50th Anniversary Celebration

Clarion University–Venango Campus is gearing up to celebrate its 50th Anniversary during the coming academic year. A committee of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community leaders has been planning a year-long series of events to mark this important milestone. They are reaching out to Venango Campus alumni and others who would like to learn more about the festivities and all the things that are going on at the campus.

They'd also like to hear from alumni, and learn about their special memories of Venango Campus. They'd like to include some of those memories-and photos- in a special publication of the history of Venango Campus that will be available for the kick-off celebration in August, and post them 50th Anniversary portion of the Venango Campus website.

From its very beginning to the present, Clarion University–Venango Campus has been a product of community and university, working together to advance the needs of our region.

The history of Venango Campus is an inspiring story of the dedicated efforts of many people who raised funds for land, buildings and scholarships, and cut through miles of bureaucratic and legal red tape to build the first regional campus in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

It is also a story of partnerships, of finding ways to join forces with others in the fields of health care, industry, business, and education to enhance and expand programs, extend outreach, share resources, and meet the changing needs of the Commonwealth and its workforce in a dynamic and cost-effective manner.

For almost fifty years, heroes among us have changed lives, providing opportunities for students to achieve their dreams and helping to keep jobs- and the people who need them-here at home in our community.

It began in 1960, when a group of community leaders envisioned the need for a higher education presence in Venango County and advocated the creation of what was to become Clarion University-Venango Campus.

Inspired by their efforts, the Pennsylvania Superintendent of Public Instruction approved a request by then Clarion State College to establish the Venango Campus in Oil City in April 1961. Venango Campus remains today the oldest regional campus in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education.

Community leaders launched a fundraising drive in May 1961 to raise the $350,000 needed to acquire land for the campus and to construct its first building. Within three months, more than $382,000 had been pledged by nearly 1,800 individuals, clubs, and organizations, and building of the campus commenced.

One hundred and nineteen individuals applied for the 1961-62 academic year at Venango Campus, which began in temporary quarters in the Oil City Trust Building. The campus' first building, Richard C. Frame Hall, was opened for students in January 1962. Course offerings were expanded from 18 to 47 the following academic year and night classes were added in the fall of 1963.

In the fall of 1964, Venango Campus began offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in cooperation with the Oil City School of Nursing. Prior to this time, curricula at the campus had focused on elementary and secondary education and liberal arts. In 1970, with the dissolution of the Oil City School of Nursing, Venango Campus began offering an Associate of Science in Nursing degree and, subsequently, other associate degrees.

While the course offerings and student body at Venango Campus were growing, the physical plant was also expanding. Montgomery Hall was completed in 1965 and housed 210 residential students. Building of the Robert W. Rhoades Center commenced in August 1974 and was completed in January 1976. The Charles L. Suhr Library opened in the summer of that same year.

Clarion University-Venango Campus began a new chapter in its development when it opened the first two student apartment buildings in 2004. A third building opened in fall 2006 and two additional buildings were completed in fall 2009. Two more facilities are planned in the future to complete the seven-building apartment complex.

West End Pond, a treasured community landmark and important natural resource, was restored to its original size and lighted walkways, a pavilion to be used for entertainment, a fire pit, Victorian clock, and other amenities were added to provide additional recreational and educational opportunities. The project, completed in 2009, was funded by private, corporate, and charitable donations, grants made possible through the help of state and local legislators and community leaders, and university investment.

Clarion University–Venango Campus remains the associate degree-granting unit of Clarion University and currently offers associate degrees in eleven fields, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies, Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Sciences with a concentration in Court and Community Services, and a Master of Science in Nursing. Clarion's School of Nursing and Allied Health, Department of Applied Technology, and Venango Campus Department of Arts and Sciences have their academic homes at Venango Campus.

Over $11 million has been raised in the community for campus scholarships, programs, and facilities within the past eight years. Bolstered by the support of the community, campus enrollments have grown steadily for eight consecutive years, bringing current campus enrollment to a record level. Venango Campus' future is bright and continues to focus on serving the community whose vision and support have guided its growth.