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Alumni of the Year is presented yearly to alumni who recently have made a significant contribution through service in their community, profession, family or church. Recipients are selected from nominations made by LM alumni, Alumni Association, faculty, board of directors and other friends of LM. Recipient of the 2024-25 LM Alumnus of the Year Award in memoriam is FRANK ALBRECHT ’76.
Frank Albrecht '76
“Frank was a wonderful person, not perfect, but he did everything out of a desire to follow Jesus and to live out Kingdom values.” These beautiful words were spoken by Frank’s wife, Elizabeth Soto, as she remembered him five months after his death. And they capture perfectly why Frank was nominated and selected to be one of Lancaster Mennonite’s Alumni of the Year.
Known by many as Brother Frank, Frank was a lifelong educator, community leader, and servant of Jesus. After serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Colombia, he spent much of his life working with young people. He established and implemented mediation programs for schools throughout Lancaster County, helping students to learn and practice peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and reconciliation.
Frank was also known for his acts of kindness in his neighborhood, church, and family. In June of 2023, Frank was diagnosed with ALS and he passed away in August of 2024.
We are so grateful for the impact Frank made in so many of our lives, and for the ongoing impact he has left on his students and the broader Lancaster community. He is being honored as an Alumnus of the Year in memoriam because he embodied the LM core values of Seeking Jesus Wholeheartedly, Building Bridges of Peace, and Living Compassionately.
It was a gift for Dr. Michael Badriaki, LM Superintendent to have the opportunity to present Frank with a framed painting of Lancaster Mennonite’s Iron Bridge during Frank’s retirement party, in recognition of the significant impact he has made on the world.
Frank was featured in the article “Peacebuilding in Schools and Communities Locally and Globally” in our 2023 Fall edition of BRIDGES. To view the article and more of Frank’s bio, please click the button below.
Join Us to Honor & Celebrate
This year, our Alumni of the Year presentation will be held during our World Changers Gala to honor the life of Frank Albrecht and to recognize Jared Nissley, the other alumni of the year. Come celebrate LM and show your support for our young world changers. To learn more about the event and register for the Gala click the link below.
