Welcome back from Spring Break, DelVal students!  

Here’s a look at some of the fun and inquisitive upcoming events to finish out the semester: 

American Red Cross Blood Drive – March 25 

Help support the American Red Cross by signing up to donate blood! All donors receive a $15 digital gift card.  

Location: Moumgis Auditorium 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.  

Sign Up Now 

Drag Bingo – March 27 

Enjoy performances from Astala Vista, who will also be hosting 10 rounds of bingo with prizes. Astala is the co-owner of Drag Queen Entertainment LLC and has been active in drag for over a decade. She is recognized for her campy style, cat-themed costumes and self-styled wig. Sponsored by G.L.O.W. and Student Programming Board. 

Location: Moumigis Auditorium – 8 p.m. 

Bucks County Foodshed Alliance Presentation - April 9 

Delaware Valley University is partnering with Bucks County Foodshed Alliance to present and discuss the book “What Your Food Ate & Why It Matters.” The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance is an organization whose goal is to strengthen the region's ability to have healthy, sustainable food. They promote the connection between farmers and consumers, encouraging a direct line of commerce.  

Location: Life Science Building Auditorium – 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

For More Information & To Purchase Tickets Visit www.BucksFoodShed.org 

(DelVal students can secure free tickets with their student email) 

Paint Class Night – April 3 

An instructor-led paint class is free for students on a first-come, first-served basis. Includes all materials! 

Location: LSB 200 & 201 - 7 p.m.  

A-Day – April 24 – 26 

A-Day is a student-planned and run state fair that showcases Delval's rich agricultural heritage while offering a weekend filled with education, entertainment and family-friendly activities for all ages. This three-day celebration will include livestock competitions, live blacksmithing demonstrations, interactive animal encounters, inflatable attractions and educational displays. Guests can browse artisan vendors from Pennsylvania and surrounding states featuring handmade foods, home decor and one-of-a-kind gifts. A variety of food choices will be offered, including the popular milkshakes from the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association. Parking is $20 per car.  

Dates & Times:  

April 24: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.  

April 25: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.  

April 26: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Final Bash Carnival – May 1 

An annual Student Programming Board event that will include carnival games, prizes, food and more!  

Location: Student Center - 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

Senior Sendoff Brunch – May 15  

A brunch for graduating seniors that includes a champagne toast and a senior gift. 

Location: Levin Dining Hall - 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Commencement – May 16 

The University is excited to announce the Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026. 

Location: Robert A. Lipinski Field at James Work Memorial Stadium - 9:30 a.m.  

Live Stream: https://delval.edu/parents/commencement 

Spring Break is for getting some R&R and spending time with friends and family. Plus, the local weather is predicted to give our first taste of spring! Grab your friends, head outside and enjoy some time in the sun!

1. Outdoor Painting

Canvas or paper, acrylic or water color. Find an inspiring tree, a beautiful lake or even just a small flower in your backyard and let the inspiration guide your paintbrush! Each of you can pick your own focus or pick the same one and compare your interpretations.

2. Nature Walk & Picnic

Find your local state park and pack a lunch! After these cold, gloomy months, just getting outside and feeling the sun on your face can be the most relaxing sensation. Make an afternoon of it by walking a trail and stopping for a picnic.

3. Mini Golf

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone! Gather a few friends and play a round or two of mini golf. Plus, some courses offer a free sweet treat to the winner!

4. Geocaching

Use a GPS to locate small treasures and items left by previous geocachers! Bring a small gift of your own to leave in it’s place to keep the fun going! Great for a solo activity or with a group!

5. Gardening

Get your hands dirty! Start a garden now to enjoy beautiful blooming flowers in a few weeks. Flowers do require some regular maintenance, but the results are worth it. Plus, you won’t have to worry about buying Mother’s Day flowers!

6. Biking

This activity is as easy as.. well.. riding a bike! Cycle around your neighborhood, on biking trails or to a destination of your choice. Feel the wind in your helmet and be free!

7. Stargazing

Identify constellations, swap stories and myths and just enjoy the beauty of the night sky. The stars look different depending upon the time of year and your location. Add to the experience with a bonfire, s’mores and some friends!

Delaware Valley University was founded on the philosophy of combining “science with practice.” This led to DelVal creating the acclaimed E360 program, which has caught the eye of Lexicon of Food and BBC StoryWorks. DelVal brings students and faculty together to follow their passions. Charley Silfee ’25, experienced this firsthand. Her parents were not farmers themselves; this meant she had to learn with them how to truly work on a farm. Through the years growing up, she realized that agriculture was her passion and something she loved doing. That’s what led her to come to DelVal and find her mentor Dr. Jacqueline Ricotta, chair of the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.

BBC StoryWorks heard of the award-winning E360 program and reached out to DelVal to discuss participation in the upcoming series Unearthing the Future. In early planning discussions, it became clear the perfect duo to feature was Silfee and Dr. Ricotta. Students and staff got to watch the six-minute feature in the LSB auditorium on Wednesday, January 28. This video truly highlighted everything that makes DelVal special. Silfee spoke about how she overcame her shyness by taking on leadership roles, like becoming the president of Plant Breeding Club. Dr. Ricotta praised DelVal for the hands-on experience that students can obtain. 

“DelVal is special because we have these amazing farms as part of our living laboratories. This allows our students to get lots of hands-on experience,” said Dr. Ricotta.

The video was incredibly inspiring to those that were in the auditorium that day. 

“I thought the video showed DelVal's core beliefs of how experience is key to getting into the workforce,” said Eli Freier ’27. “DelVal is so successful they have even been recognized by the BBC.” 

Another student spoke about how the video taught them something they never knew before. 

“I would say, the video did an excellent job of establishing where the college came from and how it progressed into teaching the previous generations on how to farm,” said Spencer Smith ’26.

The opportunity DelVal was given by Lexicon of Food and BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions allows the world to see how over a century of work has allowed for thousands of young adults to pursue their interests.

DelVal’s video in the Unearthing the Future series can be viewed at delval.edu/bbcstoryworks.

To learn more about the DelVal E360 program visit delval.edu/cspd/e360.

Six students from the Fall 2025 Wildlife Management class stepped beyond the classroom on Jan. 10 to participate in the Bucks-Mont Chapter Delta Waterfowl University Hunt Program, giving students a firsthand look at how regulated hunting fits into modern wildlife management. This living case study of concepts learned in the classroom allowed students to see how population data, habitat conditions and human needs all factor into management decisions. Students learned the basics of waterfowl hunting, firearm safety and public engagement with wildlife management techniques.

During the Hunt, students successfully harvested three Canada geese. Canada geese populations are growing beyond what many natural habitats can support leading the flocks to inhabit lawns, parks and other areas intended for human use. Their presence in these spaces leads to an increase in human-wildlife conflict and the “evidence” they leave behind can degrade local water quality and increase disease transmission, such as the recent avian influenza outbreak. Responsibly harvesting populations maintains healthy environments for both people and animals, protects ecosystems and reduces human-wildlife conflict.

“The Delta Waterfowl University Hunt Program is a great way for students who are new to hunting to get comfortable with the field and introduce them to the culture, ethics and community behind the activity,” says Associate Professor Dr. Alicia Shenko. “The folks mentoring the hunt love to share their passion. Wildlife management professionals need to be comfortable within these communities and this is an exciting entry point into a tradition that blends outdoor skills with hands-on conservation.”

DelVal was founded on the philosophy of combining “science with practice.” This hands-on experience brought the Wildlife Management class’s coursework to life and showed students how science-based strategies guide real-world conservation efforts. 

January 2026. It’s hard to believe we’re here already, and if your social media feed is anything like ours, it’s filled with new plans and resolutions. Friends and family are accomplishing new personal and professional goals and sharing their milestones for all to see. What you rarely see, though, are the small steps that lead to big accomplishments. Not every milestone feels Instagram-worthy, but it is still important to recognize it. If you’re having trouble recognizing your accomplishments or need ideas on how to get started, keep reading.

Submitting Your First Application

Getting a new job or internship is exciting, but so is submitting your first application! Any step towards a new opportunity is cause for celebration because you’re knocking on the door. You’re taking initiative and putting yourself in a position to make connections.

Caden Yonish ’25 is a perfect example of how even just applying can create an opportunity. Yonish applied for an internship during his last summer as a student but was not selected. Fortunately, the hiring manager recognized his potential and recommended him for an internship with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. This internship hadn’t even been advertised, but because of the connection Yonish made through his other application, he was recommended for and landed the internship. Read more about Yonish’s experience in the Fall 2025 issue of Horizons Magazine.

Create a LinkedIn Profile

You’ve probably heard the saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and when it comes to progressing in your career, these words couldn’t be truer. The connections you make can bring you to your next internship, career, side hustle or professional development opportunity. In the digital age we live in, being present and connecting with peers on LinkedIn can be very impactful, especially early on in your career. This is why the DelVal Experience II course covers establishing or updating a LinkedIn profile and the essential elements to include. 

It is important that your LinkedIn profile reflects the professional you are. It should include a photo and your professional goals. Tell people who you are and what you want to do. Even if you do not have a strong work history yet, highlight some projects you’ve worked on or share an experience that you’ve had. For example, if you want to work in equine management, share the details of your experience working on a project for the Equine Business Management course. Anything to highlight your knowledge and experience can be impactful. 

Bite-Sized Learning

Getting started with something new doesn’t have to mean investing time and money in going back to school or beginning an apprenticeship. A small, first step could be to simply learn more about the new thing and the only investment is a few minutes of your time. Watch a how-to video or a career panel online. Reach out to someone in the field to ask them about their experience. Follow a company on LinkedIn to learn more about their operations. Even something as simple as identifying one skill that you’d like to strengthen and looking for tips to do so can help you grow as a professional.

LinkedIn Learning is a great source for bite-sized learning courses covering a wide range of topics. DelVal students are able to access LinkedIn Learning for free with a Bucks County Free Library card. Sign-up is available online, as well, for students who do not have transportation available to get to the library. 

Update Your Resume

There’s no rule that says if you update your resume, you must use it. Having an up-to-date resume just means you’re ready to pursue an opportunity when it arises. Plus, updating a resume can feel far more daunting when you need to find a new opportunity. By taking time to update it now, you remove a barrier during what can already be a stressful moment.

The Center for Student Professional Development (CSPD) at DelVal offers support in creating, improving and updating students resumes. Students can visit the CSPD Resume Resources page to schedule an appointment.

Research Opportunities

If you’re not sure when or where to start, begin by looking into opportunities you might be interested in. Think of a company that exists in your desired industry and review their open positions. Whether the positions are entry-level or high-level, make note of their requirements and what they’re looking for in a candidate. If there are any entry-level or internships positions available, bookmark the application deadlines and consider applying. By knowing what companies are looking for, you’re able to make informed decisions on how to pursue your goals.

Even if you’re not ready to apply or pursue a new job or internship, check out the Spring Job and Internship Fair on March 4 will be a great opportunity to meet local employers and learn about what they’re looking for from candidates. If you’re a current DelVal student and are interested in attending, RSVP today. The CSPD also holds several Recruiting Table Tuesdays throughout the semester. Students can visit ExperienceLink to view the schedule and search through the employer database.

No matter what you’re working toward, a common piece of advice for early professionals is to “just say yes,” which simply means don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what an opportunity may offer, even if it’s not what you first imagined, take advantage of the opportunity. Don’t let skepticism hold you back from something that might benefit you or fear keep you from doing things that will challenge you. Not every experience has to be groundbreaking or propel you to the next level. Some will simply show you another perspective. Maybe it’ll show you what you don’t want to do, which is still an important lesson. No matter what, any step you take it worth celebrating because it’s still a step towards your future.

The fall semester at Delaware Valley University was filled with academic milestones, hands-on learning experiences, community partnerships and campus-wide celebrations. As students, faculty and staff embraces opportunities both on and off campus, DelVal continued to live out its mission of experiential learning, service and innovation. Here’s a look back at some of the standout moments that defined the Fall Semester and made saying goodbye to 2025 so bittersweet.

The Great Allentown Fair – August 28

On the second night of the Great Allentown Fair, the Lehigh County Agricultural Society held its Agricultural Recognition Night. The night aimed to reward the achievements of local farmers, gardeners and homemakers and highlight the vital role that youth have in the future of agriculture. Among the winners, The Great Allentown Fair Foundation awarded Skylar Horack ’29, Zoie James ’28 and Lyndsey Smith ’29 each a $500 scholarship.

DVB AALAS Honors DelVal Faculty, Staff and Students – September 10

Julia Krout ’04, assistant professor of animal biotechnology and conservation at DelVal, was installed as president of the Delaware Valley Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (DVB AALAS) for 2025-26 after serving as vice president in 2024. Krout also received the Animal Care Training Services (ACTS) Training and Education Award.

Three DelVal students received the DVB AALAS J.J. Noonan Scholarship, comprising 75% of the total scholarship recipients:

• Kaitlyn Jackson ’25, small animal science major, animal science minor
• Kaleigh Lynch ’28 , zoo science major, honors program
• Elizabeth Oresto ’27, small animal science major

Becky Hughes, manager of the Small Animal Science Center at DelVal, received the Source Center Inc. Dr. Robert A. Roosa Regulatory Compliance Award. The award honors outstanding accomplishment in regulatory compliance I support of laboratory animal science.

Doylestown Pride/BAS Colloquium – September 17

DelVal School of Business, Arts and Sciences (BAS) and Doylestown Pride Festival hosted The Power of Grief: Transforming Mourning into Momentum During Times of Loss, Fear and Uncertainty in LGBTQ+ Communities. The event was moderated by Audrey Ervin Ph.D., professor of counseling psychology and Doylestown Pride co-founder, and was part of DelVal’s BAS series Question It! Change It! Chaos as the New Normal.

Center for Plant Excellence Event – September 29

Dr. Carla D. Garzon, holder of the K.H. Littlefield Endowed Professorship of Plant Science, serves on the Center for Plant Excellence’s board at its hemp and specialty crop expert. Garzon plays a key role in evaluating grant applications. Garzon’s role with the Center for Plant Excellence reflects the expertise she brings to both her field and her students at DelVal. Through her research, teaching and mentorship, she continues to strengthen DelVal’s reputation in plant science while inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Harvest Festival – October 3

DelVal’s chapter of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) hosted its annual Harvest Festival on the quad to celebrate the fall season. The festival included music, games, club displays, food and hayrides to the pumpkin patch on South Campus. 

Fourth Annual DelVal Parx Equine Day – October 7

Delaware Valley Univeristy equine students spent a day at Parx Casino Racetrack, where they explored another facet of the equine industry through out-of-classroom experiences and professional insight. Before each of the first five races, one student’s name was drawn to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association (PTHA).

Physician Assistant White Coat Ceremony – October 9

Our physician assistant studies students earned their long white coats, marking the completion of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS). The long white coat worn by physician assistants symbolizes the transition from student to a practicing professional, and a commitment to perform their duties with honesty and dedication.

Cornell Nutrition Conference – October 22

The 2025 Cornell Nutrition Conference (CNC), one of the nation’s leading gatherings for animal science and nutrition, took place this past October. On the second day of the conference, Dr. Keith Ou, assistant professor of animal biotechnology and conservation, presented his research on egg nutrition. Dr. Ou’s research focused on feeding vitamins, particularly one’s humans often have a deficiency of, to chickens in order to produce eggs that are higher in those vitamins. As a result, humans could eat the eggs, something many people already do, instead of taking a vitamin or pill every day, allowing humans lead healthier lives with minimal lifestyle changes.

Watson Executive-in-Residence – October 22

Delaware Valley University welcomed Emmy-nominated TV host and producer Alex Boylan as the fall 2025 Watson Executive in Resident (WEIR). Boylan, who rose to prominence as the winner of CBS’s The Amazing Race and has since built a successful career in television and digital media, shared his story of career exploration and perseverance. He described how his professional path began with a desire to travel and tell stories, and how he pivoted from international business to a career built around adventure and connection.

This year’s program carried a special significance, as it honored the memory of Dr. Watson, who passed away on Nov. 17, 2024. The event opened with a video tribute highlighting moments from Dr. Watson’s life and career, as well as personal reflections from many of those who loved him, including Judee who reminisced about their story and the love they shared.
Following the tribute, Andrew Vernieri ’25, this year’s WEIR Scholarship recipient, expressed his gratitude to the Watsons for their generosity and commitment to supporting DelVal students.

Healing the Planet – October 24

DelVal was among 37 recipients of a 2025 Healing the Planet grant. This project was funded by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Healing the Planet Grant Program with support from The GIANT Company. Faculty member Joe Theesfeld led the project on campus with his Basic Plant Management course, and the tree were planted near the retention basin next to the Admission Cottage and Entrance. The project introduced 10 pawpaw trees and eight serviceberry trees, both native to Pennsylvania. The trees were purchased from alumnus Chris Uhland ’02, president of operations and business development at Harmony Hill Nursery.

Homecoming – October 24-25

DelVal’s Homecoming weekend brought together alumni, students, families, faculty, staff and friends to celebrate shared traditions and achievements. The weekend began on Friday, Oct. 24 with campus tours led by our Rambassadors, followed by lunch in Levin and tours of our freight farm and greenhouse facilities. The Class of 1975 celebrated their 50th reunion at Terrain Gardens at DelVal, where the Alumni Happy Hour and Alumni Achievement Awards were also held that night. On Saturday, Oct. 25, alumni, friends, families, students, faculty and staff enjoyed our tailgate, student farmers market and football game. Aggies celebrated a 41-38 Homecoming win over Stevenson.

FFA American Degree – November 1

Sophomore Kaleigh Lynch, zoo science major, received the American FFA Degree, the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, during the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo. The National FFA Organization’s American Degree honors members who have shown a drive and commitment towards personal growth, leadership and career success through agricultural education. The award requires at least 2,250 working hours outside of class, at least 50 hours of community service and a minimum of $2,00 earned, or they must earn $10,000. Less than 1% of members achieve the American FFA Degree.

Buck’s County Opportunity Council’s 60th Anniversary Gala – November 14

DelVal was awarded the Bucks County Opportunity Council’s (BCOC) Building Bridges Community Impact Award during its 60th Anniversary Gala. Each year, BCOC presents this award to a community partner that demonstrates exceptional leadership in supporting low-income families, promoting pathways out of poverty and inspiring others to take action. The award particularly celebrates DelVal’s Hope of the Harvest charitable garden, which embodies BCOC’s vision of neighbors helping neighbors. Through partnerships with BCOC, Philabundance, the United Way of Bucks County, the Land O’Lakes Foundation, the Reinvestment Fund, and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, Hope of the Harvest works to combat hunger affecting more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians. Each year, the garden provides more than 50,000 pounds of fresh produce to over 10,000 families in need, while also offering students, faculty and staff meaningful opportunities to serve their community.

6th Annual Spark Bowl – November 29

Delaware Valley University (DelVal) held its sixth annual Spark Bowl, a “Shark Tank”-style competition brings together entrepreneurs, students and community members for an evening of innovation and real-world problem solving. Bottimals – Bottle-Loveys for Babies earned first place and a $12,000 prize for their creative and compassionate product designed to help infants transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding. Mojoz GummiCone captured second place, earning $6,000 for its innovative edible candy cone designed for frozen desserts. 

Each year, contestants are paired with a student team consisting of DelVal business students. If their business wins, the company and the student team are awarded monetary prizes. This year, a student was one of the contestants as well. Brandon Haniff ’26 presented his business, BH Botanicals, a natural skincare brand. Haniff took home third place and $3,000.

As 2025 comes to an end, and with it our semester, these highlights serve as a reminder of what makes DelVal unique. Whether though academic achievement, leadership, service or celebration, the fall semester showcased the many ways Aggies are shaping their fields and strengthening the communities around them. We can’t wait to see what else our Aggies take on in 2026! Happy Holidays, DelVal!s

Stressing about finals? You are not alone. Stress, while normal, can be difficult to manage. Luckily, the DelVal psychology department is here to help with tips for managing your stress, especially during finals week!

Tackle in Small Chunks

Break your final assignments and study time down into small chunks. Worrying and trying to mentally focus on everything at once can cause feelings of overwhelm and make it feel impossible to complete.

- Dr. Brianna Morgis

Tend to the Basics

When we have a lot to do, sometimes we forget to focus on the simple things like staying hydrated. During times of stress, keep a water bottle handy, eat every few hours to regulate blood sugar and take scheduled breaks.

- Dr. Audrey Ervin

Avoid All-Nighters

Make sure you get plenty of sleep. A regular lack of sleep is correlated with depressive-like symptoms such as irritability, a weakened immune system and impaired ability to retain information in our memory. This is why cramming for exams on little sleep rarely works!

- Dr. Brianna Morgis

Create a Nightly Ritual

Do something every night to help you relax before going to sleep. It can be as simple as lighting a candle or doing some breathing exercises for 10 minutes. We’re often busy trying to keep track of so many things, we can get overwhelmed. Our sleep may not feel restful because our minds are still actively trying to work through all the information. Creating a relaxing habit can help ensure good, restful sleep!

- Dr. Allison Buskirk-Cohen

Stay Active 

Do something active every day, no matter how small. Even just getting outside and taking a short walk around campus can help you reset.

- Dr. Brianna Morgis

Set a timer for 10 minutes to stretch, go for a walk or change your scenery. 

- Dr. Audrey Ervin

Eat and Drink Healthy

Set aside time to prep your meals and make sure you have access to nutritious drinks, snacks and food in general. The food and drinks that are most convenient usually don’t offer the best nutrition. We need to fuel our bodies properly so we have lasting energy and avoid spikes/crashes that can lead to exhaustion and illness.

- Dr. Allison Buskirk-Cohen

Limit Distractions 

Turn off reminders (except for break reminders) on your phone and try the focus features that keep electronic communication to a minimum. Apps such as Freedom can help you set limits on digital distractions.

- Dr. Audrey Ervin

Practice Gratitude 

It can be easy to hone in on how stressful life it in the moment or things in our lives that are going wrong. When this happens, stop and write down at least one thing that you are thankful for or one positive thing that has happened to you so far that day. Again, no matter how small, this can help with the runaway thinking that sometimes happens when we feel stressed and overwhelmed.

- Dr. Brianna Morgis

Practice Mindfulness, Even Outside of Stressful Periods

Many people believe that mindfulness is clearing your mind. That’s untrue. Mindfulness is the process of bringing your attention back to a repeated stimuli, such as the breath. Mindfulness can be formal or informal, but whichever works best for you, research shows that consistent practice can impact distress tolerance, lower emotional reactivity and increase psychological well-being.

If you would like to learn more about practicing mindfulness, check out the Mindfulness Meditation course led by Dr. Audrey Ervin. The course, open to all students, teaches the principles of practice, helps you develop your own meditation practice and apply skills to daily life. Visit Mindfulness Meditation’s Course Catalog description for more information.

- Dr. Audrey Ervin

Contributors:

Dr. Allison Buskirk-Cohen

Dr. Allison Buskirk-Cohen is a professor and the honors program director at Delaware Valley University. In her roles, she researches the influence of professor-student relationships on student success. She earned her master’s of developmental psychology from Columbia University and her Ph.D. in human development from University of Maryland.

Dr. Audrey Ervin

Dr. Audrey Ervin is the academic director of Delaware Valley University’s graduate counseling psychology program and is a practicing, licensed psychologist. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Memphis and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Delaware.

Dr. Brianna Morgis

Dr. Brianna Morgis is an assistant professor of counseling psychology at Delaware Valley University and a marriage and family therapist. She earned her master’s degree in couple and family therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and her Ph.D. from Drexel University in couple and family therapy.