(Posted August 12, 2002)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker sent a letter of recognition to three Juniata College information technology students for their work in creating Palm Pilot computer software solutions for the Spring Cove School District, one of three "digital school districts" in Pennsylvania.

The Juniata students recognized were: David Damato, a 2002 graduate from Fort Lee, N.J.; David Spokus, a senior from Lewistown, Pa. and Adam Clampet, a senior from Huntingdon, Pa.

The Juniata students worked with the school district as part of a course called Innovations for Industry, a course within Juniata's Information Technology (IT) program.

The Juniata team created applications for Palm Pilots, (or personal digital assistants) the district that allowed access to a student database, including class information family information and emergency contact information; provided access to emergency action plans when an accident, emergency incident or medical emergency occurs; and accessed a teacher contact list for the entire district so employees can be contacted for school closings and other notifications.

Spring Cove School District in 2001 was one of three winners of a $4 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Then-Gov. Tom Ridge stated at the time that the school district received the grant because the district's plan outlined the effective uses for technology in a rural school district. The school district is comprised of three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, with a total student population of more than 2,000.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.