Johnson College Announces $5 Million Comprehensive Capital Campaign for Campus Enhancements

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 Leonard 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 Leonard, 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. 

Johnson College Receives Accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Johnson College received official notice from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) granting the College accreditation.

As a Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredited institution, students, families, and employees are assured of the quality and rigor of the educational experience provided by Johnson College. Being accredited also ensures that students who qualify may receive more federal financial aid options and that credits will transfer to and from other accredited institutions with more ease. Additionally, the MSCHE designation allows the use of a more streamlined process to add new program and increases our ability to solicit funding and grant opportunities to better prepare students to become part of the essential workforce in industries with which the College collaborates.

The affirmation comes following a huge undertaking that began in 2015. The College was awarded candidacy status in November of 2016. After the submission of Accreditation Readiness Reports, the College was approved for Self-Study in the spring of 2018. The entire College community engaged in a self-study process, which extended to 2-years due to the pandemic, involving staff, faculty, students, industry partners, board members, administration, and on-site and virtual visits from an MSCHE evaluation team.

“Becoming Middle States accredited means Johnson College will never settle for the status quo. We are committing ourselves to becoming a continuously improving organization, one that rises and succeeds together,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. “This accomplishment was achieved by the hard work of our entire campus community. When we work together, we make a difference in the lives of our students and, in turn, our community and region.”

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is a voluntary, non-governmental membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. It examines each institution as a whole and performs peer evaluation and institutional accreditation of colleges and universities in the Mid-Atlantic United States.

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 15 associate degree and 3 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. 

Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College announced the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation during a Presidential Update Video distributed to the Johnson College community.  To watch this Presidential Update Video, please visit: https://youtu.be/uLa4Ar-2VS8.

Photo Caption: Recently Johnson College alumni, staff and students gathered to discuss the College’s grant of accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Pictured left to right: Front row – Brandon Dougherty, ’21, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology, Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO, Johnson College, and Joshua Shaver, ’20, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology. Back row – Bill Burke, M.S., Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs, Johnson College, Dr. Kellyn Williams, Chief Academic Officer, Johnson College, Philip Davitt, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology student, and Barbara Byrne M.Ed., Associate Vice President of Faculty and College Planning, Johnson College.