Lucy Isacco Sack grew up in the area and attended Slippery Rock High School. After graduating from Slippery Rock State College in 1967 with a degree in Health & Physical Education, Sack returned to complete her master’s degree in 1970. She was then hired in the Physical Education Department, retiring in 1999.

Among other accomplishments, Sack was instrumental in starting Slippery Rock University’s Dance Department. The Lucy Isacco Sack Dance Scholarship is named in her honor.

Claire Schmieler came to the university in 1966 to work as a night nurse in the infirmary. She rose to the position of Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, retiring in 2003. Schmieler was instrumental in the transition to the current Student Health Center, an organization for total student health and wellness. She implemented the Health Education and Health Promotion programs to further this vision.

Schmieler was a member of the President’s Commission for Women, the National Health Association, and the Assessment Movement. She has been the recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Service. The Claire R. Schmieler Leadership Institute for Professional Women is named in her honor.

Ben Shaevitz (b. 1960) was born in Columbus and grew up in nearby Chillicothe, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Science from Purdue University, and his PhD in Experimental Physics from Penn State in 1989. Shaevitz was hired that summer as a professor in the Physics Department at Slippery Rock University, where he worked for 33 years.

During his time at SRU, Shaevitz held several leadership positions, including as chair of the Physics Department and president of the faculty union, APSCUF [Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties]. Shaevitz was a Slippery Rock delegate to APSCUF’s Legislative Assembly and served on state APSCUF’s Executive Committee.

David Skeele (b. 1960) taught acting and playwriting in the Theatre Department at Slippery Rock University (SRU) from 1993 to 2023. A native of Vermont, Skeele received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing at University of New Orleans and his Ph.D. in Theatre History and Performance Studies at University of Pittsburgh.

Over his tenure, Skeele helped shape the evolution of SRU’s Theatre Department as it expanded from a BA to a BFA program, and more than tripled the number of Theatre majors enrolled. Skeele directed 51 productions since arriving at SRU including Heathers, The Merchant of Venice, Tallgrass Gothic, and his last SRU production, Hand to God. His acclaimed original plays have received professional accolades, been performed worldwide as collegiate productions and shared on stage at Slippery Rock University on many occasions.

Dr. G. Warren Smith (1941-2021), was president of Slippery Rock University from 1997 to 2003. His Future Watch program involved faculty, staff, and community members in evaluating and improving the direction of university academics. He launched Rock Pride to improve the image of Slippery Rock nationally.

Smith was keenly interested in the aesthetics of the campus and did much to improve its appearance. During his presidency, he modernized and expanded technology in the classroom. He also established the Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry and the Institute for Learning in Retirement in Slippery Rock. Smith served as an instructor at the Regional Learning Alliance and played in the Slippery Rock University Orchestra, as he did when president.

Robert M. Smith (born 1945), began his career at Slippery Rock University in 1999 as the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. During his tenure as provost, Smith was instrumental in turning around declining enrollment and improving retention at SRU. He was a member of the Slippery Rock downtown revitalization project. In 2002 Smith was appointed interim President and was subsequently hired as President, the role he filled until his retirement in 2012.

While president, Smith worked to revitalize the SRU campus which culminated in 12 new buildings, including the Robert M. Smith Student Center, 8 building renovations, and a “Green Fund” to implement sustainability efforts across campus. Smith was determined to make SRU a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. He implemented four Presidential Commissions that created programs, workshops, and symposia to ensure all groups on campus were heard and represented.

Joe Stahlman (1928-2012), served on the staff at Slippery Rock University for 41 years, beginning in 1949. He started on the college’s grounds crew, then work as a plumber, night watchman, foreman, and as acting director of the Physical Plant. In addition, he served as the president of the non-instructional union.

Stahlman saw 7 university presidents come and go. He remembers taking the loyalty oath, the World War II veterans’ trailers, and the campus coal mine. Upon his retirement in 1990, a tree was planted on the lower campus in honor of his many years of service.

Terry S. Steele (born 1947), devoted nearly 33 years of service to the Slippery Rock University Music Department. His early years saw its metamorphosis from a non-degree conferring institution tucked away in West Hall to a fully-fledged program housed in the newly built Swope Music Building.

Between his acceptance in 1975 and retirement in 2008, Steele oversaw the consistent, incremental growth in his own department and the University at large as both gained recognition. Some of his fondest memories of his tenure include hosting a series of world-renowned jazz musicians like Stanley Turrentine and taking his student jazz ensemble on a tour of the former USSR a mere three months before its collapse.