Jul. 7—NANTICOKE — Sitting in his office overlooking the Luzerne County Community College campus, new President John Yudichak recalled a conversation he had with his father nearly 50 years ago.
Yudichak, 54, began his tenure as LCCC’s eighth President on July 1, taking the helm of the largest and most accessible institution of higher education in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“We were sitting on our front porch in Plymouth Township,” Yudichak said, talking about his father, Joe Yudichak. “I noticed a building being built across the river — it was LCCC.”
Yudichak noted the structure was going up in the middle of otherwise barren land, and he was surprised to learn that it was a community college under construction.
“I knew, even at that young age, that some major change was coming to the area,” Yudichak said. “I remember that I thought how great it would be to someday work there or in higher education somewhere.”
Yudichak would go on to become a state lawmaker for 24 years — 12 in the House of representatives and 12 more in the state Senate.
During that time, Yudichak compiled an extensive record of leadership, business and educational experience which, along with his knowledge of the needs of the area, he feels all will help LCCC continue its mission of providing a high-quality education to the community.
Yudichak’s journey began on Kosciusko Street at Greater Nanticoke Area High School, then to Penn State University and on to Harrisburg and the state legislature, eventually returning him just up Kosciusko Street to LCCC.
“I’m just getting acclimated, but I do know we have a great staff and faculty here,” Yudichak said. “My plan is to meet them all, and I look forward to working with them to keep LCCC moving forward.”
Yudichak said LCCC will always be “affordable and accessible” and it will continue to offer…
