Butler college celebrates leader’s inauguration

The college will launch a plan for new academic strategic initiatives.

BUTLER, Pa. — Butler County Community College celebrated the inauguration of Dr. Nicholas C. Neu- pauer as its eighth president in a “Breaking New Ground” ceremony Friday.

Neupauer was appointed by the board of trustees Aug. 1, 2007, and had served as vice president for academic affairs (2004-2007) and dean of humanities and social sciences (1999-2004) at BC3.

In his first nine months as president, he has focused on campus beautification, campus security, technology and BC3’s continued growth as a county and regional institution of higher learning. Beginning this summer, the college will plan for new strategic initiatives with emphasis on academic programs and a commitment to excellence in the classroom.

As vice president for academic affairs, he coordinated articulations and dual enrollments as part of the college’s LindenPointe project in Hermitage and brought five degree completion partners to Butler’s main campus. He led the Academic Affairs Unit in assessment of student learning and general education and represented the college in the negotiations of the collective bargaining agreement.

As dean, Neupauer was instrumental in the development of the Praxis Preparation program, which offers classes in the state and across the country.

Before his arrival at BC3, Neupauer was chairman of the Communication Department at Marist College.

Throughout his career in higher education, which also included positions at West Virginia University (1993-1996) and Bethany College (1995-1996), his teaching has been recognized. In 2004, BC3’s student body named him “Outstanding Faculty Member.” At West Virginia, he was named “Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant” and “Outstanding Professor” by the Panhellenic Council. At Marist, he twice won “School of Communication Faculty of the Year.”

He was named one of the “2003-2004 Outstanding Service and Community Achievement Recipients” for administrators at BC3.

Neupauer, originally from Ellwood City, earned a doctorate in education in communication and instruction from West Virginia University, a master of science in communication from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor of arts in print journalism with an English minor from Pennsylvania State University.

He serves on the Butler Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Community Development Corporation of Butler Board of Directors, the Community Health Clinic of Butler County Board of Directors and the University of Pittsburgh School of Education Community College Leadership Advisory Board. He is also a Butler P.M. Rotary member.

Neupauer and his wife, Tamatha, have two children — Paige, 13, and Meredith, 10.