College of Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
 Rebecca M. Bergman
Medical Technology Innovator
Rebecca M. Bergman is the vice president of new therapies and diagnostics in cardiac rhythm disease management for Medtronic, a Minneapolis-based manufacturer of products and therapies used in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of chronic medical conditions. She is responsible for driving research, technology and new market initiatives and innovations for improved healthcare. The National Academy of Engineering recently elected Ms. Bergman to its membership, recognizing her “technical leadership in the development of interventional vascular devices and drug delivery systems.”
Ms. Bergman has more than 22 years of experience in the medical technology industry, with more than 15 years in research and technology management and product development. She joined Medtronic in 1987 as a senior biomedical engineer and has held various roles in science and engineering at the company, including serving as vice president of science and technology responsible for leveraging technology collaboration among Medtronic's seven business units.
In her role as a member of the National Advisory Council of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the newest National Institutes of Health research institute, Ms. Bergman helps advise the director of the institute, the Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH and others on the conduct and support of research, training, health information dissemination and other programs in biomedical imaging, biomedical engineering and associated technologies with biomedical applications.
Ms. Bergman was elected a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 2001. She currently serves on the board of directors of Sigma Aldrich Corporation, and on the board of trustees at St. Catherine University and Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota.
Originally from Allentown, Pa., Ms. Bergman received her bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University in 1978. She completed graduate level coursework in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota.
In recognition of her contributions to life-changing medical technology, Drexel University is honored to confer upon Rebecca M. Bergman the degree of Doctor of Engineering, honoris causa.
 Richard E. Woodring, Ph.D.
Drexel and Engineering Icon
Throughout his career, Richard E. Woodring, Ph.D., has been committed to enhancing the education of engineers. Dr. Woodring, Drexel professor emeritus of civil, architectural and environmental engineering and College of Engineering dean emeritus, has taught an entire generation of engineers and been instrumental in building Drexel's position as one of the nation's leading engineering schools.
After graduating from Drexel in 1954, Dr. Woodring joined the faculty in 1956 as an instructor and was promoted to professor in 1968. His research has focused on the behavior of structural members and the design of reinforced concrete structures, just two of the subjects he taught in undergraduate and graduate courses.
In 1974 Dr. Woodring was appointed Dean of Engineering, to guide the College of Engineering through unprecedented growth and development that included an expanded, comprehensive curriculum that produced well-rounded, much sought-after graduates, and interdisciplinary programs in the environmental and biomedical fields. Dr. Woodring initiated a new approach to engineering education, Enhanced Engineering Education Experience, which received wide acclaim from industry and academia.
Dr. Woodring has been an important force in encouraging African Americans, Hispanic Americans and other minorities to pursue engineering studies. He is one of the founders of PRIME (Philadelphia Regional Introduction for Minorities to Engineering), a Delaware Valley consortium dedicated to preparing minorities for careers in science and mathematics. In recognition of his work with minority students, Dr. Woodring was named “Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year” in 1987 by the Delaware Valley chapter of the Engineering and Technical Societies Council, and in 1982 he received the Reginald H. Jones Distinguished Service Award of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.
In 1989 he was appointed Vice President for Student Life at Drexel, responsible for the quality of students' lives outside of the classroom. In 1992 he returned to teaching in the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department, working to revamp the undergraduate engineering program. Now retired, Dr. Woodring works in K-12 science, mathematics and technology education.
In addition to a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Drexel, Dr. Woodring holds master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois.
In recognition of his immeasurable contributions to Drexel, for which the Civil and Architectural Engineering Laboratories were named the Richard E. Woodring Laboratories, the University is honored to confer upon Richard E. Woodring the degree of Doctor of Engineering, honoris causa.
College of Nursing and Health Professions, School of Public Health
 Howard K. Koh
Advocate for the Nation's Health
Commencement Speech
Howard K. Koh, M.D., assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, oversees the Office of the Surgeon General, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and the HHS Office of Public Health and Science, where he leads programs in disease prevention, health promotion, the reduction of health disparities, women's and minority health, HIV/AIDS, vaccine programs, physical fitness, bioethics, population affairs, blood supply, research integrity and human research protections.
Dr. Koh previously served as the Harvey V. Fineberg Professor of the Practice of Public Health, associate dean for public health practice and director of the Division of Public Health Practice at the Harvard School of Public Health. He was also director of the Harvard School of Public Health Center for Public Health Preparedness, which promotes education about bioterrorism, pandemic influenza and other emerging health threats. He has published more than 200 articles in the medical and public health literature.
Dr. Koh also served as commissioner of public health for Massachusetts, where he emphasized the power of prevention and strengthened the state's commitment to eliminating health disparities. During his service, the state saw advances in areas such as tobacco control, cancer screening, bioterrorism response after 9/11 and anthrax, health issues of the homeless, organ donation, suicide prevention and international public health partnerships.
Dr. Koh earned a bachelor of arts degree from Yale College and his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology, and dermatology, and holds a master of public health degree from Boston University. He has earned many awards and honors, including the Distinguished Service Award from the American Cancer Society and the Drs. Jack E. White/LaSalle D. Leffall Cancer Prevention Award from the American Association for Cancer Research and the Intercultural Cancer Council. Under President Bill Clinton, he was a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board. Dr. Koh was named by the New England Division of the American Cancer Society as “one of the most influential persons in the fight against tobacco during the last 25 years.”
For his many accomplishments in improving the nation's health, Drexel University is proud to confer upon Howard K. Koh the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
 Lawrence A. Ciletti
Contributor to the Region's Great Projects
Lawrence A. Ciletti is president and chief executive officer of Tru-Fit Frame & Door Corporation, which he founded in 1972 with five employees. Over the years, he grew his firm to be the nation's largest door company under one roof and a leader in custom and prefabricated doors, frames and millwork for commercial and residential building. With headquarters in Pennsauken, N.J., the company now has 90 employees and customers from the East Coast to the Mississippi River.
Tru-Fit's projects include the rehabilitation of Philadelphia's historic Bellevue Stratford Hotel, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Comcast Tower, Lincoln Financial Center (home of the Philadelphia Eagles), Citizens Bank Park (home of the Philadelphia Phillies), the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia South Campus, Cooper Hospital Pavilion and Philadelphia Park Casino. Atlantic City projects include The Water Club by The Borgata, Trump Taj Mahal New Tower, Harrah's Hotel & Casino and Tropicana Hotel & Casino.
Beginning his career as a general labor employee of Lumico Lumber, Mr. Ciletti later gained 10 years of hands-on experience at Atlas Millwork and Lumber. At K-D Frame and Door Company, he developed expertise in metal working before founding his own company.
Mr. Ciletti remains loyal to Philadelphia 's Bishop Neumann Catholic High School (now Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School ), where he was a member of the class of 1958. His community service includes membership on the school's President's Advisory Board and Capital Endowment Oversight Board. Mr. Ciletti was named the 1999 “Man of the Year” by the Millay Club, the alumni association of Philadelphia high schools Southeast Catholic, Bishop Neumann, Saint John Neumann and Saints Neumann-Goretti.
As a committed supporter of the Millay Club, he also was the founding chairman of the Philadelphia Pinnacle Award, a gala that has raised more than $1.35 million for scholarships and tuition assistance. He was named the Millay Club's Man of the Year in 1999.
In recognition of his hard work, success and commitment to education in the community where he grew up, Drexel University is proud to confer upon Lawrence A. Ciletti the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa.
 David F. Girard-diCarlo
Servant to His Community and Nation
Commencement Speech
Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo served in 2008-09 as U.S. ambassador to Austria, heading one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions in the world. Appointed by President George W. Bush, he oversaw more than 500 U.S. and Austrian employees and the operations of the U.S. mission to the United Nations in Vienna and the U.S. mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Ambassador Girard-diCarlo is an attorney with the Philadelphia firm Cozen O'Connor, where he provides strategic advice to clients in the banking, healthcare, education, transportation and service industries and government entities. He has been named in The Best Lawyers in America as a leading corporate lawyer and government relations specialist. He previously served for 22 years as the managing partner and chairman of a large Philadelphia professional services firm.
He is president of The Pennsylvania Society; a member of the board of trustees of Saint Joseph's University and the board of consultors of Villanova University School of Law; one of five members of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission; a member of the Council of American Ambassadors; and a member of the Diplomatic Council on Energy Security in Washington, D.C.
Ambassador Girard-diCarlo has served as chairman of the board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, a board member of AMTRAK and chairman of the board of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). He has served in leadership positions at the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Academy of Music , the Walnut Street Theatre, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Arizona Heart Foundation, among others.
He has been honored with the Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation League, the Gerald Abraham Award for Distinguished Service from Villanova University School of Law, the Pontifical Honor of Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great for his work as chairman of Business Leaders Organized for Catholic Schools and the Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee.
Drexel University is proud to recognize the extensive career of public service of David F. Girard-diCarlo and to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, College of Information Science and Technology
 LaVerne H. Council
Industry Leader in Information Technology
Commencement Speech
LaVerne H. Council is corporate vice president and chief information officer for Johnson & Johnson. She is responsible for managing information technology and related systems for the $61.9 billion Johnson & Johnson worldwide enterprise. Her organization includes more than 250 operating companies and more than 4,000 information technology employees.
In this role, she is a member of the Corporate Global Operating Committee and chief strategist for the company's Innovation in Health Care Information Technology.
Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Ms. Council was global vice president for information technology, global business solutions and development services for Dell, Inc., where she developed and implemented business growth solutions, created a global development model and managed the global quality process. She also held leadership positions focusing on infrastructure engineering, networking, security and enterprise application interfaces. Earlier in her career, Ms. Council was a partner with Ernst and Young and led the company's global supply chain strategy practice.
Her public service includes serving on the board of trustees and on the executive committee of the March of Dimes. She is chair emeritus of the Board of Liberty Science Center and a past board member of the Executive Leadership Council of The Children's Hospital of Austin.
Ms. Council is also an advisor for many industry advisory groups. Widely honored, in 2010 she was named one of the Top 75 Black Women in Business by Black Enterprise. ?
Business Trends Quarterly named her as one of the top four CIOs in America. The New Jersey Technology Council inducted her into their CIO Hall of Fame in 2009, and? the Global CIO Executive Summit named her a Top 10 Leader and Change Agent in 2009 and a Top 10 Leader and Innovator in 2008. She was also named to the Business Hall of Fame for Illinois State University and placed on the list of Technology Power Women by Forbes in 2007.
Ms. Council has a bachelor of business degree from Western Illinois University and earned an MBA in operations management from Illinois State University.
In recognition of her innovative leadership in business strategy, Drexel University of honored to confer upon LaVerne H. Council the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa.
College of Arts and Sciences, Richard C. Goodwin College (including the School of Education)
 John C. Cavanaugh
Higher Education Leader in Pennsylvania
Commencement Speech
John C. Cavanaugh, Ph.D., is chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which operates 14 comprehensive universities with a total enrollment of nearly 117,000 students. Dr. Cavanaugh works with the Board of Governors to recommend and develop overall policies for the state system.
Dr. Cavanaugh previously was president of the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where he created the Academic Technology Center. He was provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina and has held various positions at the University of Delaware, including vice provost for academic programs and planning and associate provost for graduate studies.
While at the University of Delaware, Dr. Cavanaugh led a broad-based effort on teaching reform, for which the university received a Theodore Hesburgh Award Certificate for Excellence in Faculty Development to Enhance Undergraduate Teaching. He also led the development of the nation's first web-based graduate admissions processing system and was honored by the American Association of University Administrators for administrative leadership and innovation.
Dr. Cavanaugh began his academic career at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, and went on to head the university's developmental psychology program and direct its Institute for Psychological Research and Application.
He is chairman of the Federal Relations Committee of the State Higher Education Executive Officers and vice chairman of the Policies and Purposes Committee of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. He also serves as vice chairman of the Middle States Association Board of Trustees and a commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Dr. Cavanaugh earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Delaware. He holds a master's degree and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Notre Dame, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota's Center for Research in Human Learning and the Institute of Child Development.
In recognition of his innovations in higher education and his commitment to Pennsylvania college students, Drexel University is proud to confer upon John C. Cavanaugh the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
 Tom Knox
Philadelphia Civic and Business Leader
Tom Knox is a highly successful businessman with a passion for politics. He is perhaps best known locally as a Philadelphia mayoral and Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate. He served his city as Deputy Mayor for the Office of Management and Productivity under former mayor Ed Rendell, accepting only a dollar per year in salary. Not only was he credited with significant influence in balancing the city's budget, he re-established a bidding process for many city contracts, negotiated lower healthcare costs for city employees, consolidated and reorganized the city's Management Information Services and reorganized the Office of Fleet Management. By renegotiating many of the city's leases and insurance contracts, Mr. Knox was credited by Mayor Rendell with saving the city millions of dollars per year. He had promised to leave office as soon as the city's deficit was eliminated and kept his promise, leaving office one week after the budget was balanced.
At only 16, Mr. Knox joined the U.S. Navy and served four years. From humble beginnings he developed into an astute entrepreneur who, over the past three decades, has owned, managed and sold his own software, banking and healthcare insurance companies, including Disc Systems, Inc., Crusader Bank, Gimco International and Kasser Industries. He first built an insurance advisory firm and sold it in 1986. In the late 1980s he began buying and turning around underperforming companies such as Crusader Savings, which he later sold to Royal Bank of Pennsylvania. In 1999, Mr. Knox acquired Fidelity Insurance Group, a Maryland health insurance firm that he sold to UnitedHealth Group in 2004. After the acquisition, he became the CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania, a UHG subsidiary. He resigned his position in 2006 to run for mayor against Michael Nutter. Whether it is business or politics, Mr. Knox approaches each new venture with optimism and enthusiasm that are reflective of the values of University founder Anthony J. Drexel.
Drexel University is proud to recognize the commitment to public service and determined business skills of Tom Knox and to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa.
 Philip B. Lindy
Benefactor of West Philadelphia Children
Philip B. Lindy has had a long career as property manager, investor and contractor in the local construction industry. In partnership with Drexel he uses his success to extend a hand to young students. In 2008, he established the Philip B. Lindy Inner-City Public School Program at Drexel University—the Lindy Scholars Program—to provide enhanced educational services to public school students and their families living in the inner city. The program pairs Drexel students with sixth- and eighth-grade students for one-on-one tutoring and mentoring in West Philadelphia. The program goes a step further, engaging parents and teachers through monthly family information and professional development sessions.
Mr. Lindy is a partner with Lindy Property Management, a third-generation family-run firm that has managed residential properties since the 1930s. Mr. Lindy and his late wife, Annabel, expanded the company throughout the Philadelphia area; now his sons, Frank and Alan, operate the company, which today is involved with new construction, student housing, condominiums and full-service senior lifestyle housing. They manage more than 25 communities and 3,500 apartment homes throughout Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery and Chester counties in Pennsylvania and Atlantic county in New Jersey.
Mr. Lindy is a past president of the Apartment Association of Greater Philadelphia. His commitment to his community includes serving as a member of the Board of the Federation of Jewish Agencies, the Gershman Board of Jewish Community Centers, the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Philadelphia and the American Jewish Committee. He has served on the Board of Overseers for the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences, where he founded the Philip and Annabel Lindy Research Fund. At the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, Pa., the Lindy Study Area in the college's library is named in his honor. In 1992, Mr. Lindy received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Jewish Committee.
Mr. Lindy is a 1952 graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. The late Mrs. Lindy's father was a Drexel graduate.
In gratitude for his generosity to Drexel and recognition of his inspiring commitment to young people, Drexel University is proud to confer upon Philip B. Lindy the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa.
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