Previous Luminary Award Recipients
2020 Recipient: Hon. Jordan Harris (MEd’08)
Jordan A. Harris is a native Philadelphian who is quickly rising through the ranks of the Pennsylvania Legislature and gaining national recognition for his work on education and on criminal justice reform. 
After receiving his Master’s Degree in Education from Cabrini in 2008, Harris was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, serving the 186th District in Philadelphia. His colleagues have chosen him to serve as Democratic Caucus Whip, the 2nd highest position behind only the Caucus Leader. Harris is also a former Chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.
Representative Harris helped author the groundbreaking law that automatically seals certain criminal records in Pennsylvania, which helps to break down barriers that had prevented ex-offenders from getting jobs. The law has now been replicated in several states. His next targets are probation reform and gun violence.
Harris spent several years as an educator in Philadelphia. He focused on his passion for helping children and young adults as Executive Director of Philadelphia's Youth Commission, and also worked to help hundreds of young people graduate from high school through the Slam Dunk program.
Harris sees Cabrini as a special place—a place that prepared him for even greater success. He frequently volunteers his time and also helps to mentor Cabrini students. He is currently President of the Board of Directors at Lincoln Day Educational Center, the oldest continuously operating African American Day School in the country. He is a member of the Council of Trustees at his undergraduate alma mater – Millersville University.
2020 Recipient: Kate Conahan Ponto PT, DPT (’10)
Kathryn Ponto is Director of Rehabilitation Services at Lima Estates, Acts Retirement Communities in Delaware County. She received her B.S. in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Cabrini in 2010, and her Doctor of 
Physical Therapy from Widener in 2013.
Ponto excels in her profession and her volunteerism. She developed and implemented the Early Mobilization Protocol in the ICU at Delaware County Memorial Hospital. She has volunteered at a pro-bono physical therapy clinic. She organizes the annual Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser at Lima Estates. And, even her personal dog, Lana, is a certified therapy dog.
Last December, she and her husband, Nick, had twins, Faye and Grace. She counts among her greatest accomplishments: gait training a woman who was still on a vent in the ICU, and helping a man living with Stage 4 lung cancer walk again in time to walk his daughter down the aisle.
That human touch is profound in Ponto. As a clinical instructor, she stresses building a strong and genuine patient-clinician rapport. She says, “You do not go into health care for the money. You go in because you have this intangible drive to care for others.”
Ponto contracted COVID-19 early in the pandemic while working around others who were infected. Her main concern now is the damage she sees the virus doing on everyone’s mental health.
She enjoys working with the geriatric population. She says that every day she learns from them what matters the most.
2020 Recipient: Craig Vagell Jr. (’05)
Craig Vagell, Jr. has been a firefighter and first responder with the Jersey City Fire Department since 2015 and works for ABC News part-time. After receiving the Mother Ursula Award in 2005, as the senior who best fulfilled the ideals of Cabrini’s purpose-driven mission, Vagell was awarded the
Young Alumni Award in 2008 for his continued commitment to the Cabrinian legacy of service. He is a former President of the Cabrini College Alumni Board.
Vagell embodies the Cabrini spirit of altruism and looking out for others. He has received numerous awards and citations including the Medical Service Award which is awarded to a first responder who provides care in extraordinary circumstances, saving another person from severe injury or death.
He received a Department Citation for his volunteer response during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. When COVID-19 struck in early 2020, Vagell volunteered in his off hours, setting up shelter tents at three area hospitals and serving as a frontline first responder with the Cedar Knolls Fire Department. He is currently assigned to Engine Company 6, the High Pressure Unit—in the district that covers downtown Jersey City.
Craig and his wife Katie have a two-year-old son, Tyler, and they are expecting their 2nd child on Christmas Day.
2020 Recipient: Jeanne Venella DNP, (MS’04) RN
Dr. Jeanne J. Venella is a doctoral prepared nursing practice expert, who currently serves as Medtel’s Chief Nursing Officer. She’s an innovative leader in health care, a clinical authority in emerging health care technology, and a 
sought-after consultant and adviser in patient safety in acute care settings. She is a shining example of one who lights the way for others.
Venella is passionate about data and technology. She is dedicated to creating small, internal team structures to improve workflow and efficiency processes, and to implementing systems that improve teamwork, safety and accuracy—all of which supports her commitment to positive patient outcomes.
Venella has held positions at several medical facilities and companies, including the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Among several duties at CHOP, she served in the Emergency Department and as Nurse Manager in the Oncology Clinic.
The Emergency Nurses Association awarded her its Clinical Nurse of the Year Award in 2007. Becker Review listed her as a top female health IT leader to know. She is the recipient of the Villanova University Nursing Alumni Award and is an adjunct faculty member in the DNP Program at the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing.
Venella credits her Masters in Organizational Leadership from Cabrini with propelling her toward the wider and deeper impact she is having in her profession.
2019 Recipient: Abel Rodríguez, JD ('01) 
After alumnus Abel Rodríguez, JD (‘01) returned to his alma mater as an Assistant Professor of Religion, Law, and Social Justice, he reflected on Cabrini’s ongoing presence in his life. “Long after I left this campus, I continued to carry Cabrini, and the lessons it instilled, with me,” said Rodríguez, a first-generation college graduate and the son of immigrant parents from Cuba. “For me, this place was formative and transformative. Each academic achievement, each step in my professional path is rooted in my foundation here.” Rodríguez’s work as an advocate for immigrants began more than 15 years ago as a volunteer at Annunciation House, a nonprofit house of hospitality located on the U.S.-Mexico border. He went on to earn a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was a Toll Public Interest Scholar and received an award for exemplary pro bono service. He also earned a Master of Theological Studies at Harvard University and a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies at Stanford University. An authority and frequent speaker on issues of immigration law and policy, the intersection of criminal and immigration law and religion and law, Rodríguez was named Cabrini’s founding Director of the Center on Immigration in 2017. The academic, nonpartisan organization promotes immigrant rights through research, education, and advocacy.
As Director, he facilitates educational forums, fosters interdisciplinary research among scholars, and engages university communities in advocacy related to immigrant rights. He furthers the work of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by developing robust initiatives that promote justice for immigrant communities. Rodríguez has led campus-wide symposiums, offers continuing workshops that empower students to “Know Your Rights” when encountering police or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and organized trips to Washington, DC, and the Berks County Detention Center.
Rodríguez also continues to practice law, representing low-income clients in immigration proceedings, and serves on the Board of Directors for ACLAMO Family Centers, a nonprofit organization serving the Latinx community in Norristown, PA.
Before joining Cabrini, Rodríguez held a split position as the Immigration Specialist at the Defender Association of Philadelphia and Staff Attorney at Nationalities Service Center, advising noncitizen clients on immigration and deportation issues. He also represented individuals with disabilities and older adults in immigration matters as the Langer, Grogan, and Diver Fellow in Social Justice at Esperanza Immigration Legal Services. He has taught the immigration clinic at Temple University Beasley School of Law, political science at La Salle University, and Spanish language and culture at the University of Pennsylvania.
The many accolades Rodríguez has earned include the Superhero Award from United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Alumni Hall of Fame from Montgomery County Community College, Distinguished Achievement Award from Cabrini University, and Honorary Membership to Delta Epsilon Sigma. Earlier this year, Rodríguez received Cabrini’s Distinguished Faculty Award for External Service in recognition of his unwavering dedication and commitment to serving the greater good. The University also honors him with the 2019 Luminary Award, for which he is the perfect example, persistently lighting the way for others through his teaching, law practice, and social justice work.
2018 Recipient: Jennifer Wahl (’05) 
Jennifer R. Wahl (’05) has taught at Loyalsock Township High School since 2006 and the Pennsylvania College of Technology since 2015. She received a bachelor’s degree from Cabrini University in History and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the Pennsylvania State University. At the high school and college level, Wahl teaches history, psychology, and sociology.
Wahl has several professional affiliations, including The Japan Society, the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia, the International School for Jain Studies, College Board, the National and State Teacher of the Year Pennsylvania Chapter, and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Throughout the last nearly 12 years, Wahl has engaged in multiple professional development opportunities that have taken her to some far-away places. In 2011, she was selected by the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia to participate in a two-week study tour in China. Similarly, she was selected for a three-week study tour in Japan by the Japan Society in 2012. In 2013, Wahl studied restorative justice and teaching for Peace in Delhi, India, at the International School for Jain Studies. She also traveled with the American Institute for Historical Education and has participated as an Advanced Placement World History Reader in Utah for several years.
Most recently, Wahl was named Pennsylvania's 2018 Teacher of the Year. As Pennsylvania's Teacher of the Year, Wahl will meet and collaborate with other educators, and represent the commonwealth in the year's National Teacher of the Year competition.
2017 Recipient: Candice Linehan (’03)
Cabrini experiences—taught her the importance of Even before her career, Candice Linehan’s life experiences—and a supportive network in times of tragedy.
When her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer during Linehan’s junior year, the Cabrini community supported her so that she could make it through the experience. Linehan’s mother ultimately died the January before Linehan graduated.
“I would not have gotten through that challenging time if it weren’t for the support of Cabrini as a whole—the professors, the staff, the administration, as well as my friends,” said Linehan. “Not only did Cabrini support me, but Cabrini reached out and contacted my mom and supported her. It was a pretty remarkable experience.”
Linehan did graduate in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and now works as Director of Sexual Assault Services at Delaware County Women Against Rape (DCWAR), working a career that enables her to provide support to others in their times of need.
DCWAR does crisis work with victims of crime throughout Delaware County, providing counseling services and court accompaniment, any and all of the services that a victim might need to go through the justice process.
“I see people heal, and support them through their lowest moments—it’s a real privilege to join with people at the worst, most vulnerable time of their lives,” said Linehan. “That’s what I learned at Cabrini: the real honor, the privilege, of being able to join with a human being in their time of need.”
Linehan’s connection to Cabrini is personal and professional, as DCWAR has been involved with Cabrini’s annual Domestic Violence Symposium for the last two years, and Linehan herself has been presenting in classes for 11 years. She also serves on the Alumni Board of Directors.
2016 Recipients: Michael Kazanjian (’03) and Eric Tidwell (’96)
Michael Kazanjian (’03)
In his nearly 15 years in the field, Michael Kazanjian (’03) has set himself apart as a creative marketing leader. From his first position as Marketing Officer at Nuveen Investments to his current position as Vice President of Marketing at Lincoln Financial Group, Kazanjian has proven himself as a creative talent and thought leader who consistently exceeds expectations and has a history of inspiring and leading transformational change.
“Michael combines creativity, thoroughness, and perfect reliability,” said Jerome “Jerry” Zurek, PhD, Professor of Communication. “He will never let you down and will always deliver what he promises.”
A 2014 graduate of the Wharton School’s Securities Industry Institute Executive Development Program, Finance, Kazanjian has earned numerous awards throughout his career, including the ING Circle of Honor Award in 2007 and the 2015 Lincoln Marketing Excellence Award. In 2013, he was named one of the Gramercy Institute’s 2013 Twenty Rising Stars in Financial Marketing.
Kazanjian is passionate about his family and friends, and enjoys playing guitar.
Eric Tidwell (’96)
Eric Tidwell (’96) is a management-level professional with more than 15 years of experience and success in leading
infrastructure organizations, architecture, and security. He is currently the Senior Security Architect at IBM’s Wilmington, DE, campus.
A 1996 Cabrini graduate and basketball standout, Tidwell continues to lean on his experiences at Cabrini as he moves forward in life. Tidwell was inducted into the Cabrini Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
When applying to colleges, Tidwell was looking for a competitive men’s basketball program with a head coach who would be honest about his chances to play at the next level, a school where he could pursue his degree in Computer Science, and, perhaps most importantly, a place where he felt comfortable and had a sense of family.
Tidwell found all of those characteristics at Cabrini, and over the next four years, would inspire a community both on and off the basketball court. An undersized forward, Tidwell etched his name all over the Cabrini record book, and currently ranks second in rebounds (797) and steals (197), ninth in blocked shots (65), and 18th in points (967).
While many young athletes are consumed with their personal accomplishments, the only number that mattered to Tidwell was the one in the win column.
“I was never a person who focused on my personal statistics,” Tidwell said. “I always knew what my team needed to win and I would fill any void to make us successful. I took great pride in being able to do everything on a basketball court.”
He helped the Blue and White go 88-20 during his career, including 65-3 in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference and four PAC titles.
Tidwell’s basketball career reached a pinnacle with what he calls the best game of his career, the 1997 PAC Championship: He stepped up to lead the Cavaliers to an 85-67 win over Allentown College and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after leading the team with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Perhaps most impressive was Tidwell’s ability to balance the demands of leading a championship team while excelling academically and remaining active on campus. Tidwell took his education seriously, and could often be found in one of the computer labs he monitored. He was also a resident advisor, among other leadership roles, during his tenure at Cabrini.
“Being a Cabrini student-athlete brought so many important people into my life,” Tidwell said. “I learned so much from our coaches, teammates, professors, and other students that I try to instill in my family and daily life.”
2015 Recipient: David Regn (’97)
Regn is co-founder of Stream Companies, a full-service advertising agency recently ranked as one of Philadelphia’s largest advertising agencies.
A longtime supporter of Cabrini, he’s served on the Athletic Subcommittee of the 10,000 Hearts Comprehensive Campaign and on the Board of Trustees.