Wheeling University: Celebrating Notable Alumni

Wheeling University, a private Catholic institution with a rich history, has consistently produced graduates who have made significant contributions across various fields. The university's commitment to fostering competence and compassion is reflected in the accomplishments of its alumni. This article highlights some of the most distinguished alumni of Wheeling University, celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.

The Distinguished Alumni Award

Wheeling University presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to graduates who exemplify the ideals of extraordinary competence and personal compassion in their chosen field, ideals for which alumni of Wheeling University have long been known. The awards are presented each year during Alumni Weekend.

Honorees Through the Years

The following is a list of Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, showcasing the diverse talents and accomplishments of Wheeling University graduates:

1981: George R. Blake ’67 (Public Communications), Mary Kate Wittig Davitt, MD ’65 (Medicine), John B. Yasinsky, Ph.D. ’61 (Industry)
1982: Charles Cuono, MD, Ph.D. ’65 (Medicine), Elaine Runner Dungan, CPA ’73 (Public Accounting)
1983: Stephen E. Haid, Ph.D. ’63 (Education), Derrick Latos, MD ’68 (Medicine), Judith Noonan O’Brien ’65 (Law)
1984: William E. Cornforth ’72 (Education), Dennis W. Keogh ’61 (posthumously) (Public Service), Sr. Marguerite O’Brien, CSJ ’66 (Religious Life), Louis A. Volpe ’70 (Education)
1985: John S. Gasiorowski ’64 (Education), Rev. Margaret B.C. Phillimore ’74 (Religious Life), Edward J. Shahady, MD ’61 (Medicine)
1986: Anthony T. Basil, Ph.D. ’60 (Education), Kenneth S. Ramsey, Ph.D. ’64 (Health), Michael A. Santer, Jr., MD ’61 (Medicine)
1987: Victoria A. Casey, Ph.D. ’76 (Clinical Psychology), Hon. James T. Smith, Jr. ’64 (Law, Public Service)
1988: William P. Bresnahan, Esq. ’64 (Law)
1989: Stephen E. Hannig ’73 (Business), Sr. Joanne Gonter, VHM ’59 (Education, Religious Life)
1990: Adam S. Monks, CPA ’64 (Public Accounting)
1991: Andrea DiPiero Santer ’62 (Education, Religious Life)
1992: Rev. Robert V. Arkle, Jr. ’62 (Education, Religious Life), Rev. John DiBacco, Jr. ’62 (Education, Religious Life)
1993: Rev. Joseph M. Doyle ’60 (Education, Religious Life), John Egan McAteer ’61 (Public Service)
1994: Kathleen M. Hawk, Ph.D. ’72 (Public Service), Jane F. Exner ’80 (Medicine, Public Service), Jack F. Noonan, Ph.D. ’63 (Education)
1995: J. Davitt McAteer, Esq. ’66 (Public Service, Government), Daniel L. Haller, Esq. ’61 (Public Service, Law), Cynthia Carr Rank ’65 (Public Service)
1996: M. Joan McDermott, Ph.D. ’70 (Criminal Justice)
1997: Lawrence E. Bandi ’86 (Business, Public Service)
1998: Christopher J. Searl ’87 (Education)
1999: Don M. Benson, MD ’61 (Medicine, Public Service), Rosemary Vincentin Benson ’62 (Artist), Robert E. Barker ’67 (Government, Public Service)
2000: C.T. O’Donnell II ’74 (Social Service), Mary Gerkin McKinley ’77 (Nurse)
2001: Phillip Rusciolelli ’66 (Public Service, Military), Barbara Davies Rusciolelli ’66 (Public Service, Military), Lawrence R. Meagher ’65 (Health Care), Suzanne E. Polen ’59 (Social Justice)
2002: John A. Glaser, Ph.D. ’66 (Scientific Research), Donald R. Mercer, Ph.D. ’60 (Scientific Research)
2003: L. Thomas Marchlen, Esq. ’67 (Leadership, Business), Timothy W. Daly ’67 (Leadership, Business), Sisters of St. Joseph
2004: No award given
2005: Peter E. Daley Esq. ’66 (posthumously) (Family Life), Alexandra Stanish Daley ’67 (Family Life), Patricia Weitzel-O’Neill ’69 (Education)
2006: John “Rick” Berthold ’59 (Education), Michael L. Monahan, Esq. ’82 (Law)
2007: Mark F. Geary, Esq. ’62 (Law), J’Ann Schoomaker Allen ’67 (Social Justice), James D. Allen, Jr. ’67 (Social Justice), George “Ged” Young, Jr. ’72 (Communications)
2008: Brian E. McCagh ’68 (Health Care)
2009: Mark Gresham ’84 (Publishing), Sr. Karen A. Bland, OSB ’94 (Religious Life)
2010: Michael V Murphy ’70 (posthumously) (Architecture), Marybeth Murray Emmerth ’85 (Education)
2011: Vera Barton-Caro ’82 (Nursing)
2012: Kevin Kerrane ’62 (Education), Patrick “PJ” Reindel ’02 (Social Service)
2013: Charlie Lloyd, Ph.D. ’63 (Education), Dr. John Maris ’83 (Medicine), Erin McDonald ’03 (Social Service)
2014: Robert Ritz ’84 (Medicine, Administrative), Paul Abernathy ’01 (Social Services)
2015: Timothy Williams ’71 (posthumously) (Law, Social Service), Elizabeth (Beth) Bender ’85 (Education)
2016: Micahel Zuscik, Ph.D. ’87 (Education), Sr. Kathleen Durkin ’71 (Education, Religious Life)
2017: Michael Zusick, Ph.D. (Education), Dr. Donald Benson ’92 (Research & Medicine), Jim DiPiero ’67 (Service)
2018: Shirley Carter ’09 (Service), John J. Mensore ’60 (Business)
2019: Marilou (Gross) Doughty ’77 (Service)

Other Notable Alumni Awards

Wheeling University also recognizes alumni through other prestigious awards:

St. Ignatius Distinguished Alumni Award

Wheeling University presents the St. Ignatius Distinguished Alumni Award to a graduate who exemplifies the ideals of extraordinary competence and personal compassion in their chosen field.

Richard (Dick) Riley, Jr. (Class of 1984): Louis F. Tanner Distinguished Professor of Public Accounting at West Virginia University and Director of Research for the Institute of Fraud Prevention.

Fr. Pedro Arrupe Distinguished Alumni Award

The Fr. Pedro Arrupe Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a graduate who embodies the ideals of Ignatian spirituality and lives a life committed to service.

Monsignor Peterson (Class of 1971): Served Catholics throughout West Virginia, beginning as a deacon in 1974 and serving at several parishes within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

Rev. James O’Brien, S.J. Award

The Rev. James O’Brien, S.J. Award recognizes young alumni who manifest a growing competence in their chosen field and whose personal life reflects Wheeling’s mission of ‘education men and women for life, leadership and service.’

Williams (Class of 2013): Embodied the University’s mission to be a person for others, joining the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in New Orleans after graduation.

Hall of Honor

In 2009, Wheeling University’s Alumni Council created the “Hall of Honor” to provide alumni with a voice to recognize former classmates, faculty, staff, etc., for their contributions to their profession, society and the greater WU community.

Hall of Honor Inductees

2009: Sr. Joanne M. Gonter, VHM ’59
2010: Rev. Joseph M. Doyle, SSJ ’60, John J. Bodson ’65, Louis A. Volpe ’70, Rev. Joseph P. Sanders, S.J., Paul J. Mulholland ’80, Cynthia Kirk Mueller, M.D. ’85, Neil M. D’Anna ’90, Dennis J. Maceiko (posthumously), Keith J. Bell ’00, Miranda L. Hanson ’05
2011: John Yasinsky ’61, J. Davitt McAteer ’66, Sr. Kathleen Durkin, CSJ ’71, Victoria Casey ’76, Michael Fortunato, M.D. ’81, Stephen Marshall ’86, Katherine Torpey ’91, Christopher T. Kreger ’96, William Mitchell ’01 (posthumously), Pete Harlan ’06
2012: Dr. Paul Orr, James DiPiero ’67, James Farnan ’72, Marilou (Gross) Doughty ’77, Michael Monahan ’82, Mark Zittle ’87, Rev. Walter Buckius, S.J., Mary Bowman ’97, G. Brady Butler ’02, Sara Brown ’07
2013: Linda McAlarney Cunningham ’63, Brian McCagh ’68, Robert Hutchings ’73, Jesse Corning ’78, Rev. Anthony Cincinnati ’83, Joseph Laker, Ph.D., Roseanna Dakan Keller ’93, Peter Ehni, Ph.D., Remy Munasifi ’03, Adrienne Greene Tharp ’08
2014: William Coleman ’59, Capt. J. James Lauer ’64, Eugene Julian ’64, John (Jack) Bodkin ’69, Peter Flynn ’74, Bridget Link Lampert ’79, Mimie O’Hare Helm ’84, Christopher Frech ’89, Deborah Trunnell Wilkinson ’94, Tonya Hunt Handley ’99, Andrew Fenton ’04, Daniel Swan ’09
2015: John Mensore ’60, Don Mercer ’60, Cynthia (Carr) Rank ’65, Rev. Ronald Anton, S.J. ’70, Rev. Jim O’Brien, S.J., John Lewis II ’80, Marie (Carney) Clatterback ’85, Kristin (York) Fijewski ’90, Dr. Joseph Donzella ’95, Kevin Werner, Jr. ’00, Steven Ellis ’05, Blake Williams ’10
2016: Dennis Keogh ’61 (posthumously), Thomas Regan ’66 (posthumously), William Day ’71, Fred Salancy ’76, Linda Correll ’81, Anthony Eisel ’86, Carolyn Dalzell (posthumously), Timothy Fenton ’96, Leslie Kohlmyer ’01, Rev. Thomas Gallagher ’06, Samantha McGlumphy ’11
2017: Kathy Burgoyne ’62, Keri Alexander Luchowski ’92, Tim Daly ’67, Kip Comack ’97, Paula Scott Felt ’72, Martha Bowman Pullins ’02, Gary Fitzsimmons ’77, Katie Hine ’07, Sharon Wong ’82, Jake Lucas ’12, Chris Searl ’87
2018: Allen (posthumously) and Roann Wojcik ’63, Rev. Michael Steltenkamp ’98, Brian McCagh ’68, Grace Williams ’13, Fred Hess ’73
2019: Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J. ’59, Amelia Potesta-Weber ’64, Timothy Cogan ’69, John Giese ’74, Lale Front Virostek ’79, Bruce Brubaker ’84, Elizabeth Kniska Keyes ’89

Alumni in Public Service and Leadership

Wheeling University alumni have a strong presence in public service and leadership roles. Here are a few notable examples:

J. Davitt McAteer, Esq. ’66: Known for his work in public service and government.
Hon. James T. Smith, Jr. ’64: Served in law and public service.
Kathleen M. Hawk, Ph.D. ’72: Recognized for her contributions to public service.

Alumni in Medicine and Healthcare

The university has produced numerous accomplished individuals in the fields of medicine and healthcare:

Mary Kate Wittig Davitt, MD ’65: Made significant contributions to medicine.
Charles Cuono, MD, Ph.D. ’65: Recognized for his expertise in medicine.
Dr. John Maris ’83: A notable figure in the field of medicine.
William C. Mercer: Served the Wheeling community for decades, both in hospitals and as medical director of the Ohio County Health Department for 22 years, named a top regional doctor in 1996 by Pittsburgh Magazine, and cited as the West Virginia Family Physician of the Year in 2008.

Alumni in Education and Academia

Wheeling University alumni have made significant contributions to education and academia:

Stephen E. Haid, Ph.D. ’63: Recognized for his work in education.
Anthony T. Basil, Ph.D. ’60: Made contributions to the field of education.
Michael Zuscik, Ph.D. ’87: Accomplished in the field of education.
Rev. James A. O’Brien, S.J. Arrived at then-Wheeling College in 1962 to teach philosophy.

Alumni in Arts and Culture

Wheeling University has also fostered talent in the arts and culture:

Rosemary Vincentin Benson ’62: An accomplished artist.
Edith Lake Wilkinson: Wilkinson left Wheeling for New York at age 20 to pursue life as an artist, joining the Provincetown Art Colony in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in 1914.
“Chickie” Williams: With her husband Doc Williams, Chickie Williams became a prominent voice in country music for decades.

Wheeling Hall of Fame

Several individuals with ties to Wheeling University have been inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contributions to the community.

2023 Inductees

Edward Bates Franzheim (1886-1942): Franzheim designed some of Wheeling’s most prominent buildings beginning in 1890.
Alfred Paull (1854-1923): Paull began his career in Wheeling as secretary of Nail City Glass and the Manufacturers Insurance Co.
Mary Ann Hess (1930-2002): Hess was a driving force behind the Hess Family Foundation, created in 1998 for philanthropy, charity, and voluntarism.
Joan Corson Stamp: Stamp is the fourth member of the extended Stifel family to enhance the quality of life for residents of the Wheeling community as a philanthropist.
Robert J. Otten (1920-2005): Otten is a central figure in two of Wheeling’s best known attractions - Oglebay Park’s Winter Festival of Lights and the city’s thriving amateur hockey scene.
Beatrice Ann Thomas (1938-2019): After graduating from the newly integrated Wheeling High School in 1956, Thomas became the first Black student to ever enroll at Ohio Valley General Hospital’s School of Nursing.
Edwin M. “Ned” Steckel Jr. (1930-2018): Steckel earned fame in television broadcasting as an award-winning producer.

A Legacy of Leadership: Wheeling University Presidents

The leadership of Wheeling University's presidents has been instrumental in shaping the institution's mission and growth.

Rev. Lawrence R. McHugh: McHugh was named the first president and vice rector of the college by the Rev. John Baptist Janssens, S.J., the Father General of the Society of Jesus on Sept. 25, 1954, the college official incorporation date.
Rev. William F. Troy: Father Troy came to Wheeling in 1955, beginning his dedicated involvement to the community. That year, he served as the first dean of faculty at Wheeling College. Then, on July 31, 1959, he became the second president of the College and served until summer of 1966.
Rev. Frank Rawle Haig, S.J.: A member of the physics department since 1963, Rev. Frank Rawle Haig, S.J., became the third president of Wheeling College on July 15, 1966.
Rev. Charles L. Currie, Jr. Served as the fourth president of Wheeling College from August 1972 until June 1982, a time of great financial difficulty and declining enrollment for the school.
Rev. Thomas Stephen Acker, S.J. Served as the fifth president of Wheeling Jesuit University (WJU), succeeding the Rev. Charles Currie, S.J.
Rev. George F. Lundy, S.J. Assumed duties as the sixth president of Wheeling Jesuit University on July 31, 2000.
Rev. Joseph R. Hacala, S.J. Was well known in the WJU community before he was named the seventh president.
Rev. Giulietti: Sought to bring international students to Wheeling, creating agreements that allow people in other countries to benefit from WJU’s health science programs.
Rick Beyer: A successful business executive, was chosen as the ninth president of Wheeling Jesuit University in October 2010.
James Fleming: In March 2013, the university announced the selection of James Fleming as its tenth president.
Dianna Vargo: Named Wheeling University President.

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