CLARION
U N I V E R S I T Y

M A G A Z I N E

FALL 2021

"From its very beginning to the present, Clarion
University–Venango has been a product of community
and university working together to advance the needs
of our region. The history of Venango Campus is an
inspiring story of the dedicated efforts of many people
who raised funds for land, buildings and scholarships,
and cut through miles of bureaucratic and legal red tape
to build the first regional campus in Pennsylvania's State
System of Higher Education," said Hope Lineman, dean
of career and workforce development.

Click or follow the link
to read more!
https://www.clarion.edu/news/2021/august/
venango-diamond-anniversary.html

CLARION

FA L L 2 0 2 1
VOLUME 7
NUMBER 2

FEATURES

12 PASSHE Board approves integration plan

Integration of Clarion, Cal U and Edinboro universities will
create more opportunities for students while ensuring a
healthier bottom line. Each school will retain its own identity
and sports teams.

16 Dogged determination

Cecelia Harmon has always wanted to be a veterinarian.
Prepared through Clarion’s pre-professional program in
veterinary medicine, she’s well on her way to achieving the
lifelong dream.

20 Volunteers to the rescue

When a local animal rescue needed help with its social
media platforms, they knew where to turn. Now, three CU
students are helping the rescue meet its mission of caring
for animals.

24 Pet friendly

Clarion University launched pet-friendly student housing
in 2019, bringing that age-old bond between people and
animals to campus.

DEPARTMENTS
4 Clarion Digest
Six respiratory care graduates celebrate with a
traditional pinning ceremony; student nurses continue
training at Somerset site; fun and learning intersect at
Kids in College; two alumni authors release new titles;
State System’s KEEP program helps students in financial
crisis.

10 Spirits are bright despite a rainy return
28 Sports Roundup
In his second trip to the Olympics, alumnus Bekzod
Abdurakhmonov takes the bronze; multiple athletics
teams are recognized for their excellence in academics;
softball, track & field athletes earn All-Region honors

36 Class Notes
40 #Wings Up
Clarion’s student resource room can help more students
thanks to donations of unused items by students moving
off campus last spring.

ON THE COVER
Pet-friendly dorms help students transition to college life.

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:
Adam Reynolds ’15
Bryan Postlewait ’04
Camron Kirkland ’17
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.

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher
Education Board of Governors
Cynthia D. Shapira, chair
David M. Maser, vice chair
Samuel H. Smith, vice chair
Robert W. Bogle
Rep. Tim Briggs
Tanya I. Garcia, Ph.D., designee for Sec. Ortega
William “Bill” Gindlesperger
Allison Jones, designee for Gov. Wolf
Sen. Scott Martin
Marian D. Moskowitz
Noe Ortega, secretary of education
Rep. Brad Roae
Alexander C. Roberts
Sen. Judith L. Schwank
Zakariya Scott
Larry C. Skinner
Stephen L. Washington Jr.
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: David Reed ’09
President-elect: Thomas Launer ’10
Treasurer: Michael Phillips ’03, ’04G
Secretary: Samantha Noblit Thauvett ’09

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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Michael Chapaloney ’99
Brian Cook ’03
Henry Crawford ’02
Jeffrey Douthett ’79
Theresa Zacherl Edder ’91, ’05G
Chelsea Signorino Ewing ’15
Bridget Linnan Kennedy ’90, ’07G
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

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Clarion Family,
As I write this, we are in the first weeks of the fall 2021 semester, and I
am thrilled to say that we have returned fully to in-person operations. Our
students are enjoying the traditional on-campus living and learning
experiences that were limited by the pandemic. We continue to exercise
caution: We require face masks in all of the campus buildings, we encourage
physical distancing and hand washing, and we strongly recommend that
students and employees be vaccinated against COVID-19.
As many of you know, in July, the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s
State System of Higher Education unanimously approved the plan to integrate
Clarion, California and Edinboro universities. You probably wonder what that
will mean for your alma mater and future students who choose Clarion. Clarion
will retain its historic identity. We will continue to have our own sports teams,
and we will continue to be the Golden Eagles. The main differences will be
expanded opportunities for our students and a healthier bottom line that will
enable us to keep education affordable.
One of ways we’re reducing overall costs is by sharing one president. Right
now, that is yours truly. Last spring, I was appointed interim president of
Edinboro, and this summer, I became interim president of Cal U. The State
System will follow its usual process of choosing a permanent president to
oversee all three universities. In the meantime, I am dividing my time between
the three universities with the support of excellent executive teams on each
campus. Please read pages 12-15 in this issue and visit clarion.edu/integration to
learn more.
Although “home” is in three different towns, it is comforting to walk through
the door at the end of the day and enjoy time with my husband, Dr. Bob. Home
truly is where the heart is. Speaking of home, Clarion’s homecoming tradition
continues Oct. 8 and 9. I hope you’ll join us for fun, friends and football with the
Autumn Leaf Festival as the backdrop.
WINGS UP!

Dr. Dale

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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STUDENT NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

VENANGO GRADUATES SIX
IN RESPIRATORY CARE
Six graduates of the respiratory care program at Clarion
University – Venango celebrate their accomplishment with
a traditional pinning ceremony – a symbolic welcoming to
the profession and acknowledgment that the individual is
prepared to serve society as a healthcare professional. During
the pinning ceremony, a person of significance to the graduate attaches the pin to the graduate’s uniform. From left
are: Krista Hutchinson, Kalsey Denk, Amber Rawson, faculty
Greg Sambor, faculty Chris Harancher, Ally See and Sydney
Kirkwood. Program graduate Jessica Hricsina is not pictured.

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STUDENT NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

STUDENT NURSES
CONTINUE TRAINING
AT SOMERSET SITE

Second-year Associate of Science in Nursing students began classes in August at Clarion University’s
Somerset County Education Center site. The curriculum offers hands-on clinical patient care experiences in
the first semester. Clarion University offers core nursing classes and general education, while Penn Highlands
Community College, also located Somerset County Education Center, offers additional general education and
support courses. Somerset Hospital serves as the primary clinical training site and offers diverse clinical/hospital
experiences that cover a variety of nursing specialties including emergency room, operating room, home health,
medical-surgical and pediatrics.

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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VENANGO NEWS I CLARION DIGEST
FUN AND LEARNING INTERSECT AT VENANGO’S KIDS IN COLLEGE
Kids in College was held July 12-16
at the Venango campus for students
going into grades K-8. Monday
through Thursday, students divided
into age groups to participate in
a variety of themed activities and
experiments. The week concluded
Friday with Adventure Day at Keystone Safari, Grove City.
Jen Stevenson, instructor for
grades K-2, led sessions about: The
Body and Five Senses, Zoo and
Aquarium Day, Weather, and Water
Activities.
Students in grades 3-5 worked
with instructor Stephanie Staub to
learn about: Motor Monday, Terrible
Tuesday! You are stuck on a deserted island, Out of this World Wednesday and Beach Town Thursday.
Sarah Seaton led grades 6-8 in sessions focused on extremes and incorporating STEM activities: Extreme Weather,
Extreme Sports, Extreme Animals and Extreme Travel.

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ALUMNI NEWS I CLARION DIGEST
ALUMNI AUTHORS RELEASE NEW TITLES
“The Rediscovery of Hope and Purpose”
Christopher Albrecht G ’95, 2018 New York State Teacher
of the Year and 2019 inductee to the National Teachers Hall
of Fame in Kansas, has released his second book,
“The Rediscovery of Hope and Purpose.” With its publication,
Albrecht created a new genre of writing, coining
investigative social philosophy. His hope is that the book will
provide readers with stability, joy and clarity as we emerge
from uncertain times.
The book focuses on 10 interviews which ranged from
the final homesteader who resides in Alaska to Harvard
president Dr. Lawrence Bacow. Most noteworthy is Albrecht's
interview with iconic children's author Beverly Cleary. At the time, she was 104 years old, and Albrecht's work with her
would prove to be her last before her death. Her interview, in its entirety, is included in the book.
Albrecht's first book is titled “Unconventionally Successful.” Both books can be ordered through christopheralbrecht.com,
nfbpublishing.com and Amazon.com.

“Soul Crystals: The Mask of Tragedy”
LaTrobe Barnitz ’17, ’19G has released his
second book, “Soul Crystals: The Mask of
Tragedy,” a sequel to his debut novel,
“Soul Crystals: Arc of the Amuli.”
The book continues the story of Paul Engel, a
17-year-old superhuman soldier who has already
been through the wringer. In his first few months
as an Amuli, he has encountered hardships,
torture, and death. Now part of a prestigious
strike force, he continues to battle for the safety
of his friends and family. As a key operative in the superhuman
organization A.R.C., he begins to uncover corruption, not only in competing organizations, but in his own. His powers are
growing faster than he can learn to control them, making Paul worry that the person he should fear the most is himself.
Amid the constant stress of his cross-country missions, will he be swallowed by the shady A.R.C., the evil A.I.M., or by his
own, high-risk powers?
Barnitz is director of Foxburg Free Library. Both books are available through Amazon, and the first book is available at
Barnes & Noble. For more information about the book, visit www.privatedragon.com.

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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CAMPUS NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

NEW STATE SYSTEM EFFORT WILL HELP
STUDENTS FACING FINANCIAL CRISES
​Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, working with the State System Foundation, has taken a major
step to help prevent dropout among at-risk students by
launching the Keystone Extraordinary Emergency Program.

finish because they face costs, often unexpectedly and
beyond their control. Successfully implementing this pilot
program at California, Clarion and Edinboro will provide a
template for us to scale across our system.”

KEEP will provide immediate grants to struggling university students facing the difficult choice of dropping out due
to unexpected financial need. The student success program
will be available as a pilot this fall to students at California,
Clarion and Edinboro universities, with the expectation of
refining and scaling the program to the rest of the State
System at a later date.

Providing grants to overcome an extraordinary emergency
supports the State System’s mission to educate the citizens
of Pennsylvania and help transform students’ lives. KEEP will
not only improve student success, it will also help struggling
students cross the finish line with a relevant degree and
meet Pennsylvania’s workforce demand.

Although the reasons students drop out of college are
multi-dimensional, the barriers to completion often are
related to financial pressures rather than academic ability.
“A key to the success of public higher education is
ensuring students who start on a path toward a degree can
have the support they need to finish their journey,” Chancellor Dan Greenstein said. “Too many of our students cannot

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KEEP will be overseen by the State System Foundation,
which worked to secure startup funding for the new
program from an anonymous private foundation in Pennsylvania. A majority of the funding during the next two years
will go directly to students for emergency aid, with some
going to support the necessary infrastructure development
to manage the program and ensure the quick distribution of
funds.

CAMPUS NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

The State System Foundation plans to secure
additional grants to continue the program and
expand it across the entire system.
“Our System Redesign efforts focus on
programs and initiatives that support student
success, and KEEP will further those efforts so
students can continue to enroll at the university
of their choice,” said Cynthia Shapira, chair of the
State System’s Board of Governors. “No student
should have to stop pursuing their degree
because of unexpected bills or other financial
challenges.”
More information about how students can
access KEEP will be available at a later date.
Assessment and evaluation will be instrumental in understanding the overall impact of the
KEEP grant program. This will include specific
metrics related to diversity, equity and inclusion,

student year-to-year persistence and
graduation rates.
“Challenges extend beyond tuition,
room, board, fees and loans,” said
System Foundation President Cynthia
Pritchard. “They include costs related to
unexpected life circumstances as well as
food and housing insecurity. We’re grateful
to the anonymous funder of this program for
their trust and support as we try to reach every
student who is struggling to stay enrolled due to
financial reasons.”
The State System Foundation is an affiliated
entity of Pennsylvania’s State System of
Higher Education with a mission to amplify the
impacts of the State System and ensure the
success of its students.​

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

9

Despite a day-long
soaking rain, spirits were
sunny as freshmen moved into
residence halls Aug. 18 on the
Clarion campus. The weather
was more cooperative for
the Aug. 21 move-in on
Venango campus.

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CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

11

STATE SYSTEM
APPROVES
PLANS
TO INTEGRATE
UNIVERSITIES
Clarion University is in the process of integrating with
California and Edinboro universities following a July 14 vote
by the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System
of Higher Education. The unanimous 18-0 vote to approve
the integration plan is the latest action in a multi-year system
redesign effort to bolster student success and institutional
stability.
Each university will maintain its historical name and identity
as the three come together to form a single
university with partner campuses. The integration will ensure
robust residential educational experiences while expanding
academic program opportunities, enhancing supports that
improve outcomes for all students, and reaching communities
that are underserved.
“These universities have been part of the cultural and
economic fabric of their communities for well over a century,
and they will continue to be so for years to come. Additionally,
the degrees they offer to new graduates, as well as those held
by alumni, will maintain the highest value,” said State System
Chancellor Dan Greenstein.
While the vote represents the culmination of a year’s worth
of work by more than 1,000 students, staff, faculty, trustees and
others, the efforts to complete the integration will take years.
Among the most important tasks are developing the curriculum
that supports the new academic program array, fleshing out
organizational charts, and finalizing work with the NCAA to
ensure athletics will continue at each campus.
Greenstein said the work will engage all stakeholders, be
conducted transparently through routine quarterly reporting
to the Board of Governors and the General Assembly, and be
subjected to constant review and refinement to accomplish the
best possible result for our students and their communities.
The board also appointed Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson as
interim president of California; she assumed those duties
Aug. 1. She divides her time among California, Edinboro and
Clarion. Pehrsson was appointed interim president of Edinboro

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University in December 2020, and she continues as president of Clarion University. She was the presidential lead for
the preliminary integration work.
The appointment of Pehrsson will help to ensure a smooth
leadership transition while the first phase of integrations
implementation gets underway. She will serve in these roles
until a permanent president is selected for the integrated
universities. That selection will follow the board’s policy for
presidential appointments, which requires the involvement
of students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and others in the
process.
“The vote represents the most profound reimagining of
public higher education in the commonwealth since the
State System began in 1983,” said Cindy Shapira, chair of
the Board of Governors. “This effort has proven we can fulfill
what we set out to do — ensuring student and institutional
success while providing the highest quality education at the
lowest possible price.”

AC A D E M I C S T R U C T U R E

A second integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and

Mansfield universities was also approved.
Key to supporting this effort is the commonwealth’s
recent commitment of $200 million over four years that
will be used to invest in student success initiatives, reduce
current debt loads, and support faculty and staff training
and transition.
The first cohort of students will begin at an integrated
university in August 2022, with the integrated curriculum
being finalized by August of 2024. More information about
the integration plans is available at www.clarion.edu/
integration and www.passhe.edu/integrations.
Integrations are made possible by Act 50 of 2020, which
received near-unanimous support in the state legislature
and governor’s office. It lays out a process, including ongoing, quarterly consultation with elected officials, by which
the State System can restructure itself for the benefit of
students, to improve financial sustainability, and to continue
to serve their regions with educational opportunities and as
major employers.

As California, Clarion and Edinboro move toward a summer 2022 transition from three universities
to one, academic leadership and faculty on the three campuses have developed a structure for the new
university’s colleges and academic departments.

COLLEGE OF ARTS & HUMANITIES
Art
English
History, Philosophy, and Modern Languages
Performing Arts

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, COMMUNICATION, &
INFORMATION SCIENCES
Communication & Journalism
Computer Science & Information Systems
Finance, Accounting, & Economics
Library & Information Sciences
Management & Marketing

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Educational Leadership & School Psychology
Early Childhood & Elementary Education
Middle & Secondary Education
Special Education

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES
AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Biology
Chemistry
Geosciences
Mathematics
Applied Engineering, Technology, & Physics

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
AND HUMAN SERVICES
Counseling
Criminal Justice
Military Science – ROTC
Psychology
Social Work
Sociology, Political Science, & Law

ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENTS/AREAS
Library
Student Services

Allied Health
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Exercise and Sports Science
Nursing
CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

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CLARION, EDINBORO AND CAL U
ADMISSIONS TEAMS UNIFY DURING ROAD TRIP
The admissions teams from California, Clarion and
Edinboro joined for a three-day midsummer road trip, their
first action as integrated universities. The group, consisting
of eight Edinboro, 11 Cal U and seven Clarion admissions
counselors, spent one day on each campus.
“The primary purpose of the trip was for the admissions
counselors/recruiters to come together as one university
and start to bond as a cohesive team,” said Tracey Sheetz,
dean of admissions at Cal U. “With many of our counselors
embedded in our campuses for decades, several of them
know each other from recruiting on the road but have

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always seen each other as competition. The shift of mindset
begins with teambuilding and everyone becoming familiar
with each campus in order to recruit for all campuses and
one university.”
The group spent July 20 at Edinboro, July 21 at Clarion
and July 22 at California. Each day consisted of morning
travel to each campus, a team building/professional development session, tour of campus, lunch, academic program
highlights with faculty, a Slate (communication-fostering
platform) training session, then evening dinner out. Each
campus provided the others with t-shirts and materials.

“WE ARE, INDEED, SISTER INSTITUTIONS, UNITED
AS ONE FAMILY, YET INDIVIDUAL IN PERSONALITY
AND STYLE. WHAT MATTERS MOST IS WHAT WE
HAVE IN COMMON: STRENGTH, RESILIENCE AND A
COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING OUR STUDENTS TO
ENRICH THEIR COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING GREAT
CAREERS AND FULFILLING LIVES.”
- DR. DALE

CLARION UNIVERSITY
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Dogged
Determination

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Cecelia Harmon poses with a
stack of vet school textbooks.
Harmon was a dedicated student
while at Clarion with the hope of
getting into veterinary school. Her
dreams came true as she is in her
third year at Virginia-Maryland
College of Veterinary Medicine.

Cecelia Harmon wanted to be a veterinarian before she
ever stepped foot inside a kindergarten classroom.
When it was time for college, Harmon discovered that as
a biology major in the pre-professional health program for
pre-veterinary medicine, she would be on track to accomplishing her goal.
Now in her third year at Virginia-Maryland College of
Veterinary Medicine, Harmon is convinced her time at
Clarion helped to prepare her for veterinary school.
“Biology and chemistry are the foundation of medicine,
and my studies at Clarion gave me the framework to
understand the pathogenesis of diseases and mechanisms
of action of medicines that I am learning now,” Harmon said.
“Overall, my goals have not changed. I am now confirmed to
be in the mixed animal track. After graduation, I still plan on
returning to western Pennsylvania to work in a mixed animal
general practice.”
Harmon credits Clarion’s faculty, whom she describes as
incredible and supportive, for giving her a solid foundation
in the sciences.
“We are extremely proud of Cecelia and her achievements,
both at Clarion and beyond,” said Dr. Helen Hampikian,
associate professor of biology. “Cecelia was an exceptional
student who was always highly focused and an excellent role
model for others interested in professional school. Cecelia
made sure to take advantage of all of the support programs
and extracurricular activities that are available at Clarion
for our pre-professional students, such as undergraduate
research, leadership opportunities in student clubs, and job
shadowing.”

Preparation for professional school begins in the student’s
freshman year. Clarion encourages incoming students to
express their career aspirations to their academic advisor
during orientation, as course selection requires careful
planning in order to meet the requirements of their chosen
professional schools.
Other pre-professional health programs are available in
medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy,
physician assistant and physical therapy. The programs
provide a rigorous course of study under the mentorship of
the Pre-Professional Committee for the Healing Arts.
Since professional schools require a variety of pre-requisite courses in the sciences to be considered for admission,
many pre-professional students major in biology or
chemistry. However, professional schools do not require
a subject-specific bachelor’s degree from applicants, and
students from majors such as athletic training, nursing,
psychology and sociology can be successful applicants by
excelling in both their major and in science courses.
At Clarion, Harmon also was involved in Translational
Research Medicine Club and the Pre-Veterinary Club, which
supported her endeavors.
“I know first-hand how daunting being a pre-vet student
can be; the application process to veterinary school is
extremely stressful. I would like to encourage current pre-vet
students to not lose sight of their goals and, if they feel
overwhelmed, to remember why they wanted to pursue a
career in veterinary medicine in the first place,” Harmon said.
She has already enjoyed many important firsts of vet
school, including her first surgery.

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Volunteers
to the rescue
Jackie Griebel began volunteering in 2017 as a member of
the dog team at Tri-County Animal Rescue Center, a no-kill
facility in Shippenville, where the mission is rescuing dogs
and cats in need and providing them with quality care until
they are placed in their forever homes. Since it opened in
2011, Tri-County has facilitated 1,635 adoptions.
Last March, Jackie accepted the position of volunteer coordinator at Tri-County. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
which receives no funding, volunteers are essential in caring
for the animals, staffing the facility, coordinating low-cost
spay/neuter programs, educating the public and conducting
fundraisers. When the rescue center has a need, volunteers,
with support of the community, fill the need.
Although Tri-County has a Facebook page, Jackie knew
that other social media platforms exist and are effective
ways to reach people, but she wasn’t familiar with how to
use them to maximize their potential.
“When I realized we needed help with social media, my
first thought was that there have to be marketing/public
relations students at Clarion University that know how to do
this stuff,” she said. “We have always had student volunteers
from the university, and they are a vital part of our team, so
I knew that we could find help from them,” Griebel said.
She located the social media/digital content program on
the university website and reached out to Dr. Sonia Hur in
the department of management and marketing. Hur spread
the word to students.
Vicki Shannon, Avari Schwabenbauer and Shannon Brady
responded eagerly to the volunteer opportunity.
Vicki, a junior biology major and Spanish minor from
Lucinda, already was familiar with Tri-County. She was hired
as a kennel attendant in September 2019. After a year and
a half, she began a new job outside of the facility, but she
stayed on as a volunteer. She had been volunteering for a
year before the call came for help with social media.
Vicki had, in fact, started a TikTok account for Tri-County,

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but responsibilities with school and work didn’t leave much
time for her to focus on the platform.
Avari, a senior from Lucinda with double majors in
corporate finance and business economics and a minor in
marketing, immediately was interested. Having heard Vicki
talk about her experiences as a volunteer at Tri-County, and
having interacted with her boyfriend’s Tri-County-adoptee
dogs and adopting her own Shih-Poo puppy from the
facility, had introduced Avari to the rescue center and its
mission.
“I had been looking for an opportunity to become
involved with the shelter, so I immediately jumped at the
chance,” Avari said.
Shannon Brady is a senior communication major with

Volunteer Sherry Cobler, Avari, board president Wendy Turnipseed '74, Shannon
and Vicki with bonded pair Cinnamon and Sugar
concentration in digital media and minors in social media
and speech communications. Originally from Delmont, she
came to Clarion as a pre-vet biology major; she’s always had
a passion for helping animals. Her academic advisor told her
about Tri-County’s request for social media help.
“I used to volunteer with an animal shelter called Animal
Friends of Westmoreland near my hometown,” Shannon
said. “These pets come from all over with different backgrounds: rescues, strays, surrenders, etc. After spending
time with the animals, whether it is taking them for a walk
or just showing them some love, their personalities come
out, and they start to shine. It is truly rewarding to be a
part of the process to help the animals find happy and safe
homes.”
“Once Jackie contacted the university and found two

more people to help with social media, I was able to get my
TikToks out to more people through Facebook, Instagram
and TikTok itself,” Vicki said.
“When I came on board in March, Vicki had already been
doing an amazing job of managing the TikTok page,” Avari
said. “From there, we tried to build upon the content she
was creating to tie it in with Instagram and Twitter.”
IT’S WORKING.
“I know that we are making a positive impact, because
we are getting much more engagement on our social media
platforms,” Vicki said. “Even if people who see our social
media content are unable to adopt, they can share that
content through their own social media accounts to spread
the word about Tri-County and our adoptable animals.”
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The stories of the animals that come to Tri-County are
many.
There was Leon, a shepherd mix that the team believed
was feral. His background and temperament made him
unadoptable, but he couldn’t have been more loved. He
remained safe and was cared for with tenderness and
reverence as he lived out his life.
There were Blanca and Zeke. “They were with us for
about six months. They were hard to place because they’re
older and needed a home together,” Jackie said. “I wrote an
article, ‘Senior Couple Looking for a Home,’ and sent it to
local media. They published the letter, and Blanca and Zeke
found a home.”
Right now there’s Giovanni. He came to the rescue in
January when his owner passed away. Just a young kitten,
he had abscesses and required extensive veterinary care
including dental surgery and removal of many teeth. He
could require more surgery in the future, which the team
tells anyone considering adopting him. Finding the right
home for him could take a while.
And there’s Odie. Odie was brought to Tri-County after his
owner passed away. Volunteer coordinator Jackie Griebel
knew that Odie – a pit bull terrier mix that needed a home
without kids or other pets – would be challenging to place.
She started writing “Odie’s Diary,” detailing his days at the
shelter and highlighting his sweet personality. Vicki created
videos to show Odie interacting with Tri-County volunteers,
and she, Avari and Shannon made sure the entries were
shared widely on the available social media platforms.

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Click to
follow
Odie's
story!

Odie's Diary Day 85 - "today marks 85 days I've been at
Tri-County. I had a pretty good day! My aunt Jackie brought
me a piece of something called bacon this morning. I'm not
really sure how bacon tastes cause I ate it so fast, hoping she
brings me some more! My aunt Nancy was here this morning
too which means I got extra time to play outside."
“Whenever we have a dog that’s with us for a while and is
hard to place, we try to help them. In 2019 we had a beagle
named Roscoe that was struggling to find a home, so I
wrote a letter to Santa from Roscoe; the local newspapers
printed it, and he found a home,” Jackie said.
“With Odie, I realized I needed a way to get long-term
exposure for him until the right family saw him. I decided
to start writing little stories every day about what he did
that day. His diary generated a lot of interest, which I didn’t
realize until the final post. He had built a large following in a
short amount of time.”
After 118 days at the rescue center, Odie found his

Odie gets quadruple love from Avari, Vicki, Shannon and Jackie.
“furever” home. Key in matching Odie with the right person
was social media.

Tri-County, I was elated. The flexible schedule provides the
opportunity for me to continue volunteering.

Friends of a couple living in the Dubois area saw the posts
about Odie. Knowing the couple was looking for a pit/boxer
mix, their friends told them about Odie. They met him and
applied to adopt him.

Shannon, whose volunteer work includes creating website
content and graphics for the animal advocate organization
Foundation for Them for the past three years, said that
experience, coupled with her communication major and
social media minor, have helped her develop the skill set
that she’ll take with her when she graduates in May 2022.

ODIE’S FINAL DIARY ENTRY WAS JULY 18.
ODIE'S UPDATE
As Avari, Shannon and Vicki have worked to help
Tri-County and its animals, they’re putting into practice
what they’ve learned in their Clarion University classes. The
work has expanded their understanding of marketing and
communication through social media.
“This spring when I began volunteering, I was in the
middle of my first marketing class, from which I learned a
lot about social media marketing and, more specifically, the
marketing of non-profit organizations such as Tri-County,”
Avari said.
Although she intends to work in the field of finance, she
has developed a passion for marketing and community
service, and volunteering at Tri-County allows her to do
both.
“Since starting college and becoming the student director
of the Honors Program, a student worker for undergraduate
admissions and, more recently, an intern at a financial advising firm, I found myself with very little time, but a persistent
desire to continue community service,” Avari said. “When I
became aware of the need for a social media specialist at

“My classes have prepared me for everything I have been
doing for these non-profit organizations,” she said. “My
social media minor has enabled me to track the algorithms
and trends of what the viewers would like to see.”
Vicki’s demanding academic course work has helped her
become adept at managing her time and staying organized.
Those skills have enabled her to continue volunteering at
Tri-County. In addition to working with Shannon and Avari
on social media, she works directly with the animals, mainly
dogs.
“I have learned a lot about caring for and handling dogs
of all kinds. Sometimes we take in neglected animals at
Tri-County, and it’s heartbreaking, but it’s amazing to see
them come out of their shells and transform into completely
different animals,” she said. “Through my social media work,
I’ve learned how helpful a simple social media post can be.
They really allow us to show the personalities of different
dogs and cats that need homes.”

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“Animals are such agreeable
friends — they ask no questions;
they pass no criticisms.”
–George Eliot

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The symbiotic relationship between human beings and
their pets dates back many thousands of years. “When humans were predominantly hunters, dogs were of great use,
and thus were domesticated long before cats,” according
to Smithsonian Magazine. “Cats … became useful to people
when we began to settle down, till the earth and – crucially
– store surplus crops.”
While humans like to think we domesticated the animals,
it may be more accurate that they domesticated themselves.
Dogs, according to Brian Hare’s book “The Genius of
Dogs,” evolved from wolves over time, when the more
docile of the species were more apt to approach areas
where humans lived, and, in doing so, were rewarded with
scraps of food.
Cats, the Smithsonian Magazine says, were attracted to
the abundance of prey, i.e. mice, that congregated near
storehouses filled with grain. People favored the cats with
more amiable traits, and they evolved into the house cats
known today.

“One small cat changes coming home to an
empty house to coming home.” –Pam Brown
While the human-pet relationship may have begun for
utilitarian reasons, it didn’t take long for people to begin
to cherish animals for the companionship they provide and
to form emotional attachments to them. As the human
existence has moved more indoors, our pets have moved
indoors, too, and increasingly they have become an integral
part of our daily lives.
Science has shown that having pet ownership has health
benefits, providing much of what our indoor lifestyles
lack – increased opportunities to exercise, get outside and
socialize. Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease
blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.
Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by giving
us companionship. Most households in the United States
have at least one pet.

Former President Diane Reinhard with Maggie
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At Clarion University, one of the best known pets was
Maggie, the beloved cocker spaniel of President Diane
Reinhard. Other presidents have had pets, but Maggie was
almost as much a part of the presidency as Reinhard herself.
She was a fixture in the president’s office, was popular with
the university community and always received plenty of
attention when she was out and about on campus.

There, upperclassmen can bring cats, dogs (weighing less
than 40 pounds when fully grown), birds, fish, chinchillas or
small reptiles, to name a few. “We hope this will provide the
opportunity for our residents to bring their pets to school
and assist with their college transitions,” said Jennifer
Graham, director of residence life services, when the
pet-friendly housing was announced.

In 2000, during Reinhard’s tenure, Clarion University
adopted the Pets in University Facilities policy, which notes
that in maintaining a welcoming and friendly atmosphere,
employees and students may, at times, bring pets on
campus.

It certainly has done that. Todd Spaulding, assistant
director of residence life services, has seen it firsthand.

In fall 2019, the university went a step further in welcoming pets by establishing pet-friendly student housing
in – appropriately – Reinhard Villages.

“An animal’s eyes have the power to
speak a great language.”
–Martin Buber

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“I see students out walking their dogs and meeting new
people regularly,” he said. “Our students get very excited
seeing a dog outside. They often run up and ask if they can
pet him or her. You can genuinely see how happy it makes
them.”
It happens with his own dog, Winnie, when he brings
her to campus. It allows him to get better acquainted with
students.
“I ask them if they have pets at home, and they launch
into a story about all of their pets. They tell me how much
they mean to them and that they miss them,” Spaulding

said. “Most times of the day, you will see people out
walking their dogs throughout the property. You can
see that the students and the dogs are very happy to
be together.”
While dogs are more visible, they’re outnumbered by
cats in the pet-friendly housing.

Petting, scratching and cuddling a dog
could be as soothing to the mind and
heart as deep meditation and almost as
good for the soul as prayer.
-Dean Koontz
“We have 50 students assigned to that village,”
said Melanie Lahr, associate director of residence life.
“Typically we have mainly cats and dogs. It is looking
like it will be mostly cats this year.”
This fall, the pets also include a chameleon, a gecko
and two ferrets.
“The types of pets we have at Reinhard Villages
change from year to year,” Spaulding said. Previously,
rabbits and guinea pigs have been part of the menagerie.
“I would say reptiles and amphibians are our least
common requests,” Lahr said. “Ferrets and bunnies
we receive occasionally, but they would be the least
common mammals. Nobody has requested to bring a
bird yet, though they are permitted.”
Spaulding said the pets help students deal with daily
stressors and help them relax.
“The pets remind them of home, and it always helps
to have a friend from home when you are away from
your loved ones,” he said. “It gives them a sense of
companionship and a connection to home.”
He said problems with the pets have been minimal,
citing an occasional noise complaint or someone
bringing a pet without going through the approval
process.
Graham said the policy has worked out well. As part
of the approval process, students must provide veterinary paperwork showing the animal is up to date on
vaccinations and that cats and dogs have been spayed
or neutered. A $200 fee is required per academic year.

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

BRONZE IS THE MIRROR OF THE FORM
Five years ago, we told you a story about Bekzod Abdurakhmonov, the Clarion grad and 2012 Division I All-American
wrestler who was soon to compete in the 2016 Olympics.
Representing his home nation of Uzbekistan, Abdurakhmonov enjoyed a measure of success in Rio, defeating reigning
gold medalist Jordan Burroughs of the United States in the
repechage and earning a spot in the bronze medal match
before falling to Azerbaijan’s Jabrayil Hasanov.
“It stinks to come that close and miss it by so little,”
Abdurakhmonov said in an interview with Jonathan Selvaraj
of ESPN.com in January 2018.
The story did not end there, as Abdurakhmonov began
his preparation to return to the world’s largest stage. He

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worked on improving his weight training in the intervening
years, telling reporters in April 2021 that “Before Rio, I was a
regular 70 kilogram guy and 74 kilograms was big for me.”
With a revamped training emphasis and the sting of just
missing out on a medal five years before, Abdurakhmonov
clinched his second trip to the Olympics. He took down
Kyrgyzstan’s Elaman Dogdurbek Uulu in the final minute
of their semifinal bout at the Asian Olympic Qualifying
tournament to secure his spot in Tokyo, all the while keeping
his eyes on the podium.
“I was so close to a medal in Rio, so I think I can medal
now,” Abdurakhmonov told reporters after his win. “Hopefully I train harder, smarter, because that’s how I will medal
in Tokyo.”

SPORTS ROUNDUP
The quest to making that statement reality started in earnest
Aug. 5, when Abdurakhmonov squared off against Puerto
Rico’s Franklin Gomez in the opening round of the 74kg men’s
freestyle bracket. The 31-year-old Tashkent native defeated the
former NCAA Division I champion from Michigan State by a
10-0 score, but was knocked out in the quarterfinal round by
eventual gold medalist Zaurbek Sidakov of the Russian Olympic
Committee.
Resolved to overcome the defeat, Abdurakhmonov dominated his way through the repechage, starting with a 10-0
technical fall over Guinea Bissau’s Augusto Midana. He followed
that up with another double-digit victory in the bronze medal
round, defeating Kazakhstan’s Daniyar Kaisanov 13-2 to finally
lock up a spot on the podium. In doing so, he became the first
former Golden Eagle athlete to win a medal since Kurt Angle
won gold as a wrestler in 1996, and is one of just a handful of
Clarion athletes to compete in the Olympic games.
As the well-wishes poured in via social media – some from
fellow wrestlers, others from former classmates in the United
States, and more still from his fellow proud Uzbek fans – the
words from Abdurakhmonov were simple and straight to the
point.
“It’s been a long journey to get to this point!” he said in a
social media post Aug. 7.
A journey well worth it in the end.

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SPORTS ROUNDUP
GOLDEN EAGLE STUDENT-ATHLETES
are known not just for their accomplishments in competition, but also for their dedication and diligence in the
classroom. That fact was once again on display this past
school year, as Clarion
student-athletes and coaches celebrated another year of
academic success.
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)

announced that a record 164 Golden Eagles earned PSAC
Scholar-Athlete honors in 2020-21. To qualify, a studentathlete must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater
at the conclusion of the academic year.
Eleven Golden Eagle athletic programs posted a
cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 or better during
the Spring 2021 semester. In addition, 71 student-athletes
recorded perfect 4.0 GPAs that semester.

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) named the Golden
Eagle volleyball team one of the recipients of the USMC-AVCA Team Academic Award in 2020-21. Teams must
maintain a 3.30 GPA over the course of the academic year to earn a spot on the list. Clarion blew away that mark
with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 during the 2020-21 school year.

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The conference also recognized
one student-athlete and one team as
ranking above all others in the league
in academic success. The Golden Eagle
women’s tennis team boasted the
highest team GPA in the PSAC with
a cumulative 3.78 GPA for the year.
Individually, Devon Lonergan of the
Golden Eagle men’s swimming & diving
team was named the PSAC Champion
Scholar, as he held the highest individual GPA at the conference championship meet.

SPORTS ROUNDUP

The women’s swimming & diving
team finished the Spring 2021 semester
with a 3.60 cumulative GPA, netting
them a College Swimming Coaches
Association of America (CSCAA)
Scholar All-America honor. Seventeen
of the team’s 23 rostered athletes
recorded a GPA of 3.50 or better, and
five Golden Eagles posted 4.0 GPAs in
the spring.

The Mid-American Conference (MAC)
announced that six Golden Eagles – Ty
Bagoly, Greg Bulsak, Cam Butler, Trevor
Elfvin, Seth Koleno and Luke Funck –
earned Academic All-MAC honors by
recording a 3.20 GPA or better and
competing in more than half of the team’s
matches. Bulsak also earned a National
Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)
Scholar-All America honor for the fourth
straight year, while Clarion finished 16th
nationally in NCAA Division I with a
cumulative team GPA of 3.35.

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

The United States Track & Field and
Cross Country Coaches Association
(USTFCCCA) named the Golden
Eagle track & field team one of their
All-Academic Teams in 2020-21. Clarion
student-athletes finished the academic
year with a cumulative GPA of 3.48,
bolstered by three student-athletes
that posted a 4.0 GPA for the full year:
Mackenzie Carver, Sadie Leisinger and
Haley Schaller.

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SPORTS ROUNDUP
SOFTBALL’S CLINE SNAGS
ALL-REGION HONOR
The Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association
announced the 2021 Softball All-Region selections earlier
this summer, with Clarion’s Brooke Cline earning Second
Team All-Atlantic Region at the Utility position.
Cline was one of the primary drivers for a Golden Eagle
offense that posted one of the best seasons in program
history in 2021. The junior ranked third on the team with a
.327 batting average and was one of three Clarion players
to tie or surpass the previous single-season RBI record with
24 runs driven in. Batting primarily in the top three spots in
the order, Cline recorded four doubles and three triples and
also ranked second on the team with eight stolen bases.
She did all this while also making herself available at a
number of different infield positions. Cline saw significant
playing time at shortstop, third base and second base over
the course of the 2021 season. She finished her year with
a .936 field percentage, committing just nine errors out of
140 chances, while also helping to turn five double plays.

SCHALLER AND SULLIVAN LEAD
TRACK & FIELD PACK
The United States Track & Field and Cross
Country Coaches Association announced its
outdoor track & field All-Region honors for 2021 in
May, with two members of the Clarion track & field
team – Haley Schaller and Abby Sullivan – earning
All-Atlantic Region honors in the 3000m Steeplechase. The top five individuals in each event from
each region earned All-Region honors, in addition
to each of the members of a top-three ranked
relay team.
Schaller and Sullivan ranked fourth and fifth in the
region in the 3000m Steeplechase, respectively,
with both scoring at the 2021 Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships.
Schaller ranked fourth in the region, with her best
performance coming at the PSAC Championships.
There she ran a 11:39.51 to take fourth in the
conference field. Sullivan’s best time was at the
same event, and she finished just seven seconds
behind Schaller to take fifth at the conference
meet. Sullivan completed the run in 11:46.76.
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STUDENTS DIG UP THE PAST
Dr. Susan C. Prezzano led students in an archaeological
field school in June in Allegheny National Forest.
“The field school teaches students to acknowledge the
lives of people from the past, especially Native Americans
who lived along a stretch of the Allegheny near Tionesta on
Allegheny National Forest land,” Prezzano said.
The 2021 field school recovered evidence of Native
American activity including a hearth (campfire) and a
collection of stone tools dating to about 1,500 years ago.

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Students obtain skills in archaeological excavation techniques, and rely heavily on critical thinking, because each
situation that students encounter is unique and requires
problem solving. Students taking the field school recover
remnants of past activities not previously encountered.

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A look back...

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WE WANT TO

know about YOU!

Clarion University Magazine's fall issue will be delivered electronically.
Make sure you don't miss it by updating your email address at www.clarion.edu/alumni-update.
If you prefer to receive all future issues electronically, please indicate that in the comments section.

IN MEMORIAM
1950s
L. Dolores McGregor ’51, June 25, 2021
Gerald E. Beary ’53, May 10, 2021
Patricia Ann Manny Molsky ’54, July 17, 2021
Trueman W. Mills ’55, May 27, 2021
John M. Mogle ’56, Aug. 28, 2021
Priscilla B. Burns Moore ’59, June 28, 2021

1960s
Joseph J. Master ’62, June 17, 2021
Leonard S. Walkowiak ’62, Aug. 14, 2021
David R. Bonsall ’63, May 7, 2021
Juanita W. Debevec Peterson ’64, July 26, 2021
Ellen Jean Cicman Amsler ’66, May 10, 2021
James Arthur Hazlett ’66, Aug. 23, 2021
Margaret J. Schwartz ’68, Aug. 14, 2021

Ronald F. Reed ’69, March 10, 2021

1970s
Patricia R. Backus ’70, May 7, 2021
Peggy A. Britton Burkett ’70, June 29, 2021
Marcia A. Mitchell Hill ’70, Aug. 21, 2021
Carole Engelbach Day ’75, July 12, 2021

1990s
Darwin Shane Koch ’93, May 14, 2021
Tammy Marie Pawlak ’94, June 17, 2021
Shannon Lynn Kelly Vargo ’97, Aug. 19, 2021

2000s
Christine Renee Henderson ’07, May 28, 2021
Sarah Elizabeth Woodford ’08, May 3, 2021
Diane E. Simpson ’08, Aug. 31, 2021
Kathryn E. Proud Long ’09, May 4, 2021

2010s
Brian C. DiFonzo ’15, April 27, 2021
Jay Thomas Strzeszewski ’15, May 14, 2021
Christopher Glenn Weyandt ’20, June 29, 2021

Friends
Debra J. Shoup Summerville (retired staff), May 10, 2021
Donald English (retired staff), May 26, 2021
Jacob Charles Minnick (student), June 17, 2021
Betty McKisson (retired staff), June 20, 2021
Richelle B. Haines Aaron (foundation staff), June 20, 2021

Michael A. Slater ’75, June 2, 2021
Janice D. Hepburn Bloom ’76, July 19, 2021
Donald Kevin Crouse ’78, May 5, 2021
Roxanne Culp ’78, Aug. 29, 2021
Dennis P. Noble ’78, June 10, 2021

1980s
David C. Conaway ’80, July 4, 2021
Judy P. Phenicie Ray ’81, Aug. 13, 2021
Robert A. Everett ’83, June 13, 2021
Lucille M. Luccarelli Christianson ’84, Aug. 12, 2021
Karen Sloan Wilshire ’86, May 25, 2021
Ronald M. Slanina ’87, June 26, 2021
David P. Zilafro ’87, June 1, 2021
Richard N. Beightol ’89, May 11, 2021

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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 Robert Emerson Franquet Jr.,

son of Bob and Kaitlyn Hill ’16 Franquet,
born Feb. 6, 2020

2 Lillian Kristine Davis,

10

3 Kylan Craig Boyles,

11

4 Morgan Marina Hammer,

12

5 Josephine Ann Rock,

13

6 Madeline Corinne Lesnick,

14

daughter of Bryce and Lisa Buck ’10 Davis,
born April 29, 2020
son of Charles and Kelsi Wilcox ’07, ’11G Boyles,
born May 27, 2020
daughter of Mark ’09 and Paola Letizia ’09 Hammer,
born Oct. 6, 2020
daughter of Justin ’10 and Joanna Catalano ’12 Rock,
born June 22, 2020
daughter of Edward ’12 and
Ashley Longstreth ’13 Lesnick,
born June 4, 2020

7 Elijah Todd Kennedy,

son of Taylor Eastlick ’16, ‘18G Kennedy,
born Aug. 13, 2020

8 Bear William Postlewait,

son of Bryan ’04, and
Amanda Utzinger ’14 Postlewait,
born Aug. 13, 2020

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15
16

Charles Matthew Little,
son of Philip and Tara Roberts ’06 Little,
born Aug. 21, 2020
Job Delgado,
son of Gretchen Carr ’19,
born Sept. 7, 2020
Lucas Anthony Kuszaj,
son of Joseph ’08 and Bridget Dunigan ’07 Kuszaj,
born Oct. 14, 2020
Wesley Russell Revitsky,
on of Joshua and Evelyn Allan ’04 Revitsky,
born Dec. 14, 2020
Robert William Snelick,
son of Casey and Austin ’15 Snelick,
born Feb. 2, 2021
Jack Earl Kuykendall,
son of Zach and Devon Watson ’09 Kuykendall,
born March 22, 2021
Reese Harper Dolby,
daughter of Chad ’10 and
Breanne Biernesser ’10 Dolby,
born May 3, 2021
Kameron Dean Monro,
son of Kelsey Monro ’18, ’20,
born May 3, 2021

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#WINGSUP
GOLDEN EAGLES MEET
NEEDS OF PEERS
When Clarion students moved out of campus housing last spring, they were invited to donate unwanted, unopened
nonperishable food items, hygiene products and household/cleaning products to the university’s Resource Room.
Students responded generously, donating 780 items. The Resource Room provides necessities such as food, deodorant,
soap, school supplies, toilet paper and cold weather accessories to students upon request.
“We were blown away by the generosity of our students,” said Meredith Karg, student support assistant.
The fully stocked Resource Room is open this fall for students living in campus housing or in the Clarion area. Students
can order supplies by filling out the form at www.clarion.edu/hungry.
There are two ways you can help keep the Student Resource Room stocked. Check out the Amazon Wishlist
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3VZ1T3HYFESRZ?ref_=wl_share or make a monetary donation at
https://alumniandfriends.cuf-inc.org/studentresourceroom.

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“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. HAROLD V. HARTLEY AND
CAROLYN J. HARTLEY SCHOLARSHIP
The Hartleys were lifelong supporters of Clarion
University. Dr. Hartley was recruited to Clarion in 1963 to
teach speech pathology and audiology. He was founding
chair and established the graduate program for the
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Dr. Hartley was active in faculty governance and in
establishment of the faculty union. Mrs. Hartley taught in
the College of Education. Both were active in the
community. This scholarship is a memorial to them and
to the many students they impacted.

DR. NICHOLAS J. BEZAK SCHOLARSHIP
Dr. Bezak was a professor of mathematics at Clarion
from 1968 until his retirement in 2001. The oldest of six
children, he grew up on a farm in eastern Ohio. He worked
at a grocery store to pay for his Bachelor of Arts degree
and continued to work on the family farm. He stayed true to
living among the working class. Two of his brothers created
this scholarship to advance the education of future scientists
and to pay tribute to him and the students he taught.

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

Clarion University Foundation, Inc.
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.

CLARION UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE

49

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

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

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CLARION UNIVERSITY
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