NEW FACULTY ORIENTATION WELCOME
Karen M. Whitney
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Moore Hall, 8:30 a.m.
It is an honor to be before you today to welcome you to Clarion University and to your new and
important role as faculty here. I am proud that you have decided to join the Clarion family in
service to the university.
In joining Clarion University, which was founded in 1867, currently enrolls almost 6,600
students annually, and offers over 90 associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, you
are joining over 300 other faculty and over 400 staff who have made this university one that is
focused on student success and distinguished by holding the most professional accreditations
of any university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Of the 14
universities that comprise the system, Clarion University has 28 professionally accredited
programs.
I ask that as new faculty, you commit to our mission, vision and core values:
Mission
Clarion University of Pennsylvania provides transformative, life-long learning opportunities
through innovative, nationally-recognized programs delivered in inclusive, student-centered
environments.
Vision
Clarion University will be a leader in high-impact educational practices that benefit students,
employers, and community partners.
Core Values
Students, faculty, staff and alumni of Clarion University value:

• learning;
• accomplishment;
• encouragement;
• diversity;

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• civility;
• civic engagement; and
• public higher education.
I also want to emphasize the important role you can have, not only on campus, but also in the
surrounding community. My hope is that if you live within 30 minutes of the campus, you
consider becoming involved in the greater community – in the civic life of the community. This
is a great community and one that needs us in our role as educators and leaders.
You may also know that Clarion University is one of 14 universities that comprise the PASSHE.
Clarion is the only public university for this region. We are the degree granting, civic engaging
center of this region. We are the largest employer in Clarion County. We are the center of
culture, arts, and entertainment for the region. In sum, we have what I consider a duty to apply
our teaching, research, and service in ways that engage the civic and commercial life of this
region. Your work will be key to those efforts.
I am going to close my remarks this morning by talking about our students. For the most part
our students come from northwest Pennsylvania, although you will find that we have students
from over 45 states and from many other countries. Many of our students are the first in their
families to attend college while at the same time you will find students who are the 2nd, 3rd
and sometimes 4th generation to attend Clarion. You will also find that our students want what
we all wanted when we went to college—to learn, to have fun, and to work hard to make a
better life for themselves and their families.
You will find from your fellow faculty that Clarion University is known for being an academic
community that cares deeply for its students. We expect a great deal from them and, in return,
we care deeply for our students and work with them to achieve a high quality education.
Alumni will often remark that they consider Clarion University to be a magical place – a place
and experience that changed their lives for the better. You will be part of that magic and you
will have the opportunity to change lives for the better.
Again, as President of Clarion University, welcome, thank you for joining us and thank you for
what you are about to do for our students, our university, and our community.
Fly, Eagles, Fly!