October 31, 2022
Homecoming–Reunion Weekend brought the dedication of seven spaces throughout campus — from a state-of-the-art recording studio and an extensive fossil collection to a student lounge. The donor-funded improvements represent a $3 million investment in Susquehanna’s current and future students.
The Margaret Pierce ’96 Frantz and Todd Frantz ’97 Recording Studio
The Margaret Pierce ’96 Frantz and Todd Frantz ’97 Recording Studio is nestled in the lower level of Weber Chapel.
“The refurbished recording studio is fully equipped for multi-track recording and computer music composition,” said Patrick Long, professor of music at Susquehanna University. “It is now among the largest and most aesthetically inspiring university studios anywhere.”
A total of 965 square feet, the recording studio is composed of two rooms. The main room is designed to be “acoustically dead” for great listening and sound, and includes:
- New upholstery and sound-absorbing curtains.
- An isolation booth for recording.
- New sound equipment and technology.
- Direct access to turn off HVAC while recording.
The “live room” portion of the recording studio includes new lighting and the Department of Music’s Martha Barker ’70 Blessing baby grand piano. A variety of courses will be taught in the studio, including computer music composition, computer music performance, audio engineering fundamentals and music production.
“These courses serve music composition majors and music technology minors, as well as students exploring the field for the first time,” Long said.
The Frantzes were inspired to support improvements to the recording studio due to their passion for music and the performing arts.
The Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Fossil Collection
“Though we are fortunate to have bedrock of this age near Susquehanna University, this collection contains fossil reproductions and impressive fossil finds from around the world that can be difficult to find in local rock from this time interval,” explained Jennifer Elick, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences. “It’s a story that evolves as new, exciting discoveries add to our understanding of this part of geological history.”
The display represents some of the significant transformations in organisms that occurred in response to global environmental change.
“The Yoder Fossil Collection is meant to be a destination where students can gather and discuss the science from their classes, their research and their hopes and dreams for the future,” Elick said. “It is a gift from one generation of River Hawks to future generations of River Hawks.”
Mark and Deborah have also established the Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Scholarship to recognize Mark’s commitment to Susquehanna and his passion for geological sciences. The scholarship gives preference to a student who is studying in the earth and environmental sciences, environmental studies or ecology.
The Steven T. ’96 and Amy Meyer Trading Room
“This gives our students access to the real-time financial market data via the tools top financial professionals use,” said Matthew Rousu, dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business. “With 16 terminals for about 600 business students, we may have more Bloomberg Terminals per capita than any other business school worldwide.”
The terminals, which come with specialized keyboards, double-screen displays and the popular Bloomberg professional investment software, allow students to monitor and analyze financial markers in real time and place trades on Bloomberg’s electronic trading platform. Finance majors can also learn about placing and tracking trades by investing real university funds in the stock market through the River Hawk Investment Fund.
Students can also earn Bloomberg Certification, which gives students an advantage over their peers when searching for internships and employment after college.
The trading room, in which the majority of the terminals are housed, was also expanded and is now large enough for professors to hold classes there.
In addition to supporting capital improvements and technology upgrades to the trading room, Steven and Amy have endowed a fund to support faculty development and programming in the Department of Finance. Their gift will also create a student-managed investment fund to allow for increased opportunities of practical, hands-on learning.
Other spaces that were dedicated include:
- Aikens Hall Lounge. New furniture and décor provided through the generosity of Matthew ’92 and Jane Petersen ’92 Curran.
- Degenstein Campus Center Patio. New patio furniture and updated entryway into the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center provided through the generosity of James A. ’01 and Julie Dunlop, Jenna and Tim ’07 Robeson, Chris ’84 and Mary Markle, Martha Barker ’70 Blessing, the Student Government Association and the Classes of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
- Diane and Al Meyer Classroom in Seibert Hall. Renovations provided through the generosity of Steven T. ’96 and Amy Meyer.
- Global Opportunities Office Reception Area. New furniture and décor provided through the generosity of the Blanche Savidge Community Trust. Savidge graduated from Susquehanna in 1934 with a degree in education. Her trust has also supported the Savidge Scholarship, Blough-Weis Library renovations and upgrades to science facilities.