Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame: Dr. Nicholas Neupauer, LHS Class of 1985, Is Elevating Education

Note: This is the fifth story in a series highlighting the Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2022 leading up to the induction of the 2023 Hall of Fame class that will be announced at the October 6th Homecoming Game.

Dr. Nicholas Neupauer is a true family man.

And even though he has dedicated his career to higher education, the LHS Class of 1985 and Hall of Fame Class of 2022 standout credits his success all to his family.

He said his parents the late Nick Neupauer and Patricia (Neupauer) Bishop, also both Lincoln graduates, were great role models with their strong work ethic. He also credits his wife of 29 years Tamatha for his path to success.

“The older I get and the longer I am a spouse and a parent, the more I admire my parents. The other is my wife, Tammy. Anything I have achieved professionally is because of her leadership at home, especially raising our daughters.”

And when he is not busy serving Butler County Community College (BC3) as its eighth president, he loves spending time with Tammy and his daughters Paige Tudor (age 28) and Meredith Neupauer (age 25).

“Family is my greatest success and what drives me.”

And success is exactly what Neupauer has brought to his role since his appointment as president of BC3. Under his leadership, BC3 was named the number one community college in Pennsylvania eight times since 2015. And his love for BC3 is unmatched by any chief executive officer of any community college in the state, the state system of higher education universities, and state related institutions, as his presidency has been the longest standing at a single institution. He is the longest serving chief executive officer in BC3 history.

But Neupauer hasn’t always had a job in education. He began his career in journalism. Ten-year-old Nick Neupauer like many young boys was drawn to sports.

“I loved sports, especially football and baseball. I wanted to be a sports reporter of some kind. Before I got into higher education, that’s exactly what I did. I covered high school sports, the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins.”

Neupauer’s education began at Penn State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism/English minor in 1989. After that, he attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Master of Science in communication in 1993. He earned his Doctor of Education in communication and instruction in 1996 from West Virginia University.

Neupauer has had numerous roles in education prior to being appointed president of BC3. He also served as BC3’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of humanities and social science. He also worked in teaching and administrative capacities at Marist College, West Virginia University, Geneva College, Bethany College and Clarion University. Neupauer has been recognized for his teaching, community service, leadership, and expertise in communication over the years.

But, despite his extensive education, recognition, and success in the nearby Butler community, which is now his home, Neupauer never forgets his roots. He has great memories of Ellwood City and said the people are hard-working, good people who are proud of their hometown and of their ethnicity. He specifically remembers his time in sports and his mentors along the way.

Dr. Nick Neupauer, the longest-serving chief executive officer in the 57-year history of Butler County Community College.

“My time playing under coach Jim Rankin and his staff and with my teammates for the Ellwood City High School football team was really special. Ellwood City High School football teams under coaches Rankin and Karl Florie from 1983 to 1989 won 54 games and had success in the playoffs. Add in coach Al Campman’s Wolverine basketball teams and those were wonderful times in Ellwood City.”

One of his proudest accomplishments was being named a captain of the Wolverines football team in 1984. And a particular game on November 2, 1984, when Ellwood City claimed the inaugural RIV-ELL Cup with a 17-14 win over Riverside at Helling Stadium. His brother Mike also played for two Wolverine football playoff teams, including the 1986 Midwestern Athletic Conference Champions.

Neupauer still loves sports to this day and is a big Steelers fan.

Beyond his love of sports, he truly loves his job and puts his best foot forward daily in his routine.

“I am an early riser – I awaken about 4:30 in the morning. I check my emails over a cup of coffee. I might write or exercise, then get to the office well before 8 a.m. From that point on, there really is nothing typical. One day could be meeting with colleagues, students, or board members and the next could be connecting with donors and elected officials. The diversity of the workday is something I really enjoy.”

And he especially looks forward to working to facilitate the continued success of BC3.

“Continued success is a lofty goal, but the college is made up of so many dedicated individuals that I am confident we can get there.”

And his confidence comes from what he sees as his personal motto “Whatever it takes.”

“That’s a quote from Steelers coach Chuck Noll. No matter the challenge, no matter the obstacle, do whatever it takes in an ethical, hard-working way to get the job done. No excuses.”