Alumni Updates & Recognitions

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. 

Robert Smith '75 was recently named Chancellor at Louisiana State University Shreveport. Smith was selected for this role due to his experience in improving retention and graduation rates, leading faculty and mentoring students. Smith, who served as Chief Academic Officer at Valdosta State University in Georgia, improved retention and developed a new academic affairs strategic plan. Prior to joining Valdosta State, Smith was the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Armstrong State University in Savannah, GA. He also served as Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. 

Smith holds bachelor's degrees in German and mathematics from Widener University and a master's and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Delaware.

Tracy Fooks '99, MSW, LCSW, has been named the administrator for the West Atlantic City office of Angelic Health Hospice Care, which provides hospice, palliative, memory care and telehealth services. In this position, Fooks, who has 38 years of healthcare experience, oversees day-to-day functioning of the office which covers Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties. She works collaboratively with the hospice team to ensure they offer excellent services to patients and their families.

Fooks received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of New Jersey, and a master's in social work from Widener University. 

Chancey Page '21 has been named the director of residential education and student services operations at Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey. Before joining Stockton, he served as the assistant director of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the assistant director of campus life at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.

Page earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey. He holds a master’s degree in higher education leadership from Widener University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education leadership, also from Widener University.

Walker's Way: How Are You Walking in Your Life? was recently published by Claudette Carter '85 and details the life of her late husband, Walker Carter. 

Walker Carter graduated Chester High School in 1974 and was a star multi-sport athlete at Chester High School and Widener University. He became the first African American football and track & field coach at Widener University and worked for over 30 years as a dedicated Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) lineman before suffering a fatal accident on the job in 2017.

Walker's Way is an inspiring book that brings to life all that Walker did to pave the way for his family, friends, neighbors and students, as well as demonstrate the influence he had as a bright light in the city of Chester. Walker's Way can be found at Amazon.com. 

The Philadelphia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has named Kayla Nelson '19 as a recipient of its Community Outreach and Service Award for 2023. Nelson is a Geostructural Senior Staff Professional with Schnabel Engineering in West Chester, PA. Her duties include the design of foundations and micropiles, as well as slope stabilization methods, preparation of geotechnical reports and soil profiles, and field and laboratory testing. She has also served on several committees, including the JEDI and College Contact outreach groups, and is a member of the Society of Women Engineers. 

Nelson holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Widener University.

Mary Kate Andris, Ed.D. '11 has been named the next president and CEO of the Civic Leadership Institute in Norfolk, Virginia. Through the Civic Leadership Institute, Andris will help prepare executive leaders as well as host a scholars' program for Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College students.

Andris joins the Civic Leadership Institute after serving as director of council partnerships for Girl Scouts of the USA. She supported 30 council CEOs and their board chairs in annual and strategic planning for growth and sustainability. Before that, she was president and CEO of the YWCA South Hampton Roads in Chesapeake, Virginia.

She earned a doctor of education in higher education administration and a master’s degree in higher education from Widener University and a bachelor’s degree in international management from Moravian University.

Croda, Inc., the company that uses smart science to create high-performance ingredients and solutions that improve lives, has appointed Josh Dube '01 as site director of its Atlas Point facility in New Castle, Delaware.

Dube, an employee of Croda for four years, is responsible for employee safety and well-being; oversees operations and engineering resources; manages union employee contract negotiations; and, most recently, led the facility’s 10-year development plan. In his new role, he will now be responsible for leading all activities at the Atlas Point location. 

Dube is a graduate of Widener University's chemical engineering program, is a licensed professional engineer, has completed sustainability leadership training with the Cambridge Institute, and is currently earning his MBA at West Chester University.

Dominion Energy has named Eric Carr, MBA '00 as President of Nuclear Operations and Chief Nuclear Officer. Carr, who has more than 20 years of nuclear industry experience was appointed president and chief nuclear officer of PSEG Nuclear in 2019, overseeing operations for the Hope Creek and Salem nuclear generating stations in Salem County, N.J., including 1,600 employees.

Carr earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Widener University.

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.

Melissa Spahr ’07 has been named to Vista Today's 2023 list of Millennial Superstars. Spahr is the Manager of Clinical Performance and Outcomes at Chester County Hospital in Pennsylvania. Spahr was named a Vista Today Millennial Superstar because in her role she has solved problems for the most vulnerable patient populations. As the Manager of Clinical Performance, it is Spahr's job to oversee the heart failure, COPD, stroke, and sepsis programs and to work as a liaison to bring experts on these teams together to treat patients with unique needs.

Spahr earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Widener University and a master’s degree in health administration from Saint Joseph’s University. 

Erika Evans-Weaver, PhD., LMFT '10 '12, an expert in relationship and sexuality-based topics, has been appointed the vice chair for the State Board of Social Workers, Professional Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Evans-Weaver was elected as a board member for the Marriage and Family Therapists Regulatory Board, which is the organization that manages the licensure exam for marriage and family therapists across the United States.

Evans-Weaver received her undergraduate degree from West Chester University in French and Spanish, her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from La Salle University and her PhD. in Human Sexuality from Widener University.

Karol Wasylyshyn, PsyD '82 was awarded the 2022 Elliott Jacques Publication Award by the editorial review board of Consulting Psychology Journal. The Elliott Jacques Publication Award is given to an author who uses the principles of psychology to solve significant issues faced by contemporary organizations. Wasylyshyn was selected for this award based on her article about using a client's self-imagery to enhance the effectiveness of executive coaching. This is the third time that Wasylyshyn has received this honor.

Wasylyshyn is a licensed psychologist and an expert on executive coaching and leadership development.

The Kutztown University Commission on Human Diversity hosted its 13th annual Diversity Conference in early March. Mary Rita Weller, Ed.D. '06 served as a keynote speaker at the conference, which focused on contemporary issues in human diversity and social justice. Weller, who teaches full-time at Kutztown University, was selected as the speaker based on her years of clinical experience working with children and adults that have experienced trauma, as well as supporting sexual minorities and individuals with disabilities.

Weller holds undergraduate degrees in sociology and Spanish from the State University of New York, Oneonta. She received her Master of Social Work from Temple University and her Doctor of Philosophy in education with a concentration in human sexuality from Widener University.

Susan Larkin '88 joined Independence Health Group 13 years ago. During her tenure, she has held key leadership roles across the Sales and Marketing organization and has been committed to developing innovative solutions and delivering an excellent experience for members, clients, and other stakeholders. She most recently served as Senior Vice President, Health Markets. In that role, Larkin leveraged her deep industry experience to drive results across all segments by optimizing revenue opportunities and driving administrative and medical cost efficiencies.

Larkin has over two decades of experience producing innovative solutions in the health care industry. Larkin received a bachelor of science degree in accounting with a concentration in mathematics from Widener University.