Shippensburg University Magazine, Winter 2024

100 Years of the SU Marching Band InternSHIP at the PA Farm Show

SHIPPENSBURG

life onboard

Heiges Field House, opening in 1971, has a rich history in athletics, the arts and evening bowling! Today, it is home to the university’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball and swim teams. Named to honor past president, Dr. Ralph Eby Heiges and his father, the first dean of instruction, it is the second largest wooden-domed structure in the world.

From championship moments, to graduation ceremonies, famous recording artists and even WWF wrestling matches, the field house is home to so many special Ship memories.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Leaping forward into spring

Spring is right around the corner, and we are ready for its arrival and all the excitement it brings to campus—but there is plenty to be excited about right now!

In the pages of this magazine, we celebrate a legacy of excellence at Shippensburg University. For 100 years, the Shippensburg University Marching Band has been an example of pride and school spirit. This year we celebrate the individuals, moments, and of course music that have defined SUMB. We also reflect on the progressive path Ship traveled in the field of computer science. From a few courses offered in the Mathematics Department, to a program that set the stage for the Milton and Doreen Morgan School of

SHIPPENSBURG

Engineering, it’s clear that when it comes to computer science, Ship is it!

With the legacy of these two milestones as inspiration, we are focused forward on the path that will continue our tradition of excellence well into the future. As we continue to meet the workforce demands of our region, you’ll read about a new program in our Biology Department, a new workforce development program, funded by a federal grant, and the unique ways our students are getting hands-on experience in an unlikely place.

SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

WINTER 2024 VOLUME 21, NO. 1

Published by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Cynthia Shapira, Chair, Board of Governors

Dan Greenstein, Chancellor

PRESIDENT

Charles E. Patterson

INTERIM ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Megan Luft

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Megan Silverstrim ’06

Director of Communications and Marketing

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Anne M. Detter Schaffner

Director of Marketing, SU Foundation

William Morgal ’07-’10m

Sports Information Director

Lori Smith ’95-’07m Director, Alumni Relations

CLASS NOTES EDITOR

Stephanie Swanger, Alumni Relations

STAFF

Ryan Cleary ’23, Social Media and Content Manager

Kimberly Hess, Creative Services Manager

Jessica Kline ’02, Senior Graphic Designer and Brand Manager

Andrew Miller, Sports Information Assistant/ Digital Media Management Specialist

Excellence in athletics is not new to Ship. We’re proud to showcase the work of Carrie Michaels, senior associate director of Athletics at Ship and in a prestigious leadership role with the NCAA. Matt Allen, coordinator of the Continuing Academic Progress and Success program and Women’s Basketball assistant coach shares more about his work and the exciting leadership opportunity offered to him.

Every page of this magazine is a defining part of our legacy and commitment to excellence. I hope you are as inspired as I am by the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of Ship that make this all possible as we continue to make Ship Happen!

Charles E. Patterson, PhD  President

CONTACT SU MAG

BY MAIL

Ship Letters Box 35

Shippensburg University

1871 Old Main Drive Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299

BY TELEPHONE

(717) 477-1201

BY E-MAIL

MMSilverstrim@ship.edu

Access this and past issues of Ship Magazine by scanning the code below or by visiting issuu.com/shippensburg-university.

For change of address, please e-mail alumni@ship.edu. Shippensburg University Magazine is published three times a year for alumni, parents, friends, and associates of Shippensburg University. Portions of the magazine may be reprinted without permission if Shippensburg University Magazine is credited. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, in compliance with federal and state laws and university policy, is committed to human understanding and provides equal educational, employment, and economic opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Direct requests for reasonable accommodations and other inquiries to the Office of Accessibility Resources, Shippensburg University, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299, (717) 477-1364, oar@ship.edu.

Members of percussion from the 1974 Cumberland yearbook.

SHIPPENSBURG

18 LeaderSHIP

Carrie Michaels reflects on a unique four-year leadership experience with the NCAA.

28

100 Years of SUMB

Celebrating the centerpiece of pride and school spirit.

30 Inspired to Grow

Ship faculty and students have deep roots at the PA Farm Show.

FRONT COVER: Members of the SUMB Emma Baker (left), sophomore/accounting, and Austin Pliska (right), senior/software engineering, appear on the cover.

campus

Ship Happens at Maxie’s Brewhouse

On March 1, President Patterson and First Lady Colleen served as guest bartenders at Maxie’s Brewhouse as part of a fundraiser for the SU Foundation Student Emergency Fund.

Campus and community members turned out to support the event and vote for their favorite Ship mascot with Big Red and Shippo tip jars. Big Red collected $559 and Shippo collected $555. Shippo, of course demanded a recount, but the win was awarded to Big Red. Maxie’s gave $300, bringing the total raised for the SU Foundation Student Emergency Fund to $1,414.

“Colleen and I are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support shown by our Shippensburg area community for the Student Emergency Fund. Your generosity exemplifies the spirit of compassion that defines our university family. Together,

we are ensuring that every student facing unexpected challenges has the support they need to persevere and thrive. These contributions are not just donations; they are investments in the future of our students.”

AROUND CAMPUS Ship Caucus

On January 29, the Political Science Department, along with special guests, President Patterson and First Lady Colleen, hosted the fourth Ship Caucus in Stewart Hall. Open to all students on campus, the event allows participants to experience a real Caucus-style election. The event is held in January before primary election season begins for the upcoming presidential race.

This year, 120 students formed preference groups to support a candidate. The number of students in a group shows how popular a candidate is, and if a preference group is too small, it has to disband and students must find a new candidate to support. Students from disbanded groups move around the room to learn more about the other candidates. There are two votes conducted, and at the end of the second vote, a winner of the Ship Caucus is declared.

The goal of the event is to engage in meaningful conversations about political candidates, educate students on the political process, and learn more about political candidates.

To help support Ship students through the Student Emergency Fund, visit the SU Foundation at SUFoundation.org

Dr. Alison Dagnes kicks off the fourth Ship Caucus.

Photo by Mike Fague ’16

36th Annual March for Humanity

On January 30, the university gathered for the 36th Annual March for Humanity in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, featured remarks by Joanna McClinton, speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. McClinton is the first woman to serve in this role and the first woman elected Democratic Caucus chair.

DR. MEGAN LUFT NAMED PSCA ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

Dr. Megan Luft, interim associate vice president for enrollment management and executive director of admissions at Shippensburg University, received the Pennsylvania School Counselor Association’s (PSCA) Advocate of the Year Award on December 7, 2023 at the 68th Annual PSCA Conference entitled “Being and Belonging,” in the Poconos, Pennsylvania.

Following the program in Old Main Chapel, faculty, staff, students, and community members marched in unity across campus.

PSCA promotes engagement, ethical, and contemporary professional identity of school counselors across Pennsylvania to ensure equitable educational outcomes for all students. The Advocate of the Year Award recognizes individuals or organizations whose advocacy for school counseling has positively impacted school counselors and their programs on a local, state, or national level.

Avonworth High School counselor Nicole Levis with Dr. Megan Luft.

2023

Celebrate our Winter graduates!

On December 15 and 16 the university hosted graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies. A total of 249 undergraduates and 107 graduate students crossed the stage and officially became Ship alumni!

Dr. Ryan Carpenter ’10m connected with graduates on their shared experiences during the graduate ceremony. Frank VanBuren ’88 shared words of wisdom during the undergraduate ceremony.

For a full gallery of photos of the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies, visit: photos.ship.edu

SHIP LAUNCHES NEW HEALTH SCIENCES PROGRAM

Beginning in the fall 2024 semester, Shippensburg University will offer a new Bachelor of Science in health sciences. The demand for healthcare professionals is rapidly expanding and Ship can deliver the skilled professionals the workforce needs.

This versatile major is designed to prepare students for admission to a variety of post-baccalaureate programs that lead to a wide range of healthcare careers. Students in the program can customize their coursework to fulfill the needs of their planned career path.

The program features small class sizes, lab experiences, and opportunities to participate in faculty-directed research that will allow students to refine problem-solving abilities, perfect aptitude for data collection and analysis, and present their results at scientific meetings.

The BS in health sciences is ideal for students interested in medical laboratory science, histotechnology, occupational therapy, chiropractic medicine, public health, and much more.

AROUND CAMPUS SU partners with WITF to host GOSPEL preview

On February 8, Shippensburg University partnered with WITF to host a sneak preview of GOSPEL, a new docuseries that explores the rich history of Black spirituality through sermon and song from executive producer, host, and writer Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

The preview featured performances by SU’s Harmonic Voices of Truth Gospel Choir and a panel discussion on themes raised in the show.

State System Universities Launch Initiative with Major Employers to Expand Work-based Learning

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the PASSHE Foundation are launching a pilot initiative with major employers to significantly increase work-based learning that provides real-world experiences for PASSHE university students. Work-based learning, including paid internships and apprenticeships, enhances a student’s higher education and launches graduates into better jobs with higher incomes, which positively impacts their long-term earnings and economic mobility.

Highmark Health is the initial partner employer and PASSHE invites other statewide and regional employers to join the initiative. Strada Education Foundation awarded a $750,000 grant to support the pilot project.

“At Strada, our mission is to strengthen connections between education after high school and opportunity, with a focus on helping people who face the greatest challenges. PASSHE has delivered on its commitments to advancing social mobility, and we are pleased to partner with the State System through this investment,” said Stephen Moret, president and CEO of Strada Education Foundation. “Our research demonstrates the impact of workbased learning on student outcomes. We are delighted to support the State System in expanding students’ participation in these opportunities.”

The pilot includes five State System universities from different regions of Pennsylvania: Cheyney (southeast), Commonwealth (north central), East Stroudsburg (northeast), Slippery Rock (west), and Shippensburg (central). PASSHE intends to expand the initiative to all 10 State System universities after the pilot is complete.

“The State System is incredibly excited to partner with Highmark Health and the Strada Education Foundation on this innovative initiative,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein. “With 14 legacy campuses throughout the state, PASSHE is uniquely positioned to partner with employers in Pennsylvania. Together, we can connect classroom learning with real-work experiences and strategically build a better

process for connecting students and employers. Ultimately, that will help launch more students into great careers and provide the workforce talent that employers need.”

The three-year pilot will reach more than 1,000 students, beginning in fall 2024.

Strong university and employer partnerships

PASSHE will build the technological and academic infrastructure required to integrate work-based learning into students’ classroom and campus experiences. Additionally, strategic partnerships and collaborations between universities and employers will create expanded and sustainable work-based learning opportunities for PASSHE students.

Benefits of work-based learning

Work-based learning, which can include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing and more, allows students to connect their classroom education with technical and workplace skills and to develop professional connections and networks as part of their overall education. University students with high-quality, work-based learning, especially paid internships, have more confidence in their skills, are more likely to get higherpaying jobs after graduation, and are more satisfied with their education and career choices, according to findings by the Strada Education Foundation.

However, low-income, first-generation, Black and Latino students, and women are less likely to have paid internships, which

can reduce their employability and income after graduation. To address the access gap, the pilot has a goal of 60 percent of students in the initiatives being low-income, firstgeneration or underrepresented minorities, which closely mirrors their representation among all PASSHE students.

PASSHE prepares students for in-demand jobs

Pennsylvania has worker shortages and a critical education and training gap: 60 percent of jobs in the commonwealth require some higher education after high school, but only 53 percent of workers have the needed degree or credential, according to the Lumina Foundation.

As the state-owned university system, PASSHE is committed to closing the gap and serving the learners and employers of Pennsylvania. PASSHE continues to redesign itself to meet the changing needs of today’s learners and to prepare more students for the jobs employers need to fill.

The State System’s strategic redesign is delivering results. Today, 82% of recent PASSHE graduates working in Pennsylvania majored in high-priority programs, including business, education, healthcare, social services, and STEM fields. Those jobs are important to Pennsylvania’s future and are part of the foundation for local workforces and the statewide economy.

82% of recent PASSHE graduates in PA majored in high-priority programs including business, education, healthcare, social services, and STEM fields.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Franklin Two-Phase Plan Begins Fall 2024

The Franklin Science Center renovation project continues to move forward. Design work is expected to be completed this spring. The renovation will occur in two phases beginning with the south portion of the building scheduled to start fall 2024. Phase one is expected to last 14 months. Phase two will begin in January 2026 and is expected to be completed by spring 2027. The goals of the renovation are:

• Modernization of the laboratory and teaching laboratory portions of the building including revised heating, ventilation, air conditioning, new counter tops, cabinets, sinks, lighting, audio-visual equipment, and new flooring, painting, doors, and improved ADA accessibility throughout.

• Modernization of classrooms and computer labs with most of the same elements as mentioned above.

• Modernization of faculty offices.

• Incorporation of collaboration spaces as part of hallways throughout the building to facilitate student interaction and address hallway congestion.

Fountain Follies

On November 16, Ship once again transformed the fountain into a beautiful holiday tree. Faculty, staff, and students were invited to a tree lighting ceremony that included Big Red and Shippo as well as snacks, crafts, and lots of festive fellowship!

Photo by Stacey Paul, SU Foundation

Ship is the new home of the Connors Institute for Nonpartisan Research and Civic Engagement

Shippensburg University is pleased to announce a new partnership as the home of the Connors Institute for Nonpartisan Research and Civic Engagement. The institute, founded by Dr. Lawrence Eppard, associate professor of sociology, works to disseminate high-quality, nonpartisan information to the American public around issues of societal well-being, democracy promotion, and news literacy.

“We take an aggressively nonpartisan approach to providing Americans with useful information in order for them to make informed decisions,” explained Eppard.

The institute is focused on research and civic engagement events that will deliver nonpartisan insight to citizens. Joined by colleagues from Shippensburg University, Rutgers University, Brown University, Brigham Young University, Northwestern University, Occidental College, and several media professionals, Eppard is excited to see the impact of the institute expand.

around campus

Eppard currently hosts the podcast “Utterly Moderate,” where he is joined by guests who help him understand timely topics with a focus on empirical evidence and without unneeded opinions or political agendas.

Through the institute, Shippensburg University students will have access to programing, research, and fellowship opportunities in an environment committed to students from different social and political backgrounds.

We take an aggressively nonpartisan approach to providing Americans with useful information in order for them to make informed decision.

—Dr. Lawrence Eppard, founder, Connors Institute

Each semester, Kauffman Gallery showcases the work of graduating students in the Senior Art Exhibition. Don’t miss the two Senior Art Exhibits running from March 23–April 12! For more information about our galleries or to view upcoming exhibit calendars, visit ship.edu/galleries

ALLYSON RITCHEY ’24

spotlight on

Hometown: Hopewell ❘ Major: Communication/Journalism and Sociology ❘ Year: Senior Senior Allyson Ritchey made her first trip abroad over Thanksgiving break with the SU Marching Band (SUMB). The dual communication/journalism and sociology major and Wood Honors College student explored Prague, Czech Republic, and Germany and performed for some rather enthusiastic crowds. We caught up with her after her trip to ask a few questions.

Where did you visit on your trip with SUMB? Over Thanksgiving break, the SUMB traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, for some international performances and travel experiences. I got to do a lot of things while there! I saw the famed astronomical tower, toured the Jewish Quarter, and visited the National Museum. While in Prague, we also marched from Wenceslaus Square to Old Town Square, performing for the people of Prague. Additionally, we traveled to Terezin Concentration Camp for a sobering tour. We even went to Dresden, Germany. We toured the Pilsner Urquell beer factory in Pilsen where we also performed at a Christmas Market. On our final day, we visited Prague Castle.

What instrument do you play and how long have you played? I play the marching baritone which kind of looks like a large trumpet. I have been playing since I was in the fifth grade, so for 11 years! It was nice to tie off my musical experience with a trip abroad. What was your favorite part of the trip? My favorite part of the trip was getting to experience new cultures and photograph new

I always dreamt of being well-traveled, and Shippensburg University has really given me that experience.

things. I love capturing photos, so anytime my instrument was not in my hands, you best believe I had my camera in my hands instead. Specifically, I loved getting to visit Prague Castle and photograph the architecture there. The cathedral had some beautiful stained glass.

What was something you learned on your trip that you weren’t expecting? It was super intriguing to learn about the Czech Republic’s rich history, especially since my grandmother was born in Czechoslovakia. I did a project in sixth grade about the Czech Republic, but I never imagined I would be able to visit! Everything in Europe is so much older than anything in the US. Being able to step so far back in time, such as with medieval history at the Prague Castle or World War II with the Terezin.

How much planning and preparation goes into a trip like this? The trip itself has been in the making for several years when an initial trip for 2022 had to be cancelled. Individually, however, I have been working to pay for this trip with fundraising for over a year. Last year around this time, I did a “Lincoln for Lincoln” letter writing campaign in which I sent my family members and friends a penny asking for a $5 back for my fundraising. I made a couple hundred dollars this way. Additionally, the band began rehearsals in November as the football season came to an end, before we left for Prague at the end of the month.

As a student, how valuable are experiences like this to your education? Prior to this year, I had never been out of the US. Experiences like this have made my entire education, especially since I came into college during the COVID-19 pandemic. That was really a sad and difficult time to be a student, so this trip to Prague really made sticking it out worth it. I always dreamt of being welltraveled, and Shippensburg University has really given me that experience. I came from a small high school that didn’t really give its students opportunities like this. With the bands at SU, I have traveled to different parts of Pennsylvania for football games, exhibitions and high school performances, to places like New York City, Washington DC and Philadelphia, and now abroad to Czech Republic and Germany. The SUMB really has made my college experience what it is, and I am grateful for every moment I had with it! What kind of response/reception did you receive for the folks in the places you visited? Marching bands, the way they exist in the United States, are not a thing in Europe, so the reception we received was astonishing, like nothing I have ever experienced before. People crowded around us. There were phones and cameras everywhere. People danced and sang along to what we played. I have never had crowds interact with my marching band like that. It was amazing.

Small Business and Development Center work recognized with renewed funding

The Shippensburg University Small Business and Development Center (SU SBDC) received renewed grants to continue its ongoing work providing no-cost confidential consulting and low-cost training to small business owners and potential entrepreneurs in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties.

The US Small Business Administration partially awarded funding to the SU SBDC at the total of $115,716 to support the continuation of their valuable work in the region. The Department of Community and Economic Development renewed funding for the SU SBDC with $7,200 through the Engage grant and $92,704 through the Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance grant.

“I’m grateful and honored by the continued support from our funders at the US Small Business Administration, Department of Community and Economic Development, and Shippensburg University. Their ongoing commitment to small business and entrepreneurial

development not only provides technical assistance service, but also promotes economic development and job growth,” said Robin Burtner, director of Shippensburg University Small Business and Development Center.

In 2023, the SU SBDC served 624 clients in the region, and served over 1,800 clients in the last three years. The SU SBDC is part of a Pennsylvania Small Business and Development Network with 15 centers located across the state. Together they served 13,000 clients in 2023.

SU SBDC prioritizes several core functions in their work including, core business management advising and consulting to prospective entrepreneurs,

small business owners and managers, educational programs and information resources for prospective entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

The center also receives funding from the PA Department of Environmental Protection through a subaward from Widener University to employ an Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) consultant. EMAP provides small business owners and prospective owners with environmental regulatory information and compliance assistance.

“For 17 years we have received the support of these funders, and I am looking forward to the future collaboration and growing our entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Ship region. These funds support key staff in our region that provide technical assistance to small businesses at no cost. In addition, the collaboration among the SBDC and the university cultivates experiential learning projects for Ship students that have direct societal impact on the region and clients,” said Burtner.

pasbdc.org/shippensburg

FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS SU’S FRONTLINE LEADERSHIP AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INITIATIVES

Shippensburg University was awarded a $275,000 grant from the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration in support of its South-Central Career Development and Readiness Initiative. The program is supported 100 percent by federal funds. The grant supports Shippensburg University’s Center for Career and Workforce Development Frontline Leadership and Construction Industry initiatives and was made possible with the support of US Senator Bob Casey.

The Frontline Leadership Program will train and upskill 90 incumbent employees within local business and industry. Participants will learn the skills necessary for sustainable and growth-driven business practices such as increasing sales, forecasting and increasing

supply efficiencies and practical techniques to become stronger and more inclusive leaders.

The Construction Industry Program is for underemployed or unemployed adults and youth who seek an overview of the industry. Individuals will receive essential career readiness skills with introductory technical training, ensuring participants are well-prepared to succeed in entry level construction-related roles. The curriculum includes construction fundamentals, site safety protocols and industryspecific terminology.

For more information on this and other programs offered through the Center for Career and Workforce Development, visit workforce.ship.edu

H. RIC LUHRS

Economic prosperity— it’s an Arts thing

Americans for the Arts, an advocacy organization, recently released their sixth economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in the United States. This study aggregates data collected over a five-year period to assess the economic impact that arts organizations have on their communities, both in terms of their spending and the event-related spending of their audiences. The collected data showed that arts event attendees spend an average of $38.46 in the local economy (aside from their ticket purchase).

Our cultural consumers come to Luhrs Center to see a show, maybe filling up their gas tank locally or eating out at a restaurant in Shippensburg, Chambersburg, or Carlisle with some visitors also staying in local hotels—meaning that Luhrs Center programming generates a $1.5 million impact on the local economy. The data also showed that Americans value the arts and recognize that the arts strengthen the visitor economy, build more livable communities, and improve personal wellbeing.

We invite you to participate in improving your well-being by catching a performance at Luhrs Center this spring with a variety of shows sure to delight the whole family. Viral superstars The Piano Guys return April 23 with their special mix of contagious enthusiasm, terrible dad jokes, creative video, and incredible musical talent. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the roar-some Dinosaur World Live on April 28, an interactive show featuring a host of impressive life-like creatures!

Friday, May 3 Luhrs Center welcomes Las Vegas regular Grand Illusionist, “Magician of the World,” Rick Thomas with his massive spectacle, Mansion of Dreams. Saturday, May 4 Benise, “The

Dinosaur World Live, April 28

Rick Thomas, Mansion of Dreams, May 3

Prince of Spanish Guitar” who appeared on Dancing With The Stars and an EmmyAward winning PBS special, comes to Luhrs Center with Benise: FIESTA, an epic adventure of Spanish song and dance along with interpretations of classic rock anthems and classical favorites.

“American Woman” greats The Guess Who play Luhrs Center over Ship’s Alumni Weekend June 1, and the trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor and Graham Russell’s majestic songs Air Supply will be here in Shippensburg June 8. And there is more to come—show announcements are ongoing and there will be new titles announced this spring and summer. Be sure to subscribe to our e-mail list at luhrscenter.com

Did you know that you have another role to play at Luhrs Center aside from

coming to a show? We love to hear your recommendations on what you would most like to see next at Luhrs Center. You can e-mail us with your ideas at info@ luhrscenter.com—we can’t promise that we will book the act you are looking for (it isn’t likely that Taylor Swift will be at Luhrs Center any time soon), but we can promise to look into your recommendation and see what is possible!

FREE SU CONCERT SERIES IN APRIL

Don’t miss these free concerts presented by the SU Music Department at Luhrs Center:

SU Wind Ensemble and Concert Band

April 7, 3:00pm

SU Jazz Ensemble

April 15, 7:00pm

SU Community Orchestra

April 21, 3:00pm

Celebrate Earth Day with music inspired by nature, including works by Grieg and Strauss. Conductor Mark Hartman doubles as soloist on the Janet Peachey violin concerto, Earth Etchings, on his last concert as faculty at Shippensburg University.

(717) 477-SHOW (7469)

475 Lancaster Drive, Shippensburg, PA

Hours of Operation

10:00am–4:00pm, Monday through Friday

Show days: Two hours before curtain through intermission.

The Luhrs Center box office is closed on holidays.

Get the latest show details and announcements!

Scan the QR, or visit LuhrsCenter.com

G LuhrsCenter e LuhrsArts

The Guess Who, June 1

Air Supply, June 8

Benise: FIESTA, May 4

Mark Hartman

RAIDER SPORTS

National LeaderSHIP

Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) Carrie Michaels has been a steadfast leader for Shippensburg University in her 18 years of service to the institution.

Michaels, the 2018 Women Leaders in College Sports NCAA Division II Administrator of the Year, is a member of the senior management team on behalf of athletics. Her extensive behind-the-scenes work at SU includes the management and oversight of the athletic department budget, supervision of sport programs and support services, strategic planning, project management, fund-raising, policy creation and implementation, and the evaluation of department personnel.

While navigating through the myriad responsibilities of her role, one core philosophy stands out.

The student-athlete comes first.

This belief makes her a natural candidate to serve student-athletes not only at Ship, but student-athletes throughout the entire country as an invaluable leader of NCAA Division II.

This past winter, Michaels concluded a four-year stint on the NCAA Division II Management Council by serving as its chair. A role that basically serves as the spokesperson for NCAA Division II athletics and its membership.

As the chair of the NCAA council, Michaels presided over all meetings. It also meant attendance and service to Division II Presidents Council and eleven different NCAA national committees.

Her phone contacts included some of the highestranking leaders in the NCAA. Not only did Michaels have regular dialogue with Terri Steeb Gronau, the vice president of Division II, and Maritza Jones, the managing director of Division II, but she also shared numerous conversations with the big boss: NCAA President Charlie Baker.

“It was never lost on me that I needed to be on my A-game all the time,” Michaels admitted. “I was serving as the face of Division II in my role as chair. Whether it was additional speaking engagements, or serving as a spokesperson for our membership, I wanted to ensure I was always representing the Division II mission and philosophy and that experience of the studentathlete to the best of my ability. When you start having one-on-one conversations with the NCAA President and you are briefed on significant issues impacting the association, you realize the magnitude of the opportunity in front of you.”

It is hard to truly articulate the commitment needed to serve as the chair and the accompanying responsibilities associated with the role. And in the same breath, it is hard to explain the true gratitude I have for this experience.

—Carrie Michaels

The responsibility made for an exhausting schedule. The travel was extensive. On multiple occasions, she had to devote more than a week at a time to attend the national committee meetings. Some months required multiple flights to and from the NCAA’s national headquarters in Indianapolis.

For the meetings that weren’t held in person, there was video conferencing. Zoom meetings during other Zoom meetings. Zoom meetings in airports. Zoom meetings in hotels. Additionally, there were sudden pivots from one meeting topic to another, and in quick succession.

“It was certainly a balancing act and one where I spent many evenings and weekends in review and

Michaels, a member of the SU athletic department since 2008, is an advocate for student-athletes both locally and nationally, having served Division II in its highest nonpresidential leadership capacity.

prep mode because of the volume of information that needed to be retained,” Michaels said. “With that said, because I attended so many committee meetings within the governance structure, I was privy to real-time discussion, allowing me firsthand knowledge of issues impacting our membership within Division II.”

All the while, Michaels was still serving the SU student-athletes and its Athletic Department. Workdays were often marathons, as mornings and afternoons stretched into evenings while she alternated her commitments between the Raiders and the national office.

“To say serving as the chair was a very significant commitment would be an understatement,” Michaels said. “It was a lifestyle change for an entire year to be able to balance my work at the university and my work on behalf of the Association. Let’s just say I color-coded my Outlook calendar to keep my Ship life and my NCAA life in order.”

The effort was not lost on the national office. Jones, managing director of Division II and one of three liaisons to Management Council, spoke of Michaels’ long-time commitment to NCAA Division II.

“We are so appreciative of Carrie’s leadership and contributions to the Management Council and Division II overall,” Jones said. Her care for the well-being of student-athletes was at the forefront of every conversation and her character and attitude towards every discussion inspired others towards the best outcomes. Carrie is admired and appreciated by many, and we are better because of her leadership and engagement.”

Danny McCabe, director of athletics and recreation at Adelphi University, served alongside Michaels during her tenure. McCabe cited Michaels’ genuine personality and passionate approach among the characteristics that guided her leadership.

“The more you get to know Carrie, the more impressed you become with her,” McCabe said. “I immediately knew that she was someone that I would learn from.”

Michaels took over the role of chair from Pittsburg State’s Jim Johnson, who had been tasked with leading Management Council through the difficulties of the pandemic.

Little did council, or really any of membership, realize that the complications

of the pandemic would transition to an entirely new set of challenging circumstances—NIL, advocacy, and so much more.

It makes for a landscape that is far from normal.

“Carrie was absolutely the right person for the right time for this committee and for Division II,” McCabe said. “Coming out of a couple of years of mostly Zoom meetings, she did a great job pulling us together as a group, keeping us focused, and motivating us.”

The sheer magnitude of the service, pressure, and responsibility is hard to accurately quantify. With her role as Management Council Chair, Michaels was involved in every meeting of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council. Michaels was the only non-president meeting regularly with Division II’s highest governance office.

The Management Council Chair also serves on the NCAA Board of Governors, which is the highest governing body in the NCAA. Michaels was one of just two NCAA Division II members on a 16-member board responsible for leading the NCAA and presiding over issues that affect the entire NCAA membership.

“It is hard to truly articulate the commitment needed to serve as the chair and the accompanying responsibilities associated with the role,” Michaels said. “And in the same breath, it is hard to explain the true gratitude I have for this experience. I was able to engage with diverse individuals, collaborate with high-level intellectuals, participate in varied meeting environments and platforms, and discuss and debate high-level topics impacting all areas of intercollegiate athletics.”

Because of this, it is an experience that Michaels cites as irreplaceable.

“I would offer that my time on Management Council, Presidents Council, and the Board of Governors was the BEST professional development experience of my life,” Michaels said. “From the meetings materials, to prep sessions with NCAA staff, to participating in discussions impacting all of Division II and the Association, to working with constituents from all over the country in and out of higher education at all levels brought a wealth of new knowledge, perspective, experience, and network.”

One of Michaels’ final responsibilities as chair was to provide the Keynote Address to the Division II membership at the 2024 NCAA Convention. In front of hundreds of people, Michaels led a 90-minute session to brief NCAA membership on the good work of Division II. She was also the emcee in honoring the 50th Anniversary Gold Award Recipients.

“This moment was a bit surreal for me because it was really the conclusion of my work on Management Council,” Michaels said. “It was both exciting and humbling to be on that stage representing our division and honoring the best of the best. It was a tremendous opportunity to conclude my tenure and service in that manner. ”

It was a selfless undertaking by someone whose work has been forever associated with service to others.

“Intercollegiate athletics is a wonderful, complicated, and fluid enterprise, and having the opportunity to serve at the highest level on the NCAA Board of Governors, Division II Presidents Council, and as the spokesperson for Division II within Management Council; it was truly an honor,” Michaels said. “I come away from this experience with nothing but appreciation, gratitude, energy, and thanks.”

Michaels with members of the SU field hockey team.

SPORT SHORTS

HOCKEY // Shippensburg went 15-5 and made its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Championships, falling to Kutztown in the national semifinals, 2-1, on a penalty stroke goal with less than three minutes remaining.

The Raiders ended the regular season seeded second in the PSAC standings and fell to East Stroudsburg in the PSAC Finals in overtime, 2-1. SU started off with a 3-2 record before winning nine consecutive matches and 11 of its last 12 entering the postseason.

SU had five players earn All-PSAC classification. Junior Tess Jedeloo and sophomore Agus Garibaldi were named to the All-PSAC First Team, and junior Yasmin De Meyer, sophomore Plinke Hillen, and freshman Hannah White were all named to the All-PSAC Second Team. Garibaldi and Jedeloo were named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-America First Team, making both two-time All-Americans, having been named First Team in 2022.

SOCCER // Shippensburg went 4-9-3 overall in 2023. The Raiders started out the season strong, boasting a 3-1-1 record following their first five games—a stretch that concluded with a 2-1 victory over No. 18 West Chester on the road. The win was the program’s first victory over the Golden Rams since the 2011 season.

Junior Ashton Davies (above, two goals, two assists) led the Raiders with six points. Davies and four other players (sophomore Darius Bamfo (below) sophomore Luke Kramer, senior Dalton Shifflett, and senior Nathan Weldon) each scored two goals.

Freshman forward Gabrielle Walker (below) paced the Raiders in goals scored with four. The Raiders had a strong finish to the season, including a three-match winning streak for the first time since 2019, three consecutive shutout wins for the first time since 2016, and three consecutive 1-0 victories for the first time since 2013.

FIELD

MEN’S

WOMEN’S SOCCER // Shippensburg went 4-14 overall in 2023 and 4-12 in PSAC Eastern Division matches.

(Top row, from left) Tess Jedeloo, Agus Garibaldi, and Yasmin De Meyer. (Bottom row) Plinke Hillen and Hannah White.

VOLLEYBALL // Shippensburg went 23-9 overall and 13-1 in conference matches, finishing first in the PSAC Eastern Division. The Raiders hosted Clarion in the PSAC Semifinals, reaching the PSAC Tournament for 16th time in 19 seasons under head coach Leanne Piscotty.

FOOTBALL // Shippensburg finished with a 3-8 overall record in 2023 and a 2-5 mark in conference play. The Raiders were led by their defense, which ranked No. 1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in terms of yardage allowed, surrendering just 287.4 yards per game.

The SU defense held the opposition to 10 points or less on four occasions, including in each of their victories. Notable performances included a shutout win over Bloomsburg on Sept. 23, and senior defensive back Mike Brewer’s career day (15 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 TD return) in a Senior Day victory over Gannon Nov. 11. The defense also held eventual NCAA Division II semifinalists Kutztown to just three points in regulation, and nine points overall, in a close overtime loss Oct. 14.

Five Raiders earned All-PSAC honors. Senior Jacoby Sherard was selected to the Eastern Division First Team as a defensive lineman and senior Jaxson Montross was

Freshman Gracen Nutt was named to the 2023 Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Atlantic Region Second Team and was named as the PSAC Eastern Division’s Freshman of the Year. Sophomore Kearstin Davis was an honorable mention selection to the 2023 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) AllAtlantic Region Volleyball Team. Nutt, Davis, and senior Kaitlyn Townsend were All-PSAC Eastern Division First Team honorees, and junior Maddie Clabaugh was named to the AllPSAC Eastern Division Second Team.

chosen for the East First Team at place kicker. Junior wide receiver Redd Douglas, senior defensive back Isaiah Gilmore, and redshirt senior defensive back Nasir Greer were all tabbed for the Eastern Division Second Team.

WRESTLING // All-American

Evan Ramos ’18 has returned to the Raider wrestling program as a member of its coaching staff and will serve as a volunteer assistant. Ramos is back in the area after becoming a member of the Harrisburg City Police Force. He most recently served as an assistant coach at Buffalo for three seasons (2019-22).

At Buffalo, Ramos coached a Mid-American Conference champion (Troy Keller) and seven NCAA Division I National Championship Tournament qualifiers. He also served as a volunteer coach at Bucknell in 2018-19. Ramos has competed for the Puerto Rico Wrestling National Team since 2018, winning a bronze medal at 97kg at the Pan-American Championships.

At Shippensburg, Ramos compiled an overall record of 98-17 and qualified for three NCAA Division II National Championships. He twice captured All-America accolades in the 197-pound weight class, placing fourth in 2018 and fifth in 2017. Ramos went 64-5 in duals, including 44-1 in Division II duals.

FOOTBALL ALUM NEWS

Alumnus Charles Headen III ’20 signed a contract with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Headen III is coming off a standout 2023 season with the Frisco Fighters of the Indoor Football League (IFL), where he was named Special Teams Player of the Year. With the Fighters, Headen III totaled 1,143 return yards (22.0-yard average) and a leagueleading six kickoff return touchdowns in 15 games in addition to 247 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

Alumnus Brandon Holt ’23 is the team’s new graduate assistant. He is currently studying toward an MBA after graduating in December from the John L. Grove College of Business with a degree in marketing. On the gridiron, he was a two-year starter in the Raider defensive backfield, serving as a team captain his senior season.

In 2023, Holt totaled 27 tackles and one interception in nine contests and was among the team leaders in pass breakups with six.

(From left) Gracen Nutt, Kearstin Davis, Kaitlyn Townsend, and Maddie Clabaugh.

(Top row, from left) Jacoby Sherard, Jaxson Montross, and Redd Douglas. (Bottom row) Isaiah Gilmore and Nasir Greer.

SPORT SHORTS

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY // Shippensburg won its fourth Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title in school history and its first since 2017.

Sophomore Garrett Quinan, the PSAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year, became just the third Raider in history to win the PSAC race as an individual, leading a pack of four Raiders that finished inside the top five. Head Coach Steve Spence was also recognized as the 2023 PSAC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.

The Raiders finished third at regionals, which punched their ticket to nationals. It marked their first time qualifying for the NCAA Championships since 2018. Quinan, senior Aiden Gonder, graduate Hayden Hunt, sophomore Ryan Wolfe, senior Ian Sherlock, and senior Kevin Wagner earned All-Region classifications.

Six Raiders were named All-PSAC. Quinan, Gonder, Hunt, Wolfe, and graduate Nathan Harding landed a spot on the All-PSAC First Team. Senior Kevin Wagner picked up Second Team honors.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY // Shippensburg recorded its best finish at the PSAC Championships in five years, placing fifth in the team standings. The Raiders also finished fifth at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championships.

Sophomore Livi Rieck (above) achieved her second consecutive U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Atlantic Region classification with her 19th-place finish at the regional championships.

Three Raiders were named All-PSAC. Rieck achieved her second consecutive All-PSAC First Team classification with a ninth-place finish. Junior Belle Weikert and sophomore Morgan Hess earned spots on the Second Team by finishing in 27th and 28th place respectively.

NCAA CONVENTION // Shippensburg University assistant director of sports medicine Miranda Fisher was one of four panelists at a Division II Educational Session held Friday, Jan. 12 at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix, AZ. Fisher and her fellow panelists discussed the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at NCAA Division II member schools.

During the panel discussion at the NCAA Convention, Fisher spoke about OneSHIP, for which she serves as an advisor. Fisher detailed how OneSHIP was established, its framework, and its continued growth. Fisher was able to outline the community and skill building that ONESHIP brings to athletics at Shippensburg.

Joining Fisher on the panel was (left to right) Niya Blair Hackworth, NCAA director of inclusion, Marshall Fey, assistant commissioner of external affairs at the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), and Christie Kopietz, head women’s soccer coach at Minnesota State-Moorhead.

(From left) Livi Rieck, Belle Weikert, and Morgan Hess.

(Top row, from left) Garrett Quinan, Aiden Gonder, and Hayden Hunt. (Middle row) Ryan Wolfe, Ian Sherlock, and Kevin Wagner. (Bottom row) Nathan Harding.

MARATHONERS // Shippensburg University alumni Neely Spence Gracey ’12, Matt Gillette ’13-’16m, and Katrina Spratford-Sterling ’13 competed Saturday, Feb. 3 in the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando. In the men’s marathon, Gillette placed 55th with a time of 2:19:42, averaging 5:20 per mile. In the women’s race, Spence Gracey finished 42nd with a time of 2:37:09, averaging 6:00 per mile. Spratford-Sterling completed 17 miles before bowing out of the competition.

MEN’S BASKETBALL // Dustin Sleva ’18 is one of seven Raider alumni currently playing professional basketball in Europe. Sleva’s professional basketball career has taken him around the globe, and this season he is in Spain, playing in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. As a member of UCAM Murcia CB in Liga Endesa—the Spanish top flight—Sleva averaged 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game through his first 22 contests, shooting 51 percent from the field, and 40 percent from three-point range.

Information on all of the active Raider alumni playing professionally is available at shipraiders.com/mbbpros

TENNIS // Dylan Curtis ’21’23m was hired as the head women’s tennis coach at Shippensburg University. Curtis replaces Sheila Bush, who resigned in late 2023. Curtis also serves as Shippensburg University’s associate director of recreation, and previously served as a volunteer assistant coach for SU softball.

A former long snapper for the SU football team, Curtis earned an undergraduate degree in May 2021 in exercise science with a concentration in human performance and fitness and a minor in coaching, and a master’s degree in May 2023 in organizational development and leadership with a concentration in higher education structure and policy.

ACADEMIC SHORTS

CSC ALL-DISTRICT // College Sports Communicators (CSC) annually recognizes a select group of student-athletes for their combined performance both in their sport and in the classroom through the Division II Academic All-District® and Division II Academic All-America® program.

Among the many benchmarks and criteria that student-athletes must fulfill include being at least a sophomore academically and athletically, maintaining a 3.50 cumulative GPA or higher, and meeting minimum participation requirements based on the sport. More information about CSC’s Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program is available at AcademicAllAmerica.com

Twelve Raiders were recognized this fall with Academic All-District® classifications:

• Maddie Clabaugh (volleyball, Jr./psychology)

• Ryleigh Cook (women’s soccer, So./exercise science)

• Abbi Czarnecki (women’s soccer, Sr./chemistry)

• Kearstin Davis (volleyball, So./political science)

• Kaitlyn DiCandilo (women’s soccer, So./mid-level education)

• Jenna Folmar (women’s soccer, Jr./supply chain management)

• Luke Henry (men’s soccer, Sr./software engineering)

• Jaxson Montross (football, Sr./supply chain management)

• Anna Stoner (women’s soccer, Sr./exercise science)

• Nicole Tormann (women’s soccer, Sr./psychology)

• Kaitlyn Townsend (volleyball, Sr./criminal justice)

• Cody Willoughby (men’s soccer, Sr./finance)

PSAC TOP 10 // Sophomore men’s cross country runner Garrett Quinan was recognized as a recipient of a 2023-24 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Fall Top 10 Award. To be a candidate for the prestigious PSAC Top 10 Awards, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher and be a starter or key reserve with legitimate athletic credentials. A total of five men and five women are selected as award winners after each of the three competitive seasons (fall, winter, and spring).

Quinan is a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering. He has compiled a 3.676 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) through the completion of 51 credits. The 2023 PSAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year, Quinan is just the third Raider to receive this honor and just the third Raider to ever win the PSAC Championship race as an individual.

At the NCAA Atlantic Region Championships, Quinan paced the Raiders and the PSAC with a fifth-place 10K finish in 30:36.8—marking the highest individual finish by a Raider runner at the regional championships since 2017. Quinan concluded his season at the NCAA National Championships, at which he was the fastest runner from the PSAC and the No. 2 finisher from the Atlantic Region. He crossed the finish line in 66th place with an excellent 10,000-meter run of 30:47.9.

Shippensburg has now totaled 77 all-time PSAC Top 10 awards—second only to Slippery Rock (78) for the most among conference schools.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SWIMMING // The Shippensburg University men’s and women’s swimming teams were each designated as a Fall 2023 College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America Team. Shippensburg’s men posted an impressive 3.38 team GPA for the fall semester, while the women posted a 3.30 team GPA for the fall semester. The Scholar All-America Team award is presented to college swimming and diving teams that achieve a team grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. The award is presented twice annually, once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY // The Shippensburg University men’s and women’s cross country teams were honored with United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team classifications for 2023. The SU women’s squad earned its USTFCCCA All-Academic Team classification for possessing a cumulative GPA of 3.532 as a team and scoring at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championships. The SU men’s squad possessed a cumulative GPA of 3.329.

Six men and four women received USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete classifications for possessing a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and finishing among the Top 30 percent of eligible runners at the Atlantic Region Championships. Men’s honorees were senior Aiden Gonder, graduate Nathan Harding, graduate Hayden Hunt, sophomore Garrett Quinan, senior Ian Sherlock, and sophomore Ryan Wolfe. Women’s honorees were redshirt-sophomore Kelsey Hull, sophomore Katy Todd, junior Belle Weikert, and redshirt-freshman Faith Wilson.

FACULTY FOCUS

Coded for Success

“My aim is to give some practical experience. Candidates for jobs often are eliminated because they have no experience. Thus, I believe our program should offer experiences and internships.”

Dr. James Sieber, former chair of the Mathematics Department, included this statement in a memo dated September 13, 1973, addressed to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee at Shippensburg University.

It was a project already two years in the making when Sieber drafted the memo. With support from then president Dr. Gilmore Seavers, the memo would help to launch Shippensburg University’s computer science program.

“It was early for small public schools like Ship to have computer science, and we had surprising resources for the time,” said Dr. Carol Wellington, professor of software engineering and former chair of the Computer Science Department.

Just like computer code, Sieber envisioned a set of rules on the actions the program would follow, the practical skills students needed and the graduates industry partners wanted.

The Evolution of the Science

Simply put, computer science is the study of all computable things. It did not become a field of study at colleges and universities until the 1960s and 1970s, but it began centuries ago with the introduction of the abacus. Developed in Sumeria between 2700 and 2300 BC, this instrument was the first known tool created to aid in calculations.

Today, it is a much more complex science. One that has given birth to new technology and fields of study. Fields that Ship has been on the forefront of for the last 50 years.

“Computer science focuses on how to develop a solution to a new problem. Once that solution is shown to work, computer scientists move on to the next problem. Software engineers take those solutions and make them more robust and design them in that way they can be combined with other solutions,” said Dr. C. Dudley Girard, director of the Milton and Doreen Morgan School of Engineering and associate professor of computer science.

Over 50 years, much has changed in the field and at Ship.

When the program at Ship began, students had limited tools to communicate to computers and were required to master all parts of the machine to use it to solve problems. They utilized punch cards and spent much of their time making sure the lines of code were in the correct order, closely checking it before sending it to the computer.

Today, students can solve more complex problems with modern tools.

“Problems that would have been part of an upper division course 50 years ago are now found in the intro courses. Also, students today need only an abstract understanding of the key parts of the computer to help them solve most problems,” said Dudley.

A Master of Science in computer science soon followed at Ship.

As the workforce demand for computer science majors increased, so did the number of students entering Ship’s program. This eventually led to the creation of the Computer Science Department, which offered more resources and student experiences.

In 2004, after a two-year application and review process, Ship’s computer sciences program achieved ABET accreditation. This international recognition is granted to programs that meet stringent standards that are essential to preparing graduates to enter science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines in the global workforce.

Continuing to meet the needs of the ever-changing workforce, the Computer Science Department designed

Students, past and present, collaborate in computer labs on campus.

and launched the computer engineering program in 2011 and software engineering in 2012. Both came straight from concentrations that already existed within computer science.

“In most institutions some of the theory is sacrificed because most students aren’t going into computer science research. Instead, they’re going to become software developers. Our program is unique because by separating software engineering from computer science, our graduates can specialize in designing the parts of systems that require theoretical efficiency. In the workforce, they bring a skill set that software engineers don’t normally have,” said Wellington.

In 2015, software and computer engineering also earned ABET accreditation. That same year, electrical engineering was launched (and accredited in 2022), followed by mechanical and civil engineering in 2018. The mechanical and civil engineering programs are actively pursuing accreditation.

Wellington continues, “By the time you get to mechanical and civil engineering, you are far from computer science, but the culture we created was the key. These are hands-on programs that build things, and that was in the design of all of them. It can be traced back to the type of computer science program we’ve offered since the very beginning.”

With continued growth of the programs and increased workforce demand, Ship launched the School of Engineering in 2018, as the new home to the computer science program and the five engineering programs. In 2022, the school was named the Milton and Doreen Morgan School of Engineering in recognition of a generous gift from Milton ’76 and Doreen Morgan.

Legacy of Experience

As the growth and culture inspired by the computer science program continues to evolve within the School of Engineering, one thing has not changed since that memo penned by Sieber over 50 years ago; hands-on experience is always the priority.

“All of our programs have been focused on the skills our industrial partners need. Our students have always built interesting systems while they are here and that has made them well-sought after when they graduate. I’d say that focus is what has always made us unique,” said Wellington.

In the very beginning, students were granted access to work on the university mainframe to gain real-world experience. From there, student clubs developed, and in 2004 the Computer Science Programming Team even competed in the Association for Computing Machinery International Programing Competition World Finals.

“That’s like going to the Olympics of programming and we travelled to Prague for the competition,” explained Wellington.

In 2005, the BROADSIDE Center was launched as a way for the program to partner with local industry to build hardware and software for real-world clients. Past partners include Z-Brand, State Farm Insurance, Keystate Publishers and Four Seasons Crop Care.

In recent years engineering students worked with NASA on a water sensor project at their Wallops Island Flight Facility in Virginia, and now routinely collaborate with Volvo and Deloitte on special projects.

Just this past year, the newly formed Ship BAJA Team, comprised mostly of mechanical engineering students, competed in the Society of Automotive Engines’ annual international competition with a buggy they designed, constructed, and welded.

The skills gained in the opportunities available for computer science students has led graduates to jobs with Clark Associates, Deloitte, JLG, the National Security Agency, Google, Highmark and more.

It’s been the defining part of the program from the very beginning.

With computer science jobs expected to grow by 11 percent over the next several years, it’s clear, Ship’s computer sciences students are ready to continue to meet the demand just as they have for the last 50 years.

faculty briefs

Emeleigh Luckenbaugh (biology major and presenter), Dr. Walter E. Meshaka Jr. (director of the Section of Zoology and Botany, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg) and DR. PABLO DELIS (professor of Biology and graduate major advisor) gave an oral presentation titled “Comparative Population Size, Structure, and Survivorship of Two Eastern Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum, Populations in South-central Pennsylvania” during the 50th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Herpetological Society, at the University of Kansas (at Lawrence, Kansas) on November 3–5, 2023.

In her service to Randi’s House of Angels, an organization dedicated to helping children and their loved ones who are exposed to and/or who are victims/survivors of intimate partner violence, DR. MELISSA RICKETS, criminal justice, helped to develop a series of podcasts (beginning in October) entitled, “Randi’s House of Angels the Podcast: Fostering Healthy Relationships.”

By creating a dedicated platform, RHOA hopes to create a safe space for survivors, advocates, and experts to share their stories, insights, and knowledge.

Scan the QR code or visit the link below for a complete list of faculty kudos.

news.ship.edu

IN THE WORDS OF…

TREVER FAMULARE

It’s no secret that what makes the SU Marching Band (SUMB) special is the sense of family that exists among the rows of student-musicians in step. But for the last 23 years, one man has led that FAMily. Trever Famulare, affectionately known as Fam, is the director of bands at Shippensburg University. It’s a job he says is a lifestyle and made possible by the love and support of his own family.

How did you get your start in music and band? All throughout public school in central New York, I was always involved in music. I sang in the choir and played in the band. I excelled in both areas and was selected to participate in the upper-level ensembles. I was also continually selected to participate in the county and area all-state festivals that were available every year.

My choir director was amazing and always energetic. My band director always pushed us to achieve and offer additional performance opportunities to showcase the band. Both provided a place where I could be myself, be amongst my friends, but also enjoy making music. So when it came time to decide about college, I knew it would have to be in music. The biggest question though, was in vocal or instrumental music. I think we know the path I chose.

What was the first instrument you learned to play? I started out on trumpet in elementary and then in grades seven and eight, moved to baritone and French horn to aid the band in areas where they needed help. I eventually moved back to trumpet for grades nine through 12.

How did you land at Ship?

graduate studies at Syracuse University, while teaching high school band and working with two other competitive high school field bands, I was taking a class in Marching Band Techniques with the director of the Syracuse Marching Band. I submitted some drill assignments and got called up after class one day. After a brief discussion about my experiences, he offered me a position as an assistant to the director for the Syracuse Orange Marching Band.

After three years I knew that directing a college band was what I wanted to do. One day, I saw a posting for Shippensburg University. I was offered the position, but since it was only a one-year position, I declined and hoped they would again consider me in a year. Again, I think we know how that turned out.

What is the most challenging part of your job? That has always come down to my goals and vision for the program, and what I can successfully accomplish within the constraints placed upon me. This job is a position that encompasses so many specialty areas, all of which need an expert. For 16 years, I was alone in fulfilling those areas which never gave the

school students, their growth and success in a leadership position, or a simple smile. These are my rewards and am honored to have had a small part in their success.

I have always tried to provide an educational experience through opportunity for all my ensembles. Other students only get to experience performing in their own venue and not be able to venture out. I have been able to offer experiences all over the state, country, and world that have provide learning opportunities in and out of music.

What makes SUMB special in your opinion?

When someone accepts a position like this, you may never think that you would still be at the same institution. I have reflected many times on why I have stayed at Ship for 23 years. The easiest answer is the FAMily that we have created. The SUMB is special. Other bands don’t always have the same experience we do and each of our students walk away with a different level of accomplishment. For a new student coming in, they quickly see why this band is special. They are welcomed and accepted into their new FAMily for as long as they would like. It’s also then very hard for them to leave (graduate). That is why we have so many alumni return to give back to a program that gave them so much.

How does it feel to celebrate 100 years? It is a true milestone. It is a result of the efforts of many, students, directors, staff, alumni, and administration alike. I am fortunate to be the director during this celebration but would not be here if it weren’t for all those that forged and continued the path of success from 1924

What are the steps in planning a marching I’m not sure the magazine has enough pages to describe the process, but here are a few highlights. We take part in year-long recruitment and retention, with open houses, performances outside of SU and mentor programs. We select student staff including, drum majors, cabinet, section leaders, crews. There are weekly meetings, section rehearsals, auditions for color guard, majorettes, drumline, and front ensemble. We work through the show design selection process, writing music, writing drill, planning the seasons schedule, including busses and hotels. Summer brings mini camps and ten-day camp. I work to coordinate with athletics for games and plan additional performance opportunities.

MATT ALLEN

Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach

As the director of the Continuing Academic Progress and Success program and Women’s Basketball assistant coach, Matt Allen is dedicated to helping students unlock their full potential in the classroom and on the court. Allen himself is still striving to realize his own potential and was recently selected as a participant in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Next Generation Institute. He was one of only 32 coaches selected to participate across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III.

Q/What is the Next Generation Institute? The Next Generation Institute is a program sponsored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association that provides assistant basketball coaches the opportunity to learn and develop skills in collaboration with current head coaches and administrators that will help prepare participants to take the next step towards becoming head coaches. The curriculum focuses on the attributes needed to lead a program and to be a problem-solver. In March, I will have a series of virtual meetings leading up to the WBCA convention and Final Four in Cleveland, Ohio. At the convention, I will have the opportunity to participate in meetings and network with head coaches and administrators. These conversations will be more in-depth and provide a hands-on experience.

How does it feel to take part in such a prestigious opportunity?

It is an honor to be selected. With that said, I want to thank Coach Kristy Trn and Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Carrie Michaels, for their support of my goal of becoming a head coach again. I look forward to learning as much as I can with the NGI. It has been great having the opportunity to be an assistant coach again here at Ship. There are several other individuals that made the opportunity possible for me to coach again, so I just want to continue to do my part to positively impact student-athlete lives, the athletic program, and the university as a whole.

Can you share the work that you do as the director of the Continuing Academic Progress and Success (CAPS) program?

I am the point of contact for the program which supports students on academic probation at Ship. We conduct outreach to the students, monitor their progress, and provide intervention by meeting with the students on a consistent basis. We have two other professional staff members and several graduate assistants that I supervise in our efforts to support students holistically. Collaborating with other departments, programs, and campus members assures that students are engaged and proactive in their quest to get back in good academic standing. Consistent monitoring and assessment of the overall success and growth of the program is an important aspect of my role.

What does a typical day at Ship look like for you? A significant amount of time is spent meeting with CAPS students. Individual meetings typically last 30-45 minutes. I assess each students’ grades, class attendance, plans and preparation for upcoming assignments, understanding of class material, and their social and mental status. I also have administrative duties such as Learning Center, CAPS staff, and graduate assistant meetings, management of our student database, handling of student referrals, collaborative outreach, data reporting, and more.

[I created] a motivational mantra for myself… ATAC—Aggressive, Tenacious, Assertive, and Confident in everything that I did on a daily basis.

What is your favorite part of your job? Working with students who are engaging and committed to becoming better. Being a mentor, helping them establish good habits, and work towards their personal goals, inspires me. I want to provide a positive impact on every students’ academic and personal life. Seeing the progress happen, watching the outcomes unfold, and feeling appreciated by the students I work with is validation of my work.

How long have you coached basketball and what did your playing career look like before you coached? I have 25 years of college basketball coaching experience. I was fortunate enough to earn a full athletic scholarship to Wofford College in South Carolina following high school. Basketball was my passion from day one in college. So much so that as a sophomore I was actually placed on academic probation for my lack of academic commitment. As I look back on my academic and athletic experience in college, what I never had was that one person that said, “you can do better than that.” Ultimately, I had to find a way to push myself to be great intrinsically. I ended up creating a motivational mantra for myself which was ATAC. It stands for Aggressive, Tenacious, Assertive, and Confident in everything that I did on a daily basis. The results were a bachelor’s degree in political economy and philosophy, the only NCAA Division II national tournament appearance in school history, and multiple individual accolades.

Are there similarities in the work you do as a coach and your work in CAPS? Yes, yes, and yes! I have a plaque in my office that states the definition of a coach. It says, “a passionate, dedicated individual who unlocks hidden potential and maximizes a team’s performance by believing, encouraging, and developing. I came to Shippensburg as an academic success coach. My goal since then whether working with CAPS students, coaching our women’s basketball team players, or working with our CAPS team has been to make a positive impact. In all of these areas there are fundamental expectations that have to be learned, understood, and consistently reinforced. The expectations are put in place to establish good habits. Once the good habits are formed, my job is to support all and to make sure that bad habits don’t resurface. Learning is a skill, and while I strive to continually learn to position myself for success, it is only right that I also continually share my ability to help and motivate others to do the same.

A MINUTE WITH…

Band to the Ready

It’s the faint echo of a drumline, and the faint smell of sunscreen and bug spray in the air. As the sun begins to set each evening, it’s melodious sound of the Alma Mater in the distance.

It’s Shippensburg University Marching Band at band camp, as they prepare for another season.

One hundred years ago, Cumberland Valley State Normal School music teacher D.O. Slyter embarked on an experiment by organizing 28 student-musicians into the school’s first marching band. There were no uniforms, equipment, or designated space for the band in that first year, but all that was needed was the love of music.

Over the course of the next century, the Shippensburg University Marching Band would grow in size and influence. It’s represented Ship on the national and international level and most importantly has impacted the lives of thousands of Ship students.

It’s an especially impressive achievement for a school that has never offered a music major. Ship students join the band for the sense of community, school pride and of course, just like in 1924, for the love of music.

And now, sit back and enjoy the sights and stories of the university’s centerpiece of school spirit and pride as we celebrate 100 years with the Shippensburg University Marching Band!

D.O. Slyter organizes the Cumberland Valley State Normal School Band. The entirely male band consisted of 28 students.

SU Band Directors Through the Years

1924–1926 | D.O. Slyter ▸

1926–1931 | Albert W. Wassell

1931–1934 | Ward Avery

1934–1956 | James C. Weaver

1956–1958 | Robert Surplus

1958–1963 | Wayne Mowery

1963–1966 | John W. Reitmeyer

1966–1968 | Miles V. Cowdrey

1968–1969 | John W. Reitmeyer

1969–1970 | Gordon Fouts

1970-1994 | Bennie S. Truax

1994–1995 | Patrick M. Jones

1995–1997 | Gerald A. Edgreen

1997–2000 | Mark Heidel

2000–2001 | Bernie Pitkin

2001–present | Trever R. Famulare

The band becomes more organized with uniforms, instruments for students, and official practice rooms. “No pep meeting or game is complete without the enthusiastic spirit and loyal support of these men.”

1931 1933

For the first time, women are fully admitted into the band and majorettes and color guard are formed.

1939

Under the direction of James Weaver, student officers are added, and new, more complex halftime shows are designed. At this time, the band doubled in size and added drums majors.

1960s 1947

1955

1956

Delta Chapter of Pi Nu Epsilon founded at Ship. This exclusive fraternity is dedicated to music, diverse musical traditions, and college community service.

Bennie Truax

For nearly on quarter of its existence, the university marching band was under the direction of Dr. Bennie S. Truax. Truax earned a Bachelor of Science in music education from Mansfield University in 1958, a Master of Science in music education from Ithaca College in 1963 and a Doctor of Education in music education from Penn State University in 1971. Before arriving at Ship, he was the director of bands for Wellsboro and Huntingdon Area Schools.

As director, Truax prioritized expanding the size and exposure for the band. The band traveled more frequently during the Truax era, performing at exhibitions, competitions, and even during halftimes at National Football League games. Truax also served the university on various committees and councils, served as a department chairperson for the Music Department, and was a member of several nationally recognized professional organizations.

Walter Siegfried, SSTC sophomore, finished third in the double baton and fourth in the single baton in the world championships held in Pittsburgh.

1979

Televised on ESPN, Shippensburg University and Slippery Rock face off on the football field at the University of Michigan in front of 61,000+ fans—a number that remains the largest single-game crowd at a DII football game. The band traveled to perform during the game. Ship won 45–14.

1982

1976 1977

In 1976, the band performed at a campaign event in Harrisburg for presidential candidate Jimmy Carter. And the following year, First Lady Rosalyn Carter invited the band to perform at the inauguration of 39th President Jimmy Carter in Washington, DC.

1983

Under the direction of Bennie Truax, the band grew to 170 members and added the Pom Squad.

19

96

Ship performed in the inaugural Allentown Collegiate Marching Band Festival, a renowned venue for marching band and drum corps performances.

This photo from the 1974 Cumberland yearbook inspired this issue’s cover.

Candid photos courtesy of Kurt Kauffman ’81

2003

The Lambda Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi was established at Ship. Famous members of this national organization that honors outstanding band members include Philip Sousa, Neil Armstrong, and Ray Charles.

A special thank you to Bill Dean, who has documented the last 41 years of the marching band. Dean, a Shippensburg resident, has followed the band with his camera in hand, capturing a visual record of almost every performance.

It’s a beautiful day in Shippensburg.” —Bill Dean

2015

In November the band was invited to play both pre-game and halftime for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals game. The band performed the Pennsylvania Polka for pre-game during the 40th anniversary of the Terrible Towel. For the halftime show they played the second half of their marching band show Revolution Evolution, which included Enterprising Young Men from Star Trek and New Divide by Linkin Park.

2014

Dr. Trever Famulare began offering international performance opportunities in 2014 with the marching band’s first tour to Ireland where they performed in the Dublin New Year’s Eve Parade.

Just getting started

We hope you’ll join us for one of the many celebrations we’ve planned to celebrate 100 years of marching band at Ship!

April 27

SUMB Annual Golf Tournament (Scan the QR for details.)

May 31–June 1

Alumni Weekend Band Reunion (See page 35 for details.)

September 14

First Home football game and SUMB field show

October 18 and 19

Homecoming Weekend

Visit ShipRaiders.com to view the full home football game schedule.

2023

The band traveled to Italy and performed in St. Peters Square and Vatican City for the Pope’s New Year’s Day Parade and received a blessing from the Pope.

The band traveled to the Czech Republic for a performance tour of the Czech Republic and Germany in November Read more about band member Allyson Ritchey’s experience on page 14. Stay

Bill Dean and family from Homecoming 2012.

Inspired to Grow with the PA Farm Show

Each year, Pennsylvania celebrates a $312.5 billion dollar industry in a one-million-square-foot space in Harrisburg. It’s the largest indoor agriculture exposition under one roof, in the nation, but around these parts, it’s just called the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

For the last seven years, Dr. Sean Cornell, associate professor geography and earth science and advisor to the campus farm, has represented the university at the PA Farm Show. Each year, he and several students manage a small educational exhibit focused on farming, soil, sustainability, and more. This year, he was invited to more than double his exhibit space as part of the larger “So You Want to Be a Farmer” exhibit.

“The average age of a grower in Pennsylvania is 65, so the number one contributor to the industry is starting to age out. We need more people growing

PA Farm Show visitors explore the Ship exhibit.

Photo courtesy of PA Dept. of Agriculture

food and we hope to inspire new growers,” said Cornell.

Cornell and students spent the entire week before the opening of the PA Farm Show transporting elements of the exhibit and setting up. They featured greens planted last October by students at the campus farm, displays about soil, composting, and more.

“I go to the Farm Show every year, but have never worked there. I was blown away by the amount of effort that goes into preparing and I never imagined how much work would go into our exhibit,” said junior sustainability major Mavis Anderson.

Anderson spent her days at the PA Farm Show answering the common question “why won’t this grow,” but her favorite part of the week was working with children.

“I believe young kids are our best chance at solving the climate crisis. Exhibits like this get them engaged and things like recycling just become normal for them,” added Anderson.

Cornell’s favorite part of the week is also helping people solve their growing problems.

“I get questions about nutrient management, pest issues, or simply how to get started. They leave here excited about growing and that is the best part,” said Cornell.

While Cornell and his students were engaging with hundreds of potential farmers, another group of Ship students were working behind the scenes at the PA Farm Show to reach an even larger audience.

Each year, the PA Department of Agriculture employs many communications interns to support media relations, digital content, and more. This year six out of the 13 selected were Ship students.

Ryan Cleary ’23, Allyson Ritchey ’24, Elizabeth Peters ’24, Jayden Pohlman ’26, Megan Sawka ’26, and Rylee Swails ’25, all from the Communication, Journalism, and Media (CJM) Department and were excited to represent Ship.

“The first day of orientation we all introduced ourselves and Ship was really showing up,” said Cleary.

Cleary was on the job from start to finish each day shooting and editing photos and videos of different events, competitions, and exhibits. Cleary’s content was featured daily on the PA Farm Show’s official social media accounts and its more than 80,000 followers.

“…the number one contributor to the industry is starting to age out. We need more people growing food and we hope to inspire new growers.”

—Dr. Sean Cornell, associate professor, geography and earth science

“So you want

Dr. Sean Cornell and students from the SU Campus Farm returned for their seventh year at the PA Farm Show. ◂ Scan the QR code to see more.

Center for Land Use and Sustainability (CLUS) growing display.

PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding with Bailey Welch ’18 (left), Caryn Long-Earl ’98, and Moriah Hathaway ’19.

Photos courtesy of PA Dept. of Agriculture

Dr. Sean Cornell speaks with visitors to the booth at the PA Farm Show.

to be a farmer” interactive children’s exhibit.

It was an experience that took him well out of his comfort zone in many unexpected ways. Growing up in Philadelphia, he didn’t have much experience in the farming industry and had never heard of the PA Farm Show.

“I’m also a pretty quiet person, but I had to learn very quickly, I couldn’t be afraid to talk and ask questions,” said Cleary.

He quickly learned about rodeos, draft horse pulls, sheep shearing, and the value of making connections.

“The hands-on experiences I had in the CJM program at Ship more than prepared me for this internship.”

—Ryan Cleary ’23, strategic communications graduate student

“I made great connections for the future with other professionals in my field and fellow photographers,” he added.

There is one part of the experience that didn’t feel at all foreign to Cleary, and that was the actual work he was tasked with doing.

“The hands-on experiences I got using cameras and other equipment in the CJM program at Ship more than prepared me for this internship. I didn’t have to ask a million questions about my assignments because I already knew what to do. And I saw first-hand the importance of deadlines, not overshooting, and more. That’s all stuff I learned in my program,” said Cleary.

For Pohlman, interning at the PA Farm Show felt like coming home. She grew up on the Pohlman Family Farm, continuing a family tradition that is older than the 108 year-old PA Farm Show.

“We own one of the few bicentennial farms in Pennsylvania. We raise beef cattle and finishing hogs on land my family has owned for over 200 years,” explained Pohlman.

Pohlman was thankful to be able to put her background in agriculture and her love of photography to work in a meaningful way.

“I learned so much throughout the entire week and couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with,” she added.

Ritchey was the veteran intern at this year’s PA Farm Show, returning for her third year with the Department of Agriculture. She took on various tasks including running the PA Farm Show’s Instagram and Facebook pages, writing press releases, and taking photos.

Over the course of her three years, she became amazed by the art of square dancing and even got to meet a celebrity, that goes by the name Punxatawny Phil.

“Ship is in such a great location for access to internships in Harrisburg,” explained Ritchey.

On top of her three years with the Department of Agriculture, Ritchey spent last summer as a communications intern with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“I learned so much in the classroom at Ship that has made me into a star intern across the Commonwealth. These opportunities have allowed me to grow so much,” said Ritchey.

Many of the interns hope to continue growing through future internships at the PA Farm Show and Cornell has plans to grow his exhibit, in an effort to inspire more growers, next year.

Top (from left to right) Secretary Redding with Ship interns Jayden Pohlman, Ryan Cleary, Allyson Ritchey, Rylee Swails, Megan Sawka, and Elizabeth Peters.

Check what a group of Ship interns have been up to at the Pennsylvania Farm Show! ◂ Scan the QR code to watch them in action.

alumni

MILESTONE REUNIONS

70th Class of 1954

65th Class of 1959

60th Class of 1964

55th Class of 1969

Saturday, June 1

Friday, May 31 Saturday, June 1

All Alumni are invited to Ship’s annual Alumni Weekend. The weekendlong celebration holds something for everyone! Return to your alma mater to connect with classmates, catch up with old friends, and celebrate all that is Ship! We look forward to welcoming you back!

*Many activities and reunions are still being finalized. Watch for the Alumni Weekend brochure in the mail, or online at ship.edu/alumni for a finalized schedule. This is a great time to update your e-mail address to ensure you receive information on Alumni Weekend!

Alumni should register in advance

REUNION

Class of 1974 Class Reunion

Friday, May 31, 4:15pm years!

Catch up with classmates for a 4:15pm hors d’oeuvre and cocktail reception. Your reunion dinner and 50th recognition program begins at 5:15pm. On Saturday,

Return to your alma mater on Saturday, June 1 for the Golden Raider Lunch. All classes will be seated together so you may enjoy catching up with classmates.

Golden Raiders Alumni Lunch

Saturday, June 1, 12:15pm

All Golden Raiders, including the newly inducted Class of 1974, are invited to a Golden Raider Lunch. Seating is assigned by classes.

Class of 1959

65th Reunion Dinner

Saturday, June 1, 4:30pm

In addition to the Golden Raider Lunch, alumni from the Class of 1959 are invited to a Class Reunion Dinner at the Courtyard by Marriott. Be sure to include this in your registration and register in advance.

After your Golden Raider lunch, enjoy an afternoon ice cream social. Additional Saturday activities include wedding vow renewals, and reunions for teacher education alumni, marching band alumni, and Greek Life alumni.

REUNION

Teacher Education Department Alumni Reunion Brunch

Saturday, June 1, 10:30am–Noon Shippensburg was the first normal school in the state dedicated to training teachers and continues to be a leader in preparing outstanding teachers. Attend the reunion brunch to connect with teacher education alumni and catch up with and hear from faculty in the department including Drs. Cheryl Slattery and Lynn Baynum. They will share some of the most recent accolades from the department.

REUNION

Seventh Annual Greek Alumni Reunion

Saturday, June 1, 1:00pm–4:00pm

Social Fraternity and Sorority life alumni are invited to the annual all-Greek alumni reunion where no matter the letters, we’re all Greek together. Join the “Greek Reunion—Shippensburg University” group on Facebook to stay current with reunion plans. Includes music, picnic-style food, beer, wine, soda, and water. Stay the weekend and check-in on Friday for the annual Pubs and Grubs Bus Tour.

REUNION

SU Marching Band Alumni Reunion—Celebrating 100 Years!

Saturday, June 1, 1:00pm–4:00pm

If hearing “The Horse,” or watching college halftime shows takes you back to your glory days with the SU Marching Band, join Trever Famulare, director of bands, and others to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the SUMB at Ship. Includes picnic-style food, beer, wine, soda, and water and is family-friendly.

The Guess Who

Saturday, June 1, 7:30pm, Luhrs Performing Arts Center

Tickets are required ($39-$69). The Guess Who is a legendary Canadian band with a legacy that includes chart topping hits in the late 60s and early 70s with an impressive catalogue of songs including “American Woman,” “These Eyes,” and “No Time.” During the course of its career, the band has released 11 studio albums, and charted 14 Top 40 hit singles, two of which went to number one in the United States. The Guess Who is best known internationally for its 1970 album, “American Woman,” which hit number one in Canada and number nine in the United States, with five other albums also hitting the top ten in Canada.

Purchase tickets by calling the box office at (717) 477-SHOW or order online at LuhrsCenter.com

ALUMNI RELATIONS STAFF | Lori Smith ’95-’07m, director; Stephanie Swanger, clerk typist

ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS | Steve Thomas ’04-’23m, president, planning director, Franklin County of PA; Moriah Hathaway ’19, president-elect, executive director, PA Commission for Women; Paula Alcock ’92, immediate past president, fiscal contract supervisor, PA Key; Andrea Addison ’77-’79m, adult probation officer, Dauphin County; JoAnn Baldwin ’81-’89m, executive member-at-large, educator, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School; Aven Bittinger ’20-’21m, executive member-at-large, William & Hannah Penn Fellow, Commonwealth of PA; Sarah Charles ’05, director of external affairs, Montgomery County; Monica Chisholm ’82, retired school social worker; Johanna Cook ’92-’00m, vocational counselor, PA Department of Labor and Industry; Caryn Earl ’98, director, Bureau of Food Distribution, Department of Agriculture; Adam Friscia ’18’21m, executive manager, business development and government relations, Saxton & Stump; Barrie Ann George ’88-’89m, vice president development and communications, Safe Harbour, Inc; Dominic Giovanniello ’17, attorney, Mette, Evans, and Woodside; Elizabeth Karper ’17, IT specialist, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP); Liz Kemmery ’04, digital managing editor, Welcome.US; Dawn Kothe ’93, administrative coordinator, Main Line Endoscopy Centers; Michele Legge ’88, media buyer, West Shore Home; Taylor Mason ’17-’18m, outreach archivist, PA House of Representatives; Melissa Morgan ’06-’08m, assistant state director, National Federation of Independent Businesses; Kelly Myers ’06-’10M, senior policy analyst, Loudoun County Office Emergency Management; Alecia Nezat-Pyne ’05-’07m, high school counselor, Commonwealth Charter Academy; Julie Perez ’91, educator, Washington County Schools, MD; Keith Russell ’17, financial advisor, UFinancial/MassMutual; Dave Thompson ’69, retired copy editor; Evan Wabrick ’12-’13m associate manager, Smith Elliott Kearns & Co; George Wise ’83, retired special education teacher.

TOURS

Friday, May 31

❚ Luhrs Performing Arts Center Tour, 1:30pm. Join us for a unique behindthe-scenes view of the performing arts center! Highlights include: architectural and construction details, green room, VIP dressing rooms, and control booth. Please allow 45 minutes.

❚ Pubs and Grubs Downtown Tour, 7:00pm–Midnight. Visit old haunts and see what’s new. Bus runs on a continuous loop.

❚ Twilight Tour of Campus, 7:45pm, 8:15pm, and 8:45pm. Enjoy a golf cart ride across campus. Cart limited to seven people per tour.

Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1

❚ Exclusive Old Main Tour (Tunnel, Fourth Floor, and Cupola), Friday at 2:00pm and Saturday at 10:00am. Must register and only eight people for each time slot. Enjoy a narrated tour from the underground tunnel into the basement of Old Main, then up to the original fourth floor of old Main, and up the captains ladder to the first floor landing inside the cupola. Restrictions apply. Details available online or call the alumni office.

ALL WEEKEND

❚ Cumberland Valley Railroad Museum

❚ Rail Trail Sculpture Path

ACTIVITIES

Friday, May 31

❚ Finance and Estate Planning Seminar, 8:00am–3:30pm. See page 47 for more information.

Saturday, June 1

❚ Rise and Shine Breakfast, 8:30am–10:00am

❚ String and Sip, 9:30am. Enjoy mimosas/OJ and Danishes as Cindy from The Woods in Three Square leads our DIY string art project. Project is on blue stained 7×10" board. Please allow 60–90 minutes and register in advance.

❚ Wedding Vow Renewals, 10:45am

Reaffirm your love for one another complete with champagne and cake. Register in advance. (All attire appropriate). Allow approximately 45 minutes.

❚ Ice Cream Social, 2:00pm–3:30pm

❚ SU Night Dinner, 5:15pm. Join President Charles Patterson and First Lady Colleen for a crab, shrimp, chicken, and rib dinner (vegetarian option available). Registration is required.

LODGING

❚ Alumni DJ Dance Party, 7:30pm-11:00pm. Don’t miss this epic night of music, dancing, and good vibes. Includes beer, wine, soda, water, and light snacks. Add VIP Table Service to your experience.

The fun starts here!

Basic on-campus lodging available. All rooms include twin beds. You must bring bedding, towels, and toiletries. Three types of rooms are available—1-bedroom, sleeps two; 2-bedroom, sleeps two; and, 2-bedroom, sleeps four. Register early, as there are a limited number of four-person suites available. Reunion groups are lodged near one another. For a list of off-campus lodging options, visit ship.edu/visit/lodging

Descriptions and associated fees may be found on-line at ship.edu/alumni

Registration opens this spring. Choose the way you want to register.

➊ ONLINE. Visit ship.edu/alumni or by scanning the QR code

➋ BY MAIL. Send completed forms to: Alumni Relations, 1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg, PA 17257

➌ BY PHONE. Call us at (717) 477-1218

Registration Information. While some activities are complimentary, many have associated costs to attend. Costs and event details will be available online this spring. Even if events you choose do not require a fee, you should still complete a registration form to guarantee your place at the events of your choice. Pre-registration allows us to have your tickets and registration packet ready for your arrival.

The Ship experience is more than a few years—it lasts a lifetime!

didknow?you

You are important to Shippensburg University!

We want to keep you informed about everything happening at Ship and opportunities for you, including invitations to events in your area and special events on campus.

Ensuring information on your alumni record is up to date is very important to us.

To realize cost savings, we’ll e-mail you more often than we’ll mail you. This includes e-mail invitations to attend events in your area in addition to our signature on-campus events homecoming and alumni weekend. This also includes the twice monthly alumni e-newsletter, along with e-mail asks to volunteer and connect with students.

Help us update our alumni records by using the QR code or visit

tinyurl.com/ ShipAlumniUpdate

Raider camps are here!

Ship offers a variety of summer camps for boys and girls—designed to improve athletic skills, provide instruction, and just have fun! For more information on each camp, scan the QR or visit ShipRaidersCamps.com.

Love is in the air! Drew Loyd ’19 and Katie (Sweigart) Loyd ’20 celebrated their recent wedding surrounded by Ship alumni!

1960s

William D. Boyer ’61, Bowie, MD, celebrated his 67th wedding anniversary. He and wife Mary Ann have eight great grandchildren.

1970s

Dr. Richard H. Gentzler Jr. ’71, during a special SAGE Awards Banquet on October 26, 2023 Gentzler was presented the Elizabeth Jacobs Award for Distinguished Service in the field of aging by AgeWell Middle Tennessee. The award honors his exemplary work in aging and older adult ministry over many years of service to the community. Gentzler and his wife, Marilyn (Hozyash) Gentzler ’70, make their home with their family in the Nashville, TN area.

Herbert E. Moore ’71m, Windber, elected to the office of Windber, PA Borough Council for a four-year term in Somerset County.

Cinda (Emerick) Anderson ’73, Middletown, and husband Jerry, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Jane (Mellings) Filz ’73, Williamsburg, VA, was the chairperson for the Christmas Homes 2023 Tour in Colonial Williamsburg.

G. Warren Elliott ’76’77m, Chambersburg, was one of Pennsylvania’s 50 over 50 honorees.

Elliott currently chairs the board of F&M Trust and is president of Cardinal Crossings, a consulting and real estate firm.

1980s

JoAnn Baldwin ’81’89m, Harrisburg enjoyed sharing her experiences with the students in Dr. Gwendolyn Jackson’s Building Family and Community Partnerships class with her presentation on how to conduct parent/teacher conferences.

Andy Carey ’82m, Shippensburg, co-authored with Joan West ’91m, American Roulette: A Novel with an eclectic group of

CLASSNOTES

TELL US YOUR LATEST accomplishments

and milestones by submitting your news to Classnotes. Alumni news, which is compiled from your submissions and previously published materials, is arranged in the magazine alphabetically within each class year. Submissions are published as space and deadlines allow.

In Memoriam is published as a separate column. Please note, Classnotes may take up to six months to appear as a result of the publication schedule. Please limit submissions to 100 words or less. Photo submissions are welcome and are published as space permits. Please submit original, high-resolution photos (300 dpi).

There are three ways to submit information. For standard mail, complete the ‘Signal Us’ form on page 41. We look forward to hearing from you!

Disclaimer: Shippensburg University and its Alumni Association are neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy of information submitted to Classnotes. Shippensburg University reserves the right to edit or remove submissions as appropriate.

STANDARD MAIL:

Alumni Relations, Shippensburg University, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299

E-MAIL: alumni@ship.edu

ONLINE: ship.edu/alumni

Ship Happens, and sometimes never stops. Forty-plus years after graduation, a group of alumni couples traveled to Germany, Austria, and Hungary in fall 2023. From left to right at the Dachau Memorial in Germany, John ’80 and Jody (Fielder) Varvaris ’80; Joe ’82 and Doreen (Holman) Divis ’81; Paul ’80 and Trish (Saggese) Adack ’82; and Steve ’81 and Pat (DiPaolantonio) Sneeringer ’81. Missing from photo, Herman ’81 and Beth Redding.

and Life in the Country. The book contains stories and poems about food, flowers, and collecting. Family and original recipes are also included. The book is available on Amazon.

Tammy (Starner) Wert ’88, Womelsdorf, executive assistant to the vice president of University Relations and Athletics at Kutztown University, has been named the assistant to the provost for General Education.

Susan (Godfrey) Wilinski ’88, Newton, NJ, accepted a position as general manager of the Ridge View Echo, an online non-profit newspaper covering four towns in northwest New Jersey.

authors—a story of eight unsuspecting people who cross paths at Liberty Mall in an explosive ending, one far too common in our country today. The book is available on Amazon or most any bookstore.

Eduardo F. Mack ’87, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, formerly of Globo News with 35 years of experience in journalism, signed a

contract with Climate Change Channel (C3 TV) as director of Strategic Partnerships and Content. The channel, created by meteorologists Ana Lúcia Frony and Carlos Magno do Nascimento, is the first pay-TV channel entirely dedicated to climate change.

Joseph N. Weagley ’88, Waynesboro, wrote and illustrated a memoir, Every Home Should Have a Teapot: Baking, Cooking, Gardening,

1990s

Thomas D. Longenecker ’90, Harrisburg, was one of Pennsylvania’s 50 over 50 honorees. As president and CEO, Commonwealth Charter Academy he has developed more than 400 courses for its K-12 student body.

A group of graduate counselors (i.e. resident directors) got together for a reunion weekend in September. Pictured from left to right, Craig Loundas ’81-’83m, Susan (Eberly) Short ’84m, Nancy (Brewer) Danganan ’81-’83m, Barb (Hornberger) Keihm ’83m, and Cathy (Compton) Caulfield ’83m

Under his leadership CCA has grown its online enrollment to nearly 25,000 students across the commonwealth, making it the state’s second-largest public school.

Barbara Sheaffer ’90, Mechanicsburg, was awarded the International Association of Forensic Nurses 2023 Patron Award for her significant leadership and contributions to the advancement of forensic nursing and knowledge and benefits of the science of forensic nursing. This award recognizes an individual outside of nursing who has contributed greatly to the field.

Amey (Fisher) Sgrignoli ’90-’13m, Enola, named to the Tribute to Women of Excellence, Class of 2024, by the YWCA Greater Harrisburg. Sgrignoli is president and CEO of Belco Community Credit Union.

Michael J. Wroblewski ’91, Parker, CO, recently promoted to senior director Presales Consulting for Verint North America.

Michael B. Schneider ’94, Freehold, NJ, appointed as the secretary of the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association, having served in this position since 2018.

Heather (Beaston) Hall ’95, New Cumberland, promoted to chief lending officer and Central PA Market president at Mid Penn Bank.

Meredith (Woolums) James ’96, Lakeland, FL, graduated from Southeastern University with a Doctor of Ministry degree in April 2023.

Dawn R. Kunkel ’96, Bordentown, NJ, achieved her fifth certification in education, with completing, teaching individuals with disabilities certification.

John A. Norris ’96, Sherman Oaks, CA, Amazon Studios writer and producer, has created a TV show, Motorheads ordered to series by Amazon Prime. Written and executive produced by Norris with Ryan Phillippe cast as a series regular, it starts filming in March. Norris is pictured on set for All American, a show he’s spent the past five years on as a writer/executive producer, and Jane By Design, ABC Family.

Joseph W. Geist ’97, Harleysville, accepted a new position as senior vice president and Market President–National at Independence Blue Cross. In this role, he will lead sales and retention teams for the organization’s national and large group clients.

2000s

Gray K. Daus ’00, Charlotte, NC, summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at 19,341 ft. above sea level. The trek took six days and he reached the summit with three other climbers around 7:00am

Shaashawn Dial ’00m, Columbia, MO, earned her PhD from the Administration and Leadership Studies Department of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her dissertation was a qualitative study of 20 transgender people of color, their employment experiences and the storytelling of their employment experiences. Dial is the director of Education and Community Relations with Planned Parenthood Great Plains, leading sex education and community relations for 13 health centers across western Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

Stephen T. Lezinski ’01, Pasadena, MD, was promoted to vice president at Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C. Lezinski is a member of the firm’s solid waste practice area out of the Annapolis, MD office.

Michael D. Stephens ’01 and fiancé Jen welcomed their first son, Connor, on September 14, 2023. He joins two big sisters Kira and Emelia and their beloved dog, Ellie. The Stephens family resides in Reading where Stephens operates his own manufacturer’s representatives’ firm, Stephens & Krizner Co., Inc.

David A. Haugh ’02, Waynesboro, Patrol Division lieutenant at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland, recently received the FBI-LEEDA (law enforcement executive development association) trilogy award.

Lakeyshia (Green) Crummel ’06, Harrisburg, accepted a position with CARE Professional Liability Association as VP of Underwriting and Operations in December 2023.

Amy (Dufner) Maletsky ’07 and husband Luke, Gilbertsville, welcomed their daughter, Gabriella Joan on January 20, 2022, and their son, Nicholas Daniel on August 27, 2023.

Gabriel Rose ’08, Easton, MD, director, Office of Pupil Transportation for the State of Maryland, attended the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) conference in Washington D.C. and overheard another state director say that they went to school in Pennsylvania and found out that they too graduated from Ship. Kerry Miller ’84, is the director of Pupil Transportation for the State of Virginia.

Valerie (Koontz) Schmidt ’09 and husband Jeremy, Harrisburg, welcomed their first child, Gideon Lee, in May 2023.

2010s

Dr. Emily (Swartz) Besecker ’10, Fayetteville, recently returned to Ship to join the faculty in the Biology Department. She is thrilled to provide educational opportunities to SU students like she received as a

student; opportunities which helped drive her scientific curiosities, focus her passion in education, and direct her to the path of finding a rewarding career as both a teacher and research scientist.

Kara (Bushman) Shindle ’10, Spring Run, graduated with a master’s in GIS from Penn State University in December 2023.

Caley (Tate) ’10 and husband Travis ’11 Smith, relocated with children, Jace 4, Ellie 3, and Colt 20 months, to Summerville, SC for Travis’ work where he has been promoted to director of operations and HR for the USA territories for BID

Group.

Christine Chromiak ’90 was diagnosed with ALS in 2022. She is thankful for her lifelong Shippensburg Masquer friends who support her and make her laugh during her darkest times. From left to right, John E. Scott ’89, Eric T. Smith ’89, Denise Bean ’87, Constance Campbell ’87, Lara Lutz ’89, Lisa Bebey ’89, Christine, and Georgia Prevail ’86

Lambda Chi Alpha Brothers gathered for Friendsgiving 2023. From left to right, Ronald Moschorak ’20, Eric Zampelli ’19, Steven Davanzo ’17, Andrew Sweigart ’19, Scott Maldonado ’19, and Stu Kaplan ’19

Shannon Congleton-Parr ’11, Gettysburg, earned a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Messiah University.

Sara (Wagner) Keefer ’12 married Bradley Keefer ’11 in 2012. Sara is an assistant professor of Psychology at Gettysburg College. Her research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying individual differences in reward learning.

Andrew A. Collier ’13, Tampa, FL, chief revenue officer at Kitchenery has become the youngest person in history to join the board of the fastest growing portfolio of companies in Florida.

DeAngelo HarrisRosa ’13, Philadelphia, community activist and deputy director for the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Violence Prevention was recognized for his work to help reduce gun violence and implement community strength-based programming in Philadelphia. Harris-Rosa graduated from the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) in a ceremony on February 9, 2024, at the White House.

Reginald L. Hefner ’13-’15, Chambersburg, had an article entitled “A Fortnight in the Life of a Hyperpolyglot” published on the website Arabic for Nerds, edited by the Austrian award-winning journalist Gerald Drissner. Hefner was notified by Middlebury College Dean of the Languages Schools that he had been accepted for a third intensive-immersion summer working toward an MA in French at Middlebury College in Vermont.

Mary F. Oliveira ’15m, Enola, was one of Pennsylvania’s 50 over 50 honorees.

Previously COO of Color & Culture, a multicultural marketing agency that helped clients engage an increasingly diverse local population. Recently, Oliveira took over leadership of the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, a linchpin of central Pennsylvania’s burgeoning cultural presence.

Raymond Bossert Jr. ’16m, Sebring, FL, appointed as the CEO and general manager for a 12,000 resident special district in central Florida. He supervises over 150 employees and responsible for all aspects of the district, government services, a full utility department, roads and maintenance, code enforcement, and community engagement with a $20 million

annual budget.

SIGNAL US

…about your change of address, new job or promotion, advanced degrees, marriage, or births/ adoptions. Please limit submissions to 100 words or less.

Name

Address

City State Zip

Year of Grad.

Phone (H) (W)

Phone (Cell)

E-mail

Maiden Name

Occupation

Name, Address of Employer

Recent News for Classnotes

Mail: Alumni Relations

Shippensburg University

1871 Old Main Drive

Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299

E-mail: alumni@ship.edu

dollar

Seven guests attending a wedding at George Mason House in Virginia discovered they were all Ship alumni. Pictured are Chris Zinn ’19, Ed Benish ’21m, Dan Hoy ’20m, Kelliann McWhorter ’20m, Paula (Biesecker) Alcock ’92, Brittany Carroll ’18, and Barrie Ann (McBride) George ’88-’89m

Marie Robinson ’16 and Derrick Scheetz ’17, were married on April 29, 2023, in Stroudsburg, PA. More than 30 Shippensburg alum (and one prospective student) were in attendance to celebrate. The couple met through Ship’s marching band. The couple lives in Manassas, VA.

Dominic V. Giovanniello ’17, Hummelstown, was appointed a delegate representing PA at the Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Assembly. Giovanniello is one of only 12 attorneys selected to represent the state of Pennsylvania. He currently served as a board member with the alumni association board of directors.

Marissa (Fazekas) Barbaro ’18m, Moore, SC, certified Prosci Change Manager. Currently serving as an OCM and team lead for Change Advisory Services at Hitachi Solutions North America. Barbaro strategizes both change and learning adoption and sustainment, for Microsoft implementations.

Austin W. Bock ’18’19m, Chambersburg, promoted to senior associate at SEK’s Chambersburg office. Bock provides tax services to the firm’s closely held business and individual clients.

Samuel A. Fritz ’18, Indianapolis, IN, journalist and radio producer for Radio One. Fritz has produced the radio broadcast of the Indy 500 for the past two years.

Aaron Holland ’18, Carlisle, passed the bar exam in 2022 and is an attorney for Salzmann Hughes, P.C. Benjamin Hursh ’18, Enola, promoted to manager at SEK’s Camp Hill office. Hursh specializes in delivering tax compliance and planning services tailored to the unique needs of small businesses and individuals. He serves as a key resource within the firm for matters related to the Employee Retention Tax Credit and cryptocurrency tax compliance.

2020s

Deanna Yarrish ’21 married Derek Becker ’21 in 2023 with fellow Shipmates in attendance from left to right, Noah Steinfeldt ’21, Shannen DeLaurentis ’21, Hunter Gross ’22, Deanna, Derek, and Samantha Fickes ’21.

Bailey R. Charters ’22-’23m, Chambersburg, was promoted to senior associate at SEK’s Chambersburg office. Charters performs audits, compilation, and review services, primarily working with government and nonprofit clients. Additionally, he provides audit services for financial and healthcare clients.

Ian P. Shook ’22, Chambersburg, promoted to senior associate at SEK’s Chambersburg office.

Shook performs audit services for the firm’s government clients, including municipalities, school districts, and conservation districts.

Chase R. Slenker ’23, Enola, joined Clark Associates in 2021 and was promoted to category manager at Clark’s Lancaster headquarters. Slenker primarily oversees the plantbased/vegan category and fresh produce for Clark’s foodservice distribution channels nationwide.

In Memoriam

Martha (Heim) Keister ’45

Shirlee (Green) Shade ’45

Ray W. Linn ’50

Mary (Peck) Baker ’51

Dean T. Rodgers ’53

Dolores (Filipovitz) Stambaugh ’54

Glenn S. Minick ’55

Dorothy (Snyder) Eslinger ’56

James F. Miller Jr. ’57-’66m

Margaret (Trail) Shearer ’57

Olga (Cvizic) Goss ’58

Paul H. Link ’58

Avery W. Zook ’58-’68m

Dwaine E. Gipe ’59

James T. Hafer ’59

Earl S. Myers ’59

Ronald L. Rock ’59

Proud Shippensburg alumni from the Coatesville Area School District gathered for a photo this fall. From left to right, back row: Darian Smith ’91, supervisor of pupil services, Sean Noonan ’99, 7th grade ELA teacher, Brian Davis ’93, high school ELA teacher, and Dr. William Bailey ’76, educational consultant. Third row: Amanda Perri ’06, special education teacher, Eric Hofmann ’12, high school science teacher, and Stevan Lefever ’91, supervisor of special education. Second row: James D’Angelo ’99, algebra I teacher, Christine (Johnson) Claypoole ’95, high school math teacher, Julie (Womer) Barlip ’02, high school math teacher, and Sara (Brosky) Zizza ’01, high school math teacher. Front row: Wendy Lewis ’95-’99, high school counselor, Shannon Braccia ’19, 2nd grade teacher, Melissa (Vega) Willis ’05, elementary school principal, and Heather (Holt) Messenger ’04, supervisor of Online and Innovative Programs.

Three Ship alums preserve history. Andrew Stout ’95 (left) is the executive director and Abigail Koontz ’21m (center) is the curator/program manager of the Washington County Historical Society whose mission is to develop an interest in and preserve the history of Washington County Maryland. Dr. Mary Myers ’79m serves as treasurer of the Board of Directors.

Carl L. Jenkins ’60-’64m

Robert E. Eisenhower ’61

Reba (Dice) Pace ’61-’69m

Oscar J. Koontz ’62-’66m

Deborah (McCullough) Riddlemoser ’63

Jude T. Smith 63-’68m

Robert E. Wray ’63

Shirley (Bowman) Monn ’64-’68m

John W. Shearer ’65-’68m

Joyce (Herr) Bielski ’66

Frederick D. Bottini ’67-’72m

H. Wayne Brady ’67

Barbara (Sandmann) Ziegler Commerce ’67

Glenden G. Casteel ’68

Marcia (Dice) McGaughey ’68

Raymond F. Feith ’68m

William D. Moore ’68m

Shirley Anderson ’69-’73m

Sharon (Caldwell) Rand ’69-’74m

Homer L. Zeigler ’69m

Harold L. Herman Jr. ’71

Barbara (Vogt) Lindeman ’71

Charles J. Miraglia ’71m

Patricia (Belknap) Potter ’71m

James T. Dalke ’72

CAREER CORNER

Donna M. Hake ’73-’91m

Suzanne M. Miller ’73

Robert E. Huff ’75

Susan (Carroll) Wright ’75

Mervin A. Brubaker ’76m

Dr. John S. Hodge ’76-’87m

Wendy (Skibbe) Hunt ’77

Betty May Thumma ’77-’88m

John K. Baughman ’78m

Patricia A. Dansbury ’78

Susan (Derrick) Frederick ’78

Joseph L. Hockersmith ’78

Donald R. Cadman ’80

Karen E. Davis ’80m

Kimberly (Schnurr) Hay ’84

Steven R. Henze ’85

Timothy L. Wagner ’85-’90m

Otis J. Elam ’89m

Earl D. Greer ’89m

Jonna L. Steinbrunn ’89

Thomas E. Hamm ’94

Adrienne (Steiner) Walter ’94

Hope C. Clever ’99m

Vickie D. Locke ’02m

Carol J. Appenzellar ’05m

Eric K. Chamberlin ’08

Christina (Bowie) Hostler ’11

Six Thinking Hats: Rethinking Meetings for Creative Breakthroughs

In the fast-paced business landscape, unproductive meetings can hinder creativity. SU’s Office of Workforce Development introduces a transformative approach to meetings, emphasizing innovative thinking over traditional structures.

This ground-breaking method goes beyond typical meeting tips, addressing the core issues that stifle creativity. Rather than continuing in patterns of thinking that waste time and lack productivity, this approach encourages a shift in mindset. It prompts teams to embrace diverse perspectives, think outside the box, and

break free from conventional thought patterns. The goal is to cultivate an environment where every voice is heard, and ideas flow freely.

The benefits of this approach extend beyond meetings. It sparks creativity on demand, accelerates idea generation, boosts productivity, minimizes time-wasting,

and enhances overall collaboration. SU’s Office of Workforce Development offers engaging training to guide individuals and organizations in adopting this innovative thinking concept. Elevate your team’s thinking and pave the way for a future defined by continuous innovation and success.

To learn more about the Six Thinking Hats training, visit workforce.ship.edu or e-mail owd@ship.edu. Virtual and in-person training is offered to individuals monthly and on-site training is available to organizations.

Ship Is IT for the Earl and Long families. From left to right, Matthew Earl ’97, Caryn (Long) Earl ’98, Austin Long (current student ’25), Virginia Long ’04 (retired staff), Katrina Long (current student ’27), Grant Long (current student ’25), Douglas Long ’94, and Catherine (Quaker) Long. Future Raiders in the front are Samuel Earl, age 9, and Jacob Earl, age 7!

photo album

➊-➐ Ship alumni families returned to campus to enjoy an afternoon of DIY cookie decorating and photos with Big Red and Shippo inside Stewart Hall. Pictured ➊ Eran ’07 and Corrine ’07-’09m (Berkey) Haupt with Paisley and Mason; ➋ Brett ’90 and Susanne Perkins getting some love from Big Red and Shippo; ➌ Emerson, son of Moriah Hathaway ’19 and Bailey Welsh ’18, deciding if he should approach Big Red; ➍ Ayla and Cooper, children of Steve ’04-’23m and Lisa ’04 (Hawbaker) Thomas concentrating on decorating; ➎ Cari (Kiner) Donley ’06 and Jaxson; ➏ Heidi (Klingler) Shirk ’02 and Kathryn showing off their decorating skills; and, ➑ Sean ’00 and Laura ’00 (Jennings) Witte with Evan and Alese. ➑-⓭ It wasn’t cold during our annual alumni hospitality suite at Chambersburg’s IceFest this year, but we were able to snag a picture of the Ship ice sculpture courtesy of ➑ Bailey Cassada ’23. ➒ Brett ’90 Perkins with his daughters Courtney and Maddie, and wife Susanne; ➓ Richard Bonitz ’73-’78m, ’82m with his wife Vickie, daughter, and grandchildren; ⓫ Charles Jones ’96 with wife Elizabeth, daughter and granddaughter; ⓬ Steve Thomas ’04-’23m, alumni association board president and Doug Harbach ’82, chair, university council of trustees; and, ⓭ Michael Killion ’08-’10m and Dr. Ashley Martin ’10 with Alex McCurn ’11 and their families.

ALUMNI ON THE ROAD

For registration or additional information, visit ship.edu/alumni, e-mail alumni@ship.edu, or call (717) 477-1218

CONSHOHOCKEN

Ship Alumni Social at The Great American Pub

Thursday, April 4, 5:30pm–7:30pm

We know it’s been a while since we’ve hosted an alumni event in Montgomery County, so we hope you’ll join us! We’ll provide appetizers, fellowship, and great conversation in our private space. No charge to attend, cash bar. Your RSVP will help us prepare for the night.

tinyurl.com/ShipatGAP24

DENVER, COLORADO

Ship Alumni Social at The Rusty Bucket

Saturday, April 27, 4:00pm–6:00pm

Calling all Denver area alumni— join fellow Ship alumni living in the Denver area! Your Denver alumni hosts are Kim (Manning) Ursetta ’94, Brian Duffy ’91, and Doug Puchalla ’91. Join them at The Rusty Bucket, a Pittsburgh, PA-themed venue! We’ll provide appetizers, fellowship, great conversation, and Ship goodies. No charge to attend, cash bar. Your RSVP will help us prepare for our allotted space and appetizers for the night. Kim, Brian, and Doug can’t wait to meet you! RSVP at:

tinyurl.com/ShipinDenver

Homecoming 2024

LEBANON

2024 Alumni Association Golf Tournament at Iron Valley Golf Club

Friday, September 20;

Shotgun start at 1:00pm

The tournament is one of the largest fundraisers for the Alumni Legacy Scholarship and the SU Alumni Association. Help by playing a round of golf and/or showing your support through a sponsorship, including being a phantom golfer if unable to participate. Owners and operators Jonathan Byler ’97 and Kathy ’97 (Hallowell) Byler, along with director of operations, Jeff Harper ’85, look forward to welcoming their fellow alumni and friends to Iron Valley Golf Club—ranked the #8 course you can play in Pennsylvania by Golf Magazine.

tinyurl.com/ShipGolf24

MECHANICSBURG

Ship Alumni Night at Appalachian Brewing Co.

Tuesday, April 9, 5:00–7:00pm

Our social coincides with ShipGives 2024, Ship’s 24-hour day of giving, taking place April 9–10. Come celebrate with the Ship family and pick up your ’24 ShipGives socks*. No charge to attend, cash bar. Your RSVP helps us prepare.

*Make your gift of $50 or more online or at the event to receive your socks.

tinyurl.com/ShipABC2024

Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19

Includes a 50th Anniversary Computer Science Reunion Celebration—October 19

Reconnect with students, alumni, and professors, including Drs. Crawley, McArthur, and Arch. View student projects, tour laboratory facilities, and watch the Homecoming parade prior to tailgating and the football game.

SHIPPENSBURG

2nd Annual Football Alumni Reunion

Saturday, April 13

Join us for the second annual football reunion at the Spring Game. We’re planning another great weekend for all football alumni to include breakfast, BBQ tailgate, and more. Event information will be sent via e-mail. If you are not sure your preferred e-mail address is on your alumni record, e-mail alumni@ship.edu or update your info online at:

tinyurl.com/ShipAlumniUpdate

Alumni Weekend 2024

Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1, 2024

See page 35 for Alumni Weekend information including:

Reunions—Friday, May 31

• Class of 1974 Reunion

Reunions—Saturday, June 1

• Fraternity and Sorority Life Alumni Reunion

• Golden Raider Reunions

• SU Marching Band Alumni Reunion

• Teacher Education Department Alumni Reunion

Legacy Pinning at Family Day

Saturday, September 21 at 10:30am Be a part of a Ship tradition which honors the past and present and celebrates your family legacy at Ship! Shippensburg alumni parents, grandparents, and aunts/ uncles of currently enrolled students are invited to attend a special Legacy Pinning Ceremony with the President and the Alumni Association Board of Directors as we welcome current students into the Ship family.

tinyurl.com/ShipLegacy24

For a complete listing of alumni events, scan the QR code or visit ship.edu/alumni/ alumni-calendar

Carey Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers

Dr. Albert “Skip” Carey was the first counselor educator hired at Shippensburg in 1967. This followed two years at Pennsylvania State University teaching and directing special programs in improving counselor effectiveness.

For the next 20 years Skip taught and guided Shippensburg students while raising his family with his late wife Eileen “Chipper.” Now Carey has established an endowment fund to support an annual scholarship to help young people pursue a teaching career.

The Skip and Chipper Carey Scholarship will benefit students pursuing teacher education in the College of Education and Human Services. “Teaching is a hard job, and it is not well paid. They deserve the help,” Skip said about his decision to help teachers.

Skip was raised on a farm and studied agriculture at Penn State. His first job was

teaching vocational agriculture in a small school district where he was persuaded to counsel students. “They needed a guidance counselor. I had taken a counseling course, so I got the job,” he recalled.

He liked helping students and received funding through the National Defense Education Act to earn a counseling

certificate. He then pursued master’s and doctorate degrees in counselor education from Penn State.

When a counseling position opened at Shippensburg, he applied. “We knew the area from camping at Caledonia State Park and believed it would be a good place to raise our children,” he said. Skip and Chipper raised four children: Bud, Andy, Laurel, and Mike. Andy, who earned his master’s from Shippensburg, taught in the Counselor Education Department from 1997 to 2018.

As one of the department’s original faculty members, Skip proposed pursuing accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). Shippensburg’s program was among the first in the nation to receive the accreditation. He retired in 1987.

Over the past five years, the SU Foundation has provided $9,495,859 in scholarships and loans to support Shippensburg University students.

Magaro Scholarship Pays it Forward

During his tenure in the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Media, Dr. John “Jack” Magaro devoted himself to teaching and mentoring students.

Now, he and his wife, Kathy are helping future students by endowing a scholarship for majors in the department. The Dr. John D. and Kathleen E. Magaro Scholarship will be awarded to upper-class students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Communication, Journalism, and Media, with preference given to those with a broadcasting concentration.

The preference gives deference to the many years Jack served as chief operator and advisor to the campus radio station, WYSC 88.7FM. “I loved the hands-on work with students on a daily basis,” Magaro recalled.

Jack began his career in library science. Shippensburg hired him as an assistant professor of library science in 1968. He

worked in that area for 13 of his 32 years at Shippensburg. When the school phased out the library science program, Jack took time away to gain experience in media at the Baltimore County Public Schools where he was coordinator of media services and worked closely with Maryland Public Television.

In 1981, the new president, Dr. Anthony Ceddia, approached Jack to move to the communication department to help develop new curricula. Magaro had earned a PhD in communications from the University of Pittsburgh in 1973. “At that time, the department was largely audio-visual education,” Jack recalled. “We transitioned the department to a mass communication program.”

Jack and Kathy report they have had a “great life in Shippensburg” and are “paying it forward” with this scholarship. “We also

want to honor our children who received a good foundation at Shippensburg,” attending the on-campus elementary school. Their children, Amy and David, are lifelong learners who earned graduate degrees and are established in their careers.

Dr. Albert “Skip” Carey, retired Shippensburg University professors, and his late wife, Eileen “Chipper” Carey.

Dr. John “Jack” Magaro, retired Shippensburg University Professor, and Mrs. Kathleen E. Magaro.

Scholarship Recipient Spotlight

IN HER OWN WORDS When considering colleges, Ship was not at the top of my list. I am from Reading, PA, and lived in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Philadelphia, and San Francisco de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. I pictured my college experience in a city. However, I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and that the places we go, the people we meet, and the things we do are for a purpose.

Ship gave me many opportunities. As a sophomore, I joined campus organizations like the International Studies Club, the Latino Student Organization, and the Peace Corp Prep Club. I participated in the Washington Model Organization of American States in DC, twice. I am going for a third time in the spring as the secretary general of the model. I am president of the Shippensburg Section of the National Council of Negro Women. My proudest involvement, one that required a huge leap of faith in myself, is being the Student Trustee on the Council of Trustees.

be such a defining moment for me and my family. There is this quote I see on graduation caps that says, “Cuándo me vean volar, recuerden que ustedes me pintaron las alas—When you see me fly, remember you painted my wings.” My study abroad was the materialization of this quote. This was the American dream that my family sacrificed so much for. I met with diplomats, and congressional advisors, and had the most knowledgeable professors.

These experiences cemented my decision to pursue an international career. Is it practical? Not always. Is it safe? Not always. Is it worth it? Yes, absolutely.

Majors: Spanish And International Studies

Political

I am grateful to have received the Walker Foreign Language Study Abroad Scholarship to help me achieve this milestone. Without this generous scholarship, my study abroad trip would not have been possible.

save the date

24-hour Day of Giving

Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10

SU Foundation’s Annual Financial and Estate Planning Seminar

Live Well. Leave Well. Plan with a Purpose.

Friday, May 31 8:00am–3:30pm Conference Center at Shippensburg University, John E. Clinton Building, 500 Newburg Rd.

Complimentary light breakfast and lunch provided.

Topic include:

• Benefits of a Financial Plan

• Tax Planning Tips and Reminders

As much as these experiences shaped my college experience, nothing compared to my study abroad in Argentina. As a first-generation college student, from an immigrant family, my dream has always been to study abroad, because it would

Upon graduation, I will apply to be a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. After completing my service, I intend to pursue a master’s degree in international development, and work in the foreign service sector. I owe a huge part of who I am today and who I will continue to grow into to Shippensburg University, my forever home. I could not be more proud to soon be a Ship alum.

• 2024 Tax Update—Secure Act 2.0

• Retirement Contributions (RMD and QCD)

• Wills and Trusts, Beneficiary Designations, and Tax Considerations

• Health Insurance Options for Retirees Under Age 65

• Medicare Advantage Plans

• Long Term Care Options

• Protecting Your Credentials and Other Digital Assets

• AI (Artificial Intelligence) sufoundation.org

Rangeline DeJesus ’24