Congratulations Graduates!

The English and World Languages Department has had a very strong graduating winter class this year with 1 Master’s Degree Graduate, 1 Post-Baccalaureate and 14 Bachelor’s Degree Graduates!

Change is certainly not easy, as we all know. This has been a year of never-ending adjustments. Some modifications are for the better, like the English and World Languages programs merging to becoming one super program. Some changes were a mixed result and took time, like going from in-person learning, to remote, and now back to learning in-person again. However, some variations from the norm can be scary, like graduating and moving on. Scary doesn’t necessarily mean bad though. Change even when it is uncertain, can be good. This new uncertain deviation only means that great things are on the horizon for our Millersville students! John F Kennedy once famously said, “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future.” So, in that spirit, it wonderful to see these students move towards their bright futures even if they have to leave us.

When reaching out to graduating students there was an opportunity to gain some reflections from their time here at Millersville, as well as what they planned to do moving forward.

Leah Freeman, who is graduating Summa Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in English and a concentration in Writing, explained of her time here:

I don’t know how it happened or why, but Millersville, especially the Honors College, has opened me up to so many opportunities to work and gain experience in my field and participate in college life in a way I would have never expected of myself in the past. I truly gained a lot from the experience!

Leah was the past editor and director for the Honors Report and continues to write for it now. She has been the editor for the University Research Newsletter and interned as an editor and project manager for the Made in Millersville Journal! This semester Leah is a Volunteer Coordinator for the HCSA and Secretary of MU’s ODK Circle and is a part of the honors society Phi Kappa Phi! On top of all of that, she also just completed her Honors/Departmental Honors thesis to Graduate. Where did she find the time? Wherever she found it, it is a great accomplishment to have flourished so much here at Millersville!

When asked what’s up next for her, Leah was all too eager to share:

I will be around the area for another six months until my lease ends once I graduate, and I plan to just work and earn money during that time. I hope to then move, I am thinking to Massachusetts, and go to graduate school for English ASAP. However, who knows where life will take me—I am not too worried about it, though.

Millersville isn’t worried either Leah, it seems like you have everything well in hand. Your Millersville Family is always here, cheering you every step of the way. Good luck in all of your future endeavors.

We also offer congratulations to Kayla Young who described her experience at Millersville. Kayla is graduating with a dual major. She is getting her BA in Language and Cultural Studies and a BS in Speech Communication. Kayla was asked to reflect upon her time here at Millersville and this is what she felt most encompassed her feelings about her time spent here:

Some reflections I have is that I enjoyed all the leadership opportunities I was able to possess here at MU; from being a Residential Assistant all the way to being the President of the Millersville University Gospel Choir. I can say I have truly grown into a stronger more confident individual. I’m leaving MU with a better understanding of culture, education, and so much more. I am very proud to be a Marauder, and I’m truly blessed to have been able to do my studies here at such an amazing University. Thanks to all the Professors who took the time to help me grow, and thanks to MU for 4 life changing years full of experiences crafted for the future me. Through all the mountain tops and valley lows, I made it and I survived! Glory to God and shout out to MU for one heck of a ride!

It sounds like it was a great experience overall. The department couldn’t be more proud of you Kayla, and is very happy that you were able to grow and found success and happiness here at Millersville and in English and World Languages. In fact, Kayla had this to say about the Department:

Another thing in Millersville University in this department has increased my knowledge and understanding of the Hispanic community, their language, culture, struggles, and successes so much more. I have a whole new sense of respect for the Hispanic community today, and I feel like I have grown a lot in my studies as a Spanish Language and Culture Studies Major.

Kayla is heading off to do great things to come. Best wishes and success in the future Kayla!

Dr. Caleb Corkery, who is the English Club advisor and professor of writing and literature for the English Department, also wanted to bestow some words of wisdom upon our graduating class; “When you compare yourself to others and critique yourself for where you stand, remember this: the best of what I have to offer is the real me.  Lean in to what you do best.”

Congratulations to Millersville University’s English and World Languages Graduating Winter 2021 Class

Master of Arts Degree

William Artz

• Major: English

Post-Baccalaureate Certification

Rachael Prensner

• Certification: Spanish

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Margoth Alvaro

• Major: Language & Culture Studies, Concentration – Cultural Studies Spanish
• Minor: Psychology

Jadon Noah Barnett

• Major: Languages and Culture Studies, Concentration – Culture Studies Spanish

Kathryn Elizabeth Brown

• Major: English Writing Studies
• Minor: Theater

Aaron Matthew Gregory Cook

• Major: English
• Minor: History

Taylor Marie Hough

• Major: Education English and Inclusive Education (Bachelor of Science)

Emily E. Hyser

• Major: English
• Minor: English Journalism

Daniel J Irwin

• Major: English Writing Studies
• Honors College
• Minor: General Applied Engineering & Technology

Leah Freeman

• Major: English
• Honors College
• Minor: ESL/Linguistics
• Minor: Psychology

Grace Annabelle Long

• Major: English
• Minor: History

Molly Kathleen Merson

• Major: English
• Minor: English Journalism

Jessica Lynn Rapp

• Major: English
• Minor: ESL/Linguistics

Jade Ryan

• Major: Education English and Inclusive Education (Bachelor of Science)
• Minor: Inclusive Education

Jocelyn Sarah Weitzman

• Major: English

Kayla Kristina Young

• Major: Language and Culture Studies
• Major: Speech Communication (Bachelor of Science)

As this chapter closes in the book of your life, and you begin the next, remember that your Millersville family is always here for you. Our heartfelt congratulation to all of the graduates!

Special thank you to Artemis Harris (English GA), Jordan Traut (English GA), Drs. Justin Mando and Nicole Pfannenstiel for their work on this newsletter.