Commonwealth University – Bloomsburg Alumni Association to Honor William T. Derricott ’66 Volunteer of the Year at dinner celebration May 30

The Bloomsburg Alumni Association will honor  Jessica Harry, ’07M, Ed.D on Friday, May 30 in the Kehr Union Ballroom on the CU-Bloomsburg campus.

The William T. Derricott ‘66 Volunteer of the Year  Award recognizes alumni who, through their volunteer contribution of time and talent on behalf of the Bloomsburg Alumni Association , supports the mission of Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg and exemplifies the esprit de corps of Bloomsburg to those around them. The designation reflects the alumni association’s reimagined purpose that focuses less on the experience of generations past, and more on supporting current and future students of the university. 

“Alumni associations are typically thought of as the standard bearer of tradition and nostalgia,” said Lynda Michaels, AVP of Alumni and Professional Engagement for Commonwealth University. “At Bloomsburg, members of our alumni association focus on volunteerism to impact strategic priorities that support our university, our students and alumni.  In this way, there is room for all types of alumni participation and engagement according to the interest and passion of each, and every, Bloomsburg alum.”

Jessica Harry '07M, Ed.D., Special Education and Off-Site Facilities Program Supervisor for the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, is the 2025 Volunteer of the Year.  Dr. Harry has provided training and consultation to staff and families across the 17 school districts within the Intermediate Unit and schools and districts across the state as one of the first Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network Facilitators for PBS. She has been heavily involved in the Commonwealth University Collaborating to Assist Teacher Candidate Hiring (CATCH) Conference as a panelist and recruiter, in the William '83 and Elizabeth Bent Leadership Boot Camp as an alumni mentor, and as a host for student teachers from CU-Bloomsburg.

Radmilla Hornung ’26, is a Special and Early Childhood Education major and was Harry’s mentee during the Bent Leadership Boot Camp.

“I had a lot of questions; I didn't know what was coming next,” explained Hornung. “Dr. Harry broke things down for me and has really opened my eyes to different ways of using my degree. I would feel way less confident without her in my life.”

The Annual Alumni Awards Celebration will also include recipients of the Distinguished Service and Maroon and Gold excellence awards and will be held on Friday, May 30.  Learn more about the awards and honorees or register online to attend the celebration. 

For more information, contact Nathan Conroy, Director of Alumni Engagement at (570) 389-4215 or email nconroy@commonwealthu.edu.