2006, the university established a new charter school near the Chester campus to serve local residents from kindergarten to grade 5. Named the Widener Partnership Charter School, the school utilizes the university's programs in education, social work, nursing, and clinical psychology. This collaboration involves the participation of Widener faculty and students to not only provide educational support but also provide additional assistance outside of school through counseling and health services. Classes in the charter school started in September 2006, enrolling 50 students in both kindergarten and grade 1. The school continued to add a new grade each year until grade 8 had been reached, surpassing the initial expectations of the project. Chester revitalization project A $50 million revitalization project was started in 2007. The project, named University Crossings, included the addition of a hotel, bookstore, coffee shop, restaurant, and apartments. The project is expected to have an overall economic impact of $1 million to Chester, as well as creating 100 new jobs. In 2017, Widener University purchased the Taylor Memorial Arboretum in Nether Providence Township about 1 mile north of the Chester campus. The university purchased the site from BNY Mellon bank and plans to use the nature reserve for research and hands-on learning opportunities for citizen science projects. Notable alumni As of 2011, there were 59,018 total living alumni. Benjamin P. Ablao, Jr., independent filmmaker and actor Dawn Marie Addiego, New Jersey state senator (2010-2022) Richard Alloway, Pennsylvania state senator (2006-2019) Jesse Matlack Baker, Pennsylvania State Representative for Delaware County (1889-1892), Pennsylvania State Senator for the 9th district (1893-1897) Peter J. Barnes III, New Jersey Superior Court judge; former state senator Truxtun Beale, diplomat Aimee Belgard, New Jersey superior court judge Dan Borislow, entrepreneur and sports team owner David J. Brightbill, Pennsylvania state senator from 1982 to 2006 Chris A. Brown, New Jersey state senator Michael A. Brown, member of the Council of the District of Columbia Irving J. Carr, U.S. Army Major General John H. Carrington, North Carolina state senator (1995-2005) Frederick J. Chiaventone, US Army '73, Lieutenant Colonel, historian, award-winning novelist, screenwriter Mark B. Cohen,member, Pennsylvania General Assembly (1974-2016) Clarence C. Combs, Jr., polo player Carolyn Comitta, member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, first female Mayor of West Chester, Pennsylvania, member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2017-2020) Drew Crompton, political consultant William J. Crow, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1947-1949) Bryan Cutler, member of the