Clarion University Magazine Winter 2020

CLARION U N I V E R S I T Y

M A G A Z I N E

WINTER 2020

PIONEERS OF CHANGE

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a shift in educational experiences for some Clarion University graduate students this summer, but it also provided them with another opportunity to help some eager students in Spain learn English.

Dr. MaryPat McCarthy, a professor in Clarion University’s communication sciences and disorders program, explained that some CSD students were scheduled to begin their clinical experiences in healthcare this summer but were unable to do so because COVID-19 had forced facilities to refuse outside participants as a preventative health measure for patients.

At the same time, Dr. William Naugle, Clarion’s former English as a Second Language coordinator, reached out to McCarthy through the dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services about having students participate in a pilot project. The project involved teaching English to clients with Global Developmental Delays, McCarthy said.

READ MORE OF THIS EXCITING ADVENTURE HERE: WWW.CLARION.EDU/CSDSPAIN

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FEATURES 12 Pioneer of Change

John Shropshire ’61 mentored his colleagues, fostered racial tolerance in his community, and was the beloved Poppa Shrop to Black students whom he counseled to be a credit to their race.

18 The Work Continues

Alicia Shropshire grew up watching her father lead with love. Now, she’s making it her life’s work to help people understand and appreciate differences.

20 Building Better Lives

Dr. Brenda Sanders Dede’s first degree was in social work, to help Black people live better lives. Through working with students, serving her community and establishing cultural celebrations, Dede’s reach has gone beyond the boundaries of race.

24 Building Bridges

Rogers Laugand’s 30 years of working with minority students has turned diamonds in the rough into polished GEMS and RUBIES, many of whom help to bridge the gap in understanding other cultures.

28 A Matter of Perspective

DEPARTMENTS 4 Clarion Digest Theatre students present “The Marowitz Hamlet” through Zoom; LaTrobe Barnitz ’17 publishes debut novel; partnership provides business attire to students; innovation brings bedside experience to nursing students; student retention at Clarion highest in 29 years.

10 Vigil for Unity and Peace 32 Sports Roundup Athletics gets creative in keeping student-athletes safe during practice, conditioning; Clarion chosen to host four NCAA championships.

40 Class Notes 46 Frederick Douglass Institute Collaborative brings six student scholars to campus.

48 #WINGSUP Masaim Nouh resolved as a teenager to one day work in a library. As an IT supervisor at a public library in Connecticut, she finds fulfillment in being at the heart of her community.

Through the refreshed Black studies minor, Dr. Brian Roberts helps students learn how the American experience is viewed through the lens of Black citizens.

32 Embrace Melanin

Student Kiara Nixon’s senior project for her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree celebrates the regality of Black people.

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President: Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson Executive editor: Tina Horner Co-editors: Sean Fagan (sports); Amy Thompson Wozniak ’02, ’06G Layout: Bryan Postlewait ‘04 Contributors: Michelle Port Shawna Bish Photographers: Adam Reynolds ’15 Ashby Diaz Riley Hilbrandt Jared Sullenburger Address comments and questions to: Clarion University Magazine Center for Advancement Clarion University of Pennsylvania 840 Wood St., Clarion, PA 16214 Email: alumni@clarion.edu Visit Clarion University on the web at www.clarion.edu.

Clarion University Magazine is published by the Division for University Advancement for alumni, families of current students and friends of Clarion University. Alumni information is also located at www.clarion.edu/alumni.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania is committed to equal employment and equal educational opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, affection or sexual orientation, age, disability or other classifications that are protected under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other pertinent state and federal laws and regulations.

Direct equal opportunity inquiries to: Director of Social Equity Clarion University of Pennsylvania 216 Carrier Administration Building Clarion, PA 16214-1232 814-393-2109

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors Chair: Cynthia D. Shapira Vice Chair: David M. Maser Vice Chair: Samuel H. Smith Rep. Tim Briggs Audrey F. Bronson Joar Dahn Donald E. Houser Jr. Rodney Kaplan Jr. Barbara McIlvaine Smith Marian D. Moskowitz Thomas S. Muller Noe Ortega, designee for Sec. Rivera Pedro A. Rivera, secretary of education Rep. Brad Roae Sen. Judith L. Schwank Meg Snead, designee for Gov. Wolf Neil R. Weaver '00 Gov. Tom Wolf Janet L. Yeomans Council of Trustees Chair: J.D. Dunbar ’77, ’79G Vice Chair: Milissa Steiner Bauer ’84 Secretary: James L. Kifer ’83G Susanne A. Burns The Honorable R. Lee James ’74, ’83G Kaitlyn Krupa, Student Trustee The Honorable Donna Oberlander ’91 Larry Pickett ’77 Brendan Shepherd ’16 Howard H. Shreckengost ’83 Neil Weaver ’00 Alumni Association Board of Directors President: Theresa Zacherl Edder ’91, ’05G President-Elect: David Reed ’09 Treasurer: Michael Phillips ’03, ’04G Secretary: Samantha Noblit Thauvett ‘09 Michael Chapaloney ‘99 Brian Cook ’03 Henry Crawford ’02 Jeffrey Douthett ’79 Chelsea Signorino Ewing ’15 Lee Grosch ’62 Sandra Hollenbaugh Jarecki ’69 Bridget Linnan Kennedy ’90, ‘07G Thomas Launer ’10 John Marshall ’87 Barry McCauliff ’72 Sean McDonald ’97, ’01G Chris Myers ’12 Ryan Peffer ’03 Robert Schmidt ’69 Joseph Sciullo ’02 Samantha Noblit Thauvette ’09 Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas ’92 Virginia Cole Vasko ’88 Sydney Spang Eagle Ambassadors President Ann Thompson ex-officio Director of Alumni Engagement Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson ex-officio President, Clarion University

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PEHRSSON'S LEADERSHIP EXPANDS WITH INTEGRATION PLANNING By now, you may have heard about the plan of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education to integrate several universities with the dual purpose of providing financial sustainability to these universities and reduce the cost for students to attend.

Clarion President Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson is the presidential lead for the integration of Clarion, Edinboro and California universities, which will unite the institutions into one entity with a single leadership, enrollment management strategy and faculty, while expanding programmatic opportunities for students and reducing their cost to attend.

As of Dec. 31, President Pehrsson will also serve as interim president of Edinboro, which will puts her in a unique position to foster continuity and consistency as integration plans progress.

As a member of the Clarion University family, be assured that our campus will continue to offer the experiences that are so valuable to our students. All three universities, in fact, will retain the identities that make them unique.

As the planning process moves forward, we invite you to stay updated at www.clarion.edu/integration and www.passhe.edu/systemredesign (click on University Integrations).

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT The calendar year is ending, and it certainly was an exciting one. I hope that you and your loved ones have remained safe and healthy. At Clarion University, we learned much about ourselves. More accurately, we reaffirmed that whatever the situation, Golden Eagles soar.

Since March, when the pandemic necessitated a shift to remote instruction, our faculty, staff and students have nimbly adapted to new ways of working and learning. If conditions permit, we will resume some face-to-face instruction for spring semester. If not, we know that we can still provide top-notch educational experiences.

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is in the midst of redesign, with financial sustainability as the end goal. As part of that, the Board of Governors authorized planning for integrations involving six of its 14 schools: three in northeastern Pennsylvania and three in western Pennsylvania. The move is expected to increase academic opportunities for students while reducing cost of attendance. Clarion, along with Edinboro and California universities, comprise the western integration.

Working groups with people from all three campuses are mapping out what an integration might entail. The goal is for the three universities to have one leadership team, with one faculty and one enrollment strategy. Among the priorities is for all three to retain the identities that make them unique. That’s good news, for it means that each campus can keep its original name.

The redesign also places emphasis on diversity and inclusion. The State System welcomed Dr. Denise Pearson, a recognized leader on national education policy, as vice chancellor and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. Those areas have our attention, too.

This magazine tells the stories of some of the pioneers who have led diversity, equity and inclusion on our campus. Those efforts are ongoing. This year, I established a new Office of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs. Also, our new Presidential Diversity Advisory Council and existing Presidential Commissions continue to work toward social justice in all campus environments.

Yes, it’s been a busy year. We Golden Eagles see opportunities amid the changes, and rise high to the challenges. Wings Up!

Dr. Dale

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STUDENT NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

THEATRE STUDENTS GET NEW TAKE ON PERFORMING Assistant professor Rob Bullington isn’t letting the pandemic stop theatre production and performance opportunities for students. The production and November Zoom presentation of “The Marowitz Hamlet” is proof.

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STUDENT NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

"There are plays that work in this format, and obviously plays that don't. Traditional staging is gone, as are scenery, crowd scenes, special lighting effects and a host of other elements we take for granted when we go to see a play," he said.

What's left? Words. And the actors' faces. "'The Marowitz Hamlet' was in our planned season, and I decided to stick with it and try it on Zoom because, after all, it's Shakespeare. In Shakespeare, nothing is more important than the words," Bullington said.

"My primary objective has been to make sure the student actors have a valid experience of working with Shakespearean text, and to create something that is interesting to look at," Bullington said. "We do have costume pieces and props, and our technical theatre students – who would ordinarily have been concerned with designing and building scenery or working on lighting and sound – have been busily learning and implementing the software needed to "control" and edit Zoom."

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ALUMNI NEWS I CLARION DIGEST FAMILY TIES Hannah Wagner (center) will continue her family’s Clarion University tradition when she begins classes in fall 2021. Hannah plans to major in business and will play soccer for the Golden Eagles.

Her parents, Steve ’96 and Kim Freeman ’96 Wagner, met as students at Clarion University and married after graduating. Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing and is director of people operations for Idelic, Inc., Pittsburgh. Steve earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications and is a senior marketing manager for Webbula, Wexford.

The family lives in McDonald.

CASEY PROMOTED IN WORK FOR THE ADVOCATE

LaTrobe Barnitz ’17, MS ’19 has published his debut novel, “Soul Crystals: Arc of the Amuli.”

John Casey ’86 has been promoted to editor-at-large for the Advocate, the largest and oldest LGBTQ news outlet in the world. He has had the opportunity to interview and write about Dr. Tony Fauci, Mary Trump, first LGBTQ Supreme Court Justice Martin Jenkins, former chief White House photographer Pete Souza and many others.

In addition to his work for the Advocate, Casey is an adjunct professor at Wagner College in New York City and a public relations professional.

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Classified as an alternate reality fantasy, the book tells the story of Paul Engel, an ordinary, awkward teen who lives in a world ruled by superhumans called Amuli. Paul’s hope for a normal life flickers away after he receives a package containing a crystal-embedded sword which conveys to him incredible powers. Recruited into the shadowy organization A.R.C., he is forced to undergo intense combat training and become a living weapon to fight against the even shadier Amuli organization to protect his family and gain control of the world’s governments and major corporations.

Barnitz is director of Foxburg Free Library. His book is available through Amazon, Apple Books and Barnes & Noble. For more information about the book, visit www.privatedragon.com.

VENANGO NEWS I CLARION DIGEST

Oil City native Tayler Berry (right), a senior majoring in business management, is assisted by Keely Ritter as she selects appropriate attire for her future interviews. Ritter, a medical imaging major from Conneaut Lake who works in the Career and Professional Development office, has organized the space under the direction of Mark Conrad, coordinator.

LOCAL BUSINESS DONATION OUTFITS STUDENT SUCCESS A formerly unused office in Clarion University – Venango’s Suhr Library and Learning Commons has been transformed to accommodate a closet for work wear available to students.

Brittany A. Kerchersky, assistant vice president and director of human resources for Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, worked with Will Price ’09, ‘11 to donate gently used uniforms – black slacks and black blazers. The clothing will benefit students who need appropriate attire for an interview or to begin a new job.

“As an alumnus of both (Clarion University) campuses and now as executive director of the United Way of Venango County, Clarion and Venango are still very near and dear to my heart,” Price said. “When the opportunity arose due to a conversation with Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, I wanted to make sure that professional clothing could be put to good use. The Career and Professional Development staff are a key component to getting future grads ready for new jobs.”

The initial donation of clothing made by Farmers National Bank of Emlenton is an asset for the Venango Campus students as they enter the workforce. With retail clothing stores closing in the region, fewer choices are available for students to buy appropriate clothing. Additionally, many students simply don’t have a budget for a quality outfits expected for a work setting. Students can select two outfits for future interviews or other formal functions.

“This campus cannot begin to thank Farmers National Bank of Emlenton and Mr. Price for making such a worthy project come to fruition,” said Mark Conrad, Venango director of Career and Professional Development. “This area is blessed with both agencies and employers who always step up to the plate when a need is brought to their attention.”

Farmers National Bank employs several Clarion University alumni, including William C. Marsh ‘88, president and CEO, who are dedicated to building the next generation of leaders and furthering the principles of financial literacy.

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CAMPUS NEWS I CLARION DIGEST STUDENT NURSES LEARN ESSENTIAL SKILLS VIA ZOOM

Nursing instructor Dr. Melanie Best discusses the vital signs of a simulation lab mannequin with a student via Zoom.

When the university moved classes to remote delivery for the fall semester, Dr. Deborah Kelly, chair of the nursing department, and Steve Selker, associate director of computing services, brainstormed to replicate classroom experiences for nursing students.

They outfitted existing electronic health record carts to transform them into mobile Zoom carts. Traditionally, students use the carts to scan medication bar codes and update electronic records to learn documentation, implementation of physician orders and administration of medications.

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In the nursing simulation labs, cameras enable faculty to teach from the bedside. They place lapel mics on the patient, and students listen remotely to heart and lung sounds. Students perform a virtual assessment and check the patient’s vital signs, just as they would in a real situation.

In breakout rooms, student groups go through scenarios, document their findings in the electronic health record, and are graded on their performance.

CAMPUS NEWS I CLARION DIGEST Elementary teacher prep

earns an A

on national report card The National Council on Teacher Quality has included Clarion University’s undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program among the top in the country for its strong training in classroom management strategies.

The center assesses teacher preparation programs’ adoption of evidence-based classroom management strategies that are universally effective, regardless of student age or the subject being taught.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s undergraduate program is among only 14 percent of elementary programs that earned an A, and serves as a model of excellence for others.

CU 29 YEARS

RECORDS HIGHEST STUDENT RETENTION IN

Data shows that bachelor’s degree-seeking students who began as freshmen in fall 2019 returned for the second year of their programs at a rate of 77 percent, the highest rate in 29 years.

The retention rate for second-to-third year students is 69.5 percent, the highest rate recorded since Clarion began recording retention data in 1990. Student retention is a focus for Clarion University.

“I can’t say enough how proud I am of our students faculty and staff. They all contribute every day and it’s making a difference in the lives of our students,” President Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, Ph.D. said.

“It is mission-critical for us to help move students closer to their dreams and toward transforming their lives,” said Dr. Pamela Gent, provost.

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Clarion University and the Clarion community joined June 11 for a Vigil for Unity and Peace as a response to the death of George Floyd May 25 in Minneapolis. The vigil began with speakers at the university’s Becht Hall, then proceeded down Main Street to Memorial Park for a prayer and silent vigil lasting eight minutes, 46 seconds, the length of time George Floyd was pinned to the ground under a police officer's knee.

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John Shropshire 12

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was a pioneer.

Shropshire with daughter Alicia and wife Jamie

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In much the same way that pioneers in the Old West bravely settled in new territories, Shropshire ’61 settled in Clarion. It wasn’t 1839, and he wasn’t among the first residents of the town. It was 1972, and the civil rights movement of the 1960s was still fresh in people’s minds. Nine years prior, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech as the closing address for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

And just four years prior, King was assassinated.

Shropshire first came to Clarion University in 1957 as a student. He earned three letters as a member of the Golden Eagles football team and graduated in 1961 with degrees in English and secondary education/social studies. As one of the first Black teachers in the newly segregated Central Dauphin East High School, he taught world cultures, European history, humanities, English and Black history for 11 years. He was the first Black head coach of high school athletics in central Pennsylvania.

In 1972, Walter Hart, then director of admissions, recruited Shropshire as assistant director of admissions. When Hart retired, President Clayton Sommers elevated the open position to dean level and promoted Shropshire. He was Clarion University’s first Black dean.

IT WAS LIKE BREATHING Shropshire’s widow, Jamie, said her husband advocated for equity, but not just racial equity.

“He wanted everybody to be equal,” she said.

Shropshire was raised in a family with roots in Christianity.

His grandfather became a Christian as a young man in North Carolina and preached on the streets there. When the family moved to Pittsburgh to pursue work opportunities, the grandfather started the Church of God in Christ, Jamie said.

“It’s still in existence.”

Leading the church is a family legacy. After the grandfather passed, other family members, including John’s brother, then his mother, and now his uncle, have pastored the church.

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“He grew up in the church. The church was their life,” Jamie said. “John didn’t minister in the church, but he followed Christian thought. It was like breathing with him – taking care of anyone who was disadvantaged.”

“Whatever position he was in, he was taking care of people,” Jamie said. “If you were around John, you always felt like whatever happens, that guy can handle it.”

Shropshire pushed for education in rural areas as part of the Rural Advocacy Taskforce. He served as a Paint Township supervisor and, as a Clarion County Commissioner, he was the first Black person to be elected to public office in Clarion County.

“There weren’t many people who didn’t like him,” Jamie said. “They might have disagreed with him, but he was fair and honest. He had a manner, an aura of calmness. He was intelligent and well read. People respected him.”

BE A CREDIT TO OUR RACE In 1988, while he and his father were visiting his older brother on campus, current English professor Dr. Brian Roberts ’91 had the opportunity to meet John Shropshire.

Roberts’ father and Shropshire had been roommates at Clarion – one of few places that accepted Black students in the 1950s – and they reunited during the visit.

“He was an amazing man,” Roberts said. “He was six feet, five inches tall, handsome, had an infectious smile and a very warm demeanor. He gave me a big bear hug.”

When Roberts became a Clarion student the following year, Shropshire was a great influence on him and other Black students.

“He would have these beautiful meetings where he would call the Black kids together,” Roberts said. He remembers Shropshire’s words: “You have a responsibility. You have to represent African Americans and show that we can do as well as other groups of people. You have to be a credit to your race,” Shropshire told them.

“It was like he was our teacher,” Roberts said, “but he was also Poppa Shrop – that was his nickname. He was like our dad away from home.”

COLLEAGUE, MENTOR, FRIEND

Dr. Brian Roberts

Dr. Brenda Sanders Dede

As a member of the Dean’s Council, Shropshire was part of the group that hired Roberts in 1993. He helped to hire several Black women and men – including Dr. Brenda Sanders Dede and Rogers Laugand – who have continued Shropshire’s advocacy.

Shropshire and Dede

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“John Shropshire was my go-to person,” said Dede, who retired as associate vice president for academic affairs in 2018. “He talked me through some of the issues of being one of so few Black people working at Clarion. He helped me to understand so I could work at Clarion.”

Dede, too, described his aura as a result of his faith.

“When you come from a (Christian) family like that, you’re taught not to look at color, but to look at people, period.

There’s a gospel song by the Williams Brothers, ‘I’m just a nobody trying to help somebody.’ That’s how he was raised and lived his life.”

Laugand, director of minority services, said he, too, benefited from mentorship and friendship with Shropshire.

“He truly believed in education, not just as it related to students of color, but for all students. Everything he thought was about the students,” he said. “All decision making was driven by that. I try never to steer away from that: If we keep the students center, we end up in the right place.”

LIFE OF SERVICE A longtime supporter of minority education opportunities, Shropshire received the prestigious Mary Davis Baltimore Award in 1998, named in honor of one of the co-founders of the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education.

Shropshire was active in PBCHE. He was past president from 1996 to 1998 and was chair of the Education Policy Committee from 1996 until the time of his death in 2001.

Joe Pailin ’79 presents PBCOHE’s Mary Davis Baltimore Award to Shropshire

Shropshire with a group at PBCOHE meeting

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At the time of his death, he had been a member and past president of the Clarion Chapter of the International Rotary Club since 1978; a founder of the Clarion county Ethic Tolerance Coalition and chairman since 1998; and a member of the board of directors of the Jefferson-Clarion County Community Action since 1984.

Shropshire was a guest speaker on many occasions regarding rural education issues; he gave testimony on public education to the House Education Committee. He was a Paint Township supervisor from 1983 to 2000, and in 1999, he was presented the Outstanding Township Supervisor Award by the Clarion County Municipal Officers Association.

He also had been on the boards of directors of the Clarion county Red Cross and Greater Harrisburg Area YMCAs. He was president of Clarion County Municipal Officers Association from 1990 to 1994; a member of the Clarion County Tax Reform Committee; Pennsylvania Association of College and School Counselors from 1973 to 2000; faculty of Associations College Admissions Course at Bucknell University, where he served five years on the executive board; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Officers of Admission chair of Enrollment Management Committee; and Pennsylvania Universities Admission Association president for three years.

At Clarion University, he was honored in 1999 with the Distinguished Service Alumnus Award, in 1997 with Student Senate’s Outstanding Service Award; and in 2001 with the Black Alumni Association’s Outstanding Service Award.

Shropshire and Pailin

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ALICIA SHROPSHIRE: The work continues.

When Alicia Shropshire ’04 thinks about her father, she likens him to Mufasa from “The Lion King.”

He was strong, brave, wise. He was dignified; proud but not prideful. He was powerful, yet gentle.

He was a teacher, a mentor, a protector, a leader. He was admired and respected.

He was loved.

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One of the prominent memories Alicia has of her dad was when he spoke about affirmative action in one of her high school classes.

FORMAL EDUCATION WAS A PRIORITY.

A classmate raised his hand to challenge the policy of hiring a Black person over a white person when the two are equally qualified.

“My dad put into my head that I could go to college early,” she said. Her senior year of high school and freshman year of college were simultaneous. “He was there for my first year of college. It was monumental to be a student up there (at Clarion University).”

“To watch my father roll out the history lesson,” Alicia said. “He didn’t lose his cool. He just continued to breathe this establishment of understanding. He was so gifted that way.”

Alicia graduated from Clarion in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies. She has built a life in Pittsburgh that combines performing arts with continuing her father’s legacy of advocacy and education.

“He had such a warmth. He loved looking out for people,” she said. “He was a shelter.”

She works with Social Justice Disco, a group started by Jewish performers Phat Man Dee and Liz Berlin. The group uses music to deliver messages addressing various social justice issues. Through the group, Alicia leads workshops that bring to light the issue of cultural appropriation.

Their home, in fact, was a popular place for Alicia and her friends to hang out.

“It was a haven for kids growing up. He just wanted to make sure everyone was safe. He and Mom had such a way of facilitating spaces and conversations where everyone was learning.”

Alicia said her dad had an awareness that he had gotten himself into a place where he could give people chances – sometimes he was the last chance.

“He gave opportunities to people who were climbing out of somewhere. He’d throw them into that pond that was the university,” she said. “They were on their way (to something better), and he got to be a part of that.”

John Shropshire passed away when Alicia was 18, but in that comparatively modest number of years, she learned a lifetime of lessons.

“You’re born into it, because people have questions and you have to explain things,” she said. “I’ve had tough conversations. There are those who see there’s a problem going on, and those who have a hard time seeing reality. The answer is really simple: ‘OK, I see where you’re coming from.

Where do we go from here?’”

Through her work, Alicia wants to expose opposition and fear of change.

“We must look into that dark closet of America’s history, but it does not determine our future. It means we need to know this and understand our roots, understand what we’ve come from, to get to that level playing field.”

Alicia and mom Jamie at the May Vigil for Unity and Peace

Her parents crafted a family life in which learning was central, but it was fun. She accompanied her dad often as he met with groups on campus and in the community. He took her along to listen to jazz music, and they had lively conversations. She recalls going with her mom and brother to protest a toxic waste dump that had been proposed for location in the community.

Family vacations were often buying trips for Jamie Shropshire’s shop that sold Native American jewelry and pottery.

“We’d drive cross country experiencing so much culture and American history. I was always having a blast,” Alicia said. “It wasn’t until junior high that it sank in how novel our experiences were.”

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It wasn’t long after Dr. Brenda Sanders Dede began working in Clarion that she was driving home and noticed she was being followed. With every turn she took, the vehicle behind her took the same turn. It was a local police officer. Eventually, he turned in a different direction.

The next morning she called the pastor of First Baptist Church, which she had begun to attend, and she called John Shropshire, who worked to promote ethnic tolerance in the community.

By the end of the day, the police chief called Dede and apologized to her.

“When he asked the officer why he followed me, the officer said I fit the profile of a young, Black male. Once he ran the plates and they came back that I was female, he stopped following me,” Dede said.

It’s not unusual for people to be a bit nervous when they notice a police car behind them; no one enjoys being pulled over. Dede, however, was afraid for her safety. Not because she was doing anything wrong, but because she is Black.

If not for Shropshire, Dede might have decided that predominantly white Clarion wasn’t a place she wanted to be.

He introduced her to the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education, introduced her around town, helped her get involved in politics, the borough and Kiwanis.

“I came here from an HBCU. I had been to all Black schools, all Black everything. I would have people tell me my degree from an HBCU was not up to par with a university like Temple, but it was,” Dede said. “John helped me understand it’s not about the degree or the school, it’s about the person and how you apply your education.”

The way in which Dede applied her education was to help people. She had decided that long before coming to Clarion.

“My first degree was sociology,” Dede said. “I wanted to change how Black people lived and help people who were marginalized.”

HER OWN LIFE WAS FIRST.

Around the same time, a friend invited Dede to work with her in the library during the Knox Ladies’ Seminar.

Dede grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward, a poor, Black neighborhood where young girls were “supposed to get married and have babies, not necessarily in that order.”

Neither her grandparents nor parents went to college.

“I went to eat lunch, and a little old lady walked up to me and said, ‘Hello. How are you? What do you do for us? Clean our bathrooms?’”

She earned her degree through a weekend college program at Texas Southern University. During that time she worked as a clerk typist in the dean of students office. She

IT WAS THE LATE 1990s.

Dede with fellow Equity Award recipients Dr. Paul Klenowski, Ron Radaker ’99 and Kiara Green ’18

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finished her first degree at age 27, then continued through master’s and doctorate programs. She knew that education would allow her to have a say in what happened to her in her life and career.

An ad in The Chronicle of Higher Education brought Dede to Clarion University. She was in her 40s and her child was grown. She accepted a position as director of faculty research and development. With John Shropshire as mentor, she immediately became a member of the Black Conference in Higher Education.

“I found myself seeing the needs of students, and I started working with them. It helped me in my daily job; it helped me help the faculty,” she said.

As much as John Shropshire was “Poppa Shrop,” Dede gave the students the motherly love – often tough love – that many lacked.

She recalls working with a student who eventually revealed that she had been adjudicated to Shuman Juvenile Detention Center in Pittsburgh.

“What does that have to do with you being at Clarion?”

Dede asked. “She had nothing to build on. She had been in foster homes, in Shuman, everywhere.”

Dede and Shropshire were a key part of keeping her at Clarion for four years. She graduated, got her degree and moved to the eastern part of the state to work with youth.

A freshman basketball recruit’s introduction to Dede was the demand, “Where you going in those pajamas? You go back to your room and put on some clothes.” Dede also challenged her when she conducted herself in a way that was unacceptable. That same young woman had nowhere to go after commencement when her mother told her she wasn’t welcome back home. Dede took her in. Why?

“Because she needed me.”

Clarion University and the Clarion community need Dede, too. What does she see as her contributions?

“The university wouldn’t have the Martin Luther King breakfast, Juneteenth and the NAACP chapter. And they wouldn’t have some of the common knowledge as related to minorities, race and equality.”

Dede is a charter member of the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education. She has served the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education in multiple capacities, including president, scholarship committee chair, and historian. Her recognitions include

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Clarion Chamber of Business and Industry Citizen of the Year, Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education Presidential Award, National Resource Center and Cengage Learning’s Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate, and PASSHE Frederick Douglass Institute Support and Encouragement award.

Her love for America continues to inspire her.

“When the Constitution was written, because the South had slaves and outnumbered the North, they wanted slaves to be counted. The North said no. When the Constitution was finally ratified, slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person. They didn’t count Native Americans at all. It took an amendment to the Constitution to make us whole people.

The Emancipation Proclamation spoke to it and said we would have all the rights of an American, but how long did it take for people to really act the way the emancipation proclamation talked about?”

“I was born in the United States of America. Yes, I visited Africa, and yes, I loved it and was overjoyed to be there, but I’m an American. I love this country so much that it must be better,” Dede said.

Dede retired from Clarion University in 2018 after serving as associate vice president for academic affairs for the previous six years. She remains active in the Clarion community, including as an elected member of Clarion Borough Council since 2010.

Dede at campus events including the Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations she initiated.

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"We are all one with

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As dean of admissions, John Shropshire hired Rogers Laugand in 1990 as assistant director of admissions for minority recruitment. Although Laugand worked just a couple of years in admissions before becoming director of minority services, his work has, in many ways, paralleled that of Shropshire.

The two worked in tandem to begin the WEB Dubois Scholarship, which continues today. Over the years the scholarship has awarded more than $11,000 to help minority students realize their dream of a college degree.

They collaborated to begin the Building Bridges program, the goal of which is to create a culture that’s open to dialog about race. Through Building Bridges, student diversity ambassadors visit classrooms by invitation of faculty or student organizations and facilitate conversations around diversity and race issues.

“We have open and honest discussions,” Laugand said.

“We try to formulate simple actions to incorporate into our lives to facilitate change.”

After the program, the students in the classroom are asked to fill out an evaluation. As part of that, they are asked what action they plan to take. Answers vary, but some students might say they plan to join a multicultural organization, while others vow to challenge incidents of racism that they witness, or simply be open minded.

“We’re trying to change the culture for our students to one that’s welcoming and accepting and celebrates diversity,” Laugand said. “The beauty of it is it’s peer to peer.”

Since the program began, close to 300 students have served as diversity ambassadors, but their work didn’t stop when they graduated. They have gone on to become teachers and superintendents who implement similar programs in their own schools, or professionals who begin programs in their fields of business.

Currently, the program has 20 diversity ambassadors who have continued Building Bridges via Zoom this fall, due to the majority of students living off campus because of the pandemic.

Under Laugand’s direction, the Office of Minority Student Services launched the GEMS program for African American and LatinX males, then a couple of years later, the RUBIES program for African American and LatinX females.

“Our overall goal is to work with students to increase retention and graduation rates,” Laugand said. “Some of the students aren’t as strong academically; we meet with them

and make sure there are a lot of contacts between them and mentors,” “It’s a little more intrusive,” he said. Ideally, the student participants are paired with peer mentors. Along with academic support, building leadership qualities in the students is a component of the programs.

“We try to help them get involved with an organization based on their interests. Around the sophomore year, we might encourage them to hold a leadership position,” he said.

Another main area of focus is supporting the students in applying for financial aid.

“For this group, financial aid and retention go hand in hand,” he said. Laugand likes to have a supplemental program for each cohort. “One time the group had lunch with Reggie Wells Sr. We’ve sponsored them to attend leadership conferences, and we had a book club in which we read the Malcolm X autobiography,” This fall, Clarion combined Minority Services, International Programs and Social Equity to form the Office of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs. The move supports the ability of the three offices to work in conjunction to meet diversity goals.

Laugand, who directs multicultural affairs and diversity education, said his goal will continue to be fostering diversity through education. As part of that, he is creating an Inclusive Community Assessment Team which will focus on issues of bias speech.

“We’re trying to navigate the fine line between free speech and hate speech,” he said. “Somebody might say something we might not like, but the First Amendment right has to be protected; we can’t penalize for speech.”

He'll refer incidents that rise to the level of a hate crime to the Public Safety Office, but he sees biased or hate speech as an opportunity for a conversation to educate both parties and encourage self-expression in a different way.

Laugand’s work continues what Shropshire began.

“It’s our business. We’re about educating, and a diverse student population is good for all students,” he said. “We’re preparing students to work and live in a society that’s diverse.”

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New office advances work in diversity, social equity, multicultural education.

Amy Salsgiver

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Marcy Schlueter

Clarion University has established a new Office of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, effective Sept.

1. The office brings together professionals who will work together to develop policies and procedures to advance student and employee equity, diversity, inclusion, multicultural and international education, and social justice.

It includes Rogers Laugand III, who moved from director of minority student services to director of multicultural affairs and diversity education; Amy Salsgiver, director of social equity; and Marcy Schlueter, international student advisor and study abroad coordinator.

environment that is welcoming and accepting of all people, and more specifically, people of color.”

As part of his expanded role, Laugand advises the President’s Executive Council on issues, ideas and concerns of students of color who attend Clarion University. Laugand reports directly to President Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson.

“Hearing the voice of students through the lens of diversity is critical to better support of student progress, retention and graduation,” Pehrsson said. “Rogers’ input at this level will influence, shape and change policy.”

Laugand, a specialist in student affairs and multicultural education, has been involved in diversity leadership since his arrival at Clarion University in August 1990. Among his accomplishments, he started GEMS and RUBIES, programs which focus primarily on the retention and graduation of African American male and female students. He established the W.E.B. DuBois scholarship Fund to assist minority students with the purchase of books, and he co-founded the Building Bridges Program, which promotes diversity and builds race relations through open and honest dialogue, both on campus and in the community.

Salsgiver’s work as director of social equity expanded to include coordination of Title IX, part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. She also provides support for international students.

“My main goal is to work with the university community to advance diversity efforts both on and off campus,” Laugand said. “Through collaboration, the hope is to create an

Schlueter continues as the international student advisor.

She provides support and guidance to domestic students that have a desire to study abroad.

“The new office offers an exciting opportunity to expand our work in diversity and equity for the university community,” Salsgiver said. “The last several months have shown that Clarion can and will come together to meet the needs of our students and employees. The creation of this office is another step in that path forward.”

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ROBERTS TRILOGY LOOKS AT EXPERIENCES OF BLACK AMERICANS When Brian Roberts decided to pay tribute to his heritage and how he became who he is, he did it in the way that he knows best – the written word. More specifically, Roberts embarked on a project to pen a trilogy of plays that told the stories of his grandfather, uncle and father and their experiences as Black men in America.

“I wanted to write about three generations of Black men. My grandfather, Edward, was born in 1889, so my great-grandparents were most likely slaves. Uncle Hugh was born in 1926, and my father was born in 1939,” Roberts said. “To recognize my heritage, I thought it would be great to write a play about my grandfather and how he influenced my uncle, and how my uncle influenced my dad. That’s the trilogy.”

He completed “Edward’s Blues” about six years ago. “Hugh’s Blues,” also complete, tells his uncle’s story. He is in the process of writing the third play, “Danny’s Blues,” about his father. “’Edward’s Blues’ focuses on AfricanAmerican blue collar workers, ministers, and World War I soldiers and veterans who lived in the Hill District in Pittsburgh during the early part of the 20th century,” Roberts said.

Through the play, he shares the unsung heroism of the men, who survived oppression, racism and discrimination in the workplace, in their neighborhoods and on the battlefields in Europe.

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“It is a historical, yet fictional account of what it was like for Black men to work in harsh working conditions and oppressive environments during this time period,” Roberts said. “My grandfather actually worked as a custodian and minister in Pittsburgh after World War I, but I wanted to write a scene that represented the plight of many African American men during the first 20 years of the 20th century.”

In “Edward’s Blues,” his grandfather works in a Pittsburgh steel mill in the early 1900s, prior to World War I.

Excerpt from Scene 3 Homestead Steel Works – 1914 Lights come up on stage. Edward and Mason are wearing dust-covered, white khaki shirts, overalls and brogans. They are shoveling piles of ore into a blast furnace. Sweat is pouring off their brows and into their ears. They can feel the intense heat coming from the blast furnaces. They have almost completed their 12- hour shift.

Edward: Mason, why are we still working in this Godforsaken place? I’ll never get used to this heat. I always feel like my lungs are about to burst. We’ve been working here for almost three years now, and we still got the worst jobs at the mill.

Mason: Well, my good man Edward, this is the only work we can get right now. They need our Colored asses to do the dirty jobs that the white man don’t want to do. They think we were built for these jobs. Colored man loves the sun so much so he must love the heat. These furnaces are over 2,000 degrees hot! Colored folks don’t love this much heat.

Edward: We sure don’t. (Edward wipes his brow with his hand and looks around.) Where’s Saul? I haven’t seen him all day.

Mason: Saul’s working with another shift crew. They got him and Benny, that older Colored fella, working with the Serbs. You know they give the colored men and the Serbs the most dangerous jobs here at the mill.

(Saul comes running towards them. He is panting and trying to catch his breath.)

Saul: Did you hear about Benny? (Still panting) Did you hear about Benny?

Mason: Yeah, what’s wrong with Benny?

Saul: (Finally catching his breath and shouting) Benny’s dead man! Benny’s dead! (A look of horror comes over Edward’s and Mason’s faces.)

Edward: How can Benny be dead? I thought you two were working the shift together with the Serbians?

Saul: We were, Edward. We were, man. You know they give us and the Serbians the hardest jobs here at the Mill.

We only had an hour to go in our shift. We were tired but feeling good. Benny started humming a blues song. He even had them Serbians whistling along. Benny’s singing was making the time go by faster. Benny had his head down. He was shoveling that ore into the furnace. He was not looking up. Just nodding his head back and forth to his song. One of those ladles came loose from the crane hanging overhead. I saw it swinging back and forth. I tried to warn Benny. I screamed, “Benny! Get out of the way!” It was too late. Before Benny could move out the way, that ladle tipped over and that molten steel fell over him. His body was covered in molten steel and he died screaming in excruciating pain. The Serbians and I just stood there speechless, man. Now I know why the say working at the Mill is a man-killing job. Now I know why.

Edward: Catch your breath, Saul. What’s wrong with Benny?

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BLACK STUDIES MINOR

The Sankofa bird, a West African symbol representing the need for one to reflect on the past to build on the future.

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Minor examines American experience through the lens of Black citizens Last year, African Americans nationwide celebrated their 400th year in America. In August 1619, the first slave ship with African people arrived in the land that became the United States of America.

Of the two students whose interest generated the refreshed program, one graduated last May with the minor, and the other will complete requirements this spring.

Momentum is building.

Clarion University marked the milestone with its own celebration, “400 Years of Resilience,” held during homecoming.

“Now, we have nearly 10 Black studies minors,” Roberts said.

“Dr. Dale Pehrsson was 100 percent in support. She provided funding and leadership, and she did so much to help,” said Dr. Brian Roberts, assistant professor of English.

“We had a big celebration at Hart Chapel with dancers, musicians, actors and speakers. We had a big dance at end of evening in Gemmell. We wanted Black kids, white kids – kids of all races.”

The event was also a promise that Clarion University students would have the opportunity to learn the history of Black experiences in America; the celebration marked the relaunching of the Black studies minor.

The minor was first developed in 1994 when a group of Clarion faculty collaborated to initiate the program. Roberts was a founding member of the resulting Black Studies Committee.

“We’re all connected. We’re all part of the human family,” Roberts said. “America isn’t monolithic – it’s not one race.

Black people have contributed to world history. We bring our heritage, our cultures, our traditions,” Roberts said.

“Why should others take these courses? They’re not just learning about Black people, but about other races of people. You're learning it from the perspective of people of African descent from all over the world.”

He said his job as an educator is to present the information from different viewpoints.

“We go to a movie and watch the same movie. You may see it one way, I see it another. We saw the same movie.

Your experiences, to some degree, influence how you see American History,” he said. “I might laugh at certain things, you might laugh at certain things. There are some things we’ll both laugh at, because it’s human.”

“It was a good program,” Roberts said. “It was anchored in the history department. English had two courses, geography had a course, communications had courses, and the art department had a course on African art.”

Two years ago, two students who were interested in adding Black studies as a minor inspired Roberts and English department colleague Dr. Uraina Pack to revamp the program, now offered through their department.

“Uraina and I worked on reviving it, updating courses, adding new courses,” Roberts said.

The Sankofa bird, a West African symbol representing the need for one to reflect on the past to build on the future, illustrates the goal of the minor.

Through the Black studies minor, students investigate the variety of Black experiences in Africa and the African diaspora including North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Australia. It offers courses that study in depth African and African-American art, communication, education, geography, history, literature, music and sociology.

From Kiara Nixon’s senior BFA project, “Melanin.”

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ARTIST’S BRUSH REFLECTS BEAUTY OF BLACK CULTURE

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Kiara Nixon grew up in Philadelphia. Her senior Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition, “Melanin,” is on display in the university’s Empty Set Gallery. Nixon worked with art faculty members Melissa Kuntz, Kaersten Colvin-Woodruff and Gary Greenberg.

Below, she shares the inspiration for her paintings and what the work conveys.

Growing up in the city, and in the neighborhood that I grew up in, has influenced the type of artwork that I create. My paintings and my style of art are very cultured and often portray people of color in the most empowering and uplifting way possible.

I strongly believe that representation matters, as I am a young, Black woman. Often times, when people think of Black people, there is a negative connotation to our history: slavery, oppression, police brutality, injustice, etc. I want my artwork to reflect that Black people are far more than the negative connotations often attached to our names.

I want my audience to recognize that Black people are mighty, regal and royal creatures. We are descendants of greatness and royalty. We have so much power that has yet to be tapped into, and I want my artwork to help people of color recognize that about themselves.

I do this by painting people of color in a way that embodies their beauty and captures their elegance, which may further prove to them that the pigment in their skin, their hair and their curves are something to be admired.

I hope that it also portrays to the non-Black community that we are more than the stigmas society has placed on us. We are so much more than the stereotypes and labels attached to our people, and it is about time that everyone take notice of it.

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

SAFETY

IS THE GAME PLAN IN

FALL ATHLETICS It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has made this past year a challenging one for Golden Eagle student-athletes and coaches, who saw their spring competition seasons cut short in March and later found out the fall would bring a similar result. Football did not play a down for the first time since World War II scuttled three straight seasons in the 1940s. The volleyball team failed to take the court for the first time in more than 50 years. Current members of the soccer team were still in diapers in 2001, the last time there were no Golden Eagles on the pitch.

The lack of competitions this fall did not equate to a lack of activity, though. Thanks to the belief of Clarion’s administration and a comprehensive resocialization plan that drew from the NCAA and Clarion’s own athletic training staff, Golden Eagle student-athletes returned in August for a unique fall semester.

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“We used the NCAA resocialization plan as a guide to creating our approach, in particular in figuring out the phases of reopening,” said Dr. Wendy Snodgrass, director of intercollegiate athletics. “In addition, we looked to (head athletic trainer) Jim Thornton and his staff to provide additional expertise in crafting our return to activity.”

Clarion’s return policy involves several progressive phrases, based on 14-day periods that take into account the trajectory of documented cases of COVID-19 on campus.

There were no athletic-related activities for the first two weeks following student-athletes’ arrivals. Coaches then began small group instruction, starting with groups of 10 and gradually working toward full team practices in late October. In addition, expanded cleaning protocols and improved sanitization methods have been employed to minimize risk to student-athletes and university staff.

SPORTS ROUNDUP

For some teams, small group instruction did not provide any sort of extraordinary disruption. However, larger teams worked harder to manage the logistics of small groups. For example, Bree Kelley, head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach, had to reconfigure workouts for more than 50 student-athletes at a time. In some ways, it was a blessing in disguise.

“It was actually really nice in some aspects,” Kelley said. “We took the time to focus on specific things in our training. We did a lot of individualized work focusing on starts, turns, underwaters, technique. Usually I feel like we have to get going and get kids back in shape right away, but this year we actually have the chance to stretch it out and master some of the fundamentals.”

Kelley said that one of the new training methods she implemented this fall involved filming each individual swimmer’s technique while narrating feedback into the camera. These critiques – as well as increased emphasis on outside factors such as mental preparedness, nutrition and conditioning – are things Kelley said she could not previously emphasize to the extent she is now.

“In years past, we’ve kind of run out of time to do that during the preseason,” Kelley said. “We have spent a lot of time working on things besides just training.”

Women’s swim team members work on strengthening.

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SPORTS ROUNDUP Two programs on the opposite side of the roster-size equation, the men’s and women’s basketball teams, actually hewed somewhat closer to their normal schedules than most squads in the fall. Both teams rely heavily on individual instruction during the early part of the fall and started their full team practices just a few weeks later than they would have during a normal season.

“For us, we would usually be working in small groups until Oct. 15,” said Jana Ashley, head women’s basketball coach. “We focus a lot on player development in those small groups, trying to be position-specific. So a lot of our fall looked the same, even though we had a few more weeks to get kids some extra reps in those situations.”

Men’s basketball coach Damian Pitts

The start of full team practices may have remained the same, but the start of the basketball season has been pushed back substantially, with the year set to begin in January. Both Ashley and head men’s basketball coach Damian Pitts acknowledged that one of the key aspects of training this year is to maintain a balance between getting ready and staying fresh.

“I feel like the most important thing in this period of time, with everything going on, is to not run the team into the ground physically and mentally,” Pitts said.

“We need to get them focused on a positive mental attitude during November into December, and from there work toward getting ready for the season.”

Soccer player Dani McNally practices with a teammate

Another team that generally finds itself in familiar territory is softball. Though the Golden Eagles lost their entire conference season in spring 2020, their fall schedule remains mostly unchanged, save for the cancellation of their typical fall slate. In a fall filled with uncertainty for so many student-athletes, sport has provided a necessary release.

“This definitely has not been normal,“ said Lis Fee, head softball coach. “They have had to overcome a lot, between schoolwork changing, practices changing, and the usual challenges with weather in the region. It’s been a lot of stop and go, but they have been working really hard. They are using softball as a place to relax and hang out with their team.”

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Volleyball team members Alexa Cundy, Julia Piccolino and Lydia Leiner

SPORTS ROUNDUP The idea of athletics providing some level of normalcy in a year that has been anything but is a theme that has stood out among Golden Eagle athletic programs, especially when considering how many of their fellow conference institutions were not able to do so.

“I feel bad for the other teams that haven’t had this opportunity,” Kelley said. “The pool has been a huge outlet for these kids. They just spent a summer where they couldn’t train, go to the gym, or even socialize normally.

Being able to come back here and be together with their teammates has been huge for them psychologically and emotionally.

“I explained to them from day one that this is a huge advantage and that we cannot risk this or take it for granted,” Kelley said. “We need to make sure that every time we step into this pool, we are working to the best of our ability.”

“We are incredibly fortunate to have an administration on campus and in the athletic department that trusts us to make the right choices so that we can get back on the court and start to grow together as a team,” Ashley said.

The football team runs a drill

“I think it’s huge,” said head football coach Chris Weibel, who saw 57 of his rostered players return to campus for the fall. “We feel very blessed and fortunate that our administration trusted us to do this, and as such we are making sure we follow every procedure regarding cleaning, distancing and safety to show it can be done.”

Of course, not every program had the option to merely adjust their plans. The Golden Eagle football team, for example, lost nearly an entire spring training season and saw their fall competition schedule postponed until spring 2021. For Weibel, it has meant a slow and steady approach to ease his team back into the swing of things. After getting through their smaller group sessions in the early part of the fall, the football team had a handful of practices in light pads late in the semester.

“What we are trying to do right now is stay in shape and get back into football,” Weibel said. “Not having a spring and a very limited fall, you have to be very careful and ease back into it so we don’t get anybody hurt this early. So we’re doing a lot of the basics, keeping things simple, until we can get everyone here and start to expand on that.”

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

CLARION SELECTED AS HOST

FOR FOUR

NCAA

CHAMPIONSHIPS

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse – Pittsburgh, Pa. The NCAA has awarded four NCAA Division II Championships events to Clarion University, in conjunction with SportsPittsburgh, to be held over three years from 2023-26.

Clarion will serve as the host institution for each of the following NCAA Championship events from 2023-26; the event venues are also listed: • 2023 NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship Finals (UPMC Events Center – Moon Township, Pa.) • 2025 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship Elite Eight (UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse – Pittsburgh, Pa.) • 2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship Elite Eight (UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse – Pittsburgh, Pa.) • 2026 NCAA Division II Basketball Festival – Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships (UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse – Pittsburgh, Pa.)

“We are honored and thrilled with the NCAA’s decision to name Clarion a host institution for these prestigious championship events,” said Dr. Wendy Snodgrass, Clarion director of intercollegiate athletics. “It is representative of the hard work and commitment from everyone in our athletics department and across campus, and it gives us the opportunity to showcase our institution on a national stage.

“I would like to thank Dana Kramers, Brady Inners and all of the staff at SportsPittsburgh for their advocacy and promotion of the strong athletic tradition of western Pennsylvania,” Snodgrass said. “This successful bid would not have been possible without their dedication and passion.”

Clarion most recently served as a championship host at the 2018 NCAA Division II Fall Festival, where they managed the national championships for women’s volleyball as well as men’s and women’s soccer.

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A LOOK BACK: International Culture Night

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ALUMNI NOTES 1959 Lydia (Jackson) Main is retired and works part time for East Lyme Public Library, Niantic, Conn. She resides in Niantic. Lydia has six children: Laura, David, Deborah, Mark, Julia and John.

1973

Rose (Yeropoli) and Lynn Knepp ’70 reside in Hummelstown, Pa. Rose is a realtor for Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty, Hershey.

1976

Bradley Mitchell is corporate faculty-project management for Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. He resides in Carlisle, Pa. Susan (Marttala) Bowman retired from teaching in Columbus City Schools, Columbus, Ohio. She resides in Youngstown.

1978

Patricia (English) Bush is retired from the Warren County School District where she taught kindergarten through 12th grade music. She and her husband David reside in Pittsfield, Pa. They have two daughters, Erin and Erica.

1980

L. Douglas Martin is retired from the University of Pittsburgh. He resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.

1981

Dr. Joseph Martinelli is an associate dean for academic affairs for Seton Hall University College of Education and Human Services, South Orange, N.J. He resides in Branchburg, N.J., with his wife, Lysa. They have a son, Joseph.

1988

Susan (Kurtz) Johnson is a data specialist for Fulton County Schools, Atlanta, Ga. She resides in Atlanta with her husband, Rick. They have two children, Emily and Carter.

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1991 Bronwyn (Piccolo) Dietz is employed with Harborcreek School District. She resides in Erie, Pa., with her husband Robert and daughter Sydney.

2000

Tonya (Thompson) Ackley is the associate director of civic and community engagement for Buffalo State College, North Tonawanda, N.Y. She resides in North Tonawanda.

Dr. Chris and Jennifer (Kibler) Davis reside in Washington, Pa., with their children: Emma, Noah, Addison, Kristen, Victoria and Carter. Chris is director of information technology services for Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.

2004

Heather (Kropiewnicki) Jones is an assistant professor for Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, Pa. She resides in Nanticoke with her husband James.

2007

Dr. Steven Potwin is an optometrist for West Virginia Eye Consultants, Charleston, W.Va. He resides in Charleston with his wife Stacy.

2009

Dustin Starr, CPA, is a senior manager at Maher Duessel. Dustin began his public accounting career in 2009 and joined Maher Duessel in 2010.

2013

2016 Lauren Bovard is a human resources generalist for Graham Packaging, Lancaster, Pa. She resides in Lancaster.

2017 Ryan Wolbert received a M.S. in Geology from Ohio University. He is a hydrologist for the state of North Dakota.

2018

Zachary ’17 and Rebecca (Myers) Kruise reside in Lewistown, Pa. Rebecca is employed with Genesis Healthcare.

Lily Port earned an M.Ed. in health and physical education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a ninth through 12th grade health and physical education teacher for Commonwealth Charter Academy, Seven Hills, Pa.

VISIT

clarion.edu/update to let us know about your career milestones and to update your contact information.

Christina Loscar is an executive producer for WXII 12 News – Hearst Television, Winston-Salem, N.C. She resides in Winston-Salem.

Jaimie Weyant is a surface mine conservation inspector for Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, New Stanton, Pa.

Rev. Scott and Linda (Loichinger) Schul reside in State College, Pa. They have two children, Annika and Emilio. Reverend Schul is senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, State College.

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UNIVERSITY NOIRBABY ACLARION LC EAGLES

Y TISROUR EVGIFT INUTO BABY EAGLES OF CLARION ALUMNI IS A DASHING NEW BIB!

To receive a bib, visit www.clarion.edu/babybib and complete the online form.

Once you receive your bib, take a picture of your Eaglet putting the bib to use, and email a high-resolution photo to us for inclusion in Clarion University Magazine.

For more information, call the Office of Alumni Engagement at 814-393-2572.

GARRETT

Garrett Anthony Dixon, son of Evan and Jaclyn Radcliff ’12 Dixon, born Aug. 18, 2019

REESE

Reese Anne Anderson, daughter of Jay and Kiley Martin ’12 Anderson, born Dec. 16, 2019

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LYLA

Lyla Ann Blatt, daughter of Elanina Tomsey ’13 and Clint Blatt, born Nov. 28, 2019

LANDEN

Landen Robert McArdle, son of Jessica ’10 and Lindsay Vevers ’09 McArdle, born Dec. 21, 2019

MARRIAGES Jessi Miller ’13 and Michael Rasley Nov. 2, 2019 John Lis ’98, MS ’99 and Jafa Armagost June 27, 2020

CASSIDY

Cassidy Rose Espey, daughter of Margie Savolskis ’04 and Ian Espey, born April 18, 2020

COLE

Cole Walker Allen, son of Lucas ’12 and Laura Ferruchie ’08 Allen, born June 5, 2020

LAWRENCE

Lawrence Alexander Hernandez, son of Alex and La-Aja Wiggins ’06 Hernandez, born May 8, 2020

ROSALEE

Rosalee Jane Reed, daughter of David ’09 and Kayla Rush ’09 Reed, born June 24, 2020 CLARION UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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IN MEMORIAM 1940s Ruth Kapp Kissell ’43 Sept 20, 2020

1950s Mildred McClune Rapp ’53 Sept. 27, 2020 Margery C. Cross Turner ’56 Oct. 24, 2020 Evelyn A. Radaker McGuirk ’57 Sept. 27, 2020 Thomas F. Jodon ’57 Oct. 21, 2020 Dale O. Swanson ’59 Sept. 30, 2020

1960s Elaine A. Aaron Daugherty ’62 Sept. 19, 2020 Mary P. DeCaria Graves ’65 Sept. 18, 2020 Charles Leroy Kammerdeiner ’65 Oct. 2, 2020 Harry Roger Acton ’65 Oct. 11, 2020

Peter P. Bosin ’66 Sept. 21, 2020 Robert Ira Morris ’67 Sept. 28, 2020 Carolyn L. Carl ’68 Sept. 23, 2020 Joan D. Durham Wilson ’69 Sept. 11, 2020 Larry G. Siegel ’69 Sept. 15, 2020

1970s

Susan Marie Fair ’71 Oct. 7, 2020 Thomas B. Mays ’72 Oct. 8, 2020 Richard A. Simoni ’76 Oct. 9, 2020 David J. Jarzab ’79 Nov. 1, 2020

1980s Michael G. Thompson ’85 Sept. 22, 2020 Lisa A. Welms ’86 Oct. 23, 2020

CELEBRATE MLK JR. DAY AT VIRTUAL EVENT The 9th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast will be held virtually this year to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19.

The theme is “The King Legacy: What Are You Doing for Others?” Alicia Shropshire ’04 will present the keynote address. Prepare your breakfast and join us at 9 a.m. Jan. 18, 2021, at https://clarion.zoom.us/j/96731051004.

Event sponsors are Clarion University with Clarion community organizations, churches and charities.

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1990s Blaine Taylor ’90 Sept. 24, 2020 Frances J. Miller ’90 Oct. 6, 2020 Gerald Lewis Ferraro ’95 Oct. 20, 2020 Dorothy W. Rhoads Rodgers ’95 Oct. 20, 2020 Susan Lorraine Burford ’97 Oct. 11, 2020

2010s

Donald David Murdock ’10 Oct. 14, 2020 Brett James Palmer ’15 Sept. 21, 2020 Stefanie Ann Rankin ’19 Sept. 23, 2020

Friends Raymond S. Knotick Sept. 15, 2020 Francis D. George Sept. 20, 2020

PEARSON

leads diversity, equity and inclusion strategy for State System

Dr. Denise Pearson, a recognized leader on national education policy, has joined Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education as vice chancellor and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer.

Pearson works with stakeholders across the State System to develop a strategy focused on improving the social equity climate and enabling data-driven decision-making.

She is helping to identify and address student achievement gaps, seek to improve faculty and employee recruitment and retention, and implement policies that will lead to a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive system.

“As the largest provider of public higher education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State System is unequivocally focused on creating and maintaining higher education that supports positive outcomes for all students, regardless of their starting point in life,” Pearson said.

“It is imperative, and a core part of our public mission, that the State System address itself with vigor and purpose

to the eradication of inequities while ensuring our university communities are inclusive of all of their students, faculty, and staff,” Chancellor Dan Greenstein said.

Before joining the State System in August, Pearson was vice president for academic affairs and equity initiatives at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.

“I am especially inspired by the commitment of the Board of Governors, the chancellor, university presidents, and faculty to transform the State System into a leading organization recognized for comprehensively addressing opportunity and achievement gaps, particularly from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and between students from low- and high-wealth communities,” Pearson said. “As a first-generation college graduate from a historically excluded group, I know firsthand the value and multi-generational impact of higher education. I look forward to embracing the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

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D

ivisiveness has been the hallmark of 2020, but Clarion University is working to unify in the spirit of Frederick Douglass, the famous former slave, abolitionist, social reformer, orator, writer and statesman.

Clarion University will welcome six Frederick Douglass student scholars this spring as part of the Frederick Douglass Institute Collaborative, an initiative of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.

The Frederick Douglass Institute Collaborative exists across the 14 State System universities and is committed to creating inclusive university communities and transformative connections among historically underrepresented students and faculty, as well as other communities across the commonwealth and beyond. It's one of the ways schools in the State System seek to promote inclusive excellence and enhance access and success.

Clarion University English professor Dr. Brian Roberts remembers the formation of the Frederick Douglass Institute more than 20 years ago. Roberts had the opportunity to meet Dr. Jim Trotman from West Chester University, who started the first Frederick Douglass program. West Chester was the last place Douglass spoke before he died in 1895.

“Dr. Trotman believed that all 14 universities should have some type of Frederick Douglass program,” Roberts said.

Roberts believes liberal arts colleges have a natural connection with Douglass’ mission of equality.

“As you know, Frederick Douglass was a renaissance man in the 1800s,” Roberts said. “Douglass fought for education, politics, minority rights, women's rights, the fine arts.

Clarion University is a liberal arts school, and Douglass, in many ways, falls under liberal arts.”

Cheyanne Potter

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Amy Salsgiver, Clarion University director of social equity, agrees.

“For me, the importance of the Frederick Douglass Student Scholars is the vital link between the past and present. Douglass fought for equality for people of color, for men and women alike. He was a fierce believer that underrepresented peoples deserve the same opportunities and rights as others. While we have progressed since his time, we are still – very much – continuing to press for some of the same values and morals that he did. To have students rise to that challenge on Clarion’s campus is exciting, and, I believe, will be rewarding,” Salsgiver said.

This spring’s cohort of scholars includes Corey Mock, Aayana Cuffie, Ayanna Squair, Cheyanne Potter, Kyle Moyer and Nyshae White. Another six scholars will be recruited for the 2021-22 academic year.

“My hope is the student scholars will make lifelong connections with those in their cohort and those they partner with to mentor,” Salsgiver said. “The program is designed to assist and build upon the skills the students already have to propel them forward into leadership positions that are often not equitably available to students of color, first-generation students, students coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds and so on.”

The students are eager to begin their journey as scholars.

“Being a Frederick Douglass scholar means the world to me. Not only does this help me be a better student, but a

Kyle Moyer

Nyshae White

better woman altogether,” said Ayanna Squair, a sophomore criminal justice major with a minor in sociology. “What I expect to get out of this scholarship experience is more responsibility for myself. This program requires me to be more proactive on campus, which benefits me overall. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity, and I hope to help others with this opportunity as well.”

The six scholars must meet established academic standards and attend the Frederick Douglass conference normally scheduled in the spring (COVID-19 may alter how or if the conference is presented). The hope is that the scholars will eventually present at the conference.

“To me being a Frederick Douglass scholar just makes me feel honored. When I received the news, I felt humbled that the faculty and staff saw me as a proper scholar for this award,” said Corey Mock, a junior secondary education history major. “I also think it is very cool being an education major with a history focus and learning about Frederick Douglass in a multiple number of my classes.”

Each scholar also will receive scholarship funding until graduation, provided they continue to meet the requirements of the program.

In addition to supporting student scholars, Clarion University has been working to grow its programs, curriculums and library to educate not only the students, but also the entire community, on equality.

“Fortunately, for the last 20 years, Clarion University has been able to offer curriculum and programs that deal with Frederick Douglass' life,” Roberts said.

Dr. Uraina Pack, the first Frederick Douglass Scholar at Clarion in the early 2000s, and Roberts teach Douglass’ work in their courses, including Black Folk Culture,

Ayanna Squair

Introduction to African American, and Studies in African American Literature courses. Others incorporate lessons on Frederick Douglass into their classes.

Carlson Library also supports Clarion’s educational enrichment. Dr. Basil Martin, associate professor in library services, maintains the Frederick Douglass collection, which contains 481 items for children and adults.

As part of its Frederick Douglass Collection, Carlson Library acquired the “American Slavery: A Composite Autobiography” database. This database contains nearly 4,000 narratives told by ex-slaves, collected under the auspices of the Works Projects Administration between 1936 and 1938. The database is on the CU Libraries website and can accessed using the Databases A-Z link.

In addition to the collection, the university seeks opportunities to entertain while educating.

Roberts recalls an oratory performance in the mid-1990s at Hart Chapel in which different professors portrayed famous people from the Women's Suffrage Movement, such as Susan B. Anthony, William Lloyd Garrett, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass. Roberts portrayed Douglass by delivering his famous speech, "What is the Fourth of July to a Slave?"

Also, in the early 2000s, Clarion University partnered with California University of Pennsylvania to bring actor Fred Morsell to both campuses to deliver some of Frederick Douglass' famous speeches.

“Our Frederick Douglass Program represents the definition of diversity: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc., and I believe this is why others should know the Frederick Douglass Program's worth and contribute to the cause," Roberts said.

Aayana Cuffie

Corey Mock CLARION UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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#WINGSUP MAISAM NOUH

Clarion University Master of Science in Library Science alum Maisam Nouh grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, where the oldest library once stood.

digital archive project of our local collection in the library.

I really wanted to pursue that and get my Ph.D. in archiving because of how much I enjoyed it.”

This rich environment of historical sites, which also happened to be full of small libraries and bookstores, fostered her love of reading and libraries.

Her dreams certainly have taken flight. Nouh is the IT supervisor at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut.

Her job includes being the Integrated Library System administrator, working with cataloging and acquisitions, reference and circulation.

“As a small child, we would go to one library, and my friends and I would love to put books in order and just sit and read. I was a reader, especially mysteries and thrillers, but I also loved the library,” she said. “During the summer of entering 10th grade, I started volunteering for the summer reading program, and I just fell in love with the library. I told my mom one time that one day I will be behind one of those desks working.”

That resolve led her to Clarion’s MSLS program.

“I love everything that has to deal with the back end of the library. I feel we are the backbone of the entire organization.”

Her work in the program highlighted her interests “I did an internship as part of my master’s, and it was a

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Nouh loves how the library collaborates with the community, including schools. “I truly believe that we are the heart of the community, and we are the glue that connects everyone together.”

Nouh credits the faculty with helping her achieve her goals.

“I did my entire degree online because I was working full time and had a toddler and a baby at home. The professors were very understanding and knew that we (students) were juggling a lot of hats while working on getting our degrees.”

Nouh was featured in the Library Journal’s May edition as one of 2020’s Movers & Shakers.

We’re Here TO HELP

The pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways – including my ability to travel to see you. I am working from my home office, but my commitment to Clarion University remains the same.

If you are pondering what your Clarion legacy will be, I am here to help. I remain available to provide expertise via phone, email, FaceTime or Zoom meetings.

Let’s grab a virtual cup of coffee or tea and discuss what’s right for you. There are many ways to provide support, including some that don’t even require your checkbook!

-Larry Jamison ‘87 Director of Planned Giving

840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214

You can reach me by email at ljamison@clarion.edu or by phone at 814-764-6388 (home).

To preview some options for building your legacy, please visit www.clarion.plannedgiving.org.

CLARION UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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840 WOOD STREET CLARION, PA 16214-1232 WWW.CLARION.EDU

ALUMNI

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SERIES

Facilitated by the Center for Career and Professional Development JANUARY 19, 2021 – 7 P.M. EST REPACKAGING YOURSELF FOR TODAY’S JOB MARKET • Trends and insight into today’s job market • Reflect on a career and creating SMART goals • Available resources to support your career journey • Skills, steps and strategies to advance in or shift careers

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 – 7 P.M. EST STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH • Create a plan to conduct a proactive job search • Keywords, job titles, industries to expand the search results • Job search resources • Customize application materials • Leverage personal and professional relationships

MARCH 16, 2021 – 7 P.M. EST

REGISTER AT

clarion.edu/alumni-and-friends/ alumni-association/events.

MAKING THE CONNECTION: CREATING A MEANINGFUL PROFESSIONAL NETWORK IN THE DIGITAL AGE • Redefine networking so it works in your favor • Online platforms for professional networking • Whom to connect with and where to spend your time effectively • Create a strong community of goal-oriented connections