CON LITERATURE.THEATRE.ART Want to be featured here? Alumni are encouraged to share their recent works of literature, theatre, art, music, and film to be considered for future publication by contacting marketing@lycoming.edu. Evelyn (Nardi) Schmitt ’61 grew up in Williamsport across the street from Brandon Park. Scholarships made it possible for her to attend Lycoming, where she’d walk from home to her classes. She has fond memories of her math professor, Frances Knights Skeath, Ph.D., who led her on the path of majoring in math when no other women were enrolled in those classes. After graduation, Evelyn moved to Florida for a couple of years where she student taught. She later ventured to California where she continued her education at Loyola Marymount University and then began teaching in high school. “I loved math and spent 35 years teaching. I had a great career and the best classes,” she said. Upon retirement, she was in search of a hobby. Over the next few years, Evelyn tried acting classes, took up knitting, and dabbled in painting. “Eventually, my friends had enough scarves, and my garage was filled with canvases,” she laughed. “I had a point and shoot camera — and my living room windows overlook Manhattan Beach — so I found myself running out to take photos of the beautiful sunsets.” She decided to visit her local camera shop, bought a better camera, and started taking photography classes at age 70. As she honed her skills, she bought better cameras and expanded her subject. “I learned so much by taking classes. It boosted my passion, and I made many new friends and began traveling with them. It keeps me going.” When asked where she’s traveled, it was easier to answer with what remains on her bucket list: Antarctica, Nepal, and Mongolia. After 45 years, Evelyn returned to the Galapagos Islands in June and had the opportunity to photograph the rare Red Footed Booby. In October, she’ll return to a favorite location, Ethiopia, with her photography mentor, Piper MacKay, for a fashion shoot of women from the Suri tribe. But it’s Manhattan Beach that always calls her home. “It’s the most photogenic pier in the world, and I marvel at all of my photos.” She adores the area’s beauty, its small-town atmosphere, and the friendly people. She’s even been called “The Queen of the Pier” for her awardwinning photos, and most recently, four photos were accepted by the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa this summer. View more of her photography at www.facebook.com/evelyn.schmitt.796. Evelyn (Nardi) Schmitt ’61 (1-4) Photos of the Manhattan Beach Pier show a view of the sunset that only happens twice a year, known as Manhattan Beach Pier Henge; a photo of a wave taken in December 2023 that now hangs in Manhattan Beach City Hall; an iconic image of a surfer; Suri woman and child from the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, which won Best in Show at the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation 2025 Photography Juried Show 1 2 3 4 36 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 FALL MAGAZINE
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