Wayne Curtis (Curt) Weldon was born the youngest of 9 children (7 boys/2 girls) to Stephen Woodrow Weldon and Catherine Calendar Jones. Curt’s father worked is entire life in the American Viscose Plant (later FMC) where was first produced and was extremely active in one of two local volunteer fire companies (Viscose Fire Department). Serving as Chief Engineer in the Fire Department Curt’s father also served as an elected Member of the Marcus Hook Borough Council. Curt’s mother was devoted and very involved in the Marcus Hook Baptist Church where she taught in Sunday School and organized and led the youth group Pioneer Girls. Curt’s mother also worked part-time at the Crozer Chester Medical Center.
Curt attended the Marcus Hook Elementary School and Media High School (Rose-Tree/Media School District) where he was elected President of his Junior Class and President of the Student Council in his senior year. Curt was recognized as an Outstanding Student by the local Rotary Club and nominated to the Rotary District 745 ‘Tomorrow’s Leader’s Camp’ in 1964. In Curt’s senior year, students elected him “Mayor of Media” for student government day.
Nominated to the US Air Force Academy, Curt completed all mental and physical exams, but was not provided a waiver due to the Academy’s requirement of 20/20 uncorrected vision. Curt attended and graduated from West Chester University with a triple major in education, political science and was the first graduate of the newly created Russia Studies Program. Taking French and Russian in high school and at West Chester, Curt’s Russian professor Dusan Clumac (part-time US State Department) convinced Curt to take all the required courses (including 5 semesters of the Russian language) to become the first graduate of the new program.
Glumac initiated Curt’s interest in the Soviet Union and oppression of minorities and basic human rights and encouraged Curt to understand and get involved in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Shortly after the invasion, Curt’s parents drove him to his first visit to Washington, DC where he walked up to the Soviet Embassy on 16th Street (unannounced) and demanded a meeting with a Soviet Diplomat. Entering the Embassy Compound alone Curt received his first glimpse of the lies, deceit and human rights violations against the people of Czechoslovakia. Carrying books and propaganda from the Embassy, Curt returned to West Chester and presented Glumac and West Chester students with his findings as well as his report about his confrontation with Soviet Diplomats inside the Soviet Embassy.
During Curt’s time as West Chester University, he was involved in Student Government (IGA) as Co-President of his Class and Chairman of the Student Union Organization.
After graduation from West Chester University in 1969 Curt attended Cheyney University for graduate work in Education and received his Pennsylvania Teacher Certification from Cheyney. Curt went on to do graduate work at Temple University, St. Joseph’s University and Cabrini University.
In support of his volunteer fire service work, Curt enrolled in the newly created Delaware County Community College Fire Science Degree Program and became the first graduate the Fire Science Program. Curt was then asked by the College to develop course objectives and standards for each Fire Science Course to allow Life Experience Credits to be applied against course standards for graduation.
During Curt’s career, he was asked to serve as Commencement Speaker at West Chester University, Neumann University, Drexel University, Widener University, Delaware County Community College, Penn State Brandywine. Curt received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from West Chester University, Drexel University, Neumann University and Widener University.
Curt was named an Honorary Faculty Member of the Technical University of Budapest, Fudan University in Shanghai, Jilin University and inducted as a Member of Eurasian Economic Club of Scientists as well as a Member of Russian Federation Academy of Social Sciences.
Curt has lectured at the National Defense University in Beijing, Stanford University, Harvard University JFK School, Oxford University, Cambridge University, MGMO Diplomatic University, Lehigh University, University of Pennsylvania, Monterey Institute, University of Texas (Dallas), Columbia University, Georgetown University, American University, Cheyney University, George Washington University, Eastern University, NJIT, Rowan University, University of Maryland among others.
Curt is married to Mary Gallagher, RN/CDE who has worked for the Crozer Medical System her entire career. They have 5 children Karen Donaghy, Kristin Peri, Kim Piersig, Curt, Jr (deceased) and Andrew and 6 grandchildren. Curt and his family have owned 5 Dalmatians including Smokey (current).
