News and Events

Be in the know

Find out the latest about the university community, events and accomplishments.

July 13, 2017

State System receives recommendations as part of strategic system review

The consultant hired to assist with the strategic review of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education has completed its data collection and analysis and July 12 presented a series of recommendations for the future of the State System. The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems presented the recommendations to the public and system officials during the Board of Governors meeting.

July 13, 2017

State System Board of Governors approves 3.5 percent tuition increase for 2017-18

The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education approved a 3.5 percent increase in tuition for the 2017-18 academic year.

July 12, 2017

Clarion University announces opioid treatment specialist certificate

In response to the growing opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania and in the nation, Clarion University College of Health and Human Services announced today that it has developed an opioid treatment specialist certificate, which will be offered online, beginning this fall.

July 07, 2017

Clarion AFSCME chapter hosts Red Cross blood drive to ease summer shortage

Clarion University AFSCME 2326 will host a Red Cross summer blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 14 in Gemmell multipurpose room.

June 29, 2017

Student writers study with pros at annual festival

Clarion English professor Dr. Philip Terman accompanied six students to the 2017 Chautauqua Writers’ Festival June 15-18. The festival, held annually in June, brings six established professional, award-winning writers who work with attendees on fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

June 20, 2017

Educational investment pays off for CU grads

Nearly 1,000 Clarion University graduates began new chapters in their lives at spring commencement May 13, and they did so with college degrees in hand and, for many, full-time positions awaiting their arrival.

June 14, 2017

The Pygmalion Effect

In the 1960s, German-born and Harvard-educated social psychologist Robert Rosenthal published a paper describing how the expectations of researcher conducting an experiment influenced the subjects being studied. The paper piqued the interest of Lenore Jacobson, an elementary principal in San Francisco, who contacted Rosenthal and eventually offered her school as a place to test the theory in an educational setting.

June 12, 2017

Dollins will lead Clarion admissions with proven strategies

Clarion University has selected David Dollins as associate vice president of enrollment management. He will begin work in mid July. Dollins most recently served as executive director of undergraduate admissions and orientation at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. Under his leadership, NAU recently recruited and enrolled its sixth straight, record first-year class, representing growth of 41.5 percent since 2011, and is on pace for a seventh straight year of record enrollment.

June 08, 2017

Chomping at the bit

"My love for horses started when I was very young," said Sutherlyn Hollabaugh, a freshman. "I love the sense of security my horses give me: They never judge me, they usually never let me down in the show ring, and they're the best listeners. They've also brought some amazing opportunities into my life."

June 07, 2017

Data may be used to shape retention efforts

Can data collection aid in student retention? Three Clarion University employees think so and have the numbers to support it.

June 07, 2017

‘Love and Courage’ is theme of Clarion Juneteenth celebration

Clarion University will host its 15th annual Juneteenth celebration, “Love and Courage,” at 10:30 a.m. June 15 in Hart Chapel. Fred J. Hodges Jr., director of multicultural student services at Robert Morris University, will be keynote speaker.

June 02, 2017

Kirkland uses skills to help tutoring center grow

Getting the chance to work at the Clarion Community Learning Workshop afforded Camron Kirkland the opportunity to put his education to use before he graduated May 13, as well as pass on what he learned to another community center.

May 26, 2017

Greer and Sherman join Clarion University Foundation development team

Clarion University Foundation, Inc., has welcomed Michael A. Greer as director of development and Colleen M. Sherman as development officer.

May 22, 2017

Price joins School of Education as director; Stevenson is the new director of the Office of Field Services

Clarion University welcomes Dr. Gwyneth Price as director of the School of Education and Dr. Timothy Stevenson as director of the Office of Field Services.

May 18, 2017

Clarion University alumna named Shippensburg University president

The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education unanimously selected Laurie A. Carter to be the next president of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, effective Aug. 7.

May 18, 2017

Clarion Center for the Arts founder named Young Entrepreneur of the Year

BreAnna Kirkland Liberto, 23, founder and director of Clarion Center for the Arts and a 2014 graduate of Clarion University, has been named the Small Business Administration’s Pittsburgh 2017 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. She will receive the award during a ceremony and open house from noon to 2 p.m. May 20 at Clarion’s 800 Center complex, where her business is located. As part of the celebration, members of the community are invited to enjoy face painting, karaoke, magnetic poetry, a photo booth, art and pizza, and “everyone will learn some dance steps, because moving makes people happy,” Liberto said.

May 17, 2017

English and Modern Languages announces major of each month

May 13, 2017

First doctorates among 1,000 degrees awarded at Clarion commencement

Clarion University of Pennsylvania presented degrees to more than 1,000 students during spring commencement ceremonies April 12 at Venango Campus and April 13 at Clarion Campus . Included among the degree recipients were the first nine graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Additionally, 205 students received master’s degrees, 670 received bachelor’s degrees, and 175 received associate degrees.

May 09, 2017

Students shine at Advocacy Day

Students from the 14 schools in the State System of Higher Education participated in Advocacy Day in April and Clarion University once again sent a contingent of students who raised their voices for state system causes.

May 04, 2017

Students shine at research conference

The Academic Excellence Series showcases the best and the brightest of Clarion University and nowhere is that more apparent than at the Undergraduate and Graduate Research Conference.

May 02, 2017

CU Trustees vote to extend Whitney contract

Clarion University Council of Trustees voted April 13 to recommend to the chancellor of the State System of Higher Education that President Karen Whitney’s contract be extended to 2020. Her current contract expires in 2019. Whitney, the university’s 16th president, came to Clarion University in July 2010. During her tenure, she has led the university to articulate a mission to provide transformative, lifelong learning opportunities through innovative, nationally recognized programs delivered in inclusive, student-centered environments.

May 02, 2017

Cindy Nellis named director of Clarion University SBDC

Cindy Nellis of Clarion has been named director of Clarion University Small Business Development Center. Employed with the program for more than 20 years, she brings significant experience in program management, business and economic development.

April 17, 2017

"Almost, Maine" ends theatre season

Clarion University will conclude its theatre season April 19-22 with "Almost, Maine."

April 14, 2017

Clarion graduate wins $5,000 in business plan competition

Bri Nellis, a 2016 graduate of Clarion University, was awarded a second place prize of $5,000 in the sixth annual PASSHE Student Business Plan Competition. Nellis, of Clarion, who holds a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in marketing, will use the funds to expand her business, Bri Nellis Photography, into the Pittsburgh market, as well as to add drone photography/videography services to her menu of sports, portrait and commercial photography services.

April 13, 2017

Celebrate Earth Week at the university

The Society for Conservation Biology Club's will celebrate Earth Week next week and have a variety of events lined up to call attention to conservation.

April 12, 2017

Hip-hop artist Nelly performs at Clarion CampusFest

Clarion University’s 2017 CampusFest will feature hip-hop and rap artist Nelly at 7:30 p.m. April 21 at Memorial Stadium. CampusFest, an annual concert hosted by University Activities Board, will open with The Struts, a British band with a sound similar to the Rolling Stones and Queen.

April 12, 2017

Stein to deliver Holocaust remembrance lecture

Dr. Arlene Stein, a sociology professor at Rutgers University, will present “Holocaust Denial, Islamophobia, and the Politics of US Nativism” at 7 p.m. April 24 in Clarion University Theater, Suites on Main North. Her visit is in recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

March 30, 2017

Clarion University Equestrian teams win big

Clarion University's Equestrian Program has won its first ever Western High Point Team Regional Championship on Sunday, March 5.

March 30, 2017

Local college students impact community and beyond through volunteer service

Clarion University, Venango's Studying, Engaging, Exploring, Discipleship Club members recently traveled to Valdosta, Ga., to participate in Habitat for Humanity's Collegiate Challenge where they built a new affordable home for a family in need.

March 28, 2017

Venango Phi Theta Kappa delivers totes to Head Start

Clarion University, Venango Phi Theta Kappa members delivered 200 totes each containing items focused on reading, writing, mathematics, art, science, history, and fitness, to area Head Start programs. Behind the scenes, this project brings together children of all ages from toddlers to college students, as well as local nursing home residents to assist in preparing the totes for distribution.

March 23, 2017

Clarion University designates all-gender restrooms

Clarion University has designated all-gender restrooms in 11 buildings on the Clarion campus and in one building on the Venango campus. The facilities department identified buildings that had one-stall restroom facilities and converted those to all-gender restrooms.

March 23, 2017

Student Resource Center moves to new location

March 17, 2017

Business launch internship provides incubator, experience

Clarion University, along with its Entrepreneurial Leadership Center and Small Business Development Center, announce the Business Launch Internship Program. This highly competitive internship will help students gain experience in business development, market research, marketing plans, fundraising and financing.

March 17, 2017

Clarion University SBDC joins national SBDC Day celebration

Clarion University Small Business Development Center, along with Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, is preparing to celebrate the first SBDC day March 22.

March 17, 2017

Clarion faculty debate ‘Gendering of Speech Patterns’ at lunchtime panel

Clarion University Seifert Series will present “Valley Girl, Uptalk and Vocal Fry: The Gendering of Speech Patterns” from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 22 in Carlson Library, Level A. The event is free and open to the public.

March 16, 2017

Dede honored as Chamber's Citizen of the Year

Clarion Chamber of Business and Industry named Dr. Brenda Sanders Dede Citizen of the Year for 2016 at its annual fundraising dinner March 11.

March 16, 2017

Welcome back, students

Welcome back from spring break. We hope you had a relaxing time and are ready to begin the semester.

March 08, 2017

Task force named to develop new ‘institutional model’ for Cheyney University

Robert W. Bogle, chair of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania's Council of Trustees, and Aaron A. Walton, vice chair of the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education, will co-chair a task force charged with developing a new institutional model for the university. An advisory group of constituents—students, faculty, staff, alumni, community leaders, elected officials, and others—is being formed to provide input to the task force.

March 06, 2017

Col. Carmine Cicalese to present on Cyber Mission Force

Col. Carmine Cicalese will address the Department of Defense efforts to build a Cyber Mission Force. He will also discuss student opportunities for employment with the U.S. government during his talk which will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, in the Grunenwald Science and Technology Center in room 120.

March 03, 2017

International Women’s Day events inspire reflection, call for change

Clarion University women and gender studies program and the Office of International Programs invite the community to their first International Women’s Day celebration, starting at 11 a.m. March 8 in Becht Hall.

February 28, 2017

Musical ‘Violet’ runs March 1-5 at Clarion University

Clarion University’s theatre’s performance of the musical “Violet” opens at 8 p.m. March 1 at the Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre and continues through March 5. “Violet” is an award-winning musical based on “The Ugliest Pilgrim,” a short story by Doris Betts. Violet is a young woman who was struck by a wayward axe blade as a little girl when her father was chopping wood, leaving a scar across her face. In 1964, she finally saved enough money to travel across the Deep South for the healing touch of a TV evangelist that will help make her beautiful. Music and lyrics were written by Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley, respectively.

February 20, 2017

Om, sweet om

Mindfulness. "We're naturally born with it, and it goes away," said Joseph Croskey, director of Clarion's Center for Advising Services and resident mindfulness guru. "When we're born, we have a more pure acceptance of the sensations around us. We learn to like something – or not." What is mindfulness?

February 17, 2017

Bestselling author, eating disorders expert, visits Clarion

Clarion Student Senate, Bacchus Gamma and the University Activities Board will co-sponsor a visit by Jenni Schaefer, a renowned motivational speaker, author and respected voice on the topic of eating disorders, at 6 p.m. March 2 in Gemmell MPR.

February 16, 2017

Returning adults enjoy success with Clarion Online

When Jodi Mansfield decided to go back to school, she was worried that she had been away for too long.

February 14, 2017

Spoken Arts Series welcomes award-winning writer Nieson

Clarion University Spoken Arts Series will welcome multi-genre, award-winning writer Marc Nieson at 4 p.m. Feb. 21 in the university gallery, Carlson Library, Level A. The event is free and open to the public.

February 14, 2017

Series examines classic WWI novels and their film adaptations

Clarion Free Library will host a book series examining classic World War I novels and exploring their film adaptation. The series, “WW I Centennial: A Commemoration of the Great War through Books & Films,” is supported by a Clarion University Community Fellows grant and runs from March to June, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the war.

February 13, 2017

"Brothers" continues Seifert Cultural Series

The Clarion University Seifert Series presents its next event, "Brothers," at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the University Theater located in the Suites on Main North along Main Street.

February 07, 2017

Gov. Wolf proposes third straight year of increased funding for State System

Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his proposed 2017-18 commonwealth budget Feb. 7, recommending a third straight year of increased funding for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. The governor’s proposal would provide the State System about $453.1 million next year to help fund the operations of the 14 state-owned universities, an increase of almost $9 million from the current year’s funding level.

February 06, 2017

Clarion University to launch new College of Health and Human Services

Clarion University has renamed Venango College to the College of Health and Human Services, effective July 1, to better reflect the growing demand for the professional programs it offers and to better align the academic programs that exist on all of the university’s campuses.

February 06, 2017

Clarion production brings awareness to violence against women

Clarion University women and gender studies program and student organization The VDay Project welcome students and the community to their second annual production of “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer” at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 and at 2 and 7 p.m. Feb. 18 in Hart Chapel.

February 01, 2017

Reception opens collaborative exhibition at university art gallery

An opening reading and reception is planned for “The Four Seasons and Selected Works: A Collaborative Book and Exhibit” from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 7 in Clarion University art gallery.

February 01, 2017

Weaver appointed, Kifer and Ali-Zaidi reappointed to Clarion University Council of Trustees

Gov. Tom Wolf has named Neil R. Weaver (’00), York, Pa., to Clarion University Council of Trustees. The Council of Trustees is composed of 11 members who, except for the student member, are nominated by the governor and appointed by Pennsylvania Senate.

January 17, 2017

Subtropical studies

You can excuse Taylor Braunagel if you think she talks too fast, or if you think conversations with her jump chaotically from topic to topic. That’s because she’s busy, even in the context of a generation in which individuals pride themselves on squeezing 26 hours of activity into 24-hour days.

January 09, 2017

Teaching on the tundra

When Tony Knapp accepted a position as a teacher in Alaska's tundra, he knew it would be a challenge. However, nothing could have prepared him for life in the bush or teaching in a bush classroom - and more often than not, the two go hand-in-hand.

January 05, 2017

Community breakfast honors MLK legacy of love and courage

Clarion University invites the community to its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast at 8 a.m. Jan. 16 at Eagle Commons on Clarion’s campus. This year’s theme is “Love and Courage.”