GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
FINAL RANKING
The Penn State Nittany Lions finished the 2016 season as the No. 7 ranked team in the country. See more Penn State and local sports coverage inside./Page 19
January 12-18, 2017
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Volume 9, Issue 2
Funding paves way for growing future of CPI
Local businessman donates required match By G. KERRY WEBSTER kerry.ccgazette@gmail.com
BILL DONLEY/The Gazette
A MULTIMODAL Transportation Fund Program grant in the amount of $910,283 was awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority to the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology for improved safety at the school. Pictured, from left, are state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte; Todd Taylor, vice president, post-secondary education, CPI; state Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte; Dr. Richard Makin, president, CPI; and Jeffrey Miles, Bald Eagle Area School District superintendent.
PLEASANT GAP — Since the 201415 academic year, enrollment in the post-secondary classes at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology has increased by a whopping 63 percent. It is a number that has been consistently growing since CPI’s joint operation committee decided to throw a little more emphasis on adult students in the early 2000s. This year, with 518 secondary education students and 224 adult learners on the roster, the campus is bursting with activity. With the recent announcement of some heavy state funding and a generous offer by a local businessman, the education facility can loosen its belt a bit to make room for a little expansion. On Jan. 10, state lawmakers and education officials gathered at the CPI facility to announce a $910,283 grant through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund Program from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The funding will be used to improve roads on the campus and build an access road to the future site of a new health and sciences building. “We have to thank Sen. Jake Corman and Rep. Kerry Benninghoff for all the
work they’ve done to help secure this money,” said Dr. Richard Makin, CPI president. “And we also have to thank Dan Hawbaker, a longtime supporter of our programs, who will generously make the 30 percent match ($435,000) through the CPI Foundation.”
“I LOOK AT CPI as one of the most important parts of our education system here in Centre County.” Dan Hawbaker
president and CEO, Glen O. Hawbaker Inc. The match will be made through cash funding over time, making the total amount secured for the project about $1.4 million. Hawbaker said he made the gesture because he recognizes the importance of the opportunities CPI presents students leaving high school and other adult students who want advanced training in different fields. “I look at CPI as one of the most important parts of our education system here in Centre County,” said Hawkbaker. “It provides practical job-type training for CPI, Page 8
President judge to hang up robe Board chooses plan By G. KERRY WEBSTER kerry.ccgazette@gmail.com
BELLEFONTE — For two decades, Judge Thomas King Kistler dedicated his time to resolving problems county residents couldn’t handle on their own. Now he says it will be soon time to hang up the robe. Elected in 1997, and retained again in 2007, the president judge of the county announced last week he was stepping down from the bench this year, effective at the end of his term in late December. “I have loved every single day of what I’ve done in Centre County,” Kistler said. “It’s been a
great honor and a great privilege to work here, and I’ve never for once taken my job for granted. I feel I’m a pretty lucky guy.” Kistler said he has seen the gamut of cases from across the bench, from custody trials and business disputes to murder cases and other heinous acts. The Jerry Sandusky scandal and disappearance of former Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar, both of which occurred during this tenure, grabbed national headlines. “I’ve seen an awful lot from across the bench,” he said. “Some good, some bad. But, it is a great feeling when you can ultimately make a decision and help someone with their problems and help them move along in life.” There’s plenty evidence of the good he’s done for people. He keeps a file of “thank you” notes he receives from people who have come before him in the courtroom. “That’s the nicest part of the job — knowing I’m helping someone,” he said.
for field renovation By GEOFF RUSHTON statecollege.com
STATE COLLEGE — The State College Area School Board on Monday selected an option for moving forward with Memorial Field renovations. The architectural firm Weber Murphy Fox presented two options to the board in November for the $8.7 million project. On Jan. 9, the board selected “Option B,” which will demolish the district’s building at 131 W. Nittany Ave., a former schoolhouse that later housed administrative offices. Field, Page 6
Judge, Page 7
Ruest prepared for president’s gavel By G. KERRY WEBSTER kerry.ccgazette@gmail.com
BELLEFONTE — In 2008, the Pamela Ruest became Centre County’s first woman to sit as an acting judge in the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. In 2018, she’s going to be the county’s first female president judge. Ruest told Centre County Gazette she will certainly Police Blotter .................... 2 Opinion ............................ 9
Health and Wellness ...... 10 Education ....................... 11
miss the leadership of President Judge Thomas Kistler when he officially steps down at the end of December, but looks forward to his guidance as she begins to prepare for her new position. “I appreciate his confidence in me and I look forward to his continued guidance,” she said. Ruest said she’s looking forward to the new role. Ruest, Page 7 Community .................... 12 Holistic Living ................ 16
Submitted photo
PICTURED IS an artists’ rendering of the renovations to be completed at Memorial Field in State College. This week, the school board selected the option to move forward with the project.
Sports ............................. 19 Family Matters ............... 24
Around & In Town .......... 26 What’s Happening ......... 28
Business ......................... 30 Classifieds ....................... 31
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