A Message from President Rider
As President of Elizabethtown College, I get excited when I think about our students learning in state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, preparing to enter high-demand career fields, being taught by talented faculty who lead research projects and experiential opportunities to offer real-world experiences, and how Etown has helped them to discover their talents and passions, shaping who they are meant to become. I get excited about our student-centered community driven by innovation and enthusiasm to make our campus a better place for all. I get excited to see our caring students, faculty, and staff united behind a shared mission to be a force for good in this world.
This is Etown. And, it’s only going to get more inspiring in the years to come. I hope you find the 2023 President’s Annual Report insightful as you reflect on the work we have achieved and the milestones we have reached as a community. There is much to be proud of and grateful for as we prepare soon to celebrate 125 years of our beloved institution.
As we look to the future of our College, I am energized by the work we are doing now through our Strategic Plan to create a sustainable and fulfilling future for tomorrow. I am motivated by the transformation we are seeing in higher education, as it is our responsibility to educate our students for an evolving marketplace to excel and succeed.
Our exceptional outcomes you will find throughout the report demonstrate our commitment to our 124-plus year tradition of learning to think critically, analyze deeply, and communicate effectively. It is those lessons our students learn inside and outside of the classroom that will elevate them to be the leaders who provide their intellect, empathy, and service to their work and others in their pursuit to contribute to society.
We are thankful for your continued support of Elizabethtown College and are looking forward to another extraordinary year. Blue Jays. Always.
Sincerely,
President Betty Rider
Ranked #39 (tie) of Best Regional Universities (North) by US News & World Report
Ranked #11 for Best Value Schools Regional Universities (North) by US News & World Report
Ranked #149 (tie) in Top Performers on Social Mobility Regional Universities (North) by US News & World Report
One of 97 colleges in the "Best Mid-Atlantic" section of the Princeton Review's 2024 Best Colleges: Region by Region
Listed in the top 500 U.S. colleges on Forbes America's Top Colleges of 2023
Ranked one of the Best Colleges in America for 2023 by Money.com
Strengthening Our Community
Engaging in high-impact projects to better our community both on- and off-campus is central to the Elizabethtown College experience.
Occupational Therapy Professor Aids in Design of Local, Inclusive Playground
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and alumna Marla Davis MSOT ’16, supported the design process of a local inclusive playground, Elizabethtown Borough Community Park, which provides a space for children of varying physical, cognitive, and sensory needs a chance to play.
Building Leadership Skills of High School Students Through Social and Civic Leadership Academy
The overnight program in July provided local high school students with historically marginalized identities an opportunity to foster strong leadership skills through workshops and activities led by Etown faculty and staff.
Make A Deposit, Make A Difference Campaign Exceeds Goal for Fourth Consecutive Year
The College exceeded its expanded campaign goal to raise $20,000 for Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS).
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Grant Helps Adult Learners Complete Their Degree
Awarded for the Near Completer project: ACHIEVE, the grant provides opportunities for Pa. residents to complete an unfinished certificate or undergraduate degree program in a high-demand, family-sustaining wage occupation.
Elizabethtown College Hosts Workforce 2030 Summit
Lancaster County’s premier workforce development event united more than 250 of the region’s business, education, and nonprofit sector professionals on Etown’s campus in early August.
Strengthening Area Educators’ Computer Science Skills Through Science in Motion Program
Local area educators enrolled in Etown’s School of Graduate & Professional Studies (SGPS) Graduate Certificate in Computer Science Education program learned effective and engaging ways to teach computer science through Etown’s Science in Motion Teacher Professional Development Training.
High Center Launches New Center for Nonprofits
The new Nonprofit Center is dedicated to serving the needs of regional nonprofit leaders and organizations.
SGPS Launches Non-Profit Leadership and Operations and Supply Chain Management Programs
Etown’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies is addressing the region’s workforce needs in high-demand industries by launching online graduate certificates in Non-Profit Leadership, as well as Operations and Supply Chain Management. Courses will begin Jan. 15.
Building a Sense of Belonging
Elizabethtown College strives to foster a culturally vibrant campus community placing value on diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities and professional development programs.
Political Science Major Recognized with Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award
Olivia Pituch ’26 received the 2023 Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award from The King Center at a ceremony in Atlanta, Ga., for her work in advocating for anti-racist practices and education.
Momentum Program Continues to Positively Impact First-Generation College Students
For the 12th year in a row, Etown’s Momentum program met its goal of a 3.0 or higher average cumulative GPA in every semester of each academic year for each cohort of students.
Pennsylvania Department of Education Designates Etown as a Hunger-Free Campus
The College was recognized for its efforts in going above and beyond to alleviate food insecurity among its students through on-campus initiatives such as the Blue Jay Pantry.
New Center for Multicultural Affairs Opens on Campus
Serving as a campus hub for diversity, equity, and belonging, the new Center provides students with a safe space for dialogue, reflection, and collaboration.
Diversity, Equity and Belonging Ambassadors Appointed for Each School
Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) Ambassadors were appointed for each of Etown's six undergraduate Schools to further the College’s commitment to fostering a sense of belongingness and acceptance within the campus community.
An Education Centered on Service
Educate for Service is a living, breathing mission that drives our Blue Jays to be a force for good in the world.
Occupational Therapy Student Pilots Service Dog Training Program on Campus
Samantha Machmer ’25 is piloting a puppy-raising program on campus this fall, volunteering to raise and train Susquehanna Service Dog (SSD) Farmer, or Farmer for short, to support individuals with disabilities.
Blue Jays Travel to Virginia for Spring Break Service Trip
Students and employees traveled to Richmond, Va., serving with Habitat for Humanity to help with property restoration efforts during the Center for Community and Civic Engagement’s (CCCE) Spring Break Service Trip in March.
Giving Back to the Community at Annual Into the Streets Day of Service
More than 300 Etown students gave back to the community by volunteering at more than 10 local organizations during the 30th annual Into the Streets community engagement event on Saturday, Oct. 21.
Computer Science Students Providing Inventory Solution to On-Campus Food Pantry
Computer Science students enrolled in a Software Engineering course are working on an innovative service project to create an upgraded inventory system for the College’s on-campus food pantry, the Blue Jay Pantry.
Giving Back to the Community During Day of Service
More than 230 Blue Jay students and employees, along with family and alumni, came together during March’s annual campus-wide Day of Service to support local agencies by packing 1,500 school supply kits and making over 200 blankets for children in the community.
Engineering Course’s Assistive Devices Project Exemplifies Educate for Service Motto
Engineering students partnered with the local non-profit Easterseals to design and print assistive devices that help adults with cerebral palsy perform basic tasks, like eating and brushing their teeth.
Civil Engineering Student’s Eagle Scout Project Supports Local Veterans
Dominic Andrews ’26 teamed up with the Philadelphia-based non-profit, Alpha Bravo Canine, for his Eagle Scout project, creating training equipment for service dogs that assist local veterans experiencing physical and psychological ailments.
Excellence at Etown
Through a high-quality and accessible education, Blue Jays apply their skills, talents, and intellect to bring value to their communities.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major Named Goldwater Scholar
Tristan Mabee ’24 earned one of the country’s preeminent undergraduate scholarship awards in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering by being named a 2023 Barry Goldwater Scholar, marking the third straight year an Etown student received the prestigious honor.
Women’s Basketball Wins First NCAA Tournament Game Since 2001
A third-quarter rally sparked a 79-68 win over No. 21 Stevens, earning the women’s basketball program’s first NCAA Tournament win in more than 20 years in early March.
Blue Jays Attend 2023 National Stamps Scholars Convention
A group of 22 students joined over 700 peers from across the nation at the first in-person Stamps Scholars National Convention since 2019, which was held in Atlanta, Ga. from March 31 through April 2.
Communications Students Awarded for Stellar Broadcast Work
Journalism major Faith Morrow ’24 and Digital Media Production major Kyle Florey ’24 were awarded Student Keystone Media Awards for their broadcast news packages.
Student-Athletes Honored at Annual STAR Awards Celebration
The Department of Athletics recognized the academic and athletic accomplishments of its student-athletes during the 11th annual STAR Awards in the Bowers Center Fieldhouse in late April.
Students Participate in Annual Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP)
Working closely with faculty and staff mentors on campus to perform independent student research, Etown students gained valuable, hands-on experience as part of SCARP.
Blue Jays Across Campus Recognized at 2022-23 Student Awards
Etown honored the outstanding efforts of students at the 45th annual Student Awards Ceremony in Gibble Auditorium this April.
Making an Impact
Elizabethtown College’s gracious donors are providing the necessary support our Blue Jays need to access a transformative education and dynamic experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Elizabethtown College Receives Gift to Support Chemistry Lab Renovations
A.C. Baugher Professor of Chemistry Emeritus Dr. Charles D. Schaeffer Jr. made a generous gift to support renovations to the College’s chemistry laboratories in Musser Hall to facilitate the extensive research- and discovery-based learning activities that are the core of Etown’s chemistry and STEM curriculum.
Elizabethtown College Sets New Records on Annual Power of One Day
Power of One Day 2023 set new records with 1,891 donors and $601,815 raised during the 24-hour day of giving. These gifts will provide powerful support for current and future Etown students.
Alumni Establish Etown's First Impact Scholarship
Peter '12 and Shelley Hobbs established the first Impact Scholarship, stating, "Our reason for giving to Impact Scholarships was a belief in community and shared purpose. As we give to each other through gifts, acts of service, and sharing our stories, we are investing in the success of people."
raised in cash & commitments for all areas of the College
newly named endowed and impact scholarships
students received a donor-funded scholarship
total donors with 528 supporting scholarships and financial aid
Ready to Make an Impact?
Blue Jays. Always.
While no two Blue Jays are alike, the Elizabethtown College experience has shaped our alumni to energetically, selflessly, and confidently serve the world.
Inspirational Alumni Honored with Educate for Service Awards
Jennifer Breen Feist ’94 (Service to Humanity Award), Daniel J. Jones ’97 (Service Through Professional Achievement), and Robert E. Rigg ’74 (Service to the College) were honored for their commitment to the institution’s mission, Educate for Service, at the institution’s annual President’s Society Dinner in April.
Educate For Service, Service to the College Award Recipients, Honored During Annual Leffler Lecture
U-GRO Learning Centre Founder Janice ’64 and husband John ’65 Holsinger P’84 P’85 were celebrated as the 2023-24 Educate for Service – Service To The College Award recipients at the institution’s annual Leffler Lecture on Oct. 26.
Marketing and International Business Alumna is Living the Sweet Life
Denise Schreiber '99 is carrying on her family's legacy through her successful chocolate-making company, Chocolates Unlimited, which has tallied nearly 20,000 individual sales from her Etsy storefront.
Engineering Students Team up with Alumnus for Community-Based Project
A group of Engineering majors, along with the help of Ryan Kiscaden ’07, M’14, introduced local high school students to a career in the trades by designing and fabricating two plumbing trainers this past spring.
Bhim Thapaliya ’15 Presented with Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award
Alumnus Bhim Thapaliya ’15 was celebrated as the 2023 Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award recipient during the 2023 Homecoming and Family Weekend celebration.
Dr. Kelly Kraft ’94 Honored with Outstanding Alumni Award
Alumna Kelly Kraft ’94, Ph.D. was recognized by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department for her outstanding professional contributions to the field by being presented with the Oscar F. Stambaugh Outstanding Alumni Award during the 2023 Homecoming and Family Weekend celebration.
A Look Back
2023 was a year full of milestones and moments that capture the significance of the work the Etown community is doing and signals an exciting future at Etown. Below are some of our favorite snapshots from this year.
Installation of President Rider
One Elle of a Night
Scholarship Luncheon
Scholarship & Creative Arts Days (SCAD)
Thank Goodness It's Spring (TGIS)
Commencement Ceremony
Induction Ceremony
Homecoming & Family Weekend
Looking Ahead...
Elizabethtown College will celebrate its 125-year anniversary during the 2024-25 academic year! Send us moments from your years at Etown in the form of short stories, quotes, photographs, or videos and you may be featured in our collection of 125 Moments from Elizabethtown College!
