CLARION
U N I V E R S I T Y

M A G A Z I N E

SPRING 2022

ADVENTURE

CADET'S DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT WITH ROTC
Some students just know what they want out of
their college experience, and for Clarion student
Courtney Kosanovic, enrolling in the ROTC firmly
aligned with her values, athleticism and career goals
upon graduation.

Kosanovic is a junior nutrition and fitness major,
who, in addition to serving in the ROTC, is a
three-sport athlete in cross country, swimming
and track where she runs in the 3000-meter
steeplechase event.

TO READ MORE ABOUT COURTNEY KOSANOVIC, GO TO:

WWW.CLARION.EDU/KOSANOVIC

CLARION

S PR I N G 2 0 2 2
VOLUME 8
NUMBER 1

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

12 Rails to Trails

4 News Digest

As coal mining waned, railroads throughout the United
States sat idle. Two former Clarion professors were
instrumental in re-purposing local rail lines as recreational
trails that are a boon to the local economy.

18 The Great Outdoors

As executive director of Pennsylvania Great Outdoors
Visitors Bureau, John Straitiff ’89 is focused on growing
tourism-related businesses in his five-county region.

22 Hook, Line and Sinker

Hooked on fly tying and fishing at age 10, Tim Cammisa ’01
is reeling in success and sharing his expertise in his book,
“Fly Tying for Everyone.”

26 The Last Frontier

After retiring, David and Kathy Wartinbee made their dream
of living in Alaska into reality, embracing the beauty and
climate of America’s 49th state.

Clarion gets Gold distinction in Military Friendly
recognition; vice chancellor Pearson delivers Martin
Luther King Jr. keynote; campuses join to celebrate
Black history, women’s history; Interhall Council marks
Pi Day by pie-ing profs; students from Clarion, California
and Edinboro universities joined for the “MERGE”
exhibition, featuring visual art and poetry.

10 Winter 2021 commencement
30 Sports Roundup
Fifty years’ worth of fans honor Coach Bob Bubb
in naming of wrestling facility; Hrovat inducted into
Pennsylvania Sports hall of Fame; Clarion Sports Hall of
Fame names 2022 inductees.

36 Alumni updates
40 #WingsUp
Recreational Outdoors Club president Zachary Marcic
says the group has one goal for students: Go outside
and enjoy the natural beauty.

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

1

President:
Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson
Executive editor:
Tina Horner
Co-editors:
Sean Fagan (sports);
Amy Thompson Wozniak ’02, ’06G
Design:
Bryan Postlewait ’04
Contributors:
Michelle Port
Shawna Bish
Photographers:
Brianna Kirkland ’16
Bryan Postlewait ’04
Address comments and questions to:
Clarion University Magazine
Center for Advancement
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
840 Wood St., Clarion, PA 16214
Email: alumni@clarion.edu
Visit Clarion University on the web at
www.clarion.edu.
Clarion University Magazine is
published by the Division for University
Advancement for alumni, families of
current students and friends of Clarion
University. Alumni information is also
located at www.clarion.edu/alumni.
Clarion University of Pennsylvania is
committed to equal employment and
equal educational opportunities for
all qualified individuals regardless
of race, color, sex, religion, national
origin, affection or sexual orientation,
age, disability or other classifications
that are protected under Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972, Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, and other pertinent state and
federal laws and regulations.
Direct equal opportunity inquiries to:
Director of Social Equity
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
423 Becht Hall
Clarion, PA 16214-1232
814-393-2109

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SPRING 2022
WWW.CLARION.EDU

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher
Education Board of Governors
Chair: Cynthia D. Shapira
Vice Chair: David M. Maser
Vice Chair: Samuel H. Smith
Rep. Tim Briggs
Audrey F. Bronson
Joar Dahn
Donald E. Houser Jr.
Rodney Kaplan Jr.
Barbara McIlvaine Smith
Marian D. Moskowitz
Thomas S. Muller
Noe Ortega, designee for Sec. Rivera
Pedro A. Rivera, secretary of education
Rep. Brad Roae
Sen. Judith L. Schwank
Meg Snead, designee for Gov. Wolf
Neil R. Weaver ‘00
Gov. Tom Wolf
Janet L. Yeomans
Council of Trustees
Chair: J.D. Dunbar ’77, ’79G
Vice Chair: Milissa Steiner Bauer ’84
Secretary: James L. Kifer ’83G
Susanne A. Burns
The Honorable R. Lee James ’74, ‘83G
The Honorable Donna Oberlander ’91
Larry Pickett ’77
Kathryn Robinson, Student Trustee
Brendan Shepherd ’16
Howard H. Shreckengost ’83
Neil Weaver ’00
Alumni Association Board of Directors
President: Theresa Zacherl Edder ’91, ’05G
President-Elect: David Reed ’09
Treasurer: Michael Phillips ’03, ’04G
Secretary: Samantha Noblit Thauvett ‘09
Michael Chapaloney ‘99
Brian Cook ‘03
Henry Crawford ’02
Jeffrey Douthett ’79
Chelsea Signorino Ewing ’15
Sandra Hollenbaugh Jarecki ’69
Bridget Linnan Kennedy ’90, ‘07G
Thomas Launer ’10
John Marshall ’87
Barry McCauliff ’72
Sean McDonald ’97, ‘01G
Chris Myers ’12
Ryan Peffer ’03
Joseph Sciullo ’02
Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas ’92
Virginia Cole Vasko ’88
Sydney Spang
Eagle Ambassadors President
Ann Thompson ex-officio
Director of Alumni Engagement
Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson ex-officio
President, Clarion University

MIDDLE STATES,
NCAA GRANT APPROVAL;
PENNWEST LAUNCHES
JULY 1, 2022
The PennWest integration project has received
initial approval from our accrediting agency, the
Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
This is an important milestone on the path
to integration. In approving the “complex
substantive change request” submitted by
Clarion, California and Edinboro, Middle States
provides a clear path forward for our three
campuses to officially unite as Pennsylvania
Western University (PennWest) July 1, 2022.
Accreditation matters. The Department of
Education requires a university to be accredited
in order to receive federal funds, including
student financial aid. Accreditation also assures
students, families and communities that the
university has completed a rigorous review
process and provides a high-quality education.
For more than two years, we have worked
together to lay the foundation for PennWest,
a student-focused university that incorporates
the best of our three campuses. This action by
the Middle States commission is a crucial step
in creating a single accredited university with
campuses at Clarion, California and Edinboro.
It is important to note that PennWest students
will graduate from an accredited university no
matter which campus they call home.
In its action, Middle States also reviewed a
“teach-out plan,” ensuring that current students
can complete the programs of study in which
they are enrolled.
In addition, NCAA has affirmed that California,
Clarion, and Edinboro universities will continue
as independent and separate athletic programs.
This affirmation reflects the confidence in
our campuses to successfully operate these
programs and the important role that a strong
intercollegiate program plays on a college
campus. It also recognizes the impact that our
student-athletes have on our campuses and in
our communities.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Golden Eagles,
Spring begins with a renewed sense of purpose as we get ready
to integrate California, Clarion and Edinboro, and launch Pennsylvania Western University.
Hundreds of people on all three campuses have spent more than
24 months preparing to launch PennWest. It’s a complex project,
and the integrated university’s July debut will be a starting point,
not the finish line.
What will not change is our commitment to retaining the
culture and identity of each PennWest campus. At Clarion, the
Golden Eagles mascot, Homecoming celebration and other
memorable traditions will remain, along with a full complement of
athletics teams.
This magazine focuses on the great outdoors. Pennsylvania has
a continually expanding network of rails to trails, countless acres
of forested land, rivers and lakes, and some of the most beautiful
natural scenery in the United States. We are proud that our alumni
are helping others to have safe, accessible, rewarding recreation.
The future is bright! With about 14,500 students and 180,000
alumni, PennWest will be among the largest universities in western
Pennsylvania. We will always be Golden Eagles, but we will also
be part of a powerhouse university that is breaking new ground in
higher education.
With your loyalty and support, our Clarion campus will continue
to transform the lives of students across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Onward!

Dr. Dale

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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STUDENT NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

M E R G E
STUDENTS JOIN FOR MULTI-CAMPUS
MERGE EXHIBITION
Students from Clarion, California and Edinboro
universities joined for the “MERGE” exhibition, featuring
visual art and poetry they created in response to one of
three prompts:
• What is your most powerful campus memory?
• What excites (or terrifies) you about your education?
• What does MERGE mean to you?
More than 60 student pieces, including photographs,
prints, haiku poetry and photos of 3-dimensional artwork,
were submitted for the tri-campus showcase, displayed
simultaneously in Clarion’s Empty Set Gallery, California’s
Vulcan Hall and Edinboro’s Bruce Gallery. Zoom
programming enabled students from the three campuses
to collaborate on the planning and curation processes.

Clarion student Adanna Maltony stands with her work,
which is displayed as part of the MERGE exhibit.

“The goal of MERGE was to spark connections among
students and art faculty at each of our three geographically
distant campuses and to provide a platform for students
to express their responses to integration,” said Lisa Austin,
director of Edinboro’s Bruce Gallery.
“It invites students to explore ideas of identity for our
campuses, and/or what this merger might mean for them,”
said Laura DeFazio, who has taught sculpture and drawing
at California since 1997.

CLASS PROJECT PROFILES FEMALE ATHLETES
Students in Dr. Carol Brennan-Caplan’s Gender in Sports class researched female athletes who are pioneers in the
sporting world, then developed poster presentations. After the students presented their research in class, the posters
were moved to the second floor of Ralston Hall for display throughout March.

Gender in Sports students DJ Rawley, Jeremy Ford and international student Robert Lachmann from Hamburg, Germany,
researched Constance Applebee for their presentation.

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SPRING 2022
WWW.CLARION.EDU

VENANGO NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

VENANGO HOSTS STUFF-A-PLUSH: MAKE, TAKE & DONATE
Venango Campus Activities Board invited students this spring to make a stuffed animal to take home, then make another
to donate to foster care services. The stuffed animals are given to children when they are placed in foster homes.

COMEDIAN/HYPNOTIST ENTERTAINS VENANGO CROWD
Hypnotist Mike Lee performed at Venango campus
this spring. Lee took volunteers from the crowd,
put them into a state of hypnosis, and convinced

them they were professional rappers, elite athletes,
in a dance competition, NASA scientists interviewing
Martians, and other situations.

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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ALUMNI NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

HUNSBERGER CONFIRMED TO BOARD OF NURSING
Dr. Colby Hunsberger ’12, nursing instructor for Clarion University, was confirmed
as a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. He fills a vacant seat with
term expiration in May 2023.
“Dr. Hunsberger is uniquely positioned for this role because of his expertise in the
professional demands, challenges and responsibilities facing nurses in our rapidly
changing health care environment,” wrote Rep. Donna Oberlander ’91 in her letter
of recommendation. “His diverse training and education – in areas such as
dementia, long-term care, students with special needs, COVID-19, telehealth, ethics
and racial disparities – will serve him well.”
He holds associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and is a doctor
of nursing practice. Hunsberger has worked in various capacities as a nurse,
including in medical surgical, oncology and long-term care. He is a nurse aide
evaluator, administering certification exams, and he is a certified academic clinical
nurse educator.

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SPRING 2022
WWW.CLARION.EDU

ALUMNI NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

GIBSON
RELEASES BOOK
ABOUT INNER
STRUGGLES
Alvin Gibson released a book, “Playing Defense Against the
Inner Man.” Gibson said the book is designed to help readers
look within themselves and learn why certain things continue
to control people’s lives. “I know that sometimes other people,
things and places play a role in our struggles, but the bottom line
is the part you play,” he said.
The book is available at store.bookbaby.com.

BOMBOY SELECTED AS ATD
NATIONAL FINAL FOUR
John Bomboy ’75, was selected as a National Final Four
in the voting for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs Outstanding
Member Award for 2021. ATD is a nationwide organization
with more than 15,000 members. Bomboy, who retired from
Marion Center Area High School in 2014, made 74 visits to 10
different facilities in 2021 with his golden retriever Bam-Bam.
He lives in Home.

WASHABAUGH RETIRES
Brad G. Washabaugh ’76 retired from RTI International in October
2021 after having worked there 16 years. He had been a vice president.
Washabaugh had also served 29 years in the United States Marine
Corps, where he attained the rank of colonel. He and his wife Linda live
in Cary, North Carolina. They have two children, Brooke and Brandon.
CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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CAMPUS NEWS I CLARION DIGEST
CLARION GETS
GOLD DISTINCTION
IN MILITARY-FRIENDLY
RECOGNITION

Clarion University has been named a Military Friendly School with Gold
distinction for 2022-23. This is the 13th consecutive year Clarion has earned
Military Friendly recognition.
The Military Friendly Schools list sets the standard for higher education
institutions to provide the best opportunities for veterans and their spouses.
This prestigious list provides a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families,
using data sources from federal agencies and proprietary survey information from
participating organizations.
The Gold distinction indicates Clarion scored within 10 percent of the 10th ranked
school in its category and is setting an example with programs and initiatives.

VICE CHANCELLOR
PEARSON DELIVERS MARTIN LUTHER
KING JR. KEYNOTE
Dr. Denise Pearson, vice chancellor and chief diversity, equity and
inclusion officer for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education,
delivered the keynote address at Clarion University’s 10th annual
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast Jan. 17 in Eagle
Commons. This year’s theme was The King Legacy: Becoming One.
Ayanna Squair, a junior criminal justice administration major and
sociology minor from Pittsburgh, presented the student address.
The event is sponsored by Clarion University and Clarion
community organizations, charities and churches.

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SPRING 2022
WWW.CLARION.EDU

CAMPUS NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

CAMPUSES JOIN TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY, WOMEN’S HISTORY
Clarion, with sister campuses California and Edinboro, provided an array of programming to celebrate Black History
Month and Women’s History Month. Zoom enabled access to the programs from any campus.
Throughout Black History Month, the universities hosted events honoring the unique legacies, accomplishments and
struggles of African Americans everywhere. Program topics included Harriet Tubman, soul food, professors of color in the
ivory tower, art and film-making.
Women’s History Month included presentations on topics such as reproductive rights, women in law enforcement and
indigenous women. Clarion concluded the month with a “Women Supporting Women: Overcoming Challenges” panel of
five Clarion alumnae from various demographic backgrounds.

3/14

y
a
D
i
P

Interhall Council celebrated Pi Day March 14 by inviting students, faculty and staff
to pay $5 to pie a professor or administrator. Dr. Jamie Phillips, philosophy professor,
prepares to be pied; Dr. Paul Woodburne, social sciences professor, gets a face full of
whipped cream; and Jim Geiger, senior vice president for Advancement, poses
post-pie with a student. Profits benefit the Education Partnership and the Trevor Project.

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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“BE BOLD, BE COURAGEOUS, BE YOUR BEST.”

“THERE IS NO SCRIPT."

“WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE, BUT KNOW NOT WHAT WE MAY BE.”
“IF OPPORTUNITY DOESN'T KNOCK, BUILD A DOOR.”

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SPRING 2022
WWW.CLARION.EDU

“FOLLOW YOUR FEAR.”

WINTER 2021

“WHEREVER YOU GO, GO WITH ALL YOUR HEART.”

“GRADUATION IS NOT THE END; IT’S THE BEGINNING.”

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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SPRING 2022
WWW.CLARION.EDU

In the 1980s, when federal legislation was enacted to
limit acid rain, coal mining in western Pennsylvania became less viable. With the diminished state of the coal
industry, the logic of railroads – which had been used
to move coal – also disappeared.
CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

13

ALLEGHENY RIVER TRAIL
www.avta-trails.org
Across the country and in Pennsylvania, dormant tracks
were taken up, including those along the Allegheny River
from Franklin to Emlenton.
An Ohio attorney purchased a portion of the property
to subdivide and sell as riverfront lots. Around the same
time, Pacific Gas and Electric created the Scrubgrass Power
Plant in Rockland Township. To connect the plant to the
power grid, Pacific bought the northern 15 miles – from
the Kennerdell tunnel to Franklin – for the power lines. Not
interested in owning property, Pacific wanted to donate the
land to a nonprofit organization or to local government.
At Clarion University, science professors Dr. Jim Howes
and Dr. Jim Holden were becoming acquainted.
“We were both avid bicyclists,” Howes said. “I lived in Oil
City, and I would ride the Oil Creek State Park trail.”
One of Howes’ early memories with Holden, who lived
in Franklin, is participating in the annual bike race at Oil
Creek State Park. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had
constructed the 9.7-mile trail adjacent to Oil Creek, and
Cranberry Township had developed the Justus Trail along
the Allegheny between Oil City and Franklin.

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“Jim and I appreciated the work Cranberry Township and
Oil Creek State Park had done, and (further developing the
area’s trail system) seemed like such an obvious thing to
do,” Howes said.
They began to look into transforming the 15 miles owned
by Pacific Gas and Electric, as well as the tract owned by the
Ohio attorney into recreational trail.
“At first, Jim and I thought local government would be
the logical entity to own the land, but neither Clarion
nor Venango County wanted to take ownership,” Howes
said. “That’s why we founded Allegheny Valley Trails
Association.”
Howes was the first president, and Holden was vice
president. It was a learning experience for the men, who
became experts on title searches and land records. Through
their work and a “very strong core of dedicated people,”
their vision became a reality.
Once the nonprofit AVTA was founded, Pacific Gas
and Electric was able to donate the 15 miles between the
Kennerdell tunnel and Franklin. Howes wrote a grant to
buy out the Ohio attorney’s interest, and 10 years later, the
organization purchased the remaining salvage interest,
beyond Foxburg to the Parker bridge.

“Jim and I were very pleased that our initial work seemed
to stimulate other groups,” Howes said.

FOXBURG TRAIL
artincc.org
Bryan Koehler’s involvement with the Foxburg Trail, part
of Allegheny River Trail in Clarion County, came about
through a Facebook post by a business acquaintance.
The post said that the Foxburg Trail had secured a longsought 3.3 miles of rail bed between Foxburg and Emlenton
for a rail trail to be built. Koehler '88 is experienced with
trail work from having worked on the North Country Trail 25
years ago, and he offered his help to Jennings, who heads
the Allegheny River Trail in Clarion County group.
“The reason I got involved with North Country was that
I used to do a lot of backpacking,” Koehler said. “I felt that
I was using the trail, so it was a return-the-favor-kind of
thing.”

The construction crew recently took down trees, cleared
brush and removed a dilapidated shed from the rail bed.
“The group is working to secure grants from the
(Department of Conservation and Natural Resources).
One of the outfits that’s helped us is Central Electric
Cooperative. They just gave us $4,800 and may volunteer
some tree cutters and climbers,” he said.
The plan is to build a trail, then adjacent to the trail is a
right of way that will be created to allow traffic. “If people
want to develop along the river, they’ll need access,”
Koehler said.
As trail and river recreation increase, Koehler wants to
remind people to leave no trace. “Take only pictures; leave
only footprints.”

REDBANK VALLEY TRAILS
redbankvalleytrails.org

He now bikes on the area rail trails, and he wants to return
the favor this time to the Foxburg Trail. Koehler is a member
of the construction committee for Allegheny River Trail in
Clarion County.

Phil Hynes’ love of rail trails began on the Justus segment
of the Allegheny River Trail and grew while traveling with
friends to bike on rails to trails around the country. He came
on board the Redbank Valley Trail Association shortly after
it formed in 2011.

The work began with correcting the grades, which
ARTinCC hopes will be done by the end of summer, when
they will turn the work over to a paving company.

Bicyclists commonly seek a distance of 50 miles, so the
51-mile Redbank Valley Trail is ideal for them.
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“Redbank joins with Armstrong, the Erie to Pittsburgh,
and the Great Allegheny Passage trails. You can go from
Brookville to Washington, D.C., without leaving the trail,”
Hynes '83 said.
Eventually, the trail will connect from Rockwood on the
GAP trail to the future 9-11 Memorial Trail. It’s also part of an
initiative to connect Pittsburgh via the Redbank Valley Trails
to Ridgway in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
The trail is unique in several ways, from ownership to
construction.

Bed and breakfasts have been springing up. Hynes said
the town needs and can support more restaurants. Borough
council has placed bike racks on the sidewalks to enable trail
users to explore the downtown.
The New Bethlehem area and Redbank Valley community
benefit from Redbank Valley Trails in countless ways,
according to Gordon Barrows, mayor of New Bethlehem and
member of Redbank Valley Trails Association. Barrows said
benefits include:

“It’s privately owned,” Hynes said. “Many rail trails are
administered by the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, but Redbank is actually owned by the
trail association. We own and maintain all 51 miles.”

• Making better places to live by preserving and providing
access to open spaces.

Hynes said trails that length usually take decades to
develop.

• Creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation and
non-motorized transportation.

“We pretty much finished Redbank Trail in four years,” he
said. “DCNR couldn’t believe it – they named Redbank Trail
the first Trail of the Year in 2014.”

• Strengthening the local economy by providing business
and recreational opportunities and improved property
values.

Hynes, a member of Brookville Borough Council, said his
biggest project with the trail has been developing the
one-mile Depot Street spur, which brings the trail into
downtown Brookville.

• Protecting nature and the natural environment.

“Our group is trying to get a trail town designation for
Brookville,” he said. “There have been all kinds of studies on

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the economic impact of tourism and bike trails.” Hynes said.

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• Encouraging physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.

• Preserving culture and historically valuable areas
and resources.
“The eco-tourism and recreational opportunities of the
Redbank Valley Trails have revitalized and transformed the

local economy, while improving our community’s quality of
life,” Burrows said.
“Existing businesses have flourished, while new businesses
have started, grown and prospered. That includes places to
stay, places to eat and things to do, including B&Bs,
restaurants, bike shops, outfitters, campgrounds, an art
gallery and more.”

RAIL 66 COUNTRY TRAIL
rail-66.com
The Rail 66 Country Trail follows the path of the
narrow-gauge Pittsburgh and Western Railroad, built in the
late 1800s.
In the early 2000s, the line was purchased by the
Kovalchick Corporation. Al Lander ’74 of Lucinda leased four
miles of the rail bed property from Kovalchick and paved
it through the Lucinda-Snydersburg area for easy hiking,
jogging and bicycling. The people of the neighborhood liked
the trail and formed Rail 66 Country Trail Inc., to support and
further develop it.
Last year, the Headwaters Charitable Trust purchased all
74 miles of the rail line in Clarion County, Forest, Elk and
McKean counties to Kinzua Bridge State Park. Headwaters
put Rail 66 in charge of the 24 miles in Clarion County.
The property includes the original Lucinda Railway Station,
which had been preserved by Gene Lander of Lucinda with
help from history teacher Terry Moore ’67 and students from
North Clarion High School.
Rail 66 is poised to become part of the growing network of
hiking and bicycling trails in Pennsylvania. It twice intersects
the North Country Trail – a national scenic hiking trail
stretching from northern New York State to North Dakota. Plans are being laid to connect Rail 66 to Cook Forest
State Park’s system of bicycling and hiking trails. In Marianne,
it crosses Route 322, which serves as the Route V bicycle trail
spanning Pennsylvania.

P E N N S Y LV A N I A

RAIL-TRAIL STATS

194
total rail-trails

2,136
miles of rail-trails

83
current projects

726
miles of potential
rail-trails

Many of Jason Hollingsworth and Brooke Porter’s
customers at Clarion Bicycle & Outdoor are rail trail
riders.
“We sell them their bikes and accessories, maintain
their bikes, and are always available to answer questions
about where to ride,” Hollingsworth ‘05 said.
He also answers questions about what to ride.
“We’ve had a big shift into ebikes,” he said. “We have
been selling as many ebikes as traditional bikes for the
past year. We currently have over 50 ebikes in stock, in
different varieties for every type of riding.”
Last year, Hollingsworth moved Clarion Bicycle &
Outdoor from its downtown Clarion location to a new
building on Reidsburg Road. He said it offers easier
parking and a perfect place to test ride bikes.
He has supported Rail 66 through providing at cost
several maintenance stations along the trail and bikes for
raffles to raise money for the trail. He has donated free
bike tune-ups as part of his support of Rail 66.
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When the COVID-19 pandemic closed stores, restaurants
and entertainment venues, Pennsylvania families exorcised
their cabin fever by taking to the outdoors. That was good
news for John Straitiff ’89, executive director of
Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau.
Endless adventures await in the Pennsylvania Great
Outdoors, a 2,900-square-mile region encompassing
Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Forest and Jefferson counties.
Straitiff’s goal for the organization is to grow tourismrelated businesses in the PA Great Outdoors region.
The PA Great Outdoors region saw record numbers of
stays at lodging facilities as well as steady growth with
rentals like Vrbo and Airbnb in 2021. Visitors also are
frequenting wineries, distilleries and craft breweries.
“When people think of planning vacations focused on
outdoor adventures and time spent in nature, I want them
to think about Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region,”
Straitiff said.
Hiking and kayaking are some of the most popular
outdoor activities, so people are naturally drawn to the Wild
and Scenic Clarion River (an official designation from the
federal government) and the ancient stands of old growth
timber in Cook Forest State Park.
Some tourism is based around wild animals, including the
elk herd in Elk and Cameron counties, and some not-so-wild
animals like Punxsutawney Phil.
“Punxsutawney Phil is by far our most well-known
attraction,” Straitiff said. “Phil brings travelers from around
the globe.”
Straitiff added that the Allegheny National Forest is
popular with outdoor adventure seekers, while Clarion’s
Autumn Leaf Festival is a family-friendly attraction.
However, there are some relatively unknown attractions
that Straitiff believes deserve to be programmed into
your GPS.
In Clarion County, he recommends that people visit the
Redbank Coaling Tower along the Armstrong Trail in East
Brady; Helen Furnace along White Oak Drive off of Miola

Road; Henry Run Sawmill Dam in Cook Forest; and the Blue
Ridge Forest near Cook Forest.
If you find yourself in Cameron County, head to Bucktail
Overlook, otherwise known as the ‘Top of the World’, and
plan to do some eagle watching along the Sinnemahoning
watershed, Straitiff said.
Forest County offers Lighthouse Island and Peace Park
as well as the vast Allegheny National Forest. Elk County’s
hidden gems include Bendigo State Park and The Cross
on the Hill in Benezette. Jefferson County boasts Scripture
Rocks Heritage Park and Beartown Rocks in Clear Creek
State Park.
Straitiff’s journey to the position as PA Great Outdoors
executive director combines his love of the outdoors with
his communication degree from Clarion and his subsequent
communication experiences.
Upon graduation, Straitiff worked at Sports Channel
Chicago as a segment producer and also was a freelancer
for TV crews covering sports in Chicago.
“It was fun seeing the pro sports stars and coaches up
close,” Straitiff said. “I am glad that I tried television in the
big city, but I am country boy at heart.”
He then took a sales job at a Clearfield radio station, and
later became an account executive with WTAJ TV. Nature
continued to call his name, so he became a manager and
head guide at a large outdoor adventure ranch.
“While working a trade show for the ranch, I discovered
that the executive director position at PAGO was available.
I knew in my heart this was the perfect job for me. I started
at PAGO in April 2014 and absolutely love my job. I am
able to use my love of the outdoors and the knowledge
gained working with various clients over two decades in
broadcasting sales to develop and implement marketing
programs that attract visitors to Cameron, Clarion, Elk,
Forest and Jefferson counties, that collectively are known as
Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region.”
For more information on the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors
go to visitpago.com.

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"Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.
Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains."
-Thoreau
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Some fly fishers learn to tie flies after becoming
experienced in the sport. For Tim Cammisa ’01, fly tying
came first.
“My parents signed me up for an afterschool fly tying
class when I was 10 years old (4th grade). It was so
fascinating, designing and creating imitations of natural
insects. Then when I realized that we could catch fish with
these flies – I was hooked!”
Cammisa explained that in traditional
fishing, you use the weight of a lure to cast a
fine monofilament line. In fly fishing, things
are reversed.
“A thick fly line is used to generate energy
to cast a small fly. The fly can be an imitation
of a natural insect, baitfish, worm, or simply
something that looks good enough for the
fish to eat,” Cammisa said.
For Cammisa, tricking fish is part of the fun.
“Catching a fish on a fly that I tied myself is the best
feeling in the world. To know that I tricked that fish brings
a smile to my face, and also brings me back to my youth,”
Cammisa said. “I practice catch-and-release, which means
that I put the majority of fish caught back into the water,
giving others the chance to experience that feeling, too.”

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Another gripping aspect of fly fishing is creating and
flying the ties that trick the fish. Cammisa has shared his
expertise on the subject on his YouTube Channel and in his
latest book, “Fly Tying for Everyone.”
“With social media, there are many flies and techniques
being shared at an incredible rate. The downside is that few
of those patterns are vetted.”
This is especially helpful for a novice fly
tier. In “Fly Tying for Everyone,” he features a
baker’s dozen of tried-and-true flies that are
sure to catch fish.
“Each pattern encompasses fly-tying
techniques from the beginning to intermediate
level, so this is a ‘one stop shop’ that provides
modern flies and materials to a range of tiers.
Also, within each section, I included methods
on how to fish the patterns, as the goal is to
use each to catch fish.”
You also don’t necessarily have to be dexterous to learn
to fly ties.
“Having dexterity and fine motor skills definitely helps,
though fly tying becomes easier over time with practice.
There are many tools available to help the process go
smoother, such as a fly-tying vise, bobbin, scissors, hackle

pliers, whip finishing tool, and more.” He said thread and
hooks round out the basic supplies. “With modern
technology, this is a great time to learn fly tying.”

It’s important to note that the appeal of fly fishing isn’t
because it’s more effective at catching fish than regular
fishing. Fishing is situational, Cammisa explained.

Cammisa started fly tying and then fly fishing at a young
age. His great uncle John is an enthusiastic fly fisher who
took him under his wing in those early days of fly fishing. He
took Cammisa and his cousin to the water, but casting didn’t
go as planned in that first outing.

For him, the “appeal of fly fishing is the connection to the
natural world, using imitations of what the fish are currently
feeding on.”

“We proceeded to beat the water to a froth, only
managing to catch one fish between us,” Cammisa said.
The uncle and another older friend gave Cammisa and his
cousin a casting lesson, with the advice to practice before
returning to fish again. The seasoned fly fisherman joked
that the two boys had scared every fish in the county.
“So, I practiced, was invited back, and have been fly
fishing and tying flies for 33 years.”
Fly fishing requires specialized equipment including a
fly rod, fly reel, fly line, leader and flies. Because many
fly-fishing locations are in moving water, Cammisa also
recommends buying waders and wading shoes.
“Experiencing fly fishing, especially with flies tied yourself,
is unlike anything else. It’s taken me all over the world, and I
now host trips to Iceland and other destinations.”

“Like everything else in life, there is a learning curve, but
you get to work through that in the outdoors, on the water.
Nature’s classroom is the perfect environment, and for
many, the fish are just a bonus.”
Fly fishing can be done in freshwater and saltwater.
“I can say that I have fly fished all over the country,
from Montana to Florida, and caught both freshwater and
saltwater species on a fly rod. I also host fly fishing trips to
Iceland, and using a fly rod is an excellent and effective way
to catch fish there.”
For more on fly fishing, follow Tim Cammisa on his
website at www.troutandfeather.com and at
www.youtube.com/c/TimCammisa.
His channel is dedicated to lessening the learning curve for
fly tying and fly fishing and has educational and
entertaining content from locations around the world.
His content has more than 4 million views.

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T H E

L A S T

FRONTIER

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Dr. David ’69 and Kathy ’68 Wartinbee enjoy long walks
on the beach, working in their flower and vegetable gardens
and their orchards, and going for a spin in their classic ’67
Corvette. They also love playing in the snow, whether they’re
hiking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and, for David, helping
out at the Iditarod.
They live in Soldotna, Alaska, a locale that’s ideal – with
preparation – for year-round outdoor activity.
When the Wartinbees walk on the beach, for example, they
navigate around obstacles in the form of giant chunks of ice.
Around their gardens and orchard, they construct fences that
are 7 feet high – enough to protect the vegetation from the
moose that wander near their home.
The couple worked hard throughout their careers, he as
a professor of biology, she as a librarian. When they retired,
Alaska’s beauty – of the people even more so than of the
breathtaking scenery – lured them from their home state of
Pennsylvania.
“I felt like I was home,” Kathy said of their first visit.
David’s research of streams and aquatic insects first took
them to America’s 49th state in the summer of 1977. The
Wartinbees were so enamored with Alaska that they returned
for all but a few summers until they moved there permanently
in 1997.
Before they committed to moving, they wanted to
experience winter there.
“We came during Christmas break when I was in law
school,” David said. “We said ‘Let’s see what it’s like in the
winter.’ It was even more beautiful. Winter is spectacular.”
They moved there permanently after retiring from their
teaching jobs in Pennsylvania.
Now that it is their home, the Wartinbees embrace the
climate and terrain, as well as the planning ahead that is
essential for survival, even during routine trips.
In Soldotna, David said temperatures fall to 40 degrees
below zero in the winter. Soldotna is about 50 air miles or
150 road miles south of Anchorage.
“You have to have the appropriate gear to take care of
yourself for the kind of conditions you’ll be in,” David said.
The Wartinbees live near wilderness, where there are no
houses, no roads and no cell coverage. They spend as much
time as possible in the wild and beautiful places that surround
them. Preparation is key.

“We have different clothing. I have five changes of long
underwear. You just prepare for the weather. This is my
15-degree jacket. This is my minus-10-degree jacket,”
Kathy said.
“As I prepared to work at a Galena checkpoint for the
Iditarod sled dog race, I packed my minus-45-degree jacket,”
David said.
Alaska is a state with very few roads, David said. He and
Kathy get around using their Polaris side-by-side ATV,
snowmobiling, snowshoeing and walking. David is a licensed
pilot and has his own Cessna 180 plane that is fitted with
wheels, skis or floats, depending on the season – that he uses
to visit wilderness areas for sightseeing, hiking, fishing or
visiting friends.
Some parts of Alaska are dark for several months, but the
least amount of sunlight in Soldotna is five hours per day.
During those periods, “you have to go outside,” David said.
“If it’s a nice bright day, you can figure I’m going to go out
flying, or ice fishing or running the snow machine,” he said.
Snow machine is another term for snowmobile.
Kathy said her knees are shot from downhill skiing, but she
stays active with snowshoeing, hiking, gardening, quilting and
traveling with her husband.
In the warm summer months, Soldotna can have almost 20
hours of daylight – “Lots of time to play,” David said.
Planning ahead has also been a financial priority for the
Wartinbees. Long before they became Alaska residents, David
and Kathy began to make decisions to enable the life they
have now. Part of their carefully crafted plan is philanthropy.
“I’d been sending Clarion $100 each year for many years.
One of the things that I learned to do is invest money and
make money with the investments,” David said. “We have
everything we could want in terms of toys, a wonderful place
to live, and good health; we don’t want for anything.
We are comfortable. Now, we are able to step up our support
of education.”
“We owe Clarion. We earned our living because of the
education we got at Clarion,” Kathy said. “It’s payback time.”
“We recognize that there are students who can use a helping hand going through college, and we want to provide an
opportunity for some of those students,” David said. “Neither
of us came from wealthy families, and we know how difficult it
can be to afford college. That’s one of the reasons we wanted
to start these scholarships – to help someone who needs it.”
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SPORTS ROUNDUP

COACHBOBBUBB
Fans packed into Tippin Gymnasium. Alumni from eras
spanning more than 50 years gathered from around the
country, and welI-wishes poured in from the world over.
In short, this was no ordinary event on January 30. It was
a celebration befitting an individual whose impact on so
many lives cannot be adequately expressed in words.
Prior to the scheduled wrestling match against Kent
State, the athletic department formally unveiled the newly
dedicated Robert G. Bubb Wrestling Facility, named for
longtime Golden Eagles head wrestling coach Bob Bubb.
Hundreds attended the ceremony in the gym while many
more followed along with the ceremony from home.
“For more than 50 years, we have been fortunate to
have Coach Bubb be a part of not just our Golden Eagles
wrestling program, but also our Clarion community,” said

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university president Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson in recorded
remarks at the ceremony.
A video presentation shown to the fans in attendance and
those watching online enumerated Bubb’s many
accomplishments as the Golden Eagles head coach. In 26
years at the helm of the program, Bubb turned a small
college in Pennsylvania into one of the hubs of the college
wrestling world. Clarion boasted seven Division I national
champions and 27 Division I All-Americans in that time.
As a team, the Golden Eagles finished the NCAA Division
I Championships in the top-10 four times and in the top-15
eight times in his tenure, including a fourth-place finish in
1973. The 1986 Division I Coach of the Year, Bubb was one of
only four coaches in Division I history to record more than
300 career dual wins when he retired in 1992.

SPORTS ROUNDUP
That said, the presentation very quickly shifted gears as
alumni and friends began recounting the things that Bubb
meant to them on a personal as opposed to coaching level.
“During my time here at Clarion, I’ve built so many
relationships with our alumni and fans, and I’ve heard all
sorts of stories from their college years, and all they seem to
lead back in some way to Coach Bubb,” said head wrestling
coach Keith Ferraro. “But what’s really surprising about
those Coach Bubb stories is how often they have nothing to
do with wrestling.”
“Coach Bubb built a wrestling dynasty at a small school
in Pennsylvania, and we’re all grateful for that,” Ferraro said.
“But what Coach Bubb was really doing was building great
men, and using the sport of wrestling to do it.”
After the video presentation, the man of the hour stood
at the podium. And in his typical humble fashion, Bubb
showed his gratitude for the honor while also crediting
seemingly everyone except himself for the successes
achieved in his time at Clarion.

“Those of you here today know that Clarion’s wrestling
success from ‘66 to ‘92 lies not with one man,” Bubb said.
“We were a program, and a whole. But in making that
whole, there were so many pieces that ultimately made that
whole.”
Bubb concluded his comments by quoting from Theodore
Roosevelt’s “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, specifically
what has come to be known as the “Man in the Arena” section. The words of that speech hung in the wrestling room
in Tippin Gym during Bubb’s tenure as coach and through
the years after. The speech declares in part that “It is not the
critic who counts ... the credit belongs to the man who is
actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and
dust and blood: who strives valiantly ... and spends himself
in a worthy cause.”
“We called it our serenity prayer,” Bubb said.
Now, Bubb will be the man in the arena - or wrestling
room, as it turns out - for generations to come.

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

COACHDAVEHROVAT
For many years Clarion graduates have dotted the names
of inductees into the Robert “Tick” Cloherty Western
Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Athletes
such as Dr. Jamie Wolf Jackel ’07, Alex Sandusky ’54 and
others, as well as legendary coaches like Al Jacks, Bob Bubb
and Gie Parsons, have all been honored as some of the best
to grace the region.
This spring, another Golden Eagle's name will be added to
that August group, when retired Clarion diving coach
Dave Hrovat is inducted into the Hall. The ceremony will
take place on Saturday, April 30, at the Sheraton Hotel in
Station Square in Pittsburgh.
It is just another in a long parade of laurels for Hrovat,
who earlier this year was named by the College Swimming
Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as one of the 100
greatest coaches in the sport – across all collegiate levels –
over the last century.

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Perhaps the most decorated collegiate diving coach in
history, Hrovat was a 15-time Division II Women’s Diving
Coach of the Year and an 11-time Division II Men’s Diving
Coach of the Year. He coached a total of 48 national
champions and 294 NCAA Division II All-Americans from
1990-2020, including Kristin Day ’15 - just the fourth-ever
NCAA Woman of the Year to come from a Division II
institution and the first to come from a Pennsylvania-based
school and Jamie Wolf, who earlier this year was named to
the CSCAA Top 100 Women’s Swimmers and Divers list.
Wolf is the only Division II women’s diver in history to win
seven national championships, and another Hrovat charge,
Kayla Kelosky ’11, is the only other Division II women’s diver
to win as many as six titles. On the men’s side,
Logan Pearsall ’10, Shawn Colton ’03 and Collin Vest ’18
were all four-time national champions under Hrovat.

SPORTS ROUNDUP
Calhoun, Gonczi, Schering and Vogt

DIVERS EARN ACCOLADES AT 2022
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Three members of the Golden Eagles swimming &
diving team – Alexa Gonczi, Zach Schering and Anna Vogt
– represented Clarion at the 2022 NCAA Division II
Swimming & Diving Championships in Greensboro, N.C.
in March. The trio represented the first group at the
championships under first-year diving coach
Heath Calhoun ’14, himself a former national champion
and All-American as a Golden Eagle.
The highlight of the week came on March 11, when
Schering earned a spot in the Men’s 3M Dive final and
finished on the championship podium. The freshman from
Massillon, Ohio, placed seventh in the morning prelim with
a score of 458.90 to cement top-eight status. He followed
that up with a seventh-place finish in the file to secure
All-American status for the first time in his career.
“I’m so proud of Zach’s effort,” Calhoun said. “He kept
it simple, he was consistent and he landed on his head.
If you can do all those things, you’ve got a chance to do
well. For him to come into his first national meet and
perform the way he did is a testament to his preparation
and composure.”
On the women’s side, both Gonczi and Vogt earned
Honorable Mention All-America honors, cracking the
top-16 nationally in the Women’s 1M Dive and the 3M Dive,
respectively. Gonczi placed 13th in the 3M Dive with a
score of 388.40, while Vogt took 10th in the 1M Dive with a
score of 395.95.

FELDKAMP HEADS TO DIVISION I
WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS,
PICKS UP WIN
Will Feldkamp recorded a first period pin to open his
day at the 2022 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships,
highlighting his stay at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit,
Mich. The redshirt junior won his opening round match in
the 197-pound bracket before falling in a pair of matches
later on March 17.
Feldkamp started the 197-pound bracket with
Chattanooga’s Matthew Waddell, a three-time NCAA
qualifier that made the tournament at 184 pounds in
each of the previous two seasons. Waddell came out
aggressively, trying to work Feldkamp to the mat with a
front headlock, but after a reset it was Feldkamp turning
the tables.
Pulling Waddell chest-to-chest, he tossed him directly
to his back on the mat, picking up the takedown and four
near fall points in quick succession. It wasn’t much longer
until Feldkamp completely broke Waddell down, pinning
him just 76 seconds into the first period for his first career
NCAA Championships victory. The win by fall was the first
pin for a Golden Eagle at the national tournament since
Austin Matthews pinned Chattanooga’s Alex Hudson at
the 2014 championship tournament.
Feldkamp lost in his second match of the day to Penn
State’s Max Dean, the eventual national champion at
197 pounds. He also dropped a tight decision in the
consolation bracket, losing to Arizona State’s Kendall
Norfleet late in the evening.

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

Clarion University Sports

HALL FAME
of

The Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame committee announced on March 15 that seven new members will be
inducted into the Class of 2022 on April 29. The inductees are Ellen (Borowy) Casey (1981-84 Volleyball);
Dr. Kristin (Day) Shute (2012-15 Diving); Hannah Heeter (2010-13 Volleyball & 2012-15 Basketball), Tammy Holman (1985-88
Basketball); Malen Luke (1994-2005 Football Coach); Patrick Mooney (1994-2004 Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Coach;
1995-2004 Men’s & Women’s Track & Field Coach) and Aleta (Rice) Hansen (Diving 1975-78).

Ellen (Borowy) Casey was an extremely talented six-rotation volleyball player at
Clarion from 1981 to 1984. She was the school’s first Academic All-American in 1983
and became the school’s first back-to-back Academic All-American in 1984. She also
was the first volleyball player to earn Academic All-American in the PSAC, as well as
the first volleyball player to repeat the award in 1984.

Ellen Borowy Casey

Dr. Kristin Day Shute

Dr. Kristin (Day) Shute is one of the most accomplished overall women’s student
athletes in Clarion sports history. The eight time All-American and three-time NCAA
champion diver capped her senior year in 2015 by winning the biggest awards in the
nation. Her top honor came on October 18, 2015, when she was named the 2015 NCAA
Woman of the Year. She was the first winner of the NCAA Woman of the Year Award
from any Pennsylvania-based university. She also won the Capital One NCAA Division
II Academic All-America of the Year, PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar Athlete of the Year and
the NCAA Division II Elite 89 award, as well as the Capital One NCAA Division II
At-Large Academic All-America of the Year in 2014 and 2015.
Hannah Heeter is one of the top two-sport student-athletes ever to don a uniform at
Clarion. During her illustrious career she played at the highest levels in volleyball and
basketball, while earning Academic All-America honors. As a volleyball player from
2010-14, she helped the Golden Eagles to a four-year record of 107-35, four NCAA
Division II Tournament appearances, PSAC and Atlantic Region championships and a
trip to the NCAA Elite 8 round. Heeter was a two-time all-conference and American
Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region selection, and was also honored as
the 2013 CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year for volleyball.
Heeter also authored an outstanding basketball career. In 2012 she was named
the PSAC Freshman of the year, and later went on to become a two-time First Team
All-PSAC West and Second Team All-Region selection. Heeter was once again named a
CoSIDA Academic All-American, this time earning the honor in basketball in 2014.

Hannah Heeter

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Tammy Holman was an outstanding point guard who set Clarion career records in
assists and steals from 1985 to 1988, and was responsible for helping to turn the women’s basketball program into a championship-caliber team. Holman helped the Golden
Eagles win back-to-back PSAC West titles in 1987-88, the first two division crowns in

SPORTS ROUNDUP
program history. A two-time all-conference selection, Holman was named an
Honorable Mention All-American in 1988 after leading the Golden Eagles in
scoring and setting the program’s single-season records in points (394), assists (116)
and steals (114).

Tammy Holman

Malen Luke

Malen Luke was Clarion’s head football coach for 12 seasons (1994-2005),
producing not just great players but some of the great teams in Golden Eagles
history. Luke led Clarion to the NCAA semifinals in 1996, blazing a trail never seen by
Clarion football fans. The Eagles posted an 11-3 overall record, winning the PSAC West
division and the NCAA Division II East Region championships in the process. Clarion
won two games in the NCAA playoffs before falling in the final seconds in the national
semifinal. Those successes earned Luke the 1996 NCAA Division II Region 1 and PSAC
West Coach of the Year awards. He later went on to win the PSAC West Coach of the
Year award a second time, in 2000.
Patrick Mooney, a humble coach with high character and integrity, took over the
men’s and women’s cross country and track & field programs in 1994 and had a Hall
of Fame career. Mooney’s women’s cross country teams improved over the course of
his time at Clarion, peaking in 2002 when they placed third at the PSAC
Championships and second at the NCAA East Regionals. That year three Golden
Eagles – Melissa Terwilliger, Anna Beck and Evelyn Abiola — placed in the top-11 at
the regional meet, and Clarion qualified for the NCAA Division II nationals for the
first time in school history. Terwilliger went on to earn All-American status a year
later, placing 17th at the 2003 national meet. The women’s track & field team enjoyed
similar success. Mooney coached three women’s track & field All-Americans, including
2016 Sports Hall of Fame inductee Melissa Yearous (High Jump – 2001), Terwilliger
(10,000m – 2002) and Julie Evenoski (Javelin – 2002).
Mooney’s men’s teams also showed great progress over the course of his time at
Clarion. The men’s cross country team placed seventh in 1999 behind All-PSAC and
All-Region performances by Ean King. In men’s track & field, Thom Swenson earned
All-America honors in 1996 with an eighth-place finish in the 400m, and 2000 PSAC
Rookie of the Year Dave Clark was an All-American in the High Jump with a
fourth-place finish that year.

Patrick Mooney

Aleta Rice Hansen is welcomed to the Clarion Sports Hall of Fame posthumously,
having passed away in January 2020. She put together an incredible career as a diver
from 1975 to 1978, and was a pioneer in the sport.
A four-time national champion, she helped lead the Golden Eagles to back-to-back
AIAW team national championships in 1977-78. Rice placed three times in the regional
meet from 1975-76 before winning her first career national titles, winning the 1M and
3M Dive at the 1977 AIAW National Championships and helping the Golden Eagles win
the team championship. She pulled off the clean sweep again a year later, winning
both boards in 1978 and helping the Golden Eagles win their second straight national
title. In addition to her collegiate performances, she won three Canadian Invitational
titles in her career, including both boards in 1978.

Aleta Rice Hansen
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Just Married

Lydia Middaugh ’15, ’18G and Kyle Cleary were married in October 2021.
Pictured with the bride are (from left) Lauren Graham ’15, Tyler Ness Conway ’15 and Christina Tressler ’16.

Allison Bertolino ’17 and Tyler Falk ’17 were married Sept. 18, 2021.
Pictured are the couple and their wedding party: (front row, from left) Dana Falk Eng ’10 , Lucia Fee, Sydney Rondeau,
Mackenzie O’Brien ’17, Olivia Chuzie ’17, Cole McDonough, Austin Ridgley, Anthony Bertolino, Shaun Eng and Chad Phillis;
(second row, from left) Kiersten Gromley ’16, Kari Falk, Jenya Moore ’17, Ashley Walls ’17, Christina Bertolino, Patrick Conti,
Jason Pettner, Matthew Kamenicky ’19, Alex Szakelyhidi and Dylan Jones.

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IN MEMORIAM
1950s

1990s

Cleva L. Haight Hartman, Jan. 4, 2022

Martin Joseph Bostrom ’90, March 10, 2022
Patrick A. Panebianco ’91, Dec. 21, 2021

1960s
Emily C. Calloway Mosely ’60, Dec. 23, 2021
Ronald L. Reckhart ’60, Feb. 24, 2022
Patrick F. Wright ’62, Jan. 15, 2022
Jay S. Pifer ’64, Jan. 16, 2022
Sara A. Shafer ’64, Feb. 14, 2022
Howard Vincent Campagna ’65, Jan. 2, 2022
Brian F. Brubaker ’66, Jan. 20, 2022
Andria F. Fetterman Clarey ’66, Dec. 31, 2021
Karen E. Novak ’66, Dec. 7, 2021
David A. Woods ’68, Jan. 10, 2022
Bernadette L. Antkoviak ’69, Dec. 11, 2021
Ross Z. Neidich ’69, Dec. 23, 2021
Nichola S. Wilson Young ’69, Dec. 27, 2021

1970s
Carl H. Shellgren ’70, Dec. 9, 2021
Jeanne Ruth Cramer McElhatten ’71, Jan. 15, 2022
Michael D. Notte ’71, Feb. 24, 2022
Bonita Rice O’Neill ’74, Jan. 11, 2022
Minniealta O’Reilly Watt ’75, Nov. 28, 2021
Barbara Sue Snyder Anderson ’76, Feb. 14, 2022
James Charles Groner ’76, Dec. 7, 2021
David H. Burks ’77, Jan. 10, 2022
Karen Pilston Myers ’77, Dec. 23, 2021
Carol R. Smith Ginther ’78, Nov. 28, 2021

Barbara J. Transue ’91, Dec. 6, 2021
John Honan Moffett ’94, Dec. 26, 2021
Mary Kidder Say ’96, Dec. 18, 2021
Catherine L. McCall ’98, Jan. 14, 2022

2000s
Jason J. Monarch ’00, Dec. 14, 2021
Larry Eugene Eisenman ’01, Dec. 8, 2021
Tracey L. Rembold ’06, Nov. 30, 2021
Heidi Jean Bauer ’07, Feb. 22, 2022
Caleb D. Kifer ’08, Dec. 3, 2021

2010s
Michael Charles Dallmus ’11, Feb. 19, 2022
Alfred N. Kelso ’13, Jan. 8, 2022
Connie A. Eisenman ’14, Nov. 24, 2021
Catelynn C. Fleming ’15, Jan. 19, 2022

Friends
Richard “Ed” Gathers, Dec. 1, 2020 (retired faculty)
Alfred Clarke, Dec. 4, 2021 (retired administrator)
Michael Reitz, Dec. 22, 2021 (retired staff)
Donald Elder, Jan. 13, 2022 (retired staff)
Pierre Fortis, Feb. 15, 2022 (retired faculty)
Ann Denio, Feb. 27, 2022 (retired staff)

1980s
Richard B. Galante ’80, Dec. 27, 2021
Nancy M. Scherer Taormina ’80, March 12, 2022
Randy W. Muir ’81, Jan. 30, 2022
Jonathan Lee Wilson ’81, Feb. 21, 2022
Michael C. Crovak ’82, Dec. 4, 2021
Edith S. Foster ’82, Dec. 27, 2021
Steven L. Herb ’82, Dec. 21, 2021
Martha J. Mewes ’82, March 9, 2022
Karen R. Phillips Bateman ’82, Nov. 26, 2021
David H. Kaufman ’83, Jan. 13, 2022
Valeria D. Hough ’85, Jan. 1, 2022
Erlinda Craft Thompson ’85, Dec. 17, 2021
Loretta A. Novak McNaughton ’86, Dec. 9, 2021
Laura J. Rusnock ’89, Feb. 2, 2022

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

37

CLARION UNIVERSITY

BABY EAGLES
OUR GIFT TO BABY EAGLES OF CLARION ALUMNI
IS A DASHING NEW BIB!
To receive a bib, visit www.clarion.edu/babybib and complete the online form.
Once you receive your bib, take a picture of your Eaglet putting the bib to use, and
email a high-resolution photo to us for inclusion in Clarion University Magazine.
For more information, call the Office of Alumni Engagement at 814-393-2572.

1 McKenna Claire Justice, daughter of
Ryan ’09, ’13G and
Kaitlyn Anderson ’12, ’14G Justice,
born Dec. 2, 2020

2 Evelyn June Strunk, daughter of

Suzanne Pine ’04, Heather Loupee and
Jeremy Strunk, born March 12, 2021

3 Adalyn Jane Domitrovich, daughter of
Dr. Josh ’13, ’15G and
Alyssa Katz ’14, ’15G Domitrovich,
born April 1, 2021

4 Dylan Robert Parks, son of

Chris ’07 and Brittany Donatelli Parks,
born April 26, 2021

5 Finley Louise Smith, daughter of

Ryan ’07, ’13G and Kelly Mapes ’13, ’15G,
born June 15, 2021

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SPRING 2022
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6
7
8
9

Lincoln George Palmiere, son of
Brian ’15 and Madeline Glamp ’18 Palmiere,
born Sept. 1, 2021
Freya Lyn Wehler, daughter of
TJ ’14 and Katie Yetzer ’13 Wehler,
born Aug. 19, 2021
Delaney Kae Blevins, daughter of
Evin Blevins and Reanna Buzza ’17, ’18G
born Jan. 6, 2021
Grant Michael Berezansky, son of
Nathan and Britney Olsavsky ’09 Berezansky,
born Jan. 12, 2022

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#WINGSUP
ZACHARY MARCIC

One Recognized Student Organization is
dedicated to getting students outside to be
active – a notion that has become more important since
the beginning of the pandemic.

outside and experiencing all the outdoors
has to offer. We typically try to plan events
that take advantage of whatever weather is forecasted,
such as our yearly ski trip in the winter,” Marcic said.

“Getting outside, be it dedicating yourself to going
on a hike or simply walking to class, is very important
when dealing with the stress from the pandemic,” said
Clarion University senior Zachary Marcic, president of the
Recreational Outdoors Club. “The Recreational Outdoors
Club and its members believe that encouraging people
to take ‘outside breaks’ is just as vital for one’s health
as drinking water. People need that break from being
trapped inside to go breathe some fresh air, take in the
nature all around them, and remind themselves that even
though things are stressful, the world is still full of beauty
and joy.”

Marcic believes the pandemic has had a positive effect
on membership with students returning to campus and
wanting to get involved.

The student Recreational Outdoors Club explores the
greater Clarion region through planned trips that involve
adventures like hiking or canoeing.
“The club does travel when permitted by the university,”
Marcic said. “We usually do not go farther than two
hours away just to make sure our trips are accessible and
affordable.

While the club’s roster has 55 names, there are about 12-15
people per event or meeting.
“We’re pleased with that number given that a lot of clubs
have struggled with participation in this era of virtual
events,” Marcic said.
Marcic became involved in the ROC after joining the
organization for a canoe trip in 2019. He now serves as
the president of ROC after serving for one year as social
media chair. He’ll graduate in fall 2022 with a secondary
education degree with a concentration in social studies
and a minor in history.
Even though Marcic got involved in the club early in his
college career, many of the new members have been
upperclassmen proving it’s not too late for students to get
involved by going outside.

In addition to smaller trips, they have a yearly ski trip.
One thing the club never does is stay indoors.
“In the years I have been at Clarion, the club has not used
the climbing wall or the Rec Center. We have taken several
trips during times when the weather was less than ideal,
but the club sees that as part of the experience of getting

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SPRING 2022
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“When the pandemic started, we were active participants
in the president’s outdoor challenge. We created the
hashtag #CUOutside, and we encourage every student to
use that hashtag to show off their Clarion adventures!”
The organization also has an Instagram page: @roc.cu.

“It takes a noble person to
plant a seed for a tree that
will one day provide shade to
those whom he may
never meet.”

~D. Elton Trueblood

Dr. Charles “Jack” & Gladys S. Shontz
Cultural Life Series Endowment
Dr. Charles “Jack” Shontz began at Clarion State Teachers College in 1957 as assistant
professor of biology and was named department chair in 1958. In the 1961-62 academic
year, he accepted a fellowship from the National Science Foundation and earned his
doctorate degree after completing studies and research in zoology at the University of
Pittsburgh. During his tenure at Clarion, Shontz moved to the academic administrative
staff at Clarion State and remained there in various capacities until his retirement in
1983 as associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of summer sessions. He
married the former Gladys S. Snively in June 1952. They were married 55 years before
she preceded him in death in June 2007. Dr. Shontz passed away peacefully at home
in Apollo, Pennsylvania, Oct. 7, 2019, at age 93. This endowment was fully funded via
a bequest from Jack’s estate. The Cultural Life Series is intended to provide a series of
cultural events for the benefit of the students, faculty and staff of the university and for
the benefit of the community of Clarion.

The William E. Lafranchi (’49) Scholarship
William Lafranchi, a native of Brookville, graduated from Clarion State Teachers
College in 1949 with a library science degree. William served as director of Libraries and
Media Services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for 33 years, until his retirement
in 1986. Lafranchi was married to Sylvia P. Schmidle Martin (1920-2016), a resident
of Wilkinsburg for 52 years who taught at St. Edmunds Academy in Squirrel Hill
(Pittsburgh). Mrs. Lafranchi was elected the first female mayor of Wilkinsburg, serving
from 1994 to 1998. Mr. Lafranchi passed away Dec. 2, 2020, shortly before his 94th
birthday. This scholarship endowment will benefit Clarion University of Pennsylvania
students for generations to come.

Clarion University Foundation, Inc.

Larry W. Jamison ’87
Director of Planned Giving
814-393-1926 | ljamison@clarion.edu

A copy of the latest financial report, registration filed by this organization, and a description of our programs and activities may be obtained by contacting us at: Clarion University Foundation, Inc., 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214, 814-393-1610. Clarion University Foundation, Inc. was formed in Pennsylvania. If you are a resident of one of the following states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency: Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN
THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA), OR VISITING www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration #CH43617. Georgia: A full and fair description of our programs and our financial statement
summary is available upon request at our office and phone number indicated above. Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage, from the Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Clarion University Foundation, Inc.
may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement. Nevada: Contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to the provisions of sec. 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. §170(c). New
Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED
FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. New York: Upon request, from the Attorney
General Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the state. Pennsylvania: The official
registration and financial information of Clarion University Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Virginia: From the State Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of
Agricultural and Consumer Services, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: From the Secretary of State at 1-800-332-4483 or http://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State
Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement. Wisconsin: A financial statement of the charitable organization disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal year will be provided to any person upon request. REGISTRATION WITH A STATE
AGENCY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THAT STATE.

NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 2
CLARION, PA

840 WOOD STREET
CLARION, PA 16214-1232
WWW.CLARION.EDU

ALUMNI WEEKEND
June 10-12, 2022

We are excited to welcome our alumni back to
campus! All alumni and their guests are invited to join
us for an unforgettable weekend.
Classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 – join us for the
celebration of your 50th anniversaries!

Calling all Greek Alumni!

Dust off those letters and join us on campus
with your brothers and sisters!

Visit clarion.edu/alumniweekend

for more information, a full schedule of events,
and registration information!