SRU trustees celebrate University’s record enrollment
From left: Slippery Rock University trustee William McCarrier; SRU President Cheryl Norton; and Matthew Lautman, chair of the council of trustees, share a smile during the September 2016 quarterly meetings.
Sept. 23, 2016
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - And the number is...8,881. That number, the Slippery Rock University council of trustees learned at their quarterly meeting, represents the highest enrollment in the history of the University.
"Everyone at the University deserves a pat on the back for helping us to achieve this significant goal. Since I've arrived at the University, I've wanted everyone to be focused on making SRU the 'best choice, first choice' institution for students and I think our numbers support that as evidenced by this historic mark. It truly is something not just to celebrate, but to recognize in terms of the dedication and hard work that everyone who lives, works and studies here puts forth," said SRU President Cheryl Norton.
Norton told the trustees the University posted gains from Fall 2015 to Fall 2016 in student headcount, full-time equivalency students and credit-hour production.
The trustees began their two days of meetings Sept. 23-23 by viewing a presentation from Heather Hertel, associate professor of art, that recapped her "Sailcloth Art Project" that will run through Sept. 30 at the Bayfront Maritime Center in Erie.
Hertel said the eight recycled racing sails used in the exhibit each span 30 to 44 feet in length. Using acrylic paint, she painted human figures in colorful attire gesturing toward the sky to symbolize the open water.
The Bayfront Maritime Center is displaying the large-scale sails indoors and outdoors. In fact, visitors to the display are welcomed by one of the large sails that hang on a metal arch in front of the building. The building arches are being used to represent the ribs of the bottom of a boat.
Also on display outside the center is a metal sailcloth sculpture designed by SRU art majors and recent graduates: Kathryn Fitzgerald from Pittsburgh; Erin Pandolfino from York; Mikaela Skiljo from Sharon; Bernard Store from Grove City; Tyra Welsh from New Castle; Maggie Acker, '16, from Coudersport; and Jared Robinson, '16, from Lyndora.
The work features six small sails that were cut and sewn from a larger, white spinnaker sail. Inside the center are three hanging sails with images of Japanese courtesans and one showing a spirit painted and cut out of a black racing sail.
Hertel said the project combines her passion for art and sailing.
In other action, trustees approved the minutes from the June 9-10 quarterly meetings and heard a report from Norton that highlighted summer projects at the University, spotlighted student, faculty, staff and institutional successes, and presented a preview of a yearlong initiative focusing on "Cultivating a Respectful Community.
The trustees also received reports from the Academic and Student Affairs, Finance, University Advancement and Governance committees; reviewed University financial statements, including the quarterly financial report; certified the University's resolution regarding order of succession; and then approved compliance contracts, fixed assets, services and supply purchase orders and approved the 2016-2017 University budget.
The council's next meeting will be December 8-9, 2016.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu