Mercyhurst College will receive nearly $15,000 from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), joining 77 organizations across the state receiving more than one million dollars in Alcohol Education Grants.
"As a partner in the effort to prevent underage, binge and problematic drinking, we provide funds to local organizations committed to making a significant difference in their community," said Patrick J. "PJ" Stapleton III, PLCB chairman. "At a time when public funds are stretched thinner than ever, we know these grant awards will go a long way toward improving the health and safety of communities across the commonwealth."
Mercyhurst has demonstrated a longstanding commitment toward alcohol awareness programming, including the implementation of AlcoholEDU for College, an online alcohol prevention program required of all incoming freshmen; and alcohol awareness events held annually in both the fall and spring. Mercyhurst was also one of 15 institutions nationwide to earn a grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association intended to help eliminate high-risk alcohol consumption on college campuses by promoting low-risk choices. The three-year, $30,000 NCAA CHOICES grant came to its conclusion in June.
The new PLCB grant will enable Mercyhurst to continue its alcohol awareness programming without interruption, noted Dr. Judy Smith, executive director of wellness at Mercyhurst.
“We very much appreciate the PLCB’s award,” Smith said. “The funds will provide additional coverage hours and equipment for Police and Safety, allow staff training in a college-based alcohol prevention program (BASICS), and help support our peer educators in their prevention and education work.”
The PLCB has earmarked $14,999 in grant funds for Mercyhurst, according to today’s announcement from the PLCB. Others in the region to receive grants are Edinboro Borough, $14,999; the City of Erie, $7,500; and Gannon University, $14,883. PLCB grants help fund prevention programs focused on underage and college-age alcohol consumption as well as law-enforcement activities. Since 1999, the PLCB has awarded more than $7 million in competitive grants to hundreds of community groups.
