Memorials keep memories of people close to Central Penn alive
The campus has many markers of thanks, fondness and tribute
to donors and people whose lives touched and were touched by the college
Editor’s note: This is the second of three articles about the people and foundations described on plaques and other memorial and dedication markers across campus. You can read the first article here.
Story and Photos
By Elijah Huhn
Knightly News Reporter
While walking across campus, you may see a couple of small plaques placed in some places.
These plaques memorialize or honor people who have died or are living, or are notable in Central Penn’s history, such as for donating money or something else, to the Central Penn College Education Foundation, which helps support students earn degrees and certificates at the college.
The foundation acknowledges these donations by dedicating a tree, bench or other item in honor and in memory of the people, as well as other people and foundations.
This is the second of a series of three articles that highlight the people and foundations seen on the plaques found across campus.
Dimitri Stadnyk (1982-2003)
Stadnyk, born Nov. 25, 1982, in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania, attended Central Penn after graduating from Southern Lehigh High School in 2001. His friends describe him as a vocal comedian who knew how to make them laugh and as a kind and sweet student who liked to help people. He participated in many projects. He died on March 22, 2003, but the college wouldn’t forget about his positive impact on students, noted by a plaque placed and a Japanese Zelkova planted in his memory near the Craiger C. Parker Amphitheater outside the west-side entrance to Milano Hall.
Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation
Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler established The Stabler Foundation in 1966, in Harrisburg, for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational purposes. This foundation would make grants to postsecondary institutions, nonprofit hospitals, private organizations and institutions that help people with disabilities, religious institutions, social-service organizations, and parochial or church-related schools, all of which are located or provide primary services in Central Pennsylvania and in the eastern part of the commonwealth. Over the last five years, the foundation has funded 992 grants to 370 organizations totaling more than $106 million. At Central Penn College, the foundation is honored with a plaque on a bench outside Bollinger Hall and a scholarship named after the foundation. A building on the health sciences that opened in 2015 and provides classes for allied-health majors bears the Stablers’ name.
Maria McArdle (1969-1989) and Maria D. Rothermel (1970-1989)
McArdle and Rothermel were from Jim Thorpe, Carbon County, and Central Penn. McArdle was born in Palmerton and was a 1987 graduate of Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua, and was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jim Thorpe. She was expected to graduate from Central Penn in April 1989 with a certificate in child-care management. Rothermel was a 1988 graduate of Jim Thorpe High School and president of Peer Helpers, one of her high school’s organizations. She was involved in plenty of activities and clubs, such as cheerleading and the school’s National Honor Society. She came to Central Penn for study for a career as a paralegal. On Feb. 3, 1989, the two friends were in McArdle’s car driving to their homes from college when the car slid off an icy road, ran down a bank and hit a tree. Despite the two girls having seatbelts on, they both died on impact. Rothermel was 18 and McArdle was 19. Rothermel was eventually honored by her high school by awarding three scholarships that June in her name. Both girls were memorialized on a plaque that is in the plant bed alongside the handicapped-entrance ramp to the Charles T. Jones Library, though in warmer months.
Tracey Parsons (Lee) Maree (1957-2012)
Maree was born in West Reading and graduated from Wilson High School before attending Central Penn. At the college, she studied travel and tourism operations, as she had a passion for traveling. She also had plenty of friends who describe her as having a courageous attitude and zest for life. She eventually graduated with the class of 1978 and married Gerhard J. Maree. After Central Penn, she worked in the travel industry for over 30 years, and when she wasn’t working, she dedicated herself to her home, family and three dogs. She died of natural causes on Sept. 28, 2012, at 54. Later, she was memorialized with a plaque by 1978 graduates Kim S. Morin, Kathleen R. Bechtel and Valinda P. Fletcher. The plaque is located by the Student Fellowship area.
Elizabeth Rose Dexter (1996-2018)
Elizabeth Dexter was born Oct. 20, 1996. in Bremerton, Washington. She moved to Camp Hill to attend Central Penn. She was a certified phlebotomist (medical professional trained to perform blood draws for testing or donation), a earned a bachelor of science degree in health science. Her goal was to earn a master’s degree in public health and to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She also had a passion for gardening and had five cats. She died on Oct. 14, 2018, at 21, six days before her 22nd birthday. A tree was planted in her memory and is accompanied by a plaque. They are near the Stabler Health Sciences Building.
Joseph Schneitman (1919 or 1920-2005), and Delbert (1924-2000) and Margaret Adams (1925-2003)
When The Underground—home to Central Penn’s Capital BlueCross Theatre, gym, dance studio, student lounge and offices, opened in 2014, many sponsors helped support the different rooms inside it, including Mary “Polly” and Wayne Dietrich, who sponsored The Underground and the Stabler Health Sciences Building. The Underground also commemorates Mary’s father and former Central Penn student Joseph Schneitman. Joseph was born in Elizabethtown, though he moved to Camp Hill and then to Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg. He attended Central Penn—then Central Penn Business School—from which he graduated in 1938. At that time, Central Penn was in Harrisburg. After that, he had a couple of occupations, such as being a deacon for the historic Salem United Church of Christ, Harrisburg. He was also a member of the Blue Lodge F & AM #681 in Camp Hill, AARP in Mechanicsburg and the Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees (PARSE). He was the legislative liaison of the National Retired Teachers Association. He served in the U.S. Army in Central Europe during World War II. He was also chief clerk to six governors, from David Lawrence to Bob Casey Sr. He died on July 29, 2005, at 86. Nine years later, his daughter, Mary Dietrich, and her husband, Wayne, dedicated a plaque in his name just outside The Underground. On the inside close to the entrance, there is also a plaque in memory of nurse Margaret Adams, who died in 2003, aged 77, and her husband, Delbert Adams, who died in 2000, aged 75. The plaque for the Mechanicsburg couple was donated by an anonymous benefactor, along with for $5,000.
You can read the first article here.
If you want to donate to the Central Penn College Education Foundation, visit its website. Donating gifts can lower income taxes and estate taxes. Gifts can be designated as dedicated scholarships with criteria of your choice, while unrestricted gifts will have funds that will be used where need is greatest.
Comment or story idea? Contact [email protected]. Edited by media-club co-adviser and this blog’s editor, Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
