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

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

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

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.”

Social Work Program To Host Reentry Seminar

The Social Work Program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting a half-day seminar entitled “Reentry and the Impact on Addressing and Meeting Needs” on Friday, November 7, at the College’s Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown).

This event will explore the complex challenges for individuals transitioning back into the community with a focus on mental health, systemic challenges, and community engagement.

The seminar will begin at 9 AM and run until 12:30 PM, with a complimentary lunch to follow. Sign in/registration begins at 8:30 AM.

The seminar will feature a keynote presentation by Mindy Rickabaugh, Senior Coordinator of Reintegration Services and First Step Act Program Manager at Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies. Her presentation, titled “A Trauma-Informed Approach: Addressing Mental Health Needs of Returning Individuals,” will explore strategies for supporting mental health during reentry.

Additionally, Fred Oliveros, Administrator of the Cambria County Drug & Alcohol Administration, and Warden Kurt Wolford of the Cambria County Prison will discuss local trends, service gaps, and systemic challenges that impact successful reentry in the region.

The event will conclude with a panel discussion featuring professionals and individuals with lived experience in reentry, including Rev. Emily Cooper, Clinical Supervisor with Peniel Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center; Katlyn Urban, Program Manager of Reintegration Services with Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies; and John Young, Peer Mentor and former juvenile lifer.

Registration is required to attend the event, which is free and open to the public.

Penn Highlands Named To Top 200 Community Colleges Eligible For The Aspen Prize

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been named as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.

The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

“Being nominated for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence is a meaningful recognition of the work our college community does every day to support student success while maintaining the academic rigor necessary for students to thrive beyond their time at Penn Highlands,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands President. “This honor reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, and the collaborative spirit that drives our mission to serve our communities. While we remain focused on continuous improvement, it’s encouraging to see our efforts acknowledged on a national level.”

The 200 eligible colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates. Starting in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.

The eligible colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector. Located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the country, these colleges serve anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of students.

“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students — completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,” stated Josh Wyner, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.”

A list of 25 semifinalists will be announced in April 2026, chosen based on assessments of extensive data and strategy documents by the Prize selection panel, a group of 16 experts in community colleges, higher education, and workforce training, and interviews with institutional leadership teams.

Ten finalists will be selected in June, which will be followed by a visit to each of the ten colleges in the ensuing Fall. The winner will be announced in Spring 2027 at a banquet in Washington, D.C.

For a full list of the top 200 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize/.

About the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program 
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program supports colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy. We know it takes visionary college leaders to lead scaled, sustainable reforms, and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. 
 
About the Aspen Institute 
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.