Alumni Class Notes

Kevin Draeger ’24 and Meghan Rampolla ’25 are proud to announce their engagement! Draeger and Rampolla met during their first year at the University and quickly learned that they had many common interests. Both Draeger and Rampolla were involved in the Army ROTC Dauntless Battalion and realized that they both had grandfathers who attended Widener University’s predecessor institution, Pennsylvania Military College. Rampolla’s grandfather is Dr. Robert Hawley ’62 and Draeger’s grandfather is John M. Lennon ’71.

Draeger proposed to Rampolla at Longwood Gardens in April 2024 and their wedding date is set for January 2025. Since graduation, Draeger has commissioned as a second lieutenant in the medical services corps of the army and is beginning active duty at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. Rampolla will join Draeger at Fort Liberty after completing her nursing degree at Widener in May 2025. She also plans to enter active duty as a second lieutenant in the army nurse corps. 

Ken Byerly ’68 recently published Paid in Full: Tales of Bravery and Sacrifice, which chronicles the heroism, bravery, and sacrifice of eight Pennsylvania Military College graduates during the Vietnam War. Byerly explores their time at PMC, graduation, commissioning, entering the service and for some, starting a family. 

Paid in Full: Tales of Bravery and Sacrifice examines a time in our recent history when serving in the military, and especially in Vietnam, was not looked upon favorably by the American public. These eight men, answered their country’s call and served with honor and pride, and continue the PMC legacy. Paid in Full can be purchased on Barnes & Noble.com. 

Vietnam War veteran, Larry Liss '63, was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action for his heroic service. A captain in the U.S. Army, Liss was recognized for flying his rescue helicopter into combat six times to save his fellow soldiers; and leaving the cockpit twice with no body armor, engaging with the enemy soldiers using his personal weapons, and aiding the civilian irregular unit in getting to the helicopter for extraction – historically known as the Rescue at Cau Song Be. He received his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1966 and served as a combat pilot until 1968. He flew 650 combat missions. 

In addition to the Silver Star, Liss' awards include 25 Air Medals including one for valor, a bronze star, three Purple Hearts, the Valorous Unit Award for Extraordinary Heroism, the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor. He was also awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for valor twice and received the Order of St. George Medallion. 

After completing his military service, Liss founded the Flightways Corporation, a regional air carrier. He later became president of the Diversified Environmental Corporation. Liss holds a degree in English literature from Pennsylvania Military College.

The photo was taken during Liss' Silver Star ceremony and includes Widener University President Stacey Robertson, Widener University Professor of Military Science LTC James R. Pasco, Larry Liss '63 and his brother and fellow PMC alumnus, Arthur "Art" Liss '67.

Beneath the Dome: Pennsylvania Military College, 1954 to 1973 is a comprehensive volume which includes stories and vignettes submitted by 54 PMC alumni authors. The book covers a variety of topics including academics and faculty members, athletics, ROTC, fraternities, and romance. The work also features stories about The Mounted Troop, Pershing Rifles, the Ranger Platoon and the PMC Band. 

Speer, Troy, and VanSciver spent 14 months editing the hundreds of stories that were submitted for Beneath the Dome and the final text includes over 400 pages about cadet life at PMC for 24 years. The editors know that this work will bring great joy and fond memories to all who read it.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Beneath the Dome: Pennsylvania Military College, 1954 to 1973, please send an email to Bill Troy '72 at tcet2000@cfl.rr.com.

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

Dr. Edward J. Marolda, has authored Admirals Under Fire: The U.S. Navy and the Vietnam War, published by Texas Tech University Press and available through Amazon books. Following his participation in the ROTC program and graduation from Pennsylvania Military College, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army and served his country in Vietnam. He subsequently earned degrees in history from Georgetown University (MA) and George Washington University (Ph. D). 

In 1971, he joined the staff of the Naval Historical Center in Washington, D.C., capping a 37-year career there as the Director of Naval History (Acting), and Senior Historian of the Navy. During that time he authored, coauthored, or edited seventeen histories, including the award-winning By Sea, Air, and Land: An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the War in Southeast Asia and Shield and Sword: The U.S. Navy and the Persian Gulf War.

Following his retirement in 2008, the Navy Department honored him with its Superior Civilian Service Award and in 2017 the Naval Historical Foundation presented him with its prestigious Commodore Dudley Knox Naval History Lifetime Achievement Award. Marolda credits the intellectual and professional grounding he received at PMC for enabling much of his later success.

Dr. Edward J. Marolda graduated with the class of 1967, before going on to serve his country in the United States Army. Marolda went on to earn his masters and doctorate before embarking on a rich publishing journey, during which he published several war-centric books. 

Shareable Link: https://alumni.widener.edu/alumni/news/updates/dr-edward-j-marolda-honored-his-time-military-and-legacy-published-author

Robert Hallman was president of his class of 1956 for more than one year and started his career as an admissions employee for Pennsylvania Military College, just 5 days following his graduation in 1956.  Dr. Moll called Robert to come back to help the college and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Robert Hallman was part of the group that encouraged the change from Military College to Civilian College. The pressure to change was difficult and to continue as a college, this was the only decision that had a chance. Hallman still feels close to his education and experience he had while at PMC as a student and graduate. {6 years as Student and 4 years as an Employee.

Hallman was part of the PMC Film effort, of which film is still available. The Seventeen Magazine Project that was a great hit for the Cadets and the good-looking girls. Despite its reputation as a rough and rigorous school, the Military College still a place of fun and down time for students like Hallman. Hallman could go on for hours and tell stories and experiences that would make everyone feel proud of this college's rich history.

Robert Hallman graduated with the class of 1956 and would go on to work in the admissions department after his time at the school. Hallman was also a key member in transitioning PMC from a military college to a civilian college. 

Shareable Link: https://alumni.widener.edu/alumni/news/updates/robert-hallman-honored-contributions-pmc