On Saturday, March 1, Delaware Valley University’s Block and Bridle and Dairy Society club’s NESA team took part in the annual Northeast regional meeting and competition, hosted by Penn State University. 

Joanne Powell, an instructor and co-chair of the Department of Animal Science at DelVal, served as the advisor for the six teams representing the University. Other universities represented in the competition included Rutgers University, University of Connecticut, University of Delaware, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of New Hampshire, and West Verginia University. 

Students representing DelVal:

DelVal Team A: Nellie Hankinson, Holly Havatine, Charlene Pierce, Willow Smith 

DelVal Team B: Sophia Battaglia, Raegan Braund, Hannah Littleton, Kassidy Zimmerman

DelVal Team C: Jenna Allencastre-Doersom, Elizabeth Pinto, Leah Robb, Kylene Stierly 

DelVal Team D: Gweneth Marcy, Maia Sudler, Caitlyn VanDeuson, Suzanne Van Geel

DelVal Team E: Malayna Barnhart, Ava Benner, Gracie Paparo, Mike Powell

DelVal Team F: Molly Gehr, Maggie Hutton, Haley Stertzel, Zoe Kelter

The competition consisted of livestock judging and a quiz bowl, with each team having one elected presenter.

By the end of the week, with all the scores tallied up, Delaware Valley was awarded the overall institution at the competition, a prestigious title it had not earned since 2018. Along with the team title, Willow Smith, Team A, Freshman, was the overall livestock judging winner out of the nine schools that attended, along with Team D earning overall team in the judging competition. Two DelVal presenters placed in the top 10 overall presenters: Mike Powell, Team E, Sophomore, placed fourth overall; and Caitlyn VanDusen, Team D, Sophomore, placed second overall. 

The DelVal NESA team will eagerly await its chance to defend its title at next year’s competition hosted by the University of Connecticut. 

Smith joined the National Guard in 2019 while they were a student at DelVal. “I wanted to do something more than ‘just college,’” they said. “I wanted to be able to contribute to the United States and make my mark on the world outside of college.” Smith earned their bachelor of science degree in Secondary Education with a specialization in Agriculture in 2022. One day, Smith plans to use their degree to become a teacher, but for now, they are applying their skills and experience gained at DelVal to serve their country overseas.

TJ's "Office Space": Since January of 2024, Smith has been stationed at a U.S. Army post near the eastern shoreline of Africa. As a sergeant, they lead a squad of four to five soldiers. While the exact location of their deployment remains classified, Smith described it as a coastal environment with beautiful weather, rich agriculture, and wildlife that can sometimes pose danger. Due to these risks, nightly curfews are in place to ensure the safety of personnel. Having never been overseas before, Smith is embracing the opportunity and finding enlightenment in this unique experience.

Roles and Responsibilities: No two days are the same for Smith. They may be out on patrol, conducting training exercises, performing surveillance and reconnaissance, or assisting in humanitarian efforts. Sometimes, Smith supports the Joint Operational Command Center (JOC), where higher-ranking officers, such as majors and generals, plan missions and track area movements. In a combat situation, Smith and other forward observers would operate between enemy lines to assess threats and enemy positions. Their task would then be to relay this information and coordinate artillery, mortar, or air strikes to stop enemy advancements to protect our troops.

Connection to DelVal: Smith credits their time as a student-athlete at DelVal, particularly in field hockey and lacrosse, for giving them the confidence and leadership skills needed in their current role. “I remember when I first got to DelVal as a freshman, I was terrified of everyone,” they recalled. “But by the time I left DelVal, I could hold regular conversation and feel comfortable with who I was as a person. I had the confidence to lead others and step up when needed. A lot of that came from being a team captain, and I’m grateful to Coach Carol DiGirolamo for giving me the time and space to grow as a leader.”

The Rewarding Aspect: “I think the most rewarding experience so far was visiting local schools,” said Smith. “Seeing the kids get excited just to see us and play soccer with us made my heart smile. Giving back to a community that has so little but asks for so much less was incredibly humbling. I was also able to use my degree and my knowledge of agriculture to go out with our public affairs crew and work with some of the local farmers and discuss different farming techniques, especially for those working in some of the more sandy areas.”

Rooted in our founding principle of experiential learning from our beginnings as a farm school, we've expanded over the years to encompass business, the humanities and beyond. Our hands-on approach ensures that our alumni graduate with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to make an impact in a wide range of industries. From farms and barns to banks, hospitals, and beyond, our alumni’s offices are as varied as their careers. Whether working in labs, leading in business, or innovating in traditional office spaces, our graduates bring DelVal expertise into many work environments.

Brooke Kitting ’18, VMD Director of Sow Health, Seaboard Foods

Dr. Kitting, DelVal Class of 2018, holds the title of Director of Sow Health for Seaboard Foods, overseeing the health and welfare of more than 280,000 sows across four states—Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Colorado.

Office Space: While her work takes her across vast territories, Dr. Kitting’s "office" is primarily on site at sow farms scattered throughout the four states she oversees. From barns to pastures, her days are spent in and out of facilities, ensuring the health and well-being of thousands of animals. Her home base is Seaboard Foods’ headquarters in Guymon, Oklahoma, but her office is anywhere her expertise is needed.

Role and Responsibilities: Dr. Kitting’s responsibilities are wide-ranging. She provides direct veterinary care to the animals, develops health systems and strategies, and works with different areas of the business to ensure optimal animal welfare. Whether performing veterinary services, conducting employee training, or consulting on technical matters, her work ensures the overall health of the sows under her care. She spends much of her time traveling many miles between farms, providing support and expertise where it’s needed most.

Connection to DelVal: Dr. Kitting graduated from DelVal with a degree in Animal Science on the pre-professional track, aspiring to become a veterinarian. During her time at DelVal, she was deeply involved in campus life and held various leadership positions including the women’s soccer team and clubs like Block and Bridle, Collegiate FFA, and Pre-Vet Club. She was even inducted into the Delta Tau Alpha and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies. She spent every summer during college working at a different internship, exploring various industries and gaining real-world experiences that helped carve out her career path. After DelVal, she pursued her ultimate dream, earning her Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022, specializing in food animal medicine with a focus on swine production. In 2024, she earned an MS in Animal Health & Industry from Texas Tech University where her research specialized in swine production welfare.

The Rewarding Aspect: In addition to her veterinary work, Dr. Kitting was recently named to The Meat Institute’s Emerging Leaders Class of 2025, a distinction that highlights her as one of the industry’s rising stars. “I have the capability to make a difference in the lives of the people and the pigs that I work with every single day. I work diligently to maintain the integrity of our health initiatives and welfare standards across the organization. Our animals, our people, and this business motivate me to always be the best I can be. I am so passionate about this industry, and I am proud to represent the Seaboard Foods’ brand” she says.

This Veterans Day, Delaware Valley University reflects on the incredible contributions of veterans who bring stories of sacrifice, courage, and dedication to our communities. One such story is that of Ron Morosky ’67, a DelVal alumnus whose service spans from Quantico to Vietnam and later to the Secret Service. Through his journey, we see the spirit of resilience, hard work, and commitment that DelVal continues to support in its veteran students today.

Early Days and the Path to DelVal

Ron Morosky grew up in Horsham, Pennsylvania, near Willow Grove Air Force Base. Fascinated by the sounds of aircraft overhead and the radio calls he often heard, he found his inspiration close to home. His older brother Joe, a 1962 DelVal graduate whom Ron looked up to, was a senior at DelVal (then known as DelVal College) as Ron prepared to graduate from Hatboro-Horsham High School. With grades that needed improvement, Ron initially didn’t meet DelVal’s admission requirements. However, after a motivating conversation with Dean Donald Meyer, Ron set to work, taking evening courses to raise his grades and gain admission. He credits Dean Meyer’s encouragement with giving him the determination to succeed.

Initially drawn to studying poultry science because of his childhood experience raising pheasants, Ron’s path shifted under the mentorship of Dr. Joshua Feldstein. Feldstein recognized Ron’s work ethic and helped him navigate financial struggles that forced Ron to work night shifts at the Wonder Bread factory in town while managing his studies. Noticing Ron struggling academically, Dr. Feldstein later secured him a job on campus, which helped Ron balance his life, work, and academic responsibilities. He successfully boosted his GPA, then in December of his senior year, he received a life-changing call from his father: he had been drafted.

From DelVal to Vietnam

Drafted during the Vietnam War, Ron initially aimed to join the Air Force but ultimately found his calling as a pilot in the Marine Corps. His journey to becoming a Marine pilot was marked by perseverance. He was first sent to Marine Corps Base Quantico, and on the day he arrived, September 5, 1967, he learned that his father had passed away. Two weeks later, his mother was critically injured in an accident, but did survive. Determined to carry on, Ron advanced in training and became an officer, with his brother Joey proudly placing his officer’s bars on him.

After rigorous training in Pensacola on WWII-era aircraft, Ron became a helicopter pilot. Stationed first in North Carolina and later in Vietnam, he flew the CH-46 helicopter with the Helicopter Marine Medium (HMM) Squadron, frequently encountering intense combat. On one mission, his helicopter was struck by enemy fire and a bullet from an AK-47 struck the back of Ron’s captain’s seat, unbeknownst to him at the time—a stark reminder of the war’s dangers, which claimed several of his comrades. The experiences Ron gained during these missions, including close calls and moments of intense risk, left a profound impact on him. He completed his final deployment in Japan, returning home to his brother and mother on Christmas Eve, 1970. During his service, Ron completed over 520 missions and was awarded numerous medals, including multiple air medals. While home, he continued flying for three more years in the Marines, earning promotions to test pilot and captain, along with numerous medals.

A Life of Service Beyond the Military

When Ron returned to San Francisco, he encountered hostility, even facing people who spit at him because of his service in Vietnam. Despite this, Ron remained committed to serving his country, joining the Secret Service in 1973. As a Secret Service agent, he protected presidents including Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and his friend Ronald Reagan, who once invited him in for coffee during a campaign stop in frigid New Hampshire.

“I was with Reagan in New Hampshire at a Ramada Inn. I was protecting the door and Reagan was out campaigning. It was -18 degrees outside and when he returned, the President invited me in for coffee. I politely declined, acknowledging that I could not leave my post. Reagan coerced me in any way and insisted I sit down for coffee. He was curious and asked me what my experience in Vietnam was like,” Ron recalled.

His time with the Secret Service, and his love for flying, eventually led him to the U.S. Customs Service in 1977, where he combined his skills as a pilot with his passion for public service. He spent the next 15 years in Homestead, Florida as a pilot in command, completing flying missions for Customs. According to Ron, many of these missions proved even more challenging than Vietnam because of the conditions (often flying at night and through storms), the threats, and the locations they would land that sometimes didn’t even have lights on the runways.

He officially retired in 1998.

Supporting Veterans at DelVal Today

Ron’s journey reflects the values of perseverance and dedication that DelVal proudly supports in its veteran students. Today, DelVal is recognized as a Military Friendly School for its commitment to helping veterans transition to civilian life through undergraduate or graduate degrees and certificate programs. The university offers veteran-specific resources, from counseling and academic support to scholarships and career guidance, and provides special assistance to veterans’ dependents using Post-9/11 benefits. DelVal is also dedicated to supporting military students who use tuition assistance.

A Legacy of Service

Ron’s life exemplifies resilience and the courage of those who have served. From DelVal to Vietnam and beyond, his story represents a lifelong commitment to service and loyalty to his roots. This Veterans Day, we extend our gratitude to all who have served and continue to make a difference—at DelVal and around the world.

Terrain is a nature-inspired lifestyle brand, offering the university and Doylestown community Terrain’s signature retail store, nursery, garden cafe, and private event space. DelVal's partnership with Terrain includes experiential learning opportunities for DelVal students through the university’s award-winning Experience360 program.

My name is Payton Fulton and I am a transfer student from Delaware County Community College coming to DelVal in the fall of 2024 for the horticulture program and the organic farming certificate. My goal is to complete my program by the fall of 2025. Before I got my internship with Terrain at DelVal, I was a nursery associate for Terrain in Devon, Pa. where I handled customer service and answered a lot of plant questions for guests.

My new title at Terrain at DelVal is Green Goods Buying Intern and my role involves writing, editing and updating new and existing plant signage within the internal database. I pursued this internship because I was super interested in learning about the scenes at Terrain, the process of how they buy green goods in different classes, and I’m eager to meet and network with different vendors. I also hope to learn more about the plant nursery aspect in the horticulture field, and understand the process that goes into designing each Terrain location, from the East Coast to the West Coast, to make the stores stand out compared to other businesses in the plant nursery community. My post-graduation goals are to continue my studies at DelVal in the Agribusiness master’s program and perform research on soils and integrated pest management. 

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Delaware Valley University, I had the privilege of attending an event presented by the Graduate Psychology Speaker’s Series and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion centered around a short documentary about Pennsylvania’s Lenape Nation, “Keepers of the Way.” The evening included a screening of the “Keepers of the Way” documentary and a panel discussion and Q&A with the director, producer, and the Lenape tribal members of the film.

The event began with an introduction of the panel and their brief self-introductions and roles in the making of the film. Evan Cohen, a Bucks County native, and the director of the film has always had an interest in Native American history and culture. Elijah Reeder is a producer of the film and is also a Bucks County native. His connection with the film was his interest in his home state and its historical origins. Chuck Gentlemoon DeMund, Chief of the Lenape Turtle Clan, showed gratitude to Creator, their ancestors, and the film crew for the opportunity to be a part of the film and this event. Tribal members Ken Wolf Eyes Macaulay and John Strong Wind Martin also took part in the panel and shared their views on the importance of keeping Lenape history and culture alive.

The documentary was a film full of natural beauty and emotion. The filmmakers succeeded in capturing the history, ceremonies, and rituals of the Lenape people without any outside influence or interference. It focused on “The Prophecy of the Fourth Crow” and the Lenape’s journey of healing the land wounded by The Walking Purchase of 1737. Several tribal members were documented sharing their history, stories, and struggles. The documentary ends with the Lenape continuing to honor Creator and their ancestors by educating their children and the community of their existence and love for all living things.

Much of the panel discussion to follow was an insight into the making of the film and the oppression of the Lenape Tribe. After the Lenape lost their land, they were forced

into hiding out of fear of genocide or being separated from their families and forced into assimilation. Ellen Rolph, wife of Chief Chuck Gentlemoon DeMund, spoke to the audience about learning of her Native American heritage. It was at the age of 40, when her grandmother made a quick remark about her being “Indian”. When asking her 93-year-old grandmother for clarification she said, it was like asking about a giant secret that no one was willing to discuss openly. It is only recently that the Lenape tribe are coming out of hiding and looking for the state of Pennsylvania to recognize them and to honor their rights of self-determination set forth by the United Nations.

The evening ended with a drum circle performed by the Itchy Dog Singers. The three Lenape men sat around a large drum placed on the floor. They gave thanks to Creator and ancestors as they prayed over the drum. The sound of their voices and the beats of the drum soon filled the space of the Life Sciences Auditorium. Some of the tribal women in the audience were welcomed on stage to sing along. Each song was created by Native Americans who wanted to tell a story or honor the ancestors.

As an audience member, I was moved to tears by the film, their stories of the oppression of the Lenape people, and their fight to preserve their culture and deep roots in the land. One of the Lenape women in the audience identified herself as a keeper of beadwork. She told us the story of an 11-year-old Lenape descendent learning the art of beadwork. This young girl recently created a piece that was described by the woman as one of the most beautiful pieces of beadwork she had ever seen. The woman then described the heartache she feels knowing that this young girl could not call her piece “Native American Art” because the Lenape are not recognized in the state of Pennsylvania. It had most of us wondering what kind of message it sends to this child? The evening raised questions for many audience members, especially me.

I had never learned of the Walking Purchase or the Lenape Nation until this experience, yet I have had earlier Native American experiences of which intrigued and amazed me. I had a great-grandfather who collected arrowheads on his property and surrounding properties in NEPA. My grandmother’s dog was named Comanche. I attended

my first Pow Wow as a teenager and couldn’t wait to attend another. In short, I have felt a strong connection to indigenous people and culture for a long time, so Ellen’s story opened my eyes up to the possibility of my family hiding any Native American ancestry as well.

I decided to speak with her at the end of the event, and she was so friendly and welcoming. We had an intimate conversation about our family history, and she revealed to me that she had never shared that story at any other venue. This was the first place in a public community discussion where she felt safe and compelled to share her story. Her comment speaks volumes to the hosts and audience members there that night. It was a memorable and meaningful evening for both of us, and I am sure, many others