Heather (Simons) Dougherty ’89 wrote to share that many Ursinus alumni got together for the inaugural UC Bears Pickleball play day. Anyone interested in learning more about the next gathering may reach out to Heather at Heatherdoc3@gmail.com. 

Bill Furlong ’87 was named head football coach for Haddon Township High School (N.J.). He has 28 years of head coaching experience with stops at Burlington Township, Phoenixville, Manchester, and West Windsor-Plainsboro North/South.

Esma Ali ’88 recently published a book titled, “Was Jesus a Narcissist? A Muslim’s Journey through the Bible.” The book invites readers to examine long-standing religious beliefs through scripture, psychology, and reason.

Gina Buggy ’81, former head coach of Episcopal High School, and Laura Moliken, former head coach and director of athletics at Ursinus College, were honored by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Jay DeFruscio ’82, Gary McAneney ’87, and Charles “Chuck” Odgers, M.D. ’88, returned to campus in March to serve on a panel for the Sports and Humanity APEX Hub. They spoke about different career paths for students interested in sports and the blend of business and health options. Jay is chief operating officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and a former college head coach, athletic director, and NBA assistant coach. Gary is chief financial officer of Oak View Group, a global company that works with some of the largest sports and entertainment venues in the world. Chuck is a leading orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine.

Kevin Murphy ’86, long-time Washington Township High School (N.J.) director of athletics, was inducted into the Gloucester County (N.J.) Sports Hall of Fame in October 2025. Murphy has been director of athletics at WTHS since 2002.

Michael F. Cola ’81 has been named chief executive officer of Helus Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs) to treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Peter Holtz ’83 of Vybe Urgent Care is a recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Greater Philadelphia Award.

Rick Millward ’80 wants to spread the word that Beta Sigma Lambda will be holding a 100^th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 17, 2026, during Ursinus Homecoming. For more information, contact Rick at rjcjmill@comcast.net or register at www.betasigmalambda.com.

Rick Morris ’80 and Jeff Carlow ’80 are executive producers of the 2025 slapstick feature film “White Dudes Can’t Rap.” The movie won a Best Comedy Feature Award at both the 2024 Springfield Independent and 2025 NY Tri State International Film festivals. The two Grizzlies originally hatched the idea for the detective parody in 1979 while studying for a Professor Dougie Davis history exam in Myrin Library. This “Naked Gun”-style movie is streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi. Rick is also the producer behind the YouTube series “Pablo and Hurley.”

In December, Robert Enderlein ’88 spoke to a group of Ursinus business students about his career and experience, which includes more than 34 years in the insurance industry. Bob is senior vice president of field operations with Eastern Alliance Insurance Group.

Former Penn Coach Steve Donahue ’84 was hired by St. Joseph’s coach Billy Lange and named associate head coach of men’s basketball.

Faegre Drinker announced the promotion of two principals to the firm, effective Jan. 1, 2025, including Ursinus College alumna Terry Frangiosa ’88. Terry is a principal with the government and regulatory affairs team at the firm.

Tessa Doeff ’81 wrote to share that she got together with friends Wendy (Helfferich) White ’81 and Barb (France) Grassie ’81 in Cape May Point, N.J. in March. “This is what 49 years of an Ursinus friendship looks like!” 

University of Las Vegas Defensive Coordinator Paul Guenther ’94 and Head Coach Dan Mullen ’94 pose with fellow alumni Dave Kovach ’90, Austin Kovach ’21, and Cleary Clark Maly ’92 at the UNLV vs. Utah State game on Nov. 15, 2025

Rob Gilfillan ’91 hosted a group of Ursinus alumni during the holidays in December. 

Education Attorney Allison (Snyder) Petersen, Esq. ’97 joined Wisler Pearlstine as a partner in the firm’s Blue Bell office in January.

Brian Ebersole ’99, vice president and associate designated institutional official for The Wright Centers for Community Health & Graduate Medical Education, is a Pennsylvania City & State 40 in Their 40s honoree. Brian heads up academic affairs and oversees physician training for the Wright Centers, where he develops residency programs to meet the demand for high-need specialties

Cleary Clark Maly ’92 hosted the Ursinus men’s golf team at her home in Virginia after the team played a round of golf at Two Rivers Country Club in Williamsburg, Va., during spring break in March. Cleary also served on the 2026 Ursinus College Bear2Bear Benefit and Bash Committee. The event was held in April at the Union League Liberty Hill, Philadelphia. 

Dave Kovach ’90, P’21 served on the 2026 Ursinus College Bear2Bear Benefit and Bash Committee. Dave has served on the committee since its inception in 2019. The event was held in April at the Union League Liberty Hill, Philadelphia.

Joanna M. (Miller) Wexler ’97 was selected by the Central Bucks (Pa.) School District to serve as superintendent. She was officially appointed to the post at a special meeting of the board in April. Joanna previously served as assistant superintendent in the Great Valley (Pa.) School District.

Neil Schafer ’91 was recently named head track and field coach at the University of Valley Forge.

Jennifer Thompkins ’09 has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. She previously served as president and CEO of Metropolitan Wilmington (Del.) Urban League (MWUL), where she significantly expanded their programs and impacts to address the growing needs of Wilmington and the broader Delaware community.

Jess (Markowitz) Kriegner ’02 shares that she and her husband, Chris Kriegner ’04, got together with fellow alumni Mike Lombardo ’04 and Bob Gray ’04 and their families on the Ursinus campus during Thanksgiving break.

Amber Stephenson, Ph.D. ’03 was appointed head of the School of Business Administration (SBA) at Penn State Harrisburg in August following a national search.

Daniel Ortiz, Ed.D. ’06 was appointed as the next principal of Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Pa. He assumed the leadership role at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Daniel has a decade of school leadership experience and a deep connection to Upper Dublin, having previously served as the principal of Sandy Run Middle School and most recently as interim principal of Jarrettown Elementary.

Dennis C. Vondran Jr. ’06 was elected a partner of Lamb McErlane PC. Dennis concentrates his practice on estate planning, estate administration, orphans’ court, Medicaid long-term care planning and applications, and guardianships.

Ursinus Trustee Flynn Corson ’04 served on the 2026 Ursinus College Bear2Bear Benefit and Bash Committee. The event was held in April at the Union League Liberty Hill, Philadelphia.

Jenni Smagala, D.V.M. ’05 and her twin sister Amy opened Twin Tails Veterinary Hospital in Garnet Valley, Pa., in June. Built on a shared dream and decades of combined veterinary experience, Twin Tails Veterinary Hospital offers services including preventive care, puppy and kitten wellness, surgery, dental care, geriatric care, end-of-life support, and behavior management.

Jennifer (Nolan) Goodrich, M.D., ’04, a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, has joined the physician team at Metro ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery, a division of the Centers for Advanced ENT Care, in Rockville, Md.  

Joshua Stober ’03 was appointed co-chair of the Corporate, M&A, and Securities practice group at Blank Rome LLP, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Katie Morello ’08, a producer and editor for NFL Films, returned to campus in March to participate in an alumni panel for the Sports and Humanity APEX Hub. Panelists spoke about the different career paths for students interested in sports and the blend of business and health options.

Kristi (Blust) Smith ’09 married Andrew Smith on Sept. 29, 2022. They welcomed their son, Silas Julian Smith, on Dec. 28, 2022. He joins older siblings, Peri, 13, and Edward, 11.

In Nov., Lauren (Dorsey) Brady ’09 was the featured speaker at an event on campus sponsored by the Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good and the Building a Humane Digital World APEX Hub. Lauren serves as director of translational data science at Genmab, an international biotech company specializing in antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. She is also the author of a children’s book, “Decode AI,” which was awarded a “Best in STEM” award from STEM.org.

Maria L. DeOliveira ’08 was selected by the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) for its 40 Under 40 honor. She was recognized at a special ceremony in December in Tucson, Ariz. Maria is an associate at Brown Rudnick, LLP in New York, where she focuses on bankruptcy litigation and general litigation matters. Maria earned a juris doctorate from Rutgers Law School and a master of business administration from Lehigh University.

Megan Lin Helzner ’08 is pleased to share that she and her husband, Jason, welcomed daughter Claire Miriam Flamendorf in March 2024. Claire is a delight and looks forward to coming to campus and maybe one day becoming a proud Ursinus Bear. Megan has also been promoted to principal at CFAR: Consulting and Coaching, where she serves family businesses, nonprofit organizations, family offices, and philanthropic foundations on matters like succession, governance, and next-generation development.

Pat Curry ’01 served as the chair of the Ursinus College Bear2Bear Benefit and Bash Committee. The event was held in April at the Union League Liberty Hill, Philadelphia.

Rebecca (Cohen) Kasen ’07, executive director of the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, welcomed Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer to the center in December. Gov. Whitmer toured the facility and helped wrap presents as part of their holiday giving tree program. 

Sean Haines ’01 earned a doctorate in education and currently works as an assistant superintendent at Neshaminy High School. Sean started off as a PE teacher in Morrisville School District and has had many roles in his career. 

Alexandra (Peters) Adams ’11 was promoted to partner at O’Hagan Meyer, LLP, specializing in labor and employment defense

Alexandra Doll ’13 was recognized by Women We Admire as one of their Rising Star Women Leaders in Human Resources for 2025. Alexandra is the director of human resources communications at RWJBarnabas Health, where she leads HR communication strategies across the organization.

Aubrey Paris, Ph.D., ’15 has joined Ursinus as the new director of the Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good, a position created by an endowed gift of the Parlee family. Aubrey was one of the first fellows of the center. She returns after receiving her Ph.D. in chemistry at Princeton University and working as a senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of State.

Caroline E. Lippe, DO, ’13, a fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist who completed her Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Bryn Mawr Hospital in 2025, recently joined the Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center/West Cancer Center in Germantown, Tenn., as a breast oncology surgeon.

Carolyn Lang ’13 was recognized as a Rising Star Women Leader in Nonprofit for 2025 by Women We Admire, an organization of women executives and leaders across the U.S. and Canada. Carolyn is deputy regional director of America and the Caribbean for Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian organization that alleviates suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities.

Casey Derella, Ph.D. ’17, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Virginia, served as a meeting blogger for the 2025 American Physiology Summit. At the summit, she ran into Ursinus alumni Marcus Wagner, Ph.D. ’17 and Rebecca Petre Sullivan, Ph.D. ’00.

Crysta (Zurad) Duryea ’15 published her debut novel, “What Happened to Liz,” a coastal mystery set in a fictional beach town inspired by the South Jersey shore. Crysta resides in Cape May, N.J., with her husband, David Duryea ’15, and their two dogs.

Dave Muoio ’14 is a staff writer at Fierce Healthcare. He is based in the Boston area.

David Drea ’19 and Liana (Weishaar) Drea ’18 welcomed daughter Alynnia Michele to their family on June 1, 2024.

David T. Queroli ’11, an associate with Richards, Layton & Finger in Wilmington, Del., was selected to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ) 2025 Next Generation (NEXTGen) Program, which was held during the NCBJ Conference in Chicago in September. Hundreds of nominations are submitted annually by law firms, government agencies, and bankruptcy judges across the country for admission to this prestigious program. No more than 40 practitioners are selected.

Eddy Kosik’s ’13 short story, “The Man in the Woods,” was published in the 50-second issue of The Adroit Journal. He is represented by Kelsey Day at Aragi Inc and his first novel is forthcoming.

Jie Lin ’18 has joined the University of Central Florida (UCF), College of Engineering and Computer Science, as a lecturer. Jie earned a doctoral degree in computer science from UCF in June 2025.

John Discepola ’12 married Dana Manning on Feb. 14, 2026, in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Ursinus alumni in attendance included: Ernie Constantine ’11, Tom Adelsberger ’11, David Kraus ’12, Patrick ’11 and Elle (Kurz) ’12 Gillen, and Michael Zapicchi ’12. 

Jordan Carver ’19 and Audrey Simpson ’19 got engaged on campus October 4, 2025. They
met on their first day of freshman year and are now both physicians.

Joshua Stricoff ’12 has been named partner by Herrick, Feinstein LLP. Joshua focuses his practice on general commercial, real estate, and construction litigation.

Kaiden (Kate) Power ’15 is a postdoctoral research fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. He earned a doctorate in molecular biology from Rutgers in 2024

Karen (Levandoski) Molinaro ’12 welcomed her second child, son Theodore Henry Molinaro, on January 24, 2025. He joins sister Audrey Marie, age 3.

Kristen (Biehl) Wagner ’17 writes, “My husband Mark and I welcomed our baby boy, Augustus “Auggie” Hunter Wagner, on October 12, 2024. Hoping for a future Ursinus Bear!”

Lindsay (Rush) Highland ’19 and Brett Highland ’19 were married on April 25, 2025, in Blue Bell, Pa. Many Ursinus alumni were in attendance.  

Rachel Brown, MPH, ’15 delivered a lecture at Ursinus in February titled “The science of social care: addressing the hidden drivers of health inequality” as part of the Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good’s lecture series. Rachel is a clinical research program manager for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Sean Delany, M.D., ’14, a board-certified non-operative sports medicine physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, has joined Rothman Orthopaedics. After earning his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, he completed residency training in physical medicine & rehabilitation at Temple University/MossRehab and a fellowship in primary care sports medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

Shawn Caven ’14 served on the 2026 Ursinus College Bear2Bear Benefit and Bash Committee. The event was held in April at the Union League Liberty Hill, Philadelphia.

John Discepola ’12 married Dana Manning on Feb. 14, 2026, in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Ursinus alumni in attendance included: Ernie Constantine ’11, Tom Adelsberger ’11, David Kraus ’12, Patrick ’11 and Elle (Kurz) ’12 Gillen, and Michael Zapicchi ’12. 

Lindsay (Rush) Highland ’19 and Brett Highland ’19 were married on April 25, 2025, in Blue Bell, Pa. Many Ursinus alumni were in attendance.  

David Drea ’19 and Liana (Weishaar) Drea ’18 welcomed daughter Alynnia Michele to their family on June 1, 2024.

Karen (Levandoski) Molinaro ’12 welcomed her second child, son Theodore Henry Molinaro, on January 24, 2025. He joins sister Audrey Marie, age 3.

Kristen (Biehl) Wagner ’17 writes, “My husband Mark and I welcomed our baby boy, Augustus “Auggie” Hunter Wagner, on October 12, 2024. Hoping for a future Ursinus Bear!”

Kristi (Blust) Smith ’09 married Andrew Smith on Sept. 29, 2022. They welcomed their son, Silas Julian Smith, on Dec. 28, 2022. He joins older siblings, Peri, 13, and Edward, 11.

Vonnie Gros carved out one of the most remarkable athletic legacies in Ursinus College history. Arriving in the mid-1950s, she became the school’s first All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse in 1957 — launching a career defined by excellence on and off the field.

A standout on the U.S. National Field Hockey Team for 13 years, she later guided that same program to its only Olympic medal. After the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games denied her first Olympic coaching opportunity, she returned in 1984 to lead a heavily underdog American squad to a historic bronze medal.

Vonnie also built an exceptional coaching résumé at West Chester University, Princeton University, and Ursinus. Her impact on the game is reflected in her induction into at least eight Halls of Fame, including the U.S. Field Hockey Hall of Fame and multiple regional and collegiate honors — cementing her place as a true pioneer in women’s athletics. Read more on usafieldhockey.com

Hudson B. “Pete” Scattergood, retired senior vice president for college relations, who was with the college from 1989 to 2007, died Nov. 29, 2025.

David R. Emery ’61, former mathematics lecturer, died Nov. 29, 2025.

Dean Akin, who retired in 2002 after 23 years of service to the college, died on June 26 at Phoenixville Hospital. He was 88.

Having joined the college in 1979 as academic vice president and dean of the college, Dean Akin worked closely with President Richard Richter and President John Strassburger. Although he originally planned to retire in 1995, he stayed on to help President Strassburger, who had just joined the college. He then went on to serve as athletic director from 1996 to 2002.

A dedicated college leader and friend, Bill Akin touched many lives at Ursinus College and beyond, and we are grateful for his longtime service to the college.

Former Professor of Music Derq Howlett, D.M.E., died August 17, 2025.

Marilyn L. Steinbright, trustee emeritus and Ursinus honorary doctor of laws recipient, died Nov. 23, 2025.

Jacob “Jake” R. Schaff ’21 died June 4, 2025.