by FRANCINE M. SCOBORIA

Albright students might not realize it, but they encounter a hidden force every day. This covert power can be found in chemistry labs, in the library, on the basketball court, in psychology classrooms, in the radio station, in the chapel and even in the pool.

This mighty force is the legion of 73 Albright alumni who work for their alma mater.

“People who work here are so passionate about Albright and give so much of themselves,” says Edward “Ted” J. Isselmann III ’01, assistant director of alumni relations.

Isselmann, former president of the Student Government Association, says there is something unique about Albright.

“There is a culture here of real people who are straight shooters,” he says. “This is the kind of place where someone will wait and hold the door for you, even if you are 20 feet away.”

Fianna D. (Yiengst) Holt ’68, technical services librarian, appreciates that Albright helped her achieve her dream of graduating from college by awarding her a generous scholarship. Holt, who majored in chemistry, teaches science students how to conduct research in the F. Wilbur Gingrich Library, where she has worked for the past 25 years.

“I think it is very positive that Albright still attracts many students who are the first in their families to go to college, and that those parents entrust Albright with their sons and daughters,” says Holt. “The faculty and staff have remained committed to our students. It’s the people who make Albright.”

The power of Albright idealism can be found in Memorial Chapel, in the office of Rev. Paul E. Clark ’73, chaplain and director of the Multifaith Center. Clark says he was deeply influenced by many faculty members when he was a student, especially the late James D. Reppert, Ph.D., former professor of English.

“He had such breadth of knowledge in the humanities, he was truly amazing,” says Clark, who also serves as a lecturer in religious studies and English. “His ability to communicate ideas in a classroom — that is what made him a joy.”

When psychology professor Marsha (Barnhart) Green, Ph.D. ’63 was a student, she majored in psychology and minored in biology. She did not know at the time that she would return as a faculty member, and help to found the first undergraduate psychobiology program in the nation.

“My hope is that attending Albright will instill in students a genuine concern for the environment and for other humans,” says Green.

When students visit the office of Tiffenia D. Archie, Ph.D. ’92, assistant academic dean, with an issue to air, they might not realize that they are part of the powerful forward march of Albright history. Archie recalls that when she was a student, she regularly visited former dean Eugene S. Lubot, Ph.D., in his office.

“Now that I look back, I really appreciate how accessible Dean Lubot was to me,” says Archie, who also serves as director of academic support, disability support and minority retention. “He always made time to hear my complaints and my ideas. It wasn’t until I was in grad school that I realized how unusual it was that I could have regular conversations with the dean.

“Now I am on the other side of the table, listening to students,” says Archie. “I have a great opportunity to impact policy and decision making. I am an advocate for students.”

Kevin J. Ezzell ’03, enrollment adviser and site coordinator for the Accelerated Degree Program, says he was inspired to serve Albright by Edward R. Gilbert, Ed.D., professor of psychology, who recently passed away.

“He was a great man,” says Ezzell. “He really helped inspire me when I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.”

Ezzell now finds inspiration in Albright’s adult students who juggle work, families and their education.

“It is great to see a group of adults rally around each other and help each other accomplish their long-term goals,” says Ezzell.

Even the parents who bring their children to the Albright Learning Center encounter the hidden force of five Albright alumni who work there, including director Stacie L. (Moyer) Eisenhofer ’89. She says she was drawn to Albright by her father, James T. Moyer, Ph.D. ’66, professor of economics and business, who recently retired. As a freshman, she had an exciting experience as a member of the Domino Players.

“I was in a controversial play called Gemini directed by Dr. Lynn Morrow,” says Eisenhofer. “I played a 40-year-old, ex-prostitute alcoholic who had a very foul mouth. My parents and my grandparents loved it, because they knew me, and they knew how much I was acting.”

When Janice (Johnson) Luck ’96 was a student, she thrilled basketball fans and broke school records. One historic night, she sank six three-pointers, a record which held until 1999. Now, as head women’s basketball coach and assistant athletics director, Luck has her sights set on another record– a MAC championship for the Lady Lions.

“I love Albright and I love coaching,” says Luck, who was recently named Commonwealth Conference Coach of the Year. “It is nice to wake up in the morning and love where you work.”