Love is in the air, as we explore the magic of college romance, and the lasting bonds formed at PennWest. Today we have two heartwarming stories from our alumni who found love during their high school and college years together – and one story about a married couple that serves as athletic coaches.

We’ll dive into the unique journeys of couples whose relationships blossomed amidst the vibrant campus life – sharing their experiences, challenges, and the moments that brought them closer together.

We begin at the California campus with Camus family. Tim, who graduated in 1984, and Judy, who followed in 1985, met as students during their college careers.

Tim recently retired as the Deputy Inspector for Investigations at the office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. He currently serves as vice president of California’s alumni association.

Since graduation, Judy has served in several roles, including a PR director, communications specialist and patient care representative. She earned a degree from California in speech communication.

Next, we have Danielle and Daron Fleming, who coach the Clarion women’s basketball team.

Danielle Fleming was hired as the head coach of the Golden Eagles' women's basketball program in Spring 2023 after a steady career of assistant and head coaching gigs.

As the assistant coach, Daron has worked alongside Danielle at stints in Columbia International and Southern Arkansas.

We’ll discuss what it’s like working alongside your spouse while coaching and leading student-athletes to success on and off the court.

Finally, we end in Edinboro with Jason and Katie Spangenberg.

Jason Spangenberg graduated in 2014 is manager of the Edinboro Borough Manager. He earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration with a minor in accounting.

A 2016 grad, Katie is owner and operator of Bean & Bear Café and has served as event director for the Edinboro Highland Games & Scottish Festival. She earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration with a minor in comprehensive business .

 The pair remains very involved in the Edinboro community and assist with the marching band at nearby General McLane High School, where they met.

This month, we're honoring Black History Month with a special episode that explores the personal and professional journeys of three remarkable individuals at PennWest.

We’ll dig into the meaning of Black History Month through the lenses of our Frederick Douglass Institute director, one of our basketball coaches and a current graduate student – each of whom will examine their inspiring stories, challenges they've overcome and the legacies they're building.

Today we welcome Dr. Michelle Torregano, who was recently selected to lead PennWest’s efforts in the Frederick Douglass Institute; Damian Pitts, the head coach of Clarion’s men’s basketball team, and graduate student Bria Allen, who’s an outstanding photographer and MBA student.

PennWest students and faculty make significant impact in their communities through dedicated service initiatives. Through their commitment to service, they address pressing social issues, provide valuable support to those in need, and also foster a sense of civic responsibility and community engagement among participants.

Today on the podcast, we have three individuals who oversee and participate in these initiatives that build stronger, more resilient communities – and provide students with invaluable real-world experience and personal growth.

Dr. Amy Eperthener is an athletic trainer at Edinboro and also leads the campus Make-a-Wish efforts.

Leah Chambers, who joins us from Clarion, operates the Community Learning Workshop with Dr. Richard Lane. California students Cassidy McCormick and Tyrique Whitson lend their expertise to lead Toys for Tots and Big Event efforts on campus.

The Power of PennWest is in its people, and we welcome these four outstanding individuals to discuss their commitment to service in the community.

PennWest faculty members are renowned for fostering a culture of exploration and engagement on our campuses, which significantly contributes to student success both during and after college. They actively encourage students to participate in diverse academic and extracurricular activities, promoting a well-rounded educational experience. 

 Today on the podcast, we have three PennWest faculty members whose supportive environment not only enhances achievement and prepares students for successful careers and meaningful contributions to their communities. 

Dr. Karim Hossain, who teaches physics at the Edinboro campus, is always exploring and presenting effective ways of instructional techniques after realizing that students in physics courses exhibited an anxiety that limited their motivation to learn. 

As a professor of sociology at the California campus, Dr. Codie Stone promotes diversity and social inclusion in the classroom and emphasizes real-world experiences and authentic histories in course content. 

Dr. Brandon Packard, whose academic interests span from video games to artificial intelligence, was recently recognized with a Special Equity Award for creating a welcoming environment where all students can thrive and feel safe. 

Today we have two individuals who have crafted their own personal narratives and identities through participation in clubs and organizations while in college. Lindsey Tolbert, who graduated from the California campus in 2016, works for an entertainment company as an event coordinator and talent agent. Where did she get her start? Collaborating with the company as a member of the Student Activities Board.

Joelle Paul, an exercise science major at the Edinboro campus, finds her passion in basketball. As the student assistant for the Fighting Scots women’s team, she discovered that she still had the itch to lace up her sneakers. So, she decided to start a club basketball team on her owncampus.

Clubs and organizations play a crucial role in the college experience by providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership development and networking. The power of PennWest is in its people.

Dr. Jonathan Anderson was inaugurated as the second president of Pennsylvania Western University on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Steele Hall on the PennWest California campus.

The investiture marks a pivotal moment for PennWest as it continues to build upon its mission of providing a life-changing educational experience for students on its campuses at California, Clarion, Edinboro and online and serving the communities of western Pennsylvania.

In today's bonus episode, we present President Anderson's inauguration speech in its entirety. “Caring for our individual stewardship may be the best way we can respect this institution’s history and build the PennWest legacy.”

The Power of PennWest is in its people, and through the first 15 episodes of this podcast, we’ve met faculty, staff, students and community members who epitomize the spirit of this institution and work tirelessly towards the collective success of our campuses.

Over the past semester, we have achieved major gains in recruiting online and graduate students, established a center for Artificial Intelligence and reinforced our dedication to education through our partnership with the Rutledge Institute. We’ve also connected with school districts, business leaders and organizations in our own backyard to strengthen our commitment to our regions and communities.

I’m excited today to be joined by my wife, Kristy, for the final fall episode of The Power of PennWest podcast. We will look back on our first few months of involvement in this institution, our outstanding inauguration celebration and our goals and initiatives moving forward.

Commencement is an exciting time for the entire PennWest community – as it marks one of the final stages in a student’s academic journey and also the beginning of the future. On Dec. 14, we will celebrate the Class of 2024 with celebrations at each of our campuses of California, Clarion and Edinboro.

The power of PennWest is in its people and the three guests on the show today have epitomized the strength, determination and vision it takes to be successful at this level. Rachel Kister, from Clarion, Courtney Keisling, from California, and Ellie Keating, representing Edinboro, have been selected by their campus communities to deliver the student addresses for the PennWest commencement ceremonies.

In today’s episode, each student will preview their message to campus and share a little insight into their journey at PennWest.

Whether you want to stargaze, journey to distant galaxies or explore the solar system, you’ll find the PennWest planetariums to be the gateway to the universe. The Edinboro Planetarium and the Pierce Planetarium at the Clarion campus offer dynamic, hands-on educational experiences where students and stargazers can learn about stars, planets and constellations.

Two professors who serve as directors of the PennWest Planetariums join us today on “The Power of PennWest” podcast to discuss their upcoming shows and the importance of scientific curiosity on our campuses. This December at Edinboro, Dr. David Hurd, will guide the public through the annual holiday show, where guests can learn about the winter sky, the traditional Christmas holiday and – of course – Santa’s global travels. At Clarion, Dr. Sharon Montgomery leads an exploration into the sky over Clarion – where she weaves storytelling and science together to explore to highlight the month’s brightest stars and planets.

Each year, millions of individuals around the globe collaborate to inspire generosity, practice empathy and garner support to transform their communities. Modern philanthropy involves individuals and organizations donating their time, money and resources to support charitable causes and improve the well-being of others.  Giving Tuesday, celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is a global movement that encourages people to give back to their communities and support various philanthropic efforts.

Today on “The Power of PennWest” podcast, we’ll speak to administrators and staff from PennWest advancement team and foundations to learn about charitable giving and how we support students at California, Clarion and Edinboro.

Today's Guests:

Tony Mauro, associate vice president for Development

Charles “Chuck” Scalise ’86, executive director, Edinboro

Bill Flinn ’68, president, Foundation for California

Denise Smith, executive director, Foundation for California

Max Smith, executive director, Clarion University Foundation