WAY TO GROW

From left, Keith Dils, dean of the College of Education at Slippery Rock University; Marena Toth, a graduate student at SRU majoring in adapted physical activity who is the Growing Together program coordinator; Karen Matusic, manager of public and government affairs at XTO Energy; and Robert Arnhold, SRU professor of physical and health education and coordinator of the APA program.

Karen Matusic, manager of public and government affairs at XTO Energy, was at Slippery Rock University, Dec. 17, to present a $23,000 grant that will fund expansion of SRU's Growing Together Aquaponics Program. Housed at the North Country Brewing Company's canning facility in Slippery Rock, the aquaponics system is a sustainable farming method that combines raising fish and the soilless growing of plants. The system is maintained through a collaboration between NCBC and students in SRU's Adapted Physical Activity program to provide work experience for college and high school students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Robert Arnhold, professor of physical and health education and coordinator of the APA program, wrote the grant proposal and accepted the XTO Energy's check on behalf of the University.