Widener Magazine Volume 29 Number 01 Fall ’18
W idener at W indesheim 9
Old Main—150 Year s of Housing Leader s 12
NEUROSCIENCE Unlocking Brain Power, page 4
OLD MAIN CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Main first opened its doors in 1868. It has been a treasured landmark ever since. On October 11, 2018, nearly 100 people attended a free program at Widener exploring the rich history of Old Main and its importance to the region. Speakers included Widener President Julie E. Wollman, chairman of the PMC Museum Committee Ron Romanowicz ’68, and co-founder and president of the Chester Historical Preservation Committee David Guleke. Since its opening, Old Main has served as a beacon of excellence in the City of Chester, molding and shaping leaders of strong character.
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WIDENER UNIVERSITY
CONTENTS
Widener University One University Place Chester, PA 19013 Phone: 1-888-WIDENER Website: www.widener.edu
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Published by the Office of University Relations
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Executive Editor: Terry Travis Editor: Jeannine McKnight Designer: Melanie Franz Class Notes Editor: Patty Votta Contributing Writers: Mary Allen Emily Barrett Charles Cooper Jessica Reyes Photographers: Melanie Franz Ian MacGregor '13 Stephen Madigosky Magazine Advisory Board: Fred Akl Mary Allen Kathleen Butler James Gulick Jeannine McKnight Debbie Perreca Gregory Potter Terry Travis Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ wideneruniversity.
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Neuroscience—Unlocking Brain Power
A Widener professor and his students conduct groundbreaking research involving a brain-computer interface, a neural recording system, and functional MRIs for early diagnoses. Widener at Windesheim
An engineering student travels with other Widener students to the Netherlands to compete in the international Hanseatic City Challenge and wins second place for her environmentally friendly solutions to the flooding problem in the City of Kampen. 12
150 Years of Housing Leaders
Old Main, with its iconic dome, has been a treasured landmark in Delaware County, Pa., since 1868. Learn about its rich history. 16
On Campus
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Athletics Hall of Fame
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Alumni Spotlight
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Go Pride!
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Class Notes
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Homecoming Highlights
A photographic look at events honoring the university’s homecoming and family weekend 36
The Back Page
Widener’s Common Ground initiative
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT This fall, the Widener community celebrated an important milestone for our university: the 150th anniversary of Old Main. Earlier this summer, as the building’s famous dome received a new coat of paint, I reflected on that dome as a symbol and as a steadfast reminder of Widener’s rich history—a history of leadership and of transformation from a distinguished military college to a dynamic, nationally ranked university.
I’m proud that our students are presenting their research on our campus and around the world. I know you’ll enjoy the story about Megan Cullison, a junior civil engineering student who stepped onto an airplane for the first time in her life to represent Widener at an international honors conference at Windesheim University in The Netherlands. There she presented her research on green storm water infrastructure and shared her expertise during a team challenge. Her team of students from across the globe focused on solving flooding problems in the Dutch city of Kampen. As a result of their collaboration, the city is now implementing some of the students’ ideas. My vision for Widener is rooted in examples like these, in which our students apply their classroom learning to make a difference in their communities—and the world. By partnering with their peers, faculty, and industry leaders on groundbreaking research, they gain hands-on experience in their fields. By working in teams to solve complex problems, they develop the distinguishing skills that employers are looking for, and they grow as engaged global citizens. These experiences are a key aspect of what makes a Widener education transformative. We give our students direct access to the resources and connections that lead to successful and rewarding careers and enable them to make an impact on our world.
At Widener, we lead through the constant pursuit of courage, excellence, and a commitment to innovation. The value we place on leadership has been handed down through generations and continues to set us apart from other institutions. At Widener, we lead through the constant pursuit of courage, excellence, and a commitment to innovation. Our students study with faculty whose leadership, thinking, and research are shaping their fields. Our cover story brings to life the exceptional opportunities our professors offer students by collaborating with them on innovative research projects. You will read about Widener students who are contributing to cutting-edge neuroscience research that is helping to change the lives of people with damaged hearing, impaired sight, or mobility disabilities. Their work is shaping the future of technology and how that technology will be harnassed to improve lives.
With Pride,
Julie E. Wollman, PhD President 3
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Unlocking Brain Power By Jessica Reyes
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he human brain is home to billions of neurons—as many as there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy—forming connections that define who we are and what we do. The brain is science’s greatest mystery. Behind the doors of the Medical Imaging and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory in Kirkbride Hall, faculty-student research is underway to demystify this roughly three-pound gray mass—and to change the way we use it every day.
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Research led by Widener University Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering Xiaomu Song contributes to the growing interdisciplinary study of neuroscience and has real-world applications that could touch the lives of us all. Imagine being able to detect Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases years before a patient shows any symptoms. Imagine having an alarm sound on your cell phone if you doze off behind the wheel of a car. Imagine an amputee being able to control a prosthesis using only the mind. “We’ve observed this in sci-fi movies like Star Wars,” said Song. “Now, it’s becoming real.” Song and a team of biomedical and electrical engineering undergraduate and graduate student researchers are making advances in three prominent areas. 6
From left: Professor Xiaomu Song at work. Insert and right: Students train with the neuroscience equipment.
Brain-Computer Interface: Powering a Wheelchair Widener student researchers huddle together in the hallway outside the laboratory—and there is a buzz in the air. One student, wearing a headset connected wirelessly to a laptop, sits in an electrical-powered wheelchair. Without physically acting, the student imagines moving his left hand; the wheelchair veers left. He thinks about moving his right hand; the wheelchair goes right. He smiles; the wheelchair rolls forward. This is the astounding world of brain-computer interface—technology that creates a communication pathway between a wired brain and a device, such as a laptop, cell phone, or prosthesis.
“Brain-computer interface uses brain imaging or electrophysiological sensors to acquire brain signals,” Song said. “We analyze the acquired brain signals to identify brain intentions and associate them with the operation of a device.” Song and student researchers have successfully mindpowered a toy radio-controlled car and quadcopter, followed by an electric wheelchair acquired in 2016. This year, a team of students is working to make the wheelchair run more robustly and reliably. Currently, they are improving the data processing and will start the system testing soon. The field is on the cusp of changing the lives of those who have damaged hearing, impaired sight, and mobility disabilities—for example, wounded military personnel. 7
It also has implications in everyday life. Consider a future in which you’ll be able to think ‘dial Mom’ and your cell phone will respond without you lifting a finger. Or you will be able to turn up the temperature just by thinking about it. Neural Recording System: Sports-Related Concussions Researchers have been warning for years about the dangers of mild-traumatic brain injuries—concussions—in sports like football and soccer. Too many blows to the head, they say, can cause short-term headaches, memory loss, mood changes, and blurry vision, as well as long-term effects that are debilitating and even deadly. Despite warnings, reliable diagnoses and treatment evaluation of sports-related concussions and protocols for treatment and monitoring are hard to develop without sufficient studies. That is where Song and his students step in. In 2016, Song received a $91,500 research grant from the National Science Foundation to purchase a neural recording system that integrates electroencephalography
degree in electrical engineering and physics and is now pursuing his master’s degree at Widener. “When you think about the college experience, you think ‘Will I meet friends?’ or ‘What will I major in?’ This student-research is something that you don’t think about. It’s in the background of what you do, but is so important.” Functional MRI Research: Early Diagnosis When students study the brain, they learn the different areas and functions: the hippocampus for memory, the prefrontal cortex for decision making, and the cerebellum for coordination. The reality, however, is that we never use just one area of our brains. Even in a resting state, all the regions interact—unless, of course, something is going wrong. To look at these interactions, medical doctors use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity by detecting blood flow changes in a matter of seconds. All of these images are then used to form an image sequence of the brain over time. Using data gathered by doctors at Harvard Medical School and Duke University Medical Center, Song has developed multiple quantitative tools for fMRI data analysis. He removes “noise” from the data, analyzes the functional connectivity and activation patterns in response to some stimuli or resting state, and investigates test-retest reliability of fMRI in task and resting state conditions. By looking at these functional patterns, Song and other researchers are trying to develop early indicators of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s diseases. “We want to try to establish quantitative criteria to provide tools for early diagnosis,” Song said. “For example, people with Alzheimer’s disease have apparent symptoms when they reach the middle or late phases of the disease, but in the early phases, there are almost no symptoms. We could help people more if we could find this in early phases and start treatment sooner.” Luis Aguilar, who graduated in May with a master’s degree in biomedical engineering, said the opportunities and equipment offered to student researchers at Widener are life-changing. “There are a lot of good things going on here right now,” Aguilar said. “I wouldn’t have developed a passion for neuroengineering had I not met Dr. Song and come to this lab.” Song and Widener students like Aguilar are turning science fiction into reality. W
By looking at these functional patterns, Song and other researchers are trying to develop early indicators of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases. (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRs). With the device, sensors placed on the scalp can capture neural activity and changes in oxygen concentration in brain tissue. In partnership with Widener’s athletic trainer and team physician, Widener student-athletes who have had sportsrelated concussions undergo testing with Song and his student researchers. “We try to develop quantitative tools to provide an evaluation of their condition,” Song said. “Different student-athletes might have different tolerances for headaches and other discomfort, for example. It is more reliable to use quantitative ways to find how serious the concussion was and how well the student-athlete is recovering.” It takes time to collect and analyze this type of data, but the multiyear, interdisciplinary project could inform the tools used in the future for concussion diagnoses and treatment. “It is great to be part of this type of research,” said Alexander Wajda, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s 8
Widener at Windesheim During time off from the competition, students were able to tour the Amsterdam region, including the Zwolle city center as pictured here.
By Emily Barrett
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tudying abroad has become a quintessential undergraduate right of passage that enables students to experience new cultures, broaden horizons, and journey outside of their comfort zones. For Widener students, studying overseas is also about making a global impact. Meet Megan Cullison. In June 2017, Megan, a junior civil engineering student, travelled to the Netherlands to participate in an international research competition held at Windesheim University in Zwolle, a new international partner of Widener University. Megan was one of three Widener undergraduates chosen to visit Windesheim. 9
At top of page and above: Giethoorn is a city in the Netherlands that has many canals and is referred to as "The Venice of the Netherlands." 10
Widener students were part of a pilot program to determine whether involvement in a conference, research competition, and group international problem-solving mission was an appropriate learning experience. Based on their varied and meaningful experiences, this trip was a success. Students benefitted from the daily interactions with Dutch and European Union students. The cultural immersion included transportation via bicycles, exploring the local environs, and residing with international students in residence facilities. When presented with the chance to travel abroad, Megan, who until then had never been on a plane before, knew it was too good to pass up. “I’m the oldest and the first person in my family to ever go abroad, so this was a big deal,” Megan recalls. The trip consisted of two weeks at Windesheim to present at the International Honours Conference, participate in the Hanseatic City Challenge, and tour Amsterdam. At the International Honours Conference, students submitted a research poster and presented their project to a faculty jury. Megan chose to present on green storm water infrastructure, an area she researched in her engineering courses at Widener, as well as in high school in Maryland, which is home to a large sustainable storm water infrastructure initiative. “It was a great experience to present internationally,” Megan said. “I was the only engineering student there, so my research was very different than most of the other presentations.”
©ALLAKHANANASHVILI/SHUTTERSTOCK
Following the conference was the Hanseatic City Challenge, a simulated Megan Cullison (center kneeling) is joined by fellow Widener student pressure-cooker exercise focused on real Iman Elkhashab (second from right) and Windesheim students in problems in the five cities developed by the the Honors Global Project and Change Management program as she former Hanseatic League. Megan’s group celebrates her team’s second place win in the Hanseatic Challenge. of international students took on the task of researching and developing recommendaContributing to problem-solving efforts in an international tions for the flooding problem in the City city is a personal point of pride. of Kampen. Once known as a shipping and commerce hub, “It’s part of the reason I became an engineer. I love being Kampen is situated at the base of the Ijssel River and frequently experiences flooding caused by storm water. Meghan applied able to see something done in the classroom, and in the hypothetical, come to life,” Megan said. “It’s really amazing to think her in-depth knowledge of green storm water infrastructure I’m making an impact across the world.” to guide her team in proposing cost effective solutions to the Looking ahead to life after graduation, Megan says she is flooding issue. “We suggested community gardens, flow-through planters, inspired to pursue a career that can have a global impact. “The experience opened me up to the idea of working with storm and rain barrels as a start for this community,” Cullison said. water,” Megan explains. “I would love to work for an international “We also recommended that a bioswale playground or water company, so I could either visit or live abroad for a time.” retention pond, which are much larger projects, could also be The Widener-Windesheim partnership began in 2016. included by Kampen.” Since its launch, the partnership has steadily grown. Widener Their proposal earned positive feedback and won second welcomed four Windesheim students to campus for the place in the competition, and it was adopted for implementation in Kampen. It is currently underway through funding from spring 2018 semester and sent Widener honor students to the Netherlands again this past June. W the city and Rabobank, a Dutch multinational banking and financial services company. 11
150 Years of Housing Leaders THE CELEBRATION OF OLD MAIN
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he stately stone and stucco building that once had a clear view to the Delaware River has withstood a revolution of change, both in and around it. It witnessed the birth of the telephone, the light bulb, and the transcontinental railroad. It was standing when horses gave way to automobiles, and as telegrams evolved to texts. This year, Widener University celebrates the 150th anniversary of its beloved Old Main. The building has witnessed societal transformations, world wars, and 29 U.S. presidents. It rose from the ashes of a devastating fire both sturdier and more determined to serve its purpose. It is the strongest, deepest root of the university’s family tree. “Every campus has its iconic structure,” Widener Trustee James Mack ’85 said. “Ours is Old Main.” Widener University was known as Pennsylvania Military Academy when the cornerstone of Old Main was laid in June 1867, two years after the end of the Civil War. Built for $125,000 to accommodate 150 cadets and officers, it opened its doors in September 1868 under the direction of Col. Theodore Hyatt, the first of three generations of Hyatts to run the school. Hyatt’s grandson, Col. Frank Hyatt, who presided over the institution for 22 years until retiring in 1952, was born in Old Main. This fall, Widener marked the building’s sesquicentennial with a mid-day celebration on October 11, the Thursday of Homecoming Weekend. Old Main was open to the public and dressed up for the occasion, with historic photos throughout the halls and signs explaining how modern spaces were used in previous decades. One office was decorated as a PMC dormitory room, transporting visitors back in time and giving a glimpse of what life was like for a PMC cadet. “It seems appropriate that at 150 we should pause and recognize the importance of the building. It’s the heartbeat of the
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school,” said Ronald Romanowicz, chair of the PMC Museum Committee who graduated 50 years ago in 1968—when Old Main turned 100. He recalls a vivid memory of his arrival day at Pennsylvania Military College in 1964: He was dismissed from the parent luncheon after dessert to report to the assembly room in Old Main and meet with cadet leaders. Today, President Julie Wollman’s office occupies that space. “That was the end of our youth, and life changed for all of us,” Romanowicz said. “We survived. We became stronger people. We developed character and discipline. It’s what the school said we would do.” Evolving and Embracing Change Old Main was built on Theodore Hyatt’s watch, when Andrew Johnson was president. Gas lamps lighted cadet rooms. A contract with Edison Electric Light brought electricity to Old Main in 1886. By then, the building had been devastated by fire and rebuilt. The fire broke out in a top floor chemistry laboratory in February 1882, while cadets were outdoors at drills. A horse-drawn fire truck was delayed when it got stuck in mud. When firefighters arrived, their hose was too short to reach the building. Cadets organized a bucket brigade, but it was no match for the blaze.
"We survived. We became stronger people. We developed character and discipline. It’s what the school said we would do." The entire structure was rebuilt in a matter of months while the school operated out of the Ridley Park Hotel. The new chemistry lab was housed separately from the
main structure, connected by a metal walkway that still exists today. Steel fire doors—also still visible today, on the first floor—were added for protection. Tuition increased to $500 to cover the capital investment. Cadets attended classes on the top floor and lived on the second and third floors. The assembly room, officers’ space, visitor reception, quartermaster’s office, and more were on the first floor. Cadets ate in the ground-floor mess, which also housed their bathing quarters. Friday nights were reserved for rolling back the wooden floors to expose rows of bathtubs housed below. Each cadet got a five-minute soak before his tub was drained and refilled for the next cadet, in relay fashion. The floor was folded back in place when everyone was clean. Anecdotes like this illustrate how much life in Old Main has changed over time. When Widener Trustee Barbara Chamberlain ’07 entered as a doctoral nursing student in the 1990s, it was a school for civilians, including women. “It was quite a stately building and I just thought, ‘How beautiful this is. It would be nice to take classes in here,’” she recalled. Chamberlain was in luck. Old Main housed the nursing program at that time. Her classes were held on the second and third floors, near faculty offices. Her entire education was centered in Old Main.
Cadets sat shoulder to shoulder for meals in the mess, which was located on what today is the building’s ground floor. For some, it was the most important room in Old Main. In the 1920s, Thursdays were known as “Pie Day.” On October 11, the Dining Hall served apple and cherry pies in honor of PMC Pie Day and the Old Main celebration.
Valuing History The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today, it houses administrative offices, Campus Safety headquarters, and a state-of-theart boardroom. Bathtubs are no longer found under the floors, and the HVAC system is the only thing inhabiting the
fourth story. But it’s still a beacon. The famous dome at the top of Old Main was renovated this past summer and is a wellknown landmark in Delaware County. “When I’m flying into Philadelphia, I can always tell where Widener is,” Trustee Mack said. “I can see the dome from the airplane window.” W 13
Old Main Timeline Leading to Its Inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places
1867
JUNE 26, 1867 Cornerstone laid by Frank Wells, Esq., of the Evening Bulletin.
1868
SEPT. 3, 1868 Old Main opened its doors. The building accommodated 150 cadets and officers. Cost to build was $125,000.
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1871
Growing enrollment prompted a wing addition to the north corner to house a basement wash room, assembly room on the first floor, laboratory, and private student quarters.
1887
DEC. 21, 1887 Col. Theodore Hyatt passed away, and his son Gen. Charles E. Hyatt took over as president. Gen. Hyatt ran the institution for 42 years.
1882
FEBRUARY 16, 1882 Fire completely destroyed the building. MARCH Ridley Park Hotel was leased for the school to operate and house all officers and cadets. SEPTEMBER A rebuilt Old Main opened with another floor added, this time with fire walls and steel fire doors and with the chemistry lab separated from Old Main.
1886
Electric lights were added to the building through a contract with Edison Electric Light.
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DEC. 12, 1892 The institution's name changed to Pennsylvania Military College.
"How's the cow?"
1953
Gen. Edward MacMorland took the reigns.
1959
Dr. Clarence Moll became first fulltime civilian president in PMC history.
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APRIL 1930 Charles Hyatt passed away. His son, Col. Frank K. Hyatt, took over.
1952
Frank Hyatt retired, and the Hyatt family control ended.
1931
Cecil B. Demille attended PMC and, as was tradition at the time, wrote his name in the Dome.
1978
MAY 22 The National Park Service placed Old Main and the adjacent former chemistry building on the National Register of Historic Places. 15
ON CAMPUS
Widener’s New Vice President for University Advancement Widener welcomed a new vice president for University Advancement this summer with the arrival of Terry Travis of Philadelphia, Pa. Travis leads the University Advancement team comprised of roughly 35 Development, Alumni Engagement, and University Relations professionals. Her work is dedicated to strengthening relationships with Widener and Pennsylvania Military College alumni, raising funds to advance the university’s mission and vision, and communicating Widener’s commitment to excellence through its marketing and its internal and external storytelling channels. Travis came to Widener after serving as senior associate vice president for development and alumni relations at Saint Joseph’s University. A native of Delaware County, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in education from La Salle University. In addition to her work at Saint Joseph’s, Travis also previously served as assistant
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vice president for development at La Salle University, and senior director of development at Villanova University. “I am very excited to welcome Terry to Widener,” said President Julie Wollman. “She has the expertise, experience, and record of success that make her a great choice for this position. She will be a terrific ambassador to our alumni and will help us advance the university as we give students an undeniable edge in their pursuit of successful careers.” Travis said she is settling into the new position and enjoying meeting Widener alumni. “I am delighted to join the Widener community, and I value its diversity and excellent academic reputation. As a passionate believer in the transformative power of higher education, I am inspired by Dr. Wollman’s vision for Widener’s future and attracted to the university’s commitment to the students it serves. After meeting some of our alumni, I understand why the ‘Pride’ are so aptly named,” Travis said.
ON CAMPUS
Widener Welcomes New Deans College of Arts and Sciences— Dr. David Leaman Dr. David Leaman, the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been a dynamic leader since joining Widener in July. His support of faculty and students is already evident across campus. He is an advocate for faculty-student research that cuts across disciplines, and he promotes faculty accomplishments in many ways. Similarly, he is crucial to efforts to provide College of Arts and Science’s students with leadership and global learning opportunities, as well as internships in the industries they will someday enter.
Leaman comes to Widener from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2014. On top of his leadership experience, he brings to Widener impressive international teaching and research experience, particularly in the politics of globalization and comparative politics in Latin America. “David’s strong background and extensive experience make him an excellent choice to lead the College of Arts and Sciences,” said President Julie Wollman. “He is a dedicated, proven leader who enhances the Widener
community and furthers our strong commitment to academic excellence, student engagement, diversity, global perspectives, and career preparation.” As dean, Leaman will lead the university’s largest college, which houses more than 30 fields of study in the liberal arts and sciences. The college has long been a place in which Widener students can explore many diverse interests while progressing toward a degree that prepares them for careers in many fields.
School of Human Service Professions— Dr. Robin Dole
Psychology, Center for Education, Center for Human Sexuality Studies, Institute for Physical Therapy Education, Center for Social Work Education, and, most Dr. Robin Dole is the new dean of the recently, a newly developed Occupational School of Human Service Professions. Dole joined Widener in 1995 as a physical Therapy graduate program. In addition to her achievements therapy faculty member. She rose to the at Widener, Dole has made significant rank of professor and was appointed contributions to the field of pediatric associate dean and director of the Institute for Physical Therapy Education physical therapy. In 2017, Dole received an award from the Pennsylvania Physical in 2002. Her work with the Physical Therapy Association for her work as an Therapy Pro Bono Community Clinic active pediatric clinician and educator for helped the clinic earn recognition more than 25 years. nationally and established it as a model for experiential learning, interdisciplinary School of Nursing— collaboration, and community engagement. Dr. Anne Krouse “Since joining the Widener faculty, The School of Nursing welcomed Dr. Dr. Dole has demonstrated her passion Anne Krouse to the dean’s office at the and commitment to our students, our start of the 2018 fall semester. Krouse’s community, and the field of physical arrival to Widener was also marked as a therapy,” said Provost Fred Akl. “Her vision and leadership will undoubtedly build upon the school’s success to advance the Human Service Profession programs and continue to prepare students to excel in their careers.” Dole leads a school that encompasses a range of undergraduate and graduate programs that teach students to serve individuals, groups, and communities to ensure optimum performance and quality of life. The school is comprised of the Institute for Graduate Clinical 17
ON CAMPUS homecoming. Prior to her most recent position as associate dean for education and practice in the School of Nursing at the University of Delaware, Krouse led a long and distinguished career at Widener as a faculty member and administrator from 2000 to 2016. “It has been a pleasure to welcome Dr. Krouse back to lead the School of Nursing,” said Provost Fred Akl. “Dr. Krouse made significant achievements during her years at Widener. Now as dean, I am confident that the university will benefit from her proven dedication as she builds upon the success of the nursing undergraduate and graduate programs to deliver high quality education to prepare the next generation of health care providers, leaders, and nurse educators.” Respected among her colleagues and peers, Krouse served as the university faculty chair from 2009 to 2011 and was awarded the Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching award in 2012. In 2014, she developed and served as coordinator of the master of science in nursing’s executive nursing leadership track. In that same year, Krouse was named associate provost for Learning Spaces and Strategic Initiatives, where she oversaw and supported a number of university initiatives such as high-impact practices and service learning.
Introducing the Widener University Marching Band and Color Guard Not since the days of Pennsylvania Military College has there been a marching band on campus. All that changed this fall when the first Widener University marching band and color guard took the field. The 50-member band serves as “an ambassador to the university, an extension of the excitement,” said Iain
Moyer, director of athletic bands and music programs recruiter. In the fall, the band performed at home football games and homecoming. In the spring, members will participate in the wind and jazz ensembles, and will perform at basketball games and Accepted Student Days as part of the university’s pep band.
Widener has been named to TheKnowledgeReview.com’s 2018 list of the 10 best colleges in America for engineering, published in May 2018. In assembling the list, the outlet sought colleges and universities with strong reputations, an excellent engineering curriculum, quality facilities, expert faculty, and exceptional placement services. 18
2018 Athletics Hall of Fame On October 12, 2018, the Widener University Athletics Department inducted the Class of 2018 into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Six exemplary student-athletes and one team were among the honorees. In alphabetical order, Widener inducted Walker Carter ’78—Football, Track & Field; Ron Hodge ’78— Football, Track & Field; Kate L’Armand ’00—Cross Country, Track & Field; Lauren Lucci ’08—Track & Field; Pete Morrison ’77—Baseball; and William “Reds” Pollock ’35—Football, Baseball, and Basketball. The 1977–78 Men’s Basketball team, which to date remains the only men’s basketball team at Widener/PMC to reach the national championship game, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Seated, L-R: Pete Morrison, Kate L’Armand, Claudette Carter (wife of Walker Carter, who died in 2017), Lauren Lucci, and Bill Pollock (son of William “Reds” Pollock, who died in 1993). Standing, L-R: 1977–78 Men's Basketball Tri-Captains Mike Donohoe, Vince Shervin, and Dennis James; and Ron Hodge.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
She Said Yes! Two Widener alumni came back to their Pride roots for a life-changing event this past December. Michael Howanski ‘14 brought his girlfriend of many years, Taylor Crocetto ’14, to the steps of the Wolfgram Memorial Library—the same location where they first met as undergraduates five years ago—and asked her to marry him. The tearful and joyous event was shared by family members and friends, including Widener faculty, who watched hidden nearby in Kirkbride Hall. Howanski couldn’t think of a better place to propose than at Widener. “I always knew I wanted to go back and do it there when the time was right,” he said. Howanski also knew he wanted to share this moment with loved ones because Widener runs in the family for both himself and Crocetto. Crocetto was the second in her family to attend Widener, after her sister Brittany Crocetto ’08. As for Howanski, he is the youngest of three generations to graduate from Widener. He followed eight family members, including two siblings, Raymond John Howanski ’07 and Kendall Karyn Howanski ’11, his grandmother, Betty Howanski ’88, and his father, Raymond Francis Howanski ’88. His grandmother and father both earned their bachelor’s degrees at the same time. After graduating in 2014, Howanski and Crocetto entered the workforce as registered nurses at Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia; Howanski is an operating room nurse and Crocetto works nearby as a nurse on the postsurgical unit. Widener serves as the backdrop for many pivotal moments in Howanski’s and Crocetto’s
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lives. It’s where they came to pursue their passion for nursing and earn a degree from a top-tier program. It’s where they made lasting friendships and found advocates and mentors among faculty. It’s where they learned the importance of leadership, civic engagement, and having a positive impact in their community. Most importantly, Widener is where they found each other.
GO PRIDE! Widener Softball Team Won MAC Commonwealth Championship The Widener University softball team enjoyed a season in 2017 like none before it. With some timely hitting and solid pitching, Widener broke through and defeated defending champion Messiah in the semifinals and then Lebanon Valley in the finals to claim its first ever MAC Commonwealth Championship and advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
“The 2017 MAC Commonwealth Championship was an amazing experience for everyone involved,” said head coach Fred Dohrmann. “From the coaches to the players to the support staff, the tournament run electrified the department and helped bring Widener softball to the forefront in our region.” The 2017 championship was so significant, we wanted to include it in the Widener Magazine for alumni. The Pride swept its way through the conference tournament, beating Lebanon Valley in the opening round 2-0 before squaring off against No. 7 Messiah in the semifinals. Widener scored four times in the top of the fifth inning to beat Messiah 9-6 and advanced to the championship where they would once again play Lebanon Valley. Widener only needed to win one of two potential games to claim the title. In a dramatic conclusion, the Pride scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat Lebanon Valley 4-3 and advance to the championship. 21
CLASS NOTES Class of 1960
Shelly Schwartz, BS, mechanical engineering, was honored by the Franklin County Democratic Committee with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to Mr. Schwartz for his many years of service to the committee, lifelong support of democratic ideals, and service to the community. The award was presented to Mr. Schwartz on November 4, 2017.
Class of 1961
Alfred Emma, BS, accounting, was featured in the fall edition of Nutrition Health Review. The article entitled "Al Emma—the Spirit of a Marathoner" highlights Al's 151 completed marathons and the medals he received. Al's tips for healthy living are simple: "Drink in moderation, eat in moderation, don't smoke, and do aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week." Out of his 151 marathons, his favorite was the Philadelphia Marathon in November 2015, because his family came along to cheer him on and celebrate his 100th marathon.
Class of 1968
John Derr, BS, biology, and his wife, Diane, set sail aboard the Oceania Cruises’ Nautica for a tour of the South China Sea. Their ship left Hong Kong and made stops in Hanoi, DaNang, Hue, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). While enjoying his time aboard this luxurious ship, an announcement was made prior to docking in DaNang inviting all Vietnam veterans to meet in the ship's lounge. 22
CLASS OF 1972 CELEBRATES 45TH The Class of 1972 celebrated their 45th reunion at the 2017 Homecoming Pride Tailgate. All pictured are from the Class of 1972 unless otherwise noted. From left: (blue shirt) William Campbell (class unknown), Edward Rogers (looking to his right), William Cole, Robert Gerhling, Greg Wall, John Kuebler, Shawn Pulford ‘74, Greg Haugens, Scott McGinnis, Barry Radcliff, Kevin Brett, Jym VanSciver, Joe Fields ‘74, and William Burris.
When John arrived in the lounge, he was surprised to see John Browne '68. Both attended the Gettysburg event.
Class of 1974
Steve Fratoni, BA, history, BS, business, celebrated his 65th birthday with a 9-hour hike to the summit of Mt.
Washington, the highest peak in the northeast. Craig Hostrup, his sophomore year roommate at Widener, had died the following summer in a work-related accident. His passing inspired Steve to go for it. Steve received a master's degree in environmental management from the University of Wisconsin and spent many years directing environmental, safety, and accessibility programs at colleges in western Massachusetts. He is now the chairperson of the Town of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, Commission on Disability and works for Amherst College as a tour guide at the Emily Dickinson Museum. Carol Luttrell, BA, English,
received a master of arts in English from Villanova in 1993 and a master of environmental and energy policy from the University of Delaware in 2009. She retired from DuPont after 23 years of service and now teaches technical writing as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware.
Class of 1975
Bill Sorg, BS, engineering, recently retired after 40 years of working for the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Philadelphia in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) field on Navy ships. Bill travelled extensively for the Navy in the United States and abroad. He lives in Erdenheim, Pa., and
CLASS NOTES would like to hear from fellow classmates and can be reached at sorgw3@outlook.com.
Class of 1977
Jeffrey Hayward, BS, management, is Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTC) executive vice president and head of multifamily and has been named among Black Enterprise's 2017 list of the Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America. The annual listing identifies prominent African American leaders from the nation's 1,000 largest publically traded companies. Throughout his 30-year career, Jeff has held many senior roles across Fannie Mae. In recent years, he has focused on solving America's affordable housing crisis. Fannie Mae Multifamily is the leading source of financing and securitization for quality rental housing in the United States. Jeff holds additional notable honors, including Commercial Observer's "50 Most Important People in Commercial Real Estate," a list he has been featured on consistently since 2013. He has also been named a Real Estate Kingmaker by Forbes. Jeff serves on the boards of the Mortgage Bankers Association Commercial Real Estate Finance Board of Governors, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and is an advisory board member for the National Multifamily Housing Council.
Class of 1978
Robert Spinosi, BS, biology, and his wife, Donna, are proud of their son, William A. Spinosi who graduated from the Rowan University School
of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Spinosi, a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School and the College of New Jersey, will do a 4-year residency in emergency medicine at the Lehigh Valley Medical Center in Allentown, Pa.
Class of 1982
John Arnao, ME, engineering, a Widener alum and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst employee, poses
PMC REUNION On January 25, 2018, a small group of PMC classmates met for lunch at Maggiano’s in Tyson’s Corner, Va. Pictured are Mike Harrison ’61, Martin Bailey ’73, Jim Loftus ’62, Shelly Schwartz ’60, Harry Mazur ’63, Ted Prociv ’70, John Blair ’70, John Venicius ’72, and Bob Hawley ’62.
PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. NAVY
for a photo with an F-14 at Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst, New Jersey. (Photo Credit: U.S. Navy)
Class of 1985
David Gill, MS, taxation and financial planning, Haefele Flanagan is pleased to announce that David J. Gill Jr., CPA/PFS™, CFP® has been promoted to partner. Dave has more than 20 years of public accounting experience. Dave is a member
DC PMC alumni luncheon hosted by John and Elise Tilleli. Seated in the front row: Bob Hawley, John Huber, Harry Mazur, Katie Herschede. From Left to right: Mike Harrison, Jim Dunn, Duke Snyder, Ron Romanowicz, Jim Loftus, Ted Prociv, Jeff Dieno, John Tilleli, John Blair, Elise Tilleli, Shelly Schwartz, Thom Chiemento. Not pictured: Dan Madish.
of the Greater Philadelphia
Flanagan congratulates Dave
Federal Tax Committee,
and looks forward to many
State & Local Government
successful years together. "I
Committee, and Personal
am both honored and proud
Financial Planning Committee
to become a shareholder in
for the Pennsylvania
Haefele Flanagan," Dave said.
Institute of Certified Public
"It is a privilege having my
Accountants (PICPA). He also
name associated with such a
serves as a board member for
highly respected accounting
the Philadelphia Rotary Club.
firm. I am excited to help lead
Dave represents the highest
the firm into the next 50 years
standards of dedication and
of excellence. I attribute my
professionalism that we
professional growth to my
strive to achieve. Haefele
partners, my colleagues, and 23
CLASS NOTES to the many clients I have worked with throughout my career. I am also grateful for my family who has supported me in my endeavors." Dave has been with the firm since 2011. Dave resides in Bucks County, Pa., with his wife and two children. Mary Kohnke Wagner, MS, burn, emergency & trauma, is a Chartwell law attorney and has been selected as 2018 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer. Wagner practices in the firm's Philadelphia office. The selections for this list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of Thomson Reuters, Legal. Each year, Super Lawyers undertakes
a selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Only 5 percent of Pennsylvania attorneys are named to the list.
Class of 1988 Marie Shires, BS, fine arts and merchandising, has been named vice president and relationship manager at Seedcopa, a certified development company that specializes in helping Pennsylvania businesses gain financing through government loans. Shires comes to Seedcopa with a decade of experience providing commercial real estate and equipment financing to the region's small to midsized businesses. "Every business owner knows how complicated the loan process can seem, especially when you're trying to navigate
federal programs and take advantage of long-term, below-market interest rates," says Seedcopa managing director Sherwood Robbins. "Marie knows how to help loan applicants convey their business stories, resulting in the best possible results for loan approval and fixed rate financing." A certified
TKE REUNION On Saturday May 6, 2017, Widener University hosted its first on campus reunion for the founding members of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity. TKE brothers who graduated from the classes of 1961 through 1974 returned to campus to attend several events including a bar-b-que lun-
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cheon and reunion dinner. TKE founding members also had the opportunity to meet current TKE brothers as well as hear TKE founder John Cellucci ’52 recount his memories of establishing the TKE fraternity chapter at Pennsylvania Military College.
CLASS NOTES PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. NAVY
The Chronicle of Higher Education has named Widener to its prestigious 2018 Great Colleges to Work For list. Making Widener a great place to work has been a key focus university wide, with ongoing conversations among the executive team, faculty and staff councils, and more.
NAWCAD Alumni Widener University alumni from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst gathered together for a photo op at Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst, NJ, on November 8, 2017. The pictured alumni are (from left to right) David Rossi ‘89, Mark Patricelli ‘10, and Tom Knudsen ‘91. NAWCAD Lakehurst
economic development financial professional, Shires has completed rigorous training in business credit, loan packaging procedures, real estate finance analysis, and deal structuring. As a long-time program director and vice president at a not-for-profit certified development company, she has been responsible for all phases of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans. She also draws on enduring relationships with local banks, professional partners, and communitybased organizations to facilitate the loan process for Seedcopa clients. Shires is
is the Navy’s engineering support for aircraft launch and recovery equipment and naval aviation support equipment; it is responsible for maintaining fleet support and infusing modern technology across the entire spectrum of equipment needed to launch, land, and maintain aircraft from ships at sea.
a member of Advocates for Small Business, where she holds a seat on the board of directors. Over the course of her career, she has taken a participating lead role in a variety of special events and summits for small business owners, including round table discussions and group training sessions.
Class of 1990
Carmen Zappile, BS, civil engineering, was cited by the Philadelphia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as its Engineering Manager of the Year for 2018. This award was presented to Mr. Zappile at the Section's annual Spring
Social, which was conducted on May 3, 2018. Mr. Zappile is the vice president of planning and project development with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, as well as the manager of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. He has been with PIDC for the past nine years. His duties include supervision and direction of architecture and engineering consultants for PIDC's efforts for technical investigation, project development and implementation, and project and construction management at the Navy Yard, as well as at other sites. He also assists with coordination of the Navy
Send Your News for Class Notes You can submit your class notes and photos three ways: 1. J oin or log on to the Widener Pride Network at alumni. widener.edu 2. E -mail to Patty Votta at pavotta@ widener.edu 3. M ail to the Office of Alumni Engagement, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013 25
CLASS NOTES to the organization. Marcia served as executive director of Kalmar Nyckel Foundation in Wilmington, Del., and as chief financial officer for the Delaware Art Museum. She also served as comptroller for the Homalite Division of B.I.G. Wilmington and has operated her own payroll management firm.
Yard's various developments and large-scale construction projects, infrastructure requirements, permitting, and regulatory issues. Mr. Zappile earned a master's degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. He and his family reside in Roxborough.
Class of 1994
Marcia Ferranto, BS, business administration—The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), the country's leading organization representing stenographic court reporters, captioners, and legal videographers, announced that its board of directors has chosen Marcia Ferranto as the organization's next executive director and CEO. "Marcia has a track record of strong leadership both inside
and outside of Washington, DC. This combined with her deep nonprofit industry knowledge, makes her uniquely qualified to lead NCRA successfully into the future," said NCRA President Chris Willette. Ferranto has experience as an independent consultant assisting companies and nonprofits with strategic development. She also brings strong branding skills
Class of 1995
Jeffrey Keller, '00, '14L, BA, government and politics, MPA, public administration, M.Jur., law—The GSETA Public Service Award is pleased to honor Jeff Keller as reentry affairs coordinator of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Jeff Keller has been with the Bureau of Prisons for 16 years. In his role, he has made it his mission to provide programs,
The Philadelphia Business Journal named Widener to its list of Best Value Colleges in Greater Philadelphia, a significant achievement that recognizes the strong advantage of a Widener degree in the job market.
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services, and resources to individuals whose incarceration is nearing an end. He oversees a staff that provides occupational training in a variety of fields, enabling inmates to leave with an industryrecognized credential. He works with outside agencies to provide returning citizens with identification documents they will need to navigate community
CLASS NOTES services. Twice a year, he brings in various agencies representing human and social services, workforce programs, community-based organizations, and private businesses that set up resource tables the inmates can visit to inquire about employment opportunities and transition services. These resource fairs have led to a decrease in the recidivism rate for the attendees. Jeff has been a long-time board member of the Burlington County Workforce Development Board and chairs the Workforce Development System Oversight Committee. Jeff also works as an adjunct professor, teaching criminal justice classes. A large component of his curriculum is bringing in subject matter experts to show his students the career pathways that exist once they complete their academic studies.
Class of 1997
William Mattern, BS, accounting, was hired by Sharon Bank as executive vice president and chief lending officer. Mr. Mattern served most recently as senior vice president and team leader of Commercial Real Estate at Beneficial Bank where he was responsible for new business development in the five county area surrounding Philadelphia and in Delaware. He also served previously in management roles with Alliance Bank in Broomall, Pa., and WSFS in Wilmington, Del., focusing mainly on commercial lending. President and chief executive officer Joseph Corrato stated, "As we continue to focus
Class of 2009 graduates/roommates/mommies and the future class of 2038/roomies/ best friends. All the husbands except for one went to Widener too! Pictured are Matt, Carli, and Blake Sosna; Todd, Jill, and Cole Elsasser; Matt, Emily, and Connor Nolan; Bill, Courtney, and Liam James; Jim, Becky, and John Valentine.
on enhancing our lending and other commercial services, I'm very pleased to welcome Bill as a member of Sharon Bank's executive management team. He brings with him more than 30 years of lending and credit experience. As chief lending officer, he'll directly manage our entire lending team."
Class of 1998
Leth Oun, BA, sociology, is a former Blair High School ESOL student and refugee from Cambodia who now works for the Secret Service protecting the president of the United States. Leth came to America in 1983 after escaping the tragedy of his homeland. Cambodia at that time was called the "killing fields" because the government killed millions of Cambodians. "My parents,
cousins, uncles, and aunts were killed during that time," he said. "I was one of the few survivors in my family." After graduation, Oun first worked as a juvenile probation officer in Philadelphia. He later got a job working for the Bureau of Prisons in Philadelphia, which is part of the Department of Justice. He found out about openings in the Secret Service, applied, completed the training, and now works with dogs checking for bombs to protect the president.
North Atlantic Operating Group, leading the firm's day-to-day business operations, as well as business development and strategic growth efforts in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. He has extensive experience in managing a diverse range of large, complex water and wastewater programs and facility projects for utility clients in the northeast. Hope is a registered professional engineer and a New Jersey
Class of 1999
Michael Hope, BS, civil engineering—Greeley and Hansen, a leading global civil and environmental engineering, architectural, and management consulting firm, has named Michael J. Hope as principal. Hope currently serves as comanaging director of the 27
CLASS NOTES certified municipal engineer. He is actively involved in a number of professional organizations, including the American Water Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and New Jersey Water Environment Association. He is a past president of the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers and has served in officer and committee roles for other organizations, including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Advisory Committee for Standards for Individual Subsurface Disposal Systems.
Class of 2001
Judith Bonaduce, MS, nursing, '13 PhD, nursing, Judith has been associated with Widener since 1995. She has a master's, post-master's, and PhD in nursing from this great school. Presently, she
Class of 2006
Dr. Christopher Nagy, EdD, school administration, was listed as one of 25 Emerging Leaders in Burlington County by the Burlington County Times and the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce. The individuals chosen possess excellence and a collective hope for a future that will make Burlington County a great place to live and work for years to come.
Christen Conaway Jones, MPA, public administration, co-chaired the 2018 annual District II conference for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Over 800 advancement professionals attended the conference. Christen was also recently promoted to director of Development and Annual Giving at The College of New Jersey in July 2017.
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Dr. Angela Rowe, MBA, health care management, is the first female president of The Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society (POS) in its 60-year existence. Dr. Rowe began her term on October 27, 2017. She practices with University Orthopedics in Altoona, Pa. Being the "first female" is nothing new for Dr. Rowe. She was the first female in her orthopedic residency training and also the first female orthopedic surgeon to serve on the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics Board of Directors. During her ascent to the society's presidency, Dr. Rowe traveled the
orthopedic specialists. At home, Dr. Rowe is a hockey mom who travels throughout the Northeast supporting her son and until recently was chairman of the Board at Advanced Center for Surgery.
New Arrivals
Robert Dowd ’13, ’17, and Kelly Dowd would proudly like to announce the arrival of Molly Lynn to the family on January 20, 2018.
Class of 2011
Class of 2018
is an adjunct professor for Widener at community sites, mainly in Chester, Pa. Judith has published nursing articles in various journals. Her book, Just Add Water, tells the story of a little girl witnessing the abuse of her mother for a protracted period of time. Just Add Water tells the story of a young woman's resilience as she goes forward in her life.
Commonwealth from her Hollidaysburg home to meet with surgeons and orthopedic residents to hear their concerns and to recruit their active involvement in POS. She also attended many legislative events in Pittsburgh, Monroeville, and Philadelphia, Pa. She is an effective advocate for her patients and a champion for
Engagements
Michael Thayne ’13, BS, electrical engineering, and Liz Blatteau ’14, BA, biology, and ’16, DPT, were engaged on February 25, 2018, at the Blue Cross RiverRink, where they have celebrated the anniversary of their first date for the past 5 years.
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. J oin or log on to the Widener Pride Network at alumni.widener.edu 2. E -mail to Patty Votta at pavotta@widener.edu 3. M ail to the Office of Alumni Engagement, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013
CLASS NOTES Marriages
Mark J. Luongo, ’78, married Crystal Louise Dorman, LPN, on October 8, 2017, in Gettysburg, Pa. It was a “Civil War wedding!”
In Memoriam
Neha Sirohi ’10 and Ryan Campbell ’14L were married on June 2, 2018, at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin, NJ. Neha is an allergy/immunology fellow at A.I. DuPont and Ryan is an attorney working in Manhattan.
Nick Dughi ’11 and Heather Hoffmaster were married on October 21, 2017.
2019 Alumni Awards Call for Nominations The Widener-PMC Alumni Association is currently seeking nominations for its annual Alumni Awards celebration, which will be celebrating 50 years in 2019. The association will present the Outstanding Alumnus Award, the R. Kelso Carter Award (for nonalumni service to the university), the Alumni Volunteer Service Award, and two Citizenship Awards named for John L. “Jack” Geoghegan ’63, which are presented to a Widener alum and a current undergraduate student. For a full description of each award and its individual criteria, as well as an online nomination form, go to alumni.widener.edu/alumniawards.
Robert Powell ‘43 Harvet Stahle ’43 Trenton Karalekas ’46 Jack Sidebotham ‘46 James Campbell ‘49 George Corse ‘49 William Knust ’49 John Kuc ’49 William Martin ’49 William Laughlin ‘50 Mitchell Mayer ’50 Gilbert Kelley ’51 Michael Santoro ’51 Thomas Wickham ‘51 Emil Costagliola ‘52 Giulio DiSerafino ’52 Edward Dyer ‘52 Lewis Watkin ‘52 Bror Axelsson ’53 James Beach ‘53 Arthur Durnan ’53 Donald Lippoth ’53 Albert Holmes ‘54 Robert Kusche ’54 Cyrus Tang ’54 George Gagliardi ’55 John Udovich ’55 Thomas Harper ’56 Peter Economos ‘57 Albert Gentile ’57 Sanvil Newman ‘57 Robert Przedzial ’57 Michael Cockill ’58 Harry Fischer ‘58 Allan Harriman ‘58 David Hepner ’58 Harold Flynn ‘59 John McCullough ’59 Harry Norman ’59 Michael O’Gorman ‘59 Patrick Dolan ’60 George Reeves ’60 William Whelen ’60 David Baim ‘61 Edward Casey ’61 Walter Henschel ’61 Robert McGowan ’61 Joseph Celento ’62 Ethan Crandall ‘62 Norman Ritterson ‘62 Philip Sheridan ’62 Frederick Spotts ’62 James Jones ’63 Lyn Lawlor ’63
David Oskin ’64, 07H Joel Pickelner ’64 Boyd Sutton ’64 Richard Watson ’64 Edmund Kozak ‘65 John McDonough ’65 Clayton Rash ’65 Richard Rogal ’65 Thomas Whitesell ’65 William Ashby ’66 Thomas Keller ‘66 George Osborn ’66 Carol Teetsel ’66 Ronald Buchan ‘67 Gilbert Fagiani ’67 James Lees ’67 James Hildick ’68 Frederick Brutsche ‘69 John Ware ‘69 Francis Blizzard ’70 Robert Elliott ‘70 Charles Garneski ’70 Paul Morrison ‘70 William Wilkinson ’70 Joseph Egan ‘71 Mark Eisenberg ’71 Gary Frankel ‘72 Ruth Frederick ‘72 Roger Henault ‘72 Robert Leach ’72 David McLaughlin ‘72 James Nilon ‘72 James Vandever ‘72 Anthony Wong ‘72 Gary Dauberman ’72 Philip Heinle ‘73 Joseph Webb ’73 John Barlow ’74 Ralph Crosswhite ’74 Albert Fulco ‘74 Francis Gormley ’74 Camille Obnamia ‘74 Joseph Udinskey ’74 Manuel Barreiro ’75 Sandra Clark ’75 John Fox ’75 Richard Jablonski ’75 Michael Jarboe ‘75 Charles Kutz ’75 Charles Long ‘75 Matthew Sankovich ’75 Anthony Sciolla ‘75 Thomas Basquill ‘76 Kenneth Boehm ’76 Richard Holden ‘76 29
CLASS NOTES
Remembering Dean Janette Packer Janette Lillian Packer, emerita professor and former dean of the School of Nursing, passed away on February 25, 2018, at her home in Newtown Square, Pa., at the age of 84. Packer was an instrumental figure in the Widener School of Nursing. Packer served as nursing dean from 1978 to 1998, during which time she played a key role in establishing the doctor of nursing science program. She was active in many national and state nursing associations and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Kappa Phi, and other honor societies. Her invaluable contributions to the nursing profession garnered recognition by the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners. Born in England in 1933, Packer's early life was shaped by the devastations of World War II. Her schooling was interrupted by the Nazi bombings and mandatory evacuations. Despite the unfortunate setback, Packer received her nursing degree from Charing Cross Hospital in London in 1955. Shortly after graduation, she moved to the United States and completed requirements to become a registered nurse, beginning work as a nurse at Cooper Hospital in Camden. In addition to her tremendous leadership and guidance at Widener, Packer is remembered for her passion for nursing and teaching. Her contributions to the Widener community live on through the Janette Packer Award, an annual award presented to the "allaround" junior student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and is active in a wide range of university activities.
James Lomax ’76 Joseph McMillan ‘76 Christopher Limberis ‘77 John List ’77 Marie Misci ’77 Lawrence Moeller ’77 Joseph Strong ‘77 Richard Harrison ’78 Robert Spinosi ’78 Peter Blank ‘79 Edward Dougherty ‘79 John Hamada ‘79 Thomas O’Keefe ‘79 Paul Ambrose ‘80 Verna Bailey ‘80 Frederick Dailey ’80 Edward Kreiner ’80 Mark Wilson ’80 Alfred Etter ‘81 30
Kenneth Jones ’81 Paul Kania ’81 James Townsend ’81 Charles Carr ’82 James DeChurch ’82 James Elliott ’82 Robert Fulton ’82 William Roemer ’82 Robert Boyle ’83 John Clark ’83 Michael Gardenier ’83 James Hunt ’84 Pauline Magargal ‘84 John Marx ’84 Joseph Zygmunt ‘84 Anthony Cappiali ’85 Richard Hartney ’85 William Platt ’85 Andrea Rogosin ‘85
Colleen Sorbello ‘85 Michael Drager ’86 Harold Hester ‘86 David Hill ‘86 Robert Hunn ’86 Judy Julsrud ’86 James Siglin ’86 Kevin Bidwell ’87 Robert Crompton ’87 Peter Krech ’87 John Blum ‘88 Matthew Davenport ’88 William Mackin ‘88 Thomas Pitt ’88 Joshua Simon ‘88 Louise Teaf ’88 Lawrence Walker ‘88 Jeffrey Feinman ‘89 Mark Lilley ’89
Dale Miller ‘89 Linda Pricket ‘89 Albert Trentalance ‘89 Marie Poland ‘90 Marieann Whalen ’90 Curtis Petherbridge ’91 Joan Davis ’92 Maryann Grippo ‘92 James Preziosi ‘92 Nancy Wolfe ’92 Nancy Yuknek ’92 Thomas Cunningham ‘93 Debra Mahoney ‘93 Eric Marsh ’93 Charles Williams ’95 Donald Babish ’96 Charles Schwartz ’96 Amy Walls ’96 Guy Wynn ‘96
CLASS NOTES REGIONAL CHAPTER CONTACTS Philadelphia County, PA Jeff Flynn ’04 jeffrey.t.flynn@gmail.com Delaware County, PA Jim Gentile ’77 jjgdds@mac.com Bucks & Montgomery Counties, PA Gregg Strom ’64 gstro@stonemor.com Chester County, PA Frank Pellegrini ’66 fpellegrini@maillie.com South Jersey Office of Alumni Engagement alumnioffice@widener.edu Wilmington, DE Vera Kunkel ’78 liberal@magpage.com Alaska Maureen Colon ’76 mobig33@gci.net Atlanta, GA Morrie Spang ’62 morriespang@comcast.net
Janette Packer ’97 Frances Freebury ’98 Deborah Weyd ’98 Peter Bloomer ‘99 Tara Curry ’99 Kelly Eberz ’99 Christine Huxtable ’99 David Tucker ’99 Robert Klein ‘00 Carl Williams ’00 David Peifer ‘05 H. F. Gerry Lenfest ’06 Daniel Gilligan ’08 Robert Wallace ‘09 Julie Wehnert ’09 Marc Espieg ’10 Joseph Connor ’12 Emily Philippe ‘12 Thomas Miller ‘16
FRIENDS, FACULTY, AND STAFF Joseph Adepoju Jonathan Akins Dwayne Armstrong Walker Carter Edna Cellini Laurence Colfer Bernard Daney Margaret Ford Anna Flack Margaret Ford Arthur Frakt Robert Gallager Paul Grove Philip Gruccio Jerry Hall Dolores Hernick Raymond Jefferis
Baltimore Office of Alumni Engagement alumnioffice@widener.edu
FL—West Coast Office of Alumni Engagement alumnioffice@widener.edu
California Sharon Carothers ’92 scarothe@worldnet.att.net
New England Kristin McJunkins ’92 krmcjunk@msn.com
Central PA Office of Alumni Engagement alumnioffice@widener.edu
NYC / North Jersey Garren Pflueger ’94 gepfinancial@gmail.com
Colorado Kate (Ferreira) Bauer ’14 kf@ophaus.com District of Columbia Office of Alumni Engagement alumnioffice@widener.edu FL—East Coast Tom Dougherty ’93 tdougherty@rccl.com FL—Orlando Stephanie (Dudley) Walls ’11 smwalls029@gmail.com
Louis Kattelman Morton Kimmel John Lease Rudy Lee Patricia Mannix Mary Marley Charles McLaughlin William O’Brien Louis Salotto Samuel Segal Kyle Smith Susan Warren Edward Weiss Faith Whittlesey John Zackowski
Northern Maryland Marcia Bowers ’85G marciabowers@atlanticbb.net Puerto Rico Dennis Lopez ’85 dennis.lopez@ trinityservicesgroup.com Texas Gerry Gaeta ’77 jazzsinger99@hotmail.com Washington State Alex Poblete ’89 alex@dmp-inc.us
Widener ~ PMC Alumni Online Community Ads Join Widener’s new online alumni community to connect with other alums, create profiles, class notes, alumni clubs, photo galleries, events, giving, and more. Continue the lasting connection! alumni.widener. edu/netcommunity/WPN
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CLASS NOTES 2019 Homecoming/ Reunion Weekend October 11–12, 2019 We welcome all WidenerPMC alumni! For more information, please visit alumni.widener. edu/netcommunity
Save the Date for HOMECOMING!
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YOU SPOKE. WE LISTENED. Last spring, Widener University conducted an Alumni Attitude Survey. Nearly 1,000 alumni responded.
88%
90%
say attending Widener was a good or excellent decision
promote Widener to others at least occasionally
95
%
of those who give to Widener say their current opinion of the university is good or excellent
88% report that their experience as a student was good or excellent
Relationships with faculty have the most impact on your experience as a student Value/respect for your degree is the most important factor impacting overall opinion of Widener The alumni magazine is considered the most important form of communication for alumni All age groups express interest in attending alumni events in their area featuring a university official (president, coach, faculty, etc) Understanding the impact of giving is ranked as most important when making the decision to give
A SNA PSHOT OF RESULTS BY CL ASS YE A R : PRIOR TO 1973 History and tradition have strongest impact on opinion of Widener
1974—1980 Most likely to read alumni email and attend alumni events
1981—1993 Believe it’s important for alumni to identify job opportunities for students
1994—2000 Would like to get more invitations to events
2000—2008 Expressed strong interest in mentoring university students and/or young alumni
AFTER 2008 Most likely to attend events related to career networking
NE X T STEPS
Your responses guided us toward some areas to look at more closely in the future. You suggested : • Creating more opportunities for interaction between alumni and students • Providing more professional development and career networking opportunities • Strengthening awareness of skills training for career preparation • Generating more communication related to specific programs and schools • Increasing the number of invitations to alumni activities • Articulating how alumni donor support impacts Widener programs and students • Focusing more communication on Widener's reputation and alumni success 33
Homecoming 2018
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This year’s Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, October 11–13, offered something for everyone. Widener Pride was in the air as generations of alumni joined with students to celebrate the institution we love. The years melted away as alumni from our Pennsylvania Military College era cherished time with old friends, swapping stories from their shared past and making new memories. The youngest members of our Widener family enjoyed breakfast with mascots Chester and Melrose. Special traditions like the broom drill, golf cart decorating competition, and crowning of the Homecoming king and queen have withstood the test of time and continue to be highlights of the weekend.
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THE BACK PAGE
Finding Common Ground Hundreds of years ago, our nation’s leaders gathered in Philadelphia to debate and construct a more perfect union. Last year, members of the Widener community traveled to that same historic neighborhood to explore the principles of active citizenship and civil discourse through Widener’s Common Ground initiative. The initiative kicked off with the event “The First Amendment: Finding Common Ground in a Polarized World” at the National Constitution Center. It featured a panel discussion between Widener President Julie E. Wollman and Delaware Law School Dean Rodney Smolla, moderated by National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. They explored the often tricky intersection of free speech and civil discourse. The talk was followed by breakout sessions on the museum overlook with
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a view of Independence Hall, in which students became the event leaders, guiding participants through personal, small-group discussions. The initiative emphasizes understanding, empathy, and advocacy—all through a framework of civility. “You can’t have civic engagement and social change without finding a common ground and without being able to have conversations with one another,” said sociology alumna Nicolette Epifani ’17. “I was pleasantly excited, but not surprised, to hear that Widener was leading this initiative.” The event was a learning opportunity for law alumni whose attendance earned continuing legal education credit. “I thought it was a tremendous dialogue,” attorney Charles W. Proctor III ’76 said. “Dean Smolla and President Wollman did a terrific job of addressing
the issues without any bias. They really presented a balanced approach.” The initiative is becoming a national model for campuses. Dr. Wollman has given a number of presentations and TV and radio interviews about Common Ground in the past year. For example, she presented the initiative to a national audience in March when she spoke at the SXSW EDU Conference & Festival in Austin, Texas. The initiative is growing at Widener. Wollman continues to lead small-group discussions on campus, faculty trainings incorporate ways to more deeply explore challenging societal issues, and student leaders conduct regular “table talks” on finding common ground. Next March, Wollman and Smolla will present the “Free Speech Workshop: The Search for Common Ground” at the SXSW education conference.
ALUMNI. IMPACT. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, Widener students have the opportunities and real-world experiences that put them on the inside track in the job market and propel them to leadership positions throughout their careers. They learn to think big and gain the confidence they’ll need to tackle the challenges facing our global community. With your help, the university will continue to provide unparalleled opportunities for the professional and personal success of each individual student. Please show your support today using the envelope in this magazine or give online at give.widener.edu. Remember, your gift makes a world of difference!
Theresa Tran ’19 has collaborated with faculty on three significant research projects and believes experiences like these have helped her grow and mature. “Because of Widener, I feel like I’m ready to take on the world.”
Jeremiah McFarland ’19 is working on earning his Oskin Leadership Certificate. He put his leadership skills to work by joining with friends to form an organization that supports students from diverse backgrounds with retention and student success initiatives.
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Gain the competitive edge you need to advance in your career with a Widener graduate degree. Today, leadership is at a premium. That is why it’s more important than ever to give yourself an edge that can take your career to the next level. With more than 60 graduate degrees, Widener University offers a robust selection of graduate programs in these fields: ¬ Business Administration ¬ Clinical Psychology ¬ Criminal Justice ¬ Education ¬ Engineering ¬ Human Sexuality Studies ¬ Law ¬ Nursing ¬ Physical Therapy ¬ Public Administration ¬ Social Work With full- and part-time programs available in evening, weekend, and accelerated and online formats, Widener can help you advance in your career. Visit widener.edu/graduate.
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