admin
Tue, 02/24/2026 - 20:29
Edited Text
STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS
“Transforming To Thrive”
Karen M. Whitney
September 9, 2011
Marwick-Boyd Auditorium, 11:00 a.m.
Welcome to our second celebration of Founders Day and our first state of the university
address. Welcome students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Clarion University.
What is the “state” of Clarion University? The word itself has differences in meaning.
“State” can mean the condition of the university with respect to how we are organized, our
structure, or a state of change. “State” can refer to our ranking or position, say with other
universities or within society in general. “State” can also refer to our "state of mind" or
how we are feeling? Today, I will attempt to talk about all three "states," for what they all
have in common is that they have propelled us to a moment of transformation.
Transformation is nothing new to Clarion University. As you know we have had several
monumental moments of transformation. The first was in 1867 with the founding of our
university as a seminary. Then 20 years later, another transformation occurred with the
creation of a Normal School in 1887. Over our 147 year history we have transformed from
normal school to teachers college, to state college, to state university to what I am now
calling a “publically engaged university.”
These were all extraordinary moments brought about I am sure, because of both internal
and external forces upon this institution.
Today, it is with complete confidence and sureness that I say to you that the state of our
university is in transformation. Transformation is a "change in form, appearance, nature,
or character."
Our noble work of helping students to find their dreams and becoming prepared to live
them continues.
Helping the community and region we serve to find its dream and become prepared to
realize it, continues.
Creating a university family where each of us is able to do our highest best work in service
to the mission of the university and our professions also continues.
I want to talk about our state of transformation specifically regarding academic
transformation, campus or infrastructure transformation, and financial transformation.
These areas of transformation are in a very specific priority order.
The times are such that I must speak to you quite candidly and with an uncommon
boldness. We must transform or we will stagnate. We must take control of our future or be
controlled by it. We must summon the courage to set priorities as a university community.
I will now walk you through a powerpoint that will further describe our state of
transformation.
[See powerpoint presentation]
“Transforming To Thrive”
Karen M. Whitney
September 9, 2011
Marwick-Boyd Auditorium, 11:00 a.m.
Welcome to our second celebration of Founders Day and our first state of the university
address. Welcome students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Clarion University.
What is the “state” of Clarion University? The word itself has differences in meaning.
“State” can mean the condition of the university with respect to how we are organized, our
structure, or a state of change. “State” can refer to our ranking or position, say with other
universities or within society in general. “State” can also refer to our "state of mind" or
how we are feeling? Today, I will attempt to talk about all three "states," for what they all
have in common is that they have propelled us to a moment of transformation.
Transformation is nothing new to Clarion University. As you know we have had several
monumental moments of transformation. The first was in 1867 with the founding of our
university as a seminary. Then 20 years later, another transformation occurred with the
creation of a Normal School in 1887. Over our 147 year history we have transformed from
normal school to teachers college, to state college, to state university to what I am now
calling a “publically engaged university.”
These were all extraordinary moments brought about I am sure, because of both internal
and external forces upon this institution.
Today, it is with complete confidence and sureness that I say to you that the state of our
university is in transformation. Transformation is a "change in form, appearance, nature,
or character."
Our noble work of helping students to find their dreams and becoming prepared to live
them continues.
Helping the community and region we serve to find its dream and become prepared to
realize it, continues.
Creating a university family where each of us is able to do our highest best work in service
to the mission of the university and our professions also continues.
I want to talk about our state of transformation specifically regarding academic
transformation, campus or infrastructure transformation, and financial transformation.
These areas of transformation are in a very specific priority order.
The times are such that I must speak to you quite candidly and with an uncommon
boldness. We must transform or we will stagnate. We must take control of our future or be
controlled by it. We must summon the courage to set priorities as a university community.
I will now walk you through a powerpoint that will further describe our state of
transformation.
[See powerpoint presentation]