Beyond the Berman’s Walls

The Summer Fellows program as we know it today has roots dating back 30 years, when a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) grant supported the work of 10 student-faculty research pairs in the sciences in the summer of 1992. Four years later, the college expanded the program to include students from every discipline, and then it was cemented as a permanent offering in 1999.
The storied collection of rocks and minerals that are on display in Pfahler Hall also include some 250 unique Native American artifacts, which are now being documented and digitized by Juliana Valerio ’24—a student blending her love of science and museum studies.
Get to know Todd and Marion.
By Ursinus Faculty and Staff
Besides panic?
Matt Zrada, chemistry laboratory manager
My family harvests the last of the tomatoes from our community plot at the Ursinus Organic Farm (thanks to the Farm Fellows and the office of sustainability).
Lew Riley, Professor of Physics and Pre-engineering Program Coordinator
After waking up and sipping my almond milk cappuccino, I spend a day exploring a new hiking spot. I love the adventure of exploring new terrain and discovering babbling brooks along the way. The peace and solitude I feel in the woods is spiritual for me. This end-of-summer ritual clears my head and reenergizes me to work with our amazing students.
Amy Brink, associate director of career and post-graduate development
I make sure all of the quills are freshly sharpened for class, pick out shoes for the first day, and book a camping trip for fall break.
Kara McShane, associate professor and chair of English
New this year, Steve Gehringer and I have started wastewater COVID testing for the campus to keep alert for potential outbreaks. It is sort of like fishing—we drop a wiffle-ball-like object on a long string into the main sewage line for the campus, pull it out 12 hours later, and ship a filter-paper sample off to a laboratory in Florida that tests it for us. (And yes, I was wearing a bow tie when we pulled our first sample out!)
Mark Schneider, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college
I play a round of golf with other Ursinus alumni, draft my fantasy football team (it’s our 16th year of the same league called “Outside the Bun”), visit the barber for a fresh beard trim, go for a long run, and deep clean my house.
Shawn Caven ’14, director of Abele Scholars and Bear2Bear Fund
I always watch The Miracle Worker to remember that it’s all about the student.
Lynne Edwards, professor of media and communication studies
Stories, weddings and updates from our Ursinus classmates
Alumni representing the Pi Omega Delta fraternity participated in a second annual charity golf outing at Linfield National to support Motley’s Mission, named for Cliff Motley ’97 to support suicide awareness and prevention.
Ursinus alumni gathered at Coca-Cola park in Allentown, Pa., to cheer on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs together on Sunday, August 6. View other alumni events online here!
Sabir Peele ’08, who owns a men’s style and lifestyle business, has partnered with two-time Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins and his Philadelphia-based custom fashion house on a new luxury track suit capsule collection.
Allison Puff ’91 is executive vice president of academic affairs at Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Mo.
Walter Paul Dull III ’00 and Diane Elizabeth Deslatte celebrated their nuptials on May 13, 2023, in New Orleans, La.
John ’85 and Cindy Fessick hosted an event for Ursinus alumni, parents, and friends of the college in August at the Stone Harbor Golf Club.
Imagine going to work every day with the bright lights of Broadway shining on the stage as you perform in front of a sold-out audience. Now, imagine being back on stage again with your castmates, but this time, you’re accepting a Tony Award with them in front of millions of television viewers.’
Sounds like any actor’s dream, right?
For Eduardo Ramos ’06, it was a reality.