Kelsey Madas

'No one is in the same category as him' With Millersville leading by two runs in the top of the seventh inning and a runner on second base, Mansfield could ill afford to surrender another run. The second baseman lingered close to the bag, limiting Keegan Soltis’ lead off second base. With his ever-relaxed hitting stance – legs straight but ready, hands low and close to his chest with the head of his bat rhythmically ticking like the pendulum of a clock – Bren Taylor eyed the empty expanse on the right side of the infield. It was too easy. With expert bat control and situational awareness, Taylor guided a fastball precisely where the second baseman should have been, allowing Soltis to score. While it was just one single on another Sunday afternoon at Cooper Park, that hit epitomized the rarity of Taylor’s hitting talent. That ground ball connected Taylor to West Chester’s Matt Cotellese (2005–09) and Millersville’s Chas McCormick (2014–17) as the only players in PSAC history with 300 career hits. Six days later, in a pivotal PSAC divisional game against East Stroudsburg, which trailed Millersville by two games in the standings, Taylor, in typical Taylor fashion, collected his PSAC record-setting 307th hit on a line drive through the left side of the infield as ESU’s shortstop shaded the middle at double-play depth. Taylor departed Millersville as the only player in program history with four PSAC East titles and two PSAC Championships. He spent his career making the impossibly difficult seem impossibly easy. He totaled 315 career hits – nine more than McCormick in four fewer starts and 24 fewer at bats, all while posting an on-base percentage 50 points higher. Taylor scored a PSAC record 233 runs, set a single-season PSAC record for runs in 2022 and set Millersville records for triples and total bases. Taylor came to Millersville as an unheralded recruit with average tools. He honed his swing not in the competitive travel ball circuit or with private hitting lessons but as a teenager playing 20-, 30- and 40-year-old men in the York men’s league. No one can figure out where or how Taylor developed his off-the-charts baseball IQ, but everyone agrees: Taylor is a hitting genius. It is his uncanny ability to adjust in a moment, to seemingly telepathically understand the catcher-pitcher’s silent back-and-forth, to see the flick of the pitcher’s hand, the spin of the ball, a late shift by the fielders – all in a blink – and process that and use a baseball bat to redirect a baseball precisely where he wants it to go. Taylor is the most unlikely of record-breaking hitters, and his brilliance in the box can only be understood (even then only somewhat) by the coaches and teammates who’ve seen and marveled at his every swing. THE STORYTELLERS Jon Shehan ‘06, Millersville head coach in his 18th season, who has led the Marauders to more than 600 wins and 12 consecutive NCAA Regional appearances. David Baker, Millersville’s longtime assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, who has been a part of the program since 2009. Jimmy Losh ‘22, now an assistant coach but once Taylor’s teammate and leadoff hitter whose career records for runs and triples Taylor broke this season. Dan DeVinney, Millersville’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader and former baseball coach, who attends nearly every practice and has sat in the dugout every game for the last eight years. Conor Cook ‘24, a pitcher and teammate of Taylor’s for four years, who has often tried and often failed to retire Taylor in intrasquad scrimmages. Evan Rishell ‘25, a Millersville pitcher for the last four seasons and a high school teammate of Taylor’s. Taylor helped Rishell get noticed by Shehan, and Rishell has become an all-region reliever. ‘WHO IS THIS KID?’ Bren Taylor’s first game as a Marauder displayed the skills that brought him to the brink of history. Playing at the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park, Taylor worked a full count in his first at bat, doubled and scored his second time through the lineup, then earned a six-pitch walk and scored again. He saw 20 pitches in four plate appearances. He has since recorded at least one hit in 173 of 219 starts and two or more hits 88 times. Taylor, Losh, Luke Trainer (2018–22) and Tyler Orris (2013–16) are the only Marauders to record at least 230 hits and 100 walks. Taylor has the best career batting average among the 17 active Division II players with at least 400 at bats and 160 hits. Across all levels of NCAA baseball, only Augustana’s Jack Hines and Virginia Tech’s Ben Watson totaled more hits, but Taylor played in fewer games and recorded a higher batting average than both. Taylor’s career, from game one, has been the stuff of legend. Shehan: “His high school coach called me and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got a guy who had one strikeout his junior year, and it was on a foul tip.’ I said, ‘OK, I need to see this kid.’ I asked, ‘What travel team does he play for?’ His coach said, ‘He doesn’t play travel ball. He plays in the men’s league, and he’s been doing it since his freshman year.’ I took my lawn chair, sat in center field, and there were no other coaches there because it’s a men’s league game. He missed one barrel in three games.” Baker: “He’s the only guy I’ve ever heard of (playing men’s league). Everyone is playing travel ball. He was a junior in high school and came to camp. He showed up in Sperrys and Rec Specs, no shoelaces, and you are just like, ‘Who is this kid?’ It was interesting. Even with the shoes and the glasses, he just barreled everything. You don’t see that kind of bat-to-ball skills.” Shehan: “There were a bunch of college coaches who missed him at that camp. He ran a 7.1 60. He didn’t throw it great from the outfield, but he squared up every single ball in batting practice. He’s very quiet, so it was a hard read from a recruiting side of things. But when I watched him for a couple of games, I could tell he was really competitive, and that’s why we offered him.” Baker: “We had an intrasquad at Keystone in the preseason of his freshman year. He was facing Aidan Welch. Aidan made him look really bad on a changeup. The next pitch was a fastball right down the middle, and Bren just took it. The next pitch, Welch went back to the changeup, and Bren hit a line drive that almost knocked his hat off. Bren was setting him up to get back to that changeup.” Losh: “My first clear memory of him was in Houston at the start of the 2020 season, first weekend of the year. He struck out, came into the dugout and said, ‘That’s the last time I’m striking out the rest of the year.’ Everyone was like, ‘All right, who is this freshman?’ Turns out, he’s one of the best strikeout-rate guys we’ve had in the program.” ‘HE’S BASEBALL BRILLIANT’ Taylor’s career stacks up against the best of the best. Taylor and Cotellese are the only players in PSAC history with two 90-hit seasons. Taylor set the PSAC’s single-season runs record in 2022, and he is one of four players in PSAC history with two seasons of 60 or more runs scored. That group includes West Chester’s Nick Spisak, Nick Ward and Joey Wendle. Ward, who played his final season at West Chester in 2018, is currently playing his eighth season of pro ball. Wendle played nine seasons in Major League Baseball, with an All-Star selection in 2021. Since 1970, the PSAC has produced six Major League position players. Of that group, only McCormick, Shepherd’s Brenton Doyle (currently the Colorado Rockies’ center fielder) and Slippery Rock’s Matt Adams hit .400 even once as a collegiate hitter. Taylor accomplished the feat twice, batting .426 in 56 games (216 at bats) in 2023 and .425 in 55 games (214 at bats) in 2022. Oh, and Taylor hit .399 as a sophomore in 2021 and is currently hitting .387 after a full year away from the game. Adams hit the mark three times at The Rock before hitting .258 in 10 seasons in the big leagues and playing in two World Series. Taylor was not blessed with the incredible bat speed and elite athleticism possessed by McCormick and Doyle, or the imposing stature and sheer strength of Adams (listed at 6-3 and 263 pounds on the Baseball Reference website). Taylor was a hitting savant – a baseball detective, solving pitchers using a variety of clues gathered through careful and tedious observation. He analyzes his approach and fixes his swing through countless hours in the cage. Baker: “It’s his intelligence and the things he sees that others don’t, finding tips off of pitchers. It’s so far more advanced than the other great hitters who have come through here. I’ve been here 15 years, and there is no one in the same category as him when it comes to intelligence, what he sees and how he sees it.” Shehan: “Baker called Zach Stone ’15 (Millersville alum and former All-American) up and said, ‘This kid’s going to be a .400 hitter. He’s the real deal.’ You could see it early. Most guys who play early have a lot of physical talent. Bren has one of the slowest bats on our team when you look at the raw data. But his mind is so much more advanced than most.” DeVinney: “He’s baseball brilliant. He’s so even-keeled. He never bangs his helmet. You would never know if he hit a home run or struck out. There are no highs and lows. Very steady.” Baker: “There was one game where he took two straight curveballs right down the middle. It was 0-2, but the next pitch, he hit it out to right-center because he knew he wouldn’t get the same pitch three times in a row. He was waiting for one pitch the whole at bat and got it.” DeVinney: “His mental game is amazing. He sets up pitchers by taking pitches, sometimes by swinging and missing so he can use it in a future at bat. He comes back and tells all the hitters what he sees from the pitcher. He is really good at picking up grips. He shares his knowledge with his teammates.” Losh: “One of the alums talked to the team about passing along information to the next hitter. Bren and I took that and ran with it. We got pretty good at it. We sharpened each other with that. He was looking for how the ball came out of the pitcher’s hand. How the ball was spinning, if the breaking ball pops up, if the fastball is a two-seam or four-seam, if the changeup spins the same as a fastball or if the pitcher pronates it with side spin. He was pretty much the guy who got that rolling.… He helped me grow as a hitter in that aspect. It made me look really closely at what I was seeing.” Rishell: “He’s really smart, and he’s a huge team guy. So he’s always looking for things that will help the team. I sit with him at the end dugout and talk about what we can pick up from a pitcher or catcher. He does it to help the team.” ‘THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE HITTERS GREAT’ For Taylor, hitting is innate. He graduated in 2023 after winning the PSAC East Athlete of the Year award for the second time and worked full-time as an educator. But he had one year of eligibility remaining, and despite already winning a PSAC Championship and NCAA Regional, he had unfinished business. He enrolled in graduate school and joined the team in January. Even after more than a year away from the game, Taylor started 2025 with a 10-game hitting streak and finished his season ranked in the PSAC’s top-10 in hitting. He joined McCormick as the only four-time All-PSAC East selections in Millersville history and became the first Marauder named All-Atlantic Region First Team four times. Cook: “He’s one of those guys who could not touch a bat for five years, wake up and go find a way to get a hit.” Losh: “I was little skeptical about how he would come back after a year off. It’s hard when you are away from the game, and even if you are swinging it, it’s getting back into game situations. He came back in training camp, and it was about a day or two before he got right back into it. He was born to hit. You see him in the box, and it doesn’t look like he’s super hitter-ish. But he gets a barrel on everything, and that’s never going to change.” Baker: “There might have been a weekend where he was a little behind. There’s a grace period of if he’s ready to go, having not seen live pitching in over a year. There was an intrasquad about a week in. I was standing next to Jon in the third-base coaching box. After a couple of barrels in a row, it was like, ‘He’s good to go.’ He can roll out of bed and hit.” DeVinney: “There was a game recently where Matthew (Williams) was on first base. Matthew gave a fake steal, so the shortstop broke for second. Bren, just like he was playing pool, shot it through the shortstop hole. How did he see that guy breaking? I don’t know. No one can do that.” Rishell: “You have to have your best when you face him. If it’s the No. 9 hitter, maybe you can get away with throwing a fastball down the middle. But with him, you can’t make one mistake pitch … you have to throw your best at all times. I feel like he’s a guy I should be able to get out, but I feel like I never can. He always finds a way to get a hit.” Shehan: “He walked off a couple of years ago on a team that was playing him in the six-hole. He went up to the plate with a plan to hit the ball down the left-field line, and he doubled on the first fastball on the outer half. Those are the things that make hitters great.” ‘HE’S THEIR LEAST FAVORITE GUY TO FACE’ On March 28, Millersville trailed Shippensburg 3–2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Taylor stepped in with the bases loaded and one out. He lined the first pitch from Shippensburg closer Jack Robinson into center field for a walk-off, two-run single and a 4–3 Millersville win. Taylor’s been a menace to the PSAC East and simply outstanding in games that matter most. His career batting average against division opponents is .431. His on-base percentages border on absurdity: .463, .542, .531, .491. Taylor is clutch, delivering a walk-off hit in each of the last two seasons. He was at his best against the best, producing 47 career postseason hits and hitting over .400 in the postseason. In the 2022 PSAC Tournament, he went 8 for 19, leading Millersville to the championship, and recorded two or more hits in five of the team’s seven postseason games. In 2023, he hit .500 (18 for 36) in nine tournament games, recording five hits against Seton Hill in the NCAA Super Regional and six hits in three games at the Division II World Series. Cook: “He was always a pain to face. He doesn’t chase any pitches outside the zone. If you throw him a pitch inside the zone, he will hit it hard somewhere. He doesn’t swing and miss. I’ve talked to pitchers from other PSAC teams, and they always say he’s their least favorite guy to face.” Losh: “A couple of years ago, we were down against Shippensburg. We always have tight games with them, and it can get chippy sometimes. I got hit by a pitch, and I took a little exception to it and had a couple of words with the pitcher. I went to first base, and Bren was chirping from the on-deck circle. He went up, backed me up, and hit a two-run home run to give us the lead. That’s just one of those times where he has my back, talking for me and backing it up with a home run.” DeVinney: “He rarely hits home runs, and that one was perfect timing. It was almost like he just decided he was going to hit a home run.” Cook: “You can’t tell it, but he’s super competitive – a gamer. He doesn’t show his emotions, but in a big spot, he’s a guy you want up. Every time he’s up to bat, you feel like he’s going to get a hit, but in those situations where you need to get a run in, move a guy over, there’s nobody better than him. You know he’s going to find a way to hit a ground ball to the right side or hit a fly ball, whatever it needs to be.” Rishell: “You have 100% confidence in him. The whole team, when he steps in, goes to the front of the dugout. We believe in him.” Often, the legend outshines reality. Not with Bren Taylor. It’s all true and undeniably documented in cold, unembellished numbers. There is a story in […] “‘No one is in the same category as him’”

Beyond the Classroom Learn […] “Beyond the Classroom”

School Is Out, Camp Is In […] “School Is Out, Camp Is In”

MU Grad on MasterChef Again Kayla Mitchell just graduated with a degree in communications and a concentration in public relations, but she’s already had two big PR wins in her life. First, she was a contestant on “MasterChef Junior” season three as an 11-year-old, and now, she’s back for another try on this season of “MasterChef Duos.”  Mitchell and Ryan Kate Brandenburg, a fellow contest from her season on “MasterChef Junior,” reunited in the kitchen and earned their spot on episode two with a dish of pan-seared sea bass served over a bed of lemon garlic spinach with sautéed cherry tomatoes, a white wine beurre blanc and toasted breadcrumbs. The show is airing now, and you can watch it live on FOX and the next day on Hulu.   How did this Long Island native end up on the show for the first time? “Some people grew up in an ESPN house, but I grew up in a Food Network house,” shares Mitchell. After watching an episode of “MasterChef Junior,” she saw that they put out a casting call for the next season. “I pulled out my iPod touch, went online and filled out the application without evening telling my mom.” Weeks later, her mom got a call, and  after flying out to Los Angeles and auditioning, Mitchell landed the gig.   Being raised in a “loud, stereotypical Italian family” with a mother and grandmother who were excellent home chefs, she says, inspired her to cook and bake from an early age. After placing sixth in “MasterChef Junior,” she continued to cook, offering classes to kids with her mom, doing pop-up events at restaurants and constantly fine-tuning her craft. “My mom exposed me to so many things in the kitchen, and I wasn’t afraid to try anything,” she shares.  So, when her old friend Brandenburg reached out to share that a producer contacted her about joining “Duos,” Mitchell jumped at the chance. The show was filmed from October to December of 2024.   “MasterChef” has shaped a lot of decisions in Mitchell’s life, including her major. “I was having a conversation with my mom where I was trying to explain to her the vibes of the type of job I wanted. She told me it sounds a lot like what the public relations people and producers did on “MasterChef Junior” and got me in touch with an old contact from the show, who was kind enough to take a call with me and help me out.”   Mitchell was a member of the Honors College, the Cygnus Society, the women’s lacrosse team, the Millersville chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and Broadcast Education Association during her time on campus. Now a seasoned chef, she has some advice to offer aspiring cooks.  FAVORITE COOKBOOKS: “My mom and I watched the movie “Julia and Julia,” and I bought Julia Child’s cookbook afterward. French cooking sounds intimating, but there are so many good, basic and simple recipes in there.”   MUST-HAVE KITCHEN TOOL: “A really good, sharp knife. Dull knives are dangerous and make your job harder. I have an excellent Japanese knife that was a big-girl purchase – and I got a knife sharper – that I have an emotional attachment to.”  HER GO-TO MEALS: “I’ll take any sort of protein, season it, roasted potatoes in air fryer, add broccoli with a little bit of olive oil and serve with half an avocado and lime. Another g- to is pasta, of course.”   “A lot of people could say this experience is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and I’ve done it twice,” says Mitchell. “I want to thank everyone who helped to get me here. […] “MU Grad on MasterChef Again”

Meet the Class of 2025 On […] “Meet the Class of 2025”

End of Semester Festival Returns After preparing for the upcoming finals week, students are invited to join this spring’s end-of-the-year Superfest activities. The main event will be taking place on May 3 from 12 to 5 p.m. at both the Student Memorial Center and the quad. At the end of every spring semester, the University Activities Board, a student organization, puts on this event to end a long academic year with a bang. This year’s theme is Wild West Superfest. The first 500 students present will receive a free bag, T-shirt and tickets for food trucks, like the Little Cotton Cart, Pip & Lily’s, Lancaster Burger co., Foltz Pretzels and Penny’s Ice Cream. There will also be merch, a rock-climbing wall, bumper cars, stuff-a-plush, inflatable games, balloon animals and so much more. Face painting and caricatures, petting zoo with alpacas and line dining will also be available during the event. “It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to put on these events for the Millersville campus community, says Emma Einheber, University Activities Board president. “I have made some of my favorite college memories and met some of my favorite people through UAB, and it is my hope that our events do the same for other students.” Leading up to the main event is Superfest bingo taking place on April 26 in the Student Memorial Center multipurpose room at 7 p.m. Winners will be eligible to win prizes like a slushie machine, Sony headphones, an electric scooter, a karaoke machine and so much more. Tabling by the UAB outside of the Student Memorial Center bookstore will take place April 30 at 11 a.m. For more information, view the Corq app or G […] “End of Semester Festival Returns”

Conference on Reducing Community, School Violence Coming to MU Millersville University will host its 5th Annual Sustainable Development Goals Conference on Thursday, June 5, 2025, focusing on “Building Safer Communities: Reducing Community and School Violence.” This one-day conference will take place at The Ware Center in downtown Lancaster, PA from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing together policymakers, community leaders and advocates, agency heads and staff, and educators to address one of today’s most pressing social challenges. Community violence remains a profound and urgent challenge impacting individuals and families across our region, the Commonwealth, and the nation. In Pennsylvania alone, community violence results in the injury or loss of 4,600 lives each year, according to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. While collaboration across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors has led to important progress, critical gaps remain. This conference aims to facilitate dialogue on innovative solutions, best practices, and resource sharing to promote peace, justice, and community safety in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. “Our annual SDG Conference has become a vital platform for cross-sector collaboration on urgent social issues,” said Dr. Victor DeSantis, Vice President of University Relations and Strategic Initiatives. “This year’s focus on building safer communities reflects our institution’s commitment to fostering environments where everyone can live, learn, and thrive without fear of violence.” The day-long event will feature keynote addresses from regional experts on violence prevention and community resilience, interactive workshops led by community and school safety innovators, panel discussions with local and regional leaders, networking opportunities for participants and a resource fair showcasing tools and programs for violence reduction. Conference participants will explore various approaches to reducing violence, trauma-informed community building, successful school safety initiatives, and collaborative models that have shown measurable results in communities across the region and the Commonwealth. Registration is now open at https://www.millersville.edu/ceged/events/. Early bird registration rates are available until May 1, 2025. Cost is $20 per person, and event registration includes light breakfast and lunch. About the SDG Conference Series Millersville University’s annual SDG Conference series, launched in 2021, brings together diverse stakeholders to address critical challenges related to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Each year, the conference focuses on a specific aspect of sustainable development, providing a platform for dialogue, learning, and collective action. About The Ware Center The Ware Center, located in the heart of downtown Lancaster, is Millersville University’s center for visual and performing arts, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. The facility provides an ideal setting for collaborative discussions and community-focused events. Contact: Dr. Victor DeSantis, Vice President of University Relations and Strategic Initiatives, Millersville University, 717.871.5955, victor.desantis@millersville.edu […] “Conference on Reducing Community, School Violence Coming to MU”

Shear Up! MU Students Learn Beyond the Classroom Earlier this semester, Millersville students in biology professor Dr. Dominque Didier’s Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy class ventured out of the classroom to get hands-on experience handling large farm animals. With the help of a professional shearer, Didier gave an interactive lecture on how to handle and shear adult Merino sheep and skirt the fleeces for distribution to hand spinners.    Students assisted in herding and positioning the sheep, gathering their wool, picking through the wool to ensure quality, weighing and measuring the coats and administering oral medication to maintain the health and productivity of the flock.    Many of the students participating in the lesson are on track to become veterinarians or veterinary technicians and were interested in learning how to properly and safely support the health of larger animals.    Rylie Shanebrook, a biology major specializing in animal behavior, shares that she had a comprehensive learning experience with Didier and discovered that she is interested in specializing in larger animals in her veterinary career.    “My advice to other students would be to never let a ‘no’ stop you from gaining experience. Rejection is often the beginning of a new direction to explore. Opportunity can come in many different forms, and sometimes the best experience comes from the places you least expect,” says Shanebrook.    Learn more about Millersville’s biology department here or watch this video d […] “Shear Up! MU Students Learn Beyond the Classroom”

Trash Clean-Up Day on April 25 On April 25, the Conestoga Outdoors Club will host its 6th Annual Trash Clean-Up Day. Students will gather on the quad and organize into teams to collect litter from campus from 3 to 5 p.m. This year’s event is held in collaboration with the Fencing Guild, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and the University’s Office of Sustainability, and t-shirts will be provided for participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event will be held rain or shine. “The Conestoga Outdoors Club Annual Trash Clean-Up continues to be an excellent way for student engagement and community building,” said Dakota Baxter, environmental coordinator for the Conestoga Outdoors Club. “Students from various majors and organizations unite to make a difference each year, taking pride in keeping our campus and surrounding areas clean and inviting.” In addition to the campus, participants will extend their efforts into the surrounding Millersville Borough. “Our commitment to the Leave No Trace mission is reflected in these activities,” Baxter said. “By collecting litter and preventing debris from entering local waterways, participants contribute to protecting wildlife and promoting a healthier ecosystem.” Baxter emphasizes that the event, “Raises awareness about sustainability, fostering long-term positive habits among students and residents.” For more information about future events, follow @muville_coc o […] “Trash Clean-Up Day on April 25”

3 Alumni to Speak at Commencement Over 1,000 students will become Millersville University alumni when they cross the stage on May 10. They will be welcomed into the community by three alumni who will serve as graduation speakers: Dr. Melvin Allen ’69, will address the crowd at the 9 a.m. ceremony for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as well as the Lombardo College of Business; Dr. Kemah Washington ’03, will speak at the 1 p.m. ceremony for the College of Education and Human Services; and Deborah Willwerth ’88, will speak to students at the 5 p.m. ceremony for the College of Science and Technology. All three ceremonies will be held in the Pucillo Gymnasium. Allen is a former associate professor of philosophy at MU, faculty emeritus, founder of Millersville’s Black Student Union, executive director emeritus of the Civic and Community Engagement and Research Project, and an attorney. He’s also the cofounder and retired president of the Project Forward Leap, an organization that focuses on closing the gaps of academic achievement and developmental opportunities between disadvantaged children and their advantaged peers. He holds a juris doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law (now Penn State Dickinson Law), a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Delaware and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Millersville. Washington is the founder and president of BRANDilly Creative Group, a full-service creative agency offering marketing, graphic design and website design services. Washington and his family helped establish a new high school at the Baptist School Complex and Orphanage in Trotor, Ghana. He is active in the University community and serves as the president of the Millersville University Foundation. While a student at Millersville, Washington was in the University Honors College, served as a peer mentor and was a member of the Lambda Tau Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Washington earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Millersville in 2003 and went on to earn a master’s degree in higher education and a doctorate degree in education from North Carolina State University. Willwerth, the current president of UPMC Lititz, has over 40 years of medical experience and began her career as a nurse at the former St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lancaster. In her career, she worked as the chief nursing officer at Community Hospital of Lancaster, was the COO for two hospitals and was the administrator of the Heart of Lancaster, now UPMC Lititz. A graduate of Penn Manor High School and a Lancaster native, Willwerth earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Millersville and holds a master’s degree in nursing from Widener University.   Each graduate will receive four guest tickets, which are available for pickup at the Ticket Office. Guests must have a ticket to attend the in-person ceremony. Doors will open one hour before each ceremony, and those unable to attend the ceremony can view them via the livestream on May 10 at millersville.edu/comm […] “3 Alumni to Speak at Commencement”

A Life of Music, Movement and Mentorship At 88 years young, Dr. Karl Moyer, professor emeritus of music, exemplifies what it means to lead a vibrant, purposeful life in retirement. A long-standing member of the Millersville University community, Moyer retired from the music faculty in 1996, after 32 years of teaching, but continues to leave his mark on campus and beyond through his passion for music, fitness and encouraging the next generation. Moyer can often be found on campus, visiting the music department, or the library to donate items to Special Collections, or running laps on the track two to three times a week. “I thank the good Lord that I can still run,” he shares. At 85, he celebrated his birthday with a full organ recital and is already considering a similar event for his 90th birthday. One organ series over the years was “music for meditation” through United Campus Ministry in the A-frame building next to the former First United Methodist Church on campus. Moyer, along with guest organists, played pipe organ music over the lunch hour to inspire meditation. A man of diverse interests, Moyer speaks passionately about the value of both music and sports in education. “I am entirely in favor of high school and college students getting involved in music or sports or both,” he says. These activities, he believes, can build character and prepare students for success in all aspects of life. Moyer fondly recalls his connection with Jake Altimore, a former captain of the men’s soccer team and Honors College student. The two shared an unexpected bond, including a memorable two-mile run together. Altimore, who was hired as a mathematics teacher at Dover High School before graduating, is, in Moyer’s eyes, a shining example of the well-rounded individuals Millersville University strives to cultivate. Beyond his contributions to music and mentorship, Moyer is a testament to the benefits of physical fitness. A dedicated runner, he has completed three marathons and maintains a disciplined regimen. His commitment to fitness has not only enhanced his endurance but also earned his doctor’s praise for his excellent heart health. “Maybe a regular and disciplined ‘program’ of swimming laps is more to your liking,” he says with a smile. “You don’t need to be nuts to be a runner, but if you are, it helps a great deal.” Moyer’s enduring presence on campus and his dedication to students’ holistic development – mind, body and spirit – reflect his belief in the University’s mission to prepare students to contribute positiv […] “A Life of Music, Movement and Mentorship”

Student Project Launches Weather Balloon A Millersville University student organization successfully launched two weather balloons on March 31 outside the Weather Center. The launches were a part of Project TILTTING, which stands for Thermodynamic Investigation into LCL Thresholds during Tornadogenesis and its Influence in the Northeast and Great Plains. Led by meteorology student Gabe Keller, the team conducted launches at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to track atmospheric changes ahead of an impending severe thunderstorm. Each balloon carried a radiosonde, a specialized data collection instrument, that collects real-time data about pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction as it ascends. Using the collected data, student meteorologists analyze current weather conditions and predict future forecasting models. In the event of severe weather, the information can be requested by the National Weather Service. Project TILTTING is a student-led initiative that provides Meteorology students hands-on experience by launching weather balloons, chasing storms, and developing severe weather research. “It is both a learning experience and a contribution to the scientific field,” states project member and meteorology student Anthony Haberman. Project TILTTING is currently fundraising and planning an upcoming research project in the Great Plains aiming to deepen understanding of tornado development in the Northeast. For more information about Project TILTTING and how to support their future end […] “Student Project Launches Weather Balloon”

8th Annual Disability Pride Two of Millersville University’s EPPIIC values are inclusion and compassion. On April 11, members of the University will celebrate the eighth annual Disability Pride event with a day jam-packed with activities. Throughout the morning there will be activities such as t-shirt decorating, sign making, a community conversation with the University as well as a display to defend the rights of students with disabilities. In the afternoon, there will be a discussion about disability history with disability equality in education, discussions and expressive arts on the topic of disability intimacy, a student and alumni panel, and ending the day’s events with trivia bingo. Throughout the day, a sensory-friendly calming space is available to anyone who needs it throughout the day. According to Dr. Thomas Neuville, a professor in the department of special education, Disability Pride serves to promote visibility and inclusion, celebrate identity and empowerment, build community, institutional accountability, and more. “Disability Pride Days are more than symbolic—they are a bold affirmation that disability is an essential part of our campus community and human diversity,” says Neuville, “These events celebrate identity, challenge ableism, and ignite a collective responsibility to build a more inclusive, accessible, and just academic environment for all.” The event is free for […] “8th Annual Disability Pride”

Helicopter Landings on Campus [Canceled] If you look to the skies on April 8 at Millersville University, you might spot an unusual sight: a helicopter landing on campus. The CH-47 Chinook helicopter was scheduled to conduct multiple landings between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. as a part of Millersville University’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps tactical training exercises in coordination with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Due to a wind advisory, the event was canceled. The landings would have taken place on the upper field on the visitor side of Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium. After boarding, cadets will be airlifted to Fort Indiantown Gap to participate in a tactical leadership evaluation with cadets from the Battalion’s six academic institutions. “This training is important because it provides our cadets with real-world exposure to the capabilities they’ll be expected to use as future leaders in the United States Army,” says Captain Kristopher Reed, assistant professor of military science. “It bridges the gap between classroom instruction and operational experience.” During flight operations, the helicopter may kick up dust and debris. Access to the landing zone will be restricted, but students, faculty and staff are invited to view the helicopter landing from the home side of Biemesderfer Stadium. Temporary parking limitations may be in effect near Chryst Field. The Millersville University Police Department and the Department of Military Science cadre will oversee safety and landing zone security. The ROTC is a college-based program that aims to prepare prepares students with the leadership skills and knowledge needed to serve as officers in the Armed Forces through military science curriculum, explains Reed. “ROTC attracts students with a strong sense of duty and a desire to serve their country. These individuals are willing to take on the responsibility not only of joining the military, but of becoming leaders who guide and inspire others,” he says. Those interested in learning more can visit mill […] “Helicopter Landings on Campus [Canceled]”

11 Years of Student Creativity The research and creativity of ‘Ville students will be on display April 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during this year’s Made in Millersville conference. Students will present their research to the community through posters and demonstrations in the Student Memorial Center. There are approximately 400 presenters, co-presenters, and co-authors and 55 faculty mentors who will share their findings at the eleventh annual event through nearly 300 presentations. The presenters span 31 majors from 26 academic departments. The event is free to attend and open to the public. The conference is organized by the Office of Grants, Sponsored Programs and Research. The Made in Millersville Journal is a companion piece to the event that is published online by a team of student editors under the supervision of Millersville faculty members, Tatiana Pashkova-Balkenhol, associate professor and undergraduate research and instruction librarian, and Dr. Kerrie Farkas, professor of English. “The Made in Millersville Conference and Journal showcase the depth and diversity of our students’ scholarship, insight, knowledge, creativity, and professionalism. Made in Millersville provides a moment for the community to appreciate the scope of influence and impact of this regional public university – students, alumni, and faculty – on individual lives and the region,” says Jeffry Porter, associate vice president for the Office of Grants, Sponsored Programs and Research. For student presenters, the conference and journal are extensions of their learning and a chance to have their work viewed and published. Porter says, “Made in Millersville is by design an opportunity for student presenters to practice their ability to effectively communicate the purpose, rationale, and importance of their work, especially with people outside the presenter’s specialization.” Porter says scholarship, innovation, creativity are moot if their creators cannot effectively communicate the purpose and utility of their work to society.”  He says, “The Conference and Journal are both celebratory and one more experiential learning opportunity for Millersville students.” For more information about Made in Millersville, visit millersville.edu […] “11 Years of Student Creativity”

Abby Norman Named Student Liaison to Millersville Borough Abby Norman, a government major concentrating in pre-law here at Millersville University, is the new student liaison to the Millersville Borough. In her new position, Norman is responsible for conducting monthly reports for the Borough Council and tasked to represent the student body at Millersville University. This includes information about events, student opinions on campus life and aspects of the University that may impact the residents of the borough.   “Essentially, my job is to make sure student voices are heard by the Borough Council or by the right people so we can make improvements,” Norman explains.    Norman was inspired to take this role because she enjoys helping others and representing different groups and constituencies. In her previous role as a district office intern for Rep. Smith-Wade-El, Norman helped to connect people to the office’s services, like assisting residents file property tax rent rebates or claim their unclaimed property.” We didn’t just provide services, but we directed individuals to the right place when we couldn’t help them directly. Being able to help constituents with important services made the internship truly wonderful and worthwhile.” says Norman.  “I would like to reiterate my thanks to Dr. Richard Glenn of the government department for nominating me for this position and to Dr. Victor DeSantis from the administration for appointing me thereafter. I would not be in this position without their careful consideration. I would also like to thank the Borough Council for accepting me and being great to work with thus far. I am eager to begin working with the students at Millersville University in this way, and I cannot wait […] “Abby Norman Named Student Liaison to Millersville Borough”

Inspiring Girls to Study STEM The fields of science, technology, engineering and math have historically been male dominated. In an effort to inspire the next generation of women to pursue work and education in STEM, Millersville University will host the 37th annual Glenna Hazeltine Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology conference on April 1 in the Student Memorial Center at this invite-only event. Starting at 8:30 a.m., nearly 200 girls from the surrounding junior and senior high schools will come to campus to learn first-hand from women professionals about what a career in STEM entails. Keynote speaker Dr. Gale Blackmer, state geologist of Pennsylvania and director of the Bureau of Geological Survey in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and she currently serves as Chair of the Pennsylvania State Geospatial Coordinating Board. Her career spans teaching, groundwater and geotechnical work, geologic mapping, and now science administration. Blackmer will present her talk, “Geosciences for the Future” to attendees, where she will share with students what geoscientists do and how the geosciences are integral to facing 21st century challenges. Among the lineup of speakers are four of Millersville’s own faculty members, including Dr. Gail Gasparich, who holds a doctorate in microbiology and serves as the provost of Millersville, will present “From Mice to Microbes – One Woman Scientist’s Tale.” Assistant professor of organic chemistry Dr. Kristen Baker will present, “Empowered by Elements: My Radical Journey in Chemistry,” while Dr. Erin Moss, professor of mathematics education, will share her talk, “College Professor: What to do When You’re Interested in Everything.” Elaine Chrissos, program director of respiratory therapy, will share her professional experiences during her prestation, “When You Can’t Breathe, Nothing Else Matters.” Marianne Frantz, administrative assistant for the Office of the Dean of Science and Technology, will serve as the conference coordinator for the 10th year in a row. “We make sure we have a good mix of people, from computer science, to geography, to math at our annual conference so the students can choose to see who they’re interested in,” says Dr. Nazli Hardy, associate professor of computer science and chair of the conference’s planning committee. “We want to ensure that these speakers are people who convey what it’s really like to be a woman in that career, not just the science behind the career.” For more information on the Women in STEM Conference, visit millersville.edu/wm […] “Inspiring Girls to Study STEM”

MU Strengthens Commitment to Inclusive Excellence Millersville University announced a significant step forward in its commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion has been renamed the Office for Inclusive Excellence, a change that reflects the University’s strategic focus on embedding inclusivity into all aspects of campus life. This transition has been in development for more than five years, predating the arrival of Carlos Wiley, whose new title moving forward will be the Executive Director for Inclusive Excellence. Wiley, a dedicated advocate, will lead the office from its new location in the Student Memorial Center. President Daniel A. Wubah emphasized that this move represents an important step in the University’s long-term strategy. “Inclusion is one of our core values at Millersville,” says Wubah. “The new name reinforces our dedication to integrate inclusivity into the very fabric of our institution. It will help strengthen our community so everyone feels they belong.” The University is developing a new strategic plan that will guide Millersville for the next five years. The plan includes a renewed commitment to inclusive excellence, which Wubah says will help to set the standard for campus culture. “We want to ensure that inclusion is not just a statement, but a principle that guides our decisions and actions,” Wubah added. “This office will be a cornerstone of our efforts to foster a welcoming campus for all.” Wiley echoed this sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm for leading the office’s efforts. “This move is about more than just a name change,” said Wiley. “It represents Millersville University’s continued effort to ensure that everyone—students, faculty, staff and visitors—feels welcomed, valued, and included from the moment they set foot on campus.” University leadership encourages students and staff to engage with the Office for Inclusive Excellence and participate in initiatives designed to strengthen the sense of belonging across campus. For more information, visit the Office for Inclusive Excellence in the Student Memorial Center or contact Carlos Wiley at c […] “MU Strengthens Commitment to Inclusive Excellence”

24/7 Ambulance Facility Opens at MU Millersville University just became the first state system school to have a 24/7 ambulance facility on campus. On Friday, March 21, representatives Millersville and Lancaster EMS gathered outside of the Lebanon House, the new home of the station, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the station. This North George Street facility will provide emergency responses to the campus and local community.  In attendance were David Aichele, the mayor of Millersville Borough, and C. Robert May, the executive director of Lancaster EMS, along with Dr. Victor DeSantis, vice president, university relations & strategic initiatives, and Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, all of whom offered remarks.  To learn more about LEMSA, v […] “24/7 Ambulance Facility Opens at MU”