The 2013 graduate and professional studies commencement will be held on Friday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. in Pucillo Gymnasium. The 2013 undergraduate commencement will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. at Chryst Field.

The graduate commencement speaker will be Dr. Cheryl Desmond, educational foundations, and the undergraduate commencement speaker will be Governor Tom Corbett, Governor of Pennsylvania.

No large bags will be allowed at either commencement ceremony. The University Police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our campus community. Guests attending the commencement ceremonies this year are asked to help in supporting campus safety and security by refraining from bringing bags of any kind. As at other large events across the country, backpacks, gym bags and other similar large bags will not be allowed into the venues. The University Police reserve the right to inspect all bags entering the commencement venues.

Also, recycling bins and the Big Bellies trash compactors will be at both of the ceremonies.

For more information, visit the commencement website. 

Dr. Cheryl Desmond

Dr. Cheryl T. Desmond, an education foundations professor at Millersville University, will be the speaker at Millersville University’s graduate commencement ceremony in Pucillo Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. on May 17.

“It is an honor to be asked to speak to our graduates and to have the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and their choice of selecting Millersville University, a public university where quality and value are second to none,” says Desmond. “They are graduating at a time of high expectations for them nationally and globally. They will be called upon to put their education to work, to invent their lives and their jobs and to imagine their futures into reality.”

Desmond has served as a professor for educational foundations, women’s studies, African-American studies, and the Honors College at Millersville University. She has also served as interim associate dean in the  School of Education, interim associate dean in Graduate Studies, chair of the Department of Educational Foundations, graduate coordinator for the Master of Education Leadership for Teaching and Learning program, and as National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and Pennsylvania Department of Education coordinator for the School of Education. She has chaired and served on several committees at the University, including the Presidential Search Committee and as a delegate to the state Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties Legislative Assembly. She has authored and co-authored two books, numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and presentations.

Prior to coming to Millersville, she taught as an urban teacher in Teacher Corps in Louisville, Ky.; an urban teacher and principal in Syracuse, N.Y.; coordinator of the Urban Teacher Preparation Program at Syracuse University; director of the Upper Valley Teacher Training Program and Research Associate at Dartmouth College; an English instructor at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and an assistant professor at Dickinson College.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College in 1970 and her master’s degree from Syracuse University in 1977. In 1990 she received her doctorate in cultural foundations and curriculum from Syracuse University.

Desmond is the mother of two children and the grandmother of two. She has been an active member in several community organizations in the Lancaster area. In the past she served as president of the Lancaster League of Women Voters and is currently president of Servicios Ecumenicos Para Reconstruccion y Reconciliation Siglo XXIII, a nonprofit organization dedicated to global and cultural peace and social justice.

Dr. Edward Rajaseelan

A professor who brings chemistry into the real world, Dr. Edward Rajaseelan,  was named the 2012-2013 Educator of the Year. The award is given annually to a faculty member to recognize excellent teaching, counseling, mentoring and advising of the undergraduate and graduate students at Millersville University.

“It is a great honor, as I was nominated by one current student with supporting letters from former students. I am also humbled to receive this award as there are many outstanding educators here at Millersville,” said Rajaseelan. “Chemistry is a science of logic, and I try to present the material in a logical manner and show them the applications in their daily lives.”

Rajaseelan joined the chemistry department at Millersville University in 1990 and teaches a variety of introductory and advanced courses in chemistry and inorganic chemistry. He is widely known for his research in the areas of synthetic inorganic and organometallic chemistry.

Rajaseelan’s commitment to student learning is demonstrated by his supervision and collaborative efforts with students on research projects, many resulting in presentations, peer-reviewed publications and post-graduation success. Beyond his outstanding instruction in the classroom and laboratory, he has exemplified extraordinary commitment to Millersville’s vision of empowering students inside and outside the classroom.

“I have consistently observed over the past 20 years that there is a direct correlation between a student’s academic interest and performance,” said Rajaseelan. “My pedagogical ‘philosophy’ if one can even label it as such – is straightforward: Students will want to learn and want to work hard if they are truly interested in the material and its applications in the real world. My primary objective in every single class that I teach is to spark the students’ interest in the material they are learning. This is what propels them to study and succeed in the classroom.”

Dr. Victor DeSantis, dean of the College of Graduate & Professional Studies at Millersville urges those who are interested in getting their master’s degree to take advantage of this opportunity. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Millersville to extend its reach into the Philadelphia market and more directly serve the needs of those students seeking an affordable and high quality education,” he says.

DeSantis says that these programs developed because the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) launched an initiative to better serve students in the Philadelphia area.

Millersville will be offering three graduate programs in Philadelphia: a master’s degree in sport management, one in technology education and English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher certification program.

“The initiative included finding a suitable location in downtown Philadelphia and inviting PASSHE universities to start offering degree programs and classes at the new site in Center City,” DeSantis says. “This is a wonderful collaborative project between the state system, Millersville, Cheyney, West Chester and East Stroudsburg universities.”

Classes for the programs will be located at the PASSHE Center City on 701 Market St. in the heart of downtown Philadelphia. The site is easily accessible by public transportation and strives to be flexible in meeting the needs of students living in the area.

There will be an open house on Thursday, May 30, from 5-7 p.m. at PASSHE Center City. Students interested in these graduate programs can apply online at the Graduate Program webpage. For more information, contact DeSantis at mailto:Victor.DeSantis@millersville.edu or Dr. Angela Tekely at mailto:Angela.Tekely@millersville.edu.

Dr. Helena Tuleya-Payne

After 12 years of dedicated leadership to the University, Dr. Jane Bray, dean of the School of Education and associate provost, will retire at the end of June. Dr. Helena Tuleya-Payne, psychology, has been appointed to serve as interim dean, School of Education, beginning July 1.  A national search will be held to replace Bray.

Tuleya-Payne has been a professor of psychology at Millersville University since 1992. She served as chairperson of the psychology department since 2001 and assistant chairperson two years prior to that. She held a leadership role in numerous committees and participated in searches and University task forces. Tuleya-Payne also served as co-chair of the “Rediscover Millersville” 2010 Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee, held membership on the President’s Advisory Leadership Council and the University Planning Council and served as a team member for both the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Accreditation and Program Approval and the Pennsylvania Department of Education Self-Study for School Psychology Program in 2005. In 2006 Tuleya-Payne received the Pennsylvania Psychological Association Award for distinguished contributions to school psychology.

Tuleya-Payne received a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology in 1972, her master’s degree in school psychology in 1977 and a doctorate in education in school psychology in 1983, all from the Pennsylvania State University. She holds professional licensure as a psychologist from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has an education specialist certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Millersville University is encouraging faculty and staff to become part of the “Experts List.” The list is made up of Millersville faculty who are experts in a wide variety of topics and cutting-edge research. The list is compiled for radio, TV, newspaper and magazine reporters locally, regionally and nationally.

“One of the best things about the ‘experts list’ is meeting people in the local community,” said Dr. Stacey Irwin, communication & theatre expert. “I have met with community groups about some of the new media theories and research I’ve learned along the way. The outreach has been rewarding, and I have been able to connect local media with my students for internships. This is something we can do to connect with our local community, and I think it is a great resource.”

To view the current experts list, visit the  UC&M webpage. To fill out the Experts List form, visit Expert List Registration.  For questions about the list, please email Janet Kacskos, director of communications.

L-R: Gina Masciantonio, Silent Leader recipient, and Aminta Breaux, vice president for student affairs

The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL) at Millersville University held its 11th annual Leadership Awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 30.  CSIL presents awards to outstanding student leaders and student organizations at Millersville that recognize their exceptional contributions to the campus and community. The following organizations and student leaders were honored:

Best Residence Hall Program—“Think Pink Night”

Best Student Program—Healthy Relationships and Sexual Responsibility Week

Club Sport of the Year—MU Ice Hockey

Club Sport Officer of the Year—Zach Juliano, MU Ice Hockey

Community Service Project of the Year—United Christian Fellowship Winter Break Service in NYC

Excellence in Diversity Programming—“Coming Out Day”- Marshall Hild

Intramural Athlete of the Year—John Rader and Jerika Volckers

Most Improved Student Organization—Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

Most Inspiring Athlete—Erin Runyon, Lacrosse

Resident Assistant of the Year— Nicole Cousins, Harbold Hall

Silent Leader—Gina Masciantonio

Student Employee of the Year—Erica Haertter, College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Student Organization of the Year—Early Childhood Organization (ECHO)

Student Organization President of the Year—Olivia Hippensteel, Delta Phi Eta

Advisor of the Year—Jayme Trogus, Women’s and Wellness Center’s advisor

Freshman Student Leader of the Year—Anthony Ciliberto

Sophomore Student Leader of the Year—Ricardo Brens Matos

Junior Student Leader of the Year—Max Shirey

Senior Student Leader of the Year—Gregory Durham

Since February Millersville University students, sophomore Denise Focht and junior Margaret McCall, volunteered for the program as fulfillment of their community service learning requirement. Throughout the semester, they assisted regular church volunteers with food preparation and in serving the breakfast.

On May 5 they prepared the hot food component of the meal by cooking scrambled eggs, sausages and hash browns.  The Millersville students were joined by their professor, Dr. Carol Heintzelman, serving the food.

Holy Trinity has been most fortunate to have Dr. Doug Frazer, accounting, lead this Breakfast Fellowship ministry for over 15 years.

David Rueppel

Distinctive is the best way to describe David Rueppel, a nontraditional student graduating this May from Millersville University. Majoring in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology, with a minor in history, Rueppel will be completing his undergraduate college career suma cum laude holding a 4.0 GPA.  Along with having a family, Rueppel maintains his academic performance while living with a mild case of Savant Syndrome.  Savant Syndrome is classified as a form of autism, where people who are labeled as Savants are considered to have lower levels of intelligence but display exceptional talent or ability in a particular area.

Rueppel transferred to Millersville University from Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) in the fall of 2010. “The finest people I ever met in my life have been at Millersville. I’ve been challenged here,” said Rueppel.  He also credits his professors Dr. Timothy Trussell, archaeology, and Dr. Justin Garcia, anthropology, for helping guide his journey through Millersville University as a nontraditional student. As these two professors learned Rueppel’s personal story, a friendship developed.

Rueppel and his mother moved to Lancaster from Lebanon, Pa., and he attended Milton Hershey School for boys in his youth. His relationship with his mother grew more dysfunctional, and she would always address Rueppel’s childhood ambitions with pessimism. Struggling to maintain familial ties with his mother and his stepfather, at the age of 15 Rueppel decided to run away from home.  As a result, he found himself heavily involved with illegal activities in order to survive.

It wasn’t until he met his soon-to-be wife Victoria when he was 17 that he began to turn his life around.  Rueppel and Victoria have five children, and he stated that he “wouldn’t trade fatherhood for anything.” “My wife,” said Rueppel, “forced me to make lifestyle changes, because of how she brought a dimension of peace and happiness to my soul.”

After receiving his bachelor’s degree on May 18 at Millersville, Rueppel will attend the Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, Pa., for graduate studies. “Millersville University has done its job well,” said Rueppel.  I would recommend this institution to anyone. I will always be a Marauder, and I will represent this University wherever I go.”

The OWLeS project is unique because it will involve approximately 35 undergraduate students from several institutions, including 12 from Millersville. “This presents extensive opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in cutting-edge research, from data collection in the field to coauthoring peer-reviewed publications,” said Sikora.  “Our research on the processes that lead to intense and persistent downwind lake-effect systems will result in better corresponding weather forecasts, thus mitigating those impacts.  This research becomes more urgent in a warming global climate, as boreal lakes are expected to remain ice-free for longer periods of time, leading to a longer lake-effect season.”

The OWLeS project will analyze the atmospheric processes associated with persistent and intense lake-effect systems in the area around Lake Ontario. The data collection will be at unprecedented detail, using an instrumented aircraft and multiple surface-based instruments. The OWLeS project focuses on Lake Ontario because of its size and orientation, the local orography, the climatological frequency of its lake-effect systems and the degree of Lake Ontario lake-effect system hazards on public safety and commerce.

Clark and Sikora will be collaborating with scientists from the University of Illinois, Penn State University and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.