Girard College made history March 13 when it named Autumn Adkins its first black woman president in its 160-year existence. After a national search, Girard officials said Ms. Adkins was the “unanimous” choice to replace Judge Dominic Cermele, who is retiring this June. Attending the University of Virginia and Columbia University, Ms. Adkins, has widespread experience as a teacher and private school administrator.
More Info
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- Adkins Named Girard College’s First Black Female President – The Bulletin 03/17/09
On March 11,
Scotland School for Veterans’ Children (SSVC) supporters held a rally on the Pennsylvania Capitol steps in Harrisburg, and overflowed a Senate hearing on the fate of this historic, 115-year old residential education program. During three hours of impassioned testimony, alumni, parents, students, and military veterans spoke of what would happen if this lifeline were taken away from students, families, and communities next fall, as is currently planned. Cases were also made comparing costs and statistics of juvenile detention facilities. Critics cite SSVC’s high costs per student and below average test scores as reasons to close the school.
Notably, on March 18, State Representative Rob Kauffman (R-Chambersburg) defended SSVC, asking the House Appropriations Committee to continue its funding: “The closure of the school demonstrates the lack of planning and foresight…by this administration. There is no plan for the displaced faculty and staff of the school [and]…for the 168-acre campus in the middle of Scotland. And there certainly is no plan for the almost 300 students who would be devastated by the closure of the school.”
More Info:
- Advocates of Scotland School protest – The Philadelphia Inquirer 03/12/09
- Scotland School supporters take fight to Harrisburg – PennLive 03/12/09
Due to the economic crisis and tightening of state budgets, the residential education program Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, one of two remaining programs founded after the Civil War for orphan children, is on the Governor’s list of programs to be cut.