York College Magazine 2021 Vol. 2

COLLEGE MAGAZINE

LEARNING WITH PURPOSE THE COBOT CO-WORKER

Mikaela Domingo ’23 >>

The York College baseball team had an exceptional 2021 campaign with their first conference title in 21 years. The Spartans won 28 games this year and advanced to their 13th NCAA Tournament. They entered a new conference after not playing a game for almost a year and clearly showed not only talent, but heart.

STORY ON PAGE 12

Alumni Twins Launch Company

With six kids between them, wanting more from their careers, and a pandemic forcing quarantine, twin sisters Nicole (Nichols) Halsey ’00 and Natalie (Nichols) Van Buskirk ’00/MBA ’01 found the best time to launch a business

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Cover photo: Mikaela Domingo ’23 with a cobot. Photo by Emily Rund.

VIEW FROM MY WINDOW

In the early days of my presidency, I led a comprehensive strategic planning process, combining input and advice from a variety of York College stakeholders in order to help us refocus our work. Updating our Mission Statement was a key piece of our planning as it serves to communicate to the world our chief purpose and promise as an institution.

As Purpose is the theme of this edition of York College Magazine, I am reminded once again of our Mission Statement: “York College prepares its graduates for productive and purposeful lives. As a diverse community of educators and learners, we provide a high-quality, private education that emphasizes personal development, close faculty/ student mentoring relationships, and real-world experiences. We partner with our community for the benefit of both our students and the broader region. We strive to make this world-class, private education financially accessible.”

Preparing our graduates for purposeful lives is in the first sentence, and is at the heart of everything we do. Now, more than ever, delivering on this part of our mission is challenging as our world is changing and evolving at a breakneck pace.

On one hand, rapid changes can seem daunting. On the other, evolving to meet those changes head-on is a part of who we are and have been from our earliest days as an institution. For us at York College, change has been our one constant. And, frankly, we are good at it.

Throughout the past 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued to deliver on our mission to provide the type of educational experiences that lead toward purposeful and productive lives after graduation. Many of these are encompassed in the experiential-learning component of our curricula. Project-based learning connects our students to real-world environments with external private and public partners to devise innovative solutions to actual issues.

Not only do our students learn “on the job,” so to speak, but they bring their experience back to campus so that our curricular offerings can be continually adapted to the demands of the workplace. From teaching students in our local schools to caring for patients in medical centers across the region, these connections give our Spartans invaluable opportunities to serve and impact the broader community.

Perhaps best of all, these learning opportunities give students hands-on experience and a chance to road-test a career. Equally important is that they develop those attributes that will benefit them regardless of their lifelong professional path–emotional intelligence, critical thinking, interpersonal skills and ethical reasoning. All vital to living a life of purpose.

YORK COLLEGE

President

Pamela Gunter-Smith, PhD

Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs

Laura Niesen de Abruña, PhD

Vice President, Development

Troy M. Miller

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

Mary Dolheimer

Vice President, Enrollment Management

Daniel Green, DMA

Assistant to the President for Capital Projects and Facilities Utilization

Kenneth Martin, PhD

Dean of Student Development and Campus Life

Rick Satterlee, PhD

Vice President,

Finance and Campus Operations

Anthony DeCocinis

Dean, Center for Community Engagement

Dominic DelliCarpini, PhD

Head of School, York Country Day School

Christine Heine, EdD

YORK COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Director of Editorial Services

Gail R. Huganir

Director of Creative Services

Lance A. Snyder ’05

Graphic Designer

Ryan Kidd ’13

Design Consultant

Skelton Sprouls

Photographer

Emily Rund

Writer

Colleen A. Karl

Senior Administrative Assistant

Colleen M. Adamy

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Send address label along with new address to: Division of College Advancement York College of Pennsylvania York, PA 17403-3651

717-815-1410 or email yorkmag@ycp.edu

York College Magazine is published three times a year (May, August, December) by the Division of College Advancement, York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA 17403-3651. Periodicals postage paid at York, PA, and additional mailing offices. Permit No. 174. © 2021 York College of Pennsylvania. Printed in U.S.A.

Pamela Gunter-Smith, PhD President, York College of Pennsylvania

We welcome your news and comments at yorkmag@ycp.edu. York College of Pennsylvania does not discriminate because of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, sex, or age in employment or in recruitment and acceptance of students.

WHAT IS TRUE LEADERSHIP?

Sophia “Sophie” Barnes ’22 Student Senate President

True leadership, at its root, should be about uniting people toward a common goal while also ensuring all are treated as important parts of the journey. People are far more effective when they know that they are cared for and respected as valuable pieces of the machine working toward that goal. True leadership is the ability to sacrifice your own preferences in order to lift up those around you, making the entire body more influential on its community. Leadership should not be comfortable—if it is, something probably needs to be changed. It is like a muscle that should always be stretched and pushed, requiring constant attention to see what is possible.

Dominic DelliCarpini, PhD Dean, Center for Community Engagement

True leadership is rooted in humility rather than in authority. History, literature, and philosophy provide myriad examples of failed leaders who let hubris blind them into demanding loyalty over honesty. True leaders, rather, understand that individual power afforded by a title pales in comparison with the collective power that comes from trusting and motivating others. As Thich Nhat Hanh has written, “You might give orders that people follow because they are afraid of you, but this is not true authority… Titles do not give true power.” Successful leaders, rather, are grateful for those who speak truth to power, who inform us about things we don’t know, and who guide us with alternative perspectives.

Joshua D. Landau, PhD Associate Provost for Student Success

Leadership is operating in the gray areas where the constraints are unclear. This means making thoughtful decisions in the context of your shortand long-term goals, available staffing, and the depth of your resources. The real test of a leader is revealed in how they react when they are faced with significant challenges. This is when real leaders emerge. Leaders are constantly learning and looking to others to share their expertise. This is why it is best to surround yourself with smart, motivated people and then support them so they can do their best work.

“

True leadership, at its root, should be about uniting people toward a common goal while also ensuring all are treated as important parts of the journey.”

— SOPHIA “SOPHIE” BARNES ’22

VACCINE CLINICS

Carter Landis ’22 was one of several York College of Pennsylvania students who volunteered at COVID-19 vaccine clinics on campus. Working at Country Meadows Retirement Community as a Medication Associate, Landis was able to get a vaccine early in the rollout process.

“I don’t like shots, but I trust the technology and the medicine,” she says. “Seeing residents go from being isolated and afraid to seeing family members again was the best feeling. I want that for all of us.”

Health and safety on campus is never something that gets ignored, according to Joshua Landau, Associate Provost for Student Success. In the pandemic, he says, “it was paramount.”

Student nurses were key in helping with check-ins, talking to people after the required 15-minute waiting period, and helping people understand expectations.

By coordinating with both WellSpan York Hospital and Rite Aid, Landau was confident that York College’s clinics would be as efficient, professional, and safe as any clinic hosted at other sites.

ENTANG WIHARSO: A THOUSAND KILOMETERS

August 23–October 16, 2021 York College Galleries

September 3–October 16, 2021 at Marketview Arts

Indonesian-born artist Wiharso touches on the role of power, historical narratives, and human agency.

Little moments, such as when Amy Downs, Director of Health Services at York College, knelt beside someone and held their hand as they received the vaccine, reminded him of the magnitude of the project.

“That’s what I’ll remember 20 to 30 years from now,” he says. “It’s that compassion, that moment of caring and coming together and saying, ‘this is important, and we need to do it.’ That’s what I’ll never forget.”

ACCOUNTING MAJOR MAKES SENSE

When Cy Overmiller ’22 decided to go to York College for his Accounting degree, it wasn’t so he could someday file tax returns and run the books for a growing business. Instead, he saw it as a needed skill to add to his plans for one day becoming an entrepreneur.

While a lot of students are financially conscious of how they spend their money, Overmiller did a cost-benefit analysis. He knew he could achieve a quality education at York College while saving money. What made the decision final for him was receiving a scholarship that helped lessen that financial load.

“I might not have considered college without the help of scholarships,” he says. “It just made sense for me when I knew I was making this investment.”

While he doesn’t run any business now, Overmiller is interested in investment real estate and hopes to save enough capital to invest in a business of his own.

He knows that employers are looking for qualified employees—and that often includes a degree. Beyond the investment

“Seeing residents go from being isolated and afraid to seeing family members again was the best feeling. I want that for all of us.”

— CARTER LANDIS ’22

in his education, Overmiller is building a portfolio of connections that he believes will help him when he’s ready to launch his future. As President of the Student Managed Fund, Overmiller has met several area professionals.

“I found a lot of value in my education at York College,” he says. “It has turned out to be an investment that is well worth it to me.”

York College supports students as they work to turn career dreams into reality. Some 99% of new, full-time students receive financial assistance or scholarships. A variety of scholarships and grants are available, based on both merit and financial need.

Why is it important for students to get involved?

It is essential for students to build relationships with their peers and find their “home away from home” in their first semester. That does not mean they will always find the perfect fit right away, but it is important to keep trying to find connections and a passion outside of the classroom where they can apply what they are learning in real-world situations. The connections they make in their fraternity, athletic team, spiritual life group, etc., are what keep them coming back and succeeding each semester. In my 11+ years at York College, I have never had a student tell me they wished they didn’t get involved. However, I cannot keep track of the number of times students have come back and told stories of how important their experiences were.

What have been the most popular programs among students?

also continued the ever-popular campus favorites such as bingo and trivia with a virtual twist. One thing we know for sure is that Spartans still LOVE their bingo! What is the best way to get students involved?

NATIONAL CHAMBER WINDS

October 29, 2021, 7:30 p.m. DeMeester

Recital Hall

Created in 2017 by conductor Robert Ambrose, bassoonist Daniel Bowlds, and oboist Sarah Schram-Borg. This event is made possible thanks to a generous gift from the Boustead Family Foundation.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) adapted quickly and learned that “take and make” events were a hot commodity this year. They got incredibly creative in safely packaging canvas paint packs, DIY blankets, ceramic painting, and journal doodling to name a few. Students were able to sign up ahead of time and had several days to safely pick up their packs for the weekend. They

An orientation leader asking a first-year student how they are feeling on day two, a resident assistant checking in with a resident who hasn’t been out and about much, or a peer advisor sitting with a student who is eating alone in the dining hall are examples of impactful small gestures. We make sure we are training our student leaders on the importance of how to get their peers connected. We also need to provide the students opportunities to get engaged in a variety of ways. Oftentimes it is through attending CAB events or residence hall programs, providing strong orientation and first-year programs, club sport offerings, and student work opportunities to name a few. At the end of the day, we have to continue to grow and change with our students and their ever-evolving needs to keep them active and involved on campus.

MEET SARA GOODWIN

“It is important to keep trying to find connections and a passion outside of the classroom.” — SARA GOODWIN

Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and New Student Programs

THE INAUGURAL JL SMITH NEW PLAY FESTIVAL

Theatre major Kyle Rossi ’21 helped organize, promote, and gather about 130 submissions for the Inaugural JL Smith New Play Festival. Thanks to a generous donation by JL Smith, spouse of York College’s President, Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith, YCP Theatre students put together a virtual play festival that took place May 6 and 7, 2021.

It was the first year of the festival, but Smith’s contribution will enable the show to go on for five years. It became a capstone project for Rossi, who saw the experience as an opportunity to stand out in his field. The winning play, Recounting, was submitted by Lancaster’s Dave Nice, and was performed on Zoom.

The JL Smith New Play Festival kicked off the evening of May 6, 2021, with the reading of six 10-minute plays, featuring playwrights from Atlanta, New York, Boston, and as far as Exeter, England, and Sydney, Australia.

Recounting, which made its debut the evening of May 7, 2021, was directed by Cal Weary ’99, a YCP Mass Communication graduate who now runs Weary Arts Group in York County.

JL Smith has been involved in York College’s Theatre program for several years, even contributing his own talents to perform in some productions. As part of York College’s EVOLVE campaign, Smith’s investment will further enhance the values of a York College education and provide a platform for theatre to thrive for years to come.

As a transfer student, Rossi sees

the benefits York College brought to his education. Most importantly, he gained the experience that will take him into what he hopes is a fruitful career in the arts.

“I’m really grateful to JL for doing this for us,” Rossi says. “I know it impacted my life, and it’s going to be here to impact someone else who comes after me.”

WRITER FINDS NICHE IN STEM

Maddison “Maddy” Hamaker ’21 was gearing up for her junior year at York College when her advisor asked her what kind of internship she might like to pursue. “I had no idea,” the Professional Writing major confessed. When her advisor, Emily Cope, sent her a list of possible opportunities, Hamaker doubted herself. What stood out on the list was a position for a Technical Editor intern with Voith Group, which is known for its three divisions: Voith Hydro, Voith Paper, and Voith Turbo.

“I saw the position, and I thought, ‘I’m not smart enough for that kind of job,’ ” Hamaker says. “It felt like I had no business writing for an engineering

WHAT LIES BELOW

With Producer Stephen Stanley October 28, 2021, 7 p.m. Humanities Center 218 The sci-fi/horror movie concerns a teenager who suspects that her mother’s new boyfriend is not what he seems.

“I’m really grateful to JL for doing this for us. I know it impacted my life, and it’s going to be here to impact someone else who comes after me.”

— KYLE ROSSI ’21

company.” With the guidance of Cope, Hamaker decided to take a chance and apply.

Hamaker was accepted for the position and jumped into working with engineers. That experience led to a second internship, where she was a Document Control Analyst. She soon discovered she had been nervous for no reason. Everyone at Voith was incredibly welcoming, Hamaker says, and she learned that writing is a skill set that’s needed in a variety of fields and specialties.

Hamaker’s supervisor and manager

PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF

Ena Haltigan ’22 could have given up on her co-op plans when COVID-19 canceled work opportunities, but the New Jersey native had her heart set on Langan Engineering, Inc. She liked how the firm’s leaders cared about sustainable practices and offered support for young, upcoming women in the industry.

“I had been in touch with Langan for more than a year,” says the York College Civil Engineering student. “I knew this was a place where I wanted to work. I had to be persistent.”

Haltigan applied for every open co-op opportunity the firm had available. Eventually, she landed an interview and was offered a position in their New Jersey office.

Just a couple of months into her co-op, she’s gotten experiences others wait years to gain. And even with fewer opportunities for in-person interaction, she’s made connections she believes will last a lifetime.

Langan Engineering leaned into that mission and helped Haltigan dive into work that was meaningful to her. On her fourth day of the co-op, she visited a project at Central Park in New York City, where she observed a subsurface soil investigation.

When she isn’t in the field, Haltigan is tapping into the resources that her co-op offers through its young professionals and women’s groups, which empower and support her as an up-and-coming Civil Engineer.

THE MOORS

By Jen Silverman, Directed by Carrie Klewin Lawrence, MFA

October 28 & 29, 2021, 7 p.m.

October 30, 2021, 3 p.m., 7 p.m.

Waldner Performing Arts Center Theatre

This play pokes fun at certain 19th-century writing sisters.

RACE AND SPACE

This past spring, an Introduction to Museum Studies class studied Race and Space at YCP, a deep-dive into the land and location of York College, as well as the historical racial demographics of its students. The research was broken into four groups: land use, York Collegiate Institute, York Junior College, and the College today—all while paying close attention to racial dynamics across that history.

“Some of the conversations can be difficult and not everyone wants to have them, but they’re so important for us to move forward as a society,” says Logan Morral ’22, a Nuclear Medicine Technology student.

The land where the College now sits was once home to the Susquehannock, a tribe of Native Americans who were largely killed because of disease transferred from white Europeans. Those who did survive are believed to have later died in massacres in Pennsylvania.

“That part of history can be tough to look at,” Morral says. “Knowing that history gives us a better understanding of how to do better as a society.”

Cecily Widmann ’21, an International Relations major, was interested in the fact that the College never segregated during the Civil Rights movement. However, she struggled to find diversity in photographs before the 1950s.

“The political environment is a tough subject, but we didn’t camouflage anything,” Widmann says. “…By understanding our past, we can move forward. We can see how location, cost, or other factors may have made it more challenging for a wider range of students to attend.”

KISS THE GROUND

September 22, 2021, 7 p.m.

Humanities Center 218

A documentary film centers on the Earth’s soils examining our relationship in the context of climate.

OVERHEARD

“I think our rates of gun violence are high and it’s something the community should rightfully be concerned about. Whatever the response will be, I think it needs to reflect the magnitude of the issue.”

a regularly scheduled meeting in Room 103 at 3:30 on Tuesday

Anthony D. Fredericks, Professor Emeritus, York College, in his article, “The Perils of Brainstorming,” Psychology Today, July 2, 2021.

“On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to remove the Capitol’s marble bust of Taney, (along with other noted defenders of slavery, including those who joined the Confederate rebellion against the United States government).

Such a move is long overdue, and the Senate will hopefully concur in coming days. In fact, erecting the statue of Taney was so controversial that the Senate initially failed to appropriate money for the bust, thanks to many of the same arguments about slavery, racism and historical memory that we are rehashing 156 years later.”

“The call for debt-free and tuition-free education isn’t going away, and so York College of Pennsylvania is leaning in.”

“Defining harm as shallowly as many modern activists do leads them to mistake symbolic gestures for concrete strategies for change.”

Erec Smith , Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, York College, “Redefining ‘Harm’ Infantilizes People of Color,” Opinion, Newsweek, April 6, 2021.

Vinny Cannizzaro, Director of York College’s Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy was quoted in “Results of York City gun violence study called ‘alarming’ and ‘extremely disturbing,’ ” by Logan Hullinger, The York Dispatch, June 7, 2020.

Danny Green , Vice President, Enrollment Management, in his Opinion guest editorial, PennLive, May 24, 2021.

Corey M. Brooks , Associate Professor of History, York College, wrote, “The Statue of Chief Justice Taney Never Belonged in The Capitol,” for The Washington Post, July 1, 2021.

“Brainstorming also places arbitrary constraints on the generation of ideas. As we know, ideas come at odd times and in odd places—not always during

afternoons.”

EDUCATION BUILT FOR IMPACT

CONNECT YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS WITH REAL-WORLD OPPORTUNITIES.

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER WITH A YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA GRADUATE DEGREE.

Discover our full graduate program portfolio: ycp.edu/graduate

”

I’m able to use knowledge from my MBA to actually start working where I am now. I can see things now that I didn’t understand before.”

Layton Daniels, MBA ’20 Pharmacist, York, PA

SPARTANS SERVE IS A YEAR-ROUND SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM

Spartan Service Day—now Spartans Serve—used to present a day focused on giving back. This year, students jumped at the opportunity to shift that mentality to creating multiple initiatives.

For one day of the year, Spartans Serve presented a campus-wide push for students to give back to the York community. But, when the pandemic changed things, instead of giving up on their mission of giving back, York College students decided to shift their mentality to creating multiple initiatives focused on community service.

“The collective spirit of Spartan Service Day was wonderful,” says Alex Burkhardt ’23, a Psychology major from Abingdon, Maryland. “The problem with keeping it to one day was that not everyone could participate that day or sometimes organizations could not benefit from the work of York College students beyond that single opportunity. This was a chance to think outside the box.”

As an Eisenhart Community Scholar, Burkhardt is part of a group of students dedicated to finding ways to make York better through volunteerism. By fostering connections between the campus and the surrounding community, Eisenhart Scholars make meaningful, impactful change in the lives of others.

It’s a mission that’s been incredibly personal to Burkhardt, who was drawn to the program as a way to continue the spirit of service she was first attracted to in high school. “I’m not originally from this area, so I recognize that if York is going to feel like home to me, I need to get involved beyond what the College offers,” she says. “This community is a great place. And I might not have known that as much as I do without being an Eisenhart Scholar.”

Three different events were planned in the past year as part of the Spartans Serve series. Each had a goal of helping students find ways to engage with the local community and get involved. The first event was a lecture by Cody Miller, Director of Service Initiatives at the Center for Community Engagement. With his unique connections to York, as well as the various scholars who are engaged in the community, he was able to share a wide variety of opportunities with students.

The second event was a card-writing initiative, featuring local artist and the Director of Communications at the Cultural Alliance of York County, Rita Whitney ’10, who was a former Appell Arts Fellow with the College. The cards were distributed to local nursing homes where residents may not have been able to see loved ones because of the pandemic.

The last event was a community service panel, where representatives from local organizations answered questions ranging from the services they provide to how they could use virtual support from volunteers. Each event helped Burkhardt learn new ways she could leave an impact, even if COVID-19 has changed the way volunteering is commonly done.

“I hope students realize that service is not something that has to be contained to one day or one event,” Burkhardt says. “It’s something that needs ongoing attention if we really want to impact change. I’ve seen York College and its students do great things in this community, and I’m excited to see that continue.”

“I’m not originally from this area, so I recognize that if York is going to feel like home to me, I need to get involved beyond what the College offers.”

— ALEX BURKHARDT ’23

SPARTAN SPORTS

BASEBALL SUCCESS

The 2021 York College baseball program entered into their first season in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth not knowing exactly what to expect. Head coach Mike Scappa ’98 had a strong core of dynamic offensive players and an experienced pitching staff. What he didn’t know is how his team would perform after not playing a game for almost one calendar year.

The Spartans answered that challenge in an impressive fashion. All they did in 2021 was win the Commonwealth regular season, win the Commonwealth tournament title, and make their 13th NCAA Tournament appearance as they finished the year with a record of 2810. The conference title was the first league championship in 21 years.

While the Spartan success was certainly a team accomplishment, three Spartans spearheaded the effort during the year. First baseman Jack Barry ’22, shortstop Austin Denlinger ’23, and lefty ace Brandon Haggerty ’22 each earned ABCA Division III All-American honors. Barry and Denlinger were second team honorees while Haggerty was a third team selection. They are three of 10 Spartans all-time to earn ABCA AllAmerican honors and the first since 2014 when Colbe Herr ’14 earned the honor.

Haggerty finished the season with a mark of 10-1 and a 2.49 ERA in a teamhigh 68.2 innings pitched. He struck out a school-record 84 batters and walked just 15. Haggerty led the Commonwealth in wins, starts (13), innings pitched, strikeouts, and strikeouts looking.

The All-American honors capped a trio of fantastic individual seasons. Barry was named the MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year and joined Denlinger and Haggerty on the All-MAC Commonwealth first team. Haggerty was also named the league’s Pitcher of the Year while Scappa was named the Commonwealth Coach of the Year.

Barry’s Player of the Year award was the first time a Spartan was named the top player in the league since Ryan Poff ’09 earned the honor in the CAC in 2006. Barry is the fifth Spartan baseball player to earn the conference Player of the Year award.

In addition to the three AllAmericans, three other Spartans earned ABCA All-Mid Atlantic honors as Conor Miller ’22, Jimmy Wiegers ’22, and Joe Capobianco ’23 were all second team all-region honorees.

Barry and Denlinger finished tied for the school record in single season home runs with 19. That total tied them for second in all of Division III in total home runs and home runs per game. The Spartans broke the team record for home runs in a season with 55 bombs in 38 games. That shattered the previous record of 43 home runs in 48 games in 2002.

Entering a new conference can be a challenge to any program. But entering a new conference coming off a worldwide pandemic? Well, that’s something that no program had a guide to negotiate.

The Spartan baseball team celebrated their first league title in 21 years.

SPARTAN SHORTS

The Spartan Athletic Department had another outstanding academic campaign. The department finished with a cumulative GPA of 3.41, a number that includes 468 student-athletes. York had 20 of 21 teams (indoor and outdoor track and field counts as one team) finish the year with a cumulative GPA of over a 3.0.

The Athletic Department handed out their annual DeMeester Academic Awards for the 20202021 year. The team awards were earned by the Spartan baseball team while the women’s team honors went to the women’s tennis squad. The baseball team combined to post a team GPA of 3.522. The Spartan tennis squad finished second on the men’s side with a GPA of 3.515 while soccer was third at 3.49. The women’s tennis team finished with a GPA of 3.78. Women’s basketball finished second at 3.69 while volleyball was third at 3.68.

Spartan Director of Athletic Communications Scott Guise has been recognized by EAST-COMM with the Irving T. Marsh Award. The award is given annually to the EAST-COMM member who, in the opinion of the membership and Executive Board, has exhibited excellence in the field of sports information. First presented in 1966, the award is named after Irving T. Marsh, the ECAC Service Bureau founder and director until his retirement in 1973. Guise is entering his 27th year at the helm of the YCP Athletic Communications office.

SPRING UPDATE

The Spartan Athletic Department made their Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth debut a successful one in the spring of 2021. The Spartans captured six MAC Commonwealth titles during the spring season, their highest single season total in school history.

The men’s and women’s golf teams kicked off the championship parade with tournament championships after a pair of banner regular seasons. Women’s tennis earned their first-ever conference championship with a dramatic 5-4

HONORS

The York College banner spring season led to 14 Spartans earning AllAmerican honors during the campaign. The men’s lacrosse program had nine selections, including a pair of positional players of the year. Ryan Kennedy ’22 earned the USILA William C. Stiles Memorial Outstanding Defenseman of the Year while Tyler Nation ’22 was

win over Lebanon Valley in the Commonwealth championship match. Men’s lacrosse posted an impressive 11-0 win at Stevenson to capture their first Commonwealth title. Baseball and softball earned their championships on May 15 with home sweeps of Lebanon Valley and Messiah to punch their tickets to the NCAA Tournament.

Overall, the Spartans now have 43 conference championships in school history with 37 coming in the Capital Athletic Conference prior to York’s move to the MAC.

named the USILA Long Pole Midfielder of the Year. Joining Kennedy and Nation on the first team was midfielder Dylan Wolf ’22. Brendan O’Sullivan ’22 and Jack Michael ’23 were named second team All-Americans while Will Harnick ’24, Eric Ranck ’23, Ethan Greene ’23, and Noah Bruno ’22 earned honorable mention accolades.

The women’s lacrosse program had juniors

Jenna Cholowinski and Riley DiFiore earn IWLCA

All-American honors. Cholowinski was a first team midfielder while DiFiore was the second team goalie.

The Spartan baseball squad had a school record three players on the ABCA All-American squads. Jack Barry and Austin Denlinger were second team picks while Brandon Haggerty was a third team selection.

TOP: The Spartans won their first Commonwealth title with a historic shutout win at Stevenson.

BOTTOM: The York women’s tennis and softball programs each picked up their first conference titles in school history in 2021.

PURSUITS

MICROPLASTICS’ IMPACT ON OUR ECOSYSTEM

Volunteers at a park cleanup gravitate to the plastic water bottles and shopping bags that clutter local waterways. But, even when those trash items are removed, their impact is felt by the tiniest of animals who call the lakes, streams, and creeks their home.

“We think of plastic pollution as the things we can see—the straw in a turtle’s nose or the plastic binding from a six-pack around a bird’s foot,” says Chloe Doyle ’21, a Biology major at York College. “But it’s the things we can’t see, the microplastics, that have just as big of an impact on our ecosystem.”

As part of an undergraduate research project, Doyle wanted to examine microplastics in local waterways. Her goal was to find whether urban or rural areas had more microplastics in the water and if the size of the creature that consumed the plastic impacted how much plastic was in its system.

“Environmental science has always interested me, and plastics is a topic we can learn so much about,” she says. “This was my chance to dive deeper into something that’s so important for our society.”

Doyle started her research by examining the litter in both urban and rural areas in York County. Most microplastics, she says, are about 5 mm in size, ranging from beads to plastic fibers to pieces broken off larger items.

She visited six streams. As she partly expected, there was more plastic litter near the urban waterways and less near the rural streams. By creating a 10-meter plot around each stream, she set out to see how much plastic she could find and then examine the invertebrates in the water to see how much plastic they had ingested.

While the invertebrates in the urban areas had ingested the most microplastics, the size of the creature didn’t seem to matter as much. While larger invertebrates didn’t necessarily consume more microplastics, even ones in more rural areas with less litter had microplastics in their systems.

“It goes to show that we don’t always see how far these microplastics travel in our waterways,” Doyle says. “Just because we don’t see the litter doesn’t mean it isn’t impacting nature.”

Doyle has always enjoyed being outdoors and often feels more content in nature. She also is vegan and hopes her choice in food helps make an impact in the carbon emissions that have harmful effects on the environment.

Being able to present her research not only helps her understand the impact of human habits on the world, but it helps her share that knowledge with others.

“Presenting my findings means I can hopefully get people to think differently about their plastic use,” she says. “There are little things we can all do to leave the Earth a better place than we found it. I think the more we uncover about that, the closer we are to treating our environment better.”

A CASE STUDY ON A MYSTERY ILLNESS

Jessi Graves ’13/MS Nursing ’21 studied acute jaundice in a patient who didn’t show any other symptoms. Her research was presented on Graduate Student Research Day, April 22, 2021.

She remembers speaking to the 64-year-old woman in front of her and noting the severity of her jaundice. A medical condition that causes the yellowing of the skin and eyes, jaundice can often present with many other symptoms, including pain or fever. This woman had neither.

“I hadn’t seen jaundice that bad since I used to work in intensive care,” says Graves, who received her Nursing degree from York College of Pennsylvania in 2013 and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2021.

The patient’s case was so intriguing to Graves that she decided to do a case study on acute jaundice, which examines why someone may present the physical yellowing commonly seen with jaundice, but has no other symptoms. The study was submitted in the inaugural Graduate Student Research Day at York College.

“I’ve always enjoyed learning,” Graves says. “Continuing my education as a nurse is incredibly important, and this was a great opportunity to share what I’ve learned with my peers.”

Her patient was four-weeks postoperative from surgery to repair a femur she broke in a fall. The woman was otherwise healthy, Graves states, and had chosen not to see a primary care doctor for about four years prior to her accident.

When she had a follow-up appointment with her orthopedic surgeon, the doctor noticed the discoloration of her skin. Neither she nor her husband had paid much attention to it. She was then referred to a primary care doctor, where Graves encountered her.

“It goes to show that we don’t always see how far these microplastics travel in our waterways. Just because we don’t see the litter doesn’t mean it isn’t impacting nature.”

— CHLOE DOYLE ’21

Sometimes, Graves says, painless jaundice can be a sign of pancreatic cancer, so they got to work right away in ordering labs to determine what was causing the jaundice. Lab results showed the woman had hemolytic anemia, a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made. The condition was caused by the aspirin the woman was prescribed after her surgery.

“It’s interesting that drugs we prescribe all the time can sometimes cause people harm,” Graves comments. “We often don’t think of those common, overthe-counter medications as something we should watch out for, but it’s a great reminder that everyone reacts differently to certain medications.”

Part of the woman’s ongoing care includes seeing a gastrointestinal (GI) specialist, who can further assess her needs and reactions to medications. Graves saw the woman later on when she was suffering from allergies, but she could not prescribe her any new medications until it’s approved by her GI physician.

“It makes it challenging for her to know she has this physical reaction to certain medications and has to be extra careful going forward,” Graves says. “It can be tough for someone in that situation, but I hope this helps her live a healthier life.”

The case study helped Graves examine the impact that primary care can have on someone’s life. It also feeds into her desire to keep learning and improving her practice. She often comes home from work to research symptoms she witnessed in patients throughout the week.

“There are little wins you can find in primary care each day,” Graves says. “It can change someone’s life, and that’s what I want to do.”

Associate Professor, Communications and Writing

College is much more than the classroom and learning. It’s hands-on collaboration of creative minds. For Associate Professor of Communication and Writing Travis Kurowski, teaching at the collegiate level is more than a career. It’s the opportunity to share ideas with like-minded adults.

“I always do the writing and art exercises in class with my students when I can, as it helps me remember what I offer as a teacher,” says Kurowski. “Students work on writing skills and writing confidence—persuasion in writing, elegance, brevity, becoming audience conscious, learning to talk across class/race/gender/age about sensitive issues, and so on— and all that is good for careers and life, whatever our students do.”

Kurowski’s approach is to create art through writing together through a variety of mediums alongside them. “Drawing and writing comics with students has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me as a teacher, because I come at it only as an amateur, a word that means ‘for the love of it.’ ” says Kurowski.

Throughout his career, the mindset of many new students in Kurowski’s class still surprises him. Writers fall into thinking that they aren’t or never will be good enough to have their work published or be like the great writers. He stresses, “the power is theirs, and they don’t need me or anyone to give them permission.”  — C.K.

Lab results showed the woman had hemolytic anemia, a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made.

“Students work on writing skills and writing confidence—and all that is good for careers and life, whatever our students do.”

— TRAVIS KUROWSKI, P h D, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, COMMUNICATIONS AND WRITING

LEARNING WITH PURPOSE

THE COBOT CO-WORKER

Mikaela Domingo ’23 is the first of several interns at York College who will gain industry experience thanks to a $60,000 research grant. She remembers being in her first robotics class in 11th grade and loving everything about it. It fed her fascination for building and creating moving parts. It ultimately led her to leave her home in Long Island to study Civil Engineering at York College, where she’s one of several students who will embark on a new opportunity that will continue to fuel that passion for creating.

Photos by Emily Rund

LEARNING WITH PURPOSE

Domingo was one of several York students chosen to receive grant money to find solutions in manufacturing that incorporate the help of collaborative robots, or “cobots,” robots that streamline automation. Cobots are typically programmed to repeat simple tasks, providing a cost savings to labs and removing the risk of human error.

The $60,819 grant is part of the Manufacturing PA Initiative, as announced by Governor Tom Wolf. York College’s project—“Developing Modular Cobot Automation Solutions for the Testing Environment”—pairs it with MRG Laboratories, a client company located in the College’s J.D. Brown Center incubator, and local manufacturer Airline Hydraulics Corporation.

When Airline Hydraulics Corporation was presented the opportunity to work together on a state grant for robotic automation of a lab through York College and MRG Labs, they eagerly jumped at the opportunity. Steve Heistand, Airline Hydraulics Corporation’s Automation Project Manager, says, “We pride ourselves on presenting innovative technology solutions to solve our customers’ challenging technical applications. Providing a cutting-edge collaborative robot (cobot) to York College allows us to pass our years of expertise along to the next generation. The cobot will allow the laboratory technicians to free themselves from performing some of the mundane and repetitive tasks found in a lab.”

Already a member of the STEM Scholars program at York College, Domingo has seen numerous times how students from various majors can come together to create impactful initiatives. “It’s great to see students putting our different skill sets to use to reach like-minded goals,” she says. “That’s what our careers will look like someday, and it’s important we put that into practice now.”

From Chemistry to Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science majors, Professor Greg Foy sees a variety of opportunities for York College students to dive into this project. “This grant provides an opportunity for us to have a blended, team approach to understanding how

cobots can work alongside humans,” Foy says. “We’ve not been able to find anyone doing this kind of research related to analytics labs. It’s incredibly impactful work that students can learn from and say, ‘I contributed to this.’”

The cobots that York College students will be working with each have a camera and a six-joint arm. The camera reads a bar code that gives a set of instructions, explaining the type of instrument the cobot is placed in front of and the process it will perform.

The cobot follows through with its programming and the training it was given, putting a lab sample into an instrument where data can then be read and uploaded to a server. That’s where the work begins, Foy says. Now, a technician, often a chemist or engineer, can look at the data and determine next steps for how to meet the needs of a client.

The cobot can be trained to automate a variety of systems, with different instruments and different methods. MRG Labs, which performs grease and oil analysis, will run several tests on a single sample. Being able to develop automation systems for some of their testing could be incredibly beneficial, Foy says.

The field of Civil Engineering can be very broad, Domingo notes, but she has set her sights on a career that focuses on reducing carbon emissions and elevates lean manufacturing. She hopes to incorporate some of that into this project.

“I’m excited to have this experience and maybe build something from scratch,” she says. “It’s good for the College and the companies involved. More people will know about us and recognize the opportunities that York College provides. They didn’t go out and hire professionals to do this; they put students in the lab. I’m very grateful for that.”

“It’s great to see students putting our different skill sets to use to reach like-minded goals. That’s what our careers will look like someday, and it’s important we put that into practice now.”

— MIKAELA DOMINGO ’23

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A small camera is located on the cobot. Steve Heistand of Airline Hydraulics shows Mikaela Domingo ’23 how to use the cobot.

Left to Right: Domingo adjusts the cobot watched by Oscar Winters, Associate Director, J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship; Rich Wurzbach, President of MRG Laboratories; Associate Professor of Chemistry, Greg Foy; and Heistand.

HYBRID GRADUATION

The Class of 2021 experienced a year full of unpredictable changes.

On May 7, 2021, York College recognized the multicultural representation of students during its Kente Ceremony. On May 15, 2021, students walked across the stage to be recognized for their accomplishments, and on May 22, 2021, their families tuned in to celebrate their hard work in a virtual ceremony.

“You have demonstrated courage, perseverance, and resilience. What I call, my brand of CPR,” said Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith, President at York College, as she addressed students. “In doing so, you have proven that you have everything you need to be successful.”

Commencement welcomed Zac Clark ’06, who founded Release Recovery in New York and appeared on a recent season of The Bachelorette. His celebrity status gave him access to a wider audience and a chance to share his own story of addiction and recovery.

“My challenge to you is to try to find some hope in my story, and to understand that much like you, at one point in my life, I was feeling very sorry for myself,” he says. “My challenge is to wear this COVID-19 existence like a badge of honor…Know that you’ve been through something together. You have this common bond.”

Photos by Emily Rund

“My challenge to you is to wear this COVID-19 existence like a badge of honor…Know that you’ve been through something together. You have this common bond.”

— ZAC CLARK ’06

A PURPOSEFUL CAREER

PATHFINDER

Musti Cook’s accomplishments have made her proud of the progress she’s helped make for women in her field, but, she says, it’s also left her with a sense of responsibility to ensure others can follow her lead.

She put herself out there to “break the glass ceilings” in the field of law so that others don’t have to fight as hard. “I don’t want generations who follow us to give it a second thought.”

“I remember when we elected our first female judge, our second female judge, and then it was 14 more years until I came along,” Musti Cook says. “I remember when people said, ‘It’s not your time.’ I just remember thinking, ‘What do you mean by that? Why am I not as equally qualified as this group of men who are running?’ ”

Despite the comments, she put herself out there to “break the glass ceilings” in the field of law so that others don’t have to fight as hard. “It can be a little frustrating to go through that process, but it’s important to keep doing that,” she says. “I don’t want generations who follow us to give it a second thought.”

Musti Cook graduated from high school and wanted to jump straight into the workforce. While she worked for The Bon-Ton in a variety of positions, including a retail buyer, she took night classes at York College. She pursued a Marketing Degree, hoping it might be beneficial for her career in retail. After six years of part-time education, she graduated in 1981.

While she felt like she’d spent enough time in school, she was encouraged to go after an MBA or a law degree. She chose the latter and pursued her Juris Doctor, which she received from the Dickinson School of Law in 1984.

At that time, there were fewer than 15 women practicing law in York County. None served on the bench. She spent a year as a law clerk for Judge John Miller, who helped

shape her as an attorney as she followed him to the court room and researched and wrote opinions. That experience helped her grasp the field of law in York County, giving her a chance to watch how other people shaped their careers and the issues that were important to them.

Musti Cook later entered private practice and went on to serve as solicitor to Children, Youth and Families. In 2005, she was elected to the bench. Her term as President Judge runs from 2021 to 2026.

If York College had not been so proactive in creating programs that were flexible for parttime students, Musti Cook isn’t sure she’d be where she is today. “I got a lot of support from people I met, whether they were fellow students or professors,” she says. “That really nudged me to keep going. I don’t know if I’d have gone to graduate school if I hadn’t had that encouragement.”

As she settles into her position as President Judge, there are several things she hopes she can accomplish. First, she hopes to help York County get past COVID-19, to a time where the court system can administer fair justice in a way that makes everyone comfortable.

“Once we get through this, I hope we can start addressing some bigger and broader issues, such as projects that keep people with mental health illnesses out of prison and others that help people with substance abuse issues get treatment versus face incarceration,” she says. “It’s also important to me that we try to make

sure we increase diversity in our profession and make sure everyone has fair access to our systems.”

<< Judge Maria Musti Cook ’81 is the first female President Judge of the York County Court of Common Pleas.

The Honorable Maria Musti Cook ’81 was the first female in many areas of her career. She was the first woman hired at one of the oldest law firms in York County. She was the first woman President of the York County Bar Association. And most recently, she was sworn in as the first female President Judge of the York County Court of Common Pleas.

ALUMNI TWINS LAUNCH MARKETING COMPANY DURING THE PANDEMIC

With six kids between them, wanting more from their careers, and a pandemic forcing quarantine, twin sisters Nicole (Nichols) Halsey ’00 and Natalie (Nichols) Van Buskirk ’00/MBA ’01 found the best time to launch a business.

“The pandemic really gave us a chance to look at how things were going in our lives and say, ‘Maybe we want something different,’ ” says Halsey. “It was the right timing, and we had the right contacts. Everything came together in a way that I don’t think either of us could have predicted.”

Their journey started about 20 years ago at York College. Van Buskirk earned her degree in Marketing with a concentration in Advertising and Management. She completed an MBA in Marketing Management the following year. Halsey focused her education on a major in Public Relations, minors in Marketing, Speech Communication, and English with a concentration in Writing.

After college, their friendships followed them back home to Maryland, where they credit a lot of those connections for their success. “You don’t realize going into college the kind of relationships that you’re going to build,” Van Buskirk says. “Those connections matter, not just for us on a personal level, but in a professional sense, too.” Both met their husbands, Shawn Halsey ’01 and Sean Van Buskirk ’99, at York College.

Van Buskirk maintained several marketing clients under Polished Nichols Public Relations & Marketing LLC, while she balanced being a full-time, stayat-home mom, and launched Polished Nichols Interior Design & Organization.

Halsey lived the agency life and eventually worked for a healthcare consulting company, where she had more flexible hours while still managing the company’s overall marketing strategies.

Van Buskirk says, “It seemed like a great fit for us to join forces and create something we both wanted.”

They are excited to watch Polished Nichols Public Relations & Marketing, grow, but they also know it’s a vehicle for the lifestyle both have always wanted—one where they can raise their families and teach their children how to work hard for success. “At the end of the day, it’s about doing something that makes us and our clients happy,” Van Buskirk says. “One day and success at a time—it’s a dream come true.”

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN MIAMI

Six fortunate York College students traveled to Miami in 2020 to experience Super Bowl LIV with Visiting Assistant Professor of Sport Management Donna Grove. The students were fortunate for a number of reasons: they put into practice what they’d been learning in the classroom, they enjoyed the culture and life of Miami, they contributed positively to the experience of fans, and they added an important item to their résumés. They were also fortunate that a pair of Sport Management alumni and a former faculty member stepped up to provide the funding needed for the trip.

“At the end of the day, it’s about doing something that makes us and our clients happy. One day and success at a time— it’s a dream come true.”

— NATALIE (NICHOLS) VAN BUSKIRK ’00/MBA ’01

Retired Assistant Professor of Education

Rich Achtzehn supported the experience because he believes in the Sport Management program and York College’s approach, which combines academics with practical experience. “We at York have always believed that doing is one of the best learning experiences,” he said. “Everything clicks for students when they have this opportunity. And there are so many benefits outside of the experience itself, like networking, making contacts and even comparing programs through discussions with students from other colleges.”

“As an alum and owner of a ticket sales and data company, I am extremely motivated to not only work directly with the Sport Management students as best I can—provide internships and mentorship—but also give back and provide when and where I can,” said Josh Hermann ’09. “I think networking is extremely important, and the Super Bowl has become such a monster of an event I thought this would be one great area to donate to help support so the students can get their feet wet and hopefully develop their network.”

“I heard about the opportunity for the students to experience the Super Bowl

were going to create some tough decisions on who could attend. I asked if I could sponsor a student’s trip to help out, and after a few phone calls, we made it happen.”

Six students participated, according to Grove, but the entire Sport Management program benefitted. “This was an experiential trip, and students had different learning objectives,” she said. “Each student worked with one professor in a particular class, and then served as a peer mentor to the rest of the Sport Management students in that class upon return from volunteering.”

Some students looked at the impact of large-scale events on the region and the ideological outpost that sports have in people’s lives. Others focused on effective volunteer management, marketing and communications, and risk management. Each was charged with bringing back lessons to teach to fellow students.

In Grove’s class, Sport and Society, a student created a video about her experience. Other students in class posed questions after watching the video, then they had to write their own reflection paper. “Each student presented in a different way, reiterating what was taught in the classroom and learned during the Super Bowl experience,” said Grove.

Matt Fanelli ’22, a Sport Management major from Reading, worked with Associate Professor Molly Sauder’s Sport Administration course.

“We bounced back and forth between two different places—the Miami Beach Convention Center and Bayfront Park—interacting with fans and the local community,” Fanelli said. “Super Bowl Live was at Bayfront, and at a free fan event geared toward the residents of Miami. The event at the Convention Center, Super Bowl Experience, was a paid event for fans from all over.”

“I could see a lot of different things happening at one time. I could see how a major event is set up, security is established at certain places for certain reasons, the flow of event,

Continued on page 28

BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Hunter Hudak ’22, Regan Cook ’22, Emily Renninger ’22, Donna Grove, Visiting Assistant Professor of Sport Management; Matt Fanelli ’22, Noelle Spinosa ’22, and Ryan Hussey ’22 at the Super Bowl.

“Everything clicks for students when they have this opportunity. There are so many benefits outside of the experience itself, like networking, making contacts and comparing programs through discussions with students from other colleges.”

— RICH ACHTZEHN, RETIRED ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION

“They mentioned that budgetary limits were going to create some tough decisions on who could attend. I asked if I could sponsor a student’s trip to help out, and after a few phone calls, we made it happen.”

— BOB ANCHARSKI ’04

parking, traffic, things I would not have picked up on if I had not had the Sport Administration class.”

“At Bayfront, I was able to connect what sport meant to the community members who attended events through the Sport and Society class. It meant a lot that their community was at center stage. I witnessed what it means to people, to families, to people who traveled across the country together to participate. It was cool to see those things from an administrative standpoint.”

The experience of Hunter Hudak ’22 was a little different. A Business Management major with a minor in Supply Chain Management from Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, he applied for the experience as a member of the Sport Business Association, a student-led organization. “I thought this would be a great opportunity for a student outside of the Sport Management major to bring a different perspective,” he said. “What viewpoint can I share as a non-Sport Management major?”

“It was fascinating to learn about all the aspects that come into play that were never taught in my Business Administration classes: contracts, event planning, getting sponsorships, etc. Then there were aspects that were relevant to Supply Chain Management. The NFL archives trophies and artifacts that were on display—how did they all get to this location?”

The amount of transferrable and career management skills these students gained at the Super Bowl will benefit them 100fold in the future, according to Grove. “They learned to talk to new people, they were told what their job was and then went to do it with little training, they had to ask questions themselves. Our students were such professionals about it. They were passionate, committed.”

“Talking with fans and families who came from all over the country and learning what sports meant to them was a highlight,” said Fanelli. “Understanding that what we do and love—and study—is the highlight of someone’s year or life was amazing.”

“We worked long days of games and events,” said Hudak. “We worked our butts off. We were there to represent YCP and make someone’s experience a little better.”

The alumni who helped support the trip with donations experienced similar realizations as students. “The program has given me so much, I felt compelled to help,” said Ancharski. “After the students returned, the SPM department had a really nice luncheon with the students who attended the Super Bowl, and we got to hear firsthand how their experience was and what they learned. I also received a very nice thank-you note from the student I sponsored. I think what the Sport Management program is doing to prepare the students for the ‘real world’ is just incredible.”

JOURNEYING BEYOND

David Gonzalez ’14 remembers when many York College students didn’t interact much with the broader York community. “You were just kind of in the four walls of the College,” he says, “and that was it.”

Early in his time at school, Gonzalez wanted to get involved, so he ran for Student Senate as a general senator. He later worked his way up to Vice President and eventually was elected President of the student body.

Slowly, he began experiencing the wider community beyond campus, and he encouraged others to do the same. “We really tried to break that mold my last two years,” he remembers.

From then on, he developed a passion of connecting people and advocacy, shaping the foundation of what would lead to a career he loves.

During his senior year, Gonzalez interned with Downtown Inc. and joined various committees throughout the City. He led the first student-organized First Friday events downtown and helped to secure student volunteers for the 64th Annual York Halloween Parade.

After graduating with a BA in International Relations, Gonzalez landed a community-relations type role at a local nonprofit organization. Two years later, he wanted to branch out into something more along the lines of economic development and overall advocacy, so he started looking for jobs with chambers of commerce along the East Coast.

“I applied to a bunch of jobs and started getting requests for interviews back,” he says. “I remember feeling, ‘Oh man, I guess I’m not going to be in York much longer.’ ”

On the day he moved back home to Easton, Pennsylvania, the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) asked him to interview for its Advocacy Coordinator position. After a second interview, the YCEA offered him the job on-site. “I was dumbfounded,” he says. “Within less than three weeks’ time, I was back in my hometown, was called to interview for a dream role in York, offered the job, and then I moved again.”

Today, as the Advocacy Manager at the YCEA, Gonzalez is responsible for government relations on the local, state, and federal levels. He helps business owners understand changing policies and regulations while working through any problems.

A CAREER IN THE CIA

Richard Irwin ’77 wanted to be a Pennsylvania State Trooper since he was a little boy. But, when he didn’t get into the academy, he started to look at other options. The Allentown native learned about the Police Science program at York College and decided to enroll.

When he graduated, he envisioned a career based on movies and books, and he hoped for excitement. He interviewed with the CIA and was offered a position as a protective officer guard, mostly working security for the department. Out of 100,000 applications, he was one of 54 people hired. “I had no idea what I was getting into,” he says. “I was in for an exciting career.”

Getting into the Special Agent Program and becoming a Senior Special Operations Program Officer led Irwin to 87 countries. He learned Spanish, French, and Italian. He served under eight different directors of the CIA, primarily leading operations against terrorists, drug traffickers, and human smugglers, among other things.

After 9/11, he was sent to Afghanistan as part of a special activity division to enhance security. Two-and-a-half months later, he came home to find a new opportunity awaiting him.

Following 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security was formed under President George W. Bush. Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was Assistant to the President for Homeland Security from 2001-2003 and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security from 2003-2005, and he brought Irwin on as Special Director to the President, where he framed courses of action for every terrorist threat, plane crash, chemical spill, or bomb threat.

It was here that Irwin first considered writing a book. His career had given him several unique opportunities to see the world and observe how the government functioned and responded to current affairs. It took him three years, but he wrote a book that detailed that career. After a year of going through an approval process, Irwin published KH601: And Ye Shall Know the Truth and the Truth

Shall Make You Free - My Time in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

“After retiring in 2004, I looked back on my agency career and felt very fortunate,” he says. “I was fortunate to work with some outstanding people who displayed incredible leadership. Those people impacted my life.”

While Irwin never became a State Trooper, he did get to speak to a graduating class of troopers while he was serving in the White House. He still feels a great sense of pride for the men and women in that uniform, but he also knows his career path took him to places far greater than he imagined.

“It all started at York College,” he says. “The right foundation can get you anywhere.”

“Within less than three weeks, I was back in my hometown, was called to interview for a dream role in York, offered the job, and then I moved again.”

— DAVID GONZALEZ ’14

“After retiring in 2004, I looked back on my agency career and felt very fortunate. I was fortunate to work with some outstanding people who displayed incredible leadership. Those people impacted my life.”

— RICHARD IRWIN ’77

ALUMNI AWARDS

Spartans of the Year is an annual awards program that recognizes outstanding alumni who have demonstrated dedication, excellence, professional development, and most importantly, a commitment to staying engaged with York College after graduating. This year’s award recipients are as follows:

Alexis Hart ’20

Andrew Undem ’09

Dani Robbins ’16

Dorie Heyer ’12

Emily Garrigan ’17

Josh Hermann ’09

Kristin (Summers) Schab ’04

Lorraine (Burr) Prete ’82

Sean Connolly ’14

Zac Clark ’06

In addition to the Spartans of the Year awards, three distinguished awards are given to two alumni and a faculty member or administrator with the College.

CALLING ALL SPARTANS AND YOUR FAMILIES!

COME HOME and enjoy food, fun, and activities. This popular annual college celebration brings together alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, family, and friends.

The Distinguished Alumni Achievement recognizes exceptional achievement in either a career or community service. This year’s award recipient is Michael A. Mueller ’90.

The Distinguished Alumni Service Award recognizes exceptional service and commitment to York College. This year’s award recipient is Robert E. Dee Jr. ’86.

The Professional Service and Leadership is presented to a faculty member or administrator who has served the College community with great vision and distinction, and who has demonstrated the highest qualities and characteristics of leadership in the completion of his or her professional responsibilities. This year’s award recipient is Dr. Joshua D. Landau, Associate Provost for Student Success.” Want to know more about these three recipients? Go to www.ycp.edu/alumni. Also, if you know someone deserving of a Spartan of the Year Award, nominations for the 2022-2023 year will open in January. Visit www.ycp.edu/ spartansoftheyear for more information and to submit a nomination.

SHARE YOUR UPDATE AND SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE

OCTOBER 1–3, 2021

• Enjoy First Friday in Downtown York

• Participate in the Spartan Advance Golf Outing and 5K & Fun Run

• Celebrate with students at their Fall Festival on Main Campus

• Cheer on Spartan athletes as they compete in games and matches

• Savor food, friends, and live entertainment at the Alumni SpartaFest event

Go to ycp.edu/fallfest to learn more about this fun weekend.

Throughout the year, York College graduates share milestones and successes from around the world. From wedding, engagement, and birth announcements to job promotions, creative projects, travel, and fun, Class Notes show what’s happening in the professional and personal lives of alumni.

Class Notes are published three times per year in an electronic format. Submissions are subject to edits and space restrictions. To view Class Notes or to submit your news, please visit www.ycp.edu/alumni. Any questions? Email alumni@ycp.edu.

Michael Mueller

Robert Dee

Dr. Joshua Landau

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Joseph Thomas “JT” Hand MBA ’19 President and CEO, York Water Company

JT Hand ’19 remembers sitting in one of his classes at York College of Pennsylvania when a younger classmate looked over at him and jokingly asked, “Why are you putting yourself through this?”

Hand laughs at the memory. His gray hair and company title certainly made him stand out among the others in the room.

Not long before, York College had presented an opportunity for a cohort with the York Water Company so several of its employees could pursue an MBA. Hand knew he had nothing to lose.

“I spent the better part of 30 years investing in my employers, whether that was when I was with the military or this company,” he says. “I spent 30 years growing my family and investing in their needs, getting my own three children to college. I realized at some point I needed to invest in myself. I found that investment at York College.”

After a distinguished 22-year career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hand spent the next 12 years of his career at York Water Company. With the vision of his transition to President and CEO in sight, he didn’t need an MBA to help his career grow or to give him another credential, he says.

“I was doing it for my own benefit,” Hand says. “I could challenge myself as much as I wanted. I could dive deeper into things that really mattered to me. York College recognized I was in a different place than a lot of the other MBA students, and they worked with me on that.”

York College professors helped Hand tweak assignments so he could apply his research or work more toward his role with York Water Company. But, sitting in the classroom also gave him perspective. Here, Hand worked alongside his younger colleagues and classmates, seeing how education and learning had changed over the decades since he’d been in a classroom.

are the types of employees we’re looking for,” Hand says. “It’s a great cultural fit.”

A self-professed connoisseur of community history, Hand sees the correlation of innovation that York Water has pursued since 1840, aligning with the College’s drive to do the same. One of the original York Water pumping stations was at Kings Mill Road, right across from where the new Knowledge Park will call home in the former Schmidt & Ault Paper Co.

That synergy of pursuing innovation led the York Water Company’s Board of Directors to recently approve a $75,000

gift to York College to help bring the vision of Knowledge Park to life.

“There’s a pride we have in being a member of this community with the College,” Hand says. “We at the York Water Company have gotten more than we ever deserved from the College. We don’t see this as us giving to the College; it’s us acknowledging that we’ve gotten more than we could ever return.”

to invest in myself. I found that investment at York College.”

EVOLVE:

THE CAMPAIGN FOR YORK COLLEGE

York Country Day School (YCDS), an affiliate of York College, creates individualized roadmaps for student success in college. Starting in 8th grade, students at YCDS begin exploring the college-research process to help them find the best fit.

Stella Kibinda can quickly name the things that are important to her in choosing a college: good engineering program, close to home, and school spirit.

For the 2021 high school graduate from YCDS, that criteria helped her narrow down her lengthy list of accepting schools, which included Drexel University, Virginia Tech, Temple University, and Syracuse University, among others. She chose Penn State’s main campus, where she will start in the fall and study Biomedical Engineering.

“I don’t think I would be ready for college if it weren’t for York Country

Early Advantage

At YCDS, students embark in the College Counseling program in 8th grade. With the help of Mr. Jake Doll, Director of College Counseling, students prepare for the transition into upper-school classes while keeping an eye on the end goal: finding a college or university that’s a fit for them.

Many times, Doll says, choosing a school is about what feels right. It’s about liking the campus, enjoying the food, and making connections.

For 2021 graduate Emily Lambert, who will study English with a Concentration in Creative Writing at Boston University,

Attending a Creative Writing course at York College of Pennsylvania solidified her career path. During junior and senior year, YCDS students take at least one York College course each semester, resulting in several credits that can transfer and give them an advantage when they begin their college education. YCDS has three students attending York College next year.

Finding the Right Path

The success of the program, Doll says, is that it’s not a one-size-fitsall plan. Through helping students identify career aspirations, to meeting with families, reviewing application processes, and even conducting mock interviews with real college representatives, each student is given an opportunity to find the right path.

Doll also helps with determining the right financial fit for a student. For students like Kibinda, that meant helping her earn a full scholarship to Penn State and remove the burden of cost from her decision in choosing a school.

“Now, I can take part in every

“I don’t think I would be ready for college if it weren’t for York Country Day School. If I didn’t have their support, I think I’d be clueless about where to start.”

— STELLA KIBINDA

1971: A YEAR OF FIRSTS

By the time 83 students walked up the hill from Gym B to Gym A (on today’s campus, from the Humanities Building to the Waldner Performing Arts Center) to receive the first baccalaureate degrees conferred by York College on May 29, 1971, a year’s worth of firsts had taken place and the commencement ceremony was the culmination of them.

The graduates of the Class of 1971 are the Alumni Association’s charter members; they were the first to own a York College class ring and the first to hear the Alma Mater. They voted to change the name of the sports teams from the Flying Dutchmen to the Spartans. And their gift to the College was the first installment on the construction of the fountain, an addition to the campus that York College President Dr. Ray Miller requested.

Bob Swankoski ’71, first York College Class President, recalls those days fondly. He was a member of the veteran’s fraternity Chi Gamma Iota and served on the Student Senate. He helped design the senior class ring and, on graduation day, Swankoski received the award for “service above self” from the Rotary Club of York. He lived in an apartment off campus

in what is now Country Club Manor (YCP purchased the complex in 1976) with Terry Lieb ’72 who would become the President of the Class of 1972. “YJC and YCP have a special place in my heart,” he says. “So many good things happened while I was a student there.” One of those good things was proposing to York Junior College alumna Donna Krug ’70 on the banks of Tyler Run beneath a willow tree.

The June 1971 issue of York Scene Magazine points out that May 29 was “The End of the Beginning… [the] finished product of 184 years of educational cultivation,” referring to York College’s deep educational roots: the first school in our lineage, the York County Academy, was founded in 1787.

This year we celebrate our first 50th anniversary and our first 234 years of education.

— Karen Rice-Young ’92

York College’s Archives welcomes donations of college-related materials. Contact Karen Rice-Young ’92 at kriceyou@ycp.edu, 717-815-1439 for more information.

ABOVE: Class of 1971 commencement ceremony and program.

RIGHT: Bob Swankoski ’71, first York College Class President, and Donna Krug ’70, his wife.

441 Country Club Rd.

York, PA 17403-3651

www.ycp.edu/yorkmag

Scholarship with Purpose

SPOTLIGHT: YORK COLLEGE

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (YCCOSP)

At York College, we care about instilling pride and purpose in our students. YCCOSP provides a select group of promising and deserving York City School District students the opportunity to attend college regardless of financial circumstances, and to promote and assist these students with career and leadership opportunities in their own community.

THROUGH YCCOSP, YORK COLLEGE PRIORITIZES:

• Access to a stellar education with a full-tuition scholarship

• Support to successfully complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree

• Preparation and opportunity for meaningful employment in York, Pennsylvania

• Guidance and encouragement to participate in organizations that shape the future of York City and York County

Support current and future students’ opportunity to grow into the changemakers of tomorrow with a gift to scholarships, like YCCOSP, at EVOLVE.YCP.EDU