Cresson, Pa. - The Mount Aloysius College Alumni Association recently honored Hollidaysburg, Pa.  couple, Michael W. and Astride S. McLanahan, naming them Honorary Alumni of the College. Michael McLanahan, a member of the board of trustees of Mount Aloysius College serves as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the McLanahan Corporation of Hollidaysburg. The McLanahan Corporation is a 177 year-old foundry business, recognized as the oldest family-owned foundry in the country. It is also the 49th oldest family-owned business in the United States. 

Mount Aloysius College President Tom Foley applauded the choice of Michael and Astride McLanahan as the recipients of the 2012 Honorary Alumni Award. “Michael and Astride McLanahan are literally the “better angels” to whom we all aspire,” he said. “They give of themselves and respond so positively whenever they can lift someone up, or leave something or someone better for their intervention. This warm and generous couple can often be found in the stands at Mount Aloysius home games,” he added. “I think they have discovered qualities at this College which engender their personal affection and a generosity of spirit within them.” Speaking to the high regard with which the couple is held at MAC, President Foley added, “Their goodwill for Mount Aloysius College lifts all of us higher. We are blessed because they are a part of us,” he said.

Recently Michael and Astride McLanahan were instrumental in the completion of the Mountie Stables, completing the ball field complex near the western edge of the 193-acre Mount Aloysius campus. Standing proud in front of the MAC Athletic and Wellness Building is “Victory” – a nearly half-ton bronze stallion which serves as the proud mascot of the school. “Victory” was a gift of the McLanahan family last fall.    

Michael McLanahan has been a member of the Mount Aloysius family for over two decades.  He is a graduate of Carlton College in Northfield, MN.  In 2010, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Blair County Chamber and remains highly visible in the region as an active business and civic leader.

Mrs. Astride S. McLanahan has been a loyal supporter of and advocate for Mount Aloysius College since the administration of MAC former President Ed Pierce. Astride McLanahan serves as vice president of Allegheny Ridge Corp. She is a board member of the American Red Cross Southern Allegheny’s Chapter. As a volunteer and civic activist, Mrs. McLanahan was instrumental in getting the borough of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania designated as a historic district on the US National Register.

In 2010 Mrs. McLanahan received the Altoid Award from The Allegheny Mountain’s Convention in Visitor’s Bureau for her work in promoting the region’s tourism industry. She remains a tireless and esteemed advocate of Mount Aloysius College.

The Mount Aloysius College Alumni Executive Board Officers include: Dawn Mitchell Berezansky, ’06, President of Johnstown, Pa; Marina Morey-Sell, ’87, Vice- President of Nanty Glo, Pa; Tiffany Wetzel-Sturtz, ’09, Treasurer of Windber, Pa; Camette Hoberney Standley, ’11, Secretary of Johnstown, Pa; and Patricia M. Gildea, ’47, Parliamentarian of Hollidaysburg, Pa.

The Executive Board members are: Nicole Altiero, ’11 of Altoona, Pa; A.J. Bender, ’07 of Ebensburg, Pa.; Helen Boyko, ’68 also of Ebensburg, Pa; Judy Jandora Burke, ’61A, ’63 of Hollidaysburg, Pa; Jacob Claar, ’11 of Duncansville, Pa.; Jamie Koshak, ’11 of Lilly, Pa; Debora Scardamaglia Kruise, ’81 of Madera, Pa.; Charles Mastervich, ’11 of Johnstown, Pa.; Robert McGowan, ’88 & ’05 of Elmora, Pa.; Steven McMullen, ’94 & ’11 of Ashville, Pa.; Richard Mishler, ’06 of Johnstown, Pa.; Kim Ryan, ’95 of Altoona, Pa. and Debera King Taylor, ’88 of Winchester, VA.

CAPTION: Standing, from left, are MAC Alumni Association honorees Mrs.  Astride McLanahan, Mr. MichaelMcLanahan with Mrs. Michele Foley and Mount Aloysius President Tom Foley.