Penn West Clarion
 | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1867 |
| Endowment | US $10,386,829 |
| President | Dr. Joseph P. Grunenwald |
| Undergraduates | 5,744 |
| Postgraduates | 594 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Rural |
| Mascot | Golden Eagles |
| Website | www.clarion.edu |
Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a liberal arts university in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and one of fourteen universities associated with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
History
The university was founded in 1867 as a teachers college. In 1983, the State of Pennsylvania began its first public, state-owned, university system, and Clarion was among the founding universities. Since that time the Clarion University has added academic programs and accreditations, but remains true to her commitment to small classes taught by degree-accredited faculty members. The average class at Clarion has 26 students. Put another way, for every faculty member at Clarion there are only 18 students.
University Experience
The university enrolls around 6500 students — mostly undergraduates — and offers over 95 degrees. Students come to the 128 acre campus, for the most part, from Western Pennsylvania. The Borough of Clarion has about 6200 people and has received recognition for its Autumn Leaf Festival. The nearest major metropolitan area is Pittsburgh, about an hour and a half away. The small classes, 120 student organizations, and the relative isolation of the community lead to a focussed collegiate experience where students become a part of multiple social and academic communities.
Financial Aid
Eighty percent of Clarion's students receive some financial aid in spite of relatively low annual tuition and fees.
Satellite Campuses
The University also maintains specialized satellite campuses in Oil City and Pittsburgh and also participates in several on-line academic programs. The Pittsburgh site is primarily aimed at Nursing while the on-line programs are distinguished by a Master's program in Library Science.
Campus Housing
On Campus Housing
Current on-campus housing on Clarion University consists of:
- Ballentine Hall (all male)
- Becht Hall (all female)
- Givan Hall (all female)
- Nair Hall (co-ed)
- Ralston Flats (co-ed, apartment style housing, planning to open Fall 2007)
- Ralston Hall (co-ed, scheduled to close in Fall 2006)
- Wilkinson Hall (co-ed)
Off Campus Housing
Notable Student Groups
- ALLIES
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
- Clarion Call, The (College Newspaper)
- Eagle Ambassadors
- Golden Eagle Marching Band
- InterHall Council
- Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
- MENC
- Mystics Cove Pagan Network
- Speech and Debate Team
- Student Senate
- University Activities Board (Handles campus events, concerts, and trips)
- WCUB (College TV Station)
- WCUC (College Radio Station)
An outdated list of all student organizations can be found on the Office of Campus Life website for Clarion University (click here to view website).
Greek Life
Clarion is also home to a number of Greek organizations. This list may be slightly outdated due to changing Greek Life policies at Clarion.
Fraternities
- Kappa Delta Rho (Social)
- Phi Sigma Kappa (Social)
- Tau Kappa Epsilon (Social)
- Phi Delta Theta (social)
Sororities
- Alpha Kappa Alpha (Social)
- Alpha Sigma Alpha (Social)
- Alpha Sigma Tau (Social)
- Delta Phi Epsilon (Social)
- Delta Zeta (Social)
- Phi Sigma Sigma (Social)
- Sigma Sigma Sigma (Social)
- Theta Phi Alpha (Inactive Social, Alumni only)
- Zeta Phi Beta (Social)
- Zeta Tau Alpha (Social)
Notable Alumni
- Kurt Angle, 1996 Summer Olympics wrestling gold medalist and World Wrestling Entertainment superstar
- John Calipari, University of Memphis basketball coach
- Pete Vukovich, former Cy Young Award winner
- Reggie Wells, Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman