THE MARGARET PIERCE ’96 FRANTZ AND TODD FRANTZ ’97 RECORDING STUDIO
Nestled in the lower level of Weber Chapel, The Margaret Pierce ’96 Frantz and Todd Frantz ’97 Recording Studio is a new favorite creative space on campus.
“The refurbished recording studio is fully equipped for multi-track recording and computer music composition,” said Patrick Long, professor of music at Susquehanna University. “It is now among the largest and most aesthetically inspiring university studios anywhere.”
A total of 965 square feet, the recording studio is composed of two rooms. The main room is designed to be “acoustically dead” for great listening and sound, and includes new sound equipment and technology and an isolation booth for recording. The “live room” portion of the recording studio includes new lighting and the Department of Music’s Martha Barker ’70 Blessing baby grand piano.
A variety of courses are taught in the studio, including computer music composition, computer music performance, audio engineering fundamentals and music production.
The recording studio hosted a new Music Production weeklong institute for high school students, who received practical how-to instruction in many aspects of music technology and worked as a team to compose, record and edit music and on their own to pursue individual projects.
The Frantzes were inspired to support improvements to the recording studio due to their passion for music and the performing arts. Both were active in the arts and performed in a variety of the university’s music ensembles — which is where their paths first crossed.
THE MARK ’80 AND DEBORAH YODER FOSSIL COLLECTION
Take a look back — hundreds of millions of years back — at what is considered one of the most important periods in Earth’s history, characterized by major events and changes in the planet’s geology, climate and life forms.
The Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Fossil Collection is on display in Susquehanna’s Natural Sciences Center and tells the story of terrestrial evolution during the middle-to-late Paleozoic Era.
“Though we are fortunate to have bedrock of this age near Susquehanna University, this collection contains fossil reproductions and impressive fossil finds from around the world that can be difficult to find in local rock from this time interval,” explains Jennifer Elick, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences. “It’s a story that evolves as new, exciting discoveries add to our understanding of this part of geological history.”
The display represents some of the significant transformations in organisms that occurred in response to global environmental change.
“The Yoder Fossil Collection is meant to be a destination where students can gather and discuss the science from their classes, their research and their hopes and dreams for the future,” Elick says. “It is a gift from one generation of River Hawks to future generations of River Hawks.”
Mark and Deborah have also established the Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Scholarship to recognize Mark’s commitment to Susquehanna and his passion for geological sciences. The scholarship gives preference to a student who is studying in the earth and environmental sciences, environmental studies or ecology.
THE STEVEN T. ’96 AND AMY MEYER TRADING ROOM
Tickers with real-time data, news and analytics sprawl the interior and exterior of a recently expanded room in the Sigmund Weis School of Business, now large enough for professors to hold classes there.
The Steven T. ’96 and Amy Meyer Trading Room now includes 12 Bloomberg Terminals and twice as many computers. Four terminals are in the Blough-Weis Library.
“This gives our students access to the real-time financial market data via the tools top financial professionals use,” says Matthew Rousu, dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business. “With 16 terminals for about 600 business students, we may have more Bloomberg Terminals per capita than any other business school worldwide.”
The terminals, which come with specialized keyboards, double-screen displays and the popular Bloomberg professional investment software, allow students to monitor and analyze financial markers in real time and place trades on Bloomberg’s electronic trading platform. Finance majors can also learn about placing and tracking trades by investing real university funds in the stock market through the River Hawk Investment Fund.
Students can also earn Bloomberg Certification, which gives students an advantage over their peers when searching for internships and employment after college.
In addition to supporting capital improvements and technology upgrades to the trading room, Steven and Amy have endowed a fund to support faculty development and programming in the Department of Finance. Their gift will also create a student-managed investment fund to allow for increased opportunities of practical, hands-on learning.
THE CLARK AND LISA RYAN ’78 BURKE HAWK HUB
Centrally located in the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center, the Clark and Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke Hawk Hub is a resource for all students. Each day, its staff help students navigate the many areas of college life that several may find complex — from transcript requests or billing and finance inquiries to class registration.
Susquehanna University dedicated the Clark and Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke Hawk Hub in recognition of their significant philanthropy to the university.
“Susquehanna University provided me with the foundation to achieve my professional aspirations,” Lisa said. “I know that many of the experiences I enjoyed as a student were made possible through the generosity of donors, and it has been my privilege to support my alma mater. Clark was always devoted to helping others and supporting a pathway to success. I am honored and grateful Susquehanna has chosen to recognize my and Clark’s gifts in a way that is so integral for students and to the daily life of the university.”
Over the years the Burkes’ philanthropy has been spread across campus through their support of Susquehanna’s Global Opportunities program, Women’s Leadership Initiative, and student scholarships and assistantships. Through future legacy gifts, the Burkes have also established the:
- Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke and J. Clark Burke, Jr. Endowed Communications Fund, which will support the Department of Communications, WQSU and scholarships for communications students.
- Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke and J. Clark Burke, Jr. Endowed Career Development Fund, which will support the vital work of Susquehanna’s Career Development Center.
- Lisa Ryan ’78 Burke Women’s Leadership Fund, which will support the Women’s Leadership Initiative, which creates opportunities for young women to help them prepare for positions of leadership in their careers and communities.
OTHER SPACES DEDICATED THIS PAST YEAR INCLUDE:
AIKENS HALL LOUNGE
New furniture and décor provided through the generosity of Matthew ’92 and Jane Petersen ’92 Curran.
DEGENSTEIN CAMPUS CENTER PATIO
New patio furniture and updated entryway into the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center provided through the generosity of James A. ’01 and Julie Dunlop, Jenna and Tim ’07 Robeson, Chris ’84 and Mary Markle, Martha Barker ’70 Blessing, the Student Government Association and the Classes of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
DIANE AND AL MEYER CLASSROOM IN SEIBERT HALL
Renovations provided through the generosity of Steven T. ’96 and Amy Meyer.
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES OFFICE RECEPTION AREA
New furniture and décor provided through the generosity of the Blanche Savidge Community Trust. Savidge graduated from Susquehanna in 1934 with a degree in education.