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On campus

Foundation receives $10,000 from Somerset Trust Co.

JOHNSTOWN -- The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation was presented with a check for $10,000 from Somerset Trust Co.

This donation is intended to bolster the college's Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) fund.

The donation will enable the bank (based in Somerset), as well as other institutions, to support educational causes offered by the college. With Penn Highlands also applying for and maintaining its EITC status, the donation will help allow the college to offer classes at a reduced price for its Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program/dual enrollment students.

"John Kubinsky, who is on our Foundation Board of Directors, has been very generous to the college over the years," said Carole VanMeter, director of the foundation. "He has made multiple donations, and this year he chose EITC. John believes in our mission and values growth in our community."

EITC assists high school students in taking college-level courses, while earning credits and seeing what Penn Highlands can offer in their respective futures.

The EITC Program received $17,000 in funds in 2023, allowing the College to award more than 7,000 credits at discounted rates to over 2,000 participating students in the past year alone.

Student takes experiential learning trip to Super Bowl

WINCHESTER, Va. -- Erin Talko of Cresson was one of 12 sport management students in Shenandoah University's School of Business who spent a week in Las Vegas on an experiential learning trip planned around Super Bowl LVIII, which took place at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11.

During the trip, which lasted from Feb. 6-13, students had the opportunity to meet with several sports industry professionals and organizations to gain insights into the sports management industry.

Shenandoah students also participated in a networking event at UNLV, during which they heard from a panel of sports industry executives and connected with fellow college students from other institutions who were working at the Super Bowl.

On Feb. 10, the students worked throughout the day at the NFL Fan Experience, and on Feb. 11, they gained valuable work experience at the On Location/NFL VIP Pre-Game Parties in the morning and afternoon leading up to the Super Bowl.

Penn College students assist with seminars at Artisan Bakery Expo

WILLIAMSPORT -- Pennsylvania College of Technology's baking and pastry arts faculty, joined by nine students, presented several educational sessions at the two-day Artisan Bakery Expo East, held at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey.

Chef Charles R. Niedermyer, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, presented seminars titled "Food Safety," "Sweet & Savory Tarts That Sell" and "Chocolate 101: Choosing the Right Chocolate for the Right Application." Chocolate 101 was offered twice.

Chef Todd M. Keeley, assistant professor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, presented two sessions of a seminar titled "Understanding Yourself and Your Team Members."

Niedermyer and Keeley were among an all-star cast of industry-leading speakers -- including a James Beard Award-winner -- from across the United States. Penn College baking and pastry arts students rubbed elbows with all of them as seminar assistants.

Among the students who provided assistance was Sydney L. Mahoney, of Roaring Spring.

Area student among top 2%

of class at Iowa State University

AMES, Iowa -- Darcy Heltzel of Martinsburg has been ranked among the top 2% of students in their college at Iowa State University.

Heltzel is a sophomore in the college of agriculture and life sciences.

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi inducts new members

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Rylee Wolfe of Altoona, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

Brianna Woodring of Bedford, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

They are among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.

Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.