Noteworthy

Widener University is pleased to announce the newest members of its board of trustees, who include four alumni and one current student. Their appointments took effect in May and the board held its first full meeting of the new academic year Oct. 30.

As the university’s governing body, Widener’s board of trustees is entrusted with the institution’s long-term success. The board monitors and oversees critical aspects of the university, including educational quality, financial strength, mission and the student experience. The new trustees include:

• Susan Larkin, ‘88, executive vice president and president of Core Commercial Markets at Independence Health Group. She holds a degree in accounting from the School of Business Administration.
• Dave Velazquez, ’81, recently retired president and CEO of PECO. He holds a degree in engineering from the School of Engineering.
• Kevin Wiggins, ’95, chief financial officer of Power Home Remodeling. He holds a degree in accounting from the School of Business Administration.
• Jack Dwyer, ’78, founder and CEO of CFG Bank and founder and CEO of Capital Funding Group, a healthcare and multifamily financing group comprised of 11 companies. He holds a degree in accounting from the School of Business Administration.
• Damon Edwards II, a second-year law student at Delaware Law school. Edwards was named to a two-year term and has voting rights as a trustee.

“I am absolutely delighted to work with our new trustees,” President Stacey Robertson said. “Each one brings a caring and student-centered approach, a deep commitment to giving back to Widener, and an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience that will enrich our institution. We are fortunate to welcome this outstanding new class of trustees.”

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-welcomes-five-new-trustees

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has designated Widener’s Chester campus a PA CARES campus, which recognizes the university as a leader in efforts to increase awareness and support of student mental health and suicide prevention.

PA Cares stands for Pennsylvania “Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage, Support.” It highlights postsecondary institutions that have implemented mental health and suicide prevention plans under Pennsylvania Act 110. These plans include things like mental health services, crisis intervention services, multimedia access to services, student communication plans and more.

Widener is one of only 26 campuses to carry the designation. This designation speaks to what a caring community Widener is, where students know they belong and are supported.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-named-pa-cares-campus

Widener University honored faculty members for distinction in areas of civic engagement, institutional leadership, research, as well as innovative and distinguished teaching. Various faculty were awarded at the ceremony, held Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the University Center. Honors included:

•    The Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award , given to a faculty member who has exemplified a history of teaching at the highest level of distinction. It is endowed by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, a Philadelphia-based foundation that provides grants to institutions of higher education for the promotion of excellence in teaching. The recipient was Commonwealth Law School Associate Professor Amanda Sholtis of Enola, Pennsylvania.

•    The Faculty Award for Civic Engagement, which recognizes the outstanding contributions faculty members have made in accordance with Widener’s civic engagement mission, as well as solidifying Widener students’ understanding of their social responsibilities, and the impact of their disciplinary learning. This year's recipient was College of Arts and Sciences Professor Stuart Eimer of Collingswood, New Jersey.

•    The Outstanding Researcher Award, given to a faculty member who has participated in research and scholarship nationally or internationally, and made a significant contribution through their research, while advancing their profession or discipline as well as the university’s mission and vision. The recipient was Associate Professor Hilary Barnes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Barnes teaches in the Jack & Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing.

•    The Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award highlights an individual who has designed, implemented, and assessed an innovative or experimental teaching and learning project. This award was presented to College of Arts and Sciences Associate Teaching Professor Catherine Safran of Bear, Delaware.

•     The Faculty Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a record of leading initiatives that further the university’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. This year’s award recipient was College of Arts and Sciences Professor Hemlata Mistry of Wallingford, Pennsylvania.
 

Photo shows, from left, Interim Provost Mark Nicosia, Professor Hemlata Mistry, Professor Stuart Eimer, Professor Hilary Barnes, Associate Teaching Professor Catherine Safran and Associate Professor Amanda Sholtis.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-commends-faculty-2025-awards-event

Hugh P. O’Neill III, a 1993 graduate of Delaware Law School, has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the most prestigious legal associations in North America. Membership is by invitation only and limited to the top 1% of trial lawyers in each state or province. His induction into the College reflects decades of courtroom excellence, ethical leadership, and professional integrity.

O’Neill has been a partner with Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP in central Pennsylvania for more than 25 years. Throughout his career, O’Neill has shared his expertise with numerous organizations on topics including risk management, nursing best practices, medical tort reform, sex trafficking litigation, and insurance coverage. He has authored insights on the adoption of electronic medical records and the associated risk considerations and has provided guidance to clients and insurers on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in medical practice.

Read more: https://www.tthlaw.com/tth-attorney-hugh-p-oneill-iii-inducted-into-the-american-college-of-trial-lawyers/

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-alumnus-inducted-american-college-trial-lawyers

Widener men’s rugby is heading to the playoffs for a quarterfinal game on Oct. 25 against the University of Scranton.

The club team is ranked 33rd nationally for Division II. The team recently moved to DII status within the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference (MARC) within National Collegiate Rugby (NCR).

Widener’s 2025 success comes on the heels of a standout 2024 season. Last November, the Pride 15s won the Challenge Cup (Regional South), also known as the Steel Belt Bowl Championship.

Rugby has benefited from solid recruiting amongst the student body and strong leadership under head Coach Andrew Burkhardt ’12 and Captain Akem Kpuyuf ’27, along with the team’s e-board and staff advisors.

To donate to the team: https://advance.widener.edu/crowdfunding/roarwithpride/mensrugby

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/mens-rugby-heads-playoffs

For the fourth year in a row, Widener has partnered with Delaware County Libraries, the Radnor Historical Society and America250PADelco to host the annual Revolutionary Reads Community Read event on campus. This year featured author Zara Anishanslin to discuss her book “The Painter's Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution.” 

Over 40 people from Widener and the surrounding community attended the event to hear Anishanslin speak about her book which tells the story of the American Revolution through the lives of three artists- Patience Wright, Robert Edge Pine, and Prince Demah. Anishanslin is Associate Professor of History and Art History at the University of Delaware.

Each year through 2026, the Revolutionary Reads committee will select a title examining the lead up to the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-hosts-author-zara-anishanslin-revolutionary-reads-event
 

Teresa Shellenbarger '95 and Brenda Elliott '12, graduates of the nursing science doctoral program in the Jack and Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing, have been inducted into the American Academy of Nursing's prestigious fellowship program. 

The American Academy of Nursing is an honorific society and a policy organization comprised of more than 3,000 fellows who represent nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia. Fellows are selected annually through a highly competitive nomination and review process. This distinguished honor, celebrates nurses for their extraordinary contributions to improve health locally and globally. Those inducted into the program earn the Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, or FAAN, credential, the most prestigious recognition in nursing.

Shellenbarger and Elliott's inductions bring the total number of Widener nursing members with FAAN credentials to 12—nine alumni and two faculty.

Shellenbarger is the executive director for the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation where she leads nursing education program accreditation initiatives. She is a distinguished university professor emeritus and was founding director of the PhD in nursing program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her significant, substantial, and longstanding national and international contributions focus on leading quality workforce development initiatives and developing and supporting clinical nursing education competency development.

Elliott is an associate professor and director of the graduate program in nursing at Messiah University. Elliott’s primary research addresses the professional development needs of nurses and nurse educators to teach nurses and nursing students respectively about the healthcare needs of members of the military, veterans, and their families. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/two-nursing-alumni-named-american-academy-nursing-fellows

Widener University's Jack & Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing has been named a best school for men in nursing by the American Association for Men in Nursing, or AAMN. This is the first time Widener nursing has earned the one-year designation and we are one of only 16 schools nationally to get it.

The prestigious accolade recognizes the Dwyer School of Nursing for its work to recruit and retain men in nursing, provide male students with a supportive educational environment, and educate faculty, students and the community about the contributions that men make to the nursing profession. Since chartering its AAMN chapter in 2012, nursing has made strides to bolster the male representation across its programs, including a steady year-over-year increase in male faculty members. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/dwyer-school-nursing-named-best-school-men-nursing
 

Afrooz Moatari-Kazerouni, assistant professor of operations and supply chain management, and Jeff Lolli, associate dean for undergraduate programs and professor of sport and event management, received grant funding from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) to expose high school students to careers in supply chain management and business analytics with a particular focus on first-generation students and students of color. Moatari-Kazerouni and Lolli were one of only nine projects to be accepted and funded as part of the 2025 INFORMS Ambassadors program which aims to create long lasting pathways of inclusion in supply chain management and business analytics careers. 

Presently, representation of first-generation students and students of color is limited in these fields due to barriers in access to mentorship which can hinder a sense of belonging for students interested in these career fields. Moatari-Kazerouni and Lolli took nearly 40 area high school students for a behind-the-scenes tour of the NFI Distribution Center in Hillsboro, New Jersey, whose primary client is L’Oreal Groupe. Students experienced real-world supply chain management and business analytics applications and engaged with Widener faculty and industry professionals. The group took a tour of the facility, learned about industry safety protocols, attended a career insights panel, and more. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/business-faculty-named-informs-ambassadors-program-use-grant-funding-advance-diversity-supply-chain

Widener has renamed the lower-level University Center lounge in honor of Michelle Meekins-Davis, the university’s vice president of inclusion and belonging. The change was announced during Homecoming weekend, during a student block party held in the University Center, to Davis’ surprise.

Vice President of Student Engagement and Transformation Fred McCall announced the space will now be known as the Michelle M. Davis Belonging Lounge, in recognition of Davis’ role as a powerful advocate and steadfast pillar of care for Widener students for over 20 years. The lounge bears a plaque in dedication to her.

Davis was the founding director of the university’s Multicultural Student Affairs Office, known now as the Office of Student Inclusion and Belonging, and was Widener’s first full-time chief diversity officer. She launched initiatives including the 1821 Experience Pre-Orientation Program, the PRIDE Mentoring Program and her collaborative efforts with students created the We’re All Widener pluralism campaign, cementing her legacy as a leader for inclusion.

“She leads with wisdom, with her faith and with integrity,” McCall said. 

President Stacey Robertson also spoke.

“There are few women in my life who have had more influence than Micki Davis and I'm not unusual on this campus. There are literally thousands and thousands of faculty, staff and, most importantly, students, who have had their lives transformed because of Micki's love, her faith, her wisdom and her grace. We are all so grateful to her. This dedication is the least we can do,” she said.

Davis expressed her surprise and gratitude with emotion. She began her work as a part-time employee at Widener more than 30 years ago. It was supposed to be for one year.

“I thank God for all of you. I cannot even say the words. I am overwhelmed by the dedication of this very special place,” Davis said. “Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart.”

See photos from the dedication event

Note: Visit this giving site to celebrate Davis and provide additional resources to the Office of Student Inclusion and Belonging, in support of their work to ensure all students at Widener feel welcome and seen.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/student-lounge-named-beloved-administrator

Nicole Stokes, Esq. ’21 has been named President-Elect of The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia—an organization that has advanced advocacy, professional development, and community service since 1950. Her election reflects the strength of Delaware Law School’s alumni community and her commitment to expanding access, opportunity, and excellence within the legal profession. We proudly celebrate Nicole’s leadership and impact across Philadelphia’s legal landscape.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/nicole-stokes-21-named-president-elect-barristers-association-philadelphia

Widener’s Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA) program offers undergraduate students hands-on, faculty-mentored research experience over the summer. The work culminates in the annual SURCA Symposium where students present their work and are scored by a panel of faculty and staff judges. 

The 2025 SURCA Symposium winners are:

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Biomedical Engineering A
"The Influence of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cell Number on MC F10A Cell
Proliferation"
Luke Bordarrampe (Advisor: Dr. Michael Toneff)

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Biomedical Engineering B
"Sustainable Biomaterials from Food Waste"
Jacob Grossman and Matthew D'Angelo (Advisor: Dr. LiKang Chin)

Biology/Environmental Science A
"Mapping scent chemotypes of floral mimic Symplocarpus foetidus using GCMS and
PRIMER-e"
Jaheara Brown (Advisor: Dr. Kate Goodrich)

Biology/Environmental Science B
"Ecological consequences of post-tornado salvage logging in Ridley Creek State Park:
Invasive species outcompete native recovery"
Tyler Harper (Advisor: Dr. Bruce Grant)

Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
"Recovery of Electrochemical-Grade Graphite from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries"
David Young (Advisor: Dr. Dipendu Saha)

Humanities/Business
"Understanding Motivation in Creative Writing"
Jada Allen (Advisor: Prof. Jayne Thompson)

Engineering A
"In Situ Fused Deposition Model (FDM) Electroplating: An Expansion of 4D Printing"
Boston Blake (Advisor: Dr. Babak Eslami)

Engineering B
"Integrating Autonomous Driving Technology into Electric-Powered Wheelchairs for
Enhanced Mobility"
Makia Salient Fausta (Advisor: Dr. Xiaomu Song)

Math/Physics/Computer Science
"Exploring Glassy Relaxation with the Random Energy Model"
Amine Lotfi (Advisor: Dr. Xin Du)

Sociology/Social Science A
"The Power of Language and Influence Within U.S Politics: A Look into The Trump
Administration"
Jasmine Ayadi (Advisor: Dr. J. Wesley Leckrone)

Sociology/Social Science B
"Revisiting Trauma: COVID-19's Impact on LGBTQ+ Older Adults Who Survived the AIDS Epidemic"
Ryan Holland (Advisor: Dr. Robin Goldberg-Glen)

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/2025-surca-symposium-winners

Widener welcomed Philadelphia-based National Public Radio affiliate WHYY to campus for a Bridging Blocks program in the University Center. WHYY Community Convener Brisa Castro facilitated the discussion attended by about 50 students, which considered the practice of book banning. Students, who attended through their roles as Maguire Scholars, Pride Service Site Leaders, or Bonner Scholars, watched a video, shared reactions to the topic and debated the subject in small group discussions.

Bridging Blocks is a partnership between WHYY and the Free Library of Philadelphia that fosters civil dialogue and understanding among diverse participants.
 
Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/whyy-brings-bridging-blocks-chester-campus

Faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences have received a mini-grant totaling $11,500 from the Swarthmore Humanities Leadership Program and the Mellon Foundation which will be used to fund faculty development opportunities. 

Assistant Professors Thomas Wilk and Sara Berkowitz attended the Humanities Faculty Leadership Program at Swarthmore College over the summer and, along with Assistant Professor Jessica Guzman, have been selected as grant recipients. This funding will support a series of forums for humanities and humanistic social science faculty members over the course of the 2025-2026 academic year which aim to strengthen humanistic leadership at Widener and create a framework for broader implementation. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/humanities-faculty-receive-grant-fund-faculty-development-workshop
 

Widener University's Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing has been honored with the 2023-2025 Chapter Key Award, the organization’s highest recognition for its chapters. This marks the 11th time the Eta Beta Chapter at Widener has received this honor.

Out of more than 650 chapters worldwide, only a select group achieves this distinction, which celebrates excellence in advancing Sigma’s mission of global nursing leadership and scholarship. This award recognizes chapters that demonstrate exceptional achievement in membership engagement, service and community impact, education, and leadership development.

This honor is a testament to the Eta Beta Chapter at Widener's commitment to advancing nursing through leadership, scholarship, and service and strengthening the profession and the communities they serve. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/eta-beta-chapter-sigma-nursing-honored-key-award

Atlantic City has formally recognized the Young Lawyers Division, or YLD, of the Atlantic County Bar Association with an official resolution from the city for its outstanding contributions to public service and civic engagement. The resolution, which was adopted in August 2025, commends the YLD’s ongoing efforts in community outreach, legal education, and service initiatives that have made a meaningful impact across Atlantic County.

The resolution highlights the leadership and dedication of current YLD Board Members, including three Delaware Law School alumni from the class of 2022: Dennis M. Tuohy Jr., Emanuel Sanfilippo III, and Rachel Koutishian. For Delaware Law School, the recognition is a proud moment that underscores the values instilled in its graduates.

Beyond its commitment to nurturing the next generation of attorneys, the YLD plays an active role in public service. Its members lead and participate in community outreach initiatives across Atlantic County, New Jersey—bringing legal resources, education, and support to residents in need. Through this dual mission of mentorship and civic engagement, the YLD continues to strengthen both the legal community and the broader public it serves.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/atlantic-city-honors-young-lawyers-division-delaware-law-alums-community-impact

Chris Cabott ‘05L, a Delaware Law School graduate and CEO of Equity Sports, has been named one of The Hollywood Reporter's Top Sports Lawyers of 2025—a prestigious recognition that cements his status as a powerhouse in the world of sports law. This honor highlights Cabott’s exceptional track record of negotiating more than $1 billion in contracts, including landmark deals for NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes and Jerry Jeudy.

The accolade is part of The Hollywood Reporter’s  inaugural Sports Power Lawyers list, which celebrates attorneys who are driving billion-dollar deals, shaping athlete branding, and influencing the future of sports business. Cabott stood out for his ability to secure not only massive player contracts but also strategic endorsement deals with global brands such as Nike, Adidas, Amazon, Netflix, and Visa. His work has also helped clients gain ownership stakes in major sports leagues, including MLB, MLS, and the NWSL.

Cabott’s recognition by The Hollywood Reporter affirms his role as a leading force in sports law—driving high-value deals, empowering athletes, and shaping the future of the industry. 

Read more about Chris’s story here.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/chris-cabott-05l-named-hollywood-reporters-top-sports-lawyers-2025

Lee A. Solomon '78L, a retired New Jersey Supreme Court Justice, has been named a 2025 recipient of the prestigious Medal of Honor by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. The recognition is reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the justice system and the legal profession in New Jersey. Justice Solomon, who was the first Delaware Law School alumnus to serve on a state Supreme Court, is a celebrated member of the legal community whose decades-long career is marked by integrity, public service, and judicial excellence across all three branches of government.

Justice Solomon’s impact spans from his early days as a trial attorney and legislator to his leadership roles as Camden County Prosecutor, Deputy U.S. Attorney, and ultimately Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Beyond his rulings, he made lasting contributions by championing mental wellness in the legal community, spearheading efforts through the Supreme Court Committee on Wellness in the Law to nurture a healthier, more compassionate profession.

Now with Archer & Greiner, P.C., Justice Solomon continues to shape the legal landscape with the same dedication that earned him this distinguished accolade. His Medal of Honor reflects a career devoted to justice, compassion, and the betterment of society.

Read more about Justice Solomon’s story here.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-alumnus-honored-new-jersey-state-bar-foundations-2025-medal-honor

Lt. Col. William Atwell has joined Widener University as the professor of military science and head of the military science department for the ROTC Dauntless Battalion at Widener.

Prior to Atwell's arrival, he was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served as an advisor/consultant for senior-level organizations in the U.S. Army.

A native of Pensacola, Florida, Atwell graduated from Samford University with a bachelor of arts in political science. He earned his master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University.

Atwell was commissioned as a military intelligence officer and branch detailed to field artillery, serving his first few years in the Army as an artilleryman.

Atwell has served in Germany, Iraq (in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom), Afghanistan (in support of Operation Enduring Freedom), as well as in several locations stateside, including in California where he worked with federal law enforcement agencies in counter-narcotic, counter-transnational organized crime, and counter-drug trafficking organization efforts.

A highly decorated officer, Atwell’s awards and honors include: the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with C Device, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge, as well as multiple unit and service ribbons. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/new-head-widener-rotc-named

Vice President of Administration and Finance Heather Meier, who serves as the university’s chief financial officer, was recently named this year’s Tru Champion during the annual meeting of the National Association of College and University Business Officers in Washington, D.C.

The honor was given by Tru Consulting, a higher education advisory and solution implementation firm. It recognizes finance leaders driving innovation, sustainability and measurable impact across their institutions.

Meier joined the Widener administration in January. She oversees finances, financial planning, budgeting, contracts, human resources and facilities for the university and its seven colleges and schools.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/vice-president-heather-meier-honored-tru-champion