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AKRON E-MAGAZINE

APRIL 2018

Class notes

Arthur Myers photoArthur Myers, BS ’53, recently published a memoir, Full and By: A Doctor’s Life of Stethoscopes, Sailboats, and SLRs. Myers book tells of his life as a schoolboy in World War II, medical student, photographer, and father of a family living on a sailboat cruising the Bahamas and Central America.

 

Norbert D. Thompson photoNorbert D. Thompson, BS ’51, was one of five people from Barberton recently selected for The Barberton Walk of Fame. Thompson, an inventor and engineer who, at the age of 90, is still involved with his company, Technical Products of Georgia. Thompson grew up in Barberton and moved to Georgia in 1966 where he became a pioneer of life-saving medical devices.

 

Jack R. Lengyel photoJack R. Lengyel, BS ’58, former UA college football coach and athletic administrator has been chosen as the 2018 recipient of the Tuss McLaughry Award, the American Football Coach’s Association’s highest honor. Lengyel received the award at the American Football coaches Awards in January at the 2018 AFCA convention in Charlotte, NC.

Walter S. Stashkiw photoWalter S. Stashkiw, BA ’67, AAS ’75, received the President’s Cup Award during the annual meeting of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, (ACBS), for his devotion to advancing the mission of the society. Stashkiw was cited for his leadership in heading the search committee in locating and hiring a new Executive Director for the 14,000-member society, headquartered in Clayton, New York.

 

Carla D. Moore photoCarla D. Moore, BA ’74, retired judge, was appointed the 2017-2018 President’s Ambassador – a one year appointment – by Kent State University President Beverly Warren. The program, sponsored by KSU’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, brings distinguished minority professionals to campus to share their experiences with the university community. Moore is also this year’s 50th recipient of the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award, an annual honor given by the Akron Community Foundation.

 

Jeffrey L. Moore photoJeffrey L. Moore, BA ’79, a Cleveland Clinic Akron General physician, was inducted into the Society of Distinguished Physicians in October 2017. Moore, with Akron General since 1986, is currently chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and a professor of psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He has served as the medical director at Portage Path Behavioral Health for the past five years and has volunteered at the OPEN M medical clinic for more than a decade.

 

Conrad J. Storad photoConrad J. Storad, Jr., BA ’80, was one of five people from Barberton recently selected for The Barberton Walk of Fame. A member of the Barberton HS Class of ’75, Storad will have a star installed in an annual tradition recognizing local sons and daughters who have excelled in their respective fields. Storad returned to Barberton after a 25-year career in children’s publishing and magazine science writing.

 

Charles J. Fazio Jr. photoCharles J. Fazio Jr., BSA ’83, was recently appointed Vice President of Global Alliances and Channels for Smart Communications. Fazio will build upon the existing SmartCAAS model, providing the strategic direction and leadership for global channel partners to continue deep adoption of the Smart Communications suite of market-leading CCM solutions. Fazio has more than 20 years of global management and alliance leadership experience.

 

John W. Manzetti photoJohn W. Manzetti, MBA ’84, has authored a column on management accounting for Smart Business Magazine. “Management accounting necessary, but underappreciated” talks about putting emphasis on the numbers that impact management decisions, and is not related to debits and credits and financial statements and balance sheets. Manzetti is managing director of Manzetti Group LLC; executive chairman, Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse; founder and managing director, Accelerator Fund LLC.

 

Brian J. Moore photoBrian J. Moore, JD ’84, will receive the 2018 H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award from The American Red Cross of Summit, Portage and Medina Counties at the 22nd Annual Acts of Courage event. The award, honoring the legacy of former Red Cross Board of Directors Chair H. Peter Burg, is given to individual(s) who exhibit community leadership and commitment to people and to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. Moore, a shareholder and partner-in-charge at the law firm Roetzel & Andress, specializes in real estate and finance law.

 

Joseph E. Reece photoJoseph E. Reece, BS ’84, JD ’87, MBA ’87, Executive Vice Chairman of UBS, has been named one of Worth Magazine’s “100 Most Powerful Men and Women in Finance” for 2017. Reece is a member of The University of Akron Foundation Board of Directors’ investment committee, served on UA’s School of Law Alumni and Intellectual Property advisory boards. Reece established the Corporate Law Scholarship in The University of Akron School of Law and received a UA Outstanding Alumni award in 2008.

 

Brad J. Dickerson photoBrad J. Dickerson, BSA ’87, CFO of Blue Apron, will replace founder Matt Salzberg as CEO. Dickerson joined Blue Apron as CFO in February 2016, having previously worked as CFO of Under Armour.

Carol P. Ramsay photoDr. Carol P. Ramsay, EDD ’90, former professor at Lake Erie College, will be honored by Lake Erie College via two planned smart classrooms pay tribute to her. A plaque bearing Ramsay’s name will symbolize her legacy. Ramsay joined Lake Erie College faculty in 1991 and has held posts as field director; coordinator for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Teacher Education Accreditation Council and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

 

Patricia Simmons photoL. Patricia Simmons, MA ’90, has been globally elected as one of three North American delegates to the prestigious World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, (WAZA), a nearly 400 member institution present in more than 50 countries. Simmons has been the director and CEO of the N.C. Zoo since 2015, and is past-president and CEO of the Akron Zoological Park.

 

Farhad B. Sethna photoFarhad B. Sethna, JD ’90, MBA ’91, has been awarded the American Immigration Lawyers Association, (AILA), Ohio Chapter Pro Bono Champion Award for outstanding pro bono service. AILA’s Pro Bono Champion program honors those who exemplify the pillar of professionalism in pro bono work. Professor Sethna has been practicing law since 1991 and has been teaching immigration law at the UA School of Law since 1995.

 

Yvette N. Brown photoYvette N. Brown, BA ’94, will be returning to TV with the new series The Mayor, about a young rapper (Brandon Michael Hall) who runs for mayor as a publicity stunt and somehow ends up getting elected. Brown plays his mom “Dina” on the ABC sitcom. Brown was previously on the pilot season of The Odd Couple and played the beloved character “Shirley” on NBC’s Community.

 

Eugene W. Pfister photoEugene W. Pfister, JD ’95, a Cleveland Clinic Akron General physician, was inducted into the Society of Distinguished Physicians on October 13, 2017. Pfister, with Akron General since 1980, is currently chief of the Geriatrics Service and a clinical professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University. In addition, Pfister has served as director of the Internal Medicine Center of Akron since 1996, in addition to serving on several committees at Akron General.

 

John P. Huff, AAB ’98, BSBA ’03, formerly the Chief Executive Officer of Good! Greens, has been made the new Chief Financial Officer of VSI Global, LLC (“VSI”) according to their Board of Directors. VSI is a portfolio company of Lakewood Capital, LLC and Spartacus Partners LLC.

Sharon C. Reaves, MPA ’00, formerly with the Cleveland Museum of Art, will be the new director of the human resources department for Summit County. Reaves has been the director of human resources for the Cleveland Museum of Art since 2003, managing a staff of 450 and a budget of more than $4 million.

 

Frank Costanzo photoFrank Costanzo, MT ’01, has joined Cleveland’s The NRP Group as vice president of taxation. He comes to the company from DDR Corp., where he served as the vice president of tax.

 

Bryce D. Dingman photoBryce D. Dingman, MS ’01, has become a New York State Licensed Professional Geologist. Dingman works for the firm of Barton & Loguidice in their Albany office. He is now the firm’s second Professional Geologist in New York.

 

Steven E. Blankinship photoSteven E. Blankinship, JD ’04, was recently sworn in as the 12th Judicial District Division I judge during a ceremony at the New Mexico Otero County Courthouse. Blankinship was appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez. Blankinship earned his juris doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in 2004, and previously worked as a general counsel in the office of Gov. Martinez. He has previously been a civil litigation attorney, and a prosecutor in the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

 

Rachel M. Anderson, BA, ’07, a classically trained singer who has turned to “indie” film work and television commercial work in recent years as she juggles the time constraints of being a full-time mother of two daughters, ages 6 and 7, with her acting career. Anderson stars as Gypsy in the musical production of “Gypsy” in Puffenberger Hall at Northwest High School.

 

Mikala M. Pritts, MSE ’07, a physical education teacher at St. Patrick School in Kent, came up with the idea of students becoming farmers for a day when she was earning her master’s degree. Pritts said her assignment was to tie something with outdoor education to the curriculum and the Farm Festival was the result. The students participate in activities designed to tie the physical and health aspects of farming to the school curriculum.

 

Courtney A. Gras, BS ’13, co-founder of Design Flux Technologies, shared her startup experience at the first Founders Exchange hosted by the Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center. The event brings the public and entrepreneurs together to discuss ways to collaborate to improve the community and create more businesses. Gras, is a former NASA engineer and was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 last year. As a result of her experiences with Design Flux Technologies, Gras is now the program director with Akron’s Bounce Innovation Hub and recently wrote a book, Entrepreneur is a Verb.

 

Joseph P. Saporito photoJoseph P. Saporito, MBA ’08, was named president of Akron-based Harry C. Lobalzo & Sons and Consolidated Food Equipment Distributors. Saporito joined Lobalzo/CFED in 2009, working most recently as director and chief financial officer

Annette K. Boulard-Fontaine, BA ’11, JD ’16, an attorney, was recently sworn in to the Ohio Bar Association, and is employed in the field of international aviation contracts in Paris, where she resides.

 

Rachelle L. Forney, BS ’14, was mentioned in an (Elyria)Chronicle-Telegram article, “Girls encouraged to enter STEM careers at LCCC event.” Forney, an electrical engineer who came to Ford after working at Republic Steel, said she didn’t mind being the only woman or black woman in her studies because she knew the jobs were out there for her.

 

Kyle Janis photoKyle Janis, AAS ’13, BS ’14, was sworn in as a full-time firemedic with the Richfield Fire Department during in October 2017. After his swearing-in ceremony, Fire Chief Phil McLean talked about how Janis’ grandfather and two of his uncles were once firefighters for Richfield.

 

Lindsay M. Powley, BA ’12, MA ’16, has been hired by a U.S. Government agency, after having interned at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

 

Nikolas Sekoulopoulos photoNikolas Sekoulopoulos, BS ’13, was recently mentioned in an article titled, The American Dream: New doctor makes family proud in the UAW in the UAW FORD Community Magazine. Dr. Sekoulopoulos graduated with honors from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 2017, and credits his father with teaching him the value of hard work. “Seeing the work ethic my dad put into Ford sparked me to be more driven and more motivated.”

 

Mary L. Wunderle photoMary L. Wunderle, BFA ’14, recently joined Richardson Design as a graphic designer. Ms. Wunderle’s addition to the firm has helped build their graphic design offerings, expanding services to local and national clients.

 

Farewells

Daniel L. Abrashoff, BSBA '85, March 27, 2017
Daniel Adams, MAE '77, '85, Oct. 20, 2017
Dorothy J. Albert, BSBA '39, Oct. 2, 2017          
Ronald C. Allan, Nov. 26, 2017 
Shirley Angiulo, AAS '73, BST '77, MSE '86, Sept. 16, 2017
James T. Anich, BSBA '86, Sept. 04, 2017
Geraldine, Auld, BAF&N '57, Sept. 27, 2017
William G. Auld BSIM '60, Oct. 29, 2017
William H. Balch, BSBA '49, Oct. 30, 2017
Brian J. Balogh, AAS '98 Aug. 11, 2017
Mary C. Bellassai, BA '47, Nov. 03, 2017
Frances Y. Benford, BSN '79, Nov. 01, 2017
Barbara J. Bickler, BA '49, Nov. 12, 2017
Carol Brillhart, AAS '77, Oct. 28, 2017
James L. Burdon, JD '67, Nov. 13, 2017
Madolyn L. Campbell Oct. 03, 2017
Rene Casmire, AAS '78, BA '81, Sept. 13, 2017
Beatrice A. Chauncey, BAED '43, April 02, 2017
Helmar H. Dollwet, Oct. 25, 2017
Thomas E. Dunn, MS '99, Sept. 05, 2017
William Eaton Sept. 04, 2017
George F. Eckert, BS '44,Nov. 08, 2017
Betty L. Edwards, BSED '60, Sept. 08, 2017
Rex S. Ferguson, MA '94, Nov. 19, 2017
Seymour L. Fischer, June 30, 2017
Timothy S. Fitzgerald, BSE '80,Sept. 17, 2017
Kay W. Fluke, BAED '55, MAED '59, Dec. 03, 2017
Carl K. Fogle, MSED '69, Oct. 25, 2017
Theodore E. Fundoukos, BSEE '60, July 03, 2017
Nancy E. Gale, BSN '89, Oct. 02, 2017
Patricia J. Gaston, BSED '61, Oct. 06, 2017
Rocco L. Gemma, MS '95, Jan. 03, 2017
Pete George, BAE '60, Oct. 10, 2017
Charles P. Gerstenmaier, Feb. 02, 2017
Raymond W. Gesaman, BSE '92, MSE '03, June 19, 2017
Bruce E. Gill, BSBA '50, Oct. 13, 2017
Patricia H. Goodall, Oct. 14, 2017
Stephen J. Halaiko, Sept. 30, 2017
Barbara Ann Hale, BSED '52,July 13, 2017
Margaret J. Hardenbergh, MAE '72, Oct. 27, 2017
Michele R. Hardman, BS '83, Sept. 22, 2017
Shirley Harper, Nov. 09, 2017
Larry G. Hart, BSE '59, Sept. 08, 2017
Robert E. Hatton, BAED '71,Oct. 23, 2017
Jess Hershey, Nov. 28, 2017
Winifred J. Hickson, BSED '61, Aug. 31, 2017
Carol, L. Higy, MSE '81, EDD '98, Sept. 23, 2017
Brian D. Hill, BSBA '81 Sept. 26, 2017
Deborah S. Hill, Nov. 18, 2017
John W. Hofer, MS '92, Sept. 17, 2017
Raymond D. Holcomb, MAED '63, Nov. 23, 2017
Jack D. Huggins, Nov. 26, 2017
Isaac C. Hunt, Jr., Oct. 29, 2017
Anthony T. Jaswa, AAS '66, Oct. 27, 2017
Thomas J. Johnson, BSME '57,July 29, 2017
Marilyn S. Kent, BSED '52, Aug. 02, 2017
Megan E. Killough, BSBA '05, Nov. 08, 2017
June D. Kitarich March 01, 2017
Kathleen L. Klich, BSE '76, Oct. 25, 2017
Henry J. Knoch, BSIM '62, Oct. 08, 2017
Jack F. Komsa, Nov. 06, 2017
Louis M. Konstan, Nov. 29, 2017
Joseph R. Lemire BSBA '90, Sept. 26, 2017
Brian G. Lenz, BS '94, July 16, 2017
Karena C. Lin, Nov. 02, 2017
James B. Lindsey, Jr. JD '77, Nov. 08, 2017
Rose Ann Lowe, BAED '53, Nov. 09, 2017
Edward R. Lunda, Nov. 03, 2017
John W. Maurer, BSA '73, JD '78, Nov. 05, 2017
Stan J. Mazur, BAE '73, MAE '80, Nov. 15, 2017
Carol J. McFarland, BSE '83, Sept. 29, 2017
John E. Menesian, BA '52, BSBA '56, Sept. 11, 2017
Gladys M. Moore, June 27, 2017
Adam Moro, BSBA '50, Sept. 15, 2017
Joseph M. Morrison, MSW '05, Aug. 02, 2017
John D. Mowrer, BAE '71, BAED '72, Jan. 30, 2017
Louis L. Murie, Oct. 05, 2017
Ruth C. Murray, Feb. 07, 2017
Margaret L. Myers, BA '38, Oct. 23, 2017
Robert H. Myers, Oct. 29, 2017
Donald J. Nutter, Nov. 19, 2017
Eric J. Obloy, BS '15, Sept. 17, 2017
Timothy J. Ochsenhirt, BA '68, Nov. 09, 2017
B. Jerry Orsich, BSEE '52, Nov. 05, 2017
Richard G. Owens, AAS '74, AAS '85 Sept. 14, 2017
Evan W. Owens, BSBA '58, March 22, 2017
Bill R. Phillips, MAE '91, Jan. 16, 2017
Alfred E. Pocock, MA '70, Oct. 04, 2017
Dwite A. Polos, BSA '71, Sept. 30, 2017
Charles Popovich, BAED '63, MAED '69, Feb. 13, 2017
Michelle R. Post, BA '06, Oct. 09, 2017
Gene L. Preisse, BA '53, Nov. 13, 2017
Russell D. Rickeard, BS'65, MS '71, Aug. 03, 2017
Linda Jandecka Rohrbough, AAS '67, BSBA '71, Sept. 13, 2017
Raymond T. Romito, AAS '76, Sept. 10, 2017
Gary M. Schaeufele BA '77,Sept. 21, 2017
Franklin H. Schapiro, BA '66, MA '67, Sept. 16, 2017
Barbara P. Searle, BS '51, Oct. 03, 2017
Marilyn J. Sechrist, March 28, 2017
Martha F. Severyn, BA '45, Sept. 06, 2017
Betty Shatrick Sept. 21, 2017
Bruce R. Shaw, Nov.29, 2017
David W. Simmons, AAS '88, BA '91, Nov. 14, 2017
Harriet M. Smith, BSE '56,Sept. 14, 2017
Dolores A. Snyder, PHD '85, Nov. 27, 2017
Mary Jane Sokol, BSED '53, Sept. 15, 2017
John H. Stadler, BS '85, Oct. 18, 2017
C. Eugene Stalnaker, BSBA '60, Sept. 27, 2017
Ernest R. Stein, BA '48, Nov. 29, 2017
Linda S. Stiefel, JD '91, Aug. 17, 2017
Alphious C. Stouffer, Jr., AARTS '65, BSBA '68, Nov. 14, 2017
Alice L. Taylor, BA '47,Oct. 20, 2017
Stuart M. Terrass, BA '55, MA '65, Oct. 11, 2017
Patricia M. Thomas, BA '93, Oct. 10, 2017
James A. Thompson, Jr., BSE '76, MBA '82, Dec. 01, 2017
Joshua E. Trumbo, AA '13, Oct. 11, 2017
Lindsey J. Wagner, BA '04, Oct. 30, 2017
Patrick J. Walker, BSA '61, Sept. 05, 2017
Barbara Watson, JD '80, Nov. 29, 2017
Elaine L. Waugaman, BA '49, Sept. 19, 2017
George-Ann Wheeler, AAS '62, Sept. 07, 2017
James E. White, BSBA '51, Sept. 24, 2017
Joseph L. White, Nov 22, 2017
Kendra L. Wilson, BA '16, Nov. 27, 2017
Timothy G. Wojton, JD '76, Sept. 18, 2017
Dennis M. Wood, BS '89, Nov. 29, 2017
Mildred C. Workman, AAS '91, BA '92, Oct. 03, 2017
Lois Yingling, BSN '80, Oct. 30, 2017

Zips on Walkabout

McAnallenBud_Oregon coast

Zippy took in the waterfall at Hug Point, Ore., in early April 2018 with Bud McAnallen Jr., a member of the class of 1966, who resides in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. The stop at the Northern Oregon site was just one of many along the coast for Bud, a longtime outdoor enthusiast and avid hiker.

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