First Lt. Ray Stankus, BS business administration ’69, MBA ’75, who served as a platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War, led efforts to dedicate an on-campus plaque honoring five fellow Drexel Army ROTC alumni who lost their lives during the Vietnam War:
- Maj. Carl Merlino Jr., BS business administration ’59
- Maj. Ronald Baker, BS business administration ’62
- 1st Lt. Richard Brooks III, BS business administration ’66
- 1st Lt. Donald Mancill, BS business administration ’67
- 1st Lt. Albert Finn, BS metallurgical engineering ’68
The plaque’s origins began in 2018 with research done by Drexel’s ROTC staff and was unveiled at a 2024 ceremony before being installed in the home of the Drexel Army ROTC in the Arlen Specter US Squash Center (formerly the Drexel Armory) on 33rd Street. Drexel Army ROTC alumni were presenters at the ceremony:
- Jim Hartz, BS business administration ’69
- Carmen DiGiovanni, BS business administration ’69
- Nick DiBenedictus, BS commerce and engineering ’68, MBA ’72
70s
Robert Ratonyi, MS engineering management ’70, participated in an author event on May 28 at the Atlanta History Center to discuss his book, “From Darkness Into Light: My Journey through Nazism, Fascism, and Communism to Freedom.” Ratonyi is a survivor of the Holocaust who regularly speaks to middle and high school students on behalf of the William Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum and the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust.
Susan O. Seidelman, BS communication ’73, HD ’91, released her memoir, “Desperately Seeking Something,” in June 2024. In her memoir, Seidelman looks back at her trailblazing movie and television career.
Al Valentine, BS electrical engineering ’73, was featured in an article by Lincoln University for his expertise in digital imaging and contributions to theoretical physics and artificial intelligence.
80s
Thomas Burgoyne, BS marketing ’88, who portrayed the Phillie Phanatic for 30 years and has written 20 children’s books about the mascot, gave away his latest Phanatic book to all fans 14 and under at the May 19 game. His latest book is about the Phanatic teaching a group of kids from a fictional Pennsylvania town how to play baseball and then guiding them to the Little League World Series. His book series also pushed the Phillies to create a reading program for students in preschool through eighth grade called The Phanatic About Reading program.
Laura Gerber, BS accounting ’86, received the Philadelphia Business Journal Corporate Leadership Award for 2024 at an awards ceremony on July 11. Gerber is chief financial officer at Blank Rome.
Rodger Levenson, MBA ’89, chairman, president and CEO of WSFS Financial Corporation, was named by Community Volunteers in Medicine as honorary chair of its annual fundraising event. The organization provides free, high-quality healthcare to uninsured working people with low incomes to help them live healthy, productive lives and to assure health equity in the Chester County area.
Mary I. O’Connor, MD, MCP medicine ’85, co-founder and chief medical officer of Vori Health, was featured in an episode of the Disruption Interruption Podcast, hosted by Karla Jo Helms. In the episode, O’Connor discusses Vori Health’s integrated team approach to musculoskeletal care, emphasizing patient engagement and the benefits of telehealth for accessibility. She also highlights how Vori Health addresses health disparities, especially in women’s health, through a hybrid virtual and in-person services model.
Alex H. Tartar, BS accounting ’82, received the Philadelphia Business Journal Corporate Leadership Award for 2024 at an award ceremony on July 11. Tartar is chief financial officer at Green Lawn Fertilizing/Green Pest Solutions.
90s
Rhonda DiMascio, MS arts administration ’94, was featured in an article about her role as executive director of Morven Museum & Garden. DiMascio steps into the role during Morven’s 20th year in operation as well as the museum’s preparations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026.
Matthew Jamerson, BS biological sciences ’95, captain in the U.S. Navy, is assigned to the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory in Groton, Connecticut, where he currently serves as the Commanding Officer. He was selected by the Navy Surgeon General as the next Deputy Commander for the Naval Medical Research Command and associated eight-laboratory Naval Medical R&D Enterprise.
Stephanie Berry McCoy, BS accounting ’92, has supported her two young sons, ages 16 and 13, in their book writing endeavors and each child recently copyrighted and published their own children’s book: “Jokes that STEM from a Child” by Andrew McCoy and “Cooking for Fun: An Interactive Cookbook for Children” by Stephen McCoy. The books were also accepted by the Young Readers Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Thomas Merrick, BS electrical engineering ’92, was featured in a Town and Country article about his company Tom’s Help Desk. The company provides on-site, in-store and remote access computing solutions to optimize efficiencies and productivity and has received numerous awards for Best Computer Repair Service and Best Computer Store, among others.
Robyn Frankel-Tiger, MD, MCP medicine ’91, the founder of StressFreeMD, published her new book “Feeling Stressed is Optional: Transforming the Life of the Chronically Stressed Physician.”
00s
Miya J. Benintende, BS photography ’07, MS teaching, learning & curriculum ’13, was awarded the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers and will receive $3,500 from the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation.
Ronica Cleary, MS communication ’08, was honored as a “Rising Star” at the 2024 Top Women Awards by PRN News. She founded Cleary Strategies in 2018 and serves as CEO.
Rev. Edward J. Dolphin, BS information systems ’09, celebrated Mass during his first time home since he was ordained as a Catholic priest this past April.
Stephen A. Graham, BS accounting ’96, MBA ’08, joined William Penn Charter School as chief financial officer. He most recently was the senior vice president and chief financial officer at Howard University.
Kelly Gibb Piasecki, BA architecture ’06, was promoted to associate at CICADA Architecture. She was awarded a Drexel 40 Under 40 in 2014.
Patrick S. Griffin, BS computer engineering ’06, attorney at Volpe Koenig Law, was recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the 2025 edition. This is the second consecutive year that he has been recognized for his achievements in patent law.
Jacque Maldonado, BS business administration ’08, was a guest on an episode of the podcast Her Story, hosted by 93.3 WMMR-FM radio personality Kathy Romano. Maldonado is the founder of The Prana House, an apothecary store and holistic wellness and community center.
Angelica E. Roiz, BS business administration ’09, was recognized as a Philadelphia Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and was profiled in an article by the publication. Roiz is a partner at Grant Thorton.
Brigitte Weinsteiger, MS library & information science ’09, was named the H. Carton Rogers III vice provost and director of the Penn Libraries by the University of Pennsylvania.
Grant Williams, MD, medicine ’09, was appointed president of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology. Williams previously served as president-elect and treasurer at the International Society of Geriatric Oncology.
10s
Bimpe Z. “Bebe” Adenusi, MS nurse anesthesia ’10, was presented with the Janice Drake CRNA Humanitarian Award by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology at the 2024 Annual Congress. Adenusi is program director at Cedar Crest College Nurse Anesthesia Program in Allentown and is also the founder and president of the Nigerian American Nurse Anesthetists Association.
Lary Campbell, PBC LGBT health certificate ’17, screened his film, “My Mother, My Self,” at the Nice International Film Festival in France in May. The film tells his story about his diagnosis of HIV and the relationship between a mother and son, as well as the legacy of trauma.
Andrew Gold, PBC medical science preparatory ’10, MS biological science ’11, was recognized as a Philadelphia Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. Gold is assistant professor of anesthesiology and critical care and co-director surgical intensive care unit at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Adit Gupta, BS software engineering ’19, MS computer science ’23, was recognized as a Philadelphia Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree as co-founder and CEO at Lula.
James Haro, BS entertainment & arts management ’13, Mexican-American singer/songwriter based in Philadelphia, released his first EP.
Jennifer Hope, PhD microbiology & immunology ’17, was awarded the Bristol Myers Squibb-MRA Young Investigator Award by the 2024 Melanoma Research Alliance. This award empowers the next generation of early career researchers and serves as a training ground for researchers through mentorship with a senior melanoma investigator. Hope’s research focuses on overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy with PSGL-1.
Seth A. Jacobson, MS global & international education ’13, PhD educational leadership development and learning technologies ’18, was recognized as a Philadelphia Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and was profiled in an article by the publication. Jacobson is associate vice president at Community College of Philadelphia. He was named a Drexel 40 Under 40 in 2024.
Dan K. Lee, BS culinary arts & science ’18, opened and launched a new Farina Pasta Bar food truck with the support of a nonprofit “food truck incubator” for veterans and active military spouses.
Christopher E. Mora, BS business administration ’11, received the Philadelphia Business Journal Corporate Leadership Award for 2024 at an award ceremony in July. Mora is chief revenue officer at Centri Business Consulting.
Thom Wall, MS arts administration ’15, earned the American Youth Circus Organization / American Circus Educator’s “Innovation in Education” lifetime achievement award for his contributions to publishing, documentation and critique within the circus community. He is a developmental editor for Modern Vaudeville Press.
Jennifer Pesch Waters, MS engineering management ’11, was recognized as one of the 2024 Trailblazers in Building & Infrastructure by the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Pennoni. Waters is vice president and Philadelphia regional manager at Urban Engineers.
20s
Stephanie Aranda, BA architecture ’21, was named the 2023 Associate Member of the Year by the Texas Society of Architects.
Jeannine A. Cook, MFA ’22, secured a two-book deal with Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. She is an activist and owner of Harriett’s Bookshop in Philadelphia and Ida’s Bookshop in Collingswood, New Jersey.
Julianna L. Hunt, BS chemistry ’20, MLS legal studies ’21, a patent attorney, joined the intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP as an associate.
Marina Lamphier, BS fashion design ’24, was one of the finalists for the Host Supima Design Competition. The competition, now in its 17th year, aims to support emerging talent by enlisting outstanding graduates from top design universities across the country. Lamphier will present her final designs during New York Fashion Week, and the winner will be revealed live during the Supima Design Competition runway show.
Lia Lewandowski, BA international area studies ’21, made her professional boxing debut on Sept. 14 at the 2300 Arena. She has competed in five amateur boxing fights as well as the Olympic trials in Lafayette, Louisiana. At one point, Lewandowski was ranked No. 5 in the nation at 114 pounds and No. 6 at 110 pounds.
Colleen Lindenau, MS physics ’23, was selected for the Office of Science Graduate Student Research program by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Lindenau will be conducting research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, a multipurpose research institution funded by the Department of Energy.
Niaka Porte, BS business analytics ’22, was featured in an article in Cuisine Noir magazine that details her journey in bringing Sasas Mix into the market. Sasas Mix is Porte’s Philadelphia-based business that produces and sells her brand of West African bread mixes.
Nicko Reyes, BS accounting ’24, joined Duane Morris LLP as a staff accountant.
Weddings
Lucy Demo, BS health sciences ’17, MHS physician assistant ’20, and James Andrews, MHS physician assistant ’20, were married on Nov. 4, 2023.
Paige Propp, BS finance ’19, and Jeff Hextall, BS management information systems ’21, were married on Oct. 12, 2024. The pair, who are Drexel Rowing alumni, were married at Bachelors Barge Club, Drexel’s boathouse on Boathouse Row.
Anusha Vishnubhotla, MPH Epidemiology ’23, married Rohit Chamarthi on March 28, 2024.