CampaignCampaign CelebrationCelebration WWee diddid it!it! July 2000 Issue Volume 47 Number 2 2-CLARION ALUMNI NEWS A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N CLARION ALUMNI NEWS Clarion Alumni News is published Measuring Success and Graduation three times a year by the Clarion University Alumni Association and Questions recently were Clarion far exceeds the nation- the Office of University Relations. raised in Harrisburg about the al six-year and four-year grad- Send comments to: University four-year graduation rates of uation rates for all similar Relations Department, Clarion students at public universities Dear CSRDE institutions. The University, 974 E. Wood St., and the education they are national six-year average grad- Clarion, PA 16214-1232; 814-393- receiving. As president of the 2334; FAX 814-393-2082; or e-mail Alumni uation rate for similar institu- [email protected]. Clarion University Alumni tions is 42.7 percent. Association, I feel some of the By Ronald A. Paranick (’76) We cannot escape the fact ALUMNI ASSOCIATION comments and statistics used in President that it is taking some students BOARD OF DIRECTORS this discussion miss the mark. Clarion University Alumni Association longer to earn a degree, but Ronald A. Paranick ’76, President One of the central missions Larry W. Jamison ’87, Pres.-elect times have changed. Today’s of public universities like John R. Mumford ’73 & ’75, secretary students are preparing for a James J. Wagner ’74 & ’77, treasurer Clarion University and the State Transfers are also included in cent of its students in four years more difficult market place Daniel J. Bard ’74; Wendy A. System of Higher Education is figures for non-graduation. are not realistic when all of the than students 10 years ago, Clayton ’85; Mary Beth Curry ’97 to provide access to the citizens Students may elect to finish information is reviewed. Many are now pursuing double &’99; Gus Johnson ’53; Lois S. of Pennsylvania. We have done their degree at another institu- According to the Graduation majors and taking more elec- Linnan ’56; Deborah S. Magness that by providing a quality edu- ‘86, Kenton R. O’Neil ’89; Kevin J. tion, perhaps one closer to home Rate Survey from the tives to prepare themselves for Roth ’81; Andrew D. Sayers ’89 & cation at an affordable rate. or a school with different pro- Consortium for Student the current job market. This ’90; Christine L. Spuck ’94; and Clarion University’s gradua- grams or expertise. However, Retention Data Exchange takes more time to complete. Stephen J. Zinram ‘85 &’88. tion rates and time to graduate statistics will only report that a (CSRDE), the six-year gradua- I would also like to stress meet or exceed national stan- transfer student did not graduate tion rate is the standard mea- that we are proud of our acces- COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES dards for similar institutions. At within four years at the universi- surement rate for accurate com- sibility. We are here for stu- Dr. Syed Ali-Zaidi, Oleta B. Amsler, Clarion we take pride in prepar- Susanne A. Burns, H. John Drayer ty in which they first enrolled. parisons. Clarion’s average six- dents throughout Pennsylvania. ’77, Kenneth E. Gaudi ’66, ing our students for life after Proposals to link some com- year graduation rate for all stu- We take students who are Richard R. Hilinski, Orville H. Lerch graduation. Research shows 98 monwealth funding to a univer- dents is 53.9 percent and 60.8 bright and have potential. ’81, R. Lee James ’74 & ’83, percent of our graduates are sity’s ability to graduate 40 per- percent for regular admits. Some high school graduates Sheryle L. Long, Fred C. McIlhattan employed or seeking additional come to us who are not totally ’70, Naqeeb A. Hussain, Dr. advanced degrees. prepared for the college expe- James McCormick, Chancellor (Ex- There are many reasons why Officio). Observe the Progress rience, for one reason or a student may not be able to By Dr. Diane L. Reinhard another. Clarion’s enrollment Clarion University President graduate in four years, but these President management programs look at Diane L. Reinhard same students do have an Clarion University of Pennsylvania how best to ensure that these Vice President for opportunity to earn a degree in students are successful in col- Advancement four years or less. Within communities of all kinds, celebrations are recognized as lege. Harry Tripp Executive Director of The statistics do not include an important way to remember the past, affirm tradition, and deep- The 40 percent proposal University Relations the reasons for students not en loyalties. could work against the acade- Ron Wilshire ’72 graduating in four years at a Community members should mic health of our universities. Director of Alumni Relations and particular university. Financial pause from time to time to observe A Message from The goal looks at one statistic, Annual Funds reasons are often the leading the progress they have made, some- but ignores the education stu- Jean (Scott) Wolf ’86 factor for students dropping out times in the face of difficult chal- the President dents are receiving. One of the Clarion University of Pennsylvania is of college. While institutions lenges. most dangerous aspects of the committed to equal employment and like Clarion University are This May, members of the Clarion University community found proposal is that it could result equal educational opportunities for some of the most affordable, the special reason to celebrate in the completion of the university’s first in encouraging some institu- all qualified individuals regardless of cost of higher education is too major capital campaign. What made our celebration even more joy- tions to lower standards for race, color, sex, religion, national ori- much for some students and ous was the announcement that we had exceeded our $8 million high quality programs. gin, affectional or sexual orientation, their families and sufficient dollar campaign goal by more than 40 percent, raising $11.4 mil- The questions raised in age, disability, or other classifications that are protected under Title IX of financial aid is not available for lion for academic building renovation, scholarship endowment, and Harrisburg use statistics that the Education Amendments of 1972, some of these students. The the establishment of a cultural lecture series. pit universities like Clarion Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act economic climate is also anoth- Clarion University alumni can be especially proud of this with access missions against of 1973, the Americans with er financial consideration, with impressive accomplishment. They comprise the majority of our universities that serve a few. Disabilities Act of 1990, and other some students dropping out to more than 11,000 Investing in Futures donors. In addition to their The statistics take a selective pertinent state and federal laws and take a job and finishing their critical financial support, many alumni contributed their time and look at the past but ignore the regulations. Direct equal opportunity inquiries to the Assistant to the education at a later date. talent to help ensure the success of the campaign. mission and true impact on the President for Social Equity, Clarion Family reasons are the sec- Our Capital Campaign Celebration is featured in this issue of lives of Pennsylvania resi- University of Pennsylvania, 216 ond largest factor in decisions Alumni News, along with information about this year’s dents. Carrier Administration Building, to leave a university. Personal Distinguished Alumni awards. As you review the issue, I know you We believe and invest in Clarion, PA 16214-1232. (814-393- reasons are part of life and are will be inspired by the outstanding efforts of Clarion alumni. Their the future. We know that a col- 2000) often not related to the type of achievements and support continue to give us exciting reasons to lege education is more than a EDITORIAL STAFF: education a student was receiv- celebrate all that we value as a university community. statistic. Editor: Ron Wilshire ing at a particular university. Assistant Editor: Tom Schott Contributors: Carilyn Booker, Paul Hambke, Rich Herman, Scott Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a member of the State System of Higher Education. O’Donnell, Chris Rossetti, Tom Schott, Ron Wilshire. STATE SYSTEM BOARD OF GOVERNORS Photography: Pete Hartle, Rich Herman, Tom Schott, Ron Wilshire Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, Muriel Berman, Zachary I. Cattell, Jeffrey W. Coy, F. Eugene Dixon Jr., chair, Daniel P. COVER: Elby, Charles A. Gomulka, Eugene W. Hickok Jr., Joy C. Leonard, Shelby A. Linton, F. Joseph Loeper, Kim Front cover design by Pat Magill State System of Higher Education E. Lyttle, Tom Ridge, David M. Sanko, B. Michael Schaul, Jere W. Schuler, Patrick J. Stapleton, John K. The System Works for Pennsylvania Thornburgh, Christine J. Toretti, and R. Benjamin Wiley, Vice Chair. CLARION ALUMNI NEWS–3 A L U M N I N O T E S Clarion Lobbies For Funding Increase Agroup of Clarion State College and University of Slippery Rock and is a gradu- University of Pennsylvania alum- Faculties; Steve Arthur (’85) of ate of Moniteau High School. ni and students recently met with Littlestown; and students Leslie Sowa, a senior finance major, legislators in Harrisburg to advo- Suhr, 1999-2000 president of the is a son of Kimberly Sowa of cate for additional support for the Clarion University Student Prospect and is a graduate of State System of Higher Senate; Angela Everly, news edi- Slippery Rock High School. Education. The Clarion group tor of “The Clarion Call”; and “The State System of Higher met with State Representative Brian Sowa, 2000-2001 president Education is the largest higher Fred McIlhattan, a 1970 Clarion of the Clarion University Student education enterprise in the com- graduate, and state Sen.