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Black Bear Student-Athlete Chase Brenneman Signs With Saint Francis University

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College sophomore Chase Brenneman has signed a letter of intent to join the Cross Country team at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA.

Chase Brenneman, Black Bear Cross Country Runner

Brenneman (Somerset, PA) became the first athlete in Penn Highlands history to sign with a Division I program.

“I have enjoyed my time at Penn Highlands,” Brenneman stated. “It has made me a more well-rounded student-athlete, which I feel has prepared me to transfer to Saint Francis. I am very excited to see how I can improve at the next level.”

This past fall, Brenneman placed within the Top 10 in five of the six meets he competed in. This includes a fourth-place mark in the season opener and three consecutive runner-up finishes before winning the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) Individual Championship on October 28, 2023.

Brenneman then placed 23rd out of 126 total runners at the NJCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in Huntsville, Alabama on November 11, 2023. He posted a time of 28:24.50, breaking the school record previously held by Andrew Straka (28:41.01) for the lowest time at the NJCAA meet. Brenneman also recorded the highest individual finish for a Penn Highlands student-athlete at a national event.

“I am very proud of Chase. He is a very dedicated, hard-working, and determined runner,” stated Adrianne Kuhar, Penn Highlands Black Bears Cross Country Coach. “I think he will excel at Saint Francis University. He has been a great asset to the team and a great runner to coach.”

College Foundation Donates $78,000 To Scholarship Fund

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation presented Penn Highlands President Dr. Steve Nunez with a check for $78,000 prior to a recent Foundation board meeting.

The contribution is designated for the Supporting Scholars Fund, which annually awards more than $35,000 in scholarships to deserving students.

“We are deeply appreciative of the Foundation’s unwavering support to the College,” Dr. Nunez stated. “This donation to the Supporting Scholars program will provide nearly 30 students with a very generous scholarship that will help them on their journey to attain a college degree. We can’t thank the Foundation Board enough for their generous donations of their time, energy, and treasure.”

This donation will be spread amongst three scholarships to be awarded to at least 16 high school seniors. The awards include the Destination Graduation Scholarship ($1,000 per semester to a minimum of one student annually), the Emerging Leader Scholarship ($1,000 per semester to 13 students annually), and the Presidential Scholarship ($3,000 per semester to two students annually).

“The College Foundation’s Board of Directors are proud to present this check to the College,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “Amidst the rising challenges of affordability, this donation becomes even more meaningful. The Supporting Scholars Fund provides these students with the opportunity to receive an affordable education, which can propel them to be successful.”

This marks the second occasion that the College Foundation will have fundraised money to be used in the College’s Supporting Scholars Fund, joining a $54,400 donation in July 2023. Before these donations, Pennsylvania Highlands had provided students with these scholarships out of its annual operating expense budget.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are delighted to continue our support,” stated Jeff Wood, Penn Highlands Foundation Board of Directors President. “These scholarships will assist deserving students in advancing their educational pursuits, enabling them to achieve their ambitions for both personal growth and the broader benefit of our community.”

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation manages over 20 scholarship programs, annually awarding more than $30,000 to deserving students. These scholarships are generously supported by local businesses, regional philanthropists, the College’s own staff and faculty, and funds raised through events organized by the Foundation itself.

Check being given to the College at the Richland Campus. Left to right: Nancy D’Aniello, Director of Education and Training Solutions at Concurrent Technologies Corporation; Traci Naugle, Attorney at Forr, Stokan, Huff, Kormanski & Naugle; Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation; Steve Nunez, Pennsylvania Highlands President; Jeffrey Wood, President of the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation Board of Directors; Ed Porada, Foundation Board Secretary; John Kubinsky, Somerset Trust Company Vice President/Commercial Credit Officer; David Mordan, Foundation Board Vice President (May 2023).

Food Pantry Opens On Richland Campus

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has established a food pantry at its Richland Campus designed to offer students the resources they need to prepare meals at home. 

The pantry, known as the Bear Necessities Food Hub, is housed in a renovated space that consists of shelving, a refrigerator, and a freezer to provide a variety of food options to Penn Highlands students. The project was funded with assistance from the Hunger-Free Campus Grant, which Penn Highlands received after being designated as a PA Governor’s Hunger-Free Campus in January. 

“This project acknowledges the on-going battle against food insecurity,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the College Foundation. “At Penn Highlands, we understand that both traditional and non-traditional students face unique challenges. The Bear Necessities Food Hub aims to address these needs by providing fully accessible support. We’re committed to offering local, healthy options and practical cooking ideas using minimal ingredients.” 

The Bear Necessities Food Hub will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 3 PM. It is in a space across the hall from Student Activities and Athletics, next to Financial Aid. 

A dedicated committee has been established to manage donations for the pantry and oversee the procurement of the initial food stock. Meanwhile, Information Technology (IT) at Penn Highlands is creating an inventory system designed to monitor both the flow of visitors and the distribution of food items within the pantry. 

The committee plans to use student and staff volunteers to assist in pantry operations. The College is also working with Food for Families, a branch of the Pittsburgh Food Bank, to acquire additional inventory. 

“We are providing opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to volunteer their time to make the Bear Necessities Hub an essential part of our college,” stated Matthew Hoffman, Chief Information Officer. “By incorporating our Penn Highlands family, we can ensure our students are getting these necessities to enable them to succeed in the classroom and to achieve their career goals.”  

The College also has the Black Bear Food Share Program, which provides students with grab-and-go meals. 

For those interested in volunteering to assist in food pantry operations, contact Carole VanMeter or Matt Hoffman at foodpantry@pennhighlands.edu.  

Free Live Webinar On Easing FAFSA Anxiety & College Affordability

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is set to host an informative and free live webinar titled Easing FAFSA Anxiety. This event is scheduled for Thursday, May 16, and will run from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM, accessible via ZOOM. 

The webinar will consist of topics including exploring college affordability, dispelling common FAFSA myths, and lowering stress surrounding one of the most significant decisions many families will face when sending their children to college. 

“National reports and local anecdotes suggest an increase in FAFSA and financial anxiety this year,” stated Matthew Bodenschatz, Director of Recruiting and Admissions. “Our goal with this webinar is to ease some of these concerns and demonstrate that a college education can be affordable.” 

According to Inside Higher Ed, there has been a 40% decrease in FAFSA completions compared to 2023.  

For additional questions, contact Matthew Bodenschatz at 814.262.6456 or email mbodenschatz@pennhighlands.edu. 

Commencement Set For 29th Graduating Class

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding a Commencement Ceremony for the Twenty-Ninth Graduating Class on Friday, May 10th, in the Richland Campus Auditorium (101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA). The ceremony will begin at 6 PM. 

Student Senate President and Student Trustee Hannah Dadura, of Johnstown, PA, will be giving this year’s Commencement Address. She will obtain an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management during the ceremony. 

Dadura will share her message with the nearly 200 graduates who are planning to be in attendance. Also addressing the graduates will be Penn Highlands Community College President Dr. Steve Nunez, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Greg Winger, Cambria County President Commissioner Scott Hunt, and Faculty Senate President Greg Paonessa. 

In addition to awarding associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates at the ceremony, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will also present the Distinguished Graduate Award. This award honors a student who has contributed his or her time and effort to Pennsylvania Highlands and the community while maintaining a high level of academic performance. 

For those unable to attend, you may watch a Commencement live stream on the College’s YouTube channel.