Manheim Township Names 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

The Manheim Township Alumni Association is proud to announce the names of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award winners.  Since 1997, Manheim Township has bestowed the Distinguished Alumni Award on graduates who have achieved noteworthy and outstanding accomplishments in their chosen fields, have served their communities, and will serve as role models for students in the Manheim Township School District. 

The following alumni were selected for the 2015 award:  Ryan Dammerman, MD, PhD, class of 1992; William V. "Pete" Dorwart, Jr. PhD, class of 1959; and Ryan Sheely, PhD, class of 2000.  The winners were presented with their awards on June 3, 2015.  Prior to the presentation, they each had an opportunity to address the 2015 graduating class during commencement rehearsal.  Congratulations to this years award recipients! 

Pictured in Photo:  Dr. Ryan Sheely, Dr. William Dorwart, Jr. (seated) and Dr. Ryan Dammerman

Ryan Dammerman, MD, PhD is being recognized for his professional and personal contributions to the medical community.  Ryan graduated as Valedictorian from Manheim Township High School in 1992.  At MTHS, he was a member of the Quiz Bowl, volleyball, and chess teams.  In 1995 Ryan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s Honors College and began medical school at Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons from which he received both MD and PhD degrees.

Dr. Dammerman is a board-certified family medicine physician. He practiced as a hospitalist prior to joining the pharmaceutical industry full time in 2008.  He has worked in pharmaceutical and medical device companies in both medical affairs and clinical development roles. Currently he is the Senior Director of Clinical Development at Trevena, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company based in King of Prussia, PA.  In his current role Ryan is responsible for designing and conducting phase I-III clinical trials.  He has co-authored 11 peer-reviewed scientific publications and numerous abstracts and poster presentations.

Ryan lives in West Chester, Pa with Jenny, his wife of 13 years, and their 2 year old daughter Lucy.  Together they enjoy traveling, dining locally, and spending time with extended family and friends.

William V. "Pete" Dorwart, Jr. PhD graduated from Manheim Township in 1959.  In addition to his volunteer work, Dorwart is being recognized for his career accomplishments as both a chemist and musician.  During high school, Dorwart was a member of the biology and science clubs as well as the National Honor Society.  He played the cello in the orchestra and participated on the track and basketball teams.  Dorwart continued his basketball career at Haverford College and still holds the school’s single-game rebounding record.  In 1963, he graduated with a BA in Biology and despite being recruited by several NBA teams, he decided to further his education.  Dorwart went on to earn a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.  From 1969-1977, he served as a Postdoctoral Fellow and faculty member at the university.  Following his years at the University of Pennsylvania, he was the Chief of Clinical Chemistry at Bryn Mawr Hospital for 17 years.  Throughout his career, Dorwart made numerous scientific contributions and publications.

In 1994, he retired and went back to his love of music and founded WVD Press where he serves as a creator and publisher of new editions of public domain operas and operettas.  His editions have been used by amateur and professional companies all over the world including the Metropolitan Opera.  In addition, Dorwart volunteers for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and previously served as a board member of the Bala Cynwyd Public Library.  A master woodworker, he made nearly all of his own furniture and donated numerous pieces to a variety of organizations. 

Ryan Sheely, Phd, class of 2000, is being recognized for his professional accomplishment and public service.  Ryan currently serves as Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.  In addition, he is the Co-Founder and Research Director of the SAFI Project, a nonprofit organization that coordinates waste management and recycling activities in northern Kenya.  From 2011-13, Ryan worked with UNICEF serving as an advisor and researcher for the Child Protection Knowledge and Information Network Project.  He also spent a year as a consultant with World Bank Development Impact Evaluation Initiative. 

After graduating from Manheim Township High School as Class Salutatorian, Ryan attended Yale University where he graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Ethics, Politics, and Economics.  During his undergraduate years, he was involved in Student Government and the Yale Precision Marching Band.  Ryan continued his education at Yale and received a PhD in Political Science.  In 2009, at the age of 26, Ryan became an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.  He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2014.  During his years at Manheim Township High School, Ryan participated in the Marching Band and served as the Drumline Section Leader for two years.  A member of the Quiz Bowl Team, he was Team Captain when they won the 2000 National Championship.  Ryan also shared his talents by serving as the Head Writer for the MT Follies Talent Show.  Still interested in the Performing Arts, Ryan currently runs a weekly podcast on music and pop culture and performs at a nonprofit comedy theater in Boston.