| Lycoming College honored alumnae Ms. Ruth Perry Hodge ’58 of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Ms. Deirdre P. Connelly ’83 of Indianapolis, Indiana, and retired campus minister Rev. J Marco Hunsberger through its annual Alumni Association Awards as part of the College’s Homecoming and Reunion Weekend on October 13. |
Ruth Perry Hodge '58 |
Ruth Perry Hodge received the Angela R. Kyte Outstanding Alumnus Award. Ms. Hodge graduated from Lycoming in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She was a member of the 1957 Tour Choir, the first Lycoming choir to travel overseas.
Ms. Hodge went on to earn a master’s in library science from Shippensburg University. She spent 30 years working in her field, first as a librarian at the US Army War College and the US Army Military History Institute in Carlisle, and then as African American Archivist at the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, the position from which she retired. |
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While at the Military History Institute, Ms. Hodge organized and presented conferences that for the first time brought African American veterans of World War II together to discuss their experiences. While at the State Archives, she authored the award-winning Guide to African American Resources.
Ms. Hodge serves on the boards of numerous organizations and is the recipient of dozens of awards and special recognitions for her professional and volunteer work, including “Citizen of the Year,” given by the Harrisburg Black History Museum; and the Veterans Brain Trust Award, for outstanding research work, participation, and promotional service in the African American Military Experience.
Ms. Hodge and her husband Marcus reside in Carlisle. They are the parents of Perrianne Hodge Davis and Mark Andrew Hodge and have two grandchildren.
The Angela R. Kyte Outstanding Alumnus Award is given in honor of a senior alumnus who has demonstrated a lifetime of service to humanity and whose life exemplifies those qualities encouraged and fostered at Lycoming College and/or its predecessor institutions. The award is named for a distinguished alumna, who perished in the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. |
Deirdre Connelly '83 accepts her
award from David Freet '68 on September 26 |
Deirdre P. Connelly '83 received the Outstanding Achievement Award. Ms. Connelly, who accepted her award during a special visit to campus on September 26, graduated from Lycoming College in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in economics and marketing.
In 1984, she joined Eli Lilly and Company as a Sales Representative in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She rose through the corporate ranks, holding positions of increasing responsibility, and in June 2005 was named President of Lilly USA. She was recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the 50 most powerful women in business the past two years. Fortune also included her on its prestigious “Young and Powerful” list in 2006..
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| The Outstanding Achievement Award is given in recognition of a very special accomplishment that reflects positively on Lycoming College and/or its predecessor institutions. This could be in a professional field or another area of accomplishment. |
Rev. J Marco Hunsberger, right, with
his
wife Beverly and President Douthat |
Rev. J Marco Hunsberger of Williamsport received The Dale V. Bower Service Award. A third generation clergyman, Rev. Hunsberger joined Lycoming College in July of 1989, when he was appointed Protestant Campus Minister. Previously he led parishes in Halifax and Pine Grove, serving the former for 20 years.
He received his education at Mercer University in Georgia and at United Seminary in Ohio and Lancaster Seminary.
Rev. Hunsberger was instrumental in starting Lycoming’s Community Service Center and its Habitat for Humanity chapter. Under his leadership, more than 500 students volunteering through Habitat traveled to 20 cities in ten states. |
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In April of this year, Rev. Hunsberger received the Sister Vincent Humanitarian Award at the College’s Leadership and Service Awards Banquet. He retired from the College in June.
He and his wife Beverly live in Williamsport. They are the parents of four sons, Marc, twins Jeremy and Jeffrey, and Brian, and have eight grandchildren.
The Dale V. Bower Service Award is given to an alumnus or non-alumnus for outstanding service rendered to Lycoming College. The award is named for its first recipient. |
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