March 18, 2025

Dr. Margo DelliCarpini
Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses & Executive Chancellor The Pennsylvania State University
111 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802

RE: The Vital Role of Penn State Mont Alto

Dear Dr. DelliCarpini,

I write to you both as the President of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation (FCADC) and as a long-time member of the Penn State Mont Alto (PSUMA) Advisory Board to emphasize the critical role the Mont Alto campus plays in our region.

On a personal note, my wife and I have endowed a Renaissance Scholarship to support students at PSUMA, underscoring our deep commitment to the success of both the institution and its students. Given this vested interest, both professionally and personally, I urge you to recognize and advocate for the campus’s continued presence and growth within the Penn State system.

Why Mont Alto is Indispensable

1. Curriculum Tailored to Regional and National Needs

Forest Technology: Mont Alto’s origins as the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy place it among the nation’s pioneering forestry schools. Since integrating into Penn State in 1929, the Forestry Technology program has remained a cornerstone of the campus, playing a vital role in training professionals who combat the increasing threat of wildfires across the nation. Notably, approximately 10% of Forest Technology graduates secure positions with state and federal agencies, including the Letterkenny Army Depot­ Franklin County’s second-largest employer. This program is not just historic; it is essential.

Allied Health: As Franklin County continues to attract retirees, particularly from the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area due to Pennsylvania’s tax-exempt status on retirement income, the demand for healthcare services is surging. Penn National Golf Course Community, adjacent to Mont Alto, has been repeatedly recognized as one of the 50 best places to retire in the country. The county is primarily served by WellSpan and Keystone Health-one of the Commonwealth’s most successful federally qualified community health care systems. PSUMA’s well-established partnerships with these organizations have been instrumental in addressing local healthcare needs through its Associate Degree programs in Occupational and Physical Therapy Assistant, as well as its Bachelor’s in Nursing.

Recognizing the significance of this sector, Penn State invested $13 million in a new Allied Health facility, which former President Eric Barron proudly dedicated as his final official ribbon-cutting event. Mont Alto is well-positioned to further expand its Allied Health offerings by providing pathways for Associate Degree holders to complete their bachelor’s degrees, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals to meet growing healthcare demands.

2. Catalyst for Diversity and Opportunity

Franklin County’s demographic landscape is evolving, bringing an increase in racial and ethnic diversity that is reflected in Mont Alto’s student body:

• 22% of students belong to underrepresented minority groups.
• 25% are PELL-eligible, demonstrating high financial need.
• 41% are first-generation college students.

These figures underscore Mont Alto’s role as an engine for socioeconomic mobility, providing opportunities to those who need them most. The campus serves as a crucial gateway to higher education for students who may otherwise
face insurmountable barriers.

3. Workforce Development in a Rapidly Expanding Region

Franklin County is projected to experience sustained growth through 2050, with the 1-81 corridor-spanning Washington County, MD; Berkeley County, WV; and Frederick County, VA-serving as a key economic driver. Our regional identity as “Four Counties, Four States, Forty Miles” highlights our interconnected economy and shared workforce needs.

• The 1-81 Corridor Boom: This major transportation artery has catalyzed billions in economic development. For example, Walmart has recently constructed over four million square feet of distribution space in Franklin County alone. The company’s new Greencastle facility, operational for less than nine months, is already recognized as the most technologically advanced and operationally efficient center in Walmart’s entire network.

Like Walmart, many employers in our region require a steady influx of professionals in supply chain management, computer science, and software engineering. However, our county faces a critical workforce shortage, and Mont Alto must be part of the solution. By maintaining and expanding Mont Alto’s educational programs, Penn State can directly address the labor market demands of a thriving industrial corridor.

A Call for Commitment: Mont Alto’s legacy with Penn State spans nearly a century, beginning with its forestry program and evolving into a comprehensive institution that meets pressing workforce and educational needs. Given its profound impact on students, businesses, and the region at large, I strongly urge your committee to recommend to President Bendapudi that Mont Alto remains an integral part of Penn State’s future.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this further and appreciate your time and consideration.

L. Michael Ross, President

About FCADC: The Franklin County Area Development Corporation is a 501(c)(6)\ nonprofit economic development entity dedicated to implementing countywide \ strategies that foster planned growth and family-sustaining employment opportunities. Designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development as a Certified Economic Development Organization, FCADC has facilitated more than 1,075 projects, generating over $4 billion in capital investments and creating or retaining more than 61,000 jobs.