Mar 5, 2016 2 min read

This letter is written in response to A.J. Williams’ submission that was published in the Feb. 28 edition of this newspaper. Wiliams suggests that what Washington County sorely needs is a Community College of Washington County to educate the county’s citizens.

I am not in disagreement with Williams. Washington County is, in fact, one of the few counties in the Southwestern Pennsylvania area that does not have a community college. However, that does not mean that there is a void of opportunities for Washington County youth to experience a productive post-secondary education outside of the college or university route.

I am an instructor at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School, which has provided quality educational programs to job-seeking community members since 1929. Penn Commercial currently offers over 15 different programs of study in the business, medical and technical fields. The school offers diploma and degreed programs of no more than 18 months in duration that prepare graduates to enter the workforce in the shortest time possible and at the lowest practical cost.

After nearly a decade of proudly serving as a member of the school’s faculty, I have experienced joy and an extreme sense of satisfaction in hearing the success stories of our graduates who, upon graduation, have quickly entered the workforce in areas related to their course of study and have excelled at these jobs. All of my fellow instructors are highly educated, credentialed and possessing of years of practical experience in the areas in which they instruct. This I believe is a major factor contributing to the success of our students during their education and upon graduation. Williams did indicate in his recent letter that Washington County and the surrounding area is fortunate to have the presence of excellent colleges and universities for those students who have chosen that route. I have three college-educated sons with professional degrees, and for them college was the path that served them well. However, for those who believe that is not their chosen path, there currently exist many other alternatives.

David E. Getzik

Washington

Getzik is an instructor at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School and a certified public accountant practicing in the Washington area.