Undergraduate

FLORENCE “FLOSSY” BILLINGS FINN, founder and coach of the Lake Lehman High School (LLHS) softball team, was honored at a ceremony on May 12, 2023, when a new turf softball field was dedicated as “Flossy Finn Field.” Finn’s record while coaching at LLHS was 242 wins and 63 losses. She earned three district championships and participated in two Pennsylvania state quarterfinals. She was named Coach of the Year four times in the Wyoming Valley Conference. In addition, she worked with the Dallas Kiwanis in developing the annual women’s all-star game, which has existed for 43 years. Finn also received the Kiwanis Award for Promotion of Women’s Sports and is a member of the LL Softball Hall of Fame and the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame.

EDWIN “EDDIE DAY” PASHINSKI was recently inducted into the Luzerne County Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Pashinski began his musical journey as a teenager in the early 1960s, and his career path and public service have helped expand music education to thousands of children in Pennsylvania. Because of his contributions, Pashinski is recognized as one of the most important figures in Luzerne County’s long history of musical influence. He was a singer in two major musical groups in Luzerne County: first the Starfires and then Eddie Day and the Nightimers (later known as Eddie Day Groop). Pashinski became an important figure in the local area by becoming a teacher, choral director and union leader in the Greater Nanticoke Area School District. After his teaching career, he dedicated his time to public service. He was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, advocating for the expansion and conservation of music programs in public schools.

BILL STINGER qualified for the USA Triathlon National Championships, held in August 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

JOSEPH “JOE” B. FRAPPOLLI, known as the Dean of South Jersey Football, was recently recognized by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and former NFL quarterback Michael Vick for his contribution to the sport. Frappolli is the head football coach at Florence High School in Florence, New Jersey, and is now in his 50th and final year leading the Flashes. He has led the team to win six state championships, and is also a native of Florence and played on the Florence High football team growing up. He began as assistant head coach after he got married and soon became head coach. Now, his son coaches and his grandson is the quarterback. Once retired, Frappolli plans to travel with his wife.

1CALEB MCKENZIE, Hoboken, New Jersey, was invited to be the judge of the Wyoming Valley Art League Juried Show in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the League acquiring the Circle Center Building. McKenzie is an artist, collector and former art dealer. For this special show, he chose 51 works out of over 100 submitted. From this group, he selected the Juried Show finalists. The winning pieces included sculpture, photography, painting, drawing and mixed media. McKenzie is a member of the Directors Circle at the Sordoni Art Gallery. He and his brother Jeff sponsor the Beryl and Cromwell Thomas Engineering Scholarship at Wilkes University. He is also a Director of USL in New York City.

DANIEL “DAN” ALTERS was recently elected as trustee on the Board of the Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation.

THOMAS “TOM” SWANTKOWSKI, MD, FACG was recently elected to a three-year term as North Carolina Governor – American College of Gastroenterology.

ROBERT BRADSHAW co-authored a new political thriller novel, American Roulette, published by Sunbury Press’s Milford House. It speaks to the issue of gun violence in America. Released Oct. 24, 2023, it has received wonderful initial reviews and significant sales, rising to number 7 on Amazon’s list of new releases in its category.

MARSHALL KORNBLATT recently published his debut memoir: I Couldn’t Do This Alone, I Had Help: Lessons in Management and in Life taught by EVERY PERSON YOU’LL EVER MEET. The book is available on Amazon.

GAETANO “GUY” DIZEBBA, JR., a former Wilkes wrestler and lacrosse player, recently won first place in the Marine Corp US Open Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.

WILLIAM SLAVOSKI recently retired from a 30-year career with the United States Secret Service.

KATHRYN TYAHLA recently retired in June 2023 after a 40-year career in pharmaceutical and clinical research.

1DANA SHAFFER was recently honored by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) with the Santucci Award, which is the highest honor the NBOME bestows, given to members of its board, staff or committees with 10 or more years of service for their outstanding contributions to the mission of the NBOME. NBOME is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides competency assessments for osteopathic medical licensure and related healthcare professions.

MIKE GOULD recently retired from a 35-year long career with the Department of Defense Education Activity.

1TONY VLAHOVIC recently published his book, Just Need an Opportunity: Let’s Play Ball. In his book, Vlahovic shares his life story and how working with athletes with disabilities changed his life in so many incredible ways. His goal is to raise awareness and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. The book is available on Amazon.

ELLEN VAN RIPER recently joined the City of Phoenix Law Department Executive Team as a Chief Counsel. She oversees the civil litigation and transportation/airport sections of the office.

JAMES “JIMMY” HARNEN was recently inducted into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame. Harnen is a native of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and is currently a top executive in Nashville, Tennessee, and is the President/CEO of BMLG (Big Machine Label Group) Records. He is credited with the development and signing of dozens of gold and platinum artists and is considered to be one of the most respected and influential people in the music industry. When watching the Country Music Awards on television, it’s not unusual to hear some of the biggest names in country music thanking Harnen for his support. He is the only artist from Luzerne County to score a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with his song “Where Are You Now?” He began as a recording artist and eventually forged a successful career in the music business, holding positions at DreamWorks Records, Capitol Records and Republic Nashville.

TIMOTHY “TIM” Williams has retired after 36 years in Pennsylvania public education. His last position was Superintendent of the York Suburban School District in York County. Prior to that, he served as superintendent of the Westmont Hilltop School District in Cambria County and various administrative positions in Lancaster County. For the 2022-23 school year, he served as the interim superintendent/director of the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury, Vermont, while still residing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Patricia.

2ELIZABETH CORTEZ was recently promoted to Northern New Jersey director of operations for Keystone Perfusion Services. Prior to this, she was director of perfusion services at University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey (via Keystone Perfusion Services), a position she still holds. From 2006 to 2017, she was associate director of perfusion services at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

JAMES “JIM” DEE published his second novel, Frazy Creek, a wild tale about cat gangs in Los Angeles.

1JOHNNY SERRANO, DO recently published a novel about his experience from becoming a surgical resident to an osteopathic practitioner, along with the trials and lows of real-life surgical emergencies. His novel, Becoming a Surgeon: My Story Of The Journey From Surgical Residency To The Life As A Surgeon, is available on Amazon.

MOLLIE OLEYEAR received her MA degree in psychology with a specialization in military psychology on Dec. 19, 2021, from Adler University.

CINDY CHARNETSKI, OD joined Nanticoke Eye Specialists (formerly Evans Eye Care) in May 2023. She spent the last 18 years at Northeastern Eye Institute, graduated from Wilkes in 1997 and PCO (Salus) in 2001. Nanticoke Eye Specialists is part of Hazleton Eye Specialists, Stroudsburg Eye Specialists and Pottsville Eye Specialists. The two owners are also Wilkes grads: Dr. Thomas Kislan, medical director and Dr. James Deom, chief of eye care services.

2MICHAEL T. BEACHEM, IV recently attended the P6 Management Institute for TRIO Directors, sponsored by the Department of Education in Washington, D.C.

TONY DaRe is celebrating the 20th anniversary of BSI Corporate Benefits. Tony established this firm in 2003 to advocate for his community members. Originally headquartered in Michigan, BSI now resides in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

DANIEL “DAN” GILROY was recently named Superintendent of Forest City Regional School District in Pennsylvania.

JASON MARIE, PE was recently hired as vice president and client services manager at Carollo Engineers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

JILL RONKOWSKI MARIE, PE was recently hired as vice president and client services manager at Carollo Engineers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1KATIE PEARSON DESIDERIO, MBA ’03, co-authored a book about leadership titled The Beekeeper: Pollinating Your Organization for Transformative Growth which reached #3 on Amazon’s Best Seller List in the management category across all business books. The Beekeeper is available on Amazon. Desiderio and her co-author, Michael Frino, also have a weekly podcast titled “Hive in Five: The Beekeeper Book Journey,”
on YouTube.

JULIAN MORALES, MBA ’08, currently the assistant dean of admissions and financial aid at Penn State Law, will join Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations as director of local government and community relations.

2ANDREA JANOV’S second poetry collection, Short Skirts and Whiskey Shots, has been published by international publisher Earth Island Books. This collection is deeply rooted in the people and the streets of New York City. It thrives in the bars, the clubs, the tenements and the subway. It celebrates the dirty streets, the beer-soaked nights and those who sweat liquor. It explores the idiosyncrasies, the innocence and the excesses of the city. The collection is available on Amazon.

MELISSA JONES, DO is a ballroom dancer, dancing Bronze American Smooth, which is waltz, tango, foxtrot and Viennese waltz. She won the regional competition in Greenwich, Connecticut, in February 2023 and also won the larger interregional competition in Mystic, Connecticut, in May 2023. She recently moved back home to Pennsylvania after being away for 13 years. She is excited to be back near her family and also started a new job in June 2023 as an outpatient pediatrician at the Honesdale Pediatric Center in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

PATRICK ZEIGLER and his wife, Kelly, welcomed baby boy, Archer, into the world on May 23, 2023.

1JACQUELINE LUKAS EOVITCH, husband, Kevin Eovitch, and big sister, Madison Eovitch, recently welcomed Liam Patrick Eovitch to their family on May 11, 2023.

2ALLISON ROWAN and DAKOTA “CODY” ROWAN ’17 welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Adelyn, in April 2023.

3IAN SCHREFFLER, MBA ’18 and KATE THOMAS ’15, MBA ’17 were married at The Stone Mill Inn in Hallam, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 7, 2023. Ian and Kate are true Wilkes sweethearts and have been together for seven years. They have such a strong Wilkes connection that 30 fellow graduates attended the wedding. The photo shows that Colonel spirit! Pictured from left to right are: Marissa Oertner ’17, Emelie Meinhart ’17, Kayla Brahm, Sarah Wasley Wizar ’16 , TJ Bergmann ’13, Kate Thomas Schreffler (bride), Chelsea Brown ’15, Joe Harsch ’13. Middle: Peter Terranova ’19, Meg Binder ’16, Cara Basile ’16, MBA ’19, Alec Wizar ’16, MBA ’18, Joe Buffa ’15, MBA ’17, Ashley Hahn Buffa ’14, Ian Schreffler (groom), Sarah Novack Persing ’13, Marc Persing ’13, Zach Tivald ’12, Louis Abramo ’13. Back: Nate Hughes ’17, Megan Dragan, Tony DaRe ’00, Ben Webb ’12, MBA ’16, Samantha Fowler Webb ’14, MBA ’23, Evan Katz ’13, Brendon Myer ’12, Ryan Baicher ’12. Other Wilkes grads in attendance: Cheryl Moyer Thomas ’79, Collin Farnham ’17, Allyson Selgrade-Allison PharmD ’00, Nicholas Riccio ’13, Amal Pillai ’16.

MICHAEL “MIKE” DARGATIS recently appeared on NBC’s Magnum P.I. The 16th episode of the fifth season, “Run with the Devil,” aired on primetime on Nov. 15, 2023. The episode is available to stream on NBC/Peacock. Mike flew to Hawaii to film before the actors’ strike went into effect. Dargatis is currently represented by Aqua Talent and the Daniel Hoff Agency.

1CARTIER SCOTT was recently awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award. The National Education Association (NEA) presents this award to a nominee who emulates Dr. King in leadership and philosophy. Scott is a Suncoast Community High School math teacher in Riviera Beach, Florida, a track coach at Keiser University and an active member of the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association and the Florida Education Association.

IAN FOLEY was recently awarded with the Nora McGuire Outstanding Professional Award by Wisconsin College Personnel Association for his impact in the student services field. Foley is a residence life coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

2KRISTEN ROSE (CHORNEY) FORSTER married Brian Michael Forster on May 13, 2023, in Media, Pennsylvania. Many of their family and friends were in attendance. Participating in the wedding party as bridesmaids were Elizabeth Dollman ’14 and Milana Lewis (nee Grigoriev) ’14. Also in attendance at their wedding was Philip Simon, associate professor of music emeritus of the music department, performing with his quartet.

KATE THOMAS, MBA ’17 (see 2012).

3JESSICA DREBOT LAPINSKI recently got married to Adam Lapinski on April 29, 2023, at Baywood Greens Clubhouse in Long Neck, Delaware. In attendance were some of her alumni friends. Pictured from left to right are: Tracey Quirke ’16, Shawn Carey ’15, Troy Carey ’16, Adam Lapinski (groom), Jessica (Drebot) Lapinski ’16, Jessica Krepps ’16, Paul Rochelle ’16, Kristen Lopatofsky PharmD ’17, Brenden Franklin. Paul, Tracey, Jessica and Jessica lovingly refer to themselves as the part of the Sturd Herd, named after Sturdevant Hall, their freshman residence hall.

JUSTIN TOPA recently joined the ASM Global team for Mohegan Sun Arena PA as the marketing and social media manager.

BRYAN BILBAO recently started a new position as a physician assistant at Geisinger Convenient Care (Urgent Care).

DAKOTA “CODY” ROWAN (see 2012).

1MICHELLE (LEHMAN) CONWAY, MBA ’20, recently published her book, If You’re In Your Twenties, Read This, and launched a new podcast, The Orange Butterfly Effect. If You’re in Your Twenties, Read This is a modern take on young professionalism and self-discovery and The Orange Butterfly Effect is a podcast, available on Spotify, that empowers young professionals to spread their wings and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal and professional growth.

2MICHAELA (CHIDIAC) ENDERS, BSN and STEPHEN ENDERS, MBA ’17 welcomed their future Colonel on January 4, 2023. His name is Nolan James Enders. “He lights up our life and we are enjoying the rollercoaster ride of parenthood. No one can prepare you for this type of love, commitment and responsibility but it is definitely one of the greatest titles we could’ve ever received.” Additionally, Michaela and Stephen married on November 6, 2021.

MADISON SCARFARO is entering her third and final year of law school in August at Touro Law Center and was recently named as the recipient of the Honorable Dorothy T. Eisenberg Women in the Law “Trailblazer” Award, which honors the late retired Judge Eisenberg of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York. This award was presented to at least three local female law students who demonstrate the same characteristics of late Judge Eisenberg, a trailblazer of her time who set an example for generations of young women professionals.

3SIERRA (MUSA) CULLEN recently got married to Ryan Cullen on June 24, 2023, in Phoenixville, Pa. She also graduated with her M.A. TESOL from West Chester University in May 2023.

1HARRISON ECKERT matched into his top choice for residency in family medicine at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, Delaware. He will be a part of the inaugural class of residents at Beebe, helping to advocate for those in Sussex County and participate in the creation of Beebe’s first residency program. Some of his future career interests include academic medicine, addiction medicine, osteopathic manipulation/treatment, LGBTQ+ care and underserved medicine. Eckert credits much of his success to being in the Guthrie Clinical Semester Scholars Program during his time at Wilkes.

2LEANA PANDE was nationally recognized by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), where she is now a resident artist. Technically speaking, her art will be in a museum; the painting she donates to AMWA will go to the Drexel Medical Legacy Archives. Pande received her bachelor’s degrees in neuroscience and psychology, and was named Outstanding Neuroscience Major while at Wilkes.

3EVAN ORR-SIPOS married Philip Sipos on Oct. 13, 2023, at the Lackawanna County Courthouse in Pennsylvania.

KATIE PEARSON DESIDERIO, MBA (see 2001 undergrad).

JULIAN MORALES, MBA (see 2005 undergrad).

MICHELLE SCHMUDE, EDD was named vice provost for enrollment management at Geisinger College of Health Sciences. In addition, she is president-elect of the Academy for Professionalism in Health Care.

JUSTIN BALINT, PHARMD started the Executive MBA program at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

THOMAS “TOM” WEEKS, M.ED, chief technology officer of Hillsborough County Public Schools in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area, was recently recognized by Technology Magazine for his pioneering efforts to technologically transform the district and make a positive impact on their students.

STEPHEN ENDERS, MBA (see 2018 undergrad).

KATE THOMAS, MBA (see 2012 undergrad).

IAN SCHREFFLER, MBA (see 2012 undergrad).

MICHELLE (LEHMAN) CONWAY, MBA (see 2018 undergrad).