Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors has extended the contracts of nine PASSHE University presidents through June 30, 2010. The presidents whose terms were extended are:

· Dr. Angelo Armenti Jr., California University of Pennsylvania

· Dr. Joseph P. Grunenwald, Clarion University of Pennsylvania

· Dr. Robert J. Dillman, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

· Dr. Tony Atwater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

· Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

· Dr. Keith T. Miller, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

· Dr. Maravene S. Loeschke, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

· Dr. Francine G. McNairy, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

· Dr. Robert M. Smith, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Two PASSHE University presidents have announced their intent to retire and were not considered for contract extensions. Dr. Jessica S. Kozloff of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania plans to retire in December and Dr. Madeleine Wing Adler of West Chester University of Pennsylvania has said she will retire in June 2008.

Three presidents were hired this year and were not eligible to be considered for a contract extension. They are Dr. Michelle R. Howard-Vital of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Jeremy D. Brown of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and Dr. William N. Ruud of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

The Board of Governors is responsible for the employment of the 14 PASSHE University presidents. The decision whether to renew a president’s contract is made annually, based on the recommendations of each University’s Council of Trustees and PASSHE Chancellor Dr. Judy G. Hample.

With more than 110,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth.The 14 PASSHE universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 405,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.