Millersville University of Pennsylvania: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Millersville University of Pennsylvania, a public university situated in Millersville, Pennsylvania, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1855. Originally founded as the Lancaster County Normal School, the institution has evolved through several name changes, reflecting its growth and expanding mission. Today, Millersville University stands as one of the ten schools comprising the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Over its 169-year history, Millersville University has produced over 75,000 alumni, many of whom have made significant contributions to various fields. This article will explore the notable alumni of Millersville University, highlighting their achievements and contributions to society.
Historical Overview of Millersville University
Millersville University's journey began in November 1852 when the Lancaster County Educational Association convened in Strasburg to establish an institute for teacher training. The first institute, which led to the Lancaster County Normal School and received significant support from Thomas H. Burrowes, was held in January 1853. Lewis M. Hobbs, a teacher from the Manor district, advocated for a permanent training facility in Manor Township. Jacob Shenk, a local farmer, donated five acres of land, which now houses Ganser Library, Biemesderfer Executive Center, and Dutcher Hall. On April 17, 1855, the Lancaster County Normal School officially opened with James P. Wickersham as principal and 147 teachers in attendance.
Over the years, the institution underwent several transformations, including name changes to Millersville State Normal School in 1859, Millersville State Teachers College in 1927, and Millersville State College in 1959. In 1983, it became Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
Campus Landmarks and Facilities
Millersville University boasts several notable landmarks and facilities that contribute to its vibrant academic environment. The Biemesderfer Executive Center, completed in 1894 and also known as the Old Library, stands as a centerpiece of the campus. The Millersville University Library is housed in Ganser Hall. In January 2018, the Lombardo Welcome Center opened as the first state-of-the-art Net-Zero energy building on campus, receiving multiple awards for its sustainability and design. The Francine G. McNairy Library & Learning Forum, renovated in 2013, is named after Millersville's 13th President, Dr. Francine McNairy. Additionally, the university operates two visual and performing arts centers: The Ware Center for the Arts and the Winter Visual & Performing Arts Center.
Notable Alumni in Arts and Entertainment
Millersville University has produced several alumni who have excelled in the arts and entertainment industry.
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Black Thought and Malik B.
Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, known as Black Thought, and Malik Abdul-Basit Smart, known as Malik B, were students together at Millersville in 1991 when their band was called The Square Roots. Black Thought is the lead MC of the hip hop group The Roots, which he co-founded with drummer Questlove in Philadelphia. Regarded as "one of the most skilled, incisive, and prolific rappers of his time", he is widely lauded for his live performance skills, continuous multisyllabic rhyme schemes, complex lyricism, double entendres, and politically aware lyrics. He and The Roots perform as the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Malik B. was a rapper, singer, and founding member of The Roots. He appeared on the band's first four albums before his departure, but often returned for subsequent releases. Shawn Gee, the band’s manager, also went to Millersville and earned a degree in business in 1993.
GoGo Morrow
GoGo Morrow, a 2008 graduate with a degree in music business and performance, has made a name for herself in the music industry. She has performed as a supporting and solo act, including as a backup singer for Lady Gaga during her Monster Ball tour, Wiz Khalifa, and as part of Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir. Morrow has since relocated to Los Angeles and signed with Interscope Records through the Khalabo Music label.
Eliphalet Oram Lyte
Eliphalet Oram Lyte, who taught at Millersville beginning in 1866 and became principal in 1887, is credited as the composer of the tune to the popular song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".
Chas McCormick
Chas McCormick, a 2017 graduate, is an outfielder for the Houston Astros. During his time at Millersville, he set all-time records for hits, runs, and RBIs. In 2022, McCormick played in the World Series with the Houston Astros against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Silvia Vásquez-Lavado
Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, a 1996 graduate, is a Peruvian-American mountaineer, author, social entrepreneur, and technologist. In June 2016, she became the first Peruvian woman to summit Mount Everest and the first openly gay woman to complete the Seven Summits. Her story is set to be portrayed by Selena Gomez in an upcoming film based on her memoir "In the Shadow of the Mountain."
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Matthew Knisely
Matthew "Matt" Knisely is an American TV Photojournalist and an American author known for professional standards and his vivid editing and use of depth of field in his photography.
Notable Alumni in Politics and Public Service
Millersville University has also produced alumni who have made significant contributions to politics and public service.
Jordan A. Harris
Jordan A. Harris, a 2006 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in governmental and political affairs, is the Democratic Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He has been representing the Philadelphia area since 2013. In the 2020 election, he served as a voter in the electoral college.
Scott Martin
Scott Martin is an American politician from Pennsylvania who has been a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 13th district since January 3, 2017. He was previously a two-term Lancaster county commissioner and chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican County Commissioners Caucus.
Robert Smith Walker
Robert Smith Walker is a former American politician who represented Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican from 1977 until his retirement in 1997.
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Andrew Cassilly
Andrew Cassilly is a senior advisor to Maryland governor Larry Hogan in the Governor's Legislative Office. Cassilly is a Republican who represented district 35B in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2019 when he resigned to work for Hogan.
Robert E. Evans
Robert Emory Evans was a Nebraska Republican politician.
D. Newlin Fell
David Newlin Fell served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1894 to 1910, and as chief justice from 1910 to 1915.
Notable Alumni in Science and Technology
Millersville University has also produced alumni who have excelled in science and technology.
Hugh Herr
Hugh Herr is an American rock climber, engineer, and biophysicist. He is the director of the Biomechatronics research group at MIT. After losing both of his legs in a climbing accident, Herr earned his undergraduate degree at Millersville in 1990. His contributions to the field of prosthetics include over 100 patents that help those who are missing limbs. He holds the patents to the Rheo Knee, an active ankle-foot orthosis, which is the world's first powered ankle-foot prosthesis.
R. William Field
R. William Field is an academic scholar and Professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and Department of Epidemiology within the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa. He received a BS and MS degree in Biology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in Preventive Medicine from the College of Medicine at the University of Iowa in 1994. Field is currently an occupational and environmental epidemiologist as well as an internationally recognized expert on the measurement and health effects of radon gas.
Ward V. Evans
Dr. Ward V. Evans, a former Millersville student, was involved in the security clearance hearing of J. Robert Oppenheimer and portrayed as such in the blockbuster Academy Award-winning 2023 film. While serving as chair of the chemistry department of Northwestern University, Evans was one of just three people to serve on the panel, which was responsible for the final decision regarding Oppenheimer’s clearance.
Notable Alumni in Education
Millersville University, originally founded as a normal school for teacher training, has a long tradition of producing influential educators.
Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales
Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales were college-educated American teachers and co-founders of Johnson & Wales Business School in Providence, Rhode Island.
Michael Panarella
Michael Panarella graduated from Millersville University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in social studies education. After graduating from Millersville University, Panarella taught at Pennsylvania School for the Deaf for three years, where he was both a teacher and a coach. Panarella was then hired at Shawnee High School in Medford, New Jersey, where he taught psychology and history for 32 years.
Ronald Cary Burger
A Lancaster native, Ronald Cary Burger graduated from Millersville in 1970 with a BS in Education. Millersville has remained a foundation stone in Burger’s work as he applied what he learned on campus to a 50-year career in education, public health, and emergency preparedness and response. After graduation, Burger became a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana and taught science at Winneba Training College.
Eli Brill
Eli Brill, a 2017 graduate, proved himself one of the top unicyclists in the country at the North American Unicycling Championships at the age of just 14. Today, Brill is a second-grade teacher.
Other Notable Alumni
Ashley Moyer-Gleich
Ashley Moyer-Gleich is an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA), wearing number 13. Moyer-Gleich became the fourth woman to be a full-time NBA referee.
Nicole Brewer
Nicole Brewer is an American news reporter. She is a former Miss Pennsylvania from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She spent 10 years at the station, starting in 2008. She graduated magna cum laude in speech communications in 2005.
Kevin B. Mahoney
Kevin B. Mahoney is chief executive officer for the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS). He assumed this role on July 1, 2019. He is a graduate of Millersville State College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1981.
Armenta L. Washington
Armenta L. Washington, M.S., is currently a Research Coordinator Senior with Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Washington was named the Philadelphia Magazine Be Well Philly 2021 Health Hero.
Jennifer “Jenny” Engle
Jennifer “Jenny” Engle ’80 embodies the very essence of the Distinguished Alumni Award. At Millersville, Engle discovered her love for communications and writing, talents that blossomed into a lifelong career of excellence and service.
T. Thomas Gregory Hall
T. Thomas Gregory Hall, known as Greg, is a proud member of Millersville University’s Class of 1971. Majoring in secondary education for Biology, Greg earned his Bachelor of Science in Education while excelling as a four-year football player and an active member of Mu Alpha Kappa Fraternity.
Colonel William J. Davis
Colonel William J. Davis ’72, USA Ret. earned a bachelors degree in secondary education from Millersville in 1972, a master’s degree in international relations from Salve Regina University, and the title Master Faculty from the National Defense University.
Umar Johnson
Umar Rashad Ibn Abdullah-Johnson, better known simply as Dr. Umar, is an American Black activist, psychologist, and motivational speaker.
Jim Todd
Jim Todd (1947-2025).
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