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In the Spotlight: Donna Andrews ’99

Some people make history, but Donna Andrews ’99 preserves it. Protecting historic federal office buildings is an integral part of our country’s heritage, and Andrews is doing just that as a regional historic preservation officer with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Mid-Atlantic Region. Every day, she’s putting her history major and liberal arts education from Lycoming into action.

Why did you choose to attend Lycoming College? 

I am from Eagles Mere in Sullivan County, about 45 minutes northeast of Williamsport. Lycoming was the local college, and it was a perfect fit for me. I didn’t have much money and received a fantastic scholarship. I would not have been able to go to college without that scholarship.

What is one of your favorite memories, classes, professors, or activities while attending Lycoming College as a student?

Dr. Larson was my advisor and my favorite professor. Sometime in my junior year, my classmate, Jessica George ’99, and I bought him a miniature catapult and proceeded to lay siege to the business department across the hall.

You earned your degree in history, and you are employed as a historic preservation specialist for the government. Explain what all your job entails and how your Lycoming education prepared you for this role. Why is this work important?

I look after a collection of 28 historic federal office buildings and court houses across six states. When there are renovations, I review all of the designs and ensure that we are maintaining the important architectural details while allowing necessary changes, such as for security or installing new technology. I also manage all of the related preservation planning work, including archaeological investigations, when we undertake new construction. The role requires technical skills, but primarily soft skills to successfully interact with stakeholders who have different requirements, expectations, and needs. My primary job is to make sure that my agency remains in compliance with the long list of federal laws, executive orders, and regulations relating to historic preservation. I also have to explain to my coworkers, our tenant agencies, and the general public what that entails — not just what we need to do, but why. I do a lot of public speaking and writing for public consumption; Lycoming gave me a solid foundation in both of those departments.

What are one or two of your proudest professional or personal accomplishments that occurred after graduating from Lycoming in which your education played a role?

For about six years, I ran my agency’s regional historic preservation program and our public art program. GSA has one of the largest and oldest art collections in the country. My region has approximately 126 artworks in our collection. The lion’s share of our artworks is from the Works Progress Administration era, but GSA has artworks in its collection dating back to the mid-19th century. GSA also commissions new public artworks in tandem with large construction projects. I’ve overseen the commissioning and installation of three public artworks. These commissions are an enormous amount of work, but it is exciting to see artists get the opportunity to stretch and try new techniques or difficult undertakings.

You are a loyal supporter of the College. Why do you give back financially and actively engage with Lycoming?

Going to Lycoming was a foundational experience for me. I met one of my best friends there. I learned how to make a research plan and carry it out. I studied abroad. I had fun. The opportunities for students are greater now than they ever were before. The types of research that the history students can do now — without having to physically be where the archive is that is holding the material they’re looking for — is amazing. I want everyone to experience the excitement that comes from finding just the thing they need to connect the dots.

In the Spotlight recognizes members of our alumni community who are doing great things that have been influenced by their time at Lycoming College. Alumni Spotlight submissions are used at the discretion of the College and may be included in the monthly eNews as space and time permit. To participate, submit an Alumni Spotlight questionnaire.