Wilmington College unveiled its digital Business Wall of Fame after inducting the initial six members on Oct. 15. All are WC alumni; they include Cody Arnett, Class of 2011, Timothy A. Buren ’83, Renee LaPine ’95, William Shoecraft ’79, Robert Touchton ’65 and Julie Prince Weber ’99.
“These individuals have distinguished themselves in their respective fields, and they’ve brought honor to Wilmington College,” said Angela Mitchell, professor of business and associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty.
Cody Arnnett is the founder and CEO of Polaris Counseling Group, an endeavor that has combined his interest in understanding people and building organizations that help them thrive. Before becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, he spent more than a decade in corporate leadership at Tesla and Salesforce, working in performance coaching, employee development and sales enablement.
“Wilmington College changed my life,” Arnett said, recalling how Economics Professor Steve Szeghi’s class “opened my view of the world.”
Timothy A. Bruen is an entrepreneur who started two companies and is respected for his expertise in the insurance industry. He is president and chairman of the Board of Secured Advantage, a company he founded in 2014 that has evolved into a regional network of more than 85 independent insurance agencies. Also, he chairs the Board of The Buren Insurance Group, an independent property, casualty, life and health insurance agency.
Also, Buren is a member of the College’s Board of Trustees and his vision and support led to the establishment of the Buren Center for Business in WC’s Bailey Hall. He looks back on a Wilmington College that believed in him and his abilities while a student, which he claims fostered his interest in numerous philanthropic endeavors. “I enjoy giving back,” he said.
Renee LaPine is the president and CEO of Ferno, a leading global manufacturer of patient transportation and ancillary equipment used in emergency medical services. Headquartered in Wilmington, Ferno also has locations in Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Japan and several European nations.
A former member of the College’s Board of Trustees, LaPine started her business career before enrolling in WC’s Evening College program and earning her degree while being employed full-time as a working wife and mother. She fondly recalls taking an especially impactful religion course with T. Canby Jones late in his teaching career. The class visited numerous churches in southwest Ohio, gaining knowledge of different cultures and religious practices. Decades later, that experience continues to be insightful as Ferno has expanded its operations beyond the borders of the United States.
“I love Wilmington College and I love the spirit I feel when I’m here — it’s refreshing to feel the energy here.”
William Shoecraft, entrepreneur, educator and philanthropist, holds the “simple yet powerful” belief that, “When people are given the opportunity to learn, grow and believe in themselves, they can accomplish extraordinary things.” After starting his career with Standard Register and as a franchisee with Personal Computer Rental, he founded Did You Know Publishing in 1991. It began with his passion for providing his children with books celebrating African American contributions throughout history. Today, as company president and CEO, his work encompasses leadership development, cultural competency, soft skills, financial literacy and the responsible use of artificial intelligence for teaching and learning. He also co-founded The Co-Lab Group, a real estate intelligence firm.
“The value of doing for others is the place I find myself in,” Shoecraft said, noting much of his success can be traced to persons who have positively impacted his life. “People invested in me. Now, I have a responsibility to invest in others. I can’t give back to them, but I can give forward.”
After Robert Touchton retired as a federal administrative law judge in 2005, he agreed to teach a business law course at Wilmington College, something he continued to do for some 13 years while, concurrently and at various times, serving on the College’s Alumni Council, as interim vice president for advancement and on the Board of Trustees, including six years as chair. He said his years as a professor allowed him to interact with faculty, staff and, “most importantly,” students. “This helped me, as a Board member, to better understand the dynamics of the College,” he said. “It gave me a broader perspective into the decisions we had to make. But the best thing about being a professor was interacting with, tutoring, mentoring and just getting to know students on a personal level, discussing their aspirations and, in a small way, helping them toward their goals.” He especially enjoyed his role as Board chair when he congratulated every graduate upon receiving their diplomas. “I’ve run a law office and have been a federal judge, but the most enjoyable job I had was teaching business law at Wilmington College.”
Indeed, it was WC’s personal touch that first attracted the Philadelphia native after he told his parents he wanted to go to college outside of Pennsylvania. “I applied to three schools and received a handwritten note from Wilmington College that read, ‘Looking forward to seeing you in the fall!’”
Julie Prince Weber started her career as a public accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers before becoming assistant controller at Lipson Alport Glass & Associates. Soon, she was recruited to work at COHO Creative, a newly formed graphic design company. She spent 20 years there, advancing from controller to CFO/director. Weber joined as a partner at COHO in 2010 and remained until early 2026, after she and her partners sold the business. In 2015, she opened TAG Online Boutique, selling women’s clothing, shoes and accessories.
Weber noted that her father, Vinny Prince, was a longtime history professor at WC, so she enrolled, uncertain if coming to WC was in her best interest. “I soon found Wilmington College to be a special, wonderful place,” she said. “My experiences here gave me the skills and confidence that anything is possible.”
The Business Wall of Fame is in the lobby of the Buren Center for Business in Bailey Hall. It is also available to view online at https://wcburencenter.touchpros.com/Home1
TOP PHOTO: Business Wall of Fame inductees picture from the left are: Tim Buren, Bob Touchton, Renee LaPine, William Shoecraft, Cody Arnett and Julie Prince Weber.