NEWS

Shippensburg fire companies received over 1,000 cases of water, as well as sports drinks and food.
Ian Thompson
Shippensburg fire companies received over 1,000 cases of water, as well as sports drinks and food.

Last Updated 7 hours ago

South Mountain wildfires spark wave of community support for first responders

By Ian Thompson / News Editor

As wildfires burned nearly 3,000 acres of Michaux State Forest this past week, Shippensburg area residents rallied to support both first-responders and one another. The Thompson Hollow and Hammonds Rocks fires, which began Wednesday and Thursday respectively, prompted evacuations in Southampton Township and drew hundreds of emergency responders from across South Central Pennsylvania and beyond.  The fires, fueled by dry conditions and high winds, taxed local fire companies beyond the scale of normal operations — and the community responded in kind.

Huber Arts Center is the home of the Art & Design Department.

Last Updated 12 hours ago

Faculty grapple with turnover and potential department mergers

By Ian Thompson / News Editor

Shippensburg University faculty are navigating a period of administrative and academic uncertainty as the university faces budgetary challenges, potential department mergers and the departure of Provost Darrell Newton earlier this month. Newton’s exit was announced by SU President Charles Patterson on April 8. Since then, very little has been said. 

Last Updated 12 hours ago

Rocky future for art department

By Ian Thompson / News Editor

Shippensburg University’s Department of Art & Design is preparing for a major transition — all four of its tenured faculty members are retiring at the end of the semester. Professors Steve Dolbin, Ben Culbertson, Michael Campbell, and William Whiteley will step away this summer.

Last Updated 12 hours ago

Student journalism and finding purpose: Reflecting on how The Slate changed the trajectory of my career

By Ian Thompson / News Editor

2023-2025 Slate News Editor Ian Thompson: "Unlike many of my colleagues here at The Slate, I am not a communication, journalism and media major. When I walk the stage next Saturday, I will be receiving a degree in political science (well, an empty folder with an IOU for one)." "I have never been certain of what my future holds. In high school, I attended Franklin County Career and Technology Center for culinary arts. I wanted to be a chef. After working in a restaurant for a few months, I knew that was not for me."  "When I entered college, I had a vague idea of working in Harrisburg or Washington, D.C. Whether as a Congressional staffer, lobbyist, consultant — I did not know specifics, but that was the gist." "I definitely had no intention of being a journalist. Yet here we are."

Last Updated 12 hours ago

Your World Tomorrow Commentary: Everything happens for a reason

By Jayden Pohlman / Multimedia Director

Incoming 2025-2026 Slate Editor-in-Chief Jayden Pohlman: "Throughout my college career, “everything happens for a reason” was the mantra I adopted to soften disappointment’s harsh blow."  "I repeated the phrase to myself when I drifted apart from my best friend from high school, when my car was towed sophomore year and when I didn’t leave Australia engaged to Robert Irwin."  "No matter what obstacle got in my way, this cliché consistently helped me look at the bright side, and I began to view every hardship as a minor setback in the grand scheme of life."

Last Updated 12 hours ago

Your World Today Commentary: Fleeing the ship

By Connor Niszczak / Editor-in-Chief

2024-2025 Slate Editor-in-Chief Connor Niszczak: "I hate clichés." "Time flies. Opposites attract. And around here, one cliché reigns supreme — Ship Happens. So, in my final column, a reflection on all the Ship that has happened to me and a warning for the future."

Last Updated 12 hours ago

German security in a post-Ukrainian war world

By Evan Dillow

U.S. Army War College research professor John R. Deni gave a lecture on the future of German national security policy in the Grove Hall Forum from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. Deni previously worked as a political advisor to U.S. military commanders stationed in Europe. Also in attendance representing the International Studies Program was professor Jonathan Skaff, joined by Global Languages and Cultures professor David Wildermuth.

Chainsaw

Last Updated 12 hours ago

Carvers craft custom pieces at PA Chainsaw Festival

By Ian Thompson / News Editor

Hundreds made their way to the Shippensburg Fairgrounds earlier this month for the Pennsylvania Chainsaw Carvers Festival.  Now in its fifth year, the three-day festival is hosted by the Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce and was held April 17–19. Carvers from across the country attended this year, carving “quick-carves” and a “masterpiece” carving. 

Ricardo dances at the Wood Honors College’s 40th anniversary celebration in Luhrs PAC on April 5.

Last Updated 12 hours ago

Jose Ricardo-Osorio reflects on two decades at Shippensburg University

By Megan Sawka and Jordan Neperud / Ship Life Editor

After 20 years of service at Shippensburg University, José Ricardo-Osorio is preparing for a new chapter.  As the semester comes to a close, so does Ricardo’s time at Shippensburg. Beginning in June, he will serve as dean of the College of Public Service at the University of Houston–Downtown. Ricardo, by his own admission, is a well-known face around campus. Whether it be from attending one of his classes or his iconic salsa dancing, most of the Shippensburg community has heard his name. 

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks on crime and safety during a campaign event at the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Howell, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Last Updated 12 hours ago

Deportation legal challenges entangle Trump’s first 100 days in controversy

By Evan Dillow

Wednesday, April 30, will mark the 100th day of President Donald Trump’s second administration. Since taking office, Trump has unleashed a flurry of executive orders and actions aimed at fulfilling his campaign promises, which have many critics warning of future authoritarianism. In the past three months, much controversy has arisen over the president’s zealous immigration enforcement policy. During his 2024 campaign, Trump stated his goal to deport millions of undocumented immigrants each year.

Last Updated 12 hours ago

SGA election turnout remains low

By Ian Thompson / News Editor

Despite a six-fold increase in turnout for the spring 2025 SGA officer elections, turnout for last week’s senator elections did not recover from last-year’s record low.  The results for Shippensburg University’s Student Government Association senate elections were announced on April 18. Only 63 votes were cast, compared to 301 in the officer elections and 61 for last year’s senator election. Of the 14 positions up for grabs, only five were filled. 

Smoke from the Thompson Hollow fire as seen from above Whitmer Road on Friday, April 25 at around 1 p.m.

4/25/2025, 3:53pm

Evacuation zones shrink as wildfire operations continue

By Ian Thompson / News Editor

A chain of wildfires on South Mountain, just miles south of Shippensburg, have prompted authorities to issue an evacuation notice in Southampton Township.  Residents near Thompson Hollow Road and Three Turn road have been requested to evacuate to a base camp at 2460 Shippensburg Road.  This is a breaking story and will be updated. 

Last Updated 12 hours ago

See you Slater: Feeling hopeful for the future

By Reagan Gardenhour

2024-2025 Slate Managing Editor Reagan Gardenhour: "Before I was born, The Slate was producing quality work for Shippensburg University’s community. For over 60 years, there have been hundreds of people who have created content for The Slate. It is now 2025, and all I have been able to tell myself lately is how lucky I am to be one of those hundreds."

Provost Darrell Newton announced his resignation, effective immediately, on April 8, 2025.

4/15/2025, 12:13pm

Provost Darrell Newton resigns

By Connor Niszczak / Editor-in-Chief

Shippensburg University Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Darrell Newton has resigned from his position, effective immediately. An internal memo was sent by SU President Charles Patterson to faculty and staff on April 8. As of 4 p.m. on April 14, neither Newton nor the university have publicly commented on his resignation.

4/15/2025, 8:00am

PA Commonwealth’s employment tips

By Evan Dillow

The Pennsylvania Office of Administration held a seminar on state employment on Friday, April 11. The afternoon’s talk was led by Michelle Frechette, the HR program director for the Bureau of Enterprise Recruitment. According to Frechette, the seminar’s purpose was to “take the intimidation out of applying” for Commonwealth positions.

4/15/2025, 8:00am

Senate candidates speak on what SGA needs to change

 

Student Government Association (SGA) elections are once again underway. SGA held elections at the end of February for its Executive Leadership Committee, but the current round of elections is for senator positions.  Students can vote via a link sent to their SU emails on April 14, and the ballot will be open until 4 p.m. on April 17. Four names will be on the ballot this week in uncontested races, along with over a dozen senator positions on the ballot with no candidates. 

Assistant Professor Corey Williams joined the SU economics department last year.

4/15/2025, 8:00am

Prof. Corey Williams on balancing his academic work and Magic: The Gathering

By Elisa Reitman / Web Director

Now in his second year at Shippensburg University, Corey Williams is an assistant professor in the economics department.  As the sole macroeconomist in his department, he usually teaches several sections of Macroeconomics (ECON 101) each semester. Students stepping into William’s classroom will quickly find that the general vibe is, “Oh, this guy is a nerd.”