SU was recently notified that it is the recipient of a fifth consecutive McGowan Scholarship, awarded to a rising senior in the Sigmund Weis School of Business who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential and service. Recipients are eligible for up to $18,000 depending on need.

This year’s McGowan Scholar, Meghan Loughran ‘07, attended the inaugural McGowan alumni event, which was held at the National Archives in Washington DC on November 3rd. The event presented an opportunity for current and former McGowan Scholars to meet and network, as well as to get to know McGowan family members. The program included a panel discussion titled “Citizen Witness” focusing on how new technologies such as cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders are turning everyday people into extraordinary witnesses to the incidents and events that shape our lives. The program was moderated by Robert MacNeil, former co-anchor of the MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour.

Meghan is an accounting major from Broomall, PA. A Dean’s List student, she is a member of the Accounting Club, the Student Activities Club, and the Women’s Varsity Basketball team, where she was honored with the Coach’s Award and the Most Outstanding Teammate Award. Meghan has worked on campus in the business office and has also interned with ARAMARK Corp. She interned again with ARAMARK this past summer, and hopes to work with a large accounting firm after graduation.

Previous winners of the McGowan Scholarship are Anne Stankiewicz ‘06, now with Goldman Sachs in NYC; Andrea Botchie ’05, employed by Cressler Trucking Inc. in Shippensburg, PA; and Jessica Fields ’05, with Zurich North America, also in NYC.
William G. McGowan was founder of MCI Corp. and a distinguished entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian. He is recognized for transforming a small radio communications company into the United States’ largest long distance telephone carrier and a worldwide communications giant. The charitable fund that bears his name was created in 1992 by McGowan to promote, nurture, and fund promising programs in three areas: developing the gifts and talents of the young; healthcare and medical insurance and science research; and creating educational opportunities.

A recent gift to Susquehanna University’s science program by the George I. Alden Trust of Worcester, MA will contribute significantly to an already robust student learning experience. The grant will support the acquisition of instrumentation for use by the departments of biology, chemistry and earth and environmental sciences. Roughly 375 students annually are expected to enroll in courses or perform research making use of this equipment, which includes a Real Time PRC Machine, Laser System and an X-ray fluorimeter.

These items will allow for more and varied experiments while giving students hands-on experience with sophisticated instruments, primarily in introductory courses such as Cell and Organismal Biology, Genetics, Physical Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Hazards, and Earth System History. The instruments will have applicability in some advanced courses and research projects as well. According to Dan Ressler, chair of the EES department, “The Trust’s support allows us to sustain teaching methods which rely on personal exploration by placing analytical tools in students’ hands to allow them to examine problems, find information, make measurements and process data in real time in the laboratory, in the field, or on the road.” Two previous grants from the Alden Trust supported classroom technology enhancements in Fisher Science Hall and a student team study room in Apfelbaum Hall.

The George I. Alden Trust was established in 1912 by its namesake. Mr. Alden was an engineering professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a successful inventor, who, along with colleagues founded Norton Emery Wheel Company. He is credited with inventing both the dynamometer for measuring the power of all kinds of machines and the first hydraulic elevators. Mr. Alden’s lifelong commitment to higher education continues to be honored through the Alden Trust’s support for scientific and technological equipment and infrastructure acquisition at small colleges and universities in the Northeastern United States.

Susquehanna University’s major donors and a philanthropist dear to the heart of the institution were honored on October 29, 2006, at the dedication of the Douglas E. Arthur Plaza. Situated in the central part of campus along the path between the Degenstein Campus Center and Cunningham Center for Music and Art, the plaza recognizes members of the newly-created Susquehanna Society, benefactors who have given during their lifetime a total of $1 million or more. Included in the society’s inaugural class are a number of donors who qualified with gift commitments designated to the Changing Lives, Building Futures initiative.

The construction of the plaza was made possible by a gift from Lucille Arthur in honor of her husband Douglas E. Arthur ’49, H’96. The ceremony not only honored his loyalty and generosity but also his memory – Arthur died in January 2006.

“How fitting it is that this plaza is named for Doug Arthur,” said University President L. Jay Lemons, while addressing the crowd during the dedication ceremony. “Doug knew the importance of leadership giving, and he encouraged us to celebrate philanthropy in ways that appropriately honored our benefactors and motivated others to follow their lead.”

The plaza is a circular, bluestone structure featuring a small fountain on its west side, with masonry surrounding a shooting water fountain in the center. The names of two dozen charter Susquehanna Society members are etched in the stone surfaces completing the circle. Future members of the society will be similarly recognized in the plaza.

The dedication program featured remarks from representatives of Susquehanna’s student, faculty, alumni and parent communities: Zachary Rahn ’07, president of the Student Government Association; Jeff Whitman, associate professor of philosophy and speaker of the faculty; Jennifer Rojek ’98, first vice president of the Alumni Association; and Donald and Joanne Zangara P’99, P’03, former chairs of the Parents Association. Each thanked members of the Susquehanna Society for investing in ways that have improved the university so dramatically.

Rojek relayed to the crowd her first, humorous interaction with Arthur as a student when she served as a tour guide during Alumni Weekend for Arthur’s group of classmates. “Somewhere between Selinsgrove Hall and the library, Doug took over the tour,” she said. During that experience and subsequent others, Arthur “inspired me to give back to Susquehanna in my own way.”

“Doug would’ve been very proud today,” said Lucille Arthur in her remarks at the ceremony. “May the students enjoy the plaza and may it be an inspiration to others.”

The charter members of the Susquehanna Society include: Douglas E. Arthur ’49, H’96 and Lucille Groff Arthur; Richard E. Caruso ’65 and Sally Feitig ’68 Caruso; Eleanor G. Deal; Charles B. Degenstein H’82 and Lore Degenstein; The Degenstein Foundation; Samuel H. Evert H’02 and Dorothy W. Evert; Merle V. Hoover ’41; Harry A. Hummel and Blanche E. Hummel; Lawrence M. Isaacs ’43, H’00 and Louise Kresge ’45 Isaacs H’00; Clyde H. Jacobs H’00 and Alice Ann Patterson ’58 Jacobs; The Kresge Foundation; Nicholas A. Lopardo ’68 and Diane Rogers Lopardo; Paul B. Lucas ’28 and Helen Maxwell Lucas; Terry L. March ’67 and Pauline Maurer March; Richard King Mellon Foundation; Joseph W. Silbaugh, Jr. P’04 and Ann Orsburn Silbaugh P’04; Eric N. Stein ’69; James W. Summers ’64 and Barbara Evans ’65 Summers; John W. Thompson ’09; Allen C. Tressler ’29; Gladys Weil; Robert F. Weis H’92 and Patricia Ross Weis; and E.E. Wissinger P’50.

“Today we honor those who set the standard for philanthropy at Susquehanna,” Lemons said of the first class of the Susquehanna Society. “Without you, this place would not be what it is. Because of you, we can envision even more possibilities. And by your example, we have the courage to invite others to join your ranks.”