Woman is a ‘weekender' success story

WESTFALL - With a full-time job at a local bank, Bianca Duck will be the first to admit she doesn’t have a lot of extra time to pursue something she’s always wanted - a college degree. The busy 25-year-old, Dingmans Ferry resident was hoping to find a way to take the college courses she needed to advance her banking career and still have time to meet her employment, family, and personal obligations. Going back to school full-time certainly wasn’t an option, nor was driving an hour or more to take college classes several nights a week. Fortunately, she discovered the perfect solution: The Keystone College Weekender Program in nearby Milford. Now, Duck is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business by attending classes every third weekend at Keystone’s state-of the-art-facility at Delaware Valley High School. “It’s really worked out great for me,” she said. “I don’t have to travel a long distance and I only attend classes one weekend a month. Most importantly, I think I’m getting a top-quality education that will help my career.” Keystone College’s Weekender Program is highly respected throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania for helping working adults advance or change their careers by studying for a bachelor’s degree every third weekend, leaving plenty of time for family and leisure activities. The Weekender Program began offering classes in September at Keystone’s Delaware Valley Center in Milford, enabling students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or business. Beginning in Jan. 2007, courses in education will also be added. Anyone interested in learning more about the Weekender Program is invited to attend one of the upcoming information sessions at 6 p.m. each evening: on Nov. 28 at the Comfort Inn, Port Jervis, N.Y.; Dec. 5 at Delaware Valley High School Media Center and on Dec. 12 at Settlers Inn, Hawley. You can also call the Weekender at 570-409-2020. Prospective students will learn more about course offerings, financial aid and how to take advantage of Keystone College’s special offer for new students of three free credits with the registration of an additional three credit course. Keystone College began its Weekender Program in 1975 on its LaPlume campus in Lackawanna County. Since then, the college has earned the reputation for helping thousands of adults obtain a quality education by attending classes only on weekends. Keystone also offers courses at its Towanda Center in Bradford County. “The Weekender Program offers a tremendous opportunity for residents in Wayne and Pike Counties, as well as neighboring communities in New York and New Jersey, to advance their careers by attending a highly respected and affordable college and still have time to pursue other important interests in their lives,” said Robert Iannuzzo, vice president of Enrollment at Keystone College.