University Trustee Ben Novak announced yesterday that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives.

"This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life," Novak said at a news conference. "But here is where my heart is.

"The most important responsibility I have is as a member of the Board of Trustees of Penn State," he added. "I care most about the spirit of Penn State and I want to devote my time to that. I love this community and have given all my time and effort to working for it at the local level."

If he had chosen to run, Novak would have faced Republican incumbent Rep. William F. Clinger Jr.

Dave Fuscus, Clinger's news secretary, said Novak's decision will not affect the Clinger campaign.

"(Clinger) would welcome a challenge from anyone who wished to run," Fuscus said.

Instead, Novak said he will focus on promoting cooperation between students and alumni.

"I think that creating student voices and alumni voices and sharing those is one of the two most important things that I am doing," Novak said, adding that someday he hopes to work with students toward a University student association.

Novak also wants to help the University develop plans for the future.

"I think Penn State can be one of the great leaders of education in America, but I think it is going to have to break away from the pack, stop trying to be like everybody else and set out on a new course which can inspire people," he said. "I think there are things we can do to set that leadership."

Novak said he could not do more for the University as a member of the House.

The government offers state and federal funding but that is not the issue behind leadership, he said, adding that the nation's educational goals must be redefined and clarified.

"I think the universities have a tremendous opportunity to do that and not just be super high schools training people for jobs," he said.