Johnson College announces that three new members have been selected to serve on the Board of Directors and new officers have been elected. The new members were installed at the April 2018 meeting of the Board of Directors.  New board members include Richard Manasek, ’75, Frank Kilyanek, ’85, and Nicole Costanzo. Also, Nancy Luciani will return to the Board of Directors this academic year. New officers include Alexander E. Stark, Chair; Atty. Marianne Gilmartin, Vice Chair; and Christopher J. Haran, Treasurer.

Mr. Manasek is a 1975 graduate of the welding technology program at Johnson College. He is the CEO of both Amerifab, Inc. and Warner Bodies.

Mr. Kilyanek is a 1985 graduate of the building construction technology associate degree program at Johnson College. He also holds an associate’s degree in engineering technology – architectural engineering technology from Penn State University. Mr. Kilyanek has served on both Johnson College’s HVAC and Project Management Program Advisory Committees.

Ms. Costanzo is Vice president of PNC Bank in Scranton. She holds an MBA and Bachelor of Science degree in Economics & Finance from the University of Scranton. Ms. Costanzo also serves on the Junior Achievement of NEPA Board.

Ms. Luciani is the owner of Johnny’s Car Wash in Scranton. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Scranton. In her previous 10 years on the Johnson College board, she has served as part of the Presidential Search Committee and served as Vice Chair of the Board, 2016-17.  She has served on all of the Committees and has been most active in Student Life & Academics, Executive and Finance Committees.

Alexander E. Stark is the new chair of the board. He joined the Johnson College board of directors in 2012. Mr. Stark played an instrumental role in the Presidential Search Committee and was very active as Vice Chair for 2017-18. He was Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Board Committee Restructuring Taskforce – he worked closely with President Leonard on restructuring the Board so their work could be more efficient.  He was also an active member of the Executive Committee. He is the director of marketing at Kane is able. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from the University of Scranton.

Atty. Marianne Gilmartin is the new vice chair of the board. She joined the Johnson College board of directors in 2014. Atty. Gilmartin has served on the Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Human Resources Committee and Board Committee Restructuring Taskforce.  She was the Chair of the Academic Achievement & Student Engagement Committee in 2017-18.  She has brought her skills as an attorney and as a leader in the community to her work of the board. She is an attorney and shareholder at Stevens & Lee. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University.

Christopher J. Haran is the new treasurer of the board. He joined the Johnson College board of directors in 2012. Mr. Haran has been instrumental in serving on the Governance Committee, most notably his work with board assessment initiatives. He holds a Master of Science degree in Management Science from Stony Brook University. He works professionally as a consultant and adjunct teacher.

As a high school senior at Scranton Preparatory School who loved both computers and cooking, Salvatore Zaydon was torn on what he wanted to do after graduation. However, after seeing a Johnson College Open House banner and deciding to attend the event, he knew he belonged on campus.  “As soon as I met Mr. Polinsky, I said ‘Alright, I know I want to go to Johnson,’” the 25-year-old Dickson City native says. “He was a fun, bubbly guy who you could tell had a bunch of knowledge but also had a lot of fun while teaching it.“

Zaydon graduated in 2013 with an Associate of Science degree in Computer Information Technology. After Johnson College, he moved on to SUNY Polytechnic Institute where he earned his Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems in 2015. He now works as a Software Engineer for Learning Services at IBM Security where he helps customers and business partners learn how to best utilize their IBM Security software.

“Johnson College gave me a focus,” explains Zaydon, “It helped me figure out what I enjoyed and what I actually wanted to do. I knew I liked computers but I didn’t know what aspect I enjoyed. It was nice to be able to get that foundation and figure out what I wanted to build upon in the future.”

His interest in computers and technology started at a very young age. He recalls fondly that when the computer in his family home would break, he was the one who would fix it as his siblings stood by baffled.  “[Fixing computers] surprisingly came fairly easily to me, and I enjoyed doing it. I figured, I wanted to go online and play a game so, I may as well try and fix the problem,” he says.

Finding solutions to technological problems is something that he continues to do in his career today. Zaydon says that he loves his job because it allows him to find solutions to one of the computer industry’s biggest roadblocks- security. “It’s pretty cool because you see a vulnerability that comes out and someone, like a bank, gets hacked and you’re sitting there saying ‘we could have avoided that,’” he says.

Zaydon’s passion for and extensive knowledge of computers has also allowed him to give back to organizations that have made an impact on his life. As an Eagle Scout, Zaydon now tries to stay active with his former Troop 322 (chartered by the Dickson City Community Ambulance Association) as a troop leader and the troop’s Webmaster.

When discussing what values and advice he would share with Johnson College students today, Zaydon recalls something he was taught by Johnson College’s Computer Information Technology Department Chair and Instructor, Joe Polinsky, “If you get to the end of a project or have a problem and hit your solution, but there is still a little bit more that you can do to make it even better- do it. It’ll look better, and you’re doing a disservice to yourself if you do the bare minimum.” These values have certainly benefited him as he began his professional career, first in Philadelphia and now in Harrisburg.

For more information on the Computer Information Technology program, please click here. 

Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who have completed the Spring 2018 semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher.

Sarah Carey,  Architectural Drafting & Design Technology

Jerry Coyle,  Computer Information Technology

Brandon Emmett,  Biomedical Equipment Technology

Valerie Frank,  Architectural Drafting & Design Technology

Andrew Giardina,  Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Adrian Gonzalez,  Radiologic Technology

Jordan Hoinsky,  Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology

Brandon Hudacko,  Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology

Jovanne Morales, Veterinary Technology

Matthew Robinson, Computer Information Technology

Natalie Serrano, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology

Heather Smith, Physical Therapist Assistant

Maura Speicher, Physical Therapist Assistant

Benjamin Terry, Electronic Engineering Technology

Johnson College signed an agreement with Earlbeck Technologies on Monday, May 14th. The partnership will provide prospective students with industry recognized certifications. Trainings to be offered starting in June 2018 include hourly certificates that allow the student to gain basic, entry-level knowledge of welding principles and provides existing welders the opportunity to upskill. Class sessions will be conducted at Johnson College and will also expand the College’s footprint as they will be offering the same classes in York, PA at the Earlbeck facility. This is a true collaboration between higher education and industry.

Industry partnerships are of utmost importance to Johnson College’s recently appointed president and CEO, Katie Leonard. “We have never had a partnership in the past that was this collaborative and formal which means we are both in this together, to train the welding workforce together.” Through a similar partnership with a two-year college in Maryland, and by utilizing its current welding curriculum, Earlbeck has successfully trained thousands of students.

Jim Earlbeck, president of Earlbeck Technologies said, “This new partnership brings together education and industry in a new way by blending Johnson’s traditional curriculum with desired industry skills.” With Earlbeck as a respected industry leader, President Leonard said this collaboration is “The perfect marriage for industry training” because according to an article in the Wall Street Journal, skilled welders have the potential to make up to $150,000 due to a large shortage of qualified workers. According to the American Welding Society, the welding industry will face a shortage of about 400,000 welders by 2024.

For 99 years, Earlbeck Gases & Technologies has been an industry leader of welding supply distribution. Technical support and customer education have always been its priority. The business provides manufacturers in Maryland and Pennsylvania with welding process optimization and it prides itself in its ability to provide customer education and technical support.
The alignment of education and industry not only benefits potential students with job skills, but also provides local organizations a facility to utilize to train skilled workers. This new agreement provides job-ready training to those seeking employment or those currently employed seeking to upskill. Local businesses can connect with Johnson College and Earlbeck when seeking a skilled workforce, and also has the opportunity to seek assistance with consulting, training, and certification testing for other facets of business.

President Leonard said she hopes to see a “Continued pattern of sustained growth for many years to come” when it comes to the Earlbeck Technologies relationship.

Those interested in taking welding courses at Johnson College can contact the Center for Professional Development at 570-702-8981 or email continuinged@johnson.edu.

Johnson College and The Andrew Mazza Foundation are proud to announce the 1st Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam to be held at Johnson College on Sunday, June 10, 2018. Diesel Jam will be a celebration of the diesel truck community, featuring a truck show, mobile dyno runs, vendors, food, and live entertainment. It will be an all-day (rain or shine) family friendly event. All trucks are invited to participate.

This event will support the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson College and The Andrew Mazza Foundation. Diesel Truck Technology is a 2-year program designed to prepare students as entry-level technicians with the latest information on diagnosis, repair procedures, preventative maintenance, and necessary safety applications in diesel technology. The program graduates more than 20 students each year who have an immediate impact on the diesel truck industry, especially in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The Andrew Mazza Foundation, started in 2016, supports and enriches the community through Andrew’s passions and hobbies. Proceeds raised from Diesel Jam will go to enhance and expand the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson, provide students with scholarships, and serve the community in which Andrew called home.

Early truck and mobile dyno registration can be completed through Johnson College’s Website at www.johnson.edu/DieselJam  until June 1, 2018.  The fee to register a truck is a $25 donation. Registration will be limited on the day of the event and will increase to $30 per registration, an additional fee is required to register for the mobile dyno. More information is available by contacting Dawn Ziegler at (570) 313-0369, emailing Andrewmazzafoundation@gmail.com or on Facebook at Johnson College or The Andrew Mazza Foundation.

Throughout the upcoming semesters, Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning, and Carpentry & Cabinetmaking students will work on a live project for NeighborWorks Northeast PA. Under the direction of NeighborWorks staff and their Johnson College instructors, they will contribute to a range of construction work at the property, located in Clarks Summit, PA. This project is a combination of community service and live lab work where class curriculum is brought to an ongoing project.

President & CEO of NeighborWorks Northeast, PA Jesse Ergott, said, “We have a dual focus on a project like this one. First, we want to improve the property to have a positive visual and economic impact on the neighborhood. Secondly, we love to see homes like these go to first-time homebuyers, many of whom are making their first significant investment. That being said, we don’t restrict who can ultimately purchase the home.” He also mentioned how well Johnson College students fit with the mission of the non-profit. “The students we work with are skilled, responsible, and excited to be giving back to the community. Their work helps us to keep our project costs down and to reinvest the savings into future projects. We also appreciate the credibility and visibility that working with Johnson College brings to our work and mission.”

According to Johnson College’s chief academic officer, Kellyn Nolan, “It is important for our students to work on live projects. Not only do they gain the opportunity to make an impact on a real project, but they get to see first-hand what the job site is like and how it is managed.”

Katie Leonard, President and CEO of the College is proud to see students contributing to projects that serve others. “Live lab work is an opportunity for instructors and students to apply classroom training in the real world. Students experience their education.  And in this case, for a nonprofit that has shown dedication to serving its community.”

The 26th Annual Johnson College Open will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountaintop, PA (rain or shine).  Proceeds from this annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Each academic year, Presidential Scholarships are awarded to four qualified and deserving full-time students.

Sponsors of the 26th Annual Johnson College Open to date include:

Presenting Sponsor: Gerrity’s Supermarkets

Advertising Sponsor: Lamar Advertising

Platinum: Shop Rite of Daleville & Mount Pocono

Platinum Marketing Sponsors: Sweda Advertising

Gold Print Sponsor: Sprint Print

Gold Sponsors: Bill’s Ace Hardware, Highland Associates, L.R. Costanzo Company, PNC Bank, Simplex Homes, NAPA Auto Parts of Daleville & Mount Pocono, Reilly Associates, Shea Industries

Silver Sponsor: Sordoni Construction Services

Cart Sponsor: Kane Is Able

Lunch Sponsor: Christiano Welding Supply

Dinner Sponsor: Stevens & Lee

Gift Sponsor: Action Lift

“Crossroads” Snack Bar Sponsor: Troy Mechanical

Mulligan Sponsor: McCarthy Tire & Automotive Centers

Hole in One Sponsor: Gibbons Ford

Exclusive Tee Sponsors: Brucelli Advertising Company, Constantino’s Catering and Events, Franko Law Offices, Knowles Associates, Metz Culinary Management, MotorWorld, Oliver, Price & Rhodes, Posture Interactive, Snow Management, T.E. Spall & Son

Presidential Scholarship Sponsors: Ability Recovery Services, Fiorelli’s, Genetti Manor, The Green Scene, IBEW-NECA Local #81, Mohegan Sun Pocono, Powell Law, R.J. Walker Co.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Golfer registration deadline is May 7^th. To obtain more information or to register to play in the tournament, visit www.johnson.edu/golf or contact Tracey Pratt, Manager of Development at 570-702-8908 or tpratt@johnson.edu.

Johnson College’s Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program hosted an auction to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA. The items up for auction were all created by students in the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking program, and the event was organized by Project Management student Warren Gary Lahr, ’18. More than 40 items were auctioned off including cutting boards, guitars, benches, tables, cabinets, wine racks and a toy box.  Most of the items were made from re-purposed wood. The auction raised over $3,100 for the local non-profit and brought together a group of faculty, staff, and parents to showcase the wonderful creations the students work on every day.

For information about the two-year Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program, please visit, www.johnson.edu/carpentry.

Johnson College has chosen LaTida Smith, President &CEO of the Moses Taylor Foundation to give their 2018 commencement address to graduates on Saturday, May 12th, 2018 at 10 a.m.

As the President & CEO, she provides leadership and oversight for the Foundation’s grantmaking and administration to advance its mission to improve the health and wellness of residents and communities in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining Moses Taylor, Ms. Smith spent 12 years with Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. At Saint Luke’s, LaTida led the implementation of the Foundation’s program strategy approach, streamlined the community grantmaking process to expand partnerships with grantees and led the implementation of program logic models for outcome measurement. Prior to Saint Luke’s, LaTida oversaw the City of Cleveland’s HIV/AIDS Unit and served as a Community Educator for Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland.

She serves as the Board Chair of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and previously chaired the board of Funders Concerned About AIDS. She was selected as an American Marshall Memorial Fellow and the Association for Black Foundation Executives Connecting Leaders Fellow.

Ms. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and master’s degrees in English and Women’s Studies from The Ohio State University.

She resides in Clarks Summit with her husband, Walter and their children Walter and Clarke.