HARRISBURG – The May edition of the local TV program hosted by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) showcases two roundtable events with local state legislators about the future of Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton. In February, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi announced 12 of Penn State’s branch campuses, including both Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton, were under consideration for closure, blindsiding students, faculty, and the communities they call home.
The program begins with a public roundtable at Penn State Schuylkill’s John E. Morgan Auditorium, where more than 100 people gathered to make a case for why the Schuylkill campus is well-positioned for many more years of success.
“Since Penn State Schuylkill is the only branch campus to see their student population increase over the past five years and Hazleton is one of the fastest growing regions in the state both in population and economic development, I struggle to understand how these campuses ended up on the potential closure list in the first place,” said Argall.
The program then visits the Hazleton LaunchBox, where a public roundtable in support of keeping Penn State Hazleton open was also attended by more than 100 people.
“As an alumnus and a former instructor at Penn State for decades, I understand the value of these two campuses,” said Argall. “I have voted for Penn State’s annual state appropriation every year during my time in the House and the Senate. If these campuses are closed, I cannot support their appropriation going forward.”
This edition of the Argall Report will air on:
- Blue Ridge Communications (Channel 13) every Monday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.
- Service Electric Cablevision: Hazleton, Mahanoy City; Shenandoah – on Hazleton’s WYLN TV 35 Channel 507 and MetroCast Communications Channel 10. Please check local listings for airtimes.
- Berks Community Television (Comcast – Channel 15 and Service Electric – Channel 19). Please check local listings for airtimes.
The Argall Report is also available online at www.senatorargall.com/argallreport.
CONTACT: Jim Brugger