June 28, 2012
PASSHE Board of Governors extends contracts of seven university presidents
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Harrisburg – The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) today voted to extend the contracts of seven university presidents through June 30, 2015.
Those receiving one-year extensions are:
•Dr. David L. Soltz, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Michelle R. Howard-Vital, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Karen M. Whitney, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Michael Fiorentino Jr., Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. William N. Ruud, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Greg R. Weisenstein, West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
•Dr. Michelle R. Howard-Vital, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Karen M. Whitney, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Michael Fiorentino Jr., Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. William N. Ruud, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Greg R. Weisenstein, West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
“Each of the presidents who received a contract extension has demonstrated his or
her strong leadership abilities and commitment to student success,” said Board of
Governors Chairman Guido M. Pichini. “They have provided both outstanding leadership
and the vision necessary to lead an institution of higher education in these difficult
times.”
PASSHE university presidents initially receive a three-year “rolling contract,” which
is subject to annual review. As a result of that performance-based review, a president’s
contract can be extended by a year. The Board of Governors makes that determination
based, in part, on the recommendations of each university’s Council of Trustees and
PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh.
New presidents recently were hired at East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana and Slippery
Rock Universities of Pennsylvania and acting or interim presidents are serving at
California and Mansfield Universities of Pennsylvania and were not eligible for an
extension. Millersville University of Pennsylvania President Francine G. McNairy has
announced her intention to retire at the end of the year.
The contract extensions do not include any changes in compensation or benefits.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher
education in the Commonwealth, with nearly 120,000 students. The 14 PASSHE universities
offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. About 500,000
PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.
The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg,
Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery
Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses
in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including
the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.