Dr. Robert Hollister to Speak at Garden Spot Village on March 22

Focus of first Community Forum will be "Values in Public Education"

NEW HOLLAND, Pa. — Mar. 2, 2010 — Garden Spot Village is bringing together Eastern Lancaster residents and community leaders together through its new Community Forum series. The first program in the series will feature Dr. Robert Hollister, superintendent of Eastern Lancaster County (ELANCO) School District, speaking on “Values in Public Education,” on Mon., Mar. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. in the chapel of the retirement community at 433 S. Kinzer Ave.

“We are constantly seeking opportunities to promote dialogue within the Eastern Lancaster County community on matters of faith and values,” said Chet Yoder, director of pastoral care at Garden Spot Village. “The series provides a forum for conversation about matters that are important to all of us.”

The series will address education, government and the marketplace.

As an educator, Hollister is excited by the possibilities for students to become leaders in a shrinking world community. He has done research on organization practices that support students’ success.

“We all have a place and a way to contribute,” he said. “We need to help students find their way and equip them appropriately.”

A Lancaster County native, Hollister graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Millersville University. While teaching in the Boyertown Area School District, he earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Villanova University and a principal’s certificate from Lehigh University. He later earned a doctorate from Lehigh. He served in administrative positions in districts in Bucks County and Kutztown before joining the ELANCO district as assistant superintendent in October 2005. In 2008 he was commissioned as superintendent. Since then, his focus has been on providing safer, more efficient and more effective schools.

Following Hollister’s presentation, the Community Forum series will continue with Rep. Gordon Denlinger speaking on “Faith and Values in Government” on Apr. 12, and a presentation by John Yoder, of Yoder’s Country Market and Restaurant in New Holland, on “Faith and Values in the Marketplace.”

“We are blessed with outstanding leaders who are available to us, and I anticipate that another series will follow this one in the near future,” said Yoder.

The programs run approximately an hour and fifteen minutes, including questions and answers following the presentation.

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