Lycoming College presented its top four awards during its annual Honors Convocation on Sunday, April 13. The awards are given on the basis of dedication and service to the college.
Cory Trego, of Pottstown, Pa., was presented the 63rd annual Chieftain Award. First presented in 1952, the award is the highest honor given to a graduating senior. Trego, who will earn a bachelor’s in biology in May, has been on the dean’s list all four years. He is a recipient of the Haberberger Fellowship and a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Beta Beta honor societies. He was named resident assistant staff member of the year for the 2012-13 academic year. Trego held leadership roles in Cru, Flyco and Student Senate and was a member of The Lycourier student newspaper. He also was an intern with the college’s Clean Water Institute and a member of the cross country team. This fall, he will begin pursuing a master’s in wildlife and fisheries biology and management at West Virginia University.
Mel Zimmerman, Ph.D., a professor of biology who joined the Lycoming faculty in 1979, is the recipient of the 2014 Constance Cupp Plankenhorn Alumni Award for Faculty Excellence. He also is the founder of the college’s Clean Water Institute and directs the environmental science program. Zimmerman teaches courses in ecology, aquatic biology, invertebrate zoology, environmental science and tropical marine biology. His research interests include stream ecology and restoration, wetland ecology and wastewater biology. Zimmerman earned a bachelor’s from SUNY Cortland and both a master and Ph.D. from Miami University.
Mary Morrison, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biology who joined the college’s faculty in 2004, is recipient of the 2014 Junior Faculty Teaching Award for excellence in teaching. She also is the co-coordinator of the interdisciplinary neuroscience minor. Morrison teaches introductory biology, neurobiology, cell biology, immunology, and Cells, Genes and Society, an introductory course for non-biology majors. Her research interests include cell and molecular biology of the brain and mammalian genetics. Morrison earned a bachelor’s from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Dan Miller, Ed.D., vice president for student life and dean of students, received the Makisu Award, which the student body presents to a faculty or staff member for extraordinary service and dedication. He joined the Lycoming administration in 2005. Miller earned an Ed.D. in higher education leadership from Widener University, a master’s in higher education administration from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s in business management from St. John Fisher College.
Lycoming College is a four-year, residential liberal arts and sciences school dedicated to the undergraduate education of 1,400 students. Its rigorous academic program, vibrant residential community and supportive faculty foster successful student outcomes. Lycoming offers 36 academic majors and is recognized as a Tier 1 institution by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1812 and located near the banks of the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pa., Lycoming is one of the 50 oldest colleges in the nation. For more information, visit www.lycoming.edu.