One of the core values found at Shippensburg University is that of service. In recognition of its importance, the Alumni Association honors those who exemplify this attribute with its Exceptional Service Award. Gary ’68-’70m and Mary Jo ’69-’70m (Kreider) Grove are this year’s honorees.

Mary Jo is president and Gary is vice president of research and development of cyberDERM, Inc.– a company that specializes in skin research studies and computerized non-invasive biomedical research instruments.

Their faces are recognized by many in the SU campus community. Both are frequent attendees university events, performances, and Raider sporting events, Mary Jo more so since Gary travels extensively for their company. Mary Jo, who excelled in basketball at Ship, was named one of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s top 50 athletes in honor of its reaching the half century mark. The Groves are involved in recruiting quality students for their alma mater, never missing an opportunity to tell others of their experiences. To enhance the qualifications of SU students, the couple arranged for their company to sponsor internships. They can be seen at campus events, including shows at the Luhrs Performing Arts Center.

Mary Jo is a past president of the Alumni Association (1998-99) and serves on the Foundation Board of Directors. She and Gary were part of the steering committee for the highly successful recent capital campaign, Navigating the Future, and the equally successful Kresge Science Initiative challenge grant. Together they serve as members of the Arts & Sciences Advisory Board and recently agreed to serve as the annual fund co-chairs, a two-year commitment.

The Groves, individually and together, have stepped up whenever they perceived a need somewhere in the university’s purview and done what they could to fill that need. They have contributed generously with their time, talent, and treasures.