Ian Thompson News Editor
Articles
South Mountain wildfires spark wave of community support for first responders
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.
Steve Dolbin: 'You can always come home'
Long before he was a professor, Steve Dolbin was a “dynamic little All-American lad,” according to the newspaper, a boy who spent his childhood running around the halls of Shippensburg State College. After a lifetime intertwined with Shippensburg University and 25 years of teaching at SU, Dolbin is stepping away from the classroom.
Carvers craft custom pieces at PA Chainsaw Festival
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.
Student journalism and finding purpose: Reflecting on how The Slate changed the trajectory of my career
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."
SGA election turnout remains low
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.
Rocky future for art department
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.
Faculty grapple with turnover and potential department mergers
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.
Evacuation zones shrink as wildfire operations continue
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.
‘A Minecraft Movie’ is everything we axed for
You have likely seen the videos of moviegoers clapping louder than they did during “Avengers: Endgame.” The popcorn buckets flying across the theater. You might have even heard people incessantly repeating something about a “chicken jockey.”
SU Foundation lists G-1 lot for sale
Those who have been to Richard Avenue have likely seen the large parking lot and adjacent overgrown lot on North Queen Street. That property, which contains the G-1 general parking lot, has been listed for sale by its owner, the Shippensburg University Foundation. The 14.59-acre property, which is adjacent to the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, Richard Avenue and Wibs, has been listed for $2.3 million.