BETHLEHEM — St. Luke’s University Health Network on May 18 celebrated the opening of St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences, which operates on the campus of St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem.

The college offers the following programs: Radiography (Associate Degree), Respiratory Care (Associate Degree), RN to BSN (Bachelor’s Degree), according to a St. Luke’s release.

In addition to the degree-granting programs, the college offers various general education courses.

The inaugural student class includes some 150 students across all programs and courses. One of those students, Brianne Swope, who is enrolled in the RN to BSN program, also is a graduate of St. Luke’s School of Nursing.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education gave approval to establish St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences in October 2025, “marking a strategic step that will shape the future of health care education and workforce development in the Lehigh Valley and beyond,” according to the release.

Mary Grace Simcox, first president of the new St. Luke’s college, called the opening “a historic milestone” and added, “The launch of St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences reflects a bold commitment to strengthening our health care workforce by providing an affordable, local pathway to high-demand careers complete with guaranteed clinical placements, hands-on learning, small class sizes and clear opportunities for professional advancement.”

Respiratory Care and Radiography classes will be held at the Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center, while the RN to BSN program will be offered fully online with a curriculum designed to support adult learners seeking non-traditional college experiences. Students will also have access to simulation and skills labs, study areas and library resources, according to the release.

For more information or to apply, visit www.StLukesCollege.org. For more on St. Luke’s University Health Network, go to: https://www.slhn.org.

Anthracite memorial a tribute to miners

SHENANDOAH — The Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial at the Main and Washington streets entrance to Girard Park — a focused tribute to all of the miners who toiled in the industry that built the “hard coal” region — is a project initiated by the late lumber/supply company owner Theodore Souchuck Sr. and the late restaurateur Pete Vernalis.

It is a tribute that has a growing significance for the community and the “coal region” as it recognizes the toil of those who came to America seeking better lives for themselves and their progeny. It also is the culmination point for the annual Shenandoah Parade of Nations.

The “Return to Prominence” revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. now oversees the site. Anyone wishing to support the effort should stop at DSI, 116 N. Main St., call 570-462-2060 or email to: dsi@downtownshenandoahinc.com. For more about the monument, go online to https://www.schuylkill.org/listing/pennsylvania-anthracite-miners-memorial/144.

Registration still open for Coal Cracker 10K

SHENANDOAH — Registration for the 2026 Coal Cracker 10K, scheduled for June 14, is open at $30 for the 10K event.

Registration for the Fun Run/Walk is $20 with a shirt and $10 without.

Race day extras, according to the event’s site at https://www.facebook.com/coalcracker10k, include a race shirt, Mrs. T’s pierogies at the finish line, a post-race awards/celebration at The Lyric Bar and Restaurant, Centre and Jardin streets with race participants 21 and older earning two free drinks with registration. The shirt deadline is May 24.

The 10K has a reputation as being among the most grueling of such excursions.

Registration can be done online at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Shenandoah/CoalCracker10K.

PennDOT secretary to be luncheon guest

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has announced an “Infrastructure Luncheon” 12:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 11 with Mike Caroll, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The session will be at the Schuylkill County Regional Airport, 240 Airport Road, Pottsville. The event sponsor is Benesch.

For more information, contact the chamber, Union Station, 1 Progress Circle Suite 201, Pottsville, by calling 570-622-1942 or emailing to memberservices@Schuylkillchamber.com. People may also go to the chamber’s Facebook page.

Exclusive luncheon for chamber members

ORWIGSBURG — A luncheon with U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-PA, is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. June 5 at the Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Hall, 300 Grove St., according to a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce announcement.

The event is “exclusively held for Chamber members,” according to the release.

The fee is $65 per person and registrations are due by May 29.

Samantha Chivinski, the chamber’s executive vice president, is the event contact, who can be reached via email to schivinski@schuylkillchamber.com or by calling 570-622-1942.

MAEA’s offerings feature multiple areas

POTTSVILLE — The Pottsville-based Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association offers myriad training and other sessions for regional employers, including:

■ National Policies and Practices Survey Report available for purchase, Pottsville.

■ Excel and Access Professional Development Training, sessions May 26 and June 16, Pottsville.

■ Safety Luzerne Roundtable, heat/cold stress safety, 11 a.m/1 p.m. May 28, CAN BE Innovation Center, West Hazleton.

■ Lean Manufacturing Mastery … for a Safer, Smarter Workplace, 9 a.m.-noon May 28, Pottsville.

■ Regional pay trends survey is open for participation; deadline extended to May 29, Pottsville (participate and receive free report.)

■ MAEA summer golf outing, June 12, Mountain Valley.

Those interested may register for these programs or get more information including fees and other MAEA offerings by calling 570-622-0992 or going online to www.nepmaea.com.

MAEA’s main office is at 250 One Norwegian Plaza, Pottsville, PA 17901. It also has a Hazleton area site at the CANBE Innovation Center, 103 Rotary Drive, West Hazleton, PA 18202.

MAEA contacts include: Darlene J. Robbins, MAEA president, drobbins@nepamaea.com; Eileen Kuperavage, director of employer engagement, ekuperavage@nepamaea.com; Nichole Jenan, finance and assistant, njenan@nepamaea.com; Faith Colahan, administrative assistant, fcolahan@nepamaea.com; Courtney Fasnacht of the Manufacturers and Employers Council, cfasnacht@nepamaec.com.