FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     Contact: Marisa Bilicic

February 3, 2004                                                                         814-676-6591 Ext. 1215

 Clarion University Foundation, Inc. Receives Pledge

For Student Apartment Housing at Venango Campus

OIL CITY, PA – Henry B. (Hank) and Beverly L. Suhr have pledged $250,000 to the Clarion University Foundation, Inc. to be used for the construction of new student apartment housing at Clarion University–Venango Campus. This gift brings total commitments for the housing project to $2.1 million.

            “We believe that Venango Campus is a vital component of this community and we’re excited to support this important step forward in its growth and development,” Suhr stated. Hank Suhr has served on the Venango Campus Advisory Council since its inception and supported a variety of past initiatives at Venango Campus. Suhr’s grandfather, Charles L. Suhr, was a driving force in the creation of Venango Campus in 1960 and headed the capital campaign that led to the construction of Richard C. Frame Hall, the campus’ first building. The campus’ library is named in the elder Suhr’s honor.

 “The university is enormously grateful for the generous and ongoing support of the Suhr family,” said Dr. Joseph P. Grunenwald, president of Clarion University. “Without the commitment and involvement of community leaders like Hank and Beverly Suhr, Venango Campus would not be thriving as it is today. The university greatly values this support and is committed to the continued development of the campus.”

            Two two-story buildings are scheduled to open for the fall 2004 semester. These buildings can accommodate a total of 32 students. Each student will have a private bedroom and a semi-private bathroom and will share kitchen facilities and living and dining areas with the three other residents. The facilities will provide modern and upscale amenities. The Clarion University Foundation, Inc. hopes to have a three-story building ready for occupancy the following fall, and plans to eventually have seven buildings that will house 136 students. Net income from the buildings will be used for the long-term growth and development of the Venango Campus in its mission of service to the region.

“Student housing will open the door to the development of future academic programs that provide outstanding career opportunities for people in this region, but require a mix of students from inside and outside of the area in order to make such programs financially viable,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, executive dean of Clarion University–Venango Campus. “This gift continues the legacy of the Suhr family who have had a profound and lasting influence on our region for more than a century.”

The Clarion University Foundation, Inc. is working to finalize its selection of a contractor to develop the new student apartments. In addition to the buildings, the Foundation plans to develop recreational and parking facilities so that the campus’ future housing area will be an appealing and accessible living-learning environment for the students who reside there.

The Clarion University Foundation, Inc., organized in 1969, is a not-for-profit corporation. The Foundation was formed to promote educational purposes in connection with or at the request of Clarion University. It is the organization designated to receive and manage private sector gifts provided for the support of the activities and programs of the University. Such gifts are generated through contributions from alumni, faculty and staff, business and industry, retired faculty members, and other friends of Clarion University.

Clarion University–Venango 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. Clarion University–Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community. The campus is home to Clarion University’s School of Nursing and its Department of Applied Technology.

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