LYCOMING COLLEGE SPRING 2026 THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT CHARLES W. EDMONDS, ED.D. ’98
then NOW} February’s snowfall became a welcome invitation — and a welcome distraction from studies — for students to step outside and savor winter’s simplest joys. Warriors, bundled in scarves and excitement, tossed snowballs, built snowmen, slid down the hill onto The Quad, and took in the fresh, crisp air. Moments like these are timeless, echoing the joy students felt on a wintry campus back in 1978.
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Hello, Friends A Message from the President love sharing this beautiful campus with our students. It is one of the great privileges of this position to contribute to their overall experience at Lycoming and to watch them grow as leaders and navigate our complex world with empathy, integrity, and grit. Lycoming’s mantra is THINK DEEPLY. ACT BOLDLY. Neither of these should happen in a vacuum; it's when you bring the two together that you have the potential to make the greatest impact in your own life, the communities where you live, and the world at large. I I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of our campus community, alumni, and friends 2 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
I am also inspired by our faculty’s commitment to our students, their excellence as educators, and their curiosity-driven scholarship and service — all rooted in a tradition of innovation and pragmatism. Higher education is not simply about the transmission of information. We need to equip students to know how to be better human beings, how to build community, and how to develop relationships that last a lifetime. These are things that we know translate to happiness, more success professionally, and essentially greater joy and meaning over the course of a lifetime. That is what is most rewarding about being at a place like Lycoming; our faculty and staff take very seriously their responsibility to positively impact the lives and careers of our students. All of this contributes to Lycoming’s continued ascendance in external rankings — recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s Top 100 National Liberal Arts Colleges, ranking No. 5 among Top Performers on Social Mobility and No. 21 in Best Value Schools. I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of our campus community, alumni, and friends, which was most evident during my inauguration. Your fierce commitment to this institution strengthens my ability to serve as president with confidence and purpose, and it allows us all to provide a truly premier undergraduate residential education. I am still processing the immense joy I felt while celebrating with you during Homecoming & Inauguration Weekend — the entire experience will serve as a guidepost and inspiration for my service to Lycoming in the years to come. Lastly, I am deeply thankful for the dedication and stewardship of our board of trustees, whose commitment to the College makes all the difference. I’ve now had the honor to work alongside them as president during our Fall 2025 meeting and Winter 2026 retreat. I am especially pleased to welcome our newest trustees — Joseph Feerrar ’02, Robert Lucenti ’84, and Thomas Wolfe ’78 — whose perspectives and leadership, combined with the full board and my administrative cabinet, will guide us into a strong and promising future. Charles “Chip” Edmonds, Ed.D. ’98 President LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES 100 NATIONAL TOP TOP PERFORMERS ON SOCIAL MOBILITY BEST VALUE SCHOOLS 5th 21st 3 www.lycoming.edu
VOL. 41, NO. 1 SPRING 2026 LYCOMING COLLEGE MAGAZINE EDITOR Amy Chandler marketing@lycoming.edu ASSOCIATE EDITORS Julia Bidelspach ’27 Joe Guistina Marla Kramer Lynn (Detwiler) Zitta ’11 ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Murray Hanford PHOTOGRAPHY Academic Images DMK Media Gordon Wenzel Prime Photography Ralph Wilson CLASS NOTES EDITOR Terri (Neufer) Brewer ’14 ADMINISTRATION Charles "Chip" Edmonds, Ed.D. ’98 President Sandra Kingery, Ph.D. Provost & Dean of the Faculty Richard “Chip” Hinton Vice President for Enrollment Management 4 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
LYCOMING COLLEGE ONE COLLEGE PLACE WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701-5192 570-321-4000 www.lycoming.edu Copyright© 2026 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. Lycoming College Magazine is produced biannually. This is a place that is not interested in the status quo but instead dedicated to the notion that we must continually endeavor to be better. A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT NOTEWORTHY THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT CHARLES W. EDMONDS, ED.D. ’98 FROM HOLLYWOOD TO LYCOMING: THE REIMAGINING OF THE MASCOT THE BARD OF LYCOMING GOLF: JAMIE SPENCER ’01 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: HOWARD TRAN, M.F.A. FACULTY & STAFF NEWS ALUMNI HAPPENINGS HOMECOMING & INAUGURATION WEEKEND 2025 THE RISING SUN CHAIR: A PIECE OF AMERICAN & LYCOMING HISTORY LYCOMING COLLEGE INTRODUCES NEW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS CLASS NOTES CONNECT: JESSEE BERMUDEZ ’20 WHEN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF: JEAN (GARDNER) CAMP ’59 2 6 16 20 18 22 24 26 27 28 30 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. 36 37 10 www.lycoming.edu 5
NOTEWOR OPENING OF NEW LEARNING COMMONS ENHANCES ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND RETENTION FROM PATIENT TO PROPONENT, ALEXIS ROBINSON ’26 WON’T LET CHRONIC PANCREATITIS STOP HER Lycoming College was granted $50,000 from the High Foundation in support of a new Learning Commons on campus. This funding supported the construction of the first phase of a Learning Commons, as identified in the College’s strategic plan, to enhance the role of the library, learning supports, and information technology to strengthen student outcomes. Although offerings in academic support services — which include tutoring and study groups in all subject areas, the Writing Center, and the Math Center — were already robust, the location of these services in separate areas on the upper floors of Snowden Library proved to be a barrier to student usage in terms of visibility, space accommodation, and physical access. Relocating these spaces to a central location on the ground floor allows for increased student access, which is essential to impacting academic success and retention. “We’re excited to provide a centralized hub for students where they can easily access tutoring, research, and IT services that are dedicated to their success. Bringing these areas closer to each other will also be a great opportunity for us to easily collaborate on innovations for these services. Overall, we hope this will contribute to the lively and welcoming atmosphere we strive to create in the library,” said Tori Lieggi, assistant professor and instructional services librarian, coordinator of access services, and co-chair of Snowden Library. The Learning Commons opened in Fall 2025. Lycoming College sociology major Alexis Robinson ’26 was honored with the National Pancreas Foundation’s Hero of Hope award at the Courage for a Cure Gala in Pittsburgh for her courage and advocacy in the fight against pancreatic disease. Diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis at age 15, Robinson endured years of hospital visits, severe symptoms, and lifestyle changes before stabilizing her condition through medication and diet. Her experience sparked an interest in sociology, leading her to transfer to Lycoming for greater academic challenges. Influenced by faculty like Betty McCall, Ph.D., Robinson embraced research and advocacy, completing a capstone project on how chronic illness patients describe pain. Sharing her story with the National Pancreas Foundation opened doors to an internship where she assisted with webinars, PancreasFest, fundraising, and patient outreach. “It’s easy for patients to relate to me because of my own diagnosis,” Robinson noted. The internship shifted her career goals toward nonprofit work. Upon graduation in January 2026, Robinson assumed the role of program assistant for The National Pancreas Foundation, stating, “It has been fulfilling and motivating to keep advocating and working in the nonprofit field!” In March, she attended the Digestive Disease National Coalition Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. Reflecting on her journey, Robinson said her diagnosis, studies, and award all connect: “Don’t let anything hold you back! There are always resources to help you. Realize that it’s OK to not be OK — someone can guide you through.” 6 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
RTHY COLAB, an art history and visual arts collective, is a newly formed academic club at Lycoming for students interested in art history, visual arts, and museum practice. The collective was formed to build community and facilitate community art engagement by creating art together, offering workshops with professional artists and curators, and curating an annual juried student art show each academic year. COLAB meetings consist of conversation, hands-on activities and art making demonstrations, and organizing the student art show. For COLAB’s first event this academic year, the collective invited alumnus Jordon Lewis ’25, who graduated with a minor in painting and major in psychology, for an evening art workshop with students on Sept. 17 in the Fine LYCOMING COLAB Arts Building studios. In the workshop designed and led by Lewis, students were invited to express themselves through the creation of their own abstract self-portraits with chalk and pastels. COLAB’s executive board consists of Alexis Rockwell ’27, president; Krista Partusch ’27, vice-president; Allison Melbinger ’27, secretary; and Nyx Eichner ’27 and Anna Maffei ’27, social media co-managers. It’s important to note that the collective is open to all students at Lycoming, not only those pursuing art history and/or studio arts. “As the faculty advisor for COLAB, it’s exciting to see the ambitions of students who are creating opportunities for their peers to engage in the visual arts,” said Marisa C. Sánchez, Ph.D., assistant professor of art history. “The collective is bringing even more visibility and access to the visual arts on campus, and it’s a pleasure to support the collective’s interest in creating connections with their peers and the broader visual arts community in our region through a number of programs, including workshops with professional artists and curators, such as a recent talk focused on art and business by Melissa Jenkins, owner of Centered Earth in Muncy, Pa., aimed towards students considering creating a business for their art.” On Feb. 27, students celebrated the opening of COLAB’s first Student Juried Art Show, “Perceptions of Self and Explorations of Identity,” which showcased 15 works by 11 artists. 7 www.lycoming.edu
LYCOMING COLLEGE LAUNCHES A UNIQUE PRE-MED COACHING PROGRAM Tom Cillo, a 59-year-old first-year student at Lycoming College, is chasing his lifelong dream of playing college football, making him one of the oldest athletes to attempt this feat. After decades as a powerlifter — breaking a world record in 2024 with a 580-pound deadlift — Cillo retired after 33 years with the City of Williamsport and enrolled at Lycoming to pursue a bachelor’s degree and join the football team as a defensive lineman. His journey began with a call to a former teammate, leading to a meeting with Lycoming’s head football coach Mike Clark ’93, who was impressed by Cillo’s determination and physical fitness. Despite his age, Cillo endured the grueling preseason camp, outperforming some younger players in conditioning drills. His story went viral after he posted a video on Instagram, inspiring many with his message, “You’re never too old to chase your dream.” Cillo also signed an NIL deal with Aspercreme, becoming the oldest athlete to do so, and 59-YEAR-OLD DEFENSIVE LINEMAN MAKING HEADLINES FOR WARRIOR FOOTBALL will receive a four-year supply of pain relief products. Cillo’s path hasn’t been easy. He battled addiction in his youth and spent years rebuilding his life through fitness. Now, he’s learning the nuances of football while mentoring younger teammates. Though playing time isn’t guaranteed, Cillo remains committed, saying, “I’m here grinding every day.” He’s making his mark in the classroom as well, having earned a spot on the Dean’s List for the fall semester. His story is a testament to resilience, proving that passion and perseverance can defy age and expectations. Since his Warrior debut, Cillo has been interviewed by numerous local and national media outlets, including ABC News, Associated Press, CBS Sports College Football, Fox Business, Good Morning America, People, and the Today Show. You can watch Marty Smith interview Cillo on ESPN College GameDay at www.lycoming.edu/tomcillo. Lycoming College has launched Lyco White Coat, a program designed to help pre-med students gain admission to medical school through mentorship. With the national acceptance rate for medical school at 41 percent, the program leverages the College’s 16,000-member alumni network to pair students with experienced physicians who share similar professional interests. Mentorship begins in the first year and continues through admission, guiding academic planning, applications, and interviews. Advisors offer targeted support such as MCAT preparation, essay feedback, mock interviews, and coaching. Lycoming provides multiple pre-med pathways through majors including biochemistry, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology, along with research opportunities through programs like NSF’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates and faculty-led projects. The College benefits from proximity to UPMC Susquehanna and other local healthcare providers, giving students access to clinical shadowing, internships, and volunteer experiences, and a pipeline affiliation with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine guarantees up to three spots annually for qualified Lycoming graduates in its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. “The pre-medical industry is bursting with consulting services that promise to help people claim their place in medical school. These services, however, can cost many thousands of dollars. Lycoming is offering a very competitive — and very personalized — service at no additional charge to its students,” said Marina Vernalis, D.O. ’73, former chief of cardiology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General. “Working as a physician is an extremely rewarding and stimulating career, and at a time when more doctors are needed to address an aging and growing population, Lycoming College wants to help students overcome barriers to entry and pursue their passions.” 8 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
Lycoming College embraced the spirit of community throughout the holiday season with festive traditions and new celebrations. The season began with the 32nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, followed by the inaugural Season of Light, a campus tradition designed to bring warmth, joy, and togetherness. Students, faculty, and staff gathered on Nov. 20 to kick off the festivities with treats, music, lights, and shared memories. December brought a variety of events that highlighted the College’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for the greater Williamsport community. What began as a community-based learning project in Lycoming College’s intermediate German class last year resulted in an authentic German Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt) in partnership with the Lycoming Arts, the Downtown Business Association, the City of Williamsport, and Penn College’s welding students. Weihnachtsmarkt paired perfectly with a special planetarium show, Weihnachten unter den Sternen (Christmas Under the Stars), held during the city’s First Friday. Free tickets for the two shows were in high demand, adding excitement to the holiday weekend. Students enjoyed cozy traditions during ’Twas the Week Before Finals, featuring pajamas, cookies and milk, raffles, and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by President Chip Edmonds. The 49th Annual Candlelight Service united students, alumni, faculty, and the Williamsport community for an evening of music and light on Dec. 7, continuing a cherished tradition of reflection and celebration. Alumni and their families joined the holiday fun aboard the Santa Express on Dec. 13, sharing laughter and memories during a magical train ride with Santa and friends. President Edmonds and his wife, Erin, closed the season with a heartfelt message of light, joy, and gratitude, reminding all of the traditions that strengthen the Lycoming community. Celebrating community with new and old traditions during the SEASON OF LIGHT 9 www.lycoming.edu
THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT CHARLES W. EDMONDS, ED.D. ’98 n a vibrant and high-spirited ceremony on Oct. 4, 2025, Lycoming College formally installed Charles “Chip” Edmonds, Ed.D. ’98, as the institution’s 16th president. The theme of the ceremony, “The Good of This Place,” resonated deeply with the more than 700 students, alumni, faculty, staff, community members, and delegates from colleges and universities across the country who gathered, drawing attention to the enduring values, relationships, and mission that define Lycoming. I 10 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
Edmonds, who graduated from Lycoming 27 years ago with a dual major in history and music, was named the next president in March 2025 and officially assumed office on July 1. He brings decades of institutional insight and a demonstrated commitment to student access, strategic growth, and community engagement. His inauguration not only honored Lycoming’s past but represented a profound full-circle moment that saw him taking the reins of the place that shaped his early academic and professional journey and has ignited new momentum for its future. When Benjamin Crever first gave voice and vision to this academic community, he hoped and prayed that it would be, ‘A school of the prophets and the birthplace of souls.’ As I assume this role, generations later, standing on the shoulders of giants, benefitting from a rich diversity of people and ideas, and charged with stewarding the good of this place, I am overcome with the magnitude of this responsibility but also eager and ready to contribute to Lycoming’s remarkable legacy as we together meet this moment and build on our capacity for excellence. - President Edmonds Inauguration address, Oct. 4, 2025 11 www.lycoming.edu
A distinctive atmosphere of hope and commitment The inaugural installation, held in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend, unfolded with a palpable sense of energy that reflected not only a leadership transition but also a recommitment to the College’s mission and future and a shared belief in “the good” that Lycoming cultivates in its people and community. In his inaugural address, Edmonds spoke with heartfelt gratitude and a bold vision for the future. “This is a place that is not interested in the status quo but instead dedicated to the notion that we must continually endeavor to be better… It will be my great honor to steward the collective decisions and investments we make to ensure Lycoming continues to thrive as an institution committed to the most noble of public service: educating students for exceptional careers and service to humanity.” During the ceremony, Edmonds received the Lycoming presidential medallion, a piece commissioned for the College’s 175th anniversary. The medallion features the College seal — a telescope representing the arts and sciences, an open book representing the humanities, and the Greek word aletheia, meaning “truth,” with the names of Lycoming’s 15 past presidents and its founder engraved on the reverse — symbolizing continuity, legacy, and shared leadership. Words of encouragement and shared purpose Among the ceremony’s distinguished speakers was Gregory Jones, Ph.D. ’10H, president of Belmont University, who offered a message that emphasized the importance of leadership guided by hope and service. “Education at its best cultivates a sense of purpose, a sense of character, a sense of wisdom,” said Jones. “The leadership that President Edmonds is equipped to provide, and that I trust he will provide, is to take the best of what Lycoming has been in its past and point it toward a dynamic and creative and innovative future to equip the leaders [that] the communities in Pennsylvania, in this region, in this country, and around the world need.” The fundamental foundation of family Edmonds took a moment to recognize the love and support of his family, who include his parents, Walter ’67 and Peggy (Giauque) ’69 Edmonds, both proud Lycoming graduates; sister Polly (Edmonds) and husband Tom Baldridge and their children, Matthew ’25, William, and Emma; brother Matt ’02 and wife Deb (Weinberg) ’04 Edmonds, and their children, Michael, Noelle, and Hope. “We were raised in a household that revered education, encouraged curiosity, loved music and the performing arts, welcomed different ideas and global cultures, cultivated a disposition of service, and believed deeply in the dignity and goodness of all people.” “And finally, my wife Erin, and our sons, Jacob and Luke. My life is immeasurably richer because of your love, support, and inspiration. Thank you for being here to share in this together,” said Edmonds. Education at its best cultivates a sense of purpose, a sense of character, a sense of wisdom. - Gregory Jones, Ph.D. ’10H President of Belmont University My life is immeasurably richer because of your love, support, and inspiration. - President Edmonds Inauguration address, Oct. 4, 2025 12 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
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Serving students at the Thanksgiving Dinner and The (new) Season of Light tradition that kicks off that same evening Commencement on The Fultz Quad — those are hallowed grounds where thousands of students have commemorated their time at Lycoming while celebrating all that lies ahead The Gates — Sykes & Metzler — they serve as an image/symbol of new beginnings, inaugurating a special moment in students' lives, and as a reminder for all of us at Lycoming that speaks to the importance of the work we do and the vocation we have as educators Tradition of faculty members who spend their entire teaching career at Lycoming, providing generations of students and alumni with touch points that span decades/centuries Candlelight Service Historical methods with Drs. Witwer, Larson, Morris, and Piper — it was a defining academic experience and one of the first times in which I had significant agency in my academic journey and desire for learning. As a member of the choir, singing the Peter Lutkin Benediction after every concert — a tradition that dates backs to 1947. Singing to/with communities across the U.S. and around the world. I remember one evening in Poland, following a concert, in which we shared an evening of fellowship and song with a Polish choral organization led by Jan Szyrochi, a global connection forged by Dr. Fred Thayer. It was an experience that made clear in my mind and soul that humanity has far more in common than not. Beating Messiah University in the semi-finals of the MAC Championships. Stan Kadelski ’96 scored a screamer for Lycoming's first ever win over Messiah! I gained so much from the character and quality of my teammates and forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Taking part in a Habitat for Humanity trip to Broward County, Fla. Working alongside fellow students (including my brother) and members of the larger Habitat community reminded me of our connection to our neighbors and the power within each one of us to make the world a better, more just, place. Still love to play, and now watch, soccer, the world's game. Public history and museums — I'm the annoying one who reads every plaque! I continue to be curious and love learning new things. Travel with Erin, Jacob, and Luke — we love the outdoors, live music and sporting events, and learning about different places, people, and cultures. Being a champion for Lycoming! Wherever I go, I take pride in wearing my Lyco gear and learning about the extraordinary things our people do and the ways in which they influence our nation and world. We have two rescue dogs, Tucker and Bruno. Tucker is our loyal lab and Bruno, our lovable doofus. I grew up in Maryland and D.C., so I'm loyal to my hometown teams: Washington Commanders, Capitals, and the Orioles. We are all big EPL fans in our house. But our loyalties are divided — I'm a Manchester United fan. Jacob is a Manchester City fan. Luke is a Liverpool fan. And Erin had to pick a team, so she's an Everton fan. I didn't simply want to be a president. I wanted to do all I could to make Lycoming a stronger institution. I hope that sense of purpose is what informed my candidacy/interest and the search committee's decision to give me this opportunity. Lycoming is worthy of our collective best, and I want to be part of marshaling our entire community in the support and advancement of this remarkable academic and residential community. & WITH PRESIDENT EDMONDS Favorite Lycoming traditions? Best memories as a Lycoming student? Top pastimes/ hobbies? Favorite sports team? Why did you want to become President? Family pet? 14 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
www.lycoming.edu/daysofgiving Your support during LYCOMING COLLEGE’S 8TH ANNUAL DAYS OF GIVING fuels innovation, empowers students and faculty to pursue bold ideas, and drives meaningful impact across disciplines. Their success reflects your belief in their potential and in Lycoming’s mission. This is a moment of new beginnings and momentum. Join us in shaping Lycoming’s future. Together, we can make uncommon outcomes possible. HELP LYCOMING ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SUPPORT DAYS OF GIVING LAUNCH SUPPORT RECRUIT ENHANCE NEW MAJORS PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVES FUTURE WARRIORS ATHLETIC EXPERIENCES OFFER A CHALLENGE BECOME AN ADVOCATE OFFER A MATCH Create a matching gift that will help dollars go even further Offer a challenge that will inspire participation and giving Help spread the word and encourage others to make a gift DAYS OF GI VI NG APRIL 14 & 15, 2026 COLLEGE LYCOMING 15 www.lycoming.edu
FROM TO LYCOMING The REIMAGINING of the MASCOT In a world where TRADITION RUNS DEEP, a new spirit AWAKENS. LYCOS THE WARRIOR HAS RETURNED! Following a two-year hiatus, Lycoming College unveiled a newlydesigned wolf mascot — fiercer and nimbler, ready to get crowds on their feet and cheering for their favorite Warrior teams! 16 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
ward–winning special effects artist Tom Woodruff Jr. ’80 ’18H brought Lycoming’s vision — a mascot born of legacy and built for battle — to reality. Inspired early on by watching classic Universal monster movies, Ray Harryhausen’s stop‑motion animation, and a formative viewing of “Planet of the Apes,” Woodruff developed a passion for make‑up effects and filmmaking. Using his father’s 8mm camera at age 13, he began creating films and later pursued independent studies in theatre, writing, and make‑up effects at Lycoming. Following graduation, the Williamsport native moved to Los Angeles and joined Stan Winston’s team on “The Terminator” and contributed to major projects such as “Aliens,” “Predator,” and “Amazing Stories.” Woodruff’s physical performance skills led him to portray iconic creature roles in films including “Pumpkinhead,” “Leviathan,” “Alien Resurrection,” “Alien vs. Predator,” and “Jumanji.” Woodruff co‑founded Amalgamated Dynamics Inc. (ADI) with longtime friend Alec Gillis, earning an Academy Award for “Death Becomes Her.” Now based again in Williamsport, he continues to expand ADI’s creative legacy. The marketing and communications department teased campus with Hollywood-like movie posters and a video to promote the arrival of the reimagined mascot, keeping details of its appearance hidden. When it finally came time to unveil the highly anticipated mascot, a campus launch party was held in conjunction with Homecoming & Inauguration Weekend on Oct. 2, 2025. The crowd cheered as Lycos took center court in Lamade Gymnasium, joining the cheerleaders for a rousing chant. Attendees volunteered to compete in a wolf howling contest, tricycle jousting, and Lycoming trivia, and everyone enjoyed a carnival-inspired lunch from the stands. So just who is Lycos? The identity of the senior student mascot will be revealed during Commencement on May 10, 2026! Lycoming is honored to have such a work of art in its possession, and Woodruff is grateful for the opportunity to engage with his alma mater in a meaningful way — breathing new life into the mascot and the spirit behind it. Go behind the scenes as he shares how his love for creature design — and for Lycoming — helped shape the expressive new face of Lycos. WATCH THE VIDEO www.lycoming.edu/lycosmascot 17 www.lycoming.edu
THE BARD OF amie Spencer ’01 was just a 21-year-old senior playing his first year on the men’s golf team in 1998 when he stepped to the tee on the second hole of the white course at the Shawnee Golf Resort. It was the second day of the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship, then a grueling 54 holes over the course of two days. “I had some high expectations, hoping to do well and had a decent first day, but I also hit a couple bonehead shots,” Spencer recalled. “Then I got lucky. I didn’t hit it pure, but I got a lucky bounce, and it rolled into the cup. I finished in the top 20. That was pretty cool.” It was the first holein-one by a Warrior at the championship. After graduation, Spencer worked at White Deer Golf Course as the public relations and marketing coordinator for 15 years before becoming a sales executive with Susquehanna Marble & Granite. He stepped into the world of coaching, first as a student-assistant coach with the Lycoming basketball team under head coach Terry Conrad, then through successful runs as the head boys’ basketball coach at Muncy and Montoursville High Schools and St. John Neumann Regional Academy. He also writes a weekly article in the Webb Weekly, distributed to 60,000 households in Northcentral Pennsylvania. For more than a quarter-century, Jamie Spencer ’01 has been at the heart of a multitude of high-points for Warrior golf 18 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
LYCOMING GOLF Lycoming golf, first started in 1958 under the direction of Jack Phelan, was on its sixth coach in seven seasons in 2001 with a long-line of coaches not known for golf, including soccer coaches Rob Eaton (1991-95) and Jack Shafer (1999), wrestling coach Roger Crebs (1996), and football coaches Mike Silecchia (1997-98) and Mike Clark ’93 (2000). It was in 2001 when Spencer walked into Athletic Director Frank Girardi’s office and begged to be the head men’s golf coach. Spencer took the reins and led the team to a last-place finish in the MAC, but five years later, the Warriors finished second in the MAC Freedom behind conference runners-up Jordan Isenberg ’07 and James Bechtel ’06. He was the lead charge for 15 years, long enough to go from being the youngest coach in the conference to the longest-tenured. He coached a pair of MAC Scholar-Athletes (Bechtel, Drew Tompkins ’13) and six all-conference selections. “Those local kids were good golfers and great kids,” Spencer said of the second-place finish in 2005. In 2016, though, a change in structure at White Deer Golf Course led to a career change and for the time being, Spencer needed to step away from Warrior golf. When he returned as head coach in 2022-23, he came back to a team playing on a new home course, Williamsport Country Club. “To be totally honest, we would play a couple tournaments and a couple duals, and if we won dual, it was a successful season. That was the feel for it. We would do our best and have a memorable experience. We’ve shifted gears — in my early years, if I had one guy shoot in the 70s, he was the man. Now I have six guys who can do it, and do it on tough courses in tournaments.” His first recruit to come in the second tenure, Will Eberz ’27, started to mark a sea change. By last season, the Warriors were competing in 15 rounds a season, a far cry from Spencer’s third year, when the team played in five. Once again, Spencer was in the midst of a renaissance for the program. Eberz earned First Team All-Landmark Conference honors in 2025, and then Spencer helped claim perhaps the best recruiting class in the history of the program with the addition of Tre Lesperance ’29, Hill Meserve ’29, and Ryan Ault ’29. The team enjoyed an eyeopening fall, capping it when Connor Shanahan ’27 teamed with Lesperance, Meserve, and Eberz to set a program record with a round of 304 on the second day of the DeSales Fall Invitational. Lesperance shot a 72, the first even par round for a Warrior golfer on record that day. “Will is driven and a great player and captain,” Spencer said. “He had a great first year, and his sophomore year was off the charts. He did so much for us behind the scenes, too. We brought in a really good class, and Will was the closer with all of them.” Eberz also set up a meeting with new President Chip Edmonds that led to the first on-campus home for the golf team, complete with a golf simulator and a putting and chipping mat in the lower level of Clarke Chapel. The team raised more than $75,000 for the space. Lockers are also planned to be added as the renovation of the old rehearsal space is revamped. For Spencer and the Warriors, thanks to their new facility and young talent, the fun may just be beginning. By Joe Guistina 19 www.lycoming.edu
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Cultures H HOWARD TRAN, M.F.A. LOGAN A. RICHMOND ENDOWED PROFESSOR, ART oward Tran was born two years prior to the end of the Vietnam War. He did not attend school and spent most of his days making things in a shed that stored car parts and junk. His family of seven attempted to escape the country by boat. His father and two older siblings escaped in one boat, made it to Malaysia, and arrived in the United States six months later. Tran and his mother and two younger siblings, however, were captured. “After we were released, we attempted to escape two more times but were unsuccessful,” he laments. “My family was finally reunited after five years apart in San Jose, Calif., in 1985, through the Family Reunification Program.” After high school, Tran was expected to work at his family’s gas station. At the same time, he took courses in business and accounting at a local community college, finding both experiences to be stifling. “Then I took a drawing class, which felt liberating and alive — a similar feeling to when I was a child in Vietnam in the shed making things.” Tran couldn’t shake the feeling and turned that passion into his profession. He received his master’s degree in fine arts in sculpture from Boston University. Today, he is the Logan A. Richmond Endowed Professor and teaches sculpture, drawing, figure modeling, and ceramics. What is your favorite art medium to work with and why? I am a mixed media artist; I work with a wide range of materials and processes. The one material that I always come back to is clay. As a child living with my grandparents after my father escaped, I used to dig up clay in the backyard and create sculptures with it. I also like the earthy feel of clay. Why did you choose a career in higher education? I was a teaching assistant in my undergraduate and graduate schools. Teaching art felt natural and rewarding. You teach art, but you also share with your students the importance of understanding and appreciating diversity, and focussing on the positive side of humanity. All students have an innate, authentic self that is creative and good. I challenge students to peel back the layers of conditioning (from family, education, society, and culture) so their authentic self can emerge. Understanding how interconnected and interdependent we all are allows us to appreciate and celebrate the diversity of each individual as part of a global perspective. What do you hope to convey through your art? How do you hope your art resonates with others? My art is a personal journey, a process of self-discovery and trying to make sense of the world. The themes that I am exploring are identity, transition, connection, and suffering. My art explores my experience of living between cultures and the transition between cultures. I see myself as not just me but as the connection to my ancestors and future generations. I am interested in exploring personal suffering as well as global human suffering. LIVING BETWEEN 20 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
You returned to Vietnam for your recent sabbatical. Please share what your goals were for that trip and how you spent your time there. What was most meaningful/transformative about this trip? My goal was to reconnect with the country I was born in and lived in until I immigrated to the U.S. at age 12. I was grateful to be living again in the culture that has influenced my values and sensitivity. Living in two different cultures has allowed me to have a broader experience and perspective. It was also meaningful to visit and connect with my parents. Part of your sabbatical included biking through Vietnam. Tell us about that experience, what was the purpose behind it, and what you gained from it. I biked over 2,800 miles and 138,000 feet of elevation. I wanted to do this bike trip to reconnect with the country and learn more about it. Originally, I planned to do 1,500 miles, but after reaching the Chinese border, I found myself enjoying it so much that I decided to keep going. Biking allowed me to slow down and connect with the environment and the people. When I am biking, I feel like my mind is aligned with the rhythm of my body. My original plan was to ride half of the trip along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, however, I found the coast to be overpopulated, and trash was everywhere. I decided to ride toward the mountains bordering Laos. I feel more at home in the mountains; seeing the trees is like meeting old friends again after a long time apart. For the most part, people were kind and generous. The children were curious, open, and playful. Throughout my journey, I was able to connect with so many people and learn about their life experiences in different parts of the country. I came away from this experience feeling a deeper connection to the country where I was born, and more pride for that part of my identity. You are currently working on new art inspired by your sabbatical. Please explain. I was inspired by the human connections I made in Vietnam and the nature I was surrounded by as I biked across the country. One theme inspired by the sabbatical is the dichotomy between kindness and fear/hate. Another theme is humans’ connection to nature – nature’s capacity to heal us both physically and mentally, and how it can inspire us to become more humane. I feel more at home in the mountains; seeing the trees is like meeting old friends again after a long time apart. 21 www.lycoming.edu
FACULTY & STAFF Rachid Belhachemi, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematical sciences, Tyler Houser, instructor of criminal justice-criminology, Donald McClelland, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, Eric Shoemaker, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy, and Jacob Vargas, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, joined the faculty this 2025-26 academic year. Elisabeth Davis, Ph.D., joined the College as assistant professor and instructional services librarian, coordinator of digital experience, within library services in the fall. She published her recent article, “‘A Good Deal of Free Advertising’ Despite her ‘Obscene Character’: Nuancing Media Portrayals of an Escaped Nun in the Gilded Age and Progressive Eras,” in Journal of Religious History. A posthumous book, “Shakespeare and Authorial Networks in Early Modern Drama,” by late faculty member Meghan Andrews, Ph.D., will be published by Manchester University Press in 2026. Alan Farmer, Ph.D., Sarah Neville, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Zeman Kolkovich, Ph.D., of The Ohio State University’s department of English, served as editors for Andrews’ manuscript, and Farmer will deliver his talk about the book as Lycoming’s Douthat Lecturer on March 26, 2026. Jacob Berger, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of philosophy, published “Perception, Qualities, and Concepts,” which defends a novel account of the nature of perception, in the peer-reviewed journal Philosophia. He co-authored the article with a mentor from graduate school, David Rosenthal, Ph.D., who is one of the world’s leading philosophers of mind. Berger also edited a symposium in a special issue of the Journal of Consciousness Studies dedicated to the recently published book “Explanatory Optimism about the Hard Problem of Consciousness” by Josh Weisberg, Ph.D. The symposium includes an editorial introduction by Berger, three commentaries by well-known philosophers of mind, as well as a precis to the book and reply to those commentaries by Weisberg. Matt Kaunert, Ph.D., director of the Clean Water Institute (CWI), led an Eastern Hellbender salvage effort in western Pennsylvania. In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Allegheny College Watershed Conservation Center, 18 adult hellbenders were removed from a site scheduled for bridge reconstruction this year. This effort was undertaken to reduce adult mortality within this high-density population which has been monitored since 2010. CWI will continue this partnership in the coming years to monitor effects of bridge construction on hellbender population trends and stream habitat quality. Kaunert also published an article with colleagues in the Journal of Zoology titled “Complex demographic, developmental, fitness, and physiological responses of larval eastern hellbenders to elevated water conductivity.” This study builds on the group’s previous experimental work evaluating effects of conductivity on hellbender recruitment. April Drumm-Hewitt, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, presented research at the 66th Psychonomic Society Annual Meeting held in Denver, Colo., in November 2025. She presented a poster on her text messaging research titled “Punctuation in Texting: Age Differences in Exclamation.” Christopher Kulp, Ph.D., John P. Graham Teaching Professor of Physics, gave a presentation at Sci-Fi Valley Con on Oct. 18, 2025, titled “The AI of Sci-Fi.” In it, he explored how artificial intelligence is portrayed in science fiction and how these portrayals are used to examine broader themes, such as what it means to be human. He also explained how current machine learning and generative AI technologies work, drawing comparisons to iconic AIs from sci-fi stories. Jessica Munson, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology and archaeology, was appointed coeditor-in-chief of the Journal of Archaeological Research. Published by Springer-Nature, the Journal of Archaeological Research is ranked No. 1 in archaeology with an impact factor of 4.2. It is the premier publishing venue for the discipline, bringing together the most recent international research summaries on a broad range of topics and geographical areas. Maybel Mesa Morales, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish, served as both presenter and chair/moderator at the international conference Moving Media in the Americas in December 2025 at Tulane University. This major event brings together about 100 scholars and creators from across the Americas and Europe to present work that explores a wide range of topics. She led the roundtable “La Gran Cuba” revisited: Contemporary Cinemas, Counter-Archives, and Transnational Resistances, where she presented her work, “Maternar el archivo: Affective Intermediality and Intimate Resistances in Cuban Audiovisual Works by Women.” Additionally, Mesa Morales was invited to participate in an international symposium, Cinematic Mothers: Mothering and Motherhood in Contemporary Latin (L to R) McClelland, Vargas, Houser, Belhachemi, Davis, Shoemaker 22 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
NEWS American Cultures, at St. Francis Xavier University, Canada. Scholars from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Cuba were supported by a SSHRC Connections grant. Her presentation, “Motherhoods, Tensions, and Resistances: New Representations in Contemporary Cuban Audiovisuals Directed by Women,” was selected as part of this grant-funded initiative. Suzanne O’Driscoll, D.Prof., was appointed the inaugural vice president for student affairs and success in September 2025. O’Driscoll is a dynamic and visionary student affairs professional who brings to the table more than 20 years of experience from across the student affairs spectrum. As the chief student affairs officer, she will provide strategic leadership and direction in support of Lycoming’s mission. She will oversee student life, health services, counseling services, and student success, as well as the College’s NCAA division III athletics program. O’Driscoll previously served as associate vice president for student affairs/dean of students at Shenandoah University, where she led strategic direction for the institution’s high impact student affairs division. She acquired increasing responsibilities during her 14-year tenure, where she held multiple roles prior, all within student affairs. O’Driscoll played a pivotal role in expanding mental health and well-being resources, while also advancing care team practices and strengthening crisis response efforts to better support the campus community. Prior to that, she held positions at Bridgewater College and State University of New York at New Paltz. O’Driscoll holds a doctoral degree of professional studies in organizational leadership from Shenandoah University, an M.A. in organizational communications from Iona College, and a B.A. in public relations from Marist College. Christopher Pearl, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of history, was invited to join the editorial board for the Journal of the Early Republic, published by the University of North Carolina Press in conjunction with William & Mary’s Omohundro Institute. He has also taken a position on the Omohundro Institutes Program Committee for its 2026 Conference in Nashville, Tenn., exploring “Revolutionary Orbits, Revolutionary Arcs.” Pearl was featured on PCNTV for his state of the field address “Not Dead, just Different: Decentering Revolutionary Politics during the 250th” to the Pennsylvania Historical Association on Oct. 10, 2025. The following week, he gave a lecture on his new book as part of the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum’s Distinguished Speakers Series. He traveled to Richmond, Va., as part of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s “Revolution 250” speaker series on Nov. 6, 2025. A short experimental film, “Consequences of This Light,” by film and video arts professor Leah Bedrosian Peterson, M.F.A., was accepted into the Alexandria Film Festival and screened at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum in Alexandria, Va., in November 2025. Amy Rogers, Ph.D., professor of education and associate provost for assessment and accreditation, was one of 11 remarkable nominees recognized in the education category at the prestigious 17th Annual Women of Excellence event hosted by the YWCA Northcentral PA on Nov. 12, 2025, at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center in Williamsport. This award category highlights individuals who foster learning and growth through teaching, training, or developing programs that promote personal development and equity. Mesa Morales (third from R) Marisa C. Sánchez, Ph.D., assistant professor of art history, has been appointed by the College Art Association (CAA), the largest network of professionals in the visual arts, to serve on the Education Committee for a threeyear term beginning February 2026 at the annual conference in Chicago. The Education Committee promotes the visual arts as an essential aspect of human activity; as a creative endeavor and subject of cultural and historical inquiry and critical appreciative activity; and encourages excellence in teaching at all levels. Its focus is on pedagogy at the higher education level in art history, visual culture, studio, aesthetics, and art criticism, and on the interface between arts teaching and learning research and practice. Phoebe Wagner, Ph.D. ’14, assistant professor of English, Emily Wilson, Ph.D., assistant professor of astrophysics, and Melissa Morris, Ph.D., assistant professor of astrophysics, will co-author a contribution to “Dark Skies Appalachia,” a multidisciplinary collection which will explore the influence of a dark night sky on identity, culture, and sense of place in the Appalachian region as well as efforts to protect dark skies in and beyond the region. Additionally, Wilson traveled to Gettysburg College in October 2025 to give an invited talk titled “When Cannibal Stars Shine: A Tale of Binary-Star Evolution” at their physics department colloquium and will give a similar talk in March 2026 at Penn State. In recognition of their outstanding service and dedication, Lycoming College extends its heartfelt congratulations to Nicole (Nyman) Kuntz ’94, information technology services (29 years), and Tim McMahon, head women’s volleyball coach (25 years), upon their retirement. 23 www.lycoming.edu
Do you have suggestions for regional gatherings, Alumni & Reunion Weekend, and Homecoming Weekend? Share your ideas at alumni@lycoming.edu! Lehigh Valley IronPigs • Allentown, Pa. Baltusrol Golf Club • Springfield, N.J. D.C. United • Washington, D.C. Jack ’63 and Barb Tarditi’s Home • Avalon, N.J. Philadelphia Phillies • Philadelphia, Pa. Williamsport Crosscutters • Williamsport, Pa. REGISTER TODAY! 24 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
Visit www.lycoming.edu/alumnievents to learn about and register for upcoming alumni engagement activities. Alumni Canoe Races • The Adirondack Canoe Classic The Grind • Boyertown, Pa. THE PRESIDENT LYCOMING’S 16TH PRESIDENTIAL TOUR CELEBRATE with Lycoming College in various locations throughout the next several months for the opportunity to meet with President Charles “Chip” Edmonds, Ed.D. ’98. www.lycoming.edu/alumni/events to learn more about upcoming Meet the President events! ALUMNI & REUNION WEEKEND MAY 29-31, 2026 www.lycoming.edu/alumniweekend VISIT 25 www.lycoming.edu
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