SCRANTON, Pa. — Johnson College officials, joined by alumni, cut the ribbon on the new gateway building to campus. Ideal Saldi Hall is home to some of the college's main administrative offices and state-of-the-art classrooms.
"This is probably one of the biggest days in the college's history. We're just so excited to be here with our students and our alumni," said Katie Leonard, Johnson College president and CEO.
The building is named after Jessup native and 1949 graduate Ideal Saldi, who donated $1 million towards the project in 2022. Saldi recently passed away, but his family and dozens of other alumni were on hand to celebrate the occasion.
"He was so proud of being a Johnson College alum and I just found that in all our alumni, they're so proud," said Leonard.
"My dad went to Johnson College; I went to Johnson College. We love the programs, and we're committed to staying involved with the college," Matthew Michalek said.
Michalek is a 1985 graduate and his business, LR Constanzo Construction Services, was the lead on the construction of Ideal Saldi Hall.
"The college was kind of tucked away, and now you see it," Michalek said. "It's a beacon to the community. It's really a treasure."
Ideal Saldi Hall is one of four components of the college's comprehensive, five-year capital campaign called "Innovation at Work."