Solid Cactus in the Community
Community is defined as "a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government and often have a common cultural and historical heritage." At Solid Cactus we believe in supporting the community in which we live, work and play. That support can come in many forms. Whether it be working with the educational community to tailor curriculum to better suit the needs of graduates looking for a career in IT, or working with local charitable organizations to raise funds for a project.
We are lucky to work in a community steeped in history. Widely known for its anthracite coal, Northeast Pennsylvania has worked to transform its image from a coal town to a modern, high-tech area. But we can’t forget some famous firsts….
- In 1857, Charles Stegmaier opened a brewery where by 1916 200,000 barrels were produced each year. Stegmaier beer is still brewed and bottled here!
- 1849 saw the birth of Vulcan Iron Works which at one time employed over 1,600 people producting locomotives and iron products.
- Fred M. Kirby opened his first five-and-dime store which eventually became the Woolworth Company.
- One of the oldest department stores in the country was opened in 1879 and still operates today as Boscov’s.
- Fans of the television series “The Office” are familiar with the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company based where else, right here in our own backyard.
Colleges and Universities
King's College
Founded in 1946 by the Congregation of Holy Cross from the University of Notre Dame, King’s is a liberal arts Catholic college located on a small urban campus in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Wilkes University
By offering small classes with Ph.D.-level faculty, Wilkes provides an environment where students can speak their minds and actively engage in the subject matter—this under the guidance of people passionately interested in their fields—and your progress. As one Wilkes faculty member puts it: We believe you can do things you may not even have dreamed of.
Marywood University
Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania prepares students to have a positive impact on society at regional and global levels while providing each student with the foundation for success in an interdependent world. The University enrolls over 3,000 students in an array of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Misericordia University
Misericordia was founded as, and continues to be, a broad-based liberal arts and pre-professional studies college offering superior education to those of all faiths. The college has been co-educational since the 1970s and offers graduate programs as well. Total enrollment is currently more than 2,300 students, including full and part-time undergraduates and graduate students.
Penn State University
Penn State is a multi-campus public land-grant university that improves the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service. Penn State University has campuses all across Northeast Pennsylvania in addition to Main Campus in State College, PA.
Luzerne County Community College
LCCC's 167-acre main campus is located in the center of Luzerne County Pennsylvania with 13 satellite campuses located throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Luzerne County Community College is a public, two-year comprehensive community college for residents of Luzerne County and surrounding areas throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
University of Scranton
Founded in 1888, Scranton is a nationally recognized Catholic and Jesuit university in Pennsylvania’s Pocono northeast region. The University offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs with a total enrollment of almost 5,000 students.
