kmadas

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 5 days, 14 hours ago

    MU’s Annual Day of Giving on 2/20 Now in its 12th year, Millersville University’s annual online day of giving returns this Feb. 20. In 2024, the fundraiser raised $826,634 in just 24 hours from 2,276 gifts. This year’s theme celebrates “tradition and transformation,” a reference to the University’s strategic plan and, like years before, encourages the community to give to what they love. Make a donation to Millersville on Feb. 20 by visiting millersville.edu/onedaygive.    Gifts made to MU on One Day Give can be designated to any area of interest and all contributions will go directly to the donor’s preferred area, whether it be academic departments, athletic teams, or specific funds. Participants may make donations online, by phone at 717-871-7520 or on campus at the following Celebration Stations:   Evergreen Cafe: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Lehigh Hall: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  McNairy Library: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  University Store: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  “I’m amazed by the way our community supports us each year during One Day Give,” says Victor Ramos, vice president for advancement at Millersville. “Together, we ensure that the needs of our students, athletic teams, scholarships and programs are met not just for this year, but for years to come.”  Returning in 2025 are numerous matching challenges and giving incentives throughout the day, included the limited-edition One Day Give socks. The socks are available to alumni, staff and faculty as a thank you for their gift of $25 or more. Students are eligible to get an exclusive T-shirt with a gift of $10 or more.   For more information, visit millersville […] “MU’s Annual Day of Giving on 2/20”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 1 week ago

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 2 weeks, 6 days ago

    Celebrating the Legacy of Jerry and Susan Eckert in Philanthropy “Jerry Eckert has been a guiding light for me to understand philanthropy,” says Dr. Samuel N. Lombardo. “About 15 years ago, he told me he was going to make me happy by learning how to give back.” Lombardo made his comments after he and his wife Dena received the Susan and Gerald Eckert Philanthropic Service Endowment Award on Oct. 30, 2024. Established in 2015, the Eckert Award is given to a recipient based on their exemplary service and philanthropy in advancing the mission of public higher education. The unique aspect of the endowment is the recipient(s) directs the annual interest from the endowment to a University program of their choice. “Our objective in establishing the award was to recognize appropriately the impact of those giving of their time and treasure to improve the human condition and our community,” says Jerry Eckert. In speaking to the group of past recipients and other benefactors, Eckert said, “What we learned and observed from all of you and wish to emphasize is that your philanthropy is a most worthy investment, having long-range impact. As investors, you may never know specifically those who have benefited, and you may never know the compound interest factor where many are impacted, such as family members and our community.” “Philanthropy is about telling stories – the impact that giving has on students and our community,” says Eckert. “We hope our interactions with many of you delivered on the promise that you will experience satisfaction, joy and happiness by giving. Your philanthropy is an investment, sometimes short range, but most times a longer one in advancing our society.” Susan Eckert, the former president of United Way of Lancaster County, is on the advisory board for the Eckert Art Gallery at Millersville University. Established in 2012 in honor of Susan and Jerry Eckert, the Eckert Art Gallery’s mission is to present diverse, dynamic and meaningful visual art experiences to inspire learners to grow both intellectually and personally. It is the University’s main exhibition space, dedicated to providing high-quality exhibits that feature nationally and internationally recognized artists with the goal of infusing the local and regional art community with new perspectives and exceptional visual art. In addition, the Eckerts annually sponsor an art exhibit and the student intern for the gallery. And they established an endowed scholarship for a nontraditional student in honor of Susan’s mother, Dorothy Connolly. Jerry Eckert was the first vice president for University Advancement at Millersville. He founded the division in 1985 upon his arrival at the University. During his tenure, Eckert propelled the University’s alumni, communications and marketing, special events, government relations and development programs. He guided the University through three highly successful capital campaigns totaling more than $150 million. These efforts have greatly enhanced University scholarship and program offerings as well as facility improvements over the last 25 years. The Eckerts have served on countless boards, including WITF, Hourglass, Steinman Institute, Fulton Theatre, Prima Theatre, Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Linden Hall, and J. […] “Celebrating the Legacy of Jerry and Susan Eckert in Philanthropy”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 3 weeks, 3 days ago

    An Educator’s Journey from Addis Ababa to Millersville Negede Aligaz does many things: she’s an educator, a full-time student, a graduate assistant while she’s earning her master’s degree in early childhood education at the ‘Ville. She’s also the founder, director and part owner of Little Einsteins Addis Early Learning Center.  That’s a lot of work for any person. But things are a bit more complex for Aligaz: the center she founded and directs is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It’s a prestigious Highscope/Montessori-style school that often works with the families of visiting diplomats and government workers. Aligaz is doing it all while living and studying stateside working on not her first, but second master’s degree. She already holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature and a master’s degree in teaching English as a second language from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, along with her bachelor’s degree from MU.   Following the completion of her first undergraduate degree, Aligaz quickly accepted a proofreading job to help pay the bills. She didn’t intend to stay in that role for long and accepted a job at an early learning center on a whim.   This choice would prove to be pivotal for her career. While working at the center, she found herself under the tutelage of the principal, a woman named Jane with many years of experience as an educator. “I was an assistant with no clue on how to interact with kids because it was just me and my brother growing up,” she explains, noting that at that time, she wasn’t certain if she even wanted to invest her career in education. “I did not know anything about interacting with kids, but I had the passion. I was a quick learner.”  But Jane, she says, saw something in her she had yet to see. Aligaz was a naturally gifted educator. Jane nurtured that growing ability, gave her opportunities to learn and grow, promoting her through the ranks, and soon enough, Aligaz discovered she had a real passion and skill for molding young minds herself. “She trained me for more than three years and I’m grateful for her. I would not be here in this profession, to be honest, without her.”  Eventually, Aligaz wanted to strike out on her own. She found investors and other teachers who believed in her vision, opened an early learning center with her business partner called Little Einsteins Addis in 2016. Today, the center serves approximately 65 children from more than 24 nationalities. The school was, and is, flourishing. And yet, Aligaz wanted to learn more to better herself and the center.   With family ties in Pennsylvania, it seemed like a logical place to look. Her family spoke highly of Millersville. The University and the education department’s longstanding reputation for educating top-tier teachers was also attractive to Aligaz. “The fun part about education is that you can never say it’s enough. You never say, ‘I’m there and I know it all.’ So, you have to keep reading. You have to go to school,” she explains. “And here I am going to school and doing it again.”   Aligaz is also the graduate assistant for the International Programs and Services office. “As an international student, I know how hard the first few months could be adjusting to the weather, understanding the school system and everything,” she explains. “I love helping and mentoring new international students by sharing my experience. I feel proud to be a part of the team that helps international students have the best experience while they are away from home.”  Aligaz says she’s not just getting a Millersville education to better herself. “It’s not just an individual benefit; it’s also for the center. I have to go back to school and challenge myself. I have to […] “An Educator’s Journey from Addis Ababa to Millersville”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 3 weeks, 3 days ago

    Enjoying the Ride to the World Series The Progressive Field visitors locker room was celebratory mayhem. With music blaring, teammates dancing and bottles popping, Tim Mayza ’18, his American League champions T-shirt soaked with champagne, couldn’t help but step away from his teammates’ revelry to take in the moment. Four months earlier, his future as a professional pitcher was in doubt. But in the early hours of Oct. 18 in Cleveland, he was a member of baseball’s most famous organization, the New York Yankees, and his future was a clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Locker room celebrations should be old hat to Mayza. He reached the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays – the team that drafted him out of Millersville in 2013. The Yankees donned their ski goggles and sprayed champagne after clinching a playoff berth in September, after winning the American League East, and again after beating the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series. But following the 2024 season that Mayza endured, he’s not taking any celebration for granted. “[I am] enjoying what the team has been able to accomplish,” says Mayza. “For me personally, you remember the ride of the season. It’s been a wild year.” That’s putting it lightly. At the end of June, Mayza wondered if his seventh season in the big leagues would be his last. The 2023 season was Mayza’s best as a reliever, as he set career highs in innings pitched (53-1/3) and appearances (69) while posting a career-best 1.52 ERA. He’d been the Blue Jays’ most reliable reliever for years, ranking among the franchise’s all-time leaders in appearances and holds. But early in spring training, Mayza knew something was not right. The velocity of his trademark sinker, which averaged better than 94 miles per hour in 2023, routinely dipped below 92. His strikeout rate over the first few months of the 2024 season plummeted from 24.7 to 14.4. On June 28, his ERA swelled to 8.03. The next day, he was designated for assignment. One week later, the longest-tenured player in the Blue Jays organization was released. Not even the shredding of his ulnar collateral ligament, Tommy John surgery and 19 months of rehab could compare to the disappointment of being released by the Blue Jays. “It was the lowest point,” says Mayza. “In terms of performance, going through the designation and release, unsure of what the future held and what opportunities would come next.” For the first time since before his commitment to Millersville in 2010, Mayza’s baseball future was in jeopardy. It didn’t take long for other teams to start calling, however. Among the teams was a division rival and familiar foe, the New York Yankees. The Yankees, albeit adversarial, had long played a significant role in Mayza’s career. The Yankees always seemed to be present for Mayza’s few moments of professional misfortune. Mazya was pitching against the Yankees when his elbow ligament tore, ending his 2019 season. Mayza became the history book footnote by surrendering Aaron Judge’s 61st home run in 2022. It was the Yankees scoring five runs on five hits that effectively ended his tenure with the Blue Jays. “It was ironic to sign with the team that you throw your last outing against,” says Mayza. “But they saw the potential. You play a team like that in your division over and over again. They would know me as well as anyone after seeing me pitch over and over again. It made sense that they were interested. There was a match there and an opportunity for me to contribute.” Mayza pitched against the Yankees 41 times, facing them more than any other opponent. He knew the Yankees well, but it turned out that the Yankees knew Mayza better. “The Yankees have experience in getting guys right, getting the most out of guys, pitch usage, mechanically,” says Mayza. “It always felt like watching them that they had done a good job in finding what was wrong, fixing it and getting guys to take off. There was an opportunity for me that if I pitched well, they would take the best bullpen they could into the postseason, and they would give me a shot in the big leagues, which was appealing.” The Yankees had a plan for Mayza. The organization shipped him to the spring training facility in Tampa for a week, running him through a pitching laboratory of video work, biomechanic scans, drills in the weight room and critiques and alterations to every aspect of his delivery. After diagnosing and providing remedies, the Yankees moved Mayza to Scranton. After seven seasons of chartered flights and world-class everything, Mayza found himself a member of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The return to the minor league grind was humbling, but it provided a necessary “wake-up call,” according to Mayza. More than that, it proved to be a blessing, both personally and professionally. After a rocky four months on the road, Mayza played his home games a short two-hour drive from his wife, Darian, and their two sons in Denver, Pa. He could see his family every Sunday evening and spend an entire Monday with them, thanks to the built-in off day in the minor league schedule. When the RailRiders played a six-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Mayza enjoyed a week with his wife and boys, commuting the 60-mile drive to Coca-Cola Park in Allentown each day. On the field, he benefited from routine, consistency and top-notch development provided by the Yankees. He made nine appearances from July 24 through August 13 and did not allow a single run over his last eight games. “You get back to your roots,” says Mayza of the minor league experience. “You get back to getting consistent work – put your head down, not worry about the distractions that happen, focus on the work to get back to the big leagues. I felt very goal driven – driven to make the changes, compete and perform.… The Triple-A coaching staff was on the same page with the entire organization. There was communication for what I was working on and what they wanted to see.” After hurling a scoreless inning against the Buffalo Bisons on Aug. 13, Mayza received the call. The Yankees needed bullpen reinforcements. He returned to the majors on Aug. 17 and fired a shutout frame in Detroit. Mayza made 15 effective relief appearances for the Yankees and was rewarded with a spot on the postseason roster. He pitched the longest outing of his career – 3-2/3 innings –against the Red Sox, with his Millersville coach, Jon Shehan, sitting in the Yankee Stadium stands. “His career has been built upon ebbs and flows of adversity and success,” says Shehan. “This has been another example of him overcoming. Tim Mayza being Tim Mayza, figuring out a way to reinvent himself and be successful.” Mayza’s velocity jumped by two miles per hour on average over the last two months. A 95.6-mph sinker that struck out Kansas City’s Kyle Isbel in game two of the ALDS was the fastest pitch Mayza threw all season. He nearly topped it in the ALCS. A 95.4-mph sinker caused Guardians’ All-Star Steven Kwan to weakly ground to second base, ending the sixth inning of game three. Mayza was back, pitching in pressure-packed moments on baseball’s greatest stages, helping the Yankees inch closer to a 28th world championship. The tribulations of 2024 hardened Mayza for his World Series moment. As a reliever, he didn’t know when, or even if he would pitch. He had to stay ready for the possibility of facing the otherworldly Shohei Ohtani, future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman or the red-hot Max Muncy. The Dodgers won an MLB-best 98 games and were the betting favorite from the start of the season. Mayza could only prepare and seize every opportunity presented to him in the same way he went from winning an NCAA Atlantic Regional title at Clipper Magazine Stadium in 2011 to an American League pennant in 2024. “The [Millersville] program holds such a high standard that you are prepared and practice the necessary things to compete in high-pressure situations,” says Mayza. “It’s a little bit different of a scale going from Millersville to the World Series, but you are still implementing the same strategies to slow the heart rate.” Mayza recalls starting game three of the Division II World Series against Mount Olive as a true freshman. He’d never pitched in front of so many fans. The brand-new experience stirred up butterflies, yet he managed to retire the first seven batters of the game and pitch five shutout innings, thanks to what he learned from Shehan and his staff. He’s still using the same strategies in the MLB playoffs. “We have mental goals for our pitchers,” says Shehan. “Be able to compete when you don’t have your A game. Compete in the present moment. Have a plan for adversity and be able to deal with varying levels of pressure and intensity. Hopefully you get nerves in every game. When you pitch in the World Series in front of 50,000 fans and millions on TV, the butterflies might change, but you have to get them to a level where you can perform optimally. That’s going to impact your performance in big games.” Those tactics have worked well, not just for the Marauders in May in the NCAA Tournament, but for Marauders in October. With Chas McCormick ’17 and Mayza, a Marauder has played a role for three of the last five American League champions. McCormick won a ring in 2022. Shehan has won 597 games over 16 seasons, but seeing players who graduated from Millersville live out their dreams by competing against the best in the world is as special as it gets. “Our program has been so blessed in so many ways,” says Shehan. “You don’t want to feel jaded. You have to take it all in. It may be the last World Series that we ever have a Marauder in. I do my best to take it in and enjoy it just like the first one.” Mayza knows how quickly baseball can be taken away: a freak injury, a dip in velocity, a lackluster performance. After his roller-coaster season, he’s relishing every win. He’s celebrating every moment. When he was called from the bullpen in game four of the World Series, he pitched a scoreless ninth inning, helping the Yankees extend the series. He finished the playoffs with no runs allowed in 2 1/3 innings. “Having a chance to win a World Series is all you can hope for,” says Mayza. “I have experienced a whole lot of emotion over the last six months, from the lowest of lows and highest of highs. It’s what this game will do to you. The lowest of lows is a learning opportunity…You focus on one pitch at a time. That holds true at any level.”   “The [Millersville] program holds such a high standard that you are prepared and practice the necessary things to compete in high-pressure si […] “Enjoying the Ride to the World Series”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 3 weeks, 3 days ago

    One Horse, One Human, a World of Change In the tranquil setting of Lone Oak Animal-Assisted Therapeutic & Educational Services, an extraordinary symbiosis unfolds between humans and horses. This unique sanctuary is dedicated to helping horses who have suffered from abuse, neglect or abandonment, and in doing so, offers profound healing opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds. In a groundbreaking collaboration, Lone Oak has partnered with Millersville University to expand its reach and impact. Dr. Heather Girvin, associate professor at the School of Social Work at Millersville University, is the president/CEO and founder of Lone Oak. “The partnership between Lone Oak and Millersville aims to integrate academic research with hands-on therapeutic practices, providing students and faculty opportunities to engage in meaningful research and experiential learning. By leveraging Millersville’s resources and expertise, Lone Oak enhances its therapeutic offerings and broadens its educational initiatives,” says Girvin. Students are one of the main benefactors of the partnership. Darlene Newman, director of Student Access and Support Services, has identified students through SASS, the majority of whom are first-generation, to attend programming at Lone Oak. She has also reached out to younger adolescents, who are potential future MU students. Lone Oak has worked with the University’s financial aid office to establish Lone Oak as a work-study, community-service host site for students who qualify for aid. Biology and psychology students have also been offered internships at the site, and Girvin says she hopes to expand and “offer internship opportunities more broadly and to diverse students.” Veterans at Millersville University benefit from the collaboration with Lone Oak through a variety of means. Lone Oak partners with the MU Veterans Center to host supportive and outreach events and was designated as a veteran-friendly service provider through the Veterans Center. Lone Oak has also hosted veteran interns on multiple occasions to support their learning and growth. Millersville’s School of Social Work offers a graduate-level certificate in Trauma-Informed Behavioral Health. The certificate has two tracks: Expressive Arts and Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning. Girvin says that equine-assisted strategies are widely accepted and used to address a variety of mental-health issues, including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Other departments are involved with classes for the certificate. The connections of faculty and staff extend far beyond Girvin’s impact. Dr. Abigail Wilson, a graduate of the DSW program and an adjunct faculty member, is the Vice President of Operations and Development for Lone Oak. Dr. Karen Rice, professor and chair of social work, is a volunteer and Dr. Curtis Proctor, assistant professor, helps with data analysis. Dr. Marc Felizzi, associate professor and Dr. Bertha DeJesus, a DSW graduate and assistant professor, are clinical consultants for Lone Oak. Girvin says several MU students and graduates are actively involved in the Lone Oak community, some in leadership roles. Marisol Santos, a graduate of the MSW program, is a consultant for Lone Oak. “Horses at Lone Oak bring with them stories of hardship – each scar a testament to their past,” says Girvin. “Through careful, patient rehabilitation, these animals begin to trust again, learning to feel safe in their new environment. This journey is not just about physical recovery; it’s a profound emotional restoration. As they heal, these horses offer invaluable lessons to their human counterparts about resilience, trust and growth.” Lone Oak has a more significant community impact through partnerships with other providers and individual community members. Lone Oak provides services across Lancaster, Berks, Dauphin, Cumberland, York and Lebanon counties. “Lone Oak is 100% volunteer,” says Girvin. “Our overarching goal is to build a trauma-informed, inclusive community that reflects social work values and fosters inclusion, respectful discourse, healing and connection. This community care model and the philosophy and values that support it provide a scaffolding for all of our services and partnerships.” Shannon Wittlinger is Lone Oak’s Barn Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. “She is such an important part of our ongoing work; we couldn’t do it without her,” says Girvin. Wittlinger is a graduate of Millersville’s MSW program. Lone Oak provides trauma-informed individual, family and group services using the expressive arts, with particular reliance on nature-based strategies and equine-assisted therapies. Lone Oak partners with several different school programs, offering trauma-informed alternative education, emotional support, credit completion and skills training across all grade levels. For those interested in continuing education units and credit, Lone Oak provides professional training and development to service providers, offering CEUs and graduate-level credits for educators and professionals in the helping professions. “We have provided training at local, national and international levels,” says Girvin Horseshoe UP “Okay, everyone, horseshoe up.” Those are the words that start most days at Lone Oak Animal-Assisted Therapeutic & Educational Services. Everyone in the area stands foot to foot, and the group talks about their expectations and needs that day for the horses and themselves. “Some of the people who come here are introverts, on the autism spectrum, they may have had trauma or just don’t want to be touched, so this offers an alternative,” says Dr. Heather Girvin, founder of Lone Oak. “Not everyone wants to hold hands, so standing hoof to hoof is an easier option. We do breathwork in these sessions to get everyone calm and focused for the horses.” And although the horses benefit, so too do the clients, who are learning to self-regulate their nervous systems and emotions.” On a Saturday this past fall, Darlene Newman, director of Student Access and Support Services, was on hand with some of her Millersville students. She has been to Lone Oak with students on multiple occasions. After the horseshoe, they were off to muck stalls, weed, walk the horses and do other necessary jobs. “We bring students here from all majors,” says Newman. “Some have mental health issues; some don’t have any way to get off campus. They come here and see how a degree in social work or psychology can be put to use. They also have their eyes opened to other fields, like becoming a veterinarian.” Students in the Master of Social Work program are often involved with the program at Lone Oak. Savannah Gregoris and Tim Gageby are both second-year students who graduate in May. Gregoris says interning there was her first time around horses, but she hopes to continue using animals in therapy going forward. “I want to go into the field, get my license to work in a clinical practice, but I do intend to use animal-assisted interventions and therapy, with horses, cats and dogs. It’s so important the impact animals can have on people – it can open a lot of doors for them.” This is also Gageby’s first time around horses. “I originally came to Lone Oak in the summer of 2023 for Dr. Girvin’s Summer Institute, and then I was hooked.” Long term, Gageby wants to teach at the college level. Baby Huey is a favorite horse at Lone Oak. Girvin describes Baby Huey as “2,000 pounds of love.” “He was a logger and wasn’t pulling his weight. When we got him he wasn’t eating, but we took a chance on him, and it was the best chance we ever took. He is such a gentle giant and doesn’t mind three little kids on his back. Everyone can hug him and kiss him, and he eats it up. He gives everyone unconditional love.” Another group that Lone Oak serves are veterans, through the Horses and Heroes program. Dr. Abigail Wilson, an alum of Millersville’s DSW program, is vice president at Lone Oak. “Veterans are used to camaraderie in the service and miss that when they return,” says Wilson. “We’ve found they want less structure in a program and more time to connect with the horses and each other. We’re hoping to expand our veterans program to first responders.” At the end of the day, everyone at Lone Oak returns to their circle to give a compliment to someone or say what they are grateful for. “It can be something as simple as, ‘I liked the way you held the rake’ or ‘I’m thankful I didn’t die when I got on the horse.’ Through it all, we use trauma-informed therapy to care […] “One Horse, One Human, a World of Change”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 3 weeks, 4 days ago

    These 'Sisters' Met at Millersville It’s 10 a.m. on a Friday in October as I prepare to log on to a Zoom call. This meeting isn’t a typical, run-of-the-mill team check-in with an agenda to follow, tasks to report on and new assignments to dole out; it’s a reunion of a close-knit group of alumnae from the classes of 1972 and 1973 who’ve stayed in touch primarily through letters for many years. Almost as soon as the call begins, so do the jokes, laughs and talking over each other. There are just as many quick interjections, nicknames and cheerful greetings. Even after nearly 50 years of consistent communication, there is, evidently, a lot to catch up on. This group of friends call themselves the Millersville Sisters: a name that captures the sororal affection that is so clearly present between them across the miles, time zones and screens. While not everyone is on the call today, there are 13 Millersville Sisters in total: Marilyn (Deloplaine) Barmore ’73, Rosemarie (Tuscano) Dobbs ’73, Jan (Musselman) Johnson ’73, Susan (Border) Medasia ’73, Joy (Hartman) Wolfe ’73, Marcia (Wenger) Kreider ’73, Gail (Weinman) Harker ’73, Donna (Johnston) Force ’72, Martha (Henry) Wittstruck ’73, Diane (Fargo) Rug ’73,  Betty Ann (Gardner) Young ’73, Karen “Peachy” (Souder) Smith ’73 and Vickie (Ober) Risser ’73. The initial girl group met while living together on the third floor of Gilbert Hall, now known as Lehigh Hall. “It might have been the cookies Marilyn had hidden in her drawer,” says Wittstruck, adding, “And I wanted to escape my dorm room.” Whatever the case, slowly, friends of friends were brought into the fold. “We all really liked each other,” says Barmore. “We laughed and joked and ended up in each other’s rooms, and Rose would throw my boyfriend’s picture in the wastebasket” – a quick pause for more giggles – “Can you girls put a finger on what it was that brought us together?” “The mealtimes were something,” interjects Young. “Because you didn’t want to eat by yourself. I know for me, I probably wouldn’t have eaten if I was alone. But having so much company made a difference.” Proximity and natural chemistry may have brought them together, but it wasn’t the only thing they had in common. These remarkable women went on to find themselves working in education as teachers in elementary education, special education, English as a second language, in libraries, and at preschools and colleges. All the sisters claim at least two decades of service in education. Another commonality they share is the desire to stay in touch. The frequency of the letters that began in 1986 has changed over the years, but their connection has not. Through their letters, reunions, vacations and, now, a monthly Zoom meeting, they’ve poured their hearts out to each other. “It’s so nice knowing we have the ear of everyone,” shares Kreider. “When you get that letter, you can hear their voices come through. Everyone writes in their own voice. And sometimes it’s easier to pour things out on paper than it is face-to-face. Over the years, several of us have supported spouses dealing with similar health issues, and it helped me to feel like I wasn’t alone. It’s just so comforting.” Through letters, they’ve shared their burdens and woes and, of course, good news. The arrival of new grandchildren is always an anticipated topic and, as Dobbs cheerfully chimes in, “I was the last of the bunch to get married at the age of 43, so that was a biggie.” Even during this Zoom call, there’s breaking news. Joy Wolfe joins the call, and the sisters quickly chime in to let her know her microphone is muted and offer instructions on how to turn it on. “You’ll have to come off mute unless you use sign language,” quips Wittstruck. “Well, speaking of sign language, I must leave now because I have to go practice sign language because I’m taking a course on it,” shares Harker. The happy exclamations, laughs and “You’re kidding!” remarks begin anew. “Next time I’m on this Zoom, I’ll sign to you,” she promises as she logs off. There is warmth between these friends that radiates off the screen, and Kreider says it best: “I don’t feel like we’ve been separated by miles or years. Our frien […] “These ‘Sisters’ Met at Millersville”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 3 weeks, 4 days ago

    Alumnae Group Bonds Through Letters Across Miles & Years It was June 1963, and the Millersville State Teachers College campus was abuzz with excitement from the graduating seniors. Smiling, proud parents were everywhere. We made it! Looking over the faces of my dear friends, I thought about how much I would miss them. Today, we would all receive our teaching degrees and go our separate ways – most of them to teaching careers, while I anxiously awaited my location assignment as a Peace Corps volunteer. Not knowing where in the world or how I would be living was a disconcerting thought! Would I ever see these friends again? I wanted us to stay connected and thought a Round Robin letter would be the perfect way to do just that. While handwritten letters have declined, Round Robin letters were one way to stay connected before the days of cell phones and social media. In this arrangement, a letter is sent in a specific sequence to a group of people. Each member removes her last letter and replaces it with a newly written one before sending it to the next person in the sequence. Before we all dispersed that graduation day, I had chosen our group of participants: Nina (Palmer) Wolff, Rosemary (Rosey) Bratton, Veda (Noel) Henry, Louise (Workinger) Julius, Lynn (Evelynn Miller) Wilmot and me: Suzanne (Holtzman) Lowe. We call ourselves the Robins. Summarizing more than 60 years of friendship and correspondence is quite the task. In all that time, the letters were only lost once on their way to me in a remote rainforest in Costa Rica during a very muddy rainy season where the mail was delivered via horseback. Here are some of our comings and goings following graduation: Nina went on to marry and become an airline stewardess for Trans World Airlines and eventually became the Director of In-Flight Services Operations. In that role, she was responsible for in-flight services, procedures, equipment, communication and duty-free sales. During her career, she even served the Harlem Globetrotters, who barely fit into the plane, and was responsible for arranging the flight details of a pope! Rosey married before graduation and went on to earn not one, but two master’s degrees and eventually became Superintendent of Schools in Longboat Key, Florida. Louise married Glen Julius, a fellow member of the Millersville Class of 1963. She now resides in Texas and was an innovative kindergarten teacher for more than two decades. Lynn went on to marry Peter, a student at Franklin & Marshall College. Like Louise, she taught kindergarten for more than 20 years. I, Suzanne, finished my service with the Peace Corps, where I’d worked in a remote village in the Costa Rican rainforest near the border of Nicaragua for two years, got married and spent five years teaching ESL in a multilingual classroom in Philadelphia. I then retired to a farm with my family and became a shepherd to a flock of Miniature Babydoll Southdown sheep and a potbellied pig breeder. As for our dear friend Veda, she accomplished much in her life: After graduating from Millersville, she served as a volunteer for Volunteers in Service to America, and for many years of her life, she selflessly taught at a nonprofit that served adults earning their GEDs. While we were all together sitting on a breezy porch in a bed and breakfast in Rehoboth, Delaware, at our last reunion in 2022, we received a text from Veda’s husband, Sam: Veda passed away from cancer. None of us could speak for at least 10 minutes. We had lost a Robin. We decided, right then and there, to make a donation to the Adult Learning Center in her honor. The loss of one of our own has made us reflect on how grateful we have been to Millersville for our education, memories and the lifelong friendships we have held so dear. There isn’t much we’ve missed in each other’s lives for the past 60+ years, despite the fact that we all live in different states now. As far as we can remember, we have held 15 reunions since we graduated from Millersville. When we get together for these reunions, it’s not like catching up with people at a high school reunion: We immediately know what to ask each Robin because we are always aware of the major happenings in each other’s lives. We know whose grandchildren have graduated and gotten jobs and all the rest, and so, we just settle in with comfortable, knowledgeable conversation. Together, we had wonderful times, sad times and surprising twists and turns over and over again, but one thing is for certain: There’s still so much to write about. P.S. We really do still write and mail letters to each other, but we type them on the computer now – and we’re looking forward […] “Alumnae Group Bonds Through Letters Across Miles & Years”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 4 weeks ago

    Dining Updates: New Director, Chick-Fil-A & Student Involvement Dining at Millersville University is undergoing several new updates in 2025 to improve student experience, diversify its offerings and solicit feedback from the community. The University hired a new dining director who began working in November 2024. Daryl Matthews comes to MU with nearly three decades of experience in university dining and catering, most recently from Lake Superior State University.    Q&A WITH DARYL MATTHEWS, DIRECTOR OF DINING AT MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY 1. When did your love of cooking first begin? My first job as a teenager was working in an upscale restaurant and it sparked my passion for cooking and hospitality. I think it was the combination of learning a new craft and the human connection in service that created a very meaningful connection for me at a young age. I began to appreciate cooking not only as a skill but also as a form of art.  2. What sparked your interest in the industry?  Like I mentioned, I’ve been in the hospitality industry since my teenage years, starting in restaurants and quickly falling in love with the fast-paced, service-driven environment. To deepen my knowledge and commitment to this field, I earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel, restaurant, and hospitality management from East Stroudsburg University.  Millersville University has always stood out to me for two key reasons. First, I grew up about an hour from campus and still have family nearby, so the opportunity to return to the area—after being away for 28 years—feels both familiar and exciting.   Second, the University’s Dining and Catering Department operates as a self-operated program and is the only dining and catering service that is self-operated in the PASSHE system, a passion of mine in this field. I’ve always believed that this type of program fosters the ability to make the most meaningful and positive impact on dining service experiences for the teams involved and the community they serve. I’m eager to bring my hospitality experience, leadership skills, and passion for self-operated dining services to campus and contribute to the department’s continued success. 3. Is there a chef that inspires you? Thomas Keller is a chef that has inspired me throughout my career. 4. What experiences have prepared you for this role? 27 years of diverse experience in University Dining and Catering as a director. I have managed large, mid-size, and small institutions’ dining and catering departments which gave me many diverse experiences—and the adaptability to work with both self-operated and contracted food services.  During my career, I’ve worn several hats at one job, from catering manager to overseeing retail operations, concessions, vending and residential dining. My experiences taught me to embrace learning moments and to adapt to the uniqueness of each institution.  I also learned that you must have operational expertise and the ability to connect with students, staff and faculty. All of these things helped me gain a comprehensive, well-rounded perspective on all facets of operations. 5. What are your plans for the future of Millersville University Dining?   My plans for the future are to ensure the needs and expectations of the students, faculty and staff are being met by increasing dining options, enhancing food quality, and improving customer service. Some of the ways we plan to do this is by keeping up with food service trends, continuously introducing new concepts, increase engagement with the campus community, and enhance our sustainability efforts and initiatives 6. What is your favorite part about working at Millersville so far? The people. Everyone is incredibly supportive and made me very welcome.  7. Can you give us an update on the food truck? Currently the food truck is in storage for the winter. Our goal is to have the students come up with a name and food concept for the food truck to reflect the interests and preferences of the student body. 8. What’s your go to take out order? A chicken burrito from Chipotle and orange chicken when I get Chinese.   9.Tell us about the Student Dining Service Committee. What is it?  The committee was created to foster communication between students and dining service management. It serves as a bridge for students to voice their needs, concerns, suggestions for improvements, and feedback regarding the dining services through monthly meetings.  Students share their ideas on things like new menu items, changes to the dining environment, or improvements in service.   Dining services management listens carefully to these contributions and works collaboratively with the committee to address the concerns. The management then translates these insights into actionable steps that aim to refine and improve the dining services, ensuring they meet the expectations and needs of the student body. This collaborative effort helps shape the future of dining services at Millersville University, creating a more responsive and student-centered dining experience. If students wish to be on the committee all they have to do is email me at daryl.matthews@millersville.edu.   10. What about Chick-Fil-A?  The much-anticipated arrival of MU’s own Chick-Fil-A is slated to open during the spring 2024 semester. Check back for more details and updates here: millersville.edu/dining.  11. Are you hiring student workers? Yes, we’re always hiring student workers to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for students to earn some extra money while enjoying several key perks that make the job both convenient and rewarding, and you can apply here: https://jobs.millersville.edu/postings/search?query=&query_v0_posted_at_date=&query_organizational_tier_3_id=any&577=8&commit=Search   Here are some of the benefits:  Free Meals: Student workers receive free meals during their shifts, allowing them to enjoy a variety of food options without spending extra money  Flexible Scheduling: We offer flexible scheduling that works around students’ class times, making it easier to balance work and school responsibilities.  Convenient Location: Dining service jobs are located right on campus.  Build Work Experience: Working in Dining Services provides valuable work experience in customer service, food preparation, and teamwork, which can enhance a st […] “Dining Updates: New Director, Chick-Fil-A & Student Involvement”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 1 month, 3 weeks ago

    Wind Ensemble Earns International Recognition The Tell School of Music’s wind ensemble recently came in third place for a 2024 American Prize in Music, a first for Millersville University. Dr. Joe Cernuto, assistant professor of music and director of bands at Millersville, directs the ensemble that placed in the Ernst Bacon Award for the Performance of American Music with their group performances of Sally Lamb McCune’s “Caveat” and Rubén Darío Gómez’s “Tríptico para Flauta y Banda.” The ensemble was joined by professor Morgann Davis, coordinator of flute studies, as the featured soloist. The competition is open to all countries and is reviewed by an international panel of judges. Named after American composer Ernst Bacon, this national honor is bestowed upon ensembles and soloists from across the globe with the performances of American music and includes a cash prize and certificate. Bacon, Cernuto explains, was a pivotal American composer. “Ernst Bacon was a teacher and administrator of music schools in the United States – most notably at Syracuse University. He composed numerous art songs on the text of master American poets like Carl Sandberg, Emily Dickinson, and Walt Whitman,” he says noting that much of his compositional work was created between 1920 and 1940. “While you might not know his works by ear, his influence was passed down to hundreds of students throughout the 20th century.” Cernuto says choosing the submissions took careful consideration. “Performing new music is an important part of my philosophical approach to the wind ensemble, so choosing two selections was difficult,” he explains. “Ultimately, I wanted to choose a repertoire that was made by relatively lesser-known composers, from outside of the traditional white/European/male norms of wind ensemble composers –  and were amazing pieces of music.” The recognition is a huge honor for Cernuto and his students. “It means a great deal to me to even place in this award. The artifacts that the internationally renowned judging panel reviewed were recordings of two different semesters of my students. Ultimately, if they didn’t perform as well as they did, there would be no award – even if my research and curation of the music was outstanding. That combination of my efforts and student effort makes this honor doubly meaningful to me.” The wind ensemble will perform two concerts this spring at the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 pm, and on Sunday, April 27 at 2:30 pm, both at the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door or at artsmu.com/upcoming-event […] “Wind Ensemble Earns International Recognition”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 2 months, 1 week ago

    Millersville Holds Toy and Clothing Drive Millersville University continues to make a difference by holding annual clothing and toy drives this winter. Anyone who donates to Toys for Tots will be entered into a raffle for a free parking space. Two students and one staff member will be selected for the prizes and the last day to donate is Dec. 19. To be entered to win, those who donate must give their name to University police or human resources.  Donation boxes will be in the Boyer Building, Student Memorial Center, Palmer Building and Gordinier Hall. Any toy is accepted as a donation, but this year, Toys for Tots is running short on toys for infants and children ages nine to 12. Millersville University Police Department Lieutenant Arthur White says every toy matters. “There are so many families that are helped in the community,” he states regarding the annual toy drive. “Some years ago, when I was asked to assist, I noticed that there were less volunteers and the ones we did have had been at it a long time. As a police officer, there were about 10 of us helping to assist Toys for Tots in the whole county,” White shares, “With more than 600 locations to pick up from, I felt that officers would have a great opportunity to meet with the community they serve if they checked on the boxes in their areas. Almost every police department in Lancaster County now participates in the program. All the actions of the officers help with getting toys in the hands of the families who most need them.” In addition, the Millersville University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers is hosting its 3rd Annual Winter Clothing Drive in partnership with the Lancaster Food Hub. They will be accepting new or gently used winter coats, gloves, blankets, or hats on Dec. 6 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ware Center. “This event holds special meaning, as the Lancaster Food Hub’s winter clothing supply tends to run low during this time of year. By hosting this drive, we aim to give back to the community when it’s most needed,” says Jordan Branch, the former president of NSBE. Branch shares fond memories of being able to assist international students who were experiencing the winter for the first time. “It was incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts played a part in making their transition easier and helping them feel connected to the Millersville community,” he adds. “This year, we are aiming to collect even more winter clothing than in previous years. In addition to gathering donations, we plan to showcase the projects we’re working on and raise funds for NSBE’s national convention in Chicago. When we first hosted the drive, we collected over 250 coats, but this year, we are expanding our efforts to accept all new and gently used winter clothing, not just coats. We hope to make an even bigger impact and continue supporting our community during this cold season.” Branch was inspired by his older brother to start the annual Winter Clothing Drive, “Every year, he organizes a large coat drive at the baseball stadium in downtown Richmond, VA. It’s such a big event that he often gets featured on the news. I haven’t reached that level yet, but maybe one day, I will. Still, I like to think that even though we’re in different places, we share a common goal of giving back to our communities and making a positive impact,” he says. During a conversation with NSBE, Branch realized that this was a great opportunity to give back to the community. Beyond just collecting coats, he hopes that one day, this initiative will inspire the next generation to get involved and make a positive impact in their own way. “It’s about starting something meaningful now, with the hope that it grows and encourages others to carry the torch in the future. When I graduate, I’ll be proud of all the members and can’t wait to see what they accomplish […] “Millersville Holds Toy and Clothing Drive”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 2 months, 3 weeks ago

    Calculated Success: Grant Powers STEM Learning Thanks to funding made available to Millersville University through a $10,000 grant from the Lancaster STEM Alliance, faculty members have partnered with the Lancaster YWCA to create STEM education programming with a special emphasis on math for preschool and kindergarten students and their families. The project, called “Don’t Forget the M!: Equity in STEM Through Culturally Responsive Engagements for Young Learners and Their Families,” began on April 15 and concludes on Dec. 20. Past programming included family STEM nights, take-home STEM backpacks stuffed with educational activities for young learners, a presentation for parents with experts on early childhood STEM education, and plenty of hands-on learning for the students, like learning how to program a simple robot. A total of 104 preservice teachers from Millersville were on-site to assist with programming and activities throughout the year. One final public event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Landisville Intermediate Center. The math family engagement night is for families of the Hempfield School District and like the other programming, will include STEM-related children’s games and activities. At the helm of the project are Dr. Kim Heilshorn, associate professor of Early, Middle & Exceptional Education, who serves as the project director; Dr. Beth Powers, professor of Early, Middle & Exceptional Education, who supports Heilshorn in grant management; and Dr. Sharon Brusic, former professor in the Department of Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology, who serves as the STEM consultant. In previous years, the team partnered with the University’s Head Start program to engage with hyperlocal community members. “By working with YWCA Lancaster, we are able to reach a much larger pool of families,” says Brusic, noting that families from Head Start were also invited to attend the events. While the grant-funded project will end this December, Brusic reports that the YWCA plans to integrate some of the curriculum the team created into its own programming for students beginning this December and continuing through this spring. “The Lancaster County STEM Alliance is dedicated to fostering the natural curiosity of young learners through innovative STEM education,” says Dr. Lauren Beal, executive director of the Lancaster STEM Alliance. “This project reflects our commitment to providing equitable and engaging learning experiences that enable children, families, and educators to collaboratively explore the marvels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.” Interested in studying STEM education? Check out Millersville’s minor in Integrative STEM Education Methods by clicking here and our degree in early chi […] “Calculated Success: Grant Powers STEM Learning”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 3 months, 3 weeks ago

    Costume Shop is MU's Hidden Gem Members of the campus community and beyond who are looking for the perfect costume for Halloween can look no further than Millersville’s Costume Shop. Located in Jefferson Hall on Millersville University’s campus, the Costume Shop offers over 30,000 costumes waiting to be rented. Run by Priscilla Kaufhold since the 80s, the shop is one of MU’s hidden gems. Anyone is welcome to rent an adult costume for $55 with a $55 security deposit that will be returned when the costume is returned on time. MU students can rent for $10 cheaper. Cash, checks and credit cards are all accepted payments. For the month of October, the shop will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment. “We have costumes from caveman to present, animals of all kinds and novelties. We’ll even mix and match to your liking,” says Kaufhold. “It’s like a dream what you can come up with and put things together yourself.” Kaufhold describes the shop as more of a Millersville secret since not many people know about it, and she wants to get the word out. She also emphasizes the need for volunteers due to a limited budget to help organize the costumes – which started with a huge donation from the Jean Loeb collection in 1982 and has grown to over 30,000 since. “There is always a job,” says Kaufhold. “We have animal heads to be painted, we have costumes to be repaired, it’s just fun.” Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Priscilla Kaufhold at the number below. The shop is located at 164 W. Cottage Ave. and appointments can be made by phone at (717) 871-5653 or by email at costumeshop@mil […] “Costume Shop is MU’s Hidden Gem”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 4 months ago

    Cheerleading Team Stars in Music Video Imagine a vibrant football field under the glow of stadium lights at Biemesderfer Stadium, a live band rocking out and a squad of energetic Millersville University cheerleaders performing flips and stunts. This is the setting for the music video of “Melanie Kline,” a new single by Ryan Mayersky. Inspired by personal experiences and a love for football, the song captures the excitement and thrill of a homecoming game. The idea for the music video came naturally during the song’s creation. The lyrics, filled with football references and a catchy melody, painted a vivid picture in Mayersky’s mind. With the help of producer Nate Johnson, these visual concepts were translated into audio magic, incorporating elements like a marching band drumline and a stadium announcer’s voice. “Live band, cheerleaders, football field, stadium lights and pyrotechnics,” says Mayersky. “I mean what more could you ask for?” The choice to film at Millersville University was a perfect fit. Not only is Mayersky a local resident, but the university’s campus, particularly Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium, provided the ideal backdrop for the song’s theme. The collaboration with the Millersville Cheerleading team added a touch of authenticity and energy to the video. “Millersville is great college with great facilities,” Mayersky adds. You can see the cheerleading team and Mayersky in action on his Instagram account here. Mayersky’s father, Tom Mayersky, had a long and successful career as a football coach at Millersville University, spanning from 1982 to 2009. Much of that time, he worked under legendary Coach Gene Carpenter, whom he considered a close friend and mentor. Their relationship was so strong that it felt like a father-son bond. “Coach Carpenter was not only a colleague but also a friend to my family,” says Mayersky. Mayersky’s grandfather, Tommy Mayersky, was a country singer from Clearfield, Pennsylvania, who performed alongside some of the biggest names in country music, including Hank Williams, Tex Ritter, Gene Autry, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas. He was also known for his extensive collection of cowboy clothing, one of the largest on the East Coast. “Melanie Kline” tells the story of a young man who falls head over heels for a red-head cheerleader during a homecoming football game. The lyrics conjure up the excitement and nostalgia of this classic high school experience. Mayersky hopes to convey a message of seizing the moment and taking a chance on love. The music video aims to capture the excitement and energy of a live performance, combined with the visual spectacle of a football game. Through its high-spirited imagery and catchy melody, the video seeks to entertain and inspire viewers. According to Mayersky, “Melanie Kline” is more than just a song; it’s a celebration of high school memories, first love, and the thrill of a homecoming game. With its energetic music video and relatable lyrics, the song is sure to resonate with audiences of all ages. As Mayersky continues to pursue his music career, “Melanie Kline” serves as a testament to his talent and passion. You can listen to the new single on Spotify, Apple Musi […] “Cheerleading Team Stars in Music Video”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 4 months ago

    MU to Host State System Summit on Inclusive Education Inclusive education is a hot topic in the world of academia, and one that touches all aspects of the student experience. This October 28 and 29, Millersville will host PASSHE’s annual Summit, bringing together faculty members, staff and students from across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to focus on students’ success in all its forms.   This year’s theme, Uniting for Inclusive Student Success, will serve as a guiding framework for the event. The Summit is in a hybrid format and is free to attend for all students, faculty and staff of the 10 State System institutions. There will be addresses from keynote speakers and presentations from faculty, staff and students.  This year’s keynote speakers are Dr. Tia Brown McNair and Ben Cannon. Brown McNair is a partner at Sova Solutions which helps organizations in higher education and workforce development solve problems by building coalitions, planning strategically, and managing change. She is also a Senior Consultant at the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Cannon is the Executive Director at Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission and has been since 2013. In this role, he oversees state funding allocations, policy-setting, and coordination for Oregon’s higher education system, including community colleges and public universities.  “We’re proud to host this year’s Summit and highlight the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the higher education space,” says Carlos Wiley, Chief Diversity Officer at Millersville University. “We all want to see our students succeed, and it’s important to examine the many factors that contribute to their success – and the things that can hold them back.”  To register to attend the event, click here: https://whova.com/portal/registration/passh_202410/  For additional information, please reach out to Summit co-chairs with any questions:   Christa Cobb (ccobb@passhe.edu)   emily howe (ehowe@passhe.edu)   Carlos Wi […] “MU to Host State System Summit on Inclusive Education”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 4 months, 1 week ago

    Extremely Rare Photography Collection at Millersville You’d never guess that deep in the archives of the McNairy Library on Millersville University’s campus there are one-of-a-kind photos of key figures from the Harlem Renaissance. They include original portraits of Ella Fitzgerald, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gloria Vanderbilt, the now-late James Earl Jones and more. The collection from Carl Van Vechten is massive, and much of it is still being processed due to its size. It also includes Van Vechten’s personal writings and correspondence.   The photos were taken by famed photographer Van Vechten and presently, one of the photographs is on loan to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. It’s a stunning and rare portrait of Nora Holt, a much-lauded musician of the Harlem Renaissance era. The photo is part of a traveling exhibit called “Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900 – 1939,” and the image of Holt will be on loan until December 2025. The exhibition showcases female African American artists who traveled to Paris seeking more rights and artistic freedoms than they had in the United States at that time.   While other collections of Van Vechten’s work exist at the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library and Yale University, this particular image of Holt could only be found in Millersville’s collection. The collection at Millersville is also assumed to be one of the largest, and spans decades with items from 1932 to 1964.   How did the collection land at Millersville University? Late professor emeritus of English, Dr. Bruce Kellner, who passed away in 2019, was a longtime friend and mentee of Van Vechten. He was also Van Vechten’s biographer and the executor of the famous photographer’s physical estate. Kellner himself was photographed by Van Vechten numerous times. Millersville University offers an art course, History & Aesthetics of Photography, that makes use of the incredible collection.   “Our collection may be unique because Kellner was the executor of his will. What we have in our archives may be from the artists’ personal collection,” says Frank Vitale, Assistant Professor, and University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian. “It’s a legacy of  [Kellner’s] dedication to the institution and his belief in using these materials that we have such a fantastic collection here for our students.”  WHAT WAS THE HARLEM RENNAISSANCE?  Van Vechten was renowned for his documentation of key figures in Harlem during that pivotal time. This renaissance was a flourishing of Black art and culture in Harlem in New York City during the late 1900s and early 20th century due to diaspora African Americans leaving the South post-Civil War. As Vitale describes, saying, “It was a seedbed of African American creativity.”   More key figures from this time that Van Vechten photographed include the artist Langston Hughes, who was widely regarded as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, the jazz singer Ethel Waters and more. To see a list of some of the other famous faces in archives, explore the links below:  To see more of the collection in person, please contact the Special Collections team located in the McNairy Library, a part of University College, with advanced notice by emailing Special.Collections@millersville.edu or calling 717-871-7134. To make a gift to Archives and Special Collections, visit millersville.edu/give2mu and select Archives and Special Collections Discretionary Fund from the drop down menu. Those inquiring from the media should note that Van Vechten’s collections are protected under copyright and will require licensin […] “Extremely Rare Photography Collection at Millersville”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 4 months, 3 weeks ago

    Free Bus Passes for MU Students Did you know that the Red Rose Transit Authority provides free services to Millersville University students each year? They offer two routes between Millersville and Lancaster and a shuttle service around campus. These services will continue to be free of charge for the 2024-2025 academic year. To use RRTA buses, you must have an RRTA Go Mobile bus pass. These cards can be picked up at the information desk in the Student Memorial Center for free. Students must bring their University ID card to receive a free Go Mobile card. When boarding, riders scan their card on the orange validator in the bus. Red Rose Transit Authority also offers an app, RRTA Go Mobile, that offers users a simple way to navigate its transit system. “We’re pleased to continue to offer the Millersville community an economical option to travel between our beautiful campus and Lancaster City,” says Tom Richardson, associate vice president for operations at MU. “It’s important to make public transportation a viable option for those on our campus, and we’re proud to offer the community another option to explore the vibrant downtown community of Lancaster.” For more information about Millersville University bus services, visit millersville.ed […] “Free Bus Passes for MU Students”

  • kmadas wrote a new post on the site Millersville News 5 months, 2 weeks ago

    Where Did All the Children Go? Editor’s Note: This story contains topics and historical language which may be upsetting to some readers.  Recently, the New York Times published an article describing the findings of the second and final volume of an investigative report from the U.S. Department of the Interior into the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative that found nearly 1,000 native children died at these government-run institutions, according to identified grave sites.   Here, Millersville University’s archivist and special collections librarian and assistant professor Frank Vitale, who is also an expert on the history of Native American boarding schools with a focus on the Carlisle Indian School and other Pennsylvania institutions, details why this report is important, it’s implications and possible ties to Millersville history. 1. Can you elaborate on the historical significance of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in the context of Native American history and U.S. education policy? The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was the first and most famous federally run off-reservation boarding school and was established at a time when the United States government sought to reduce Indigenous resistance to settlers’ land grabs in the American West.   Carlisle’s founder, Richard Henry Pratt, asserted that through Euro-centric education and Christianization, you could assimilate Native American youth; or in his own words, you could “kill the Indian in him, and save the Man.”   Since Carlisle was the closest federal school to major cities on the East Coast, including the Capital, politicians, researchers, reformers, and tourists from across the country frequently visited it. Carlisle was also famous thanks to its athletic teams, which frequently played and beat major collegiate teams of the day, and for the number of Native Americans who were educated there who later became leading figures in society. 2. Why was there a push for these boarding schools in the United States and Canada?  The boarding schools in the United States and Canada served as a new and less outwardly violent means of controlling Indigenous populations, which had for centuries opposed Western expansion and land theft through warfare. By using education to strip Indigenous youth of their cultures, languages, religions, and identities, the boarding schools thus helped settlers strip Indigenous communities of their land. Proponents of the boarding schools in the United States also hoped to relieve shortages of cheap labor caused by the end of slavery and claimed to be improving the quality of life of Indigenous peoples by “civilizing” them. 3. How was this effort pitched to the public? Was this a government effort?  Newspapers, churches, politicians, and more all argued that the United States faced an “Indian Problem” of Native American resistance to land expansion and “civilization.” While missionary groups had already established some schools near reservations, the federal government became more directly involved in the late 1800s, starting with the founding of Carlisle.  By 1900, the federal government through the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior operated and/or funded a network of over 400 schools for the purpose of assimilating Native Americans. Through newspaper articles, political speeches, sermons, and even Worlds Fairs, these schools were hailed as a vital part of Indigenous peoples’ “progress.” 4. How did they find the children that they brought to the Carlisle Indian School?  Children were brought to Carlisle in several ways. Unlike most boarding schools that were regionally focused, Carlisle enrolled children from dozens of tribes and nations from across the American Empire. Sometimes, groups would be specifically targeted to cultivate relationships between American and Indigenous political leaders, or as a punishment for resisting settlers.  Some children were sent voluntarily by their parents, while others were orphans, most often due either to disease or to conflict. Other families were coerced into sending their children to Carlisle and other schools through violence and threats of violence, through withholding of food and money to the families, through deception, and more. Some children at Carlisle were prisoners of war, either captured during raids or taken as hostages to discourage further resistance of their tribes and nations.  5. What were the conditions in schools like the Carlise Indian School? Conditions at Carlisle and other boarding schools were generally unhygienic and unhealthy. Children were often placed in crowded dormitories, without adequate clothing, and without adequate nutritional food. This led to frequent disease outbreaks, especially contagious diseases including tuberculosis, smallpox, measles and more.   Discipline was strict and militaristic, with children organized into companies and forced to practice drilling and marching. However, some of those who attended the schools reflected fondly on their time as well, even while acknowledging the poor conditions they experienced. The student experience of schools like Carlisle was complex, and scholars are still trying to unpack and understand exactly what it was like at these institutions. 6. Were you able to talk with any family members of survivors?  I have worked with dozens of descendants and several nations as part of my work over the last decade. Most often, I am in conversation with individuals and families, mutually sharing information about their ancestors’ experiences at Carlisle and the other schools I investigate. Since my research focuses largely on medicine and mortality at Carlisle, I have also given information to descendants seeking to repatriate their ancestors’ remains from the school’s cemetery to return them to their homelands.  7. Do any of the Indigenous groups that were forced to attend the Carlise Boarding School have any remaining populations in the area?  Pennsylvania does not have any state or federally-recognized tribes or nations. However, boarding school survivors and their descendants can be found across the United States, including the Lancaster area. The University works with some of our local community members who are descendants as part of its broader efforts to acknowledge the land upon which we live and work. There are also descendants of boarding school survivors and victims who are members of our University community.   8. How have the legacy and impact of boarding schools like Carlisle influenced contemporary Native American communities? The boarding schools inflicted generational trauma upon Native American communities that continues to impact them today. Efforts like language revitalization, cultural and religious revival programs, and more seek to reverse and counteract the impacts of the boarding schools. Recently, repatriation efforts and attempts to identify cemeteries at boarding schools have also been successfully pursued to unpack the legacy of these institutions. The federal government has also become more involved in recognizing this history, with the Department of the Interior under Secretary Deb Haaland (Pueblo of Laguna) launching the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative in 2021 to investigate the troubled legacy of federal policies and efforts related to the boarding schools. 9. The Department of the Interior just released the second and final volume of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative’s investigative report that says nearly 1,000 Native children perished in these schools. Is it possible that there were more deaths?  The recent release of the second volume of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative’s final report is significant, adding details to their previous findings including statistics about the 400+ schools they have identified, the number of burial sites at these schools, the role of religious organizations and institutions in the boarding school system, and the financial support provided by the federal government over decades. Their finding that 973 children died at these schools is horrible, but not surprising.    The true number of children whose deaths can be attributed to the boarding school system is much higher.   Since the Department of the Interior’s investigation focused only on known burial grounds located at the schools themselves, their report acknowledges that their findings are an undercounting. My research into the Carlisle Indian School has identified 237 individuals who died while connected to this one school, and that count does not include the hundreds of fatally ill children who were sent home to die with their families instead of in the school’s hospital. Scholars are continuing their investigations into the death counts and rates of individual institutions in the boarding school system, but the true number of direct and indirect deaths easily numbers in the thousands. 10. Do you have any other insights you’d like to offer?    Since I arrived at Millersville in 2022, I’ve been leading an effort to investigate Millersville’s connections to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and the wider boarding school movement. Last fall, we received a grant to help found the Millersville Institutional Legacy Initiative, and to fund a student researcher to further these efforts. Bryanna Nase ’27 and I worked together to identify 18 individuals who were essentially dual-enrolled between Millersville and the Carlisle Indian School between the 1880s and 1910s. These individuals are likely our first Native American students at Millersville and came here as a direct result of the assimilationist efforts of the federal government during that period. Bryanna presented on her findings during our Made in Millersville conference last year, and the Millersville Institutional Legacy Initiative is continuing its investigations into our connec […] “Where Did All the Children Go?”

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