News
President, students celebrate inauguration
President Karen Whitney cuts loose and line dances with the new mascot and students at Gemmell Multipurpose Room. Caitlin McGill / The Clarion Call
Clarion, Pa. – Hundreds of students and handfuls of faculty and staff met with Clarion University President Karen Whitney at the Student Inaugural Celebration on Wednesday, April 13, in the Gemmell Multipurpose Room.
The informal meet-and-greet included music, dancing and dessert and beverage catering by Chartwells.
Chris Myers managed the event, and said, “It is a great opportunity for students to get to know President Whitney.”
Myers, of Bethel Park, Pa., is a senior in the college of business, a student trustee and president of the University Activities Board. He said he was optimistic about Whitney’s
capability as Clarion’s 16th president.
“We’re so fortunate to have her expertise and leadership,” Myers said.
Whitney said she has been engrossed in scholastic and research-based concerns all week, and that she enjoyed the opportunity to kick back with students.
“The whole point of my position is the students,” Whitney said, “and I’m here to learn how to have fun with them.”
Many students approached the new president as friends, often hugging and posing with her in front of cameras.
“I love how she’s so amiable,” said Ruma Chatterji, an environmental biology freshman from New York City.
Tyler Shearer, a freshman music education major from Girard, Pa., said Whitney “will be a great asset to Clarion. She has the potential to make it a better school and a better town
in a lot of areas.”
Shearer was in charge of decorating the MPR with hundreds of balloons and streamers.
Students attending signed their names to a banner bearing “We are Golden
Eagles,” to be presented to Whitney after the festivities had ended.
Students showed off their skills throughout the evening, starting with a routine by Clarion’s Hip-Hop Dance Team. Others included ukulele songs by Amelia Eiger.
Clarion’s new-and-improved Golden Eagle mascot was unveiled later in the evening.
Dozens of students danced the Macarena and other line dances with their new feathered friend.
“It looks better than the old one,” said senoir broadcasting major Ryan Loverick of Butler, Pa.
Communication graduate student Jon Joy produced a video presentation for the unveiling.
Door prizes were presented at the end of the event.
Jeff Donor won two tickets to the April 23 Pittsburgh Penguins versus Tampa Bay Lightning playoff hockey game at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Todd Pfannestiel,
history department professor, donated the tickets.
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