PENN STATE Shenango campus exec will retire

Dr. William C. Puffer said he might like to get back into institutional research and perhaps write a book.
SHARON, Pa. -- The campus executive officer at Penn State Shenango is leaving at the end of June.
Dr. William C. Puffer announced his plan to resign to the campus staff Monday and to the public Tuesday, saying he plans to pursue other professional challenges and interests.
Plans: Puffer was unavailable for comment but said in a statement that there are many things he would like to accomplish before he retires.
"I began my career in institutional research, and it may be nice to finish with a research study and perhaps a book. I am also considering positions both within and outside of higher education," he said.
Puffer came to Penn State Shenango in May 1998 after serving as academic dean of Monroe College's Bronx and New Rochelle, N.Y., campuses. He succeeded Dr. Albert Skomra, who retired.
He said he and his wife, Donna, love western Pennsylvania and the Shenango Valley, and he offered their thanks and appreciation to the community, faculty, staff and students at the campus for their friendship and support.
He did not indicate if he intends to remain in the area.
The university is expected to name an interim executive officer to oversee operations at the 1,100-student campus and will eventually name a replacement.
During his term: Puffer emphasized improvement in the quality of education since his arrival.
"Shenango has defined growth more in terms of quality than quantity by increasing the quality of our teaching and faculty, continuously improving our degree offerings, expanding services to our community and offering more academic, social and career opportunities to our students," he said.
The campus instituted a new baccalaureate degree in business, an associate degree in information science and technology and a master's degree in education during his tenure.
Penn State Shenango has also increased its full-time faculty, expanded its community outreach programs, created a diversity office to serve the needs of minorities, created a campus career center and increased the number of scholarships offered over the last three years.