EBC Honored by Manufacturers' Association
Erie Business Center was among more than 20 local businesses honored by the Manufacturers' Association of Northwest Pennsylvania recently for its years of service to the community. Together, the companies being recognized represented 1,350 combined years of business operation in Erie County, collectively employing more than 4,100 people. At 120 years, EBC was one of the longest established organizations to be honored. Attending the reception ceremony to accept the award were Mr. and Mrs. Charles McGeary, who serve, respectively, as president and chairman of the board and as vice president and secretary of the board of EBC.

Electronic Office Procedures Class Visits Erie Insurance
This summer, 10 students from the Electronic Office Procedures class met at the corporate headquarters of Erie Insurance. Melissa DiGiacomo, an employment representative for Erie Insurance, provided an overview of careers in insurance, and each student received a packet of information about the company, opportunities for employment and benefits. DiGiacomo, who is responsible for reviewing applicants for clerical positions, gave the students an overview of the company, and they learned, first hand, about performance expectations and typical entry-level work schedules. Doris Becker led the students on a 45-minute tour of the facility. For some EBC students, this was their first exposure to a corporate work environment. EBC sincerely appreciates Erie Insurance taking the time to provide our students with such a valuable learning experience.

EBC Well-Represented at GECAC Dinner
Making a difference . . . offering ideas and inspiration . . . sharing words of wisdom . . . providing examples of perseverance . . . supporting community actionÞ These were just some of the meaningful, motivational phrases delivered at the 34th annual GECAC Dinner held Friday, Sept. 10. This year's speaker, Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP, held the audience's attention with her entertaining and motivational discourse. Representing Erie Business Center at this year's event were EBC students Athari Durr, Dupree Deboe, Harrison Jones, Shirea Mitchell and Shawntay Robinson, who attended along with Erie Campus Director Donna Perino and her husband, Sam Perino.

It Was Hoppening At EBC!
Faculty, staff, alumni, community leaders and friends of Erie Business Center enjoyed a rrribbeting time recently as EBC unveiled its own addition to Erie's family of frogs. The introduction of EBChelsie was a highlight of a Friday afternoon event held to mark the 120th anniversary of EBC as Erie's first business college. The event also provided the opportunity to announce the establishment of EBC's Alumni Association, which will soon begin offering programs and benefits to the school's graduates.

Donna Perino, director of the Erie Campus, welcomed guests and introduced event speakers. Erie Mayor Rick Filippi, Erie County Council Member Joy Greco and Howard Brush, representing Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell, presented congratulatory proclamations to EBC from the City of Erie, County of Erie and state of Pennsylvania, respectively. Senator Jane Earll of the 49th Senatorial District also sent a citation congratulating EBC. Charles P. McGeary, Jr., President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBC, offered his thoughts on the growth and progress of the school over the years.

Erie Business Center was founded in 1884 as Clark's Business College. Today, it is one of the longest established business schools in the state of Pennsylvania. For nearly 80 of our 120 years, EBC has been under the leadership of a single family of educators, the McGeary family. EBChelsie, is named in honor of Chelsie McGeary who served as president of EBC from 1953 to 1972. The frog, wearing a mortarboard and carrying a diploma, rests on a display of textbooks, representing some of EBC's academic offerings. Local artist Mary Pat Lynch, who is an accomplished photographer, fiber artist and watercolorist, designed the frog.

If you haven't seen EBChelsie yet, look for her on the Erie Campus at the entrance to Founders' Hall at 220 West Ninth Street.



Mr. McGeary speaks to the group gathered in front of Founders' Hall. Looking on are Erie County Council member and EBC board member Joy Greco, Governor Rendell representative Howard Brush and Erie Mayor Rick Filippi.








Mr. and Mrs. McGeary are seen here with P.J. Dean, an instructor in EBC's computer department.






A display of office equipment, textbooks, catalogs and other materials highlighted EBC's history as Erie's first business college.










Introducing EBChelsie, Erie Business Center's contribution to the area's community of Leap Frogs.