Libby Williams to be Clarion University–Venango Campus Commencement Speaker

OIL CITY, PA—Mary E. (Libby) Williams will deliver the keynote address at the Clarion University–Venango Campus Commencement on Saturday, May 13, 2006, at Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.   “Commencement celebrates a milestone in the lives of our students and a time of great pride for them and their families,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, executive dean of the Venango Campus. “My colleagues and I are delighted that Libby Williams, who has been instrumental in the development of Clarion University–Venango Campus since its inception, will be with us to deliver the Commencement address.”

            Ms. Williams served as the first full-time Venango Campus librarian until her retirement in 1990. Since then, she’s been a dedicated campus advocate, advisor, fund-raiser, and member of the Venango Campus Advisory Council, which she currently chairs.

            As librarian at the Venango Campus for 28 of the first 29 years of its operation, she was involved in the planning of the Charles L. Suhr Library, which was built in 1976.

            In addition, Ms. Williams helped to expand the Suhr collection, add modern library technology, and develop resource-sharing agreements that benefited both the Venango Campus and the community.

            In 2005, Ms. Williams generously donated funds to furnish the new Barbara Morgan Harvey Center for the Study of Oil Heritage, a large collection of books and other publications and memorabilia celebrating local history and the early days of the oil boom. The collection was donated by the Joseph Harvey family in memory of their wife and mother.

            A Clarion native and graduate of Clarion Area High School, Ms. Williams earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Clarion University and her Master of Library Science degree and an advanced certificate in library science at the University of Pittsburgh.

            She began her career in education at Northwestern High School in Albion, Pennsylvania.  She later served as librarian in the Oil City Area School District, first at South Side Junior High School, where she also taught eighth grade English, and later at the Oil City Senior High School.

            Ms. Williams’ name is synonymous with volunteerism in the community and the list of organizations that have benefited from her devoted work is long and  inspirational.  In addition to the Venango Campus, she has served the Allegheny Region Chapter of the American Red Cross; Zonta Club of Oil City-Franklin; Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; Venango Area Chamber of Commerce; YWCA of Venango County; United Way of Venango County; Oil City Arts Council; Venango Chorus; Venango Museum of Art, Science, and Industry; UPMC Northwest Corporation; Sugar Valley Lodge; Regional Counseling Center; Oil City YMCA; Oil City Boat Club; Grace United Methodist Church; and the Arts Revitalization Committee of the City of Oil City.

            Ms. Williams has received numerous honors for her extraordinary service to the community. The Allegheny Region Chapter of the American Red Cross named her the 1990 Volunteer of the Year and presented her with the Clara Barton Volunteer Leadership Award in 2004. She received the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce Golden Service Award in 1991 and the Outstanding Citizen Award in 1996. In 1995, she was presented with Clarion University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

            She is a member of Beta Phi Mu, Pi Chapter, an honorary library science organization at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Retired Professors.    

            Clarion University-Venango Campus, located in Oil City, PA, is the oldest regional campus in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.   The campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed.  Students can begin any of Clarion University’s 90+ bachelor’s degrees at the Venango Campus, earn an associate degree, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses.  The campus is home to Clarion University’s School of Nursing and Allied Health and its Department of Applied Technology.  Clarion University-Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community.