Alvernia University’s new Reading CollegeTowne campus is getting a big boost from a local partner.
The FirstEnergy Foundation announced this week that it is providing a $250,000 donation to help fund the brand-new engineering program at the college’s downtown site.
Lorna Wisham, president of the foundation, said the people in her group are excited to be part of a project that will have a lasting impact on Reading.
“We’re proud to join other community partners in supporting this transformational $20 million initiative that will allow 1,000 students to live and learn downtown,” she said. “In addition to bringing more than 300 permanent jobs and resources downtown, Reading CollegeTowne will create a perpetual pipeline of college graduates with STEM-related skills to help meet the workforce needs of area businesses.”
Alvernia President John R. Loyack said working with local companies like FirstEnergy is key to making CollegeTowne a success.
“Partnerships have been and will continue to be the cornerstone of the CollegeTowne strategy, and we are deeply grateful for the FirstEnergy Foundation’s partnership,” he said. “The foundation’s support will develop the labs that train future engineers who will help grow our businesses and the regional economy.”
Alvernia has already received $125,000 of the grant and will receive the other half later this year. The money will be used, in part, to help equip the new FirstEnergy Foundation Engineering Lab.
CollegeTowne is located in a 260,000-square-foot building at Fourth and Penn streets that was renovated to provide space for classrooms, labs, student housing, communal workspace and space for retail and startup businesses.
The campus opened in the fall and plays host to Alvernia’s new engineering program, which includes Bachelor of Science programs in electrical, mechanical and industrial engineering.
Source: Berkshire mont
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