Widener University Class Notes, Spring 2022

C L A S S N OT E S

M A I N CA M P U S C L A S S N OT E S

Contents Main Campus .................................................. 2 Delaware Law .................................................. 8 Commonwealth Law ..................................... 18 In Memoriam ................................................. 20

Class of 1972

Class of 1976

Dr. James H. VanSciver, Pennsylvania Military College, has just published his sixth book, About Lewes, a poetic rendition of the attractions in Lewes, Delaware.

His other five books are Close Play at Home, Carnage of a Curveball, Running on Empty, Generalities of Distinction, and Hi! I’m

Legendary basketball coach Phil Martelli, ’76, ’04, associate head

Elvis. Copies are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Class of 1974 James J. Butler was elected to his third term as councilman in the Borough of National Park, New Jersey.

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coach of men’s basketball at the University of Michigan, took the reins as interim head coach for five games last season. Martelli, who began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Widener in 1977–78, spent 34 years at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia (24 years as head coach). At Saint Joseph’s, he was named the 2004 Associated Press men’s coach of the year after guiding Saint Joseph’s within one win of the Final Four. In addition, Martelli was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year four times (1997, 2001, 2004, and 2005),

(October 2021–March 2022)

the USBWA District Coach of the Year, twice (1997 and 2004), and the Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year four times (1996, 1997, 2004, and 2016). He was 444-328 as the Hawks’ coach, including seven appearances in the NCAA tournament.

Class of 1978 Susan J. Farese, RN, recently published the 2nd edition of her book Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring. This exciting collection of freeform poetry with 40+ poems is a sharing of both professional and personal thoughts and feelings.

Farese is a strong advocate of the creative use of poetry to express the wonderment, frustration, dedication, and the love of nurses for their profession and their patients.

Farese is a native of New

Jersey, received her BSN degree from Widener University and MSN from Seton Hall University. Her diversified nursing career includes military and civilian nursing.

Class of 1979 Fred Pondo was named Engineer of the Year 2022 by the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE). Pondo has more than 40 years of experience in all phases of business and engineering and is currently the principal engineer for

Class of 1960 Sheldon Schwartz submitted a photo of his family, including his cat Tut. They are wearing PMC hoodies.

M A I N CA M P U S C L A S S N OT E S Pondo Associates, LLC. Pondo was selected for this honor due to his professional experience and community engagement.

Pondo earned a BS from

yard freestyle, and 14th in the 100 yard freestyle.

Huge thanks to Widener swim team coaches Mark Yankovich and Greg Spicka for use of pool and advice. Awards are given to the eight best finishers in each event.

Class of 1981 Helene Burns, RN, is the senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Jefferson Health New Jersey and was named president Lehigh University in civil engineering and dual master’s degrees from Widener University in structural engineering and business.

Class of 1980 Doreen McGowan Nixon participated in the swimming competition at The National Senior Games in Fort

Lauderdale in May 2022.

Placed 7th in the 50 yard backstroke earning a ribbon, 11th in the 50

conference. SOAR brings together experts in resource management and offers actionable solutions for waste management facilities.

Hoffman discussed the state of industry trends and the critical themes he believes will impact waste management over the next ten years. Hoffman has a degree in engineering from Widener University.

by Reisinger’s leadership, Flatiron provides smarter care for every patient by incorporating additional data modalities like genomics, claims, and imaging, and extending the stories told by clinical trial data with real-world data. Reisinger earned her bachelor’s degree at Widener University and is a candidate for her master’s in business administration at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University.

Class of 1985 Theresa Pietsch is named dean of the

Class of 1984 of Nurse Leaders New Jersey (ONL-NJ) for a two-year term beginning in January 2022. Burns received her doctor of nursing practice in health systems from University of Pittsburgh. She earned both her BSN ’81 and MSN ’94 from Widener University.

Stephanie Reisinger was named senior vice president and general

Class of 1981

manager of Real-World Evidence of Flatiron Health. Reisinger drives long-term strategy and growth for Flatiron’s RWE business unit. Supported

Michael E. Hoffman gave the keynote address at the Sustainability, Operations, Action, and Resources (SOAR)

School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Neumann University.

Pietsch came to Neumann in 2008 as an assistant professor of nursing and has risen through the ranks, serving as the associate dean of nursing since 2016.

In her new role, Pietsch will also supervise Neumann’s physical therapy and athletic training programs. Pietsch holds

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M A I N CA M P U S C L A S S N OT E S a BS in nursing from the University of Delaware, as well as a master’s and doctorate in nursing from Widener University.

Class of 1985 Dale Plummer has been named the inaugural recipient of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region 19 Humanitarian Award for his outstanding character and service to others.

Plummer, who earned

a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1985 and an MBA in 1990 and was the administrator and coach of the tennis team from 1985 to 1988 at Widener University, has been the director of athletics at Williamson College of the Trades since 1988.

Plummer is involved in numerous humanitarian efforts, including helping to provide clean drinking water to citizens in Kenya, raising money at the YMCA for

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(October 2021–March 2022)

underprivileged children to attend summer camp, and working with CityTeam to help provide Christmas presents for children.

Class of 1986

Adrian Miller has been appointed vice president of Investor Relations for PAVmed, a commercial-stage cancer prevention diagnostics company.

Miller will have broad strategic responsibilities across all aspects of investor communications, as well as a specific focus on institutional investors.

Miller has more than 20 years of experience in communications across the capital markets landscape. He received his undergraduate degree in accounting and finance from Widener University.

each book will evolve into a series, exploring each of the three disciplines mentioned in the title. Day is the deputy director of the Program Management Branch for a line office within the U.S. Department of Commerce. He holds two U.S. patents in green and alternative energy systems and recognizes the importance of inspiring new engineers to innovate and not just follow the pack.

Class of 1991 John Fleming was nominated by President Biden

Class of 1988 Dr. Roberta Waite ’88, ’03 has been

Class of 1988 Dr. Thomas Day recently authored a book, The Triumvirate Approach to Systems Engineering, Technology Management, and Engineering Management. This book represents Day’s third text in engineering, and

Academy of Nursing and the Academy of Nurse Education of the National League for Nursing, Waite will join Georgetown from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she is a professor of nursing.

Waite holds a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in education from Widener University with a focus on higher education administration leadership. She holds an MSN with a focus on adult psychiatric-mental health nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.

appointed the dean of the Georgetown University School of Nursing. A fellow of the American

to serve as U.S. Small Business Administration Region 3 Administrator, covering Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia.

Fleming is currently the district director of the SBA’s Delaware District Office. In that role, he is responsible for the delivery and management of the agency’s programs

M A I N CA M P U S C L A S S N OT E S throughout the state of Delaware. Fleming holds a degree in business administration from Widener and served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Class of 1992 Kristin McJunkins, ’95 MEd, took a voice acting class during the pandemic. She completed her voice demo in September 2021 and is now available for voice work. Please visit her website at http://kristinmcjunkins.icanvoice.com/

Class of 1997 Christian Nascimento, a Widener graduate and member of the Board of Trustees, is running to represent Pennsylvania’s fourth Congressional District. Nascimento, an executive at Comcast and former president of the Methacton School District Board of School Directors, plans to focus his campaign on digital infrastructure, access to education, and increased manufacturing. Nascimento holds a degree in accounting from Widener University.

Class of 1998 Leth Oun recently co-authored A Refugee’s American Dream: From the Killing Fields of Cambodia to the U.S. Secret Service with former Widener employee

Samuel Starnes (pictured above; Oun is on the left).

Born in Cambodia in 1966, Leth was nine when his father, an officer in the Cambodian army, was executed by the invading Khmer Rouge. Leth was enslaved for almost four years in the Killing Fields, where he almost starved to death, lost many loved ones to the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge, and at one point was tortured. After the Killing Fields, he spent one year homeless and then three years in refugee camps before he immigrated to America at the age of seventeen, penniless and speaking very little English. He worked numerous minimum wage jobs and persevered to earn a college degree and ultimately become

an officer in the Secret Service, where he has served since 2002 and has fulfilled countless assignments under four presidential administrations, including handling a dog trained to detect explosives. His life story is one of being a witness to one of the worst genocides in history, of tragedy, survival, and recovery, and of finding success in America. It also is a story of his love for two countries, for his family, for his dogs, and for his life as a U.S. Secret Service officer.

the firm. She first joined D&S in 2008 and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Widener University.

Class of 2004 Matthew Bezanson was appointed program control manager at Garver, an engineering firm. An infrastructure professional with a broad range of experience, such as project finance, risk management, design,

Class of 1998 Sherri Sorbello, CPA, was promoted to tax manager at Drucker & Scaccetti (D&S), a tax planning and consulting firm in Philadelphia.

Sorbello will manage client engagements;

supervise, train, and assess the performance of associates; assist with practice development; and participate in leadership meetings within

and construction management of major public works projects, Bezanson brings to Garver a wealth of knowledge, including experience on more than $6 billion worth of privately financed infrastructure transactions that have reached financial close. Bezanson holds a BS in civil engineering from Widener University.

Class of 2007 Isabelle Baker is a Mindfulness Meditation guide located in central Virginia. She says, “I have a background in

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M A I N CA M P U S C L A S S N OT E S

education, outreach, and meditation. My beautiful journey with mindfulness meditation began over three years ago as a passion that grew into a personal practice. With a desire to teach youth, I received formal training from Mindful Schools and earned 300 hours in the Mindful Schools Teaching Certification Program.

In addition to teaching Mindfulness Meditation to children K–12, I also teach the Kindness Curriculum to preschoolers. I am also the creator of Mommy and Me Meditation and the author of The Mindfulness in Me. I am super grateful that my work has appeared in the 2021 Autumn/Winter edition of Meditation Magazine and honored to be chosen as one of 115 most influential women in meditation. I am a proud Widener University alumna and hold a BA, as

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well as an AS from DCCC. I am beyond excited to share my accomplishments with the institution in which I have roots.

Thank you for being part of my journey.”

Class of 2008 Elliot Ruggles ’08, ’09, PhD ’14, has been named the inaugural coordinator of the University of Vermont’s

(October 2021–March 2022)

Class of 2010

Catherine DeHart received her doctorate in higher education leadership from Widener University in August 2021 and is currently the executive director of the College of the Albemarle Foundation in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Class of 2013 first sexual violence prevention and education program. Ruggles specializes in sex therapy, gender-based violence prevention, and services for the LGBTQ+ community. Ruggles spent six years at Brown University overseeing peer education programs and previously served as the director of the Sexuality and Resource Center for SUNY Oneonta in New York. Ruggles holds degrees in social work and human sexuality from Widener University.

Warren Anderson, EdD, was selected as the inaugural vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Anderson has

served as senior equity, diversity, and inclusion officer for the University of Wisconsin System and as vice chancellor for equity, diversity,

inclusion, and student affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Anderson is a graduate of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in elementary and secondary education. He holds a master’s degree in multicultural education from Eastern University in St. David’s, Pennsylvania, and a doctorate in higher education from Widener University.

Class of 2016

Ryan Raiker has been promoted to the senior director of product marketing for ABBY. Raiker, a process mining and digital marketing expert, will spearhead the company’s global process mining product-marketing strategy with the goal of continuing aggressive revenue growth.

Raiker holds degrees in informatics and business administration from Widener University.

Class of 2016 Erin M. Redding joined Saxton & Stump as an associate attorney

M A I N CA M P U S C L A S S N OT E S with medical and industry experts across the country to develop a strategic and formidable defense.

Class of 2021

Class of 2019

when it was founded in 2015 to support the firm’s Healthcare Law and Medical Device Litigation groups. As part of Saxton & Stump’s Medical Device Litigation group, Redding, along with the firm’s team of medical providers, has investigated and then litigated dozens of complex medical device and medical professional liability claims. Redding has also prepared for depositions conducted nationally and internationally and works

Darnell Parker, EdD, has been named the new vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Wheaton College in Massachusetts.

Class of 2019 Ashley Scharadin has joined the Duane Morris Tax Accounting Group (TAG) as a staff accountant. Scharadin, who has

experience in business consulting and diversified tax matters, will be primarily responsible for tax planning and compliance activities, including tax minimization strategies, for a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, business, and family offices along with tax representation at federal, state, and local levels. Scharadin holds a degree in accounting from Widener University.

Olivia Yace, a marketing and management graduate from Widener’s School of Business Administration, was recently named the second runner up in the Miss World pageant. Yace, who represented Cote d’Ivoire, will now advance to the Miss World competition.

Yace, who speaks French, Spanish, and English, aspires to work in event management and plans to pursue an advanced degree in business or event planning.

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D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S Class of 1981

Stephen W. Spence, Esq., has been chosen by his peers as Banking Law Top Lawyers 2021, as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 1984

Joseph D. Burke, Esq., served as toastmaster of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick’s 108th annual dinner.

Class of 1984 Francis J. Leto, Esq., joined the Board of Directors of WSFS and WSFS Bank. Leto served as the president of Bryn Mawr since May 2014, and chief executive officer of Bryn Mawr and Bryn Mawr Trust since January 2015. Prior to

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that, between 2009 and 2014, Leto held a number of roles within the organization, including executive vice president of Bryn Mawr Trust’s Wealth Management division, general counsel, and chief operating officer. Leto was also one of the longest standing directors of Bryn Mawr and Bryn Mawr Trust, having served on the Boards of Directors from 2002 to 2021, including as lead independent director from 2006 through 2009. Active in the community, Leto’s charitable work includes board positions with The Andalusia Foundation, The Bryn Mawr Hospital Foundation, and Pennsylvania Bankers Association. He previously served on the Boards of AIM Academy, Baker Industries, The Bryn Mawr Film Institute, The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers, and The Riddle Healthcare

(October 2021–March 2022)

Foundation. Leto earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Joseph’s University and a JD (cum laude) from the Delaware Law School of Widener University.

Class of 1988

Ann D. Carey, Esq., writes about how lawyers can successfully mediate in the face of a power imbalance in a Lawyer Monthly article, “How to Mediate Amid a Power Imbalance.”

Class of 1988

Roger L. Truemper, Esq., has been chosen by his peers as Corporate Law Top Lawyers 2021 as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 1989

The Honorable Anthony T. Verwey has been elected as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Chester County. The Chester County law firm Gawthrop Greenwood is celebrating his election: “To say we are proud of Tony’s accomplishments is an understatement,” says Patrick McKenna, chair of the Management Committee at Gawthrop Greenwood.

“As a member of our firm’s Government Law Department, Tony has devoted his entire career to public service. He has always upheld our tradition of commitment to unparalleled service, which has long distinguished the firm in the Mid-Atlantic region. We know he will bring the same integrity and commitment to his role as judge and are pleased that voters recognized that as well.”

Class of 1991 Jeffrey A. Wothers, Esq., has been named Carroll County Planning & Zoning

D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S Commission Chair. A Carroll County resident and long-time member of the commission, Wothers

will lead the commission in its oversight of the preparation of comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and subdivision regulations and guidance of Carroll County development within this framework. Wothers has three decades of experience litigating on behalf of major international insurance syndicates, domestic insurance carriers, and self-insureds.

Class of 1992 Barbara Snapp Danberg, Esq., has been chosen by her peers as

Estate, Probate & Trusts Top Lawyers 2021 as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 1993 Joseph M. Asher, Esq., was appointed

by International Game Technology, PLC, as president of Sports Betting. Asher will lead the ongoing expansion of the IGT PlaySports sports betting business in North American markets.

Asher joins IGT having recently served as CEO of William Hill U.S. He held this position from 2012, when the business was created, until it was sold to Caesars Entertainment, Inc., in April 2021. Asher joined William Hill when it acquired Brandywine Bookmaking, a company he created as a start-up in 2008. “I’m really excited to join Enrico Drago and the IGT PlaySports team to help this business reach new heights for our customers and our shareholders,” said Asher. “This is a unique moment in the North American gaming industry, as sports betting is expanding rapidly and opportunities abound. I have some background working in partnership with PlaySports, and I look forward to working with our team to further enhance our technology and trading capabilities to serve our existing and future customers.” Asher’s background in the gaming industry is

built on a lifelong passion for the race and sports betting business. Honored as a member of the Sports Betting Hall of Fame Class of 2021, he has held management positions at several racetracks, including Brandywine Raceway, Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway, and Foxboro Raceway. Asher was also the Wilmington News-Journal’s thoroughbred racing handicapper for Delaware Park. He became the youngest track announcer in North America, calling races at Harrington, Foxboro, Brandywine, and Dover Downs. Asher continues to announce horse races, serving as a guest

announcer at the Elko County Fair every year.

Outside of his career in sports betting, Asher was an attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. A graduate of the University of Delaware and the Delaware Law School of Widener University, Asher served a judicial clerkship with

the Supreme Court of Delaware and was admitted to the bar in Delaware and New York.

Class of 1993 Stephen A. Saville, Esq., became president of SkillGigs, Inc. SkillGigs announced leadership

expansion with Saville as president providing strategic and operational oversite for the entire company in addition to serving as a member of the company’s board of directors. For 30 years, Saville has built, led, and sold staffing and workforce management organizations. Previously, Saville served as group president for Cross Country Healthcare, assisting its CEO and executive team.

Prior to this, Saville served as president of CareerStaff Unlimited. Other previous roles include serving as senior vice president of Workforce Solutions and leading Genesis Healthcare, the largest provider of post-acute skilled nursing care in the nation. Throughout the

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D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S years, Saville has worked with leading private equity firms to provide operational consultancy on key projects. Saville earned a BS in business administration and a BA in political science from Cabrini University. He earned his juris doctor from Widener University.

Class of 1995 Thomas J. Kent Jr., Esq., has joined Saxton

& Stump as shareholder, forming Saxton & Stump’s Franchising, Licensing and Distribution practice, having previously practiced as Kent Franchise Law Group, LLC, a Stevens & Lee company. Kent and his team will continue to focus on partnering with clients on their franchising, licensing, and distribution legal needs.

“We are pleased to be joining the Saxton & Stump platform, which provides our clients with greater access to resources through the

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firm’s affiliated companies,” Kent said. “The move allows us to add even more value to our clients’ brands and franchise strategies to help them maximize their assets and continued growth.” Prior to founding the Kent Franchise Law Group, LLC, in 2018, Kent was co-chair of Fox Rothschild’s franchising, licensing, and distribution practice. Earlier in his career, he served as in-house counsel for Cottman Transmission Systems, LLC, where he became director of Center Development before entering private practice. He brings a unique focus on the development and implementation of growth, monetization, and exit strategies for franchise companies, as well as mergers and acquisitions and other corporate and financing transactions.

Kent earned his BA from Villanova University and his JD from Widener University School of Law.

Class of 1997 Nicholas E. Skiles, Esq., is a partner at Swartz Campbell, which is pleased to announce Skiles has been included in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 for

(October 2021–March 2022)

the practice areas of “Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants, and Product Liability– Defendants” in Wilmington, Delaware.

He has been included on this prestigious list since 2021. Skiles is the managing partner of the firm’s Wilmington office. Skiles represents a number of diverse Fortune 500 companies in litigation.

His most recent practice areas in civil litigation includes personal injury, products liability, toxic tort, insurance and bad faith, and premises liability. Skiles is admitted to practice in Delaware and New Jersey, as well as the U.S. District Court of Delaware. Skiles has

best results outside of the courtroom. A graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, Skiles earned his law degree from Widener University School of Law in 1997.

Class of 1999

Chase T. Brockstedt, Esq., has been chosen by his peers as Personal Injury Top Lawyer 2021 as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 1999

tried more than 20 civil jury trials through verdict and the appellate level thus far in his career.

Even with more than 20 years of litigation and trial experience, Skiles has continued success getting his clients the

Julianna Merback Burdo, Esq., was added as a partner at Wapner Newman. She is a graduate of Temple University and Widener University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has also been admitted pro hac vice to practice law in New York and Illinois. She has solely focused on plaintiff personal injury litigation in the more than 30 years of

D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S

legal experience she possesses, starting as a paralegal at Fox Rothschild.

Since the start of her legal career, Burdo has gained experience as a trial attorney and has achieved many multimillion-dollar results for her clients.

Prior to joining Wapner Newman, Burdo ran her own Bucks County law practice, Burdo Law Firm. She is a former partner with the law firm of Haggerty, Goldberg, Schleifer & Kupersmith, and previously worked as an associate attorney at Kline & Specter. She now joins the growing medical malpractice team at Wapner Newman.

Class of 1999 Jill M. Spevack Di Sciullo, Esq., is honored

by The Delaware State Bar Association as the 2021 recipient of the Christopher W. White Distinguished Access to Justice Commitment Award for her dedication to providing service

to the community. The awards ceremony serves as an opportunity to recognize lawyers for their service to the community in honor of Chris White.

This Access to Justice recognition is awarded to a member of the Delaware Bar who has demonstrated a sterling commitment to pro bono work throughout his or her career by dedicating time and energy to the support and provision of legal services.

negotiating premarital agreements. She represents clients in adoption matters, custody, and child support matters, and assists clients in preparing and negotiating gestational carrier agreements. Di Sciullo was also recognized by Best Lawyers of America 2022 for her representation of individuals in family law matters.

The Access to Justice program promotes pro bono representation and encourages Delaware lawyers to support legal services programs.

Class of 2001

Jill Spevack Di Sciullo has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties. She guides clients through all aspects of domestic relations matters. Di Sciullo represents clients in complicated property division matters involving dividing businesses and various other types of property, as well as drafting and

Joseph C. Guagliardo, Esq., is an attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing technology companies.

He has taken his practice to Dentons’ New York office, where he plans to use the firm’s global reach to expand his services.

Guagliardo has been welcomed as a partner in Dentons’ venture technology and emerging growth companies practice and is based out of the firm’s office in New York’s Meatpacking District.

Guagliardo told Law360 that he left his partnership at Troutman Pepper and is making the commute from his home in the

Philadelphia area for the opportunity to become a part of Dentons’ international platform: “I’ve spent a lot of time in New York anyway,” Guagliardo said.

“For me, the main driver to move my practice was really the commitment at the highest level of

Dentons to grow its venture tech practice globally. They had incredible growth and an international depth of experience. It’s the ideal fit for my clients and my growing technology practice.” Guagliardo’s practice focuses on public and private companies in a wide range of technology and intellectual property-related commercial transactions and other matters. His clients include companies developing financial, health, and pharmaceutical technologies, as well as those in the blockchain and cryptocurrency spaces. “Those industries are certainly growing,” Guagliardo said. “I started getting involved in 2016, and a lot has happened in

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D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S the maturity of the technology. There’s been a lot of attention on blockchain and cryptocurrency in the press, but there has been a lot going on behind the scenes to mature the technology. It is really poised for explosive growth.” His practice also serves nontechnology clients who still need expert counsel on the use of technology to run their businesses. Guagliardo’s experience includes drafting and negotiating commercial agreements or acting as outside general counsel for technology companies. Guagliardo has been involved with the technology industry since before he went to law school, having held a job designing software for financial technology and global systems integration.

He went to law school at night, he said, eventually earning his law degree from Widener University Delaware Law School.

“I got out of law school right around the dot-com expansion,” Guagliardo said. “A lot of lawyers were leaving private practice to work in-house, and I was going in the other direction. I’ve kept up with the changes and continued to grow my practice over the next 20 years.” He was an attorney specializing in intellectual property

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and information technology law at WolfBlock LLP from November 2005 to April 2009, before moving to Pepper Hamilton LLP’s Philadelphia office.

He stayed with the firm through its merger last year, when it became Troutman Pepper. “Joe is accustomed to working with management teams of innovative tech companies across a variety of sectors,” said Victor Boyajian, chair of Dentons’ global venture technology practice, in a statement. “His experience on the commercial side of transactions will have an immediate positive impact given the surge in demand we’ve seen for this expertise. We are most excited about Joe’s passion for technology and innovation at the cutting edge of the frontier, which will no doubt be a powerful tool on our global platform.”

Class of 2001

Victoria K. Petrone, Esq., has been chosen by her peers as

(October 2021–March 2022)

Construction Top Lawyers 2021 as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 2002

Tabatha L. Castro, Esq., was installed as the president of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

the electrical arts such as blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, Richard enhances the firm’s skillset in these areas,” said Woody Jameson, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. “We look forward to supporting Richard with his existing clients and to leveraging his experience with clients of Duane Morris.” Cruz focuses his practice on domestic and foreign patent, trademark, and copyright prosecution; trade

Class of 2002 Richard L. Cruz, Esq., has joined Duane Morris, LLP, as a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group in its Philadelphia office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Cruz was a partner at DLA Piper. “We’re proud to have an Intellectual Property Practice Group with a deep bench of extraordinary talent,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matthew A. Taylor. “Our intellectual property practice is an absolute powerhouse, and now even more so.

We’re thrilled that Richard has decided to join us.”

“With his engineering background and focus on

secrets; IP clearance, validity, and infringement analysis and opinions; trademark oppositions and cancellations; reexamination and reissue proceedings; intellectual property program development and deployment; strategic IP portfolio development; website/domain name protection; and website policies. As it pertains to patents, Cruz handles matters in the electrical and mechanical arts generally, with a particular focus on computer and software technologies,

D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S including digital health technology, online healthcare records, artificial intelligence, business methods, financial sector services, blockchain and cryptocurrency technology, electronic transactions and platforms, e-commerce, online banking, electronic data storage and retrieval, online gaming, internet-related technologies, networking, and telecommunications. He has represented clients before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in various proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and he has advised in both patent and trademark proceedings in foreign jurisdictions, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, China, Brazil, Italy, and others. In addition, Cruz has represented clients before the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers in formal Uniform DomainName Dispute-Resolution Policy proceedings.

“Beyond benefiting from the firm’s internal platform, its collaborative culture, and industry focus, I’m very excited to be part of such a strong, dynamic intellectual property group,” added Cruz.

Cruz is a graduate of the

Widener University School of Law (JD, 2002) and the University of Pittsburgh (BS, 1994).

Class of 2002

Glenn C. Mandalas, Esq., has been chosen by his peers as Government Affairs Top Lawyers 2021 as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

vice president and general counsel. Malvern Bancorp CEO Anthony C. Weagley stated, “Sandra has an extensive and strong professional background, including in real estate. We are thrilled to have her join the Malvern team in her new position.

She has been providing legal expertise to Malvern since late 2021 and is already familiar with our organization and many of our team members.”

Class of 2004

Class of 2003

Class of 2002

Sandra McLamb Selzer, Esq., is an attorney with more than 18 years of experience representing corporate clients and has joined Pennsylvaniabased Malvern Bancorp Inc. as its top in-house attorney. Selzer was named as executive

the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), providing legal advice to superintendents, directors, and other school personnel.

Heather L. Matejik, Esq., has joined Fox Rothschild, LLP, in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, as counsel in the Labor and Employment Department.

Heather represents education entities in a broad range of matters, drawing on more than a decade of experience in education law. She counsels school officials on issues involving special education, student discipline, and compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including

Mark C. Sesso, Esq., has joined the firm of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin as an associate. Sesso is a member of the firm’s Real Estate and Municipal Departments. He works on a wide range of transactions, including both complex and uncomplicated matters involving the acquisition and disposition of real estate matters throughout the Delaware Valley. Prior to joining the firm, Sesso served as a judicial attorney for 15 years: first, to The Honorable Rhonda Lee Daniele, and most recently, The Honorable Thomas M. DelRicci, both judges in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. A cum laude graduate of Widener

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D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S University Delaware Law School, Sesso served as an editor of the Widener Law Review. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Sesso is a member of the American, Pennsylvania, and Montgomery Bar Associations, as well as the Justinian Law Society.

Class of 2005 L. Nicole Silicato-Miller, Esq., has been named to Worcester Preparatory School’s board of trustees. Silicato-Miller was born in Milford and attended college at the University of Delaware, where she earned a BS in business administration studying finance and marketing, followed by a JD from Widener University School of Law. Currently, SilicatoMiller is vice president of

Silicato Development, a commercial real estate and development agency.

She is also vice chair of the Greater Milford Boys & Girls Club board, and

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co-founder of the nonprofit entity the Great Futures Fund that benefits local Boys & Girls Clubs and children in need in Sussex County.

(October 2021–March 2022)

for incapacitated individuals. Vondran earned his law degree from Widener

Class of 2009 Stephen A. Spence, Esq., has been chosen by his peers as Business Law Top Lawyers 2021

as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 2012 University School of Law and his BA from Ursinus College. “Dennis brings valuable experience to our expanding Estates & Trusts department,” remarked Joel L. Frank, chairman of Lamb McErlane PC. “He will further enhance the firm’s offerings with his extensive background in elder law, orphans’ court litigation, and representation of nursing homes.”

Class of 2011

Class of 2009 Dennis C. Vondran Jr., Esq., has joined the firm of Lamb McErlane PC as an associate. Vondran concentrates his practice in elder law, estate planning and administration, and orphans’ court litigation. He is based in the firm’s West Chester, Pa., location.

Vondran’s focus is with clients pursuing medical assistance, long-term care benefit applications. He also represents parties in the pursuit of guardians

litigation practice. George was born and raised in Kent County. He graduated from Dover High School in 2004 and the University of Delaware in 2008. He received his JD from Widener University School of Law in 2011.

Rebecca N. Doyle, Esq., has been chosen by her peers as Estate, Probate & Trusts Top Lawyers 2021 as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 2013

Zachary A. George, Esq., became a partner of Hudson, Jones, Jaywork & Fisher, LLC. George has been an associate attorney with the firm since 2017, and has established a successful criminal defense and civil

Shauna F. Boscaccy, Esq., a lobbyist and general counsel for Maverick Strategies, was introduced by City & State magazine as one of City & State Pennsylvania’s 2021 40 Under 40.

Boscaccy joined Maverick Strategies as a lobbyist in 2018 after serving as the policy director for former state Sen. Scott Wagner’s gubernatorial

D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S campaign. Boscaccy has extensive experience in state government, working in a variety of roles for

the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus before joining the Wagner campaign. She spent time as legal counsel to both the House Insurance and House Judiciary committees, and also served as the executive director for the House Liquor Control Committee. During her time in the House Republican Caucus, Boscaccy advised House members on legislative proposals and goals and helped advance legislative changes. Prior to her time working in state government, Boscaccy spent close to a decade working for Haines & Associates, a boutique litigation firm based in Center City Philadelphia that specializes in injury claims, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, and commercial disputes. She is a graduate of Gettysburg College and Widener University, where she received her

bachelor’s degree in political science and her law degree, respectively. She also obtained grant writing certification from Temple University. Boscaccy is a member of the Burgess McCormac Foundation and a board member of the Camp Hill Borough Human Relations Commission. She lives in Camp Hill with her family.

prior to practicing law, worked as a critical care nurse and risk management professional. She regularly advises clients on risk management and patient safety regulatory compliance and provides support in the implementation of policies and procedures.

Class of 2014

Class of 2013 Emina M. Henne, Esq., was named to 2022 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Medical Malpractice Law–Defendants. Henne joined Saxton & Stump as an associate attorney when it was founded in 2015 to support the firm’s Healthcare Law and Risk Mitigation and Safety groups. She focuses her practice in the representation of hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare liability matters, including medical malpractice defense.

Henne is a Pennsylvania registered nurse (RN) and,

edition article “BLACK PROSECUTORS Changing the System from Within” that highlights ways Black prosecutors are working to change the criminal justice system to better reflect communities served.

Class of 2015

Brian V. DeMott, Esq., has been chosen by his peers as Employment Law for Employers and Employees, Tort Law Top Lawyers 2021 as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 2014 Jeanine Howard, Esq., now serves as an assistant attorney general in the D.C. Office of the Attorney General and is D.C. Chapter president of the National Black Prosecutors Association.

Howard is featured in the Washington Lawyer March/April 2022

Moses M. Bates, Esq., is welcomed by Wolf, Baldwin & Associates to the firm. Bates practices in the area of wills, trusts, and estates, and has experience in matters involving real property and planned communities, business and private litigation, landlord-tenant actions, contracts, business organization, and minor criminal matters. He graduated from Widener University School of Law, Wilmington (now Delaware Law School of Widener University), receiving his JD cum laude in 2015. Upon graduating, he was further awarded the Pro Bono Publica

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D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S 2021 as featured in the November 2021 issue of Delaware Today Magazine.

Class of 2016

Distinction, Certificate in Environmental Law, and the Charles Zencey Award in Environmental Law. Moses interned as a legal fellow at the Philadelphia City Solicitor’s Office Water Law Division in 2015 and 2016 and was an active member of the Delaware Valley Environmental Inn of Court from 2014 to 2017. Bates is admitted to practice in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Class of 2015

Michele D. Wenz, Esq., has been chosen by her peers as Real Estate, Real Property & Personal Property Top Lawyers

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Ramsey H. Chew III, Esq., became an associate at Wapner Newman.

Prior to joining Wapner

(October 2021–March 2022)

Jersey, and before the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the District of New Jersey. Chew currently serves on the board of directors of the AntiViolence Partnership of Philadelphia.

Class of 2016 Kamela Devole, Esq., has been elected partner at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman in their Philadelphia office, where she concentrates her practice on complex civil litigation. Devole defends Newman, Chew was an associate at a well-respected defense law firm where he represented a Fortune 100 corporation in a wide variety of premises liability and premises security matters. Chew is a graduate of Howard University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in history in 2011.

He received his law degree from Widener University Delaware Law School in 2016.

While in law school, Chew interned for Judge John Milton Younge in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas– Civil Division. Chew is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New

clients in state and federal court in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in a broad spectrum of civil litigation matters, with an emphasis on professional liability, construction claims, catastrophic injury, and products liability matters. During law school, Devole served as a certified legal intern for the Delaware Civil Clinic and represented victims

of domestic violence in custody and protection from abuse matters. She also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Robert J. Matthews of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Family Division. She is passionate about providing pro bono representation within her community.

Devole volunteers with Philadelphia VIP and provides pro bono legal representation to low-income Philadelphia residents who face legal challenges related to basic human needs, such as housing, family, income, and community. She also serves as an arbitrator for the Compulsory Arbitration Program of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. Devole is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as well as the State of New Jersey and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Class of 2016 Sarah C. Slinger, Esq., was selected as a recipient of The Flag Research Center’s Gherardi Davis Prize for vexillogical

D E L AWA R E L AW C L A S S N OT E S research in recognition of her article, “A Matter for Interpretation: An Inquiry into Confederate

Symbolism and the Florida State Flag” as published in Volume 10, University of Miami Race & Social Justice Law Review, written with Nicholas Mignanelli of Yale Law.

Class of 2019 Colleen M. Degnan, Esq., has joined Fox Rothschild, LLP, in Blue Bell, Pa., as an associate in the Corporate Department. As a member of the firm’s Corporate Department, Degnan advises clients on a broad range of transactions and agreements, including public

finance, procurement, and real estate matters.

Class of 2021

Class of 2021

Zachary D. Griffith, Esq., was hired as an associate at Barley Snyder.

A Berks County native, Griffith is a magna cum laude graduate of Widener University Delaware Law School and a summa cum laude graduate of Albright College. He has worked as a legal intern at two technology companies while in law school.

Arin Schein, Esq., has joined the firm Wisler Pearlstine, LLP, as an associate. Schein is in the firm’s Education Law practice group. Schein provides guidance to public school districts and charter schools to foster compliance with the myriad federal and state regulations related to special education programming, Section 504 and ADA accommodations, education for homeless students, and student discipline procedures.

Schein has more than 15 years of professional experience in the education and mental health fields. She is certified as a school counselor with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is licensed as a professional counselor in the state of Pennsylvania.

Schein began her special education career as a behavior specialist at an approved private school and later worked with adjudicated youth.

In addition, Schein has

Class of 2021

Emily R. Mathews, Esq., an associate of the firm Richards, Layton & Finger, has been admitted to the Delaware Bar. Mathews was admitted to practice in the State of Delaware by the Delaware Supreme Court in a ceremony on January 19, 2022.

Mathews’s area of practice is bankruptcy and corporate restructuring.

provided therapy to both juvenile and adult populations. Prior to joining Wisler Pearlstine, Schein served as a clinical services coordinator at the Chester County Intermediate Unit. Schein earned her law degree from Widener University’s Delaware Law School.

She is a member of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar Associations, as well as the American Counseling Association.

Points of Pride Delaware Law School received the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics International Compliance Award for exceptional work in developing education programs that further the compliance and ethics profession.

In addition, the master of jurisprudence in corporate and business law has been ranked second among nearly 300 programs at 135 universities and colleges by Intelligent. com in 2022 as the best for online business law master’s degrees programs. Intelligent.com also labeled the MJ program “Most Affordable.”

17

COMMONWEALTH LAW CLASS NOTES

Bradley Anders and Tardy Law, LLC, firm. His practice includes toxic torts, environmental legislation, product and premise liability, construction defect, and general liability (in which he defends both

Class of 1992 William (Bill) Whitman is serving as associate general counsel for

acquisitions with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Class of 1993

Audible. The documentary follows the Maryland School for the Deaf’s football team on their journey to defend their winning streak, while simultaneously coping with the tragic loss of a close friend to suicide.

Class of 1995 Terrence Sawyer was unanimously selected by the Loyola University Maryland Board of Trustees to be its 25th president. Sawyer previously served as senior

Denise Dieter was recently elected as the first female magisterial district judge for Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

Class of 1993

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Todd Shill, an entertainment lawyer at Pillar+Aught in Harrisburg, PA, recently represented executive producers Nyle DiMarco and Sami Housman on the Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary

(October 2021–March 2022)

vice president of Loyola University and is the university’s first layperson to serve as president, as all previous presidents have been ordained Jesuit priests.

Class of 1998 Dwight Kern has been promoted a member of the national Maron Marvel

insured and self-insured companies). He manages the firm’s Jersey City, New Jersey, office.

Class of 2001

Class of 2004

Ann Thayer, who runs her own criminal defense firm in Fairfax, Virginia, was recently awarded Best Lawyers for Criminal Defense: General Practice in Virginia (Edition 28) for 2022.

Class of 2010

Flavia Naves recently marked her first anniversary as general counsel for Circle, a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the Ryan Webber recently opened his own practice, Webber Law PPLC, in Mechanicsburg, Pa., which focuses on elder law, special needs, trusts, and probate matters. power of digital currencies and public block chains for payments, commerce, and financial applications worldwide.

Class of 2017 Anthony Cox recently joined the Eckert Seamans firm’s Harrisburg office, where he will work on complex

COMMONWEALTH LAW CLASS NOTES Thomas Aquinas Church of Christ the King Parish in Archbald, followed by a dinner reception at Arcaro and Genell’s in Old Forge, Pa. Lancaster County and gained additional experience serving as a summer associate for a law firm in York, Pa.

commercial and business litigation matters, as well as professional liability and occupational licensure defense matters before state and federal courts.

Class of 2020 Sarah Holloway recently joined the Saxton

Class of 2017 Angela Lucci married Douglas P. Solomon on April 17, 2021 in Archbald, Pa. The couple had postponed their wedding twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately had a wedding with their closest family members. Their wedding consisted of a celebration of nuptial mass at St.

Class of 2020 Benjamin Gingerich recently joined Russell, Krafft and Gruber, LLP, in Lancaster, Pa. He began his legal career as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Howard F. Knisely in the Court of Common Pleas of

Workplace Safety and Utilities, and Real Estate teams. She previously served as legal counsel to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ finance committee, where she played a key role in drafting and analyzing legislative policy and advising representatives on state and federal law, notably concerning taxation and fiscal policy.

Class of 2020 Karli Study is with the Lancaster-based Harmon and Davies, PC, law firm as employment and law labor counsel.

& Stump law firm in Lancaster, Pa., working in the firm’s Regulatory and Government Affairs,

Check Out the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast Learn the real issues behind the headlines of legal hot topics with internationally known faculty at Widener Law Commonwealth. Legal scholars break-down complex legal issues and provide insight about immigration, business law, and sustainability. Riveting interviews with Commonwealth Law alumni give insights into Widener’s powerful inside track.

The latest episode (May 10, 2022) offers career advice and strategies for law students and alumni.

The podcast is available on all major podcasting platforms.

Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/podcast for information.

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IN MEMORIAM

(October 2021–March 2022)

Paul Silverman ’43

Robert A. Nacrelli ’65

Barbara A. Williams ’82

Doreen M. Fisher-Bammer ’04

William P. Petit De Mange ’50

Jack T. Wilson ’65

Mark R. Malkames ’83

Robert L. Barker ’05

Richard E. LaBrode ’51

John Journey ’66

Helen C. Moore ’83

Carol A. Zehnacker ’05

Francis G. Wilmot ’51

Ruthe M. McGuigan ’66

Gale U. Bupp ’84

Russell W. McBride ’06

Thomas E. Bell ’52

Thomas S. Ellison ’68

J. A. Roberts ’87

Arnold S. Bituin ’07

Anthony J. D’Arco ’53

Kathryn C. Geiger ’68

Susanne E. Sumerfield ’87

Jacqueline A. Triebl ’07

Joseph R. Miller ’53

Bonnie J. Eyler ’69

Maurice G. Hamel ’88

Robert L. Arena ’09

Eugene R. Ninnie ’53

John D. Kahler ’69

Philip E. Milford ’88

Louise A. Hamel ’10

Charles H. Houck ’55

Janice M. Byrne ’72

Michael J. Miluski ’88

Michelle A. Strychalski ’10

Frederick G. Yoos ’55

Martin W. Henry ’72

Robert K. Urian ’88

Maryanne Spallucci ’12

Joseph P. Ambrosino ’56

Bryon N. Johnston ’72

Jeffrey S. Bridges ’89

Katherine A. Richardson ’18

Richard F. Aschettino ’56

Lawson B. Burke ’73

Keith A. Ekstedt ’89

William T. Bingaman ’56

George B. Kramer ’73

John T. Olsen

William O. Shaw ’56

James A. Magoon ’73

Shirley P. Laupheimer ’90

Gino E. Silverstri ’56

Vincent L. Marotta ’75

Margaret M. Heineman ’91

William J. Zigmant ’57

Stuart D. Snyder ’75

Janet N. Koehler ’91

Louis H. Adore ’60

William P. Fedullo ’76

Patricia Sukonik ’91

Albert J. Boyer ’60

Robert J. Ralston ’76

Cheryl A. Lowe ’92

Charles J. Carullo ’60

Daniel P. Mannix ’77

Vincent G. Lane ’93

Alexander E. Constant ’60

Joseph P. Callahan ’79

Denise M. McCauley ’94

Richard G. Kramme ’60

Pamela E. Holloway ‘79

J. C. Watson ’94

Victor M. Rumore ’60

Drew Parker ’79

Everitt M. Williams ’94

George T. Davis ’61

Michael F. Gillin ’80

Joan E. Cavoli ’95

The Honorable Randy J. Holland ’01

Roger L. Schultz ’61

Leigh D. Milich ’80

Romeo G. Lumaban ’95

Barbara G. Johns

Edward J. Swager ’61

Janette C. Branch ’81

Suzanne Trueblood ’96

Nancy Pinto-Orton

John R. Dinardo ’62

Kathryn J. Purcell ’81

Joyce E. Cleary ’98

Joseph G. Skelly

Frank W. Livolsi ’62

Peter S. Adams ’82

Byron D. Krout ’98

Joseph Burbidge ’65

James A. Quattro ’82

Paul H. Woodling ’99

’89

Friends, Faculty, and Staff Alan L. Adlestein Bernard R. Brogan Catherine A. Burke Carol Caward Harry C. Durney J. J. Edgette Richard S. Gebelein Elaine L. Hamilton

SEND YOUR NEWS FOR CLASS NOTES Have you started a new job, received a promotion, gotten engaged or married, or have some other notable life event? If so, let us know!

You can submit your class notes and photos three ways: 1. Submit them online via our website at alumni.widener.edu.

2. Email them to the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumnioffice@widener.edu.

3. Mail them to: The Office of Alumni Engagement, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013

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