As one of the newest traditions added to Homecoming, the Humanitarian Awards paid tribute to two well deserving persons: Juanita Condon ’71-’76m, ’95m and Bolivar Leon ’78.

The Humanitarian Award recipients are seen here with Dr. Edwin Herr, alumni board president, and President Ruud. From left: Janis Condon, Anne Condon Teyssier, Juanita Condon’s sisters who accepted the award on her behalf, Dr. Herr, President Ruud, and Bolivar Leon ’78.

As an equal employment specialist at Letterkenny Army Depot, Bolivar serves as a counselor, mediator, facilitator, and trainer. Many of his volunteer activities are based with his alma mater and include an active role on the ACT 101 Advisory Board and membership on the President’s Commission on Human Understanding. He is a presenter for the Men of Culture workshop, a Feed-A-Friend volunteer, and a past member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. In addition to his Shippensburg volunteer services, Bolivar is an active volunteer in the community. He sits on the board of directors for Building Pride in Chambersburg and the Chambersburg Hispanic Center. He is a member of the National Hispanic Employment Program, the Central PA Regional Equal Employment Office, Chambersburg NAACP, the Franklin County Fire Police Association, the Chambersburg Community Improvement Association, the Image of Pennsylvania, and activities with Habitat for Humanity and the Cub Scouts. He is a member of volunteer fire police and is a youth football coach. He is the director of education for the central district Prince Hall Masons.

Juanita was a familiar face on campus as she tirelessly worked to ensure the success of her students. She was a counselor with the ACT 101 program (now the Academic Success Program) and coordinator of tutoring for the Learning Center. Between these two roles, Juanita was a resource and support for students. One of her trademarks was being available to students when they needed her, often translating into long and late hours. It was not unusual for her to spring for pizza after a late-night tutoring session. Juanita also served for many years as the chair of the Black Heritage Committee and was instrumental in bringing a number of keynote speakers to campus. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Ship in 1971, Juanita went on to earn masters’ degrees in English and counseling to be better at her job. Unfortunately Juanita passed away in September 2004 at the age of 56. In her honor, the Juanita C. Condon Memorial Scholarship Fund* was established to benefit financially-needy students in the Academic Success Program. Accepting the award on her behalf were her sisters, Janis Condon and Anne (Condon) Teyssier.

The Humanitarian Award is one of the newest established by the Alumni Association to honor recipients for their impact on and commitment to diversity and growth of human understanding in addition to cultural experiences of students. This year’s honorees exemplify this both on and off campus.

* If interested in making a contribution, please contact the SU Foundation at 717-477-1377.