IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 18, 2008
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:

Office: 724.738.4854

Cell: 724.991.8302

                                                                                                                                                    gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

1980 SRU graduate seeks Congressional seat

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – John Stroup, a 1980 Slippery Rock University graduate and mayor of Clarion Borough, is running for the 5th Congressional seat of the U.S. House of Representatives. The district includes Clarion and 15 other counties in north-central Pennsylvania. 

            Republican John Peterson, who is retiring, currently holds the seat.

            Stroup, a Republican from Clarion, said he opposes tolling Interstate 80 and wants to bring high-speed broadband service to rural communities.  “On the national level, there is no doubt we have issues with spending,” he said.

            Another district need, he said, is providing better access to healthcare for rural residents. The 5th District includes Potter, Warren, Elk and other rural counties. 

            Stroup received a degree in accounting from SRU, where he was varsity wrestler. “The sense of community was really strong,” he said “The name alone, we always get that name recognition. It offers a great education as well.”

             He is currently the executive director of the Clarion Hospital Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the hospital. Before joining Clarion Hospital, Stroup worked for 12 years in sales with Sorce Inc. and 10 years as a senior cost analyst with HRB-Singer and Westinghouse Science and Technology Center, where he priced government contracts with various agencies.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.