ETOWN: The Magazine of Elizabethtown College, Spring 2022

THE M AG A Z I N E O F E L I Z A B E T H TOW N COLLEGE SPRING 2022

OUR FOCUS

IS ON ELEVATING OUR GREATEST ASSETS TO

ADVANCE

ETOWN FOR OUR CURRENT AND

FUTURE STUDENTS. ELIZABETH A. RIDER, PRESIDENT

ETOWN’S STRATEGIC PLAN PAGE 18

PRESIDENT Elizabeth A. Rider EXECUTIVE EDITOR Keri Straub EDITOR Austin Crull CREATIVE DIRECTOR Wendy Sheaffer CONTRIBUTORS Ally Bonicker ’23 Mark A. Clapper ’96 Wyatt Eaton ’10 Lindsay Enochs ’17 Zach Klinedinst ’19 Casey McGarvey Kaitlyn Miller ’12 M’21 Kyle Rosen Kathrin Havrilla-Sanchez Brad Weltmer PHOTOGRAPHERS Eric Forberger Jason Minick Photos by staff or courtesy, except as otherwise noted.

Printed by Intellicor Communications.

Etown magazine is published on a consistent basis, with occasional special editions. The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the College. Visit etown.edu for more information about the College and its history.

Send feedback and story ideas to: magazine@etown.edu Sustainability designed and printed to reflect Elizabethtown College’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

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Welcome to Elizabethtown College’s new magazine, ETOWN! We have taken our time to intentionally create a magazine that demonstrates our refreshed brand and vision for the institution.

The content and messages you will find in ETOWN reflect the vibrancy and excitement of our campus and Blue Jay community.

For the past two years, the College has achieved record enrollment, and we are on pace to do so again this year. We have also exceeded campaign goals, developed new programs, and updated the School of Graduate and Professional Studies name, marketing, and enhanced its programming. We are pleased to share that we launched the region’s only public Human Performance Laboratory and implemented a new fiveyear community Strategic Plan to build a better Etown for all. Within this edition, you will read about these accomplishments and much more.

Of course, like every organization across the country, we have dealt with the daily disruptions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as Blue Jays do, we remain optimistic and are staying compliant with our guidelines so we can maintain a healthy and safe environment while still being able to gather for traditional Etown experiences like our successful 2021 Homecoming and Family Weekend, the Tree Lighting Ceremony, and our Class of 2020 Commencement Ceremony, which we were able to hold this past fall.

We invite you to flip through the pages of ETOWN and enjoy learning about the latest happenings and updates. Stay healthy and safe. And please do not hesitate to reach out to the ETOWN magazine staff to share your input!

Warm Regards,

Keri Straub Executive Editor

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Across Campus

10

Awards & Achievements

14

Athletics

18

The Value of Etown: Elizabeth “Betty” A. Rider

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Campaign News

28

Bryn Davis ’09 and the Rise of FUDI

30

In Memoriam: Remembering Thomas Murray

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Class Notes

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Academic Updates

ACROSSCAMPUS News & notes about great things happening on campus.

Commencement 2020

The Class of 2020 was honored during the 2021 Homecoming & Family Weekend on Sunday, Oct. 17, held with the institution’s traditional exercises in The Dell. It was a special day for graduates and families who were finally able to share the momentous occasion since commencement was postponed for the Class of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 Homecoming & Family Weekend Elizabethtown College welcomed thousands of alumni and families who traveled from 22 states for the 2021 Homecoming & Family Weekend. It was a wonderful weekend for alumni and friends of the institution to reconnect and enjoy Blue Jay traditions after a year of postponed gatherings.

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INTRODUCING ETOWN’S HUMAN PERFORMANCE LABORATORY THE REGION’S FIRST PUBLIC HPL Elizabethtown College and Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster, LTD (OAL) launched a Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) located in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness & Well-Being on Etown’s campus in the fall of 2021. The HPL serves as a dynamic space for sports medicine and exercise science testing, evaluation, and performance and is open to the public.

Through personalized attention, comprehensive analysis, and a customized pathway to personal improvement, the HPL is fully equipped with the expertise from highly trained professionals utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to evaluate every aspect of a client’s health and well-being.

Elizabethtown College students in the institution’s Exercise Science program will conduct classes and research in the HPL for experiential learning opportunities to enhance the educational process. E

“ We address your needs with an individualized program designed for you to improve your overall health and well-being.”

— C HAD GERHARD, ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN PERFORMANCE LABORATORY

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Bringing the Campus Together Through Books THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S BOOK CLUB IS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE BLUE JAY COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC. ook clubs are a great social setting for friends, colleagues, or even complete strangers to come together over a common topic. They provide a structured space for dialogue on a given subject and an opportunity for people to learn more about others through their views, opinions, and understanding of literature.

As a former middle school and high school literature teacher, assistant professor of education Kathryn Caprino knows the doors discussing books can open

selection and invites anyone interested to come together for a discussion on Zoom.

Caprino also has expanded the book club to Twitter. With this innovative twist, readers can share their thoughts in real time or keep the discussion going outside of the Zoom meet-ups using the hashtag #EtownCollegeReads.

“Especially in a time when our campus and the world feels so disconnected by the global pandemic, this is a small way of bringing our community together,” Caprino says. E

“ The whole idea of the Etown College Reads Book Club is to create a community for book lovers at Etown.”

—KATHRYN CAPRINO, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION

up. When she arrived at Etown, she worked to get a book club about middle-grade texts organized in her department. The book club has had many iterations, from face-to-face meetings to online chats.

In 2020, when the pandemic emerged, Caprino thought of a way to expand the book club beyond students in the Education Department. She wanted students outside of her department, staff, faculty, and alumni to join. She also wanted to include more titles written for adults.

“The whole idea of the club is to create a community for book lovers at Etown,” Caprino said.

“We love that our education students participate, but we would also like to expand the group and create a reading community across campus and beyond.”

The club became open to the community in October 2020 and welcomes faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Caprino announces the featured book 6

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“ Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly was a popular selection by the book club.

To join Etown College Reads, visit us on Twitter, or email us.  #EtownCollegeReads  caprinok@etown.edu

CONNECTING STUDENTS AND ALUMNI IN A VIRTUAL WORLD Unveiled in the summer of 2020, EtownConnect is a digital platform that provides students a chance to connect with members of the Blue Jay alumni network. Through a partnership between the Office of Career Services and the Elizabethtown College Alumni Association, EtownConnect was established to help students search for alumni in their intended career fields and connect with them virtually for insight into their current roles and career paths.

To date, nearly 220 alumni have joined the EtownConnect network and close to 30 students have taken advantage of the ability to build relationships with fellow Blue Jays. E

STUDENTS CONNECT WITH ALUMNI FOR MENTORING IN: • Informational interviews for career paths • Search strategy for jobs or internships • Mock interview practice • Résumé reviews • Employer and application process information • Referrals to networking with more alumni and key contacts

ETOWNCONNECT

To joi n Eto wn Conn ect, v isit etown alumn i.com to cre ate yo ur profil e.

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THE GIFT OF LIFE

K

ristin Kurjiaka ’18 met Professor of Social Work Dr. Peggy McFarland in her sophomore year at Elizabethtown College while taking Peggy’s Introduction to Social Work course. The class made such a deep impact on Kristin that she soon after decided to switch her major from Music Therapy to Social Work.

“From the first class, I knew that Social Work would be a good fit for my interests,” Kristin explained. “Looking at the code of ethics we use and the importance of social justice and advocacy, it really aligned well with my own values and my own interests.”

Peggy went on to become Kristin’s faculty advisor and mentor, and the two grew an even closer mentorship during the summer before Kristin’s senior year when she began interning at Elizabethtown Community Housing and Outreach Services (ECHOS). Peggy, who helped spearhead the formation of ECHOS in 2016, serves on the board of directors for the social services center that assists individuals and families in need of stability. The two continued to grow a friendship, crossing paths during another one of Kristin’s internships at the retirement community, Masonic Village, located in Elizabethtown and where Peggy also worked as a PRN social worker.

“We found that we had many of the same values and goals for our lives as social workers,” Peggy said. “Kristin is one of the most gifted social work students I have ever met. Our relationship changed from her being my student to being my friend.”

Following 27 years of service at the College, Peggy retired from Etown’s Social Work Department in 2017 due to the fatigue she was experiencing from her early stages of kidney failure. She was in need of a transplant — no simple task — considering that the national waitlist contains around 93,000 people and that it takes an average of five to eight years to receive a kidney.

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Peggy McFarland (L), Elizabethtown Church of Brethren Pastor and Elizabethtown College Trustee Pam Reist (M), and Kristin Kurjiaka ’18 (R) at an anointing ceremony held prior to their surgery at the Elizabethtown Church of Brethren.

When Kristin learned of her former Etown professor, advisor, and mentor’s situation, she immediately began researching the process of becoming a living donor.

“She certainly didn’t ask for anyone’s kidney, but it’s something that I had thought about before, but not seriously because I didn’t know anyone who needed one,” Kristin explained.

“When I told her that I would be willing to donate to her, I don’t think she believed me at first, but I said to her, ‘No, Peggy, seriously. I will get tested to donate a kidney.’”

She spent the next several days looking into the procedure and consulting with her family about the potentially life-changing decision.

Kristin researched the process and learned that her O blood type made her a universal donor for kidneys, overcoming one of a long line of hurdles in determining if she was a viable candidate.

Soon after discovering this, Kristin made the decision that she wanted to be tested.

Kristin’s extensive testing process began in the summer of 2019 and included countless EKGs, CAT scans, bloodwork, and meetings with psychiatrists, nephrologists, and, fittingly, many visits with social workers.

along with five injections of insulin when she “There was a lot of educating on the process, returned from the hospital. She jokingly hoped the risks, everything that’s involved, to make that along with Kristin’s organ, she would also sure that you truly want to go through with receive some of her high IQ from the transplant. this,” Kristin said. “I think because I’m young and Given Kristin’s academic accomplishments, because Peggy and I aren’t blood-related that including a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) they just wanted to make sure I know what degree from Columbia University and her current I’m doing, I know the risks, and I’m able to make position as an adjunct faculty member in Etown’s this decision.”

Social Work Department, Peggy’s wishful In spring 2021, Peggy’s numbers dropped low thinking is understandable. enough that it was determined she would need In the end, Peggy is incredibly grateful for the dialysis without a transplant. The surgery was gift of a longer life that Kristin gave her. scheduled for July 15, 2021, at the Hospital of the “When I think about Kristin, I think, ‘How do University of Pennsylvania. you thank someone for the gift of life?,’” Peggy “We literally walked up together to the said. “That’s really what she gave me, she gave me hospital, and it was just amazing,” Peggy said. the gift of life. We’ll be “No one could believe connected forever. Our that she had been my families have become student and that this close as we shared this young person was experience together. donating her kidney.”

I see Kristin as my Kristin underwent special angel.” robotic laparoscopic “If I had everything surgery, which is to do over, I wouldn’t considered less have changed anything,” invasive, and was Kristin said. “I think released within a few donating my kidney is days. She suffered a small sacrifice to give initial bouts with to increase someone’s fatigue during her quantity and quality of recovery process, life. I know that Peggy and it took some time “ T hat’s really what she gave me, has a lot more to give to for her breathing to the world.” improve enough for she gave me the gift of life. We’ll The two are interested long-distance walks. be connected forever. Our families in eventually sharing their However, Kristin feels story by speaking to mostly back to normal have become close as we shared this community groups and and expects to be experience together. I see Kristin encouraging the public to fully recovered by the explore the possibility of one-year mark. as my special angel.” becoming a living donor.

“It was nice having — P EGGY MCFARLAND, RETIRED “We’re hoping to get someone to recover ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE involved with outreach with,” Kristin said.

SOCIAL WORK PROFESSOR to try to make people “That’s pretty unusual. more aware of the need,” Typically, if you have Peggy explained. “Kristin surgery, you’re on your can talk about her experience and how it worked own. But we were able to have weekly phone calls, for her, and I can talk about the fact that I’m alive give each other updates on how we’re doing and because of Kristin.” how the recovery is going, share our scar stories, “We just think that we would make a great and motivate each other to keep exercising.” team,” Peggy said. E Peggy has experienced a lengthy recovery that has included the need to take 28 pills a day,

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AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

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HOSSEIN VARAMINI, TurnbullJamieson Chair and Professor of Finance and International Business, Director of International Business, has been named the recipient of the 2020-21 Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship. The Professional Development Committee chose Dr. Varamini from nominations submitted by members of the Elizabethtown College community including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

The selection committee noted that Dr. Varamini’s positive impact on Elizabethtown College students through his mentoring and advising deserves recognition and celebration.

JUDY BECK ERICKSEN, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, has been named the recipient of the 2020-21 Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence.

Nomination letters submitted by alumni, students, faculty, and staff described Dr. Ericksen as a great listener who takes time to get to know her students holistically. She builds trust with her students, allowing them to feel heard and valued. In addition to her patient listening, students and alumni described her support and encouragement and its impact on their lives, stating, “She sees the potential in students and knows exactly what to do and say to access that potential.” Dr. Ericksen’s primary clinical background is in school-based practice/pediatrics and mental health.

JEFFERY LONG, Carl W. Zeigler Professor of Religious Studies, has been named the recipient of the 2020-21 Ranck Prize for Research Excellence. The Professional Development Committee chose Dr. Long from nominations submitted by faculty peers.

Dr. Long is commended for his outstanding scholarship record, including the authorship of three books, two of which were published in 2020, “Hinduism in America: A Convergence of Worlds” and the second edition of “Historical Dictionary of Hinduism.” He also has written several scholarly articles, editorials, and blogs and edited or coedited several volumes on Hinduism. He has also been invited to speak at a number of prestigious venues, including the University of Chicago, Yale University, Princeton University, and an interfaith conference in New Delhi.

JEFFREY A. ROOD, Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair, is the recipient of the Honors Program Outstanding Professor Award.

“He is a thoughtful and intelligent teacher who clearly cares about what he teaches, and it shows during his class time,” remarked the Student Council. “He is considerate of his students’ time and understands how to work to meet every students’ varying needs.”

Rood shared, “I’m honored to receive the Outstanding Professor Award and thankful to the Honors Council for thinking of me for this recognition. Working with our students is the best part of my job, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to engage with outstanding students in the Honors Program in various ways over the years.”

He teaches coursework primarily in introductory and inorganic chemistry and currently serves as chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

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MARK BRINTON, Assistant Professor of Engineering & Physics, received a Faculty Travel Award from the Biomedical Engineering Division of ASEE. As a result of this award, Dr. Brinton attended the annual meeting for ASEE over the summer, where he learned from and networked with leaders in engineering education from across the United States and Canada.

“Attending the conference has connected me to a community of support as I seek to improve my engineering education research and present my findings at future professional meetings,” said Brinton.

JEAN BATISTA ABREU, Assistant Professor of Engineering & Physics, received the 2021 Ferdinand P. Beer and E. Russel Johnston, Jr. Outstanding New Mechanics Educator Award. This award is given annually by the Mechanics Division of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) to recognize early-career faculty who demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching with evidence of exceptional contributions to engineering mechanics education.

Dr. Batista Abreu was presented the award at the virtual Mechanics Division Awards event, which was held as part of the 2021 ASEE Virtual Conference. In addition to this year’s virtual recognition, an in-person recognition will take place at the 2022 ASEE Annual Conference, during the Mechanics Division Banquet.

These latest accolades continue an impressive tradition of Etown Engineering faculty being recognized at the annual education conference, as three additional Blue Jay professors won competitive awards at the ASEE in recent years.

OYA DURSUN-ÖZKANCA, Director of the Honors Program and Professor of Political Science and International Studies, was on sabbatical for the fall 2021 semester, serving as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs.

Dr. Dursun-Özkanca’s research in this prestigious position focused on regional peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“This research fosters theoretical debate on emerging regional competition and intra-alliance opposition, holds policy relevance, and appeals to broad audiences due to both an increased spotlight the Eastern Mediterranean region receives in the media and the policymaking world, and the changes in the international and regional balance of power,” said Dursun-Özkanca, who was named the inaugural recipient of the Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence in 2015.

During her time at Harvard, Dursun-Özkanca also worked on her third solo-authored book manuscript. Dursun-Özkanca’s first solo-authored book, “Turkey–West Relations: The Politics of Intra-alliance Opposition,” was published in 2019, while her second book, “The Nexus Between Security Sector Governance/Reform and Sustainable Development Goal-16,” was published earlier in 2021.

To read faculty backgrounds and learn more about faculty milestones, visit: etown.edu/offices/dean-of-faculty

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Alumni Help Etown “Hatch” New Jays HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS REFERRED TO ETOWN THROUGH THE HATCH A JAY PROGRAM EARN A $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP.

M HOW TO KNOW IF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WILL BE A GOOD FIT FOR ETOWN If you’re not sure the student you’re thinking of will be a good fit, that’s okay! When you refer someone, you’re helping them explore Etown so they can get closer to making their college decision. A student may be a good fit if they: • Love getting involved • Want a smallschool setting • Enjoy diversity and inclusivity • Value a liberal arts-based education • Seek a college that offers one of our Signature Learning Experiences

To learn more about Hatch a Jay high school student referral program, visit: etown.edu/hatch

embers of the Blue Jay family know how special a place like Elizabethtown College is to earn an education. That’s why we’ve called upon our Jays to help us introduce a new generation of students to Etown through the Hatch a Jay program. What better way to spread the Etown experience than by introducing the next flock of Blue Jays?

Ashley (Maguire) Wise ’06

referred Morgan Weiser, a firstyear student and graduate of

a lot of attributes in her that remind me of myself, and Etown was a great fit for me, so maybe it would be for Morgan too,” Ashley said.

Weiser applied and was accepted to Etown, and because she was referred through the Hatch a Jay program, she received a $1,000 scholarship.

“I hope she takes advantage of the opportunity to get involved in activities outside the classroom,” Ashley said.

“The extracurricular activities are essential in forming those strong

“I see a lot of attributes in Morgan that remind me of myself, and Etown was a great fit for me, so maybe it would be for Morgan too.”

— ASHLEY (MAGUIRE) WISE ’06

Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, Pa., last summer.

Wise’s husband is a colleague of Morgan’s dad, and when she found out Weiser was beginning her college search, Etown came to mind.

“From what I learned from talking to Morgan, she was interested in the business program or potentially a math program — both of which Etown has terrific programs for. I see

relationships with other students as well as the faculty. The faculty and staff at Etown are special — they care so much about the students and become mentors.”

All alumni and friends of the College are encouraged to help us connect with a new generation of potential Blue Jays! E

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HISTORIC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL REACHES A HISTORIC MILESTONE The Blue Jays became the second women’s program in Division III to achieve 1,100 program wins. The team also advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time in more than 20 years. Congratulations, team, on a fantastic season!

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ATHLETICS KUDOS

SKIP RODERICK CELEBRATING 550 CAREER WINS

E

lizabethtown College head men’s soccer coach Arthur “Skip” Roderick ’74 reached a monumental milestone in his legendary career this fall, tallying his 550th career win. Opening the 2021 season with wins over The College of New Jersey and Bridgewater College, Roderick became only the eighth coach across all NCAA divisions to reach 550 career wins. The team finished the season with a 9-6-2 record and earned a berth in the Landmark Conference Tournament for the sixth consecutive season.

Few head coaches in the NCAA ranks can match the 38-year run of success that Roderick has enjoyed since taking over the Elizabethtown College men’s soccer program in 1983. With a longevity in the sport

that spans parts of seven decades, Roderick is one of the most well-respected coaches in the nation.

The Springfield, Pa., native has compiled a 554-16469 overall record. His 557 victories are eighth most in the collegiate game across all NCAA divisions and second in Division III. Roderick’s .748 career winning percentage ranks 29th in all divisions and 10th among his Division III cohorts.

Roderick has built men’s soccer into a storied program, guiding 19 of his teams to the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer tournament, including 14 straight from 1983 to 1996. The 1989 team achieved ultimate success by winning the NCAA Division III National Championship, a 2-0 victory over Greensboro at Ira R. Herr Field. E

LEGENDS

KATHY STAIB SOFTBALL COACH PURSUES NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Respected on and off the field through 20 years of service to the College, Kathy Staib helped lead the Elizabethtown College women’s softball team with dignity and passion. In fall 2021, Staib moved on from Etown to pursue new opportunities.

The longest-tenured coach in program history, Staib is also the winningest coach in program history, compiling 219 wins overall.

Thank you to Kathy Staib for her tremendous contributions to Etown! In December 2021, the College welcomed Bekah Slattery as the new head women’s softball coach.

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ATHLETICS FACILITIES THAT CHANGE THE GAME THE ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HAS MADE NUMEROUS UPGRADES TO ITS FACILITIES TO IMPROVE THE STUDENTAHTLETE EXPERIENCE.

ALUMNI COURTS Improvements were made to the home Elizabethtown College tennis facility. The courts received a four-part sealing and surface coating system, a comprehensive crack repair, and new court colors.

WOLF FIELD The turf on Wolf Field was replaced with a new surface, the Rootzone 3D3 blend from AstroTurf, to create a safer playing environment, increased playability, and extended durability to enhance student-athlete competition.

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ATHLETICS

SOFTBALL FIELD The Elizabethtown College softball team has a new home base for the 2022 season with the completion of construction on the upgraded complex located beside the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness, and Well-Being.

ALUMNI POOL The Elizabethtown College aquatic facility has gone through extensive upgrades to improve the student-athlete experience for our swimmers. A state-of-the-art filtration system was installed to improve the quality of the water, along with new branding.

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T H E

V A L U E

O F

PRESIDENT BETTY RIDER

DISCUSSES TRANSITIONAL LEADERSHIP, G R O W T H , O P P O R T U N I T Y, A N D T H E COLLEGE’S FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN. 18

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ETOWN’S STRATEGIC PLAN

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n January 2022, Elizabeth “Betty” A. Rider was named transitional president by the board of trustees following the announcement that Cecilia M. McCormick, J.D., was resigning to focus on her family and well-being.

“We chose the term ‘transitional president’ to communicate President Rider’s role over the next 18 months as furthering the momentum and outstanding accomplishments we’ve already achieved at the institution over the last three years,” Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees Chairman Ed Lovelidge ’82 said.

It was a natural fit for the longtime Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (SVPAA). President Rider brings more than 30 years of institutional knowledge to the role and is a graduate of Gettysburg College and Vanderbilt University, and completed Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management.

“We are reaching a pivotal moment at the institution as we celebrate tremendous growth and success and launch our new five-year strategic plan with its focus on dynamic and relevant education for all learners, inclusive excellence, and sustainable growth.”

— ELIZABETH “BETTY” A. RIDER

Rider was a member of the Senior Leadership Team that has helped to lead as the institution’s enrollment increased by more than 10 percent for two consecutive years; launched the institution’s new marketing and branding; opened the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness & Well-Being facility; and created strategic initiatives toward developing long-term financial stability.

As provost and SVPAA, President Rider specifically restructured academic programs, formed the creation of Schools at the institution, established new five-year programs in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies, Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), and expanded the College’s renowned Occupational Therapy (OT) program.

Over the past year and a half, Rider has led the academic side of the house with other engaged campus leaders to collaborate in a joint effort to boldly pave the way for the creation of the community’s new five-year strategic plan, which was adopted late last fall by the board of trustees.

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THE FOUR PILLARS OF ETOWN’S

DYNAMIC AND RELEVANT EDUCATION Promote a dynamic academic environment to support outstanding student outcomes that develop lifelong reflective learners and socially responsible citizens who bring value to their community and workplace.

Example: Answer workforce needs and, at the same time, build human beings to their highest potential to contribute to the local community.

By developing a core curriculum that capitalizes on the transferrable skills of Etown’s liberal arts foundation, the strategic plan has goals to offer students optimal opportunities to shape their careers through impactful work here in our local community and out in the world.

Through this focus on academics, the College intends to launch new or expanded programs that better meet student and employer demand, including more accelerated degree program offerings and the option of micro credentialing to increase professional development opportunities.

Innovative, dynamic, and advanced pathways will be developed to help Etown students excel by providing a more holistic game plan toward career options. The College will also aim to offer more hands-on, experiential learning opportunities onand off-campus to enhance students’ professional skills and lifelong knowledge.

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To increase the equity and accessibility of an Etown education, the plan proposes determining an appropriate mix of course learning modalities—online, on-campus, and hybrid—to suit students’ changing needs.

The College also seeks to enroll more students from non-traditional geographical markets and marginalized communities, as well as first-generation learners.

“I am excited to work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the board, the faculty, students, and staff to continue to elevate the mission of the College and its academic excellence.”

— BETTY RIDER, PRESIDENT

The end goal of an Etown education is a fulfilling and stimulating job that contributes to the global citizenry. To achieve this mission, the Career Development Center will expand it external focus on strong corporate and organizational partnerships and improved processes to increase postgraduation placement rates. The College also aims to increase its six-year graduation rate to 80 percent by 2026.

STRATEGIC PLAN

ETOWN’S STRATEGIC PLAN

INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE Create a culturally vibrant campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), where all community members achieve a sense of belonging.

Example: Achieve a set system of policies, practices, and processes to be better aligned with equity and belonging in all our decisionmaking at the institution.

To become a living example of a socially just institution, the new strategic plan aims to integrate equity, inclusivity, and diversity initiatives into all dimensions of the College.

This starts by implementing a three-year plan to ensure each major has a DEI component. In addition, the College intends to define diverse, equitable, accessible, and justice (DEAJ) learning outcomes for activities both in and out of the classroom, as well as create an annual DEAJ professional development program for employees and student leaders.

To foster a genuine sense of belonging throughout the Etown community, the strategic plan intends to establish affinity groups for faculty and staff, as well as launch DEI assessments to determine needed services and support for community members with underrepresented identities.

“I am excited by opportunities to imagine the Etown experience in new ways, deepening the strengths of our education and openning new opportunities and new learning communities.”

— K EVIN SHORNER-JOHNSON DEAN, SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

The College will further dedicate itself to increasing the representation and retention of historically marginalized groups among students and employees through the development of new pipeline and mentorship programs for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students.

The Office of DEI and Human Resources will also collaborate on developing more equity-minded hiring processes and training to work toward aligning Etown’s BIPOC faculty and staff numbers with BIPOC student numbers by fall 2026.

An important part of inclusion at Etown is allyship. Through DEAJ training and certificate programs, increased cultural events and campus programs, and the establishment of a Coordinated Community Response Team focused on sexual violence and stalking, the College seeks to collaborate with underrepresented communities so that we may work together to make meaningful social change.

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THE FOUR PILLARS OF ETOWN’S

ANCHOR AND PARTNER INSTITUTION Strengthen surrounding communities by building capacity and maximizing partnerships to create significant economic and social impact.

Examples: Develop strategic partnerships and an institute to better society. Build a college town.

Etown’s campus motto, Educate for Service, drives our mission that is built on serving others in positive ways. The new strategic plan solidifies the College’s aim to become the destination of choice for those seeking future careers with deep positive impact and a lifetime of engaged citizenship through experiential learning.

The plan strives to connect Etown more deeply to our surrounding community by spearheading activities that provide for economic and community development in Elizabethtown, uniting us as one vibrant college community.

To become a leading institution engaged in high-impact projects to better serve our world, the plan proposes creating a dedicated social impact institute by combining existing programs and centers with new resources. To further advance Etown’s role as a leader in the region, the strategic plan seeks to boost economic growth in the area and encourage family-run companies.

“It is my hope to have the Etown campus and surrounding community collaborating on community and civic engagement and form a relationship that benefits both the community and the campus.

We can do so much more together!”

— J AVITA THOMPSON DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR COMMUNITY & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

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STRATEGIC PLAN

ETOWN’S STRATEGIC PLAN

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH Transform the financial model to become a thriving institution by leveraging core strengths, building capacity, and embracing growth initiatives.

Examples: Create a healthier fiscal future.

Build a highly talented workforce and strengthen workplace/professional skills to advance the institution.

The plan seeks to grow additional revenue by 2026 through alternative means, such as facility rentals, new programs, and increased philanthropic support. Another aspect of financial stability is the optimization of the College’s finances through ongoing financial performance reviews across all units, modifying budget carryover policies to incentivize frugality, and strengthening stewardship over campus infrastructure.

By making its budget go farther, the College can use additional funds where they matter the most: in attracting, retaining, and cultivating high-performing faculty and staff as a first-choice employer. The strategic plan aims to improve employee compensation, update personnel policies such as tenure and promotion models to ensure equity, and improve employee benefits with a focus on health and well-being.

“This plan crafts a path to take what we have always done well–provide a transformative education–and brings us together with our community to create dynamic change on and off-campus.”

— S USAN MAPP ASSOCIATE PROVOST FOR INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND INNOVATION

THE MAGAZINE OF ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE • SPRING 2022

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CAMPAIGN NEWS

BE MORE INSPIRED CAMPAIGN SURPASSES GOAL, RAISES $74.5 MILLION

L

aunched in March 2016, Elizabethtown College realized the strength of its engaged community as the Be More Inspired Campaign officially came to a close in December 2020.

Together, the Elizabethtown College campus community and Blue Jay family exceeded expectations and raised $74.5 million, surpassing the College’s goal of $60 million.

Thanks to campaign efforts led by former Board of Trustee James Shreiner and through the generosity of Etown faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, the College has provided countless students with an

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exceptional college experience and transformative opportunities to enhance their futures.

“It is only through the significant talent and dedication of a bright team of staff, volunteers, and donors that we achieved success in the Be More Inspired Campaign,” Elizabethtown College Vice President for Institutional Advancement David Beidleman said. “Starting during the fiscal year of 2014, and publicly launched in 2016, we were truly fortunate to have so many treasured supporters offering their time, talent, and treasure over the years.”

$74,536,799

12,452

33.2%

159

1,751

10

Total cash pledged

Alumni who supported the campaign

Campaign volunteers

Independent higher education in the United States is highly dependent on the support of individuals who understand the importance of maintaining outstanding colleges like Elizabethtown College. This extraordinary effort by all demonstrates the dedication and commitment of community members at Etown and the support for our College’s mission of providing a transformative educational experience that cultivates personal strengths and develops a passion for lifelong learning and purposeful work.

Campaign donors

Total established endowments, up from 79

Facility campus improvement projects

“It is only through the significant talent and dedication of a bright team of staff, volunteers, and donors that we achieved success in the Be More Inspired Campaign.”

— DAVID BEIDLEMAN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

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CAMPAIGN NEWS

2021 IMPACT REPORT Elizabethtown College alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and community partners create meaningful impacts on the lives of students through their continued support of academic programs, financial aid, and meeting the College’s greatest needs. We are proud to highlight the difference you make on Elizabethtown College—for the present and the future.

$13.56M A new record! You made a difference in students’ lives through generous gifts and commitments during the 2020-21 academic year, which set a new record!

1,511

You are so dedicated!

1,511 donors have given to Etown consecutively for five years or more.

$6.5M

Gift from the estate of alumnus Jay A. Izenour ’72 to endow the Jay A. Izenour and Karen L. Izenour Endowed Scholarship Fund. It is the second-largest gift in the College’s history.

BREAKDOWN OF 2021 GIFTS $1.25M

The Elizabethtown College Fund met Etown’s greatest needs, including scholarships and financial aid.

$1.6M

Supported specific initiatives to strengthen Etown’s programs and activities.

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187 MEMBERS

The J.G. Francis Society provides a source of strength for students and programs.

Including Etown in your estate plans ensures your lasting legacy of support.

$74.5+M

The Be More Inspired Campaign exceeded campaign goals through your dedication and unwavering support to strengthen the Etown community.

$125,000 GRANT

Elizabethtown College was awarded a $125,000 grant to promote justice, diversity, and career building on campus. Funded by the Lancaster County Community Foundation’s BB&T now Truist Economic Growth Fund, the grant will support Pathways to Progress: Promoting Justice, Diversity, and Career Building.

24 HOURS

On the Power of One Day, in just 24 hours, our Blue Jay community came together to raise nearly $500,000 from 1,801 donors — both new Power of One Day records! E

To learn about options to give to Etown, visit: etown.edu/offices/ development

INVESTMENTS IN DIVERSITY

D

uring the 2020-21 fiscal year, Elizabethtown College received $3.5 million dollars in cash and commitments toward diversity and inclusion efforts, cultural and performing arts, and student scholarships.

Joseph A. ’76 and Nancy ’79 DePippo have generously pledged over $1 million to support the establishment of a scholarship to benefit U.S. citizens of color who demonstrate financial need.

The generous alumni met at the College before being married. Both represented the institution through integral roles serving on committees, and Nancy served as a board of trustees member from 1991-1998.

A donation of $1.56 million was made on behalf of late friend of the College, Joan Puchaty, to establish a

ETOWN RECEIVES $3.5 MILLION IN NEW COMMITMENTS TOWARD DIVERSITY, CULTURAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust, which will create an endowment in support of cultural and performing arts.

Alumnus Charles D.A. Wilson ’69 gifted the College $750K. The funds will be used to establish the Leading the Way: The Wilson Symposium Fund, which aims to provide the campus community with enlightening keynote speakers, lectures, films, and musical performances.

“We are grateful to our generous donors who have invested in these important areas for our institution,” David Beidleman, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, said. “Their commitment and support will make deep impacts on our students’ academic and social experiences at Etown.” E

“We are grateful to our generous donors who have invested in these important areas for our institution.

Their commitment and support will make deep impacts on our students’ academic and social experiences at Etown.”

— DAVID BEIDLEMAN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

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W

hat do you do when you’re a successful entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience developing and leading an emerging multi location eatery chain and a global pandemic paralyzes the industry for an extended period of time?

If you’re alumnus Bryn Davis ’09, you recognize potential opportunities and use them to your advantage.

Following his Etown graduation in 2009, Bryn set out with his Business Administration–Marketing degree, an abundance of grit, and a special dream to transform the fast food industry. Bryn’s own journey with health and wellness — along with his vision

that eating tasty and nutritious food should be both possible and convenient — led him to create BRYN + DANE’S fast-casual restaurants. What began with these ideals and an initial investment of $12,000 grew throughout the 2010s into a company with more than 100 people and three different locations throughout the Philadelphia region.

CUE 2020.

Ripple effects from the global pandemic cascaded all throughout the restaurant industry and yielded inevitable and innumerable challenges. Yet, while Bryn was working hard to maintain BRYN + DANE’S, he also chose to use

“ FUDI features a 100% plant-based menu with no meat or products derived from animals, as well as a commitment to help address issues of food scarcity and food insecurity.”

– BRYN DAVIS ’09 this trying time as an opportunity to refocus and develop a new and expanded vision.

That dream has become reality, as Bryn recently led his company into a new phase with the global launch of FUDI. Still drawing upon the same core narrative of delivering good nutrition with simplicity, FUDI now also inspires the ideals of opportunity and access when it comes to its mission. In addition, FUDI features a 100% plant-based menu with no meat or products derived from animals, as well as a commitment to help address issues of food scarcity and food insecurity.

FUDI’s first official fast food restaurant opened in Entebbe, Uganda, in March, with four other locations opening throughout the Philadelphia area in the weeks that followed. Featuring both traditional restaurant facilities and “ghost kitchens”—warehouse locations that focus exclusively on delivery to high-density areas—Bryn’s

refocused vision is taking off in unconventional ways. And he’s just getting started.

According to Davis, “Choosing to seek out opportunities during the pandemic enabled us to develop our ideas for a new food concept ecosystem and brand that is better defined by its values.”

As Bryn considers the future of FUDI, he has an ambitious and aggressive vision for how this food concept ecosystem of future restaurants, ghost kitchens, farms, and coffee/tea trading can make a difference in the world. Yet, his connection to a familiar and defining element of the Etown experience as a guiding principle along the way is clear.

“The College’s ‘Educate for Service’ motto was—and remains—very relevant in my life,” said Davis. “Especially when it comes to how I want to continue building and leading a successful business that positively impacts the lives of others.” E

Learn more about FUDI by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

THE MAGAZINE OF ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE • SPRING 2022

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IN MEMORIAM

Remembering Thomas Murray PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY

Elizabethtown College lost an important member, Thomas “Tom” Murray, on November 19, 2020.

Since 1994, Tom had been an integral part of the Elizabethtown College campus community. As Professor of Biology and the architect and longtime champion of the Environmental Science program, he made countless impacts on the lives of his students, colleagues, and alumni.

Most importantly, Tom was a leader, mentor, and friend to all.

He taught a variety of courses throughout his career including Introductory Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Ecotoxicology, Marine Biology, and Introduction to Environmental Science (NPS with lab), and served as a First-Year Seminar instructor.

A champion of undergraduate research, his work with students focused on the water quality of lakes and streams, including those in the Conewago

“ We all learn in different ways. In a field like Environmental Science, it is important to learn not only the facts but how to apply them in the real world.”

— TOM MURRAY

Creek watershed. Tom truly embodied being an exceptional campus community citizen, having served on a majority of faculty or College councils and committees, and most recently had held the role as a member of the Professional Standards Committee and Judicial Council.

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Tom had previously served as Biology Department chair assisting with the hiring of several current faculty members and mentoring new department chairs, offering his expertise Tom Murray and guidance.

Tom and his colleagues truly became like family, and his bright presence will be deeply missed by so many people.

Tom once shared when describing his courses, “We all learn in different ways. In a field like Environmental Science, it is important to learn not only the facts but how to apply them in the real world.” It is an example of the important lifelong lessons that Tom shared that we can all apply to our own professional and personal experiences. E

To view a full list of Alumni and Friends passages, visit etown.edu/passages

CLASS NOTES 70s Tom Schoener ’70 is in his 15th year as a member of Phillies Welcome Staff at Citizen Bank Park and is enjoying retirement.

Thomas Conner ’72 became a history professor at Hillsdale College in 1983.

Connor was chosen as Professor of the Year in 1989, 1999, 2008, and 2016 and in 2012, The Princeton Review ranked him as one of the best 300 professors in the country.

He remained at the College for 37 years, retired in the spring of 2020, and was the 2020 commencement speaker for the College.

E. Joy McFerren ’78 was named director of human resources for Weidenhammer.

Joy was an Elementary Education major at Etown.

Donna Reed ’78 (pictured below) changed her position at ERT from a strategic customer account manager to an advisor for the eCOA business division and retired in January of 2021.

We want to hear from you! To tell your story in class notes, visit us at: etown.edu/classnotes or email: magazine@etown.edu

80s Lisa (Thommes) Coldiron ’81 was named inaugural head of school for the new Sussex Montessori School.

Pauline Felice Gibble ’81 (pictured below) has joined the law firm Saxton & Stump as an associate to support the growing Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights practice in Lancaster.

Thomas Showers ’81 has been hired by Orrstown Bank as senior vice president and commercial and industrial relationship manager.

Bernie Wilk Anderson ’82, Mari Pugliese Himmelright ’82, Maureen Roberts Zukosky ’82, Nancy Pederson Patrick ’82, Maryrose Frey Echelberger ’82, Chris Hershey Bomberger ’82, and Sue Lynam ’82 have recently celebrated their 12th annual girl’s weekend over 42 years after graduating from Elizabethtown College.

They were placed together in Myer residence hall in 1978-1979 and have remained close friends since.

Brett Tennis ’82 (pictured above) has joined Saxton & Stump as vice president of strategic alliances to help continue the growth of the firm’s affiliate companies and partners. He will also work alongside the business development team to collaborate with the firm’s attorneys to achieve the highest level of client service.

Dr. Charles Zeiders ’84 co-authored a book titled “Malignant Narcissism and Power: a Psychodynamic Exploration of Madness and Leadership” (pictured below).

It pertains to madness among leaders and grafts psychopathology into political science.

Cindy (Schrader) Evans ’86 has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as an education program associate. Evans earned a Master of Science in Human Resource Development from Villanova University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Elizabethtown College.

She previously served as director of youth initiatives for the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley.

Laurie Grube ’86 has been hired as the VP, regional market manager for Riverview Bank. She will be responsible for the oversight of eight Riverview Bank branches in Berks, Schuylkill, and Lehigh counties.

Cynthia Barr ’89 has recently celebrated her 30th anniversary with CPA firm Ross Buehler Falk.

90s Christopher Guear ’90 served as an adjunct instructor of political science at Rowan College at Burlington County (Mount Laurel, N.J.) in 2016 and 2017.

Christopher Hill ’90 was recently named president of the Sugar Land Skeeters (Minor League Baseball Team).

Jonathan Shively ’90 became the executive director of Fox Valley Hands of Hope, Geneva, IL, on March 1, 2021.

This nonprofit agency provides compassionate grief and bereavement support services at no cost to clients and participants.

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CLASS NOTES

Theresa (Boyle) Kraft ’91 has recently been recognized for her work with STEM in Lancaster County, as well as serving as the chief esports strategist for the Emerald Foundation, a Manheim Township-based nonprofit that’s helping schools across Lancaster and Lebanon counties add esports.

Nancy (Keene) Schweigert ’91, a teacher at Lake Havasu High School, was recently honored as an inspirational teacher by her students.

William (Bill) Smith ’91 has become the CEO of the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust (MSSCT). Based in California’s Bay Area, the Trust is a private philanthropic foundation carrying out about $25 million in grantmaking annually in the areas of people with disabilities, foster youth and families, the elderly, and veterans and military families.

Dennis Sutterfield ’91 became the new VP, chief information officer (CIO) of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

Ellen Kleinstuber ’92 was honored with the 2019 Conference of Consulting Actuaries (CCA) Most Valuable Volunteer Award.

She served on the CCA Board for six years, including four years on the Executive Committee.

Wendi Ailor ’93 recently became the first director of Donor Stewardship for the Office of Planned Giving within the Purdue Research Foundation’s University Development Office.

Anthony Suozzo ’93 was recently named superintendent of South Hunterdon Regional School District in New Jersey. He was a political science major at Etown and received his master’s in education administration from Rider University.

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Kevin Pugh ’94 is in his 11th year as the dean of school culture at Flagstaff Academy, a public charter school in Colorado. The school was recognized in Washington, D.C., this summer as a National School to Watch, one of only six middle schools in the country to receive this honor.

Steve R. Trega ’94 was named by Chartwell Law as a partner.

Jill (Burke) Gilbert ’95 was named president-elect of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Gilbert is an audit partner at RKL. Shannon Leonhard ’95 has joined JBT as a commercial relationship officer. In her new role with JBT, she will focus on serving existing commercial banking clients as well as developing new business relationships in Berks, Lancaster, and Lebanon counties.

Kara DeFrias ’97 joined the Biden-Harris administration in March, working for the U.S. Digital Service at the White House. She previously served in the Obama administration in the first class of White House Presidential Innovation Fellows, then later on the senior staff for then Vice President Biden on his Cancer Moonshot initiative.

Tara Soffientini Congimi ’98 received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University. She currently practices as a Certified Hand Therapist and is the rehabilitation supervisor at Orlin and Cohen Medical Specialists Group in Long Island, N.Y. Dr. Andrea (Walton) Garcia ’99, joined Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J., along with Dr. Gabrielle (Giannetti) Hackenberg ’10, as the inaugural faculty in their developing entry-level Doctorate of Occupational

Therapy program. Andrea and Gabrielle will be working together as doctoral capstone coordinator and academic fieldwork coordinator, respectfully.

00s Erin Kirchmer (Colfax) ’00 has put her Etown degree to great use since graduating with a degree in science education. She has become a science teacher, college professor, author, and world explorer. Erin’s latest article was recently published in the Earth Scientist Journal.

Sarah Lenz (Armstrong) ’00 (pictured above) graduated from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in June 2021. She received a Masters of Science in National Resource Strategy. She is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps and is stationed on Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

Keith Pfeil ’00 recently took on a role as senior VP and CFO of Globus Medical, a publicly traded medical device company in Pennsylvania.

Ryan Unger ’01 became president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. Unger, who previously served as president and CEO of Team Pennsylvania Foundation, assumed the role effective July 1, 2021.

Toni Wengerd ’01 has recently completed a children’s book about the experiences of a child during the COVID-19 pandemic, “Giving Hope: A Child’s Journey Through a Pandemic.” (pictured above) Maegen (Ackerman) Borzok ’02 is a professor at Mansfield University and is currently working on cuttingedge research in the field of cardiovascular diseases and is collaborating with her students on this research.

Eric Stark Esq. ’02 (pictured below) recently launched a new law practice, Stark Law Group, LLC. The firm, located in Lancaster, Pa., specializes in employment law and workers’ compensation.

Elizabeth Callahan ’04 was recently honored as Woman of the Year from the Woman’s Equality Coalition of Linn County, Iowa. She facilitated a program called Lunch with a Leader. The purpose was to help young girls see women as leaders so they could see themselves as community leaders in the future.

Eric J. Boyle, M.S., CFP ’05 was recently presented with the Thrive 500 award for being one of the fastest-growing financial advisors in the U.S. by WealthManagement.com. Eric and his wife Cheryl (Springer) Boyle ’04, own and operate Crest Financial Group and CFG Tax Services.

Jeremy Ebersole ’05 was recently hired as the executive director of the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, Milwaukee City’s top preservation group.

Eric Guise ’05 earned his Ed.D in Teacher Leader in Digital Transformation in Education. Eric and his wife, Dr. Carey “Tamburrino” Guise ’05, also welcomed their third child, Briggs Jaxson Guise, in June of this year.

Nate Matias ’05 was featured by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his work to connect research on technology and society, computer science, and artificial intelligence with Christian communities.

Heather Wolf ’05 has been accepted to the Women in Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business.

Dave Dunsavage ’06 was hired as assistant principal of Conestoga Valley High School.

Jennifer A. Galloway, Esq ’06 (pictured below) has joined Saxton & Stump’s Trusts and Estates team.

The team, led by Scott Alan Mitchell, Esq., provides clients with a comprehensive set of legal services related to the creation and administration of personal and family estates, trusts and tax planning, business succession, asset and protection planning, and fiduciary litigation.

Ashley Marro Grossman ’06 was recently awarded a Master of Science in Education degree from Wilkes University, her second master’s degree.

Ashley had previously been awarded a Special Education Certification from East Stroudsburg University.

Ashley Wise ’06 has been named a partner at Conrad Siegel.

Bryanna (DiGerlando) Fredericks ’07 was promoted to senior manager at Herbein & Company, Incorporated.

Melanie Scurto ’07 received her Master’s in Education from Bucknell University.

Crystal Gault West BS ’07, MS ’08 (pictured right) presented her poster entitled “Practical Applications of a District-Wide Response to Intervention Model Targeting At-Risk Learners” at the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association conference. Crystal also married Daniel West in June of 2019.

Stephanie Wilhelm ’07, earned a BA in Art at Etown and was recently featured at Red Lodge Clay Center exhibit at Northwest College.

Shannon M. Zimmerman ’07 earned her Master of Public Administration from The Pennsylvania State University, graduating with the Pi Alpha Honor distinction in December 2018. She is currently the director of communications for Hempfield School District, located in Landisville.

Paul Edger ’08 was named the new managing attorney of the Chambersburg and Gettysburg offices of MidPenn Legal Services.

He has been named a Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and has been given Central Penn Business Journal’s 2019 Forty Under 40 award.

Shaw Strauss ’08 was hired as manager of the Lancaster office of Maher Duessel.

Josh Wolfe ’08 was promoted to chief financial officer of Royal Farms in Baltimore, Md. Lisa Biggica ’09 was recently named the president and CEO of Unique Source Products & Services.

Joshua Schaffer ’09 has been named the dean of students for Elizabethtown Area Middle School.

Ashley (Sweeney) Wagner ’09, recently joined the law firm of Tucker Arensberg in their Pittsburgh office. Ashley is a member of the Business & Finance Department.

10s Sarah Bucher ’10 was hired by Legend of Lancaster, part of Legend Senior Living, as sales director.

Tammy (Bateman) Dahms ’10 was recently hired as the director of corporate sales and sponsorships for the Reading Royals & Santander Arena.

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CLASS NOTES

Amy DiMichele ’10 was recently promoted to Program Manager II, Talent Acquisition at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in January 2021.

Aimee completed her communications senior seminar project with CHOP in 2010 and has worked there ever since.

Nichole (Opdyke) Eveland ’10 is currently employed at Harford County Public School District in Bel Air Elementary School. Nichole is currently providing online learning to a classroom of nine students, all significantly cognitively delayed or non verbal.

Courtney Kofeldt Grove ’10 recently received her Doctorate in Education from West Chester University.

Meghan Tooley ’10 was honored with a United We Rock Award, which honors community-minded and philanthropic young professionals and college students who are making a difference.

Dr. Kimberly Weber ’10 authored a children’s book, “Penny the Pup Presents: The Power of Real Food” (pictured right).

Kara Luzik Canale ’11 was recognized in the Harrisburg Young Professionals inaugural class of 20 in their 20’s honorees. This honor is to “acknowledge 20 rising stars from business, culture and civic life in the greater Harrisburg region.”

Alex Catalano ’11 has accepted a new position at Tidelands Health as director of wound care services. In this role, Alex will oversee the health system’s wound care services, including two outpatient locations.

Travis Lucas ’11 has completed his master’s degree in opera performance in May 2017 at the University of Delaware.

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Wendy J. Rhoads ’11 (pictured below) joined the Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz team as a Small Business Accounting Services (SBAS) senior associate.

Montana Tamny ’11 is working for the Uncommon Individual Foundation (UIF).

Tamny is part of UIF’s Youth Literacy Mentoring Program (YLM), which helps various schools in Philadelphia read at grade level. UIF is part of

a citywide initiative to help Philadelphia students improve their literacy skills. Tamny and her colleagues supplement the curriculum in various Philadelphia schools for students who are struggling to achieve proficiency in English literacy.

Dr. Barbara Prince ’12 received a SAGE Publishing Keith Roberts Teaching Innovations Award, has been selected to serve as the deputy editor of the journal Teaching Sociology, and accepted a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Sociology at Lebanon Valley College starting fall 2019.

Julie Sebastian ’12 turned her love of softball into a thriving business. Julie Sebastian Softball and Fitness Instructions, LLC, has become a place for young softball players to grow and develop.

Nicholas “Niko” Antonellos ’13, a Business Administration major with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, started his company, Sidekicks, in his entrepreneurship class during his senior year at Etown.

Eight years later, they have grown into a company that provides support services to individuals with disabilities to now 62 families across New Jersey. They recently received a prestigious nationally recognized accreditation for behavioral health services.

Megan Steber ’13, MS ’14 earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy through Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in April 2019.

Luis Devia ’14 was welcomed to Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s Class of 2023.

Dr. Jane Drobin ’14 has opened her own practice, Naturopathic & Chiropractic Family Health.

Aggie Serrame ’14 accepted a position at the White House and currently works in the biological defense field and is involved in the COVID-19 emergency response.

David Hertz ’15, Lee Cottrell, Wilfred Mutale, Dr. Scarpino, and Miami Dade College’s Mel Tomeo had a paper published in the Issues in Information Systems Journal. The paper was also accepted for the Best Paper award. With the Best Paper award comes publication in the Journal of Computer Information Systems.

Ryan Perez ’15 (pictured above) was promoted from senior staff accountant to supervisor. He specializes in insurance and employee benefit plan audit engagements, as well as employee stock ownership plans. Ryan has been with the firm for three years.

David Nagel-Nunez ’15 (pictured above) recently joined the Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz team as an audit supervisor with a specialization in nonprofit organizations and government entities. David graduated from Elizabethtown College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Andrew Sandridge ’15 and Kendra Hudson (Sandridge) ’15 were married on August 1, 2020.

Tessa Balencic ’16 has recently founded Hera Brand, Inc. (HERA) which has developed a product that could help midwives in developing countries.

Trisha Clark ’16 has recently graduated from Keiser University Physician Assistant program in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and passed the physician assistant certification boards to become Trisha Clark, PA-C. Caitlin Wilson ’16 completed service in the Peace Corps after 27 months of living and working as an agriculture volunteer in Ghana. During her service, Wilson was assigned to the northern region of Ghana, where she served as an agriculture extension agent for the community. She and a local counterpart worked with a women’s group to grow sweet potatoes and establish a dry season garden to preserve the vines between

rainy seasons. Prior to arriving in her community, she received intensive technical and cultural training and language instruction.

She is now pursuing a Master of Science at West Virginia University.

Gabrielle Yankelevich ’16 is currently a medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

She and her classmates helped to deliver N95 medical masks to hospitals and home health aides throughout Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dan Forry ’17 has accepted a new position as director of finance and operations for Elizabethtown Area School District. Most recently, Forry was the chief operating officer for the Hempfield School District, where he served as director of enterprise and operations.

Before entering public education, Forry spent nearly 10 years as a manager for Exelon Nuclear. He holds a Master of Science degree in operations research from George Washington University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Elizabethtown College.

Julie Hess ’17 joined Barry Isett & Associates Inc. in the Civil Department as a staff professional.

Kimberly Kim ’17 has just accepted an invitation to serve in the U.S. Peace Corps.

She will be serving in Malawi.

Christina Angelucci ’18 recently has become a lead researcher in a new cuttingedge COVID-19 treatment trial for the Main Line Health Hospital System.

Michael Bromirski MBA ’18 became the superintendent of Hempfield Area School District.

Corinne Foster ’18 has been honored as one of Harrisburg Young Professionals’ 20 In Their 20s.

As the community outreach coordinator for Feeding Pennsylvania, Corinne advocates, communicates, and organizes efforts to support Pennsylvania’s food banks in their effort to address food insecurity.

Jean Leisher ’18 recently joined Saxton & Sump’s intellectual property practice.

Matthew VanCleef ’18 MED ’19 and an English Education major at Etown, is a special education teacher at Farmwell Station Middle School in Ashburn, Va., and is the 2020 Loudoun County Public Schools Secondary New Teacher of the Year.

Russell Wynegar MBA’18, a SGPS graduate, was awarded Central Penn Business Journal’s 2019 Forty Under 40 award.

Jessi Clark ’19, Courtney Gelb ’19, and Emily Nelson ’18 participated in the Harrisburg Marathon on Nov. 8, 2020. All three placed first, second, and third in their age category. E

View more class notes online at etown.edu/ classnotes

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ACADEMIC UPDATES

THE SCHOOLS OF ETOWN In the fall of 2020, Elizabethtown College reorganized its academic programs into six undergraduate schools along with the School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS).

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, MATH, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

“The School of Arts and Humanities is dedicated English to relationship-centered Fine Arts explorations that empower History our students to think critically, lead with Modern Languages integrity, and imagine new Music possibilities. I am proud to be the dean of Arts and Humanities because I know of the unique gifts of our talented faculty and students and the importance of studying the arts and humanities in this time. An education in the arts and humanities is one that empowers students to enter complexity, imagine and express their ideas, and empower service that is grounded in empathy, dignity, and cultural understanding.”

“The School of Engineering, Math, and Computer Computational Science is unique because Physics we believe the future Computer innovations are at the Science intersection of disciplines.

Engineering We have interdisciplinary degrees that give graduates Mathematics a systems-level perspective for tackling the challenges of tomorrow in fields that don’t exist yet. I’m proud to serve as the school’s first dean because we believe in cultivating a culture of belonging and academic excellence across disciplines, educating the whole person beyond the boundaries of the classroom, and preparing students for purposeful personal and professional success.”

- DEAN KEVIN SHORNER-JOHNSON

– DEAN SARA ATWOOD

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

SCHOOL OF HUMAN AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS

“In the School of Business, we are committed to Accounting developing forwardBusiness thinkers and innovators Administration who are prepared to lead Business and advocate for change Analytics in an ever-evolving world.

As dean, I will work with Economics the faculty members Finance to develop relevant Financial curricula and supportive Economics programs that account for the current and future International business world. We will Business continue to adapt our Marketing School of Business to the digitization of education and work life, new demands from recruiters for global managers, specialization for specific competencies and industries, and the needs for lifelong learning and new career models with extensive freelance work outside of a traditional corporate structure.”

“The programs in the School of Human and Education Health Professions are Exercise Science incredibly diverse and Physician Assistant comprehensive, offering Studies many opportunities for us to come together as a Occupational community to learn from Therapy one another and expand RN to BSN our understanding of Social Work what it means to educate for service. I am proud to be the dean as I see the incredible work that students, faculty, and staff accomplish, the dedication to professional integrity and ongoing development, and the contributions they have made in local, national, and international communities.”

- DEAN NAJIBA BENABESS

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– DEAN TAMERA HUMBERT

To explore our 150+ majors, minors, and concentrations, visit: etown.edu/academics

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE “The School of Public Service provides students Communications with the knowledge, Political Science expertise, and leadership & Legal Studies skills to live out the Public Health Elizabethtown College mission: Educate for Sociology & Service. Due to our Criminal Justice emphasis on practical, real-world experience, our students routinely win more competitive statewide internships and fellowships than students at other colleges and universities.

Our faculty have been recognized with national teaching awards, and their commitment to student learning sets our graduates ahead of the competition, both for internships and jobs.”

– DEAN APRIL KELLY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES – DEAN NAJIBA BENABESS

ASSOCIATE DEGREES Accounting Business Administration Health Care Administration Human Services

BACHELOR’S DEGREES Accounting Business Administration Health Care Administration Human Services RN to BSN

GRADUATE PROGRAMS Business Administration (MBA) Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (MCI)

SCHOOL OF SCIENCES

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MCP) Master of Music Education (MME) Master of Public Policy (MPP)

“In the School of Sciences, we seek to provide an Biological & education so students Environmental Sciences can be directly employed in their field of interest or Chemistry & continue their education Biochemistry at highly regarded Psychology & graduate and health Neuroscience professions schools postgraduation. What sets us apart is that our students begin inquiry-based learning activities such as labs and course design research experiences in their first year at Etown. I’m so proud to lead the faculty in the School of Sciences who are dedicated to both teaching and mentoring our students as well as contributing new knowledge and research into their fields.”

Master of Science in Finance (MSF)

– DEAN JODI LANCASTER

School System Accountability

Master of Science in Strategic Leadership (MSL) Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

GRADUATE CERTIFICATES & ENDORSEMENTS CFP® Certification Financial Planning Education Program Computer Science Education Curriculum and Instruction Data Analytics ESL Program Specialist Health Care Administration High Impact Practices in Online Learning Integrative STEM Education Endorsement Interdisciplinary Autism Support Sports Management Strategic Leadership Trauma Informed Practice

THE MAGAZINE OF ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE • SPRING 2022

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OCTOBER 14-16, 2022