Number 02 (Fall 2010)

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WIDENER
Widener Magazine
Volume 20
Number 02
Fall
‘10
★HOLLYWOOD
FROMHERETO
WIDENER STARS
YESTERDAY
AND TODAY
Widener Magazine Volume 20 Number 02 Fall ‘10
8
Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013
Phone: 1-888-WIDENER
Website: www.widener.edu
Published by the
Office of University Relations
10
Executive Editor: Lou Anne Bulik
10
Editor: Sam Starnes
Class Notes Editor: Patty Votta
Role Playing: Widener senior
Jonathan Thomson recounts
his experience on the Theatre
Widener stage.
Bridging Generational Gaps:
Members of Generation Y and
Baby Boomers often clash in the
workplace. A Widener alumna’s
book offers solutions.
Proofreader: Jeanine Rastatter
14
18
22
Bettering Lives: Biomedical
engineering research at
Widener improves the
quality of life for people
with swallowing disorders.
Defining DeMille: Iconic
filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille
attended Pennsylvania Military
College and remained a lifelong supporter of the institution
that became Widener.
24
Portraying Evil “Gweilos”:
Widener alumnus and karate
expert plays Western villains
in Hong Kong films.
26
Spinning Vintage Vinyl:
Southern California record
executive sprung from
Widener roots.
From Here to Hollywood:
A timeline marks many
Widener-PMC connections
to the entertainment industry.
14
DEPARTMENTS
Visit Our Blog—
Widenermagazine.com
Please join the conversation
by posting your comments
and online letters to the editor.
18
Find us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/
wideneruniversity.
Magazine Advisory Board:
Jo Allen
Gerry Bloemker
Virginia Brabender
Lou Anne Bulik
Kathleen Butler
Dan Hanson ‘97
Cecilia McCormick
Tina Phillips ‘82, ‘98, ‘03
Meghan Radosh ‘00, ‘02
Sam Starnes
George A. Thompson
Contributing Writers:
Jennifer Dublisky
Dan Hanson ’97
Allyson Roberts
Allison Roelofs ’11
Jonathan Thomson ’11
George A. Thompson
Photographers:
Chris Hartlove
John Martins
Sam Starnes
3 / On Campus
4 / Sports
6 / Arts and Culture
28 / Honor Roll
32 / Class Notes
On the Cover: Cecil B. DeMille on the
set of The Ten Commandments in 1956.
1
ON CAMPUS
Awards On
Stage and Off
In the first ever
televised Academy
Awards presentation in 1953, one
of this institution’s
most celebrated
former students,
Cecil B. DeMille, stepped to the
podium to accept the Oscar statue
from Bob Hope for the Best Picture
award honoring his film The Greatest
Show on Earth. DeMille attended
Pennsylvania Military College from
1896-98, and although he didn’t
graduate, received an honorary
doctorate from PMC in 1931.
The director of 70 films remained
a loyal supporter of the college until
the end of his life.
As you’ll read about in following
pages, Widener-PMC has a long and
storied line of former students and
alumni who have achieved at the
highest level, earning this university
a reputation as an institution that
produces leaders in myriad fields.
While not as high profile as DeMille’s
Oscar, the university has been earning
accolades in a variety of categories
that have helped to raise our profile
in the world of higher education.
Four significant awards arrived
recently. Newsweek magazine in
September ranked Widener University
2
seventh on its list of the most serviceminded college and universities in
the nation.
Washington Monthly magazine in
August ranked Widener in the top
five nationally in service and 56th
overall. The magazine’s annual
college guide ranks colleges and
universities based on contributions
to the public interest.
Also in August, G.I. Jobs magazine
named Widener as a Military Friendly
School for 2011. This honor recognizing
our diligent effort to recruit veterans
and help them succeed through
various efforts like the Yellow Ribbon
Program ranks us in the top 15 percent
of all colleges, universities and trade
schools nationwide.
The Chronicle of Higher Education in
July again named Widener as “A
Great College to Work For.” Widener
University was selected as one of the
best in the “Professional/Career
Development Programs” category.
Widener was one of only 97 four-year
institutions in the nation recognized.
Earlier this year, we received
significant recognition for our
commitment to our community. The
President of the United States Higher
Education Community Service Honor
Roll cited Widener with distinction
on its 2009 list. The presidential
recognition program began in 2006
for support of innovative and effective
community service and service-learning
programs, and has included Widener
all four years.
You may recall that a few years
ago The Carnegie Foundation for the
Advancement of Teaching chose
Widener as one of the first 76 institutions in the nation to qualify for a new
“community engagement” classification.
Likewise, Widener is one of only 75
colleges and universities as part of the
Bonner Foundation’s work to improve
the lives of individuals and communities
as part of the effort by The Bonner
Foundation (Widener’s Presidential
Service Corps is a Bonner Leaders
program). Another point of pride
has been Widener’s involvement
in Project Pericles, a not-for-profit
organization that encourages and
facilitates commitments by 28 colleges
and universities to include education
for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part
of their educational programs.
These plaudits from significant
organizations should make alumni and
other supporters of the institution
proud. While these accolades are
welcomed and appreciated, the real
winner each and every day for Widener
are the students who benefit from the
support of alumni and friends and the
hard-work of our dedicated faculty
and staff. Although it is sometimes
difficult to predict who will win
awards, one thing is certain: today’s
students will be tomorrow’s award
winners, and Widener’s reputation
will continue to grow.
Dr. James T. Harris III
President
Construction of New Academic Building Under Way
Temporary fences went up and earth
movers rolled in this summer as
construction began on the new
academic building in the heart of
Widener’s Main Campus.
By late August, a thirty-foot hole
had been dug to build the foundation
and preparations completed for concrete
to be poured for the basement walls.
Installation of steel beams were
scheduled to begin in October on the
35,000 square foot, three-story building.
The building, scheduled to open for
classes in the spring semester 2012,
will house the School of Nursing and
the Oskin Leadership Institute.
The design of the building will
complement the architecture of Old
Main. The site is behind Muller Hall
(home of the Office of Admissions),
and adjacent to the Alumni Auditorium,
with the main entrance bordering the
Kapelski quad. Victory and Loveland
halls were razed in May to make way
for the new structure.
A foundation ceremony kicked off
the project in May. Widener President
James T. Harris III, Board of Trustees
Chair Nicholas P. Trainer ’64, trustee
and Oskin Leadership Institute founder
David W. Oskin ’64, ’07H, Chester
Mayor Wendell N. Butler Jr., School
of Nursing Dean Deborah R. Garrison,
and graduating senior Joseph A. Keifer
laid the ceremonial cornerstone for the
new building.
Costs of the building are estimated
at $15 million, part of which will be
paid by a $1.2 million grant from the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The
university does not plan to take on
additional debt, but will fund the
expense through increased enrollment
in the School of Nursing. The building,
yet to be named, will be the university’s
first “green” academic building,
conforming to the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) standards.
You can read more about the
building and follow progress via an
online web camera at www.widener.edu/
newacademicbuilding.
For more information on
naming opportunities and ways
you can support the project, please
contact Erin Burns at 610-499-4599
or [email protected].
Top left: An earth mover on Aug. 19
prepares the ground for the foundation
of the new academic building. Top
right: Loveland and Victory halls were
demolished in March, and offices in
those buildings were relocated.
Bottom right: An artist’s rendering
of The Oskin Leadership Institute
entrance to the building.
3
SPORTS
Why support the
Blue & Gold Club?
Chester
Teamwork:
Widener and
Philadelphia
Union Soccer
PHILADELPHIA’S FIRST Major League
Soccer franchise kicked off this summer
in a new stadium in Chester with Widener
playing a significant sideline role.
Widener is the official university
of the Philadelphia Union, PPL Park,
and the team-sponsored youth soccer
organizations. The Union played its
first home game at its new 18,500 seat
stadium in Chester on June 27, beginning a busy schedule that runs through
October. Widener President Dr. James
T. Harris III said the team can have a
positive impact on the community. “We
look forward to working with the Union
as a partner in Chester to continue
the positive work that has been accomplished to date to revitalize the city
economically and culturally,” he said.
The partnership with Widener
aims to promote the growth of youth
soccer in Chester but also to increase
awareness of Widener University
and its undergraduate and graduate
academic programs. “Partnering with
Widener University, a highly respected
educational institution right in our
backyard, was very important to both
of us,” said Philadelphia Union CEO
& Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz.
“When we sat down and realized
just how many synergies there were,
including a strong shared commitment
to the Chester community, we knew
we had something special.”
Widener students also benefit.
Caryinna Yenchak, a senior majoring in
business management who plays on
the women’s soccer team, completed
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Caryinna Yenchak, left, and Rachel Kyprianou of the Widener soccer team at PPL
Park, the new Chester stadium that is home of the Philadelphia Union. Widener
men’s and women’s soccer teams played regular season games in PPL Park on
Sept. 17. Below: The inaugural Major League Soccer game in Chester on June 27.
I support the Blue & Gold Club
because while I was a student-athlete
at PMC, sports enriched my
experiences at school and helped
to shape my life and career. It is
important for alumni to support the
club to help the younger generation
have similar positive experiences
while at Widener and to bask in the
pride of contributing to their alma
mater. The current and future
student-athletes are the primary
beneficiaries of alumni support for
the club. For alumni, the giving back
in appreciation of what WidenerPMC did for us provides a great
sense of satisfaction.
–Peter Rohana ’66, former captain of the football
team for Pennsylvania Military College, and
president of the Blue & Gold Club.
Blue & Gold Club memberships are available.
Visit www.widenerpride.com or contact
Michael J. Talarico, associate director of
university development, mjtalarico@
widener.edu, phone 610-499-4118.
an internship with the team in its
inaugural summer. A native of WilkesBarre, Pa., Yenchak said her experience
working in the PPL Park merchandise
store has given her invaluable insight
into the complexities of a major
sporting operation. “I’ve been able
to learn so much,” Yenchak said.
For more information about
the Philadelphia Union or
for ticket information, visit
www.philadelphiaunion.com or
call 877-21-UNION (877-218-6466).
A R TS A N D C U LTU R E
A Year-Long Exhibition: Rare Japanese
Bronze, European and American Paintings
IF YOU’VE NEVER SEEN the sweeping
collection of artwork in Widener
University’s permanent collection,
now is your chance. Selections will
be on display through Aug. 4, 2011.
Included are several celebrated
Japanese vases, described by
one appraiser as “one of the premier
collections of the Japanese Meiji
period (1868-1911).” Kiritsu Kosho
Kaisha, translated as the Company
for the Establishment of Industry and
Commerce, crafted the rare inlaid and
carved bronze vases. The vaunted
company of designers, hammerers and
sculptors formed after keen interest
in Japanese products at the Vienna
World Exhibition in 1873. The Japanese
bronze pieces are part of the Alfred O.
Deshong Collection.
The university’s collection includes
19th and 20th century American and
European paintings, 18th and 19th
century Asian art, African, Oceanic
and pre-Columbian pottery.
6
The Widener University Art Collection
& Gallery, housed on the first floor
of University Center, is open Tuesday
from 10 a.m.– 7 p.m. and Wednesday
through Saturday 10 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Admission is free.
Works on display will include:
Left, top: Bronze vase of
lobster motif, Japanese, 1874-90.
Designed by Yamato Koichi, Carved
by Sugiura Seitaro.
Left, bottom: Raspberries on a Leaf,
Lilly Martin Spencer (1822-1902),
American.
Below: Alla Piu Bella
(To the Most Beautiful), Francesco
Vinea (1845-1902), Italian.
Museum Diary
Opens Doors
of Learning
By Allison Roelofs ’11
ONE DOOR OPENS as another closes—
that was especially true on Student
Project Day 2010. As one audience filed
out from Widener University’s Alumni
Auditorium into the vestibule, another
was greeted by an entirely new scene:
a projector winking information about a
little-known disease, chairs straddling
the vestibule for an intimate experience,
and black-clothed students adorned
with touches of colonial garb. A hat
here and a scarf there set this new
stage for a Chester-educated physician’s
fight against an epidemic at the turn
of the 19th century.
As part of their Humanities and
Medicine undergraduate course, eight
Widener honors students revitalized
a two-century old diary from the
Winterthur Library in Greenville,
Del. The students composed
and performed nine scenes based
on Dr. John Vaughn’s “Medical Diary
No. 3” (1797-1802): a soliloquy from
the diary’s prologue, vignettes of dying
patients as well as a hysterical mother,
and Vaughn’s powerful call-to-action
at a meeting with Wilmington’s Board
of Health. A primary historical
source, Vaughn’s diary captures one
physician’s struggle against yellow
fever, a scourge that struck areas
from Wilmington to Philadelphia.
By bringing to life the experiences
of Vaughn and his patients, these
students developed a deeper
appreciation of the medical humanities.
“Medicine is as much an art as it is
a science,” said Dr. Robert J. Bonk,
associate professor of professional
writing. “Through enacting the parts
of caregivers, patients, and family
members, my students are better
able to connect practice and pathos.”
Above: Students composed and performed scenes from Dr. Vaughn’s diary.
From left, Amanda Raimer, Alexandria Einspahr, Vernard Lindsay, Jessica Viscuso,
Michelle Kozakowski, Riva Manocha, Meghan Gras, Khushbu Joshi, with associate
professor of professional writing, Dr. Robert J. Bonk. Below: Dr. Vaughn’s diary.
Connections indeed are at the
heart of Bonk’s pedagogy. Through
this novel learning project, information
from a diary that was once stored
away in a cabinet pulsed with a new
life. More importantly, connecting
Winterthur’s diary with Bonk’s technique opened yet another door into the
learning world of Widener’s students.
Dr. Ellen Strober, a retired physician
who volunteers at the Winterthur Library,
took on the task of deciphering “Medical
Diary No. 3” with its many quirks
in syntax, language, and symbolism.
Anthony Archibold, a biology
major who saw the performance,
was intrigued by Vaughn the scientist.
“What captured my attention the most
was that [Dr. Vaughn] began with little
information and, through seeing various
patients and making observations, he
was able to make connections between
the weather and yellow fever,” he said.
Vernard Lindsay, a junior chemistry
major in the cast, said the acting
“added substance to the class . . .
because we acted it out and didn’t
just sit in a lecture.”
Allison Roelofs is an English major and
professional writing minor.
7
Acting Out:
Lessons Learned
On Stage at
Theatre Widener
By Jonathan Thomson ’11
“Acting can’t be that hard.”
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say
that I’ve heard this phrase at
least fifteen times since I
appeared in my first-ever
play, See How They Run, produced
by Theatre Widener in the
spring of 2009.
I PORTRAYED a British police sergeant who appears
toward the end of the third act. My on-stage time was
only about ten minutes, but it was an experience.
I didn’t view acting as a job. I viewed it as a game. It
wasn’t just acting—it was a game of persuasion. I had to
convince the audience that I was the character I had to
portray, be it a tough-as-nails police inspector or a slick,
hot-shot advertising executive in 12 Angry Jurors, an
adaptation of 12 Angry Men.
I was not an actor in high school, but I was always
fascinated by the craft. I liked the idea of pretending to be
something else and getting into character. As a big fan of
movies, I thought I knew all that there was to know about
acting because I’d listened to Hollywood actors talk about
their work. It wasn’t until I had my first audition that I
realized I didn’t know anything about acting.
My first audition was awful. I stumbled over words,
didn’t capture tone correctly, and didn’t even understand
what I was saying. Then the director, Bohdan Senkow,
asked me if I could do a British accent. I told him that
I was doing one all my life. When he handed me a script
with the words “wot’s goin’ on ’ere, eh?” I knew that I
had the role.
I’ve learned many things from working with Theatre
Widener. The first thing that every actor has to know is
that he is not alone on that stage. The ultimate goal of the
production is to entertain, so if an actor forgets his lines, he
simply tries to cover it as best as possible and keep the play
running smoothly.
Another thing I’ve learned is that acting is a
commitment. My weekends, especially those right before
the play, were consumed by rehearsals and perfecting lines.
My script went everywhere with me, from accompanying
me to class to dining with me in the cafeteria.
Thomson, left, and on stage in 12 Angry Jurors.
The most importing thing I’ve learned from being
an actor is that acting is a tough business. I have an
unlimited amount of respect for those who act because,
although it is fun, it’s a lot of hard work. At the end of the
night, when you’ve been running through a play multiple
times and all of your energy is drained, only then can you
truly call yourself an actor.
Being in the Theatre Widener Company was a
decision that I can truly say I am proud of. It has been
quite an experience. I’ve made a lot of friends who I know
are capable, reliable people dedicated to their craft. And
Bohdan is tough and demanding, but he’s fair and he
makes the productions run as well as they do. But to
make the play the best it can be truly rests on the
shoulders of the actors and their amount of dedication
and willingness to do the best they can.
Jonathan Thomson is a senior majoring in English and is editor-in-chief
of The Dome. To see the schedule for Theatre Widener performances,
visit www.widener.edu/theatrew.
9
KNOWING Y—
FROM FLIP-FLOPS
TO FACEBOOK
An Alumna
Offers Insight
into the Cause
of Generational
Conflicts
By Allyson Roberts
10
MARY MCCAFFREY was stunned.
A graduating psychology major with a
thin resume told McCaffrey, associate
director of Widener’s Career Advising
and Planning Services (CAPS), that
because she was a college graduate,
she wasn’t willing to work for less than
$50,000 a year. “I was blown away by
how out of touch she was with reality,”
McCaffrey said.
McCaffrey said the encounter
is not uncommon. “Recruiters
will approach me after a career fair,
amazed that students equate schooling
with ‘paying their dues,’ and therefore,
expect a certain salary or high profile
position from the get-go.”
This sense of entitlement is
a characteristic common among
Generation Y, also known as Nexters,
Millennials, or Echo Boomers. Born
between 1980 and 2000, Gen Y
makes up most of the student body
and, at more than 70 million strong,
is the fastest-growing segment in
the workplace. From flip-flops to
Facebook, these young employees
are shaking up the corporate culture
created by older generations.
Widener alumna Dr. Nicole
Lipkin, a 2002 graduate of the joint
PsyD/MBA program who also earned
a master’s in criminal justice, found
that the youthful mindset often clashes
with the approach of established
managers. Lipkin, 35, president of
Equilibria Coaching and Consultation
Services in Philadelphia, said office
battle lines were clearly drawn, but
what was not clear was how to bridge
the divide to get the two sides working
together efficiently.
She explored solutions in a book,
co-authoring Y in the Workplace:
Managing the “Me First” Generation
published in 2009 by Career Press. A
guide for managers, it offers coaching
strategies to transition Gen Y
employees into the workforce and
insight on how to cultivate young
employees’ strengths and diminish
weaknesses. “Older generations sit and
bash Gen Y, yet they don’t realize that
they have the power to influence how
this young generation will work and
impact businesses and corporations in
the future,” Lipkin said. “I say, ‘Don’t
be a complainer, be a doer.’”
Lipkin and co-author Dr. April
Perrymore focus on the underpinnings
of Gen Y’s makeup. “Psychology gives
us an understanding of why people are
the way they are,” said Lipkin. “So to
truly develop Gen Y as workers, we
need to take a step back and appreciate
what influences have shaped who
they are today.”
For example, consider the issue
of self-entitlement. Lipkin and
Perrymore found that older generations see Gen Y as being outspoken,
having high expectations for job
growth, and lacking loyalty to a
company. Yet the parents who raised
Gen Y to exhibit these traits are,
ironically enough, the same managers
who are struggling today with Gen Y
in the workplace. “Gen Y was shaped
by a huge shift in upbringing,” Lipkin
said. “Boomers raised their kids to be
seen and heard and have decisionmaking capabilities.”
A shift in parenting coupled with
a change in the education system,
where games with winners and losers
vanished and students earned “gold
stars for just showing up,” ultimately
led to what Lipkin calls the selfinflation movement. “Many Gen Y’s
have false expectations that they can
do or be anything.”
Samantha Camoni, Widener’s
assistant director of CAPS, tries to allay
this attitude, stressing to students the
importance of engaging in experiential
learning opportunities and taking on
leadership roles. “These days having a
degree does not mean you are entitled
to your dream job,” she said. “You have
to offer something else, some other
value to the company.”
Another gripe managers have
against Gen Y employees is their
loyalty—or rather lack thereof—which
Lipkin also traces back to upbringing.
She says that baby boomers tried to
protect their Gen Y children from
the outside world, “swooping in”
when problems surfaced, a practice
that prompted the nickname
“helicopter parents.”
Camoni had a recent encounter
with a helicopter parent who attended
her son’s career counseling appointment. It was a first for Camoni, who
typically meets one-on-one with
students. The parent obviously was
11
concerned about her son’s future, but
Camoni thought, Wasn’t it time for the
student to break those ties? Widener’s career
advisors often field calls from parents
and find it common for them to
remain involved in the lives of their
children, said CAPS Director Barbara
Buckley. She said some employers
have begun copying parents on job
offer letters.
While “helicopter parents” may
have deprived their children of
important lessons in accountability,
their hovering did, however, teach
Gen Ys to value relationships. Where
Gen Ys may lack loyalty to a company,
they will exhibit loyalty to individuals.
Lipkin recommends that managers
cultivate relationships with young
employees to increase the likelihood
they’ll remain with an organization.
To nip many generation-based
conflicts in the bud, Lipkin advises
managers to set clear expectations for
young workers. “Spend more time
in the beginning explaining your
managerial style, and explain the
behavior that is and is not negotiable.”
She also says to clearly layout how the
Gen Y employee can earn his or her
salary and eventually a promotion. “The
great thing about members of this
generation is that they want to succeed.”
To do their part in making a
better impression on older bosses,
Lipkin urges Gen Ys to build a
“personal portfolio.” She says that
students should develop their own
brand and nurture it. And with the
rise of social media, Lipkin warns
Gen Ys to keep their offline and
online brand consistent, and beware
of posting embarrassing personal
material online. “Students are crazy
if they don’t think they’re ‘Googled’
before a job interview,” she said.
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A command of technology is
perhaps the most obvious difference
between Gen Y and older generations.
Members of this generation often lack
a formality in their workplace dialogue
and have difficulty interacting face-toface as they have always communicated
through technology. “I have noticed
that some of our students struggle
to make small talk with potential
employers,” Camoni said. “At a
recent job fair, I told a student to go
network. She responded with a look
of sheer horror, ‘I don’t know how.
What should I do?’”
To combat this, Widener’s
CAPS program has incorporated
more networking events into their
programming to help students
strengthen their interpersonal skills,
and has encouraged participation in
mock interviews so students can
practice delivering thorough responses
to interview questions rather than
quick, “text-like” answers.
The Widener Emotional Learning
Survey (WELS) is another university
initiative that is helping students
develop social and emotional
competence. The survey that gauges
awareness of emotions, tolerance,
flexibility, self management, and
relationship skills has been incorporated
into the freshman seminar curriculum.
“There is a growing body of evidence
to suggest that social and emotional
competence is positively associated
with academic and employment
success,” said Dr. Stephen C. Wilhite,
dean of the School of Human Service
Professions and associate provost for
graduate studies. “Competent individuals can make adjustments to their
lives in ways that help them continue
with an organization and thrive.”
Lipkin fully supports Widener’s
use of the survey. “Schools will do a
service to businesses and organizations
globally if they start helping students
develop emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and career-savvy attitudes
early on,” she said. “These are the
practical lessons that students can
apply immediately in the workplace
and get results. They’ll help bridge
those generational gaps.” w
Below: Dr. Nicole Lipkin, below, is a
2002 graduate of Widener’s PsyD/MBA
program and also holds a MA in
criminal justice from Widener.
A commitment to preparing students
for careers and helping them find
jobs after graduation drives Widener’s
Office of Career Advising and Planning
Services (CAPS). According to an
employment survey of 2009 graduates,
those efforts are paying off.
A total of 71 percent of students
answering the survey were employed
within six months of graduation, and
22 percent were enrolled in graduate
or professional programs. More than
40 percent said CAPS played a role
in securing their job, citing leads that
came from campus-related resources
such as career fairs, on-campus
recruiting, CAPS referrals, and
co-op/internships.
Because work experience ranks
among the top three criteria employers
look for when hiring, CAPS Director
Barbara Buckley encourages students
to visit the office early in their undergraduate careers to take advantage
of resume-building resources. CAPS
counselors offer personal assistance
with choosing a major, exploring
career options, developing interview
skills, researching graduate schools,
and looking for employment. CAPS
also hosts career fairs and networking
opportunities and provides students
with access to CAPSnet, an online
service that features job and internship
listings and an employer database.
For more information on CAPS,
visit widener.edu, call 610-499-4176,
or e-mail [email protected].
13
“Eating
plays a critical role in all
aspects of our society. It is something so common that we take it for
granted. Most significant events revolve
around a meal—weddings, funerals, graduations, job interviews—it has become a common
practice that surrounds us. Now, imagine if you
stopped going to social gatherings or out to eat
in public, because you were embarrassed that
you have trouble swallowing. One’s quality
of life will eventually begin to deplete.
This is an on-going problem that
individuals, especially the elderly,
face every day.”
–Dr. Mark Nicosia
Widener Engineering Professor’s Research Impacts Common Medical Disorder
By Jennifer Dublisky
MOST OF US DON’T THINK TWICE when we
take a drink of water or swallow a bite of food, but for
many it is not easy.
A disorder causing severe difficulty in swallowing—
commonly known as dysphagia—is estimated to affect
up to 30 percent of people above the age of 65, and 50
percent of nursing home patients. Though most common
among older people, individuals of all ages can suffer
from dysphagia, especially those who have been diagnosed
with a stroke or nervous system disorder.
Strides in managing this difficulty in swallowing
through biomedical research have been made by
Dr. Mark Nicosia, associate professor and chair of
Widener’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Explaining the intricacies of his work is not simple.
“It’s not your normal family dinner conversation,” he
said. “When people find out about my research and start
asking questions, they will learn that even though it
seems like such a simple process, it is actually quite
complex from both a medical and mechanical perspective.”
What does it mean to suffer from dysphagia? It is a
struggle to swallow—which could occur in the mouth,
14
Widener Associate Professor Dr. Mark Nicosia is
assisted in his study of swallowing difficulties by
senior mechanical engineering major Michelle Martelli.
throat or esophagus (the tube connecting the throat to
the stomach). Currently, Nicosia focuses on the head and
neck region—known as the oropharynx. “Swallowing
disorders in this region can be caused by an illness
or traumatic event, such as a stroke or cancer that affects
the tongue and throat muscles,” Nicosia said. “These
muscles move substances from the mouth, through the
upper digestive system to the stomach.”
When patients are unable to swallow, doctors and
nurses may need to insert a feeding tube. Avoiding this
option by successfully treating swallowing disorders is a goal
of experts working in this field, said Renee Silo Bricker,
a speech language pathologist who clinically treats patients
with this condition. “Though a feeding tube may be one
option, the ability to continue eating would give the patient
a stronger quality of life,” Bricker said.
Nicosia, a Widener faculty member since 2004
who also conducts biomedical research on technologies to
improve cardiovascular surgeries and suturing in Caesarian
section operations, has been researching oropharyngeal
swallowing disorders since 1997. “I wanted to be involved
with real issues,” he said. “I had heard stories of people
who wouldn’t go out to eat because of the underlying
embarrassment of the struggle with eating.”
15
16
After focusing early research on the esophagus, he
Another part of Nicosia’s research that has played a
moved to address mechanical issues of swallowing in the
significant role in clinical development, Hind said, was on
head and neck, as many of the therapies used to treat
pressure generation in the oral cavity. During a swallow, the
swallowing disorders in this area are mechanical in nature.
tongue presses against the hard palate, pushing the liquid
He hopes to develop modifications based on understanding
ahead of it. Nicosia and his colleagues in Wisconsin were
how the propulsive forces applied by the tongue lead to
interested in quantifying the pressure generated by the
successful swallowing.
tongue during swallowing. They used sensors attached to the
Much of Nicosia’s research is based on different age
hard palate to measure pressure during an isometric task
constituencies and their health levels, as well as abnormal
(subjects were instructed to “push your tongue against the
and normal swallowing behaviors. He focuses on changes
roof of your mouth as hard as you can”) and during normal
that occur in swallowing as part of normal aging. “Change
swallows in groups of older and younger individuals. “There
occurs over the normal life span,” he said. “I want to
was a decrease in lingual strength (i.e., isometric pressure)
see what factors may make it more difficult to deal with
with age while pressure generated during swallowing was
an insult—for example, head and neck cancer, or a stroke.”
unchanged,” he said. This implies that normal swallowing
He has seen these various changes when examining
does not require the full strength of the tongue, and instead
swallowing behavior in a wide range of individuals
individuals have a “reserve,” defined as the difference
up to 95 years of age with healthy swallows.
in pressures attained during swallowing and the maximum
His current research
(isometric) pressure attainable by
focuses on the development
that subject. However, as individuals
of computer simulations to
age, this reserve decreases (maximum
study the manner in which
isometric pressure decreases while
swallowed liquids move
pressures recorded during swallowing
through the oropharynx.
do not change), leaving someone
The ultimate goal is to use
potentially more prone to having a
this knowledge to optimize
swallowing disorder in response
therapies designed to
to an illness or traumatic event.
improve swallowing. A
This was a significant finding,
good example is the current
Hind said. “Nicosia’s analysis of
practice of modifying the
pressure data in the oral cavity
thickness of beverages for
provided
the field with critical
Widener students built this simulation device to test
people who aspirate thin
information on how pressure
the flow of liquids during the act of swallowing.
liquids (liquids with consisgeneration changes with age,”
tency similar to water). By adding “thickener” to liquids,
she said. “The information set an important stage for
clinicians slow the liquid flow through the oropharynx and
the development of lingual strengthening devices, some
avoid aspiration into the airway. Nicosia’s research could help
of which are currently patented.”
identify optimal levels of “thickness” for various disorders.
She said his efforts successfully complement medical
He collaborates with clinicians in fields involved in
research in the field. “It is great to have biomedical
managing swallowing disorders, such as gastroenterology,
engineers to collaborate with to extend our clinical
otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat surgeons), speechresearch efforts,” she said.
language pathology, and geriatrics. He has a particularly
Michelle Martelli, a Widener senior majoring in
close relationship with speech-language pathologists at
mechanical engineering, has assisted Nicosia in his research.
the University of Wisconsin–Madison on the development
“Seeing my research applied is the best part,” she said. “It’s
of interventions, such as exercise regimens for throat
great to see the actual progress we are making.”
muscles to improve swallowing.
Even though he has accomplished much, Nicosia
One of these collaborators is Jacqueline Hind, a
remains committed to working to provide even more relief
researcher who played a leading role in a decade-long
for those afflicted with dysphagia. “There is so much room
randomized, multi-site clinical study, which was the largest
for future refinement of our understandings of the various
trial in dysphagia funded by the National Institutes of
cause and effects,” he said. “If we can make advances to
Health (NIH), in which Nicosia participated. “He played
optimize the way swallowing disorders are treated, then it
an instrumental role in the standardization of fluids used
would bring a significant change. It is very important to
for dysphagia diagnosis and management,” Hind said.
realize the impact eating can have on the quality of one’s
life and how not being able to swallow affects that.” w
Widener to Launch Biomedical Engineering Major
A new undergraduate major in biomedical engineering, scheduled to
begin fall 2011 (pending approval of
Widener University’s Board of Trustees),
will prepare students in the School of
Engineering for careers in a rapidly
growing field. Biomedical engineering
combines engineering and medical
technology to find ways to improve
the quality of human life. Biomedical
engineers develop a wide variety of
therapeutic and diagnostic products,
and advance treatments through
improvements in technologies used
for kidney dialysis and treating
difficulties in swallowing. The demand
for biomedical engineers nationally is
expected to grow, and the local demand
for experts in the field is strong.
National forecasts expect biomedical
engineering jobs to increase by 72
percent by 2018, far more than the
16 percent growth forecasted for all
professional occupations. In addition,
the Greater Philadelphia Area ranks as
the second largest area of employment
in the nation for biomedical engineers.
For more information, visit widener.edu/
biomedicalengineering.
Above, left: Widener School of
Engineering Associate Professor
Dr. Zhongping Huang researches
artificial kidneys for biomedical
engineering applications.
17
CECIL B. DEMILLE:
ICONIC HOLLYWOOD
DIRECTOR GREW
FROM WIDENERPMC ROOTS
By Sam Starnes
THE NAME CECIL B. DEMILLE
rings ubiquitous in American culture.
Gloria Swanson, a fading silent
film star playing a fading silent film
star, summons it in the 1950 movie
Sunset Boulevard.
“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready
for my close up,” she says, a quote
ranked seventh on the American
Film Institute’s list of all-time great
cinematic lines.
Bob Dylan utters it in “Tombstone
Blues,” a song from his landmark 1965
album Highway 61 Revisited.
Now I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill
I would set him in chains at the top of the hill
Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille
He could die happily ever after
18
And every year for the past 58 years
in Hollywood at the Golden Globe
Awards a presenter announces a leading filmmaker—most recently Steven
Spielberg and Martin Scorsese—as the
winner of the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
His name, of course, looms large
in the annals of Widener University.
Of all the students to attend since
Widener’s history began in 1821, none
have established as much cultural
cachet and international fame as
DeMille, director of 70 movies from
1913 through 1956. His career started
in the silent film era and ended with
the blockbuster extravaganza
The Ten Commandments starring Charlton
Heston as Moses. “Most people, even
today’s generation, may not know who
DeMille was, but they certainly know
the name,” said Dr. J. Joseph Edgette,
a Widener emeritus professor and the
university’s folklorist.
In 1896, DeMille began attending
Pennsylvania Military College,
Widener’s predecessor, for free
because Col. Charles E. Hyatt, then
PMC’s president, sent his daughter at
no cost to a school for girls directed
by DeMille’s mother. DeMille, only
15 at the time, and his mother rode
bicycles from Northern New Jersey to
the Chester campus at the beginning
of the school year, a distance of
approximately 120 miles.
Above: PMC student DeMille, is second
from the left in the front row.
Although he was a successful
student, ranking fourth in his class,
DeMille did not graduate from PMC,
leaving after two years in 1898 to
attend the American Academy of the
Dramatic Arts in New York. Even
though he left early, he supported
PMC long after success in Hollywood,
and received an honorary doctorate
from the college in 1931. In 1933, he
staged a special showing for PMC
cadets of his film The Sign of the Cross,
and in 1950 he donated a signed film
script of his movie Samson and Delilah
to PMC that remains in the library
archives. In 1951 he founded the
Freedom Trophy awarded annually
to an outstanding PMC cadet.
The trophy is now housed in the
PMC Museum.
Cecil B. DeMille directing a scene from
the 1920 film, Something to Think
About, starring Gloria Swanson.
19
In 1956, DeMille wrote to Manie
Sachs, a PMC trustee and vice president
of RCA, regretting that he could not
attend the upcoming alumni banquet:
“I wish I could be there, but, since my
work on The Ten Commandments makes
that impossible, perhaps I can impose
upon you to express my warmest
greetings to our fellow alumni.” He
concluded the letter by praising PMC:
“The formative years of youth are
most important—and it is good for
America that PMC is still giving
and, I hope, will continue to give the
sound, high-principled education it
was giving that September day in 1896
when I rode my bicycle all the way to
Chester from my home in Pompton,
New Jersey.”
Known for his grand epics often
based on biblical stories with giant
casts, a young DeMille certainly was
influenced by the military environment at PMC, Edgette said. “Military
is filled with pageantry,” he said. “The
first thing he would have learned is
ceremony. How to dress, how to
behave. His time at PMC helped
him develop his own character.”
Ultimately, that character partially
formed at PMC more than 110 years
ago helped him to become an iconic
director. His name still resonates
worldwide more than fifty years after
his death in 1959. “He was a major
contributor to the American cinema,”
Edgette said. “He ranks way up there.” w
Late PMC Alumnus
Credited DeMille
with Movie Career
DeMille, second from left, on
Pennsylvania Military College
football team, 1897.
Books About DeMille:
Empire of Dreams: The Epic Life of
Cecil B. DeMille by Scott Eyman (2010).
Cecil B. DeMille: A Life in Art
by Simon Louvish (2008).
Cecil B. DeMille’s Hollywood
by Robert S. Birchard (2004)
Cecil B. DeMille
by Charles Higham (1973)
The Autobiography of Cecil B. Demille
by Cecil B. DeMille (1959)
Selected Filmography:
The Squaw Man (1913)
The Volga Boatman (1926)
The King of Kings (1927)
Dynamite (1929, first “talking picture”)
Madam Satan (1930)
Cleopatra (1934)
North West Mounted Police (1940)
Reap the Wild Wind (1942)
Samson and Delilah (1949)
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
The Ten Commandments
(1956; silent version 1923)
Top: Inscription on a handbook for the movie Samson and Delilah, donated
by DeMille to PMC.
Bottom: DeMille visited PMC in 1931 and received an honorary doctorate.
20
By Dan Hanson ‘97
On his return from the Korean War,
Walter J. Wood ’44 stopped off in
Hollywood to visit an influential
contact made through Pennsylvania
Military College—Cecil B. DeMille.
The legendary director set Wood
up with a job as a publicist for RKO
Pictures in New York. Wood, a decorated
veteran of World War II and the Korean
War who had served as public relations
manager at PMC in the early fifties,
said the director’s favor launched
him in the movie business. “I owe
my film career to Cecil B. DeMille,”
Wood wrote in a letter to Widener’s
alumni office in 1983.
In 1961, Wood co-produced his
first movie, The Hoodlum Priest, and
other film projects followed, including
Escape from Berlin in 1962 and The
Todd Killings in 1971. In 1976, Wood
became director of the New York
Mayor’s Office for Motion Pictures and
Television. During his three-year reign,
more than 100 movies were filmed in
the city, including blockbusters
Superman and Annie. For his efforts to
increase major television production in
New York, Wood received an Emmy
Award honoring his “outstanding
contribution to the art of television.”
He later formed Walter Wood
Productions, and in 1983 produced
the movie Stroker Ace starring
Burt Reynolds.
Wood died April 20 at his home
in Palm Springs, Calif. He was 88.
Above: Walter J. Wood ’44 in 1975 as
director of the New York Mayor’s Office
of Motion Pictures and Television.
21
FROM OUR
HALLS TO
HOLLYWOOD
AND BEYOND
Burt Mustin, Class of 1903.
Familiar character actor on
early radio. In his sixties
moved into film and TV,
including The Dick Van Dyke
Show, Leave It to Beaver,
The Andy Griffith Show,
My Three Sons, Bewitched,
and All in the Family.
Died in 1977 at age of 92,
but his estate each year
continues to make a
donation to the university.
John Philip Sousa,
known as the “March King,”
received an honorary
doctor of music degree
from PMC in 1920.
Also wrote music for
“Dauntless Battalion”
in 1923, a PMC song.
Bill Stern ’30, prominent
national sports broadcaster
who announced the first
televised sporting event,
a baseball game between
Princeton and Columbia
in 1939. Hosted national
NBC radio show from
1937-1953. Died 1971.
Bob Hope appeared in
Alumni Auditorium in
1966 to help PMC celebrate
100 years in Chester, and
received an honorary
doctorate of human letters.
Pictured with former
Widener and PMC
President Dr. Clarence Moll.
Actress and political
activist Jane Fonda spoke
on campus in 1972 amid
much controversy in
the year PMC changed its
name to Widener College.
Billy “White Shoes”
Johnson ’75 introduced
his very entertaining “Funky
Chicken” dance celebration
after touchdowns, a move
described by one ESPN
commentator as “The
greatest celebratory dance
in the history of the NFL.”
Matthew McGrory, a
seven-foot, six-inch tall
actor, attended Widener
Law in 1996-97. He appeared
on Howard Stern’s radio
show in the 1990s and later
played roles in the movies
Big Fish, Men in Black II,
The House of 1000 Corpses,
and others. McGrory died
in 2005 at the age of 32.
Pictured in costume in Tim
Burton’s 2003 film Big Fish.
Frank Strayer attended
Pennsylvania Military
Academy prep school in
1909. Director of 86 films
from 1923 to 1951, including
13 in a series based on the
Blondie comic strip. Also
directed dramas and horror
films including the 1933 film
Vampire Bat. Died 1964.
Manie Sachs ’24, influential
record executive at Columbia
Records and later at NBC
and RCA who played key
roles in careers of Frank
Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Benny
Goodman, and others. When
Sinatra married actress
Ava Gardner, Sachs gave
the bride away. A PMC
trustee, he died of leukemia
in 1958 at the age of 56.
John Lance Geoghegan ’63,
killed in action in Vietnam
in 1965. The 2002 film
We Were Soldiers is based
on the battle in which he
was killed (actor Chris Klein
portrayed Geoghegan).
Widener’s John L.
Geoghegan Student
Citizenship Award is given
annually for academic
achievement, leadership,
and community service.
The Little Nipper window
installed in 1971 over
the main staircase in the
Wolfgram Library. The
14-foot window is one of
four original stained-glass
windows depicting Nipper,
the mascot of the Victor
Talking Machine Company
(later RCA) removed in
1967 from the RCA Tower
in Camden, N.J.
A young Bruce Springsteen
performed two memorable
concerts on campus in 1974
and 1975.
Kyle Bowser ’91L worked
for Fox, Inc. and HBO
before founding Res Ipsa
Media, Inc., a multi-media
production company. In
2006 he released Inspired
By . . . The Bible Experience,
an audio production
featuring Denzel Washington,
Angela Bassett, Samuel L.
Jackson, and many others
reading the Bible.
Danny Corey ’07 captured
second place in the comedy
division of the Greater
Philadelphia Student Film
Festival with his 2007 short
film The Rocket Avenger
Club’s First Launch. His
short film Everyone But
Otto (2009) premiered at the
West Chester International
Short Film Festival. He
works as a production
assistant on feature films
and commercials, and is
on staff of the reality series
Kate Plus 8.
A TIMELINE OF
WIDENER’S FAMOUS AND
INFLUENTIAL FACES
In addition to Cecil B.
DeMille, many entertainment industry standouts
have attended WidenerPMC. Some alumni and
former students have
produced well-known
works and influenced
various productions from
behind the camera or in
executive offices, while
others have inspired films
or starred on the screen
and airwaves.
The following timeline
highlights some of the
brightest lights, as well
as brushes with famous
names and other notable
campus connections to the
world of entertainment.
22
23
“WOULD
YOU LIKE
TO MAKE A MOVIE?”
By George A. Thompson
Widener Alumnus and Martial Arts Expert
Plays Evil Westerners in Hong Kong Films
WIDENER ALUMNUS Thomas J.
Hudak ’77 learned that opportunity in
Hong Kong doesn’t knock—it kicks.
But that didn’t bother Hudak—he
knew how to kick back.
Hudak studied karate while still in
high school in Roselle, N.J. A year after
graduating from Widener College with
a degree in accounting and psychology,
he earned his first black belt in 1978
and seven years later won a karate
championship establishing him as
New Jersey’s best overall martial artist.
In 1986, after three years serving
as a financial systems analyst for
Computron Software, his managers
asked him to move to a new Hong
Kong office, because as they said,
“Tom knows karate.”
“As if that made a difference,”
Hudak said, recalling their logic with
a laugh. Hudak, however, rapidly
achieved tremendous business results
in his job selling financial accounting
software throughout Asia.
He also sought out opportunities
to continue practicing karate after
moving to Hong Kong. “I found a
gentleman who was teaching a class,
and started participating in the
evening,” Hudak said. It was only a
matter of weeks before the karate
master asked Hudak: “Would you
like to make a movie?”
It turned out that an American
with a black belt in karate made for an
Thomas J. Hudak ’77, right, with Hong
Kong film star Simon Yam. They starred
together in the 1999 film Trust Me U Die.
attractive asset in the cost-conscious
Hong Kong film industry. “I didn’t
need a hotel room and I worked
nights and weekends,” he said. “At
times, to save money, they used my
business office or apartment to film
occasional scenes.”
And besides, several Hong Kong
film directors were running out of
“gweilos.” Gweilos literally means
“ghost man” in Cantonese, and is a
term applied to most foreigners,
especially from the West. They are
frequently portrayed as bad guys
in movies made in Hong Kong.
During the next decade, Hudak
would go on to work in 30 films
and commercials. “Some parts were
large, others just one scene,” he said.
“Some were stunts, or I made script
adjustments, or I choreographed
fight scenes.”
As a stunt and fight coordinator,
Hudak worked with Jackie Chan in
Police Story 2 in 1988. In Knock Off in
1998, starring Jean-Claude Van
Damme, Rob Schneider, and Paul
Sorvino, Hudak wore padding as Paul
Sorvino’s stunt double to “do some
hard falls and take a couple of shots.”
His first significant acting role was
in A Man Called Hero in 1999, portraying
a gay piano player. “A challenging role
for me,” Hudak said. Hudak considers
his role as a corrupt FBI director in
Wesely’s Mysterious File in 2002, among
his best moments on screen.
Hudak that same year appeared
with Jackie Chan—this time in front
of the camera—in an American
Express commercial. “I played an evil
Russian solider trying to get Jackie
Chan while he’s shopping,” he said.
Hudak, married with three
children, still lives in Hong Kong.
Now a managing director for Bradmark
Technologies, he describes himself as
semi-retired, and spends much time
teaching and working with children
in local schools and as an instructor
for adults.
At 55, he remains involved in
filmmaking. “I don’t do as much of
the hard contact karate, and not as
much stunt work,” he said. “I can be
very selective in picking roles.”
Hudak said a philosophy of learning taught in classrooms at Widener
ultimately helped him succeed in both
business and film. He fondly recalls
the collective wisdom of professors
Martin Gage, Frank Lordi, and
William Zahka: “Stick with it, be
resourceful, step up, find the ability
to get the job done.”
And the advice of John S. Schultz,
professor of economics, now seems
prophetic to Hudak. He said, “If you get
a chance to go international—grab it.”
A Hong Kong resident for the
past 24 years, Hudak carries with him
the lessons he learned as an undergraduate: “Independence, responsibility
for self, learning to be resourceful,
developing confidence through trying
again and again, and the faculty
support are what I liked best about
my Widener experience.” w
SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY
1985
Last Dragon
1990
Angel Mission
1998
Hot War
1998
Knock Off
1999
Gigolo of Chinese Hollywood
1999
A Man Called Hero
1999
Ordinary Heroes
(Hong Kong Film Award)
1999
Trust Me U Die
2000
Treasure Hunter
2000
A.D.
2002
Wesley's Mysterious File
Hudak considers his role
as a corrupt FBI director
in Wesely’s Mysterious File
in 2002, among his best
moments on screen.
25
The list of artists on the Friday Music label reads like a hall of fame of ‘70s and ‘80s rock ’n roll.
T RECORDS
By Dan Hanson ’97
26
Joe Reagoso, left, with
The Doobie Brothers
With Elton John
JOE REAGOSO SAT with a friend in the parking lot of
a McDonald’s during his senior year at Widener trying to
scrounge together his last few cents to buy a hamburger.
Nearly broke, it was a low point that the 1982 graduate
vividly remembers nearly 30 years later. “We said, ‘Someday,
we’ll be out of this situation. Let’s always remember sitting
here at this McDonald’s when we’ve made it.’ That still
haunts me.”
Reagoso has come a long way from that McDonald’s
parking lot. He is the owner and chief executive officer of
Friday Music, a Southern California-based record company
that focuses on classic rock artists, reissuing classic albums,
and catering to the growing demand of audiophiles and
young audiences discovering classic rock music.
A native of Westbrook Park, Pa., Reagoso has had
music in his blood since the age of two. “I knew what the
songs were just by the color of the record label,” he said.
“I would associate music that way as a little kid. My family
bought me records all the time, and I was fascinated just
watching them turn on the record player.”
By the time he was in first grade, Reagoso knew how
to play guitar and started his first band, a trio called The
Thirds. He continued to play in bands in high school and
at Widener.
As a Widener senior, Reagoso faced a tough decision.
“I was playing a lot, working part time at music distributors,
all while studying, editing the entertainment column of
The Acorn, and being the music director at WDNR, but I
had to think of the future,” he said. “An English rock band
had reunited at the time and they saw me play and asked me
to join them on a reunion tour. I was in the last two weeks
of finals, but they said I had to leave in a hurry. I said I
couldn’t throw away four years of school.”
With Johnny Winter
With Ray Manzarek
Reagoso finished, earning a bachelor’s degree in business
administration. He began working at small music concerns
along the East Coast when he got his first break—a telephone
conversation with an MCA Records executive that landed
him a position in the promotion department for the label
promoting artists like Tom Petty, Elton John, and B.B. King.
“Before MCA, I was working with a bunch of small
companies promoting comedy albums for Redd Foxx and
George Carlin and doing some jazz and R&B projects,”
Reagoso said. He went from MCA to start up a new division
with Atlantic Records, then to RCA Records, and back to
MCA University where he stayed until 2002.
“Right after 9/11, I knew it was time for me to get back
to my roots and do my own thing,” Reagoso recalled. He
went to a weekend of Yes concerts at the Tower Theater in
Upper Darby, Pa., and noticed how young the audience was.
That gave him the idea to start his own record company to
serve a younger audience discovering classic rock.
“Rock and Roll is here to stay—it really is,” Reagoso
said. “We were part of a audiophile vinyl revival. We’re doing
the great classics with legendary acts like Journey, Meat
Loaf, Boz Scaggs, Deep Purple, Yes, Santana, Billy Joel—
these were all my favorite bands when I was growing up.”
Reagoso remasters the original recordings and likes
to throw in a few extra bonus tracks whenever he can. The
label took five years to establish but now has a solid base
of loyal customers worldwide. “I’m humbled to be seen as
a leader in the classic rock music field because the music
business is a very difficult business, especially now,” Reagoso
said. “I’m just a little guy out of the Philly area that worked
really hard and was recognized for my love and passion of
the music.” w
27
Honor Roll 2009-2010
Honor Roll 2009-2010
I would like to extend my
sincere thanks to all of the
alumni and friends of Widener
who invested in the university
with their philanthropic
support during this past
fiscal year.
The following pages contain
an abbreviated version of our
Honor Roll of Donors as we
continue to be sensitive of the
environmental and economic
impacts that our publications
have as we move forward.
A complete honor roll
listing may be found at
www.widener.edu/honorroll.
Because of your generosity we
saw a tremendous increase in
the number of donors to the
university this past year and I
want to assure you that every
single gift is critically important
to allowing us to fulfill our
mission as a leading
metropolitan university.
Dr. James T. Harris III, President
Lifetime Giving Societies
The Old Main Guild
Cumulative Gifts of $1,000,000 and
Greater
Individuals
Paul ‘95 & Melissa Neubauer
‘95 Anderson
Daniel ‘84, ‘05+ & Shelly Borislow
Edith R. Dixon
James W. Hirschmann III ‘82+ &
Laura Hirschmann
Grace Sevier Lincoln ‘69, ‘73
David W. ‘64+ & JoEllen Oskin
Ralph P. Muller ‘62
Joseph & Jeanette Neubauer
George Strawbridge Jr.
Organizations
ARAMARK Corporation
Bank of America/MBNA
Foundation Administration
E. I. du Pont de Nemours
and Company
Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith
Memorial Fund
Longwood Foundation, Inc.
Pew Charitable Trusts
Quick Charitable Trust Foundation
Ruby R. Vale Foundation
Widener Memorial Foundation
W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
The Hyatt League
Cumulative Gifts of $500,000 to
$999,999
Individuals
Peter B. ‘72, ‘77+ &
Alison Zacharkiw
CAPT Robert Taishoff,
JAGC, USN (Ret.) ‘89L
Organizations
Bernard Osher Foundation
Boeing Company
Charlotte W. Newcombe
Foundation
Fujitsu Computer Products
of America, Inc.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Margaret Dorrance Strawbridge
Foundation
Robert S. Crompton ‘87
Sunoco, Inc.
Taishoff Family Foundation
The MacMorland League
Cumulative Gifts of $250,000 to
$499,999
Individuals
Alfred ‘57 & Armineh Aysseh
Alexander & Ann Bratic
John & Carol Durham
Joseph ‘55 & Charlotte Giordano
Joseph R. ‘55+ & Carol Rosetti
Cynthia H. Sarnoski, PhD ‘74+
Robert C. Smith ‘50
Walter M. & Alice W. ‘92L
Strine Esqs.
28
+Current Widener University Trustee
*Deceased
Gen. John Tilelli Jr., USA (Ret.)
‘63+ & Valerie Tilelli
SAP America Inc.
Robert Crompton ‘87
Trustees’ Society
Parcels, Inc.
Sartomer USA, LLC
Marcel de Wolf
Annual Gifts of $5,000 to $9,999
Philadelphia Foundation
Nicholas P. Trainer ‘64+
Thayer Corporation
Edith R. Dixon
United Parcel Service
Elizabeth A. Dow
William Penn Foundaton
Joseph ‘55 & Charlotte
Giordano
Individuals
Edward ‘68 & Patricia Baxter
Susan Turley Bedford ‘78
Paul ‘79+ & Caroline Beideman
Richard ‘62 & Susan Bergeman
G. Robert & Barbara Bowlby
Margaret Brick
Barbara Chamberlain, PhD ‘07
Michael DeFino Esq. ‘75L+ &
Valerie DeFino
Sebastian Faro MD, PhD ‘62
& Sharon Faro
Andrew Field ‘77
Mark, Elizabeth &
Alexander Fink
Ronald Goldfaden Esq. ‘76L
George ‘66 & Mary Graner
H. Edward Hanway ‘84 &
Ellen Hanway
James Hargadon ‘75+
James+ & Mary Harris
Richard Herrmann Esq.
Henry Justi
Robert ‘65 & Anita Kennedy
Jane Laffend ‘70
James Mack III ‘85+ &
Debra Kurucz
Harry Dillon Madonna
Esq. ‘97L
Kathleen McNicholas
MD, JD ‘06L, ‘10L
Bruce Monroe Esq. ‘96 &
Elizabeth Monroe
Anthony Pontello Sr. ‘61, ‘70
& Barbara Pontello
Gordon Redgate ‘81
Richard Ridgway ‘89
Ann Sadr, PsyD ‘02
Vito ‘61+ & Mary Louise Verni
Hon. Joseph Walsh
John Wetzel Esq. ‘75 &
Donna Wetzel
Stephen Wirth
Pin Oak MHP Corporation
Organizations
KMPG LLP
Nathan Speare Foundation
PNC Bank
Salvatore Giordano
Foundation, Inc.
The Moll League
Young Conaway Stargatt
Taylor LLP
Rosemary Levine
President’s Council
Members
Cumulative Gifts of $100,000 to
$249,999
Chairman’s Forum
Individuals
Anonymous (2)
Bill & Jane Anderson
Richard P. ‘62 & Susan Bergeman
Frances E. D. Biddle
James E. Bowen ‘49
G. Robert & Barbara Bowlby
Thomas H. ‘67+ & Bonnie Bown
Russell J. ‘57+ & Mary Anne Bragg
Robert J. & Judith G. Bruce
R. Heberton Butler ‘49
John D. ‘63 & Maryann
‘63 Dishaw
David F. & Constance B.
Girard-diCarlo
George ‘66 & Mary Graner
John M. Guinan ‘70
H. Edward ‘84 & Ellen Hanway
Eldridge R. Johnson II ‘43 &
Betty Johnson
Gerry & Marguerite Lenfest
Robert P. Levy
Theodore F. Locke Jr. ‘42 &
Marjorie I. Locke
Bruce Monroe Esq. ‘96L &
Elizabeth Monroe
William B. Packer
Sam ‘72 & Jean Paddison
William C. Saunders
Robert Schaal ‘76
John Schmutz Esq.+ &
Eileen Schmutz
Timothy P. Speiss CPA ‘83, ‘89 &
Theresa M. Cicalo-Speiss ‘83
Cyrus Tang ‘54
Vito R. ‘61+ & Marylou Verni
Donald P. Walsh Esq.+ &
Joyce Walsh
Ken Butera & Karol M.
Wasylyshyn, PsyD ‘82+
Individuals
Thomas ‘67+ & Bonnie Bown
Alexander & Ann Bratic
Dr. Robert D. Gober ‘79L
Kenneth Miller ‘92 & Nancy
Miller Esq. ‘88, ‘92L
Cynthia Sarnoski, PhD ‘74+
Timothy P. Speiss CPA ‘83, ‘89 &
Theresa M. Cicalo-Speiss ‘83
Walter M. & Alice W. ‘92L
Strine Esqs.
CAPT Robert Taishoff, JAGC
USN (Ret.) ‘89L
Gen. John Tilelli Jr., USA (Ret.)
‘63+ & Valerie Tilelli
Nicholas P. Trainer ‘64+
Ken Butera & Karol M.
Wasylyshyn, PsyD ‘82+
Organizations
Campbell Soup Company
College Bookstores of
America, Inc.
E. Wallace Chadwick
Memorial Fund
Exelon Corporation
George I. Alden Trust
J. Williard & Alice S. Marriott
Foundation
Laffey McHugh Foundation
Philadelphia Coca-Cola
Bottling Company
Philadelphia Foundation
Mark Heim
Annual Gifts of $25,000 and Greater
Organizations
ARAMARK Higher Education
Bank of America Charitable
Foundation, Inc.
Barra Foundation, Inc.
Bernard Osher Foundation
Charlotte W. Newcombe
Foundation
Estate of Mary E. Dale
J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott
Foundation
Jewish Community Federation
Mutual Fire Foundation Inc.
Nephros, Inc.
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP
Pennsylvania IOLTA
Pew Charitable Trusts
Philadelphia Union
Sierra Club
Taishoff Family Foundation
TD Bank
V System Composites, Inc.
W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Walter M. Strine & Alice Washco
Strine Foundation
Young Conaway Stargatt
Taylor LLP
Dome Society
Annual Gifts of $10,000 to $24,999
Individuals
Marc Abrams Esq. ‘78L
Alfred ‘57 & Armineh Aysseh
Daniel ‘84, ‘05 + & Shelly Borislow
Jeffrey Bowen ‘93
Frank Brewer
Philip Lewis MD ‘72
George Miller Jr. Esq. ‘81L
Anne Norris
David ‘64+ & JoEllen Oskin
Ronald Stead, PhD+ &
Rita Stead
Leslee Silverman Tabas Esq. ‘79L
Diana Wister
Douglas Wolfberg Esq. ‘96L
Stephen ‘77+ & Pamela Wynne
Peter ‘72, ‘77+ & Alison
Zacharkiw
Organizations
ADT - Advanced Integration
Banfi Vintners Foundation
Bank of America
Ben Franklin Technology
Partners
Bonner Foundation
CIGNA Corporation
Colonial Estates Partnership
Cornelia Cogswell Rossi
Foundation, Inc.
Crozer Keystone Health
Systems
D & K Charitable Foundation
Delaware County Keystone
Innovation Zone
E. I. du Pont de Nemours
and Company
Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith
Memorial Fund
George I. Alden Trust
Greiner Family Foundation
Harriette S. & Charles L. Tabas
Foundation
HSC Builders & Construction
Managers
Leadership Philadelphia
Margaret Dorrance
Strawbridge Foundation
Mid-Atlantic Environmental
Law Center
Morris James LLP
Morris, Nichols, Arsht &
Tunnell LLP
Pacific Millennium Holdings
Corporation
Philadelphia Coca-Cola
Bottling Company
Raynes, McCarty
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
Salvatore Giordano
Foundation, Inc.
Sartomer USA, LLC
Tevebaugh Associates
Widener Small Business
Development Center
Organizations
Ashby & Geddes
Bridge Educational Foundation
College Bookstores of
America, Inc.
Connolly, Bove, Lodge & Hutz
DeFino Law Associates
Fidelity Investments Charitable
Gift Fund
Greater Philadelphia Chamber
of Commerce
Herrmann Family Foundation
Justi Group Inc.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Lenore & Howard Klein
Foundation Inc.
Marshall Dennehey Warner
Coleman & Goggin
Morris S. & Florence H.
Bender Foundation
Office Depot
Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC
Risk & Insurance Management
Society of New Jersey, Inc.
Verni Foundation
John Bullock Society
Annual Gifts of $2,500 to $4,999
Individuals
Michael ‘64 & Lynn Albarell
Jo Allen
Linda Ammons, JD
Philip Anderson III ‘70 &
Ruth Zowader
Joseph & Cathy Baker
Jerry ‘63 & Suzanne Ballas
Carl Battle Esq. ‘82L
Jonathan Bigley Esq. ‘95L
Scott ‘97L & Tanya ‘97L
Blissman Esqs.
James Bohorad Esq. ‘96L
James ‘65 & Brenda Brogan
Arthur Bruaw Jr. ‘55
Robert J. & Judith G. Bruce
R. Heberton Butler ‘49
Edward ‘80 & Kathleen Callan
Frank ‘50 & Rita Castagna
Charles Catania
Hon. Ida Chen
Antonio Ciccone
John Clark Jr. Esq.
Michael Conlon ‘04
Donald Daley ‘87
Timothy Sullivan &
Linda Durant
Joel Feller Esq. ‘93L &
Kim Feller
Thomas ‘76 & Bette Molino
‘71, ‘84 Ferrill
William ‘73 & Ingrid Fryberger
Lt. Col. Vincent Gorman Jr.
(Ret.) ‘61 & Nelda Gorman
Warren Grad ‘71
Nicholas & Anna Hadgis
George ‘92 & Nancy Hassel
James W. Hirschmann III ‘82+
& Laura Hirschmann
John ‘63 & Ruth Huber
Rocco Imperatrice III Esq. ‘80L
Morton ‘51 & Linda Kaplan
Conrad ‘55 & Sheilagh Karl
Nicholas Kemp Jr. ‘89
Wayne Kimmel Esq. ‘95L
Mathias Kirchmer
Larry & Linda Lesick
Cyril Lever Jr. ‘53 &
Norma Lever
Alan Levin ‘80L & Ellen Levin
Natalie Lynn
Walter MacFarland IV ‘71, ‘89
& Antoinette MacFarland
M. Jane Mahoney Esq. ‘76L
James McCracken ‘87 &
Deborah Kandrak ‘89
McCracken Esq.
July 1, 2009–June 30, 2010
29
Honor Roll 2009-2010
Eugene McGurk Jr. Esq. ‘78L+
Rosalinda McWilliams
Edward Micheletti Esq. ‘97L
Honor Roll 2009-2010
Tribute Gifts
Gifts received in honor of
Ms. Antoinette E. Lutz
Thomas J. Lyons
Gifts received in memory of
Dr. Charles L. Bartholomew
Jonathan ‘80 & Robin Moll
Lawrence P. Buck
Christopher & Susan
Mascioli
Thomas Nason II
Marc Brodkin
Ms. Cynthia McCormick
Linda Hahs Flaharty’s 35 years
of service
Kevin & Deborah McCreery
Robert Melzi
Eugene McGurk Jr. Esq. ‘78L+
Phyllis Neaves
Savas & Mary Elizabeth
Özatalay
Frank ‘66 & Maureen Pellegrini
R. Robert Rasmussen II ‘73
Brendan & Jennifer Ratigan
Faculty and staff members
of Widener University
School of Law
Peter Rohana Jr. Esq. ‘66 &
Joanne Rohana
Joseph A. Kutschman III
Alexander & Nancy Sarcione
Dr. Brian Larson
John Schmutz Esq.+ &
Eileen Schmutz
Janice Schulman
Capt. Frederick Shahadi Sr.,
USN (Ret.) ‘49
Elizabeth Kutschman
Anthony Pontello Sr. ‘61, ‘70 &
Barbara Pontello
Kathleen McNicholas
S. Carol A. Ammon
Leif Sigmond Jr. Esq. ‘90L
Mr. Thomas R. Ashley
Gregg ‘64 & Carol Strom
Robert & Dawn Bantivoglio
Min Suh Esq. ‘95L+
George Barnett &
Mary Hopper
Arthur Tildesley Jr. ‘82 &
Susan Tildesley
Richard Umbrecht ‘80
Organizations
111A1 Beta LLC
American College of
Bankruptcy Foundation
Cambridge Speaker Series
Chester Rotary Foundation
Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback
Foundation
Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman
& Leonard, P.A.
Comcast Corporation
Comprehensive Medical Practice
Delaware State Bar Association
E.C. Barnes, Inc.
Elliott-Lewis, Inc.
Estate of Vincent V. Vendetti
Exelon Nuclear
Harrah’s Chester Casino and
Racetrack
Imperatrice, Amarant, Capuzzi,
& Bell, PC
Kaplan Family Foundation
Layne Communications, Inc.
Leadership Development Forum
M.A. Rallis Corporation
Nason Construction, Inc.
Pennsylvania Bar Foundation
Robert Stephen Weimann
Endeavor Fund
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher
& Flom LLP
Society for Foodservice
Management
State Farm Insurance
Companies
Wolters Kluwer Law & Business
Robert & Elizabeth Beste
Rita Bartholomew
Rudolph Bloom Jr.
Thomas Camper
Kathleen McNicholas MD,
JD ‘06L, ‘10L
Norma Thomas
James & Elizabeth O’Neill
Esther Clark
Mr. James W. Semple
R. Bradley & Noreen Slease
Ms. Martha F. Steel
Mr. Edwin Tocker
Guy & Susan Townsend
Mr. Charles M. Townsley Jr.
Mr. Thomas J. Weiner
Alan & Patricia Zarkoski
Marc T. Zubrow
Dr. Marye O’Reilly-Knapp
Mary Beth Brady &
Joe Vigorita
Anonymous
Carroll Morgan Carpenter
Mary Louise BaumbergerHenry, DNSc ‘92, ‘98
Joseph & Lois Allen
Law Office of Eileen Caplan
Seaman
Eileen Caplan Seaman
Esq. ‘94L
John Jack Geoghegan ‘63
Barbara Geoghegan Johns
Leona Hayman
Serena Rasul
Madeline Hayman
Norma Thomas
Distinguished Professor
Robert Justin Lipkin
Bob Cooper & Eileen
‘76 Cooper
Thomas & Emily Reed
Elizabeth W. Bayley, PhD
Scott & Jill Chiccino
Kathleen Black, DNSc ‘04
Carla Bellamy
Brian & Bunny Christopher
Marcia Gioffredi Bowers ‘85
Bruce & Gail Marshall
Richard Christopher
Ellen Boyda ‘97
Patricia & William
Christopher
Betty A. Boyles
Ms. Noriss L. Cosgrove
Patricia M. Curtin MD
Dr. Vincent Delduca Jr.
Quentin & Jenny Dexter
Mr. Philip Difebo
Lea duPont
Nancy J. Durbin
Mary Anne Edwards
Jane Brennan, PhD ‘93
Esther Brown
Tammie Calabrese
Lynda Jacobs ‘10
Erica Seidel, PsyD ‘03
Dorothea Bender ‘10
Louise Jakubik, DNSc ‘07
Douglas Shultz ‘10
Craig Pogach
Max Bernhard ‘10
Yolanda Johnson ‘04
Neha Sirohi ‘10
Stephen Ries Esq. ‘07L
John Bilger ‘01
Matthew Slomiany ‘10
Brad S. Sahl Esq.
Francis Bizzari III ‘10
Robert Jones ‘07 & Mary
Williams, PhD ‘72, ‘95
Ade Smith ‘02
Mr. William A. Silver
Max Blanton ‘10
Allison Kachinsky ‘10
Rebecca Smith ‘06
Nicole Blees ‘10
Colin Keelan ‘10
Jeffrey Sofran ‘02
Candace Bogdan ‘10
Joseph Keifer ‘10
Thomas Stagliano ‘05
Kevin Boyle Jr. ‘10
Michael Kepler ‘10
Erika String ‘10
Christine Bradley ‘10
Richard Kilpatrick & Judith
Kilpatrick, PhD ‘02
Colleen Sullivan ‘10
Robert & Victoria Moll
Ruth Moll
Hon. Michael N. Castle &
Jane Castle
Thomas Corrigan
Dieter Bender ‘10
Michael S. Paul Esq. ‘88L
Clarence R. Moll
James & Eileen McKiernan
Mr. Ernest H. Pescatore
The Paul Group, LLC
Kimberly Marshall ‘04
Coradina Matthews ‘74
Denver & Ayleen Burns
The Honorable Charles P.
Mirarchi Jr.
Robert & Victoria Moll
Angus Neaves
Tracy Broomall ‘02
Jaime Cafaro ‘10
William ‘94L & Alison
Neaves ‘92 Keffer
Melissa Caltabiano ‘10
George Lincoln III &
Nelly Lincoln
Barbara Chamberlain, PhD ‘07
William Shergalis
Denise Chigges ‘08
Nathan Raudenbush ‘05
Lisa Cella ‘10
Christopher Ciprietti ‘10
Leigh Kimble ‘10
Caitlin Kirkpatrick ‘10
Ashley Koroncai ‘10
Erin Larkin ‘10
Carolyn Le ‘10
Alexander LeBrun ‘10
Casey LeRoy ‘10
Megan Dodge ‘07
John Clark, EdD ‘07 &
Lois Clark
Clinton & Janene
Morschauser
Thomas Clisham ‘04
Timothy Lisi ‘10
Richard W. Ridgway ‘51
Richard Ridgway ‘89
Clyda Thomas
Bernard Liberati ‘10
Nicholas Coffin ‘10
Jamie Lockard ‘03
Brett Comer ‘10
Gustavo Lopez ‘10
Tyla Conicello ‘10
Ellen Madison ‘08
Michael Conlon ‘04
Danielle May ‘10
Brooke Wollenberg
McDonnell ‘02
Elsie C. Lawton
Kenneth & Augusta
McKusick
Elizabeth DeFrancisco ‘01
Amy Degano ‘02
Felice C. Morgan
Casey Delaney ‘10
O’Brien Bower, P.A.
Mark & Gertrude ‘08 Depew
Mark O’Brien Esq. ‘98L
Elizabeth Dewhurst ‘10
Thomas & Emily Reed
Matthew DiCarlo ‘10
Douglas DiFilippo ‘10
Eleanore Dower
Robert Stein &
Associates, PLLC
Shirlee Drayton-Brooks
Marcia Bloomfield
Dawn Ferry ‘98, ‘09
Branigan & Ortiz, LLC, PC
Simon and Lupo
Attorneys at Law
Mary Francis
John J. Branigan Esq. ‘77L
Frederick Simon Esq.
Megan Dodge ‘07
Allison Dorn ‘10
Kimberly Dunn ‘10
Alison McLaughlin ‘10
Erica Melfe ‘10
Susan Mikus ‘07
Mary Joy Miller ‘10
Patrick Miller ‘07
Lakiesha Mills ‘10
Joseph Moldover, PsyD ‘03
Gregory Moyer ‘10
James Murphy ‘10
Robert Yoder & Noreen
Nicholas-Yoder, EdD ‘04
Marybeth Durkin ‘09
Christina Ordile ‘10
Dylan Dworsky ‘10
Andrew Parkin ‘10
Elizabeth M. Tome
Ervin Elbasani ‘10
Deborah Garrison
Holly Pascall ‘10
Michael Wims
Nathan Eveler ‘07
Bethany Henry
Joshua Burg Esq. ‘05L
Alan ‘01 & Rachel Peura
Angelina Fareri ‘10
Jim & Ann Krouse
The Wistar Institute
Kyrsten Pierce ‘10
Richard & Helaine Gordon
John Cirrinicione ‘07L &
Lauren Pisapia ‘07L Esqs.
Ross Ferreri ‘03
Danielle Pierre ‘10
Widener GOLD Alumni
Patricia Fitzgerald ‘04, ‘05
Donna Popky, MSW ‘06
Barbara Fleming ‘10
Christopher Poston ‘10
Jeffrey Flynn ‘04, ‘05
Jessica Prince ‘10
Corinne Foley Esq. ‘03, ‘06L
Kristen Randazzo ‘10
Steven Fox ‘10
Rayne Reber ‘10
Mary Ellen Santucci,
DNSc ‘01
First Judicial District Court
Common Pleas Board
of Judges
Widener’s GOLD (Graduates of
the Last Decade) Club recognizes
the main campus alumni of the past
ten years who have given $100 or
more over the past fiscal year, or
who have contributed to the Senior
Class Gift fund.
Patricia Fleming
Courtney Adams ‘10
Rose Schwartz ‘08
Marvin & Marcia Halbert
Douglas Agard ‘10
Bill & Tracey Swanson
Law Offices of Brad Sahl PC
Ryan Aker ‘10
Margaret Tenaro
Yvonne Albright ‘04
Mary Walker
Law Offices of Ronald
DeSimone
Pamela Williams
Denise Marone Esq.
Sara Alven ‘10
Mattioni, Ltd.
Marguerite Ambrose, DNSc ‘03
Mr. Albert M. DiGregorio
Robert & Kathleen Henry
Janette Packer ‘97
Lauren Huebner
Barbara Patterson
Laurence R. Feinstein
Esq. ‘88L
Vincent & Jenny Hughes
Joyce Rasin
Jodi A. Hutchinson
Mr. Allen L. Johnson
Mrs. Lorraine A. Kendle
Joseph Kestner Jr.
Ms. Margaret M. Kraft
Carla Laub ‘97
Meaghen & Gilbert Leidig
Mr. David Lodge
Ms. Gail T. Lodge
Jean Woodson Lodge
Ms. Jennifer M. Lohkamp
Joseph ‘55 & Carol Rosetti
Jay & Linda Wallberg
Doris Zinck
WISE
Eugene McGurk Jr. Esq. ‘78L+
Gebremariam Alfa
Meg Ambrose ‘10
Angella Moore & Tracy Borda
Joanne August ‘10
David & Donna Orenstein
Jennifer Barnes ‘10
Noelle Palazzo Esq. ‘05L
Matthew Walker ‘10
Bryan Ward & Nancy
Ravert Ward ‘04
Michael DeCarlo ‘10
Scott ‘97L & Tanya ‘97L
Blissman Esqs.
Linda O’Kane ‘90
Christopher Waldron ‘10
Darlene Davis, EdD ‘02
Renae Beth Axelrod Esq. ‘91L
Charles & Meredith Hatfield
Scott Voshell, DPT ‘08
Kathleen Wagner ‘02
Mr. Anthony DeGrandi
E. John Wherry Jr.
Teresa Decker ‘99
Mr. Tomi Helojoki
Arlene Trapuzzano ‘03
Nicole Wasielewski ‘10
Susan Costello
Ronald DeSimone Esq. ‘84L
Raymond Townsend ‘10
Lisa Wasley ‘10
Dr. & Mrs. Steven L.
Reiner MD
Mr. Ralph DeLucia Jr.
Barbara Toner, EdD ‘04, ‘10
Ashley Toth ‘10
Patrick McCallum ‘03
Donna Callaghan, DNSc ‘00
Ms. Brenda Kucirka
Emma Thrasher ‘10
Lisa Marie McCauley, EdD ‘04
Heshie & JoAnn AielloRudick
William & Susan McClennen
‘87 Mills
Michael Talarico ‘03
Michelle Danner ‘10
Michael J. Goldberg Esq.
& Anne Goldberg
Eileen Ayse Grena-Piretti
Esq. ‘92L
John Sweeney ‘10
Steve Curtiss ‘06
Norma Thomas
Henry & Leslie Brubaker
Mr. Edward T. Gallagher
Constance Sweeney ‘02
David Beccaria ‘10
Alicia Francis ‘10
Lijia Ren DPT ‘09
Edward ‘06 & Patricia ‘04
Gallagher
Timothy Rice, DPT ‘03
Jennifer Garell ‘02
Robert Richardson & Emily
Richardson, EdD ‘04
Steven Gerstley ‘10
Charles Ridewood ‘08
Elizabeth Granci ‘10
Jamie Rivero ‘10
James Green ‘10
Joseph Rogers ‘01
Giavonna Gualberti ‘10
Scott Romeika, PsyD ‘02
Nea Hargrove ‘10
Tepvaddei Ros ‘10
Christopher Hayes ‘10
Lauren Routhenstein ‘10
Gage Heitner ‘10
Cheryl Sadeghee ‘04
Tracy Hiles ‘10
Ann Sadr, PsyD ‘02
Philip Hutson ‘04
Michelle Scott ‘10
Gabrielle Wasser ‘10
Steven Weisel ‘10
Lauren Wenhold ‘10
Barbara White, EdD ‘03
Darcy White ‘10
Matthew Whitehouse ‘10
Edward Whitfield ‘03
Jennifer Williams ‘10
Rachael Wilson ‘10
MaryJo Yannacone ‘08
Ryan Young ‘10
Christopher Zepp ‘10
Nicole Ziegler ‘10
Amanda Isanski ‘10
+Current Widener University Trustee
*Deceased
30
July 1, 2009–June 30, 2010
31
Class Notes
Class of 1949
R. Heberton Butler, BS,
industrial engineering,
belongs to the Swarthmore
Senior Citizens Association
and arranged a tour of PMC
Museum on May 19. The
group was impressed with
the museum and had a
lovely afternoon.
Class of 1959
Robert Miller, BS, business
administration, and his wife
Nancy met classmate Bill
Lake and his wife Marge
for lunch at Red Lobster in
Ft. Pierce, Fla. Bill could not
make the 50th Reunion, so
Bob brought pictures from
Homecoming Weekend to
share with his former roommate of three years. They had
a great time reminiscing.
Class of 1953
George Vavra, BS, mechanical
engineering, and Jean (Mrs.
PMC ’53) will celebrate their
60th wedding anniversary
with their four children and
eight grandchildren. They
live in the Leisure World
community in Mesa, Ariz.
Class of 1954
Blair Law, BS, management,
and his wife Mary hosted
friends Bob Azzolin (’54) and
his wife Lisa, Bob Pierpont
(’54) and his wife Marion, and
Pete Hansot (’57) and his wife
Betsy. They gathered at the
Law’s house in Fort Myers, Fla.
Class of 1958
Don Ruopp, BS, chemistry,
has moved to Heritage Ranch
in Fairview, Texas. Ron and
Alice invite classmates
to visit.
32
Class of 1963
Larry Liss, BS, was featured
in a documentary Helicopter
Wars: Vietnam Firefight
that aired on the National
Geographic Channel internationally in 2009 and will
appear on the Smithsonian
Channel in the U.S. in
November 2010. Liss flew
650 missions in Vietnam
and earned multiple commendations, including a
Distinguished Flying Cross for
Valor, and is being considered
for a Congressional Medal
of Honor.
Class of 1965
Class of 1972
Gilbert Held, BS, electrical
engineering, spent several
weeks traveling in Israel and
Petra, Jordon with his wife.
He has retired from teaching
graduate school, authoring
books, editing a technical
journal, and directing data
communications for a federal
agency. Although he developed
a rare blood cancer called
Waldenstrom’s and had to
have chemo, he did a significant amount of research and
found a drug that has worked
so well that he feels 20 years
younger! His daughter is
getting married in Las Vegas
and his son and his family
vacationed at Hilton Head,
S.C. In between, Gilbert and
Beverly took a cruise. The
Helds live in Macon, Ga.
Thomas
Dannaker,
BS, engineering,
has joined
the engineering
team of the
Harrington
Group. Mr. Dannaker is a
registered fire protection
engineer and comes to
Harrington Group with 37
years of engineering and
consulting experience, with
an emphasis in risk management and risk reduction
strategies. Tom will be acting
as a senior property fire
protection engineer on many
ongoing and new projects.
Prior to Harrington Group,
Mr. Dannaker was employed
for 35 years with FM Global,
and its prior companies, in
various capacities, including
assistant vice president,
senior account engineer,
senior engineering officer,
regional engineering manager,
unit engineering manager,
district manager, senior
district engineer, and loss
prevention engineer.
CLARIFICATION: The spring
2010 Widener Magazine
omitted a reference to the
MBA earned by Jerry
Creighton ’67, ’71.
Class of 1970
Thomas Dougherty, BA,
behavioral science, said
reading the alumni profile
of Roy Eaton brought back a
few quick flashbacks of those
days. I remember well the
painting of Old Lucky.
Class of 1989
Save the Date!
Alumni Weekend
April 15 and 16, 2011
We welcome all Widener-PMC Alumni!
For more information please visit
http://alumni.widener.edu/netcommunity/WPN
and psychologists have barely
begun to study the question
of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury
among Civil War veterans. If
you are interested in purchasing a copy, you can go to the
Deeds website: www.deeds
publishing.com and place
your order. Bill looks forward
to hearing what you have to
say about this piece.
Class of 1974
Carol Lutrell, BA, English,
earned her master of energy
and environmental policy
degree from the University
of Delaware in May 2009.
Carol works for DuPont
Company in Wilmington, Del.
Class of 1976
Bill Speer,
BA, history.
Deeds
Publishing
has just
released
Bill’s new
book:
Broomsticks
to Battlefields: After the
Battle, The Story of Henry
Clay Robinett in the Civil War.
The book gives insight into
the extent to which horrors of
war affect the personality and
reminds us that historians
Denise Nagle Bailey, BSN ‘76,
MEd ‘98, EdD ‘06, RN, earned
an MSN in Public Health
Nursing from La Salle
University in Philadelphia
in May. In June, she was
named Independence Chair of
Nursing Education at La Salle
University and was appointed
Director of the La Salle
Neighborhood Nursing Center.
In addition to her bachelor’s,
master’s in education, and
doctoral degrees, she also
holds a CSN (School of Nursing
certificate) from Widener.
Class of 1980
Steve Piersol, BS, accounting,
received the award for Best
Marketing for the City of San
Ramon, Calif. The parks and
community services department has been the innovators
of the use of affinity rewards
program within the Parks and
Recreation field for the last
six years. Piersol is operations
manager for the city’s parks
and community services
department.
Class of 1983
Cynthia Jackson Clarke, BS,
science administration, ’86
MBA, is an adjunct instructor
at Georgetown University
teaching Foundations of
Human Resources in the
master of professional studies
in human resources management program. In her day
job, Cynde is a human capital
consultant serving her firm’s
clients in the federal sector
doing HR transformation
work. She celebrated her
tenth anniversary with
Deloitte in February.
Timothy Speiss, BS, accounting, MS, taxation, has been
named to the PAFA Task Force
at the Philadelphia Convention
Center. The task force was
created to discuss regional
growth opportunities related
to the completion of the
Convention Center’s new
addition.
Todd
Terhune,
BS, civil
engineering, was
recently
promoted
to counsel
in the
environmental practice of
Wolff & Samson. Terhune
has been with the firm for
five years. Terhune advises
clients on environmental due
diligence, ISRA compliance,
and other environmental
regulatory compliance issues.
Terhune also represents
clients in commercial real
estate transactions, and in
remediation and permitting
matters before state and
federal agencies. A licensed
professional engineer (PE)
and certified hazardous
material manager (CHMM),
Terhune was an environmental
engineering consultant for
eight years prior to becoming
an attorney.
Thomas Gibbons, BS, accounting, has been promoted
to senior vice president,
corporate tax at Pacific Life.
A resident of Newport Beach,
Calif., Gibbons joined Pacific
Life in 2004 as vice president,
tax. He has been responsible
for overseeing and directing
tax strategy, reporting, and
compliance for Pacific Life
and its subsidiaries. As senior
vice president, Mr. Gibbons
will continue to develop tax
strategies for Pacific Life and
will also oversee Vendor
Management, Information
Security, and Business
Continuity.
Mark Carrow, MS, taxation,
recently competed in the 51st
Annual Bob Hope Classic at
La Quinta Country Club in
California. His foursome
consisted of Olympic gold
medalist Bruce Jenner,
professional golfer Bo Van
Pelt, and retired professional
baseball and football player
Bo Jackson. Carrow donated
$9,000 to the event which
will be given to various
charities. Mark resides in
West Chester, Pa.
Class of 1991
Andrea
Devoti,
MBA, health
administration, vice
president
and executive
director of
Neighborhood Health Agency in West
Chester, Pa., has been named
President of the Board of
Directors for the Pennsylvania
Homecare Association (PHA).
Devoti will provide direction
and leadership for the state’s
homecare and hospice industry.
Devoti will also serve as an
ambassador for membership
recruitment and an advocate
for homecare consumers and
providers. Since becoming
vice president and executive
director of Neighborhood
Health Agencies in 1998,
Devoti has expanded the
provision of homecare and
hospice throughout Chester
County and returned the
company to profitability. She
has developed the agency’s
marketing plan, endowment
fund and opened an inpatient
hospice unit. Prior to her
work at Neighborhood Health
Agencies, Devoti held leadership positions at HealthWays
33
Class Notes
Management Group, The
Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia, and Bryn Mawr
Hospital. Andrea is also an
assistant professor at the
West Chester University School
of Nursing, where she teaches
graduate level courses.
Lynne Papazian, BS, hotel
and restaurant management,
graduated from Albany Law
School on May 15 and received
the Patrick B. McNamara Prize.
This award is given to the
student having the highest
grade in the labor law field.
Class of 1996
Matthew Pugh, BS, civil
engineering, is currently
the US Engineer for Imbrium
Systems Corporation located
in Rockville, Md. Imbrium
Systems develops, designs,
and supplies engineered
stormwater treatment products
that protect water resources
from harmful pollutants.
Matt is also the proud father
of Alexandra Grace, age 3.
34
Class of 2000
Renee P.
McLeod,
PhD, APRN,
CPNP, has
been named
Brandman
University’s
dean of its
new School
of Nursing and Health Professions. Brandman University
in Irvine, Calif., is a fully
accredited adult university
within the Chapman University
System. The school will focus
on career advancement for
working nurses. Dr. McLeod
has more than 30 years of
experience in clinical nursing
practice and education,
specializing in the integration
of the best scientific evidence
and innovative technology
with patient-centered care.
Marriages
We Want You In the Class Notes Pages!
Tell Us:
■ Who are you?
■ Where are you now?
You can now submit your class notes and photos
three ways:
1. Join or Log onto the Widener Pride Network
at alumni.widener.edu/netcommunity/WPN
2. Email Patty Votta at
[email protected]
3. Mail to the Office of Alumni Engagement
One University Place, Chester, PA 19013
Class of 2007
Jennifer Phillips, BS, accounting, has been promoted to
senior consultant of the
audit, risk and compliance
service division of LECG, a
global expert services and
consulting firm.
Class of 2009
Class of 2002
Dion Betts, EdD, is superintendent of the Boyertown
Area School District in
Boyertown, Pa.
Class of 1997
Class of 2006
Brett Wiltsey, BA, history,
has been elected partner in
Dilworth Paxson’s Litigation
Department and is a member
of the firm’s Bankruptcy
and Insolvency Group. He
concentrates his practice on
creditor’s rights, bankruptcy,
and business litigation. He
has been an associate with
Dilworth Paxson since 2007.
Brett resides in Collingswood,
N.J., with his wife Meredith.
Christopher Nagy, EdD, MA,
has published his first book
based on his dissertation and
work with the New Jersey
Department of Education.
The Alternate Route Teachers’
Transition to the Classroom:
A 21st Century Perspective
on the Journey for Those Who
Seek Alternative Pathways to
Teaching was published by
Lambert Academic Publishing
in April.
Matthew Bolger, BS,
management, has been
named an associate, design
and production, in the
Distribution and Client
Service Team at Turner
Investment Partners, an
employee-owned investment
firm based in Berwyn, Pa.
In this position, Matt assists
in the development and
production of marketing
communications and in the
updating of those communications. The communications
he helps produce are intended
for institutional clients,
consultants, mutual-fund
shareholders, financial
advisers, and prospects.
Matt lives in Blue Bell, Pa.
Tracy Jones, BS, management,
accounting, started Fam-First
Athletics in summer 2008 in
Charles County, Md. Jones
was tired of seeing young
student-athletes from his
hometown left behind
because they lacked the
proper guidance athletically
and academically. Fam-First
Athletics offers educational
workshops and personal
training in the summer for
male athletes between the
ages of 12-17.
New Arrivals
To Karen
Tauscher
Swan ‘04
and
Steven
Swan a
son, Jacob
Harrison on Oct. 29, 2009.
Laura Bianco ’02 and William
Collins ’00 in March 2010.
Erin Herzog ’00 and Amando
Bisceglia in August 2008.
In Memoriam
Brian Ballard ‘85
Joseph Banyas ‘70
Anna Behler ‘88
Karl Bickel ’56
David Colarik ‘05
Virginia Coombs ‘84
Hugh Cullinan ‘58
Lawrence Davies ‘87
Glenn Elters ‘99
David Epright ‘76
Frank Falco ‘58
Frederick Farley ‘68
Deborah Feldman ‘96
John Fognano ‘84
Bruce Garrison ‘71
Bradley Gibbs ‘92
Donald Gray ‘65
Florence Grey ‘90
Kenneth Grove ‘97
James Guaclides ‘51
Shane Harrington ‘00
Lawrence Henry ‘54
Chas Herbster ‘54
Edna Hyland (Nyquist) ‘94
Ferdinand Klein ‘50
John Lastowka ‘76
William Lawton ‘67
Janet Long ‘08
Frank Massi ‘53
John Maxwell ‘76
Michael McCloy ‘65
Roseanne McElwain ‘83
James Miller ‘52
Robert Moore ‘62
Robert Moore ‘86
Richard Pavia ‘61
David Payne ‘70
Robert Reed ‘77
Robert Rosillo ‘84
K. Rue ‘69
Frederic Schroeder ‘68
David F. Shaefer ‘70
Theodore Sharpe ‘73
John Smedley ‘64
Susan Smith ‘81
John Teti ‘79
Robert Tornquist ‘73
Constance Vanaman ‘86
Vincent Vendetti ‘49
George Wade ‘58
Sally Walters ‘80
George Williamson ‘53
Walter Wood ‘44
Robert Zigmont ‘62
Friends, Faculty and Staff
Christopher Bay
Betty Bone
Thomas Camper
Francis Catania
Mary Dale
Martin Gage
Madeline Hayman
Eleanor Kikut
Lydia Kyj
Sarah Leary
Robert Lipkin
James McLaughlin
Charles Mirarchi
Caren Wedge
E. Wherry
Chapter Notes
Alumni Gatherings On the Rise
Since the inception of Widener’s regional alumni chapters in the fall
2007, more than 2,000 alumni and friends have reengaged with one
another across the country. From baseball games, happy hours, and
river cruises to wine tastings, live shows, and museum visits, our
alumni are always finding new and exciting ways to stay in touch.
Each year attendance at these gatherings has increased by more than
25 percent. To get involved with your local chapter, please contact
your regional chairperson.
Regional Chapter Contact Info
Philadelphia County, PA Jeff Flynn ‘04, [email protected]
Delaware County, PA Jim Gentile ‘77, [email protected]
Bucks & Montgomery Counties, PA Gregg Strom ‘64,
[email protected]
Berks County, PA, Ryan Boothe ’06, [email protected]
Central Pennsylvania, Rob Freiling ’08, [email protected]
Chester County, PA Frank Pellegrini ‘66, [email protected]
South Jersey Ken Miller ‘92, [email protected]
To Sharon Carothers ’92 and
Glenn Cocco a son, Riley on
March 16, 2010.
Wilmington, DE Vera Kunkel ‘78, [email protected]
DC/Baltimore Marc Marling ‘93, [email protected]
Atlanta, GA Morrie Spang ‘62, [email protected]
Fla. East Coast Tom Dougherty ‘93, [email protected]
Fla. West Coast Bill Cowdright ‘66, [email protected]
California Sharon Carothers ‘92, [email protected]
The following chapters are now reorganizing. If you would like to help,
or have interest in starting a new chapter, please contact the Office
of Alumni Engagement at 610-499-1154 or [email protected].
To Cristy Jones Stack ’01 and
Greg Stack ’98 a daughter,
Peyton Christine. Peyton
joins big brothers Hunter
and Brayden.
Alumni and friends in southeastern Florida showed their Widener
Pride as the Philadelphia Phillies took on the Florida Marlins at Sun
Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Front (L-R): Tom Dougherty ’93,
Amy Pecsi ‘06G, Jeff Pecsi, unidentified, William “Bud” Stephani ’71,
Dave Arroyo ’01, and Caroline “Cookie” Stephani. Back (L-R): Michael
Coffin, Carol Bonsall, and Robert Bonsall. (Not pictured: Marlene
Palmer ’90, and husband, Harry.)
NYC/North Jersey; Orlando, Fla.; Puerto Rico
For the latest information regarding events in your area, please visit
www.widener.edu/alumni/alumnievents.asp.
35
Your phone rings
. . . it’s a student
on the line.
Education as
Entertainment:
Can Learning
Really Be Fun?
By Jo Allen, Senior Vice President and Provost
36
This summer, my goddaughter
graduated from kindergarten. Bright
and energetic, she is the epitome of a
young learner: engaged, eager to get the
answers right, and curious about her
errors when she gets them wrong. She
looks forward to first grade where she
anticipates making new friends, seeing
some old ones, and learning “a lot!”
In contrast to that scenario is
what seems to be students’ dwindling
interest in actual learning over the
course of a K-12 education. How do
eager young learners evolve into
disinterested, disengaged teenaged
plodders who are more eager to cut
classes and even drop out of school
than learn and succeed?
As we have worked on this issue
of the Widener Magazine with its focus
on entertainment and our community
of talent, I started thinking more
about the frequent complaint that
today’s students are not as serious as
their predecessors were—that they
expect to be entertained. As the chief
academic officer at Widener, I am not
too surprised by that expectation.
After all, most of our students have
had video games, computers, DVDs,
iPods, and cell phones at their disposal
for some time now. Most have traveled
more than prior generations of
students—to theme parks, movies,
concerts, arcades, and other venues
that entertain them. Television is
often the first thing they hear in the
morning and the last thing they hear
at night. For many families, evening
meals are served with a side helping
of entertainment “news.” Is it any
surprise these students expect to be
entertained in the classroom, too?
From a different perspective,
however, perhaps that expectation is
not only reasonable but even desirable
and highly possible to meet. After all,
would anyone really prefer a droning
lecture to an interactive learning
experience? And while some subjects
require hard work to master, many
faculty at Widener get extraordinary
reviews for teaching difficult material
and making it enjoyable. Through
their commitment to both civic
engagement and experiential learning,
Widener faculty do a tremendous job
of involving students in the learning
process. Instructional technologies,
hands-on experiments, problemsolving case studies, clinicals, field
experiments, service learning courses,
internships, cooperative education
placements, study away, professional
conferences, and other forms of
engagement not only teach the
difficult lessons of disciplinary study,
but also prepare students for the
hands-on engagement that their
careers will demand.
So, while these forms of
experiential learning may not be
entertainment in the conventional
sense, they certainly do hearken to
the lessons of kindergarten when
learning truly was fun. For the games
of youth—playing teacher or nurse,
building bridges out of Legos, running
a lemonade stand—really do set the
stage for lifelong learning-by-doing
for the engaged teachers, nurses,
engineers, and business leaders our
graduates become. Perhaps, there’s
not so much to lament about this
generation of students after all.
“The Widener Fund helps enhance the
student environment by providing
funds for extracurricular activities. The
fund helps the campus to grow and
allows Widener to provide students with
alternatives. The Widener Fund made
it possible for me to get involved with
diverse activities on campus. This allows
students to further their education and
build a unified community.”
Nina Rivera
Graduate Student
San Antonio, Texas
Special Education
Why should you
support the
Widener Fund?
“As a student working for the Widener
Fund, I have the opportunity to participate
in the university’s important annual
fundraising efforts. It is a pleasure
calling alumni on a nightly basis to
verify their contact information and to
update them on university news and
ask for gifts to the Widener Fund. Alumni
gifts provide an immediate impact on
the university by helping meet the
increasing costs of educating students.
These are costs that tuition and other
sources of revenue cannot cover.”
Zack Sutton
Junior
Chadds Ford, Pa.
Business
“The Widener Fund is helping me round
out my college experience. I am able to
connect with alumni to help secure funds
for future projects and scholarships for
students like myself. It is also helping
me further develop interpersonal and
communication skills. It is satisfying
to know I am making an impact on
the future of my school.”
Lauren Reap
Sophomore
Atco, N.J.
Government and Politics and
International Relations
Thank you for considering a gift to Widener
University. You can also give online at
www.widener.edu/giveonline.
Widener Fund, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013
Phone: 610-499-1160 Fax: 610-499-1155