Dave McFarland has joined Clarion University as director of scholarships.
McFarland, who retired as a major after 22 years of service to the United States Army, formerly worked in the admissions offices of LaRoche College, Pittsburgh; Oakland City University, Evansville, Ind.; and at several small, private schools where he developed the National Merit Scholarship program. Most recently he was a loan counselor for PHEAA.
"The director of scholarships is responsible for administering the university's scholarship programs, including, but not limited to, all academic, departmental, need-based, third-party, foundation and other university and externally-sponsored scholarship programs," said David Behrs, associate vice president for enrollment management. "David will work closely with me and the Clarion University Foundation, Inc., in the development and allocation of Clarion University scholarships to students.
Since he began July 13, McFarland has been analyzing data, learning who Clarion has had as students in the past and which scholarships fit which students.
Clarion University has awarded more than $2 million in scholarship funds for the upcoming
academic year.
McFarland plans to implement a process in which potential incoming freshmen learn
about their awards earlier in the admissions process, with a goal of impacting their
decision.
He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental health from Indiana University and a master's degree in student personnel from Slippery Rock University.
A native of Indiana, Pa., McFarland lives in Kittanning with his wife, Colleen. They have two adult children, Elizabeth and Patrick, and three grandchildren. He enjoys reading, biking and hiking and is an avid fan of Pittsburgh's Steelers, Penguins and Pirates.