Education briefs
Sept. 12, 2004 Spak earns degree
Jamie L. Spak recently received her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy. She is the daughter of Mary and Jerry Spak of Masontown.
LBI students win awards
Laurel Business Institute representatives Colleen Lancaster and Kevin Ghost took first place and Amy Stone took third at the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) National Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado this summer.
Lancaster and Ghost took their award in Multimedia Presentation, while Stone took hers in Computer Applications. At the 2002 national conference, Kathy McIntire took fourth in Word Processing. In 2003, Monica Lugo and Lancaster, who was also this year’s winner, took third in Desktop Publishing.
Competitors in these events earn national berths by placing at the state competition, which was held this April in Harrisburg. At the state competition, Stone took first in Computer Applications while Ghost and Lancaster placed first in Multimedia Presentation.
The award was part of a comprehensive competitive events program sponsored annually by FBLA-PBL. Individuals, state teams, and local chapters are encouraged to compete in any of nearly 40 different events representing a wide range of activities and the business and leadership development focus of FBLA-PBL.
The almost 7,000 delegates to the National Leadership Conference participated in a structured, four-day meeting for each division that included business and leadership training workshops and seminars, corporate tours, and the election of national officers.
FBLA-PBL is the national business education association that prepares students for careers in business and business education.
Cal U conducts research
California University of Pennsylvania was recently hired as an independent contractor by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to research methods for sequestering the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere from the use of fossil fuels as energy sources.
Daria Nikitina, professor of earth sciences, and earth sciences professors Chad Kauffman, Thomas Wickham, Thomas Mueller, the late Robert Vargo and earth science chairperson Lawrence Moses introduced the project to many of their classes at Cal U.
Cal U, when contracted by NETL, joined leaders from 154 organizations spanning 40 states, three Indian Nations and two Canadian provinces that evaluate and promote carbon sequestration technologies worldwide.
Worldwide, the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere has risen from 280 parts per million during the pre-industrial era to 365 parts per million today. Because of industries like the dissipating steel mills along the rivers surrounding Pittsburgh and the ever-growing use of fossil fuels to heat homes and operate vehicles, this amount is expected to increase unless scientists and researchers develop new methods for managing carbon.
College plans program
An English as a Second Language (ESL) program is being planned by Garrett College to start in fall 2005.
The ESL program is designed to strengthen non-native speakers’ skills in using the English language. Multiple levels of instruction in reading, writing and speaking English, along with English grammar, will be offered.
To be admitted to the program, a student must submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 425 or higher, high school or college transcripts, and an original essay. Telephone interviews with designated college personnel will also be required.
For more information, call 301-387-3010.
Two receive awards
Lauren Nemchik, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nemchik, and Mariah Zajac, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zajac of Uniontown, were named as recipients of the Frank L. Muzika Catholic War Veterans Scholarship.
Nemchik graduated from Laurel Highlands High School and is now attending Penn State University in State College to study art and graphic design. Zajac graduated from Uniontown Area High School and attends Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she studies in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The scholarships are awarded every year by the Community Foundation of Fayette County in the memory of the late Catholic War Veterans post commander Frank L. Muzika. The scholarship fund was initiated by the Muzika family and the Catholic War Veterans and Auxiliary of Uniontown.
Internship completed
Amanda Lokar recently completed a three-month internship with the crime lab in New Orleans, La. She worked in the firearms lab, went on crime scene calls and digitally recorded all the scenes for the police department for a study comparing digital photos to film photos.
Lokar is a 2003 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College with a bachelor of science in biology and a bachelor of arts in chemistry. She is a second-year student at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., where she is pursuing a master’s degree in forensic science. She is a 1999 graduate of Laurel Highlands High School, is the daughter of William and Diana Lokar of Uniontown and is the granddaughter of Margaret Lokar of Uniontown.
Sparks graduates
Jenna Sparks, daughter of Stephanie and Barry Huoy of Indian Head, recently graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Academy of Culinary Arts, located in Punxsutawney.
Sparks, who attended Connellsville Area High School, graduated from the Academy with high honors and an award for excellent attendance. She will stay at the Academy for an advanced baking and pastry program.