From left:  Betty McKisson, Dr. Sandra Trejos, Florence Shutsy-Reynolds, and President Joseph Grunenwald.

     Seven individuals, including President Joseph Grunenwald and Florence Shutsy-Reynolds of the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot), were recognized with awards when Clarion University concluded its observance of Equity Week at its 15th Annual Equity Dinner and Awards Ceremony. The week's theme was "The Last Word on Race and Gender."

            Caitlin Jones, student relations chair, and Bill King, Clarion University Student Senator, were the masters of ceremony for the dinner. Heather Puhalla, Clarion University Student Senate President, provided the welcome. Susan Cooper, freelance writer and WASP researcher introduced, the guest speaker, Florence Shusty-Reynolds. Msgr. Jan C. Olowin delivered the invocation. The Clarion University Show Choir provided entertainment.

            The guest speaker, Florence Shutsy-Reynolds engaged the audience, approximately 400 students, faculty, staff and community members, with her experiences as a WASP during World War II.  Among the experiences that she recounted, were the WASP's service records that were that were lost or otherwise hidden for 30 years, and her tireless efforts to ensure that an American flag in placed on each of the gravesites of the 38 WASP who were killed in the line of duty.

            The award recipients included:           

            2009 Equity Award: Dr. Robert Girvan, professor of sociology at Clarion University since 1973, who plans to retire at the conclusion of the Spring 2010 semester. He has served as an example of tolerance and understanding to his students and in the community through being part of a trans-racial family and involvement with the beginning of many university initiatives including the Flexible All-Year (later Becker) Experimental School, creation of the sociology and the sociology/psychology major, co-founding the Center for the Study of Local Issues, Nuclear Freeze Group organizer, Sexual Harassment Commission's policy/first survey, work with Habitat for Humanity, Martin Luther King Jr. Committee co-chair, Frederick Douglass Program coordinator,  Making Connections first cluster and linked courses, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance  advisor, Pregnancy and Parenting Resources Initiative core member, and most recently helping to create the new Clarion University NAACP chapter.

            Special Equity Leadership Award:  Dr. Joseph P. Grunenwald, Clarion University President, who will retire in 2010. He became Clarion University's 15th President in 2003, having previously served as a professor of marketing, department chair, interim executive dean of Clarion University - Venango Campus, director of continuing education, dean of the College of Business Administration, and provost and academic vice president. In each of his roles, Grunenwald worked to promote academic excellence and the highest quality in university programs and services. Among the many projects/groups he supports are:  Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education and its Student Leadership Development Institute; the Emerging Scholars Program; Frederick Douglass Program; Building Bridges Program; Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture Series; Presidential Commissions; international programs; interfaith roundtables; and many community organizations.

            Special Equity Award:  Florence Shutsy-Reynolds and the WASP. Upon graduation from high school in Connellsville, she enrolled in the ground school course offered by the federal government's Civilian Pilot Training Program. She was one of the five students who scored the highest on the final exam and was awarded the 35-hour flight training resulting in a private pilot license. She learned about the WASP from the newspaper and entered the December 1943 class of 44-W-5. Upon graduation from the Army Air Force flight training, she was sent to Merced AAF Base

Florence Shutsy-Reynolds

in California, where her assignments included test flights on repaired aircraft, ferrying damaged aircraft to repair depot and return of same, slow flights, transportation of personnel and material, and tracking missions in support of the pursuit aircraft stationed at Fresno, Calif.

            Upon deactivation of the WASP in December 1944, she accepted a position as Link Instructor for the B29 group stationed at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, Alaska. She then accepted a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the newly formed USAF, traveled to the Panama Canal Zone in 1952, married and accepted an administrative position in the U.S. Air Force. In 1986, she took over the operation of WASP Stores for the WASP World War II organization. During her 16 years at the position, she reproduced the WASP silver wings, designed the official WASP flag, commemorative medallion, Golden Anniversary pin, Kids of WASP logo, WASP official scarf, etc. In addition, she researched and wrote papers on the various aspects of the WASP program such as the use of the guidons, history of WASP wings, and more.

            Outstanding Student Award:  Jermaine Merrill, a senior art/communication major, a son of Stephanie Wright of Daisytown and a graduate of California High School. He uses both his majors and his creative work with Clarion University's radio and television stations to promote the goals of equity, social justice and equality. Currently he is a volunteer for the Clarion University Admissions Office, where he also completed a co-op. He is now exploring the Disney Corporation's image and cultural impact in less developed nations through a course in global mass communication.

            Outstanding Faculty Award:  Dr. Sandra Trejos, professor of economics at Clarion University. During her five years at Clarion, Trejos has had an impact in raising awareness of social justice and equity issues in the U.S. and around the world, through her classes. She has served as Clarion University's International Programming and Study Abroad Coordinator; international business coordinator for the College of Business Administration; advisor to the Political Economy Club; and as a member of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. She has assisted students in the organization of events to raise awareness of the Asian tsunami victims; genocide in Sudan and Darfur; and travel to New Orleans to assist in Hurricane Katrina rebuilding.

            Outstanding Supporter Award:  Geovanni Miller, a senior sociology/psychology major, a son of Cleomie Miller of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School. A supporter of social diversity for students, he is a Clarion University Eagle Ambassador, co-founder of Brothers of Christ, community service chair for Lift Every Voice choir, and a residence assistance.

            Outstanding Community Award:  Betty McKisson. McKisson, who is from Strattanville, is a certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP). She worked her way from nurse to CRNP and has helped people in the community for her entire life through her time as a nurse in industry, working with local physicians, at the Clarion University Keeling Health Center, and now as the operator of her own wellness clinic in Clarion.

            Additional Equity Week activities included a keynote address by Fred Morsell, "The Last Word on Race"; and a roundtable luncheon discussion "The Last Word on Race and Gender," which included a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Frederick Douglass Collaborative at Clarion University.

            Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.