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COMMENCEMENT 12 | HOUSE BILL NO. 390 16 | ALUMNI NEWS COMMENCEMENT 12 | HOUSE BILL NO. 390 16 | ALUMNI NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS | Fall/Winter
Stained Glass Mystery Solved The century-old mystery of an unknown individual in the stained glass window inside the Biemesderfer Center has been solved. The image featured four men: Nathaniel Hawthorne, William Shakespeare, James Russell Lowell and an unknown individual. Thanks to technology, the man was identified as German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Assistant Director of Admissions Joshua Belice ‘10 found the identity through a reverse Google search of a photograph of the glass. The findings were confirmed by retired German professor Dr. Leroy Hopkins and retired library technician Janet Dotterer. Given Millersville’s early Germanic ties, it makes sense for Goethe to be the mysterious individual. Belice noted, “It’s important to remember that as Millersville continues to look forward, we don’t forget our past.” Stained glass window in Biemesderfer Center.
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Grant Supports Student Opioid Crisis Research Graduate students at Millersville interested in becoming experts in addiction and recovery are benefiting from a $1.35 million grant. The majority of the grant supports scholarships of $10,000 each for students enrolled in the Master of Social Work (MSW) or $28,000 each for students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. MSW students Kylie Bradley-Moreschi and Christopher Thomas are scholarship recipients who will graduate in May 2020. “I hope to start a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment program that promotes evidence-based treatment for people with substance-use disorders,” Bradley-Moreschi explains. Thomas intends to focus on research and policy making to “establish formal collaborations with addiction service providers in the local area to improve Lancaster’s response to the opioid crisis and substance use generally.” Kylie Bradley-Moreschi and Christopher Thomas. New College of Business Millersville University held an open house celebrating the new College of Business on Sept. 24. The event featured five speakers, including University President Daniel Wubah, Interim Dean Doug Frazer, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost Vilas Prabhu, current student Gasser Abousaif and 2018 graduate Renee Drawbaugh. Each of the speakers emphasized the importance of this new college and its impact on the Millersville community. The new college was established in July 2019 and has an advisory council of local business leaders and alumni. It offers bachelor’s degrees in business administration with options in accounting and finance, and marketing and management.
Left to right: Interim Dean Doug Frazer, student Gasser Abousaif, President Daniel Wubah, student Renee Drawbaugh ‘18 and Provost Dr. Vilas Prabhu.
First Gen Week The University celebrated first generation college students, faculty, staff and alumni during FirstGeneration Week from Nov. 2-8. In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education partnered with the Center for First-Generation Student Success to launch the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration. This year, Millersville participated for the first time, and our inaugural celebration included a breakfast, wellness events and introduced a new honor society for first-generation students on campus—Alpha Alpha Alpha. “This week was designed to shine a light on these students and give them the support they need through resources and mentorship opportunities,” said Darlene Newman, director of Student Access and Support Services at Millersville. GEN ERATION
Sustainability Honors Millersville earned many sustainability honors during the fall semester. The Lombardo Welcome Center is the first building in Pennsylvania to be Zero Energy Certified by the International Living Future Institute. It produces more energy than it uses, and those energy savings go into the Positive Energy Fund. The fund finances faculty, staff and studentled projects that contribute positively to local and global communities using the structure of the 17 Global Goals. In March, President Daniel Wubah, Sustainability Director Chris Steuer and Vice President for Finance and Administration Guilbert Brown will travel to Barcelona, Spain, to present on these accomplishments at the 2nd GUNi International Conference on Sustainable Goals and Higher Education. Other accolades include being named a 2019 Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, winning the AASCU Excellence and Innovation Award, and being championed for climate leadership by Second Nature.
Lombardo Welcome Center
Holocaust Conference 2020 In recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Holocaust, Millersville University will host a Holocaust Memorial Day and an Auschwitz Liberation exhibition in April 2020. These events will instill knowledge about the Holocaust and teach compassion for all. The exhibit will be held in the Ford Atrium inside McComsey Hall and feature items from the Museum of Human Rights Freedom and Tolerance. The installation will begin April 2, 2020, and continue throughout the entire month. These events will allow Millersville University to continue to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and all those impacted by it.
MILLERSVILLE RECEIVES LARGEST GIFT IN HISTORY
LISELOTTE R. WEHRHEIM
In this season of giving
MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY was honored to receive the largest gift in the institution’s history in December—$3.5 million from our alumna, Liselotte R. Wehrheim, class of 1974, who recently died at the age of 103.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to our alum, friend and supporter, Liselotte Wehrheim,” said President Daniel A. Wubah. “While our Advancement staff had been working with Ms. Wehrheim, the size of the gift was a wonderful surprise.” The money will fund the Liselotte R. Wehrheim Scholarship in Nursing Endowment, helping to prepare students for jobs in the growing healthcare industry. The scholarship is designed for students who have unusual or special circumstances affecting the completion of their education, such as simultaneously supporting or caring for a parent, child or spouse. Wehrheim earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Millersville as a nontraditional student, at age 59. She continued to practice as a nurse well into her 90s.
In 2008, at age 92, she said, “Millersville was a gift to me as
Liselotte R. Wehrheim ‘74
a mature, older person. It was a wonderful experience. They accepted me, and it was a joy for me to be able to function on the level of 20-year-olds when I was more than twice their age.”
“Around the holidays, when many are thinking of giving to others, the generosity of one alum will have a lasting impact on hundreds of the University’s nursing students, now and into the future,” said Wubah.
ALUMNI | REUNIONS
CLASS REUNIONS were celebrated throughout Homecoming weekend and provided Millersville alumni and friends with the opportunity to reconnect and reminisce. The Class of 1969 commemorated their 50th anniversary and were welcomed as the newest members of the Ad Astra Society by the classes of 1964 and 1959.
Front Row: Roberta Hoy Ross, Cheryl McLain Youtz, Carol Derstein Caum, Karen Shellenhamer Helsel, Dr. Daniel A. Wubah Second Row: Barbara Schreffler Freile, Kathy Hashinger Schoenberger, Ellen Scholbreck Fleisher, Brenda Beaman Eisemann, Judith Brown Yoder, William Yoder Third Row: Bill Stahler, Janet Buell Hill, Jack Campbell, John Chalikian, JoAnn Donahue Buttari Back Row: Douglas Hill, Raymond Lee Young, Donald Herneisen, Robert Auwarter, Robert Eisemann, George Stewart In attendance, not pictured: Melvin Allen, Lucy Guyer Buchanan, Gerald Cunfer, Thomas Haney, Susan Lorenzon Wade CLASS OF 1969 celebrating their 50th Reunion
Front Row: Jane Cairns Bevan, Marjorie Scott Rowe, Royce Walters, Faye Kline, Dr. Daniel A. Wubah Back Row: Lester Gross, Janet Cooper Kuchler, Earle Hershey Jr., Dwight Mostoller, Susan Jones CLASS OF 1959 celebrating their 60th Reunion
Front Row: Joyce Erwin Fuls, Lucy Lubowiecki Norton, Evan Douple, Clair Drescher, Joe Lisi, Dr. Daniel A. Wubah Back Row: Robert Mesaros, Jackie Fuls, Gahrad Harvey, Rich Frerichs, Art Drescher In attendance, not pictured: G. Terry Madonna CLASS OF 1964 celebrating their 55th Reunion
Roommates reunited! Ben Cooper ’67 and Thomas Haney ’69 at Homecoming 2019.
Marauder Connections! HAVEN’T BEEN RECEIVING THE ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER? We probably don’t have your email address! Visit www.villealumni.com and click the “Sign Up Now” button to register. The e-newsletter is a quick read and will keep you up-to-date on upcoming alumni events and what’s happening at Millersville University. Connect with us on Facebook @MillersvilleAlumni, Instagram @VilleAlumni, or Twitter @MUAlumni Alumni Association — Millersville University, PO Box 1002 Millersville, PA 17551-0302 | 800-681-1855 | mualumni@millersville.edu
SUPPORT FUTURE GENERATIONS of Millersville Students
Leave your legacy by including MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY in your will or trust, or as a beneficiary designation of an IRA, retirement plan or other account. You can make a lasting impact.
For more information or to request our FREE WILLS GUIDE, please contact us: Planned.Giving@millersville.edu, 877-872-3820, or visit millersville.giftlegacy.com
20 19 H O M E C O M I N G
HOMECOMING 2019 SAVE THE DATE FOR HOMECOMING 2020! | OCTOBER 23-24
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1. Jenn Gallagher ‘12 and Courtney Farr ‘13 2. Alumni and friends enjoy special parade seating outside the Duncan Alumni House. 3. David Kerwood ‘15 and guest 4. Kaleem Corbin on the field 5. Joe Glass ‘53 at the parade 6. We love our legacy families! 7. Millersville Community-University Parade
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8. Michael Bennett and Christian Shepperson 9. John Tintera, President Daniel Wubah, Ahmad Williams, Leah Ferguson, Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Brian Hazlett and Julia Lenz ‘19 10. Sara Raymond ‘12, Eric Raymond ‘08, Harry Innacola ‘13, Paige Innacola ‘14, Kelsey Foster ‘13 and Stan Foster
11. Photo booth fun! 12. Evan Morrill and Darrell Ramey 13. Janelle Sentiwany 14. Janet Cooper ’59 and Jane Bevans ’59 15. Ahmad Williams and Leah Ferguson 16. Members of Omega Psi Phi 17. Skully and the Marauder
Each year the Millersville University Alumni Association celebrates the outstanding achievements of members of our community through the Alumni Association Awards program. These awards honor individuals who have contributed to the prestige of the Alumni Association or the University through noteworthy professional accomplishments or service to society.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a Millersville University graduate who has brought honor to the University through substantial career achievements and has made significant contributions to society. Special Operations Medicine.” Each year, he honors his fallen Special Operations brothers by having memorial masses celebrated on the anniversaries of their passing.
Colonel Davis’ life and service has worked to personify the Special Forces motto “De Oppresso Liber,” to liberate the oppressed.
Colonel William J. Davis III ’72, USA Ret.
Colonel William J. Davis ’72, USA Ret., earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Millersville in 1972, a master’s degree in international relations from Salve Regina University, and the title Master Faculty from the National Defense University. On November 11, 1971, he enlisted in the Army.
Colonel Davis has served in a significant number of highly sensitive, joint, interagency and multinational operations, including the full range of Special Forces Missions in the United States and abroad. He is a combat diver, master parachutist, ranger and special forces qualified, and has been decorated with the Combat Infantryman Badge. During the Gulf War, then-LTC Davis commanded the 2nd Battalion, 5 th Special Forces Group. Colonel Davis’ combat service rendered him seriously disabled, so he serves as a research patient for Gulf War Illness. In 2005, the Colonel Bill Davis Fund for Research on Gulf War Illness was established at one of the key medical centers for Gulf War Illness and Chemical Agent Exposure in Dallas, Texas. Since retiring in 2005, he continues to support active-duty members as adjunct faculty at Joint Forces Staff College and as an editorial consultant for “The Journal of
Ronald Burger ’70
A Lancaster native, Ronald Cary Burger graduated from Millersville in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in education. After graduation, Burger became a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana and taught science at Winneba Training College. Thanks to his training with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Burger was assigned to lead the Ministry of Health team in controlling a severe outbreak of cholera in Winneba and realized that he had found his life’s work.
Burger became an epidemiologist and Disease Control Program Coordinator with the CDC. In 1975, Burger was sent to Bangladesh through the World Health Organization’s Smallpox Eradication Program, where he identified cases, traced outbreaks and administered vaccinations for smallpox. In 1976, Burger was a central expert identifier of Legionnaires’ disease and provided his expertise during the Swine Flu National Immunization Program. Burger became the senior emergency response coordinator at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta in 1989. In the decades that followed, Burger responded to numerous emergencies and disasters, including 38 hurricanes, the Mt. St. Helens volcano eruption, the Northridge earthquakes and more.
Upon retiring from the CDC, Burger became a volunteer at the National Disaster Medical System within the Department of Health and Human Services and continues to respond to major public health incidents. He is also a full-time contractor with the Department of Homeland Security as the jurisdictional coordinator for the BioWatch Program in Florida.
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD The Outstanding Volunteer Service Award is presented to a graduate of Millersville University who has provided outstanding service to the Millersville University Alumni Association or the University by volunteering significant time and talent.
Richard Moriarty ’72
Richard Moriarty graduated from Millersville in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He has more than 40 years of experience in commercial banking and served as an executive policy specialist within the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. In retirement, he has served as CFO for both Merk Industrial Services of Lancaster and Fleet Energy of State College.
Moriarty served as the mayor of Millersville Borough for 16 years—ending his tenure at the end of 2019. He has been a champion for many local, regional and state causes, including the Lancaster County Mayors’ Association, the Pennsylvania State
Mayors’ Association, and the Millersville Business Association. He began serving as a firefighter for the Millersville Fire Company in 1974, and was the treasurer for 35 years. Moriarty has been a member of the Millersville Community-University Parade planning committee for 15 years. In recognition of his significant service to the Millersville community, he was selected as the grand marshal of the parade in 2014. Moriarty has been a key contributor to the Millersville University Alumni Association (MUAA) since he joined the Board of Directors in 2008. He has shared his invaluable financial expertise as a member of the financial planning committee and was elected as MUAA Treasurer in 2015. He has researched investment options and made informed recommendations to ensure that the MUAA is financially well positioned now and in the years to come.
YOUNG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD The Young Alumni Achievement Award recognizes recent Millersville University graduates who are identified as being outstanding in their profession and serve as exemplars of achievement to current Millersville University students.
Clifford Stains ’02, Ph.D.
Dr. Clifford Stains earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a minor in biology from Millersville University in 2002. The thesis work he conducted with Dr. Sandra Turchi set him on course for a career dedicated to scholarly research. Stains continued his studies at the University of Arizona, where his Ph.D. work in chemistry was conducted under the guidance of Indraneel Ghosh. He was a NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT with Professor Barbara Imperiali in 2011, where he learned ways to design cellular therapies to target specific aspects of a person’s biology without affecting other
necessary functions. His independent career began as a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of NebraskaLincoln. During this time, he published an impressive 32 papers and was awarded more than $2 million in funding.
In summer 2019, Stains became an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Virginia, where he continued to build upon his interest in cell-signaling. Stains’ approach to this phenomenon at the molecular level is cutting-edge scientific discovery. It has real world implications on the development of treatments for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. He has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation.
Nikanor I. Volkov ’05, ’07M, Ph.D., CVA
Dr. Nikanor Volkov received his bachelor’s degree in international studies with honors in 2005 and a Master of Business Administration degree in 2007 from Millersville University. He received his Ph.D. in finance from Florida Atlantic University in 2015 and holds a Certified Valuation Analyst designation by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Volkov is currently an assistant professor of finance at Mercer University, where he teaches classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Volkov’s research is widely published, and his most recent interest area is career and education choice and its effect on the long-term wealth of an individual. Volkov has developed an online application that helps young adults make better career choices and ensure that their investment in education is a value-creating endeavor. Volkov is a recipient of the 2017 Exemplary Faculty Award from Mercer University and the 2011 and 2012 Florida Atlantic University Presidential Doctoral Fellowship Awards. In 2019, Volkov was selected to the “40 Under 40” list by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, an honor that recognizes the next generation of business valuation industry mavericks. In addition to his research, Volkov has a consulting practice that focuses on litigation support in the area of forensic economics and finance.
Jaime Kurtz ’00, Ph.D.
Dr. Jaime Kurtz graduated summa cum laude from Millersville University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, earning both University and departmental honors. Kurtz’s passion for psychology and academia was first sparked by her dedicated and inspiring professors, particularly Drs. Tae Woo, Al Forsyth, Susan Luek and John Osborne.
Currently, Kurtz is an associate professor of psychology at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and was the recipient of a research grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, as well as numerous departmental teaching awards and fellowships. Her research on strategies for sustainable happiness has been published in top academic journals and has received media attention from outlets such as “Time,” “Forbes,” “The Wall Street Journal,” and others.
Since 2013, she has worked with the Institute for Brain Potential, offering seminars on mental health to thousands of healthcare professionals. In addition, she writes the popular Happy Trails online column for “Psychology Today.” In 2017, she published her first book, “The Happy Traveler,” which focuses on research-based tips for designing better vacations. An enthusiastic traveler herself, she is the creator and director of a study abroad program, Exploring the Good Life in Scandinavia, where students visit two of the world’s happiest countries, Denmark and Sweden, to study cross-cultural differences in well-being.
A great way to end the work day while networking and socializing with fellow alums. Events begin at 5:15 p.m. Complimentary appetizers provided by the MU Alumni Association. For details and to register, visit villealumni.com.
JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS March 18 at Brickstone’s in Reading, PA | June 4 at TBD in King of Prussia, PA | June 24 at Loxley’s in Lancaster, PA
MILLERSVILLE MEN’S SOCCER WINS BACK-TO-BACK PSAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
To win a conference championship in any sport is difficult. To win consecutive PSAC Men’s Soccer Championships is a feat that only two other teams have accomplished in more than 50 years—before this year. The Millersville Marauders defeated No. 5 Gannon University 1-0 to claim back-to-back PSAC titles in front of a raucous home crowd at Pucillo Field. The victory is the program’s third overall PSAC championship, having also raised trophies in 2011 and 2018. No PSAC team has earned back-to-back titles since East
Stroudsburg accomplished the feat in 2006 and 2007.
“To go back-to-back is unbelievable,” said Millersville head coach STEVEN WIDDOWSON. “People don’t do it. When we walked off the field after the 5-1 battering by Wilmington in the first game of the season, I don’t think anyone would have given us a chance at making the final, but we were fantastic today. My guys were absolutely superb. This is what we’ve built up to. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we’ve timed it right again.” BOB HENNESSEY scored the only goal of the game just 30 seconds into the second half, when Matteo Adiletta threaded a ball to him in the penalty box. Hennessey cut it back to his left and tucked the ball away just inside the left post. The Millersville victory ended Gannon’s 11-game winning streak. Goalkeeper DARIAN MCCAULEY was voted tournament MVP after keeping a clean sheet in the championship game in addition to
making eight critical saves in the 2-1 semifinal win over Mercyhurst. Millersville qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. Senior JACOB GOSSELIN was voted the PSAC East Athlete of the Year, and the league recognized Widdowson as the PSAC East Coach of the Year.
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTS 7
The 25th annual class received induction into the Millersville University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 25, as part of Homecoming weekend. This year’s class included DeWitt Boyd, Christina Carpenter Minder ‘05, John Claffey ‘12, Jay Johnson ‘77, Randy March ‘83, Darlene Newman ‘84 and Kenneth “Red” Stoner ‘53.
“These seven were selected from a group of 43 qualified nominees,” said Millersville University Director of Athletics Miles Gallagher. “That shows just how deserving this year’s class is. The inductees represent six different decades of Millersville Athletics. We are thankful that we have such an outstanding tradition of excellence, epitomized by these seven outstanding representatives of Millersville Athletics.”
Left to right: DeWitt Boyd, Christina Carpenter Minder ‘05, John Claffey ‘12 , Kenneth “Red” Stoner ‘53, Darlene Newman ‘84 and Randy March ‘83. (Not pictured: Jay Johnson ‘77)
DEWITT BOYD Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach From 1994 to 2007, Boyd led the men’s tennis program to nine NCAA Tournament appearances while also capturing five PSAC Championships and nine NCAA Tournament berths with the women’s program. Boyd holds the all-time wins record in both sports, posting a 144-73 record with the men and a 172-73-2 record with the women. He was named PSAC Coach of the Year five times.
CHRISTINA CARPENTER MINDER ‘05 Women’s Track and Field Carpenter Minder won five PSAC Championship events and was twice named the PSAC Outdoor Championships Athlete of the Meet. She totaled 10 career All-PSAC finishes in her career and is the only Marauder to repeat as winner of the 100- and 200-meter dashes. She was the recipient of the Elwood J. Finley Award for top Millersville senior athlete.
JOHN CLAFFEY ‘12 Men’s Soccer Claffey anchored the defense for four seasons, helping Millersville post a 60-18-5 record with two PSAC East titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances and the program’s first PSAC Championship. He was named AllPSAC and all-region twice and was named All-America as a senior. JAY JOHNSON ‘77 Baseball Johnson posted a career batting of .398, a tally that ranks fourth in Millersville history to this day. He set a school record for average as a senior and was named All-PSAC East First Team three times.
RANDY MARCH ‘83 Wrestling From 1978-82, March compiled a 110-38-1 record and has held the school wins record since. A four-time PSAC Championships place winner, March was also a threetime national qualifier.
DARLENE NEWMAN ‘84 Women’s Basketball/Lacrosse/Coach A three-time All-PSAC East honoree in basketball from 1979-83, Newman totaled 1,305 career points and averaged 14.8 points and a Millersville record 10.3 rebounds per game in her career. She joined the Millersville basketball program as its assistant coach in 1992-93 and served in that role for 24 seasons.
KENNETH “RED” STONER ‘53 Men’s Basketball/Baseball Stoner posted a near-.400 batting average in his baseball career. In basketball, Stoner earned All-PSAC First Team honors in 1952-53 and picked up honorable mention recognition in 1951-52.
WOMEN’S SOCCER Led by senior record-breaker KAY LIEBL, the Marauders set a school record for wins with a 15-5-1 record, reaching the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season, and with a 3-1 victory over No. 23 East Stroudsburg, the Marauders earned their first-ever NCAA playoff win. Millersville started the season 10-0 and earned a ranking as high as No. 6 in Division II. Liebl, a three-time All-PSAC selection, set all-time Millersville records for goals and points.
FIELD HOCKEY The Marauders earned a national No. 1 ranking in September after an 8-0 start, and reached the postseason for the eighth consecutive season. Senior ERICA TARSI finished her Millersville career ranked third in career goals and as a three-time All-PSAC selection. Senior JORDAN GODDARD was named All-PSAC First Team for the second time, and junior MEREDITH FAGAN also earned her third consecutive All-PSAC honor.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL 2019 was one of the most successful seasons in program history, as the Marauders set a school record with 26 wins—the most by a team at Millersville since 1995. For the first time in 24 years, Millersville qualified for the NCAA Tournament and upset Shippensburg in five sets for the program’s second-ever NCAA playoff win. JAYCI SUSELAND, who set Millersville records for career kills and kills in a season, became Millersville’s first overall PSAC Athlete of the Year. Setter KATIE LAUGHMAN also set a program record for assists in a season.
FOOTBALL J.C. Morgan’s first recruiting class made an immediate impact for a building program. The Marauders played the season with 57 players in their first season at the NCAA Division II level. A total of 14 true and redshirt freshmen started games during the season. One of those players was linebacker ISAIAH ONUSCHAK, who earned AllPSAC East Second Team recognition—the first Marauder freshman to do so in 12 years. He ranked third in the PSAC in tackles and 10 th in sacks. Cornerback TYLER PATRON PENN and wide receiver EVAN MORRILL also earned All-PSAC East recognition.
CROSS COUNTRY Junior YOANGELYS RIJO-CEDENO ran a career-best time—the fastest by a Marauder since 2015—to finish 18 th at the PSAC Championships. That finish earned her an All-PSAC Second Team honor. It was the best finish by a Marauder since 2013. SPORTS | 2019
1988 AND 1995 TEAM RECOGNITION
Millersville football welcomed back to campus two of its all-time great teams, celebrating the achievements of the 1988 and 1995 teams. The 1988 team was the winner of the prestigious Lambert-Meadownlands Trophy, winning the PSAC East and finishing the season with a 10-2 record in the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals. The 1995 team was unbeaten in the regular season with a 9-0-1 record. It won the PSAC East and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Members of the 1988 Millersville football team.
SUCCESS ON THE TRACK
& in the Classroom By Chris Capella ‘21M
EMILY BLAND beats the sun out of bed most mornings. Her day, fittingly, is structured as a race against time. Rain or shine, Bland is outside running six to eight miles to start her day, beginning around 6:30 a.m. From there, she lifts, tutors, goes to class, student-teaches, builds a lesson plan and studies.
This wasn’t always the life Bland saw for herself. She was a high school field hockey player. But once at Millersville, Bland took to distance running. What started as a way to keep off the dreaded “freshman 15” turned into an opportunity.
While running around the indoor track, Bland was approached by a gym teacher who asked her about her running habits. Eventually, she was introduced to Andy Young, head coach for the Millersville cross country and track and field programs. She decided to give it a try, with one stipulation— she would have to miss her junior track and field season because she wanted to study abroad in Spain.
Young agreed. So began Bland’s collegiate athletic career.
But anyone who has come across Bland knew those 10-minute miles wouldn’t last. Her background wouldn’t allow it.
Her days were spent training and improving, soaking up as much information as she could through coaches and teammates. Bland was aiming to be a perfectionist in a sport where perfectionists and the self-determined succeed most. “She’s a coach’s dream,” said Young. “She’s a sponge with training. She’s a worker. All coaches want that kind of athlete.”
Those same traits helped her excel in the classroom. Bland is a Spanish education major with aspirations of becoming a teacher. She was recently recognized by “I’m an extremely competitive person. I get that from my dad.”
Millersville’s Imagine the Possible campaign due to her success as a student-athlete, study abroad trip and excellence in the classroom.
Bland picked up Spanish because it was the one subject in which she struggled.
she said. “I want to teach kids that it’s so hard, but so fulfilling once you get it.”
Bland spent six months this year in Burgos, Spain, a city about two hours north of Madrid. Her study abroad trip included two classes a day, four days a week. Bland even managed to participate in a half-marathon while abroad.
Bland, who roomed with a friend also studying abroad, made a special connection while in Spain. Her landlord, affectionately nicknamed “abuela” for grandma, paid for their Wi-Fi while they taught her two grandsons, ages 5 and 3, English. “Those little boys became our family,” Bland said. “We still exchange letters and cards.”
Upon returning, Bland picked up a student-teaching job at McCaskey East High School every week from Wednesday through Friday. She teaches two Spanish IV classes and four Spanish II classes.
“You have to turn on the creative mode in your brain and
almost manipulate this language into something they know and understand,” she said. “It made me creative, and I never considered myself a creative person.”
After graduating, Bland wants to teach full-time but is still undecided about teaching English in Spain or Spanish in the United States.
“I would imagine school districts, a lot of them are going to want her as SPORTS | 2019
soon as they meet her and understand what she’s all about,” Young said. “She’s got a little bit of an edge to her, but I think that’ll make her an amazing teacher.”
She has had an unexpectedly productive career for someone who never ran cross country before college. “The week before the regional meet at the PSAC Championships, she ran probably the worst race of her life,” said Young. “She trained so hard that summer, really improved and it just wasn’t her day. I remember she was so angry and didn’t want to talk to anyone. It was like fuel for her. It was like, ‘That wasn’t good enough, I know I’m better than that.’ That’s who she is at her core. She’s driven to get better.”
Bland now transitions to track and field. This spring, she hopes to place at the PSAC Championship in the 10K race, something no Millersville athlete has done with Young as coach.
“It’s surreal. I never thought I would be a runner,” Bland said. “Beyond that, it’s finding this love and passion I never knew I had. I’m so proud to wear the MU logo.”
PSAC 150 CONTRIBUTORS
As part of college football’s sesquicentennial season, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference recognized 150 distinguished players, coaches and contributors who made a significant impact in football for PSAC schools. The 10 Marauders named to the list included Dr. Gene Carpenter, Charles Cooper, Drew Folmar, Will Lewis, Carmen Lex, Scott Martin, Mike McFetridge, Sean Scott, Ricke Stonewall and Edwin “Eddie” Weist. Three members of that team—McFetridge, Lex and Martin— joined PSAC commissioner Steve Murray for a special plaque presentation at halftime of the Marauders’ game against West Chester.
