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By Kathleen Parrish P’20 P’17
More than 30 members of the Lafayette family were feted for their service to the College during the annual Alumni Volunteer Awards on Saturday in Pfenning Alumni Center.
“Each year, thousands of alumni demonstrate their loyalty and commitment to Lafayette in a variety of ways,” said Lisa Kassel, president of the Alumni Association. “Whether you are giving financially to the Annual Fund, offering an externship to a student, serving as a class officer, or supporting the College in countless other ways, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Today, we honor those whose service sets an admirable standard for our entire community.”
Susan Barnes Carras ’76, a member of the Board of Trustees for 17 years before being elected trustee emeritus in 2014, received the Joseph E. Bell Alumni Distinguished Service Award. Carras, who was unable to attend the ceremony, said in a prepared statement read by President Alison Byerly that her connection to Lafayette was immediate.
“We got out of the car for my interview in 1971, and my father said the prophetic words, ‘This feels like Kenyon (where he went), but it is so much closer to home. You can be involved for the rest of your life.’”
He was right. Carras’ service to the College throughout the years has been steadfast and extensive. She has served on close to 30 boards and committees, including Lafayette Leadership Council, the President’s Advisory Board, Council of Lafayette Women, 40th Anniversary of Coeducation Committee, Alumni Chapter Executive Committee, and Women’s Engagement Initiative.
Most recently, Carras joined with Barbara Levy ’77 to create the First Women of Lafayette Scholarship.
Carras noted in her remarks initiatives she has put energy into, including:
The award is named in honor of Joseph Bell ’28, who retired as alumni secretary in 1968.
Fran Mustaro ’72, who concluded his more than 40-year career as managing director of J. & W. Seligman and Company, received the George Washington Kidd 1836 Award for career distinction.
A star of the football team in College, Mustaro has served on the Friends of Football Executive Committee, as a member of the Football Difference Makers, and on the Rivalry 150 Task Force. He currently serves on Lafayette’s Maroon Club Executive Committee.
In accepting his award, Mustaro said he relished his time at Lafayette, so staying connected with his alma mater feels natural. His hope, he said, is that more alumni get involved.
“I believe one way for Lafayette to truly differentiate itself from other highly respected colleges and universities is to pour more of our efforts into building volunteer participation by alumni,” he said. “We want everything about Lafayette to be successful and admired because that also reflects on us. The value of our degree has increased as the College has improved.”
The award is named for Lafayette’s first graduate, George Washington Kidd 1836.
Other Alumni Association awards and their recipients include:
MAYFIELD AWARD: Lauren Steinitz ’08
Presented to a member or members of one of the 15 latest classes in recognition of outstanding service to the College or Association. Named for Clifton Mayfield 1909.
WOODRING SERVICE AWARD: Glenn Grube ’57
Recognizes the achievements of a long-term Alumni Association volunteer whose service is both dedicated and effective. Named for George Woodring 1919.
WOODRING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Patricia Winkler Schor ’82
Recognizes an Alumni Association volunteer for outstanding leadership during the previous year.
GREENIP AWARD: William Starr ’76
Recognizes an active alumni chapter officer based on voluntary service achievements over and above the faithful carrying out of regular officer assignments. Honors the memory of William Greenip ’44, former Alumni Association secretary.
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Philadelphia
Recognizes an alumni chapter for providing quality and diverse events while cultivating the chapter’s leadership and promoting area alumni participation. Accepted by Matthew Grandon ’12.
CHAPTER EVENT CHAIRPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD: Cynthia Sabo ’78
Recognizes an individual who exudes leadership in the planning and execution of chapter events and echoes a chapter’s commitment to promoting a diverse array of events for alumni, parents, and friends of the College.
CHAPTER SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD: Kamaka Martin ’04
Recognizes an individual who continually strives to promote alumni activity and interaction within his or her respective chapter.
HUGHES CORRESPONDENT AWARD: Norbert Smith ’59
Recognizes an effective writer who exercises class leadership through the class column and unifies classmates in support of the College. Named for Wilson Hughes ’38.
HUHN CORRESPONDENT AWARD: Catherine Hobby McBride ’05
Recognizes a correspondent who actively seeks out and includes in the column many classmates from diverse regions and walks of life. Named for Elmer Huhn ’24.
WILDSTEIN CORRESPONDENT AWARD: Sandy Kazinski ’85
Recognizes a longtime correspondent who is faithful and prompt in submitting positive, upbeat columns. Named for Bernard Wildstein ’35.
AA STUDENT VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD: Sara Hayet ’18
Recognizes a student who, through his or her volunteer efforts in the broader community beyond the College, has demonstrated compassion, energy, and ingenuity in serving others.
DANIEL L. GOLDEN ’34 FACULTY SERVICE AWARD: Jennifer Kelly, director of arts and associate professor of music
Recognizes faculty members for distinguished volunteer service to Lafayette through the Alumni Association and its organized alumni activities.
Career Services awards:
LOIS AND NEIL GAGNON AWARD: Sebastian “Benny” Crapanzano II ’97
Recognizes an alumna or alumnus for distinguished service to the Office of Career Services in assisting Lafayette students in career exploration.
EXTERNSHIP COMMITMENT AWARDS: Claudine Lilien ’90 and David Goldberg P’11
Recognizes externship hosts with 10 years of participation.
Annual Fund awards:
JOSEPH T. LOSEE ’94 AWARD: Class of 1977: Michael Saffer ’77
Presented to the reunion year class achieving the highest Lafayette College Fund total.
LAFAYETTE COLLEGE FUND AWARD: Class of 1979: Laurie Samet ’79
Honors the non-reunion class achieving the highest Lafayette College Fund total.
JULIUS NAAB ’19 AWARD: Class of 1957: Glenn Grube ’57
For the 50-Plus Club class with the highest rate of participation.
ERNEST G. SMITH ’94 AWARD: Class of 1967: Christopher Cathcart ’67
Honors the class achieving the highest percentage of participation from the 11th through the 50th alumni class.
ROBERT WHITMER 1885 AWARD: Class of 2012: Matthew Grandon ’12
For the young alumni class achieving the highest percentage of participation.
Alumni Admissions Representative awards:
NEW AAR OF THE YEAR AWARD: Catherine Hilton ’74
Recognizes a first-year AAR who has, during that initial period, served the College with extraordinary enthusiasm, commitment, and skill.
BARRY McCARTY AAR OF THE YEAR AWARD: Scott Spitzer ’73
Recognizes an individual who, during the past year, has represented the College through the AAR program with outstanding dedication, reliability, and sensitivity; has creatively and effectively introduced the “Spirit of Lafayette” to prospective students, their parents, and others interested in the College. Named for Barry McCarty, former dean of enrollment services.
AAR GEOGRAPHIC OUTREACH AWARD: Margaret Watters Rodriguez ’84
Recognizes an AAR member whose dedication and effectiveness during a period of a year or more has significantly improved Lafayette’s image and student recruitment potential in an area outside the College’s traditional tri-state area.
WILLIAM G. WILSON DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD: David Taschler ’75
The highest honor bestowed for service through the AAR program including effectively performing all expected duties for several years or more, demonstrating initiative and creativity, and inspiring others through leadership and example.