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Students, Alumni, & Faculty Volunteer for Night to Shine Event; Give back to the Community

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is committed to encouraging its students and alumni to give back to the community. Through this commitment, multiple members of the College’s family are doing just that.

Students Emily Potter, Hannah Telenko, and Angela Blank, as well as alumni Kelsey McLachin and Cassidy Belle, will be involved as “prom buddies” for the upcoming Night to Shine event on February 12th, a prom night experience for those with special needs. As a prom buddy, these students and alumni will be paired with a person with special needs throughout the night.

Additionally, Alissa Borow and Glenn Barbis, both members of the College’s Media Production Club led by faculty member Rick Bukoski, will be providing videography of the event. The footage will be not only be used by the event’s organizers, but as a class project for those in the College’s Media Production program.

100 individuals with special needs were invited to be guests for the prom. These invited guests will enter the prom on a red carpet complete with welcoming friendly paparazzi, and they will receive VIP treatment including hair and make-up stations, shoe shining stations, corsages and boutonnieres, a karaoke room, dinner, and, of course, dancing! The highlight of the evening will be when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom. The prom buddies and volunteers will be there every step of the way to make the night as magical as possible for those in which they are accompanying.

The event is being led and organized by Dennis Miller, an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, and his wife Sue. Dennis and Sue, leaders of the special needs ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church, have spent months planning and preparing for the prom.

“The Night to Shine event provides Pennsylvania Highlands Community College students with a unique opportunity to serve the community in a meaningful manner,” said Miller. “They have the chance to recognize persons with special needs as valuable members of society while earning community service hours, applying skill sets learned in the classroom, and completing class projects. It is a great way for the members of the College to give back to the community by serving those with special needs.”

College welcomes new Adjunct Faculty

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College recently welcomed new adjunct faculty to its family. These individuals include:

• Heather Lowry, of Clymer, will teach Introduction to Composition in Ebensburg and English Composition II in Blair. She holds a M.A. in Teaching English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
• Annette Nelson, of Altoona, will teach Introduction to Music in Blair. She holds a B.A. in Letters, Arts, and Sciences from Penn State University.
• Lisa Mahla, of Johnstown, will teach Principles of Biology I in Richland. She holds a Master’s of Chemical and Life Sciences with a concentration in Biology from the University of Maryland at College Park.
• Christine Alderman, of State College, will teach English Composition II in Huntingdon. She holds a PhD in English from the University of South Florida.
• Laurie Lawrence, of Indiana, will leach Public Speaking and New Media Production in Richland. She holds a M.A. in International and Intercultural Communications from Edinboro University.
• Carlee Resh, of Sipesville, will teach Human Anatomy and Physiology in Richland. She holds a M.S. in Biology from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.
• Jonathan Shaw, of Cresson, will teach Life Science and Principles of Biology II in Ebensburg. He holds a M.S. in Biology from Shippensburg University.

Christine Zernick, of Cresson, is the College’s new Associate Dean of Adjunct Faculty. In her role, she oversees the College’s adjunct faculty members.

Dean’s List for Fall 2015 announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2015 semester.

Alexandria – Donald Lee Betres

Altoona – Breana Lynn Benjamin, Audrey Kay Bickings, Rachel Lynn Blackburn, John J. Cicchitello, Benjamin David Coldwell, Terrance Joseph Garner, Alissa Nicole Ingram, Lauren M. Johnson, Tara Paige Jurcik, Marissa M. Madigan, Mikayla Marie Merritt, Ashley Danielle Plunkett, Alexis Quintero, Nicholas Trevor Ransom, Jenda Marie Sible, Jeffrey Eric Sprow

Alum Bank – Sarah M. Gardner, Larry E. Sarver

Armagh – Morgan E. McCully, Madalyn Elle Stahl

Ashville – Lydia R. Slovikosky

Beaverdale – Alexandria A. George, Danielle Renee` Grados

Bedford – Evan G. Hooper, Miranda Lynn Ridgway, Hannah Diann Whetstone

Belsano – Hope E. Keilman

Berlin – Abigail Lynette Fochtman, Bernard James Fochtman, Schyler J. McClucas, Jenna Marie Snyder, Steven Tyler Tataleba

Bigler – Ethan J. McGraw

Bolivar – Maria G. Parrish

Boswell – Hunter Matthew Connor, Alivia Jean Ickes, Morgan Elizabeth Lyons, Stephen Allen Mort

Butler – Tyler Curtis Lemmon

Cairnbrook – Madison Caroline Brewer, Michael Edward Raymond Brewer, Lynette Jolyn Fisher, Raelee Rose Labuda

Calvin – Brooke Anne Shee, Chelsea Renee Watkins

Carrolltown – Michael A. Crimaldi, Kelsi Alexandra Flora, Brennen Robert Kelly, Joseph Allen Loughran, Amanda Kay Stossel, Nicholas Adam Veneskey

Central City – Kaily Rae Karl, McKenzie D. Yuko

Chambersburg – Zachary Filer Garnes

Claysburg – Brittany L. Walter

Clearfield – Joshua Cole Johnson, Jensen C. Maines, Chad Alan Maney

Clymer – Timothy James Midock

Colver – Lyndon Joseph Saylor, Jordan Rae Skibo

Conemaugh – Glenn D. Barbis, Tonia A. Green, Kelly Lynn Guillarmod

Cresson – Lynette Marie Connacher, Christopher James Soisson

Davidsville – Brianna N. Richey, Miranda Jade Shetler, David Gregory Yoder

Duncansville – James Franklin Figart, Jessica Lynn Long, Janelle N. Meadows, Brett Allen Shoenfelt

Dunlo – Chelsie Anne Conant

Ebensburg – Brianna Joan Bailey, William I. Bogus, Vincent Stephen Byrne, Ashley R. Farabaugh, Gabrielle Marie Gironda, Jeremiah James Kim, Victoria P. Piccerillo, Laken M. Riccella, Jonathan R. Schall, Jessica Lynn Shaffer, Ashley Lynn Smith, Crista Leigh Wasser

Everett – Justin William Mearkle

Fishertown – Makayla Dale Weaverling

Flinton – Anthony Joseph Barnhart, Marsha Lynn Gnehm, Brett Michael Reed

Fort Littleton – Kathryn Renee Krause

Friedens – Jedidiah Douglas Elam, Melissa Marie Hauger

Gallitzin – Roma Von Altimus, Walter E. Gray, Sienna Morgan Myers, Sarah A. Proudfit, Jocella K. Sandlin, Mark Allen Stevens, Joann Watt

Glen Campbell – Donna Darlene Mumau

Gray – Amber Ann Stevanus

Hartford – Danielle Denise Dillon

Hastings – Elizabeth Rose Schweiger, Joshua M. Serafin

Hesston – Angela Kaye Nicklow

Hollsopple – Emily Nicole Bridge, Zachary Nicholas Dull, Miriam Kaye Fink, Jacob Damian Goch, Desiree M. Toth, Elizabeth Anne Wilkey

Homer City – Cheyane Marie Hillan

Huntingdon – Levi Matthew Barnish, Benjamin James Brown, Kayleigh Danielle Dwyer, Michaelann Lynn Hite, Brian David Stromer

Imler – Christian Leonard Corle

Johnstown – Mary K. Angus, Deanna Nicole Bair, Shalonda Seliah Barber, Patrick James Beam, Jenna Nicole Becker, Deanna L. Bezek, Charis Yvonne Biancuzzo, La-Toya S. Bicko, Shauna M. Bixel, Alissa Marie Borow, Danielle P. Boyer, LesPaul F. Buchko, DeAnna Mae Burkett, Sadie Danielle Carney, Francine L. Cashaw, Brian T. Chamberland, Robert Justin Comiskey, Joseph William Critz, Sadonia Mary Critz, Kate Reene Csehoski, Danielle Marie Darcangelo, Ernest P. Deetscreek, Jennifer Marie DeMarchi, Jamie M. Dolinsky, Jessica Jean Eash, Sarah A. Ellis, Matthew J. Fisher, Sarah Lynette Fisher, McKenzie Lynn Fitzpatrick, Martina B. Flanagan, Steven William Frombach, Tori Cynthia Gaff, Rachel Lin Gatto, Alicia M. Gaudlip, Allissa Nicole Gaudlip, Drewann Marie Gaydos, Tanner Scott Gehosky, Jason L. Giebfried, Annette L. Goetsch, Allison Grace Griffith, David E. Haberkorn, John M. Haigh, Angel L. Harkness, Todd R. Helbig, Cassandra S. Helsel, Evan J.Heming, Larissa M. Herdman, Sarah Marie Hess, Emily Rose Hill, Jacob A.Hoffman, Zachary Michael Hoover, Holly Ann Hostetler, Chastity C. Hudnall, Matthew Brian Hull, Melissa A. Hunt, Luciana Marie Jones, Jennifer Lynn Kane, Victoria L. Karsaba, Alexis Emma Valentine Kauffman, Emily Kate Kleman, Phillip Dominick Kniss, Stephen Cyreal Koval, Jessica K. Krouse, Adrianne Marie Kuhar, Tori M. Lehman, Kayla R. Leventry, Jeffrey Eugene Little, William Eugene Livingston, Erica Lynne Long, Alexander R. Lopez, Jacob Flynn Lovette, Laura Aileen Malich, Michael R. McDaniel, Faye Ann McGuire, Shauna L. McMillan, Thomas J. Metzler, Chandler John Mical, James Joseph Mical, Alexander J. Middleton, Ashley Nicole Miller, Ashley L. Miller, Kaitlynne Elizabeth Miller, Natalie Layne Moldofsky, Arlaya L. Morris, Danielle Renea Nagle, Amy M. Oliveros, Michael David Pellow, Cassidy Rose Polacek, Carrie A. Post, Emily Jane Potter, Brandon J. Prazinko, Joseph William Prouse, Krystal Robin Quinones, Kayla Lyn Redvay, Stephanie Nicole Richey, Seth R. Rosenbaum, Jeannette Marie Rovder, Saige Marie Runyan, Sean W. Sabo, Noah John Sakmar, Ryan John Santichen, Ashley Anne Schafer, Luke Thaddeus Schrum, Kaitlyn Nicole Seth, Bridgette M. Shank, Chet Sharp, Lindsey Faith Shepler, Niccolas Patrick Shorto, Brady Patrick Shriver, Arik Trevan Shue, Tonya Patrece Smith, Lauren R. Spanko, Tyler G. Spotz, Tyler James Stanton, Brennen Tyler Stiffler, Erika Valentina Strand, Elizabeth Marie Swanberg, Bethany Lynn Swanson, Ann Marie Taylor, Andrew Scott Thomas, Jessica Marie Toth, Randi L. Toth, Gabrielle Alicia Turco, Ruth J. Velazquez-Torres, Courtney Colleen Williams, Ernest Lee Williams, Zachary James Wissinger, Emily V. Wood, Courtney E. Yoder, Dwayne A. Yoder, Wen Jing You, Stacey M. Zometsky

Lilly – Kylie Ann Garrett, Olivia Rae Guzic, Matthew Lester Poorman

Loretto – Mark David Eckenrode, Jonathon Patrick Stoy, Anna R. Yahner

Mapleton Depot – Beth Anne McNerlin, Ryleah McKae Woodward

Markleton – Anitta Ann Trimpey

McVeytown – Cheyenne L. Fye

Meyersdale – Chase Michael Dirienzo

Mill Creek – Katie Elizabeth Gipe, Alyssa Mae Handy

Mineral Point – Jonathan D. Alexander, Daren Von Ashurst, Jennifer Marie Eckenrode, John P. Major

Mount Union – Nina Marie Guillen, Christopher James Hollibaugh, Reegan A. McCaulley, John Edward Mitchell, Salina Marie Phillips

Mt. Pleasant – Patrick Robert Heskey

Nanty Glo – Cory Allen Campbell, Derek J. Crawford, Kristin Marie Cunningham, Kate Lynn Goldian, Jamie Lynn Hockenberry, Ethan John Marines, Jordan R. Mason, Heather Lynn Sherbine

New Florence – Cassius Murle Fitzgerald, Toby Christian Hicks, Alexander Wayne Kells, Autumn Miranda Kells

New Paris – Cynthia D. Frazier

Newton Hamilton – Courtney J. Barrick

Northern Cambria – Tanner Lee Carl, Tasha Lynn Deyarmin, Haley Marie Dunchuck, Tina Marie King, Alexander Leroy Laney, Isaac M. Lohr, John Joseph McCrystal, Katie Montgomery Mertens, Dwight John Nagle, Siena Rose Previte, Kayla R. Sherry, Paula Jane Wagner

Oil City – Ka Yee Kui

Parkhill – Stephanie L. Urban

Patton – Jessie Karla Hoover, Bethany Leigh Westrick

Penn Run – Kevin L. Clark

Petersburg – Shelby Mae Bishop

Pittsburgh – Willie James Smith

Portage – Tara Lynn Chappell, Ashley Marie Coleman, Jaime Fillhart, Heather Kay Franey, Catherine Elizabeth George, Cynthia J. Maul, Michael Ann McCloskey, Bradley Martin Rosemas, Jamie Lee Sossong

Revloc – Nicholas Donald Braniff, Brandy Lee Eckenrod

Roaring Spring – Zachary Lance Croft, Kerrstin Dawn Focht, Justin Tyler Walls

Rockhill Furnace – Monica Dawn Ochoa

Saint Benedict – Brittany E. McLucas

Salix – Tiffany Marie Glass, Troy Howard Jordan, Brett M. Sanderson, Kelly J. Steen, Kiara Rose Younkin

Seward – Shelby Piker

Shirleysburg – Jonathan P. Atherton

Sidman – Christina Nicole Brady, Jeremy Steven Horvath

Somerset – Rebekah Lyne Little, Zoee B. Purbaugh, Tanner James Stull

South Fork – Brittany Michael Fisher, Noah Joseph Kolar, Kayla M. Shaffer, Jenna LeAnne Theys, Adam Christopher Varner, Jenna F. Weis, Tammy D. Zalar, Stacey A. Zunner

St. Michael – Lindsey A. McKenry

State College – Anagen D. Wood

Stoystown – Harry C. Jenkins, Casie Lynne Johnson, Rachel K. Muchesko

Summerhill – Abigail Margaret Custer, Melissa L. Haslam, Maria Rose Lewis, Brady Ryan Smith, Christine L. Yakicic

Three Springs – Catherine Grace Anderson

Twin Rocks – Thomas John O’Connell

Tyrone – Mary Anne Cowfer, Rebecca Isabel Gaylord, Lindsay Brooke Taylor

Vintondale – Allison L. Melius, Cassandra H. Newman

Williamsburg – Alyssa Kelsie Gurskis

Windber – Matthew Thomas Adamczyk, Laiken M. Burkett, Jeffrey John Dagostino, Kallie Marie Erickson, Jacob A. Forish, Brooke Elysia Gillingham, Stacey Lynn Gilpatrick, Alexis Lyn Graham, Katelyn L. Grove, Holly Marie Harlin, Kara Ann Kosnosky, John E. Kozdron, Cathy Jean Lawery, Sarah A. Levadnuk, Courtney Marie Mihalko, Meghan E. Moore, Jordyn Leigh Polke, Amber M. Rohde, Casey L. Schreyer, Samantha N. Smith, Nathan L. Spisock, Alyssa Catherine Thomas, Harvey Weyandt, Robyn Marie Weyandt, Erica M. Zabrucky, John C. Zlater

College receives National Endowment for the Humanities Grant

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College was one of only 38 cultural institutions nationwide to receive a Common Heritage grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Common Heritage program will enable the college to host “digitization days” to capture local historical records and artifacts.

The local project, Families Forever: A Cambria Memory Project, will take place in 2016 and will feature several opportunities for the public to bring family records or artifacts and have them digitized and preserved. Partners with Pennsylvania Highlands in the grant include the Cambria County Historical Society, the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, and St. Francis University.

In addition to the public digitization days, there will also be humanities programs and digitization workshops to teach the public how to digitize and conserve family history using best practices.

All participants will receive their digitized records the day of the event and all records will be stored in the state’s digital repository, Power Library, and also in the Digital Public Library of America.

Common Heritage is part of The Common Good: The Humanities in the Public Square, an initiative that seeks to enhance the role of humanities in civic life.

Blair Center gives back to the Community

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Blair Center recently collected stuffed animals for the Altoona Police Department. These stuffed animals will be distributed to local area children during emergency situations. The donation was accepted by Officer Himes of the Altoona Police Department.

“As a community college, our students, faculty, and staff are dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve. This stuffed animal drive provided us with a wonderful opportunity to partner with our local law enforcement agency, helping them assist the youth in our area in times of need. We greatly appreciate the donations provided by College employees and students, as well as community members,” stated Julie Patosky, Director, Blair Center.