Jeff Sypolt ’77

Jeff Sypolt ’77 is the chief of occupational safety and health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His ultimate goal at his job is to eliminate injury and occupational illness from the workplace.

Jeff graduated from MHS and attended college for some time, before joining the Army.  While serving, he excelled and got the attention of his commanding officers. One of those officers asked how Jeff was so successful at dealing with all of the details in every mission and he credited it to Milton Hershey School. “MHS has a way of shaping you that sticks for life,” said Jeff.

“MHS has shaped my life in every way, and it is without a doubt one of the principal reasons I am where I am today.”

Looking back on his experiences at MHS, Jeff wants current students to know how MHS transformed him, and how it can do the same for them if they are willing to accept it. “At some point, you will need to realize that you and only you are responsible for every choice you make in your life. Who you were before MHS is not who you are at MHS, and it certainly will not be who you are after MHS. The tools you forge here at Milton Hershey School can only serve you if you pick them up and wield them in the life you live after commencement. You will choose your path.”

Jeff looks back fondly on his time at MHS and thanks to the school and its founders for all that they did for him. “I came to believe that I was capable of anything … all because MHS took a chance on me. There were challenges and tough times, there were hard work and disappointment, but there was always my MHS family, and there was always a promise of possibility.”