NCC

Kyle Morin, former Northampton Area School District student, recently received the new PPL Foundation STEM Scholarship at Northampton Community College.

In 2017, NCC was awarded a $25,000 grant from the foundation to create the scholarship, which will provide support for students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields and careers critical to the needs of our community and workforce. PPL has provided additional grant support to the endowment, giving NCC the opportunity to provide more STEM students access to education. Morin is studying engineering at NCC.

“I want to thank PPL. This scholarship will help me greatly with the financial burden I will have at the end of my college education,” he said.

Morin plays on the baseball team at NCC and hopes to maintain his 4.0 GPA.

“Northampton Community College is grateful to the PPL Foundation for its generous support in providing a scholarship opportunity to a deserving and talented NCC student. It is because of companies like PPL that our students are able to afford an education for a brighter future, creating an environment where they can increase their skills, explore new opportunities and make progress toward their goals,” said Patrick Hockenberry, manager of scholarship programs at NCC.

The scholarship is awarded to students from one of NCC’s eight sponsoring school districts - Bangor, Bethlehem, Easton, Nazareth, Northampton, Pen Argyl, Saucon Valley and Wilson. To date, the PPL grant has provided scholarships to three students.

Hockenberry said students who plan to attend the college and have an interest in STEM can apply for this scholarship and others at northampton.edu/admissions/tuition--financial-aid-scholarships/scholarships.htm.

“PPL understands that a good education, at all levels, is critical to success,” said Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director for PPL in the Lehigh Valley. “We are committed to helping NCC students pursue their dreams of working in STEM-related careers because we know that a strong workforce in these areas is critical to our region’s future success.”

Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation will support organizations that are working to create vibrant, sustainable communities and empowering each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. The PPL Foundation contributes more than $3 million annually to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations.

For more information, visit pplcares.com.

ESU

A total of 472 students received degrees from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania at the winter commencement ceremony, held Dec. 15 at Koehler Fieldhouse. There were 422 bachelor’s degrees, 46 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree awarded.

Catasauqua: Genesis Gurrea, Bachelor of Science in athletic training; Jonathan Aviles, Bachelor of Science in criminal justice

Coplay: Ashley Pope, Master of Science in management and leadership (organizational behavior); Elia Rodriguez, Bachelor of Science in social work; Lauren Galati, Bachelor of Science in biology

Northampton: Zachary Smith, Bachelor of Arts in English

Whitehall: Samantha Mehalshick, Bachelor of Science in special education (pre-K to grade 8)/early childhood; Brandon Yazji, Bachelor of Science in biology

Bath: Nermin Horuz, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education (pre-K to grade 4); Gulten Horuz, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education (pre-K to grade 4); Joshua Schmoyer, Bachelor of Science in criminal justice; Jennifer McMaster, Bachelor of Science in hotel, restaurant and tourism management; Deborah Ohmacht, Doctor of Education in educational leadership and administration

Ohmacht is the director of special education for Northampton Area School District. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in special education, Master of Public Health and elementary education from Kutztown University in 1982. She earned her Master of Education in special education in 1987, secondary principal’s certification in 1998 and her supervisory certification in special education in 1999, all from Lehigh University. With over 36 years in education, Ohmacht has also served as the assistant director of special education, assistant to the principal, an emotional support teacher, a learning support teacher and a child developmental specialist.

She resides in Bath with her husband, Gary, and son, Zachary.

The other doctoral candidates who received degrees are Gene Christopher Hunt III, Tracey L. Jacobi and Patricia Ann McEnery.

The professional and secondary education department at ESU developed a doctoral-degree program to meet the demonstrated need for the doctor of education in educational leadership and administration. The program was previously a collaborative effort with Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 2017, ESU graduated the first students to complete the program solely under ESU.

The three-year academic package is designed to provide continuous skill development in leadership, writing, reading and research. The program is intended for leaders in education wishing to further their knowledge, skills and expertise in the area of educational leadership.

For more information about the doctoral program, including applying for admission/acceptance, contact Dr. William Bajor, director of graduate and extended studies, at 570-422-3588 or wbajor@esu.edu; or Kevin Quintero, associate director of graduate and extended studies, at 570-422-3890 or kquintero@esu.edu.

East Stroudsburg University, one of the 14 institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, opened in 1893 as East Stroudsburg Normal School. Today, ESU is a comprehensive university in northeastern Pennsylvania offering 55 undergraduate programs, 22 master’s programs and one doctoral program. More than 6,800 students are enrolled for the high quality, affordable and accessible education ESU provides. Nearly 30,000 ESU alumni live in Pennsylvania.