State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, 74th Legislative District, addresses those in attendance during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new academic building on the Lock Haven University Clearfield Campus on Nov. 15, 2007.

CLEARFIELD, Pa. – Officials with a common interest in seeing growth, prosperity and opportunity in the Clearfield area gathered at the Lock Haven University Clearfield Campus to celebrate a major milestone on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007.

The university held a groundbreaking ceremony for a planned 41,860 square foot academic building, due to begin construction in spring 2008 next to Founders Hall. Estimated at costing $7 to $9 million by the state Department of General Services, the three-story facility will house two large tiered classrooms, a multipurpose area, two science classrooms, a computer laboratory, four traditional classrooms and faculty offices and conference areas. It was designed by the Pittsburgh-based firm of IKM Inc.

For those who gathered for the groundbreaking, it was a time of reflection on the success of the Clearfield Campus, as well as a time to stress the importance of working together to continue to provide educational opportunities for area residents and ensure economic growth.

Speakers included State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, 74th Legislative District; Dr. Keith T. Miller, LHU president; and Guy Graham, chair of the LHU Council of Trustees, 1963 LHU graduate and resident of the Clearfield area.

Miller recognized George as an advocate for Clearfield County and friend of LHU who rallied the legislature in securing funding for the construction of Founders Hall, which opened in fall 2001 and allowed the campus to grow from its humble start that began 1989 when courses were conducted in an old elementary school building. George also attained legislative support for the new academic building, helping make the campus expansion possible yet again.

“On behalf of the university and the Council of Trustees, we offer our appreciation to Representative Camille ‘Bud’ George for all of his efforts to bring the best educational opportunities to the Clearfield Campus,” Miller said.

Clearfield County had suffered significant losses when major manufacturers had to close doors, George noted. The county desperately needed something to help train people and provide career and educational opportunities.

“One of the most important things to happen in Clearfield County in the past 20 years was the opening of the Clearfield Campus,” George said.

Regardless of different political interests, key stakeholders recognized the importance of a quality education and came together to make the campus a reality, he said.

“You can lose your money and your home and your friends,” George said. “But you can never lose your education.”

Graham reminisced about the start of the Clearfield Campus, noting that planners were concerned that the campus would not be able to sustain itself by maintaining an enrollment of 30 students for a period of five years. Now, there are around 400 enrolled students.

Graham said there is nothing he enjoys more than seeing nontraditional students getting new career opportunities. As an LHU trustee, he regularly attends the Clearfield Campus graduation ceremony.

“I get emotional when I’m up on that stage and see 35-year-old people getting a degree in nursing,” he said.