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Foundation Assists Police Academy With Grant & Fund For Scholarships

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation has awarded a grant to the inaugural class of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy. Through this Foundation grant, totaling over $2,500, all 2022-2023 cadets received the required uniforms and equipment free of charge.

“Ensuring a quality educational experience and training program for the cadets is the goal of the academy,” stated Dennis Miller, Police Academy Director. “Coupled with the financial impact from the Foundation, this class of cadets is in an excellent position for success. The College Foundation responded quickly to our request and the cadets benefitted significantly from their generosity.”

The inaugural class of the Penn Highlands Police Academy began in September 2022, enrolling 12 cadets from across western Pennsylvania. The Police Academy is a one-year program that runs evenings and weekends; a second class of cadets is slated to begin training in September 2023.

A scholarship fund has been opened to help future cadets. The Police Academy fund was launched with the 2022-2023 Annual Campaign and the Foundation is hopeful the community is moved to donate.

“This first class of cadets is important to the College and the community,” explained Jeff Wood, Foundation President. “The Foundation was happy to help the Police Academy cadets and future classes. We are now asking the community for their support of the cadets. No amount is too small.”

All donations earmarked for the Penn Highlands Police Academy will be used for future classes in the form of scholarships. Click here to donate or call the Foundation at 814.262.6448.

College and Foundation Officials present check to the Police Academy. Pictured (L to R): Dennis Miller, Police Academy Director; Jeffrey Wood, President of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation Board of Directors; Cadet Angel Raehl, Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Cadet Austin Thomas; Beth Freedline, Executive Assistant to the President and Foundation; David Mordan, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation Board of Directors; Kevin Gaudlip, Police Academy Assistant Director.

Inaugural Class of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy in their uniforms, provided by the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation.

Jeffrey Wood (left), President of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation Board of Directors, shaking hands with Cadet Angel Raehl (right) outside of the Police Academy classrooms at the College’s Richland Campus.

Jeffrey Wood (left), President of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation Board of Directors, shaking hands with Cadet Austin Thomas (right) outside of the Police Academy classrooms at the College’s Richland Campus.

Cadet Angel Raehl in classroom.

Cadets Angel Raehl and Austin Thomas meeting with the College Foundation.

Cadets Angel Raehl and Austin Thomas meeting with the College Foundation.

Cadets Angel Raehl and Austin Thomas meeting with the College Foundation.

About the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the efforts of the College with financial resources and scholarships through seeking and securing funds. The College Foundation offers over 10 diverse scholarships to students pursuing an education at Penn Highlands Community College. To donate to the College Foundation, visit www.pennhighlands.edu/donate/.

Cross Country Team Competes In National Meet And Finishes 16th

Cross Country at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College made a big splash in 2022. After a strong showing throughout the season, the Black Bears placed second in both the WPCC and Region 20 competitions.

These finishes earned them an opportunity to compete in the NJCAA Division 3 National Meet, which was held in Westfield, MA over this past weekend. This is the first time the whole cross country team was represented at a national meet.

The Black Bears had a strong showing, finishing 16^th overall in the nation. Runners had an average time of 31:47.41 over the course of the 8K run. The total time for the team was 2:38:58.53.

Coached by Jeff Dick (Johnstown, PA), the 2022 Black Bear Cross Country team that competed consisted of:

• Andrew Straka (SO – Friedens, PA): Finished 41^st with a time of 29:17.90
• Chase Brenneman (FR – Somerset, PA): Finished 57^th with a time of 30:12.34
• Zachary Brandis (FR – Mineral Point, PA): Finished 95^th with a time of 32:27.04
• Cody Sral (SO – Ebensburg, PA): Finished 109^th with a time of 33:21.92
• Cody Miller (FR – New Buena Vista, PA): Finished 116^th with a time of 33:39.32
• Nolan Read (SO – Stoystown, PA): Finished 137^th with a time of 36:36.18

“Cross Country at Penn Highlands gets stronger every year,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “I couldn’t be prouder of these student-athletes and Coach Dick. These individuals have worked hard all season and deserve all the accolades.”

Penn Highlands is a chartered National Junior College Athletic Association member college, competing in Region 20. The Black Bears are part of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference. The WPCC was founded in 1972 and currently consists of 10 member institutions.

Bryce Hessler Selected For Disney College Program

Congratulations to Bryce Hessler, of Ebensburg, for being selected to participate in the Disney College Program. Bryce will head to Florida for the spring semester after being one of several students chosen from nearly 50,000 applications.

Bryce Hessler, Business Management Student

“Being chosen for the Disney College Program is a dream come true,” stated Bryce Hessler, a Business Management student at Penn Highlands. “Not many get to have an experience like this while in college and I’m so excited to make the most of it. I’m hoping to make a lot of connections and learn about management within a large company.”

The Disney College Program allows participants to network with professionals throughout The Walt Disney Company, take part in learning and career development sessions, and live and work with people from all over the country. Participants will build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, effective communication, and more.

“Penn Highlands is focused on giving our students the ability to make the most of the opportunities available to them,” stated Rob Sekerak, Regional Center Director. “Bryce saw an opportunity and seized it. We couldn’t be happier for him.”

Bryce plans to earn his associate degree in Business Management from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. His aspirations include operating his own business one day.

Admissions & Athletics Open House Set For November 10th

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding an Admissions & Athletics Open House at its facilities on Thursday, November 10th. Attendees and their guests may choose to attend one of two sessions at either 2:30pm or 5:30pm.

Individuals will learn about Penn Highlands and its opportunities, including academic programs and coursework, transfer options, and athletics. Information on student life and financial aid will also be presented. Faculty and current students will be on-hand to discuss their personal experiences.

As an added incentive, prospective students will be eligible to win a 2023-2024 tuition voucher, good for a $250 discount, if they complete a survey while in attendance.

To attend, individuals must RSVP online by clicking here.

Open House locations include:

• Blair Center
  Logan Valley Mall (Next to Macy’s)
  5580 Goods Lane, Altoona, PA 16602
  814.201.2700 | blair@pennhighlands.edu

• Ebensburg Center
  881 Hills Plaza Drive, Suite 450, Ebensburg, PA 15931
  814.471.0010 | ebensburg@pennhighlands.edu

• Huntingdon Center
  Sill Business Incubator
  419 14th Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652
  814.643.6200 | huntingdon@pennhighlands.edu

• Richland Campus
  101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904
  814.262.6446 | admissions@pennhighlands.edu

• Somerset Center
  Somerset County Education Center
  6024 Glades Pike, Suite 210, Somerset, PA 15501
  814.443.2500 | somerset@pennhighlands.edu

Penn Highlands has been serving the community with quality and affordable academic options in an inclusive atmosphere since 1994.

For additional information, contact any of the college locations directly, or call us at 1.888.385.PEAK. Click here for more information. 

Annual Community Trick Or Treat Planned For October 27

Fall is here and Halloween is almost upon us. Penn Highlands Community College is celebrating the season by bringing back its annual, family-friendly Community Trick or Treat event. The Community Trick or Treat will be held on Thursday, October 27, at 5 PM, at the college’s Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown).

After having been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Highlands is ready to bring safe and spooky fun back to the area. Averaging over 1,000 happy visitors each year, we are prepared for that number and more as we continue with this community and family tradition.

Intended for families with children who are 12 years old and under, this event is an experience that is not easily forgotten. Faculty, staff, and students will be on-hand to give out free treats (while supplies last) and provide a unique Halloween experience to visitors.

We kindly ask that visitors park and enter through the East Hills Recreation entrance. Lastly, we are asking for you to leave your pets at home as pets are not permitted on our campus (service animals are allowed).

Further details can be obtained by contacting Pennsylvania Highlands Student Activities at 814.262.6463 or studentactivities@pennhighlands.edu.