York College Magazine 2023 Vol. 2

COLLEGE MAGAZINE 202 3 VO L . 2

OUR NEW PRESIDENT

A Q&A WITH DR. THOMAS BURNS

Fall Fest and Homecoming Weekend featured beautiful weather; events for families, students, and alumni; and a dedication of the G-S Plaza and Alumni Fountain.

CO N T EN TS

COMMUNITY 4 Around Campus 5 Meet Michelle 7 Enrollment Corner 8 Overheard 10 Engaging York

Meet Michelle Hudson Shellenberger ’89 After years of volunteer service, she has returned to her alma mater to lead the Office of Alumni Relations.

PAGE 5 >

12 Spartan Sports

PURSUITS 14 Research

Research on Writing and Communication Studio Feedback

15 Hands-On

Students presented the findings of their work conducted alongside faculty during the annual Undergraduate Research Showcase. < PAGE 14

FEATURES 16 Our New Leader In Focus: 22 Hungarian Harmony 24 New & Improved

Our New President: A Q&A with Dr. Thomas Burns Learn more about York College’s fifth president, whose tenure began on July 1, 2023.

PAGE 16 >

CONNECTIONS 28 Class Notes

Part 4: A History of the Campus

31 Alumni Spotlight

The conclusion of a series on the history of campus features the purchase of property and an introduction to the President’s Home.

32 Alumni News 37 A Glimpse of Our Past

< PAGE 37

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

1

P RESID EN T ’ S L E T T ER

YORK COLLEGE

President Thomas Burns, Ph.D. Interim Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs Patrice DiQuinzio, Ph.D. Vice President, Development Troy M. Miller, CNP, CFRE

“The foundation of York College is strong, our compass is pointing in the right direction, and our community knows that we are a place that prioritizes serving and supporting students as our primary focus.”

During the fall season, college campuses come alive with a renewed sense of anticipation, energy, and excitement. The start of classes signifies new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and boundless potential. It’s been a pleasure to experience all of these special moments as I start my first year as your President at York College, where everything is new for me as well. In this first introduction to the York College magazine, I am thrilled to share my unique perspective on the exciting new developments on our campus.

Everywhere I look I see opportunity and potential. That’s not to say that I don’t also see the outstanding things that are already here—great facilities, wonderful faculty, incredible and devoted staff—but rather a recognition that the foundation of York College is strong, that our compass is pointing in the right direction, and that our community knows that we are a place that prioritizes serving and supporting students as our primary focus.

As your new President, it’s been invigorating to experience the depth of our commitment to have engaged learning at the core of the York College experience for our students, while recognizing that a full “YCP” experience for our students includes York College, York City, and York County.

As I have moved through my first few months at York, I’ve celebrated these observations while reinforcing that our campus must continue to be focused on developing community and a sense of belonging—on campus and beyond—to create citizen leaders who are interested in making a difference in the places they call home.

As you peruse the stories in this edition of our magazine, I sincerely hope you feel moved by the exciting developments happening at York College and hopeful for what the future holds. I welcome you to visit our campus and witness the progress firsthand, support our hardworking Spartan student-athletes, and allow yourself to imagine all the possibilities for our future. I am so grateful to be part of this community, and I am eager to hear your personal account of how York College has impacted you.

President Thomas Burns, Ph.D.

2

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

Chief Communications Officer Mary Dolheimer Vice President, Enrollment Management Brian Hazlett, M.A. Assistant to the President for Capital Projects and Facilities Utilization Kenneth Martin, Ph.D. Dean of Student Development and Campus Life Rick Satterlee, Ph.D. Vice President, Finance and Campus Operations Anthony DeCocinis, MBA Dean, Center for Community Engagement Dominic DelliCarpini, Ph.D. Head of School, York Country Day School Christine Heine, Ed.D. YORK COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Director of Editorial Services Gail R. Huganir Design Consultant Skelton Sprouls Photographer Emily Rund Writer Sarah Smith ’22 Senior Administrative Assistant Colleen M. Adamy CHANGE OF ADDRESS Send address label along with new address to: Division of College Advancement York College of Pennsylvania York, PA 17403-3651 717-815-1410 or email yorkmag@ycp.edu York College Magazine is published two times a year by the Office of Communications, York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA 17403-3651.

Periodicals postage paid at York, PA, and additional mailing offices. Permit No. 174. © 2023 York College of Pennsylvania. Printed in U.S.A. We welcome your news and comments at yorkmag@ycp.edu. York College of Pennsylvania does not discriminate because of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, sex, or age in employment or in recruitment and acceptance of students.

FO RU M

“Leadership possesses an extraordinary ability to inspire and guide teams toward success.”

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF GOOD LEADERSHIP? Dr. Stacey Dammann

Dr. Kibum Noh

Dr. Donna Grove

Dean, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education

Assistant Professor of Human Resource Management

Visiting Professor of Sport Management

“There are three keys to good leadership: communication, knowledge, and decision-making.”

Leadership possesses an extraordinary ability to inspire and guide teams toward success. Effective leaders harness their influence to paint a vivid picture of the future, igniting individuals to achieve remarkable results.

This influential journey of leadership entails perpetual growth and development.

Exceptional leaders invest in their personal and professional advancement, consistently honing their skills and expanding their knowledge. They embrace change, adapt to evolving circumstances, and welcome new ideas, ensuring their leadership remains impactful and relevant.

Envisioning yourself as a good leader?

My leadership class emphasizes the significance of becoming a proficient follower. You cultivate invaluable attributes by embodying the qualities of a good follower—active listening, collaboration, and receptivity to guidance. These traits lay a solid foundation for a seamless transition into a leadership role, fostering a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and the contributions of every team member.

Choose to embark on this transformative path of leadership, where the rewards are boundless.

Leadership is fluid in nature and does not operate in a vacuum. Further, good leadership does not always mean having the senior title or position.

A good leader is one who is consistently working toward a common goal while inspiring, developing, and connecting with followers. In fact, an effective leader emerges by first being a follower. Organizational needs and follower needs are constantly changing; consequently, leaders need to develop a variety of leadership approaches and be willing to engage in situations with care and responsibility to all parties.

Good leadership begins with the leader.

A good leader has a vision for where they want to go, what they want to accomplish, and importantly, a path to get there. Good leadership requires the ability to convert that vision into action.

There are three keys to good leadership: communication, knowledge, and decision-making.

Communication is often the problem and the answer. Communication addresses both sending and receiving information. Good leaders demonstrate effective communication, verbally, visually, and in writing. It evidences strong listening skills in acknowledging the views and feedback of others.

Collaboration, flexibility, and empathy connect the communication strengths of good leaders with their decision-making.

Good leaders make decisions and have the fortitude to implement them according to the needs of the organization.

Good leadership requires knowledge and understanding about the world and how it works in order to bridge leadership, understanding, and engagement.

“An effective leader emerges by first being a follower.”

In the graduate-level Foundations of Leadership class at York College, the students learn in-depth how symbiotic the leader-follower relationship is while developing the knowledge and skills a leader needs to support and inspire their followers for success. Good leadership is the ability to be open and flexible in situations and empowering followers to rise to new heights.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

3

A RO U N D CA M P US

COMMUNITY

YORK COLLEGE DEAN INTRODUCES PODCAST Driven by his passion for meaningful conversations and inspired by the warm and open interactions he’s had since joining York College of Pennsylvania in January 2023, Dr. Andrew Barnes is launching a podcast.

Through lively discussions and insightful interviews, the Dean of the School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies aims to shed light on the vital role that the liberal arts play in a student’s college experience and their potential to shape successful careers and foster community engagement.

“I believe that the liberal arts need to focus on work they can do in the community, a focus that we describe as applied humanities,” Dr. Barnes says.

The podcast, produced in the WVYC studio, will delve into how the liberal arts can assist community partners in addressing current issues such as gun violence, homelessness, racial tensions, civic discourse, and climate change.

Beyond the York College campus, Dr. Barnes plans to bring business leaders, community members, and alumni into the conversation. By engaging with diverse perspectives, he hopes to strengthen the connection between the College and the community.

Catch “Prepare to Pivot” on WVYC’s Podbean account: wvyc.podbean.com.

“I believe that the liberal arts need to focus on work they can do in the community, a focus that we describe as applied humanities.”

— DR. ANDREW BARNES

STEPHEN MARCH: RETROSPECTIVE

November 24, 2023 – January 20, 2024 Gallery Hall, Marketview Arts Opening Reception: November 24, 5 p.m.

Using various media, Stephen March examines the fragile and ephemeral nature of human existence, especially in the context of social turmoil and crisis. This retrospective exhibition spans more than four decades.

4

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

MAKING WAVES York College of Pennsylvania’s Chemistry Department is making waves with the acquisition of a groundbreaking new microscope.

Thanks to the support of the Huber Foundation, the York College Chemistry Department has obtained a Shimadzu Infrared/Raman microscope, making York College the first and only academic institution in the United States to possess this cutting-edge technology.

The new instrument, known as the AIRsight, utilizes Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy to identify functional groups in organic molecules— molecule structures that allow users to tell the difference between compounds like alcohols and acids.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL ADAPTED BY SUZANNE DELLE

Directed by Jenny Donovan December 2, 2023, 10 a.m.

Waldner Performing Arts Center Theatre Staged for school groups and the community, this is a classic retelling of Ebeneezer’s encounter with three ghosts.

Events are subject to change. Please check ycp.edu/cultural-series for the latest information.

MEET MICHELLE HUDSON SHELLENBERGER ’89

Mary Kate Smith ’24, Marketing

Director of Alumni Relations

Dr. Gregory Foy, Associate Professor of Chemistry, says what sets this microscope apart is its ability to analyze samples in water and in glass containers, a capability not present in traditional IR spectroscopy.

“As an early adopter, our students will have a fantastic opportunity to work with Shimadzu scientists to develop new methods of analysis,” Dr. Foy says.

The AIRsight microscope will be integrated into all four of the Chemistry Department’s majors: Biochemistry, Cannabinoid Chemistry, Chemistry, and Forensic Chemistry. The acquisition signals a promising future for York College’s Chemistry program as it continues to provide students and the York chemistry community with the latest analytical instrumentation.

HOLIDAY VOICES, THE CHOIRS OF YORK COLLEGE

Grace Muzzo, conductor Sunday, December 3, 2023, 3 p.m.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Presenting a festive and seasonal program in the inspiring setting of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (corner of South George St. and Springettsbury Ave.)

What are your responsibilities as Director of Alumni Relations?

I develop and manage programs, services, and activities for alumni. I cultivate relationships and promote ongoing contact between them and the College to strengthen ties and increase engagement through involvement and support. My primary goal is developing initiatives that connect our students with alumni. We do this through a mentor program, a student alumni board tasked with educating fellow students about alumni relations and philanthropy, and various events we coordinate, as well as attending and participating in established campus-wide programs.

What is your favorite part of the position?

I love my whole job! It is hard to narrow it down to one part. I enjoy connecting and networking with people—students to alumni and alumni to other alumni—I want to hear the story of their journey to YCP and beyond. Events allow me to meet and greet many alumni.

Welcoming guests back on campus or at a regional event brings me joy and energizes me. YCP always made me feel like I belonged to something greater—the YCP family. I want to make sure our alumni continue to have that sense of belonging.

“YCP always made me feel like I belonged to something greater—the YCP family.

I want to make sure our alumni continue to have that sense of belonging.”

— MICHELLE SHELLENBERGER

What is your vision for the Department?

SPARTANS for LIFE! I want to focus on relationship-building with alumni and current students.

The Department will collaborate with campus partners to provide opportunities for alumni to connect with and mentor current students and participate in on-campus events like speaking in classes, conducting mock interviews, or sharing their wisdom on a discussion panel. I want our alumni to feel connected to the Spartan family through our communications, events, and programs. I want current students to know the York College alumni family is here to support and enrich their lives.

If you’d like to contact Michelle Shellenberger, you can reach her at mshellen@ycp.edu. — K.H.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

5

A RO U N D CA M P US

EUROPEAN SUMMER STUDY ABROAD

INTERNATIONAL SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT

Students enrolled in Dr. Molly Sauder’s International Sport and Entertainment course traveled to London and Paris with a group from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Several groups of York College students spent time learning in international locations during the first part of Summer 2023.

CONCERT TOUR OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY

HONORS COMMUNITY TO GREECE AND NETHERLANDS

See photos and story on p. 22.

Members of the Honors Community returned to Greece in May to resume their partnership with a university in Crete. They taught Design Thinking to their peers, who in turn led them in a Scrum workshop.

Dr. Cecilia Bove, Assistant Professor of Biology, accompanied a group of Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows, who are provided with stipends for international travel, on a trip to the Netherlands.

Netherlands Graham Scholars (Cecilia Bove)

London, England International Sport & Entertainment

Czech Republic World Performance

Paris, France International Sport & Entertainment (Molly Sauder)

Hungary World Performance (Grace Muzzo)

Greece (Crete) Graham Scholars (Karin Swartz & Dave Fyfe)

MARGARET BETZ: ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM

ON A WING AND A PRAYER, WITH PRODUCER AUTUMN BAILEY-FORD

March 14, 2024, 7 p.m.

Weinstock Lecture Hall, Willman Business Center

March 21, 2024, 7 p.m.

Humanities Center 218

Often overlooked in discussions of the importance of environmental change is the role that race plays.

Betz is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Rutgers-Camden.

6

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

The extraordinary true story of a family whose faith and will to survive are tested when tragedy strikes in the air. Producer Autumn Bailey-Ford, a York native, will screen her film and answer questions afterward.

Events are subject to change. Please check ycp.edu/cultural-series for the latest information.

Class of 2027

Domestic students are coming from as far as California, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, and Florida

1,003

new students largest class since fall 2018

806

first-year students

197

transfer students

International students hail from the Philippines, Nigeria, India, Ethiopia, Australia, Nepal, Dominican Republic, Georgia, and Canada

26%

of first-year students had a 4.0 GPA or higher

3.52 GPA 1128 SAT

average for class

22%

are first-generation college students

27%

are from underrepresented populations

69%

residential students

31%

commuter students

CORNER

Enrollment

OV ERH E A RD

“…it is imperative that NATO do everything it can short of directly engaging in the conflict, and must continue to be seen as a unified front committed to keeping Russian power in check.

NATO continues to serve as a deterrent to Putin and his military, showing the resolve of the transAtlantic bond; this will unequivocally demonstrate that expansion of the conflict to contiguous NATO member countries will not be acceptable.”

John Weaver, Associate Professor of Intelligence Analysis, wrote an article titled “The 2023 NATO Summit in retrospect” for the Nato Review, July 27, 2023.

“Then the pair [student and mentor] creates a plan for academic success, writing specific, personalized goals and action steps with the goal of ‘maximizing the chances of a student being academically successful that semester.’ ” Renée Sefton, Coordinator for Student Success Initiatives, commented in “Laying a Path to Get Students ‘Back on Track,’ ” Inside Higher Ed, Aug. 24, 2023, regarding the College’s program for students who are on academic probation.

8

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

“[Michael] Oher’s allegations, then, fit a broader pattern of exploitation that make them hard to ignore. Clearly, someone made considerable sums of money off Oher’s story—if not him, then who?

Untangling that story should make us all consider the nature of power and wealth in American sports and society—and make us think twice before rewatching ‘The Blind Side.’ ” Gregory Kaliss, Assistant Professor of History and author of “Beyond the Black Power Salute: Athlete Activism in an Era of Change,” wrote an op-ed that appeared in The Baltimore Sun on August 21, 2023.

[Josh DeSantis] says there are many ways for parents to thank teachers during the week. “One of the most impactful is through your school’s PTO. I recommend reaching out to explore how you can be involved. I also recommend nominating excellent teachers for local, state or national teacher awards.”

Josh DeSantis, Assistant Provost-Graduate and Professional Programs, was quoted in “How to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week,” U.S. News and World Report, April 24, 2023.

“I believe there is one unique and essential quality to being a successful male nurse: humility. Humility often runs counter to what society believes men want and need, which is respect. While respect is certainly important, an attitude of humility demonstrates a willingness to listen, to serve, to put others first as appropriate, and to realize that we are no better than anyone else.

Humility is the foundation for becoming excellent as a nurse, employee and leader in healthcare.”

Alan Howard, Assistant Professor of Nursing, was interviewed for “Is being male an advantage or disadvantage in nursing? 27 men weigh in,” Nursing Academy, May 17, 2023.

EFFORT

ycp.edu/graduate

Careers Forged by

Over 30 fully online professional graduate degree and certificate programs

designed to advance your career and help shape your future. Special alumni rate available on select programs.

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

EN G AGIN G YO RK

Vienna Soyke ’23, York, PA; Mason Buchanan; and Sarah Franks ’23, Dover, PA

CARING FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE COMMUNITY York College’s Education program is not only about students learning to teach, but helping them bring out the best in young people from all walks of life.

Education majors put this into action when they take part in events with the York Area Down Syndrome Association (YADSA). Professor Kimberly Kode Sutton, Chair of the Department of Education and Director of Special Education Programs, helped to develop the program in the summer of 2014 in collaboration with key members of YADSA. “Every student in the department participates at least once and most participate twice, while some students volunteer to keep coming back,” she explains.

“We hope these future teachers appreciate that children with disabilities are children—they play, they laugh, they run, they make crafts, and they act silly, just like all of us.”

10

She is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a great organization as YADSA, and says that YCP “professors have given us lots of hands-on experience in the education field and taught us how to be compassionate and loving toward all students.

They have taught us how to create developmentally appropriate lessons, engaging activities, and overall amazing learning opportunities for our students.”

— KIMBERLY KODE SUTTON

STUDENTS AND FAMILIES BENEFIT

Each semester, Education majors participate in activities involving at least three classes, creating opportunities for students to use what they have learned in courses to make a difference in the community.

Senior Early Childhood Education major Jenna Bleacher (Peach Bottom, PA) will graduate in December 2023 and plans on being an elementary school teacher. She says that all the Education courses, whether they were Special Education courses or not, were extremely beneficial in preparing for this event. She found her classroom knowledge about behavior management particularly useful.

Colleen Adamy, Senior Administrative Assistant in the College’s Office of Communications, who is active in YADSA with her grandson, Mason, says the children, their families, and YCP students all gain significantly from this partnership.

“I could not be more proud of the partnership between YCP and YADSA,” Adamy said. “Two of my favorite organizations, both of which are near and dear to my heart, coming together for such an amazing experience. I love seeing firsthand the interaction and the bonds formed with the Education students and the YADSA kiddos and

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

their siblings. I am so grateful to the College for offering this unique opportunity. Some things you just can’t learn from a textbook!”

A May 2023 graduate, Vienna Soyke majored in Secondary Social Studies Education at York College with a minor in Music. She was one of the students put in charge of spending time with the children while the parents attended a separate session, and says she found her Psychology, Sociology, and Special Education classes helpful while working with the children. “These classes helped me prepare to spend time and interact with children who are ‘different’ from others, and how to appropriately accommodate their needs.”

“We hope these future teachers appreciate that children with disabilities are children—they play, they laugh, they run, they make crafts, and they act silly, just like all of us,” said Sutton. “Many students with disabilities are educated in the regular education classroom, so this positive experience could have a genuine impact on the lives of children in the future.”

Students work as Manufacturing Fellows in the Tribology Research Center.

the research project, including Mikaela Domingo, a senior Civil Engineering major from Brooklyn, NY; Zachary Redcay ’22, an Electrical Engineering graduate from Carlisle, PA; Andrew Mott, a senior Computer Engineering major from Dillsburg, PA; Josh Hall, a senior Mechanical Engineering major from High Point, NC; Luke Landis, a senior Electrical Engineering major from Carlisle, PA; Markeish Williams, a senior Computer Science major from Philadelphia, PA; and Megan Wolf ’23, a Forensic Chemistry graduate from Hanover, PA, who currently serves as a Forensic Lab Chemist at MRG Labs.

THE KNOWLEDGE PARK @ YCP IS THE IDEAL LOCATION

RESEARCH PROJECT IN KNOWLEDGE PARK When completed, the Knowledge Park @YCP will accommodate dozens of business and industry partners committed to innovating and collaborating with York College students and faculty. While the benefits of such an arrangement will be enjoyed by the local business community and campus participants, a research project housed there could advance manufacturing across the Commonwealth.

FIRST TENANT BRINGS TRIBOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER

The first tenant of the Knowledge Park is MRG Laboratories, a leader in machine reliability education, grease sampling solutions, and grease analysis services and an anchor tenant of the College’s J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship. MRG had a cobot (collaborative robot that assists a human worker, as on an assembly line, by guiding or redirecting motions initiated by the worker who provides the motive power) and was looking for ways to maximize its impact on their operation.

Along with industry partner Airline Hydraulics, MRG Labs worked with York College to seek funding through a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Manufacturing PA Innovation

Program (MPIP) grant to construct the Tribology Research Center. The Center houses a research project on the cobot that utilizes York College students as interns/investigators and Dr. Greg Foy, Associate Professor of Chemistry, as Principal Investigator.

The research focuses on making cobots more efficient and mobile in a laboratory environment, with the potential to positively impact manufacturers and their processes across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The grant is annual and must be applied for each year, according to Foy. Thus far, three grants have provided nearly $270,000 to support the project; Foy and others are applying for a fourth year.

“Our initial investigation of using a cobot in MRG’s lab developed into a second year when we tried to increase the automation capability,” said Foy. “During this third year, we have the cobot analyzing samples at specific stations, and now we are designing ways for the cobot to move between stations without operator input.”

STUDENTS SERVE AS MANUFACTURING FELLOWS

A number of York College students have served as Manufacturing Fellows for

The Knowledge Park is located on York College’s campus adjacent to the Codorus Creek and Rail Trail and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of modern businesses.

Its location encourages collaboration between business partners and students, making it the ideal location for MRG to locate the Tribology Research Center.

“We are delighted that MRG has created its Research Center at Knowledge Park. Their commitment to innovation and proven track record of meaningful student engagement aligns perfectly with our vision for the types of relationships suited for Knowledge Park,” said Jeff Vermeulen, Assistant Vice President for External Relations and Executive Director of York College’s Knowledge Park. “The DCED-funded Manufacturing PA Innovation research project will thrive in the new Center and is indicative of the type of public/private innovation we aim to cultivate at Knowledge Park.”

Rich Wurzbach, President and CEO of MRG Labs, expressed excitement about the new agreement. “We are thrilled to be housing our Tribology Research Center at Knowledge Park.

The location, facilities, and ability to engage YCP students and faculty are ideal for our business needs, and we believe it will help us to grow and thrive in the coming years.”

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

11

SPA RTA N SP O RTS

“It’s rare to see someone who works this hard and progresses season by season, year by year in all their events. I couldn’t have asked for a better way for her to close out her time at York than earning one, let alone two, All-American finishes.”

— STEPHEN LoBIANCO

JULIA PENA ’23 SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS The York College Women’s Track program has a history of outstanding athletes and strong performances, but no women’s track and field athlete has a greater list of accomplishments than recently graduated Julia Pena ’23.

Pena completed her Spartan career in the spring of 2023, and what a career it was. She was a two-time All-American, a three-time national qualifier, a two-time Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Field Athlete of the Year, and York’s nominee for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year.

This is an impressive list of accomplishments, but that doesn’t begin to tell the whole story.

Pena was a competitive gymnast growing up, a sport she believes gave her an edge in the pole vault, one of her featured events. “I was a gymnast until I was 15 and transitioned to track,” said Pena. “It helps you be so much more aware of what you can do with your body. I also had four gymnastic events I trained for so that helped prepare me for track and the ability to train for multiple events.”

12

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

Pena began her career in impressive fashion as she was named the Capital Athletic Conference Indoor Rookie of the Year after winning the long jump and finishing second in the pole vault and 60-meter hurdles.

Her first-year outdoor season was then wiped out because of COVID. In the spring of 2021, Pena earned second in the 100 hurdles and third in the long jump at the MAC championships.

Pena took the next step as a junior.

She won the pole vault at the MAC Indoor Championships, while finishing second in the 60 hurdles and fourth in the long jump. She posted six individual wins during the indoor campaign.

The outdoor season saw Pena earn her first NCAA Championship berth. She placed 10th in the pole vault and 11th in the 100 hurdles.

That came after she won the pole vault and finished second in the long jump and the 100 hurdles at the MAC Outdoor championships.

The stage was set for a historic senior campaign.

Pena earned the 2023 MAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, winning the pole vault and the long jump in addition to finishing second in the 60 hurdles.

She advanced to the NCAA Indoor

Championships, where she was 11th in the pole vault and 20th in the hurdles.

The outdoor season was a perfect cap to her career. She earned the MAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year as she won the pole vault and the long jump and took silver in the 100 hurdles. She earned another berth to the NCAA Championships, and there achieved a pair of All-American honors with eighth-place finishes in the pole vault and the 100 hurdles. Pena is just the second Spartan track and field athlete to earn a pair of All-American honors, joining Tim Hartung ’14 who turned the trick in 2014.

Spartan Head Coach Stephen LoBianco knows how special Pena’s career has been.

“It was a great end to a fantastic year for Julia,” said LoBianco. “Her improvements each year, as well as the improvement over her four-year career, have been incredible. It’s rare to see someone who works this hard and progresses season by season, year by year in all their events. I couldn’t have asked for a better way for her to close out her time at York than earning one, let alone two, All-American finishes.”

In addition to her exploits on the track, Pena was the MAC Senior Scholar Athlete for both indoor and outdoor track and field. She was also a four-time MAC All-Academic pick. She graduated with a 3.98 GPA in Forensic Chemistry.

SPA RTA N SH O RTS

Garabo Named the IWLCA Goalie of the Year

Softball Finishes Second in the Nation

York College senior goalie Bella Garabo was named the IWLCA Division III Goalie of the Year. Garabo, who earned first-team IWLCA All-American honors earlier, is the third Spartan women’s lacrosse player to earn a positional player of the year award from the organization.

She joins current Assistant Coach Nicole Clauter (2019 Defender of the Year) and Karlie Dougherty (2015 Defender of the Year) as a national honoree. Garabo was the sixth Spartan player to earn first-team All-American honors.

The York College Softball team was ranked second in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for their 2023 performance in the classroom. The Spartans finished the year with a team GPA of 3.761. In addition to earning the team honors, York placed 16 players on the NFCA Individual ScholarAthletes. Individual athletes must earn a 3.5 GPA or higher for the 2022-23 season.

Spartans Place 353 Student-Athletes on the MAC Academic Honor Roll The York College athletic department placed 353 Spartan student-athletes on the 2022-23 MAC Honor Roll with a cumulative GPA of 3.40 for 447 studentathletes. York had 40 Spartans earn a 4.0 GPA over the course of the 2022-23 academic year. York had 55% of their total studentathletes earn a 3.50 GPA or above. Each Spartan athletic program achieved a 3.0 GPA or above for the year.

► ycpspartans.com

Women’s Lacrosse Program Recognized for Academic Excellence The York College Women’s Lacrosse team was recognized by the IWLCA for academic achievement, earning Academic Honor Squad recognition as the Spartans finished the year with a cumulative team GPA of 3.49. To earn the team academic honor, the team must have posted a team GPA of 3.20 or above for the 2022-23 academic year.

York also had three players recognized for the individual IWLCA Division III Academic Honor Roll. Junior attack Jen Campbell, senior goalie Bella Garabo, and junior midfielder Madison Kurland each earned individual honors. To be eligible for this award, a student-athlete must be a junior, senior, or graduate-level student and have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or greater during the 2022-23 year.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES The York College Athletic Hall of Fame grew by two Oct. 7, 2023, as Alex Martocello and April (Sparkman) Kouvaris were enshrined as the 33rd class of inductees. Martocello was an AllAmerican Spartan wrestler who graduated in 2012, while Kouvaris was a Women’s Basketball All-American who also graduated in 2012.

Martocello is seventh all-time in Spartan wins as he completed his career 97-23 and finished as a two-time NCAA national qualifier. He was a two-time All-American at 184 pounds; he earned the accolade in 2011 and again in 2012.

As a senior, he was an NCAA semifinalist and ultimately finished fifth at the championships.

Martocello concluded his career as just one of four two-time All-Americans in the storied history of the Spartan wrestling program.

In 2011, Martocello finished fourth at the national championships after capturing the 184-pound championship at the Metropolitan Conference championships. He earned the Metro’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award for his performance at the 2011 championships.

Martocello owns the seventh highest single-win total with 33 in 2011-12 and the eighth highest total with his 32 victories in 2010-11. The Spartans earned 65 dual meet wins during his York College career, and he was a linchpin of the squad that earned a school-record 25 dual-meet wins in 2011-12.

Kouvaris finished her outstanding Spartan career ranked third in scoring with 1,615 career points. She was named a WBCA All-American as a senior.

Kouvaris’ name is all over the Spartan record book. In addition to being third in scoring, she is sixth in the field goals made, fourth in three-point field goals made, eighth in threepoint field goal percentage, sixth in free throws made, eighth in rebounds, sixth in blocked shots, fourth in games played, sixth in games started, and third in career minutes played.

Kouvaris owns the second-highest singlegame scoring contest for pouring in 36 points in a November 2011 game at Wesley. She was a part of two of the best Spartan teams in school history, as York went 27-3 during her sophomore year and then the Spartans posted a record of 24-6 during her senior campaign. York went a stellar 82-32 during her four years on the floor.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

13

PURSUITS

RESEARCH ON WRITING AND COMMUNICATION STUDIO FEEDBACK During her sophomore year, Professional Writing major Lexi Stewart ’23 was a brand-new tutor in the Writing and Communication Studio (formerly the Writing Center).

As part of her responsibilities for an appointment, she was required to create a screencast video providing and explaining her feedback.

Stewart noticed that, by the end of the semester, most students did not interact with the video or open it at all.

“I generally found that students perceive the use of asynchronous tutoring options like Drop-Off to be different from synchronous options, and they valued a combination of video and written feedback.”

— LEXI STEWART ’23

14

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

“Most students didn’t even open the video, and that got me wondering if there was anything we could do to encourage students to utilize all the feedback options, since they were missing valuable feedback by skipping the video,” she explained.

Stewart’s observation evolved into a research project focused on how multimodal feedback impacts the student experience with the Writing and Communication Studio. She completed her project during the spring of 2023 for Senior Seminar, the capstone course required of all Professional Writing majors.

To investigate, she sent out a survey to current students and asked them about their experiences using the DropOff Essay Review service provided by the Writing and Communication Studio.

“I generally found that students perceive the use of asynchronous tutoring options like Drop-Off to be different from synchronous options, and they valued a combination of video and written feedback. I then found a way to revise Drop-Off to provide clearer instructions for viewing marginal comments,” she said.

Stewart, who graduated in May 2023, currently works as a junior proposal writer for ASRC Federal. She will continue to work on the paper from her project with the hopes of publishing it.

“It was a lot of work, but I really value the experience and findings that came with it,” she said. —S.S.

“I kept noticing all these commercials that specifically mentioned hyaluronic acid in skincare.

I had never seen it before, and now all of a sudden it’s everywhere.”

— RACHEL O’REGAN ’23

IMPACT OF TRENDY SKINCARE INGREDIENT Hyaluronic acid is a term that’s been tossed around within the skincare industry for some time, and Chemistry major Rachel O’Regan ’23 took notice of it.

“I have always been interested in skincare, and it was something I was passionate about,” she said. “While watching TV one day, I kept noticing all these commercials that specifically mentioned hyaluronic acid in skincare.

I had never seen it before, and now all of a sudden it’s everywhere.”

According to WebMD, hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the fluids in the eyes and joints. It acts as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues, and different forms of it are used for cosmetic purposes.

H A N DS- O N

“Preparing students for their initiation into the criminology and criminal justice field is a critical component of teaching.”

— DR. BARB HANBURY

For Chemistry Research 462, an experiential learning course required for all Chemistry majors, O’Regan decided to specifically focus on finding the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid in order to, she hoped, determine the ideal weight for it.

“If the molecular weight is too high, the hyaluronic acid will not penetrate deep enough in the skin to properly moisturize. If the molecular weight is too low, the hyaluronic acid will penetrate too far into the skin and may be the reason why some people have had reactions,” she explained.

“I wanted to add to the discussion.”

Rachel’s research involved two steps: conducting a TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) analysis to view the different compounds in hyaluronic acid, and using a MALDI-TOF instrument (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) on the identified molecules of hyaluronic acid.

Both proved to be challenging, and the end result was that some of Rachel’s research questions went unanswered, but she found the process fulfilling.

“Although I did not get to answer everything I wanted to in my research, the experience was very valuable.

It taught me that when things go wrong, as they inevitably will, you just have to keep trying and adjusting until you get results,” she says.

Rachel is pursuing a career in the chemistry field, with her preferred field the analytical area. — S.S.

Dr. Barb Hanbury Associate Professor, Department of Criminology and Justice Dr. Barb Hanbury is no stranger to hands-on learning—it’s something she’s strived to incorporate into all her classes for 25 years. She makes use of various active-learning strategies to help students develop the skills they need to thrive in real-world settings, through case-, discussion-, and lecture-based teaching.

In her Death Investigation course, students review and analyze cases, developing their own questions for inclass discussions. For one assignment, they analyze skeletal remains, then determine the cause and manner of death. This mimics situations students may find themselves in when working in the field, allowing students to “think critically and apply their skills and knowledge gained to real-life scenarios.”

“Hands-on experience is a critical component of learning and provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world experiences,” she explains. “York College offers a variety of opportunities for students

such as internships, studying abroad, co-ops, direct field experiences, student teaching, volunteering, faculty/ student research projects, student performances, and art exhibits.”

In accordance with these opportunities, Dr. Hanbury also makes sure to get her students out into the community. In her Victimology class, students have attended the Crime Victims’ Rights March and Candlelight Vigil in York, observed court cases, and met with judges at the York County Judicial Center. She’s visited the York County Morgue and Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore, MD, with her Death Investigation class, and tours the York County Prison and York Community Corrections Center every semester with her Punishment and Corrections course.

Each of these experiences, Dr. Hanbury says, is designed to give students a chance to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to the outside world.

“Preparing students for their initiation into the criminology and criminal justice field is a critical component of teaching. I think it is extremely important that students apply what they learn in my classes to real-life experience,” she adds. — S.S.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

15

O U R N E W P R ESID EN T

Q A &

Dr. Thomas Burns is welcomed by York College of Pennsylvania PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOWARD KORN

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

17

O U R N E W L E A D ER

DR. THOMAS BURNS stepped into the position of

President of York College of Pennsylvania in July. He brings to the post a wealth of experience and a passion for education and service. As a highly accomplished academic, Dr. Burns has spent many years in leadership roles at institutions of higher learning and has earned a reputation as a visionary committed to academic excellence and student success. In this Q&A, we will delve into Dr. Burns’ background and his vision and plans for York College. Dr. Burns, who is joined by wife Dr. Margret Burns, a chemist as well, is excited to lead York College into a new era of academic achievement and community involvement.

W

hen you began in academia, was your goal to end up as president of a college?

What led you in this direction?

I went to college because I thought I wanted to become a dentist. Since you can’t major in dentistry at the undergraduate level, I chose to major in chemistry.

I realized pretty early on that I didn’t do well with blood, which is probably a prerequisite for most medical majors, so I had to find a different career.

During my junior year, I realized that the faculty who were teaching me loved their work, so I began to explore what would be needed to teach at the college level and began wondering, ‘what does that look like?’

I went to graduate school to become a professor at a liberal arts institution. Throughout my life I’ve always pursued leadership opportunities, and within three years of starting my first faculty role, I was a department chair. Since then, I have been fortunate to continue to advance in higher education leadership.

18

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

What drew you to York College?

York College has always been in my sphere of reference. I went to college at Dickinson [Carlisle, PA], worked at Millersville [University], and grew up in Delaware, so I’ve had lots of opportunities to see York from the outside. I’ve also had family attend the College and they’ve had a fantastic experience.

It’s a place that I’m really excited to grow with.

Why is this position important to you?

My time as Provost of Belmont University has been exceptionally good preparation. Belmont sees itself as a member of the community and as an institution that needs to create opportunities for the community in which it is located. When I helped create a new major at Belmont, the first question I asked is, ‘how does it serve Nashville [TN]?’ The university grew rapidly during my time as Provost but Belmont hasn’t forgotten that the institution will be most successful when it creates programs that support students and the community.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

19

O U R N E W L E A D ER

What has best prepared you for this position?

1

First, what I see at York College is a place that authentically cares about students and student success.

At many places, when you dig deeper, you find that they are not truly focused on students and their outcomes. But at York I’ve been delighted to see how deeply and genuinely faculty and staff care about student success. It is powerful when a president can honestly tell future students and their parents that our faculty and staff care about our students.

2

Second, I believe college education serves a dual purpose: individual growth as well as developing a connection to something greater than yourself.

College is about preparing students to become successful citizens and developing a commitment to community involvement. At York College, I see a place deeply connected with community engagement, involvement, and growth that is helping to prepare the next generation of citizen leaders.

3

Third, I have been impressed by the commitment that the York faculty and staff show every day as they seek out places where students can take what they learn in the classroom and lab and put that into practice in society.

If students are not given the chance to practice what they learn when they are in college, then it’s going to be more difficult to do so after they graduate. I love how York College combines developing a student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities with the practice of community engagement.

What do you hope to accomplish as President?

It’s hard to say before you land, but certainly what I see are great opportunities for the institution, students, faculty, and staff. York College is a vibrant institution that can build on its strong foundation while also focusing on creating new opportunities and connections where students, faculty, staff, and alumni can all engage in putting learning into practice to serve our community.

Our commitment to our students is to help them thrive; their commitment to us is to be fully engaged in their

20

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

work and to figure out how they can make a difference in our world through the knowledge and skills they develop at York. I want all the members of the York College community to benefit from York, but also to find ways to then give back to the College and the community at large. I want students, as they enter the life of the campus, to take on the responsibility of helping to make sure that they are supporting their classmates to ensure that they can achieve their educational goals.

What weighs on you most when you think about the future of York College?

In a post-pandemic world, I want to bring energy, excitement, and joy to the conversation of how we reengage in life together, how we move forward as a society, and how we work to make a difference in the communities where we live. I want to encourage our students and faculty to ask hard questions: Why are we here? Why do we do what we do? What do we love about it and how do we think differently about what education looks like? How do we help students curate the educational experience that best serves them?

Education used to be about professors providing students with information. Today, we are the guides who help students navigate an environment rich with information and learn how to evaluate, assess, and use that information well. Ultimately, we are here to help prepare students for the world of work by helping them utilize information well and with integrity. How do we make sure they are ready to do that? I want to infuse that conversation with energy and excitement.

Have you been focused on serving the community throughout your career?

My service orientation began in college and has grown continuously through life and experiences. During my undergraduate studies, I was very involved on campus as an RA, on the swim team, and on various campus boards. That helped me understand college life, but having been a faculty member and administrator, I now see that students often only know what we help them see. They come to college thinking about three or four jobs they’ve experienced. We help them understand how to take new experiences and explore new options.

Prior to going to college, between my junior and senior year of high school, I had the unique opportunity to be an exchange student in Japan for the summer. I went from suburban New Castle, DE, into a rural Japanese

“College is about preparing students to become successful citizens and developing a commitment to community involvement. ” community where they’d never had an American living before, and I’d had four days of Japanese language instruction. It was a foundational experience. I realized that if I can survive this, I can survive anything. I also realized that if a community in Japan was willing to take me in and help me become part of their community, I could help others do the same wherever life placed me. That experience strengthened my commitment to live a life that was dedicated to serving others through helping them feel welcome and respected. I want students to make the most of their education, and that is not just classes. It’s connecting knowledge and abilities to help solve the deep problems of the world.

How has working in academia changed you?

As a student I saw the faculty as the teachers. As I moved into academia as a member of the faculty, however, I realized that every member of the campus community is a teacher. We all teach, regardless of what our role in the academy is. We’re all on the campus to help students learn, grow, and, we hope, thrive. We are showing students what life looks like and how knowledge can

come from many sources and be used in many ways. For me, I’ve found most joy and success in being a person who helps give students opportunities. I pursued my Ph.D. so I could help students discover their passions and make a life out of turning those passions into career experiences. I have always seen my role as being the connector or glue to help students make sense of the puzzle pieces we are giving them. I want to help people know what opportunities are available to them in life.

As an example, when I started at Belmont, less than 200 students studied abroad each year. Just prior to the pandemic, there were over 1,000 students studying abroad each year. Knowing how studying abroad was transformational for me, I wanted to find ways to encourage students to participate in a similar experience, but if we don’t talk about it, students and parents don’t plan for it, and if they don’t plan for it, it doesn’t happen.

The way Belmont moved the needle on this was to focus on creating short-term, faculty-led study abroad trips to make these experiences less daunting for first-generation students. We then intentionally wove conversations about study abroad into recruitment materials, campus visits, and orientation so that we would talk about these opportunities with students and families so they could plan for them. We talked about the benefits of studyabroad experiences like increasing cultural competence and confidence and bringing that broader knowledge and experience to bear on career preparation and service to the community. Internships are similar in that they help students realize what they do or don’t want to do. With planning, we can create expectations and opportunities and put students in places that challenge their comfort and expand their knowledge and experience.

What do you hope readers take away from your story?

I want them to hear my passion for York College. This is the place I want to be. This is the place I’m excited to be.

This is a place that changes lives, and it is a privilege to be part of this community. What York College is really committed to is helping students find out who they are and what they want to do, and then helping them do it. I have worked at many other places, but I didn’t feel the same energy and excitement about student and campus success that I feel about York College. That’s just contagious. I am excited to be a champion for York College, telling the stories about our campus to help others find their way to, and their place in, our community.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

21

IN FO CUS

HUNGARIAN HARMONY Atop a picturesque hill in Hungary, with a sweeping view of the Danube River and Budapest’s historic neighborhoods, 33 York College of Pennsylvania students from a variety of majors, faculty members, alumni, and guests brought together intricate harmonies that echoed through Matthias Church’s storied Gothic spires. It was one of three concerts the travelers performed across Eastern Europe in May. Led by Associate Professor of Music Grace Muzzo, DMA, and the faculty tour director, the eight-day adventure took the group to the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, combining musical performances with immersive cultural experiences.

Six Music faculty members elevated the performance with a substantial solo set, as well as taking leadership in the vocal and instrumental ensembles.

22

YO R K C O L L E G E O F FP PE EN NN NS SY YLVA LVAN NIIA A

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

23

P RO G R ES S O N CA M P US

NEW & IMPROVED Campus updates on Knowledge Park, the Fountain, and Appell Horticulture Center

24

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

Knowledge Park Over a decade in the making, York College’s Knowledge Park is in operation.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this past summer for the Diehl House at Schmidt Ault, the house on the former Schmidt Ault paper mill site on Kings Mill Road. The ceremony marked the launch of phase one of the project, while west end warehouse shell construction is slated for completion in Spring 2024. The site was initially purchased in 2008 and remained mostly dormant until the College received a six million dollar grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program in 2019. The Diehl House is already at “full complement” in terms of Knowledge Park partners, according to Assistant Vice President of External Relations and Executive Director of the Knowledge Park Jeff Vermeulen. “This will provide engagement opportunities for students in various fields of study while the warehouse is being developed with other future Knowledge Park partners,” Vermeulen says.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

25

P RO G R ES S O N CA M P US

Fountain York College’s iconic fountain, located in the middle of Main Campus, has been remodeled, with the redesigned fountain unveiled at Fall Fest 2023.

The campaign to reconstruct it was spearheaded by alumni donations, as well as by Shawn ’01 and Nicole ’00 Halsey, who matched contributions up to $25,000 dollars and helped motivate fellow alumni to support the project. All donors who contributed a gift of $500 dollars or more to the campaign will be honored on an arbor sculpture by Machovec Metal Works, with their names etched on a leaf of the sculpture. “The construction went nicely, and the fountain is going to continue to be an icon at the center of campus,” says Dr. Ken Martin, Assistant to the President for Capital Projects and Facility Utilization.

Top: Nicole Halsey ’00, former President Pamela Gunter-Smith, President Thomas Burns

26

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

Appell Horticulture Center The Appell Horticulture Center is a recent addition to campus, constructed to accommodate the growth of the new Environmental Horticulture major that launched in Fall 2021. Funded by the Powder Mill Foundation, work on the Center began in Fall 2022 and was largely completed in time for the start of classes in Fall 2023. “The Appell Horticulture Center is designed to provide laboratories and other facilities needed by the Environmental Horticulture major that are not available elsewhere on the York College campus,” says Dr. Charles MacVean, Dean of the Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences and Technology. “These include teaching laboratories for soil science, botany and entomology, plant and insect specimen collections, plant pathology and student research space, among other functions. We are grateful to the late Louis Appell and the Powder Mill Foundation for making this program and building possible.” — S.S.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

27

CONNECTIONS

CLASS NOTES 1960s Donald W. Miller ’63 (Harrisburg, PA) retired from the State Library of Pennsylvania in 1993. He is the author of twenty books, including poetry collections, novels, and biographies under the pen name, Donald Motier.

1980s Linda Amos ’81/’84 (York, PA) had several of her free verse poems published in the February-March 2023 issue of Pancakes in Heaven.

Todd A. Witmer ’87 (Benton Harbor, MI) has joined Mitsubishi HC Capital America as Senior Origination Leader for Asset-Based Lending.

1990s Laura B. (Rothman) Kolton ’92 (Bala Cynwyd, PA) is the new Executive Director of Alpha Omega Foundation US. She also has an MBA in finance from Saint Joseph’s University.

Robert H. Sterner Jr. ’97 (Hanover, PA) has been named Vice President and National Director of DATAMARK, a public safety geographic information systems team of Michael Baker International.

Walter J. Wiltschek ’90 (Lombard, IL) has been named as the part-time Office Coordinator for Brethren Volunteer Services. He will continue in his roles as a half-time District Executive Minister and member of the editorial team for Messenger magazine.

28

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

2000s Shannon (Blair) Bliss ’09 (Ellicott City, MD) accepted a position as a cybersecurity attorney with the federal government in May 2023 after having served as an Assistant Inspector General for the past year.

Cassie M. Childers-Harmer ’07/MBA ’08 (York, PA) was named one of the “Top Women in Grocery” nationally by Progressive Grocer. She is currently the Director of Compensation Administrative Services for Retail Business Services.

Jennifer L. (Felix) Harr ’03/’21 (Lancaster, PA) is the new Assistant Principal for Hans Herr Elementary School.

Lindsay M. Heist ’05 (York, PA) was promoted to Solutions Practice Leader with RKL Virtual Management Solutions of Lancaster.

Christine R. Skiffington ’07 (Upper Chichester, PA) was named Assistant Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Communications for Inspira Health.

2010s Spencer Castle, CRNP ’18 (Canton, PA) has joined the Mansfield Laurel Health Center in Mansfield, PA. Alejandro Cora III ’12 (York, PA) and his wife, Capris L. Cora, have started a provider agency, Defying All Odds, in the York/Adams area to provide in-home, community, and companion services to individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities.

Robert P. Donatelli ’10 (York, PA) published a book in February 2023 called A Teacher’s Q.U.E.S.T. It is a short fable story about an educator’s journey of discovery and rejuvenation.

Alicia M. (Stephens) Martin ’14 (Loganville, PA) is an entrepreneur, business owner, novelist, and contributor to trade magazines. She recently published an article in East Coast Equestrian titled “Diane Naylor: Dedicated Woman Beyond the Irons,” featuring Diane and Irvin Naylor, local business owners and donors to the College. The article can be found online.

Patrick J. McVeigh ’14 (Mechanicsburg, PA) was promoted to Research Implementation and Technology Transfer Manager with PENNDOT. Imara A. Miles ’17 (Hyattsville, MD), a mezzo soprano, has been named a Resident Artist for the 2023-24 season of the Toledo Opera.

Michael A. “Mo” Oursler ’12 (Ellicott City, MD) has been named Executive Vice President at Mortgage Career Exchange.

2020s Lindsey R. Bonner ’21 (Cartersville, GA) has been named the new Sports Director with WAKA Channel 8 in Montgomery, AL.

For news about alumni events and to submit information for Class Notes, visit www.ycp.edu/alumni.

Any questions?

Email alumni@ycp.edu.

WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS Kirsten M. Blair ’18 (York, PA) married Dalton L. Johnson ’16 (Slatington, PA) on October 15, 2022. She is an Administrative Assistant in the College’s Human Resources department.

Victoria E. Good ’22 (Lancaster, PA) married Nicholas A. Unger ’23 (Montebello, CA) on May 14, 2023, in a ceremony in Lancaster, followed by a reception in Los Angeles, CA, with the groom’s family. The couple resides in Bainbridge, PA. Casey E. Hollopeter ’16 (Morrisville, PA) married Timothy J. Jumbelick Jr. ’15 (Bowie, MD) on January 6, 2023. The couple met at the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center when Casey was a sophomore and Tim was a junior during a dodgeball fundraiser for Club Baseball and Club Softball.

The couple currently lives in Maryland with their dog, Marlowe, and their cat, Bruno.

Raquel T. Hood ’15 (Glenville, PA) married Taylor Abel on July 7, 2022.

Jazmyne L. Markham ’19 (Gardners, PA) married Gabriel LeVee on November 20, 2021. The couple resides in Cumberland, MD.

Rebecca N. Roher ’16 married Vincent Schembari on April 15, 2023, at Linganore Winecellars in Mount Airy, MD. Emily R. Springer ’14 (Hollywood, MD) married Zachary D. Huff ’14 (Sykesville, MD) at Moonstone Manor in Elizabethtown, PA, on May 19, 2023. The couple met on campus in the spring of 2012 in Richland Hall.

They now reside in Tucson, AZ, with their dog, Jaxen.

Rachel L. Wilhelm ’21/’22 married Tyler J. Swalin ’21 on May 20, 2023. The couple resides in York, PA.

IN MEMORIAM Alumni Kay E. (Nace) Altland ’73 (Abbottstown, PA), July 3, 2023. She worked for many years as an accounting bookkeeper. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Charles, and their two children and two grandchildren.

Nevin E. Altland ’59 (Middletown, PA), March 18, 2023. He attended York Junior College and Bucknell University. He worked for the former AMP Inc. as a mechanical engineer for over four years until retirement.

He is survived by his two sons and four grandchildren.

Nancy E. (Gemmill) Blake ’56 (Red Lion, PA), March 9, 2023.

Nancy was very involved with the College, serving on the board of the York College Alumni Association and the reunion committee for York Junior College. She worked for Red Lion Area School District for many years and was an avid golfer.

Her husband, Neil Blake, passed away on February 19, 2023.

She is survived by their two sons and two grandchildren.

Robert E. Brenneman Jr. ’77 (Parkton, MD), April 3, 2023. He was retired from the Baltimore County Fire Department as a Fire Apparatus Driver Operator. He is survived by three daughters and nine grandchildren.

TOP TO BOTTOM:

Casey Hollopeter ’16 and Timothy Jumbelick ’15; Emily Springer ’14 and Zachary Huff ’14

Dana L. Cunningham ’76 (Lake Wales, FL), February 20, 2023. She was a lifelong educator in four states and Japan. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, three children, and three grandchildren.

John F. “Chip” Dobos II ’73 (Wayne, ME), March 15, 2023. He worked for many years as an EMT/paramedic before returning to school and becoming a systems analyst. He retired in 2021.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth Held, a son and two daughters, and three grandchildren.

Patricia J. (David) Lawrence ’06 (Hartwell, GA), December 10, 2022. She was a retired social service worker with Northwestern Human Services, earning her degree after her children were grown. She is survived by three sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Timothy J. Foltz ’78 (Marietta, GA), April 24, 2023. He retired from UPS after 37 years. He is survived by his wife, Simone, and his two children.

Jack D. Leiby ’96 (Hershey, PA), November 23, 2022. He had a long career with AMP Incorporated as Manager of the Manufacturing Systems Analysis Sector until retirement. He was also an accomplished skier, serving 46 years on the National Ski Patrol. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn.

Suzanne K. Frazier ’80 (Landisville, PA), October 27, 2022. She had a career in Respiratory Therapy. She is survived by her four children.

Angela M. (Vuono) Geltz ’77 (York, PA), April 6, 2023. She worked as a Certified Public Accountant and was a member of St. Joseph Church in York.

Wesley W. Hawkins ’81 (Hollidaysburg, PA) April 16, 2023. He retired as a Corporal from the Pennsylvania State Police in 2008 after 25 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Patti, and a daughter, Alicia.

Lee R. James Jr. ’80 (Raleigh, NC), February 11, 2023.

He served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne and retired from Nationwide Insurance. He won a silver medal for the heavyweight division of weightlifting in the 1976 Olympics and was inducted into the Weightlifting Hall of Fame and York Barbell Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Lori, their two sons and two daughters, and four grandchildren.

Allison M. (Abata) Mansberger ’19 (Erie, PA), June 10, 2023. She is survived by her husband of five years, Sean, and their two children.

Barry L. Martin ’55 (Dallastown, PA), April 8, 2022. He attended York Junior College and served in the U.S. Army from 1959-61.

He worked at White Rose Printing Company for 42 years, where he served as President until he retired in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Judy, their son Andrew, and three grandchildren.

Dustin E. Matthews, RN ’05 (Cape Coral, FL), May 19, 2023. He is survived by many family members, including his mother, Julie, two sisters, and a brother.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

29

CL ASS N OT ES

James M. May ’72 (York, PA), March 23, 2023. He played soccer and baseball for the College and was a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame.

He served in the U.S. Army and retired in 2016 after 43 years of service at M&T Bank.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda, two children, and four grandchildren.

Two alumni reached out asking for coverage of the bravery of 2012 graduate Timothy Klein, a FDNY firefighter who was killed in the line of duty on April 24, 2022. He was a secondgeneration firefighter and six-year veteran of the Department.

His sister, Tara, graduated from York College in 2013.

One alumnus shared an Aug. 24, 2023, Facebook post by the FDNY, who are memorializing Klein by renaming a street in Queens: Today, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, FDNY members, family and friends attended a memorial street renaming in honor of FDNY Firefighter Timothy P. Klein in Queens. The northwest corner of Beach 129 Street and Newport Avenue will now be known as Firefighter Timothy P. Klein Way. On April 24, 2022, Firefighter Klein responded to a 3-alarm fire at 108-26 Avenue N in Brooklyn and was critically injured while he was bravely fighting the fire. Firefighter Klein was the 1,157th member of the FDNY to die in the line-of-duty.

We applaud this effort to honor our graduate for his selfless actions. Rest easy, Spartan.

30

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

Ralph H. McGregor ’59 (East Berlin, PA), January 19, 2023.

He was a graduate of York Junior College. In addition to running his family’s farm, he served on the Dover Area School Board for 14 years, with nine years as President. He also served on many other local boards and volunteered with several community organizations. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Ada. He is survived by his five daughters, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Robert F. Moxley ’79 (Littlestown, PA), April 15, 2023. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves during the Vietnam War. He retired from Sandusky Lee in Littlestown, PA. He is survived by his three sisters and a brother.

Joseph B. Niedzielski ’58 (Campbellsville, KY), May 9, 2021. He served in the U.S. Navy and attended York Junior College. He was a retired physicist employed

by Armstrong Research and Development Center in Lancaster, PA. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Belva, and their four children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Gary W. Paddison ’66 (Browns Summit, NC), June 15, 2023. He attended York Junior College and Millersville University. He retired from Tyco Industries in 2014 as head of Research and Development. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and their two daughters.

Linda J. (Schwartz) Reilly ’69 (West Norriton, PA), April 8, 2023. She worked as a medical secretary for a pediatric office and as an executive secretary for 15 years for Gino’s Inc. She is survived by her daughter, Brittany.

William L. Riehl Jr. ’80 (Mansfield, OH), April 14, 2023. He played baseball for the College. He enjoyed a forty-year career in the corrugated packaging business and was employed

by Pratt Industries. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, two daughters, three sons, and twelve grandchildren.

Allen K. Roser ’88 (York, PA), June 21, 2023.

He retired as a Manager for the PA Department of Human Services in 2021.

He is survived by his husband, Joseph Souders II, and his parents.

Daniel W. Schultz ’72 (Dallastown, PA), July 2, 2023.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He worked as an accountant at Caterpillar, Inc. for 25 years, retiring in 1998. After

retirement, he volunteered at the Smithsonian National Zoo as a giant panda interpreter. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Treacy) ’73.

Norman R. San Soucie ’49 (Tallahassee, FL), May 25, 2023. He attended York Junior College and Gettysburg College. He served in the U.S. Army during both World War II and the Korean War, attaining the rank of Captain. He worked in manufacturing management and retired as a Vice President for Infotron in New Jersey.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Lou, three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Jennifer L. Spahr ’12 (York, PA), May 21, 2023. She taught Special Education at Central York Middle School and wrote curriculum for emotional support students in collaboration with Leg-Up Farm. She is survived by her father, two brothers, and a sister.

Kane R. Stambaugh ’54 (Spring Grove, PA), August 10, 2022. He attended York Junior College and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked for P.H. Glatfelter Co. for 37 years as an Estimator. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Diane, their daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter.

Brittany A. (Brown) Wojnowski ’16 (Mount Airy, MD), June 3, 2023.

She worked as an RN for WellSpan York Hospital and Frederick Hospital. She is survived by her husband, Zachary D. Wojnowski ’17, and their daughter.

A LU M NI SP OT L IGH T

Cynthia L. “Cyndy” (Teal) Yates ’91 (Coatesville, PA), November 24, 2022. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Brock, and her child, Le.

TRACY MILLER ’99

Friends

Tracy Miller ’99 didn’t set out to become a nurse.

Miller initially came to York College as a nontraditional student, unsure of the career path she wanted to take.

She began taking courses in Mass Communication and worked at a local hospital as a unit clerk. After speaking to nurses who had graduated from the College, Miller found her career path.

“The College had just the program I was looking for. The instructors were passionate about teaching patient care, and I felt with the smaller class sizes I was able to connect with other students,” she says. “The new simulation center was a great addition that added education around complex conditions before going into the hospital setting.”

After graduating, Miller worked in the oncology field for several years as a clinical nurse before transitioning into a nurse manager position.

“Management was a natural path for me as I enjoyed growing teams, removing barriers to care, and process improvement,” she explains.

She remained in the role for 12 years, working in various units from behavioral health to ICU settings before being promoted to a Director of Nursing position, shifting from managing units to managing hospital divisions.

In 2020, Miller accepted the role of Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at UPMC Memorial. In that role, Miller supports internal operations that ensure highquality effectiveness and strategic positioning. She’s also involved in the community to build relationships and understand the socio-economic needs of those the hospital serves.

“It has been a great journey through my nursing career as some doors closed and others opened to get me where I am today,” she said.

Audrey A. (Seaton) Evans (Washington, IL and York, PA), May 28, 2023. She worked for Caterpillar Tractor Co. and in publications at the College. She is survived by her five children, nine grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Ruth N. (Hoffmaster) Gantz (York, PA), April 18, 2023. She worked at the College, as well as Spurg’s Restaurant and the York City School District.

Perla S. (Schultz) Kranich (York, PA), April 25, 2023.

She worked as a business secretarial skills instructor at the College after attending Temple University.

N. Michael Metzler (York, PA), June 19, 2023. He attended York Junior College and served in the U.S. Navy, graduating from the U.S. Naval Electronics School. He was an Electronic Technician for Bendix and York International, retiring in 2001. He is survived by his wife, Doris, three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Dr. Robert G. Plumb (Yakima, WA), April 18, 2023. He was a Professor of Theatre at the College and went on to become one of the seven founding faculty members of Heritage College (now University) in Toppenish, WA, in 1982.

Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at UPMC Memorial

“Nursing is such an exciting career. It is one that has provided me fulfillment, as every day I am able to positively impact the life of another.”

— TRACY MILLER ’99

As someone who didn’t initially intend to become a nurse, let alone a leader in healthcare, Miller is appreciative of her career, and of the opportunities her education afforded her.

“Nursing is such an exciting career. It is one that has provided me fulfillment, as every day I amable to positively impact the life of another. I never thought I would end up being a VP, but I continually took advantage of opportunities that came my way, and those opportunities created my path,” she says. “I would say my college education was the start of something great. You are never too old to learn, and having great mentors along the way is a gift. Take advantage of it. — S.S.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

31

A LU M NI N E WS

“The Knowledge Park experience hopefully will provide guidance to people like myself at a point in their career when they have questions they couldn’t answer or experiences they couldn’t get.”

— GEORGE GLATFELTER II

FORMER BOARD CHAIR AND WIFE MAKE GIFT TO KNOWLEDGE PARK The Knowledge Park at York College received funding from a one million dollar gift from former Chair of the Board of Trustees George Glatfelter II and his wife, Beverly. The gift from the Glatfelter Family Foundation was made in support of the EVOLVE comprehensive campaign.

The last of five generations of his family to lead the former Glatfelter Company in York, Glatfelter has a particular affinity for the mission of the Knowledge Park, which will provide a place for the campus community to enjoy high-impact experiential learning while also accelerating the region’s economic development.

“At its core, what compelled my wife and I to support this was that it was a unique example of academic outreach,”

32

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

he said. “More than simply studying something, the vision of the Knowledge Park has the practical element of doing something with the knowledge you have gained.”

Glatfelter’s history of service to York College, for which he has a deep abiding affection, spans many years.

He was a member of the Board of Trustees for 28 years, including serving as Chair from 2012 to 2016. He led the presidential search that recruited the College’s fourth president, Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith, and he has supported the College through generous commitments to the York College Fund, numerous special projects, and capital campaigns.

Glatfelter was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2016.

Glatfelter was compelled to support the Knowledge Park due to his own leadership experiences. “A lot of organizations go through generational change and face exactly the same challenges that I did,” he said. “The Knowledge Park experience hopefully will provide guidance to people like myself at a point in their career when they have questions they couldn’t answer

or experiences they couldn’t get.”

Now retired, Glatfelter says, “Life is simple, quiet, and family-based. I do a lot of fishing, and Bev likes to travel.”

They have chosen to support the College at this time to honor retired President Gunter-Smith.

“We feel it is always important to give back to the community,” he said, “and there’s no dearth of opportunities.

What caused us to become excited and passionate about making this gift was Pamela. We wanted to support her.

We thought her vision was on point, and that she was the right leader at the right time for York College. These things caused the York College funding opportunity to differentiate itself from others we were looking at. People matter, and Pamela’s legacy to the College will be profound.”

NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS Dr. Teresa L. Gregory ’89, MBA ’02 joined Traditions Bank in 2010. She has over 30 years of experience in residential mortgage lending. Over her career, Dr. Gregory has managed many areas of mortgage lending including origination, processing, underwriting, closing, secondary market, post-closing, and construction lending. She is the Chair of the ABA Mortgage Markets Committee and a member of the PA Bankers Lending Advisory Committee. Dr. Gregory is actively involved in the Affordable Housing Advocates, currently serving as Treasurer. She is past Chair of the Board of York Builders Association and is a board member of York County Libraries.

Oliver Hoar is owner of York County’s Hoar Investments, an investment group whose portfolio in the industrial sector in southcentral Pennsylvania is helping to advance local manufacturing. He previously served as President and CEO of RH Sheppard, a leading manufacturer of steering technologies for commercial vehicles.

Hoar is also involved in the York County Industrial Development Authority, York County Economic Alliance, and York County Community Foundation, and has served on boards including the York County Hospital Authority and York Traditions Bank Hanover Advisory Board.

Rev. Dr. Mark K. Kearse ’05 accepted the call to preach at age 24 and was licensed at the Shiloh Baptist Church in York in 1995. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from York College with honors, Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Dr. Kearse proudly served from 1986 to 1990. In 2009, he founded York’s Cornerstone Baptist Church, where he remains Pastor. Dr. Kearse is a board member for the York County Economic Alliance, part-owner of the York Revolution, and a co-founder of the Cornerstone Youth Home, a shelter providing sanctuary and support for homeless youth.

William Yanavitch is Chief Human Resources Officer for Kinsley Enterprises of York. He previously spent over 16 years as a corporate human resources executive for Glatfelter Paper, retiring in 2017. He serves on the Board of Directors for Commonwealth Fire Protection Company and the Board of Advisors for New Standard Corporation, as well as Chairman for Penn Mar Human Services, Chairman of the WellSpan York Health Foundation, and immediate past Chairman of the York County Economic Alliance. He also serves on the Country Club of York Board of Governors and the Penn State York Board of Advisors. His son, Nicholas, is a 2011 graduate of York College.

ALUMNI RELATIONS EVENTS CALENDAR DECEMBER 13

Winter Commencement JANUARY 23

Spartan Social in Towson, MD; Sheraton Baltimore North, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 8

#YCPGIVES FEBRUARY 9

Spartan Social in Downtown York, 6-8 p.m.

FEBRUARY 15

Spartan Social in Exton; Hilton Garden Inn, 6:30-8:30pm MARCH 24

Alumni Easter Egg Hunt APRIL 13

Presidential Inauguration MAY 11

Commencement MAY 17

Anne E. Zerbe is co-chair of the McNees Public Finance & Government Services Group. The team provides comprehensive, responsive advice regarding the complex legal issues and challenges faced by state agencies, political subdivisions, school districts, municipalities, and authorities. Zerbe also practices in the Labor and Employment and Equine Law Groups. She serves as the solicitor for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, working with county commissioners and executive leadership to address matters affecting the 67 counties across the commonwealth. Zerbe has served in executive roles on the Board of Directors for the York County Bar Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Pennsylvania, and the Children’s Home of York.

Alumni Golf Outing, Honey Run Golf Course, York, PA JUNE 14–24

Alumni Greece Trip

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

33

A LU M NI N E WS Mary Stewart ’06 and family on their farm

pregnant with twins, her second and third children, Stewart decided to put her career on hold and stay home with the children at her family farm.

“I love connecting people to their food and where it comes from.”

— MARY STEWART ’06

“It’s not what I ever expected,” Stewart says of quitting her job and raising her children on the farm.

“I’ve never felt more alive than when I came home. The sense of freedom was the most liberating thing.”

Stewart brought many of the marketing and public relations lessons she had learned at York College and in her jobs back to her Marylandbased Fawn View Farm, which soon became a hub for educational events, parties, and community gatherings.

“I love connecting people to their food and where it comes from,” she says. “Being on the farm is the hardest, most beautiful thing.”

JAMES AND BECKY CORNWELL: NURTURING SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK

SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND AGRICULTURE EDUCATION Mary Stewart ’06, James Cornwell ’20, and Becky Cornwell ’05 have embraced sustainable farming and are making a positive impact through their area farms.

Three York College of Pennsylvania alumni across two farms, driven by their passion for agriculture and armed with their higher education experience, are leading the way in connecting people to their food, promoting environmental stewardship, and fostering community relationships.

MARY STEWART: CONNECTING PEOPLE TO AGRICULTURE

Mary Stewart ’06, who majored in Public Relations and minored in Speech Communication and Marketing, found 34

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

her calling in connecting people to agriculture. Growing up on a family farm, she was active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Throughout her time at York College, she spent weekends working at the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, teaching and coupling people of all ages to agriculture.

Her career took her away from those deep agricultural roots, though. After college, Stewart spent nearly a decade working in marketing, advertising, and sales. When she learned she was

James Cornwell, a Navy veteran, earned his Master of Business Administration degree from York College in 2020. He and his wife, Becky Cornwell ’05, who earned a Nursing degree, launched Nine Pines Farm in York County in 2016. Driven

by James’ love of farming, they raise pastured chickens and pigs and grow flowers that they sell freshly cut.

“I grew up farming, and my heart has always been in farming,” James says. “When we moved back to the area, my one requirement was to have a little bit of land to get my farming fix.”

After launching the farm, James decided to use his GI Bill benefits to earn his MBA from York College. He wanted an in-person college experience that could help him expand Nine Pines Farm. In every class, he tied his projects and papers to the farm, learning practical and applicable lessons.

Becky ’05 and James ’20 Cornwell and children

UPMC GIFT TO SUPPORT NEW ALLIED HEALTH LAB York College will construct a Human Performance and Neuromuscular Control Laboratory (HPNC Lab) thanks to generous support from UPMC in Central PA. “The College has long been known for its many programs in Nursing,” said former President Pamela Gunter-Smith.

“We are strategically expanding our offerings into other health-related fields to provide opportunities for students and to meet the growing need for health professionals. We are grateful to UPMC for their gift to help launch our programs in the movement sciences.”

The HPNC Lab will be part of the Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions, led by Dean Emmanuel John. The Myers School is planning to expand its offerings in Health Professions to include academic programs in Reha-

“I grew up farming, and my heart has always been in farming.”

bilitation Science and other Movement Sciences. Students in these programs, as well as in the current Exercise and Human Performance Science major, would utilize the new HPNC Lab. “UPMC and York College share a commitment to advancing education,” said Lou Baverso, former President of UPMC in Central PA. “The Human Performance and Neuromuscular Control Laboratory will provide an interactive space for students to learn, collaborate, and conduct research.”

In addition to providing a hands-on learning environment for York College students, the Human Performance and Neuromuscular Control Lab could also be useful to student-athletes, according to Dr. John. “The Lab can also be used in collaboration with York College’s athletic teams, for research and training purposes,” he said. “And it can be used for rehabilitation research in patients with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular deficits, such as stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, and post-surgical conditions such as ACL repairs.”

SAVE THE DATE FOR

— JAMES CORNWELL ’20

As a result, the farm began to grow exponentially. The Cornwells went from raising 50 chickens their first year to 12,000 last year.

Their commitment to sustainable farming is reflected in their emphasis on animal welfare. They prioritize transparency, inviting customers to visit the farm and educating them about food labels, animal husbandry, and the benefits of locally sourced produce. Through their dedication to providing high-quality products through ethical means, the Cornwells have cultivated long-lasting relationships with their customers.

“The people we’ve met, the customers, they’ve all been very supportive,” James says. “Our long-term customers are like our friends. You see that what we do here actually matters to them, and that’s very rewarding.”

02.08.2024 Join your fellow Spartans and empower students’ futures during #YCPGives!

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Sign up to be a volunteer ambassador for #YCPGives and keep the excitement alive as we come together as a community to support our Spartans!

Contact Alyssa Placha, Assistant Director, York College Fund, at aplacha@ycp.edu to get involved.

FOLLOW US NOW SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT!

@ycpalumni #YCPGIVES www.ycp.edu/ycpgives

35

A LU M NI N E WS

APPELL HORTICULTURE CENTER OPENS WITH RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY York College of Pennsylvania celebrated the opening of its Appell Horticulture Center and the legacy of support from the Appell family at an Oct. 12 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Funded with a multimillion-dollar commitment from the Powder Mill Foundation, the Appell Horticulture Center was built to accommodate the growing Environmental Horticulture program, which was first available to students beginning in Fall 2021. With a focus on environmental sustainability, the Appell Environmental Horticulture program also offers hands-on learning opportunities at Millbourne, Appell’s 50-acre private estate in York.

Mrs. Jody Appell, widow of philanthropist and local businessman Louis Appell Jr., attended the event. Michael Hady, CEO of the Powder Mill Foundation created by Mr. Appell, spoke of his vision for York College and its students.

“He envisioned so much more for generations to come,” Hady said.

“He wanted to support the education of students here at York College who could study on the campus and then be immersed in his garden– Millbourne–to learn and experience

36

YO R K C O L L E G E O F P E N N S Y LVA N I A

the real live learning lab that he created there over 30 yearsago.

“He tasked the Powder Mill Board with working with York College to create a major in horticulture that would give the College a unique niche to attract students to York,” he continued. “A major that would stand on its own … not just a minor as part of another scientific major, but truly a model for students from around the country to learn and grow.”

The first cohort of students who enrolled in the major were in attendance, and junior Hannah Zinn of White Hall, Md., addressed the audience. “The horticulture program at York offered exactly what I was looking for with engaged and passionate faculty, great opportunities, and fantastic connections to be made,” she said. “It’s been a great experience thus far, but I’m beyond excited for what this new building has to offer.”

Zinn elaborated on the features of the Center. “The Appell Horticulture Center has spaces for hands-on learning, studying, student research, and more,” she said. “It’s an environment that will allow us not only to grow as students but also as individuals

as we learn more about our passions and what drives us. I know that I’m particularly excited for our new study areas, but also for other specific spaces such as the student research labs and the herbarium. As someone who has been able to conduct research throughout my college career thus far and who hopes to continue doing so in the future, this is really exciting.”

Zinn and other Environmental Horticulture majors have a breadth of opportunities in front of them, according to Dr. Charles MacVean, dean of the Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences and Technology.

“A bachelor’s degree in horticulture can lead to management and supervisory roles in landscape maintenance, greenhouse operations, plant nurseries, and more,” he said. “Some graduates may use their knowledge of plant science to pursue careers in plant genetics and breeding, while others focus on landscape design and restoration.

“Environmental horticulture graduates can also go into entrepreneurship, starting a landscaping business, or offering consulting services to institutions looking to revamp their outdoor spaces to mitigate environmental impact. A degree in horticulture can also be the first step to earning graduate-level credentials in pursuit of an academic or research career.”

“For many who walk on our campus, they will see a building,” said York College President Thomas Burns. “What we see is something much more. We see the beginnings of something special: a new program, a new commitment to the environment, a pathway to success for current and future Spartan students. What we see is a promise made real, a legacy made tangible.”

The future is bright for these lucky students for whom Louis cared so deeply,” Hady said. “Powder Mill Foundation is proud as well that we can continue to carry Louis’ legacy forward with the dedication of this beautiful space today.”

A G L IM PSE O F O U R PAST

ON THIS SITE:

A History of the Campus and the Home of the President, Part 4 We conclude this series with the purchase of the grounds and facilities of the Out Door Country Club on Country Club Road by York Junior College and the donation of the Georgian Revival house at 134 W. Springettsbury Avenue.

— Karen Rice-Young ’92

PART FOUR:

1959–1974

1959 York Junior College makes the final payment on the land and structures of the Out Door Country Club on Country Club Road.

Total cost: $250,000

1961

YJC moves from College Avenue to Country Club Road. The name of the yearbook changes from The Tower to Horizon.

York Hall, a classroom building, is the only structure added to the existing facilities.

Total cost (fully equipped): $474,915 York College’s Archives welcomes donations of college-related materials.

Contact Karen RiceYoung ’92 at kriceyou@ ycp.edu, 717-815-1439 for more information.

DIGITAL VERSION:

https://issuu.com/yorkcollegepa/docs/ president_s_home_book_v5_single_pages

1968 YJC becomes York College of Pennsylvania.

1974 The house at 134 W. Springettsbury Avenue is dedicated as the home of the President.

YO R K C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 3 V O L . 2

37

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 174 YORK PA

441 Country Club Rd. York, PA 17403-3651 www.ycp.edu/yorkmag RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

www.ycp.edu/alumni