Click on names for bio information

LOL Class of 2007 Mr. Clyde Galbraith Dr. Melissa Cichowicz Ms. Debra Dreisbach '86 Mr. David James '91 Ms. Maria Luongo  '88 Mr. Chad Murray  '94 Mr. Todd McKinney  '88, MS '90 Ms. Jennifer (Riddle) Sletvold '94

LOL Class of 2006 Biographies

Mr. Clyde Galbraith, Professor of Accounting
Clyde received his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Drexel University.  Prior to coming to WCU in 1974, he worked for IBM and Coopers & Lybrand in Philadelphia. When Clyde came to WCU in 1974, he accompanied a group of students to the PICPA’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter Annual Student Night.  He has taken students to every Student Night since that date, a span of 31 years. 

Clyde has accomplished a great deal in his career at WCU.  He has been the chair of the accounting department for an unprecedented 26 years.  He has mad student success his defining characteristic by helping students achieve in both academics and their careers.  Clyde is known for his technique of helping students learn auditing skills through a realistic audit practice case.  He plays the role of a partner in charge of an audit engagement and students are required to contact him with problems and questions encountered during the simulated audit.

Clyde was recently acknowledged by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants at the 2005 Outstanding Educator. In 2004, the Twardowski Career Development Center honored him for his service to the center, the first faculty member to be honored in this way.  In 2005, WCU honored him with the Merit Award for Service. Clyde has been the advisor to the Accounting Society for 20 years and the National Association of Black Accountants for the past 5 years

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Dr. Melissa Cichowicz, Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Cichowicz has worked at WCU for almost 21 years. She has served as the Interim Assistant Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and as the Director of the Pre-Med Program.  She has served as the advisor to Phi Sigma Pi National Honor/Service Fraternity since 188.  She also serves at the advisor to Women in Science.  She has also advised countless students in her role as an academic advisor and faculty member. Melissa also serves the university by participating in the Gala Planning Committee.

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Ms. Debra Dreisbach,  Class of 1986
Debra received her B.S. in Criminal Justice in 1986.  She continued her education at American University obtaining a Master’s of Public Administration in 1993. Following graduation from WCU, Deb was a Special Agent for the US Department of Labor in Pittsburgh, PA.  In 1998, she moved to the US Department of Agriculture as a Special Agent. In 1991, Deb was chosen to be a Firearms Instructor and became a certified Glock armorer.  She was then promoted to Senior Agent and was assigned to the Protective Operations detail which provides security to the Secretary of Agriculture.  In her work, she has traveled to many countries, including China, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Israel and Italy.

Deb was involved in IGA (SGA), Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, and the Sykes Advisory Board.  She worked as a paraprofessional at the Sykes Information Desk and held the leadership role of president of Inter-Greek Council. She was the student speaker at graduation in 1986 and named to Who’s Who Among College and University Students.  She has been involved in the WCU Alumni Association, serving as secretary and president.  She has chaired many WCUAA Committees and this year, spearheaded the effort to host the Greek Reunion. 

Deb is currently a Senior Special Agent/Criminal Investigator with the US Department of Agriculture. She also teaches Criminal Justice courses for the University of Phoenix in Philadelphia. Deb makes her home in Sanatoga, PA. 

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Mr. David James, Class of 1991
David earned his B.A. in Political Science/Public Administration with a minor in Geography in 1991.  Upon graduating, David began a long career with the Republican party.  Initially, he was the director of member services for Chester County.  He also served as a staff assistant to the U.S. Representative Robert S. Walker.  David has held many other positions in the county and state Republican party such as executive director and political director.  He was the county coordinator of the Bush-Cheyney Florida Recount Team and served as the regional political director of the Republican National Committee. Currently David is a partner with FLS Connect, LLC which is a national political consulting firm specializing in fundraising and voter contact telemarketing.  He is also a managing member of  Groundwork Public Affairs, LLC which specializes in general political and grassroot campaign consulting. His clients include the Republican National Committee, Tom Kean for US Senate, and others.

While a student at WCU, David was a member of Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity.  He served at the 2^nd president of the fraternity.  He was active in the Greek leadership groups, IFC and IGC.  David was a member of the College Republicans, Political Science Club and the Off Campus Student Association. 

David is a member of the WCU Council of Trustees and the Vice-Chair of the SSI Board of Directors. He has also served on the WCU Alumni Association. He is a member of the Westminister Presbyterian Church. He makes his home in West Chester with his wife, Mindy (Class of 1993) and his children, Will (4), Molly (3, today!) and Ellis Faye (1).

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Mr. Todd McKinney, Class of 1988  Master’s 1990
Todd received his B.A. in Political Science with minors in Geography and Land Use Planning in 1988.  He continued his education at WCU by earning a MS in Education with a focus on Higher Education in 1990.  After earning his degree, Todd began a long career in Student Affairs at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.  He has served in many roles including, assistant director of career services and residence life and director of leadership development and student activities. Currently, Todd serves as the associate dean of students.  Todd also serves the Ursinus College community by instructing the freshman seminar and being a freshman advisor.

While a student at WCU, Todd was an RA for 4 years and Orientation leader for 2 years and the Graduate Intern for Orientation for 2 years.  He was a Sykes Student Director and the founding father of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity.  He was involved in RHA, College Democrats, the Geography Club and the Political Science Club. 

Todd is active in his fraternity, serving as a foundation board member and an executive committee member.  He serves as a member of the Perkiomen Valley Healthy Community Partnership. He has served as a trustee for his church and as a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  Todd makes his home in Collegeville with his wife Marion (

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Ms. Jennifer Riddle Sletvold, 1994, Criminal Justice (Dickinson School of Law, 1997)
Jennifer was an RA in Tyson Hall, an Orientation Leader, an aerobics instructor, the president of the criminal justice club and the president of the pre-law club. She volunteered with a community group that taught decision-making skills to inmates in Chester County Prison.  She was named the Outstanding Graduating Senior in Criminal Justice. She was named to Who’s Who Among College and University Students and received the DT Marrone Academic Scholarships for outstanding Law School Candidate and PA Campus Compact Community Service Award.

She is currently a law partner with the Maloney, Danyi, Sletvold and O’Donnell law firm in Bethlehem, PA.  She is active in the Bar Association and volunteers at a variety of non-profit organizations by serving on boards and giving of her time.

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Mr. Chad Murray, 1994, Elementary Education (M.A. Gratz College, 2001)
Chad was an Orientation leader for three summers and a graduate assistant for one.  He was an RA for three years and a member of the Friar’s Society, serving as president his senior year. He was also involved in University Theater and the PRIDE (Wellness) Center.

Currently, Chad is a 3^rd grade teacher at the Whitemarsh Elementary School. He serves as the president of the Colonial Education Association.  He is heavily involved in PSEA serving on the leadership development committee, as a delegate for the House of Delegates and on the selection committee for the Human Rights and Civil Liberties award.  He volunteers his time with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and as an AIDS Fund volunteer. 

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Ms. Maria Luongo, 1988, Secondary Education/History (Masters of Administration in 1990 from Michigan State)
As a student at WCU, Maria was involved in many student organizations. She was a member of SGA (then IGA), the Council of Trustee student trustee, a member of the Forensics team and a member of the Abbe Society. 

Currently, Maria is the Human Resources Manager for QVC. She has had a long career with QVC in various roles. Prior to her work at QVC, she worked for Core State Bank. Maria currently serves on the Student Affairs Endowment Fund Advisory Board. 

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