University Era
Herb Reinhard
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Herb Reinhard’s first priority was to prepare the University for an evaluation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, which would occur during the 1980-81 academic year. The work by faculty and staff resulted in an evaluation report that cited SRU as “a strong institution with a good promise for an exciting future.” Having established the first Office of Alumni Affairs and Development, Reinhard participated in the first “phonation” to raise money from alumni for scholarships and other college programs. SRU’s athletic teams continued to bring national honors to the college in a wide variety of sports. Reinhard capitalized on the University’s unique name and brought increased national recognition to the college by forming the Slippery Rock National Athletic Fan Club, which also raised money for athletic scholarships. Adding to its stature, the college was granted university status in 1983. He earned bachelors and master’s degrees from Florida State University and his doctorate from Indiana University.
Short biographical excerpt from “Principals and Presidents of Slippery Rock University.”
Robert Aebersold
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Robert Aebersold became SRU’s 13th president after having served the college for 17 years in many capacities: assistant professor of physical education, department chair, coach, vice president for academic affairs and acting president. Under his leadership, the University was organized into four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Information Science and Business Administration. The University achieved widespread recognition for internationalism, including a top-10 national ranking for study abroad opportunities, environmental programs, community service-learning and physical therapy. The University’s first-ever capital campaign exceeded its goal raising $6.37 million. Construction on the new R.O.C.K. student apartments, a student recreation center and an alumni house funded exclusively with contributions from some 2,000 alumni were also realized. Enrollment during this time reached a peak of 7,92S in 1991. His bachelor’s degree was from Ohio Wesleyan University, his master’s from Ohio University and his doctorate from the University of Maryland.
Short biographical excerpt from “Principals and Presidents of Slippery Rock University.”
Learn more about Robert Aebersold and his tenure at SRU from his ROCKvoices Oral History interview from 2008 or read the transcript or listen to the audio from his Slippery Rock University in the Sixties Oral History interview from 1991.
G. Warren Smith
Following the Presidency of Robert Aebersold, came the legacy of G. Warren Smith who served as President of Slippery Rock University from 1997 to 2002. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Grinnell College and then received his Ph.D. of Philosophy from Cornell University. Known as a highly regarded chemist, he was a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Additionally, he carried a passion for the violin. Smith ended up coming to the university after spending nine years as the President of Southeastern Louisiana University. Inducted on December 19th, 1998, in the Morrow Fieldhouse, he was known for making several positive advancements for the university. This included notable initiatives such as Jack Critchfield Park and FutureWatch.
Jack Critchfield Park
In November of 2000, Slippery Rock University Alumni, and namesake, Dr. Jack Critchfield and his wife made a generous donation of $500,000. This was in order for the University to build a new and improved baseball stadium. The grand opening ceremonies were held April 20, 2002, prior to The Rock’s doubleheader vs. Edinboro University. Jack Critchfield Park is still used today and has housed many invigorating baseball games.
Statements from when Jack Critchfield Park was opening:
“When you have a nationally recognized baseball program, and yet you have to play all of your games during the daytime when everyone’s working, you can never build up the constituency of people to follow the team. …I had two criteria for this project: It must be built in a very visible place, so that people knew we had a baseball team, and it had to have lights so that we could start to play evening games.”
G. Warren Smith
“The stadium has rejuvenated me. I’ve been here for 17 years, but it feels like my first season again. It’s so exciting.”
Jeff Messer, Slippery Rock University Baseball Head Coach
FutureWatch
In 1998, Smith introduced the ambitious “FutureWatch” that was to help the university in the years to come. Some primary features of this process were to maximize the opportunities for campus and community stakeholders to be able to express ideas such as their opinions, expectations, and values related to higher education, relating to Slippery Rock University in particular.
“a PROCESS for identifying issues, collecting and reviewing information, and making recommendations concerning possible future directions for Slippery Rock University.”
Focused Topics within FutureWatch
- Alumni Relations, Needs, and Services
- Community Relations, Partnerships, and Service
- Costs and Affordability
- Image and Marketing
- Structures and Processes that Facilitate Excellence
- Undergraduate Teaching and Learning
APSCUF Contract Negotiations
In the latter end of 1999, there was the potential for a major strike on campus due to the fact that there was a conflict during the APSCUF-SSHE Negotiations. The main issue was over the step pay increments. At the time, the steps were seven at 5%, but the SSHE wanted to change it to fourteen steps at 2.5% each. With this, the Board of Governor’s office would not continue with negotiations until they accepted this increase, but of course APSCUF declined. So, this instigated a march with the participation of both students and faculty. With roughly around 300 individuals marching, they went from the University Union Building to Old Main in order to take it to President G. Warren Smiths Office.
Learn more about G. Warren Smith and his tenure at SRU from his ROCKvoices Oral History interview.
G. Warren Smith Archival Collection
Robert M. Smith
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During Robert Smith’s tenure as the 15th president, the University grew in a myriad of ways, including: academic standing; leadership in sustainability and greening; offerings in state-of-the-art technology; modern classroom buildings; new and expanded academic programs; contemporary academic and academic-related facilities; comprehensive international study opportunities; and ever-expanding friend support. He led the local and regional community in economic development efforts and was instrumental in creating a downtown resurgence that brought new enterprises, success and jobs to the community. He was instrumental in SRU’s development of the Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Woods. Under his guidance, the University reversed an enrollment decline and achieved a peak enrollment of 8,852. In 2011, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education granted the University a full 10-year accreditation approval with no stipulations, requirements or recommendations. Under his leadership, SRU invested more than $250 million in new construction and renovation projects – the largest investment in the University’s history. Smith earned his undergraduate degree at Wichita State University and his doctorate from Temple University.
Short biographical excerpt from “Principals and Presidents of Slippery Rock University.”
Cheryl Norton
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Cheryl Norton was selected by the board of governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education April 5, 2012, to serve as the 16th president of Slippery Rock University. She was the first woman in the University’s 123-year history to be named to lead the institution. An accomplished scholar and educator; Norton earned her bachelor’s degree from Denison University and three degrees from Columbia University; a master of arts in applied physiology, a master of education and a doctorate of education in applied physiology. She was a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Short biographical excerpt from “Principals and Presidents of Slippery Rock University.”
Philip Way
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Bill Behre
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Learn more about Bill Behre and his tenure at SRU from his ROCKvoices interview.
Karen Riley
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For information about SRU’s current president, Karen Riley, visit the Office of the President webpage.