A graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology's immediate predecessor institution was honored by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce at its seventh annual Education Celebration. The Community Arts Center, a subsidiary of the college, waspresented with the Business Partner in Education Award at the same event, held March 6 at the Holiday Inn Downtown.
Keith A. Boatman, who earned an associate degree in business management from Williamsport Area Community College in 1986, was among three recipients of the chamber's Alumni of the Year Award. The award is presented to one graduate from each of Williamsport's three higher-education institutions: Penn College, Lycoming College and Newport Business Institute.
The award which also was presented to Carolyn-Kay Lundy (a 1963 Lycoming graduate) and Maria Sampsell (from Newport's Class of 2006) recognizes individuals who attended college in Williamsport and have stayed in the area to become successful and active Lycoming County residents.
An assistant vice president and branch manager at Citizens& Northern Bank, Boatman has amassed an impressive resume of community involvement: He was a member of the Leadership Lycoming Class of 2002, is a past president of Kiwanis of South Williamsport and a past member of the Williamsport Management Association.
His numerous other affiliations include Habitat for Humanity, Lycoming County United Way, the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association, Pennsylvania Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society and Pine Street United Methodist Church.
Executive Director Rob Steele accepted the award on behalf of the arts center. That honor, sponsored by Susquehanna Health, is given to a business that demonstrates how area businesses can partner with schools and students who one day will be the community's business leaders.
( Photos by Erin E. Barrett, special events coordinator, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce)