James Gleixner
Distinguished Service Award

James Gleixner, who retired March 30 as assistant vice president for human resources, was the first personnel director on a state college campus when he started his duties at Clarion in June 1967.

In addition to guiding the personnel area at Clarion and influencing his field throughout the state, Gleixner was also responsible for the dramatic growth of the Clarion University Credit Union.

Gleixner is also responsible for directing and securing millions of dollars in job training money for Clarion University during his tenure.

Dr. Ngo Dinh Tu
Distinguished Faculty Award

Dr. Ngo Dinh Tu, a Clarion professor since 1996, was born in central Vietnam and graduated from National College in Vietnam. Fluent in four languages- Vietnamese, English, French, and German- Tu is also literate in Spanish. Vietnamese, English, and French were learned in school in Vietnam, while German and Spanish were learned through the use of self-study tapes from the U.S. State Department.

A South Vietnam military officer for five years before serving as a diplomat for the country, Tu was assigned to Ft. Benning, GA and later to Washington, DC.

Before taking over diplomatic duties, Tu was a teaching fellow at American University in Washington, DC where he also received a master’s degree.

Serving as a diplomat for his native country from 1961-62 and 1965-66, his main duties were working in Washington, DC for the support of the government of South Vietnam.

He finished work on his doctoral degree at Harvard University in 1964 and completed his dissertation in 1969.

A number of changes in the government in South Vietnam left Tu the victim of a coup and unable to return to his home. When he left Harvard his dossier was retained and sent to a number of colleges and universities throughout the United States. He received several offers in 1966 and Clarion was one of them.

Tu’s philosophy in the classroom is to be well prepared and challenge the student. "I like to challenge the students and give them a chance to ask a lot of questions," says Tu. "I even like them to challenge the instruction." He prides himself in knowing each student, even in classes of 100 or more.

Dr. Jayne K. Kribbs '68
Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Jayne K. Kribbs ’68, a faculty member and former dean at Temple University, was presented with the first Distinguished Alumni Award at Venango Campus during spring graduation ceremonies. Josephine (Joey) Zuck, a member of the Clarion University Alumni Association Board of Directors, presented the award.

Kribbs is an associate dean for graduate study for Temple University College of Arts and Sciences. She began her higher education at Venango Campus, earning 77 credits from the fall of 1964 through the summer of 1966.

She received a BA from Clarion University in 1968, MA from Pennsylvania State University in 1969, and Ph.D. from the Penn State University in 1973.

In addition to her present position at Temple University as an associate professor of English, Kribbs has held several prior management and teaching positions in higher education.

The majority of her last ten years at Temple has been as an academic dean. The past four years were spent as graduate dean in the College of Art and Sciences. She was responsible for the recruitment, admission, and retention of nearly 3,000 graduate students and for the academic programs of approximately 450 members of the graduate faculty in the 14 departments in the college.

She has published five books and 11 articles, presented a number of papers/speeches at various conventions, and served in many leadership positions on professional boards and associations.

One of the purposes of award was to recognize distinguished Venango Campus alumni and, in the process, inspire current and prospective students and the Venango County Community at large.

The Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni Award Committee consisted of: Greg Barnes, Linda Hawkins, Dave Marchand, Martha Ritter, Jeff Smith, Barb Stright, and chairperson James Kole. Also assisting were Bill Belzer, Libby Williams, Al Crawford, Lenny Abate, Glenn McElhattan, Rich Snow, Don Morgan, John Reinhardt, and Audean Duespohl. Special assistance was also provided by Ron Wilshire, Al Kennedy, and Interim Provost Helen Lepke.

Dr. James Demski '58
Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. James Demski, a 1958 graduate of Clarion and a native of Sarver, has been a member of the faculty at the University of Georgia since 1966. As a full-time researcher in the Department of Plant Pathology, he has developed a worldwide reputation in virology. He has published widely in scientific journals; has traveled extensively, giving invited lectures and training sessions, especially to those in underdeveloped countries; and brought recognition to his university and department through grant support from the Agency of International Development, U.S. Department of State.

Demski’s role in international agriculture is believed to have played a vital part in helping to reduce world hunger.

A new virus, which could have threatened the peanut industry, was discovered by Demski, and thwarted by his recommendations. The World Food and Agriculture Organization selected Demski to give seven lectures and laboratory training sessions at a workshop in East Java.

He has made presentations throughout the world, including Oxford University, the Chinese Academy of Science, and Brazil. He organized an international research team to address the problems with the virus he discovered. Members of the team came from Thailand, China, India, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia and Australia. The Agency of International Development has provided approximately $720,000 in support of Demski’s international project and recently approved its continued support over the next five years.

1991

Robert Crawford
Distinguished Service Award

Robert Crawford, an administrator and faculty member at Clarion University for the past 29 years, received the Distinguished Service Award at the 122^nd Annual Clarion University Alumni Association Banquet on May 4.

Crawford, the vice president for finance and administration, is in charge of matters concerning the physical plant, public safety, computer center, and plant services at Clarion University. He retired from Clarion on June 30.

"I am quite pleased and honored to receive this prestigious award," Crawford said. "I am very proud that I’ve spent a large part of my life at Clarion University. I provided the best service I knew how, and I am pleased to receive the Alumni Distinguished Service Award."

Crawford is a native of Punxsutawney and a graduate of Worthington High School, near Kittanning. He received his B.S. degree in geography at Slippery Rock State College and an M.A. degree in geography at the University of Pittsburgh. He has done additional work in cartography and photo interpretation at the University of Washington. He taught geography in the Grove City School System for six years and worked part-time in architectural design and cost estimating for the McGowan Company, Slippery Rock.

Joining Clarion in 1962 as an assistant professor of geography, Crawford developed the cartography program and was promoted to associate professor. He was named director of the physical plant in 1970.

"I enjoyed the classroom, but my administrative responsibilities have been so varied that I had an opportunity to do a lot of different things," he said. "The job never became monotonous. But, there was a lot of work to be done when he was named to his new position.

"The campus was in shambles when I was named director," he recalled. "Carlson Library, Tippin Gymnasium, and Marwick-Boyd Fine Arts Building had just been completed. Nair and Wilkinson Halls were just holes in the ground. Riemer Student Center and McEntire Maintenance Building were under construction. A utility project to install electrical, water, steam, and telecommunication lines was underway throughout the campus, and landscaping and sidewalks had not been completed. It was an extremely exciting time."

Crawford was later responsible for the design and construction of the Keeling Health Center, Becker Hall, Still Hall, and Rhodes Hall, and Suhr Library, at Venango Campus, in Oil City, as well as major renovation projections in several buildings, including Davis Hall, Stevens Hall, Hart Chapel. Steam Plant, and Montgomery Hall, at Venango Campus. "One of the things that was most exciting was working with the architect to design McKeever Environmental Learning Center, at Sandy Lake," he said. "It was fun designing and laying out the center that would be used for environmental education."

Most recently, Crawford has been involved with designing the addition to the Riemer Student Center now under construction, and during the next year he will coordinate the design of a president’s residence.

Crawford has served for the past six years as the vice president for administration.

He is married to the former Dorothy Simms.

They live in the Clarion area. The Crawfords have two daughters, Deborah, who lives in Grand Rapids, Mi., and Beth, who lives in Pittsburgh.

"Dr. James Gemmell was president in 1970, he told me that being involved in administration would give me an opportunity to leave my physical mark on the campus," said Crawford. "That has happened."

Dr. John Moorhouse
Distinguished Faculty Award

Dr. John Moorhouse, professor of education at Clarion University for over 30 years, was recognized as the Distinguished Faculty Award winner during the 122^nd Annual Alumni Association Banquet on May 4.

"This award came as a total, utter surprise," said Moorhouse. "Honestly, I am very, very please. I never dreamed of any of this, and I really feel honored that I was considered."

Moorhouse’s work at Clarion has followed two different paths since September 1961, when he joined the faculty to teach elementary mathematics methods courses. In his early years on campus, he served on the General Education Committee and the Early Childhood. Block Planning, and Promotion Committees of his department. He was part of the state committee concerned with the development of a teachers’ course of instruction dealing with diagnostic and remedial math. He also advised Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity and served as assistant rifle coach.

"It was great to have this relationship with the students and see them grow," he said.

An accident in `978 that left him paraplegic curtailed many of Moorhouse’s activities, but not his drive to help on campus. "I’ve had to do most of my work here in the building," he said. "I miss the school visitations, because so many places are inaccessible to me. After 30 years here, 40 to 50 percent of some school’s faculties are my former students."

Moorhouse helped to write the first book on accessibility for the handicapped at Clarion and has tried to be a support person for handicapped students here. "It is nice to be able to have a person to talk to that can empathize with your situation," he said. He served on the board of directors for the Frontiers in Human Resources program until it was disbanded last year. He has been listed in "Educators with Disabilities," the U. S. Government handbook on handicapped educators.

A native of Brownsville, Moorhouse received his B.S. in education from California State Teachers College, and master’s in elementary education and Pennsylvania elementary principal certification from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Ed.D. in elementary education and educational psychology from Penn State University.

He was in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 and from 1956 to 1961. When he joined Clarion, he was a teaching principal at Amwell Township School District.

"Clarion so resembled Tomah, Wi., the first community I lived in," said Moorhouse about his arrival. "the park and the theater were even in the same place, and the main street was wide. Coming from a coal-mining region, we wanted a good, healthy, clean place to raise our children."

"One of the major attractions was Clarion’s smallness. There were only 65 faculty members here when I arrived. Everyone knew everyone else. The students benefited from the fact that we knew them. It was very close knit."

Moorhouse and his wife, Doris, reside in Clarion. They have two daughters, Laurie Kulski and Beth Ann.

"I’ve always loved Clarion, the university, and the students," he said.

Dr. J. David Griffin
Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. J. David Griffin of Homewood, a 1967 graduate of Clarion State College, was recognized as the "Distinguished Alumni" award winner during the 122^nd Annual Alumni Banquet, May 4, at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Griffin, a vice president and executive dean of the Allegheny Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), received a B.S. in secondary education/mathematics from Clarion in 1967, M.Ed. and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in counselor education, and has completed specialized postgraduate work in the Academic Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.

In his current position, Griffin is responsible for leadership and supervision of the campus executive cabinet; facilitating and implementation of strategic planning, marketing, and budget development; implementing consistent hiring practices and authorizing all final recommendations; representing the campus at a variety of forums; establishing consistent interaction with bargaining units. He also continues as a part-time mathematics instructor in the evening division.

Griffin joined the CCAC Allegheny Campus in 1973 as a counselor. He has also been director of counseling (1975-82), acting dean of students (1982-April 1983 and December 1983-85), and dean of the Homewood-Brushton Branch of the CCAC Allegheny Campus ( 1985-89). He was named interim vice president/executive dean of CCAC Allegheny Campus in June of 1989 and was appointed permanently to the position in June 1990.

Upon his graduation from Clarion, Griffin taught at Lansdowns High School in the Baltimore County Schools, Baltimore, Md., from 1967-68. That same year he was named outreach program assistant for the Hill Detached Workers Program, Metropolitan Y.M.C.A., Pittsburgh. He became director of the same program in 1970. In 1971, he was named a counselor intern at the University of Pittsburgh and in 1972-73 was a teacher/counselor for the University Community Education Program at Pitt.

Griffin was appointed to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Task Force on Off-Campus Programs in 1989. One of 12 nationally known experts in non-traditional education named by the commission, he assumed special responsibility for administrative affairs. The Commission on Higher Education accredits colleges and universities in the mid-Atlantic region.

Griffin has received the 1980 Annual Black Alumni Award presented by Pittsburgh’s "Talk Magazine," the 1981 Outstanding Black Alumni Award from the Clarion State College Black Alumni Conference, the 1987 CCAC Merit Award, the 1989 Wilkinsburg NAACP Human Rights Award, and the 1990 Willie Stargell Most Valuable Person Award in the field of education by the Champions Association.

He is a member of the American Association of Higher Education, Black Conference on Higher Education, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Pennsylvania College Personnel Association, Association for the Study of Afro American Life and History, Pennsylvania Personnel and Guidance Association, and National Orientation Directors Association.

1992

Oleta B. Amsler
Distinguished Service Award

"I was overwhelmed when I opened the letter announcing I would be recognized," said Oleta Amsler. "I have always been interested in education. I started out with informal education in Girl Scouts and continued my interest through school board and university work." Amsler and her husband, Wilson, married in 1946. Wilson was attending the Penn State agriculture school and was assigned to Clarion State College. Eventually he was reassigned to State College and both he and Oleta received degrees from Penn State. They returned to Clarion following their graduations. "I have been interested in Clarion University ever since that time," said Amsler. "Dr. James Gemmell, who was one of my professors at Penn State, was named president at Clarion. I was very happy to see him come to Clarion."

In 1982, Oleta was appointed to the Clarion University Board of Trustees by Governor Richard Thornburgh. She spent five years on the board serving as president, vice president, and secretary. In 1983, she was named the trustee’s representative to the Clarion University Foundation, a post she held for nine years, including four years as president.

"I have a belief in higher education," said Amsler. "If we can help some student to continue in or start higher education, it is important. I also believe in helping Clarion. The more we help students the more students will be attracted to Clarion. The university is a very important part of this community."

Dr. Clifford M. Keth '55
Distinguished Faculty Award

Dr. Clifford Keth, a Clarion native, is retiring as professor of physics at the end of this semester. Along with Dr. Paul Shank, he is responsible for the development of the physics department at Clarion University. His 32 year association with Clarion University started as an undergraduate.

"I am very pleased with this honor," said Keth. "I am also rather surprised. I feel there are a lot of distinguished faculty on this campus. I have been at Clarion a long time as a student and a faculty member. There is some satisfaction knowing that what I spent my life doing has made some small difference somewhere. I look at Clarion’s alumni and see them making a major contribution to society. If I in any way helped in their education, I get satisfaction from that fact."

Keth received his degree in science and mathematics from Clarion State College in 1955 and taught mathematics until 1959 in Penn Hills, Cranberry and Marienville school districts. At that time, Clarion State College was looking for a basic physical science teacher and Keth was hired. Adding an M.Ed. in 1961 and D.Ed. in 1969, both from the Pennsylvania State University, he taught primarily physics and optics in addition to spending three years as planetarium director.

Carl and Charlene McManamy '63
Distinguished Alumni Award

Carl and Charlene Benninghoff McManamy are both 1963 graduates. Carl, originally from Oakmont, has owned Spectrum Dealer Service in Atlanta since 1985. Spectrum specializes in consulting in the automotive community, with an emphasis on developing better customer relations. Following his graduation from Clarion, Carl taught history at Plum High School until 1964, before joining the General Motors Insurance Division. He was also employed by Frank Fuhrer and Associates and served as president of Voyager Warranty Corporation of Jacksonville, FL.

Charlene, originally from New Castle, is currently a residential realtor affiliated with Remax in Atlanta, a career she entered in 1983. A life member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club, she has been selected twice as one of the top 100 agents in Atlanta. After receiving her degree from Clarion, Charlene taught English at Penn Hills, Plum Borough, and DuBois high schools in Pennsylvania and high schools in West Virginia and North Carolina. She was also curriculum coordinator for the Greenville County Schools in Greenville, SC.

Together, they served as chairpersons of the 1990-91 Alumni Campaign. "Charlene and I are most grateful and want to thank the Clarion University Alumni Association for favoring us," said Carl. "We hope in some small way we contribute to making Clarion an even better institution for the students."

"Carl and I want to thank all of the alumni who helped us with our fund-raising campaign and ask that each of you share this recognition with us," said Charlene. "We also want to thank the staff of the alumni office for their never-ending support. Without them our fund-raising efforts would not have been successful."

1993

Dr. Robert Baldwin
Distinguished Service Award

"I am still stunned by this," said Robert Baldwin about receiving the honor. "I never thought about it and it is deeply flattering to be honored. It means a lot to me. I have spent one-third of my life here. The quality of the people, the type of commitment, the desire of Clarion to be first rate kept me here."

Baldwin received his B.A. in philosophy and M.A.T. in secondary education from Wesleyan University, certificate as an NSF Fellow at Allegheny College, and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. He joined Clarion in 1971.

"The 1970's were an exciting time when we were looking at different ways to teach and conduct education," he said. "So many of the things that are current today we were doing in the early 1970's, but were terminated by the late 1970's.

Baldwin, who joined Clarion as the dean of the school of professional studies, was one of the overseers in the development of the McKeever Environmental Center at Sandy Lake and the Flexible All-Year School at Clarion.

The all-year school, housed in then newly constructed Becker Hall, provided a highly individualized instruction program for children during the entire year. Money for the program ran out in the late 1970's and the program was terminated.

The Penn-Soil Conservation Center at Sandy Lake, now McKeever Center, is a consortium operated outdoor education facility focusing on new teaching strategies concerning environmental issues.

Also during his term as dean, the habilitative science program in special education (now rehabilitative science), speech pathology and audiology, and psychology departments developed and grew in enrollment.

Baldwin was one of the leaders of the effort to separate psychology from the College of Education and place it in the College of Arts and Sciences.

However, Baldwin always looked at the department of education as heart of professional studies. "Education always carried an enormous burden in terms of teaching," he said. "In 1973, we added early childhood education, and later we added a graduate program in reading and a separate unit for elementary education that was merged with the department of education.

Following a retirement in 1981, Baldwin was named director of field services and a half-time teacher. He transferred to full-time faculty status in 1983. He served on the Faculty Senate from 1972-75 and 1978-88 and also served as a director of the Clarion University Foundation from 1979-84, the last three years as president.

Dr. William Kodrich
Dr. J. Robert Moore '57
Distinguished Faculty Awards

Two long-time friends and retired biology department faculty members, Dr. William Kodrich and Dr. Robert Moore, have been honored with the Clarion University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Faculty Award.

For 25 years Moore and Kodrich shared an office at Clarion University. They were also roommates in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. During their time together at Clarion they acquired in excess of $250,000 in contracted research funding for the university. Most of the funding was used to support graduate students and to purchase research equipment for the biology department. Both, even in retirement, continue to advise graduate students.

"I am very excited," said Kodrich. "I never expected to ever receive anything like this. I am glad Bob Moore is getting one at the same time because we were such a team at Clarion. I always thought of Clarion as home. I couldn’t have been at a better place at a better time. I was able to do two things I love, teach and do research."

He was the first in the family to attend college, receiving his first degree in physics with a minor in mathematics at Hartwich College. He attended the University of Pittsburgh earning his Ph.D. in biology. He joined Clarion State College in 1967.

Kodrich taught comparative anatomy, embryology, and basic biology at Clarion before moving on to other areas. In 1969 he helped organize the master of science in biology program. He had 36 students earn their master’s degrees under him.

"Bruce Dinsmore, Jack Shontz, Dana Still, and President James Gemmell helped shape my career for me at Clarion," said Kodrich. "They made it possible for me to develop the research program uninhibited."

In retirement, Kodrich is doing environmental consultant work and is active in Trout Unlimited and other professional organizations.

"Obviously, this is one of the most rewarding things that has happened to me," said Moore. "I feel very honored to receive the recognition. Clarion maintained a stimulating environment for me for 27 years. I have had the opportunity to develop a graduate program in biology and to continue an active research program.

"Perhaps our greatest achievement was the development of the Pymatuning Cooperative Program in teaching and research with the University of Pittsburgh. The benefits of this program are numerous: exposure of student to a more diverse faculty, facilities, and equipment sharing; availability of expanded course offerings for students and increased efficiency for all participating universities. Usually the courses are full and there is a waiting list."

Moore, a native of Cecil, earned his B.S. in comprehensive science and mathematics from Clarion State Teacher’s College. "I came to Clarion as an undergraduate with the encouragement of my uncle James Moore, who was dean of academic affairs at Clarion," he recalled.

The Soviet Union’s launching of Sputnik in 1958 created an accelerated need for the upgrading of science programs, Moore enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh as a research assistant/teaching fellow and earned his M.S. in botany and Ph.D. in biology.

"I selected biology because I did my best work in that area," said Moore. "Clarion was actively searching for professors when I graduated in 1965. They called and offered me a job at a competitive salary.

"If Clarion had remained a teaching institution, I may well have looked into other positions. But, they provided the opportunity to do research. If you can’t do research you tend to stagnate."

Moore also served Clarion in other capacities, including a four year term on the board of directors of the Clarion University Alumni Association and a three year term on the advisory board for the Clarion University Foundation.

Dr. Samuel Farmerie '54
Distinguished Alumni Award

"I am very surprised," said Dr. Samuel Farmerie (’54) about the recognition. "There are so many quality Clarion graduates, I am surprised that I rose to the top."

Farmerie is a professor of education, director of the graduate program, and former chair of the department of education for Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA. "I was one of the many first generation college students who attend Clarion," he said.

"I received a very good education at Clarion because of the quality of the faculty. My success was substantially due to professors like Thomas Carnahan, James Moore, Donald Peirce, and Waldo Tippin. "I sometimes think that the award should go to those people because they made it all possible."

Farmerie went on to earn his M.S. at Westminster College, and D.Ed. from the Pennsylvania State University. He was a teacher in the U.S. Marine Corps; a teacher at SRU Joint District; and an administrator at Lebanon Valley College before joining Westminster in 1966.

Farmerie is the author of "Clarion State College: A Centennial History" published in 1968. "My orientation as an undergraduate was in history," said Farmerie. "I always had an interest in and pursued history. I am very interested in college and local histories. I was finishing my degree at Penn State and volunteered to do the Clarion project. A Clarion history was something that needed to be done."

Farmerie recently completed an update of the history, which will be published as the spring "Clarion Magazine."

Farmerie was recently named Teacher Educator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of College and Teacher Educators (PAC-TE). Previously, he received the Westminster College Distinguished Faculty Lecturer award and was named the Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year by the Westminster Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.

While at Westminster, Farmerie has maintained links with Westminster College in Oxford, England, a teacher education institution which exchanges students with Westminster College in New Wilmington; designed the institution’s programs to meet the teacher certification standards of Ohio; developed a superintendents’ program to meet the needs of educators and school districts in rural northwestern Pennsylvania’s fostered involvement of teacher preparation students with Native Americans and in urban education; and served as a consultant for a variety of college and school districts.

Farmerie is very active in graduate education. He engineered the development of cooperative graduate education programs with Penn State, Edinboro, and Slippery Rock Universities, and was active with the Pennsylvania Association of Graduate Schools, including serving as the organization’s president. He also developed a three year in-service program for the professional staff at the Schutz American School in Alexandria, Egypt.

He is a member of numerous professional and community groups and has published in educational and historical journals in addition to presenting papers at education and geographical meetings at state, regional, and national levels.

1994

Dr. James Cole
Distinguished Service Award

Dr. James Cole was a professor of and dean of the College of Communication and Computer Information Science at Clarion University from 1967-88. Cole linked his business world experience with his academic background in developing the communication department during the 1960s. He watched the department grow from a handful of students to a college with an enrollment of over 500 undergraduate and graduate students.

Cole earned his M.S. and Ed. D. from Indiana University. He served as manager of the media division of the American Book Company in New York City from 1957-60, working with authors and editors of textbooks ranging from elementary through college. Cole cited the approval of a graduate program in 1968 and the approval of a media specialist certification program as his most significant accomplishments at Clarion.

In retirement, Cole is using his motor home for a lot of traveling. "We have been coast to coast," he says. "Things that we have seen in haste before, we now have as much time as we want to visit. We spend six months in Florida and visit our daughters in New Mexico. We are enjoying different cultures and having fun participating in them."

Mel Mitchell
Distinguished Service Award

Mel Mitchell was a professor of mathematics at Clarion from 1965-91. He was one of the developers of the mathematics curriculum for the school of business in 1966, was a recognized Commonwealth Distinguished Teacher, and was one of the originators of the CORES/ITEC program for Clarion University.

Three courses developed by Mitchell are still taught at Clarion. He received the Clarion Distinguished Teaching Award in 1981. In 1988, Mitchell and T.A. Carnahan created an endowed scholarship for secondary education mathematics majors at Clarion.

Mitchell remains active with Clarion University, serving on the financial committee of the Clarion University Foundation and a committee of appointed by President Diane L. Reinhard.

Dr. Glenn McElhattan '56
Distinguished Faculty Award

Dr. Glenn McElhattan is a 1956 Clarion State Teacher’s College graduate and a professor of chemistry at the Venango Campus, Oil City. "I am very humbled by this honor," says McElhattan. "I never even considered such an honor. I have been with the Venango Campus my entire career and I didn’t think enough people knew about me. I just think of myself as a teacher."

A Clarion County native, McElhattan has taught at the Venango Campus since 1968.

"I was planning on going into industry until Dr. Donald Peirce talked to me about benefits of teaching and directed me that way," says McElhattan. "He told me it would be rewarding and it has been rewarding."

McElhattan has worked to increase Venango Camps scholarship opportunities serving as chair of the Venango Campus Scholarship Committee for over eight years. During that time the number of scholarship offered by the campus has increased nearly 400 percent from eight to 40. IN 1993, an anonymous $10,000 contribution was made to the Clarion University Foundation to establish the Dr. Glenn R. McElhattan Scholarship Endowment.

Kay Ensle '76, '78
Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni

Kay Ensle (‘76, M.S. ‘78) of Oil City will be recognized as the Clarion University Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni during commencement ceremonies on May 14. The selection is made by the Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni Award Committee through the Clarion University Alumni Association.

Ensle is the director of the Oil City Library. After two years at Venango, she earned her B.S. in elementary education in 1976 form Clarion and continued on to receive an M.S. in library science in 1978 with additional certification as a public school librarian. She has earned post master’s degree credits at Clarion.

"Venango Campus provided me with a solid academic foundation for additional study," said Ensle. "I took the required classes at Venango Campus and then concentrated on my major at Clarion."

While working on her master’s degree, Ensle gained extra library experience by serving as a student assistant and an intern in the Suhr Library. After graduation, she worked in the Franklin Area School District form 1978-80 as a substitute high school librarian, elementary school librarian for three buildings, and elementary teacher.

Ensle joined the Oil City Library as assistant director in 1980 and was named director of the library in March 1984. She was a temporary instructor for the Clarion University College of Library Science. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Library Science in 1987.

Virginia Kaufman
Distinguished Alumni

Virginia Kaufman, a 1937 Clarion State Teacher’s College graduate, is an executive in Penn Art Associates, a Pittsburgh graphic arts and communication firm.

"This award comes as a surprise," she says. "I was aware of them in general, but I never associated it with my life. This a tribute to the good basic education I received at Clarion. That education helped to launch me on my career."

It is a career in which Kaufman has excelled for 50 years. Her Clarion education in mathematics and English, along with writing for and editing the student newspaper, paid off for Kaufman as her career progressed.

Kaufman continued her education at a business school for a brief time and worked at the Clarion County Thrift Plan, as a market researcher for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and as assistant to the director of advertising and merchandising for the Pittsburgh Group of Sears, Roebuck and Co. stores. She joined Penn-Art Studio in 1945, a firm that handled a variety of assignments for some of the country’s major companies. Becoming a partnership in 1983, the company downsized, eliminating its formal office, but still does some work through the homes of the partners.

"This award is a tribute to the people at Clarion and my good teachers," says Kaufman. "I was fortunate to work with people who were supportive throughout my career. The situation when I left college is quite different from today. At that time women were not well fixed for advancement., but Clarion had prepared me well. I am proud to be associated with Clarion University."

Jack White Fuellhart '68
Distinguished Alumni Award

Jack White Fuellhart is a 1968 Clarion State College graduate who has had a varied life from career style as a teacher, businessman, entrepreneur, and farmer. "To say I am honored is an understatement," says Fuellhart. "As I think of the many graduates of Clarion University who have distinguished themselves so well, I am greatly honored as well as being humbled. It is an eminent honor to join the ranks of those who have been selected to this prestigious status with the university. The privilege of being singled out as a distinguished alumnus presents for me a challenge and obligation to see that Clarion continues to pace emphasis on academic achievement."

A native of Tionesta, and a current resident of Crown, Fuellhart earned degrees in elementary education and business from Clarion. He taught in the Warren School District until 1969, when he purchased the Tionesta Cable Company, now the Allegheny Valley Cable Company. He organized a cable construction company to build cable, for his own and other cable companies. He owned and operated systems in Oklahoma and New York, founded Cable Systems USA, USA Mobile Communications Inc., and Cellular USA Inc. As a farmer, he spent three years experimenting with seed blending to achieve the "champion" crops.

1995

Martha Glosser
Distinguished Service Award

Martha Glosser has served Clarion University in many capacities for the past 34 years, including her present position as special assistant to the president.

A graduate of West Forest High School in Tionesta, she started working at Clarion State College in February 1961 as secretary to Dr. Dana Still, chair of the English department, and Dr. James King, dean of men and professor of history.

She became the first department secretary on campus in 1963 for the social science faculty until the fall of 1970 when the department split to form separate areas for history and social studies. She continued working with the history department. A 1972 promotion placed Martha as secretary to the director of libraries, Dan Graves.

In 1979 she was named secretary to the president, under interim president Charles Leach and served presidents Thomas Bond and Diane Reinhard.

In May 1992, Glosser began doing prospect research on a halftime basis and continued to serve as staff secretary to the Council of Trustees. She also played an active role with the Clarion University Foundation.

She plans to retire within the next year.

Glosser and her husband, Fred, reside in Shippenville. Their daughter, Mona, is married to Kevin Hartle, and they reside with their two sons in the Poconos.

Frank Clark
Distinguished Faculty Award

Frank Clark retired in 1994 after 27 ½ years with Clarion University and the Alumni Association Award tops off 42 ½ years of teaching. Clark earned his B.S. from IUP and a M.F.A. from Ohio University. He completed graduate courses at a number of universities in the United States and England.

He taught at Cranberry High School for 15 years prior joining Clarion State College in the summer of 1967 as an assistant professor to speech.

In addition to his teaching duties at Venango Campus, Clark twice served as acting campus administrator. He also served on many committees for Clarion University, Venango Campus, and his department; obtained several grants for the campus; and added three courses to the speech communication and theater curriculum at Venango Campus.

Theater was a passion for Clark. He worked with high schools, colleges, universities, and amateur theater companies.

Clark and his wife, Margaret, live in Oil City.

Libby Williams '56
Distinguished Alumni Award

For 28 of the first 29 years of operation of the Venango Campus in Oil City, Mary Elizabeth (Libby) Williams served as the librarian. That association ended with her retirement in 1990, but she continues to be active with her other Clarion University activities.

A graduate of Clarion Area High School, Williams earned a B.S. degree in education at Clarion University in 1956 and later earned a master’s degree in library science and an advanced certificate in library science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Following a year at Northwestern High School in Albion and five years with the Oil City School District, Williams became the librarian at the one-year-old Clarion University branch campus. The library in the Frame Building soon outgrew its allotted space involving Williams with the design of what would become the Charles L. Suhr Library.

In the next decade, Williams helped expand the Suhr collection, and modern library technology, and develop resource sharing agreements that aided both the campus and the community.

A lifetime member of the Clarion State College Alumni Association, Williams is active with the Clarion University Foundation, and since 1991 has co-chaired the Venango Campus Community Campaign.

Williams also remains very active in the community with the United Way, Red Cross, YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, Zonta Club, and the Oil City Chorus, a Clarion University Continuing Education program. She has been with the chorus since its inception in 1978.

Williams and her husband, Arthur, reside in Oil City.

Jim Kassel '33
Distinguished Alumni Award

Jim Kassel was the first president of the student senate and lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track as a student leader at Clarion State Teachers College.

Graduating in 1933, Kassel started a 26 year teaching and coaching career in St. Petersburg, Salem Township, and Clarion High Schools. He also earned a masters degree in biology in 1940 from the University of Pittsburgh. During World War II, he was a physical training instructor and director of intramural and intercity sports programs for the U.S. Air Force in Los Angeles.

In the late 1940s, Kassel taught summer classes and night courses in biology, field botany, and audio visual at Clarion State Teachers College.

Active as a Clarion resident, he operated a pet supply business, called square dances, and coached and managed Little League and American Legion Baseball for over 30 years.

Jim and his wife, Mary, now live at St. Andrews Village in Indiana, where they are active in the Calgary Presbyterian Church.

1996

 Jean Ferguson
Distinguished Achievement Award

The late Jean (Blake) Ferguson (1948) will receive an Outstanding Achievement award from the Clarion University Alumni Association during the annual Alumni Day activities on May 4.

"Jean would have been pleased to receive this award," says Harold Ferguson (1941). He married the former Jean Blake in 1947 in Clarion in a double wedding ceremony with their college and life-long friends Norma Bloom and Jim Siar (both 1947).

Jean (Blake) Ferguson died on Feb. 25,1994. She was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, spent her first three years of high school at Uniontown, but graduated from New Bethlehem High School (now Redbank Valley High School) in Clarion County. She received her B.S. from Clarion University in 1948 and M.S.L.S. from Villanova University in 1966.

She was a research librarian for Bryn Mawr College in 1957-58; school librarian for the Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, 1959-62; head librarian for the Penn Wynne Library, Penn Wynne, 1962-66; director of the Lower Merion Township Library Association, Bryn Mawr, 1966-79; district administrator/consultant librarian for the Clarion District Library Association, Clarion, 1979-89. She was a guest lecturer for Villanova University, Drexel University, and Clarion University from 1970-90. She was the recipient of the 1965 Penn Wynne Civic Association Award for outstanding community service; 1966 Summa Cum Laude, M.S.L.S., from Villanova University; and was the 1967 Pennsylvania Library Association Librarian of the Year.

"We had a tremendous time when we were students at Clarion," says Ferguson. "We have always been involved with Clarion University as alumni. We helped form the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter. We enjoyed Clarion and knew a lot of people. When we moved to Mayport we were active locally. Jean was active in recruiting students and was always very pro Clarion University."

Ferguson also recalled his wife as an outstanding mother; avid reader; community volunteer, who once took a Girl Scout troop to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands; and outstanding "canner," who once canned 140 quarters of peaches in one year. "She was just great," he says. "Jean was a motivator to the children. They were all oriented to education and went on to get advanced degrees and good employment."

The Ferguson’s have four children, Lorene Ruberg of Wheeling, W.V., James of Honeybrook, Blake of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Jeffrey of Perrysburg, Ohio.

Dr. Thomas Barratt '50
Distinguished Alumni Award

Retired educator Dr. Thomas Barratt (1950) will receive a Distinguished Alumni award from the Clarion University Alumni Association during the annual Alumni Day activities on May 4.

"I am very pleased to accept this honor," says Barratt. "Twenty-one years ago, I had the privilege of presenting the Distinguished Alumni award to Stanley Lore. I know several other recipients so it is an honor to be chosen for the award."

Stanley Lore was one of the reasons Barratt attended the then Clarion State College when he graduated from Wilcox High School. He spent a semester at Penn State on a Senatorial Scholarship before leaving to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. When he returned, Penn State was not accepting freshman on campus, but sent them to other state campuses. He selected Clarion because Lore, one of his high school teachers, was now teaching at Clarion.

"I liked it at Clarion and I decided to stay," says Barratt. "With the kind of personnel on the faculty at that time you truly got an education. The faculty saw education as more than a vocation and gave us an excellent background in the liberal arts as well as our majors. They also made us aware of being a benefit to society."

Barratt was a member of several honoraries and was president of the student senate and his fraternity while attending Clarion. Graduating in 1950, he debated teaching or going on in the field of pharmacy. "My father was a country doctor and encouraged me to get a teaching job," Barratt recalled. "Jobs were scarce and I was one of 52 applicants for a position in the BCI Joint (now Glendale) School. I got it, decided I liked teaching, and eventually went to Penn State for my master’s and Ph.D."

He was a teacher and administrator in the Warren County School district from 1952-69, serving as teacher and assistant principal in Beaty Jr. High School, Warren, from 1952-54; supervising principal at Sheffield Area Joings Schools, 1957-63; assistatn superintendent of the Warren Public School, 1963-66; and becoming the first superintendent of the Warren County School District on July 1, 1966, when 18 districts were merged into the new Warren County School District.

"The legislature passed an act in 1963 reorganizing school districts and allowing the county boards to do the district planning," he says. "In Warren County a single school district was created with four high schools. Even though I objected to the plan I was named superintendent."

It was not the last time that Barratt would take on an innovative school reform project. Moving on to Edinboro State College as a professor of education and director of the educational development center from 1969-72, he become the primary developer of the first school principal certification program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for any of the 14 state colleges.

"None of the state teacher colleges was able to get approval for a principal’s certification program," he says. "I wrote the program and set it up on a seminar basis featuring the principal as an agency of change. The program was approved."

Later, he was an administrator for the Gateway School District, Monroeville, and the Crawford Central School District, Meadville; served as dean of administrative affairs for Alliance College, 1986-87; and was director of education and training for the Meadville Area Chamber of Commerce in 1987-88.

Moving to Arizona, he worked in a medical/surgical supply business and as a part-time faculty member at Superstition Mountain Campus of Central Arizona College. He is currently an adjunct professor at Park College and Wayland Baptist University at Luke Air Force Base.

Barratt lives in Sun City, Arizona, with his wife, Jo (Anderson, originally from Kane), whom he married in 1950. Sun City is a retirement community for those 55 and over and Barratt has organized a World War II Roundtable with the intention of preserving the personal histories of those from that time period.

They have two children, Thomas, and Jennifer Alonso, and four grandchildren. Thomas is employed by Pratt & Whitney and resides in Clarksburg, W.V., with his wife, Sarah (Rudy, originally from Meadville), and daughters Errin, Carrie Jo, and Lauren. Jennifer resides in Peoria, AZ, with her son, Joshua Thomas. Barratt’s sister, Virginia Smith, still resides in Wilcox.

1997

John Best
Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni Award

John Best sought higher education a little later in life than the traditional college student, but was selected by the Clarion University Alumni Association to receive the Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni Award. Best, a 1990 Clarion University graduate, received his M.D. degree from the Temple University School of Medicine in 1994.

The Cranberry resident has lived most of his life in the Franklin and Oil City area. Graduating from Cranberry High School in 1973 he attended drafting school in Pittsburgh and worked at Joy Manufacturing in Franklin for 13 1/2 years.

"I was laid off twice," recalls Best. The Venango Campus was a good location for me to go to class, so I started to take courses in the evening to see if there is something I could fall back upon or perhaps switch to in the future. I took a wide variety of courses, but found out that I was interested in science.

"Dr. James Cole and Dr. William Belzer each talked to me and told me that I had reached the point that I would have to go to Clarion campus to get any additional classes. When I was laid off for the second time I started full-time at Clarion and with the help of the pre-professional committee, graduated and got accepted at Temple. I really liked my classes at Clarion and I was prepared to do well on the medical college admissions test."

There were 4,000 applicants for the Temple University School of Medicine that year and Best was among 178 selected for entrance. "I was exempted from the genetics course thanks to what I learned in Dr. William Barnes’ class," says Best. "The rest was more intensive than any college classroom I had ever been in. Sometimes we were all overwhelmed, but I feel I was well prepared for the basics by Clarion."

Following graduation from Temple, Best completed six months of his residency in family practice at the St. Vincent Health Center in Erie before requiring orthopedic surgery. With the surgery, Best, who is a hemophiliac, became the first in the country to use a recently approved clotting drug, which allowed the operation to take place. "I was involved with the drug study on hemophilia conducted in Pittsburgh and got to be the first to use it after it was approved," he says.

Best is a son of Esther and the late Floyd Best of Cranberry.

Charles R. Alexander '54
Distinguished Alumni Award

Clarion County Judge Charles R. Alexander will receive the Clarion University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award during Alumni Day Activities, Saturday, May 3, at Clarion University.

Alexander will receive his award during the Alumni Banquet, beginning at 12:15 p.m. in Chandler Dining Hall. Also at the luncheon, the Class of 1947 will receive reunion diplomas and be inducted into the Half Century Club and other reunion classes will be recognized.

Alexander, who graduated from Clarion State Teachers College in 1954, was appointed judge of Clarion County in November 1988 by Governor Robert Casey. He was elected to the position during the May 1989 primaries when he won the nomination of both parties and will serve until January 2000.

"I have many good memories of Clarion," says Alexander, a lifelong Clarion resident. "The college was part of my boyhood. I knew all of the teachers at the college and many of the student when I was growing up. A few of us used to sneak into Harvey Gymnasium to shoot baskets. The President, Dr. Paul Chandler, knew about it, and allowed us to do it."

Alexander also spent part of his youth in Cook Forest where his father, George "Heap", was a forester. Some of his early schooling came in a one-room school house taught by Lucille Cook and he graduated from Clarion High School in 1950.

When it was time to go to college, Alexander spent two years at Denison University, Granville, Ohio, before getting married. He returned to Clarion, where he took over the management of the "Modern Diner" from his parents George and Miriam Alexander. The Modern Diner was a landmark for Clarion students from the 1930s through the 1960s. Alexander continued to operate it until leaving for law school.

Working full-time at the dinner, Alexander also attended classes at Clarion and graduated in 1954 with education degrees in social studies and English. "I remember my literature course taught by Harriet Skaggs Hearst and the science class taught by Donald Peirce very well," recalled Alexander. "I almost switched my career to science after having Dr. Peirce, but I was too close to my degree to change my mind."

However, it was law that finally won out and Alexander’s Clarion education held up quite well at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated fourth in the class of 1957, cum laude with a juris doctorate degree and the Order of the Coif.

"It was something that I seemed to pick up on," says Alexander about studying law. "The flexibility of the schedule led me to it. I felt it was a good way to make a living and to be my own boss. I had time to hunt and fish and still practice."

Alexander was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas of Clarion County on Dec. 24, 1957, Pennsylvania Superior Court on April 11, 1960; Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Sept. 29, 1958; and Federal District Court of the Western District of Pennsylvania on May 20, 1959. He was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners in 1995 and is currently vice chairman of that board.

He started his own law practice in Clarion, which grew to become Alexander, Garbarino, Kifer, Speer, & Neely. Alexander remained with the firm until his appointment to the judge’s position.

Alexander and his wife, Maxine, reside in Farmington Township. Their children include, Charles Alexander, an accountant and timber consultant in Brookville; Dr. Stephen Alexander, a professor of physics at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; James Alexander, an attorney in Clarion; Larry Kifer, an attorney in Clarion; and Sandra Kifer, a returning adult student enrolled at Clarion University.

1998

Dr. James D. Schwab
Distinguished Volunteer Award

Dr. James D. Schwab (’49) originally intended a short-term relationship with the then Clarion State Teachers’ College, but found Clarion a place that he could call his own. He has been a willing helper for Clarion and its educational objectives for several years. As a result, he is being recognized with a "Special Volunteer" award by the Clarion University Alumni Association.

"Clarion did a lot for me,"Schwab says in explanation of his efforts to help his alma mater. Schwab served a stint with the Army Air Force and when he returned home, enrolled at Clarion.

"I planned to stay a short time and then transfer," he says about his college career. "But, like most other people, once you go to Clarion you tend to stay. I was receiving a good education, made several lifelong friends, and decided this is where I belonged."

After receiving his degree in social studies/geography with minors in English and elementary, Schwab went to graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh where he received his M.Ed. degree. He took additional graduate work at several colleges and received his Ph.D. in human services through Walden University at the University of Delaware.

Schwab taught in the elementary and secondary schools before moving on to the Oil City Area School District where he served as a guidance counselor, assistant high school principal, and director of guidance. Being a state licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist, most recently he has been involved with career testing and counseling of adults.

He became involved with the Alumni Association and as a speaker at Clarion’s college career program for high school juniors. He has participate in the annual fund raising campaigns at the Venango Campus and serves on the current Investing in Futures Capital Campaign. He has recruited several students to attend Clarion among his many commitments to the university.

Schwab also participates and volunteers in several community activities. He and his late wife, Shirley, have two sons, Bryan, a teacher in the Oil City School District, and J. Douglas, a vice president with Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh.

"Clarion was right for me," says Schwab. "I was well prepared for graduate school and I have so many fond memories of my experiences along with the life-long friendships I made there."

Joyce Fosdick
Distinguished Achievement Award

Joyce (Ulizio ’74, M.S. ’78) Fosdick, a native of Ohioville in Beaver County, received her B.S. in elementary edcation and M.S. in science education from Clarion Univeristy. She taught second grade at the Keystone School District in Knox for 20 years.

In 1989, Fosdick began organizing a service-learning project where her fellow second grade teachers and began a school-wide learning project Student Making an Impact through Learning Experiences with Seniors (SMILES) in 1991. While coordinating SMILES, she was named a Penn SERVE Fellow for two years, 1991-92 and 1992-93, serving as a resource for service-learning projects throughout the state under the auspices of the Governor’s Office of Citizen Service, Department of Labor and Industry.

By 1994, Fosdick and fellow collaborators at SMILES won a grant from the Corporation for National Service and established the Keystone School District as an AmeriCorps grantee. With Fosdick serving as executive director, Keystone SMILES/AmeriCorps moved into a vacant store in Oct. 1994, and by Christmas of 1994, she and 28 AmeriCorps members opened the Keystone SMILES Community Center.

The Keystone SMILES Community Learning Center Inc., was formed as a non-profit corporation in 1995 with Fosdick as the executive director. She was chosen as the president of the cdorporation’s board of directors in 1996. SMILES added a second building in 1995 and grew to 37 AmericCorps members and four staff. In 1996, in partnership with other organizations, SMILES added two satellite programs and now has a totl of 60 Americorps members, eight staff, and several other employees.

The Keystone SMILES Center in Knox provided the only day care center in Knox, while also providing an educaitonal classroom equipped with computer, a fithness, center, a gymnasium, and an open room. The center has hosted community and county-wide art shows, GED classes, first aid classes, and classes on computer use and resume writing. Senior citizens as well as youngsters have found activities at the center.

Joyce and her husband, Steve, reside in Shippenville with their daughter and son.

Mary Seifert
Distinguished Service Award

Mary L. Seifert (’46) is an alumna with family connections to Clarion University since it was Clarion Normal School.

"I love Clarion," says Seifert, a retired teacher who supports Clarion University through several scholarships and other activities.

"My mother and her entire family went to Clarion," explains the New Bethlehem resident. "I was well indoctrinated to it by my family and wanted to attend Clarion too."

Seifert was from nearby Kittanning, but lived on campus instead of commuting during the World War II years. The war meant small classes and an intimate setting for all attending.

Receiving a B.S. degree in secondary social studies and geography and a minor in English, Seifert went on to a successful career as a teacher. She taught for 35 years and retired from the West Mifflin School District. "Clarion prepared me for teaching," she says. "I had all the information that I needed to be a successful teacher. I also liked working with the children."

Seifert continues to show her affection for Clarion and the education of future children through support of scholarships at Clarion University. She recently established the Mary L. Seifert Music Department Scholarship. Its purpose is to annually reward academic achievement; departmental and university service; and the musical contributions of a junior or senior major.

This increased to three the number of scholarships established by Seifert’s family.

The Sabina Mooney Seifert Scholarship was established by Seifert in honor of the musical talent of her mother, a member of the Clarion Normal School Class of 1909. It is given to an incoming freshman majoring in music.

The Dr. John A. Mooney Scholarship, named for Seifert’s uncle who graduated from Clarion in 1915, is presented to a music major of at least sophomore standing based primarily upon musical talent and secondarily upon financial need.

Seifert also supports the Clarion University music department and actively recruits students for Clarion. In the latter case she has paid tuition for several students to attend Clarion.

"They are children of good friends, who didn’t have the finances to attend college," she explains. "I wanted them to go to college and be able to stay in college."

In the community, Seifert is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is actively involved in several local civic organizations, and supports the arts, the Presbyterian Church, and several charities and individuals, including Habitat for Humanity, Erie House of Prayer, and the Salvation Army. She is a member of the Metropolitan Opera Guild, a life member of Delta Zeta, the Clarion University Alumni Association, Clarion County Historical Society, and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees. She is a former member of the Mendelssohn Choir in Pittsburgh.

Her rich family history with Clarion can be traced to her grandfather, John A. Mooney, who served as a trustee for Clarion Normal School. Her mother and four brothers also graduated from Clarion and two of the family became medical doctors, graduating from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). "Clarion has done a good job of preparing everyone in my mother’s family for the world."

Romaine McClune
Distinguished Service Award

Romaine McClune has been involved with education at Clarion University for over 40 years as a secretary for the College of Education and Human Services.

Two years ago, McClune, a lifelong resident of New Bethlehem, was recognized for 40 years of employment at Clarion University. "I’ve been in college for 42 years and never got a degree," she jokes about her longevity.

McClune joined Clarion State Teachers College on Oct. 22, 1956, directly out of high school, as the first full time student teaching/placement secretary in the department of education. She has never worked in another department.

Clarion has evolved from state teachers college, to state college, to university during McClune’s tenure. She has worked in four different buildings migrating with the department office from Stevens Hall, to Carlson Classroom, to the Wood Street House, to Becker Hall, and then back to Stevens. Five presidents have come and gone, and she has had eight bosses, including current interim associate dean of education Dr. Vicki Harry, and she worked with eight other secretaries in the office.

"My job has always been the same, even as the staff expanded, student teaching and placement," she says. "When student teaching and placement were separated, I stayed with the student teaching. I do the paperwork involved in the initial student teaching assignments."

In this capacity, McClune has helped all of the students who have had field experience in the last 42 years. She said the number of students student teaching peaked at over 300 per semester in the late 1960s. These numbers declined with the diversification of the curriculum at Clarion and supply and demand needs of the school systems.

"This has always been a good job situation with nice co-workers," she says. "I also like the interaction with the students. I enjoy my work and I am contented to contribute what I can where I can. I appreciate receiving this award, there are many other deserving people on this campus who could earn one too."

Working at Clarion has also allowed McClune to follow the Golden Eagle sports teams, particularly the football and wrestling teams. "I have enjoyed being able to watch them play," she says.

Dr. Eugene Rhoads
Distinguished Faculty Award

For 22 years Eugene Rhoads was a leader in mathematics education at Clarion State College.

Born and raised in Lamartine, Rhoads received his B.S. from Clarion State College in 1951 following a stint in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46. "Clarion was only 16 miles away," he recalled. "Even during high school, area students came to take courses at Clarion.

"When I came back from the war, I was thinking about veterinarian school, but very few colleges were accepting freshman at the time. I decided to go to Clarion for a year. I got to play on the baseball team and I liked college so much that I decided to go into teaching."

Mathematics became Rhoads’ teaching field of choice. "I had math instructors that inspired me all the way back to high school, including Clarion graduate Norbert Masters," he said. "When I got to Clarion, Dr. Tom Carnahan, and particularly Dr. George Lewis inspired me to keep up with that study and Dr. Dana Still and Dean James Moore provided me with additional support."

Graduating, he taught secondary mathematics in the Smethport School District for 10 years, where he was visited yearly by Lewis and Walter Hart on their regular student recruiting visits.

During those 10 years, Rhoads went on to earn an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1961. He also did graduate study at the University of Chicago, Penn State University, St. Bonaventure University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Pittsburgh. He also attended the National Science Foundation Institute at San Jose, CA, in 1968, and was named to Outstanding Educators in America in 1980.

It was after attending a National Science Foundation institute at the University of Chicago that opportunity to teach at Clarion opened for him. "I had just finished my graduate degree and I was contacted by Edinboro State College about teaching for them," recalls Rhoads. "They contacted Dr. Lewis about me. Dr. Lewis told them that they wouldn’t get me because he wanted me to teach at Clarion, and he called to talk to me about a job."

Rhoads accepted and that started a 22-year teaching relationship with Clarion. He worked with Lewis to teach night courses to help upgrade area mathematics’ teachers’ skills. He was instrumental in starting and participating in the M.S. in mathematics degree for elementary teachers, was a consultant for the Title I Remedial Mathematics program, coordinated mathematics seminars for talented youth from 1971-80, conducted seminars in the metric system at area schools, participated in the Project Flourish Program, served as the liaison between the education department and the mathematics department, and supervised student teachers.

Rhoads was also chair of the Alumni Association board, served on Faculty Senate, chaired and served on the housing and dining committee and the mathematics department tenure committee and elementary committee.

Living in Clarion also enabled Rhoads to continue another passion, coaching baseball. With four sons of his own, he coached Little League, Connie Mack, and American Legion baseball teams in Clarion.

But when retirement time arrived Rhoads and his wife, Sandy (’71, M.E.D. ’75), relocated to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., a place they had been visiting yearly since the late 1970s. Sandy continues to teach school.

"I decided if I was going to take a second job it would be one that didn’t involve a lot of thinking," says Rhoads. "I started as a greeter at Wal-Mart in 1992. Four months ago they asked me to join the personnel department because of my background. They had a new store going in and had to interview to hire the employees, so I am helping with that job."

The Rhoads’ have four grown sons, Bruce (’76) of Bloomsburg, Gary of Mentor, Ohio, Brent of Ridgway, and Greg (’79) of Summerville along with 10 grandchildren.

Dennis Lavery
Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Dennis Lavery (’68) was honored as the Distinguished Alumni by the Venango Campus at its annual commencement ceremonies in May.

Lavery, an Oil City native who currently lives in Manassas, VA, is the deputy records administrator for the Department of the Army, Fort Belvoir, VA. He has spent his post-college career in Federal Civil Service with several different agencies.

He spent two years at the Venango Campus in Oil City, prior to earning his degree in education from Clarion State College. He went on to earn an M.A. in history from Northern Illinois University in 1971, and a Ph.D. in history from Penn State University in 1974.

"My attachment to Venango Campus remains both deep and affectionate,