NEWS On July 1, Jennifer Mariacher joined Lycoming as vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, where she leads a broad portfolio that includes the College’s business operations, physical plant, human resources, risk, and auxiliary enterprises. A seasoned financial executive in higher education, she brings more than 20 years of experience to this role and will partner with Lycoming leadership to build a long-term financial model and physical plant that continues to provide students and community members with a nationally recognized education in the liberal arts, sciences, and business. Prior to Lycoming, Mariacher served as vice president for administration and finance at Central Penn College along with holding various roles at Franklin and Marshall College and Millersville University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Elizabethtown College. Allison Saunders, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry, was awarded $68,200 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for her project “Method Development for the Detection of Microbial Spoilage in Beverages.” This project is part of the PA Manufacturing Fellows Initiative in collaboration with Joseph Feerrar ’02, owner of Bald Birds Brewing in Jersey Shore, Pa. The Fellows Initiative is a main component of the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program and supports designated undergraduate and graduate student fellows at Pennsylvania universities to work with Pennsylvania manufacturers. Faculty and students address projects identified by industry to help advance new products or process innovations. Andrew Paulhamus, CPA, assistant professor of accounting, is the recipient of the 2025 Howard C. Berthold Faculty Research and Information Competencies Award, given annually to a faculty member who actively supports research competencies through class assignments, curriculum mapping, collaboration with librarians, and professional development related to information literacy. Andreas Rentsch, MFA, associate professor of art, had his two works from “The Wanderer” series included in the group exhibition, “Arborescent III,” at the Alex Ferrone Gallery in Cutchogue, N.Y. Both pieces were created during his sabbatical and funded by a professional development grant through the College. The images were created by exposing cutouts and botanicals on black-and-white photographic paper to direct sunlight for two to three hours. Phoebe Wagner, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, had her edited anthology “Almanac for the Anthropocene: A Compendium of Solarpunk Futures” featured as a staff pick on the Climate Optimism shelf at Powell’s Books: The World’s Largest Independent Bookstore. A staff member wrote, “If you read one book from here, have it be this one. Provides thoughts on the why of climate optimism [and] DIY movement.” Lycoming College recognized teaching excellence at the annual Honors Convocation held on April 13. Kimberly Kohler, Ph.D., assistant professor of education, received the 2025 Junior Faculty Teaching Award, and Betty McCall, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology, received the 2025 Plankenhorn Alumni Award for Faculty Excellence. Additionally, Susan Achury, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, and Andrew Stafford, Ph.D., associate provost for teaching excellence, were both presented with the Mary Sieminksi Endowed Humanities Research Award, and Rubén Varona Herrera, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish, received the Dr. Meghan C. Andrews Research and Professional Enrichment Award. Submissions to the 40th Annual Educational Advertising Awards earned Murray Hanford, director of visual communications, gold for the 2024 President’s Report. A gold was also received from the Collegiate Advertising Awards for the Admissions Holiday Greeting in the Special Video Production category. In recognition for their outstanding dedication and service, Lycoming College extends its heartfelt congratulations to these individuals upon their retirement: Michelle Briggs, Ph.D., professor of biology; Mehrdad Madresehee, Ph.D., professor of economics; Daniel Miller, Ed.D., dean of students and vice president for student life; and John Whelan Jr., Ph.D., professor of philosophy. 21 www.lycoming.edu
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