Madeline Crocenzi
Summer Director
Name: Naugle Hall
Height/Weight: Four floors, approximately 275 students
Position: North side of campus. One side is across the street from Fry Apartments and the other from Miller Residence Hall.
Highlights: Air-conditioning, carpet, kitchens, study rooms, closest to major parking lots
Resident Director: Josiah Hatfield
Other key players: RA staff members Rich Speeney, Michal Foursevitch, Madison Neimer, Abby Troppe, Tyler Heath, Jackson Lohr, Fransesca Rosario-Melo, and Miriam Cockerham
Bio: Naugle Resident Director, Josiah Hatfield, says Naugle’s lawn space makes it unique. Trees, a sloping hill, and plenty of sunshine in the fall and spring, make Naugle a “majestic” view from the road, says Hatfield.
Besides the lawn, first-year students can appreciate a dedicated RA staff in which many are familiar with Naugle. Hatfield says he hires back many Naugle alumni and RA’s from previous years to build upon the previous year’s work. Naugle also boasts a fun twist on the first-year community weeks with “Nauglympics.” Nauglympics is a weeklong spring event with different competitions every day.
Notable: While the other two first-year resident directors have kids, Josiah and his wife Jorjette, are the proud parents of cat Eleanor. Eleanor can often be seen basking in the window of the Hatfield’s Naugle apartment.
Quote: “Something that I focus on and want for all my Naugle residents is somewhere that feels like home in a sense that they feel safe and they feel comfortable there. Not just for the sake of feeling safe and comfortable, those are important things, but for it to be a place where they can learn and grow.” – Josiah Hatfield
Name: Bittner Hall
Height/Weight: Four floors, approximately 180 students
Position: South side of campus. Located in the south complex with Mountain View and Sollenberger Residence Halls. Across the street from Witmer.
Highlights: Air-conditioning, carpet, study room, conference room
Resident Director: Tim Ferret
Other key players: RA staff members Jacob Glensor, Addison Hurst, Akinyi Cooke, Megan Wilson, and Amy Karatka
Bio: Bittner Resident Director, Tim Ferret, says that although Bittner is smaller in numbers, the floors themselves are larger than those in Witmer and Naugle. Each floor has a strong identity and tradition that helps build community. Students living in Bittner this year will either become a part of the long-standing Bruderhof, Ohana, and Basilea traditions, or the new Hale floor depending on which floor they are assigned to.
Students can look forward to events such as the building’s picnic, named Bittnic in the fall, Bittnerween on Halloween, and worship opportunities or gym nights during J-Term. During the spring, Bittner hosts “Beach Week,” named after the popular lawn spot outside the building, Bittner Beach.
Notable: Bittner houses a mix of first-year, transfer, and upper-class students. The majority of transfer students live in Bittner and upper-class students will also have a presence in the building due to an increased housing demand. While some may view this as a challenge, Ferret is excited to make all students a part of the Bittner experience.
Quote: “I really enjoy having the traditions on each floor. It’s kind of like the more positive aspects of a fraternity or sorority experience. You’ve heard about it and for them (Bittner students), it may be only coming into welcome week, but they’re going to hear the floor name, hear about some of these programs and learn the vision behind the theme. Right away they can kind of relate to it and identify with it.” – Tim Ferret
Name: Witmer Hall
Height/Weight: Four floors, approximately 300 students
Position: South side of campus. Next to Mellinger Apartments and across the street from Bittner.
Highlights: Air-conditioning, carpet, kitchens, study rooms, computer lab, basement dance studio
Resident Director: Paula Hoffman
Other key players: RA staff members Ines Yoon, Kenedy Kieffer, Dana Gangitano, Jennifer Sayre, Emily LaBianca, Chalmers Port, Luke Redcay, Arkel Brown, and Molly Gallagher
Bio: While Witmer is often known for its seclusion, four-year Witmer Resident Director Paula Hoffman says that’s one of the best parts of the building. The seclusion gives students a chance to “rally together,” says Hoffman. There are other positive aspects to Witmer’s location, such as the close proximity to the Witmer cross, the fit trail, and the soccer field.
One thing Hoffman likes to do is host different finals week activities each night. Last year she set aside coloring books and crayons for residents. Another night was devoted to peppermint with peppermint patties, mints, gum, and tea, because peppermint is good for memory.
Notable: Hoffman and her husband, Rusty, are excited to share their son Finlay with the new students.
Quote: “I always tell my students, Witmer’s weird. Witmer’s unique. It is a different place. I think what really makes Witmer that special place is the seclusion and the way that our students have always, in my two years here, bonded together in ways that I couldn’t have imagined.” – Paula Hoffman