The Williamsonian Winter 2023 | Page 13

CLASS OF 7W2 50TH ANNIVERSARY PROFILES
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The Class of 7W2 celebrated their 50th anniversary from Friday to Saturday , June 3-4 . Their celebration began with Commencement on Friday when a large number of classmates marched in the processional wearing gold robes . Class member Dave Churchman opened the ceremony with the invocation and President Rounds recognized the group from the podium .
That evening , the class met at the Concordville Inn in Glen Mills for their 50th reunion banquet . All enjoyed mingling and getting reacquainted with old friends . President Michael Rounds congratulated the class for achieving 50 years out of Williamson and gave a state-of-the-school update . He then accepted the class ’ reunion gift to Williamson of $ 74,181 ( which was later increased to $ 77,681 ). The Reunion Committee members are : Dale Carlen , Dave Churchman , Bob Hopkins , Dennis Hollenbach , Jim Kressly , and John Young . This was followed by Dennis Hollenbach giving a class toast and meal
blessing . After dinner , Arlene Synder , vice president for institutional advancement , gave welcoming remarks and , along with Kelsey Turk , assistant vice president for institutional advancement , gave each classmate a souvenir 50th medallion to wear around their neck the rest of the weekend . Robert Hopkins gave a class tribute and led a moment of silence in memory of their deceased classmates . Then , classmates were given the opportunity to give remarks on the role Williamson played in their lives . Closing remarks were made by Dave Churchman and the singing of the alma mater was led by Dale Carlen .
The next day , many classmates attended Alumni Day on campus in the morning . They were easily spotted by their 50th medallions . That evening , many of the classmates attended the Alumni Banquet at the Springfield Country Club . A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the class gift to President Rounds .
The Class of 7W2 celebrating their 50th anniversary of graduating from Williamson at the Concordville Inn in Glen Mills , in June . The classmates spent much time reminiscing and getting reacquainted .
President Michael Rounds accepts the Class of 7W2 ’ s 50th anniversary gift to Williamson , a facsimile of a check for $ 74,181 ( which was later increased to $ 77,681 )
Walter Becker
Pa .; January 1988 – July 1993 , assistant director , Northern Tier Career Center ( Bradford County AVTS ), Towanda , Pa .; September 1975 – January 1988 , masonry instructor , Clearfield County , Clearfield Pa .; June 1972 – September 1975 , various masonry experiences , Northern Virginia and Central Pennsylvania
Grandchildren : Thomas , Kayla , Bryanna , Michael , Shannon
Williamson Trade : Painting and Decorating / Architectural Technician
Williamson Activities : Football and Baseball freshman year .
Proudest Accomplishment : Becoming a parent and watching my family grow .
Fondest Williamson Memories : The timeless beauty of the campus through the four seasons . After three years of hard work , the sense of accomplishment and pride upon graduation .
34 Duke of Gloucester Road Bloomsburg , PA 17815 570-265-6285
Born : February 24 , 1951
Married : Nancy Snyder , August 31 , 1974
Children : 4
Grandchildren : 6
Williamson Trade : Construction Technology-Masonry
Further Education : Bachelor of Science , Penn State University , August 1975 ; Masters in Education , Penn State University , November 1982 ; Administrative Certification , Penn State University , April 1980 ; Secondary Principal Certification , Penn State University , December 1989
Employment History : Retired After 35 + years from public education , April 2010 , July 1993 – April 2010 , administrative director of the Northern Tier Career Center , Towanda ,
Travel : My wife and I enjoy cruises , have visited Eastern and Western Caribbean , Mexico , Hawaii , Alaska , Bermuda , and Canada . We also visited most of the eastern USA , Yellowstone , Southern Rockies . In Europe we vacationed once in Spain , planning to visit Great Britain and Ireland in late 2022
Hobbies : Penn State football fan , had season tickets for nearly 30 years . Time with grandkids .
Proudest Accomplishment : Being a good husband , father , and grandfather .
Advice for today ’ s students : There is no such thing as a free lunch ; someone always pays for it , or paid for it . Be careful what you ask for ; you might just get it .
--7W2--
Gary L . Biddington 24567 Buckingham Way
Punta Gorda , FL 33980 Cell : 209-229-5690 gbiddington @ icloud . com
Born : February 23 , 1951
Married : Diana
Children : Dina , Jessica , David
Further Education : I worked for three Fortune 500 companies and received some of the finest sales training in America .
Employment History : In the 1970s , sales , sales manager for reprographic equipment in Pennsylvania , New Jersey , and Indiana , for GAF Corp . In the 1980s , sales in the Retail Systems Division in Philadelphia and portions of Pennsylvania , for Dennison Manufacturing Corp . In the 1990s , owned a franchise business before returning to printing and reprographics . In the 2000s , sold advertising and web development for a Mid- Atlantic company . Retired from full-time corporate sales in 2008 . After a few restless years , I finished my career with the Home Depot selling major appliances in Willow Grove , Pa ., before transferring to Modesto , Calif . I moved to Punta Gorda , Fla ., in November 2020 before retiring in January 2021 .
Travel : I have traveled to England , Italy , and Spain and have driven most of the U . S . in my lifetime . In Italy , Florence and the Tuscany region stand out as favorites . In the U . S ., California by far is the most beautiful state with multiple regions with unique topography .
Hobbies : Researching my ancestors from England and meeting my third cousins on Ancestry .
Advice for Today ’ s Students : Williamson is one of the few institutions that teach the work ethic , thus giving you a competitive advantage in the workforce . Colleges and universities don ’ t teach these values .
--7W2--
Alan Dale Carlen 224 Fitch Road Hatboro , PA 19040 Cell : 267-699-6904
Born : June 19 , 1951 , Doylestown , Pa .
Married : Bonnie , June 30 , 1974
Children : Steven , Ian and daughter-in-law Jennifer
Grandchildren : Jeriv , Hannah
Williamson Trade : Painting and Decorating ( Architectural Technology )
Williamson Activities : Geezer Night ; Glee Club , 3 years ; Tradesmen , senior year ; Intramural Basketball and Table Tennis ; Football , senior year
Employment History : I was a union painter for D . C . 21 in Philadelphia for 44 years as a