Fall PennDulum Magazine 2023 by Central Penn College

A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Central Penn College

Angel Fox

Angels Among Us Page 4

Mike Wilson

Putting Members First Page 10

Fall 2023

Dynamic mother Angel Fox mixes business with government and nonprofit work.

CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION: director of development

COVER

Sandra Box

CENTRAL PENN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: president

Randy Weir, ’76 vice president

Chad Rooney, ’01 & ’03 treasurer

Daneen Collier, ’10 secretary

Christine Fusselman, ’88 & ’16 president

Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams editor

Diane White McNaughton editor

Mary Wetzel editor

Sandra Box

contributing writers

Lezli Austen cover photo credit

Jason Minick layout & design Mark Lockley

ADDRESS QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS TO: Editor, PennDulum Central Penn College 600 Valley Road • P.O. Box 309 Summerdale, Pennsylvania 17093

PENNDULUM MISSION STATEMENT

EMAIL: letusknow@centralpenn.edu or alum@centralpenn.edu 800-759-2727 ext. 2295 www.centralpenn.edu

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4 Angels Among Us 10 Mike Wilson: Putting Members First 14 Commencement: A Tip of The Cap to Grit 16 52nd Annual Central Penn Golf Open First Noble Knights: 18 The Duane and Sue Greenly Penn College Education 20 Central Foundation Scholarships and Awards 22 College Corner 24 Athletics 26 Campus News 28 Calendar 31 Class Notes 33 Alumni Eternal 34 Alumni Benefits

The mission of PennDulum is to help Central Penn graduates stay connected with their alma mater, present opportunities for alumni, friends and community members to assist current and future students, and share ways that readers can get involved in the life of Central Penn College.

FROM THE

President

Dear alumni and friends, As we approach another holiday season, beginning with the uniquely American celebration of Thanksgiving, it’s heartwarming to see that the emotion of the times is gratitude. At Central Penn College, we are steeped in appreciation for the gifts of the season and the simple necessities of life, along with students who keep us young, and family members and friends who warm our spirits. In everything we do here on campus and in the community, gratitude is at the forefront. We live with gratitude for our students, our donors, our faculty and staff, and so many other good-hearted people who have unselfishly taken on key supporting roles in our student-centered mission. One of the many ways we equip our students for success is by gauging what is missing in the marketplace, and then aligning our offerings to those unmet needs. This year, we partnered with Verber Dental Group to launch a dental assistant certificate, to help remedy a severe shortage of staff in the field. We also started a medical office assistant certificate, a sports management certificate, and an associate degree in surgical technology to build upon our certificate. In 2024, we will launch a child care management certificate and associate degree to build a brighter future for not only our students, but the young children of today and tomorrow. Our graduates are finding success, with 90.5 percent working in their chosen field or continuing their education (2022-23 Graduate Survey) within a year of graduation. Even in the face of financial hardships, illness, injuries and profound loss, our student-athletes have also revealed an uncommon level of dedication, character and persistence that inspires us as we take the field in life every day. While we often speak about what is lacking in our workforce or what students should aspire to be, the holidays are a reminder that we should never overlook what we have. As always, we thank you for all you have given us over the past year, whether it’s the irreplaceable gift of your precious time, your experience, your treasure, or your presence. We know we are blessed, and never take anything–or anyone–for granted. Even on days when obstacles seem to loom larger than opportunities, we live with grateful hearts and remember our “why.” Please enjoy our latest issue of PennDulum, and may your days and Knights shine more brightly than ever this holiday season!

With appreciation for all you do,

@CentralPennPres facebook.com/CentralPennPresident officeofthepresident@centralpenn.edu

Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, EdD, MA President of Central Penn College

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Angels Among Us By Diane White McNaughton

When a popular young teacher and coach was shot and stabbed in Harrisburg before the holidays in 2011, something in her best friend, Angel Fox ‘17, ‘18, came alive.

Angel said she always felt uneasy around Tarina’s boyfriend, but she respected her friend’s wishes to date him. She had no idea what Tarina was enduring behind closed doors.

Overcome by sadness, anger and grief at the news of her beautiful friend’s senseless slaying at the hands of her estranged husband, Fox decided to take up a crusade against domestic violence. Fox said she herself was a survivor of domestic violence when she was 24, so she knows the terror and the need to support victims.

Days before Tarina lost her life, she had asked Angel to help her change the locks on her doors, Fox recalled. Reinforcing the tragic statistics on relationship abuse, attempts to leave a relationship are notoriously the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence.

Angel had played softball with the victim, Tarina Fields Price, since the age of 12, and they both attended Harrisburg High School, though Tarina was a few grades ahead of her. Fox was a member of her high school’s Class of 1999 and was well-known as a standout athlete in track and softball.

Knowing how risky this interval can be, Tarina’s father parked outside her house to make sure she was safe. On the night she was slain, Tarina encouraged her father to go home. She reassured him that she was safely locked inside the house. She also knew her dad wasn’t feeling well, so she urged him to go home and rest.

Tarina went on to become a beloved coach and eighth-grade teacher at Rowland Elementary School in Harrisburg.

Unbeknownst to her, her ex-husband was hiding inside the house. He killed her the very day before she had planned to change the locks

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with Angel. Recounting this shocking murder still stirs up the anguish of the loss in Fox. The senseless crime deeply affected others as well. Tarina’s dad succumbed to grief and guilt soon thereafter. Angel’s father was also devastated, and was so sick at heart by Tarina’s death that he was physically sick the day of Tarina’s funeral. He couldn’t even bear to attend, so Fox’s mom accompanied her to the service. Seeing Tarina’s life ended at the age of 33 in such a brutal way was one of the reasons Fox decided to attend Central Penn College and become an incomparable friend to domestic violence victims and those in need of the basic necessities of life. She now works for the state House of Representatives and owns a laundromat that provides free services for the homeless and financially struggling, embarking on her own personal mission to clean up crime and address poverty.

Fox said her education at Central Penn College helped her open her own business and fight for justice for crime victims and the needy.

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Tears for Tarina To honor Tarina’s memory, Angel formed a nonprofit, Tears for Tarina, with the goal of raising awareness and funds for victims of domestic violence. (Their website is tearsfortarina.com). Fighting for a cause was not new to Fox. She said her community activism started in 2008 when she held her first local protest to run a sex cult leader out of her neighborhood.

She decided to ensure that Tears for Tarina was much more than a crisis hotline and emergency shelter. To combat long-term relationship abuse, the nonprofit helps victims become survivors by providing an extensive array of programs and services, including financial literacy training, counseling, advocacy, outreach and education.

“Tear One” is Awareness; they

hold workshops on relationship abuse with city agencies, groups and schools.

“Tear Two” is Advocacy; they work to pass legislation on domestic violence and to eliminate barriers to care for victims of domestic violence. “Tear Three” is Assistance, which includes emergency housing, meals, case management, counseling, children’s assessments and more. One of their most popular fundraisers is a Sneaker Ball known as “Kicks for a Cause” and a three-mile walk along the Greenbelt, which was held on Sept. 16 this year and covered by WHP TV-21.

Image from left: Angel's daughter and sons help with business and nonprofit work, which includes an annual fundraising gala.

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She established a Tears for Tarina Safehouse to house victims of domestic violence. According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 1,600 people have died from domestic violence-related incidents in Pennsylvania in the last 10 years.

She added: “Over the last nine years of work with her, we have become family. I enjoy helping people and changing people’s lives that really need it and I have led the way to do it at this level.”

Fox earned degrees in Criminal Justice from Central Penn College (an associate in 2017 and bachelor’s in 2018). At the time, she hoped to be a detective, but she decided she did not want to become a police officer. She still has a goal to go to law school someday, to be able to advocate more effectively for victims.

If you find yourself in a domestic violence situation, Tears for Tarina can help you change locks, get a ride somewhere else or even stay in a hotel. She even prepares and distributes survivor baskets. One supporter of hers donates enough from her paycheck every two weeks to build a new Survivor Basket each pay period. These baskets are full of the daily necessities you need urgently if you are forced to pick up and flee: deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, feminine hygiene products, a hairbrush and more.

Hands in Many Pots

her district office in Lemoyne, issuing invoices for the laundromat, buying clothes for women in her safehouse, and taking them to job interviews.

“I’ll find pleasure in the job of helping people erase their record after they’ve served their time,” she said. “God put me in the right place at the right time.”

Fox’s Wash and Go Fox also helps those in need with another basic need in life: clean clothes. Fox said she prioritizes people over profit.

The cause of stopping domestic violence is only one dimension of Angel Fox’s multi-faceted life. At any given moment she is serving others in countless ways. She is the district director for state Rep. Patty Kim, who represents the 103rd District in the PA House of Representatives. “Patty took a chance on me and let me do what was on my heart,” she said. “She is an amazing person and woman to work for, and her heart for the people is pure. She believes in me just as much as I believe in her!”

She said Rep. Kim believed in her enough to start advocating to help people with criminal records get a second chance at a clean record. Angel is also a mom of three young men and a toddler girl (ages 23, 21, 17 and 2) and the owner of Fox’s Wash and Go, a community-oriented Harrisburg-area laundromat that offers laundry services to the homeless. When her cell phone rings, she never knows what hat she will be wearing. She leapfrogs from project to project, taking constituent calls for Rep. Kim in

In 2019, she started a laundromat—where she lets the homeless and underserved populations do their laundry for free. She dubs her business “The People’s Laundromat.” Located at 1254 Market Street in Harrisburg, in a structure she bought four years ago, she said the purchase fulfilled a dream of hers to launch a laundry service like the one her family operates in Mississippi. Fox’s Wash & Go is a full-service, coin-operated laundry facility, open seven days a week, and serving both

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residential and commercial laundry clients.

“They can do laundry with dignity. We treat them like family,” she said.

Fox views her business goals as serviceoriented, not profit-driven.

Recently, Fox’s Wash and Go teamed up with Christian Churches United to hold a giveaway for the homeless. They were able to get necessities like food, personal hygiene products, and clothes. They were also able to do their laundry for free. More than 120 people were fed. She remembers her sons helping.

“God put me there for the community and not for the money,” she said simply. Fox will even go to schools and pick up and deliver uniforms for children who don’t have access to a laundry. She also buses the homeless in with her van, and partners with another entity to offer showers. She frequently will call an Uber for clients. She estimates that she helps 15 to 20 people a month to do laundry. Sometimes, customers try to stuff pounds of dirty laundry into one washer, leaving clothes still unclean when they emerge, so she will give them money to use other machines. While at the laundromat, she does casework, like she does for Rep. Kim. If her customers need food stamps or a new tent, she will work with them, using her knowledge of state government and the labyrinthine human service network. Why devote so much of her time to this venture? “It was the need of the community,” she replies. Once a month she feeds them as well. Either she cooks herself or she buys food, so they at least have a homecooked meal once a month, she underscores. She gives laundromat users soap, deodorant, socks, clothes, hand-knitted blankets, detergent, dryer sheets and more. If her regular paying customers suddenly lose their job, and don’t have money to pay for her laundry services, she helps with clean clothes and clean uniforms. She even helps to get them haircuts.

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Her one son, then 13, even gave his own pair of sneakers away to a person whose feet were peeking out from the holes in his shoes. “We feed the community before we eat,” she said.

Motherhood Angel’s toughest job yet is being a single mother of three young men and a daughter, Adrianna. Her children’s photographs grace her walls around her compact office and they all assist in her charitable and business endeavors. In her very rare moments of downtime—she walks or runs at the Greenbelt. If it rains, she goes to the Y downtown or on the West Shore to help ease the inevitable moments of stress.

Central Penn Memories Fox has many fond memories of the good people at Central Penn College. Nancy Lockwood, assistant registrar, helped her pick her courses, even though Fox knew it was not her job. Angel said she had paid for two courses out of pocket that she didn’t need to graduate, so she decided to get help in picking courses. As a single mom working two jobs, running kids to travel sports, time and money were at a premium.

It means a great deal to me that my staff members are so engaged in every facet of the community. Public service is never a 9 to 5 job. Angel demonstrates that constant commitment to the community, working around the clock not only in her House job, but helping survivors of domestic violence, taking care of her beautiful family, and so much more.

— Rep. Patty Kim

Lockwood fondly recalls Fox and the many great conversations they had. Fox also had a math tutor who would give up his lunch to help her with business statistics. She only had an hour for lunch so she would go with targeted problems to solve and questions to ask so he could help her most efficiently in an half-hour's time. Her community service work includes the board for C.R.A.M, Tri-County Housing Development Corporation (now Tri-County Housing) and Dauphin County Prison Community Advisory Committee. Fox has remained a “Knight” and an “Angel” for so many people.

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Mike Wilson:

Putting Members First By Diane White McNaughton

was traveling full-speed ahead. Next came grass-cutting, snow-shoveling, and a work permit the minute he was old enough to apply for one. His uncanny ability to craft attentiongetting marketing soon emerged as well, leading to an exciting track record of business starts, a nonprofit launch, and work in high-level professional roles, including a term of service with a Pennsylvania governor’s administration. Perhaps that’s why, when Wilson was asked to describe himself in an interview earlier this spring, the first word he offered was “entrepreneurial.” The second --“ambitious.”

Wilson, '00, '06 probably stood no taller than the handlebars on his bicycle when he decided to go into business for himself. He started washing his friends’ bikes at a young age, amazed that his buddies would actually hand over their allowances to him for this service. The training wheels on his road to success rapidly came off, and soon he

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Those two traits helped propel him to his latest achievement: being named the president and CEO of the multibillion-dollar enterprise, Members 1st Federal Credit Union. He succeeds his mentor George Nahodil in that role, as Nahodil transitions into retirement. In taking the reins in July, Wilson assumed responsibility for a financial powerhouse. The credit union is now a $7 billion organization with more than 1,200 employees and 550,000 members in its growing, nine-county footprint. Within days of that eagerly anticipated announcement, Wilson also received an honorary doctorate from one of his alma maters, Central Penn College, at the school’s Commencement ceremony on May 25, in a serendipitous doubleshot of success.

Before being named to his prestigious new post in May, Wilson was the Chief Experience Officer for Members 1st. During that time, Members 1st grew by 40 percent in six years. As Chief Experience Officer, Wilson’s role was to oversee seven business units: retail, operations, call center, digital team, business development, investment and wealth, and marketing and PR and outreach. Until recently, he also served as President of the Members 1st Charitable Foundation. He attributes his unrelenting work ethic to his Army dad, who passed away in 2018, and his mom, as they moved frequently for his dad’s career, and his dad insisted that Wilson earn everything he wanted. Wilson decided to take an accounting class as an elective in high school “for fun,” bringing him to meet a counselor for Central Penn, who convinced him to visit the college. He said a job at Weis Markets is “where I found my passion for people.” Cycling through numerous roles there, Wilson appreciated that Weis Markets allowed him to work in so many different departments at such a young age, teaching him the value of versatility, an asset that served him well throughout his wide-ranging career.

The Culture of “We” In Members 1st’s headquarters in Enola off Wertzville Road, Wilson occupies a sleek office on the top floor, surrounded by interactive whiteboards and tables for group discussion designed to foster collaboration and teamwork. “#We Are FaM1ly” graces the interior lobby above the entrance doors. “There are three groups we take care of at all times: our members, our

Provost Dr. Krista Wolfe (left) and President Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams (right) celebrate Mike Wilson's honorary doctorate. associates, and our community,” Wilson said. “We are driven by a ‘culture of we.’” He echoed that thought in his Commencement remarks: “The collective ‘we’ is stronger than the individual ‘me,’” he urged graduates to remember. Mike now serves on several boards, including the CrossState Credit Union Foundation, NAFCU Legislative Committee, and Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. He previously served on the boards of Children’s Miracle Network, the National Federation of Independent Business and several others. Early in his career and in order to establish strong community roots and relationships, he decided to do a midstate tour of Leadership groups, graduating from the Leadership Harrisburg (2007), Cumberland (2011), Lancaster (2013), and Lebanon (2014) programs. It was a fateful decision, because it was at Leadership Lebanon

that he met Amy, the young leader who became his soulmate. She too was was was a Central Penn College alum—but someone who had never crossed his path before. As a self-proclaimed 42-year-old with “an old soul,” he preaches the value of hard work, gratification with patience, earning what you get, and exhibiting respect and kindness to others.

Joining the Knight Club at CPC Wilson decided to attend Central Penn precisely because it had a strict dress code and demanded respect. He had planned to go to Kutztown University, but then a visit from a representative of Central Penn inspired him to change course. He felt he needed to grow up quickly and impose discipline upon himself to catapult him into the business world.

But it was not all business. Mike recalls that he found plenty of time for fun at Central Penn. His flair for flashy marketing clearly started at a young age. He would cut a basketball in half and wear it on his head to basketball games, cheering with pots and pans. He recalls frequent forays into the “Knight Club,” run by hospitality students. He earned an associate degree at Central Penn and then entered the workforce as the Director of Admissions for York Technical Institute. While in this role, Wilson went to school at night to finish his bachelor’s degree at Central Penn. He then went on to earn his MBA from Eastern University, graduating summa cum laude and earning the Chancellor’s Award. He even was a partner in a local winery, crafting the locally popular persona of “Merlot Mike” before exiting the business to focus on his career at Members 1st.

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successful. He has helped many of our associates find a path to success and grow within our organization.” Wilson's long-time assistant, Linda Weaver, said, “Mike is a true servant leader who believes in collaborative, open and honest communication. He is hardworking, honest, caring, driven, and committed to our members, associates and the communities we serve. He does the right things for the right reasons and works tirelessly to develop meaningful relationships. “

Wilson’s Words of Wisdom

Wilson speaking at Central Penn College's graduation ceremony. He came to Members 1st in the same unconventional way opportunities seemed to arise for him throughout his life. In 2010, Wilson met with Nahodil on behalf of Carlisle Young Professionals and went in with a full business plan. Nahodil was so impressed with Wilson’s initiative that a relationship developed over time that led to a strong mentor/ mentee bond. “He has absolutely changed my life and made me a better person,” Wilson said.. “I feel obligated to pay it forward for others because somebody was willing to take the time to help guide me.” He cites his grandfather as an inspiration as someone who excelled in the insurance and business field. He recalled his grandfather’s Lincoln Town car and snazzy suits. His grandfather always wore a nice suit and recited quirky sayings like one of his role models --the famed author and inspirational speaker --Charlie “Tremendous” Jones whose name and

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legacy represent the Central Penn College library. Wilson fondly recalls his grandfather’s larger-than-life personality and sense of humor. Quotable advice like, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” “How is your positive motivational attitude today?” and “ABC means ‘Always Be Closing’” still are peppered throughout his speech.

The Mr. Wilson Fan Club George Nahodil offered high praise for Wilson, saying, “Mike is motivated, diligent, a critical thinker, creative and hardworking, but most of all Mike is a doer. You can always count on him to get things done! Very few people have the drive, the commitment and the pursuit of excellence that Mike possesses.” “Mike goes above and beyond to help others,” he added. “He is always willing and happy to share his time to help a fellow associate, and genuinely takes pride in assisting our younger associates carve out a life plan to help make them

When Wilson spoke at Central Penn’s graduation ceremony in May, he said he sees Central Penn students possessing a special kind of identity, reflecting uncommon “grit and persistence and perseverance.” “You have a fire in you to make something of yourself,” he said. He believes no one is truly “self-made.” He said, someone must always help you along the way but you need to be open to it and apply it, and he encouraged graduates to foster those relationships. “I love this area. It’s so under-rated, with a great cost-of-living. But the best thing about this area has to be the nice people. It is so easy to get involved, build a trusted network of professionals and combine forces to make a difference. That helps to be able to pay it forward to others.” He also talks enthusiastically about the value of education. If you want to rise up the ladder in the corporate world, formal education is critical, he suggested. Patience is needed, because earning your education and building relationships takes time. “You’ve got to earn it,” he said.

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ACADEMIC

Update

Commencement:

A Tip of the Cap to Grit By Diane White McNaughton The glittery gold lettering on a hand-decorated black graduation cap seemed to say it all: “I almost gave up, but I remembered who was watching.” The meticulously scrolled words were surrounded by white gardenias and photographs of the graduate’s loved ones, including her pets, her mother and her grandmother. The one-and-a-half hour Commencement ceremony on May 29 at the Scottish Rite Theatre in Harrisburg was indeed a fitting tribute to the graduates who powered through, and to the steadfast family and friends who showed up throughout the journey with loving words of support, strong coffee, hot food, infusions of money… whatever was needed. The Commencement was a memorable montage of family members -- from infants in strollers to beloved elders-- fresh flowers, Mylar balloons, clusters of graduates, excited chatter, heartfelt hugs, flowing gowns, and many happy tears. Occurring only days after the tragic death of freshman Angel Mercado-Ocasio, who was an Entrepreneurship and Small Business major who lost his life after an accident at a public ballfield in Harrisburg, Angel’s presence was also seen and felt as part of the evening. Many baseball players and friends wore his initials on their caps and gowns, injecting an undertone of solemnity to the occasion. An accomplished young public servant was one of two alumni to receive an honorary doctorate and address the graduates.

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ACADEMIC

Eric Gutshall graduated from Central Penn College in 2010 and was the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority and the State Public School Building Authority. More recently, he was named a Deputy Secretary in the U.S. Dept of Education. He was also the Wolf Administration’s first-ever Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs and a former candidate for Dauphin County controller, who has built extensive public service experience working for state and federal lawmakers. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania and was honored with Penn’s Fels Public Service Award in 2015, along with a “40 Under 40” award from Al Dia and many other marks of regional and state recognition for his leadership and activism. Michael R. Wilson, '00, '06 formerly the Chief Experience Officer of Members 1st Federal Credit Union, and who was just named to the coveted post of CEO days earlier, was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate. Wilson graduated from Central Penn in 2000 and 2006 and went on to earn an MBA from Eastern University, graduating summa cum laude and earning the Chancellor’s Award. Wilson has extensive executive leadership experience in public service, education, finance, and entrepreneurship - having served in a Governor’s administration in addition to starting a highly successful business prior to evolving into the world of finance to help other business and community leaders. Mike’s awards include the Harrisburg Regional Chamber’s “Catalyst Award” and Central Penn Business Journal’s “40 under 40” honors, among others. The highlight of the festivities for many graduates was the end of the ceremony, when a double line of professors and administrators surrounded the graduates and greeted them with cheers and applause as they exited the theatre with their hard-earned diplomas in hand. Clearly the long-standing tradition was not known by many students, who seemed genuinely surprised, touched and overwhelmed by the enthusiastic show of support from the professors who had guided them through their journey as Knights. Toddlers reached for their moms, brothers hugged brothers, mothers wiped away tears, and friends snapped photograph after photograph.

Update

From those first strains of music to the video montage and final tassel flips, Commencement 2023 was a display of the highest ideals and successes of Central Penn College and its noble Knights. Congratulations, graduates! Go forth and change the world!

The recipients of the faculty and student awards include: Academics Valedictorian – Wyatt DeLancey (Legal Studies) of Carlisle, PA Salutatorian – Casey Gochenaur (Accounting) of Duncannon, PA

Student Awards (Nominated by Faculty) Leadership – Dylan Bowman (Corporate Communications) of Halifax, PA Service – Josh Sooy (Business Administration) of New Cumberland, PA Veteran Service – Karlee Powell (Occupational Therapy Assistant) of Greencastle, PA Legacy Award for Perseverance – Nathaneal Jean Philippe (Business Administration) – Lancaster, PA

Faculty Award The Todd A. Milano Faculty Excellence Award – Dr. Brant Ellsworth

Memorable Quotes: “Graduates, the message is simple: give people chances, give people grace, find ways to give people opportunities. And never let anyone tell you education isn’t the key to success." I’m living proof that education is the key to success.” — Eric Gutshall “None of us are self-made. Grit, perseverance and never giving up can get you to a certain point, but we have all had people who have helped us along the way.” “It is not about ME. It’s about WE.” — Mike Wilson

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Update

ACADEMIC E D U C AT I O N F O U N D AT I O N I

Fundraising

ANNUAL CENTRAL PENN

GOLF OPEN

Wow, what an incredible day at Central Penn College's 52nd Annual Open where faculty, staff, alumni, and local businesses gathered to play a round of golf. It’s true what they say, it takes a team and our team was nothing short of spectacular – 31 teams, to be precise! It was a gorgeous day on the course at Rich Valley Golf where the beverage carts kept our golfers refreshed and fueled with drinks, mouthwatering hotdogs and irresistible pretzels from Zook's at West Shore Farmers Market. Our raffles included baskets of cheer, family fun - complete with four tickets to Hershey Park, golfer’s delight - Foursome at the breathtaking West Shore Country Club, and even a

dazzling gift basket from Munn's Diamond Gallery, we had something for everyone! With your support, we raised over $36,000 in support of student scholarships and opportunities. These funds will expand opportunities on campus and widen the possibilities for the future of our students. Thank you for supporting the current and future Knights at Central Penn College. As we celebrate wins for the Central Penn College students, we must also celebrate the wins of the golfers.

Mark your calendars for the 53rd Annual Go 16

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Top scores of 56 (15 under par) went to Boyer & Ritter and Anderson Pro Painting! The competition continued with various holes bringing new challenges. The challenges included the longest drive and the closest to the pin. The winners are listed below: Hole #3 for the Longest Putt competition: - Garrett Burkey Closest to the pin for Hole #5: - Jake Babinchak Longest drive for men at Hole #7: - Brian Osborne Longest drive for women at Hole #7: - Haley Brubaker Closest to the pin for Hole #12: - Chris Hartman

Congratulations to all the winners of each challenge and thank you for competing to provide opportunities for student success!

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the First Noble Knights: Duane and Sue Greenly “For it matters not how much we own, The cars…. the house…. the cash What matters is how we live and love and how we spent our dash.”

“

For it matters not, how much we own, The cars…. the house…. the cash What matters is how we live and love and how we spent our dash.

The tiny dash on your gravestone represents all the days spent alive on this earth, between the fateful year of birth and that year of death.

Greenly has single-handedly changed the manufacturing world and the midstate in countless ways. With a background in chemistry, he discovered early on in his career that he was far more fascinated with people than the periodic table. He became a soughtafter business turnaround expert, and also a holder of multiple patents that have made life easier for gardeners, snow shovelers, boaters, handymen, diaper changers, and more.

“

uane and Sue Greenly of Mechanicsburg are the first major donors to become Noble Knights, the new recognition society for those giving more than $100,000 to Central Penn College.

They are both graduates of Bloomsburg University, where they met more than 50 years ago and still give generously. Why pour so much of their own personal treasure into Central Penn College? When he spoke at the President’s Reception on June 22, Greenly answered that question in the form of “The Dash,” a poem by Linda Ellis, often recited at funerals.

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Our Central Penn community expresses our heartfelt gratitude for the Greenlys’ many substantial donations, which have helped create and expand the Greenly Fitness Center, establish a health science classroom, set up a scholarship fund, launch a cross-country and track team, and provide athletic transportation. Many students, faculty and staff can answer this question for him:

“

So when our eulogy is being read With your life’s actions to rehash Would you be proud of the things they say And how you spent your dash?

“

We honor the people

who inspire us every day. UPMC is proud to support Central Penn College and value our ongoing partnership.

c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

Central Penn College Education Foundation Scholarships and Awards ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS ABAYASEKARA FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP Harvey McClain

ANGEL BURKEPILE SCHOLARSHIP Lindsay Hyndman

ANONYMOUS SCHOLARSHIP Mary Boro Quasemah Allen-Hawkins Gabryelle Breski Amson Charleston Sidney Green Andrew Hunter Nate Jean-Phillippe Hassani Karemera Andrey Kharlamov Seth Parr Gabriela Perez Briana Riley Brooke Herb

BAILEY FAMILY FOUNDATION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Amber Johnson Laura Struble Owen Zell

BART AND JEAN MILANO ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Anthony Acevedo Kaeden Campbell Amy Collier Jessica Doman Randall DuPont Guadalupe Garcia Gabriel Kaufman Toshia Singleton-McMichael

BOLES, METZGER, BROSIUS & WALBORN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Jeremiah Fuller

BYLER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Julie Canales-Bustillo Sarah Farley Amber Funk Lexi Hoover Jaislie Sheaffer

CAPITAL BLUECROSS SCHOLARSHIP Shonna Bankoske Hannah Duke Kulsoom Mowjood

CHARLES "T" JONES LEADERSHIP LIBRARY SCHOLARSHIP Sydney Bubb Amson Charleston Kevon Davis Amanda Kelly Morgan Staub

CRAIGER C. PARKER "ROCK STEADY" SCHOLARSHIP Hans Desire Omayra Martinez-Girau Anthony Nguyen Brady Park

DARYL AND DENNIS KENES SCHOLARSHIP Quadere Allen-Hawkins

DEREK HATHAWAY LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP Lauren Kelly Jefrandy Montero

DON AND MICHELLE WICHT FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Averi Creasy Deanna Fortin Luisa Rodriguez Jacob Schubert Chloe Yinger

DUANE AND SUSAN GREENLY SCHOLARSHIP Quasemah Allen-Hawkins Mark Kharlamov Jigar Patel Chantal Williams

EDWARD R. NORFORD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Desiree Denson Melissa Finkler Jay'Den Nance Desiree Rivera Diego Tenorio

EDWIN AND CAROL ENGERER SCHOLARSHIP Randy Keyton

GEORGE & RITA PATTERSON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Jazmine Jackson

GLENN AND MARSHA ZEHNER SCHOLARSHIP Logan Kibler

HALL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Wyatt DeLancey Kacie Hoppel Bryan King Sissy Mitchell Erica Vocco

HAROLLD J. STAHLE, JR. '44 SCHOLARSHIP Connor Sausser

HERSHA H. & HASU P. SHAH SCHOLARSHIP Casey Miller

HOLTZMAN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Gabryelle Breski Lydia Koser

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J. MARTIN ENGLE '29 SCHOLARSHIP Randy Keyton Adam Rockwell

JACK F. KEISER SCHOLARSHIP

Melody Cordon

JAMES AND TAMARA HEPFER SCHOLARSHIP Lexi Hoover Kelly Kieffer Elizabeth Richardson Alexis Scott Cara Wolfe

JOHN CRAIN KUNKEL FOUNDATION AWARD Emily Helsley Maris Okiemen

JPL DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Emmilee Brown Amanda Kelly

LAWRENCE AND JULIA HOVERTER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

Marissa Humphrey Hilary Kreiger Raven Snyder

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AWARD

Gabryelle Breski Rayanne Hutchinson Gabrielle Perez Lance Ritter

LINDA '78 & TODD MILANO "KEEP SMILING" LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP

Keri Benner Evan Bupp Averi Creasy Gabrielle Huston Ciara Knull Mackenzie McKenney Morgan Orris Janey Weaver

Central Penn College Education Foundation Scholarships and Awards MANUEL DELVALLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

RUTH EVINGER '40 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

MARVIN '76 & ANNAMAE FULTZ SCHOLARSHIP

THE ALEXARDER BOYD AND JANE STARK BOYD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

Smarlyn Cabral Tavarez

Lalit Bhattarai

MARY O. BRADLEY JOURNALIST SCHOLARSHIP Connor Staub

MELANIE MILLER DENNIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Hannelore Farmer

NANCY AND DONALD MILLER SCHOLARSHIP

Nicole Mountford

PARK AND MARY BARNER SCHOLARSHIP

James Hallinan

PAUL MILLER '40 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Emmilee Brown

PENNLANTIC SCHOLARSHIP Mark Kharlamov

PETER AND MARY PHILLIPS '77 SCHOLARSHIP Averi Creasy

PSECU SCHOLARSHIP

Harpreet Dhaliwal Ashuan-John Harris Julia Kharlamov McKenna Meyers

ROBERT L. JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP Ashanti Figueroa

ROTARY VETERANS INITIATIVE SCHOLARSHIP

Thanyai Ruth Ashley Thomas

Morgan Shatzer

Anastasia Adams Sophia Balshy Billy Costume Emily Graff Fatima Green Kadijah Hicks Tara Joyner Samantha Kreiser Autumn Linde Daynnara Malave Laura Matos Morgan Orris Gabriela Perez Laura Slagle Christopher Turner Latashia Walter Christina Watson GuoJian Xu Matthew Zapcic

THE DONALD B. AND DOROTHY L. STABLER FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

Sarrah Al-Raddahi Shonna Bankoske Tanya Bennett Lalit Bhattarai Gabryelle Breski Anderson Bridwell Emily Brode Sydney Bubb Jaile Cabrera-Reyes Hope Charleston Haydon Clark Kimberly Craig Tyler Daron Kebron Dawit Felicia Del Villar Carmen Delvillar Blaise Diehl Navil Dilone-Ortiz Jessica Doman Sara Engle Tiffany Erhard Trinity Etzweiler Ashley Gilbert Sidney Green Valerie Green

Lejla Hamzic Hailey Heverly Rachelle Hoover Andrew Hunter Lindsay Hyndman Heather Imes Rose Jean Pierre Mikayla Kitchen Kayla Korab Justin Lachnit Jessica Lahr Jordan Manlove Omayra Martinez-Girau Casey Miller Justin Miller Sissy Mitchell Kalie Morrow Summer Mullen Anthony Nguyen Timilehin Odegbami Sean Oxford Rachel Palaro Daxen Patel Bobbi Phillips Safiya Purcell Sarah Ramirez Merily Rivas Elvin Rivera Orlian Roman Reyes Amanda Sabia Jacob Schubert Maria Statum Ryan Stevens Laura Struble Sara Walters Margaret Watkins Grace Wiedman Felishia Wilkerson

Angela Williams Shelli Wiser Kaleisha Wright

THE FERREE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

Jennifer Alicea Anne Alijibu Jania Freeman Aileesha Guerra Jeanine Oliver Kaite Parraga Lauren Shafer Kathryn Wilson

THOMAS AND THERESA FRATICELLI SCHOLARSHIP

Julie Canales-Bustillo

TOM BEAUDUY SCHOLARSHIP Morgan Ford

TREMENDOUS LIVING FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

Taevon Farmer

WELLS FARGO ADVISORS SCHOLARSHIP

Gabrielle Huston

WILLIAM & KAREN GLADSTONE SCHOLARSHIP

Merily Rivas

Alumni LET US KNOW! We want to know about any changes or other exciting news that you would like to share with classmates. Visit centralpenn.edu/let-us-know/ or call 717-728-2295.

c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

COLLEGE

Corner

ChatGPT:

Revolutionizing HIGHER EDUCATION By Drs. Tom Davis, Brant Ellsworth, and Jared Rife, with help from ChatGPT In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, the integration of artificial intelligence has brought about a transformative shift, and one of the most exciting developments is ChatGPT. This advanced language model, developed by OpenAI, is making waves in academia. It's akin to having a tireless, brilliant, and always-available assistant at your fingertips, offering a plethora of benefits but not without its unique challenges. Drs. Tom Davis, Brant Ellsworth, and Jared Rife write about the benefits and challenges of integrating artificial intelligence into higher education.

The Benefits

1. 24/7 Accessibility: One of the most significant advantages of ChatGPT in higher education is its round-the-clock availability. Students and educators no longer need to wait for office hours or class times to seek guidance. This on-demand support can significantly enhance the learning experience.

2. Personalized Learning: ChatGPT can be tailored to the individual needs of students. It can offer customized explanations, practice problems, and recommendations, helping learners progress at their own pace. This personalized approach can be especially beneficial for students with diverse learning styles and needs.

3. Resource Augmentation: With its vast knowledge base, ChatGPT can serve as an extensive resource for research and study. It can assist students in finding relevant articles, books, and scholarly resources, saving valuable time and energy.

4. Language Assistance: Many students struggle with writing, and that's where ChatGPT shines. It can offer

real-time grammar and style suggestions, turning any essay or paper into a polished masterpiece. This can be a game-changer for non-native English speakers or students looking to refine their writing skills.

5. Quick Problem Solving: Students often face roadblocks while working on assignments or projects. ChatGPT can swiftly provide solutions, explanations, and tips, effectively breaking down those barriers to progress.

6. Collaborative Learning: ChatGPT's chat-based interface fosters collaborative learning. Students can work together, brainstorm, and problem-solve with the model as a mediator. It promotes critical thinking and teamwork, essential skills for the modern workforce.

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COLLEGE

Corner

The Challenges

1. Misinformation: One of the significant concerns is the potential for ChatGPT to disseminate incorrect information. While it has access to a vast amount of data, it doesn't always distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources. Educators need to emphasize the importance of fact-checking and critical thinking.

2. Overreliance: There's a risk that students may become overly reliant on ChatGPT, neglecting traditional research and learning methods. This could hinder their development of critical research skills and self-sufficiency.

3. Privacy and Security: The integration of AI in higher education raises concerns about data privacy and security. Institutions must ensure that sensitive information and student data are protected from breaches or misuse.

4. Equity and Inclusivity: Not all students have equal access to technology. Disparities in digital access can create inequalities in education. Institutions must consider these disparities and ensure that ChatGPT doesn't exacerbate them.

5. Loss of Human Connection: While ChatGPT can provide answers and guidance, it can't replace the human touch in education. Building relationships with professors and peers, which are essential for personal and professional growth, should not be compromised.

6. Ethical Dilemmas: ChatGPT can blur the lines of academic integrity. It can generate essays and answers, raising

concerns about plagiarism and cheating. Institutions need to implement strict guidelines and policies to maintain academic honesty.

Navigating the Future To harness the benefits of ChatGPT while mitigating its challenges, higher education institutions should take a proactive approach:

1. Education on Critical Thinking: It's essential to teach faculty, staff, and students how to use ChatGPT as a tool for learning, not a replacement for it. Critical thinking and source evaluation should remain central in education.

2. Privacy and Security Measures: Institutions should invest in robust data protection and security measures to safeguard student information. They must also ensure that the use of AI aligns with privacy regulations.

3. Digital Inclusivity: Efforts should be made to bridge the digital divide by providing equal access to technology and ensuring that AI tools like ChatGPT are available to all students.

4. Ethical Guidelines: Establish clear ethical guidelines to deter academic dishonesty. Encourage students to use ChatGPT as a resource for learning rather than a shortcut to completing assignments.

5. Continuous Faculty Development: Educators should receive training and support to effectively incorporate ChatGPT into their teaching methods. They can learn to strike a balance between technology and traditional teaching approaches.

ChatGPT is a powerful tool that holds the potential to revolutionize higher education. It offers accessibility, personalization, and resource augmentation. However, to make the most of this tool, educators and institutions must navigate the challenges of misinformation, overreliance, privacy concerns, equity issues, and ethical dilemmas. As we embrace this exciting era of AI in education, the key lies in using ChatGPT as a complementary aid to foster learning and innovation, not as a substitute for the time-honored human touch in education. With a well-thought-out approach, higher education can harness the benefits of ChatGPT while ensuring a brighter and more equitable future for all students. c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

Athletics Central Penn College

SPORTS NEWS! E C N E R E F ALL-CON

Adam Hoover

Nate Wise

Zach Boyer

Five Knights make All-Conference Team Five Central Penn College baseball players capped off their championship season by earning a coveted berth on the Eastern State Athletic Conference’s (ESAC) “All Conference Team.” These players include, left to right in photos: Adam Hoover of Linglestown, Nate Wise of Elizabethville, Zach Boyer of Enola, Owen Zell of Lebanon and Zavier Hernandez of Reading. Hernandez also captured top honors as “ESAC Player of the Year.” ESAC “Coach of the Year” accolades also were bestowed upon Central Penn’s Robert Stern (right), a Harrisburg High School graduate. “These victories are huge for our students and Coach Stern,” said Athletic Director Kasey Hicks. “They reflect the impact

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Owen Zell

these students and their Coach have had on the diamond, the sport and their team. These young men are high-impact players who demonstrated their talent all season long, and they truly deserve to be recognized.”

Zavier Hernandez

COACH OF THE YEAR Robert Stern

“Having five student-athletes chosen at the conference level is an achievement that the entire Central Penn community is applauding,” Hicks added. “Having Coach Stern win also is just icing on the cake.” The Knights won the ESAC championship on May 6, narrowly edging conference rival Bucks County Community College by a score of 5-4.

Athletics It’s the same powerhouse in the health care arena who has partnered with Central Penn to train the medical assistants, phlebotomists and surgical technicians of today and tomorrow. UPMC has expanded its support of Central Penn’s academics and athletics with a five-year pledge to the men’s and women’s soccer programs.

The men's and women's soccer teams now call City Island in Harrisburg, PA home.

UPMC is Powerful Force on Soccer Teams Both Knights men’s and women’s soccer teams competed in the league championships. They were grateful to have another big “player” on the field at Skyline Soccer Complex on City Island.

Excitement is Building as New Women’s Basketball Coach Takes the Reins Former Harrisburg High School stand-out Stasia King has been sharing her talent and training with the Lady Knights as the new head coach of the women’s basketball team, bringing with her high hopes for the hoops stars.

Stasia King

The bar is already high. Last year, for the first time in the school’s 142-year history, the Lady Knights received a bid to the USCAA National Championship Tournament. King's basketball journey began at Harrisburg High School, where she earned many awards and even had a day named in her honor for her remarkable athletic career. She went on to play for Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where she was a key member of four consecutive Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) teams. She was also active in various organizations, including the NAACP Chapter and Black Student Union. After her graduation from Duquesne with a bachelor's degree in 2015, King started coaching at Central Dauphin East High

Soccer fans can find the UPMC logo on the Skyline press box, on banners and signs around the field, on the players’ warm-up jerseys, and more. UPMC’s generosity is funding athletic uniforms, transportation to games, scholarships and much more. Their support is clearly great medicine, because the men’s soccer team, coached by Brian Osborne, was now ranked 13th in the nation as of mid-October.

School before reuniting with her alma mater to coach the Harrisburg Lady Cougars girls’ basketball team. Along with Coach Dwan Lee, she played an integral role in the team's victories, securing the 2018 District 3 5A PIAA District Championship and the 2018 District 3 5A PIAA Mid-Penn Conference Championship. Recently, Coach King completed a three-year coaching stint with Duquesne’s women's basketball team. In the 2022-2023 season, she helped lead the team to an impressive 19-11 record. “I have no doubt that Coach King will only continue to elevate our student-athletes, our campus and the women’s basketball program through her proven drive for success,” Athletic Director Kasey Hicks said. Last season, the Lady Knights finished the regular season with an impressive 16-9 record and went undefeated in Eastern State Conference Athletic (ESAC) conference play. The Knights were also undefeated at home last season. “I believe in creating a nurturing and empowering environment that fosters the holistic development of our student-athletes, allowing them to thrive both on and off the court,” King said. “My goal is to empower our young women to become well-rounded individuals who are not only successful athletes but also confident and accomplished in all aspects of their lives.”

c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

CAMPUS

News

90.5% of Central Penn College Grads Are Working in their Field or Continuing their Education Measuring success can be challenging in the world of education. For a career-focused college like Central Penn, one of our key indicators of success is our graduates’ rate of employment in their chosen field after graduation. We were very pleased to see that, for our class of 2022, 90.5% are either working in their field or continuing their education within a year of graduation. (Graduate Surveys, Office of Career Services, 2023). This impressive achievement represents the second highest graduate success rate in the past 14 years, missing by only a tenth of a percentage point the highest-ranking year –reported for the class of 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Accounting Student Makes History

“For decades, we have considered the employment and continuing education data in the One-Year Report to be our ‘report card’ as an institution, and one of our more significant means of assessing how we are living up to our mission statement,” said Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, College President. “These numbers provide the statistical validation for what we already see first-hand on our campus and in our Central Pennsylvania community: we are educating the next generation of workers and achievers exceptionally well and helping to match them in impressively high numbers for the jobs of today and tomorrow.” The report also showed that 97.1% of Central Penn graduates were employed in some capacity or continued their education. In its FiveYear Survey, 62% said they were “very satisfied” with their Central Penn College education, and 38% were “satisfied,” with no respondents reporting dissatisfaction in the surveys.

90.5%

“While the need for a college degree is drawing some skepticism in today’s world of rising student debt, it is so self-affirming that a Central Penn College education is clearly producing measurable success and changing lives for the better for our graduates,” Dr. Fedrizzi said.

Working in their field

Last year, Central Penn College student Hassani Hussein Karemera was one of only 83 students statewide to be awarded a $3,000 Pennsylvania CPA Foundation scholarship as part of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). This year, he earned it again, becoming the first in the scholarship’s 75-year history ever to be a repeat winner. This year’s award amount was $4,000. Karemera, a first-generation college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is a member of the Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society. He has already received multiple job offers and plans to join Martin M. Sacks and Associates in suburban Harrisburg after he graduates. Karemera said he reads hundreds of business books every year. He speaks four different languages from East Africa. He said his late father, a native of Rwanda, was also in the accounting field and he is happy to follow in his father’s footsteps.

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CAMPUS

Fall Harvest Festival Features Food, Friendships, Live Music and Crafts

News

The vibrant colors of autumn were on full display as hundreds of community members, from newborns to retirees, explored our scenic campus on a beautiful Saturday in October. Alumni, students, faculty, staff and area residents lined up in front of more than a dozen food trucks, shopped at close to 100 vendor tables and enjoyed the sights, sounds and scents of the season at the College’s Annual Fall Harvest on Oct. 21. The crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen, Seth Parr and Teagan Russell, between the men’s and women’s soccer games Friday night added a royal flair to the cherished traditions. Alumni gatherings over the weekend were held at the Harrisburg Beach Club and Al’s of Hampden/Pizza Boy Brewing. We hope you’ll join us next October for another Homecoming celebration of the maroon and orange.

c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

Alumni EVENTS SAVE THE DATE:

February 20, 2024 –

White Out Double Header & Recruit Knight - Women's and Men's Basketball - 6 PM & 8 PM

April 26, 2024 –

Closer Look & Baseball Recruit Knight - FNB Field

October 18-19, 2024 –

Homecoming Weekend & Fall Harvest Festival

SCAN QR CODE to see upcoming events and schedules

centralpenn.edu/events

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PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND PAVE THE PATH I hope you're doing well. I recently completed an internship in the Education Foundation office and realized how important the generosity of donors is to the success of students like me. When I was young, I knew I wanted to attend college but wasn’t sure what I wanted to learn about or the goals I wanted to achieve, but I knew education was important.

Gabryelle Breski

Growing up with three siblings, I realized that college and life were more expensive than I thought. My parents taught us the value of a dollar and living your life with a purpose or a passion. My passion is now helping others in any way that I can.

I’m a full-time college student. I work full-time at a daycare three days a week, mentor students from the West Shore Connect program, am a member of the Knightly News Media Club and am responsible for writing various articles. I’m also a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society. Scholarship assistance provided by generous donors is important to the success of students like me trying to make a difference in my life and the lives of others. From one college student who has received scholarship support, I want you to know that your generosity Provides Opportunities and Paves the Path to Success for Central Penn College students!

Gabryelle Breski, '24

Provide Opportunities for Success by becoming part of our monthly giving program.

Scan the QR code to start Paving the Path to Student Success!

Call admissions to learn about our fabulous alumni scholarship opportunities and stackable credentials. Start your next degree halfway done!

717-728-2201

c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

T U O D L SO

ALUMNI

Engagement

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

NEW YORK DAY TRIP Chartered Bus Day Trip

Departs CPC Campus at 7 a.m. and returns the same day by 11:30 p.m. The Big Apple on Your Own - do your holiday shopping, take in a show, or visit one of NYC's incredible landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, the Museum of Natural History

December 2, 2023 CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE ALUMNI

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S E R VIC E

givebutter.com/AlumNYC I

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CLASS

Elaine Smith ’77, A.S., Office Communications, is currently retired but using her time well to volunteer for a nonprofit called Love INC of Greater Hershey. This local group, launched in 2006 to serve area people in need, is an affiliate of Love INC National. Over the past 17 years, the Hersheybased Love INC has expanded its network to include 21 partner churches. They partner with agencies and area businesses as well to pool resources and connect individuals in need to appropriate services. Their programs include The Connection Center (TCC), Personal Care Closet (PCC), Parsonage Ministry, Homes of Hope transitional housing program, Faith and Finances, and coordinating supportive transportation.

Diane Weller ’83, A.S., Computer Information Systems, is the founder and principal of Diane Weller Coaching. She was recently chosen as one of “50 Women to Follow”-- Women-Owned Businesses 2023. She has 30 years of professional experience in information technology and became involved in mentoring, peer-coaching and performance management at Penn State University. Weller went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Penn State and to serve on the Penn State World Campus Alumni Society Board of Directors. Christine Wagner Williams, ’87, A.S., Medical Information Processor, works as a health assistant at Compact Family Services in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She also worked as a transcriptionist at Lancaster General Health before moving to Arkansas. This ministry serves vulnerable children and young adults on their campus, including a residential treatment facility, developmental disabilities services, a maternity home, and transitional living programs, along with foster care programs and participating in the SafeCare Arkansas program. Earlier in her career, Christine was a medical transcriptionist for approximately 20 years and also did various other medical and administrative assistant jobs, while caring for her family.

Wha Lee Strohecker ’93, A.S.,

Legal Secretarial, has worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 30 years. She started working for the Commonwealth immediately after graduating in 1993 with an associate degree. She resides in Palmyra, Pa.

Doug Boyd, ’00, A.S., Accounting, is the owner and instructor at Turf Time Athletics, LLC in Carlisle. In the past, he has worked as the controller for Platinum Preowned LLC for five years, and as the controller for Spanky's Auto Group. He has also worked as a forklift operator for Exel in 2014 and 2015 and as a general manager for Reliance Finance. Doug has worked in all aspects of the used car business. He has also served as the president / captain of Citizens Fire and Rescue Company for more than 15 years. Stefanie Deiter-Printz, ‘04 B.S. in Business Administration, is now a Senior Consultant at RKL Virtual Management Solutions. This company streamlines and optimizes your day-to-day and long-term back-office functions with help from expert advisors and the latest technology. Virtual mansgement is the fastest growing segment of the professional services industry. Yvette Gonzalez ’07, ’13, A.S., Travel and Tourism, B.S. Business Administration, and Human Resources Certificate. Yvette works as a Benefit and Payroll Administrator for Ritter Insurance. Gonzalez recently graduated from Tulane University School of Law with a master of jurisprudence. She also serves on the Central Penn Advisory Board and Central Penn Alumni Association. Katie Landis ’09, B.S., Business Administration, of Loysville worked as a Human Resources Manager at GunnMowery in Lemoyne, doing everything from recruitment and strategic planning, to benefits and onboarding, training and employee relations, employee policies and procedures, payroll, agency licensing. In 2012, she established and built Gunn Mowery’s first Human Resources Department She also earned her Human Resources certification in 2007. Katie is soon moving on to a new venture based in California, but working remotely for The Pipeline Group.

Daniel Blichasz, ‘19 B.S., in Business Administration just started a new position as Manager of Client Success at iHeartMedia.

Rolando Ponce, Jr., ‘12 B.S., in Criminal Justice, posted this promotion on LinkedIn recently: “I’m happy to share that I’ve accepted a promotion as Client Manager at Allied Universal!”

Notes

Renee Ramper, ’13, Physical Therapist Assistant. After graduating as a physical therapist assistant from Central Penn, Renee went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University and her Masters of Science from the University of South Dakota. She has leveraged her Central Penn degree to now be the Director of Rehabilitation at Powerback Rehabilitation, based in Mechanicsburg, which brings rehabilitation services to patients in their home or community. She has been lauded by fellow students as a “brilliant student” and a compassionate PTA focused on the patientcentered approach while managing a team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists in Mechanicsburg.. Powerback was formerly Vitality To You of Genesis Rehab Services.

Stephen Tice, ’15, B.S., Business, has stepped in to assume the role of mayor for Newport, Perry County, after the former mayor resigned. He also Stephen Tice and wife Michelle ran unopposed for the post of mayor in the November election. Tice joined the Pennsylvania National Guard after graduating from Tulpehocken High School in Bernville. He is a 33-year combat veteran, currently a sergeant first class. He deployed four times to Middle Eastern countries during both Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror. He works in logistics and plans to retire from the military in November. Tice is also an elected constable, and does part-time security for Newport High School. He is married and has six children and three grandchildren. He works for a contractor that leases food service options on the Pennsylvania Turnpike where he manages a food service section for the Cumberland Valley Service Plaza.

Joseph Sherbaum ‘15, B.S., Criminal Justice Administration, has been in the U.S. Air Force for 19 years and is currently stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida. His current assignment is Joseph Sherbaum at Headquarters - Air Force Special Operations Command, Aircrew Standardization & Evaluation Division.

c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

CLASS

Notes

Joy Feliciano ’17, Accounting, is a Demand Generation Specialist for D & H Distributing in Harrisburg, D & H is an employee-owned company rapidly rising through the ranks of Forbes Largest Private Companies. She resides in Liverpool, PA.

Janeen Latin, ’17, MPS remains the President/CEO at UCP Central PA. UCP Central PA has a 69-year history of providing comprehensive and innovative services and supports for people of all ages with a wide variety of diagnoses and conditions. Headquartered in Camp Hill, UCP’s geographic and programmatic footprint extends across 22 central Pennsylvania counties, with significant operations in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties.

Kendra Elliott, ‘18, ‘16, A.S., B.S., and M.P.S., a former member of our Alumni Council, moved to Florida a little over a year ago. After spending four years as the Executive Director of Compeer of Lebanon County, she took her experience and dedication to a global platform. Compeer International's mission to promote mental health and well-being through meaningful connections resonates with her, she said. In her new role, she collaborates with affiliates across the United States, Australia, London, and Canada.

Russell Engelbert ’18, A.S., Physical Therapist Assistant, of Lindenwold, NJ, is putting his PTA degree from Central Penn and bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Penn State to good use. He is working full-time as a physical therapist assistant at Rehab Excellence Center in Pennsauken, New Jersey. He lauded the benefits of the lab time they had to do goniometry (the art and science of measuring the joint ranges in each plane of the joint), manual muscle tests, physiological conditions, exercise progression, and overall anatomy. Russell especially shouted out Dr. Eberly. “I would recommend the PTA program to anyone and it allowed me to get into my career field right away,” he said. Melissa Chase ’21, A.S., Physical Therapist Assistant, of Middletown is enjoying her work as a Physical Therapy Assistant at Pivot/Athletico on Carlisle Pike

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in Mechanicsburg. She said she is grateful to have learned from so many “caring and passionate professors” at Central Penn.

Brooke Sexton, B.S, Legal Studies. Brooke has worked for Beckley & Madden, LLC as a legal secretary. She also worked at Millers Mutual Insurance as a Claims Service Representative (CSR). Brooke's primary duties as a CSR are answering agent and customer inquiries, responding to phone inquiries relating to claims and payment status, and processing First Notice of Loss, setting up new claims, and maintaining reports and spreadsheets for the claims.

Danielle Burger, was just sworn in to the Capitol Police. Prior to that, she was a legal assistant for McNees Wallace and Nurick.

Christopher Zyroll ’21, B.S., Business Administration, is the assistant executive director of Historic Harrisburg Association. He helped to increase membership in a twoyear period and advised leaders on ways to grow social media on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. He also compiles fiscal data to generate and present monthly financial reports and supervises a team of staff members, conducting performance evaluations on a regular basis to motivate improvement. He serves as a key player in organizational decision making. He previously worked as the development coordinator for Harrisburg Academy, strengthening the academy’s donor base. He is also a board member for Alder Health Services and Downtown Mechanicsburg.

Landon Roe, ’18, BS, Accounting just started a new position as CFO for GoGlass in Lewes, DE. He was the owner and founder of Landon's Tax and Accounting Landon Roe Service. A first-generation college graduate, he became interested in taxation his first semester of college while earning his associate degree. He continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Penn College. He started Landon's Tax & Accounting Service in 2016 after years of working for a franchise tax store and public accounting firms. He is an Enrolled Agent, a federally-

authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels—examination, collection, and appeals—of the Internal Revenue Service. To earn this prestigious certification, he passed all three parts of the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE), along with a thorough background check.

Mike Rotunda ’03, A.S., Entrepreneurship and Business Management, and his brothers have been extremely successful in the restaurant and brewery business. They bought the former Batdorf Restaurant in Annville in 2005. It is now Rotunda Restaurant & Brewery. They now also have a place in Hershey, Rotunda Brew Pub. Friends of Old Annville awarded the 2022 Historic Building Award to the Rotunda Restaurant & Brewery at 245 West Main Street. The Rotunda family – brothers Lou, Mike, and Dave, and their parents Dale and Lupe – have done a splendid job over the past years renovating both the exterior and interior of Annville’s oldest public house. The building’s exterior now shows the beauty and charm of the original limestone, along with the cleaning and repointing of the mortar and stone and reframing of the windows and doors.

Kyle Nornhold, ’16, B.S., Business Administration, of New Cumberland, works for Keller Williams of Central PA, and was voted “Simply the Best” Real Estate Agent for 2023 by Harrisburg Magazine.

Brittany Dewar, ‘22 B.S., in Business Administration, has started a new position as Marketing Communications Coordinator at Warfel Construction Company. She said she is excited to be a part of the Warfel team and support their mission of developing Clients for Life!

Jenelle Dulack, ’22, B.S., Corporate Communications, is loving her job at WPMT Fox43 and learning so much about the news industry and skill sets required to excel in such a fast-paced environment. In August, she produced her first full hour at 9 am.

ALUMNI

Ruth (Carey) Elicker, 100, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on April 6, 2023. Her daughter Barbara Yost, also a Central Penn College alumna, said her mom was so proud to be a Central Penn College graduate. Mrs. Elicker received a diploma in Office Communications in 1941. She retired as a staffing specialist from the Navy Ships Parts Control Center. Marjorie L. Rice, 93, of Loysville, A.S. passed away on March 16, 2023. She was a mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother who was active in her church and who went on to work as a teacher’s aide at West Perry School District. Wendy Williams Gallagher, ’85, Retail and Fashion Merchandising, passed away from Parkinson’s Disease on April 7, 2023. Her sister, also a Central Penn alumna, shared the sad news. Her education from the Central Penn Business School led her to a rewarding career for Ikea North America as a logistics specialist. She was an avid bird-watcher, cook, and gardener. She was only 57 at the time of her passing. Nancy Behney Clauser passed away on May 6, 2023 at home. She was the loving wife of the late Frederick D. Clauser to whom she was married for 56 years, until his passing in 2012.

Eternal

She was born on April 6, 1936 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County. For several years, Nancy and her husband opened their home to family and foreign students, mentoring them and giving them the opportunity to experience American culture. She was 87. Mary Ellen Bower (Crawford) of Chambersburg passed away at Brookview Healthcare Center on January 6, 2023. She was employed as a secretary for the Chambersburg Area School District until her retirement. She and her husband owned and operated a dairy farm in Guilford Township for more than 25 years, until his passing in 1998. She was 88. Donald Vaughn Wicht of Mechanicsburg passed away on September 4, 2023 at home. Don spent most of his career in management in the transportation industry. He was a Mechanicsburg Area High School and then earned his associate from Central Penn Business School in 1969. Don was a church volunteer, a member of West Shore Elks, the Mechanicsburg Club, Mechanicsburg Library, and a social member of the Lower Allen VFW and Mechanicsburg Legion Post 109. He loved music and was a former drummer in several bands. He loved his family more than anything. He was 74.

Remembering the Life of Angel Mercado In May, our hearts were broken when, just days before the jubilation of Commencement, Knights baseball player Angel Mercado-Ocasio lost his life in a tragic accident. A makeshift dugout collapsed on Angel as he volunteered with a baseball league in the city of Harrisburg. His heart-wrenching death at the age of 19 attracted international attention from news outlets across the globe, including the UK, Mexico and Canada. Our campus family came together as one to remember Angel, alongside his grieving family. A GoFundMe page attracted many donors, and a memorial service and balloon release was held on campus. A dogwood tree was also planted in his memory by Bollinger Hall, marked with a memorial plaque, and each player took a turn adding a shovelful of dirt to the tree. A wiffleball tournament will be played each year in his honor, on the field where he loved to play.

Angel Mercado

Our condolences remain with Angel’s family, the baseball team, Coach Robert Stern, Athletic Director Kasey Hicks, and everyone who knew this promising young athlete and friend.

c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

Did you know that the Central Penn College Alumni Association now sponsors an Alumni Benefits Program as a service to our alumni?

The program offers a variety of attractively-priced products, most of which are available to alumni, students, faculty, and staff, as well as their spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, and siblings. LIFE INSURANCE

IDENTITY PROTECTION

Long-term protection with great rates and fantastic features. Coverage is available from $10,000 to $50 million.

Protect yourself and your family against identity theft with a comprehensive solution you can count on.

REAL ESTATE BENEFITS PROGRAM

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

Earn a cash rebate!

Protect your assets from serious erosion while allowing access to quality care in the most appropriate and desirable setting.

TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel Medical and Trip Protection coverage is available for individuals or groups, for personal or business travel.

PET INSURANCE Simple, customizable dog and cat insurance plans are available.

MEDICARE HEALTH EXCHANGE We’ve partnered with Aon Retiree Health Exchange to provide you with access to their propriety recommendation tool.

ADVISORY SERVICES A licensed insurance professional is available, at no charge, to answer questions and provide customized guidance.

INCOME PROTECTION Long Term Disability insurance protects your income if you become too sick or injured to work.

AUTO, HOME & RENTERS INSURANCE Special rates are available to alumni and family members.

SMALL BUSINESS INSURANCE We offer an all-in-one simple solution that includes a selection of plans, employee enrollment, and ongoing administration.

For more information visit CPC.MeyerAndAssoc.com or contact our program administrator (Meyer and Associates) at 800-635-7801. PennDulum a lu m n i ma g azine

Opportunities Start HERE COLLEGE

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Central Penn College and the Central Penn College Education Foundation invite you to learn more about this special opportunity to help revitalize our treasured institution. Enhancing the “fit” students feel when they visit the campus. Investing in our athletic programs to grow the competitiveness. Most importantly, the atmosphere any visitor, student or parent feels when they visit campus must be our proudest quality.

Visit to learn more about the Opportunities Start Here campaign. centralpenn.edu/giving

c e n t r a l p e n n . e d u | FALL 2023

Central Penn College Education Foundation 600 Valley Road P.O. Box 309 Summerdale, PA 17093-0309

MISSION Central Penn College opens opportunities to students from a variety of academic backgrounds by providing the education needed for employment and advancement in their fields.

NON PROFIT ORG U.S. Postage PAID Harrisburg, PA Permit No. 668

VISION To become a leading resource for professional education in the central Pennsylvania region and beyond.

CORE VALUES Integrity Scholarship Excellence Professionalism Inclusivity Community Service