Friends and Alumni,

I urgently ask your support of this petition to recall the retrenchment decision by the Lock Haven University (LHU) Administration of Dr. Eddie Severn, of the Fine Arts Department.

Many of you whom are now viewing this petition have been positively impacted by Eddie through teaching, performances, and mentoring. The recent decision by the PASSHE system to begin the combining of the Universities from a financial standpoint is understandable. COVID-19 and other long term financial factors have long made the decision of combining forces a reality.

What is not understandable are faculty members and entire programs being cut before the decision/dust settles and impacting students whom participate in these programs. It is curious that faculty and programs are the first to go, when University Administrations long have grown outside the scope of "keeping the lights on", and instead into special interest and donor driven organizations.

Lock Haven and the Fine Arts program hold a special place in my heart as a proud LHU Alumni. It is where I met some of my best and life long friends, my wife, and incredible faculty whom always went above and beyond for their students.

In particular, Dr. Severn is one of a few faculty members on staff that universities should envy having the honor of employing. His long career as a professional trumpet player and musician spans International boundaries, foreign dignitaries, and world-renowned artists. His ability to teach through a "real world" lens is priceless.

I therefore ask for the support of this petition, to recall this retrenchment effort of Dr. Severn. Reinstate his employment, and protect the Fine Arts programs at Lock Haven University.

Respectfully,

Chuck Gilbert (Computer Information Science: Class of 2008)