Grants/loans

Asset Inc. has received a $38,000 grant from the Henry C. Frick Educational Fund of the Buhl Foundation. The grant will support Asset's Teacher Professional Development Program and the Inquiry Science Endorsement, which helps prepare teacher candidates from regional universities for standards-based science teaching.

In 2005 Highmark employees donated $15 million worth of time to local charitable organizations. Highmark Inc. recently awarded four $500 grants to help employee volunteers continue or expand their commitments. The Highmark Employee Grant Program is a community involvement program designed to provide funds to agencies through employee volunteers.

Awards/Honors

Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham partners Peter J. Kalis and Michael DeMarco have been listed by Los Angeles-based Lawdragon Magazine among the 500 Leading Litigators in America. Mr. Kalis is K&LNG's chairman and managing partner. Mr. DeMarco is a trial lawyer.

Alan Houser of Group Wellesley Inc. was named an associate fellow of the Society for Technical Communication, a group for technical writers, editors, illustrators and managers.

Plextronics said Richard McCullough, founder, chief scientist and dean of the Mellon College of Science at Carnegie Mellon University, has received the 2006 Carnegie Science Center Awards for Excellence: Start-up Entrepreneur of the Year.

Catalyst Advertising for its health-care work the Gold Award in the 23rd Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards for a billboard it created for the Alzheimer's Disease Research Foundation; and Summit Creative Award for a TV spot it created for Somerset Hospital.

Pennsylvania Dietetic Association noted these awards: Mary Alice Gettings, nutrition and food safety educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension, Keystone Award, which recognizes Pennsylvania dietitians. Kim Crawford, assistant professor and coordinator of graduate studies in nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, department of sports medicine and nutrition, received the Outstanding Educator Award. Sports and wellness nutritionist Donna Bassi was awarded the association's Community Relations Grant and recognized for her outreach.

Making a Difference/Doing Good

Steve Leone, president and CEO of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs of Pittsburgh, notes the firm's Habitat for Humanity project in Duquesne. It makes number of homes sponsored by HRH 27.

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