Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 Section G — Education Section G Section G of the Business Review and Forecastst focuses on colleges, universities,, area school districts and other educationalti l iinstitutions tit ti iin ththe region. Articles in this section show how schools handled the ever-changing challenges of conducting classes — online, in-person and as a combina- tion of the two — as the coronavirus tightened its grip in the region. Clarion University is featured in this section. While 60% of its teach- ing staff was already trained for on- line instruction, CU’s faculty, staff and IT department worked hard to make the transition to distance learn- ing as seamless as possible. There’s a story inside about the University of Pittsburgh at Titus- ville’s Education and Training Hub, which continued in its efforts to equip local students with essential skills to enter the workforce. Contributed photo We also take a look at how local Carlson Library on the main campus of Clarion University has been instrumental in bridging the digital divide that school districts have handled the pan- can hamper online classes. As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold on the educational system, library staff worked to demic and how their budgets impact digitalize materials for professors and also loaned out iPads and other electronic devices for those in need. the local economy.

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To nd a store nearest you, see more great deals and subscribe for email o ers, visit www.countryfairstores.com G-2 – THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald Friday, February 19, 2021 Clarion finds a way to thrive University’s faculty, staff work to make seamless transition to distance learning

This article was submitted by the university.

CLARION — In a year fraught with challenges, Clarion University rose to the challenges and not only survived, but thrived. In March, when COVID-19 cases began to rise in Pennsylva- nia, Clarion suspended face-to-face classes, and students be- came distance learners. To make the transition as seamless as possible for students, Clarion University faculty — 60 percent of whom were already trained in online instruction — staff, and the information technology department worked together. “Faculty and staff have spent the last week helping students to adjust. They’ve Clarion University, which was founded in 1867, is one of 14 universities that are part of the Pennsylvania done so many things, I can’t State System of Higher Education. list them all,” Pam Gent, pro- vost, said in March. “They’ve Recognition of quality had online and Zoom discus- COVID-19 has revealed which colleges and universities sions with students to address were able to rise to the challenge during the pandemic to de- concerns or fears about this liver a quality education to students. Clarion University is new learning environment. among them. They shared tips with students Educate to Career ranked colleges according to their ability on how to learn in a new envi- to offer a quality education under any conceivable scenario: ronment.” in-classroom, online, and a blend of each format. Faculty became students as In order to be included in its Tier 1 listing, criteria includ- they learned techniques of on- ed: line instruction, often utilizing  A physical campus for in-classroom instruction should Pam Gent, the university’s online plat- the health authorities allow colleges to open in September. provost form, as well as other tools for  Robust software and systems to support distance-learning teaching such as Zoom for live programs. lectures, videos and email. “Faculty are using a variety of plat-  Faculty experience in teaching online. forms, because the digital divide exists in rural parts of Penn-  Reasonable tuition and fees on a relative basis. sylvania,” Gent explained. “Some of our students do not have Educate to Career stated the following on its website: reliable internet or cell service.” “With the COVID crisis everything has changed regarding Clarion University Libraries provided integral support. college selection criteria. With our new rankings system, a “The Clarion University Libraries have a long history and a ‘distance learning’ component is mandatory for a high ranking Price tabbed depth of experience supporting simply because there is a real possibility that at least some in- online classes. Our librarians struction will be done via the internet. Schools that have sys- provide research consultation tems and experience in distance learning, with a campus to to head College services via Skype, Zoom, support in-classroom teaching have the right formula for today. chat, text, email, and toll-free And factoring in that the U.S. is now in the midst of a deep phone services throughout the recession, tuition is also a primary consideration.” day, evenings and weekends,” Other organizations have ranked Clarion University pro- of Education said Terry Latour, dean of li- grams among the best. Clarion University braries. “Our library faculty These programs include early childhood education, elemen- School of Education re- provide information literacy tary teacher preparation, medical assistant and online account- turned to college status as and discipline-specific instruc- ing. part of the newly formed tion via Zoom software, and For more details, people may visit online at www.clarion. College of Education, tutorials developed for specific edu/rankings. Health and Human Servic- classes and needs. LibGuides, es. The change went into online research resource effect July 1. guides, have been developed Terry Latour, Gwyneth Price, educa- for many classes, disciplines tion dean, has been named and subjects,” Latour said. dean of libraries dean of the college. The library staff scanned Jeffery Allen, founding resources not originally in electronic form and provided them dean of the College of to faculty. Additionally, the libraries loaned laptops and iPads Health and Human Servic- to students for the remainder of the semester. es, has accepted a position Spring commencement was held via Zoom. at Youngstown State Uni- On campus, a COVID Response Team met regularly to dis- versity. His departure creat- Gwyneth Price cuss how to bring students and employees back to campus in a ed an opportunity for the safe manner. That included the installation of cameras and university to examine how merging the School of Edu- microphones in classrooms to facilitate remote delivery, ar- best to serve students, as cation with the College of rangement of spaces to accommodate physical distancing, and well as to align with a rec- Health Sciences and Hu- dining facility adjustments to make available more grab-and- ommendation of the univer- man Services, a college go options. with many accredited and sity’s Financial Sustainabil- growing programs, has the A national rise in COVID cases in the summer caused a ity Advisory Taskforce to pivot to remote learning. Up to 500 students were permitted to potential to open new doors streamline administration. for students. live in campus housing, and although competitions were can- “In March 2020, I com- celed, athletes were on campus for conditioning and practice; Jane France, left, and her husband, Christian Alli- “The inception of the missioned the taskforce in College of Education, because of the students’ adherence to face covering and dis- response to the PASSHE tancing requirements, few cases of COVID were reported. son, made a significant donation to help establish Health, and Human Servic- Clarion University’s Center for Engaged Learning chancellor’s mandate for all es allows for novel syner- Throughout the fall, the response team further refined the of its member institutions to plan to return to in-person operations. and Student Success. gies to arise among a vari- create a five-year financial ety of programs in the help- The university purchased and installed ionization units to sustainability plan,” Presi- clean the air in campus buildings and developed testing proto- Donation establishes Center for Engaged Learning ing professions,” she said. col for the maximum of 1,000 students living on campus in Clarion University has established the Center for Engaged dent Dale-Elizabeth Pehrs- Helping professions are spring 2021. Learning and Student Success to provide Clarion faculty, as son said. “The group, made those that emphasize the About 20 percent of classes are being offered face-to-face well as staff and faculty from across Pennsylvania’s State Sys- up of a cross-section of fac- physical, health and well- this spring. tem of Higher Education, with the tools they need to teach and ulty, staff and students, was ness, intellectual, or psy- Information about Clarion’s response to COVID is available deliver all modalities of academic programs. charged with developing a chological needs of a per- at www.clarion.edu/spring2021. The center was launched through a $250,000 donation by plan which would stabilize son. Jane France (Class of 1971) and her husband Christian Allison, Clarion’s financial position “The students, faculty Student Emergency Fund president and member, respectively, of Clarion University while keeping the student and staff share a similar in- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Clarion University alumni Foundation Board of Directors. experience at the forefront terest in helping people, and and friends came to the aid of students to the tune of $48,733 The goal is to propel Clarion University onto the national of this work. This is an ex- to do so, the focus must be through the Student Emergency Fund. Many students faced stage as a model for best teaching practices, no matter the type cellent example of how the on the whole person,” Gent unexpected financial hardship for a variety of reasons, with the of classroom (traditional to virtual), to positively impact stu- bright, creative minds at said. “The College of Edu- biggest factor being loss of employment. dent success. Clarion University can cre- cation, Health and Human Many students lost their jobs or had parents who lost jobs “As the COVID-19 crisis unfolded this past spring, we mar- ate an opportunity from a Services will create addi- due to the pandemic. veled at how expeditiously and professionally Clarion Univer- challenge.” tional opportunities for col- Others reported the need to enhance their at-home technol- sity’s faculty team rolled out its remote learning initiative,” Price was director of the laboration, helping us to ogy in order to finish the semester, while some students had the France and Allison said. School of Education before better develop professionals expenses of mandatory testing for their majors. Other students “When we asked (President Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson) how being named dean of the who are knowledgeable reported deeply personal situations that left them in a bind. we could help during the crisis with this gift, she presented this school a year ago. The re- about all aspects of the per- Regardless of the reason, 188 students had bills and ex- idea,” the couple said. newed vigor of the educa- son. The faculty share a penses to pay and alumni and friends stepped up. Each student tion program under her See CLARION UNIVERSITY, Page G-5 similar commitment to received $250 to help with his or her expenses. leadership warrants the ele- teaching students in real- vation from school to col- world, field-based settings lege. so they will be able to per- “Clarion University was form their jobs ethically and Early Intervention Provider established as a normal with a high degree of profi- school over 150 years ago. ciency.” Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy With such a long tradition Gent is confident that the of preparing teachers, it is College of Education, Specialized Instruction only right to elevate the Health and Human Services School of Education back to will thrive under Price’s Teacher of the Visually Impaired college status,” Price said. leadership. “Since my arrival as direc- “Dr. Price is a proven Speech & Language Program tor in 2017, I have been and accomplished leader for Adults, Adolescents & Children working toward this goal. who understands accredita- With the forward thinking tion for professional licen- of Dr. Pehrsson and (pro- sure and certification,” Gent 118 South Kerr St., Titusville vost) Dr. Pam Gent, that said. “She embraces field- 814-827-0800 goal has been realized, but based and clinical-based in way that allows for even education and the commu- 145 Steffee Boulevard, Seneca more opportunity than I had nity partnerships needed to 814-677-1390 originally anticipated.” provide such education for [email protected] Price and Gent agree that our students,” Gent said. Friday, February 19, 2021 THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald – G-3

TOPCITED AS 20

CLARION AWARDED MORE THAN $5 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS LAST YEAR

@clarionu /clarionu G-4 – THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald Friday, February 19, 2021 Venango Campus addresses needs patrons to share the benefits. cations through apprentice- Clarion The Clarion University- ship training or enter into a Venango Campus has a long post-secondary track, such as University’s history of creating mutually Clarion University’s associ- Lineman named dean beneficial academic and com- ate’s degree in applied tech- munity partnerships and the nology. At completion of this branch Learning Commons concept juncture, an individual would is a demonstration of this have the opportunity to once at CU’s Oil City campus opens new partnership. again enter the labor force, Hope Lineman was named dean for ca- She maintained those responsibilities “Students now have access earn industry specific certifi- reer and workforce education at Clarion when she was named interim director of the Learning to study rooms, group study cations, or continue for a University-Venango in March. Venango campus in October 2018. areas, and study pods, which bachelor’s degree. A fourth As dean, Line- Commons provide comfortable space for cohort is now in progress. man develops edu- Beyond the pandemic focused study and privacy, This state-registered pro- cational opportuni- After being in the leadership role at the This article was submitted and a variety of seating op- gram will allow the appren- ties to meet the ca- Oil City campus for several months, Line- by the school. tions. Students benefit from tices to advance their skills reer and workforce man said she is optimistic about the future the addition of a classroom and help progress the region’s needs of the region of the campus. ecosystem that integrates peo- manufacturing base. This through partner- “I was named dean and then two weeks For almost 60 years, Clari- ple, place and technology,” combination of hands-on ex- on University-Venango Cam- ships within the later the COVID pandemic hit and we were said Lineman. perience and classroom learn- university and with forced to close down the campus,” said pus has been committed to, Career Services, all of the ing provided by AIM and and successful in, providing external agencies, Lineman. “It was baptism by fire but we are academic support services Clarion University is tailored businesses, schools working on new initiatives. We have been the finest possible education and writing center are now to the exact needs of our re- for the students it serves. and organizations. doing a lot of data mining.” under one roof, with the li- gion’s injection molders. Establishing a Hope Lineman But now Lineman is also looking beyond From its very inception, Ve- brary, creating a support eco- nango Campus has been a ARC Power Grant work leader for Venango the pandemic to what the campus might of- system. campus is one of the priorities of the True fer its students and the community at large. product of university and “These areas provide ready The partnership training community, working together North Initiative, which outlines goals for “We are exploring partnerships such as a access to both technological model is the foundation for the university for the next three years. paramedic program. It will be at the associ- to address community and re- and personnel resources that the Appalachian Regional gional needs. Clarion Univer- “Under Hope’s leadership, we believe ate degree level,” she said. “We will proba- are designed to support stu- Commission that Venango can be an incubator for new bly have a training partner that will use our sity-Venango Campus has dent success and learning. Power Grant been a partner in regional eco- programs and new ideas that will help the facilities and they will provide all of that The Center enables faculty work. Clarion region and its people to grow and thrive,” course training. We will support with the nomic development and qual- and students to embrace ac- University, ity of life initiatives, and is said Pam Gent, Clarion University provost. general education.” tive learning,” added Line- Venango A lifelong resident of Cranberry Town- “Primarily we have the facilities because of proud to be the oldest regional man. Technology campus in the Pennsylvania ship, Lineman has extensive experience in our respiratory care and our nursing program. Through the configuration Center, Craw- establishing collaborative partnerships to We will probably have to procure some equip- State System of Higher Edu- of physical space and the pro- ford Career cation. address workforce training needs and to ment but the instructor can utilize the site. We vision of resources, Learning and Techni- foster goodwill between the university and think we can work around existing schedules The Oil City campus offers Commons are welcoming, cal Center, several two-year or less pro- community. She has consistently engaged to utilize the space,” said Lineman. open, gathering places for stu- Keystone Education Council, with local leaders to develop strategies and She also said “we have been talking about grams, including a selection dents to study, work in groups, Community College of Al- of workforce development of- programs that support career and workforce public safety needs, firemen, EMTs, paramed- and access technology and legheny County, and Strategic education. ics, security officer training or preparatory for ferings, one-year continuing people who can provide guid- Early Warning Network are education certificate pro- “I plan to create new education models going into the police academy that students ance and support for the stu- working together to address that will strengthen the pipeline from local can do here. That is already set in motion.” grams, and associate degree dent. northwestern Pennsylvania’s programs. school districts, serve specific populations “We are having conversations now that The library space contin- skilled workforce needs with- to address regional workforce needs, and focus on firemen training. We are hoping to In addition, students can ues to house the Barbara Mor- in the employment sectors of enroll in select bachelor’s de- create pathways to allow students to develop put together a nice portfolio of initial course gan Harvey Center for the advanced manufacturing and credentials into degrees,” Lineman said. “I offerings. We will be reaching out to all of grees, continue into upper de- Study of Oil Heritage. health care. gree completion programs at will also work to develop an evolving edu- the departments in the region to see what The Collection includes a Project efforts build the cation/training system that provides services recertification needs there are and what new the Clarion campus or online, variety of books that docu- needed skilled workforce in and have access to more than traditionally offered at the degree level, training they would like to see offered first,” ment the history of the region, three ways: 1) leveraging pre- such as advisors for non-degree students said Lineman. 100 academic degree pro- newspaper clippings from the apprenticeship programs and grams through Clarion Uni- and creating a transcripting system to better “We are definitely full speed ahead and early 1900s, minutes from the the secondary enrollment cer- serve both students and employers.” looking at some new models of education. I versity. meetings of early oil compa- tificate program to educate The continued expansion of Lineman began her Clarion University am excited about the integration with Cali- nies from the late 1800s, maps high school aged students; 2) career in 2001 as coordinator of continuing fornia University. We will focus on under- educational partnerships al- and photographs. The collec- leveraging registered appren- lows the campus to find ways education at the Oil City campus. She con- graduate online education,” she said. tion serves as a center and ticeship programs, certificate tinued in that role until 2012, when she was “There are new things to come. I am ex- to join forces with others in the clearinghouse for scholarship programs, and associate de- fields of health care, industry, named interim director, then director, of cited,” Lineman said. We are recruiting for and research of the Oil Re- gree programs in applied marketing and university relations. In 2017, the medical assistant program. We will start business and education, to en- gion’s history and heritage. technology and allied health hance and expand programs, her role was expanded to assistant director that online. We are looking at launching More information on the cen- to educate adult students; and of marketing and communication. new initiatives and get things moving.” share resources, extend out- ter can be found at www.clar- 3) leveraging the entrepre- reach and to meet the changing ion.edu/harveycenter. neurship Small Business Jump needs of the commonwealth The conversion of the Suhr Start and Small Business Continuing Education and and its workforce. Library into a Learning Com- Jump Start Veterans programs Workforce Development The campus continues to mons directly supports enroll- to support the start-up and Through the Continuing benefit from the golden part- ment at the Venango Campus growth of businesses. Education and Workforce De- nership of university and com- and, in turn, the opportunity Through the ARC grant velopment Office 32 students munity and serves a diverse to develop additional pro- work and the partnership received training in certificate student population, including grams that address regional model we have been able to programs including phleboto- students of widely varying workforce needs. create educational pathways my and advanced medical backgrounds and experiences, The conversion was funded so that individuals can begin technician. The forth class of and relatively equal numbers by a variety of revenue sourc- where they are at in any point- Emergency Medical Techni- of traditional and returning es including Key93, Appala- in-time (pre-apprenticeships, cians completed in bringing adult students. chian Regional Commission apprenticeships, certificates, the total to 78 trained EMTs Associate of Applied Sci- Learning Commons Power Grant, local grants, do- since the program began in nors and university funds. ence). High school students, 2017. This training is in part- The Suhr Library & Learn- dislocated and under-em- nership with Venango Tech- ing Commons at Clarion Uni- New apprenticeship ployed workers can receive nology Center and Clarion versity Venango Campus program credit for training already Hospital. opened to students, faculty, The campus continues to completed through these path- Through Continuing Edu- staff and training partners in partner with the American In- ways. Additionally, 84 non- cation and Workforce Devel- January 2020. The conversion jection Molding Institute and project students have used opment, Clarion University Oil City native Tayler Berry, right, a senior majoring in of the Charles L. Suhr Library Keystone Education Council, project-funded equipment at awarded 18 WEDnetPA Con- business management, is assisted by Keely Ritter as to a Learning Commons, a to help bridge the skills gap in Venango Technical Center to tracts for FY 2019/2020 pro- she selects appropriate attire for future job inter- $900,000 investment, was the Northwestern Pennsylvania’s improve workforce skills. viding over $67,436 reim- views at the college’s work wear student closet. largest upgrade to the campus plastics manufacturing work- The COVID pandemic cre- bursed to companies in the this past year. force. ated some speed bumps in region for training. ing size identifiers. Nothing executive director at United The Learning Commons The Plastics Process Tech- training programs, including The office also supported was bought for the conversion Way of Venango County. concept is being realized in nician Apprenticeship Pro- postponing or canceling all AmeriCorps in delivery of an so this space is now used for The donation of these uni- university and public libraries gram was pioneered by a col- face-to-face trainings, meet- online service-learning pro- an entirely different focus but forms were purchased and across the nation, and is laboration of 12 plastic manu- ings, events, and recruitment gram for 21 educators and serves more students due to worn for six months by em- founded upon creating a space facturers in the Northwest however, the partners in the enrolled 63 local youth in the this unique transformation. ployees and cleaned regularly that enables students and oth- Region. These companies rec- grant were able to adjust mov- 20th Kids in College summer The initial donation of prior to donation. A broad ar- er learners to engage with ognize the importance of in- ing efforts to an online/virtual enrichment program. clothing made by Farmers ray of blazers and slacks will each other, technology and vesting in their employees modality. National Bank of Emlenton benefit students needing attire resources in a shared man- and the high value that con- By the conclusion of the Work wear student closet will be another asset for the for an interview or who are ner,” said Hope Lineman, tinuing education brings to project period in September Suhr Library and Learning Venango Campus students as just starting work. dean of Career & Workforce the advancement of their or- 2021, 150 high school stu- Commons recently had an of- they enter the workforce. With Venango Campus is a vital Education. ganizations. Through this ef- dents will have obtained em- fice “makeover” of sorts, retail clothing stores closing part of Clarion University and A multi-functional and en- fort, these companies have ployment or enrolled in fur- when it converted an unused in the region, fewer choices strives to be a center of excel- ergizing space allows students helped pave the way for ther education or training, 75 office for the dual purpose of are available for students to lence in the delivery of its and community member’s ac- skilled plastics workers to fur- workers/trainees will have en- a work wear student closet. buy appropriate clothing. unique part of Clarion Uni- cess to the traditional library ther their education in a new hanced their current position The maintenance crew of Additionally, many students versity’s mission. The cam- services and support, plug-in pathway that until now was or found new employment, 30 Bruce McHenry, John Riley simply do not have a budget pus’ high quality programs, station and computers. unavailable in the region. adult participants will have and Jason Rankin re-painted for purchasing quality outfits strength in serving both re- The Charles L. Suhr Li- Having multiple pathway completed entrepreneurship the office and re-carpeted the expected for a work setting. turning adult and traditional brary (built in 1976) & Learn- options simultaneously builds training and started at least floor so it matched the main Students can select two sets of students in a personal atmo- ing Commons will provide a pipeline to expand the future four new businesses, and all area of the library and even outfits for future interviews or sphere, unique programs built students the opportunity to labor force with the skills 24 businesses served will have built a permanent clothing other formal functions. upon innovative and entrepre- further their education, knowl- needed in manufacturing, been improved by having a rack into the wall. Brittany A. Kerchersky, as- neurial partnerships, and com- edge development and collab- plastics, and petrochemical more highly skilled work- Unused bookshelves were sistant vice president and di- mitment to serving the needs orative problem solving skills industries. An individual after force. brought from other areas to rector of human resources of of the region, all make Ve- while also inviting the larger high school graduation could In some of these areas the display the clothing. Addition- Farmers National Bank of nango Campus an increasing- community of faculty, staff, enter the labor force and be- grant partners have already ally, unused bookends were Emlenton, coordinated the ef- ly important resource for the training partners, and public gin to obtain industry certifi- exceeded their goals. re-purposed to become cloth- forts along with Will Price, university and community.

Venango Campus students use the versatile space in the Academic Resource Venango Campus students gather in a small study pod within the new Learning Center, part of the newly remodeled Suhr Library & Learning Commons. Commons. The $900,000 investment opened in 2020 at the Oil City campus. Friday, February 19, 2021 THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald – G-5 Education hub supports region’s job market

This article was submitted by the university.

TITUSVILLE — The Uni- versity of Pittsburgh at Titus- ville’s Education and Training ing’s Manufacturing Assis- Hub and its various partners tance Center. have made considerable steps This support will translate to support new initiatives and into supplies and machinery grow support for the region’s for the purposes of precision job market in 2020 and will machinist training programs continue this trend in 2021. for the MAC as well as vital “Our Education and Train- resources needed for the new ing Hub is a transformational medical assistant certificate project that will reduce the program. Both of these addi- effects of structural poverty in tional programs will be avail- northwestern Pennsylvania by able at the Hub later in 2021. enhancing the business eco- Pitt-Titusville’s two-year system,” said Catherine associate degree in nursing Koverola, president of Pitt- continues to accept applicants Titusville. “The hub will pro- for the 2021-22 school year vide training, equipping the and continues with an unbro- region’s residents with critical ken record of a 100% hiring skills and enabling them to rate for recent graduates. It meet workforce needs.” was ranked seventh in the Thanks to the tireless ef- state by the website RN Ca- forts of the Pitt-Titusville staff reers. The Pitt-quality educa- and administration, additional tion has been regarded by support arrived in 2020 in the many regional employers as The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville’s Education and Training Hub received a $1.2 million grant last form of a $1.2 million WORC chief among their consider- year to help bolster the hub’s training programs. The money will result in the addition of a precision grant from the U.S. Depart- ations when interviewing can- machinist training program and a medical assistant certificate program at the Titusville center. ment of Labor, which is meant didates. to bolster the efforts of two of This year the Northern students both virtually and, achieve via NPRC will allow Regardless of the effects of growth and revitalization for the Hub’s partners, Man- Pennsylvania Regional Col- provided COVID-19 restric- them to qualify for Pitt-Titus- COVID-19, Pitt-Titusville re- the region. Updates are avail- chester Bidwell Corp. and the lege will be offering general tions are lifted, in person at the ville’s nursing program and mains determined to establish able at Pitt-Titusville’s website University of Pittsburgh’s education requirements for Titusville campus. The certifi- continue in their pursuit of its Education and Training at titusville.pitt.edu and on In- Swanson School of Engineer- Pitt-Titusville’s pre-nursing cate pre-nursing students becoming a registered nurse. Hub as the primary means of stagram and Facebook.

interim president of Edinboro University; she continues to preside over Clarion University. M Clarion University Updates about the integration are available Keystone Community Continued from Page G-2 at www.clarion.edu/integration. Highest retention rate in 29 years Office advances diversity, social equity, Data shows that bachelor’s degree-seeking Education Council promotes multicultural education students who began as freshmen in fall 2019 A new Office of Diversity, Equity and Mul- returned for the second year of their programs ticultural Affairs will join professionals who at a rate of 77 percent, the highest rate in 29 value of technical education will work together to develop policies and years. The council is in the third motion of the petrochemical procedures to advance student and employee The retention rate for second-to-third year This article was submitted cohort of its award-winning industry to northwestern equity, diversity, inclusion, multicultural and students is 69.5 percent, the highest rate re- by the council. Plastic Process Technician Pennsylvania and has been international education, and social justice. corded since Clarion began recording reten- Apprenticeship. the facilitator for the NW PA It will include Rogers Laugand III, who tion data in 1990. Keystone Community Edu- KCEC has proven that Oil and Gas HUB Taskforce moves from director of minority student services Experiential learning via Zoom cation Council has always high-quality credit-bearing since conception. to director of multicultural affairs and diversity been proactive and continues community college programs The growth of the petro- education; Amy Salsgiver, director of social eq- Assistant professor Rob Bullington didn’t let the pandemic stop theater production and to promote the importance of can be provided in the rural chemical industry in the area uity; and Marcy Schlueter, international student technical education in its four- areas of northwestern Penn- will have a major impact on adviser and study abroad coordinator. performance opportunities for students. The production and November Zoom presentation county service area (Clarion, sylvania in an effective and local plastic companies. The Good as gold of “The Marowitz Hamlet” is proof. Crawford, Mercer, and Ve- extremely cost- and time-effi- main concentration has been Clarion University was named a Military “My primary objective has been to make nango). cient method. The students on the development of the Friendly School for the 11th consecutive year, sure the student actors have a valid experience Keystone, in collaboration get quality no-frills education Plastic Technician Appren- earning Gold distinction in 2020. of working with Shakespearean text, and to with AIMS, and Clarion Uni- with industry qualification, ticeship Program. The Military Friendly Schools list sets the create something that is interesting to look at,” versity of Pennsylvania were which results in good jobs In addition, there is a real standard for higher education institutions to Bullington said. “We do have costume pieces awarded an Appalachian Re- with family-sustaining wag- need for extensive career provide the best opportunities for veterans and and props, and our technical theater students gional Commission POWER es. counseling so that workers are their spouses. This prestigious list provides a — who would ordinarily have been concerned Grant, which Keystone has Despite what KCEC has able to choose training in a comprehensive guide for veterans and their with designing and building scenery or work- used to take a two-prong ap- done, there continues to be a program that best suits their families, using data sources from federal agen- ing on lighting and sound — have been busily proach to addressing the desperate need for technical competencies, likes and dis- cies and proprietary survey information from learning and implementing the software need- workforce development needs training in northwestern Penn- likes, and hiring potential. participating organizations. ed to “control” and edit Zoom.” of the area. sylvania. The current workforce system The Gold distinction indicates the Military Nursing is another area that got creative to One approach, modeled af- The process is encumbered is not set up to handle the one- Friendly School scored within 10 percent of the help students learn essential skills. When the ter KCEC’s Technical Educa- by the lack of a comprehen- on-one extensive career coun- 10th ranked school in their category. The dis- university moved classes to remote delivery tion Initiative, brings the same sive Workforce Development seling and mentoring needed tinction indicates Clarion University is setting for the fall semester, Dr. Deborah Kelly, chair affordable, quality technical System,the lack of a statewide for the large volume of cli- an example with programs and initiatives. of the nursing department, and Steve Selker, education offered at commu- Community College System, ents. Other military kudos came from the Penn- associate director of computing services, nity colleges to the under- the stigma of “vo-tech” held Keystone continues as a sylvania National Guard Associations, which brainstormed to replicate classroom experi- served rural areas without the by parents and students, and promoter of the entrepreneur- designated Clarion University a PNGAS Guard- ences for nursing students. cost of building a facility. This self-serving approaches on ial Small Business Jump Start, Friendly School. The designation shows that They outfitted existing electronic health is being accomplished by uti- the part of communities, agen- which is offered in both Craw- Clarion’s learning environment is supportive of record carts to transform them into mobile lizing career and technology cies and legislators. ford County and Venango Pennsylvania Guard members and their fami- Zoom carts. Traditionally, students use the centers as the “bricks and What would help bring County. lies in pursuing post-secondary degrees. carts to scan medication bar codes and update mortar” during the times that more technical training to the In Fiscal Year 2019-2020, Of the more than 480 schools eligible to electronic records to learn documentation, they are not regularly in use. rural areas of Pennsylvania is KCEC enrolled 117 students receive Education Assistance Program funds, implementation of physician orders and ad- The KCEC has been work- for the bipartisan bill “Go To in 11 brokered credentialed only 43 schools — including Clarion Univer- ministration of medications. ing with the Venango Tech- High School, Go to College” credit-barring programs with sity — have earned PNGAS Guard-Friendly In the nursing simulation labs, cameras en- nology Center and the Craw- introduced by Portman of three credits per program. School designation. EAP is a state-funded able faculty to teach from the bedside. They ford Career and Technical Ohio to pass. Forty industry credentials program for members of the Pennsylvania place lapel mics on the patient, and students Center in developing a pre- This would make college were also obtained from the National Guard. listen remotely to heart and lung sounds. Stu- apprenticeship welding pro- more affordable for low-in- American Society of Mechan- “Guardsmen have unique responsibilities dents perform a virtual assessment and check gram, which allows students come students by letting them ical Engineers and American that active duty troops and reservists do not the patient’s vital signs, just as they would in a at the centers to take welding earn college credits while still Welding Society. Eighty-four have, and this creates different challenges for real situation. classes after their regular in high school. apprentices were part of 10 them when pursuing a degree,” said Brigadier In breakout rooms, student groups go school hours. The funding would be apprenticeship programs and General (retired) George Schwartz, chair of the through scenarios, document their findings in These students can then available through the Pell 238 students participated in PNGAS Education Action Council. “These the electronic health record, and are graded on move on to a Welding appren- Grant program. 32 brokered non-credit pro- schools have made a deliberate effort to be flex- their performance. ticeship at one of the support- The legislation would cre- grams. ible, accommodating and supportive of Guards- ing manufacturers. ate the College in High School Keystone Community Edu- men-students and deserving of recognition.” KCEC’s second approach Federal Pell Grant Pilot Pro- cation Council is housed on to workforce development is gram. the third floor of the National Integration with California by building on the skills of KCEC is extremely active Transit Building at 203 Sene- and Edinboro universities incumbent workers. in the coordination and pro- ca St., Oil City. As part of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s system redesign, the State System’s Board of Governors authorized ex- ploration into integration of Clarion and Cali- fornia universities. The exploration was to determine if the ac- tion would aid in the redesign goal of financial sustainability for the State System and the Clarion selected as host universities involved. Edinboro University for four NCAA championships later was included as a possible integration The NCAA has awarded four NCAA Divi- partner. sion II Championships events to Clarion Uni- In the fall, the Board of Governors autho- versity, in conjunction with SportsPittsburgh, rized movement forward to a planning phase. to be held over three years from 2023-26. Planning is in progress, but, if ultimately Clarion will serve as the host institution for approved next summer, the three universities each of the following NCAA Championship would become one accredited entity with a events from 2023-26; the event venues are also single leadership and budget and a unified listed: enrollment management strategy. Each univer-  2023 NCAA Division II Volleyball sity will remain open and will retain its name Championship Finals (UPMC Events Center and branding. – Moon Township) Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, Clarion’s presi-  2025 NCAA Division II Women’s Bas- dent, cited the benefits. ketball Championship Elite Eight (UPMC “The integration would ensure our ability to Cooper Fieldhouse – Pittsburgh) continue providing the exceptional education  2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Bas- for which Clarion University has been known ketball Championship Elite Eight (UPMC since we opened our doors in 1867,” she said. Cooper Fieldhouse – Pittsburgh) “Leveraging combined scale would create  2026 NCAA Division II Basketball Fes- expanded opportunities for the traditional tival – Men’s and Women’s Basketball Cham- face-to-face student experience, deliver new pionships (UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse – Pitts- online offering, as well as uncover cost effi- burgh) ciencies, which would keep Clarion University “We are honored and thrilled with the and other State System universities accessi- NCAA’s decision to name Clarion a host insti- ble,” Pehrsson said. tution for these prestigious championship In December, Pehrsson, who is the presi- events,” said Wendy Snodgrass, Clarion direc- dential lead for the integration, was named tor of intercollegiate athletics. G-6 – THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald Friday, February 19, 2021 School boards make adjustments While carrying the weight of a usual school term and all of has proven to be a something of a disaster with a slew of prob- its moving parts, area school boards were forced to face ex- lems resulting in an overwhelming majority of students en- traordinary challenges in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pan- rolled logging failing grades in the first half of the school demic and the ensuing restrictions and regulations from the year. state and the Centers for Disease Control. Here is a look at how Loucks said that through intense “CSI work” the district school boards tackled those challenges: learned that around 85 students had been assigned to one Oil City teacher. VLN had also assigned one teacher for students in grades 4 through 12. The year 2020 began in a relatively uneventful manner but Despite students in the Franklin Virtual Learning program all that changed in March when Gov. Tom Wolf shut down going through less upheaval than students who stayed with the schools due to concerns about COVID-19. district full time — which included the switch between fully For the rest of the school year, school districts scrambled to remote, hybrid and fully in-person learning about three times find ways to instruct students virtually despite obstacles such in the first half of the year — full-time district students per- as a number of students not having reliable internet access. formed better. Sports events and other special activities were canceled or Loucks and administrators largely attributed this success to changed to accommodate state health guidelines. district teachers and their ability to offer students synchronous Commencement exercises for Oil City’s graduating Class of classes, meaning that even though students were learning on- 2020 were held virtually in early June for the 141 graduates in line classes were taught in a live setting with direct interaction the class. Tom Holoman, principal at Sandycreek Elementary with their teachers and classmates. In June, the school board unanimously approved the dis- To help keep the school on its synchronous mission, the trict’s 2020-2021 school year budget, which did not include a School in Franklin, talks to students during their district officially became a one-to-one district in early January tax increase for the 19th year in a row as the millage rate re- lunch period on the first day of school. The acrylic when kindergarten through second grade students received mained at 16.61. partitions between the students were built by the Chromebooks for the first time. The 2020-21 budget totals $35,192,412 in expenditures and school district’s maintenance staff. (By A.J. Titley) The initiative, spearheaded by Eaton, meant those students $32,104,051 in projected revenue. The budget represents an would be sent home with laptops if the district would have to increase of $1,220,539 from the 2019-2020 budget. the closure of the Utica, Polk and Seventh Street elementary return to remote learning. In July, the Oil City Area School District received more than schools, but said that even though the schools had closed, the Coronavirus, Aide, Relief and Economic Security funds $900,000 in COVID-19 grant money from the federal govern- number of students the district serves had barely changed. awarded to the school over the summer, totaling in $106,000, ment. He then threw out a shocking statistic that he alone was re- were used to purchase the devices. District Superintendent Lynda Weller told school board sponsible for 555 students. Canfora at one school was heading — By A.J. Titley, staff writer members at the time that the district received $729,441 in up 443 students and between Cohlhepp and Miller, there were CARES funds and another $199,814 grant that has been spent 850 students. Cranberry on technology for the district. The money was used for devices Holoman said the closest student-to-administrator ratio he The Cranberry Area School District followed suit with thou- such as Chromebooks and iPads so each student in the district could find at the time had been at Titusville, where 326 stu- sands of school districts across the U.S. that dealt with an on- would have an electronic device to use for schoolwork, Weller dents were assigned to one high school principal. again, off-again mode of education for much of 2020 because said. Oil City boasted a ratio of 270 students to one administrator, of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to questions of how to safely educate children in despite the district having only 43 more students than Franklin From the onset of the pandemic in March through the re- the middle of a pandemic, the district also dealt with questions at the time. sumption of classes in January 2021, students were shifted of students playing sports during this time. Another startling figure Holoman pointed out was the need from in-person class settings to a hybrid mix of in-person and In August, board members unanimously approved to allow Franklin students present as opposed to other school districts virtual to an all-remote learning model as a result of changing fall sports to move ahead according to PIAA guidelines. The in the area with the highest percentage of students in special health directives from the state. board meeting and vote followed a 90-minute rally in front of education programs at 26.2%. Those changes were made even as a district-wide survey of Hasson Heights Elementary School that included parents, stu- Valley Grove School District was second with 20% of its families in July showed 87 percent of families in the study fa- dent athletes and others who wanted to express their support student population in need of special education. vored returning their children to the classroom for the Septem- for a fall sports season. The administrators asked the board to consider hiring a third ber opening of school. Students did return to the schools in the In September, the students in Oil City returned to school elementary principal and a director of curriculum, which the fall but it was shortlived as coronavirus numbers continued to following a hybrid schedule that blended in-person instruction board agreed to. rise in the region. They headed back to the classrooms in late and virtual instruction. The district then went to full in-person On the same March day that Gov. Tom Wolf announced that January. instruction several weeks later. in-person learning would be suspended in all state schools due As the virtual learning alternative expanded, the district In November, the district switched back to a hybrid model to the COVID-19 pandemic, board members moved to hire continued throughout 2020 to wrestle with issues involving of instruction before moving to fully virtual instruction due to Mark Loucks as district superintendent, effective April 1. internet services for its rural students. Hotspots that provide the rise in COVID-19 cases in Venango County. Loucks had spent the last seven years as the superintendent the service were set up at the Rockland and Pinegrove fire de- Virtual instruction continued through the end of the year of Forbes Road School District in Fulton County. partments and outside the elementary school. and into January. He was compensated at $450 a day until Dye’s contract ran In November, the district again shuffled how it would pro- Over the course of 2020, several new faces joined the school out, and then awarded an annual salary of $120,000. vide education services because of staffing issues. The district board and administration staff. At that same meeting, board members voted to compensate moved to all-remote learning because of quarantined staff and In January of 2020, Jon Piercy and Tyler Johnson were all secretaries, aides, custodians and cafeteria staff at their a lack of sufficient substitute teachers. sworn as members of the Oil City school board. They replaced contractual salary for the duration of the statewide school shut- In that same month, the school board voted to suspend prac- Angella Scalise and Chris Hibbard. Scalise, who was re-elect- down. tices for winter sports teams and cease all extra-curricular ac- ed in November 2019 to a new term, resigned a month later and Administrators at the meeting also announced the district tivities as a result of rising coronavirus cases in the region. Hibbard, who was elected in November 2017, served two years would move to create new content for their students to be dis- Those venues were expected to resume on a limited basis as of his term before he resigned in January of 2020. seminated via Google Classrooms for the first time since the schools reopened in January. In June, Anne Curran, the assistant principal at Oil shutdown. In June, the Cranberry board adopted a $19.8 million budget City High School, was hired as the principal at Seventh Street By the next meeting, administrators had achieved their goal for the 2020-21 school year. The spending plan did not require and Smedley Street elementary schools and federal programs of teaching students new material, but encountered several any hike in property taxes. coordinator. She replaced Tammie Newman, who retired. problems with the new learning model, chief among them the However, budget worries surfaced a few months later. The In August, Lisa Shuffstall was hired as the assistant lack of internet availability among district residents. ongoing pandemic affected the district’s future budget projec- principal at Oil City High School. She filled the position left To better help those who did have access to the internet, the tions as costs escalated for private cyber school tuition, ex- vacant when Curran took her new position at the elementary district’s technology department, administrators and teachers penses related to health directives increased and local property schools. worked together to completely revamp the district’s website. assessment values declined. In mid-fall, school officials warned — By Kara O’Neil, staff writer The new version included tabs for each of the district’s four of a potential shortfall within a few months and that prompted schools, personalized teacher classroom pages, landing pages Franklin the board to examine whether cuts or changes needed to be for district athletics, guidance counselors and extracurriculars made over the next few months. While the biggest hurdle all school districts faced in 2020 and a slew of supplemental material for caregivers to better The pandemic temporarily derailed a large on-site project. was the COVID-19 pandemic, the Franklin Area School Dis- help their students. In March, the school board voted to postpone a $1.1 million trict battled a carousel of administration and front office staff The district in April also announced a new section of the improvement project at the school complex because of uncer- and the remnants of a lawsuit as well. website it called its “continuity of education plan” which tainty about the ramifications of the pandemic-prompted The year began with a major change when former superin- serves as an organic document updated as the district moves school closures. The work, which had been scheduled to start tendent Pamela Dye announced that she would be taking a from one learning model to another. It includes helpful links, in the summer, involved enhancements and repairs on Educa- leave of absence through the completion of her contract which COVID-19 information as it pertains to the school, and more tion Drive, sidewalks, drainage repairs and more. ended June 30. “palatable” versions of the state Department of Education and On the personnel side, Tom Neely, a longtime member of The district had already been set to look for a replacement Centers for Disease Control guidance and documentation. the Cranberry school board, was re-elected board president in for Dye after school board members voted in November and In May, the board followed through with its promise to look December. Neely has served as president since 2013. Camae December 2019 not to renew the long-time educator’s contract at the district’s administrator shortage and offered K.C. Miller Bunyak was elected first vice president and Mark Marterella with the district, but were forced to move their timeline up with a job as principal of Victory Elementary. was named second vice president. Dye’s early departure. Miller did not initially accept that job, and in a bizarre twist, In a related board matter, Justin Fleeger, an assistant Ve- Dye, who had been Franklin’s superintendent since 2011 he was actually offered the position of principal of Seventh nango County district attorney, was appointed to a board va- and an administrator with the district since 2005, said she de- Street and Smedley elementary schools and federal programs cancy created when Michael Port resigned. cided to step away to care for her mother who had been diag- coordinator at Oil City School District the same night Franklin — By Judith O. Etzel, contributing writer nosed with a serious medical condition. put its offer up. The district then tapped former Oil City superintendent, Pat Miller eventually accepted the position with Franklin, Valley Grove Gavin, to fill in as substitute superintendent until the board which came with an annual salary of $83,000. The Valley Grove school district faced many challenges could find a permanent replacement with a salary of $450 a While Miller’s acceptance meant students at Victory would amongst the COVID-19 pandemic this past year. day. have a dedicated principal for the first time in recent memory, Administrators and school board members scrambled to Gavin served as superintendent of Oil City School District it also meant that his position with the high school was open in launch comprehensive online learning programs in the early from August 2014 until July 2018 before he retired. turn, leaving Cohlhepp in care of the entire high school by spring after school buildings were closed statewide. During Gavin’s short tenure, a lawsuit which had embroiled herself if the board didn’t fill that position by the time school Beginning in March, school board meetings had attendees the district for the majority of 2019 was dismissed with preju- began in the fall. split between video conferencing and sitting socially distanced dice in the closing weeks of January. One month later, however, the board hired John Bianconi, a as they discussed how to adjust to online classes. Main issues The lawsuit, which was filed in Erie federal court in March health and physical education teacher from Cambria School included getting students access to computers and reliable in- 2019, alleged the district, Dye and high school principal Chris- District in Cambria County, as junior high school principal. ternet services. tina Cohlhepp failed to act appropriately to protect a 13-year- The first-time administrator was awarded an annual contract School board members in May unanimously approved the old female student who was sexually abused by former teacher of $83,000. district’s 2020-21 budget that held the line on taxes. The pro- Kyle Askins during the 2016-2017 school year. Askins, who In June, board members approved a final district budget posed budget showed a $1,965,017 deficit, which continues to was a health and physical education teacher, was also named which included no tax increase, keeping the rate at 17.9496 eat away at the district’s fund balance. The projected expendi- as a defendant in the case. mills. tures are $16,124,903 with revenues at $14,159,886. Still in January, the board was forced to take a hard look at The budget included $33,779,831 in revenues and Superintendent Kevin Briggs told the newspaper in June the district’s administration structure after then-principal of $35,867,796 in expenditures for a deficit of $2,087,965. that the district has only raised taxes twice over a 20-year span, Sandycreek and Victory elementary schools Tom Holoman laid Former district business manager Jackie Dutchcot said the but it’s “inevitable at some point that it (a tax hike) will come down a call to action. Holoman, along with Central Elemen- majority of the budget was taken up by employee salaries up.” tary principal Gary Canfora and then-assistant high school which included a 2% salary increase for the district’s nine sec- Various phases of online instructional models carried stu- principal K.C. Miller told the board the district’s administra- retaries and 41 aides, and 1% increase for the district’s 25 dents through to the end of the 2019-20 school year. Beginning tors, especially those at the elementary level, were essentially maintenance staff. with the basic “enrichment and review,” to the more engaging drowning in work and students. Notable expenditures in the budget included $60,000 for “planned instruction.” At the time of his presentation, Holoman said that in a span new marching band uniforms, $30,000 to be set aside should Parents were pleased on June 4 that they were allowed to of 10 years the district had done away with three principal the district’s BEST robotics team make it to the finals and attend the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020. While positions and three central office personnel positions. $20,669 for a new pole vault pit. the graduating students were allowed just three guests each at Holoman said that part of the loss could be traced back to The budget was approved without a final contract for teach- an outdoor commencement, most of the other graduations held ers after negotiations were stalled due to the pandemic. in the region were viewable online only. A three-year contract was awarded a month later with teach- Over the summer, administrators and school board members ers receiving salary increases of 2.4% in the contract’s first worked out a reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year. The year, 2.2% in the second year and 2.1% in the third. plan had multiple adjustments each month as new guidance Transportation contracts, which have been on the rise in was released by the state. Loosing students to other cyber recent years, were also awarded at the same meeting. school options was a concern of the administration. Dutchcot also announced that she would be resigning to On Sept. 1, students returned in staggered days between in- take a position closer to home. She was later replaced by Kim person and online classes to kick off the new school year at Eaton at an annual salary of $95,000. Valley Grove Elementary and Rocky Grove High schools, but A major budgetary concern for the district that has been some students opted to use the district’s online-only learning looming since students returned to classes has been cyber and option. charter school tuition, which was capped at $89,000 in the COVID-19 continued to disrupt the school district’s opera- 2020-2021 budget. tions in the fall as Venango County moved into the severe In January of this year, school board president Brain Spaid transmission level of the virus, and cases were reported among announced the district had already paid about $1,050,000 in staff and students. By November, the district reverted back to tuition for its own sponsored Franklin Virtual Academy, a num- all online coursework, despite efforts by the administration and ber that did not include tuition paid to a plethora of other cyber school board to avoid this. Students at Cranberry High School file out of the schools as students made the switch to a fully virtual option in A low-capacity return to in-person operations began in building after they completed their first day back light of the pandemic. January. to school in September. (By Kara O’Neil) To make matters worse, the virtual option headed by VLN — By Dillon Provenza, staff writer Friday, February 19, 2021 THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald – G-7 Grove City College continues to adapt and living environment. We search in the humanities and This article was submitted know there are major uncer- sciences; and increasing giv- by the school. tainties about COVID-19 in ing to offset unexpected ex- 2021, but we are determined to penses and fund future proj- GROVE CITY — After a push forward with the best col- ects. year of overcoming challenges lege experience for our stu- Long known as one of the and exceeding expectations, dents that we can achieve,” nation’s nationally ranked un- Grove City College is looking McNulty said. dergraduate schools, Grove forward to demonstrating, Central to that is conduct- City College announced plans again, its grit and determina- ing classes in-person and on to launch graduate master’s tion to prepare students for campus for the spring semes- degree programs in Systems lives of success and service in ter. Building on lessons learned Engineering & Technology the common good. in the fall, the college has es- Management and Business It goes without saying that tablished robust policies and Analytics — 100 percent on- 2020 was a year like no other, protocols to keep its 2,300 line — in fall 2021. Both pro- and, along with everything students safe and healthy and grams can be completed in as else, the global pandemic up- looks forward to keeping the little as a year at tuition rates ended life and learning at the community strong and intact far less than state and national private Christian liberal arts throughout the spring. averages for similar degrees. college. From the evacuation In the year ahead, Grove The first class of students in of campus and transition to City College is looking for- the college’s Johnson School online instruction in the spring ward to a major renovation of of Nursing began their studies to bringing students back and Henry Buhl Library. Construc- in the fall of 2020. The Bach- This overhead shot of the Grove City College campus shows the college’s successfully completing the tion is set to begin in May on elor of Science in Nursing pro- courtyard between the Hall of Arts and Letters (academic building) and Breen fall semester on campus, the job, which will transform gram is offered in partnership Student Union. COVID-19 required the col- the nearly 70-year-old library with Butler County Commu- lege to adapt and innovate to into a modern hub for study, nity College. Students study investment paid off in the past on campus were offset by gen- rus relief legislation. fulfill its commitment to stu- research and collaboration. liberal arts and sciences on year when it was necessary to erous donations, including a Research and scholarship dents. Also ahead, new majors in campus and get their clinical switch 800 in-person classes to $4 million gift from an alum- by Grove City College faculty “We faced many significant the liberal arts and STEM dis- training at BC3, which is one remote instruction in the spring nus and a record-breaking garnered widespread attention challenges associated with the ciplines and a comprehensive of the region’s premiere train- and helped fuel a spike in on- Wolverine Challenge fall fund- as well in 2020. The New York virus and we know there are strategic plan to craft a new ing centers for healthcare line enrollment in the summer raiser, allowed the college to Times and leading scientific more to come,” said college vision for the future of the col- workers. and fall. weather the story and increase publications featured Mechan- president Paul J. McNulty lege. Before the pandemic made The college’s alumni and financial aid awards across the ical Engineer Professor Erik (Class of 1980). “Our staff, Despite the pandemic chal- online education essential, friends stepped up in 2020 to board in the fall. Anderson’s work on a blue faculty and administrators re- lenges, Grove City College ac- Grove City College in 2019 contribute to a record fundrais- Private support is essential whale study and Carl True- sponded with extraordinary complished much in 2020, in- made a major investment in ing year, which made it possi- to the college because it doesn’t man, professor of Biblical and dedication and skill and our cluding: the launch of new ac- expanding its online course of- ble to survive a roughly $3 accept any federal funding, in- Religious Studies, saw his students demonstrated wis- ademic programs and expand- ferings and making classes million budget hit caused by cluding student loans and book “Rise and Triumph of the dom, understanding a resil- ed online course options; an available to dual enrolled high the pandemic. Room and board grants, and was ineligible for Modern Self“ land on a num- ience as the college endeav- increase in financial aid schools students, adult learn- refunds, increased cleaning any of the billions in govern- ber of best-of lists and be ored to maintain a healthy and awards; significant and note- ers and students from other and dozens of other expenses ment dollars earmarked for hailed a seminal analysis of safe, Christ-centered learning worthy scholarship and re- colleges and universities. That to maintain health and safety higher education in coronavi- western culture. Clarion’s Pehrsson takes on eAcademy immerses students in economic development opportunities role of Edinboro president the local region, and the es- COVID-19, this year the pro- This article was submitted sential aspects of the unlimit- gram has run mostly online EDINBORO — Dale-Eliza- from the East to the West Coast resonates with me.” Pehrsson by the eAcademy. beth Pehrsson brings a breadth to the West and Southwest. embraces the benefits and ed opportunities a different using Google Classroom and way of thinking can provide. Zoom video meetings. This of experience to the interim Public university advocate beauty of winter having spent presidency of Edinboro Uni- many years living in Idaho, The eAcademy, started in As students learn the aca- year has required quite a bit of versity, a role she assumed on Born in Queens, Pehrsson Michigan, Pennsylvania and February 2019, is a program demic knowledge, startup change, however using the New Year’s Day. She will con- is one of four children of a upstate New York. for high school seniors creat- methodology, and individual online platform is working tinue as president of Clarion New York City gold shield de- The power cycling gives ed through a collaborative skill sets, they will apply it all well. University, a position she has tective and a registered nurse, her an opportunity to think, partnership involving the Ve- to the creation of a startup There are plans to offer held since both of whom are deceased. she said, nango County Economic De- business with a working pro- two eAcademy options during 2018, and The first in her immediate “When I’m on my bike, my velopment Authority, the totype. The eAcademy also the 2021-2022 school term will remain family to graduate from col- mind is working as fast as I’m County of Venango, Clarion offers optional college cours- — in-person and an online as leader lege, she earned her academic traveling,” she said. University Venango Campus, es with Clarion University for platform. Offering these two credentials at state universities the eCenter @ LindenPointe students enrolled. options will allow for more of the All roads led to current role Pennsylva- and has long been a passionate and seven local school dis- Students are selected from students to participate in the nia State advocate for regional compre- Early in her career, Pehrs- tricts (Cranberry, Forest, high schools in the Venango program. System of hensive universities and the son was drawn to nursing be- Franklin, Maplewood, Oil region based on an applica- Within the next three Higher Ed- access they provide to social cause it was a field that af- City, Titusville and Valley tion process. months the eAcademy in- ucation’s mobility. She has seen first- forded an opportunity to help Grove). In the first school year stu- structor will be in the schools Western hand the transformative power people get well physically. The eAcademy launched dents spend part of their day recruiting potential student Integration of a college education and has Over time, she transitioned to its first year in September at their regular high schools candidates. initiative. Pehrsson dedicated the past 22 years to mental health counseling, 2019. and the rest of their day, Mon- The VCEDA hopes to have The integra- ensuring that others have the where she worked with clients The program is designed to day through Thursday, at the around three or four student tion would involve Edinboro, same opportunity. to improve their emotional immerse students in learning eAcademy (Clarion Venango participants from each school Clarion and California Univer- An avid endurance bicyclist well-being. “The two go hand about economic development, Campus). However, due to district. sity of Pennsylvania in a pro- who covers 100 miles per week, in hand, and they are also re- posed consolidation that is be- Pehrsson exudes energy, energy lated to teaching in that edu- lieved to be the first of its kind she will need in the coming cators are also helpers. in U.S. higher education. months as she regularly makes “There’s a ripple effect to “Dr. Dale” to her students the drive from Clarion to Edin- education,” she said. “Faculty Area school districts have and colleagues, she succeeds boro. She intends to spend sub- and staff members and even former Edinboro President stantial time on both campuses college presidents are stew- Guiyou Huang, who was re- and looks forward to getting to ards who have the privilege of major economic impact cently appointed president of know the Edinboro University touching the future. The mis- Western Illinois University. community. sion we serve is so important. School districts have an impact not only Keystone A native of New York City, “Edinboro has such a rich We transform the lives of stu- on their students but on their communities. Payroll: $6,637,524 Pehrsson has served as a busi- and proud history, steeped in dents, who then go on to im- The number of employees and the district’s Teachers/professional staff: 74 ness owner, nurse, hospital ad- tradition and shaped by the prove their communities, the total payroll may measure their economic Employees other than teachers: 43 ministrator, mental health lakes that surround it and the commonwealth and the broad- impact. Following is a list of information Enrollment: 406, elementary; 470, high school counselor, career counselor, blistering winds and lake ef- er world. Education at all lev- from area school districts that responded to District office: 451 Huston Ave., Knox faculty member, dean and uni- fect snow that test its resil- els — PK to graduate school the newspaper’s requests for details. Superintendent: Shawn A. Algoe versity president. Her career ience,” she said during a re- — leads to an informed citi- Allegheny-Clarion Valley Budget: $16,573,125 spans more than 40 years in cent interview. “It is a com- zenry. That’s what gets me Real estate tax mills: 51.587 different parts of the country munity of strivers, and that out of bed in the morning.” Payroll: $6,074,782 Teachers/professional staff: 64 Employees other than teachers: 54 North Clarion Enrollment: 583 (total) 335 (elementary) Payroll: $3,992,644 Penn State DuBois campus offers 251 (high school) Teachers/professional staff: 55 District office: 776 Route 58, Foxburg Employees other than teachers: 21 Superintendent: David McDeavitt Enrollment: 626 real-world experience for students Budget: $16,354,652 District office: 10439 Route 36, Tionesta Real estate tax mills: Armstrong -- 32.16; room interaction. College was started in four Superintendent: Steven Young This article was submitted Butler -- 66.93; Clarion -- 54.64; Budget: $9,888,582 There are more than 20 rooms of the Old Hubert Venango -- 13.64 by the school. clubs and organizations avail- Street grade school building. Real estate tax mills: 45.7761 mills able, and seven varsity athletic The faculty was composed of Clarion-Limestone At Penn State DuBois, teams, providing a well- one part-time and four full- 2019-20 Payroll: $6,350,470 Oil City you’ll find the appeal of a rounded out-of-classroom ex- time instructors. There were Teachers/professional staff: 76 Payroll: $12,390,377 small, private college, with perience. Additionally, stu- only 42 students for the first Employees other than teachers:39 Teachers/professional staff: 153 the name recognition and dents have opportunities dur- semester, and the library con- Enrollment: 445 (elementary) 380 Employees other than teachers: 92 prestige of a major research ing spring break to participate sisted of only 437 volumes, (high school) 825 (total) Enrollment: 1,886 university. Steeped in tradi- in service trips and interna- most of them borrowed from District office: 4091 C-L School Road, District office: 825 Grandview Road, tion, and enriched through ad- tional travel programs, and the faculty. Strattanville Oil City vancement, Penn State DuBois specific courses provide inter- As enrollment figures grew Superintendent: Amy J. Glasl Superintendent: Lynda G. Weller provides an excellent educa- national travel components. to 101 students in 1937-38, an Budget: $15,111,457 Budget: $34,934,094 tion and social surroundings The community, too, ben- encouraging development was Real estate tax mills: Clarion County -- Real estate tax mills: 16.61 in a fast paced environment efits from higher education realized from the generosity 60.55; Jefferson County -- 39.61 that offers real world experi- through the work of both cur- of the School Board and the Forest ence. rent students, as well as grad- heirs of the late John E. Union Along the way, you’ll also uates. Students participate in DuBois Sr., who presented Payroll: $4,763,983.51 Teachers/professional staff: 49 Payroll: $3,740,530.28 have access to many opportu- community projects, raising the center with the DuBois Teachers/professional staff: 53 nities that help make Penn money for charity, donating Mansion and four acres of Employees other than teachers: 35 Enrollment: 412 Employees other than teachers: 60 State DuBois a dynamic insti- time to programs that assist land for the use of the bud- Enrollment: 571 tution that is enriched by children, or senior citizens. ding institution. District office: 22318 Route 62, Tionesta Superintendent: Amanda Hetrick District office: 354 Baker St., Rimersburg broad cultural, social, and They also begin to realize that Extensive repairs and im- Superintendent: John Kimmel community connections. as future community leaders provements to this property Budget: $13,961,077 Real estate tax mills: Forest County -- 61.89; Budget: $12,401,149 Penn State DuBois offers and professionals, they have a were being made by the Works Real estate tax mills: 50.508 many programs and services duty to give back and help to Progress Administration when Elk County -- 37.31; that help make life better in better communities that have the center was transferred to Venango County -- 17.22 our region, including six supported their own efforts to the DuBois Mansion in Feb- Franklin Valley Grove bachelor degree programs, better themselves. This is how ruary 1938. With these greatly Payroll: $13,055,785 Payroll: $6,093,193.92 and eight associate degree student clubs and organiza- enlarged facilities, the center Staff: 160 teachers, 12 administrators Teachers/professional staff: 68 programs. Students can also tions manage to complete an increased its admissions to Employees other than teachers: 78 Employees other than teachers: 51 complete the first two years of impressive 6,000 hours of 150 students, a number which Enrollment: 1795 Enrollment: 813 over 160 Penn State degrees community service during the was then considered the ca- District office: 40 Knights Way, Franklin District office: 429 Wiley Ave., Franklin at DuBois. academic year. pacity of the school. Superintendent: Mark Loucks Superintendent: Kevin M. Briggs With an average class size Penn State DuBois opened Today, Penn State DuBois Budget: $35,867,796 Budget: $16,124,903 of 24, students receive close in 1935 as the DuBois Center enrolls approximately 600 Real estate tax mills: 17.9469 Real estate tax mills: 11.5508 mills individual attention and class- of The Pennsylvania State students. G-8 – THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald Friday, February 19, 2021 CDC finds success amid pandemic Child care provider created a blueprint for operating under COVID restrictions Pennsylvania Department of Southeastern Pennsylvania This article was submitted Health and the Center for Dis- Early Childhood Coalition by the organization. ease Control and Prevention. alongside First Up: Champi- These measures include ons for Early Education; Penn Fresh off its 50-year anni- thorough screenings consisting State University’s Better Kids versary in 2019, Child Devel- of temperature checks, use of Care training on COVID-19 opment Centers entered 2020 hand sanitizer, symptom ques- response; and What’s Right in focused on continuing to pri- tions and a face mask require- Education virtual leadership oritize student achievement ment. Only enrolled children conference hosted by Studer and academic success. The and staff are permitted in the Education, a national firm that non-profit early childhood centers to create the safest partners with schools to sup- education agency was forced learning environment possible. port system-wide continuous to shift its approach swiftly, While positive coronavirus improvement and performance though, to deal with the un- cases have been identified in excellence. precedented circumstances the last several months in the Classroom curriculum Angelfish Lead Teacher Kelly Ream practices sewing with 4-year-old Averi created by the COVID-19 centers, leading to short-term Schull as part of The Creative Curriculum Clothing Study at CDC’s Franklin pandemic. closures of certain classrooms CDC continues to utilize All 16 of CDC’s early learn- and buildings, CDC has The Creative Curriculum in all School-Age center. ing centers across Venango, avoided another prolonged of its infant-toddler and pre- not wavered. Weekly take- Crawford and Erie counties shutdown. school classrooms. The cur- home activities that are tied to were forced to temporarily The agency has also devel- riculum contains early learn- the curriculum studies are sent close on March 18 as a safety oped a COVID-19 task force ing objectives that are subdi- to families to work on with precaution and to help limit consisting of representatives vided into 10 categories in- their children from home. the spread of illness within the from key departments to ad- cluding sense of self; responsi- Daily assignments are also communities they serve. What dress positive cases. The team bility for self and others; pro- posted through Google Class- was initially intended to be a is able to quickly notify all social behavior; large motor room and teachers are able to short-term closure ended up parties involved and has a de- skills; small motor skills; interact with families and extending for nearly two tailed contact-tracing system learning and problem-solving; track progress remotely. months, as CDC’s Department to limit the spread. logical thinking; mathematics; CDC’s team of Family En- of Human Services-licensed The unique measures im- representation and symbolic gagement Specialists check in centers in Venango/Crawford plemented by the organization thinking; listening and speak- with families regularly to con- counties were not able to begin have received both state and ing; and reading and writing. nect them with resources nec- re-opening their doors until national recognition. CDC The Creative Curriculum essary to help them effectively balances student-led with May 11. representatives have been participate in virtual learning. Five-year-old Brielle Miller shows off her mask at CDC’s internal Health Ser- teacher-led questions, investi- guest speakers with 90.5 MHz, Elementary school-age CDC’s Cranberry facility. The organization requires vices Team, led by board-cer- Pittsburgh’s National Public gations and explorations. Dur- classes at CDC (K-6) imple- masks for children above the age of 2 to comply tified pediatrician Dr. Scott R. Radio news station; Early ing a study, the classroom is mented two new curriculums Cartwright, developed de- Head Start Child Care Partner- transformed into a learning in the 2020-2021 school year with guidance from the state Department of Health. tailed safety protocols based ship administrators and Health community, which generates — Second Step and Spark — on guidance provided by the Services Advisory Council; questions and finds ways to Cooley Fund - Covered pur- a variety of extracurricular that teachers plan daily activi- chase of play structure (climb- activities that community or- explore those questions. The ties around. children discuss the Question ing/sliding unit) and toys for ganizations or local school Second Step is a social- the toddler playscape at the districts offer in Venango of the Day, participate in the emotional curriculum that Read-Aloud Book protocol, Willow site in Meadville. This County. Over the past few takes a whole-child approach, was part of a larger play- years, Outer Limits has spon- work in small groups with the one that supports adult educa- Intentional Teaching Cards ground project that also in- sored the following activities: tors and extends beyond the cluded the installation of soft, piano, horseback riding, foot- across the curriculum, and en- classroom. The curriculum is gage in the Mighty Minutes durable artificial turf and vi- ball, soccer, swimming, art, designed to help students nyl privacy fencing. wrestling, basketball, base- for playful learning, as well as thrive in the classroom and  for transitions. In addition, Rite Aid Foundation’s ball, cheerleading, and more. later in life by developing KidCents Program — Fund- Children who are eligible the study-based materials are skills such as gaining confi- integrated across the Interest ing has not been earmarked for Outer Limits include the dence, setting goals, making for a specific project yet. following: Areas for informal explora- better decisions, collaborating   tion by the children. Crawford Gives — Boys and girls whose with others and navigating the Fundraiser where award was families receive TANF, Food The pandemic has resulted world more effectively. in various Head Start class- allocated for playground safe- Stamps, SSI or Medicaid. Spark focuses on the gross ty and equipment upgrades at  Family income does not Adaline Peterson receives a dose of hand sanitizer rooms transitioning to virtual motor development of children learning in recent months, but Crawford County centers. exceed 400% of the Federal before entering CDC’s Cranberry center as part of and is intended to promote  Palmiero Toyota Give- Poverty Guidelines CDC’s commitment to provid- lifelong wellness. The age-  the agency’s strict COVID-19 safety precautions. ing high-quality education has Back Program — Fundraiser Child must be a United specific activities are expected to help cover costs of much- States citizen. to help students enjoy and seek needed literacy/learning ma- To learn more, people may out physical activity, develop terials for infant-toddler class- contact Tammy Snyder at and maintain acceptable levels rooms at the Willow center in (814) 670-0838 or email at of physical fitness, expand ba- Meadville. [email protected]. sic movement and manipula-  Head Start State Col- Infant-toddler care tive skills and improve their laboration Office — Funding ability to get along with others to purchase laptop computers CDC’s infant-toddler class- in movement environments that were used for the provi- rooms provide individualized (i.e. share space and equip- sion of virtual learning to en- care and early childhood de- ment, display good sportsman- rolled students. velopment for children begin- ship, cooperative, etc.) The Office of Child Devel- ning at six weeks of age. A Camp Funshine opment and Early Learning, primary caregiver is assigned to each child to provide re- CDC’s all-day, 11-week which is part of the Pennsylva- nia Departments of Education sponsive care that meets indi- summer program was not ex- vidual needs and uses nurtur- empt from the effects of and Human Services, provides grant funding to CDC for ing routines of the day to de- COVID-19 restrictions in velop and maintain a trust re- 2020. Plans were in place for Pre-K Counts, Head Start Sup- plemental Assistance Program lationship with each child. students to visit Carnegie Sci- The Early Head Start pro- ence Center, Waldameer Park (state Head Start) slots and the Infant-Toddler Contracted gram is available at CDC’s and Waterworld, and a Pitts- Cranberry, Oil City and Frank- burgh Pirates game, but these Slots program. Head Start is federally funded and CDC re- lin Infant-Toddler centers, and trips were canceled due to serves up to 40 children in state-imposed restrictions on ceives an annual allocation as part of the grant cycle. Venango County. Early Head large gatherings. Start is intended to promote Weekly trips to the James E. Preschool enrollment early childhood development, Nelles Memorial Swimming CDC has 440 Head Start to engage parents in their roles Pool in Oil City were also re- slots for Venango/Crawford as teachers as well as caregiv- moved from the schedule. counties, with 374 children en- ers and to help families move CDC was able to take stu- rolled as of Dec. 31. These fig- toward self-sufficiency. An- dents on small field trips to ures are affected by a dip in at- other purpose is to provide a Morrison Park, Two Mile Run tendance and overall enrollment strong foundation of early County Park, Oil Creek State as a result of the pandemic. learning that allows children Park and Keystone Safari near Additionally, CDC has ap- to make a successful transi- Grove City while taking prop- proximately 40 HSSAP stu- tion to preschool and kinder- er precautions. dents in Venango County, garten. Grant funding along with 149 Pennsylvania The Infant-Toddler Con- Pre-K Counts children and tracted Slots program is of- CDC continues to enjoy a roughly 60 in private, tuition- fered at CDC’s Cranberry, reputation among local and based preschool. Franklin Infant-Toddler and regional grant-making organi- Each year, CDC graduates Franklin School-Age sites and zations as a trustworthy desti- hundreds of preschool students is meant to provide a strong nation for grant funding. who now occupy kindergarten transition to a Pennsylvania Grantors whose funds sup- classrooms in local schools, Pre-K Counts classroom at ported CDC in Venango/ and research suggests that age 3. It currently serves 24 Crawford counties include: many of these boys and girls children in Venango County.  PNC Charitable Trusts will greatly benefit from their Marks of excellence — Samuel Justus Charitable early learning experience in Trust - Helped cover opera- CDC classrooms. According All of CDC’s Venango- tional expenses) and Eliza- to a study published in the on- Crawford Head Start facilities beth S. Black Charitable Trust line journal Science, a high- have a STAR 4 Rating through - Directly supported play- quality preschool education Pennsylvania’s Keystone ground improvements at the produces significant long-term STARS educational quality Hasson Heights and Cranber- benefits including higher aca- improvement initiative. ry centers. Five other centers —  demic achievement, increased The McElhattan Foun- high school graduation rates Franklin Infant-Toddler, dation — Provided payroll and college attendance, better Franklin School-Age, Cran- assistance due to COVID-19 jobs with higher pay, and few- berry, Hasson Heights and Oil pandemic. er problem behaviors. City — are accredited by the  Bridge Builders Com- National Association for the munity Foundation — An- Outer Limits Education of Young Children. nual Week of Giving award Outer Limits is a free pro- The Franklin School-Age and Funding for the acquisi- gram for children ages 8-17 in center is the latest CDC facil- tion of personal protective Venango County that gives ity to earn the NAEYC ac- equipment. them the opportunity to par- creditation, as it was officially  Crawford Heritage ticipate in skill building ac- designated in December fol- Community Foundation — tivities. lowing a formal on-site visit Bernadene R. and John B. Children may choose from by an assessor.