SAHS Distinguished Alumni
Our Distinguished Alumni Award is our way of recognizing truly outstanding alumni for their academic, professional, and/or community achievements.
Some Examples of a Deserving Candidate Might Include:
• Accomplishments and honors earned while in high school.
• Job related exemplary achievement and/or noteworthy record.
• Personal accomplishments and honors earned post high school graduation.
• Work in and impact on community (local, state, and/or national level).
• Demonstrated leadership and positive role modeling.
Nominate a Distinguished Alumni Today
2021 Distinguished Alumni Recipients
We are thrilled to announce Craig Sholley, Class of 1969, Kendra Aucker, Class of 1979, and Richard Mease, Class of 1974 as our 2021 recipients.
Craig Sholley
Craig Sholley is an internationally acclaimed conservationist and educator who is widely known for his work conserving the world's endangered Mountain Gorilla population. Craig received a BS in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master's in Educational Supervision from Loyola. His relationship with Africa began in 1973 as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zaire preparing secondary students for their University Exams. Later in the 70’s, he spent several years teaching in Baltimore prior to joining the research team of Dian Fossey where he conducted behavioral research and helped to craft cutting edge conservation strategies. Returning to the Baltimore City School System in 1979, he coordinated a special science program instructing teachers “how to teach science”. This led to his appointment as the Baltimore’s Zoological Society’s first Curator of Education. From that point forward, Craig’s life has been dedicated to the conservation of Africa's iconic wildlife; in particular, Mountain Gorillas working to bring the earth’s most endangered great ape back from the brink of extinction. This work involved directing Rwanda's Mountain Gorilla Project, orchestrating central Africa’s 1989 Mountain Gorilla census, providing expertise in the design and construction of two award-winning community owned tourism lodges, and the recent expansion of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park creating more space for a growing gorilla population. Craig has served as director of Conservation and Education for International Expeditions leading natural history expeditions throughout the world for groups from many acclaimed institutions. Craig also led a team from National Geographic to central Africa to access the conservation consequences of Rwanda’s genocide. He currently is the Senior Vice-President for African Wildlife Foundation which is Africa’s oldest and leading wildlife conservation NGO working to conserve Africa’s iconic wildlife throughout the continent. When not traveling, Craig resides in Highland, Maryland.
Kendra Aucker
Kendra Aucker is most widely known as the President and CEO of Evangelical Community Hospital located in Lewisburg, PA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from Frederick Taylor University. Kendra is a licensed Agent through the Insurance Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with qualifications in Accident & Health, and Life and Fixed Annuities. She was appointed to her current position in 2015 following a career at Evangelical Community Hospital starting in 1990. Kendra had been an integral part of Evangelical Community Hospital’s senior leadership team serving in roles of marketing, physician practice management, operations, executive leadership, and has helped shape the strategic growth that sets Evangelical apart from other community hospitals. Her career path outside of her work at Evangelical includes serving as the Community Relations Director at SUN Home Health Services and the Manager of Northern Region Sales for Capital Blue Cross. Kendra serves on the Board of Directors of CHART (A Reciprocal Risk Retention Group), WITF, Inc., Transitions of PA, First Community Foundation Partnership, and the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission. She is a member of the Lewisburg Rotary Club in addition to having served with the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, the Selinsgrove Rotary Club, and Leadership Susquehanna Valley. She has received the following local recognition: the Athena Leadership Award, the Adam Smith Distinguished Leadership Award from Economics Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna Council of Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, the Leadership Susquehanna Valley Distinguished Alumni Award, the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Selinsgrove Rotary Club Distinguished Service Award.
Richard Mease
Richard Mease has been recognized for his service contributions to the local community of Selinsgrove. Rich had a great sports career in high school, excelling in football, wrestling, and baseball. His proficiency in baseball led to a brief professional career in the minor leagues. Rich resided in other parts of the country before returning to his home town to make a living and pursue his passion for community service. He has served as Selinsgrove Pool Board President since 2014 and has overseen the 50th Anniversary Celebration, organized fund-raising events such as 5k, and currently directing over $500,000 fund raising campaigns for pool renovations and installation of pool splash pad. Richard has served on Selinsgrove Borough Council since 2012 where he assisted in the hiring of borough managers and negotiated police contracts. Another community organization Richard has involved himself with in Selinsgrove is SPI (Selinsgrove Project, Inc.). As a part of SPI, he has contributed to the Market Street Festival, Halloween Parade, events at The Commons, Main Street Improvements, Brewfest Committee, and their historic committee. Richard currently resides in his family home in Selinsgrove with his wife, Carol Norwood.
