A former student leader with 40 years of industry experience and his philanthropist wife, along with a long-time food service employee, an administrator dedicated to international education, and a devoted financial aid administrator with 33 years of service will be honored for their outstanding contributions to West Virginia University.
The Division of Student Life will honor the recipients of the 2018 Hall of Fame and Outstanding Achievement Awards during an induction ceremony at 6 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 1) at the Art Museum of WVU.
Alan Zuccari and Lisa Zucarri, of McLean, Virginia, who have served the University for many years, will be presented with the Student Life Outstanding Achievement Award.
Lisa, a philanthropist focused on children with learning disabilities and education enrichment, serves on the Development Committee of Women of WVU’s Leadership Council, and has formerly served on the Division of Student Affairs Capital Campaign Committee.
Alan is a member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors, and has formerly served on the Mountaineer Athletic Club Advisory Board. As president and CEO of Hamilton Insurance Agency, he has devoted his career to the care of the elderly.
The Zuccari’s generous support to students, athletes and alumni association has helped establish many supportive funds that are essential to the student success. These include the Ken & Carolyn Gray Student Emergency Fund, the Tom Sloane International Travel Fund and the Memmo Zuccari scholarship fund.
In the fall of 2011, the couple established the Zuccari Alumni Wall on the grounds of the Erickson Alumni Center welcoming future generations of Mountaineers.
Lucille Cassino
Lucille Cassino began her career at WVU in 1985 as a part-time employee in the Mountainlair food services in 1985. From 1987 to 1989, Cassino simultaneously worked in Mountainlair catering; the former Rhododendron Room restaurant, Hatfields, in addition to making omelets for fans at Milan Puskar Stadium.
In 1989, Cassino transferred to the Mountainlair Hearthstone to serve as the manager. In 1990, she went on to manage JACS, Javas & Cream, Ooie Gooies and Scoops, and eventually helped consolidate the three entities to become a one-shop-stop in JACS.
Cassino and her husband, Bob, have been married for 57 years. They have two children, two grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.
Peter Li
A native of Hong Kong, Li came to the United States in 1974, and shortly after he arrived, he began his career as a case manager at the Migration and Refugee Services of the Catholic Charities of Louisville in Kentucky. From 1983-88, he worked as an international student coordinator at the University of Louisville before moving to Morgantown to assume his position at WVU as the assistant dean for International Students and Scholars. Li was eventually promoted to associate dean.
In 2006, Li returned to Hong Kong to serve in his current position as the director of International Office
Li has been a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators since 1983, and has served as a member and regional chair of NAFSA’s Diversity Committee at the national level.
Brenda Thompson
Thompson began her career at WVU in 1984, and has held several administrative positions in the Financial Aid Office. During her tenure in financial aid, she was a member of the team that designed and implemented the WVU Scholarship Program, and the first fully-automated financial aid system. Thompson also oversaw the school’s transition to direct lending, and served as a member of the oversight team for implementation of the Banner Student Information System.
In early 2001, she served as the interim assistant vice president for enrollment management, and in 2002, she was named the associate vice president for enrollment management. In 2015, she accepted the position of senior advisor for student aid strategies and was instrumental in the implementation of the Mountaineer Hub and the launch of a financial literacy program for students.
-WVU-
ta/9/28/18
CONTACT: Sonja Wilson, Hall of
Fame Event Coordinator
304.293.2702; Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu
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