Four alumni participated in a panel discussion in celebration of Black History Month on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The alumni panelists shared their experiences at The Haven, discussed the effect LHU had on their professional careers, and provided advice for students.
The alumni panel was organized with the support of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, led by Kenny Hall, as well as the Robert and Dolores Lynch Multicultural Resource Center, led by Mia Swales. Fellow Lock Haven alumnus, Albert Jones, moderated the panel. During the discussion, the four Haven alumni provided insights capable of broadening students’ horizons.
Panelist Ed Wright (Harrisburg, Pa.) graduated from Lock Haven State College in 1971 with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduating from LHU, he pursued a career in education. He began as an elementary teacher, then became a principal. At the time of his retirement, he held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. During his time at The Haven, he played football and basketball.
Another panelist Samuel Vaughn (Mt. Union, Pa.) graduated from Lock Haven State College in 1972 also with a degree in Elementary Education. After receiving his degree, Vaughn pursued teaching for thirty-two years before retiring. During his time teaching in the Allentown School District, he coached basketball and football; Vaughn himself played basketball and football for The Haven. Vaughn believes that LHU helped mold him into a successful educator.
Daniel Elby (Harrisburg, Pa.) graduated from Lock Haven State College in 1971. Elby’s greatest inspiration throughout his time at LHU and his professional endeavors is his family. During his years at The Haven, he played football, but most importantly he established a mission to create a support system for the underrepresented minority students pursuing higher education. In 1970, he established LHU’s Black Student Union. Later, in his professional life, Elby founded Alternative Rehabilitation Communities, a youth social rehabilitation program. In 2013, Elby was inducted into the LHU Business Hall of Fame. He also served as the Chair of the Council of Trustees for Lock Haven University and is currently serving as a member of the Commonwealth’s Council of Trustees.
Philip Overton (Harrisburg, Pa.) graduated from Lock Haven State College in 1972 with a degree in Psychology. Overton has had success in a variety of fields thanks to his education at LHU. Upon graduating, he returned to his hometown and began his professional career at the Harrisburg State Hospital. Overton later worked in the Governor’s Office of Administration, his responsibilities included administrating, interpreting, and negotiating agreements for the Commonwealth. His success led him to a career with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission where he was responsible for the Labor Relations program and became a State Mediator with the Department of Labor and Industry. Overton played football at LHU during his college years.
The alumni strongly agree that LHU had an immense effect on their lives and their sense of community. Their experiences at LHU paved the way for their professional careers. Vaughn said that “Without Lock Haven, there would be a void in my life.”
The alumni panelists succeeded at The Haven due to the small class size offered at LHU. They believe that the closeness of the campus allows for increased interaction between students, staff members, and community members. Lock Haven’s small-town charm, valuable education, and top-notch athletic facilities enticed the alumni to attend The Haven. Many of the panelists’ personal relationships that were forged in their years pursuing education at LHU still exist to this day.
When the panelists were students at LHU in the 1970s, there were very few minority students on campus. Overton added that “There was a lot of racial unrest during that time period.” The group knew they needed to lead the way for future diversity and inclusion. As students, they were held to a high academic standard.
The change-making alumni learned to succeed through hard work and independence. They relied on each other and their allies, in turn building a support system for the minority students who came after them. To this day, the alumni panelists aim to mentor and guide the students who follow in their footsteps. With years of education and professional experience, the alumni panelists wish to pay forward advice to the current and future students of LHU.
Elby advises students to promote relationships with the others around them, as he strongly believes that relationships matter. Panelist Wright discussed the increased support systems now available for students at The Haven, he urges students to take advantage of the Haven community. He said that “The world is more diverse than when we were here in the 60s.”
Vaughn has discovered the value of hard work throughout his life experiences. He promotes the value of hard work, understanding that “Life is not always going to be a box of Cheerios for you, it’s going to be a struggle.” Overton believes that learning to deal with people was one of the most valuable lessons he learned while attending LHU. He encourages students to “Learn to love everyone, regardless of what they do.”
The common consensus from the alumni panelists is that their successes in their careers and lives stem from their experiences at Lock Haven University. The panelists promote the power of a degree and stress the value of the education students receive at The Haven.
LHU offers a level of study and integrity that can open a multitude of doors for current students, just as it did for these alumni. “The history is powerful,” said Wright. The lived experiences, guidance, and leadership of these panelists had direct influences on the opportunities provided to current and future students of LHU. They are essential pieces in the history of Lock Haven University.
Cleia Stern
Cleia Stern is a first-year pursuing an undergraduate in Exploratory Studies. She is a staff writer for the Eagle Eye. Cleia holds the 2022 GOODE Waterski National Overall Champion title, as well as multiple regional and state titles. Cleia’s passions include water-skiing, tennis, and weightlifting. Aside from her athletic achievements, Cleia hopes to pursue writing into the professional setting with dreams of publishing a collection of poems.
