9-30-09

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Lycoming College is doing its share to help students learn more about two of the nation’s hottest topics – health care and sustainability. This fall, the College introduced new interdisciplinary minors in health care administration and environmental sustainability.

The health care administration minor will include courses in the following areas: accounting, biology, business, philosophy and sociology. A key element of the minor involves Lycoming’s ongoing partnership with Susquehanna Health, a three-hospital health system including Divine Providence Hospital, Muncy Valley Hospital and The Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center, all located within a short distance of the College. One of the required courses, Business 222 Health Care Administration, will be taught by one of the organization’s senior executives. Susquehanna Health also will play a major role in the required service learning component by providing ample opportunities for students to do an internship or practicum, in addition to those that are delivered through several courses within the minor. The president and CEO of Susquehanna Health is Steven Johnson, who is a 1976 Lycoming graduate.

“Health care is a growing sector, and the minor will help students enter this sector upon graduation,” said Dr. Neil Boyd, coordinator of the health care administration minor and an assistant professor of management at Lycoming. “The connection with Susquehanna Health is an awesome component of the minor, and I’m excited that our students will get the opportunity to work directly with them.”

According to Boyd, he and Dr. Mel Zimmerman, professor of biology and director of the College’s Clean Water Institute (CWI), have been interested in promoting sustainability at Lycoming for the past several years. He says the new environmental sustainability minor is one such outcome of their interests.

“Everyone should know about environmental sustainability,” said Boyd. “It is perhaps the next economic revolution in the world, and our students need to be prepared for this revolution.”

Students who pursue the environmental sustainability minor will take courses in biology, business, economics, philosophy, political science and psychology. Through the minor, students in varying majors will be able to explore the political, economic, philosophical as well as scientific issues related to environmental science and focus on sustainable solutions. To enhance their learning experience, students will be encouraged to participate in a practicum or internship that can be taken in a variety of academic concentrations. One such opportunity will be through the CWI, which provides service to local watershed and environmental groups; education and training programs, seminars and workshops on environmental issues; and analysis through water testing.

“As we move forward in the 21st century with a fast approaching 7 billion people in a global economy, we need to address issues like energy, food, climate, water and air quality with a sustainable interdisciplinary approach,” says Zimmerman, who is coordinator of the environmental sustainability minor.

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