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Notable Alumni

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Gianna Yanelli

CLASS OF 2006

Gianna Yanelli is a graduate of Merion Mercy and received her BFA from Texas State University in San Marcos. Gianna has now gained stardom, appearing on Broadway as a member of the cast of the highly acclaimed musical, "Mean Girls". The show received 12 Tony nominations in 2018, where Gianna performed live at the broadcast. 

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Regine Nehy

CLASS OF 2002

Regine Nehy is an American film and television actress. She has appeared in “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Weapons,” “Pride,” “Super Sweet 16: The Movie” and “Boot Camp.” Her movie appearances include “Lakeview Terrace” and “Death at a Funeral.” Before she began acting, Nehy danced with the Rock School for Dance Education.

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Rob McElhenney

CLASS OF 1991

Rob McElhenney, is best known as the lead actor, creator, developer, and executive producer of the show, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia." After graduating from Waldron Mercy, McElhenney attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory School. 

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M. Night Shyamalan

CLASS OF 1984

M. Night Shyamalan's work as a filmmaker and screenwriter is world-renowned for such films as “Signs,” “The Happening,” “Unbreakable” and the Academy Award-nominated “The Sixth Sense.” After graduating from WMA, he attended The Episcopal Academy and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. His first movie, Wide Awake, was partially filmed on campus!

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Brian Tierney

CLASS OF 1971

Brian Tierney is CEO of Brian Communications, which founded in 2010. He previously created Tierney Communications, served as CEO and publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer, and worked for the Ronald Reagan administration and George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential election campaign. He graduated from The University of Pennsylvania in 1979, majoring in political science, and later earned a law degree of Widener University. 

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Jack Tomarchio

CLASS OF 1969

Jack Tomarchio served in the United States Department of Homeland Security between 2005 and 2008 as Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis Operation. There, he led the State and Local Program Office within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis and was responsible for overseeing deployment of intelligence officers to over 35 state and local intelligence fusion centers around the nation.  Jack served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.  For three years he also served as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict in the Pentagon.  Jack has a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College, a Master of Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, a J.D. from Vermont Law School, and a B.A. from the Pennsylvania State University.  He is a retired Colonel in the US Army Reserve, having had a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Operation DESERT STORM and in Greneda during Operation URGENT FURY. Jack has provided numerous lectures, presentation, and articles on topics related to security and intelligence operations.

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Bill Kuharich

CLASS OF 1967

Bill Kuharic is widely esteemed as one the NFL’s best evaluators of talent. He the former Executive Chief of Staff for the Cleveland Browns, the former Vice President of Player Personnel with the Kansas City Chiefs, and the former President/GM and COO of the New Orlean Saints. After attending Waldron Academy Bill went on to study at Malvern Preparatory School and Deerfield Academy. He received his BA in History from Middlebury College in Vermont and his MEd from St. Lawrence University. 

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B. Paul Cotter

CLASS OF 1951

B. Paul “Tony” Cotter is the former Chief Judge of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Tony served in that role for 19 years and headed up a fascinating science court that put law and science on an equal footing. In 1996, he started the Common Law Judiciary Conference with the help of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and the International Organization for Judicial Training, a 75 country organization created by Justice Shlomo Levin, Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Israel. 

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Edgar Griffiths

CLASS OF 1935

Edward Griffiths led Radio Corporation of America (the dominant electronics and communications firm in the United States for over 50 years) as the President, CEO, and later as a chairman. He finished his career consulting at General Electric. He is also a veteran who served in World War II. Griffiths passed away in May 2009 and bequeathed $1.85 million to Waldron Mercy Academy.

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Philip A. Hart

CLASS OF 1926

Philip Hart was elected Democratic United States Senator in Michigan in 1958, and served from 1959 until his death in 1976. The Senate paid tribute to Philip Hart by naming an office building, under construction, in his honor in 1976. The Hart Senate Office Building opened in 1982, becoming the only congressional office building named after a living member. 

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