Arcadia University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Arcadia University, tracing its roots back to 1853 as Beaver College, boasts a distinguished history shaped by the achievements of its students, graduates, and community members. The university has fostered a tradition of cultivating intellectually fearless leaders prepared for success in both their personal and professional lives. This article explores some of the notable alumni who have made their mark in diverse fields, showcasing the breadth of talent nurtured at Arcadia University.
Arts and Literature
Arcadia University's MFA program has produced a vibrant community of writers and artists who are making significant contributions to the literary world.
Matthew Borgen, a native of Akron, Ohio, has been a fixture in the Philadelphia art scene since 2003. Borgen has showcased his work in esteemed regional venues such as The Woodmere Art Museum, The Fleisher Art Memorial (Wind Challenge), The Abington Art Center, and The Barbara Crawford Gallery at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. He also served as Exhibitions Coordinator for Arcadia Exhibitions from 2012 to 2023, curating exhibitions featuring the work of muralist David Guinn, artist John Hathaway, and lithographer Benton Spruance. In December 2023, Borgen was appointed Director.
Deirdre Swinden (MFA ’22) is a writer delving into the realms of dark fiction. Her debut novel, Somnium, was released by Crystal Lake Publishing on May 31, 2024. Her short stories have appeared in Grim & Gilded and Griffel literary magazines, and she is a past winner of the Philadelphia Writer’s Conference Popular Short Story contest.
Sarah Edmonds is a queer author and filmmaker hailing from southeastern Pennsylvania. Edmonds' creative work spans various genres, including the novella Late Nights at Full Moon Records from Thirty West Publishing House.
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Nick Perilli (MFA ‘16) is a writer and librarian based in Philadelphia. His debut speculative fiction novel, Cul-de-sac, was published by MONTAG Press, and his chapbook, Child Lucia & Other Library Fabula, was released by Ethel Press. His short work appears in online journals like “Milk Candy Review” and Breadcrumbs Magazine.
Nika Murphy (MFA ’23) is a Ukrainian-born writer of speculative fiction, with stories published in Clarkesworld, Luna Station Quarterly, and Apex, and featured on tor.com.
L. Andrew Huffman (MFA ’23) is a twice Pushcart-nominated fiction writer residing in Dauphin County, PA. Their work has been published in Identity Theory, Stanchion Zine, and elsewhere, exploring themes of anxiety and the experiences of trans and/or disabled individuals.
Rebekah Coxwell (MFA ‘19) published her first novel, The Falling, in 2021. She currently teaches at The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, VA.
Nick Mehalick (MFA ‘16) is a Bucks County, Pennsylvania native who lives and teaches in Philadelphia. His poetry has appeared in “The Cerurove” and “Philosophical Idiot,” and his fiction in “Untethered Magazine.” He hosts the podcast Book.Record.Beer. and plays drums for Philadelphia-based bands.
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Kailey Tedesco (MFA ’16) is the author of She Used to be on a Milk Carton and These Ghosts of Mine, Siamese. She is the editor-in-chief of Rag Queen Periodical and a staff writer for Luna Luna Magazine, teaching literature courses at Moravian College.
Nick Gregorio (MFA ’15) lives and writes just outside of Philadelphia. His fiction has appeared in Crack the Spine, Hypertrophic Literary, and 805 Literary and Arts Journal, among others. His debut novel, Good Grief, was released in late 2017 by Maudlin House.
Daniel DiFranco (MFA ’14) teaches high school English and music in Philadelphia and plays in a band. His novel Panic Years was published in Spring 2018 by Tailwinds Press.
Christopher D. DiCicco (MFA ’14) is the author of So My Mother, She Lives in the Clouds and teaches creative writing as Department Chairperson of English for Neshaminy High School.
Francis Daulerio (MFA ’14) is an English teacher at Downingtown West High School, residing in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.
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Michelle Reale (MFA ’16) is an Assistant Professor at Arcadia University, author of five poetry collections, and conducts ethnography on African immigrants in Sicily. Her collection Birds of Sicily: Poems was released by Aldrich Press.
Matthew Kabik (MFA ’13) lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and is the editor-in-chief of Third Point Press, working as a copywriter for a business to business ad agency.
Mary Rogers earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Arcadia University and a B.A. in Journalism from Temple University. She serves as a trustee for her township library board and volunteers as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County.
Michael Salgado (MFA ’16) is a poet and Training Specialist with Eurofins Lancaster Labs, and a poetry and art editor for Marathon Literary Review.
Maddie Anthes (MFA ’15) had stories published in Inwood Indiana, matchbook, Third Point Press, WhiskeyPaper, Black Denim Lit, The Molotov Cocktail, and Hypertrophic Literary. She also became the acquisitions editor at Hypertrophic Literary.
Abi Putnam (MFA ’17) received honorable mention in Glimmer Train’s 2015 Emerging Writer’s contest for her short story, “Committed”.
Justin Hunter (MFA ’17) has had stories published in Down in the Dirt Magazine and AWS Publishing.
Charlie Allison (MFA ’17) completed the rough draft of his first novel and is working on revisions and submitting short stories.
Britny Brooks received her BA in English and Creative Writing at Penn State University and writes fantasy, speculative, and science fiction stories.
Kimberly Ely is a writer and editor for a charter school in Chester County and an adjunct professor for Eastern University.
Corinne Kelly teaches high school English and Social Studies in Philadelphia.
Jeanette Perosa has had stories published in The Thorn Literary Journal, Perspectives Literary Journal, Adanna Literary Journal, Delta Woman Magazine, Eunoia Review, Winter Legends and has a short story upcoming in an anthology entitled The Way of the Woof: A Collection of Dog Stories.
Kate Sprandio received her BA in English from Chestnut Hill College and writes stories about the foibles of young women.
Zachary Woodard writes fantasy, horror and weird tales.
Rosemarie Koch is a 1991 graduate of Arcadia University with a BA in English and Spanish and works in The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University.
Other Fields
Arcadia University alumni have also achieved success in a variety of other fields, including media, fashion, and education.
Keith Jones is a 15-time Emmy winning weekday morning anchor of NBC10 News Today in Philadelphia. He also co-hosts The Lineup and serves as an adjunct professor of Broadcast Journalism at Villanova University.
Iris Barbee Bonner (’07) is a Philadelphia-based fashion designer and Arcadia alumna. In 2012, she debuted her wearable art brand, These Pink Lips, known for its colorful and empowering designs. Among the celebrities that Bonner has styled are musical artists Cardi B, Mary J.
Jane Elliott is a nationally renowned educator, anti-racist, and civil rights activist. Elliott earned her teaching certificate from the University of Northern Iowa in 1953. Elliott originated her famous “Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes” exercise.
Athletics
Arcadia University recognizes outstanding contributors to its athletics program through the Arcadia University Athletic Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors student-athletes, teams, coaches, staff, administrators, and faculty who have excelled in their respective areas and made a lasting impact on the Department of Athletics.
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