Volunteer leadership is in place as Clarion University and Clarion University Foundation, Inc., move towards their largest campaign in history.
Chaired by Clarion University Foundation Inc., Board President Jane France, ‘71, the campaign steering committee is working actively to move the campaign toward a public launch.
“The steering committee’s role is to lead the planning phase of the campaign. This work includes approving campaign goals and timelines as well as vetting campaign priorities,” said Jim Geiger, Clarion University vice president for advancement.
“We are fortunate to have committed leadership across our constituencies to guide us at this point in our planning.”
“The number of new academic programs and the strong leadership in place across the colleges has heightened the foundation’s confidence, suggesting the time is right for a comprehensive campaign,” said France.
“As President Whitney continues to meet with alumni across the country, who are sharing their Clarion stories, it is clear that now is the time to engage our alumni and friends in a fundraising campaign. In the next six months we expect to have a clear plan on the goals and timing of publicly launching this campaign.”
Karen Whitney, Clarion University President and member of the steering committee, agreed that the key to a fundraising campaign is confidence: “Not only am I hearing the courageous stories of our alumni as I meet with them around the country and here at home, the news is getting better from Harrisburg.
“This year, we are receiving more funds — $800,000 — from the state than last year because our programs align more closely with a change in the funding formula. Also, the governor has proposed a budget for next year, which, if passed by the General Assembly, would increase the state funding to Clarion another $2.7 million. In addition, we are confident that our new credentials will deliver more opportunities for Clarion to be a leader in our region.”
The new credentials are:
- A Bachelor’s degree completion program in criminal justice administration and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Fitness.
- The introduction of two new nursing programs – Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice – which allows the university to offer the most extensive academic ladder of nursing program credentials within the state system.
Campaign steering committee members include:
- Chair Jane France, Vice President/Capital Markets Department (retired), Bank of New York Mellon Corp., and President, Clarion University Foundation Inc., Board of Directors, Pennsylvania.
- Susanne Burns, Owner, Burns and Burns Associates, and a member of the Clarion University Council of Trustees, Pennsylvania.
- Scott Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Burns and Burns Associates, and member of the Clarion University Foundation Inc., Board of Directors, Pennsylvania.
- Michael Hinderliter, ’71, Senior Vice President of Sales (retired), Travel Centers of America, Ohio.
- Mark Demich, ’79, Partner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP and member of the Clarion University Foundation Inc., Board of Directors, Connecticut.
- Scott Kroh, ’74, Owner, Robindale Energy Services Inc., and Clarion University Foundation Inc., Board of Directors, Pennsylvania.
- Frank Pici, ’77, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Monroe Energy (retired) LLC, and Clarion University Foundation Inc., Board of Directors, Pennsylvania.
- Ron Nowaczyk, Provost, Clarion University, Pennsylvania.
- Karen Whitney, President, Clarion University, Pennsylvania.
- Michael Keefer, Chief Executive Officer, Clarion University Foundation Inc., Pennsylvania.
- Jim Geiger, Vice President University Advancement, Clarion University, Pennsylvania.
