Lycoming College News

Students recognized during Leadership & Service Awards Banquet

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Lycoming College recognized co-curricular achievement on campus during its fifth annual Leadership & Service Awards Banquet on April 13, in the Recreation Center. The Seuren Leadership Speaker was Harry Perretta, a 1978 Lycoming alumnus.

With more than 30 years as head coach of Villanova University’s women’s basketball program, Perretta has established himself as one of the most respected and knowledgeable coaches in the country. A true teacher both on and off the court, he strives to have a positive influence on his student-athletes not only as basketball players, but also as people.

Perretta’s playing career at Lycoming was cut short by an ankle injury during his freshman year. He spent the remainder of his college years assisting the men’s varsity and junior varsity programs and also aided the women’s program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies and a secondary teaching certificate. In 1995, he earned a master’s in education from Villanova.

At Villanova, Perretta and his staff stress the importance of the overall college experience and closely follow each player’s academic progress. Ninety-nine percent of his student-athletes who have stayed all four years have earned their degree.

In his address, Perretta stressed the importance of service and learning through the relationships it creates, sharing several stories from his own life of those he taught and those who taught him. He credited Dutch Burch, former 32-year head coach of Lycoming’s men’s basketball program, as one of those individuals.

“I think there are people who will cross your path that you are obligated to help, but who will also teach you at the same time,” he said. “You want to be respected more for what you give than what you get.”

The Seuren Leadership Speaker Series was established in 2007 by Andrea D. Seuren, a 1976 Lycoming alumna, in memory of her parents. The purpose of the speaker series is to help build a culture of leadership at the College that espouses service, ethics and critical-thinking.

The award winners are as follows:

Male Intramural Sports Athlete of the Year: Dan Snyder

Female Intramural Sports Athlete of the Year: Maggie Benshaw

Interfraternity Council Spirit Award: David Zablocki of Lambda Chi Alpha

Interfraternity Council Service Award: Jordan Baker of Tau Kappa Epsilon

Interfraternity Council Scholar of the Year: Joseph Kuder of Lambda Chi Alpha

Panhellenic Council Spirit Award: Leannie Custodio of Gamma Delta Sigma

Panhellenic Council Service Award: Ashley Lubold of Alpha Sigma Tau

Panhellenic Council Scholar Award: Holly O’Hara of Alpha Sigma Tau

Fraternity Man of the Year: Kenneth Vicencio of Lambda Chi Alpha

Sorority Woman of the Year: Nicole Pish of Beta Phi Gamma

Fraternity/Sorority Advisor of the Year: Donna Weaver for Alpha Sigma Tau, student programs and leadership development administrative assistant

Chapter of the Year: Gamma Delta Sigma

Outstanding Program of the Year: Habitat for Humanity – Spring Break Trip

Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Larry Mannolini, director of student programs and leadership development

Student Organization of the Year: Campus Activities Board

Outstanding Leader on Campus: Laura Klym

Outstanding Community Service Program Award: Laura Klym - Senior Citizen Prom

Outstanding Community Service Fundraising Event Award: Relay for Life

Outstanding Community Service by an Organization Award: Alpha Rho Omega

Senior Community Service Scholars: Amber Nace and Nick Tomaskovic

Volunteer of the Year Award: Ashley Lubold

Sister Vincent Humanitarian Award: Dr. Daniel Doyle, professor of history, Pennsylvania College of Technology

Students organize "senior prom" at the Williamsport Home

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Nearly 20 first-year Lycoming College students and their resident assistant, Laura Klym, organized a “senior citizens prom” at the Williamsport Home on Nov. 13.

The event, themed “A Waltz Down Memory Lane,” featured solo guitarist Steve Sutherlan performing music by Elvis Presley, the Temptations and other artists of the past 50 years. Sutherlan has been playing at the Williamsport Home since 2006.

The students organized the prom as a social activity that would allow them to give back to the community.

“Programs like the senior prom at the Williamsport Home represent the best of both residence hall programming and the resident’s themselves,” says Dr. Dan Miller, dean of student affairs at Lycoming. “It is impressive that a floor of first-year students led by their RA, Laura Klym, took the initiative to make a difference in the day of another by the giving of time, energy and joy.”

Lycoming’s students decorated the home with balloons and 1950s-style centerpieces. Prom-goers were given corsages made of baby’s breath and a variety of colored carnations. The event was coordinated with the help of Becky Woodring, director of activities and volunteer coordinator at the Williamsport Home.

Klym, a junior criminology major from Baltimore, Md., is a resident assistant for a floor of freshmen women residing in Asbury Hall. The group of students has come to be known as “The Pink Ladies.”

“It’s always fun to do social events with each other, but there’s nothing more rewarding to do something for someone else who genuinely appreciates it,” Klym said. “Everyone, including the senior citizens, looked stunning. Although most of them were either in a wheelchair or used a walker, they danced with us and had a great time sharing their stories.”

Lycoming Habitat for Humanity hosts 5K Run/Walk for Shelter

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - The Lycoming College chapter of Habitat for Humanity held its annual 5K Run/Walk for Shelter on Sunday, Nov. 7. Forty-five runners and 18 walkers participated in the fundraiser benefiting Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity.

Overall winners were Kari Smith (22:02), a Lycoming alumna, and Jeffrey Faherty (17:31), both of Williamsport. Two Lycoming College students placed first in their respective categories. Jake Lewis (male age 20-29), a senior Spanish and international studies major from Mickleton, N.J., posted a time of 18:19. Freshman general studies major Michael Puchalski (male age 16-19) of Redlands, Calif., finished in 17:34.

The Lycoming College Chapter of Habitat for Humanity supports the work of Habitat for Humanity in the greater Lycoming County area by raising funds, volunteering at local builds and providing opportunities to both learn about and advocate for the effort to eliminate substandard housing.

Sponsors included the Lycoming Mall, Blaise Alexander, Pudgies Pizza, Papa John''s Pizza and Susquehanna Trailways.

Students participate in Habitat for Humanity's Shack-A-Thon

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Lycoming College students participated in the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity’s Shack-A-Thon as part of First Friday events on Oct. 1. The Shack-A-Thon was a combination fundraiser and awareness event. Teams of students from Lycoming and Penn College registered and paid a “building permit fee” for their shacks in order to participate.

The groups created structures out of cardboard and duct tape. The creativity of the students showed through structures resembling castles, house boats and lighthouses.

“It was a great way not only to introduce Habitat to people, but also to raise a little bit of money for them while having a ton of fun at the same time,” said Rev. Jeffery LeCrone, the College’s Habitat for Humanity advisor.

Lycoming was represented by teams from Lambda Chi Alpha and Phi Kappa Psi fraternities, Alpha Rho Omega sorority, United Campus Ministry and its chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

“It was Lambda Chi Alpha’s first time participating in Shack-A-Thon,” said Jehiel Boner, the fraternity’s philanthropy chair. “Last year, I walked by the event and thought it looked fun and interesting. Being a part of the event this year was a blast. It was fun to not only build your own house but also see what everyone else was building. A great activity for a great cause!”

Students participate in 9-11 Day of Service event

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Lycoming College students from the Greek organizations of Alpha Rho Omega, Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Xi Delta, Beta Phi Gamma, Phi Kappa Psi and Tau Kappa Epsilon participated in the first 9-11 Day of Service event sponsored by the College's Community Service Center.

Students worked with several groups in the area including the Salvation Army, American Rescue Workers and Campbell Street Community Center. Projects included sorting donations, helping to clean and organize a thrift store and taking inventory.

"One of the best ways that we can honor those who lost their lives in an act of violence is to counter violence with acts of love and service," says the Rev. Jeff LeCrone, director of the Community Service Center. "Saturday's date was chosen specifically to provide an opportunity to do that on the anniversary of 9-11."

"The best type of the community service does not come from the wallet, but from the heart,"
said Anthony L. Pilla, Tau Kappa Epsilon service chair.

Lycoming's Community Service Center serves as a liaison between students, faculty, staff and community organizations in the greater Williamsport area. The center provides an environment for student learning through service and reflection. Students are challenged to fulfill their civic responsibility and explore who they are in relationship to their peers and those in need.

Student and admissions counselor featured in article on preparing for college

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:13:00 EST

Lycoming Habitat for Humanity hosts "Boot Camp"

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Members of the Lycoming College Habitat for Humanity gave a week of their summer vacation to participate in the chapter's annual "boot camp." This year, students participating in the program returned to campus one week prior to the start of the fall semester to work on a project on West Fourth Street sponsored by the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity.

"It's very satisfying to know that you are helping people who really need the help," says Damian Priznar, a junior criminal justice major. "And it doesn't matter if you are struggling with a lot of work or just cleaning up a little bit, it's great to come back to school and work with friends to serve others."

Other students joining Priznar on the project included Ariel Burton, Paige Cole, Kayla Craig, Tri Do, K.C. Failor, Rachel Krebs, Stephanie Robinson, Eric Smithgall, Teresa Tickle and Denyse Walters.

Lycoming College Habitat for Humanity is a Christian-based organization that has been active on campus since 1990. Each spring, Lycoming Habitat participates in the Collegiate Challenge Spring Break program during which student volunteers travel to other states to assist in the building of quality, affordable housing for those in need. Lycoming Habitat dedicated its first house in December 2003.