Alumni Updates & Recognitions

Matthew A. Zuino '95, MSIS, FACHE, executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) of Baptist Health, was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review on its list of “Hospital and health system COOs to know” for 2023. The publication honored these individuals for their strategic approaches to leading the development and implementation of initiatives that enhance operational efficiency.

Zuino has more than 25 years of leadership experience within the health care industry. He joined Baptist Health in July 2017 as president of Physician Integration, where he was responsible for the recruitment, integration and retention of a provider group consisting of more than 420 physicians and 200 nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Zuino holds a degree in management from Widener University and master's in science in information technology from Drexel University.

Col. William T. (Tom) Vossler '68 was recognized for his many achievements this month with inductions into two prestigious societies; the national Army ROTC Hall of Fame and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Society. The Army ROTC Hall of Fame provides a tangible means of honoring army ROTC alumni who have made a lasting significant contribution to the nation, the army, and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC program. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Society is dedicated to promoting the legacy of the leadership of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the five-star General of the Army during World War II, who later became the 34th President of the United States. 

During the induction ceremonies, Colonel Vossler's service as a combat veteran in the Vietnam War, as well as his 30 years of active duty in the United States Army was cited. Vossler was also recognized for his post-retirement work, which includes co-authoring four books on the American Civil War, leading education programs on the Second World War and Vietnam War on behalf of the Army Heritage Center Foundation and teaching leadership and training on the Gettysburg Battlefield to over 300 Army ROTC cadets each year from major universities, including Widener's own Dauntless Battalion.

Yahoo Sports has named George Leimer '87 as the new Head of Product and Technology. In this new role, Leimer will oversee product development and innovation across the Yahoo Sports and Yahoo Fantasy platforms. Previously, Leimer served as CEO of Rally, a platform for buying and selling equity in collectibles. He also served as senior vice-president for data platforms at the Walt Disney Company. Leimer has held roles at ESPN, Apple eBay, CoreTech Consulting Group and Softmart, Inc. 

Leimer holds a degree from Widener University in management. 

Jill Alspach, MBA '14 was recently named to the Philadelphia Business Journal's 2023 Women of Influence list for her professional accomplishments and service. Alspach is the Managing Director of Spock Logistics LLC and specializes in training development and delivery, organizational change management, and project management. She also serves as the Executive Director of the board for Women in Technology Leadership, a Philadelphia-based networking organization for future and current women leaders in technology. Additionally, Alspach is a workshop instructor for TechGirlz, a nonprofit program that encourages middle school girls to explore careers in technology.

Alspach, a 2014 graduate of Widener's MBA program, has also served on Widener's School of Business Advisory Board since 2014 and is a guest lecturer for the School of Business Administration. 

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union announced the election of Kevin Wiggins '95 to its board of directors. “It is exciting to join the board of a financial institution with such a distinguished past and exceptional reputation,” noted Wiggins. 

Wiggins recently began a new position as chief financial officer of Power Home Remodeling, the nation's largest, full-service exterior home remodeler. Prior to that, he was the chief financial officer of Wawa, Inc., responsible for financial reporting, taxation, treasury operations, planning and analysis, enterprise analytics, shareholder services, and corporate strategy. Wiggins holds a degree in accounting from Widener University.

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.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is pleased to announce that Aaron Green '19 has been named Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Assistant Coach and Communications, Promotions and Marketing Assistant. Prior to joining MIT, Green served as the men’s and women’s swimming head coach and aquatics director at Arcadia University. Green also held positions as head coach at Hollins University and graduate assistant at the University of Lynchburg. 

Green graduated from Widener University with a degree in communications studies, public relations and advertising. As a student-athlete at Widener, he was the 2016 Middle Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year, the three-time Middle Atlantic Conference Male Swimmer of the Year and the 2019 Widener University Male Athlete of the Year. Green also earned a master's degree in higher education leadership from the University of Lynchburg in 2021.

Jason Bottiglieri, D.Ed. '03 '16 who currently serves as superintendent of the Wyalusing Area School District, is slated to become the next superintendent for the Northeastern York School District in Manchester, Pennsylvania. Bottiglieri brings years of experience in education, having previously served the Oley Valley and Tulpehocken Area School Districts. Prior to joining the Wyalusing Area School District, Bottiglieri served as Assistant Executive Director of the Berks County Intermediate Unit.  

Bottiglieri is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He also holds a master's degree in health education and a doctoral degree in school administration from Widener University.

We are pleased to announce that Michael S. Brady '97 '00, MBA will be presented with the 2023 Beta Alpha Psi Distinguished Accounting Alumnus Award during the School of Business' upcoming accounting industry night. Brady began his career with LPL Financial Services in 2001 and has run his own Financial Planning and Services practice located in Broomall, PA. Brady manages approximately $190 million in assets and handles the insurance and lifestyle planning of many local Delaware Valley families, small businesses and non-profits. He spends time with clients handling their children’s education planning, retirement planning and estate planning. 

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Brady has served as an adjunct instructor in the Graduate Program at Widener University, where he has taught Introduction to Financial Planning, as well as serving two terms as President of the Widener-PMC Alumni Association. Brady holds degrees from Widener in accounting and business administration.

Virginia Wolgemuth, Ph.D. '10 has been named the new Director of Nursing for the Cragmiles School of Nursing at Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri. Wolgemuth has extensive experience, including teaching in the classroom, laboratory and clinical areas. She has also lead student nurses on transcultural immersion trips and worked with international organizations. In addition, she is skilled in identifying and building strategic partnerships with external agencies and working successfully with accrediting agencies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and State Boards of Nursing. 

Wolgemuth recently served as the chief nurse administrator at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, where she founded the School of Nursing and the pre-licensure BSN program. Wolgemuth holds a doctorate in nursing from Widener University.

Andrew Proctor ’19 was named the game entertainment producer for the Washington Commanders. His impressive résumé includes work for the Philadelphia Eagles, 76ers, Flyers, and Wings. Proctor started as producer for game entertainment for Washington’s football team, and will oversee all video content for LED boards and video in the stadium, moving from the studio to the field on game days.

Proctor holds a degree from Widener University in communications studies.

Cecil College has named Kelly McVeigh '07 as Chief Information Officer. McVeigh comes to Cecil College with over two decades of IT experience in higher education and will advance innovative technology, data and digital solutions for faculty, students and staff. McVeigh previously served as the Vice President for Information and Instructional Technology at Delaware Technical Community College and prior to that as the Director for the Center for Creative Instruction.

McVeigh earned a Master of Science in Education from Widener University and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She is working toward her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware.

Megan O’Hara ‘03, LCSW, was recently honored by the Delaware General Assembly for her outstanding work in maternal mental health and her ongoing efforts to increase awareness about the treatment of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. O’Hara, who works with ChristianaCare’s perinatal patients, received this tribute from the General Assembly, which also passed a resolution recognizing May 5 as Maternal Mental Health Day in Delaware.

O’Hara is one of the founders of the Center for Women’s Emotional Wellness, which provides assessments, education and treatment to women and their families who are at risk for or experiencing perinatal mood disorders. O’Hara is also a founding board member of the Delaware chapter for Postpartum Support International.

O’Hara earned a master’s degree in clinical social work from Widener University.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced that Tyree Nobles Jr. ’18 will join the team’s coaching staff as part of the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program. For over 30 years, the league wide program has helped outstanding coaches gain exposure to NFL training camps and offseason workout programs. Nobles will be with the team for the entirety of training camp.

Nobles currently serves as an assistant defensive quality control coach for the University of Georgia, who won its second consecutive National Championship last season. Nobles holds a degree in accounting from Widener University.

Billy “White Shoes” Johnson '75 is one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson, a Chichester native, was among the 31 named as semifinalists for the Class of 2024. The selection committee will announce the inductees later this summer.

Johnson was a three-time Pro Bowl and three-time first-team All-Pro selection during his NFL career with the Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins. He was named to the NFL’s 75th and 100th anniversary teams. Johnson was one of the top return specialists during his career and still ranks seventh in NFL history in punt return yardage (3,317). He also is credited as one of the first players to display elaborate touchdown celebrations with his “Funky Chicken” dance in the end zone.

Matthew Fischer '08 has been named president of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless, Pennsylvania. Fischer, a 2004 alum of Conwell-Egan, has served the school's administration for nearly seven years in a variety of roles including principal and assistant principal for academic affairs.

Fischer started his career in education with the School District of Philadelphia where he taught Social Studies and was the Roster Chairperson at Thomas A. Edison High School.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Widener University and a master of education in education leadership from Concordia University.

Sophia Plata, Ph.D. '15 will join the Harvey Mudd College School of Engineering faculty in January 2024. Plata, who studies alternative water treatment and the water-energy nexus, aims to solve critical contaminant and energy challenges across industrial applications to increase water reuse. At present, Plata serves as a visiting assistant professor at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. 

Plata is an active member of the American Society for Engineering Education, she is committed to advancing underrepresented communities in STEM and has held regional and national leadership positions in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. She completed her bachelor of science degree in civil engineering at Widener University in 2015 and earned her Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the University of Southern California in 2021.

Todd Terhune Esq. '89 '00 was recognized for his work in the community and for exemplifying the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America. Terhune is a partner and vice chair of Day Pitney's environmental practice where he helps manufacturers and industrial real estate owners and developers navigate state and federal environmental laws.

Terhune is actively involved in his community, including as a volunteer at the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Boonton, NJ. He has also served as a Past Chair and a member of the Mountain Lakes Environmental Commission, Past Trustee of the Community Church of Mountain Lakes, and volunteered with the Mountain Lakes Swim Team. Terhune received his bachelor's degree from Widener University in civil engineering and his J.D. from Widener University Law School. 

Dante Dibattista '17 recently published The Transformational College Experience: How to Make the Most of It, which chronicles his evolution from an apathetic student into a motivational speaker. Dibattista graduated in the bottom 25 percent of his high school class and failed out of college on his first attempt. Later, he graduated from Widener University with a degree in psychology as a dean's list student.

Dibattista is now a leadership development coach, consultant, and public speaker for organizations throughout the world. LA Weekly named him one of the top leadership coaches to follow in 2023. In addition, he also facilitates leadership development programs through the MIT Leadership Center. His book is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

David Rentschler, Ed.D. '96, received the inaugural Dr. Brenda Gilio Alumni Leadership Award, presented by Widener University’s Center for Education during the May 2023 Commencement. Rentschler has served Widener University for the past 25 years as an adjunct associate professor and taught leadership, management, and school design courses. Rentschler’s research agenda includes studying the long-term effects of preventative substance abuse strategies on at-risk fourth grade students.

Rentschler holds a doctorate in educational administration from Widener University.