Clarion University–Venango Campus Honors Student Achievement

          Over 200 students and their families attended Clarion University–Venango Campus’ Honors Night celebration at the Quality Inn in Franklin on Friday, April 20, 2007. The annual event recognizes the achievement of students receiving scholarships and those who excel academically and in leadership positions. Outstanding Student Awards, Special Achievement Awards, and Dean’s List certificates were presented to the student honorees.

            “This is a proud occasion for our honorees and their families,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, executive dean of the Venango Campus. “On behalf of the entire university, I’d like to offer a special thanks to our scholarship donors and sponsors. Your commitment and generosity are inspiring and we are extraordinarily grateful to all of you.”

           Dr. David B. Lott, Assistant Professor of Biology and Coordinator of the new Venango Campus Honors Program, gave the keynote address, encouraging students “to work hard and know that you all have the capacity to do whatever you want as long as you believe in yourself.”

           Professor Beth Jackson, advisor to Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society at the campus since 1999, was honored for her service with a plaque presented by students Hope Lineman and Maria Alfred. 

           Scholarship sponsors for the spring awards included Representative Ronald E. Black, Clarion University–Venango Campus, Clarion University–Venango Campus Endowment Fund, Frank Clark, Jack A. Coogan, Galaxy Federal Credit Union, The Derrick Publishing Company, Dr. Thomas A. Gardner, Gent, Gent and Snyder, Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, William Huber Memorial Fund, E.M. McCord Memorial Fund, Dr. Glenn McElhattan, Mu Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Pennzoil, Oil City Rotary Club, Oil City Lions Club, PHEAA Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Phillips Charitable Trust, Regional Vision, Dorothy May Story Smith, Second Presbyterian Women, UPMC Northwest Auxiliary, Greg Vayda Memorial, and Zonta Club.

           Fourteen students were selected by their peers and Venango Campus faculty for the Outstanding Student Award. Academic honors were presented by Dr. Ellen Foster, faculty chair, to  Hope Lineman, Arts and Sciences; Ashley McCauley, Business Administration; Michelle Reed, Early Childhood Education; Julie Olson, Industrial Technology; Kim Conway, Paralegal Studies; Dawn Linn, Nursing (ASN); Jonathan McChesney, Criminal Justice; Veronica McCauley, Rehabilitative Services; Amy Winger, Nursing (BSN); Janice Zacherl, Radiologic Science; and Dawn Schrader, Nursing (MSN). Emily Aubele, Director of Student Affairs, presented Abby Essigmann with the Contribution to Student Life Award.

           The Clarion University–Venango Campus Scholarship Committee awarded scholarships to the following students at the ceremony:

          Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield Scholarship: Gwendolyn Snavely, a nursing major from Franklin

          Dr. Glenn R. McElhattan Scholarship: Melissa Asche, a nursing major from Venus; Andrew Tygert, an education major from Franklin; Sarah Johnson, an education major from Oil City; Marcia Nageotte, a nursing major from Cochranton; Heather Swarm, who is from Oil City and is majoring in physics and cooperative engineering; and Nicole Scott, a nursing major from North Huntington.

          Gent Gent & Snyder and Greg Vayda Memorial Scholarships: Kevin Hazlett, a paralegal studies major from Titusville

          Dr. & Mrs. A.W. Phillips in memory of William J. McFate and Judge William E. Breene:

Malerie Petergal, a nursing major from Conneaut Lake; Amber McMillen, a psychology major from Oil City; Amber Delp, a radiologic sciences major from Oil City; Marietta Alfred, a psychology major from Tionesta; Lisa Byers, a nursing major from Tidioute; Kelly Bish, a nursing major from Glen Campbell; Michelle Moore, a respiratory care major from Oil City; and William Fetty, a respiratory care major from Sandy Lake

          Derrick Publishing Company Endowed Scholarship to honor the memory of Edward P. Boyle: Andrew Basham

          Oil City Rotary Club Scholarship: Matthew McClellan, a computer science major from Oil City and  Brittany Swires, a nursing major from Franklin

          Pennzoil: Matthew Livermore, an industrial technology major from Cambridge Springs

          Ronald E. Black Scholarship: Robert Snavely, a radiologic sciences major from Franklin

          Frank ClarkScholarship: Ashley Baughman, a nursing major from Franklin, and Louise Card, a radiology and biology major from Oil City.

          Galaxy Federal Credit Union Scholarship: Jessica Bergin, a radiologic sciences major from Utica

          William Huber Memorial Scholarship: Timothy Hynes, an elementary education major from Oil City

          Regional Vision: Rachel Stanton, a nursing major from Mercersburg, and Katrina Kahle, a business administration major from Knox

          Oil City Lions Club Scholarship: Stephen Fox, a criminal justice major from Oil City

          UPMC Northwest Auxiliary Scholarship: Jhoanalyn Brandt, a nursing major from Seneca, and Jennifer Minich, a nursing major from Knox

          Second Presbyterian Women Scholarship: Jamie Myers-Huff, a nursing major from Utica; Andrea Stiller, a respiratory care major from Oil City; and Dawn Linn, a nursing major from Franklin

          Clarion University–Venango Campus Scholarship: Katie Rufener, a radiologic sciences major from Burghill, Ohio; Gina Thurston, a nursing major from Rimersburg, and Andrew Tygert

          Dr. Thomas A. Gardner Scholarship: Jennifer Cornell, a radiologic sciences major from Franklin

          Clarion University-Venango Campus Endowment Fund: Jayme Millar, a sociology major from Oil City; Mark Siler, an education major from Franklin; Lori Costello, a nursing major from Tionesta; and Jennifer Cornell

          Zonta Club: Kathryn Burdick, a business and finance major from Seneca, and Jamie Myers-Huff, a nursing major from Franklin

Additional Scholarship Committee scholarships are available for students who apply for summer, fall and spring terms thorough the. For more information, contact the office of LaTrobe Barnitz, Coordinator of Admissions and Financial Aid at 676-6591, extension 1211.

Scholarships were also awarded through the School of Nursing and Allied Health to the following students:

          Rosemary Coogan Endowed Scholarship: Marcy Snyder

          Dorothy May Story Smith: Ashley Weaver

          Dr. & Mrs. Arthur. W. Phillips Scholarship: Amanda Collenette

          E. M. McCord Memorial Scholarship: Joseph Kollar

          Pauline Thompson Nursing Education Scholarship: Dawn Linn

          Nightingale Awards of PA and Kaster Insurance Company Scholarship: Leigh Weaver

          Mu Xi Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau: Robin Bilan, Leah Chmielewski, Charlotte Vermeulen and  Amy Winger

            In addition, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Foundation awarded Nursing Education Scholarships to 108 nursing students in associate, bachelor’s and master’s programs at the Venango Campus.

            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.

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