WCU Magazine Summer 2025

1960s

David M. Rentschler ’63, M’69 received the inaugural Dr. Brenda Gilio Alumni Leadership Award, presented by Widener University’s Center for Education, during the May 2023 Commencement. Rentschler completed a doctor of education at Widener in 1996 and began teaching for the Center for Education in 1997. He is also completing 60 years of teaching private music lessons on trumpet, baritone, and string/electric bass. A number of his private students matriculated at WCU as music majors.

Barbara L. Milne ’69 recently published the book Not My Andrew that is being sold on Amazon. The book tells the story of her family and their life after the death of her son Andrew in 1986 due to a skateboarding accident.

1970s

Leroy Nelson ’70 was honored with the Neshaminy School District Alumni Achievement Award on November 25, 2024. An inspiration to the current students of Neshaminy and the entire Neshaminy community, he was recognized for his outstanding lifetime achievement in post-graduation personal and professional pursuits among the alumni of the Neshaminy School District. Nominations were drawn from the community and from Neshaminy district staff.

Edward J. Coyle ’73 will be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025 for his accomplishments in powerlifting (Paralympics) and his contributions to the local sports community. A native of Delaware County, Coyle swam the English Channel in 1995, set 23 World Records, and has been inducted into the Delaware County Sports (2016) and Pennsylvania Sports (1999) halls of fame.

Bruce W. Kistler ’73 has published his second novel. Sand River Reckoning is about a diverse group who fight a toll road proposed for their rural Florida county. Received with five-star reviews, it is now available on Amazon Books. Kistler is a retired urban planner and lives in Winter Haven, FL.

David F. Sheaffer ’76, M’90 was inducted into the Harmonia Music Association Lebanon County Musicians’ Hall of Fame on May 8, 2025, for his work as a music educator and musician. Sheaffer retired in 2012 from his position as a middle school classroom/choral music educator from the Eastern Lebanon County School District (PA) after 35 years. He recently served as guest conductor for the 2025 Dauphin County Chorus Festival held at the Forum in Harrisburg, PA.

Anthony J. Sparano ’76, M’79 recently provided a group of WCU student teachers with a presentation on school law. After Sparano retired from serving as a principal, he returned to the University to serve as a supervisor of student teachers in the Department of Early & Middle Education. He stayed in that position for nine semesters and enjoyed working with future educators and a talented group of professors.

1990s

Susan N. Eckert ’92, M’00 was recently promoted to VP of group human resources at Parx Casino. She also published an article in HR Tech Outlook Magazine: “Unlocking Organizational Success: The Power of Strategic HR and Employee Relations.”

Andrea L. Roth ’93 was selected to serve on the host medical staff for the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS. She is working toward her doctor of health science from the University of Indianapolis (May 2026).

Vernon B. Harper M’96 was appointed president of California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) on September 25, 2024. Harper served as the university’s interim president since December 2023 following the retirement of President Lynnette Zelezny. He is the university’s sixth leader to serve in the role in a permanent capacity. During Harper’s tenure as interim president, he launched a number of initiatives that support increased access and student success, including the middle and high school pre-admit program; the Umoja Black Student Success Transfer Program in partnership with Bakersfield College; and pursuing the statewide Black Serving Institution designation.

William H. Hickey ’98 became the new deputy police chief for Millersville University’s police department in January. He previously served the Lancaster Bureau of Police for more than 25 years.

2000s

Padraic J. Maroney ’05 published a book entitled Escaping Death: The Unauthorized Story Behind the Final Destination Movies, told with the help of more than 50 exclusive interviews with cast members, producers, and filmmakers. Published by BearManor Media, the book release coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original movie and the debut of the sixth installment of the movie franchise, Final Destination: Bloodlines. Maroney has been an entertainment writer for nearly 30 years.

Andrea E. Murray ’07, M’12 was selected as an Emerging Leader by Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce for her innovation, nonprofit leadership, and positive influence in the Lebanon community. The award is given to young professionals who exemplify dedication, innovation, and outstanding leadership in their fields. Murray currently serves as director of community impact for Union Community Care.

2010s

Sunny Morgan ’19 won Emerging Reporter of the Year at the 2025 Philly News Awards. The award is given by The Pen & Pencil Club, one of the nation’s oldest press clubs.

2020s

Emily D. Devereaux ’20 was named associate vice president for research development for the University of South Carolina System. She also received the 2025 Senior Distinguished Service Award for the Southeastern Region of the National Council for University Research Administrators (NCURA).

Shannon L. Emery ’21 was selected as the 2025 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee and will compete in the International Rose of Tralee Festival in Ireland in August.

Kristian Sigismondi ’23 is a cyber security engineer at Lockheed Martin, where he works on projects that protect critical internal systems. He is also the founder of Open Road Jerky, an automotive- and motorsports-inspired craft beef jerky brand. Sigismondi has developed partnerships with industry leaders like Valvetronic Designs and Fortune Auto and is actively working toward national retail distribution.

In Memoriam

1948 Mary (Beldecos) Faines

1971 Mary Anne (Franey) Sherwood

1975 Cynthia M. Ficca

1979 Marguerite Bomba

Marriages

Lauren B. Kirkpatrick ’20 to Sean R. Ursillo ’19 on November 30, 2024.

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