The Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club, Inc. awarded $1,000 to be given to a Johnson College Automotive Technology student. The Automotive Technology Program prepares students to enter into the work force as entry-level technicians in the many phases of the automobile, truck, and diesel industries.

This is the fifth year for the scholarship by the club, which raises funds through donations, volunteer work, sponsorships, and annual calendar sales.

For more information on the Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club, visit www.villacapricruisers.org.

Six new members have been selected to serve on the Johnson College Board of Directors. The new members were installed at the April 2016 meeting of the Board of Directors.  New board members include Mr. Louis E. Costanzo, Ms. Jennifer Davis, Mr. Joseph Fasula, Atty. Kris Fendrock, Ms. Lori Ianelli Hart, and Dr. Cindy Janesky.

Mr. Costanzo is the President of L.R. Costanzo Construction Services Co., Inc. He attended Cornell University and holds a masters of business administration. Mr. Costanzo has previous board experience from serving as a founding board member for Marley’s Mission and a member of SLIBCO & LIFE through the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Davis is the Vice President of Business Development at Sordoni Construction Services. She holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Davis has board experience from several organizations, including the Northeast Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties Campaign Cabinet, Professional Women in Construction, and the NEPA Chapter of Girl Scouts Scranton Pocono Council.

Mr. Fasula is the Vice President & Co-Owner of Gerrity’s Supermarkets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Scranton.

Atty. Fendrock is an attorney for Myers, Brier & Kelly. She holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas and juris doctorate from the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law.  She has board experience through her involvement with the United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties.

Ms. Hart is the owner and president of Sheeley’s Drug Store. She holds a bachelor of pharmacy degree from Rutgers University and is a registered pharmacist.

Dr. Janesky is a retired radiologist from Lancaster Radiology Associates, Ltd. She holds a doctor of medicine from Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

 

Johnson College has recently completed an educational consulting project that was funded by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of NEPA and Pleasant Mount Welding. Each contributed $20,000 to create an aluminum grating swaging machine so Pleasant Mount Welding could begin manufacturing grates in-house as opposed to purchasing from a supplier. The grates contribute to the products the company provides to the wastewater and sewer industry. The overall goal of the project was to create a product that will create or sustain jobs in our area while also sharing knowledge between industry and the College. Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania contacted the College seeking an educational partner for Pleasant Mount Welding, Inc. Since the two organizations have had positive history with each other, a meeting was scheduled to map out the details in March of 2015.

The objective of the partnerships that fund the grant is to encourage educational problem solving which incorporates faculty, students, and the organization needing a product developed. The goal is for like-minds to come up with the solution to a problem which creates or sustains jobs in our area and in turn trains students to be technicians who can maintain the product. “It’s a collaborative process,” said Rick Fornes, Director of Innovation and Department Chair of Electronic Engineering Technology.

Fornes executed the project on behalf of the College. A graduate of Johnson College in 1994 and a seasoned instructor, he saw the opportunity to collaborate on this project as an opportunity to bring real world work into the classroom. Students of the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, and Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology programs had the opportunity to learn about the situations encountered when the project was being completed. Katie Pittelli, Executive Vice President at Johnson College said this collaboration is “a great example of how the College can work with industry partners to create solutions through the Center for Professional Development.”

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania links early-stage technology firms and established manufacturers with funding, experts, technology, universities and other resources to help them prosper. In the process, they fuel economic growth for northeastern Pennsylvania. Ben Franklin Technology Partners is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. The mission is to boost the northeastern Pennsylvania economy with new and retained jobs, new technology companies, and established manufacturers that are more competitive. Kenneth Okrepkie, Regional Manager of the Pocono Northeast Region for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA, said his organization “has had a great relationship with Johnson College for many years.  Within Johnson College, technical expertise can be found to support manufacturing firms. The Pleasant Mount Welding Inc. (PMWI) project highlights the industry experience that is embedded within the college.” In addition, he was very satisfied with the results of the collaboration and describes the experience as professional, courteous and timely. “At the end of the project, I was excited to stand next to the production line as it moved final product down a conveyor ready to be shipped to PMWI customers,” he said.

Bob Non, President and CEO of Pleasant Mount Welding Inc., said “The manufacturing of grating is so unique with only a handful of manufacturers in the United States. We were having quality and delivery difficulties which led us to the idea of manufacturing our own grating to guarantee the delivery and quality expected by our customers.” He also said, “The new machinery has led to hiring new personnel as well as broadening our grating supply nationwide to increase employment even further.”

Johnson College has recently received a generous donation of $25,000 from a valued industry partner, Kenworth of Pennsylvania. This donation will go toward the College’s Strategic Opportunity Fund. The donation, from the Earle Mitchell Memorial Foundation, will support the College’s board directives which spur systemic change at the College and promote growth in all educational program areas.

Katie Pittelli, Executive Vice President of the College said the College’s connection with Kenworth of PA is a growing one, “We have been building our relationship with Kenworth over the last several years to learn more about industry trends and to bring real life experiences into our classrooms. This donation will benefit the entire institution, and that is what industry partnerships are all about, supporting our campus as a whole.”

The relationship began nearly nine years ago when Michael Novak, now Senior Director of the Office of Innovation & Industry and former Chair of the Diesel Truck Technology Program began his teaching career at the College. Novak invited a friend of his from the industry, Willie Hobbs to campus to check out the diesel facility, to get a look at what the students were learning and the tools available to them. Once Hobbs became acclimated with the College, he joined the Program Advisory Committee for Diesel Truck Technology. This committee is comprised of professionals in the industry and those who can help steer college programs in the right direction considering education and preparation for professional work based on industry needs. The College puts much emphasis on making sure graduates have the most up to date knowledge of their field upon graduation, and people like Hobbs from Kenworth definitely contribute to that mission.

President of Kenworth of Pennsylvania, Tim Mitchell, is happy to be contributing to a fund that supports all students. “Johnson College puts out a great product when it comes to preparing students for their career. We are appreciative of the relationship that has been built and are happy to support future efforts at the school,” he said.

The generous donation from Kenworth will improve Johnson College in a multitude of ways according to Novak. “Kenworth has always been passionate about our programs and they value the education we provide to the technicians of the future. Kenworth of PA is familiar with our facilities and our students, so we know they have great intentions when making an investment in the College.”

The Radiologic Technology program at Johnson College has received reaccreditation from The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). This reaccreditation is subsequent to a site visit in September 2015 and will be for a duration of eight years which is the maximum time awarded by JRCERT.

Joan Bonczek, Senior Director of Academics said “JRCERT reaccreditation is to be the gold standard of educational excellence in the imaging services and we are proud to represent our successful program.”

In a letter to Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, Deborah Gay Utz, Chair of JRCERT stated “The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Directors and staff congratulate you and the program faculty for achieving the maximum award of accreditation from the JRCERT and wish you continuing success in your efforts to provide a quality educational program.”

Johnson College’s two-year associate of science program prepares students for careers in Radiologic Technology.  Radiologic Technologists, better known as Radiographers, are the medical professionals who perform diagnostic medical imaging examinations, including X-rays.  It is an exciting and rewarding profession, combining science, art, and technology within the medical field.  Radiographers are skilled professionals able to work in hospitals, medical service centers, and outpatient imaging centers.

Johnson College has recently established a scholarship with the Jefferson Township Lions Club. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a non-traditional, first year student who is a resident of Jefferson Township or the greater North Pocono region. The Lions Club emphasized the importance of supporting non-traditional students who choose to attend the College despite challenges such as balancing a family, work, and bills.

In March, President of the Jefferson Township Lions Club, Mike Norvilas took a welding course at the College through the Center for Professional Development. He was very impressed with the continuing education offerings and opportunities for non-traditional students. His interest in the technical education that Johnson College provides inspired him to reach out about the scholarship.

“Over the years it has been harder and harder to get applicants for our scholarship who were finishing high school and pursuing a trade. So we decided we could create the scholarship through Johnson College and open it up to all students, not just those who were on their way right out of high school,” Norvilas said.  He also explained why an ideal candidate may be a non-traditional student. “When you make the decision to go back to school as an adult, it is a really big choice. You are putting yourself out there to learn and better yourself. Our scholarship could really be life changing for the student and their family,” he said.

The goal of the Lions Club is to have people put their talents to work to improve their community. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in more than 45,000 clubs. The Jefferson township Lions Club supports many needs in the community and provides services including but not limited to sight, health, youth, elderly, the environment and disaster relief. Norvilas said they do not have a specific fundraiser that supports the scholarship but annually they are an active club that hosts a variety of fundraisers including a “chicken barbecue, pig roast, raffles, bake sales, fish dinners during the Lenten season, and coin drops.” He explained that often a Lions Club is a community’s best kept secret and year after year they continue to live up to the club’s motto which is “we serve.”

After working with the college advancement department to set up the new award, Norvilas said the process could not have been easier. He looks forward to awarding the scholarship in the fall and feels great about taking this new step toward community outreach with the College.

Johnson College is once again celebrating its students for hitting high marks by celebrating their inclusion into a major national honor society. 24 students were honored during a ceremony on Friday, May 13^th for the Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society.

Alpha Beta Kappa (ABK) is the premier national collegiate honor society for trades and essential occupations. The society honors excellence not only in the classroom, but also in shop, studio, and laboratory study. Students must also rank in the upper ten percent of their graduating class.

Our Architectural Drafting & Design program hosted the Annual ADDT Student Portfolio Competition on April 22nd in our new collaborative learning space in Woolworth Hall. Judges from the College as well as from the industry came to campus to evaluate the work of our students. Johnson College would like to congratulate our faulty as well as the competition participants and winners on a job well done.

Johnson College has chosen Jesse Ergott, President and CEO of NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NWNEPA) to give their 2016 commencement address to graduates on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 at 10 a.m.

Mr. Ergott has served in the community development field for over 15 years.  During this time, he has used his community planning background on many different types of initiatives, including environmental and conservation projects, educational programming, historic preservation efforts, and the promotion of tourism in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining NWNEPA, Jesse served as Chief Operations Officer for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley State and National Heritage Area where he was responsible for the administration and oversight of the organization’s programs, projects and day-to-day operations.

Mr. Ergott currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the National NeighborWorks Association, a national trade organization representing over 240 organizations across the United States. Ergott was previously selected as the National NeighborWorks Association’s National Emerging Leader of the Year and has also been named one of the Northeast Business Journal’s past “Top 20 Professionals Under 40”.

Mr. Ergott resides in Tunkhannock with his wife, Sara, and their two children.