Lackawanna College Announces School of Petroleum & Natural Gas Sponsor Lackawanna College announced Williams as an official sponsor of the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas with their sponsorship of a 4,500-square-foot teaching lab located in the new Tunkhannock Center as part of a three-year partnership. “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Williams,” said Susan Gumble, program director for the College’s School of Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG). “Through their sponsorship, we can continue to provide students with real-world, hands-on experience that will fill in-demand positions in the oil and gas industry.” As part of the sponsorship, Williams will receive naming rights to a teaching lab that houses compressors, engines, and other industry equipment. Funds from the partnership will be used to support the School of PNG degree and certificate programs. “Williams is thrilled to support the School of Petroleum & Natural Gas,” said Mike Atchie, director, Community and Project Outreach. “We’ve hired more than 70 graduates over the years, and they are a critical part of our operations workforce both in the Tunkhannock area and other parts of our enterprise. We also are pleased to support an endowed scholarship at the school, enabling even more students to enter an industry that is adapting to a clean energy future.” Lackawanna College offers associate degree programs in petroleum and natural gas business administration and technology along with certificate programs in natural gas technician and compressor/engine mechanic. For more information on Lackawanna College School of Petroleum and Natural Gas programs, visit Lackawanna.edu.
PennDOT District 4 Hiring Event The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is hiring for over 100 positions. A hiring event is being held September 9 from 1:00 PM-4:00 PM at the Luzerne County PA CareerLink office located at 32 East Union Street, Wilkes Barre, PA. Applicants unable to attend the hiring event can apply by going to www.employment.pa.gov.The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
Photography and Social Media: A Two-Part Series Designed to Improve Your Social Media Presence Visual content is key in social media. The better your visuals, the more likely you will attract positive attention on social media. And photographs are one of the easiest ways to create solid visual content – if it is done correctly. The University of Scranton and Wilkes University SBDC’s have teamed up with DiscoverNEPA to show you how to get your message across, your visual content to stand out, and more effectively reach your audience.Tuesday, September 1412:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.Session 1, “5 Ways to Improve Your Social media Photography” will focus on: Deciding what photos to postSmartphone photographySetting up your photosEditing your photosAdditional photo resources Registration & Additional Details for September 14Tuesday, September 2112:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.Session 2, “5 Ways to Improve Your Social Media Presence” will focus on: Optimizing account settingsFacebook Creator StudioCreating a social media calendarPromoting contentAnalytics Registration & Additional Details for September 21
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Receives Golf Tournament Proceeds Hospice of the Sacred Heart recently received proceeds in the amount of $1,500 from the 4th Annual Sean Powell Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Kids Kloset, a pediatric patient initiative of Hospice of the Sacred Heart. The tournament, in memory of Sean Powell, was held July 17th at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor. The Kids Kloset is a storage locker containing free items offered to pediatric patients and young children dealing with the loss of a loved one. Items include toys, games, electronic devices, books and learning tools. The Hospice of the Sacred Heart Kids Kloset is supported in part by a generous grant from AllOne Foundation and Charities and the Sean Powell Memorial Golf Tournament. The mission of Hospice of the Sacred Heart is to provide comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families, while guiding them through the end of life journey.
Sarah O’Hora Promoted to Commercial Loan Officer I at HNB David Raven, President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Sarah O’Hora has been promoted to Commercial Loan Officer I. In making the statement, Raven noted, “Sarah is a long standing member of the HNB Family. Her local knowledge and sincere interest in her customers success have been consistent themes for her. He continued, “We are fortunate to have people like Sarah who are committed to making sure local businesses receive the value we have come to be known for in our community.” O’Hora is a graduate of Greencastle-Antrim High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree (Cum Laude) from Millersville University in 2011. She also attended the PA Bankers School of Banking in 2015, and Leadership Northern Poconos Class of 2016. Currently residing in Lake Arial, PA, she started her ten year career in the financial industry with HNB. Previous positions included Teller, Customer Service Representative, Marketing Assistant, Marketing and Communications Specialist, and Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager. She will continue as Commercial Loan Officer I. In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing commercial loan relationships, collecting and analyzing financial information, and negotiating terms for small business and other commercial loan applicants. In mentioning her time with HNB, O’Hora said, “My work at HNB has always allowed me to support those in my local community. In this new position, I will be able to continue to support the financial needs of our local business people whom, I believe, are the foundation on which our communities are built.” In her spare time, she is a Worship Leader at Wallenpaupack Church and a Publicity Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County, PA. She enjoys spending time with her family, golfing, pheasant hunting, clay bird shooting, and walks in the woods. The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions. For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.
Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA to Host Annual Mix and Mingle Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year at Glen Oak Country Club, 250 Oakford Road Clarks Summit, PA on September 23, 2021 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA will present two awards this year. The Fifth Annual Founder’s Award for Philanthropy will be awarded to Clarence Baltrusaitis on behalf of NET Credit Union. “We are so excited to honor Clarence and NET Credit Union,” said Kristen L. Kosin, Executive Director. “NET Credit Union is a true champion of our area. It’s amazing how their employees donate their time, expertise and generosity to help agencies and organizations throughout our area.” The second award presented will be the Elaine F. Shepard Award for Exceptional Volunteerism. “Elaine F. Shepard is an extraordinary example of service to the community. This award will honor Katie Gilmartin. She works tirelessly to promote and serve our community,” explains Ms. Kosin. Tickets for this event are $75 per person or $125 per pair. Tickets include entrance to event, lite dinner fare, and open bar. Live music will be provided by the Mark Monella Trio. Activities at this year’s event include raffle baskets, a gift pull, and a silent art auction which will feature work from local artists like Sharon Cosgrove, Christine Medley, and Tom Noone. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.mealsonwheelsnepa.org or call 570-346-2421.
NEPA Health Care Foundation, Administered by SACF, Announces Careers in Care Nursing Scholarships In response to the acute shortage of nurses across the region and its effect on the health and wellness of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, announces it has awarded $189,622 in its first year towards nursing scholarships for local students as part of its Careers in Care initiative. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded 21 scholarships to students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These scholarship opportunities come during a time where the strains on the healthcare workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania have been significant. In response to the significant interest and need in the region, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation has decided to double the amount available for scholarships in 2022 to $400,000.The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program accepted applications earlier this year and, through a rigorous and competitive application process, identified a variety of qualified nursing students. Recipients include Brooke Bird, Luzerne County Community College; Sarah Bonser, Walden University; Jacqueline Cicardo, Luzerne County Community College; Michael Clark, Penn State Scranton; Caity Colan, Luzerne County Community College; Jason Conrad, Luzerne County Community College; Jacqueline Earley, Lackawanna College; Austin Emenyonu, Misericordia University; Elizabeth Hernandez, Luzerne County Community College; Casey Hughes, Luzerne County Community College; Holly Hughes, Marywood University; Nicole Lubash, Marywood University; Brittany Marcinkevich, Lackawanna College; Mary McFadden, Penn State Scranton; Tiffany Megotz, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County; Anne Murdoch, Penn State Scranton; Samantha Rosselli, Lackawanna College; Laura Slivinski, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County; Rosa Vazquez Nunez, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County; Ariana Velez, Wilkes University; and Sabrina Weidlich, Luzerne County Community College. “Over the past year, we have seen just how timely the Careers in Care initiative really is,” said James Clemente, NEPA Health Care Foundation Board Chair. “The Foundation’s Board understands the strains that the regional healthcare workforce is facing and strives to make an impact to address these critical issues through these important scholarships.” “I think the fact that the Board of the Northeastern PA Health Care Foundation has decided to double the amount of scholarship support available for nurses in year two speaks to the great need and interest in the program,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. She adds, “I think the Foundation board was very innovative in their planning of these scholarships which are made available to nursing students from CNAs through nurse educators at the graduate level.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation. To qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship, individuals were required to show they have had a permanent address in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County for the last three years. Scholarships were available to those interested in obtaining a CNA and entering the healthcare workforce. Scholarships are also for anyone employed in the healthcare field in either Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County and looking to advance as an LPN or RN/BSN. Additionally, students were invited to apply if they were in their third or fourth year of a four-year nursing degree and looking for financial assistance. Scholarship recipients were also asked to demonstrate a commitment to stay in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation also invited ‘nontraditional’ students or those looking to go back to school to obtain a nursing degree to apply for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship. Additionally, through Careers in Care, the NEPA Health Care Foundation will provide grant support totaling $830,000, to a variety of organizations including Lackawanna College, for its three-year plan to enhance the pipeline of local healthcare professionals and increase the number trained and retained in the region; United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA for its Upward Economic Mobility Program; and Saint Joseph’s Center for direct support professional wage increases. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation’s Careers in Care initiative is a $1.7 million commitment over a three-year period (2020-2023). In addition to the Careers in Care initiative, the NEPA Health Care Foundation is also in the seventh year of a $3.2 million commitment to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) for scholarship support for incoming first-year medical students from Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties. The NEPA Health Care Foundation Scholars program covers full tuition for these scholars, who indicate a commitment to practice medicine in Northeastern PA.
