Millersville University - Touchstone Yearbook (Millersville, PA)

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Pennsylvania Dutch Country extended their welcome for Dutch Reagan by robin rosenfeld October 29. 1984: A Monday that Millers-ville University will never forget. This was the day that President Ronald Reagan came to campus as a part of his whistle-stop campaigning. Reagan came to Lancaster County, which is a Republican stronghold, for an election campaign rally. The local Republican party rented Pucillo Gymnasium for the site of the event. Historians report that this was the first time a United States President ever visited the campus. The rally was attended by more than 3.500 students, faculty, and several hundred community residents. The vast majority had to stand in lines to secure their chance of gaining a ticket for the event. Some MU students had spent a Friday night sleeping outside to make sure they would be one of the first in line to receive a ticket. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sec a president,'' said Linda Petrarcha. a junior marine biology major. Also, I support Reagan and I wanted to hear him speak. The preparations for this short, but special visit, required hard work behind the scenes. Two sight advance officers, a lead advance officer, and a press person arrived Wednesday, Oct. 24 to begin the preparations. The communications team and the Secret Service arrived Thursday. Susie Trees, spokeswoman for the White House, said the advance teams usually arrive one week before the event, but they only had four days to complete all the necessary advance work. MU students Wendy Orner, Robin Rosenfeld. and Kimberly Schott, volunteered hours at the Historic Strasburg Inn to work with the advanced staff and giving out press credentials to the hundreds of anxious local media. The three girls along with MU Hews Director Carl Kanaskie had the honor of meeting the national White House Press Corps at the Lancaster Airport. They then received a police escort of the four buses back to the gymnasium. On Friday afternoon. MU Alumnus Major John Moore, a United States Marine Corps Marine One Advance Officer, held test runs on Pucillo Field for air current problems and any unforeseen obstacles which could potentially cause problems. President Reagan was officially welcomed to the podium by PA Gov. Dick Thornburgh with a demonstration following. Also on stage were: U.S. Senator Arlen Specter; Drew Lewis, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation. U.S. Representative Robert Walker, a MU alumnus. MU President Joseph A. Caputo, and Lancaster County Republican Leaders. The MU Band and Choir provided music for the event while the Millersville Cheerleaders led the jubilant crowd through Continued on page I 7 As a part of the celebration. 1000 red. white and blue balloons were dropped from the ceiling. Almost everyone attending cheered In support of President Reagan. Photo by Dr. Honatd Sykes

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Bard resident Leroy Pearson models beach attire for the Bard fashion Show. Brightly colored Bermuda shorts made their big debut across campus. Photo by Vicki Zaharlas Tim Brusc and Victor Frederick model the latest in formal wear. The Bard show was Just In time for fraternity members to see what was In for their Spring formal . Photo by Vicki Zah.iria» Sue Berg checks out the video scene to make sure she has the right look. Mew Wave became Increasingly popular as the year went on. Photo by Vicki Zahurias

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President Kcagan expresses Joy as he addresses the crowd In Pucillo Gymnasium. Mayor Morris and other Government officials Joined Reagan on the platform. Photo by Dr. Ronald Sykes Reagan supporters proudly display signs and placards showing Reagan they back him 10O percent. A crowd of 3.500 attended the rally. Photo by James Smith Communications major Julie Tcmplln asks the President for some tips on how to begin her career. Miss Tcmplln also presented Reagan with red roses, the symbol of the city of Lancaster. Photo by James Smith Reagan 15