Meet Our Staff
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Craig Lukatch
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Lukatch is a Hazleton native, currently residing in Moosic PA who has extensive experience in nonprofit administration and fundraising most recently working as the CEO of the Greater Pittston YMCA and the Director of Development at Wyoming Valley Children's Association, Forty Fort. He is a graduate of the University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Theology. Lukatch as served on various boards of nonprofits from the NEPA chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, to the Hazleton YMCA and the Community Services for Sight organization in Hazleton. Lukatch has successfully completed a $500,000 renovation of the Greater Pittston YMCA including renovated locker rooms and a new welcome center/lobby. Over his tenure he has raised over $2 million for capital projects. Lukatch is currently the Director of Music at Queen of Heaven Parish at Our Lady of Grace Church in Hazleton.
Sarah DeVaul Princiotta, PhD
Director of Research and Education
sarah.princiotta@lacawac.org
Sarah's Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Sarah DeVaul Princiotta is the Director of Research and Education at The Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station. Dr. Princiotta received her BS and PhD in biology from Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) where she studied aquatic microbial ecology. Her field work on the role of thermal stratification in shaping patterns of protistan dynamics and diversity took place in Lake Lacawac, an ideal venue to study ecological patterns in the absence of anthropogenic forces. Dr. Princiotta has also contributed to work in the effects of dissolved organic matter on lake ecosystems and physiological tolerance of different algal species. Dr. Princiotta received funding from the National Science Foundation to teach natural resource management and environmental science in a Philadelphia high school. Dr. Princiotta effectively brought science into the classroom by initiating a science fair program at W.B. Saul High School, where students went on to win awards at the regional and national level.
Jamie Reeger joins the Lacawac team with more than 20 years of Environmental Education experience. She has a Masters of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University in Cambridge MA as well as a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education and Environmental Science from East Stroudsburg Univeristy. Environmental education has never been a job for Jamie but a true passion in which to share her knowledge and wonder of being part of incredibly perfect planet. Prior to her position at Lacawac, Jamie worked at Lackawanna College Environmental Institute/Education Center as the director. She also served as the environmental educator at Monroe County Environmental Education Center and was the director of the Bear Creek Camp and Nature Center. She is excited to help build the programs at Lacawac and can see amazing potential with a wonderful team of dedicated professionals. Beyond environmental education Jamie enjoys spending time with her husband Larry, and two children, Leah (5) and Caden (3). Jamie is an avid gardener and tries to grow much of the family’s food for the year. Eating local whole foods is another way she believes she can affect positive change for Earth and her family. She also enjoys biking, skiing, camping, canoeing and anything outdoors.
Sarah Corcoran leapt onto the Lacawac stage this spring acting as the new day camp director while settling into her role as program coordinator and year round environmental educator. Prior to joining us she spent several years as an interpretive ranger at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and hopes to bring her knowledge of the local cultural and natural history to life. In her free time she enjoys buying and selling at local auctions with a specialty in vintage games and toys. Sarah received her B.S in Environmental Science from Juniata College in Central PA and is a lifelong Pennsylvania native.
Gene comes to Lacawac after a long teaching career as a Wallenpaupack High School Teacher. He recieved a Bachelors in Science in Biology from Penn State University. During his tenure teaching he received a Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for helping to develop the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Education Program at Wallenpaupack Area High School. Gene has also guided a group of students to display their alternative energy device to President Obama at the the White House Science Fair. Besides being a high school teacher, Gene has taught Environmental Education Programs at the Brookfield Lake Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center. His hobbies include fly tying and fly fishing for trout, traveling, hiking, and gardening.
Heidi Van Leuven is an NEPA-based artist and recent Lacawac artist-in-residence who draws much inspiration from nature, drollery, and the intertwining microcosms of life. After receiving her BFA in Painting with a Minor in Art History from Marywood University in 2005, she interned as a studio assistant with Brooklyn-based sculptor Dennis Oppenheim. She later attended Georgia Southern University and completed her MFA in Painting in 2009. Currently, Heidi teaches painting classes while working on a variety of art, antiquing, and music projects in the Scranton area.
