ONEONTA, N.Y. – Senior defender Regan Kelly of the Hartwick Women's Lacrosse team has been named the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division III Individual Community Awareness Award recipient, adding another prestigious honor to cap an outstanding collegiate career.
The IWLCA Community Awareness Award recognizes student-athletes and teams that have made a significant impact in their communities during the academic year. Honorees are recognized for dedicating their time and energy to strengthening the connection between athletics and the community while distinguishing themselves through exceptional service.
Kelly's latest accolade comes just months after becoming the first student-athlete in Hartwick history to earn a spot on the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team. The prestigious honor recognizes student-athletes from NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as NAIA and junior and community colleges, for their outstanding commitment to community service. Kelly was one of just 20 student-athletes nationwide selected across the fall, winter and spring seasons for exemplifying excellence in athletics, academics and community engagement.
She also becomes the first Hartwick student-athlete to receive the IWLCA Division III Individual Community Awareness Award, recognizing her unwavering commitment to using the game of lacrosse as a platform to make a meaningful difference beyond the field.
A senior captain for the Hawks, Kelly's journey has been defined by perseverance, compassion and a desire to give back. After walking on to the program and earning a starting role, she continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience while navigating a lupus diagnosis during the fall of 2025.
Kelly played a pivotal role in organizing a National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) "Get in the Game" swab drive on Hartwick's campus, helping add 64 individuals to the bone marrow and stem cell registry. That effort ultimately resulted in a life-saving donor match.
The impact became especially personal when Kelly's boyfriend, Joe Holder, was identified as the match and called upon to donate stem cells in February. Kelly traveled to Florida to support him throughout the donation process, which concluded with Holder receiving a heartfelt letter from the recipient's family, a 27-year-old woman who thanked him for giving her a second chance at life.
"It is hard to sum up into words how much I am in awe of Regan's leadership," said Head Coach Nora Fallon-Oben. "Regan went above and beyond to make the NMDP event happen on our campus, and it is truly a full-circle moment for her and her family. Incredibly, as a result of her leadership, our team's work and Joe's selflessness, we were ultimately able to give someone a second chance at life. This award is an honor and a reflection of Regan's dedication and commitment to being part of something larger than herself, and the integrity she brings every day to our program and college. Thank you to the IWLCA and the Awards Committee for this incredible honor."
Kelly's passion for cancer advocacy and community service is deeply rooted in her family's journey.
When she was nine years old, her father was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a form of blood cancer linked to his service as a New York City firefighter at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11 attacks. He underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant in 2013 after receiving a donation from his sister.
Inspired by her father's journey, Kelly has dedicated herself to giving back to the organization that helped save his life. Her leadership in organizing Hartwick's campus registry drive created a powerful full-circle moment for both her family and the Hartwick community, demonstrating the lasting, life-changing impact one act of selfless service can have.
Kelly's story, in her own words:
"When I was 9 years old, my dad was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood cancer caused by his work as a New York City fireman at Ground Zero on 9/11. He needed a bone marrow transplant, and NMDP, previously Be The Match, worked with local organizations and my family to find a donor. In 2013, he received a transplant from his sister, Noreen, which saved his life and changed our family forever. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with NMDP and the Hartwick community to give back to an organization that gave so much to my family."
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
