that they could surprise them with something above and beyond what they were expecting. Multiple community partners also played a vital role in the success of this project including Home Depot, the Mountain View School District, Jessup Borough, Colarusso’s Restaurant, and several others committed to fostering a spirit of giving and warmth within the region and supporting Penn State Scranton students in their endeavor. In October, students launched their project, strategically placing collection boxes across campus and community locations. Within just one week, their efforts exceeded the initial goal of collecting 100 coats. The upcoming public presentation to Keystone Mission reflects the students’ dedication to community service and their desire to make a meaningful impact. “Community service means being selfless,” said third-year business major Michael DeWolfe. “It’s important to give back because we have the privilege to have warm clothes. Helping others is important to our group.” DeWolfe credits Penn State Scranton for providing him with the opportunity to help those in need. “PSU shaped me as a student and as an individual [to be able to give] back to the community by giving me opportunities like BA 321. With great professors and a community to back me up, I have seen how fortunate I am to be able to attend this institution and have the resources I have,” DeWolfe said. “It is important to use these skills and opportunities to give back.” Josephine Sesay, a fourth-year business major, said, “As a team, we want this drive to be successful to help the community and put smiles on people’s faces. “Giving back to those in need is important because it helps create a more compassionate and equitable society. Additionally, helping others is a fundamental aspect of our shared humanity. It addresses systematic issues of inequality and provides crucial support to individuals and communities facing hardships. Additionally, helping others is a fundamental aspect of our shared humanity.” The Winter Wear Drive is a project undertaken as part of Penn State’s BA 321: Contemporary Skills for Business Professionals course. This course, offering three credits, emphasizes the development of individual, group, critical thinking, and presentation skills through modern methods and business technology. Penn State Scranton is committed to community engagement and creating positive social impact through student-led initiatives. The Winter Wear Drive exemplifies the University’s dedication to fostering compassionate leaders and contributing to the well-being of the community.
Penn State Scranton Adds Eight New Faculty and Staff Members Penn State Scranton adds eight new faculty and staff members. Joining the campus are Farhang Daneshmand, assistant professor of engineering; Valarie Lynn, head librarian; Kelly Conlon-Mazzucca. lecturer of corporate communication; Loan Pham, assistant professor of business; Sarah Shigo, administrative support assistant/business services; Sarah Smith, coordinator of psychological and counseling services; Zachary Troy, IT support specialist; and Nicole Watkins, assistant professor of psychology. Read more here: https://scranton.psu.edu/story/23676/2023/10/19/penn-state-scranton-welcomes-eight-new-employees
