Academic Departments Present Awards during Homecoming Weekend

During Homecoming and Family Weekend in October, academic departments awarded accomplished alumni. This is a tradition of the College, recognizing those graduates who have gone on to continue our legacy to Educate for Service, in the world at large.

Department of Chemistry

The O. F. Stambaugh Chemistry Alumni Award was presented to Dr. Michael McGinnis '92. After earning his bachelor's degree in chemistry, Mike went on to graduate school at the University of Tennessee. He then started his teaching career as an instructor at the University of Tennessee and, from there, went on to become a faculty member at the Georgia College and State University. Currently, Mike is a member of the faculty at North Georgia College and State University, holds the rank of professor, and serves as head of the Department of Chemistry. During his career, he has been involved in many outreach programs, ranging from presenting classroom demonstrations to organizing state-wide science bowl competitions. After receiving his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Elizabethtown College in 1992, he attended the University of Tennessee where he obtained his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (1997). In addition, Mike has published a textbook on learning chemistry, received teaching awards in the Georgia state system, supervised the research of numerous undergraduate students, and seen much of that work presented at local and national meetings. McGinnis lives in Dahlonega, Georgia, with his wife, Maryann (Lampart) McGinnis, who is also a graduate of Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. Mike spends his free time with his wife and three children.

Department of Occupational Therapy

Patricia Warehime, Doris Gordon and Katharine Moser

The Doris Gordon H '05 Alumni Award was presented to Patricia Warehime '76. With a vision that ultimately launched the Doris Gordon H'05 Alumni Award, Patricia continually and staunchly has supported the occupational therapy program through her roles as a College Trustee and founding member of the "Friends of Occupational Therapy" - a group of alumni who are dedicated to the continued advancement of the Occupational Therapy Department through mentoring, guidance and financial support. Through her dedication, passion and commitment to the program, she gave voice to the call that recognized and re-energized the founding roots of our occupational therapy educational approach created by Doris Gordon H'05. Patricia currently works with the Lincoln Intermediate Unit in York and Adams counties where she continues to serve children and families.

The Distinguished Young Graduate Award was presented to Katharine Moser, Class of 2003. While Katie currently serves as an occupational therapy practitioner at the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center in New York City, she is most known for her passionate commitment to raising awareness of and funds for research of Huntington’s disease. While a student here, Katie witnessed her mother experience the debilitating effects of the disease. As a genetic disorder, Katie made the decision to be tested and ultimately discovered that she, too, had the lethal gene. Her determination to be tested and her subsequent desire to make a difference, led her to a life of advocacy. So compelling is Katie’s courageous story, that it was featured in The New York Times in March 2007, as well as the series, titled “The Best of American Science Writing,” by Amy Harmon.

Department of Biology

The Dr. Charles S. Farver-Apgar and Dr. Bessie D. Apgar Biology Alumni Award was presented to Dr. Lee Ann Van Houten-Sauter, Elizabethtown College class of '87. Lee Ann is the president and owner of Pine Street Family Practice in Williamstown, N.J. After graduating magna cum laude from Elizabethtown, she earned her doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. She then completed her internship and residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she served as chief resident for one year. She is active in several professional organizations, serves on the board of directors of the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and serves her community as the medical inspector for the Monroe Township Public Schools.