Edinboro University
2012 Annual Report
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2012 Annual Report
Edinboro University
Dr. Julie E.Wollman, 17th President of Edinboro University
Edinboro University
2012 Annual Report
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
W
hat are the attributes that make a college education truly relevant? What initiatives yield sustainable vitality across a university community? And perhaps most importantly, what are the keys to ensuring student success on both a professional and personal level?
Surveys in recent years affirm that Americans value investment in higher education because it makes a difference in our quality of life. The University community at Edinboro wholeheartedly agrees. Our relentless pursuit of excellence is fueled by an extraordinary passion for student success. For the students we serve and the communities in which they will live and work, the most significant role of an Edinboro University education is preparing individuals who are knowledgeable in their discipline and who can think critically, communicate clearly, and analyze and solve problems. To that end, we are committing our talents and resources to relevant education, university vitality, student engagement and comprehensive access. With this focus, we are preparing our students to solve the issues facing our country, to contribute to the organizations that employ them and to lead those enterprises that rise from their own entrepreneurial efforts. In turn, Edinboro graduates produce innovations that fuel economic development, they conduct research that benefits society and they become engaged on many levels to serve their communities. On behalf of the Edinboro Univerity trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, students and donors, I welcome your ideas, participation and support as we pursue our vision of excellence and student success.
Dr. Julie E. Wollman President
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2012 Annual Report
Edinboro University
RELEVANCE
O
ne of the greater challenges of any university is matching the pursuit of higher
education – that is, increased knowledge in a particular field of study – with
the specific skills and training needed for fast-growing occupations or careers.
National studies confirm that there are literally thousands of high-paying skilled jobs that are unfilled, contrasting with equally large numbers of college graduates who cannot find work. At Edinboro University, we strive to eliminate the question of “why do I have to learn this” by ensuring that each student’s experience is ripe with a unique set of hands-on opportunities that they cannot get anywhere else. Our goal is to provide an education that is closely linked to real world needs, while nurturing students’ thirst for lifelong learning and ongoing skill development. We challenge students to get the most value from their college experience by focusing on academics, taking leadership roles in extracurricular activities and pursuing internships and other out-of-classroom learning.
Nursing Simulation Lab If you want to know the value of the Simulation Lab in Edinboro’s Nursing Department, just ask Jill Scherrer, a May 2012 graduate working at Saint Vincent Health Center. “The Simulation Lab provides real life experience, but in a non-threatening environment. The lab enables us to gain the confidence we need to be prepared for our careers,” said Scherrer.
Edinboro University
2012 Annual Report
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Control Room, Dr. Bob Wallace Television Studio
StARTup Incubator
Outstanding Internships
Linking Edinboro’s renowned strength in the arts and technology to the region’s strength in manufacturing, the nonprofit StARTup Incubator has helped launch 12 new art-based manufacturing companies. “The incubator presents another opportunity for our region to alleviate brain drain,” noted Donna Douglass, StARTup Vice President and Acting Executive Director.
“What a great experience!” said Edinboro Computer Science major Chris Hresko after 10 weeks with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Undergraduate Learning Internship program at the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago. Joined in the summer program by fellow students Jeff Rossiter and Ron Forchia, Hresko added, “Now I know what I want to accomplish in this field after graduation.”
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2012 Annual Report
Edinboro University
Community Service
Science Labs, Cooper Science Center
“As soon as they arrive on campus, we want to introduce our students to the importance of community service,” said Melissa Gibson, Edinboro’s First-Year Experience director. Whether walking in support of the local chapter of Feeding America or living outside for a week to garner donations for the homeless, community service is a vital part of Edinboro students’ experiences.
Edinboro University
2012 Annual Report
VITALITY
E
ach year, new students arrive at Edinboro; we refer to them as our favorite source
of renewable energy. We also welcome new faculty and staff annually. At the same
time, the Edinboro campus itself is continually undergoing renewal through
physical renovation and new development – such as our state-of-the-art science and nursing simulation labs and fully equipped animation and television studios, as well as dynamic, new environments for student living and recreation. All of this activity yields a high level of vitality across the University. Two elements that enliven our culture even more are diversity and participation within our University community. Students, faculty and staff at Edinboro come from around the state, across the country and throughout the world. Their invigorating mix of race, culture, religion and physical ability infuses our knowledge, experiences and ideas. Our goal is to encourage all students to share their talents and actively participate in our pursuit of a higher level of excellence at Edinboro.
NASA Curiosity Program
Wheelchair Basketball
When the “Curiosity” Rover landed on Mars, Edinboro’s Geosciences Professor and Astronomer David Hurd was in the thick of the action at the Kennedy Space Center. At NASA’s invitation, Dr. Hurd served as a link between NASA’s scientists/engineers and the media, just one example of the respect Edinboro faculty receives at the national level.
Edinboro’s commitment to full inclusion of all students is perhaps most evident with the Fighting Scots Wheelchair Basketball Team. Coach Jim Glatch also directed the USA Men’s National Wheelchair Team in this year’s Paralympics Games. A good example of the far-reaching impact of Edinboro’s wheelchair basketball program was their visits with returning U.S. Army veterans.
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2012 Annual Report
Edinboro University
ENGAGEMENT
B
y creating opportunities for ongoing involvement on and off campus,
Edinboro endeavors to engage students in learning without limits.
We encourage students to make intentional decisions about their college
experience that will connect them in a more meaningful way in the classroom, on campus and in the global community. At Edinboro, students find clubs and activities to further their current pursuits as well as spark new interests. They attend academic lectures that deepen their knowledge. They participate in field experiences that broaden their perspective. They design leadership experiences that shape their outlook. And they become involved in a supportive community that lets them know they are a part of something bigger.
National Speakers As part of Edinboro’s annual Law, Government and Criminal Justice Day, Kirk Bloodsworth, the first man freed from death row by DNA testing, lectured to the University’s political and criminal justice students.
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2012 Annual Report
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Study Abroad Program, Egypt
Peer Mentoring
Student Government
To enhance the support system for student learning outside the classroom, Residence Life and Housing at Edinboro recently debuted a new Peer Mentor program that includes study groups, workshops and tutoring. Taking a break during their Peer Mentoring summer training session are, from left, Adrianna Scibor, a senior Art History major, Laura Spartz, a junior Social Work major, and Will Wolf, a senior Drawing major.
Run entirely by students, the Edinboro University Student Government Association manages a $1.6 million annual budget that supports most extracurricular student activities, clubs and organizations. This year’s SGA president is Andre Roberts.
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2012 Annual Report
Edinboro University
Assistive Technology/Tactile Lab Services “For students with disabilities, assistive technology decreases the need for other educational support,” said Sharon Conklin, who supervises Edinboro’s Assistive Technology instruction. The technology enables students with many types of disabilities to see, hear, read, write and communicate effectively and independently.
Lobby, Barron-Forness Library
Edinboro University
2012 Annual Report
ACCESS
A
clear pathway to a college education is a clear pathway to providing students
with the ability to realize their full potential and to enjoy a better quality of life. We know that the majority of graduates of Edinboro University are among those who enjoy greater lifetime earnings and increased economic mobility than they would otherwise. As part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Edinboro is committed to creating opportunities and minimizing barriers to education beyond high school. Our efforts to contain costs while expanding the scope and availability of an Edinboro University education will continue to be integral to our mission.
New AAS Program
Online Education
Answering the call of regional employers for a bettereducated, skilled workforce, Edinboro University unveiled an Associate of Applied Science in Applied Technology degree at the Porreco Center in Erie and Edinboro University in Meadville. Edinboro President Dr. Julie E.Wollman noted, “This new program, developed in response to local needs, positions these students for high levels of success.”
In an effort to meet the needs of underserved communities across Pennsylvania, as well as non-traditional students, Edinboro University’s School of Graduate Studies and Research offers an impressive range of accredited online programs. According to Dean Alan Biel, “Our online programs offer students great flexibility, allowing them to complete coursework where and when convenient for them.”
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2012 Annual Report
SUCCESS
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or many years, universities across the country have pointed to their admissions
numbers as the primary measure of success. The more students enrolled, the
more successful the university must be. At Edinboro, we believe that increasing
enrollment is simply one indicator of more complex and meaningful metrics: students who are completing college prepared to develop solutions for their employers, create new innovations or entrepreneurial initiatives and contribute to their communities and society. These measures of success speak to the true spirit of Edinboro University, an academic community committed to the ongoing pursuit of excellence and driven by an unrelenting passion for student success.
Athletic Champions With Division I wrestling as Edinboro’s athletics’ centerpiece, student-athletes in 17 NCAA varsity sports excelled both athletically and academically including the nationally ranked women’s basketball team. “We prepare our athletes for success after Edinboro and to take their place as the leaders of tomorrow,” said Edinboro Athletic Director Bruce Baumgartner, a four-time Olympic medalist.
Edinboro University
Edinboro University
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2012 Annual Report
Printmaking Studio, Loveland Hall
Wall of Fame
ROTC and Veteran Programs
Local and national media personalities – all Edinboro graduates – are featured on the Wall of Fame unveiled this year by the Department of Communication and Media Studies. “The Wall of Fame promotes the incredible range of professional success that our graduates achieve, such as National Public Radio’s Jack Speer, Class of ’81,” noted Department Chair Tony Peyronel.
Edinboro received national recognition this year for our expanded ROTC program and our commitment to providing higher education to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Four Edinboro ROTC officers were designated as Distinguished Military Graduates. What’s more, G.I. Jobs magazine is expected to name Edinboro University a “Military Friendly School” for the fourth consecutive year.
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2012 Annual Report
Edinboro University
Excellence We are committed to the highest standards across Edinboro University. Just as we encourage our students to do better than they thought possible, the University community works to ensure second-to-none quality in all that we do – from winter snow removal to teaching the most complex concepts in nanotechnology.
Recital Hall, Alexander Music Center
Edinboro University
2012 Annual Report
LEADERSHIP Executive Leadership Team Dr. Julie E. Wollman, President Dr. Michael J. Hannan, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mr. Gordon J. Herbst, Vice President for Finance and Administration Ms. Tina M. Mengine, Vice President for University Advancement Dr. Kahan L. Sablo, Vice President for Student Affairs
Edinboro University Council of Trustees Mr. John Horan, Chairperson Mr. Dennis Frampton, Vice Chairperson Mr. John Pulice, Secretary Mr. Terry Darcangelo, Student Trustee Dr. John Cavanaugh, Chancellor (ex officio)
Ms. Barbara Chaffee Dr. Raymond Dombrowski Mr. Daniel Higham Mrs. Virginia McGarvey Mr. Harold Shields Mr. Ronald Steele
Optimism
Leadership
Edinboro University students understand the meaning of both personal and shared responsibility. As a fundamental component of civic and community leadership, they work to promote justice, fairness and campus engagement. As an institution, the University leads by our responsiveness to regional needs and in our dedication to our local communities.
These are challenging times for higher education and for the students we serve, yet we are full of hope for the future. We provide access to an exceptional education for a remarkable group of students. We are inclusive of students who bring a diverse range of characteristics. We value every member of our community, honoring the strengths each one brings to our campus.
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Edinboro University 219 Meadville Street Edinboro, PA 16444 (814) 732-2711 www.Edinboro.edu
One of the 14 universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or other prohibited bases in its activities, programs or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 and the ADA.