FRONT COVER: Photograph of Brai Tate ’27 by Michael Lipscomb ’26. Other photographs by Gabby Zulak ’27 and Jared Sherman ’29.
Photograph by Brodie Bard ’29
4
CONFIDENCE & CONNECTIONS
The Sigmund Weis School of Business is transforming the sophomore year through alumni-driven mentorship, empowering students to explore careers, build networks and land opportunities.
12 RECONSTRUCTING THE PAST
Using traces of the Susquehanna Valley’s earliest inhabitants, students revive Native pottery traditions and discover the timeless connection between land and legacy.
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
MADISON CLARK ’15
DANIEL GRAHAM Director of Athletic Communications
AMANDA O’ROURKE Public Relations Manager
GIANNA RUPERT ’27
MELISSA SALAZAR & LAURA HADEN Class Notes Coordinators
LOGAN SWEET ’15 Director of Integrated Communications & Brand Marketing
KAITLYN WAGNER ’27
DESIGN
JOSIE FERTIG Director of Brand & Creative Services
Explore interests & passions. Make lasting friends. Sample college life.
All at Susquehanna University.
High school students can jump-start their college experience by living on campus and participating in an exciting and engaging weeklong workshop. They’ll learn from faculty and college student mentors and strengthen skills that will boost their college résumé.
► Actor’s Institute ► Choral Institute ► Entrepreneurship Institute ► MediaWorks Studio ► Photography Institute ► Pre-Engineering & Scientific Exploration ► Publishing & Editing Institute ► Stream Ecology Institute ► Health Career Institute ► Music Production ► Orchestra Summit ► Wind Ensemble Institute ► Writers Workshop
►►► See more at susqu.edu/SPCP 570-372-4451
First Word
A Message from the President
“Great things, those things that really matter, that give our lives meaning, take a lot of love and a lot of time to make.”
— JONATHAN D. GREEN
dear friends,
At a time when higher education is seemingly under siege, Susquehanna is leaning into its values, and we are winning.
We are winning because of the remarkable achievements of our alumni, the outcomes of our students, and the commitment of our faculty and staff to our mission to “educate students for productive, creative, and reflective lives of achievement, leadership, and service in a diverse, dynamic, and interdependent world.”
Susquehanna moved into the top 100 of U.S. News’s rankings of the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for the first time, and we were ranked 38th for best value. Over the past eight years, we have moved up 45 spots in their national ranking, the most of any liberal arts institution during that period. This is all the more meaningful as that ranking has become increasingly focused on what really matters: outcomes.
We remain focused on our core values and we strive to get better every day,
which is affirmed by some of the best student achievements in our history. Even so, we know we cannot relent.
As I noted at opening convocation: “Great things, those things that really matter, that give our lives meaning, take a lot of love and a lot of time to make, but it only takes the blink of an eye and a moment of neglect for them to fall apart. Elie Wiesel said, ‘The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.’1 We cannot idly turn away, hoping for better times. Love must win, but that demands courage, tenacity, and a deeply seated belief that doing the right thing is always the better choice.”
We will continue to make that choice and to keep climbing; our students and our world deserve nothing less.
yours ever,
Jonathan D. Green President
CONFIDENCE ANDConnections
By JennifeR YURICICH ’00 SPOTTS
CHOOSING A MAJOR.
EXPLORING CAREER PATHS.
PREPARING FOR INTERNSHIPS.
FOR MANY STUDENTS, THE EARLIEST YEARS OF COLLEGE ARE FILLED WITH BIG DECISIONS — AND EVEN BIGGER QUESTIONS .
Launched by the Sigmund Weis School of Business in 2022–23, the mentorship program helps guide business students as they inch closer to affirming their academic and career goals. Every sophomore is paired with two to three mentors who offer an uncommon level of personal and professional support. The model fills a gap faculty and staff recognized: first-year business students benefit from the guidance of upper-level student coaches through Global Business Perspectives, and
juniors often find clarity through study abroad or internships. Second-year students, Programs Coordinator Kristie Buriak ’99 Anderson explains, deserve their own dedicated layer of support.
“Through the mentorship program, students can ask questions directly of someone working in the career they’re considering — what the role is really about, what the path looks like, what skills matter most,” Anderson says. “And because most mentors are alumni,” she adds, “students also receive advice about classes, majors and minors, and ways to maximize their Susquehanna experience.”
The relationships formed through the program have quickly proven transformative. Students connect with mentors for résumé reviews, interview preparation, job shadowing and discussions about internships and study abroad. They receive introductions to other alumni and industry professionals and, in many cases, those connections lead to concrete opportunities.
Mason Winslow ’26 , a business analytics major, says the key to landing his first major internship was his mentor, PwC Pittsburgh office Managing Partner Katie Hawley ’05 Mominee
“I gained valuable interview skills and great connections with professionals in the field of business,” Winslow says. “After a referral from Katie, I received an interview — and ultimately an offer for a digital assurance and transparency internship at PwC.”
For Hailey Bowden ’25, the mentorship program “highlighted the strength of the Susquehanna network.” The perspective and guidance provided by her mentor, Kelly Jockwer ’16 Gasbarro, contributed to her securing opportunities that aligned with her career goals.
“Now, as colleagues at Prudential, we often get lunch together and continue those same conversations about career growth, goals and navigating the workplace,” Bowden says. “Kelly has also connected me with other Susquehanna alumni at Prudential, which has helped me grow my professional network and build meaningful connections across the firm. Having someone who had been in my shoes — and who genuinely wanted to see me succeed — made a big difference.”
Mentors, too, speak passionately about the experience. Jay Monahan ’07, who was paired with management major Erin Kavanaugh ’28 , remembers how uncertain early
CHOOSING A CAREER PATH CAN FEEL DAUNTING AND OVERWHELMING.
Having alumni offer a different perspective gives students confidence to make those big, life-changing decisions.
JAY MONAHAN
’07
college years can feel — while discovering how fulfilling it is to guide someone through them.
“Choosing a career path can feel daunting and overwhelming,” Monahan acknowledges. “Having alumni offer a different perspective gives students confidence to make those big, lifechanging decisions. I’m truly honored to support my mentee through that process. Susquehanna shaped who I am today, so it’s rewarding to give back in this way.”
That sense of shared purpose is reflected across the program, and feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, Anderson notes. Students gain not only practical guidance, but also the self-assurance that comes from being supported by professionals who believe in their potential.
“Ultimately, the power of this program is the relationships,” Anderson adds. “Students build meaningful, lasting networks with people who genuinely want to see them succeed.”
Photos of Jay Monahan ’07 and Erin Kavanaugh ’28
A high school student on the cusp of the college search process sits in his bedroom in upstate New York, laptop open, future wide with possibility. He knows what he wants: a degree in sports media and a campus beyond his home state but close enough to stay connected to family.
GAMECHANGING PROGRAM
He types six words into the search bar: best sports media schools in pa. Among the results is a name he’s never seen before: Susquehanna University. Curious, he clicks.
JOHN FOLTZ ’73 WITH STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNICATIONS STUDIO
What stands out surprises him. A program built specifically for careers in sports media. Alumni landing roles with major media outlets and professional sports teams. With each click, Susquehanna begins to feel less like a search result and more like a school he could already picture himself attending.
More than a decade earlier, the university’s Department of Communications set out to build a program for students just like Marquis Frias ’28 — students who wanted more than theory, more than observation and more than a seat in the press box. When Susquehanna launched the sports media major in 2015, its goal was simple but ambitious: give students the skills to tell compelling stories, both on-air and behind the scenes, and the confidence to step into a competitive, fast-moving industry.
“A sports media education has to reflect the reality of the profession,” explains David Kaszuba, associate professor of communications and director of the sports media program. “We’ve put together a curriculum that gives our students a foundation that enables them to excel in a challenging and constantly evolving field.”
That foundation begins as early as the first semester, when most students take at least one course specialized for sports: reporting, announcing, production, feature writing and media relations. They also layer on coursework in digital media, public speaking and analytics.
At Susquehanna, the classroom provides the playbook and weekly live productions supply the pressure, pace and unpredictability that turn students into professionals.
“When sports are in season, our students complete three to six live broadcasts of athletic competition every week,” Kaszuba says. “Each one is a lesson in teamwork, precision and adaptability in a real environment.”
Lessons play out in real time on nationally streamed River Hawks games via the FloSports live and on-demand platform. Through required practicums, volunteer roles or as one of the two dozen paid positions in the athletic communications office, students rotate through roles as on-air
“ WHAT I LEARN IN THE CLASSROOM SHOWS UP IMMEDIATELY IN WHAT I DO OUTSIDE OF IT. IT ALL CONNECTS.”
announcers, sideline reporters, directors, camera operators and producers, gaining a clear understanding of what it takes to deliver a polished broadcast.
“When the Landmark Conference signed with FloSports in 2023, it added to our digital landscape and pushed Susquehanna’s program to a new level,” says Daniel Graham, director of athletic communications. “We had the infrastructure and technology in place, and it’s the students’ professionalism that ensures every River Hawks broadcast is worth watching.”
Susquehanna’s facilities and equipment rival those of much larger institutions, according to John Foltz ’73, a lecturer in communications who built up and maintains the
MARQUIS FRIAS ’28
SPORTS MEDIA MAJOR
MARQUIS FRIAS ’28
GOING FOR GOLD
Susquehanna University sports media alumni who have earned Emmy Awards:
► Kirsten Hatton ’19 – (1) ESPN
► Jack Imburgia ’23 – (1) Princeton University
► Andrew Porzio ’18 – (2) ESPN
► Aleksandr Washuta ’21 – (1) Vegas Golden Knights
department’s student-run video production studio. Kaszuba also credits Foltz for often providing support to students during weekend broadcasts.
“We put first-year students on the sideline and behind a camera as early as possible,” adds Graham, who oversees all digital aspects of the River Hawks’ NCAA programs. “It’s the fastest way to help them understand the expectations of this profession.”
Aside from producing the livestream, students flex their journalistic muscle on game day by taking stats, writing recaps and columns, interviewing players, and managing social media content. Some who specialize in photography and videography use their talents exclusively to run a team’s socials for game promotions and highlights, and player interviews.
In any given week, sports media majors produce Coach’s Corner and River Hawk Spotlight — ESPN-style shows highlighting Susquehanna coaches and student-athletes. They find additional on-air and production experiences at The Quill student newspaper and 88.9 WQSU-FM, Pennsylvania’s most powerful student-run radio station. Others host sports talk shows or help produce PA Pigskin Preview, an awardwinning live remote broadcast from a nearby Buffalo Wild Wings that brings students face-to-face with local coaches in front of a community audience.
“Our size gives students a real advantage,” Foltz says. “They can get involved as much and as early as they want. We have first-year students directing live broadcasts and sophomores mastering equipment. They are truly prepared for life after graduation.”
That preparation is evident in the program’s growing list of alumni successes.
Though the major is only in its 10th year, several graduates directly launched into jobs with organizations like ESPN, Major League Baseball, the National Football League and professional sports teams — with some earning Emmy Awards early on.
When the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights raised their Stanley Cup banner in 2023, Aleksandr Washuta ’21 captured the moment on camera. The ceremony coverage later earned an Emmy Award for special events programming.
“I get to create videos for an arena crowd of 18,000,” Washuta says. “Sometimes I’ll be shooting a game and see their live reactions to videos I helped create. It’s a special feeling.”
Washuta credits Susquehanna with giving him early access to meaningful, hands-on experiences — and the freedom to learn through trial and error.
“It allowed me to make mistakes early on,” he says. “The only way to get better is to keep doing it.”
Washuta isn’t alone in earning a statuette so early in his career. Within two years of graduating, Kirsten Hatton ’19 landed a job at ESPN, was promoted and won an Emmy for her work on SportsCenter. The former WQSU sports director is now an ESPN content producer and credits Kaszuba and WQSU General Manager Dawn Benfer for their mentorship and connections.
For Brendan Alvino ’24, he was working with athletic communications within the first two weeks he arrived on campus. A summer internship with the Miami Dolphins sharpened his production skills, and after graduation he joined the New York Jets before becoming manager of video and creative services for USA Swimming, the organization responsible for selecting U.S. Olympic teams.
Outcomes like these are no accident. They reflect a program designed with purpose — to connect classroom learning and real-world sports media experience to networking opportunities either with professional organizations or with Susquehanna alumni who are pursuing careers in the industry.
Every December, Kaszuba takes students to the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings, where they attend workshops, connect with industry professionals and begin building the relationships that lead to internships and jobs. Throughout the year, students visit organizations such as Bleacher Report, the Hershey Bears and the Harrisburg Senators, and tour Lincoln Financial Field thanks to communications alumnus Brian Papson ’99, vice president of marketing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Students also connect through the Association for Women in Sports Media and events such as Susquehanna’s annual Sports Career and Networking Fair, which draws professional teams, production companies and national organizations.
“These opportunities have been vitally important,” says Brai Tate ’27, a sports media major who completed an internship with Perfect Game USA. In addition to her courseload, she has expanded her photography and videography skills, managed social media content and produced podcasts — all while serving as sports director for WQSU, co-producing River Hawk Spotlight and working as an athletic communications assistant.
“WE PUT FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS ON THE SIDELINE AND BEHIND A CAMERA AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. IT’S THE FASTEST WAY TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE EXPECTATIONS OF THIS PROFESSION.”
DANIEL GRAHAM DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
MICHAEL LIPSCOMB ’26 AND XIOMARA WASHINGTON ’26 IN DIGITAL PRODUCTION CLASS
WOMEN IN SPORTS
In 2018, Susquehanna was awarded its Association for Women in Sports Media student chapter, after being co-founded by sports media majors Alexa Gonzalez ’19 and Kirsten Hatton ’19. Within five years, the national organization named it Student Chapter of the Year for its “hard work and enthusiasm” in enlisting guest speakers, organizing field trips, hosting fundraising events and, ultimately, for supporting women pursuing a career in sports.
Susquehanna’s student chapter annually plans an AWSM Week in conjunction with National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Members host visits from sports industry professionals, produce live broadcasts led by all women on air and in the control room, and hold a variety of social and fundraising activities.
They also bring industry veterans to campus to meet with students. Seasoned sports media professional Jim Jenks, who most recently was a senior director for media productions with Perect Game USA, has been a great supporter of the program, according to chapter advisor David Kaszuba. A member of AWSM’s national board for more than 20 years and a past vice president, Jenks also is the former sports editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer and a production manager at ESPN, MLB Advanced Media and MLB Network.
“Whenever Susquehanna students have traveled to the national AWSM convention or to the baseball Winter Meetings, he has made himself available to meet with them,” Kaszuba says. “We’re fortunate to have such an ally who pays it forward by sharing his knowledge and advice,” adding that Jenks has also facilitated scholarship-funded internships for several students.
SUSQUEHANNA’S ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SPORTS MEDIA CHAPTER IS ONE OF ONLY TWO STUDENT CHAPTERS AT AN NCAA DIVISION III INSTITUTION.
“I’ve had a great mix of hands-on experiences and classroom learning,” Tate says. “It’s helped me build practical skills and confidence that I can step into the professional world after graduation.”
As the sports media program continues to mature, it is evolving alongside the industry. Last year, Susquehanna introduced two distinct tracks: one emphasizing audio and video production for students pursuing broadcast or streaming careers, and another focused on writing and social media strategy for aspiring reporters or in-house team content creators. Practicum work in both tracks ensures every student graduates with a professional-level portfolio of published and/ or digital experiences.
“Regardless of track, our students know how to tell a story,” Kaszuba says, “and consistent with a liberal arts education, they understand that ethical behavior, professional standards and meaningful relationships matter.”
KRISTEN HATTON ’19 WORKING IN THE RADIO STATION IN 2016
BRAI
TATE
’27 “ I’VE HAD A GREAT MIX OF HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES AND CLASSROOM LEARNING. IT’S HELPED ME BUILD PRACTICAL SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE THAT I CAN STEP INTO THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD AFTER GRADUATION.”
Only three semesters into his college career, Frias is already building an impressive portfolio. He writes and edits for The Quill, works for athletic communications in various roles, and co-hosts Roommate Rivals, a sports podcast now in its third season with over 30 episodes.
“What I learn in the classroom shows up immediately in what I do outside of it,” Frias says. “In my Sports Reporting course, we focused on AP Style, which I use every day as sports editor. In Sports Statistics, we tracked a basketball game — which prepared me to take stats during River Hawks games as a student employee. It all connects.”
Before heading to college from his upstate New York home, Frias couldn’t have known that at Susquehanna, he would have early exposure to industry professionals who help him better understand where his sports media degree can take him.
“Hearing from people like ESPN’s Karl Ravech and Sunday Night Football ’s Melissa Stark [in one of my classes] was incredibly eye-opening,” Frias says. “They do exactly what I’m interested in — at the highest level.”
Looking ahead, Frias knows he wants to work for a major media company like ESPN, FOX or CBS. “I just don’t know yet if that’s as a writer, commentator or analyst. And that’s OK, because I’m getting hands-on experience in those areas every day,” he says.
Frias recognizes that as his professional-level portfolio continues to expand, his future will start to take shape.
“I’m excited for my next opportunity,” he beams. “Getting involved is the best way to prepare for a future in sports media, and every experience I’ve had at Susquehanna feels like it’s building toward something great.”
Editor’s note: This story was written by staff and faculty, with support from the Division of Marketing & Communications.
GABBY ZULAK ’27
JARED SHERMAN ’29
MICHAEL LIPSCOMB ’26
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE FOLLOWING SPORTS MEDIA MAJORS
THE VALLEY’S EARLIEST INHABITANTS
Founded in 1858, Susquehanna University draws its name from the Susquehanna River, which forms in New York and descends through Pennsylvania and Maryland before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay.
For thousands of years, Native American tribes made their lives along the river’s quiet shores, including the Susquehannock Tribe, the people for whom the river is named.
By the 17th century, the Susquehannock Tribe had become a prominent community in the Susquehanna Valley. They spoke an Iroquoian language that was poorly preserved and much about them remains unknown, including what they called themselves. In Virginia and Maryland, Algonquianspeaking peoples called them Sasquesahanough, or “people of the muddy river.”
The Susquehannock population had been devastated by disease and warfare by the 1670s. Survivors eventually became known as the Conestoga Tribe. A century later, in 1763, the last remaining Conestogas were massacred by vigilante settlers in Maryland, marking the end of a people who shaped the Valley’s earliest history.
FROM SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY’S CENTRAL SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY
reconstructing he p st t a
Students dig into the region’s history — uncovering how ancient craftsmanship and modern science meet in the Susquehanna Valley.
by amanda o’rourke
Pottery demands patience, resilience and a willingness to risk failure. This truth comes into sharp focus for students Ainslee Binkley ’26 and Emmalia Ciccarello ’27, who crouch beside a blazing fire on one of summer’s most sweltering days. As heat radiates from red-glowing coals, they keep a watchful eye on the pieces they crafted using Native American techniques — and wait for the results.
The pots, some plain and utilitarian, others etched with faint stripes and dots, are shaped from clay that Binkley and Ciccarello dug from nearby creek banks and riverbeds. The firing marks the culmination of a months-long research project, during which both students discovered a powerful metaphor for life and the resilience of the people who once shaped the Susquehanna Valley.
“Recreating the pottery methods forced us to take time and pay attention — to the clay, the water, the fire and the landscape around us,” says Binkley. “The process was slow and challenging, but I think that was the point. It demonstrated how knowledge, culture and relationships to the land were shaped and preserved over generations.”
Their journey began by looking to the past. To trace original clay sources, Binkley and Ciccarello turned to a large collection of Native pottery shards once owned by Isle of Que native Danny Michaels and donated to Jennifer Elick, professor of earth & environmental sciences and leader of the Susquehanna research project.
Growing up on the Isle of Que, a narrow peninsula in the Susquehanna River, Michaels often spotted small pieces of fired clay scattered across the soft, upturned soil after spring planting. Intrigued, he began collecting them on his walks — eventually amassing more than 600 shards, some no larger than the size of a pumpkin seed. Many still bear corded impressions or traces of pigment, possible links to the people who once lived in the central Susquehanna Valley.
Binkley and Ciccarello analyzed some of these pieces by grinding small samples into powder, slicing others to examine with a microscope, and using an X-ray fluorescence instrument to determine the clay’s chemical makeup and that of the temper used to stabilize it.
“We’re trying to make pots that are identical in terms of the natural resources that Native Americans would have had access to,” Elick explains. “One of the challenges is finding exactly what resources they would have used.”
The results revealed variations in mineral content — iron-rich clays from one creek, barium-laden temper from local bedrock — helping to map where the original materials likely came from.
“This project really encompasses what is so powerful about the liberal arts.
They’re thinking like a scientist, an artist and a historian all at once and combining these elements to try to answer some questions that require a lot of critical thinking.”
jennifer elick
“There is a big gap in the history of the Isle of Que,” Ciccarello says of the area near downtown Selinsgrove. “Because the donated pieces were found in this area, we wanted to understand what kind of routes Native Americans might have taken to source the clay.”
Their analysis suggested that the region’s Indigenous people weren’t limited to local clay sources but participated in broader networks of exchange. Some of the artifacts donated with the pottery shards were not native to central Pennsylvania, such as soapstone, metarhyolite and argillite, which may have come from as far south as Lancaster and South Mountain. They also found that barium-rich temper grains were derived from local deposits of chert, which is fine sedimentary rock. Of the little known about the Susquehannock Tribe that once inhabited the central Susquehanna Valley, historians believe they might have occupied the Isle of Que on a seasonal basis.
Binkley, Ciccarello and Elick prepare pots for firing.
Binkley and Ciccarello with their pottery
“When you’re making the pottery, you gain an admiration for the people who were once here. This experience gave me a real appreciation for respecting the land and the history of a place. That’s something I’ll carry with me always.”
emmalia ciccarello ’27
From lab to field, and back again, the student researchers and their mentor moved between science and craft, theory and practice — each step bringing them closer to understanding how Native Americans created these pots.
Elick, Binkley and Ciccarello harvested their own clay from nearby Penns Creek, Middle Creek and the Susquehanna River. They formed the clay into small bricks and Elick fired them on her grill to test their durability. The clay from the creeks baked into sturdy pieces, while the Susquehanna River clay failed, too sandy to hold its shape.
Once back on campus, they worked the Penns and Middle creeks clays, kneading it and shaping it into bowls using round molds or even small boulders. To mimic Native techniques, they twisted milkweed fibers into ropes and pressed them into wet clay using a paddle and anvil method, leaving intricate corded imprints.
“When we were making our pieces, we really reflected on how much of an art form it was, not just utilitarian,” Binkley says. That trial-and-error process — part science, part art — revealed the project’s deeper value. Each stage asked the students to cross disciplines: geology and chemistry to evaluate the mineral makeup of the clay; anthropology to connect their work with Native traditions; and art to replicate cord markings and decorative patterns — all grounded in cultural respect and research integrity.
“This project really encompasses what is so powerful about the liberal arts,” Elick says. “They’re thinking like a scientist, an artist and a historian all at once and combining these elements to try to answer some questions that require a lot of critical thinking. That’s the essence of the liberal arts.”
Then came the real test: the fire. Similar to how Natives would have done it, they arranged rocks on which they built the fire. Once it was ablaze and their pieces had been gently warmed outside the flame’s reach, Binkley and Ciccarello carefully nestled their pots into the coals and covered them with a tent of wood kindling.
“It’s so nerve-wracking,” Binkley admits. “The whole time you’re holding your breath, wondering if the pots will survive.”
Slowly, the clay shifted color — from dull gray to red-hot to soft earth tones. All the pots made it through the fire, some bearing a few cracks. A more perfect metaphor for life would be hard to find.
The project reminded them that curiosity fuels discovery, leading them to pursue answers to difficult questions. It also underscored the importance of understanding that our past and the people who walked this land before us laid the foundation of the world we live in today — literally and figuratively.
“When you’re making the pottery, you gain an admiration for the people who were once here,” Ciccarello adds. “This experience gave me a real appreciation for respecting the land and the history of a place. That’s something I’ll carry with me always.”
DEPARTMENTS
PEOPLE & PLACES SCOREBOARD THE ’GROVE
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra performed in Stretansky Concert Hall during the Symposium on Historic American Music.
PEOPLE & PLACES
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHERE FOR ALL THINGS SUSQUEHANNA
Professor Chronicles Family Legacy Through the Lens of His Father’s Jewish Bookstore
BY AMANDA O’ROURKE
Writing about family, Laurence Roth says, is never easy. His new book, Unpacking My Father’s Bookstore, explores his own life and his father’s as owner of one of the United States’ most respected Jewish bookstores and the complicated legacy it left behind.
“When you’re writing about family, it’s tough,” says Roth, Charles B. Degenstein Professor of English at Susquehanna. “You’re figuring out what to write, how to write it and how to navigate all the family issues that are part of the story.”
J. Roth/Bookseller of Fine & Scholarly Judaica lies at the center of Roth’s story. His father, Jack, now 93 and living with dementia, and his mother, Rochelle, 88, offered their son differing recollections about the store, which was one of the premier Jewish bookstores in America and a Los Angeles mainstay between 1966 and 1994. To better understand his family’s place in a larger narrative, Roth researched the evolution of Jewish bookselling in the United States — from the first Jew who ran a general bookstore in the 18th century to 19th-century Jewish bookshops on New York’s Lower East Side to mid-century ones in Los Angeles.
He also tracked the growth and decline of independent bookstores in the U.S.
“In 1994, there were a little over 7,000 independent bookstores in the United States, but there are only half as many today. The rise of Amazon decimated bookstores at the turn of the 21st century,” Roth says. “So many independent stores go unremarked in history and when they disappear, they’re too often completely forgotten.”
Jack Roth’s bookstore — first at 1070 South La Cienega Boulevard, then at 9427 West Pico Boulevard, and finally at 9020 West Olympic Boulevard — was what he believed a good bookstore should be: “clean, well-lighted” and free of tchotchkes. He wanted to serve the full spectrum of Jewish
Unpacking My Father’s Bookstore is listed among NPR’s 2025 Books We Love list.
readers, and as time marched forward, he added more progressive topics from Jewish feminists and members of the LGBTQ community.
“That became his liability,” Roth says of his father’s decision. “A group of neo-traditionalist, Orthodox Jews boycotted the store and that, combined with the rise of retail giants, led to the store’s demise.”
Roth’s book is nearly 20 years in the making, first taking seed in 2006 when he presented Susquehanna’s John C. Horn Lecture. The presentation later became a book chapter and then a course before Unpacking My Father’s Bookstore arrived from Rutgers University Press last year.
Part critical analysis, part memoir, Roth’s book shares with readers his personal account of growing up in his father’s bookstore and the toll it took on his family.
“Everyone thinks it would be so much fun to own a bookstore, but it comes with a cost,” Roth says. “My father exhibited the
traits of a collector — everything must be in its place, displayed just right. That kind of impulse, when you apply it to a family, leads to some real tension.”
Still, Roth sees Unpacking My Father’s Bookstore as part of a larger narrative about the role of independent booksellers in American life.
“Independent bookstores create community,” he adds. “They give readers and writers a place to meet and talk about the stories we need and want. That’s still essential today.”
Roth also directs the Jewish & Israel Studies Program and the Build Collaborative at Susquehanna. He is the author of Inspecting Jews: American Jewish Detective Stories (Rutgers University Press, 2003) and coeditor of The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Jewish Cultures (Routledge, 2015).
How on Earth Will We Say Goodbye to Polaris?
BY GIANNA RUPERT ’27
Once More & Hopeful Stars, the exhibition that opened the Lore Degenstein Gallery’s 2025–26 season, honored Earth’s current North Star — with students contributing their own illuminated sculpture.
“George Ferrandi’s exhibition was unique in so many ways,” says Laura Libert, director of the Lore Degenstein Gallery. “It provided the community with unique objects we don’t typically see in the gallery: monumental, yet fragile, illuminated sculptures made using a Japanese technique called Nebuta.”
Made from a bamboo and wire frame covered with the Japanese paper washi, which is hand-painted with vibrant designs, the massive sculptures are illuminated lantern floats.
Over a seven-week course, Ferrandi taught the Nebuta technique to Susquehanna students, whose sculpture joined the other pieces — each one embodying a star that will serve as Earth’s North Star at some point, due to how “a slight wobble” in the planet’s rotation slowly changes over a 26,000-year cycle.
“Finding out that our North Star changes just blew my mind, because in our cultural imagination, we think of it as one thing in the universe that is fixed,” Ferrandi says. “And so, this exhibition is kind of a reverie in thinking about how humans will commemorate that transition.”
The sculpture Ferrandi and the students made is part of a larger project by Ferrandi that brings communities together to ritualize how future generations may say goodbye to Polaris and hello to Gamma Cephei, which will take over the role in approximately 1,000 years and reign for several centuries.
PEOPLE & PLACES
Makerspace Fosters Collaboration Across Campus
BY AMANDA O’ROURKE
Susquehanna University’s new Makerspace is more than a workshop — it’s a shared resource designed to connect creativity, technology and collaboration across campus.
Located in Seibert Hall, the space brings together advanced tools, including 3D printers, power tools, laser cutters, embroidery and heat press machines, a screen printer, an airbrush kit and more. Together, they open possibilities for departments, faculty and students to design, prototype and build custom projects that support academic and co-curricular initiatives.
Soon after its fall 2025 launch, partnerships began forming. The theatre department is exploring how the CNC router — a computer-controlled cutting machine — can streamline set construction, replacing hours of hand-cutting intricate designs with precise, computer-guided carving.
“The goal is to make this space accessible to anyone with an idea,” says Carl Faust, department head and associate professor of physics and director of the Makerspace. “Whether you’re designing a theatre prop, building a research instrument or testing a business concept, this is a place where those ideas can take shape.”
Derek Straub, associate professor of earth & environmental sciences, asked the Makerspace to assist him in his research. An atmospheric scientist and engineer who studies the organic and inorganic compounds found in fog and, ultimately, the air we breathe, Straub asked for help developing a new low-cost sensor to measure fog or cloud liquid-water content. Commercial instruments that take these measurements are very expensive, so Straub is attempting to build a cheaper version that collects fog droplets on filter material.
New SU Podcasts
Susquehanna is telling its story in a whole new way with two podcasts that launched last fall — perfect for anyone who wants to stay connected.
“I’m using off-the-shelf filter packs and filter material, but they needed to be modified,” Straub explains. “That’s where the Makerspace helped out.”
Staff at the Makerspace, which include Faust and several student employees, used a laser to cut the filter packs to Straub’s exact specifications. They also created special spacers and gaskets for him.
“Making custom parts in low quantities is very expensive,” Straub adds. “Having a resource on campus during this iterative process to make, modify and remake parts quickly saved a lot of time compared to using an off-campus commercial fabricator.”
Faculty are incorporating the Makerspace into their courses as well. Faust’s new 3D modeling class allows students to explore design thinking while fulfilling the university’s analytical thought requirement. The course attracts students from across disciplines who learn to model and print functional or creative solutions — from dorm room gadgets to artistic pieces — while developing valuable problem-solving skills.
“The Makerspace’s interdisciplinary approach ensures that students and departments alike benefit from hands-on experience with technologies that are likely new to them,” Faust adds. “It encourages teamwork between areas that might not otherwise intersect — science and art, business and design, and technology and theatre.”
SCIENCE IS A STORY
Katherine Straub, dean of the School of Natural & Social Sciences, talks with Susquehanna science faculty about their latest research projects. You’ll find that science isn’t just numbers and test tubes — it’s an ongoing story of discovery, fueled by a whole lot of curiosity.
A Golden Anniversary for ‘Miss Tina’
One person has been greeting students, families, faculty, staff and other dining hall guests for half a century. Tina Landis — also affectionately called Miss Tina — was honored for her 50-year career during Susquehanna’s Homecoming–Reunion Weekend.
After receiving a standing ovation at the Milestones Recognition Brunch, Landis was named honorary co-captain of the football game. Donning a No. 50 jersey, she linked arms with players and marched to the 50-yard line to flip the opening coin toss.
“Tina’s the best,” says Kyle Gallagher ’28, an offensive lineman on the team. “Every day coming to Deg in the mornings, at lunch, at dinner, she’s always got a positive attitude. She’s always got a smile. Everybody knows Tina.”
Landis has served in nearly every imaginable dining services role: cashier, food service worker, prep cook, station attendant and supervisor.
What keeps Landis at Susquehanna? “It’s the students,” she says. “I feel like they are my one big family. They keep me young.”
Landis’ connection to the university spans four generations. Her mother and grandmother worked at the university, as well as her brother. Landis’ son, Tony ’20, currently works in information technology.
Alumna Appointed Chaplain
The Rev. Kristina “Stina” Schaeffer ’04 returned to Susquehanna last December as chaplain and director of Religious & Spiritual Life.
“I have been blessed to experience the best of what the campus has to offer,” Schaeffer says. “I am thrilled to be a part of this thriving community and to be supporting students on their journey. I look forward to walking alongside them as they consider questions of faith and life.”
Schaeffer most recently served the Upper Susquehanna Synod as assistant to the bishop for mobility and transition, supporting pastors and congregations through periods of discernment and change. Since 2017, she led Salem Lutheran Church in Selinsgrove, guiding worship, fostering spiritual growth and nurturing meaningful connections within the congregation and the wider community. Schaeffer’s earlier ministry as pastor in residence at Camp Koinonia in New York focused on developing retreats and worship experiences for people of varied ages, backgrounds and faiths.
“We are thrilled to welcome Stina back to Susquehanna,” says María L. O. Muñoz , chief inclusion & diversity officer. “Her compassion, deep commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and ability to bring people together will help ensure that every student feels seen, supported and valued on our campus.”
Schaeffer holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and a Bachelor of Arts in music from Susquehanna University.
THE AMUSING & PROFOUND
Patrick Long, dean of the schools of the arts and humanities, speaks with faculty, students, staff, alumni and other friends of the university. Each episode gives you a peek into the lives of the people who make Susquehanna great, from their origin stories to their latest projects.
Spaces & Places
Campus Center Renovation
Phase 1: Complete
Last summer, the first phase of the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center renovation project commenced — and was ready in time for the start of the fall semester.
A new façade with floor-to-ceiling windows expanded space in Mellon Lounge and Starbucks café. Evert Dining Hall was refurbished and includes enhanced seating and serving areas with a modern elegance aesthetic. See the photos of these spaces or check out a time-lapse video at susqu.edu/campus-transformations
Phase two is underway, with the new event space and grand entrance scheduled for completion in spring 2026.
The renovation project is made possible by the generous support of the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation and the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Remember When?
The Campus Center opened in September 1968 to provide “a home for many campus activities” and serve as “a meeting place for the Susquehanna Community. It is a place where all can go in their spare time to relax and have a good time,” according to a student newspaper article dated Oct. 3, 1968. The story also outlined the expectations for using the new space: “Only a few rules have been made to the Center thus far: no smoking in the cafeteria, no feet on the furniture, and no bare feet in the building.”
The Campus Center originally housed a dining room, bookstore, post office, snack bar, lounges, student activities workrooms, and TV, card and game rooms. The game room included pool, table tennis, pinochle, checkers, chess and Scrabble — students checked out equipment by presenting their ID cards at the Information Desk.
Mellon Lounge
Mellon Lounge and Starbucks
Evert Dining Hall
DISTINCTIVE VALUE, Proven Outcomes
A Susquehanna education is recognized nationwide for academic excellence, hands-on learning and graduates who thrive.
TOP 40 BEST VALUE
Ranked No. 38
“Best Value School” in U.S. News & World Report 2025
TOP 25 FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Recognized as a Top 25 private university for generous financial aid by Forbes
TOPS IN GRAD EARNINGS
Among the top 12% of U.S. colleges for lifetime return based on graduates’ career-long earnings, according to a 2025 Georgetown University report
► TOP 100 NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES
No. 96 for overall academic quality and graduate success
— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025
► BEST COLLEGES IN AMERICA
Praised for educational quality, career outcomes and affordability
— MONEY MAGAZINE, 2025
► TOP 200 U.S. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
No. 191 for student success and quality of learning among all U.S. colleges and universities, ranking in the top 7%
— WALL STREET JOURNAL/COLLEGE PULSE RANKINGS, 2026
► BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK — NORTHEAST COLLEGES
Ranks among the best colleges for value and upward mobility
— WASHINGTON MONTHLY, 2025
Susquehanna University is a proud member of The Annapolis Group, comprising approximately 130 leading national independent liberal arts colleges.
► BEST U.S. COLLEGES
Students cite academics, study-abroad opportunities and campus life in a guide listing the top 15% of U.S. colleges
— THE PRINCETON REVIEW BEST 391 COLLEGES, 2026
► TOP 150 COLLEGES FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY
Ranked No. 139 among U.S. colleges for helping students improve their socioeconomic standing
— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025
► TOP 300+ COLLEGES GLOBALLY
Chosen for strong academics, small classes, experiential learning and vibrant campus life
— FISKE GUIDE TO COLLEGES, 2025
► TOP 100 COLLEGES FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSITY
Ranks No. 71 among U.S. colleges enrolling the most low- and middle-income students
— THE NEW YORK TIMES COLLEGE-ACCESS INDEX, 2023 (LATEST REPORT)
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.
SCOREBOARD
NEWS FROM SUSQUEHANNA ATHLETICS
“
Ahead of the Game
By Madison Clark ’15
Conventional wisdom says it’s fortunate to discover a passion in the years just before college — early enough to build four years of experience by graduation. Arye Pulli ’28 has turned that idea on its head. He entered his first year at Susquehanna already carrying NFL media credentials, a successful sports media platform and four years of industry experience earned as a high school student.
Pulli didn’t slow down the summer waiting to start his college career. He reached out to Susquehanna’s athletic communications department — a move that helped him plug quickly into the university’s sports media scene. Now a 19-year-old sophomore, Pulli’s already made himself a staple in athletics coverage, operating cameras, directing streams and writing game recaps. This is all, of course, while balancing his full course load as a sports media major.
“The program’s done a great job of getting us hands-on experience right away, which is vital in the ever-competitive sports media field,” Pulli says. “That’s what’s going to help you in the job market.”
Despite his young age, Pulli speaks from an impressive amount of experience that backs up this claim. At just 14, he and his friends started an Instagram page after several earlier attempts at building professional sports accounts.
The program’s done a great job of getting us hands-on experience right away, which is vital in the ever-competitive sports media field. That’s what’s going to help you in the job market.
ARYE PULLI ’28
“The lockdown during Covid made it possible for us to go all in on this one,” he explains. “We named it The Sports Place, and it’s really taken off since then.”
Saying that The Sports Place has “really taken off” hardly captures the scale. The page boasts over 188,000 followers and multiple brand partnerships. In a saturated industry like sports media, the fact that a group of teenagers managed to differentiate themselves in NBA, NFL, MLB and UFC coverage is remarkable.
“What sets us apart is that we post the fastest,” Pulli says. “We pride ourselves on regularly being one of the first, if not the first, to get the news out.”
The ongoing success of TSP has fueled each member’s professional aspirations. For Pulli, that meant leaning deeper into NFL coverage, while teammates have pursued their own goals.
“We’re trying to do as much as we can to advance our business and break sports news,” Pulli says. “But we also want to do what’s necessary to each become as successful as possible. For me, it’s taking that NFL angle.”
Breaking into NFL media is a long shot for most, but Pulli’s persistence paid off. After multiple rejected applications, he ultimately secured NFL credentials — as a high school senior. His first NFL-sanctioned event included interviews with players and prospects, and he has since spoken with coaches, agents and athletes at the Panini Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine and during Super Bowl weekend. Last October, he boarded a plane over fall break to cover his first NFL game: the New York Jets and Denver Broncos matchup — in London.
As Pulli looks ahead to the rest of his career, he plans to carry forward the Susquehanna spirit of service.
“I want to be known as someone who is willing to help out future generations,” he says. “I don’t ever want to be seen as accomplished but unreachable. I want to be available to lend a helping hand because I know how competitive this industry is and how important it is to get your foot in the door.”
Today, balancing each of these significant and impressive roles is tough, but it’s also in line with what Pulli envisions for his future. He’s striving to become an NFL Insider, after years of looking up to professionals, particularly Shams Charania. Whether it’s for TSP, his own NFL coverage or his work at Susquehanna, Pulli remains resilient, hardworking and dedicated to his goals.
Pulli interviews Spencer Rattler at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
On location to cover the NFL Combine in Indianapolis
Roth Named Servant Leader
By Dan Graham
Susquehanna women’s basketball player Julia Roth ’26 is one of just 61 athletes nationwide to be named a Kay Yow Servant Leader for the 2025–26 season. Recipients are individuals of remarkable character who selflessly prioritize others, embodying grace, humility, courage and strength.
“Julia has been a tremendous role model within our community, especially through our youth camps, where she is continuously giving back,” says women’s basketball Head Coach Gabby Holko. “She shows up with enthusiasm and a genuine smile, inspiring so many young girls who may fall in love with basketball because of her. Her perseverance, compassion and unwavering dedication to her team and community reflect the legacy of service, selflessness and love that this award was created to honor.”
The Kay Yow Servant Leader Award celebrates the enduring legacy of Kay Yow, head coach of the North Carolina State University women’s basketball team and past president and founding member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. She bravely battled breast cancer for 22 years while inspiring others to create positive change.
“Julia exemplifies the values that Coach Yow stood for,” Holko adds. “Julia has faced significant adversity, tearing
her ACL twice. Instead of allowing this setback to define her, she demonstrated remarkable resolve by staying committed to being the best teammate and leader she could possibly be. She continued to serve and support her program with grace, embodying the spirit of selflessness by putting her teammates’ needs before her own.”
Roth says she was dismayed to learn she was the first Susquehannan bestowed this distinction.
“I am so honored to receive this award,” Roth says. “Coach told me I am the first recipient in Susquehanna women’s basketball history, which is absolutely insane to me because there are so many people here that I have looked up to as amazing leaders.”
Nominated by their coaches, these leaders reflect Coach Yow’s spirit and dedication, making a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer by improving lives and offering hope. Awardees wear a patch on their jersey throughout the season as recognition of this honor.
PHOTO: GABBY ZULAK ’27
Annual Tipoff Tournament Honors Late Hall of Famer
Last November, the men’s basketball annual tipoff tournament was named in memory of the only player whose jersey was ever retired in the program’s history: Mike Scheib ’78.
Scheib forged an unforgettable career that earned him the Dr. James Naismith Award, presented annually to the best college basketball player in the nation under six feet tall across all NCAA divisions — a rare and remarkable honor that recognized not only a player’s basketball ability, but also his character, leadership and heart on the court. He was a three-time All-MAC selection and the leading scorer in both his junior and senior years. In 1983, he was inducted into the SU Athletics Hall of Fame, and he was later inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame’s Capital Area and West Shore Chapters.
His wife, Irene, and son, Kyle, pledged to sponsor the annual tournament, which is now the Mike Scheib ’78 Memorial Tipoff Tournament.
“Naming the tournament to honor Mike Scheib, one of the greatest to ever wear the orange and maroon, is so fitting,” says men’s basketball Head Coach Frank Marcinek . “Each year we will have a chance to keep Mike’s legacy alive, thanks to Irene and Kyle Scheib and to Jim Rowe and Randy Westrol for their stewardship of this event.”
HAWK TALK
Football kicker Dominic Bourgeois ’27 was named a semifinalist for the Fred Mitchell Award after finishing the 2025 regular season with a school record 16 field goals, which led all NCAA Division III kickers. Selected as a First Team All-American by the AFCA, he also was twice named to D3football.com’s National Team of the Week, First Team All-Landmark and D3football.com All-Region 2.
Quarterback Josh Ehrlich ’27 was chosen as a semifinalist for the John Gagliardi Trophy for the second straight season. After another prolific campaign leading the River Hawks to the NCAA football playoffs, Ehrlich’s third year in orange and maroon has him in the top five in nearly every career passing category at Susquehanna, as well as etching his name in the rushing categories. Ehrlich also was named the Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year and named to the All-Landmark First Team.
Men’s soccer alumnus Seth Sidle ’25 made history when he was chosen as a member of the first men’s soccer national team to represent the Marshall Islands. He was elected a team captain as the team played its first organized games last summer at the Outrigger Challenge Cup against the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Susquehanna Athletics appointed John Funk head coach of the swimming & diving program, having served the last seven seasons as the top assistant coach at Bucknell University. A 2013 graduate of Rider University, Funk competed for the Broncs and set new program and conference records.
Men’s cross country runner Derick Blair ’28 won the 2025 Landmark Conference individual championship. He took first place in the 8K race with a time of 24:28.85 — the second-fastest time in conference history.
Left to right: Jim Rowe, Jim Agnew, Randy Westrol ’79, Irene Scheib and Christine Scheaffer
THE ’GROVE
STORIES FROM AROUND CAMPUS AND AROUND TOWN
Building Bridges That Last
Partnerships strengthen community relations
By Jennifer Yuricich ’00 Spotts
When Susquehanna University students built a plank walkway in 1859 to connect their young campus to downtown Selinsgrove, they did more than create a path — they built a bridge between the university and its community. More than 165 years later, that spirit of connection continues through programs that bring students and local partners together for meaningful impact.
Today, Susquehanna’s students are walking a new kind of bridge — one made of service, collaboration and purpose. Through Amplify, a community engagement program now in its second year, students apply classroom learning to real-world projects that benefit nonprofit and public service organizations. Unlike traditional internships, Amplify projects are designed to meet tangible needs of the local community.
“The collaboration is reciprocal,” says Jed Carr, director of community engagement. “Students gain professional experience, and our community partners benefit from the knowledge and insights of students who care about making a difference.”
The collaboration is reciprocal. Students gain professional experience, and our community partners benefit from the knowledge and insights of students who care about making a difference.
— JED CARR
Drawing on his previous work with the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency, Carr uses recent community needs assessments to help guide Amplify’s focus areas. Childcare, education and poverty, for example, consistently rank among the region’s top challenges. In response, Olivia Acri ’25 organized the first Afterschool STEAM Fall Festival, an event where elementary students and their families could enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and math activities together while creating new connections with local organizations.
For Owen Miller ’27, Amplify became a way to merge passion with purpose. A disc golf enthusiast, he is working with Snyder County officials, the Selinsgrove Chamber of Commerce and the local country club to grow outdoor recreation as a driver of economic development. His two-year project includes hosting tournaments and seeking grants to expand facilities, helping position the region as a destination for sports tourism.
Students are also helping nonprofits tell their stories — designing social media campaigns, crafting marketing materials and finding creative ways to reach new audiences. One student, Mackenzi Salinas-Trejo ’26, ran a successful social media campaign for the local United Way, raising nearly $5,000.
“Our partnership with Susquehanna University has been an incredible force for good,” says Danielle Velkoff, senior director of marketing and communications at the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way. “We’ve had the privilege of working with talented, driven students who bring fresh ideas, energy and professionalism. Their contributions have strengthened our programs, expanded our reach and helped us make a greater impact across the community.”
Amplify continues the legacy of the Susquehanna University Service Leaders program and is supported by the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation.
Preserving Our Nation’s First Songs
Symposium brings fragile scores back to life.
By Amanda O’Rourke
The years between 1860 and 1920 saw an extraordinary explosion of new musical styles in America. Much of this music — from spirituals and brass bands to ragtime, blues and early “jass” — came roaring back to life through performances and lectures last October at Susquehanna University’s Symposium on Historic American Music: Diverse Sounds for a Young Nation
“Sheet music in the 18th and 19th centuries was considered disposable, much like newspapers today,” explains Rick Benjamin, adjunct instructor of music at Susquehanna.
“Add to that the delicate nature of the materials used at the time and poor storage conditions,” he says, “and America’s musical history is at risk of crumbling away.”
Anchoring the symposium was Benjamin’s decades-long work to preserve early American music, amassing a 20,000title collection from forgotten scores destined for landfills.
Over three days, the university hummed with music from Grammy Award winner Dom Flemons, the 8th Green Machine Regiment Band, the Roof Garden Jass Band and
Susquehanna’s own Symphonic Band, and a multimedia tribute to the great American world’s fairs performed by Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. Among the speakers offering rich context behind the performances were Columbia University’s John H. McWhorter, who also is a columnist for The New York Times, and American musicologist and author Edward A. Berlin, a leading expert on ragtime.
Students use paint to create leaf prints at the STEAM Fall Festival.
Don Flemons
Top 100 and Rising
National rankings confirm Susquehanna’s growing reputation for excellence and opportunity.
When U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 college rankings, Susquehanna University reached a historic milestone: it broke into the top 100 national liberal arts colleges, landing at No. 96 for overall academic quality.
“It’s very rewarding to see Susquehanna recognized among the nation’s best,” says University President Jonathan Green “It affirms the dedication of our faculty and staff and the achievements of our students. It is gratifying that as U.S. News has focused more on outcomes measures — the things that really matter — we have steadily risen in their rankings.”
In recent years, U.S. News has placed greater emphasis on student outcomes — especially graduation rates, social mobility, debt and success after graduation.
Additional recognition from Forbes and U.S. News highlights Susquehanna’s enduring focus on affordability and value. Forbes named the university one of the Top 25 Private Universities with Generous Financial Aid, while U.S. News ranked it among the Best Value Schools (No. 38), affirming the university’s strong return on investment.
These recognitions also reflect the generosity of Susquehanna’s alumni, President Green notes. “Their recent gifts have helped double the university’s endowment over the past decade and have greatly strengthened our endowment-to-student ratio,” he said. At the start of the fiscal year, the university’s endowment stood at $244 million.
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS
Beyond national recognition for academic excellence and value, Susquehanna continues to make a measurable difference in the lives and careers of its graduates.
In the 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings, the university placed No. 191 for student success and quality of learning among all U.S. colleges, or within the top 7%.
A report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce ranked Susquehanna in the top 12% of U.S. colleges for graduate earnings, citing above-average lifetime earning potential for alumni. That data reinforces what many graduates already know: a Susquehanna education pays dividends for years to come.
“Our students leave here prepared not just for their first job, but for meaningful, adaptable careers,” says President Green. “The combination of strong academics, leadership development and global experience gives them an edge.”
ADVANCING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY
“Our community believes in the life-changing power of higher education,” says Vice President for Enrollment Justin Rummel. “That shared belief drives us to create affordable pathways to a Susquehanna degree — even for students who may have once thought college was out of reach.”
PHOTO: BRODIE
U.S. News ranked Susquehanna No. 139 for social mobility, highlighting its success in helping students rise economically, and also named it among the A+ Schools for B Students.
Similarly, the most recent New York Times College-Access Index placed Susquehanna among the Top 100 Colleges for Economic Diversity (No. 71), acknowledging the university’s strong enrollment of low- and middle-income students and its commitment to economic inclusion.
SYLLABUS
Forensic Chemistry
By Kaitlyn Wagner ’27
“Together, these distinctions reflect Susquehanna’s commitment to helping every student realize their full potential, regardless of where they start,” President Green adds. “We’re a community that believes in opportunity, excellence and impact.”
Syllabus is an ongoing series of stories that gives readers an inside look at some of Susquehanna’s most interesting classes. What if a single drop of blood could be the key to solving a murder? Is a single strand of hair enough to put a person behind bars?
In Forensic Chemistry, taught by Lou Ann Tom, associate professor of chemistry, students work in groups to solve a criminal case. Each week new evidence is revealed, and the case builds until students present their final project as a court case.
Susquehanna’s Forensic Chemistry course explores the challenges, methods and ethics of forensic chemistry. Students
learn core chemical and biological concepts, including quality assurance, evidence collection and forensic toxicology, such as analyzing seized drugs and testing for drugs in the body. They also study other investigative techniques, including analyzing combustion, explosives, firearms, colorants, polymers, paper, fibers and DNA. Additionally, students examine basic ethical questions related to forensic science.
“The potential consequences of ethical lapses in forensic science are far-reaching, and this awareness has strengthened my commitment to upholding the highest standards in my future work,” says biomedical sciences major Samantha Kline ’26, of Raleigh, North Carolina. “The hands-on laboratory experience has equipped me with practical skills and familiarity with advanced techniques, preparing me for real-world applications.”
Tom includes key concepts from her Instrumental Analysis course in Forensic Chemistry to stay current with new technical developments. In Instrumental Analysis, students learn about atomic and molecular spectroscopy, covering the chemical principles behind the techniques, how the instruments work and their practical applications.
“Dr. Tom’s expertise and passion for the subject makes the learning experience incredibly enriching and inspiring,” Kline adds.
MESSAGE BOARD CLASS NOTES ALUMNI PROFILES DEATHS
Congratulations to Jack Lane ’25 and all of Susquehanna’s mid-year graduates recognized last December.
MESSAGE BOARD
Susquehanna University’s Advancement Office recently welcomed two additions to its Alumni Relations team: Laura Haden and James Updike
Joining the campus community in November as director of alumni engagement, Haden brings with her nearly 20 years of alumni and parent relations, event planning and volunteer management experience. She has previously served at King’s College, Wilkes University and Bucknell University.
Updike, associate director of alumni relations, brings more than 10 years of alumni relations, event and facilities management, and athletic operations experience. He previously served at Penn State University before joining Susquehanna in October. Throughout his career, James has also held positions at Marshall University, Florida Atlantic University, Wagner College and Bloomsburg University.
What encouraged you to join the Susquehanna community?
Haden: I was immediately drawn to Susquehanna’s strong sense of community and its commitment to creating meaningful, lasting connections among students, alumni and families. Throughout my career in alumni engagement, I’ve always been inspired by institutions where relationships truly matter, and that authentic and welcoming spirit is felt everywhere at SU. The opportunity to join a university that values tradition and belonging, while also embracing fresh ideas and innovation, made this role an exciting next step. I knew right away that this was a community I wanted to be part of.
Updike: Susquehanna is a great institution, and I felt this was an excellent opportunity to expand my professional portfolio within alumni engagement. My background in higher
education has centered on event and facilities management, but I’ve always been passionate about creating meaningful experiences for the people I serve. I’m excited to build on that foundation and to gain valuable experience supporting our alumni and current students.
What do you hope to accomplish in the coming year?
Updike: I hope to build strong, collaborative relationships with alumni, students, faculty and staff, and really learn how I can best support them. Understanding their needs and perspectives will help me shape programs and experiences that feel personal and meaningful to the Susquehanna community.
Haden: In the year ahead, my goal is to deepen and expand the ways alumni engage with the university and with one another. I’ll be working closely with the Alumni Association Board, focusing on opportunities to strengthen alumni programming — both in person and online — striving for more student-alumni connections and using data to shape events and initiatives that truly reflect what Susquehanna alumni value. Ultimately, I want to build a foundation that supports both meaningful traditions and fresh, exciting engagement opportunities.
What are you most looking forward to as you connect with Susquehanna alumni?
Haden: I’m genuinely excited to meet the alumni who make this community so special. Every conversation reveals a new story, a shared memory or a unique path shaped by a Susquehanna education. I’m looking forward to hearing those stories, celebrating their successes and finding energizing and authentic ways to bring alumni together. Whether it’s at regional events, on campus or through virtual programs, I’m eager to build relationships and help alumni feel appreciated and proud to be part of the Susquehanna community.
Updike: I’m looking forward to hearing what their time at Susquehanna was like and what moments or relationships shaped their experience. I’m also excited to create opportunities that encourage alumni to stay engaged, whether through events, activities or new initiatives that help them stay connected to Susquehanna and to one another.
Join us in welcoming Laura and James to the Susquehanna community — contact them via their respective emails at haden@susqu.edu or updike@susqu.edu.
1970
Alan Lovell ’70 was honored with the Susquehanna University Alumni Association’s Exceptional Champion Alumni Award, which recognizes a Susquehannan whose personal and professional accomplishments reflect a lifetime of achievement, leadership and service. Designed as a career-spanning recognition, the award celebrates alumni who have made a profound and lasting impact in their fields and communities while embodying the values of their alma mater.
Read more on the next page or at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
1971
55TH REUNION
Share your life news with us! Submit your class note easily at susqu.edu/classnotes.
1976
50TH REUNION
Richard Sauers ’76 is writing a history of his hometown, Lewisburg, Pa., with plans to finish next year. He recently retired from a long career in public history, most recently serving as the executive director and curator of the Western Museum of Mining & Industry in Colorado Springs, Colo. Sauers has written or co-authored approximately 30 books during his career. His latest book, Gettysburg Postcards: An Illustrated Guide (McFarland Publishing), includes nearly 200 illustrations of postcards from the early 1900s to the present.
“Roadside Stand,” a short story by William E. Swanger III ’76, was published in the summer 2025 edition of The Genre Society. “Flint,” a work of creative nonfiction, was featured in the 13 Days of Halloween by the Academy of the Heart and Mind. Swanger has been writing for decades as a journalist, feature writer and public relations professional, and is a former member of Susquehanna’s adjunct faculty.
CLASS NOTES
1979
Delaware State University’s George Washington Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History and Political Science Samuel B. Hoff ’79 received the 2024–25 Adjunct Professor of the Year Award. He currently serves on the Ethics Commission for the City of Dover, Del., and previously chaired the city’s Human Relations Commission.
1980
James Moyer ’80 released his first major marimba solo, Urgent Matters, through Studio 4 Music, and it includes an electronic soundtrack. His arrangement of The Red Rose Rag (1911, Percy Wenrich) for xylophone and marimba ensemble was published by C. Alan Publications. His method book, The Total Percussion Primer, designed for both college-level and middle school percussion students, is scheduled for release through Conway Publications.
1981
45TH REUNION
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1984
Andrew Reilly ’84 (pictured right, top) has joined Stevens & Lee as Of Counsel and will serve as senior advisor and assistant general counsel to GSL Public Strategies Group, the platform’s government consulting, government affairs and corporate and crisis communications firm. He is currently the Republican National Committeeman for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Southeast Caucus Chair for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. He previously served as secretary of the State Republican Party and was a member of Pennsylvania’s
Electoral College in the 2016 and 2024 presidential elections, and a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Several Class of 1984 members meet annually for a “girls weekend,” and their most recent excursion was to Lake George, N.Y. Pictured (above) left to right: Barbara Schmunk ’84 Burdick, Lynn Allen ’84 Endahl, Jen Olson ’84 Smith, Sacha Van Riemsdyk ’84 Altadonna, Carol Bartholomew ’83, Patricia Bartholomew-Miele ’84 and Virginia Kiselica ’84 Apostolacus
Alan Lovell ’70: A Lifelong Advocate for Change
When Alan Lovell ’70 arrived at Susquehanna University, he was a self-described “Navy brat” who had attended 12 schools across the United States and abroad.
“I was ready to be an adult,” he recalls, “but still clung to many of my more comfortable norms.”
What he found at Susquehanna was a community that challenged him, broadened his worldview and set him on a path toward a lifetime of meaningful leadership and service.
“Students were beginning to find their voices, advocating for new policies and greater freedom of expression,” he says. “Susquehanna helped me learn how to work with others to create change.”
That collaborative approach became the hallmark of his professional career. After earning a master’s degree in counseling and a doctoral degree in public administration, Lovell devoted his career to advancing opportunities for people with disabilities. As the founding executive director of what is now The Arc of Howard County in Maryland, he helped move disability services from institutional settings into the heart of the community. He launched programs in early intervention and inclusive education, supported employment opportunities and advocated for communitybased housing — initiatives that transformed lives and shifted public perceptions.
Lovell credits Susquehanna with preparing him for that work. “The university gave me the tools and confidence to make worthwhile changes,” he says. “It taught me the art of compromise and the importance of giving people a voice. Real change happens when people see one another as equals.”
Lovell’s life and work have always been intertwined with his wife, Linda ’71, whom he met when they both ran for Student Government Association office — and both won. Married by then-university President Gustave Weber and Chaplain Steve Bremer in 1972, the Lovells have remained deeply connected to their alma mater. Their daughters, Meredith ’02 and Jocelyn ’07, are both Susquehanna alumnae, continuing a family legacy nearly six decades strong.
In 2023, the Lovells established The Lovell Family Scholarship to support future generations of Susquehanna students. They are also members of the John App Circle, recognizing their lasting commitment to the university.
Reflecting on his journey, Lovell remains grateful for how Susquehanna shaped him.
“This university took a chance on us, gave us experiences, challenged us and instilled in us the motivation to make a difference,” he says. “That’s what Susquehanna does best; it turns students into changemakers.”
ALUMNI PROFILE
SUSQUEHANNA HELPED ME LEARN HOW TO WORK WITH OTHERS TO CREATE CHANGE. “ ”
Alan Lovell ’70
1985
Wendy Ammon ’85 Testa retired from Loudoun County Public Schools in June 2024 following a 26-year career as an elementary music teacher. She previously taught in Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 10 years. She continues to serve as a substitute teacher and enjoys traveling, working on the family farm and spending time with loved ones.
1986
40TH REUNION
Philip C. Hirsch ’86 was installed as bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Bishop Hirsch is only the second Susquehanna alum to be elected to the office. He previously served as executive director of Christian community and leadership of the ELCA, and earlier as director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop of the Metro D.C. Synod. He earned his Master of Divinity in 1990 from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and his Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in 2008. Read more at susqu.edu/news-alumni.
A group of 1986 alumni gathered in Texas to celebrate their milestone birthdays and watch the Dallas Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles. Pictured (above) left to right: Deborah Boyle ’86 Hoffman, Deborah Wengryn ’86 Bensel, Judith Sholtis ’86 and Maryellen Morgan ’86 Solinsky
1991 35TH REUNION
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1996 30TH REUNION
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1997
The Rev. Matthew E. Ollikainen ’97 married Debra Labow Jasner on May 9, 2025.
2000
Jason Mammen ’00 was named senior vice president and executive creative director at The Rave Collective, a creative agency specializing in trailers and campaigns for entertainment clients. Recent finishes include TV spots for F1, the movie starring Brad Pitt, the Halloween and Christmas print and motion design campaigns for Disney+ and the full 360° creative campaign for Manny Pacquiao’s return to boxing on Amazon Prime’s pay-per-view event.
Jennifer Mitman ’00 Williams is the author of Peacekeepers: An Implementation Manual for Empowering Youth Using Restorative Practices. Her son, Tyler Williams ’29, is a creative writing major. Jennifer M. Perrine ’00 was selected for the inaugural Kelsey Street Press QTBIPOC Book Prize. Her fifth book of poetry, Beautiful Outlaw, was published on July 1, 2025.
2001 25TH REUNION
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2002
Sara Fuller ’02 Myers was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in June 2025. She is owner and director of field hockey for BRAVE Athletics, a premier USAFH club dedicated to developing athletes of every age and skill level. She previously coached at Goucher College, the University of Scranton and Wilkes
University, where she achieved 100 career wins and was named MAC Freedom Coach of the Year three times.
Laurie Smith ’02 Zaring is assistant professor of education at Messiah University. She previously taught math for 23 years at Newport School District.
2003
Francis Dombrowski ’03 earned a Master of Science in organizational management from Misericordia University and holds an MBA from Wilkes University. He recently completed a doctorate in strategic leadership and administration from Marywood University. Susquehanna’s Associate Professor of Communications David Kaszuba served on his dissertation committee and attended his defense. Dombrowski works as a general manager of projects at ID Logistics, supporting the launch of new 3PL distribution centers across the country.
2004
The Rev. Kristina “Stina” Schaeffer ’04, a pastor with more than 15 years of ministry leadership, joined Susquehanna University on Dec. 1 as chaplain and director of Religious & Spiritual Life.
Read more on page 19.
2005
Erin H. Phelps ’05, principal in Henrico County Public Schools, is leading the launch of a new school serving PK-12 students with disabilities. The Virginia Randolph Education Center will provide a full continuum of academic and behavioral support through both standard diploma and adaptive curriculum pathways.
2006
20TH REUNION
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2008
Krista Gardner ’08 (pictured above) was named to Forbes’ 2025 America’s Top 200 CPAs list. A manager at SEK, CPAs & Advisors, she specializes in financial governance for nonprofit and governmental organizations. Gardner is active with AICPA, PICPA and the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials. She also volunteers with several Yorkarea organizations.
Frederick S. Long ’08, a trusts and estates attorney, received the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s 2025 Trailblazer Award from the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. The award recognizes next generation lawyers who demonstrate excellence in practice, bar service and pro bono commitment.
2010
Christopher Price ’10, a financial advisor in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was named to Forbes’ 2025 Best-In-State lists for Top Financial Security Professionals and Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors. He also earned the Best of Florida 2025 regional award from Guide to Florida.
2011 15TH REUNION
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2014
Angela Amato ’14 was named head women’s soccer coach at Goucher University. A standout student-athlete, Amato also served as assistant coach at Susquehanna under head coach Nick Hoover ’06, before joining the coaching staff at Marymount University.
Alysha Melnyk ’14 and Chad Shultz ’12 tied the knot on Oct. 11, 2025. Pictured (above) left to right: Jamie Malakowski ’09 Hindman, Carlie Krill ’15, Dylan Furlano ’14, Ashlyn Zikmund ’15, Michael Groff ’13, Joanna Bowser ’14 Patrick , Tyler Patrick ’15, Hannah Kronenwetter ’14, Mike Coakley ’12, Alysha Melnyk ’14, Seth Confer ’14, Chad Shultz ’12, Laura Rhodes ’14, Sam Melnyk ’17, Steven Bair ’12, Callie Brown ’13, Jessica Palmer-Bacon ’12 Stinson, Blake Chamberlain ’13, Kristen Bair ’23, Charles Greve ’13, Thaddeus Yeiser ’12 and Nathan Bair ’14. Also in attendance but missing from the photo were Amy Driskell ’14 Empson and Colleen Kerber ’14
Ryan A. Workman ’14 married Ann Marie Kaufman on June 14, 2025. The ceremony was held in Williamsport, Pa., followed by a reception at the Williamsport Country Club.
2015
Tyler Shields ’15 has been named chief operating officer of Bingaman & Son Lumber Inc., where he leads operations and strategic development across the company.
2016 10TH REUNION
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2017
Jacob Heyser ’17 and Alison Elf ’19 were married on Sept. 12, 2025.
2018
Madeline J. Albert ’18 married Cody J. Zahoroiko ’16
2020
Isabelle Henry ’20 traveled to Kampala, Uganda, in January 2025, in her role as programs coordinator for the African Sisters Education Collaborative, a nonprofit that strengthens leadership among Catholic women religious throughout Africa. She led planning for future student service trips through ASEC’s Service Learning Program, meeting with colleagues from 11 countries and visiting potential sites in Uganda’s southwest region for 2026. In October, she returned to campus for her fifth reunion, reconnecting with Amanda Fioriello ’20 and Avery SecuroBrown ’20
Rachel Lambert ’20 married Tyler Crotty ’17 in September 2025 in New Jersey, surrounded by many fellow Susquehanna alumni. Pictured (right) back row, left to right: Rochelle LaForce ’85 Hartman, Rebecca Reed ’86, Diann Doelp ’86, Kathy Forrest ’86 McLoughlin, Alexa Masia ’20, Janet Wyllie ’86 Lambert, Rachel Lambert ’20 Crotty, Tyler Crotty ’17, Stacie Savoca ’20, Kim Jacks ’19, Kelly Weigle ’20, David Aurand ’17 and Brooke Greak ’16 Aurand. Front row, left to right: Connor Hamilton ’20, Douglas Yago ’86, Matthew Buckey ’17, Landon Kline ’17, Alex DeFrances ’27 and Patrick Charvat ’17
In December 2024, Alexandra Quental ’20 married Benjamin Swinehart, whose parents and stepfather graduated from Susquehanna. The wedding included four other Susquehanna alumni guests.
2021 5TH REUNION
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2022
Grace Lathrop ’22 Call and Nicholas J. Call ’23 tied the knot on June 22, 2024. The wedding party included Marnie R. Brubaker-Beaver ’22 and Sarah N. Gomez ’22 Monserrate. Grace is the granddaughter of Cheryl Spalding ’66 Wright
2023
Christopher Kalcich ’23 was elected to a twoyear term as vice president of the Pennsylvania Young Democrats.
Mikenna Welsh ’23 married Trevor Bingaman ’22 in October 2024.
2024 & 2025
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GET “NOTED”
We love hearing about what our alumni are up to! Class Notes are a great way to share your accomplishments, activities and updates with your Susquehanna family. Tell us about it all. Submit your updates and life adventures however it is most convenient for you.
Susquehanna Currents reserves the right to edit Class Notes for space and clarity and to select the alumni-submitted photos that appear in each issue. Preference will be given to print-quality photos of weddings and other gatherings that include the most alumni.
Leading with Purpose and Passion
For Lauren Manley ’07 Nalls, Susquehanna University was more than a place to earn a degree — it was where she discovered her purpose, developed her confidence and built relationships that continue to shape her life today. She dove into every opportunity the university offers, exploring athletics, leadership opportunities and community involvement.
“Susquehanna encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone,” Nalls says. “Each opportunity made me feel part of something larger than myself and connected me with new friends and mentors while helping me apply what I was learning in class to real-world situations.”
Initially unsure of her career path, Nalls discovered her passion for business after taking an introductory marketing course taught by James Brock, then dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business.
“I fell in love with it,” she recalls. “Dean Brock’s knowledge, experience and engaging teaching style were captivating. I left that class knowing marketing was the right fit for me.”
Nalls credits the close-knit, supportive environment of the Sigmund Weis School of Business for laying the foundation of her career. “The professors and staff were invested in our success,” she says. “They made learning both challenging and engaging, and they helped me see how business principles apply to every part of life.”
Today, Nalls serves as manager of learning & talent development at The Hershey Company, where she supports the growth of the sales and category management teams.
“Our goal is to ensure every team member feels supported in their development so they can thrive in their current role and prepare for future opportunities,” she explains. “Each step in my career — from sales to leadership — has reinforced my passion for helping others realize and achieve their long-term potential.”
Nalls continues to stay closely connected to Susquehanna, mentoring students and speaking at university initiatives such as the Gates-Mueller Leadership Symposium. She also participates in the Sigmund Weis School of Business mentorship program and enjoys collaborating with current interns and alumni colleagues at Hershey.
“It’s important to pay forward the investment that so many people made in me,” she says. “Staying connected to Susquehanna allows me to honor that investment, while continuing to build meaningful relationships. I value every chance I get to return and engage with the campus community.”
Lauren Manley ’07 Nalls
“ ”
IT’S IMPORTANT TO PAY FORWARD THE INVESTMENT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE MADE IN ME.
DEATHS
Susquehanna extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who have passed away. To view obituaries, go to susqu.edu/alumni/obits.
ALUMNI
Gloria Reichley ’48 Krug
March 31, 2025
Lois Dauberman ’48 Schultz
August 24, 2024
Dexter Weikel ’48
November 1, 2018
Winifred Myers ’49 O’Dell
August 27, 2025
Hazel Brobst ’51 Brown
June 13, 2025
Stewart Tomlinson ’54
June 4, 2025
Lawrence Gingrich ’55
June 20, 2022
Barbara Harper ’55 Hornfeck
August 14, 2024
Annabelle Thomas ’55 Rogers
May 24, 2025
William Vanderhoof ’55
October 15, 2025
Carl Winey ’55
November 22, 2024
Doris Moon ’56 Metcalf
September 10, 2025
Margaret Brady ’56 Wyllie
August 16, 2025
Suzanne Beal ’57 McCarty
October 3, 2025
Rita Williamson ’57 Neago
October 15, 2025
Edward Rhodes ’57
October 27, 2025
George Schluchterer ’57
June 4, 2025
Carolann Zust ’58 Aspray
July 3, 2025
Gerald Herbster ’58
October 23, 2025
Donald Middlesworth ’59
October 3, 2025
Sandra Meyer ’59 Osinchak
October 12, 2025
Nancy Phillips ’60 Bealor
November 30, 2023
Harry Powers ’60
November 15, 2019
Alan Shaw ’60
January 23, 2024
Howard Speck Jr. ’60
September 1, 2025
Franklin Beatty ’61
September 3, 2025
M. D. Cave ’61
October 2, 2025
Paul Harter ’61
June 18, 2025
Judith Brndjar ’62
October 21, 2025
Judith Arnold ’62 McIntyre
January 30, 2025
Mary Ard ’62 Miller
October 4, 2025
Barry Kauffman ’63
May 13, 2025
Barbara Claffee ’63 Schumacher
January 19, 2025
David A. Smith ’63
May 2024
Robert Hofmann ’64
June 11, 2025
P. W. Kauffman ’64
May 27, 2025
Ann Pavelko ’65 Acrey
September 28, 2015
Stacey Bottiger ’65
February 10, 2025
Pam Dick ’65 Crenshaw
July 4, 2025
Suzanne Tomasko ’65 Power
May 29, 2023
Francis Brennan ’66
October 14, 2024
John Clapham ’66
March 6, 2022
Rebecca Carson ’66 McCaughey
April 30, 2025
Gary Seifert ’67
October 2, 2025
Samuel Halpern ’68
July 8, 2024
James Valek ’68
April 25, 2025
Ruth Flanders ’68 Williams
October 17, 2025
Gary Gilbert ’69
September 27, 2025
Donald Fetterolf ’70
July 10, 2023
James Hornberger ’70
September 11, 2014
Thomas Entenmann ’71
September 15, 2025
Karen Kaneen ’71 Fetterolf
February 27, 2025
David Mangle ’72
August 20, 2025
Jane Barnes ’73 Paris
January 17, 2025
Patrick Petre ’74
January 3, 2025
Susan Delaurier ’75 Benton
November 29, 2021
Fred Best ’75
February 21, 2021
Kenneth Heslop ’75
September 27, 2025
Craig Miller ’75
July 8, 2025
Douglas Ward ’76
September 25, 2025
H. Scott Fritts ’78
August 20, 2025
Michael Herman ’78
August 26, 2025
Lisa Angst ’80 Kowalski
December 22, 2022
Daniel Kish ’82
June 6, 2025
Christopher Munafo ’82
August 28, 2025
Daniel Purdy ’82
October 11, 2025
Scott Shuler ’82
September 25, 2025
Elizabeth Hull ’83
September 14, 2025
Randy Shaver ’84
May 6, 2025
The Rev. J Claud Stewart ’86
July 14, 2025
Praveen Bhaskaran ’90
August 15, 1996
David Coyle ’90
May 22, 2017
The Rev. Kenneth Campbell Jr. ’98
August 3, 2025
Galen Dunkleberger ’02
September 25, 2025
Nicole Rachau ’07 Rothenberg
August 26, 2025
FRIENDS AND FORMER FACULTY & STAFF
Harvey Edwards
October 30, 2025
Jeanne Neff
January 30, 2025
Leona Stretansky
November 2, 2025
Students and Current or Emeriti Faculty, Staff & Trustees
The university offers its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those who have recently passed. To read the obituaries, please visit susqu.edu/alumni/obits.
GALEN DEIBLER , professor emeritus of music at Susquehanna University, passed away Nov. 20, 2025. He was 94.
A native of Snydertown and graduate of Sunbury High School, Galen earned his bachelor’s degree in piano from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, followed by a master’s degree from Yale University, after which he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Upon returning to central Pennsylvania in 1958, he joined the faculty at Susquehanna as a professor of piano. After his retirement, Galen continued to teach lessons and appeared regularly as a solo and collaborative pianist into his 90s.
Galen and his wife, Deanna, have been longtime supporters of Susquehanna’s Institute for Lifelong Learning and the university’s music department, including the Galen and Deanna Deibler Piano Endowment they established.
KENNETH FLADMARK , professor emeritus of management, passed away Oct. 11, 2025. He was 100.
Ken joined the faculty at Susquehanna University in 1961, teaching business and marketing with deep commitment and enjoyment for 31 years.
Two years later, he returned to serve as the acting dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business and finally as a business internship coordinator for several years. Ken was honored with the Lindback Award of Distinguished Teaching in 1983. Prior to his tenure at Susquehanna, Ken served on the faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology for 10 years and in the U.S. Navy for two years, including service during World War II in the South Pacific as a Petty Officer 1st Class.
THOMAS “TOM” McGRATH , professor emeritus of chemistry at Susquehanna University, passed away Nov. 25, 2025. He was 96.
Tom earned a chemistry degree from Franklin & Marshall College and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. After serving in the U.S. Army and working as a chemist for American Cyanamid, he joined Susquehanna’s faculty in 1963 and served for 45 years, with the last 16 years in the Financial Aid Office.
Tom challenged and inspired generations of aspiring scientists and advanced the sciences at Susquehanna. His most enduring legacy is the summer research program he founded. Former students established the Thomas F. McGrath
Summer Research Partners Endowment in 2015, which annually supports faculty-mentored student research experiences. The Thomas McGrath Chemistry Scholarship Fund was created in 2000.
JAXTON SUBER , a beloved student, friend and leader, passed away Nov. 5, 2025, at the age of 20.
A 2023 graduate of the Agnes Irwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Jaxton initially pursued neuroscience at Susquehanna before finding their passion in psychology, with an eye toward a career in speech pathology.
As a founding member of the Build Collaborative’s “Black History of Susquehanna University” docuseries, Jaxton helped focus the group’s direction with careful attention to detail and, most importantly, with kindness and tact.
Jaxton was a beloved leader of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and gave generously of their time and energy to Alpha Lambda Delta, the Black Student Union, Student Government Association and SU Leaders. Jaxton’s positive attitude reflected the values of engagement, inclusivity and leadership they always strived to uphold.
Galen Deibler
Kenneth Fladmark
Thomas “Tom” McGrath Jaxton Suber
by trystan layton ’23
End Notes
Bringing My Future Into Focus
“I’m proof that big dreams can start in small places — as long as you’re willing to chase them.”
— TRYSTAN LAYTON ’23
I’ve always known I wanted to work in sports — I just didn’t know what shape that dream would take. At Susquehanna, I found a place that let me explore everything until I discovered what truly inspired me.
When I arrived on campus, I dove headfirst into broadcasting, calling plays and learning the rhythm of live sports. While I found it exciting, I realized my passion wasn’t in describing the action; it was in capturing the emotion behind it. I started experimenting with video, motion graphics and design, and then suddenly, everything clicked.
I became the creative director for men’s basketball, producing hype videos, recruiting content and game-day edits. Around the same time, I launched my personal brand, Trystan Made It!, on Instagram to share my video and design work. Spending late nights editing and designing was practice for the career I was building in real time.
The support I found at SU was constant. The sports media program gave me room to grow, to fail and to find my voice as a creative. Professors like Dave Kaszuba pushed me to think critically and create intentionally, and their encouragement gave me the confidence to create boldly.
The hands-on experience paid off. I was honored as Susquehanna Athletics’ 2023 Student Media Worker of the Year. The real reward was the trust people placed in me. I was no longer just a student learning the craft; I was part of the team shaping how River Hawk athletics were seen.
Beyond the media room, Susquehanna offered opportunities that expanded my perspective in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I spent three unforgettable weeks in Morocco through the Global Opportunities Program. Immersing myself in a new culture changed the way I see the world and the way I tell stories, a skill that’s been invaluable in my career.
After graduation, I took that foundation to Virginia Commonwealth University, a Division I school in Richmond, where I earned my master’s degree and worked as a graduate assistant for creative content. The pace was fast and demanding —
producing highlight reels, social content and graphics for multiple teams — but it refined my creative instincts and taught me how to thrive under pressure.
In fall 2023, I had the chance to work inside the ropes at a PGA Tour stop in Henrico, Virginia, as a social media intern. Filming for Golf Channel’s The Cut, interviewing players and collaborating with PGA staff on live content confirmed that I could perform at the highest level.
Now, as the assistant director of creative content for women’s basketball at West Virginia University, I lead everything from media day shoots and recruiting content to NIL storytelling and social campaigns. I work directly with players and coaches to elevate our program’s brand and share stories that resonate beyond the court.
If you’re dreaming of a career in sports media, my advice is simple: say yes early and often. Learn everything you can: video, graphics, writing and branding. Don’t be afraid to fail, because that’s where you grow. And never underestimate the power of relationships.
I’m proud to be a Susquehanna graduate. It’s where I built my foundation and found a community that believed in my potential. I’m proof that big dreams can start in small places — as long as you’re willing to chase them.
“
The support I found at SU was constant. The sports media program gave me room to grow, to fail and to find my voice as a creative.
TRYSTAN LAYTON ’23
”
At Susquehanna, Trystan Layton ’23 was creative director for men’s and women’s basketball teams, capturing video and photo and designing graphics for their social media accounts. While studying sports media, he also was an on-air commentator for several sports, including basketball, lacrosse and track & field, and was a member of the men’s golf team and Association for Women in Sports Media.
Susquehanna University is excited to unveil ...
WHAT WILL YOURLegacy Be?
This newly redesigned planned giving website makes it easier than ever to explore how your generosity can make a difference — forever. Whether you’re just beginning to think about your legacy or ready to take the next step, the site offers clear, helpful guidance every step of the way.
You’ll find easy-to-use planning tools and information on traditional bequests, donor-advised funds, gifts of stocks and bonds, retirement assets and more, so you can start a confidential conversation with the university’s Advancement team about the giving option that best fits your goals.
Visit LEGACY.SUSQU.EDU today to explore the possibilities and learn how you can create a legacy that supports Susquehanna’s mission for years to come.
To learn more about legacy gift options, please feel free to contact Associate Vice President of Campaigns Simon Corby at CORBY@SUSQU.EDU or Senior Advancement Officer Chris Markle at MARKLEC@SUSQU.EDU.
GIVING DAY
WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2026
Every gift fuels the experiences that make Susquehanna extraordinary.
