Congratulations to the 2025 Alumni Award Recipients

The Outstanding Recent Alumni Award will be given to an alumna/us, within 15 years of graduation, who has demonstrated significant achievements that embody the core values of Marywood.

Duane Elders exemplifies Marywood University’s mission through his unwavering commitment to service, leadership, and advocacy. A proud and engaged alumnus, Duane has dedicated his professional expertise and personal time to empowering others—locally, regionally, and nationally. His volunteer work with the NEPA Youth Shelter, including serving as a board member and volunteer liaison, has provided at-risk and unaccompanied youth with critical resources, mentorship, and advocacy for social justice. His impact has been widely recognized, earning him honors such as the Youth Mental Health Volunteer All-Star Award and the Voluntary Leader of the Year Award from the Young Professionals of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Beyond his community service, Duane serves on the Board of Directors for the Marywood Alumni Association, fostering connections between graduates and the University while creating mentorship and engagement opportunities for students. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Rainbow Alliance, guiding initiatives that promote inclusivity and equity for LGBTQ+ individuals in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Professionally, Duane leads at Cigna, where he empowers individuals to develop leadership skills—reflecting Marywood’s core values of empowerment, respect, service, and excellence in every sphere of his life.

Through his visibility, advocacy, and values-driven leadership, Duane models for current and future Pacers what it means to live out a Marywood education. He demonstrates that engagement is not limited to one’s career or community, but is a lifelong commitment to making meaningful change. His dedication to empowering others and creating inclusive spaces makes him a truly deserving recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award.

The Sr. M. Denis Donegan Award for Long Term Service to Marywood is the most prestigious award bestowed by the Marywood Alumni Association. It is bestowed on alumni of Marywood who have provided a minimum of 25 years of service to Marywood and who, through their personal and professional contributions, have visibly embodied Marywood's mission by using their Marywood education in ways that demonstrate the University's call to live responsibly in a diverse and interdependent world.

For more than four decades, Carol Howell has been a steadfast champion of Marywood University, dedicating her time, expertise, and resources to advancing the institution’s mission. As a distinguished graduate of the Nutrition and Dietetics program, Carol has remained closely connected to the department—returning often to mentor students, lead career discussions, and offer hands-on learning opportunities in professional settings. She has served on the Academic Dean’s Networking Committee, presented at Career Day, and developed impactful nutrition education programs, including the widely used publication Four for Fitness. Her willingness to guide future Registered Dietitians has left an indelible mark on generations of Marywood graduates.

Carol’s professional achievements have been matched by her philanthropic commitment to Marywood. In 1977, she helped establish an annual scholarship for dietetic students, and in 2001, she created and taught Marywood’s Food Employee Certification Training Program through the School of Continuing Education. Perhaps most notably, she founded the Elizabeth Scott Murphy Endowed Scholarship in honor of a beloved faculty member—an award she has supported annually for over 20 years. Through these initiatives, she has ensured that future students have the resources and encouragement they need to excel.

Beyond campus, Carol has embodied Marywood’s core values in her extensive leadership and service to the nutrition and foodservice industries. She has chaired national committees, served on corporate advisory boards, written for leading trade publications, and been recognized with numerous awards, including Woman of the Year in Food Service/Contract Management from New York University and the Anita L. Owen Award from the Northeast District Pennsylvania Dietetic Association. Whether mentoring a student, advancing professional standards, or supporting scholarships, Carol Howell has consistently reflected the excellence, service, and dedication that define the Sr. M. Denis Donegan Award for Long Term Service to Marywood.

The Faculty and Staff Alumni Impact Award is awarded to a current (10 years or more), retired, or emeritus member of the Marywood faculty or staff, in recognition of their contributions to student success and their demonstration of the institution’s core values. Recipients have made a significant impact on the Marywood community and have worked to mentor future alumni leaders, advance the University’s mission, and enhance the integrity of the University.

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, EdD, ’69 has dedicated more than five decades of service to Marywood University, shaping the lives of countless students, faculty, and alumni. Her impact has been felt in many roles — as President of the Marywood University Corporation and member of the Board of Trustees, adjunct faculty member, President of the University, and now as Director of Special Projects. Throughout her tenure, Sister Mary has been a steadfast advocate for students, championing initiatives to provide scholarships, expand academic resources, and enhance the campus through major projects such as the construction of the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion. Her tireless efforts in fundraising and advocacy, including work on several state and local Boards as a representative of Marywood University, reflect her unwavering commitment to Marywood’s mission and the IHM values upon which it was founded.

Beyond administrative achievements, Sister Mary’s personal connection with the Marywood community has been transformative. She has engaged with alumni nationwide, offering encouragement, inspiration, and heartfelt appreciation for their continued connection to the University. On campus, she could be found supporting students at athletic events, in classrooms, and in informal conversations that reinforced the importance of integrity, citizenship, and moral leadership.

Today, as she facilitates the development of Marywood’s next Strategic Plan and guides the Middle States Accreditation process, Sister Mary continues to place the University’s values at the forefront. Her leadership, vision, and enduring dedication have left an indelible mark on Marywood, making her a model of service, faith, and educational excellence — and a most deserving recipient of the Faculty and Staff Alumni Impact Award.

The Alumni Community Achievement Award is bestowed by the Marywood Alumni Association upon alumni who have made an impact in their community through service, philanthropy, and/or advocacy.

Christopher Tarletsky ’85 and Noreen (Power) Tarletsky ’86 have dedicated nearly three decades to an extraordinary mission — advancing research, awareness, and support for the cystic fibrosis community after their son’s diagnosis as an infant. Drawing on the skills, values, and resilience shaped during their years at Marywood, the Tarletskys have led with determination, creativity, and deep compassion. Through their nonprofit, Coaches Cure CF, and other initiatives, they have organized art auctions, golf outings, walkathons, collegiate awareness games, and countless other events, raising nearly half a million dollars for research. Their advocacy has extended to the halls of Congress, where their voices helped influence federal legislation — including provisions in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act — to expand access to specialized care for those with rare diseases.

Beyond fundraising and policy work, Chris and Noreen have lived their mission daily, modeling a life of faith, perseverance, and service. Noreen’s career as an educator and parish volunteer has empowered children in both academic and spiritual growth, while Chris’s career as a chemist and entrepreneur has had global impact, including three patents in the personal care industry. Together, they have brought hope to countless families, fostered community action across states and universities, and demonstrated the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership.

The Tarletskys’ journey reflects Marywood’s core values in action — service rooted in faith, commitment to the common good, and steadfast pursuit of a better future. Their work has directly contributed to life-saving treatments that have extended the life expectancy and quality of life for people living with cystic fibrosis. In honoring them with the Alumni Community Achievement Award, Marywood celebrates not only their extraordinary accomplishments, but the example they set for all alumni: that with dedication and compassion, lives can be changed and futures rewritten.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is bestowed by the Marywood Alumni Association upon alumni who have achieved distinction through their professional accomplishments and contributions, which embody the core values of Marywood.

Dr. Elizabeth Robison ’04 has built a distinguished career as one of Pennsylvania’s most respected voices in K–12 education. Since 2011, she has served as Superintendent of Pocono Mountain School District, the most diverse district in Monroe County, leading with vision, compassion, and a steadfast focus on student success. Known for her ability to address complex educational challenges, Dr. Robison has testified before state legislative committees, served on influential panels, and shaped statewide policy on issues from charter school reform and substitute teacher shortages to expanding access to technical education. She has guided her district through significant financial challenges, closing a $22 million budget gap while preserving academic excellence, expanding arts programs, and sustaining co-curricular opportunities for all students. Under her leadership, Pocono Mountain has earned national and state recognition, including a Keystone Award of Excellence and the 2025 National School Boards Association Magna Award for STEAM integration.

Her commitment to equity is evident in the dynamic English as a Second Language program she helped create, as well as her partnerships that bring full-time liaisons into schools to support families in need. Appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro to the PA State Council for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission, Dr. Robison champions the needs of military-connected students—efforts that earned Pocono Mountain the prestigious Purple Star School designation.

Students thrive educationally through the programs she champions, with students earning awards and accolades at regional, state, national and international competitions in STEAM, problem solving, chess, and speech and debate. While the strong partnerships she has forged with the community ensure students are cared for both in and out of the classroom and feel connected to their community.