The Olympic specter, B1
“Live at the Apollo” returns to SU, C1
A review of “Wuthering Heights”, D1
Mens basketball wins 96-72, E1
@ShipUSlate Thursday
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Volume 69 No. 15
Reporting truth. Serving our community.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Celebrating Black History Month
Lessons in leadership with entrepreneurs Jay Sidhu and Sherrod Davis Savannah Silvestre Staff Contributor
On Friday, the Charles H. Diller Jr. Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation, the College of Business Dean’s Office, the President’s Office and Small Business Development Center collaborated for a special event featuring two entrepreneur guest speakers, Jay Sidhu and Sherrod Davis. The event was open to students, faculty, staff, business owners and the Shippensburg community. Before the speakers went on stage, the attendees were encouraged to enjoy a hot lunch and opportunities to network. Once everyone was settled, Robin Burtner, director of the Diller Center and Small Business Development Center, took the stage to
introduce Sidhu and Davis. Sidhu is currently the executive chairman of Customers Bancorp, Inc. and Customers Bank. He joined Customers Bank in 2009 when it was known as New Century Bank, and the company was a $250 million asset-troubled bank. Today, it is a high-performing bank with over $21 billion in assets. Sidhu also served as the chairman and CEO of Sovereign Bancorp Inc. and Sovereign Bank from 1989 to 2006. After he retired from Sovereign, Sidhu served as the chairman and CEO of Sidhu Advisors, LLC. He has received various recognitions, such as Financial World’s CEO of the Year, Turnaround Entrepreneur of the Year, and Large Business Leader of the Year by the Chamber of
Commerce. Sidhu’s memoir, “Never Ever, Ever Give Up,” details his American dream journey. He touches on his experiences in banking, raising a family, leadership tips and more. Each attendee received a free book and a chance to have Sidhu sign it at the end of the event. Sherrod Davis is the co-founder and CEO of Ecomap Technologies, where he drives AI-powered solutions that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems. His work earned him a “Best in Tech” Executive award and “40 Under 40” recognition from the Baltimore Business Journal. The two shared the stage throughout the interactive session and Q&A. Sidhu spoke on his inspiring true story that features values of leadership, commitment,
resiliency and happiness, while Davis discussed his challenges, failures and the eventual success after working through a crisis. “I believe two things really strongly: we can control our attitudes, and we can control our efforts,” said Davis. “Things are going to happen in life, and we have the power to decide how we are going to handle them.” Todd Whitman, professor and faculty chair in the Counselor Education Department at Shippensburg University, gave the closing remarks on the event by recapping the highlights from the speakers. All in all, the event proved to be an inspiring and educational session. Attendees were encouraged to dream big and never ever, ever give up their dreams.
Savannah Silvestre / The Slate
Shippensburg University faculty joined Jay Sidhu (center) and Sherrod Davis (center-right) in advocating for student entrepreneurs.
Savannah Silvestre / The Slate
Jay Sidhu signs a students copy of his memoir “Never Ever, Ever Give Up,” which details his life story, banking career and leadership tips.
‘The Man Who Wouldn’t Give Up’ The life and science of Dr. Percy Levon Julian George Hogan Asst. News Editor
George Hogan / The Slate
Chemistry professor Joseph Shane speaks on Julian’s fight for equality alongside the NAACP.
In celebration of Black History Month, students and professors gathered in Franklin Science Center for Professor Joseph Shane’s lecture to remember the Civil Rights Movement progress and scientific breakthroughs that Percy Levon Julian accomplished during his life. With motivation from his son, Julian made great strides in the Civil Rights Movement. Julian joined the NAACP and Urban League, fighting for equality by helping with housing discrimination, getting funding for civil rights lawyers, was an advocate for education and helped fund Martin Luther King Jr.
during Julian’s later years in life. In the beginning, he spent his time focused on growing his scientific knowledge. Julian was born in 1899 in Montgomery, Alabama, having a childhood where his grandparents and parents encouraged his educational growth every step of the way. He attended school until eighth grade, followed by two years in a teacher training program. Then he went on to attend DePauw University, leaving as valedictorian and starting an extensive career in science. According to Shane, when Julian passed away in 1975 at age 76, he held over 130 chemical patents. Two plants Julian worked with led him to make innovations for people’s health that were revolutionary. He
worked for the Glidden Co., first with the Calabar bean, and then later soybeans. Julian developed physostigmine, derived from the Calabar bean, which was the first effective medication for treating glaucoma. Another achievement while he was working at the Glidden Co. was developing a means of synthesis for a precursor of cortisone drugs at a low cost. Cortisone, a pain-relieving medication, allowed individuals with crippling arthritis to function. He held the role of director of research at the lab in Chicago’s soybean laboratory and processing facility, funded by Henry Ford. See “JULIAN,” A2
Uncontested SGA officer candidates speak at McFeely’s
Gabe Rader
Staff Contributor
Shippensburg University’s Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the university’s elected student representative body and allocates funding to student organizations. SGA held its officer election forum Thursday at McFeely’s Cafe, where four unopposed junior candidates outlined their priorities for the 2026-27 academic year. The uncontested candidates are Emily Wojnarski for president, Daniel McCleary for vice president, Ryan Mills for vice president of finance and Chase Garrison for vice president of student groups. Each delivered opening remarks and answered questions about
leadership, campus life and their goals if elected. Wojnarski, currently serving as vice president of finance, said her campaign centers on visibility and communication. She told the audience that many students she encounters do not know what SGA is or how to bring concerns forward. “I came across many students during my time at SGA who do not even know that we exist,” Wojnarski said. Her top priority as president would be “bridging the gap between students and administration,” beginning with greater transparency. Wojnarski said she plans to strengthen SGA’s internal culture while increasing engagement across
campus by attending more events, collaborating with student organizations and better promoting office hours and public meetings. “On an individual level as president, I promise to listen to student concerns and advocate for them to the best of my abilities,” she said. McCleary, the current vice president, is seeking re-election. He described his role as largely administrative and behind the scenes. “Most of what I do within student government is just in the background,” McCleary said. “In essence, my job exists so that your senators are able to represent you even better.” McCleary said the vice president
position combines duties that were previously split between internal and external affairs and that he hopes to continue refining the role. Mills, a junior chemistry major and current senator for the College
of Arts and Sciences, is running for vice president of finance. He said he wants to make the budget request process more understandable for student organizations. See “SGA,” A2
Gabe Rader / The Slate
Candidates in the running pictured left to right: Chase Garrison, Ryan Mills, Emily Wojnarski and Daniel McCleary.