West Chester University Magazine Is Dedicated to Honoring an Access Mission That Letters Concerning Magazine Foundation Board of Trustees Zebulun R
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FALL 2019 West Chester UniversityMAGAZINE WCU'S ACCESS INITIATIVES Pave the Way for Student Success IN THIS ISSUE FALL 2 019 On the Cover: WCU's Access Initiatives WCU's University College offers a growing suite of 12 support services to pave the way for student success. Sports Profile: Ronn Jenkins ’65 Homecoming weekend saw the ribbon cutting for the new 10 Dr. Ronn Jenkins Diving & Aquatics Center. Donor Profile: Randy Warren M’92 Randy Warren believes in investing for a greater purpose to 26 benefit WCU unacommpanied foster & homeless students. Alumni Profile: Denston Carey, Jr. ’17 Denston Carey became the first WCU student 27 accepted to Harvard Medical School. 4 University News 16 University Profiles 10 Sports News 18 Homecoming Celebrated WCU Diving Coach Ronn Jenkins ’65 (second from left) toured the 11 WCU Events 20 Alumni Notes renovated pool area, located in the University’s Hollinger Fieldhouse, with family, 12 Cover Story 24 Chapter News friends, and WCU leaders on Saturday, October 26, prior to the official unveiling of the space now named the Dr. Ronn Jenkins Diving & Aquatics Center. Pictured, L-R: Chair of the Board of Directors of Student Services Incorporated (SSI) Bernie Carrozza ’66; Ronn Jenkins ’65; Anne Saris Stevenson; Shannon and Steve Rutherford with their daughter, Hannah; Director of Athletics Terry Beattie; State Representative Dan K. Williams (74th Legislative District); Vice President for Student Affairs Zebulun Davenport; Sue Fiorentino; WCU President Chris Fiorentino; and WCU Foundation CEO Chris Mominey. wcupa.edu/socialmedia Digital version of the WCU Magazine is available at issuu.com/wcuofpa. FALL 2019 Editor and LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY has Nancy Santos Gainer much to celebrate as it nears its 150th anniversary. At a time when colleges Managing Editor and universities across the nation face Loretta MacAlpine considerable challenges, demand for a West Chester University education Design remains high and consistent growth JoAnne Mottola continues. From fall 2013 to fall 2019, WCU’s undergraduate enrollment in- Photography creased 6.7 percent and graduate enroll- Erica Thompson ’10 ment increased 43 percent. With more than 17,600 undergraduate and gradu- Contributors Bruce Beans ate students today, WCU is thriving. During halftime of the home football game on September 21, West Chester’s Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band became the first band In fact, this fall, MONEY magazine President from a Division II school to be awarded the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s prestigious Sudler Trophy. Known as the “Heisman Trophy of the col- rated West Chester University a top Christopher M. Fiorentino legiate band world,” the award recognizes bands demonstrating the highest musical standards and innovative marching routines over a period of public university in Pennsylvania by years. On hand to accept the trophy were four generations of band directors dating back to 1968 (L to R): Andrew Yozviak ’91, current director of bands and marching band director from 2007-2018; Professor Adam Gumble ’05, M’16, current marching band director; James Wells ’54, march- using a competitive ranking system Vice President for ing band director from 1968–1992 and the Wells School of Music’s co-namesake; and John Villella ’76, M’82, current vice president for University that considers the quality of an educa- University Affairs Affairs and chief of staff and marching band director from 1992–2007. The trophy measures exactly 22½ inches from base to tip — precisely the tion in addition to its affordability and John Villella ’76, M’82 size of a standard 8 to 5 step in marching. It will be on display in the Wells School of Music for the next two years. demonstrated outcomes. The ranking places the University ahead of Penn State, Temple University, University of Pitts- Director of Alumni Relations WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES Jenna (Cardaciotto) Birch ’06 burgh, as well as others. Equally as important, our outstanding retention rate and J. Adam Matlawski ’80 (chair) six-year graduation rate far exceed the national average. Marian D. Moskowitz (vice chair) Erin Kaliszak (student) A constant forward motion propels WCU; it is relentless as it moves with a de- Barry C. Dozor ’71 Stephen Kinsey ’81 Thomas A. Fillippo ’69 Christopher A. Lewis termination, purpose, and direction that is fueled by our resolve to help students The West Chester University Christopher Franklin ’87 Eli Silberman (secretary) be successful. In this context, our access mission is one of the many factors that Magazine is published three times Jonathan Ireland ’95, M’03 Robert M. Tomlinson ’70 drives our University. We make it a practice to identify ways to help students over- a year for the alumni, families, students, and friends of West come impediments, so they can cross the finish line and graduate. The fall issue of The West Chester University Edward N. Collison ’93 West Chester University Jonathan Long ’03 Chester University. We welcome West Chester University Magazine is dedicated to honoring an access mission that letters concerning magazine Foundation Board of Trustees Zebulun R. Davenport, ex officio Alumni Association Lovisha Love-Diggs exists for the express purpose of supporting students, acting as advocates, and, content or issues pertaining to the Paul D. Emrick ’88 Alison Maguire ’07 ultimately, making anything quite possible. I thank all of you for helping to activate University. Letters must be signed Officers Thomas A. Fillippo ’69, Council of President Elaine Mann ’91 and kept to one typed page. Please Lisa Wright Bryant ’87 Edward Monroe ’89 this access mission in ways that are truly benefiting generations of WCU students. Trustees Representative include address and daytime John H. Baker ’74 Vice President Stephen Nicolai ’08 phone number. Christopher Fiorentino, ex officio Sincerely, (president) William Scottoline ’74 Patrick O’Connor M’93 Kristen Gibbons Feden Treasurer Send correspondence to: Editor, Deborah J. Chase ’76 Alyssa Polakowski ’09, M’11 Maury Hoberman The WCU Magazine, West Chester (vice president) Nick Polcini ’00, M’05 Nick Polcini ’00, M’05 University, West Chester, PA 19383 Kathy Leidheiser David P. Holveck ’68 Secretary William Scottoline ’74 (treasurer) Joan M. Kaminski ’69 Lauren Bolden ’12, M’14 Andy Truscott ’09 West Chester University Magazine Donald E. Leisey ’59 Past President Ruthann Waldie ’80 Christopher M. Fiorentino is published by Sandra F. Mather ’64, M’68 Todd Murphy, ex officio Matt Holliday ’09 President West Chester University (secretary) Emeriti Communications and Marketing Christopher P. Mominey Tahany Naggar Directors www.wcupa.edu Carmen Evans Culp ’52, M’64 (chief executive officer) John N. Nickolas ’90 WCU is an AA/EEO institution Lauren Bolden ’12, M’14 (deceased) Michael Peich Trustees Lisa Wright Bryant ’87 Janice Weir Etshied ’50 (deceased) Robert H. Plucienik Bernard Carrozza ’66 Karl Helicher ’72, M’82, M’87 Keith Beale ’77 Lewis Raibley, III ’83 Rick Daniels ’75, M’81 Joseph F. Kienle ’72, M’74 R. Lorraine Bernotsky, ex officio James Shinehouse ’80 Mark Drochek ’86 Richard D. Merion ’59, M’69 WEST CHESTER Eric Bossard ’85 Marisa Tilghman Robert Fanelli ’60, M’66 John F. Murphy ’43 (deceased) UNIVE R S ITY J. Alan Butcher ’88, M’92 May Van M’89 Matt Holliday ’09 Luther B. Sowers ’49 (deceased) Millie C. Cassidy John Villella, ’76, M’82, ex officio 2 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY FALL 2019 | 3 UNIVERSITY NEWS UNIVERSITY NEWS John B. Craig Pictured (L-R): SSI Executive Director Donna Snyder, WCU Alumni Association Past President Matt Holliday, Chair, SSI Board of Directors Bernie Carrozza, President Christopher Fiorentino, Director of Autism Services/ Dub-C Autism Program Cherie Fishbaugh, and WCU students Sophia Hirokawa, Gabe Lloyd, Tyler Haney, and Katie Lickfield. Special Admissions Program UNIQUE IN THE U.S. WCU Opens a Campus Store That Employs Students on the Autism Spectrum n September 6, a one-of-a-kind conve- ity training on how to work effectively with make a significant difference in their lives,” REFINING THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS PROGRAM nience store opened adjacent to cam- those who have autism. In addition, D-CAP said SSI Chair of the Board of Directors Ber- pus. In a teaching model unique in the student volunteers in the store are learning nie Carrozza. “SSI welcomes the opportunity OUnited States, West Chester University’s Ram the work-readiness skills needed to eventually to provide a positive working environment his fall, West Chester University’s special admissions pro- Under the program, high school graduates who successfully com- Shop is staffed and run by degree-seeking be employed there or across campus. that can act as the students’ very first train- gram for students who show strong promise but don’t meet plete a preparatory five-week summer program are admitted to the WCU students who have autism. The store “We believe that if a student is accepted to ing ground. All of us support the drive and University admissions standards was renamed the Academic University and are offered extensive support, particularly during their functions as a training ground for them to West Chester University, it is our respon- determination of these students to secure a TSuccess Program (ASP). first year. Besides being assigned a faculty advisor, they are mentored learn critical job skills. sibility to do whatever we can to help that college education.” Since 1984, the program — which was launched in 1971 — had by faculty and both graduate and undergraduate students. The Ram Shop is the direct result of a part- student succeed,” said West Chester University In addition to snacks, necessities, and WCU been called the Academic Development Program. Reflecting current Currently, approximately 800 undergraduates, including 191 first- nership between the University’s Dub-C Au- President Chris Fiorentino. “The Ram Shop apparel, the store carries a special yellow T- research, the name change follows the lead of the National Organiza- year students, are benefiting from the ASP.