Alumni Awards of Distinction
With over 70,000 alumni living across the country and living internationally, one can imagine the successes achieved and the impacts being made by graduates of Shippensburg University every day in their professional fields, in their lives, and in their communities.The Shippensburg University Alumni Awards are presented annually to alumni in the categories of Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding Young Alumni, Lifetime Achievement, Cultural Impact and Exceptional Service.
For 2024, we will recognize nine individuals. Three as distinguished alumni, three as outstanding young alumni, one for cultural impact, one for lifetime achievement, and one for exceptional service to the university.
Help us honor Ship alumni - Nominations are open for the Annual Alumni Awards of Distinction. Descriptions for awards including nomination forms are available online. Submit a nomination today!
Our 2024 Honorees are:
Jesse S. Heiges Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Lisa A. Colapietro ’99
Lisa graduated from Shippensburg University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She then went on to earn her master’s degree in education from West Chester University, and her doctorate in middle level instruction and curriculum from Liberty University. Lisa was a Reading Specialist at Pennridge High School for several years before starting at Upper Perkiomen Middle School in 2008 as a teacher, coach, and team leader. Currently, Lisa is the teacher of the gifted and Honors English/Language Arts instructor along with being a former cross country and track coach. At Liberty University, Lisa is a doctoral review coordinator and online professor where she guides doctoral candidates through their research projects as well as teaches classes on literature review and applied social research. Her second published work, “You Got This!”: Putting Practicality in Platitudes reached #1 on Amazon’s list of Teacher & Student mentoring books. Lisa has presented for three consecutive summers at the Keystone STARS Conference, as well as the Association for Middle Level Education and PA Association for Middle Level Education conferences on her dissertation topic of social emotional learning. Lisa was also the recipient of the The NEA Foundation's 2020 Learning & Leadership Grant, as well as the 2019 Leo Club Advisor Outstanding Award.
Jesse S. Heiges Distinguished Alumni Award
Anne Deeter Gallaher ’81
Anne Deeter Gallaher is the Owner & CEO of Deeter Gallaher Group (DGG), a multi-award winning PR, marketing, and digital media firm headquartered in Camp Hill. Celebrating 24 years in business, Anne and her team create powerful business stories that attract media coverage and deliver a winning marketing advantage for clients in financial services, staffing, food and retail, mechanical contracting, management consulting, banking, and health care. DGG was most recently named a 2024 Central Penn Business Journal Empowering Women award winner, as well as a 2024 CPBJ Reader Rankings Winner in the Marketing/Advertising Agency category.
Anne is co-chair of the Urban Land Institute Central PA Council, past chair of The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region advisory board, founding board member of the Downtown Camp Hill Association, and is a member of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber/CREDC and West Shore Chamber of Commerce. She also serves on the Shippensburg University College of Business advisory board. Honored as one of PA’s Best 50 Women in Business, a 2024 Salvation Army Harrisburg Others Award recipient, a 2023 and 2022 City & State PA Power of Diversity Women 100 recipient, and a 2023 Shippensburg University Communications Journalism Distinguished Alumni of the Year, Anne is a frequent speaker and writer on entrepreneurship, small business, social media, PR, and leadership. She is the co-author of Women in High Gear and Students in High Gear. Now rolling into its fourth season, Anne co-hosts the Grit & Gravitas Podcast with Ship Alum Anne Carnathan, globally ranked in the top 10% of podcasts by Listen Notes. She is married to her high school sweetheart Corey and is a mother of three and Mimi to six.
Jesse S. Heiges Distinguished Alumni Award
James W. Saxton ’79
Jim received his bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg in 1979 before graduating from Duquesne School of Law. After nearly 35 years as an attorney at some of central Pennsylvania’s largest firms, Jim, along with others, founded the Saxton & Stump law firm in 2015. Under his dedicated leadership, the firm has rapidly grown to more than 110 attorneys and 200 employees across seven offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and South Carolina. He is an experienced leader who provides direction and strategic vision for the firm’s growth, working closely with its practice group leaders and attorneys to mentor them and focus on their professional growth. For the last four years, the Central Penn Business Journal has named Jim to its Power 100 List, an honor given to 100 of the region’s top professional, political, and economic leaders. Jim has been recognized annually on the list of Pennsylvania “Super Lawyers” since 2012 and on the list of “Best Lawyers in America” since 2016. In 2017, he was certified as a member of “Lawyers of Distinction,” an honor limited to the top 10% of attorneys in the U.S. In addition to his legal pursuits, Jim believes strongly in giving back to the community, volunteering in leadership roles, and lending his expertise to many healthcare and community non-profits. In 2014, Jim was the recipient of the “Excellence in Philanthropy Award” presented by the Lancaster General Health Foundation Board of Trustees. In 2013, he was awarded “Philanthropist of the Year” by The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Jim has been the founding board member of the Lancaster Community Health Plan, chairman of the Lancaster YMCA Foundation, and president of the Lancaster YMCA Board of Directors. Jim is also a past board member of the American Heart Association. Jim served his alma mater as the May 2024 undergraduate commencement speaker.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Christopher S. Gray '10
Christopher Gray currently serves as Vice President in the American Bankers Association’s Office of Strategic Engagement, leading the third-party and external engagement on high-priority public policy advocacy campaigns. In this role, he collaborates with industry leaders and government partners, managing critical strategic relationships. Christopher joined the ABA in 2021 after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). During his time at the SBA, he played a pivotal role in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the $950 billion federal initiative to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, he was appointed as the “Sherpa” to U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza, guiding her through the confirmation process to join the President's Cabinet as the SBA Administrator, culminating in an 88-5 Senate vote.
Prior to the SBA, Christopher held a senior role in the Executive Office of the President, the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. In this role he led the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” outreach and coordinated with statewide elected officials on behalf of the administration. His earlier career includes significant roles at the U.S. Export-Import Bank, Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office.
A proud alumnus of Shippensburg University, Christopher was elected to the Student Senate to serve as Senator (2006-2008), Vice President (2008-2009), and President (2009-2010). He was appointed as a member of the University’s Council of Trustees (2008-2010) and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 2010. Christopher's leadership and contributions to public policy have earned him national recognition, including being named a Maverick PAC - Future 40 Award Recipient in 2023. He is a frequent speaker on financial services public policy and provides testimony on the complexities of the Paycheck Protection Program. A native of Pennsylvania, Christopher currently resides in Washington, D.C., with his four-year-old Golden Retriever, Oliver.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Bryan K. Hickman, II ’12
Bryan graduated from Shippensburg University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in art, with a concentration in graphic design. Bryan, a contemporary fine artist and muralist is self-employed. Bryan has painted multiple murals including three in Harrisburg (two of which were solo, and one a group project), as well as a mural for JetBlue Airlines located at JFK Airport in Queens, New York. Bryan also designed artwork for a local brewer’s limited edition ale can, and painted a live portrait for comedian Bill Bellamy. Over the past few years, Bryan incorporated fire into his artwork, and presented a live fire art demonstration at Shippensburg University during Diversity Week. Bryan supports the community he lives and works in and offers live paintings/paint classes for elementary schools and the juvenile detention center in Harrisburg. Bryan also offers after school program art classes with the Youth 10x Better program, a non-profit organization inspiring local youth.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Lauren Messich Rose ’08
Lauren graduated from Shippensburg University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. While at Ship, Lauren was an active member of the SU marching band, concert band, pep band, woodwind ensemble, and orchestra. She was drum major for two years in the marching band and also served as treasurer of the marching/concert band for one year. Lauren was also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity and served as the VP of service. She then went on to obtain her master’s degree in chemical and life sciences from the University of Maryland and holds an advanced professional certificate for Biology 7-12. After graduation, Lauren began working as a science teacher at Easton High School where she taught a variety of science classes for 16 years, serving as the department chair for 5 of those years. Halfway through the academic year 2023-2024, she stepped in to fill a vacancy at her school in the music department and for the spring semester taught beginning steel drums, concert band and AP Environmental Science. This year, she will be teaching all music courses and serves as the director of the EHS marching and concert bands. Lauren has assisted with Easton High’s extracurricular activities by serving as the Spirit Committee Chair, and the Ecology Club Advisor, which is an organization that focuses on service projects to better the community, local environment, and planet. Lauren also coached junior varsity girls’ basketball from 2009 to 2013 and as a coach for varsity and junior varsity cheerleading for 9 years. Her accolades include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators 2023. This Presidential Innovation Award recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. Up to two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regions, from different states, are selected to receive this award. Region 3 includes MD, PA, DE, WV, VA and DC. Additionally, she was named a Giant Teacher of the Month three times, along with ACME Teacher of the Month.
Cultural Impact Award
Sophia Hendry
Sophia graduated from Shippensburg University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. She continued her studies and obtained a master degree in human services counseling from Liberty University.
Sophia began working with the non-profit organization, Merakey, where she was on a partnership program with the SEPTA police department in a co-responder model, responding to calls for homelessness and substance use on transit in Philadelphia. She then spent time as a case manager with the Philadelphia police department providing resources and direction for a diversionary program to those who committed low-level misdemeanors. After this work, Sophia was on the Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) with the Philadelphia police behavioral health unit, responding to 9-1-1 calls related to suicide, mental health crisis, and hostage negotiation. Sophia then managed the entire outreach department with SEPTA and now is the Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships for Maternity Care Coalition. Sophia is a non-profit leader who has spent her career making change in spaces that need it the most from justice reform, mental health and police outcomes to birthing advocacy and outcomes for black and Latina communities.
Sophia has been awarded the SEPTA Board of Directors Award, which recognized her service to vulnerable populations. She is a Certified Life Coach, Certified Family Recovery Specialist, an Opioid First Responder, and Certified Hostage Negotiator with the Philadelphia Police Department. Sophia thrives in spaces where she can provide direction to non-profit organizations and police departments seeking progressive movement. She 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 ’76
Bill graduated from Shippensburg University in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and completed the Wharton Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. Upon graduation from Ship, he began a 37 year career with Armstrong World Industries, starting as an analyst / programmer. Following several position changes of increased responsibilities, in 1999 he was named Armstrong’s Chief Accounting Officer, responsible for the company’s accounting policies, internal controls, and internal and external financial reporting. In 2008, Bill became the Vice President of Finance for Armstrong's Floor Products organization (the company’s largest business unit ranked by sales), first for its Americas group and then for Worldwide Flood Products starting in 2010. During his time with Floor Products, he also served for one year as Armstrong's Interim Chief Financial Officer. In 2013, Bill received Armstrong’s Pinnacle Award, the company’s highest employee award. In the years since retiring from Armstrong in 2013, Bill has provided consulting services to several companies, served as a Board member for a non-profit organization, and currently teaches Business classes at Lancaster Bible College. He served on the Shippensburg University College of Business Advisory Board for several years, and in 2014 established the William C. Rodruan College of Business Finance Scholarship, which has since provided several students financial support towards their Ship education.
Exceptional Service Award
Charles R. Nebel, Jr. '84-'88M
Charles graduated from Shippensburg University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and then received his master’s degree in business administration in 1988. Charles is principal at Boyer & Ritter, CPAs and Consultants where he is in charge of the firm’s Carlisle office and is the Manufacturing Group Leader. He also supports the Entrepreneurial Business Services and the Non-for-Profit Services groups. He has over 30 years of experience providing auditing, accounting, and consulting services to closely held companies, manufacturers, transportation, and charitable organizations. Charles is a Sage Software Accountants Network member and a QuickBooks Professional Advisor. Before joining Boyer & Ritter, Charles was the controller at the Shippensburg University Foundation and an internal auditor at Beverley Enterprises. Charles’ current involvement with the Shippensburg University Foundation includes serving on the SU Foundation Board of Directors, the Annual Fund Leadership Team, and as a board member of Raider Venture Capital, LLC. Over the years he has volunteered as a speaker for the SU Foundation’s annual Estate Planning Seminars and Tax Webinars, a Thankathon volunteer, an Annual Fund Phonathon Volunteer, a Luhrs Circle of Friends Phonathon Volunteer, and a Business and Industry Campaign Volunteer. Charles also serves on the John L. Grove College of Business Advisory Board.