Lycoming College News

Habitat for Humanity participates in Collegiate Challenge

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Thirteen students and four advisors from Lycoming College recently participated in Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge in Pittsboro, N.C. The week-long program is specifically geared toward college students on their spring break. This was 21st year that Lycoming students participated in the challenge.

Students and advisors worked with the Chatham County Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Pittsboro, N.C. For five, approximately six-hour days, they focused on siding, roofing and painting a home.

For many of the students, meeting and working with Amanda, who will be the recipient of the home, was the highlight of the trip. She is an employee of the Carolina Tiger Rescue, a non-profit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.

The students stayed at Camp Royal, a 133-acre summer camp located a few miles from their work site. At the camp, they had access to the dining hall, sleeping areas, showers, gymnasium and outdoor athletic field. During their free time, they traveled to Chapel Hill, N.C., for a day of shopping and sightseeing.

“The most valuable thing I took away from the Habitat trip was how important it is to try new things, meet new people and face your fears,” said Claire Zido, a junior sociology major. “I never would have pictured myself on a rooftop until I went on this trip, and I never would have met such wonderful people. To know that we all come from such different places on campus, yet we were able to come together for such an amazing purpose is pretty special. The memories will last a lifetime, as well as the friendships made.”

As part of its fundraising efforts, the College’s Chapter of Habitat for Humanity will host a pancake dinner Tuesday, April 5, from 4:30-7 p.m. in Lycoming’ East Hall Coffeehouse, corner of Franklin St. and Washington Blvd. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children and students.

Lycoming College Habitat for Humanity is a Christian-based organization that has been active on campus since 1990. In addition to its annual spring break trip, the chapter is involved in the local community. The College dedicated its first Habitat house in December 2003.

Lycoming College is a national liberal arts and sciences school dedicated to the undergraduate education of 1,400 students. It is recognized as a Tier 1 institution by U.S. News and World Report. Founded in 1812 in Williamsport, Pa., Lycoming is one of the 50 oldest colleges in the nation.

Death penalty opponent to speak

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Vicki Schieber, an opponent of the death penalty, will speak at Lycoming College on Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m. in the Mary Lindsay Welch Honors Hall. The free, public event is sponsored by Lycoming’s United Campus Ministry and Criminal Justice Department, the United Churches of Lycoming County and Pax Christi of Northeast Pennsylvania.

In 1998, Schieber’s daughter, Shannon, was raped and murdered while attending graduate school on a full scholarship at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Despite their tragic loss and strongly motivated by Christian moral principles, Schieber and her husband, Sylvester, have dedicated their lives to seeking an abolition of the death penalty.

Schieber is chair of the national organization Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights and has published pieces in the “Philadelphia Inquirer” and the “Washington Post.” She has testified before the United States Senate, as well as other legislative arenas, and speaks regularly to church and student organizations. In 2008, she served as a member of the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment. The Schieber family story has been included in an NBC film on the death penalty.

Annual Candlelight Service to be held Dec. 12

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Lycoming College will hold its 35th annual "Candlelight Service: A Festival of Lessons and Carols" Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in Clarke Chapel. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a musical prelude beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event, hosted by the United Campus Ministries, is free and open to the public.

The service is a popular College tradition during the Advent season. The lessons will be led by Lycoming students, faculty and staff. The service will include performances by the College''s woodwind and brass ensembles, choir and chamber choir.

Lycoming Habitat for Humanity hosts 5K Run/Walk for Shelter

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - The Lycoming College chapter of Habitat for Humanity held its annual 5K Run/Walk for Shelter on Sunday, Nov. 7. Forty-five runners and 18 walkers participated in the fundraiser benefiting Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity.

Overall winners were Kari Smith (22:02), a Lycoming alumna, and Jeffrey Faherty (17:31), both of Williamsport. Two Lycoming College students placed first in their respective categories. Jake Lewis (male age 20-29), a senior Spanish and international studies major from Mickleton, N.J., posted a time of 18:19. Freshman general studies major Michael Puchalski (male age 16-19) of Redlands, Calif., finished in 17:34.

The Lycoming College Chapter of Habitat for Humanity supports the work of Habitat for Humanity in the greater Lycoming County area by raising funds, volunteering at local builds and providing opportunities to both learn about and advocate for the effort to eliminate substandard housing.

Sponsors included the Lycoming Mall, Blaise Alexander, Pudgies Pizza, Papa John''s Pizza and Susquehanna Trailways.

Student and admissions counselor featured in article on preparing for college

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:13:00 EST

Lycoming Habitat for Humanity hosts "Boot Camp"

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Members of the Lycoming College Habitat for Humanity gave a week of their summer vacation to participate in the chapter's annual "boot camp." This year, students participating in the program returned to campus one week prior to the start of the fall semester to work on a project on West Fourth Street sponsored by the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity.

"It's very satisfying to know that you are helping people who really need the help," says Damian Priznar, a junior criminal justice major. "And it doesn't matter if you are struggling with a lot of work or just cleaning up a little bit, it's great to come back to school and work with friends to serve others."

Other students joining Priznar on the project included Ariel Burton, Paige Cole, Kayla Craig, Tri Do, K.C. Failor, Rachel Krebs, Stephanie Robinson, Eric Smithgall, Teresa Tickle and Denyse Walters.

Lycoming College Habitat for Humanity is a Christian-based organization that has been active on campus since 1990. Each spring, Lycoming Habitat participates in the Collegiate Challenge Spring Break program during which student volunteers travel to other states to assist in the building of quality, affordable housing for those in need. Lycoming Habitat dedicated its first house in December 2003.