By Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO of Johnson College

Recently I was quoted in a New York Times article “Snapshots of Upwardly Mobile Areas” about a study that found the Scranton area at the top of the list when it comes to American cities where lower class citizens have some of the best odds of entering the middle class. This story is the story of our students at Johnson College. We open doors of opportunity for them. Thanks to our strong connection to industry, students attend Johnson College for two years and develop the right set of skills needed to enter into and advance in their careers. They make a family sustainable wage and become leaders in their field.

A perfect example of this is Bernard Singleton, a non-traditional student already working in the Diesel Truck Technology field at Stadium International in Dunmore, which also happens to be a great industry partner. Bernie saw big things happening in the diesel field, but couldn’t get the jobs he wanted. He shares, “What happened was I had a kid and I realized I couldn’t work for pennies.” He took the big step of going back to school and chose Johnson College. Now, as he enters his senior year, he’s going to school full-time and working nights at Stadium to support his family. Bernie says it best about his choice to go back to school, “I decided to make a difference!”

SEE BERNIE’S STORY HERE:
https://johnson.edu/bernard-singletons-story/
 

Johnson College will present “Bryan Anderson Day” when he visits campus on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. Bryan Anderson is an Iraq War Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient after losing both legs and his left hand in an IED blast in Baghdad.

Bryan will speak with Physical Therapist Assistant students personally at 9:30-10:30am. Bryan will then be available for media interviews from 10:30-11:00am. He will also be the keynote speaker for the college’s scholarship luncheon from 11:30am – 1pm. Bryan will then be available to sign copies of his book No Turning Back from 1-2pm with the money raised going to “The 1st Lieutenant Michael J. Cleary Memorial Fund.” A Dallas, PA native, LT Cleary was killed in Iraq in 2005 during an ambush by hostile forces having just completed a demolitions mission. Bryan will also meet personally with several veteran students at 2:30pm in the Moffat Building Lab. Dr. Ann Pipinski, President and CEO of Johnson College is thrilled, “We can’t wait to welcome such an amazing individual to campus so our students can learn from his journey first hand.”

Bryan Anderson grew up in Chicago with his mom, sister and twin brother. After high school, he went to work as a baggage handler for American Airlines, but he wanted to do something different. Both he and his brother were star gymnasts in high school, so he wanted to do something that used his whole body. Bryan enlisted in the army and prepared to ship out to basic training. That date was 9-11. After basic training, Bryan was sent to Iraq for his first tour. “Not much happened the first time,” Bryan says. The second time though, he says, “It was very, very different.”  On a routine patrol, his military police convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). Bryan lost both his legs and his left hand in the explosion.  He remembered every part of the attack, but after being loaded onto a helicopter to be airlifted, he fell asleep and woke up at Walter Reed Medical Center. “Whoa, Mom, what are you doing here?” was Bryan’s reaction to her in his hospital room since he was unaware of his overseas journey.

During his 13 months at rehab, Bryan’s life started to take incredible twists of fate that would make him a celebrity in his own right. Bryan met actor Gary Sinise visiting the injured at Walter Reed, but instead of just shaking his hand, he tripped into him, prompting Gary to call Bryan “The real Lieutenant Dan!” (the famous role he played in the movie Forest Gump). Bryan was later chosen as a cover story for Esquire Magazine which opened up a ton of doors for him. That led to a guest part as a murder suspect on “CSI: NY” with his now friend, lead actor Gary Sinise.

Mr. Sinise would later write the forward for Bryan’s book No Turning Back.  Bryan’s other acting credits include bit parts on the HBO series “The Wire “and in the movie “The Wrestler” with Mickey Rourke. The late James Gandolfini also became a close friend during the taping of the HBO special “Alive Day Memories.”

Today, Bryan’s life is about giving back and inspiring people along his journey. “It was always leaving the place better than I found it. It’s what I’ve been taught.” Bryan has spoken all across the country and the globe after being hired as the spokesman for North East Pennsylvania based Quantum Rehab. Bryan loves to visit NEPA to ride his quad in the mountains. Bryan also won an Emmy last year for hosting a PBS show in Chicago about people using their lives to give back.

However, it is students that he loves speaking with the most. “I like talking to students because I think I really get through to them. Maybe because I’m similar in age or I look young, but they always seem to receive it well. I love being able to inspire college students to do something great and not just be stuck in a life that they’re settling for.” Bryan always tries to give students a wakeup call about life. “There are opportunities out there, you just have to open your eyes and see them.” Even after his life-changing war injuries for serving his country, Bryan is still a proud patriot and wants everyone he meets to realize just how great our country truly is. “Americans take for granted everything they have. They have no idea how good we have it.”

Scranton, PA – July 22nd, 2013: Dr. Ann L. Pipinski , President & CEO is quoted in the New York Times article, “Snapshots of Upwardly Mobile Areas.”   The article focuses on research conducted by four economists from Harvard and the University of California, Berkeley.  By the measurements of the study Scranton stands out as one of the American cities where poor people have among the best odds of entering into the middle class. 

The article highlights the stories of several people from the areas that came out strong in upward mobility and Dr. Pipinski is one of three individuals to be interviewed from the Scranton area.  You will see from the article the role that education plays in a person’s ability to achieve upward mobility, particularly attaining a two-year degree.

To read more: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/snapshots-of-upwardly-mobile-areas/

Mobile users click here: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/snapshots-of-upwardly-mobile-areas/

Scranton, PA – July 17, 2013  On May 17, 2013, over 120 golfers, which included 24 Johnson College alumni, gathered at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountain Top, PA for the benefit of current and future Johnson College students. The 21st Annual Johnson College Open, presented by new presenting sponsor Gerrity’s Supermarkets, raised over $31,000 – the 2^nd highest amount raised for the Presidential Scholarship Fund!

This year’s scholarship awardees include seniors Nicholas DeSanto ’14, Jermyn, Electronic Technology and Deborah Sullivan ‘14, Lake Ariel, Veterinary Technology, as well as freshmen Peter Dimick ’15, West Wyoming and Edward Serio ‘15 of Honesdale.

 

Scranton, PA – June 13, 2013 – Johnson College’s new Health Science Technology Center and Physical Therapist Assistant program continue to grow thanks to help from The Scranton Area Foundation. The Foundation awarded a $24,910 grant to the College to help purchase medical educational equipment for its Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTA). The PTA program is the first in Johnson College’s new Health Science Technology Center which was completed last year.

Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO Scranton Area Foundation says, “The Scranton Area Foundation is proud to partner with an organization like Johnson College.  This project exemplifies what our mission is all about – to enhance the quality of life for all people in Lackawanna County.  Johnson College’s new PTA program will provide quality education and jobs to our region and we are excited to be a part of their progress.”

The care that Physical Therapist Assistants provide to patients is based on a sound understanding of human anatomy and physiology.  Of specific interest are the skeletal and muscular systems, which provide the foundation for more job specific skills that students will learn in subsequent classes.  The anatomical models that were purchased will provide three dimensional views of a variety of anatomical structures for students to visualize, manipulate, and learn.  These models include muscles of the arm and leg, functional joints of the shoulder, hip, knee, and elbow, vertebral column, and a full skeleton.

Physical therapy often involves the use of modalities in conjunction with therapeutic exercise or functional activities, in order to decrease pain and swelling and to promote tissue healing.  Electrical stimulation and ultrasound are two common modalities that are used and students are required to be competent in the use of this type of equipment as entry-level technicians.  The two 3-channel combo units and the 4-channel combo unit that were purchased with the grant money are electrical stimulation/ultrasound machines that will be used to train students on their use.  They were chosen because they are common units that are seen in local physical therapy clinics.

The hand dynamometers are instruments that are used to measure grip strength.  As a Physical Therapist Assistant, students will be expected to collect data that is pertinent to measuring strength, and these dynamometers are one way that students can measure muscle strength in those muscles and compare right and left side strength.

The short throw units and smart boards are installed in the labs and lecture rooms in the building.  They allow for modern electronic instruction.  Instructors can use these as they would a touch screen electronic device to present power point presentations or show videos.

 

Johnson College was featured on WNEP-TV’s “Power to Save” special. Click HERE to watch!

Host, Jackie Lewandoski visited campus to highlight the future of our Automotive and Diesel Truck Technology Programs.

The college has partnered with Cabot Oil and Gas and others in the gas industry to help lay the groundwork to add compressed natural gas (CNG) technology components to our transportation programs.

President Dr. Ann Pipinski was interviewed, along with Mike Novak, Transportation Division Chair and Diesel Truck Technology Department Chair, and Mark Kozemko, Automotive Instructor.  Kenworth of Pennsylvania supplied a CNG powered truck for the interview. The “Power to Save” segment is sponsored by Cabot Oil and Gas.

As an added bonus, Jackie got to get behind the wheel of the CNG truck, with Mike Novak by her side, for a drive around campus!  Please be sure to tune in to check out this special that will showcase Johnson College, our students and the outstanding relationships we have with industry.

Scranton, PA – June 13, 2013: After a year of independence, the Johnson College Jaguars will add conference games to their schedules again. The Jaguars have joined the National Junior College Athletic Association or NCJAA, which is made up of 2 year colleges and institutions in 24 regions nationwide. Men’s Basketball and Men’s/Women’s Cross Country teams will compete in the Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (EPAC) of Region 19. Region 19 consists of two conferences, the EPAC and the Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC).

“Now the student-athletes have more to play for,” says Johnson College Athletic/Activity Coordinator Doc Stacknick Jr. “They can now compete for a regional championship which, if they win, could lead to a national championship birth.” Doc added, “They can also now compete for other sportsmanship awards when they lead the league in stats on the court or the course and even in service to their local community.”

Johnson College’s new men’s basketball coach, Jonathan Kulas is excited to get started leading the team.  He shared, “It not only gives the players more drive to win, but it gives our players exposure to help them get noticed by 4-year schools.” Kulas was the men’s basketball assistant coach last season until he was named the team’s head coach back in May.

The men’s basketball team will now add 16 conference games to its schedule, but that is expected to grow to 18 with even more schools joining the league. There are 14 other non-conference games with one being a cross over against a GSAC team. The first home game of the season for the Johnson College Men’s Basketball Team is on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 1pm in Moffat Gymnasium.  Johnson College will also host their first ever Johnson College Invitational for Cross Country on their campus, Saturday, September 14^th at Noon.

For more information contact Doc Stacknick, Athletic/Activity Coordinator dstacknick@johnson.edu.

Scranton, PA May 10, 2013 – Johnson College is once again celebrating its students for hitting high marks by celebrating their inclusion into two major national honor societies. 38 students were honored during a ceremony on Friday May 10^th for both the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society and 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 classroom, but shop, studio, and laboratory study. Students must also rank in the upper ten percent of their graduating class.

Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) recognizes the academic achievements of college students that focus on hands on learning. Students have to maintain a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate how they give back to their community and help develop their campus community through social events.

(PHOTO ABOVE)  FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, 1^st ROW: Janut Gathing, Kari Shepherd of Dupont, Jordyn Wilk of Clarks Summit, Rachel Gittens of Duryea, Olivia Keating of Jefferson Township, Ali Frankenfield of Phillipsburg, NJ, Megan Harvey of Mayfield, Emily Synnott of Schuylkill Haven

2nd ROW: Kira Blevins of Tobyhanna, David Hopkins of Factoryville, Michael Stiltenpole of Dunmore, Salvatone Zayden, Andrew Zwanch, Stephen Terry of Pleasant Mount

3^rd ROW: Andrew Inman of Courtdale, James Chlittler of Moscow, Michael Dougherty of Scranton, Mark Bronning of Scranton, John Eggleston of Clarks Summit, Carlton R. Williams Jr.

(PHOTO ABOVE) FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, 1^st ROW: Karah Frantz of South Gibson, Daniel E. Jennins, Harold M. Saydah IV of Shohola, Terry Tate of Old Fordge, Nicole Burmeister of Ashland, Kayla McGrowan

2^nd ROW: Fred Parry of Spring Brook Township, A.J. Pevec of Jermyn, Robert Vogtran, Andrew Zwanch, Ryan Perles of Scranton, Dustin Frey of Jermyn

3^rd ROW:  Tom Richmond of Clarks Summit, Devin Hollenbeck of Kingsley, Chris Nanfeldt of Jessup, John Eggleston of Clarks Summit, Carlton R. Williams Jr. of Tunkhannock, Anthony Catalono