LYCOMING COLLEGE SPRING 2025 the Legacy Celebrating
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Under the leadership of President Kent Trachte, the execution of Lycoming College’s 2014 Strategic Plan included numerous improvements to the College’s physical plant. One of the most noticeable improvements includes the creation of a new arrival sequence for campus at the corner of Basin and Fourth Streets to help revitalize Williamsport’s Old City neighborhood. The Krapf Gateway Center opened in the fall of 2019 followed by the Trachte Music Center in the fall of 2022. The College’s enhanced entrance not only creates an inviting welcome for visitors but also elevates the east end of the city. 1 www.lycoming.edu
write to you for the last time as the 15th president of this fine institution. I have been pondering the timing of my retirement for several years now, and I am confident that the end of this academic year is the right time to step down from this honorable role. The trustees have now named Dr. Chip Edmonds as the 16th president of the College. I congratulate Chip, and we have begun working to ensure a smooth transition. In my inaugural address on April 5, 2014, I echoed the words of the College’s tenth president, D. Frederic Wertz, and invited the Lycoming community to “Dare to Dream.” During The Campaign for a Greater Lycoming, we challenged ourselves to “Dare to Do.” You, the trustees, alumni, students, faculty, parents, and staff have responded with great ideas and remarkable energy over the past eleven years. Many supporters and friends from the City of Williamsport and Lycoming County have been invaluable partners in executing our strategic objectives. Together, we have transformed our institution into one of the very best national liberal arts colleges that lives up to the words “We Change Lives.” I am grateful to everyone who has been part of this amazing journey. As you know, American higher education is undergoing a disruption of historical significance. You should be confident that Lycoming College is positioned to thrive in the future. We have recruited a very diverse student body that draws from talented pools around the country and the world and that looks like the population that will be attending college in the future. The College has been engaged in continuous curricular innovation adding new academic programs and revising many preexisting ones. When combined with the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences, we have built a model 21st-century liberal arts curriculum. Through our steadfast commitment and dedication, even during the tribulations of a global pandemic, we now rank as one of the nation’s Top 100 liberal arts colleges, something of which I am most proud. I am deeply grateful to our exceptional faculty, dedicated staff, and loyal alumni for entrusting me with the privilege of shepherding this remarkable institution for nearly 12 years. Your unwavering support, hard work, and shared commitment to our mission have been the foundation of everything we’ve accomplished together. I have also been fortunate to work with many committed and thoughtful trustees, especially Board Chairs Peter Lynn, Stan Sloter, and Mark Fultz. Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not extend my heartfelt gratitude to my wife, Sharon, for her unwavering support and contributions throughout my tenure. Her presence and dedication to this institution have been an integral part of our shared legacy, and I am grateful for her inspiration, encouragement, and companionship. These years have been the most meaningful of our professional and personal lives, and we genuinely view them as a great gift. We will treasure our fond memories and lasting relationships, and we will hold Lycoming forever in our hearts and wish for the continued success of this remarkable community of thinkers and doers. With profound appreciation, Kent C. Trachte, Ph.D. President From President the We WeCha Cha Together, we have transformed our institution into one of the very best national liberal arts colleges that lives up to the words 2 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
’s Desk ange Lives. 3 www.lycoming.edu
VOL. 40, NO. 1 SPRING 2025 Moving up to TOP 100 in U.S. News is wonderful affirmation of the commitment and dedicated work of the trustees, faculty, and staff over the past decade. LYCOMING COLLEGE MAGAZINE EDITOR Amy Chandler marketing@lycoming.edu ASSOCIATE EDITORS Chase Bower ’25 Joe Guistina Marla Kramer Lynn (Detwiler) Zitta ’11 ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Murray Hanford PHOTOGRAPHY DMK Media Emily Shaffer ’19 Eric Stashak Gordon Wenzel M. Mitchell Wheary ’20 Ralph Wilson CLASS NOTES EDITOR Terri (Neufer) Brewer ’14 ADMINISTRATION Kent C. Trachte, Ph.D. President Chip Edmonds, Ed.D. ’98 Executive Vice President Sandra Kingery, Ph.D. Interim Provost & Dean of the Faculty 4 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
LYCOMING COLLEGE ONE COLLEGE PLACE WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701-5192 570-321-4000 www.lycoming.edu Copyright© 2025 Lycoming College. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or duplicated without the prior written permission of the publisher. Lycoming College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK NOTEWORTHY CELEBRATING THE TRACHTE LEGACY CHIP EDMONDS, ED.D. ’98 THE 16TH PRESIDENT OF LYCOMING COLLEGE NAVIGATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON CAMPUS AND BEYOND FRANCO, SWITZER KEEP LYCOMING MEN’S LACROSSE ON THE DEFENSIVE FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: RUBÉN VARONA, PH.D. FACULTY & STAFF NEWS ALUMNI HAPPENINGS HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2024 CLASS NOTES CONNECT: SAMUEL FOREMAN ’10 LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP FOSTERS SUPPORT FOR FEMALE STUDENTS: ANNE FISHER ’81 2 6 16 22 18 24 26 30 32 34 GO PAPERLESS. To receive a link to an online version of Lycoming College Magazine rather than a paper copy, email marketing@lycoming.edu with “online magazine subscription” in the subject line. Include your name, class year, and mailing address in the message. 40 10 5 41 www.lycoming.edu
NOTEWOR LYCOMING COLLEGE BREAKS INTO U.S. NEWS TOP 100 LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES, RANKS NO. 22 BEST VALUE SCHOOL LYCOMING COLLEGE NAMED NASA SPACE GRANT SCHOOL ENSURING 15 INTERNSHIPS OVER FIVE YEARS The U.S. News 2025 National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings placed Lycoming College among the best colleges in the nation with an overall rank of No. 100, the No. 22 spot on the Best Value Schools list, and the No. 7 position on Top Performers on Social Mobility. Lycoming College’s TOP 100 position denotes a rise of seven spots in overall rank, tying Lycoming with Augustana College and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The 2025 listing is also the first time that Lycoming College appeared on the Best Value Schools list, which, according to U.S. News “takes into account a school’s academic quality, as indicated by its 2024 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, and the 2022-23 net cost of attendance for an out-of-state student who received the average level of need-based financial aid. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal.” For the Top Performers on Social Mobility, Lycoming remained steady at No. 7 — a reflection of the institution’s commitment to improving college access for high-performing, highneed students. “Our hard work has paid off,” said President Trachte. “Moving up to TOP 100 in U.S. News is wonderful affirmation of the commitment and dedicated work of the trustees, faculty, and staff over the past decade. We believe that this ranking will enhance the visibility of our institution and expand the pool of prospective students and their families that find Lycoming to be their best-fit college.” Joining the ranks of Pennsylvania research institutions including Carnegie Mellon and Lehigh University, Lycoming College received a fiveyear NASA Space Grant award that will enable the institution to host 15 astronomy research interns over its duration. The College matched the award for a total investment of $70,000 in astronomy student research opportunities. The National Space Grant program is a network of colleges and universities that work to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research, and public outreach. The grant will help fund the Lycoming College FUSION program, which is dedicated to involving first-year astronomy and physics students in facultyled research — a rare find on college campuses. Every summer, the FUSION program selects two first-year student researchers who show aptitude for astronomy research, as well as a third student researcher, typically an upper-class student, to guide and manage research projects while conducting their own faculty-led research. “The national research internship landscape is so competitive for undergraduates that giving them experiences early on can only enhance their chances of securing a prestigious REU [Research Experience for Undergraduates] later,” said 6 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
RTHY LYCOMING COLLEGE RECOGNIZED AS A 2024 ALL IN MOST ENGAGED CAMPUS FOR COLLEGE STUDENT VOTING Lycoming College has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation. Lycoming joins a group of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions, including participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, sharing campus voting data, developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan, and having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education President’s Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. Led by Lycoming instructor of sociology Angela Kurtz, Ph.D., students enrolled in a course entitled “Civic Engagement” undertook a number of initiatives to encourage voter participation among their classmates this election cycle, including a National Voter Registration Day Drive, weekly voter registration tables, flyer drops in dorms, and an outdoor Election Day event with free food and stickers. “As a liberal arts and sciences campus, Lycoming College places a high value on the democratic process,” said Kurtz. Emily Wilson, Ph.D., assistant professor of astrophysics. “We hope this funding for our FUSION program allows students to learn about the research process and scientific method in a very hands-on way early in their careers. The internship will also help students build different skillsets and knowledge bases that will help them in future courses.” “The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates. This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These Most Engaged Campuses are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country.” 7 www.lycoming.edu
The George I. Alden Trust granted Lycoming College $150,000 for updated instrumentation in the Detwiler Planetarium including a new projection system, software, and increased computing power. This is the sixth grant awarded to Lycoming by the Alden Trust since 2005, bringing a total of $710,000 in support. During the 2023-24 academic year, the planetarium hosted 36 non-curricular, communityoriented shows with a total attendance of 1,617. Included were programs for high school students, scout troops, the local Chamber of Commerce’s leadership program, and the City’s First Friday program, for which the free planetarium shows consistently resulted in waiting lists. “The planetarium upgrades represent Lycoming’s continuation of strategic institutional investment in the sciences and will allow for ongoing and enhanced opportunities for coursebased pedagogy, student-led applications, and community LYCOMING COLLEGE AWARDED $150,000 GRANT BY GEORGE I. ALDEN TRUST FOR DETWILER PLANETARIUM INSTRUMENTATION ENHANCEMENTS outreach,” said Melissa Morris, Ph.D., assistant professor of astronomy. Beyond its capacity for astronomy education traditional to planetariums, the new instrumentation features multidisciplinary capabilities, with programs for earth science, biology, chemistry, and related sciences already integrated. Additionally, because the system is cloud-connected, it can download open-access prepared shows or offer live “domecasts” from other institutions, including top science centers and planetariums around the world. Further, the system can be tailored for other purposes, both academic and outreach, because any media can be integrated. Other academic disciplines can utilize the projection system for presentations. Administrative offices, such as admissions, can use the planetarium for recruitment events as well. Lycoming College has introduced two innovative majors, including the environmental science major, which has previously only been a minor, and the all-new performing arts management major. The environmental science major is built on the strength of the Clean Water Institute and an already robust biology program. Expected to attract students interested in the rapidly growing green jobs sector, it integrates elements of anthropology, biology, business, chemistry, economics, English, history, philosophy, and political science to understand and address challenges to creating and sustaining a healthy environment. The program prioritizes internships and research experiences to prepare students, from monitoring pollution or assisting in restoration and remediation projects to advocating for environmentally-sound policies. Students have the option to pursue a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree. “Concerns about the environment are increasing, and we need more scientists to address the issues of environmental preservation and management in light of the climate crisis,” said LYCOMING COLLEGE INTRODUCES NEW INNOVATIVE ACADEMIC MAJORS Jeff Newman, Ph.D., professor of biology and coordinator of the program. The performing arts management major is designed for students passionate about the arts and eager to work beyond the stage. In addition to performing arts coursework, students will take comprehensive business, corporate communications, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship classes and engage in practica and internship experiences. The program is ideal for students interested in both business and the arts and provides theoretical and practical foundations for aspiring arts management professionals. As early as their first year, students will gain hands-on experience managing live performances and arts events to build their resumes and professional networks. “By adding a major in performing arts management, students are expanding the range of skills, experiences, and connections needed to thrive professionally and can enter the performing arts industry with confidence,” said Biliana Stoytcheva-Horissian, Ph.D., professor and chair of the theatre department. 8 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
An intermediate German class at Lycoming College took on a community-based learning project that introduced an authentic German Christmas market to the Williamsport community. The market was held in conjunction with Williamsport’s December First Friday and annual Christmas parade events. Intermediate German 112/225, a course led by Len Cagle, Ph.D., associate professor of German, focuses on the development of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication, and incorporates cultural and short literary readings, as well as the study of German films. Conversations with Caroline Payne, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and director of the office of community based learning, got Cagle thinking about different ways that students could give back to the community while still meeting the requirements of the course. “With the intention of embracing a community-based learning project, I decided to have the students learn about German cultural festivals generally and then focus on Christmas markets, especially the LYCOMING COLLEGE STUDENTS SPEARHEAD INTRODUCTION OF AUTHENTIC GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET TO WILLIAMSPORT best-known ones in Nuremberg, Heidelberg, and Dresden,” said Cagle. “I wanted the students to get a holistic view of what a German Christmas Market is, its history, and traditions, but also focus on regional and cultural differences between markets in order to be able to make informed recommendations to local organizations and the mayor’s office regarding our new Christmas market.” Students examined organizational plans for the events, including traditional foods, music, cultural activities, wooden huts for vendors, and more. One of the more ambitious ideas was the successful construction of a traditional Christmas pyramid, or “Weihnachtspyramide,” to serve as a grand centerpiece for the market. Once the research was completed, the class presented its findings and recommendations to the City of Williamsport, including the Williamsport Business Association, Lycoming Arts, and Mayor Derek Slaughter. Although frigid temperatures and wind threatened the day, the successful event drew crowds, and the vendors were glad to sell their wares. In recognition of Steve Wiser ’74 for reaching his career milestone of 50 years of coaching Warrior Football, Lycoming College celebrated the dedication of the Steve Wiser ’74 Football Locker Room on Sept. 7, 2024. Former players, classmates, and friends gathered at the Shangraw Athletics Complex to tour the new locker spaces, raise a Bald Birds Brewing “Wizard” beer, and celebrate a decisive Warriors win over Widener, 48-12! The Steve Wiser ’74 Football Locker Room at Girardi Stadium is part of the improvements planned for the athletic complex, which include the construction of a new apparel/concession building, expansion of the plaza between the Keiper and Girardi Stadiums, and the complete renovation of the football locker room. STEVE WISER ’74 FOOTBALL LOCKER ROOM DEDICATION Wiser’s many career highlights include 348-170-5 record on staff, 15 MAC titles, 2x NCAA total defense leaders, 3x NCAA rushing defense leader, NCAA scoring defense leader, 18x MAC top defense, 68 shutouts, 13 NCAA championship appearances, and the 1990 and 1997 Stagg Bowls. “For his time, preparation, and his relentlessness, I can’t think of a more deserving way to honor Coach Steve Wiser than the locker room being named after him. No one has spent more time there than Wise — counseling, teaching, coaching, preparing — all the things that are hidden in this room that only the Warriors see,” said Mike Clark ’93, head football coach. Photo Album Video Enjoy highlights from the dedication by scanning the QR codes. 9 www.lycoming.edu
the Celebrat 10 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
Legacy ting P THINK DEEPLY. ACT BOLDLY. President Kent Trachte embodies Lycoming College’s motto of resident Kent C. Trachte, Ph.D., has provided Lycoming College with bold leadership, dedicated service, and a commitment to excellence. As Lycoming College bids farewell to President Trachte upon his retirement, we reflect on the profound impact he has had on the College and its community for nearly 12 years. Under his leadership, our institution has not only flourished in academics and research but has also grown in spirit and purpose. Trachte has been a steadfast champion of our values, fostering an environment where students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to challenge themselves, innovate, and embrace lifelong learning. His dedication to diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence has left an indelible mark on the College, shaping it into a place where both personal and intellectual growth are nurtured. His vision and guidance have inspired us all, and his legacy will continue to resonate for generations to come. As Trachte steps into his next chapter, the Lycoming family extends our deepest gratitude and admiration for his remarkable service, wishing him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. - Lycoming College Board of Trustees 11 www.lycoming.edu
Trachte began his presidency in July 2013. During his inauguration, he affirmed his belief in the mission of the College and that an education centered on the liberal arts and sciences provides the truest foundation upon which to build a life of meaning and purpose. He holds true to that sentiment today. Trachte shared that he is most proud of launching a first-generation recruitment initiative based on partnerships with leading national charter schools and access programs. This has led to enrolling a student body that has become quantifiably more national, diverse, and global. To provide this student body with first rate instruction, Trachte, shortly after taking office, made it a goal to raise faculty salaries to attract and keep the best faculty possible. Additionally, many new academic programs have been added to the curriculum. Majors added during his term include computer science, biochemistry, neuroscience, medieval studies, film and video arts, anthropology, environmental science, performing arts management, and new major tracks in archaeology. Minors in Latin American studies and entrepreneurship were also added. “President Trachte worked to offer transformative experiences for our students, particularly our first-generation college students, such as increased study abroad, summer internships, and other enhanced academic experiences. Kent supported the growth of academic programs and initiatives that were desired by faculty and the campus community,” shared Rachel Hickoff-Cresko, Ed.D., associate professor of education and chair of the department. “The education department has always felt strongly supported by President Trachte, whether it was through our desire to provide teaching experiences in the Dominican Republic, to take future teachers to Italy to learn about the Reggio Emilia approach, or to create a partnership with a local education agency to permit students with special needs to have school and work experience on campus among their sameage peers.” Probably the most visible result of Trachte’s leadership has been the transformation of the physical campus. During his 11-year term, $65 million was invested in campus facilities. Early years saw the construction of the Lynn Science Center (2015) followed by the Krapf Gateway Center (2019). In Kent Trachte’s eyes, all things were possible. He pushed the College to strive for things that most of us thought were out of reach, and because of that vision, Lycoming College is a much better place. As provost for much of Kent’s tenure, I am confident that the fruits of the ambition and aspiration he brought to our community will continue well beyond his 12 years at Lycoming. - Philip Sprunger, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Economics and Former Provost 12 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
“Peter and I have been honored to support Lycoming College, helping to ensure that the students benefit from an outstanding education in state-of-the-art facilities like the Lynn Science Center,” commented Joyce Lynn. “Collaborating with President Trachte has been a true pleasure as we’ve watched vision turn into reality and witnessed his thoughtful stewardship of donor contributions to advance the College’s mission. Over the past 11 plus years, Peter and I grew to consider both Kent and Sharon our very dear friends. I wish them both well as they enter the next chapter of their lives.” The Trachtes’ mutual appreciation for the transformative power of music inspired a shared vision to create a new state-of-theart building dedicated to fostering musical excellence and creativity on campus. In 2022, the Trachte Music Center, named in his honor by donors and trustees, opened its doors to the campus and Williamsport community. The Outdoor Leadership and Education program was established in 2015 to promote student exposure to learning opportunities beyond the classroom, and the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences was formed in 2016 to provide students with limitless opportunities for internships, study abroad, research, and field experiences. Most recently, Keiper Stadium and UPMC Field were completed (2022). Baseball was reinstated, and with it the construction of Warrior Baseball Field in Brandon Park (2024), a project that will have a direct and lasting positive impact on the broader Williamsport community. Additionally, residence halls have been renovated to meet current student expectations, classrooms in the Academic Center modernized, and science labs upgraded, all to ensure that the institution’s facilities reflect its programmatic strengths. “Having had the privilege of serving under President Kent Trachte as chair of the faculty in his first year and provost and dean of the faculty in his last, I have witnessed the sweeping changes his visionary leadership has engendered. Over these 12 years, Kent has overseen major curricular innovations; the recruitment of a very talented and diverse student body; and the addition of new buildings, classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and initiatives such as the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences and the Humanities Research Center. His inspirational leadership has transformed Lycoming College into one of the top 100 13 www.lycoming.edu
liberal arts colleges in the country,” said Sandra Kingery, Ph.D., interim provost and dean of the faculty. Launched in 2016 under Trachte’s leadership, The Campaign for a Greater Lycoming was the College’s most ambitious fundraising initiative in its history. The board’s established goal of $65 million was handily exceeded by the campaign’s conclusion in 2019, with $79.2 million raised in support of the previously mentioned capital projects, new academic programs, endowed scholarships, and the Lycoming Fund. Additionally, grants totaling $4 million from national and state governments were secured. Other, first ever, private grants were realized from the Mellon Foundation, Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Hearst Foundations, Booth Ferris Foundation, and Morgan Foundation. What the College had not anticipated during Trachte’s tenure was a global pandemic. With the outbreak of Covid-19 came strategizing of epic proportions, and Trachte rose to the challenge by continuing to provide a first-rate education while keeping the campus community safe. “I served as faculty chair during the difficulties of the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Kent had the vison to see that first full year of Covid (Fall 2020 to Spring 2021) as a residential face-to-face experience for our students (while so many other colleges were fully remote). Kent orchestrated an ‘all hands-on deck’ response by the College to ensure we executed our mission of providing a distinguished baccalaureate education in the liberal arts and sciences within a coeducational, supportive, residential setting, with as much care and safety as was possible,” recalled Chriss McDonald, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and chair of the department. “So much good was accomplished by so many folks under Kent’s leadership. His mantra was always, ‘let’s reason together to solve this problem.’ He sent emails at 1 a.m., he found test kits when they were in short supply, he found hotel rooms to isolate our students, he always saw a path forward. He was clearly the right person at the right time for the nearly impossible job of being the president of Lycoming College. He was also there to lead us in the celebration of twin graduations in May 2021 when the worst was over. It was an honor to serve with him during this challenging time,” McDonald continued. BEYOND CAMPUS BORDERS As a newly hired president, Trachte worked to develop closer ties between Lycoming and the Williamsport community. His success in this initiative led to a cooperation with local and state officials to create a new and impressive entrance to the campus. This cooperation, in what is known as Old City Williamsport, will be an ongoing project to beautify the area immediately south of campus. Lycoming has benefited with this now formal entryway to campus from Basin Street. “The revitalization of Williamsport’s historic Old City stands as a testament to Dr. Trachte’s unwavering dedication to the project, which promises to be a major economic catalyst for our region,” said Derek Slaughter, City of Williamsport mayor. “Equally important, his leadership has strengthened the partnership between the College and the City in ways that will continue to benefit us all. It has been a privilege to collaborate with him in transforming our community, and his retirement is truly well-deserved.” Trachte also oversaw the opening of the Lycoming College Art Gallery located in downtown Williamsport soon after his presidential appointment. By his side, 14 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
Sharon, a passionate advocate for the arts, forged meaningful connections between the campus and the city and enriched both communities through her vision and dedication to creative expression. Her presence, commitment, and partnership have been an integral part of their shared legacy, leaving a lasting impact on the greater Lycoming community. RISE IN NATIONAL REPUTATION Perhaps most notable is Lycoming’s rise in national reputation. The College has grown impressively under Trachte’s leadership. This fall, Lycoming College stepped into the Top 100 of liberal arts colleges in the nation and earned recognition as the No. 7 school for social mobility and No. 22 for Best Value among our liberal arts peers according to U.S. News and World Report for 2025. “For the past 11 years, President Trachte has provided Lycoming College with a commitment to excellence,” said D. Mark Fultz ’80, chair of the board of trustees. “Through his guidance, Lycoming has risen in national rankings, becoming one of the Top 100 liberal arts colleges in the country. We’ve transformed the campus with innovative enhancements and strengthened the endowment — not to mention constructing three new buildings, renovating dorms and laboratories, and vastly improving classroom environments in the Academic Center — ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. On behalf of the board of trustees, I extend our deepest gratitude to President Trachte for his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and remarkable contributions, which will leave an enduring legacy on our institution.” As he bids farewell to the campus, Trachte can rest assured that he has laid a strong and visionary foundation for the future of the College, ensuring that the next leader will have the tools and momentum to continue fostering innovation and academic excellence. Through his thoughtful leadership, he’s cultivated a culture of collaboration and progress and garnered respect from peer institutions on a national level, setting the stage for continued success and inspiring the next president to build on this legacy with confidence and vision. 15 www.lycoming.edu
n March 6, 2025, the Lycoming College board of trustees announced the appointment of Charles Edmonds, Ed.D. ’98, to the presidency of the College. Currently the executive vice president at Lycoming College, Edmonds will commence his role as president beginning July 1. The selection of Edmonds follows an extensive national search that considered 107 applicants for the position. Members of Lycoming’s board of trustees, the student population, faculty, and staff all played a role in identifying our next president. Don Hughes ’72, trustee and search committee chair, said, “A unanimous recommendation from the search committee is a testament that we have indeed chosen the best candidate.” D. Mark Fultz ’80, chair of the board, added, “Chip possesses a unique combination of institutional experience, an unwavering commitment to our liberal arts tradition, and a vision for continued success well into the future.” Edmonds was chosen for the Lycoming presidency for his deep understanding of the higher education marketplace and his commitment to undergraduate residential education, academic excellence, community engagement, and financial stewardship. He has championed access for the College’s increasingly diverse student population and removed barriers for high-achieving students to receive an undergraduate education. “It will be an extraordinary privilege to build on Lycoming’s distinguished history and harness the community’s collective capacity to provide one of society’s most important public goods — an education that prepares students for exceptional careers and service to humanity,” said Edmonds. Not only an alumnus, Edmonds has been a College employee for about 20 of the last 26 years. Named Lycoming’s executive vice president in 2017, he serves as chief external affairs officer overseeing advancement, enrollment management, marketing and communications, government and community relations, and institutional projects. Prior to this role, he served as vice president for advancement at Lycoming, director of major gifts at Yale University, director of annual giving at Duke University Divinity School, and development associate with the Duke Youth Academy. In earlier years, he worked at Lycoming as assistant director of admissions and a development associate. Edmonds holds a bachelor’s degree in history and music from Lycoming, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a doctoral degree in higher education management from University of Pennsylvania. He resides in Williamsport with his spouse, Erin, and their two sons, Jacob and Luke. Read more about the 16th president in the upcoming Fall 2025 issue of Lycoming College Magazine. CHIP EDMONDS, Ed.D. ’98 16TH PRESIDENT OF LYCOMING COLLEGE Passing the baton to one of our own ..... It will be an extraordinary privilege to build on Lycoming’s distinguished history... 16 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
WARRIOR CLUB INVESTING IN DIVISION III STUDENT-ATHLETES ’50s 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 ’60s ’70s ’80s ’90s ’00s ’10s ’20s # DONORS Every gift provides critical resources that impact the success and experience of our student-athletes. Did you know? Last year, 13 percent of former athletes made a Warrior Club gift. In 2024, 39 percent of all Warrior Club gifts were made by Lycoming alumni. Consider a charitable investment in our athletic programs by designating support to a specific team or to the Warrior Club General Fund. In the past year, Warrior Club gifts provided for out-of-region travel, enhanced team meals, training equipment, team apparel, team banquets, recruitment initiatives, technology equipment, and team building activities. For additional details, contact Glenn Smith ’07, Athletics Development, at smithg@lycoming.edu or 570-321-4455. ALUMNI WARRIOR CLUB GIFTS BY DECADE 6 DONORS 78 DONORS 105 DONORS 70 DONORS 117 DONORS 113 DONORS 134 DONORS 54 DONORS www.lyccoming.edu/wc-givenow 17 www.lycoming.edu
rtificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the field of computer science focused on creating machines and software that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. This includes activities like learning from data, recognizing patterns, solving problems, understanding language, and even making decisions. AI systems can be as simple as a chatbot or as complex as self-driving cars, with applications spreading across nearly every industry, from healthcare to entertainment. The goal of AI is to simulate human cognitive abilities, allowing machines to assist, augment, or even surpass human capabilities in specific tasks. AI is increasingly being integrated into liberal arts colleges across the country. Faculty are using AI-powered tools to personalize student learning experiences, tailoring resources and feedback based on individual needs. Additionally, AI is being leveraged in research, allowing students and faculty to analyze large data sets more efficiently and explore new fields of study. In some cases, liberal arts institutions are even incorporating AI into their curricula, teaching students not only how to use AI but also to critically examine its ethical implications in society. Whether or not we embrace it, AI is here to stay, and higher education must adapt to its presence in meaningful ways. As technology continues to evolve, it’s crucial that institutions integrate AI thoughtfully into curricula, research, and administration, ensuring that students are prepared for the future while maintaining the core values of education. Ignoring its potential will only limit opportunities for innovation and growth. As AI continues to evolve, it’s crucial for institutions to balance its benefits with ethical considerations, ensuring it enhances rather than replaces the human element of teaching and learning. AI can help colleges maintain their commitment to fostering critical thinking while preparing students for the future of work. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE NAVIGATING on campus and beyond BY AMY CHANDLER 18 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
The introduction you just read was generated using ChatGPT. When tasked with writing an article about AI and how it’s being used (and avoided) on campus, I had no clue how it worked or where to begin. What better way to dive in than to dabble with it? As a writer, I’ve been skeptical about using generative AI. Would it be any good? Is it considered plagiarism? Would my job eventually become obsolete? With the increased uses and advances in AI, will it become more difficult to distinguish what is real versus fake? I think many of us share similar concerns. Perhaps the more we know about AI and how it can be used, the more we can embrace this growing technology (or at least become a little less hesitant). I’ll admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the introductory text generated above, but I do think there’s something to be said for “garbage in, garbage out,” and that my detailed prompts yielded the output I was wanting. Next, I needed to find out more about how AI is being addressed in our classrooms. I spoke with Andrew Stafford, Ph.D., assistant professor of French and francophone studies and associate provost for teaching excellence, who is part of the College’s AI working group and has led several discussions on the topic. He said there’s a general hesitation among faculty with using AI. “From the pedagogical side, we need to have a baseline for students of an understanding of what generative AI is, and then instructors can decide if they are going to use it or try to monitor/limit it.” Stafford shared that Inside Higher Ed conducted a nationwide survey that showed 60 percent of employers are expecting graduates to have experience with AI, yet only 20 percent of faculty have a basic understanding of it. “We need to incorporate AI in some aspect of our students’ academic careers so that they will be competitive candidates on the job market. My goal is to create a First Year Seminar for an AI module and create an AI assessment scale to be used across campus.” Mary Kate O’Donnell, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, and Emily Wilson, Ph.D., assistant professor of astrophysics, independently began incorporating AI assignments into their curricula two years ago. In Spring 2024, the two co-presented “ChatGPT in the Classroom” to colleagues as part of their Lycoming Innovations in Teaching with Technology grant projects involving ChatGPT and how they developed assignments using generative AI policies. O’Donnell said she was aware of a general misunderstanding of generative AI chatbots’ capabilities. “It felt like there was confusion between a language model that produces persuasive and effective humansounding writing and the sci-fi notion of an all-knowing artificial intelligence that can solve the world’s problems.” She wanted to give students a chance to try out some ethical uses of ChatGPT and to give them some exposure to areas where it fails, giving them an appropriate amount of skepticism about what AI should or shouldn’t be used for. In Wilson’s Life on Mars class, her favorite exercise was an adaptation of something done in a prior class. “Students spent a period sketching their dream Martian colony, complete with everything we had discussed that was necessary for human survival (including psychosocial needs). Students then described the scene to an AI image generator to see if AI could be as creative as they were,” said Wilson. “The most educational part of this exercise was that AI would include completely impossible scenarios — like outdoor gardens on Mars — that students would acknowledge with a laugh. This allowed for some great discussion about the efficacy of generative AI, and I believe allowed students to feel ‘smarter’ than AI.” I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS ABOUT HOW TO ETHICALLY USE AI... 19 www.lycoming.edu
“At the beginning of 2023, I established Haviland Software to build software and data science solutions for mission driven organizations — especially in the climate and sustainability sector — integrating AI responsibly and effectively. Examples of projects include working on the Energy Score Cards product for Bright Power to measure utility and carbon use in multifamily residential buildings, and the Empower AI toolkit for communitybased organizations with Unified Ground and CIV:Lab. AI improves job efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, reducing human error, and providing predictive analytics to make informed decisions. This includes summarizing large documents, writing emails, generating code, and with what is known as agents, doing actual work on the Internet and making decisions in real time. However, it is very important at this point to maintain people in the loop. AI is dynamic like people and can get things wrong, and so there are many ethical and legal considerations that companies need to consider, such as use in hiring practices or insurance approvals where laws are emerging regarding audit regulations based on bias lawsuits that have been brought on. Haviland Software helps organizations both build software and workflows with responsibility practices in mind. AI is revolutionizing nearly every industry, and understanding it provides a competitive advantage. Learning how to manage tools properly that use AI prepares students to lead in a techdriven world. In fact, I would suggest to my fellow computer science majors to spend time learning what is known as prompt-driven development practices. There are emerging techniques where code is generated through conversations between the developer and AI to exponentially speed up the development process.” Karl Haviland ’06 Principal at Haviland Software, UM Data Science Computer science major “I work as a consultant across a variety of industries including aging services, healthcare, financial services, consumer packaged goods, and automotive. I utilize statistics, machine learning, and AI to extract insights from data. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of marketing plans, forecasting product demand, and developing pricing strategies for consumer goods. I also work with clients to understand their business needs and communicate complex insights into non-technical audiences. I use AI in a variety of ways, from coding and writing assistance to routine data analysis, creative brainstorming, and more. When given enough data and proper instructions, AI can be very good at augmenting decision-making at scale. When you can automate parts of the decisionmaking framework, it allows skilled employees to simply execute tasks in a more efficient manner. We’ve implemented AI solutions to help clients identify their highest quality leads, provide recommendations on timelines to follow up with customers, and prioritize customer service inquiries. In each of those examples, AI is making hundreds or even thousands of impactful decisions each month. I use an AI coding companion, and I can’t imagine not having one now. It allows me to focus more on what needs to be done rather than how to do it. I also find value in using AI as a soundboard when brainstorming ideas. It’s like having a subject matter expert on speed dial for every subject imaginable. The potential for inaccurate output is a risk, however, especially when using AI for critical business scenarios. Because of that, it’s best to have some prior knowledge of what you’re asking AI to do so you can validate the output.” Zackary Collevechio ’16 Data scientist, WildFig Actuarial math and mathematics dual major O’Donnell and Wilson collaborated with April Drumm-Hewitt, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, to determine whether assignments editing and critiquing AI-generated writing would make students more effective at writing and editing their own work. They surveyed the students to try to understand how those assignments might affect their thinking about AI’s capabilities and their own scientific knowledge. While the three haven’t analyzed their results yet, they are hoping it gives them at least some ideas for how AI can be used as a tool for students in positive ways. “I think it’s important that we educate our students about how to ethically use AI so that they enter the workforce with up-to-date knowledge about resources that employers may expect them to use,” added Wilson. “However, as we learn more about the environmental impacts of huge dataprocessing centers, I believe we also need to be discerning about when it is appropriate to do so.” O’Donnell agrees. “As a biology professor, I may need to reexamine whether the positive effects of AI outweigh the detrimental impact in terms of water, energy, and pollution. This impact makes me hesitate to recommend that AI be used in the classroom unless the usage is critical to the education of the students.” To get a better understanding of what is happening in industries outside of higher education, I sought input from some Lycoming alumni who are utilizing AI to enhance and streamline their jobs to those who are leading the way in AI innovation. One thing they agree on: Lycoming students will benefit from having experience with various forms of AI to position themselves for successful careers since it will touch every field in some way. No matter how advanced AI becomes, the world will always require highly educated individuals with strong critical thinking skills and a conscious environmental footprint to harness, refine, and guide these emerging technologies. Lycoming graduates, equipped with a deep understanding of their fields and the ability to adapt to an evolving digital landscape, will continue to drive innovation and make meaningful contributions in the workforce. 20 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2025 SPRING MAGAZINE
“Red Hat Product Security is responsible for ensuring that the software we release is free of security flaws, and to respond to new vulnerabilities that appear. My team is tasked with automating processes that allow us to ensure the integrity of the software supply chain. As a software company, we have a number of requirements we need to meet, including industry certifications, government requirements, specifications from customers, and industry-best practices. Most of our clients are internal development teams. That said, the information we generate is used by our sales and support teams to respond to customer requests regarding how we are ensuring secure code releases. We have a pretty broad customer base, everything from governments to the financial sector to small mom and pop shops. The guidance I’ve given my team is to identify problems and then see if an AI tool or workflow would be the best solution. Some of the tools we’re either using or testing include Ansible Lightspeed, ChatGPT, and PentestGPT. We’re primarily focused on using AI to increase efficiency. Many of our tasks require analysis and writing documentation, so using an AI tool to reduce the number of hours it takes a human to do the same work means we can be more effective. AI should be used to enhance what we can already do and know. It allows us to be more efficient and accurate, but it doesn’t replace the skills required to actually produce the work. Generative AI is a revolutionary leap in how we do things, but WE still have to DO them.” Sean Waite ’07 Manager, Product Security Team, Red Hat Inc. Computer science and music dual major “In my position as a research nurse specialist, I train the AI platform that we use with natural language processing. What this means is I manually go into our training environment and mark out relevant information from ingested provider notes from our client’s medical records systems. For instance, this may include pulling out a medical diagnosis. An example of this would be ‘diabetes mellitus- type 2.’ I then identify it with a marker which tells our AI it is a medical diagnosis. I then attach the appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis code. By doing this, we train our AI to recognize medical terms (including medications, procedures, lab values, and other specific metrics) that may not be entered into a discreet field in the patient chart. This is especially useful in cases where physicians may document in notes slightly differently from the standard. It also is able to capture variations in terms of the sheer volume of training data we have. The biggest drawback is that AI is only as good as the trainer. However, the trainers are all registered nurses with the exception of a team member who is a Ph.D.-trained scientist. One of the biggest trials with the use of AI is that it can become ‘confused’ when it is identifying certain medical terms. One particular case where this has been especially noticeable is the identification of a specific genetic marker for cancer. The abbreviation for this marker is EGFR, and it represents a specific gene found in some cancers. However, eGFR is a specific lab and an abbreviation for a different test which is a marker of kidney function.” Brittane (Miller) Strahan, MSN, RN, CCRP ’09 Research Nurse Specialist at BEKhealth Biology major “I develop AI applications for government use. The main challenges are model hosting, on-premise deployments, and security. For example, government systems have additional compliance requirements such as FEDRAMP and ITAR that most commercial AI solutions do not. Specifically, I work on a project called LIGER. A goal of LIGER is to bring the user experience of ChatGPT into government applications. For example, you can’t put classified data (or even controlled unclassified data) into ChatGPT without it becoming a massive security breach because that data is going out of controlled networking boundaries. LIGER tries to bring both chat-my-data (i.e. ChatGPT) as well as catalogue/manage my document (similar to Google Drive’s Gemini integration) into enterprises. In addition, we have some bespoke use cases. For example, if a client wants specific features for their documents/data, we build it into the platform. I can’t talk about specifics, but hypothetically, imagine a branch of the government called ‘FooGov’ had a corpus of thousands of policy regulation documents dating back to the 1970s and they wanted to ask questions like, ‘If I change this policy in a new bill, would that violate policies in any of these existing docs?’ This is the type of thing we’re building. There’s never been a class entering the job market that’s more equipped to hit the ground running than the students of today. I think Lycoming students should pursue what they love but be realistic about the way AI is going to affect it and really lean into it.” Adam Hughes ’08 Software Developer, LMI Physics major 21 www.lycoming.edu
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