Johnson College Hosts Debut Event for Ideal Saldi Hall

Johnson College celebrated the opening of its new gateway building, Ideal Saldi Hall, during a debut event at its Scranton campus on April 3, 2024.

Members of the Johnson College community and the Saldi family gathered for a glimpse at the newly constructed building that will serve as the official gateway to the College’s main campus. A program led by Johnson College’s President and CEO, Dr. Katie Pittelli, marked the significance of the largest building project to date for Johnson College. She was proceeded during the program by Dave Boniello ’84, President of Simplex Industries; Matthew Michalek ’85, Vice President of Operations at L.R. Costanzo Co., Inc.; and Senator Marty Flynn, Pennsylvania 22nd Senatorial District.

Ideal Saldi Hall is one of four components of the College’s comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work.” The building honors the legacy of Ideal T. Saldi, a Johnson College alum from the class of 1949. He and his wife, Frances, contributed $1 million to the College’s capital campaign, which is the largest gift from a Johnson College alum to date and will have a lasting impact on the school and its students.

“At 19,000 sq. feet, this building provides a home to four labs, two general education classrooms, the most innovative and high-tech conference room in all of NEPA, and office space for staff that directly serve our students,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli. Ideal Saldi Hall now houses student-facing departments including Enrollment, Financial Aid, and the Registrar, as well as programs including Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, and Mechatronics Technology.

Construction of Ideal Saldi Hall began in 2022, following the public announcement of the capital campaign and the official reveal of the building, designed by WKL Architecture. Under the construction management of L.R. Costanzo Co., Inc., the building took shape quickly and was forged with the help of many of Johnson College’s industry partners and alumni.

The building now sits on the former site of Richmond Hall, a piece of the original Willian H Richmond estate given to the College’s founder, Orlando S. Johnson, to fulfil his dream of creating a trade school for women and men.

Mr. Boniello, who serves as the chairperson of the “Innovation at Work” capital campaign said, “Ideal Saldi Hall will provide the gateway into future decades of Johnson College students and will help to shape the future industry leaders, innovators, and workers that will not only make a difference in the area we live in but also the world.”

The event concluded with an official ribbon cutting for the building.

Hazleton Campus to Host Spring Open House on April 13, 2024

Johnson College Hazleton will hold a Spring Open House on Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CAN DO Training Center located inside the Humboldt Industrial Park at 370 Maplewood Drive in Hazle Township. To register to attend the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhousehazleton or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.

Johnson College Hosts Annual 3D Printing Competition

Johnson College hosted its annual 3D Printing Competition for local high school students on Friday, March 22, 2024, at its Scranton campus.

The competition was an opportunity for students from Forest City, Lakeland, Scranton, Wallenpaupack, and Wilkes-Barre Area STEM Academy to showcase their abilities and creativity using science, technology, engineering, and math. Using 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) skills, participants designed and printed a device that could launch a projectile across the College’s gymnasium. 

The student who placed first, James Telep from Lakeland Jr. Sr. High School, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Johnson College. Second place was awarded to Caelum Cahoon from Forest City Regional High School and third place to Gavin Zellers from Lakeland Jr. Sr. High School.

The event, which was sponsored by The New Jersey Chapter of SAMPE and Boyce Products Ltd., featured a keynote address given by Adam Hecht, co-founder and Director of Additive Manufacturing at DiveDesign, a full-service design agency. He gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how DiveDesign is helping to disrupt industries with the use of 3D Printing.

To learn more about Johnson College’s STEM opportunities for local school districts, visit johnson.edu.

Now Enrolling Students in Hazleton Continuing Education Courses

Johnson College’s Continuing Education program is now enrolling students in its Class A CDL Driver Training and Medical Assistant courses at its satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in Hazle Township.

Class A CDL Driver Training

The Continuing Education Class A CDL Driver Training is held in partnership with Ancora Education and will begin on April 1, running Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Students will learn to inspect and operate tractor-trailers and to assume driver responsibilities on the road and at pickup/delivery points. Emphasis is placed on vehicle inspections, defensive driving, range maneuvers, motor carrier safety regulations (DOT 380 -397 and a certificate for entry-level drivers), trip planning, cargo handling, size/weight laws, general maintenance procedures, hours of service, and accident prevention. Participants in this 160-hour program can obtain their CDL in as little as four weeks. The course complies with the new Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules established by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), which went into effect in February 2022.

The class fee is $5,000 and is approved by PA CareerLink for those eligible for funding through their local CareerLink.

To learn more or to enroll in the Class A CDL Driver Training course, visit https://johnson.edu/hazleton/hazleton-cdl/ or contact the College’s Continuing Education department at continuinged@johnson.edu.

Medical Assistant

The Continuing Education Medical Assistant course will begin on April 15, running Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m.

This program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. Functions include preparing patients for examination, treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, and taking and documenting vital signs. Plus, students will learn the fundamentals of phlebotomy and venipunctures, anatomy & physiology, and medical terminology encountered in the field. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties required of a medical assistant.

The class fee is $5,000 and is approved by PA CareerLink for those eligible for funding through their local CareerLink.

To learn more or to enroll in the Medical Assistant course, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/medical-assistant/ or contact the College’s Continuing Education department at continuinged@johnson.edu.

Scranton Campus to Host Spring Open House on March 23, 2024

Johnson College will hold a Spring Open House on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on its Scranton campus. To register to attend the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.

College Receives FAA Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant

Johnson College has been awarded a $423,754 Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The grant will support Johnson College’s efforts to expand the U.S. aviation maintenance technical workforce through student scholarships and new laboratory training equipment. Johnson College is the only Pennsylvania College to receive funding under this program.

“The aviation technology industry is expected to have rapid-paced growth throughout the next decade,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College’s President and CEO. “Through this grant, we will be able to provide our Aviation Technology students with elements needed to enhance their hands-on training and help them to successfully enter the workforce with a valuable skillset.”

Johnson College’s two-year Aviation Technology Associates Degree program prepares students as entry-level technicians with the latest information on diagnosis, repair procedures, preventative maintenance, and necessary safety applications in aviation technology. Through a partnership with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, students will complete airframe and power plant instruction in a lab located at the airport. This opportunity will provide students with a very unique and hands-on learning experience in the Aviation industry.

The grant objectives include the further development and implementation of an FAA-certificated associate degree Part 147 Airframe and Powerplant Aviation Technology program and the development of a robust and sustainable pipeline program for middle and high school students, stimulating interest in aviation technology careers.

To learn more about Johnson College’s two-year Aviation Technology Associates Degree program, visit https://johnson.edu/divisions-of-study/transportation/aviation/.

Johnson College Receives $2,000 Contribution for the Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association Scholarship

Members of the Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association recently presented a $2,000 contribution to Johnson College to support the annual Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to two students in the Automotive Technology Program for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

The Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association was established in 1975 and has been funding the scholarship at Johnson College since 2009. The club raises funds through Cruise Nights held at the Viewmont Mall parking lot throughout the year.

Pictured from left to right: John Gall, Board Member, Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association; Chip Bell, President, Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association; Jim Williams ’00, Automotive Technology Program Director, Johnson College; John Coleman, ’80, Board Member, Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association; Matt Salvia, Secretary, Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association; and Tom Lello, Treasurer, Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association.

College Receives EITC Contribution from Fidelity Bank

Johnson College received a $5,000 EITC contribution from Fidelity Bank to support students in the College’s Industry Fast Track Program.

The Industry Fast Track Program (IFT) is a joint partnership with area school districts and the College. The program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to simultaneously enroll in secondary and post-secondary coursework on the Johnson College campus. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes at Johnson College.

Fidelity Bank’s contribution to Johnson College is part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

To learn more about our Industry Fast Track program, visit https://johnson.edu/dual-enrollment-at-johnson-college/.

About Fidelity Bank

Fidelity Bank has built a strong history as a trusted financial advisor and continues its mission of exceeding client expectations through a unique banking experience. It operates 20 full-service offices throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties, along with a limited production commercial office in Luzerne County and a Fidelity Bank Wealth Management Office in Schuylkill County. Fidelity Bank provides a digital banking experience online at www.bankatfidelity.com, through the Fidelity Mobile Banking app, and in the Client Care Center at 1-800-388-4380.

Johnson College Student Veteran Association Donates to Veteran’s Promise

The Johnson College Student Veteran Association donated $500 to Veteran’s Promise on January 3, 2024, following an apparel fundraiser. The purpose of the fundraiser was to raise awareness among the College community for local organizations that support veterans throughout the region, including student veterans.

Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College President & CEO, and Dr. Natalia Melgarejo, Johnson College Student Success Coordinator and Military and Veteran Services Liaison, visited Veteran’s Promise in Dickson City to tour the facility and present the donation. The 501©(3) organization advocates, educates, and raises awareness for all Veterans through outreach for PTSD, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol education, and supporting families of veterans throughout the region.

During their visit, Dave Ragan, founder and president of Veteran’s Promise, shed some light on the impact of PTSD on veterans and families. The facility houses a wall of photos called the “Wall of Heroes,” which honors veterans who had made it home from the battlefield but took their lives on the home front.

Dr. Melgarejo says that the College’s Student Veteran Association chose to donate to Veteran’s Promise to support the work they doing to help veterans in the region, including members of the Johnson College community. 

To learn more about Veteran’s Promise, visit https://veteranspromisenepa.org/.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College; Dr. Natalia Melgarejo, Student Success Coordinator and Veteran Services Liaison, Johnson College; and Dave Ragan, Founder and President, Veteran’s Promise.