Class Notes | 2023

To see Class Notes with photos in the Review magazine, click here.

1970s
JULIE VANCE ’70, New Cumberland, recently published a book, “Dancing with the Divine: How to Free Your Inner Spirit and Live An Extraordinary Life.”

JOAN DETZ ’73, Philadelphia, had a seventh public speaking book published internationally. Sunrise Press of Taiwan translated “How To Write & Give A Speech into Traditional Chinese.” Joan’s books have been translated into Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Polish and Simplified Chinese.

THEODORE KNORR ’73, Harrisburg, on June 24 keynoted this year’s APBA Games Conference in Alpharetta, GA, with a talk entitled “APBA Baseball, the Negro Leagues, and Me” before being whisked off to address the Kingston Women’s History Center with a presentation on the great Negro League outfielder Rap Dixon, who was born in Kingston, GA. His day ended with his induction into the APBA Game Company Hall of Fame later that evening. A couple of months later on August 20, Knorr’s baseball trivia team captured the Society for American Baseball Research Team Trivia title at the SABR Convention in Baltimore, MD.

L. MARLIN EBY ’73, retired from his 43-year career in July 2021, 3 years at the University of South Carolina, 4.5 years at Infotech and 35.5 years at Messiah University.

BRADLEY GATES ’75, Fredericksburg, VA, recently published his first novel, “Two Good Men.”

DEBORAH KUBIAK ’75, Hendersonville, NC, retired from Buncombe County Schools as a Reading Specialist – Title I, after 43 years, on 1/1/19.

VINCENT COTTER ’79, Bradenton, FL, published his third Rowman & Littlefield leadership book: “Leaning into the Future: Building Beyond the Post-Covid 19 New Normal.”

DAVID WITMER ’79, Stuart, FL, received a Readers’ Favorite award for romance fiction for his 2019 novel “Then Comes Evening.”

1980s

GORDON BEHM ’80, Wells, ME, was chief meteorologist at WMUR-TV in Manchester, NH, until 2000, then went into teaching at Manchester Central High before retiring. He is currently doing weather for Manchester Ink Link.

JOYCE KING ’83, Souderton, after a 35.5-year career that began as a maternity-leave replacement, retired as director of the office of advertising and promotion, working on oncology, adult vaccines and other products for Merck.

LOUIS GILL JR. ’83, Costa Mesa, CA, was recently promoted to the position of senior director of undergraduate housing and life at UC Irvine. He will oversee residential communities with over 7,000 students, 30 career staff and over 250 student staff.

ROBERT MACKLEY JR. ’84, Mansfield, TX, retired as director of logistics, distribution and transportation from Frito-Lay, Inc. a division of PepsiCo after 30 years. Additionally, in 2000 he retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves, where he served as a surface warfare officer.

TINA MACKLEY ’84, Mansfield, TX, enjoyed working for 15 years as a social worker in various roles following her MU graduation. She retired after 18 years as an HR professional in the healthcare field and has been married to a 1984 MU alum since 1983.

RICHARD CARNS ’85, Carlisle, retired from Carlisle Construction Materials after 36 years in the commercial roofing industry.

THOMAS DEVIVO ’86, Kunkletown, retired after 35 years of teaching Tech Ed in Stroudsburg Area School District.

KATHLEEN PENNELL ’86, Lancaster, published her thirteenth book, titled “A Face in the Water.” The Lancaster Sunday News chose her as one of the thirteen Lancaster County authors to be highlighted in the Lancaster Newspaper. This is the first of her new “A Treadwell Mystery Series.”

SHERRY V. OSTROFF ’87, Lititz, published her fourth book and third historical novel, “Expulsion: A Novel of
the Spanish Inquisition.”

HOLLY SNYDERH ’87, Durham, NC, retired after a 30-year career in public education.

CYNTHIA MCAREE ’88, Swedesboro, NJ, was promoted to vice president/scrum master for M&T Bank.

JEFF KIRK, CHFC, CEP ’89, Lancaster, is now the president and director of financial planning for Commonwealth Financial Associates. In spring 2022 he completed his full acquisition of the firm.

1990s

LORI JOHNSON-NEGRON ’90, Shillington, a certified Zumba instructor, was named the Centennial Zumba Class Instructor for the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Centennial Celebration held in Indianapolis, IN, during a special weeklong meeting of the sorority.

SHANE MAYOR ’90, Chico, CA, was recognized with the California State University Chico 2021-22 Outstanding Mentor Award.

VINCENT GARCIA ’91, Lebanon, was selected by the Community of Lebanon Association as 2022 CLA Merritt Marks Businessperson of the Year. For the 35th time since the award was created in 1989, the Community of Lebanon Association has chosen to honor one of its active members as their Businessperson of the Year. Vincent is president of CPA firm Garcia Garman & Shea PC.

REBECCA ROGERS ’91, East Petersburg, retired as secretary from Sweetwater Propane on 3/15/18.

AASIF CHANANDIN ’91, Kennett Square, assumed the role of application development manager for NextGen Healthcare.

DENISE WYATT ’92, Snohomish, assumed the role of transit employee and labor relations manager for King County Metro.

HEATHER CONLON-KELLER ’93, Lancaster, is an attorney with the Domestic Violence Legal Center, a program of the Community Action Partnership.

ANDREW ALVAREZ ’94, West Chester, earned his Master of Public Administration with a graduate certificate in sports management and athletics from Chester University.

LEANNE BEAGHAN ’95, Wrightsville, is the founder and CEO of Beaghan Health Group.

CHRISTOPHER RAHN ’96, Mechanicsburg, earned his Doctorate of Education from Immaculate University in May 2022.

ADAM PLOWCHA ’96, Papillion, NE, after retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2016, earned a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on August 13, 2022, and accepted a position as a research engineer at the Nebraska Intelligent Mobile Unmanned Systems Lab.

DALE JONES ’98, Sinking Spring, started a new position at Centri Business Consulting in Philadelphia.

BENJAMIN CULBERT ’99, Ronks, assumed a new position as senior designer for Kleinschmidt.

KIMBERLY LONG ’99, Morgantown, started a new job in May 2022 as principal consultant in the sustainability strategy and disclosure group of ERM. In her new role, she supports companies in completing sustainability reporting and developing sustainability and climate strategies.

BRYAN BAKER ’99, North Wales, was promoted to manager for the billing and payroll department for A+ Home Care.

2000s

JAIME ZUCKER ’00, Huntingdon Valley, has accepted a new full-time position at Gallagher, a global consulting firm. Her new role as the senior graphic designer and communications specialist is to establish the Southeast Region with high-level communication strategies for clients in numerous industries. She manages and oversees other designers, print production, digital solutions and various global initiatives. Jaime also recently won an RFP submission and was awarded a five-year contract to work directly with Montgomery County, PA’s Department of Health and Human Services to support their Office of Drug & Alcohol with graphic design services.

MIKE CHICK JR. ’00, Arlington, VA, was appointed by the Virginia legislature on March 10, 2022, to serve as judge of the Arlington County Juvenile & Domestics Relations District Court.

LORI LEAMAN ’01, Lancaster, after a successful track record establishing and growing the Civic and Community Engagement and Research Project at MU since 2008, and having most recently worked alongside the Associate Provost for Academic Support Services and Dean of Student Success, recently accepted the position of assistant director of alumni engagement at MU. Lori looks forward to meeting as many of the 70,000+ alums as possible and working together to share the “Ville for Life” motto, engaging in events and activities with fellow alums, assisting new affinity groups and classes, and creating a culture to give back in time, talents and resources to our alma mater.

ANTOINE RJ WRIGHT ’02, Laurel, MD, accepted a position as director of design for Alcor Technical Solutions in August 2022.

STACIE DEJESUS ’02, East Petersburg, after 15.5 years at Godfrey Advertising, joined RKL on May 2, 2022, as a client success manager. In this new role, she will provide strategic support surrounding client growth and retention.

EMILY TRANG ’02, Mechanicsburg, was promoted to senior associate, relationship manager for the Harrisburg office at Summit Trail Advisors.

DANIELLE PARKER ’03, Bensalem, earned her Doctor of Education from Capella University.

NATHANIEL WEBER ’04, Lancaster, was named chief financial officer of Garden Spot Communities in June 2022. Weber served as controller at Garden Spot for eight years before stepping into the executive role.

GRAHAM WATERS ’04, Quincy, MA, after 17 years working in town management, retired and started his own business, opening up a franchise Premier Martial Arts School in Randolph, MA, with two more opening in the future.

JEFFREY MOSES ’04, Seoul, South Korea, opened a new full-service recording studio in Seoul, South Korea, called Binary Studios.

HEATHER HARRIS ’05, Lancaster, was awarded Honoree of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2022 Top Forty Under 40. She is also vice president for Weaver Associates, Inc.

MUBARAK BASHIR ’05, Rochester, NY, was named vice president for youth and community services at Action for a Better Community.

ERIKA BUTTS ’05, Fayetteville, assumed the position of director of operations, overseeing all collegiate chapter services and programming for Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority.

NATALIE SHAAK ’05, Philadelphia, completed her B.S. in Culinary Arts and Science at Drexel University in March 2022. For her senior project, she developed, wrote and designed her own cookbook focused on Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, which she continues to develop after graduation. During her program, she worked with one of her professors, Dr. Jonathan Deutsch, on his cookbook, “The Anti-Inflammatory Family Cookbook,” which was published in January 2021.

DAN GOOD ’06, Scarsdale, NY, recently published his book “Playing Through the Pain: Ken Caminiti and the Steroids Confession That Changed Baseball Forever,” a biography of the baseball star, for which he interviewed 400 people.

RYAN BYLER ’06, Marlton, NJ, was promoted from senior director of property management to vice president of property management for ShopCore Properties.

ELAINE BENNER ’07, Nottingham, MD, accepted the position of master trainer for WERQ Dance Fitness.

DOUGLAS MADENFORD ’08, Howard, was awarded the Emichsburg Prize for the preservation of language and culture this summer. The prize is awarded by the Mundart Tage Bockenheim Verein, an organization that aims to protect the Paelzisch dialect and culture in Germany. Madenford was chosen in recognition of his work in the preservation of Pennsylvania Dutch, a language and culture that originates in this particular region of Germany. Madenford is the only non-German to ever win the award in its 50+-year history.

SONIA JONES ’09, Brooklyn, NY, was appointed executive director of Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn in Brooklyn, NY.

2010s

RICKEY BARNETT ’12, Mountville, was promoted to senior civil engineer with the Department of Transportation.

SIGOURNEY PORTNER ’12, Quakertown, was promoted to senior specialist, measurement and quality control for Buckeye Partners.

ALLISON YARROW ’12, Lancaster, assumed a new role as director of campus recreation for Millersville University.

RACHELL CICIONI ’13, Lancaster, started her own private teaching practice; her business start-up is MyFrenchU.

KELLY MATHIESEN ’13, Columbus, OH, assumed the position of program manager, student involvement for Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business. Her main role will be to assist the student organizations in developing programs and events that fit into their mission to learn about their career fields. She will also plan leadership, wellness and other professional development initiatives.

TYLER RIDGE ’14, Hanover, was promoted in January 2022 to marketing and client relations manager for LifeBridge Health. In 2020 he was Employee of the Year.

CHRISTOPHER RAHN ’14, Mountville, accepted a position as supply manager for The Wenger Group in Elizabethtown, PA, on 5/21/2022.

KATELYNN WRIGHT ’15, Landisville, assumed the position of special programs and events manager for the city of Lancaster.

ALEXANDER ROHRER ’15, Lancaster, was recently selected as a
visiting scholar for Rutgers University’s Proctor Institute.

ANNA PEDERSON ’15, Philadelphia, earned her Master of Education from Temple University in May 2022.

FAITH THOMAS ’17, Lancaster, is entering her fifth year teaching pre-k and was recently promoted to educational director of her program for Owl Hill Learning Center.

JEFFREY HARRISON ’17, York, assumed a new position as junior media buyer at Martin Communications.

REBECCA MCCARTY ’17, Chambersburg, after celebrating her five-year anniversary graduating from Millersville University, completed an internship with the National Park Service. She just completed special projects with the NPS Office of International Affairs.

LEA ELLER ’17, Marietta, assumed the role of principal application security architect at United Airlines. In her role, she will function as leader on United Airlines’ application security team. They are responsible for the secure systems development framework, which ensures cybersecurity best practices are embedded throughout the lifecycle of all United Airlines’ applications and products.

MEGHAN WENTZ ’18, Denver, was hired on as a physical/electrical designer I for Tier 1 Utility Design, Inc.

KAYTELYN NAGLICH ’18, New Cumberland, earned her Master of Special Education at Millersville. She is transitioning into a new position and district. She will be a cyber-kindergarten teacher through the Central Dauphin School District.

AMBER LIGGETT ’18 ’20, Camp Hill, started a new job this spring as a communications analyst with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Program Office. In her new role, she focuses on internal strategic communications to highlight and promote climate science research.

TREJON DINKINS ’19, Enola, was recently promoted to director of the Kathryn Hughes Seaber Raiders Academic Center for Student-Athletes after serving as a student success coach for student-athletes for 14 months.

JACKSON HOUSTON ’19, Lancaster, will be moving to South Bend, IN, to attend the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame to pursue a master’s degree in nonprofit administration.

SARAH KLEINERT ’19, Mechanicsburg, earned her PA Grades 4-8 Teaching Certification (Science) from Wilson College. She works as an eighth-grade science teacher for West Shore School District.

SARDIS MELO ’19, Wyomissing, earned her M.S. in higher education/student affairs from Purdue University Global.

TAYLOR MCCLOSKEY ’19, West Chester, earned her master’s degree in legal studies with a focus in criminal and employment law from Arizona State University.

ALEXANDRA BIELESKI ’19, Phoenixville, started her role as the assistant director of alumni relations about a year ago and plans homecoming, alumni weekend, and hall of fame for athletes at Ursinus College.

WILLIAM HOGE ’19, Hidden Valley, was appointed as environmental health and safety specialist for the University of Pittsburgh.

GABRIELLA LICATA ’19, Hummelstown, was promoted to senior staff accountant at Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz, a regional premier accounting and advisory firm.

2020s

ETHAN VAUGHN ’20, Lancaster, published his autobiography “The Inspirational Story of Ethan A. Poetic” on August 30, 2022, through Amazon & Ingram Sparks; it chronicles his experiences with adversity, education, relationships, sports and resiliency.

NICOLE BURKE ’20, Severna Park, MD, received her Master of Education certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from George Mason University.

ASHLEY JUDGE ’20, Coatesville, accepted a remote position with Geisinger as a behavioral health case manager with their new Medicaid expansion program.

KARLI ALLEN ’20, Harrisburg, began working with the local Girl Scout council as volunteer support coordinator. The job includes developing and implementing plans to recruit and retain both girl members and adult volunteers and supporting product campaigns, such as the famous Girl Scout Cookies drive.

MADISON REBMAN ’20, Millersville, and her boyfriend, Mike Nitroy ’16, recently purchased their first home together in Millersville. Madison also started a new position last fall at Millersville University as department secretary for the chemistry, physics and geography departments.

KENNA MELLINGER ’20, Hatfield, earned her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy at La Salle University.

MADISON MONSCHEIN ’20, Hollywood, FL, assumed the new role of digital marketing coordinator at the University of Miami for all alumni.

EMILY BEHR ’20, Duncannon, is about to start her second year as a school counselor at East Pennsboro Area Middle School in Enola.

JOSEPH LIGHTFOOT ’21, Lebanon, assumed the position of protective caseworker at Lebanon County Children and Youth Services, where his main objective is to prevent abuse or neglect of children/youth within his area through different preventive measures with the child, their families and the justice system.

ZOE BERRIER ’21, Enola, in September 2021, assumed the position of marketing assistant for ASTM International. This standards organization develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for various industries.

JORDAN SMALL ’21, Mt. Joy, joined Hershey ZooAmerica as a naturalist, working hands-on with exhibit animals, including bears, big cats and more. She works with the animals for husbandry, training, medical care, etc.

AMY JONES ’21, Elysburg, started a job as a program administrator for the hematology/oncology, hospice & palliative medicine, and medical physics fellowship programs at Geisinger Medical Center.

VICTORIA DUGGAN ’21, Baltimore, MD, assumed the position of studio painter for Holland and Sherry. She assists in the production of hand-painted wall coverings for a high-end interior design company.

ALYSSA ATKINS ’21, Millersville, assumed a new role as convention services coordinator for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. She will be planning and coordinating events at The Lodge on a daily basis. In addition, she will help with billing and preparing amenities for the guests.

LINDSEY TURUNC ’21, Bear, DE, assumed the role of production assistant for film, TV and advertisements. She works on set to “make movie magic.” She is part of the team that makes ideas come to life. There are many duties as a production assistant, such as keeping track of talent and keeping the set clean and tidy.

REBECCA PELACHICK ’21, Sinking Spring, along with graduating with her master’s, got a job as a social worker for Senior Life.

SAMANTHA SITES ’21, Leesport, accepted a position as a third-grade, long-term substitute at Schuylkill Valley Elementary School.

TERIANNE RINEER ’21, Lancaster, was promoted to nurse practitioner for Lancaster Emergency Associates.

AMY NICHOLSON ’22, Owings, MD, got accepted into Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida.

DEVON LEWARS ’22, Reading, is furthering her higher education by attending WVU’s Public History master’s program while working as a graduate assistant for the West Virginia Regional History Center.

DYLAN BILODEAU ’22, Sinking Spring, assumed the roll of transport planner for IKEA Purchasing and Logistics Area Americas.

ALLISON LEONARD ’22, Camden, DE, accepted a high school mathematics teaching position at Caesar Rodney High School teaching geometry.

JULIA REIST ’22, Palmyra, took on the position of security officer for Londonderry Village a few months after graduation. She is helping to create and improve emergency management plans, along with other policy and plans.

FAYRA MOLINA NAVIA ’22, Lancaster, assumed a new position as associate publicist for EightSixtySouth.

MADISON SHARP ’22, Dallastown, assumed the position of admissions counselor for York College of Pennsylvania.

LEIZEL SCHLOTT ’22, Bar Harbor, ME, assumed the position of development operations and event coordinator for MDI Biological Laboratory. She serves as the event coordinator and assists in developing administrative tasks to promote the organization’s research and financial goals by sharing stories about their faculty and students.

ABIGAIL PHILLIPS ’22, Leola, assumed a position as an HR rotational professional for Dormakaba.

SARAH COLEMAN ’22, Mineral Wells, WV, became a broadcast meteorologist with WTAP in June 2022.

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES
DAVID MILLER ’79, Stuart, FL, married Joy Gehman on 7/4/20.

TRACY OESTREICH ’81, Warrington, celebrated 39 years of marriage with her husband, James Oestreich.

BETH NEC ’94 and Morgan Nec Hershey celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on 4/25/22.

LOLITA “MICHELLE” PULLIAM ’94, Silver Spring, MD, married Keith Pulliam on 7/23/22 in a small ceremony in Panama City, Panama.

ASHLEY HADSALL ’08, Mechanicsburg, married Robert Hoffer on 4/22/22.

ASHLEY OREHEK ’16, Glasgow, KY, married Anthony Rossi on 8/19/22. They married almost 10 years after first meeting while MU freshmen. They hosted their wedding at a zoo in Norristown, PA. Many MU friends were in attendance.

TOM FISHER ’16, married RENEE LANDIS ‘17, Willow Street, on 6/4/22.

COLLEEN MOORE COBLE ’16, Lancaster, married TREVER

COBLE ’16 on 10/23/20. They credit Millersville for bringing them together.

ALLISON FERNANDES ’18 and David Fernandes ’18, Hatboro, met at Millersville University and got married on 12/04/21.

KARA (GWINN) DUTTON ’18, Millersville, married PETER DUTTON ’19 on 4/23/22.

ALEXANDRA MOSSAIDIS ’19 and DAVID BIELESKI JR. ’18, Phoenixville, married on 9/27/22. They are thrilled to start their future together in Phoenixville.

SARAH KLEINERT ’19, Mechanicsburg, married BENJAMIN SCHAD ’20 on 5/22/22.

ELIZABETH DUCHESNEAU ’22 and ALEX HEISLER ’21 married on 7/16/22.

BIRTHS
GRAHAM WATERS ’04, Quincy, MA, and Karen Conrad welcomed a boy, Grayson, born at CHA Cambridge Hospital on 8/26/20. Graham is looking forward to bringing Grayson on a campus tour in 2037.

STEVEN PAULEY ’06, Douglassville, and his wife welcomed a daughter, Emma Alessia, on 11/03/21.

JAMES BOYER ’11, Chambersburg, and his wife welcomed a daughter, Sadie Grace, on 8/9/20.

JORDAN EVANGELISTA ’15 welcomed a daughter, Venice Evangelista, 5/29/21.

DEATHS
ANNA YERGER ’36, Lititz, died on 5/18/22 at age 107. She was valedictorian for Millersville State Teachers College in 1936.

DONALD KUGLE ’56, Willow Street, died on 6/13/22.

VIRGINIA HALE ’57, Norristown, died on 6/25/22 at the age of 83. She had a master’s degree from Lehigh University and owned her own tutoring service, A+ Educational Advantage.

CAROLYN BLAKE ’62, Fredericksburg, VA, passed away on 4/14/22 at the age of 82. She is survived by her three daughters and four grandchildren.

EDWIN RESSER ’64, York, died on 2/7/22 at the age of 80. He was a longtime employee of West York Area School District as a teacher, principal and in various other positions in the administration. In 1979, he was hired as the personnel director for the West Shore School District and subsequently held numerous principal and administrative positions within the district before retiring in 1998.

RUSSELL PITMAN ’72, Teaneck, NJ, died on 5/11/22 at the age of 71.

KAREN MILLS ’75, Hamburg, passed away on 3/6/18. She was the head field hockey coach for Millersville from 1968 until 1984. In 1978, she became the first head coach of the women’s track and field team.

MATTHEW SPENCE HELLMANN ’13, Hershey, died on 2/24/22. He is survived by his father, mother and twin brother.

MILDRED HENDERSON ’80, Lancaster, died on 6/29/22 at the age of 91. She earned a degree in English, with honors, in 1980. She also published a literary magazine,
“Hob Nob.”

Remembering Doc Roc
DR. RALPH ANTTONEN, affectionately known as Doc Roc, died at age 82 on Friday, October 21. Doc was a former faculty member who spent many years on campus as the coordinator of the exploratory program, the voice of the men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams, and as a staple of the Millersville University community at large. He also played Santa Claus on campus and for Millersville Borough events.

Many knew him best from his years spent advising students at the University’s radio station, WIXQ. Even after retiring from his 41.5-year tenure at the University, Doc returned to MU to volunteer at the radio station and at athletic games. At WIXQ, he continued to cohost the “Oldies but Goodies” show with his wife, Judy Anttonen, also known as Mama Roc, as they spun songs spanning 1955 to 1962 every Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Aside from investing his time into Millersville and its students, the Anttonens also created eight endowments with the Millersville University Foundation that support athletics and WIXQ. Thanks to these generous gifts, Doc’s legacy will continue to impact students for years to come. Millersville University president Dr. Daniel A. Wubah said it best: “Very few people in Millersville University’s history have touched as many people as Dr. Ralph Anttonen.”
A celebration of life ceremony was held on November 5 at Millersville’s Pucillo Gymnasium, where Doc spent many years of his life cheering on Millersville students.