Cresson, Pa. – Mount Aloysius College, nationally recognized as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, has received a $100,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust for computer equipment to enhance a new cybersecurity lab. Twenty five cutting-edge computers and monitors will bolster a state-of-the-art learning experience for cybersecurity and information technology students. The College plans to launch the new lab at the start of the spring 2024 semester.

“Mount Aloysius is proud to be a part of the Alden Trust’s history of championing higher education,” said John McKeegan, president of the College. “This new technology will greatly enhance our students’ ability to learn. We want to make sure that we continue to shine under the NSA’s designation as a Center of Academic Excellence, and this will certainly help with that.”

Justin Williams, chair of the information technology department at Mount Aloysius, says that this grant will help provide students with a hands-on learning experience in a growing department.

“As the program expands, it’s important that our lab can accommodate all of our students robustly,” Williams said. “Newer equipment in a larger space will allow our students to do more with digital forensics, cybersecurity, computer hardware, and programming, and the classroom’s dedicated server room will give our students a unique hands-on experience that few colleges can provide.”

The George I. Alden Trust has donated almost one-half million dollars to Mount Aloysius College across seven grants and gifts. According to the trust’s website, it aims to ‘do the greatest good for the greatest number,’ and donates funds to smaller higher education institutions in New England, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as to their local community of Worcester, MA.

Mount Aloysius College was the first four-year program in Blair and Cambria counties and one of only 17 schools in Pennsylvania with the Center of Academic Excellence designation from the NSA and Department of Homeland Security.  For more information about the Mount’s cybersecurity program, visit mtaloy.edu.