Penn College

First National Bank gift supports SMART Girls, Penn College NOW programs

First National Bank recently provided a gift supporting two Pennsylvania College of Technology educational programs that serve high school students. From left are First National Bank's Don Breon, assistant vice president/treasury management; Daniel Hooper, vice president/market manager; and Craig Muthler, senior vice president/commercial banking. From Penn College are Kyle Smith, executive director of the Penn College Foundation, and Tanya Berfield, manager of college transitions. Credit: Pennsylvania College of Technology / Penn StateCreative Commons

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Two educational programs that serve high school students will benefit from a recent gift from First National Bank to Pennsylvania College of Technology.

First National Bank representatives recently delivered a $10,000 gift that will help support the college’s SMART Girls and Penn College NOW programs. The contribution was made through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

“This gift helps to successfully engage high school students around the Commonwealth in earning college credit and in pursuing transformational career exploration opportunities,” said Paul R. Watson, dean of academic services and college transitions. “Indeed, if we aim to address the skills gaps in the U.S. workforce, we recognize that we must continue to provide innovative educational programs that grasp, excite and sustain the attention and interest of today’s students.”

SMART Girls is a summer camp for girls in grades nine to 11. “SMART” stands for Science and Math Applications in Real-World Technologies. At the camp, girls experience math and science as a foundation for careers in technology. They complete fun technology- and innovation-based projects while connecting their interests and values with potential careers.

In 2017-18, more than 1,300 Pennsylvania high school students are taking freshman-level Penn College courses through Penn College NOW, the college’s nationally accredited dual-enrollment program. It enables academically qualified high school students to take free college courses taught by Penn College-approved teachers at their high school or career and technology center.

“We are grateful for First National Bank’s continued generosity,” said Kyle A. Smith, executive director of the Penn College Foundation. “With their support, we will be able to expose high school students to unique learning experiences — offering a glimpse into a Penn College education. Without partners like First National Bank, these experiences wouldn’t be possible.”

First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864, is the largest subsidiary of F.N.B. Corp., a diversified financial-services company with more than 400 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

For information about making a gift or establishing a scholarship fund to support Penn College and its students, visit http://give.pct.edu, email giving@pct.edu or call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at 866-GIVE-2-PC (866-448-3272).

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Last Updated January 23, 2018