Widener Magazine Fall 2023 Class Notes

CLASS. NOTES. Fall 2023

CHESTER CAMPUS CLASS NOTES (April–October 2023)

CONTENTS Chester Campus ................................................ 2 Alumni Spotlight .............................................. 10 Delaware Law ................................................... 12 Commonwealth Law ........................................ 14

CLASS OF 1957 William Gordon ’57 and Barbara Ford Gordon celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on August 11, 2023. They had a memorable dinner party with their children, David Gordon, Glenn and Dawn Gordon, Karin Hritz, and Gail and Ed Fleischer.

Along with their six grandchildren, their spouses, and other close family, they shared hours of love and wonderful memories.

CLASS OF 1966 David Irons ’66 participated in the National Senior Olympics in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in July 2023. Irons, who participated in cross country and swimming at PMC and eventually became co-captain of both teams, has remained involved in athletics.

During his training for the National Senior Olympics, he pulled a hamstring yet still managed to earn a silver medal in the race in his age division.

Pictured left to right: Dave’s wife Nancy Irons, Dave Irons ’66, and Bill Symolon ’66 (USMR, Ret.)

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CLASS OF 1968 Col. William T. (Tom) Vossler ’68 was recognized for his many achievements with inductions into two prestigious societies: the Army ROTC Hall of Fame and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Society.

The Army ROTC Hall of Fame provides a tangible means of honoring Army ROTC alumni who have made a lasting, significant contribution to the nation, the Army, and the history and traditions of the ROTC program.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Society is dedicated to promoting the legacy of the leadership of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the five-star General of the Army during World War II, who later became the 34th president of the United States. Both induction ceremonies cited Colonel Vossler’s service as a combat veteran in the Vietnam War and his 30 years of active duty in the U.S. Army. Vossler was also recognized for his post-retirement work, which includes co-authoring four books on the American Civil War, leading education programs on the Second World War and Vietnam War on behalf of the Army Heritage Center Foundation, and teaching leadership and training on the Gettysburg Battlefield to more than 300 ROTC cadets each year from major universities, including Widener’s own Dauntless Battalion.

CLASS OF 1969 Eric Eugene Shore ’69, DO, JD, MBA, received the Premiere Award of Recognition from The American College of Legal Medicine, an international organization whose fellows all hold dual degrees in medicine and law. At its annual conference in Orlando, Florida, Shore was recognized with the award for his 50 years of service to the medical and legal communities. This includes 30 years of clinical medicine followed by 20 years of additional service in the fields of medicine and healthcare law. Shore earned a degree in biology from Pennsylvania Military College.

CHESTER CAMPUS CLASS NOTES CLASS OF 1972 William Speer ’72, William J. Troy ’72, and James H. VanSciver ’72, EdD, edited Beneath the Dome: Pennsylvania Military College, 1954 to 1973, a series of stories and vignettes about life at PMC, submitted by 54 PMC alumni authors.

The book covers a variety of topics including academics and faculty members, athletics, ROTC, fraternities, and romance. The work also features stories about The Mounted Troop, Pershing Rifles, the Ranger Platoon, and the PMC Band. Speer, Troy, and VanSciver spent 14 months editing the hundreds of stories that were submitted for Beneath the Dome, and the final text includes 400+ pages about cadet life at PMC. The editors know that this work will bring great joy and fond memories to all who read it.

CLASS OF 1975 Billy “White Shoes” Johnson ’75 has been named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 Senior Class. Johnson, a Chichester native, was among 31 named as semifinalists for the Class of 2024. Johnson was a three-time Pro Bowl and three-time first-team AllPro selection during his NFL career with the Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons, and Washington Redskins. He was named to the NFL’s 75th and 100th anniversary teams. Johnson was one of the top return specialists during his career and still ranks seventh in NFL history in punt return yardage (3,317). He also is credited as one of the first players to display elaborate touchdown celebrations with his “Funky Chicken” dance in the end zone.

Robert Smith ’75, PhD, was recently named chancellor at Louisiana State University Shreveport.

Smith was selected for this role due to his experience in improving retention and graduation rates, leading faculty, and mentoring students. Smith, who served as chief academic officer at Valdosta State University in

Georgia, improved retention and developed a new academic affairs strategic plan.

Prior to joining Valdosta State, Smith was the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia. He also served as dean of the School of Science and Mathematics at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Smith holds bachelor’s degrees in German and mathematics from Widener University and a master’s and PhD in mathematics from the University of Delaware.

CLASS OF 1985 Walker’s Way: How Are You Walking in Your Life? was recently published by Claudette Carter ’85 and details the life of her late husband, Walker Carter, who graduated Chester High School in 1974 and was a star multisport athlete at Chester High School and Widener University. He became the first African American football and track & field coach at Widener University and worked for more than 30 years as a dedicated Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) lineman before suffering a fatal accident on the job in 2017.

Walker’s Way is an inspiring book that brings to life all that Walker did to pave the way for his family, friends, neighbors, and students, as well as demonstrate the influence he had as a bright light in the city of Chester.

Walker’s Way can be found at Amazon.com.

CLASS OF 1987 George Leimer ’87 was named head of product and technology at Yahoo Sports.

In this new role, Leimer will oversee product development and innovation across the Yahoo Sports and Yahoo Fantasy platforms.

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CHESTER CAMPUS CLASS NOTES (April–October 2023) Previously, Leimer served as CEO of Rally, a platform for buying and selling equity in collectibles. He also served as senior vice president for data platforms at the Walt Disney Company. Leimer has held roles at ESPN, Apple, eBay, CoreTech Consulting Group, and Softmart, Inc. Leimer holds a management degree from Widener University.

CLASS OF 1989 Todd Terhune, Esq., ’89, ’00 has been recognized with a “Good Scout Award” by the Boy Scouts of America for his work in the community and for exemplifying the ideals of the Boy Scouts. Terhune is a partner and vice chair of Day Pitney’s environmental practice where he helps manufacturers and industrial real estate owners and developers navigate state and federal environmental laws. Terhune is actively involved in his community, including as a volunteer at the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Boonton, New Jersey. He has also served as a past chair and member of the Mountain Lakes Environmental Commission, past trustee of the Community Church of Mountain Lakes, and volunteered with the Mountain Lakes Swim Team. Terhune received both his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and his JD from Widener University.

CLASS OF 1995 Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union announced the election of Kevin Wiggins ’95 to its board of directors. “It is exciting to join the board of a financial institution with such a distinguished past and exceptional reputation,” noted Wiggins. Wiggins recently began a new position as chief financial officer of Power Home Remodeling, the nation’s largest, full-service exterior home remodeler. Prior to that, he was the chief financial officer of Wawa, Inc., responsible for financial reporting, taxation, treasury operations, planning and

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analysis, enterprise analytics, shareholder services, and corporate strategy. Wiggins holds a degree in accounting from Widener University.

CLASS OF 1996 David Rentschler ’96, EdD, received the inaugural Dr. Brenda Gilio Alumni Leadership Award, presented by Widener University’s Center for Education during the May 2023 Commencement.

Rentschler has served Widener University for the past 25 years as an adjunct associate professor, teaching leadership, management, and school design courses. Rentschler’s research agenda includes studying the long-term effects of preventative substance abuse strategies on at-risk fourth grade students. Rentschler holds a doctorate in educational administration from Widener University.

CLASS OF 1997 Michael S. Brady ’97, ’00, MBA, was named the 2023 Beta Alpha Psi Distinguished Accounting Alumnus during the School of Business’ accounting industry night.

Brady began his career with LPL Financial Services in 2001 and has run his own Financial Planning and Services practice located in Broomall, PA. Brady manages approximately $190 million in assets and handles the insurance and lifestyle planning of many local Delaware Valley families, small businesses, and nonprofits. He helps clients with children’s education planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Brady has served as an adjunct instructor in the SBA graduate program at Widener University, where he has taught Introduction to Financial Planning. He has served two terms as president of the Widener-PMC Alumni Association. Brady holds a BS in accounting and an MBA from Widener.

CHESTER CAMPUS CLASS NOTES CLASS OF 1999 Tracy Fooks ’99, MSW, LCSW, has been named administrator for the West Atlantic City office of Angelic Health Hospice Care, which provides hospice, palliative, and memory care, as well as telehealth services. Fooks, who has 38 years of healthcare experience, oversees dayto-day functioning of the office that covers Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland Counties. She works collaboratively with the hospice team to ensure they offer excellent services to patients and their families.

Fooks received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of New Jersey and an MSW from Widener University.

CLASS OF 2000 Dominion Energy named Eric Carr ’00, MBA, as president of Nuclear Operations and chief nuclear officer. He oversees the operations of the company’s seven nuclear units in three states. Carr, who has more than 20 years of nuclear industry experience, was previously appointed president and chief nuclear officer of PSEG Nuclear in 2019, overseeing operations for the Hope Creek and Salem nuclear generating stations in Salem County, N.J., including 1,600 employees.

Carr earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Widener University.

CLASS OF 2001 Croda, Inc., has appointed Josh Dube ’01 as site director of its Atlas Point facility in New Castle, DE. Dube, an employee of Croda for four years, is responsible for employee safety and wellbeing, oversees operations, and engineering resources. He manages union

employee contract negotiations, and, most recently, led the facility’s 10-year development plan. In his new role, he is responsible for leading all activities at the Atlas Point location. Dube is a graduate of Widener University’s chemical engineering program, is a licensed professional engineer, has completed sustainability leadership training with the Cambridge Institute, and is currently earning his MBA at West Chester University.

CLASS OF 2003 Jason Bottiglieri ’03, ’16, EdD, has been named superintendent at Northeastern York School District in Manchester, PA. Bottiglieri brings years of experience in education, having previously served the Oley Valley and Tulpehocken Area School Districts. Prior to joining the Wyalusing Area School District, Bottiglieri served as assistant executive director of the Berks County Intermediate Unit. Bottiglieri earned his bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University. He earned a master’s degree in health education and a doctoral degree in school administration from Widener University.

Megan O’Hara ’03, LCSW, was recently honored by the Delaware General Assembly for her outstanding work in maternal mental health and her ongoing efforts to increase awareness about the treatment of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

O’Hara, who works with Christiana Care’s perinatal patients, is one of the founders of the Center for Women’s Emotional Wellness, which provides assessments, education, and treatment to women and their families who are at risk for or are experiencing perinatal mood disorders. O’Hara is also a founding board member of the Delaware chapter for Postpartum Support International. O’Hara earned a master’s degree in clinical social work from Widener University.

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CHESTER CAMPUS CLASS NOTES (April–October 2023) CLASS OF 2007 Cecil College has named Kelly McVeigh ’07 as chief information officer.

McVeigh has more than two decades of IT experience in higher education, and she will advance innovative technology, data, and digital solutions for Cecil’s faculty, students, and staff. McVeigh previously served as the vice president for Information and Instructional Technology at Delaware Technical Community College and prior to that as the director for the Center for Creative Instruction. McVeigh earned a MEd from Widener University and a BS in secondary education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She is working toward her EdD in educational leadership from the University of Delaware.

Melissa Spahr ’07 has been named to Vista Today’s list of 2023 Millennial Superstars. Spahr is the manager of clinical performance and outcomes at Chester County Hospital in Pennsylvania. Spahr was named to Vista’s list because in her role she has solved problems for the most vulnerable patient populations. As the manager of clinical performance and outcomes, it is Spahr’s job to oversee the heart failure, COPD, stroke, and sepsis programs and to work as a liaison to bring experts on these teams together to treat patients with unique needs. Spahr earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Widener University and a master’s degree in health administration from Saint Joseph’s University.

CLASS OF 2008 Matthew Fischer ’08 has been named president of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless, PA. Fischer, a 2004 alum of Conwell-Egan, has served the school’s administration for nearly seven years in a variety of roles, including principal and assistant principal for academic affairs. Fischer started his career in education with the School District of

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Philadelphia where he taught social studies and was the roster chairperson at Thomas A. Edison High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Widener University and a master of education in educational leadership from Concordia University.

CLASS OF 2010 Virginia Wolgemuth ’10, PhD, has been named the director of nursing for the Cragmiles School of Nursing at Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri. Wolgemuth has extensive experience teaching in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical areas.

She has led student nurses on transcultural immersion trips and worked with international organizations. In addition, she is skilled in identifying and building strategic partnerships with external agencies and working successfully with accrediting agencies, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and State Boards of Nursing. Wolgemuth recently served as the chief nurse administrator at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, where she founded the School of Nursing and the pre-licensure BSN program. Wolgemuth holds a doctorate in nursing from Widener University.

CLASS OF 2011 Mary Kate Andris ’11, EdD, has been named the president and CEO of the Civic Leadership Institute in Norfolk, Virginia. At the Civic Leadership Institute, Andris will help prepare executive leaders and host a scholars’ program for Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College students. Andris joins the Civic Leadership Institute after serving as director of council partnerships for Girl

CHESTER CAMPUS CLASS NOTES Scouts of the USA. She supported 30 council CEOs and their board chairs in annual and strategic planning for growth and sustainability. Before that, she was president and CEO of the YWCA South Hampton Roads in Chesapeake, Virginia. She earned a doctor of education in higher education administration and a master’s degree in higher education from Widener University and a bachelor’s degree in international management from Moravian University.

CLASS OF 2014 Jill Alspach ’14, MBA, was named to the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2023 Women of Influence list for her professional accomplishments and service. Alspach is the managing director of Spock Logistics, LLC, and specializes in training development and delivery, organizational change management, and project management. She also serves as the executive director of the board for Women in Technology Leadership, a Philadelphia-based networking organization for future and current women leaders in technology. Additionally, Alspach is a workshop instructor for TechGirlz, a nonprofit program that encourages middle school girls to explore careers in technology. Alspach, a 2014 graduate of Widener’s MBA program, has also served on Widener’s School of Business Advisory Board since 2014 and is a guest lecturer for the School of Business Administration.

CLASS OF 2015 Sophia Plata ’15, PhD, will join the Harvey Mudd College School of Engineering faculty in January 2024. Plata, who studies alternative water treatment and the water-energy nexus, aims to solve critical contaminant and energy challenges across industrial applications to increase water reuse. At present, Plata serves as a visiting assistant professor at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. Plata is an active member of

the American Society for Engineering Education.

She is committed to advancing underrepresented communities in STEM and has held regional and national leadership positions in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. She earned her BS in civil engineering at Widener University in 2015 and her PhD in environmental engineering from the University of Southern California in 2021.

CLASS OF 2017 Dante Dibattista ‘17 recently published The Transformational College Experience: How to Make the Most of It, which chronicles his evolution from an apathetic student into a motivational speaker.

Dibattista graduated in the bottom 25 percent of his high school class and failed out of college on his first attempt. Later, he graduated from Widener University with a degree in psychology as a dean’s list student. Dibattista is now a leadership development coach, consultant, and public speaker for organizations throughout the world. LA Weekly named him one of the top leadership coaches to follow in 2023. In addition, he facilitates leadership development programs through the MIT Leadership Center. His book is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

CLASS OF 2018 The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced that Tyree Nobles Jr. ’18 joins the team’s coaching staff as part of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program. For more than 30 years, the leaguewide program has helped outstanding coaches gain exposure to NFL training camps and offseason workout programs. Nobles will be with the team for the entirety of training camp.

Nobles serves as an assistant defensive quality control coach for the University of Georgia, who won its second consecutive National Championship last season. Nobles holds a degree in accounting from Widener University.

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CHESTER CAMPUS CLASS NOTES (April–October 2023) CLASS OF 2019 Aaron Green ’19 was named assistant coach of Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving and Communications, Promotions and Marketing assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to joining MIT, Green served as the men’s and women’s swimming head coach and aquatics director at Arcadia University. Green also held positions as head coach at Hollins University and graduate assistant at the University of Lynchburg. Green graduated from Widener University with a degree in communications studies, public relations, and advertising. As a student-athlete at Widener, he was the 2016 Middle Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year, the threetime Middle Atlantic Conference Male Swimmer of the Year, and the 2019 Widener University Male Athlete of the Year. Green earned a master’s degree in higher education leadership from the University of Lynchburg in 2021.

Andrew Proctor ’19 was named the game entertainment producer for the Washington Commanders. His impressive résumé includes work for the Philadelphia Eagles, 76ers, Flyers, and Wings.

Proctor started as producer for game entertainment

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for Washington’s football team.

He will oversee all video content for LED boards and video in the stadium, moving from the studio to the field on game days. Proctor holds a degree from Widener University in communications studies.

CLASS OF 2021 Chancey Page ’21 was named the director of residential education and student services operations at Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey. Before joining Stockton, he served as the assistant director of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the assistant director of campus life at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Page earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey.

He holds a master’s degree in higher education leadership from Widener University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education leadership, also from Widener University.

CHESTER CAMPUS CLASS NOTES

IN MEMORIAM Joseph A. Gillerlain ’49 George Bjotvedt ’51 Elmer L. Van Tassel ’51 James H. Willis ’51 Bresci J. Cellini ’55 Robert R. Mullan ’55 Arthur W. O’Connor ’55 Alexander Woschenko ’55 Charles Brodsky ’58 John D. Choate ’58 Robert V. Clark ’58 Eugene A. Ellis ’58 Walter J. Adelmann ’59 James J. Breslin ’59 John F. Hixon ’59 Clyde W. Pfeil ’59 Norman L. Christopher ’60 Robert C. Sands ’61 Robert M. Glassman ’62 Michael D. Sapovits ’62 Glen E. Winn ’62 James F. Seaholm ’63 Richard R. Snopkowski ’63 John Remaize ’64 Bohdan A. Senkow ’64 George F. Stratts ’64 Charles H. Bracken ’65 Richard S. Braddock ’65 William H. Dutton ’65 Paul S. Heteji ’65 Frederick J. Scheffler ’65 Anthony S. Arcidiacono ’66 Edward J. Kijewski ’67 Edward H. Irwin ’68 Mary J. Beldecos ’70

Theodore M. Prociv ’70 William W. Ryan ’70 Laurence E. Spang ’70 John D. Wolfenden ’70 Michael R. Dillon ’71 Richard F. Fath ’71 Peter E. Kress ’71 Franklin E. Cubbage ’73 Stephen F. Eder ’73 Karl J. Grentz ’73 Richard J. Jensen ’73 Kalyan Sikdar ’74 Ferdinando A. Carruolo ’75 George V. Harkins ’75 Anthony J. Bennetta ’77 Joseph M. Hartnett ’78 Margaret C. Clark-Miller ’79 Mary A. Christ ’81 Betty P. George ’81 Robert V. Kerwin ’82 Carol A. Langlois ’82 Samuel D. Dynow ’83 Carol J. Gulezian ’85, ’90, ’91 W. B. Larson ’87 Raymond J. Rochow ’87 Kelly Ann Catrambone ’88 Dana B. Beatty ’89 Thomas S. Cassidy ’89 Joan M. Cusano ’89 Steven M. Sachs ’89 Eileen M. Flaherty ’90 David Hammond ’90 Agnes R. Kammerer ’90 John F. Daniels ’91, ’94 Shirley M. Miller ’91

John R. Wellington ’92 Andrea A. Raciti ’94 Rosalie M. Mirenda ’95 Lauren D. Gilbert ’96 Christine Kimber ’97 Eric J. Mailloux ’97 Patrick J. Driscoll ’98 Elizabeth E. Emery ’98 Vicki W. Shinoda ’98 Jennifer A. Nagle ’99 Stephen W. Henry ’00 Thomas E. Sweet ’01 Patrick C. Prosser ’02 Katherine Dawson ’03 Deborah S. O’Brien ’03 Dane M. Tanner ’05 Barbara J. Chamberlain ’07 Arthur C. Abrom ’09 Friends, Faculty, and Staff Alfio J. Brindisi Eric Brucker Margaret S. Cunningham Clifford M. DeCato Gary Henderson Gordon P. Henderson Edmund R. Hercer Eleanor P. Kerrigan Harry J. Miller Angelina Moretto Rosemarie B. Mount Julia A. Smith Jennifer R. Stern Sandra L. Tatman Dorothy W. Wolfe

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT ON MIKE GORMAN ’74 strategizing each move, and the physicality of the sport, I just savored it and recall those moments today. Further evidence October is perfect.

But this is about Uncle Fitz (who is not my uncle), and football is essential to the storyline. Uncle Fitz loved football. I first learned of Uncle Fitz when I attended Burlington County College (BCC). Steve Gregg, a high school teammate also enrolled in BCC, heard that I was heading to Widener College (now University) in the fall of ’73, to play football. NOTE: BCC was my lifeline allowing me to reconcile my transcript and regain my NCAA eligibility. Fortunately, Widener made it financially feasible for me to pursue a degree in English and gain a teaching (and coaching) credential. Steve advised me his Uncle Fitz was a big fan of Widener football, attending every game. He would have his uncle connect with me in the fall.

As the president of Salem Community College in New Jersey, Mike Gorman ’74 sends out the newsletter Soujourns: Ruminations from your SCCC President to his constituents.

In his October 2023 issue, he paid tribute to former Widener President Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr. and reminisces about his football days at Widener.

With his permission, we share the following excerpt for you to enjoy:

“Uncle Fitz” …

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Football is how I got where I am. Every autumn afternoon, when I walk the dog (by the way, a tenyear old chocolate lab named Bailey has “found” me), I recall those days of playing the game. Whether it be the warm-ups, laying on my back staring up through my facemask at the blue sky which matched our jerseys; or how the shadows grew late in the game, indicating that we were near conclusion of another chapter of Widener lore. With a backdrop of changing leaves, the excitement and intensity of competition,

My transfer was successful, and I was on campus, playing ball in September of 1973 (I just realized that is 50 years ago, yet it was yesterday). As the gun sounded to end our first game, a solid win over Western Maryland, I was approached by an older gentleman introducing himself as “Steve Gregg’s Uncle Fitz.” We extolled Steve’s virtues both as a player and a person for several minutes before Uncle Fitz went to talk to other players and I gave the sportsmanship handshake to our opponents. After each game, Uncle Fitz came onto the field, shook my hand, and spoke briefly about the game’s highlights.

It was an extremely pleasant exchange each week.

We were successful in those years, only losing once a season, so the highlights were bountiful.

One day, near the end of our schedule, a teammate asked, “Why does Uncle Fitz see you after each game?” My reply, “I played ball with his nephew. Are you related to Uncle Fitz, too?” Revelation: Uncle Fitz was F. Eugene Dixon, heir to the Widener fortune, for whom the college was now named. “GORM. HE IS WIDENER. He owns the Flyers, the Eagles (part), and a whole bunch of stuff. He takes his helicopter to away games.” In typical Mike fashion, I just saw Uncle Fitz as an old guy who loved Widener football.

While you can say that such knowledge changes nothing, it honestly changes everything. My girlfriend of the time would attend the games, sitting a few rows in back of Uncle Fitz (50-yard line). After the game,

he would tell me, “She thought you had a good game but was brutal on the refs.”

Uncle Fitz never changed his demeanor toward me, and hopefully, I never changed mine toward him.

Fast forward to early January of my senior year and I receive a note from Financial Aid that my account has a disparity. I visit with Dean Shipman and learn that my paperwork was out of order (as a result of discord with my family) and my account was going to be short $1,000. Imagine, spring of your senior year, aligned for student teaching in Chester High School, finally pulling my life together only to have this reality smack me in the head. It looked as though I would have to drop out and work to get the balance of tuition to complete things a year later. Unless I could come up with $1,000 in a hurry. My roommate suggested, “Reach out to Uncle Fitz, he carries a number of guys on scholarships.” That seemed quite presumptive, but I had to do something. I composed a carefully worded letter making the request of a loan of $1,000. Uncle Fitz, prior to inheriting the Widener fortune, had been a teacher, coach, athletic director, and assistant headmaster at Episcopal Academy on the Main Line.

Maybe that is why we connected.

A week later came the check with a promissory note to repay F. Eugene Dixon $1,000 two years after graduation. By mid-January after graduation I had $1,000 to repay Uncle Fitz. Making an appointment to meet at his estate, I proudly put ten $100 bills on

Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr.

Photo from Widener University Archives

his desk and conveyed my appreciation. He was surprised that I was so ardent upon repaying him early, and learning that I was going to be a father that spring, he took the cash, and wrote a check for $500 to help take care of the baby. Certainly $500 was not changing his quality of life, but it was certainly changing mine, and eventually, my daughter’s.

Thanks to his benevolence, I completed my degree, established myself as a teacher, moved into administration and ended up as a college president.

Little did either of us realize the dynamics of his contribution. Uncle Fitz changed my life.

A few years later, I was part of a layoff in the Chester–Upland School District. Fortunately, I was recalled. During the “unemployment” interim, I reached out to Uncle Fitz for career advice.

He encouraged me to persevere as an educator “so you can truly make a difference in the world.” His words have resonated ever since… “truly make a difference in the world.”

The moral of this story: Pay it forward. Uncle Fitz, eventually owner of the Philadelphia ’76ers, had money, but he also had a big heart. He sought to make a difference by helping guys like me as he paid it forward. I know I have the same responsibility. Thank you, Uncle Fitz.

Pictured from left to right: Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr., Leslie C. Quick Jr., Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, and former Widener President Robert Bruce celebrate the dedication of the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium in 1994. Photo from Widener University Archives.

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DELAWARE LAW CLASS NOTES (April–October 2023)

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CLASS OF 1986

CLASS OF 1992

The Honorable George W. Overton ’86 was featured in an article in Clark Magazine, “Guitar to Gavel,” covering his journey from piano to guitar to the bench in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. He toured the United States with the Philadelphia soul group The Stylistics, and later continued with them on a six-month world tour. Overton then turned his attention to another aspiration he’d had since childhood: becoming a lawyer. After graduating with his law degree, he entered private practice in the area of general civil litigation. As his career progressed, Overton was presented with a judgeship serving in the criminal, civil, and family court divisions. He says: “It’s not just an individual pursuit. When the judge comes into the courtroom, and they say, ‘All stand,’ people are not standing for me—I’m standing, too. We’re standing for the system that we all represent.”

Lisa A. Shearman, Esq., ’92 has advanced to the position of president-elect of the Montgomery Bar Association.

Shearman, a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, is an accomplished trust and estates and business lawyer.

She is a Zone 9 delegate in the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) and an active member of the Real Property, Probate, and Tax Section. She serves on several boards, including the Montgomery Bar Foundation, Building Bridges Foundation, and Wills for Heroes Foundation. Shearman has received multiple awards, including the 2015 PBA’s President’s Special Achievement Award and the 2014 Recipient of the Milton O. Moss Community Service Award, presented by the Montgomery Bar Foundation. In addition, Shearman has been selected to the 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list in the areas of estate planning and probate.

CLASS OF 1991

CLASS OF 1994

Martin G. Belisario, Esq., ’91 was included in the 2023 IAM Patent 1000, a guide to the firms and attorneys deemed outstanding in the field of patent law. Belisario assists clients in nearly all aspects of intellectual property law, including patent and trademark procurement, trade secret protection, development and implementation of IP licensing and monetization strategies, advice and opinions relating to issues of patentability, freedom to operate, and infringement, as well as challenging, defending, and enforcing IP rights in litigations in court. Belisario was also named to the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, one of the legal profession’s oldest and most respected peer-review publications.

Gina R. Furia Rubel, Esq., ’94 was recognized among the Lawdragon Global 100 Leaders in Legal Strategy and Consulting. She says: “I am thrilled to be included alongside other global leaders who are staying on the cutting edge of the industry.”

Rubel has received this recognition for six years in a row. Rubel recently released the highly anticipated book, Everyday PR: Harnessing Public Relations to Build Relationships, Brands & Businesses, which offers readers a comprehensive guide to navigating the ever-evolving world of public relations. For more information about Rubel or to purchase Everyday PR, visit www.furiarubel.com.

DELAWARE LAW CLASS NOTES CLASS OF 1995 Min Suh, Esq., ’95 was named to City & State’s Pennsylvania AAPI Power 100, which identifies Asian American leaders from across the Pennsylvania Commonwealth in the areas of business, law, government, academia, and the arts. Suh is a partner in the Philadelphia office of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, LLC, where she represents corporations, universities, and nonprofit organizations with immigration issues that can arise during mergers, relocations, and downsizing. Suh, who coordinates the firm’s multidisciplinary practice, is an authority in global hiring, immigration law, and government investigations. Suh also serves on the Widener University Board of Trustees.

CLASS OF 2008 Yuanyou “Sunny” Yang, Esq., ’08 is honored and privileged to be named to City & State’s Pennsylvania AAPI Power 100, which identifies Asian American leaders from across the Pennsylvania Commonwealth in the areas of business, law, government, academia, and the arts. Admitted to practice in both the United States and China, Yang specializes in international business and trade. She also serves on the board of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania and as regional chapter president of the Federal Bar Association. Yang is a member of the Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. She also organized the recent Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and has led vigils supporting Asian American communities.

CLASS OF 2010 Charles M. Gibbs, Esq., ’10 is a frequent presence in the Philadelphia and Commonwealth courts, where he specializes in ballot access litigation. Gibbs concentrates on family and criminal cases, as well as,

political and municipal law. He was appointed by the Philadelphia Board of Judges to a lifetime term on the board of City Trusts and is also a past president of the Barristers’ Association, which awarded him the 2023 J. Austin Norris Award.

CLASS OF 2013 Jahlee Hatchett, Esq., ’12 is the current president of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia and serves on Philadelphia’s Citizen Police Oversight Commission. The Philadelphia native, who also holds a master’s in organizational development and leadership from Saint Joseph’s University, is an alumnus of Leadership Philadelphia and was named one of Philadelphia’s most influential African Americans by The Philadelphia Tribune.

CLASS OF 2015 Ashley M. Sullivan, Esq., ’15 has been named a 2023 Pennsylvania Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, which recognizes attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or have been in practice for no more than 10 years. Sullivan was recognized for Bankruptcy: Consumer Law. Sullivan is an associate at Willig, Williams & Davidson and has experience in arbitration, negotiations, and litigation, with much of her practice focused on consumer and bankruptcy law.

IN MEMORIAM Thomas F. Motamed ’75 Patrick O. McDonald ’76 Lawrence A. Ramunno ’77 Joseph F. Claffy ’81 David D. Brady ’82 Gregory P. Cermignano ’84 Stephen J. Kelly ’86

James J. Lare ’86 Stephen C. Chappell ’88 Robert A. Armstrong ’91 Joseph A. Mullaney ’02 Christopher J. Egoville ’08 Stephen R. DiGiovanni ’17 Benjamin C. Campbell ’22

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COMMONWEALTH LAW CLASS NOTES (April–October 2023) CLASS OF 1996

CLASS OF 2010

Maura Mundy, Esq., ’96 has been appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to serve as a commissioner for the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board of Pennsylvania. Mundy is an attorney with Dethlefs Pykosh and Murphy. She has focused her practice on workers’ compensation litigation, including social security, disability, professional licensing, and Title IX.

Hillary Madden, Esq., ’10 has been awarded the Gilbert Nurick Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association Conference of County Bar Leaders. The award is named in honor of Gilbert Nurick, the late Harrisburg attorney and former president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA). Madden received this award for her dedication and service to the PBA. Madden is a criminal defense attorney at Durney Worthington & Madden in Tannersville, Pennsylvania.

CLASS OF 2001 Matthew Shindell, Esq., ’01, a member of Philadelphia-based law firm Spector Gadon Rosen Vinci P.C., has been selected as a 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer. It is the second year in a row he has been for this honor.

CLASS OF 2007 Andy Mahon, Esq., ’07 recently joined Barley Snyder as an attorney within its employment and immigration practice groups and will be working out of the firm’s Lancaster and York, Pennsylvania, offices. Prior to joining Barley Snyder, Mahon worked at a Lancaster law firm focused primarily on immigration law, where he was named partner in 2019. Mahon volunteers as a tax preparer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and is a volunteer lawyer and former board president of the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center.

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CLASS OF 2014 Katy Landis, Esq., ’14 has been recognized in the 2023 edition of the Best Lawyers of America in the area of Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. Landis is an associate with Saxton and Stump’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania, office and works in risk mitigation, construction contracts, subcontracts, releases, and waivers. She has also represented clients under investigation for violations of the False Claims Act within the firm’s investigations and criminal defense practice group. In addition, Landis was named a Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for 2023 in the areas of construction litigation and insurance coverage.

Christopher Naylor, Esq., ’14 has been selected as a partner with Barley Snyder, serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. He is a member of the firm’s real estate and business practice

COMMONWEALTH LAW CLASS NOTES groups. As a real estate attorney, he handles a variety of real estate matters including counseling residential and commercial landlords and tenants, drafting leases and contracts, resolving disputes, and representing clients in disputes.

CLASS OF 2020 Karli Study ’20 joined nationwide company CubeSmart, LP, as its legal counsel after working as outof-house counsel to Mars, Inc., and its subsidiaries within Harmon and Davies, P.C. Study focuses on employment, compliance, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property.

CLASS OF 2022 Daniel Martin ’22 has joined the Grim, Biehn and Thatcher firm in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, as a fulltime associate in the firm’s municipal law department.

Prior to joining Grim, Biehn and Thatcher, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Denise Bowman of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.

Martin has been admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Bucks County Bar Association.

IN MEMORIAM Mary Jo C. Geist ’95 Daniel W. McCartney ’95 James L. Cook ’98

SEND YOUR NEWS FOR

CLASS NOTES Have you started a new job, received a promotion, gotten engaged or married, or have some other notable life event? If so, let us know!

YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES AND PHOTOS THREE WAYS:

1

Submit them online via our website at alumni.widener.edu.

2

Email them to the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumnioffice@widener.edu.

3

Mail them to: The Office of Alumni Engagement, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013 15

A SAMPLING OF THE FIRST CAREER STEPS OF

RECENT WIDENER GRADUATES: BEN GORDON ’23

MICHAEL DONOVAN ’22

Civil Engineering After graduation, Ben Gordon was hired by Pennoni, a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm in their West Chester office. He works on land development projects, site design, stormwater management, erosion and sedimentation control, among other tasks.

Digital Media Informatics Michael Donovan is working as a software engineer for Lockheed Martin. He fulfills client requests by coding and developing websites. Donovan plans to continue developing his knowledge and growing his professional experience.

MARCUS GREENE ’21 Mechanical Engineering Marcus Greene is working as a shipping manager at a New England company. He is planning on doing drafting work and design in order to get back to hands-on engineering.

LILY YIM ’22 Digital Media Informatics Before graduation, Lily Yim held the director of marketing position at a local start-up Esports company based in Philadelphia. After graduation, she moved on to another Esports company holding the same title. Currently, Yim works as the digital development officer at Widener’s Chester Campus, helping to bolster digital engagement and cultivate positive fundraising initiatives.

ISABEL (ISA) WILSON ’22

EVAN DAVIS ’21, ’22

Communication Studies After graduation, Isa Wilson was accepted into the Excelerator Program at FINN Partners, a top global marketing agency. Next, she accepted a position as a temporary employee at TF Cornerstone, a real estate development agency in New York City, before joining the team as a full-time administrative assistant.

Triple Major in Analytics, Economics, & Finance, & MBA While studying for his MBA, Evan Davis simultaneously worked as a graduate assistant for the School of Business Administration, a process analyst at BPM-D, and as a freelance author of technical articles. These diverse experiences, along with his internships and academic achievements during his undergraduate studies at Widener, helped him secure a full-time role as an advisory associate at KPMG where he specialized in SAP financial process improvements.