Newsroom

Archive: Nov 2025

• Foundation’s Annual Chef Auction Raises Over $40,000 For Student Scholarships

  Posted November 6, 2025 at 11:05 am

  For the third year in a row, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation hosted a successful Chef Auction at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, raising over $40,000 to support local students pursuing higher education.

  Since the Foundation took over hosting the Chef Auction in 2023, the event has raised a total of more than $150,000.

  All proceeds will benefit both the Supporting Scholars Fund and future culinary arts scholarships at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The Supporting Scholars Fund comprises three distinct scholarships awarded annually to multiple recipients: the Destination Graduation, Emerging Leader, and Presidential Scholarships.

  Thirteen culinary students, as well as Chef and Culinary instructor John Dusack, prepared food for the opening reception. In addition, Supporting Scholars Gina Pettenati and Syd Scott assisted in preparation and staffing of the event.

  “We are grateful to all those who helped make this event possible,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “The Chef Auction has not only been a great fundraiser for the College, but it has also enabled our culinary students to showcase the skills and experiences they acquired in the classroom, which they can apply in the workforce.”

  Eight restaurants participated in providing dinner for more than 150 attendees, with some also supplying packages for the live auction. These participants included Balance Restaurant, Big Spring Spirits, Conemaugh Medical Center, Harrigan’s Cafe & Wine Deck, Omni Bedford Springs, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Tulunes In The City, and Viva Verde.

  The event consisted of 20 silent auction items and eight live auction packages to bid on. Five luxury vacations were awarded in a separate auction, and a 50/50 drawing was held. Overall, more than $25,000 was raised, which was paired with a $15,000 donation from the 1889 Foundation to achieve the grand total.

  HHS was the Top Chef sponsor for the event, while UPMC Altoona and Worklink Staffing served as Master Chef sponsors. Four of this year’s participating restaurants have already committed to attending next year’s Chef Auction.

  The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation actively pursues financial support for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and its students. It achieves this by cultivating relationships, raising funds, and expertly managing resources.

  ---

  About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation (www.pennhighlands.edu/foundation)
  Established in 1995, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is a non-profit educational trust under Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation seeks and secures financial support to advance the mission of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College by fostering relationships and managing resources. It focuses on providing scholarships, supporting academic programs, and promoting faculty and staff development to meet the College’s and community’s educational needs. Through donations, events, grants, and deferred giving, the Foundation enriches student opportunities and strengthens community partnerships. 

  

• Students Support Breast Cancer Awareness Through Event & Donate To Local Care Center

  Posted November 4, 2025 at 11:43 am

  Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Supporting Scholars and Women’s Volleyball team members united for their third annual “Pink Out” fundraiser on October 22 and 23, dedicated to supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.

  The event coincided with the final home game of the Women’s Volleyball team, where students participated in various activities, such as making posters, hosting a two-day bake sale, and selling bracelets and ribbons.

  Through these efforts, the students raised $669.50, nearly doubling last year’s amount. These funds were then donated to the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center in Windber, PA. Over the three years this event has taken place, students have contributed over $1,300 to the Center.

  The Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center is renowned for its proactive breast cancer care, employing risk-reduction techniques and early detection and treatment to provide exceptional care to individuals in the Johnstown and Windber area.

  “The students look forward to this fundraiser every year,” stated Nicole Wright, Student Services Assistant. “They dedicated two weeks to preparations, ensuring the event’s success and effectively raising breast cancer awareness. It’s especially meaningful to them knowing their efforts support such an important cause.”

  The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that an estimated 320,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. However, advances in early detection methods and ongoing support have significantly improved survival rates, with a 99 percent five-year relative survival rate when breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages.

  

• New Black Bears Training Facility Supports Wrestling Program & Police Academy

  Posted November 3, 2025 at 11:18 am

  Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the completion of its new Black Bears Training Facility, located at the Richland Campus.

  The Black Bears Training Facility will serve as the main practice area for the student-athletes of the Penn Highlands Men’s and Women’s Wrestling teams, as well as a self-defense instruction space for the Police Academy.

  “Student-athletes thrive when they have access to dedicated, high-quality training environments that support both their physical development and competitive goals,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands President. “The Black Bears Training Facility represents our commitment to providing student-athletes with the resources they need to excel, while also serving the broader needs of our campus community, like the training of our Police Academy cadets.”

  The 1,768-square-foot space, located next to the Richland Campus Main Gymnasium, features a 68-foot-long wrestling mat that spans the entire 26-foot-wide floor, providing seamless wall-to-wall coverage. Two 6-foot-tall pads have also been installed on each adjacent wall.

  The floor showcases nine wrestling circles, with a prominent central circle holding the College’s primary athletics logo, surrounded by eight smaller circles for additional training space.

  “This facility represents more than just a place to train. It’s a major step in building a strong, competitive, and sustainable program,” stated Willie Harris, Penn Highlands Head Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Coach. “The new room will allow us to train at a high level, attract talented student-athletes, and create an environment where our wrestlers can grow both on and off the mat.”

  Wrestling at Penn Highlands kicks off its inaugural season this fall, with official practices already occurring in the space.

  Meanwhile, the Police Academy’s Class of 2026 began training on September 8, welcoming a group of 18 cadets.

  “We are excited to open this new training room, which will serve as a cornerstone for the growth and success of our wrestling team and police academy cadets,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics. “It’s an exciting time to introduce our wrestling program and provide both the team and the Academy with a dedicated space to call their own.”

  • Click to learn more about our Wrestling Program.
  • Click to learn more about our Police Academy.