Penn State is abandoning rural communities

To the Editor:

A recent edition of The Sentinel published a Spotlight PA article concerning PSU’s decision to

close several campuses. Based upon a PSU report obtained by Spotlight PA, it was reported:

“Bendapudi (PSU President) envisions a Penn State that is more regionalized and that maintains the campuses with the largest enrollments, those in areas with growing populations, and ones that generate revenue or are near self-sustaining. The campuses Bendapudi recommended for closure did not meet these criteria.”

Closer to home do you remember The Learning Center in Downtown Lewistown? It was a convenient modern facility in the former Danks building where one could take Penn State classes here in Lewistown. Penn State closed the Center after citing “declining enrollment,” but didn’t bother to mention (or acknowledge, when pointed out), that in the years prior to “declining enrollment,” they cut programs, staff, and the marketing budget.

So if you live in a rural or not the greatest economic community you are on your own. But aren’t these the very areas of our Commonwealth that really need help? It’s hard to believe PSU cannot spare the resources to uplift these rural areas of Pennsylvania rather than write them off!

Allen Mengel

Lewistown

United Way thanks golf event contributors

To the Editor:

The 2025 United Way of Mifflin-Juniata Golf United Classic on May 9 was held at the Lewistown Country Club. This was the Fourth Annual event for the United Way of Mifflin-Juniata. We want to thank our Lewistown Country Club for working with us to make this event a success.

This event was a fantastic example of the supporting and giving nature of our communities. The United Way of Mifflin- Juniata knows that without the caring power of our community we are not able to empower our 16 partners and two initiatives to do the work they do.

We thank our volunteers who helped make the tournament run so well: Candy Hoffman, Bill Burmeister, Christina Calkins Mazur, Lisa Snyder, Beth Gilmore, Alyssa Brown, Kim Mcgrath, Cindy Mansberger, Crystal Paige, Kelly Rodenbaugh, Ana Lopez, Noah Wise, Tyler Hess, Rhonda Kelley, Corrinne Pierce, Sue Reinke, Brett Rogers, Dan Shaffer.

Special thanks to EVENT sponsor: Juniata Valley Bank and the Par Lunch Sponsor Encompass Health, their gifts were a major asset to making this event a success. We also thank our Eagle Sponsors: The Stewardship Group, Fleet Reps, Sanitation Solutions Plus, Gold Key Real Estate & Appraising, and Standard Steel.

To our Hole Sponsors we extend a thank you: Davis Torquato Law offices, LLC, Hungry Run Distillery, Century 21 Above and Beyond, Altery Insurance Agency, Lerch RV, Horizon Farm Credit, MCS Bank, Kish Bank Sheetz, Boulevard Station Phoenix Physical Therapy, Lake Auto, Blaise Alexander, King Barr Funeral Home, One -Stop Communications, the Burnham Lions Club, Bushmen Landscape Professionals, FoxPro, Fike Bros Carpet One, The Square Café Bakery, Boyer & Ritter LLC, Pennian Bank, Dunkin Donuts, State Farm, Miller Cinemas. Thank you to our prize and bag donors: Downtown OIP, Gold Key Real Estate & Appraising, Dunkin Donuts, LLC, FoxPro, Century 21 Above and Beyond, AAA, Miller Cinemas, Shy Bear Brewing, and FNB Bank, East End Coffee Shop, and Sheetz.

A big thank you goes out to the Lewistown Sentinel, Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce, our local radio stations: 7 Mountains Media and Mifflin County Communications Inc. for helping to create awareness for this event. This event reminds all of us that our community is one of caring and support. The United Way of Mifflin-Juniata is proud to serve you and to continue to mobilize the caring power of our community!

THANK YOU to all who were involved in this amazing event!

Colette Hartzler

Executive Director