SUNBURY – It was a full house Thursday night as Sunbury Rotary presented their Citizen of the Year award. WKOK Program Director Mark Lawrence became the 78th recipient of the award that has been given out since 1955. Speaking to the crowd he said, “I just would like to thank everyone that is here. I find it beyond belief that you all came to see me, and then the fact that this list has people on it that are the foundation of what Sunbury is all about.”
Lawrence, who was born and raised in Sunbury, attended Penn State University and worked in radio in Bloomsburg and Williamsport before coming to Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation. Lawrence has been in the radio business for 20 years.
He also is an authorized lay worship leader in the Upper Susquehanna Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America and leads services when requested at area churches. Lawrence has always been very active in the community. He is involved in Sunbury Revitalization Incorporated, and volunteers his time for numerous organizations and programs. In keeping with the theme of Rotary, Service Before Self, Lawrence says he is honored to be acknowledged as one of the doers in The Valley, “When you work in this Valley, you can help make a difference. Your work matters around here. Just looking across the room, I know the doers in town are here. That’s the mindset of WKOK, that is my mindset at the radio station and I know that it’s yours too.”
Sunbury Mayor David Persing proclaimed March 19, 2015 officially Mark Lawrence Day. Citations were also presented from State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108, Sunbury), and from a representative of U.S. Congressman Lou Barletta’s office. Family, friends, co-workers and local leaders all attended the Citizen of the Year banquet held at The Edison in Sunbury. (Sara Bartlett)