(Butler, PA) Sheryle Long helped patients as a critical-care nurse in cities such as Los Angeles, established a first-responder program at a higher education institution near Miami, earned a law degree, was elected as Butler County’s first female district attorney and today became the first appointment to Butler County Community College’s board of trustees in nearly six years.

Butler County commissioners appoint BC3 trustees to six-year terms.

Commissioners Leslie Osche, Kimberly Geyer and Kevin Boozel voted unanimously today to select the Renfrew resident to complete the remaining five years of the term of Glenn T. Miller, who at the time of his passing in January was the college’s longest-serving active trustee at nearly 28 years.

“The community college means so much to Butler County and even surrounding counties,” said Osche, chair of the commissioners. “The college contributes to the community not only through education but by building a workforce for the future. So it is really important to have trustees who bring experience, knowledge and commitment to the table.

“It takes folks who have built a life of service, and who have a vast understanding of so many different topics. This is perhaps the most critical of all the board appointments that the commissioners make.”

 

“I have the opportunity to offer insight as someone who is just looking into the inner workings of the college.”

-- Sheryle Long, new Butler County Community College trustee

 

BC3’s board is a policymaking body that provides direction and guidance to the college’s president and administration. Trustees’ primary functions include establishing basic policy, appointing the president and overseeing financial control of BC3, which in addition to its main campus in Butler Township has additional locations in Armstrong, Butler, Jefferson and Lawrence counties.

Commissioners’ most-recent appointment was that of Robi Lombardo, who in October 2020 was chosen to complete the term of Nancy H. Staible, a retired physician assistant who stepped down after serving nearly eight years as a trustee.

“Going on to BC3’s board, I know there is continuity with people who understand long-term plans and have the best interest of the college at heart,” Long said. “I have the opportunity to offer insight as someone who is just looking into the inner workings of the college.

“It’s important to have people there with history and understanding. But it is just as important to have someone go on the board and says, ‘Have you looked in this direction? Or what about over here?’ And always working as a team.”

The native of Dothan, Ala., was raised in South Florida. She attended East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, Calif., earned an associate degree in registered nursing and later worked in emergency rooms in Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Long attained a bachelor’s degree in registered nursing from Florida International University in Miami. She became interested in “the interface of law and health care,” achieved a law degree from what is now Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and later created an emergency medical technician and paramedic program at nearby Broward College.

She moved to Butler County in the late 1980s, co-founded in 1989 the law firm of Schenck and Long, which is limited to medical malpractice, products liability and personal injury, and served as district attorney from 1992-1995.

 

“Her experience navigating complex issues, building consensus and thinking strategically will be a tremendous asset …”

-- Megan M. Coval, BC3 president, about Sheryle Long, new BC3 trustee

 

 

“ ... Sheryle misses no opportunity to share her wisdom, knowledge and broad skills in serving and helping others.”

-- Joseph E. Kubit, chair of BC3’s board of trustees, about Sheryle Long, new BC3 trustee

 

Former Gov. Tom Ridge in 2000 appointed Long as a trustee at what was then Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a role she served for two years.

“Sheryle brings a unique combination of legal expertise, leadership experience and public service to our board,” said Megan M. Coval, BC3’s president. “As an attorney, former district attorney and former university trustee, she understands both the responsibilities of governance and the importance of serving the public good.

“Her experience navigating complex issues, building consensus and thinking strategically will be a tremendous asset to her fellow trustees and to the college. Just as importantly, she brings a forward-thinking perspective and a strong belief in the mission of BC3 that will help us continue creating opportunities for students and strengthening our communities.”

Among those Long will join as a trustee is board chairman Joseph E. Kubit, a Butler County judge.

“Sheryle,” Kubit said, “is highly respected and multi-talented. Having been a registered critical-care nurse prior to entering the legal profession where she is held in high esteem, Sheryle misses no opportunity to share her wisdom, knowledge and broad skills in serving and helping others.

Long relocated to Butler County when her husband, Clark, accepted a position at what is now UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Their daughters Mykie and Ashley attended and graduated from BC3, where Long briefly taught courses to students in the college’s registered nursing program.

“Lecturing on medical, legal and nursing topics,” Long said. “What really amazed me when I walked into the classroom was that I wasn’t speaking to just 18- or 19-year-olds. Many of them were adults who raised their families and were coming back to school. And we were going to take some people with life experience who were becoming registered nurses and place them out there. That, to me, was exciting.”

The average age of 2026 graduates of BC3’s registered nursing program on its main campus and at BC3 @ Brockway in Jefferson County was 29 years, nine months.

About 40 percent of graduates in BC3’s Class of 2026 were at least 25 years of age.

 

 

“We are pleased to have her … help lead our community’s institution of higher education as we forge into the future.”

Kimberly Geyer, vice chair, Butler County commissioners and ex-officio member of BC3’s board of trustees, about Sheryle Long, new BC3 trustee

 

“BC3 is important to me because it provides a means for anyone, at any age, to continue their education, and to go on for advanced degrees or to go into the workforce with a technical degree,” Long said.

“There is so much the community can do with BC3. It is a community-driven institution in that people of all ages can find something that fits their needs in terms of education or relationships.”

Long’s selection was announced today at the trustees’ meeting at BC3 @ Armstrong in Ford City.

Nearly 110 community members have served as a BC3 trustee since the first board was appointed June 15, 1965. The board has 15 members and a Butler County commissioner who serves in an ex-officio role.

Geyer, the ex-officio member and vice chair of the commissioners, said Long has a wealth of expertise in health care and in law and that they have had “substantial” conversations since first meeting.

“Everything from the importance of good governance, leadership issues, nursing and health care issues, what students need to know, the community and many other issues,” Geyer said. “I always leave those conversations having learned something new. … We are pleased to have her join the BC3 board of trustees and help lead our community’s institution of higher education as we forge into the future.”

 

“(Sheryle Long) will provide a lot of benefits to the board.”

-- Kevin Boozel, secretary, Butler County commissioners

 

Long’s familiarity with businesses, families and community organizations, and her professional background, “will provide a lot of benefits to the board,” said Boozel, secretary of the commissioners and like Geyer and Kubit a BC3 distinguished alumni.

“Thinking about Glenn Miller and all of the things he did and all of the people he knew brought something unique,” Boozel said. “It’s all about our communities. If I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it a thousand times, and it’s true. It’s the community’s college.”

Long will join on BC3’s board Kubit; Geyer; Dr. William A. DiCuccio, M.D., board vice chair and medical director, Sunnyview Nursing Home; Scott A. McDowell, board treasurer and chief financial officer, Blair Strip Steel; Kenneth DeFurio, president and chief executive officer, Independence Health System; and Vicki Hinterberger, retired president and general manager, Butler Radio Network.

She also joins Lombardo, regional external affairs, West Penn Power/Penn Power; Gordon L. Marburger, dairy farmer; Brian K. McCafferty, co-owner, Rooster’s Coffee Bar; Gail A. Paserba, chief executive officer, International Quality Consultants; and Jennifer R. Pullar, attorney, Paragon Legal.

BC3’s board also includes Dr. Bruce Russell, dean emeritus, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania; Carmine A. Scotece, chief population health officer, Southwest Behavioral Health Management; Joe Taylor, vice president and general manager, Armstrong Groups of Companies; and Nadine Tripodi, owner and chief executive officer, Butler Technologies.