Alumni Awards
2022 Alumni Award Winners
Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award
Dr. James Plummer '06 is the College’s 2022 recipient of the Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award. He joins an exceptional group of graduates who personify academic success, professional achievement, and a deep commitment to community service. For nearly five decades, beginning with his role as a US Army Medical Corpsman in 1973, Dr. Plummer has raised a hand to serve and help others.
Following his tour with the US Army, Dr. Plummer joined the US Postal Service for a successful 25-year career. His retirement was short-lived as he soon transitioned from the oldest government division to the newest, joining the Department of Homeland Security as a Screening Manager from 2002-2005. While the work was rewarding, Dr. Plummer felt he had unfinished business and decided to return to the classroom. He re-enrolled at the College to complete his Associate in Applied Science degree, which began in 1977 and ultimately concluded in 2006.
His degree completion led to several managerial roles with the American Red Cross, Exam One, Rosemont College, Penn Medicine, Crozer-Keystone Health System, Philadelphia University of Osteopathic Medicine, and Axia Women's Health. Recently, Dr. Plummer became the Administrator for Population Health with the newly created Delaware County Health Department.
Dr. Plummer likes to tell people never to stop learning. Following his advice, he has undertaken a remarkable academic journey. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007 and a Master of Science--Healthcare Management degree in 2010, both from Rosemont College, finishing with a 4.0 GPA. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business for a Certificate of Leadership in 2012, followed by Eastern University's Master of Business Administration--Health Care Administration program in 2015. His classwork continued towards concurrent studies in the Master of Science--Healthcare Law from the University of Oklahoma (virtually) and the Thomas Jefferson University Doctor of Management--Management and Strategic Leadership programs, successfully graduating from both in 2020. Now, he is set on a fifth post-graduate degree, enrolling in the Master of Science Public Administration program at Villanova University. When not sitting in a classroom, he also leads them as an Adjunct Faculty for the College of Business and Leadership at Eastern University.
Dr. Plummer proudly serves on the Board of Directors for the Penn Foundation and Delco Medical Society and volunteers as a Fellow with the Thomas Jefferson University Institute of System Wisdoms, the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society at Eastern University, and as a mentor with the Delaware County Community College Alumni Association. Last December, he was named an Outstanding Alumni for his studies and service at Eastern University. It is safe to say that in addition to his rigorous and unmatched academic achievements, Dr. Plummer also exemplifies the commitment to community service that is so essential to the Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award.
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Scott Sauer ’03 is the Chief Operating Officer for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the sixth-largest mass transit agency in the United States. His work includes overseeing operations that provide over 300 million unlinked passenger trips per year. SEPTA operates a vast network of fixed-route services, including bus, subway, light rail, trolleybus, Regional Rail, and ADA Paratransit and Shared Ride Programs in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester Counties, as well as services into New Jersey and Delaware.
Mr. Sauer joined SEPTA in 1990 as a Surface Train Operator and cross-qualified as a Light Rail and Bus operator. Three years later, he transferred to operating Subway/Elevated Trains. Throughout his thirty-two-year career, he has held the roles of Transportation Manager, Safety Officer, Manager Operational Safety and Assistant General Manager, System Safety. His current position involved leading operations through the COVID-19 pandemic as ridership fell nearly 90% and thousands of his colleagues became ill or tested positive for the virus. Previously, he also planned and executed SEPTA service to support the 2018 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Championship Parade, which helped nearly 500,000 people travel to special events in and around the City of Philadelphia.
In 2017, Mr. Sauer became the head of SEPTA Operations. He oversees over 8,000 dedicated employees operating and maintaining 2,845 revenue-generating vehicles on 152 routes, covering more than 2,200 square miles across 600 miles of track. His division also oversees the acquisition and rollout of new multi-level rail cars, SEPTA’s Trolley Modernization Program, and the Authority’s comprehensive capital program focusing on the state of good repair, facility improvements, fleet upgrades, and station accessibility. As a Certified Safety Professional and accident investigator, he has developed and implemented various corporate programs, including the Agency Safety, Emergency Management, and Accident & Illness Prevention Plans.
Mr. Sauer graduated with an Associate in Science in Business Administration from Delaware County Community College in 2003. After graduating, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2006 and a Master in Science in Environmental Protection and Safety Management from Saint Joseph’s University in 2009. He is also a second-generation transit professional following in the footsteps of his late father, who spent 30 years delivering transit services for the Philadelphia Transportation Company and SEPTA before retiring in 1995.
The Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award
This award recognizes distinguished alumni for their outstanding professional, community, and educational accomplishments. It was created by the late Barbara Wong Moss, a former College trustee, and her son John in honor of her father, an immigrant from China who believed in the value of education. To qualify, the nominee must have successfully completed at least 30 academic credits at the College.
Anyone, including faculty and staff, may submit nominations. Alumni may also nominate themselves. Nomination form for the Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award. The deadline is Monday, February 13.
Past Winners
| 2021- George Shadrach Kamanda '14 2019 - Honorable John R. Bailey '96 2018 - Captain Matthew LeTourneau '95 (posthumous) 2017 - Cheryl Colleluori '04 2016 - Dr. Rosa Cooper '04 2015 - Jeanie Heffernan '84 2014 - Louis Belliace '87 2013 - Denise Romanelli '94 2012 - Joseph Oaster Jr. '89 2011 - Stephen Brown (ALCR '80) |
2008 - Joseph F. McGinn '75 2007 - Robert M. Madonna '74 2005 - Edward DiPilla '85 2004 - Nicholas A. Pacitti '73 2003 - George Hettenbach '79 2002 - Wilma Fernandez Charles '92 2001 - James Mendez '93 2000 - Robert B. Oliver '73 1999 - Mitchel Robbins '74 |
1998 - Kenneth J.D. Boyden '84 1997 - The Hon. W. Curtis Weldon '73 1996 - B. Rena Huntsman '78 1995 - John DiBuonaventuro '75 1994 - Carol Cunningham Base '83 1993 - Thomas J. Davis '74 1992 - Kathleen Breslin Walker '88 1991 - Jacqueline Butcher '91 1990 - James Reaves '76 |
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
The Alumni Professional Achievement Award annually recognizes Delaware County Community College graduates who are accomplished in their profession, having demonstrated a significant level of distinction within their chosen field. To qualify, the nominee must have successfully completed at least 15 academic credits at the College.
Anyone, including faculty and staff, may submit nominations. Alumni may also nominate themselves. Nomination form for Alumni Professional Achievement Award. The deadline is Monday, February 13.
Past Winners
| 2021-Sharon White '14, CEO of Grip Dynamics LLC 2020 - Enrique Latoison, Esq. '01 Founding and Managing Partner, Latoison Law 2019- Gwendolyn McCullough '18 Chief of Staff to Rep. Mike Zabel (D-163) 2018 - Habibah Sulayman Smith MS '04 Project Specialist, US Department of Health and Human Services' Runaway and Homeless Youth Program 2017 - Francis X. Shields '80 Owner, Executive, Advisory Services 2016 - Dr. Luli Akinfiresoye '04 Pharmacologist, United States Drug Enforcement Administration 2015 - Melissa Maani '94 Graphic Designer, Philadelphia Phillies 2014 - Dr. Dori Lawson '03 Nurse Practitioner, Cardiology Associates of West Reading |
2013 - Frank J. McKee '70 President of The McKee Group 2012 - Laura Kasper '84 Chief Executive Officer, Monarch Staffing 2011 - Robert F. Downey '74 Former Assistant Special Agent in Charge FBI Philadelphia Field Office 2010 - Jane Griffin '82 Information Assurance Manager, National Air & Space Intelligence Center 2009 - Susan F. Haindl ’84 Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Essential Utilities, Inc. 2008 - Robert R. Mandos, Jr. ’78 Senior Vice President and Controller. AMETEK |
2007 - Mel Lindauer ’81 Financial advisor, author, business entrepreneur 2006 - James Benoit, Jr. ’95 Owner Benoit Czarnecki Design/Construction LLC 2005 - Linda Vona-Davis, Ph.D. ’74 Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery West Virginia University 2004 - Keith Huss, Ph.D. ’81 Principal Analyst, Abbott Bioresearch Center 2003 - Moira G. Kelly ’75 Senior Trust Advisor, PNC Wealth Management 2002 - John Mulvaney Master of Fine Arts, Boston University. John Simon Guggenheim Memorial, Foundation of New York Fellowship |
Star Alumni Awards
The Star Alumni Awards were introduced in 2002 as part of the College’s 35th-anniversary celebration. At that time, 35 individuals were honored for their outstanding achievements and/or contributions to the community (See "35th Anniversary Star Alumni" picture below).
In 2007, in celebration of the College's 40th anniversary, five more stars were added to the Galaxy, and three Rising Stars were named for their early successes after finishing at the College (see below).
In 2012, five additional stars and four rising stars were added to celebrate the College's 45th anniversary.
In 2017, five additional stars and two rising stars were added to celebrate the College's 50th anniversary.
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
The Delaware County Community College Alumni Association created the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award for graduates of the Municipal Police Academy. The award recognizes a local police officer for his or her leadership in the community while continuing to stand out professionally on the job and in the classroom.
2019 -Chief Kenneth Coppola ’77, ’94
Aldan (PA) Police Department
50th Anniversary Star Alumni
Ron Bradley '80
Vice President, Gas Department of PECO Energy
Dr. Rodney Bradley '01
Professor/Musician/
Mentor/Servant
Yeshu Conn '09,
AGNP, OCN, MSN, MBA
Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Oncology Certified Nurse at Duke University Medical Center
Gary Dauberman '99
Screenwriter
Annabelle (2014)
Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Stephen King's It (2017)
The Nun (2018)
Scott McAllister '80
Deputy Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
50th Anniversary Rising Stars
Audra McLauhglin '13
Season 6 finalist on The Voice, aspiring
country music and pop singer
Patrick Viesti '08
Order Execution Manager, Data Center and Infrastructure Build, Cloud Infrastructure Services, Products and Innovation at SAP. SAP Autism at Work Advocate and Team Member; Panelist, United Nations World Autism Day 2015
45th Anniversary Star Alumni
45th Anniversary Rising Stars
 Johnny Archer ’06 News reporter, ABC Affiliate WHAS-11, Louisville, Ky |
 Esther Castillo ’06 Co-Owner, Advance College Consulting |
 Hiu Sin Cheung '06 Co-Owner, Advance College Consulting |
 Dr. Catherine Porter ‘97 Fellow, Breast Cancer Surgical Oncology Stanford University School of Medicine |
40th Anniversary Star Alumni
|
Dean |
Warren |
Daniel J. |
Josephine |
Capt. E. J. |
40th Anniversary Rising Stars
Click a thumbnail to see background information on these esteemed Alums, and for more pictures.
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Brian Ciach '88 |
Blake Joffe '97 |
Scott Neely '02 |
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35th Anniversary Star Alumni
Bottom row (l-r): Madeline Lambrecht, EdD; Renee Robbins; Michael Duff, Esq.; Paul Donohue, Jr.; Joseph DiJulio; Dr. Richard DeCosmo, College president; Thomas Davis; Cecile Charlton; Denis Boyle; Ella Mae McFarland; Middle row (l-r): W. Curtis Weldon; Jack Taddeo; Kathleen Walker; William Sockwell; Phyllis Corsi Sockwell; Grant Mazmanian, CPBA, CPVA; Albert Kendro, Jr.; David Horvath, CCP; Susan Hilferty, CPA; Patricia Frank, RN, BSN, OCN; Wilma Fernando-Charles; Patricia Hughes Donnelly, Esq; John DiBuonaventuro; Top row (l-r): Patrick Tomlinson; Erik Schultz; Jim Battagliese; John Rafner; Robert Oliver, CCP; John O’Connor; James Mendez, MSN, CRNP; Deborah Affonsa; Martin Finsterbusch; Bruce Madariaga. Not pictured here, Rosario Maiolino, John O’Connor; Priscilla Fox Pfizenmeyer.
