Susquehanna Currents: Summer/Fall 2023

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

PROFESSORS PAVE WAY FOR WOMEN IN STEM

FEATURED ON ... THE COLLEGE TOUR

TECH-DRIVEN LEARNING

HOW TECHNOLOGY IS RESHAPING THE TEACHING LANDSCAPE | PAGE 8

4

PROFESSORS PAVE WAY FOR WOMEN IN STEM

Susquehanna’s female professors in science, technology, engineering and mathematics mentor and inspire today’s students.

14 NOW STREAMING

The new season of The College Tour features Susquehanna — and 10 students each telling their own unique story.

WAY POINTS

Commencement 2023

Check out coverage of Susquehanna’s newest alumni. susqu.edu/Currents-Commencement

The Class of 2023 Is Going Places

See the employment and grad school placements secured before Commencement. susqu.edu/Currents-Placements

Faculty Awards

Congratulations to the three faculty award recipients who were honored at Commencement. susqu.edu/Currents-Faculty-Awards

VICE PRESIDENT FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

AARON MARTIN

EDITOR

JENNIFER YURICICH ’00 SPOTTS

Director of Strategic Communications

EDITORIAL ADVISORS

MELISSA KOMORA

Vice President for Advancement

LOGAN SWEET ’15

Director of Advancement Communications

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DANIEL GRAHAM

Director of Athletic Communications

HALEY DITTBRENNER ’25

AMANDA O’ROURKE

Public Relations Manager

JODI SWARTZ

Class Notes Coordinator

LOGAN SWEET ’15

Director of Advancement Communications

ALAINA URICHECK ’23

DESIGN

JOSIE FERTIG

Director of Design and Digital Marketing

ERICA HOOVER

Graphic Designer

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHERS

BLUE DOG IMAGING

GORDON WENZEL

Summer/Fall 2023, Vol. 91, No. 1 ©2023

All publication rights reserved. Susquehanna Currents is published twice a year by Susquehanna University, University Marketing & Communications, 514 University Ave., Selinsgrove, PA 17870. Printed

First Word

A Message from the President

dear friends,

We have begun referring to Susquehanna as “The Future-Ready University,” aligning with our latest branding. Although not always immediately evident, this has been a characteristic of SU from the start. We were founded on an early commitment to reduce financial barriers for deserving students; we coëducated in the 1870s; and we always have delivered a curriculum at the intersection of the liberal arts and preparation for careers.

While that professional training initially was focused on preparing teachers and missionaries, we were also early adopters of business education and applied learning. Today, a hallmark of a Susquehanna education is doing one’s discipline. Every student undertakes a capstone experience, guided by faculty experts, that synthesizes what students have learned and results in practitioners’ projects ranging from original undergraduate research to recitals to art portfolios to business plans to conservation mitigations.

Being future-ready means preparing students for the unknown; it also means

embracing new opportunities as an institution. In this issue you will read about both, including how we prepare K-12 teachers to be technologically innovative, nimble, and future-ready. We celebrate the ascendency of women’s leadership in the sciences. Fifty years ago, Susquehanna had one female science professor; today, our science programs are significantly shaped and led by women who provide inspiring role models for the next generation of scientists.

We continue to be future-ready in our curricula, including a new program in criminal justice, a new 4+1 international MBA partnership, and an expanded collaboration with the Chesapeake Conservancy as we continue to work together to improve the health of the Susquehanna River watershed.

You will see celebrations of the achievements of our remarkable faculty and staff, and the launch of our episode on The College Tour. This program, now available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Tubi, and many other streaming services, highlights 10

“Being future-ready means preparing students for the unknown.”

— JONATHAN D. GREEN

outstanding Susquehanna students and how their paths benefited from our university’s engaged community. Filmed during autumn’s colorful scape, it provides a dynamic window into our beautiful campus and the remarkable things that happen here. I strongly encourage you to watch it. You will be very proud. I more strongly encourage you to recommend it to prospective college students and their families who want to be future-ready too.

yours ever,

Jonathan D. Green, President

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Professors Pave Way for Women in STEM

Alaina Uricheck ’23

Peggy Peeler BIOLOGY

Peggy Peeler arrived in 1989 as the first female biology professor at Susquehanna and only one of two female science professors at the university, something Peeler said was not at all unusual. She said giving SU students the chance to see a woman in a position of authority in STEM made her feel a little bit like a groundbreaker.

“Working in the STEM field for my whole career gave me understanding of the importance of supporting women at the beginning of their careers,” Peeler says. And it was that understanding that led her to collaborate with an interdepartmental group of faculty to start SU’s Women in STEM program in 2016.

Now The Charles B. Degenstein Professor of Biology, Peeler runs the Women in STEM program, which currently has over 50 student members. The goal of the program is to prepare women for careers in a workforce that

has traditionally been a male-dominated space and to support them as female-identifying students studying in challenging majors. Though STEM fields are still male-dominated, Peeler noted how far the field has come since she entered it.

“It is remarkable how unremarkable women science professors have become,” she says.

Peeler said she tries to be a mentor and has had students and alumni tell her they view her as one. This year all four of her senior capstone students were women and have participated in the Women in STEM program. As graduates, they will enter a world very different from the one in which Peeler began her career.

Erin Rhinehart NEUROSCIENCE

As a woman in STEM, Professor of Biology Erin Rhinehart is all too aware that when asked to name a prominent or influential scientist, most people tend to name a white male. For many women and individuals of color in STEM, the scientists they learn about do not seem relatable.

To help combat this, Rhinehart required her Introduction to Physiology students learn about a scientist from a list of women and people of color. They wrote about, presented and discussed the scientist’s personal life, career trajectory and scientific contributions, and also shared how they related to the scientist personally.

Rhinehart conducted a pre- and post-course survey, which showed a significant shift in students believing scientists are predominantly white and male, and a shift in the number of students who said they could relate to scientists personally.

“Working in the STEM field for my whole career gave me understanding of the importance of supporting women at the beginning of their careers.”

– PEGGY PEELER

Jennifer Elick

EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Associate Professor of Earth & Environmental Sciences

Jennifer Elick was always interested in nature, but as a student didn’t know how to explore that interest as a field of study. The one-time freelance photojournalist entered college as a journalism major and soon discovered that geology combined all of her interests.

She describes herself as a traditional geologist and has spent time studying the rock record in an effort to understand environments of the ancient world.

Elick has been able to implement art into her geology work through sketching and photography.

Geneive Henry CHEMISTRY

When Geneive Henry joined the faculty at Susquehanna in 2003, she became one of the first professors of color to be hired in the university’s natural sciences departments — a dynamic that was foreign to her while growing up in Jamaica, where she attended an all-female high school taught mainly by women. Today she is The Charles B. Degenstein Professor of Chemistry.

“Unlike the United States, where you rarely find women in leadership positions in some STEM disciplines, that’s not the case in Jamaica,” Henry explains. She estimated half of her science professors were women.

Alathea Jensen MATHEMATICS & COMPUTER SCIENCE

As a child, Alathea Jensen enjoyed playing with patterns, solving puzzles and using logic. So logically, math became her passion. Math was also her father’s best subject and he encouraged her to try as hard as she could. Jensen sees a pattern in that too.

“That’s something a lot of female mathematicians have in common — our dads encouraged us,” says Jensen, assistant professor of mathematics & computer science.

At Susquehanna, she strives to support students and help their dreams become reality.

“That’s something a lot of female mathematicians have in common — our dads encouraged us.”

– ALATHEA JENSEN

Read more about Susquehanna’s Women in STEM.

GO TO OUR NEWSROOM AND FILTER BY TOPIC.

SUSQU.EDU/ABOUTSUSQUEHANNA/NEWSROOM

Jan Reichard-Brown HEALTH CARE STUDIES

Associate Professor of Biology

Jan Reichard-Brown had no idea how male-dominated the STEM field was until she went to college in the 1970s. She often felt judged on a different level than her peers, and still remembers an instance when her gender was made to overshadow her academic accomplishment.

“He said, ‘You won’t believe who got a perfect score.’ And he pointed to me, like they would never believe a woman had done this,” she recalls. “I never forgot that.”

Reichard-Brown uses her position as director of health care studies to “empower my students to reach for their dreams and then provide them the support they need to make that happen.”

Samya Zain PHYSICS

When Associate Professor of Physics Samya Zain was furthering her education in physics, most women in her native Pakistan did not pursue higher education, especially after they were married. However, Zain was married and had a 3-month-old child, something some of her male classmates took issue with.

“One of my male classmates even told me that I had wasted a seat that should have been a boy’s seat at the physics department in the university,” Zain remembers, “and that I should stay at home and take care of my child.”

She credits her father for insisting she had the same educational opportunities as her brothers.

“[I] empower my students to reach for their dreams and then provide them the support they need to make that happen.”

HOW TECHNOLOGY IS RESHAPING THE TEACHING LANDSCAPE

TECH-DRIVEN LEARNING

BY AMANDA O’ROURKE

When the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the world in 2020, K–12 schools and educational institutions had to shift from traditional classroom setups to fully online or hybrid forms of instruction. Teachers were faced with having to equitably deliver an education to students who were no longer seated in front of them. Technology, used sparingly by many teachers pre-pandemic, quickly became the backbone of their lesson plans.

Prior to the pandemic, the use of technology in the classroom varied and was dependent on the age of the students. Elementary students had the least experience using technology. Most had some basic interaction — whether it was through Epic, a digital reading platform, or iReady, an online math curriculum that provides differentiated instruction.

“There was not a lot of technology being used pre-pandemic. Most of the student learning was very handson,” says Kelly Thorn ’17, who teaches kindergarten in Montgomery County, Maryland. “My students used a computer lab once a week for 45 minutes, but they were so unfamiliar with technology that it took most of the class time just to get them logged on.”

Mary Herman ’15 Mostik ’s third graders in the Lewisburg Area School District, Pennsylvania, were also fairly unfamiliar with the technology the pandemic forced them to use.

“Before the pandemic, students learned keyboarding skills and how to type on laptops,” says Mostik. She also used various applications and programs to teach math, reading, science and vocabulary.

But the pandemic brought new challenges. While older students may have had the attention span to sit in front of a screen for longer periods of time, many of Thorn’s kindergarteners did not.

“It was very challenging to teach them how to read and write through a screen,” Thorn recalls. “Some would walk away from their computer, play other games on the computer or do something completely off task and there was nothing I could do about it from my own house!” she says.

Though this massive shift to remote learning was frustrating, the result of having to transition online is that many teachers increased their competency in educational technology. According to a survey from the EdWeek Research

VOCAB LIST

hybrid – a combination of in-person and virtual teaching differentiated instruction – method that tailors lessons based on the individual learning strengths, needs and interests of students educational technology (ed tech) – digital technology (computer hardware and software) used to facilitate learning asynchronous – allows students to access learning on their own time with the assistance of educational technology

Center, 87% of teachers surveyed said their ed tech skills improved as a result of the pandemic.

Those findings echo the sentiments of Susquehanna alumni contacted for this piece — though much of that confidence has come through trial and error. While some school districts hosted trainings for their faculty, many teachers dedicated their own time to develop their technology skills by searching out webinars, tutorial videos or peers.

“I learned most of what I know about technology from my colleagues,” Mostik says. “I work with experienced and innovative teachers who find amazing uses of technology and are willing to share.”

John Bickhart ’01 was appointed director of curriculum at Danville Area School District, Pennsylvania, a few months after the pandemic

hit. Making the transition from the district’s elementary principal, he and the information technology staff mobilized to support teachers prior to schools reopening for the 2020–21 school year.

“We created an entire training program that could be accessed online and adapted to the knowledge level of the teacher,” Bickhart explains. “We established four technology coaches — one for each building — as well as an instructional coach. When we returned to school, 99 times out of 100 our teachers taught from the classroom, even if we had to take some virtual days, because we had set them up with support.”

The shift to online learning also revealed a digital divide in American society and education — leading to equity issues in the way education was delivered. This was a particular problem

“ There was not a lot of technology being used pre-pandemic. Most of the student learning was very hands-on.”

– Kelly Thorn ’17 Kindergarten teacher, Montgomery County, Maryland

87% OF TEACHERS

Research Center

“I learned most of what I know about technology from my colleagues. I work with experienced and innovative teachers who find amazing uses of technology and are willing to share.”

in rural school districts, where highspeed internet service is spotty, expensive or nonexistent.

Jason Weller ’99 teaches eighth-grade science in the entirely rural Line Mountain School District in Pennsylvania. “Many of our students do not have reliable internet at home or even access to a computer,” Weller says. “Houses that had somewhat reliable internet faced issues if there were siblings who also needed to be online at the same time.”

Some districts near Susquehanna provided hot spots — a wireless access point — for students who did

not have adequate internet service at their homes. One was Mifflinburg Area, where Rosaria Clemens ’14 teaches first grade.

“We also recorded ourselves so students could watch lessons later,” she says.

For Mostik, the larger equity issue arose regarding the amount of support some students did or didn’t receive.

“Many working parents were unable to assist their children with logging on to Zoom,” Mostik says. “Many students missed Zoom lessons or did not complete their assigned work outside of school. Some kids were at daycare

or a family member's house, and the same complications often arose.”

While most teachers claimed their opinion of educational technology has improved as a result of increased usage during the pandemic, administrators reported a rosier outlook than teachers. In the survey conducted by EdWeek, just 6% of district leaders said their experiences during the coronavirus closures have led to a more negative view of ed tech, compared to 21% of teachers.

Madison Rice ’21, who didn’t begin her teaching career until after the pandemic’s start, can see the pros

surveyed said their ed tech skills improved as a result of the pandemic.

EdWeek

– Mary Herman ’15 Mostik Third grade teacher, Lewisburg Area School District

and cons of relying heavily on technology-based teaching and learning in her kindergarten classroom at Selinsgrove Area School District.

The benefits, Rice says, are that students learn to work independently; they engage easily with game-based instruction; platforms can differentiate instruction based on the academic level of the student; and many have data linkages that offer snapshots of a student’s areas of strength and weakness.

“However, some students do not benefit from the learning style of technology. Each student learns differently, and if hands-on instruction is better for them then the technology piece can cause them to struggle,” she says.

For elementary-aged students who are still perfecting their fine-motor skills, teachers have found that those skills have been slower to take hold.

“Since technology is heavily incorporated into children’s lives nowadays, they struggle with simple tasks, such as holding a pencil and cutting with scissors,” Clemens says. “Sometimes technology can hinder children from developing the basic skills they need.”

Though it may have been a steep climb, increased technological demands on teachers appear here to stay — and some of that is a good thing, Clemens says.

“Technology can provide students with an array of learning opportunities,” she says. “Schools in general have become more flexible. I think we will have more options on how to provide students instruction.”

Bickhart, now superintendent of the Milton Area School District, Pennsylvania, says his district is taking

steps to establish its own cyber academy, something he believes many districts will do thanks to the technological foundation they have built during the pandemic. He estimates the move will save significant taxpayer dollars that the district would otherwise be obligated to send as payment for its students who enroll in cyber schools not affiliated with the district.

Assisting with the cyber academy creation is the district’s use of Canvas, a system that supports online learning and teaching. More commonly used by colleges and universities than school districts, it allows teachers to deliver course content and post grades, information and assignments online. It is also being used by the district to build its library of online courses.

“I think we’re on the cutting edge of it and I think you’re going to see high schools will be able to do a lot of asynchronous options for their students,” he says. “It benefits the students enrolled in cyber programs as well as all students.”

The pandemic proved something else to society that most teachers already know.

“The pandemic reinforced the importance of face-to-face instruction and having students and teachers in the classroom together,” Weller says.

“As great as our technology is in bringing us together and allowing access to unlimited information, there is no substitute for a teacher being with their students.”

“Schools in general have become more flexible. I think we will have more options on how to provide students instruction.”

– Rosaria Clemens ’14 First grade teacher, Mifflinburg Area School District

Now STREAMING

Take a closer look at today’s Susquehanna, where 10 students, each with their own unique and compelling experiences, ardently raised their hands to declare what Susquehanna means to them.

These are their stories.

Welcome to Susquehanna’s episode of The College Tour.

SEE SUSQUEHANNA ON THE AWARDWINNING SERIES

Season 8

10 Stellar Students

30 Captivating Minutes

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku and more.

Scan to watch — then share with friends. ►

▲ Alex Boylan EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND HOST OF THE COLLEGE TOUR

BEHIND-THESCENES ACCESS

Hear from students who offer a view from their lens as they share their experiences as River Hawks. Watch the full episode or select individual segments to get a glimpse of everything from academics to student life.

Compelled by curiosity and backed by a legacy of success, Susquehanna students are impossible to ignore.

Arianna Sivio LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Alanis Castro Pacheco LIBERAL ARTS ADVANTAGE

Claire Mulkey

Adam Hanna CREATIVE EXPRESSION

Luke Waldner REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES

Kallan Carter RIVER HAWKS ATHLETICS

Charlotte Horvat CAMPUS COMMUNITY

Hannah Mackey SENSE OF BELONGING

Danielle Tryon RESEARCH & MENTORSHIP

Craig Lyttleton EXTRAORDINARY CONNECTIONS

Susquehanna’s Class of 2023

Susquehanna’s worldwide 21,000-member alumni community expanded with the ushering in of 532 recent graduates. With diplomas in hand, they have begun to scatter south to Texas, west to Washington and north to Minnesota, while others will set off to locations abroad in England, Ireland, France, Japan and Spain.

Read more about where they’re going at susqu.edu/Currents-Placements

The poet laureate of the state of Mississippi, Catherine Pierce ’00 returned to campus to deliver the keynote address. After graduating from Susquehanna, Pierce went on to earn her master’s degree from Ohio State University in 2003 and her doctorate from the University of Missouri in 2007. She is professor of English and co-director of the creative writing program at Mississippi State University. In 2021, the governor of Mississippi appointed Pierce as the state’s official poet laureate through 2025.

Read more about the Class of 2023, watch video highlights and see photo albums at susqu.edu/Currents-Commencement

Catherine Pierce ’00

DEPARTMENTS

PEOPLE & PLACES SCOREBOARD THE ’GROVE

Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke poses in front of the Clark and Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke Hawk Hub during the dedication ceremony in May.

MORE ON SPACES & PLACES, PAGE 20

PEOPLE & PLACES

THE WHO, WHAT AND WHERE FOR ALL THINGS SUSQUEHANNA

Ripple Effect

SUSQUEHANNA’S RESTORATION EFFORTS ON STREAMS ALSO IMPACT RIVER WATERSHED AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

Seven years and 56 streams later, Susquehanna University and the Chesapeake Conservancy have formalized their ongoing collaboration on restoration projects within the Susquehanna River watershed.

Susquehanna and the Conservancy are partnered to support research, education, environmental remediation and advocacy to improve the ecological health of the regional watershed, as well as the ways this work can be applied to restore the health of other nearby habitats.

Since 2016, five members of the Conservancy’s staff have been hosted at Susquehanna’s Freshwater Research Institute, thanks to seed funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The pilot program brought together dozens of partners to restore local streams using the Conservancy’s GIS-based precision conservation approach, which was tested in the field by Susquehanna’s faculty and students.

Together, Susquehanna and the Conservancy have scaled the program to six Pennsylvania counties, secured partnerships with over 60 organizations and attracted over $25 million in private, state and federal funding to implement the strategy — with restoration completed or underway on 162 farms along 56 streams.

“Susquehanna and the Conservancy have enjoyed working closely together in shared space at the Freshwater Research Institute,” says Matt Wilson, director of the Center for Environmental Education and Research and FRI. “I look forward to deepening and expanding our relationship with them as we pursue our mutual goal of improving the health of the Susquehanna River watershed and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.”

Moving forward, Susquehanna and the Conservancy will work together to support restoration, prioritization and

research to meet sediment load-reduction goals for the Chesapeake Bay. They will deliver applied research to inform local and state decision-makers while providing professional skill development for the next generation of conservation leaders.

Susquehanna’s students and campus will continue to benefit from the partnership. Students will be integrated into research to determine the effectiveness of ongoing restoration projects and provided with internship opportunities with Conservancy staff. The partners will implement and maintain restoration projects on campus, using them as teaching opportunities for students, staff and partners.

Campus is a short distance from the Susquehanna River — the Chesapeake Bay’s largest tributary and the longest river on the east coast within the U.S.

“I truly believe that the Conservancy’s partnership with the FRI’s staff and students has helped launch a new chapter in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts,” says Carly Dean, director of the Conservancy’s Chesapeake Tributaries Initiative. “Rooted in strong partnerships and data-driven decisionmaking, the Conservancy just launched its Chesapeake Tributaries Initiative to scale the approach bay-wide, based on what we’ve learned right here in central Pennsylvania.”

New Majors and Offerings at Susquehanna

SUSQUEHANNA’S PROGRAM OFFERINGS EXPAND TO INCLUDE THREE NEW MAJORS IN 2023–24 CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Social Justice Approach

An interdisciplinary program between the departments of political science and sociology & anthropology, Susquehanna’s criminal justice program was designed especially for students who want to pursue careers in politics, government and nonprofit administration, including schools and the policy sector. They will be prepared for careers in law enforcement, policymaking, correctional counseling and victim advocacy.

Students will examine different aspects of the criminal justice system, such as the socioeconomic foundations of criminal behavior, the laws and policies that seek to prevent and respond to criminal acts, and the social, economic and racial biases that are embedded in the system.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & CORPORATE INNOVATION For Future Market Disrupters

A new flexible major offered by the Sigmund Weis School of Business was created for students to recognize and capitalize on high-potential business ideas. When majoring in entrepreneurship & corporate innovation, students can select from courses in management, luxury brand marketing & management and marketing. With access to an entrepreneur in residence, students will engage in one-on-one mentorship and develop skills to start a business enterprise or thrive as an entrepreneurial thinker in an established company.

Through this major, students will grow an entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset by learning to think critically and leveraging innovation, by building and launching multiple businesses and by participating in consulting projects with small businesses and high-growth startups — while qualifying for business development funding.

REAL ESTATE Sold on Commercial Investment

Commercial real estate is now on the market at Susquehanna — in the form of a new degree offering: real estate. Students

will master the critical skills to enter and succeed in this market as a commercial real estate investor, developer, broker or property manager.

Through foundational courses offered by the Sigmund Weis School of Business, students will be guided by expert faculty as they learn to navigate investments and finance and to evaluate development opportunities. From studying real estate law to analyzing market opportunities to perfecting project pitches, they will be positioned to make strategic decisions in this competitive and constantly evolving industry.

TWO COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS EXTEND THE FOUNDATIONAL VALUE OF A SUSQUEHANNA EDUCATION MBA

Centered in the Mediterranean Sea

Susquehanna’s partnership with the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, offers Susquehanna graduates an accelerated path to earn their Master of Business Administration degree.

As part of the MBA 4+1, students who participate in a semester-long study-abroad program at the University of Nicosia, located in the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus, can take coursework that concurrently counts toward an MBA. After graduating from Susquehanna, they’ll take just one more year of courses to complete their MBA with the University of Nicosia. Students who do not study abroad in Cyprus for a full semester can still pursue their MBA at the University of Nicosia through its 18-month program.

PHARMACY 3+4 = Degree in One Less Year

Susquehanna’s new program allows students to accelerate their Doctor of Pharmacy, earning both a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna and a doctorate from Duquesne University or Temple University. Known as a 3+4 program, this cooperative can save students a year of study and tuition dollars by earning two degrees in just seven years.

Open to chemistry and biochemistry majors, the 3+4 pharmacy programs provide students with collaborative research opportunities, cutting-edge laboratory equipment and rigorous coursework — effectively preparing them for the demands of a pharmacy program.

Spaces & Places

This past year, learning and living spaces received donor-funded improvements. The following represent part of alumni’s multimillion-dollar investment in Susquehanna’s current and future students.

THE MARGARET PIERCE ’96 FRANTZ AND TODD FRANTZ ’97 RECORDING STUDIO

Nestled in the lower level of Weber Chapel, The Margaret Pierce ’96 Frantz and Todd Frantz ’97 Recording Studio is a new favorite creative space on campus.

“The refurbished recording studio is fully equipped for multi-track recording and computer music composition,” said Patrick Long, professor of music at Susquehanna University. “It is now among the largest and most aesthetically inspiring university studios anywhere.”

A total of 965 square feet, the recording studio is composed of two rooms. The main room is designed to be “acoustically dead” for great listening and sound, and includes new sound equipment and technology and an isolation booth for recording. The “live room” portion of the recording studio includes new lighting and the Department of Music’s Martha Barker ’70 Blessing baby grand piano.

A variety of courses are taught in the studio, including computer music composition, computer music performance, audio engineering fundamentals and music production.

The recording studio hosted a new Music Production weeklong institute for high school students, who received practical how-to instruction in many aspects of music technology and worked as a team to compose, record and edit music and on their own to pursue individual projects.

The Frantzes were inspired to support improvements to the recording studio due to their passion for music and the performing arts. Both were active in the arts and performed in a variety of the university’s music ensembles — which is where their paths first crossed.

THE MARK ’80 AND DEBORAH YODER FOSSIL COLLECTION

Take a look back — hundreds of millions of years back — at what is considered one of the most important periods in Earth’s history, characterized by major events and changes in the planet’s geology, climate and life forms.

The Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Fossil Collection is on display in Susquehanna’s Natural Sciences Center and tells the story of terrestrial evolution during the middle-to-late Paleozoic Era.

“Though we are fortunate to have bedrock of this age near Susquehanna University, this collection contains fossil reproductions and impressive fossil finds from around the world that can be difficult to find in local rock from this time interval,” explains Jennifer Elick, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences. “It’s a story that evolves as new, exciting discoveries add to our understanding of this part of geological history.”

The display represents some of the significant transformations in organisms that occurred in response to global environmental change.

“The Yoder Fossil Collection is meant to be a destination where students can gather and discuss the science from their

The Margaret Pierce ’96 Frantz and Todd Frantz ’97 Recording Studio

The Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Fossil Collection

The Steven T. ’96 and Amy Meyer Trading Room

The Clark and Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke Hawk Hub

classes, their research and their hopes and dreams for the future,” Elick says. “It is a gift from one generation of River Hawks to future generations of River Hawks.”

Mark and Deborah have also established the Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Scholarship to recognize Mark’s commitment to Susquehanna and his passion for geological sciences. The scholarship gives preference to a student who is studying in the earth and environmental sciences, environmental studies or ecology.

THE STEVEN T. ’96 AND AMY MEYER TRADING ROOM

Tickers with real-time data, news and analytics sprawl the interior and exterior of a recently expanded room in the Sigmund Weis School of Business, now large enough for professors to hold classes there.

The Steven T. ’96 and Amy Meyer Trading Room now includes 12 Bloomberg Terminals and twice as many computers. Four terminals are in the Blough-Weis Library. “This gives our students access to the real-time financial market data via the tools top financial professionals use,” says Matthew Rousu, dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business. “With 16 terminals for about 600 business students, we may have more Bloomberg Terminals per capita than any other business school worldwide.”

The terminals, which come with specialized keyboards, double-screen displays and the popular Bloomberg professional investment software, allow students to monitor and analyze financial markers in real time and place trades on Bloomberg’s electronic trading platform. Finance majors can also learn about placing and tracking trades by investing real university funds in the stock market through the River Hawk Investment Fund.

Students can also earn Bloomberg Certification, which gives students an advantage over their peers when searching for internships and employment after college.

In addition to supporting capital improvements and technology upgrades to the trading room, Steven and Amy have endowed a fund to support faculty development and programming in the Department of Finance. Their gift will also create a student-managed investment fund to allow for increased opportunities of practical, hands-on learning.

THE CLARK AND LISA RYAN ’78 BURKE HAWK HUB

Centrally located in the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center, the Clark and Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke Hawk Hub is a resource for all students. Each day, its staff help students navigate the many areas of college life that several may find complex — from transcript requests or billing and finance inquiries to class registration.

Susquehanna University dedicated the Clark and Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke Hawk Hub in recognition of their significant philanthropy to the university.

“Susquehanna University provided me with the foundation to achieve my professional aspirations,” Lisa said. “I know that many of the experiences I enjoyed as a student were made possible through the generosity of donors, and it has been my privilege to support my alma mater. Clark was always devoted to helping others and supporting a pathway to success. I am honored and grateful Susquehanna has chosen to recognize my and Clark’s gifts in a way that is so integral for students and to the daily life of the university.”

Over the years the Burkes’ philanthropy has been spread across campus through their support of Susquehanna’s Global Opportunities program, Women’s Leadership Initiative, and student scholarships and assistantships. Through future legacy gifts, the Burkes have also established the:

• Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke and J. Clark Burke, Jr. Endowed Communications Fund, which will support the Department of Communications, WQSU and scholarships for communications students.

• Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke and J. Clark Burke, Jr. Endowed Career Development Fund, which will support the vital work of Susquehanna’s Career Development Center.

• Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke Women’s Leadership Fund, which will support the Women’s Leadership Initiative, which creates opportunities for young women to help them prepare for positions of leadership in their careers and communities.

OTHER SPACES DEDICATED THIS PAST YEAR INCLUDE:

AIKENS HALL LOUNGE

New furniture and décor provided through the generosity of Matthew ’92 and Jane Petersen ’92 Curran.

DEGENSTEIN CAMPUS CENTER PATIO

New patio furniture and updated entryway into the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center provided through the generosity of James A. ’01 and Julie Dunlop, Jenna and Tim ’07 Robeson, Chris ’84 and Mary Markle, Martha Barker ’70 Blessing, the Student Government Association and the Classes of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

DIANE AND AL MEYER CLASSROOM IN SEIBERT HALL

Renovations provided through the generosity of Steven T. ’96 and Amy Meyer.

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES OFFICE RECEPTION AREA

New furniture and décor provided through the generosity of the Blanche Savidge Community Trust. Savidge graduated from Susquehanna in 1934 with a degree in education.

SCOREBOARD

NEWS FROM SUSQUEHANNA ATHLETICS

Updates for Ballers and Fans

As Susquehanna’s student-athletes continue to excel in competition, the university’s athletic facilities have undergone several updates and renovations to truly reflect the quality of its programs. Along with the addition of more championship banners, recent highlights include:

Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium

The home of Susquehanna’s men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams received several necessary upgrades, including the addition of an air conditioning system, new hardwood on the gym floor, new backboards and hoist equipment, fresh paint, new end pads and logos, and new bleacher seats to fit 1,100 rowdy River Hawk fans. These renovations were made possible by the Julius and Katheryn Hommer Foundation, the estate of Lucille Arthur H’13, and by Alan Bennett ’72 , George Liberopoulos ’86 and Peter Arduini ’86.

Douglas A. Arthur Jumbotron

Game days were even bigger this fall with the addition of a new jumbotron at Doug Arthur Stadium. The 804 square-foot, ultra-high-definition LED video display board is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that very few NCAA Division II or III schools in the country can currently duplicate. With live footage and detailed replays, stadium-goers could see every play during an historic season which saw Susquehanna football capture the Centennial Conference championship and host a first-round NCAA tournament bout against Utica College. The jumbotron was made possible by the estate of Lucille Arthur H’13.

The Robert I. Estill Field House

In September 2022, Susquehanna dedicated the Robert I. Estill Field House in honor of Bob Estill ’65 for his significant support of capital improvements to athletic facilities and provision of equipment. The 51,000-square-foot field house features four multi-sport courts for basketball, tennis, and volleyball. It includes indoor team practice space for field sports; and an indoor, six-lane, 200-meter track. The Robert I. Estill Field House hosts all indoor competition for the university’s men’s and women’s track and field teams, which each won consecutive Landmark Conference indoor titles in the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. Additional renovations are scheduled for 2023 and 2024.

Perkovich Recognized as Top Coach in the Northeast Region Following Historic Season

Head Football Coach Tom Perkovich was honored at the 86th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala on March 10 with the Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year award, presented to him by the namesake and longtime Villanova head coach.

Entering the 2022 season, “Coach Perk” had winning seasons in all seven years as head coach of the River Hawks. In his eighth year, he topped everything, leading them to a perfect 10–0 regular season — its first since 1986 — en route to their first Centennial Conference championship and first NCAA Division III tournament appearance since 2009. At year’s end, the River Hawks were ranked 19th in the final NCAA Division III national poll.

Additional accolades included center Dalton Simpson ’22 receiving All-American nods from the AFCA and D3Football.com. He also earned the Rimington Award, given to the top center in all NCAA Division III.

The 2023 season will mark another historic one for Susquehanna football, as the program will join fellow River Hawks varsity teams in the Landmark Conference. The league will sponsor football for the first time with the addition of new full-time members Wilkes University and Lycoming College, making the annual Stagg Hat Game with the latter a conference game again for the first time since 2006. Keystone College will also join the Landmark as associate members for football.

HAWK TALK

The 2022 softball program won their third Landmark conference title and first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in five years after defeating Moravian 9–3. The River Hawks reached No. 21 in the 2022 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 National Poll, and pitcher Katie Murphy ’22 was named a NFCA All-American, the first in team history.

Caressa DeRossett was announced as Susquehanna’s new head softball coach in fall 2022, taking the reigns of a program coming off a Landmark Conference championship. DeRossett arrives to Selinsgrove after a two-year run as head coach at Wheeling University (NCAA Div. II) in West Virginia and four years as an assistant coach at Alfred University (NCAA Div. III) in New York State.

Volleyball sophomore Ryan Rorls was selected as the junior student representative on Susquehanna University’s Board of Trustees. This role will aid the governing body that provides policy direction for the university and be the voice for SU students by sharing insight on the student experience. Rorls, from Frederick, Md., is a business finance major and plays outside hitter.

Three River Hawks were named Landmark Conference Senior Scholar-Athletes: Emily Wertz ’23 (women’s soccer); Kallan Carter ’23 (cross country); and Isaiah Blatt ’23 (indoor track & field). Wertz carries a perfect 4.0 GPA and majors in biomedical studies, with Carter holding a 3.57 GPA in environmental studies and Blatt carrying a 3.90 GPA in biochemistry. Additionally, Wertz was named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American and is a two-time First Team All-Landmark recipient. Carter is a three-time All-Landmark finisher, including two on the First Team with two NCAA National Championship appearances, and Blatt is a five-time All-Landmark and NCAA All-MidAtlantic Region honoree in the pole vault.

SCORE BOARD

Susquehanna Honors Its 54th Hall of Fame Class

The Susquehanna University Athletics Department inducted five members into the Class of 2022 Athletics Hall of Fame, including four student-athletes and one longtime staff member and supporter.

The Susquehanna University Athletics Hall of Fame was established to formally recognize outstanding contributions to the heritage and tradition of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program. A total of 265 individuals have been inducted into the SU Athletics Hall of Fame.

Mike Ferlazzo – Still a consistent presence at Susquehanna events, Ferlazzo was SU’s sports information director from 1987 to 1991, before moving into a new role of assistant director of public relations from 1992 until 2000. He has served as a public address announcer for many teams from 2000 to 2004, and again from 2012 through today. Fans can still hear Ferlazzo as the announcer for women’s volleyball, track and field and men’s basketball. He also was once a broadcaster for WQSU in 2001 and 2002. Ferlazzo now works at neighboring Bucknell University as the director of media relations.

Isaac Laubach ’09 – A standout defender and four-year letter winner for the Susquehanna men’s soccer team, Laubach earned First Team All-Conference honors three times while also earning Second Team. He was the 2008 Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was honored as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America College Division Scholar All-American in 2007 and 2008. A 2007 and 2008 member of the NSCAA All-Middle Atlantic Regional team, he was the co-captain of the first-ever Landmark title winning squad in 2008, the first NCAA Tournament team in program history.

Michelle McGinniss ’14 – One of the best women’s lacrosse players in program history, McGinniss was a four-time

All-Landmark Conference First Team honoree along with being named 2014 Landmark Player of the Year. McGinniss was a three-time Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Region award winner, including picking up IWLCA All-American Second Team laurels in 2014. McGinniss is first in school history in draw controls and goals, while ranking in the top five in eight categories.

Ken Schetroma ’13 – Another two-sport star for SU, Schetroma was a member of the football and track and field squads. On the gridiron, Schetroma was a four-year starter and team captain in 2012. Schetroma was part of the 2009 Liberty League Championships squad, and All-Centennial Conference on the defensive line in 2011 and 2012. A Division III Defensive Preseason All-American in 2012, he earned USA College Football Inc. All-American honors in 2012. In track and field, he was team captain 2011–13, winning the Landmark Conference shot put title a total of seven times. He also captured gold in the weight throw three seasons and was the hammer throw conference champ three times as well. He was voted as the Landmark Conference Field Athlete of the Year three times and was a 13-time First Team All-Landmark Conference honoree. He also was named to the Landmark All-Decade Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Team.

Katie McKeever ’03 Sillup – A two-sport standout for Susquehanna, Sillup played both field hockey and swimming in her time at SU. As a member of the field hockey program, she was a 2002 STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Third Team All-American, also earning First Team All-South Atlantic Region and All-MAC Commonwealth in 2002. She ranks fifth in school history in career points and sixth in goals, along with 10th in assists all-time. In the pool, she ranked in the program’s Top 10 in the 200-yard breaststroke and 100 butterfly.

ISAAC LAUBACH ’09

MIKE FERLAZZO

MICHELLE MCGINNISS ’14

KATIE MCKEEVER ’03 SILLUP

KEN SCHETROMA ’13

Five Programs Earn Landmark Titles

For the 2022–23 year, Susquehanna athletics raised Landmark Conference Championship banners for baseball, men’s and women’s outdoor track & field, and men’s and women’s indoor track & field.

The men’s and women’s track & field teams swept all four of the indoor and outdoor Landmark Championships for the first time ever, including the women picking up their first-ever outdoor conference championship. As hosts of the Indoor Championships, the men and women ran away with the title, winning a combined 13 events along with Bryce Ellinger ’23 and Chloe Yoder ’24 qualifying for the NCAA National Championships. The women’s historical outdoor conference championship was bolstered by five event wins, including Yoder sweeping the 100- and 400-meter hurdles. The men, meanwhile, posted eight outdoor wins to their decisive victory, highlighted by career performances from Ben Bulger ’25 in the 400-meter hurdles and Ellinger in the high jump that earned them a national championship berth. Ellinger and Yoder went on to earn NCAA All-American honors, respectively finishing third and fifth in the nation.

The River Hawks 2023 baseball team had a remarkable tournament run to win the Landmark championship, beating both Elizabethtown College and University of Scranton twice for their first conference title since 2019. Tony Rossi ’25 was named the Landmark Tournament MVP, while it was the bat of Michael Mancuso ’24 that drove in the winning run for the 6–5 walk-off championship win over Scranton. Susquehanna made it as far as the NCAA Regional Championship game against Rowan University after wins over Arcadia University and SUNY Brockport.

HAWK TALK

Men’s lacrosse head coach Stewart Moan received his 300th career win on March 25 when his River Hawks posted a 17–7 Landmark Conference win over Drew. Moan, who is in his 16th year as head coach at Susquehanna and 34th as an NCAA Division III head coach, became the 10th Division III head coach to reach 300 wins and 26th ever across all three divisions. He began his tenure at Susquehanna in 2008, leading the program to back-to-back Landmark championships in 2013 and 2014.

Senior Howie Rankine Jr. completed his River Hawks men’s basketball career earning Second Team NABC All-District 5 honors and was chosen as the Landmark Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Landmark. Academically he was honored to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. Rankine was one of three River Hawks to start all 26 games this season, leading the Landmark with 34.5 minutes played and guiding Susquehanna to the top seed in the Landmark Tournament.

Sports media majors Brendan Alvino ’24 from the swim and dive team and Trystan Layton ’23 from the men’s golf team, both talented videographers in the athletics department, are each getting high-profile work opportunities to showcase their craft. Layton has accepted a position at Virginia Commonwealth University as its creative content graduate assistant, while Alvino joined the Miami Dolphins this summer as a video production intern.

Chloe Yoder ’24 and Bryce Ellinger ’24 earned All-American status at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Rochester, New York. Yoder qualified for the 100-meter hurdle finals after running a career-best 13.86 in the preliminaries, then ran a 13.88 in the finals for fifth place. Ellinger tied his career best in the high jump by clearing 2.08 m for third place, capping off a stellar spring. He was named the USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region Field Athlete of the Year.

THE ’GROVE

STORIES FROM AROUND CAMPUS AND AROUND TOWN

FORWARD THINKING

A New Way To Restore Ancient Roman Mosaics

Professor Uses the Tools of His Trade at Moroccan Ruins

As a geophysicist, Ahmed Lachhab never imagined he would be applying the same tools he uses to study lakes in Pennsylvania to help archeologists in Morocco. Yet in an article published in the academic journal Archeological Prospection, Lachhab, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences at Susquehanna, lays out how he used ground-penetrating radar to help archeologists preserve ancient Roman mosaics at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwestern Morocco.

“Volubilis is an ancient Roman city that dates to about the third century B.C.,” Lachhab explains. “It was a prosperous city marked by attractive villas with large mosaic floors that illustrate ancient Roman mythology.”

Lachhab first encountered Volubilis in 2018 when he began taking students there through Susquehanna University’s Global Opportunities study-abroad program. During the GO Morocco experience, students engaged in a daylong workshop where they explore Volubilis, its history and learn how to restore sections of the damaged Roman mosaics.

The Romans built the mosaics in a prescribed way, layering mortar atop a foundation of soil and boulders. Over the ensuing years, the foundations of the mosaics have shifted, leading to the mosaics becoming unleveled, fractured and separated from their surrounding walls.

THIS IS A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE FIELD OF ARCHAEOLOGY … I’M ENJOYING THIS LEARNING PROCESS AS WELL, AND IT IS SUSQUEHANNA’S GO PROGRAM THAT BROUGHT THIS ABOUT.

— AHMED LACHHAB

“When the site first underwent restoration between 1940 and 1950, archaeologists lifted the mosaic and re-laid it over rebar-enforced concrete slabs,” Lachhab says. “This is a very labor-intensive process that is nearing the end of its lifespan, meaning the mosaics are again in need of restoration.”

Instead, Lachhab proposed using the tools of his trade — laser level survey, drone photogrammetry and ground-penetrating radar — at Volubilis’ House of Venus and the House of Dionysos. As a geophysicist, Lachhab normally uses these techniques to determine the volume of water and sediment deposits in lakes and man-made reservoirs. At Volubilis, he surveyed three mosaics: Dionysos and the Four Seasons, Diana’s Bath, and Bacchus and the Four Seasons.

He first used a self-leveling laser to survey the surface of the mosaic, noting where the rippling and sinking is. He then used a drone to take a series of detailed photographs of these mosaics and created 3D photogrammetry models and orthomosaics maps (a series of photos pieced together to create a larger detailed images) to inspect surface features and accurately measure their spatial dimensions. Finally, Lachhab surveyed the mosaics using ground-penetrating radar to collect 2D profiles and create 3D diagrams of the mosaic layer down to 50 cm depth.

“The integration of the three techniques was proven to be necessary to assess the actual state of these mosaics,” Lachhab says. “Most importantly, the GPR shows the presence of void spaces — places where the land has settled — sometimes on both sides of the concrete slab, as well as the presence of fissures that are both restricted internally beneath the mosaic and/or crossing the entire mosaic layer all the way to the surface.”

Now, instead of lifting the entire mosaic, the archaeologists used Lachhab’s maps to locate any areas of void beneath the mosaic and fill only that space with binding material, using a syringe inserted into the mosaic.

“It’s a much more noninvasive method when beginning the restoration process on these ancient works of art,” Lachhab explains.

SYLLABUS

Zombies Bring a New ‘Revelation’

By Haley Dittbrenner ’25

Thirty years ago, Thomas Martin, associate professor of religious studies, began teaching what he describes as “the most dangerous book in the Bible.” For the past decade, he has incorporated zombie media into his curriculum to curate the course Book of Revelation/Zombie Apocalypse so students could understand the biblical apocalypse in a contemporary way.

“Students are into zombies,” Martin says. “Some students are best friends with zombies.”

Martin asserts that his class is a serious biblical studies course — zombie movies are simply a way of getting familiar with interpreting apocalyptic texts. While the course fills the ethics requirement of Susquehanna’s Central Curriculum, it is geared toward students interested in biblical interpretation and what the Bible says about the end of the world.

Throughout the semester-long course, students analyze three zombie movies and similar passages in the Book of Revelation. One movie, Dawn of the Dead , introduces students to the idea of the classic apocalypse and how the Book of Revelation could also be considered classic.

Later in the semester, students watch Shaun of the Dead , a parody of stereotypical zombie media. The class discusses what constitutes a parody, and how making fun of a zombie apocalypse changes its message. Using these ideas, students question whether the Book of Revelation could be considered parody, and how that would change interpretations of it.

Lachhab presented his findings at a recent meeting of the International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics in Bulgaria. Likely the only geophysicist in the room, he was approached by other archaeologists eager to have him survey their sites elsewhere in Bulgaria and Greece.

“This is a breakthrough in the field of archaeology,” Lachhab says. “It gives a good feeling to be preserving these precious mosaics that have been there for over 2,000 years. I’m enjoying this learning process as well, and it is Susquehanna’s GO program that brought this about.”

The final film, Warm Bodies, explores the idea of ostracization at the end of the world.

“There are places in the Book of Revelation where it appears all the bad people have been sent to hell and are just gone. But then they curiously show up as extras in the story of the New Jerusalem,” Martin says. “Are the damned really damned, or is there hope for them in the Book of Revelation?”

Martin, who has published numerous papers on interpreting biblical literature, including The Silence of God and Angels Run Amok, instructs his students to read the Bible responsibly and nonviolently. For many students, this is the real revelation.

“I have the best job in the world, because every day I get to mess around inside 20-year-olds’ brains,” he says. “And when that works, and they realize what’s happening, and the lights go on, that’s magic. And I love the magic.”

Professors’ Research Featured in New York Times, on NBC

Ongoing research from Nick Clark, chair and professor of political science, and Rolfe Peterson, associate professor of political science, was the subject of a New York Times article, “Was Election Denial Just a Passing Threat? Or is it here to stay?” Their research examines opinions surrounding the veracity of the 2020 presidential election and whether a voter’s geographic location plays a role.

Program that examined committed relationship ideology and fear of being single, which she presented at the Eastern Psychological Association Conference. In addition to her independent research, Correllus also collaborated on a directed research project and worked as a research assistant for Nick Ungson, assistant professor of psychology. She also performed a senior flute recital at SU and plans to continue playing by participating in ensembles at the University of Sheffield.

Professor of History

Ed Slavishak appeared in an episode of NBC’s Emmy Award–winning show, Who Do You Think You Are? At the beginning of the program, Slavishak shares his findings on the life and political career of actor Zachary Quinto’s great-grandfather, including an especially interesting discovery that would factor into Quinto’s future acting career.

Recent Alumnae Awarded Fulbrights

Two Susquehanna recent alumnae are recipients of the prestigious Fulbright U.S. English Teaching Assistant award from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Madelyn Correllus ’23 graduated from Susquehanna with departmental, Latin and university honors, earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and music. Her Fulbright award will allow her to pursue her master’s degree in sociology at the University of Sheffield in England, where she will study topics concerning identity, gender and diversity during the 2023–24 academic year.

“I’ve always been interested in the way that people think and how society shapes people’s beliefs and attitudes,” Correllus said. “In England, I plan to study current social issues from a sociological perspective, strengthen my research skills and explore qualitative research methods.”

As a student at Susquehanna, Correllus completed an independent research project for the university’s Honors

Correllus said she considered applying for the Fulbright for some time but was undecided about tackling the rigorous application process until she spent a semester abroad in the Czech Republic through Susquehanna’s Global Opportunities study-abroad program, adding that it was “a transformational experience for her.”

Grace Tepes ’23, of Northampton, Pennsylvania, will spend 10 months in Germany teaching English to students.

Tepes’ upcoming Fulbright experience in Germany will be her third time studying in the country. She traveled to Germany as a high school student and returned to spend a semester in Freiburg, a city in the country’s Black Forest, through Susquehanna’s Global Opportunities studyabroad program.

“During my semester abroad, I took courses in German history, literature, film and grammar, as well as in environmental policies and green business,” Tepes said. “Studying in Freiburg was a wonderful experience. The beauty of the landscape appeals to me and I enjoy being able to use my knowledge of the German language. I also have ancestral roots in Germany and Austria.”

After completing her Fulbright experience, Tepes plans to pursue a career in laboratory work to capitalize on her biochemistry major.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the federal government. It is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program currently operates in over 160 countries worldwide.

Bragging Rights

The Susquehanna degree is more than just a badge of honor — it’s a symbol of academic excellence, guaranteed opportunities and a solid foundation for life.

► NO. 108 IN SOCIAL MOBILITY

Continues to excel in social mobility (ability to improve one’s socioeconomic status)

— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2023

► NO. 111 ON NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES LIST

— U S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2023

► NO. 123 OVERALL AMONG NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS UNIVERSITIES

In top 30% for social mobility

— WASHINGTON MONTHLY, 2022

► AMONG BEST COLLEGES IN U.S.

For student success and learning, ranked annually since its inception

WALL STREET JOURNAL/TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION, 2022

► BEST COLLEGES 2023

Recognized for quality of education, graduate outcomes and affordability

— MONEY MAGAZINE, 2023

► AMONG 400 BEST COLLEGE VALUES

Defined as a high-quality education at an affordable price

— KIPLINGER, 2019 (LATEST REPORT)

► ONE OF AMERICA’S TOP 500 COLLEGES

A top 20 Pennsylvania college for 10-year median salary

— FORBES BUSINESS MAGAZINE, 2022

Susquehanna University is a proud member of The Annapolis Group, comprising approximately 130 leading national independent liberal arts colleges.

► AMONG NATION’S MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE COLLEGES

One of 420 colleges based on sustainability-related policies, practices and programs

— GUIDE TO GREEN COLLEGES, THE PRINCETON REVIEW, 2023

► TOP 11% NATIONALLY FOR GRADUATE EARNINGS

— GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE, 2022

► AMONG THE BEST 389 COLLEGES

— THE PRINCETON REVIEW, 2024

► TOP 21% BEST SMALL COLLEGES IN AMERICA

— NICHE.COM 2023

► BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK —

AMONG TOP COLLEGES IN THE NORTHEAST

For helping lower- and middle-income students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices

— WASHINGTON MONTHLY, 2022

► TOP 300+ IN GLOBAL LISTING

For challenging academics, small class sizes, internship and research opportunities, competitive athletic teams and more

— FISKE GUIDE TO COLLEGES, 2024

► TOP 50 COLLEGES WITH BEST STUDY ABROAD

95% of SU students study in another country

— INTELLIGENT.COM, 2023

The Sigmund Weis School of Business is among the top 5% of business programs worldwide — and one of the few undergraduate-only programs — to have earned AACSB accreditation, a mark of excellence.

LEONA MARTIN

In July, Leona Martin, professor emerita of Spanish, established The Leona Martin Endowment for Languages, Literatures & Cultures. The fund honors Nonie’s parents, and is a celebration of her passion for language, culture and teaching.

Nonie served Susquehanna with distinction for 27 years before retiring in 2014. During her tenure, she developed the Latino Initiative, an extensive program in which SU students engaged in service-learning courses with migrant children, organized an oral history project with regional Latino high school students, and interacted with rural and urban Hispanic communities.

A highlight of the Initiative was the annual Latino Symposium, which enlivened Susquehanna with academic presentations, art exhibits, films, special meals and a gala. This event, now in its 26th year, has continued to grow and evolve as the Annual Latinx Symposium.

“I have the highest regard for the individuals who are leading the Initiative today, and so much respect for the students who are involved,” Nonie says. “That led me to think about giving some of my family’s legacy to help continue its good work.

“With support from student leaders, the Initiative has evolved in ways that reflect current realities and major challenges for the future,” she adds. “I know that these dedicated young people will succeed as they strive to create tomorrow’s world.”

Nonie’s generous philanthropy will also ensure the continued success of the Initiative and its goals. The income generated by her endowed fund will support initiatives and activities that enhance students’ experiences in the Languages, Literatures and Cultures department. Preference will be given to the continuation and expansion of the Latinx Initiative, and support student participation in the university’s Global Opportunities programs. Other funding opportunities may include student-focused departmental programs and innovative ventures, at the discretion of the department chair.

Ultimately, Nonie hopes that these opportunities will help attract more students from diverse backgrounds – particularly Latinx students – and support them throughout their time at Susquehanna.

“This is important not only for the university, but also for our nation and our democracy,” Nonie says. “I feel so fortunate that I can do this.”

Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Katie McKeever ’03 Sillup embraces her daughter during the 2023 Hall of Fame Banquet.

MORE ON HALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS, PAGE 24

ALUMNI NEWS

MESSAGE BOARD CLASS NOTES ALUMNI PROFILES DEATHS

CLASS NOTES

MESSAGE BOARD

Dear Susquehanna Alumni and Friends,

It is my pleasure to introduce myself to you as the university’s director of alumni relations.

While I have only been at Susquehanna for a short time, the phrase I have heard repeatedly from current students and alumni is that “SU feels like home.” I must say, from the very beginning, that has been my experience as well.

As I prepared for my interview, I researched Susquehanna and found that SU not only offers a top-notch education tailored for student success, but also provides exceptional experiential learning opportunities through a wide variety of activities. Now, while all of this sounded great, for me, nothing quite tells a story like experiencing the culture of an organization firsthand. So, I came to campus and spent the day observing. From the beauty of the campus to the friendliness of faculty, staff and students, I knew there was something very special about SU. I felt welcomed, comfortable and “at home,” and that this was the place where I wanted to be.

I look forward to connecting with as many of you as possible. I want to hear your stories about why SU holds a special place in your heart. If you are on or near campus, stop by the Alumni Office and say hello. If we don’t meet before then, I hope to see you this fall during Homecoming–Reunion Weekend, October 20–22.

warmest regards,

Wendy Garlock Director of Alumni Relations

GET “NOTED”!

We love hearing about what our alumni are up to! Class Notes are a great way to share your accomplishments, activities and updates with your Susquehanna family. Submit your news and updates however is easiest for you.

Online: sualum.com/classnotes under ‘Get involved’

Mail: Susquehanna University, Alumni, Parent & Donor Engagement Office, Attn: Class Notes, 514 University Ave., Selinsgrove, PA 17870

Susquehanna Currents reserves the right to edit Class Notes for space and clarity and to select the alumni-submitted photos that appear in each issue. Preference will be given to print-quality photos of weddings and other gatherings that include the most alumni.

1965

Stacey L. Bottiger ’65 served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a personnel officer. During his military career, he earned an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi and was awarded nine medals, including the bronze star for his one year of duty at Pleiku, Vietnam. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, he was employed with the State of Alabama as a training specialist who developed and conducted professional development programs for supervisors and employees. In addition to his regular employment, he also worked as an adjunct instructor for the Economics Department of Auburn University and the Business Department of Troy University. Stacey and his wife, Cindy, reside in Wetumpka, Alabama.

1967

Friends since freshman year, these 1967 classmates all live in Venice and had lunch together. Pictured (below, left) are, left to right, Carol Logan Yust, Carole Sloan Grebe Pursell, Carolyn Wahler Miller and Donna Garver Henry

1969

Alan Cooper ’69 was presented the Special Recognition Award by the Cultural and Heritage Commission at the Somerset County Historic

Preservation and History Awards Ceremony in New Jersey. He was recognized “for work and dedication to the Lord Stirling Archaeological Project” and his work was the focus of the keynote address. Alan led the public archaeology program for the county Park Commission for over 25 years, uncovering structural and artifact material representing the over 250-year habitation on the site, most particularly the residence of William Alexander, the Earl of Stirling, who was a prominent figure on the staff of George Washington during the Revolution. Alan would like to recognize his many excellent teachers at Susquehanna, including Drs. Barlow, Freed, Longacre and Pfeiffer, who have had a profound effect on his careers as a teacher and researcher.

1973 50TH REUNION

Gordon Sullivan ’73 published his book, Wine Q & A (pictured below, right), to revolutionize how people absorb and recall information about wine data. He refers to this concept as “concise wine learning.” Each question is a single sentence, followed by an educational explanation in parentheses. In the chapter titled “My Wine Journey,” he recalls his days at Susquehanna. It is available online.

1974

Best of friends from the class of 1974 managed to all gather at the Jersey Shore in the midst of Covid and Hurricane Ida. They said it’s rare that all 11 can meet,

but they did it! In attendance were Ellen Reilly, Joanne Grannich, Susan Martin, Meg Ellicott, Nancy Pinksaw, Marilynn Carstensen, Christine Schmidt, Jeanne Kreiser, Susan Kirshenbaum, Chere McDermott and Vicki Bomberger. Nine of the 11 also reunited in Richmond, Va., adding that they are grateful for friendships that have lasted 52 years, and that they are all still able to meet up each year.

1975

David P. Karner ’75 has served on the Borough of Far Hills Council for 21 years, and most recently was elected mayor. He lives in Far Hills, N.J., with his wife, Deidre. They have three children, son Matthew, his daughter, Regan N. Karner ’04 and son Alexander H. Karner ’06. David is employed at Meris Inc., a marketing communications consulting firm, and was president of the New Jersey Restaurant Association (1986–87).

1978 45TH REUNION

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1983 40TH REUNION

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BIOLOGY ALUMNA FINALIST FOR NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

What keeps Carolyn Kuhr ’98 Kielma coming back to teaching year after year is not the biology content she teaches, but the connections she shares with her students.

A few months after Kielma was named Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year by Gov. Ned Lamont and the Connecticut State Department of Education, she was named one of five finalists for the 2023 National Teacher of the Year Award. She teaches biology and biotechnology and forensics at Bristol Eastern High School.

“I am elated and honored to represent my students and my city,” Kielma said. “The longer the dust settles, the more overwhelmed with gratitude I am. So many former students, colleagues and parents are reaching out to congratulate me and wish me luck. I had no idea how much I was able to impact my community.”

Growing up, Kielma said she was a curious child with an early passion for learning. Upon graduating from Susquehanna University, she worked several concurrent jobs while saving up to continue her education at graduate school — which she did, graduating in 2002 with a Master of Education from the University of New Haven.

“After my first few years in the profession, I discovered that learning science is not truly the goal for my students,” Kielma said. “I now believe teaching is not only about the content but also about helping youth become better humans. I strive to be the type of teacher that I needed in my adolescent years — the trusted adult that students can come to when they need help, whether inside or outside the classroom.”

Now 20 years into her career, Kielma said she still gets excited when chatting with her current students about the research opportunities they could have if they find mentors like the ones she had at Susquehanna, including Jack Holt, professor of biology; Peggy Peeler, The Charles B. Degenstein Professor of Biology; Tom Peeler, associate professor emeritus of biology; and David Richard, presidential professor of biology.

“I will never forget being able to keep frog hearts beating in culture on a petri dish during cell biology lab and trudging through the waters collecting samples from the Susquehanna River during limnology,” she said. “They supported me by believing in me, even when I didn’t. That’s one of the most important gifts I can give my current students too.”

Carolyn Kuhr ’98 Kielma

I STRIVE TO BE THE TYPE OF TEACHER THAT I NEEDED IN MY ADOLESCENT YEARS.

1984

Larry Walsh ’84 (pictured above, left) published his second book on Oct. 13, 2022, Forty to Finish: Cycling to Victory on the TransAmerica Bike Trail. In this inspiring sequel to the No. 1 New Release, Suit to Saddle: Cycling to Self-Discovery on the Southern Tier, Walsh is again on the saddle for another bike ride across America. This time, he enters a race across the heartland. In 2018, the Army veteran and selfdescribed adventure seeker found himself out of work and unsure of the future. He proved that anything is possible with true grit and determination, reminding us it’s never too late to start the race of a lifetime. Larry, and his wife, Kelley, are proud parents of three children and live in Mendham, N.J. Follow Larry’s cycling and writing journey at larry-walsh.com.

1987 35TH REUNION

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1993 30TH REUNION

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1997 25TH REUNION

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1999

Jessica Chichester ’99 is the new national president of music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota.

2001

John Bickhart ’01 was appointed superintendent of Milton Area School District last fall. He was an elementary and primary principal and, most previously, the director of curriculum, instruction and technology at the Danville Area School District. He earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and principal certification from Bloomsburg University in 2008. In 2018, he completed his doctorate in educational leadership from Immaculata University. During his 21 years in education, John spent seven years teaching in Washington, D.C., and Danville Area School District and then 14 years as an administrator.

2002

Adam Kavalsky ’02 completed a one-year White House Leadership Development Fellowship, assigned to the Executive Office of the President, where he developed federal procurement policy in alignment with the president’s management agenda. At the conclusion of his fellowship, he was accepted into the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program to prepare for joining a diverse corps of career executives who share a federal governmentwide perspective and are well positioned to lead change throughout government.

2003 20TH REUNION

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2004

Jennifer Heintzelman ’04 Eck published a children’s book. I Am Wherever You Are: Hello from Heaven contains vibrant illustrations that show children the various signs they may see from their loved ones after they have left this Earth and gone to heaven. She is married to Jason Eck ’05, whose brother and sister-in-law illustrated the book. The book can be purchased from bookstores and is available online.

Amanda Long ’04 Jones (pictured above, right) spent two weeks in Costa Rica and Nicaragua as part of the winter 2002 SU CASA (Susquehanna University Central America Service Adventure) service-learning program led by then-Chaplain Mark Radecke. “I loved it so much and always wanted to return, but just never had the chance,” she said. Twenty-one years later, Amanda went back — this time with her 16-year-old daughter, Grace, to live and work at the Nicaraguan Christian Children’s Center on Ometepe Island, which is where she spent a week in 2002. Amanda and Grace were part of the 23rd group Emeritus Chaplain Radecke and his wife, Tami, have taken to CICRIN.

ALUMNA EXCELS AS FULL-TIME FREELANCER

Madison Clark ’15 set a goal to become a full-time freelance writer and small business owner by the time she turned 35. A digital connection helped her land an international marketing agency as a client — ultimately enabling her to make the shift to full-time freelancing five years ahead of schedule.

Still, she didn’t sit idle in her 20s. After graduating from Susquehanna, Clark served as a social justice teaching fellow at Esperanza Academy in Massachusetts before moving to Jakarta, Indonesia, to work as an English teacher with Indogro Institute. She moved to Northern Ireland in 2019, intending to earn her master’s degree in conflict transformation and social justice and get a full-time job in order to remain in Belfast for five more years.

“Due to Covid-19’s ripple effects, existing work visa funds evaporated nearly overnight, so I returned to the U.S. in the spring of 2021 when my student visa expired,” Clark says.

Since becoming a full-time freelancer, Clark has managed social media for fintech startups celebrated by Forbes, copy edited investor decks that resulted in $1M+ seed funding rounds and partnered with multiple mission-driven companies across niches and time zones. She is currently in the final stages of a branding project with her hometown, Kansas City, Missouri.

“As I’m feeling more and more secure in my full-time freelancing, I’m also working to launch a company that I’ve dreamed about for years: Grief Cards,” Clark adds. “I work with a Kansas City-based letterpress to produce, as our tagline says, ‘sympathy cards that don’t suck.’ While I never imagined living in the Midwest again, it’s been a gift to bring this dream to fruition.”

Clark — who double majored in religious studies and creative writing, and earned a minor in publishing & editing — credits her Susquehanna professors and mentors with providing guidance that shaped how she approaches her work today.

“My creative writing workshops couldn’t have possibly prepared me better for a future in the writing world,” she says. “By learning to remove my ego from the editing process with professors Karla Kelsey and Glen Retief, I’m well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of my writing clients, and the final, polished products are all the better for it.”

Madison Clark ’15

MY CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS COULDN’T HAVE POSSIBLY PREPARED ME BETTER FOR A FUTURE IN THE WRITING WORLD.

2007 15TH REUNION

In February 2020, Jennifer Fox ’07 (pictured above, top) defended her dissertation to earn her doctorate in leadership for educational equity. Hers was the last in-person defense at the University of Colorado Denver before the pandemic pushed all defenses to Zoom. In fall 2021, she was promoted from senior instructor to assistant professor in the School of Education and Human Development at UC Denver, where she also serves as the director of the alternative teacher licensure program.

Tom Stanley ’07 (pictured above, bottom) graduated this spring from the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Master of Liberal Arts with an emphasis in writing, culture and thought. His capstone project explored steep increases in visitation at Philadelphia’s Wissahickon Valley Park and examined the viability of using public social media posts as a proxy for traditional methods of surveying visitors.

Britany Hufnagle ’08 Long is a trainer for an animal actor agency, and the dogs and cats star in advertisements for major companies like L.L.Bean, Stainmaster and Victoria’s Secret and in movies alongside famous actors such as Tom Hanks. She also worked with animals in Blue Bloods, Mare of Easttown and Hocus Pocus 2 (which was nominated for three Emmy Awards), and more TV series that are set to release in 2023 and 2024. Britany also owns and operates Hill Crest Canine Country Club in Catawissa, Pa., where she provides boarding, day care, grooming, and training and behavior services. Training dogs since she was 7 years old, she currently has her own line of golden retrievers and competes with them in different venues, including the National Dog Show and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Pictured (above) from left to right are Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, and Long with her cat Schmagel and her husband,

2010

Kristen Konski ’10 was married June 11, 2022, at Parque Ridley Creek in Newtown Square, Pa. Pictured (below) from left to right are Cristina Snell ’10, Jamilee Ushinski ’10, Amy Strunck ’09, Becky Philhower ’10, Kati Merriam ’11, Kristen, Ashley Rumbaugh ’10, Danielle Lloyd ’10, Lauren Haus ’09, Karen Waga ’10 and Stephanie Ashford ’10

2012

’12

Emily Grabenstein

moved to Washington and is a planning and permitting manager at WD Partners.

ALUMNI COUPLE LAUNCHES DIAPER BUSINESS

Gannon Keller ’15 and Krystal Duke ’14 Keller live in an ecofriendly manner, limiting single-use plastics and reusing items. They applied the same philosophy after welcoming their first daughter in January 2020 by using sustainable cloth diapers. The couple quickly recognized that, while there are many cloth diaper companies, few diapers come in a variety of styles and prints. They decided to fill this niche by founding Kinder Cloth Diaper Company — and to differentiate themselves, they focused on art sourcing.

“We have to find ways to stand out in a very competitive landscape, and our prints are the primary way that we do that,” Krystal says. “We pay the extra money for exclusive licensing from independent artists, where our competitors are buying similar and sometimes the same stock resources.”

The couple notes that their differing academic backgrounds — Krystal’s in graphic design and Gannon’s in business — complement each other in their business venture.

“We work really well together, almost symbiotically. Gannon’s strengths lie in business, analytics and financials. He’s good at the stuff behind the scenes that customers don’t see — like building spreadsheets with sales data to determine when we need to reorder a certain product to keep it in stock,” Krystal says.

“By contrast, Krystal’s strengths lie in the visual stuff,” Gannon says. “She handles design, product development, social media and website maintenance. We’re both contributing to the success of the business in different ways.”

Gannon also works at PNC as a business analytics manager, and Krystal works as a graphic designer with the marketing company Formerly Known As, whose clients include Ford, MeowMix, Milkbone, Rachel Ray Nutrish, JIF, Uncrustables and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Krystal lauded Susquehanna’s graphic design major as being especially helpful post-graduation. She found mentors in her professors, who gave her a footing for her career. Today, she uses her company to collaborate with SU graphic design students and alumni on diaper designs.

When it comes to launching a business, Gannon emphasizes the importance of not allowing perfection to be the enemy of progress.

“Nothing is ever perfect,” he says. “Embrace that and make progress on it. You can wait forever for perfection, but only have a limited time to seize an opportunity.”

— By Haley Dittbrenner ’25

Gannon ’15 and Krystal Duke ’14 Keller with their daughters

YOU CAN WAIT FOREVER FOR PERFECTION, BUT ONLY HAVE A LIMITED TIME TO SEIZE AN OPPORTUNITY.

— GANNON KELLER

2013 10TH REUNION

Caitlin Byington ’13 and Teague Emery ’13 were married by Susquehanna University President Emeritus Jay Lemons H’19 on Sept. 10, 2022, at The Lake House Inn in Perkasie, Pa. Pictured (page 39, top), the couple is lovingly surrounded by Rory (Rock) Emery ’82, Lisa Lim ’15 Paul,

Jared Paul ’15, Alexander Hauserman ’13, Janelle

Geist ’14 Hauserman, Sara Saltzman ’13, Lauren

Seamon ’13 Kutney, Arianis Alvarez ’14, Serena

Baroudi ’14, Scott Gabel ’84, Miranda Quarticelli ’13

Getz, Matthew Getz ’12, Cooper Rorhbaugh ’13,

Ethan Sentz ’13, Heather McDonough ’13 Sentz,

Chris (Detour) Emery ’13, Michael Martinangelo ’13,

Logan Sweet ’15, Jessica Dartnell ’17, Joseph

Thompson ’08, Kayla Arrell ’15, Jim (Harry) Harris ’87, Susan Harris ’87, Emily Murawa ’14, Brett Moyer ’13, Marissa Spratley ’16, Brian Gallup ’70, Chris

Hooker ’13, Lindsey Derstine ’13 Hardner, Matthew

Hardner ’13, Colin George ’13 and Gene Cautillo ’90

Brett Moyer ’13 (pictured above, right) published his second book, Had Ellis Island Washed Away, which

details the history of Ellis Island and the importance of the immigrant hospitals. The book is a culmination of his six years as a docent medical historian. His books can be found on his author page at amazon. com/author/BrettMoyer.

2016

Anthony Rice ’16 earned his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Delaware. He will begin his career as a strategy/life science consultant with IQVA.

2017 5TH REUNION

Mark Harrel ’17 and Caroline Henderson ’17 were married on July 9, 2022, at the Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell, Pa. Pictured (above left, bottom) are: Mary Skribner ’17, Alex Bornman ’15, Anna Petko ’17, Avanti Banks ’15, Megan Duck ’19, Tommy Bluj ’18, Joann Butkus ’18, Matt Pezza ’17, Ciaran Fisher ’19, Alex Ferris ’21, Charlie Derrico ’85,

Erin McElwee ’17, Lizzie Richart ’17, Ryan Prater ’19, Carter Niness ’22, Megan Shaffer ’20, Ryan Rizzuto ’19, Katie Willis ’19, Steve Harrel ’86, Peter Lynch ’17, John Matthews ’17, Mike Chemis ’13, Jack Deluca ’17, Teddy Linde ’16 and Chase Wallace ’17.

Shelby McGuigan ’17 (pictured above) celebrated two years of owning her own hand-poured candle company When In Aroma. Leveraging skills she learned in Dr. Emma Fleck’s entrepreneurship class, she had the opportunity to supply favors for numerous weddings and bridal showers, stock her candles in local retail shops, generate 1,000+ online orders, and sell candles at many local makers’ markets. Her small business is online at wheninaroma.com

2023

Welcome to our newest alumni! Share your life news and updates with us. Submit your class note to sualum.com/classnotes under ‘Get Involved.’

ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS 2022

CATHERINE PIERCE ’00 Achievement Award

In 2022, Catherine was awarded an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship, after having been awarded a Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Artist Fellowship in 2020. She was a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellow in 2019. Her poems I Kept Getting Books About Birds and Entreaty each won the prestigious Pushcart Prize.

In 2021, the governor of Mississippi appointed Catherine as the state’s official poet laureate, a position that involves creating and reading poetry at state occasions, promoting literacy and representing the state’s rich cultural heritage. She will serve in this role through 2025.

Catherine co-directs Mississippi State University’s creative writing program and teaches courses in creative writing and American literature. She is the author of four books of poems: Danger Days, The Tornado Is the World, and The Girls of Peculiar, each of which won the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Award for Poetry, and Famous Last Words, which won the Saturnalia Books Poetry Prize.

Catherine graduated from Susquehanna with a degree in creative writing, before completing a Master of Fine Arts at The Ohio State University in 2003. She earned a doctorate from the University of Missouri in 2007.

NICOLE PAYNE ’99 Leadership Award

Nicole is vice president, third-party risk management at American Express, where she leads a global team responsible for the policy administration and program strategy for outsourcing services, quality assurance over program execution and risk reporting across the global portfolio of outsourced services.

Prior to her current role, Nicole served as vice president, new product governance and vendor risk oversight, where she was promoted from the role of director, operational strategy after launching a new business division. She earned an American Express Chairman’s Award for Innovation for her contribution to U.S. customers’ digital customer experience.

Nicole is a member of the Sigmund Weis School of Business Executive Council, providing valuable insight on ways to

tailor the school’s curriculum to best prepare students for the workforce. She also worked with Dean Matthew Rousu to create professional opportunities for Susquehanna alumni at American Express.

Nicole has long volunteered her time at Susquehanna in additional capacities, including hosting students during networking treks to New York City and participating in the Give Rise campaign feasibility study. Nicole graduated from Susquehanna with a degree in business administration and a concentration in global management. She completed an MBA at Fordham University in 2016.

MERLE ULSH ’55 Service Award

Merle is a retired naval officer, local businessman and philanthropist. Following his graduation from Susquehanna, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and eventually earned the rank of commander. Throughout the 1970s, he oversaw a reserve unit in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He was appointed the U.S. Naval Academy’s Blue and Gold Officer, serving as local liaison to all of the academy’s central Pennsylvania candidates. Merle retired in 1988 after 34 years of active and reserve service.

Outside of his military service, Merle founded and operated an appliance repair center and served as a postal worker. During his time with the U.S. Postal Service, Merle worked as a rural mail carrier, in both part- and full-time capacities, from 1962 until the 1990s. He served as a local labor leader and became president of the PA Rural Letter Carriers Association. Merle was selected as PA Carrier of the Year and ended his career as Statewide Steward for the PA Rural Letter Carriers Association.

Merle founded Port Trevorton’s quick response squad, which primarily served Mennonite community members who lacked access to transportation during medical emergencies. He was a volunteer EMT for more than 30 years and served as a board member of DH&L Ambulance in Selinsgrove. Additionally, Ulsh has been a lifelong member of his church and served as trustee, advisor and Sunday school teacher.

He is a former alumni board member and, in 2005, he and his wife, Nancy, established a scholarship in memory of their parents. From the 1960s to present, Merle and his family have operated SU’s laundry service. He often returned profits as donations to the university.

SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESENTED ITS ANNUAL AWARDS TO THE FOLLOWING ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION.

Merle graduated from Susquehanna in 1955 while working for his family’s business. He remembers commuting in his 1931 Ford Model A and giving rides to professors who often walked to campus.

LOU SANTANGELO ’50 Service to Susquehanna Award

Prior to attending Susquehanna, Lou joined the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. After graduation from SU, he entered the U.S. Navy Communications School. He was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for distinguished service and heroic achievement for his valor during the sinking of the USS Sarsi during the Korean War, and was credited for saving 37 lives.

Following his naval service, Lou began his professional career with the Aetna Company. While working with one of his clients, he met his wife, Ashie, to whom he was married for 64 years and who accepted the award on Lou’s behalf. He joined the C. Lavieri Agency prior to relocating to Hershey, where he served as the head of public relations for The Hershey Foods Corporation until 1974. He then began a successful career in real estate before starting Sans & Company, a business brokerage firm.

Lou was a standout student-athlete. He was inducted into the Susquehanna University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987 and is an inaugural member of the Susquehanna Football Ring of Honor. Coach Amos Alonzo Stagg referred to him as “Saint” for his versatility on the field. Lou continued an enduring commitment to Susquehanna by serving on a variety of boards, volunteer committees and alumni associations — including a term as president of the alumni board — and was a lifelong financial supporter of the university and its athletics program.

Lou graduated from Susquehanna in 1950 with a degree in business economics. He completed a graduate degree in business administration at Bucknell University in 1954. He passed away on Feb. 14, 2022, at the age of 93.

ALLEY MILLER ’17 Outstanding Recent Alumna Award

Alley serves as a development director of Guadalupe Clinic in Wichita, Kansas, which provides medical care and other health services to uninsured and underprivileged individuals. In her role, Alley is responsible for developing and leading fundraising strategies that make the clinic’s mission possible. She was promoted to her current role just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, after which she successfully pivoted to online fundraising while also taking on additional Covid-19 testing duties.

After graduating in 2017, Alley was placed at the Guadalupe Center as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. AmeriCorps VISTA is an anti-poverty program designed to provide needed resources to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help lift communities out of poverty. She helped Guadalupe Clinic expand its fundraising efforts into all forms of digital media, and the clinic subsequently hired her as a development associate after she completed AmeriCorps VISTA service in 2018.

Alley was recognized as the 2021 Outstanding New Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Greater Wichita on National Philanthropy Day.

She graduated from Susquehanna with a degree in graphic design, and later completed a Master of Public Administration at Wichita State University in 2020.

Pictured L to R: Ashie Santangelo, Nicole Payne ’99, Merle Ulsh ’55, Catherine Pierce ’00

DEATHS

Susquehanna University extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the following alumni who have passed away. To view obituaries, log in to sualum.com and select In Memoriam under Resources.

Doris Haggarty ’44 Bass

March 17, 2022

Ethel Wilson ’44 Kerschner

April 7, 2022

Margaret Walter ’45 Downer

Sept. 7, 2022

Marianna Hazen ’48 Zimmerman

March 23, 2022

Marian Steigerwalt ’49 Dorward

Nov. 24, 2022

Raymond Lauver ’50

April 25, 2022

Janice Arner ’51 Himmelman

July 26, 2022

Jean McDonald ’51 Joyce

April 14, 2022

Voylet Dietz ’52 Carr

Oct. 7, 2021

Donald Foelsch ’53

Dec. 3, 2022

Robert Mesler ’53

March 16, 2022

Orville Lauver ’54

June 11, 2022

Carolyn Lucas ’54 Boyer

Dec. 25, 2022

Helen Williams ’55 Boyd

Nov. 27, 2022

Arlan Gilbert ’55

Feb. 22, 2022

Nancy Hermann Snook ’55

Nov. 9, 2022

Richard Eyster ’56

Feb. 18, 2022

David Fetter ’56

March 1, 2022

Janet Gerner ’56 Yeich

Dec. 28, 2022

Nancy Henderson ’56 Nesbitt

Oct. 8, 2022

W. Robert Camerer ’57

July 30, 2022

Alan Bortle ’58

March 22, 2022

Ronald Feltman ’58

Jan. 15, 2022

Gladys Lauver ’58 Luckenbaugh

June 10, 2022

Gordon Thompson ’58

June 19, 2022

Gloria Myers ’58 Willauer

Oct. 2, 2022

William Crain ’59

April 26, 2022

Russell Mertz ’59

July 11, 2022

Joseph Osinchak ’59

Oct. 29, 2022

Ray Richie ’60

Aug. 2, 2022

James Papada ’61

Feb. 7, 2022

Raymond Sharrow ’61

Feb. 23, 2022

Mary Jablonski ’62

Dec. 10, 2022

Kay Potts ’63

Dec. 11, 2022

John Rodkey ’63

Dec. 29, 2022

Dennis Woodruff ’63

June 13, 2022

William Gerkens ’64

July 24, 2022

Ralph Meyer ’64

Feb. 11, 2022

Jeffrey Weichel ’64

July 21, 2022

Richard Caruso ’65

Aug. 12, 2022

Frederick Stauffer ’65

Oct. 31, 2022

Sandra Potts ’65 Manbeck

July 5, 2022

Judith Rhodes ’65 Scheks

Feb. 17, 2023

Gerald Farnsworth ’66

Aug.17, 2022

Walter Rice ’66

Dec. 22, 2021

William Schmidt ’66

May 6, 2022

John Keim ’67

Oct. 21, 2022

Kathleen Livingston ’68 Peck

Aug. 27, 2022

Walter Startzel ’68

Aug. 27, 2022

Daniel Corveleyn ’69

Oct. 4, 2022

Donald Craver ’69 March 17, 2022

David Florey ’69

Feb. 2, 2023

R. Higinbotham ’69

July 4, 2022

Richard Campbell ’71

Jan. 31, 2023

Valerie Fisher ’71

Jan. 18, 2022

Edwin Lamphier ’71

Jan. 18, 2022

Donald Gates ’72

Jan. 21, 2022

Karen Shaffer ’72 Martin

July 26, 2022

Susan Topfer ’73 Ziemann

Dec. 19, 2022

Peter Douglas ’74

Sept. 28, 2022

Martha Kauffman ’75 Ocker

Jan. 3, 2023

Brenda Parker ’75 Nelson

May 24, 2022

Julianne Metzger ’76 Pykelny

Feb. 17, 2023

Jon Eich ’77

July 20, 2022

Christen Hefler ’77 Reinert

Dec. 19, 2022

Bruce Wetteroth ’77

Dec. 30, 2022

Penelope Norwood ’78 Margoles

Oct. 14, 2022

John Lacombe ’81

Feb. 11, 2023

Debbi Dilliplane ’81 Wolfe

May 7, 2022

Darla Aumiller ’87 Ritter

Jan. 8, 2022

Marc Wiseman ’87

Jan. 27, 2023

Rose Kiernan ’88

Jan. 16, 2023

Wendy Snyder ’88 Rehm

March 1, 2022

Sally Meteyard ’90 Christine

Sept. 1, 2022

John Reformato ’92

July 28, 2022

Ryan Jones ’95

Jan. 11, 2022

Scot Sechler ’96

Nov. 4, 2022

David Gwozdz ’97

Jan. 28, 2022

Kimberly Ecker ’01 Olson

Oct. 18, 2022

Megan Stefonich ’12

Dec. 27, 2022

Michael Tilley ’13

August 29, 2022

Emily Day ’15

Sept. 8, 2022

Alisha Zekrioui ’15

May 11, 2022

LARRY AUGUSTINE , professor emeritus of communications, passed away Oct. 28, 2022. He was 82.

Larry joined the faculty at Susquehanna in 1966 and provided 50 years of distinguished service. He established Susquehanna’s campus radio station, WQSU, which began broadcasting in 1967. The on-air studio was dedicated as the Larry Augustine Studio at WQSU in January 2022. Larry chaired the Department of Communications and Theatre Arts until the two majors formed separate departments, then continued to chair the Department of Communications until his retirement in 2016. Four years later, Larry established the Larry Augustine Communications Endowment at Susquehanna, the income from which will be used to support initiatives and activities designed to enhance student learning and outcomes in the Department of Communications.

Larry is survived by his close friend, Bob Stahl, and two sisters and nine nieces and nephews.

IN MEMORIAMS

PAM AUNGST , retired manager of operations in admission, passed away Dec. 2, 2022 at the age of 69.

Pam graduated from East Pennsboro High School in 1972 and Gettysburg College in 1975. She joined the staff at Susquehanna in 1977, serving for 37 years until her retirement in 2014. She is survived by her husband, Greg; her son, Jordan, and his wife, Briana; and her daughter, Molly.

Richard and his wife, Sally, founded the Dr. Richard E. and Sally F. Caruso Mentoring and Innovation Center, which is the hub of entrepreneurship education at Susquehanna, and the Uncommon Individual Foundation Event Series and Innovation Program Endowment. He attended Susquehanna on a football scholarship, and in 2019, he was inducted into Susquehanna’s football Ring of Honor. Richard earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting, and went on to earn a master’s degree from Bucknell University and a doctorate from the London School of Economics, where he developed and refined his groundbreaking theories on mentoring.

Richard is survived by his wife, Sally Feitig ’68 Caruso; son Jonathan and his wife, Jennifer; son Peter; and grandchildren Kaitlyn, Tyler and Ryan.

STEPHEN “STEVE”

RICHARD E. CARUSO ’65 , emeritus member of the Board of Trustees, passed away on Aug. 12, 2022. He was 79. Richard began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC, Philadelphia. He went on to serve in various companies, rising to the role of executive vice president. In 1989, he launched Integra LifeSciences, a company that pioneered regenerative medicine that today is a NASDAQlisted global leader in the medical device industry. In 1986, he created The Uncommon Individual Foundation, which is devoted to mentoring.

HERROLD ’69 passed away Feb. 26, 2023, at the age of 75.

As a child, he attended a one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Selinsgrove Area High Schooland from Susquehanna in 1969 with a degree in physics. He was awarded a full fellowship from the then Atomic Energy Commission to attend The Georgia Institute of Technology, where he obtained master’s degrees in nuclear engineering and health physics. In 1973, he started work at Susquehanna in Information Technology, retiring in 2019 after 46 years of dedicated service to the university.

IN MEMORIAMS

Philadelphia office. Thirteen years later he moved to the firm’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner, from which he retired in 1997.

From 1984 until 2019, when he was awarded emeritus status, Pete served on Susquehanna’s Board of Trustees. He was the first chair of the audit committee — a position he held for 34 years — and was an instrumental member of numerous campaign committees.

Hal and his associates started Chemcut Corporation in 1957, a leading manufacturer of precision equipment for printed circuit board production. He retired as president and CEO in 1987.

GEORGE MACHLAN , emeritus professor of accounting, passed away Jan. 26. He was 82.

George earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Penn State University. He joined the faculty at Susquehanna in 1966. He was with the university for two major milestones in business education: the founding of the Sigmund Weis School of Business in 1983 and its AACSB accreditation in 1993. George retired in 2006, having served the university for 40 years.

He is survived by his wife, Faye; daughter Laura and her husband, Scott, of Selinsgrove; daughter Susan and her husband, Kyle, of New Freedom, Pa.; stepson, Joel, and his wife, Michelle, of Forest, Va.; and six grandchildren.

Pete also served as president of the university’s alumni association. In 1985, he received the SU Alumni Association Service Award and in 1997, he was recognized with its achievement award.

Pete was a member of the Susquehanna Society, which recognizes individuals and foundations who have donated $1 million or more to Susquehanna in their lifetime. Together with his wife, Ruth Scott ’55 Nunn, Pete established the Peter ’57 and Ruth Scott ’55 Nunn Unrestricted Endowment Fund in 1987.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; son Steven ’81 and his wife, Kelly; son David; and grandchildren Brad and Tyler.

In 1981, Hal joined the Susquehanna University Board of Trustees and served as chair from 1986 to 1997 and again from 2002 to 2003. He chaired the Susquehanna 2000 capital campaign, and in 1997, the Harold C. and Nancy M. O’Connor Distinguished Achievement Fund at Susquehanna University was established to commemorate Hal’s retirement as board chair.

Hal and his wife, Nancy, generously supported renovations to the Blough-Weis Library, Fisher Hall and numerous Susquehanna initiatives. In 2017, Hal and Nancy’s tireless commitment to Susquehanna was recognized with honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, his daughter Barbara Jean Hawman and her husband, Robert; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

HAROLD “HAL” C.

REBECCA STRAWSER , formerly an environmental services technician, passed away July 21, 2022, at the age of 56.

PETER NUNN ’57 H’19 , emeritus member of the Board of Trustees, passed away Oct. 17, 2022. He was 87.

Pete graduated from Susquehanna in 1957 with a degree in accounting and quickly began a 40-year career at Coopers & Lybrand in the firm’s

O’CONNOR , chair emeritus of Susquehanna University’s Board of Trustees, died Sept. 16. He was 93.

Majoring in physics, Hal graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1952. He served his alma mater as board president for Penn State’s Eberly College of Science Alumni Society from 1979 to 1981.

Becky joined Susquehanna University in 2019. She is survived by her husband, Darryl, son Jeremy and his wife, Dani; son Nick and his wife, Jackie; son Zac and his companion, Kayla; and grandchildren Wyatt, Cooper, Avery, Emery and Elaine.