2022 Outstanding Volunteer Service Award

JOSEPH B. WILT '69, '72M

Joseph B. Wilt graduated from Millersville State College in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education in English, and earned a Master of Education degree in English in 1972 from Millersville. As an educator, Wilt has dedicated many years to teaching and coaching, through his career of 42 years as a teacher. For 36 years, Wilt taught English at Dover Area High School in York County, followed by teaching for six years as an adjunct professor at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).

As a basketball coach for 24 years at Dover Area High School, Wilt coached boys basketball teams at all levels, including 7th, 8th and 9th grade levels, senior high J.V. and varsity teams. Wilt received the honor of being awarded York County Coach of the Year for the 1989-1990 season by the York Daily Record. Wilt takes pride in the players he coached and the outstanding athletic success of players who went on to excel as collegiate athletes.

Wilt is a proud graduate of Millersville State College, and he was inspired to attend Millersville by his favorite high school teachers who were Millersville alumni. While a student at Millersville, Wilt spent his summers working in York at a factory, manufacturing bomb casings, commonly called the “bomb line,” for the U.S. Navy, which motivated him to become a teacher to provide educational opportunities for future students. Wilt considers this work to be his “bomb line scholarship,” which paid for his education.

At Millersville University, Wilt has enjoyed participating in a wide range of volunteer activities, especially opportunities to benefit students. Wilt has served as a volunteer spokesperson for secondary English education majors to provide professional guidance for students pursuing teaching careers, and he has served as a spokesperson for students interested in careers in athletic coaching. Wilt has been an active supporter of the Millersville University men’s basketball team, and he established a scholarship fund of the Joseph B. & Judith S. Wilt Men’s Basketball Scholarship.

On campus, Wilt has volunteered as a tour guide for admissions open houses and supported the Millersville University athletic teams by attending all home games for football and basketball. Over the years, Wilt served several terms as a board member of the Millersville University Alumni Association, and recently served as a member of the MUAA Alumni Engagement Committee and participated in numerous volunteer activities and events through his involvement with the MUAA.