Lebanon, Pa - The Lebanon Valley Conservancy (TLVC) is pleased to announce Katherine Shiffer as the recipient of the 2024 Richard H. and Karen R. Light Memorial Scholarship. Shiffer received a $2,500 scholarship to assist in her education in the field of environmental science.
Shiffer is a graduate of Greenwood High School and a junior at Lebanon Valley College (LVC). Professor Timothy J Peelen, from the college’s chemistry department, recommended Shiffer for the scholarship. "Kat has the intellectual and personal traits to be a solid contributor to society in the future. Her strong academic ability, coupled with her leadership and enthusiasm, will lead her to become a successful and passionate voice for conservation."
Shiffer is a member of the environmental science club at LVC, as well as president and founder of the plant club. She also worked as a summer intern at Little Buffalo State Park, where she helped children develop an appreciation for the natural world through various outdoor activities. "I hope to use both my personal advocacy and education to succeed in a career that allows everyone to enjoy the beauty and value of the environment, while at the same time making sure to protect it," Shiffer said in her application. Upon graduation, Shiffer plans to pursue a career as an environmental protection specialist. "Katherine's desire to educate others and her drive to protect the environment were very similar to the passions the Lights held, and why we selected her for this scholarship," shared Jeanne Boltz, Karen Light’s sister, and scholarship committee chair.
TLVC awards this scholarship, on an annual basis, in memory of Richard H. and Karen R. Light, prominent local residents who made a great impact on environmental conservation in the Lebanon Valley. TLVC participated in LVC’s 2024 Earth Days by hosting the scholarship award event, featuring guest speaker, Matt Royer, director of the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center and faculty for the Environmental Resource Management program at Penn State. Royer helped found and serves as president of the Tri-County Conewago Creek Association (TCCCA). He presented "The Conewago Creek Collaborative Conservation Initiative: Twenty Years of Watershed Restoration Partnerships." LVC students, staff, and members of the community attended this free event, sponsored by LVC's Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee and Biology Department, LandStudies Inc, the Light Scholarship Committee, and TLVC.
The application process for the 2025 scholarship will begin in January. For more information or to contribute to TLVC’s work in Lebanon County, please visit www.tlvc.org. Additional details on the Lights and the scholarship are available at lebanonvalleyconservancy.org/scholarship. For more information on TCCCA, visit Conewagocreek.net.
Photo Caption (Left to Right): Abigail Harvey, executive director, TLVC; Katherine Shiffer, scholarship
winner; and scholarship committee members: Susan Verhoek, Jeanne Boltz, Tisha
(Patricia) Walmer 