Summer 1989 - Lock Haven University

PERSPECTIVE: THE NEW ACADEMICS
The Lock Haven University
Clearfield Center
CLEARFIELD INITIATIVE
IS A REAL
CLASS ACT
Clearfield residents charted the campaign's
progress by watching thermometers like
this one in a downtown location.
Clearfield is a town that was driven to
succeed. To succeed in launching a new
educational enterprise and offer young
people opportunities otherwise not
always available. Courses, to prepare
students for a degree program and for
work in an expanding regional market.
Affordable courses which could be, at
least in part, provided for by this caring
Central Pennsylvania community.
And succeed they did.
Ten months ago, they called on the
University to sit down and discuss the
possibilities. The people of Clearfield,
Ha ven League '90 member Barbara J. Hannah,
right, met campaign organizers at one
of the weekly report luncheons. 11Iey are,
left to right, James P. Moore, Frank Dugan
and Robert M. Kurtz, Jr.
lead by Guy A. Graham, '63, executive
director of the Chamber of Commerce
and president of the Clearfield Educational
Foundation, Inc., and University
representatives penned an agreement
allowing high school graduates to take
classes at what is now called the Lock
Haven University Clearfield Center - a
small, renovated former elementary
school with room to grow.
September 5, as 3,100 University students
took to classes, 115 Clearfield
Center students tucked books into their
backpacks and hiked nervously into the
building. For some it was their first college
experience - for others, the first
time they had opened textbooks in many
years. For ali, there was an anxious feeling
to be part of this historical moment.
The former Hillsdale School is now the
Lock Haven University Clearfield Center.
Through the educational foundation,
40 students received $1,000 scholarships
for the first year of study. In less than
four months, the Foundation raised over
$516,000 with the help of an old friend
and public relations pro, Frank Dugan.
The list of campaign organizers and
contributors read like a county who's
who - that grand media man William
T. Ulerich ... and who has done more
for the community than everyone's
good friend Ray S. Walker.
Businessmen like Robert M. Kurtz, Jr.
(Kurtz Brothers), James P. Moore
(County National Bank), attorney Carl
Belin, James Leitzinger (Leitzinger's)th
e list goes on and on.
5
Alumni like Alta Rowles Ferguson, '15,
Ashley E. Woolridge, '39, Robert W., '62,
and Valerie Peterson Rishel, '61, E. Stewart
Butler, '62 - familiar faces attending
fundraising luncheons and other events.
Guy A. Graham, '63, president of the Clearfield
Educational Foundation, Inc., w as
one of those who lead the drive to bring
higher education to the community.
The Center will offer a variety of lowerdivision,
general education courses. Fullfledged
University faculty members like
Alfred E. Hoberman (chemistry), Audrey
W. Kuhn (mathematics) and Nelson
DeLaven (history) teach the 14 courses
now offered.
Most services available at the Lock
Haven campus are available to Clearfield
Center students. Within the Center, there
is a study lounge and mini-bookstore.
Area businessmen have put together
student discount packages. Seldom-used
extra rooms and attics have turned into
dormers for students, some of whom
come from neighboring counties.
The idea, says Clearfield Area School
District Superintendent Stanley G.
Rakowsky, is to get students into higher
education - to make the difference by
providing quality, affordable educational
opportunities to students in need
and make it readily available.
No doubt, it has worked.
University Admissions Director Joseph
A. Coldren hoped for 30 students at the
onset. The Foundation far surpassed their
goal to raise $400,000. The old Hillsdale
School never looked better - remodeled,
with vertical blinds and air conditioning!
When these people go back to school,
they do it in style - and with a great deal
of donated labor and equipment.
While the people that made this vision
a reality settle down for the first
semester, they plan for a bigger and better
Center - more students, services,
classrooms, more everyth in g.
Clearfield County - what a way to go
back to school!