Edinboro University Council of Trustees appoints new members

The Edinboro University Council of Trustees (COT), governing the university, has recently appointed two new members, as well as re-appointing two others.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf made the appointments, which were then confirmed by the state Senate.

Patricia Kennedy, Erie County's Chief Public Defender, and Anthony Pirrello, Chief Executive Officer of the Montessori Regional Charter School in Erie, were newly appointed on Oct. 25.

Harold Shields and Robert Lowther returned to the council, with Shields being a COT member since 1997 and Lowther being a member since 2014.

Patricia Kennedy has served as Chief Public Defender for Erie County since 2010, and has previously worked as First Assistant Public Defender and Assistant District Attorney. She began her career as an attorney in private practice and has served several professional and community affiliations, including the Edinboro University Foundation Board of Directors and the EU Communications Department Advisory Board.

Anthony Pirrello is in his 11th year as CEO of the Montessori Regional Charter School and has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. He also holds multiple degrees and certifications from Edinboro University, and has been in the EU President's Advisory Council, as well as many other professional and community commitments.

"We're very pleased to have Pat Kennedy and Anthony Pirrello join the Council of Trustees, and to have the benefits of continued service by Harold Shields and Rob Lowther. All four are accomplished Edinboro alumni who have demonstrated great commitment to the university and its students," said COT Chairperson Dennis Frampton.

The Council of Trustees has 12 members, serving terms of six years. There must be at least two members of the group who are alumni of Edinboro University, and one member being a full-time undergraduate student with a positive academic standing.

All members of COT have held careers in education, business, public service and law. As a trustee, members are responsible for being leaders and advocates for the university, as well as active members in the EU community.

The Council of Trustees’ responsibilities, in the educational perspective, include reviewing and approving the recommendations of the president for the standards of admission, discipline and exclusion of students; to approve schools and make recommendations to the board for academic degree programs; fiscally to approve the recommendations of the president of which pertain to operating; and represent the university at the official functions of the Commonwealth.

The council meets on a quarterly basis at Edinboro University, or occasionally when the president, chairperson, or a request by three or more members calls upon a meeting. Savannah Anderton, as well as student trustee candidates from other state system universities, are currently awaiting appointment by Wolf. 

Jenna Giordano is a staff writer for The Spectator.