President's Message

(l. to r.) President MacLaren meets Amy Lyons Gahman ‘01, P’29 and Aubrey Gahman ‘29 (Nursing) during New Student Orientation.

Dear LVC Community,

It’s the people! Sometimes clichés ring true, as in the case of LVC’s faculty, coaches, administrators, and our impressively loyal alumni and friends.

As you will see in the stories within, these Valley mentors help students and graduates Achieve More and Go Further. From Greg Hessinger, Esq., ’87, who reached Hollywood’s apex as the President of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, to Nikki Abbamont ’14, who collaborates on projects for Grammy Award-winning Keith Urban, their LVC “people” helped inspire their career success.

Back on campus, we welcomed Dr. Michelle Maldonado as our new Provost and Dr. Terri Worthey as Interim Chair of Nursing this summer. Each brings extensive experience and vision that will enhance our curriculum and students’ knowledge. Dr. Maldonado oversees Academic and Faculty Affairs, and Dr. Worthey leads the College’s rising and recently accredited Nursing program, which has experienced tremendous growth since its Fall 2022 relaunch. In September, a $5 million gift from PAM Health named our Nursing program the PAM Health School of Nursing at Lebanon Valley College. The facility was honored with a 2025 Outstanding Project Award by Learning by Design in May.

Equally noteworthy, especially during one of the most competitive times in the history of American higher education, is that LVC has been home to a record number of undergraduate students the past two years.

None of this would be possible without our loyal and supportive alumni, friends, and donors.

The Lebanon Valley College campus received extensive upgrades and additions to academic, athletic, residential, and social spaces this summer, thanks in part to charitable gifts, along with strategic investments by the College. All gifts, regardless of their size, make a lasting impact. The generosity of several alumni and a friend led to major aesthetic and experiential enhancements across campus through these upgrades, which directly impact the student experience. A sincere and heartfelt thanks to:

• Dr. Elizabeth M. Bains ’64* and Dr. James A. Bains Jr.*

• Jeffrey R. Burt ’93 and Kathleen L. Wolfe Burt ’94

• Melissa A. Ulrich Poole ’05 and Kevin M. Poole ’05, M’09

• Benjamin B. Shankroff, Kelsey A. Shankroff Boyer ’13, and Jordan T. Shankroff ’15

• Tracey A. Smith Stover ’91 and David P. Stover ’91

• Ryan H. Tweedie ’93 and Shana E. Barnes

As always, thank you for all that you do for Lebanon Valley College.

Go Valley!

James M. MacLaren, M.A., Ph.D. President of Lebanon Valley College

*Deceased

(l. to r.) President MacLaren meets Amy Lyons Gahman ‘01, P’29 and Aubrey Gahman ‘29 (Nursing) during New Student Orientation.