Member Company News
Johnson College Earns 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® School Designation
Johnson College announced it has earned the 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® School designation.
Institutions earning the Military Spouse Friendly® School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey, with 747 schools earning the designation as a Military Friendly School, of which 194 were selected for the Military Spouse Friendly Schools list. Johnson College was designated as a Military Spouse Friendly® School for their leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs for military spouses.
The 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® Schools list will be published in Military Spouse magazine's May issue and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey response set and government/agency public data sources within a logic-based scoring assessment. We measure the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently and with purpose. Schools who achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts. Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services. Focusing on the betterment of the educational landscape and providing positive outcomes and economic opportunity for the Military Community.” - Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®.
For more information about Johnson College’s student veteran programs, visit Johnson College’s website at https://johnson.edu/future-students/veterans/.
About Military Friendly® Schools:
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria, and weighting were developed with an independent research firm's assistance and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
About Johnson College:
Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 15 associate degree and 3 academic certificate programs. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email
About Viqtory:
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.
Johnson College Receives $30,000 Through a It’s On Us PA Grant
Johnson College was one of 42 Pennsylvania institutions of higher education awarded a grant through Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s “It’s On Us PA” initiative. The $30,000 grant will help Johnson College improve campus awareness regarding sexual violence among students, faculty and staff.
The funds will help create an updated curriculum module for all students on the College’s Desire2Learn learning management system. The College will review current institutional policies, processes and resources available for reporting sexual violence and serving the needs of potential victims with a Pennsylvania Title IX consultant who will make recommendations for improved compliance and reporting. The grant will also support updated training for the College’s Title IX coordinator and staff to be sure that Johnson College is following best practice operations for continued campus safety within a climate of proactive leadership
The College’s mission is to be proactive in making students, faculty and staff fully aware of the issue of sexual violence, how to report and what resources are available to assist those in need. Additional grant activities will include a campus-wide It’s On Us program event in the spring where students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to take the It’s On Us pledge against campus violence.
“Our goal is to maintain the excellent record of low to no incidents of sexual violence on our campus,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, Johnson College president & CEO. “Should the need arise, we want to be proactively prepared to comply with Pennsylvania law. The It’s On Us grant will help us accomplish these goals.”
The It’s On Us PA grant program was created to provide colleges and universities with support and resources necessary to shift campus culture and promote healthy relationships. The grant provides funding from January 2021 through May 2022 to implement strategies on campuses to address goals of the Governor’s It’s On Us PA campaign, which include:
1. Improve awareness, prevention, reporting, and response systems regarding sexual violence in schools, colleges, and universities to better serve all students.
2. Remove/reduce barriers that prevent survivors of sexual violence from reporting and/or accessing vital resources by creating a more consistent, empowering reporting process for student survivors of gender-based violence.
3. Demonstrate significant, proactive, and sustainable leadership to change campus culture by challenging Pennsylvania’s education leaders – including college and university presidents, as well as students, teachers, faculty, staff, families, and communities to pledge to improve their institutions’ climate around sexual assault.
Since 2016, the Wolf Administration has awarded 150 It’s On Us PA grants totaling nearly $4 million to more than 70 post-secondary institutions, including public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering associate degrees in 15 programs and 3 academic certificates. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional business and industry to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email
Solar Innovations® Earns USGlass 2020 Green Award
Solar Innovations®, a single-source provider of custom-glazed doors, windows, skylights, and structures, has been awarded the USGlass 2020 Green Award.
“USGlass Magazine’s 2020 Green Awards once again recognize companies, products, and individuals that are dedicated to improving the environmental and sustainable well-being of not just the industry, but the planet.” – USGlass
As part of their “Live & Work Green” efforts, here are just a few of the many practices Solar Innovations® has implemented, qualifying them to be a LEED Platinum facility:
• Net-zero energy consumption from a 3,600 solar panel array installed on main office and manufacturing building
• Recycling and separation of all possible types of material to reduce waste properly
• Composting all possible waste to help rejuvenate local resources
• Incentivizing carpooling and the use of energy-efficient vehicles with priority parking
• Monday-Thursday schedules for manufacturing roles to help reduce fuel emissions
• Collection of rainwater for greenhouse irrigation
• Use of lowVOC paint to limit environmental impact
• Use of FSC-certified woods to properly conserve the world’s woodlands
• Partnering with local organizations to plant trees and restore streams
These are just some of the many ways Solar Innovations® strives to work green as they continue their mission to provide the highest quality and most advanced architectural glazing products in the industry. For more information on their green initiatives, or any other Solar Innovations® products, please contact Solar Innovations® directly at
Johnson College Announces Accomplishments of Its Animal and Health Science Programs
Johnson College is proud share accomplishments achieved in the past academic year by its Health and Animal Science programs.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program has been granted accreditation affirmation for ten years from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
The Veterinary Technology program’s 2020 graduates received a 100% pass rate on the Veterinary Technology National Exam (VTNE). This score places the program’s three-year pass rate at 94%.
The Radiologic Technology program’s 2020 graduates received a pass rate of 95% on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Radiography Exam. Johnson College graduates surpassed the 2019 national pass rate average by 6%.
“This past year our faculty and students faced many challenges, but they persevered by sharpening their skills to advance to new levels,” said Barb Byrne M.Ed., RT (R)(MR), Johnson College Associate Vice President of Faculty. “As these pass rate scores demonstrate, our graduates’ are well prepared as they enter the workforce of many of our region’s essential industries.”
Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering associate degrees in 15 programs and 3 academic certificates. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional business and industry to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email
PFN Strategic investment in North American Center of Excellence
New jobs for the Hazleton community announced
PFNonwovens, a leading global producer of nonwoven fabrics with operations in Europe, USA and Africa, is investing to expand its Hazleton site in Pennsylvania. This expansion at its North America center of excellence will significantly increase manufacturing capacity and allow PFN to grow its medical and hygiene markets.
The investment, in two phases, will enhance both global and regional innovation to meet the growing market needs for high levels of softness, comfort and sustainability.
Phase 1, which is now underway, will see an initial outlay of more than $70m for an expansion of the manufacturing facilities at the Hazleton site to include the latest Reicofil R5 technology. This exciting plan allows PFN to commercialize innovation that combines two proprietary technologies in order to produce revolutionary, cottony-soft hygiene products for the North American market. Completion of phase 1 is planned for mid-2021.
“We are the first to invest in the latest R5 machinery in the US. This commitment, in combination with our unique proprietary technology, allows us to produce consumer-preferred ultra-high loft, soft and textured nonwoven fabrics. This solidifies PFN’s position as a global leader in the production of innovative spunmelt nonwoven fabrics.” said Shane Vincent, Chief Commercial Officer & Global Head of Business Development.
PFN’s Chief Technology and Product Development Officer, Tonny de Beer, highlighted that “PFN has always been a pioneer of the latest technology. These investments allow us to continue our leadership in the commercialization of innovative hygiene and medical nonwovens, and pave new ways to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact.”
A Phase 2 site expansion will see PFN invest in the building of a second production line presently scheduled for completion in 2022.
This latest development at the Hazleton site is expected to result in more than sixty new job opportunities at PFN over the course of the next two to three years. Mary R. Malone, President of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, heralded the news. “It is heartening to hear of long-term job opportunities for our local community, which is even more welcome as we continue to fight the economic impacts of the COVID pandemic”, she said. “PFN will bring employment opportunities to a significant number of families, which is to be applauded”.
PFN has been awarded the 2020 Large Business of the Year by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes contributions to the economy and welfare of the community overall as evidenced by growth, staying power, community contributions and management philosophy. PFN offers competitive compensation including generous starting wages, competitive benefits program and opportunities for advancement. Individuals seeking employment opportunities are invited to visit https://www.pfnonwovens.com/pfnonwovens-llc/.
About PFN:
PFNonwovens is a leading global producer of customized nonwoven fabrics. We make innovative products across multiple key markets.
Baby Care: delighting moms, dads and babies alike
Medical: protecting medical professionals
Adult Incontinence & Fem Care: providing discreet protection and comfort
The group was created in June 2018 by bringing the US-based First Quality Nonwovens and Czech-based Pegas Nonwovens under one roof. PFNonwovens is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, and operates five production plants worldwide: two in the Czech Republic, and one each in the United States, Egypt, and South Africa.
PFN’s mission is to lead in material innovation and break down barriers to sustainability. By combining state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities with best-in-class quality and customer-service culture, we develop and commercialize superior nonwoven fabrics that improve quality of life, deliver exceptional value and a brighter future for our planet. We continuously advance to create the future of nonwovens for personal care and healthcare industries.
