For immediate release: June 4, 2008

BLOOMSBURG — Steven Barth, Lewisburg, was appointed to a two-year term as chair of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Council of Trustees during the Wednesday, June 4, meeting.
Barth, a member of the Council of Trustees since 1998, formerly served as vice chairperson. Robert Dampman, Ringtown, was named vice chairperson of the Trustees and Marie Conley Lammando, Harrisburg, will continue as secretary.

In a related matter, the Trustees approved a resolution honoring former chairperson Robert Gibble, a 1968 BU graduate. The resolution recognized Gibble, a member of the Trustees since 1999, for his advocacy and service to the university. Gibble will continue to serve on the Council of Trustees.

The Trustees also approved the annual resolution approving the general condition and care of the university facilities as required by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors. The Trustees conducted a campus tour prior to the meeting.
Also during the meeting:

• Provost James Mackin told the group that the bachelor of science in clinical laboratory science has been renamed to bachelor of science in health sciences to better reflect its scope as a program for students planning careers as physicians assistants and physical therapists. Mackin also said a minor in Chinese, with an emphasis on the Chinese language, is being introduced to meet the rising demand, especially of students who plan to study in China.
• Financial aid director Tom Lyons explained the impact of current economic conditions on scholarships, loans, grants and student employment. Saying he’s never before experienced this “level of anxiety” from parents and students, Lyons said the financial aid staff is committed to making sure “all of our students get all of the aid they are entitled to.”

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Professional Studies, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.