Clarks Summit University honored the 2023 Service Award recipients at a reception on Monday, September 18, 2023, in the Phelps Student Center. CSU employees, trustees and their spouses were invited to attend the reception and enjoy dessert with the winners.
Brian Deschaine, head men’s basketball coach and assistant professor, was honored for five years of service to CSU. Deschaine joined CSU’s team in 2018 as a professor and coach. He loves pointing students to God’s Word as the foundation for health and physical education, both in his classes and with the men’s basketball team.
Director of Athletics Mike Show said, “I thank God I can work with Brian because of His love for the Lord and his desire to teach and coach with excellence.”
For 18 years, Coach Deschaine worked in K-12 education as an athletic director, physical education teacher, secondary principal and school director. Before that, he served in the U.S. Army and was a missionary in Bangladesh. Deschaine and his wife Kylene have three boys.
“My favorite part about my job at CSU is the opportunity that I have to invest in the lives of young people. I have the privilege to encourage our students in their walk with Christ through our basketball program and in the field of physical education,” Deschaine said.
He continued, “I also love seeing our students grow, learn and improve in their educational journey and in their execution on the basketball court.”
School of Education dean and professor Dr. Ritch Kelley said, “Brian loves pointing students to God’s Word as the foundation for health and physical education, PreK-12th and 7–12 education, as well as the men he coaches in basketball.”
He continued, “He works very hard to recruit the best mission-fit athletes to come and be part of the CSU community. Brian is a great role model as he lives a balanced life with his service to Christ, academics, athletics and family.”
Fred Defendorf was honored for 10 years of service to CSU in his former roles such asdirector of student activities and Underground Café manager.
“My favorite part about my job at CSU was being a part of an amazing team of people who gave so much of themselves to the spiritual growth and betterment of the next generation of Christians that walk through our halls. Being able to give back to a ministry that helped me become the very person I am today was an absolute dream come true.”
He continued, “After the day I walked off this campus with a Camping Ministries degree back in 2003, I always dreamed of coming back to serve at a place that changed my life forever. Not many people can say they got to work at their dream job, but I proudly say that I did!”
Defendorf and his wife Hannah raised their four young sons on the CSU campus while they were resident directors in Ridley Hall. Earlier this year, they began a new chapter; they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Defendorf serves as the youth and young adults director at Cuyahoga Valley Church.
Vice President for Student Development Ted Boykin, said, “I am thankful to God for working with Fred because for 10 years—he brought the fun to campus events and campus life. Fred’s unique skillset as a former program director at a Christian camp made him highly qualified to fill the director of student activities role here at CSU. Fred’s heart for ministry and discipleship through fun events was well known by all of us.”
He continued, “Fred was the embodiment of fun combined with spiritual direction for our campus community.”
Margaret Pisanchyn, director of admissions operations, was also honored for 10 years of service to CSU.
Pisanchyn said, “My favorite part about my job at CSU is the opportunity I get to serve mission-fit students who are passionate about serving Christ and eager to learn how to do so effectively. It is a blessing to hear students’ testimonies and their excitement for spreading the gospel through their careers and ministry.”
Vice President for Enrollment Terry Perrine, said, “I thank God I can work with Margaret because she is dedicated, flexible and professional. Whether working in the counseling center, the seminary or as an academic counselor for the grad school and seminary, Margaret has always been dedicated to her work, reliable in her performance and flexible—always willing to serve in any capacity.”
She continued, “As I work with her now as our director of admissions operations, she is professional and committed to always doing the best job possible. I learn from Margaret regularly as I witness her creative problem-solving skills and perseverance through challenging tasks. Margaret makes Admissions a better place, and I’m thankful for her service to the school now and over the last 10 years.”
Summer Kinder, director of student support services and academic intervention, was honored for 15 years of service to CSU.
Kinder serves CSU in various capacities, including managing administrative tasks, providing academic support, teaching in the classroom, mentoring students and working collaboratively with colleagues. She said, “The diversity of my roles has allowed me to develop a multifaceted skill set and adapt to the needs of the student and the institution. In every aspect, I am privileged to aid students in developing holistically—academically, professionally and spiritually.”
“Nearly every day, I am provided with moments to connect with students as they overcome setbacks to achieve their goals and am given many openings to encourage high achievers to
strive for excellence—and in both scenarios, push students to honor God in all things, including their academic pursuits. Pairing academic endeavors with spiritual development means I am living my passion: educating and nurturing the God-given potential of each student who crosses my path. It is a journey of shared growth, and I am privileged to be a part of it,” she said.
Dr. Kelley said, “Summer Kinder is dedicated to providing support and encouragement to help our students succeed. Summer’s degrees in education, reading specialist and counseling provide a strong knowledge base she can use to aid our students.”
He continued, “As a true professional, Summer constantly researches federal and state regulations related to supporting students with specific academic and physical needs and attending professional development training sessions. Her love for our Lord, Clarks Summit University, and our students is evident in all she does.”
Sharon Gardoski, associate professor and director of the Murphy Memorial Library, was also honored for 15 years of service to CSU.
“My favorite part about my job at CSU is helping students find and use the information they need, not just to get through college requirements, but to become lifelong learners,” said Gardoski.
Vice President for Academics Bill Higley said, “I thank God I can work with Sharon Gardoski because of her love for the mission and people of Clarks Summit University. Sharon has a passion for all things to do with the Murphy Memorial Library. Our CSU student body is blessed because of the dedication of Sharon to providing the best library services we possibly can. Moreover, Sharon’s love for the Lord and people is evident in everything she does.”
Mike Show, director of athletics and head golf coach, was honored for 25 years of service to CSU.
“My favorite part about my job is the opportunity to influence people for Jesus,” said Show.
Ted Boykin said, “I am thankful that I can work with Mike Show because it brings me joy to see him represent our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by how he conducts himself in one of the hardest places to represent Christ well: sports. He brings passion and selfless dedication to work every day. Mike cares deeply for the people he works with and the students he serves. He is also deeply committed to being a testimony to those that do not know Christ.”
He continued, “We all know about Mike’s approach to sports at CSU. He wants to ‘show an unbelieving world, a believable God’ by how he conducts himself and how that approach is reflected in all our athletic programs. He is an example to others of what it looks like to be a
servant leader and treats others with dignity and respect. He loves his God; he loves his wife and children, and he loves sports—in that order. I am thankful to count Mike as one of my good friends.”
Allen Dreyer, Executive Director for Administrative Services, was honored for 30 years of service to CSU.
“My favorite part about my job is helping people. I enjoy the work I do and the people I spend time with while I’m doing it,” he said.
Dreyer has been working at CSU since 1993. After many years in the registrar’s office, he is the executive director of administrative services. He and his team care for students by maintaining student records and the student portal system. As the Accreditation Liaison Officer for CSU’s accrediting agencies, he makes sure CSU stays up to date on accreditation requirements and strategic planning efforts. Allen also teaches Bible and theology courses online. He earned his Bachelor of Science from CSU and his Master of Ministry from BBS.
University President Dr. Jim Lytle said, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with Allen Dreyer. His patience, careful research, clear thinking and communication inspire me to be better.”
Faye Moore, associate dean of students (women) and assistant professor, was also honored for 30 years of service to CSU.
“While it may sound cliché, my favorite part about CSU is the students. The challenge and fulfillment of coming alongside each other and growing in the Lord never gets old,” she said.
“I came here as a married student a long time ago. I never had my sights on any particular job, but God had a plan. He opened the doors, and we just continued to walk through in faith. It is all because of Him,” she said.
Ted Boykin said, “I am thankful I get to work with Faye Moore because of her love and care for students, their parents and coworkers. Rick Moore was my dorm dad, and Faye was my dorm mom in [what was known as] Ketcham Hall 35 years ago, and she brings that ‘mom’ care to work every day as she cares for students as a faculty member and dean. Her wise counsel and caring perspective are some things that I have come to depend on before making difficult decisions in student development.”
Dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Professor Lynelle Buchanan said, “Over the last 30 years, Faye has held many roles at CSU. Each of them has contributed to a ministry that has touched the lives of thousands of students. Those who find their way to her office will find someone who longs to help them be anchored in the Word of God. Those who sit in her classes find a professor who cares about her students as much as she cares about her topic. And those who have watched her life for the last 30 years have found a ‘redeemed image bearer’ who has faithfully followed her God in the face of heartbreaking adversity. We have been so blessed to have her be such a critical part of our CSU family.”
For an image gallery of the reception, visit our Facebook page.
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