Past Recipients of the Harold W. Pote "Behind Every Graduate" Award
Dr. Holly Seidenfeld
Nominated by Andrew Galitzer, College of Engineering
Dr. Holly Seidenfeld serves as the Principal of Katz Yeshiva High School in Boca Raton, Florida, where she combines educational leadership with a deep commitment to learning and student success. In addition to her administrative role, she continues to teach Jewish History, bringing academic rigor and passion to the classroom.
Dr. Seidenfeld graduated summa cum laude from Stern College for Women and holds a Master's degree in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She earned her Doctorate in Education and Innovation from New York University, where her research focused on best practices in college counseling in faith-based schools.
Prior to her current position, Dr. Seidenfeld served as Director of College Guidance, helping students navigate the transition from high school to higher education with insight and care. She is known for her strategic vision, dedication to student growth, and commitment to excellence.
In addition to her roles at school, Dr. Seidenfeld spends her free time with her husband and four kids.
Eric Stadtmiller
Nominated by Joseph Geardino, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Eric Stadtmiller was born and raised in Woodbridge NJ. He always gravitated toward all things creative. After graduating from Monmouth University. He fell in love with Graphic Design and worked as a Graphic Designer for many years, eventually working his way up to art director. After about 15 years he realized he needed a change and became a teacher at Woodbridge High School. He has been teaching Graphic Design, Animation and Video game design ever since.
Douglas Selfridge
Nominated by Gabriella Breen, School of Education
Mr. Doug Selfridge has taught as a social studies teacher for the last 16 years at Camden County Technical School in Sicklerville, NJ. He graduated from University of Delaware in 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in History Education.
At Camden County Technical School, Mr. Selfridge teaches Advanced Placement United States History and Honors World History. He also currently serves as his department's Professional Learning Community facilitator. Beyond his teaching role, Mr. Selfridge has spent several years in leadership positions in his local teacher's union, serving as grievance chair, membership chair, vice-president, and president.
Mr. Selfridge credits his teaching success to two important individuals. His mom, Michele, who was also an educator, for showing him how fulfilling the role of an educator can be. Also, his high school history teacher, Mr. Carmichael, for instilling in him a love of history and showing him how important it was to not only care about his students and pedagogy, but to also be passionate about the content being taught
Daniel Lalli
Nominated by Amber Bartleson, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Mr. Daniel Lalli has been teaching History, Government and Military Studies at Millville High School in Millville, NJ for the last 19 years. He serves as the advisor for the Mock Trial team, Model Congress team and the Debate team. He is part of the selection team for the American Legion New Jersey Boys' and Girls' State. Mr. Lalli also coached the Millville High School Boys' Basketball and Girls' Softball teams.
Prior to teaching at Millville High School Mr. Lalli spent 20 years as an executive in the Automotive industry working for a few leading manufacturers training sales and after sales staff. His interests include collecting and repairing classic automobiles, golf and is working on two historical biographies.
Roderick Thomas
Nominated by Cianni Williams, School of Education
Mr. Roderick Thomas is starting his 25th year as a librarian at Germantown Academy. Raised by his grandparents, Arthur (The first African American President of the Philadelphia Board of Education) and Emma in a home where many family friends were also educators, it was probably inevitable that Mr. Thomas would find his way to becoming an educator himself. Mr. Thomas worked his way through school and graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University. Mr. Thomas spent years working for The National Park Service and different aspects of the book/publishing businesses before translating his experience to being a librarian for grades 6-12 and a diversity and community life coordinator for grades 9-12. Mr. Thomas considers his students to be his children. He is honored to have been nominated by his former student, Cianni Willams, for this year's Harold W. Pote Award.
Lisa Tokmajian
Nominated by Brittany Hood, College of Arts and Sciences
Mrs. Tokmajian has dedicated the past 21 years to teaching biology, with the last 19 of those years spent at Bensalem High School in Bensalem, PA. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Delaware Valley University and went on to receive her Master's in Education from LaSalle University. At Bensalem High School, Mrs. Tokmajian teaches Advanced Placement Biology, Honors Biology, and College Preparatory Biology. She serves as the co-curriculum coordinator for the high school science department. Her commitment to fostering scientific inquiry extends beyond the classroom; for the last ten years, she has been the advisor of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of the Sciences. Additionally, Mrs. Tokmajian advises the high school’s state semi-final Mock Trial team. Mrs. Tokmajian serves as a reader for the College Board and serves on a state committee participating in range finding for the biology Keystone Exam. Mrs. Tokmajian enjoys traveling and cherishes time with her family. Passionate about both her subject and her students, she finds great joy in developing lifelong relationships with her students and takes pride in watching them grow in their knowledge of biology. She is deeply honored to be recognized with the Harold W. Pote Award, a testament to the lasting impression she has made on her students, including Brittany, who nominated her for this accolade.
Jeff Kakes
Nominated by Kelly Stepanenko, College of Nursing and Health Professionals
Mr. Jeff Kakes has been teaching at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, CA for the past 12 years. After a 12-year career in the corporate world, mostly in Communications, Community Development, and Project Management at eBay and various startup companies, he decided he didn’t like money anymore and that it was time to try something new. Remembering how his own teachers had such an outsized influence on his own development, and thinking “man, it would be awesome if I had even half that impact on someone else,” he worked toward his teaching credential at night and was lucky enough to land at Fremont. After starting as a Lit teacher, he jumped over to the History department, and now primarily teaches World History, another version of the class for students still learning English, and the ASB/Leadership program at the school. When not in the dunk tank, telling dad jokes to his unamused students, or riffing dodgeball at Fremont, he’s usually spending time watching his two daughters and his son play sports, driving them to sports, driving them home from sports, and writing checks for their sports. He is stunned to be receiving this award, cannot be more proud of Kelly, and hopes that this honors all of the innumerable people who have helped him reach a spot where he can help others.
Erik Wiessmann
Nominated by Boni Zhang, Westphal College of Media Arts and Design / Pennoni Honors College
Mr. Erik Wiessmann has been teaching Mathematics and Computer Science in the School District of Philadelphia since 2006. He holds a Master of Science in Instruction from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with a minor in Media Arts. Mr. Wiessmann currently teaches Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A at the Academy at Palumbo, where he has been a teacher since 2012. He also serves as the Teacher Technology Leader and Web Publisher for the school, and he is involved in Google Apps for Education. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Wiessmann leads the Rubik's Cube Club and the Coding Club. He is passionate about mentoring students through the Students Run Philly Style program, where he has been a running mentor and regional coordinator since 2008. Under his guidance, the team has become one of the largest in the city, and he has successfully mentored hundreds of students through the Broad Street Run and the Philadelphia Marathon. For the past two years, Mr. Wiessmann has also been an instructor for Jumpstart Philly CS4All, helping to promote and support new computer science teachers in Philadelphia. His efforts in this role have contributed to the growth and development of computer science education in the city. Mr. Wiessmann is dedicated to creating an engaging and supportive classroom environment. He believes in project-based, inquiry-led learning and encourages his students to ask questions and think critically. His commitment to high expectations and strong support has led to impressive student achievements, including multiple first-place awards in state and regional technology competitions. He has been recognized for his dedication and excellence with awards such as the Lindback Award in 2021 and the CS4Philly Early Career Achievement Award in 2019. Mr. Wiessmann is proud of his perfect attendance record since 2005 and is honored to have a positive impact on his students' educational journeys.
Sister Alice Hess, I.H. M.
Nominated by Eileen Moroz, College of Computing and Informatics
Cheryl Lipko
Nominated by Julia Dengler, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Louis Mazza
Nominated by Giavonna Espinoza, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Scott Kallal
Nominated by Jenna Cooper, School of Education
Connie Ramsey
Nominated by Claire Landis, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Linda Romano
Nominated by Deanna Telesford, College of Nursing and Health Professionals
Edward Sykes
Nominated by Emerald Smucker, College of Engineering
Michael A. Boyer
Nominated by Jonathan Hollenbach, College of Engineering
Michael Pustie
Nominated by Shaelynn Fisher, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Michael Garrison
Nominated by Amara Malik, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Alissa Giancarlo-Hart
Nominated by Jason Sobieski, School of Education
Bradley V. Schulte
Nominated by Jillian Weida, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Brandon Clarke
Nominated by DeAndra Forde, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Mark Hayden
Nominated by Isabel Wingert, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Linda Westerlund
Nominated by Steven Blumberg, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Marisa Corso
Nominated by Katja Engetschwiler, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Kathleen Glacken
Nominated by Anna Marie Pierce, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Angel Roberto Garcia Gutierrez
Nominated by Nicole Naranjo, College of Arts and Sciences
Justin Kast
Nominated by Amanda Bellafatto, College of Engineering
Jason Pfiel
Nominated by Phillip Nabednik, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Lara Patterson
Nominated by Roman Ventura, College of Engineering
Darrell Templin
Nominated by Alanna DiGioia, College of Arts and Sciences
Donald Little
Nominated by Pelagia Papathomas, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Tavia Marez
Nominated by Rebecca Carlson, College of Engineering
Jared Ruddick
Nominated by Victoria Baccini, College of Arts and Sciences
Raheel Saleem
Nominated by Jennifer Lam, School of Education
Jonas Viik
Nominated by Sara Golshahr, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Matthew Anticole
Nominated by Malena Williams, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
Patrick Clarke
Nominated by Ashley Allan, School of Education
Kathryn Mazo
Nominated by Claire Rabinowitz, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Linda McDonough
Nominated by Jacklyn Briguglio, College of Engineering
Tiffany DiMatteo
Nominated by David Hunt, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
William McRae
Nominated by Cory Czuczman, College of Arts and Sciences
Mark Piotrowski
Nominated by Sylvia Herbert, College of Engineering
Missy Reimer
Nominated by Donna Rugh, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Stephen Grosso
Nominated by Kevin Hill, College of Engineering
Shannon Carrier
Nominated by Bradley Ericson, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Sam Palumbo
Nominated by Kristen Stratton, School of Education
Julia Brandt
Nominated by Nathan Schiff, College of Arts and Sciences
Richard Cohen
Nominated by Howard Jeffers, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Sharon Cornwall
Nominated by Cathleen Kerr, School of Biomedical Engineering
Rosalyn Ericson
Nominated by Robert Tuttle, College of Arts and Sciences
Jane Morgan
Nominated by Adrienne Alquiros, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Melissa Parr
Nominated by Danielle Castley, College of Engineering
Lois Tyburski
Nominated by Caitlin Harvey, Goodwin College of Professional Studies
Joy Vander Vliet
Nominated by Emily Pugh, College of Nursing & Health Professions
Bethany Van Veldhuizen
Nominated by Andrea Gould, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Cathi Bertrand
Nominated by Mason Langguth College of Arts & Sciences
Lori Remmel
Nominated by Eric Hillegass, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Jeffrey Hagy
Nominated by Alexis Bielski, College of Nursing & Health Professions
Louis DiCesare
Nominated by Abby Dineen Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Peter Sigmund
Nominated by Kevin Lutsch Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
John Barham
Nominated by Toni Ramsay, College of Engineering
Drew Calvo
Nominated by Alyssa Hopkins, College of Nursing & Health Professions
Scott Hamsik
Nominated by Jennifer Izzo, College of Arts & Sciences
Commander Eugene Isert
Nominated by James Mazzuchelli, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Maureen Keppard-Pedlow
Nominated by Joseph Babiasz, College of Engineering
Eileen Marx
Nominated by Neha Yadav, College of Arts & Sciences
Bonnie Neff
Nominated by Frederick Lucina, College of Nursing & Health Professions
Dr. David Seward
Nominated by Brea Heidelber, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Carl McBreen
Nominated by Angela Borrell, College of Nursing &Health Professions
Edward Mooney
Nominated by Lawrence Katz, College of Computing & Informatics
Richard Valerio
Nominated by Stephen Whitehead, College of Computing & Informatics
Keith Desrosiers
Nominated by Maria de Lourdes Rodriguez, College of Engineering
Louis Martella
Nominated by Natalie Myers, Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Thomas Morro
Nominated by Justin Gear, College of Arts and Sciences
John McBride
Nominated by Andrew Smith, College of Computing & Informatics
Susan Walsh
Nominated by Jennifer Cramer, College of Nursing and Health Professions