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Debbie Smith ’17, faculty administrative assistant, was named the Lycoming College Employee of the Year during the College’s Staff Appreciation Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, highlighting a group of 10 staff members that were recognized for excellence on the job and their dedication to the College.
Smith joined Lycoming College in 2000 as an administrative assistant to development before moving into her current role in 2006, where she supports the departments of astronomy and physics, biology, chemistry and biochemistry. A 2017 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in accounting, Smith is also the assistant director for Lycoming College for Kids and Teens. In 2014, Smith also won the Benjamin Crever Outstanding Service Award.
Kim Moerschbacher, library technician and circulation supervisor, earned the Rookie Warrior of the Year Award. The award recognizes her for outstanding service and contributions; initiative, motivation and creativity, and willingness to assist beyond normal expectations; dedication to her profession; and for promoting an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation.
Lara Collins Breon ’04, alumni relations officer, earned the Warrior Spirit Award for her spirit of: volunteerism, collaboration, commitment; integrity, engagement and support of Lycoming College events; excitement, promotion of good will and for fostering of a sense of belonging within the campus community; and for her commitment to the spirit of diversity and inclusion.
Rebecca Brown ’11, administrative assistant for the Office of Academic Service Deans, earned the Benjamin Crever Outstanding Service Award for her willingness to go beyond the limits of her job description to further the College’s goals. She also showed sincere cooperation, a positive attitude, and an exceptional willingness to assist others, as well as professionalism and dedication to excellent service to students, faculty, staff, and others.
Taryn Bartholemew ’09, head of library collections and systems, earned the Blue and Gold Leadership Award for mentoring others by providing advice, guidance, feedback and encouragement; promoting positive morale by displaying a congenial, supportive attitude, and exceptional willingness to assist and serve others; embracing the core values of respect, accountability, integrity, service and excellence; and putting forth an effort to improve self as well as to develop and recognize others.
Cindy Mayer, day custodial shift coordinator, and John Colocino, grounds landscaping laborer, earned the Jackie Bilger Dedication to Lycoming College Award. The award was created to honor the memory of Jackie Bilger, who served Lycoming College with distinction for more than 13 years as the director of human resources. Mayer and Colocino received the award for providing outstanding service to Lycoming while demonstrating Bilger’s dedication, initiative, creativity, positive attitude, and unwavering commitment to caring for their fellow employees.
Similar to Bilger, whose children Mackenzie ’19 and Maggie each attended Lycoming, both Mayer and Colocino have children who went to Lycoming. Mayer’s children, Jessica Kaiser ’05, David Kaiser ’06, Jacqueline Kaiser-Rist ’06, and Alisha Mayer, and Colocino’s children, Joshua ’07 and Cathryn Barner ’14, all attended Lycoming.
Three individuals, Allison Holladay, associate director of global education, Murray Hanford, director of publications, and Dave Lantz, assistant director of the physical plant, earned the Pivot Award. The award was created to honor employees made a significant contribution to the College’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.