Alumni Updates & Recognitions

The University of Southern Indiana is proud to announce that David Henriques, DEd. '96 '12 has been appointed the new Executive Director for Student Success. In this role, he will provide strategic leadership and vision to enhance student success, retention and graduation rates. Previously, Henriques served in a variety of faculty and administrative roles supporting student equity, transition, belonging, success, persistence and retention, and campus-wide academic advising programs. Most recently, Henriques served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Academic Advisement and Student Development at Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

Henriques earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his master’s degree in clinical psychology, both from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He also holds a master’s degree in adult education and a doctorate in higher education administration, both from Widener University.

Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce that Domenic Colasante '10, CEO and Co-Founder of 2X, a pioneer in B2B-focused marketing, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Greater Philadelphia Award winner. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the preeminent competitive awards program for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Candidates for this honor are evaluated based on their ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their purpose, and demonstrating growth and substantial impact. As a Greater Philadelphia award winner, Colasante is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 National Awards. 

Colasante earned a degree in management from Widener University and currently serves as a university trustee. 

George Williams ’84 was recently appointed the new chair of the UL Research Institutes (ULRI) Board of Trustees, having served on the board since 2008. Williams is the retired former chair and Chief Executive Officer of PMI Energy Solutions. He has over 40 years of experience in the utility industry and has held executive and senior leadership roles at El Paso Electric Company, Exelon Corporation, Entergy Corporation, and Progress Energy. 

Williams brings nuclear energy experience from prior positions at PPL Corporation and PECO Energy Company. He also serves on the board of directors of UL Solutions Inc. Williams holds a degree in electrical engineering from Widener University and an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.

Julie Dietrich, Ed.D. ’18 was named a 2024 trailblazer in higher education by City & State Pennsylvania. Dietrich, who serves as the executive director for external relations at West Chester University, acts as the institution’s primary government relations officer, cultivating and sustaining relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and their offices, and a liaison within the community. Through this position, Dietrich focuses on executing strategic community and economic development, as well as, facilitating communication and negotiating partnerships among key leaders to help leverage and optimize the use of institutional assets and address community needs.

Dietrich holds an Ed.D. in higher education leadership from Widener University, where she previously led government relations, and has taught philosophy and business at West Chester University. Dietrich also holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy from West Chester University.

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. 

Susan Rux, Ph.D. '04 '16 was awarded a $564,000 grant from the Department of Defense to study clinical trial enrollment of under-represented kidney cancer patients. With more than 29 years of experience in the health care field, Rux serves as associate vice president of professional nursing practice and nursing research with Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. Her previous professional roles have included dean of academic affairs, chief nursing officer and nursing education consultant.

Rux, a graduate of the Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing, continued her education and earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Penn State University and a master's in nursing, with an emphasis in adult health clinical nurse specialist; a post master's in nursing education; and a Ph.D. in nursing science and research from Widener University. Additionally, Rux received a second doctorate from Walden University, as well as a post master's in nursing administration from Villanova University.

Niko Dinoulis had always aspired to work in sports, specifically soccer. A lifelong fan of the sport and huge Philadelphia Union fan since the club’s inaugural match in 2010, he was able to achieve this dream starting with Widener. During his senior year, the communications graduate landed an internship with the Union that blossomed into a career. Dinoulis currently works as coordinator of communications and PR at the Philadelphia Union. In this role, he is responsible for drafting club press releases, facilitating interviews for first and second teams, assisting with press conferences, and much more.

The 2024 Plankenhorn Alumni Award for Faculty Excellence was presented to Rachel Hickoff-Cresko, Ed.D. '09. Hickoff-Cresko serves as an associate professor of education at Lycoming College and has spent over 26 years in the field of education. Her research interests include the education of underserved students

Hickoff-Cresko earned a doctor of education degree with a specialization in reading and language arts from Widener University, a master’s of education specializing in teaching English from Universidad del Turabo, and a bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University. She is also a Fulbright-Hays Scholar. 

Sabrina Brooks '95 '99 was recently named to City and State Pennsylvania's 2024 list of Women Leaders in Pennsylvania. Brooks, who serves as PECO’s Director of Customer Strategy and Governance, joined the company in 1999 as an accountant. Brooks has held multiple positions at PECO and is responsible for enhancing PECO’s workforce development initiatives by collaborating with nonprofit organizations to help connect unemployed and underemployed individuals in the community with available positions at the utility company. Brooks is also a board member of the African American Museum in Philadelphia. 

Brooks holds a bachelor's degree in accounting, as well as, an MBA from Widener University.

Neumann University presented its annual President's Distinguished Alumni Award to Jason Cannon '03. This award is presented to a graduate whose career is characterized by continuous and exemplary contributions to society and who exemplifies the core values of the university. Cannon earned this award for the pivotal roles he has played as a seasoned financial professional for The Eustace Foundation, The Delaney Family Foundation and as senior managing director at Cabrini Asset Management. 

Cannon earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities from Widener University, and a master’s in organizational and strategic leadership from Neumann University.

Joe Mendez '00 was elected the Chairman of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) Board of Directors. Mendez currently serves as the General Manager/COO at Doylestown Country Club in Doylestown, PA. Prior to accepting that role in May 2023, he served as the General Manager/COO of Riverton Country Club, Germantown Cricket Club, and Radley Run Country Club. 

Mendez first joined CMAA as a student in 1998 and became a professional member in 2003, eventually holding multiple roles in CMAA's Philadelphia & Vicinity Chapter. He also served as the Chairman of the National Student Education Conference in 2016. As CMAA Chairman, Mendez will lead the CMAA Board of Directors and work together with the membership and national committees to advance the club management profession.

Mendez holds a degree in hospitality management from Widener University. 

Gunnip & Company CPAs recently announced the promotion of Lynn Ritter '91 to partner. Ritter has over 30 years of diverse tax compliance and consulting experience. She specializes in individual, trust and estate taxation and is especially skilled in helping executors navigate the estate process.

Ritter earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Baltimore and a Master of Science in Taxation from Widener University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of CPAs. 

Marie Bedard ’84 was awarded with a Leading for Impact, Women in Leadership Award from the Naval Information Warfare Center’s Defense Health Information Technology division. The Leading for Impact Award recognizes women creating a positive impact and leading organizations and strategic programs across military health, technology and consulting.

Bedard was nominated for this award because of her work leading eight integrated product teams and 560 geographically dispersed engineers and technicians who provide IT services for U.S. military medical treatment facilities where health care is provided to more than nine million military members, dependents and veterans. 

Prior to joining the command, she held several positions within both the federal government and commercial sector. Bedard holds a degree in management from Widener University.

Noel Abejo '96 was recognized by The Philadelphia Business Journal with a 2024 Diversity in Business award. Abejo, who is the President of the Wells Fargo Pennsylvania Delaware Employee Impact Team for Volunteers coordinates the philanthropic efforts of over 1,000 Wells Fargo employees within the greater Philadelphia region. Abejo and his fellow volunteers have worked on projects designed to revitalize West Philadelphia neighborhoods and hosted community blood drives. He also is a founder of the Wells Fargo Philadelphia Asian Connection Chapter and serves as chair of its Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy Outcomes.

Abejo is a board member of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia and president of the Filipino-American Community Athletic Association. He holds a degree in information sciences from Widener University and a master's degree in computer information science from La Salle University.

Canon Capital Management Group is proud to announce the promotion of Chuck Porter, Jr. '05 to Co-Director of Wealth Management. Porter joined the Harleysville, PA-based financial and business services firm in 2006, working as a Senior Investment Advisor specializing in serving high-net-worth individuals and families. Porter will enhance strategic initiatives, guiding the delivery of exceptional client service, and fostering continued growth for the Wealth Management unit.

Porter is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary who earned a degree in Economics with an emphasis in Personal Financial Service from Widener University. Porter has also earned a Certificate in Financial Management from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management.

Denise Napier ‘81 is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson Health Plans. She has more than 25 years of leadership experience and manages a $2 billion care organization with operations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, focusing on Medicare Advantage plans, individual and family plans, and a nationally recognized Medicaid plan. Under Napier's leadership, the health plan puts members first, develops innovative programs to benefit communities, and creates tremendous business growth.

Napier received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Widener University and her Master of Health Administration from St. Joseph’s University. She is also a registered nurse in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

Grace Cavanaugh '09 was recently promoted to Director of Event Services and Catering at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. In this role, Cavanaugh oversees the planning of 1,400 events annually, with responsibilities that include menu creation, event decor and design, and leading a team of service and catering managers. 

Since joining the museum in 2015, she has served in many positions, most recently as Associate Director of Event Services and Catering Manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Widener University.

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.

Malcolm J. Yates ’20 was recognized by The Philadelphia Business Journal with a 2024 Diversity in Business award. Yates was inspired to become an agent of change when his 5-year-old brother was a victim of gun violence in Philadelphia. Yates is dedicated to advocating for gun and drug control, and comprehensive health care. 

Yates serves as the Director of Government Relations for Public Health Management Corp., the Philadelphia nonprofit health institute that serves 350,000 individuals annually. Yates works with local, state and federal officials to support the organization's mission of improving community health through outreach, education, planning and direct services.

Yates holds a bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University in Virginia, and two master’s degrees; from Neumann University and Widener University.