Clarion University–Venango Campus Celebrating 50 Years July 2011 Vol. 58 No. 2 www.clarion.edu TABLE OF Dear Golden Eagles, As Clarion University continues to navigate through the rough and tumble waters of our current fiscal state, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for all alumni who have advocated on CONTENTS behalf of the university to your friends, neighbors and elected officials. I know that the commonwealth faces many financial challenges as we all work to rebuild our economy. We know that the commonwealth is managing unprecedented state funding challenges and is pressed to pass on these reductions in state Fear the Bird . 3 Sports . 12 revenue to public universities. The Golden Eagles mascot has a Enrique Conterno, a former All-American brawny new look. swimmer and diver at Clarion, tells how believing in one’s self makes all the In early spring, the governor proposed a 54 percent reduction in difference; plus, read previews of the fall the state’s funding of Clarion University. After several months of Venango . 4 2011 sports season. work by lawmakers to restore a portion of that proposed reduction, Clarion University—Venango Campus the budget was completed in late June. Our funding from the state celebrates 50 years of advancing to meet Alumni Notes . 19 for 2011-12 will be 18 percent less than the previous year. This is the needs of the region. Through innovative teaching, attending better news than earlier this year, but please be clear that this is a presidential firsts and saving babies’ lives, difficult and challenging time for the university. Inauguration . 6 alumni Jackie Karenbauer (’89), Jedediah President Karen Whitney’s inauguration day Millard (’07, ’08) and Dennis Slagle (’01) For our part at Clarion, we have been working over the last eight are making Clarion proud. in photos. months to re-engineer our fundamental approach to fiscal New Board Members . 24 stewardship. We have instituted a highly transparent and engaging RCM Model . 7 approach to financial planning and financial decision making, Angela (Groom ’80) Brown and Adam Ruffner which we are calling Responsibility Centered Management. In A new financial planning model will guide (’06) join the Alumni Association Board of the university through challenging times Directors. adopting a focused financial management approach, we will use and into a thriving future. our resources to most effectively advance our vision, mission, Homecoming . 25, 28 values and strategic directions. News Briefs . 8 Celebrations abound for Clarion University alumni at Homecoming 2011. I look forward to updating you further Extravaganza . 10 as we progress. The Alumni Association’s black-tie Investing in Clarion . 26 fundraiser gala honors six for their Al (’74) and Jan Lander are counting on contributions. their investment in three students to yield a bounty of returns. Feature . 11 Karen M. Whitney Alumnus James Goertel (’11) shares Thank You, Clarion . .. 27 President, Clarion University lessons learned while filming for Dateline Ian Hurbanek (’05) is flying high, thanks to NBC in the days following the Sept. 11, leadership qualities he honed at Clarion 2001, attacks on America. University. GO EAGLES! President: Address comments and questions to: Clarion University of Pennsylvania is Pennsylvania State System of Higher Dunbar (’77, M.S.’79), Christopher Myers, student Dr. Karen Whitney Clarion University of committed to equal employment and Education Board of Governors trustee, The Honorable Donna Oberlander (’91), Pennsylvania equal educational opportunities for Guido M. Pichini, Chairman, Larry C. Pickett (’77), and Jeffrey J. Szumigale (’82). Executive Editor: Clarion and Beyond Magazine all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national Marie Conley Lammando, Tina Horner Center for Advancement Alumni Association Board of Directors origin, affectional or sexual Vice Chair, Aaron Walton, 840 Wood St. Robert Dandoy (’74), president, David Bailey (’65), Co-Editors: orientation, age, disability, or other Vice Chair, Leonard B. Altieri Clarion, PA 16214 president-elect, Deborah (McNerney ’06, ’07) Rich Herman (sports) classifications that are protected III, Rep. Matthew E. Baker, under Title IX of the Education David Love (’86, ’87) Pennsylvania State System Eckelberger, treasurer, Jean (Weaver ’59, ’74) Mills, Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of Higher Education Jennifer Branstetter (designee E-mail address: secretary, Dr. S. Floyd Barger (’58), Daniel Bartoli of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, for Governor Corbett), Gov. Tom Corbett, Governor, Design: [email protected] (’81), Angela (Groom ’80) Brown, Kay (Ordiway ’61) the Americans with Disabilities Act Sarah C. Darling, Rep. Michael K. Hanna, Ronald Scott Kane (’04)/PAGES Clark, Merrilyn (Murnyak ’93) Dunlap, Elisabeth of 1990, and other pertinent state G. Henry, Sen. Vincent J. Hughes, Kenneth M. Visit Clarion University and federal laws and regulations. (Sibley ’64, ’80, ’97) Fulmer, Patrick Kahle (’92), Contributors: Direct equal opportunity inquiries Jarin, Bonnie L. Keener, Jonathan B. Mack, Joseph on the Web at Terri “Tiki” Kahle (‘87), Kraig Koelsch (’95, ’97), Chris Rossetti to the Assistant to the President F. McGinn, C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni, Sen. Jeffrey E. Nancy (Terwilliger ’75) Lendyak, Ronald Lucas Brandi Stretavski for Social Equity, Clarion University Piccola, Harold C. Shields, Robert S. Taylor, Ronald J. WWW.CLARION.EDU (’82), Richard Malacarne (’63), T.J. McCance (’06, of Pennsylvania, 216 Carrier Tomalis, Secretary of Education, Christine J.Toretti Photographers: Clarion and Beyond is Administration Building, Clarion, PA ’08), Paul Palmer (’61), Brian Perkins (’09), John Rich Herman, David Love, published by the Center for 16214-1232. 814-393-2109. Council of Trustees Pulver (’95), Mary Rose (Vescio ’55) Reno, Adam George Powers, Jerry Sowden, Advancement for alumni, R. Lee James (’74, M.B.A. ’83), chairperson, Ruffner (’06), Lt. Col. Brian Schill (’88), Ashley Jason Strohm and Brett families of current students James L. Kifer (’83), vice chairperson, Howard H. Stroup-McCauley (’06), Annette Johnston, president and friends of Clarion Whitling. of Eagle Ambassadors, and Jessica (Tenfelde ’04) University. Alumni information Shreckengost, secretary, Dr. Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, The is also located at www.clarion. Honorable Ross C. Cioppa, Susanne A. Burns, J.D. Zacherl, interim executive director. Cover: West End Pond, Clarion edu/alumni. University–Venango02 | December ’10 Campus ERNI took about two weeks. installed a fan to circulate air in Constructing the mascot the head of the mascot. It’s in the Fear the Bird took about six months, works to buy a cooling vest to help due to drying the person inside the costume stay time for the comfortable. hat does Clarion Leadership glue and The muscle suit is machine University get when and waiting for washable; Findlan-Powell cleans a creative faculty Involvement, the fumes the fur by spraying it with a special member combines the athletics to dissipate solution and hanging it to dry. E W department before The Golden Eagle just fits yards of brown fur, plastic foam and oversized tennis shoes with a and the Alumni someone through doorways, she said. She generous helping of Eagle pride? Association. could be inside estimates that the costume weighs TH We get a made-over mascot with an “We wanted to go of the costume. 25 to 30 pounds. attitude. more toward the golden She used plastic The Golden Eagle made his As an alumna of Clarion eagle look,” she said. foam to sculpt the head debut at an April “hatching party,” University and a member of the “Shawn and the athletic and beak. The body where he line-danced with students theater department faculty, Julie department wanted it to is made of brown fur. and President Karen Whitney, and Findlan-Powell (’03) keeps an eagle- be kid-friendly but to Inside the costume he also stood outside of Marwick- eye on her alma mater. When it give off a masculine is a muscle suit, Boyd Fine Arts Center and E came time to give the Golden Eagle personality.” which has pockets greeted guests before Whitney’s a new look, Findlan-Powell was Through that hold padding inauguration. He will begin eager to lend her expertise. Findlan-Powell’s to build up the appearing at athletic events this EAGL “I love crafting,” she said. “The prior experience chest, arms fall. mascot should be the face of the with mascots and and legs of the Two students are currently university.” costumes, she knows Golden Eagle. The trained to be the Golden Eagle. Aside from her work with what scares kids. feet are oversized In addition to someone inside costumes in the theater “They’re afraid of tennis shoes. He of the costume, the mascot department, Findlan-Powell certain eye colors, and is outfitted in an needs a handler to help with has also worked for a costume they don’t like teeth “Eagletastic” T-shirt. communication and navigation. company, as well as with the showing. They really don’t like it The bird must be mobile, Findlan-Powell said she and Hoke Pittsburgh Pirates Parrot and other if they can see the person inside – able to run up and down steps at are discussing starting a spirit club team mascots. that means, ‘This thing swallowed stadiums, bounce a basketball, to train others to wear the costume She took several factors into someone.’” throw and catch a football, so and to serve as a handler. account in designing the Golden Findlan-Powell drew several Findlan-Powell took measures to “We want to see him on campus sketches before coming up with more. We can do that if more Eagle. She worked with Shawn accommodate those needs. E Hoke, director of the Center for her final design. That process The costume is hot; she people are trained,” she said. Clarion University Celebrates its Future by Honoring its Past During Founders’ Day Festivities Sept. 9. President Karen Whitney started the tradition last year.