was a very special day as we celebrated the graduation of the remarkable Class of 2022, and the board of trustees approved moving forward on the transformational Basin Street Project. The Class of 2022 experienced college under unparalleled adversity. Their four years at Lycoming College were different from any other class in the institution’s 209-year history because the global pandemic disrupted five of their eight semesters. Their second year ended with remote learning, and when we invited them to return in the fall of 2020, there were no COVID vaccines, only basic treatments, and N-95 masks were not widely available. But they returned and demonstrated the deep passion that our students have for residential, in-person learning. During their senior year, they were forced to navigate the Delta and Omicron surges, and until March 4, they followed COVID protocols that included mandatory indoor wearing of highquality masks and surveillance testing. The graduating Class of 2022 persisted in the face of massive challenges and continuous uncertainty as the pandemic lasted much longer than most anticipated. But they not only survived — they thrived. The Class of 2022 also learned how to use their voices. They raised our community’s awareness of issues surrounding diversity, race equity and inclusion, and sexual assault. They challenged the College to do better. Their voices were heard, and as I told them during commencement, Lycoming is a better place because of the Class of 2022. On the afternoon of May 14, they and their families celebrated their accomplishment with resounding joy. During the morning, the board of trustees gave final approval to the Basin Street Project, which will transform and revitalize the neighborhood to the south of campus and move forward the vision for a grand new entrance to the College. The board action establishes a legal framework under which Pine Ridge Construction Management will construct two buildings that we anticipate will include retail, a restaurant, a rooftop park, offices, a medical facility, a daycare center, and twelve attractive condominiums, as well as a parking structure. The College will remain involved in shaping the project as a member of the Old City Williamsport LLCs. Pine Ridge and the College expect groundbreaking by early June 2022. As I close, I would like to acknowledge the faculty and staff of the College who came to work every day throughout the past four semesters. The staff supported and guided our students in their residential lives both outside and inside the classroom. They cared for students and executed our time-consuming COVID protocols. The faculty engaged the students in person, adapted their teaching, and inspired students to learn. I am continually inspired by their deep commitment to Lycoming College and deeply grateful to them. They enabled the College to continue transforming lives, even during a global pandemic. Kent C. Trachte, Ph.D. President From the Presiden MAY 14, 2022, 2 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2022 SPRING MAGAZINE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTA3NDk=