Kim E. Lyttle to Deliver Commencement Address at Clarion University–Venango Campus

             Kim E. Lyttle, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for National City Bank and Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, will offer the Commencement Address at the Clarion University–Venango Campus Commencement on Saturday, May 12, 2007. A Franklin native, Mr. Lyttle served on the Venango Campus Advisory Council in the early 1980s. The ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Robert W. Rhoades Center at the campus.

             “My colleagues and I are delighted to bring Mr. Lyttle to the Venango Campus to address the Class of 2007, and their families and friends who have helped them reach this important milestone in their lives,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, executive dean of the Venango Campus. “Mr. Lyttle’s success in the banking industry, his work with legislators, and his commitment to higher education are truly inspiring.”

            Mr. Lyttle oversees National City’s governmental relations, the Community Development Corporation, and the corporation’s charitable giving program throughout the Commonwealth. 

He interacts directly with elected officials in Harrisburg and Washington on behalf of the bank, coordinates all political action committee activities, recommends funding levels for various candidates and committees, manages publication of communications vehicles regarding legislation and political events affecting the organization, and schedules speaking engagements by elected officials and candidates to key audiences.

            With responsibility for coordinating the activities of the National City Community Development Corporation, Mr. Lyttle ensures that the bank consistently anticipates and meets the financial services needs of disadvantaged communities across its service area.  And by administering the bank’s charitable foundation, he leads the effort to evaluate and provide financial support to not-for-profit organizations working to increase economic development and improve the social and artistic vibrancy of the region.

            Prior to joining National City in 1989, Mr. Lyttle spent more than a decade with Pennbank in northwestern Pennsylvania, rising from project analyst in Franklin to assistant vice president of personnel in Titusville, and then to manager of the Meadville branch.  In his Pennbank experience, he implemented the organization’s first affirmative action plan, resolved employee relations issues for the corporation, led new employee orientation, began a corporate matching gift program for colleges and universities, directed operations for more than $100 million in total deposits, provided high-level corporate-wide sales training, increased total deposits by $20 million, and served as a key company liaison with civic organizations.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Lyttle spent three years as a police officer with the Borough of Sugarcreek, Venango County.

            Mr. Lyttle’s professional activities have included service as a member of the American Bankers Association’s Legislative Liaison Advisory Committee, director of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association Public Affairs Committee, chairman of the PBA Contact Bankers Committee (a grassroots lobbying group), and member of the PBA Government Relations Officers Committee. He also served as chairman of National City’s United Way campaign and as a member of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.

            Higher education has always been a key area of interest and involvement for Mr. Lyttle.  He serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Foundation. On a national level, he has served as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities headquartered in Washington, DC.

            Mr. Lyttle served for 24 years, on the Council of Trustees of his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, from which he earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a master of arts degree in student personnel services. He has led numerous committees for the university and supports it through active involvement in alumni activities and scholarship and fund-raising initiatives. He is a recipient of IUP’s highest award given to alumni, the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Mr. Lyttle also attended the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware in 1989. 

            He lives in Marion Center, PA, with his wife, Mary Jo, and their two children.

            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.

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