Mark Thorsheim ’88 biked 4,200 miles across the country in tribute to his late brother, Chris ’85 — a physical and emotional journey that transformed grief into a lasting bond.
14 ONCE UPON A CLIMATE
Susquehanna students turned climate research into children’s books, using creative characters to explain complex science and inspire environmental action in young readers — and their families.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
AARON MARTIN
EDITOR
JENNIFER YURICICH ’00 SPOTTS Director of Strategic Communications
EDITORIAL ADVISOR
MELISSA KOMORA Vice President for Advancement
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
DANIEL GRAHAM Director of Athletic Communications
MARIIA LYTVYNCHUK ’26
AMANDA O’ROURKE Public Relations Manager
GIANNA RUPERT ’27
LEE SPIGELMYER Class Notes Coordinator
LOGAN SWEET ’15 Director of Integrated Communications & Brand Marketing
KAITLYN WAGNER ’27
KELLY WALDRON ’26 DESIGN
JOSIE FERTIG Director of Brand & Creative Services
“They come here to prepare themselves to make a difference in the world.”
— JONATHAN D. GREEN
First Word
A Message from the President
dear friends,
At this unprecedented moment for higher education with challenges coming from many directions, we are fortunate to celebrate so many good things connected to Susquehanna University.
At the completion of our 167th year, we continue to be a dynamic bridge between the past and the future. Our students benefit from the firm foundations and ethical traditions rooted at our founding while graduating with a rich set of applied skills and life-changing experiences.
They come here to prepare themselves to make a difference in the world, to build stronger communities, to open doors to new opportunities, and to be effective stewards of our planet.
In this issue is an introduction to the myriad ways our Freshwater Research Institute is restoring our neighboring streams, the Susquehanna, and the
Chesapeake. You will get a glimpse into a project where our students have created children’s books to introduce kids to important environmental issues. (Their parents may learn a few things too.)
We bridge the past and the future as we celebrate the first 10 years of the Women’s Leadership Initiative and see how it has helped students launch their careers and networks.
Alumni surprised former Chaplain Chris Thomforde by establishing a scholarship in his honor. Their efforts assure that the opportunities from which they benefited years ago will be experienced for generations to come. Likewise, after teaching two decades of students, Prof. Patrick Long is crossing the bridge to the dean’s office. He is charting the future course for humanities and the arts from a firm foundation of teaching and creative work.
The trajectories of all of these stories are firm assurances of our bright future.
Happy reading!
yours ever,
Jonathan D. Green President
Susquehanna’s website was redesigned to put the student experience first.
To all who provided feedback about Currents magazine and what matters most to you, thank you for your insights.
Congratulations to the participant who was selected to receive a gift card for the university bookstore. We value your input. If you have additional thoughts you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Email them to marcomm@susqu.edu.
ONE MAN DISCOVERS STRENGTH WHILE HONORING HIS BROTHER’S MEMORY ON A CROSS-COUNTRY RIDE THAT CARRIED THEM BOTH.
By Amanda O’Rourke | Photos courtesy of Mark Thorsheim ’88
GRIEF PEDALING through
More than three years after his brother died, Mark Thorsheim ’88 credits him with saving his life.
Mark was on the final day of a solo crosscountry bike journey in memory of his brother, Chris ’85. After cruising through a busy downtown Astoria, Oregon, Mark was making his way to the Astoria Riverwalk along the sparkling Columbia River. With just eight miles to reach the Pacific Ocean and be reunited with family and friends, his tire caught on a set of trolley tracks, hurtling him and his bike into the air.
Fortunately for Mark, he had taken a piece of Chris with him on his oncein-a-lifetime ride: his brother’s red Bontrager helmet.
“It took over 4,000 miles, but my brother’s helmet saved me when my head slammed against the ground,” Mark says. “It was going to be retired after this trip, so it’s only fitting it got banged up finishing the job.”
Mark and Chris, both bicyclists, had talked about biking different parts of
the country together. Those plans came to a halt when Mark received an unexpected phone call on April 1, 2021.
Chris had died of a heart attack just after completing a mountain bike ride in Arizona. He was 57.
“I was home alone at that time when Chris’ wife called me,” Mark remembered. “I was completely devastated and almost in disbelief.”
He clearly recalls certain details of the following days while others have faded into the background. He called his wife, Margot, and his close friend and Episcopal priest, the Rev. Peter Walsh, to help him process the news before driving from his home in Connecticut to New Jersey to be with his brother’s stunned family.
Assistant Professor of Psychology John Monopoli says that grief proceeds in stages.
“In the immediate aftermath — once we pay our respects and go our separate ways — it can feel like you’re sick. It can be hard to focus,” he explains. “With time, we learn a new normal. We don’t go back to normal or ‘get over it’ — we just reach a new normal. That’s OK.”
It’s true, Mark had never experienced the loss of a brother before. But Chris’ death was not Mark’s first encounter with grief, nor would it be his last.
BROTHERS AND BEST FRIENDS
Mark and Chris were the only children born to their parents. They spent their early childhood in Minnesota before their father, known fondly as “Big Thor,” moved the family to New Jersey for a professional opportunity in New York City.
New Jersey was a far cry, literally and culturally, from the Midwest, but the Thorsheim family discovered a little enclave of Minnesota natives. And every summer, these families would travel back to Minnesota. One particular summer, members of three families packed into their friends’ green Chrysler New Yorker — five adults, four kids and a dog — and returned to the land of 10,000 lakes.
“Chris was the classic big brother — mischievous, loved to torment me,” Mark says. “We were lucky because we shared so many experiences and knew everything about each other. We navigated our parents being divorced. We left no stone unturned.”
After high school, Mark followed Chris to Susquehanna University. Both were finance majors. Both played on the men’s soccer team.
“Chris picked Susquehanna and loved it and thrived there. He was all in on the experience and so it was fun for me to join him when I was a freshman and he was a senior,” Mark says. “Chris had a presence about him that was special — he had this infectious ability to draw people in and he would make everything so fun. He was my best friend.”
Over the last several years, Mark has become well acquainted with grief. The year before he lost his brother, their mother died. Two years after Chris’ death, Mark paid his final respects to his father. Of the New Jersey–Minnesota crew that Mark has such fond memories of traveling with, only two survive, including one of the other parents and him.
“I’m the last man standing,” he says with a bittersweet chuckle, but there is an acknowledgement that being the “last survivor” can be a lonely feeling, one he admits he wrestles with.
“With our parents and siblings, we have a trove of memories that only truly resonate within the family,” he says. “I’m grateful for my own family and that I have a close connection to my wife’s family, but ultimately that history can only be relived with my parents and Chris.”
THOR TOUR
Mark would have been with Chris on his final ride in Arizona, but a torn rotator cuff sidelined him. The brothers had talked about someday biking across the country together.
“Chris lived by the phrase ‘carpe diem’ and instilled it in me,” says Mark. After Chris died, time seemed of the essence. Mark underwent a thorough physical, which revealed a familial predilection for plaque buildup. He got a statin prescription and a hip replacement and started planning.
For this, he went to fellow Susquehanna alumnus Larry Walsh ’84, who completed the grueling, 4,200-mile TransAmerica Bicycle Race in 2019.
“Larry was invaluable, he was really great to give me some time to pick his
brain on what worked and what didn’t work and the mentality you need to do something like this,” Mark says. Walsh has blogged and written extensively about his cycling adventures, which prompted Mark to do the same. His blog, Thor Tour (thortour.org), chronicled every day of his 61-day journey from Connecticut to Oregon.
For four months after his hip replacement, Mark focused on getting in shape, but he also planned a route that wouldn’t push him into unsafe conditions, limiting his peak elevation to under 9,000 feet. He planned stays with friends and family, and in hotels and inns to give himself time to rest.
On June 25, Mark set off from the Connecticut coast with a bang — literally. His back tire blew up.
“Big bro Chris absolutely pranking me from above,” Mark jokes.
It was the first of many serendipitous moments he encountered as he cycled though the hills of Pennsylvania, the cornfields of Iowa, the badlands of North Dakota and the canyons of Montana. Sometimes it was as simple as feeling Chris’ spirit urging him onward during a particularly tough ride or making it to the end of a ride before a summer thunderstorm hit.
“The trip was pretty mystical,” Mark recalls, “with moments of complete clarity that Chris was present in many different ways.”
His most emotional moment occurred at Assumption Abbey, a monastery in Richardton, North Dakota, where Mark enjoyed dinner with the resident Benedictine monks and stayed the night.
“The next morning, I got up super early and the sun was coming up. It was a perfect day, so I went to the bluff to take in the incredible view that stretched for miles when one of the brothers walked out,” Mark remembers. “He said, ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ I was startled because I didn’t know he was there. He looked at me and said, ‘I’m Brother Christopher.’”
As Mark pedaled away, he says the dam broke.
“I was crying with happiness,” he says. “My whole trip was an extended way to stay close to Chris. I just know I sense Chris when he’s near and receive messages all the time.”
A HIDDEN GIFT
Mark’s long hours on the road — about 80 miles a day over 50 riding days — gave him an incredible opportunity to grieve his lost loved ones and decide how he was going to move forward with his life.
Monopoli adds that when we start to adjust to a “new normal” after losing a loved one, we find a way that feels meaningful to us to honor who has passed. For Mark, it was the Thor Tour. Now that he completed it, he realizes his connection to Chris is still going strong.
“I’ve had to shift my ‘outside’ relationship with him from when he was living to an ‘inside’ relationship that we can continue to build and develop,” Mark says. “It can be painful, but that pain reminds me of how much I loved him and helps me stay close to him.”
Perhaps the greatest surprise for Mark has been discovering that grief, when embraced, can be a friend.
“I have learned there is a hidden gift in grief,” he adds. “It keeps me close to Chris and serves as a powerful agent to stay connected to those I’ve lost.”
The Thorsheim family recently established the Christopher A. Thorsheim ’85 Scholarship to support students seeking a business degree who have exhibited outstanding academic and extracurricular credentials and have a financial need.
BONDS OF BROTHERHOOD
Mark Thorsheim and his late brother, Chris, were alike in many respects, but as students at Susquehanna University in the 1980s, they diverged in one notable way: Mark’s involvement in Greek life.
Mark was a member of Lamda Chi Alpha. More than 30 years after his graduation from SU, he was approached by a parishioner at his church about joining the board of Career Resources Inc., Connecticut’s leading workforce development agency. Coincidentally, and unbeknownst to Mark at the time, CRI is led by Susquehanna alum and fellow Lambda Chi Alpha brother, Scott Wilderman ’86. Alum Michael Finn ’86, another member of their fraternity, also sits on the organization’s board.
“I knew it was meant to be,” Mark says of his service to CRI. “It’s an amazing agency in the workforce development area and huge partner to the state of Connecticut. Many of our clients are returning citizens who have been incarcerated and need to get a jumpstart on their lives.”
Founded in 1995, CRI serves communities across Connecticut with a comprehensive array of workforce development programs to support youth and adults, many with significant barriers to employment, in obtaining the skills needed to enter the workforce and build a career pathway to economic self-sufficiency and to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
“As an investment banker, I’ve worked with hundreds of entrepreneurial organizations over my career. Scott’s leadership of CRI is one of the most impressive stories I’ve encountered,” says Mark. “He has built a tremendous team, grown annual revenue over 15 times and established one of the most reputable nonprofits in the state. Scott is highly regarded by a wide range of government, corporate and community leaders with whom CRI has built relationships — but it’s his ability to bring true professionalism together with sincere compassion for every individual we employ and serve, which makes him so special and so admired.”
Mark has served as a board member since 2020, so his brother was aware of his work with and dedication to the organization. He established the Thor Tour to raise money for CRI because he knew his trip needed a meaningful purpose. Mark’s initial goal was to raise $25,000 in critical operating funds for CRI through his cross-country bike ride, which he pledged to match. To date, Mark has raised over $150,000.
“I’ve run a nonprofit for over 25 years and always had board members go the extra mile, but never 4,000 miles,” Wilderman says. “Mark needed to do this trip to fulfill a promise to his brother, and I am glad that he took CRI along for the ride.”
CRI’s workforce development programs (careerresources.org) help youth and adults reintegrate into society after protracted periods of incarceration. “Funding is always a challenge for nonprofits, especially when you are trying to help ex-offenders, or as we call them, returning citizens,” explains Wilderman. “The funds that Mark raised will support these men and women with clothing, housing, job training, transportation and a variety of support often not covered by grants.”
Mark and Wilderman marveled at how life has brought them back into each other’s orbits more than 30 years after they were students at Susquehanna. Although they were fraternity brothers, both admit they didn’t know each other well as students.
“Connecting with Mark and Mike after so many years and having them serve on my board is a true testament that relationships forged on campus not only endure the tests of time but can also thrive later in life,” Wilderman adds.
Unassessed Waters
Student Researchers Today,
BY LOGAN SWEET ’15
Beyond Our Namesake
Conservationists Tomorrow
From the origin of its headwaters in upstate New York and its southern journey through a succession of water gaps on a zigzag path through 284 miles of Pennsylvania’s rural heartland to its final destination at the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay in northeastern Maryland, the Susquehanna River has long been the defining feature of our region.
The Susquehanna shapes communities, sustains ecosystems and connects us to one of the largest watersheds in the world. Yet, like so many of the nation’s
major waterways, it faces ongoing environmental challenges. From sediment buildup to nutrient pollution and habitat degradation, they all threaten the health of the river and the Chesapeake Bay it feeds into.
At Susquehanna University’s Freshwater Research Institute, a dedicated team of researchers, students and conservation partners don’t just study the problem. They’re leading the charge in watershed restoration, actively improving the health of our river and safeguarding its vitality — and that of the Chesapeake Bay’s — for generations to come.
Where Science Meets Action
With a drainage basin spanning more than 27,500 square miles, including nearly half the land area of Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna River is the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay and provides half of its freshwater. But centuries of agricultural runoff, deforestation and industrial pollution have taken a toll on the river’s overall health. Excess nutrients frequently choke the water with algae blooms, sediment clouds the riverbed and native fish populations — once abundant — struggle to survive in a rapidly changing environment. What happens in central Pennsylvania doesn’t just stay here; it ripples downstream, affecting ecosystems, economies and communities throughout the region.
Recognizing the urgency of these challenges and with the assistance of a grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Susquehanna University launched the FRI in 2014 as a hub for science-based conservation and hands-on student training. Working in close partnership with local landowners, government agencies and conservation organizations, the Institute is pioneering watershed restoration projects that address the root causes of pollution.
“Though the problems and solutions are complex, our mission is very simple: to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems through hands-on research, education and community collaboration,” says Matt Wilson, director of the FRI and CEER Field Station. “We’re committed to making a measurable difference in the health of the Susquehanna River and beyond.”
Restoring Streams
One of the Institute’s most ambitious efforts is its large-scale stream restoration work and riparian buffer planting.
Many of the region’s waterways have been straightened, channelized or stripped of their natural vegetation, leaving them vulnerable to erosion. FRI scientists, along with student researchers, are helping to reverse that damage by restoring streams to their natural meandering paths and original floodplains, stabilizing eroded banks and replanting native vegetation. These interventions reduce sediment pollution, improve water clarity and create critical habitats for fish, insects and birds.
Wilson sees firsthand how these restoration projects are reshaping the landscape.
“We’re not just fixing streams; we’re reviving ecosystems,” he explains. “By restoring the natural curves of a stream, planting riparian buffers and reconnecting floodplains, we’re allowing these waterways to function the way they were meant to. And that has an enormous impact, not only on our
local biodiversity but on the health of the Susquehanna River and the entire Chesapeake Bay.”
In addition to restoring streams, the FRI is addressing one of the biggest sources of pollution in the Susquehanna River: agricultural runoff.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from farms can cause massive algae blooms that deplete oxygen and create “dead zones” in the Chesapeake Bay. To combat this, students at the Institute work directly with local farmers to implement best management practices — such as cover cropping, no-till farming and the creation of wetlands — to filter runoff before it reaches the river.
“Our approach is about collaboration,” says Wilson. “Farmers are stewards of the land, and many of them want to be part of the solution. We’re helping to provide the science and resources to make that happen.”
A Partnership for Precision Conservation
Restoring a watershed as vast and complex as the Chesapeake Bay’s requires not only boots-on-the-ground restoration but also cutting-edge data and collaboration between conservation leaders. Acknowledging this, Susquehanna’s Freshwater Research Institute has enjoyed nearly a decade of collaboration with the Chesapeake Conservancy — one of the preeminent organizations dedicated to protecting and restoring the resources of the watershed and celebrating the people and places that shape the region.
The Chesapeake Conservancy, based on the shores of the bay in Annapolis, Maryland, is dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural and cultural resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Recognized as a leader in precision conservation, the Conservancy uses advanced technologies like highresolution mapping, geospatial data analysis and artificial intelligence to target where conservation efforts will have the greatest overall impact. The Conservancy’s work bridges the gap between traditional environmental stewardship and modern innovation, helping its network of conservation partners across the region — like the Institute and its student researchers — make informed, strategic decisions to benefit both the people and wildlife that call the watershed home.
Since 2016, Susquehanna’s FRI and the Chesapeake Conservancy have worked together to implement these precision conservation strategies — specifically the Conservancy’s sophisticated mapping tools — to identify the most critical areas for restoration and the most effective land parcels to restore. By leveraging this technology, the FRI’s student researchers can maximize the impact of their conservation efforts, ensuring that every tree planted and
every streambank restored contributes meaningfully to the greater health of the watershed.
But the Freshwater Research Institute doesn’t just implement the Conservancy’s technology and relish its data. The Institute’s research lab literally houses the Chesapeake Conservancy’s Pennsylvania program — including seven staff members who also call the Freshwater Research Institute home — and collaborates with FRI staff and Susquehanna students to implement and study stream restoration projects in central Pennsylvania.
Together, the FRI and Chesapeake Conservancy operate a network of water quality monitoring stations that provide realtime insights into nutrient levels, sediment loads and overall ecosystem health. This data helps researchers refine restoration strategies and advocate for science-based policy decisions.
This partnership was formalized in 2023 through a memorandum of understanding, which underscored a shared commitment to advancing ecological restoration in the region and beyond. The agreement strengthens ongoing collaborations, merging the Institute’s rigorous scientific research with the Chesapeake Conservancy’s expertise in landscape-scale restoration. Perhaps most significantly, the partnership serves as a model for how universities and conservation organizations can work together to tackle large-scale environmental challenges. By integrating academic research with real-world conservation, Susquehanna’s Freshwater Research Institute and the Chesapeake Conservancy are demonstrating that science and action can, and must, go hand in hand.
“What happens in Pennsylvania affects the Chesapeake Bay, and what we do today shapes the future of our environment.”
DIRECTOR OF THE FRI AND CEER FIELD STATION
VIEW OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
Matt Wilson
Equipping the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders
A defining aspect of the Freshwater Research Institute’s work is its commitment to student involvement. Susquehanna University students don’t just study watershed science in the classroom — they immerse themselves in the work from their earliest days on campus, conducting field research, collaborating with conservation partners, analyzing data and even presenting their findings to policymakers.
Student research plays a vital role in collecting data that guides overarching restoration strategies. They help monitor water quality at dozens of sites, measuring everything from nutrient levels to macroinvertebrate populations, which serve as indicators of stream health. Their work contributes to regional and national efforts to track the health of the Susquehanna River and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“I spend time each summer at the Institute as one of its ‘stream team’ interns, helping to conduct stream surveys and supporting other collaborative restoration and research initiatives between the FRI and its strategic conservation partners,” says Paige Hepfer ’26, an ecology and advertising & public relations double major from Tioga, Pennsylvania.
Through her internship with the Institute, Hepfer works closely with the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and various county conservation districts to help with conservation efforts, community outreach and education, research and data collection.
“The Institute has given me so much confidence to conduct research in both field and lab settings and, because of its embrace of experiential learning, I’m able to apply the concepts I have learned in class to real, meaningful work,” she says.
Beyond research opportunities, the Freshwater Research Institute — again in partnership with the Chesapeake Conservancy — launched a workforce development program to prepare Susquehanna students for careers in conservation.
Since the summer of 2023, student researchers have been trained and certified as herbicide applicators to manage invasive plant species within watershed restoration sites. They’ve also worked closely with regional partner organizations to learn about their programs, install restoration structures and plant trees, and attend weekly professional development workshops hosted by Susquehanna.
“We teach our undergraduate students the skills they will need as habitat restoration specialists while they simultane-
ously conduct much-needed maintenance work on 50 acres of existing restoration sites, where our partner organizations are in real need of help,” Wilson says. “Most of the places where we add fencing and plant trees are on farms where invasive species are common. We need to do something to keep that growth at bay until the newly planted trees are mature.
“Our students are doing that very real, very necessary work,” he adds.
Anyone who applies or supervises the application of certain pesticides must be certified in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations and state laws. Certification involves a written exam, and, for the Institute’s students, it also includes a week of hands-on experience and several check-ins throughout the summer with their course instructor.
“As conservation efforts grow in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, workforce capacity is an emerging barrier to achieving tree canopy, riparian forest buffer and climate resilience goals outlined in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan,” says Hobbins. “Many local and state governments, environmental consulting firms and nonprofits throughout the watershed have had difficulty filling entry-level positions to keep up with the pace of conservation funding and accelerating landowner willingness. The certification that this program awards is one that is in high demand for restoration work.”
In addition to their herbicide certification, student researchers learn about assessment and monitoring methods for stream health. One of the first workforce development trainings offered by the Institute and Conservancy focused on habitat assessment, which provides crucial data that the Department of Environmental Protection uses to add or remove a stream from its list of impaired waterways.
“We have been fortunate to partner with Susquehanna University and the Chesapeake Conservancy on many restoration projects and stream monitoring sites,” says Savannah Rhoads ’18, an ecology alumna and watershed specialist with the Union County Conservation District.
“The major hurdle we face is a lack of technical assistance — there simply aren’t enough agencies with the required skills to design and implement the work,” she adds. “Programs like this one, which are developed to train and certify future employees, are integral to our ability to maintain, complete and take on new conservation projects moving forward.”
“As we act to address a changing climate and restore forests, cultivating the next generation of stewards is a big part of the solution,” said Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “We need all
Chesapeake Bay
11,000+ Fish Identified Annually
BY SUSQUEHANNA STUDENT RESEARCHERS IN OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS
the help we can get, so the department applauds and supports this effort to engage young people in conservation work.”
Wilson emphasizes that getting students involved in realworld conservation isn’t just about education — it’s about building the next generation of researchers, policymakers and advocates who will carry this work forward.
“Future scientists need hands-on learning opportunities like those I enjoyed at Susquehanna,” says Danielle Tryon ’24
As an ecology and earth & environmental sciences major, Tryon worked with the FRI as a stream team summer intern and coordinator of its Environmental Education & Outreach Program.
“When I first started college, it was my goal to take advantage of every opportunity Susquehanna had to offer,” she adds. “Through my experiences at the FRI, I gained knowledge, field experience and a deeper commitment to preserving our natural world — especially our aquatic ecosystems.”
Today, Tryon is pursuing a Master of Science in fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Specifically, she studies Chinook salmon migration and habitat use along the Kenai River.
“This opportunity marks an exciting new chapter in my career, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the support, guidance and encouragement I received from my mentors and peers at the Freshwater Research Institute,” Tryon says. “I can’t wait to grow as a scientist and contribute to fisheries research.”
Expanding Collaboration
“The Chesapeake Conservancy may be our largest partner,” Wilson says, “but by no means have they been our only partner in recent years.”
In parallel, and occasionally in tandem, the Freshwater Research Institute has leveraged private foundation funds to place student researchers in partner organization internships for environmental education, recreation, advocacy and conservation. Occasionally, these internships are even supported by alumni like Rhoads.
“I’m so proud to collaborate with my alma mater,” Rhoads says. “Doing so has enabled me to connect with students, offering them real-world experience and insight into the operations of a conservation district while actually completing more stream restoration projects.”
Students interning with Rhoads and the Union County Conservation District have worked with farmers and other landowners; and have installed in-stream restoration structures alongside Fish and Boat Commission staff. Others interning with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership have led outreach programs across the region and worked on trail designs, and Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association interns have taught environmental education programs on an 80-foot paddlewheel riverboat and sampled streams across the watershed for pollution. To acquire these placements, FRI students complete common internship application forms and are matched with partner organizations based on mutual interests.
Tryon, who, in addition to perusing fisheries studies also works as a lead technician for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, credits her internship with the Riverkeeper
DANIELLE TRYON ’24 AT THE CEER FIELD STATION
Native Brook Trout
been systematically surveyed for the presence of native brook trout, which leaves the other 90% vulnerable. When brook trout are identified in a stream, their protection becomes a priority, which, in turn, influences the designated water and land usage in the area surrounding the stream.
Since 2010, Susquehanna student researchers have surveyed approximately more than 850 of the 6,000 stream segments in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Unassessed Waters Initiative, a program to survey and monitor unassessed streams throughout Pennsylvania to identify and protect wild trout populations, with the goal of updating the commission's list of wild trout waters.
There are more than 86,000 miles of streams and rivers in Pennsylvania, more than in any state in the continental U.S. Prior to the Unassessed Waters Initiative, the PFBC had no data on the small streams and creeks that Susquehanna’s Freshwater Research Institute has been surveying. Susquehanna’s field work has contributed to more than 200 streams being added to the PFBC’s Wild Trout Waters list — giving these waterways permanent protection.
“The Freshwater Research Institute’s partnership with the Unassessed Waters Initiative provides Susquehanna students with an invaluable opportunity to influence conservation policy through hands-on scientific research,” says Kathy Straub, dean of Susquehanna University’s School of Natural & Social Sciences and professor of earth & environmental sciences.
“It’s a powerful example of how science drives real-world change,” she adds.
Association for helping her develop community relations skills — which are vital for conservation professionals.
“My internship with the Riverkeeper Association gave me so much insight,” she says. “I am so thankful for the opportunities I had as an undergraduate to communicate with residents of the watershed and to educate them about the ways in which they too can protect and promote the Susquehanna River, its tributaries and the aquatic ecosystem it supports.”
Like Tryon’s experience, the internships completed by Freshwater Research Institute students translate into realworld — and often very local — outcomes. For example, one in seven watershed specialists for conservation districts located within the Susquehanna River watershed are recent Susquehanna University graduates who worked with the Institute or its network of conservation partners. Others have gone on to work for restoration consulting firms, state and federal agencies, watershed organizations and environmental education centers.
The Ripple Effect
The success of Susquehanna’s Freshwater Research Institute’s is not measured just in cleaner water and thriving fish populations, but in the ripple effect they create. Every acre of restored floodplain, every mile of replanted streambank and every farm that reduces its nutrient runoff contributes to a healthier Susquehanna River. The impact extends beyond Pennsylvania’s borders, influencing everything from blue crab populations in Maryland to the water quality of coastal communities.
“There’s no single solution to protecting our freshwater resources,” says Wilson. “But every effort — big or small — adds up. We’re proud to be part of the solution and to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.”
Despite these successes, the work is far from over. Climate change is intensifying the challenges facing the Susquehanna River, bringing more extreme weather patterns and increasing the urgency of restoration efforts. The Freshwater Research Institute is actively researching how best to build resilience into the ecosystem, ensuring that the progress made today can withstand the challenges of tomorrow.
“Rivers are living systems,” Wilson says. “If we take care of them, they’ll take care of us. That’s what drives our work — it’s not just about fixing what’s broken but ensuring that these waterways remain vibrant and resilient long into the future.”
An asthmatic oyster, a sad sasquatch and color-changing coral. All are characters in a collection of children’s stories written by Susquehanna University students and based on scientific research.
“Climate change research is critical, but complex science can be hard to communicate, especially to children, which creates a gap that limits public understanding and action,” says Siobhan Fathel ’11, assistant professor of earth & environmental sciences. “We are experiencing a time in which science is under scrutiny, but I think talking about science and being able to make it accessible is what we have to focus on.”
Students in Fathel’s Climate and Global Change course recently tackled this problem when they translated peer-reviewed scientific journal articles into children’s books. Every story focuses on an impact of climate change and cites the research article that inspired it. Each book is also accompanied by a parent and educator guide that explains the science behind the story, directs them to additional information and gives them a list of action items to help the environment.
Coral’s Colors by Rhylee Gangestad ’25, an environmental studies major from Hagerstown, Maryland, follows a coral character and her ocean friends as they experience a bleaching event caused by climate change.
“The theme centers around environmental resilience, human responsibility and hope while the story introduces young readers to coral bleaching in an age-appropriate, emotionally engaging way,” Gangestad explains. “The illustrations are bright and expressive and show the ocean both in distress and in recovery, depending on human action.”
Gangestad’s scholarly inspiration came from her lifelong love of the ocean.
“Growing up, the beach was always a place of beauty and joy during family vacations. I believe many kids see it that way too, which makes the idea of losing it feel personal and real,” Gangestad shares. “That’s why translating such an important topic into a format that could reach children — and inspire them to care about the planet — felt especially meaningful to me.”
After choosing her research article, Gangestad read and annotated the article, pulling out key terms, causes and effects.
She then brainstormed how to personify the coral and bring emotion and storytelling into the science. She wrote the story in rhyme to make it fun and readable for young kids, while still keeping the core scientific ideas accurate. For the visuals, Gangestad worked in the graphic design platform Canva.
“One challenge was simplifying the science without oversim plifying or losing accuracy. Coral bleaching involves complex biological and climate systems, so I had to distill that into something a child could understand,” she says. “Another challenge was finding the right tone — balancing the serious ness of climate change with a message of hope and action.”
From the Chesapeake Bay to the Pinewood Forests
In Oscar the Oyster, the main character lives in the Chesapeake Bay and loves playing soccer. But with rising temperatures exacerbated by a nearby power plant, Oscar and his bivalve buddies can only play soccer for a few minutes before a seagull referee is forced to end the game early.
The book was written by Maryland natives Cate Chodnicki ’25 an environmental studies and international studies double major from Bel Air, and Sean Yamada ’25, an environmental studies major from Brookeville. For background, they used a study that examined the impacts of hypoxia and warming waters on oyster growth and health.
“Oysters are integral to the health of the Chesapeake Bay because they are natural water filters, filtering pollution and sediment as they feed,” Chodnicki says.
Evan Heisler ’26, an ecology major from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and Sylvia Kniss ’25, an earth & environmental sciences major from Kempton, Pennsylvania, wrote Sadsquatch about a giant purple sasquatch who is heartbroken when her little bird friends migrate farther north to more suitable habitats with cooler climates.
“The story is about friendship but it is inspired by a highly comprehensive scientific study on bird migration that draws on data from the past 100 years,” Heisler says.
Other students created books that touch on extreme weather, arctic ice melt, drought and more. The storybooks are available to view in Susquehanna’s Blough-Weis Library.
Rhylee Gangestad ’25, Siobhan Fathel & Cale Richards ’25
Congratulations
Susquehanna celebrated the Class of 2025, conferring degrees on nearly 500 graduates who now join an alumni community of nearly 22,000 worldwide. Bound for the military, graduate schools and major firms and companies like Deloitte, The Walt Disney Company and TikTok, they bid farewell to campus life and take with them lasting memories as they step into a future full of possibility.
Award–winning filmmaker
has dedicated his career to addressing critical global issues, focusing on themes like migration, conflict and the struggles of underserved communities. A humanitarian, interpreter and former refugee, Ahadi draws on his cross-cultural experiences to foster empathy, open dialogue and meaningful storytelling.
Ahadi addressed the Class of 2025, “As you write your next chapter, remember this: you don’t need to be a filmmaker to be a storyteller. Every conversation, every choice, every act of courage — no matter how small — is a line in the story you’re telling the world. So tell it with care. Tell it with courage. Tell it like it matters — because it does.”
Read more about the Class of 2025 and where they’re going, watch video highlights and see photo albums at susqu.edu/Currents-Commencement
Baktash Ahadi ’05
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Emmy
Baktash Ahadi ’05
Susquehanna field hockey completed their first unbeaten regular season and retained the Landmark Conference trophy.
MORE ON ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ACCOLADES ON PAGE 23
DEPARTMENTS
PEOPLE & PLACES SCOREBOARD THE ’GROVE
PEOPLE & PLACES
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHERE FOR ALL THINGS SUSQUEHANNA
Women’s Leadership Initiative marks 10 years of meaningful connections
Susquehanna University marked the 10th anniversary of the Women’s Leadership Initiative with a two-day symposium in New York City that formed business connections between students and alumnae who hold leadership positions in top companies.
This year’s event took nearly 40 students to New York’s Chelsea neighborhood where they participated in panel discussions on topics including breaking into competitive industries and navigating early career challenges faced by women, and attended alumnae-led site visits to publisher Penguin Random House, marketing communications agency Taylor and global public relations and communications firm Burson.
“Being surrounded by such inspiring, strong and accomplished alumnae was a meaningful experience for me as I continue in my professional journey,” says Kimberly Nagengast ’26, a luxury brand marketing & management major from Seaford, New York. “The Women’s Leadership
Symposium serves as a reminder of why I am so passionate about women leaving their mark on the world.”
The Women’s Leadership Initiative is supported by the Signe S. Gates ’71 and Dawn G. Mueller ’68 Women’s Leadership Fund, which was endowed in 2019 and connects students with alumnae who inspire them to pursue leadership positions within their chosen fields. Gates and Mueller, chair and vice chair respectively of Susquehanna’s Board of Trustees, say the inspiration for their challenge was a 2015 pledge from Janet Fowler Grey ’68, who created the Grey Women’s Leadership Fund to support experiential opportunities for women studying in the Sigmund Weis School of Business.
Today, The Women’s Leadership Initiative offers women in all majors the chance to attend professional conferences and gain hands-on experience through summer research, internships or other experiential learning programs. Since the program’s inception, hundreds of students have attended panel discus-
sions on topics ranging from career advice and adapting to change to embracing risk and self-advocacy, and have traveled to major U.S. cities to learn from and network with alumnae at American Express, Comcast, JPMorgan, the National Institutes of Health, Urban and more.
“The visionary philanthropy of Signe and Dawn has been the driving force behind the university’s Women’s Leadership Initiative,” explains Melissa Komora , vice president for advancement. “Their unwavering commitment to fostering leadership development and mentorship opportunities has created a lasting impact that will continue to shape future generations of women at Susquehanna.”
The annual Women’s Leadership Symposium is a selective event. Students first must apply, and then, upon acceptance, complete one of two preparatory sessions before the symposium takes place. This year’s event was the most selective yet, with more than 70 students applying for 40 openings. More than 50 alumnae participated in the event.
“Celebrating 10 years of Susquehanna’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and Symposium fills us with pride. The program’s growing interest highlights its lasting impact and the importance of empowering women as leaders,” Gates says. “This milestone honors past achievements while inspiring continued progress, ensuring that meaningful conversations and leadership development thrive for years to come.”
“We are deeply grateful to the generous donors whose support has made the Women’s Leadership Initiative a transformative experience for so many students over the past decade,” Mueller says. “We look forward to building on the success of this program and seeing its impact on future leaders at Susquehanna as they make a difference on campus and beyond.”
Laela Falana ’25, a luxury brand marketing & management major and entrepreneurship & corporate innovation minor from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, has participated in the Women’s
“Being surrounded by such inspiring, strong and accomplished alumnae was a meaningful experience for me as I continue in my professional journey.”
Leadership Initiative for four years, this year as an intern helping to organize the symposium.
“Every interaction, whether with new faces or familiar ones, reminded me just how special and empowering the Susquehanna University network truly is,” Falana says. “The opportunities and connections I’ve gained throughout my journey have shaped me in ways I never could have imagined, preparing me for my next steps post-graduation.”
KIMBERLY NAGENGAST ’26
L to R: Signe S. Gates ’71, keynote speaker Samantha Virgil ’15 Motayne and Dawn G. Mueller ’68
Spaces & Places
Reviving the ‘Heart’ of Campus
Each day, thousands of students and community members pass through the doors of the Degenstein Campus Center for shared meals, meetings, community gatherings, lectures, theatrical performances and gallery exhibitions. Thanks to the generous support of the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation and the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it’s undergoing a major renovation.
Improvements will include a 5,600-square-foot expansion and upgrades to the dining room, kitchen, lounge and meeting rooms. The refurbished Evert Dining Room, including enhanced seating and serving areas, and larger Mellon Lounge and Starbucks café will open in the fall. A new main entrance and event space with capacity for 380 people is scheduled to be completed in spring 2026 and the renovated meeting rooms should be finished by fall 2026.
“For more than 55 years, the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center has been the heart of Susquehanna University and served the community in multiple ways,” University President Jonathan Green said. “This capital project is a testament to the shared commitment and missions of the university and the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation to support our students and the greater Susquehanna region.”
The exterior design and interior spaces are being reimagined with a deep appreciation for the river mills that once powered the valley’s growth. This renovation will seamlessly blend historic charm with modern functionality, incorporating natural materials, exposed beams and industrial design elements that pay tribute to the past while creating a space that fosters collaboration and community.
Top illustration: Degenstein Campus Center rendering shows extended Mellon Lounge on the left, new entrance in middle and new event space on the right.
Middle photo: Steel beams installed to extend Mellon Lounge.
Bottom photo: Raised ceiling in Evert Dining Room exposes windows as part of the interior renovations.
See more renderings at susqu.edu/campus-life/buildingsspaces/campus-transformations.
Former Chaplain Honored, Scholarship Established in His Name by Past Students
BY LOGAN SWEET ’15
From 1986 to 1996, Christopher Thomforde was an imposing presence at Susquehanna University.
At six foot nine inches, the former college basketball player — who once graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine — stood above everyone on campus. But as students and faculty members came to know the university’s chaplain, they experienced a man of great humility with an infectious sense of humor and an exceptionally thoughtful interest in the student experience.
“If you’re lucky in this life, you might encounter someone whose kindness and wisdom shape your world in ways you never imagined,” said Danielle “Dani” Beam ’98, a former student deacon.
As chaplain, Thomforde led weekly chapel services and made time for annual spiritual retreats, bible studies and volunteer services. He created three student deacon roles in the chaplain’s office to give students leadership opportunities and, on more than one occasion, he supported student-led excursions to engage in weeklong volunteer activities during university breaks.
Thomforde was a friend, mentor and spiritual companion to any member of the Susquehanna community, no matter their religious preferences or practices. He deeply valued student curiosity and their questions about religion and faith. Former students still think of him fondly as an introspective thinker with a sharp wit, full of empathy, warmth and kindness.
In spring of 2024, several of Thomforde’s student deacons — many of them now religious leaders in their own communities — returned to campus for a reunion with their former chaplain. With nearly 30 in attendance, they surprised him with the news they had created a scholarship in his honor.
“We have infinite gratitude for the many ways the Rev. Thomforde touched and shaped our lives and the lives of many others,” they said. “We are proud to honor him with gifts to a scholarship in his name.”
The scholarship will be awarded to students active in spiritual life, public service or social justice pursuits.
“Throughout his tenure at Susquehanna, the Rev. Dr. Thomforde made an indelible mark on the student body,” said President Jonathan Green. “He inspired many to pursue religious vocations or lives dedicated to public service. We are grateful to his former students for honoring him with a scholarship in his name, and we are proud that his legacy will persist for generations to come.”
If you would like to contribute to the Rev. Dr. Christopher Thomforde Endowed Scholarship, please contact Chris Markle, senior advancement officer, by email at marklec@susqu.edu or by phone at 570-372-4155.
“If you’re lucky in this life, you might encounter someone whose kindness and wisdom shape your world in ways you never imagined.”
DANIELLE “DANI” BEAM ’98
Photo of Christopher Thomforde from the 1987 edition of the Lanthorn
SCOREBOARD
Football Makes Historic Run
In 2024, the River Hawks had one of the greatest seasons in football program history, winning a record 12 games en route to their second straight Landmark Conference championship and the NCAA Division III semifinals. Susquehanna won three NCAA playoff games, another program record, playing host to two of them on campus.
Receiving a first-round bye, the River Hawks hosted Hobart in the second round, beating the Statesmen, 42–35. They then went off to Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., stunning the Johnnies with a walk-off field goal, 41–38. It was then back home where the River Hawks played host again to Bethel in the national quarterfinals, dethroning the Royals, 24–21, to earn their first national semifinals appearance since 1991 against eventual 2024 national champion North Central.
At year’s end, Susquehanna had 20 All-Landmark selections and three major award winners in senior linebacker Garrett Carter Defensive Player of the Year, junior quarterback Josh Ehrlich Offensive Player of the Year, and first-year running back/ returner Rahshan La Mons Rookie of the Year. The three were also tabbed D3football.com All-Region 2 alongside senior wide receiver/returner Kyle Howes, senior left tackle Nick Gonzalez , and junior defensive lineman Brian Layton. Coach Perkovich and his staff earned the region’s Coaching Staff of the Year. Nationally, Susquehanna ranked fourth in both the AFCA and D3football.com year-end polls. Ehrlich was a semifinalist for the John Gagliardi Trophy Presented by Stearns Bank and La Mons D3football.com Third Team All-American.
PHOTOS: LUKE WALDNER ’24 AND GORDON WENZEL
Championships, Accolades and 2 Top 10s
Susquehanna proudly kept the banners flying in another “Landmark” campaign, with football and men’s outdoor track & field both reaching the Top 10 in national rankings. Last fall, the football and field hockey programs captured their second consecutive Landmark titles. The men’s track & field teams captured their fourth straight Landmark indoor championship and fifth consecutive Landmark outdoor title. Men’s outdoor track & field also achieved their first All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference regional championship. Football finished their season with a No. 4 national ranking, while men’s outdoor track & field reached as high as No. 7 in the USTFCCCA national poll.
Field hockey’s run through the Landmark Tournament was nearly identical to their 2023 triumph. They completed their first unbeaten regular season against Landmark opposition with a 9–0 record to earn the first seed. Playing Moravian in the semifinals for the second straight year, the River Hawks prevailed 2–0, prompting a championship rematch against Scranton. Once again, Susquehanna rallied from behind to reclaim the Landmark trophy, overcoming a 2–0 fourth-quarter deficit with three unanswered goals in a 3–2 victory.
Susquehanna’s many accomplishments were validated with our coaches receiving praise. In spring 2024, men’s lacrosse head coach Stewart Moan and women’s lacrosse head coach Randall Swope received the Landmark Conference’s Coaching Staff of the Year awards. This year, men’s track & field head coach Ethan Senecal and his staff earned Landmark Coaching Staff of the Year in both men’s indoor and outdoor track. Senecal received USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region Men’s Outdoor Coach of the Year. Field hockey head coach Allison Fordyce and her staff also were recognized by the Landmark. Football received similar adulation as the coaching staff led by head coach Tom Perkovich earned D3football.com’s Region 2 Coach of the Year.
HAWK TALK
Johnny Powell was introduced as Susquehanna’s new women’s volleyball head coach in spring 2025. Powell was the head coach at Harford Community College (Md.) from 2019 to 2024, leading the Fighting Owls to back-to-back NJCAA Division II national tournament appearances and a No. 20 national ranking. Powell graduated from Stevenson University in 2014, competing on the program’s successful men’s volleyball program.
Ben Bulger ’25 (400-meter hurdles) and the men’s 4x100 relay team of Austin Hurrell ‘26, Dominic Santos ‘27, Mason Winslow ‘27 and Brandon Zimmerman ‘25 were named NCAA First Team All-Americans in outdoor track & field.
Rahshan La Mons ’28 had a breakout rookie season as the football program’s running back and return man, so good that it earned him D3football.com Third Team All-American. He helped rewrite several program records, as well as being named the Landmark Conference’s Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference, followed by D3football.com First Team All-Region 2.
Ryan Redfern ’11 was tapped as the Susquehanna men’s golf team’s new head coach, returning to the program that he competed on as a student-athlete that won the 2010 Empire 8 championship. Redfern, who works at Susquehanna in the registrar’s office, looks to lead the team back to the competitive spirit he played under in the team’s quest for their first-ever Landmark Conference Championship.
Susquehanna Inducts Its 56th Hall of Fame Class
The Susquehanna University Athletics Department added five alumni athletes to its Hall of Fame, bringing the count to 275 deserving Crusaders and River Hawks.
“It’s our honor to introduce this next wave of inductees to our Athletics Hall of Fame,” remarks Director of Athletics Sharief Hashim. “We had another rich selection process this year and we’d like to thank everyone who submitted nominations.”
The Susquehanna University Athletics Hall of Fame was established to formally recognize contributions to the heritage and tradition of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program. Below are the newest members.
Don Campbell ’71 – A three-sport student-athlete, Campbell played both sides of the ball in football, mastered the javelin in track & field, and rated as high as the team’s No. 2 golfer. He once held the school record in the javelin throw at 213'2" during a time where the men’s track program won MAC titles in 1970 and 1971. He also played on the 1970 football team that won the MAC North championship and defeated Georgetown in the Atlantic City Bowl. Campbell racked up nine varsity letters: four in football, three in golf and two in track & field. On the gridiron, the native of Derry, Pa. split time as receiver and defensive end, becoming a three-time MAC Player of the Week during his career and an AllLutheran Team selection after his junior season.
Lexi Cole ’15 – Cole joined Susquehanna just as the women’s swimming began its decade-long run dominating the Landmark Conference, capturing the team title all four years between 2012 and 2015. During her tenure, she was named the Landmark’s Female Rookie of the Year, captured multiple Landmark titles, and broke numerous conference championship meet and conference records. At the time of her graduation, she held individual school records in the 500-yard freestyle (5:05.44) and the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.08) and was part of the 400-yard and 800-yard freestyle relays.
Cris Delbaugh ’91 – All told, Delbaugh devoted 37 years to the Susquehanna track & field program: four years as a thrower on the men’s team and 33 years as the program’s throwing coach. He was a three-time letter winner and graduated as the school record holder in both the indoor and outdoor shot put, which today remain the eighth and fourth best marks, respectively. He led two national champions, 18 NCAA All-Americans, 24 national qualifiers, and 98 conference champions between shot put, weight throw, hammer throw and javelin. He added one final accomplishment in 2023 when the men’s and women’s track and field programs swept the Landmark indoor and outdoor championships, with the women capturing their first-ever outdoor conference title.
Ali Hughes ’01 – In 1997, Hughes helped usher in another glorious era of Susquehanna field hockey. From 1997 to 2000, the program combined for 46 wins, including a then-school record of 15 in 1999 as Susquehanna won its first-ever NCAA tournament game. As an attacker, she ranks eighth all-time with 17 assists, while ranking ninth with 67 points and 25 goals. Hughes was a NFHCA First Team All-Region as a senior, a two-time First Team All-Conference selection as a junior and senior, along with a Second Team All-Conference choice as a sophomore.
Dana Makowski ’00 – When Makowski arrived in Selinsgrove, the women’s lacrosse program was still in its infancy. Upon her taking the field, that all changed. She was a four-time All-MAC selection, including a two-time First Team honoree in 1998 and 2000, along with a Second Team nod in 1999. Her 63 career assists ranks third all-time, while her 162 career points stands ninth all-time. Her 25 assists in 2000 remained a school record for 15 years. She helped the program reach its apex during these early years with three straight second-place finishes in the MAC from 1998 to 2000, including MAC Finals appearances in 1998 and 1999.
LEXI COLE ’15
DON CAMPBELL ’71
CRIS DELBAUGH ’91
DANA MAKOWSKI ’00 ALI HUGHES ’01
New Features on Redesigned Athletics Site
Last fall, Susquehanna Athletics unveiled a redesigned website at SURiverHawks.com, giving fans and recruits an engaging new way to connect with their favorite NCAA teams, club programs and spirit squads. Developed in partnership with the university’s Marketing & Communications Division and hosted by SIDEARM Sports, the site was built with two priorities in mind: student-athlete recruitment and a better user experience for families and fans.
The result is a streamlined, mobile-friendly platform with simplified navigation, an active scoreboard with live video, stats and schedules, and enhanced team pages featuring Instagram feeds and Meet the Coach modules. The site also showcases top-tier facilities, program success stories, and compelling video content, while boosting visibility for retail, fundraising and sponsors.
The relaunch quickly gained momentum, especially following the football team’s national success — earning SURiverHawks.com a place as the sixth most visited site among all NCAA Division III websites in December 2024. The redesigned site also earned a national higher education award for digital engagement. These updates reflect Susquehanna Athletics’ growing digital presence and its commitment to staying competitive in the evolving college sports landscape.
HAWK TALK
Jack Gaillard ’25 and Brennan Lorence ’25 have written themselves into the Susquehanna men’s lacrosse career scoring record books as the first two players ever to reach over 200 career points. This spring Gaillard surpassed the 100 career assist mark, while breaking the previous record of 100 set by Dan St. Ours ’05, while becoming the first player in school history to amass 50 assists in one season. Lorence, meanwhile, has set plenty of distance on his way to the career goals record, surpassing the previous mark of 123 set by Scott Hodgson ’04
Brandon Zimmerman ’25 was awarded the Landmark Conference’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year after winning four events to help the River Hawks clinch their fourth consecutive Landmark indoor title. The gifted multi athlete from Danville ran a leg of the 4x400 alongside Mason Winslow, Aidan Diglio, and Ben Bulger that took first place with a new championship record of 3:22.48. Zimmerman won three solo events in the 60-meter dash at 6.92, 60-meter hurdles at 8.25, and the long jump at 6.64m. He qualified for the NCAA Division III indoor championships in the heptathlon, earning Second Team All-American with 4,927 points.
THE ’GROVE
STORIES FROM AROUND CAMPUS AND AROUND TOWN
Patrick Long Dean, School of the Arts Dean, School of Humanities Professor of Music
“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with this opportunity by colleagues I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for more than two decades.
— PATRICK LONG
New dean appointed for School of the Arts, School of Humanities
Susquehanna University has named Patrick Long as the dean of the School of the Arts and the School of Humanities, a position he has held on an interim basis since January 2025.
“Pat brings a deep well of institutional knowledge about Susquehanna, paired with a genuine passion for scholarship and a forward-looking vision for the university and its students,” Provost Dave Ramsaran said. “Coupled with the high regard in which he is held by his colleagues, Pat is well positioned to lead both the School of the Arts and the School of Humanities into a bright and successful future.”
As dean of the School of the Arts and the School of Humanities, Long will lead 10 academic departments and a team of 64 full-time faculty members. In close partnership with university leadership, he will help shape and strengthen Susquehanna’s academic vision. His efforts will focus on enhancing curriculum design, elevating teaching and learning, enriching academic advising, and supporting faculty development, scholarship and creative work — all in alignment with the university’s commitment to academic excellence. Long will also serve on President Jonathan Green’s Senior Leadership Team, as well as the Provost Council and University Council.
“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with this opportunity by colleagues I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for more than two decades,” Long said. “I look forward to continuing to support our exceptional faculty in their teaching and scholarship, and to helping prepare our students for meaningful lives of purpose and creativity.”
A history of service to Susquehanna
Long has had a long and successful tenure at Susquehanna. He joined the university in 2000 as assistant professor of music teaching composition, theory, music history and music technology. He was promoted to associate professor in 2007 and achieved full professor standing in 2015. Long served as music department head between 2009 and 2012, during which time he established Susquehanna’s minor in music technology and Bachelor of Music degree programs. He also initiated a comprehensive departmental plan for capital equipment upgrades and acquisitions, and successfully advocated for over $350,000 in university purchases for the department over three years. He also conceived, proposed and managed the repurposing of spaces used by the Music Department. This $50,000 project involved four faculty teaching studios, the piano lab, computer lab and the multipurpose rehearsal room in Weber Chapel.
Long has worked closely with the Advancement Office and university donors to realize the creation of the Margaret Pierce ’96 Frantz and Todd Frantz ’97 Recording Studio, which is among the largest and most aesthetically inspiring university-based studios in the country. The university’s original recording studio was created from scratch by Long using existing equipment and a budget of only $10,000. Long also helped to establish the Christopher R. McCormick Memorial Concert to produce an elaborate concert in honor of composition alumnus Kris McCormick, and to establish the guidelines for the Christopher R. McCormick ’15 Memorial Endowment for Musical Achievement and Potential.
Students named Gilman Scholars
Four Susquehanna University students were awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship this past academic year. Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to support their study-abroad experiences.
• Jayden Checket ’26, a psychology major from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, will study at Maastricht University’s International Summer School in the Netherlands.
• Evelyn Horn ’27, a psychology major from New Columbia, Pennsylvania, will study in Galway, Ireland.
• Madison Hoy ’26, an environmental studies major from Shamokin, Pennsylvania, studied at Maastricht University in the Netherlands during the spring 2025 semester.
• Lindsay Millage ’27, a double major in accounting and business analytics from Olyphant, Pennsylvania, will study at the University of Galway in Ireland.
Receiving a record high of 17,000 applications across the 2024–25 academic year, the U.S. Department of State awarded scholarships to 3,500 undergraduate students to study abroad in over 170 countries. Over 70% of selected Gilman Scholars are from rural areas and small towns across the United States, and 55% are first-generation
In 2023, Long established the Music Production Institute, a summer program for high school students to compose, record and edit music, and it has run successfully the last two summers.
An active composer and percussionist, Long is the composer of over 100 premiered works. He earned his bachelor’s degree in composition and percussion from Syracuse University in 1991. He went on to earn his master’s degree and doctorate from the Eastman School of Music in 1993 and 1996, respectively.
college students. Gilman Scholars are U.S. undergraduate students with high financial need as federal Pell Grant recipients.
“This scholarship makes it possible for me to gain global experience, grow personally and achieve my academic goals,” Millage says. “I plan to become a forensic accountant. Studying abroad will give me a global perspective and help me build the critical-thinking and adaptability skills needed to investigate financial crimes in an international context.”
Gilman scholars gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages and economies — making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.
Hoy said her experience in Maastricht gave her a global understanding of conservation. “Studying abroad expanded my understanding of how different countries approach conservation and environmental initiatives and gave me a broader, more global perspective on the challenges and solutions in this field,” she adds.
SYLLABUS
Anthropology of Surveillance
By Kaitlyn Wagner ’27
Syllabus is an ongoing series of stories that gives readers an inside look at some of Susquehanna’s most interesting classes. From cell phones to social media, rarely is there a moment when we are not under some form of surveillance. In the class Anthropology of Surveillance, students learn about the scope of surveillance and the methods that are used to collect information about and track everyday people, while also examining how constant surveillance affects individuals and society as a whole.
“We need to learn more about the degree to which our data are being scraped and then monetized … and decide whether all of this is appropriate for life in a democratic society.” SHARI JACOBSON
“Many of us have had that experience of saying something near our smart phone and an hour or two later noticing a related ad in a feed,” says Shari Jacobson, associate professor of anthropology and department head of sociology and anthropology. “We need to learn more about the degree to which our data are being scraped and then monetized — from our internet searches, our Ring doorbells, our ‘smart’ refrigerators, the license-plate readers we pass, the facial recognition technologies we consent to, the cell phone tower ‘pings’ we prompt, and the geofenced areas we enter — and decide whether all of this is appropriate for life in a democratic society.”
Students study specific topics of surveillance, such as personal privacy or surveillance in other countries, with the goal of learning how that topic relates to their personal lives. Students use the assigned readings and projects as resources while taking advantage of the small class size to facilitate discussions.
Jennifer Stahley ’25, an anthropology and history double major, said the course gave her the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions about privacy, security and resistance strategies.
“My experience with this course will profoundly impact my academic and professional career,” Stahley says. “I’ll approach topics with a sharper lens for analyzing power dynamics, cultural implications and the ethical dimensions of systems and practices.”
Anthropology major Amanda Welde ’26, of Danville, Pennsylvania, found that the course expanded her critical thinking skills and knowledge base, and contributed to her decision to major in anthropology.
“We talked about all types of surveillance, but learning about how private companies collect our data to influence our actions changed how I view human behavior,” Welde says. “It led me to evaluate how my own choices have been shaped by corporate surveillance.”
FORWARD THINKING
Turbidivision
App makes water quality testing easy — and free
By Amanda O’Rourke
Testing the quality of your water just got easier and less expensive thanks to a first-of-its-kind application. The free, easy-to-use app, called Turbidivision, can measure the turbidity, or cloudiness, of water through user-uploaded images.
The app was developed by Ian Rudy ’24 under the guidance of Matt Wilson, director of Susquehanna University’s Center for Environmental Education and Research and Freshwater Research Institute.
“In fields ranging from environmental science to public health, assessing water quality is vital,” Wilson says. “These tests often begin with measuring turbidity, which can impact water clarity and drinkability.”
Estimated by the scattering of light by particles suspended in water, turbidity is an optical measure of water clarity, Wilson explained. In nature, many of these particles are agitated sediment, such as clays and soils or suspended organic matter, and largely depend on surrounding land use. Pollutants contained in industrial and agricultural runoff can also be linked to turbidity.
Rudy, who graduated from Susquehanna with dual degrees in computer science and communications, and Wilson used a two-step process for their application. First, they trained an image classification model using photos and turbidity measurements. Then, they used a statistical method to estimate turbidity levels from these images.
To create a strong model, they collected images from both field sites and lab experiments under various water conditions and grouped them into 11 categories based on turbidity levels.
“Our classification model is very accurate, with 100% of predictions being close to the true category and 84% being spot-on,” Wilson says. “Current methods for determining turbidity can be costly and time-consuming. Our app could make it easier to analyze old image data and provide a simpler way to assess turbidity, especially for educational and citizen science projects where high accuracy isn’t always necessary.”
The application developed as part of this research project is the first photo-based turbidity-measuring tool accessible to the public. To make the model widely accessible, Wilson and Rudy implemented it as a free, user-friendly web application. The app is compatible with a wide range of devices and has a simple user interface, allowing anyone to easily benefit from the results of this research.
Wilson and Rudy wrote an article on their app development project, which was published in the journal PeerJ. The app is available on the web and from Google Play.
KUDOS
Header
During my first year at Susquehanna, I have used four themes to focus our work
Bragging Rights
The Susquehanna degree is more than just a badge of honor — it’s a symbol of academic excellence, guaranteed opportunities and a solid foundation for life.
► NO. 103 ON NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES LIST — U S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025
► NO. 139 IN SOCIAL MOBILITY
Continues to excel in social mobility (ability to improve one’s socioeconomic status) — U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025
► NO. 71 AMONG U.S. COLLEGES WITH THE GREATEST ECONOMIC DIVERSITY THE NEW YORK TIMES’ COLLEGE-ACCESS INDEX, 2023
► NO. 189 AMONG COLLEGES IN U.S.
For student success and learning, ranked annually since its inception — WALL STREET JOURNAL/ COLLEGE PULSE RANKINGS, 2025
► BEST COLLEGES IN AMERICA
Recognized for quality of education, graduate outcomes and affordability — MONEY MAGAZINE, 2024
► AMONG NATION’S MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE COLLEGES
One of 511 colleges based on sustainability-related policies, practices and programs — GUIDE TO GREEN COLLEGES, THE PRINCETON REVIEW, 2025
► A TOP 500 COLLEGE IN U.S. — FORBES, 2024
► TOP 12% NATIONALLY FOR GRADUATE EARNINGS — GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE, 2025
► AMONG THE BEST 390 COLLEGES — THE PRINCETON REVIEW, 2025
► BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK — AMONG TOP COLLEGES IN THE NORTHEAST
For helping lower- and middle-income students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices — WASHINGTON MONTHLY, 2024
► TOP 300+ IN GLOBAL LISTING
For challenging academics, small class sizes, internship and research opportunities, competitive athletic teams and more — FISKE GUIDE TO COLLEGES, 2025
► TOP 50 COLLEGES WITH BEST STUDY ABROAD
95% of SU students study in another country — INTELLIGENT.COM, 2025
Susquehanna University is a proud member of The Annapolis Group, comprising approximately 130 leading national independent liberal arts colleges.
The Sigmund Weis School of Business is among the top 6% of business programs worldwide — and one of the few undergraduate-only programs — to have earned AACSB accreditation, a mark of excellence.
CLASS NOTES, PAGE 34
MESSAGE BOARD CLASS NOTES ALUMNI PROFILES DEATHS
Bryan Papson ’99, vice president of marketing for the Philadelphia Eagles, hosted Susquehanna students as part of the Break Through Networking Trek.
MESSAGE BOARD
New Awards Bestowed to Alumni of Distinction
Susquehanna University’s Alumni Association Board proudly presented a new honor this year during the annual Break Through student-alumni networking conference, recognizing a young alumna whose achievements and service to date reflect the university’s core values. Samantha Virgil ’15 Motayne was named the inaugural recipient of the Emerging Champion Award, which celebrates alumni who have been graduated less than 10 years and exemplify Susquehanna’s ideals of achievement, leadership and service.
Motayne is vice president of the People Team at Burson, a global public relations and communications firm based in New York City. Since joining Burson’s predecessor, BCW, in 2022, she has steadily advanced in her career, previously working in the firm’s awards and rankings division. As a student, she earned a communications degree with an emphasis in public relations and was an active campus leader, serving as president of Sigma Kappa sorority and was a member of Susquehanna’s PRSSA chapter. She was also a member of Lambda Pi Eta and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies, was a presidential fellow and in the Honors Program.
In March, during the university’s annual Signe S. Gates ’71 and Dawn G. Mueller ’68 Women’s Leadership Symposium in New York City, Motayne offered the keynote address. Speaking to more than 30 student attendees, she encouraged them to face challenges with courage, to explore different passions and to translate their undergraduate experiences into future careers.
Pictured from left to right are Jamie Malachowski ’09 Hindman and Samantha Virgil ’15 Motayne.
“Susquehanna did more than just award me a degree — it gave me tools to navigate uncertainty,” she said. “I learned to think critically, ask thoughtful questions and, above all, to remain curious. It provided a safe space to explore my interests and discover what energized me.”
In addition to the Emerging Champion Award, the Alumni Association Board will also bestow the Exceptional Champion Award at Homecoming–Reunion Weekend. The award will annually honor Susquehannans whose personal and professional accomplishments reflect a lifetime of achievement, leadership and service. Designed as a career-spanning recognition, the award will celebrate alumni who have made a profound and lasting impact in their fields and communities while embodying the values of their alma mater.
“We are thrilled to introduce these two new awards and to highlight the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our fellow alumni,” said Jamie Malachowski ’09 Hindman, president of the Alumni Association’s executive committee. “They remind us of the incredible talent and generosity within our Susquehanna community, and we hope that will inspire current students to understand that no personal or professional goal is out of reach.”
With these new honors, the university continues to celebrate the achievements of its graduates and strengthen the powerful network that helps define the Susquehanna experience.
The Alumni Association Board accepts year-round nominations for the Emerging Champion and Exceptional Champion awards, and honorees are celebrated at signature events. Learn more and submit a nomination at susqu.edu/alumni.
CLASS NOTES
1971
Bruce Svare ’71, professor emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at the State University of New York at Albany, has spent his career contributing to the field of psychology through research and teaching. His greatest joy now comes from leaning on his impressive credentials to the benefit of those in need.
Last year, he completed a five-month Fulbright Scholar Award stay in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, where he worked with academics in leading universities, medical schools and health science centers to improve the discipline of psychology, |which will expand and enhance graduate training in the fields of clinical psychology, counseling, social work and marital and family therapy.
Bruce gave over 30 lectures and workshops to administrators, faculty, students and community mental healthcare professionals. At every institution he spoke on the significant challenges and roadblocks that southeast Asian countries face in improving mental healthcare, reforms that are needed to accomplish this goal, and the consequences for failing to improve professionalized psychological services.
This was Bruce’s fourth Fulbright award. Learn more at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
1973
Friends from the Class of 1973 gathered at Steven Jackson’s home in Long Beach, N.Y. Pictured below
are, first row from left: Alicia Lawrence, Donna Sireci, Steven Jackson ’73, Ang Marcinek and Marg Basti. Second row from left: Dennis Mosebey ’73, Robert Hough ’79, John Basti ’73, Robert Phipps ’73, Stephen Marcinek ’73, Craig Urie ’73 and William Eriksen ’73
1974
Joan Marshall ’76 Wiggins is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Anne Arundel County, Md., chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. The award is presented to a Black woman who has opened doors and forged trails for others to follow.
1975 50TH REUNION
Share your life news with us. Submit your class note using the form at susqu.edu/classnotes.
1976
Timothy Blair ’76 has been honored with the Leadership Service Award by the Music Teachers National Association. He was also recognized at the Kennett Symphony’s sold-out “Masterworks 2: Inspirations” concert in the Exhibition Hall of Longwood Gardens. Timothy serves as board president of the Kennett Symphony, is former dean of the School of Music at West Chester University and has performed on stages around the world as a Steinway Artist.
“Fairman,” a work of creative nonfiction by William Swanger ’76, was published in Messiah University’s The Peregrine Review: Vol. 37. The piece is also available on his website at williamswangerwriter. com. William serves as an adjunct faculty member at several universities, including Messiah University,
Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg and Susquehanna University.
1978
Last fall, several class members celebrated 50 years of friendship during their annual golf outing. Since 2011, they have played premier courses at The Hamptons, Pinehurst and Arcadia Bluffs, and have also played rounds in Scotland and Ireland. This year, the group was hosted by Mark Kuester ’78 and they played the three courses at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., with each offering their own unique enjoyments and challenges. Pictured below, left to right: John Englert ’78, J. Scott Mitchell ’78, Mark Kuester ’78, Mark Bostic ’78, James “Jim” Weigley ’78, Darrell Wilson ’78, Don Egge ’78, William “Bill” Bartle ’78, Steve Budd ’78, Scott Grimm’ 78, Edward Clancy ’78, Mark Cummins ’78 and Joseph Muir ’80
1980
45TH REUNION
James Moyer ’80 presented a percussion clinic at the 2024 New Mexico State Music Conference. His arrangement for marimba band of The Red Rose Rag by Percey Wenrich (1911) will be released by C. Alan Publications. His first major marimba solo, Urgent Matters, featuring an electronic soundtrack, will be published by Marimba Productions.
Promise for Clean Water
From the time she was a student at Susquehanna University, Taishiana Tsosie ’21 has never strayed from her mission: improve living circumstances for her Navajo people. Now a reseach assistant at the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, Tsosie is working to ensure safe water access to the Navajo Nation, which occupies the largest reservation in the U.S. and stretches across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. According to the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, approximately 30% of its residents lack access to clean, reliable drinking water.
Since joining the Fort Defiance, Arizona, team in 2022, Tsosie has visited homes throughout the nearby Navajo Nation reservation to distribute the Diné Household Water survey. With no running water on this reservation and no data that fully captures the water conditions people face in their homes, Tsosie says the survey allows her and the rest of her team to more accurately collect data on these conditions.
Her work has not only promoted water safety efforts but has also allowed her to personally connect with many members of the Navajo Nation.
“It was hard to walk away from these people seeing the conditions they are facing,” Tsosie says, “but the momentum of our research is a driving factor to keep going.”
While out in the field, Tsosie learned that she has familial ties to the people she is working with. She connected with distant relatives and even found a cousin and uncle, naming these experiences as her job’s most memorable moments.
This personal connection serves as motivation for Tsosie to build on her research by planning to enroll in one of two graduate programs — one in nonprofit management at Johns Hopkins or a different program in applied sociology at Northern Arizona University.
“I most want to see this project expand and to see other Indigenous tribes adopt our ideology,” adds Tsosie.
From her professors within the sociology department and staff with the Center for Academic Success and the Career Development Center, Tsosie said the support she received at Susquehanna was integral in encouraging her to pursue an advanced degree.
But ultimately, Tsosie’s greatest motivator is her younger sister, who still lives on the reservation and faces similar water conditions to those Tsosie is hoping to address.
“I want to show her what is possible in this world and for her to know the work is never done,” says Tsosie.
— By Kelly Waldron ’26
“ ”
I MOST WANT TO SEE THIS PROJECT EXPAND AND TO SEE OTHER INDIGENOUS TRIBES ADOPT OUR IDEOLOGY.
Taishiana Tsosie ’21
1983
Frank Riggitano ’83 was inducted into the South Jersey Football Hall of Fame. He coached football at Middle Township High School for 22 seasons and is the winningest coach in Cape May County history. During his tenure with MTHS, he served as principal, athletic director, teacher and coach. He is currently a part-time administrator for Wildwood School District.
1984
Andrew J. Reilly ’84, a Saxton & Stump attorney and shareholder, was tapped by U.S. Sen. David McCormick to chair a commission that will recommend candidates for U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal positions in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Andrew joined Saxton & Stump in 2021 and has served on municipal, county, state and education boards in government and nonprofit sectors. He is the national committeeman and southeast caucus chair for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and has served on the federal magistrate selection panel and the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board. He earned his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law in 1987.
Melissa Garretson ’84 DelMonego (pictured above, left) recently authored Think Like a Planner: Simple Strategies to Stay on Task and Accomplish Your Goals
In this new nonfiction book by Atmosphere Press, Melissa shares her planning expertise, productivity techniques and practical insights to help others create a roadmap for success. Melissa is a graduate of Susquehanna’s Sigmund Weis School of Business with a degree in marketing. Learn more at thinklikeaplanner.com.
1985 40TH REUNION
Kevin B. Walker ’85 recently returned to the Florham Park office of Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. as principal, after having previously worked at the firm from 1989 to 2006. With over 30 years of legal experience, Kevin was instrumental in the initial growth and development of Bressler. He specializes in both the advisory and litigation aspects of employment law, has represented many Fortune 500 companies — particularly in the financial services and healthcare industries — and has litigated in both Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and American Arbitration Association arbitrations.
1986
Susquehanna friends gathered in Nashville to celebrate their 60th birthdays. Pictured (above, right) in the back row are Doug Yago ’86, Janet Wyllie ’86 Lambert and Shelly LaForce ’85 Hartman. Pictured in the front row are Diann Doelp ’86 Toburen, Becky Reed-Welsh ’86 and Kathy Forrest ’86 McLoughlin
1990 35TH REUNION
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1991
Karen Rosner ’91 Campi, vice president of marketing & community affairs for Campi Dental, was named an NJBIZ Leading Women in Business Award recipient — a prestigious recognition that highlights women who have made significant contributions to the business landscape in New Jersey. She spearheads Campi Dental’s Sponsor a Student back-to-school supply drive, the Annual Candy Buy-Back Program supporting The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and Operation Sleigh Bells to provide holiday gifts to children and teens in need. Karen also leads the practice’s internship and scholarship programs, partnering with local organizations.
Beyond her work at Campi Dental, Karen serves as board member, executive committee secretary and vice chair of marketing at the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council, as director of strategic development on the executive board of WEforum, and as sponsorship chair for the SPTS’s Women of Wellness and Wonder Luncheon. Karen is also recognized as the thought leader behind the Making Dentists Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention initiative, in collaboration with the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.
Maestro Composes Life of Artistry and Meaning
For as long as Andrew Gekoskie ’86 can remember, music has been the guiding drumbeat of his life. But it was one experience that inspired in him the vision to compose his career.
“Music was always part of my life — it was just there, like air. But I clearly remember the moment I conducted our high school marching band as drum major. I thought, ‘This is it,’” Gekoskie says. “The way music lets you shape emotion, energy and a sense of community — it lit a spark in me that never went out.”
Encouraged to attend Susquehanna by his high school band director Larry Cooper ’64, a Susquehanna graduate, Gekoskie has gone on to become an acclaimed conductor, working with ensembles and leading music programs throughout the United States and Europe for the past 40 years.
“Susquehanna gave me more than just a solid musical foundation — it gave me the confidence to think independently and lead boldly,” Gekoskie reminisces. “That environment pushed me to strive for excellence, to ask deeper questions and to commit to a lifelong pursuit of artistry.”
He attended several universities to advance his education, including the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and Julliard. Since making his Carnegie Hall debut in 2003, Gekoskie has led celebrated ensembles, including The Butler Symphony, The Utah All-State Philharmonic, The Hartt Symphony, The Susquehanna Symphony, and The Minnesota Youth Orchestra. He will return to Carnegie Hall in 2026, taking the podium with the New England Symphonic Orchestra alongside a 200-voice choir.
The founder and director of multiple music programs adds, “With students, I emphasize not only technique but also the power of storytelling and connection. I want them to see that music is a language they can use to change the world around them. Music speaks in ways that words simply can’t.”
Aside from his music education and community outreach, Gekoskie is dedicated to innovating and expanding the traditional orchestral experience.
“I want audiences to feel something unexpected, to be drawn into the music with all their senses. It’s not about novelty for its own sake; it’s about expanding access, emotional depth and relevance,” Gekoskie says. “I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to reach as many people as I can through music — not just to help them hear it, but to understand it, feel it and take part in it.”
— By Gianna Rupert ’27
“ ”
I WANT AUDIENCES TO FEEL SOMETHING UNEXPECTED, TO BE DRAWN INTO THE MUSIC WITH ALL THEIR SENSES.
Andrew Gekoskie ’86
1995
30TH REUNION
Share your life news with us. Submit your class note using the form at susqu.edu/classnotes.
1997
Paul Rushton ’97 (pictured above), managing partner at Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald, was recently elected chair of the Business Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Paul also serves on the Section’s council and executive and Title 15/business associates committees and is chair of the closely held business committee. He is a frequent contributor to the Section’s newsletter and a presenter on educational initiatives.
Paul joined Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald of WilkesBarre, Pa., in 2002 and has served as the chair of the firm’s business and finance department and as a member of the firm’s management committee. He practices exclusively in the areas of corporate law, commercial transactions, business formation, owner disputes, and mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
1998
Alexandria City Public Schools is welcoming Adaarema Sparks ’98 Kelly as the new principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School. Adaarema, who currently leads Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, brings over 25 years of K-12 education experience to her new position.
Benjamin J. Muchler ’98, CFP, was named president and CEO of Boston Research and Management Inc. In his new role, Benjamin will manage over $650 million for the firm’s clients. He has been an integral member of the company since 2006.
Dorothyjo Yankoskie ’98 Williams graduated with a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the National Defense University’s Dwight D. Eisenhower School. The Eisenhower School prepares select military officers for strategic leadership and success in developing national security strategy and in evaluating, marshaling and managing resources in its execution.
1999
Bryan Papson ’99 is vice president of marketing for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he has been employed since 2013. Last fall, he hosted Susquehanna students as part of the Break Through Networking Trek. During their visit, Bryan shared insights into the business operations of professional sports teams and led students on a private tour of Lincoln Financial Field.
Learn more at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
2000 25TH REUNION
Renee Lathrop ’00 is a physics professor at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She was recently awarded a sabbatical to work on a textbook resource explaining physics to non-physics majors as it applies to their pursuits of theatre, dance, art and music.
2003
Shannon Baker ’03 Meyer was a recipient of the 2025 City & State Pennsylvania Above & Beyond award, which recognized women who exemplify ambition, creativity and impact across various sectors in the commonwealth. Shannon serves as president of Gatesman, a full-service marketing and advertising agency with offices in Pittsburgh and Chicago.
Learn more at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
2004
Microbiologist Ashley Shade ’04 was honored with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from former President Joe Biden. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers.
Her research to advance the understanding of how soil microbial communities respond to disturbance, including what factors make them resilient, earned her the award. Specifically, her research explores the diversity and functions of rare microorganisms in Centralia, Pa., where the soil ecosystem is impacted by an underground coal seam fire that has been burning for more than 60 years.
Ashley’s interest in the study of microorganisms in Centralia began when she was a student at Susquehanna conducting faculty-mentored research alongside Tammy Tobin, now emeritus professor of biology.
Learn more at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
2005 20TH REUNION
Angela Zurlo ’05 Silver has accepted the position of editor for Sigma Alpha Iota’s fraternity journal, Pan Pipes. A 2002 initiate of the Sigma Omega chapter at Susquehanna, she previously served the fraternity as a national grant director.
2010 15TH REUNION
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2011
Mifflin County High School English teacher Ashlie Crosson ’11 became the first Pennsylvanian named National Teacher of the Year. After graduating from Susquehanna University with a degree in English and secondary education, she earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Penn State University and a gifted education endorsement from Millersville
University. In 2018, she became a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms fellow. A passionate advocate for literacy and global education, Ashlie integrates international perspectives into her teaching and leads student trips abroad.
Learn more at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
2014
Mindy Danowski ’14 and Timothy Daugherty were married on May 24, 2024, at Dejon Vineyard in Hydes, Md. SU alumni in attendance included Tori Hogan ’17 McDonald as Matron of Honor and Wesley McDonald ’17
2015 10TH REUNION
Sarah Rowlett-Porell ’15 and Coleman RowlettPorell ’16 were married on Sept. 21, 2024, in Danville, Pa. Included in the celebration were Maid of Honor Darby Orris ’18, Bridesman John Rehm ’15, Groomsman Jonathan Deysher ’20, Reader Kaity Ronning ’15, and Music Coordinator Matt Labar ’15 The couple currently resides in Mifflinburg, Pa., with their two cats. Pictured (below) left to right: Cody Zahoroiko ’16, Maddie Albert ’18, Kaity Ronning ’15, Derek Wilson ’16, John Rehm ’15, Eric Hinton, Darby Orris ’18, Saray Rowlett-Porell ’15, Coleman Rowlett-Porell ’16, Matt Labar ’16, Jonathan Deysher ’20, Patrick Long, Gail Levinsky, Sarah Stine ’17 and Krystina Rodkey ’20
Starting this fall, Joseph Antonides ’15 will begin a new position as an assistant professor in Colorado
State University’s department of mathematics. He studied mathematics at Susquehanna before earning a master’s degree in mathematics and a doctorate in mathematics education at The Ohio State University. Currently, he is a postdoctoral associate in the department of mathematics at Virginia Tech.
2016
Cody Zahoroiko ’16 and Maddie Albert ’18 were married on Oct. 25, 2024.
2017
Jessica Dartnell ’17 was promoted to manager of premium literacy sales at Penguin Random House. In her role, Jessica sells to and manages custom printings for key accounts in her sales channel — most of which are nonprofit literacy foundations that gift books in their communities to promote youth literacy and instill a love for reading.
Paige Wagner ’17 and Cory Fallon ’17 were married on Nov. 2, 2024. A number of Susquehanna alumni were in attendance.
2019
Emily Fitzpatrick ’19 received a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver.
In January, Isabelle Henry ’19 spent two weeks in Kampala, Uganda, in her role as a programs coordinator for the African Sisters Education Collaborative — a nonprofit whose mission is to educate and empower Catholic women in Africa and to provide services that address local and global challenges. There, she met with fellow staff from 11 different African nations to strengthen bonds and build collective leadership capacity.
One of the programs Isabelle oversees at ASEC is its Service Learning Program, which grants college students from four different Pennsylvania institutions the opportunity to travel to Africa for three weeks every summer to provide service in African communities that need it. For the last week of her trip, she travelled to the southwestern region of Uganda to canvas potential service sites.
“I am grateful for Susquehanna’s Global Opportunities program, which I participated in as a student in 2018,” she said. “I was able to utilize the travel skills and knowledge I gained then to have a more positive experience in Uganda. I am forever in debt to Susquehanna for the service they provided me both culturally and academically.”
2000 5TH REUNION
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2021
Aleksandr Washuta ’21 was among the Vegas Golden Knights Emmy Award–winning production staff recognized for their coverage of the professional hockey team’s 2023 Stanley Cup Championship banner-raising ceremony.
Aleksandr and his team won the Emmy Award for special events program from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter. The video producer credits his early access to real experiences at Susquehanna with preparing him for the career he has today.
Learn more at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
2022
Marnie Brubaker ’22 and James Beaver ’22 (pictured above, left) were married on March 30, 2024. Several Susquehanna alumni served as bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Layren McDannold ’23 was awarded the Anne Wexler Scholarship in Public Policy from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
The award allowed Layren to pursue her master’s degree in governance and public policy at Australia’s University of Queensland while also conducting research into the generational impacts of the climate crisis and how political apathy and distrust affects climate legislation. She chose to study at Queensland
due to its proximity to affected populations of the climate crisis based on bush fire and flood risk.
Through her Fulbright research, Layren will analyze polling data and conduct surveys with local citizens to determine their trust in the government and motivation for citizen advocacy or lack thereof in relation to the climate. Her overall goal is to increase citizen trust in government and public advocacy for the climate crisis and promote green legislation that combats warming and addresses the issues being accelerated by the climate crisis, including resource scarcity, disease and conflict.
Learn more at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
2024
Canyon Zeigler ’24 (pictured above, right) was promoted to tax senior associate at Brown Plus, a leading accounting and advisory firm. In his role, Canyon specializes in public accounting and tax services. He is located at the Brown Plus office in Camp Hill, Pa.
2025
Welcome to our newest alumni! Class Notes is an exclusive area just for SU alums to share their life updates with former classmates and other members of your Susquehanna family. Submit your class note using the form at susqu.edu/classnotes.
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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 gatherings that include the most alumni.
Alumna Captures Olympic Moments
NBC Sports’ marketing production manager Jillian Michales ’21 has covered the Olympic and Paralympic Games in three countries: Tokyo, Beijing and Paris. In 2022, she and her marketing and social team won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Interactive Experience – Event Coverage.
“I was a very fresh, 22-year-old college graduate when I worked the Tokyo Olympics,” Michales reminisces. “It already was a massive dream come true to work on the team. I don’t think I ever could’ve imagined that the work I did on my first job upon graduation would result in a Sports Emmy!”
Growing up, Michales developed a love of track & field and cross country from watching the Olympics. The 2012 Summer Olympics in London stand out in Michales’ memory because that was when she watched the men’s 10k.
“The emotion was so palpable, even on TV,” Michales says. “I hadn’t ever really run before — but that was the race that made me want to join the middle school track team. I wanted to experience that friendship and camaraderie that runners and teammates possess. Five years later, I was heading to Susquehanna to run distance on the cross-country and track teams.”
During her time at Susquehanna, Michales became a founding member of the university’s chapter of the Association for Women in Sports Media. During the summer of 2019, organization members attended a conference where Michales first interacted with NBC Sports.
One of the recruiters was looking for applicants for their Tokyo internship program. Michaels landed the internship — just before the start of the Covid pandemic.
“With the pandemic, the entire program was canceled. But they kept my contact information in case any jobs came up,” she recalls. “In the spring of my senior year, I was offered two Olympic freelance positions.”
Two weeks after graduation, the broadcasting and Spanish studies double major was on a plane bound for Tokyo.
“Susquehanna set me up for success because I felt confident in my abilities and was ready to embrace change,” Michales reflects. “The university supports and encourages curiosity in their students – whether that be inside the classroom, in on-campus jobs or during internships. This curiosity and genuine love for learning has been the backbone for my success at NBC Sports.”
— By Gianna Rupert ’27
SUSQUEHANNA SET ME UP FOR SUCCESS BECAUSE I FELT CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITIES AND WAS READY TO EMBRACE CHANGE.
Jillian Michales ’21
HONORING OUR PAST, BUILDING OUR FUTURE
Two of the most iconic and frequently used academic spaces on Susquehanna University’s campus — Steele and Bogar halls — are poised for a transformational renovation. These historic halls are more than just brick and mortar; they are the intellectual home to thousands of students and faculty across generations. Whether it was a first-year seminar or a senior capstone course, nearly every Susquehanna student has spent formative moments in these classrooms. As part of the university’s promise to be a future-ready institution, we are investing in these essential spaces to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s students, while honoring the legacy of those who came before them.
Built in 1913 and 1951, respectively, Steele and Bogar halls are home to key academic departments across the schools of Humanities, Natural & Social Sciences and the Sigmund Weis School of Business. They are also the home of Susquehanna’s TRIO Student Support Services program, a vital resource for first-generation and underrepresented students. Despite their high use and deep importance, both halls have not seen major upgrades in more than 30 years. That’s why we’re moving forward with a $3 million fundraising campaign to reimagine these spaces.
Planned upgrades include fully modernized classrooms, updated faculty offices and revitalized entryways and common spaces — all equipped with enhanced technology, new furnishings and climate-control improvements. These renovations are not simply cosmetic; they are foundational to our ability to attract and retain talented students and faculty, and to deliver the transformative education Susquehanna is known for. The updated environments will foster greater collaboration, creativity and accessibility — ensuring that our learning spaces reflect the same excellence as our academic programs.
We invite alumni, parents and friends of the university to be part of this pivotal moment. Your support ensures that future Susquehannans will thrive in inspiring and well-equipped academic spaces. Together, we can preserve the spirit of our most beloved academic halls while preparing them, and our students, for a bold and promising future.
To learn more about Susquehanna’s renovation of Steele and Bogar Halls, including how you can support the project, please contact Simon Corby, associate vice president of campaigns, by email at corby@susqu.edu or phone at 570-372-4408.
Precision of Science Meets Beauty of Music
What captivates Tori Hogan ’17 McDonald about her work carving violin bridges — the small, carved piece of wood that holds the strings of a violin above the body of the instrument — and perfecting her craft as a luthier is not only the precision of her work but also the profound connection between art and science embodied.
McDonald, currently a student at the Chicago School of Violin, recently won a gold medal in the International Bridge Competition for a cello bridge she carved. When she first enrolled at Susquehanna, she declared a major in biochemistry.
“I really enjoyed being in the lab, setting up experiments and working with my hands, and was therefore convinced for two years that I could be happily successful as a research scientist if I mustered through my classes and completed my degree,” McDonald says.
However, music was always in McDonald’s heart. She began playing the violin at the age of six and became fascinated by violin-making after luthier Samantha Cortez visited Susquehanna’s music department in 2016. Thinking back on how she loved creating woodworking projects with her dad growing up, McDonald realized the world of violin-making seemed to perfectly meet her need to create art with scientific considerations guiding the process.
As she worked on her bridge for the competition, she encountered many processes that required extensive calculations and attention to detail.
“Knowing how to test different variables and organize data is a huge asset,” McDonald offers. “My science classes also taught me about the relationship between form and function, which could not be more relevant to my current work.”
McDonald firmly believes that success comes not only from technical skills but also from the support of mentors who help you find your path and believe in yourself. It was the inspiration and confidence she gained from her professors and surroundings at Susquehanna University that allowed her to tackle challenges and take pride in her achievements.
“I had amazing mentors, including Drs. Wiley, Krieger, Palermo and Vivekanand Having small class sizes helped me build relationships with my professors and classmates, and, in turn, I was better able to thrive when I might have otherwise felt lost,” McDonald recalls. “I am immensely grateful for my time and opportunities at SU; I know I would not be where I am now had I studied elsewhere.”
— By Mariia Lytvynchuk ’26
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I AM IMMENSELY GRATEFUL FOR MY TIME AND OPPORTUNITIES AT SU.
Tori Hogan ’17 McDonald
DEATHS
Susquehanna University extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the following alumni who have passed away. To view obituaries, go to susqu.edu/alumni/obits.
Barry Kauffman ’63
May 12, 2025
Randy Shaver ’84
May 6, 2025
James “Jim” Valek ’68
April 25, 2025
Edward Bollinger ’60
April 17, 2025
Georgia Fegley ’66
April 14, 2025
Stuart Lengel ’54
April 13, 2025
John Albright ’59
April 2, 2025
Daniel McKee ’94
March 27, 2025
Ronald Brett ’77
March 19, 2025
Marjorie Barton ’46 Winder
March 12, 2025
Carolyn “Joy” McCahan ’51 Sheaffer
March 7, 2025
Rev. David E. Bomboy ’48
March 4, 2025
Barbara Miles ’66 Skipper February 26, 2025
Theron “Jack” Royer ’64 February 24, 2025
M. Carol Borig ’71 Plummer February 16, 2025
Dorothy Wardle ’57 Spencer, February 13, 2025
Gary L. Moore ’61, February 11, 2025
Robert I. Estill ’65, January 25, 2025
Lori Zwirblis-Kennedy ’84, January 11, 2025
Helene Nestler ’56, January 6, 2025
Patrick Petre ’74 January 3, 2025
IN MEMORIAMS
DONALD “DON” D. HOUSLEY , Charles B. Degenstein professor emeritus of history at Susquehanna University, died Oct. 19. He was 84.
He joined the faculty of Susquehanna in 1967 and eventually served as Assistant Dean of the Faculty and Dean of Arts and Sciences. Don was appointed Degenstein Distinguished Professor of History in 1998 and retired in 2004.
Don was also a noted author. He edited and largely authored Snyder County: From Pioneer Days to the Present (1976), Make It the Best: A History of Geisinger Health System, 1912–2001 (2011), and Susquehanna University 1858–2000: A Goodly Heritage (2007), the definitive history of the university covering its first 142 years.
An extraordinary and highly respected teacher as well as a great mentor to other teachers, Don was the first recipient of the Susquehanna University Teaching Award in 1972. It was named in his honor 45 years later as the Donald D. Housley Teaching Award.
JAMES “JIM” TAYLOR , longtime track & field coach at Susquehanna, passed away Jan. 10. He was 88.
Over Jim’s remarkable tenure from 1979 to 2004, he guided the team to an astounding 11 Middle Atlantic Conference championships. His teams were powerhouses, amassing an incredible 117–14 record, which included an unrivaled streak of 71 consecutive wins from 1980 to 1990. Under his mentorship, 32 student-athletes achieved All-American status, with seven reaching the pinnacle as NCAA champions. He also coached 42 individuals and nine relays to compete at the NCAA Division III championships. Beyond Susquehanna, Jim’s impact extended to the neighboring community, where he founded the Selinsgrove boys track & field program. His outstanding contributions have been honored with induction into three Halls of Fame: Susquehanna in 2005, the Middle Atlantic Conference in 2016 and the Selinsgrove Hall of Fame in 2024.
by paige hepfer ’26
End Notes
Researching Since (Almost) Day 1
“This partnership is an amazing opportunity for Susquehanna students.”
— PAIGE HEPFER ’26
Susquehanna University’s Freshwater Research Institute — where I’ve been an intern for the past three years — has been like a home away from home for me. In fact, I started my internship just two weeks into my first year on campus and have been working with the FRI almost every day since — my semester abroad at Griffith University on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia, withstanding.
In my first role as the Institute’s fish collection intern, I learned how to identify different species and how to categorize and organize the growing collection of specimens. After gaining that experience, I was hired as a sample processing intern for the fish lab, where my research includes sculpin identification with Freshwater Research Institute ecologist Sara Ashcraft. Our work seeks to create a field identification key to help us identify two common freshwater sculpin species — the mottled sculpin and the slimy sculpin — when conducting fish surveys during stream analyses. Additionally, I have been working on a field identification key for Leuscidae — or, as most people know them, minnows — in the Susquehanna River Basin. Both projects will make real-world contributions to scientific fieldwork, and I’m proud to play a role in them.
Beyond my identification work with Sarah, I also spend time each summer at the Institute as one of its “stream team” interns, helping to conduct stream surveys and supporting other collaborative restoration and research initiatives between the FRI and its strategic conservation partners. The FRI works with the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and various county conservation districts to help with conservation efforts, community outreach and education, research and data collection.
The largest of its partners, though, is the Chesapeake Conservancy, which plays a major role in communicating what conservation actions should be taken in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The FRI and Conservancy work closely to support and implement restoration projects and to communicate important research to decision-makers at state and federal levels, with an overall goal of improving the health of the Susquehanna River watershed — which, in turn, improves the
health of the Chesapeake Bay. This partnership is an amazing opportunity for Susquehanna students, as it’s given my peers and I hands-on opportunities to apply real conservation efforts and study their long-term benefits.
My work with the FRI, its staff and its partners has furthered my education more than I ever thought it could. It’s given me countless opportunities to learn new things and build new skillsets. It’s given me so much confidence conducting research in both field and lab settings and, because of its embrace of experiential learning, I’m able to apply the concepts I have learned in class to real, meaningful work. The Freshwater Research Institute has truly prepared me for a future career in conservation.
Paige Hepfer ’26 is an ecology and advertising & public relations double major from Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. She has been a Freshwater Research Institute intern since 2022. After graduating, she hopes to pursue conservation opportunities at animal sanctuaries.
CONNECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
The desire to give back and help others comes naturally to John Hanawalt ’74.
Born in Williamsport and raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania, John attended the Milton Hershey School for 13 years. The education and support he received there and at Susquehanna played a critical role in his future success and helped shape his worldview.
“I believe we all have a responsibility to each other,” says John, “and a responsibility to the common good.”
As a student at Susquehanna, John studied accounting and played football and basketball. He remembers the challenging classes taught by professors George Machlan and Dick Reiland and recalls his long runs on the country roads around campus as part of Bruce Wagenseller’s physical education class.
After graduating from Susquehanna, John got his start in public accounting — a direct result of an internship he had completed. John earned his CPA and went on to work as the chief financial or administrative officer at four different companies, each in a different industry.
In 2016, with the support of his wife, Patti, he made his initial bequest to benefit Susquehanna’s endowment before increasing his commitment after his 45th and 50th reunions. John shared he wanted to generate useable funds each year to thank Susquehanna for providing him with the foundation that propelled him to a successful career, and to honor his unwavering friend and classmate, Jay Faron ’74
One of John’s favorite poems is Will Allen Dromgoole’s The Bridge Builder. The poem tells of an old man who, after safely crossing a river, chooses to build a bridge for future travelers. Another man questions why he spent his limited time on this, as the old man himself is already safely on the other side. He replies:
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!
Susquehanna University is grateful that John has chosen to build one of his many bridges here, where his gift will help generations of future students.
Visit SULEGACY.ORG for additional stories and free planning resources. If you have designated a planned gift to the university and would like your generosity to inspire others, contact Advancement at ADVANCEMENT@SUSQU.EDU.
