On campus

Juniata sets Observatory Nights

HUNTINGDON -- Seasoned stargazers and night sky novices are invited to a series of Observatory Nights hosted by Juniata College at the Paul E. Hickes Observatory behind Brumbaugh Academic Center.

Held "open house" style, visitors are welcome between 8 and 10 p.m. Mondays, April 1, 15 and 29 and May 6. These events are free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. No preregistration is required.

Participants will be able to use the observatory's telescopes to observe various celestial objects, which vary according to the seasons. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the conditions, as the observatory is outdoors and open to the elements.

For those interested in bringing a large group (10 or more people) to the observatory, contact Beaky at 814-641-3550 or beaky

@juniata.edu about scheduling a special Observatory Night for a group or organization.

Cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced before 5 p.m. at www.juniata.edu/observatory-nights and via Instagram at @juniata_astronomy.

1st Summit makes donation

JOHNSTOWN -- The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation recently received a $2,500 donation from 1st Summit Bank.

This contribution will be directed toward the college's Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) fund. It will empower the bank and other institutions to provide valuable support to the educational initiatives offered by the college.

This contribution plays a pivotal role in facilitating reduced-price class offerings for students enrolled in the Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program or participating in dual enrollment.

EITC provides high school students with the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses. By earning credits through this program, students can explore the offerings of Penn Highlands and gain valuable insights into their prospects.

In 2023, the EITC Program received funding of $17,000, enabling the college to provide over 2,000 participating students with more than 7,000 credits at discounted rates.

Student joins Phi Kappa Phi

BATON ROUGE, La -- Kalei Carson of Imler was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Carson was initiated at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Carson is 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.

Out of the Darkness Walk set

HUNTINGDON -- Registration is open to take part in the upcoming Out of the Darkness Walk to be hosted by Juniata College and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Eastern PA Chapter on Saturday, April 13.

The walk will be held on the Juniata campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with day-of registration opening at 10 a.m. This event is one of the AFSP's signature fundraising series and is designed to engage communities in the fight to prevent suicide, a leading cause of death nationwide.

Through the walk, those affected by suicide -- and those who support them -- raise awareness and much-needed funds while strongly sending the message that suicide can be preventable and no one is alone.

The local event will feature a DJ, food trucks, a community art mural to spread encouragement, a basket raffle filled with a variety of prizes and representation by area agencies ready to provide resources and education.

The route is about one-quarter-mile loop on level ground with a shorter alternate route provided too. Walk participants may register individually or as a team, with free T-shirts provided to those who raise $100 (per person).

Sponsors for the Out of the Darkness Walk include CenClearChild Services, Inc., Merakey, the Meadows Psychiatric Center, Primary Health Network, and Broad Top Area Medical Center.

All proceeds from the event go to the AFSP to support the vital work of suicide prevention education.

For more information or to register, visit https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuse

action=donorDrive.event&eventID=9798

ACE Bridge Scholarship created

JOHNSTOWN -- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has launched the ACE Bridge Scholarship, designed to assist former ACE dual enrollment students in achieving their goal of earning an associate degree or certificate.

"This scholarship is unique in that it recognizes the efforts of our ACE students by providing a tiered scholarship that essentially covers the cost of dual enrollment courses taken in the high school," stated Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services. "We want to provide a pathway that includes those dual enrollment credits and guides our students to the completion of an affordable post-secondary credential."

The student is required to enroll full-time at Penn Highlands in the fall semester immediately after graduating from high school and must select a major field of study. Details on the scholarship can be found online at www.pennhighlands.edu/scholarships, and then by selecting the Ace Bridge Scholarship option.