OIL CITY, PA–John A. Comet, well-known Oil City businessman, has joined
the Clarion University–Venango Campus Advisory Council. The council,
chaired by Libby Williams, is comprised of twenty community leaders who
provide guidance and assistance with the campus’ strategic planning and
development.
“My colleagues and I are delighted that Mr. Comet has agreed
to offer his expertise to the Venango Campus,” said Dr. Christopher M.
Reber, executive dean of the Venango Campus. “With his business acumen and
his outstanding record of service to the community, he will be a
tremendous asset on the Advisory Council.”
A native of Monessen, Pennsylvania, Mr. Comet graduated from
Penn State in 1934 with a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering.
He spent his entire career with United Natural Gas Company, which later
became National Fuel Gas Company. He worked as a pipeliner, field
operations employee, field geologist, and administrator before becoming
the company’s president in 1969. He retired in 1978.
He was active in scouting, serving as Scoutmaster of Oil
City’s Troop 3, Camping Chairman, and President of the Colonel Drake
Council. He received the Silver Beaver Award in 1956, and was presented
with the Distinguished Boy Scouts of America Award in 1992.
Mr. Comet also served as 1978 United Way campaign chairman,
and lay leader of Grace United Methodist Church. He is a 33rd
degree Mason and has served as past master of his lodge and as a member of
the Masonic Hall Association. He was a member of the Cornplanter and Oil
City School Boards for a combined total of sixteen years.
Mr. Comet served on the boards of directors of United Natural Gas
Company, National Fuel Gas Company, Pennsylvania Gas Association, Col.
Drake Inc., the Oil City YMCA, the Oil City Hospital, and First Seneca
Bank. He also served on the Advisory Board of the Visiting Nurses
Association of Venango County, Inc. and the Advisory Board of the
Petroleum Course at Venango Technology Center.
In 1971, Mr. Comet was honored by the Oil City Area Chamber of
Commerce with the “Golden Deeds” Man of the Year Award, now called the
Citizen of the Year Award.
Mr. Comet and his wife, the former Martha Opal Whiting, are
the parents of two children, Mrs. Ronald (Susan Jane) Friedman and Mrs.
Kenneth (Linda Anne) Koretz. They have five grandchildren.
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 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.
