For Immediate Release

Date:  August 17, 2006

BLOOMSBURG— The student representative to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Council of Trustees’ wants students to know he’s available to listen to their questions and concerns.

“I want students to know I’m always here, they can feel free to stop and talk to me about anything,” said Steven Knepp of Middleburg, a senior at BU with a major in elementary education.

Knepp was one of several students who applied for the position after the previous student Trustee graduated. He was interviewed by a screening committee and by Judy Hample, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, before he was appointed by Gov. Ed Rendell in a process that took about five months.

“I always try to keep a positive attitude with everything I do. I knew there were some really good applicants, but I remained optimistic,” said Knepp, on his possibility of being appointed to the Council of Trustees. “But when they called to congratulate me, that was a good moment.” 

Knepp considered applying for the student Trustee position after learning about the opportunity from previous Trustee, Jennifer Shymansky, who graduated in May. 

He has several issues he would like to tackle as part of the Trustees, including uniform grading policies and town relations. “I think that the university and town really need each other,” he said, “and that is a relationship I would like to work to improve.” 

While attending BU, Knepp has been active in student government and academic organizations. He served as vice president of the Community Government Association (CGA) last year and plans to remain active on the executive committee. He is the chairperson for the Kehr Union Building Committee, a member of the Food Service Committee and, last year, served as a community assistant (CA) in Schuylkill Hall. Next semester he will be a CA in the Honeysuckle Student Apartment Complex. Knepp is also a member of BU’s Education Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi. 

Knepp believes his CGA experience has helped him understand how the university works, who to talk to and where to find help, all factors that will benefit him as a student Trustee. 

After graduating from BU, Knepp will either look for a full-time teaching position or attend graduate school. He hopes to one day become a principal or superintendent of a school district, preferably in central Pennsylvania. 

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students and offers 58 bachelor’s, 16 master’s and one doctoral degree.

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