Elizabethtown College recently announced the 2025-26 recipients of the fourth annual David C. Beidleman Exemplar Staff Award at the institution’s Employee Milestone Celebration. Luann Smith, Manager of Environmental Services, and Andy Williams, Director of Student Media, were selected as recipients of this year’s award.
This year, 38 Etown employees were nominated by the campus community, with a total of 83 nominations being submitted for the award.
The award was established in 2022 by former Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Elizabethtown College, David Beidleman, who created the honor to recognize staff members for their selflessness and service to others for the benefit of Elizabethtown College and/or the greater community.
Both recipients of the David C. Beidleman Exemplar Staff Award receive a $1,000 prize for their extraordinary contributions to the campus community.
Luann Smith, Manager of Environmental Services
Smith joined Etown in 2016 and currently oversees the Environmental Services Team, as well as outside cleaning contractors. Nominators credit Smith as a dedicated employee who goes above and beyond to ensure that facilities on campus are clean and ready for use by students, employees, families, and visitors.
“Luann’s nominators spoke passionately about her unwavering dedication to both our campus community and the broader Elizabethtown area,” Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider said. “Her commitment to maintaining welcoming, well-cared-for facilities for our community and guests, along with her compassion and volunteer work within the community, reflects an exceptional spirit of service and exemplifies the essence of this award.”
Outside of work, Luann supports local animal rescue efforts and volunteers with community rescue groups.
Andy Williams, Director of Student Media
As Director of Student Media, Williams provides hands-on mentorship for Etown’s student-run television (ECTV) and radio station (WWEC), and is responsible for the vast inventory of technology within the Department of Communications.
Notably, Williams volunteers significant time as the dad of Truman, Etown’s beloved therapy doodle. For more than a decade, the duo has served as mainstays at campus events and has accompanied the journey of thousands of Etown students from their Open House visits to Commencement Day. Along with his wife, Ann, the Williams’ have also performed hundreds of community visits through Truman’s membership in Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS) and his role on the National Crisis Response Canine team.
“Nominators made it clear that Andy, often alongside Truman, embodies the warmth, enthusiasm, and spirit of generosity that define the very best of Elizabethtown College,” Rider said. “His leadership, kindness, and unwavering presence make him an invaluable member of our community and a deserving recipient of this honor.”
Williams also frequently collaborates with students and employees on projects, both inside and outside of the classroom. This includes often lending his support to the Office of Marketing and Communications to help raise the profile of the College by providing high-quality photos and video footage that is often captured while teaching students how to use state-of-the-art equipment.