Latest news with #RonCole
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Allegheny College president recognized as Trailblazer in Economic & Workforce Development
Allegheny College President Ron Cole has been recognized by City & State PA with a 2025 Trailblazers in Workforce & Economic Development award for his dynamic leadership forging important partnerships for the college that create new opportunities for regional economic growth and produce graduates who are prepared for the workforce upon graduation. The award was presented at an exclusive celebration at The Liberty View at Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia. City & State's inaugural Trailblazers in Workforce & Economic Development honors key figures from Pennsylvania's government, business, advocacy and institutions on the front lines, creating jobs and spurring economic growth at the local, state and national level, officials said in making the announcement. Under Cole's leadership, Allegheny College has developed and implemented a bold Strategic Pathway with a robust focus on community and economic development. The awards committee cited how Cole is inspiring academic leaders and institutions to drive regional economic development by actively engaging with local communities, businesses and government stakeholders. They particularly highlighted initiatives that Allegheny College has developed in support of these efforts, including four entities driving development and collaboration across the region: • Allegheny College Community Impact Hub • Allegheny Lab for Innovation and Creativity at Bessemer (ALIC @ Bessemer) • Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation (MCRC) • Allegheny College Watershed Conservation Research Center As Pennsylvania continues to invest in advanced manufacturing, Allegheny's branch campus, ALIC @ Bessemer, will play a key role in developing talent, driving R&D and creating new opportunities for economic growth and industry expansion, officials said. By integrating emerging technologies like automation, digital fabrication and smart manufacturing, ALIC @ Bessemer will help position the region as a leader in next-generation production. Further, Allegheny College implemented microcredentials last academic year to bolster student learning and post-graduate success with nearly 30 offered this fall to complement its distinctive curriculum of a major and minor in different areas of study. Andy Walker, who has served as Allegheny College's executive director for economic, civic and community engagement, was also named to the Trailblazers in Workforce & Economic Development list in his capacity as executive director of the MCRC, where he leads renewed investment in Meadville and the Crawford County region by partnering with elected officials and community stakeholders, officials said. Honorees will be profiled in City & State PA.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sun shines on Allegheny College commencement for Class of 2025 in its 210th year
May 10, 2025, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA…Allegheny College held Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The festive celebration featured 307 students walking the traditional path from the David V. Wise Center down to historic Bentley Hall, for the program. There were more than 3,500 attendees. Also participating in the ceremony was Allegheny Student Government President, Ella DeRose '27; Professor of Media Studies, Dr. Ishita Sinha Roy; Allegheny College Board of Trustees Chair, Steven Levinsky; and Allegheny College President, Dr. Ron Cole. President Ron Cole addressed the crowd, focusing on the theme of leadership. He said, 'Leadership for purpose is empowering, inspiring, and supporting others toward a common goal, for a greater good. Helping to imagine a better future and then planting seeds for that future. To me, that's part of leading for purpose. In this I'm reminded of the saying that 'A society grows great when we plant trees in whose shade we will never sit.' Leaders for purpose do this - plant seeds and nurture growth for future generations. Let's plant seeds and let's also have gratitude for those leaders that planted seeds for trees that give us shade today.' The Commencement address was given by Dr. Daniel Porterfield, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a global nonprofit leadership and convening organization founded in 1949. Dr. Porterfield said, 'As your lives rise, you'll see your alma mater rise. With this Allegheny education, you have developed a boundless power for doing good. Not only have you learned and grown, you've learned how to learn and grow. This is a growth mindset. The conviction that your talents are not finite. Growth matters today, in our rapidly changing world. With a growth mindset, we know that we have the power to discern and analyze change - that we can change ourselves and we can drive change.' Graduates are headed to a variety of opportunities, just a few of which include: Graham Kralic, PNC Bank Mya Furbish, International Institute of New England Austin Williams, PLS Logistics Liz Driscoll, Paper Mill Playhouse Matthew Degnan, Disney College Program Adrienne Hanas, Glover Farms Mitchell Dugan, Emergency Medical Technician Walker Cunningham, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Aria Zong, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Sara Karns, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Matilda Earwood, Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center Azary Matsuda, United States Navy Ethan Borsh, Northwestern University Megan Robare, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Marissa Steury, Buckman & Buckman Law The ceremony concluded with the singing of the alma mater and a reception for faculty, staff, students, and parents, where they could say goodbyes and share future plans. On Friday the College held the AYA Rite of Passage Ceremony, which celebrates first-generation and historically underrepresented graduates of Allegheny College. The celebration was represented by the AYA, an adinkra symbol that represents endurance, resilience and the ability to overcome. Dean of Inclusive Excellence Heather Moore Roberson addressed the students, 'It's important for you to leave this place knowing that we, here at Allegheny, have been lucky, blessed, and privileged to have had you here as students. So when you are asked 'how does it feel to have attended Allegheny?,' please tell them, 'the honor, I assure you, was Allegheny's.' ' Honorary Degrees The College awarded honorary doctorates of humane letters to two distinguished leaders: Dr. Daniel Porterfield, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute (and Commencement speaker), and Allegheny Alumna Diane Sutter '72, President and CEO of ShootingStar Inc. Broadcasting in Los Angeles. Prior to leading the Aspen Institute, Porterfield served for seven years as the President of Franklin & Marshall College. Porterfield previously served as Senior Vice President for Strategic Development and as an award-winning professor of English at his alma mater, Georgetown University, and as communications director and chief speechwriter for the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Porterfield imparted the idea of a life to the résumé graduates, saying, 'You'll always have a resume about what you do for work, but think about a life resume with four sections, each one with a question. When did I grow? When did I experience joy or love? When did I feel well and when did I feel pain? And when did I help someone else? A new section called purpose will rise as you go through life. Through your actions and your choices you will know why you are here. Most of us find our purpose not by abstract reason but actually by living in the world and reflecting on what feels right and most meaningful.' Diane Sutter '72 told the students, 'You, the Class of 2025, are our future. Use your curiosity, talents, and creativity to create a lasting, positive legacy for those that come after you. And don't run away from change! Your life will be full of it. Embrace it!' Honored with the Radio Ink Magazine Lifetime Leadership Award for outstanding service to the industry, Ms. Sutter was also recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Radio for seven consecutive years (2017–2023). Additionally, she was named among the publication's Top 20 Leaders in Radio. Sutter currently serves as Chair of the Board of Visitors for the Center for Business and Economics. In closing, President Cole told the graduates, 'All of us together in this extraordinary moment are united in community by memories, friendships, achievements in the classroom, in the lab, on the playing field, on the stage, and in the Meadville community.' Notable The 2025 Commencement caps a record year at Allegheny College for fundraising, new program launches, significant partnerships with Meadville organizations, the opening of Allegheny branch campus ALIC @Bessemer, and the highest number of applications received for the 2025-2026 school year.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Allegheny College ALIC @ Bessemer achieves accreditation as a branch campus
Allegheny College announced Tuesday the accreditation of its Allegheny Lab for Innovation and Creativity (ALIC) branch campus by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Located with the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County on Bessemer Street, ALIC @ Bessemer solidifies Allegheny's commitment to leveraging liberal arts education in workforce development and advanced manufacturing, college officials said in an email announcing the accreditation. Officials said ALIC @ Bessemer integrates traditional liberal arts education focused on the development of critical thinking, problem-solving and interdisciplinary learning with practical workforce training in high-demand sectors for adult learners. 'The accreditation of ALIC @ Bessemer is a claim on the future of higher education and its role in strengthening communities,' said Allegheny President Ron Cole. For more than 200 years, Allegheny has been a leader in developing innovative educational models, officials said. ALIC @ Bessemer expands opportunities for workforce-focused education for nontraditional students in northwestern Pennsylvania and also creates new avenues for collaboration between the college's faculty, staff, students and the broader community. 'This initiative also allows our traditional students to engage with hands-on, industry-driven learning experiences while reinforcing the value of liberal arts education in an evolving job market,' Cole explains. 'By embracing workforce development and manufacturing education, we are building a stronger regional economy and ensuring that Allegheny College is relevant and accessible to a diverse range of learners.' ALIC @ Bessemer already has made significant strides in this direction, piloting industry-relevant training in software programs like Mastercam and Solidworks; developing hands-on coursework in Additive Manufacturing; and designing courses in close collaboration with regional manufacturing industry experts. Now as a branch campus of Allegheny, ALIC @ Bessemer is positioned to further expand its offerings by providing a unique blend of hands-on training and critical thinking. Future plans that support research and development will provide distinct opportunities for Allegheny students. From use-inspired research to marrying ideas with production, the facility will soon enable students to augment their studies in real-world applications, with the potential to work in innovative solutions with regional manufacturers. Due to a decline in the number of traditional college-aged students across the higher education industry — a phenomenon known as the 'demographic cliff' — many institutions have been forced to rethink their models of education. ALIC @ Bessemer positions Allegheny to thrive despite this shift by serving the professional development and adult education needs within the surrounding community. Its approach also demonstrates how colleges can successfully adapt by adding workforce-driven learning opportunities to more traditional offerings. The accreditation of ALIC @ Bessemer is also a significant win for Crawford County and the state, according to officials. As a region with deep industrial roots and a growing need for skilled workers, the county stands to benefit from ALIC's role in helping to prepare the next generation of workforce-ready professionals. ALIC @ Bessemer will fuel economic development by strengthening the local job market and attracting new business investment, officials said. 'This is a game-changer for our region,' said Elisabeth Smith, CEO of Acutec Precision Aerospace. 'Having an accredited branch campus of a top-ranked national college in Meadville, focused on advanced manufacturing, provides students and workers with valuable opportunities for education and career advancement. It also signals to the manufacturing industry that rural Pennsylvania is dedicated to equipping its workforce with the skills needed to thrive in the global marketplace.' 'The launch of ALIC@Bessemer was made possible by building partnerships with local industry and importantly with the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County who serves an important role in this work,' Cole said. Allegheny will officially unveil ALIC @ Bessemer to the public during a two-day celebration starting April 24 with a ribbon-cutting, facility tour and featured speakers, followed by an open house and additional happenings April 25.
