February 04, 2008 08:52 am
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WILLIAMSPORT — Lycoming College graduate Ron Knoebel, co-owner of Knoebels Amusement Resort near Elysburg, will speak at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Barclay Lecture Hall at the Heim Building.
His presentation, “Fun, Food and Fantasy: Knoebels Ticket to Success,” is part of the James W. Harding Executive Speakers Series, sponsored by the college’s Institute for Management Studies.
Knoebels, America’s largest, free-admission amusement park, has been owned and operated by the Knoebel family since 1926. The park celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2001. It features two world-class roller coasters, nearly 50 other rides and award-winning food.
The 2007 Golden Ticket Awards, presented by Amusement Today, has Knoebels ranked in the top three internationally in the following categories: best park, best food, best dark ride and friendliest park. The Phoenix is ranked third among the top 50 wooden roller coasters in the world.
Mr. Knoebel is a 1965 graduate of Lycoming, where he majored in sociology. He became Lycoming’s first NCAA wrestling champion, winning the 137-pound national title in 1965. He also was the Middle Atlantic Conference 137-pound champion in 1964 and 1965. In 1986, he was inducted into the Lycoming College Sports Hall of Fame.
The James W. Harding Executive Speakers Series is named for James W. Harding, a 1938 graduate of the college and Montoursville native. Mr. Harding was an executive with Kemper Insurance.
Lycoming College was awarded a grant from the James S. Kemper Foundation in Long Grove, Ill., to endow the speaker series.
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Photos
Ron Knoebel