Geoffrey Roche, vice president of strategic initiatives and secretary of the College, co-presented with Miriam Gonzalez, HACC admission counselor, at Leadership Lebanon’s annual Education Day. The goal of the day is to “gain exposure and insight into the educational challenges of the Lebanon community, as well as the educational program development and services with a focus on three Lebanon County school districts.”

According to the Lebanon County Chamber of Commerce March newsletter, Gonzalez and Roche “spoke about the programs provided at their respective schools, the student focused program improvements, and the partnerships they have formed with each other, other post-secondary education institutions, and Lebanon Valley School Districts to help better prepare the Lebanon County youth for education after high school graduation.”

Kelly Jacobs ’18, an economics major and politics minor, and Dr. Rebecca Urban, associate professor of biology and director of environmental science, were recently named 2018 PERC Campus Sustainability Champions. “The Campus Sustainability Champion title is awarded to students, faculty, administrators, and staff of Pennsylvania colleges and universities who have made meaningful contributions benefiting social, economic and/or environmental sustainability on their campus, in their community, or in society at large. Contributions can be in areas of teaching, research, co-curricular programs, campus culture, community service, and campus operations, including food recovery.”

Kelly was nominated for her work on the Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) and as a SAC data intern, compiling the College’s Annual Carbon Footprint. Kelly also founded the student Environmental Club and served as its president for several years. Kelly will graduate in May and plans to attend graduate school to continue her studies of sustainability.

Dr. Urban was nominated for her work on the Sustainability Advisory Committee and for leading the creation of the environmental science major. She is the driving force behind the annual Earth Days activities, and was instrumental in developing the environmental science major and curriculum. In addition, she created the proposal to designate 20 acres on the north side of campus as the Wood Thrush Research Preserve. The new serves as an academic resource for faculty and students. Preserving the area will open up even more opportunities for future classes, individual research, and environmental initiatives.

Dr. Ivette Guzman-Zavala, associate professor of Spanish, and the majors in her Capstone Senior Seminar recently volunteered in Lebanon. They were joined by Roberto Marti ’07, assistant director of admission and coordinator of transfer enrollment, and Shilesky Montalvo ’18, LVC student trustee, as they helped translate health insurance, housing, voting, and other important information for recent Latino/Puerto Rican arrivals. The event was organized by the United Way of Lebanon County and its chief executive officer, Kenny Montijo ’09.

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & Capital Region Economic Development Corporation named Justin Roth ’14 marketing and communications manager. Roth was an art & art history and digital communications double major at LVC.

Dr. James Broussard, professor of history, was interviewed by Charles McElwee ’11 for an article he wrote for American Conservative. Dr. Broussard, in his role as director of the College’s Center for Political History, was quoted in “Heinz, Santorum, and the GOP’s Working Class Legacy in Pennsylvania.”

Dr. Keith Veenhuizen, assistant professor of physics, has been invited to attend the 2018 Corning Glass Summit to be held in early June at Corning Incorporated. The Corning Glass Summit is a technical conference that brings together glass researchers from industry and academia to discuss the state of the art in glass science and manufacturing.

Judy Siler ’74, biology, was re-elected to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont’s board. She will serve a three-year term, one year of which will be as second vice president.

Nathaniel Gibbons ’18, an Allwein Scholar from Frederick, Md., was awarded a scholarship worth $7,500 from the National Collegiate Athletic Association to help pursue graduate studies this fall. A two-time College Sports Information Directors of America All-American, Gibbons, a defensive star on the men’s soccer team, is double majoring in physics and mathematics.

Garrett Santis ’19, an Allwein Scholar from Ijamsville, Md., earned all-academic honors from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. He is an ACS chemistry major with minors in mathematics and computer & data science.