N E W S L E T T E R
Welcome to the first edition of the Millersville University Newsletter, designed to keep our valued retired faculty and staff updated on campus activities.
Millersville embraces the EPPIIC values of exploration, public mission, professionalism, inclusion, integrity and compassion in all that we do.
e are delighted to welcome you to the inaugural edition of our newsletter, a new initiative the MU Development Office is excited to launch to keep you informed and engaged with all that’s happening at Millersville University.
The purpose of our newsletter is to serve as a direct line of communication between us and you, our valued retirees. Through this platform, we aim to:
1. Share Updates and News: Keep you informed about the latest developments, upcoming events and important announcements.
2. Feature Highlights: Showcase success stories, faculty/staff/student spotlights, as well as other inspiring stories that demonstrate the impact of Millersville University.
We believe that effective communication is key to building a strong and lasting relationship with each of you. Our newsletter will be published quarterly to ensure that you are always up to date with our progress and initiatives. This will be a digital newsletter, so we request that you ensure you have provided us with your most current email address. However, we also realize that some may prefer a printed copy, and we will have a limited number of actual copies to mail. Should you require a printed copy, email kimberly.cole@millersville.edu.
We hope you find our newsletter informative and enjoyable to read. Your feedback and suggestions are highly valuable to us as we strive to improve and tailor our content to meet your interests and needs. Thank you once again for your continued support of Millersville University. We look forward to keeping you informed and inspired through our newsletter.
All the best,
Tues., 9/3
5:30-8 p.m.
Alumni Awards: Marvelous Marauders and Distinguished Alumni
Fri., 9/6
4-6 p.m.
State of the ’Ville
Fri., 9/21-9/22
Homecoming Weekend
Mon., 10/4 - Sun., 10/6
Marauder Family Weekend Tues., 10/8
8-10 p.m.
Marauder Family Weekend Mon., 10/28 - Tues., 10/29
7 a.m. –5 p.m. PASSHE
Thurs., 11/7
7-9 p.m.
Hazel I. Jackson Lecture
Thurs., 11/14
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Brossman Frisbee Science Lecture
Sat., 12/7 and Sun., 12/8
Saturday 4 p.m.
Sunday 2:30 p.m.
Glorious Sounds of the Season
Sat., 12/14
2-4 p.m. Graduation
We are pleased to share with you the names of our colleagues who have been awarded promotion, tenure and sabbatical leaves. We hope you will join us in congratulating these individuals for their achievements.
Promoted to Full Professor:
Dr. Janet Bertoni, Special Education
Dr. Eric Blazer, Accounting and Finance
Dr. Sarah Brooks, Educational Foundations
Dr. Leonora Foels, Social Work
Dr. Elizabeth Powers, Early, Middle and Elementary Education
Promoted to Associate Professor:
Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, Educational Foundations
Dr. Jennifer Jester, Music
Dr. Susan Moyer, Nursing
Dr. Melissa Mullen-Davis, Chemistry
Dr. Laura Ramos-Sepulveda, Biology
Dr. Eric Ryndock, Biology
Dr. Brian Trout, Accounting and Finance
Dr. Laura Weise Cross, Biology
January 2024
Marcia Bolton
Associate Dean, Education and Human Services
May 2024
Tenure:
Dr. Jeffrey Gemmell, Music
Prof. Dorothy Frey, Art and Design
Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, Educational Foundations
Dr. Jennifer Jester, Music
Prof. Ryan McGovern, Intercollegiate Athletics
Dr. Susan Moyer, Nursing
Dr. Melissa Mullen Davis, Chemistry
Dr. Laura Ramos-Sepulveda, Biology
Dr. Eric Ryndock, Biology
Dr. Brian Trout, Accounting and Finance
Dr. Laura Weise Cross, Biology
Dr. Wendy Wheeler, Intercollegiate Athletics
Prof. Heather Wolfe, Intercollegiate Athletics
Sharon Brusic, Professor – AEST
James Delle, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Adult Learning; Associate Provost for Academic Administration
July 2024
Donna Bazow Administrative Assistant – Athletics
Kaitlynn Hamaty was hired last summer and comes to us with many years of experience, beginning with her college studies at Penn State University, where she majored in psychology, with minors in sustainability leadership and statistics and then earned her master’s degree in environmental psychology from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. In this role, one of the main goals is for Millersville University to be carbon neutral by 2040 and to assist the city of Lancaster with climate-change planning. To reach this goal, Kaitlynn will focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon offsets, waste diversion and recycling on campus.
Heroes. Breast Health. Gardens. Wizard of Oz. These words help identify Dr. Dennis Denenberg, professor emeritus/ elementary and early childhood education. Dr. Denenberg is a well-known and respected author and speaker who incorporates “heroes” into his stories. One of his real-life heroes is his sister, Diana Denenberg Durand, who courageously battled breast cancer for 18 years, passing in 2007 at the young age of 61.
Diana was the impetus for Dr. Denenberg to start the Breast Cancer Awareness Program at the University. The program includes “Breast-a-Ville,” an annual event to educate students of the importance of breast health. It also includes the Diana Denenberg Durand Spirit Garden and Statue, located at the University’s Stayer Hall, and “Diana’s Dreamers: Determined to Defeat Breast Cancer,” an endowment set up through the Millersville University Foundation to raise awareness among young women and men about breast cancer and breast health.
Dr. Denenberg is well known for his one-acre garden, which includes the “Gardens of Oz,” showcasing the owner’s love of “The Wizard of Oz.” Through his combined love of family and the Wizard of Oz, Dr. Denenberg recently created Toto’s Memoir (totomemoir.org), a story written through the eyes of the beloved terrier Toto. Make sure to click and share the link Toto’s Memoir (totomemoir.org) and read the enchanting story.
Have a story or adventure you would like to share?
Email kimberly.cole@millersville.edu, or go to millersville.edu/facultyandstaff/retiree.php.
C OLLEGE OF AR T S, HUM ANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
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Dr. Stacey Irwin, communication and theatre professor, will be releasing a book titled “Survey of Media: Screens, Sounds, Synergies.” The book focuses on the history of media, starting in the 1800s through many different media technologies and content areas, including television, cinema, video games and social media. This will be Irwin’s third published book. Previously, she has written “Digital Media: Human–Technology Connection” in 2016 and coedited “Postphenomenology and Media: Essays on Human–Media–World Relations” in 2017.
(Faculty/Staff Activities - Millersville News)
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BUSINESS
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The Marauder Fund is continuing to see success. The organization is comprised of three groups of students: junior analysts, senior analysts and executive committee officers. The fund is overseen by Dr. Ron Baker, associate professor of economics. Alongside hands-on experience, being involved with the Marauder Fund allows students unique opportunities to learn from financial professionals. “We will continue our professional seminar series, where we invite local financial professionals to speak to the students about their career path,” says Baker. Some of these individuals are alumni of Millersville and the Marauder Fund.
(Marauder Fund Continues to See Success - Millersville News)
C OLLEGE OF AR T S, HUM ANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Millersville University’s Mobile Robotics Team recently showcased their innovative robotic platform, ALiEN 5.0 (Autonomous LiDAR-Based Environment Navigator, version 5.0), at the prestigious 31st Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition in Rochester, Michigan, from May 31 to June 3, 2024. This annual competition brought together top engineering talent from universities around the world, challenging them to design, build and program autonomous ground vehicles capable of navigating complex environments. The team’s efforts were rewarded, as Millersville University took home 1st place qualification, 2nd place in performance and 2nd place overall from a field of 23 teams in the AutoNav class, showcasing their technical readiness and innovation.
C OLLEGE OF AR T S, HUM ANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
(‘Ville’s Mobile Robotics Team Shines - Millersville News)
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Dr. Janet Bertoni, chair of the special education department, volunteers on cruises and at resorts to help families traveling with special-needs kids. Autism on the Seas is an international organization that staffs professional volunteers and professional volunteer group leaders. These volunteers assist on cruises and resorts for families traveling with special-needs kids ages 3 through adulthood. Bertoni notes that volunteering is a way she can keep up with her responsibilities as a special education professor.
“As a professor whose job responsibilities include service to the community, this is one of the ways in which I make positive contributions to the autism community.” (Cruising for a Cause - Millersville News)
Continued on next page.
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The retirement of the former dean, Dr. James Delle, led to the move of Graduate Admissions and Online Programs to the Enrollment Management Unit. Dr. Lara Willox, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, currently serves as the interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Adult Learning. Master’s programs in nursing, social work, early childhood education and English are now offered online, alongside the traditional in-person format. The addition of this modality has led to substantial growth in each program, with a record number of enrollments anticipated for our graduate programs this fall.
Summer is a busy time in the Office of Adult and Continuing Education! More than 150 PreK-12 teachers and other professionals participated in the 2024 Summer Institutes. This year introduced new subjects such as AI in Education and Watershed Education focused on the Conestoga River. (Lancaster County teachers take to the water with Millersville University [photos] | Local News | lancasteronline.com)
Kate Corcoran has been named the new director of athletics! Millersville University has selected Kate to lead Millersville Athletics, and she will start her ‘Ville journey this summer. Most recently, Kate served as vice president of athletics and student engagement at Cabrini University in Radnor, Pa. Kate has a bachelor’s degree in sport management/business administration from DeSales University and earned her master’s degree in business management from Rosemont College.
Dr. Charlton Wolfgang completed his first year as director of the Honors College and is excited about the upcoming year. Thanks to an EPPIIC microgrant, we were able to purchase more textbooks to expand our lending library of required textbooks for Honors courses, saving students some money. Our plan is to continue to grow and expand this library to meet the needs of additional students.
In conjunction with Made in Millersville in April, we welcomed a large group of gifted students from local school districts to attend Made in Millersville, tour the campus and learn more about Millersville and the Honors College. They were impressed with the quality and quantity of student research projects presented at Made in Millersville. We held the annual Spring Recognition Banquet for the Honors College in April, where we honored the 44 graduating seniors (from fall 2023 and spring 2024), which was the highest number of graduates since the inception of the Honors College. Students received recognition and awards for their academic and service achievements.
Since the start of the fall 2023 semester, students have volunteered a total of 1,000+ hours of community service. More than 150 students have contributed to those 1,000 hours, both on and off campus.
The Honors College has 115 incoming freshmen, more than we had for the 2023-24 academic year. Approximately 43% of incoming freshmen are majoring in biology, education or psychology.
Dr. Denenberg is deeply passionate about two topics: breast health and his gardens, both of which reflect his admiration for heroes.
With a distinguished career in education, including as a MU professor from 19872002 and national speaker on the importance of real-life heroes, Dr. Denenberg initiated the Breast Cancer Awareness Program at MU through an endowment. This program includes the annual “Breast-a-Ville” event, aiming to educate students on breast health and cancer prevention. He also started the Diana’s Dreamers: Determined to Defeat Breast Cancer endowment to raise awareness among young women and men about breast cancer and breast health.
Dr. Denenberg was recognized with the “Honorary Alumni Award” in 2016. Millersville University’s Alumni Association (MUAA) noted how he influenced countless education students at the ‘Ville over his tenure. He established the Hilda and David Denenberg Student Lounge, located in Strayer Hall, to honor his parents.
In his will, Dr. Denenberg plans to donate one acre of his gardens and house to the Millersville University Foundation, which is dedicated to managing endowed gifts. Reflecting on his life among hundreds of flowers, Dr. Denenberg feels blessed and seeks to honor his family legacy through perpetual giving, and donating family treasures is one way to do that.
As a VALUED retiree of Millersville’s University, you have access to many of the same benefits students, current faculty and staff enjoy! Taking advantage of all that Millersville still has to offer is easy. All you need is an updated Millersville Retiree ID card.
Need to Update Your Contact Information OR Have a Story You Would Like to Share With Your Fellow Retirees?
OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
• Admission to MU athletic events | Contact the ticket office at 717-871-7600 for details on pricing.
• Access to on-campus cultural events and discounted tickets where applicable Contact the ticket office at 717-871-7600 for details on pricing.
• Entry to the McNairy Library | Contact the library for specific policy and details at 717-871-7111.
• Discounted membership to the Student Memorial Center Rec Center, including group fitness classes Email campus.recreation@millersville.edu, or phone 717-871-5665 for restrictions and details.
• Access to an on-campus parking permit
Contact KIM COLE via email, phone or mail: Email: kimberly.cole@millersville.edu
Phone: 717-871-5500
Mailing Address: Duncan Alumni House P.O. Box 1002
Millersville, PA 17551 or go to: millersville.edu/facultyandstaff/retiree.php
Explore opportunities to make a positive impact for future generations of Millersville University students through planned giving.
Pat and Shelly have both been dedicated volunteers at their favorite charity for many years. They wanted to make certain their programs continued even after they were gone.
Pat: We appreciated the organization’s work. We hoped to register our commitment and support by making a gift that would last well into the future.
Shelly: A staff member at the organization asked us to consider making a gift to the endowment. We learned that the endowment was a fund that served as a permanent source of income for the organization’s projects.
Pat: I liked that giving to the endowment would help my favorite charity continue its programs on an ongoing basis.
Shelly: I also felt that the gift would provide a legacy for me and Pat. We were both thrilled that our gift would keep on giving to a cause we love.
The support of donors like Pat and Shelly makes our work possible. When you make an endowment gift, your gift is maintained in perpetuity and creates a lasting, meaningful difference. Please contact us to learn how to create your legacy through an endowment gift.
