Dr. Joseph P. Grunenwald served as the 15th President of Clarion University. He brought to his new duties a long and
respected record of professional service to Clarion University as a professor
of marketing and department chair, interim executive dean of the Venango
Campus, director of continuing education, dean of the college of business
administration, and provost and academic vice president. In each of his
roles, Grunenwald worked to promote academic excellence and the highest
quality in university programs and services.
In July, 2010, The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System
of Higher Education awarded the status of President Emeritus in recognition
of his career long contributions. He was only the fifth president to receive
this honor in the nearly three decades of the System’s existence.
Grunenwald is a member and past national Vice President of the American
Marketing Association and has served in editorial positions for the Journal
of Services Marketing, W. C. Brown Publishers, and Merrill Publishing
Company. He has also served as a member of the NCAA Division II President’s
Council. He has served as a consultant for numerous regional businesses
and non-profit organizations.
Within the State System of Higher Education, Grunenwald was a member of
the Commission of Presidents of the State System and had served on State
System committees addressing such issues as articulation, social equity,
labor negotiations, and budget allocation. He has also served as coordinator
of the PA Center for Applied Nanotechnology and as a member of the Board
of Directors of the Pennsylvania Academy of Teaching and the Pennsylvania
State Athletic Conference.
Dr. Grunenwald has served as Board Member for the Team Pennsylvania Foundation,
the Northwest Workforce Investment Board, and the Northwest Pennsylvania
Keystone Innovation Zone.
Locally, he has served on the boards of numerous economic development and
community organizations, including the Clarion County Economic Development
Corporation, for which he served as president, Clarion County Chamber
of Business and Industry, Clarion County Industrial Development Council,
and the Clarion County Sawmill Center for the Arts.
Grunenwald holds a bachelor of engineering degree (1970) from Youngstown
State University and master of business administration (1975) and doctor
of business administration degrees (1981) from Kent State University.