State legislators and community leaders will host a public roundtable on Thursday from 1-3 p.m. at the Hazleton LaunchBox, located at 13 West Broad St., Hazleton about how the potential closure of Penn State Hazleton would harm students, employers, and the regional economy.

In attendance will be Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) and Rep. Jamie Walsh (R-117)

“Since the news broke of Penn State Hazleton’s potential closure, we have seen an overwhelming outpouring of community support to keep our local campus open,” Watro said. “This roundtable is an opportunity for legislators, business leaders and residents to collectively voice our strong opposition and emphasize the many compelling reasons Penn State Hazleton should not be closed.”

Preserving Penn State Hazleton is crucial not only for the students it serves, but for the future of our region. As long as there are degree opportunities that align with the Commonwealth’s economic needs, this branch campus should not be closed,” Walsh said. “Our roundtable discussion is an opportunity for the community to express its concern and articulate why the local campus needs to remain open.”

“Our strongest argument to keep Penn State Hazleton open is very simple: this is one of the fastest growing regions in all of Pennsylvania,” Argall said. “Our local economic growth is the best in the state, and Penn State Hazleton is a key piece of our economic future. I look forward to presenting both the data and stories we hear directly to Penn State leadership.”

Thursday’s discussion will include:

Dr. Elizabeth J. Wright, Regional Chancellor & Chief Academic Officer, Penn State Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre; Joseph Clifford, Chair, Penn State Hazleton Council; Neal DeAngelo III, Penn State Hazleton Council; Gary Lamont, Penn State Hazleton Council; Tiffany Veet, Penn State Hazleton Adjunct Instructor and Alumnus and others.

Additional participants are expected. The event will be livestreamed on Argall’s website.