Penn State Erie formally dedicated its new Clark Cafe in a morning ceremony held Wednesday, Nov. 28.

The physical center and social hub of the campus' Research and Economic Development Center (REDC), the cafe was named by the Clark family, owners of Snap-tite Inc., in honor of their late father, George A. Clark. The naming of the Clark Cafe recognizes a $500,000 gift to the campus given by Snap-tite and the Clark family.

REDC, pronounced "Red C," is a 160,000-square-foot academic and technology center that opened last fall to house the Sam and Irene Black School of Business and its School of Engineering. "The collaborative philosophy behind the REDC ensures that business and engineering students work together inside and outside the classroom. Clark Cafe is the place where these students eat and visit informally, but sometimes that's when the most creative ideas materialize," Gary Clark, George’s son and vice president of Snap-tite, said of the naming. "My father knew that to remain successful, a business can't sell merely a product, but must provide a solution to a problem. Bringing engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing together is the best way to accomplish this, which is why my father was a long-time champion of the REDC's creation."

Snap-tite's gift was made in part through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), a state initiative that allows companies to offset a portion of their corporate tax liability by directly investing in programs that provide unique academic enrichment experiences for children. Eight of Penn State Erie's outreach programs are approved to receive gifts made through EITC:

•The Penn State Educational Partnership Program (PEPP), an afterschool mentoring program for at-risk students in Erie's Wayne and Wilson middle schools and Central Tech High School;

•The annual Math Options Career Day, Chemistry Day, and Women in Engineering events hosted by Penn State Erie faculty for middle- and high-school students;

•Minority College Experience/Women in Science and Engineering, a summer program that invites academically talented 11th-graders to enroll in a three-credit course at Penn State Erie and participate in additional mentoring, leadership and enrichment activities;

•Pennsylvania Sea Grant's aquatic sciences outreach programs;

•Earth Force, an environmental task force for children; and

•21st Century Kids, which provides science enrichment to all seventh-grade students in rural Warren and Forest counties.

"Educational research has consistently shown that when children are introduced to higher education and career options early and often, they are more likely to not only stay in high school, but also pursue a college education," Chancellor Jack Burke said of the gift. "The Clark family's investment in these programs will allow the college to expand them and reach more of our area's deserving students. It is truly an investment in the future of the Erie region."

Snap-tite Inc. operates seven Erie County manufacturing plants, plus a facility in Ireland, from its headquarters in Summit Township. It employs more than 750 people worldwide.

Snap-tite manufactures precision fluid power components, including quick disconnect couplings and high pressure valves, fittings, tubing; hydraulic valves; pressure systems used in high temperature and pressure applications; and rubber and polyurethane covered hose, jacketed hose, and hose hardware for irrigation, industrial use, and municipal fire fighting. The company markets its products under the brand names Snap-tite, Autoclave Engineers, Snap-tite Hose, Ponn Hose and National Fire Hose.

For more information, visit behrend.psu.edu.