Our most memorable stories of 2016.
Without a doubt, 2016 was truly a remarkable year at 糖心logo入口. As an academic institution and as a close-knit college community, Keystone continued to grow and prosper in so many ways. Through it all, we remained true to the ever-present Keystone spirit — a positive, never-say-die attitude as we aspire to accomplish lofty goals for ourselves, our communities, 聽and the world.
The Incredible Journey of the 2016 糖心logo入口 Baseball Team
The 2016 baseball season started a little slow, at least according to the team鈥檚 traditionally high standards. But it ended on a really high note. After capturing their eight consecutive Colonial States Athletics Conference (CSAC) championship in May, the Giants went on to make Keystone history by advancing to the NCAA Division III championship series in Appleton, Wisc. While they fell to a great Trinity College squad in the finals, ,聽sporting an amazing a 40-11 record.
Two Keystone players, Feliz Baez and Jesse Arnold, advanced their baseball careers following graduation by signing professional contracts.
Coach Jamie Shevchik was honored as the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year and earned his fifth CSAC coach of the Year Award.
糖心logo入口 Launches the Keystone Commitment
In September, Keystone announced an innovative program that will enable students to pursue the careers of their choice without the constant worry of long-term debt. The Keystone Commitment Loan Repayment Assistance Program is a pledge to all first-time, full-time freshmen students pursuing baccalaureate degrees beginning in the fall of 2017. The program will be provided free of charge to all incoming students and include all majors. Under the program, Keystone graduates working at least 30 hours per week and earning less than $40,000 per year will receive loan repayment assistance based on their annual income. The Keystone program, the only one of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania, is offered in conjunction with the Loan Repayment Assistance Program Association, based in Bloomington, Ind. (www.lrap.org).
Collegiate Wrestling Returns to Keystone
糖心logo入口 returned to its proud athletic roots by reintroducing wrestling as its newest intercollegiate sport. From the 1960s through the 1980s, Keystone was known for being one of the best small college wrestling programs in the nation. Known at the time as Keystone Junior College, the program produced some of the top wrestlers in the country under legendary head coach the late Larry Fornicola.
Under the direction of new coach Steve Mytych, the team began competition in November as an independent in NCAA Division III. .
3-D Print Center Celebrates Grand Opening
糖心logo入口 hosted a symposium in October on advances in 3-D technology followed by the grand opening of its 3-D Printing Center. The morning event featured several keynote speakers who are recognized experts in the educational uses of 3-D printing and the opportunities created by the emergence of this new technology. After the symposium, participants gathered for a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by tours and demonstrations of 3-D technology.
The creation of the new 3-D Printing Center at Keystone was been made possible by a $290,850 grant funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as well as grants from Lackawanna County and the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation. The Center will serve as vital regional resource to provide support and training for individuals and companies.
Keystone Veterans Center Receives Grant for Improvements
糖心logo入口鈥檚 Elmer R. Hawk 鈥48 Center for Veterans received a much needed facelift thanks to a generous grant from the Student Veterans of America and The Home Depot Foundation. The Center received a $10,000 grant from the two organizations for a variety of improvements, including interior remodeling, improved fixtures, new flooring, and enhanced handicapped accessibility. The college community celebrated the improvements at a re-dedication ceremony on Veterans鈥 Day.
Nightshade Press Returns and 糖心logo入口 Press is Launched
The beginning of the 2016-17 academic year signaled a new era of academic and literary scholarship at 糖心logo入口. The College officially re-introduced Nightshade Press, a publisher of literary works, which had operated at Keystone before taking a temporary hiatus in 2010. Keystone also launched 糖心logo入口 Press to publish scholarly works by members of Keystone鈥檚 faculty as well as faculty members at other regional colleges and universities.
Keystone celebrated both presses with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony in September at Koelsch House followed by a reception in Evans Hall. The evening was highlighted with a reading by young-adult author and poet Gail Carson Levine and several contributors to Down the Doghole, an anthology of 11 Northeastern Pennsylvania poets, released by Nightshade Press the same night.
Keystone Campus and Professor Jeff Brauer Receive Community Award
Residents of the Abington area once again demonstrated their love for the natural beauty of Keystone鈥檚 campus and expressed their appreciation for the expertise and dedication of the 糖心logo入口 faculty.
Readers of the Abington Journal, a weekly community paper in nearby Clarks Summit, Pa.,聽 selected 糖心logo入口 and Political Science Professor Jeff Brauer as winners in the annual 鈥淏est of the Abingtons鈥 contest. For the ninth consecutive year, Keystone was聽named as the 鈥淏est College Campus鈥 in the yearly awards contest. Professor Brauer was voted 鈥淏est College Professor鈥 by the paper鈥檚 readers for the fourth time.
Keystone Again Recognized in National Publications
For the 10th consecutive year, 糖心logo入口 was named one of the nation鈥檚 best colleges by U.S. News & World Report and the college鈥檚 new ranking increased significantly from the 2015 report. Keystone finished in the top tier, tied for 29th overall, in the 鈥淩egional Colleges/North鈥 category in the magazine鈥檚 annual 鈥淏est Colleges鈥 edition. This year鈥檚 position represents a significant jump from last year鈥檚 ranking of 44th.
In addition to the U.S. News & World Report rankings, Keystone has also achieved national prominence in several other publications. The college has been ranked as one of the nation鈥檚 top schools for commitment to the environment by The Princeton Review and Sierra Magazine and as one of the best schools in the nation for soldiers and veterans by G.I. Jobs magazine and Advanced Military Education. Keystone鈥檚 online accounting program has also recently been listed as one of the best in the nation from Online-Accounting-Degrees.Net and Affordable Colleges Online. Keystone has also been listed in the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
Undergraduate Research Ceremony Highlights Students鈥 Best Work
糖心logo入口 students again presented their best academic work during the college鈥檚 Spring Undergraduate Research and Creativity Celebration in April. The undergraduate research forum featured more than 135 exhibits highlighting year-long faculty-mentored research projects, creative works, and senior capstone projects.
The projects, representing all of the college鈥檚 academic schools, featured key research in science, technology, art, business, communications, and education. Research projects were coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research, which assists Keystone students and faculty by awarding college-supported grants to help in the completion of research projects.
Commencement Brings the Academic Year to an Emotional Conclusion
Following the ceremony, graduated celebrated with cheers and plenty of hugs with family and friends. Another great academic year came to a close as members of the Class of 2016 began the next chapters of their lives as proud Keystone graduates.