South Allison Hill Safety Project to engage community on addressing blight, crime

December 23, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

A view of Hummel Street in Allison Hill

It was back in June when staff at Tri County Community Action started noticing an uptick in crime in their Allison Hill neighborhood in Harrisburg.

Nationally, they saw a similar issue arise as the COVID-19 pandemic continued, leaving people unemployed, completing school virtually and with more time on their hands.

This is what spurred Tri County and six other organizations to create a plan to increase safety and quality of life for Allison Hill residents.

“In any community, these are natural needs and desires for the place that you live in,” said Veronica Kelly, neighborhood revitalization coordinator at Tri County. “We just want to make that very clear that we value that alongside of all these partners.”

The “South Allison Hill Safety Project” was passed as part of the city’s 2021 budget. Harrisburg gave $103,345 towards the first year of the three-year project.

The project aims to improve lighting, address vacant lots and homes and upgrade security, all while fostering community engagement, said both Kelly and Julie Walter, neighborhood revitalization manager.

A civic engagement organization, Power to the Hill, will lead efforts in trimming overgrown trees that cover light posts and exchanging out old bulbs. They also hope to distribute new LED light bulbs for residents’ front porches.

Tri County will also cut back overgrowth on vacant lots to increase visibility, Walter said.

“We are addressing the physical environment and how that plays into criminal activity being looked at as OK to be done in those locations,” she said.

Over the next three years, Tri County officials said they hope to repurpose two vacant lots, with one due to become a volleyball court with seating. The community organizations will also board up 10 vacant homes each year and cover the boards with murals, Kelly said.

Working with Brethren Housing Association, Tri County officials said they will increase surveillance on Hummel Street. Eventually, they will distribute 50 Ring Video Doorbell security systems for residents in Allison Hill.

Wildheart Ministries will work on creating a virtual neighborhood watch app for the community, as well.

“We want to make sure we are following the trends in the community,” Walter said. “We want to take the interventions to where the data and the community take us.”

The organizations may work with a new crime analyst that will be hired into the Police Bureau in the coming year, she added. This would help them determine what the needs are in the community.

Tri County expressed their desire to work with community members on the Safety Plan throughout the process. They plan to appoint “street captains” who can serve as communication agents for residents on their block in Allison Hill.

Other organizations collaborating on this plan are Tri-County HDC, Harrisburg Housing Authority and the Latino Hispanic American Community Center.

“We are hoping this project can serve as a model for other neighborhood organizations,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said at his budget presentation on Nov. 25.

Ultimately, Walter sees the project improving the quality of life for residents in the neighborhood.

“Residents and organizations are all in to do what they can to improve the community,” she said. “That’s one of the greatest strengths of our neighborhood.”

For more information on Tri County Action Community Action, visit their website.

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Community rallies around Nativity School of Harrisburg with Christmas gifts

December 22, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Gifts for students at the Nativity School.

As students at the Nativity School of Harrisburg finished their classes on Tuesday before Christmas break, volunteers and staff prepared tables of gifts and food in the gymnasium.

They couldn’t have their typical holiday party, due to the pandemic, but they were determined to make it special for the students.

“It’s keeping up our tradition,” Felicia Ellzy, director of curriculum and instruction, said.

Students at the all-boys school received items like basketballs, backpacks, hats, gloves, toys and shirts. These donations came from a group of community members who wanted to help the Nativity School make Christmas special for the 48 boys.

Margaret Wilson tries to give back to the community around the holidays each year. This year, she thought of the Nativity School, which serves middle school boys from low-income families. She called up some friends and, before she knew it, gifts started coming in.

“When you have good friends, they are there to help you, no matter what,” Wilson said.

In addition, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, a Harrisburg-based law firm, donated boxes of food for students and their families. Ellzy said that they do this every year.

Shades of Greatness, NFL player LeSean McCoy’s foundation, annually donates sweatshirts, as well.

One volunteer on Tuesday said that it was even more important to help the Nativity School this year because of the recent shooting that happened in the school’s parking lot.

Volunteers, staff and students at Nativity School prepare tables of gifts.

Ellzy added that the food will help families, some of which are struggling with unemployment. She expects the boys will especially appreciate the basketballs.

“This helps keep their spirits up,” Ellzy said. “There’s so much need in the community.”

Due to the pandemic, the school is operating a hybrid learning model. Students are in school two days each week and virtual the rest.

The Nativity School recently moved to their new building on N. 5th Street, which Ellzy said was a great decision. There is more room for the growing body of students, she said.

Next year, the school hopes to increase capacity for enrollment. However, with the pandemic, plans are still tentative, Ellzy said.

Nativity School of Harrisburg is located at 2101 N. 5^th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.

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“Just a Taste” cooking show to benefit PA hospitality, restaurant workers

December 22, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

A fundraiser next month will raise money to help out workers in a field especially devastated by the coronavirus pandemic—the hospitality industry.

Harrisburg University Presents is organizing “Just a Taste, The Great Pennsylvania Cooking Show,” an event that will feature four well-known PA chefs, as well as celebrity chef Roy Choi, co-host of Netflix’s “The Chef Show.”

The virtual Jan. 26 event will take place at the Hilton Harrisburg ballroom and will benefit the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Hospitality Assistance Response of PA (HARP) fund.

“This event not only showcases the amazing talent of some of Pennsylvania’s most noteworthy chefs, it, more importantly supports personally our peers who have been so negatively affected by the pandemic-induced shutdown of our industry,” said Joe Massaro, general manager of the Hilton Harrisburg, in a statement.

Chefs from various regions of Pennsylvania will provide cooking demonstrations in front of a live audience assembled in the Hilton Harrisburg ballroom. Choi will share his talent from California and will participate in a question-and-answer session during the show.

“The hospitality industry is hurting desperately and financial support from the government is lacking, leaving hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees without a safety net,” said John Longstreet, president and CEO of the PRLA. “We are grateful to the organizers of ‘Just a Taste’ for contributing event proceeds to HARP so we can continue providing relief to frontline hospitality workers who have been impacted by COVID-19, through no fault of their own.”

The event begins at 7 p.m. on Jan. 26. Viewers can tune in and donate through the HU Presents website and Facebook page.

For more information, visit the HU Presents website.

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Christmas Coping: Experts advise patience, compassion during this pandemic-infused holiday

December 22, 2020 | by Susan Ryder

Our writer finds hope in the winterberry bush, a species of holly abundant in our area that offers color during the depth of winter.

I lost it at work two weeks ago. Not a few tears running down my face, but an ugly, bawling meltdown.

The conversation that precipitated this scene was innocent enough. I was talking about my mother-in-law, who recently entered assisted living, and how I wrapped 12 Christmas packages for her—one to open each day, since we weren’t able to visit her. Then this wave of emotion that I’d been bottling up for months—well, it came out.

Thankfully, I work at a place where tears aren’t seen as unprofessional, but as a characteristic of being human.

Interestingly, a few days earlier, as I waited for my pictures to print at a local pharmacy chain kiosk, I witnessed a cashier, who has always demonstrated the highest in customer service, patience and kindness, completely lose patience with a customer. She dashed into an adjacent room, and, after she escaped through the door, yelled, “I can’t take this anymore.”

Realizing we could all use a little help through this, I contacted Diana Coulson-Brown, a psychologist with Upturn LLC, a counseling service in Camp Hill, and asked, “What’s happening here?”

Coulson-Brown explained that people are feeling powerless, alone, discouraged, confused and mistrustful as a result of the pandemic and politics, including the conflict surrounding them. When this soup of emotions happens, “It becomes more difficult to stay in control of our own thoughts and behavior,” she said.

“We have a more difficult time anchoring ourselves in our own value system…and we’re no longer kind, compassionate, gracious and loving,” she said. “Even though we would say we identify as those things, when we’re having such a crisis that we’re having now, where nothing is normal for anybody.”

This lack of normality affects children, as well, but in different ways.

“Stress in kids can come out in ways that it doesn’t in adults,” said Abby Mahone, Harrisburg Academy’s assistant head of school. “It can come out by extreme emotions, anger. It can come out in the struggling with emotional regulation. It can come out in stomach aches… not being able to sleep… and feeling really needy and needing all those extra hugs from mom, and a glass of water at nighttime.”

Children may not talk about what’s bothering them, but that doesn’t mean it’s not bothering them. Mahone had a firsthand encounter with this. Her 5-year-old daughter had a fever, and the family was isolating her and wearing masks until they were sure it wasn’t COVID. Mahone’s daughter said to her, “Mommy, do you think it’s COVID?” Mahone replied “No. I don’t think it is.” Her daughter responded “And then even if it is, not everyone who has COVID dies right?” Until that moment, Mahone’s daughter had never mentioned COVID-19.

Parents may misinterpret children’s actions as misbehavior, when actually it’s a result of stress.

And there’s plenty of stress. Coulson-Brown described our experience right now as “real life but magnified.” People are experiencing everyday life stresses at work, with relationships, finances and health, layered upon a pandemic, which compiles the health concerns and conflict. Add to that, COVID is making everything harder—getting school work done, visiting loved ones in the hospital, taking care of elderly relatives, and waiting five hours to get your groceries at the Walmart pick-up.

And let’s have a major holiday smack dab in the middle of it all.

“[Parents feel they] have to do all these things to make a fairy tale magical experience for [their] kids,” said Mahone.

She stressed that connection is what children need.

“We’re not going to be able to do all of the traditions we do every year, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still connect with each other,” she said.

Both adults and children can benefit from introspection—being in touch with what we are feeling, thinking and reacting to. We should ask ourselves, “What do I need right now?” said Coulson-Brown. It could be time to ourselves, even if it’s just a few minutes, to read, take a walk, listen to music, or take a nap.

“Be kind and gentle with yourself, have compassion for yourself. You’re definitely going through a difficult time right now,” said Coulson-Brown.

When adults do this, children benefit, as well.

“The best thing parents can do is to manage themselves, in order to help their children,” said Mahone.

After we interpret our emotions, there are a few other things we can do to help ourselves and our children.

Coulson-Brown said that, when reacting to situations, we should, “First and foremost, stay connected to your own character.”

Screaming at a cashier, while considering ourselves kind people, doesn’t match. Also, look for moments of gratitude and try not to allow fear to influence decisions, she said. That’s not to advice to ignore COVID protocols. On the contrary, according to Coulson-Brown, we should give the virus a healthy respect.

Respecting a schedule will also help. Mahone suggests, especially during the holidays when schedules are even more out of whack, talking to children each morning about what the day holds, what the plan is.

Both Mahone and Coulson-Brown encourage outdoor time and maintaining a healthy diet. People should also consider avoiding social media.

“There is a lure to having information, having it quick, seeing what other people are doing,” Coulson-Brown said.

But, in fact, it can increase the sense of loneliness and doesn’t fill us up as we might hope.

How can you help someone else right now?

“I would not give advice,” Coulson-Brown said. “I would just full-on compassionately listen to that person’s narrative. You need to give yourself permission to grieve, and you need to give yourself permission to find joy.”

Joy in the midst of the pandemic can be hard to find. But we can become creators of it.

“There are beautiful moments of light even in the hardest times,” Mahone said. “So, helping the children find ways to contribute to that light and make more light may be encouraging.”

Joy is in short supply for me right now. My mother-in-law is in the hospital and will be moved to a rehabilitation facility today. I again cried. Cried because of how much she always loved Christmas, cried for how she always made it so special for the family, and cried that we can’t spend time with her.

But with the advice and tools given by Mahone and Coulson-Brown, my toolbox is full of healthy, meaningful ways to cope, and I hope yours is, too.

I think I’ll take a walk.

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CAT, rabbittransit propose merger, would create expansive bus system

December 22, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

A CAT bus in Harrisburg

Transit in central Pennsylvania is poised to become far more regional, as the area’s two major bus systems have plans to merge.

Capital Area Transit (CAT) and rabbittransit announced on Tuesday a proposal to combine the two transit systems into a new entity called the Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority.

Currently, CAT serves bus riders in the greater Harrisburg area, while York-based rabbittransit serves York, Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Franklin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder and Union counties.

The merger would help the systems cut costs, while offering a single fare payment system for users and improved connections for riders, according to a joint release from the operators.

The systems already operate jointly, as rabbittransit took over management of CAT in early 2018.

“In many ways, we are functioning as one system now,” said Richard Farr, executive director of rabbitttransit. “The two transit agencies have been working cooperatively for nearly three years, and we are already seeing benefits.”

The merger is being taken, in part, due to CAT’s financial struggles, which predated the COVID-19 pandemic but since then have only grown worse. Without the merger, CAT was facing a 40% reduction in service, according to CAT.

According to the joint news release, the merger should not have “any impact” on current bus divers or mechanics for either system.

Next, the two authorities will hold virtual public hearings before voting on the proposal. CAT’s board of directors is due to meet on Jan. 28 at noon, followed by rabbitttransit on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit the CAT and rabbittransit websites.

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State oversight board rejects Harrisburg’s 5-year financial plan; sides vow to resolve differences

December 18, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Title page from the proposed five-year financial plan

Harrisburg’s financial oversight body has voted down the city’s revised five-year financial plan, citing several alleged deficiencies in the proposal.

At Wednesday’s meeting, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) voted 4-0 to reject the plan, which the city must update every year.

“The City of Harrisburg’s proposed five-year financial plan demonstrates a stable fiscal position, with a strong General Fund balance and relatively resilient revenues in spite of the global pandemic and economic crisis,” said board chair Audry Carter, in a press release. “However there remain areas of significant concern highlighted in the proposed plan, which we will work with the city to address.”

On Dec. 14, the city submitted its plan to the ICA, which the state legislature has charged with overseeing and approving a five-year financial recovery plan for Harrisburg. That plan is updated each year.

Reached by telephone, Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he was unaware of the ICA’s reasons for rejecting the plan until the state-appointed body issued a press release on Friday.

“We were blindsided by the press release,” he said. “We have no record in writing of any communication from the ICA.”

Board vice chair H. Ralph Vartan said that the board had indeed informed city Solicitor Neil Grover of the plan rejection immediately after the meeting on Wednesday.

“It is obviously important that, as a public authority, the ICA communicate significant findings with the public and the media,” he said.

Papenfuse later clarified that, while Grover had received notification of the rejection, the city hadn’t received “an official correspondence stating in writing . . . the reasons for the disapproval,” as were stated in the press release.

The ICA specifically cited five “deficiencies” in its analysis, including a claim that the city’s Neighborhood Services Fund showed annual deficits and that the agreement to pick up Steelton’s trash did not follow “generally accepted accounting principles.”

Papenfuse refuted these points, stating that the Neighborhood Services Fund is not in deficit and that the agreement with Steelton is not “defective,” as charged by the ICA.

The city has 15 days to submit a revised plan, though the ICA stated it would give a “reasonable extension” if requested.

“If the board finds deficiencies and thus disapproves, the mayor is given an opportunity to amend the plan,” said ICA Manager Jeffrey Stonehill. “The authority members and I look forward to working with the administration on resolving these issues.”

Papenfuse said that he also looks forward to resolving any issues the ICA board might have with the city’s proposed five-year plan. However, first, he said, he needs official communication of the ICA’s objections so that the city can respond.

“We had submitted a plan that is fully compliant with the act,” he said. “But we are happy to work with the ICA to address their concerns.”

To read Harrisburg’s recently submitted five-year financial plan, visit this link: 12.14.20-City-of-Harrisburg-Five-Year-Plan.

This story was updated to include comments from H. Ralph Vartan and Mayor Papenfuse.

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Neighborhood groups urge civility, ask residents to think before calling police for non-emergencies

December 18, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

A row of houses in Midtown

Harrisburg neighborhood groups are hoping that during a time of national division, there will be local civility.

Nine neighborhood and community organizations have signed and posted on social media a letter to Harrisburg residents, asking them to consider refraining from calling the police on their neighbors for non-emergency situations.

“The idea is that people might try other solutions rather than dialing the police for minor things,” said Annie Hughes, president of Friends of Midtown.

The Midtown Action Council spearheaded the effort, building off of letters neighborhood groups published in past months, such as in Shipoke and Midtown.

Hughes referenced a recent incident when police responded to a noise complaint in Shipoke. The situation quickly escalated and ended with a resident’s arrest.

“We were trying to think, what can we do to draw peoples’ awareness towards the impact of calling the police,” Hughes said.

In the letter, organizations like Friends of Midtown, South Allison Hill Homeowners and Residents Association, Shipoke Neighborhood Association and Capitol Area Neighbors, among others, urged the community to get to know their neighbors. They said that building relationships can help so that, when there is conflict, residents can discuss it and resolve it themselves.

“Including the police in non-emergencies not only drains essential community resources, it can further escalate conflict or even lead to harmful outcomes,” the letter reads.

Beck Joyner, of Camp Curtin Neighborhoods United, said this can be especially harmful for Black people who may be treated unfairly by the police.

“Calling the police, in particular on African Americans, can lead to them being hurt or bullied,” she said. “It’s disgraceful.”

Additionally, Hughes said calling 9-1-1 for non-emergency issues takes away police resources for emergency situations.

For disputes that cannot be resolved between neighbors, the letter suggests contacting a local neighborhood organization, Neighborhood Dispute Services, a local mediation center, or calling the city Helpdesk at 3-1-1 for city service or code issues.

Hughes hopes that neighborhood groups can continue providing resources, such as these to residents more frequently.

“This isn’t the end-all solution,” Hughes said. “It’s the beginning.”

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 18, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

A sign on N. 3rd and Kelker streets.

Mother nature didn’t disappoint this week, as Harrisburg saw a thick snow cover the city. If you missed out on this week’s news while shoveling or throwing snowballs, catch up on the top stories, below.

Bob’s Art Blog takes readers back to the first art show of 2020. Bob reflects on a painting that almost seemed to see the future of what was to come in 2020. Read more about artists Garrick Dorsett and Zack Rudy, aka The Huckle Buckle Boys, and their painting, here.

The Christmas Spirit Lights Show in Lancaster may be the perfect way to enjoy COVID-safe holiday fun. Our magazine article tells the story of the husband-wife team behind the show and how they continue to grow it each year.

New COVID-19 diagnoses leveled off in Pennsylvania over the past week with an average of 9,803 new cases per day. For numbers on the county level, check out our weekly pandemic reporting.

David Black, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, announced his plan to retire, our online story reported. After two decades, the business organization is launching a nationwide search for a new president.

An eviction moratorium was extended to Harrisburg by City Council on Monday. The declaration bans evictions for non-payment of rent or lease expiration for 30 days, our online story reported.

Fashion Empire, a boutique in Steelton, provides a window into the fashion scene in the Harrisburg area. Read our magazine story to hear from owners Tia Wise and Ebone Turner on how they got drawn into this world of style.

Harrisburg’s 2021 budget was passed by City Council on Monday, our online story reported. It includes an increased police budget with new bureau positions.

Harrisburg area home sales and prices were up again in November, our reporting found. Last month, 728 houses sold compared to 581 in the year-ago period, while the median sales price jumped to $215,000 from $180,000 for the three-county region.

Harrisburg University announced on Friday that it has launched a new research center for the study of e-sports, our online story reported. The center will evaluate the evolution of the e-sports industry, as well as its impact and benefits.

The Kline Library in Harrisburg decided to close for a week after one of its employees tested positive for the coronavirus, our online story reported. According to the Dauphin County Library System, the employee did not catch the virus while at work.

Three local volunteers were dubbed the “Carlisle Citizens Who Care” for their effort to help the homeless in the Harrisburg area. Our magazine story tells of the passion that connects these friends and motivates them to make a change in their community.

Sara Bozich has some weekend recommendations for you, whether you’re braving the cold or staying in. Check out her list of winter fun ideas, here.

Wine columnist Steve Juliana has some Christmas recommendations for the wine lover on your list. Read about his top picks, here.

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New coronavirus cases relatively stable over past week in PA; fatalities continue to increase

December 18, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

COVID-19 cases and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health

New COVID-19 diagnoses leveled off in Pennsylvania over the past week, though fatalities continued to rise sharply.

Since last Friday, the commonwealth recorded an average of 9,803 new cases per day, according to the state Department of Health.

This compares to an average of 10,204 new daily cases last week and 7,855, 6,429, 5,914 and 4,348 new cases per day for the prior four weeks, respectively. Until this past week, the average weekly case rate had been generally rising since late September.

The department also reports that testing has increased substantially over this time (see chart).

Locally, diagnosed cases are now as follows since the pandemic began:

Adams County: 3,406 cases (prior Friday, 2,792)
Cumberland County: 8,555 cases (prior Friday, 7,182)
Dauphin County: 11,780 cases (prior Friday, 10,133)
Franklin County: 7,293 cases (prior Friday, 6,229)
Lancaster County: 23,951 cases (prior Friday, 21,192)
Lebanon County: 7,469 cases (prior Friday, 6,613)
Perry County: 1,283 cases (prior Friday, 1,018)
York County: 19,039 cases (prior Friday, 15,879)

Today, the department reported 9,320 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight. The positivity rate statewide now stands at 16.2%, compared to 14.4% and 11.7% for the two weeks prior.

With today’s update, 538,655 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 68,621 over the past week, according to the health department. Active cases number 212,880. Currently, 6,209 people are hospitalized in PA with coronavirus, compared to 5,852 last Friday, and 1,246 of those patients are in intensive care.

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 79,971 total cases. Allegheny County ranks second with 44,684 cases, and Montgomery County is third statewide with 30,755 cases.

While new cases numbers leveled off somewhat this past week, fatalities from the disease continued to rise.

The health department today reported an additional 1,373 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 13,608 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March. Fatalities totaled 1,122, 879, 595 and 465 over the prior four weeks, respectively.

Around central PA, COVID-19 fatalities now stand as follows since the pandemic began:

Adams County: 61 deaths (prior Friday, 53)
Cumberland County: 245 deaths (prior Friday, 207)
Dauphin County: 269 deaths (prior Friday, 235)
Franklin County: 180 deaths (prior Friday, 158)
Lancaster County: 648 deaths (prior Friday, 582)
Lebanon County: 138 deaths (prior Friday, 128)
Perry County: 21 deaths (prior Friday, 16)
York County: 327 deaths (prior Friday, 287)

PA nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 8,047, or 59.1%, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there have been 46,545 resident cases of COVID-19, and 8,514 cases among employees, for a total of 55,059 at 1,421 distinct facilities in all 67 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 17,480 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 3,657,529 individuals have had coronavirus tests, with 3,118,874 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 3,479,544 people had been tested for the virus.

The state reports a total of 6,677,733 PCR tests, which includes many people, such as health care workers, who have been tested more than once.

The health department continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
Wear a mask whenever out of your house.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Currently, we are providing a COVID-19 update weekly, each Friday, or as breaking news warrants.

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Harrisburg U launches new center for the study of e-sports

December 18, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg University’s main building on Market Street

Harrisburg University announced today that it has launched a new research center devoted to the study of e-sports.

The Center for Applied Research in Esports is housed in the university’s downtown campus and will evaluate the evolution of the e-sports industry, as well as its impact and benefits, according to HU.

“The center will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary research surrounding an industry that continues to experience tremendous growth,” said HU President Dr. Eric Darr. “Professors, students, industry experts and more will collaborate on research to understand the social impact, the shape and role of the industry, and the economic and educational opportunities e-sports offers going forward.”

In 2018, HU launched its own e-sports team, the HU Storm, which subsequently has won numerous national and international championships.

The center is headed by Charles Palmer, who leads HU’s Esports, Management and Production program.

Palmer and other professors will work with students, gaming companies and others to conduct research centered on e-sports, health and performance, career and educational advancement opportunities and issues surrounding social equity within the e-sports industry, stated HU.

Already, the center has partnered with Brown University on an e-sports health and brain science study, Palmer said.

“Since e-sports research is in its infancy, we have decided to focus on three primary areas: the health and performance of athletes, potential for professional advancement, and issues pertaining to equality, diversity, and community engagement,” Palmer said.

For more information about Harrisburg, visit their website.

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