Johnson College

Each December, the Johnson College community aims to make the Holidays a little brighter for many local children by donating to the Annual Giving Tree Campaign.

A Giving Tree is set up in the College’s Moffat Building and decorated with special ornaments, each of which lists a child’s Holiday gift wish. Students, faculty, and staff take ornaments and fulfill those wishes. Students then volunteer their time to wrap the presents and prepare them for pick-up.

Linda Learn, Assistant Director of Student Support Services, explains, “It’s wonderful to think about the joy we’ve all brought to the lives of so many children.”

Several students were on hand to help Carol Walters when she came to pick up presents for the children of Head Start North Scranton 2.
From left to right: Carol Walters, Head Start North Scranton 2; Brian Scott ’12, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Madison Township; Jordan Pope ‘11, Precision Machining Technology, Sunbury; Rudi Dickinson ’11, Precision Machining Technology, Dalton; Timothy DeCicco ’11, Precision Machining Technology, Scranton; Monica Martucci ’11, Veterinary Technology, Gouldsboro; Brittany Burger ’11, Veterinary Technology, Scranton; Gregory Haering ’11, Precision Machining Technology, East Strousdsburg; Nathan Williams ’12, Electronic Technology, Carbondale

Students in Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Program recently designed trees for Community Medical Center’s “Holiday Lights” fundraising event.

The “Holiday Lights” tree lighting and reception took place on Saturday, November 20, 2010. As part of the benefit, donors were invited to sponsor ornaments in honor of or in memory of loved ones. These ornaments currently adorn the trees created by Johnson College students in CMC’s main lobby.

From left to right: Christopher Smith ’11, Havertown; Vincent Rowe ’11, Honesdale; Denny DeWolf ’11, Tunkhannock

On September 25, 2010, the 131st Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania Convention Parade marched through Hanover Township. Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology Program students teamed up with the Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company to build a special parade float for the occasion. The float’s theme was, “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With.” It won 2nd place out of 30 entries. Spectators crowded the streets for miles to enjoy the parade, which consisted of over 8,000 participants from all over the state.

Johnson College has been awarded a $100,000 matching grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The grant benefits the Training Equipment Purchase Project for the College’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Program and its Center for Sustainability.

ARC is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the thirteen Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the President. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts. ARC awards grants to projects that address one or more of the four goals identified by ARC in its strategic plan and that can demonstrate measurable results.

The ARC funding is designated for the purchase of equipment in order to prepare students for the great employment demand for HVAC Technicians and Certificate of Completion Programs under the Center for Sustainability at Johnson College.

Johnson College teaches technical skills through exposure to real world applications and equipment. These equipment purchases will enable students to receive the most current training available and enhance their learning experience and employment skills. HVAC students will continue to learn heating and cooling principles and skills on the latest various makes and models of equipment and components actually found in the industry. The Center of Sustainability at Johnson College will continue to offer training on state-of-the-art equipment at its Welding Training Center for individuals seeking opportunities in the Natural Gas Industry. In the near future, the Center will also be developing programming to address the burgeoning renewable energy field.

A team of representatives from ARC, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and NEPA Alliance recently visited Johnson College to tour the HVAC facility and to meet with the College staff to discuss the Training Equipment Purchase Project.
From left to right (Bottom): Adam Turner, HVAC Department Chairperson; Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President and CEO; Earl Gohl, ARC Federal Co-Chair
From left to right (Stairs): Jeffrey Box, NEPA Alliance CEO; Dominick Carachilo, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Doug Hampton, Sustainability Curriculum Liaison to Faculty & Biomedical Equipment Technology Department Chairperson; Rick Fornes ‘94, Electronic Technology Department Chairperson; Jeffrey Novak, Chief Financial Officer; Marie Allison, Director of Continuing Education; Shirley Helbing, Director Program & Institutional Research; Jackie Parker, DCED Deputy Secretary Community Affairs; Roseann Martinetti, Associate Director of Career Services; Katie Leonard, Director of Institutional Advancement

Johnson College kicked off its annual United Way Employee Campaign in October 2010. This year’s dedicated co-chairs are Joan Bonczek, Clinical Coordinator/Instructor for the Radiologic Technology Program, and Joellen Cerra, Bursar.

As part of this year’s campaign, Ms. Bonczek and Ms. Cerra helped organize a “Reading with Students Day.” On October 26, 2010, volunteers went to schools throughout Lackawanna County to read to local students.

For more information about the charitable efforts of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, please visit http://www.uwlc.net.

Roseann Martinetti, Johnson College’s Associate Director of Career Services, reads to students at Helping Hands in Clarks Summit, PA.

This year during Labor Day weekend, students from Johnson College’s Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology Program helped out at the City of Scranton’s beloved La Festa Italiana. This project, which was co-sponsored by IBEW #81 Apprenticeship School, involved the temporary wiring of Courthouse Square.

Johnson College held its Fall Career Fair on October 20, 2010. Close to forty companies visited campus, making it the largest fair in the College’s history.

Over one hundred and seventy Johnson College students and alumni met with local employers, distributed resumes, and some completed applications at the Career Fair. Visiting organizations presented a wide variety of career opportunities for full-time and part-time positions as well as internship opportunities. Several colleges, which have articulation agreements with Johnson College, were also represented at the Fair to provide information on further education.

Alumnus John L. duFief III ‘79 addressed the crowd. Mr. duFief graduated from Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Program. After graduation, he began working at John L. duFief, Inc., a small family-owned construction company that his father established in 1958. In 1988, he took over as President of the company. He shared, “There is no such thing as luck. There is an intersection of preparation and opportunity… Life outside that gate is hard. It is not easy. Your instructors are preparing you for it. Time is on your side. You have nothing else to do except learn. What an opportunity to learn, to grow. Take advantage of it now.”

Roseann Martinetti, Associate Director of Career Services, organizes the College’s Career Fairs. She says, “It was encouraging to see that the students and graduates of Johnson College are in demand for technical positions and many of those positions are in the local area.”

Plans for a Spring Career Fair are already underway. “In an age of impersonal online applications, Johnson College offers students and alumni the opportunity to speak to a recruiter in person about the jobs they are seeking and their qualifications,” states Ms. Martinetti.

From Left to Right: John L. duFief III ’79, Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology, Rockville, MD; Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO; Mike Vacendak ’79, Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology, Clarks Summit

Johnson College alumni fill out applications in person at the College’s Fall Career Fair.
From Left to Right: Svitlana Skirpan ’09, Computer Information Technology, Olyphant; Keith Heimbuck ’09, Computer Information Technology, Olyphant

Instructor Christina Curran recently invited Maggie O’Brien, Director of the Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, to speak to her Entrepreneurship 101 class.

In the Entrepreneurship 101 course, Johnson College students learn how to take realistic approaches to the problems and concerns of starting a small business. An understanding of the economic and social environment within which the small business functions is developed and each student learns how to write a business plan.

Ms. O’Brien was able to answer students’ questions about the steps to obtaining financing when starting a business and explained the resources available through the Chamber of Commerce.

From left to right: John Lashinski ’11, Electronic Technology, Clarks Summit; Julio Faramelli ’11, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Forest City; Eric Shager ’11, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Forest City; Ken Byers ’11, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Peckville; Matthew Janner ‘11, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Hamlin; Christina Curran, Entrepreneurship 101 Instructor; Ian Lewis ’11, Electronic Technology, Scranton;  Holly Owens ’11, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Dickson City; Joseph Carter ’11, Electronic Technology, Scranton; Maggie O’Brien, Director of The Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce; Paul Vermac ’11, Electronic Technology, Moosic; Christopher Smith ’11, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, Havertown; Traci Bond ’11, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Dunmore; Adam Deluccie ’11, Diesel Truck Technology, Scranton; William Kimmel ’11, Diesel Truck Technology, Klingerstown

On October 13, 2010, Johnson College faculty and staff honored the 2010-2011 Scholarship Recipients as well as their donors with a special recognition luncheon at Fiorelli’s in Peckville.

Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President and CEO, welcomed everyone to the luncheon and offered her heartfelt appreciation to all of the donors for their generosity to the students. “Never forget that you are making a difference in the lives of our students. You know first hand that the simple act of making a gift has an impact that often lasts a lifetime,” Dr. Pipinski shared. Dr. Pipinski also commented that Johnson College could not be any prouder of its students. “These scholarship funds are an important investment in your future and a compliment to your abilities. Your continued effort to succeed will enable future students to seek and obtain scholarship assistance… It is quite a legacy to leave behind.”

The afternoon’s events also included remarks from one of Johnson College’s donors. Ms. Amy Shingler, a representative for the Bill Puntar Memorial Scholarship, shared fond memories of her brother, the late Bill Puntar Jr., a 2000 graduate of the Automotive Technology Program. Three years ago, Bill was taken away suddenly in a car accident. To honor Bill’s life and to pay tribute to his love for the outdoors, the Puntar family established an annual golf tournament in his memory. The money raised from the tournament goes toward a scholarship to be awarded to Johnson College students. Ms. Shingler stated, “I can only hope that we can carry on year after year sharing in this wonderful tribute of Bill’s life, and giving worthy students a scholarship so they may start a career and love their life nearly as much as Bill did.”

Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology student Mr. Lawrence Foster ‘11 also addressed the crowd from a scholarship recipient perspective. Mr. Foster is as an Ambassador for Johnson College, which allowed him to learn the ins and outs of the College, as well as build relationships with the faculty and staff. “This relationship is something that is rare in many colleges, and it is because of our donors that many students get to experience this relationship,” Mr. Foster said. He added, “I am truly grateful and will continue to come back to see Johnson College excel, and share my experience with future students.”

At the conclusion of the event, each scholarship recipient was called forward to be acknowledged and to receive a scholarship certificate signifying their 2010-2011 scholarship award.

From Left to Right: Melissa Ide, Director of Enrollment Management; Bill Puntar, representative for the Bill Puntar Memorial Scholarship; Katie Leonard, Director of Institutional Advancement; Barb Puntar, representative for the Bill Puntar Memorial Scholarship; Amy Shingler, representative for the Bill Puntar Memorial Scholarship; Lawrence Foster ’11, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, Scranton, recipient of the Lackawanna Homebuilders Association Scholarship; Dominick Carachilo ’82, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO

From Left to Right: John Sweeney, Sr., representative for the John K. and Mary E. Blackledge Memorial Scholarship; Kavina Wentland ’11, Radiologic Technology, Carbondale, recipient of the John K. and Mary E. Blackledge Memorial Scholarship; Jean Sweeney, representative for the John K. and Mary E. Blackledge Memorial Scholarship

Students in Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Program recently met with local professionals to learn more about their field of study.

On October 8, 2010, father and son, Samuel and Michael Payne, visited the senior class. The two men are Consultant Radiation Physicists. Mr. Samuel Payne delivered a presentation touching on the current standards associated with radiation practices, protection against radiation, and biologic issues related to radiation exposure.

On October 15, 2010, Jennifer Carney, a Physical Therapist at CMC Hospital in Scranton, spoke to both freshmen and seniors. Ms. Carney taught the students about the importance of maintaining the correct alignment of the spine while conducting any procedures where lifting is involved. She explained the “center of gravity” to the students and stressed how crucial it is to understand and how it becomes aligned when using proper lifting techniques. Ms. Carney also reviewed basic spine anatomy before she led lifting demonstrations in the labs. Students took turns transporting a patient from a rolling bed to an x-ray machine table by using regular bed sheets and a board.

For more information on the Radiologic Technology Program at Johnson College, please contact Jane Maas, Department Chairperson, at 570-702-8939 or jmaas@johnson.edu.

 
From Left to Right (Back Row): Roxanne Caswell, Radiologic Technology Program Clinical Instructor; Rich Mishura, General Education Chairperson; Joan Bonczek, Radiologic Technology Program Clinical Coordinator; Samuel Payne, Medical Physicist; Michael Payne, Medical Physicist; Jane Maas, Radiologic Technology Program Chairperson
From Left to Right (Front Row): Ellen Raino ’11, Clarks Summit; Dominick Leonardo ‘11, Olyphant; Phil Colarossi ‘11, Clarks Green; Brittney Sholcosky ’11, Clarks Summit

From Left to Right (Back Row): Carrie Heater ‘12, Scranton; Alexandra Mepham ’12, Canadensis; Jane Maas, Radiologic Technology Program Chairperson; Joan Bonczek, Radiologic Technology Program Clinical Coordinator; Jennifer Carney, CMC Physical Therapist; Carly Leach ’12, Old Forge; Joseph Cimino ’12, Effort
From Left to Right (Front Row): Kimberly Kuratnick ’12, Scranton; Chelsea David ’12, Honesdale; Nicole Barbone ’12, Moscow