CLARION UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, INC.

2016-2017

ANNUAL
REPORT

PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE

As I look back on this past year, it is striking to me the many ways that we have
impacted people in our University community. This was put into sharper focus
midyear as we developed and put to ink our Strategic Plan for 2017-2022. In that,
our mission is always about serving people, both the students and the many
constituencies that comprise the areas where we focus our energies and dollars.
On the Human Resources front, the Foundation completed a multiyear, focused effort to secure a full
complement of staff. In doing so we have brought together a seasoned, diverse and committed group
of individuals dedicated to bringing our tactical and strategic goals to fruition.
On the volunteer side of the Foundation we offered our gratitude to Scott Kroh, Chuck Motter and Jan Zidansek
who this year completed their service as Board members. At the same time we welcomed three new members:
Pete Talleri, Susan Slike and Bob Leeper. There is more to read about these new members later in the report.
Also this year we said goodbye to Dr. Karen M. Whitney as University President. For more than seven years Karen
has made Clarion her priority. We wish her well in her new role as Interim Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State
System of Higher Education where we know Clarion will continue to be well represented.
As we say goodbye to Karen, we next look to be engaged in the selection process for Clarion’s 17th President.
The University President, like no other, offers the vision and leads the way for the institution. While this search is
conducted, leadership will be aptly provided by Mr. Peter C. Fackler. We welcome Mr. Fackler and will do all we
can to assist him in making his goals ours as well.
And during the past year the Foundation pursued its mission in many financial ways. Specifically, we
• Raised $1.4 million in private support
• Increased our endowment by almost $4.0 million, or 12 percent, to $34,889,311.
• Directly supported 718 students with scholarship awards
• Provided $7.9 million in support to the University through operational and other services, campus programs,
scholarships and grants
• Secured assets for the Clarion Community Foundation totaling over $100,000
• Completed the first segment of our comprehensive campaign by raising close to $10 million for scholarships
and annual funding needs. At the same time we started planning for the Tippin/Athletics phase of a focused
campaign.
• Identified ways to generate funding dollars for scholarships and other programs coincident with Clarion’s
150th anniversary celebration.
It was certainly a busy year. Now I look forward to all that we have planned for 2017-2018 and invite you to join
me in supporting Courageous. Confident. Clarion.

Sincerely,

Jane K. France, President

STRATEGIC
PLAN 2017-2022
One of the most important accomplishments of
the strategic planning process completed this year
was a well-received updated organization mission
statement which proclaims:

Clarion University
Foundation, Inc., advances
and fosters the University’s
mission through fundraising,
engagement, scholarships
and advocacy.
The Board of Directors assembled a Strategic
Planning Task Force comprised of members of
the Board of Directors and administrators from
both the Foundation and the University, led by
board member and chairperson Chris Allison.
Key stakeholder listening sessions with 24
individuals from the University administration,
the faculty, the community, the alumni and the
board itself were completed. A two-day offsite
planning meeting attended by Foundation staff,
members of the board, and members of the
University administration including President
Karen Whitney was accomplished in December.
An implementation planning effort was conducted
by Foundation CEO Keefer and University Vice
President for Advancement Geiger following the
offsite planning session. At the regular February
Board of Directors meeting, the plan was
approved unanimously. The final plan consists of
18 broad objectives with 80 tactics to reach our
goals. Work is well underway by all parties. Annual
updates are provided to the board to assure
accomplishment of our goals remains a priority.

thank you

FOR YOUR SERVICE
Clarion University Foundation, Inc., would like to welcome the
new members of its Board of Directors and thank departing
members for their service.

welcome

Robert H. Leeper, a 1972 Clarion University graduate, joined
the board in July 2016. He is managing director and a founding
member of NFP Executive Benefits. Leeper lives in Pawleys
Island, S.C. He established the Robert Leeper Entrepreneurial
Learning Endowment, which supports internships and
experiential learning opportunities for students at the Clarion
University Small Business Development Center and Clarion
University Entrepreneurial Leadership Center.
Susan A. (Stehle) Slike, a 1979 graduate of Clarion University,
re-joined the board in July 2016 after having served from 2001
to 2007. She is retired from Showcase Mobile Homes and lives
in Shippenville. She and her husband recently established the
Richard K. ’76 and Susan A. (Stehle) ’79 Slike Scholarship,
which provides support to any Clarion County high school
student attending Clarion University, of any major and year.
Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, a 1979 graduate of Clarion University,
joined the board in July 2016. Talleri is retired from the United
States Marine Corps and is now vice president of World IT
Solutions, LLC. He lives in Southpointe. Talleri is recipient of
the 2008 Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement
Award.

thank you

D. Scott Kroh, a 1974 graduate of Clarion University, served
on the board from 2007 to 2017. He lives in Latrobe and is
president of Robindale Energy Services, Inc. Kroh and his wife,
Pamela, established the Kroh Family Business Scholarship
Endowment to benefit a student in the College of Business
Administration and Information Sciences at Clarion University.
The scholarship is intended for upper division students who
maintain a strong academic performance in preparation for a
successful career in a field of business.
Charles Motter is a friend of Clarion University and served on
the board from 2007 to 2017. He lives in Shippenville and is
owner of Motter-Fleming. Motter received the Eberly Award
for Philanthropy in 2002.
Janet L. (Steiner) Zidansek, a 1972 graduate of Clarion
University, was a board member from 2014 to 2017. A retired
educator, she lives in Sewickley.
1

Who we are
Foundation
team
assembled
The Foundation has just completed a multiyear, focused effort to secure a full complement
of staff. These individuals were carefully
recruited for specialized knowledge, skills and
characteristics that allow them to be effective
in the positions they hold. Those attributes
are important for individual success, but, more
importantly, they are essential for team success.
The Foundation, organized in 1969, was
formed to promote educational purposes in
connection with or at the request of Clarion
University. Each team member’s role is vitally
important to the work of today, which builds the
Clarion University of tomorrow.
Andrew Carnegie said “Teamwork is the ability
to work together toward a common vision, the
ability to direct individual accomplishments
toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel
that allows common people to attain uncommon
results.”

ADMINISTRATION
AND FINANCE

Michael R. Keefer
Chief Executive Officer

Max Smith
Chief Operating Officer/
Chief Financial Officer

Debra A. Everett
Administrative Assistant/
H.R. Coordinator

Brad Coulson
Database Manager

Scott Reinsel ’05, ’08
Accountant

Richelle B. Aaron
Finance/Data Clerk

We appreciate the commitment of the Board
of Directors to providing the time and resources
necessary to build this team.

2

DEVELOPMENT

Mike Greer
Director of Development

Larry Jamison ’87
Director of Planned Giving

Colleen Sherman
Development Officer

Jamie Koshak
Development Officer

Chris Jones
Director of Development
for Intercollegiate Athletics

Diane D. Beatty
Secretary-Development

ANNUAL FUND

Budd Lauer
Director of Annual Fund

Rachel Tiche
Annual Fund Officer

ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Ann Thompson
Director of
Alumni Engagement

Emily Weaver ’09
Assistant Director of
Alumni Engagement

Sammi Beichner
Alumni Engagement
Secretary

3

Foundation expresses appreciation for

Weir’s Service

From the moment in 1948 when Chuck Weir
became a Clarion student, he began to build
fond memories of the school – then Clarion State
Teachers College. He departed briefly to serve
his country, completing two tours in Korea with
the U.S. Navy. When his service was complete,
he returned to Clarion using the GI Bill, and
brought with him his new wife, Shirley. When he
completed his degree in 1956, he and Shirley had
also become the parents of a daughter and two
sons who were born while he was in college.
Weir began a long, successful career with
Owens Illinois, which kept the family, which
added a second daughter, in Clarion until

4

Chuck moved up the corporate ladder and was
transferred to other OI plants in Indiana, Illinois
and, finally, Texas, where he retired. His heart
remained in Clarion, though, and when he and
Shirley found Texas to be too hot for their liking,
they returned to Clarion.
“He retained friendships with classmates for
their whole lives,” said daughter Susan. “He
told lots of stories. He just loved Clarion – the
university and the town. He and Mom would go
back to Autumn Leaf Festival a lot and to visit
friends. Clarion was always a big factor in their
life.”

“He always told me, you give back
to your school – that’s part of it.
Once you finished and got your
degree, then you give back.”
– Michael Weir
In turn, the Weirs were – and continue to be –
a big factor in the lives of Clarion University
students and in the campus itself.
“He always told me, you give back to your
school – that’s part of it,” Michael said. “Once
you finished and got your degree, then you give
back.”
Among their philanthropy, the couple gave a
bequest to Clarion University which resulted in
the Weir Family Scholarship, which is awarded
annually to a freshman student-athlete who
meets NCAA eligibility criteria. Weir, as a
member of the Foundation Board of Directors
from 1998 until 2009 and as chairperson of the
master planning committee, was instrumental
in the development of Reinhard Villages, and
he was an overall supporter of the university.
He was honored with the Alumni Association
Distinguished Alumni award in 2000, and in
2006 he was honored for 50 years of loyalty
to the university.
“Throughout his whole life, he was financially
able to donate monies to certain things that were
important to him,” Susan said. “His church and
Clarion were at the top.”
Preceded in death by Shirley, Weir passed
away in January, but he made certain in his will
that his Clarion legacy would live on. He left
$100,000 to each of his three surviving children

(son Mark passed away in 2012), stipulating that
the money was to go to his church or to Clarion
University.
Two of his children, Michael (’75) and Susan,
directed the money to Clarion, each setting
up various scholarships in their family’s name
in areas that were important to their father.
Together, Michael and Susan created seven
additional Weir family scholarships: Academic,
Arts, Military, School of Education, Speech
Pathology, Wrestling and Non Traditional
Student.
“For his whole life, he was always interested in
education – it was very important to him,” Susan
said. “He was, up until Thursday before he died,
mentor for two fifth graders. He loved it. He is
the smartest man I know, and I still think that.”

“He was a good dad,” Michael said.
“I graduated in 1975. I have his diploma,
and mine says the same exact thing –
same exact degree.”

5

in appreciation of our

DONORS

UNIVERSITY CLUB: $5,000 OR MORE
Ms. Jane K. France ’71 and Mr. Christian L. Allison
Mr. David A. Bailey ’65
Mrs. Milissa A. (Steiner) Bauer ’84
Kenneth W. Beels Charitable Trust
Mr. Scott A. Belmont ’83
Mr. John V. Calipari ’82 and Mrs. Ellen Calipari
Mr. Michael G. Casciato ’81
Clarion County Community Bank
Mr. Mark R. Demich ’79 and Mrs. Deborah H. LPM Demich
Eagle Park Associates LP II Mr. Jay P. Kumar ’82
Mr. Jeffrey S. Edwards ’84 and Mrs. Beth Edwards
Football Alumni Committee

“I know I need an education to fulfill
my career goals. The scholarships
help me get to my next step.
I’m grateful for all of the donors
who value my education.”
Andrew Skubisz, Dubois, senior,
marketing

Mrs. Beverly R. (Reese) Greenwell ’59
Estate of Margery Himes
Estate of James E. Hunter ’61
Industrial Scientific Foundation
Mr. Kent D. McElhattan and Mrs. Martha McElhattan
Johnson & Johnson
Charles E/Virginia Kaufman Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation
Mr. Michael R. Keefer and Mrs. Cathy R. (Rhodes) Keefer ’93
Mr. James E. Kriebel and Mrs. Penny Kriebel
Mr. Scott Kroh ’74 and Mrs. Pamela J. Kroh
Dr. Scott Kuehn and Dr. Myrna Kuehn
Mr. Alfred H. Lander ’74 and Mrs. Janet Lander
Alfred H. and Janet L. Lander Family Charitable Foundation
Mr. Alfred H. Lander ’74 and Mrs. Janet Lander
Mr. James R. Lawrence and Mrs. Rosie Lawrence
Mr. Charles P. Leach, Jr. and Mrs. Sonja Leach
Dr. Glenn R. McElhattan ’56 and
Mrs. Mary F. (Master) McElhattan ’72
Mrs. B. Helen (Christian) Milliron ’57
Mr. James E. Moffatt ’70 and Mrs. Marilyn D. (Pyle) Moffatt ’70
Mr. Charles L. Motter
Dr. Ronald Nowaczyk and Ms. Maureen Lavan
Mr. David D. Osikowicz ’73 and
Mrs. Deborah J. (Johnson) Osikowicz ’73
Ms. G. Catherine Palo ’67
Park Inn by Radisson
Dr. James G. Pesek and Mrs. Karen Westfall Pesek
Mr. Frank A. Pici ’77
Robindale Energy Services, Inc.
Mr. Scott Kroh ’74 and Mrs. Pamela J. Kroh
S & T Bank
Scott Electric Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Keith M. Sharrow, Ph.D. ’98 and Dr. Brenda Gehrke
Mr. Richard K. Slike ’76 and Mrs. Susan A. (Stehle) Slike ’79
Laura M. Smedley Charitable Trust
Dr. Phyllis W. Smith
Estate of Rev. Eldon Somers
Mr. Henry Suhr, Jr. and Mrs. Beverly Suhr
Mr. John Truscott and Mrs. Carol A. (Neuberger) Truscott ’79
Mr. Michael D. Weir ’75 and Mrs. Rene Weir
Ms. Susan Weir
Dr. Karen Whitney and Dr. Peggy Apple

* Donor passed away in the year reported.

6

PRESIDENT’S CLUB: $2,500-$4,999
Mr. Charles Betts and Mrs. Tawni Betts
Center for Orthopaedics Sports Medicine
Dr. Douglas S. Fugate
Charitable Deeds & Services
Clarion Research Group, Inc.
Colegrove Educational Trust
Dr. Brenda Dede
Mr. Douglas S. Elliott ’76 and Mrs. Holly Elliott
Farmers National Bank of Emlenton
Mr. Jeffrey G. Golias ’83
Mr. Gary Hilbert and Mrs. P.J. (Magaro) Hilbert ’77
International Institute of Islamic Thought
Dr. Stephen R. Johnson
Samuel Justus Charitable Trust
Kiwanis Club of Clarion
Dr. Elizabeth MacDaniel
McDonald’s – Mr. Gene Puskash
Mrs. Mary Lou H. (Herbert) Pae ’79
Mr. Paul D. Palmer ’61 and Mrs. Paula J. Palmer
Dr. Rod D. Raehsler and Mrs. Kara D. Raehsler ’94
Dr. Diane L. Reinhard
Mr. Vincent V. Sands ’78 and Mrs. Theresa A. (Renz) Sands ’79
The Tavern – Mrs. Nancy Ganoe
Mr. Terry G. Aldridge and Ms. Patricia Thomas ’79
UPMC Northwest Auxiliary
Dr. George Wollaston ’57* and Mrs. Twila M. Wollaston ’58
Mr. Harold L. Zuber, Jr. ’71 and Mrs. Maureen Zuber

“The scholarship enabled me to go to
college. I got to dive in nationals and
was named an All-American. It has
helped me to pursue my education and
explore fields I wouldn’t otherwise
have had the opportunity to explore.”
Emma Kehn, Brighton, Mich., junior,
environmental geoscience

RISING EAGLES CLUB: $1,000-$2,499

“It allowed me to diversify
my college portfolio.
Employers are
looking for that.”
Edward McFadden, Ludlow,
senior, economics major,
psychology minor

Mr. David E. Adelman ’62
Alling Agency LLC - Mr. Wayne F. Alling ’98 and Mrs. Sherry Alling
American Legion - Craig E. Fleming Post 66
Mr. Mark S. Andrekovich ’84 and
Mrs. Mari K. (Pietila) Andrekovich ’87
APSCUF - Clarion Chapter
APSCURF
Mr. Lynn Armstrong ’68
Dr. Robert Armstrong and Mrs. Brenda Armstrong
Audio-Logic, P.C. - Dr. Nora L. (McDanniels) Fuchs ’83
Ms. Melinda L. Bailey
Mr. Michael G. Baker ’79
Ms. Lindsay R. Banner ’07
Mr. Norman F. Basso ’76 and Mrs. Tina E. Basso
Dr. Dipendra Bhattacharya
Mr. James Bolinger and Dr. Karen Bolinger
Mr. Thomas K. Bowman ’77 and
Mrs. Linda S. (Allison) Bowman ’77

* Donor passed away in the year reported.

7

“It helped me stay in school.
(Without the scholarships), I would
probably have taken a different
route. It made it easier to come to
college without worrying about debt.
It gave me peace of mind.”

Mr. Andrew W. Ferguson
Mr. Kenneth E. Fisher ’71
Mr. Kale R. Fithian ’97
Mr. Timothy P. Fogarty and Mrs. Bridget Fogarty
Dr. Benjamin Freed and Mrs. Deb Freed
Dr. William E. Fulmer ’77 and Mrs. Elisabeth (Sibley) Fulmer ’64
Mrs. Constance Gamaluddin
Mr. Jon W. Gardner ’61 and Mrs. Sue Ann Gardner
Mr. Robert J. Garritano ’66 and Mrs. Joyce D. Garritano
Mr. Michael W. Gavin ’78 and Mrs. Kimberly M. Gavin
Mr. Alan Geiger and Mrs. Sandra Geiger
Mr. James Geiger and Mrs. Kristen Geiger
Dr. Pamela Gent
Dr. Roxanne Gonzales
Dr. Joseph P. Grunenwald and Mrs. Janice M. Grunenwald
Mr. David J. Gunter ’91 and Mrs. Ellen D. (Greenawalt) Gunter ’87
Dr. Harold Hartley and Mrs. Carolyn Hartley
Mr. William R. Hartman ’70 and Mrs. Irene A. Hartman
Dr. John W. Heard
Hincken Emigh Family Charitable Foundation
Mr. Robert D. Emigh ’74 and Mrs. Emily K. (Hincken) Emigh ’72
Mr. Justin Hoffman ’82
Hoffman Electric Inc. – Mr. Justin Hoffman ’82
Mr. D. Bruce Holsopple ’78 and Mrs. Jaye A. Holsopple
Mr. Charles A. Hunt, Jr. ’73

Justin Dobbs (’17), Pittsburgh, liberal
studies/sport management

Ms. Sue A. Bowman ’81
Mr. William J. Brand ’63
Mr. Robert Bubb and Mrs. Marsha Bubb
Mr. H. Eugene Burns and Mrs. Susanne A. Burns
Mr. Darl Callen, Jr. and Mrs. Madelon D. Callen ’65
Mrs. Betty M. (McCutcheon) Chan ’74
Mr. Chris Cole and Mrs. Barbara Cole
The Commodore Corporation
Mr. Larry R. Cope, J.D. ’69
Mr. Ralph T. Critten ’94 and Mrs. Cynthia H. Critten
Curly, LLC – Mr. Carl D. McManamy ’63 and
Mrs. Charlene B. (Benninghoff) McManamy ’63
Mr. Louis B. Dean, Jr. ’74 and Mrs. Bea Dean
Mr. Todd A. DeIuliis ’86
Mr. Jeffrey P. Douthett ’79 and Mrs. Terri Douthett
Mr. William R. Eaton, Jr. ’86 and Mrs. Elke Eaton
Dr. Jeffrey D. Eicher and Mrs. Susan Eicher
Mr. Roger Engle and Mrs. Beverly A. Engle ’71
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Dr. Soga Ewedemi
ExxonMobil Foundation – Mr. Edward F. Ahnert
Mrs. Patricia M. (Hart) Fallon ’57

* Donor passed away in the year reported.

8

“The scholarships
have enabled me to
save money on my
undergraduate degree,
which is definitely
a help for graduate
school.”
Hannah Frey, Brockway,
junior, biology

Mr. Emmanuel O. Iheukwumere ’90
Mr. Larry Jamison ’87 and Mrs. Ann Jamison
Mr. John L. Jarzab, Jr. and Mrs. Cynthia L. Jarzab
Mr. Paul B. Kemble, Jr. ’68
Mr. James L. Kifer ’83 and Mrs. Brenda Kifer
Mr. Daniel A. Kohley ’84 and Mrs. Sheree Kohley
Dr. James P. Krouse* and Mrs. Kathy Krouse
Ms. Deborah L. Kuhn
Lakeland Area Hospice
Dr. Terry Latour and Mrs. Leslie Latour
Mr. Richard L. Lewis ’71 and Mrs. Roberta O. (Ordiway) Lewis ’72
Mr. Raymond D. Lichauer ’70
Mr. Frank Lignelli, Jr. ’50 and Mrs. Joyce R. (Simpson) Lignelli ’48
Mr. Anthony C. Linnan ’89 and Mrs. Kathy B. (Brown) Linnan ’73
Mr. Ronald B. Lucas ’82 and Mrs. Debra L. Lucas
Mr. John Marinich ’75 and Mrs. Patricia S. (Semonich) Marinich ’75
Mr. Gerald C. Marterer ’67 and Mrs. Suzanne C. (Conroy) Marterer ’67
Mr. L. Douglas Martin ’80
Mr. Ladd Masek and Mrs. Nancy J. (Exley) Masek ’64
Mr. Robert M. McBurney ’71
Mr. William E. McDonough ’80 and Mrs. Vicki McDonough
The Merck Foundation
Mr. Trueman W. Mills ’55 and Mrs. Jean L. (Weaver) Mills ’59
Mr. J. Alan Mochnick and Mrs. LaVerne Mochnick
Nationwide Foundation
New York Life Insurance Company
Mr. Wayne Norris ’65 and Mrs. Jacalyn Norris
NSK Corporation
Mrs. Marilyn J. (Follette) O’Brien ’63
Mr. David W. Ogden ’74 and Mrs. Pamela A. M. Ogden
Mr. Earl R. Petrucci ’64 and Mrs. Georgiana Petrucci
Dr. Todd J. Pfannestiel and Dr. Aimee D. Zellers ’08
PNC Bank, N.A.
Mrs. Helen G. (Grudowski) Porter ’60
Dr. Randall Potter and Dr. Jeanne Slattery
Mr. Mark R. Power ’84
Presbyterian Women of 2nd Presbyterian Church
Mr. Scott V. Reinsel ’05
Dr. Kevin J. Roth ’81 and Mrs. Carol A. Roth
Dr. Edward J. Sarver ’67 and
Mrs. Lorraine F. (Stephenson) Sarver ’69
Schwab Charitable Fund
Mr. Dennis R. Shanafelt ’73 and
Mrs. Janice S. (Snowden) Shanafelt ’73
Mr. Suhel I. Siddiqui
Mr. Edward J. Smith ’65 and Dr. Roxie R. (Ruhlman) Smith ’67
Mr. Rich Snow and Mrs. Betty Snow
South Central Alpha Housing & Health
Mr. John P. Hughes ’86
Mr. Frank Hershkowitz and Ms. Lorraine C. Staples, J.D. ’76
Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, USMC (Ret) ’79 and
Mrs. Deborah L. (Lipko) Talleri ’80
Mr. James Thornton and Mrs. Bridget Thornton
Mr. David D. Todd ’76
Verizon Foundation
Mr. Gregg J. Wagner ’82 and
Mrs. Annemarie C. (Hackett) Wagner ’82

9

Ms. Lee Ann Wentzel ’85
Sen. Mary Jo R. White and Hon. H. William White
Dr. Richard A. Wiesen ’59 and
Mrs. Sandra L. (Hepler) Wiesen ’59
Mr. Kerry L. Wolbert ’72
Dr. David R. Wright* and Mrs. Carolyn G. Wright
Mr. Tony M. Zampogna
Mr. Matthew K. Zents ’87
Mr. Anton Zidansek and
Mrs. Janet L. (Steiner) Zidansek ’72
Mr. Curtis L. Zimmerman ’79 and
Mrs. Carrie L. (Englert) Zimmerman
Zonta Club of Oil City-Franklin

“I wasn’t going to be able to go to
college. I couldn’t afford it. Clarion
sent a personal letter to me and
waived the application fee. They
sent an acceptance letter with a
full-tuition scholarship offer. If not
for the donors, I wouldn’t be in
college. I’ve always wanted to work
with children with autism.”
Shelby Groff, Boyertown, senior,
rehab science major, psych minor

* Donor passed away in the year reported.
The listing of names of our contributors is subject to error, both
human and computer. If there is an error, please accept our apology
and bring it to our attention.

9

Campaign reaches
milestone
Jane K. France, president of the Board of Directors and chairperson of the
Campaign Committee, reported the current silent campaign had reached
a milestone at the close of the 2016-17 fiscal year. The $10 million goal was
all but secured for the scholarship and annual program portions of the
campaign by June 30, 2017.
We would like to express our sincerest appreciation to everyone who
made a donation/pledge and answered the call for Clarion during this
focused effort to directly meet students’ financial needs. We also want to
thank the committee members for their time, commitment and support in
this campaign effort.
The Foundation and Committee now stand ready to assist with the much
needed Tippin renovation project, slated to proceed in the near future.
Work is already underway preparing and organizing for this appeal.
In the meantime, many opportunities exist for donors to leave their mark
during the university’s 150-year anniversary celebration. We encourage
everyone to keep Clarion in their giving plans as we enter this next phase of
growth and revitalization.
10

Dr. Karen M. Whitney

President Karen Whitney left Clarion University
in September to accept the position of interim
chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of
Higher Education.

Whitney became president in summer 2010, following a nationwide search. She immediately
embarked upon a 90-day listening tour from which she developed priorities that ultimately
helped to drive the university’s strategic directions.
Notable accomplishments under her leadership include:
• The distinction of being a university that prepares students to enter
professions in teaching, business, and health and human services;
• Working with faculty to develop new academic programs; and
• Increased ethic of care for students and a student-centered perspective
across campus.
Clarion has developed 10 new academic programs, including its first doctorate degree,
during Whitney’s tenure. Her commitment to students is further reflected by the renovation of
Becht Hall as a student success center that brings student services to one location and by the
replacement of outdated student housing with suite-style housing. The $60 million housing
project is a portion of the $150 million in construction and renovations projects underway
or completed during her tenure, all designed to enrich the student learning and community
engagement experience.
Whitney has been a visible and accessible president who has annually led, attended, and
hosted and/or sponsored more than 550 events, programs and meetings. She implemented the
popular Late Night Breakfast in which she and other administration, faculty and staff members
serve students the Sunday night before finals week.
Whitney said Clarion’s greatest strength is its people – the employees, the community, and,
especially, the students whom she describes as “hardworking students who sacrifice much to
come to Clarion to make better lives for themselves.”
Thank you to Whitney for her seven years of service to Clarion. We wish her the best in her
role as interim chancellor.
Whitney and her wife, Dr. Peggy Apple, an education faculty member, will retain a residence in
Clarion, where Apple will continue to work. They have a dog, Clare.

11

FINANCIAL MATTERS
2016-2017 DONORS/CONTRIBUTION REVENUE

GROWING OUR ENDOWMENT

(2,870 / $1,423,991)

Current & Retired
Faculty, Staff, &
Administration

8%

ENDOWMENT BALANCE FY05–FY17

40,000,000

Parents

$34,889,311

5%

2,004/$641,644

Alumni

45%

Businesses &
Foundations

17%

298/$356,505

30,000,000

134/$233,765

25,000,000

301/$116,921

Friends,
Consortia,
& Others

35,000,000

20,000,000

133/$75,156
15,000,000

25%

10,000,000

$13,842,190
FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08

FY09 FY10

FY11

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

For 2016-2017, approximately 3.5% of the total living Clarion University
Alumni (2,004 out of 56,537) had made contributions to the Foundation.

FOUNDATION SUPPORT TO CLARION UNIVERSITY

2016-2017 SUPPORT BY CATEGORY

$9,000,000
$8,000,000

Scholarships
& Grants

$1,099K

$7,000,000

Campus
Activities
& Programs

$6,000,000

$735K

$5,000,000
$4,000,000

Operational
& Support
Services

$3,000,000

$6,122K

$2,000,000
$1,000,000
$0

FY05

FY06

FY07

FY08

FY09

FY10

FY11

Support by University to Foundation

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

TOTAL =$7,956,000

Foundation Support to University

Over the last 13-year period, the university has received $8.20
for every $1 provided to the foundation.

		

CLARION UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
JUNE 30, 2017

ASSETS
JUNE 30, 2017
JUNE 30, 2016
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Other Current Assets
$15,836,901
$18,021,396
Investments
35,908,084
31,842,793
Other
Long Term Assets
102,358,556
104,657,494
		

TOTAL ASSETS
$154,103,541
$154,521,683
		

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS		
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
$4,941,571
$6,402,466
Debt Outstanding
103,758,014
105,363,730
Total Liabilities
108,699,585
111,766,196
		
Unrestricted Net Assets
11,301,598
11,647,777
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets
14,216,261
12,034,407
Permanently Restricted Net Assets
19,886,097
19,073,303
Total
Net Assets
45,403,956
42,755,487
		
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

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$154,103,541

$154,521,683

Clarion University Foundation, Inc.
Clarion, Pennsylvania
Board of Directors 2016-2017

FROM THE

CEO

Ms. Jane France ’71—PRESIDENT
Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Mark R. Demich ’79—PRESIDENT-ELECT
Westport, CT

Thank you for taking the time to review
the Foundation’s annual report. We hope
you have found it to be educational,
enlightening, and perhaps even a little
motivational. We hope you may have
noticed more this year than any other, we have featured people in their
many roles. These people have been our students (the reason we are here),
our staff, University staff, our donors, our volunteers, and all the people that
make the good things happen at Clarion.
Organizations are just words on paper without the people that literally
bring them to life. The people that bring Clarion and its Foundation to
life are here for one reason and one reason only: the students we all help
to begin or further their lives’ dreams. It is a powerful reason to exist and
an awesome responsibility to manage and to participate in. If anyone
reading this report believes they would like to be part of this wonderful life
experience, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
So for all those people, whatever role you play, who have helped students
be Courageous, Confident, Clarion … we thank you. Don’t stop, don’t slow
down. Start again, and again and bring your family and friends to the table.
And, for those who have not, let this be the year you get involved, get
engaged, get back to or start at Clarion. Decisions are made by people that
show up. Let’s all keep showing up for Clarion!

Mr. Scott Burns—VICE-PRESIDENT
Clarion, PA
Ms. Carol Truscott ’79—SECRETARY
Clarion, PA
Mr. Frank A. Pici ’77—TREASURER
Clarion, PA
Mr. Christian Allison
Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Lawrence P. Cirka ’73
Placida, FL
Mr. D. Scott Kroh ’74
Latrobe, PA
Mr. Al Lander ’74
Lucinda, PA
Mr. Bob Leeper ’72
Pawleys Island, SC
Mr. Carl D. McManamy ’63
St. Simons Island, GA
Mr. Charles L. Motter
Shippenville, PA
Mr. Paul Palmer ’61
Allison Park, PA
Ms. G. Catherine Palo ’67
Shippenville, PA
Mr. Scott Shewell ’84
Mechanicsburg, PA
Mrs. Susan Slike ’79
Shippenville, PA

Best personal regards,

Maj. Gen. Peter Talleri (Ret.) ’79
Southpointe, PA

Michael R. Keefer, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Janet Zidansek ’72
Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Jeffrey Douthett ’79
Springfield, PA

Clarion University Foundation, Inc., wishes to thank Ms. Tina Horner,
Clarion University communication manager, and PAGES for their guidance,
writing, design and untiring editing, which made this publication possible.

BECOME INVOLVED

DONATE, VOLUNTEER, SERVE, JOIN OUR TEAM...

CLARION UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, INC.
Seifert-Mooney Center for Advancement
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214-1232
Phone: 814-393-2572 (TTY/TDD): 814-393-1601
WWW.CLARION.EDU/FOUNDATION

Mr. Howard Shreckengost
New Bethlehem, PA
Dr. Karen M. Whitney, Clarion University
President, Ex-Officio
Mr. Jim Geiger, Clarion University
Vice-President, Ex-Officio
Mr. Michael R. Keefer, Chief Executive Officer,
Ex-Officio
Mr. Max Smith, COO/CFO, Assistant Treasurer,
Ex-Officio
Ms. Debra A. Everett, Administrative
Assistant/Assistant Secretary, Ex-Officio

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