ommunity onnections Clarion University of Pennsylvania Dear Clarion University neighbor, Clarion University has a proud tradition of working with and supporting our communities. In donating our time and talent to a variety of helping efforts, Clarion University and its affiliated organizations are dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals and communities both near and far. Community engagement is one of four priority areas that Clarion University identified last year as a strategic direction (www.clarion.edu/strategic). As a publicly engaged university, we encourage personal and professional development for all of our students, faculty and staff through community service. We also value the opportunity to give back to the communities where we live and work, as well as to have your input on projects that impact all of us. I hope you enjoy reading about how our students, faculty and staff have joined together to make a difference in our communities. As always, I look forward to seeing you on campus and in the community. Karen M. Whitney President Community Connections is a biannual publication of Clarion University Office of the President. We value your feedback. To respond to topics in this newsletter or to share thoughts about any matter concerning Clarion University, email president@clarion.edu or send mail to: Office of the President, Clarion University, 840 Wood St., Clarion, PA 16214. Spring Fall 2012 2013 Clarion University employees answer call to give Each year, Clarion University faculty and staff have the opportunity to contribute to the State Employee Combined Appeal (SECA) campaign, and each year they say “yes.” In 2012, faculty and staff pledged $36,402 to SECA, the commonwealth’s annual combined fundraising drive, which supports hundreds of participating charities that serve communities both locally and globally. “We are particularly proud of our spirit of philanthropy right here at Clarion.” Karen Whitney, President Led by President Karen Whitney, 190 faculty and staff members donated $36,402 to participating charities which are part of eight umbrella organizations: America’s Charities, Christian Service Charities, Community Health Charities of Pennsylvania, Global Impact, Independent Charities of America, United Negro College Fund, United Ways of Pennsylvania and the Wildlands Conservancy. Of the amount pledged, $21,736 will stay in Clarion County and is directed to: • • • • • • • American Red Cross – $297 Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Clarion County – $840 Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurses Association – $1,327 PASSAGES – $1,761 SAFE – $2,152 The Arc of Clarion County – $509 United Way of Clarion County – $14,849 Faculty and staff are able to make contributions in the form of payroll deductions, checks and money orders, continuing a long history of giving. Over the past 20 years, state employees have raised more than $81 million for SECA. Bachelor’s-to-MBA program is a focused road to success Starting in fall 2013, Clarion University students can choose an academic path that will grant them both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration in just five years. Students in the bachelor’s-to-MBA program with either business or nonbusiness academic interests – including chemistry, communications, computer information systems, history, modern languages, psychology, theatre and more – will be able to obtain both an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in their chosen field, and an MBA. The curriculum is designed for the serious, focused student, said Dr. Ron Nowaczyk, Clarion University provost. Ideally, the student begins the program freshman year. “We will be intentionally combining discipline-specific material and business applications in courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels,” he said. Nowaczyk said that an individual who combines a non-business degree with an MBA is one who stands out in the job field. Clarion University College of Business Administration and its programs are fully accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The MBA program was recently recognized as a “Top 20 best buy” by geteducated.com. Do you know someone who would be a good fit for the bachelor’s-to-MBA program? Contact the Office of Admissions at 800-672-7171, ext. 1, or admissions@clarion.edu. Veterans invited to share war stories Airman Courtney Ward, a student veteran from Oil City, poses at construction site at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, in March 2001. He shared his experiences during deployment for inclusion in the Oral History Project. Clarion University Department of Library Science is partnering with the Library of Congress to conduct interviews for the Veterans History Project. Established in 2000 by act of Congress, the VHP seeks to compile “a lasting legacy of recorded interviews, memoirs and other documents” that chronicle the wartime experiences of veterans and other citizens. “Through the eyes of Clarion County veterans, I have witnessed the second airliner strike the World Trade Center on 9/11, participated in the relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in 1945, and gone along on convoy duty in Iraq, to name just a few,” said Dr. James T. Maccaferri, associate professor of library science and project advisor. Library science students conduct the interviews, write the interview logs and follow up on details necessary to the project’s success. All local veterans are encouraged to schedule an interview, which typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. Contact Maccaferri at jmaccaferri@ clarion.edu or 814-393-2271. Holocaust Remembrance brings speakers to Clarion Clarion University will bring two speakers in April as part of its yearly Holocaust Remembrance activities. Dr. Christopher Leighton, a Presbyterian minister and director of the Institute of Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, will present “Religion and Violence: Reflections on the Jewish-Christian Encounter,” at 7:30 p.m. April 1 in Hart Chapel, Clarion campus, and Esther Bauer, a Holocaust survivor, will recount her experiences at 7:30 p.m. April 8 in Robert W. Rhoades Center, Venango College, Oil City. Leighton Tippin renovation is in planning phase Clarion University continues to progress toward renovation of the 45-year-old Tippin Gymnasium and Natatorium. The university is working with architects DLA+, Pittsburgh, and Gund Partnership, Boston. Representatives from the firms visited Clarion in December to discuss project goals with President Karen Whitney and her executive council, as well as with university stakeholders. Plans call for adding a fitness and dance studio to Tippin, and replacing the building’s HVAC, electrical and lighting systems, while relocating the pool to an addition to the Student Recreation Center. Ric Taylor, director of facilities planning and management, said the target completion date is October 2016. Master plan will outline university’s future Clarion University has begun working with the Pittsburgh office of Perkins Eastman, a planning, design and consulting firm, to develop a campus master plan. A Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education requirement, the plan will provide a vision for facilities at both the Clarion and Venango College campuses for the next 15 years. Ric Taylor, director of facilities planning and management, said the plan looks at the adequacy of buildings, traffic flow, pedestrian flow, technical studies and campus image. Students studying geographic information systems will help with mapping. “A critical component is the landscape master plan; we must be sensitive to the campus environment and work with it,” he said. The student Green Team will be involved. The Clarion and Oil City communities are encouraged to weigh in on the plan. Forums will be scheduled. Both presentations are free and open to the public. Bauer ‘Realities of Race’ series hosts spring events The Mary L. Seifert Cultural Series Endowment of the Clarion University Foundation, Inc., was established to provide the Clarion University community with cultural experiences that inspire learning through thoughtful discussions. The theme is “Realities of Race.” Events are open to the community: • • 7 p.m., Feb. 5, Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room, lecture by Jamar Rogers, a multi-racial former contestant on “The Voice” who is HIV positive and a recovering addict 7 p.m., Feb. 18, Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room, Elaine Penn: “Finding Common Ground and Embracing Differences” • 7 p.m., March 26, location TBA, The Neighborhood Game: An Illustration of Color-Blind Racism • 6 p.m.-11:45 p.m., March 27 and 28, April 1 and 2, Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room, Spike Lee Film Festival • 8 p.m., April 3, Marwick-Boyd Auditorium, lecture by Spike Lee, director • 7 p.m., April 17, Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room, Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., “The True Meaning of the Dream” • 8 p.m., April 24-28, Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre, Edward Albee’s “Seascape” For more detailed information, visit www.clarion.edu/SeifertSeries. Lee Rogers Clarion University police chief will assume emergency management director post Clarion University President Karen M. Whitney has appointed Glen Reid, director of Reid public safety, as director of emergency management, effective Jan. 7. Revisiting the plan has been on Whitney’s mind for a few months, but the Newtown, Conn., shootings inspired her to act now. While she can’t guarantee that crises won’t occur, Whitney said she can ensure that the university, its employees and students are prepared to act in an emergency or crisis. • Reid will work collaboratively, across the campuses, to: In assuming her new responsibilities, Reid has stepped down as chief of police, a position she has held since 2008. Sgt. Marcie Trombetta will serve as acting chief of police while a search for a new director is conducted. • Update and implement an emergency-crisis plan; • Prepare all employees and students to act if an emergency/crisis occurs; • Designate employees to respond to an incident; and Develop and implement a plan to provide support and care to those affected after an emergency/crisis. University donations boost Clarion Hospital capital campaign Donations from two Clarion University entities have brought Clarion Hospital $50,000 closer to its $4.2 million capital campaign goal. Clarion Students’ Association and Clarion University Foundation, Inc., each gave $25,000 to the campaign, the goal of which is to re-establish radiological care for cancer patients in the Clarion area. The funds originated from prior years’ Clarion University Book Center earnings. “We are excited that Clarion Students’ Association and Clarion University Foundation are partnering with us to restore cancer care to our community,” said John Stroup, director of Clarion Hospital Foundation. “The (Clarion University) foundation determined that adding this capability will reintroduce much needed services to our community,” said Charles P. Leach Jr., president of Clarion University Foundation, Inc. The campaign will cover the cost of a CT scanner and MRI for detecting cancer, and a linear accelerator, which administers radiation to cancer cells. “Clarion University’s gracious support further proves how invaluable the institution is to Clarion and the surrounding communities.” John Stroup, Director Clarion Hospital Foundation “Clarion Students’ Association Board of Directors allocated the funds to the hospital’s capital campaign from its Special Projects Fund,” said Shelly Wilson, the board’s interim business manager. “The $25,000 pledge will be paid in increments of $5,000 over the next five years.” Front row (from left): Lisa Leach Goth, co-chair, Clarion Hospital Foundation Capital Campaign; Byron Quinton, president and chief executive officer, Clarion Hospital; Karen Whitney, president, Clarion University; Sarah Dixon, president, Clarion University Student Senate; and (back row) John Stroup, director, Clarion Hospital Foundation; Shelly Wilson, manager, Clarion Students’ Association; and John Owens, chairman, Clarion Students’ Association Board of Directors. Clarion University of Pennsylvania 840 Wood Street Clarion, PA 16214 Arts, culture and entertainment at Clarion Detailed information about the following events is available at www.clarion.edu/events. Events at Venango College are at Clarion University’s Oil City campus. For a schedule of athletic events, please visit www.clariongoldeneagles.com. Feb. 5 Jamar Rogers (“The Voice” contestant, HIV positive, recovering addict) 7 p.m., Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room 2013 April 11 Kane Smego (nationally recognized spoken-word poet) 7:30 p.m., Robert W. Rhoades Center, Venango College Feb. 18 Elaine Penn: “Finding Common Ground and Embracing Differences” 7 p.m., Gemmell multi-purpose room March 6-10 “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” (Clarion University Theatre) 8 p.m. (March 6-9), 2 p.m. (March 10), Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre March 26 The Neighborhood Game: An Illustration of Color-Blind Racism 7 p.m., location TBA March 27-28 Spike Lee Film Festival 6 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room March 29-30 Second Series (Clarion University Theatre; produced, directed, performed and often written by students) 8 p.m., Hart Chapel April 1-2 Spike Lee Film Festival 6 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room April 3 Spike Lee (director) 8 p.m., Marwick-Boyd Auditorium April 4 Community Breakfast 7:30 a.m., Clarion American Legion April 7 Wind Orchestra Concert 3 p.m., Marwick-Boyd Auditorium April 8 Holocaust Remembrance Day/Esther Bauer (Holocaust survivor) 7:30 p.m., Robert W. Rhoades Center, Venango College April 9 Matt Croyle (filmmaker) 6:30 p.m., Hart Chapel April 17 Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr.: “The True Meaning of the Dream” 7 p.m., Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room April 24 Terry Tempest Williams (freedom of speech activist) 7:30 p.m., Robert W. Rhoades Center, Venango College April 24-28 “Seascape” (Clarion University Theatre) 8 p.m. (April 24-27), 2 p.m. (April 28), Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre May 1-17 Bachelor of Fine Arts Show Clarion University Art gallery, Carlson Library May 4 Concert Choir, Alumni, and Venango Chorus Carmina Burana with orchestra 7:30 p.m., Marwick-Boyd Auditorium May 5 Symphony Orchestra Concert 3 p.m., Marwick-Boyd Auditorium May 18 Spring Commencement Tippin Gymnasium Two university music groups welcome community members to join. Concert Choir meets from 3 to 3:50 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in Marwick-Boyd Fine Arts Center and has several performances throughout the year. Contact Dr. Hank Alviani at 814-393-2384 or halviani@clarion.edu. Symphony Orchestra performs at the end of each semester. Contact Dr. Casey Teske at 814-393-1828. Would you like to make a gift to, or in support of, Clarion University? Give online at www.clarion.edu/givenow or call 814-393-2637. The Community Connections newsletter is published by the President’s Office, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214-1232. Clarion University is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.