Harcum College Honors Trustee & Alumni at Circle of Excellence Dinner

Harcum College celebrated the achievements of three community members during the Circle of Excellence Dinner held in Klein Hall on Friday, October 9. Presented during the evening were the Strauss Memorial Circle of Excellence Award and the Outstanding Alumna Award.

The Strauss Memorial Circle of Excellence Award celebrates Harcum College's most generous donors, specifically recognizing individuals who have contributed $50,000 or more. This year, the distinguished honoree was J. Michael McNamara. A dedicated community leader, McNamara has served on Harcum College’s Board of Trustees since 2012 and currently chairs its Development and Alumni Relations Committee. “Harcum has always stood for something important. It gives students the confidence to believe in themselves to go out and make a difference in the world. I’m excited about the lives of the students who will be changed in the future,” remarked McNamara during his acceptance speech.

He is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and business leader with more than 30 years of experience building and scaling organizations across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products. He was a founding executive of AmerisourceBergen (now Cencora), a Fortune 10 healthcare solutions company, and later served as CEO of Impact Health, a nationally recognized healthcare services platform. In 2023, McNamara and his wife, Constance, founded Impact Capital Partner, their family office focused on investing in and supporting innovative companies that improve healthcare, quality of life, and community well-being. McNamara brings a spirit of stewardship and partnership to his work with entrepreneurs and organizations. His nonprofit service also includes Eastern University, Young Life, the Timothy Foundation, and numerous local and global mission organizations. McNamara has been married for 47 years and is the proud parent of two daughters, two cherished sons-in-law, and six grandchildren. He and his wife are deeply committed to faith, service, mentorship, and investing in the next generation of leaders.

The Outstanding Alumna Award was presented to two graduates. This award recognizes a graduate for significant accomplishment and excellence in one or more of the following areas: professional practice, research, teaching, entrepreneurship, mentorship, or other activity that brings recognition to the College and the Alumni Association. Shawnté K. Christmas ‘09, a graduate of the Nursing Program, and Arisabel “Ari” Vasquez ‘14, a Fashion Design graduate were the recipients.

Shawnté Christmas built a 26-year career in perioperative care, beginning as a surgical technologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore before transferring to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. Her transition into nursing led her to earn an ASN from Harcum in 2009, while raising her family as a single mother. She later earned her BSN in 2018 and completed an MSN with Distinction in Executive Leadership in 2026, both from the University of Phoenix. Christmas’s experience as both a surgical technologist and registered nurse gives her a unique perspective on teamwork, patient safety, and surgical care. Since 2025, she has served as Service Line Coordinator for Education, mentoring and supporting nurses at every stage of their careers. She is passionate about professional growth and believes education is essential to strengthening individuals, families, and the surgical teams they serve. Christmas expressed her gratitude to Harcum during the awards ceremony, “There were 22 evening nursing spots the year I applied. Being offered that one seat made everything possible for me and my family. Thank you for taking a chance on me.”

Arisabel “Ari” Vasquez ‘14 is the founder, owner, and designer of Slay Everyday, a fashion brand known for distinctive evening wear and special-occasion designs. A proud native of North Philadelphia, she has spent 11 years building a career rooted in creativity, culture, and purpose. Inspired by her Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage, her designs celebrate confidence, individuality, and self-expression. Vasquez is also an adjunct professor in Harcum’s Fashion Design Program, where she teaches Fashion History and mentors emerging designers. A proud mother of two sons, Ben and Banks, she is passionate about empowering others through fashion, education, mentorship, and community outreach. A survivor and advocate for women, she uses her experiences to inspire others to embrace their resilience, recognize their worth, and believe their past does not define their future. Through her work, Vasquez continues to be a powerful voice for empowerment, authenticity, and positive change. “I could never imagine what pouring so much into me would get me. Thanks to my Harcum professors, I have succeeded in my profession and am a teacher who leads with kindness.”

Harcum College proudly celebrates the achievements of its community by honoring individuals who embody the college’s enduring commitment to excellence, service, and leadership. Their stories illustrate the transformative power of being Harcum Ready. Graduates are equipped with the confidence, practical skills, and determination to make a meaningful difference in the world. Through hands-on learning, personalized support, and career-focused preparation, Harcum empowers students to realize their potential, achieve their goals, and create lasting impact in their communities.

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About Harcum College
Founded in 1915 as the first college in Pennsylvania to grant associate degrees, Harcum College is a private, residential college located on Philadelphia’s historic Main Line. A leader in career-focused education, Harcum provides students with outstanding preparation in 20+ in-demand programs, including Dental Hygiene, Early Childhood Education, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Veterinary Nursing. With a commitment to experiential learning and personalized support, Harcum empowers students to achieve their academic and professional goals. Courses are offered on-site at Harcum's Bryn Mawr campus and at regional partnership sites, as well as online.