Susquehanna Currents Fall 2016

fall 2016 · vol 84 · no 2

INFORMING THE

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VOTE ALSO IN THIS ISSUE ELEMENTS OF AN AMERICAN DREAM RIVER HAWKS HAVE LANDED

fall 2016

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vol 84

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Inside

no 2

I N F O R M I N G T H E VOT E Susquehanna students spent the summer interning at VoteSmart, a nonpartisan organization in Montana that provides American voters with fair, unbiased information about candidates and elected officials.

F E AT U R E S

SECTIONS

4

DEPARTMENTS

Informing the Vote

12 Elements of an American Dream

2

18 River Hawks Have Landed

22 People & Places

First Word

26 Scoreboard 30 The ’Grove

Q&A · Syllabus · Forward Thinking · Kudos

46 End Notes ALUMNI NEWS

34 Class Notes

Message Board · Regional Chapter News · Weddings & Gatherings · Deaths

Chief Communications Officer ANGELA BURROWS

Assistant Vice President, Alumni, Parent and Donor Engagement BECKY BRAMER ’92 DEITRICK

Editor VICTORIA KIDD Associate Director, Advancement Communications

12 ELEMENTS OF AN AMERICAN DREAM Janeily Perez ‘18, one of two inaugural McGrath Scholars this summer, explores her journey to, through and beyond Susquehanna.

Class Notes Editor JODI SWARTZ Administrative Assistant, Alumni Relations

Contributing Writers MEGAN MCDERMOTT ‘14 KATIE MEIER Director, Athletics Communications AMANDA O’ROURKE Digital Communications and Media Specialist

Graphic Design AMANDA LENIG ’07 Creative Director ERICA HOOVER Graphic Designer

Copy Editors BETSY K. ROBERTSON Director, Digital and Print Communications KATHLEEN LARSON FLORIO

18 RIVER HAWKS HAVE LANDED Check out our new athletics brand and meet Benny the Hawk, our new River Hawks mascot.

SUSQUEHANNA CURRENTS ONLINE: www.susqu.edu/currents

Susquehanna University is a proud member of

WAYPOINTS Fun for All Check out Greek Life’s Air Band contest, the wildly popular dance performance and competition presented each year for the whole campus to enjoy.

www.susqu.edu/Currents-AirBand All Aboard The Passport Caravan came to campus this fall. See what it’s all about and how it is helping students prepare to study abroad.

www.susqu.edu/Currents-PassportCaravan Helping Our Friends in the Philippines SU’s service-learning trip to the country hits a milestone in its service to needy Filipinos.

www.susqu.edu/Currents-Rice

THE ANNAPOLIS GROUP

comprising approximately 130 leading national independent liberal arts colleges that have similar interests and concerns centering on the values of liberal arts education that inform their missions. The Annapolis Group provides a forum for member institutions to share best practices, seek higher levels of excellence, and advance the cause of liberal arts education on a national scale.

My Source of “Deep Gladness”

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dear alumni and friends

his is my penultimate First Word column, yet another reminder that the end of my last year as Susquehanna’s president is in sight, and I am filled with many emotions. As the remaining calendar pages of 2016 grow short, I am beginning to accept that this year of “lasts” is moving swiftly.

You may know that I began my career in student life with the goal of becoming a chief student affairs officer. The son of two teachers, I have long seen the nurturing and guiding of students as they grow and develop as a noble mission. I was blessed to attend a college like Susquehanna, where I was encouraged to think about a life in higher education administration. I will be forever grateful to my mentors and teachers who became lifelong friends. They recognized something in me that I did not see in myself and encouraged me along the way. Indeed, I never contemplated becoming a college president and I often joke that if I were ever to pen a memoir I would call it “The Accidental President.”

“I am so deeply thankful for the privilege of serving in higher education, especially here at Susquehanna.” —L. JAY LEMONS

Although I never led a student development office, I’ve had the great privilege of working with students during my 25 years as a college president. Witnessing their journeys from timid first-years to college graduates has been a tremendous source of joy for me. As I’ve watched them discern their own vocations, I’ve been keenly aware that, thanks to many mentors, I have clearly found my own. One of my great hopes for each of our students is that they will have people like the faculty and staff at my alma maters, Nebraska Wesleyan, the University of Nebraska and the University of Virginia, who guided and encouraged me. Mentors like University of Virginia President Emeritus John Casteen III saw my potential and provided opportunities for me to learn and grow. The faculty and staff at Susquehanna are at the heart of this work on our own campus. I am inspired and honored to have worked with them these past 16 years as they’ve helped each generation of new students find their footing, understand their individual gifts and talents, and discern how they might use those gifts and talents to make the world a better place. This is the great privilege for those of us who call the academy home. American writer and theologian Frederick Buechner writes that “Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” My vocation, the very

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Our faculty, staff and coaches help each generation of students find their footing, understand their individual gifts, and discern how they might use those talents to make the world a better place. Our alumni recalled these contributions and shared their memories about SU during Blough-Weis Library’s first-ever History Harvest, held during Homecoming–Reunion Weekend 2016. To all those who participated, “Thank You!” focus of my life, is education—the transformative power that learning, curiosity and thinking can have not only on the lives of individuals, but on society. Transformation occurs inside the classroom and outside, on musical and theatrical stages, on ball fields and playing courts, and in clubs and organizations, where individuals learn from teamwork, competition and the challenges of winning and losing. I have witnessed the metamorphosis again and again. As just one example, our women’s volleyball team has been on an incredible run, and I’ve had the honor of being part of that journey. I could never have anticipated how emotional it would be for me to recently recognize the team’s seniors. During their first year, we celebrated Coach John “Kuuipo” Tom’s 200th win and this season, we celebrated his 300th. These young women have excelled on the court and off and along the way, they’ve become increasingly stronger as a team and as individuals. I had the joy of cheering them on in California in October 2013 as their collegiate journey began. My daughter, Maggie, who was beginning her first year at Pomona College, joined me to cheer on our team as they played against her new classmates and friends. What a joy it’s been to watch these wonderful young women from Susquehanna learn, grow and mature during these past four years.

I could cite countless other examples of personal growth and evolution, of expanding confidence and increasing clarity of direction. As I prepare to move on to another stage in my life’s work, I can’t help but find some parallels between the paths of our students and this juncture in my own life. While I am closing the door on one segment of my career and the nature of my relationship with Susquehanna will change, I am looking forward to new challenges and to engaging with the university in new ways. I will continue to be part of this place I have loved and called home for 16 years—a place that has allowed me to fulfill my own vocation. It has been filled with “deep gladness,” and I am so deeply thankful for the privilege of serving in higher education, especially here at Susquehanna. In a few short months, after commencement, I will become president of Academic Search, an executive search and leadership development firm. Susquehanna’s new president will shift the prism a bit, bringing a new and different perspective that will shine the light on Susquehanna in different ways. Yet even as that prism shifts, Susquehanna’s focus will continue to rest on its students, ensuring that this is a place where they find their “deep gladness” and where that gladness intersects with the world’s great need. How grateful I am to all of you.

w i t h wa r m r e g a r d s , L. Jay Lemons, President

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INFORMING THE

i BY AMANDA O’ROURKE

In what may have been one of the most polarizing presidential elections in U.S. history, voters needed accurate, unbiased information more than ever to help them make the most informed decision possible at the polls.

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Left to right, Aminata Diallo ’19, Liam O’Brien ’18 and Benjamin Foster ’18 spent the summer of this polarizing election season interning at Project Vote Smart’s Great Divide Ranch Research Retreat, nestled high in the Montana Rockies. There, staffers of every age and political leaning lay their partisan differences aside for the crucial task of providing fair, unbiased information to American voters.

“LIBERTY CANNOT BE PRESERVED WITHOUT A GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE PEOPLE.” —JOHN ADAMS

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hree Susquehanna University students—Aminata Diallo, of Bronx, N.Y., Benjamin Foster, of Mobile, Ala., and Liam O’Brien, of Simsbury, Conn.—spent the summer doing just that as interns at Project Vote Smart in Philipsburg, Mont. Vote Smart’s Great Divide Ranch Research Retreat is nestled high in Montana’s Rocky Mountains. There, staffers of every age and political leaning lay their partisan differences aside for the crucial task of providing fair, unbiased information to American voters. They research the backgrounds and records of thousands of political candidates and elected officials to discover their voting records, campaign contributions, public statements and biographical data. Diallo, a political science and international studies major, found herself in the unique position of becoming an integral part of a democratic process that she cannot fully participate in because she has not yet gained full U.S. citizenship. Diallo immigrated to the United States from Mali, West Africa, when she was just 9 years old. “At the moment, I’m a permanent resident,” Diallo explains. “The immigration process is very complicated and expensive. Though being a permanent resident comes with many benefits, a citizenship status will grant my family and me many more opportunities, such as voting in an election.” A lawful permanent resident is someone who has been granted the right to live in the United States indefinitely. Permanent residents are given what is known as a “green card,” which is a photo ID card that proves their status. Permanent residents continue to remain a citizen of their native country. So every time they travel outside the United States, they must carry the passport of that country as well as their green card and must use their green card to reenter the United States. The rights of permanent residents are limited as well—they cannot vote and they remain subject to deportation. After a certain length of time—five years in most cases—permanent residents who have shown good moral character and can speak, read and write English, and pass an exam on U.S. history and government can apply for U.S. citizenship (to naturalize). While her naturalization is in process, Diallo, a sophomore, spent 10 weeks of her summer at Project Vote Smart, where

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“EVEN THOUGH I COULD NOT CAST A BALLOT THIS YEAR, I FEEL LIKE MY WORK AT VOTE SMART ALLOWED ME TO HELP THOUSANDS OF VOTERS …” AMINATA DIALLO '19

she researched proposed legislation to help voters better understand the various ballot measures around the country. The irony is not lost on Diallo. One of her many responsibilities at Project Vote Smart was working the Voter’s Research Hotline, a resource voters can utilize if they have questions about a political candidate or issue. “It was so interesting seeing the extremes and the in-betweens of both political spectrums,” she says. “Even though I could not cast a ballot this year, I feel like my work at Vote Smart allowed me to help thousands of voters, whether it was through hotline calls or directly working in the political resource department.” Elsewhere at the Great Divide Ranch, junior political science and economics major Benjamin Foster worked in Vote Smart’s speeches division, which collects all publicly released written documents— press releases, interviews, congressional floor speeches, etc.—to provide voters with a simple overview of every position a candidate or elected official has taken on any issue. “Although my job included collecting statements from congressional members and candidates, each time a presidential candidate made a controversial statement, I had days of reading and categorizing statements on the issue,” Foster says. “Often, minor issues brought up in the presidential race can create deeper tensions and division through the rest of the political system.” Junior political science major Liam O’Brien worked in the biography division, collecting and categorizing primary-sourced information about political candidates. “Whether I want to go into politics or not is still up in the air,” O’Brien says, “but it’s allowed me to reflect and think about what I really want to do with the rest of my life, and what kind of an impact I want to leave on the world.” Throughout their work, the students were struck by the varied paths candidates take on their way into politics. “There’s no perfect formula to having a political career. For some, you go to college, get a degree, go to law school and become a lawyer,” Diallo says. “But through my work, I read about some of the things they’ve done, people who are former accountants, engineers, community organizers.”

Liam O’Brien '18 working at Vote Smart this summer, collecting and categorizing primary-sourced information about political candidates.

The three envision different career paths. For Diallo, maybe an ambassadorship. Foster plans to enlist in the Peace Corps. O’Brien can see himself entering politics, or perhaps returning to Vote Smart. All three credit Susquehanna with giving them not only the academic background, but perhaps more important, the drive and confidence to succeed in whatever path they choose. “As a liberal arts college, Susquehanna has not only prepared me for the hard work of dedicating myself to a task, but how to take the information being thrown at me and learn and grow from it,” Foster says. Looking back, Diallo, a Muslim immigrant, admits that the outcome of the recent election feels very critical for her and her family, despite their legal status. “It is very concerning,” she says. “My parents dedicated their lives to their children’s American dreams. It shouldn’t be about what divides us, but about what unites us.” One of the most important things that unites Americans is their right to vote. And although she will need to wait for another presidential election to exercise that right, Diallo spent this election cycle serving those of us who could vote. Her hope, prior to the election, was for every American to take to the polls on Nov. 8.

“OFTEN, MINOR ISSUES BROUGHT UP IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE CAN CREATE DEEPER TENSIONS AND DIVISION THROUGH THE REST OF THE POLITICAL

“I encourage everyone to fulfill their civic duties and vote. Silence is never the answer, especially not now.”

SYSTEM.”

Amanda O’Rourke is digital communications and media specialist at Susquehanna.

BENJAMIN FOSTER '18

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D R E A M

elements of an american 10

18

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by

victoria kidd

16

77

Success through Access, Opportunity and Support

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his summer, when Janeily Perez ’18 took the podium to address alumni, faculty and staff gathered at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club in honor of Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Thomas F. McGrath, no one could have imagined the long and winding road she took to get there. Four years ago, she couldn’t have imagined standing at that podium at all.

Back then, she was battling Lyme disease while also trying to complete high school and keep her dream of attending college alive. “I was extremely determined to go to college as a first-generation student, and I was not going to let one setback ruin my chances of getting in,” says Perez, the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Although she was often out of school—either in the hospital or at home in excruciating pain because of the disease—Perez kept up with her school work by reading her textbooks and having her teachers email her the work they assigned in their classes. “What kept me going was the encouragement and motivation my parents gave me,” she says. “My parents would stay up all night with me while I did my homework and studied for my classes.” Fresh in her mind is a particularly challenging night after arriving home from one of her many hospital stays. “I was doing my homework in the kitchen,” she recalls. “Tears were rolling down my face because I had extreme pain in my knees, ankles and wrists. My parents stayed in the kitchen and cheered me on all night. … [They] would take turns massaging my wrists and ankles while I continued to do my work. “They taught me that when someone wants something, they have to work hard for it no matter what obstacles are thrown at them.” Obstacles are nothing new for the Perez family, which includes 10 children. “Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money,” Perez recalls. “It was hard for my parents to get jobs since their English wasn’t so great, and I had trouble in school since Spanish was my first language, not English.” Things turned worse when her father, who worked in construction, was injured and lost sight in his right eye. “There were times when we were almost evicted from our mobile home, went a couple weeks without electricity, had

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trouble affording food, and went almost two years without television,” Perez says. Amid these struggles, Perez, a high school sophomore at the time, was diagnosed with Lyme disease. A month later, her cousin died from the disease. “She was in Stage 5, while I was diagnosed at Stage 4,” Perez says. The hospital trips followed Perez into the first semester of what would become a combined junior and senior year of high school. Perez not only kept up with her school work despite frequent absences; she excelled in her academics, taking all AP (advanced placement) classes and doubling up on English classes in order to finish the requirements for graduation in a year.

Finding Family Away From Home Perez was only 16 when she enrolled at Susquehanna in 2014. Fortunately, the tides were turning for the family by then. Her father underwent cornea replacement surgery and regained partial sight. A week after she started college, Perez and her family moved into their own home, a “rundown house” her dad slowly repaired and remodeled. Fortunately, that home is located in central Pennsylvania—well within easy driving distance of campus. Routes 11&15 soon became a well-worn path for the Perez family. “During my first semester at SU, my parents picked me up every weekend. They weren’t used to having their daughter away for long periods at such a young age,” says Perez, who admits she was also apprehensive at first. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be accepted by my peers or would be treated differently, but everyone at SU is so open and accepting, which is why I love to go here,” she says.

“[My parents] taught me that when someone wants something, they have to work hard for it no matter what obstacles are thrown at them.”

“Now as a junior, it doesn’t feel like a big deal to be away from home—although I miss my siblings very much. Sometimes I forget that I —Janeily am two years younger than everyone in my class and that I am the same age as this year’s freshman class.” Perez says she adjusted to college life so easily thanks to the university’s NSF-funded BIOSSTEM program for high-ability students with significant financial need who are pursuing careers in the sciences. “One of my biggest worries coming into school was having trouble making friends,” she recalls. Fortunately, Perez and her fellow BIOS-STEM students had the opportunity to spend a week together on campus before their first semester began. “Being able to get to know those in my cohort was the best thing that could

Peg Peeler

have happened to me. I was able to meet people who had like goals and would help each other so we could all reach our goals as a cohort,” Perez says. Perez ’18 “They have become like a second family to me here at SU. I know I can always reach out to someone in my cohort when I need to talk about something.” The same is true of the BIOS-STEM faculty, she says. “They have helped us network like you would not believe. In addition, they have taught us many skills that will be useful in the real ‘adult’ world.” In particular, Perez says the group is thankful for “Mama Peg,” Professor of Biology Margaret “Peggy” Peeler. “She not only is there for us when it comes to education, but we can talk to her about anything. … She acts like our mom while we are here at SU.”

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A Mentor and a Friend Through BIOS-STEM, Perez and her classmates also received guidance and support from upperclass mentors in the program. One of those mentors, Emily Leboffe ’17, was also named a McGrath Scholar in the program’s inaugural year. Calling her a “great person all around,” Perez says Leboffe has offered to help her with physics and to prepare for her Global Opportunities (GO) trip to Australia. For her part, Leboffe says: “I had great student friends and mentors above me who helped me along the way as I started to figure out how I wanted to utilize my four years at Susquehanna. In turn, I wanted to pass on to other students information about all the questions I had along the way.” Although the NSF funding, which fueled the scholarship

portion of BIOS-STEM, is now exhausted, the early orientation and peer mentoring program for new students in the sciences has been maintained through support from a Susquehanna family. “We felt the summer bridge program was so successful that we wanted to keep it going, so we renamed it SCORE, Summer Collaborative Research Experience,” Peeler explains. Not only is the program beneficial for new students, Leboffe says being a mentor is reaffirming for upperclassmen as well. “[It] helped me confirm that I really am on a path I love, because I enjoy talking about all of my experiences so far,” she says. Both Leboffe and Perez ultimately want to enter dual M.D. and Ph.D. programs. Their decision to become both doctors and researchers was fueled by their summer research experiences over the past three years. This summer, their research projects with Peeler and her husband, Associate Professor of Biology Tom Peeler, were funded by the Thomas F. McGrath Summer Science Research Partners Endowment.

Emily Leboffe ’17

Tom McGrath

“by introducing summer research at SU, you opened doors for so many of us, and we will forever be grateful.” —Joann pochekailo ’77 suzich

The endowment was established in March with a lead gift from Nick and JoAnn Pochekailo ’77 Suzich in honor of JoAnn’s friend and mentor, Tom McGrath, a nearly 50-year veteran of Susquehanna who introduced summer science research to the university. During the luncheon in July that surprised McGrath with the news, JoAnn announced she was among an international team of researchers whose research was published that same month in Cell magazine, a highly regarded peer-reviewed academic journal publishing research findings in the areas of experimental biology. That “small contribution … started in a class with you at the front of the room,” JoAnn told McGrath. “It’s been a great ride! Thanks for the start.”

Paving the Way for Success Of course, the “ride” JoAnn Suzich has been on since graduating from Susquehanna is anything but small and inconsequential. A leading scientist and researcher in biochemistry, she is vice president for infectious disease

and vaccines research at MedImmune, a division of AstraZeneca located in Gaithersburg, Md. She holds four patents and has authored dozens of published articles. The Suzichs were quickly joined by fellow Susquehanna alumni and friends who also wanted to express their appreciation for McGrath and support ongoing summer science research for students. In all, more than 50 former students and colleagues of McGrath contributed in excess of $300,000 to the endowment. They did so, according to JoAnn, because of the path McGrath paved. “Tom, by introducing summer research at SU, you opened doors for so many of us, and we will forever be grateful,” she told McGrath during the luncheon. Moreover, she said, the summer science research program is one of the primary reasons lab science students are receiving job opportunities and grad school placements at some of the finest research and educational institutions in the world. Next up on the ladder of success are students such as Leboffe and Perez who do what Susquehannans have always done—support and guide one another. It’s a practice both nurtured and modeled by faculty like McGrath. When he first began offering summer research opportunities to students, Joann Pochekailo ’77 McGrath says he “just wanted Suzich to expose students to the difference between class lab work and research.” But he ended up doing much more than that. He inspired generations to enter research fields. “I’m so pleased so many have stayed in this kind of work,” McGrath says. “They all had [the talent]. We just made sure they used it.” That same tradition of faculty-student collaboration and peer mentorship continues to this day with much the same effect. As Perez put it: “Meeting people who are as eager to do well in school as you are, while also helping others when they can, is one of the best feelings ever. Just knowing there are more people out there who want to give back as much as they can is amazing.” Victoria Kidd is associate director of advancement communications and editor of Susquehanna Currents. fa l l 2 01 6 · Susquehanna Currents · 15

THE

river hawks HAVE LANDED.

OUR NEWEST TRADITION, BEGINNING IN FALL 2016, IS THE RIVER H A W K , S U S Q U E H A N N A’ S N E W N I C K N A M E . A L S O K N O W N A S T H E O S P R E Y, I T S H A R E S M A N Y C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S W I T H O U R S T U D E N T S —

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And the River Hawk always

returns to Susquehanna. A migratory bird that travels great distances, the River Hawk always finds its way back to these waters. And Susquehanna students know that no matter how far they go, this incredible place will always be their alma mater.

WITH NEARLY 40 PERCENT OF THE STUDENT BODY VOTING, SUSQUEHANNA’S NEW MASCOT HAS A NAME! “Benny the Hawk” was introduced on Saturday, Oct. 29, in the midst of Family Weekend. He took to Amos Alonzo Stagg Field just before the River Hawks football team took on the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats. “Benny” is a nod to Susquehanna’s founder Benjamin Kurtz. Over the years, the name has been tied to a number of campus spaces and organizations, including the Benjamin Kurtz Society and the former Benny’s campus snack bar, which is now The Hawk’s Nest. When what is now Susquehanna University opened in 1858, as The Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kurtz was the college’s first president. He served in that role until his death in 1865. Regarded as one of the most eloquent men of his time, Kurtz’s conception of the university was as a place to train clergy from modest means and to open doors to first-generation college students from rural Pennsylvania’s lowerincome families. Nearly 160 years later, Susquehanna continues to open doors to education and opportunity.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) awarded $562,000 to the Chesapeake Conservancy for a major restoration and conservation initiative in the Susquehanna River watershed. The work involves a partnership between the Conser vancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Bloomsburg University, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Susquehanna University’s Freshwater Research Initiative. MORE ON THE INITIATIVE, PAGE 30

Departments PEOPLE & PLACES

SCOREBOARD

THE ’GROVE

PEOPLE&PLACES

the who, what and where for all things susquehanna

Taking Physics Out to Sea Bob Pickart ’81 credits one professor in particular with inspiring him to major in physics and pursue a career in oceanography. Plus a little luck. He describes Fred Grosse, now a professor emeritus of physics, as “the best teacher I ever had.” Pickart says he had no intention of majoring in physics, but “just by pure dumb luck, Fred taught the intro class that year. His excitement for that field turned me into a physics major, and I owe so much to him.”

Bob Pickart ’81

But how does a physics major become an oceanographer? Luck played a role in this, too. Pickart was a junior at Susquehanna and in need of a job when his father gave him a lead on an internship at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts. That internship sparked a career with the research and higher educational facility that has lasted more than 30 years. At WHOI, Pickart studies physical oceanography, specifically the motions and physical properties of ocean waters. He conducts his research in the Arctic, studying how water is formed in high latitudes. “Water becomes very dense, and it can sink during wintertime, flooding the deep ocean

Right: Bob Pickart ’81 has led dozens of research expeditions over his career, but a highlight was bringing his mentor, Professor Emeritus of Physics Fred Grosse, on a 20-day expedition, allowing the one-time student to become the teacher.

with water that used to be on the surface,” he explains. “This global overturning is a critical component of our earth’s climate system.” Pickart, who in 1987 earned his Ph.D. in physical oceanography through a joint program between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and WHOI, is a fellow of the American Meteorological Society. He has been honored with the society’s prestigious Henry Stommel Research Award for “pioneering work in the exploration of high-latitude water masses and currents and for advancing the understanding of their climatic impact.” He has also authored more than 100 scholarly articles that have appeared in science’s most highly respected journals, including Nature and Science. Pickart has led dozens of research expeditions over his career, but a highlight was bringing Grosse on a 20-day expedition, allowing the one-time student to become the teacher. The one-time student turned teacher recently returned to Susquehanna to present the 2016 Claritas Distinguished Lecture in the Sciences, becoming the first alumnus to deliver the annual address. During the lecture, Pickart chronicled his expedition in the Labrador Sea to characterize its wintertime sinking.

“THIS IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL ... THROUGH A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS THAT IS PROVIDING ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.” —GREG BUDD ’16

Recent Grad Helps Establish Water Purification Business in Ghana Greg Budd ’16, of Kennett Square, Pa., traveled to Changbuni, Ghana, this summer, with the organization Saha Global. The opportunity, suggested to him by Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Kathy Straub, brought together his interests in economics and earth and environmental sciences, his major and minor, respectively. Saha Global is a nonprofit organization addressing the lack of clean drinking water in the Northern Region of Ghana. It helps launch businesses, run by women within the affected communities, that treat contaminated water from dugouts. “This is economic development at the grassroots level,” Budd explains, “through a sustainable business that is providing access to safe drinking water at an affordable price.” He sees a “powerful combination” in the ability to provide clean water and a source of income for local women.

During the three-week trip, Budd, the son of Susquehanna alumni Steve ’78 and Jean Hedrick ’78 Budd, served as one of four field representatives. Accompanied by a driver and a translator, the team pitched the enterprise to villagers, assembled the business, trained its entrepreneurs, and provided education on safe drinking habits. Prior to the trip, team members raised funds to cover start-up costs. Budd appreciated the chance to enter into the village’s culture and get to know the people living there. Saha Global continues those relationships after a team leaves—regularly checking in on businesses to help ensure their success. Budd also connected with residents of Tamale, the city where his team stayed, as he and teammates explored everything “from the best roasted guinea fowl stand … to the more popular nightlife attractions.” Some of the trip’s most memorable moments arose from casual interactions in the city, such as a conversation Budd had with a Ghanian man about relationships between the country’s different tribes and Ghana’s relationship to the rest of the continent. Overall, the trip reaffirmed Budd’s sense of direction: He says he wants to help those “struggling and stuck in an impoverished and unfair system” to access “the opportunities I have been blessed with my entire life.”

There is a “powerful combination” Photos courtesy of Carolina Nobre

in the ability to provide clean water and a source of income for local women.

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PEOPLE&PLACES

SOPHOMORE INTERNS AT RIO OLYMPICS “You could feel the energy and emotion in the tightly packed stadium.” That was how Ryan Nathan described the opening ceremony of the recently concluded 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nathan, a sophomore from Glastonbury, Conn., was in Rio for the historic event, working as a hospitality intern for NBC at the Belmond Copacabana Palace, a luxury hotel located on Rio’s Copacabana Beach. “The bulk of my assignment was focused on assisting guests affiliated with NBC and Comcast to and from various events, as well as leisure tours,” Nathan says. “We offered tours to Sugarloaf Mountain, home to some of the best views in Rio; Samba City, home of the famous Rio Carnival; and the Christ the Redeemer statue.” Nathan first heard of the Olympic opportunity a year ago and quickly pursued it. A lengthy application process and several video interviews later, he “sure enough got the position,” he recalls.

Ryan Nathan ’19 worked as a hospitality intern for NBC during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THIS TREMENDOUS EXPERIENCE, AND I KNOW THAT IT SHARPENED MY COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AN ASSET THAT WILL HELP ME IN ANY AREA OF WORK.” —RYAN NATHAN ’19

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“For my first time going abroad, I couldn’t have imagined a better place to go than this lively, breathtaking city,” he says. When not on the job, Nathan spent his time attending Olympic sporting events. He watched Michael Phelps earn gold in the men’s 200-meter individual medley; had front-row seats to see Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross compete against Italy in beach volleyball; and saw Laurie Hernandez and Simone Biles in the balance beam final. Nathan said his first-year public speaking course taught him how to speak confidently in front of people. And his Susquehanna experience gave him the confidence to pursue such a unique opportunity so far from home among people he didn’t know, but now considers friends. “I did not know a single person going into Susquehanna, and through meeting people from all different walks of life, similar to the individuals I didn’t know going into this internship, I ultimately became better at getting along quickly with people,” he says. “I will be forever grateful for this tremendous experience, and I know that it sharpened my communication skills, an asset that will help me in any area of work.”

From left, Katie Fischer, a junior earth and environmental sciences major from Clarks Summit, Pa., and Jacqueline Metcalf-Meredith, of Johnstown, Pa., working along one of the small riverbeds the group built to direct water runoff. Their help was enlisted by sophomore Joshua Levesque, of Westminster, Md. They were joined in their work by Bruce Wilson ’84, of Washington, N.J.; Derrek Reitz ’16, of Sunbury, Pa.; and William Trabold, a junior computer science major from Windber, Pa.

Green Roofers Wanted The Wilson family has a long history with Susquehanna University. Bruce and his wife, Karen, met here and married in the 1980s, and their children, Jen and Daniel, graduated in 2013 and 2016, respectively. So when Bruce Wilson ’84, of Washington, N.J., was contacted by an old high school friend, James Reilly, who needed help building his green, earthen house, Wilson turned to his alma mater. Through a series of contacts, Wilson connected with sophomore ecology major Joshua Levesque, of Westminster, Md. Levesque tackled the project with enthusiasm upon the suggestion of Kathy Straub, professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. “It was a very interesting project,” Levesque says. “It seemed like good real-world experience.” A green roof is one that is partially or completely covered with vegetation. Levesque set about researching plants that would be most appropriate for such a project, specifically plants that are native to New Jersey.

Reitz

Trabold

“We did a lot of succulents, grasses, shrubbery and some blueberry bushes,” Levesque says. He then recruited five friends, and on a weekend in May, the six traveled to New Jersey to help build the roof. As Wilson explains, Reilly’s house, which has been an ongoing project since 2001, is built into the ground. To erect the roof, specially engineered beams were installed, followed by tongueand-groove decking, a waterproofing membrane, tarp, gravel, filter fabric, and finally the soil in which the vegetation is planted. The group also created little riverbeds that could direct any water runoff onto a lower roof and retention basin. The work was labor intensive, hauling buckets of soil and gravel up an embankment in pouring rain, but Levesque says he was inspired by Reilly’s long-term commitment to his dream, which has been delayed due to difficulty in securing lending. “He is so dedicated. I couldn’t imagine sticking to a dream like that for 16 years,” Levesque says. “Hopefully after he’s done with this, it will be easier for other people to do it in the future.”

fa l l 2 01 6 · Susquehanna Currents · 23

SC OR E B OARD

h aw k ta l k : n e ws f r o m s u s q u e h a n n a at h l e t i c s

GRAD EXTENDS HER ATHLETIC CAREER ABROAD Division III student-athletes continue their sports at the collegiate level largely for the love of the game; there are no athletic scholarships, and few athletes get the opportunity to continue playing their sport in an organized fashion once graduation comes and goes. There are a handful of DIII student-athletes, though, who do get to extend their playing careers. At Susquehanna, one student-athlete has taken her post-collegiate athletic career to Australia. Field hockey player Alyssa Rothman ’16 practically left straight from graduation for Australia to represent the United States in the Victorian Country Field Hockey Tournament in Melbourne. As a student, Rothman studied abroad in Australia for a semester to fulfill her Global Opportunities (GO) requirement. She was itching to return, particularly after having to decline an offer to play in the 2015 tournament due to a packed summer schedule.

“I ABSOLUTELY DID NOT WANT TO PASS UP ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY.”

“I absolutely did not want to pass up another opportunity,” she says. “I love Australia and studied abroad there for my GO trip during the summer of 2014 and could not wait to get back.”

— ALYSSA ROTHMAN ‘16

The hitch? She had just 14 days to accept the invitation and had to finish the varsity women’s lacrosse season. Once her senior lacrosse season ended, she enlisted the help of Susquehanna field hockey coaches Kaitlyn Wahila and Allison Fordyce to quickly whip her back into field hockey shape. Rothman says one of the biggest differences between U.S. and Australian field hockey is the sheer number of opportunities for adults to continue playing the sport. “In Australia, there are competitive leagues for all ages,” she says. “Seeing men and women play at a high-intensity level at 50-plus years of age is amazing. Their love for the sport never dies, and that’s how it should be.” Rothman is currently working on her master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She plans to attend medical school afterward.

“ I love Australia and studied abroad there for my GO trip during the summer of 2014 and could not wait to get back.” —ALYSSA ROTHMAN ‘16

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HAWK TALK Senior baseball player Zach Leone ’17 was named the Most Valuable Player of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League.

Susquehanna finished the 2015–16 academic year ranked 122nd in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings. As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, the Landmark Conference is unveiling the top three highlights from each sponsored sport and will profile Landmark Conference alumni. Former Susquehanna men’s lacrosse All-American Marcus Cheatham ’13 will be SU’s profiled alumnus.

History professor David Imhoof was selected as the 2016 NCAA Division III Faculty Athletic

Landmark Conference Hits Double Digits

Representative on behalf of the Landmark

The 2016–17 academic year marks the 10th anniversary of the Landmark Conference. Susquehanna has been a member of the athletics conference—for 20 of its 23 sports—since its inception.

NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships; it

In addition to being a founding member, Susquehanna had a direct hand in the creation of the conference logo. Former men’s lacrosse player Tim Storck ’08 created the logo that was ultimately chosen by the presidents of the founding Landmark schools, and it has remained the conference’s logo ever since. Since the Landmark’s first year of athletic competition, SU has achieved a number of major successes. In total, Susquehanna has brought home 24 Landmark Conference championships, including two in 2015–16 and three in one day on May 5, 2013. To mark the anniversary, the Landmark Conference is unveiling the top three highlights from each sponsored sport and will profile Landmark Conference alumni. Former Susquehanna men’s lacrosse All-American Marcus Cheatham ’13 will be SU’s profiled alumnus.

Conference.

Track and field sent five athletes to the 2016 marked the most individuals to qualify for a single championship meet since 2007.

Head men’s lacrosse coach Stewart Moan was selected to coach in the 75th annual USILA/Nike Division III North-South Senior AllStar Game in May. Corrie Van Haasteren ’16 was also selected as a player on the allstar game roster.

Former head track and field coach Jim Taylor and former football standout Andy Watkins were inducted into the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame this spring.

Be sure to check the official Landmark Conference website

WWW.LANDMARKCONFERENCE.ORG and the Susquehanna athletics website www.gosusqu.com for all the anniversary celebrations.

S C O R E B OA R D

honoring OUR ALUMNI LOST ON 9/11

Homecoming–Reunion Weekend, held Sept. 9–11, was especially poignant this year as we marked the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that took the lives of two former student-athletes, Colleen Supinski ’96 and Chris Vialonga ’93. Both died in the World Trade Center that fateful September morning—Supinski on the 104th floor of the South Tower, where she was an associate trader for Sandler O’Neill & Partners; and Vialonga on the 92nd floor of the North Tower, where he worked as a foreign exchange trader for Carr Futures. Supinski was one of 66 Sandler O’Neill employees who died that day, and Vialonga was one of 69 Carr Futures employees to perish. A remembrance ceremony was held at Susquehanna’s 9/11 memorial honoring Supinski and Vialonga on the anniversary date. Located between the Blough-Weis Library and Hassinger Hall, the memorial overlooks the football stadium and track where Supinski and Vialonga spent much of their time as student-athletes. Supinski was on the women’s track and cross country teams, and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority on campus. Vialonga was a standout offensive lineman on the football team and a significant contributor to the 1991 South Region

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Championship squad’s run to the national Division III semifinals. He was also a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. A Special Space Homecoming weekend began with the dedication of the Chris Vialonga Sports Performance Center in the lower level of the James W. Garrett Sports Complex. The “Vio Center,” as it’s called in recognition of Vialonga’s longheld nickname, was supported by a number of his SU teammates and friends, who contributed more than $440,000 to the $500,000 weight room renovation project. From ample equipment to a modern design, the “Vio Center” will accommodate more athletes in less time by increasing the rack systems from four to 14, making workouts more efficient and productive. The center also comes with a new head strength and conditioning coach for 2016. Joe Schoenleber came to Susquehanna in August with more than 20 years of experience in the field of strength and conditioning. Most recently, he served as the head strength and conditioning coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he oversaw the programming for 23 varsity teams, including the Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey.

Baseball Has Home Run Season A year full of athletic highlights was capped off by the baseball team’s dramatic run through the 2016 NCAA Tournament. A team that was picked to finish fifth in the Landmark Preseason Poll—one spot out of the playoffs— went on to not only win the conference crown but also pick up a program-record four wins in the NCAA Tournament. When it was all said and done, the team racked up a record 33 wins, won its first-ever Landmark Conference title, and saw seven players earn All-Conference recognition and its coaches named the Landmark Coaching Staff of the Year. SU was ranked 15th in the final Division III national poll of the year, the highest ranking in program history. In addition to the seven All-Conference players, two players were named All-Americans in late May. Senior Justin Cassinelli ’16 and Zach Leone ’17 were selected as D3Baseball.com All-Americans. Cassinelli left Susquehanna with the program’s second-best career batting average and tied for third in home runs. Leone, meanwhile, is the program’s career–batting average leader through two seasons with the team. As last year came to a close, Cassinelli and Leone were ultimately two of eight athletic All-Americans for Susquehanna. In addition, a total of nine student-athletes were named Scholar All-Americans, making last year one of the most successful on and off the playing fields.

“Our success last year was a full team effort. We have won two championships in the last three years, and that brings along certain expectations: the expectation is to go out every day and compete at the highest level, and nothing less than that is acceptable.” — HEAD COACH DENNY BOWERS Althought slated to finish fifth in the Landmark Preseason Poll—one spot out of the playoffs, SU baseball went on to not only win the conference crown but also pick up a program-record four wins in the NCAA Tournament.

fa l l 2 01 6 · Susquehanna Currents · 27

T H E ’G R O V E

stories from around campus and around town

Q&A

When Erin Wolfe joined Susquehanna’s administration in 2004, it was more of a homecoming than a new beginning. Wolfe graduated from SU in 2002, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. She initially joined the administration as assistant director of major and planned giving. She made the move to financial aid in 2006 and assumed the role of director in 2014. Wolfe recently talked to Susquehanna Currents about the changes both her office and the federal financial aid process have undergone in the last year.

Erin Wolfe Director of Student Financial Services

“FIRST AND FOREMOST, FILE EARLY TO GET THE FAFSA OUT OF THE WAY.” —ERIN WOLFE '02

Courtney Conrad '17 and Matt Rousu, professor and Warehime chair of the Department of Economics

SC: A lot has changed for your office in the last year. Tell us about that.

students can simultaneously submit admission applications and the FAFSA.

EW: Over the past year, we merged the Offices of Financial Aid and Student Accounts together into Student Financial Services. This merger has enabled us to eliminate redundancies and provide better information to students, while still maintaining the internal financial controls necessary for proper aid administration.

And by using older tax data, families can use information from filed tax returns rather than estimating and having to go back later to update the forms. It also allows families to take advantage of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which will automatically transfer key elements from a tax return directly to the FAFSA.

SC: You’ve also been juggling changes to the federal aid process. What are those changes?

SC: What are your top pieces of advice for students applying for financial aid?

EW: On Sept. 14, 2015, President Obama announced significant changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Starting with the 2017–18 application cycle, which is already underway, students can submit a FAFSA as early as Oct. 1. In addition, the new application process requires students and families to report income information from an earlier tax year.

EW: First and foremost, file early to get the FAFSA out of the way. Know the deadlines; school and state grant deadlines can vary. Create a calendar to stay on top of the process.

SC: How does the new process benefit students? EW: The main goal of the Early FAFSA is to make applying for financial aid easier and give families an earlier idea of their financial aid eligibility. Since the application can be filed three months earlier than in the past,

Second, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. It helps simplify the process, speeds up the time it takes to submit the FAFSA, and significantly decreases discrepancies. However, students and parents should still review and answer all questions related to asset and untaxed income information prior to signing and submitting the FAFSA. Finally, keep track of your FSA ID and maintain it in a secure and safe location. Students and parents need this to apply for and track federal grants and loans.

SYLLABUS

FORWARD THINKING

Senior Finds the Economic Groove in Hamilton’s Lyrics

Grad Analyzes “Stock Market” for Politics

Like many of us, Courtney Conrad has not been able to get tickets to see the smash Broadway hit Hamilton. But she’s a fan nonetheless.

Wish you could have invested in which candidate would come out on top in the presidential election?

“I have listened to the entire cast album enough times to be able to sing all of the characters’ parts in the car, office, anywhere,” she says.

PredictIt is an online, real-money political prediction market where traders create an account, fund it like a brokerage account and then buy and sell shares on the likelihood of political events happening.

Conrad, a senior economics major from Selinsgrove, Pa., has turned her fangirling into unique research that analyzes some of the show’s music. She presented her research this summer at the Student Conference in Business and Economics at Elizabethtown College. She was inspired by Matt Rousu, professor and Warehime chair of the Department of Economics, who teaches economics principles using Broadway musicals, including Hamilton. “The show tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. treasury secretary, using hip-hop tunes,” Rousu says. “As you might imagine, given its subject, there’s some really great stuff in there about economics.” For example, the piece Cabinet Battle #1 features a debate between Hamilton and then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson about Hamilton’s financial plan for the new nation. “This song is a brilliant introduction to Hamilton’s financial plan,” Rousu says. “It also makes for a good introduction to many modern topics, such as the controversies over having a central bank. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve Bank, which came into being in 1913, is still controversial, with some major contemporary political candidates wishing to abolish it.” Hamilton’s three-pronged plan, which included the creation of a central bank, passed following a compromise with Jefferson in which the federal government assumed the states’ debts in exchange for the U.S. capital moving from New York City to Washington, D.C. “A remarkable trend with this musical is that audience members and listeners of Hamilton are able to learn about a part of American history that they may not have taken an interest in otherwise,” Conrad says. “This phenomenon serves as an excellent link to innovatively teaching economics.”

Christopher Chidzik ’12, of Washington, D.C., who majored in economics and political science at Susquehanna, is a data analyst for the emerging company. “I follow general price trends within markets, write the analysis articles that appear on the website and make data available for media inquiries as well as for academic research,” Chidzik says.

“THE QUESTIONS THAT WE POSE ARE NOT ONLY RELATED TO U.S. ELECTIONS, BUT ALSO WORLD EVENTS, POLLING OUTCOMES, CONGRESSIONAL ACTIONS AND SUPREME COURT CASES, TO NAME A FEW.”—CHRISTOPHER CHIDZIK '12 How does it work? Each trade has a “yes” and a “no” position. If an event happens and the trader owns shares on the “yes” side of the market, the share is redeemed at one dollar. If the event doesn’t happen, the trader who owns the “no” position has his or her shares redeemed. For example, in September, traders were confident Hillary Clinton would become the next president, with shares trading at 73 cents. If a trader thought Clinton would win the election, he or she could purchase a “yes” share starting at 73 cents. Another trader who did not believe she would become president could place an offer at 27 cents on the “no” side of the market.

Conrad and Rousu have analyzed many songs from Hamilton, and she has assisted him with his website, BroadwayEconomics.com.

Data gathered from trader behavior was used to track the perceived leanings of the electorate. Knowing this, Chidzik was looking ahead long before the presidential election was over. He’s anxious to seek what he and others can learn from PredictIt’s data, which has been shared with universities to facilitate academic research.

“Because of his passion and innovation, Dr. Rousu has inspired me to ‘carry his torch’ and pursue a career in academia where I can contribute to economics through my research, but also serve as an engaging and relatable mentor and educator for students,” Conrad says.

“I would like to continue to develop our academic partnerships to facilitate more research and expand the in-house research that is performed,” he says, “to bring more analysis and insights to traders and media outlets. fa l l 2 01 6 · Susquehanna Currents · 29

KUDOS New Partnership for Freshwater Research Initiative In September, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) awarded $562,000 to the Chesapeake Conservancy for a major restoration and conservation initiative in the Susquehanna River watershed. The work involves a partnership between the Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Bloomsburg University, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Susquehanna University, specifically its Freshwater Research Initiative (FRI). A portion of the funds will support a new position for a project technical coordinator, who will be based at Susquehanna and work to engage partners, including Susquehanna University faculty and students, in restoration and monitoring work. The three-year initiative, for which matching funds are being sought, will pilot a new approach to restoration on agricultural land called “precision conservation.” The cohort of environmental organizations and universities will work with local partners in Centre and Clinton counties to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff by using high-resolution data to identify parcel-scale opportunities for riparian buffer restoration.

Students Named Gilman Scholars

SU's Freshwater Research Initiative is partnering with the Chesapeake Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Bloomsburg University and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to pilot a new approach for reducing sediment runoff from agricultural land.

Rankings Recognize Academic Quality and Affordability Susquehanna University appears on several of the top college rankings in the nation. The university was named to Money magazine’s 2016 “Best Colleges” list of schools that “deliver the most value—that is, a great education, at an affordable price that helps students launch promising careers.” The ranking is based on the six-year graduation rate; the net price of a degree, which is the estimated amount that a student will pay after financial aid is subtracted; the amount of student and parent loans; and the estimated earnings of a college’s graduates, among other criteria.

Five Susquehanna students were recently awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs. The program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go.

The Princeton Review ranked SU No. 11 on its list of Top 20 Most Popular Study Abroad Programs in the nation. That’s up from its No. 13 ranking last year. The Princeton Review’s 2017 edition of The Best 381 Colleges guidebook also recognizes Susquehanna’s Global Opportunities (GO) program. Only about 15 percent of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges are selected for the guide.

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Susquehanna is also in the most recent edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. The book notes the university’s commitment to diversity, and lauds its emphasis on off-campus study that prepares students to work in cross-cultural teams, its innovative curriculum that links relevant majors with career success, and its scholarship opportunities.

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Olivia Cohenour, a junior ecology major from Mifflinville, Pa., will study at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand. Junior art history major Damian Munoz, of Tamaqua, Pa., will travel to the United Kingdom to study at Regent’s University London, School of Fashion and Design. Brenda Ortega, a junior communications major from Baldwin Park, Calif., will study at the Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica. Junior French and biology major Brandy Shrawder, of Mifflinburg, Pa., will travel to the West African country of Senegal, where she will live with a Senegalese family in the capital city of Dakar. Linsey Sipple, a junior earth and environmental sciences major from Edinboro, Pa., will study at the University of Stirling in Stirling, Scotland.

Washington Monthly’s College Guide and Rankings places Susquehanna at No. 54 among 239 ranked national liberal arts universities—up 19 places from its spot in the 2015 guide. Schools are rated based on their contribution to the public good, measured by social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), research and service opportunities. Additionally, the publication’s 2016 Best Bang for the Buck ranking places Susquehanna among the top 30 percent of colleges in the Northeast for affordability.

Contributing writers to the departments are Victoria Kidd, associate director of advancement communications; Megan McDermott '14; Katie Meier, director of athletics communications; and Amanda O’Rourke, digital communications and media specialist.

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Many alumni made a point of catching up with President L. Jay Lemons while they were on campus Sept. 9–11 for his last Homecoming–Reunion Weekend at the helm of Susquehanna. Earlier this year, Lemons announced that he would conclude his service as SU's 14th president at the end of his current contract, which expires on June 30, 2017. Stay tuned for more chances to say "see you later" to the Lemons family in the coming year.

Alumni News MESSAGE BOARD

CLASS NOTES

REGIONAL CHAPTER NEWS

DEATHS

CLASSNOTES Message Board

Th e Im pac t o f E n g ag e d A lum n i

THANK YOU for mentoring students, volunteering your time, sharing your experience, recommending new students, making donations, showing your school spirit, and everything else you do to strengthen Susquehanna. Here are some examples of the impact you had during the 2015–16 fiscal year:

“You make a difference and we are so grateful.” —Becky Bramer ‘92 Deitrick

»

117,000 service hours volunteered at 1,066 organizations in your communities

»

341 high school student recommendations

»

606 business cards to show current students what’s possible in different career paths

»

The Chris Vialonga Sports Performance Center

»

Alumni-sponsored internships

»

Numerous scholarships and financial aid for current students

»

Career advice at Break Through and the Women’s Leadership Symposium

»

And so much more!

You make a difference, and we are so grateful.

S i n c e r e ly, Becky Bramer ’92 Deitrick Assistant Vice President of Alumni, Parent and Donor Engagement

Mark Your Calendars!

Homecoming–Reunion Weekend Oct. 20–22, 2017 Enjoy campus in all its autumn splendor! Celebrating reunions for the classes of 1932, 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017.

Family Weekend Nov. 3–5, 2017

Spend the weekend with your SU student and enjoy a slice of campus life!

32 · Susquehanna Currents · fa l l 2 0 1 6

1940 Hubert ’40 and Mildred Pellman celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary June 11. They eat chocolate ice cream every May 1 to commemorate their first date. Hubert taught English at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia for 39 years. He also served as an associate pastor at Mt. Vernon Mennonite Church in Grottoes, Va.

1961 Karen Goering ’61 Snider was named Humanitarian of the Year by the United Way of the Capital Region. She and her husband, Jack ’61, live in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and have been married for 54 years. They have two grown sons and three grandchildren.

1963 Mary Weatherlow ’63 Shelley’s 2015 book Lancaster County’s One-Room Schoolhouses and the History of the Common School Movement, published by the Lancaster County Historical Society, won the 2016 Country School Association of America’s Scholarship and Artistry Award. Mary retired after 25 years as a librarian in public and private schools, Millersville University and the Lancaster County Historical Society. She lives in the Willow Valley Communities in Lancaster County.

1965 Nancy Corson ’65 Carter published a chapbook of poems and photos, titled Sunday Dinner at the Farm. Published by Finishing Line Press in Georgetown, Ky., the book was inspired by her grandparents’ farm near Muncy, Pa. Bill Muir ’65 was inducted into the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in April.

1966 William Webster ’66 published his fourth book, Della. His stories are based on the Jeffersonian ideal where fences are well-kept, libraries flourish, people share their lives, and work is a job. After Susquehanna, he earned a Master of Arts in history from East

Stroudsburg University in 1973. He enjoyed a 30-year career as a teacher of history, government and economics in the Delaware Valley School District in Milford, Pa. He also served as department chairman for 17 years. Bill and his wife, Kate, live in Westfall Township, Pa. They have three grown children and five grandchildren. In addition to their home in Pennsylvania, they spend time in Vermont and Maine, where they relax and do research. Learn more about Webster’s books at www.wcwebster.com.

1967

50TH REUNION

In April, Bob Miller ’67 was named conductor of the Venice Concert Band in Venice, Fla. Bob is also the conductor of the Charlotte County Concert Band in Port Charlotte, Fla., and the assistant conductor of the North Port Concert Band in North Port, Fla. Each of the bands has 75 to 90 musicians and presents six concerts a season, November through April. Bob was previously the conductor of First Brass of Sarasota and continues to do some conducting for them. Bob retired from teaching music in the Abington School District in Abington, Pa., 14 years ago. For the past 40 summers, he has taken high school musicians on a performance tour of Europe with American Music Abroad, an organization founded by Dave Hackenberg ’63. Bob and his wife, Carolyn (Wahler) ’67, live in Nokomis, Fla.

1969 Fred Hait ’69 received the George F. Douglas Amicus Curiae Award, which recognizes outstanding and industrious appellate advocacy, from the Pennsylvania Association for Justice at the association’s annual retreat in June.

1971 Marlin Bollinger ’71, president of The Bollinger Group in Coral Springs, Fla., announced MarketMaxx, the industry’s new epicenter of service for annuity agents and distributors nationwide. MarketMaxx, a division of The Bollinger Companies, is a national marketing organization exclusively dedicated to the distribution of a highly competitive portfolio of annuities, final expense life and asset-based long-term care products.

1972

45TH REUNION

1973 Robert Edgerton Jr. ’73 was appointed president at Luzerne Bank.

1975 LeRoy Beck ’75 led the New Road School Chorus in a performance for the New Jersey School Boards Association and ASAH at the spring celebration of Special Education Week in the state. He has been serving the special needs community as a music teacher for the past 21 years. LeRoy and his wife, Janet Gump ’76 Beck, have three children. Their youngest, Lauren, graduated summa cum laude from Susquehanna in May. Janet recently completed her 35th year of bringing music education to the students of Ocean County, N.J. In June, Rick Dorman ’75 retired as president of Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa. To mark the occasion, Dorman was presented with a portrait painted by his college classmate Jeffrey Martin '75, media assistant and adjunct faculty member at Susquehanna. The portrait was unveiled at Westminster on May 27 during a ceremony attended by Martin and his wife, Maxine, who is also a 1975 graduate.

1977 1978

40TH REUNION

William Boulden ’78, whose family’s military tradition goes back to the Revolutionary War, retired as a Naval Reserve JAG Corps Commander after 32 years of service. On active duty, he served in Scotland, becoming the Navy’s chief prosecutor for the Northeastern U.S.A. and Iceland. In the Reserves, he served at the Pentagon and Washington Navy Yard. As a civilian, Bill continues as the chief judge for the U.S. Merit Systems Board (MSPB), with chambers in Philadelphia and Manhattan. As the only MSPB judge to have Top Secret clearance, he hears classified cases around the country. Bill worked nights to put himself through law school at the University of Maryland, where he graduated cum laude in 1983.

fa l l 2 01 6 · Susquehanna Currents · 33

The Rev. Lois D. Martin ’90, Ph.D. University Trustee the Rev. Lois Martin and her husband, Tom, are using a bequest to establish professorships in the music and religious studies departments. “Tom and I believe it is important to give back,” Lois says. “I chose Susquehanna because of the reputation of the music department, the support I received from faculty and administration, the welcoming safe environment on campus, and the open acceptance of nontraditional students. We are both grateful, and we want to help give to others the opportunity that was given to me.”

Find out how you, too, can make a difference at SU by visiting w w w.susqu.edu/pg, w.susqu.edu/pg or contac ting Kimberly Andretta at andretta@susqu.edu or 570-372-4042.

CLASSNOTES Donna Di Ianni ’78, a Merrill Lynch financial advisor based in Aspen, Colo., was recognized on Financial Times’“Top 400 Financial Advisors” list for the second consecutive year. Donna and her team at Di Ianni & Associates offer advice, guidance and objective, personalized strategies across the spectrum of wealth management. John Oglesby ’78 was nominated for a 2016 Nammy (Native American Music Awards) in the Native Heart category for his CD Spirit Path.

1979 Samuel B. Hoff ’79 was unanimously elected as the sixth honorary member in the history of the Delaware State Society of the Cincinnati in 2015, and received his national membership certificate in 2016. The Society of the Cincinnati is the nation’s first military veterans’ organization. Founded in 1783 by French and American continental officers who defeated Britain in the American Revolution, the group is one of the oldest military hereditary societies in the world. Samuel has served as the Delaware Society’s George Washington distinguished professor at Delaware State University since 1999. Prior to the appointment, he directed the university’s ROTC program.

1980 The Class of 1980 was represented well at Break Through in February. Classmates Nancy Swan Abbot, Lynda Ruby Guinan, Larry Hutchison and Robb Whitmoyer all returned to campus to participate in the annual student-alumni networking conference. This year Craig Hockenberry ’80 celebrates his 35th anniversary of working with Trans World Marketing, a point of purchase company in New Jersey; his 30th season of membership in Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI); and his 20th year of teaching snowboarding at Mount Snow in Vermont. James Moyer ’80 was promoted to chair of music at Texas A & M International University, where he is entering his fifth year of teaching. In July, he was selected for the 13-member Keyboard Committee of the Percussive Arts Society.

1981 Robb Larson ’81 was awarded the Larson Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fourth Annual Spirit of Hospitality Awards Luncheon hosted by the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Experience Kissimmee. He is the general manager of Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla.

1982

35TH REUNION

Sally Edling ’82 Traczuk was appointed state president of the Pennsylvania JCI Senate for 2015–16. The PA JCI Senate, which is associated with the United States Junior Chamber and Junior Chamber International, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In April, Sally was honored by US JCI Senate Region 2 with the Stan Malkinski Memorial Award for Outstanding State President.

1984 Correction: Thomas Banks ’84 is the next head of school for The West Nottingham Academy, located in Colora, Md., not Harrisburg, Pa.

1986 Andrew Gekoskie ’86 was named director of music at the Weiss Conservatory of Music in Palm Beach, Fla., as well as music director of the Gardens Pops Orchestra of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., a professional orchestra serving the entire state.

1987 1991

30TH REUNION

When Scott Campbell ’91 left Susquehanna with a degree in business, his goal was to follow his passions and never stop. After years of making his mark in the ski industry, Scott returned to his first passion—barns. Scott grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where his parents’ renovations of two old farmhouses

helped fuel his passion for old buildings. After moving to Maine, he started Maine Mountain Post & Beam, specializing in the dismantling, documentation, repair and reassembly of antique timber frames. He also designs and cuts new timber frames based on the traditional framing styles of New England. Scott has reassembled antique timber frames and built new custom timber frames nationwide, including in Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York, on St. John’s in the Virgin Islands, and throughout New England. Keith Morris ’91 is a gifted support teacher at the Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, Pa. He recently participated in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Educator Workshop at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. The workshop is designed to show educators how to identify young men and women who might qualify for the Marine Corps and be able to complete its recruit training. Lynda Sloan ’91 Bennett, partner and chair of the insurance Recovery Practice at Lowenstein Sandler, was named one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ. A member of the firm’s board of directors and compensation committee, she is also a founding member of the firm’s Women’s Initiative, a forum for women lawyers to meet and discuss the professional issues they face.

1992 1997 1998

25TH REUNION 20TH REUNION

Krystina Filipiak ’98 Schuler published her first romance novel, The Girl in the Gallery, available at Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble. The book follows the main character, Kate, from her senior year of high school through the end of college. For more information, visit www.krystinaschuler.com. Born to Melissa S. Davis ’98 Hahn and Matthew Hahn, a son, Charles Warren, Jan. 26.

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Nicole Miller ’12 married Geoffrey Wilson ’12 June 25 at PineCrest Country Club in Lansdale, Pa., surrounded by SU alumni, faculty and staff. The couple met at SU on Move-in Day in 2008.

Alumnae enjoyed their annual girls’ weekend in Cape May, N.J., in 2015. Pictured are, first row: Lynn Allen-Endahl ’84, Sacha van Riemsdyk-Altadonna ’84, Toni Pall-Olson ’84, Barb Schmunk-Burdick ’84; second row: Jenny Olson-Smith ’84, Trish Bartholomew-Miele ’84, Sharon Citrano-Licitra ’84; Carol Bartholomew ’83 and Ginia Kiselica-Apostalocus ’84.

Alina Gayeuski ’09 married Daniel Smith May 20 in the chapel of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP). Alina received her Master of Divinity from LTSP in 2013, and Daniel is a current student. Pictured are, left to right: Michelle Sullivan ’09 Malinovsky, Kayla Smith ’09, Jen Cullin ’09, Daniel and Alina, Jesse Ramsey ’09, Laura Lengel ’09 Ramsey, David Kingsborough ’10, Karla Bohmbach, professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies, Associate Professor of Religious Studies Thomas Martin, Caitlin Newman ’09 Thistle and Paul Thistle ’10.

Nicole Yorty ’06 Papas, an elementary music teacher in Clark County School District in Nevada, attended a World Music Drumming course in Middletown, Pa., and was astonished to find several other alumni in attendance as well. Pictured with Papas are Beth Ann Krall ’14, Mary Papp ’96 Checco, Michael Checco ’99, Michelle Leitzel ’90 Davis and Rachel Faye Weir ’09 Ulsh.

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In February, Kristin Einsel ’03 and Jessica Culp ’07 Umbenhauer returned to Cento Infantil Cristiano Nicaraguense (CICRIN) for a weeklong service trip, reminiscent of their visits to Nicaragua and Costa Rica with the SU CASA program. The trip was coordinated and co-led by Chaplain Emeritus Mark Wm. Radecke, who directed SU CASA, and his wife, Tami Radecke, along with members of their church, Zion Lutheran in Waynesboro, Va. Pictured are, left to right: Dunia, a 9-year-old resident of the area they visited; CICRIN Director Hellen Vindas, Mark and Tami Radecke, Einsel and Umbenhauer.

CLASSNOTES

1999 Born to Judy Carletta ’99 and David Larsen, a daughter, Lacey Brooke, Sept. 16, 2015. Born to Shannon Klagholz ’01 and Aklile Berhanu ’99, a son, Emmanuel Jacob.

2000 Jason Mammen ’00 won his fourth Emmy Award in May for his work on Showtime’s series All Access. Melinda Speidel ’00 married Andrew Smith, July 5, 2015, at the Fort William Henry Resort in Lake George, N.Y.

2001 Ryan Cidzik ’01 is the director of strength and conditioning at the University of Buffalo. Sara Sohlman ’01 Weand, M.A., L.P.C., recently met fellow SU alumna Hannah Driskell ’12, M.S., while working for Youth Advocate Programs Inc. as mobile therapists. Shannon Brock ’01 married Shane Markworth on Oct. 2, 2015, on Hilton Head Island, S.C., where they met nine years earlier.

2002

15TH REUNION

Kelly Bugden ’02 married Sean Breckenridge, April 16, in Stone Harbor, N.J.

2003 Sarah E. Blagg ’03, formerly the community affairs coordinator for the Sexual Assault Resource Center for Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes (PPSFL), transitioned to the position of PPSFL educator in September. Her position provides outreach and education regarding sexuality and relationships to people, ages 12 and up, in western New York’s Steuben County.

Kimberly Tohill ’03 graduated from Penn State with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in learning, design and technology, with a minor in adult education and a certificate in distance education.

2004 Carolyn Filandro ’04 married Peter Swift at the Church of the Precious Blood in Monmouth Beach, N.J., on April 23. A reception was held at the Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant, N.J. The couple lives in Ramsey, N.J.

This fall the Philadelphia and New York City regional alumni chapters hosted and sponsored student-alumni networking events as part of the university’s annual Break Through programming. From the City of Brotherly Love to the Big Apple, Susquehanna students connected with alumni and the companies that employ them. Students visited alumni at their places of employment to learn more about their companies and receive career advice from the professionals working there. Later, they attended networking receptions with regional chapter alumni in each city. Many thanks to our generous alumni for

Born to Christina Illig ’04 and Rick Campbell, a daughter, Claire Elizabeth, Dec. 15, 2015. Born to Christy Ellsperman ’04 and Steve, a daughter, Ellie Jane, Nov. 30, 2015. Born to Melissa Bird ’04 and Justin Stradnick, a daughter, Merin Ryan, March 5.

2005 Tamara Forte ’05 was named Teacher of the Year at Queen Anne’s County Public Schools in Maryland. She is a kindergarten teacher at Church Hill Elementary School. Angela Zurlo ’05 returned to Simon & Schuster’s children’s department as production manager, overseeing novelty and chapter book reprints and aiding in product development for new novelty titles.

2006 Maris Callahan ’06 accepted a position as director of public relations at Donuts Inc., the largest owner/operator of “not-com” domain name endings, including .media, .events and .guru. AlisonCrisci ’06 is the account lead for the Donuts’ team at DKC, the public relations agency tasked with raising consumer awareness of these meaningful, memorable naming options.

participating in this key Susquehanna initiative.

In August the New England Regional Alumni Chapter set sail on not one, but two amazing harbor cruises. First, they boarded the Amazing Grace for their annual harbor tour in Newport, R.I. Following the cruise, everyone gathered at The Landing Restaurant, located on the beautiful Newport waterfront. The second cruise was aboard the Heritage in Portsmouth, N.H., followed by a gathering at the Thirsty Moose Taphouse. The cruises are the chapter’s most celebrated events of the year. If you haven’t joined us yet, make plans to do so next year!

The New Jersey Alumni Chapter celebrated Susquehanna in style on July 14 at the Jersey Shore! The chapter hosted a happy hour at the well-known Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. Although the temperature and humidity were at record highs, the joy and laughter could not be squelched. Alumni of all ages braved the heat to celebrate summer, each other and Susquehanna.

CLASSNOTES Erica Garland ’06 married Patrick Moore on June 24 at The Cordelle in Nashville, Tenn. Attending SU alumni included Ann Barrett ’06 Simonelli, Erin Breznitsky ‘06 and Laurie Hartzell ’06 Moore.

2007

10TH REUNION

Kaitlyn McInnis ’07 was promoted to marketing director at Horizon Media. Born to Daniel ’07 and Laurie Blaszka ’09 Decker, a son, Ethan David, Jan. 13. Born to Pat ’07 and Kirstin Taylor ’07 McElroy, a daughter, Evelyn, Feb. 16. Born to Lauren Schoenberger ’07, a daughter, Alexandra.

2008 Mary Phillips ’08 married Kurt Carlson, Oct. 18, 2015. They were married at the Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake in Reeders, Pa. Also in attendance was Mary’s uncle Peter Fiss ’77.

She served as a White House intern during her time at Susquehanna University. You can find her articles at www.theblaze.com/author/elizabeth-greenaway. She was also invited to host a guest blog for Todd Huff Radio, on Red State Talk Radio. Her blog can be found at www.thepetitepatriot.com. Erika Kidd ’09 married Justyn Judkins on Sept. 19, 2015, in Portland, Maine. SU alumni in attendance were Zach Ross ’09, Marissa Rejent ’09, Chelsea Marshall ’09 Evans, Ryan Miller ’09 and Samantha Gromek ’10. Laurie Blaszka ’09 Decker—See 2007

2010 Kristen Prozialeck ’10 married Brad Killian April 23 in Blairsville, Pa.

2011

Kelly Leighton ’08 married Timothy Smith on August 29, 2015. Susquehannans in attendance were Lindsey Moretti ’08, Sean Hogan ’08, Alex Thurstlic ’08, Nadya Chmil ’07 and Brandt Bowman ’09.

Megan McLaughlin ’11 worked with Jordyn Slocum ’17, a communications major, this summer while Jordyn interned in Woodlynde School’s Communications Office. Megan is the assistant director of communications at Woodlynde School, a private K-12 school on Philadelphia’s Main Line for students with learning differences.

Amanda Stahl ’08 married Joshua Cherney ’08 on May 23, 2015.

Henry Weismantel ’11 was inducted into the Hoboken (N.J.) Intramural Lacrosse Hall of Fame in February 2015.

Born to Elizabeth Gaughan ’08 and Tomas Guerrero, a son, Theodore Antonio, Feb. 28.

2009 Elizabeth Rhoads ’09 Greenaway had three articles published by TheBlaze, one of the top three political websites in the United States. As a part of her career as a marketing and communications strategist, she writes a variety of content to promote brands and their products through traditional and digital media. She combined her passions and began writing content to promote the political ideology she believes in.

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Tyler Wagner ’11 married Emily Carson ’13 on June 18 at Glasbern Inn, surrounded by many Susquehanna alumni.

2012

5TH REUNION

Hannah Driskell ’12—See 2001 Samantha Hogan ’12 Laverty graduated from Widener University School of Law in 2015 and passed the July 2015 bar exam. She is working as legislative counsel for the Pennsylvania Bar Association in Harrisburg, Pa.

On March 19, she married T. Michael Laverty in a ceremony in Lancaster, Pa.

2013 Patrick Jennings ’13 graduated from Seton Hall University with two Master of Business Administration degrees, one in sport management and one in finance. He is currently pursuing a career in the sports field. Emily Carson ’13—See 2011

2014 Andrew Budsock ’14 enrolled in Columbia University’s master’s degree program in conservation biology after completing a yearlong fellowship in Germany sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Erik Feuillan ’14 is the operations and events associate for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club and the community relations representative for the Chicago Bulls. Katherine Hunold ’14 received her master’s degree in journalism from New York University. Emily Kreyling ’14 received her Master of Social Work from Marywood University on May 14. She is employed with Catholic Charities/Diocese of Metuchen (N.J.). Karen Stewart ’14 graduated from Clemson University with a master’s degree in professional communication. She is currently developing an app called Recover(Me) Project, which uses original images, poems and music to explore the concept of recovery. You can read more about her adventures at www.karenstewart.net.

UPCOMING EVENTS 50th Anniversary of the Christmas Candlelight Service

DEC. 6, 2016 Anna Cooper ’07 married Dallas Miller June 11 at the Historic Warrior Run Church in Watsontown, Pa. Their reception followed at Herman & Luther’s in Montoursville, Pa., where several SU friends were on hand to help them celebrate.

Break Through

FEB. 9–11, 2017 SU SERVE Campus Event

APRIL 22, 2017 Homecoming–Reunion Weekend

OCT. 20–22, 2017 Family Weekend

NOV. 3–5, 2017 In April, Susquehanna friends gathered in the Philadelphia area with their families. Pictured with their children and spouses are, top to bottom: Adam Orlacchio ’05, Drew Massey ’05, Terri Peiffer ’05 Massey, Jordan Grater ’06, Mike Bowling ’05, Jonathan Hendrix ’06, Mike Fulginiti ’05, Allison Karpy ’05 Hubbard, Matt Hubbard ’05 and Andrew Pratt ’04.

Lambda Chi Alpha alumni Dean Bowen, Ray Wanger, Tony Miscavige and Bob Yenkner, all from the Class of 1975, meet twice annually at one of their homes to sample the local cuisine and scenery. Pictured is the group in September 2015 at Dean’s country home in Milford, Mass., after a trip to Boston for a “Duck-boat” tour.

Stay connected to Susquehanna University by joining a regional alumni chapter today. Chapters are volunteer-based organizations that build ties between alumni, students, parents and the university through professional networking,

PLEASE SEND YOUR ALUMNI NEWS AND CLASS UPDATES TO THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI, PARENT AND DONOR ENGAGEMENT: SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY 514 University Ave. • Selinsgrove, PA 17870-1025 · Fax: 570-372-2777 • Email: swartzj@susqu.edu

OR SUBMIT YOUR NOTES ONLINE, AT WWW.SUSQU.EDU/CLASS-NOTES. Material received on campus by January 31 will be included in the spring issue.

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.

social networking, events and mentoring. The chapters participate in events and programs such as SU SERVE, admission events, studentalumni networking trips and Break Through. Regional alumni chapters help keep alive those connections that made you part of the Susquehanna family in the first place. For more regional chapter information, please visit www.susqu.edu/alumni today!

A L U M N I AWA R D S

m e e t o u r 2 0 1 6 awa r d w i n n e r s

each year, Susquehanna University honors alumni of distinction at an awards banquet held during Homecoming– Reunion Weekend, a tradition that dates back to 1956. University President L. Jay Lemons and Becky Bramer ’92 Deitrick, assistant vice president of alumni, parent and donor engagement, represent the school during the dinner and ceremony, while the alumni association president presents the awards. Comments, accomplishments and career highlights are listed here for each 2016 award winner. Read their complete profiles at www.susqu.edu/currents.

1. ACHIEVEMENT

2. LEADERSHIP

CRAIG M. HOUSENICK ’98

JAMES JORDAN ’75

• Lighting director for NBC’s popular singing competition The Voice

• Senior conductor and professor at Westminster Choir College

• Primetime Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Lighting Design and Lighting Direction for a Variety

• GRAMMY-nominated choral conductor

Series, 2016 • Primetime Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Lighting Design and Lighting Direction for a Variety Series, 2015 (also nominated in 2014) • Primetime Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Lighting Design and Lighting Direction for a Variety Series, 2013

• Master’s and doctorate degrees in psychology of music from Temple University • Author of more than 40 influential books, including The Musician’s Soul, and he served as editor for the Evoking Sound choral series

• Worked on a number of other television shows, such as The Taste and Jimmy Kimmel Live. • His lighting/media design firm, CMH Design, also provides lighting and media design for live events in the television industry

“[Winning an Emmy] is something that would have felt greedy to ask for once. To have received it three times is utterly astounding.”

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• Honorary Doctor of Music from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland

Jordan’s books promote the type of relationships he experienced at Susquehanna and that he cultivates with his students at Westminster. “I want people to teach better, to be more humane.”

1

2

3

3. SERVICE

4. SERVICE TO SUSQUEHANNA

KAREN F. GOERINGER ’61 SNIDER

ROBERT N. WHITMOYER ’80

• President of Susquehanna Consulting and Financial Group • Named 2015 Humanitarian of the Year by the United Way of the Capital (Pa.) Region

RACHEL K. BEATT Y ’06 • Interim executive director of the Homeless Planning Council of Delaware

• Master’s degree in music education

• Master’s degree in urban affairs

from Penn State University • Advisor for Susquehanna’s chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

• Chief mentor in the Middle District of the U.S. Federal Court

• Mentor for student teachers and educational psychology interns, and panelist for discussions on topics in education • Assisted with career development fairs and college fairs

5

5. OUTSTANDING RECENT ALUMNA

• 36 years as a music teacher and choral director, and then as a dean of students, for Selinsgrove Area School District

• Executive director of the Harrisburg (Pa.) Public Schools Foundation

• Former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (now the Department of Human Services) and former deputy secretary for mental health

4

and public policy from the University of Delaware • Worked with Meeting Grounds Inc., a nonprofit organization in Maryland providing services to people experiencing homelessness • AmeriCorps position at a community center in low-income neighborhood in Delaware • Peace Corps volunteer on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent from 2006 to 2008

“SU provided me the skills to prepare The nonprofit Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation raised approximately $400,000 from the community to prevent the elimination of athletic and band programs from the school district. “We stepped up to the plate. … [It’s] one of the things that I am most proud of.”

for a career in music education and obtain a graduate degree. I am eternally grateful for this.”

“I was shocked … that we, as a society, allow people to live without access to the most basic of human needs, and that our systems of care are often unable, for a variety of reasons, to help the very people who need the most help.”

fa l l 2 01 6 · Susquehanna Currents · 41

DE AT H S Rose Kugler ’45 Bender, Henrico, Va., March 27. An active participant in various activities at Asbury Methodist Church in Duncannon, Pa., she taught a youth Sunday school class for years. She is survived by her daughter, Ronda Bender ’66 Tignor. Donald Bordner ’51, Sunbury, Pa., Jan. 28. He was employed by The Daily Item newspaper for 35 years. He is survived by his grandson, Jeffrey Minnier ’96, and granddaughter, Jennifer Minnier ’98. Betty Smith ’48 Bomboy, Lewisburg, Pa., July 8, 2015. She taught at Lisbon High School in Lisbon, Md. She assisted her husband, David, in ministry. Before retirement, she was active in the Women of the ELCA and its predecessor organizations. She was a founding member and coordinator of the New Hope Center for trainable children in Everett, Pa. She served on the Turkeyfoot Valley School Board and was a board member of the Somerset County Area Vocational/Technical School. Elinor Brandt ’60, Jan. 13. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Elinor Brandt, VMD, drove to California after graduating from veterinary school in 1963, her first of many road trips across the United States and

travels around the world. Besides travel, she loved animals, nature, photography and especially her family. She enjoyed volunteering at the Wildlife Waystation in Sylmar, Calif. Donna Brown ’64, Landenberg, Pa., May 30. Donna was an elementary music teacher for the Cecil County (Md.) Board of Education, retiring in 2000 after 34 years of service. She was the secretary of the Board of Directors of Cecil County School Employees FCU for many years. Patricia Snyder ’45 Coryell, Northumberland, Pa., July 27. She taught middle and high school English in the Sunbury School District. Although she also taught literature, it was her love for the correct use of English that set fire to her teaching. She is survived by her son, David Coryell ’73. Hermine Lempke ’45 Brown, Columbia, S.C., May 5. She was married to the love of her life, Ralph “Brownie” Brown ’47, for 60 years. She devoted 15 years to teaching in Parsippany, N.J. She had a passion for adventure, and she and Brownie traveled the world, touring 75 countries. Dorothy Evert, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., May 27. Dorothy was the widow

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of emeritus Susquehanna University board member Samuel “Sam” Evert H’02. The Everts’ relationship with Susquehanna dates as far back as 1951, when Sam’s then decade-old construction company, S.H. Evert Company Inc., of Bloomsburg, Pa., built Bogar Hall. The company went on to build such campus icons as the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center in 1965 and Weber Chapel Auditorium in 1966. Evert Dining Hall, since renamed Evert Dining Room, is named for Dorothy’s mother-in-law, Dodie. Sam served as a board member from 1970 to 1984, with emeritus status until he passed away in 2010. In 2002, he was recognized with an honorary degree from Susquehanna. In addition, Dorothy and Sam established the Evert Family Scholarship Endowment to commemorate their longtime involvement with Susquehanna. Dorothy was born in 1918 in Palmerton, Pa., a daughter of the late Charles and Daisy Wallen. She lived briefly in Lansford before moving to Northumberland County, where she graduated from Kulpmont High School in 1937 and married Sam the same year. They were married for 72 years at the time of his death. Upon Sam’s retirement in 1976, the Everts relocated to Florida and spent their

summers in Bloomsburg. In 2002, they moved to Florida permanently. Locally, Dorothy was an auxiliary member of the Ladies Lions Association and was a past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, Chrysanthemum Chapter of Mount Carmel. She was also a member of the Bloomsburg Hospital Auxiliary and Geisinger Women’s Auxiliary. Additionally she was a member of the Susquehanna University Auxiliary and the Ladies Golf Association of Frosty Valley Country Club. Richard Fyler ’52, Dillsburg, Pa., April 13. He retired as the band director for the Northern York County School District. Christopher Gehman ’07, Millerstown, Pa., February 14. A 2011 graduate of VirginiaMaryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Chris was employed as a veterinarian for the Millerstown Veterinarian Associates since 2012. He loved animals and enjoyed fishing, reading and cooking. He is survived by his father, John Gehman ’76. Carol Bollinger ’64 Joyce, California, Md., April 2. She was the executive assistant to the chairman at Sun Oil Co. in Philadelphia. She carried on her passion for the arts

IN MEMORIAM John “Jack” H. Longaker Jr. 1929–2016

J

ohn “Jack” H. Longaker Jr., professor emeritus of history at Susquehanna University, died Aug. 10, 2016, at his home in Selinsgrove.

Jack was born Jan. 17, 1929, in Camden, N.J., and attended public schools in Pottstown, Pa. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College in 1950, and continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Master of Arts degree in in 1951 and a Ph.D. in 1970. From 1953 to 1955, he served as a technical writer in the U.S. Army at the Army Chemical Center in Aberdeen, Md. From 1956 to 1959, he worked as an assistant librarian at the University of Pennsylvania, and then at Remington Rand UNIVAC for two years.

He married Dorothy Dickson in 1961, and they moved to Selinsgrove where Jack joined the Susquehanna faculty in 1962 as assistant professor of history. His field of study was British history and modern European history. He retired in 1993 with emeritus status. Toward the end of his career, Jack became passionate about the importance of examining human rights issues and the consequences of social intolerance, cultural stereotyping and violence motivated by prejudice. He was coordinator of the Holocaust-Genocide Studies Program at Susquehanna, and even after his retirement, he continued to coordinate programming and resources on campus and made them available to area high schools. Professor of English and Director of the Jewish Studies Program Laurence Roth recollects, “Jack understood how important it was for our students to learn about injustice not only for one people, but for others both here in the U.S. and around the world. I suppose you could say that Jack was one of the early promoters of a global education at SU.” Associate Professor of History David Imhoof recalls, “Jack had been retired for seven years when I was hired, but I still saw him as sort of a spiritual mentor to becoming a part of Susquehanna. He was kind, thoughtful and supremely supportive.” Jack received many awards throughout his career, including the Professor of the Year award, upon vote of the student body, in both 1965 and 1969. He won the Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1974. Since 1998, the history department has awarded the Jack H. Longaker History Prize to a rising senior each year who shares Jack’s passion for history. Professor Emeritus of History Don Housley attests to Jack’s superior teaching. “When I first got to SU in 1967, the method of instruction was primarily lecture format, as it was elsewhere at that time. Other faculty would occasionally stand around in the hall listening to him lecture in his classroom, he was so good. Jack later changed his pedagogy as teaching methods evolved, to more group discussion.” How appropriate that this quote on the Blough-Weis Library’s donor recognition wall honors Jack and his colleague Don Housley: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” Jack will be remembered for his positive, kind spirit; his passion for teaching; and his commitment to human rights education.

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IN MEMORIAM Peter Macky, Esq. 1948–2016

P

eter macky, adjunct professor of accounting at Susquehanna University, died Sept. 14 at his home in Lewisburg, Pa. Pete was born April 14, 1948, in Media, Pa., and graduated from Penncrest High School in 1966. In 1970, he received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bucknell University; he furthered his studies at George Washington University Law School, where he earned his degree in 1973. While studying in Washington, D.C., Pete worked for Ralph Nader. As an original member of Nader’s Raiders, he helped put together profiles on the 484 members of Congress that were part of a much larger Congressional investigation in 1972.

Returning to Pennsylvania after graduation from law school, Pete became a founding member of what is now the Sunbury office of North Penn Legal Services in 1974, and retired in May as managing attorney after 42 years of service. During his tenure there, he was credited with helping to educate the area court on the rights of low-income litigants and produced several self-help legal videos aimed at making the litigation process easier for people to understand. Pete began teaching at Susquehanna 17 years ago at the behest of close friend and Professor of Accounting Rick Davis. He taught courses regarding the law, as well as business and legal ethics. It was a job Rick said Pete loved: “Pete’s favorite day of the year was graduation. He always walked with the faculty, and he loved meeting parents of his students. He was good at remembering students’ names, and parents were impressed when he could relate something about their son or daughter.” Rick also noted Pete’s high ethical standards: “He would emphasize the importance of good ethics and a good reputation to his students. He often said that a good reputation is easy to lose, and very difficult to regain. He also emphasized that being ethical makes good business sense.” Pete received several awards for his commitment and advocacy on behalf of low-income people, including the PA Legal Aid Network “Excellence Award.” In May 2016, Transitions presented him with the first-ever “Transitions Advocacy Award,” created and inspired by his tireless advocacy on behalf of domestic violence victims over the past four decades. Other awards include the James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation Award, the North Penn Legal Service 30-year awards and the Northumberland County Court Award, recognizing 40 years of service. Pete’s biggest passion was his family. He was devoted to his children, Allen and Annie, never missing one of Allen’s soccer games or Annie’s concerts. He traveled the world hiking and biking with his wife, Nancy, and rarely passed up the opportunity to visit aunts, uncles and cousins. Countless lives have been changed through Pete’s tireless efforts on behalf of the less fortunate. And we know that his students are better for having had him as their teacher, for they surely learned lessons not only about the law, but about ethics and integrity.

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and music by performing with the Susquehanna Valley Chorus and serving as a board member for the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra. She also played and taught piano. Carol enjoyed volunteering for many organizations, including Alpha Delta Pi sorority, the Red Cross and the March of Dimes. She is survived by her daughter, Christin Joyce ’95 Daczkowski, uncles Herbert Bollinger ’51 and Marlin Bollinger ’48, and cousin Marling Bollinger ’71. Judith Jantzer ’64 Koch, Hampton Falls, N.H., March 25. An excellent actor, she played in theatres in Fort Bragg, N.C., Amherst, Mass., and Valley Forge, Pa. Under her stage name, Judy Keyes, she toured the South with the The Everyman Players, performing the starring role in Sophocles’ Electra, as well as roles in The Book of Job, and The Tortoise and the Hare. She is featured prominently in the book An Odyssey of Masquers: The Everyman Players by Orlin Corey. In addition, she was made an honorary Kentucky Colonel by the late Kentucky Gov. Louie Nunn. She is survived by her husband, George Koch ’69. Rodger Kuntz ’65, Towson, Md., Jan. 26. He was a selfemployed real estate broker for 36 years. Tom Leibensperger ’94, Springfield, Va., April 1. He is survived by his brother, Bruce Leibensperger ’95.

Corey Losch ’18 died in an automobile accident Sept. 23. Corey was born Sept. 2, 1995, and grew up not far from the Susquehanna campus. A graduate of Greenwood High School, he was a young man of tremendous potential and a heart that never stopped giving. Quiet and reserved, he found a home with the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma and the Enactus team. Although his voice wasn’t the loudest, Corey was one of our community’s shining stars. He was a good person with a big heart, someone always there to offer a helping hand and to do the things many others would not. He is remembered as an incredibly hard worker who did not shy away from challenges; someone who helped to keep the peace and never complained. Described as someone who carried himself with quiet strength, Corey was a disciplined person committed to his studies and good health. Caroline Rutherford ’53 Mason, Frederick, Md., May 11. After graduation, she worked as a social worker for the Maryland Children’s Aid Society. She then became a homemaker and mother of three children. When her youngest child started school, she began working in the special education program for the Montgomery County (Md.) School System. She retired in 1992, but continued as a special education substitute for several additional years.

Palmer Spriggle ’93, Middleburg, Pa., March 16. He was employed at Lowe’s Home Improvement, Hummels Wharf, Pa. He was formerly employed at T.W. Erdley Store in Paxtonville, the Department of Agriculture, and Selinsgrove Center and Polk Center. In addition, he briefly owned a bar and grill and grocery store in California. Pete Weiler ’51, Centennial, Colo., Nov. 26, 2015. After serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, he graduated from Susquehanna University. He was a member of American Legion Post 38, VFW Egg Harbor and the Crescent Shriners. He operated the Horsemen’s Cafeteria at Garden State Park and retired from the Philadelphia School District Food Service Division. He loved to travel and play cards and was a longtime Philadelphia Eagles and Flyers fan. He traveled across the United States, Canada and Europe until he was 80 years old. Dorothy Wiesman ’66 Rauch, Ephrata, Pa., Jan. 17. She was a certified substitute teacher in Ephrata (Pa.) Area School District, and for a long time, the only teacher certified in all subjects for the Homebound Student Program, for which she tutored 160 students. A lifelong sewing enthusiast, Dorothy sewed and donated countless pieces of children’s clothing to social services programs and hospital auxiliaries across the state. She was a 30-year

volunteer with Ephrata Hospital Auxiliary, serving in various capacities, including president and Hospital Day chair. She also helped implement the auxiliary’s Toddler Safety Car Seat initiative, and served as a board member and legislative chair for the Pennsylvania Association of Hospital Auxiliaries (PAHA). Dorothy was a 20-year member of The Iris Club of Lancaster, an auxiliary member of the Ephrata American Legion, a member of Ephrata Friends of Eberbach, and The Questers Club of Lancaster. In recent years, Dorothy and her husband, Michael Rauch ’66, cruised around the world exploring different cultures. When they weren’t traveling, they were spending time with their three grandchildren. A lifelong learner who especially loved history, Dorothy traveled to every American president’s birthplace, along with their presidential libraries. In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughter Dorothy Rauch ’99 Sokol. Kathleen Krivak ’74 Turnbull, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 20. Born in Hazleton, Pa., she was a daughter of the late George and Ann Krivak. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna, and was a loving mother and beloved wife who devoted her life to her family. She was married for more than 39 years to Bruce Turnbull ’74, who survives.

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IN MEMORIAM Sidney Apfelbaum 1921–2016

S

idney Apfelbaum, a longtime member of Susquehanna University’s Board of Trustees, died Aug. 25 at his home in Northumberland, Pa.

He was an extraordinary friend to the university for many years and will be dearly missed. Sidney was born Jan. 13, 1921, and grew up in Sunbury, Pa., during the Great Depression. He graduated from Sunbury High School in 1938 and worked his way through Bucknell University, graduating in 1942, with several honors, including membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and mostesteemed academic honor society for the liberal arts and sciences.

While studying at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Sidney was drafted into the U.S. Army for service in World War II. After numerous domestic assignments, he joined the 724th Field Artillery Battalion of the Army’s 69th Infantry Division. His unit aided in the Battle of the Bulge and fought its way into Germany and the Battle of Leipzig. After the war, Sidney served with the Occupation Forces, taking several assignments in Germany and one at the University of South Wales. In March 1946, he was honorably discharged with several commendations, including three Battle Stars for his service in the Battle of Central Germany. In 1948, Sidney earned his juris doctor at Penn Law School and soon opened a law office in Sunbury. In 1949, he married Carole Hertz, of Danville, Pa., and the couple subsequently had four sons—Harry, Jeffrey, David and Michael, who died tragically in 2015 with his wife, Christina, and his father-in-law, Clarence “Mike” Imgrund, in an airplane accident near Greensboro, N.C. In addition to running a successful law practice, Sidney also served as solicitor for the city of Sunbury from 1952 until 1965, and as an assistant district attorney for Northumberland County from 1970 to 1976. He served for many years as general counsel to Weis Markets, and was a close friend and adviser to the family of Sigmund Weis, one of Susquehanna’s most distinguished alumni. Weis graduated from Susquehanna in 1903 and went on to found Weis Pure Food Stores Inc., now Weis Markets, with his brother, Harry. Sidney and Charles Degenstein, son-in-law of Sigmund Weis, formed a friendship that has helped shape the course of the university for many years. Both men understood that financial need should never trump ambition and hard work, and in their own quiet ways, they have made a college education possible for generations of deserving students. Charles was greatly influenced and inspired by his friendship with the university’s 11th president, Gustave Weber, who helped lead Susquehanna through significant institutional growth. During Weber’s tenure, the university’s enrollment tripled, and aggressive building and renovation projects were completed. Charles Degenstein’s friendship with President Weber developed into a deep interest in Susquehanna University and a desire to contribute to its continued success.

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With Sidney’s encouragement and guidance, Charles provided transformational philanthropy to Susquehanna. Together the men worked to establish the multi-million-dollar endowment that named the Sigmund Weis School of Business in 1982, in honor of Charles’ father-in-law. This was an especially transformative commitment, leading to a highly selective AACSB-accredited business school that to this day symbolizes the university’s distinctive blend of liberal arts and preprofessional education. That gift was followed by a series of gifts for endowments and capital projects, including the campus center addition of the Degenstein Center Theater and Lore Degenstein Gallery. Prior to his death in 1998, Charles honored his friend and trusted advisor by funding the construction of Apfelbaum Hall, home to the Sigmund Weis School of Business and the Department of Communications. Charles entrusted his legacy to Sidney, appointing him trustee of the Charles B. Degenstein Foundation. Led by Sidney and assisted by his sons Jeffrey and Michael, the Degenstein Foundation has continued to shape Susquehanna University’s campus, its programs and students. The foundation funded the Cunningham Center for Music and Art and was a major contributor to the Natural Sciences Center. It established the Janet Weis Endowment for the Liberal Arts, which has helped elevate the creative writing major to one of Susquehanna’s largest and most distinctive academic programs. Enhancing the quality of life and improving communities in our region has always been central to the mission of the Degenstein Foundation and a personal goal of Sidney. SU4U, funded by the Degenstein Foundation, is a scholarship program assisting young people from the region facing financial and other hardships. The scholarship has made a Susquehanna education possible for more than 100 academically promising students from the central Susquehanna Valley. With the family of Sigfried and Janet Weis and support from the Annenberg Foundation, the Degenstein Foundation established the Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society at Susquehanna in honor of prominent Philadelphia jurist the late Arlin M. Adams, a dear friend and law school classmate

of Sidney’s. The center holds annual public dialogues focusing on the U.S. Constitution and is active in community outreach through legal services to underserved populations. Other family collaborations include the establishment of the Joseph I. and Ellen Weis Goldstein Fund for Jewish Life and Learning and the Goldstein-Weis Prize Endowment. In 2009, Susquehanna conferred honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees collectively upon Sidney, Jeffrey and Michael, and Charles Degenstein’s wife, Lore, for their extraordinary support and service to Susquehanna through their work with the Degenstein Foundation. Its support for the university now matches the support provided by Charles during his lifetime. The invaluable role Sidney played in carrying forward Charles’ vision led to Sidney’s own indelible legacy of making Susquehanna a stronger, more student-focused and inclusive place. Indeed, these strands of our history have fused together to create great strength and our distinctive excellence.

We are indebted to Sidney for his loyal friendship, his unwavering trust in the power of a Susquehanna education and his faithful leadership in continuing the Degenstein legacy of giving. Susquehanna is an immeasurably better place as a result. In addition to his loving wife, Carole, Sidney is survived by his three sons: Harry; Jeffrey and his wife, Susan ’73; and David and his wife, Debra; seven grandchildren: Benjamin ’00 and his wife, Stephanie; Amy; Marc and his wife, Lindsay; Aaron and his wife, Pam; Brianna and her husband, Mike; Leah ’08 and JonSidney; and four great-grandchildren, Rudy, Mason, Abigail and Henry.

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End Notes

Summer in Selinsgrove

by megan mcdermott ’14

After a lonely summer interning in Chicago after graduation in 2014, I was hesitant to move to New Haven, Conn. I deeply missed the familiarity of college, and I wasn’t ready to face another new city. Fortunately, I fell in love with New Haven as I worked at a soup kitchen and lived with other young adults during a 10-month service program. I’ve stayed in the city to pursue my master’s degree at Yale Divinity School. Though my Selinsgrove and New Haven experiences have been quite different, they’re undoubtedly linked. I was reminded of this one morning last fall as I helped lead a morning prayer service. Episcopal services typically use a book called The Book of Common Prayer. That day I used a copy given to me by Susquehanna’s religious studies faculty in recognition of my departmental honors. In this instance, I relied on a material gift from my Susquehanna experience, but it could easily represent the countless immaterial gifts that I brought with me to seminary in the first place.

“Just as my life kept hurtling forward after graduation, so did the life of the university!” — Megan McDermott ’14

I entered college studying creative writing, but I was so deeply inspired by religious studies courses that I added a second major and began considering graduate theological study. Immersion in both disciplines prepared me for Yale’s Institute of Sacred Music, a unique interdisciplinary program dedicated to religion and the arts. Being involved with SU’s InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity bolstered my desires to live in a Christian community and serve others—desires that led me to the Episcopal Service Corps. That service year was essential in clarifying my interest in ministry. Perhaps it was inevitable that my pursuits would bring me back to the place so pivotal in their development! My return to Selinsgrove this summer was directly prompted by my exploration of priesthood in the Episcopal Church. To be considered for ordination, I was required to meet with a committee from a sponsoring church to discuss ministry and call. The congregation I attended in Selinsgrove agreed to join me in this process over my summer break from Yale.

Megan McDermott ’14, from Lewisberry, Pa., is in her second year at Yale Divinity School. She is affiliated with its Episcopal seminary and the Institute of Sacred Music. Megan worked on Susquehanna Currents for four years as part of her assistantship in Susquehanna’s university communications office.

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Meanwhile, I worked part time in the communications office. As I interviewed alumni this summer, I often identified with the twists and turns of their stories. Becoming a minister would’ve sounded absurd to me as a first-year Susquehanna student. Over four years, however, I was able to explore my interests, question what defined me, and ultimately discover new dreams. Nevertheless, it was still strange to return to Susquehanna, a changed person on a changing campus. Over the summer, I saw the new admissions building being constructed, our old communications office torn down, and Benny’s (now The Hawk’s Nest) being renovated. There are also changes beyond buildings—in faculty and staff, mascots, academic programs, etc.

“DETAILS CHANGE, BUT THE CORE OF THE SUSQUEHANNA EXPERIENCE— EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY— REMAINS, INVITING NEW STUDENTS, YEAR AFTER YEAR, INTO A BEVY

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OF SURPRISES.” —MEGAN MCDERMOTT ‘14 Just as my life kept hurtling forward after graduation, so did the life of the university! This can be both good and disconcerting. For example, it’s been unsettling to realize Susquehanna no longer feels like home in the same way, though I am grateful that I’ve found a sense of home again in New Haven. I still see Susquehanna as a special place and remain a fervent believer in its ability to change lives. My perspective has simply shifted from seeing it as my landing pad to seeing it as my launching pad. I am excited for those who now get to make Susquehanna their home. Details change, but the core of the Susquehanna experience—exploration and discovery—remains, inviting new students, year after year, into a bevy of surprises.

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514 University Ave. Selinsgrove, PA 17870-1164

Attention Susquehanna Champions! You made the inaugural year of the Champions for Growth program a success! You not only made an impact on SU, you made an impact on your communities. And for that, we are incredibly grateful! You show today’s students what being a Susquehannan is all about—and it’s not about getting bigger. It’s about making Susquehanna better, one student experience at a time!

Thank you for exemplifying SU’s mission to achieve, lead and serve!

Collectively, our 2015–16 Champions •

Volunteered 16,058 hours for SU SERVE

•

Referred 237 high school students to SU

•

Donated $634,864 to the annual fund

•

Provided 224 business cards for student networking

Ways to become a Champion include sharing 1 A BUSINESS CARD 2 SERVICE HOURS 3 A GIFT 4 THE NAME OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, AND 5 A SPIRIT PHOTO. Get started today at

W W W. S U S Q U. E D U / C H A M P I O N S .

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY