Student Government Seminar to Be Supported by EITC Donation

An annual seminar at Pennsylvania College of Technology that teaches high school students about the workings of government in Pennsylvania will be supported by a donation from Pennsylvania General Energy Co., LLC, through the state's Education Improvement Tax Credit program.

Pennsylvania General Energy Co., headquartered in Warren, has donated $20,000 through the EITC program to support the Sen. Gene Yaw Student Government Seminar, held each spring at Penn College. The seminar allows high school students from the 23rd Senatorial District, represented by state Sen. Gene Yaw, to learn about the role state government plays in their lives by interacting with representatives of the legislative and administrative branches of government, as well as lobbyists and journalists.

Pennsylvania's Education Improvement Tax Credit program allows businesses to make gifts to approved organizations for educational purposes, including funding classroom visits and workshops with authors, artists and performers; and equipment and materials for new, innovative programs that would not otherwise be funded by school districts. In return, the business receives a tax credit.

The donation from Pennsylvania General Energy is being supplied through the First Community Foundation of Pennsylvania, which is an approved Education Improvement Organization for EITC gifts.

Bruce Sampson, a 1964 graduate of Penn College's predecessor, Williamsport Technical Institute, is land acquisition and business development manager for PGE.

"Government is a fundamental part of daily life," he said. "When today's high school students become adults, the opportunity to participate in the Yaw Student Government Seminar will have provided a foundation for understanding the role of government and how government serves everyone."

"Understanding government is essential knowledge for success in jobs, careers, professions and daily life because today's students will be the future community leaders, employees and most important, the parents of new Pennsylvania families," Sampson said. "On behalf of Douglas E. Kuntz, president of PGE, we appreciate the opportunity to work with Penn College and the First Community Foundation of Pennsylvania to fund the Yaw Student Government Seminar, one of the many important programs they provide to the community."

The Senator Gene Yaw Student Government Seminar is a continuation of the annual student government seminars hosted by Yaw's predecessor, former state Sen. Roger A. Madigan. Yaw said the seminar has been a great success.

"This seminar program has been a great learning experience for over 2,000 students and teachers in the district," he said. "The generous contribution from PGE will enable us to continue the program for at least two more years. I am honored and grateful for the support of PGE in this undertaking."

Pennsylvania General Energy Co., LLC, is a leading independent oil and gas exploration and development company in Pennsylvania's Appalachian Basin. Formed in 1978, the company promotes a philosophy of relying on the right people, advanced technology, and a personal business approach to make positive contributions to Pennsylvania's economy and environment. PGE is a strong supporter of education, via the Education Improvement Tax Credit program, in the communities where the company's employees, owners and contractors live and work.

Penn College is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University, committed to applied technology education. Nearly 6,300 students are enrolled in bachelor-degree, associate-degree and certificate majors relating to more than 100 career areas.

For more information about Pennsylvania College of Technology, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

For more information about supporting Penn College and its students, visit on the Web , e-mail or call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at 866-GIVE-2-PC.