LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Commonwealth University Interim President Dr. Jeffrey L. Osgood, Jr. served as the keynote speaker at the Clinton County Economic Partnership’s Annual Dinner on Wednesday night at Haywood’s on the Green.

MILL HALL — The Clinton County Economic Partnership hosted their annual dinner at Haywood’s on Wednesday, Oct. 22, with keynote speaker, Dr. Jeffery L. Osgood, Jr., Interim Commonwealth University President, sharing his experience in higher education leadership and public service.

As he was welcomed to the stand, Osgood shared his most recent experience with Commonwealth University-Lock Haven during their homecoming weekend, spreading happiness and a sense of community amongst the crowd.

After Bashar Hanna left Commonwealth University, many were left wondering where that was going to leave the universities that are part of Commonwealth U — made up of Bloomsburg, Mansfield and Lock Haven campuses — and what that meant moving forward, until Osgood stepped in.

On the topic of change and uncertainty, Osgood opened with his leadership’s idea of radical transparency for the students and the community, a way to allow his team to have clear and open communication.

“We should just be honest, we have challenges at Commonwealth University. We can’t rewrite the past but we can decide what comes next,” said Osgood, hoping to build a better connection between the university and community.

Osgood also spoke on the students and community surrounding Lock Haven and their importance to our economic growth in the county and how that allows for more programs to be available.

“Our students come from all walks of life, every socioeconomic background, we’re proud to be that university,” said Osgood.

Continuing on, the students of Commonwealth University-Lock Haven are not the only ones that impact the university, but the community is as well, claiming that they provide economic growth opportunities that in turn allow students to engage more within our community.

“Leadership has embraced this vision for Commonwealth University that will work with students in our community,” said Osgood.

During his speech, Osgood explained his 5 C’s tactic for increasing student and community engagement with the university, claiming them to be “culture, capacity, courage, clarity and curriculum.”

In explaining his 5 C’s strategy, the culture surrounding Commonwealth University should be a place where students feel seen and valued, the capacity is the core that runs the university, the courage that leadership needs to have when making decisions as a whole, the clarity that provides transparency between leadership and the students and the curriculum that is better designed for students entering the workforce.

“Our programs have to be connected to real jobs, to real communities, to our needs and to your opportunities,” he said.

Osgood expressed an excitement to continue moving forward with Commonwealth University as he remains interim president.

“We are a true reflection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” he said.