As news about Penn State closing some of its branch campuses spread, so did fear that Mont Alto would be closed. Though a lot remains to be seen, what is known is that 12 of the university’s campuses, including Mont Alto, are on the chopping block.
Closing the historic Mont Alto campus would have a far-reaching negative impact on our community and across the state. For more than 120 years, the campus has been intertwined in our community and is part of our identity. As Franklin County continues to grow, we need a reliable postsecondary educational institution in our area. Penn State Mont Alto is that institution.
Local high school students from across Franklin County takes classes at the campus as part of joint dual enrollment programs. Waynesboro Area High School alone has 13 students taking 19 classes this school year. Dual enrollment allows local high school students to earn college credits by taking college-level courses at qualifying postsecondary schools, like Mont Alto, while meeting local high school course requirements.
Mont Alto is also a big source of employees who contribute to our local workforce and economy, not to mention the direct economic impact the school, faculty and students have on our community. Our area faces workforce shortages and losing Mont Alto would only exacerbate the issue.
Penn State recently invested $13 million in Mont Alto’s Allied Health facility to better prepare students for careers in the health care field. The campus is now strategically positioned to improve pathways for associate degree holders to complete their bachelor’s degrees. This would ensure a steady stream of skilled professionals to meet growing demands in the field of health care here and across the state.
As so many people proudly note, Mont Alto was founded as the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy in 1903. Under Penn State’s watch, the Forestry Technology program remains a keystone of the campus and a source of local pride.
Mont Alto is the only campus in the Penn State system to offer the program. Those who graduate from it are vital in battling the increasing risk of wildfires across our country. The hands-on program, which uses the beautiful Michaux State Forest as a classroom, is such a reliable source of well-trained students that about 10% of graduates gain positions with state and federal agencies, such as the Letterkenny Army Depot, the county’s second-largest employer.
Pennsylvania’s forest products contribute $39 billion to our economy, making it the largest sector of the agricultural industry, and employs more than 60,000 people. Our Commonwealth boasts 2.2 million acres of state forests, 124 state parks, and 7,100 campsites. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources already reported a 30% increase in campsite reservations at state parks compared to last year.
Protecting our forests is vital for our economy and recreational opportunities so that Pennsylvanians can enjoy our natural beauty for decades to come. Doing so starts at Mont Alto.
It is abundantly clear through Mont Alto’s countless positive impacts locally and across the nation that keeping the campus open is a worthwhile endeavor. I hope it remains part of our community for generations to come. As the state representative for the area, I will continue my work to keep Mont Alto open.
Representative Chad Reichard
90th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
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