Archive for April, 2010

Older Entries »
h1

Story on Widener President for a Day Program Published in Newspapers Coast-to-Coast

April 28, 2010

An Associated Press feature story on Widener’s annual President for a Day  in which Doug Shultz, a senior environmental science major, switched places with President James T. Harris III, is running in newspapers nationwide, including The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, and The San Diego Union-Tribune.   Many other newspapers and TV stations also picked up the story.

The story, by AP’s Kathy Matheson, starts this way:  Widener University President James T. Harris III had only one question before hopping on a mini-motorbike to deliver newspapers across campus: “Where’s the brake?”

For the rest of the story, read it online.  The Washington Post version also includes a great photo slide show.  And John Martins in our University Relations Department produced a video about the President for a Day program on Widener’s YouTube channel.

Posted in Widener Breaking News | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

h1

Widener Alumnus to Discuss and Sign New Book

April 27, 2010

Jeff Blomquist, a 2006 alumnus of Widener University, will be discussing and signing copies of A User’s Guide to the Universe: Surviving the Perils of Black Holes, Time Paradoxes, and Quantum Uncertainty at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 in the Art Gallery in University Center.

A short profile of Blomquist and an excerpt from the book appears in the spring issue of Widener Magazine, and he also is featured in an online video on Widener’s web site.  A double major in physics and mechanical engineering at Widener, Blomquist illustrated and co-authored the book with Dave Goldberg, an associate professor of physics at Drexel University. Goldberg will join Blomquist for the discussion and reception at Widener.  Professor Harry Augensen, pictured at right with Blomquist on a trip to visit a crater Arizona, will do the introductions.

 

Posted in Alumni Updates, Widener Breaking News | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

h1

Send Your Letters to the Editor and Post Comments Online About New Widener Magazine

April 23, 2010

We hope to hear from readers of Widener Magazine.  Please post a comment or a longer thought here about our spring 2010 issue, or take up another subject that you’d like to discuss with the magazine editors and audience.   If anyone would prefer to e-mail me a letter to the editor at jsstarnes@widener.edu, please do so and I will post it on the blog.

–Sam Starnes, Editor

Posted in Magazine Updates, Sources Needed | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

h1

Domers Land Bylines in Widener Magazine; a New Online Presence for an Old Publication

April 22, 2010

The past and present editors of The Dome, Widener’s student news magazine, contributed stories to spring issue of Widener Magazine.  Jonathan Thomson ’11, editor-in-chief, profiled alumnus and writer Roy Eaton ’67, and former editor-in-chief Amy Faith Naylor ’10, wrote about faculty member Wendy Hatch’s painting that now hangs in Vice President Biden’s Delaware home.

Thomson, pictured here with the new spring issue of the magazine, is responsible for the new online presence of The Dome. Started in 1947 by veterans attending Widener on the GI Bill, it is the 63-year-old publication’s first regularly updated online presence.

Pick up a copy if you are on campus, and be sure to add the page at thedomenews.com to your reading list.

 

Posted in Student News, Widener Breaking News | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

h1

Widener: Where Art and Sustainability Meet

April 20, 2010

Coca-Cola and root beer cans normally end up in the trash or recycling bin, but Widener senior Stuart Johnson used a pile of his roommate’s empties to create “Metallic Guitar 2010.”   An environmental science major, Johnson’s work pictured here is just one of many creative uses of recycled material by Widener students, faculty and staff on display in An EcoArt Exhibition: Recycle, Reuse, Re-create.

The exhibit in the Widener University Art Gallery runs through May 15.  An open house will be held from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, and all are invited to attend.

Gallery hours are from Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (610) 499-1189.

Posted in Student News, Uncategorized, Widener Breaking News | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

h1

Forty-Four in a Row — PMC-Widener Alumni Neil Weygandt Notches Another Boston Marathon

April 19, 2010

Neil Weygandt, the long distance running iron man who ran his first Boston Marathon when he was a junior at Widener predecessor PMC Colleges in 1967, has completed the landmark race for a record 44th consecutive year.

He finished the 26.2 mile course on Monday in 5 hours, 19 minutes and 8 seconds, according to the Boston Athletic Association web site.  Weygandt continues to hold the record for most consecutive races.   In total, he has now run 1,153 miles in the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Globe quoted him in an article about the growth of the race.  When Weygandt first ran, there were 741 participants  (he finished 88th, running the race in two hours, 47 minutes and 11 seconds).  On Monday, there were 25,000 participants, and he finished 21,843.

But none of those who finished ahead of him Monday can say they did it 44 times in a row.  Congratulations, Neil, on a remarkable accomplishment.

– Sam Starnes, Editor

Posted in Widener Breaking News | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment »

h1

Widener-PMC’s Marathon Man on Monday Goes for Record 44th Consecutive Boston Marathon

April 14, 2010

Chester, 1968

Neil Weygandt, a 1968 graduate of PMC Colleges, the predecessor to Widener, hits the road on Monday in pursuit of his 44th consecutive Boston Marathon.  Weygandt, 63,  ran his first Boston Marathon when he was a 21-year-old junior at PMC.  He hasn’t missed a year since, and now holds the record for the most consecutive races by one year.   ”I’m going to go up and I’m going to finish,” Weygandt, who was profiled in the fall issue of Widener Magazine, said Wednesday. “It might be my slowest time ever.”

Weygandt said snow storms in Februrary interferred with his training, and he suspects his time might be close to five hours (last year he ran in four hours and 45 minutes).  He said his hips that were hurting last fall feel better, in part due to taking some time off.   Even if his hips hurt, he is determined to finish the race. “I’m going to give it a go.”

Boston, 2009

The 26.2 mile race starts Monday morning, and results and coverage of the race will be available online at the Boston Marathon website.  Weygandt will be wearing bib No. 22165 this year.  You also can check back here on Monday for an update on his time.  Good luck, Neil!

– Sam Starnes, Editor

Posted in Alumni Updates, Widener Breaking News | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

h1

Vote for Widener Alumnus Joe Fields as one of the NFL’s Most Valuable Draft Picks

April 12, 2010

This spring, Widener’s own Joe Fields ’75 was honored by being included in a special celebration of the 75th NFL Draft. As part of the NFL’s 75th Draft Anniversary, fans have a chance to decide the greatest choices of all time. Fans can help select the 75 most valuable draft picks by voting for their choices at NFL.com now through April 18th.

Putting this honor into perspective, consider that there have been more than 20,000 draft picks since the beginning of the draft in 1936. Furthermore, consider the great talent of the other 319 pre-selected players chosen by the NFL’s panel of experts. Jerry Rice, first round, pick 16. Emmitt Smith, first round, pick 17.  Joe Montana, third round, pick 82.  Roger Staubach, 10th round, pick 129.  Tom Brady, sixth round, pick 199.

Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Widener Breaking News | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

h1

Magazine Focuses on Widener and the Military

April 12, 2010

The spring issue of Widener Magazine is off the presses and on the way to readers, as well as posted online.  The feature package “Widener and the Military: Preparing Soldiers, Serving Veterans” includes profiles of alumni who have served or will be serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, a story about the GI Bill and its impact on Widener, and a in-depth profile of Casey and U.S. Army Capt. Nathan Raudenbush, a couple who met in Widener’s ROTC program, graduated together, married and had a son.  A roadside bomb in Iraq killed Nathan two years ago.

Other stories include a profile of Widener’s Social Work Counseling Services (SWCS), a 10-year-old organization that has helped approximately 3,000 Chester residents, and an excerpt from the book A User’s Guide to the Universe co-written and illustrated by 2006 alumnus Jeff Blomquist.  (Blomquist and co-author Dave Goldberg will be discussing the book and signing copies at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 in the Art Gallery in Unviersity Center.)

I encourage you to post comments about the magazine and send letters to the editor that I can include on this blog.  You can reach me at jsstarnes@widener.edu or via phone at 610-499-4246.

– Sam Starnes, Editor

Posted in Magazine Updates | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

h1

Widener Bests Swarthmore in 320 Challenge

April 9, 2010

Tom Walton, pitcher, and Colin Keelan, 1B, against Swarthmore

The almost-here issue of the spring Widener Magazine features a story about the 320 Challenge, a recently introduced year-long competition between Widener and our neighbor Swarthmore College in 19 sports.  At press time approached, we had a big lead and I had hoped we would win it and I could report the victory in the magazine.  Alas, it didn’t happen in time to make the magazine, but it did happen.

Rachel Porter, lacrosse

Thursday afternoon the women’s lacrosse team defeated Swarthmore by the tight margin of 10-9, giving us an insurmountable lead of 10-6 in the 320 Challenge (so named for the road connecting the two schools.)  Check out the 320 Challenge page for details on all the team scores.  And be sure to read the story on page 4 of the upcoming magazine about how the competition originated.

– Sam Starnes, Editor

Posted in Widener Breaking News | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

Older Entries »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.