Apr. 7—HAZLETON — Rep. Dane Watro on Monday said since the news broke of Penn State Hazleton’s potential closure, there has been an overwhelming outpouring of community support to keep campuses open.
Watro, R-Hazleton, said he and other state legislators — including Sen. Dave Argall, R-Pottsville; Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland; and Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township, will join community leaders to host a public roundtable from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday
,
April 10,
at the Hazleton LaunchBox, 13 W. Broad St., Hazleton.
Watro said the roundtable will discuss how the potential closure of Penn State Hazleton would harm students, employers and the regional economy.
“This roundtable is an opportunity for legislators, business leaders and residents to collectively voice our strong opposition and emphasize the many compelling reasons Penn State Hazleton should not be closed,” Watro said.
Walsh said that preserving Penn State Hazleton is crucial, not only for the students it serves, but for the future of the region.
“As long as there are degree opportunities that align with the Commonwealth’s economic needs, this branch campus should not be closed,” Walsh said. “Our roundtable discussion is an opportunity for the community to express its concern and articulate why the local campus needs to remain open.”
Argall added, “Our strongest argument to keep Penn State Hazleton open is very simple — this is one of the fastest growing regions in all of Pennsylvania. Our local economic growth is the best in the state, and Penn State Hazleton is a key piece of our economic future. I look forward to presenting both the data and stories we hear directly to Penn State leadership.”
Thursday’s discussion will include:
—Dr. Elizabeth J. Wright, Regional Chancellor & Chief Academic Officer, Penn State Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre
—Joseph Clifford, Chair, Penn State Hazleton Council
—Neal DeAngelo III, Penn State Hazleton Council
—Gary Lamont, Penn State Hazleton Council
—Tiffany Veet, Penn State Hazleton Adjunct Instructor and Alumnus
—Mary Malone, President, Greater Hazleton 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, Chief Executive Officer, The Institute PA
—Brian J. MacAuley, Penn State Hazleton Alumnus
—Cassidy Lugo, Penn State Hazleton Alumnus
Additional participants are expected.
The event will be livestreamed on Argall’s website.
