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Community Rallying to Support Penn State Hazleton Amid Closure Concerns
April 7—HAZLETON — Following the announcement regarding the potential closure of Penn State Hazleton, there has been a significant surge in community support aimed at keeping the campus operational.
Representative Dane Watro, a Republican from Hazleton, alongside fellow state legislators, including Senators Dave Argall and Lynda Schlegel Culver and Representative Jamie Walsh, will convene a public roundtable on Thursday, April 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hazleton LaunchBox, located at 13 W. Broad St., Hazleton.
Watro emphasized that the discussion will focus on how closing Penn State Hazleton would adversely impact students, the local workforce, and the overall economic landscape of the region.
“This roundtable serves as an important platform for legislators, business leaders, and community members to collectively voice their strong opposition and highlight the numerous compelling reasons to keep Penn State Hazleton open,” Watro stated.
Representative Walsh reinforced the significance of the campus, asserting that its preservation is vital not just for current students but for the future prosperity of the region. “As long as there are degree programs that align with the economic demands of the Commonwealth, this branch campus must remain operational,” Walsh remarked. “Our upcoming discussion provides a chance for the community to articulate its concerns and underscore the necessity of keeping the local campus active.”
Senator Argall underscored the strength of the case for keeping Penn State Hazleton operational, pointing out that “this region is experiencing rapid growth, outperforming other areas in Pennsylvania economically. The campus plays a crucial role in our economic prospects, and I am eager to share the insights and data we gather with Penn State leadership.”
The roundtable will feature discussions with key stakeholders, including:
- Dr. Elizabeth J. Wright, Regional Chancellor & Chief Academic Officer, Penn State Hazleton and Scranton
- Joseph Clifford, Chair, Penn State Hazleton Council
- Neal DeAngelo III, Member, Penn State Hazleton Council
- Gary Lamont, Member, Penn State Hazleton Council
- Tiffany Veet, Penn State Hazleton Adjunct Instructor and Alumnus
- Mary Malone, President, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce
- Robert Curry, Founding President, Hazleton Integration Project
- Rossanna Gabriel, Executive Director, Hazleton Integration Project
- Dr. Brian Uplinger, Superintendent of Schools, Hazleton Area School District
- Cathy Colaneglo, Executive Director, Hazleton Partners in Education
- Terri Ooms, CEO, The Institute PA
- Brian J. MacAuley, Penn State Hazleton Alumnus
- Cassidy Lugo, Penn State Hazleton Alumnus
Additional community members are expected to participate in the discussions.
For those interested, the event will also be livestreamed on Argall’s official website.
Source
www.yahoo.com