Johnson College

Johnson College will hold its 92nd Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 15, 2011 starting at 11:00 a.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 170 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; a speech by a recipient of an Award for Academic Excellence; and a statement from Donald Kalina, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Johnson College is pleased to announce that this year’s commencement speaker will be Ryan Leckey, reporter for WNEP-TV.

Ryan Leckey, who Pennsylvania viewers often call ‘the Leckenator,’ is known for his energetic storytelling of breaking news as well as his iconic interviews with notable figures such as Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Whoopi Goldberg, and President Bill Clinton.

Ryan got his start in television right out of high school when he was eighteen years old at WJAC-TV (NBC) in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. This is the same station he used to visit as a middle-schooler when he would pitch teen segment ideas to the general manager.

While working in his hometown, Ryan began his career behind the scenes, learning how to execute a newscast before moving to the news department a short time later. There, Ryan worked primarily as a one-man-band — shooting, writing, and editing his own stories. While at WJAC, he solo-anchored his first newscast at age nineteen and before leaving the station in 2005, he had reported, anchored, and filled-in on the weather segments. All of this professional experience occurred while Ryan was earning his Bachelor’s degree in Communication at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

In 2005, Ryan accepted a reporter position at WNEP-TV, one of America’s highest rated television stations. The News Station is based near Scranton, PA. In the beginning, Ryan worked mornings and weekends for two years before moving to Monday through Friday broadcasts, where he became one of the familiar faces on Newswatch 16 This Morning. Not only did Ryan become a regular personality, he also implemented and still produces his own segment called “Leckey Live.” The almost daily television spot highlights community causes and special projects, including “Leckey’s Look at The View,” which gave viewers an all-access pass to the ABC daytime talk show and in-depth interviews with the hosts. Ryan’s other well known projects include: “One-On-One With Diane Sawyer,” “Fight Fat This Fall,” and “Slim Down for Summer,” which helped viewers shed the pounds through an interactive multi-media format.

One of Ryan’s biggest accomplishments while living and working in Northeastern & Central Pennsylvania includes his “Ryan’s Run” campaign in 2010. In conjunction with running the I-N-G New York City Marathon, Ryan, along with WNEP-TV Viewers, helped raise more than $120,000 in less than two months for kids with disabilities at Allied Services Pediatric Program. The NYC Marathon later labeled “Ryan’s Run” as a Bronze Charity because of the significant amount of money it raised in such a short amount of time. The Bronze Charity status put the campaign on the same world stage as the Michael J. Fox & The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundations.

Ryan has also earned a Master’s Degree in Communication Arts with a Concentration in Media Management from Marywood University, where he currently teaches courses in Media Performance and Broadcast News Writing.

When he’s not on the air or in the classroom, Ryan can be found hosting community events or making music.

For more about Ryan Leckey, check out www.ryanleckey.com.

For information on Johnson College, please visit www.johnson.edu.

Ryan Leckey, reporter for WNEP-TV, will address Johnson College’s Class of 2011 on Sunday, May 15, 2011.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB LETTIERI

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), “Four million cats and dogs – about one every eight seconds – are put down in U.S. shelters each year.” These deaths are the unfortunate result of pet overpopulation and an important part of ending this crisis is spaying/neutering.

Every February, students in Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program do their part to help control pet overpopulation by assisting with the College’s annual Spay Day event. This one-day only clinic assists residents of Lackawanna County with an income of less than $25,000 annually by offering discounted spaying and neutering services for their dogs and cats.

This year, students had another opportunity to help curb the overpopulation crisis by volunteering with the Feral Cat Neutering Program, which is a local, volunteer-driven Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program.

The HSUS defines TNR as “a strategy for improving the lives of feral cats and reducing their numbers.” Feral cats are different than strays. While stray cats are lost pets, feral cats are descendants of domesticated cats that have returned to the wild.

All funding for the Feral Cat Neutering Program comes directly from private contributions. About sixteen local veterinarians offer their time and expertise to make the program possible. When volunteering, students from Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program help take blood samples, administer shots, aid with surgical prep, and provide surgical assistance. This is valuable hands-on experience for their future as Certified Veterinary Technicians.

Karen Moss, a volunteer with the Feral Cat Neutering Program, states, “We absolutely love having the Johnson College students help. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to be as successful as we’ve been. In the year that we’ve been working we’ve neutered over 200 feral cats, perhaps preventing thousands more.”

For more information about the Feral Cat Neutering Program, please contact Carol Coffee at 570-824-5871.

To find out more about Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program, visit www.johnson.edu or call 1-800-2WE-WORK.

From Left to Right: Nichole Blasko ’11, Hughestown; Monica Martucci ’11, Gouldsboro; Marissa Slivkanich ’11, Madison Twp.

Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, Johnson College’s President and CEO, has been invited to represent the College at a State Senate Policy Committee Hearing being hosted by State Senator John Blake on Energy and Economic Development issues. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 12:30pm-2:30pm at Marywood University’s Nazareth Hall. 

Five State Senators will be in attendance to hear testimony from three different panels during the hearing. The panel that Dr. Pipinski is a part of will be representing education and workforce development. The other two panels will focus on economic and community development issues and industry. Up to 150 public attendees are expected at this event.

The 19th Annual Johnson College Open will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountaintop, PA (rain or shine).

Proceeds from this annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Each academic year, Presidential Scholarships are awarded to four or more qualified and deserving, full-time students.
Serving as honorary co-chairs for the event are John P. Kearney and Robert P. Sheils, III, Esq., both members of the Johnson College Board of Directors, as well as alumnus Robert DeMeck ’08.

Mr. Kearney shares, “The Johnson College Open is a great way for alumni and community friends to join together for a day of fun with the positive outcome of providing financial aid to future students.”

Sponsors of the 19th Annual Johnson College Open include:
Presenting Sponsor - Highland Associates
Radio Sponsor - Entercom Communications
Advertising Sponsor - Lamar Advertising, Inc.
Platinum Sponsors – Shea Demolition, Inc. and Gerrity’s Supermarkets
Platinum Marketing Sponsors - Blackout Design & Sweda Advertising
Gold Print Sponsor - Sprint Print
Gold Sponsors - R.N. DeMeck Roofing & Siding and L.R. Costanzo Construction Services, Co., Inc.
Dinner and Gift Sponsor - Manasek Auto Parts, Inc.
Silver Sponsors - John P. Kearney & Associates, Inc. and B&S Refrigerated Transport, Inc.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Golfer registration deadline is May 8th. Those who register before April 20th can take advantage of special early bird prices. To obtain more information or to register to play in the tournament, click here or contact Stephanie Orzalek, Coordinator of Institutional Advancement, at 570-702-8908 or sorzalek@johnson.edu.

From left to right (Top Row): Jack Reager, Blackout Design; Joe Shea, Shea Demolition, Inc.; Robert P. Sheils, III, Esq., Sheils Law Associates, P.C.; John P. Kearney, John P. Kearney & Associates, Inc.
From left to right (Middle Row): Stacey Ondik, Sweda Advertising; Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, Johnson College; William Stevens, Sprint Print; Rick McGee, Lamar Advertising, Inc.; Stephanie Orzalek, Johnson College
From left to right (Front Row): Katie Leonard, Johnson College; Don Kalina, Highland Associates; David Manasek, Manasek Auto Parts, Inc.

Students in Johnson College’s Architectural Drafting and Design Technology (ADT) Program competed in the College’s 7th Annual Portfolio Competition on March 25, 2011.

As part of the Annual Portfolio Competition, each senior ADT student organizes a collection of both hand-drafted and Computer Aided Design (CAD) work samples. This year’s competition also included drawings created in Revit, which is a Building Information Modeling program. These portfolios demonstrate the range of each student’s drafting and design skills.

As always, John DeAngelis, ADT Program Chairperson, invited industry professionals from local companies to serve as judges. This year’s judges included:
Jeff Jerome of Burkavage Design Associates
Rob Belardi ‘95 of Highland Associates
Kirsten Wallace of Willow Design
William Jones of The Palumbo Group
Barbara Tibus ‘09 of Arris Engineering
Ron Moskalczak ‘71 of Ronald N. Moskalczak Drafting Service

Mr. DeAngelis shares, “These students are the future of our business. Having industry people judge the Annual Portfolio Competition places a great deal of importance on the students’ work. These are portfolios that they can go on to take to interviews or just treasure in future years.”

The 2011 Architectural Drafting and Design Technology Portfolio Competition Winners:
First Place – Kristyn Repecki ‘11
Second Place (Tie) - Caleb Jahnke ‘11, Jordan Lupini ‘11, Holly Owens ‘11
Third Place - Traci Bond ‘11
Honorable Mention – James Farrell ‘11

To find out more about Johnson College’s Architectural Drafting and Design Technology Program, please visit www.johnson.edu or call 1-800-2WE-WORK.

From left to right (Sitting): Traci Bond ’11, Dunmore (Third Place); Kristyn Repecki ’11, Throop (First Place)
From left to right (Standing): Holly Owens ’11, Dickson City (Second Place); James Farrell ’11, Clarks Summit (Honorable Mention); Caleb Jahnke ’11, Dunmore (Second Place)
Not Pictured: Jordan Lupini ’11, Jessup (Second Place)

From left to right: Jeff Jerome of Burkavage Design Associates; John DeAngelis of Johnson College; Rob Belardi ‘95 of Highland Associates; Kirsten Wallace of Willow Design; William Jones of The Palumbo Group; Barbara Tibus ‘09 of Arris Engineering; Ron Moskalczak ‘71 of Ronald N. Moskalczak Drafting Service; Matt Sleboda ’84 of Johnson College

On March 2, 2011, Johnson College held its Spring Career Fair. This marked the largest career fair in the College’s history with close to 50 organizations in attendance.

Over 140 Johnson College students and alumni attended the event to learn more about and to apply for various full-time and part-time positions, internships, and summer employment. Opportunities were available for individuals from each of Johnson College’s thirteen program areas as well as Continuing Education courses such as Welding. Some area colleges, with which Johnson College has articulation agreements, were also there to highlight further education possibilities.

“We are proud of our students and alumni. It is wonderful to see how they are held in such high regard by employers and are in-demand in the job market,” states Roseann Martinetti, the College’s Associate Director of Career Services.

Johnson College holds two career fairs per academic year. The Fall and Spring fairs both continually bring in a number of organizations to network with students and alumni.

Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President and CEO of Johnson College, shares, “I feel like so many lives are impacted by our career fairs. Many great connections are made. Our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the employers themselves always have positive things to say about the event and Johnson College.”

Johnson College’s Moffat Building Gym was packed with close to 50 companies and over 140 students and alumni during the Spring Career Fair.

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Johnson College students network with an employer from Wayne Memorial Hospital.
From Left to Right: Rebecca Lubeski, Human Resources Generalist for Wayne Memorial Hospital; Kathleen Rafalko ’11, Radiologic Technology, Dupont; Kyle Calabro ’11, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Forest City; Eric Shager ’11, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Forest City

A Johnson College student speaks with a representative from the PA Department of Labor & Industry.
From Left to Right: Christopher Roehm, Human Resource Analyst for the PA Department of Labor & Industry; Patrick O’Neill ’12, Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning, Scranton

On February 12, 2011, the 2011 Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition was held at the Viewmont Mall in Dickson City, PA. This was the fourth year that organizers invited John DeAngelis, Johnson College’s Architectural Drafting and Design Technology Chairperson, to serve as a competition judge.

The Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition website explains, “The objective of the competition is to provide a scientific/educational learning experience that promotes a learning opportunity to encourage excelling in scientific and academic competence… This program hopes to encourage youth to investigate career opportunities in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.”

At the competition, Mr. DeAngelis and his fellow judges inspected entries to ensure that each adhered to the specifications outlined by the International Bridge Building Committee.

This year’s first place winner was Seneca Propst of Honesdale High School, whose bridge demonstrated an efficiency of 2998.236332. Winners advance to the 2011 International Bridge Building Contest which will be held in Chicago, IL in May.

To learn more about the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition or to see a complete list of this year’s results, check www.neparbdgblg.com.

For information about Johnson College’s Architectural Drafting and Design Technology Program, visit www.johnson.edu.

2011 Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition entries

On February 24, 2011, representatives from Laser Northeast Gathering Company LLC visited Johnson College to give a free, informational presentation. Over one hundred students, alumni, faculty, and staff members attended the event.

The technical skills acquired in many of Johnson College’s Associate Degree program areas are much sought after in the natural gas industry. In addition, the College’s Welding Training Center currently provides specialized training to serve specific welding needs in the industry.

At the Laser presentation, Shirley Helbing, the College’s Director of Program & Institutional Research, welcomed those in attendance, explaining, “This panel discussion is a terrific opportunity to let our students, alumni, faculty, and staff members hear firsthand about the career opportunities and work environment at a natural gas midstream company.”

Chris Staffel, Director of Community Outreach Program for Laser, moderated the panel discussion. Panelists from Laser included: Chet Merli, Director of Operations – Construction; Paul Wilson, Senior Project Engineer; Dale Ann Buchanan, Manager – Environment, Health & Safety; and Michael Considine ’99, a Johnson College Automotive Technology Program Alumnus and current Technical Services employee at Laser.

Mr. Considine spoke about how he applies the math and technical skills he learned while at Johnson College in his daily work. Dominick Carachilo ‘82, the College’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, explains, “It makes a big impact on a student when they hear how important their education is from sources other than their instructors. The fact that this insight came from an alumnus, who was once sitting exactly where they are, made it especially meaningful.”

For more information about Laser Northeast Gathering Company LLC, visit www.lasernortheast.com. To learn more about Laser’s outreach efforts, email Chris Staffel at cstaffel@lasermidstream.com. A “Careers in the Natural Gas Midstream Industry” presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the VFW Post 6223, 386 Main Street, Great Bend, PA starting at 6pm.

To check out Johnson College as well as its Welding Training Center, visit www.johnson.edu.

From Left to Right: Shirley Helbing, Johnson College’s Director of Program & Institutional Research; Roseann Martinetti, Johnson College’s Associate Director of Career Services; Katie Leonard, Johnson College’s Director of Institutional Advancement; Paul Wilson, Laser’s Senior Project Engineer; Chris Staffel, Laser’s Director of Community Outreach Program; Dale Ann Buchanan, Laser’s Manager – Environment, Health & Safety; Dominick Carachilo ‘82, Johnson College’s Vice President of Academic Affairs; Michael Considine ’99, Technical Services Employee at Laser; Marie Allison, Johnson College’s Director of Continuing Education

Johnson College will hold Pennsylvania State Motor Vehicle Inspection classes on April 12, 13, and 19, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The fee for the course is $160 per person plus $6.00 for the course manual. The course requirements include twelve classroom hours, a written test, and a two-hour tactile test scheduled independently with the instructor. All aspects must be completed before receiving certification from PennDOT. There is an additional charge of $40 for each motorcycle tactile test, heavy duty tactile test, and Enhanced Vehicle Safety Inspector Exam. The additional charge for a Document Reviewer Certification is $35.

Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis according to receipt of payment. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid operator’s license for each class of vehicle for which they seek certification.

Those interested in Pennsylvania State Motor Vehicle Inspection classes may download registration forms online here or contact Dave Hollenback at 570-702-8979 or dhollenback@johnson.edu.

On March 5, 2011, students from Johnson College’s Distribution & Supply Logistics Program assisted with the Leadership Lackawanna Class of 2011’s “Electric City: Tracks to Our Past” project.

The “Electric City: Tracks to Our Past” project recently facilitated the renovation of Bay 4 located inside the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton. Bay 4 can now accommodate new exhibitions and provide more event space for the community to utilize. In the future, this area will also house Transit Car #324 – one of the only surviving, original electric trolley cars that ran through Scranton in the early 20th Century.

Along with some volunteers, the Leadership Lackawanna team members performed the majority of the prepping, painting, and clean-up in Bay 4 themselves. For their part, Johnson College’s Distribution & Supply Logistics Program students helped by offering their time to perform touch-ups to paint and to complete general clean-up.

Bay 4 is set to be revealed to the public at a special 1920s-themed Speakeasy Soiree on Thursday, March 24, 2011 from 5:30pm-8:00pm.

To learn more about Leadership Lackawanna, please visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.  

Johnson College’s Distribution & Supply Logistics Program provides students with the skills needed for entry-level positions in the field of transportation logistics management. For more information, visit www.johnson.edu or call 1-800-2WE-WORK.

Students from Johnson College’s Distribution & Supply Logistics Program pose with members of the Leadership Lackawanna Class of 2011’s “Electric City: Tracks to Our Past” project.
From left to right (Front Row): Brianna Corcoran ’11, Scranton; Meredith Flynn ‘12, Scranton; Linda Falcone, Johnson College’s Business Department Chairperson; Nancy Beavers ‘12, Spring Brook Twp; Xiaoyu Chen, Leadership Lackawanna team member; Heather M. Davis, Leadership Lackawanna team member
From left to right (Back Row):  Anthony Negri ’11, Dickson City; Mike Sena ’12, Scranton; Joe Casale ‘12, Duryea; Justin Clark ’11, Clarks Summit; Brian Rowlands ’12, Scranton; Steven Chan ’12, Scranton; Andrew Rickard ’12, Honesdale; Anthony Tomaino ’12, Scott Twp; Nicholas M. DeAntonio, Leadership Lackawanna team member