Drew Alumni

09/24/2026

Join us on Saturday, October 17 for the Alumni Achievement Awards!

Anthony V. Nicola C’91 discovered his passion for scientific research at Drew. His experiences as a Drew Scholar & biology major helped shape his career as a virologist & educator. He remains deeply grateful for the liberal arts education he received, which taught him to think critically, communicate effectively, & approach complex problems from multiple perspectives. Those skills continue to guide his work as a scientist & mentor.

Just as important as his education were the friendships he formed at Drew. Anthony’s closest & oldest friends are people he met as a student, & those lifelong connections remain among the most meaningful parts of his Drew experience.

After earning his BA in Biology, Anthony completed a PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology at the University of Pennsylvania & pursued postdoctoral training at Yale University School of Medicine. He joined Washington State University, where he is now Professor of Virology & Associate Dean for Graduate Education. His research focuses on how herpesviruses enter cells & cause infection, work that has been supported by the National Institutes of Health for more than 25 years. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science & an internationally recognized leader in virology.

Throughout his career, Anthony has been committed not only to scientific discovery but also to mentorship, inclusion, & expanding opportunities for the next generation of scientists. He has trained & supported undergraduate & graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, & early-career scientists, helping them build successful careers in research, medicine, education, & public service. He believes science is strengthened by diverse perspectives & that education should prepare students to think broadly, ask difficult questions, & engage thoughtfully with the world.

Anthony lives in Pullman, WA, with his husband, Joseph, a sociologist. Together, they remain enthusiastic advocates for the value of education, scholarship, & lifelong learning. Outside the laboratory, Anthony enjoys cooking, fitness, & spending time with friends.

Register today! drew.edu/university-advancement/events/rangers-reunite

09/23/2026

Master's of Art in Teaching program praised for high standard, dedication to continuous improvement

09/22/2026

Join us on Saturday, October 17 for the Alumni Achievement Awards!

Dr. Donna J. Petersen C’81 is Professor of Public Health & former Chief Health Officer, Senior Associate Vice President of USF Health, & Dean of the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida. After earning her Behavioral Science degree, she completed master’s & doctoral degrees in maternal & child health at The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. She later served in leadership roles at the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health.

Donna has held leadership positions on the National Board of Public Health Examiners, the Council on Education for Public Health, the American Public Health Association, & the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. Her efforts have helped advance undergraduate and graduate education & create public health certification.

In Tampa, Donna was a member of the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan Advisory Board, a public insurance program, & a founding member & Chair of the Board of Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, dedicated to dismantling structural and systemic impediments to health. Now living in Saint Paul, MN, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra & is a Trustee of the Laurel School of Music. She is also active in the League of Women Voters of Saint Paul, working to defend democracy.

Donna has been honored for her work by the American Public Health Association, the Delta Omega National Public Health Honor Society, the National Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition, the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, the federal Health Resources & Services Administration, the federal Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, & the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.
In 2011, she received a Distinguished Alumna Award from The Johns Hopkins University, & in 2021, was presented with the USF President’s Fellow Medallion for her work leading the University’s response to COVID-19. In 2023, she was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Register today! drew.edu/university-advancement/events/rangers-reunite

09/22/2026

09/21/2026

Be sure to check your inbox for the September issue of "The Forest"! Read the latest Drew news, mark your calendar for Drew Forum, register for Rangers Reunite: Alumni Weekend and Fall Empty Nester Semester courses, and more!

Contact [email protected] if you did not receive the email and with any questions.

09/18/2026

Join us on Saturday, October 17 for the Alumni Achievement Awards!

Daniel James “D.J.” Wright C’01 graduated with a major in psychology & minors in philosophy & French, & later graduated summa cm laude from the McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. As owner of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, D.J. has distinguished himself by combining compassionate service with an innovative approach to supporting grieving families. Guided by his vision of “Traditional Values, Modern Concepts, Golden Rule Service,” he was among the first funeral home owners in NJ to introduce a support-dog program. The program was inspired by his best friend, chocolate Labrador Retriever, Tammy, who provided love & compassion to all who entered the funeral home. More recently, he acquired The Max Challenge locations in Flemington & Clinton, forming The Max of Hunterdon, & incorporated fitness & nutrition into the funeral home’s aftercare program. Through these initiatives, D.J. has expanded the traditional role of a funeral home while demonstrating a distinctive blend of entrepreneurship, innovation, & community care.

D.J. is Past-President of the NJ State Funeral Directors Association, representing funeral directors across the state & at the national level through the National Funeral Directors Association. He believes everyone should have some form of Life Celebration and views his role as a “guide” during some of life’s most trying moments. He conducts seminars on a wide array of topics related to the profession, ranging from coping skills to green funerals, for consumers & allied professionals including physicians, attorneys, nurses, and clergy. He is passionate about education & opening dialogue about these often taboo topics.

D.J. also serves in leadership roles with numerous community & charitable organizations and is a past board member of the Drew CAA. He has been honored numerous times by organizations throughout Hunterdon County for his professional contributions and volunteer service.

Register today!: drew.edu/university-advancement/events/rangers-reunite

09/17/2026

🎉 Only 1 month until Rangers Reunite 2026! 💙💚🐻

October 16–17 will be here before we know it! Get ready to reconnect with fellow alumni and celebrate Drew during a weekend filled with celebration, connection, and Drew spirit. 🥳

🏅 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
✨ Alumni Achievement Awards
🏀🎾 Alumni & student athletics
🏛️ Campus tours
🧺 Picnic lunch
…and more!

📅 The weekend schedule is live, with more events and updates being added as they’re confirmed.

📝 Registration is open through October 9! Tickets are required, and adult picnic tickets will increase for walk-in registrations.

🔗 Learn more and register: drew.edu/university-advancement/events/rangers-reunite

We can’t wait to see you back on campus this October! 💙💚🐻

09/15/2026

Stroman will make multiple classroom visits and discuss her career at a public October 8 event

09/14/2026

Drew University President Hilary Link has been named to NJBIZ's 2026 Power Players List for Education list!

More: https://drew.edu/2026/09/14/drew-university-president-hilary-link-named-to-njbiz-2026-power-players-list-for-education/

Head of the class 🎓️ Meet the 2026 NJBIZ Education Power List honorees! These professionals are conducting vital research and training New Jersey's next generation of leaders. https://njbiz.com/2026-njbiz-education-power-list/