Alumni Updates & Recognitions

RTI Surgical, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company in regenerative medicine, announced the appointment of Chad Croasdale '97 as Chief Commercial Officer. Croasdale will play a pivotal role in executing RTI Surgical's commercial vision.

Prior to joining RTI, Croasdale served as President and Chief Commercial Officer of 270Surgical, a product development, branding, commercial strategy and business development company. Croasdale also held leadership positions at Stryker, where he spent 18 years in roles of increasing responsibility in sales and marketing before serving as VP and General Manager of Stryker Communications. 

He earned a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Widener University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hobart College.

Danielle Dougherty, Ph.D. '97 joined Cantor Colburn, a leading intellectual property law firm, as a patent agent. Dougherty will assist clients in important patent prosecution matters and intellectual property management. Prior to joining Cantor Colburn, she was a patent agent at Revlon, where she drafted patent applications, patent amendments, and responded to domestic and foreign office actions for chemical formulations involving polymeric materials. She also has experience as a patent and research analyst focusing on patentability, freedom to operate, invalidity, semiconductors, white space analysis, and competitive intelligence in areas of chemical engineering and polymer synthesis.

Dougherty earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Widener University and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Connecticut. 

Tim Newby ’96 published The Original Louisville Slugger: The Life and Times of Forgotten Baseball Legend Pete Browning, which has been named as a finalist for the CASEY Award. The Original Louisville Slugger explores the life of Louis "Pete" Rogers Browning, who was one of the greatest baseball players of the nineteenth century. Browning was also recognized as the namesake for the famed Louisville Slugger since the first ever custom-made bat was created according to his instructions.

The CASEY award is an annual literary award that is given to the book that has had the greatest impact on baseball literature each year and is the most prestigious honor that a baseball book can receive. Newby's book is among this year's ten finalists and the winner will be announced in January 2025. The Original Louisville Slugger can be purchased on Amazon.com.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) is honored to announce the selection of Tina Kane, Ed.D. '94, '98, '04, Superintendent of the Marple Newtown School District, as the 2025 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year. Kane has led the Marple Newtown School District since 2019, after serving in various leadership roles, including Principal at both the middle and high school levels. 

During her tenure, the district has implemented key innovations, such as district-wide K-12 STEM education and the introduction of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. These hallmark achievements integrate STEM and SEL through classes at the elementary and middle school levels, while the high school’s in-house STEM Academy, focuses on developing 21st-century skills and fostering student well-being.

Kane holds degrees from Widener University including a bachelor's in psychology, master's in educational psychology, and doctor of education in Educational Administration.

Louis Rodriguez, PE ’91 was recently recognized by The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia for his contributions to workforce development. In 2020, Rodriguez launched Rodriguez University, a workforce development initiative, designed to create career pathways in infrastructure for young adults from under-served communities. This initiative began by training six individuals and eventually grew to include 16 participants, with funding from the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce. 

Rodriguez is the president and founder of Rodriguez Consulting and graduated with a degree from Widener University in civil engineering. He has also served as a University trustee since 2017.

Lydia Flinner ’21 was named the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Flinner, who earned a nursing degree from Widener’s Family Nurse Practitioner graduate program, is a nurse practitioner who specializes in general surgery and breast surgery at Leader Surgical Associates-UPMC in central Pennsylvania. 

This award recognizes Flinner as an outstanding APP who demonstrates the highest commitment in supporting the vision, mission, and goals of UPMC through her work and clinical practice. As a nurse practitioner, Flinner exhibits an exemplary performance as a role model, mentor, collaborator, and relationship builder across the spectrum of health care delivery.

Robert Hickey, PhD. '07, associate professor of materials science and engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State University, will receive the American Physical Society’s 2025 John H. Dillon Medal. The medal, awarded annually since 1983, recognizes the exceptional early career research accomplishments of young polymer physicists. Hickey will receive the award at the APS Global Physics Summit in March 2025 in Anaheim, California.

Hickey’s research involves pioneering nonequilibrium structured soft materials. He previously received a National Science Foundation Early Career Development Award for this work. 

Prior to joining Penn State in 2016, Hickey was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Widener University and his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.

Sean Wagner ’02 was presented with the prestigious Hank Nuwer Anti-Hazing Hero Award at a recent Phi Delta Theta event in Atlanta, Georgia. Wagner, the Phi Delta Theta Executive Vice President and CEO, was recognized for his leadership in anti-hazing initiatives within Phi Delta Theta and the Greek community. His work has raised awareness about the dangerous consequences of hazing and promoted a safer environment for fraternity members. Wagner is dedicated to fostering a brotherhood built on respect, safety, and mutual support, reinforcing its ongoing mission to lead the way in eradicating hazing.

Wagner graduated from Widener University with a degree in communications. He currently serves on the Alumni Council. In addition, he holds a Master's in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Northern Kentucky University.

Valerie Stacy ’03, was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the United States military in front of the flag pole located outside of Old Main on Widener's Chester campus. Stacy graduated from Widener University with a degree in nursing and participated in the ROTC program as a student. Upon graduation, she was stationed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, DC, and later at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. 

Stacy was also deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom, and was later deployed to New Orleans, Louisiana to assist with rescue and clean-up efforts after Hurricane Katrina. She is currently stationed in San Antonio, Texas at Fort Sam Houston Army Base with her husband and two children, Lauren and Chase.

Dover Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce that Alisha Cooper, MPA '15 has joined the Credit Union, as a Mortgage Loan Originator. Cooper brings a wealth of knowledge and 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry.

Cooper holds an MPA from Widener University and comes with a plethora of experience and passion about increasing homeownership.

Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP is excited to announce that Corey Smith '96 has joined the law firm as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Smith comes to Klehr Harrison after nearly 16 years at Dechert LLP, where he also served as COO. Smith has over 27 years of experience in financial and operational management, performance improvement and regulatory compliance. 

In addition to his former role as COO at Dechert, he previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Global Financial Operations, where he was instrumental in centralizing and consolidating the financial functions to support the firm’s growing global footprint. He is adept at successfully completing key strategic initiatives, including operational performance improvement, revenue enhancement and cost reduction initiatives.

Smith holds a degree in accounting from Widener University.

Donna Dorozinsky '89, the Founder and CEO of Just in Time GCP, was recognized by Inc. 5000 for her fourth consecutive year. Just in Time GCP focuses on optimizing the quality of clinical research, and was named to the list for consistently driving rapid revenue growth while successfully navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and hiring challenges. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the country's most successful independent entrepreneurial businesses. 

Dorozinsky attended Gwynedd Mercy University where she earned both an A.D. and B.S. in Nursing and later received a Master’s in Nursing from Widener University. Recognized as a leader in the industry, she was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Philadelphia region in 2022 and a finalist for the PACT Life Sciences CEO of the Year in 2024. The company was also named one of JP Morgan's 50 Fastest Growing Woman-Owned Companies in 2021 and 2022. 

Joseph Mancuso, DEd. '14 was recently inducted into the Connellsville Area Falcon Foundation Hall of Fame as a distinguished graduate of Connellsville Area High School. Mancuso was chosen for this honor due to his professional achievements in the field of education. He attended Edinboro University on a football scholarship and earned a history degree, later returning to teach and coach at Connellsville. Mancuso served the district in a variety of roles including as an assistant principal, high school principal and assistant superintendent.

In 2018, Mancuso accepted a position as superintendent of the Eastern York School District, which has received national recognition for its educational excellence, including being ranked as the best high school in Pennsylvania for seven consecutive years.

Mancuso also holds a master's degree from Shippensburg University and a doctorate in education from Widener University.

Michael Birdsall '97 CPA, CFE, was named the 2024 Beta Alpha Psi Distinguished Accounting Alumnus. Birdsall is Vice President of Credit Risk and Fraud Mitigation for Comcast Cable, leading all aspects of consumer risk mitigation strategies and operations. Since joining Comcast in 2002, he has been a driving force behind several significant risk-focused initiatives, such as developing and implementing the company’s whistleblower program and forming several risk management teams, including his current team. Birdsall has extensive experience in fraud risk management and was a task force member involved in developing COSO’s 2016 Fraud Risk Management Guide.

Prior to his current role, Birdsall held several senior leadership positions within Comcast’s Global Audit team, where he led CGA’s data analytics and automation programs, as well as a business integrity team, focused on investigating whistleblower complaints and conducting proactive fraud reviews. 

Before joining Comcast, Birdsall worked at KPMG LLP in their assurance and advisory practices. He holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Widener University. Birdsall resides in Malvern, PA with his wife and three children.

Central Bucks School District is proud to announce that Robert Freiling '08 has been appointed Director of Human Resources. Freiling comes to the district from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he served as director of human resources for the hospital's food services provider. 

As the principal leader for an on-site team serving 330-plus members in a complex Ivy League healthcare environment, Freiling implemented strategies to optimize internal job posting, external recruitment, pre-employment hiring, and on-boarding processes. His responsibilities included overseeing compensation, benefits, workplace safety, labor relations, and employee recognition and engagement. Freiling has also worked at Franklin & Marshall College and the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

He graduated from Widener University in 2008 with a degree in government and politics and earned his Master of Business Administration from Holy Family University in 2014.

Villanova University is proud to announce that Aaron Green '19 has been named the Assistant Coach of Swimming and Diving. Green comes to Villanova after spending the last season at MIT as the men's and women's swimming and diving assistant coach. Before coaching, he logged a decorated swimming career at Widener University where he was a three-time MAC Swimmer of the Year.

Green was a part of an MIT staff that saw great success in the 2023-24 season, highlighted by a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships by the women's team along with a pair of National Champions and a National Record performer in the 100 Back. 

Green graduated from Widener in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing. He also earned a master's degree in Higher Education Leadership at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia.

Chris Hazel '16 will oversee the Reading Royals' ticketing department in his new role as Director of Ticketing. A Reading, Pennsylvania native, Hazel is entering his 11th season with the Royals. He started as an intern in 2014 while earning a degree in management at Widener University and became a full-time member in 2016 as a Client Development Executive. Since then, he has been promoted to Group Sales Manager, Director of Group Sales, and now Director of Ticketing.

Mark Mehok '96 has been named Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development for MyOfficeOps, a West Chester, PA based company that specializes in accounting, bookkeeping, and business consulting services for medium-sized businesses.

Mehok, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Widener University, began his career as a physical therapist. He then earned an MBA from Penn State and pivoted to orthopedic medical device sales, where he grew his distributorship over the course of the next 22 years. 

Throughout his career, Mehok has routinely served on the advisory boards of several different companies, assisting them with their sales, strategic planning, and profitability.

Blessings in a Backpack, the only national organization solely dedicated to feeding kids on the weekend, has appointed Tiffany Brown '92 of Atlanta, Georgia managing director of Alvarez & Marsal’s Corporate Performance Improvement division, as the board’s newest member. 

Brown joined Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) in April 2023, where she is the managing director and the North American solution leader for the CFO Services practice within A&M’s Corporate Performance Improvement division. In her role, Brown partners with Fortune 1000 companies to architect and execute transformational initiatives that fuel growth, right-size costs and create high-performing organizations. Brown has over 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor and delivery partner to C-suite executives.

Brown earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Widener University and a Master of Business Administration from Penn State University. 

Cynthia Horton ’84 ’90, Professor of Nursing at Cecil College in Maryland, was awarded the Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Award from the Maryland Higher Education Commission for her contributions to nursing education. Horton was honored for her teaching techniques which ensure that the nursing curriculum reflects the needs of future nurses in the workforce. Horton’s work on curriculum development has been published, and she has presented at national and international conferences. She has also served as an editor for the publication, Teaching and Learning in Nursing, a peer-reviewed journal that provides information on nursing education, practice, administration, and research.  

Horton earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Widener University and a doctorate at Immaculata University.