The award is based on several factors, such as percentage of student involvement, incentives for service, scope and innovation of service projects and the extent to which the school offers service-learning classes.

This year, a total of 635 schools were recognized across the nation. President George W. Bush started the program in 2006 and since then Millersville has been recognized on the Honor Roll list each year.

Many different student organizations on campus participate in community service and also compete for the Millersville University Charity King and Queen during homecoming where students have raised thousands of dollars each year for various local and national charities.  Helping out in the community has become an important aspect to numerous clubs on campus.

The dedication of students has had a positive impact not only on the charities they help but to themselves as well.  A recent study done by the Corporation for National and Community Service Volunteering in America revealed that in 2006, 2.8 million college students gave more than 297 million hours of volunteer service.

These studies have reinforced the significance and impact that students have in volunteering. The Corporation for National and Community Service Volunteering has been working in alliance with federal agencies, higher education, student associations and non-profit organizations to promote volunteer work around the nation on college campuses. This includes giving more campus incentives.

Stephen Goldsmith, vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees the Honor Roll says, “We salute Millersville University for making community service a campus priority and thank the millions of college students who are helping to renew America through service to others.”

The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll was presented in Washington, D.C. earlier this month at the annual conference of the American Council on Education.

Many students have been coming together in an effort to make volunteer work a bigger part of their campus community. “I offer heartfelt congratulations to those institutions named to the 2008 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.”

“College and university students across the country are making a difference in the lives of others every day, as are the institutions that encourage their students to serve others,” said American Council on Education President Molly Corbett Broad.

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In 2004, “the State Supreme Court struck down…tax levied on residential lease transactions to Millersville Borough…so, the borough is required to pay back, plus interest.”

The State Supreme Court deemed the receiving of these funds as unconstitutional in 2004 and the Borough faces an annual debt of $30,000 from not receiving these funds.

The Borough has to pay back all such funds received between 2005 and 2008.

Slabinski has been with the University for 39 years, and over those years has regularly contributed to the Millersville community. Over the 29 years that SLI has been with the University, it has been the largest taxpayer in the borough—and voluntarily.

Because the University itself is forbidden by law to pay even a dime in property taxes (taxes that aid the Millersville community), Student Lodging Inc. has taken it upon itself to provide a sort of upkeep of the community.

“This gift continues the town partnership which includes such programs as the Millersville Parade, Community Day and financial assistance to the volunteer fire department,” said Dick Moriarty, mayor of Millersville Borough.

“Other joint programs include the Marauder Gold card, having a student representative sit on the Borough Council and having a Borough Council member sit on the University’s Master Plan.”

Out of the regular $400,000, Penn Manor receives approximately $290,000 annually, the Millersville Borough approximately $150,000.

The Millersville Business Association, the Millersville Borough Council, Penn Manor School District, Millersville University and the Millersville Ministerial Group appeared in the Borough Council chambers on Jan. 26 in order to give the new Vision 2020 a way forward.

“Millersville will realize its full potential as a vibrant community and a thriving college town,” read the first sentence of the Vision 2020 statement signed on Jan. 26.

“Vision 2020 is a concept that has been talked about with the leadership and the community and the University, oh, for a couple years,” said Slabinski.

Slabinski said that the $10,000 contribution to the Borough is merely a “gesture to show our continued support” of the long-standing vision.

Without the annual contributions that the Student Lodging Inc. and Student Services Inc. gives the University in particular, Slabinski explains that all student activities would have to be paid for out of the student activities fee.

Student Lodging Inc. owns and operates Brookwood Apartments, Wellness Apartments, Shenks Hall and Reighard Hall.

The revenue from those apartments is where the contributions come from, and it only seems fair that the money go back to the community it comes from.

“Millersville University and Millersville Borough have a lengthy history of serving both students and residents,” explained Borough President Scott Baile., “And for that reason it fits the vision to support the community in which the students live and work and gain their educations.”

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Shea requires each student to fulfill 10 hours of community service dealing with food. Fifteen of his students chose to volunteer at the shelter at 407 Howard Ave.

Students carpooled to Crispus Attucks, and arrived at 4:30 p.m. Volunteers were asked to help set up the buffet line, hand out drinks, plates, napkins, flatware and to serve a meal of spaghetti and desserts.

After the public was served, students cleaned up and then were free to walk around and socialize with visitors.

The evening was slower than the typical night at the Shelter, however, the student volunteers were still given the opportunity to pitch in and help.

“The turnout was smaller than we were expecting,” said freshman Kristy Young. “We only served about 80 or so people. They said they usually get around 150 people.”

Social interaction was a common favorite amongst participating students. Many enjoyed having the opportunity to talk and joke with the people they were serving. Socializing with the visitors at the Shelter was the highlight of the night for Young.

“They were all so nice,” Young said. “The one man I met was very funny too! It was an enjoyable evening.”

Freshman Elizabeth Bitner, originally thought the night would be depressing and was surprised how cheerful the atmosphere was.

“We were in a gym and the people were very nice and thankful for us being there.  A lot of the people were very happy and funny. They talked to us about a variety of different things,” Bitner said. “My favorite part was talking to the different people that came through the doors.”

What was first arranged as a mandatory school activity ended up being a learning and life altering experience.

“It really made me feel good about myself. Seeing that I was able to help people out and make Valentine’s Day a good day for them was rewarding,” Young said. “It was a nice way to spend a Saturday night.”

The students were glad to have had the opportunity to give back to the community. What started out as a Saturday night assignment turned into students  realizing that they really can make a difference in the lives of others.

“I love volunteering. You can really tell you are making a difference,” said freshman Jackie Bloch. “There was a mom there with a two-and-a-half year old and a four year old. Both of the kids were sick. The little girl, who was four, had not been eating. By the end of the night she had eaten most of her plate of spaghetti.”

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Millersville Business Association, the Millersville Borough council, Penn Manor School District, Millersville University and the Millersville ministerial group have collaborated to bring the vision to fruition, which sets goals for Millersville to reach its full potential as a vibrant community and thriving college town.

The vision includes a partnership with civic, religious, and volunteer organizations,and is comprised of students, merchants, and residents. President of Millersville’s Borough council, Scott Bailey, welcomed everyone as stakeholders in the Millersville community, not accounting just for registered voters, but for all of the community.

“This is an exciting time,” said Millersville’s Mayor Richard Moriarty, who explained how the collaboration began one evening in President Francine McNairy’s office by attributing the initiation to Vice President of University Advancement Jerry Eckert’s question, “how can we fix the sign in front of the cemetery?”

“One question led to another and we all realized that we each had our individual plans,” said Moriarty. “We thought that there should be one main vehicle where all of us can bring our ideas together. As such, Millersville 2020 as a concept was born.”

The signing of the vision 2020 was “Truly a day for celebration,” according to Millersville University President Francine McNairy, “we want to be good neighbors.”

Moriarty introduced key members, who played an integral part including, Julie Fitzpatrick, who was hired to help facilitate the vision in association with PA Downtown, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing hundreds of central business districts.

Millersville leaders sign the Vision 2020 statement. Photo by Christian Shuts.

State Representative (Rep.) Scott Boyd supported the efforts as a businessman before signing the statement, while State Senator (Rep.) Lloyd Smucker praised the unity of civic, business, and government groups and encouraged them that “such a coalition will be a backbone.”

Junior Social Studies Education major Daniel Bezek said, “It would be good to have more student representation because there are so many students that come and live in Millersville.”

Bezek, who is a volunteer for the Millersville fire station, has attended all the Vision 2020 planning meetings, and plans to continue to serve on a committee.

The vision statement was divided into five program areas including organizational development, physical improvements, asset development and enhancement, community marketing, and establishing a safe, clean, and green community. After the signing and refreshments, community leaders and members, broke out into committees to plan initial objectives in implementing the goals of the vision.

One of the first objectives of “organizational development” is to gain IRS 501(c)3 status to help further the goals of other program areas and committees.

The future goals of “asset development and enhancement” committee begin with improving the Millersville borough website and adding public events.

Stuck on the practicality of regulatory aesthetics versus persuasion when involving homeowners in the vision, committee member’s “physical improvement” plans face the challenge of funding. Still, Fitzpatrick suggested offering low interest loans and grants to homeowners.

The “community marketing” committee, created a separate commission for the arts and entertainment aspect of promoting Millersville. Also, McNairy suggested utilizing the talent of MU students and high school students; who could benefit from cooperation with businesses in doing a market analysis to determine what businesses would thrive.

President of Millersville’s Business Association, David Peterson, said, “Almost one of the goals is to be patient. This doesn’t happen overnight.”

Jack Gardner, Vice-president of Millersville Bureau Council, who has been a member for 27 years, explained how Millersville has developed as a community over the years, including the introduction of sidewalks, which originally faced some opposition due to funding.

Garner said, “We started a comprehensive plan years ago, but we always need money. In this year, we were set back once again with budget cuts.”

Still after more planning on what the community wants, Garner said, “Hopefully, one of these days we will succeed.”

In lieu of the Borough’s residential rental tax, which was recently ruled unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Robert Slabinski, CEO and President of Student Lodging Inc. (SLI) and Student Services Inc. (SSI), presented a check for 10,000 dollars to the bureau from (SLI), a-nonprofit University affiliate during the signing. This gift is in addition to the yearly contribution of over $400,000 from (SSI).

“I have had a great relationship with Bob and I know that starts with President McNairy,” said Moriarty, who has had a rapport with Slabinski since his days as treasurer for the Millersville fire department.

“We’re glad to be of assistance,” said Slabinski. “It’s important to support the Borough with this difficult situation. We will continue to assist the Borough as much as we can, given the state of the economy and the limitations placed on the University by state laws.”

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He pulls down his dust mask, smiles, and says “Yeah I was pretty much born to do this.”

Arment, 34, owns his Susquehanna Skateboard Company, of the only local manufacturers of skateboards in Lancaster County, and is actively involved in the design and planning of the Millersville Skate Park.

That’s right, skateboarders in Millersville will now have their very own community skate park to ride in. The proposed park will be built upon the seldom-used and deteriorating tennis court adjacent in the Millersville Park adjacent to John Herr’s Market.

Designers plan to install new facility in phases, the first of which being the construction of concrete transitions including: a quarter-pipe and a section of a bowl, as well as concrete boxes and ledges that stimulate the terrain favored by skaters for doing grinds and flip tricks.

As additional funds are raised, subsequent phases which will include more challenging obstacles are planned to be implemented in the park.

Arment, who grew up in Denver, is a lifelong skater and recent skate park designer, having gotten involved in planning and advocating for public works in Columbia, Lancaster and York.

He first learned of the proposed Millersville park a year ago and began to attend borough council meetings where the issue was being discussed by frustrated parents and council members.

Liability and insurance for the park, as well as funding for its construction, were topics of debate at council meetings.

Millersville borough ordinances prohibit skateboarding on streets, sidewalks, and private property, which has created problems among skateboarders, their parents and local police.

Interest in constructing a public park has stemmed, in part, from the growing number of underage skaters being cited for riding on streets and sidewalks.

Police are often called to disperse skaters from business parking lots and public thoroughfares. Safety and wear-and-tear on public property are chief concerns.

When asked about the new park, a borough police representative said, “The idea is to give the kids a safe place to play, and hopefully this will work out best for everybody.”

The most important step in getting approval for the park’s construction was educating parents and council members as to why a park was needed and what it would consist of.

A non-profit advocacy group for the park project, Skate Millersville, (sk8mlvl) as well as raise funds for its construction.

Skaters, parents and other Millersville community members make up the organization which has been hosting concerts, barbeques and other fundraisers to raise money.

The group aims to collect funding for the park through fundraisers and private donations, with no burden on local taxpayers for the proposed 10,000 square foot facility.

Ollie Wilson, 29, has been attending the council meetings with hopes that the park’s blueprints will soon become a reality.

Lancaster has seven free public skate parks throughout the county, with more being planned in addition to Millersville’s.

A Denver Park and Recreation spokesman said their park, built in 2006, “by far, the skate park is the most used facility in the Denver Park.”

Chad Kramer, 36, a former professional skater who now designs and builds wooden and concrete ramps and parks throughout Pennsylvania, stresses the importance of having experienced skaters help with the planning of this kind of investment.

“Sometimes parks end up getting built and designed by playground equipment companies who have no grasp of skateboarding.

Community officials don’t always know who to talk to about a potential community skatepark and too often these prefab playground outfits are all too eager to ‘help’.”

Most skaters prefer concrete or wooden parks to less challenging and less durable prefabricated ones, and some, like Arment, get involved in council meetings to ensure the community does not get saddled with a substandard park designed by people who do not understand the sport or know how to arrange ramps and obstacles to maximize a park’s fun and overall utility.

Arment helps his three year-old son, Oliver, maintain his balance atop a miniature skateboard as we chat at his Millersville home.

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The two mile, award-winning parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1, which coincides with Millersville’s Homecoming weekend, Family Day and Community Day.

The parade, themed “Animals: Fictional or Real,” will leave Penn Manor High School at 9 a.m. and end in front of Millersville’s Student Memorial Center at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The Anttonen’s will be keeping with the theme of “Animals: Fictional and Real” by bringing along a four foot teddy bear, named Yenoh, that Ralph gave Judy for her 60th birthday. Normally, Yenoh rides in the backseat of Judy’s Jeep, as her “protector,” Ralph said.

“He’s coming out of the Jeep and into the parade with us,” said Ralph.

As the grand marshals, the Anttonen’s will ride in a car leading the procession. They will then go to a reviewing stand, where they will watch the remainder of the parade.

The Anttonen’s are the first couple to be chosen as grand marshals.
They were selected based on their considerable contributions to the Millersville community.

“We’re really thrilled,” said Ralph Anttonen, “Judy’s going to get a new outfit out of this.”

Together, their community service includes coordinating the Millersville Mile, which benefits the Millersville Fire Company, serving as honorary members of the fire company, dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus for local schools and events, and disc jockeying on Millersville University’s campus radio station, WIXQ-FM, where they are better known as Doc and Momma Roc.

The Anttonens also sponsor Adopt-a-Highway on Long Lane. Ralph Anttonen, who has been on the faculty at Millersville since 1971, serves as the university’s chair of the department of academic and student development and the director of the Exploratory Program.

He is heavily involved on campus, as the advisor of WIXQ-FM, a mentor to hundreds of Millersville students and the Millersville basketball announcer, to name a few.

He is also a timing official with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), is an author, and has partaken in more than 40 races, both cycling and running, since 1989. Ralph was named “MU Person of the Year” in 2001. He graduated from Tuft’s University with a bachelor’s degree in Math, and then continued on to University of Minnesota for his Ph.D. in educational psychology.

Judy Anttonen is a Millersville graduate. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education, and a master’s degree in special education. She is retired from the Conestoga Valley School District, where she was a special education and learning support teacher.

Like her husband, she is very active in the community. Her service includes volunteering with the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired and the Watch and Clock Museum, where she was chosen as Volunteer of the Year in 2007.

At Millersville, she is a basketball scorekeeper, a PIAA timing official, part of the Millersville Choral Group and a member the Standing Room Only Singers. In the past, she was the treasurer of the West End Athletic Association, and has participated in over 500 road races and 30 triathlons since the 1970s.

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