Valley Views

Progress Pride Flag Installed

The Progress Pride Flag was raised during a ceremony in late June. Members of Freedom Rings, the LGBTQ+ community, and allies attended the event during which President James M. MacLaren, Meredith Sapp ’22, Freedom Rings vice president, and Katelyn Huey ’23, Freedom Rings historian, spoke about the importance the Progress Pride Flag holds to current and prospective students, employees, alumni, and friends.

P.R.I.D.E. Network’s Efforts Improve LVC’s Campus Pride Index Score

The College’s P.R.I.D.E. (Pursuing Respect, Inclusion, and Diversity for Everyone) Network celebrated recent efforts to improve LVC’s Campus Pride Index Score. The group, which began as a social group for LGBTQ+ and allied faculty and staff, worked over the past year to evaluate and improve components of campus related to LGBTQ+ and ally programs. As a result, LVC’s Campus Pride Index Score increased from a 3-star to a 4-star rating. Dr. Laura Eldred, interim provost of undergraduate education; Dr. Barbara Prince, assistant professor of sociology; Dr. Holly M. Wendt, associate professor of English and director of creative writing; and Dr. Tonya Miller, assistant professor of physical therapy, are network members.

The Sporting Life

Decker to Head Women’s Hoops

Diane Decker, who brings NCAA DivisionI and II experience, was named LVC’s new head coach for women’s basketball. Decker arrives from Villanova University, her alma mater, where she worked in women’s basketball operations. Before Nova, Decker was the head coach at East Stroudsburg University(ESU) from 2015–19. She was named PennsylvaniaState Athletic Conference (PSAC)Coach of the Year for 2015–16, guided ESU to its best record in a decade (19-9), and coached three players to the All-PSAC FirstTeam. It was the first time in program history that three players earned first-team honors.

“I am extremely thrilled and honored to have been selected as the next women’s basketball head coach at Lebanon Valley College,”said Decker. “I am excited about working at a first-class institution with the privilege to not only coach but also inspire, educate, and empower young women.”

MAC Announces Academic Honor Rolls

The Middle Atlantic Conference named its 2020–21 academic honor rolls inJune. The academic honor roll comprises student-athletes who compete in a varsity-level sport and register aGPA of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher for the academic year.

Twenty-six LVC student-athletes garnered a 4.0 GPA during the academic year, including Rachel Kagarise ’21, Sarah Leidich ’24, and Hannah Shirey ’22 (field hockey); Marah Hoffman ’21 and Julia Resele ’21 (women’s cross country/track & field); Maya Cohen ’21, Maddy Hartman ’21, Amelia Mantione ’23, and Angela Strock ’22 (women’s soccer); Jayna Class ’21, Grace Powell ’23, and Julia Rill ’23 (women’s volleyball); Jaylen Reichner ’22 (men’s basketball); Daelyn Stabler ’23 (women’s basketball); Tate Murphy ’23 (women’s ice hockey); Alexis Thomas ’21 (women’s track & field); Haley Lepley ’22 and Sarah Wolfe ’21, M’22 (women’s swimming); Bryce Eberly ’22 and Andrew Miles ’23 (baseball); Nick Coyne ’22 and Spencer Sattazahn ’23 (men’s lacrosse); Nicholas Simon ’23 (men’s tennis); Mandi Armstrong ’24 (softball); and Zoe Birch ’21 and Kendall Halsey ’24 (women’s tennis).

Women’s swimming led all LVC teams with 29 honorees, while 26 football players and 24 women’s soccer players garnered honors. Volleyball (16 of 17) and women’s basketball (9 of 10) had the highest percentage of student-athletes earn the recognition, followed by women’s soccer, which had 24 of 27 players receive the distinction.

Kingsbury ’21 Named All-Region

Baseball’s Kyle Kingsbury ’21 was named to the 2021 American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings NCAA DIII Mid-Atlantic All-Region team, becoming the first Dutchman baseball player to earn All-Region honors since Jordan Higgins ’14 in 2014.

Kingsbury, an All-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Second Team pick, was LVC’s No. 1 starter in 2021. He finished with a 6-3 record and a 2.63 ERA in 54.2 innings of work while adding two complete games. He also struck out 65 batters while issuing just 15 walks.

Keegan Corwell ’21

Travis Fischer ’21

Kody Kegerise ’21

Caleb Oestrike ’21

Four Footballers Named to National Honor Society

Keegan Corwell ’21, Travis Fischer’21, Kody Kegerise ’21, and Caleb Oestrike ’21 were inducted into the 2021 National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society. The society comprises players from all divisions who maintain a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers.

Chuck Yasinski

Megan Streisel

Zachary Kelly

Award Winners and Team MVPs Revealed

Dr. James M. MacLaren, LVC president, and Rick Beard ’90, M’92 announced the major award winners during the 72nd Annual All-Sports Award Presentation in May. These included:

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Team of the Year—LVC's athletic trainers: Chuck Yasinski, Megan Streisel, and Zachary Kelly.

Lou Sorrentino Outstanding Male Athlete—Owen Buhr ’22 (men's track & field)

Outstanding Female Athlete—Lauren Wick ’21, D’23 (women's cross country and track & field)

Honorable Judge John A. Walter Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete—Brendan Ward ’20, M’21 (baseball)

Honorable Judge John A. Walter Outstanding Female Scholar-Athlete—Rachel Kagarise ’21 (field hockey)

Chuck Maston Memorial Award—Braydon Shuck ’21, M’22 (men's soccer)

Women's Sportsmanship Award—Kaitlyn Welch ’21 (women's swimming and tennis)

LVC Athletic Service Award—Daymond Zweizig ’21 (baseball)

2020–21 Team MVPs—visit GoDutchmen.com

Byers ’05 Inducted into MAC Hall of Fame

In May, J.D. Byers ’05, men’s basketball and golf, was inducted into the 2021 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Athletic Hall of Fame. Byers, one of only five LVC men’s basketball players to have their jersey retired, personified the true definition of a student-athlete, combining his astounding talent on the court and links with tremendous academic success.

As a senior, he was named a National Association of Basketball Coaches ABC First Team All-American and led the Flying Dutchmen to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In addition, Byers was pegged as a three-time academic all-American, and in 2005, he won the prestigious Josten’s Trophy, awarded to college basketball’s top student-athlete.

Byers, who was inducted into the LVC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015, is an assistant under fellow MAC and LVC Hall of Famer Mike Rhoades ’95.

Nicole Honrade ’23

Justin Baker ’20, M’21

Lauren Wick ’21, D’23

Emily Mealey ’21

Alex Borowiec ’22

Jacquelyn McBride ’24

Zach Tucker ’21

Olivia Cindrich ’22

Owen Buhr ’22

Nine Make Academic All-MAC

Nine LVC winter and spring student-athletes were honored by the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) for their athletic and academic accomplishments, and recognized as members of the Academic All-MAC Team. The award, voted on by the conference’s sports information directors, acknowledges academic and athletic success. Emily Mealey ’21 (women’s basketball), Justin Baker ’20, M’21 and Zach Tucker ’21 (men’s basketball), Olivia Cindrich ’22 (women’s ice hockey), Alex Borowiec ’22 (men’s ice hockey), Nicole Honrade ’23 and Jacquelyn McBride ’24 (women’s tennis), Owen Buhr ’22 (men’s track & field), and Lauren Wick ’21, D’23 (women’s track & field) represented The Valley on the All-Academic team.

Venezia ’21 Selected Named All-Region

Veronica Venezia ’21, women’s lacrosse, was selected for the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Metro Region Second Team for the second time after another stellar season. She added yet another accolade to her illustrious career, which includes All-Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth First Team honors.

This past season, she ranked third in the conference in the regular season with 74 points and 44 assists. She eclipsed the 200-career point mark earlier this campaign and was second on the squad with 34 draw controls. She recorded five or more assists in five different games and had eight multi-goal games.

Spring Conference Awards

Twenty-seven LVC student-athletes earned All-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) honors, including a record eight baseball players. In addition, seven track & field performers earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recognition this spring.

Baseball—Tanner Rock ’22 (1st), Chris DeClerico ’20, M’21 (1st), Mike Bulgia ’22 (1st), T.J. Holdredge ’20, M’21 (1st), Kyle Kingsbury ’21 (2nd), Hunter Tipton ’23 (HM), Luke Blair ’22 (HM), and Bryan Towers ’20, M’21 (HM)

Softball—Lindsey McCurdy ’24 (1st), Sarah Musselman ’21 (2nd), Jen Kaufman ’21 (HM), and Julia Craig ’24 (HM)

Men’s Tennis—Luke Senft ’21 (2nd), Ben Hinkley ’21 (2nd), Brendan Byler ’23 (2nd), and Jeffrey Bauer ’22 (HM)

Men’s Lacrosse—Alex Kiviniemi ’23 (HM), Luke Tamberino ’21 (HM), and Nick Serrano ’22 (HM)

Women’s Lacrosse—Veronica Venezia ’21 (1st), Brittany Hathaway ’22 (2nd), Jaclyn Little ’21 (2nd), and Morgan Ernst (2nd)

Women’s Tennis—Nicole Honrade ’23 (1st), Jacquelyn McBride ’24 (1st), Meridyth Sanders ’21 (2nd), and Meredith Haas ’24 (2nd)

Men’s Track & Field—Owen Buhr ’21, Logan Grauer ’22, Daniel Sheffield ’23, Kadan Smith ’23, and Alex Sabo ’23; USTFCCCA Division III Outdoor Track & Field All-Region Team

Women’s Track & Field—McKenna Loughney ’21 and Lauren Wick ’21, D’23; USTFCCCA Division III Outdoor Track & Field All-Region Team

1st = MAC First Team; 2nd = MAC Second Team; HM = MAC Honorable Mention

Academic Achievements

Dr. Joe Murphy and Michael Dueck ’18, D’20

Athletic Training Has Second 100% Pass Rate

The second cohort of the Master’s of Athletic Training (MAT) Program continued a tradition started by last year’s inaugural class, achieving a 100% first-time pass rate on the Board of Certification Exam. The five members of LVC’s 2021 MAT graduating class had an average score 83 points higher than the national average, scoring in the top 15% of all test takers.

100% Pass Rate on University of London Law Modules

All students who took the inaugural University of London law modules during summer 2020—representing business administration, political science, and psychology—passed the remote Legal System and Method 4 module. Our students also went four-for-four on the Public Law module. Summer 2021 results will post soon.

External Acknowledgment

Fatima Madondo ’22, a neuroscience major and chemistry minor from Zimbabwe, received the Rising Star (Warrior) Award from the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, recognizing a woman in STEM making great strides in her education. Madondo joined Julianna Koehl ’21, the 2019 recipient, as LVC students to win the award.

Madondo, who plans to attend medical school after graduation, was accepted to conduct research at the Harvard Medical School this summer, but instead studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after Harvard canceled its program due to COVID. She is an LVC Almond Tree Scholar. Dr. JonnaLynn Mandelbaum ’69 established The Almond Tree Scholarship to support students of high promise but limited financial means from sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Dolan Receives Second Fulbright

Dr. Chris Dolan, professor of political science and director of the Master’s of Science in Intelligence and Security Studies Program, received a U.S. Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award from the Institute for International Education/U.S. Department of State. Dolan will spend the spring 2022 semester at the South East European University in Tetovo, Republic of North Macedonia. He will research rule of law, security sector reform, and Euro-Atlantic security through the grant that runs until June 2022. He will work with Dr. Blerim Reka, Macedonian Ambassador and Chief of Mission of North Macedonia to the European Union, on NATO collective security measures and the alignment of defense and foreign policy in Macedonia’s case for E.U. membership. Dolan’s previous Fulbright award was with the University of Pristina in Kosovo (2019–20).

Dr. Tonya Miller & Dr. Justin Mierzwicki

Dr. Tonya Miller, assistant professor of physical therapy, and Dr. Justin Mierzwicki, clinical assistant professor of physical therapy, received two of 11 awards from the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association (PPTA). Dr. Miller received the PPTA Humanitarian Award, and Dr. Mierzwicki received the Geriatric Award of Excellence.

Erin Kingham ’19, D’21

Erin Kingham ’19, D’21 was elected as secretary for the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association (PPTA) Student Special Interest Group (SIG). Kate Mowrey ’20, D’22 was a Student Observer to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) House of Delegates during the 2020–21 academic year. Lindsey Zulkosky ’20, D’22 was elected as Eastern District Representative for the PPTA SIG for 2020–21.

LVC Named Top Tier for Renewable Energy

The PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center named The Valley among “America’s Top Colleges for Renewable Energy 2020: Who’s Leading the Transition to 100% Renewable Energy on Campus?” LVC was recognized in the report for its leadership in supplying 100% of its campus electricity with renewable energy. Bryn Mawr, Carnegie Mellon, and Swarthmore were among those also on the list.

“Incorporating sustainability as a priority in the College’s strategic plan and using data has enabled Lebanon Valley College to offset 100% of our electric consumption via Renewable Energy Credits dedicated to wind power and achieve the lowest rate of energy use per square foot as compared to our comparison schools,” said President James MacLaren, Ph.D.

Dr. Taylor Co-Founds COVID Photography Program

Dr. Grant Taylor, professor of art & art history, joined Emilie Shuler, an outpatient recreation therapist at the Lebanon VA Medical Clinic, to design an online art therapy program for veterans coping with isolation during COVID-19. The virtual Vantage Point: Telehealth Photography Program focuses on COVID-related issues through personal phone camera photos. Taylor taught two groups of veterans through the Veterans Affairs video-connect platform to center them on successful coping skills and increased social connection during a period of significant isolation. The program’s success led to the Oklahoma City VA recently adopting The Vantage Point Program for their outpatient veterans.

Two of Sgt. Corrin Lee Mack’s (above) photographs from the VA program. Army Sgt. Mack is a distinguished veteran who received the Bronze Star Medal for her role in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Musical Notes

Shaffer ’22 Named Presser Scholar

The music faculty announced that Tessa Shaffer ’22, a double major in music and music education, was named the 2021–22 Presser Scholar. Shaffer, one of three students to win the Concerto Aria competition in the spring, earned the College’s most prestigious music award. The Presser Scholar is “Selected by the music faculty guided solely by consideration of excellence and merit. This award is an honor award, and the student is known as a Presser Scholar during their senior year. The award includes a generous stipend to aid in continuing musical studies.”

Alumni Accolades

LVC Celebrates 152nd Commencement

Nearly 440 students in the Class of 2021 undergraduate and graduate programs celebrated their educational and personal accomplishments during three Commencement ceremonies in May. The College held three distinct Commencements—one for physical therapy doctoral graduates and two for undergraduate degree recipients—as part of COVID-19 protocols.

Dr. Michael Fink, PT, DSc, SCS, chair and professor of physical therapy, was the Commencement speaker by receiving the 2020 Thomas Rhys Vickroy Distinguished Teaching Award (Vickroy Award) during the 2020 Commencement. He advised the class to “Surround yourselves with those who embody what you want to become… those with a positive outlook on life, who speak encouragement into the lives of others, and who exude confidence, and who have mastered their craft.”

LVC also recognized the winners of several major annual awards during the weekend. Dr. Ken Yarnall, chair and associate professor of mathematical sciences, presented the top student award, The H. Anthony Neidig Award, to Alison Liu ’21, actuarial science and computer & data science. Faculty in the nationally recognized department noted that “Allison is one of the most astonishingly capable, involved, and accomplished students we have ever had the pleasure of working with. Her incredible level of involvement with campus life, diversity initiatives, and community service makes her near-perfect academic and professional accomplishments even more amazing. She represents the best of LVC in every way imaginable.”

Liu, who also minored in German and studied in Germany, is one of the College’s four Allwein Scholars in the Class of 2021. Allwein Scholars receive LVC’s most distinguished full scholarship. Liu earned three paid internships during her LVC career, including one with the Capital Insurance Group in California. Liu accepted a position with Capital as an actuarial analyst.

Dr. Monica Cowart, provost and vice president of academic affairs, announced Michael Pittari, M.A., professor and director of creative arts, as the recipient of this year’s Vickroy Award, the top honor for a full-time faculty member. A department colleague noted, “Professor Pittari is a skilled and practiced technician in the art of teaching.” A fellow professor added, “Professor Pittari’s ability to engage students, stimulate thinking, and develop understanding is exemplary.”

Dr. Cowart also presented the Rev. Timothy Dewald P’04 with the Nevelyn J. Knisley Award, annually bestowed on a parttime or adjunct faculty member. Dewald, who has taught classes throughout the curriculum in his nearly three decades at The Valley, is the first-ever two-time winner of the Knisley Award. A nominator noted, “Tim teaches his courses to develop students’ ability to read technical material, work through complex lines of reasoning, and explain technical materials at appropriate levels.”

Earlier in the week, Dr. Andrew Milosz, clinical assistant professor of exercise science, received the Educator of the Year Award from Camden Selby ’21, Student Government representative, on behalf of the student body. This honor is bestowed annually on a member of the full-time faculty who embodies the transformative power of the LVC experience, in and out of the classroom.

Milestones

#1 in PA for Getting a Job for Fourth Consecutive Year

Career guidance site Zippia identified Lebanon Valley College as #1 among all colleges and universities in Pennsylvania in its listing of “The Best Colleges in Each State for Getting a Job 2021.” It is the fourth consecutive year (2018—2021) LVC was listed #1 in Pennsylvania.

Zippia used the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard to search “for the college in each state with the highest listed job placement numbers ten years after graduation.” Zippia noted, “Some colleges are vastly more supportive of their students’ post-graduation concerns than others. Whether it comes from excellent career centers, strong academic offerings, stellar reputations, or networking opportunities, certain colleges just flat-out do a better job of helping students launch their careers than other colleges.”

“This external validation of our career preparation is particularly gratifying,” said Dr. James MacLaren, LVC president. “Our unique approach to career readiness starts with students thinking about their futures as soon as they arrive on campus. We make an intentional web of connections between a student’s program of study, faculty, on-campus activities, networking with alumni, internships, and career planning. I believe this integrated approach is the reason for this impressive and consistent success.”

Students, starting their first weeks on campus, and alumni are encouraged to use the many resources offered by the career services staff in the College’s Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Graduate Success. Breen Center staff and student career mentors help students identify their purpose and articulate to employers how their academic, co-curricular, and personal experiences make them valuable professionals.

Another Record First-Year Class

The Class of 2025 is the largest first-year class in LVC history. The 487 new students surpassed the 478 new enrollees in 2019. Aside from last years’ COVID-affected enrollment across the country, LVC has welcomed record classes of new enrollees in four of the past five years.

“This strong demand for an LVC education is a testament to our outstanding faculty, Breen Center career networking team, and admission staff who firmly believe in the College’s mission,” said Edwin Wright, vice president of enrollment and marketing. “Having been listed #1 for the fourth consecutive year in Pennsylvania for Zippia’s ‘Best College in Each State for Getting a Job” further reinforces the College’s goal to support students during and long after their time at The Valley.”

The Class of 2025 comes from 15 states and Washington, D.C., ranging from California and Michigan to New Hampshire and Florida. New students represent four international countries: China, Canada, England, and Northern Ireland. The group also includes three new John Bowman Allwein Scholars. The Allwein Scholarship, established in 2014 through a gift from Dr. John “Jack” Bowman Allwein ’56, provides full tuition to LVC, as well as three $2,500 stipends for such academic purposes as studying abroad, experiencing internships, or conducting research.