CLASS NOTES Class of 1956 Robert Hallman, BS Robert Hallman sends this life update and fond recollections for his fellow alumni: I’m retired now at age 88. “I was president of my class of 1956 for more than a year and started my career as an Admissions employee for PMC just five days following my graduation. Dr. Moll had called me to come back to help the college, and I enjoyed the experience. I was part of the group that encouraged the change from a military college to a civilian college. The pressure for change was difficult, but to continue as a college, this was the only decision that had a chance. I still feel close to the education and experience I had at PMC as a prep school and college graduate. (I spent six years as a student and four years as an employee.) I was part of the PMC film effort, which is still available. [Note from the editor: The Pennsylvania Military College Museum has a YouTube channel under its name with several videos and documentaries featuring PMC history.] The Seventeen Magazine project was a great hit for the cadets and the good-looking girls. I know the military college had the reputation as difficult, but we had a great time. I could go on for hours and tell stories and experiences that would make you feel proud of this college’s history.”
Class of 1967 Edward J. Marolda, BA, history Dr. Edward Marolda has authored Admirals Under Fire: The U.S. Navy and the Vietnam War, published by Texas Tech
University Press and available through Amazon books. Following his participation in the ROTC program and graduation from PMC, he was commissioned in the U.S.
Army and served his country in Vietnam. He subsequently earned degrees in history from Georgetown University (MA) and George Washington University (PhD). In 1971, he joined the staff of the Naval Historical Center in Washington, D.C., capping a 37-year career there as the director of Naval History (acting) and senior historian of the Navy. During that time, he authored, coauthored, and edited 17 histories, including the award-winning By Sea, Air, and Land: An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the War in Southeast Asia and Shield and Sword: The U.S. Navy and the Persian Gulf War. Following his retirement in 2008, the Navy honored him with its Superior Civilian Service Award, and, in 2017, the Naval Historical Foundation presented him with its prestigious Commodore Dudley Knox Naval History Lifetime Achievement Award. Marolda credits the intellectual and professional grounding he received at
PMC for enabling much of his later success.
Class of 1971 Douglas C. Roger, Esq., BS, behavioral science After Douglas Roger graduated from Penn Morton College, he went on to earn a JD in law from Temple University School of Law. Mr. Roger says, “I, formerly aka ‘Banjo,’ continue to practice law from my Media Office. I was fortunate to have served as director of Public Defender Services for eight years, ending 2020, for Delaware County, Pa. My good friend and former roommate Robert Kurland ‘71, formerly aka ‘Moishe,’ an attorney who, among other things, mediates legal matters in Delaware, joined me at my house last evening for a barbecue.
He updated me about our Theta Chi fraternity bro Hugo Brooks ‘71 who is doing well at the Jersey shore. I would enjoy hearing from my friends and brothers. All be well.”
Class of 1976 Kevin McNeil, BA, government and politics Kevin McNeil has retired from 40 years of law practice as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. McNeil will be residing in Melbourne Beach, Florida.
Class of 1979 Paul Beideman, MBA, and ’14 honorary doctorate in public service Paul Beideman received the 2021 King Award for College and University Trustee Leadership. Beideman is chair of Widener’s Board of Trustees, and his dedication
to excellence at Widener is reflected in the outstanding student experience the university provides. The King Award for College and University Trustee Leadership recognizes a college or university board member whose service exemplifies commitment to higher education and who demonstrates the highest ethical standards in providing leadership from the trustee level. Michael Mayhew, BS, engineering Michael Mayhew sends this message for his fellow alumni: “Been on Earth for quite a while, but really enjoyed my time spent at Widener. If any classmates are planning on traveling up the coast this summer, please drop by Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I’ll happily show you around. It’s a beautiful, fun place. (www.boothbayharbor.com)”
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