Towering Titans: College Honors Its Own During Homecoming Weekend

Westminster Alumni Award Citation honorees are leaders in their fields who have made significant contributions, achieved success and served their communities.

The newest honorees made their mark in diverse endeavors—business, industry, education, public policy and military service—but got their start at the same place, an experience they say was critical to all they’ve accomplished. From the inspirational and empowering liberal arts education to the relationships they formed, skills they developed and new experiences, their years at Mother Fair were foundational and life changing.

“Westminster College provided me the guidance, positive vision and inspiration to learn about myself, the world, and be open and eager to the many opportunities that could lie ahead,” Michael Anthony ’77 said. “The desire to travel, to appreciate different cultures and challenge social norms, to become more of a world citizen. These were learnings that helped shape the rest of my life. What a great place for a young man from a small town in Western Pennsylvania and a family of modest means to get a quality education.”

Douglas Hill ’76 said the College’s commitment to “a quality and intimate liberal arts experience encouraged me to look inward, to explore my capabilities, to expand my goals, to encourage curiosity— and concurrently pushed me to look outward, to broaden my community and world interactions, to understand and value every person and social setting, to engage in meaningful work and service.”

“Being a student in a thriving and vibrant music department was amazing. Not only did I have excellent professors but they were also wonderful role models,“ Karen Campman Emmett ’75 said. “Westminster was such a great place to live for four years. Not only did it prepare me for my vocation as a vocal music teacher but living and learning in the fine arts environment and with other students who shared the same core values helped make me a more well-rounded individual.

“Westminster taught me the importance of getting into ‘good trouble,’” Rebecca Bonner ’80 said, invoking the late civil rights icon John Lewis’ exhortation to buck the status quo to advance the social good.

Maj. Robert Lytle ’97 said he was inspired by the College’s commitment to helping students develop the knowledge and skills that distinguish human beings “at their best” and the ideals and values of his Theta Chi fraternity and the Air Force to lead a life of “service on the global scale as a world citizen.”

“The Westminster experience encapsulates everything,” Lytle said.

Westminster presented Alumni Award Citations, Young Alumni Awards and Rising Titan Awards as part of the 2021 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

young alumni awards Recognizing alumni of 10 years or less who are making significant contributions as they build careers and serve their communities or the College

KELLY LAKE '11

A summa cum laude Honors graduate with a degree in English, Lake is an associate producer of animated films at Illumination Entertainment. She’s worked on the “Despicable Me” films and other hit productions. An active volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, she also works on an artistic outreach program to public schools. The resident of Pasadena, Calif. said her Westminster experience inspires her service. “The faculty and staff are so helpful and invested in helping students succeed, that it really inspires you to be invested in others as well,” she said.

MIKE DISOTELL '11

A magna cum laude graduate with a degree in English, Disotell went on to The Ohio University School of Law, where he graduated with honors. He joined a multinational law firm and litigated high- profile class action cases and was recognized for his pro bono work and community involvement. He joined the firm Dentons Cohen & Grigsby in May and practices in the labor and employment field. He lives in Wexford, Pa. “Westminster taught me to be comfortable outside my comfort zone, to take on new challenges with an open mind and to enjoy the experiences along the way,” he said.

MICHAEL ANTHONY ’77

With a degree in business administrationmanagement, Anthony has enjoyed a 40-plus year career in retail, product development and brand building, leading several retail organizations, including Lechter’s Inc., Brookstone Company and Things Remembered. A member of the College’s Board of Distinguished Visitors, he established a scholarship for students from northwestern Pennsylvania. He lives in Amherst, N.H.

KAREN CAMPMAN EMMETT ’75

Emmett, who earned a degree in music education and voice, retired after 31 years teaching music, including the last 23 in the West Middlesex (Pa.) Area School District. She directed various vocal ensembles, musical and plays. She is past president of the Westminster College Alumni Association, former chairperson of the local alumni group and an active Westminster volunteer. She lives in West Middlesex, Pa.

MAJ. ROBERT LYTLE ’97

Lytle is the interim commander and director of operations at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station and is the operations logistics and facilities manager for BAWA Acoustic NA. He has served nearly 27 years between active and reserve duty, during which he’s been deployed to war zones and found ways to help by volunteering with the USO and raising money for children’s surgeries and charities. He holds a degree in public relations from Westminster.

REBECCA BONNER ’80

Bonner has worked with nonprofits for over 30 years in secondary and postsecondary education as well as small business development. The political science major is a founding board member and executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Association for Recovery Addiction, the parent nonprofit for The Bridge Way School, which serves students who struggled with substance abuse and mental health disorders.

DOUGLAS HILL ’76

Hill, who earned a degree in political science, is the retired executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. During his nearly 36-year tenure the association grew to become a major force in state policy making. A resident of Harrisburg, he is a past president of the Westminster College Alumni Council, he is active with community groups, volunteer activities and his church.

JON SELTENHEIM ’75

Seltenheim earned a degree in business administration-management. An executive coach and consultant, he retired from United Concordia Dental as senior vice president of government and business strategy. He is a former member of Westminster’s Board of Trustees. He provided leadership for the National Association of Dental Plans and the Healthcare Reform Task Force. An active member of Camp Hill United Methodist Church, he lives in Lemoyne, Pa.

rising titan awards Honoring up-and-coming students who showcase the ability to be leading alumni

MEGAN PARKER '21

A 2021 nursing graduate, Parker is a maternity nurse at UPMC Northwest and a registered nurse at George Junior Republic. At Westminster, she was president of Student Government Association, associate trustee on Westminster’s Board of Trustees, student tutor, vice president of philanthropy for Sigma Kappa sorority, orientation student coordinator, member of Lambda Sigma honor society. She earned co-PAC Most Outstanding Performer at indoor track championships, taking first place in shot put and weight toss.

SAMUEL ACCORDINO ’22

Accordino, a senior Honors student majoring in neuroscience/pre-med, is active in many campus clubs and serves as president of Interfraternity Council, vice president of Theta Chi, president of the Pre-Health Society, treasurer of Habitat for Humanity and Psi Chi. A captain of the men’s soccer team, he was an Academic All-District and Academic AllAmerican honoree. He plans to attend medical school and credits faculty and the network of friends for preparing him to take on new challenges beyond Westminster.

170

1852-2022

In 2022, Westminster College will celebrate its 170th anniversary—170 years of providing a quality education that is affordable and attainable to all students. This milestone is a time for celebration and a time to reflect on Mother Fair’s rich history and heritage. It is a time to recall timeless friendships, inspiring educators, courageous leaders and Westminster traditions. As part of our 170th anniversary celebration, we want to highlight the fond memories of our alumni and friends by inviting you to share your favorite recollections. Many of these will be selected for publication in an upcoming issue of Westminster Magazine. To submit your Westminster memory, please email wcmagazine@westminster.edu.

Pictured below from left: Westminster College's first building (1853-1855), which stood in the area now occupied by the south wing of the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church; first Main Building (1855-1861); second Main Building, later referred to as Old Main (1862-1927). Above: Old Main Memorial as it stands today.