“Dr. Alexander is an outstanding leader who has done so much for the university and the Bradford community as a whole.”
Such are the words of state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, who was among leaders who reflected on the impending retirement of Dr. Livingston Alexander as the president of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Titusville campuses.
Alexander has been Pitt-Bradford president since 2003, and in 2012, he became the president of Pitt-Titusville. He will retire effective June 30, 2018.
“During his tenure here, he has overseen tremendous growth and expansion of the physical campus and in the academic programs and opportunities available to students,” Causer said. “My pride in my alma mater has only continued to grow under Dr. Alexander’s leadership.”
He called Alexander a great person and friend, and said he has felt honored working with him.
Dr. K. James Evans, vice president and dean of student affairs at Pitt-Bradford, agreed with Causer. “He’s demonstrated outstanding leadership at Pitt-Bradford,” he said of Alexander.
He said that Livingston’s leadership has brought new academic programs and an almost-completed master plan, to name a few accomplishments.”
Perhaps the most visible sign of his leadership, though, is the faculty, staff and administration, Evans said. Turnover is very minimal, he said.
“I’ve been impressed by his leadership and what he has accomplished for the college and Bradford is amazing,” said Dr. Richard McDowell, past president at Pitt-Bradford and a member of the Advisory Board’s executive committee.
What sticks out for McDowell are plans for four-year engineering and technology programs at Pitt-Bradford as part of a $24.375 million engineering and technology facility on the campus.
For his part, McKean County Senior Judge John Cleland called it remarkable that Alexander took the foundation of the campus, laid by McDowell, and built it in inconceivable ways –– in terms of staff, facilities and reputation.
“I think it’s the ability to have a vision and to work with a team to accomplish that,” said Cleland, who has been on Pitt-Bradford’s advisory board the entire time Alexander has been the campus president.
“It’s always such a pleasure to work with him. He’s prepared,” Cleland said, adding that Alexander doesn’t get emotional or excited.
However, he does become enthusiastic when it comes to the campus, Cleland indicated.
“As the president of the University he has done an outstanding job, and led his team to great accomplishments, with increase in enrollment, many new additions to the campus including housing, the new chapel, expansion of the Seneca Building [now Marilyn Horne Hall] into the Marilyn Horne Museum, expansion of the cafeteria, the taking over of Dorothy Lane plus many other projects,” said Ron Orris, former executive director of Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and current executive director of the Blaisdell Foundation. “During the past couple of years he took on double duty with the Titusville campus. He also completed a capital campaign.”
During Alexander’s time at Pitt-Bradford, Orris said several new majors were added that aided in the boost to enrollment.
Orris said he started working with Alexander with Leadership McKean, which is a program aimed at strengthening the county’s civic capacity and economic growth, as well as identifying new and emerging leaders.
Alexander “was always our first leader to kick off each year for Leadership, and he always did an outstanding job, and got our year off to a great start,” he said.
Pat Frantz Cercone, university spokeswoman and executive director of communications and marketing at Pitt-Bradford, also shared some sentiments in working with Alexander.
“As a leader, Livingston encouraged, inspired, and, at times, pushed us to go beyond limits, to sometimes take a leap of faith, to achieve more than we may have thought possible,” she said. “Proof of that is the amazing growth of our campus during his presidency. I will be forever grateful to him for the steadfast support he provided, both to the communications and marketing office and to me personally.”
For Causer, he said he will miss Alexander’s energy, enthusiasm and leadership.
What’s Cleland going to miss the most? Working with Alexander, he said.
“His commitment to the success of all the students at PItt was always his top priority. It has been a pleasure to serve with Dr. Alexander on our Advisory Board and he will be missed,” Orris said. “I wish both Dr. Alexander and his wife Evelyn all the best in his retirement.”
