Retiring U.S. Congressman John Peterson (R-5) will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Clarion University during the Dec. 13 commencement ceremony. Commencement is scheduled a 2 p.m. in Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium.

Five hundred students are expected to graduate during the ceremony. This includes the presentation of 271 bachelor's degrees, 205 master's degrees, and 24 associate degrees.

Peterson's retirement brings to an end 40 years of elected public service to a close. This includes service at the local borough council level, in both chambers of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. As the representative of Pennsylvania's largest and most rural district, Peterson demonstrated commitment to the enhancing educational opportunities, nurturing regional economic development, improving access to health care, and supporting other quality of life issues that reflect the values of Clarion University.

In the 1980's and 90's Peterson created five Higher Education Councils to help strengthen participation in post-secondary education by rural youth and adults in his district. Today, those councils are part of 10 Community Education Councils across the state that are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and that partner with educational providers, such as Clarion University, to bring higher education opportunities to rural and educationally underserved communities.

Through these collaborations, Clarion has provided foundation courses in English, mathematics, and study skills; career exploration resources; paraprofessional training; and innovative degree programs for working professionals as well as adult learners who may be displaced by industry closings and in need of new options for re-entering the work force.

In Clarion University's strategic planning for the future of its Venango Campus, Peterson offered input and assistance to help ensure the campus's responsiveness to regional needs. In 2004, he championed a regional grant for workforce development from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, managed by the Venango Economic Development Corporation. That grant provided $100,000 in seed funding to Venango Campus to develop a new Department of Allied Health that was created when the School of Nursing was expanded to become the School of Nursing and Allied Health. This funding provided critical support for the hiring of a chair of the Department of Allied Health and the creation of an associate of science degree in respiratory care in partnership with UPMC Northwest and UPMC Horizon.

The university's respiratory care program is now a candidate for national accreditation and just graduated its first cohort of respiratory therapists and is expected to graduate about 25 students each year. These professionals are needed in hospitals throughout our region, so the program is addressing a critical workforce need in northwest Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the Department of Allied Health continues to grow in service to our region in the areas of allied health, radiologic science, and other health sciences in addition to respiratory care. One-year, two-year, and future four-year programs are/will be offered through the Department of Allied Health that Congressman Peterson helped to create.

Peterson has also been a supporter of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program. Clarion's SBDC and the other 15 centers throughout the Commonwealth have benefited from his efforts as a member of the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for the SBDC program. The Congressman has also worked to provide increased funding for the Economic Development Administration and its role in helping rural communities attract new manufacturing jobs. His efforts have helped to secure funding for local agencies such as the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation.

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