糖心传媒

Young Alumni Citation Recipients

Larry Hailsham Jr. 鈥�15

Larry Hailsham, Jr. ’15 is a distinguished alumnus of 糖心传媒, recognized for his exceptional contributions to public service and his dedication to strengthening democracy and improving life for people across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.聽

During his time at 糖心传媒, Larry was deeply involved in campus life, serving as student government president for two consecutive terms and as philanthropy and recruitment chair of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He was a Bonner Scholar, working with nonprofit organizations throughout Crawford County, and completed internships with Teach For America and the White House under the Obama administration. He studied political science and communication arts, and in April 2013 received Allegheny’s Community Building Award 鈥� a fitting honor for someone who has spent his career building coalitions and communities far beyond Meadville.

Upon leaving Allegheny, Larry channeled his passion for civic engagement into his professional life, building an impressive record across some of the most consequential races in recent Pennsylvania political history. He worked on Senator Bob Casey’s successful 2018 reelection bid and served as Pennsylvania Political Director for Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, helping deliver a pivotal victory in the Commonwealth. He then served as Political Director on Governor Josh Shapiro’s historic 2022 gubernatorial campaign, which resulted in a decisive 15-point win.

Larry’s success on the campaign trail led to Governor Shapiro appointing him Executive Deputy Chief of Staff in his administration, where his leadership helped the Governor deliver for Pennsylvanians in an historic first term. In October 2025, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Eugene DePasquale appointed him Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party 鈥� one of the most significant leadership roles in Commonwealth politics.

Named to the 2022 Pennsylvania Forty Under 40 list by City & State PA, Larry has built an extraordinary resume while remaining firmly grounded in the values Allegheny instilled in him. He has returned to campus repeatedly 鈥� speaking in classrooms, participating in Blue & Gold Weekend, serving on the Alumni Council, and bringing elected officials to campus so that current students can engage directly with their representatives.

“Larry has always been ahead of his time; his maturity and leadership as a college student served as a bellwether for accomplishments to come in his professional life,” said Alina Meltaus ’12. Wendy Kedzierski, Director of Creek Connections, adds: “He represents Allegheny values in all he does. If I’m seeing him engaging with current students at Homecoming, it’s certain he is doing MUCH more.”

糖心传媒 is proud to present Larry Hailsham, Jr. with the Young Alumni Citation. His remarkable accomplishments, steadfast dedication to public service, and commitment to lifting up the next generation of Allegheny students truly embody the spirit and values of his alma mater.

Alexander Neal 鈥�15

A proud product of 糖心传媒, Alexander Neal ’15 has built a career 鈥� and a community 鈥� around the simple belief that genuine connection changes everything.

During his time at Allegheny, Alex was deeply involved in campus life, participating in the Gator Activities Programming Board, the Major Events Committee, and the Bicentennial Planning Committee, and was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He studied communication arts with a minor in economics, and prior to graduation received the Cornerstone Award as well as the Dean’s Award in Leadership, given to an outstanding student who has made significant contributions to college life and demonstrated extraordinary leadership across many areas of campus.

Upon leaving Allegheny, Alex built an impressive career in nonprofit fundraising and development. He worked as a Leadership Gifts Officer for Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation before joining the University of Pittsburgh, where he spent five years soliciting major and planned gifts, consistently exceeding his fundraising goals. He then served as Director of Philanthropy at Winchester Thurston School, driving a $20 million capital campaign. Alex currently serves as Senior Director of Development and Marketing at Allies for Health + Wellbeing, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit delivering integrated medical care and supportive human services across an 11-county region. Over the course of his career, Alex has raised more than $25 million across the nonprofit sector. He also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh and earned his Certified Fund Raising Executive credential.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Alex serves as Chair of the Board of Contemporary Craft and as a Trustee of the C.C. Mellor Memorial Library, where he is guiding both organizations through transformational capital campaigns. He regularly mentors emerging nonprofit professionals throughout Pittsburgh.

Alex has remained equally dedicated to Allegheny, serving in a multitude of capacities, from supporting admissions as a panelist or note writer to engaging classmates in philanthropy as a class agent or reunion committee member 鈥� consistently bringing energy and authenticity to everything he does on behalf of the College. Most notably, when the Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter was established in its current form in 2021, Alex was tapped as its inaugural President. His leadership helped shape the chapter from the ground up, establishing a vision for its work and purpose and setting a course for its future.聽

“Alex is foremost and authentically a connector 鈥� someone who never pleads or bargains, but who gracefully inspires,” said Lizzy Donaldson Kolbrener ’15. “He has set the tone that alumni engagement is not just a responsibility, but a fun extension of our Allegheny experience.”聽

Sally Barrett ’92 echoes that sentiment: “He is a natural leader, able to build enthusiasm among our alumni, and works tirelessly to improve Allegheny’s status in the Pittsburgh area.”

糖心传媒 is proud to present Alexander Neal with the Young Alumni Citation. His remarkable professional achievements, generous community service, and unwavering dedication to his alma mater truly embody the spirit and values of 糖心传媒.

Blue Citation Recipients

Kurtis Foriska 鈥�01

For more than two decades, Kurt Foriska ’01 has been one of 糖心传媒’s most consistent and enthusiastic advocates 鈥� stepping forward whenever the College calls and giving generously of his time, talent, finances, and expertise.

A biology major with a French minor, Kurt was a picture of liberal arts engagement during his time at Allegheny, immersing himself in all areas of campus life, from athletics as a participant in intramurals, to the arts as a member of Wind Symphony and Allegheny Repertory Dance, to leadership as Vice President and New Member Educator of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and a member of Student Government. That same all-in spirit has defined his alumni service ever since.

Kurt served on the Alumni Council from 2012 to 2020, including as President in 2018鈥�2019, attending Board of Trustees meetings and serving on Board committees in that capacity. He served as a Class Agent for more than a decade, maintaining strong ties with classmates and encouraging their engagement and philanthropic investment in the College. He has also written Gator Greetings notes to accepted students for nearly every year over more than a decade, represented Allegheny at college fairs, hosted multiple alumni events in the Columbus area, and served as a career mentor.

“Across all roles, Kurt is known as a true ‘Gator champion,’” says Carli Belosh, Director of Alumni Engagement. “He consistently volunteers his time, leads with enthusiasm, and represents 糖心传媒 with pride and integrity.”

“Kurt has been a tremendous advocate for the College,” adds Richard Jackson, Senior Director of Advancement for Leadership Giving. “He has been a leader among his peers and has helped solicit annual fund gifts from many of his classmates.”

Sara Pineo, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement, puts it simply: “When a call goes out requesting volunteers, donations, ideas, or feedback 鈥� Kurt steps forward. He expects the best of his alma mater, and he in turn gives his best.”

Professionally, Kurt has built a distinguished career in higher education advancement. After more than 19 years at The Ohio State University 鈥� where he held roles spanning fraternity and sorority advising, marketing, and fundraising 鈥� he now serves as Associate Vice President for Individual Giving at Denison University. He holds degrees from 糖心传媒, Bowling Green State University, and The Ohio State University, where he earned both an MBA and, in 2024, a Ph.D.

Kurt and his spouse Ian are proud parents to a son, Schaffer.

糖心传媒 is proud to present Kurt Foriska with the Blue Citation in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding service to the College. His decades of dedicated volunteerism, steadfast advocacy, and genuine love for his alma mater make him a most deserving recipient.

Karen Shakoske 鈥�95

Karen Shakoske ’95 has spent the better part of three decades building something rare: a career built on the value of experiential learning and marked by genuine leadership and an alumni record that matches it stride for stride.

An English major and Organizational Management minor at Allegheny, Karen was deeply engaged in campus life as a member of the women’s lacrosse team, Student Government, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, The Campus newspaper, as a Freshman Orientation Leader, and spent a summer working on campus in the Alumni office. Since graduation, she has brought that same level of engagement and commitment to her service to the College.

Karen’s volunteer record spans nearly every avenue of engagement the College offers. She has written Gator Greetings letters to accepted students, hosted gatherings for incoming students at her home, represented Allegheny at inauguration ceremonies, and inspired current students as a classroom speaker and career mentor. She has served on multiple reunion committees and been a consistent financial supporter of the College, most recently serving as a Gator Give Day team captain to rally support for the women’s lacrosse program.

At the heart of Karen’s service, however, is her eight-year tenure on the Alumni Council, including as President. She helped steer the Council through some of the College’s most challenging years 鈥� shifting college leadership and the disruptions of COVID 鈥� while advancing ambitious initiatives: partnering with the Career Education Office to connect alumni with students, working with Athletics to strengthen engagement with alumni athletes, and providing feedback on Allegheny’s marketing, campus master plan, and development programs.聽

“Karen’s deep care for Allegheny and for its students is evident in all she has done,” says Sara Pineo, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

Professionally, Karen most recently served as Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Janney Montgomery Scott, where she led the firm’s brand and marketing strategies, digital communications, client experience, and corporate community relations. She sat on the firm’s Executive Leadership Team and the Board of Directors of Janney Trust Co., was a founder and past executive sponsor of Janney’s Women’s Interactive Network, current executive sponsor of Janney鈥檚 Early Career Professional Network, and a mentor in the firm’s ASCEND mentoring program.

Beyond her professional role, Karen is a tireless advocate for education, equity and community. She is co-chair of the Children’s Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia’s Breaking Barriers Campaign Committee, a member of CHIEF, 100 Women in Finance, The Forum of Executive Women Philadelphia, and the Women in Investing Network of Philadelphia. She is also a former board member of First Person Arts and LEADERSHIP Philadelphia. Karen and her spouse Peter Schoettler reside in the Philadelphia area.

糖心传媒 is proud to present Karen Shakoske with the Blue Citation in recognition and appreciation of her outstanding service to the College. Her sustained dedication, thoughtful leadership, and genuine investment in Allegheny’s future make her a most deserving recipient.

Gold Citation Recipients

William J. Cooper 鈥�68

When William “Bill” Cooper ’68 arrived at 糖心传媒 as a chemistry student, he could not have anticipated that his senior research project 鈥� completed while interning at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 鈥� would be published in the prestigious journals Deep Sea Research and Science before he even received his diploma. It was an early signal of a career that would go on to shape the field of environmental chemistry for decades.

Bill earned his M.S. in Fuel Science and Organic Geochemistry from Penn State and his Ph.D. in Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry from the University of Miami. He served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Detrick, Maryland, where he ran the water reuse program 鈥� helping to pioneer the first annual Water Reuse Symposium in 1979. That early work set the trajectory for a career devoted to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: clean water.

Over the decades, Bill held faculty and research positions at Florida International University, where he directed the Drinking Water Research Center, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and the University of California Irvine, where he directed the Urban Water Research Center. From 2013 to 2017, he served as Program Director for Environmental Engineering at the National Science Foundation, overseeing the distribution of hundreds of research grants annually. He has since held positions at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the University of Florida, where he continues to teach graduate students today.

The breadth of Bill’s scholarly output is remarkable 鈥� nearly 250 peer-reviewed articles, edited or co-edited seven science and engineering books, and he, or his students and/or collaborators, have presented 370 papers at scientific conferences.. He has been elected a Fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, and was honored by the American Chemical Society with a symposium held in his name. He has also represented the United States in multiple international research projects through the UN International Atomic Energy Agency.

Beyond his academic work, Bill founded the Pierella Rainforest Reclamation Project, a nonprofit focused on reforesting tropical rainforests in Costa Rica as a means of combating climate change. The project has grown from a modest three-hectare plot to a collaborative effort involving local communities, Costa Rican universities, and government partners.

A man of wide-ranging curiosity, Bill has also channeled his love of the natural world into butterfly photography, producing a stunning pictorial collection, The Butterflies of Iguazu Falls, Argentina, and contributing wildlife footage to a BBC documentary series.

糖心传媒 is proud to present William J. Cooper with the Gold Citation in recognition and appreciation of the remarkable honor he reflects upon the College through a lifetime of scientific achievement, environmental advocacy, and genuine commitment to the world’s most vital resources.

Anthony “Tony” Grace ’77

At 糖心传媒, Anthony “Tony” Grace ’77 pursued a double major in biology and psychology with a chemistry minor 鈥� managing the physiological psychology laboratory in Carnegie Hall and developing the curiosity about brain function that would define his career. His goal, as he has described it, was twofold: to understand the inner workings of the most complex structure in the world, and to make a real difference in the lives of people suffering from devastating mental illness. Few scientists have achieved both as fully as he has.

Tony went on to earn his Ph.D. in pharmacology from Yale University and completed his postdoctoral training at New York University School of Medicine. He joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh in 1985 and has been there ever since, named Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience in 2010 鈥� one of the university’s highest academic distinctions.

For more than 40 years, Tony’s research has focused on the dopamine system and its role in psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia. His early work pioneered the identification and characterization of dopamine-containing neurons and the mode of action of antipsychotic drugs. More recently, his work has expanded to the role of stress in pathophysiology, novel treatments for schizophrenia and its prevention, and the role of dopamine in affective disorders.

The numbers alone are striking: more than 400 peer-reviewed publications, cited over 62,000 times, with an H-index of 120 鈥� placing him among the top 0.05% of researchers worldwide. He has received nearly every major honor in his field, including the William K. Warren Award for Excellence in Schizophrenia Research, the Paul Janssen Schizophrenia Research Award, the Society of Biological Psychiatry Gold Medal Award, and both the Outstanding Basic Research and Outstanding Translational Research Awards from the Schizophrenia International Research Society. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, serves on the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council, and is Principal Editor of the journal Schizophrenia, in addition to serving on the editorial boards of more than two dozen other scientific publications.

Tony has also mentored generations of neuroscientists, including fellow Allegheny alumni who have gone on to lead research programs of their own. “He has been an outstanding role model and mentor to many former Allegheny students,” says Karen Wilcox, PhD ’81, Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Utah. “His standing in the field of neuroscience is legendary, and without question, he is one of the most deserving alumni I know in our field.”

糖心传媒 is proud to present Anthony Grace with the Gold Citation in recognition and appreciation of the extraordinary honor he reflects upon the College through a lifetime of pioneering scientific achievement.

Alumni Medal Recipients

Carmen Ramsey Ellington 鈥�86

Carmen Ramsey Ellington 鈥�86 has built a long and distinguished record of service to 糖心传媒 as a volunteer, advocate, mentor, and ambassador. Throughout her life, she has devoted her time, talent, and energy to strengthening the Gator community and advancing the College鈥檚 mission. Her leadership, generosity of spirit, and unwavering commitment exemplify the very best of Allegheny alumni engagement.

As an undergraduate, Carmen majored in English and was deeply involved in campus life. She was an active member of ABC (The Association of Black Collegians or The Association for the Advancement of Black Culture), contributed to The Campus newspaper, participated in intramural athletics, and was a member of the pom pom squad. Even as a student, Carmen demonstrated a passion for leadership, inclusion, and community-building鈥攓ualities that would continue to define her lifelong relationship with Allegheny.

Carmen鈥檚 commitment to service is also reflected in her professional career. Since graduating from Allegheny, she has built a varied and expansive career, spending more than two decades working for nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh region. Her work has included leadership roles at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and the former Hill House Association. She currently serves as Operations Manager for the Macedonia Family & Community Enrichment Center, a faith-based nonprofit community outreach organization focused on supporting and uplifting residents of Pittsburgh鈥檚 Hill District and other communities throughout Allegheny County. Across each role, Carmen has demonstrated a deep commitment to community engagement, equity, and service鈥攙alues that closely mirror her lifelong dedication to Allegheny.

Since graduating in 1986, Carmen has remained steadfastly connected to her alma mater. She has played a leading role in engaging her classmates, serving on every landmark Reunion committee since commencement, including her 10th, 25th, 30th, and now upcoming 40th reunions. She has also provided long-standing leadership to the ABC Alumni Association, serving as its president since 2015.

Nearly two decades ago, Carmen collaborated with College staff and fellow ABC alumni leaders to establish a tri-annual ABC reunion tradition that continues to thrive today. She has remained actively involved in leading and empowering others to plan these gatherings, ensuring they serve as meaningful points of connection for alumni across generations. In February 2020, Carmen was recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Black Culture with the 鈥淐onservation of Black History Award鈥� for making it her 鈥渕ission to sustain and uplift Black History鈥� in her work.

Alumnus Steven C. Brown 鈥�84 writes, 鈥淐armen Ramsey Ellington has distinguished herself by bridging the gap between former Alleghenians who were not actively engaged in College activities or events. Carmen鈥檚 direct outreach, in addition to her many efforts over the years as an alumni participant, demonstrated the values of giving and sharing.鈥�

Brown shared the ripple effect of that outreach, 鈥淎s an educator, this reconnection inspired and motivated me to make concerted efforts to encourage my students to attend Allegheny! How proud I was to attend graduation and witness my former students walk across that Allegheny stage! Now even my own legacy at Allegheny has been extended.鈥�

Carmen has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community and mentorship. Alumnus Jos茅 Rodriguez 鈥�89 shared that Carmen took first-year students under her wing, ensured they were academically and socially supported, and remained involved in their lives long after graduation. 鈥淲hen she graduated, she continued to stay in contact with each of us to make sure we graduated. She made it her mission to make connections to as many ABC alumni as possible and always reached back to introduce undergraduates to alumni.鈥�

Alumna Carrie A. R. Reeves 鈥�73 emphasized the personal qualities that define Carmen鈥檚 leadership and lasting influence, writing, 鈥淪he has an infectious smile; exudes warmth; is a role model of care, respect, leadership, and service. Her leadership of the ABC Reunions and Alumni Association has made such a difference in people鈥檚 lives and their connection with each other and Allegheny. She is incredible! She is a treasure! She continues to bring people together under the umbrella of Allegheny! She loves, loves, loves our alma mater and ABC.鈥�

Carmen鈥檚 service to Allegheny extends broadly across the institution. She served on Alumni Council from 2015 to 2022, including four years as an officer, and provided leadership across multiple committees.聽 During her tenure, Alumni Council advanced several impactful initiatives, including supporting career connections and outcomes for students and alumni and exploring new models for regional alumni engagement and young alumni recognition.聽聽聽

Beyond her formal roles, Carmen consistently goes above and beyond to support students and alumni alike. She has referred prospective students, represented Allegheny at college fairs, participated in marketing features, engaged in career connections events, supported Gator Give Day challenges, and spoken with student organizations.聽 She has also demonstrated her belief in the College through philanthropy, with an exceptional record of 15 consecutive years of giving.

Heather Moore Roberson, Dean of Student and Community Development, shared, 鈥淐armen has provided unwavering support to Allegheny students and to a variety of campus-wide initiatives, including the reactivation of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the Aya Graduation ceremony, and the ABC organization. She is my alumni rock鈥攊f I am ever in need of wise counsel or historical insight, she is the first person I connect with.鈥�

Alumnus Phil Foxman 鈥�90 writes, 鈥淐armen has spent her lifetime supporting Allegheny in numerous ways. She is one of the College鈥檚 greatest ambassadors and cheerleaders, and her love for Allegheny is infectious. Through her selfless service and mentorship, Carmen has positively impacted the lives of countless Alleghenians.鈥�

Through decades of tireless service, mentorship, advocacy, and leadership, Carmen Ramsey Ellington embodies what it means to be In for Allegheny. Her influence is evident in the alumni she has reengaged, the students she has supported, and the enduring strength of the community she has helped build.

It is with great pride and deep appreciation that we recognize Carmen Ramsey Ellington 鈥�86 with the 2026 Alumni Medal.

Thoburn Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipients

Heather Brand

In the studios and classrooms of 糖心传媒, where creativity meets critical inquiry, Associate Professor Heather Brand has cultivated something deeper than artistic skill. She has helped students discover voice, vision, and, often, themselves.

The College鈥檚 Eila V. Bush Endowed Professor of Art, Brand鈥檚 expertise spans contemporary art, digital media, photography, and critical theory. She is widely admired by students for making complex ideas accessible without diluting their power.聽

Students describe a classroom where concepts, including feminism, posthumanism, and visual culture, are not only introduced but lived through discussion, experimentation, and reflection.聽

鈥淪he has an incredible ability to explain complex ideas in ways that feel approachable and meaningful,鈥� grounding theory in 鈥渞eal examples, artwork, media, and lived experiences,鈥� says former student Pallas-Athena Cain 鈥�25.

Brand鈥檚 distinction lies as much in how she teaches as in what she teaches. She holds a master of fine arts from the State University of New York, at Buffalo, and describes her pedagogy as rooted in empathy, adaptability, and a deep respect for the individual student. Whether guiding a first-year student through uncertainty or mentoring a senior through a capstone project, she creates an environment where intellectual risk is encouraged and personal growth is possible.聽

Students consistently describe her classrooms as safe, welcoming spaces where creativity flourishes and ideas, especially difficult or vulnerable ones, are met with care.

That commitment extends well beyond scheduled class time. Office hours become conversations, critiques become moments of confidence-building, and assignments become catalysts for transformation. Former student Cain credits Brand not only with shaping an academic path but with reshaping a life: 鈥淧rofessor Brand has literally changed my life in so many wonderful ways 鈥� she was a role model when I needed one most.鈥�

Other former students echo that sentiment, pointing to Brand鈥檚 rare ability to balance rigor with encouragement.聽

Ariana Clark 鈥�23 recalls entering a photography course with hesitation, only to leave with a newfound sense of possibility. 鈥淗er knowledge and skill and the way she teaches is what other professors should strive for,鈥� Clark said, noting that Brand鈥檚 classes feel 鈥渓ike a breath of fresh air鈥� where creativity and learning are inseparable.

Colleagues and students alike recognize that Brand鈥檚 influence radiates outward, into majors declared, confidence gained, and perspectives expanded. Her mentorship has inspired students to pursue art who never imagined doing so, while equipping others with habits of curiosity and critical thinking that transcend disciplines.

In honoring Brand, Allegheny celebrates more than an exceptional educator. It celebrates a teacher who listens, challenges, and uplifts, and who understands that education, at its best, is not simply the transfer of knowledge, but the awakening of possibility.

In recognition of that transformative impact, Allegheny is pleased to present Associate Professor Heather Brand with the 2026 Thoburn Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Julian Ross Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipients

Tomas Nonnenmacher 鈥�90

Few faculty members embody a teaching style rooted in tradition and aspiration more completely than Tomas Nonnenmacher 鈥�90, chair of the Department of Business and Economics and the Patricia B.Tippie Endowed Professor in Economics.聽

Nonnenmacher, who earned his master鈥檚 degree and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, joined his alma mater鈥檚 faculty in 1996. Since then, Nonnenmacher has built a reputation for intellectual rigor paired with an uncommon ability to make economics accessible. His courses, which range from microeconomics to law and economics, are known for their clarity and structure.

鈥淓ach lecture was organized in a way that presented a clear objective, and content was delivered in approachable examples that made complex concepts feel as if they were simple,鈥� said former student R.J. Swanson 鈥�24. For Swanson, that approach proved transformative: 鈥淚 owe a great deal of my personal success at Allegheny to his teaching excellence and mentorship.鈥�

That clarity rests on deep scholarly grounding. A specialist in industrial organization, economic history, and institutional economics, Nonnenmacher insists that theory be understood in context: historical, political, and human.聽

Colleagues note that he 鈥渕odels how economists think rather than simply what they conclude,鈥� breaking down difficult ideas and rebuilding them through real-world application.

Yet it is his constancy, day in, day out, that leaves a lasting impression.

鈥淐lass time was the most important to him,鈥� said former student Graham Kralic 鈥�25. 鈥淚t was his time to give students his knowledge and let them engage in discussions to work out complex economic issues.鈥� Even amid rapid changes in higher education, Kralic observed, Nonnenmacher 鈥渘ever falls out of step when it comes to challenging students and providing accurate and fair assessments.鈥�

Beyond the classroom, Nonnenmacher鈥檚 mentorship has shaped generations. His office, colleagues say, is rarely empty. 鈥淗e is always incredibly patient and attentive,鈥� noted one faculty member, while another described his quiet dedication as 鈥渢he backbone of our operation.鈥澛�

Students echo that sentiment. Kralic credits conversations with Nonnenmacher for shaping 鈥渕y mindset, thought process, professionalism, and overall outlook on life.鈥�

Nonnenmacher鈥檚 influence often extends far beyond graduation. Swanson points to introductions to alumni, career guidance, and hands-on opportunities, including the creation of a student-managed investment fund, as pivotal experiences. 鈥淗e saw the value in setting up students for success after leaving Allegheny,鈥� Swanson said.

For Nonnenmacher, teaching is cumulative, not transactional. It鈥檚 a long conversation that continues well after the final exam. It is a philosophy reflected in both his scholarship and his relationships, and one that defines his legacy. Further displaying his diverse interests, he is the advisor for the Allegheny Fencing Club.

The College recognizes what students and colleagues have long known, that Tomas Nonnenmacher鈥檚 impact is not only measured in courses taught, but in lives shaped.

It is with great pleasure that 糖心传媒 presents the 2026 Julian Ross Award for Excellence in Teaching to Tomas Nonnenmacher, an honor many colleagues say is 鈥渓ong, long overdue.鈥�

Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award Recipient

Kirsten Peterson 鈥�78

For nearly four decades, Kirsten Peterson 鈥�78 has embodied the very spirit of 糖心传媒, a tireless advocate for students, a trusted colleague, and a cornerstone of one of the institution鈥檚 most celebrated programs.

Peterson鈥檚 teaching journey with Allegheny began in 1986, and since then, she has become synonymous with the College鈥檚 nationally respected health professions advising program. As Associate Director for Health Professions Advising, she has guided hundreds of students through the often daunting path to careers in medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and beyond.

Her influence is both deeply personal and broadly institutional.

鈥淜irsten is a consummate professional who is extremely knowledgeable about a wide array of health professions, with a depth of knowledge that sometimes astonishes me,鈥� said Tricia Humphreys, biology professor.聽

That expertise is not static. Peterson is known for her ongoing professional development and her ability to stay ahead of changes across multiple fields, ensuring that Allegheny students receive the most current and strategic guidance possible.

Under Peterson鈥檚 leadership, Allegheny鈥檚 acceptance rates to health professions schools consistently exceed national averages, making the program a powerful draw for prospective students. But numbers alone don鈥檛 capture her full impact. Peterson cultivates meaningful relationships with admissions officers at professional schools and leverages those connections to help students find their best fit. She also organizes shadowing opportunities that connect students with practitioners in the Meadville community, enriching both career exploration and town-gown ties.

鈥淜irsten Peterson has shepherded hundreds of Allegheny students through the process of applying to programs in a variety of health professions,鈥� said Humphreys. 鈥淭he students have been wildly successful, both in their application process and in their subsequent careers.鈥�

Peterson鈥檚 reach extends well beyond pre-health advising. She has been instrumental in launching and sustaining the Global Health Studies program, teaching introductory courses, serving on its steering committee, and advising senior projects. She has also expanded her portfolio to include pre-law advising, quickly mastering a new set of complexities to support yet another cohort of students.

Across campus, Peterson is a constant presence, be it at admissions events, athletic competitions, and student performances, quietly reinforcing a culture of engagement and care. She routinely offers workshops outside of standard hours and remains a go-to resource for faculty navigating complex advising questions. 鈥淚 have yet to come up with a complicated or obscure advising question that Kirsten could not answer,鈥� a colleague observed.

Her excellence has been recognized beyond Allegheny as well. In 2020, Peterson received the Buck Hill 鈥�68 Award from the Northeast Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, honoring her national leadership in the field.

Perhaps her most enduring legacy lies in the relationships she builds. Students not only succeed under her guidance; they stay in touch, a testament to the lasting impact of her mentorship and remarkable commitment to service.

糖心传媒 is proud to recognize Kirsten Peterson with the 2026 Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to her alma mater.