2000

2000

MU sophomore Cheryl Costas of Canton, a non-traditional student, spoke at the White House March 16 to urge the federal government to raise the minimum wage. She was also pictured in the New York Times with President Bill Clinton. To date, the federal minimum wage has not increased, but the state minimum was recently increased.

Former President Gerald R. Ford spoke to about 2,500 people March 22 at Decker Gym. His visit represented the only time the institution had hosted a U.S. president.

Mansfield and the community lost Dr. James Y. Glimm to cancer in August. MU hosts an annual bluegrass concert in his honor.

The fall semester saw the reopening of Alumni Hall as a student center. The space had housed the university library until renovations in North Hall were completed in 1996.

MU launched the on-line master of library science degree in the fall semester.

The new child care center opened in September.

The 20^th and final Northern Appalachian Storytelling Festival was held at Mansfield Sept. 21-24. Thirteen storytellers entertained audiences that weekend.

2001

Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, who served during the latter part of the Clinton Administration, spoke at Mansfield in April. His visit coincided with the downing of a U.S. surveillance plane by the Chinese military.

MU awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Helen Dieffenbach Lutes during spring commencement. It was the first time the institution awarded such a degree.

Judy Hample is named chancellor of the State System of Higher Education. She replaced James McCormick, who had served since SSHE was founded in 1982.

Mansfield State Teacher’s College classes of 1950 and 1951 donated the clock that now stands in South Hall Mall. It was installed in August.

Mansfield University announced the addition of the women’s soccer program. Competition will start next year.

The terrorist attacks of September 11 shook the world. Memorial services were held on campus and in the community.

The new campus child care center was named in honor Sandra Linck Oct. 11. She passed away June 11 following a battle with cancer.

Hamilton Jordan, White House chief of staff during the Carter administration, spoke at fall commencement.

2002

The Technology Outreach Center, housed in the newly renovated Memorial Hall officially opened in January.

The Flashlight hosted the inaugural Pennsylvania student media conference April 4-7.

Veteran political reporter Helen Thomas, who has been a member of the White House Press Corps since the Kennedy Administration, spoke at MU in April.

Members of the family of William R. Straughn visited campus in May. Professor Straughn was the longest serving head of the institution. Straughn Hall is named in his honor.

The women’s soccer team played their first ever game in school history Aug. 30.Megan Colby of Lancaster holds the distinction of scoring the first goal in the program’s history in a 3-1 loss to Juniata College. Their first win was a 3-2 home decision over Daemen College Oct. 12.

MU criminal justice professor Dr. Scott Thornsley appeared on Meet the Press Oct. 27. He discussed the sniper attacks in the Washington, D.C. area.

A documentary titled People of Honor, directed by MU sociology professor Dr. Gale Largey, premiered on WVIA PBS in Scranton Nov. 9. The documentary honors Tioga County residents who served in World War II.

2003

The MU marching band, “The Pride of Pennsylvania” marched in the parade celebrating the inauguration of Gov. Ed Rendell.

State Representative Matthew Baker (R-Wellsboro) was named to the Board of Governors in January.

Kenneth Sarch, MU professor of music, was named a Fulbright Scholar to Bolivia. He spent the summer and fall teaching and conducting in South America.

American and allied forces invade Iraq on March 20.

Veteran CBS sports reporter Greg Gumbel spoke at Mansfield in April.

Summer renovations this year include work on Grant Science Center, Manser Dining Hall, and residence halls.

Multi-platinum Grammy nominees Three Doors Down performed at Mansfield Oct. 24.

Helen Lutes passed away Oct. 25 at the age of 94.

The Mansfield University football team posted their best record in decades, going 8-3 overall and 3-3 in the conference. During the course of the season, the team also found themselves ranked among the best Division II programs in the country.

CNN correspondent Gary Tuchman spoke at fall commencement.

2004

Former UN ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick spoke at Mansfield in April.

Mildred Packard Wright, class of 1923, turned 100 years old Sept. 8. North Hall’s music library is named in her honor.

Beginning with the fall semester, MU began offering an on-line masters of science degree in nursing.

Julian Bond, head of the NAACP and a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, spoke at Mansfield in September.

The MU football team was featured in an issue of NCAA News. The story focused on eight-year-old cancer survivor Isaiah Compton, whose wish was to be a waterboy for the team.

MU public relations director Dennis Miller published his first book, The Perfect Song under the nom de plume Damon. The novel was in the works for 25 years. A portion of the proceeds are going toward scholarships.

2005

The university information technology department activated the first wireless Internet hotspots in March. The technology allows students, faculty and staff to work on-line from their laptops in various buildings on campus.

John Halstead resigned as president of Mansfield University to take a position at SUNY Brockport. David J. Werner was named interim president in August.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Ostrom, a Mansfield University chemistry major from Liberty, was killed in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Ostrom, who was a member of the National Guard’s 1^st battalion, 109^th Infantry based in Williamsport. He died Aug. 9, 2005 from enemy small arms fire. He was 25 years old and had previously served in Bosnia. Ostrom was posthumously awarded his bachelors degree.

Retired MU president Rodney Kelchner received only the second honorary doctorate from Mansfield. He received the honorary degree during fall commencement activities.

2006

The campus had an anthrax scare in February when a member of an African dance troupe that performed here was diagnosed with the disease. There was no public health threat here, but the New York Times picked up the story.

Internationally known rockers OAR played a show at Mansfield University on March 24.

Dr. Maravene Loeschke, provost at Wilkes University, was named Mansfield University president in