GANNON ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR WEST SIXTH STREET HOUSES
A partnership with Thomas B. Hagen and the Historic Preservation Trust will transform three 19th and early 20th century houses in Erie’s West Sixth Street historic district. Restoration efforts will begin this year to transform these houses into a student apartment, an alumni house complete with offices and community spaces, as well as a bed & breakfast-style campus residence. The project is part of Gannon’s master plan to enhance the campus landscape while creating a string of stunning, historically significant buildings in Erie.
CHICK-FIL-A OPENS ON CAMPUS
Gannon University and Metz Culinary Management announced the official opening of Chick-fil-A on the university’s Erie campus on Jan. 18. The new Chick-fil-A enhances the variety of dining options on campus, which include a traditional dining hall, grab-and-go as well as made-to-order locations and university-owned restaurant and café. Chick-fil-A is Gannon’s first national chain restaurant on campus and offers public sit-down and take-out services.
SOUTH HALL CONSTRUCTION ON TRACK FOR SUMMER COMPLETION
Gannon’s newest residence hall – South Hall – is being outfitted with apartment-style living and modern amenities. The four-story hall will accommodate about 100 students of the university’s growing enrollment while aiding the revitalization of downtown Erie by giving life to an older structure. Construction of South Hall, which formerly was the RCWE building, is expected to be complete in summer of 2022.
RUSKIN ACADEMIC BUILDING’S THIRD-FLOOR BUILD-OUT CONTINUES
This floor will house classrooms, laboratories, a simulation center for clinical skill development, the Gannon Learning Commons with group and individual spaces and a green screen studio, as well as interfaith and meditation spaces, a café, lecture hall and gathering space. The university will finish building out this floor in summer of 2022. Gannon dedicated the first two floors of this 83,000-square-foot facility in August 2019 to provide a learning environment for future health care professionals.
GANNON OFFERS NEW PROGRAMS
The university launched a bachelor’s degree in applied intelligence to prepare students for positions in security-related career fields that involve analysis, research, evaluation and planning of intelligence and policy matters. A new graduate certificate in anti-money laundering provides the essential knowledge and capabilities for working professionals and non-working individuals who want to develop themselves with the expertise in the AML professional field.
I-HACK’S INSPIRATION PLAZA SEES FIRST PHASE OF SCULPTURE INSTALLATION
The new sculpture was created by local artists Tom Ferraro and Ed Grout and made possible through the generosity of Deacon Marty Eisert ’85, ’89 and Kathy Eisert. The piece is supported by steel frames manufactured by Industrial Sales and Manufacturing, which is owned by Jim Rutkowski Jr. ’83. The sculpture sits on a base constructed by Building Systems Inc., which also installed the sculpture. Gannon is proud to work with local artists, businesses and alumni to bring art to the community.
CHESS SPEAKER SERIES CONTINUED
Gannon’s College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences continued its 2021-22 CHESS Speaker Series, Reinventing Right Now. This year-long series focused on artistic expression, exploration of our varied heritages, and emphasis on the self and connections with one another as we find healing amid recent unprecedented events. A key event of this series included the Multicultural Dance Night on March 11 that brought students together to celebrate the rhythm of different steps from around the world while showcasing the universal connections of creativity in humanity.
GANNON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER HONORED AS BEST IN WESTERN PA
The spotlight is shining brighter on Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center just three years after appearing on the Discovery channel reality show, “Undercover Billionaire.” The Gannon SBDC was announced as the U.S. Small Business Administration Western Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center of the Year during a ceremony on May 3.
SBDCs are Small Business of America- and state-funded entities that help entrepreneurs in every phase of business development. Last year, the Gannon SBDC – led by director Maggie Horne – assisted in opening 45 new businesses throughout Erie, Crawford, Mercer and Warren counties.
Gannon SBDC personnel were also awarded during National Small Business Week for their commitment to helping thousands of local small businesses during the pandemic by providing access to federal resources, educational workshops and networking opportunities to help the nation’s small business pivot, grow and seize new opportunities.