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
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