Vacas-English arrived at Bucknell planning to study computer engineering but found her philosophy and political science classes so engaging that she decided to switch. As a double-major in those disciplines, she began plotting a course for law school.

Balancing the rigorous demands of rowing for a Division I athletic program and a double-major might deter others from taking on more commitments. Not Vacas-English. She signed up for ROTC, which enveloped her in a tight-knit community and revealed a new career path.

Upon graduation, Vacas-English secured a spot in Army Aviation’s flight school in Fort Novosel, Ala. She emerged as a lieutenant and Black Hawk helicopter pilot focused on emergency medical evacuations and wildfire-fighting missions. “I spent two years fighting wildfires in Montana, Idaho, Nevada, California and Oregon,” she says. “It was a schedule of 12 days on and two days off. It was intense, but I absolutely loved it.”

That love didn’t extinguish her law school aspirations. Today, she balances both passions. She lives in South Dakota, where she serves in the National Guard and works as a paralegal, conducting research to build defense cases. “I love being part of the justice system and helping people,” says Vacas-English, who plans to attend law school next year.

“Where I live, a lot of people think I’m crazy — it seems odd to pursue multiple dreams at once,” she says. “People ask, ‘Isn’t flying enough? Do you also have to be a lawyer?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes!’ ”

Growing up in Rimersburg, Pa., Bliss played Little League Baseball before transitioning to swimming. She envisioned herself swimming at the collegiate level. After her sophomore swim season, she joined the track team as a way to stay in shape during her off-season and decided to try javelin throwing. “Because I played baseball, I figured I could throw,” she says.

It was harder than she anticipated. Javelin throwing is a highly technical sport that requires precise form, shoulder mobility and synchronization of the body. It’s a quick motion, starting with a walk that transitions into a jog and finishes with a powerful throw. “Any slight misstep can throw off the entire process,” Bliss says.

With the guidance of her father, a former collegiate thrower, and countless hours of practice, she improved. Together, they watched YouTube videos and pieced together her technique. By her junior year, Bliss had a breakthrough, with three standout meets that earned her a spot at the Pennsylvania state meet. There, she finished in second place, throwing 140 feet.

n the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, first responders worked tirelessly for nine months to execute rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. The World Trade Center Health Program reports that more first responders and survivors have died from toxic exposure at the crash site than were lost in the attacks. Still far more developed serious long-term health issues.

This reality profoundly impacted Sean O’Connor ’26. His father was one of the first responders who helped evacuate buildings on the day of the attack. For three years following 9/11, he worked just half a block from the disaster site. He developed cancer from the exposure.

O’Connor’s dad is now in remission, but the experience sparked the student’s desire to develop a better way to handle such catastrophes. “Imagine sending in a robot that could have detected remains or cleared wreckage — done the things that people were doing,” says the computer science & engineering major from Miller Place, N.Y. “Robots have the potential to make a huge impact on society.”

A passionate musician and music educator, Berggren donated three of his cherished, artist-quality instruments to Bucknell: a Bach Stradivarius B flat trumpet, a Benge C trumpet (most commonly heard in symphony orchestras) and a Bach piccolo four-valve trumpet (famously heard a minute into The Beatles’ “Penny Lane”).

Stationed at Fort Stewart outside Savannah, Ga., Norrie is the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. It is the second-oldest division in the Army and accounts for 16,500 soldiers, as well as more than 30,000 dependents and civilian family members. Over his 32-year career, Norrie has accumulated many awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with valor (the fourth-highest award for valor in the military), Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, NATO Medal and Combat Action Badge.

It’s a career path he didn’t anticipate. At Bucknell, Manz majored in chemistry, and when he began considering law school, patent law emerged as a way he could leverage his scientific background. He pictured a conventional trajectory for himself, perhaps spending years at a firm, living in one or maybe two different cities.

But upon graduation from Fordham School of Law, “I decided I wanted a bit of adventure, and the Navy seemed like a way to find it,” he says.

“One of the things I learned as a division psychiatrist is that it’s a basic need that impacts everything in your life: your physical health but also your mental health,” she says. “So many soldiers underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep.” Without it, she says, a unit can end up sacrificing its performance and ability to do the mission successfully.

Thomas’ expertise in sleep medicine was honed during a fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. This training provided her with the tools and vocabulary to help service members understand and prioritize healthy sleep habits. “Not all leaders are fully aware of it,” she says. “Often, sleep is the last thing my patients think about when they’re working to improve their mental or physical health.”

“I wanted to push myself to learn as much as I could,” she says. “I associated the military with trauma work and knew it would be a challenge. I knew that military service members and veterans face unique challenges that pose a threat to their well-being, and I wanted to learn targeted interventions to assist individuals in overcoming traumatic experiences.”

Woods credits her ambition and drive for excellence to Professor Sue Ellen Henry P’22, education. “She made me feel like I could do great things,” she says. “Sue Ellen planted the seed that I could be a subject matter expert and that I should push for it.”

At Bucknell, Mynott excelled academically, graduating in just three years. At Homecoming 1953, she met her future husband, Trustee Emeritus Geoffrey P. Mynott ’54, P’83, G’17. This marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership of 67 years, rooted in a shared love for Bucknell.

Mynott’s dedication to the University was recognized by the Bucknell University Alumni Association with its award for outstanding loyalty and service to Bucknell. University President John Bravman and former president Gary Sojka H’09 spoke at her memorial service in June, which was standing room only, to share her lasting impact on the Bucknell community.

Beyond her ties to Bucknell, Mynott lived a life full of diverse interests and accomplishments. She worked as a medical secretary and was an avid golfer, playing on the Merion Golf Club women’s team. She was also deeply involved in charitable events and organizations, co-founding Tyler Hedges Day in Devon, Pa., and serving as operations co-chair of the USGA’s 1989 U.S. Amateur.

Mynott had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel the world and explore new cultures with her husband. At home, she was known for her culinary skills, love of gardening and devotion to her family and beloved dogs.

Mynott is survived by her husband; two children, including John A. Mynott ’83, P’17; and two grandchildren, including James G. Mynott ’17.