LHU President Ends Tenure Friday, Reflects on Time as University Leader

LOCK HAVEN — The Lock Haven University community will say farewell to its 14th president, Dr. Michael Fiorentino Jr., on March 30, as he spends his last day on campus as university leader and transitions into retirement.

Fiorentino has led the university since July 1, 2011, and during that time he has played a major role in numerous activities, advancements, improvements, and milestones within the university and surrounding community. He was a visible leader, a student-focused president with a deep interest in the connection between LHU and the Lock Haven community.

In his almost seven years at LHU, Fiorentino has seen and been a part of several changes – one of which, being the streamlining of the overall administration within the university. Responsibilities and positions were shifted and restructured. A three-college structure was developed in an effort to become more efficient and effective, and to provide the necessary support to everyone at the university.

“The goal with creating the three-college structure was to provide as much direct support from the deans and their offices to the department chairs and the faculty,” Fiorentino said. “Having the deans there to work with them day to day – to intimately know their programs and offerings in those departments – provides the kind of assistance and debate that is necessary to advance academic programs.”

Facility improvements also have been made, including the construction of a new residence hall, renovations to the Parsons Union Building (PUB), and the addition of study rooms in the science building, PUB, and library.

“The improvement in facilities makes a difference to your ability to deliver a high quality experience to students – and you have to invest in those things,” Fiorentino said. “The look and feel of the campus has an impact on recruiting and retaining students. Having the ability to move forward and actually build a science center – that without a question has contributed to the academic experience of students and the ability of the faculty to do things that they really need to do.”

One of the most rewarding parts of Fiorentino’s time as LHU president was having the opportunity to interact with the students. “The environment at LHU is one that meaningfully engages students,” he said. “I like to get out and walk through the campus. … Just having a chat with a student or two here and there, you learn a lot. That really has been one of the highlights of being in this position.”

Placing the students first and bringing a sense of responsibility to the students and to the community as a whole, were main priorities for Fiorentino over his time at LHU. “Lock Haven University isn’t here for an individual – it’s here to really advance the students who come to the institution and to be an integral part of the community,” he said. “My goal has been to make LHU a welcoming and engaged community member.”

He believes that when the students walk across the stage at commencement, they leave with a better sense of civic engagement and pride, due to the numerous opportunities they have been given at LHU to combine the academic experience with real-world experiences.

Fiorentino sees a positive future ahead for the university, but says that future will not be achieved without the constant surveillance of the environment. “We can’t turn our back on reality. And it takes a lot of hard work, a lot of conversation and willingness to compromise from time to time, with various groups on campus and the community, to make sure that we always keep that priority clear,” he said. “To be focused on students first — we have to keep our eye on that — and if we can do that, I think there’s a great future for this university.”

Fiorentino and his wife, Pam, plan to return to their property in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, to relax, travel, and ultimately decide where they will settle. Volunteer work also is on the horizon for Fiorentino, who already has committed to helping out with advancement work at two universities, but he has no plans for any full-time employment following his retirement from LHU.

Dr. Donna Wilson, provost and executive vice president will assume the role of interim president at LHU on March 30 and will act in that capacity until Robert M. Pignatello begins in July.