2025 Staff Appreciation Dinner Program

 

 

Contents

1. Twenty Five Years of Service
2. In Memory
3. University Awards
4. Retirees
5. Spot Bonus Awards
6. 2024-25 Athletics Achievement Spot Bonus Award Recipients
7. Tradition of Excellence Awards

 

Twenty Five Years of Service

Congratulations to Lehigh staff members who marked 25 years of service during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Robin Armbruster
PC Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science

Kelly Decker
LTS Information Security

Susan Disidore
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Linda Ganus
Music Department

Richard Haas
Athletics

Grant Hittinger
LTS Client Services

Deborah Laub
Theatre Department

Lori McClaind
Dean of Students - Student Life

Christopher Mulvihill
Dean of Students - Student Life

Bryan Pitkin
Distance Education

Matthew Romero
Distance Education

Stephen Sakasitz
LTS Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

Cindy Sigley
Enrollment Management Services

KellyAnn Spradlin
Centennial School

Jason Stanford
LTS Client Services

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In Memory

Lehigh remembers active and retired staff who passed away during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Alfred Fritzinger
Manager, WLVR
Dean of Students - Student Engagement

Carl Arbogast
Facilities Services

Dorothy Bedics
University Center Post Office

Christopher Christian
Transportation Services

Francis J. Figlear
Development and Alumni Relations

Elizabeth MacAdam
Engineering Research Center - ATLSS

Catherine Miller
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Kathleen Morrow
LTS Client Services

Marianne Napravnik
Women's Studies

Erica Nastasi
Sociology and Anthropology

Mary Louise Powers
Enterprise Systems Implementation

Shirley Ratushny
Berman Center for Jewish Studies

Gregory Vollman
Facilities Services

Constance Weaver
Institute for Fracture and Solid Mechanics

Margaret Weber
Career Services

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Lehigh University Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024-2025 Lehigh University Awards

 

John W. and Barbara R. Woltjen Award

Made possible through the generosity of John Woltjen and his late wife, Barbara, the Woltjen Award is presented annually to a member of the nonexempt staff in the Finance & Administration area who has demonstrated exceptional commitment, dedication to Lehigh, and outstanding service to the campus community.

Fred Bechtoldt
Lead Boiler Operator
Facilities Services

Across our campus, Fred’s expertise as the Lead Boiler Operator is widely recognized. However, what makes him so particularly deserving of this prestigious recognition extends beyond his impressive technical skills. It’s his unwavering commitment and his tireless dedication to ensuring that the very heartbeat of Lehigh’s facilities – its essential operations – run smoothly, day in and day out.

Beyond his daily oversight of our 24/7 boiler plant, Fred has been the linchpin for the extensive and complex alterations to the chiller plant on the Asa Packer Campus. Think about that for a moment: managing such intricate operations while simultaneously guaranteeing the uninterrupted flow of heat and hot water for our students, faculty, and staff. It’s a balancing act of remarkable skill and precision.

Fred doesn’t simply manage a team; he truly leads. Overseeing four rotating boiler operators, he ensures they receive the guidance and robust support necessary to uphold the highest standards of both safety and efficiency. His leadership has been particularly evident during the ongoing construction at the plant, a period that has seen multiple contractors working concurrently. It’s a testament to his professionalism and expertise that Fred has navigated this complex environment, keeping all parties informed and safe while maintaining the critical operations we all rely on.

Fred’s technical knowledge is, quite simply, second to none. His deep expertise in steam boilers, intricate water systems, and essential maintenance is absolutely critical to the seamless functioning of our facilities. But what truly distinguishes Fred is his profound commitment to the future of Lehigh. He has proactively taken on the vital role of mentoring other operators, ensuring that his vast and invaluable knowledge is thoughtfully passed on to the next generation of professionals. This dedication – to both the present needs and the future strength of our operations – speaks volumes about his leadership and his visionary approach to Lehigh’s continued success.

Provost's Award for Undergraduate Academic Advising

The Provost’s Award for Undergraduate Academic Advising recognizes an exempt staff member for demonstrated excellence in and extraordinary contributions to undergraduate academic advising.

Kerry Madden McCann
Associate Director of Advising
College of Business

Kerry not only advises students herself, but also leads and mentors the entire advising team. She’s a thoughtful, inclusive leader who creates a welcoming environment for students and staff alike. Kerry’s approach is rooted in care, clarity, and empowerment—whether she’s guiding students through academic planning, simplifying processes that stand in their way, or connecting them with the resources they need to thrive.

What truly sets Kerry apart is her ability to evolve and lead with intention. Instead of asking her team to stick to the old way of doing things, she listens—encouraging innovation, fostering creativity, and building a team culture that centers student experience. She’s introduced new outreach efforts like “Cookies with the Advisors,” group sessions, and more accessible communication, all with the goal of helping students feel more connected and supported.

Kerry’s leadership, her heart for students, and her dedication to making advising more human, more effective, and more welcoming have left a lasting mark on the College of Business—and on Lehigh as a whole.

Alfred Noble Robinson Award

The Alfred Noble Robinson Award, honors a staff member whose creativity, dedication, and promise have made a lasting impact on the university.

Rebekah Short
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Bioengineering

In just 18 months at Lehigh, Rebekah has truly transformed her department. She has not only streamlined operations and improved systems, but also reimagined how the department engages with students, faculty, and alumni. From launching a dynamic Graduate Student Association and organizing impactful events like Bioengineering Research Day and alumni mixers, to digitizing records and creating cross-campus collaborations, Rebekah has done it all—and done it exceptionally well.

She’s known for her energy, initiative, and warm, can-do spirit. Whether she’s mentoring students, presenting at national conferences, or building community among graduate coordinators across the university, Rebekah brings a level of excellence that elevates everyone around her.

Inclusive Excellence Award

The Louis & Helen Zirkel Library Staff Award honors exceptional contributions to library services at Lehigh.

Maccabee Levine
Senior Library Applications Developer
Library and Technology Services

Maccabee is the engine behind some of the most important tools our community relies on every day—many of which operate quietly in the background, but make a world of difference. Most notably, he led the launch of the Library Single Search tool, which allows users to search across the entire library catalog, e-journals, e-books, and research databases all in one place. This innovation has dramatically improved the way we access and discover academic resources, and it’s already made a major impact on research and scholarship at Lehigh.

But Maccabee’s influence doesn’t stop with systems. His colleagues describe him as generous, tireless, and incredibly thoughtful. He’s the go-to person for complex questions, and no matter how busy he is, he takes the time to teach, troubleshoot, and elevate others. His deep technical expertise is matched by his collaborative spirit—he listens, adapts, and ensures that every voice is heard. And while he never seeks the spotlight, his contributions light the way for the entire LTS team.

Whether he’s streamlining workflows, customizing platforms, or mentoring others through a tricky tech issue, Maccabee’s steady presence and inclusive leadership have shaped a better, more connected library experience for us all.

Perry and Carol Zirkel Nonexempt Staff Award

The Perry and Carol Zirkel Nonexempt Staff Award, which recognizes outstanding performance and contributions by a member of the nonexempt staff.

Jeri Stewart
Academic Coordinator
Sociology and Anthropology Department

The Hillman Nonexempt Staff Award is given annually to a member of the nonexempt staff for performance excellence or for advancing the interests of the university. 

Carla Kologie
Executive Assistant to the Dean
College of Education

From managing field placements and licensure records to navigating leadership transitions, Carla has consistently demonstrated precision, calm under pressure, and a deep commitment to supporting students, faculty, and staff.

But Carla’s work doesn’t stop when the day ends. Since 2018, she has volunteered as a Survivor Support Advocate, providing 24/7 care and guidance to students impacted by gender-based violence. She also mentors the Break the Silence peer educators, helping them develop programming around prevention, healthy relationships, and advocacy. With Carla’s steady support, events like Take Back the Night and bystander intervention trainings have expanded and strengthened.

Whether through her service on campus committees, her leadership in the College of Education, or her work supporting student wellness and safety, Carla exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond. Her warmth, reliability, and passion for helping others have made her an essential part of the Lehigh community.

Hillman Exempt Staff Award

The Hillman Exempt Staff Award is given annually to a member of the exempt staff for excellence in administrative, teaching, or research work or for advancing the interests of the university.

Bill Hunter
Director
Office of Fellowship Advising and UN Programs

This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Lehigh University-United Nations Partnership — a program founded and led by Bill. Over the past two decades, Bill’s work has opened doors for thousands of students, offering once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to engage with the UN and international organizations.

One of the standout programs is the Youth Representative initiative, where Lehigh students represent NGOs from around the world that might not otherwise have a voice at the United Nations. It’s opportunities like these that truly set Lehigh apart from other universities.

As Director, Bill has championed student engagement in international dialogue, focusing on human rights, inclusion, and advocacy. Through his dedication, Bill has built powerful networks that connect our students to diplomats, policymakers, and activists — giving them hands-on experience in global leadership. His commitment to education, diplomacy, and the values of peace and human dignity has left an incredible mark on Lehigh and on the lives of so many students.

 

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Retirees

Best wishes to Lehigh staff members who retired during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Mary Ellen Alu
University Communications and Public Affairs
10 years of service

Lisa Carreras Arechiga
Chemistry
12 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Graduate Coordinator, Materials Science; Moderator, Distance Education

Volunteer Service and Involvement: Served as both a Captain and Co-Pilot in the SOAR (Successful Ongoing Administrative Relationships) onboarding program; Member of Walking Club, Balance, Faculty Staff Network of Color. Walked in most of the Too Hot to Trot events. Attendee in many learning programs such as Learning the Institution, REACH, RAD, CPR.

What are you doing now? Spending time with and assisting  family and friends. Continuing to walk daily and sleeping in a bit. Working on home projects.

For Lisa, the students were the heart of her work. “I enjoyed getting to know and building relationships with the students, especially the graduate students. They have so many questions when they start, and I was able to help them and take some weight off their shoulders about many issues,” she said. “It was always a little bittersweet when they graduated but I still keep in touch with several of them. I was also very integral in hiring new faculty and helping with onboarding. Lehigh will always have a special place in my heart.”

Mary Kay Baker
Conference Services
Auxiliary Services
39 years of Service

Maria Brace
Biological Sciences
21 years of service

What are you doing now? Enjoying life!

Ozzie Breiner
Housing Services
35 years of service

Sean Burdock
Lehigh University Police Department
26 years of service

What are you doing now? Helping more on the family farm.

Lori Carroll
LTS
45 years 9 months of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Earlier roles in the Data Center “moving up through the ranks.”

What are you doing now? Enjoying retirement!

Mary Ann Dent
Mathematics Department
29 years of service

Wayne J. Ferencin
Physics
38 years of service

What are you doing now? Getting jobs done around the house and taking care of my wife who has medical issues.

Wayne was dedicated to his work making sure physics undergraduate and research labs were running smoothly. He shared: “We had anywhere from 400 to 600 students per semester enrolled in our labs. In my 38 years at Lehigh every new lab started on time. I was always looking at new ways to upgrade the labs so that the students could have the best education available. Our research labs were also important because it placed Lehigh on the map of higher education. I was honored to have worked with such distinguished colleagues in my time at Lehigh.”

Gale Fritsche
Library and Technology Services
28 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Senior Computing Consultant, Senior Instructional Technologist, Manager High Performance Computer, Manager Distributed Computing Support Services

Campus Engagement: Ran in the Turkey Trot for 25 years

Mary Gulick
Graduate Student Affairs
College of Business
31 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: College of Business: Graduate Recruitment and Admissions, Coordinator and Assistant Director, Graduate Student Affairs, Assistant Director, University Post Office

Bruce Idleman
Earth and Environmental Sciences
30 years of service

Anthony Jeffers
Center for Photonics and Nanoelectronics
19 years of service

Carla Jenkins-McDonald
Decision and Technology Analytics
47 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: College of Business Center for Economic Education, College of Business Undergraduate Programs Office

Volunteer Service and Campus Engagement: Former Committee Member of the Lehigh University Faculty and Staff of Color

What are you doing now? Enjoying not having to go to work.

Carla says her best memory from working at Lehigh is “getting to know my work study students as freshmen and watching them as they turn seniors and graduating. I have a few that still keep in touch. It warms my heart.”

Jane Josephson
Intramural and Recreational Sports
Athletics
36.5 years of service

Volunteer Service and Campus Engagement: Events such as graduations, NCAA Cross Country Meet, NCAA Women's Lacrosse Playoffs, hole marshall at the Senior Open that was held at Saucon Valley in 2022 as we were assigned a hole to manage throughout the tournament.  Volunteered to work many Lehigh Athletics varsity and other events to provide extra staffing needs.

What are you doing now? Taking care of my mother 24/7 who is 92 years young.

Jane says there are too many memories to name, but: “The Turkey Trot has consistently offered me cherished memories, allowing me to engage with staff, faculty, and students in a joyful and meaningful university intramural tradition.This event created an opportunity for everyone—runners, walkers, and spectators alike—to be part of something significant during Lehigh/Lafayette rivalry week,” she said. “The most fulfilling aspect was collaborating and working side by side with an exceptional team of coworkers to ensure the event ran smoothly. The dedication and kindness of these friends will forever leave a lasting impression on me and warmth in my heart. . .This experience remains dear to me, and I hope the "TROT" will provide many others with a similar sense of achievement!

Peggy Kane
Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
LTS

Brian Kelly
Lehigh University Police Department
33 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Security guard, police officer, Corporal, and Sergeant

What are you doing now? Living in Florida with my wife and working at a school district.

Brian will take many memories and lessons from Lehigh with him into the next chapter of his life. He shares: “The fact that I had the opportunity to interact with all types of cultural diversity at Lehigh, I was always taught that no matter what the situation is you should always strive to do your best and respect all you come upon during my 33 years of Lehigh. I’ve met and stayed friends with numerous Lehigh students and staff. It’s always an honor when they see you and remember you when they come back and visit.”

Katrina Kraft
Dean’s Office, PC Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
17.5 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: MSE/MechE

What are you doing now? Working for the Commonwealth 

Katrina shared her favorite Lehigh memory: “I was working with Susan Disidore in the office of research and sponsored programs during hurricane Sandy, assisting a professor in finalizing a proposal that was due. Susan and I had no power. She had a small generator she was using to upload documents. I was using my phone (charging it in my car) to supply her with updates as we needed last minute items from the professor,” she recalled. “We eventually submitted the proposal on time. . . The funniest part of this story was that the professor had power the entire time and was living comfortably at home! We had no clue until we returned to work after our power was restored for us."

Patricia Lawrence
College of Business
24 years of service

Teri Loew
Psychology
23 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Psychology - part time Secretary

Volunteer Service and Campus Engagement:  2002-2007 MOOV - helped move luggage, greet parents, and directed parking

What are you doing now? Currently working until June 30th

Teri says her most memorable story is the tale of the renovation of her building, Chandler-Ullmann Hall. “It was in desperate need of renovation and I was honored to be on the feasibility committee that allowed my input in some of the decisions in shaping the final product,” she shared. “Though, I must admit, the chaos involved with packing everything up, moving into a swing space, repacking everything back up, and moving back into the new building almost put me over the edge. It was the only time in all my years here that I thought about quitting.  Needless to say, I persevered and am glad that I did. The building is beautiful!”

James Mann
Development and Alumni Relations
16 years of service

Pat Mann
Strategic Planning and Initiatives
22 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Director of Administration, Office of the Provost; Operations Specialist, Communications and Public Affairs"

Volunteer Service and Campus Engagement: ERAC Chair and ERAC Member, 2009 Strategic Plan - Faculty and Staff Working Group Member, Benefits Allocation Review Group, and many committees and advisory groups in support of my various roles

What are you doing now? As of the awards dinner, still working and will plan to retire on June 30, 2025. In retirement, she plans to fully enjoy life, travel with her husband and family, and continue to watch her three grandsons (Tommy, Broghan and Hudson) grow and participate in their school activities and sports.

Pat says her various positions at Lehigh gave her the opportunity to work with many talented colleagues across the University. “I am extremely grateful for that,” she noted. “The last three and a half years in the Office of Strategic Planning and Initiatives have been extremely rewarding working alongside Chris Cook and Mark Erickson. Being a part of the creation of the new Office of Strategic Planning and Initiatives, shaping Lehigh’s Strategic Plan – from the Phase 0 work, to the Strategic Planning campus-wide engagement phase, and through strategy implementation – has truly been the highlight of my career.”

Eugene Matlock
Engineering Research Center - ATLSS
44 years of service

Wayne Mery
Systems Engineering
LTS
44 years of service

Volunteer Service and Campus Engagement: Lehigh University Choral Arts

What are you doing now? Community Manager, MZLA Technologies Corporation (Thunderbird)

Wayne shared one of his most memorable moments in a 44 year at Lehigh: “I was always the technical administrator for the server which runs the application for building security. At the first weekend of one fall semester the security software was consistently crashing, preventing building access panels from updating. This severely affected building access and required intervention by campus police. The application vendor was unable to determine the cause of the problem,” he explained. “I led several hours of effort to identify a singular failing device which created the problem, and from there determined why the access control software was failing on the server.  We were then able to restore building access, and the vendor was able to repair their software.”

Stephen Oblas
Communications and Public Affairs
29 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Director, Internet & Design Services, followed by Executive Director, Internet Services and New Media, in Communications and Public Affairs.

What are you doing now? Currently enjoying more time with my children and grandchildren and diving back into passion projects like painting, 3D modeling, woodworking and other endeavors that blend artistic talent and my professional expertise.

Steve has fond memories of the scores of student interns and workers his office helped mentor over decades. But one story stands out for him: “Most memorable was the volunteer work performed during Hurricane Sandy,  a storm which abruptly left campus without electricity and cellular service for several days during a cold November,” he shared “A small group of us created a makeshift call center in one of the residence halls where we manned a series of landline phones in order to answer questions from enrolled students, worried parents, and an inquiring news media. That work proved extremely gratifying and ultimately we instilled confidence that both the safety of our student community and business continuity for the university was in good hands.”

Barbara Parenti
Library Access Services
LTS
37 years of service

Georgette Phillips
College of Business
11 years of service

Eunice Rankin
LTS
40 years of service

Thomas Rigney
Athletics
20 years of service

Frank Roth
Office of General Counsel
24 years of service

Karen Sicinski
Health & Wellness Center
33+ years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Clinical Nurse

Volunteer Service and Campus Engagement: Most recently host for International Friendship Family Programs, earlier in my career Healthy Hawks Peer Educators Mentor and throughout the years Athletics patron.

What are you doing now? Exploring new interests, spending quality time with loved ones, and focusing health and well-being. Joining my husband in embracing the freedom and flexibility that retirement brings.

In more than 33 years on campus, Karen interacted with thousands of students. She shares: “I could speak to the many interactions I have had with students during the long hours of COVID or the Meningitis outbreak, or the evening outreach programs in regards to Sexual Health, but I always go back to one of my first student encounters when asked this question,” she explained. 

“During my first few months on campus I worked independently on the evening shift at the Health & Wellness Center. One evening a student presented with a large wooden splinter in his thumb that he received while pressing apples at one of the fraternities. The splinter was successfully removed, pain relieved and wound cleansed and covered. Later that evening the student returned with a half gallon of apple cider to share with me in appreciation. I think I knew then that I could have an impact on the day-to-day experiences of our students with not just the big events but the small ones as well. I believe my commitment to providing the best possible care to our students in my daily practice is self evident, I have had the privilege to share my experiences and provide mentorship to a variety of staff members over the years at the Health & Wellness Center.”

Joe Sterrett
Athletics
48.5 years of service

Prior Roles at Lehigh: Admissions/Enrollment Management

What are you doing now? Supporting family members who are managing health issues and spending time with grandchildren

Carol Strange
International Internship Programs
Office of International Affairs
18 years of service

Douglas Strange
Athletics
33 years of service

Monica Timar
Development and Alumni Relations
48 years of service

John Troiano
Client Services
LTS
34 years of service

Loraine Wiedorn
Development and Alumni Relations
40 years of service

Karen Williamson
Facilities Services
12 years of service

 

 

2024-2025 Spot Bonus Award Recipients

 

Damla Alkan	College of Business Undergraduate Program
Stephanie Artim Azar	Financial Aid
Erica Balco	Education and Human Services
Tami Bauder	Financial Aid
Matthew Bear	Facilities Services
Ernesto Bellota Bazan	Facilities Services
Steven Benko	Facilities Services
Michele Bennyhoff	Development and Alumni Relations
Erica Bobsein	PC Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
Stefanie Burke	Dean of Students - Student Life
Jacob Catino	Financial Aid
Nicholas Christy	Dean of Students - Student Life
Wilfredo Colon	Facilities Services
Ryan Correa	Facilities Services
Timothy Cox	Development and Alumni Relations
Julia Crozier-Christy	College of Health
Maria Cruz	Financial Aid
Erin Curtolo	Biological Sciences
Juliane Di Carlo	Financial Aid
Carrie Duncan	Iacocca Institute
Trevor Flocco	Theatre
Mary Fronheiser	Financial Aid
Tess Gillespie	Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging
Natasha Goffredo de Luna	Development and Alumni Relations
Katherine Goonewardene	Financial Aid
Linda Hamel	Electric and Computer Engineering
Joseph Hartner	Facilities Services
Daniele Holland	Provost Office
Katie Kackenmeister	PC Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
Jamie Kardos	Education and Human Services
Erin Ketz	Dean of Students - Student Life
Janele Krzywicki	Provost Office
Jonis Lainez	Facilities Services
Eric Lambinus	Financial Aid
Evan Lempke	Creative Inquiry
Jamie Lenhart	Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Gregg MacKenzie	Facilities Services
Riquermi Maldonado-Rivera	Facilities Services
Jennifer McEvoy	LTS Administration and Planning
Jennifer Mertz	Financial Aid
Maria Cristina Montufar Delgado	ICAPE
Alex Morykin	Distance Education
Scott Nauman	Facilities Services
Dugeidy Ortiz	Office of Special Projects
Timothy Palumbo	LTS Client Services
Joanna Patrick	Development and Alumni Relations
Jeffrey Paynter	Facilities Services
Nicholas Pesarcik	College of Arts and Sciences
Christina Reiss	PC Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
Brandin Robinson	Facilities Services
Eduardo Rodriguez	Iacocca Institute
Salomon Rodriguez	Facilities Services
Monica Samson	College of Health
Victoria Saunders	VP Student Affairs
Robin Schenkel	VP Student Affairs
Nicholas Shimmel	Financial Aid
Charles Stokes	University Police
Richard Tillman	IDEAL
John Troiano	LTS Client Services
Timothy Uhrich	College of Business Undergraduate Programs
Stephen Wilson	Development and Alumni Relations

 

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2024-25 Athletics Achievement Spot Bonus Award Recipients

 

Robert Bozym

Demeitre Brim

Kevin Cahill

Matt Francis

Daniel Hunt

Michael Kashurba

Matt Licciardi

Mark McMaster

Michael Morita

Richard Nagy

William Scudder

Keon Shaw

Ben Thaw

Chavaar Warren

2024-2025 Tradition of Excellence Award Recipients

Laura Bachman	Conference Services
Mary Kay Baker	Conference Services
Kevin Battersby	Housing Services
Nancy Bauder	Housing Services
Kristen Brannick	Athletics
Lawrence Breiner	Housing Services
Joan Brosious	Housing Services
Christina D'Aversa	Housing Services
Nathan Hughes	Athletics
Lisa Landis	Athletics
Harrison Lawrence	Athletics
Grace Lewis	Housing Services
Danielle Moyer	Development and Alumni Relations
Christopher Ottey	Housing Services
Christina Reiss	PC Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science

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