Published: March 28, 2008 11:06 pm      

Penn Highlands’ new president inaugurated

With all the pomp and circumstance, Walter Asonevich officially was named the fourth president of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in an inauguration ceremony Friday.

The ceremony was held in the auditorium of Richland Senior High School before a crowd of educators and community members.

Following the installation ceremony, Asonevich said he was honored and humbled to be serving as president of Penn Highlands.

“I promise to continue to meet the needs of the students,” he said. “We have a college that is built on a strong foundation, and we care about our students.”

Asonevich, who has been on the job since August, spoke of change at the college by ushering in new programs and degrees and expanding out to better serve individuals in Somerset, Bedford and Blair counties.

“I have high hopes that we will be able to see facilities outside of Cambria County,” he said. “This will be part of our evolution.”

He spoke of the new Richland campus and said Penn Highlands will continue to thrive through that site.

“We have a building that is our place, and we can proclaim to the Laurel Highlands that we have arrived,” Asonevich said.

Floyd Amann – president of Corning (N.Y.) Community College, where Asonevich served as the vice president and dean of academic affairs before coming to Johnstown – delivered the keynote speech and called Asonevich a doer.

“He takes on challenges that are before him,” he said. “I hope the community will embrace him and his ability to lead.”

President County Commissioner P.J. Stevens said the inauguration was a wonderful day for Cambria.

“This institution has achieved great things and we are a witness to a defining moment,” he said.

“We have placed our trust in him (Asonevich) and believe he’ll build on our heritage and create new visions.”