Weaver to receive First Responder Award

Todd K. Weaver, the recently retired director of Northampton County Emergency Management Services, will receive the 2026 ArtsQuest First Responder Valor Award during ArtsQuest’s Patriot Day commemoration Sept. 11 at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.

Weaver is being recognized for nearly four decades of public safety service in the Lehigh Valley. He began his career with the Washington Volunteer Fire Company in 1987 and retired in February after a 29-year career with Northampton County, where he advanced from 911 dispatcher to director of emergency management services.

During his tenure, Weaver helped modernize the county’s emergency communications system and played key roles in responses to numerous federally declared disasters, including major storms, flooding events and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also worked closely with ArtsQuest on safety planning for Musikfest for nearly two decades.

In addition to his professional career, Weaver served 17½ years as chief of the Washington Volunteer Fire Company and remains active with the department as a lieutenant and trustee. He currently works as a senior consultan with Essential Management Solutions LLC and resides in Pen Argyl.

The annual Patriot Day event honors first responders, law enforcement officers, firefighters, military personnel and emergency medical professionals throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh forms advisory board for tech center

Lehigh University’s Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies has established its inaugural Community Advisory Board to help guide research and development of technologies aimed at improving independence and well-being for people with disabilities and older adults.

The 17-member board includes representatives from healthcare, education, technology and advocacy organizations. Local members include Seth Hoderewski, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living; Maureen Leeson, assistant superintendent and chief academic officer for Bethlehem Area School District; Emily Lyter of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation; Katie Siwy, vice president of programs for The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties; and Maria Zullo, director of Disability Support Services at Lehigh.

The university-wide center brings together faculty from all five colleges to develop and evaluate assistive technologies addressing mobility, accessibility, life transitions and smart spaces. Current projects include technology to help visually impaired people navigate indoor environments and programs supporting parents of children with ADHD.

For more information, visit cdat.lehigh.edu.

Lebanon Valley graduate

Hannah Graybeal of Bethlehem is one of 51 undergraduate and graduate Lebanon Valley College students who marked their academic success and received their degree in August.

Graybeal received a master of music education in music education.

NCC students earn Workforce scholarships

Northampton Community College students Sumin Kim and Angelina Kimmins have been selected as 2026 Chime Workforce Scholars, earning national recognition for their academic achievement and preparation for in-demand careers.

Kim studies diagnostic medical sonography, and Kimmins majors in funeral services. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship to help cover educational expenses while completing a certificate or associate degree program.

Both students have earned dean’s list recognition each semester they attended NCC.

Funded by the Chime Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, the scholarship supports career and technical education students at two-year colleges.

The 2026 scholarship class includes 200 students nationwide. Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society for students at associate degree-granting colleges, with more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries

Dilliard lighting designer for world premiere

Marcus Dilliard, a Bethlehem native and Lehigh University alumnus, has been named lighting designer for the Children’s Theatre Company’s world premiere musical Twelve Kinds of Ice, which will run Oct. 13 through Nov. 22 in Minneapolis.

Dilliard has designed for theater and opera across North America. His previous Children’s Theatre Company credits include Locomotion, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Iqbal, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins and Bert and Ernie, Goodnight!

His recent work in the Minneapolis area has been seen at Mixed Blood, Penumbra and Theater Latté Da. Dilliard is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829.

Van Linde on WPI research team

Sabena van Linde, a member of the class of 2027 majoring in Architectural Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed a professional-level research-driven project titled Assessing a Parking Reservation System For Jordan Pond.

Known as the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP), this project is a core part of the innovative undergraduate experience at WPI.

Local Phi Alpha Epsilon students honored

Phi Alpha Epsilon, the College’s honor society that recognizes academic achievement and service to others, inducted 50 new members this spring.

Local students include: Abriana Ferrari, a homeschool graduate pursuing a bachelor of science in biochemistry and molecular biology, and Lauren Jancsarics, a Freedom HS graduate pursuing a bachelor of science and doctor of physical therapy in exercise science and physical therapy.

Birchard a University of Maryland graduate

Kristin Birchard of Bethlehem, earned a (n) Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management and Policy from University of Maryland Global Campus in spring 2026.

Birchard was one of more than 7,300 students worldwide who earned degrees from UMGC in the spring 2026 term.

NCC president recognized by SkillsUSA

President of Northampton Community College (NCC), Dr. David A. Ruth, won the Leadership by Example Award from District 11 SkillsUSA Council. The award honors leaders shaping the future of career and technical education.

Dr. Ruth has been selected as the 2026 honoree for his outstanding leadership, commitment to the community, and dedication to empowering students. Dr. Ruth will be honored at this October’s Annual Meeting where community and business leaders will gather to reflect on four decades of workforce development and student achievement.

“Dr. Ruth’s continued commitment to the students, schools, and employers that make the Greater Lehigh Valley stronger is admirable. His vision, leadership, and advocacy have elevated career and technical education in our community and helped prepare the next generation of skilled talent for success,” said Andy Hammer, SkillsUSA Council Executive Director.

NCC student selected for summer fellowship

Four Northampton Community College students have been selected for the seven-week REFLECT Mental Wellness Summer Fellowship, where they are joining students from Lehigh University, University of Pennsylvania and Arcadia University to develop mental wellness and suicide prevention initiatives.

Counseling psychology major Michelle Attarian and psychology majors Olivia Shea, Miranda Miller and Italia Gethers are participating in the fellowship through July 31. During the 2026-27 academic year, they will help implement mental wellness programming at NCC.

The fellowship provides training in positive psychology, suicide prevention, leadership, peer dialogue and community engagement. Dr. Jen Bradley, an NCC psychology professor and campus mentor, said the students are committed to supporting their peers and addressing the growing need for mental health resources on college campuses.

Local residents on Scranton Dean’s List

Several local students were named to the University of Scranton’s Dean’s List for the 2026 spring semester. To earn the honor, students must achieve a grade-point average of at least 3.5 while completing the required number of credit hours.

Honorees are Grace E. Mansfield, junior, communication; Claire D. Zaza, junior, forensic chemistry; Jude D. Chichester, senior, physiology; Ana R. Garippa, senior, biology; Bailey R. Orth, freshman, nursing; Gabriella S. Warren, junior, occupational therapy; Mackenzie J. Kerecz, sophomore, business administration; Andrew J. Lessig, sophomore, business analytics; and Zachary R. Neff, junior, supply chain management.

Residents named to Fruman Dean’s List

Julia Bricco and Erik Parker Smith have been named to the Furman University Dean’s List for the 2026 spring semester.

Furman’s dean’s list is composed of full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher on a four-point system.

Strohl A Wilson College graduate

Kaitlyn Strohl of Bethlehem graduated during the College’s 156th commencement ceremonies held May 3. The college conferred over 300 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in separate ceremonies.

Wilson also awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree to commencement speaker Ken Ohashi, brand chief executive officer of Brooks Brothers and Nautica.