Hall of Fame

A graduate of Schuylkill Valley Class of 1958, Mr. Russell Adams was a member of the high school soccer, basketball, and baseball teams. After graduation, he intended to work alongside his father on a farm north of the district. His plans changed when he was drafted into the army and sent to Benning, Georgia.

Mr. Adams trained in the army under Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore. During the Vietnam conflict, Mr. Adams was a machine gunner with the Airmobile 1st Battalion 7th Cavalry Division. A war hero, he was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroism and Valor and the Purple Heart, having been wounded in action. A historical marker in honor of his service is located at the United States Army Heritage and Education Center.

A New York Times Best Seller, We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam by General Moore and journalist Joseph Galloway, was written about Mr. Adams and fellow soldier Bill Beck’s heroism and sacrifice during a battle in a remote part of Vietnam in 1965. A major motion picture, We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson, was released based on the book. Mr. Adams’s character featured prominently in the movie.

Mr. Adams, a retired farmer, still resides in the Schuylkill Valley School District with his wife, Marlene. They have two daughters.

As a graduate of Schuylkill Valley Class of 2013, Mr. Kyle Beissel volunteered at the Schuylkill Valley Special Olympics Track & Field Invitational and was a member of the National Honor Society. He participated in football, basketball, and baseball. Mr. Beissel earned the 2013 Schuylkill Valley Most Outstanding Award in all three sports, as well as the Charles Hottenstein Award and was named Outstanding Male Athlete. He was a Reading Eagle Berks County Male Athlete of the Year Finalist in 2013.

During his high school football career, Mr. Beissel ended up 4th all-time in Berks County for Single Season Passing Yards (2,372 yards), the Schuylkill Valley Career Leader in Passing Yards (3,749) and Single Season Passing Yards, Most Passing Touchdowns in a Season (22), Most Passing Touchdowns in a Game (5), and Completion Percentage (54%). He also led the Panthers to their first district playoff win. In 2012 he was named the All Berks First Team Quarterback and Offensive Back of the Year, Voices Berks Senior Quarterback, and had the most passing yards in Voices Senior All-Star Game history.

In basketball, Mr. Beissel earned the Richard Kleppinger Award, given to the best senior male basketball player in Berks County. He led the team to the Berks County Championship game at the Santander Arena. He was named All-County in basketball in 2012-2013 and had the highest scoring average in Berks County with 18.8 points per game.

Mr. Beissel holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Lebanon Valley College. He was a member of the Lebanon Valley College football team that won the 2013 MAC Championship.

Mr. Beissel is a Certified Financial Planner™ and works for Savant Wealth Management. He is also the assistant girls’ basketball coach at Warwick High School. He is active at Reality Church, serving on the Finance Committee, the Welcome Team, Kid’s Ministry, and as a Small Group Leader. Kyle is married to Schuylkill Valley graduate, Hannah (Beatty) and they have one son, Elliott.

Schuylkill Valley Class of 2015, Mr. Frank Melvin graduated Cum Laude. He was Class President for three years, as well as President of PA Youth Education Association and Future Business Leaders of America. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Panthers-on-Parade.

Mr. Melvin was active in sports, playing on the varsity teams in volleyball, soccer, basketball, and football. He was the captain of the volleyball and soccer teams. He led Schuylkill Valley to its first BCIAA County Championship in boys volleyball in 2015 and holds the Schuylkill Valley record for kills in a season with 495 and the Schuylkill Valley career record for kills with 1,143.

The many accolades Mr. Melvin received during his high school career include the President’s Award for Academic Excellence, Berks Best in Business, American Volleyball Coaches Association Second Team All-American, member of the PA All-State Volleyball Team, Fab 50 Recruit, Berks County Volleyball Player of the Year, Reading Eagle Athlete of the Year finalist, and the Schuylkill Valley Senior Outstanding Athlete Award.

Mr. Melvin graduated from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree. He also earned a master’s degree from Penn State in Management and Organizational Leadership in 2021. During his time at Penn State, Mr. Melvin played Division I men’s volleyball and was on the Big Ten All-Academic Team for three years. He was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.

Mr. Melvin has captained the Malory Eagles Volleyball Club in London, UK. He currently works in New York City as an account executive for LinkedIn.

Dr. Jennifer (Lash) Miller is a 1995 graduate of Schuylkill Valley High School. She was actively involved in golf, track and field, swimming, and cheerleading. She was also a member of the marching and concert bands, as well as the PA Youth Education Association, Future Business Leaders of America, Panthers-on-Parade, and SODDA Club.

Dr. Miller earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University in occupational therapy, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She was a member of Pi Theta Epsilon Honor Society and the Temple University Golden Key International Honor Society. She received a Master of Science degree and her doctorate from Temple University in occupational therapy, graduating Summa Cum Laude for both. She received the Dr. Helen Hopkins Endowed Scholarship in 2015.

The many certifications Dr. Miller holds include Biomedical Research; Teaching in Higher Education; Positive Discipline Parenting and Educator Trainer/Teacher; Handwriting Without Tears/Learning Without Tears; Therapeutic Listening; Early Intervention; Sensory Integration & Praxis; and International Sensory Processing, Birth Through Adult.

Dr. Miller has been published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, has professional memberships in the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, and is a tenure track professor at Alvernia University.

A lifetime Girl Scouts member, Dr. Miller is also a Girl Scouts parent assistant, volunteers as a coach with the East Penn Youth Cheerleading Association, and is involved with the Boy Scouts Exploring program.

A 1986 graduate of Schuylkill Valley, Dr. Mark Rickenbach participated in cross-country, track and field, volleyball, National Honor Society, stage crew, and Panthers-on-Parade. After graduating, Dr. Rickenbach enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Russian linguist and was stationed in England.

Dr. Rickenbach received his Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Science from Penn State, a Master of Science degree in Forestry from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and a Ph.D. in Forest Resources from Oregon State University.

Dr. Rickenbach has been a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the last 23 years, focusing on improving policy and practice toward the sustainable use of forests and managed ecosystems in Wisconsin and beyond. He has published over 120 articles and outreach publications. He serves the public through appointments on the Wisconsin Legislative Council Study Committee for the Managed Forest Land Program and on the Wisconsin Council on Forestry.

Presently, Dr. Rickenbach serves as University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Policy and Integrity. He previously served as Chair of the Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology and Senior Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences. He is married with two children.

A graduate of Schuylkill Valley Class of 1993, Dr. Jeffrey Schoenebeck was a member of Student Council, marching and concert bands, the National Honor Society, and the swim team.

Dr. Schoenebeck obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State in developmental biology and embryology and his Ph.D. in developmental genetics from the New York University School of Medicine.

He worked at the National Institute of Health’s Human Genome Research Institute as a Research Fellow and was a Chancellor’s Fellow at the Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, studying canine genomics. Dr. Schoenebeck is an internationally renowned expert in canine genetics.

Dr. Schoenebeck is an associate professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Roslin Institute. He is a lecturer for the Royal School of Veterinary Sciences for the University of Edinburgh and has studied Spanish and Iberian Studies at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.

In 1962, Mr. Eugene “Cy” Fritz implemented Schuylkill Valley’s wrestling program. He led the 1966 team to the District III Sectional Championship and ended the season by tying for the County Wrestling Championship. He coached three Section II Track Championships, two individual District III Champions and one PIAA State Champion.

During his collegiate coaching career, Mr. Fritz coached track and cross country at Millersville University. He won a PSAC Championship, two IC4A College Division Cross Country Championships, and a Division II NCAA National Championship. He also coached eight Cross Country All-Americans and two Track & Field All-Americans.

Some of Mr. Fritz’s accolades include being named Division II Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1981, and being elected to the Millersville University Athlete Hall of Fame and the PA Athletic Hall of Fame, Susquehanna Chapter. Additionally, he served as President of the Division II Cross Country Coaches Association and as Director of Campus Recreation at Millersville University for 27 years and as Associate Athletic Director for more than 12 years.

Mr. Fritz’s service has not been limited to sports. He has participated in many community organizations, including Manor Township’s Parks and Recreation Board, Rotary Club of Lancaster South, Willow Valley’s Educational Scholarship Committee, Beagle Club federations, and church council. Mr. Fritz was elected Northeast Regional Campus Recreation Director; President of the Lancaster County Chapter of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Association; and served two terms as Vice President of Recreation for the PA Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

A graduate of the Schuylkill Valley Class of 1978, Mr. Kenny Grauer was a member of the baseball, cross country, basketball, and track and field teams. In 1981, he started his coaching career for the district with the junior high boys’ basketball and track and field teams. His coaching career also extended into football, cross country, and youth sports.

Mr. Grauer coached numerous BCIAA, District III, and PIAA State Champions in track and field, as well as four track and field PIAA State Championship teams. He assisted PIAA track and field officials for invitationals and county meets, fondly being referred to as the “Pit Boss” for his work in the jump pits. Mr.Grauer was also a member of the BCIAA Gold Leaf organization.

As a founding officer of the Panther Pride Stadium Committee, Mr. Grauer organized sponsorship packages and sold scoreboard sponsorships. He assisted with the fundraising, personalized pavers, design, and construction of the Panther Pride Path. Other district projects he was involved with include the installation of the original stadium lights, electrical service for the field hockey scoreboard, and preparation of the old cinder track. He also assisted with other community service projects and Panthers-on-Parade stage crew. The son of educators, Mr. Grauer’s family has many ties to Schuylkill Valley. His mother was a Schuylkill Valley teacher, his grandfather owned the original school bus and was a transportation employee for 60 years, and his wife and children are all Schuylkill Valley graduates. He is currently the owner of Grauer Electric.

As a graduate of Schuylkill Valley Class of 1978, Ms. Leslie Gromis Baker participated in field hockey, track, cheerleading, student council, and yearbook. She is also a graduate of the University of Maryland Class of 1982 where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree.

Ms. Gromis Baker then entered politics, working on the 1988 presidential campaign of George H. W. Bush and subsequently serving in the George H. W. Bush White House. She was a member of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge’s senior staff and was the campaign manager for his re-election campaign. She served as campaign advisor for President George W. Bush and Senator John McCain, and was the Chief of Staff to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett. Ms. Gromis Baker was appointed by President George W. Bush to the American Battle Monuments Commission, which oversaw all American cemeteries and monuments on foreign soil.

Ms. Gromis Baker is the founder of LG Strategies, a political and government affairs consulting firm, and Co-chair and Managing Director of Government Relations for Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney.

Dr. Solomon Lausch was the superintendent of Schuylkill Valley School District from 1997-2012. During this time, he implemented full-day kindergarten, block scheduling for grades 6th through 8th in reading and mathematics, and required a computer course for ninth grade. He conducted research on the correlation of Suzuki String Instruction on academic achievement, reconfigured grade alignment, and updated personnel services by adding a human resources coordinator position. Dr. Lausch oversaw renovation projects at the middle and high schools, as well as at the maintenance facility, administration building, and stadium/track.

Dr. Lausch served on the Board of Directors for the Schuylkill Valley Community Library, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, World Affairs Council of Greater Reading, and the United Way. He was also Executive Director of Berks Business Education Coalition.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Lausch received High School Principal of the Year, 1982, by the Greater Baltimore Committee; the Business and Education Partnership Award,1996; the Outstanding Superintendent Award, 2011, by PAMusic Educators; and the President’s Award for Exceptional Service to the Community, 2015, by RACC. He was also amember of the Baltimore City College Hall of Fame in 1994.

Additionally, Dr. Lausch has been a teacher and administrator in Baltimore city schools and Superintendent of Hanover School District. He even taught English as a Second Language during his time with the Peace Corps.

A graduate of Schuylkill Valley School District, Mr. Ronald Miller was involved with track and cross country as both an athlete and coach. He led the Panthers to a Section Two Cross Country title in 1974 with an 8-0 record.

Mr. Miller holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, both in Elementary Education, from Kutztown State University. He was a science teacher for 34 years, five of those at Ontelaunee Elementary and 29 years at the middle school.

Recognized by the Schuylkill Valley School Board, Mr. Miller was chosen for the PSMSA Breakfast of Champions Conference. He was also selected Outstanding Young Educator by the Leesport Jaycees.

For more than 60 years, Mr. Miller was a member of The Marauders, a band of five Schuylkill Valley classmates that played dances and provided music for the community as well as Berks and surrounding counties. He was also a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Neversink Forest #32, which sponsors children with Muscular Dystrophy. As a lifetime member of the Rajah Temple String Band, Mr. Miller played parades and concerts as far as Atlantic City and Virginia Beach to raise money for the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia and was a bass player for the Saint Michaelaires church group.

Mr. Miller is a sponsor of the Ronald L. Miller Science Award for graduating Schuylkill Valley students. His wife and children are all SV graduates. He also has four grandchildren, one of whom is an SV graduate, and another is a current student.

Ms. Devan (Coon) Soto is a graduate of the Schuylkill Valley Class of 2008. As a student, she participated in cross country, basketball, track and field, Spanish Club, and Environmental Club. She was named Berks County Female Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 2005 and 2007. She was also the PIAA State Champion in 400M in 2007, a state record; District III Champion in 100M, 200M, and 400M, earning the District III Record in 200M; Berks County Champion in 100M, 200M, and 400M, a county record for the 200M; and a Schuylkill Valley record holder for the 100M, 200M, 400M and 4X400M.

Ms. Soto qualified for the USATF Junior Olympic Nationals from 2004-2007. She was an All-American in 400M in 2007, qualified for the AAU Nationals in 2004-2007, and was an All-American in the 200M in 2006.

Ms. Soto graduated from Arizona State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She was a member of the Arizona State University track and field team. She also served as a USATF Level I coach, a USATF Official Association Level Throws with a specialty in Javelin, and was the coach of the Arizona Flames Track Club and Vanguard.

As a graduate of the Schuylkill Valley Class of 1999, Mr. Darin Tranquillo was a five-sport athlete, earning a total of 14 varsity letters in high school. He earned the PIAA All-State Football and All-State Soccer honors as a senior and was named to the BCIAA All-County football, soccer, and baseball teams. Mr. Tranquillo was a District Qualifier in track and was also awarded the Schuylkill Valley Outstanding Senior Male Athlete and Reading Eagle Athlete of the Year titles.

Mr. Tranquillo was the president of Student Council and a member of National Honor Society, Panthers-on-Parade, LEO Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Olympiad and Academic Challenge. He was chosen Student of the Year by the Central Berks Lions Club and the Bern Township Lions Club.

As a graduate of Penn State University Class of 2003, Mr. Tranquillo earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences and Technology and was on the Dean’s List all four years. He was a varsity letterman for Penn State Soccer and advanced to the NCAA Elite 8. He is also a Pennsylvania record holder for longest field goal, 57 yards; and a Berks County record holder for field goals made in a single season for nine field goals.

Mr. Tranquillo is the co-founder and principal of Tranquillo Consulting Services, Inc. He is the lead system architect for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Infectious Diseases Laboratories specimen tracking system. This system was instrumental in the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Class president and salutatorian of the Schuylkill Valley Class of 2010, Dr. Katie Campbell participated in Academic Challenge, National Honor Society, Panthers-on-Parade, Pantherette, PYEA, Science Olympiad and World Language Club. She is a 2014 Graduate of Pennsylvania State University Schreyer Honors College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. 

Dr. Campbell received predoctoral funding and training by the Precision Medicine Pathway Award and the Cancer Biology Pathway Training Program at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2018, she graduated with a doctorate in Molecular Cell Biology from Washington University. 

Katie was awarded the National Institute of Health funding for postdoctoral training in Tumor Immunology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She served on the Associate Member Council for the American Association for Cancer Research from 2020-2022 and was awarded the Cancer Research Institute Irvington Fellowship in 2020 to support postdoctoral research in melanoma and immunogenomics. Dr. Campbell is recognized by the Cancer Research Institute, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy for research in cancer immunology and global COVID 19 immune responses. 

Mr. Phil Krause was the president of the Schuylkill Valley Class of 1966 and a District III and PIAA State Track & Field Champion in the Triple Jump that set a new State record. In 1965, he placed first in the District III Long Jump, first in the District III 880 relay, second in the PIAA State 880 relay and fourth in the PIAA State Long Jump. He is a 1970 graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in liberal arts and M.Ed. in education. While attending Penn State, Phil participated in intercollegiate track and field. Phil worked at Bloomsburg State College, ultimately as director of Admissions, then assistant to the vice president for Academic Affairs. He had faculty rank of assistant professor with Faculty Emeritus status. Mr. Krause coached “jumpers” as assistant coach of the Bloomsburg State College track and field team where two jumpers finished as runners-up, clearing 7’ in the High Jump at NCAA Division II Nationals. 

As a licensed nursing home administrator for 30 years, Phil developed, owned, and operated nursing and personal care homes in Shenandoah, Pittsburgh, Pottsville, and Pine Grove, PA. He served as a member of numerous professional, educational, civic and business Boards of Directors, most recently, the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation in Schuylkill County. Mr. Krause currently serves to grow the Great Commission locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally as a member of a local fellowship and the Gideons International. Residing in Lebanon, he is the husband of Kim Krause, father to Katie and Kelly, and grandfather of Emrie and Asher. 

A graduate of the Schuylkill Valley Class of 2010, Miss Kelsi Lykens was involved in Chorus, National Honor Society, PYEA, SODAA, Student Council, Valley Voices, Strength and Conditioning and World Language Club. Miss Lykens was an outstanding student athlete participating in field hockey for four years, girls’ basketball for four years, track and field for four years, and girls’ soccer for one year. She was named the Schuylkill Valley Outstanding Senior Athlete for 2010. 

Kelsi is a 2014 graduate of West Chester University with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies and a minor in Health and Professional Education. She played intercollegiate field hockey where she won back-to-back Division II National Champions in 2011 and 2012, and was named the 2013 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Athlete of the Year, and NCAA Division II First-Team All-American in 2012 and 2013. Miss Lykens was a 2014 Division II nominee for Woman of the Year presented by Honda and Division II Field Hockey Athlete of the Year. In 2015, she graduated from the Women Coaches’ Academy as Class #39, has attended the Women’s Coaches Leadership Forum in 2015 and 2016, and the Women’s LeadHERship Symposium in 2018. 

Miss Lykens spearheaded the inaugural NCAA Division II field hockey program at the University of New Haven in January 2017. In just four seasons, she helped New Haven field hockey reach the Northeast–10 semi-finals in 2021. In Spring 2020, she was inducted into the West Chester University Athletics Hall of Fame with the 2011 and 2012 Championship teams. 

(2019 Inductee) 1977 Schuylkill Valley graduate was involved in Marching Band (drill team), Vallette staff, and Pantherette staff. She played girls’ basketball for four years under legendary coach, Jessie Rowe, leading the team to multiple division championships and playing in the BCIAA County Championship game in 1976 and 1977. She also played field hockey, ran cross-country and was a member of the track & field team in high school. She won a District III gold medal in the mile relay and a bronze medal in that event at the PIAA State Championship. Allyson is a graduate of Northampton Community College where she earned a degree as a dental assistant.  

Mrs. McKechnie is considered one of Berks County’s top marathon runners, qualifying and competing in ten Boston Marathons. She is involved in many charities including the board of directors for the Reading Symphony Orchestra where she oversees the annual Beat Beethoven fundraiser. Allyson has been coaching for SVSD since 1985. In 1988, she became the head girls’ track and field coach with her husband, Terry, serving as her assistant coach. Since 1994, “T” and “A” have been the co-head coaches for the SV track & field team. She is also the head SV cross-country coach. In track & field, she has coached 18 Individual PIAA State Champions including at least one State Champion from 2010–2018. During her tenure, three Schuylkill Valley PIAA state champions held the PIAA state record; she coached 74 Individual District III Champions and four District III record holders. She has coached eight BCIAA individual record holders and numerous BCIAA champions. Allyson and her husband Terry were named the Pennsylvania Boys Track & Field Coaches of the year in 2018 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). They are the only Berks County coaches to receive this award. 

(2019 Inductee) graduated from Reading High School in 1971 where he played football, was an All Berks Cornerback, and played in the first Berks County Touchdown Club Football All-Star Game. He was an outstanding sprinter on the track and field team. As a top Master’s Track & Field athlete, he placed in many championship meets. Terry played volleyball in the top male and co-ed leagues in Berks County for 30 years and competed in the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) Class “A” and “B” tournaments throughout the state of PA. He was also a competitive road and mountain cyclist competing throughout PA and in the Berks County WEEU Cycle Series.  

For 48 years, Mr. McKechnie was a structural designer for Gilbert Associates, working on designs for nuclear, fossil fuel and hydro power plants. He began coaching as the head SV boys’ volleyball coach in 1985, leading the team to the club county championship. He was also the assistant junior high girls’ basketball coach. In 1988, Mr. McKechnie became the assistant track & field coach with his wife, Allyson. Since 1994, “T” and “A” have been co-head track & field coaches. Terry is also the assistant HS cross-country coach. In track & field, he’s coached 18 Individual PIAA State Champions, including at least one State Champion from 2010–2018. During his tenure, three Schuylkill Valley PIAA state champions held the state record, and he coached 74 Individual District III Champions and four District III record holders. He’s coached eight BCIAA individual record holders and numerous BCIAA champions. In 2018, Terry and Allyson were named the Pennsylvania Boys Track & Field Coaches of the year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). They are the only Berks County coaches to receive this award. 

Schuylkill Valley Class of 1997 graduate, Ms. Kai Fawn Miller was involved as an originating reporter for Voice, co-editor of the Pantherette, FBLA vice-president, National Honor Society, Panthers-on-Parade, soccer, swimming, tennis, Band, Vallette, Environmental Club and Academic Challenge. A graduate of the University of Houston with a B.A. in Communications, Kai also earned an M.S. in Conflict Resolution at George Mason University and Boston University’s School of Communications. 

Ms. Miller was a first responder to the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy in 2003, earning four commendations from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She served as Chief of Staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Information and Technology, establishing the organization’s first centralized communications organization and communications strategy, winning multiple public relations and communications awards.  

Ms. Miller is co-owner of Emerald One, LLC, an Executive Leadership, Technology and Communications consultancy, owner of Graystone Farm, a local wedding venue, and Bright Ideas, an educational non-profit. She is a member of the LGBT Center of Greater Reading Board of Directors as well as the Schuylkill Valley Community Library Board of Directors. In addition, Ms. Miller is also a coach for Schuylkill Valley Youth Soccer and Schuylkill Valley Girls on the Run. 

Mr. Brian W. Pfennig was the salutatorian of the Schuylkill Valley Class of 1984, where he participated in Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Panthers-On-Parade Pit Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Chorus, Mixed Ensemble, National Honor Society and he was the SV Baseball team statistician. Brian attended SVSD for all twelve years of his primary and secondary education. 

Dr. Pfennig graduated from Albright College in 1988 with a bachelor of science degree in Chemistry as a Jacob Albright Scholar. In 1992, he earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University with a General Electric Graduate Fellowship. 

Brian had a lengthy career as a college professor at Franklin & Marshall College, Haverford College, Vassar College, and Ursinus College. Dr. Pfennig published a textbook entitled Principles of Inorganic Chemistry in 2015 with a second edition in 2021. Dr. Pfennig has authored 30 articles in peer-reviewed chemical journals. 

• Mrs. Cammauf-Young was one of the top ten students graduating from SV in the class of 1989. In high school, she was the marching band drum major and participated in the concert band, chorus, Panthers-On-Parade (PO-P) pit orchestra, Pennsylvania Youth Education Association (PYEA), National Honor Society, Students Organized Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse (SODAA), basketball, volleyballand track and field.
• At Kutztown University, she was president of Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary band sorority, and graduated summa cum laude in specialeducation. In 2006, Mrs. Cammauf-Young was named Educator of the Year by the Berks County Learning Disabilities Association.
• She is an SV high school special education teacher and has served as director of student activities, special education department chair, advisor for the sophomore, junior and senior classes, yearbook advisor, P-O-P business manager, color guard instructor and scorekeeper for boys’and girls’ basketball.
• She has also coached SV’s middle school basketball and high school track and field teams, and has mentored many BCIAA, District III and PIAA state qualifiers and champions in throwing events. She has been part of the coaching staff for four District III championship teams and three PIAA state championship teams.

• Mr. Dempsey served as the vice-president of the Schuylkill Valley Board of Directors during the 1992-93 session and as Board president for fourteen years from 1993-1995 and again from 1998-2009.
• During his tenure, the district saw numerous major improvements, including a new elementary school, new classrooms, science wing, weight room and multipurpose gym additions, and the expansion of the middle school to accommodate an additionalgrade level.
• He coached SV youth basketball for five years and served as the organization’s treasurer for nineteen years.
• Employed by Berks Products Corporation and A.D. Moyer Lumber, Mr. Dempsey is a former associate member of the Board of Directors of the Homebuilders Association of Berks County and was named Associate Member of the Year in 2009.
• He rejoined the SV district Board of Directors in 2016 to fill an absence as a Board appointee and continues to serve the district in that capacity.

• A 2002 graduate of Schuylkill Valley, Dr. Frankhouser participated in chorus, band, jazz band, marching band, National Honor Society, P-O-P, PYEA, SODAA, TV studio, cross country, and track and field.
• In 2006, he earned a BS in biochemistry from Albright College and was awarded the Albright College Creative & Research experience grant to monitor the
  aging and roost activity of three species of bats in Pennsylvania.
• Dr. Frankhouser is a 2010 graduate of Tufts University with an MD and MBA in healthcare administration.
• He was fellowship trained and board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, as well as Internal Medicine, at Lehigh Valley Hospital.
• Since 2015, he has served as the Director of Palliative Care for the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Iredell County, NC. In 2017,he was named the Hospice Medical Director, overseeing medical care of all patients both in the facility and at home.

• A member of the class of 1988, Mr. Madenford participated in band, chorus, P-O-P and varsity baseball at Schuylkill Valley.
• He earned a BA in German and International Studies from Lock Haven University, an Oberstufe Zertifikat (advanced level certificate) in German linguistics from the Universitat Paderborn in Germany, and a M.Ed. in German language/literature and teacher certificate in second language learning from Susquehanna University.
• He is the author of several books about the Pennsylvania Dutch language and culture, co-edits an international PA Dutch publication, collaborated and
  starred in the documentary film Pfalzisch in Amerika, and produces a YouTube channel dedicated to all things Pennsylvania Dutch.
• Mr. Madenford currently teaches German in the Keystone Central School District and is a guest lecturer at Penn State University.

• A fouryear student council member at SV, serving as president during her senior year, Mrs. Nein graduated in 2004.
• A two-time all-state and three-time all-county field hockey player, she was selected to play on the Junior Olympic field hockey team.
• She earned a full athletic scholarship to play field hockey at Syracuse University, where she graduated in only three and a half years with a degree in marketing in supply chain management. 
• She started a national wealth management firm, Good Life Companies, immediately after graduation. The company has earned numerous awards, including being named on the list of the 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America, and earning the 2016 and 2017 Best and Brightest
  Companies to Work For in the Nation award and the Berks County Living magazine’s
  People’s Choice for Who’s Who in Business award in 2017 and 2018. Mrs. Nein received the Forbes Top Millenial Advisors award in 2018 and 2019, the
  Lehigh Valley Business Women of Influence award in 2018, the Forbes Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors award, Lehigh Valley Business 40 Under 40
  award, and the Working Mother and SHOOK Research Top Wealth Advisor Moms award.
• She is a two-term president of the Spring Township Centennial Rotary Club, where she earned the Paul Harris Fellow award.

• In 1967, Ms. Roshong graduated from SV and was named the Outstanding Athlete in field hockey, basketball and softball. During high school, she also participated in P-O-P and the junior/senior class play.
• She co-founded the Berks County Girls’ Softball League in 1985, served as its president for ten years, and currently serves on the organization’s board of directors.
• For thirty-five years, Ms. Roshong has coached softball in Berks County, including sixteen years as SV middle school’s head coach and the past
  three years as the Fleetwood middle school head coach.
• From 1996-1998, she served as the coaches’ instructor for the Amateur Softball Association and received the Leesport Area Athletic
  Association Outstanding Service award in 1996 after serving for six years as the group’s secretary. Ms. Roshong is a recipient of the Ontelaunee Grange Community Citizen award and the International Lions Club Melvin Jones award, the highest honor given for volunteerism by that organization.
• She currently serves as secretary for the Central Berks Lions Club, membership chair for the Leesport Historical Society and a volunteer for
  the “Ready, Set, Read” program at SV elementary school.

• A 1940 graduate of the West Leesport School and later, Reading High School, Mr. Santilli enlisted and served as a 3rd Class
  Petty Officer, naval radio operator, during WWII. Upon returning stateside, he owned and operated the Santilli Oil Company for
  more than fifty years.
• Beyond those accomplishments, Mr. Santilli is known throughout the international softball community for his leadership and dedication to the sport. He was a highly successful softball coach with more than two thousand wins. Between 1959 and 1996, he coached the Sunners men’s softball teams, which qualified for twenty American Softball Association (ASA) national tournaments, winning the championship in 1975, 1977, and 1978.
• In 1976, he coached the International Softball Federation world championship title, team. Mr. Santilli served as head coach for the silver-medal winning USA Pan-Am games softball teams in 1983, 1987, 1989, and 1991. He coached the US Olympics Sports Festival teams, winning gold in 1978 and 1979, silver in 1982, and bronze in 1986.
• From 1998 to 2005 he was the head softball coach for Schuylkill Valley. Mr. Santilli has been named a Community Citizen by
  the Ontelaunee Grange, crowned King of Reading Baseball Towne by the Reading Phillies and has a road, Rocky Santilli Way, named for him at the Berks County Youth Recreational Facility in Leesport.
• He contributed to the community by rebuilding the Leesport playground’s baseball fields, supporting many area recreational activities, and donating his softball memorabilia to the Leesport Area Historical Society.

• Schuylkill Valley High School Class of 1994 Salutatorian, Class Vice President, PYEA President
• Four-year varsity starter and letter winner in 3 sports at Schuylkill Valley – Field Hockey (1^st Team All County), Basketball (1^st Team All Division), Soccer (1^st Team All Division)
• Ball State University Full 4-Year Academic Whitinger Scholarship
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA in Marketing from Ball State University
• Ball State University President’s Citation for Academic Excellence and Ball State University’s College of Business Outstanding Senior
• Four-year starter and letter winner in Division I Field Hockey at Ball State University with a 47-0 conference record, 4 conference Championships, 3 trips to the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament, advancing to the Elite 8 twice
• Ball State University Field Hockey 1^st Team All-MAC Conference, 2^nd Team All-Midwest Region, GTE At-Large All-American Academic 1^st Team for all Female Sports (1997-1998)
• 19-Year Sales Executive at The Hershey Company

• 1966 Honors Graduate of Schuylkill Valley High School
• 1970 Graduate of Haverford College with BS in Biology earning Outstanding Wrestler and Senior Athlete Awards.  1970 MAC Athletic Conference place winner.
• 1978 Graduate of Stanford University Medical School with a MA in Physical Therapy
• Clinical Assistant Professor and a founding faculty member of the Physical Therapy Program at Thomas Jefferson University
• Practiced Physical Therapy in San Francisco and Philadelphia for nearly 40 years while serving in official positions in several local, national, and international professional organizations;
• Gained recognition by the APTA in the first group of Orthopedic Specialists; lecturing and writing over 15 book chapters and papers on the treatment of spinal, persistent, and neuropathic pain.
• While at Schuylkill Valley, became the first SVHS wrestler to win a varsity match;
• 1966 Berks Sectional Champion, District 3 Semi-finalist, Co-captain of team that won both the Sectional and Berks Team Championships
• Coached for over 40 years on the club, high school, junior college and college levels in the Philadelphia area.

• Graduated from Schuylkill Valley High School in 1994.  Served as the Class President in 9^th-11^th Grade and Student Council President in 12^th Grade.
• Enlisted in the US Army in 1994 and attended the Defense Language Institute (DLI) to learn the Tagalog language.  Graduated 1^st in Class and served as a Voice Interceptor in Hawaii.
• Selected for the United State Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) and graduated in the top 10% of the class.
• Graduated from the United States Military Academy Class of 2001 with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering.  Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch and assigned to 3-69 Armor Battalion in the 3^rd Infantry Division.
• Served as a Tank Platoon Leader in Operation Iraqi Freedom and awarded a Bronze Star with Valor Device for heroism in the face of the enemy.
• Achieved the rank of Captain in 2004.  Received an Honorable Discharge in 2006 after sustaining a serious neck injury in combat.
• Earned a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from The College of William and Mary in 2010.
• Became the youngest Executive Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) in company history at CALIBRE Systems, Inc., a Washington DC-area consulting and information technology services firm. 

• 1952 Graduate of Ontelaunee Vocational School
• Married to Mary E. Miller.  They had one daughter, Lavina, and two grandchildren, Tony and Kristy Sacco.
• Trained as a butcher in Toledo, Ohio and worked as a butcher at Scheck’s Store.  Purchased the Kern’s Butcher Shop in West Leesport and operated it for 10 years.  Also processed deer for local hunters in his garage.
• Worked for the Schuylkill Valley School District as a custodian for 20 years, occasionally teaching Home Economics classes about butchering chicken and beef
• Active member of the Lee Sport Hunting Lodge, Leesport Area Historical Society and the Shartlesville Fire Company and Beneficial Association.
• Devoted to Leesport and Berks County history.  Served the community as part of the History Book Committee for the Leesport Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1990.
• Considered by many to be the unofficial Historian of Leesport
• Avid collector of antiques including horse drawn equipment that he would restore to their original working condition. 
• Before and after his death in 2014, part of Mr. Moyers antique collection was donated to the Leesport Area Historical Society including a horse-drawn market wagon, horse-drawn sleigh, a picture of George Washington, debris from a train crash in Leesport and furniture from the West Leesport School.

• Earned B.S degree from Penn State University in Physical Education/Health in 1967.
• All Berks County, All Berks County pitcher on Governor Mifflin County Championship Baseball Team (1963), NCAA Handball Tournament Runner Up (1967), YMCA State Open Handball Champion (1975).
• Schuylkill Valley Health and Physical Education Teacher from1968-1999, Department Chairperson for 20 years and Athletic Director in 1980-1981.
• Schuylkill Valley Head Varsity Baseball Coach from1972-1999, Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach from 1972-1975, Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach from 1980-1991, Boys/Girls Volleyball Coach/Club Director 1976-1984, Head Varsity Boys/Girls Cross Country Coach from 1997-1999, Head Varsity Girls Tennis Coach for 5 years and Girls/Boys JH Soccer Coach for 2 years.
• As baseball coach had 255 wins and won the 1976 County Champions and the 1976 and 1986 Division Championship.  As girls basketball coach had 121 wins and was named Coach of the Year in 1987.  Coached the first winning season in SV boys’ basketball history in 1975.  Initiated the soccer and volleyball programs at SV, and ran the Berks County Volleyball Championships for 10 years. 
• Won the Leesport Jaycee’s Young Educator of the Year Award in 1979, was nominated by the SV Administration for the PA Teacher of the Year Award in 1986, served as PYEA Advisor for 15 years where he won several PA State Volunteer Awards, and started the SODAA Club at SV.
• Elected to the Berks County Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. 

• 2008 Honors Graduate of Schuylkill Valley High School
• Second high scorer in Berks County Girls Basketball history with 2,283 career points.
• During the 2007-2008 basketball season, averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds, 3.5 steals per  game
• Led the Schuylkill Valley girls basketball team to the 2005 BCIAA County Championship
• 3 time Berks County Girls Basketball Player of the Year and 3 time All-State Selection
• While at NCAA Division I Marist College, was the 2011-2012 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)  Student-Athlete of the Year
• MAAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year in 2011-2012 and MAAC Tournament MVP
• 3 time All-MAAC Academic Team and Marist College National Honor Society Member
• Inducted into the MAAC Hall of Fame Honor Roll Class in 2014-2015
• Working as a Third Grade Teacher at the Schuylkill Valley Elementary School for over 5 years

• 1957 Graduate of Schuylkill Valley High School.
• Earned a B.S in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State University and a Masters in Business Administration from University of Pittsburgh.
• Attained rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force with 30 years of active duty service.
• Command fighter pilot and Leadership of International Organizations.
• Combat War Veteran of the Vietnam War.
• Earned the US Legion of Merit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, VNAF Air Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal, among many others.
• Held the position of President, International Operations, Middle East and Africa for United Technologies Corporation for 10 years.
• Established and pursued a Sub Chapter S Florida Corporation, “DyBay Inc.”, concentrating on Civilian Flight Training and Consulting for Middle East Operations. 

• Schuylkill Valley High School Valedictorian and Class President, Class of 1994
• Four-year varsity letter winner in three sports at Schuylkill Valley – field hockey (1^st team all-county), basketball and soccer
• Ball State University full academic Whitinger Scholarship and National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics post-graduate scholarship
• Graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Ball State University with a 4.0 G.P.A.
• Four-year letter winner in Division 1 field hockey at Ball State University, with a 47-0 conference record, four conference championships and three trips to the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament , advancing to the Elite 8 twice
• GTE Academic All-American At Large 1^st Team for all Female Sports (1997-1998)
• Graduated magna cum laude from Notre Dame Law School (2001), member of the Notre Dame Law Review and recipient of the Notre Dame Law School scholarship
• Equity Partner at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP law firm

• Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education for Chemistry and Biology from Kutztown University
• Masters of Secondary Education from Temple University
• Master of Arts in Chemistry Teaching from Miami of Ohio University
• Principals Certification and additional credits in Chemistry and Mathematics from Villanova University
• Chemistry and Mathematics Teacher at Schuylkill Valley High School for 17 years
• Participated in the National Science Foundation program in Chemical Equilibrium
• Coached the varsity track and cross-country teams and served as a Class Advisor
• Served as Assistant High School Principal then the High School Principal before organizing and starting the Schuylkill Valley Intermediate School serving as its first Principal
• Served in the US Army during the Korean Way attaining the rank of Sargent and Communications Chief
• Worked as a Testing Agent for the GED program at Reading Area Community College

• Schuylkill Valley graduate who played volleyball for four years and was active in P-O-P and local community theatre.
• In high school participated in Academic Challenge, SODAA, Chorus, Band, Mixed Ensemble and Senior County Chorus.

• Graduate of Susquehanna University Theatre Arts Major.
• Study abroad program at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.
• Four-time Primetime Emmy Nominee for work on The Voice.
• Three Primetime Emmy win in 2012-2013, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 for Outstanding Lighting Design and Direction for a Variety Series.
• Received an Alumni Award for Achievement from Susquehanna University in 201

• While in high school, was Valedictorian, Student Council President, National Merit Scholar and member of the Marching Band as well as Swim and Basketball teams
• Joseph Wharton and Benjamin Franklin Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business (B.S. Economics 1997)
• President of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and Executive Vice President of the Interfraternity Council at the University of Pennsylvania
• Associate in the High Yield Capital Markets and Telecom Investment Banking teams at Deutsche Bank Securities and author of the High Yield Weekly Update
• Head of Tech, Media and Telecom investing at Third Point LLC, overseeing investments worth over $4 billion
• Led Third Point’s first $1 billion investment in Yahoo!, successfully winning proxy contest to install new leadership and governance.   The investment was Third Point’s first and only investment yielding over $1 billion in profits.
• Led Third Point’s investment $1 billion investment in Sony, leading a new wave of investor activism in Japan and highlighting the value of Sony’s Entertainment assets
• Member of the Board of Directors, Ception Therapeutics, sold to Cephalon for $500 million in 2010.  The Company’s drug for the treatment of Eosinophilic Asthma was FDA approved in 2016.
• Member of the Board of Directors of Penske Business Media, owner of Deadline Hollywood, Variety and WWD trade publications.
• Tech, Media and Telecom Portfolio Manager at Hutchin Hill Capital
• Youth Soccer Coach in Darien, CT (8 years)

• Health and PE teacher at Schuylkill Valley High School.
• Served as the school’s first girls’ basketball coach in 1960 when the girls’ game was played with six players.
• Coached numerous other female sports during her 34 year teaching career.
• Initiated the first Schuylkill Valley Girls Track & Field Invitational Meet, which was the first meet of its kind for females in the county
• Helped influence county administrators to conduct the first Berks girls basketball championship game in 1973.
• Organized and coached the first Duke Delucia girls basketball All-Star game.
• Had a basketball career coaching record of 169-42, with Schuylkill Valley winning a Division Championship or County Championship in 14 of her 17 year basketball coaching career.
• Retired from coaching in 1977, but continued to foster the development of female athletics until passing away in 2009

• Attended the Ontelaunee Grange School until 11^th grade when she was forced to quit school to take care of her younger siblings.
• Began working for the Schuylkill Valley School District in 1946 working part time in the Elementary School Cafeteria.
• Was appointed Supervisor of Food Services and Head Cook for the High School in 1961.
• Worked in the Schuylkill Valley School District Food Service Department for 50 years, only missing work for two (2) half days during her entire career.
• In 1995, received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives for 50 years of faithful service to the District
• Very active in the Bern Township PTA’s annual “Country Fair” fundraiser.  Annually used over 60 pounds of ground beef to make hamburgers for the Fair and prepared a full course dinner meal which was served throughout the day.
• Embodied a positive outlook, dedication to her job, and love for children.  Was often quoted as saying about Schuylkill Valley, “This is my home.  This is my life.” 

• Schuylkill Valley graduate who won the 1962 PIAA State Track & Field Championship in the Long Jump.
• Graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Industrial Engineering.
• Married to Judy Huey and together they have two children and five grandchildren.
• Worked for a variety of commercial banks reaching Executive Management positions in each organization. Was responsible for overseeing portfolios of large loans to businesses.
• Served as an officer and member of boards of directors for many non-profit organizations.  Chaired the United Way fund drive for Lehigh County, Coordinated the fund-raising and implementation of a transitional housing unit in Reading and co-chaired a $16.5 million dollar fund-raising effort to build a new medical pavilion for Paoli Hospital.
• Serves on the Board of Directors for Royal Bank America and the Paoli Hospital Foundation, where he previously served as Chairman. 

• Long-time teacher and Social Studies Department Chair at Schuylkill Valley who also served as Junior Class Advisor, Student Council Advisor, and avid supporter of all SV activities.
• “Voice of the Panthers” for SV football for over 40 years.  Established the Frost Bowl to celebrate the rivalry between SV and Hamburg.
• Announcer, Timer & Scorekeeper for SV Wrestling from the first home match in school history until the last match of the 2014-2015 season.  He was the Assistant Tournament Director for all of the 20 Sectional wrestling tournaments held at SV.
• Strong community leader who was a member of the Leesport Zoning Hearing Board and the Borough Sewer Authority, serving as chairman for 19 years.  Was also a long-time Judge of Elections.
• One of three founders of the Leesport Lock House Foundation, working tirelessly to ensure that the Lock House would be preserved and added to the historical registry.
• Submitted the application for Leesport to become a Bicentennial Community in 1976 and served as the celebration Co-Chairman.  He was also Co-Chairman of the Leesport Sesquicentennial Celebration.
• Active member in his Lutheran faith, serving in many capacities including President of Trinity Lutheran Church Council and Trinity Joint Council.
• Lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association, member of the Nittany Lion Club, and Gold Leaf Member of the Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association. 
• Proudly served in the United States Army.

• Graduated with Honors from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering.
• Graduated with Honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a thesis on “Design and Testing of a Low Frequency, Water-Filled Sound Exposure Chamber.”
• Completed the United State Navy Nuclear Training and Prototype Program in Charleston, South Carolina and the Submarine Officer Basic Course in Groton, Connecticut.
• Served four (4) Tours on the USS Maine (SSBN-741) as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant and Tactical Systems Officer.
• Served as Engineering Instructor for the Prospective Nuclear Engineering Officer Program at the Trident Training Facility in Kings Bay, Georgia.
• Served as President and Committee Representative for Amelia Island Runners and for the Wolfson Children’s Challenge, an Ultra-marathon and relay event dedicated to raising funds to support Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital.
• Currently serves as Engineering Manager for Stellar Energy Americas, Inc., a custom design and fabrication company specializing in Modular Energy solutions.

• 1941 Graduate of the Ontelaunee Vocational School where he served as Class President all four years and was the Commencement Speaker.
• McCann School of Business graduate with a degree in Accounting 1 & 2.
• Served in World War II and participated in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy.  Also saw combat action in Italy, Northern France and Central Europe
• Military service resulted in a good conduct medal, 6 Bronze Stars and 1 Bronze Arrowhead
• Married to Anna Potteiger and blessed with three children
• Worked for 42 years in public accounting and owned his own accounting firm. 
• Volunteered at Bethany Children’s Home for 17 years and Phoebe Village Gift Shop for 12 years.  Received the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries Volunteer of the Year Award in 2000. 

• Varsity student-athletes in three sports at SV – Football (captain), wrestling, and golf (captain).
• Schuylkill Valley High School Valedictorian in 1973.
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Gettysburg College.  Was Phi Beta Kappa and President of Beta Beta Beta (honorary biology fraternity).
• Earned an MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.  Graduated with High Distinction and was named an Edward Tuck Scholar.
• Married Betsy Garr (SVHS ’74) in 1976.  Blessed with four children – Katharine, Elizabeth, Jillian and Thomas – as well as three sons-in-law and nine grandchildren.
• Chairman and CEO of the MassMutual Financial Group.
• Serves on the Boards of Leucadia (investment company) and Lahey Foundation (hospital and clinic).  Serves on the advisory boards of The Appalachian Mountain Club and Faithcare (formerly Christian Medical Fellowship).
• Received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanics from Springfield College.

• Graduated from Ontelaunee High School in 1951, Kutztown University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree and Lehigh University in 1961 with a Master of Arts in History.
• Was a high school Social Studies teacher for 36 years without ever missing a day of class.
• Awarded the 1991 Salute to Teaching Award from the Pennsylvania Academy for the Profession of Teaching.
• Varsity Baseball Coach for 30 years, winning five (5) Berks County Championships and three (3) District III Championships.
• Member of the Muhlenberg High School Hall of Fame and the Berks County Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (inducted in 1998).
• Served on the Leesport Borough Council for 30 years from 1965-1995.
• Past President and long-time member of the Rotary Club of Shoemakersville-Leesport.
• Member of the Schuylkill Valley School District Board of School Directors from 1995-2007.