Newly appointed PennWest President, Jon Anderson, hosted an open house event on Monday, Aug. 26 in the Old Main Building at the California Campus to celebrate the start of his career and a new chapter for students and staff across all campuses.

Attendees, encompassing staff members and students, were able to meet President Anderson and address their concerns, ranging from improving the campus’s scenery and structural integrity, to allowing more flexibility for club and organizational activities. 

Manasseh Robertson, a sophomore English major on the California Campus, raised several suggestions to the president.

“One thing I would like is trees between the library and the Natali Student Center so that we have some shade while walking when it gets hot. The trees would also enhance the scenery,” he said. 

His main concern was the lack of accessibility to club meetings and events on campus for commuter students who may not be able to stay on campus past certain hours. 

“As a commuter, we don’t really have a lot of time to participate in extracurricular activities, so I would like to see more clubs be able to fit activities in the daytime,” he said. 

With over 100 clubs and organizations at PennWest California, clubs are important components for building engagement and a strong sense of community within the campus.

Anderson said,  “It takes a remarkable combination of courage and collaboration to reimagine a university as PennWest has done. Together, we will continue to build on the progress that PennWest has made and find new ways to fulfill our promises to the students and communities we serve.”

Pricilla Robertson, a government contracting specialist at the university’s Government Agency Coordination Office, said her meeting with the president was very positive. 

“He is very approachable, so I think that is one of the main qualities that I noticed about him, and then when I met his wife and son, he seemed very family-oriented and very approachable,” said Robertson.