Retired Board Member Given ‘Emeritus’ Status

Published 02.09.2017

News

A longtime Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors member has been granted “director emeritus” status.

The board voted Thursday to approve the designation for Robert A. Secor, who served for nearly two decades – including a term as chairman in 2012-13 – before retiring in December. He joined the Penn College Board in 1998.



Robert A. SecorSecor worked at Penn State for 35 years, retiring in 2004 as vice provost for academic affairs. Before that, he served as a professor of English, literary scholar, chair of the University Faculty Senate and department head. He was also a chair of the Council of Campus Administrators and a member of President's Council and the Academic Leadership Council. In addition, he served as the university’s liaison to the Committee on Institutional Cooperation, the academic arm of the Big Ten Conference.

He holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Brown University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in English from Syracuse University. During his academic career, Secor published five books and monographs and wrote more than 30 articles and chapters for various literary journals. He was honored in 1995 with the McKay Donkin Award for his contributions to the welfare of the faculty at Penn State.

“In his many years on the Penn College Board of Directors, he offered thoughtful insights on innumerable subjects,” said President Davie Jane Gilmour. “His counsel, always delivered in the most collegial manner, was valued by all members of the college administration and his fellow members of the board. … He provided exemplary service to his profession and to Penn College.”

Secor’s successor on the board, Michael DiRaimo, retired vice president for government and community relations at Penn State, began his service at Thursday’s meeting.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.