CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Even though Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson doesn’t officially take over the role of Clarion University President until July 1, she visited on Friday for a public reception held in her honor at the Rena M. Carlson Library.

“We’re very excited about the university, the town, the mountains, the hills and this fine university,” said Pehrsson about her and her husband “Dr. Bob.”

“This is just a dream come true for us. I live and work in a rural place, Mt. Pleasant Michigan, where the university is about four times the size of this university, and I always felt that a place that is so student-centered and focused on teaching and preparing students for a successful life would be a place I would want to go if I ever had the opportunity.”

Welcoming and speaking at the reception were Peter Fickler, Interim President; Dr. Karen Whitney, Interim Chancellor of the State System of Higher Education and former Clarion University President; Joy J.D. Dunbar ’77, Trustee Chair; James R. Lyle, Faculty Senate Chair; Brianna Shepherd, Student Senate President; and Theresa Eder ’91, ’05, Alumni Association Board of Directors.

One of her first official duties of the weekend was to visit with alumni at the Annual Alumni Weekend.

“I had another trip planned, and I canceled and rerouted everything so I could come for this weekend because this is one of the most important weekends for people who come back and celebrate their attendance here and the university. They are our ambassadors, so it is very important to listen to them and honor them.”

Once things settle down, what would be the first major thing you want to tackle?

“It’s retention of students.  That’s one of the most important things in making sure that our students either retrain and progress through or if they opt out, they have a plan for reentry and the support to do so and move forward with the completion of their degree. It will help them have a more successful life, and that’s one thing that is pretty clear.”

I’ll be working closely with the enrollment management person on that particular initiative. Recruitment and retention is also the job of everybody in the community–alumni, faculty, and staff. That’s one item I’ll be focusing on this year, and it’s very important to our students and me.”

And, the second thing?

“(The second thing) I’ll do is a lot of walking and talking tours. I’m a cyclist, so I ride my bike a lot. I’ll be having a lot of meetings with people to get to know what’s important to Clarion and the culture of Clarion. That takes a lot of meeting and a lot of time, but it is very important.”

What about your husband?

“My husband is retired as a professor emeritus and was a full professor when he retired.  He’s also a businessman, and we’ve had businesses together and property development.  He’s had antique shops, and he’ll be interested in doing more town involvement and supporting the university and me. His role will be support only. He really likes economic development.”

Why do you hyphenate your first two names?

“The Dale is my mother’s name that she gave me and Elizabeth is the name that my father gave me, so they put them together. It’s after St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Dale is dweller of the fertile valley.  I don’t go by Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson because it’s too long to say, and I just go by Dr. Dale, and my husband goes by Dr. Bob. That’s what the students have always called us, and we’ve always enjoyed that.”

She has two stepchildren and also has grandchildren.  

“Grandchildren are wonderful,” Dr. Pehrsson said.

The couple plans to adopt a new rescue dog because one just passed away.

Background information

Pehrsson has served as dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Central Michigan University since 2012. She has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, beginning her academic career as an affiliate faculty member and clinical supervisor for counselor education at Idaho State University in 1991.

She also has worked in the healthcare field, as both a counselor and registered nurse.