Every year, the Shippensburg University Alumni Association presents the Alumni Awards of Distinction to honor individuals who exemplify excellence within their professional fields, communities and the university. The awards include Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding Young Alumni, Lifetime Achievement, Cultural Impact and Exceptional Service.
For 2024, the university is proud to celebrate nine outstanding alumni for their achievements. The recipients are chosen based on their strong representation of leadership, innovation, dedication and the strong values that they uphold, which align with Ship’s mission. The university encourages nominations for future awardees and invites the community to honor Ship alum’s ongoing success and excellence.
Jesse S. Heiges Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Dr. Lisa A. Colapietro, Class of 1999
Dr. Lisa A. Colapietro, an educator and successful author, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Ship in 1999. She then completed her master’s at West Chester University and her doctorate in middle-level instruction and curriculum at Liberty University. Colapietro has dedicated her career to teaching, most recently serving the teacher of the gifted and an Honors English/Language Arts instructor at Upper Perkiomen Middle School. She is also a doctoral review candidate and professor at Liberty University.
Beyond the classroom, Colapietro is a public speaker and author of “You Got This!”: Putting Practicality in Platitudes, which reached #1 on Amazon’s list of teacher and student mentoring books. In addition, she has received several awards, including The NEA Foundation’s Learning & Leadership Grant in 2020 and the 2019 Leo Club Advisor Outstanding Award.
Anne (Deeter) Gallaher, Class of 1981
Anne Gallaher is the founder and CEO of Deeter Gallaher Group, a multi-award-winning public relations, marketing and digital media firm. Since 2000, Gallaher has worked with clients in financial services, healthcare, and beyond, helping them build their brand and achieve financial success.
In addition to Gallaher’s work as an entrepreneur, she is also a strong leader within the community. She is the co-chair of the Urban Land Institute Central PA Council, and serves on several boards for organizations such as The Salvation Army and the Shippensburg University’s College of Business. Gallaher has received several accolades, including PA’s Best 50 Women in Business and the Salvation Army Harrisburg Others Award. In her spare time, she co-hosts the globally ranked “Grit & Gravitas” podcast.
James W. Saxton, Class of 1979
James W. Saxton is a founding partner of Saxton & Stump, a law firm that has grown to over 200 employees under his leadership. Saxton’s career has earned him numerous honors, including recognition on the Pennsylvania “Super Lawyers” list and the Central Penn Business Journal’s Power 100 List. He is also dedicated to serving the community, holding leadership roles at Lancaster General Health and the YMCA. Lastly, in 2014 Saxton earned the “Excellence in Philanthropy Award”.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award Recipients
Christopher S. Gray, Class of 2010
Christopher S. Gray, a political science graduate, previously held roles in the U.S. Small Business and the Executive Office of the President. Now, he serves as the VP of Strategic Engagement at the American Bankers Association, and has greatly contributed to public policy. He led the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning him national recognition.
Gray remains engaged with Ship and has continued to advocate for public policy in Washington, D.C., consistently speaking on financial services policy. In 2023, Gray was named a Maverick PAC Future 40 Recipient.
Bryan K. Hickman, Class of 2012
Bryan K. Hickman is a contemporary fine artist and muralist who has contributed his work to the Harrisburg area, New York and beyond. Graduating from Ship in 2012 with a degree in art, Hickman is known for incorporating fire into live demonstrations, offering a unique and immersive experience to viewers. He is an advocate member of his local community, providing art classes for the youth and working with organizations like Youth 10x Better.
Hickman’s artwork has been featured on JetBlue Airlines’ murals, in community art projects and he has greatly contributed to the creative space within Harrisburg.
Lauren Messich Rose, Class of 2008
Lauren Messich Rose, a biology graduate, has served 16 years as an educator and band director at Easton High School. Now she is making the shift from teaching science to music, directing the school’s concert and marching bands. Rose’’s dedication to education has earned her several awards, including the Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators.
Cultural Impact Award
Sophia (Carabba) Hendry, Class of 2020
Sophia Hendry, a criminal justice graduate, has remained committed to community service and reform. She currently acts as the Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships for the Maternity Care Coalition, and has worked with the SEPTA and Philadelphia police departments to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations such as the homeless. Hendry has been recognized for her work in mental health crisis intervention, homelessness advocacy and birthing justice, particularly for Black and Latina women.
Hendry has been featured on multiple news platforms including NBC10, WHYY, Kensington voice, the Philadelphia inquirer and her most recent speaking event was as a panelist for an international women’s day event, featured on CBS news.
Lifetime Achievement Award
William C. Rodruan, Class of 1976
William C. Rodruan, who graduated with a degree in business administration in 1976, dedicated his career to Armstrong World Industries, eventually becoming the company’s Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President of Finance. His leadership at Armstrong earned him the company’s highest employee award, the Pinnacle Award, in 2013. After retiring, Rodruan has continued to give back to the business community and Shippensburg University, establishing a scholarship for business students.
Business administration graduate, William Rodruan, has made a name for himself as Armstrong World Industries Chief Accounting Officer and VP of Finance. In 2013, his leadership at Armstrong earned him the Pinnacle Award, the company’s highest employee honor. After retiring, Rodruan has continued to give back to the business community and to Ship, starting a scholarship for business students at the university.
Exceptional Service Award
Charles R. Nebel Jr., Class of 1984 & 1988’M
Charles Nebel Jr. is a well-renowned accounting and business leader who has served the university through his leadership on the Shippensburg University Foundation Board of Directors. Over the past 30 years of Nebel’s career, he has served the SU Foundation through fundraising and volunteer efforts.
These nine awardees exemplify the leadership, dedication and success the Shippensburg University seeks to instill in its students. The university is proud to recognize their accomplishments and continues to encourage the Ship community to nominate alumni for future awards.
The Alumni Awards of Distinction Reception & Dinner will hold the reception at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m., in the Tuscarora Room located in the Reisner Dining Hall.
