Rotary host Commonwealth U president Bashar Hanna

Wellsboro Rotary hosted Commonwealth University president Dr. Bashar Hanna at the Thursday, Feb. 29 meeting.

Hanna was the guest of Rotarian and former state representative Matt Baker to bring Rotary up to date on happenings at Commonwealth University-Mansfield and to encourage local leaders to educate the community on what Comm U-Mansfield has to offer.

Commonwealth University is comprised of three PASSHE campuses: Lock Haven, Bloomsberg and Mansfield. The schools merged at the start of the 2022–23 school year.

“I still don’t think the word is out,” Hanna said.

In 2016, Hanna reminded attendees, the Mansfield University system was redesigned. MU was down to fewer than 20 majors and was considered a “niche school,” Hanna said.

Hanna outlined the three tenets of Commonwealth University: accessibility, affordability and student success. He noted that the revamped merit scholarship system can provide approximately two-thirds of most student tuition and the recent partnership with 63 Pennsylvania school districts.

“We will stabilize MU if we connect with school districts, and we’ll stabilize the area if we keep students here,” he said.

Hanna also appealed to Rotary members, many of whom are business leaders, to provide internship opportunities to MU students.

“Students who have several internships throughout college have twice as good a chance at getting a job after graduation,” Hanna said. “We encourage students to get involved in Professional U during their freshman year, but not enough do.”

Professional U is a “career boot camp” that guides students through resumes, interviewing, internships and how to pave the way for their professional future.

“We try to ‘indoctrinate’ the importance of careers,” Hanna said.

Tuition has not increased at Comm U-Mansfield since 2016.

“Our appropriation in the government budget has flatlined,” Hanna said. “The PASSE schools are asking for a 6.5% increase…if we get this there will be no increase tuition.”

Hanna said that there is a state government proposal to integrate PASSE schools with community colleges.

“I know about as much about this as you do,” Hanna said. “But if it improves affordability and accessibility, I’m all for it.”

Hanna encouraged the parents and grandparents at the Rotary luncheon to spread the word of what Comm U-Mansfield has to offer.

“Education is the great equalizer,” Hanna said.

In other Rotary business, secretary Jim Tutak noted that the recent discussion regarding the “Welcome to Wellsboro” signs made necessary a discussion among the Masons, the Lions, BPW and Rotary. A meeting was scheduled to occur later on Feb. 29.

Tutak also mentioned a possible purchase of affordable housing through Rotary and various corporate and government partners.

“The lack of labor here is caused by a lack of housing,” Tutak said. “We’re looking at (the former Seventh Day Adventist) church on Charleston Road and a possible conversion to apartments.”

Tutak said that residents would have to work a minimum of 32-hours per week to be eligible for residency. He is discussion with the Tioga-Bradford Housing and Redevelopment Authority regarding this possible future purchase.

Originally published at https://www.tiogapublishing.com on March 4, 2024.