Alumni Parade Reception - Clarion University

Living Through ClarionVol. 53 No. 2 July 2006 http://news.clarion.edu

Get A Life At ClarionA few years ago, well maybe it was more than a few years, we used amarketing slogan of ‘Get A Life’ to promote Clarion University. It was a littlecontroversial in its day, but the basic truth remains that many people do geta start in life at Clarion.You can see it throughout the pages of this publication and the impact ofClarion on people.Retired Lt. Col. Matthew “Jim” Rothlisberger, a 1982 graduate, evenoffered five ideas for “Living a Life that is True” at May’s CommencementServices. Beyond the suggested rules, Rothlisberger’s life is an example onhow to live a life that is true.He participated in Clarion ROTC and was commissioned as secondlieutenant in the United States Army Signal Corps. His military careerincluded a series of senior leadership and staff positions and he retired asthe senior security engineer for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff atthe Pentagon National Military Command Center.ROTHLISBERGERFollowing his retirement, Rothlisberger joined private industry, but wasasked to return to public service. He organized and became the first director of what is now known as the Pentagon ForceProtection Agency. That led to his promotion to director of information systems and technology for the Executive Office ofthe President.Perhaps equally impressive, he decided to leave that post and is currently a teacher in the Spotsylvania County PublicSchools in Virginia. Rothlisberger offered the follow suggestions.Look For A Job, But Find A Vocation“Find something that excites you intellectually and have fun at what you are doing. If you don’t like the job you havechosen, try something else. Life is too short. Sometimes a job is just a job and a means to survive. People change jobs atleast three times in their lives. You are authorized to change your mind. Your vocation, on the other hand, should reflectyour life-long goals. Be a good parent, spouse, leader, servant.”Take Care Of Yourself“Treat yourself kindly. For you to be effective at your vocation you must make sure you are healthy physically,emotionally, and spiritually. I learned that from my mentor Col. Vic Bowser and his wife, Sally, when I was a student atClarion. (Both are now working at Clarion University—Venango Campus.) Take a few minutes each day to care for yourself.You will be a better person to those around you. Find a hobby to enjoy.”Take Time For Your Friends“You spent a number of years here at Clarion building lifelong friends. Send those Christmas cards and birthday cardsand nurture the relationships that you have built. Stay in touch and don’t forget your school. I get a sweet phone call froma current student asking for a couple of bucks in donations every year. Don’t hang up. A student’s education is countingon it. That was the only way my wife and I could get through school, from the generosity of Clarion grads that shared theirwealth.”Serve. Find Ways To Reach Out Your Hand And Lift A Neighbor Up“Your greatness will not be determined by a huge paycheck or a building named after you, but by the ability to helpsomeone out. Serve your community in some small way. All service is honorable.“Serve your county so that the freedoms earned by Clarion graduates before you can be preserved. You can write aletter to a soldier, police officer, fire fighter, or help out a teacher.“In fact, I would like to thank some of the Clarion public servants. Thank you to my wife, Lisa Salerno (’82), who hastaught and influenced young minds for two decades. Thank you to the Arlington County firefighter, Randy Schwartz, oneof my college roommates. You all have seen him. He was the firefighter holding the flag as it was unfurled from atop thePentagon two days after the attack. Thank you to Col. Rose Miller (’81), a classmate who is serving as the head militarypoliceman in Afghanistan and is very much in harm’s way.“As President Kennedy said back in the sixties, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for yourcountry.’ I think that is truer today than it was back then.”Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously“I have had a number of jobs in our nation’s Capitol and spent a lot of time with people that are so focused on their ownaccomplishments and ambition. You have probably seen the type…totally stressed and oblivious to those around them. Doyour best and let it go. Plan as if you are going to live forever, but live like there is no tomorrow.”Live Long And ProsperNo, Jim didn’t say it at graduation, speaking of not taking yourself too seriously. But a sister and brother are settingrecords for their Clarion lives.Clarion’s reported oldest living graduate, Alma Silzle (’21) (left), recentlycelebrated her 106 th birthday and President Joseph Grunenwald was on handto wish her well. Oldest graduate status runs in the family, with Alma’s brother,Leon Silzle (’22) of Marietta, Ga., the second oldest graduate and lookingforward to celebrating his 102 nd birthday in August. Another Clarion graduate,Pam (Bedison) Huffman (’93), was on hand to take the photo for The ClarionNews.A Clarion life is something that stays with you long after you graduate.ClarionAnd BeyondMagazinePresidentDr. Joseph GrunenwaldExecutive Editor:Ron WilshireCo-Editors:Paul HambkeTom SchottRich Herman (sports)Design:Scott Kane (’04)/PAGESContributors:Chris RossettiTom SchottColleen WilliamsPhotographers:Pete HartleJerry SowdenAddress comments and questions to:Clarion and Beyond MagazineUniversity RelationsClarion UniversityClarion, PA 16214E-mail address: rwilshire@clarion.eduVisit Clarion University on the Web athttp://www.clarion.edu.Clarion and Beyond is publishedthree times a year for alumni, familiesof current students, and friends ofClarion University. Contact AlumniRelations at 814-393-2572, or viae-mail at alumni@clarion.edu. Alumniinformation is also located athttp://www.clarion.edu/alumni.Clarion University of Pennsylvaniais committed to equal employmentand equal educational opportunitiesfor all qualified individuals regardlessof race, color, sex, religion, nationalorigin, affectional or sexual orientation,age, disability, or other classificationsthat are protected under Title IX ofthe Education Amendments of 1972,Section 504 of the RehabilitationAct of 1973, the Americans withDisabilities Act of 1990, and otherpertinent state and federal laws andregulations. Direct equal opportunityinquiries to the Assistant to thePresident for Social Equity, ClarionUniversity of Pennsylvania, 216 CarrierAdministration Building, Clarion, PA16214-1232. 814-393-2000.Ron Wilshire ’72 and ‘74

t t t t tnonprofit orgU.S. POSTAGEPAIDRETURN TO:Student and University RelationsClarion University of Pennsylvania840 Wood StreetClarion, PA 16214-1232Clarion UniversityCHANGE SERVICE REQUESTEDHomecoming2006 ScheduleSaturday, October 7, 2006Alumni Parade Reception-Hart Chapel Parking Lot,10 a.m.-Noon. RSVPs are appreciated!Autumn Leaf Festival Parade-NoonHomecoming Football Game-Clarion vs. Cheyney, 2 p.m.Clarion University Alumni Reception-Clarion VFW, 603Liberty Street, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.Black Student Union Reunion-October 6-8For detailed listing of events, times, locations, or to register,call Angela Groom-Brown (’80) at 301-292-6105, or e-mail lashonlashon@earthlink.netPlease note: If you make reservations you will receive a parking permit for Saturday,October 7, as part of your confirmation packet. That does not guarantee you a place topark; it will be first-come, first-served. For information, call 814-393-2572, or e-mailalumni@clarion.edu.Thanks to OurSponsorsMajor SponsorMicrotel Inn& SuitesDiane Habjan ’89BlueSponsor-JostensChartwellsAdditional Sponsors-AVI Food Systems, Inc.FREE Alumni pass to the Student Recreation Centeron the Friday before the Homecoming game. We areopen special hours 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Just sign in at thefront desk and put the year in which you graduated.We will have limited hours on Homecoming day(Saturday) and Sunday hours will be posted on thedoor or answering machine (814-393-1667). Courtsare also available for tennis, basketball, and volleyball.Please check out the events calender on the Webat www.clarion.edu/alumni for information onvarious alumni group activities that may be ofinterest, such as Greek reunions, sports reunions,department activities, etc.Clarion University Alumni HomecomingReservation Form-Saturday Oct. 7, 2006Name: ______________________________________ Class:______________________Address:_ _______________________________________________________________City/State/ Zip: __________________________________________________________Phone:______________________________________ E-mail:_ ____________________Financial support to help defray the costs of Homecoming events would beappreciated. Donation: $______________________Number attending Alumni Parade Reception:_______________________________Number of football tickets @ $9 each:______________________________________Method of Payment:o Enclosed is my check made payable to: Clarion University Foundation, Inc.o Please charge my gift to the following credit card: Visa MasterCardAccount Number ————/————/————/————Exp. Date____________Authorized Signature_____________________________________________________