2001 Distinguished Alumni Gallery Induction Banquet
Friday, May 4, 2001

   See more pictures from the event here.

New Inductees

Priscilla Bradley Rakestraw
Goldey-Beacom College, 1962

   A graduate of Goldey-Beacom College in 1962, Priscilla was elected in 1992 to public office as New Castle County Register in Chancery for Delaware's prestigious Court of Chancery.

   She was the first woman elected to this office. Prior to becoming an elected official, Priscilla was with the Agricultural Products Department of the Dupont Company. Priscilla joined Wilmington College in 1997 as Director of Business Development. She is extensively involved in local and national governmental activities, and as Delaware's Republican National Committeewoman since 1975, she has chaired local, state and national campaigns and events.

   A community-minded activist, Priscilla is well known for her fundraising activities on behalf of churches and charities including The Ministry of Caring, Neighborhood House, Goodwill Industries, and Rock Presbyterian Church. She chaired or co-chaired the 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 Emmanuel Dining Room Auctions and is co-chair of the 2001 Auction. She ca-chaired the fundraising program to completely restore the Old Swedes Churchyard and its historic gravestones. Priscilla has served on the board of Community Service, Inc., and the Wilmington Police Advisory Board. She is a board member for the William P. Frank Scholarship Fund, the Advisory Board of Delaware Greenways, and a member of the Executive Committee for the Ministry of Caring Guild. She was recently awarded the Ministry of Caring's 2001 Caring Bowl Award for her outstanding service on behalf of the poor and homeless. Priscilla lives in Wilmington.

Thomas G. Wintermantel
Goldey-Beacom College, 1984

   Many exemplary Goldey-Beacom students have attended classes while starting their professional careers. Tom is no exception. When "downsized" from his job in 1982, he decided to pursue a degree in accounting from Goldey-Beacom College. While attending morning and evening classes, he worked 25 hours a week as an intern, a post obtained through GBC's Career Services. In June 1984 he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and began his career in public accounting.

   Tom became a CPA in the State of Delaware in 1986. After graduation he started working at Simon, Master & Sidlow, P.A. and worked his way up to Supervisor in 1988. In 1991 he became the Tax Senior Manager with KPMG Peat Marwick. Today he is President and Trustee of the John W. Rollins Foundation, and Financial Vice President and Treasurer of John W. Rollins & Associates, Rollins Jamaica, Ltd., and Rose Hall Resort, Ltd., (Jamaican operations with overall responsibilities of the Rollin's business interests located in Montego Bay, Jamaica.) He is a member of the Delaware Society of CPA's, American Institute of CPA's, Wilmington Tax Group, Institute of Management Accountants, and Community Accountants, a non-profit tax assistant program.
A very active and committed leader in the community, Tom has been involved with the Goldey-Beacom Alumni Association since 1992 and is still very active in the Association. In 1993 he assumed the office of Treasurer, in 1995 he held the office of Vice President, and in 1997 he became President of the Association. Tom has also held leadership roles in the Caravel Farms Civic Association, is a member of Rotary International, and is a volunteer coach for the Delaware Special Olympics. He was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges in 1983 and 1984.

  Tom is married to Sheila who also attended Goldey-Beacom College. They have two daughters Jessica and Erika. Fred Wintermantel, Tom's father and Jack Wintermantel, his brother, also attended the college.

Rising Star Award 2001

Michael Cleary
Goldey-Beacom College, 1992

   A 1992 graduate with a B.S. in Marketing Management, Mike was already known for his drive and energy. He was elected President of Kappa Omega Pi, founded and served as President of Alpha Tau Omega, and earned the Jay W. Miller Award for contributions to campus life. Soon after, he began a remarkable entrepreneurial career in the travel industry.

  Before beginning his own firm, he served as Regional Sales Director and Director of Sales for Esprit Tours. In 1997, he joined Expert Travel Associates, producing a 17% sales growth and in 1998 he purchased the firm which specialized in bulk-rate ski package tours. He reorganized the company and renamed it Sport Quest, doubling the sales in one year. In 1999, he sold his interest to Lynx Vacations, where he remains a part-owner and general manager with sales of $27 million. In June, he will have completed his contract with Lynx, and has begun plans for several land development projects.

   Michael remains committed to his community, involved in fundraising for cancer programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, the Bernier Charity Golf Tournament and Youth Enrichment Services of Boston.

   He currently lives just outside of Boston in New Castle, New Hampshire, with his wife and daughter. He is a native Delawarean, attending St. Marks High School and growing up near New Castle, Delaware.