CLEARFIELD– Representatives of the Clearfield Educational Foundation and theClearfieldcampus of Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania shared the background and growth of their partnership with the Clearfield County Commissioners at Tuesday’s workshop meeting.
Nearly 25 years ago, the CEF and theClearfieldarea business community invested in the concept of theClearfieldcampus, said Tom Stojek, vice chairman of the CEF.
Stojek said the CEF has a purely volunteer board of directors without any paid staff. The board meets monthly at theClearfieldcampus. Valerie J. Dixon, interim director, said theClearfieldcampus provides centralPennsylvaniawith the opportunity for high-quality education at a relatively low cost. She provided examples of its partnership, which included the brick-cased electronic sign along U.S. Route 322, school district involvement with scholarship awards and the annual campus beautification day.
“Initially, theClearfieldcampus was located in the Hillsdale area, but it’s now grown into a beautiful campus along U.S. Route 322. It shows that the community, education and economic development all go hand-in-hand,” said Stojek.
According toDixon, more than 400 students are currently enrolled as part-time and full-time students at theClearfieldcampus. She said it remains the most consistent and largest generator of jobs to the local workforce. She said it’s had 1,200 graduates with associate, bachelors and masters degrees and many are working inClearfieldCountyand the North Central region.
In fact,Dixonsaid that more than 100 physician assistant graduates average a salary of $70,000 and 90-plus percent obtain employment before graduation. She said more than 830 registered nurses graduated with associate degrees with an average starting salary between $40,000 and $57,000.
According to her, the campus has extended its education program and has already trained 38 new employees in the healthcare field during 2010-11. She said the Speaker Series serves as an outreach program to the outlying community on various topics, such as healthcare and the Marcellus Shale industry.
“The foundation helps sustain the campus and educational growth. It brings life toClearfield,” said Maureen Gathagan, chairwoman of the CEF. She said the campus electronic sign and those erected along Interstate 80 showcase that “educational life” exists inClearfield.
She said the CEF is partnering with superintendents and guidance counselors with local school districts to provide scholarships to traditional and non-traditional students.
“We’re getting them on board to generate interest among the students. We want the students to stay local for their education,” said Gathagan.
Dixonsaid the CEF and community have provided theClearfieldcampus with a “constant support system.” She said they’re working together to strengthen the community for years to come.
“Our goal is to always be a vital part in this community,” she said. “The foundation allows that. We have a phenomenal track record of growth from a smaller (campus community) in Hillsdale to a larger, easy-access campus along U.S. Route 322.”
Dixonsaid theClearfieldcampus wants to continually increase the quality of post-secondary education locally while making it affordable. She said tuition is currently $3800 for a full-time student, which doesn’t include room and board.
“We want to serve local students. We have regional students who commute from up to one-and-a-half hours away,” she said. She said theClearfieldcampus is preparing for the future and determining what educational opportunities will make sense.
Dixonsaid theClearfieldcampus wants to please the local community and remains “open, receptive and available” to input from community members. She said campus leaders are currently exploring offering a short-term certificate program for Marcellus Shale.
However, she said it could take approximately one-and-a-half to two years for it to be approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
“It would be a stepping stone though for students to get into environmental studies, mapping, etc.,” she said.
Dixonthanked the commissioners for the support of the CEF Clearfield campus. Commissioner Chairman John A. Sobel said, “It’s important to have these local opportunities available. You’re thinking outside the box and the opportunities available are wide-ranging. You’re giving students an opportunity to make something of their lives.”
This year’s CEF campaign goal is $75,000. Donations can be made payable to the Clearfield Educational Foundation and mailed toP.O. Box 510,Clearfield,PA16830.