ESU Backup Insider

The East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania 2019 Annual Alumni Award and Reunion Banquet will be held on October 18 at Terraview at Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Stroudsburg, Pa. This event, open to all alumni and hosted by the ESU Alumni Association, will honor eight alumni who have achieved excellence in their field.

Mary Pakenas Gardner ’74 M’77 of Berwick, Pa., will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, given to graduates whose achievements in their field have distinguished them on a national or international level. Gardner, a national champion swimmer at ESU, was the athletic director for Bloomsburg University.

Kenneth Davis ’68 of State College, Pa., was selected to receive the Excellence in Education Award, given to graduates who have demonstrated superior teaching ability and extraordinary commitment to students at the elementary, secondary, or college level. Davis was a teacher of geography and social studies as well as a high school basketball coach in Pottstown, Pa.

Victor J. Fangio ‘80 of Englewood, Colo., will receive the Jim Barniak Award, which is given to graduates who have made athletic achievements post-graduation. Fangio is head coach of the NFL’s Denver Broncos. He was previously the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears.

Charles P. Wolbers ‘73 of Stockton, Ill., was selected to receive the Helen G. Brown Honor Award, given to graduates whose accomplishments honor the university. Wolbers served in the military until 1997, became a professional educator, and is now serving in pastoral ministry.

Beldina Opiyo-Omolo ’02 M’04 of Kisumu, Kenya, will receive the Dr. George Thompson, Jr. Award, which is given to graduates who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment in community and human relations. Opiyo-Omolo is the co-founder and director of Alice Visionary Project, which assists children and empowers women to improve their quality of life.

Jeffrey D. Bunting ’90 M’92 of Albany, Calif., will receive the Technology Award, which is given to graduates who have distinguished themselves in the field of science, economics, or other technology. Bunting is a founding member of Xplorer Group at IMS America, a pharmaceutical data and consulting company. He is currently launching a new company to consult and advise healthcare companies on performance management, artificial intelligence and innovation.

Daniel N. DiZio ’95 of Churchville, Pa. and Len M. Lehman ’94 of New Hope, Pa., are the recipients of the Entrepreneur Award. DiZio is the CEO and co-founder of Philly Pretzel Factory, which has 200 open and under-contract locations in 17 states. DiZio was also featured on the television program Undercover Boss. Lehman is the founding partner of Philly Pretzel Factory and is a board member for the Franchise Advisory Council for Soft Pretzel Franchise Systems, Inc.

The Annual Alumni Awards are a part of ESU Homecoming weekend. In addition to the presentation of alumni awards, the Class of 1969 will kick off the celebration to their 50^th Anniversary Reunion.

For more information on the 2019 Annual Alumni Awards and Reunion Banquet, contact Leon John at 570-422-3194 or ljohn2@esu.edu. For more information about Homecoming weekend visit esu.edu/homecoming.