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J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic, said
the contribution is aligned with AT&T Aspire, one of the largest
corporate commitments focused on helping more students
graduate from high school ready for college and careers. In 2012,
AT&T announced an additional quarter-billion-dollar expansion
to the program, bringing the total commitment to $350 million
since the program was launched in 2008.
“At AT&T, we see supporting education as investing in the
future because a well-educated workforce may be the single most
important thing businesses can do to help students succeed in a
digital, global economy,” said Schweder. “This contribution will
help introduce young people to what’s possible if they stay in
school and focus on their studies.”
The students included representatives from six of the county’s
high schools, along with peers from Philadelphia, New York City,
Texas and California, who are enrolled in KIPP and YES Prep,
national public charter school networks with which Lycoming
has partnered.
“While here, they got a hands-on introduction to the liberal
arts and college life. And through it all, they bonded with each
other, and with us,” said Andrew W. Kilpatrick, dean of first-year
students at the college and the inaugural director of the program.
“They learned about the objectivity of chemical demonstration
and explored the subjectivity of international affairs and debate.
They got dirty digging at the archeological site, where they
imagined what life was like, and marveled under the stars at Rider
Park. They learned about brain functions and
put Piaget’s theory of cognitive development in
action by playing with, Professor of Psychology
Dr. Sue Kelley’s children,” said Kilpatrick.
The program went well beyond the academic
and addressed the importance of giving to
others. Under the guidance of Administrator
Kirstin Burkhart, students hosted a picnic
and games for the residents of West House
Personal Care Home in Williamsport. The
program also provided time for recreation,
religious worship and cultural events.
Kayaking down the Susquehanna River was
balanced with yoga classes, nature hikes and
a theatrical performance presented by the
Community Theatre League.
Participants also benefited from an open
forum with Lycoming College Williamsport
Internship Summer Experience (WISE) Interns,
who completed internships in the Williamsport area this
summer. The interns shared how these opportunities came about
and how they will impact their future careers, informing and
developing the impending mindset of the students.
During the two-week intensive program, held July 12-
26, currently enrolled Lycoming students, Bryan McGinnis,
Huy Pham and recent graduate Julie Polcrack (’14), served as
mentors and facilitators for the participants.
Students were treated to a closing banquet
and award ceremony hosted by President Kent
Trachte and his wife, Dr. Sharon Trachte. “We
greatly appreciate the generous support from
AT&T that has made it possible for us to offer
Lycoming College Prep,” said Trachte. “This
new program will help to open the doors of
opportunity for many high-achieving, first-
generation students.” David Kerr, regional
vice president of external affairs for AT&T
Pennsylvania, also spoke to the students
on career readiness, digital reputation and
leadership.
“This new program helped to open the
doors of opportunity for many high-achieving,
first-generation students,” said Kilpatrick. “We
are very grateful to AT&T for their generosity
and to the many faculty and administrators
at Lycoming College who gave so freely of their time and
expertise.”
Additional information about AT&T Aspire is on the web
at
www.att.com/aspire.•
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5
www.lycoming.eduT H E CO L L E G E