The news just came through that the decision to cut Eddie has been completely reversed. I am overwhelmed knowing that his mentorship and music will remain at Lock Haven for future students. We need to keep watching the administration to ensure they protect our arts programs from here on out.
December 7, 2020
Final supporters
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)
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
October 25, 2020
October 24, 2020
Seeing this momentum grow reminds me of the countless rehearsals and lessons where Eddie pushed us to be better than we thought possible. I am moved by how many of you stepped up to protect a mentor who means so much to this community. Please keep pushing because the administration needs to understand that we will not let his legacy be discarded.
October 23, 2020
Seeing one hundred people come together for Eddie feels overwhelming. He poured his heart into this music department and it means the world to see you all acknowledge what we are losing.
Reached 100 supporters
October 22, 2020
66 Comments
As a current music faculty member and alumnus of Lock Haven University, I am saddened by this. A strong liberal arts education needs an equally strong arts program. This is a huge hit at everything that we are trying to do in public higher education.
Eddie Severn is a treasure that should not be lost. He not only is a great educator, but also has brought an excitement to the culture in central Pennsylvania. To lose him in this area would be a loss for us all.
I played classical piano for 9 years when I was a pre-teen till age 17. I am so glad my high school had a music program and sad to see that fine arts are being cut at this University. I was at Eddie's wedding and I know this is not just impacting him and his family, but his students as well.
My LHU experience wouldn't be the same without the band program. It not only have me a sense of pride and a desperately needed creative oulet during stressful classes, but also provided a sense of school pride during the various events we represented the school in.
Signed. Regrettably, I fear this will have little impact on this already decided upon maneuver. I would be curious to know how many administrative positions have been culled. I'll bet I know the answer already.
I'm sorry I haven't signed this earlier. It is a travesty what is being done to Eddie and Damarys Lopez- two outstanding faculty who deserve to be allowed to continue to teach LHU students so capably.
Dr. Severn is a wonderful scholar and colleague, and an important part of what makes Lock Haven a great school. Laying off faculty of his caliber is senseless, and shortsighted. Please recall his retrenchment!
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The news just came through that the decision to cut Eddie has been completely reversed. I am overwhelmed knowing that his mentorship and music will remain at Lock Haven for future students. We need to keep watching the administration to ensure they protect our arts programs from here on out.
December 7, 2020
Final supporters
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)
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
October 25, 2020
October 24, 2020
Seeing this momentum grow reminds me of the countless rehearsals and lessons where Eddie pushed us to be better than we thought possible. I am moved by how many of you stepped up to protect a mentor who means so much to this community. Please keep pushing because the administration needs to understand that we will not let his legacy be discarded.
October 23, 2020
Seeing one hundred people come together for Eddie feels overwhelming. He poured his heart into this music department and it means the world to see you all acknowledge what we are losing.
Reached 100 supporters
October 22, 2020
66 Comments
It would seem to me that combining schools financially would include combining administrative positions and eliminating redundancy where it DOESN’T impact students.
As a current music faculty member and alumnus of Lock Haven University, I am saddened by this. A strong liberal arts education needs an equally strong arts program. This is a huge hit at everything that we are trying to do in public higher education.
Eddie Severn is a treasure that should not be lost. He not only is a great educator, but also has brought an excitement to the culture in central Pennsylvania. To lose him in this area would be a loss for us all.
I played classical piano for 9 years when I was a pre-teen till age 17. I am so glad my high school had a music program and sad to see that fine arts are being cut at this University. I was at Eddie's wedding and I know this is not just impacting him and his family, but his students as well.
My LHU experience wouldn't be the same without the band program. It not only have me a sense of pride and a desperately needed creative oulet during stressful classes, but also provided a sense of school pride during the various events we represented the school in.
Signed. Regrettably, I fear this will have little impact on this already decided upon maneuver. I would be curious to know how many administrative positions have been culled. I'll bet I know the answer already.
I'm sorry I haven't signed this earlier. It is a travesty what is being done to Eddie and Damarys Lopez- two outstanding faculty who deserve to be allowed to continue to teach LHU students so capably.
Dr. Severn is a wonderful scholar and colleague, and an important part of what makes Lock Haven a great school. Laying off faculty of his caliber is senseless, and shortsighted. Please recall his retrenchment!
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
It would seem to me that combining schools financially would include combining administrative positions and eliminating redundancy where it DOESN’T impact students.