Millersville University

06/02/2026

Today’s (except today is actually a Tuesday) is Shana Hammaker!

Shana is a recent graduate from Carlisle, PA, with a major in emergency management and a minor in meteorology. Shana chose to attend Millersville University because of its inviting atmosphere. “I also love how everything is within close walking distance and how beautiful the campus is during the fall and spring,” she says. “Although I first came to Millersville to pursue meteorology, I eventually switched my major and stayed because I found my true passion here through the university’s emergency management program, which has many great internships and networking opportunities. I am so grateful I chose Millersville.”

In addition to her studies, Shana serves as the secretary of the International Association of Emergency Managers and is a member of the American Meteorological Society and Expressions Dance.

“Joining IAEM has allowed me to explore different opportunities in my future career by connecting with professors, EM majors, and other majors that are interested in EM,” Shana says. “Being the secretary has allowed me to understand how to communicate with people about our organization, learn the responsibilities in a leadership position, and work/collaborate with the officers and members as a team.”

As an AMS member, Shana connects with the weather community on campus. Through this organization, Shana learned more about how she can communicate with the public, emergency management departments, and meteorologists about how they can respond to a natural disaster.

“Joining Expressions Dance fulfills my passion for dance and meeting others who love the sport as well,” she says. “Dancing has helped me become more social on campus! All these clubs have not only benefited my future career, but they helped me grow personally, and I was able to meet my best and closest friends.”

Shana’s favorite course so far has been PHIL 401: Philosophy and Neuroscience. Although the course was a required GenEd, Shana found the course valuable as it expanded her insights beyond emergency management.

Shana’s favorite spot on campus is the McNairy Library. “I love how you can stay in the lobby past closing, have a place to switch up my workspace, and be able to reserve private individual and/or group spaces,” she explains. “I have so many memories in the library, ranging from studying for tough exams to being in the lobby area past midnight. I even started my ‘Good Luck, Thumbs Up’ tradition, where I take a picture of myself doing a thumbs up after a studying session for good luck on my work. The library also has many resources that are extremely beneficial for any major.”

In her free time, Shana enjoys napping, watching TikTok, thrifting, and spending time with her friends and family.

After graduation, Shana intends to further her education at Millersville and pursue a master’s degree in emergency management. She hopes to become a Graduate Assistant through the program. After completing her graduate degree, Shana will search for opportunities in the response and recovery field, assisting communities through natural disasters.

Shana’s favorite quote comes from the character Monkey D. Luffy from the anime, One Piece: “As long as I'm alive, I have infinite chances.”

06/02/2026

Wow! It was so good to see so many of you at our 'Ville at the Milll event at Sickman's Mill. We've got so many more fun events coming up this summer for Millersville University Alumni & Friends Page! Check them out here: https://bit.ly/4o8CkJE

05/25/2026

Today’s is Kayla Rooney!

Kayla is a recent graduate from Warminster, PA, majoring in Meteorology with a minor in emergency management. Kayla chose to attend Millersville University because of the “opportunities for undergraduate students, the small class sizes, and the great things I heard about the meteorology department,” she says. “I also wanted to stay close to home because I enjoy spending time with family and being there for my siblings when they have their own events.”

In addition to her studies, Kayla serves as the historian for the American Meteorological Society Student Chapter (MU-AMS). “This club has helped me find a community of people with the same interests as me, and we would have fun activity nights, from trivia nights to storm-tracking nights,” she shares. “We also have the opportunity to attend the AMS National Conference each year, which helps me network with others in the field and learn more about what I can do with meteorology.”

Kayla is also a lead forecaster for the Campus Weather Service, a lead for the Weather Balloon team, and is part of a student research project titled Project BLASTED. These activities give Kayla “hands-on experience with applications within my major that I cannot learn in the classroom,” she says. “I have met my current roommates and my closest friends through joining these organizations, and they have helped me become a better person. We all help each other within the major.”

Kayla’s favorite course so far has been ESSC449: Radar Meteorology, which she is currently taking with Dr. Sepideh Yalda. “In this class, I learn how to interpret different types of radars and the images they produce,” she says. “We also take a trip up to the NWS in State College to tour their radar and campus, along with AccuWeather. This is fundamental to my degree, as I use radars daily, so learning to use them will help me tremendously throughout my career.”

Kayla’s favorite spot on campus is the Weather Center, located on the fourth floor of Caputo. The Weather Center offers meteorology students a home base to spend time and learn about weather. Kayla finds herself up there “every day, all day.” While there, she is either completing assignments, spending time with her friends, watching the weather on their high-tech equipment, or learning in ways that go beyond the classroom setting.

In her free time, Kayla enjoys crocheting, hosting movie and game nights with friends, singing, and playing video games.

After graduation, Kayla plans to find a job within the NWS or the private sector to become an operational meteorologist.

Kayla’s favorite quote comes from Winnie the Pooh: "You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

05/21/2026

Who remembers our candle lighting ceremony?
🕯️ We're on the hunt for photos of the event from years past! Post them in the comments or send them to via our DMs if you wan to share them.

05/20/2026

“Young people don’t anticipate they’re ever going to age,” says Millersville professor Jeffrey Wimer, who started teaching the spring semester class during the 2024-25 school year.

Students spent 16 weeks this spring exploring seven wellness topics: physical, emotional, environmental, financial, social, spiritual and occupational, the course syllabus says. Read the story from LLNP + LancasterOnlineto learn more.

Students in a Millersville University class this spring met new people, lifted weights, learned about healthcare and studied social issues — with a twist.

05/18/2026

Let's go, Ville!

05/18/2026

Today’s is Dakota Baxter!

Dakota is a recently graduated senior from Dover, PA, majoring in Environmental Earth and Ocean Science. Dakota chose to attend Millersville University because it was close enough to home to see his family often, and he was impressed with the university’s environmental science program, which houses renowned professors with whom he has since built close relationships. He also credits his decision to Millersville’s affordable tuition and that the campus is close to Downtown Lancaster.

In addition to his studies, Dakota is a part of multiple clubs on campus. He has spent most of his time with the Conestoga Outdoors Club (COC), where he has adventures hiking on local trails, camping at state parks throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, and learned how to backpack properly and safely on the Appalachian Trail.

Dakota also helped establish the Trash Clean-Up Committee, with Millersville’s Office of Sustainability, to host a semi-annual trash clean-up event. “We have had huge turnouts every year, and get to work together with local recycling plants such as Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority and SAHD Metal Recycling,” he says. “I have gained many friendships through COC and many stories to go along with.”

Dakota finds it impossible to choose just one of his favorite courses. One of his top classes was Field Methods in Oceanography with Dr. Kumar, where he spent three weeks of his summer at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Chincoteague, VA. In this course, he got to take real-time data using various sensors, data loggers, castings, etc.

He also mentions that Chemical Oceanography with Dr. Vaillancourt has been a highlight of his college career, and he is currently taking Ocean Ecosystems with Dr. Vaillancourt, which is a capstone-style course that serves as a comprehensive summary of all he has experienced in his past courses. “Overall, I have learned that it is true that oceanography is the study of choice when you can't decide on a single science to pursue,” he says.

Dakota’s favorite spot on campus is Brossman Hall. “I spent most of my hours studying there,” he says. “The close proximity of the labs and the professors' offices made it really easy to build connections with the professors.” He mentions that Brossman is close to Roddy Pond, serving as the perfect place to get out for some fresh air. He has also spent many of his hours in the campus rec center, where he has met some of his closest friends.

In his free time, Dakota enjoys hiking, camping, backpacking, paddle boarding, and surfing. He also enjoys lifting weights and going for runs. On less active days, Dakota enjoys listening to vinyls, trying new recipes in the kitchen, or reading.

After his graduation, Dakota plans to further his education with an M.S. and Ph.D. in Marine Sciences, somewhere near the sea. “I want to pursue biogeochemistry or physical oceanography so I can get more experience doing research while at sea on a research vessel,” he says. “I had a wonderful opportunity to do so this past summer as part of an REU Internship at Oregon State University, which had solidified my pursuit of further education.”

Dakota’s favorite quote comes from Jacques Cousteau: "When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself."

“This quote resides with me because I would not have had the chance at my desired life if it were not for the people around me,” says Dakota. “My friends and family have always pushed and supported me through the good times and the bad, and for that I am grateful beyond bounds.”

05/14/2026

Alumni from the College of Education & Human Services: Join us at Grandview Vineyards in Mount Joy on Friday, May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. for a get together! You'll get to sample of some Grandview's wine, enjoy some light refreshments and reconnect - or connect for the first time - with fellow alumni. Registration is $5 person. Sign up at this link now: https://bit.ly/49BynXF

05/13/2026

A heartwarming recap of the 2026 spring graduation ceremonies

05/13/2026

Students, faculty and alumni were well-represented at the Central Pennsylvania Music Awards and Hall of Fame ceremony, held on March 4 at the American Music Theatre with nearly 2,000 people in attendance.

Zoey Noble ’25, a music industry graduate and blues artist, was nominated in two categories and won Best New Artist.

Current student Jac Conner and Lucy Kosoff’s song, “Ember,” was nominated for Song of the Year. Conner was also a nominee in the folk category.

The metalcore band Making a Mockery is comprised of music graduates Joshua Neill ‘20, Stephen Sammartino ‘18, Lauren Hill ‘20, Colin DiLucido ‘15, and former student Logan Ruth. Together, the band won the metal category at the awards following the release of their 2025 EP, “Do You Believe God is Waiting for You?”

Finally, music studio technician Logan Ressler ‘14 won Best Rock EP for work with his band, Samaritan Snare, which also features Alex Hart.

“Samaritan Snare was honored to be nominated and even more thrilled to win given how many of our talented friends were also in the running,” says Ressler. “We’re working on putting new music out soon, hopefully you’ll see more of us at next year’s CPMAs!”

“It’s always exciting to see students and alumni from Millersville University get recognized for their work as musicians,” says Dr. Barry Atticks, professor of music business technology. “Supporting local art is more important than ever, and I’m glad MU is a part of strengthening our vibrant arts scene.”