Class Notes Fall 2015
Members of the Class of 1965 gathering for its reunion in June 2015 included, left to right: (bottom row) J. Donald Lynne, Thomas Fischer, Eleanor “Ginger” (Barbari) Hobart, Michelene (Ricotta) Pucci, Arlene (West) LoGuidice and Susan (Summerlee) Persch; (second row) Ronald Duschenchuk and Richard LoGuidice; (third row) Roger Quinn, Philip Dusenbury, Janet (Mulkin) Vandette, Margaret (Thomas) Henssler and Marjorie (Karl) Geise; (fourth row) Martin Zavadil, Michael Hobart, Charles Ohlinger, Carol Hornung and Kenneth Reid; and (top row) Burt Dunlap, Bruce Hampshire and William Geiben.
1960s
Dottie Rexford, ’60, (elem. ed.) received first place in the 22nd annual Writer’s Digest self-published book awards in the inspirational category. Her latest book, “Cora Pooler,” is a story of a young Amish woman who was shunned from her community after she’d adandoned a newborn child.
Leonard Gregorio, ’64, (elem. ed.) retired to North Carolina after 48 years of teaching and counseling at Suffolk Community College.
Bruce Woods, ’69, (English) will have his book, “Royal Blood,” published by Knox Robinson Press of London, on Oct. 17. The novel is the first in a three-book series. More information is available at: http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/
Phil Zimmer, ’69, (history) was instrumental in bringing historian Stan Weintraub to Fredonia last fall to speak to a history class about the Christmas Truce of 1914. Dr. Weintraub’s latest book, “A Christmas Far From Home,” was dedicated to Mr. Zimmer for his assistance in locating and interviewing Korean War veterans for the book.
1970s
Michon Stuart, ’70, (elem. ed.) received the School Board U Recognition Program Board Achievement Award from the New York State School Boards Association. He taught in the Vestal School system from 1970 until he retired in 2003. He now serves as president of the Vestal Board of Education.
The Jamestown Community College Alumni Association welcomed three new members to its board:
John Bauer, ’73 (sociology); Matt Kindberg, ’07, ’10 (soc. stds./adol. ed., literacy); and Juanita Rublee, ’95 (bus. admin.).
Thomas Ellison and John Cooley, ’73, (music ed.) appeared in “Luck Be A Lady” in May at the Asolo Repertory Theater in Sarasota, Fla. As part of the six-member band on stage during the entire performance, John comprised the brass section and Tom, the woodwind section. Both alumni will be performing again at the Asolo during the run of “West Side Story” in November and December.
Irene (Reynolds) Guerriero, ’73, (music ed.) and her husband Fred Guerriero, ’71, (biology) are retired and enjoying a new granddaughter.
Rhea (Godemann) Webb, ’73, (speech and hearing hand.) retired from Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) as a speech therapist after a career that began in 1973. Her husband retired in 2014 and their twin grandsons were born the day after he retired. Their future plans include traveling and spoiling their grandchildren.
Mary McDonnell, ’74, (theatre), was featured in a production of Anton Chekov’s, “The Cherry Orchard,” at the People’s Light Theatre in Malvern, Pa. A Philadelphia Fredonia alumni and friends brunch was held prior to the Feb. 22 performance.
George Naumann, ’74, (chem.) retired after 40 years of teaching high school in Westchester and undergraduates at SUNY New Paltz.
John Vecchio, ’74, (elem. ed.) was appointed Relationship Manager and Major Gift Officer in the Advancement Services Division at The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.
Dr. Robert Spitzer, ’75, (pol. sci.) is the author of a new book, “Guns across America: Reconciling Gun Rules and Rights,” published by Oxford University Press. Spitzer argues that the all-to-familiar narrative of America’s gun past is not only mythologized, but wrong. Within the volume, he examines the Second Amendment, the assault weapons controversy, “stand your ground” laws and the “right of rebellion.” Spitzer is a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at SUNY Cortland. He is the author of 15 books, including five on gun policy.
Terrie (Benson) Murray, ’76, (pol. sci.) was elected recording secretary of the Philanthropic Education Organization’s local Chapter CM for a two-year term.
Bud Carpenter, ’79, (elem. ed.) serves as the Buffalo Bills’ head athletic trainer. He and the training staff received the NFL’s Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award for 2014 from the Pro Football Athletic Trainer’s Society and the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation. Bud is a 30-year veteran of the Bills.
1980s
Business First’s 2015 25 Teachers of Merit include three Fredonia alums: Cheryl (Hanney) Beichner, ’80 (elem. ed.); Amy (Trisket) Caldwell, ’89, ’93 (elem. ed., reading); and Marnie Kozielski, ’90 (Spanish/sec. ed.).
Ellen (Owen) Ditonto, ’80, (English) was named executive director of the Faculty Student Association at Jamestown Community College.
James Knapp, ’80, (music ed.) is the Artistic Director of the Rocky Mountain Arts Association, a non-profit choral organization of over 300 singers in three different choruses. In addition, he adjudicates regularly, teaches private voice and presents choral workshops throughout the U.S. He lives in Denver, Colo. with his partner of 13 years in the beautiful Rockies.
Curt King, ’82, (special studies) is the Chief Information Officer for the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Michael Riegel, ’82, (psych., coop. eng.) has been promoted to Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer at Belmont Housing Resources for WNY.
John DeTolla, ’83, (commun.) received a Sports Emmy Award for his work as a Digital Replay Operator with NBC Sports for it’s coverage of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. It is his sixth Emmy won with the network.
Greg Meadows, ’84, (arts) has been appointed Creative Director at Telesco Creative Group in Tonawanda.
James Duckham, ’85, (pol. sci.) has been selected as the Director of Public Safety at Ball State University.
Dan Meyers, ’85, (commun.) is the Marketing and Promotions Director at WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, N.Y.
Numa Saisselin, ’85, (music ed.) is the President of the historic Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Fla. In 2013 and 2014, the venue was one of the concert industry trade journal Pollstar Magazine’s Top 100 concert venues in the country, as ranked by attendance.
Mark Simshauser, ’85, (commun.) was hired as Northeastern Region Manager at Triumph Commercial Finance.
Lisa Brigantino, ’86, (music theory) released a new Christmas song, “It’s Christmastime,” available from iTunes.
Wendy (Corsi) Staub, ’86, (English) returned to Fredonia’s University Commons to sign the third and final installment of her social networking thriller series. A New York Times bestselling author of more than 80 books, Wendy also recently visited Toronto for the on-location TV shoot of her novel, “Hello, It’s Me,” airing in September as a Hallmark channel movie, starring Kellie Martin. She’ll be back on campus this fall to promote two new novels, “Blood Red,” the launch title for “Mundy’s Landing,” a suspense trilogy coming from Harpercollins, and “Nine Lives,” the launch title for “Lily Dale,” a mystery series published by Crooked Lane.
John Eichner, ’87, (account.) was hired as Director of Finance at TLC Health Network.
David Wentland, ’87, (bus. admin.) was appointed Vice President at NOCO Fuels division.
Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, ’87, ’93, (English) who is a professor of African and African American Studies at Duke University and author of “New Black Man,” was one of three guest panelists on a June broadcast of “On Point,” heard on National Public Radio. “Race and Hate and Guns Still Haunt Us,” was the title of that edition of the program, and dealt with the aftermath of the shooting of nine African Americans at a Bible study in a South Carolina church.
Lon Knappenberger, ’88, (biology) received the New York State School Music Association’s (NYSSMA) Distinguished Service award at the New York State School Music Association’s annual winter conference.
Dr. Thomas Millioto, ’88, (music perf.) has joined Brown Harris Stevens as a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in Brooklyn.
Allen Pisani, ’88, (commun.) works for News12 Long Island.
Tammy (Marren) Hyzy, ’89, (bus. admin.) was promoted to Administrative Vice President at M&T Bank.
Marilyn Niebauer-Smith, ’89, (reading) has published an autobiography, “The Heart Remembers Home,” available on Lulu.com and Amazon.
David Zeplowitz, ’89, (account.) was named General Manager at Hyatt Place Buffalo/Amherst.
1990s
David Howard, ’90, (theatre) has been a member of the theatre department at The University of Rhode Island since 1998 and recently received a promotion from Associate to Full Professor. He is a company member of the Sandra Feinstein GAMM Theatre in Pawtucket, R.I., where he designs scenery and costumes.
Susan (Herbst) Soto, ’90, (elem. ed.) was named as one of Houston’s Top Lawyers in the May 2015 issue of
H Texas magazine. Through client and peer nominations, the publication finalized the list of honorees after what it termed “rigorous background checks.” Soto is the only lawyer listed in the “School Law – Education” category on this year’s list.
Beverly Sutton, ’91, (econ.) was promoted to Vice President of Banking Operations and Enterprise Risk Management at Lake Shore Savings Bank.
Mark Washo, ’91, (bus. admin.) was hired as a Team Manager for Celebrity Cruises in Washington, D.C.
Michael Conroy, ’92, (bus. admin.) joined M&T Insurance Agency as Administrative Vice President and Director of Group Benefits.
Joseph La Manna, ’92, (English) is a third grade teacher at Albany Avenue School in Lindenhurst and just received the PTA Teacher of the Year Award.
Dr. Thomas Quartroche, ’92, (bus. admin.) was named President of the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC).
Karen (Madej) Russ, ’92, (history) has been appointed to the Depository Library Council at the U.S. Government Publishing Office. Karen is currently a Research and Community Outreach Librarian/Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Dr. Monique (Robichaud) Drucker, ’93, (psych.) has been promoted to Vice President and Dean of Students at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.
Christina (Ponticello) Orsi, ’93, (pol. sci.) has been named Associate Vice President for Economic Development at the University of Buffalo.
Christopher Schoepflin, ’93, (bus. admin.) has been named Regional Director of Empire State Development Corp.
Carrie (Sprague) Whitcher, ’94, (health serv. admin.) was promoted to Vice President Clinical Quality at Excellus Health plans.
Daniel Ljiljanich, ’95, (soc. stds./sec. ed.) was hired as Superintendent for Niagara Wheatfield School District.
Eileen Messana, ’95, (account.) has been hired as the Director of National Client Services for ProNexus, LLC.
Jeff Woodard, ’95, (commun.) is the News Director at WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, N.Y.
Jennifer (Ryan) Herrmann, ’96, (psych.) was appointed to Assistant Dean of New Students at Canisus College.
Jamie Lissow, ’96, (math) is headlining at the Laugh Factory at the New Tropicana Resort on the Las Vegas strip in Nevada.
Marc McClure, ’96, (bus. admin.) was promoted to Vice President of Field Sales, Eastern U.S. at Tech Data Corporation.
Sean Quinn, ’96, (bus. admin.) was promoted to Administrative Vice President at M&T Bank.
Stacy (Kraus) McDonald, ’97, (pol. sci.) is serving as the treasurer for the Northeast Greek Leadership Association, overseeing programming and development for fraternity/sorority members in the northeast.
Melanie (Honan) Morse, ’97, (elem. ed.) published her first book, “seymourandhau,” available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.
Brad Preston, ’97, (bus. admin.) is the owner of Advanced Event Systems LLC and has developed an event management system for scheduling, registration and hotel management for the business end of travel volleyball tournaments through its website at https://www.advancedeventsystems.com/splash.aspx.
Jeff Russo, ’97, (commun.) has been named news anchor for WKBW Channel 7 News in Buffalo.
Charlie Post, ’98, (sound rec. tech.) was named the Audio Engineer for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In this new position, he records concert performances and edits and mixes the CSO Radio Broadcast. He will still continue with his seasonal job as Chief Engineer at the Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Lenox, Mass.
Randy Mallaber, ’99, (pol. sci.) was named associate attorney at HoganWillig law firm.
Scott Niebauer, ’99, (music ed.) has published a book, “How to be a Successful Regional Performing Musician,” available on Lulu.com or Amazon.
2000s
Marcus Goldhaber, ’00, (mus. theatre) performed at the Metropolitan Room for a special holiday edition of Laurie Krauz’s Jazz Soup, “Be Careful - Contents May Be Hot!” Marcus also just released his latest cd, “A Lovely Way to Spend An Evening,” (Fallen Apple/The Orchard) which premiered on “Jazz After Hours” on public radio.
Eric Hohenstein, ’00, (English) was promoted to Chief Internal Auditor for Lake Shore Savings Bank.
Ben Kirst, ’00, (English) was promoted to Director of Content Marketing at Quinlan and Co. in Amherst, N.Y.
Jim Briggs, ’01, (sound rec. tech.) joined the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) as Lead Sound Design Engineer for “Reveal,” CIR’s new investigative reporting radio show produced with PRX. He has worked for many of public radio’s finest programs and podcasts, including “Selected Shorts,” “Death, Sex & Money,” “The Longest Shortest Time,” NPR’s “Ask Me Another,” “Radiolab,” “Freakonomics Radio,” “Here’s the Thing” with Alec Baldwin and “Soundcheck.” He was part of the team that won the Dart Award for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma in 2012 for their work on WNYC’s hourlong documentary special “Living 9/11.” Jim has mixed, recorded and edited sound for film and television, including ITVS’ “Town Hall,” many episodes of PBS’ “American Experience,” and the mini-series “We Shall Remain” and “The Supreme Court.” As an educator, Briggs has taught sound, radio and music production courses at The New School since 2007. Jim, his wife Jenny Berggren, ’01, (interdis. stds.) and their two daughters recently moved to Berkeley, Calif.
Lindsey (Briggs) Williams, ’01, (media arts-theatre) just had her sixth anniversary of working her dream job as Foundation Manager for the Jim Hensen Foundation.
Elizabeth (Meder) Starks, ’02, ’07, (elem. ed.-Spanish, curric. and instruc.) has been recognized as an Exceptional Emergent Leader by the international organization, Child Care Exchange. She is now on the faculty of Jamestown Community College and she continues to serve as the Executive Director of Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center, the program she founded in 2006.
Jennifer VanLaeken, ’02, (commun.) is Director of Graduate Student Services for the University of Buffalo School of Nursing.
Brad Waldron, ’02, (bus. admin.-marketing) was promoted to the Western New York Senior Branch Manager for Liberty Mutual Insurance.
Kim Geis, ’02, (commun.-pub. rel.) a Traffic Manager with Pegula Sports and Entertainment, was recently selected as a Rising Star honoree by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western New York, recognizing and honoring her leadership, passion and commitment to her career and her community.
Christopher Babbage, ’03, ’07, (music ed.) is the Music Director/Conductor of the national tour of the Broadway musical, “Sister Act.”
Amy (Barrass) Beaulieu, ’03, (English) has been named Assistant Director of Alumni Communications at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va.
Mike Brown, ’06, (vis. arts/graphic design) has been promoted to Senior Art Director at SKM Group, a Buffalo-based marketing communications agency. He has been with SKM since 2008, originally hired as a graphic designer and most recently art director. Mike works in the agency’s Direct Marketing Center of Excellence. He lives in Hamburg, N.Y., with his wife and two children.
Blake Dawson, ’08, (media arts) compiled “Movin’ on Up: See Buffalo From Above,” an exhibit of drone photography, in June in conjunction with The Public, an alternative city newspaper. Dozens of his photographs of the city, many taken from 400 feet in the air, were featured.
Alexandra Orchard, ’08, (biochem.) joined Cal State Fullerton as an Assistant Professor of chemistry and biochemstry. Her research focuses on developing drugs to treat viruses, and on mentoring students.
CPA Amanda Ornowski, ’08, (psych.) was promoted to Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP in Amherst, N.Y. Amanda joined the firm in 2008.
Briana Popek, ’08, (interdisc. stds.) was hired by Via Evaluation as a Grant Writer.
Christopher Reybrouck, ’08, (English) was promoted to Director of Development at Evergreen Health Services in Buffalo.
Ramona Abrahams, ’09, ’13, (music ed.) had an article, “Benefits of Participating in Instrumental Community Music: Perspectives of Younger Adults,” published in the April 2015 New York State School Music Association’s School Music News Journal. Her article was based on her master’s degree research project, a survey investigating younger adults’ perceptions of their experiences participating in community instrumental ensembles.
Katie (Hite) Sard, ’09, ’10 (biology, adol. sci. ed.) was chosen to join NASA’s global education team as a Master Teacher through the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) program. She is one of just 25 GPM Master Teachers in the world and a teacher in the Lincoln County School District in Newport, Ore.
2010s
Bryan Hodgson, ’10, (sport mgmt.) was hired as an Assistant Basketball Coach for the University of Buffalo.
Alexandria Lugo, ’10, (psych.) was hired as an Associate Attorney by Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in Rochester, N.Y.
Melissa Widzinski, ’10, (sound rec. tech., music perf.) accepted a new position as an Audio Preservation Engineer as a part of the Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative at Indiana University.
Megan Carroll, ’11, (social work) joined the Peace Corps Health Volunteers and works in a health center in southwestern Uganda, where she focuses on maternal and child health education and supervises a rain water collection project.
Jack Weigle, ’12, (bus. admin.-finance) was hired as a performance analyst at Lodestone Banking in Jamesville, N.Y.
Lisa Carlson, ’13, (English) finished her Master of Library Science program at the University at Buffalo, and was hired as the new School Library Media Specialist at Sherman Central School in Chautauqua County.
Brent Titus, ’13, (account.) joined Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP as a Staff Accountant.
Amanda Bottoms, ’14, (music perf.) participated in the Buffalo/Toronto district division of the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions.
Larissa Garofola, ’14, (bus. admin.-finance) was hired as an Employee Benefits Service Representative for Niagara National Insurance.
Grace Gerass, ’14, (commun.-pub.rel.) has been hired at Quinlan and Co. as a Digital Content Coordinator.
Holli Morrison, ’14, (account.) was hired as a Staff Accountant at Johnson, Mackowiak & Associates, LLP.
Faculty/Emeritus
Dr. Robert Heichberger (Education) is the author of a new book, “Treasured Gilt-Edged Memories with Today’s Reflections,” based on his precious memories of years past. It was released by Xulon Publishers and proceeds from the book will go to the Wounded Warriors Fund and to Shriners Hospitals for Children. He was honored in May by the Fredonia College Foundation with its Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Kevin Kearns (Engagement and Economic Development) was named to the board of directors for Insyte Consulting.
Daniel O’Rourke (Human Resources) is the author of the new book, “The Very Last Word,” a compilation of columns he wrote for the Dunkirk Observer. It was published by
i-Universe and is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.
Births
A daughter, Sophia Diane, to Dale, ’07, ’09, (biology, adol. sci. ed.) and Jessica (Suraf) LaChausse, ’08, ’10, (speech lang. disab., speech – lang. path.) in 2012, and a son, Trevor Dale, in 2014.
Marriages
Allen Pisani, ’88, (commun.) to Nancy Leib.
Janice Wittig, ’88, (sound rec. tech.) to Benjamin Luce, ’89 (physics).
Lindsey Briggs, ’01, (media arts-theatre) to Chad Williams, ’03 (media arts).
Deaths
Marian (Lundberg) Congdon,
Class of 1930
Telleta (Bourne) Atwell,
Class of 1931
Antoinette (Barlow) Harris,
Class of 1938
Nellie (Bassinger) Kasbohm,
Class of 1939
Aurelia (Muresan) Holloway,
Class of 1939
Ruth E. (Isaacson) Ostrander,
Class of 1939
Ellen J. (Talbot) Neamon,
Class of 1940
Donna (Cooper) Dort Miller,
Class of 1944
Julius Sherwood Dunham,
Class of 1946
Rita M. Fisher,
Class of 1949
Joanne C. (Huntley) Cave,
Class of 1950
Joseph A. Delpopolo,
Class of 1950
C. Glenn Goodrich,
Class of 1950
Beatrice (Greenwald) Rininger,
Class of 1950
Donna (Sharrow) Young,
Class of 1950
Helen Johnson,
Class of 1952
LaVergne McMurray,
Class of 1952
Walter S. Proper,
Class of 1952
Sheila (Callahan) Boston,
Class of 1953
Frank Doino,
Class of 1953
Erwin L. Knowlton,
Class of 1953
Salvatore “Sal” Randazzo,
Class of 1953
Elaine M. (Donner) Bird,
Class of 1954
Mary Helen (Rutherford) Kilpatrick, Class of 1954
Mildred (Lindsey) Peterson,
Class of 1954
Virginia (Pino) Barone,
Class of 1956
Shirley (Elwell) Cuff,
Class of 1956
Devere “Tom” McCann,
Class of 1956
Lucille J. (Crino) Newell,
Class of 1956
Frank J. Sacco,
Class of 1957
Peter Hasselriis,
Class of 1958
Thelma (Floyd) Seaburg,
Class of 1958
Charles R. Hawkins,
Class of 1960
Robert F. Yacano,
Class of 1960
Dr. Thomas J. Quatroche Sr.,
Class of 1961
Maria G. (Cappella) Stewart,
Class of 1962
Arthur F. Clever II,
Class of 1965
Kay (Congdon) Panek,
Class of 1968
Joseph Spereno,
Class of 1968
Jack C. Easton,
Class of 1970
Bruce “David” Ullem,
Class of 1970
Gail E. (Andrews) DeDee,
Class of 1971
Peter Aleksandrowicz,
Class of 1972
Marjorie J. (Gadra) Clement,
Class of 1972
Carolyn M. (McNamar) Hull,
Class of 1972
Natalie (Kraft) French,
Class of 1973
Elizabeth (Britton) Zakowicz,
Class of 1973
Carl A. Faso,
Class of 1974
Deborah J. (Kling) Boyer Graff,
Class of 1975
James K. Nealer,
Class of 1975
Barbara J. Settzo,
Class of 1975
Mark S. Sheline,
Class of 1975
Timothy C. Guinnane,
Class of 1976
Eleanor E. Magner,
Class of 1976
Donna Marie (Allen) Finn,
Class of 1977
John J. Bobay,
Class of 1978
Katrina “Tina” (Hinderer) Fisher,
Class of 1979
Hazel L. (Engdahl) Conti,
Class of 1982
David Donlon,
Class of 1983
Michelle A. Lindsley,
Class of 1985
Janet B. (Gassner) Burns,
Class of 1990
Kevin R. Copperwheat,
Class of 1992
Douglas A. Medley,
Class of 1993
Christopher Carlson,
Class of 2000
Carrie A. Sprague,
Class of 2003
Amir Billups,
Class of 2013
Emeritus
Alvin B. Aubert,
English, 1970-1979
Dr. John E. Connelly,
Education; Coordinator, Hamburg Student Internship Program; Director, Reading Clinic, 1963-1993
Michael N. Grasso,
Chair, Physics; Director, Cooperative Engineering, 1959-1994
David C. Kasper,
Student Activities Director, 1969-1998
Dr. Philip Kumler,
Chair/Professor Chemistry,
1976-2006
Dr. John P. Malcolm*,
Director, Instructional Resources Center; Communication, 1963-1998
Dr. Daniel Roselle*,
History, 1950-1968
Dr. A. Cutler Silliman,
School of Music, 1949-1985
Dr. Alan H. Wheeler,
Dean for Educational Studies, 1988-1995
Faculty/Staff
Peter C. Galardo,
Facilities Services, 1974-1994
Barbara (Milani) Shalkowski, Secretary I, Student Affairs Office, 1973-1997
Nancy (Loup) Woleben,
Facilities Services, 1977-2007
Dr. Marvin C. Zastrow,
Mathematics/Mathematics and
Computer Science, 1964-1998
* Memorials may be directed to a scholarship established with the Fredonia College Foundation.
