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WEBEXTRA: 9/30/06 Sights and Sounds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

One Extraordinary Day...

Alumni nominated more than 60 faculty, staff and administrators for having made a difference during their time at Susquehanna. A video presentation during the stadium program recognized those individuals.

An Invitation to Alumni

At the Pre-game Spectacular on September 30, President Lemons announces the FIRST Fund: Funding Innovative Research and Student Travel, created by founding members of the Biology Alumni Association in honor of the biology faculty. The fund will support student travel to off-campus conferences and seminars. Pictured, left to right are, Matthew Wargo, Matthew Gilbert, Lemons, Amy Fortier and Ryan Clouser.

The efforts of five young biology alumni illustrated the impact that smaller contributions can make in changing students’ lives. The founding officers of the Biology Alumni Association (BAA) were recognized for creating the $500-per-year FIRST Fund: Funding Innovative Research and Student Travel, which will give biology majors more opportunities to attend professional conferences and seminars to present their research. The fund is an annual gift, given in honor of the biology faculty and established by BAA members and 1998 graduates Matthew Gilbert, of Cooperstown, N.Y., Ryan Clouser, of New London, N.H., Matthew Gibbons, of Davis, Calif., Amy Fortier, of Enfield, N.H., and Matthew Wargo, of Hanover, N.H.

“We want other alumni to view the formation of the BAA as an innovative and meaningful way to give back to SU that does not require large individual financial resources. I hope that other SU alumni are inspired by the BAA to think about new and

unique ways to support current Susquehanna University students and faculty,” Gilbert said.

And indeed, someone was inspired by their actions. It was announced on September 30 that an anonymous donor will match the group’s contribution, bringing the gift total to $1,000 per year.

“We’re really lucky to have a group of young alums like this who are so enthusiastic about giving back to the department,” said David Richard, professor and head of the Department of Biology. “They’ve set a standard for alumni participation in department activities. They are setting an example for other biology alums, and I think they are also setting an example for alumni from other departments. It’s hard to imagine how this model could not be usefully applied across the institution,” Richard said.


Science Through the Decades

The “Science through the Decades” gathering on September 30 attracted about 75 alumni, students and faculty. Returning emeriti science faculty joined by Fred Grosse, professor of physics, formed a teaching cohort representing 211 years of science instruction at Susquehanna. Pictured are, left to right, Frank Fletcher, Charles B. Degenstein professor emeritus of environmental science; Tom McGrath, professor emeritus of chemistry; Grosse; Randolph Harrison, assistant professor emeritus of biology; Robert Nylund, professor emeritus of chemistry; and George Boone, professor emeritus of biology.

BAA members were among a group of about 75 alumni, students and current faculty who gathered for a “Science Through the Decades” reunion in the atrium of Fisher Science Hall. Also returning for the reunion were emeriti members of the science faculty Robert Nylund (chemistry), George Boone (biology), Frank Fletcher (geological and environmental science), Randolph Harrison (biology) and Tom McGrath (chemistry). They were joined by current faculty member Fred Grosse (physics) who has been teaching at Susquehanna University for more than 45 years. The gathering gave current faculty and Dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences Lucien T. Winegar an opportunity to talk about planning for construction of the new 81,000 square-foot facility that will house the departments of biology, chemistry, and earth and environmental sciences.

“We’re eager to take the next steps on the academic facilities project,” said Winegar, noting that the design phase will be advanced over the next 12 months. “The new science building will provide improved facilities for all students in science courses, and the renovation of Fisher Hall as part of this project will provide better space to a number of other departments and programs across campus.”


Making Connections

Donning an orange hardhat and safety glasses, Terry March '67, chair of the Susquehanna University Board of Trustees, entered the raffle cube to select one winner from among hundreds of entries during halftime festivities on September 30.

Several other affinity groups also held reunions throughout the day. The Sigmund Weis School of Business held a reception for alumni of its London Program, now in its 10th year, in the atrium of Apfelbaum Hall, which was decorated with British and European flags for the occasion. The Alumni of Color Association, a new alumni group formed in 2006, held its first business meeting and a networking reception.

Alumni and students also came together for the 14th Annual Society for Collegiate Journalists Invitational Brunch. A gathering of Christian Fellowship alumni, students and staff was also part of the day’s activities, and that evening, creative writing alumni returned for a reunion that included an alumni and faculty reading in Stretansky Concert Hall of the Cunningham Center for Music and Art. Several reunion classes held get-togethers on campus and downtown. Greek alumni also returned to campus to visit their respective fraternity and sorority houses.

Several of the reunions, as well as the area near the designated grandstand, served as excellent vantage points from which to enjoy the “Parade for the Ages.” Highlights of the parade were seven decade-themed floats, sponsored and decorated by student organizations from across campus, the marching bands from Selinsgrove and Mifflinburg high schools, and an Elvis tribute artist complete with a pink and purple 1970 Cadillac.

One lucky alumna was chosen to receive an all-expense paid trip for her and four of her college buddies to Susquehanna’s 2007 Homecoming, now set for October 6, 2007. The winner was chosen by random drawing during the halftime festivities, which also included musical entertainment and crowning of the Homecoming Court, including King Kevin Hannahoe ’07, of Reading, Pa., and Queen LeDana Jeter ’07, of Fort Washington, Md. Terry March ’67, chair of the Susquehanna University Board of Trustees, drew the name of Kimberly Tohill ’03, of Schuylkill Haven, Pa., from the raffle cube.

When they return next fall, Tohill and her friends will stay at the Potteiger House Bed & Breakfast in Selinsgrove, and President and Mrs. Lemons will hold a special dinner in their honor at Pine Lawn.


Something for Everyone

Seven student groups entered floats in the university's homecoming parade. Winning top honors was the Student Government Association entry, “SU and Beyond.” Michele DeMary, associate professor of political science, led the classroom instruction at the chalkboard, while Linda McMillin, provost and dean of the faculty, stood ready to dispense diplomas at the back of the float.

Other events held throughout the day included the “Float City” carnival where the young and young-at-heart enjoyed games, sweet treats and inflatable rides. A dinner party for the campus community was held following the football game on the lawn at the east end of Lopardo Stadium. “Susque-Palooza” featured entertainment by professional celebrity tribute artists, and the party featured decade-themed tents where folks enjoyed desserts reminiscent of days gone by and days yet to come.

“We were pleased to have so many alumni and friends with us,” Lemons said of the gathering, which was estimated at having brought 3,200 alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, friends and families together for the day. “It was an extraordinary outpouring of support and pride, and a community bonding experience unlike anything in our recent history. We know that moving forward, we’ll want and need to engage many members of the September 30 audience – and many more – in our continuing work of changing lives and building futures for our students.”


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