LEHMAN TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— The fight to keep Penn State Wilkes-Barre open is gaining momentum.
28/22's Kathryn O'Leary was at Friday's student-led rally, where young people shared why this campus means so much to them.
While no final decision has been made, students here at Penn State Wilkes-Barre say they aren't waiting around, today, they made their voices heard.
After news spread that their campus might be at risk of closing, Penn State Wilkes-Barre students rallied together to stand up for the place they say gave them a chance.
"Without this college, I wouldn't have been able to obtain a four year degree, this college made so much possible for me, and its going to allow me to get my future job," voiced Bailey Hayes, Senior, Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
Junior Caroline Duffy says the potential closure was heartbreaking to hear.
"When the letter went out, we were all devastated. We were in class together, when we were shedding tears, me and bailey looked at each other and we said I'm angry, what can we do," wondered Duffy.
Caroline and her classmates quickly turned their sadness into action.
"We started calling local representatives, we started calling the board of trustees, we started emailing, we sent and made about 800 calls and we sent tons of emails, hundreds of emails to everybody that would listen," explained Duffy.
Their concerns were echoed by other students at the rally, who say this small campus changed their lives.
"There are people like me who don't know how to advocate for autism. Like they need a campus like these where they don't have to deal with 100 plus students in a class, where they can have a one on one with a teacher, one on one with other students," voiced Aaron Hardy, freshman, Penn state Wilkes-Barre.
"I've gotten so many opportunities here that I wouldn't have at other campuses," stated Jacinda Rose, sophomore, Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
Students tell 28/22 News this is only the beginning of their fight to keep Penn State Wilkes-Barre open. They're planning more calls, outreach efforts, and say they hope university officials are listening.
