Honoring Outstanding Contributions to the Widener Community
Widener University’s biennial Alumni Awards are a celebration of the outstanding impact and achievements of graduates, as well as current students, faculty, and staff.
In April, the university recognized six individuals in five categories for their contributions to the community. Those honored range from a husband-and-wife pair whose generosity has led to a new nursing simulation lab on campus, to a posthumous award to the university’s all-time winningest coach in a single sport.
2025 Award Recipients:
Outstanding Alumnus Award: Marietta Mosco Borinski ’80 and Michael Borinski ’82
Honors alumni who have brought honor and distinction to Widener through their professional accomplishments
Marietta Mosco Borinski ’80 and Michael Borinski ’82 met on campus as students and embarked on a life together marked by a dedication to service and leadership.
Inspired by her mother, Marietta studied nursing at Widener and spent her career specializing in oncology with a focus on nurse education. Mike, an accounting and economics major, rose to executive leadership positions, becoming a chief financial officer. He also spent decades mentoring students and serving Widener in numerous leadership roles, including positions throughout the School of Business and as president of the Alumni Association.
As individuals, they’ve each led impactful careers. As a couple, they are a force for good. Through their generous joint gift, the university established the Anna Mosco and Marietta Borinski ’80 Simulation Lab (named in part for Mariette’s mother, Anna Mosco), which provides cutting-edge training to the next generation of Widener nurses.
They also support the Borinski Accounting Scholars Annual Scholarship and are developing a new financial literacy institute in honor of Frank Lordi, to support business students providing pro bono financial advice to community members.
Alumni Service Award: Charles A. Cantley, Jr. ’69, ’75
Honors alumni who have provided outstanding volunteer service to the University
A standout cadet at Pennsylvania Military College, Charles “Chuck” Cantley, Jr. ’69 ’75 has been a driving force in uniting PMC alumni and honoring the school’s proud traditions.
Through his dedicated outreach and leadership, he has recruited class leaders to preserve the legacy of PMC while strengthening the future of Widener’s ROTC program. His efforts, along with those of the PMC Legacy Committee, culminated in the creation of the PMC ROTC Legacy Scholarship — a lasting tribute to the values of service and leadership that define the PMC experience.
Upon his graduation from PMC, Cantley commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, eventually rising to the level of executive officer in an Advanced Infantry Training Company. He spent 25 years at the DuPont Company, working in finance, marketing, sales, organizational leadership, and strategic planning. He returned to his alma mater to earn his MBA in 1975, and later managed Fortune 500 global accounts for a commercial furniture manufacturer before retiring in June 2020.
John L. Geoghegan Alumni Citizenship Award: Commander Jason M. Duff ’96
Honors a graduate for exceptional academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and outstanding community service
As a clinical psychologist in the U.S. Navy for the last 18 years, Commander Jason M. Duff ’96 has provided care at the highest levels of the military and the government and is a staunch advocate for mental health and self-care. A nursing major at Widener, Duff worked as a nurse before earning his doctorate in psychology.
Duff serves as director of the Midshipmen Development Center at the U.S. Naval Academy. A cancer survivor, he founded MISSION: Possible to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia.
Duff serves in a variety of roles around the Naval Academy due to his diverse skillset. He personally led a team of midshipmen to Vietnam in 2024 to join a cadre of archaeologists, anthropologists, explosive ordinance disposal experts, foreign military personnel, and local civilians working to locate, recover, and identify the remains of U.S. service members killed in action.
John L. Geoghegan Student Citizenship Award: Lauren McCarthy ’25
Honors a current student for exceptional academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and outstanding community service
A dedicated nursing student, Lauren McCarthy ’25 spent her time at Widener gaining experience both in and out of the classroom. Her extensive clinical experience included a student fellow position at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia that focused on pediatric oncology.
McCarthy also served in leadership roles on campus and beyond, including as president of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania, or SNAP, and of the Widener University Student Nurses’ Association.
Passionate about civic engagement, McCarthy has worked with SNAP and within Chester to host menstrual product drives for the local community. Her dedication to patient care and community service earned her the National Student Nurses Association Ambassador of the Year Award in 2024.
McCarthy also served as a University Ambassador and a tutor in chemistry, anatomy, nutrition, and sociology courses.
R. Kelso Carter Award: Fred Dohrmann (awarded posthumously)
Honors non-graduates who have made great contributions to the university community
A beloved presence on campus, Fred Dohrmann was known as much for his positivity and dedication to students, as he was for his coaching success.
In his more than four decades at Widener, Dohrmann amassed nearly 700 career victories as head softball coach to become the school’s all-time winningest coach in a single sport. He led the softball team to numerous milestones, including in 2009, when the Pride won their first conference championship in program history, as well as their first MAC Commonwealth Championship in 2017.
Dohrmann also served as the head men’s soccer coach for more than two decades, earning the most wins in program history.
Beyond the field, Dohrmann left a lasting impact as director of physical education, expanding course offerings, and enriching student wellness across campus.
In April 2024, the Widener softball field officially became Fred Dohrmann Field in his honor —an enduring tribute to the legacy he built with heart, grit, and generosity. Dohrmann passed away in December 2024 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma.
