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CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
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Dr . Jacqueline Edmondson serves as chancellor and chief academic officer for Penn State University ’ s Greater Allegheny campus in McKeesport – enlightening students and faculty alike to a sense of their own value on campus and in the community . As a seasoned professor of education , Edmondson came into this role with the skills and mindset ready to guide the campus with a unique sensitivity to culture and society and a keen eye for policy and progress .
Edmondson served as Associate Vice President and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education at Penn State from 2013 through 2017 . From 2009 to 2013 , she served as Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies in the College of Education ; and from 2007 to 2009 she was the Associate Dean for Teacher Education and Undergraduate Programs in the college . She began her Penn State career as an assistant professor of education in 2000 , becoming a professor of education in 2012 . She described her experience in McKeesport as rewarding . “ To be a part of this community and for Penn State to be a partner in the McKeesport Rising initiative , I ’ ve had the opportunity to see so much growth and potential here ,” Edmondson said . “ I look forward to our future in McKeesport , and it ’ s quite humbling to be a part of this .”
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko , a Penn State alumnus , recently spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the rejuvenated Ostermayer Laboratory and called the Greater Allegheny campus a “ hidden gem ” within the community . The mayor said the university has been an incredible partner with the city under Edmondson ’ s leadership .
“ We often talk about ‘ Working Together for a Better McKeesport .’ It ’ s not just a slogan , but it ’ s an invitation ,” Cherepko said . “ From the very first time that I met Dr . Edmondson , she accepted that invitation .”
At Penn State , Edmondson and her colleagues are shaping the future of McKeesport by working with students as they develop paths for their careers and citizenship .
“ We are educating the citizens who will be the leaders , entrepreneurs , and executives of our future ,” Edmondson said . “ Engaging students in of our own community is important , because they learn to see their roles as multifaceted . There are many ways in which people engage in their community , and we want our students to embrace them all .”
organizations , we will find acts of kindness for which we all can be proud .
Living the Message awards are intended to showcase these individuals and give the community an opportunity to share its good news . Awards are given quarterly . Using 250 words or fewer , describe how the individual of your choice embodies one of the four words .
Ed and Jen Moslander are the faces of McKeesport Baseball Association ’ s teen division , managing the organization ’ s Pony and Colt teams . Humble and authentic , the Moslanders are in it for the love of the game – and they put a lot of their individual talents into making the most of their teams ’ playtime .
Ed has been involved in McKeesport baseball for a long time , having served as an umpire in his teens . The couple worked with the McKeesport Little League before moving to MBA in a leadership role in 2014 .
“ We want to continue to the tradition of having a healthy community with good , quality programs for kids and families in McKeesport ,” Jen said . “ On a personal level , we do this because we have the time , education , and resources to accomplish it .”
Ed ’ s educational background is in sports management and meteorology . Jen is a paramedic , who has also been a longtime educator and project organizer / manager . They have a great sense of teamwork and a combined business sense that is often the driving force behind MBA ’ s community-based endeavors .
“ We want to help the community , and we are here to do that in any way we can ,” Ed said .
The Moslanders and MBA have raised funds to support the community with donations of automated external defibrillators , police vests , and support for the McKeesport Police Department K-9 Unit and other local foundations . They also donate the use of their organization ’ s equipment for seasonal recreation activities in Renziehausen Park . For the Moslanders , baseball is about more than athletics . “ We always say baseball is bigger than just baseball ,” Ed said . “ It ’ s an extra activity for kids in the community to be involved , where they can grow their leadership skills , their sense of friendship , and so much more .”
Most recently , the McKeesport Super COLT Baseball team won the RBI CitiSports Baseball League ’ s 2021 championship game on August 8 at PNC Park , playing against Pittsburgh ’ s 14th Ward Baseball team . The Moslanders explained that most of the players on this team have been involved in the McKeesport Baseball Association ’ s local program since they were 5 years old . With this group of McKeesport teens having been brought up together through the game , they ’ ve formed a sense of camaraderie that has the potential to form lifelong friendships .
For more information , contact the mayor ’ s office at 412-675-5020 , ext . 605 . Nominations can be mailed to the mayor ’ s assistant Jennifer Vertullo , 500 Fifth Avenue , McKeesport , PA 15132 , or emailed to jen . vertullo @ mckeesport-pa . gov . The deadline for the next round of nominations is November 19 , 2021 .
MCKEESPORT AREA ❘ FALL 2021 23