Shane A. Hansen ’18 and Sara Weidner Hansen ’18 have a shared connection to Moravian University—it began as students and has grown into a generous commitment to giving back. Through alumni leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy, the couple continues to invest in the community that helped shape their lives.
For Shane, serving on the Alumni Board is an opportunity to help others navigate the path beyond graduation. As a first-generation student, he felt “a great sense of responsibility (as most first gens do) to be the first to trailblaze an unknown path while offering a hand for others to help navigate and balance the challenges that come with it.”
He also wanted to ensure STEM alumni had a voice in shaping the university’s alumni community. “At the time, there had not been a representative from STEM in helping with decision making and guidance on the academic diversity of the school,” Shane says. Since joining the Board, he has helped broaden that perspective by welcoming new STEM representatives from younger generations of alumni.
Both Shane and Sara remain closely connected to current students through the Laurie Riley ’82 Center for Career Success, particularly through attending networking events and mentoring. For Sara, volunteering provides an opportunity to remain part of the campus community she loves and help foster the same positive experience for current and future students.
“I had such an enjoyable and memorable college experience, and I believe that kind of connection and sense of community is worth preserving for future students,” she says. “Moravian taught me to believe in myself and trust my abilities. I want current students to have the same opportunities to find their people, discover their hidden strengths, and leave Moravian feeling empowered and confident in who they're becoming. Being able to help contribute to that experience for the next generation of students is incredibly meaningful to me.”
Their commitment is rooted in a shared belief that no one succeeds alone. Shane says, “I have always loved mentoring and creating genuine connections with others to know that they are not alone, especially with the spirit of Moravian being that, ‘when one hound calls, the rest come running.’”
Moravian is also where their relationship—and many lifelong friendships—began. “My college experience and the Moravian community gave me something I never had throughout grade school—a place of belonging,” Sara says. “I met Shane, my husband, and my closest friends at Moravian.”
For Shane, Moravian was equally transformative. “Moravian was more than a school to me, it was home and it's where I knew I belonged.”
Today, their generosity extends beyond their time as volunteers. Sara continues to support the Moravian Writers Conference and marching band, two experiences that hold special meaning for the couple. Shane gives to the physics department in honor of Dr. Edward Roeder and supports the Moravian Scholarship Fund to help provide future students with the opportunities that made his own education possible.
Together, Shane and Sara embody the enduring power of the Moravian community, returning to the place that gave them a sense of belonging and helping ensure the next generation finds the same support, confidence, and connection.
