PRESIDENT'S WELCOME
At Central Penn College we have entered a phase of transformation. Physical change is evident in our facilities upgrades, as exemplified by our new Super Suites renovation project (page 2), The Underground, and our state-of-the-industry health sciences building, with advanced biochemistry, microbiology, and high tech computer labs. The behind-the-scenes advancements are more subtle. Like our work to develop a culture of research and scholarship, evident during the College’s inaugural Applied Research Exhibition for undergraduate and graduate students (page 8). Our instructional design team provides daily support to our faculty, and has recently designed an all-in-one studio for video capturing, visual course enhancement, and introductory presentations, all of which contribute to a richer online learning environment. Our faculty and staff members are committed to providing a more holistic student learning experience. This includes access to the arts, both on campus, in our Capital BlueCross Theatre, our professional dance studio, and in classroom music and art courses, and off campus. Students have the opportunity to experience the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, regional theatre performances, and art and history museums in New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. At Festival of Nations (page 8), our students expand their perspectives as they learn about other cultures. Our International Immersion program, recently modified, will return in the spring of 2017 with more rigorous academic requirements designed to expand and enhance the learning experience. It takes a strong team to make all of this happen for our students. That’s why we’re so excited to welcome Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams to our CPC family. Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams has accepted the role of Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost (read about her on page 6). Also joining our team is our new men’s basketball coach and graduate alumnus, David Archer (read about him on page 6). Go Knights! I’m delighted to welcome them and all of our new team members to the CPC family. Our transformation is not limited to our internal environment. We have worked closely with the East Pennsboro Township manager and commissioners to help them secure funds for regional connectivity assessment. This six-month study solicited valuable feedback from representative regional constituents and identified appropriate action items for improved transportation for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and consumers of public transportation (page 7). The study results and recommendations were presented to the local residents at a recent Central Penn College-sponsored town hall meeting, and, at the end of the month, will go before the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for consideration. Our Central Penn College family is grateful for the hard work and cooperation of stakeholders throughout the greater region. It is through strong partnerships that we build trust, continually improve and profoundly serve our community together.
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RENOVATION PROJECT WRAPS UP ON THE SUMMERDALE CAMPUS
After nearly a year of construction, Central Penn College is excited to announce the completion of a large-scale renovation project for a portion of student housing on the Summerdale campus. In the late summer of 2015, construction began on the first half of 33 townhouses located on College Hill Road. Now, the completely renovated super suites are finished and housing incoming Central Penn College freshmen. “This renovation project is extremely exciting, as it opens up a whole new world of programming opportunities within the Residence Life Department. The new super suites will allow students to enhance their college experience through student-directed, themed living/learning communities,” said Megan Peterson, director of residence life. “Students will also have the opportunity to gain leadership experience through a new resident assistant program. In addition to the programming opportunities, our new layout will allow students the privacy of a single room, while still enjoying communal living.” Each super suite features seven single-bedrooms and a large common area, allowing students to have privacy while still connecting with their suite-mates. In addition to increasing students’ sense of privacy, security also was upgraded at the super suites. Each unit now has keycard access and compact fire escape ladders installed in each of the second floor rooms. Among the 33 super suites are a select number of themed houses. These residences consist of students passionate about a topic or subject. Examples of themed suites are the Unique House and the Student Alumni House. The Unique House is full of students interested in self-expression in all its forms. It is a gender neutral house, and encourages fellow students to find their outlet of expression. The Student Alumni House is made up of members of the Student Alumni Association Club. These students plan events to build pride and tradition among Central Penn students, and to connect students with alumni.
CAMPAIGN FOR SCHOLARSHIPS: PHASE 3 GAINS MOMENTUM
Changing the Landscape Campaign for Scholarships Phase 3: Super Suites began in earnest in January of 2016. The first ten super suites were sponsored within the first few months of the campaign. Education Foundation Executive Director Matt Lane is extremely pleased with the out-of-the-gate results. He explains, “Phases 1 and 2 happened in quick succession in 2015 and raised over $1,000,000 for student scholarships. Our campaign team was unsure how our supporters would respond to another campaign. Well, the message that donations of all sizes help Central Penn students finish their degree remains inspiring, so alumni and friends welcome ways to give. I am just so grateful!” This $350,000 campaign gives donors the opportunity to provide scholarship funding for Central Penn students while receiving name recognition on a super suite, a newly renovated townhouse along College Hill Road that contains seven single bedrooms, four bathrooms and a common area. Each super suite can be sponsored for a $10,000 donation. In addition to name recognition on the exterior of the townhouse, a scholarship is awarded in the donor’s name or another name of the donor’s choice. To donate to this campaign, please contact Matt Lane at mattlane@centralpenn.edu or 717-728-2263. Three year pledges are welcome.
By Christine Tobias Outside, the weather may have been rainy, but inside The Forum in Harrisburg was filled with the warmth of families and friends gathering to celebrate their loved one’s success. Dean of Student Services Dave Baker opened the celebration of the 134th annual Commencement Ceremony on May 6 by summing up the reason for that energy in just a few words, "Family and friends, just know, your legacy walks across this stage tonight." Student Government Association President Sebastine Virella echoed that sentiment by adding that "…a part of our success comes from our amazing support system." Commencement speaker Joseph Robinson Jr. took the stage and recalled his own commencement ceremony from the University of Virginia. Like many Central Penn students, Robinson was the first in his family to graduate college. He fondly remembered his excitement and trepidation at being let loose into the world and encouraged graduates to strive for the limits. “Whether you are graduating number one or number 301, know that you have been given a gift, and you have a duty to make the most of it. So, make up your minds to be the best at whatever you attempt to do.” Along with serving as the commencement speaker, Robinson also received an honorary doctorate, along with Joyce Davis. Robinson was chosen to receive a Doctor of Humane Letters because of his commitment to serving the community through organizations such as the South Central Pa. Sickle Cell Council and Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as his continued support of the college and its mission. Davis, the director of communications for the City of Harrisburg, was chosen for her commitment to bettering society and her contributions to the community. She is the founder and president of The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg and an award-winning journalist. Following the presentation of student and faculty awards (see sidebar) and the conferring of degrees, Alumni Council President Dwight Utz closed out the evening by welcoming the newly graduated students to the more than eleven thousand strong alumni of Central Penn College. “I have so many great memories and made so many wonderful, lifelong friends, that I ask that you join me in that pride,” said Utz. “Pride in graduates and pride in your alma mater.”
HONORING PROFESSOR SHUSTER During the 2016 commencement ceremony, Dr. Matthew Vickless, dean of Professional Studies, presented the Faculty Excellence Award to a very surprised accounting professor Lynn Shuster. Students described Shuster as dedicated, understanding and a professor willing to listen. In addition, Bart A. Milano Hall room 13 was named in honor of Shuster, who ended her three decades long career as a Central Penn professor when she retired in July of 2016. STUDENT AWARDS 1) Perseverance - Mariano Figueroa-Perez '16, A.A.S. in physical therapist assistant 2) Veterans Recognition - Michael DeMedici '16, B.S. in homeland security management 3) Leadership - Christine Fussleman '88, travel and tourism operations, and '16, B.S. in corporate communications 4) Service - Evan Krug '16, A.S. in criminal justice 5) Student Activities/Athletics Award Nicole Schmidhamer '15, A.S. in paralegal
CELEBRATING TOGETHER THE 134TH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
HIGHER EDUCATION LEADER JOINS CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams has been selected to be the next vice president of Academic Affairs/provost at Central Penn College, after a nationwide search that drew a number of well-qualified candidates. Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams joins us from SUNY Orange in Middletown, New York, where she served as associate vice president of Liberal Arts. She holds a doctorate in higher education and organizational change from Benedictine University, a master’s degree in organizational communication and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Marist College, and an associate degree in liberal arts from SUNY Orange. During her time at SUNY Orange, Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams secured funding for a new state-of-the-art television studio for the Arts & Communication Department, created seven new courses and secured Title III grants for targeted messaging to students at-risk of academic termination. She also served as an associate professor for arts & communication during her time at the school. While visiting our Summerdale campus, Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams impressed our team members with her knowledge of student retention initiatives, pedagogy and team leadership. She asked hard, telling questions and conveyed her desire to collaborate on behalf of our students. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams.
NEW LEADERSHIP FOR THE KNIGHTS
This spring, Dave Baker announced he would be stepping down as the head coach of the Central Penn Knights men’s basketball team. Taking Baker’s place as head coach will be David Archer, former head coach for the HACC Hawks men’s basketball team. Under Archer’s leadership the Hawks qualified for the Region IXX tournament for the first time in the school’s history. “Dave Archer has had success at every program he has been a part of,” said Dave Baker. “We’re excited to welcome him back to the Central Penn Knights family.” This won’t be the first time Archer has called himself a Knight. Archer also played for the men’s basketball team in 2001 before transferring to Elizabethtown College. Archer earned his Bachelor of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice from Elizabethtown College, and his Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership from Central Penn College. He also has coached at HGI Academy, New Hope Academy Charter School, Pine Grove Area High School, Penn State University Harrisburg and Bishop McDevitt High School. Joining Archer on the coaching staff will be Assistant Coach Jeff Sparrow. Sparrow has coached at Red Land High School, Exeter High School and Pope John Paul II High School.
IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY IN EAST PENNSBORO TOWNSHIP Recently, two Town Hall meetings were held in the Capital BlueCross Theatre regarding the Regional Connectivity Study performed in the northern portion of East Pennsboro Township. This study looked at ways to improve pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular modes of transportation in five areas, including the Central Penn College campus, Summerdale Village, Summerdale tract, Summerdale Plaza commercial area and East Pennsboro Area School District campus. These meetings produced valuable feedback from residents on where they most wanted to see changes made. In the end, changes such as improving bicycle and pedestrian safety along College Hill Road, improving crosswalks along B Street, and improving the frequency and accessibility of public transportation services were just some of the projects seen as priorities among residents and township stakeholders. The next step to move forward with these improvements will be to present the final report to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for consideration on July 28.
LCCC AND CENTRAL PENN SIGN ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
On Monday, May 16, Dr. Karen M. Scolforo and Dr. Ann D. Bieber, president of Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), came together to sign an articulation agreement ensuring students graduating with an associate degree from LCCC can seamlessly transfer their credits into a bachelor’s degree program at Central Penn College. Under the agreement, students interested in participating will sign an intent to enroll form, which will allow for dual advising between both LCCC and Central Penn College, assuring they are on the right path to earning their bachelor’s degree. The articulation agreement allows graduates of specified LCCC associate degree programs a smooth transition to parallel Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, healthcare management, health science and nursing at Central Penn College. The program-to-program agreements will provide students with 60 transfer credits and the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree program by fulfilling the remaining 65 to 66 credits as required, through Central Penn College offerings on the Summerdale campus, in Lancaster or completely online. This is the second agreement signed between Central Penn College and a community college in 2016. The first was with HACC in March.
PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING DRIVE AT CENTRAL PENN Central Penn College is committed to our graduates’ career success. As a means of supporting them as they pursue their initial positions, faculty and staff held a professional clothing drive for shirts, pants, dresses, suits, ties and accessories. On April 12, CPC students had the opportunity to work with experts to build professional wardrobes at no cost to them.
On May 20, Central Penn College hosted its third annual Festival of Nations, a new and expanding tradition on the Summerdale campus. The event included live music and performances, games, activities and food vendors that highlighted cultures from around the world. The purpose of the event is to accentuate multicultural appreciation in our communities, allow for engagement and provide learning opportunities.
The first ever Research Exhibition Day was held June 6. Volunteer judges walked the circuit of posters listening to speeches, scoring each group for research quality, presentation and integration of the 2016 theme: diversity, and asking the students questions. The lobby was filled with activity as visitors came to view the posters and vote for their favorite. Occupational Therapy Assistant students Allison Miller, Jennifer Torelli and Caitlin Cragle won first place and $100 with their study "The Only Disability in Life is a Bad Attitude."
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Petapalooza, hosted by Best Friends Furever Inc., brought members of the central Pa community onto our Summerdale Campus on Saturday, June 11, to enjoy the nice weather and browse vendors and informational booths about animal rescues and care. The event and the college were both mentioned in several newscasts on WGAL channel 8 and WHTM channel 27.
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