2018 FALL LC MAGAZINE

During the All-Alumni Rally & Breakfast, the Alumni Association Executive Board was pleased to present alumni awards to the following individuals who have distinguished themselves both professionally and in their personal lives, and for their loyalty to Lycoming College. The Dr. James E. Douthat Outstanding Achievement Award was conferred upon Gwendolyn “Wendy” (Gehman) ’71 and Raymond ’68 Enstine for their collective strength toward significant accomplishments in the professional field and their dedicated support of Lycoming College. Ray had a 30-year successful career in the family propane business, retiring as president of Pulver Gas in Bridgehampton, N.Y. He was active in serving on various business and industry committees, associations, and councils, holding offices at the regional, state, and national levels. Wendy supported Ray by helping with projects at home and attending various state and national meetings and conferences. Their volunteerism and service to communities around the country is inspiring. “We are fortunate to be able to donate both time and resources to numerous local community, school, and church groups, as well as hold leadership positions,” said Ray. The Taunia Oechslin Young Alumni Award was bestowed upon Melissa (Britcher) Shaffmaster ’03 for making significant contributions to her profession, demonstrating leadership and accomplishment in her career, and exemplifying outstanding service and volunteerism to the College or community for the first 15 years after graduating. In her current role as senior manager of strategic communications for Cornell University, she works with the university’s leadership team to develop and execute strategic communication plans that elevate the university’s mission, priorities, and accomplishments to internal and external audiences. A first-generation college student, Shaffmaster said, “The ability to explore, to fail, to learn, and to grow is engrained in the Lycoming experience, and I don’t know where I would be without it.” The Angela R. Kyte Outstanding Alumni Award was given to Brenda Bowser Soder ’98 for her demonstration of a lifetime of service to humanity and for a life exemplifying those qualities encouraged and fostered by Lycoming College. She is the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s director of communications and public affairs. As director, Soder works every day to ensure secure, accessible, and efficient federal elections for the American people. Her work ensures election administrators and U.S. voters have the resources they need to shore up the foundation of our democracy. “This award celebrates not only the strong foundation we received in the classroom at Lycoming, but also how our overall experience there molded us into individuals who care deeply about the rights and well- being of others,” she said. The Dale V. Bower Service Award was presented to Mary L. Welch for her outstanding service rendered to Lycoming College. Welch was a volunteer for the College, serving as a member of the South Campus Improvement Committee that oversaw the $1.5 million re-development of 3.6 acres between Market and Mulberry Streets. She had a 30-year tenure on the board of the Williamsport Community Concert Association, serving as vice president and co-chairwoman of membership. She was a board member for the Lycoming County Historical Society and a member of the Friends of James V. Brown Library. Along with her husband, the late Marshall D. Welch Jr. ’12H, she has been among the College’s most generous donors, making possible the Mary L. Welch Theatre and renovations to the Mary Lindsay Welch Honors Hall. H O N O R I N G O U T S TA N D I N G I N D I V I D UA L S 39 www.lycoming.edu (L to R) Trachte, AAEB president Mary-Louise Paucke ’97, Enstine, Enstine, Bowser Soder, AAEB vice president Bob Martin ’95, Welch, and Shaffmaster