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Millersville Becomes Flavorville Do you have what it takes to become Millersville’s next Iron Chef? After a four-year hiatus, the Iron Chef competition has officially returned.   Starting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21, teams consisting of three to four students will face off in a cooking competition taking place in the SMC Atrium. The registration form can be picked up at and returned to the Campus Recreation Office. “We chose to bring back the Iron Chef event since it was so popular prior to the pandemic,” says Samantha Wary, assistant director of campus recreation. “Now that our departments have gotten back into full programming and past the pandemic safety requirements, we thought it was the right time.”  As part of their registration process, teams will submit their recipe to dining so they can source the ingredients.  “Technically, no experience is necessary, but we recommend meeting with Chef John (Johnson) if participants are not familiar with the required ingredients to ensure their meal is prepared correctly and safely,” says Wary.  There will be a “People’s Choice Award” for the audience’s top pick after each plate is on display. Each individual audience member will receive one vote, and there will also be giveaways and fun throughout the competition for audience members.   The Iron Chef event was last held on March 9, 2020. The people’s choice winners were women’s soccer and women’s club rugby was awarded the judge’s choice. Millersville Iron Chef is sponsored and hosted by University Dining and Campus Recreation.  “The event is to bring students together during the colder season and allow for social and nutritional wellbeing,” says Wary. “Students who are not competing can come out and watch the event, vote for their favorite dish and check out the offerings of the local vendors in attendance.”  Back in 2018, teams were challenged to create a balanced plate with side dishes that showcased that year’s mandatory ingredient, alligator. This year, the theme is Cajun and Creole, with chicken breast and shrimp as the required ingredients.  “Each year, we have had great support from Dr. Judith Wubah and Chief Pete Anders as judges, as well as Mike Johnstone as our most popular emcee,” says Wary. “This year, we have Dr. Mary Beth Williams, Vice President of Student Affairs, as our third rotating judge.”  For more information regarding the 2024 Iron Chef competition, contact Allison Yarrow at Allison.Yarrow@mill […] “Millersville Becomes Flavorville”

15 Years of Empowerment: Disability Film Festival Marks Milestone Anniversary Approximately 22 percent of adults in the United States experience some form of disability, encompassing a spectrum from self-care to mobility challenges. The Disability Film Festival at Millersville University seeks to shift societal perceptions and redefine the narrative surrounding disability.   “A disability film festival plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and raising awareness about the diverse experiences of individuals with disabilities,” says Dr. Thomas Neuville, professor and principal investigator for the PA Inclusive Higher Education Consortium at Millersville University. “By showcasing films that highlight the disability community perspectives, challenges and achievements, these festivals contribute to breaking down societal stereotypes and fostering empathy.”  This year’s festival will feature three films:  “The Grown Ups” on Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. in McComsey Myers Auditorium: In a school for individuals with Down Syndrome, four middle-aged friends yearn for a life of greater autonomy in a society that marginalizes them as disabled. The Grown-Ups is a humorous and at times sad and uncomfortable look at the tragic limbo of conscious adults. Free and open to the public.  “Fire Through Dry Grass” on March 14 at 5:30 p.m. in McComsey Myers Auditorium: uncovers in real-time the devastation experienced by residents of a New York City nursing home during the coronavirus pandemic. Co-Directors Alexis Neophytides and Andres “Jay” Molina take viewers inside Coler, on Roosevelt Island, where Jay lives with his fellow Reality Poets, a group of mostly gun violence survivors. Free and open to the public.  “The Ride Ahead” on April 25 at 6:15 p.m. at The Ware Center: Samuel Habib, 21, wants to date, leave home, go to college. But he drives a 350-pound wheelchair, uses a communication device, and can have a seizure at any moment. Determined to find his path forward, he seeks out guidance from America’s most rebellious disability activists. Will they empower him to launch the bold adult life he craves? There will be a panel and post-screening discussion led by the filmmaker and member of the National Council on Disability, Theo Braddy and local leadership. Register by visiting Panel Discussion.   “By screening films in a disability film festival, non-disabled individuals can gain valuable insights into the daily lives, struggles and triumphs of people with disabilities,” says Neuville. “Viewers are made aware of the power of the disability rights movement. These films often convey messages of resilience, perseverance and the diverse abilities that exist within the disability community.”  For more information, contact Neuville at thomas.neuville@millersville.edu   For mo […] “15 Years of Empowerment: Disability Film Festival Marks Milestone Anniversary”

From Millersville to the Movie Screen A Millersville grad is making a name for herself with her documentary “Paper Birds.” Allison Connelly ’23, from Avondale, PA, has her own story to tell, and a passion to do so. Her documentary, “Paper Birds,” aims to bring attention to recovered and somatic memories through sharing her experiences. In the fall of 2020, Connelly developed PTSD as a result of repressed trauma, referred to as delayed recall. Initially, this caused feelings of shame and self-blame, but after finding solace in the stories of others online, she saw an unfulfilled need for media representation. “I just really wanted to create a piece of media that other people, whose story sounded like mine, could resonate with and see their story on screen because I didn’t have that,” says Connelly. The film began production in November 2021 with the help of Millersville communications professor Dr. Changfu Chang and fellow students. As it is being developed intermittently, it is still in the works with hopes of completion in 2024. Connelly has already had the opportunity to screen her work-in-progress on two occasions: at the National Council of Undergraduate Research in April 2023 and at Tulsa Community College Research Retreat in October 2023. In late 2022, Connelly applied to participate in the National Council of Undergraduate Research being held in April 2023. After being accepted, it was there that she first presented her project outside of a classroom setting. “I don’t think I could have asked for a better crowd because it was a very intimate, vulnerable moment, and I was just kind of accepted into open arms,” says Connelly. Following her screening and artist talk, she was approached by Mona Easterling, assistant professor at Tulsa Community College, who invited her to speak at the TCC Research Retreat later in the year. Connelly attributes her success to her time at Millersville, where she majored in media arts production and minored in graphic communication technology. She especially expresses gratitude for her experiences with carrying out undergraduate research. As a transfer student during the COVID-19 pandemic, connections with professors and students were hard to establish virtually. “I feel like it allowed me to make connections where I didn’t get to the first two years,” says Connelly regarding her research. It was there where she felt immensely supported by her peers. “They wanted to help me advocate for this issue that didn’t personally afflict them, but because they saw the way it affected me and they became passionate about it,” says Connelly. She describes her time performing undergraduate research as, “free job training,” and says her experience at Millersville equipped her with the skills she utilizes now. Connelly regards Dr. Chang as especially helpful in her education, particularly relevant to her film. Connelly initially had the idea to share her story on paper through photojournalism, but it was Chang who encouraged her to learn about documentary filmmaking and share her story on the screen. After she took the two-part documentary courses, Chang oversaw Connelly’s undergraduate research and acted as a mentor, teaching her further. As a documentary filmmaker himself, Chang had tips and tricks that can only be learned from doing. “I feel like those skills that are not really something you can read in a textbook is what I most got out of Millersville,” s […] “From Millersville to the Movie Screen”

Three-Time Alum Hosts Educator Workshop Dr. Danielle Miles, a three-time Millersville University alumna and project director for the School District of York, will be offering a free virtual workshop on “Becoming a Culturally Relevant Teacher.” This workshop, held on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., will cover the Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education guidelines as mandated by the PA Department of Education. The event is possible with the help of a Pennsylvania Department of Education Prep 2 practice grant, secured with the help of Drs. Miriam Witmer, Aileen Hower and Abdulsalami Ibrahim. Miles was asked to speak as she is heavily involved in her school district, overseeing areas such as principal coaching and supervision; equity, inclusion and belonging; and educator effectiveness, among others. Miles faced challenges as a woman of color majoring in math education. However, during her time at Millersville, she found others who helped her feel more at ease. “There were women and faculty who made me feel seen, heard and valued,” says Miles. “It’s hard to put a name on it, but there was this unspoken presence of power, where they held a space for women and helped me navigate throughout my undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees.” Dr. Miriam Witmer, associate professor of educational foundations, shares that to be culturally relevant, teachers must understand how to implement culturally responsive practices in their classrooms. “However, even before that, teachers need to reflect on their own biases and take steps to address them so they can be an equitable teacher for all students,” she says. “We live in such a diverse space. It would be unrealistic to expect us to learn absolutely everything,” Miles adds, explaining that cultural relevance is related to understanding yourself and your background and adjusting accordingly. “I hope attendees understand that most importantly, they have to understand themselves to be fully present.” Witmer also notes that attendees will leave the workshop with the confidence to learn more about the culturally relevant competencies and continue to incorporate these ideas into their teaching philosophies and practices. “We hope that attendees will appreciate these competencies and develop a positive attitude toward meeting the needs of today’s diverse students,” she says. While teachers and school administrators are invited, Witmer specifically explains that all education majors and pre-service teachers are strongly encouraged to attend this workshop. “Dr. Miles is an expert on culturally relevant and sustaining practices,” says Witmer. “This will give pre-service teachers an advantage when interviewing because they will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the new PDE guidelines, and it will help them develop their cross-cultural competence.” Sharing the messages of cultural relevance and these course competencies is important to both Witmer and Miles. “My research has focused on diversifying the teacher workforce, and one of the barriers for students of color when considering teaching as a future career is that they are too often marginalized in classrooms,” Witmer shares. “If this generation of educators understands and implements good culturally responsive practices, PK-12 students of color may see school as a more welcoming place that supports them. Then, they may choose to be a part of the school system, which would help to diversify the teacher workforce.” Miles says sharing her expertise is meaningful to her because she knows what it feels like to be both accepted and to be left out of certain spaces. “I have this juxtaposition of having experiences on both sides,” Miles says. “Often, there are spaces where you are expected to fit in or don’t come, but it’s not healthy to leave who you are at the door. A culturally relevant teacher is one who understands this and sees you.” “This is part of my call. It’s part of what I’m destined to do – create space for people,” Miles concludes. “It’s essential because you can’t build anything until you feel belonging, even if you have to make your own space at the table. That’s the culturally relevant space.” For those interested in registration, click here. For more information about educational foundations at Millersville University, visit https://www.millersville.edu/edfoun […] “Three-Time Alum Hosts Educator Workshop”

Empowering Students: New Space Offers a Refuge for Growth A new space opened at the start of the semester to provide a physical refuge for students seeking to focus on practices that promote their spiritual and mental wellbeing. The Meditation and Mindfulness room is in room 203 of the Student Memorial Center, just above the Galley. “After reviewing room usage data within the SMC, we chose to transform an underutilized conference room into an active space that will provide ongoing support to our student body,” says John Hearn, director of operations of the Student Memorial Center at Millersville University. Previously, students expressed their wish for a dedicated space on campus exclusively reserved for interfaith prayer, meditation, and mindfulness. However, the realization of this dream was hindered by the absence of an ideal location. Fortunately, the Student Memorial Center conducted a comprehensive space study in collaboration with WTW Architects. Thanks to continuous input from students, the SMC master plan has now been updated to incorporate a designated area for meditation and mindfulness. “Although long-term plans are vital for growth, the Division of Student Affairs desired to provide space that will meet and address the needs of our students today,” says Hearn. The space is designed to cater to a diverse range of needs, whether students choose to use it for prayer, meditation, or reflection. Its purpose is to support various faiths, promote positive mental health practices, and provide a welcoming environment for exploring personal interests. The room includes newly painted white walls, three chairs along the perimeter, a tower lamp, four salt lamps, additional prayer rugs, meditation and mindfulness cards and resources, sound machines to block excess noise and window tint to provide privacy.  The focal point of the room includes a hand-crafted wooden map of the world on the central wall to remind people who utilize the space of MU’s EPPIIC value of Inclusion. Crafted with inclusivity in mind, this space incorporates thoughtful details to embrace Millersville’s diverse student community. Notably, a wall decal has been included to indicate the Qibla, the direction toward the city of Mecca that holds significance for Muslims during prayer. This intentional design feature aims to create a welcoming environment for all students. “Our hope is that this space will feel open, warm and inclusive of our diverse student body,” says Hearn. The room is open on a walk-in basis during SMC operational hours. For the spring, that’s Monday – Friday 7 – 12 a.m., Saturdays from 8 – 12 a.m. and Sundays from 9 – 12 a.m. If students prefer, they can utilize the room alone for up to 20 minutes by changing a sig […] “Empowering Students: New Space Offers a Refuge for Growth”

More Than 20 Talented Artists Nominated for Broadway World Awards The Millersville University Theatre, productions, students, alumni and an assistant professor have been nominated in various categories for the 2023 Broadway World Central Pennsylvania Awards. Some of the students and recent graduates have even been nominated for their work at theatres outside of the University. Local Broadway World website editors set the award categories, and then BWW readers and audience members chose the nominees. Winners will be announced sometime in January. “I repeatedly meet folks in the Central PA theatre community who are surprised that Millersville has a theatre and entertainment tech program and/or they are surprised that we produce live theatre,” says Jonathan Strayer, assistant professor and director of dramatics at Millersville University. With theatres like the Fulton and Ephrata Performing Arts Center included, Strayer doesn’t expect to top any lists, but he does believe that the higher MU Theatre is on each list, the more exposure the program and University will receive. The Broadway World Regional Awards are the largest theatre audience awards, with over 100 cities worldwide participating. The Broadway World Regional Awards let readers have their say on the best local and touring productions around the country and world. Broadway World is the largest theatre site on the internet, covering Broadway, the West End and beyond to 100 US cities, 45 countries and in 12 languages worldwide. The awards honor productions that had their first performance between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. Voting took place from early November and ran through December 31. Here is the list of nominees from MU: Best Direction Of A Musical Jonathan Strayer – “CARRIE THE MUSICAL” – Millersville University Theatre   Best Direction Of A Play Jonathan Strayer – “CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME” – Millersville University Theatre Rachel Luann Strayer – “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre Guest Artist/Director   Best Musical “CARRIE” – Millersville University Theatre   Best Play “CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME” – Millersville University Theatre “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre   Best Performer In A Musical Anya Ditzler – “CARRIE THE MUSICAL” – Millersville University Theatre Ed Major   Best Performer In A Play Dustin Schneider – “THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME” – Millersville University Theatre Theatre Major Nathaniel Hawley – “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre Theatre Major Giancarlo Cooper – “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre Theatre Minor Bailey-Rose Collington – “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre English Major; Journalism Minor   Best Ensemble “CARRIE THE MUSICAL” – Millersville University Theatre “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre   Best Lighting Design Of A Play Or Musical Adam Boyer – “CARRIE THE MUSICAL” – Millersville University Theatre Nic Pappas – “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre ENTC Major   Best Scenic Design Of A Play Or Musical Janet Hershey – “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre Dec 2022 Grad – ENTC Major   Best Supporting Performer In A Play Calvin Butler – “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre Theatre Major Ashley Calderon – “PUFFS” – Millersville University Theatre 2023 Grad – Theatre Major   Favorite Local Theatre Millersville University Theatre   Current Students in Non-MU Theatre Projects: Best Supporting Performer In A Musical Ryan Slusky – “THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME” – The Belmont Theatre Theatre Minor   Best Direction Of A Musical Kat Thorpe – “THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL” – ACMO Theatre Major   MU Theatre Alumni in Non-MU Theatre Projects: Best Supporting Performer In A Play Major – Ian Wettlaufer – “MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR” – People’s Shakespeare Project 2021 Grad – Theatre Major   Best Performer In A Musical Major – Ashley Calderon – “THE PROM” – Ephrata Performing A […] “More Than 20 Talented Artists Nominated for Broadway World Awards”

Millersville Dresses Red “ […] “Millersville Dresses Red”

#1: Historic Fundraising Campaigns Our #1 story this year celebrates two incredible fundraising milestones: Millersville’s “Imagine the Possible” campaign and the annual One Day Give event. Imagine the Possible The “Imagine the Possible” fundraising campaign concluded in August this year, reaching a record-breaking $110,056,873, making it the most successful fundraising effort in the history of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The accomplishment is the culmination of a six-year fundraising campaign that surpassed a $90 million goal in March 2022 and topped $100 million in January 2023. The total of $110M+ exceeds the overall campaign fundraising goal by more than 22%. This was the first campaign focused entirely on students, so the priority areas for donations included Scholarships, Student Learning Experiences, Marauder Athletics and Campus Revitalization. One Day Give This year’s 10th annual One Day Give raised $582,465 from 2,026 gifts. These gifts will support student scholarships, Millersville athletics, the EPPIIC Student Compassion Fund that assists students facing undue financial hardships who need emergency assistance, and more. 15 new scholarships were also created during this year’s fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who made 2023 a year to remember. Happy new year fr […] “#1: Historic Fundraising Campaigns”

#2: Brooks, the Trauma Dog Coming in at #2, the Millersville University Police Department welcomed a new officer this year: K-9 Brooks, who was sworn in at a ceremony in September! As a trauma dog, Brooks is trained to help those who need emotional support directly after a traumatic event to reduce stress and anxiety, by demonstrating affection while exercising restraint. Trauma dogs also provide comfort to officers, who often handle dangerous and traumatic situations. Brooks is a popular pup on campus – tons of students came out to his first birthday party in October, where Brooks got to meet new people and play with his handler, Officer Ivan Gonzales. The MUPD currently has an ongoing campaign to raise money and support Brooks. These donations are used solely to help toward Brooks’ care, including grooming, food, training and modifications to police vehicles to assure safety for Brooks. For more information on how you can support Brooks during his time at Millersville, click here. You can also keep up with Brooks’ adventures on his Inst […] “#2: Brooks, the Trauma Dog”

#3: Lampire and Climavision Partnerships Our #3 story of the year highlights two corporate partnerships, which brought and will continue to bring exciting opportunities for Millersville’s STEM students. Lampire Biological Laboratories On March 31, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the partnership between MU and Lampire Biological Laboratories, an international biotech life science company that produces biological reagents used in the diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries. The ceremony celebrated the new Life Science incubator on Millersville’s campus, which will give students hands-on industry experience in the laboratory and access to jobs and internships. The University was chosen for the partnership because of its location and access to the student and alums workforce. There will also be opportunities for Millersville’s biology, chemistry and biochemistry faculty to collaborate with Lampire scientists on education programming, such as guest lectures, site visits and colloquium talks. Climavision In June, a partnership between Millersville and Climavision saw a new weather radar system installed on campus. This is the first partnership of its kind between Climavision and a university, which the University celebrated with a ceremony at Caputo Hall on August 29. The new weather radar system is the first X-band weather surveillance radar in the Lower Susquehanna Valley, filling in the gaps not covered by current radar systems. This information will help improve forecasts for areas like Lancaster County that may be prone to hazardous weather and will also help improve emergency planning and preparedne […] “#3: Lampire and Climavision Partnerships”

#4: Grants Thanks to the […] “#4: Grants”

#5: The ‘Ville Goes Global Our next top story of the year focuses on the ‘Ville making international headlines. At #5, here are some notable stories for MU across the globe. UCC Visits the ‘Ville In February, Millersville University was visited by representatives of the University of Cape Coast, after President Dr. Daniel A. Wubah spent time there representing MU and building a relationship with the other institution. The delegation from Ghana met with a variety of Millersville faculty and administrators to collaborate and discuss how each institution could benefit from a continued partnership. UCC has been a driving force in meeting and maintaining manpower in many industries and across many disciplines, including doctors and health care professionals, business professionals, administrators, legal professionals and agriculturalists. Millersville and St. John of India In another collaboration, Millersville and St. John Technical and Educational Campus in India signed a memorandum of understanding on June 5. This allows for students at St. John’s affiliate institutions to attend Millersville University and for faculty collaboration between the two institutions. The agreement also establishes possibilities for dual-degree and transfer-degree programs and non-degree programs. The agreement will allow the exchange of scholarly and pedagogical materials and the development of academic research, workshops or other joint projects. President Wubah earns Honorary Degree President Wubah receives his honorary degree On July 29, Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, president of Millersville University, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Wubah previously received his bachelor’s with Honors in botany and Dip. Ed. in education from the UCC. UCC is the topmost-ranked university in Ghana and West Africa, the 4th in Africa and among the 400 topmost-ranked universities […] “#5: The ‘Ville Goes Global”

#6: Google and Amazon Partnerships Millersville University furthered opportunities for its students through quite a few corporate partnerships this year. Coming in at #6 are two very notable partnerships with Google and Amazon. Google Career Certificates Governor Josh Shapiro visited Millersville University in August to announce the partnership between Google and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, making industry-recognized Google Career Certificates available to Millersville students and the public to help them secure good-paying jobs. Amazon Career Choice In October, Millersville University Provost Dr. Gail Gasparich visited the new Amazon distribution center in York to announce the new partnership between the University and the Amazon Career Choice program. This program provides eligible Amazon employees with funding, like pre-paid tuition and reimbursement for textbooks and other fees, while they work toward their undergraduate de […] “#6: Google and Amazon Partnerships”

#7: Athletics The […] “#7: Athletics”

#8: MU Students Share Their Success Between conferences, competitions, individual and team awards and more, many Millersville students found a lot of success this year. Coming in at #8, we’re recognizing students and clubs who had a lot to celebrate. ‘Ville Robotics At the 2023 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition held in Rochester, Michigan, ‘Ville Robotics scored big. Their autonomous robot, named A.Li.E.N. 4.0, won 1st to Qualify, 2nd Place Performance, and 2nd Place Overall in the AutoNav Class. They also won 3rd Place in the Grand Award, which combines the results of both AutoNav and Self-Drive class competitions. The robotics team was also selected as one of just 13 teams in the nation to compete in the TiM$10K challenge. The competition is organized by SICK, one of the most prominent companies for sensor-based applications and sensor intelligence. Undergraduate Research Conference In April, students representing an array of different majors traveled to the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire to present their undergraduate research. The National Conference of Undergraduate Research is held annually to showcase undergraduate innovation, scholarships and creativity. While at the conference, students not only presented their research to hundreds of other student researchers, but they also met peers and faculty in their field of research, learned about research in different fields, learned about graduate schools and employment opportunities and developed their presentation skills. Student Receives NSF Award Annisa Saengdara, Millersville University junior environmental and spatial sciences student, was one of 10 students awarded the National Science Foundation Research for Undergraduates award in Interdisciplinary Problem Solving. She looked at human-dominated wetlands during the 10-week program at the Rochester Institute of Technology.  Print/Packaging Awards Millersville University graphics and packaging technology students Sydney Hargrove, Reagan Steinberg, Kaylena Travitz and Ben Troyano won awards in two different competitions. Hargrove and Steinberg were awarded for their submissions in the Neographics sponsored by the Print and Graphic Communications Association. Hargrove’s screen-printed T-shirt “Posterization” earned a Franklin Award for Excellence in the Student/College category, and Steinberg’s Digital “Variable Data Postcard” earned a Franklin Award for Excellence and the Best of Category in the Student/College category. Travitz and Troyano’s “Ville Hardware” design was selected by the Association of Independent Corrugated Converter’s Student Packaging Design Competition committee as the second-place winner in the structure category. Student appointed to State Board of Education Breanna Chernich Brenna Chernich is serving a two-year term on the State Board of Education’s Council of Higher Education. The dual early childhood education and special education major with a minor in integrative STEM education methods was approved by the State Board of Education to serve as an advisory member on the council. NEMA MU’s National Electronic Media Association chapter won big at the Broadcast Education Association conference this year, bringing various awards back to campus: The Motivated Chapter Award Chapter of the Year NEMA Student of the Year: Nicole Dalton, sophomore media arts production major, NEMA Professional of the Year: Stacey Irwin was recognized as the NEMA Professional of the Year. Honorable Mentions for the Video Entertainment and/or Music Program: Two MUTV productions received honorable mentions, including the Plugged In production and the “Cookie Butter Catastrophe” episode from The Trend MU. WxChallenge Meteorology students from across the nation signed up to participate in the WxChallenge contest, and this year several Millersville University students placed high in the competition. WxChallenge is a collegiate-focused meteorological forecasting competition. Forecasters predict the daily high and low temperatures, maximum sustained wind speed and cumulative liquid precipitation amount for select locations across the United States. The competition runs for 10 weeks in the fall semester and 10 weeks in the spring semester. Safety Chapter Millersville University’s American Society of Safety Professionals student chapter once again received national recognition. The chapter placed third out of 12 schools in the national 2022 – 2023 Outstanding Student Section of the Year Award competition. After winning first place last year, this makes it the second year in a row that the student chapter has been nationally recognized for its outstanding stude […] “#8: MU Students Share Their Success”

#9: Land Acknowledgment and Trees of Peace Our next top story builds off the University’s Land Acknowledgment Statement and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In October, the University planted four white pine trees to honor the land’s traditional occupants and caretakers in a ceremony that was open to the public. Attendees learned that White Pine trees were chosen as a symbol of peacekeeping, teaching us to put aside differences and create a safe place. The White Pine is the “Tree of Peace” to the Iroquois Confederacy, a group of “first nations” living in present-day New […] “#9: Land Acknowledgment and Trees of Peace”

#10: Conferences 2023 was […] “#10: Conferences”

MU's Top 10 Stories of 2023 2023 was a busy year for the ‘Ville! We’ll be counting down the top 10 stories for the University, starting with some of the many conferences Millersville hosted the past year: #10: Conferences Zero Hunger – Fighting Food Insecurity Regionally To help find and discuss solutions to the problems posed by food insecurity, MU hosted the “Zero Hunger – Fighting Food Insecurity Regionally” conference at the Ware Center in May. The conference was aligned with the 17 global goals for sustainable development and Millersville University’s commitment to sustainability. Holocaust Conference The 38th Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide took place in April focused on the theme of “Never Again? Genocide in the 21st Century.” Dr. Norman Naimark, an internationally known scholar on genocide, an East European Studies professor at Stanford University and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, presented the keynote speech. Much of the conference discussed the war in Ukraine. Launch Music Conference 2023 was the 15th year for LAUNCH, a three-day event in April that serves as a music festival and a networking opportunity for its musicians. LAUNCH is an annual event that allows up-and-coming musicians to perform and meet new peers. Ashley Macharelli, a music industry major with a concentration in management, served as the student liaison for LAUNCH. In this position, she learned how to organize and manage staff, and was able to work with industry professionals. The Learning Institute’s Global Well-Being Conference The Learning Institute’s 10th Annual Global Well-Being Conference was held over three days in April at the Ware Center. This year’s theme was “Global Connectedness: Achieving Sustainable Change in an Evolving World.”   #9: Land Acknowledgment and Trees of Peace Our next top story builds off the University’s Land Acknowledgment Statement and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In October, the University planted four white pine trees to honor the land’s traditional occupants and caretakers in a ceremony that was open to the public. Attendees learned that White Pine trees were chosen as a symbol of peacekeeping, teaching us to put aside differences and create a safe place. The White Pine is the “Tree of Peace” to the Iroquois Confederacy, a group of “first nations” living in present-day New York and Pennsylvania.   #8: MU Students Share Their Success Between conferences, competitions, individual and team awards and more, many Millersville students found a lot of success this year. Coming in at #8, we’re recognizing students and clubs who had a lot to celebrate. ‘Ville Robotics At the 2023 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition held in Rochester, Michigan, ‘Ville Robotics scored big. Their autonomous robot, named A.Li.E.N. 4.0, won 1st to Qualify, 2nd Place Performance, and 2nd Place Overall in the AutoNav Class. They also won 3rd Place in the Grand Award, which combines the results of both AutoNav and Self-Drive class competitions. The robotics team was also selected as one of just 13 teams in the nation to compete in the TiM$10K challenge. The competition is organized by SICK, one of the most prominent companies for sensor-based applications and sensor intelligence. Undergraduate Research Conference In April, students representing an array of different majors traveled to the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire to present their undergraduate research. The National Conference of Undergraduate Research is held annually to showcase undergraduate innovation, scholarships and creativity. While at the conference, students not only presented their research to hundreds of other student researchers, but they also met peers and faculty in their field of research, learned about research in different fields, learned about graduate schools and employment opportunities and developed their presentation skills. Student Receives NSF Award Annisa Saengdara, Millersville University junior environmental and spatial sciences student, was one of 10 students awarded the National Science Foundation Research for Undergraduates award in Interdisciplinary Problem Solving. She looked at human-dominated wetlands during the 10-week program at the Rochester Institute of Technology.  Print/Packaging Awards Millersville University graphics and packaging technology students Sydney Hargrove, Reagan Steinberg, Kaylena Travitz and Ben Troyano won awards in two different competitions. Hargrove and Steinberg were awarded for their submissions in the Neographics sponsored by the Print and Graphic Communications Association. Hargrove’s screen-printed T-shirt “Posterization” earned a Franklin Award for Excellence in the Student/College category, and Steinberg’s Digital “Variable Data Postcard” earned a Franklin Award for Excellence and the Best of Category in the Student/College category. Travitz and Troyano’s “Ville Hardware” design was selected by the Association of Independent Corrugated Converter’s Student Packaging Design Competition committee as the second-place winner in the structure category. Student appointed to State Board of Education Brenna Chernich is serving a two-year term on the State Board of Education’s Council of Higher Education. The dual early childhood education and special education major with a minor in integrative STEM education methods was approved by the State Board of Education to serve as an advisory member on the council. NEMA MU’s National Electronic Media Association chapter won big at the Broadcast Education Association conference this year, bringing various awards back to campus: The Motivated Chapter Award Chapter of the Year NEMA Student of the Year: Nicole Dalton, sophomore media arts production major, NEMA Professional of the Year: Stacey Irwin was recognized as the NEMA Professional of the Year. Honorable Mentions for the Video Entertainment and/or Music Program: Two MUTV productions received honorable mentions, including the Plugged In production and the “Cookie Butter Catastrophe” episode from The Trend MU. WxChallenge Meteorology students from across the nation signed up to participate in the WxChallenge contest, and this year several Millersville University students placed high in the competition. WxChallenge is a collegiate-focused meteorological forecasting competition. Forecasters predict the daily high and low temperatures, maximum sustained wind speed and cumulative liquid precipitation amount for select locations across the United States. The competition runs for 10 weeks in the fall semester and 10 weeks in the spring semester. Safety Chapter Millersville University’s American Society of Safety Professionals student chapter once again received national recognition. The chapter placed third out of 12 schools in the national 2022 – 2023 Outstanding Student Section of the Year Award competition. After winning first place last year, this makes it the second year in a row that the student chapter has been nationally recognized for its outstanding student efforts.   #7: Athletics The Millersville University Marauders had a lot to celebrate. Our #7 story highlights just a few of the high points for athletics this year. Make-A-Wish Reveal On April 1, MU Athletics helped make a local girl’s dream come true as part of a Make-A-Wish reveal, the fifth time athletics has partnered with the organization. The Millersville University Student Athletic Advisory Committee raised $5,000 for Make-A-Wish in 2022, allowing them to reveal this year’s wish. Eight-year-old Olivia Neupauer, who has spent her childhood battling kidney disease, was greeted by 400 student athletes as she made her way onto Chryst Field. Neupauer was gifted with several items that she could take along with her to her dream vacation, Disney World. Men’s Soccer wins PSAC In an intense match, Millersville men’s soccer beat PSAC east rival West Chester this fall with a score of 1-0, officially earning the title of PSAC Champions. This is the fourth time in the past five seasons that the team has been able to do so. Hannah Woelfling, National Champ At the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, Hannah Woelfling ‘23 celebrated her last season as a NCAA champion. In the discus throw, Woelfling beat out the 20 other competitors with a season-best throw of 167-0, despite entering the event as the No. 7 seed. She joins alumna Sunflower Greene ‘19 as the only MU track and field athletes with NCAA titles. Marauder Baseball Championship Titles Marauder baseball won its fourth straight PSAC Eastern Division championship this spring, making it the only PSAC program to do so two different times since the conference began divisional play in 1976. This makes for the eighth time in the past 10 seasons that the baseball team has been PSAC Eastern Division champions. Men’s golf won PSAC With a lineup of three seniors and two freshmen, Marauder golf successfully won a fifth PSAC Championship, defeating four-time defending champion IUP. Despite beginning with just a one-shot lead, the Marauders quickly proved they were in it to win, as in the team round of the tournament, no other team came within 12 shots of them. Millersville finished as the only team to post two sub-300 rounds, and the team’s four counted scorecards saw a combined three-under-par score over the final four holes.   #6: Google and Amazon Partnerships Millersville University furthered opportunities for its students through quite a few corporate partnerships this year. Coming in at #6 are two very notable partnerships with Google and Amazon. Google Career Certificates Governor Josh Shapiro visited Millersville University in August to announce the partnership between Google and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, making industry-recognized Google Career Certificates available to Millersville students and the public to help them secure good-paying jobs. Amazon Career Choice In October, Millersville University Provost Dr. Gail Gasparich visited the new Amazon distribution center in York to announce the new partnership between the University and the Amazon Career Choice program. This program provides eligible Amazon employees with funding, like pre-paid tuition and reimbursement for textbooks and other fees, while they work toward their undergraduate degree at MU.   #5: The ‘Ville Goes Global Our next top story of the year focuses on the ‘Ville making international headlines. At #5, here are some notable stories for MU across the globe. UCC Visits the ‘Ville In February, Millersville University was visited by representatives of the University of Cape Coast, after President Dr. Daniel A. Wubah spent time there representing MU and building a relationship with the other institution. The delegation from Ghana met with a variety of Millersville faculty and administrators to collaborate and discuss how each institution could benefit from a continued partnership. UCC has been a driving force in meeting and maintaining manpower in many industries and across many disciplines, including doctors and health care professionals, business professionals, administrators, legal professionals and agriculturalists. Millersville and St. John of India In another collaboration, Millersville and St. John Technical and Educational Campus in India signed a memorandum of understanding on June 5. This allows for students at St. John’s affiliate institutions to attend Millersville University and for faculty collaboration between the two institutions. The agreement also establishes possibilities for dual-degree and transfer-degree programs and non-degree programs. The agreement will allow the exchange of scholarly and pedagogical materials and the development of academic research, workshops or other joint projects. President Wubah earns Honorary Degree On July 29, Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, president of Millersville University, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Wubah previously received his bachelor’s with Honors in botany and Dip. Ed. in education from the UCC. UCC is the topmost-ranked university in Ghana and West Africa, the 4th in Africa and among the 400 topmost-ranked universities worldwide.   #4: Grants Thanks to the generosity of various institutions and the hard work of Millersville faculty and staff, the University received several notable grants this year to further the education and hands-on learning of its students. Our #4 story of the year highlights just a few. “It’s on Us” For the seventh year in a row, the University received a portion of the $1 million “It’s on Us PA” grant, part of the campaign which is aimed at addressing sexual assault on college campuses. MU is using the funds provided by the grant to expand prevention programs, provide additional training to support and respond to those impacted by sexual violence, train more individuals about bystander intervention through Green Dot and implement the University’s own Be the One to Speak Up campaign. ACHIEVE Grant Millersville University received $189,914 as a partner of the Lancaster County Workforce Division Board’s ACHIEVE project. The purpose of the grant is to help jobseekers re-enroll in educational programs, designed to assist Pennsylvanians who began studying in higher education for in-demand fields but had to leave their degree after two or three years. Scholarships for Student Volunteers A $296,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will allow students who volunteer for Blue Rock Fire Rescue to be eligible for up to $2,500 a year. The grant will primarily be applied to recruitment and retention, with the hope of welcoming 12 new students for the fire company each year. Students who volunteer with Blue Rock Fire Rescue will be eligible for the scholarships beginning in the spring semester, including those who are currently volunteering. National Science Foundation Grant A five-year $3,448,451 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program will help Millersville University as the lead institution working to increase the recruitment, graduation and post-baccalaureate success of students from underrepresented groups in STEM graduate school and/or the STEM workforce. This NSF grant is a joint effort of Millersville, East Stroudsburg University, Slippery Rock University and West Chester University. The program will provide tuition scholarships, summer stipends, travel support, and a slew of co-curricular supports and opportunities for the students involved. All this is to help meet its goal of increasing the number of students graduating with a STEM bachelor’s degree by at least 20%, from 70 graduates a year to 84 or more. Pheonix Contact Grant Thanks to a grant donation from Phoenix Contact, the Automation and Controls Lab in Osburn Hall will receive new equipment. Students studying automation and robotics engineering will have access to this equipment, worth close to $50,000, allowing them to develop and work with Industrial Internet of Things. ‘Internet of Things’ is an industry term that refers to collective networks of connected devices and the technology that facilitates communication among itself. This tech will be especially relevant to students who hope to be automation, controls, or manufacturing engineers.   #3: Partnerships: Lampire and Climavision Our #3 story of the year highlights two corporate partnerships, which brought and will continue to bring exciting opportunities for Millersville’s STEM students. Lampire Biological Laboratories On March 31, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the partnership between MU and Lampire Biological Laboratories, an international biotech life science company that produces biological reagents used in the diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries. The ceremony celebrated the new Life Science incubator on Millersville’s campus, which will give students hands-on industry experience in the laboratory and access to jobs and internships. The University was chosen for the partnership because of its location and access to the student and alums workforce. There will also be opportunities for Millersville’s biology, chemistry and biochemistry faculty to collaborate with Lampire scientists on education programming, such as guest lectures, site visits and colloquium talks. Climavision In June, a partnership between Millersville and Climavision saw a new weather radar system installed on campus. This is the first partnership of its kind between Climavision and a university, which the University celebrated with a ceremony at Caputo Hall on August 29. The new weather radar system is the first X-band weather surveillance radar in the Lower Susquehanna Valley, filling in the gaps not covered by current radar systems. This information will help improve forecasts for areas like Lancaster County that may be prone to hazardous weather and will also help improve emergency planning and preparedness for the area.   #2: Brooks, the Trauma Dog Coming in at #2, the Millersville University Police Department welcomed a new officer this year: K-9 Brooks, who was sworn in at a ceremony in September! As a trauma dog, Brooks is trained to help those who need emotional support directly after a traumatic event to reduce stress and anxiety, by demonstrating affection while exercising restraint. Trauma dogs also provide comfort to officers, who often handle dangerous and traumatic situations. Brooks is a popular pup on campus – tons of students came out to his first birthday party in October, where Brooks got to meet new people and play with his handler, Officer Ivan Gonzales. The MUPD currently has an ongoing campaign to raise money and support Brooks. These donations are used solely to help toward Brooks’ care, including grooming, food, training and modifications to police vehicles to assure safety for Brooks. For more information on how you can support Brooks during his time at Millersville, click here. You can also keep up with Brooks’ adventures on his Instagram page!   #1: Historic Fundraising Campaigns Our #1 story this year celebrates two incredible fundraising milestones: Millersville’s “Imagine the Possible” campaign and the annual One Day Give event. Imagine the Possible The “Imagine the Possible” fundraising campaign concluded in August this year, reaching a record-breaking $110,056,873, making it the most successful fundraising effort in the history of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The accomplishment is the culmination of a six-year fundraising campaign that surpassed a $90 million goal in March 2022 and topped $100 million in January 2023. The total of $110M+ exceeds the overall campaign fundraising goal by more than 22%. This was the first campaign focused entirely on students, so the priority areas for donations included Scholarships, Student Learning Experiences, Marauder Athletics and Campus Revitalization. One Day Give This year’s 10th annual One Day Give raised $582,465 from 2,026 gifts. These gifts will support student scholarships, Millersville athletics, the EPPIIC Student Compassion Fund that assists students facing undue financial hardships who need emergency assistance, and more. 15 new scholarships were also created during this year’s fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who made 2023 a year to remember. Happy new y […] “MU’s Top 10 Stories of 2023”

Meet the Skully's Circle Award Recipients A new HR initiative aims to recognize outstanding Millersville University employees. Skully’s Circle was established in April of 2023, and provides an avenue for the campus community to celebrate employees of Millersville University who demonstrate the EPPIIC Values by way of exhibiting exceptional performance and a positive demeanor in fulfilling their commitment to the University’s mission, vision and strategic plan. All active full-time, part-time and temporarily employed Millersville University faculty and staff individuals who are in good standing are eligible to be nominated to receive this recognition. An HR Advisory Panel of four individuals representing four separate divisions reviews nominations and scores feedback provided by the nominator. “The scoring rubric guides HR Advisory Panel members to award of 0-4 points for each of the EPPIIC behaviors encompassed in this program:  work performance, customer services, attitude and commitment, interpersonal skills, and overall furtherance of MU’s mission and vision, based on specific details provided in the nomination to support each characteristic,” says Wendy Bowersox, employee engagement specialist. Each Skully’s Cricle recipient will receive a certificate and a blanket with the Skully’s Circle logo. Awards are personally presented by President Wubah, and the winners are announced in ‘Ville Daily, the EPPIIC Values webpage and through the President’s Updates. University President and Cabinet members are exempt from nomination, self-nominations are not accepted. Individuals may not be awarded Skully’s Circle recognition more than once in a 24-month period. Meet the Skully’s Circle Award Winners: December: Margaret (Margo) Thorwart ’17 was named the director of the Center for Health Education and Promotion in September 2022. Before this position, Thorwart returned to MU in 2021 as an assistant field hockey coach. She was nominated by Darlene Newman, director of Student Access & Support Services, who noted that Thorwart met the Work Performance, Customer Service, Attitude and Commitment, Interpersonal Skills and Overall Furtherance of Millersville University’s Mission and Vision criteria. In her nomination, Newman shares, “[Margo] built the foundation of Health Education and Promotions, and demonstrates her leadership, compassion, integrity in a professional manner that impacts not only students but our campus community. She is a tireless advocate for this university that continues to be present and passionate about her work.” November: Pete Anders joined University Police as chief of police in December 2010. Anders was nominated by Dr. Mary Beth Williams, vice president for Student Affairs, for satisfying the Work Performance, Customer Service, Attitude and Commitment, Interpersonal Skills and Overall Furtherance of Millersville University’s Mission and Vision criteria of the Skully’s Circle award program. Mary Beth Williams said, “Pete is a pillar of compassion in our community, and we are honored to have him as our chief of police.” October: John Sicotte began at MU in June of 2003 as a clerk typist in the Professional Training and Education Department. In 2004, he transitioned to the Registrar’s Office where he worked his way toward his current role, in 2009, as the assistant registrar for academic scheduling & registration in the Registrar’s Office. John was nominated by Dr. Janet Bertoni, associate professor and chair of the Special Education Department, for satisfying the Work Performance, Customer Service, Attitude and Commitment, Interpersonal Skills and Overall Furtherance of Millersville University’s Mission and Vision criteria of the Skully’s Circle award program. September: Liz Thompson began her journey at MU in 2022 as the executive assistant to the Interim Chief Technology Officer in the Technical Support Services department. Liz was nominated by Kathy Nazarenus, assistant to the provost, for satisfying the Customer Service, Attitude and Commitment and Interpersonal Skills criteria of the Skully’s Circle award program. August: Tara Borgna is the director of enterprise applications in the Enterprise Applications and Digital Solutions department. Tara began her journey at MU in 2000 as an associate database administrator. Over the years she grew into various roles, serving our IT Department as a developer, applications services manager and director of enterprise applications. Tara was nominated by Megan Jones, senior assistant registrar, for satisfying Work Performance, Attitude and Commitment and Interpersonal Skills criteria of the Skully’s Circle award program. July: Jackie Aliotta, assistant director of Student Organizations & Leadership in the Campus Life Department, was selected as July’s Skully’s Circle award recipient. A member of the MU community since February 2019, Jackie was nominated by Kelly Davis, administrative manager in the Office of the Dean of Education and Human Services, for satisfying all categories of the Skully’s Circle award criteria. June: Dr. Richard Glenn, professor and chair of Government, Policy & Law, was nominated as the human embodiment of all that is good, just and worthy to be included within the Skully Circle and exemplifies all EPPIIC values. Dr. Glenn’s efforts to explore novel teaching pedagogies inside and outside the classroom is to be applauded. His bar is set high because he is viewing the students not just in the moment but what they will need to be successful once they graduate. To nominate a Millersville University faculty or staff member fo […] “Meet the Skully’s Circle Award Recipients”

Mild, then Snowy Weather this Winter “Millersville students probably won’t need to use heavier coats too frequently this December,” says Kyle Elliott, director of Millersville University’s Weather Information Center. “There will undoubtedly be colder days in December, but the number of ‘mild’ days should greatly outweigh the number of ‘frigid’ ones.” Regarding the chance for any pre-Christmas snow, Elliott says, “I don’t see any ‘big storms’ on the horizon, and a White Christmas is unlikely this year at the ‘Ville. However, I can’t completely rule out a ‘minor’ snowfall on the order of 1-3 inches or less at some point this month.” As a whole, Elliott is expecting 25-35 inches of snow this season in most of Lancaster County, with an above-normal chance of a major, double-digit snowstorm. The long-term (1981-2020) average seasonal snowfall at Millersville is about 28 inches, so the 25-35″ of snow Elliott is expecting this winter season can be considered “near- to slightly-above normal.” Millersville only received 0.9″ of snow during the entire 2022-2023 winter season, making it the least-snowy winter on record. The previous record for least snow in a winter season was 4.0″ from 1949-1950. Elliott believes Lancaster County should receive significantly more snow this winter. “Storms of heavier magnitude will most likely occur between January 20th and February 20th,” says Elliott. “Temperatures in December should be at least 3-5°F above normal, and the first half of January could also be quite mild.” However, Elliott says a transition may take place during the middle of January, with temperatures then averaging 1-3°F below normal from late January through February. “In aggregate, temperatures should average around 1-3°F above normal this winter due primarily to a warm start,” says Elliot. “Despite this, snow-lovers should have much more to get excited about this winter in comparison to the last two.” For a full breakdown of Elliott’s 2023-2024 winter weather f […] “Mild, then Snowy Weather this Winter”