Skip to content

Leadership Central Penn Class of 2019 Graduates

May 28, 2019

After a long, educational, tireless, amusing and fulfilling nine-month journey, the our 2018-19 Leadership Central Penn Class was honored at graduation on May 16. The luncheon and final class took place at Rolling Pines Golf Course, and a delicious lunch was prepared by Lucy’s Craft Catering.  The morning began much like the rest, light conversation, a layout for the day and a light breakfast.  Soon the community impact teams shared their four presentations. 

The community impact projects included painting, cleaning and sprucing up of the Danville Area Community Center.  According to Heather Laubach, director, “our Leadership Central Penn volunteers ROCKED!  They were ready to go and well prepared even before arriving here at the DACC. There are so many needs to our well-loved 33 year old facility and the fresh coat of paint and good ol’ elbow grease did wonders for our front entrance and large pool area windows and equipment.  We value volunteers time and effort as we believe every heart & hand that helps us improve, helps our entire community keep moving in a positive direction.  Thank you again Central Penn!” 

Next up was the presentation on project to help the United Way of Columbia/Montour Counties with their move.  “The United Way was lucky enough to have a LCP team pick our office move project to partner with this year. The United Way moved offices in April and without LCP the move would not have happened. Having the volunteer energy and expertise allowed our space to be move-in ready. Having the team come help us move in cut the time we were not able to operate due to the move in half. This is not to mention the expense we would have occurred if we needed to pay a group to do the work. Thank you to LCP. We could not have done it without you!,” said Adrienne Mael, CEO.

The third team of the day shared its story of helping Eos Therapeutic Riding Center.  “LCP Volunteers came to our March 23rd Clean and Set Up Day.  Everyone split up in groups to assist in cleaning up the activities, sweeping our shelves and setting up games, cleaning tack, setting up benches and activities throughout our outside trail coarse and so much more. LCP helped the day go fast and very easy.  Additionally, the team has offered to return after graduation to plant flowers, shrubs and new trees on our outside trails.  I, our board, staff, riders, family and volunteers so appreciate all the help and support given to our organization.  LCP has been a Blessing to Eos and our community,” according to Debbie Smith, founder of Eos.

The final team assisted Beyond Violence in Berwick with preparing their new organizational space.  The new facility will have increased housing for victims, new offices and therapy facilities.  The team was joined by Samantha Scoblink, marketing development coordinator.  Samantha was able to share the impact on families and staff, to help them thrive in the community.  The seeming simple task of painting offices and spaces, was so emotional when Samantha shared what this will mean for everyone. 

After an emotional morning it was time for lunch with our graduates’ guests.  The keynote speaker was Lissa Bryan-Smith, chief administrative officer of Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, administrator of the Woodbine campus and a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Lissa shared the impact of Leadership programs like LCP and challenged the graduates to continue making an impact well beyond graduation.  She wanted them to appreciate the impact they have already had on their organizations and community.  Lissa told them all they are now part of an elite group of LCP alumni and that means something and should not be taken for granted.

As is customary, the class always has a speaker elected from the graduates.  This year, however, there were dual presenters, Nathan Kunz and Sam Barney. Like famous duos of the past, they didn’t disappoint.  The two shared the class’ journey, professional development, comraderie, growth and accomplishments.  They left everyone with takeaways: Get involved, If everyone does a little, it helps a lot, Don’t assume the worst; inform and educate yourself, Each sector is faced with its own unique challenges.

At the end of the class speech, there was only one thing left to do.  Jeff Emanuel and Fred Gaffney presented the LCP Certificates of Completion to the class of 2019:

Additionally the first ever LCP Certificate was awarded to a canine, Jiffy Morrison, Abby’s service dog who was there at every class, the team community impact project, and was always prepared to lift a spirit or lend a paw.

Congratulations to the Leadership Central Penn Class of 2019, and a special thank you goes out to LCP’s corporate sponsors for this year, SEKISUI SPI, Kawneer, PPL Electric Utilities, USG, Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, and Williams.  Thanks to the three nonprofit scholarships sponsor, Central Susquehanna Community Foundation’s Berwick Health & Wellness fund, for funding Renee Gerringer, Patrick Derrickson and Abigail Morrison. 

Information and enrollment for the 2020 LCP class can be found at https://cmccfoundation.com/leadership-central-penn/.

Scroll To Top