Clarion University of Pennsylvania history

Carrier Seminary began operation and offered a normal program as early as 1871.

Clarion State Normal School, the successor to Carrier Seminary, opened its doors on the old Seminary grounds April 12, 1887.

The commonwealth’s purchase of Clarion was official in December 1915 with the state assuming full control the following year.

When Gemmell arrived on campus in 1960 there were about 1,100 students and 10 buildings.

Classes began in the fall of 1961 with an enrollment of 131.

8, 1969, based on the premise of providing people with an opportunity to donate to Clarion State College and ensure that their contribution would be used as intended.

A survey reported in the May 5, 1975, issue of The News indicated that Gemmell had turned the tide in the community.

By the time he left the presidency in 1976, the student body had expanded to about 5,000 with 25 buildings completed, under construction or on the drawing boards.

Thomas A. Bond was named president June 3, 1980.

By Legislative Act 188 of 1982, all 14 state colleges were taken from the control of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and placed under the jurisdiction of the newly-created Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Pehrsson has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, beginning her academic career as an affiliate faculty member and clinical supervisor for counselor education at Idaho State University in 1991.

With the arrival Doctor Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson on July 1, 2018, Clarion's 17th president has sought to help Clarion find its True North.