Johnson College Hosts Annual Scholarship Breakfast

Johnson College hosted its annual Scholarship Breakfast on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at Fiorelli Catering in Peckville. The event was held to recognize the scholarship recipients and thank and honor the generous donors who make scholarships available to students.

The College awarded 42 students with scholarships during the event. Devin Walsh, a student in Johnson College’s Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning program, and recipient of one of the College’s Presidential Scholarships served as student speaker.

“To me, the Presidential Scholarship is more than just money,” Walsh said. “It means that my accomplishments are valuable enough for Johnson to put such an enormous amount of faith in that I will follow through with my education and become a great example of what Johnson College provides to the community.”

Walsh says that the scholarship has lifted the burdens that accompany the cost of pursuing a degree in higher education.

“Most college students need to make major sacrifices, work numerous jobs, and take out huge loans that will cause stress, leading to the inability to focus on coursework,” Walsh told attendees. “The financial assistance of the Presidential Scholarship is a life changer for my family and me.”

The event also featured keynote speaker, David Hawk, who, with his wife Ann, are founders of the Hawk Family Foundation created to help the underprivileged, support education, and encourage community initiatives to help families thrive. The Hawk Family Foundation contributed to the College’s Innovation at Work Capital Campaign specifically for student scholarships and campus developments.

The breakfast concluded with the presentation of the scholarship awards by Katie Pittelli, Ed.D., president and CEO of Johnson College, and Jeanine Engelmann, Ed. D., Chief Academic Officer of Johnson College. The presented awards included:

AAA North Penn Annual Scholarship, Dylan DeGroat;

Andrew Mazza Memorial Scholarship, Gavin Noll;

Anthony Ploskonka Memorial Scholarship, Brianna Covington;

Bartolai Family Scholarship, Peter Winowich;

Christopher Pambianco ‘65 Book & Tool Scholarship, Kenneth Stucker;

C.M.C. Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament Scholarship, Jessica McKee;

Dr. George J. Hallesky Memorial Scholarship, Donovon Brown;

Ed Vogel Memorial Scholarship, Nicholas Lathrop;

Edgar A. and Ida M. Alekna Scholarship, Alexander Carpenetti, Luke Galli, Jordan Navarro, and Madison Trotto;

Frank and Jean Hubbard Scholarship, James Lamberti;

Hawk Family Foundation Scholarship, Julianne Feigenbutz and Christian Overholtz;

Irene Ploskonka Memorial Scholarship, Ryan Phillips;

Islyn Thomas Achievement Award, Alexander Canjar;

Janie Lamberton Memorial Scholarship, Cassidy Weber;

John K. and Mary E. Blackledge Memorial Scholarship, Andrea Marques;

John T. Gerod Scholarship, Richard Reed;

Johnson College Presidential Scholarship, Jessica McKee, Emily Ohme, and Devin Walsh;

The Margaret Briggs Foundation Scholarship, Matthew Spiccioli;

Moffat Merit Award, Richard Bowen;

Moses Taylor Foundation Scholarship, Sierra Matash, and Gina Simeone;

MotorWorld Lexus Scholarship, Jeremy Russo and Casey Williams;

Orlando S. Johnson Merit Award, Emma Faithfull and Madison Kier;

Ross Family Foundation Scholarship, Alyssa Crawford and Tiahna Jackson;

Ruth Stitt Morgan Memorial Scholarship, Kodee Bates;

Scranton UNICO Scholarship, Christopher Henderson;

Sean J. Calpin Automotive Technology Scholarship, Mackenzie Snyder;

Sebastian “Sebby” Amico Memorial Scholarship, Jallen Wilks;

Society of Broadcast Engineers, Chapter II Scholarship, Kyle Williams;

Technology Merit Award, Michael Altieri and Anna-Marie Lake;

The John R. O’Hara Scholarship, Brandon Grandinetti;

The P. Fricchione and Sons Scholarship, Jonathon Hunsberger;

Thomas Hesser Scholarship, Zachary Menichello;

and Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club Scholarship, Jeremy Russo.

College to Host Fall Open House on November 5, 2022

Johnson College will hold an on-campus Fall Open House on Saturday, November 5, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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.

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.

Peoples Security Bank & Trust Pledges $150,000 to Innovation at Work Capital Campaign  

Peoples Security Bank & Trust has pledged $150,000 to Johnson College in support of its $5 million comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, Innovation at Work.

Peoples Security Bank & Trust has provided continued support for student programs and scholarships at Johnson College through its monetary contributions.  

“Peoples Security Bank & Trust is inspired by Johnson College’s vision to be an innovative, experiential, and multi-disciplinary technical hub for the next generation of trailblazing leaders across all industry sectors,” said J. Patrick Dietz, Johnson College Board Chair and Senior Vice President of Peoples Security Bank and Trust. “The college has an extensive history of both nurturing and advancing the career paths of some of the brightest young minds, and the Bank is pleased to bestow a gift that will help to unlock the full potential of the Innovation at Work capital campaign, broadening access to valuable resources and programming for all students.”

The Innovation at Work campaign consists of four components that will create an environment for continued growth and success: the construction of Ideal Saldi Hall, a new gateway building that will become the official entrance to the campus and include new lab and classroom spaces; 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. For more details about the Innovation at Work campaign, visit johnson.edu/innovationatwork.

Pictured left to right: Joseph Ferretti, Executive Vice President, Peoples Security Bank & Trust; Karen Baker, Senior Director of College Advancement, Johnson College; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College; and J. Patrick Dietz, Johnson College Board Chair and Senior Vice President, Peoples Security Bank and Trust.

Johnson College Automotive Technology Program Receives Reaccreditation from ASE Education Foundation

The Automotive Technology program at Johnson College received reaccreditation by the ASE Education Foundation, formerly known as NATEF, and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The program has been reaccredited in the following areas: Engine Repair; Automatic Transmission/Transaxle; Manual Transmission and Drive Axles; Suspension and Steering; Brakes; Electrical/Electronic Systems; Heating and Air Conditioning; Engine Performance.

In order to achieve this renewed recognition, the College’s Automotive Technology program underwent rigorous evaluation by the ASE Education Foundation using nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities, and equipment. Through the endeavors of both our program instructors and the ASE Education Foundation, Johnson College can more successfully bridge the gap between the needs of industry and classroom training to assure that students enter the workforce as well-prepared technicians.

Johnson College’s Automotive Technology program is an Associate of Applied Science degree program that prepares students as entry-level technicians in the automobile and diesel industries. Upon completion, graduates can expect to work for employers in career fields such as automotive, truck, farm and earthmoving equipment dealerships; truck, power generation and construction companies; automotive service centers; engine repair/machine shops; automotive equipment distributors; independent service garages; automotive parts manufacturers; sales representation; as well as auto insurance companies. They may also work with brake systems, transmissions, alignments and repairs; be representatives in claims, sales, and service; or become truck/fleet maintenance technicians.

To learn more about this program, visit: johnson.edu/divisions-of-study/transportation/automotive-technology.

Pictured left to right: Jim Williams ’00, Automotive Technology Instructor; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO; Mark Kozemko ’79, Automotive Technology Program Director.

Johnson College Announces Record-Setting Enrollment for Fourth Consecutive Year

Johnson College has announced a record-setting enrollment for the 2022-2023 academic year. The College outpaced its enrollment for 2021-2022 with nearly 600 students including 273 incoming first-year students and 250 continuing students.

In addition to a record number of incoming first-year and returning Johnson College also welcomed its largest Dual Enrollment-Industry Fast Track class to date. There are 57 students from around the area who have enrolled either part-time or full-time with Johnson College for college credits while also earning their high school diplomas. The College also welcomes 16 students to campus through the RISE (Readiness in Skilled Employment) program.   

With a record number of students enrolled for the fourth year in a row, Johnson College works hard to fill the skills gap in today’s job marketplace – making the College’s recruitment and programmatic focus more on workforce development.

“Year over year, we continue to see an increase in demand for a technical, hands-on approach to education,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College’s Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “In two years or less, our graduates are prepared for a lifetime of opportunities with an extremely high return on investment. The community, industry partners, and area school districts continue to see that value year in and year out as the demand for a Johnson College education grows.”

Gibbons Ford Contributes $10,000 to Johnson College’s Innovation at Work Capital Campaign   

Johnson College received a $10,000 contribution from Gibbons Ford in support of the College’s comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, Innovation at Work.

Gibbons Ford is a long-standing industry partner with Johnson College. They support the College and its students by making monetary and in-kind contributions, participating in the Automotive Technology program advisory committee, hosting student interns, and inviting students to participate in live program labs inside their dealership in Dickson City, PA.

“The best thing we can invest in is our future and the students at Johnson College are that future,” said Darryl Jayne, General Manager, Gibbons Ford.

“Generous contributions to our capital campaign from industry partners like Gibbons Ford, help the College continue to deliver to students the real-world, hands-on experience for which we are known,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College. “Working with industry gives our students a competitive edge in the workplace as they are exposed daily to new technologies, emerging fields of study, and the most sophisticated equipment.”

The Innovation at Work campaign consists of four components that will create an environment for continued growth and success: the construction of Ideal Saldi Hall, a new gateway building that will become the official entrance to the campus and include new lab and classroom spaces; 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. For more details about the “Innovation at Work” campaign, visit johnson.edu/innovationatwork.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Darryl Jayne, General Manager, Gibbons Ford, Ashley Bechaver, IT & Human Resources, Gibbons Ford, John Grow, Dealer Principal, Gibbons Ford, Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College, and Karen Baker, Sr. Director of College Advancement, Johnson College.

Johnson College Continuing Education Announces Late Summer and Fall Courses

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program recently announced its late summer and fall course offerings. The courses are for adults who want the opportunity to improve their skills, which will also help them stay ahead of the competition, learn new technologies, and advance in their current careers.

The courses and start dates include:

Pennsylvania Emissions Inspector Training and Testing on August 10 and August 24, 2022.

Pennsylvania State Vehicle Safety Inspection on August 9, 2022.

Fundamentals of Welding on August 9, 2022.

Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate Gas Metal Arc Welding GMAW on August 9, 2022.

Medical Assistant Program on August 30, 2022.

Forklift Operator Training on September 24, 2022.

Basic Maintenance on November 1, 2022.

For more details on each course and how to register, visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact the Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

College to Host an Open House for Interested Students on July 13, 2022

Johnson College will hold an on-campus Open House on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 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.

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.