Meet the 2026 Marvelous Marauders

Millersville University held its annual Marvelous Marauder and Alumni Award Recognition Dinner in July. The Marvelous Marauder annual awards recognize and celebrate alumni who have displayed dedication, professional achievement, excellence and a commitment to staying engaged with the University after graduating. Here are the honorees of this year's ceremony, highlighting their careers and dedication to Millersville since graduating.

Austen Barnett '13
Austen Barnett is a 2013 graduate of Millersville University with a bachelor's degree in speech communications. For over a decade, he has served as a Pennsylvania state police trooper. In his career, Barnett has taken on numerous leadership roles within the state police, specializing in vehicular fraud investigations and inspections. In these roles, he led public safety initiatives, mentored fellow troopers and worked to make the communities he serves safer.

Carl Borst '83
Since graduating from Millersville University in 1983 with a degree in elementary education, Carl Borst built himself a career in sales and leadership, earning national recognition for his performance and consistency through his role at companies like Hallmark Cards. Borst also served as a mentor to budding professionals. While attending Millersville, he served as captain of the football team under Coach Gene Carpenter, as well as president of the Mu Alpha Kappa fraternity. Borst's dedication to Millersville has remained strong for decades. He's helped organize and sustain engagement opportunities with fellow alumni through Homecoming gatherings and the annual Shady Maple Reunion, which brings together generations of Marauders to support Millersville athletics and scholarships.

Joel Brown '98
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and respiratory care, Joel Brown established a career in the healthcare field, where he's held numerous clinical and leadership roles. Brown served as director and in presidential roles for medical companies and as an army medic for the U.S. Army throughout the 1990s. Today, he serves as the 2026 president of the American Association for Respiratory Care, as well as the founder and CEO of Arrived Leadership, an organization committed to empowering leaders and maximizing their potential. In addition, he is the executive director and co-founder of The Brojora Foundation, a nonprofit organization that mentors, teaches and provides scholarships for underrepresented kids who plan to pursue higher education.

Danielle Croft '15, '23M
After earning her bachelor's in secondary English education in 2013, Danielle Croft went on to earn her Master of Education degree in 2023. Croft works as a middle school reading teacher, supporting students as they developed critical literacy skills and confidence as learners. Outside of the classroom, she serves as advisor to her school's Aevidum Club, an organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and creating a culture of care among students. Under her leadership, Aevidum became a significant presence in her school community, eventually being named "Club of the Year" at the organization's annual conference.

Dr. John DeFrank '70, '74M
Dr. John DeFrank earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Millersville University in 1970. He taught high school social studies, then returned to MU for his Master of Education degree in school counseling in 1974. DeFrank's career then transitioned to school counseling; he later served as director/supervisor of pupil services at Eastern Lancaster County and Cornwall-Lebanon school districts. After several decades of working in education, he pursued a career in writing, eventually publishing two novels titled "Condemned to Freedom" and "Whoever Fights Monsters." Today, DeFrank remains actively engaged with Millersville.

Dr. Vincente Guiseppe '99
Dr. Vincente "Vinnie" Guiseppe, Class of 1999, is a physicist and research leader currently working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he advances groundbreaking work in experimental neutrino physics. Guiseppe's research has focused on fundamental scientific questions, contributing to global efforts to better understand the building blocks of the universe. Additionally, Guiseppe serves as the deputy project director for the international LEGEND-1000 collaboration, where he helps lead large, multidisciplinary teams working across institutions and countries pursuing some of the most advanced experiments in his field. Throughout his career, Guiseppe has also been recognized for his leadership. As a professor and research associate, he has mentored students and early-career researchers, as well as contributed to major research initiatives.

Eugene Lyda '73
Since graduating from Millersville, Eugene "Gene" Lyda has devoted his teaching career to supporting and empowering students in the Lancaster community, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. His impact has reached far beyond the classroom, serving as a mentor, advocate and steady source of guidance for countless students while they navigate their educational journeys. While attending Millersville, Lyda played a role in helping to establish the Black Student Association, known on campus today as the Black Student Union. After graduating in 1973, he actively recruited and mentored minority students, helping to ensure that they arrived at Millersville and felt supported and prepared to succeed.

Martha MacAdam '83
After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1983, Martha MacAdam began a career in philanthropic support, eventually becoming the director of development at Millersville University in 1989. Over the course of 27 years, MacAdam played a central role in advancing development and alumni engagement. She fostered meaningful relationships with alumni, families and corporate partners and managed a vast portfolio of prospects. Through this, MacAdam helped secure gifts ranging from annual contributions to large-scale donations. MacAdam's work at Millersville reached beyond fundraising, as she advanced alumni participation and donations, further strengthening the University overall. Additionally, she recruited, trained and worked alongside hundreds of alumni volunteers. Even after retiring, she remains an active supporter of MU, providing her time, expertise and resources to continue the success of the University and its alumni community.

Joyce McNamara '75
Joyce McNamara first earned a nursing degree from The Episcopal Hospital of Nursing, now Temple University, in 1952, on a full-tuition scholarship. After two decades of a professional career, she enrolled at Millersville University in 1973 to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, all while working full-time and raising her family. McNamara eventually became director of the Division of Long-Term Care for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In that role, she played a critical role in implementing federal regulations, establishing statewide standards and improving nursing homes and long-term care facilities across Pennsylvania.

Dr. Romaine Thrower '11
Dr. Romaine Thrower, Class of 2011, earned a bachelor's degree in English at Millersville, and now has more than a decade of experience in education, workforce development and philanthropy. She has been the senior director of workforce programs at West Philadelphia Skills Initiative since 2020. In this role, Thrower works closely with institutional partners, funders and community stakeholders to develop strategies that drive measurable impact and long-term growth. Throughout Thrower's career, she has designed and led programs that expand access, strengthen organizations and create clear pathways for individuals to succeed. Beyond professional leadership, Thrower is the founder of Elite Professional Consulting Group and the creator of Elite LeadHER, a leadership community focused on supporting and elevating women professionals through mentorship, collaboration and shared growth. She also serves as board chair for Pathways Beyond Borders, where she provides strategic leadership to programs centered on access, opportunity and community impact.

Jim Warner '80
Since graduating from Millersville University in 1980 with a degree in secondary education, Jim Warner established a long career with the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority. He began as the County's first recycling coordinator and eventually served as the CEO from 1996 to 2018. Under Warner's leadership, the organization became a national model through expanding renewable energy, turning waste into a resource and investing in projects that enhanced the quality of life for the communities it serves. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Warner has remained committed to the Lancaster community through leadership roles with numerous organizations, helping initiatives that connect environmental sustainability, economic development and improve public spaces.