Central Penn names Business Partner of the Year
By Noah Lopez
Knightly News Reporter
SUMMERDALE—Members 1st Federal Credit Union was recognized as the 2025 Central Penn College Business Partner of the Year during the college’s 21st annual Business Partner of the Year Breakfast on Sept. 11 in the college’s Conference Center.
After a buffet breakfast, the program began with keynote speaker Kimberly Craig, senior director of community health at Hamilton Health Center, Harrisburg, and a Central Penn alum, leading a moment of silence in remembrance of people who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.
In her address to the attendees, Craig spoke about the meaning of impact, urging students and professionals to create meaningful change.
“You don’t need a title to make an impact,” Craig said. “Impact starts with where you are and what you have.”
She also shared the story of her journey from nursing into community health, describing her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she helped launch one of Harrisburg’s first mobile-testing and vaccination teams. Craig explained that the model evolved into school-based vaccination clinics, an example of how innovation and compassion can shape lasting impact.
Following her remarks, attendees participated in a town-hall conversation about the day’s theme of having an impact on communities. Students, faculty and others shared stories of moments when people made an impact on them and reflected on how they hoped to make a difference in their own careers and communities.
Central Penn also presented awards to honor internship achievements. Rebecca McNew of UPMC Carlisle was named Internship Site Supervisor of the Year for the School of Health Sciences for her work supporting the phlebotomy practicum and helping students gain valuable hands-on experience.
Rosanna Wakley, a senior in the corporate-communications degree program and a member of The Knightly News Media Club, was named Intern of the Year. (See related story, here.) Wakley completed her internship with the Advancement Office at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, where she was recognized for her creativity, initiative and ability to balance multiple projects.
“It is such an honor,” Wakley said. “I still have a good relationship with the advancement team, and it’s hard to disconnect after you dive into something so dynamic and important.”
Her work included coordinating events, developing promotional materials and strengthening social-media campaigns that highlighted student impact.
The program concluded with the presentation of the Business Partner of the Year Award to Members 1st. The credit union has been a longtime supporter of Central Penn’s Center for Career Services and Development, providing internships, hiring graduates and participating in career events.
Members 1st also partners with the college’s Center for Workforce Excellence to create custom education programs that allow employees of companies to earn credits while working. The organization further support associates through the Partner Program, which offers tuition reimbursement and scholarships. A representative accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
The breakfast was hosted by Central Penn’s Center for Career Services and Development, with Hamilton Health Center as the event sponsor. CPRS Physical Therapy sponsored the keynote address. Other sponsors included PSECU, UPMC, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, The Giant Co., Verber Dental Group and LeadingAge PA.
Lopez is president of The Knightly News Media Club @ Central Penn College.
Comment or story idea? Contact [email protected].
Edited by media-club co-adviser and this blog’s editor, Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
