Gov. Ed Rendell will be addressing the 2007 graduates at the
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford at commencement April 29.
Dr. Livingston Alexander, university president, said Tuesday,
“We’re elated.”
It’s a tremendous honor for Gov. Ed Rendell to agree to deliver
the keynote address, Alexander said.
“We’re still working, of course, to reflect as often as we can
that the university is an institution that is emerging and on the
rise,” he said. “The governor’s presence helps that cause.”
Rendell was chosen for several reasons, including the support he
has provided to this region of the state and the inspiration he can
provide to students starting off in the world.
“The governor has, of course, come to our region a couple of
times in the last couple of years and shown support,” Alexander
said. “We also know that he is the highest public official in the
state. We want to expose our students (to that), especially those
ending their program of study and preparing to go out into the
world. We always look for someone to inspire and increase their
vision for themselves.
“Who better than the governor of our state to provide that
inspiration and to think beyond the limitations our students impose
upon themselves? That’s what prompted us to look at Harrisburg,” he
explained.
And while Pitt-Bradford may be a satellite campus in a larger
university system, the campus, nestled in the hills of the Tuna
Valley, has been making a name for itself with recent improvements
and expansions – and now, with the governor coming to address its
graduating class.
“The word about this wonderful institution is getting out,”
Alexander said. “The campus may be small, but it’s having a
powerful impact on our region.
“We’ve undertaken an aggressive marketing campaign to make sure
the message about our institution goes out throughout the state of
Pennsylvania. The word about us is certainly out there. This is one
of the many results of that.”
Over the past few years, Rendell has been instrumental in some
major projects in the region, including the expansion of the
Bradford Regional Medical Center, the addition of the BluFlame
product line – and many jobs to go with it – at Zippo Manufacturing
Co., and the completion of renovation of Bradford’s Old City
Hall.
Alexander said Rendell has also backed improvements in Warren,
including an Impact Warren project that has “transformed the
downtown area.”
“We get a lot of students from the Warren area,” Alexander said.
“I suspect there will be a lot of graduates from Warren, along with
those from around McKean County, who can take pride in a governor
who has worked very hard to bring resources and opportunities to
our region.
“I know it’s going to be a privilege for the students to share
this important day with the governor of their state,” he said.
And what is Alexander hoping the soon-to-be graduates will take
away from their afternoon with the governor?
“What I’m hoping is that students will come to realize the times
at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is one of the most
significant moments of their lives,” Alexander said. “The presence
of the governor punctuates that in a big way. There are no limits
to what they can accomplish.
“I’ve heard the governor speak before and that is often the
message he will send,” Alexander said.
“We’re thrilled and we think it’s a great opportunity for our
campus to shine.”
Commencement will be held at 2 p.m. April 29 in the
Pitt-Bradford Sport and Fitness Center arena.
