Johnson College will hold its 91st Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 9, 2010 starting at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave, Scranton.
At the commencement ceremony, Johnson College expects to award over 140 Associate Degrees. Along with the presentation of degrees, the program includes: special remarks by this year’s commencement speaker; an address from Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President and CEO; speeches by the recipients of the Awards for Academic Excellence; a statement from Donald Kalina, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
This year’s commencement speaker will be Gary Drapek, President and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.
Johnson College students regularly assist area non-profit organizations with projects that benefit the organizations while providing the students with hands-on training and community service experience. Mr. Drapek has been invited to speak to the Class of 2010 about the importance of staying actively involved in their communities beyond graduation.
Mr. Drapek joined the United Way of Lackawanna County in 1987 as the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, a position he held for twelve years. During this time, he became a trainer for the National Academy of Volunteerism, Alexandria VA, where he served as a consultant, and workshop presenter on numerous topics, including; Crisis Communications, Media Relations, and Effective Communications Techniques. He has presented to businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the country, including sessions in, Anaheim and San Francisco, CA, Nashville, TN, Chicago, IL, Miami and Tampa, FL, Baltimore, MD and others.
Mr. Drapek has been recognized for his work by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Advertising Club as a recipient of the Ad Club’s ADDY Award, and is a nine time recipient of United Way of America’s Reach for the Stars and Second Century Communications Awards. In 1992, Mr. Drapek was recognized by the United States Department of Defense for the development and coordination of a national home-front support program during Operation Desert Storm entitled, Operation Desert Care.
In 1999, Mr. Drapek left United Way to become the Vice President of Communications for Condron & Company, a regional award winning advertising, public relations and marketing firm, based in Scranton, Pennsylvania that serves the creative needs of over sixty businesses, corporations and non-profits.
He returned to the United Way in August 2002 as President and Chief Executive Officer.
In April 2003, he was presented with the Restoring Pride in Scranton Award by Scranton’s Mayor Christopher Doherty, for his civic and professional work in the City of Scranton, and in 2008 was presented with the Lackawanna County Bar Association’s Community Service Award. In addition, he was named the 2009 Alumnus of the Year by the Pennsylvania State University – Scranton Campus.
He is the author of three published works focusing on effective communication techniques, entitled; Ignite Business-Train Your Sights on Specific Objectives; Advanced Preparation Key to Effective Crisis Management; and Ingenuity & Planning Important on Limited Ad Budget.
Mr. Drapek was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in 1980 from the Pennsylvania State University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Scranton Counseling Center, Lackawanna/Susquehanna Mental Health Mental Retardation Agency, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Johnson College President’s Advisory Circle and the Governor’s Advisory Board of Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of United Way of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. PA, a Trustee of the McNulty Charitable Trust, Mercy Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, and is a Past President of All Saints Academy Parent Teacher Organization.
Mr. Drapek resides in Scranton, Pennsylvania with his wife, Susan and daughter, Laura Elizabeth.
Gary Drapek, President and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, will address Johnson College’s Class of 2010.
Thanks to Mr. Drapek for his speech to the Class of 2010.
He serves as a great example of a leader in serving the community, and especially those in need.
I remember it was a great speech.I have read this whole article and i am really impressed to know so much about Mr. Drapek.