The stands at Lopardo Stadium during the Sept. 30 Pre-Game Spectacular may have been cold and damp but hearts were warmed as alumni, parents and students scanned the faces of faculty and staff who had made a difference in someone's life.

"You changed my Life"
Hundreds of alumni registered for the day's events. In doing so, they were asked to name the person who had the greatest impact on them during their time as students at Susquehanna. More than 60 current and former faculty, staff and coaches, representing more than 75 years of Susquehanna history, were recognized by these alumni. During the Pre-Game Spectacular, a slideshow of their photos was displayed on giant video screens located at each side of the home stands in Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium.

See the list here.

Founding members of the Biology Alumni Association (left to right, front) Ryan Clouser, Matthew Wargo, Amy Fortier and Matthew Gilbert join members of the biology faculty (left to right, back) Tammy Tobin-Janzen, Jack Holt, Dave Richard, Tom Peeler and Carlos Iudica during a science reunion prior to the Pre-Game Spectacular.

Three Students Like Me
For three unsuspecting seniors, September 30 really was a day that changed their lives. Karen Davis, Amanda Lenig and Sarah Shaffer each received a $10,000 scholarship thanks to a gift to Susquehanna University from 1968 graduates Barry and Denise Horton Jackson, of Annapolis, Md. The couple's generosity exemplifies how one person, or one couple, can positively change a student's life, and in so doing, make a difference in the world.

(left to right) Seniors Amanda Lenig, Karen Davis and Sarah Shaffer upon learning they were each receiving $10,000 scholarships.

Lemons said Barry, a member of the Susquehanna University Board of Trustees, told him that his life changed at Susquehanna University. He realized, in retrospect, that a lot of people here were looking out for him, and without them, he would not be where he is today. "Then, he said this to me: 'Jay, my wife and I want to give back and help students. Students who are working hard, who demonstrate potential, thriving at Susquehanna, and doing it quietly -- maybe flying below the radar screen like I did. Ask your faculty and staff to identify three students who have these qualities,'" Lemons recalled.

And, indeed, they did. The three were chosen from among more than 60 faculty nominations as being high-performing students who are representative of Susquehanna in the best sense and who are strong contributors to their departments and the university as a whole.

“I’m not one for the spotlight,” Shaffer said. “I don’t go for that so much, but I appreciate the honor because I really have been working hard while I’ve been here.” Shaffer is an English-secondary education major and diversity studies minor from New Castle, Pa.  In addition to being a student assistant in the Office of Financial Aid, Shaffer has worked in dining services, the art studio and athletics. Sarah is a member of the softball team, a volunteer with the Phoenix Project and has been co-editor of the freshman writing publication Stance.Shaffer plans to teach middle school English and eventually become an overseas missionary.

(left to right) Barry Jackson '68, Karen Davis '07, Sarah Shaffer '07, Amanda Lenig '07 and Denise Horton '68 Jackson gathered inside the James W. Garrett Sports Complex after the three seniors learned they were the recipients of $10,000 scholarships from the Jacksons.

“To be recognized for the things you do, that’s what it ultimately means," Lenig added, "not to mention that it will make my life outside of school that much easier." Lenig is a graphic design major from Liverpool, Pa. She is a student assistant to the director of admissions, and has held positions as a digital imaging technician in the Department of Art, an admissions tour guide and a summer conference assistant. Lenig has won several highly coveted graphic design awards and plans to seek a position with a design firm after graduating.

“It’s definitely going to help out with loans,” said Davis, a political science major and history minor from Sewell, N.J. Davis has worked as a student assistant in both the Office of Admissions and the Department of Political Science. She is president of the Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity for women, vice president of the Politics Club and a member of the Susquehanna University Chorale. Davis plans to attend graduate school and ultimately work in higher education.

Terry March '67, chair of the Susquehanna University Board of Trustees, randomly selected a winning entry in a special alumni giveaway.

Going Home Again
During halftime, one lucky alumna was chosen to receive an all-expense paid trip for her and four of her college buddies to Susquehanna's 2007 Homecoming. The winner was chosen by random drawing during half-time festivities, which also included musical entertainment and crowning of the Homecoming king and queen. Terry March '67, chair of the Susquehanna University Board of Trustees, drew the name of Kimberly Tohill '03, of Schuylkill Haven, Pa., from the raffle cube.

In order to draw the name, President L. Jay Lemons placed March inside a glass case and dumped a large plastic bag full of red and yellow slips of paper at his feet. Each paper contained the name of an alum who had registered for Homecoming/Alumni Weekend. Once everything was in place, the door was shut and the air was turned on so that the slips of paper swirled around March like leaves falling from trees on an autumn day. Then March, quite literally, pulled Tohill's name out of the air.

When they return next fall, Tohill and her friends will be treated to some wonderful gifts. In addition, they will stay at the Potteiger House Bed & Breakfast in Selinsgrove, and President and Mrs. Lemons will hold a special dinner in their honor at Pine Lawn. "We also hope Kimberly and her friends will make themselves available to our students during their time here, and help them see that friendships and connections flourish beyond student days," Lemons said.