ALTOONA, Pa. — Through the philanthropy of Discovery Development, LLC, and business partners Michael Fiore and John Radionoff, Penn State Altoona has been able to expand its presence in the downtown Altoona area, helping stimulate the city's economy and offering students an enhanced learning experience.

Penn State Altoona recognized that philanthropy during a formal dedication of the Penn Building on Saturday, Oct. 14.  Chancellor and Dean Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry extended a welcome while Fiore, Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico, and Stephen McKnight, president and CEO of Altoona Blair County Development Corporation, offered remarks. A reception and tours followed.

Penn State Altoona is leasing to own the former Penn Furniture Building. The first floor is owned by the Allegheny Ridge Corp. The basement houses labs for the college's four-year Rail Transportation Engineering program, the only such baccalaureate program in rail in the country. The second floor houses office and gathering spaces for the business, security risk analysis, and rail transportation faculty, staff and students, while the third floor has several classrooms, computer labs, and student study space.

“We are excited to dedicate the Penn Building, which is the newest addition to our Downtown Campus,” states Bechtel-Wherry. “On behalf of our students, faculty, staff and Advisory Board, I express my sincere thanks to Michael Fiore and John Radionoff of Discovery Development, LLC, whose beneficence allowed us to move forward with this project. The dedication of the building would not have been possible without the continued support that we enjoy from our donors, the City, the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation and our extended community.

"We are proud of our partnership with others to continue growing and developing our downtown area. The dedication of the Penn Building signifies the continued growth and development of our college and the economic revitalization efforts in downtown Altoona.”