Dear Reader,

Since I joined the Shippensburg University family earlier this year, I have had the pleasure of meeting a variety of individuals and working with a dedicated and committed team of faculty, students, staff associates, and administrators.

For more than 18 months, the university was led admirably by Dr. Jody Harpster who served as interim president. During his tenure, the university continued to enhance its academic and related services to students, provided support to faculty in their work with students, and moved the university forward in numerous areas including community outreach in such ways as the opening of the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center and the Small Business Development Center.

Jody, as an alumnus of Shippensburg, has a strong connection with and affection for the university, and that was evident in his outstanding work for his alma mater. Though his tenure was short, his vision of and dreams for the university were far reaching. Plans for such changes as renovation of Dauphin Humanities Center and Reisner Dining Hall, as well as planning for major changes in residence halls will play key roles in the university for many decades to come. I have named Jody as executive vice president and look forward to his counsel.

I, and all members of the campus community, owe Jody, as well as his wife, Leslie, and their children Drew and Emily, our thanks for his service and I look forward to his continuing counsel as we all work toward making Ship the true jewel of the Cumberland Valley.

William N. Ruud, Ph.D., President

To the editor:

Great to see the appointment of Dr. William N. Ruud as the next SU president. His credentials sound impeccable. Even though his career has been in many academic departments and areas of study, I was delighted to read of his years in institutional advancement. Good to see “one of us” move from advancement work into a presidency. I spent a few years in that area and I am sure his experience in this field will accrue to the future of Shippensburg University.

Ron Keener ’62

Oops, my face is red

In the winter issue of SU Magazine, there were two mistakes concerning names. Under faculty briefs (page 20) it should be Dr. Catherine Dent, and in Ship’s Log with our 100-year-old alums it should be Mary Evelyn Angle Schenck. I apologize for the errors.

Letters Welcome:

We encourage letters to the editor involving issues on articles or topics, the university, or those of general interest to our readership. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length and clarity. Unsigned letters will not be published.