Special Projects and Purposes

Gift support may be either restricted or unrestricted. Restricted gifts may only be expended for the purposes for which they were contributed.

Expenditures of unrestricted contributions are directed by the Foundation Board in support of various University programs such as student scholarships, equipment purchases, campus improvements, alumni programming, publications, and cultural events.

Special Purpose Grants such as the Clarion University Community Fellows Grants are funded by the University Foundation in recognition of the importance of strengthening the University's public mission and celebrating the value of partnering with community members, and non-profit organizations.  Annually, Community Fellows grants are awarded to community partners who propose a project in conjunction with a tenured or tenure-track faculty member or full time staff member.

2010-2011 Community Fellows Grants include:

Community of Cats  
Community Affiliation: Per Adoption and Welfare Society (PAWS)  
Contact Person: Janet Ochs
University Contact: Dr. Valerie Bennett
Student volunteers will have the opportunity to get hands-one experience outside of a classroom with handling live animals in both a field and clinical setting. 

Oil City Library's heritage Room Five-Year action Plan, 2011-2016
Contact Person: Bruce George
University Contact: Dr. Rhonda Clark
Produce a five-year written plan of action to follow in order to sustain the Oil City Library's Heritage Room.

Totes for Tots
Community Affiliation: Twin Creeks Head Start, Inc.
Contact Person: Judith Sheeran
University Contact: Assistant Professor Beth Jackson
The project promotes multigenerational involvement, opportunities for education, and the synergy between the Venango Campus and the surrounding community.  

Multicultural Community Celebrations
Community Affiliation: Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Commerce
Contact Person: Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Commerce
University Contact: Dr. Brenda Dédé
Support of two events:  Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration (January 21, 2011) and the Juneteenth Celebration (June 11, 2011)

Improving Communication Interactions for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers
Community Affiliation: Golden Living Center and Alzheimer's Association
Contact Person: Natalie McKay and Debbie Wisinski
University Contact: Assistant Professor Mary Beth Mason-Baughman
Graduate students participating in CSD 510 and 554, under the direct supervision of Mary Beth Mason-Baughman, participated in Alzheimer's Support Group Meetings for training

Art Through the Ages
Community Affiliation: Clarion County Arts Council
Contact Person: John Miller
University Contact: Dr. Laurie Occhipinti
Hold a visual art exhibition featuring original work created by local elementary and high school students, as well as senior citizens.

Foreign Language Forum
Community Affiliation: Foreign Language Forum
University Contact: Dr. Kathleen O'Donnell
Host a forum with local primary and secondary foreign language teachers to discuss current approaches to language and culture instruction at the beginning and intermediate levels

Collaboration with SAFE, Clarion PA
Community Affiliation: SAFE-Stop Abuse for Everyone
Contact Person: Donna Keller
University Contact: Dr. Catherine Petrissans and Dr. Mary Jo Reef
In conjunction with SW499-Supervised Field Placement, three students will intern at SAFE and complete a 45-hour training program.

Clarion University Morning With a Professor
Community Affiliation: Clarion County Area Agency on Aging
Contact Person: Stephanie Wilshire
University Contact: Dr. Rod Raehsler
Establish a lecture series conducted by Clarion University professors held in the community targeting senior citizens.

Strategic Planning for the Clarion County YMCA
Community Affiliation: Clarion County YMCA
Contact Person: Mike Ebert
University Contact: Dr. Kevin Roth
Facilitating the planning process as well as coordinating emerging implementation activities for the YMCA with the use of MBA graduate students.