Madelon Callen
Distinguished Volunteer

Madelon (Delp) Callen (’65 and ’86) is an outstanding volunteer for Clarion University.

Callen’s efforts include three years on the Clarion University Foundation Board; three years on the Spring for Scholars Auction Committee, chairing it twice; and as a member of the Capital Campaign Celebration Committee.

Callen retired following a 31-year career as a teacher including service at Sligo Elementary School and North Clarion High School in Clarion County, and the Hollywood, FL, school district. Retirement left her free to pursue other interests, including volunteering.

"I really believe in Clarion University, what it has done for the community," says Callen. "The surrounding area wouldn’t be what it is without it."

Callen’s roots go deep into Clarion University history. Known by the nickname "Pinky" when she was a student, Callen is a third generation Clarion graduate. Her grandmother Alice Riddle, graduated from Clarion Seminary, and her mother Ruth (Riddle) Delp (’31), graduated from Clarion State Teachers College. Two of her sisters, Avalon (Delp) Cordell (’57) and Vivian (Delp) Russell (’90) are also Clarion graduates.

In the Clarion community, Callen is a member of Immaculate Conception Church, the Catholic Daughters of America, the Daughters of the American Revolution (serving as their current regent), the American Association of University Women, Phi Delta Kappa, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She is a past president of the Seneca Reading Council and the Clarion Civic Club.

Callen and her husband, Darl, a retired Delta Airlines pilot, reside in Clarion. She has a son Geoffrey Campbell, and two grandchildren, John Kramer, 10, and Alexandra Campbell, 3.

Dr. John F. Kuhn
Distinguished Service

Dr. John F. Kuhn was Provost and Academic Vice President at Clarion University from 1991 until his unexpected death on September 5, 1999.

Notable among Kuhn’s accomplishments at Clarion were: development of new academic programs, enrollment management and student retention, curriculum reform, applications of technology in the classroom and student’s everyday lives, faculty and staff professional development, championing diversity and outreach activities, and catapulting the libraries into the 21^st century.

Kuhn previously served 25 years at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI.

He was a native of Detroit, MI, and received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and master’s in English from Loyola University of Chicago. He earned his doctorate in philosophy and English at the University of Notre Dame, where he was a teaching fellow.

During spring 2000 commencement ceremonies Kuhn was posthumously named the third recipient of the Clarion University President’s Medallion. Besides his wife, Lynn, Kuhn is survived by a daughter Deb, and a son, David.

Contributions to a Clarion University scholarship in John Kuhn’s memory may be made by contacting the Clarion University Foundation at 814-393-2572.

Dr. Brian Dunn
Distinguished Faculty

Dr. Brian Dunn (’71), professor of history and chair of the history department, has more than 30 years of association with Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He came to Clarion as a student in 1967 and returned as a faculty member inn 1978.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Dunn visited several colleges in western Pennsylvania with the ambition of becoming a high school teacher.

He enrolled as a Spanish major, but soon decided to change courses of study and pursue his real interest, history. Dunn went on to earn a BA from Clarion in 1971. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy then went to graduate school at Bryn Mawr where he earned a Ph.D.

Dunn returned to Clarion University in 1978 when offered a temporary teaching contract. The position became permanent.

He came to teach English history, but department chair Suzanne Van Meter ordered him to design and teach courses on Nazi Germany. Dunn continues to teach the German history course and speaks frequently about the Holocaust.

This is Dunn’s second teaching award this year. In February, he received the "Faculty Member of the Year Award" during the tenth Annual Scholar Athlete Luncheon. The award is voted upon by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and is based on outstanding support and guidance of students.

Ray Schwabenbauer
Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni

Ray Schwabenbauer of Oil City, an area computer and technology entrepreneur, was honored with the Venango Campus Distinguished Alumni Award at commencement ceremonies Saturday, May, 13, 2000.

A native of Oil City, Schwabenbauer attended Venango Campus of Clarion University in Oil City from 1972 to 1974. He earned his accounting degree from Clarion University in 1976.

Following graduation, Schwabenbauer earned a master’s degree in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He intended to pursue a law enforcement career, when U.S. Steel offered him a job as an accountant.

While working at U.S. Steel, he returned to IUP to earn a second master’s degree in business administration. Following a short stint as business manager for Robinson’s Wallcoverings, he joined Hardware Designers Inc. (HDI) in 1990 as vice president of operations.

HDI is a national manufacturer of furniture hardware with annual sale of about $14 million. As vice president of operations, Schwabenbauer has total responsibility for the manufacturing facility in Marienville and all accounting functions.

Schwabenbauer is a partner in both USA Choice Internet Services, LLC., founded in 1996, and Lexstar Communications, founded in 1997.

USA Choice Internet Services is an internet service provider based in Oil City, which serves more than 9,000 customers in seven countries in northwest and central Pennsylvania.

Lexstar Communications is a wireless communication company bringing broadband capabilities to western Pennsylvania.

Schwabenbauer and his wife, Janet, reside in Oil City with their four children, Bridget, Andy, Matt, and Scott.

Chuck Weir
Distinguished Alumni

From corporate vice president with Owens-Illinois to cattle ranching, Chuck Weir (’56) of Kingsville has used its Clarion University education to perfection, including in his current role as a member of the Clarion University Foundation Board of Directors.

The Beaver Falls native first came to Clarion State Teachers College in1948. Weir completed his education degree in 1956, following two tours in Korea with the U.S. Navy. He also played football and baseball in two decades with the Golden Eagles. He played football in 1949-50 and in 1955 for Coach Waldo Tippin.

Weir planned to teach history, biology, and English after graduation, but never reached the classroom. Instead, he accepted a position with Owens-Illinois.

Weir’s career took him to assignments in Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, West Virginia, and California, where he served a variety of positions. In 1981, Weir was named a vice president of the corporation, responsible for all 25 plants in the glass container division.

Weir retired in 1986 and started a cattle ranch in Texas, which he operated for 13 years before returning to the Clarion area.

Weir and his wife, Shirley, reside in Kingsville. They have four children, Susan Everett of East Alton, IL; Mike Weir ’75 of Lorena, TX; Mark Weir ’77 of Tyrone, GA; and Lynn Meyer of Austin, TX; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Weir has also served as a teacher, deacon, and elder, for various Presbyterian churches.