Community college got support

Community college got support

Eastern Gateway Communi- ty College began its journey into the Mahoning Valley in 2009. And, the start of that venture received a significant boost when the management of the former Forum Health Northside Medical Center agreed to lease classroom and office space for the college’s new Valley Center.

The very acceptable terms of that lease allowed the establishment of the Valley Center quickly and in a central location, automatically accepted by the Valley residents. Former CEO Walter “Buzz” Pishkur, a great champion of the college’s expansion into the Mahoning Valley, was instrumental in making the college’s move into the medical center’s education wing possible.

But it was the willingness of the medical center, now ValleyCare Northside Medical Center, to aid and support the college’s center that significantly helped to make this part of the college’s expansion thrive. At the beginning, the college occupied a small office suite, one classroom and one computer lab, but as the college became known and enrollment grew the college turned to the medical center for additional space. Additional office space and another classroom became part of the lease agreement.

The service and support given were vitally important to the college’s success at this location, and the college extends its deep gratitude and appreciation to the medical center, CEO David Fikse and COO Mike Seelman.

Because the college was so successful at this location, additional nearby space was needed to serve the growing student population. Classroom space was rented for more than a year at the Jewish Community Center, located across Gypsy Lane from the medical center. Again, the support and service received at JCC contributed to the growing success of Eastern Gateway. The college thanks Sandy Kessler, the center’s executive director, and the community center for opening its facilities for the college to use.

These locations and facilities helped the college take its first steps in the Mahoning Valley. This initial success, including the graduation of the first LPN to RN class on Nov. 19, helped the college outgrow these facilities and seek greater square footage; thus the Valley Center moved on Dec. 6 to the fourth floor of the Choffin Career and Technical Center, 200 East Wood St., Youngstown. In the 20,000 square feet, the college will have classroom and lab space as well as office space for student services. Among the services will be admissions, advising, tutoring, financial aid, bookstore and library.

And thank you, Mahoning Valley, for supporting Eastern Gateway Community College.

Laura Meeks, Steubenville

The writer is president of Eastern Gateway Community College.

Fire chief commanded respect

Since the sudden, tragic mo- ment that our husband and father, [Cardinal] Fire Chief Robert Tieche passed away, we have realized that we have many people in our lives to thank.

Because of the help of our amazing family and friends, and the outpouring of support from our community, we continue to make it through a very difficult time. Additionally, Bob’s firefighters and firefighters from surrounding departments provided a professional and reverent funeral service for Bob. We know that Bob’s face would have been shining with pride because of the impressive way that his men stood together.

At this holiday season, we find ourselves thankful for the fact that not only were we blessed with an outstanding husband and father who was dedicated to us as well as to the safety of others, but also numerous people who have helped us find the strength to carry on.

Deby, Rob and Katie Tieche, Canfield