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Millersville University has been around for 169 years and has produced over 75,000 alumni, and in that time, the University has had quite a few crossovers into pop culture and history. we look at moments where Millersville alumni and staff made it big.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Did you know that the famous children’s song “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” was penned by Eliphalet Oram Lyte, who taught at Millersville beginning in 1866? The Civil War veteran became principal of Millersville in 1887. He also designed and directed the construction of what are now known as Dutcher Hall, Biemesderfer Hall and the Charles and Mary Hash Building.
MU’s Connection to “Oppenheimer”
Dr. Ward V. Evans, a former Millersville student, was involved in the security clearance hearing of J. Robert Oppenheimer and portrayed as such in the blockbuster Academy Award–winning 2023 film. While serving as chair of the chemistry department of Northwestern University, Evans was one of just three people to serve on the panel, which was responsible for the final decision regarding Oppenheimer’s clearance. After the lengthy process, a decision was reached: Two of the three panelists decided that Oppenheimer’s clearance should be revoked. The lone dissenter was Evans, who found that Oppenheimer’s affiliations didn’t directly indicate disloyalty and felt quite strongly about this stance. He was quoted as saying that the failure to clear Oppenheimer would become “a black mark on the escutcheon of our country.”
Unforgettable World Series Catch
In 2022, Chas McCormick ’17 faced off in the World Series with the Houston Astros against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Houston Astros had an undefeated run in the postseason against both the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees. In Game 5 of the 2022 World Series, McCormick secured an essential win for the Astros with his incredible ninth-inning catch that left an imprint of his
jersey on the warning track. After a win in Game 6 of the World Series, McCormick and the Astros were named the 2022 World Series champs.
Selena Gomez to Play Alumna in Film
None other than pop superstar and actor Selena Gomez will portray one of Millersville University’s own on the big screen: 1996 graduate Silvia Vasquez-Lavado. The film is based on the native Peruvian’s award-winning memoir “In the Shadow of the Mountain.” It tells the tale of how she found healing from childhood sexual abuse through mountaineering. Vasquez-Lavado was the first openly gay woman to complete the Seven Summits Challenge, a mountaineering challenge to climb the highest mountain on each continent. From detailing the early days of her work in the Silicon Valley tech world, battling alcoholism, and going on to become the founder and CEO of Courageous Girls, a foundation whose mission is to provide healing and empowering of sexually abused girls through physical endurance, creative, somatic and mindfulness techniques, Vasquez-Lavado’s story takes many surprising turns. The upcoming film does not yet have a release date. After serving as a commencement speaker for the University in 2022, Vasquez-Lavado was also given an honorary doctorate and named a Marvelous Marauder in 2023.
Black Thought and Malik B. Meet at MU
If you’re a fan of late-night television, hip-hop or both, you’ve probably heard of The Roots. But did you know that two of the members, Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and Malik B. (Malik Abdul-Basit Smart), were students together at Millersville in 1991 and when the band was still called The Square Roots? Shawn Gee, the band’s manager, also went to Millersville and earned a degree in business in 1993. According to a 2021 interview with Trotter in Believer magazine, Trotter said, “I had heard about Malik from my cousin Shawn Gee. He met Malik B. at college, and he considered him to be somebody who would become my nemesis. That really influenced the choice I made about what school I went to. Who picks their college based on being able to go and battle-rap with somebody?” You can also hear a mention of Millersville in The Roots song “Water” and in Trotter’s new memoir, “The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are.”
GoGo Morrow: From Gaga’s Backup Singer to Solo Career
2008 graduate GoGo Morrow is making a name for herself in the music industry. She earned her degree in music business and performance and has performed as a supporting and solo act, notably as a backup singer for Lady Gaga during her Monster Ball tour, Wiz Khalifa and as a part of Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir. Morrow has since relocated to Los Angeles and signed with Interscope Records through the Khalabo Music label. You can find all her latest music on Spotify.
boygenius Sports Jewelry from Alumni-Owned Business
Were you keeping track of boygenius’s looks leading up to their Grammy win? Some of their gorgeous vintage jewelry was provided by a Millersville alumna. After earning her degree in elementary education at Millersville University, Laura M. Hornberger ’09 went on to earn her Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. With a passion for antiques and jewelry, Hornberger combined the two and, along with her sister, founded Maejean Vintage in their parents’ basement. Fourteen years later, the operation has grown into their own office located in Lancaster, Pa. The online retailer is woman-owned and -operated, with the “lady league of seven” specializing in vintage, antique and estate jewelry. Maejean Vintage supplied boygenius with a few pieces for their looks at various pre-Grammy events, notably pearl rings and a hummingbird broach worn by Lucy Dacus and a 1940s gold nameplate bracelet worn by Julien Baker.
K-Pop STAYC Star Sports Millersville Merch
In a promo leading up to the release of K-pop girl group STAYC’s 2023 single “Teddy Bear,” member Seeun was spotted sporting a Millersville University hoodie.
Swift Response to Taylor’s New Album
In the days leading up to the April 19 release of Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” staff from MU’s Communications and Marketing department worked with the mascot team to re-create the infamous album cover, using Skully in place of Swift. Our version? “The Tortured Parrots Department.” Don’t worry – no parrots were harmed during production.
