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1960s
Kay Kauffman Fidler ’62, Harrisburg, retired in 2010 after 47 years teaching high school Latin and English. She and her husband continue to coach competitive FFA speakers at Annville Cleona High School. Fidler also serves as an area representative with International Student Exchange and volunteers with Wreathes Across America.
Joyce Weaver Nolt ’62, ’84M, Lancaster, was re-elected President of the J.P. McCaskey Alumni Association.
Kenneth Kulakowsky ’68, Willow Street, received the 2018 Kagy/Prust Life Achievement Award at the 93rd Graphic Communications Education Association Annual Conference on Aug. 1, 2018. He has taught for over 35 years, both in the Octorara School District and at MU as an adjunct professor.
Anthony Zaya ’68, Lititz, and his company, Lancaster County Timber Frames, Inc. were featured in a PBS NOVA Presentation titled “Operation Bridge Rescue” in October. Zaya’s second book, “Heavy Timber Structures: Creating Comfort in Public Spaces” was published by Schiffer Publications, Ltd.
Terry Kline ’69, Brenham, Texas, Professor Emeritus, EKU College of Justice and Safety presented at the annual Dr. Richard W. Bishop (’37) Memorial Forum sponsored by the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association in Chicago. Dr. Kline also earned the ADTSEA Dr. Richard Kaywood Award for outstanding service to the national driver and traffic safety program, an award Bishop also earned.
1970s
Donald Miller ’70, Harrisburg, who writes under the pseudonym Donald Motier, published five new books in the last four years and has a sixth that
will be published soon. He writes fiction, such as “Saving Lincoln: Mystic Chords of Memory,” and nonfiction, like “Riverside: A History and Memoir.” He also recently discovered that he is related to Mary Todd Lincoln.
Michael Tavella ’71, Hatboro, published his first novel, titled “The Light in the Ruins,” in July 2018.
Robert Haywood ’72, Huntingdon Valley, received the “Man Behind the Scenes” award from the Philadelphia String Band Association. He is the longest continuously serving member of the band, having marched in the past 46 Mummers Parades.
John Coulson ’73, Hanover, published his second book, titled “Wee Willie Sherdel: The Cardinals’ Winningest Left-Hander,” which tells the story of Bill Sherdel, a German immigrant blacksmith who went on to pitch for the Cardinals in two World Series against Babe Ruth and the Yankees.
Wanda Dietz Craner ’75, Boyertown, and the Board of Directors of Gestalt Pastoral Care Associates, Inc. have written and received a prestigious grant from Brigham Young University and funded by the Templeton Foundation to study “spiritually integrated psychotherapeutic strategies” and how they impact long-term holistic growth and healing.
Cheryl Richards ’75, Louisa, Va., retired after 20 years as a Senior Programmer/Analyst at the University of Richmond.
Carla Kessler Quickel ’76, Fort Wayne, Ind., earned her Doctor of Business Administration in Management degree from Anderson University.
She is an associate professor of business administration at Ivy Tech Community College.
William Redmond ’77, ‘79M, Millersville, retired after 31 years of serving as the Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Retention at Millersville University.
Bruce Drozd ’79, Warrington, retired after 39 years of teaching in Philadelphia and Cheltenham School Districts, where he taught industrial arts and technology education.
1980s
Garry Warlow ’80, Richboro, retired from the Neshaminy School District on 6/25/18, where he taught industrial arts and technology education for 25 years.
Mike Callahan ’81, Mountville, has been named the new CEO of Benchmark Construction Company.
Jonathan A. Crothers ’81, ’91M, Lancaster, earned a Doctorate of Lifelong Learning and Education from Pennsylvania State University on 8/11/18.
Jill Dorsey Mansor ’84, retired after 33 years of teaching. She also published her first book, titled “Fighting for the Finish,” on 11/12/17. Dorsey will continue to manage her equine therapy farm, Raise Your Dreams Farm, in Woodstown, N.J.
Scott Selheimer ’85, Newark, Del., retired from full-time work as the Assistant Director of Athletics Communications at the University of Delaware after 33 years at the school. He was recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America with a Lifetime Achievement Award in July 2018. He also serves as Executive Director of the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
Steve Adamek ’86, Senoia, GA., retired in July 2014, after 31 years as an air traffic controller, most recently serving in Dubai.
Brian Barg ’88, ’92M, Blue Bell, retired from his position as a mathematics teacher after 25 years of employment in Camden and Pennsauken, N.J.
Carolyn O’Day Dymond ’88, Thompsontown, was recently promoted within the Bureau of Individual Taxes after working as a Realty Transfer Tax Specialist for several years. She is now one of four tax examiners in the Commonwealth who specialize in complicated inheritance tax issues, specifically wrongful death cases.
Tammy Rice Herman ’89, Yardley, was named Director of Programs and Services at the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, where she manages the state’s financial and technical support services for artists and nonprofit organizations.
Irvin Scott ’89, Cambridge, Mass., was featured in a story on the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s website about his work in faith and education. He is a senior lecturer at Harvard.
1990s
Alba Bedoya Carollo ’90, Abu Dhabi, UAE, accepted a position as middle school principal at the American Community School in Abu Dhabi. She has worked for 19 years overseas as a teacher and administrator at schools in China, Indonesia, Romania and the United Arab Emirates.
Karin Salonomsson Sekelsky ’90, Caledonia, Mich., earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree with highest honors from Chamberlain College on 8/11/18. She was also given the Executive Safety Award from Spectrum Health.
Jeff Clouser ’91, Mount Joy, was published in the UCC Musician’s Association Journal. His article is titled “Capable Leadership for the Church’s Music Ministry.” Clouser serves as the Director of Music Ministries at Palmyra Church of the Brethren.
Bill Burke ’93, Denver, was promoted to partner at Madison Risk Group, a risk management insurance brokerage based in King of Prussia.
Wendy Dunlap Bratina ’93M, Harrisburg, earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education from Immaculata University on 5/20/18.
Missy Wetzel Ciocca ’93, Jupiter, Fla., accepted a position as Vice President of Marketing and Communications with LRP Media Group.
Sandy Aberts ’94, Manheim, was promoted to Related Services Coordinator at Reach Cyber Charter School.
Karen Hinton Polite ’95, ’18D, Lancaster, earned a doctoral degree in social work from Millersville University on 5/11/18.
Ann Hillenbrand Brown ’96, Eggleston, Va., was named Director of Strategic Communications for the University Libraries at Virginia Tech.
Chad Kimmel ’96, Boiling Springs, has been working for 15 years as an associate professor in sociology at Shippensburg University. He and his
wife, Andrea, are the new owners of a hard cider production company, Grand Illusion, based in Carlisle, PA. His cider was recently featured in the alumni and friends tent party during Homecoming 2018.
Jo Rupp ’96, Pittsburgh, earned a master’s degree in sports psychology from the California University of Pennsylvania with a 4.0 GPA.
She is a member of the Kappa Omicron Nu honor society.
Rikardo Hull Esq. ’97, Harrisburg, accepted a position as Executive Vice President of Strategy & Regulatory Affairs with the National Association
of Water Companies.
Kimberly Graham-Pfeffer ’97, Atlanta, Ga., accepted a position as director of Emory University’s EmoryCard program. She was also appointed Chair of the National Association of Campus Card Users (NACCU) Professional Development Committee.
Kelly McGinnis Beck ’98, Norristown, was elected as the National President of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.
Matthew Bruckner ’99, Lancaster, accepted a position as Director of Geoenvironmental Services with Rettew, a firm based in Manor Township.
Heather Kolloff Anderson ’99, Newton, N.J., was named Kittatinny Regional High School’s teacher of the year. She is an art teacher and has worked at Kittatinny since 2000.
Kristen Kosakowski Handel ’99, Egg Harbor Township, N.J., was named one of Insurance Business American magazine’s Elite Women of 2018.
Alexander Kaufman ’99, Muncie, Ind., was named the Reed D. Voran Distinguished Professor of Honors Humanities and Professor of English at Ball State University, where he teaches in the honors college.
2000s
Aarin Price Deibler ’00, Lancaster, earned a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Eastern Mennonite University on 8/11/17.
Gary Zoll ’00, Laurel, Del., accepted a position as principal of Milford Central Academy in Milford, Del.
Nathan Claycomb ’01, Strasburg, was appointed as Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement at Millersville University on July 30, 2018.
Aaron Dunn ’02, Airville, rescued an exceptionally rare Civil War artifact, a pair of war-used boots once owned, and worn by General Joshua L. Chamberlain of the 20th Maine Regiment during the latter half of the war. Only two pairs of boots are known to exist, one is on permanent display in a museum in Brunswick, Maine. The boots will be on display at the Appomattox, Va. Visitor Center for the next four years.
Gregg Heimer ’02, Chester Springs, earned a Masters of Sciences in Telecommunication and Network Management from Syracuse University on 5/12/17.
John Stauffer ’02, Mountville, was promoted to Vice President and Senior Retail Office at Ephrata National Bank. He has worked for the organization since 2009.
Lundy Ben ’03, Brighton, Colo., has worked for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Quantitative Research Analyst since 2014, and was awarded a master’s degree in international relations from Webster University in 2011.
Brian Heisey ’03, York, released his latest music video on Youtube, titled “DNA (Just Replicate),” on 5/22/18. He works as a middle school science teacher at Central York Middle School and uses his music and videos as an instructional aide with his students.
Doug Resh ’03, Phoenix, Ariz., was awarded Produce Business News 2018 40 under 40. Resh’s career started with Food Export USA-Northeast, he then owned an import/export company and a food brokerage. After selling that business he was recruited by Woodspur Farms and promoted to vice president of sales and marketing.
Brooke Wiker Donovan ’04, Mechanicsburg, was promoted to Senior Advancement Office at Dickinson College in June 2018.
Randee Bretherick ’06, Lancaster, published her first mystery novel, titled “Criminal Misdeeds,” under the pseudonym Randee Green.
The book was released on 7/1/18 by Coffeetown Press.
Brandy Kline Leininger ’07, Ephrata, earned a Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education degree from the University of South Dakota on 5/5/18.
Katie White Veisz ’07, Doylestown, accepted a position as the Elementary Learning Support Program Specialist for the Central Bucks School District. She worked as a special education teacher in the district since 2008.
Nadine Owsiany ’08, Brookhaven, accepted a position as a supply chain analyst with Eaton Corporation.
Jordan Estock ’09, Elkton, Md., was named teacher of the year at Concord High School in 2015. He was recently asked to present at the TEDx Wilmington conference about his work with Authentic Learning.
Katherine Romagnoli Schultz ’09, Lancaster, earned a Doctor of Education in Special Education from the University of Pittsburgh on 6/23/18.
2010s
Courtney Anderson Drew ’10, Harrisburg, published two novels, “No Relief from Waking” on 12/1/17 and “Dragons Fly: The Adventures of Adelia Mirianth” on 7/22/18.
Jessica Stankovich ’11, Lebanon, was promoted to vice president of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce on 7/19/18. She has worked for the LVCC since 2013.
Lochran Fallon ’12M, ’13M, State College, accepted a position as an assistant professor of English at Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C.
Danielle Dougherty ’13, East Norriton, began working as Associate Director of Alumni Relations at Arcadia University in April 2018.
Jordan Smith ’13, Knoxville, Tenn., accepted an assistant director position with the Center for Student Engagement at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Nathan Bollinger ’14, York, was named Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on 8/29/18.
Nicole Geary ’15, Douglasville, accepted a job as a project engineer at Wohlsen Construction Company’s Oakwood Hills development. Previously she worked as a project coordinator.
Annalise Giuliani ’17, Chalfont, accepted a position working for NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif. She was also published on the NASA Education website and hosted a live video chat between students and astronauts on the International Space Station.
Lea Owrutsky ’17, Red Lion, was hired as a cyber security engineer for Penn State Health.
Angela Prendergast ’17, Chalfont, published her first book, a collection of prose poetry called “Overthought Thoughts of a 21-Year-Old,” in May 2017.
WEDDINGS
Kay Kauffman ’62 and Martin Fidler, 4/14/18
William Redmond Jr. ’77, ‘79M and Marcy Ashton, 9/17/18
R.J. Rychleski ’79 and Krystle Smith, 7/15/18
Misti Davis ’87 and Jon Kelly, 5/26/13
Carolyn O’Day ’88 and John Dymond, 1/25/18
Derrick McCutchen ’98 and Cherron Schell, 8/18/18
Christy Chladny ’02 and Andrew Klemick, 4/28/18
Kimberly Gana ’04 and Jessica Mazewski, 8/4/18
Adam Hoke ’04 and Jessica Klube ’07, ’13M, 6/16/18
Christopher Volski ’07 and Amy Zeleznock, 9/28/17
Katy Ferrier ’09, ’11M and Ray Charles, 7/7/18
Heather Morgan ’10 and Matt Stem, 7/1/18
Jordan Smith ’13 and Michael Porter, 5/26/18
Mary Kate Hudson ’14, ’16M and Joseph Seborowski ’14, ’16M, 9/14/18
Seth Sponhouse ’14 and Marisa Leo ’13, ’22M, 6/23/18
Shira Kauffman ’16 and Tukker Zimmerman, 4/21/2018
Lindsay Roschel ’17 and John Landin, 5/18/18
ANNIVERSARIES
David Sauders ’66, ’71M & Joanne Longenecker Sauder ’66, Akron, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple met while both were attending Millersville State College.
John Bratton ’67 & Janet Walter Bratton ’68, Christiana, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 6/8/18. They met at the Sugar Bowl on campus.
Ken Thomas ’67 & Eileen Maus Thomas ’68, Littlestown, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 6/22/18. The couple met at the Sugar Bowl while studying at Millersville.
BIRTHS
Ryan E. McClellan ’00 and wife, Laura, a daughter, Vail, 12/20/17.
Morgan Endy Croak ’10 and husband, Dan Croak ’09, a daughter, Kennedy Nicole, 4/6/17.
DEATHS
Dr. Steven Max Miller, Millersville, passed away on 11/3/18, at the age of 68. Miller was a professor in the Millersville University English Department from 1985 until 2016. He also served as the director of the Honors College from 1999-2006.
Dr. J. Richard Zerby, Millersville, passed away on 5/18/18, at the age of 97. Zerby served as an educator at Millersville University from 1961 until his retirement in 1982. At Millersville University, he was the Principal of the Elementary Laboratory School for eight years.
Virginia Webster Paxson ’45, Quarryville, passed away on 12/6/2017 at the age of 94. She was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Quarryville, and played the piano there for 35 years. Paxson volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Quarryville Library for 40 years.
Walter E. Morris ’47, Fairfax, Va., passed away on 5/18/17 at the age of 95. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII as a B-24 bomber pilot. Later, he worked for the AAA and taught industrial arts at Fairfax County Public Schools. In retirement he remained an active member of his community, volunteering with heart disease patients through the Mended Hearts Organization.
Phyllis Dick Seal ’49, Carlisle, passed away on 6/7/18 at the age of 92. She studied industrial arts at Millersville and worked as an elementary school teacher for 28 years in San Antonio, Texas, Alexandria, La., and Taipei, Taiwan.
Donald Vannan ’52, Bloomsburg, passed away on 8/27/18 at the age of 87. He performed in musicals and chorus while at Millersville and was a cartoonist for the student newspaper. Vannan served in the Navy during the Korean War. He taught at several elementary schools and went on to become a Professor of Elementary Education at Bloomsburg University, teaching for 30 years. Vannan founded the Ring-A-Day program, which checks on the wellbeing of the elderly and volunteered with Hospice of Columbia and Montour counties for twelve years.
Joanne Garrett Harner ’53, York, passed away on 7/15/18 at the age of 87. She taught elementary school in the Hanover Public School District. Harner was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hanover and the Hanover Country Club and was an active member of the Millersville University Alumni Association
Henry Myers ’53, York, passed away on 1/29/18 at the age of 91. He served in the Army Air Corps in Germany during WWII as an airplane mechanic. Myers taught industrial arts and mathematics at York City School District for 35 years. In addition, he taught night school at Penn State York and was head coach of the York High tennis team in the 1950s. In retirement he enjoyed world travel and woodworking.
Joseph Elliott Jr. ’57, Media, passed away on 11/10/17 at the age of 82. He taught industrial arts, photography, and computers at Haverford Township High School for 32 years. He cherished his time with his family.
Edwin Bearer ’58, Oak Island, N.C., passed away on 8/2/18 at the age of 87. He was a veteran of the US Air Air Force during the Korean War. Bearer played football while at Millersville and was class president in his senior year. He taught industrial arts in Pennsylvania and Delaware schools.
Kenneth E. Leister ’58, Lancaster, passed away on 4/28/18. He graduated from MSTC with a degree in industrial arts education and received a master’s degree in education administration from Penn State University. He was employed by the Manheim Township School District where he student taught, was a teacher, basketball coach and Dean of Boys/Program Coordinator for 33 years. He retired in 1990.
Russell “Bruce” Weaver ’58, Lititz, passed away on 2/14/16 at the age of 84. He was employed as a social studies teacher at the Penn Manor School District for 28 years until his retirement in 1986. After retiring, Weaver became a sexton with St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lititz for 19 years. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and was a member of American Legion Post 56.
Drew Darrah ’60, Telford, passed away on 10/30/17 at the age of 80. He was a coach and teacher at Souderton High School for 37 years and a Franconia Township supervisor for 20. He played football at Millersville, starting for two years as quarterback and linebacker. Darrah compiled a 223-127-9 record from 1964-1997 as football coach at Souderton. His teams won four championships.
Joyce Shipton Thompson ’60, Grove City, passed away on 11/22/16 at the age of 78. She worked as a librarian and taught in Pittsburgh Public Schools for 28 years, retiring in 1994. Thompson volunteered at the Grove City Medical Center and was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, the Pittsburgh Association of School Retirees, and the Grove City Historical Society.
Richard Parrish ’61, Royersford, passed away on 2/23/18 at the age of 81. He taught for 35 years in many school districts, including Hatboro-Horsham, Centennial, Wildwood, NJ and Plymouth- Whitemarsh. Parrish coached high school baseball and basketball and was a former PIAA official. He was an active member of St. John’s UCC Church in Pottstown, PA.
Eva V. Leanz ’63 ’68M, Morgantown, passed away on 3/12/18 at the age of 93. She held a doctoral degree in psychology and served for many years as a school psychologist for the six schools of the Governor Mifflin School District.
Donald H. Esbenshade ’64, Lancaster, passed away on 9/15/17 at the age of 81. He played basketball and soccer at Millersville and taught industrial arts for 35 years, mostly in the Lampeter-Strasburg school district.
Dorna Wildasin Lease ’65 ’72M, Glenville, passed away on 6/10/18 at the age of 74. She was the first valedictorian of the first graduating class at South Western High School in 1961. A career educator, she taught geometry and math at Dallastown School District for more than 36 years. She enjoyed cars, animals and gardening.
Mary Jane Hood Weidenbach ’66, Canton, Mich., passed away on 7/1/18 at the age of 74.
Earl Hendershot ’68, Warfordsburg, passed away on 6/17/18 at the age of 73. He taught industrial arts at Hancock High School for nine years and for the past 45 years, worked at his family’s dairy farm. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Gideon’s International.
Eileen Maus Thomas ’68, Littlestown, passed away on 10/4/18 at the age of 71. She worked as an elementary school librarian at the Littlestown Area School District, a church secretary for Barts Centenary United Methodist Church, and an assistant to the registrar at Gettysburg College. She was an avid sports fan and loved working with students, especially in her time at Gettysburg College.
Glenn Garner ’69M, Lititz, passed away on 8/9/17 at the age of 80. He taught for 33 years, first in the Blossburg school district and later in the Hempfield school district. Garner enjoyed fishing and boating. He volunteered with nearly a dozen different organizations, including AARP, Milford Senior Center and the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.
Joseph Geesey ’74, Columbia, passed away on 6/26/18 at the age of 82. He worked in law enforcement for over fifty years as a detective, Captain of Detectives and Coordinator of the Major Crimes and Homicide Unit for the city of Lancaster. He was involved with some of the area’s most high-profile criminal investigations. Geesey retired in 2012. He was an honored member of eight sports halls of fame and served as an NCAA-PIAA wrestling official for 59 years and officiated over 500 college and high school meets.
James Stante ’75, Pensacola, Fla., passed away on 5/9/18 at the age of 71.
Martin Gutekunst ’79, Reading, passed away on 1/7/17 at the age of 59. He was a computer programmer and a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in New Bloomfield.
Thomas Lee Woodward Jr. ’93, Pittsburgh, passed away on 6/11/18 at the age of 47. He taught high school science at Poplarville High School in Poplarville, Miss. and Bay High School in St. Louis, Miss. He was a die-hard fan of Pittsburgh sports and loved his pet basset hounds, which he and his wife rescued.
John Maicher ’11, Birdsboro, passed away on 8/4/18.
