As Daniel J. Obara looks to the future of Westmoreland County Community College, he took time during his presidential inauguration Friday to honor those visionaries who founded and led the institution.
"I wonder what their vision was, almost 40 years ago, as they conducted the first classes for a few hundred students in the evenings at Jeannette High School," Obara said. "Did they imagine that in such a short time, their fledgling college would someday enroll more than 7,000 students in a semester (and) graduate more than 16,000 students with associate degrees?
"Perhaps they didn't see quite so far, but those of us who followed did. We were able to because we stood on the shoulders of giants."
More than 430 guests joined Obara in celebrating his inauguration yesterday afternoon during a ceremony and reception at the main campus near Youngwood.
Obara, 66, of Hempfield, took over as the college's sixth president in April after serving in an interim role for two months.
He came to WCCC in 1996 and had served as vice president of academic affairs and student services.
Representatives from county, state and federal government and members from every facet of the WCCC community offered words of welcome and encouragement to Obara.
Obara was lauded as a tireless advocate for WCCC and community colleges in general.
"He is such a dedicated, dedicated servant for this college," said state Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield. "He has been to my office in Harrisburg probably once a month for the 10 months I've been in office. It's probably more than anyone else has come to visit."
Butler County Community College President Nicholas Neupauer recalled how he peppered Obara with questions when both served as vice president of academic affairs at their respective institutions.
"He is a man of great integrity and work ethic ... and most importantly he is dedicated to the mission of community colleges and specifically Westmoreland County Community College," Neupauer said.
Obara said there are challenges facing the college.
"With continuing enrollment increases as we experienced this year, the limits of our capacity to accommodate all students will be tested," Obara said.
He said the college must continue to enhance its online offerings to enable students to attend classes without the need for a physical classroom. And the college's infrastructure will need to be improved to increase capacity for programs.
"For many of our students, we are the college of last resort," he said. "We cannot — and we will not — deny them access to higher education."
Obara vowed to keep WCCC as the most affordable public college in Pennsylvania, but said "prudent, nominal increases in tuition, at times, are necessary and justified."
The college must also focus on student success. All students, from displaced workers to recent high school graduates to GED recipients, must all be given the opportunity to not only attend college but to graduate.
"Access without success is a false hope — unrealized potential and vanquished dreams," Obara said.
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