PA Chamber members are leading the way across Pennsylvania, creating jobs, investing in their communities, and driving innovation. Each week, we are proud to spotlight some of the latest news and accomplishments from businesses across our membership. Education Dickinson College has once again been recognized as a national leader in sustainability, ranking first among baccalaureate institutions in the Sustainable Campus Index for the fifth consecutive year. The ranking highlights Dickinson’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable operations. The college has consistently been recognized for integrating sustainability into academics, campus operations and student life, reinforcing its position as one of the nation’s leading institutions in this area. Read more at Dickinson News Carnegie Mellon University‘s Robotics Innovation Center has earned LEED Platinum certification, the highest level awarded through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. The certification recognizes the facility’s sustainable design and construction, reflecting Carnegie Mellon’s continued investment in advanced research infrastructure while incorporating energy-efficient and environmentally responsible building practices. Read more at CMU News Temple University and the School District of Philadelphia have launched the Temple Partnership Schools Network, a new initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between the university and local schools. The program aims to expand educational opportunities and resources through closer partnerships with Philadelphia schools, supporting students, educators and communities while deepening Temple’s engagement across the city. Read more at Temple Now Penn State University recently launched its new National Security Institute, bringing together representatives from academia, industry and government to strengthen collaboration on national security research and innovation. The institute is Penn State’s ninth interdisciplinary research institute and will complement the work of the university’s Applied Research Laboratory, a Department of Defense-designated university-affiliated research center. Institute Director Karen Thole outlined the organization’s vision and initial focus areas during the launch event, which also featured remarks from retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler, former commander of U.S. Strategic Command. Read more at Pennsylvania Business Report Allegheny College has launched new tuition initiatives designed to make higher education more affordable for students in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Beginning in the 2027-28 academic year, eligible students from households earning $75,000 or less will qualify for tuition-free education through the college’s expanded Commitment to Access Program. The college also announced a Tuition Guarantee that will cap tuition for other Pennsylvania and Ohio students at approximately $20,000 per year, along with a new full-tuition Allegheny Impact Scholarship program for select incoming students. Read more from Erie News Now Defense & Technology Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) has partnered with the U.S. Military Academy to advance research focused on artificial intelligence security. The collaboration will support efforts to better understand and address emerging cybersecurity challenges associated with AI technologies. CTC said the partnership reflects its continued work at the intersection of defense, technology and national security while helping develop next-generation solutions for government and military applications. Read more at Concurrent Technologies Manufacturing U.S. Steel has completed a $350 million reline project on Blast Furnace #14 at its Gary Works facility, returning the company’s largest blast furnace to service. The project included replacing the furnace’s refractory lining and restoring key operational systems to support long-term reliability and production capacity. Company officials said the investment will help ensure the facility can continue serving customers across manufacturing, automotive, construction, energy and other industries for years to come. Read more at Pennsylvania Business Report Food & Beverage The Hershey Company has named long-time executive Dave Hulays as chief financial officer. Hulays most recently served as senior vice president of finance and brings nearly 30 years of financial leadership experience across Hershey and Procter & Gamble. Since joining Hershey in 2012, he has held leadership roles spanning the company’s U.S. and international businesses, supply chain operations, treasury, tax and enterprise transformation initiatives. Read more at The Hershey Company Utilities & Energy Officials from the U.S. Department of Energy recently visited PPL Electric Utilities‘ facility in Allentown to highlight investments and initiatives focused on strengthening the electric grid. The visit showcased efforts to modernize energy infrastructure and improve reliability as utilities prepare for growing electricity demand. PPL leaders discussed how grid investments and emerging technologies can help support economic growth while maintaining safe and dependable electric service for customers across Pennsylvania. Read more at Pennsylvania Business Report Healthcare & Research Penn Medicine has received a $50 million gift from Stanley C. Middleman, founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage, to establish the Middleman Fund, which will support promising scientific discoveries and early-stage medical research. In recognition of the gift, Penn will rename its research facility at 3600 Civic Center Blvd. as the Middleman Center at Penn Medicine. Penn said the new fund will help researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine accelerate the development of therapies for cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and other serious health conditions. Read more from the Philadelphia Business Journal Technology & Innovation Bentley Systems has opened a new Technology Hub and Experience Center in Philadelphia, creating a collaborative space designed to bring together software developers, infrastructure professionals, students and industry partners. Located in the historic Curtis Building, the facility will serve as a center for innovation, showcasing Bentley’s infrastructure engineering software and digital solutions while supporting workforce development, customer engagement and collaboration across the infrastructure sector. Company leaders said the investment reflects Bentley’s continued commitment to Philadelphia and its role as a global hub for infrastructure technology. Read more from Bentley Systems.