Lackawanna to Resume In-Person Classes This Fall

Posted on April 7, 2021 by The Dunmorean

After a year of adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through virtual and hybrid courses, Lackawanna College is planning a return to normal, in-person classes for the Fall 2021 semester.

“We are deciding to return to normal operations as soon as possible, based on the advice of state medical and public health experts, along with Lackawanna’s internal COVID-19 taskforce and with the support of our Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Jill Murray, Lackawanna College President. “We are grateful to all of our students, faculty and staff who have worked together to ensure safety on our main campus and at all of our satellite centers.”

During the 2020–2021 academic year, Lackawanna College implemented policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at all College locations. Ongoing mitigation efforts include daily self-assessments, contact tracing, masking requirements and the installation of air filtration systems and cleaning measures.

Lackawanna College’s COVID-19 taskforce will continue to monitor the pandemic and maintain all existing health and safety precautions. Any future changes to the fall return plan will be dependent on the pandemic, vaccination distribution and state and local guideline recommendation changes.

“Rally For Restaurants” Supports Local Businesses

Posted on February 3, 2021 by The Dunmorean

With restaurants feeling the impact of COVID-19, Lackawanna College teamed up with Scranton Tomorrow and the City of Scranton to raise money to help local restaurant owners and workers make ends meet. The effort raised over $30,000, which went directly to participating restaurants, and over $7,000 for the Lackawanna College School of Hospitality scholarship fund.

Lackawanna College’s student-run restaurant, 409 on Adams, pivoted in a multi-faceted effort to help support the restaurant industry while also giving students valuable culinary experience with some of the area’s leading chefs.

“Rally for Restaurants exemplified what our region is known for-neighbors helping neighbors. We were honored to serve alongside the City of Scranton and Scranton Tomorrow to bring much-needed dollars to local restaurants,” said Stephanie Decker, Associate Vice President of Social and Economic Impact.

Lackawanna College’s School of Hospitality students worked alongside expert chefs from eight local restaurants, serving a total of 684 meals since the initiative launched in February 2020. A combination of generous sponsorships and in-kind donations helped offset the operating costs for the events, along with funds raised from private donations and t-shirt sales.

“I want to thank Lackawanna College and all of the students, and anyone involved at the College who has generously donated their time and energy to put these events on. There are few places like Scranton where you see a community rally around each other in times of need. It has been the bright spot in an otherwise dark year,” said Patrick Nasser, co-owner of Backyard Alehouse.

Lackawanna College will launch a second Rally for Restaurants initiative later this month.

Lackawanna College Venture Lab Launching Microloan Program

Posted on December 2, 2020 by The Dunmorean

The Lackawanna College Venture Lab, a program operated by the College to support entrepreneurs in Northeastern Pennsylvania, is launching a pilot microloan program. The program can provide up to $2,500 in short-term zero-interest loans for entrepreneurs to launch their startups in the region.

The microloan program will provide access to funds for low-income entrepreneurs who are launching microenterprises, which have fewer than six employees and require a smaller amount of capital to get started. The Venture Lab offers professional services, innovative programs and industry connections within a supportive peer-to-peer learning environment.

Though the microloan program and the Venture Lab does not specifically target women and minority entrepreneurs, 2019 US Census data shows that the Venture Lab’s Target Area contains a higher concentration of minority and Hispanic individuals than the NEPA region as a whole (13% vs. 8% minority and 16% vs. 9% Hispanic). This program will benefit these constituencies. In addition, most of the early Venture Lab client companies have been led by women and minorities.

“Our research shows that NEPA is behind other urban centers in Pennsylvania in microenterprise activity, representing a lost opportunity of over $100 million in annual revenue flowing into our communities,” said Michael Jensen, director of the Venture Lab. “We hope these microloans will help disadvantaged entrepreneurs obtain the vital capital they need to launch new businesses and build more economically resilient neighborhoods.”

The Venture Lab is supporting the program with funds provided by Lackawanna College. This pilot program will test the microloanmodel, processes and effectiveness in addressing the financial startup needs in the local entrepreneurial community and plans to expand and seek out additional resources.

To learn more about the Venture Lab and the microloan program, visit Lackawanna.edu/venturelab or email venturelab@lackawanna.edu.