Denny Terrell
Vice President of Administration and Finance

Somehow someone with a dog named Boatswain (pronounced bosun), an interest in things nautical, and a boat named “FlagShip” belongs at Shippensburg. And as Denny Terrell says, “[it] seems like I was destined to be working at a place called Ship.”

“My job at Ship is a lot of fun,” Denny says. “Administration and finance has many varied responsibilities, so no two days are ever alike and I’m never bored. Whether it’s dealing with HR challenges, identifying budget reduction strategies, working on construction projects, or looking into law enforcement issues, everything I’m involved in at Ship has been very fulfilling professionally.”

Denny and her husband Frank live in Chambersburg and share their home, boat and motor home with their 10 year-old Yorkshire Terrier, the aforementioned Boatswain.

After a full career in the military is there a particular reason why you wanted to continue working?

I’m a workaholic! I was retired from active duty for about three months before I went back to the Department of Defense as a civilian. I about went stir-crazy after the first month of retirement! Fortunately my husband recognized that before I did and was very supportive of my going back to work.

Was higher education a preference or happenstance?

This was definitely a deliberate choice. I had never really thought about what I would do when I left the military, but I quickly realized the only other professional thing I’d ever loved in my life was being at/working at a college, so I decided I wanted to work at a small university. Although I hold a doctorate and could have sought a faculty position, I knew my experience would better fit in the administrative end of higher ed. This position at Ship was advertised just as I was finishing up my federal employment and the job description looked as if it was written for someone with exactly my credentials. Timing is everything!

What is the first thing you notice about people?

Whether or not they make eye contact and speak to people as they pass. To me, this is basic courtesy and tells a lot about an individual.

How do you unwind?

By having a glass of wine with my husband, Frank, on the water (spring, summer, fall) or by the fire (winter).

What is your favorite website?

Any place with recipes — I love to cook!!!

What trait do you most value in people?

Integrity.

For entertainment I enjoy…

Using our boat (FlagShip) or our motorhome (it has a monster Ship logo on the back so everyone knows we’re from Ship when we go to away games!)

Describe yourself as something other than human.

My husband says I’m like a puppy — just pat me on the head and I’ll do handstands for you!

If you had one do-over in life, what would it be? Why?

I should have taken some psychology/sociology and business courses in college! I would never have guessed that I’d end up leading organizations of up to 15,000 people and managing multi-million dollar budgets in the military.

Favorite cartoon character and why?

Mickey Mouse! My husband puts up with my decorating our RV in all things Mickey —sheets, towels, china, silverware, cookware, and even the wine glasses.

Some of it I’m sure is my age (growing up in the MM Club era), but I was born into it—Mickey and I have the same birthday.

What are you reading now?

The Bible in two translations, The Yada Yada Prayer Group, and Rick Warren’s God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions (I picked this up since he is scheduled to do the invocation for the inauguration).

Silliest thing you remember doing?

Flying my mother and her dog from Washington, D.C., to Albuquerque, so we could all drive together in our motorhome to my brother’s wedding in Jacksonville, Florida.

What magic power do you wish you had?

I’d like to be a time traveler. I’d want to go visit Jesus.