The December edition of the local TV program hosted by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) examines two recent roundtables and a celebration with university student government leaders at Jimmy’s Quick Lunch in Hazleton discussing the future of Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Schuylkill. Argall organized the roundtables with Sen. Lynda Culver (R-27) and State Representatives Dane Watro (R-116), Jamie Walsh (R-117), Tim Twardzik (R-123), Jamie Barton (R-124) and Joanne Stehr (R-107) along with faculty, students, and community leaders to focus on the future growth of the local campuses.
“Just a few months ago, many of us worked together to save these campuses,” said Argall. “But our work is not done – far from it. These roundtable discussions demonstrated how both institutions can thrive and benefit students and employers for decades to come.”
The discussion at the roundtable events focused on creating more dual enrollment classes for high school students, offering additional course offerings, and enhancing partnerships with local employers in order to grow following the successful, community-led effort to keep the campuses open.
“When I asked my constituents: Do you support closing Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton, more than 5,400 responded, with 96% opposed to closing these campuses. In my line of work, you never see that level of unified support for anything. That’s how you know what these campuses mean to our communities.”