Reunion Awards 2008

The Undergraduate Merit Award

To honor undergraduates for their exemplary character, personality, scholarship and participation in extracurricular activities, and for representing the highest traditions of Lehigh University.

Cheryl Kaplun '08
Clark Cohen '08

The Deming Lewis Faculty Award

Richard Matthews
Distinguished University Professor,
Department of Political Science
Department Chair

Selected by the Class of 1998 as having most significantly influenced its members' educational experience, he has brought honor to Lehigh University through scholarship and teaching.

The Friend of Lehigh Award

Bill Donahue

In grateful recognition of his significant generosity and continuous support of the Lehigh community.

The Good Neighbor Award

Stephen Pecuch

For consistent support and neighborly interest in Lehigh University, he is appreciated and warmly regarded by the Lehigh community.

The Paul J. Franz Award

Frank A. Roth
General Counsel, Lehigh University

Frank truly embodies the spirit of Paul Franz '44, and his strong legacy of excellence, dedication and devotion to Lehigh. He received his B.A. in Government and Urban Studies in 1980, graduating as a College Scholar and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Frank chose Lehigh for its academic reputation, and he and his brother are legacies, following in their father's footsteps. His wife Helen is also Class of 1980, daughter Emily is Class of 2008, and son Andrew is a freshman. Frank has served Lehigh in his role as General Counsel since 2001. He is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the Education Law Association, and the Northampton and Lehigh County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. He is also a lecturer in Higher Education Law at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Frank is a highly respected leader in the Lehigh community, offering creative problem-solving, and the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity while supporting the university's mission and strategic objectives. Lehigh is proud to acknowledge Frank for his many contributions.

The George F.A. Stutz '22 Award

C. Palmer Zigmund
B.A. in Finance 1962

Despite the demands of a highly successful career as Senior Vice President of Keystone Nazareth Bank and Trust, Palmer Zigmund is a dedicated and lifelong supporter of his beloved alma mater. He has been a stalwart of the general reunion committee since 1983, offering his leadership and infectious enthusiasm for the event that ties alumni to each other and the university. He has served as a director of the Alumni Association board, and is currently class treasurer, a member of the Wrestling Club, and a phonathon volunteer. He is also a member of the Asa Packer and Tower Societies. Palmer was the recipient of the distinguished Alumni Award in 1997. Never slowing down, he continues to exhibit excellence and devotion to Lehigh in the spirit of the alumnus for whom this award is named. In doing so, he has earned Lehigh's lasting gratitude and highest regard.

The Young Alumni Awards

Kristina Theiss Manganiello '98
Katie Breckenridge '03

Kristina Theiss Manganiello
B.S. Finance 1998
M.B.A. (New York University) 2004

As a student, Kristina was the president of the Class of 1998 and the vice president of membership and treasurer of the Newman Center, in addition to being a member of Student Senate, Omicron Delta Kappa, Order of Omega and Alpha Omicron Pi. She also received the Lehigh Student Achievement Award and the Undergraduate Merit Award at the end of her senior year. As a young alumna, she has served on the board of trustees and the LUAA board of directors. Kristina works at Deutsche Bank in New York City. She credits her Lehigh experience with teaching her how to balance career, hobbies and community service, in addition to friends and family. The Alumni Association is pleased to acknowledge Kristina for her time and dedication.

Katie Breckenridge will receive her award during Alumni Weekend in October.

The Alumni Awards

Class of 1938

Alpheus W. "Bill" Jessup
B.A. Journalism 1938

Bill was originally attracted to Lehigh for its engineering reputation, but a rough freshman year led him to a change of heart, a change in major (to journalism), and a distinguished career as an editor, columnist and correspondent. Bill has worked as news editor for McGraw-Hill, officer-in-charge of the China Edition of Stars and Stripes during World War II, bureau chief for Business Week, managing editor of Aviation Week, chief Far Eastern correspondent for Newsweek, and columnist and senior editor for US News & World Report, all between 1940 and 1963. From 1963 to 1982, he served as councilor on international affairs for the Exxon Corp., and in 1983, he was a member of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Commission on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Yugoslavia. As a student, Bill was active with The Brown and White, Pi Delta Epsilon, baseball, and cross-country. Since 1986, he has served as the Class of 1938 columnist, keeping his classmates up-to-date on each other's whereabouts. The Alumni Association is pleased to acknowledge his devoted service and his dedication to Lehigh and to the Class of 1938.

Class of 1943

David Troxel
B.S. Electrical Engineering 1943

An electrical engineer, musician, and devoted alumnus, Dave Troxel has been a fixture in Lehigh alumni circles for more than a decade, playing key roles in planning reunion activities for the Class of '43 and participating in numerous phonathons. A Quakertown native, Dave was a member of the Eta Kappa Nu honorary fraternity for electrical engineering and treasurer of the student branch of the American Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, as well as playing clarinet in the Marching 97 and symphony orchestra and singing in the glee club. On graduation, he worked 12 years for the Naval Research Laboratory, Radio Division, and then more than 30 years for the government division of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Dave says that his Lehigh experience not only prepared him to perform well in his professional career, but also allowed him to perform well in every facet of his life—"even to my present age of 86 years," he says. For his devotion and service to Lehigh, the Alumni Association is pleased to recognize David Troxel.

Class of 1948

Walt West
B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1948

Walt West enrolled in Lehigh as a member of the Class of 1946, but when his country called, after just one semester, Walt enlisted in the military from early 1943 until 1946. When he re-enrolled in fall 1946, Walt accelerated his studies and graduated in just two more years. He had little time for anything but his studies. When he came back for his first reunion, however—the 25th, in 1973—he noticed his classmates' enthusiasm for Lehigh, and he started to become engaged as an alumnus. Then in 1983, when he earned the distinction Senior Alumnus, he says, "I finally became aware of the value of being a member of the Lehigh Family." His best Lehigh memories start there, 35 years after graduation. Since then, Walt has served on several alumni committees, volunteered for phonathons, served more than 10 years as the Class of 1948 treasurer, and co-chaired his class committee for this year's reunion. He is also a member of the Tower Society and the Asa Packer Society. Lehigh is proud to confer on Walt the Alumni Award, in grateful recognition of his service and devotion.

Class of 1953

Peter Wolle
B.A. Geology 1953
M.S. (Syracuse University) 1956

Peter Wolle is proud to be part of the Wolle legacy at Lehigh, dating all the way back to the beginning, when Clarence Wolle enrolled as a member of the Class of 1869. He is among our most avid alumni volunteers, having served on the Alumni Association board of directors, the Greek Alumni Council, the reunion committee, the Kappa Alpha alumni board, and the Interfraternity Council, and served as class agent for the Class of 1953. He also is a member of the Tower Society and the Asa Packer Society. As a student, he was the house manager of Kappa Alpha and vice president of the Mustard & Cheese drama society. Pete proudly reports that the Wolle family's rich Lehigh legacy continues: his daughter Elizabeth is a member of the Class of 1980, and his grandson Andrew is a current student, due to graduate in 2011. LUAA is pleased to recognize Peter for his many contributions and for his selfless devotion to Lehigh.

Class of 1958

Bob Holcombe
B.S. Business Administration 1958
M.B.A. 1969

With more than 40 years of service to Lehigh, Bob is one of those alumni who arrived here as a student and never left. He joined the development staff in 1963 as an assistant director, founding the Asa Packer Society for major donors in 1967, and was named assistant vice president of development in 1980. Bob is the recipient of the 1995 Paul J. Franz Award for outstanding service to Lehigh and the Lehigh Award for distinguished service. Bob retired in 1995, but continued to serve as a consultant before returning as assistant vice president in 1997 and as interim vice president from 1999 to 2000. He has since retired again, but he continues to be actively involved whenever he is available. During his tenure, Bob was instrumental in securing a number of large gifts that helped shape the university into what it is today. Bob has been active in the community, serving on the boards of Historic Bethlehem, Inc., the Boys and Girls Club, Wiley House, and the Blue Cross of the Lehigh Valley. His daughter, Elizabeth, is a member of the Class of 1995. Lehigh is grateful for Bob's more than 40 years of service, and pleased to acknowledge his tremendous contributions.

Bill Helfrich
B.S. Industrial Engineering 1958
B.S. Business Administration 1959

Any time an alumni activity takes place in Western New York, or involves the Class of 1958, you can be sure Bill Helfrich will be right in the middle of it. Bill has served more than 10 years as president of the Western New York alumni club, hosting tailgates, Lehigh/Lafayette telecasts and freshman sendoffs, representing Lehigh at college fairs, contacting prospective freshmen, and much more. He has also served more than 35 years as Class of '58 correspondent and nearly that many as class secretary, and has been a member of the reunion committee for the 45th and 50th reunions. As a student, Bill was a class officer and representative, a member of the baseball and swimming teams, and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, among other activities. His contributions to his Buffalo-area community have been extensive, including leadership of numerous charitable, civic, and professional organizations. A devoted member of his community, the Class of '58, and the Lehigh Family, Bill genuinely embodies the spirit of his alma mater, and Lehigh is grateful for his service.

Class of 1963

Fred Braun
B.S. Finance 1963

Every time the Class of '63 has come back to campus for a reunion, Fred Braun has played a key role in bringing them back. As a student, Fred was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the varsity baseball team—groups who remain close to this day. He credits his Lehigh education for his distinguished banking career of 45 years and counting—including 17 years at the State Bank of Long Island, currently as executive vice president and chief lending officer. Fred loves to engage others in conversation about Lehigh. "I would do it all over again with very little change," he says. "I am proud to wear the brown and white." The Alumni Association gratefully acknowledges Fred for his service to Lehigh and to the Class of 1963.

Class of 1968

Rob Gould
B.A. International Relations 1968
M.B.A. 1973

As the son of a Lehigh faculty member, Rob grew up at Lehigh and was familiar with university activities—which made Lehigh a natural choice when it came time to decide where he would study. As an undergraduate, Rob was a baseball player and an active brother of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, holding several officer positions. He also served as president of the Interfraternity Council. Since leaving Lehigh, Rob has pursued a successful career in human resources, labor relations and corporate management. He has remained active as an alumnus as chairman of the last five class reunions, also attending numerous first-year student sendoffs. His son Evan also is a Lehigh graduate, Class of 2005. The Alumni Association is grateful for Rob's valuable service as a loyal member of the alumni community.

Class of 1973

Dave Morrison
B.A. Journalism 1973

As a student at Lehigh, Dave Morrison says he lived by the creed "Work hard, play hard!" And so he did—as a member and president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, an officer in the Interfraternity Council, an editor for The Brown and White, and a member of student government. Dave's Lehigh degree was the springboard to a successful career in communications and non-profit management, including a stint as Lehigh's assistant director of publications, work as executive director of both the Historic Harrisburg Association and the PA Society of the American Institute of Architects, and his present position as assistant to the president of Harrisburg Area Community College. Through his extensive civic and volunteer activities, Dave has made tremendous contributions to his Harrisburg community, leading to several honors, including the proclamation of David Morrison Day in 1999, by the mayor of Harrisburg. As an alumnus, he has served on his class reunion committees every reunion since graduation, volunteered for alumni phonathons, and served as class correspondent since 1973. (That's 140 class columns!) Dave has been a tireless volunteer and a stellar representative, and Lehigh is grateful for his time and talents.

Class of 1978

Bob Brown
B.S. Business Economics 1978

Bob Brown came to Lehigh on the advice of his high school guidance counselor, and he has never looked back. "The work ethic and social skills I learned at Lehigh have enabled all my success, both personal and professional," he says. Bob has more than repaid the benefit as an alumnus, serving as Greek Alumni Council president, LUAA board member, founding chair of the Accounting Advisory Board, chair of the Business Advisory Council, and member of the Board of Trustees, among other volunteer positions. As a student, Bob was a member of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honorary society, and treasurer of Alpha Chi Rho fraternity—a group with whom he is still close today. Bob has had great professional success with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Philadelphia, where he has worked since graduation, and where he has been a partner since 1990. He also serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Philadelphia Zoo and Leadership Philadelphia. Bob epitomizes the strong connection between Lehigh and its alumni, and the Alumni Association gratefully acknowledges his loyal service.

Class of 1983

Jean Seibold McGill
B.S. Accounting 1983
D.D.S. (Northwestern University) 1992
M.S. (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor) 1995

For Jean Seibold McGill, the phrase "Lehigh family" has a double meaning: she feels the strong bond that unites Lehigh alumni, but she also shares her alma mater with her father, Charlie, her brothers, Tom and Michael, her sister, Beth, and her husband, Kerry. As a student, Jean served on the executive board of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and played lacrosse, while she prepared for a successful career, first as an accountant, and since 1995, as an orthodontist in the Easton area. Jean credits her rigorous Lehigh curriculum for her success in post-graduate education and in business. As an alumna, Jean has served on the Greek Alumni Council since 2003, including her current stint as vice president for sororities. She is also the president of the Gamma Phi Beta house corporation board—her way of giving back to the sorority experience that meant so much to her. Jean has made a significant impact on her alma mater, and the Alumni Association gratefully recognizes all her contributions with the Alumni Award for the Class of 1983.

Class of 1988

Leslie Howard
B.S. Computer Science 1988
M.B.A. (Cornell University) 1994

Leslie calls her choice to attend Lehigh "one of the best, if not the best, decisions I've made." As a student, Leslie was president of Alpha Phi sorority, a Student Activities Committee officer, senior class fund secretary, and the 1988 Greek Woman of the Year—all while preparing for a career in systems consulting and marketing. She is currently a senior partner and senior director for marketing strategy for OgilvyOne in New York. Leslie says it was at Lehigh that she discovered her proclivity for leadership, learned to manage her time, and learned her limitations. As an alumna, she has been involved as an alumni club president and annual fund class agent, as well as pitching in as a member of the reunion committee. Leslie continues to get together regularly with her Alpha Phi and comp-sci friends, and no matter what she's doing, Lehigh is not far from her thoughts. The Alumni Association is grateful to Leslie for her dedication and loyalty, and for showing the world what it means to be Lehigh.

Class of 1993

Sarah Girotti
B.A. Psychology 1993
M.Ed. (New York University) 1997

Sarah says that attending Lehigh has meant, in a word, everything. "Going to Lehigh altered my life in ways unexplainable, yet unbelievably pervasive," she says. "There I found ‘sanuk,'"—a Thai word that describes an all-pervasive sense of well-being. At Lehigh, Sarah was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, holding the office of activities chair, a peer counselor, an active participant in intramural sports, and a member of the Lehigh University Volunteers (LUV). She has been a board member of the Lehigh Club of Boston since 1995, serving as president and secretary, organizing events for area alumni, and interviewing prospective students on the university's behalf. She worked two years as a special education elementary school teacher in Beverly, Mass., and two years as a consultant for Imperial Software in Boston. Now she is the owner of Weebound, an online business, as well as a board member for Family Action Network and the Neighborhood Cooperative Nursery School, in Winchester, Mass. "I am forever grateful for the four years I spent on South Mountain," Sarah says—and Lehigh is grateful for Sarah's devoted service to her alma mater.