1990s Debra Kohr Sheppard ’91 was named president and chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Cable Network in April 2020. She began her career with PCN in 1993 as producer/director, went on to lead the operations and engineering departments, and provided executive oversight of the marketing and programming departments’ technical operations. She spearheaded changes in technology, oversaw construction of the PCN facility, and led the network’s conversion to High Definition. Previously, she served as senior vice president and chief operating officer since 2011. She is a member of Society of Broadcast Engineers and National Association of Public Affairs networks. Bryan Leese ’93 retired from the U.S. Navy in 2023 as a captain after 27 years. He earned his Ph.D. from Kings’ College London in 2023 and is now a civilian associate professor at the National Defense University’s Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va. Leese and his wife, Elizabeth, have two daughters, Hannah and Maris, and one grandchild. His book “At Sea Against the Soviet Fleet: The Evolution of U.S. Navy Operational Intelligence in the Cold War” will be released in October. Ocean City Intermediate School guidance counselor Angelo DiBartolo ’94 was selected as the 202425 Cape May County Counselor of the County for his outstanding leadership and advocacy for students. DiBartolo has been a guidance counselor at OCIS since 2019. The counselor award is given annually to counselors who provide exceptional programs that focus on students’ academic development, career counseling and personal support. Candidates are nominated by their colleagues and then chosen by a panel of counseling professionals. Dr. Cherie Crosby-Weeks ’95, program director of teacher education programs at Manor College, was named the 2025 Educator of the Year, announced during the college’s annual Founders Day ceremony on Jan. 30. Crosby-Weeks began her Manor College career in 2011. She is the first professor to win the award on multiple occasions. Winner of the 2024 Jean E. Shedd University Citizenship Award, Tracey Gibson-Jackson ’96, is director of student organizations and activities, founder of the Black Professionals Network and former chair of the Northwestern University Staff Advisory Council. In these roles, with her unique ability to connect with people and connect people with each other, she has had a profound impact on life at the university. In November, Chris Hastings ’96 joined WXXI Public Media as president and chief executive officer. Previously, he was an executive producer and editor-in-chief of the WORLD Channel at GBH in Boston. Hastings began his journalism career at Black Entertainment Television as part of the original team behind the news talk show “BET Tonight.” A graduate of KU’s telecommunications program, Hastings furthered his education with a master of arts in film from American University in Washington, D.C. His work has earned numerous awards including the Peabody Award, DuPontColumbia Award, News & Documentary Emmy Award, and International Documentary Association Award. Tom Whalen ’96 is one of 10 finalists selected to create a poster for 2026’s FIFA World Cup, with one of the host cities being Philadelphia. Each host city for the World Cup, with locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, will have its own poster that reflects the city’s atmosphere and culture. Whalen was selected from more than 400 Pennsylvania artists who submitted portfolios. Art education major Adrianna Madden is a third generation KU student. Her mother, Teisha Wesner Madden ’98, M’04, is an art teacher at Hamburg Middle School. Her grandmother, Maura Wesner ’68, M’75, is a retired elementary art teacher from Hamburg School District. Teisha and Maura have mentored many KU art education student teachers over the years. Children’s nonfiction author Annette Whipple ’98, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Pennsylvania Author award by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. She is a former teacher and continues to inspire children to celebrate curiosity through school visits and more than 20 nonfiction books focusing on science and history. Her newest book, “Chomp! The Truth About Sharks,” is a question-and-answer picture book with bold photographs and humorous illustrations. www.AnnetteWhipple.com 2000s Major Michaelann Andrusiak ’00 was selected by Col. Christopher Paris and appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro to lead the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security. She enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in 2002, beginning her career as a trooper assigned to the Troop K, Media Station. While assigned to Media, she worked as both a patrol trooper and criminal investigator. Andrusiak held the ranks of corporal, sergeant and lieutenant within the various stations under the purview of Troop K, Philadelphia. Andrusiak has also served in the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, Internal Affairs Division, as an investigator and most recently served as the director of the Drug Law Enforcement Division within the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Mark D. Brown ’00 earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Immaculata University. He is currently an elementary principal in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District and resides in Palmyra, Pa., with his wife, Christine (Stephens) ’00, and their three children. Travis J. Peck ’00 earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Shippensburg University. Currently, he is an elementary principal in the West Shore School District. Travis published an article in Pennsylvania Administrator magazine for the Spring/ Summer 2024 edition titled, "Four Components to Consider for Teacher Recruitment and Retention.” He resides in Palmyra, Pa. with his wife, Kelly, and son, Tyler. Joe Zagorski’s ’00 book “Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley” was released in September 2024. It details many of Bradley’s numerous professional football adventures and was 28 TOWER | FALL 2025
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