Commonwealth University – Lock Haven stands as a testament to the transformative power of small-town, state-funded higher education; a place where dreams are nurtured and Bald Eagles take flight. For high school sweethearts, Thane ’89 and Rachel Turner ’89, The Haven is more than an alma mater; it's a
cherished chapter in their shared journey of professional success, and paying it forward.
Rachel’s roots run deep, born and raised in Lock Haven, while Thane's connection began in 1979 when his father, Neil, became the seventh head wrestling coach in Lock Haven history.
Although their paths to the university were different, each attests their academic experiences were marked by impactful relationships that shaped their lives — specifically lauding faculty members, Bruce
Young, Dave Tomasi, Roberta Kleinman, and Mary Purcell as pillars of mentorship who imparted tremendous knowledge and work ethic, and set them on trajectories for professional success.
Ironically, it was a trip to Clarion University that led Thane to The Haven after a faculty member there illustrated a clear pathway that students enrolled at PASSHE institutions could follow on their way to gaining acceptance into medical school. Ultimately, Thane chose to pursue a chemistry degree and wrestle for his father on his way back from that recruitment trip.
After starting college at a larger institution where she felt individualized attention was lacking, Rachel joined Thane in the second semester of her freshman year.
Once at Lock Haven, she found a close-knit community that allowed her to thrive as she pursued a degree in athletic training. Her passion for wrestling also grew stronger, serving as a student worker for Coach Turner filming matches and doing stat sheets.
The Turner’s commitment to paying it forward for the betterment of students, while honoring legacies of the past is palpable. It was in 2001, that they established the Troy Turner Memorial Wrestling Scholarship in honor of Thane’s brother who died in 1986, just two years after earning a philosophy degree from Lock Haven. Troy ‘84, along with Thane, and their brother, Trent ‘91, all wrestled for Coach Turner at The Haven.
For the past 22 years, the Troy Turner Memorial Wrestling Scholarship has assisted Lock Haven wrestlers, however, now, with a recent major gift — and renaming of the scholarship to The Turner Family Scholarship — Thane and Rachel are aiming to make an even greater impact through an endowment that will sustain Lock Haven’s nationally-renowned wrestling program in perpetuity.
The Turner’s dedication to The Haven also goes beyond their financial generosity, embodying the same career-launching characteristics that their mentors once shared with them.
After completing medical school, Thane returned to Lock Haven where he began practicing family medicine. Not only did professors who once advised him become patients he also opened doors for numerous Lock Haven graduates to begin their medical careers, including hiring alumni, John Hanna ’03, ‘05, Chelsea Robinson ‘13 & ’15, and Colby Welshans ‘14 to work in his practice as physician assistants.
Throughout the years, they have also been heavily involved with the LHU Alumni Association, the Mat-Town USA Wrestling Club, and other initiatives in support of the university’s mission.
The Turners departed Clinton County in 2017, relocating to New England where Thane continues practicing family medicine, and Rachel is a physical therapist specializing in geriatrics. However, their belief in their alma mater’s ability to transform young lives, and personifying the grit of small towns like
Lock Haven remains core to who they are.
They hope The Turner Family Scholarship upholds Lock Haven’s legacy as a beacon of inspiration that nurtures small-town kids into anything they can dream of becoming, just as it did for Thane, Rachel, and Thane's brother Trent —a Lock Haven Golden Whistle Award winner who went on to become the winningest wrestling coach in Conestoga Valley High School history —and countless other Bald Eagles who have been fortunate enough to call The Haven home.