MAIN CAMPUS CLASS NOTES (October 2022–March 2023)

Bucks County residents, as well as to enhance job readiness, training, and placement options. Previously, Barnes worked at the Philadelphia Workforce Development Board, Bucks and Montgomery County Community Colleges, and the Department of Employment Services in Washington, DC. Barnes holds a degree in education from Widener University.

Jessica Niewodowski ‘01, DO

Jessica Niewodowski, who is board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care, joined Elliot Trauma Surgery at Elliot Hospital’s Level II

Trauma

Center in Manchester, NH. Niewodowski is a member of the multidisciplinary team, which includes board-certified emergency medicine physicians and surgeons with advanced training in trauma care. A graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Niewodowski also graduated with honors with a BS in biology and a minor in chemistry from Widener University. She completed her general surgical residency at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Class of 2003

Marianne Grace ‘03

Marianne Grace has been appointed Merion Mercy Academy’s new head of school. Grace brings an impressive professional background and decades of missiondriven leadership experience to the role. In addition to having served as Merion Mercy Academy’s interim head of school and director of operations, her experience includes nearly 20 years as executive director of Delaware County where she managed a total budget of approximately $600 million, as well as 50-plus departments and 20 direct reports. Grace holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Temple University, a master’s degree in health education from Saint Joseph’s University, and a master’s degree in public administration from Widener University.

Class of 2005

Magen Buterbaugh ‘05

Greene Tweed, a materials production and engineering firm, has announced the appointment of Magen Buterbaugh ‘05 as its president and CEO. Buterbaugh brings two decades of experience in progressive management to the role. Prior to joining Greene Tweed, Buterbaugh spent 17 years with contemporary issues in human diversity and social justice. Weller, who teaches full time at Kutztown University, was selected as the speaker based on her years of clinical experience working with children and adults that have experienced trauma, as well as supporting sexual minorities and individuals with disabilities. Weller holds undergraduate degrees in sociology and Spanish from the State University of New York, Oneonta. She received her MSW from Temple University and her PhD in education with a concentration in human sexuality from Widener University.

Class of 2009

programs through online sales from his bookstore. Ingersol received both an MSW and MEd in 2009, and a PhD in human sexuality in 2012, all from Widener University.

Vanessa Tabler ‘09

Vanessa Tabler was recently named partner at Faegre Drinker, an international law firm. Tabler advises private equity funds and public and private companies on a full range of mergers and acquisitions and strategic transactions.

DuPont and Chemours in a variety of functions, including capital engineering, operations, strategic planning, and commercial and business management. She holds a BS in chemical engineering from Penn State and an MBA from Widener University.

Class of 2006

Mary Rita Weller ‘06

Mary Rita Weller served as a keynote speaker at the Kutztown University Commission on Human Diversity, which focused on

Travis Sky Ingersoll ‘09, ‘12 Travis Sky Ingersoll has been included in Marquis Who’s Who, which is a biographical registry that profiles those with noteworthy accomplishments. Ingersoll serves as a professor for the undergraduate social work department at West Chester University and focuses on the topics of human sexuality, sexual trauma, and intimacy. In addition, Ingersoll is the founder and owner of Helping Hands Books in Downingtown, PA. He established the organization in 2009 to

Throughout her career, she has served as a tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and in important leadership roles with clients and at Faegre Drinker. Tabler holds a degree in accounting from Widener University and a JD from Howard University School of Law.

Class of 2010

Erika Evans-Weaver ‘10, ‘12, PhD, LMFT contribute funds to the development of youth initiatives in his community. Through this organization, he has raised almost $18,000 for local youth-serving

Erika Evans-Weaver is an expert in relationship and sexuality-based topics. She has been appointed the vice chair for the State Board of Social Workers, Professional Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Evans-Weaver was elected as a board member for the Marriage and Family Therapists Regulatory Board, which is the organization that manages the licensure exam for marriage and family therapists across the United States. Evans-Weaver received her undergraduate degree from West Chester

University in French and Spanish, her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from La Salle University, and her PhD in human sexuality from Widener University.

Class of 2011

Christen Conaway Jones ‘11, MPA Christen Conaway Jones was appointed director of Development at The Pennington School in Pennington, NJ.

Class of 2015

Leelabati Biswas ‘15

Leelabati Biswas earned the grand prize of $10,000 for her research “Decoding Pregnancy Loss, Validating a Novel Genetic Biomarker of Poor Egg Quality” from the American Medical Association’s National Research Competition. Biswas, who is pursuing a dual doctoral degree in medicine and microbiology and molecular genetics (MD-PhD) from Rutger’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, beat out nearly 1,200 entries in the competition, which the AMA describes as “the largest national, multispecialty research event for medical students, residents, and international medical graduates.”

Class of 2012

Rita Sterner-Hine ‘12

Rita Sterner-Hine was appointed superintendent at Waynesboro Area School District. Sterner-Hine has worked in the district since 1991, when she began teaching social studies at Waynesboro Area Middle School. Over the years, Sterner-Hine has held numerous leadership roles in the district, including assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. Among her accomplishments, Sterner-Hine instituted comprehensive full-day kindergarten, established trauma-informed classrooms, expanded early graduation programs, and implemented virtual education. Sterner-Hine holds degrees in public administration from Shippensburg University and a doctorate in school administration from Widener University.

Biswas’s research seeks to identify a genetic predictor of infertility. Biswas holds a degree in biochemistry from Widener University.

Class of 2017

Hannah Landvater ‘17, PE Hannah Landvater was selected by the Central Pennsylvania Engineers Week Council to receive the 2023 Young Engineer of the Year Award. Landvater is a project engineer with RK&K and focuses primarily on traffic analysis and modeling for various clients, including PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and Maryland DOT. In addition, she currently serves as the Central and Northeast Region coordinator as well as the data analysis and program reporting coordinator for the automated work zone speed enforcement program in Pennsylvania. Landvater is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Section of the

Institute of Transportation Engineers and the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Women’s Transportation Seminar. She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Widener University.

Class of 2018

Mitchell Phillips ‘18 American Community Journals (ACJ), the parent company of VISTA Today, MONTCO Today, DELCO Today, and BUCKSCO Today, is proud to announce that Mitchell Phillips ‘18 has been promoted to vice president of marketing. Phillips began his career at American Community Journals in 2018 as a social media marketing manager and quickly expanded upon ACJ’s vision to help build stronger, more cohesive local communities by sharing positive and upbeat news. In his role as vice president, Phillips will create content that aims to celebrate and unite the people, places, and businesses in the counties that ACJ serves.

Class of 2019

Rachel Slaughter ‘19, EdD Rachel Slaughter, a global speaker and teacher at Penn Wood Middle School, presented her research about combating illiteracy at the World Literacy Summit at the University of Oxford in April 2023. The summit brought together leaders from 85 countries representing over two-thirds of the world’s population, and all with a single focus—advocating, championing, and educating on the vital importance of improving literacy levels across the globe. It’s the world’s largest gathering of international literacy specialists, and Slaughter engaged the audience in discussions and activities outlined in her textbooks titled Turning the Page: The Ultimate Guide for Teachers to Multicultural Literature and Turning the Page: A Guide to Securing Multicultural Literature for Schools. Slaughter has worked for more than 30 years as an educator and has previously presented at international conferences in Ireland and Brazil. She holds a doctorate from Widener University in reading with an emphasis on cognitive studies.

Kayla Nelson ‘19

The Philadelphia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has named Kayla Nelson ‘19 as a recipient of its Community Outreach and Service Award for 2023. Nelson is a geostructural senior staff professional with Schnabel Engineering in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Her duties include the design of foundations and micropiles, as well as slope stabilization methods, preparation of geotechnical reports and soil profiles, and field and laboratory testing. She has also served on several committees, including the JEDI and College Contact outreach groups, and is a member of the Society of Women Engineers. Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

Class of 2022

Stephanie Allen ‘22, EdD Montgomery County Community College recently welcomed Stephanie Allen ‘22, EdD, as the new director of Equity, Diversity, and Belonging. Allen will lead several initiatives this academic year, including events such as safe space training sessions, the President’s Symposium on Diversity, and the President’s Advisory Council on Equity and

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT PMC’S BAND OF BROTHERS—CLASS OF 1972

by Hannah Campbell, wife of Mike Campbell ’72

It’s June 1968, and Vietnam’s Tet Offensive rages. In Annville, Pennsylvania, Mike Campbell, Cliff Trumbo, and Larry Miller l, choose PMC College. Mike and Cliff share aspirations of becoming Army 2nd Lieutenants, while Larry entered Penn Morton College.

These were turbulent times and an uncertain future faced the cadets who may be called to war.

My friends Dora (Di Michael) and Jack Andreas set me up for a blind date with Mike Campbell to attend a Phi Epsilon PI/ZBT fraternity party. There the jukebox blared Motown tunes, and chilled beverages quenched thirsts from all night dancing. When Mike and I kissed goodnight, he ran his fingers through the blonde wig I wore, and I had to twist and turn to keep it in place.

At PMC, I met some of the greatest men— Greg Haugens, Artie Hafner, Joe Edwards, among many—who during the week studied, attended classes, and performed military drills while answering to Colonel Frey’s commands. Dating was usually a football game, where Mike played the trombone with Headquarters Company. Pershing Rifles drills were a showstopper. We would gaze over at the Alumni, or “old people,” tent. Now we’re the old people.

Graduation 1972 was bittersweet when the colors were retired—a death in the family for all of us as we said goodbye to our pals, our youth onto uncertain futures, yet still connected by PMC love and loyalty.

Social Justice. Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and a master’s degree in counseling education from West Chester University. She received a doctorate from Widener University in higher education administration and leadership. She has worked in higher education for more than 15 years in both public and private settings, including several four-year institutions.

At our 50th reunion, Mike, Ed Rogers, Cliff Trumbo, Greg Haugens, and others did the “broom drill,” and I proudly wore Mike’s fraternity pin while sitting alongside Betty Rogers, Missy Trumbo, Val Haugens, and Chris Edwards.

For Christmas 2021, we gifted our son, Patrick Michael Campbell, with a tie tac and cufflinks made from Mike’s blue wool PMC uniform buttons.

This 71-year-old grandmother still smiles at the memories of the Spring Formal and Ring Formal, when we girls felt like Cinderella dancing with our forever handsome Princes.

Happy 50th reunion to the Class of 1972!

Phi Delta Theta Spotlight

Pictured (L–R): J. David Almacy ’92, general council treasurer, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity; Ethan Hammond ’25, president, Pennsylvania Mu Chapter, Widener University; Sean Wagner ’02, executive vice president and CEO, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Almacy ’92, Hammond ’25, and Wagner ’02 attended Phi Delta Theta Fraternity’s annual McKenzie Family Presidents Leadership Conference (PLC) in St. Louis, MO, on January 6, 2023. The success of Phi Delta Theta is due to strong leadership. Therefore, the fraternity and the Phi Delta Theta Foundation created the PLC to develop leadership skills and train each chapter’s newly elected president. PLC participants learn the fundamentals of being a chapter leader, emphasizing leadership, ethics, managing chapter operations, and external relations, risk management, and character. In addition, the conference features presentations by leaders in the Phi Delta Theta community and breakout team meetings facilitated by volunteer alumni.

In Memoriam

Robert T. Buck ‘50

George L. Andersen ‘51

Robert B. Mulhern ‘51

William Bell ‘52

Charles L. Glick ‘52

Richard Lenz ‘52

Elliott C. Shull ‘52

Charles W. Collins ‘53

Robert L. Ewing ‘54

Dennis Springer ‘54

Aurelio A. Greco ‘55

Frank H. Duke ‘59

Solomon Buzgon ‘60

John L. Byer ‘60

Sheldon A. Schwartz ‘60

George R. Taylor ‘60

Edmond J. Carreras ‘61

William M. Easter ‘61

Harry C. Forrest ‘62

Chester A. Greco ‘62

Jon O. Gruber ‘62

George J. Zizmont ‘62

Christopher D. Hubbuch ‘63

William G. Miller ‘63

John H. Dabback ‘64

Peter W. Melera ‘64

Herbert B. Boulden ‘65

Francis A. Conner ‘66

Chilton G. Goebel ‘66

Michael C. Siegfried ‘66

John P. Little ‘67

Kenneth Regester ‘67

James J. Rowan ‘67

Thomas F. Valent ‘67

Chester J. Madzelan ‘69

George P. Semerjian ‘69

Robert G. Townsley ‘72

Ronald E. Schupner ‘73

David T. Shergalis ‘73

Donald J. Carroll ‘74

Raymond Humphrey ‘74

Mark J. Lesko ‘74

William W. Carroll ‘75

Gary J. Loughran ‘75

Albert J. Romanosky ‘75

William R. Hurst ‘77

John B. Witmer ‘77

Charles F. Crampton ‘78

Joseph E. Gornik ‘78

Charles W. Taylor ‘80

William C. Fulton ‘81

Robert C. Gibson ‘82

Harriet K. Kuberski ‘82

Linda J. Smith ‘83

Edward T. Fuller ‘84

Jonathan R. Kinsley ‘85

Elizabeth S. Simpson ‘85

Mary R. Driscoll ‘86

Elaine E. Motyka-Welsh ‘86

Mary A. Row ‘86

Steven J. Wilson ‘86, ‘90

Robert L. Fox ‘87

Patricia J. Karibjanian ‘88

Lois O. Deeble ‘89

Karen L. Faust ‘89

Bruce D. Justus ‘90

Pamela M. Zueger ‘91

Suzanne A. Morgan ‘92

Brian T. Swift ‘92

Margaret Proch ‘94

Matthew P. O’Brien ‘95

Jason D. Troutman ‘95

Joyce E. Hubert-Theriot ‘96

Paul R. Kleschick ‘96

Travis Martin ‘96

Edward J. DePhillipo ‘97

Amy E. George ‘97

Michele H. Smith ‘98

Kari L. Fletcher ‘99

Jean A. Gool ‘00

Michael W. Lynch ‘01

Send Your News For Class Notes

Brian S. Carlson ‘02

Richard K. Urey ‘02

Andrea Van Horn ‘04, ‘05, ‘09

Paul J. Rastatter ‘05

Travis A. Miller ‘06

Christine Severino ‘07

Colin C. Tornetta ‘16

Friends, Faculty, and Staff

Gregory P. Cermignano

Jean T. Fava

Jeanne Gelman

Louis T. Hayes

Charles C. Heid

Gordon P. Henderson

Arthur W. Jones

Peter Kise

Nelly K. Lincoln

Bryen E. Lorenz

William D. McHenry

Nancy Olivieri

Dennis C. Sheedy

Loretta W. Smith

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!

How to submit your class notes and photos: Submit them online at alumni.widener.edu. Click on Share Your News

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