Millersville University, 1 S George Street, Millersville, PA (2026)

10/16/2026

Millersville University’s Hazel I. Jackson Lecture Series, which celebrates Black literature and culture, will feature Dominican American poet and writer Melania Luisa Marte on Oct. 21. Her presentation begins at 7 p.m. in the Student Memorial Center and is free and open to the public.

The annual lecture series honors Hazel I. Jackson, who became the first African American woman professor hired at Millersville University in 1970. During her career, Jackson introduced African American literature into the University’s curriculum and brought celebrations of Black culture to campus.

Following Jackson’s retirement in 1994, Dr. Rita Smith Wade-El, then-director of the African American Studies program, established a lecture series and scholarship in her honor. The series continues to bring literary artists to Millersville to share perspectives shaped by the Black American experience.

This year’s speaker, Melania Luisa Marte, was selected in part because of the Afro-Caribbean experiences represented in her work.

“The Hazel I. Jackson lecture celebrates literature through our Black studies programs here,” says Dr. Caleb Corkery, professor of English. “Part of that history is the Afro-Caribbean experience. Marte is Dominican American and a rising star in the world of American poets.”

Through Marte’s appearance, organizers hope students and members of the surrounding community will have an opportunity to learn more about Afro-Caribbean experiences and their place within literature.

“We hope Marte will highlight perspectives and experiences emerging from the Caribbean,” says Corkery. “We also hope she will bring attention to the lives of many from Afro-Caribbean descent in our community.” Read more here: https://bit.ly/4hWjD9f

10/15/2026

Homecoming is this weekend, Oct. 17! Will we see you there?

10/14/2026

Today is the 100th anniversary of Winne-the-Pooh. To celebrate, check out the cover story from the summer 2026 edition of the Review magazine that features Millersville faculty member Dr. Sarah Jackson, pictured here, reading that classic book about a silly old bear to her two children.

It has been 100 years since author A. A. Milne introduced the world to Winnie-the-Pooh through his children’s book by the same name. “Winnie has incredible staying power,” says Dr. Sarah Jackson, an associate professor of early, middle and exceptional education at Millersville University. “Ask anyone today or 30 years ago, you’ll get the same response. There’s something about it that ‘catches’ a really wide range of people and a really wide range of developmental stages.”

Jackson arrived at Millersville in 2020 with her freshly minted doctorate in literature for children and young adults from The Ohio State University. She had previously earned a bachelor’s degree in English (creative writing) from the University of Puget Sound, a Master of Fine Arts in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a master’s degree in children’s literature from Hollins University.

At Millersville, she teaches education majors about creativity; assessment, instruction and curriculum; as well as emergent literacy – the skills children develop from birth that are the foundation for reading and writing. “I came to the education program by way of English,” Jackson adds.

Why focus on children’s literature? “I never saw a reason to stop reading kids’ books,” she says. “I really liked them and thought they were worthy of analysis. They are not just a way to teach something; they can also be a source of adventure.”

Jackson is particularly interested in anthropomorphism, the attribution of human characteristics, emotions or behaviors to nonhuman things, which is often found in children’s books. Anthropomorphism can be seen in everything from animals to robots to vegetables, such as the characters in “Vegetables in Underwear” by Jared Chapman, which “uses anthropomorphism to normalize potty training by giving produce human traits and putting them in silly undergarments,” according to Jackson.

“Winnie-the-Pooh” is also filled with animals acting out human traits, and it has been a favorite of Jackson’s since childhood because of her “interest in animals.” (Her mother gave her the original version of the book she herself read as a child.) Years later, Jackson went on to write her master’s thesis on rhetoric and colonialism in “Winnie-the-Pooh.”

Milne wrote the story during Britain’s colonial era, which is reflected through the book in several ways, according to Jackson. “Characters like Owl and Christopher Robin use language to establish a hierarchy among the animals that puts them in charge,” she says. “They exert power over the other animals and attempt to control them through their rhetoric.”

Another reflection of colonialism in “Winnie-the-Pooh” involves the characters Tigger (a tiger), Kanga and Roo (kangaroos). Unlike the other animals in the Pooh stories, they were not native characters in the Hundred Acre Wood, says Jackson, but were added to the story, as India and Australia were added as colonies to Britain. “What’s more, when they first arrive, the other animals try – unsuccessfully – to chase them from the forest or change them in some fundamental way.”

Jackson’s “very lengthy” master’s thesis was revised, with help from editor Jennifer Harrison, into a chapter in “Positioning Pooh: Edward Bear after 100 Years,” which was published in 2021. She and Harrison were panelists at a children’s literature symposium, “The Pleasures and Problems of Pooh,” at Hollins University this summer. While there are attempts at colonialism in the stories, part of what Jackson argued in this chapter is that the characters also resist that colonialism through their playful use of language.

“The more I teach and learn about the role of play in early childhood education, the more I read ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ through the lens of play,” says Jackson. “I think this is part of why it continues to appeal to so many children and adults after all these years.”

This analysis has not caused Jackon to lose her love for “Winnie-the-Pooh,” but it has changed how she reads the book and shares it with her children. “With colonialism in mind, you read it differently,” Jackson says. “I introduced them to Pooh through the original Disney short films.

“There are lots of stories – 20 in two volumes – that can be entry points for young readers. The characters are specific enough to be memorable but universal enough that for a century, people around the world have seen themselves and people they know in them.”

Books for preschoolers that Jackson is “loving right now:”

🍯 “Drawn Together” by Minh Lê and Dan Santat
🍯 “Little Witch Hazel” by Phoebe Wahl
🍯 “Benita and the Night Creatures” by Mariana Llanos and Cocoretto
🍯 “Mama in the Moon” by Doreen Cronin and Brian Cronin
🍯 “Where’s Halmoni?” by Julie Kim

10/13/2026

Millersville University Professor of Educational Foundations Dr. Oliver Dreon has been appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro to serve on the State Board of Higher Education. His term, which began Sept. 3, is six years.

SBHE provides direction, coordination and support to ensure that institutions of higher education fully meet the workforce and economic development needs of the Commonwealth and ensure that all residents have access to affordable, world-class postsecondary education.

Dreon served from 2013 to 2020 as director of the Millersville’s Center for Academic Excellence, where he led professional development for online teaching, active learning, Universal Design for Learning and student-centered instruction. He has taught a variety of education and instructional technology courses in person as well as online.

He is the co-author of “Authentic Instruction with Technology: A Student-Centered Approach” and of “The Power of Blended Learning in the Sciences.” Besides his work in instructional technology, he has co-edited “Teacher Education for Ethical Professional Practices in the 21st Century” and co-authored the “Educator Ethics and Conduct Toolkit.” Dreon is also the primary author of the online courses AI for Tomorrow’s Teachers, offered by the International Society for Technology in Education, and Foundational AI for School Leaders, offered by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

A former middle school and high school teacher, he has spent more than 30 years teaching in various educational environments and provides regular professional development and consultation on online and blended learning, instructional technology and generative artificial intelligence. His work examines how technology can be used to support student development through physical, online and hybrid learning spaces.

Deron was selected as the 2024 Teacher Educator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges of Teacher Educators and serves as president of the Millersville University chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculty.

10/05/2026

Senior Hailey Peirce, a marine biology major with a minor in environmental chemistry, is the recipient of the 2026 Newman Civic Fellowship from Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education.

She first heard about the fellowship from her friend Catherine Samer, who earned the award last year. Soon after, Dr. Dominique Didier, a professor of general biology, zoology, aquatic biology and ichthyology who taught Peirce, informed her that she had nominated her for the fellowship.

“Dr. Didier’s thoughtful and kind nomination definitely helped me get the fellowship,” says Peirce. “I am most excited to meet the other fellows at the Convening in Washington, D.C! There are also opportunities for grant funding, which I am excited to apply for.”

Peirce is an environmental advocate and activist. As a marine biology major, she says advocacy for the environment has become second nature to her. “Coming to Millersville and beginning my academic journey in the environmental sphere sparked my interest in environmental advocacy.”

Peirce began volunteering in high school and found a love for community engagement, which led her to join Millersville’s Center for Civic Engagement. Through the Center, she is participating in more events, that “allow me to see the power of a civically engaged community.”

Peirce is currently working at the Center for Civic Engagement on a Campus Compact grant-funded project that will include a series of events related to the upcoming midterm elections.

She is also working on an event along with four other Millersville students that were proposed at the PASSHE Women’s Consortium this past summer. The event will occur in October and is geared toward helping victims of domestic violence and raising awareness.

Peirce says that fellows at the Center are given a lot of freedom to create such events. She previously organized workshops about recycling, and in collaboration with the Crochet Club, collected plastic bags to turn into ‘plarn,’ plastic bag yarn. The yarn was then turned into bowls.

“My receiving the Newman Civic Fellowship is only possible through my amazing support system at Millersville,” Peirce says.

09/30/2026

Who’s Who Wednesday: Get to know the people who make Millersville University special! Today, let’s introduce you to Heather Fogell.

Heather Fogell ‘93 is a technician and adjunct faculty member in the biology department at Millersville University. Fogell’s connection to Millersville goes back decades. She is a two-time MU alumna, earning her bachelor's degree in biology secondary education in 1993 and her master's degree in biology in 2000. Fogell began working at the University as an adjunct professor in 2005 and became a full-time biology technician in spring 2019.

In her role, Fogell helps keep the biology department’s labs, facilities, and equipment running smoothly. She stocks and manages weekly lab preparations for General Biology, Foundations of Biology, and Cell and Developmental Biology courses. She also manages department greenhouses, animal suites and aquatic rooms, and coordinates student workers. Her responsibilities also include overseeing department webpages, completing the annual inventory of departmental equipment, and helping oversee safety protocols.

As an adjunct faculty member, Fogell teaches biology lectures, labs and summer sessions, as well as Methods of Teaching Biological Science seminars, where she shares her knowledge from more than 25 years as a high school biology teacher.
Fogell says her love for Millersville has kept her connected to the University throughout her career. “I love this place! It gave me an Ivy League-quality education at a state school price,” she says. “I’m fortunate to now be able to help support the qualified and caring professionals and motivated students in the biology department to continue that cause.” She also appreciates that her work rarely looks the same from one day to the next. “I get to be surrounded by biology professionals and future biologists, doing science all day, but due to the diverse nature of the job, no two days are alike.”

One contribution Fogell is especially proud of came about during the COVID-19 pandemic, when her experience in public education helped with the creation of Millersville’s remote labs for General Biology and Foundations of Biology courses. She says she’s also found that her ability to repair specialized equipment can save the department money while keeping more equipment available to students and faculty.

Fogell’s experiences as both a student and employee have given her plenty of memorable moments at Millersville, particularly through undergraduate and graduate research. Throughout her career, one lesson has remained especially important: “Always be open to learn new things!”

Outside of work, Fogell spends much of her free time with her three young adult children. She helps create cosplays and costumes for local events and for her youngest son’s high school theater group. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading.

Want to work at Millersville University? Search open job posts and apply here: https://jobs.millersville.edu/postings/search

09/29/2026

If you’re looking for a real spook this Halloween, consider this: 42,140 people will die from breast cancer this year, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

But there is hope. Early detection is one of the best ways to increase your chance of surviving a breast cancer diagnosis. That’s why each year, the team at Millersville University hosts Breast-a-Ville, an event that’s all about breast cancer education and myth busting. A fact that may surprise some is that men can also get breast cancer.

This year’s theme is Take Care of Your B***s and will take place on Oct. 7 on the Student Memorial Center’s promenade from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public to attend. The event will feature games, opportunities to interact with health providers, free t-shirts, photo booth, and of course education.

Breast-a-Ville began at Millersville in 2011, founded by Dr. Dennis Denenberg to honor his late sister and alumna, Diana Denenberg Durand ’67, who fought breast cancer for 18 years. As long-time elementary and early childhood education professor at MU who retired in 2002, Denenberg’s ongoing support has enabled many years of breast health education on campus.

The Committee on Breast Health is still seeking volunteers to help staff the event, so members of the Millersville community can sign up: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=lDfskvC4k0-3M3owqKK1GwTRRXeRIHtHrxjvhA1ycFZUNTFHV0hRVjRLTUs4S04xS1hJUUNNUjNHOC4u&route=shorturl

To learn about Diana’s Dreamers, the endowment that supports breast cancer awareness among college-aged women and men, or to make a gift to the fund, visit: https://www.millersville.edu/breasthealthinitiative/dianas-dreamers.php

09/28/2026

More than 300 Millersville University students, faculty and staff (including University president, Dr. Daniel Wubah!) spent the morning of Sept. 19 volunteering at the annual Day of Caring, coordinated by The Career Center in partnership with the United Way of Lancaster County, PA. Nonprofit organizations and local boroughs banded together to support the community.

Students from first-year courses and the University Honors College volunteered from 9 a.m. to noon. Participation in the event was like the year prior, with 317 students from first-year courses and the University Honors College participating, as well as 14 faculty and staff members volunteering. This is the 25th consecutive year Millersville University has participated in the Day of Caring program.

Students were transported to 16 different community service project sites around the county, doing everything from harvesting vegetables and planting landscaping, mulching and weeding to preparing fields for winter and barn cleaning, park beautification and cleaning and painting.

The list of nonprofit partners continues to grow each year, with two new organizations joining for 2026. Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County and the Demuth Museum are new partners, with Glatfelter Memorial Field, Grace Garden, Hands on House, Homefields, Lancaster City Parks, Lone Oak, Millersville Borough, Mount Bethel Cemetery, Mountville Borough, Schreiner Cemetery, Stoner House, The Edible Classroom, The HUB and The Mix continuing their support for the yearly event.

Great job, students!

09/23/2026

Who’s Who Wednesday: Get to know the people who make Millersville University special! Today, let’s introduce you to Michele Santamaria.

She’s been a professor and Student Engagement & Learning Design librarian at Millersville since 2015. Santamaria says she strives to find new ways to connect with students and want to help them see how the library can play a significant role in their path to success. “I really enjoy working with our students and my library colleagues," says Santamaria. “I also like that we are a part of a University College and share a mission with other offices.” Santamaria’s favorite MU tradition is the Annual New Student Candle Lighting Ceremony at the pond, describing it as a “very impactful ritual.”

Santamaria is proud of her contributions to Millersville’s new General Education program, especially the stronger emphasis on information literacy. She views this as “central to the library's curriculum.” At MU, Santamaria appreciates how she and her colleagues prioritize what will be most helpful to students. “If we don't know what the best solution is,” Santamaria explains, “then my colleagues and I investigate to find out.” Throughout her career, Santamaria has learned to listen to learners to improve her teaching style.

As a hobby, Santamaria shares that she loves to dance. “There are a lot of stereotypes about librarians,” she says, “and they don't really include that we dance.” Santamaria has also started learning how to play guitar, referring to it as a “good and humbling learning experience.”

One of her passions is poetry, and she recently published her first poetry book titled “Color Advisory Board.” It was published by the Gunpowder Press on April 13, 2026, and was the 2025 Barry Spacks Poetry Prize, which is Gunpowder’s original book prize awarded annually to full-length collections of original poems. “Color Advisory Board” is available for purchase via the Gunpowder Press, www.bookshop.org or through Amazon. To read her sample work and learn more, check out www.michelesantamaria.com

Want to work at Millersville University? Search open job posts and apply here:

09/23/2026

Millersville University held its annual Marvelous Marauder and Alumni Award Recognition Dinner in July. The Millersville Alumni Association recognizes the achievements of alumni and others through the Alumni Awards program, which honors individuals who exemplify the values of Millersville and celebrates their professional accomplishments, volunteerism and commitment to the University community. The awards include the Young Alumni Achievement Award, Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, Honorary Alumnus Award, Board Emeritus Award and Distinguished Alumni Award. Here are the honorees of this year’s ceremony, highlighting their careers and dedication to Millersville since graduating.

Distinguished Alumni

Richard Huck ’73
After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in art education in 1973, Huck served as an art teacher at Ephrata High School. In his role, he established an art concentration class for his students, who often won Gold and Silver Key Scholastic Art Awards at the local and national levels. Huck also served as president of the Lancaster Echo Valley Art Group. He retired from teaching in 2013 after 40 years of service. Huck also pursued his own art career and has become a nationally and internationally awarded professional artist. His work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Paris, Amsterdam, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Beverly Hills and Philadelphia.

Currently, Huck is a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America with signature status, and his colored pencil pieces have appeared in numerous publications. These include Art in America, Artist’s Magazine, Philadelphia Inquirer, Lancaster Newspapers and the Society of Annual and Outstanding American Illustrators. In 2024, his work was recognized as Best in Show at the Colored Pencil Society of America. Huck lives in Maine and serves as an artist-in-residence at Acadia National Park.

Rick Riskie ’74
After earning his bachelor’s degree from Millersville in 1974, Riskie pursued a career in law enforcement. He was accepted into the FBI and assigned to the New Jersey Gaming Enforcement program. Riskie later began a 30-year career as an agent with the U.S. Secret Service, where he led a successful operation to suppress an embezzlement fraud scheme in Philadelphia that culminated in the prosecution of over 35 criminals. He was then selected for the Presidential Protection Detail for President George H. W. Bush.

Following his presidential assignment, Riskie worked with the Financial Crimes Division and was part of an international law enforcement team that led the first successful Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization prosecution in Secret Service history. Riskie also served in supervisory field office posts, including heading up the active protection detail in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. After 20 years with the Secret Service, Riskie planned to retire, but he was recruited by the Homeland Security Division to investigate the funding of international terrorist organizations working against the United States.

Young Alumni

Ethan Poetic ’20
In 2011, Poetic was involved in a near-fatal car accident, leaving him with a one-percent chance of survival; however, he prevailed and went on to earn his associate degree in communications from Harrisburg Area Community College in 2017. In 2020, Poetic graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science degree in speech communication, with minors in broadcasting and media. Today, he is the CEO and founder of Ethan A. Poetic, LLC, offering motivational and keynote speaking, life coaching and poetry workshops. In his work, Poetic speaks candidly about his experiences with survivors’ guilt, healing and discipline. Additionally, Poetic is a certified mental health counselor. In 2022, he published his autobiography, “The Inspirational Story of Ethan A. Poetic: Chronicles of Adversities, Education, Sports, Relationships, & Resiliency.”

Christopher “Chris” Gordan ’13
Gordon graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work and a minor in entrepreneurship. After graduation, he worked as a counselor and an intensive case manager for at-risk youth for over a decade. Gordon’s current role is at Balancing Life with Kids in Philadelphia, where he provides counseling and intervention services for families, couples and individuals. Beyond his professional work, he remains active in the community through service, leadership and mentorship. Gordon is the founder of two nonprofit organizations: Men Empowering Men and 24/7 Fatherhood. Both organizations strive to influence and encourage young men to become better fathers, stronger role models and positive leaders within their families and communities. In addition, he has volunteered with organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, community service initiatives with the City of Philadelphia and food donations during the holidays for Philabundance.

Steven McAndrews ’06
After graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, McAndrews served in the United States Army for ten years. During this time, he served in both active and reserve capacities, including combat roles. Over the past decade, he has worked in numerous government agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. Currently, he serves as the Chief Information Officer of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Throughout McAndrews’ career, he has been recognized and awarded by various organizations. His awards include the 2025 NVTC Cyber50 Award, 2025 AFFIRM Vanguard Award, 2025 Department of War CIO Award, 2024 NNSA Administrator Achievement Award and numerous others.

Stephen Ryan ’07
In 2007, Ryan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He began his career as a police officer with the Charleston Police Department in South Carolina and helped establish the city’s Crisis Intervention Team. In 2013, Ryan graduated from Charleston School of Law and became the lead trial attorney for the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. In that role, he supervises investigations and prosecutions involving child sexual abuse across South Carolina and serves as an instructor with the FBI’s Computer Analysis Response Team, traveling across the country to assist as a legal instructor with FBI agents in the field. Ryan currently serves as an attorney with the South Carolina Supreme Court’s Commission on Judicial Conduct, where he oversees the prosecution of judges who have engaged in misconduct.

Board Emeritus

Phil Loht ’65
After earning his bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1965, Loht began his career as an elementary and middle school teacher at Edward Hand Middle School (now known as Jackson Middle School) in Lancaster. While teaching at Edward Hand, he founded and coached the junior high wrestling program. In the early 1970s, Loht continued his teaching and coaching career at Penn Manor Middle School. Eventually, he retired from teaching and began a career in business development, serving as marketing manager and later vice president at the Kunzler Company until his retirement in 2004.

As a lifelong resident of Lancaster County, Loht has remained active with local charities and service organizations, including the Visiting Nurses Association, Junior Achievement and the American Diabetes Association. He also served several terms as president of the Lancaster County Jaycees and currently works with a Vietnam veterans support group.

At Millersville, Loht served for 32 years as a volunteer member on the executive board of Student Services, retiring as chairman in 2022. Additionally, as a member of the Alumni Association, he chaired the Scholarship, Grants and Awards committee, received the Alumni Distinguished Service award, worked for over 20 years on the Millersville Alumni Homecoming Parade committee and served as Alumni Board president from 2002 to 2004.

Steve Focht ’70
In 1970, Steve Focht earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Millersville. He began his career as a science teacher in the Wilson and Ephrata school districts before transitioning into the engineering industry. Focht then worked with an engineering team at AMP Inc. to improve the properties of ceramic filters used for electronics. While at AMP, he received a U.S. patent for a UV-cured plating resist and the process for its application. Focht concluded his career at AMP as a business unit environmental and safety coordinator and began working as a safety manager for Anvil International. Additionally, he has served as an environmental, health and safety consultant for Fairfax Compliance Group. Today, he continues to serve as a trainer and instructor for the American Red Cross.

Throughout his professional career, Focht served on the Millersville University Alumni Board of Directors for over 20 years, beginning in the early 1980s. He chaired the Activities and Finance Committees, where he was board president from 1991 to 1993 and treasurer from 2008 to 2016. Focht’s final role as a member of the Board was serving on the Scholarships, Grants and Awards Committee, receiving the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 2011. In his community, he remained an active member of the Lions Club for over 50 years, serving as president of the Willow Street Lions Club and currently as treasurer of the Manheim Township Lions Club. Focht is also active in his church, serving on the board and the Property Ministry Team for many years.

Honorary Alumni

Ethan Hulsey
In 2008, Ethan Hulsey began working as the director of athletic communications at Millersville University. Throughout his career, he has managed on-campus game days for 19 sports with broadcasts, photography, social media coverage and statistics. Hulsey has been recognized as a district winner of the College Sports Communication’s Fred Stabley Writing Contest 11 times in four different categories, including two National Story of the Year awards. He has also represented MU in numerous organizations, serving as president of the PSAC Athletic Communicators Association and as the national chairman of the football Gene Upshaw Award Committee. Hulsey currently coordinates the Division II Conference Commissioners Association Baseball program. He also chairs the committee that selects Millersville’s Athletics Hall of Fame honorees and works with the Athletic Department to help set fundraising records for the annual Days of Giving.

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