Dr. Alan T. Vandrew '76
Loyalty to Mechanicsburg High School
Alan Vandrew, son of George and Ruth Vandrew, grew up in Mechanicsburg. He attended Broad Street and Simpson Street Elementary Schools, Junior High School on Elmwood Avenue and the current Senior High School. In many ways he was like so many other young men who came through the halls of Mechanicsburg High School. He participated on the swimming and diving team, worked as a lifeguard in the summer and attended Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church. However, upon graduating from high school in 1976, his journey began to transform him into someone special who was dedicated to not only Mechanicsburg High School but organizations that supported the school district as well as the local community.
Alan attended Shippensburg State College (later to become Shippensburg University). There he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1980. Upon graduation he attended Penn State where he earned a master’s degree in public administration. And being a lifelong learner who pursued educational opportunities, he later attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Doctoral Degree in Education Administration and Leadership Studies.
Dr. Vandrew began employment in the Mechanicsburg Area School District in 1988. His first job with them was Assistant Business Manager and School Board Secretary. Dr. Vandrew was promoted in 1993 to Business Administrator. He served in this capacity until 2005. That year he was named Assistant Superintendent and Chief Fiscal Officer of the District. Throughout his career at Mechanicsburg, Dr. Vandrew demonstrated his leadership abilities through many years of financial stability for the District and effective long-range planning. Examples of his business acumen and leadership included successfully managing many construction projects in the District. These projects ensured that buildings were effectively and properly maintained, while also providing continued support for the academic needs of District programs. In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Dr. Vandrew helped to lead a renovation of the High School and construction of a new Middle School. Since then, he also provided leadership for $180 million worth of construction projects which supported a growing enrollment and addressed the needs for building upgrades. In 2016, in recognition of this leadership in finance and support operations, Dr. Vandrew was awarded the prestigious Gary Reeser Memorial Award as an outstanding School Business Official. This award is presented to only one school business official per year by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials. Greg Longwell, friend and colleague of Dr. Vandrew, said “at the time of his retirement in 2018, Dr. Vandrew was one of the most tenured business officials in both the region and Pennsylvania.”
In addition to school activities, Dr. Vandrew’s influence and leadership impacted other organizations associated with the school district. In his role as Assistant Superintendent/CFO, he served on the Wildcat Foundation Board. He also assisted the District’s Booster Clubs, Parent Teacher Organization and Operation Wildcat, separate non-profit organizations. He served as a member of the Mechanicsburg Area High School Alumni Association for over 25 years and several years as President. As President he oversaw the awarding of academic scholarships to deserving seniors of Mechanicsburg High School who planned to attend either college or a trade school. One of the scholarships was presented to a senior football player, a lineman, worth $1,200. Academic scholarships ranged from $4,000 - $6,500 per student. He also presided over the induction of numerous alumni into the Mechanicsburg Area High School Hall of Fame, and presided at the annual dinner meetings in June, and much more.
Dr. Vandrew’s leadership also extendedbeyond the school district. As a lifelong learner, he promoted education for others. He worked as an educator and professor serving in roles at Penn State University, Wilkes University, and Shippensburg University. While in these roles, he worked to develop school administrators, including those who were pursuing a career as future principals and superintendents. He also served on the Mechanicsburg Area Community Foundation, an organization committed to fundraising and grant-making for the benefit of Mechanicsburg area residents. In addition, he served on the Simpson Public Library Board of Trustees and recently assisted the Library in their capital campaign to add facilities in support of library programs. Other examples of his service to Mechanicsburg include past president of the Rotary Club, service as an elder of the Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church and currently he serves on the Mechanicsburg Cemetery Board.
Because Dr. Vandrew spent his life serving with distinction, promoting the Mechanicsburg Area School District, and surrounding Mechanicsburg community, the Alumni Association voted to induct Dr. Alan Vandrew into the Hall of Fame for his Loyalty to Mechanicsburg High School. He was nominated by Greg Longwell, Assistant Superintendent/CFO, Mechanicsburg Area School District, Class of 2003.
Dr. Vandrew continues to live in Mechanicsburg with his wife Karen. They have four children and one grandchild.
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