Clarion University - Venango Continues to Grow

OIL CITY - Clarion University-Venango Campus shows all the signs of a growing regional campus, including growing programs and over $3.5 million in construction projects currently underway, according to a recent report to visiting members of the Clarion University Council of Trustees.

Chris Reber, executive dean of Clarion University-Venango Campus, outlined the various new and growing academic programs and highlighted a highly visible community project and its near completion.

"We're delighted that the long-anticipated renovation of the West End Pond is nearly finished," said Reber. "Work is expected to be finished in mid-October and the project will be truly finished next spring as time will be needed for plantings to take hold and amenities and finishing touches to be added.

"We are planning a community event next spring to celebrate the completion of the pond and the next two student apartment buildings, a two story and a three-story, which will be under construction in about two weeks."

Libby Williams, former librarian and chair of the Venango Advisory Council, proudly reported that the Campus had received over $840,000 in gifts and grants for the project.

Other Venango accomplishments during the past year include:


* The Campus hosted the second annual Birding Festival sponsored by the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism and a meeting of the Clarion University Alumni Association Board of Directors.

* The National Hardwood Lumber Association held its Lumber Grading School in Oil City, the first time it has been offered anywhere outside of Memphis, Tennessee. The school attracted 14 lumber industry professionals from Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, earning their lumber grading certification from NHLA during the summer. Several will continue their pursuit of Venango's associate of applied science in industrial technology degree.

* The second annual Barbara Morgan Harvey Community History Days celebration included campus and community activities, attracting hundreds of participants. Students, faculty, and staff also participated in the Oil Heritage Festivals in Oil City and Titusville, earning a second-place prize for a float in the Oil City parade.

* The School of Nursing and Allied Health completed the reaccreditation process for the associate and bachelor of science in nursing programs, both of which we be reaccredited for a full eight years. The pass rate on the national R.N. certification exam, NCLEX, topped 90 percent this year.

* Work continues with UPMC Northwest and Meadville Medical Center to provide the A.S.N. to cohorts of hospital employees and prospective employees. Three cohort groups are currently underway and Venango will begin a fourth next spring at Meadville Medical Center.

* Work continues on a self-study for national accreditation of the growing applied technology program. An advisory committee comprised of community and industrial leaders has also been formed to provide advice and input. Future partnerships and concentrations could include potential programming in sustainability, alternative energy, and robotics.

* Faculty are working on two new degree proposals, a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Operations and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Both would be upper-division degree completion programs for students currently in associate degree programs and would be offered on line. A goal of September 2010 has been set for implementation.

* The Venango Honors program continues to grow, with over 20 students enrolled and more on the way.

* Continuing education now includes non-credit certificate programs in Pharmacy Tech and Phlebotomy, both in partnership with UPMC Northwest.

* A new Club Sports program is now under development that will provide enhanced recreational opportunities for students, including club sport competition with other campuses and colleges. The program is planned for a Fall 2009 start.

Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.