Alumnae/i Hall of Fame & Onyx and Gold Walkway Dedication
The Cedar Crest College Alumnae/i Hall of Fame, established in 2019 by President Elizabeth Meade, is committed to recognizing alumnae/i who have made a difference for Cedar Crest College and have excelled in their personal and professional lives.
This year’s inductees have exemplary accomplishments in either career achievements, personal honors, awards, accomplishments or publications, leadership service to the community on a local, national, or global level, or personal achievement or accomplishment, and have demonstrated past or present service to Cedar Crest College.
The Onyx & Gold Society, established in 2017, honors donors whose lifetime giving exceeds $150,000 in cash gifts. Their generosity is commemorated with a dedicated paver on the Onyx & Gold Walkway—a lasting tribute to their commitment and support of Cedar Crest.
Honorees 2025
JoAnn Wilchek Basist ’77
JoAnn Wilchek Basist ’77 is an accomplished educator, director, performer, and arts advocate inspiring Lehigh Valley students. A Cedar Crest graduate with Acting and Education degrees, she earned her master’s from Kutztown University. As a CCC adjunct professor, JoAnn teaches public speaking and directs productions. She established local Arts Academy curricula and serves as Civic Theatre board member, administering their Theatre School. Her honors include Allentown Arts Ovation Awards and Cedar Crest’s Adjunct Teaching Award.
Dr. Ann D. Bieber ’86
Dr. Ann D. Bieber, LCCC’s fifth president since 2014, brings over four decades of experience from various college positions since 1981. Her visionary leadership serves over 13,000 students annually and secured Amazon’s selection of LCCC as a rare advanced manufacturing training provider. Recently appointed by Governor Shapiro to Pennsylvania’s State Board of Higher Education, she advocates for community colleges while serving on local boards and holding degrees from Cedar Crest, Kutztown, and Capella Universities.
Virginia Pityo Mihalik ’77
Virginia “Ginny” Pityo Mihalik ’77 earned her BA in Art and Elementary Education from Cedar Crest College and M.Ed. in Counseling from Kutztown University. Her 43-year higher education career began at Cedar Crest in student services, followed by 33 years as transfer counselor at Lehigh Carbon Community College, retiring as Professor Emerita. An active Cedar Crest alumna, she served on the Board of Trustees and Alumnae Association Executive Board. The Virginia P. Mihalik ’77 College Prize honors her dedication.
Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz ’01
Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Ortiz is a distinguished educator, entrepreneur, and media literacy advocate. A 2001 Cedar Crest magna cum laude graduate, she earned advanced degrees from Syracuse, Cabrini, and Lehigh Universities. Liz served nearly two decades as Cedar Crest Communication faculty, teaching media literacy and directing the First-Year Experience program. She co-owns Cactus Blue Mexican Restaurant, serves on multiple boards, and researches how Black, Latina, and multi-ethnic girls navigate media representations through storytelling.
Dr. Helen Streubert Scotch ’81
Dr. Helen J. Streubert Scotch graduated from Cedar Crest’s PORTAL nursing program in 1981, earning advanced degrees from Villanova and Columbia University. She taught at Northampton Community College and Cedar Crest before leading nursing departments at Misericordia University and serving as president of Saint Elizabeth University, where the Nursing Department was named in her honor. She has authored numerous publications, received professional honors, and currently serves on Cedar Crest’s Board of Trustees.
Past Recipients
