New at Penn State
Penn State Intercom......March 21, 2002

Penn State McKeesport
dedicates learning center

Penn State McKeesport recently dedicated the John H. Gruskin Learning Center to provide enhanced academic support to students.

The new center is in the J. Clarence Kelly Library and is named in memory of the father of alumnus Mark R. Gruskin, who attended the campus in the mid-1970s and holds a B.S. in computer science and M.B.A. from Penn State.

The Learning Center provides a support program for students with a variety of services including professional and peer tutoring, designed study plans and guided-practice workshops.

Dinah L. Marcinik was named coordinator of the Gruskin Learning Center. She will oversee the center's resources; hire advisers and tutors; and work with students to meet their needs.

Loan-forgiveness partnership
between hospital, Penn College

Jersey Shore Hospital and Pennsylvania College of Technology have established a partnership to help student nurses pay their college expenses in exchange for a commitment of employment at the hospital after graduation.

In 2002-03, Jersey Shore Hospital will commit up to $89,000 to launch the loan-forgiveness-award program.

Under the terms of the agreement, the hospital will provide up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness for a student enrolled in the college's nursing majors.

Eligibility criteria for the program include a minimum grade-point average; completion of most general pre-nursing course work; writing skills, as exhibited on the application; a personal interview; and two letters of
recommendation from professionals who are aware of the student's work capabilities.

Students must submit an application by July 31 to be considered for an award.

Outreach to area secondary schools will be another component of the partnership. Jersey Shore Hospital and Penn College will coordinate communication with guidance counselors and career coordinators to ensure that students in area school districts are aware of local health-care career opportunities and scholarship availability.

To apply, call Joan Watson at (570) 398-3105.

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