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WILLIAMSPORT AREA
SCHOOL NEWS
570-327-5500 • wasd. org
LANCER FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2026 LTHS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT
The Lancer Foundation has named Dr. Erica Rauff, a 2003 graduate of Loyalsock Township High School( LTHS), as this year’ s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. A researcher, educator, and mentor, Rauff currently serves as associate professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State University, where her work focuses on understanding how social, behavioral, and environmental factors influence health and well-being across individuals, families and communities.“ I am honored to receive this recognition from Loyalsock and the Lancer Foundation,” Rauff said.“ Loyalsock was a place that encouraged my own curiosity, learning, and growth. The support of my teachers, family, and mentors helped shape both my personal and professional journey. As an educator and mentor, I currently help students discover their own passions and potential, which makes returning to speak with current students at Loyalsock especially meaningful. I hope sharing my journey with Loyalsock students reminds them that success is rarely a straight path, and that growth often comes from embracing opportunities, challenges, and unexpected experiences along the way.”
Throughout her career, Rauff has explored how physical activity, mental health, motivation, and social experiences influence overall health and well being. Her work has focused on helping better understand the factors that support healthy lifestyles and positive well-being across different stages of life. Rauff’ s research has appeared in national and international scholarly journals and has contributed to studies involving youth development, physical activity and wellness, family and community health, mental health, maternal well-being, and health behavior. Beyond academia, Rauff has remained involved in service and outreach initiatives that connect research with community impact. While living in the Seattle area, she served as both a coach and board member for Girls on the Run Puget Sound, supporting programs focused on confidence, leadership, and healthy lifestyles for young girls. She has also contributed professionally through initiatives, including the American College of Sports Medicine’ s Exercise is Medicine on Campus program.
At Penn State, Rauff continues to invest in future generations through teaching, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities, guiding undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in public health, healthcare, and research. Her work has earned recognition throughout her academic career, including participation in the National Research Mentoring Network Health Equity Collaboratory, selection as an Academic Service-Learning Faculty Fellow and recognition through the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity for student research achievement.
“ Dr. Rauff has dedicated her career to understanding the factors that affect health and well-being and using that knowledge to help strengthen families and communities,” Superintendent Dr. Brooke Beiter said.“ Her work extends from the classroom to research and outreach efforts that improve lives. We ' re incredibly proud to call her a Loyalsock graduate.” Lancer Foundation President Carolyn Ritter said Rauff exemplifies the purpose of the Distinguished Alumni recognition.
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