The_Haven_Fall_2019

SUMMER 2019
RECENT ALUMNA
ALEXANDRA (REEL)
JONCAS TALKS ABOUT
HER TIME IN LHU ROTC
SPECIAL
MILITARY
ISSUE

A Message From the President
Having reached the end of my first year as Lock Haven University
President, I want to extend my thanks to our alumni who have
welcomed me into The Haven family. It’s become evident in
my time as president that LHU is indeed—a family. I’ve had
the opportunity to meet alumni from around the country and the world.
I’ve enjoyed hearing your stories, learning more about our beloved LHU
through you, and exchanging ideas that will lead us confidently into our
next chapter.
In 2020 we will celebrate our 150th anniversary. This fall we will announce
a schedule of events and activities to mark this important milestone in our
history. I hope the occasion of our sesquicentennial will bring many of you
back to campus to celebrate with us. Your involvement in commemorating
our past is the key to boldly envisioning our future.
Over this past year it has been inspiring for me to be part of important
traditions and celebrations of student success in the classroom, service
in the community, in athletic competition and in the arts. In May, I had
the privilege of presiding over our commencement exercises where
‘86 alumnus Phil Evans gave the address. I am incredibly proud of our
graduates. They have worked hard to achieve their dreams and are to be
commended for their dedication. To our newest alumni, I wish you success
and fulfillment as you leave The Haven to pursue your dreams and make a
better world.
We now welcome a new class of students to our LHU family—the class of
2023. So many exciting opportunities lie in store for them. From the rich
exchange of intellectual thought that will happen in the classroom to the
forming of new friendships, our incoming class has much to look forward
to as they take their place in The Haven family as bald eagles.
This issue of The Haven celebrates the many alumni, faculty, staff, and
students who have served in our armed forces. Last spring, we launched
a new veterans lounge on campus, providing our veteran students a place
on campus to study, relax, and meet with one another. In November we
will hold our 2nd annual veterans’ dinner, welcoming local veterans to
campus for a meal served by student volunteers.
I hope you enjoy the stories within these pages detailing the heroism and
sacrifice exhibited by LHU’s veterans. I am proud of all they have achieved
and all they have sacrificed in service to our country.
Robert Pignatello
President

CAMPUS VIEW
Over the summer, this photo showing the Susquehanna River,
was selected as LHU’s favorite place on campus in a social
media contest held by the Pennsylvania’s State System of
Higher Education (PASSHE).
CAMPUS VIEW
Students celebrate with President Pignatello
upon his inauguration on March 1st as Lock
Haven University’s 15th President.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER Bill 2019 Crowell 1

Lock Haven University’s Alumni Magazine
contents
PENNSYLVANIA’S STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Chancellor—Daniel Greenstein
Board of Governors—Cynthia Shapira, Chair
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Robert Pignatello, President
Donna Wilson, Provost and Executive Vice President
William Hanelly, Chief Operating Officer
and Senior Vice President
Stephen Lee, Vice President for Enrollment Management
and Student Affairs
Joseph Fiochetta, Vice President for University Advancement
Dr. George Durrwachter ’61, Chair
Daniel Elby ’71, Vice Chair
Deborah Suder ’81, Secretary
Krystjan Callahan ’02
Mary Coploff
COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES
John Davern
Margery Brown Dosey ’66
Guy Graham ’63
James Gregory
Michael Hanna, Jr. BA ’05, MA ’08
Dr. Daniel Greenstein, ex officio
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Edward Wright ‘71, President
Meghan Hepler ’05, Secretary
Susan Crook ’77, Treasurer
Elected Members: Matt Henry ’18, Robert Cooper ’90, Dan
Cruttenden ’73, Robert Smith ’04, Anita Chesek ’80, Malarie Hastings ’09,
Edward Shifflet ’96, Shannon Walker ’04, Billie Miller ’90, Amee
Lewis Vance ’75, Kyle Losch ’15, Terri Koehler ’85, Frank Condino ’85,
Norman Gordon ’85, Jason Madigan ’98, Brandon Pardoe ‘92
Ex-Officio Members:
Robert Pignatello, President
Ashley Koser, Director of Alumni Relations
Joseph Koehler ‘84
LHU FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Maguire, Foundation Board President
Stephen Tasselli ’78, Vice President
Ronald Bowes ’66, Treasurer
Mona Mangan ’66, Secretary
for Veterans: Learn more
Tom Svec ’79 plans to create
about LHU’s new programs and
Sullivan initiatives oak. to recognize veterans
14Haven
commemorative art from LHU’s fallen
on campus and in our community.
MEMBERS: Milton Stan Allen ’87, Wayne Allison ’67, Anthony Anastos,
James Berkebile ’59, Col. Robert Blose, Jr. ’71, Harry Crissman ’62, Scott
Culpepper ’71, Annette Davis, Brenda Elby ’73, Albert Jones ’99, Gary
Laubscher, Robert Lomison ’77, Jeffrey Parker, Jennifer Riter ’96, Polly
Spangler ’87, Hon. J. Michael Williamson.
THE HAVEN MAGAZINE STAFF:
Editors: Elizabeth Arnold, Ashley Koser
Writers: Elizabeth Arnold, Ashley Koser,
Doug Spatafore, Jr., Julie Stellfox, John Vitale
Photography: Josh Grimes, Elizabeth Arnold, Bill Crowell,
Tim Barnhart, Julie Stellfox
Design: PennyHouse Creative, Kayla Waldron
connect with us
The Haven Magazine (ISSN-2474-932X) is published biannually
by the Lock Haven University Office of University Relations in
partnership with the Lock Haven University Foundation, free of
charge for alumni, supporters, and friends of LHU.
The Haven connects alumni, parents, and donors with LHU and
aims to support, enhance, and advance the University’s image
by publishing news and stories about LHU alumni, students,
faculty, staff, and stakeholders. The magazine’s feature stories
intend to motivate, inspire, and inform readers about issues
relevant to LHU through content that is both entertaining and
intellectually engaging.
Lock Haven University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer, committed to excellence through diversity.
@LHUalumni
@lhualumni @LHUalumni @Lock Haven
University Alumni
Alumni news items should be identified by class year and may be sent to the Lock Haven University Office of Alumni Relations, 10
Susquehanna Ave, Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center, Lock Haven, PA 17745. You may email news items to lhualum@lockhaven.edu.
Please contact us by phone at 570.484.2586
Not all news submissions will result in coverage in The Haven. The Haven staff reserves the right to edit submissions used in the magazine or
through other means of publication by the University.
2 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

letter From the editors
Departments
4 haven happenings
17 Alumni News
20 Sports Corner
22 news & Notes
on the cover
Recent alumna
Alexandra (Reel)
Joncas talks about
her experience in
LHU ROTC.
Greetings Haven Nation! My how this summer has flown by. Our
alumni office has been busy! We recently returned from Colorado
where we met numerous LHU alumni doing great things in the
world. We can’t wait to share some of their stories with you.
We also welcomed many of you back to campus over the summer months.
In June we held our first dorm days tour. If you weren’t able to join us on
campus, check out our social media channels and see if you can spot any of
your former haunts.
In July, we attended Clinton County Community Night at the Williamsport
Crosscutters baseball game. What a fun night with our LHU alumni and their
families cheering on the Crosscutters.
Many of our alumni held reunions over the summer, including Phi Mu Delta,
TKE, the LHU Choir and LHU Band. It’s always a highlight to welcome you
back to campus, learn more about your time at The Haven, and hear about
the wonderful things going on in your lives.
If you missed any of our summer events, we have many exciting things
planned for fall.
We hope to see you and your families in September as we welcome our
alumni home to The Haven for our annual homecoming festivities. Events
taking place September 27-29 include the 25th Annual Alumni Golf Classic
on Friday and the annual downtown Block Party and fireworks to follow
that evening. The Class of 1969 will celebrate their 50th reunion. Our
Bald Eagles play East Stroudsburg at 3 P.M. on Saturday. Don’t miss the
opportunity to tailgate before and after the game. Events conclude Sunday
as we induct a new class into our Athletics Hall of Fame.
A full schedule of homecoming activities is available at www.lockhaven.edu/
homecoming.
On October 11, LHU will host a Community Health Fair and concert from
1-6 P.M. on the Poorman Commons. Numerous local vendors will be on
hand, including students from our PA Program who will offer free health
screenings. The Clark McClane band will play at 6 P.M. in the amphitheater.
We hope to see you there.
On October 10 we’ll be in Pittsburgh at Southern Tier Brewing. For folks
in Washington D.C. and Virginia, we’re coming your way on October 12.
More information about each of these events is available on our website at
alumni.lhup.edu.
Finally, we’re pleased to announce the launch of LHU’s Giving Societies.
Check out page 16 for more information.
If you can’t make it to an upcoming event, we’d still love to hear from you!
You can reach us at 570-484-2586 or by emailing lhualum@lockhaven.edu.
Elizabeth Arnold
Executive Director of Communications and
Community Relations
Ashley Koser
Director of Alumni Relations
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
3

HAVEN HAPPENINGS
PASSHE Chancellor Speaks
at LHU About State System
Redesign and Creation of a
‘Sharing System’
Top: PASSHE Chancellor, Dan Greenstein, speaks during an
open forum at Lock Haven University.
Bottom: From left, are Cynthia Shapira, PASSHE Board of
Governors Chair; Dan Greenstein, PASSHE Chancellor; Robert
Pignatello, LHU President; George Durrwachter,
LHU Council of Trustees Chair; and James Gregory, LHU
Council of Trustees member.
On May 2, Pennsylvania’s State
System of Higher Education (PASSHE)
Chancellor, Dan Greenstein, visited
Lock Haven University and led an
open forum.
Greenstein was joined by PASSHE
Board of Governors Chair, Cynthia
Shapira. Their visit included meetings
with LHU President, Dr. Robert
Pignatello, the executive team and
deans, the Council of Trustees, faculty,
and staff.
The open forum focused on the
State System Redesign and creating a
“sharing system.”
“In a sharing system, we modernize
our operations,” Greenstein said. A
sharing system is about leveraging the
power and services of all universities—
across areas including academics and
instructional delivery, career services,
and study abroad.
Part of the sharing system vision
includes the possibility of a student
at any campus being given the
option to access academic programs
at any other campus within the
system—potentially fulfilling a course
requirement or taking a course in a
specific area of interest that might not
be offered at their campus.
The first phase of the System
Redesign consisted of setting three
strategic priorities that include
ensuring student success, leveraging
university strengths and transforming
the governance, and leadership
structure.
Phase two included creating a vision
for the future, in which students can
easily access programs across the
system’s 14 universities, making sure
new programs meet workforce needs,
focusing on retaining and graduating
students, helping adult and returning
students find pathways for the future,
and continuing to provide a highquality,
affordable education.
“Institutions are not a great place to
work because they are high performing and
successful, institutions are high performing
and successful because they’re great places
to work,” Greenstein said. “Imagine a world
where every employee is aligned around a
common purpose, adheres to and advances
a shared set of values and is encouraged
and rewarded for behaviors that are
associated with those values.”
A question and answer session followed
Greenstein’s presentation, during which he
explained the next steps in the redesign
process, including setting goals and
timetables to meet those goals.
‘Shark Tank’
Contestant Speaks
at Lock Haven
University
On March 28, Lock Haven
University held the event,
“Surviving Shark Infested Waters”
in Price Auditorium. The event,
celebrating entrepreneurship
and innovation, welcomed ABC
television’s Shark Tank contestant,
Samantha Stephens, to campus
to discuss her entrepreneurial
activities and experience on the
show.
Stephens’ New York City-based
business, OatMeals, features
30 signature oatmeal bowls,
including healthy, savory, or
sweet options with nearly 80
toppings and oat-based pastries
baked in house.
Her appearance on Shark Tank
resulted in a deal with shark, Lori
Grenier, for $500,000 and 33.3%
stake in her company, focusing
on her packaged goods line. She
filmed her episode in September,
2018 and it aired in December.
Stephens’ advice to hopeful
entrepreneurs was to try to
stay positive. “You’ll always find
there’s another door opening
for you,” she said. “It’s harder
than you’ll ever imagine it is. But
you’re gaining a lot and there’s a
lot of excitement to it.” She also
emphasized the importance of
finding a solid network of people
who will support you in your
entrepreneurial endeavors.
Several LHU students, faculty,
and staff, as well as community
members, attended the evening
talk, facilitated by 1981 LHU
graduate, John Yonkin, also a
successful entrepreneur.
The entrepreneurial activities
4 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

continued the following morning when Stephens visited
with some students in the classroom and also attended a
luncheon in the Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center,
celebrating the launch of the new Entrepreneurship and
Innovation minor at LHU.
The new minor at LHU is directed at baccalaureate
degree-seeking students who are considering launching
their own business one day. The minor covers the major
business aspects and problems new businesses are likely
to encounter and is available to students majoring in any
discipline, except business and accounting.
Top: From Left: John Yonkin; Amy Molyneux; Samantha Stephens; Robert
Pignatello, LHU President; and Stephen Neun, Dean of the Stephen Poorman
College of Business, Information Systems, and Human Services.
Bottom: John Yonkin and Samantha Stephens during the “Surviving Shark
Infested Waters” talk.
LHU and
UPMC
Susquehanna
Announce
Partnership
Lock Haven
University and
UPMC Susquehanna
have announced a
partnership that will
provide important
opportunities for
health education to
LHU students, UPMC
employees and the
local community. The
new partnership comes
in conjunction with
the announcement of
LHU expanding the
Nursing ASN program
to the main campus
and will enhance LHU’s
health professions
programs through the
addition of cutting
edge technology—a
patient simulation
lab—in a clinical setting
at UPMC Susquehanna
Lock Haven, to help
both students and
UPMC employees learn,
practice and advance
their clinical skills.
In addition, LHU is
working with UPMC
Susquehanna to
develop and expand
academic programs
that will address
UPMC’s workforce
needs for employee
development and
advanced training.
Along with
clinical training,
the partnership will
bring new forums for
health education to
the region. UPMC
Susquehanna and LHU
plan to collaborate on
From left: Ashley Fedroff, Director of Quality
Management; Dr. Darla Hardy, Director of Nursing;
Ron Reynolds, President, UPMC Susquehanna Lock
Haven; Dr. Robert Pignatello, LHU President; and Dr.
Raj Patel, Chief of Medical Staff.
community health initiatives, including
a fall health fair on the campus of
Lock Haven University that will offer
multiple health education activities
and information about LHU’s health
programs.
“Lock Haven University is pleased
to partner with UPMC Susquehanna to
increase access to vital health education
and programs for the people in our
region. Working together, we can help
address the needs of our community
through workforce training with stateof-the
art technology and health and
wellness programs and activities,” said
Dr. Robert Pignatello, LHU President.
The partnership builds on the
existing partnership between UPMC
Susquehanna and LHU Athletics,
announced in November 2018, which
named UPMC Susquehanna as the
official sports medicine and health
care provider of LHU Athletics. UPMC
Susquehanna provided funding for a
mobile athletic training facility, which
is located at LHU’s Stern Athletic
Complex and gives care directly to the
athletes.
“Lock Haven University and UPMC
are two of the largest employers in
Lock Haven and Clinton County,”
said Ron Reynolds, President, UPMC
Susquehanna Lock Haven. “By working
together, we aim to improve not
only the health and wellbeing of our
community, but also the economy
through workforce development. We’re
proud to be a part of this important
initiative and we look forward to
future growth and expansion of the
partnership.”
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
5

– Sarah Rowles 2023
– Madison Griffin 2023
– Garrett Apel 2023
– Kiersten Hobensack 2023
– Ethan Booher 2023
6 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY
– Lily Arledge 2023

Recent LHU graduate,
Alexandra (Reel)
Joncas, received a
degree in Criminal
Justice in May and also
was commissioned as a Second
Lieutenant in the United States
Army for successfully completing the
requirements of the Reserve Officers’
Training Corps (ROTC) program at
LHU.
Joncas comes from a military family
and followed in their “boot steps”
to join ROTC at The Haven her first
semester. Her sister and brotherin-law,
Megan and Richard Abreu,
also are graduates of LHU’s ROTC
program and her parents were
NCOs in the military.
After visiting the campus for an
open house during her freshman
year in high school, Joncas knew
The Haven was the place for her. “I
knew I wanted to join ROTC as well
as major in Criminal Justice, so LHU
was a perfect fit,” she said.
The ROTC program provided
Joncas with many opportunities,
including a Cultural Understanding
and Language Proficiency (CULP)
mission trip to Argentina, where she
was able to live and work with their
military as well as learn about their
country and customs.
ROTC also allowed her to attend
Army Airborne School, where she
learned how to parachute and safely
land from airplanes. Through the
school, she became a paratrooper
and earned her wings after
successfully completing five jumps
at 1,250 feet from a C-130 and C-17
aircraft.
Another opportunity ROTC
awarded Joncas was completing a
Cadet Troop Leader Trainer (CTLT)
internship, where she shadowed an
officer in Fort Bragg, North Carolina,
and rode along on his Chinook
flights, practicing flying and shooting
from the aircraft in their simulators.
“There are all kinds of opportunities
to broaden your horizons,” Joncas
said about ROTC at LHU. “The
program has prepared me for future
service in the military, but it also
helped me to lead a better life in
general.”
Joncas is now in Ft. Gordon,
Georgia, focusing on her Signal
Basic Officer Leader Course (SBOLC)
— learning her job as a 25A Signal
Officer in the Active Duty Army.
Following her training graduation
this fall, she will move to her first
duty station in Ft. Hood, Texas.
“I am very interested in becoming a
ROTC Cadre member later on in my
career, because I am very passionate
about getting to help mentor and
share the lives of our nation’s future
leaders,” Joncas said.
She also has aspirations of
continuing her education to receive
a Master’s Degree, to better position
herself for a civilian job after she
retires from the military.
“Moving to Lock Haven and joining
the Bald Eagle Battalion have both
changed my life in the best way
possible and I will forever be grateful
for that,” she said.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
7

8 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY
supporting
those who
served
LHU launches
veterans
initiatives

Lock Haven University has a strong history of supporting and
honoring the brave men and women who serve our country
across all branches of the military. At The Haven, we recognize
and celebrate their commitment and sacrifices, whether it be
by providing our students with the opportunity to become a
cadet in the ROTC program—offering opportunities to train students
to become commissioned officers in the Army, Army National Guard,
and Army Reserve; offering a place on campus for veterans to gather,
chat, do homework, or just relax; or by holding various events to honor
servicemen and women within the LHU and surrounding community and
beyond.
Every Fall, LHU hosts several events geared toward veterans, including
the Military and Veterans’ Benefits Expo. At the expo, exhibitors provide
educational, employment, social, emotional, and financial resources to
attendees. Students in the Physician Assistant program offer free blood
pressure and glucose screenings and attendees are invited to make
thank you or Christmas cards for local veterans.
At The Haven,
we recognize
and
celebrate
their
commitment
and
sacrifices.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
9

Last November, LHU TRIO Student Support
Services (SSS) students set up a booth to
write thank you cards to local veterans in
area hospitals and that month’s guest on
President Robert Pignatello’s podcast, Haven
Horizons, was Bill Bechdel, Clinton County
Veterans Affairs Office Director.
Among other military-related events held
at LHU last Fall, was the Clinton County
Veterans Day ceremony at the Durrwachter
Alumni Conference Center, where President
Pignatello served as the guest speaker.
“As a university, we have an integral role
to play and I am very proud that we take a
holistic approach to serving our veterans
with a committee that includes the Veteran’s
Affairs Office and representatives from the
campus that deal directly with veterans
wanting to return to school,” Pignatello said
during his speech.
As a university,
we have an
integral role
to play and I
am very proud
that we take
a holistic
approach to
serving our
veterans.
LHU also hosted a “Giving Thanks” dinner on November 19,
welcoming more than 100 local veterans and their guests to the
DACC. LHU students and members of Team RWB served the
meal.
Since 2012, LHU has been named in the Military Friendly Schools
list, honoring the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and
trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace
military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and
ensure their success on campus.
To further support servicemen and women, LHU waives their
tuition deposit, honors military experience as admissions criteria,
provides college credit for military experience—including basic
training—and offers priority scheduling for veterans.
“Nationally 28.3% of vets over 25 years old have a Bachelor’s
Degree, while 31.5% of non-veterans do. I’d like to see LHU do
its part to close that gap here in Clinton County,” Pignatello
said. “We are very proud and supportive of our current student
veterans and are committed to help them transition back into
civilian life and continue their education.”
10 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

International Connections:
President Pignatello reconnects with cousin who studied in Lock Haven in early 90’s
Top: Monica and her now husband Mauro Maffio in 1994.
Middle: This summer President Pignatello traveled to Italy for a family reunion
and reunited with Monica and Mauro.
Bottom: Monica sports a T-shirt from President Pignatello’s recent inauguration.
In 1994, Robert Pignatello pulled up to
Lock Haven University’s High Hall to pick
up his cousin Mauro’s girlfriend Monica
for winter break. Monica, an exchange
student from Casino University in Italy,
was spending a semester at LHU studying
Education. Pignatello’s parents asked him to
make the trek from New Jersey to Lock Haven so
that she could spend the break with their family.
“I had never been that far on interstate 80
before,” said Pignatello. “I distinctly remember
that drive and arriving on LHU’s campus,” he
shared. “I was just beginning my career in higher
education and I thought Lock Haven had a
beautiful campus, even in the middle of winter.”
Eventually Monica returned to Italy and began
her career as a teacher. “She loved being here,”
Pignatello said. Fast forward 25 years and
Pignatello came across an ad for the presidency
at Lock Haven University. “All those memories
came flashing back,” he said. Prior to his first
interview, Pignatello once again made the trek
to LHU’s campus from New Jersey. “I drove
around for some time looking for High Hall.”
Though the residence hall has now gone the way
of time, Pignatello was once again taken with
the beauty of the campus and surrounding area.
“After becoming President, I got to know
former President Craig Willis. I relayed Monica’s
story to him and he shared that the exchange
partnership with the University of Casino in Italy
began under his tenure,” Pignatello said. “In a
way, this series of fortuitous events made me
feel destined to be here.”
This summer President Pignatello had the
opportunity to visit Italy for a family reunion.
“I visited the town my family is from and was
able to reconnect with Monica, her husband
Mauro, and their family. Monica Maffeo still
teaches in Italy and was pleased to reconnect
with her cousin and hear about his journey
to the presidency at LHU. “We both couldn’t
believe the coincidence of it all,” Pignatello
said. “I gave Monica and Mauro T-shirts from
my inauguration. We all enjoyed reminiscing
and celebrating the ways LHU has touched our
lives.”
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
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12 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY
Spring
Commencement

Lock Haven University celebrated
the achievements of nearly 900
graduates during the 142nd spring
commencement ceremonies.
On Friday, May 11, graduate
students received their degrees
in the Thomas Fieldhouse and on
Saturday, May 11, undergraduate
students received degrees at
Hubert Jack Stadium. Following
the undergraduate ceremony,
students gathered with President
Pignatello, donning white hats
to mark their achievement,
just as bald eagles earn their
characteristic white feathers in
their fourth year.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
13

alumni feature
Courage & Sacrifice: Veteran
Alumni Share Their Stories
Maryse King ’81
is a Haitian-
American
immigrant who
was one of the first women
ever commissioned by Lock
Haven University ROTC. She
is also a member of LHU’s
ROTC Hall of Honor. U.S.
Army Maj. Sean MacMillen
’96 is a three-time LHU
graduate whose military
service led to a battle with
PTSD and addiction, but
who now uses lifelong
learning to help others
struggling with mental
health issues. Both alumni
served their country; both
now serve others—they just
do it differently.
Upon graduating with her
degree in Biology, King was
commissioned and served
the Army for 22 years. Today,
she’s the Strategic Relations
Director for Tek4Kids, a nonprofit
organization in southern
Haiti that provides educational
resources for elementary and
high school students, while
also providing secondary
education opportunities for
exemplary graduates. Along
with her work for Tek4Kids,
King is aiming to help LHU
ROTC expand its presence on
and beyond campus.
LHU ROTC is run by LTC
Jonathon Britton and currently
has about 50 cadets.
His goal is to increase
enrollment to 75. Britton
believes sharing success
stories of alumni, like King
and MacMillen, is a great
way to attract recruits.
MacMillen’s path to
LHU was very different
than King’s. He grew
up just 10 minutes from
campus and proximity
and affordability led to his
enrollment in 1991. He
received his first degree
in Geography in 1996,
and shortly thereafter
was commissioned. For
12 years he served the
Army as an infantry officer,
ascending to the rank of
Major.
The harsh realities of war
took a toll on MacMillen.
The stench of three years
of decomposition while
digging up mass graves
in Bosnia; picking up suicide
bombers’ scattered remains
in Afghanistan; the loss of his
men, the guilt, and stigma
of being a combat soldier
and feeling like he wasn’t
supposed to talk about it
were all too much to bare.
The result was an eventual
onset of PTSD and
depression. Every time he
deployed, his symptoms
would worsen and in 2008,
he left the Army. In 2010,
he returned to LHU, and
three years later, he received
a Bachelor’s Degree in
Community Health and in
2015 he received a Master’s
Degree in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling.
MacMillen is now certified
in Pennsylvania as a
licensed professional
counselor and works for
UPMC Susquehanna as a
psychotherapist. It was LHU
14 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

mentors like Dr. Dave Bower
who helped him overcome
his pain and trauma to get on
a path to recovery. It is the
knowledge instilled in him by
his mentors that he is now
trying to impart on others.
MacMillen and King are
two examples of LHU ROTC
graduates who have given
much back to their country.
Two examples of leaders who
have taken the skills afforded
to them by LHU and ROTC to
make an impact in the lives
of others. So many other LHU
ROTC alumni are doing the
same.
All alumni who have come
through LHU’s ROTC
program are encouraged
to contact LTC Britton at
jmb946@lockhaven.edu. He is
committed to keeping alumni
connected to the program.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
15

GIVING SOCIETIES
The Lock Haven University Foundation introduced a new giving society to recognize
donors for their generous financial support of the University. The program
consists of five giving tiers based on a donor’s total annual contributions — Haven,
Susquehanna, Scholarship, Evergreen and Ivy Lane.
Recognition in the first tier — the Haven Society — will consist of donors who
have contributed $100 to $499 during the university’s fiscal year and soar
higher to the top tier — the Ivy Lane Society —for donors who give $10,000
or more during that same time. The LHU Foundation kicked-off these new
levels on July 1, 2019 and donors will receive notifications of their membership
level following the end of each quarter. This program is a special way of
saying thank you to the donors who help make Lock Haven University the very
special place that it is.
Recognition and appreciation opportunities range from LHU bumper stickers
to a limited edition LHU quarter-zip sweatshirt to an invitation to dine at the
residence of President Pignatello. Additional gifts will be sent as members
move to new levels. All society members will also have the option of being
included in an annual donor Honor Roll publication that will be sent to donors
at the end of the fiscal year. Societies will restart annually as the new fiscal
year begins.
Through the generous support of donors, the Lock Haven University Foundation
annually administers hundreds of individually-named scholarships and
awards and distributes over $750,000 in funds to more than 500 Lock Haven
University students – providing them with a quality, affordable education.
Thank you to all our donors for your support.
Your impact makes a difference.
SOCIETY LEVELS
$10,000 +
Ivy Lane Society
$5,000 - $9,999
Evergreen Society
$1,000 - $4,999
Scholarship Society
$500 - $999
Susquehanna Society
$100 - $499
Haven Society
16 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

ALUMNI news
ALUMNI BOARD
SPOTLIGHT
For the past year, Amee
Lewis Vance ’75 has served
on the Lock Haven University
Alumni Association Board of
Directors. During that time,
she has worked diligently to
help the University and its
students “soar higher.”
She is part of a committee
of eight Zeta Tau Alpha
sorority alumni responsible
for fundraising $5,000 to
dedicate a bench on campus
to honor 15 ZTA sisters
who have passed away. The
committee also established
the Zeta Nu Scholarship of
Zeta Tau Alpha, which awards
$500 annually to a student
enrolled at LHU who is a
member of ZTA. The sisters
are working on raising an
additional $5,000 to get
their scholarship endowed.
Vance is the Chair of
the Alumni Association’s
Relationships Committee
and plays a major role in
helping the University’s
Advancement Office
execute successful alumni
events. In addition to
being a regular at oncampus
events, she recently
attended local Alumni
Association events in
Hershey and Kutztown, and
also three Florida events in
Bradenton, Naples, and The
Villages. She was proud to
serve as an usher at President
Pignatello’s inauguration
ceremony in March.
During her time on the
board, Vance estimates she
has made more than 1,000
phone calls to alumni from
Pennsylvania to Florida and
beyond, helping them to
reconnect with the University,
inviting them to events,
sharing exciting news from
The Haven, and updating
their contact information in
the alumni database. Vance
is a retired early childhood
educator and is honored to
spend so much of her time
in retirement giving back to
Lock Haven University.
Alumni Unite in King of
Prussia
Pool balls were clanking, drinks were
flowing, and the buffalo chicken sliders
and cheddar cheese bites were delicious,
as more than 40 alumni enjoyed a great
time at the Fox & Hound Bar + Grill in
King of Prussia on Friday, April 12 for the
“Soar High Alumni” event.
Kimberley Brown ’14 had just returned
to The Haven a week prior, to volunteer
as an alumni panel speaker for an
admissions open house event, but she
couldn’t pass up the opportunity to once
again reconnect with her Haven family.
“I love my school,” Brown said at the
event. “I’ve got to support my school.”
Brown studied abroad as a LHU student
and she was pleasantly surprised to see
Rosana Campbell, Director for the Center
of Global Engagement, at the event. The
duo was also joined by Trachanda Garcia
’06 and ’12, and Rachel Coleman ’07 who
both studied abroad during their time
at LHU. The quartet posed for a study
abroad alumni reunion picture and
spent much of their time together
laughing the night away.
The Soar High with Alumni event
was the first time the Alumni
Association attempted to invite
prospective students to an alumni
gathering. The hope was to enable
alumni to share their Haven
experience and professional
success stories with prospective
students with the goal of
encouraging students to officially
enroll. The Alumni Association
plans to hold similar events in
the future.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
17

ALUMNI news
Welshans ‘14
Practicing
Medicine Just
Miles From
Campus
Colby Welshans is
one of four Lock Haven
University graduates
working as a Physician’s
Assistant at the UPMC
Outpatient Center in
McElhattan. His path
to medicine, however,
was a little different than
most.
He received his Bachelor’s
Degree in Marketing from Penn
State in 2009, but after an
internship with the State College
Spikes and a temporary stint as a
Lock Haven University admissions
counselor, Welshans felt he
needed a new challenge; to find
it, he decided to enroll in “Lock
Haven University’s well-renowned
PA program.”
He began the two-year program
at LHU in 2012, learning from
what he said are “knowledgeable
and approachable faculty who
are not only great teachers, but
have actually practiced medicine
throughout the years.”
Welshans graduated in 2014,
and after spending a year working
in occupational health, he
transitioned to family medicine.
He’s been with his current
practice since September 2015,
a place where he now works with
fellow Lock Haven University
physician assistant alumni, John
Hanna ’03 and ’05, Chelsea
Robinson MacNamara ’13 and ‘15
and Eli Hanna ’11 and ’13.
Nicole
Stephenson
‘08 Receives
Outstanding
Communication
Graduate Award
On May 3, Nicole
Stephenson ’08
received the
Outstanding
Communication
Graduate Award
during the
Communication
program’s annual
Rebecca Gross Awards
Day event.
Stephenson is the
Director of the Society
for Professional
Women (SPW) for the
Main Line Chamber of
Commerce in Wayne,
Pennsylvania. She is
also a Pennsylvania
delegate of Vision
2020, a national
women’s equity
coalition. Earlier this
year, she also received
the “35 under 35”
Award from Sigma
Kappa Sorority, Inc.
In her role at SPW,
she is responsible for
planning, promoting, and
executing more than 25
events each year, while
also handling sponsorship
development. Through her
efforts, SPW is recognized
as the leading women’s
professional development
program in the region.
“I am humbled
and honored to be
on the plaque on the
Communications floor
where I spent four years
of my life with so many
accomplished graduates,”
Stephenson said after
receiving the award. “My
heart is so full.”
Evans ’86 Serves
As Commencement
Speaker
Phil Evans ’86 had
the honor of being
commencement speaker
at LHU’s 2019 spring
graduation ceremonies. Evans
graduated from Lock Haven
University with a Bachelor of
Arts in Psychology in 1986
and later received a Master
of Business Administration from
the University of Oregon. Evans is
the President and CEO of ProtoCall
Services, a company he helped launch
in 1993, and later became CEO in
1999.
ProtoCall Services is
a growing business that
provides immediate access
to telephonic professional
crisis intervention services
for more than 450
organizations nationwide.
Since becoming CEO, Evans
has helped transform the
company that once consisted
of just 13 people into a
workforce of more than
200. His mission is to create
compassionate, hopeful,
and effective access to behavioral
health and crisis services when they’re
needed most.
18 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

DONOR PROFILE
From left, are Dave Bower, VFW Veterans Benefit Center; Julie Brennan, Clinton County
Economic Partnership; Marchal Rote, LHU; Carmen and Terry Banfill, and Alan Black.
Donor
Profile –
carmen &
terry banfill
For the past 17 years, U.S.
Army Sgt. Terry Banfill and
his wife, Carmen (Brown),
have donated American flags
throughout Clinton County. In
September 2018, the husband
and wife of nearly five decades
donated a flag that has been
flying at the center of campus
near Jury Fountain on Ivy Lane.
It was the 200th American flag
the Banfill’s donated and the
third flag that they’ve given to
Lock Haven University.
The first flag given to LHU
by the Banfills is displayed
in the Durrwachter Alumni
Conference Center, perched
high along the stairway to the
third floor of what many call
the most beautiful building on
campus. Encased in a frame
and true to long-standing
U.S. tradition, the 10-foot by
20-foot symbol of freedom is
carefully folded into a triangle,
emblematic of hats worn by
colonial soldiers during their
fight for independence.
There is another flag
outside the Durrwachter
building that was donated in
April 2008. That flag, the 50th
flag donated by the Banfills,
was dedicated by Terry in
honor of Carmen, a 1971
alumna of Lock Haven State
College. It was on May 24,
1968 during a dance in Smith
Hall that Carmen and Terry
met on a blind date. Three
years later the couple married,
just months after Carmen’s
graduation.
Carmen dedicated the flag
on Ivy Lane in honor of Terry
and their son Sean, who is a
special agent with the U.S.
State Department Diplomatic
Security Service.
Carmen taught elementary
education locally for 33 years.
She retired 15 years ago, but
along with the dedication of
200 flags to local businesses,
libraries, service organization,
ball fields, and schools, Terry
still spends time in classrooms
at local schools educating
children on the history of the
flag and the respect it should be
afforded.
“The flag is how America
signs her name,” Terry said. “It
represents the fallen soldiers
who have made the ultimate
sacrifice to defend it.”
Terry and Carmen began
dedicating flags in 2002 after the
death of Terry’s mother. What
started as the dedication of a
single flag for a beloved mother,
morphed into a mission to place
200 flags throughout the county,
fulfilled by the placement of the
flag on Ivy Lane.
Lock Haven University is
proud to have each symbol of
America’s signature donated
by the Banfills displayed on
campus.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
19

SPORTS CORNER
While Serving Country, Wilkinson ’13 Flies Flag in
Honor of LHU Wrestling
While serving on a tour in Iraq,
2013 LHU graduate and former
Bald Eagle wrestler Owen
Wilkinson flew the American
flag to honor LHU wrestling’s
successful 2017-18 season.
While serving on a tour in Iraq,
2013 Lock Haven University
graduate and former Bald Eagle
wrestler Owen Wilkinson flew
the American flag in honor of
LHU wrestling’s successful 2017-
18 season and the team’s 2018
Eastern Wrestling League (EWL)
Championship.
Wilkinson was on duty in Iraq,
serving as a specialist in the special
operations command during
Operation Inherent Resolve.
After the Bald Eagles historic 2017-
18 season ended, Wilkinson, a
former LHU wrestler himself, had an
American flag flown in the team’s
honor.
The flag and a certificate
proclaiming the event are now
proudly displayed in Head Coach
Scott Moore’s office.
The flag was flown in LHU
wrestling’s honor on March 30,
2018 during a Special Operations
Combat Mission over Iraq and
Syria in direct support of Operation
Inherent Resolve and the fight
against ISIS and other terrorist
organizations.
“As a former Bald Eagle wrestler
and LHU graduate, I was so
extremely proud of Scott Moore
and his team,” Wilkinson said. “I
enjoyed following the season while
overseas and the success brought
back fond memories of my time
as a studentathlete
in The
Haven. I was
happy to honor
the team while
serving our
country.”
“When Owen
told me about
this honor, I
was overjoyed
and humbled,”
Moore said.
“It’s an honor to
display this in
my office every
day. It’s because
of Owen’s
service that I
get to train our
young men
every day to be
the best version
of themselves,
both on-and-off
the mats.”
“I want to thank Owen for his
service and that of those who
served alongside him,” Moore
added.
As a student-athlete at LHU,
Wilkinson enjoyed a solid career on
the mats. The Hartland, Michigan
native won nearly 60 matches in
his career for the LHU wrestling
team. He capped his career as a
NCAA Division I national qualifier
after securing a trip to the national
championships in his final season
of eligibility during the 2011-12
season.
In all, Wilkinson was a threetime
Pennsylvania State Athletic
Former LHU wrestler, Owen Wilkinson ‘13 and Head Wrestling Coach, Scott
Moore.
Conference (PSAC) tournament
place-winner and a three-time
Eastern Wrestling League (EWL)
tournament place-winner.
Wilkinson continues to serve in
the 298th Army Reserve Company
based out of Altoona. He resides in
the Lock Haven area with his wife
and three children.
The 2018 EWL title marked LHUs
second conference championship
in school history and the first since
1997. The Bald Eagles followed
it up with their second straight
conference championship last
season after dominating the EWL
field on the way to the 2019 team
title.
20 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

ATHLETIC NEWS & NOTES
Ceremonial Relay Opens
LHU Qualifier
Perry named LHU Women’s
Wrestling Coach
Shortly after announcing the
addition of women’s wrestling
as a varsity sport, Ronnie Perry,
a 2018 NCAA Division I national
finalist, was named the Lock
Haven University head women’s
wresting coach.
Perry, a 2017 LHU graduate,
spent this past season (2018-19)
as the volunteer assistant coach
with the Bald Eagles. Part of
Perry’s duties as head women’s
coach will be to still assist with
the men’s program.
Perry carved his name deep
in the LHU history books with a
Cinderella-run to the 2018 NCAA
Division I finals. Competing at
149 pounds, Perry capped his
remarkable Lock Haven career by
becoming the first No. 15 seed
in NCAA tournament history to
reach the finals.
Following the 2017-18
season, Perry was named
both the Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference and Eastern
Wrestling League Athlete of the
Year.
Women’s Basketball Teams Up With ROTC For
Early Morning Workout
SOFTBALL 2019 PSAC
CHAMPS, A Look Back
at the 2019 LHU Softball
Season
Before the sun came up on morning of April 19,
the LHU women’s basketball team was hard at work.
The Bald Eagles were being tested like never before
as they teamed up with members of LHU’s Reserve
Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for a special earlymorning
workout.
The training began early and involved several
stages, locations and activities. The Cadets and
members of the women’s basketball team were
mixed into teams of seven and given a 100 pound
log for their three mile route. In addition to the
equipment, the teams were required to develop a
plan and complete the route, as a team, as quickly
as possible. The event was designed to take the
participants outside of their normal comfort zone
For the LHU softball
team, the 2019 season will
certainly go down as one to
remember.
The Bald Eagles saved
their best for last and a
made a remarkable run into
the postseason.
LHU finished the
regular season on a sixgame
unbeaten streak,
before embarking on
a storybook run to the
2019 Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference
tournament title. It marked
Lock Haven’s first PSAC
Championship in a decade.
The Bald Eagles were
4-1 at the conference
championship tournament.
By way of the PSAC title,
LHU clinched a spot in
the 2019 NCAA Division
II National Tournament.
For LHU, the 2019 NCAA
tournament marked LHU’s
14th all-time appearance in
the national tournament.
Leading the way was
standout pitcher Bekah
Slattery. When it was all said
and done, LHU’s ace was
named to three different
All-American teams. She
cemented her All-American
status after being named
the Atlantic Region and
PSAC Central Pitcher of
the Year. Her 856 career
strikeouts sit behind only
Hall of Famer Kristin Erb at
LHU, and she’s No. 6 alltime
in PSAC history.
and place them in a group of people
they don’t know and get them to work
together.
The event was part of a mini boot
camp theme the LHU women’s
basketball team had chosen for the
last three days of the spring practice
season. Head coach Jennifer Smith
made an effort to challenge and push
her players past their comfort zones,
both as individuals and a team.
Annual Athletics Championship
Celebration
In late April, LHU held its first ever
Athletics Championship Celebration.
The event was established to honor
Lock Haven’s championship teams and
All-American student-athletes during
the 2018-19 academic year.
A number of guests were on hand
including LHU President Robert
Pignatello who congratulated all the
teams and student-athletes on their
many success.
President Pignatello also helped
unveil the wrestling team’s updated
championship banner.
On May 4, the LHU men’s
and women’s track & field
teams hosted their first home
college meet in exactly six
years.
As part of the meet, it was a
ceremonial relay that served
as the first event of the day,
which helped celebrate the
grand reopening of the track
& field facility surface at Hubert Jack Stadium.
Back in August (2018), the project was completed, as the entire track & field
surfaced we redone.
The ceremonial relay was anchored by LHU President Robert Pignatello and
throughout the relay it was various LHU track & field stakeholders, who ran legs of
the relay.
It was only fitting that LHU’s 15th President brought home the first official win on
the new surface.
Slattery, Marsteller Named LHU’s
2018-19 Senior Student-Athletes of
the Year
As the 2018-19 athletic season
ended, the LHU Department of
Athletics named its senior studentathletes
of the year.
Bekah Slattery (softball) was named
the 2019 Charlotte E. Smith Award
winner. The award is presented to
LHU’s top senior female studentathlete.
The award goes to a senior
female student-athlete in recognition
of her accomplishments in women’s
athletics, outstanding leadership and
academic achievement.
Chance Marsteller (wrestling)
was named the 2019 Bald Eagle
Award winner. This award goes to a
senior male student-athlete who has
demonstrated overall excellence in
athletics, academics and service and
whose efforts during his time at The
Haven have made us all proud to have
him represent not only his individual
team, but also the overall athletics
program.
Both Marsteller and Slattery
enjoyed tremendous careers during
their time at The Haven, and their
senior season were no exception.
Slattery led the softball team to the
PSAC championship, and Marsteller
helped The Haven to an EWL title. The
two racked up individual honor after
individual honor along the way.
The LHU coaches nominate and vote
for the Charlotte E. Smith and Bald
Eagle awards each year.
ALUMNI SOFTBALL EVENT
PLANNED, SAVE-THE DATE (Friday,
September 27 – Sunday, September
29)
Join us as we celebrate and honor,
the past, present and future of Haven
Softball. On Friday, September 27,
the 2019 Team will receive its 2019
PSAC Championship rings. LHU will
also honor 2009 Team and the 10-year
anniversary of the Bald Eagles 2009
NCAA National Championship.
Saturday (September 28) is
Homecoming, so join us for the annual
alumnae game and Hall of Fame Social.
On Sunday (September 29), the 2006
Team will officially be inducted in the
LHU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2019
Announced
In May, the Lock Haven University
Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2019
was announced, recognizing seven
individuals and one team.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2019 will be
inducted at the annual Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony, which for the
second consecutive year will be part of
LHU’s Homecoming weekend festivities.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is
slated for Sunday, September 29.
The LHU Athletics Hall of Fame Class
of 2019 consists of the Georgina
Adams Donnelly (women’s soccer), Bill
Blacksmith (wrestling), Sarah Curtis
Schall (volleyball), Tim Gargan (men’s
soccer), Tom Justice (volleyball), Brad
Lloyd (wrestling), Joe Speese (football)
the 2006 NCAA Division II softball team.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
21

News & notes
New
Entrepreneurship
and Innovation Minor
Offered at LHU
During the 2018-19 academic
year, the Stephen Poorman
College of Business,
Information Systems, and
Human Services announced
the introduction of a minor
in entrepreneurship and
innovation. This minor is
directed at baccalaureate
degree-seeking students who
are considering launching
their own business one
day. The minor covers the
major business aspects and
problems new businesses
are likely to encounter and
is available to students
majoring in any discipline,
except business and
Lock Haven University students in the Business and Computer Science Department.
accounting.
“The minor in
entrepreneurship and
innovation gives new
business owners the tools
necessary to compete in the
current business environment
because having a good idea
is simply not enough to
succeed in business today,”
said Dr. Stephen Neun,
Dean. “Every successful
entrepreneur needs to have
the business skills to launch
and grow a business.”
The new minor is composed
of 18 credit hours with course
work in entrepreneurship,
Dr. Marlene Jensen, Associate Professor
at LHU.
innovation, marketing,
ethics, human resources,
negotiation, and sales. The
curriculum closes with a
capstone project designed
to provide the students with
the hands-on experience of
launching a new business
venture.
LHU Presents
3rd Annual
Craig and
Marilyn Willis
Distinguished
Lecture
On April 23, LHU
presented the
third annual Craig
and Marilyn Willis
Distinguished
Lecture in the Willis
Health Professions
Craig and Marilyn Willis with Robert
Pignatello, Amy Molyneux, and Kathleen
Gillespie.
Building, Greenberg Auditorium. Kathleen M.
Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of the Clearfield
County Area Agency on Aging (CCAAA), spoke on
the topic of, “MAGIC in Response to the Alzheimer’s
Epidemic.” In her role as chief executive officer,
Gillespie develops and implements programs to meet
human and social services for the aging population in
Clearfield County. Shown, from left, are Marilyn and
Craig Willis, Kathleen Gillespie, LHU President, Dr.
Robert Pignatello, and Amy Molyneux.
LHU Hosts
Partnership
‘Time Out’
Lock Haven University
welcomed about
120 Clinton County
Economic Partnership
members and guests
on April 27 as the
University hosted a
Partnership “Time
Out” after-hours
networking event.
LHU President
Robert Pignatello
welcomed the
crowd, emphasizing
the importance
of campus and
community
relationships. He
announced plans—
in partnership with
Downtown Lock
LHU students showcase their research, experiences, and
service during the Time Out event.
Haven, Inc.’s Hometown Heroes Banner
Program and the City of Lock Haven—to
erect streetlight banners downtown that
promote the University.
Pignatello also took the opportunity to
showcase student initiatives. Students
themselves were on hand to exhibit their
academic research, experiences abroad,
and community service.
“We need your support to be successful,”
Pignatello said. “We want to work with
local employers to close the skills gap
locally.”
22 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

The Inauguration
of LHU’s 15th
President, Robert
Pignatello
Lock Haven University
celebrated the inauguration
of its 15th president, Robert
Pignatello, on March 1, to
a packed audience in the
Thomas Fieldhouse. Students,
faculty, staff, coaches, alumni,
board members, trustees, and
community members all were
in attendance. Hundreds of
students filled the bleachers,
wearing their specially
designed inauguration
T-shirts, representing a
“whiteout section” for the
ceremony.
Pignatello has spent a
lot of time in his first year
as president building
relationships and talking
and listening to the students
in many different settings
all over campus—getting
to know them and what
is important to them as
students. “They have the best
advice about how we can
make their experience even
better,” he said. “We just
have to listen to them.”
He addressed the challenges
that lie ahead, such as rising
mandatory costs, less state
support, fewer college-age
students, greater competition,
and his strong belief in
public higher education to
create affordable pathways
for success. He stressed
developing shared goals
and vision, alliances with
other organizations, working
with employers, community
leaders, and securing private
funds in pursuit of a brighter
future for the university.
“We are raising our profile
and visibility and talking in
more purposeful ways about
our mission and value,” he
said, referring to what makes
LHU distinctive. “We are
working to provide more
needs-based aid to make
coming here more affordable
and accessible and working to
increase the yield of accepted
students, and looking at new
programs to address enrollment
challenges.”
Pignatello also spoke on the
crisis of civility in our society as
a major concern—and how we
should listen to one another
and look for common ground.
“We must more strongly
focus on the need to respect
another’s right to have opinions
different from ours. … Let
us aspire to decency. Let us
practice civility and respect one
another. Let us enhance our
ethic of care and inclusion. Let
us place service to our fellow
citizens at the very top of what
we value when we talk about
what makes this university
a place that is distinctive
and contributes to a better
community. Let us look for
ways to instill this more into our
curriculum and our educational
vision,” he said.
Pignatello called on
those assembled to work
collaboratively and convert
challenges into opportunities
while overcoming obstacles
and solving problems. “We
can control our own destiny
and make it one that better
serves our students and our
community if we—all of us
represented here today—join
hands to soar higher together,”
he said.
Attendees were invited to a
reception across the street in
Rogers Gymnasium for food,
live music, and a complimentary
mason jar, commemorating
the event. Pignatello also
performed with the band,
SNUG, playing guitar and
offering vocals on a few songs.
LHU Holds 1st Dr.
Martin Luther King
Jr. Day of Service
Event
On February 2,
approximately 80 Lock
Haven University students,
faculty, and staff celebrated
the life and legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. by
volunteering their time
toward service and civic
activities during the first
LHU MLK Day of Service
event.
The day began in the
PUB with lunch and
introduction to the day’s
activities by Kenny Hall,
Director of the Center for
Excellence and Inclusion.
“Connecting people to
other people. And the
opportunity to have
continued relationships with
community because this
is where we live. Focus on
unity because that was Dr.
King’s dream,” Hall said.
LHU President, Robert
Pignatello, provided a
welcome address before
the volunteers disbursed
to begin their service
activities. Pignatello and
his partner, Amy Molyneux,
joined a group of volunteers
at UPMC Susquehanna Lock
Haven to pack and donate
60 Jared Boxes filled with
toys, games, and small gifts
for young patients.
The LHU community offered
their assistance to seven
agencies in the community:
American Association
of University Women
(AAUW), Circle K Jared Box
Project, Clinton County
Historical Society, Horses
of Hope, The Life Center—
Clinton County Housing
Association, and two YMCA
locations. Volunteers also
participated in creating
cards of encouragement
for residents at a local
retirement community and
painted kindness rocks that
were placed throughout the
community.
LHU Zeta Tau Alpha students who
volunteered at the AAUW book sale.
LHU volunteers at the Lock Haven YMCA.
LHU MLK Day of Service volunteers at UPMC Susquehanna Lock Haven to pack and donate 60
Jared Boxes filled with toys, games and small gifts for young patients.
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
23

news & notes
Nauright Named Dean
of the Stephen Poorman
College of Business,
Information Systems, and
Human Services at LHU
In June, John Nauright, PhD, joined
Lock Haven University as Dean of
the Stephen Poorman College of
Business, Information Systems,
and Human Services. Dr. Nauright,
award-winning scholar with a
global record of leadership and
experience, came to The Haven
from the University of North Texas,
where he served as Department
Chair and Lab Director.
Prior to his tenure at UNT, he
was Director of the Institute of
Research and Graduate Studies in
Class Notes
60’s
Margery
Krevsky Dosey
’66, CEO and
President of
Production Plus
– The Talent
Shop, has been
awarded the
2019 National
Association of
Women Business
Owners Greater
Detroit Chapter (NAWBO-GDC) Top 10
Michigan Business Women Award in the
Warrior Award category. She received
the award at a ceremony held in Troy,
Michigan, on March 28.
70’s
Dr. Carol L.
Hodes ’70
had the title of
Distinguished
Educator
conferred upon
her by Phi
Delta Kappa.
Dr. Hodes
retired as a senior research associate
from the PA Deptment of Education in
2008 and continues her career with the
National Occupational Competency Test
Institute (NOCTI) as a senior consultant.
Bill Romano ‘75 has been inducted into
the Hall of Fame at Notre Dame High
School in New Jersey, where he taught
social studies for more than 40 years.
While at NDHS, Romano also coached
multiple sports, including varsity
baseball, softball, and football. He was
once named Coach of the Year by the
Trenton Times and Trentonian. He spent
several years as Dean of Discipline at
NDHS and also served as Coordinator of
Student Government.
the School of Sport and Service
Management at the University of
Brighton in England. He also holds
multiple visiting professorships at
universities worldwide.
Nauright also served as Professor
on the faculty of universities in the
USA, Scotland, Australia, and New
Zealand.
“I am thrilled to have joined
80’s
Reed Mellinger
’85 retired
from the Jersey
Shore Area
School District
in June 2018
after 25 years
as a Principal.
Mellinger enjoyed his time off, while looking
for one more position before hanging it
up for good. He began a new job July 1
as Principal of the Twin Valley Middle High
School near Wilmington, Vermont. “Being
a skier, this location close to Mount Snow is
the perfect spot for a few more years as the
leader of a school,” Mellinger said.
90’s
Katherine Heston
’94, ’03 was recently
appointed Associate
Director of Music
Admissions and Student
Services at Carnegie
Mellon University School
of Music in Pittsburgh.
She has also opened
KMH College Consulting as an Independent
Educational Consultant, assisting students
and families in the college admission and
enrollment process, specializing in music and
the performing arts.
10’s
Melissa Jacona ’11
recently started her own
online women’s boutique,
Lemon Lun, with curated
collections in clothing
and accessories. Lemon
Lun’s motto is “grab life
by the lemons and make
every outfit count.” For
more information, visit
www.lemonlun.com.
Lock Haven at an exciting time
for the University and for the
Stephen Poorman College of
Business, Information Systems,
and Human Services,” Nauright
said. “The College has a diverse
array of academic programs led by
outstanding, engaged and caring
faculty that prepare students
for innovative careers in today’s
dynamic world. I look forward to
working with faculty and University
leaders to expand opportunities for
our students.”
A native of South Carolina, Nauright
earned his bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from the University of
South Carolina and a Ph.D. from
Queen’s University in Canada. He
has two adult daughters, Ashley
and Lauren, and will be joined
in The Haven by his wife, Jenni.
Professor Nauright began his
appointment on June 17.
In Memoriam
Marguerite Summerson ‘40
Margaret Overbaugh ‘52
Anne Campbell ‘55
Joy Roush ‘55
Melvin Gordon ‘59
Michael Grand ‘60
Jerry Dietz ‘70
Peter Rinehulz ‘70
Robert Ambrose ‘70
James Black ‘71
Carolyn O’Neal ‘72
Frederic Edwards ‘74
Gwen Whildin ‘74
Richard Matz ‘74
Suzan Constantini ‘75
Karleen Ianaro ‘75
Robert Wagner ‘76
Daniel P. Showan, ’92, died
November 28, 2018. Daniel
was a history professor at Lock
Haven University for
29 years before retiring in
1988. He was honorably
discharged from the United
States Army, where he
served from 1944 until 1945
as a Demolition Specialist and
Anti-Aircraft Artillery Crewman
and had been a
member of the Lock Haven
American Legion and served
as Adjutant. Daniel also served
on PSEA’s Higher
Education Board of Directors
as President and as President
of APSCUF, where he received
a Distinguished
Service Award in 1985.
Provost and Executive Vice
President, Donna Wilson, said
of Nauright, “John will bring to
the Poorman College a breadth
of experience and a record of
innovation that promises to
advance the programs individually,
the College as a unit, and the
University. He is a collaborator
at heart, and will build on the
vibrant partnerships within the
University and with the Lock Haven
community and region that have
been a signature of the College.”
“There are many exciting
opportunities ahead for the
Poorman College,” said President
Robert Pignatello. “We are grateful
for Dean Stephen Neun’s important
work as Founding Dean of the
College and look forward to Dean
Nauright leading this promising
College to new heights.”
Mark Wittman ‘78
Susan Hars ‘80
Sharon Kober ‘81
Amy Bradley ‘82
Dean Hill ‘84
Stephen Kreps ‘88
Raymond MacNamara ‘89
Melanie Vener ‘’94
Amy Hager ‘94
Roger English ‘01
Robin Manrodt ‘07
Taylor Harpster ‘14
Daniel Jordan ‘15
Garrett Kauffman ‘16
Dr. Daniel P. Showan
Emeritus Bruce Robertson
Emeritus Dale E. Cooper
Emeritus Bruce Robertson died
on November 19, 2018. Bruce
retired in August 2005 as an
Assistant
Professor in the Business
Administration, Computer
Science, Information Technology
Department, after
serving the Lock Haven
University for 15 years. He will be
remembered for his love of puns.
He is survived
by his wife, Mary Ann.
Emeritus Dale E. Cooper died
on Friday, December 7,2018. He
retired in June, 1997, from the
Geology/Physics Department after
serving Lock Haven University for
29 years. He is survived by his wife,
Harriet Cooper.
24 SUMMER 2019 THE HAVEN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

FROM THE
ARCHIVES
The Central State Normal
School in the First World
War, 1917-1918
By Joby Topper, LHU Library Director
The Central State Normal School’s Service Flag. The 96 stars on the flag represent
the first 96 students and alumni who entered military service. Miss Grace E. Rich
and her senior home economics students made the flag. The flag’s border was red,
the center was white, and the stars were blue. A blue star was replaced by a gold
star when someone died in the War.
Can’t get enough of
The Haven?
Visit www.lockhaven.edu/thehaven for
extended content.
Last fall marked the Centennial of Armistice Day, the
cease-fire declared on November 11, 1918, which
brought an end to the First World War.
Many students, faculty, and alumni of the Central State
Normal School served with distinction. Here is just a
small sample:
John G. Durkin (1895-1941) of Wilkes-Barre (Class of
1915) served with the 91st Aero Squadron (Army Air
Corps) in France. For a while, he was billeted with
legendary flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Sergeant
Durkin earned a special citation for bravery when he
helped drag several planes out of a burning hangar
that had been bombed and machine-gunned by the
enemy.
Ray W. Vail (1891-1970) of Renovo (Class of 1910)
served with the 7th Machine Gun Battalion, 3rd
Division. Lieutenant Vail and his gunners kept the
German army from advancing into the town of
Chateau-Thierry for two days, long enough for the rest
of the 3rd Division and the French 6th Army to arrive
on the scene. Vail was awarded the French Croix de
Guerre.
Maude C. Albright (1885-1960) of Lock Haven (Class
of 1906) was a Red Cross Nurse. She worked at various
“canteens” (small mobile restaurants) for soldiers
in Paris. One day at the Paris train station, Albright
and her colleagues served coffee and bread to 3,024
servicemen in just over an hour.
Walter L. Nuschke (1890-1967) of Austin (Class of 1911)
served as a Yeoman 1st Class aboard the USS George
Henry, a tanker that carried airplane fuel to France.
Tankers were prime targets for German U-boats.
Nuschke’s ship was hit on September 29, 1918. The
fire destroyed the crew’s quarters and all of their
personal belongings—but Nuschke and his shipmates
extinguished the flames and kept the ship afloat.
Four alumni did not return from the War. Lieutenant
Harold M. Myers of Mill Hall (Class of 1911) died of
meningitis on September 8, 1917, at the Brooklyn
Naval Yard while preparing for duty overseas. Two
of our men died of influenza during the terrible
flu epidemic of 1918: Private 1st Class George M.
Kachik of Clarence died in France on October 11; and
Corporal Paul Vargas of Puerto Rico (Class of 1916)
died at Camp Merritt, New Jersey, on October 22.
Corporal Daniel E. Gann of Jersey Shore was a driver
with the 103rd Ammunition Train, 28th Division. He was
killed when his ammo truck was hit by an artillery shell
on October 31, 1918. May they rest in peace.
A student’s pocket calendar was reprinted in the
yearbook of 1919. The entry for November 8, 1918,
made me smile: “False peace report. Most Seniors cut
classes to celebrate.” Then, for November 11: “Great
and Glorious Day. Signing of armistice. Early morning
parade at CSNS. Big parade downtown. General
celebration.”
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY THE HAVEN SUMMER 2019
25

University Relations
Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Q&A
LTC Jonathon M. Britton reported
to Lock Haven University two
years ago and has served as the
ROTC Department Chair and
Professor of Military Science. He
instructs Cadets in the senior class
from LHU, Mansfield University,
Pennsylvania College of Technology,
and Lycoming College. He and his
Cadre also instruct all four levels of
Military Science and prepare Cadets
for regional and national-level
ROTC competitions, trainings, and
internships.
Q
: When and how did your career in
the military begin?
A
: I enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army
National Guard at the age of 17.
I had a great experience through my
senior year of high school, and while I was
enrolled in ROTC at Indiana University
of Pennsylvania. While in ROTC, I was
influenced most by my Cadre, who were
able to show me the leadership potential I
possessed, but didn’t understand at such a
young age.
Q
: What is the most rewarding part of
your job?
A
: I really like to be able to help young
people get started in their careers
and help them sort through the options
to find a fit that works for them. Seeing a
former Cadet thriving in his or her career
a few years down the road is especially
rewarding. The Cadets we have here at
The Haven are proving themselves to
be uncommonly mature, focused, and
achievement-oriented. It’s tremendously
rewarding to me to be part of growing this
program and making it a major contributor
to life at LHU.
Q
: What is one thing you’d like people
to know about ROTC at The Haven?
A
: A career in the military may not
be for everyone, but you can find
rewarding jobs either on Active Duty, or
simultaneously in the National Guard or
Army Reserve that can result in careers
as civilians, especially in high tech fields
like programming, communications, and
intelligence. Our Cadets have a cumulative
GPA of over 3.2, and they are leaders on
campus.
Q
: In your view, what are some of
the primary advantages The Haven
offers?
A
: Our ROTC program is unique and,
in my opinion, superior to others
for several reasons. We have a strong,
and still growing, alumni outreach. We
have vast training locations such as our
own land navigation course, patrolling
grounds to practice and develop tactics, a
100-meter shooting range, and access to
rifles and ammunition to train our Cadets
on critical tasks as they progress toward
commissioning. And we have a great
campus and community support network,
spanning a vast region, where our four
campuses are located.
Q
: What do you enjoy doing in your
free time?
A
: After serving 16 years on Active
Duty, my family and I are fortunate
to be stationed only an hour from where I
grew up in DuBois. I enjoy spending time
with my wife and four children. We hunt
and fish together, and we are active nearly
every weekend exploring national parks
and cities in this region of the country.