Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

 Clarion University Theatre’s season continues with “An Iliad” by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, based on the award-winning Robert Fagles translation of Homer’s epic poem. It is the story of the Trojan War – the rage of Achilles, the bravery of Prince Hector of Troy, the sense of duty of Patroclus – as filtered through the poet who witnessed it all and painfully recalls the story.   “Written as a solo piece, the Clarion production uses a quintet of actors to portray the poet, the muses and to bring the armies of Greece and Troy to life,” said director Robert Gerald Levy of Clarion University’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts. “This adaptation of the Fagles translation maintains the verse of the original, with contemporary language, coupled with the commentary on war by Peterson and O’Hare. It sings with authenticity while maintaining a contemporary view of the glories and horrors of war.”   “Preparing this production has been a challenge, but the ...

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale says safety from sexual violence at the 14 state-owned universities is a focus of an ongoing audit, while Clarion University President Karen Whitney says the universities take campus security very seriously. They, State System Chancellor Frank T. Brogan and other representatives of state-owned universities held a news conference in Harrisburg today. DePasquale says his auditors will examine how well the State System of Higher Education complies with state and federal laws designed to prevent sexual assault, enhance awareness of sexual violence and protect minors. “The universities take campus safety very seriously, with every university employing a state-certified police force to enforce federal and state law, and student affairs professionals who offer prevention programs and administer university policies that responsibly respond to acts of violence should they occur,” said Whitney, representing the State System’s Commission of Presi...

The president of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and the state attorney general are among the people who will be participating in the fourth and final public hearing concerning increased heroin use in Pennsylvania. Dr. Livingston Alexander and Kathleen Kane, as well as Clarion University President Dr. Karen Whitney are just three of the people who will be testifying at the hearing Tuesday morning at Clarion. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania says information from this hearing and the three previous hearing can be used to develop legislative policies that may help curb the use of heroin and other opioids that are having an effect on rural Pennsylvania. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – A House Education Committee public hearing Tuesday on proposed legislation to bring community college programs to rural Pennsylvania identified both support for and concerns with the concept, said Reps. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) and Kathy Rapp (R-Warren). House Bill 1701 seeks to create a rural community college pilot program serving an 11-county region of northwest and northcentral Pennsylvania. “Two things became very clear during today’s hearing,” Causer said. “One, every single person who testified recognized the need for additional education and training opportunities in our region. And two, some in the education establishment see my proposal as one that infringes on their turf and their funding. “That’s unfortunate, because the discussion really should be about our students in rural Pennsylvania and ensuring accessibility to affordable education and training programs,” he added. “This is about providing the students of rural Pennsylvania with the...

Clarion Students’ Association, in collaboration with the Traditions Council, unveiled an apple sculpture Sept. 7 on the lawn of Grunenwald Center for Science and Technology. The white, marble composite apple is an open canvas on which students can express themselves and promote their organizations. “In the spring of 2010, CSA and the Traditions Council approached Student Senate with the challenge to create a new tradition on campus that will capture the energy and enthusiasm of student organizations,” said Joanna Catalano (’12), former president of Student Senate and member of CSA board and Traditions Council. “After several polls of the student body and many conversations with the university’s administration, the idea was born.” Funded through the CSA Special Projects Fund, the apple honors Clarion University’s long-standing commitment to education since its founding as Clarion Seminary in 1867. “We chose the shape of an apple as a tribute to the university’s history and mission...

Clarion University’s equestrian team, located at Venango College in Oil City, had its first western rider win a regional championship on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The equestrian team had six riders that qualified for Zone 6 Region 5 Regionals, including two English and four Western riders. Three members of Clarion University’s Western Equestrian Team placed in the Zone 6 Region 5 Regionals held at West Virginia University on Saturday March 16, 2013. Judy Shupe, a junior from Franklin, placed first in the Beginner Western Horsemanship and is the team’s first Regional Champion. Katelynn Nussbaum, from Kersey, placed fourth in the same class. Kellie Forsman, a junior from Erie, placed third in the Intermediate Western Horsemanship II. Judy Shupe will be traveling to Kentucky on Saturday, March 23, 2013, along with all first and second place riders to compete in the Western Semi-Finals at Morehead State. Melanie Daniel, from Ottsville, and Cody Lauer, from Clarion, competed in...

Clarion University sophomore Rakeeah Megan Sabazz Merritt accepts $500 checks from Susan Bornak, dean of student development, on behalf of Student and University Affairs, and Josh Domitrovich, vice president of Student Senate, to help with expenses incurred after she was shot in the leg during a drive-by shooting Feb. 2 in Clarion. Merritt suffered broken tibia and fibula bones. She has returned to Clarion University and is recovering. Also pictured is Reginald Merritt, Rakeeah’s father. Kevin “Deuce” Austin of Farrell is charged with attempted homicide and for being a convicted felon with a firearm, and a number of other charges in connection to the shooting. He is in Clarion County Jail on half a million dollars bail. Photo provided by Clarion University The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Venango College Veterans Club members delivered gifts to 15 veterans residing at the Oil City Presbyterian Home as their final fall semester project before going home for the holiday break last week. The community-focused project started four years ago as the club’s first project. Due to the popularity of this event, the club has now partnered with Venango Allies, Rehabilitative Services, and Criminal Justice Clubs to adopt three more Venango County nursing homes in order to support some 60 veterans receiving holiday visits and gifts from Venango College student-led organizations. Pictured is Venango College Veterans Club member Sheri Symosko greeting Presbyterian Home resident Fay Durham, U.S.M.C. and Vietnam War Veteran. Symosko is a dual major in Criminology and Rehabilitative Sciences who also is an R.O.T.C. cadet at Clarion University. She is very active in the multiple projects that the club supports. In the past, the club has also co-sponsored the campus’ Thanksgivin...

Clarion University administration, faculty and staff served a late-night breakfast to 1,050 students Dec. 9 to support them in having a successful finals week. “The purpose of the late-night breakfast is to give students a boost of encouragement the night before finals week,” said Dr. Karen Whitney, president of Clarion University. Whitney proposed the idea for the free breakfast and was one of 45 university employees who served the students. Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity sang holiday carols, and an ensemble including Andrew Ortega of Titusville, D.J. Conrad of Morrisdale, Zach Ray of Franklin and Matt Younger of New Castle played seasonal music on tuba and euphonium. Photo provided by Clarion University The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Hershey – Ryan Devlin, a teacher in the Brockway Area School District, Jefferson County, today was named Pennsylvania’s 2013 Teacher of the Year at the Keystone Awards of Excellence banquet in Hershey. “On behalf of Governor Tom Corbett and the citizens of Pennsylvania, I congratulate Ryan for achieving this well-deserved, prestigious award,” Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis said in announcing the award. “As a dedicated professional, Ryan’s commitment to both the teaching profession and his students demonstrates that Pennsylvania is home to quality individuals who are in the classroom educating our children.” Devlin, currently in his fifth year at Brockway Area High School, teaches 11th-grade British literature, 8th-grade computer science and two senior-high electives: creative writing and digital media. He also serves as chairman of the high school’s English department. His teaching methods include extensive use of technology in the classroom for which he received the Keystones...

Two hundred members of the rail and manufacturing industries convened Oct. 24 in Gemmell Student Center at Clarion University of Pennsylvania for the “Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Connectivity” forum. Attendees included representatives from ElectroMotive, GE Transportation, Nippon Sharyo, Siemens, local manufacturer Brookville Equipment and others. Hosted by Northwest Industrial Resource Center and Northwest & North Central Partners for Regional Economic Performance, the forum fostered discussion between large car builders and smaller U.S. manufacturers, working toward the goal of reaching 100 percent domestic content in railcars. The all-day event included networking activities, professional panels and speeches. Among those addressing the audience were Kevin Kesler, chief of the Department of Transportation’s Rolling Stock division; Linda Martin, senior attorney at the Department’s Federal Railroad Administration; and Congressman Glenn Thompson. Clarion University Presi...

Clarion University History Club will host its annual Ghost Event from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29-31 in the auditorium of Clarion's most haunted building, Hart Chapel. Admission is free, and it is open to the public. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Ghost Event, will be one of the few times it has taken place Halloween night. History Club advisor Dr. Todd Pfannestiel said he hopes that will translate into more activity from the spirits. Pfannestiel shares tales about Clarion's past and the ghosts that remain in the present. Everything presented is 100 percent authentic, according to Pfannestiel. The stories presented are based on historical events that have happened on campus, with the audience left to determine whether the subsequent unexplained activity is paranormal in nature. He has even worked with speech pathology professors on campus to further analyze the unknown voices recorded on tape during various investigations. Through visual evidence, night cameras, and a...

Clarion University Special Libraries Association's student chapter will have a Book-Based Designz display and sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, Aug. 20 to Sept. 7, in Gemmell Student Complex. The students will offer an assortment of book-based décor - books that have been repurposed into lamps, vases, bookmobiles, book safes, shelves and more - perfect for dorms and apartments. "Many of the books which were used to create the artwork would have been otherwise discarded, so the fundraiser incorporates the values of both recycling and artistry," said Michael Widdersheim, a recent graduate of the Master of Science in Library Science program at Clarion University and SLA president. "We scheduled the fundraiser during first-year orientation and move-in so that students could find items for dorms and apartments, and also so that parents could view our display. We hope this event not only helps support our student organization, but that it also inspires others to repurp...

Since 2003, at least four Clarion University students per year have had the opportunity to work with established professional writers at the four-day Chautauqua Writers' Festival at The Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, N.Y. Nine years ago Dr. Philip Terman, Clarion professor of English, was teaching a summer class at Chautauqua, and the director of The Writing Center at the institution took the class. Through conversations between them, Terman developed an idea to start a writers' festival. Chautauqua gave Terman seed money, and he worked with a faculty member from Penn State-Behrend to get the festival under way. Thus began a partnership between Clarion University and Chautauqua. Terman is one of three co-directors of the festival, which is under the umbrella of Chautauqua's Writers' Center. The festival, held annually in June and co-sponsored by Clarion University, Penn State-Behrend and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, brings six major, award-winnin...

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and the league's board of directors (presidents) has announced that Clarion University President Karen M. Whitney has been named an at-large representative to the PSAC's Executive Committee, starting with the spring 2012 semester. Whitney replaces Dr. Maravene Loeschke, who recently resigned from Mansfield University to accept the presidency of Towson University. "I look forward to serving Clarion University and our Pennsylvania conference to ensure that collegiate sport supports our university values of student learning, service, inclusion and good sportsmanship," Whitney said. The PSAC Executive Committee, made up of five of the league's university presidents, has Dr. David L. Soltz, Bloomsburg as chairman; Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, Kutztown, as vice-chair; Dr. Gregory Weisenstein, West Chester, as treasurer; and Dr. Thomas J. Gamble, Mercyhurst, and Whitney as at-large members. PSAC is governed by the board of directors, who...

Clarion University President Karen Whitney has released the following statement: “The recent media coverage involving allegations of sexual abuse/sexual assault of minor children by a former Penn State coach caused me to ask whether Clarion University has systems in place to make sure that anyone, including children who have occasion to be on our campus, is protected from similar allegations. One of the practical questions for each of us is, ‘To whom should I bring my concern?’ If you see, hear about or know about possible abuse in any form, including child abuse on our campus, please immediately contact University Police at 814-393-2111. After making this phone call, inform your immediate supervisor, who, in turn, will contact his/her respective vice president. What is essential is that university police are notified immediately in order for investigatory procedures to be implemented.”

The Clarion University 2011-2012 theatre season continues Nov. 17-20 with “Scrooge: The Musical,” at 8 p.m. Nov. 17-19 and 2 p.m. Nov. 20 in the auditorium of Marwick Boyd Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for children and free for Clarion University students showing a valid ID, and are available by calling 814-393-2787 or going online. The musical was adapted by Leslie Bricusse from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Director Marilouise Michel, theatre department professor, said it is a very recognizable adaptation for anyone who knows the story. “It is a musical comedy with a heart. There are funny moments, sad moments, scary moments … a lot of singing and dancing and a really great story,” said Michel, whose past directing credits at Clarion include “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Snoopy! The Musical.” Theatre professor Robert Bullington will play Ebenezer Scrooge, and Dr. Brent Register, professor of music, is musical director. There will be a s...

Dr. Jessie Blackburn, assistant professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, spent her summer making presentations as near as Clarion University and as far as Nottingham, England. First she presented at the Feminism and Teaching Symposium at the University of Nottingham. Her workshop, “Beneath the Bandwidth: Why, How and When Feminist Pedagogies and Digital Media Intersect Inside the Academic Composition Classroom,” examined how instructors can better prepare students for reading and writing in the digital era. Blackburn, who is also director of composition at Pitt-Bradford, examined how the entrance of technology into the classroom affects students, faculty and curricula. Later she traveled to Baton Rouge, La., to give a presentation to the Council of Writing Program Administrators, “The Affordances and Constraints of ‘Doing’ Multimodal WPA Work at Rural Institutions.” In that presentation, she looked at ...

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Bradford High’s Mark Havers lost to Chance Marsteller of Kennard-Dale in York County 9-4 tonight in the PIAA Class Triple A wrestling championships in Hershey. I think most of us can agree that we're very proud of Mark and that watching him wrestle over the last few years has been very exciting. (And, some of us learned more about wrestling that we ever knew we wanted to know.) Good luck at Clarion, Mark! Pictured, Havers (in red) got the better of Marstellar a few times. (taken while watching PCN's broadcast)