Newton R. Disney Service Award

It’s not a surprise that Lori McDermott, an 18-year member of the CFS staff as Director of Alumni and Community Engagement - has been named the 2025 Newt Disney Award recipient. Her commitment to service – not just to CFS, but to many other local organizations – has not gone unnoticed. 

Lori is hardworking, empathetic and dependable. It’s likely why she’s been asked to serve on so many different committees at Church Farm School during her 18-year-tenure. Most recently, she was one of two faculty members invited to participate in the recent Head of School search. She spent many hours attending and hosting meetings, fielding phone calls, culling through survey data and considering viewpoints.

Annually, she serves on the Family Weekend, Pageant and Commencement committees, while also maintaining a busy schedule of Advancement events, alumni meetings, township meetings (she is Chair of West Whiteland Township’s Friends of the Park), student ambassador meetings and church meetings (she has served as a Deacon moderator, Elder, member-at-large and chair of the Nominating Committee for First Presbyterian Church). In all of her interactions – whether on the clock or off of it – she makes sure to let people know about Church Farm School, and how they might get their organizations involved with our unique mission.   

She is an ambassador for CFS not because it’s her job, but because it is her vocation. Lori says, “I just want to pay it forward. My time was not my own when raising my children and I appreciated the support and available activities others helped to provide. This is my small way of giving back. I want to contribute where I can and to leave this world in a better place.”  Congratulations to Lori, who will be honored during our Alumni Dinner on Saturday, May 10!