SELINSGROVE, ( Pa. ) – Susquehanna University launched the public phase of a new campaign initiative with a day of special events and announcements on Saturday, September 30, during a combined Homecoming and Alumni Weekend. A Mobile Games Spectacular program, held before the start of the Crusader s vs. King’s football game, celebrated the university’s rich human history – a history that, for nearly 150 years, has changed students’ lives in significant ways.

During the Pre-Game Spectacular, Susquehanna University President L. Jay Lemons announced the launch of a campaign initiative reflective of this history. Changing Lives, Building Futures is a set of initiatives aimed at further strengthening the student-based, collaborative learning environment that is the hallmark of a Susquehanna education. Its fund-raising goal is to secure $70 million in new gift commitments to advance key academic, endowment and building priorities.

Among the campaign’s fund-raising priorities is construction of a new science facility on the site now occupied by North Hall parking lot, across University Avenue from Seibert Hall. More advanced laboratory and teaching space will prepare students for careers in the ever-growing, critical science professions of the 21st century. The new building will house the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Concurrent goals aim to more actively engage alumni, parents and friends as opportunity builders and contributors to the high quality educational experience provided by Susquehanna University. “Changing Lives, Building Futures is about much more than raising money,” said Lemons. “It’s about making contributions that come in all shapes and sizes – contributions every graduate, every student, every parent and every member of our community can make to help us continue to prepare students for lives of achievement, leadership and service.”

At a place where students are at the heart of a community passionate about teaching and committed to successful graduate school and career outcomes, Lemons says, there is always room for another mentor, advocate, internship sponsor, or friend. Several announcements during the pre-game program illustrated the impact that individuals can have in changing students’ lives.

The founding officers of the Biology Alumni Association were recognized for creating the $500-per-year FIRST Fund: Funding Innovative Research and Student Travel, which will make it easier for Susquehanna biology majors to attend professional conferences and seminars to present their research. The fund is an annual gift, given in honor of the biology faculty and established by BAA’s founding officers, 1998 graduates Dr. Matthew Gilbert, of Cooperstown , N.Y , Dr. Ryan Clouser, of New London, N.H., Matthew Gibbons, of Davis, Calif., Amy Fortier, of Enfield, N.H., and Matthew Wargo, of Hanover, N.H.

“Other alumni should view the formation of the BAA as an innovative and meaningful way to give back to SU that does not require large individual financial resources. I hope that other SU alumni are inspired by the BAA to think about new and unique ways to support current Susquehanna University students and faculty,” Gilbert said.

Indeed, someone was inspired by their actions. It was announced on Saturday that an anonymous donor will match the group’s contribution, bringing the gift total to $1,000 per year.

Perhaps the most dramatic announcement of the day was a gift presented by 1968 graduates Barry and Denise Horton Jackson, of Annapolis, Md., to three unsuspecting Susquehanna students in the crowd at Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium. For seniors Karen Davis, Amanda Lenig and Sarah Shaffer this truly was a day that changed their lives. Each was presented with a $10,000 scholarship from the Jacksons.

In describing the origins of the scholarship, Lemons relayed to the audience a conversation he had with Mr. Jackson. “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 all quietly – maybe flying below the radar screen like I did. Ask your faculty and staff to identify three students who have these qualities,’” Lemons said.

“I went a step further,” Lemons said, “and asked to hear of students who people feel are representative of Susquehanna in the best sense and who are strong contributors to their department or to the university in general.” Due to their academic successes, extracurricular activities and strong work ethic, Davis, Lenig and Shaffer ultimately rose to the top of a list that included more than 60 nominations.

“It’s really exciting,” said Davis . “It’s definitely going to help out with loans.” Davis is a political science major and history minor from Sewell, N.J. While studying at SU, she has worked as a student assistant in both the Office of Admissions and the Department of Political Science. Despite her busy class and work study schedule, Davis has found time to serve as president of the Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity for women and vice president of the Politics Club. She has been a member of the Susquehanna University Chorale since her first semester on campus. A 2003 graduate of Washington Township High School, Davis intends to work in higher education.

“To be recognized for the things you do, that’s what it ultimately means, not to mention that it will make my life outside of school that much easier,” Lenig said. Lenig is a graphic design major from Liverpool, Pa. She has worked at Susquehanna University since the summer after her graduation from Newport High School. 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 at competitions of the Greater Frederick Advertising Federation and American Corporate Identity. She plans to seek a position with a design firm after graduating.

“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 as a building and fitness monitor. Sarah is a 4-year starter as short stop on the softball team and a volunteer with the Phoenix Project, an organization that mentors at-risk middle school students. She has served as co-editor of the freshmen writing publication Stance, and presented scholarly research at an international conference. The 2003 graduate of Shenango Area High School plans to teach middle school English and ultimately become a missionary.

The pre-game program also included recognition of more than 60 current and former faculty, staff and administrators who alumni said changed their lives. Photographs of the individuals were shown on giant video screens positioned at each side of the home stands. The group spanned more than 75 years of Susquehanna history. This history of changing lives was also represented in a procession of alumni and current students through the decades. This walk down memory lane, narrated by Chris Markle, 1984 graduate and director of admissions, embodied 60-plus years of history, both in the life of Susquehanna University and the world.

Other events throughout the day included alumni reunions, the Homecoming parade, the “Float City” carnival, and a dinner party for the campus community called Susque-Palooza, held in decade-themed tents on the lawn east of Lopardo Stadium.

Welcome to the redesigned Support SU section of the Susquehanna University site. Besides a new graphic look, we’ve completely revamped our navigation to make it easier to find your way around. And we’ve updated our content to accompany the new look.

Part of our redesign included the goal of improving the online giving experience, newly consolidated under the Give Now link. If you’ve given online in the past we think you’ll find Give Now more streamlined and easier to use.

If you’ve never given online, let me urge you to consider doing so as an easy way to continue your support for the great things Susquehanna is accomplishing. Under Give Now not only can you make a convenient gift using a major credit card, but you can make a pledge to be billed at a future date at your convenience.

You may also wish to consider the recurring gifts option. With reoccurring gifts we set up an amount that is automatically deducted from your credit card every month. Modest monthly gifts add up to big support for SU over the long run!

Please note that online credit card transactions are handled securely so that you can give in confidence over the Internet. Give Now also allows you to check to see if your employer provides gift matching.

Another feature we’re excited about is this news area. Here we’ll be able to update you with the latest development news and events. And we’ll keep you informed about the progress toward our $70,000,000 goal. Use the Subscribe RSS link at the bottom of the page to subscribe to our news feed and be automatically updated whenever we post new items.

If you have comments or feedback about this site or any of our development efforts, please let us know (use the Contact Us link on any page). We depend on your interest and support to help keep improving and growing Susquehanna.

We’re excited to let you know that Susquehanna recently launched a new web site that is focusing solely on the way SU has affected and changed the lives of people. The ChanglingLives micro site features the stores of alumni, students, faculty, and others who lives have been affected and changed by their experiences at Susquehanna University.

Our goal is to capture and archive the memories and experiences of those who have been associated with SU. We want to share with everyone how Susquehanna can change lives for the better.

The site has been designed with community in mind. Site visitors can not only read about the experiences of others, but they can comment on those experiences and add to the memories. They can also submit their own stories to the site for publication. Visitors can email stores to friends and invite others to participate in the site.

If your time at SU includes a memory or experience you’d like to share, visit ChangingLives and submit it. Or just stop by and take in the stories of others who have shared the Susquehanna experience and maybe add a comment about your own experience.