Innovation at Work Capital Campaign
The new Johnsonian is here! Catch up on what happened on and off campus during the late winter/spring 2023 semester.
To view the latest edition of the Johnsonian, visit our website: https://johnson.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/jc1513_summer23_johnsonian_8.5x11_fc_.125bl_digital.pdf
Johnson College will host its 30th Annual golf tournament on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor, PA. In observance of the 30th anniversary, this year’s tournament will feature added anniversary course competitions, raffle prize drawing, and a BBQ dinner for all to enjoy.
All proceeds from the annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Last year’s tournament raised more than $47,000 to support the Presidential Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are presented each fall to full-time students demonstrating financial need to finish their educational journey.
To learn more about this event or to register to golf, visit johnson.edu/golf.
Sponsors of this event to date include:
Presenting Sponsor: Gerrity’s Supermarkets
Gold Sponsors: Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Fastenal Company, L.R. Costanzo Company, Inc., Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Pepsi, PNC Bank, Simplex Homes, Vacendak Construction.
Silver Sponsor: Cable Associates, Toyota of Scranton
Cart Sponsor: ShopRite
Golfer Gift Sponsor: Troy Mechanical, Inc.
Breakfast Sponsor: Action Lift
Lunch Sponsor: Sordoni Construction Services, Inc.
Cocktail Hour Sponsor: Topp Business Solutions
Dinner Sponsor: Stevens & Lee
Hole-In-One Sponsor: Tasca Ford
Mulligan Sponsor: American Eagle Outfitters
Exclusive Tee Sponsors: Ability Recovery Service, LLC, CP3 Energy Systems, I.B.E.W Local #81, Knowles Associates, LLC, Milnes Engineering, NRG Controls North, Inc., Waste Management.
Presidential Scholarship Sponsors: Candy Frye, Citizens Savings Bank, Fiorelli Catering, Highland Associates
Pot O’Gold Sponsor: Nunzi’s Advertising
Platinum Marketing Sponsor: Condron Sweda Advertising
Advertising Sponsor: Lamar Advertising
Gold Print Sponsor: Sprint Print, Inc.
Pictured left to right –
Front row: Peter Danchak, PNC Bank; Joseph Fasula, Gerrity’s Supermarkets; Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College; Joyce Fasula, Gerrity’s Supermarkets; Deborah Kolsovsky, PNC Bank; and David Boniello, Simplex Homes.
Back row: Karen Baker, Johnson College; Bill Stevens, Sprint Print; Candy Frye, L.R. Costanzo Company, Inc.; Lisa Bonacci, Citizens Savings Bank; Marcelo DeSousa, Fastenal Company; Frank Kilyanek, NRG Controls North, Inc.; and Mary Kern, Johnson College.
Johnson College announces NET Credit Union as the sponsor of its first-ever cornhole tournament. This tournament will take place during the College’s inaugural Fall Fest event on October 1, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Johnson College campus in Scranton, PA.
The tournament will feature both Social ($20/team) and Competitive ($40/team) divisions with double elimination. A team will consist of two players, and anyone from beginners to pros can play. Prizes for the Social division will include: 1st place, $100 cash; 2nd place, $50 in gift cards. Prizes for the Competitive division will include: 1st place, $300 cash; 2nd place, $150 cash. There will be food and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Teams can pre-register online at johnson.edu/cornhole-registration-form/ or register at the door from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
About NET Credit Union
A Credit Union is a place to do your banking. NET is a not-for-profit financial institution, and we operate like a bank except we don’t issue stock on Wall St. Since we don’t have to pay stockholders, we use our income to provide lower loan rates, higher deposit rates, reinvest in our community, give to charities (#netcares), and keep our fees low. There’s so much more you get when you bank on NET.
About Johnson College
Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 17 associate degrees and 4 academic certificate programs. A low student-to-teacher ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on instruction. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Photo Caption:
Left to right: Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson; Lauren Pabst, Marketing Manager, Net Credit Union; and Jill Eidenberg, Associate Director of Development, Johnson College, discuss plans for Johnson College’s first-ever cornhole tournament sponsored by NET Credit Union. This event will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, during the Johnson College Fall Fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the College’s campus in Scranton, PA.
The new Johnsonian is here! Catch up on what happened on and off-campus during the first six months of 2022. To view the Summer 2022 Johnsonian and past editions, visit https://johnson.edu/alumni-giving/johnsonian-magazine/.
On Sunday, June 12, 2022, Johnson College hosted its annual Golden Alumni Society Reunion and Induction Ceremony. During the event, Golden Alumni, who reached their 50th anniversary of graduation from Johnson College, mixed and mingled with former classmates, reviewed Johnson College memorabilia and enjoyed lunch. This year the class of 1972 was inducted into the Golden Alumni Society. For more information about Johnson College’s alumni events and services, contact the College Advancement team at collegeadvancement@johnson.edu or 570-702-8991.
Photo Caption: Seated, left to right: Pete Kolcharno ‘66, Michael Vass ‘61, Roland Fornes ‘56, Ken Novajosky ‘59, Joseph Kasaczon ‘61, Barbara Petroski ‘55, Michael Polednak ‘62, Joseph Dzwieleski ‘59, Dr. Katie Pittelli, President and CEO of Johnson College, Dennis Macheska ‘70, Ronald Fawcett ‘57, Stanley Lasinsky ‘56, and Edward Ciborosky ‘69. Standing, left to right: Eugene Hopkins ‘64, Chick Evers ‘62, Bernard Cossack ‘72, Paul Zalewski ‘66, Zigmund Szabo ‘55, Ted Lengyel ‘61, Leonard Sowinski ‘62, Alfred Basham ‘54, Ronald Moskalczak ‘71, Richard Alimenti ‘71, Robert Holzman ‘58, Ralph Bohn ‘53, Joseph Teeple ‘72, George Ketchur ‘53, Mark Kukuchka ‘72, Dennis Pabis ‘61, John Barlik ‘72, Bruce Semon ‘72, Rudolph Drasler ‘69, Peter Valtos ‘61, Eugene Lemoncelli ‘66, and Foster Gambucci ‘63.
Johnson College publicly launched its new, $5 million comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” during a community kickoff event on Wednesday, June 8, where it revealed plans for major campus-wide projects.
The “Innovation at Work” campaign consists of four components that will create an environment for growth and success: the construction of a new gateway building, which will become the official entrance to the campus and include new lab and classroom space; the expansion of Woolworth Hall which houses on-campus lab space for programs including Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Electrical Construction Technology; the creation of a Transportation Education Center; and support of the College’s Annual Fund and student scholarships.
A crucial catalyst for the “Innovation at Work” campaign is a $1 million contribution from Ideal T. Saldi, a Johnson College alum from the class of 1949, and his wife, Frances Saldi, alongside other funders who have invested in the College. The Saldis’ gift, announced in April before the college community, is the largest gift from a Johnson College alum to date and will have a lasting impact on the school, and its students. To honor this gift, the new, state-of-the-art gateway building will be named Ideal Saldi Hall.
“At the heart of this campaign is our students. It is focused on helping them be successful,” President and CEO, Dr. Katie Pittelli said. “We strive to carry forward Orlando S. Johnson’s vision of providing a trade school to the region where young men and women can learn useful trades that will enable them to make an honorable living and become contributing members of society.”
As the world of technology continues to change rapidly, Johnson College must change with it. The College’s facilities must remain in sync with industry as new technologies, emerging fields of study, and more sophisticated equipment modernize how the world does business.
Dave Boniello, president of Simplex Homes, Johnson College Alum from the class of 1984, former Johnson College Chair of the Board of Directors, and chair of the “Innovation at Work” Capital Campaign, announced that during the campaign’s silent phase, the College has already raised 75% of its $5 million-dollar goal thanks to loyal and generous donors from the community. After noting his personal pledge to support the campaign, Boniello asked the Johnson College community to join him in participating in the school’s most comprehensive capital campaign thus far.
“If you have an opportunity to support Johnson College and its students, through the “Innovation at Work” campaign, your gift will have a tremendous and lasting impact on our students, employers, and the region. Together, We Work!” said Boniello.
For more information about Johnson College’s comprehensive, 5-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” visit Johnson.edu/innovationatwork.
Photo Caption: Johnson College publicly launched its new, $5 million comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” during a community kickoff event on Wednesday, June 8, revealing plans for major campus-wide projects. One of the four projects announced is the construction of Ideal Saldi Hall. Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College, and Mr. Dave Boniello ’84, President of Simplex Homes and chair of the “Innovation at Work” Capital Campaign, stand in front of a rendering of Ideal Saldi Hall. For more information about Johnson College’s comprehensive, 5-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” visit Johnson.edu/innovationatwork.
The 29th Annual Johnson College Open will be held on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor, 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 29th Annual Johnson College Open to date include:
Presenting Sponsor: Gerrity’s Supermarkets
Advertising Sponsor: Lamar Advertising
Platinum Marketing Sponsor: Sweda Advertising
Gold Print Sponsor: Sprint Print
Gold Sponsors: Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Fastenal Company, L.R. Costanzo Company, Inc., Peoples Security Bank & Trust, PNC Bank, Shea Demolition, Simplex Homes, Stevens & Lee, and Vacendak Construction,
Silver Sponsors: Toyota of Scranton, ecampus.com
Cart Sponsor: ShopRite
Breakfast Sponsor: Troy Mechanical, Inc.
Pot O’ Gold Sponsor: Cristiano Welding Supply
Gift Sponsor: Sordoni Construction Services, Inc.
Cocktail Sponsor – Topp Business Solutions
Mulligan Sponsor: Milnes Engineering, Construction, and Surveying
Hole in One Sponsor: Gibbons Ford
Photo Caption:
Recently, sponsors of the 29th Annual Johnson College Open met on the Johnson College campus to discuss the event being held on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor, PA. Proceeds from this annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Left to Right – Front row: Ashley Bechaver – Gibbons Ford, Joyce Fasula – Gerrity’s Supermarkets, Dr. Katie Pittelli – Johnson College, Liz Finley – Sweda Advertising, and Michael Dennen – PNC Bank. Back Row: Marcelo DeSousa – Fastenal, J. Patrick Dietz – Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Debbie Kolsovsky – PNC Bank, Pat Rogers – Toyota of Scranton, Lisa Akulonis – Citizens Savings Bank, Bill Stevens – Sprint Print, Bryan Boles – Topp Business Solutions, and Karen Baker – Johnson College
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, during an on-campus event to celebrate Ideal T. and Frances P. Saldi Day at the College, Johnson College’s President & CEO, Dr. Katie Pittelli, announced a $1,000,000 gift from Johnson College graduate Ideal T. Saldi and his wife Frances P. Saldi (formally Frances Prutisto).
The Saldi’s gift is a milestone for the College, as it’s the largest gift from an alum and one of the most significant gifts in Johnson College’s history.
“Johnson College kept me out of the coal mines and provided me the skills that allowed me to earn money to pay for college,” said Mr. Saldi. “Whatever success I have enjoyed, I owe to Johnson College.”
“Ideal and Frances’ gift will have a direct and lasting impact on our students and the College,” Dr. Pittelli added. “It inspires us to deliver the best real-world, hands-on, industry-driven education that our students, industry partners, and community expect from Johnson College.”
Mr. Saldi is a graduate of Johnson College, class of 1949, Jessup High School, The Pennsylvania State University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mrs. Saldi is a graduate of Archbald High and earned a Liberal Arts degree from The Pennsylvania State University.
Mr. Saldi started his professional career at the General Electric Company and was employed there for 18 years, rising through the ranks to become General Manager of one of their businesses. He left General Electric to start several companies beginning with Integrated Display Systems, which he later sold to Refac Electronics in New York City and became president of the combined companies. He later became president of C-Cor Electronics in State College, Pennsylvania, and AM Communications.
In all, he started a total of 18 companies during his professional career and continues to run two he started in 1981. Mr. Saldi has served on several Board of Directors and has been awarded 18 patents during his professional career.
After raising four children, Mrs. Saldi began her career as a real estate agent – first with a retirement community, then moving on to private residential sales.
The Saldi’s have three surviving children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 17 associate degree and 4 academic certificate programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Photo Caption: Left to Right – Ideal T. Saldi, Johnson College Alum, class of 1949 and Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College’s President & CEO
Johnson College’s Continuing Education program is offering a Forklift Operator Training Course on Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.in the Diesel Truck Technology Center on the College’s campus in Scranton. The course cost is $200, but if you are a current Johnson College student or alumni, the price is only $100. Space is limited! Visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact our Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu to learn more and enroll.
The forklift operator training is designed to familiarize students with OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Requirements (29CFR Standard 1910.178 and ASME B56.1), provide current training requirements under the newly adopted standards, and assist participants in becoming an authorized operator of forklifts through theory and tactile testing. Nine hours of instruction, including pre-operational inspection, picking up, traveling, and placing loads, parking procedures, refueling, and practical operation.
