SRU trustees rename Career Center in honor of First National Bank

The former branch office of First National Bank, 124 S. Main Street in Harrisville, has been gifted to the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc. by FNB. The acquired real estate will be used by SRU to further develop appropriate academic facilities.

Dec. 13, 2019

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University's presence in Harrisville is expanding to South Main Street thanks to a gift from First National Bank. FNB, which operated a branch office at 124 S. Main Street in Harrisville until May 2018, donated the building and seven adjacent parcels of land to the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc.

The SRU Foundation, Inc., which exists to support the priorities of the University, will lease the property to SRU. The University already leases the former Har-Mer Elementary School from the Foundation. That building houses SRU's physician assistant and occupational therapy graduate programs.

The agreement was announced via resolution at SRU's council of trustees quarterly business meeting, Dec. 13. In recognition of the gift, the trustees voted to rename the Office of Career Education and Development as the First National Bank Office of Career Education and Development for a period of 10 years beginning Jan. 1, 2020, and ending Dec. 31, 2029.

"This gift from FNB is important to the University's continued development of its Harrisville center," said William Behre, SRU President. "I would especially like to thank Kevin Boozel, Butler County commissioner, for his leadership in facilitating the connection between FNB and the University, and Trustee William McCarrier for planting the seed."

The FNB real estate, valued at $175,000, will be used by SRU to further develop appropriate academic facilities.

"The Foundation is here to support the priorities of SRU and when the University has an opportunity like this comes along, we can step in and make sure the opportunity is realized," said Edward Bucha, executive director of the SRU Foundation, Inc. "This agreement continues to solidify the great relationships the University has with FNB and the Harrisville community."

After FNB acquired First National Bank of Slippery Rock in 2004, it continued to fund $500,000 of the $1 million commitment to establish a scholarship endowment, now the FNB Academic Scholars Program, that today annually supports 18 SRU students with up to $1,250 of financial aid.

"FNB has maintained a community-focused approach and we're grateful for the partnership," Bucha said. "This is a great opportunity for FNB, SRU, its students, and the Harrisville community."

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu