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An eNewsletter for students, their families and guidance
counselors
from the Clarion University Admissions Office
May 2005
STORIES
New Scholarship Fund
Takes Flight
A massive, bronze golden eagle with a 12-foot wingspan has made its
home at Clarion University. Resting eight feet off the ground on a
granite base, the eagle marks the first time Clarion has a permanent
golden eagle on campus.
The eagle
was designed by Michael Hamby, a world-renowned sculptor and former
member of the NFL Buffalo Bills, and also marks the establishment of the
Golden Eagle Athletic Scholarship Fund.
"We are establishing
the new fund to demonstrate our commitment to provide scholarship
opportunities for student athletes at Clarion University," Athletic
Director Bob Carlson said.
Friends and alumni of
Clarion who wish to donate to the scholarship fund can receive a smaller
reproduction of the permanent sculpture. For more information on
the Golden Eagle Athletic Scholarship Fund call (814) 393-1997.
Stress and the SATs
Whoever said change is bad must not have taken the SATs.
In March of this year the “new SAT” was introduced and many
students and parents began breathing in and out of paper bags, but
relax, here’s a breakdown of what’s different.
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A
15-question section called “Quantitative Comparison” was
eliminated and four or five Algebra II questions were added.
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The
19 analogy questions were eliminated and instead students will read
several short passages and answer corresponding questions.
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Students
now have to write an essay (which is given a score of 2-12) about a
given topic.
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The
SAT will be 45 minutes longer due to the writing section.
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A
student’s score will be out of 2,400 points instead of 1,600.
How is Clarion University handling the new SAT?
Our Admissions counselors have been asked many times by concerned
students and their families “how is Clarion handling the new SAT?”
Well, here’s our answer. For
those who have taken the “old SAT” and are satisfied with their
score can submit it with their application; we don’t require students
retake the new SAT. For
students who take the new SAT, we are only looking at the critical
reading and math sections and are looking for a 950-1000. The writing section (including the essay)
will be used as a supplemental piece.
We still
want you to take writing the essay seriously, however, in some cases it
can prove to be a very influential element. For any questions regarding how the SATs are analyzed, call
the Admissions office at 1-800-672-7171 (option 1).
Back to the May
2005 eNewsletter
Clarion University's $27
Million Science Project
Bigger, better and worth $27 million.
No, it’s not the most recent lottery winner, it’s Clarion’s
new Peirce Science Center. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell
awarded Clarion University a $24.4 million grant for the demolition and
reconstruction of the current Peirce Science Center.
Currently, the science center is home to 200 science
professors and 450
science and technology majors. On
top of that, 5,000 Clarion students are required to take several courses
in science, mathematics and computer science. Construction is
projected to begin in 2005 and will start in the parking lot adjacent to Peirce.
The new building will connect to the current Peirce auditorium
and planetarium, with the older building coming down when construction
of the new facility is complete.
The expansion will
accommodate 94 more science and technology students, and 40 additional students in new
majors and minors, such as
industrial mathematics, biotechnology, nanotechnology and environmental
biology.
When the new building is complete, students will find “smart
classrooms,” a conference area, wet laboratories for interdepartmental
sharing of space, computer labs, administration and reception areas and
extra space for science education.
But wait, there’s more!
The center will support 13 major programs, including biology;
biotechnology; molecular biology; medical technology; chemistry; applied
ecology; environmental geoscience; geography; physics; mathematics;
chemistry; geology; and natural science.
Geographic systems, and a chemistry/physics/mathematics
co-operative engineering major will be offered as well.
Clarion is also developing new minors such as
enhanced mathematics and geographic information systems.
“The new science and technology center will
provide our students with the finest possible science learning
environment,” Clarion University president Dr. Joseph Grunenwald said.
“The new facility will contain leading edge technology that
will support high-quality academic science programs as well as important
and innovative general education.”
Come L.E.A.P. With Us!
More than 25 students are LEAP-ing at Clarion University this semester!
Our Leaders’ Early Admission Program (L.E.A.P.) began in 2002
and is designed for high school students who wish to take courses of a
greater scope and depth than what’s offered at their high school.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible for the program if they
took the SAT or ACT and meet two of the following criteria:
Students can attend on a part-time or full-time basis for summer, fall
and/or spring semesters, and can take on-campus or web-based classes.
To apply, students need to complete an undergraduate
application to Clarion University specifying part-time or full-time
enrollment and designating L.E.A.P. on the application along with
submitting a $30 application fee. Also
needed is a letter of recommendation to the Dean of Enrollment
Management by the student’s guidance counselor and high school
principal (a joint letter is acceptable) addressing motivation,
interest, academic ability and social maturity of the applicant. A
parent or guardian must also provide written consent.
Students who complete L.E.A.P. courses receive
college credits that will go toward a degree from Clarion or transfer to
another institute of higher education.
The program is funded by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit,
which allows businesses to contribute to Clarion University's innovative
educational programs, such as L.E.A.P., and receive a tax credit in
addition to their federal charitable deduction.
This funding allows the cost of a three-credit course to cost
$225 or $75 per credit hour for students meeting program requirements.
Our Venango campus in Oil City, Pennsylvania
offers a similar program called Jump Start.
To be accepted, students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA (85
percent) and an SAT score of 950 or higher.
For more information on the programs call the
Admissions office at 1-800-672-7171 (option 1) or visit
http://www.clarion.edu/admiss/LEAP.shtml
Summer Orientation Heats Up
Isn’t it weird to be a high school senior – at the top of your game,
older than everyone in the school, looked up to by all and then BOOM
you graduate from high school and you become a freshman all over again.
Making the jump from a high school senior to a college freshman
can definitely be scary and overwhelming, but at Clarion we try to make
that transition as painless as possible.
All new students and their families are invited to our on-campus
summer orientation where the “little things” are taken care of, so
students aren’t as overwhelmed when the semester begins in August.
The program is a day-and-a-half with students staying overnight in a
residence hall with another incoming student. New
students must attend one of the six sessions available. Orientation information is sent to students who have paid the
$100 Admissions deposit.
A Transitions fee, billed to all new students, covers the cost
of Orientation and new student programs.
The fee is charged to a student’s account and will appear on
the first billing statement. Family
and guests will each be charged a $40 fee if they commute to the program
or $50 if they require on-campus housing.
These fees include program expenses and meals.
This year’s Orientation dates are as follows:
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June 16-17
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June 23-24
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June 27-28
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June 30-July 1
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July 7-8
So what’s on the agenda?
Well, students will take Math and English placement tests
(foreign language if required by a student’s major) to gauge what level
of math and English a student should take in college.
Students receive their student ID; have lunch with faculty and
deans; tour campus and the town; attend
a resource fair; schedule fall classes and several spring classes and
much more. Students’
families also attend sessions tailored especially for them such as
financial aid and student accounts, housing and dining, transition
issues for families, health center information and campus safety.
But that’s not all! Before
students and their families leave orientation…
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They
receive a listing of critical phone numbers and offices, e-mail
addresses and web sites that they may need for answers to questions
that arise before the semester begins.
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Students
will know the location and phone number of their dean’s office and
the chair/director of the program through which they will receive
advising.
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Students
will leave with a working university e-mail account.
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Students
will receive a copy of the general education requirements and the
requirements for their major.
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Students
and families will receive an annotated list of clubs and
extra-curricular activities in which students might become involved.
Now doesn’t that take the stress out of coming
to college???
Back to the May
2005 eNewsletter
Debate Team Ranked 4th in
Nation
Clarion University’s debate team brought home a fourth place
victory this year after defeating more than 40 schools including
Dartmouth College, Case Western Reserve University, and Georgetown
University.
The 17-member team traveled to
12 competitions around the country including the American Debate
Association National Championships (ADA) where the team took second
launching them to fourth in the final rankings.
“To the best of my knowledge, this is the best finish nationally
for Clarion,” said Jim Lyle, the team’s coach.
“It’s amazing to think about what the team has
accomplished.”
“In the previous three
years we had teams reach the semi-finals or the finals of a competition
six times. This season we
had teams in the semi-finals or the finals at 12 tournaments, including
all of the tournaments during the spring 2005 semester.”
Lyle is planning to have some high school debate
tournaments on campus next year. “I
would like to host a round robin tournament for the top eight teams in
the state,” he said. “If
we can get debate started in the local schools it will sustain itself.
In the future, I would also like to see Clarion host a debate
camp.”
For
additional information on the debate team contact coach Jim Lyle at
(814) 393-2284 or e-mail him at jlyle@clarion.edu.
Back to the May
2005 eNewsletter
FirstEnergy Climbs Aboard
Talk about reaching new heights!
A partnership between Clarion University and FirstEnergy
will allow students to earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science
degree in Industrial Technology with a concentration in electric utility
technology beginning Fall 2005.
The 21-month (four semesters) program includes
general education courses, which will be held at Clarion University’s
Venango campus and laboratory courses to be conducted by FirstEnergy
instructors at a FirstEnergy training facility.
The program will prepare students for employment in a variety of
electrical fields, with an emphasis in the Line Worker area.
Enrollment is limited to 12 students.
For two-and-a-half days a week students will attend
laboratory training, which will consist of essential, hands-on skills
necessary for a Line Worker. Heavy
emphasis is placed on safe work practices and procedures in the
electrical environment. Students
will earn first aid and CPR certifications and a Class “A”
Commercial Driver’s License. For
the rest of the week students will attend general education coursework
at the Venango campus. The
course curriculum is as follows:
General Education
Math Excursions
Writing II
General Psychology
Legal Environment I
Economics
Fundamentals of Speech
Introduction to Business
Fundamentals of Management
Laboratory
Courses
AC/DC Circuit Analysis
National Electric Codes
First Energy Electric Utility Labs
Utility Co-op (field experience)
After the second semester, students will be
required to participate in a 10-week compensated and evaluated line
field experience with FirstEnergy. Students will be compensated at a rate of $14/hour.
The field experience begins in June and ends in August.
Admittance
into the program is a four-step process and includes a skills orientation to test students’ strength, endurance
and ability to work in an elevated position.
Students must apply and be accepted to Clarion University;
applicants who have been out of high school two years or less must take
the ACT or SAT. Math and
English placement tests are also required.
An 80-hour
preparatory Basic Wood Pole Climbing course must also be completed.
Students will learn to climb poles in full fall protection
equipment and be qualified as wood pole climbers at the completion of
the course. Students and FirstEnergy instructors will then determine if
the student possesses the basic skills and abilities required for
electric power utility work. Tuition,
lab fees and books will cost approximately $5,850 per year for
Pennsylvania residents living off campus.
Once a student has earned
the degree, employment
opportunities with FirstEnergy may exist based on grades, skills and a
student’s attitude. Current starting salaries range from $18-$21 hour.
For more information on the program contact Victor
Bowser, chair of the department of Applied Technology at (814) 676-6591
(ext 1307) or vbowser@clarion.edu.
Back to the May
2005 eNewsletter
 Add
Us to Your Buddies!
Our
Clarion University Admissions Counselors love to talk and now students
can talk to one over the Internet!
That’s right, we have gone high tech and started “chatting”
with prospective students using AOL Instant Messenger.
We can answer questions about our 90 + majors, the campus,
student life, the admission process and much more, so make sure to add
us to your buddy list: clarioneagle
guy and clarioneagle grl. We
are usually online from 3-5 p.m. – we look forward to chatting with
you!
Triangle
Tech Becomes New Partner
Triangle Tech, a multi-purpose technical and business
institution, is now the sixth partner to join Clarion’s Venango
Campus’ Applied Technology Program.
The partnership will allow students
to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Technology degree
from
Clarion
University
with a technical concentration provided through Triangle Tech.
The Triangle Tech concentrations add the possibility of career
preparation in computer-aided drafting and design; refrigeration;
heating; ventilation and air conditioning; carpentry and construction;
electrical maintenance and construction technology; welding and
fabrication technology and a sequence of technology subjects tailored
for the individual student.
Under this unique model, students complete general
education and business courses at the Venango Campus and the technical
component of the degree through licensed, certified, accredited and/or
otherwise approved technical education providers.
“When it comes to attending their technical
classes, students will find that they are working in smaller, personal
learning communities,” said Victor Bowser, chair of the department of
applied technology. “The
experienced craftsmen have a mentor’s flair and students will extract
value from every session.”
For more information about this program, contact
Victor Bowser at (814) 676-6591 (ext. 1307) or by e-mail at vbowser@clarion.edu.
Campusfest Rocks Clarion
After studying all semester, writing paper after paper and going to classes, Clarion students want to let loose and have some fun!
And what better way to have fun than to hold a week-long
celebration! The University
Activities Board (UAB) sponsored its third annual Campusfest this April
for students to enjoy themselves and relax before finals week.
Three musical acts and one comedian perform each spring.
This year the Clarks, Pete Schmidt and Jimmy Wayne performed
under the rock category, Dierks Bentley and Billy Currington in the
country genre. Laughter erupted at comedian Tracy Morgan’s act who is best
known for his work on Saturday Night Live. Acts that were on
campus in the past include Rascall Flatts, the Roots, Diamond Rio,
Cassidy, Fuel, Dave Chappelle and Jim Breuer.
The UAB is a student-run organization that is
responsible for bringing events to campus in the areas of the arts,
concerts, lectures, multi-cultural programming and recreational and
special events. For more
information visit http://www.clarion.edu/groups-orgs/uab/
or call (814) 393-2312.
Back to the May
2005 eNewsletter
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