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Beloved Meteorologist Eric Horst Retires From MU
Eric Horst is nearly as synonymous with Millersville University as the Marauder. Early this August Horst, the longtime director of the Weather Information Center at MU, announced his retirement from the role. But his work is far from over.
Horst is a trusted and award-winning meteorologist who served at Millersville from 1988 to 2020. His work at the University spanned over three decades and touched countless students. “One of the things I’ll miss the most about my role at MU is mentoring the meteorology students on forecasting,” he shares. “There’s nothing quite like sharing a passion for the weather and the comradery of the Weather Center.” The late nights? Those, Horst shares, are something he won’t miss. “I hope to avoid many more sleepless nights – at times, forecasting is a 24-7 business.”
Horst says he plans to stay in the weather game, working as a forecast consultant under the business name Weathericity – and you might just spot him on campus from time to time.
When Horst made his retirement announcement online, former students, alums, faculty, staff and community members, were quick to sing his praises. One such student, Jon Parker, a 2020 Millersville graduate, had this to say: “I can’t thank you enough for everything you taught me while I was at Millersville! You helped me take my passion for weather and learn how to become a weather forecaster and for that, I am truly forever in your debt!”
Horst is a go-to expert on the weather and storms for media outlets across Lancaster County and the United States. Over the course of his career, the Penn State graduate has also worked as an on-air meteorologist for WGAL, founded the Campus Weather Service and the MU Weather Information Center and so much more. When asked to share about a favorite memory at Millersville, he says he can’t pick just one. “I have so many fond memories of Millersville,” he says, “But the big snowstorms, of course, stand out: the blizzard of 1993 and the blizzard of 1996. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my incredible students.”
The life-long Lancaster native says he’ll stay in the area, but also has plans to travel. An avid rock climber, Horst says he’s eager to spend more leisure time doing just that. “I hope to do a couple climbing trips out west before the year’s end,” he says. Horst loves rock climbing so much, he’s even written eight books on the topic. Who knows? Maybe he’ll find time to pen another during retirement.
Most of all, Horst says he’s proud of the work he’s done at Millersville. “I’m so proud to have played a small role in growing one of the nation’s top meteorology programs,” he says. “When I was hired in early 1988, I believe, we had only about 20 students in the program. Now, in 2020, we have over 120 meteorology students and a vibrant, nationally recognized program!”
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