Dr. Sieta Achampong – 1997
Shippensburg University, English with Secondary Certification
Dr. Sieta Achampong is the principal at the SciTech campus of Harrisburg High School. She is noted among academic leaders for helping shape the challenging learning environment of the downtown Harrisburg campus. When asked in 2022 about the role of the LaGrone Scholarship in her life she responded, “I am always grateful for the Oliver LaGrone Scholarship program and I encourage my students each year to apply.”
LaConteau Williams – 2007
Johnson C. Smith University, Communications
2007 LaGrone Scholar LaConteau Williams is doing particularly well reports her former LaGrone Mentor, Ann Sitrin. Williams achieved her bachelor’s degree over seven years as a single mother, persisting through several changes in schools and states. She completed her undergrad with a B.A. in Mass Communications, graduating summa cum laude. LaConteau Williams now holds a master’s degree from the University of Miami and works as Director of Communications and Marketing with the United Methodist Church. She is the first in her family to attend college and credits the LaGrone Scholarship with making this happen. “The LaGrone scholarship program provided me with more than just financial aid,” expressed Williams. “This program gave me the perfect mentor to deal with the adversities of life. Mrs. Ann has always been a positive motivator in my life. For that, I am beyond grateful.”
She currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her eleven-year-old daughter, who attends a creative arts academy.
Durrell Burns – 2011
Millersville University, Secondary Education
Having gained his bachelor’s degree at Millersville University, Durrell Burns is now the10th grade Assistant Principal at East High of the Central Dauphin School District in the Harrisburg area. He has also completed master’s work at Lincoln University and achieved high school principal credentials. A father of five, Durrell’s life with his spouse is full and satisfying.
Sabina Dahal – 2018
The Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg,
Molecular Biology
Sabina Dahal is newly part of a research team at Penn State Hershey Medical Center that is looking for particular proteins in the blood of patients admitted with heart attacks. Having started the new job in December 2022, she is enjoying the opportunity to do important work. Sabina’s former LaGrone Mentor, Meg Burton Conners, continues to lunch with Sabina regularly, reflecting on life’s broad opportunities.
Who, When, Where
| Award Year | LaGrone Scholar | Major and School |
UCH Mentor |
|
2024 |
Enjalai Baillie | Pediatric Dentistry; Swarthmore College |
Emily Raffensberger – grant and proposal specialist |
|
2023 |
Pablo Biascochea | Medicine; Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg |
Dr. Mary Lynn Fecile and Dr. Paul Haidet – physicians |
| 2022 | Sara Farheen | Physician assistant; Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg | Ann Stillwater – school nurse, nurse educator |
| 2021 | Heather Rojas | Nursing, Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, Lancaster | Susan Jones-Sink – nurse, counselor |
| 2020 | Cristina Ledesma | Social Work, Shippensburg University of PA, 2024 graduate | Dr. Karen Mallah – health insurance administrator |
| 2019 | Ayobami Kehinde “Kenny” Akingbesote | Nursing, Harrisburg Area Community College, Gettysburg PA, 2024 graduate | Ann Stillwater – school nurse, nurse educator |
| 2018 | Sabina Dahal | Micro-biology, Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg, 2022 graduate | Dr. Meg Conners – science educator |
| 2017 | Roman Colon | Finance, Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg, 2022 graduate | Mark Malarich – civil engineer |
| 2016 | Taryana Peterson | Biology, Temple University | Dr. Mary Lynn Fecile – physician |
| 2015 | Scholar Withdrew | John Hargreaves – correctional consultant | |
| 2014 | Merced Ramerez Saldana | International Business, Messiah College, 2017 graduate | Jeff Sigel – marketing vice-president |
| 2013 | Daouda Kassimou | Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg, 2017 graduate | David Spear – engineer, tutor |
| 2012 | Stanley Lumpkin | Marketing/Management, Shippensburg University of PA, 2016 graduate | Dr. Rick Hawley – optometrist, business owner |
| 2011 | Durrell Burns | Secondary English Education, Millersville University of PA, 2015 graduate | Nick Wilson – assistant principal, public school |
| 2010 | Dana Washington | Biochemistry, Pennsylvania State University, 2014 graduate | Maureen Callahan – neurological nurse |
| 2009 | Charlé Lamb | Pharmaceutical Product Development, West Chester University of PA | Dr. Susan Rimby – educator, advocate |
| 2008 | Scholar Withdrew | Anita Mentzer – librarian, public education advocate | |
| 2007 | LaConteau Williams | Communications, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte NC, 2014 graduate | Ann Sitrin – English as a Second Language teacher |
| 2006 | Sequoyah Sherrill | Psychology, Hampton University, Hampton VA | Dr. Christopher Zeigler – clinical psychologist |
| 2005 | Shacoya Pope | Pre-medicine, University of Pittsburgh | Dr. Megan Borror – family medicine physician |
| 2004 | Cedric Gatzini | Computer Engineering, DeVry University | Ken Tarbel – information technology professional |
| 2003 | K’asha-Amour Franklin | Biology, Florida A&M University | Wendy Shaver – secondary school science teacher |
| 2002 | Natia Williams | Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh |
Karen Sweer – medical assistant; Dr. Leon Sweer – family medicine physician |
| 2001 | Latoya Stewart Long | Paralegal and Cosmetology, Harrisburg Community College | Dianne Dusman – lawyer |
| 2001 | Steven Walters | English and Pre-law, The Dickenson School of Law, 2005 graduate | Don Brown – international environmental lawyer, advocate |
| 2000 | Cachet Adams | Computer Studies, Rutgers University. 2004 graduate | Cynthia Tyger – also a first-in-the-family college attendee |
| 1999 | Jovani Lewis | Drama, Indiana University of PA, 2003 graduate | Mary Lou Harris – drama supporter |
| 1998 | Vivian Nguyen (named Binh Ngo at time of award) | Business Information Systems and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, 2002 graduate | Cordell Affeldt – refugee advocate |
| 1997 | Tony Dickey | Music education, Millersville University of PA | Dr. Blaise Liffick – folk musician and computer professor, Millersville University |
| 1997 | Sieta Bonner Achampong | Secondary English Education, , Shippensburg University of PA, 2001 graduate | Dr. Robin Miller – psychologist |
| 1996 | Student Withdrew | Kathy Larsen – nurse practitioner | |
| 1995 | Tracey Bryant | Psychology, Temple University, 1999 graduate | Dr. Elizabeth Hoffman – psychologist |
| 1994 | Dominque Urrutia | Elementary Education, Hampton University, Hampton VA, 1998 graduate | Dawn Duffins – elementary teacher |
| 1993 | Kymberli Wright | Business Administration, Coppin State University, Baltimore MD, 1997 graduate | Dianne Dusman – lawyer |
| 1992 | Leland Nelson | Accounting, Delaware State University, 1996 graduate | Joan Hellmann – certified public accountant |
Scholarship Recipients, 1973-1984
From 1973 to 1984 the LaGrone Scholarship was offered annually, in $100 to $300 one-time grants. Recipients included:
Benjamin Brown
Teri Lynn Brown
Owen Brown
Kevin Carter
Dorrie Lynn Corbin
Noelle Diaz
Sean Fuller Greg Garth
Angela Herrider
J. Michelle Hill
Julia Hoskins
Joyce Anne Mays
Majid Mirza
Mary Ann Rhoads
Adrian Robinson
E. Ramone Segree
Wendy Simpson
Nate Steger
Evellyn Thomas
Friday Udofia
Alpha Kappa
Londonderry School
Mid-Susquehanna Arts in Education
Paul Robeson Center
UCH Endowment Fund
United Negro College Fund
