The community event began with opening remarks by Clarion University President Karen Whitney stating that she really likes this time of the year.

“There’s nothing more absolutely wonderful that this week because all of our students have A’s,” said Whitney. “They’re in a good mood. Everything is possible, and it’s all full speed ahead.  I really love this week.”

Move-In-Day for new students is Friday, and classes start on Monday, August 29.

“Clarion University: 150 Years of Academic Excellence. What’s next?” was the topic selected for the Community Breakfast held in the multi-purpose room of the University Suites on Main Street.

“I’m very excited that Clarion University is celebrating our 150th anniversary next year as we plan for our next 150 years,” said Pfannestiel (pictured on right).

“Our academic programs are growing and thriving. As we look out to the community, we see the needs that our employers have, and we talk to our perspective students to learn what they are interested in.”

The provost highlighted new academic programs activities in the three academic colleges within Clarion University.

Highlights included:

Venango College, Health Sciences

• B.S. Sports Management

• B.S. Nutrition and Fitness

• Suite of Nursing credentials: A.S. -Nursing, R.N. to BSN, four-year BS Nursing, MS Nursing, and a Doctorate Nursing Practitioner degree.

• Master’s in Athletic Training

College of Business Administration and Information Sciences

• BS Business Administration-Paralegal Studies

• Master’s-Accounting

•Master of Applied Science-Data Analytics

• BS- Data Analytics

• Entrepreneurship

College of Arts, Education, and Sciences

• New concentrations in Arts and Entertainment Management and Financial and Actuarial Mathematics

• Freshmen inquiry seminars

• CU Start Early program where high school senior are allowed to enroll in a class, and if they decide to enroll at Clarion, the class is free.

• General Education Policy that delivers on skills, disposition, and knowledge sought by employers

Copies of the Academic Strategic Plan are available on-line by (clicking here.)

Asked if Venango College, located in Oil City, was considered an academic college or a location, Whitney said it was both.

A reorganization in recent years identified Venango as an academic college similar to the College of Business Administration and Information Sciences and the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences.  Whitney added that Venango College also holds the highest credentialed degree in the University, the doctorate in nurse practitioner.

“Our suite of nursing credentials have grow to where we have the most comprehensive suite throughout the entire Commonwealth,” said Pfannestiel. Likewise, our enrollment growth is matching that suite of credentials.  In addition, in Business we see growth in our accounting programs and finance programs as well as the new program in data analytics.”

“Our traditional programs continue to grow as well, as we work to offer the skills, knowledge, and dispositions for all of our students, so they can be prepared for the future no matter what the future may bring.  There’s going to be jobs available to our graduates five or ten years now that we can’t even begin to imagine.  As a result, knowing that we are preparing them to think well, speak well, write well, analyze, and work in teams we know that our graduates will be as well prepared if not more prepared than any other university in the Commonwealth as we move into the future.”

During the planning and construction of the new Main Street Suites, university officials said a decision to require students to live two years on campus because of the belief that living in campus housing provided a better background for academic success as students entered college.

The plan met with some concern from landlords in town and fears that the university might consider expanding the mandatory requirement.  Whitney said the university had no plans to extend the requirement.

“We’re not going to do that for a couple of reasons,” explained Whitney.  “Our model and commitment is for our freshmen and sophomore traditional students to live on campus, and then at a certain point to bridge out into the community, so they get to enjoy their Clarion experience.  This is a wonderful community; this is a beautiful Main Street, and there are places to shop and restaurants to eat and things to do around here. Did anyone watch them playing Pokémon down at the park this summer?  It was like a street party.”

“Our model is clearly around academic achievement.  We saw about eight years ago where our students were not matriculating from their first year to second and second to third at a rate that we were satisfied with.  The national research was clear, and the literature was clear, and when we looked at other schools that had installed the second year requirement — after we installed it more colleges have also done it.  Our goal was to have a retention rate that was better than our other state schools.”

The concept is more than just a physical building, and Whitney adds that it is the residence life program that makes it a success.

“It is not simply where students sleep at night,” continued Whitney.  “We have community assistants, and we have developmentally engaging programs that help create community that really work with students as they are emerging.  Frankly, when someone checks in they still have a high school mind.  We’re going to work with them to transition to truly being college students to hopefully be the adults we want them to be.”

“What will Clarion University’s Venango Campus Look Like in 2046?” is the focus of the Venango breakfast Tuesday morning at Venango College in the Robert W. Rhoades lounge.

The discussion is expected to center around initiatives designed to support Venango’s longevity, viability and sustainability, including development of new academic programming, re-envisioned Charles R. Suhr Library as a one-stop location for student needs, increased partnerships across Pennsylvania, and expansion of outreach to assist adult, veteran, and online learners.