POINT PARK UNIVERSITY APPOINTS DARLENE MARNICH

FOUNDING DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

PITTSBURGH, PA —  Darlene Marnich, Ph.D., has been appointed founding Dean of the School of Education at Point Park University.

Prior to her appointment, Marnich held the title of professor and chair in the School of Education. As chair, Marnich helped establish the School of Education at Point Park University in 2018 and has overseen a number of accomplishments.  Among the most significant is launching the first doctoral program at Point Park University, the Ed.D. in Leadership and Administration.  Other important milestones in the School of Education include certifications for programs in Pre-K through Grade 4 and Grade 4 through Grade 8, two special education programs (Pre-K through Grade 8 and Grade 7 through Grade 12), three master’s degree programs (Teaching and Leadership, Secondary Education leading to Pa. certification and M.Ed. in Athletic Coaching) and an Ed.D. doctoral program in leadership and administration.

“Years before the pandemic became a reality, the School of Education emphasized programming and delivery methods.   With each step students have always been the focus,” said Marnich.  “This student-centered approach is the foundation of the success we have today and as dean, I look forward to continuing a leadership role at this most critical time.”

According to John Pearson, provost at Point Park University, “Darlene is an innovative, thoughtful, dynamic academic leader.  In naming her the founding Dean of the School of Education, we recognize her long-time work with faculty creating excellent academic opportunities for our students. I am excited and proud to recognize Darlene for her extraordinary work.”

Marnich is a long-time resident of Grove City, PA.   She is a graduate of Grove City High School and was a liaison for many years between the Grove City Rotary Club and Point Park University, raising funds for the community through an annual auction.

Woman accused of theft from Pelosi’s office during riot
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — FBI authorities are seeking a woman in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol after an accusation from a former romantic partner that she took a laptop from the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The FBI said in an arrest warrant Sunday that Riley June Williams is charged with illegally entering the Capitol and disorderly conduct. FBI officials said a caller claiming to be a former romantic partner of Williams said friends showed him a video of her taking a laptop computer or hard drive from Pelosi’s office. Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, confirmed Jan. 8 that a laptop “only used for presentations” was taken from a conference room. Court documents don’t list an attorney for Williams.

King Day service calls for nonviolence amid turbulent times
ATLANTA (AP) — The annual celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in his hometown in Atlanta is calling for renewed dedication to nonviolence following a turbulent year. The slain civil rights leader’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, said in an online church service Monday that physical violence and hateful speech are “out of control” in the aftermath of a divisive election followed by a deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol in Washington by supporters of President Donald Trump. Bernice King quoted her father’s words from more than 50 years ago, saying mankind must choose between “nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation” and that it’s possible to respond too late.

Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US
By AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
President-elect Joe Biden will take the stage for his inaugural address at perhaps the most difficult starting point for a president since Franklin Roosevelt began his first term by assuring a nation scarred by the Great Depression that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” But memorable turns of phrase like Roosevelt’s are more the exception than the rule when it comes to inaugural addresses. In a dark moment, Biden will aim to deliver a speech that reaches out to all Americans while trying to turn the corner on the rancorous presidential messages of the last four years.

WHO chief lambasts vaccine profits, demands elderly go first
By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press
GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization chief says it’s “not right” that younger, healthier adults in wealthier countries get vaccinated against COVID-19 before older people in poorer countries. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus kicked off WHO’s week-long executive board meeting by lamenting that one poor country got only 25 vaccine doses while more than 39 million doses have been made in nearly 50 richer nations. He says that “the world is on the brink of a moral catastrophic failure” in assuring access to vaccines. The WHO chief also raised the issue of the “profits” that drug makers can make in richer countries. Austria’s envoy raised questions about WHO’s program to get vaccines to poorer countries.

Biden picks Chopra, Gensler for financial oversight roles
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is set to nominate Rohit Chopra as the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tapping a progressive ally of Sen. Elizabeth Warren to helm the agency whose creation she championed. Chopra, a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission, helped launch the agency after the 2008 financial crisis and served as deputy director, where he sounded the alarm about skyrocketing levels of student loan debt. The pick comes as Democrats are eyeing ways to provide student loan relief to millions of Americans as part of a COVID-19 relief package. Biden announced the move Monday, along with his intent to nominate Gary Gensler, the former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Sewickley, Pa.) No injuries were reported  in a two alarm house fire in the 800 block of Centennial Avenue in Sewickley Monday morning.  Firefighters from several departments responded to the scene, according to police. No injuries were reported, and the cause hasn’t been determined. The family dog did not make it out and died in the fire.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hookstown, Pa.) PA State Police reported Sunday that   there was  a reported  theft of old vehicle parts from South Side Garage in Hookstown  last Wednesday night just after 8 p.m. Unknown persons in a red GMC Envoy stole rotors, drums, struts, and a hydraulic cylinder.  Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call PA State Police 724-773-7400.

(File Photo)

(Beaver County, Pa.) No injuries were reported  in a slip -n-slide fender bender in the area of Nova Chemical in Potter  Township Monday morning. In a separate accident Two cars had to be towed from the scene of  an accident  in the area of Phillips Street and Ridge Road in Economy  Borough. Beaver County 9-1-1 said there were no injuries in the accident.

The dispatcher reported that due to the snowfall overnight there are have been several slip and slides and fender bender accidents.