Dave Tomeo, assistant vice president for Student and University Affairs at Clarion University, received the Suzanne S. Brown Distinguished Service Award during the recent Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASHEE) Council of Senior Student Affairs Officers conference held at Slippery Rock University.
The Suzanne S. Brown Distinguished Service Award is named for Suzanne Brown, a long-time System official working in the area of academic and student affairs. The award was created to recognize an outstanding student affairs professional from the State System of Higher Education. A plaque recognizing the Suzanne S. Brown Distinguished Serve Award winners hangs permanently in the Dixon University Center, Harrisburg.
The award is presented semi-annually by the Council of Chief Student Affairs Offices to an individual who has demonstrated innovative or creative actions that have benefited his or her institution and the State System or who has provided “noteworthy, distinguished service to his or her institution or to the System.”
“It is nice to be recognized for my years of service,” said Tomeo, who is retiring from Clarion University in June, concluding a 34-year career. “It recognized the small part I play on campus to improve the quality of life for our students. To me, this award is for the people who work at Clarion University. Without them, we would not accomplish what we did.”
Tomeo, who earned B.S. Ed. and M.A. degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, joined Clarion University – Venango Campus as a residence director in 1975. He moved to Clarion, also as a residence director in 1979-80. From 1981-2001, he was the director of University Centers and advisor for the Student Activities Board, Interfraternity Council, and Pahellenic Council. He was named interim coordinator of student activities in 2001 and in 2002 was named executive director of the Student Program and Operation Center. He was named to his current position in 2005.
During his time at Clarion Tomeo was responsible for coordinating the design and construction of several new student facilities including – Gemmell Student Complex, the Student Recreation Center, and Eagle Commons dining facility. He also participated in the project to design and construct Campus View and Valley View residential suites. Tomeo was also instrumental in developing the Eagle Card ID, a one-card system for students.
He couldn’t select a favorite project from everything he has worked on, but said, “In general, I hope there is a better quality of experience for students at Clarion University. All of the building projects benefited student life. I feel everything we did contributed to the improvement of campus life. In all of this I was just a small cog in a very large wheel. It took a lot of people to make these things happen.”
As a parting gift from the students, the Clarion University Student Senate presented Tomeo, with the Curtis-Wassink Award during the recent Diane L. Reinhard Awards Ceremony. The award is presented to an administrator or faculty member who portrays excellence in the area of service to students as Curtis and Wassink did throughout their careers. The award is named in honor of Dr. George Curtis, vice president for student affairs at Clarion University from 1968-2001 and Hal Wassink, coordinator of student activities at Clarion University from 1973-2001.
Tome and his wife, Carolyn, a 1982 Clarion University graduate, reside in Corsica. They have three grown children and one grandson. Tomeo plans to remain in the area in retirement, but will spend his winters in Florida.
Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.
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