From the Alumni Association

Alumni Profiles:
Finding a relevant career in law  Alan Bennett '69 (CLAS)
Healing speaks volumes  Catherine (Otto) Montgomery '73 (CLAS)
Recognized as a researcher, teacher and caring nurse  Mikki Meadows-Oliver '06 Ph.D.

Also of Interest:
Lab partners for life
New top dog
Advising farmers in Iraq
2008 Alumni & Faculty Award Ceremony - October 24, 2008
Huskies brighten Connecticut Sun
Alumni Traveler
Alumni Weekend
In Memoriam

Log in to the Husky Alumni Network and submit your class notes information online.

Let your fellow UConn alumni know about the milestones in your life. You can keep them up to date by sending information and, if possible, a photograph, to Alumni News & Notes, University of Connecticut Alumni Association, Alumni Drive, Storrs, CT 06269; by fax to 860-486-2849; by e-mail to alumni-news@uconn.edu; or log in to the Husky Alumni Network and submit your information.

In his inaugural address, President Mike Hogan shared his vision of the University’s future and the work to be done in developing the next generation of leaders for our state, our nation and our world.

Using a theme of “strength through unity,” he called for collaboration across the University and acknowledged the efforts of former faculty, staff, students, legislators and donors for UConn’s amazing progress.

When I talk to alumni, it’s clear they share President Hogan’s pride in UConn’s past and anticipation of its future. Often, they want to know how to translate that pride into action that makes a difference for UConn. Mike Hogan’s theme of “strength through unity” seems a very fitting answer.

The power of alumni impact lies in the collective action of a large, talented pool of former students.

Individually, alumni have a single voice. When alumni gather together and become involved as a united group, your voice grows and the exponential impact on UConn’s future can be realized.

Groups of engaged alumni, working through the Alumni Association, can make a significant difference in determining UConn’s trajectory. It starts with the simple act of joining the Alumni Association.

Alumni membership enables the Association to work on behalf of all UConn alums in connecting alumni, supporting students and strengthening the University.

As members, the alumni are channeling individual efforts into collective action that benefits current and future graduates.

Alumni members will find many more ways, large and small, to make a difference for UConn. I invite you to learn more about how you can become part of our collective effort at uconnalumni.com.

While there, check out Mike Hogan’s full Inauguration address and learn more about his vision for UConn. There are 195,000 UConn alumni like you living around the world. Imagine the impact on your University if we can translate your pride into action. There is strength in our unity.

Lisa Lewis
Executive Director, UConn Alumni Association

Nathan Norkin ’39 (CLAS) served in the U.S. army during World War II as an engineer officer and was awarded the Bronze Star. He is married to Ethel Norkin ’80 (CLAS). 

Lab partners for life

Althea (Davis) Stadler ’38 (CLAS) married Richard Clapp ’39 (CLAS) on May 17, 2007. They met as lab partners at UConn and kept in touch throughout the years.

Carolyn Malone ’44 (CLAS) is settled in Connecticut after leaving Florida to travel the country with her husband in their motor home. 

Ina (Rude) Mish ’48 (CLAS) and Lawrence Mish ’49 (CANR) are involved in many hobbies and activities within their Buzzards Bay, Mass., community. They have been married 57 years and have four children and eight grandchildren. 

Sidney Grossman ’50 (BUS) is the chairman of the Public Employees Relations Commission in Delray Beach, Fla.

Carroll Abrams ’52 (ENG) is the author of Diverse Verse, a book of poetry released in October 2007 by iUniverse.

Robert A. Gardner ’52 (BUS) is the author of the book Digressions, published by AuthorHouse in December 2007.

Nathan Cervo ’54 (CLAS) is retired after teaching English for 50 years at institutions including Boston College, Louisiana State University and Franklin Pierce University. He is a published author whose most recent book, The Roman Poems, was released by Rat and Mole Press in 2002. He has lived in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire for 35 years.

Richard Kallerman ’55 (BUS) is transportation issues chair for the Texas state chapter of the Sierra Club and chairman of the board of directors of Save Our Springs Alliance, an organization dedicated to the protection of Texas’ Edwards Aquifer. He retired from IBM in 1989.

Joseph McGarvey ’55 (ENG) is self- employed as an aircraft engineer consultant after 25 years as a fatigue specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration. He has over 52 years of aircraft engineering experience. He lives with his wife in Glenview, Ill.

William LaRoue ’57 (ED) was named a 2008 Distinguished Advocate by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism in recognition of his efforts as head docent at the New London Custom House Maritime Museum.

Joseph R. Werner ’57 (CLAS) serves on the board of directors of the Academy For Lifelong Learning at Cape Cod Community College.

Donald Powers ’59 M.S. retired after nearly 50 years in the field of electron beam welding, contributing numerous technical papers and articles on the subject. He received the 1988 Honorary Membership Award from the American Welding Society and was selected as a Counselor of the American Welding Society in 2002.

John Severino ’59 (CLAS), past president of ABC and CBS television networks, is a media consultant to WeR1 World Network dealing with programming for Central China TV in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. His wife, Sally (Ingalls) ’59 (CLAS), is an artist and a volunteer caregiver at UCLA Children’s Hospital.

Robert R. Spillane ’59 M.A., ’67 Ph.D., vice president and executive director of the Center for Education at CNA Corp., received the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Neag School of Education. He previously served as superintendent of schools in Fairfax County, Va.; Boston, Mass.; New Rochelle, N.Y.; and Glassboro, N.J., and served as New York State Deputy Commissioner of Education for four years. He has taught and lectured at several universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Fordham and New York.

Lewis Turco ’59 (CLAS) is a poet and author whose work has been published in many anthologies and periodicals. He was a judge for the 2007 Founder’s Award of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies and the 2007 Charles Dickson Chapbook Contest of the Georgia Poetry Society.

Bruce Cagenello ’60 (CLAS), a commercial broker with Prudential Connecticut Realty, was named the UConn School of Business 2008 Center for Real Estate Individual Partner of the Year.

Dave Hills ’60 (ED), ’65 M.A. is a retired high school history teacher who served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He recently published his memoir and enjoys traveling, motorcycling and flying his airplane.

Donald Scott ’61 M.S.W. retired after a 46-year career in human services, including the last 16 years as the first president and CEO of Emerald Heights, a nationally recognized continuing care retirement community in Redmond, Wash.

Dom Armentano ’62 M.A. is the author of the books Antitrust and Monopoly and Antitrust: The Case for Repeal, both of which have recently been translated into Russian. He also writes op-eds on public policy for the Vero Beach, Fla., “Press Journal” and for lewrockwell.com.

Peter Nelson ’63 (SFA) retired from teaching art at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, Mass., and at the University of Connecticut Hartford and Storrs campuses. He still paints and continues to show his work.

Stanley Weisser ’63 (PHR), associate clinical professor of pharmacotherapy and outcomes sciences at the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy in Loma Linda, Calif., was appointed to the California State Board of Pharmacy in November 2007.

New Top Dog

There is a new top dog in UConn country: Jonathan XIII, a rambunctious, brilliant white Siberian Husky who was introduced during a men’s basketball game and at the annual spring football game. Jonathan XIII is hosted by a family in the Storrs area and will visit games in the care of students from Alpha Phi Omega, the co-ed service fraternity that has helped to care for the UConn mascot since the 1970s.

Photo by Peter Morenus

David Baldessari ’64 (BUS) is a global consulting engineer and customer program manager for Celestica Inc., after retiring as an engineer with Hewlett-Packard after 27 years.

Herb Bunnell ’64 (RHSA) retired after 30 years of service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

Martin Godgart ’64 Ph.D., professor emeritus of education at Manchester Community College, is a volunteer sergeant and training officer for parking enforcement specialists with the Boynton Beach, Fla., police department. He is a U.S. Navy veteran who served with a Mobile Construction Battalion (Seabees) overseas.

Jeremy Joyell ’64 (CLAS) is the author of A Lifetime Ago: Before the Death of Childhood, released in January 2008 by iUniverse.

James Lyons Sr. ’65 (ED), M.A. ’71, ’74 Ph.D. was appointed secretary of higher education in Maryland by Gov. Martin O’Malley. He previously served as president of California State University, Dominguez Hills.  

Thomas Bowler ’66 (ED), ’81 6th year presented a seminar on Risky Business: Gymnasiums, Playgrounds, Physical Education and Playing Fields–Calling in the Expert before the Gloucester County Bar Association in Sewell, N.J. 

Carolyn Schwab ’66 (CLAS) is a historian for the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Rhode Island.

David Salsburg ’66 Ph.D., an independent consultant and author of The Lady Tasting Tea: How Statistics Revolutionized Science in the Twentieth Century (W.H. Freeman & Co.), received the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UConn Department of Statistics. He was the first statistician hired by Pfizer Central Research and spent nearly 30 years at Pfizer. He is a fellow of the American Statistical Association and has received a lifetime achievement award from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturing Association.

Kumares Sinha ’66 M.S., ’69 Ph.D., Olson Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to the advancement of highway infrastructure engineering and management and to the education of transportation professionals worldwide. He has served for the past 12 years as the director of the Joint Transportation Research Program, a collaboration between Purdue and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

John Fagan ’67 M.S.W., ’80 M.B.A. retired from Hartford Hospital after a 37-year career, most recently as vice president. He is a volunteer with the Senior Corps of Retired Executives.

Mildred (Comrie) Holcomb ’68 M.A. is a member of the faculty in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at LeTourneau University’s Houston campus. She received her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in 2002 and retired from teaching public school after 38 years.

Diane Oglesby ’68 (NUR) received a doctorate in special education from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in May. She is senior projects associate for the National Association of State Directors of Special Education in Alexandria, Va., and lives in Woodbridge with her husband and three toy poodles.

Kathryn Scheirey ’68 (NUR) retired from Elm Hill Convalescent Home in Rocky Hill, Conn., after 28 years.  She married Edward Eichner in August 2006.

Matthew Stackpole ’68 (CLAS), former executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, is a major gifts officer at Mystic Seaport in Groton, Conn. He lives with his wife Martha year-round in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Sharon Sloane ’69 M.A. is president and CEO of WILL Interactive, Inc., in Potomac, Md., which has produced a program used in schools to educate students about the abuse of prescription drugs.

Robert Brandewie ’70 (CLAS) is senior vice president of identity and security solutions for Telos Corporation in Ashford, Va. He directs the company’s efforts to assist government organizations in effectively meeting increased security challenges.

Roland A. Patry ’70 (PHR), professor of pharmacy practice and chair of clinical practice and management in the department of pharmacy practice at Texas Tech University, received the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award in Academia from the UConn School of Pharmacy. He is a member of the advisory boards of International Pharmacy Abstracts, an indexed reference to worldwide pharmacy literature, and Becton Dickinson, a global medical technology company.

Alfred Towle ’70 (ENG) is assistant dean of graduate education at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He is a certified facilities manager, a certified plant engineer and a certified energy manager.

James Cohen ’71 J.D. is the president and CEO of the Valley Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. He previously was a partner in the Derby, Conn., law firm of Cohen and Thomas for 37 years.

Jim Walls ’71 (ENG) is the new vice president of product development for QuoNova, a company developing anti-bacterial biofilm technology in Melbourne, Fla. He previously served as vice president of business development for Bacterin International, Inc.

Mark Borderud ’72 (CLAS), an artist and photographer in Brooklyn, N.Y., teamed up with Lürzer’s ARCHIVE magazine for a t-shirt and direct- mail campaign.

Mark Lettes ’72 (BUS) has been appointed to the board of directors of Century Mining Corporation, with headquarters in Blaine, Wash. He is a financial consultant with nearly 20 years of industry experience in international natural resources. He previously held senior management positions at Apex Silver Mines as the senior vice president and CFO, and at Amax Gold Inc. as vice president of trading and treasury director.

Robert Makuch ’72 (CLAS), professor of biostatistics at the Yale University School of Public Health, received the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award from the UConn Department of Mathematics.

H. Fred Simons ’72 Ph.D., retired university administrator and pioneer in multicultural education, received the 2008 Lifetime Achievement the Award from the Neag School of Education.

Debra Glassman ’73 (BUS) is assistant director of development at the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. She most recently served as the organization’s director of women’s philanthropy.

Thomas Howarth ’73 (CLAS) is director of the Father McKenna Center at Saint Aloysius Church in Washington, D.C., which serves the poor and homeless.

Mark Roby ’73 (CLAS), ’78 Ph.D. is vice president of research and development at Salient Surgical Technologies in Dover, N.H., a medical device company. Before joining Salient, he was the chief operating officer of Promethean Surgical Devices, a development stage surgical products company.

Gary Wheeler ’73 (SFA), president of Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville, Mich., and Susan (Gruenwald) Wheeler ’74 (SFA), an exhibitor, designer and art professor, received the 2008 Alumni Award from the School of Fine Arts in recognition of their careers in education and art. They have co-authored numerous books including TypeSense: Making Sense of Type on the Computer, The Visual Design Primer and Drawing Conclusions: An Artist’s Guide to Adobe Illustrator.

Bob Kaufman ’74 (BUS), owner of Bob’s Discount Furniture stores, received the 2008 Biomedical Achievement Award from the American Red Cross at its National Convention in Baltimore, Md. The award is presented to a Red Cross volunteer who has cultivated innovative practices to reach the public and continue to collect blood from local volunteers.

Kevin P. Newman ’74 M.B.A., president of Kevin P. Newman Associates, LLC., was inducted into the UConn School of Business Hall of Fame.

Valory Ramsdell Omasta ’74 (ED), co-owner of Western CT Physical Therapy in Danbury, Conn., received the 2008 Outstanding Kinesiology Professional Award from the Neag School of Education.

Stephen Embry ’75 J.D., attorney at the Groton, Conn., law firm of Embry and Neusner, was inducted into the American Bar Association’s College of Workers’ Compensation Attorneys on March 29, 2008.

Martha (Bassett) Gauthier ’75 (NUR), unit manager at Oneonta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oneonta, N.Y., received the Registered Nurse of the Year Award from the New York State Facilities Association. She has been a nurse at the Center since 2002.

Susan Gerr ’75 (SFA), potter and owner of Birch Mountain Pottery in Tolland, Conn., had one of her pieces accepted into the 17th annual National Ceramics Competition at The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas. She exhibits regionally and nationally, teaches at her studio and at UConn’s Community School of the Arts, and volunteers at The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Conn.

Edward Klonoski ’75 (CLAS) is president of Charter Oak State College, a distance learning college in the Connecticut state college system.  He is also executive director of the Board for State Academic Awards, which governs both the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium and Charter Oak State College.

Joyce Mordenti ’75 (PHR), ’83 Ph.D. is vice president of translational medicine for Medivation, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company. She previously was their senior director of translational medicine.

Eva Ogens ’75 (CLAS), science curriculum supervisor for the Jersey City (N.J.) Public Schools, received her doctorate in educational leadership from Seton Hall University in May 2008.

Gerard Smyth ’75 J.D. is an adjunct professor of criminology and criminal justice at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and also joined the staff of the Center for Public Policy and Social Research at CCSU.

David Mark Fetterman ’76 (ED), director of evaluation at the Stanford University School of Medicine, received the 2008 Outstanding Higher Education Professional Award from the Neag School of Education.

Stephen Glazier ’76 M.A., ’81 Ph.D., professor of anthropology and graduate faculty fellow at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, presented Searching for the ‘Sanctified Church’ in the Caribbean: Zora Neale Hurston and Spiritual Quest in the Afro-Caribbean Church at the 2008 ZORA! Festival, a multi-day celebration of the life and work of folklorist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. 

Deborah Messina ’76 (CLAS) is scientific director of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory, a division of the Department of Public Safety.

Howard Walitt ’76 M.B.A. is enjoying retirement in Grand Junction, Colo., after 25 years at Aetna Life & Casualty Insurance.

Elease E. Wright ’76 (ED), vice president of human resources at Aetna, Inc., was inducted into the UConn School of Business Hall of Fame in May. 

Stephen Doxsey ’77 (CLAS) received the 2007 University of Massachusetts President’s Public Service Award for his efforts as co-founder of the UMass Laboratories program  for Worcester Area High Schools, which brings high school students to the Medical School campus for hands-on research experiences in state-of-the-art labs, while providing opportunities for faculty to encourage students to consider careers in the sciences. He is a professor of molecular medicine, biochemistry and molecular pharmacology and cell biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Frank Longobardi ’77 (BUS), a managing partner of Haggett Longobardi, an accounting firm in Glastonbury, Conn., was elected as chairman of the board of directors of the Arthritis Foundation, Northern and Southern New England Chapter. He has volunteered with the Arthritis Foundation for more than 10 years.

Don Smyth ’77 (CLAS) is vice president at the Bristol County Savings Bank headquarters in Taunton, Mass. He also serves as chairman of the board of trustees of Bristol Community College and as chairman of the Greater Attleboro/Taunton Coalition on the Homeless.

Theodore Crockett Jr. ’78 (BUS) is director of information systems in the USIG division of MassMutual.  He lives in Marlborough, Conn., with his wife, Rachel, and their two children.

Steven Hawco ’78 (CLAS) is a member of the board of directors of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. He is the senior vice president of e-Commerce and Global Marketing Services for Group RCI, a Wyndham Worldwide company.

Barbara H. Deptula ’78 (PHR) is the recipient of the UConn School of Pharmacy 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award in Industry. She is the executive vice president of  global business development for Shire Pharmaceuticals of Chesterbrook, Pa., and is an executive board member of the Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Congress of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Joseph Waz ’78 J.D. is senior vice president of external affairs and public policy counsel at Comcast, which is based in Philadelphia.

Robin Beveridge ’79 (ED) is the founder of RI Computer Learning Services, LLC., Newport, R.I., which conducts inexpensive semi-private classes for adults of all ages and means, helping them to become confident computer users. She also operates the Rhode Island franchise for CompuChild USA, the leading provider of technology education for children.

Peter C. Brandt ’79 (BUS) was named president and chief executive officer of Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Miami, Fla. He previously was president of Pfizer’s U.S. Pharmaceuticals Operations.

Nancy Herbert ’79 (CLAS) is a grant writer at The Open Hearth, a shelter and residential transitional living program for homeless men in Hartford, Conn. She also attends classes at Hartford Seminary.

Arthur Landro ’79 (BUS) is executive vice president of worldwide field operations for MontaVistaSoftware, Inc., in Santa Clara, Calif., the leader in embedded Linux commercialization. He previously served as vice president of international field operations.

Geraldine Nappa ’79 (ED) was appointed registrar for the Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, Fla.

Cheryl Bird ’80 (ED) has retired from teaching in Flagler County, Fla.

John Buckheit ’80 (BUS) is chief financial officer at The Chester County Economic Development Council in Exton, Pa.

Dale Fiore ’80 (RHSA) is the general manager of the Evergreen Cemetery and Crematory in New Haven, Conn., and president of the New England Cemetery Association.

Diane (Gaudreau) Kauffman ’80 (CLAS) received her Ph.D. in organization development from Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., in August 2007. She is a district sales manager for Hewlett-Packard’s imaging and printing organization, and lives in Deer Park, Ill., with her husband and two children.

Houston Lowry ’80 M.B.A. is a member of the board of education in Avon, Conn.

Dennis O’Brien ’80 (BUS) is operating partner at Gryphon Investors in San Francisco, where he is responsible for monitoring and helping improve the performance of a group of Gryphon’s portfolio companies. He previously served as president and chief operating officer at ConAgra.

Deborah J. Faucette ’80 (PHR) is the recipient of the UConn School of Pharmacy 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award in Pharmacy Practice. She is a licensed pharmacist in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Florida, and is the senior vice president of sales and marketing for LearnSomething Inc., a leading provider of e-learning solutions for the food, drug and healthcare industries.

Kathleen (Day) Pietrocola ’80 (SFS) is executive director at The Chelsea, a senior living community in East Brunswick, N.J. She lives in North Brunswick, N.J., with her three daughters.

James Piotrowski ’80 (CLAS) is a patent attorney with Henkel, Corp., in Rocky Hill, Conn., a global company operating in laundry and homecare products, cosmetics and toiletries, and adhesive technologies.

James C. Williams ’80 J.D. is a partner at the Los Angeles office of Proskauer Rose LLP, an international law firm with more than 750 lawyers worldwide.

Susan Carrano DiNicola ’81 (CLAS), ’83 M.A. is a guest speaker at Saint John’s School in Watertown, Conn., and a volunteer at Southbury Training School and the Woodbury Food Bank.

James Culmo ’81 (ENG) is vice president of Airborne Early Warning/Battle Management Command and Control-Navy Programs at Northup Grumman in Bethpage, N.Y.  He has over 24 years of experience in the aerospace business.

John H. Driscoll, Jr. ’81 (CLAS) is senior vice president, relationship manager at Webster Financial Advisors in Hartford, Conn., the wealth management arm of Webster Bank. He has more than 21 years of experience providing investment, tax, charitable giving, financial and estate planning advice.

Brian Heery ’81 (ENG) was promoted to president and chief operating officer of Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc., in Warrendale, Pa. He previously served as vice president of the company’s power systems group.

Gary Hendrickson ’81 (CLAS) is president and chief operating officer of The Valspar Corporation in Minneapolis, Minn., a global leader in the paint and coatings industry. He previously served as the company’s senior vice president.

Michael Splain ’81 (ENG) has been promoted to executive vice president of the Microelectronics Group of Sun Microsystems. A veteran of 20 years with Sun, he also will continue to serve as a Sun fellow and as the company’s chief engineer.

Louis Ursone ’81 (CLAS) was awarded the Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship for 2008 by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, in recognition of his outstanding arts management abilities as executive director of Curtain Call, Inc., a community theater in Stamford.

Steven Wolfberg ’81 (CLAS) is partner, president, and chief creative officer of Cronin & Company LLC, a marketing communications firm in Glastonbury, Conn. He lives in Avon, Conn., with his wife, Jennifer, and two children.

Judith (Sarin) Murray ’82 (CLAS) is a psychotherapist at The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Joseph Castellano ’83 (ENG) is a senior managing director in the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment of FTI Consulting, Inc., a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance their enterprise value.

Mark Ecsedy ’83 (CANR) is vice president, mid-Atlantic region, for Vozzcom, a provider of broadband fulfillment services based in Coral Springs, Fla.

Jeffrey Ganis ’83 (BUS) is a senior research consultant at LRA Worldwide, Inc., in Horsham, Pa., where he focuses on business development and client management.  He has more than 15 years of experience in market research and consulting.

Kim Manning ’83 (CLAS) is partner and chief operating officer of Cronin & Company LLC, a marketing communications firm in Glastonbury, Conn. She oversees the firm’s client service function and leads all of the agency’s strategic and brand planning initiatives. She lives in Cheshire, Conn., with her husband, Brad, and two sons.

Matthew O’Connor ’83 (CLAS), chair of the Department of Finance and director of the Alternative Investments Institute in the School of Business at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., has been appointed interim dean of the School of Business at Quinnipiac University for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Scott Peters ’83 (CLAS) was named senior executive vice president for Regions Financial Corporation based in Birmingham, Ala. He serves as the chief marketing officer for Regions and manages business banking and private banking, product management, brand management, advertising, marketing communications, deposit strategy, consumer product management, and research and analysis.

Richard J. Augustine ’84 M.B.A. was elected to the board of directors of U.S. Energy Systems, Inc. He is vice president, chief accounting officer and secretary of USEY and chief executive officer of its subsidiary, U.S. Energy Biogas Corp.

Robert Femia ’84 (CLAS), ’88 M.D. is chairman of the department of emergency medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Mary Monroe Kolek ’84 M.A., ’02 Ph.D., deputy superintendent of New Canaan, Conn., schools received the 2008 Outstanding School Administrator Award from the Neag School of Education.

Brian P. McKeon ’84 (BUS), executive vice president and chief financial officer of Iron Mountain, Inc., was inducted into the UConn School of Business Hall of Fame in May.

Thomas Prete ’84 (ENG), ’01 M.B.A., program chief engineer of military engines at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn., was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineers.

Victor Rush ’84 (CLAS) is vice president of TD Banknorth in West Hartford, Conn. He serves on the board of directors of Sand/Strive and on the advisory board of St. Francis Hospital, and is a senior pastor at Ebenezer Temple Church in Hartford.

Wayne A. Eckerle ’85 Ph.D., vice president of corporate research and technology at Cummins Inc., in Columbus, Ind., was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineers in recognition of his introduction of design and analysis tools for the new generation of diesel engines built by Cummins, Inc. 

Liana Garcia-Fresher ’85 (CANR), ’85 M.S. is executive director of the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, a national family support organization based in Avon, Conn. She previously held executive positions with Prevent Blindness Connecticut, American Diabetes Association in Connecticut and Fresher Consultants, a non-profit management consulting firm. 

Kathryn Grusauskas ’85 (CLAS) is serving in the Peace Corps, focusing on community development in Ukraine. She previously was a lawyer.

Carol Martin ’85 (CLAS) is executive director of the Housing Authority in Westport, Conn. She previously served as the authority’s director of development.

Anthony Volpe ’85 (PHR) is director of pharmacy services for the State of Connecticut Southwest Community Mental Health System. He is an adjunct professor of pharmacy at UConn and an adjunct professor of organic chemistry at the University of New Haven. He lives in Orange, Conn., with his wife of 21 years and their two children. 

Sharon Darak ’86 (CANR), ’86 (CLAS) is a senior clinical specialist as an inpatient registered dietician, working at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for over 20 years. She volunteered with Project Hope in 2005, helping tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia while aboard the United States Naval Ship, Mercy.

John Gagas ’86 (CLAS) is director of operations at Reflexite Corp. in Avon, Conn. His wife, Janet (Alexander) Gagas ’87 (SAH), is a pediatric physical therapist. They live in Middlebury, Conn., with their five children.

John Y. Kim ’86 M.B.A. is executive vice president of New York Life Insurance Company in New York City and president and CEO of its investment management arm, New York Life Investment Management. He was previously president of Prudential Retirement.

Joseph Pelehach ’86 (CLAS) was promoted to vice president of Motorlease Corporation of Farmington, Conn., and named to the company’s board of directors. He has been with the company for more than 20 years and previously was northeast regional manager.

Kathleen Binkowski ’87 6th Year, ’95 Ph.D., superintendent of schools for Plainville, Conn., received the 2008 Outstanding School Superintendent from the Neag School of Education.

Mark Boxer ’87 M.B.A. is one of Computerworld’s 2008 Premier 100 IT leaders, recognized for his innovative solutions to business challenges and effective execution of IT strategies.

Ashley Gasque ’87 (CLAS) was named regional director for Africa Business and Resource Development with Management Sciences for Health, an American non-profit organization working on public health issues in developing countries. She is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Todd Germano ’87 (BUS) is senior vice president, specialty insurance, of Allied World U.S., responsible for developing new products with a focus on specialty programs. He previously was executive vice president for American International Group.

Brian Kelley ’87 M.B.A., president of TAMCO Technology, was appointed to the board of directors at TII Network Technologies, Inc. in Edgewood, N.Y.

Joseph Melfi ’87 (BUS), ’95 M.B.A. is corporate controller of Champion Energy Corporation in New Rochelle, N.Y. He also serves as treasurer for the board of directors of Rebuilding Together Stamford/Greenwich, a non-profit organization that provides home repairs and restorations to elderly and low-income families.

John Powell ’87 (ENG) is a hospital physician at Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, N.Y.

Richard Vogel ’87 (BUS), a founding partner of Loeb Enterprises, has been appointed to the board of directors of Noble Quests, Inc., which plans to build a consumer advertising network in China.

Stephen Morse ’87 M.S. is a geographic information systems manager for Chas H. Sells, Inc., based in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.  He is a GIS manager/analyst with more than 17 years experience in data research, analysis, development and manipulation and in cartographic display.

Mary Jane De Souza ’88 Ph.D., professor in the department of kinesiology at Penn State University, received the 2008 Outstanding Kinesiology Professional Award from the Neag School of Education for her leadership of women’s health-oriented programs.

Jose L. Muñoz ’88 Ph.D., deputy director and senior science advisor for the Office of CyberInfrastructure at the National Science Foundation, was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineers.

Scott Lindquist ’88 M.B.A. is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Farmer’s Group, Inc., based in Los Angeles. He previously was Controller atGenworth Financial.

Deborah Malone ’88 M.B.A. is the controller and vice president of The Dime Bank in Norwich, Conn., where she oversees accounting, implements and monitors internal controls, and supervises financial reporting.

Huskies brighten Connecticut Sun

The WNBA’s Connecticut Sun could start its own UConn alumni chapter this year. Led by Sun general manager Chris Sienko ’88 (SFA), the current team roster includes four Husky alumni and WNBA All-Star Nykesha Sales ’98 (BUS), who is taking this season off to recover from injuries. From left: Asjha Jones ’02 (BUS), Ketia Swanier ’08 (CLAS), Sienko, Barbara Turner ’06 (CLAS) and Tamika (Williams) Raymond ’02 (CLAS).

Photo by Peter Morenus

 

Alumni News & Notes Menu

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Sandra R. Barron ’89 (CLAS), author of the novel The Heiress of Water, received a grant from the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture for the 2007-2008 cycle of the NALAC Fund for the Arts, which will support travel to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to research her second novel.

Robert Griffiths ’89 M.B.A. is director of sales at Chemsil Silicones Inc., based in Charlotte, N.C. He has been involved in the silicone industry for more than 10 years.

Douglas Hammel ’89 (BUS) was appointed principal of Stanley T. Williams Elementary School in North Branford, Conn. He previously was an administrator and a principal of an elementary school in the Salem, Conn., school district.

Kathy (Stitts) Lagasse ’89 (CLAS) and her husband, Larry, announce the birth of triplets born Dec. 1, 2007. Connor Lawrence, Avery Kathleen and Braeden Thomas were born at the UConn Health Center and join big sister, Lauren, 4. The family lives in Ellington, Conn.

Leon Losapio ’89 M.B.A. is executive vice president of finance, chief accounting officer and acting chief financial officer at Escala Group, a consolidated global collectibles network based in West Caldwell, N.J.

Ayal Vogel ’89 (CLAS) is executive vice president of global sales at Identica Corp., in Tampa, Fla., a leader in next-generation biometric identification and security solutions. He previously served as the president and CEO of Barantec, Inc.

Leah (Altieri) Alger ’90 (CLAS) and her husband, Michael, announce the birth of their son, Benjamin Michael, on Jan. 17, 2008. The family lives in West Hartford, Conn.

Diana (Franco) Barry ’90 (CLAS) and husband Douglas Barry Jr.,announce the birth of twin daughters, Gina Grace and Erin Isabella, on Feb. 6, 2008. Diana works as a research scientist at Bristol-Myers Squibb in Wallingford, Conn.

Russell Dallai ’90 (CLAS) is the principal of North Haven High School. He lives in North Haven, Conn., with his wife and two children.

Jorge González-Velázquez ’90 Ph.D., professor of metallurgy and materials engineering at the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (National Polytechnic Institute) in Mexico City and founder and director of the Pipeline Integrity Assessment Group, was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineers.

Alex Martinez ’90 (CLAS), principal attorney at the Law Offices of Alex J. Martinez LLC in Stamford, Conn., is a winner of the 2008 New England Opportunity Association Achievers Award, which honors distinguished graduates of New England area educational opportunity programs.

Catherine (Dugan) O’Connor ’90 (BUS) is counsel at the law firm Day Pitney LLP in Stamford, Conn. where she represents clients in intellectual property matters.

Stephen Reffel ’90 (CLAS) and his wife, Christine, announce the birth of their son, Cameron Muller, born on Dec. 9, 2007, who  joins brother Nicholas, 3. The family lives in Milford, Mass.

Elizabeth Willers ’90 (BGS) is development coordinator at the Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland, Fla.

Holly Evans ’91 J.D. is president of Strategic Counsel, LLC, in Alexandria, Va., a full-service government relations and environmental policy firm.

Majid Hedayati ’91 M.B.A. is senior vice president of STV, a leading engineering, architectural, planning and construction management firm. He serves as director of STV’s national transportation and infrastructure division within its northeast region and lives in Greenwich, Conn.

Kathy Luria ’91 (BGS) is vice president of community affairs at Webster’s corporate office. She previously worked as director of marketing at Naugatuck Valley Community College.

Holly E. Read, ’91 M.A., ’94 Ph.D., executive counselor of organizational management, in Hadlyme, Conn., received the 2008 Outstanding Professional Award from the Neag School of Education for creative use of principles of adult learning to assist corporations strategize, change and innovate to achieve success in the global market.

Phil Almquist ’92 M.B.A. married Janet Shull in July 2007. He is a category analyst for Pinnacle Foods in Mountain Lakes, N.J. The couple lives in Warrington, Pa.

Marilyn Flores ’92 J.D. is vice president of human resources at The Seven Hills Foundation in Worcester, Mass., which offers a continuum of support and services to individuals with disabilities and life challenges. She previously was director of human resources for the Town of Stratford, Conn.

Paul Fontaine ’92 (BUS) is vice president of accounting at Jamestown, a German private equity fund syndicator that invests in U.S. real estate. He lives in Marietta, Ga., with his wife, Erika, and two children, Rachel, 8, and Brian, 6. 

Michael Forbes ’92 M.B.A. is communications manager at The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals, a global membership-based association representing providers, customers and advisers of outsourcing services. He is also an adjunct professor of marketing at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Andrew Gere ’92 (ENG) is chief of operations for San Jose Water Company in Silicon Valley, responsible for the direction of company-wide operations, water quality, maintenance and purchasing activities.

Joe Healey ’92 (CLAS) and his wife, Beth, announce the birth of their son, Liam Henry, born Oct. 12, 2007. He joins brother, Quinn. The family lives in Louisville, Colo.

Sharon Johnson ’92 (CLAS) is vice president/account director of Palio, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., an inVentiv Health Company. She previously worked as an account director at J. Walter Thompson New York.

Jeffrey Klaus ’92 M.B.A. is president of Webster Bank for the greater New Haven, Conn., region.  He has 25 years of experience in the Connecticut banking industry and served most recently as senior vice president in Bank of America’s business banking division in southern Connecticut and New York.

Joshua Krulewitz ’92 (BUS), vice president of public relations for college, news and network information for ESPN, was selected by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association as co-winner of the Katha Quinn Award, presented annually to individuals who have provided exceptional service to members of the media covering college basketball.

Samuel Moore ’92 (CLAS) and his wife, Gina, announce the birth of a daughter, Brooklynn Ana, on Sept. 17, 2007. The family lives in East Longmeadow, Mass.

Morgan Murphy ’92 M.F.A. has launched an independent film production company, Whitebridge Farm Productions, based in New Hampshire. The company’s first project is Elysian Farm, which explores the challenges of saving a 6-year-old girl.

Michele C. Nellenbach ’92 (CLAS) is director of the Natural Resources Committee for the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C. She previously served as senior professional staff on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Angelo Rossetti ’92 (ED), head tennis pro at Milford Indoor Tennis in Milford, Conn., was named Regional Tennis Professional of the Year by the U.S.T.A. He and his twin brother, Ettore  Rossetti ’92 (ED), were ranked #1 in Men’s Open Doubles in New England for 2007. Angelo and his wife, Pam, live in Hamden, Conn., with their daughter, Madison. 

Tracy (Marshall) Whitmer ’92 (CLAS) and her husband, Matthew, announce the birth of a son, Maxwell Bruce, born April 16, 2007 in Charleston, S.C. He joins big brother, Marshall.

Mary Giusto Guastella ’93 (BGS), ’96 M.S.W. received the 2007 “Service is Our Passion” award from Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care in Florida in recognition of her work at the hospice.

Lee Goodman ’93 (BUS) president and CEO of Jerome’s Furniture in San Diego, Calif., accepted the 2008 Retailer of the Year Award from The Western Home Furnishings Association. Jerome’s was recognized for its contributions to the home furnishing industry, service to the community and company leadership.

Thaddeus Gozdeck ’93 (BUS) rejoined the practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP after serving as controller at a publicly traded technology company. He lives in Boston with his wife, Karen, and their two sons.

Edwin Keating ’93 (CLAS) is a partner of the Baltimore law firm Anderson, Coe & King LLP. He lives in Phoenix, Md., with his wife, Sheila, and their sons Eddie, 6, and Jack, 4.

Shannon Lennon ’93 (CANR), ’97 M.S. is an assistant professor of nutrition in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at the University of Delaware. 

 

Meg (Schmidt) Mayer-Costa ’93 (SAH) and her husband, Carlos Mayer-Costa, announce the birth of a son, Mario Paul, on Oct. 6, 2007. He joins his big brother, Tomas Miner, 5. Meg works for the University of Pittsburgh as a dietitian in student health services. The family lives in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jen (Palancia) Shipp ’93 (CLAS) and her husband, James Shipp, announce the birth of their son, Ryan Patrick, born Nov. 29, 2007. He was welcomed home by his sister, Shannon Grace. The family lives in Greensboro, N.C.

James C. Trainor ’93 M.P.A. was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the FBI office in Boston, Mass.

Tom Anderson ’94 (BUS), ’04 M.B.A., founder of the marketing research company, Anderson Analytics, has developed the method AA-TextSM software, which accurately analyzes large volumes of unstructured text data such as comments found on Web sites.

Rebecca Torns-Barker ’94 (CLAS) and her husband, Jeremy Barker, announce the birth of their first child, Evan Pierce Barker, born on Dec. 31, 2007 in Manchester, Conn.

Jacqueline Bethune ’94 M.A. married Gregory Clark McNeil in April 2007. She is an administrative manager with The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and he is a senior kitchen designer with Contemporary Cabinetry and Closet Concepts. They live in Sarasota, Fla.

Jennifer (Gardiner) Chiota ’94 (SFA) and Chris Chiota welcome daughter Grace Diane, who joins big sisters Chloe Lind and Olivia Laeles. Jennifer is a freelance graphic designer in the Boston area. The family lives in Southborough, Mass.

Matthew Cleary ’94 (CLAS) married Holly Nichols Hornor on Sept. 22, 2007. He is an account manager for Forrester Research in Cambridge, Mass.

 

Crystal (Wells) Cook ’94 (BUS) is an associate at Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell in Atlanta, Ga., where she practices financial products and real estate law.

Christian DeGeorge ’94 (PHR) married Melissa Peloquin on Nov. 3, 2007. He is a pharmacy manager/pharmacist at Walgreens in Okeechobee, Fla.

Brian Hyman ’94 (BUS) and his wife, Mandy, announce the birth of their son, Bryce Richard, in December 2007. Brian is the manager of planning, analysis, reporting and quality assurance at IKON Office Solutions in the Customer Care Center in Glastonbury, Conn. 

Carol Maturo ’94 Ph.D. is the author of “Visual Communication: Props and Costumes,” an essay included in the book, José Limón and La Malinche: The Dancer and the Dance, released by the University of Texas Press in February 2008.

Lynn O’Marra ’94 J.D. was promoted to tax principal at LGC&D in Providence, R.I. She also serves as treasurer on the board of the Providence Athenaeum, where she has assisted clients develop tax-saving strategies and navigate issues with state and local tax authorities for more than 14 years.

Jeremy Palmer ’94 (ENG) was promoted to principal member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M.

Zygmunt Dembek ’95 Ph.D., ’05 M.P.H., an infectious disease epidemiologist with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and a member of the Connecticut State Emergency Response Commission, has been promoted to colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He also served as the senior editor and contributing author for the textbook Medical Aspects of Biological Warfare, published by the Army Surgeon General’s Borden Institute in 2007.

Edward DeWitt ’95 J.D. is manager of the New Bedford (Mass.) Regional Airport, a general aviation airport. He lives with his wife, Kathleen, in Falmouth, Mass.

Jennifer Papa Kanaan ’95 M.D., board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care, has joined the Sleep Disorders Center at the UConn Health Center. She completed a fellowship in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. She did her residency and internship training at Rhode Island Hospital through the Brown University School of Medicine. She lives in Sandy Hook, Conn.

Marikate (Moriarty) Lynch ’95 (BUS) is the executive director of Academy Point at Mystic in Mystic, Conn.  She lives with her husband, David Lynch ’94 (CLAS), and their two children in Noank, Conn.

William Rivard ’95 (CLAS) and his wife, Melissa, announce the birth of a daughter, Amelia Grace, on Feb. 27, 2008.  William is a librarian with Orange County Schools. The family lives in Orlando, Fla.

Alumni Traveler

Jennifer (Burns) Hutton ’96 (BUS) and her husband, Bill Hutton ’95 (BUS), announce the birth of a son, John William, on July 8, 2007. The family lives in Marlborough, Conn.

Chad Landmon ’96 (CLAS), ’99 J.D. was promoted to partner in the Hartford, Conn., office of Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, an antitrust, intellectual property and complex litigation firm. He has litigated many high-stakes intellectual property and other complex cases and regularly counsels clients on patent and Hatch-Waxman issues.

Daina Senatore ’96 (CLAS), director of sales at Standard & Poor’s in New York City, has been named to the President’s Circle for outstanding sales performance for three consecutive years. She lives in Stamford with her husband, Matt Senatore ’95 (BUS), and their daughters Mia, 4, and Emma, 2.

Inshik Seol ’96 Ph.D., associate professor of management in the Graduate School of Management at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., has received a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture and conduct research at Sogang University in Seoul, Korea during the 2008-09 academic year.

Jennifer (Dorau) Souhrada ’96 (CLAS) and William Souhrada ’97 (BUS) announce the birth of their second child, Harper Marie, on Oct. 18, 2007. Harper joins brother Andrew, 3. The family lives in Southampton, N.Y.

Jeffrey Villar ’96 M.A., ’99 Ph.D. is the superintendent of schools for Rocky Hill, Conn., responsible for programs in five schools with 2,576 students.

Elizabeth Appelman ’97 M.B.A. is director of development for the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, Conn. She previously worked as associate development director and young adult director.

Scott Chalfant ’97 (ENG) and Marianella (Vela) Chalfant ’98 (ENG) announce the birth of their first child, Alejandro William Chalfant, on April 1, 2008. The family lives in Andover, Conn.

Joseph DeSimone ’97 M.D. is a cardiologist on the staff of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.

Gregory Fennell ’97 (BUS) and Felicia Griffin-Fennell ’99 (CLAS), ’05 M.A., ’07 Ph.D. announce the birth of their son, Charles, in 2007.  Felicia received her doctorate in clinical psychology from UConn’s Graduate School in 2007.

Sharon Langshur ’97 M.D. is the co-founder of CarePages Inc., a Chicago-based healthcare services company that provides a nationwide Web service for patients, families and healthcare providers. She is the co-author of We Carry Each Other, published by Conari Press.

Scott Sokolowski ’97 (ED) has joined Barnum Financial Group in Shelton, Conn., an office of MetLife, as director of agency recruiting and development. He previously was co-founder and vice president of Park Avenue Group, a national recruiting company.

Katherine Tyros ’98 D.M.D. is a partner at Chelmsford Dental Associates in Chelmsford, Mass.

Karen Dahl ’99 (CLAS) and her husband, Brian Reich, announce the birth of their son, Henry James, born on Nov. 16, 2007. The family lives in Cambridge, Mass.

Renée (Northrop) Hawk ’99 (CLAS) is an attorney with Barron and Stadfeld in Boston, where she primarily focuses her practice on family law and also handles employment discrimination, disability and civil litigation matters.

Wesley Most ’99 (ENG) married Meghan Landon ’02 (CLAS) in October 2007. Wesley is a software engineer with IBM Research. Meghan is pursuing a degree in nursing. The couple lives in Wappingers Falls, N.Y.

Jennifer Nichols ’99 (SAH) is a senior account manager at Seidler Bernstein Inc., a full-service marketing communications agency specializing in healthcare and life technologies in Cambridge, Mass.

Jennifer Suozzo ’99 (CLAS) is senior producer for MSNBC/NBC news, producing two hours of live, daily news coverage. She lives in New York City.

Allison (Amorosi) DeNicola ’00 (NUR), ’07 M.S., a nurse practitioner in a pain management practice in Danbury, Conn., announces the birth of her first child, daughter Gabriella Rose, on March 4, 2008.

Robert Sbalbi ’00 (BUS) is a senior consultant at The Bostonian Group in Boston, a consulting firm that develops customized solutions in the areas of benefits, financial and retirement security, and workforce management. 

James Wang ’00 (CLAS) married Sandy Rogel on Sep. 1, 2007 in Azusa, Calif. He is an accountant at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The couple lives in Los Angeles, Calif.

Portia Bonner ’01 Ph.D. was appointed superintendent of schools for New Bedford, Mass. She was previously assistant-superintendent in the Waterbury, Conn., school system.

Dorothy Carlone ’01 M.B.A. and her husband, John, announce the birth of a daughter, Karolina Ann, on April 23, 2007. She joins brother, Kyle, 3. The family lives in Kensington, Conn.

Todd Johnson ’01 (BUS) was promoted to controller at Pratt & Whitney International Aerospace Tubes in Indianapolis, Ind., where he lives with his wife, Nicole (Crouch) ’03 (BUS), an accounting supervisor with Otis Elevator.

John Miceli ’01 (CLAS) and Alison (DeLeo) Miceli ’03 (CLAS) announce the birth of their daughter, Alexa Leigh, on Nov. 6, 2007. The family lives in Darien, Conn.

Michael Rueda ’01 (BUS) is one of the authors of the book, Leveraged Buyouts, published by Research and Markets in Fall 2007, a comprehensive guide that explains each variety of LBO in detail.

Shannon (Duffany) Sadowski ’01 (CLAS) married Adam Sadowski ’02 (CLAS) on May 26, 2007. Adam is employed by Phoenix Wealth Management and Shannon completed her master’s degree in clinical health psychology in May 2008. The couple has relocated from Philadelphia to Hartford, Conn.

Cyril Cassan De Valry ’02 (BGS) is the co-founder of the Connecticut Coffee Society, a club for coffee enthusiasts with more than 160 members. He has been a coffee master with Starbucks for the past three years and is a member of the East Coast Roasters.

Michael Coyne ’02 Ph.D., associate professor of educational psychology in UConn’s Neag School of Education, is the recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children’s 2008 Early Career Research Award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding scientific contributions in special education and in basic and/or applied research, within 10 years of receiving their doctoral degree.

Kristin (Volpe) Lentini ’02 (ED), ’03 M.A. and Bryan Lentini ’01 (PHR), ’03 Pharm.D., announce the birth of their first child, Ashley Elizabeth, on July 8, 2007.

Laban Marsh ’02 (CLAS) is a real estate broker and the owner of his family’s real estate firm. His wife, Megan (Ware) Marsh ’02 (CLAS), is in her third year as a mortgage consultant, educating buyers and sellers about the tax benefits of real estate. The couple lives in Erie, Pa.

Shea Ralph ’02 (ED) was named an assistant coach for UConn women’s basketball with responsibility for working with guards, recruiting and player development. She returns to UConn after serving five years as an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

Keith M. Bellizzi ’03 Ph.D., behavioral scientist and program director at the Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Md., received the 2008 Lorraine Wetherell Family Studies Alumni Society Distinguished Service Award from the UConn Department of Family Studies. He has taught at the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University and Yale University, and is involved with many committees focused on the study of cancer.

Desmond Bohan ’03 (CLAS) was promoted to assistant vice president at C.L. Frates Reinsurance Intermediary Inc in Stamford, Conn.

Christa Homola ’03 (CLAS) and Ryan Allard ’02 (ENG) were married in October 2007. Christa is a communications assistant at the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women in Hartford, Conn. Ryan is a civil engineer at H.W. Lochner in Rocky Hill. The couple lives in Rocky Hill, Conn.

Jeanette E. Moore ’03 (CLAS), a fourth grade teacher in Westchester County, N.Y., received a dual master’s degree in elementary education and special education from The College of New Rochelle in May 2007.

Sarah Niles ’03 (CLAS), ’05 M.A. is an academic counselor for the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University and lives in Quincy, Mass.

Jack Sheedy ’03 (BGS) is a news editor at The Catholic Transcript, the monthly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Dawn Voyer ’03 M.A., a world geography teacher at Cypress Lake Middle School in Fort Myers, Fla., was awarded a 2008 Golden Apple from the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, which recognizes teaching excellence.

Susan Fair ’04 (CLAS) is a compensation analyst at Daymon Worldwide.

Justine Greenwald ’04 (CLAS) is the founder and director of Park Prep Academy in Jersey City, N.J., a private preschool that serves Hudson County. She graduated from Bank Street College of Education in 2006 with a double master’s in early childhood and elementary education.

Josh Reitz ’04 (BUS), ’05 M.S. is a financial analyst at Summit Partners in Boston, Mass.

Kristin Zepp ’04 (BUS) is an assistant director of government affairs and continuing education at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

 

Maksim Chupashkin ’05 M.B.A. is financial manager for Greif, a world leader in the production of industrial packaging in Moscow, Russia. 

Bridgette Gordon-Hickey ’05 M.A., instructional consultant for Windham Center School in Windham, Conn., received the 2008 Outstanding School Educator Award from the Neag School of Education.

Janice Luise-Lutkus ’05 (BGS) is the owner and producing director of AspenDream Productions, LLC a traveling dinner theatre, and a writer for New England Entertainment Digest. She lives with her husband, Dave, in Burlington, Conn.

Chenghua Luo ’06 J.D. is an associate at Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox, a law firm based in Washington, D.C.

Srividya Madhusudhan ’06 M.B.A. is director of environmental and property management for Northeast Utilities. He was previously a project manager for several reliability projects.

Robert Nims ’06 (BUS) recently received his M.B.A. from Youngstown State University and is a project manager in underwriting and new business for Lincoln Financial.

Michael Nork ’06 (CLAS) is a Peace Corps volunteer living in Lugoj, Romania. He teaches English to students grades 8-12 and writes articles for Redesteptarea, the local newspaper in Lugoj. His Peace Corps service will end in August 2009.

David Portnoy ’06 M.A. is a doctoral candidate in psychology at UConn and the recipient of the Clarence J. Rosecrans Scholarship for his proposal, “Cognitive Processes of Decisions about the Future.”

Janet Robinson ’06 Ph.D. is superintendent of schools for the Newton (Conn.) School District. She worked previously as superintendent in the Derby public school system.

Jonathan Shaffer ’06 (CLAS) is the 2007 Ambassador for the New Jersey Watershed Ambassador program, designed to raise awareness of watershed issues in New Jersey. He will work with the citizens of Cumberland County in community-based environmental activities and help residents to make informed decisions regarding their watershed.

Maria Clements ’07 M.S. married Steven H. Provencher Jr. on Oct. 20, 2007. She is an instructor of ornamental horticulture at SUNY Cobleskill.

 

Brian Coyle ’07 (CLAS) is a financial services representative at Barnum Financial Group in Wethersfield, Conn.

 

Robert Hagmeier ’07 (BUS) completed a six-week tour of France as part of a post-grad internship during which he met with French economic officials to discuss economic diversification of France’s agriculture industry.

Alumni News & Notes compiled by compiled by Emily Rosenkrans '09 (CLAS) and Tina Modzelewski