December 06, 2022

Dynamic faculty-student research, new and improved spaces and places, an impressive update to the Give Rise campaign and more — it’s been another eventful year at Susquehanna University. Here are some of our favorite stories from 2022.

Research ‘Prospers’ at Susquehanna

Susquehanna has a proud tradition of undergraduate research that not only contributes knowledge to the scientific and academic communities, but also provides students with invaluable opportunities to participate in this research.

In 2022, some of this work garnered national attention. Ongoing research from Nick Clark, chair and professor of political science, and Rolfe Peterson, associate professor of political science, was the subject of a New York Times article Was Election Denial Just a Passing Threat? Or is it here to stay? Their research examines opinions surrounding the veracity of the 2020 presidential election and whether a voter’s geographic location plays a role. Read Susquehanna’s story on the research here.

Ed Slavishak, professor of history, appeared on the Emmy Award–winning NBC program Who Do You Think You Are?. He provided actor Zachary Quinto, who portrayed Spock in the three-movie Star Trek franchise, with some insights into Quinto’s family’s history — including a remarkable letter penned by his great-grandfather P.J. McArdle that preordained Quinto’s intergalactic rise to fame. Read our story here.

Other research from the past year:

• Tested the effectiveness of gold nanoparticles created out of natural sources such as lemongrass and green tea against cervical and melanoma cancer cells.
• Identified the importance of microbes when investigating the impact of unconventional oil and gas extraction — hydraulic fracturing or fracking — on sensitive watersheds.
• Looked into ways to measure and mitigate the impact of pharmaceuticals in waterways.
• Found that identification with one’s nation predicts greater engagement with public health behaviors.
• Explored Kenyan political strife, mental health in college students, why the purseweb spider launches its excretion over 40 times its body length, and many more topics — all through SU’s summer research program.

Capital Campaign Exceeds Goal, Keeps Going

Susquehanna announced during Homecoming–Reunion Weekend that the university surpassed the goal of its capital campaign, Give Rise, eight months in advance of the fundraising effort’s conclusion.

More than $168 million has been raised to date through the Give Rise capital campaign — exceeding the campaign’s $160 million goal, the most ambitious in the university’s history.

Donors Invest in SU’s Current, Future Students

Homecoming–Reunion Weekend also brought the dedication of seven spaces throughout campus — from a state-of-the-art recording studio and an extensive fossil collection to a new student lounge. The donor-funded improvements represent a $3 million investment in Susquehanna’s current and future students.

River Hawks Go Undefeated

Susquehanna’s football team won the Centennial Conference Championship for the first time and finished their regular season undefeated.

The River Hawks claimed decisive wins over Dickinson, Gettysburg, Lycoming and Moravian, and exhilarating nail-biters over Johns Hopkins and Muhlenberg, leading up to their first appearance in the NCAA DIII Football Championships since 2009.

Fulbrighter Bound for Spain

Olivia McGaw ’22 received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award in Spain.

McGaw, from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, will use her Fulbright to build upon her study-abroad experience in Spain. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in teaching English as a second language as preparation for a career working in migrant education.

Alumna’s Yogurt Business Makes Headlines

Stephanie Painter ’16 and her sister, Haley, were inspired by their family farm to launch a unique yogurt business: Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt.

Their product, a single-sourced, organic, double-cream and lactose-free Skyr yogurt, is already on the shelves of over 70 independent retailers, and since their profile was published in Currents magazine earlier this year, they’ve been featured by Forbes, Country Living and Food Business News.