Gettysburgians are always striving to do great work, both on campus and through their ambitious personal and professional endeavors out in the world. This spring, 10 Gettysburg College alumni were recognized for their remarkable achievements.
The Alumni Association presented Susan Garrison ’74, Melissa Zook ’94, Lynn Purnell Leibig ’76, and Dann Leibig ’76 (posthumously) with Distinguished Alumni Awards at Spring Honors Day.
Susan Garrison ’74 founded Garrison Law in 1986. Since that time, she has built a prominent career as the firm’s leading attorney, specializing in tax-exempt organizations, estate and trusts, power of attorney, and taxes.
In addition to her work as an attorney, Garrison has dedicated much of her life to nonprofit organizations that support women. Currently, she serves as the board president for The Center Foundation, an organization that empowers women in transition, teen parents, and at-risk teen girls through mentoring, education, and support.
Garrison has also served in various roles for the Friends of the Delaware County’s Women Commission—another nonprofit and nonpartisan membership organization that supports local women and girls in their effort to achieve their fullest potential.
Melissa Zook ’94 has spent the entirety of her renowned career working in medicine. She currently serves as a family physician at London’s Women Care in London, Kentucky, which is a full time outpatient practice specializing in addiction medicine, mental health, HIV, hepatitis, chronic disease management, and pediatrics.
Zook is triple-board certified in family medicine, HIV medicine, and addiction medicine—notably, the only physician in Kentucky with this combination of knowledge. She has treated over a thousand patients with substance use disorders and remains the single largest provider of HIV care in Southeast Kentucky.
In addition to her work directly with patients, Zook also serves on the community faculty of the University of Kentucky and has been published extensively within family, women’s, and medical journals.
Lynn Purnell Leibig ’76 dedicated 29 years of her career to the CIA, where she served in various positions with a specialty in counterintelligence and resolving complex issues in a challenging global environment. At times with the CIA, she held postings overseas in high-threat and warzone areas, and these international assignments prompted her to study five different languages.
Leibig’s exceptional work has been recognized by the CIA through numerous awards, most notably the Merit Citation in Counterintelligence, the Career Commendation Medal, and the Office of Excellence in Leadership.
A dedicated community servant, Leibig also volunteers for organizations such as Boxing for Parkinson’s Disease, Habitat for Humanity, Oysters for the Bay, and Special Riders—a therapeutic horse riding center for those with disabilities. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Talbot Historical Society in Easton, Maryland.
Dann Leibig ’76 served in several positions within the CIA throughout the course of his illustrious 22-year career. Well-versed in numerous foreign environments and intelligence-related disciplines, he was recognized broadly for his superb ability to identify challenges and work effectively with a team to surmount them.
In honor of his stellar leadership and mentorship within the agency, Leibig was awarded the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal in 2011. After retirement, he gave back to the CIA by mentoring junior officers and helping to rebuild liaison programs and services overseas.
Even after graduation from Gettysburg College, Leibig remained closely affiliated with the institution through his service as a member of Reunion Committees for the Class of 1976, including a stint as co-chair. Additionally, he was a guest lecturer for the Eisenhower Institute and various classes in political science.
Meritorious Service and Young Alumni Awards
Over Reunion Weekend, David Curtiss ’04, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, and Lauren Elezko McNally ’04, Vice President of Human Resources at Comcast Spectacor, earned Young Alumni Achievement Awards for Career Development. Elizabeth Bartlett ’04 and Edmund Hardy ’09 received Young Alumni Achievement Awards for Service. Meritorious Service Awards were presented to Jesse Diner ’69 and Lynn Holuba ’79, P’08.
Do you know someone who is deserving of an Alumni Association Award? Nominate a Gettysburgian today!
By Marisa Balanda ’20
Photos by Jason Minick
Posted: 06/10/19
