On September 20, 2011, Johnson College held its Health Science Technology Center Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Katie Leonard, the College’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, welcomed the crowd, stating, “Today, we are not only breaking ground on the newest addition to the Johnson College grounds but we are starting the celebration of the next 100 years of Johnson College… a tradition of excellence and distinction that sets our students and our type of education apart from all others.”
As Johnson College, founded in 1912, enters its second century of providing high quality technology education, the College must once again adapt to the changing needs of its students and industry. Through an academic and master planning process, the College has determined that a new building dedicated to health science is needed in order to offer technology-based academic programs in emerging health science fields. With the aging of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s population and related healthcare needs, plus the impact of the new medical college in Scranton, employers will be seeking a larger pool of highly skilled personnel in health science fields.
Academic and applied training in fields such as physical therapy and medical technology will require new laboratories, classroom space and the most up-to-date equipment if the College is to address these industry needs.
To finance this new building as well as potential new degree programs, Johnson College is raising money through its first-ever Capital Campaign – the Next Century Campaign. The total goal is $4.5 million. To date, 72% of goal (over $3.2 million) has been raised, which includes a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program matching grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Construction of the new building will take approximately one year and will provide 12,600 square feet of new space, two therapy labs, one general science lab, and one 40-seat classroom that every student attending the College will have at least one class in.
The first proposed program is a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program. PTAs assist a Physical Therapist in delivering therapies to the patient and help patients with exercises and other therapeutic treatments, such as bathing, applying hot and cold packs, and massaging. The first class is planned to start in Fall 2013, pending all approvals from the PA Department of Education and associated accrediting agencies.
At the Groundbreaking Ceremony, remarks were given by key staff and members of the Next Century Capital Campaign Steering Committee, including Louis A. and Dianne Costanzo, Co-Chairs of the Steering Committee. The Johnson College cheerleading squad also performed a special cheer to celebrate the start of the College’s next century. Attendees included dignitaries such as a representative from Senator John Blake’s Office, a representative from State Representative Ken Smith’s Office, Scranton Mayor Christopher Doherty, and Lackawanna County Commissioner Bruce Smallacombe.
Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO, shared, “The Health Science Technology Center will be a shining example of who we are – an institution that provides students with an education that they experience. Our students go beyond sitting in a classroom. They create; they build; they help; and they develop the right skills for industry. Because when it comes to our programs, we pride ourselves in responding to industry needs. When industry calls, Johnson College answers!”
From left to right: Dominick Carachilo ’82, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Jack Sweeney, Honorary Member of the Board of Directors; Dianne Costanzo, Co-Chair of the Next Century Capital Campaign Steering Committee; Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO; Louis A. Costanzo, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Next Century Capital Campaign Steering Committee; Peter Danchak, President of PNC Bank; Katie Leonard, Vice President of Institutional Advancement
From left to right: Emily Synnott ’13, Schuylkill Haven; Amber Reedy ’13, Danville; Dan Blevins ‘12, Tobyhanna; Autumn Buckner ’13, Hatboro; Nathan Williams ’12, Carbondale; Justine Olsommer ’12, Canadensis; Larissa Cromley ’13, Danville; Ali Frankenfield ’13, Phillipsburg, NJ; Jen Eldred ’13, Honesdale; Amanda Crandall ’13, South Gibson; Dianne Costanzo, Co-Chair of the Next Century Capital Campaign Steering Committee; Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO; Louis A. Costanzo, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Next Century Capital Campaign Steering Committee; Dominick Carachilo ’82, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Lauren Elmore ’12, Honesdale; Tammie Farnell ’12, Glenside; Hayley Triplett ’13, Shickshinny; Sierra Smith ’13, Springville
From left to right: Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO; Yvette Wentland, The Robert Y. Moffat Family Charitable Trust; Don Ames, Robert Y. Moffat Family Charitable Trust; Katie Leonard, Vice President of Institutional Advancement
