Story Category: Students & Faculty

I began my journey at Ship in 2013. I was a wide-eyed first-year student, happy to have made it to a school that would fulfill my dreams of running at the collegiate level and receiving a college degree. What I would do, what I would learn, what I would experience over those four years went far beyond what I ever pictured for myself. I enjoyed time with some of my closest friends and I met some of my most helpful mentors at Ship. I have created memories and connections to just about everything on our campus.

To give you a little background, I graduated from Ship with a Human Communication Studies Bachelor’s degree in 2017. I was an honor student graduating Summa Cum Laude. As a student-athlete, I ran four years of cross country and track and field, competing in everything from the 800m run to the 10k. In 2016, I became a cross country All-American and in the same academic year, was named the 2016-2017 Female Student-Athlete of the Year by the Shippensburg Department of Athletics. This was one of my most prized honors as an undergraduate student here, as it recognized not only my athletic accomplishments but my accomplishments in the classroom as well.

Currently, I am in my second year of the Counseling and College Student Personnel graduate program. I am a GA in the Office of Admissions, an intern for the Raiders Academic Center for Student-Athletes and a volunteer assistant coach for cross country and track and field. I have also worked for Orientation and was an undergraduate tutor for the writing studio. If you are thinking, ‘Wow she sounds busy,’ I can assure you I do still have time for Netflix and my cat. My well-rounded experience at Ship makes me one of its best experts, and in my admissions role, I get to tell prospective students about the amazing experiences I have had often, something I love doing.

Looking back to two years ago, I was a newly minted graduate, trying to find my place in this big world. I had everything at Ship. I was in a great academic program, I was a top athlete, I had all my friends within walking distance of me, and even my significant other, who I met through running were all things I had suddenly lost. I felt hopeless and without a purpose. By reaching out to others and researching my options, it occurred to me there was a place, memories, that I wasn’t quite done creating in a place that felt like home. Ship was the place that wrapped me in its arms when I decided to go back to school. I had people willing to take me on immediately and given me a new kind of Ship experience. That’s how I was granted my first position as an undergraduate writing tutor. It only got better from there. I have worked with so many knowledgeable and outstanding individuals here over this past year and a half and each of them have made me feel like I had a place in this world again, a purpose. I mattered! They wanted to see me succeed again just as much as I wanted to see it for myself. This came to light specifically last semester when I became the recipient of the Carl A. Naugle Family Graduate Fellowship. Receiving this has been a true honor and an incredible help to getting me through my final year of graduate school. Even more importantly, being the recipient of this fellowship has shown me that my efforts, both past and present at Ship have been noticed. There is no better feeling than being recognized for this. The impact from my time here will carry me through the rest of my life no doubt. Despite planning to move out to the West Coast post-graduation where I hope to find my path in student-athlete development, I’ll always remember the place that taught me that mattering comes from within and that being a Raider means you are part of this family for life. So, with that, Go Raiders! Thank you.

 

My name is Andrew Aumen. I am a senior chemistry major with a minor in mathematics here at Shippensburg. I am also the grateful recipient of a multitude of SU Foundation scholarships such as: The Robert M. and Virginia L. Walck Scholarship, the Clarence Schock Foundation Scholarship, the Dr. Louise J. Lienemann Chemistry Scholarship, and the Dr. James A. & Marry Jean Beres Research Endowment. The funding from these scholarships allows me to graduate from Shippensburg with very little debt, which is a situation very few students get to experience. We all know college isn’t cheap, and that is one of the many reasons I chose Shippensburg University as my home, because of the price tag. However, I can unequivocally say that these scholarships have shaped my education and they gave me the financial freedom to focus on my school work, and pursue other career related experiences.

As a direct result of the funding the SU Foundation has provided me from these generous benefactors, I was not forced to work a job and instead, I could focus completely on my education. This is clearly reflected in my 3.96 GPA and several departmental chemistry awards. Additionally, this funding has allowed me to be competitive for several national honors and research experiences. Last summer, I was selected into an extremely competitive National Nuclear Chemistry Summer School in San Jose, CA. This is a prestigious program funded by the American Chemical Society and the Department of Energy. This program allowed me to get exposure to nuclear chemistry, a topic that is unavailable at most institutions nationwide. This most recent summer I was accepted into another competitive research program called an REU, which stands for Research Experience for Undergraduates. This time I was at the University of Delaware, where I worked with Dr. Matthew Doty, and his research group, to develop and characterize a new material that could improve the efficiency of solar panels. In short, if I wouldn’t have received the scholarships from the SU Foundation to fund my education, I can guarantee you that I would not be nearly as distinguished as I am today. The generous funding that the SU Foundation provides is helping to create a generation of competitive students who can compete with students from other universities at the national level. With that being said, I want to thank all of you for having me here tonight, and to all of the benefactors, thank you for the scholarships you provide to students because that funding truly makes a difference in a student’s career. Thank you.

Jacob Gillespie, Class of 2018, recieves the Lynn G. and Evelyn R. Walck Scholarship and the Albert A Mason, Sr. Journalism Scholarship

Jake was attracted to ‘Ship’ for the highly respected and accredited Communications/Journalism Department.  Now a junior, Jake has taken full advantage of the many opportunities available to him.  He is the executive producer of SUTV, a student in the Honors Program and goalkeeper for the men’s soccer team. Last summer, Jake was nominated for a collegiate Emmy from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, as part of a live events crew that covered the SU men’s basketball game.  He also volunteers for the food recovery program which takes left-over food from Reisner Dining Hall and distributes it to those in need in the local community.   Jake appreciates your support which has helped him gain invaluable experience for a future career and allowed him to be so involved on campus.

Stefan Szilagyi ’16 was recruited to the swim team at SU and chose Exercise Science as his major with a minor in Biology because it correlated to his passion, swimming, and supported his career choice as a Physician’s Assistant.  Small class sizes, the Honors Program curriculum, SU athletics, multiple undergraduate research projects, an internship as a nurse’s aide at Geisinger Medical Center and the support of faculty across the board made his experience at Ship outstanding.  In his leadership role as President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Stefan helped organize the annual Special Olympics swim and track meet and spearheaded impressive fundraising efforts for the Make A Wish Foundation.  “We raised enough to send a five-year old to the Orlando based theme park for a family vacation,” said Stephan.  “Much of what I have been able to accomplish here is because of the scholarship support I received. It has also made graduate school possible and allowed me time to participate in meaningful service for others.  One day I hope to follow by example and give other students a helping hand.”

Class of 2018, receives the H.O.P.E. (Helping our People Excel) Diversity Scholarship

Ruben Bourdeau is passionate about Shippensburg University and the College of Business.  Entering his senior year as a Finance major with a minor in Economics, Ruben is looking forward to participating in the Investment Management Program which will provide insight into the world of portfolio management and further qualify him for a position as a Project Controller at Deloitte where he interned last summer.

Coming from a family of six siblings, Ruben chose Ship because of the affordability and the highly-accredited College of Business.  From day one, he immersed himself in student affairs.  He has been a Resident Assistant, a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary and an Emerging Scholar Peer Leader.  Ruben is currently an Orientation Leader, a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and enthusiastically participates in open houses. He has also helped the local community by volunteering in ShipShape Day, the children’s fair and rousing the crowds at athletic events.

Ruben cannot say enough about the support from the faculty in the College.  Recently retired Dr. Sarah Bryant, in particular, was a great mentor.  Ruben credits her for much of his success.  Speaking about his scholarship Ruben says, “The generosity of strangers has planted a seed in my heart to help future students and give back to Shippensburg University.”  Another goal for Ruben is to have enough money to pay off the mortgage on his parent’s home. “These are all dreams that I want to accomplish late on in life; I believe that with the strong foundation that my family, friends and Shippensburg University has helped me build, my opportunities for success are endless. I will always strive to give back to my community because that is one major key aspect that was engraved into my heart by my family and Shippensburg University.”

My name is Timothy Luke Hutchison and I am a 5^th year senior here at Shippensburg University. I am a dual major studying Marketing and Management Information Systems in the John L. Grove college of business. This year, along with being the recipient of the Jack A. and Mildred Prince Squires Scholarship, I have the privilege of being the Student President of Beta Gamma Sigma, the President of the STEPS Mentoring Program within the college of business, and a Research Assistant for the Department of Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. Upon my graduation in the spring, I plan to pursue a career in marketing research.

I was asked here tonight to share with you a few words about my experience at Shippensburg University and its meaning within my life. A daunting task, absolutely. I promise I will not take all night.

In all honesty, while preparing for this, I found it difficult to describe my experience and its meaning accurately.

I struggled to translate my feelings into words. Obviously, I could simply tell you those words which best describe what I have felt over the past four years. Happiness. Joy. Gratitude. Struggle. Trepidation. But to me, these words don’t say much on their own. Truly, my experience at Shippensburg University has been defined by the opportunities which have been afforded me throughout my time here.

I chose to attend Shippensburg University after saying, for several years, that I would not attend Shippensburg University. Growing up in the Shippensburg area, Ship was always the school “up on the hill”. It was only when I began to pay attention that I saw the opportunities which that school on the hill presented. Ship presented a value for money I did not find in other schools. Ship allowed be to remain close to home, and close to my family. What really got me on board with Ship, sorry for that terrible pun, was when I received several scholarships. The Richard H. Hosfeld Memorial Scholarship and J. Stewart and Jane G. Askins Scholarship. These made Ship an easy decision and were the first of many opportunities.

Chief among these many opportunities has been the opportunity for growth. I am not the same person that stepped into “Historical Foundations of Global Cultures” four years ago. I am smarter than I was then. I am better informed than I was then. I have a greater appreciation for people who are different than me than I did then.

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the Beta Gamma Sigma Global Leadership Summit in Chicago. Alongside ten students who were complete strangers and competing against 10 other groups, the team I was on won our case competition, coming in second against 40 groups in the overall competition. This experience gave me the opportunity to learn more about myself, create lasting friendships, have some fun, and learn a little about business. Simply put, over the last four years, through my experiences, I have grown. And true in all growth is the ubiquitous presence of mixed emotions.

I have felt happiness upon the completion of large group projects, as well as relief. I have had countless joyous interactions on this campus. I have been grateful when people who were not required to have gone out of their way to help me succeed. I have struggled with work late into the evening more times than I can count, and I have felt trepidation about what comes next.

Throughout all of this, the constant has been Shippensburg University. I would like to thank all of those who have made these experiences possible for me. My fellow students and I are thankful for each and every experience and opportunity which are only available because of donors such as yourselves. All of these experiences, opportunities, and feelings have been products of this place and of you. Had I not experienced these opportunities for growth, I would not be the person I am today. I can say, genuinely, I would be less.

And to that end, what greater meaning could an experience have? Because of Shippensburg University, I am more.

Thank You

(Luke, Class of 2020, shared these remarks at the SU Foundation’s 2019 Presidents’ Recognition Dinner)

My name is Dijana Katic and I am a senior chemistry major with a biochemistry concentration here at Shippensburg University. I have been part of the Wood Honors College since I began my undergraduate education, and it has truly provided me with some of the best opportunities in gaining leadership experience as one of the Mentor Committee Co-Chairs, as well as providing important connections that continue to help me navigate my way towards achieving my goals. I am also the current President of the Chemistry Club and I was the President of the Health Sciences Club during the 2018-2019 academic year. In addition to this, I am a member of Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society, and Phi Sigma Sigma, a sorority that focuses on building leadership and inspiring positive change in the community.

While I have certainly explored my interests and grown as a student through my rigorous chemistry courses and leadership experiences, it would be impossible not to attribute my accomplishments to my upbringing. Growing up, my parents constantly emphasized the importance of education to me and my older brother. We grew up watching our parents rebuild their lives together from literally nothing. My family immigrated to the United States in 1996 seeking refuge from their war-torn country Bosnia. Seeing my parents overcome every imaginable adversity with the utmost diligence and resilience, while also raising two small children, is undoubtedly the greatest example of success that I know. I ultimately owe my best qualities and achievements to my parents for their constant inspiration and examples of character. Their story has always been a source of motivation for me. I continuously strive to be as hard-working and dedicated as they prove to be every single day.

I grew up in Shippensburg, and while I thought I was ready to finally leave and move to a big city for college after graduation, my mom encouraged me to at least attend one of the open houses here before making this big step, just to see what Ship had to offer. I was extremely hesitant, but this day really changed everything. I met Dr. McCann and Dr. Shane, both chemistry professors, along with several chemistry majors at the time. Unlike what I expected, it truly felt like home. The faculty and students were all very open, inviting, and enthusiastic, and I knew from that day forward that I was going to have to stay in Shippensburg at least another 4 years before leaving. I can honestly say that choosing Ship was one of the best decisions I could have ever made. While all of the chemistry faculty has been instrumental in my progression, Dr. McCann has been one of the most inspiring to me. She has been a constant source of advice and encouragement. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent in her office, and she has always been there for me every step of the way.

Having consistent support from all of the chemistry faculty as well as scholarship support from generous donors truly makes everything possible for me. It might not be easy to see just how much your contributions change students’ lives, but I can assure you that it certainly does. Although I have direct support from my family and professors, having that support from my donors is like a silent reminder to keep working hard and making the most out of my resources and my time here.

One of the outcomes from my scholarship support is that I was able to conduct independent undergraduate research for almost two years within the chemistry department, which is almost unheard of at larger institutions. The generous gift from my donors gave me the opportunity to learn hands-on alongside my research advisor, Dr. Alexander Spore. I continued his work in studying a relatively new class of crystalline materials called Metal-Organic Frameworks. Some skills I learned through this experience involved synthesis and the use of various instrumentation available in the chemistry department such as infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, to study how the crystals behaved in various conditions. I also learned how to work more independently, optimize the quality of my work, and ask important scientific questions. I was fortunate enough to present my research at the American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans in March of 2018.

I also studied abroad the summer after my freshman year. I traveled to Northern France, where I stayed with a host family for about 2 weeks and spent the next 2 weeks in Paris. The class had a more cultural approach, so we learned about the history, architecture, and people living in each city we visited. We also had to focus on one aspect of French culture and analyze this through a  final research paper. My research focused on the eco-friendly aspects of the French culture and how they compare to that in the United States. This was a unique and immersive learning experience that gave me an invaluable perspective on world issues and cultural diversity. It was also a great opportunity for me to further develop my French speaking with my host family, locals, and other students.

In addition to this, I was the first freshman student to be accepted into the Summit Health Pre-Med Summer Work Experience Program. This program focused on providing students the opportunity to shadow a variety of healthcare providers in a wide array of specialties. I was able to observe in departments, such as emergency medicine, family medicine, palliative care, orthopedics, dermatology, and radiology. Through this program, many of my previous views of medicine were challenged. It proved to be far from the glamorized view that many people have of medicine. Being able to see a wide range of personalities, hear patients’ stories, and see how each person faced their adversities was an overwhelming, yet rewarding exposure that helped me truly realize what I am ultimately working toward. After graduation, I plan to apply my knowledge and qualities that I’ve gained through all of my experiences at Shippensburg University to attend Physician Assistant school.

My story, along with other students’ stories, is a unique one, but I hope it helps you understand just how much your contribution plays a role. Although I am graduating in the spring and leaving Shippensburg soon after, I will always remember where I came from and who helped me along the way. My family, professors, scholarship donors, and Shippensburg University as a whole, will always be an inspiration to me. I hope that one day I can give back and help students, knowing how meaningful that contribution can be.

(Dijana, Class of 2020, gave these remarks at the SU Foundation’s 2019 President’s Recognition Dinner)