Local News

On Campus

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:37:48 -0800

Univ. of Pitt-Bradford Reaches $2 Million Mark for Chapel

BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has reached $2 million of its $2.5 million goal to build a chapel on campus with the help of three major gifts.
The university has received a $250,000 gift from the estate of Agnes L. Thomas, a $50,000 gift from Richard S. and Pamela A. Johnson and a gift from Martha and Jack Campbell Jr.
“We’re in the final phase of fundraising for the critically important chapel construction project,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford. “The generous gifts from these strong and loyal supporters came at a very good time.
“We’re profoundly grateful to Rich and Pam Johnson and Jack and Martha Campbell for their generous expressions of support. And we’re pleased that a gift of that magnitude from the Thomas estate was designated for the chapel construction project.”
In November, Pitt-Bradford announced a $1million gift from Mrs. Thomas’s estate to establish the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge. Both the scholarship challenge and the chapel gifts were made through her will.
In appreciation of her gifts, Pitt-Bradford will name the entrance hall to the chapel in honor of the Thomases.
Agnes Thomas was born and grew up in Pitcairn, graduating from Pitcairn High School. She married Lewis Lyle Thomas in 1937.
Mrs. Thomas graduated with honors from the Pittsburgh Academy Business School and worked as an executive secretary at Dresser Manufacturing and later for Dr. Gordon Huff and Dr. Edward Roche.
She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, the Pennhills Club and the Bradford Club and loved playing bridge.
“Mrs. Thomas was very generous with local churches and organizations,” said Alan Gordon, executor of her estate and her accountant for more than 20 years.
Lewis Lyle Thomas was an engineer for the former Bradford Motor Works who died unexpectedly in 1969.
Like Mrs. Thomas, the Campbells have been generous contributors to the university. The couple made its gift to the chapel to help complete the campus. “I don’t think it can really be a campus without a chapel,” Jack Campbell said. “The chapel is unique in that the university can’t use public funds to build it, so it has to be raised all privately. There’s still a lot of need.”
The Campbells are Bradford natives and Pitt-Bradford alumni. In 2005, the Campbells lent a collection of 11 works by artist Norman Rockwell to Pitt-Bradford for an exhibition in Blaisdell Hall.  Jack Campbell enrolled at Pitt-Bradford on the GI Bill in 1967 and attended for two years, moving on to earn his four-year degree from the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh in 1971. After graduating, he went to work for Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel and went on to a career in the steel industry.
After graduating from Bradford Central Christian High School, Martha Campbell worked as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital, then attended Pitt-Bradford from 1970 to 1972 and transferred to Pitt-Oakland.
The couple has also established a scholarship at Pitt-Bradford to benefit nontraditional students, and Mr. Campbell is a member of the Pitt-Bradford Advisory Board. In October, Pitt-Bradford named a wing of Swarts Hall in honor of the Campbells as part of the rededication of that building.
Like Mr. Campbell, Richard Johnson is a member of the Pitt-Bradford Advisory Board.
Richard Johnson retired from the oil industry prior to moving to Texas, Colorado and Arizona. Pamela Johnson is a Bradford native. The Johnsons have returned to Bradford to be closer to members of their family.
The couple began supporting Pitt-Bradford by donating their home in Bradford to the university before they moved west.
Upon returning, they set up a life annuity trust and established an endowed arts fund at Pitt-Bradford to support the fine and performing arts.
In December, Pitt-Bradford dedicated a wing of Blaisdell Hall, the university’s fine arts center, in honor of the couple.
Richard Johnson is an elected member of the Advisory Board and chairman of the Arts Council of the Advisory Board. He also serves on the Business Affairs Council.
He said he made the donation to the chapel in order to “bring the campus together.”
In October, the university announced a $500,000 gift from Bradford resident Harriett B. Wick in memory of her grandson, Michael Quinn Wick, who died in a 2005 automobile accident.
Fundraising for the chapel’s construction got off to a quick start in May, when two anonymous donors made gifts totaling $1 million in honor of Harriett Wick.
Albert Filoni, president of MacLachlan, Cornelius and Filoni Architects Inc. of Pittsburgh, designed the chapel, which university officials hope to break ground on this summer. The chapel has been designed for minimum impact on the environment, and will use low-energy equipment and lighting, solar shades and recyclable materials.
Since Pitt-Bradford is a state-related university, money from the commonwealth usually pays for a large part of the construction costs for a new building. Because of the unique use of the chapel, however, private funding is the only source of money for its construction.
For more information or to make a donation, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (814)362-5091 or e-mail Karen Niemic Buchheit, executive director of institutional advancement and managing director of the Bradford Educational Foundation, at kpb@pitt.edu
Pictured: The Campbells with Dr. Livingston Alexander, unveiling a plaque for the dedication of their hallway.

Graduation Day

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:37:38 -0800

Leadership Cattaraugus Hosts Special Ceremony for Class of 2008

Leadership Cattaraugus graduated its most recent class during a ceremony at the Old Library Restaurant in Olean Dec. 16.
The 2008 graduates were Daniel Bailey, Cooper Power Systems; Carrie Childs, Childs Blueberries and Raspberries; Michelle Federowicz, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services; Steve Foster, Five Star Bank; Allen Frank, The ReHabilitation Center; Daniel Gayton, The ReHabilitation Center; Tom Greek, Alcas Corp.; Nichole Gonzales, St. Bonaventure University; Dee Higley, St. Bonaventure University; Jeanne Johnston, Jamestown Community College; Cathy Mackay, Cattaraugus County Department of Aging; Amy Maitland, Cattaraugus Community Action; Pam McGarry, Employee Services; Nan Painter, Cattaraugus County Bank; Jim Salmonson, Dresser Rand; Amy Snyder, Hospice and Home Care; Gretchen Spencer, Dresser Rand; and Tim Whitcomb, Cattaraugus County Sheriff Office.
For more information, visit the Leadership Cattaraugus website at www.leadershipcattaraugus.org or call 716-376-7572.
Pictured: In front, from left: Carrie Childs, Allan Frank, Dan Gayton, Michelle Federowicz. Middle row: Amy Maitland, Nan Painter, Pam McGarry, Jeanne Johnston. In back: Tim Whitcomb, Dee Higley, Jim Salmonson, Steve Foster, Cathy Mackay, Nichole Gonzalez, Gretchen Spencer, Dan Bailey, and Tom Greek.

Free Coin Appraisal

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:37:28 -0800

‘Coin Appraisal Days’ Returning to CCB Later this Month

LITTLE VALLEY – On Tuesday, January 27, Wednesday, January 28, and Thursday, January 29, 2009, CCB (Cattaraugus County Bank) in Jamestown, Dunkirk and Little Valley will offer FREE, professional coin appraisals, courtesy of HCC, Inc., a firm of nationally recognized numismatists.
The silver, gold and platinum bullion market is nearing all time highs. The value of silver dimes, quarters and half dollars, along with Gold American Eagles, Gold Canadian Maple Leafs and Krugerrands are skyrocketing! Additionally, collector coins like Morgan and Peace Dollars, Indian Pennies and commemorative coins are in great demand. So … if your old coins are sitting around in a closet collecting dust, this is the time to see what they are worth! HCC will purchase your coins at the appraised value if desired. The event will take place from 9am-4pm all three days. No appointments necessary:
• January 27 at CCB in Jamestown (870 Fairmount Avenue)
• January 28 at CCB in Dunkirk (1165 Main Street Ext.)
• January 29 at CCB in Little Valley (120 Main Street)
“We held coin appraisal days at our Springville and Little Valley locations in November and were amazed at the turn out,” states Joni Simcick, CCB VP & Marketing Manager. “We knew some of our customers were coin collectors but had no idea how many! When HCC, Inc. contacted me about coming back to Little Valley and offering the service at a couple of other CCB locations, I jumped at the chance. I invite the public to visit CCB with their old coin and currency for some refreshments and possible great news about the value of their belongings. These appraisers are very professional, experienced numismatists!”
HCC, Inc., a Toledo, Ohio based company, is in the business of appraising, selling, purchasing and providing custodial services with respect to rare and/or old coins, precious metals (including gold, silver, platinum and palladium), modern proof sets, governmental commemorative issues, and currency. HCC can be contacted at 1-800-422-4405 with any questions.
CCB is an FDIC insured New York State chartered independent, community bank. From January 2, 1902, CCB has established an unprecedented record of fiscal integrity and sound financial growth, which now totals over 151 million in assets. CCB maintains convenient ATMs and can be found on the web at www.ccblv.com. CCB is an equal housing lender. CCB’s main office is located in Little Valley, with eight branch offices.