Longtime class councilor Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli passed away Sept. 19, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Zanchelli ’49. She leaves behind children Mark, Michael and Lynn, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce taught English at Mepham High School, Baypoint Bluepoint High School and Manhasset High School for many years. She was dedicated to serving her NYSCT classmates. She and Joe were honored with the UAlbany Alumni Association’s Whittlesey Excellence in Alumni Service award in 2014.
The Class of 1960 Yellowjackets celebrated their 65th anniversary at a reunion luncheon on October 14 at Jacob & Anthony’s Italian in Stuyvesant Plaza. Attendees included Mary Ellen Johnson; Fay McMore Graham and her daughter Laura who was visiting from Ohio; Phil Shepherd and wife Fran Cicero Shepherd ’62, and Fran’s college roommate, Linda Zucconi Dellea ’62; and co-councilor Doris Hische Brossy and her ‘adopted’ daughter, Stacey Calabrese Riccardi, who attended in memory of her mother Bunny Silverstein Calabrese. Loida Vera Cruz, retired associate director of alumni programs, joined the class for dessert and coffee. We miss you, Loida! At the reunion, the class voted to determine the recipient of the Class of 1960 Project Fund. Remembering the many hours spent at Hawley Library, $1,700.00 was donated to the Dewey Graduate Library located in Hawley Hall.
Fran Jadick Castillo was sorry to miss the reunion. Family was visiting Fran and Ray on the Cape, but they ask to be remembered and give the best to all classmates.
Fran Wallace Cole sent word that Jack Anderson had passed away just a week before the reunion. Fran still lives in Oklahoma with her son and family and spends summers at her cottage in Alexandria Bay.
Nancy Ryan Gnan and John are great-grandparents. Regretfully, health issues kept Nancy and John from joining the reunion lunch.
Fay McMore Graham is retired from Washington County Social Services. She keeps busy with travel, book clubs, line dancing, and playing Scrabble three times a week.
Art Hackett of Virginia recently celebrated his 89th birthday. He was unable to travel to the reunion lunch. His hobby remains Amateur Radio and radio contesting — call letters K4FTO. He sends his ‘hello and regards’ to all.
Mary Ellen Johnson retired from teaching social studies 31 years ago. She serves as Guilderland Town Historian and writes a weekly newspaper column, “Glimpse of Guilderland History.” She keeps in touch with Mary Matey Garrett.
Marcia Cavanaugh Meaney lives in a 55+ community in Saratoga Springs, and winters in Jupiter, FL.
Joan Cali Pecore sends her good wishes to all ’60 classmates and regrets not being able to attend the reunion lunch.
Doug Penfield competes in many bridge tournaments. Regretfully, a big bridge event was already scheduled on the date of the reunion lunch.
Olga Eckardt Winsor says “Hello” to all. Condolences to Olga on the passing of her husband Fred Winsor ’63 on February 1, 2025.
Doris Hische Brossy is appreciative of the assistance of Carmelina Morrison, associate director of Alumni Programs, and Stephanie Snyder, marketing & communication strategist, for their part in making the reunion a success!
Class co-councilors: Doris Hische Brossy, dbrossy@aol.com; Joan Cali Pecore, joanpecore@gmail.com
Barbara Lewick Christoff relocated to Hemlock, NY.
Marilyn Anderson Pendergast and Bill Robelee enjoyed lunch with Katie Iocca, recipient of the Class of ’64 Scholarship for 2025, in December. Katie relished her fall student teaching experience and has completed all requirements for her master’s degree, which she will receive in May. Katie plans to substitute teach while she searches for a high school math position (which, after meeting her, should be brief). We will meet our next recipient at the School of Education Scholarship ceremony on Friday May 8, 2026. If any of you would like to attend the ceremony, contact Bill at the email address below and he will help make arrangements.Please keep us informed of any changes to your contact information.
“Time marches on…and on…and on…” – 1964 Torch
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
Roselle Warshaw Mironer has been enjoying living with her new life partner while her apartment in Manhattan is being renovated. She is a Spanish tutor and has been busy planning several trips abroad including South Africa, England, Curaçao, Israel, and Japan. She enjoys taking ballet and modern dance classes, is currently enrolled in a memoir writing course, and she joined the London Writers Salon. Roselle reunited with Ila Nussbaum Falvey and Mary Jane Fagan in July. “Dare I say I’ll be lobbying on ‘the Hill’ for a strong US–Israel relationship and find the rise in antisemitism horrifying. Trying to give my new Mayor a chance but expect little in the way of security for the Jews of New York. Stay healthy, don’t fall, and remember, ‘Excellence is a Habit.’”
Don and Sue Falkenbach Welch of St. Augustine Beach, FL, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December. Three of six grandchildren have graduated from college and are now working. Don and Sue miss New York State, but enjoy their summer cabin in Rangeley, Maine.
Mary Margaret Welker Young and husband John continue to be active in their retirement. In Spring 2025 they went on an AmaWaterways river cruise in the Bordeaux area of France after spending a few days in Paris. “We saw the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral....amazing!” In September they went on a Road Scholar trip to Croatia and Montenegro, and spent seven nights on a small ship. Mary Margaret remains connected with several of her Chi Sigma Theta sisters.
Don and Randie McGurrin shared the birth of their great-granddaughter, born in January 2025. Don is a math tutor.
Class Co-Councilors: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com; Ira Rubtchinsky, irapaul@yahoo.com.
Greetings, beloved 1967 Classmates and Friends, Your ‘67 classmates and I would love to receive your news. Please email me an update on your accomplishments after graduating from UAlbany, including your travels and volunteer activities! Stay connected! Please keep in touch!
Hugs and many blessings always, Class councilor Canon Kay C. Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Karen Jean (Joyner) Walencik passed away on November 6, 2025. She was a member of Psi Gamma sorority. She is survived by husband Thomas Walencik ’66, son Brian, and two granddaughters.
The Class of ’71 reunion committee is hoping to set up a dinner/dance during the 2026 homecoming weekend to celebrate their 55th-year reunion. Future info will be shared as it becomes available. Make sure your contact info is up to date with the Alumni association. Watch the class facebook page to stay current with the plans at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ualbany71
Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, MS, OT, is the founder of Dance Express in Fort Collins, CO. She was named a 2025 Legend of Dance in Colorado. Founded in 1989, Dance Express is an inclusive dance company for persons with and without disabilities.
Kenneth Kurtz was named president of the American College of Prosthodontists. He is a clinical professor and director of the Division of Maxillofacial Prosthetics at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine and is director of prosthodontic research at Montefiore Medical Center where he has taught since 1998. He also is a clinical professor at the Hofstra/Northwell School of Medicine and an attending maxillofacial prosthodontist at the affiliated Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Kurtz also maintains a private practice, Academic Prosthodontics of Long Island.
Matt Smolin retired from practicing interventional cardiology 12/1/2024. "I am actively painting, playing jazz guitar, flying my airplane, and dancing competitive West Coast Swing."
Matthew Schorr was elected board chairman of law firm Marshall Dennehey in Philadelphia.
After 26 years of teaching high school science, Deborah (Pulikowski) Clapp and her husband started 1634 Meadery in Ipswich, MA. Deb is head of marketing, sales, events and markets (and chief bottle washer).
Wendy Marsh, chair of Environmental and Land Use & Zoning Departments at Hancock Estabrook, LLP, was named an Upstate New York Super Lawyer for 2025. Wendy was also selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2026.
Jennifer Leitgeb of Baldwinsville, NY, was promoted to vice president, strategy & philanthropy, at Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central New York.
Kevin Kerwin was appointed president and CEO of the Iroquois Healthcare Association and its affiliated organizations, United Iroquois Shared Services, Inc. and Caring Gene Healthcare Career Pathways, Inc.
David Burch was named deputy managing partner of Barclay Damon’s Syracuse office, and is a member of the firm’s Compensation Committee.
Josh Hewitt, academic partnership manager for think-cell Software in Raleigh-Durham, NC, is co-founder and general manager of the North Carolina Power Soccer League, the state’s first competitive league for athletes who use power wheelchairs.
Daniel Bresler was elected chair of the Management Committee at Seward & Kissel LLP in NYC.
Joshua Terry was recently promoted to Director of Legislative and Political Action at the Civil Service Employees Association, where he has spent the past 18 years in a variety of roles working on state and federal legislative and regulatory issues.
Brenna Richardson was named director of operations for the William G. Pomeroy Foundation in Syracuse. She volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and serves on the board of the Kelly Farmer Memorial Scholarship Fund in Syracuse.
Brent McGrady and wife Melissa welcomed their third child, a baby boy, Cayden, on Dec. 13, 2024. Brent is a part-time meteorologist at Western Mass News in Springfield.
Alyssa Lotmore and husband Ryan LaBarge welcomed a baby boy, Cian Sebastian, on Oct. 16, 2025.
Joseph Castiglie was named to 2025 Business Council of Westchester 40 Under 40 Rising Stars. He is the co-portfolio manager of The Free Markets ETF.
Brienna (Christiano) Braman, counsel at Barclay Damon LLP, serves as chair of the firm’s Next Generation Committee.
Latiqua Liles joined the Morristown, N.J. office of Ogletree Deakins as an associate. Her practice focuses on employment law. Latiqua was recognized as a Rising Star by New Jersey Super Lawyers, included in the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, and named among the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.
Marius Pascale, visiting professor of philosophy at Guilford College, shared his expertise in a USA Today article about the ethics of dark tourism.
Amanda Nardozza was recognized in the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for 2025. Amanda is an associate at Hancock Estabrook, LLP, and works in the Firm’s Litigation and Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Areas.
Alison (Shimel) Spafford was featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s annual Women in Commercial Real Estate Spotlight. She is a senior associate at Halloran Sage in Springfield, MA.
Patrick Farrell, associate at Barclay Damon LLP in Syracuse, joined the firm’s Torts & Products Liability Defense and Professional Liability Practice Areas.
Joseph Kodetsky is a Financial Advisor at Equitable Advisors in Secaucus, NJ.
Vianne Kara Singh joined Lowe’s Companies, Inc., as a speechwriter on the Executive Communications team.
Selena Ramos is a broadcast meteorologist for 13WHAM in Rochester, N.Y.
Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes passed away Feb. 22, 2025. Rosie proudly served as class councilor of the Red Devils and was dedicated to keeping her classmates connected. With her trademark enthusiasm and zest, Rosie led the planning of the Class of 1953’s 65th reunion in Fall 2018 and wore her NYSCT beanie to the milestone reunion events throughout Homecoming weekend.
Rosie Keller Hughes ’53 (center) and members of the Class of 1953 Red Devils celebrated their 65th reunion at Homecoming in 2018.
Katie Iocca is the recipient of the Class of 1964 Scholarship for 2025. Katie is working toward a Master of Science in Secondary Education. She is a member of the UAlbany track and field and cross-country teams. Katie was unable to attend the scholarship ceremony as she was competing in a tournament, but we’re planning on meeting her in the fall.
Please keep in touch with classmates by sending information to Columba or Bill for publication in future class notes.
By day and by night familiar faces appear... in familiar places... - Torch, 1964
Class co-councilors: Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com; Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com.
Carol “Kate” Harvey Jacobs shared that her five kids invest their lives in helping others. Her middle child, Jason, partner at D.C. law firm Covington & Burling, celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary in June. He and his wife met in law school and Kate officiated their wedding ceremony. Jason received the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award in recognition of his commitment to pro bono work over the last decade. Kate says, “I am so filled with joy that all five of my kids commit their lives to helping others, so needed in times of violence and division like ours.”
Gene Tobey was in the chorus for the Philadelphia Orchestra’s performance of the Verdi Requiem at SPAC in August 2024. He also sang the piece with the Schenectady-Saratoga Orchestra at Proctor’s Theater in April. On May 5, Gene performed in the SUNY Schenectady CCC Chorus and Orchestra’s presentation of Brahms’ “Ein Deutches Requiem.”
Nicholas Argyros, who holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology & Statistics from UAlbany, retired in 2005 after 30 years conducting research studies at the state education department. He then started the Photography Center of the Capital District, a membership-based organization that included a darkroom, studio, library with 10,000 photography books, gallery, and camera museum, and featured exhibitions of regional photographers. The pandemic changed everything. Nicholas has been working on creating a Museum of the History of Photography, and acquiring thousands of vintage images from the 1800s and cameras from every decade of photography since 1840. Nicholas and Annette Gacek ’63, ’64 have been married nearly 47 years. Annette is the former head of the bureau that creates New York State Regents examinations. They have one son and one granddaughter.
Class Councilor: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
A message from your class councilor:
Stay connected! Please keep in touch! Hugs and many blessings always.
Class Councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Fifty years after receiving her bachelor’s degree in accounting, Jessica Zeller Harris returned to campus with husband Robert Harris ’74 to see their daughter, Bethany Harris Crawford, receive her Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Bruce Plaxen of Baltimore made history as the first Maryland bar lawyer to serve as president of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Plaxen founded his firm 40 years ago. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy in recognition of his pro bono efforts assisting the families of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks – the largest pro bono project in history.
Nancy (Grasso) Barry retired from the NYS Court System and currently serves as first deputy district attorney and chief of staff to Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace. Nancy received the Alumni Association’s Milk Excellence in Public Service Award in 2023.
Kristy (Ackert) Kennedy was named to Forbes list of America’s Best-in-State CPAs for 2025. Kristy serves as director at Forvis Mazars in Raleigh, N.C.
Amanda Lefton was appointed commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Nicholas Fahrenkopf, technical director and principal investigator for NORDTECH, NY CREATES, was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2025.
Dan Mastin was named Energy Manager of the Year for the Northeast Region by the Association of Energy Engineers. He serves as Energy and Commissioning Program Manager at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Rashaun Allen’s poem, “Unforget,” is imprinted on a commemorative plaque honoring the lives, legacies and stories of the Black community in New Rochelle, NY.
Anthony K.C. Fong is the Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Real Estate Services for NYC.
Christian Coyne joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP as Of Counsel in the Business, Corporate and Commercial Practice Group.
John-Raphael Pichardo was chosen as a Fellow for Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.
Anthony Anadio ’01, MA ’03, PhD ’13 and Patricia Pillsworth ’92, PhD ’13 married on Oct. 24, 2024. Both earned their PhDs in history at UAlbany.
Siobhan Buchta is director of Training, Exercises, and Evaluation in the Headquarters Emergency Management department at MTA. She is a 40 under 40 honoree for the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Bashir Chedrawee, CEO, Simone’s Kitchen Inc., was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2025.
Wyatt Erchak earned a Ph.D. in History from Carnegie Mellon University.
Longtime class councilor Joseph “Joe” Zanchelli passed away on Jan. 21, 2025. He leaves behind his wife of 73 years, Joyce Leavitt ’52, children Mark, Michael and Lynn, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Joe was a high school math teacher for five years, a high school guidance counselor for 32 years, and chairperson of the Guidance Department at Great Neck South High School for 22 years. He retired in 1986. Joe had served as class counselor for the 1949 Red Devils since 2003. In 2014, he and Joyce were honored for their dedication to the University with the UAlbany Alumni Association’s Whittlesey Excellence in Alumni Service Award.
Naoshi Koriyama celebrated his 98th birthday Nov. 3 in Kanagawa, Yokohama, Japan. He continues to write poetry and translates Japanese poems into English. He recently finished a book manuscript with the tentative title, My Tankas, My English Poems, My Life and is looking for a publisher in Japan. He is a professor emeritus at Tokyo University.
Thomas “Tom” Hoppey passed away in July 2024. Dedicated to his community in Port Jervis, NY, Tom was a teacher and principal for over 30 years. The Port Jervis School District dedicated the recently renovated East Main Elementary School in his honor. The City of Port Jervis also named August 30, 2024 as “Tom Hoppey Day.”
Miriam Sanderson Russell wrote the screenplay for “Born A Secret,” a short film adapted from her 2017 memoir.
When class councilor
Ron Short passed away last year, Bob Kampf continued to help keep class communications rolling for the Green Gremlins of ’59. Unfortunately, he has not received any updates from classmates in the past year. Bob writes: “We had a beautiful get together and celebratory lunch for our 60th anniversary reunion in 2019. Since then, all has been quiet on the western front, and all other fronts. Recently, I donated the last $200 in our class account to the Alumni Association for whatever purpose they deemed necessary. I thought this was valid, rather than letting it be lost. I hope that, by seeing this note, some of you will drop me an email as we continue to keep as active as our faltering bones will allow. Send me a note at redhookbob@ outlook.com and I will let others know how you are doing. Hopefully, this wakeup call will find you in good health.”
A note from class councilor Joan Cali Pecore:
First of all, not only for myself but for the Class of 1960, I extend deepest condolences to my co-councilor, Doris Hische Brossy, upon the passing of her daughter, Kristen Linsey. As many of you remember, Krissi was often in attendance at our reunions, and, most often, lending a helping hand to Doris and me, too. Peace, dear Krissi.
So many of our classmates are now living in senior communities with amenities including healthcare and social activities, and are able to stick close to home. Some are still able to enjoy the wanderlust. Nancy Ryan Gnan and husband John of Melbourne, Fl., spent some of the Christmas season on a getaway cruise to Mexico. Bernice Epstein Cohen, a world traveler throughout her lifetime, continues her adventures. Over the past year she visited Spain and France. Bernice also traveled to Seattle and Alaska.
Our 65th anniversary is here! If any class members are interested in reuniting this fall, whether in person or virtually, please reach out to your class councilors.
Class Co-Councilors: Doris Brossey, dbrossy@aol.com; Joan Pecore, joanpecore@gmail.com
The Class of 1964 celebrated its 60th reunion during Homecoming 2024. Those who attended were Bill Robelee and wife Margaret, Columba Heinzelman and husband Dave, Ed Reid and wife Carol, Paula Dulak, Ralph Grimaldi and friend Mike, Sheila Stromwasser Foraker, Connie Bentley Mulligan, and Lenore Rich Reinhard. A good time was had by all.
Two of our Class of ’64 scholarship recipients, Matthew Maldonado and Maria Latorre, joined us at the reunion Meet and Greet on Friday night. They are delightful and are grateful for the scholarships. Matthew and Maria shared their goals with the group and were easy to talk with. Thanks to the generosity of several classmates, we will be adding $4,725 to our scholarship fund. Dr. Virginia Goatley, Dean of the School of Education, attended our reunion luncheon and answered any questions we had about recent developments in the University’s education programs. Thanks to Loida Vera Cruz of the Alumni Association for her help in organizing our reunion activities. We wish her well in her retirement. As always, we encourage classmates to notify the Alumni Association of any changes in address, telephone number and/or email addresses.
“By day and by night familiar faces appear…in familiar places…” – from the 1964 Torch
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
Arnold Jablon, Esq., still resides in the Baltimore area. He retired from Baltimore County Government in 2019, where he served as deputy administrative officer and director of the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections. Arnold had originally retired in 2003 to go into private practice of law but went back in 2010. He then joined the same national law firm he had joined in 2003, specializing in zoning and development issues. He left in 2021 into semi-retirement as a parttime sole practitioner.
Kappa Beta brothers and college roommates Kirk Ellis and Errol “Fitz” Fitzgerald both had 30-plus-year careers teaching and coaching. They meet for Homecoming, go fishing and enjoy going to the Saratoga Race Track each year. They’re looking forward to their Class of ’65 60th-year reunion!
Class Councilors Judy (Koblintz) Madnick and Ira Rubtchinsky and their committee have been busy planning the Class of ’65 60th-year Class Reunion.
Class Councilor: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
Greetings, beloved 1967 Classmates and Friends,
We were so thrilled to receive news from our dear classmate, Michael J. Connelly, of Guilderland, NY. After earning a bachelor’s degree in 1967 and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling in 1969, Michael worked for the Capital District Psychiatric Center for 10 years. He returned to Workshop, Inc. as director of Professional Services and retired in 2005. Michael then started his own business, Northeast Associates in Rehabilitation, LLC, specializing in school-to-work for local school districts, which he closed in 2021 due to the pandemic. Now comfortably retired, Michael lives with the love of his life of 52 years, Lou Ann Jackson Connelly. They have a son who is a National Weather Service meteorologist, another son who works for the Florida Department of Environment and a daughter who is a veterinarian in New Jersey. Michael and Lou Ann travel to Florida every winter where they visit with friends from their college days. In 2006, Michael founded the Capital District Over 50 Softball League which now has seven teams and over 90 players and competes at Liberty Field on the UAlbany campus. We are so proud of you, Michael.
Your ’67 classmates and I would love to receive your news. Please email me an update on your accomplishments after graduating from UAlbany, including your travels and volunteer activities!
Stay connected! Please keep in touch! Hugs and many blessings always.
Class Councilor: Canon Kay C. Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Carlo Cherubino passed away on Nov. 14, 2024. Born in Siderno Marina, Reggio Calabria, Italy, Carlo immigrated to the United States in 1965 and attended Cardinal McCloskey High School where he started his running career. He pursued his education in teaching atUAlbany, where he set several records in cross country and competed in the 1976 Olympic Trials. He was inducted into the UAlbany Athletics Hall of Fame twice, once in 1987 as an individual for cross country/track and again in 2023 as a member of the 1973 Men’s Cross Country team. Carlo was ranked fourth best 30-kilometer runner in 1979 by both Runners World and Track & Field, his favorite magazines. Carlo taught Spanish at the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany for 46 years. During that time, he coached soccer for 26 years and served as athletic director. Carlo took pride in having created AHN’s indoor/outdoor track & field and cross-country programs, and in coaching these teams to success, earning more than 60 titles in the NYS Public High School Athletic Association, Section II Colonial Council.
United Health Services (UHS) recently dedicated its outpatient facility in Vestal, NY as the Matthew and Mary Ellen Salanger Outpatient Center. Matthew Salanger and Mary Ellen (O’Connor) Salanger ’78 have been a part of the Binghamton community for nearly 40 years. Matt joined UHS in 1985; he served as president and CEO of UHS Hospitals 1994-2017 and led the UHS system 2007-2017. His vision and leadership spearheaded the construction of the UHS Vestal site. Matt serves on the UHS Board of Directors.
John Halloran published “Remembering Edward Griffith: The Most Decent Man in the Legislature” in The Legislative Gazette. In his tribute, John recalls his days working part-time in Mr. Griffith’s office while studying at UAlbany.
After serving 38 years in law practice, Andy Paul retired as vice president, Labor Relations, Metro-North Railroad. He is now a labor consultant in Westchester County.
Gregory Kelly was named dean of the College of Education at UMASS Amherst.
Stefano Cambareri, senior partner at Cambareri & Brenneck, PLLC, in Syracuse, was appointed to the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct by assembly minority leader William A. Barclay. Steve previously served as an associate at Bond, Schoeneck & King and later worked as an assistant district attorney in Onondaga County.
Andrew Cohen and Rob Levin, founders of remote talent provider WorkBetterNow, celebrated the company’s rank of No. 114 on Inc. 5000’s list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for 2024.
Wendy Marsh was selected for inclusion in Upstate New York Super Lawyers for 2024. She is chair of the Environmental and Land Use Planning Department at Hancock Estabrook, LLP.
For the sixth consecutive year, John Bagyi was listed in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers Guide.
Erin Coe was named executive director of The Rockwell Museum in Corning, NY. She previously served as director of the Palmer Museum of Art and associate clinical professor in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State.
Special counsel Kristin Jordan joined Harris Beach Murtha’s Cannabis and Real Estate Developers industry teams. She is based in the firm’s NYC office.
Michael Charlebois was named a “Rising Star” in the municipal bond industry by The Bond Buyer. Based in Los Angeles, he is an attorney in Ballard Spahr’s National Finance Department.
Nathan Pannucci was named shareholder at Capital-District based CPA firm Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte. He joined TBC in 2010.
Stephen Almy joined Barclay Damon’s Property Tax & Condemnation and Energy Practice areas. He is based in the firm’s Albany office.
UAlbany track and field alum Tyler Fogarty is regional manager at Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits in Nashville, TN. He joined the company in 2021.
Crystal (Gunsch) Bradshaw ’12 and husband David welcomed daughter Emma Rae, Jan. 15, 2025. A former work-study at the UAlbany Alumni Association, Crystal earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and graduated from New York College of Podiatric Medicine. She completed her residency at Georgetown University Hospital and her fellowship at The Orthopedic Group. Crystal is a podiatric surgeon at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, specializing in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.
John Pardo ’14 and Samantha (Bruno) Pardo ’15 married on Sept. 22, 2024.
Luke Bennett was promoted to senior tax accountant at Dannible & McKee, LLP in Syracuse. He joined the firm full-time in 2022 after working as an intern in the tax department for two years.
Jillian Benedict won the bronze medal at the World Lacrosse Box Championships in September 2024.
Naishaly Vèlez Galán was named a “Resourceful Honoree in Health and Human Services” by the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region. Naishaly currently serves as a survivor advocate in UAlbany’s Office of Health Promotion and is the City of Albany’s Tulip Queen for 2024.
Marina Bonilla is an assistant professor of Spanish at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY.
Jakob Greenwood is the first seasonal ranger at the Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville, NY. While an environmental sciences student, he completed an internship and worked as an invasive species assistant.
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Victor Rodriguez works for the New York State Office of Information Technology Services.
After graduation, Godswill Utionkpan was offeredtwo roles with the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company in California.
2010
Nick Laraway, chief operating officer, Carver Cos., was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2024.
Michael Hipp, head of asset management and operations, Jankow Cos., was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2024.
Hongwei Zhang, senior vice president of operations, Consumer Directed Choices, was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2024.
Mark Wagner, partner, The Wagoner Firm, was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2024.
Alfons D’Auria is an associate attorney at Ogletree Deakins in NYC. His practice focuses on employment law. Alfons earned a J.D. from Tulane Law School.
Brook Pancoe, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Arrow Financial Corp, was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2024.
Marc Cohen joined O’Donnell & Associates as Rochester Area Business and Public Policy Leader. He previously served as chief of staff at Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
Peter Gemellaro was appointed to the staff of the Honorable Kevin Kiley in California’s 3rd Congressional District.
Dr. Micheal Stratton, dean of the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business and Technology, was selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for this year’s Becoming a Provost Academy.
Christine Hmiel Schudde, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Capital District, was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2024.
Young Do is the executive director of Hospitality House which was recognized by the Times Union as a “Top Workplace” of 2023.
Jason Yots is partner at Cannon Heyman & Weiss, LLP, an Albany and Buffalo-based affordable housing and community development law firm. He previously worked at CHW as a partner from 2002-2008 before starting a line of historic preservation-focused businesses including Yots Law Firm P.C.; Preservation Studios LLC, an historic preservation consulting firm; and Common Bond Real Estate LLC, a real estate development company.
Honorable Llinét M. Rosado received Albany Law School’s Kate Stoneman Award for 2024. She was appointed to the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division by Gov. Kathy Hochul in August 2023.
Jennifer Santiago and Jennifer Leifer are the co-hosts of Valley Girls, a podcast that highlights artists, makers, business owners, communities and natural resources of the Hudson Valley.
Candi Griffin-Jenkins was appointed director of the Bureau of Social Determinants of Health within the NYS Division of Child Welfare and Community Services. Candi is both a graduate and former assistant dean of the UAlbany School of Social Welfare.
Adam McCarey was named chair of the SUNY Orange Foundation Board of Directors, for which he has served as a member since 2017.
Frank Hoare serves as executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority. He is also a veteran and served as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserves for 28 years.
Jennifer Manner is senior advisor of Space and Satellite Policy, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, US Department of Commerce.
Wendy Kalman was named director, Education and Advocacy Resources at Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
Sales consultant and coach Denise Horan launched Sales Club USA, a national professional group that includes workshops, conferences and informal get-togethers. She is the author of Stories from the Sales Field.
Terence Brennan joined Fort Myers, Fla.-based Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. as Of Counsel in the firm’s Business and Tax Department.
Victoria Leo is a science fiction writer and teaches anthropology and human anatomy online at Dartmouth Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).
Robert Sweeney enjoyed a five-week tour of Japan on a bullet train. While there he visited his daughter and her spouse, a Navy ship captain.
Susan Blank attended the alumni gathering in San Francisco in May, where she was the “furthest back” of all 50 attendees.
Sheril McCormack requests more tidbits of news from the Class of ’62.
Class Councilor: Sheril McCormack, vanillastar202@yahoo.com
Class co-councilors Bill Robelee and Columba DeFrancesco and classmates Ed Reid, Ralph Grimaldi and Paula Dulak met on a regular basis to plan our Class of 1964 60th-year reunion, which was held at Homecoming Oct. 18-20. We’re confident that everyone enjoyed the reunion and we’ll have much more to share in the spring edition of the Alumni magazine.
Maria Latorre is the 2024 recipient of the Class of 1964 Scholarship. Maria is from Bethlehem, N.Y. and earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development in May. This fall, she began working on her Master of Science in Special Education and Literacy. She plans to teach at the elementary level.
Please keep us informed of any changes to your contact information.
“Happiness is relative…to the time…the situation… the individual.” – from the 1964 Torch
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
Sue Falkenbach Welch and Don Welch still live on St. Augustine Beach and spend summers in the Rangeley Lakes region in the mountains of western Maine. They continue to be grateful to NYS, NYSUT and NYSTRS for their monthly teachers’ pensions! Sue and Don have always appreciated their years and education at UAlbany.
Lillian Terene Lindsley Stewart and Robert Norman Stewart of Denver are happily retired. Three of their grandchildren are graduating from high school. “No news is good news these days.”
From Ira Rubtchinsky: I’m 80. And so are many—maybe most—of you Red Devils from the Class of ’65. Diane (Buffalo State Class of ’66) and I moved out of Albany over ten years ago and last year moved to Highland Beach, Fla. It’s Memorial Day as I write this. For years when we lived in Albany, on this day I would bike from my home, up Western Avenue, and over Fuller Road to visit the graves of various relatives in cemeteries there, wind up at the Albany Rural Cemetery for the Presidential Honors Ceremony at the grave of Chester A. Arthur (twentyfirst president), and then over to the Corning plot to pay my respects to Mayor Corning (non-partisan since the former was a Republican and the latter a Democrat!). Then, having expended hundreds of calories biking, I would return home with a stop at an open Stewart’s Shop for a needed donut. I miss doing that. Regards to my fellow classmates. Good health and long life!
Class Councilor: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
A message from your class councilor: Greetings! Your ’67 classmates and I would love to receive news from you and any news you hear about others. Share your accomplishments after graduating from UAlbany, including your travels and volunteer activities! Please email me with your news. Stay connected! Please keep in touch! Hugs and many blessings always.
Class Councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Diane Reiner, founder and executive director of Jajja’s Kids, received the Jefferson Award, the highest and most prestigious honor recognizing public service in the United States. Diane was invited to represent the Capital Region at the National Salute to Service event in NYC in September.
Doug Nielsen welcomed the arrival of great-grandson Theodore in September 2023 and great-granddaughter Josephine in December 2024. Doug and wife Gail celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in April.
Class councilor Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes also has a great-grandson named Theodore, born in 2021. She also has a great-grandson named Brooks and a great-granddaughter named Lily Rose, born on Father’s Day 2024.
Patricia Wilkerson Smith recently passed. She was Rosie’s roommate for three and a half years. Pat and Rosie served as each other’s maids of honor, and their friendship continued for many years.
We have all benefited from a relationship with Loida Vera Cruz and, sadly, she will be retiring from her position at the Alumni Association in November. I’m hoping that those of you who have had positive relationships with Loida will send me some kind of tribute to her. I will compile the tributes with one from myself to give to her. She has been such a wonderful helper to me as a class councilor.
I’m hoping I will be able to hang longer in my position as class councilor. I’m sure that a lot of you who are the same age as I am are struggling with the loss of words and sentences. Please send your news to me—I would like to send it to you via the column in the next issue. Stay well. Best wishes for the holidays!
Class councilor: Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes, rosemaryk.hughes@gmail.com
Joyce Schueler Thomas had a bad fall which put a pause in her regular work as a freelance copy editor with clients at Stanford, UC-Berkeley. She is writing slowly with her left hand. Joyce would love to hear from more alums!
Dr. Eugene McLaren celebrated his 100th birthday in August. He is a Collins Fellow and retired professor Emeritus.
James Kinney founded the National Community Association (NCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to building stronger communities.
Lynne Gbadamosi is a Health Compliance and Referral Officer at Public Health Management Corporation in Delaware. She is pursuing an MPH at the University of Delaware where she is on the track and field team.
Elaina R. Burchell joined Dannible & McKee, LLP in Binghamton, NY as a tax staff accountant following an internship at the firm.
Michael Charlebois was elevated to Of Counsel at national law firm of Ballard Spahr. He is based in the firm’s Los Angeles office and focuses on public finance, project finance, and public-private partnership matters.
Nicole Della Ragione Osborne was promoted to partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.
Marc Cohen and wife Emily welcomed son Benjamin Oliver, Dec. 18, 2023.
Mikala McCauley ’16, ’18 and Peter Rodrigues ’16 were married Aug. 11, 2023 in NYC. The wedding was officiated by Ted Anderson ’82. Mikala is a UAlbany Volleyball alum, and Peter was involved in UASBIG. Both were members of Delta Sigma Pi.
Lucas Novko is an interpreter and blacksmith at the Farmer's Museum and Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, NY.
Ashley Scott, associate business engagement manager at Pepsico and founder and CEO of Data Girl Ash, spoke about career transitions and establishing professional networks at 2023 TEDx DeerPark Women: Two Steps Forward.
Taesha Martinez is a bilingual guidance counselor at the NYC Dept. of Education.
Joél Duran is an artificial intelligence product manager at Microsoft.
Bain Loucks, a medical malpractice and personal injury attorney, made partner at Fishkill NY-based firm Feldman, Kleidman, Collins and Sappe LLP.
Emily Trievel is association vice president, Speaker Relations at Harry Walker Agency. She lives in Westchester County with husband Niyan Oladipo ’01 and their three children.
Virginia Fasulo received the Milken Educator Award. She is a science teacher at Lodi High School, Lodi, NJ Virginia holds a BS in biology and a MPH from UAlbany.
Lauren Mendolera is partner at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in Buffalo. She has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America and was named an Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2021.
Dan Mastin, director of Energy Management and Commissioning for the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, was named “Energy Manager of the Year” by the NYC Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers.
Crystal Beauchemin was listed among The Innovation Group’s 2024 Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40. Crystal is business manager, Sports Wagering Division, Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Kim Brackin joined the coaching staff of the Stanford Cardinal women’s swimming and diving team. The former Auburn and Texas women’s head swimming coach is founder of Brackin Elite Swim Training. She has served as coach for the LA Current of the International Swim League and has served on Olympic staffs for Zimbabwe and on the US staff for the 2023 World University Games.
Rev. Peter Feltman-Mahan began as rector of the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole, MA in March.
Alicia Jacobs received the Environmental Stewardship Award from the Town of Clifton Park. She has served on the town’s Open Space, Trails & Riverfront committee for the last 10 years, and is a member of the communications subcommittee. She also coaches little league and is a member of the Community Action Fund.
Rachel McEneny is county dministrator for Benton County, Oregon. She previously served as budget director and commissioner of administrative services for the City of Albany.
UAlbany classmates Jennifer Fulkerson Fallon of New York, Tarika Ramitanondh Kulapa-on Chansrakao of Thailand, and Jan-Dirk Kuhlmann of Germany reunited in London in September. Jennifer is senior director of events at NBOA, Tarika is managing partner, Brandaholics Co., Ltd and owns the performing arts school CharACTer Academy in Bangkok, and Jan is key account director at Nestlé.
Salvatore “Sal” Altizio passed away in May 2023 after a heroic battle with cancer. He was a member of Theta Zi Omega fraternity. Sal had a successful career in airport maintenance management. He is survived by two sons and three grandchildren, and former wife Stephanie Rice Latman.
Peter Paluzzi’s photography was featured in the “Frame of Mind” exhibition at the Harvey Milk Center Gallery in San Francisco, November-December 2023.
Important news for the class of ’74: We will be celebrating our 50-Year Class Reunion and induction into the University’s Half Century Club during Homecoming 2024, Oct. 18-20! This will be a wonderful time to visit the ever-changing campus, meet old friends and make new ones! Classmates from the classes of ’73 and ’75 are welcome to join the festivities, as well as members from fraternities, sororities and other clubs or organizations. We are still planning and want to hear from you – what activities would you like to see? Please respond by emailing barryzdavis@gmail.com or caroleharnoff@gmail.com.
Lt. Gen. Michael J. Basla, United States Air Force (Ret.), was inducted into the Air Force Cyberspace and Operations Support Hall of Fame. Lt. Gen. Basla is a past recipient of the Stoneman Distinguished Alumni Award and is a UAlbany football alum.
Karen Golding Kushner received two awards at the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association convention. The Frank R. Kleffner Lifetime Clinical Career Award by the ASHA Foundation, and Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contributions in Clinical Achievement.
Dr. Marc Rosenthal received the American College of Emergency Physicians Disaster Medical Sciences Award. He is an attending physician with Medical Center Emergency Services and professor of Emergency Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He has been a member of the National Disaster Medical System since 1999. While at UAlbany, Marc was involved in Five Quad, the sail racing team, amateur radio club and the club fencing team.
Kenneth Kurtz was elected vice president of the American College of Prosthodontists. He is a prosthodontist in the Bronx.
June 7, 2023 was a memorable day for members of the Class of 1960. Five Yellowjackets attended the Reunion Luncheon for the Classes of 1955-1965 in Albany. Our gratitude goes out to Loida Vera Cruz for making the event possible. Olga Eckardt Winsor had a “most enjoyable [reunion] afternoon becoming re-acquainted with so many lovely people!” Doris Hische Brossy and daughter Kristin Linsey enjoyed meeting attendees from adjoining classes. Phil Shepherd and Frances Cicero Shepherd ’62 live in a 55+ community in the Poughkeepsie area. They missed seeing Joan Cali Pecore at the reunion. As co-councilor, Joan was instrumental in planning for the reunion but couldn’t attend due to health issues.
Mary Ellen Johnson has been retired from teaching for 29 years. She is active in the Guilderland Historical Society and serves as Guilderland Town Historian. She regularly sees Mary Matey Garrett and Nancy Marie Ryan.
Fay McMore Graham retired in 2005 from the Washington County Department of Social Services. She keeps busy with Bible study, book group, two scholarship committees, Friends of the Library, and Garden Club, and enjoys line dancing, playing Scrabble, reading and traveling. She plans to take a Viking River Cruise on the Elbe this spring. Fay has three adult children and five grandchildren ages 19-26.
Raymie Sepe ’59 of Poughkeepsie was so happy to have made this reunion.
A Chi Sigma Theta “mini reunion” included Marilyn Desanta Delorenzo ’57, Marcia Lawrence Gauquie ’57 and husband John ’57, Pat Ireland Morgan ’59, Doris Hische Brossy, and Maris Sheehan Hart ’61.
Joan Cali Pecore keeps busy with her family these days–now with five adult children, all married; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She enjoys reading, solving crossword puzzles, listening to music, and partaking regularly in courses/lectures offered by various colleges and the Smithsonian via Zoom. She is sorry to have missed old friends at the reunion.
Nancy Lou Ryan Gnan and husband John of Melbourne, FL., hoped to join us for the reunion, but health and other issues prevented the trip from happening.
Janice Graham Kaliski suffered a heart seizure in January; she lives at an assisted living facility in Harrisonburg, VA. Her first great-grandchild is due in July.
Art Hackett wants to be remembered to classmates from ’59 through ’62 as well as to his Kappa Beta brothers. Art lives independently in a senior community in Gainesville, VA. He keeps busy maintaining his house of 23 years, attending Lifelong Learning programs, and amateur radio contesting. He has two great-grandchildren who live nearby.
Betty Pflegl Nickles ’59 was also planning to join us, but she and her husband John decided at the last minute that making a reservation would not be wise due to ongoing health issues.
Class Co-Councilors: Doris Brossey, dbrossy@aol.com; Joan Pecore, joanpecore@gmail.com
Maris Sheehan Hart is retired from NYS, has four grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren, and has enjoyed many wonderful trips.
Ann Marie “Sunny” Sundstrand Mullen enjoys summers at her home in New Hampshire. In Maine, Sunny is active in Delta Kappa Gamma, Independent Order of Scandinavians and Kennebec Historical Society.
Elena Rabine Halady, Earl Buzz Welker, Robert Sweeney and Fran Shepherd are well, active, and send their regards. The “Fla. Hunter Run group,” meets weekly and includes Sue Byron Wallace, Doris Edelstein Hirschorn, Linda Levinson Kessler, and Shelley Gruber Karp. The group formed a weekly Zoom meetup that also includes Dan Shultz, Hank Maus, Pat Jones Maus, Gail Wackerow Kirby and Shelley Kellerman Pollero. Hannah Schnitt Rogers visited Sheril McCormack for Halloween week on Long Island and the “always” day at Jones Beach.
Class Councilor: Sheril McCormack, vanillastar202@yahoo.com
Bill Murphy and wife Susan of Atlanta celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on a European cruise and visited Spain, Gibraltar, England, Portugal, France and Denmark. The couple has three children, six grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren.
Patricia Jewell McAlexander published a new novel, The Last Golden Isle. It is available in paperback and ebook format and can be purchased from Amazon, Apple or Barnes & Noble. Pat remains active, teaching and taking courses, and serves on the Friends of Athens-Clarke County Library Board of Directors in Athens, GA.
By the time you read this, our reunion committee will be trying to reach you to confirm your contact info and to plan for our 60th reunion. Can you believe that it will be 60 years since we graduated from UAlbany?! Do plan on attending our 60th for lots of fun and reminiscing. More information will be coming as plans are solidified.
“The chance to get together is never bypassed…” – 1964 Torch
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
Gale Brinn McCall and Art McCall still spend half the year in sunny Surprise, Ariz., and the other half in Baldwinsville, NY. For 20 years they drove cross-country between the two states and geocached along the way, but now they fly direct from Phoenix to Buffalo where their daughter picks them up. Their son Charlie is vice president of a large Swiss manufacturing company in India, where he has been working for six years. Their daughter Michelynn is still teaching. Gale and Art spent the summer on a Viking Cruise along the Danube, between Prague and Budapest, their first time in Eastern Europe. Gale spent most of November with son Charlie in India. Charlie had the week of Diwali off and arranged trips for Gale, a gift for her 80th birthday. Gale and Art enjoyed family gatherings in Syracuse during Christmas. In late June Gale and daughter Michelynn will be taking a cruise starting in Aix-en-Provence and ending in Amsterdam.
Dick Smith and wife Jean Thayer Smith ’66 have been in Greeley, CO, for 20 years. They’re near kids and grandkids who are involved in sports, performances and church activities. Dick and Jean are blessed with good health and send best wishes to all.
Mary Margaret Welker Young and husband John took a two-week walking/hiking trip to the Cotswolds and Cornwall, England. The trip was with Road Scholar, and they met another couple in the group who were from Michigan graduated from the UAlbany Class of ’72! Small world! In keeping with the tradition of those in the Northeast, Ira Rubtchinsky and wife Diane have made tracks—sand tracks, that is—to the golden Atlantic coast of South Florida. Regards to all. Stay healthy. And if there are any who want to have a get-together in their Golden Land, email Ira at irapaul@yahoo.com.
Ruth Siegel Baker is planning many trips in the new year including New York (to see a play, Lempicka, written by a former student), Napa, Italy and Ireland. An avid bridge player, Ruth achieved the rank of Ruby Life Master.
Judy Koblintz Madnick is the recipient of the UAlbany Alumni Association’s Whittlesey Excellence in Alumni Service Award for 2024. Judy will be honored at the annual Excellence Awards Gala in April.
David Simons is member at large and founder of Global H2O, a non-profit organization created in Raleigh, NC in 2009. Teams are also located in London, Munich and Dusseldorf. The organization’s mission is to provide clean water and sanitation facilities in rural areas. Learn more at www.globalh2o.org.
Class Councilor: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
A message from your class councilor:
Greetings, beloved ’67 classmates.
Your classmates and I would love to receive news from you and any news you hear about our fellow classmates. Let us hear about your accomplishments after graduating from UAlbany, including your travels and volunteer activities. Please email me with your news. Stay connected!
Class Councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Gail Parsons is a registered nurse and works as an evaluator with the NYS certification of CNAs. She previously taught secondary French for 34 years.
Vicky Eddy reports that her five children are doing well. Pamela is a provost at William & Mary College and her three children are all college graduates. Lisa works in finance for the Pennsylvania Court System and has four children with advanced degrees. Son Brian started his own business as a consultant. Son Christopher retired from the FBI and as Brigadier General from the Air Force Reserves, is running for congress in Florida. Maria retired as a physical education teacher in Olean, NY.
Tom Holman now spends his winters in Naples. He wishes classmates good health and a peaceful 2024.
Marian Newton Knight is living in a fancy old folks home called Stonehenge in New Jersey. She is learning to draw and do water aerobics.
Nancy Frey Pettinelli still lives in Missouri near her eldest son and his wife. Her six grandchildren are all doing well. One granddaughter has an athletic scholarship in basketball, and another graduated from art school and is working in Canada.
Gwendolyn Gallivan Ripp has lived in Heron Cay near Vero Beach, FL for 35 years. Dorothy Hartman Newman is her neighbor. Gwen has been active in the Homeowners’ Association for 20 years and is involved in church. She feels blessed with good physical and mental health over many years since graduating from college and retiring from the State Education Department.
Shirley Feinstein Rosenbaum reports that one grandchild graduated from Columbia with a degree in music, and another is still a student there. Shirley’s daughter is a teacher a concert performer in Kentucky. Shirley’s son runs a non-profit bicycle shop in West Virginia. Shirley is in a book club and discussion group. She sends her best regards to class members.
Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli and husband Joe ’49 have been married for 72 years. Because of an unsuccessful knee joint surgery, Joyce is wheelchair bound and living with Joe in an assisted living facility near Saratoga Springs.
Class Councilor: Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli, jjzanch@yahoo.com
Gerry Holzman, former public school teacher/administrator in Long Island and professional woodcarver/sculptor, passed away Dec. 8, 2023. His most important handiwork is the Empire State Carousel, a full-size operating merry-go-round housed at the Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, NY. His other pieces can be found in museums, synagogues, churches, and public libraries. Gerry also was a prolific writer on carousels, folk art and travel, having visited every continent except Antarctica. Gerry’s life was celebrated in a New York Times featured obituary.
After earning a master’s degree from UAlbany in May 2023, Nicholas Chin started a new position at KPMG US as an advisory associate for the state and local government solutions team.
Jason Zarillo was named one Albany Business Review’s Class of 2023 “40 Under 40” honorees.
Raymond Blanchard graduated with a Ph.D in Counseling from Montclair State University and joined Manhattan College’s Counseling and Therapy Department as an assistant professor this fall.
Jonathan Wiggins is the assistant director of Residence Life and Housing at Columbia School of General Studies. He previously worked at NYU as a residence hall assistant director and UAlbany as a residence hall director.
James Dodd was named one of the Albany Business Review’s Class of 2023 “40 Under 40” honorees.
Holly McKenna was appointed executive director of the International Center of the Capital Region (ICCR). Holly previously served as ICCR’s director of Community Engagement. She is a media lecturer at UAlbany, and former journalist for Reuters. Holly’s family bleeds purple and gold; the UAlbany legacy family includes husband Chris ’85, son Peter ’14 and son Aidan ’22.
Dr. Lina Uribe Correa was appointed rectora of the Unicomfacauca university in Popayán, Colombia. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from UAlbany.
John Scott was named one of Albany Business Review’s Class of 2023 “40 Under 40” honorees. He is co-founder of 4th Family Inc., a nonprofit created to address issues faced by inner-city youth.
Christopher Babiarz is an associate in Barclay Damon’s Real Estate and Financial Institutions & Lending Practice Areas.
Umaru Barrie, a dual-degree M.D./Ph.D. candidate at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, earned his Ph.D. in the spring. He will finish his eighth and final year at UTSMC with an M.D. in 2024.
Will Brunelle was listed among City and State New York’s Albany 40 Under 40. He is vice president at communications and political consulting firm SKDK.
Jessica Dubowski joined Twomey, Latham, Shea, Kelley, Dubin & Quartararo, LLP as a corporate attorney. She holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law.
Justyn Turner was promoted to vice president of Strategic Partnerships, New York City Economic Development Corporation. He previously served as Brooklyn Borough Director.
Joe Mahoney was named one of the Albany Business Review’s Class of 2023 “40 Under 40” honorees.
Assembly Member Kenny Burgos was listed among City and State New York’s Albany 40 Under 40.
Colin Cooper was appointed by the Geneva City School District as head coach of the Geneva High School varsity football team. Cooper was a standout for the Geneva Panthers before playing at UAlbany.
Kathleen Digan was listed among City and State New York’s Albany 40 Under 40. She is the public policy manager at Amazon.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Grace Claxton ’17
Former UAlbany Track & Field star and 2016 Olympian Grace Claxton has been putting her public health degree to good use since graduating in 2017. Today, the San Juan, Puerto Rico, native is a certified and licensed massage therapist and owner of Paradise Wellness Center, located on the island of St. Kitts. She continues to train as a professional track athlete for Puerto Rico, though she recently took some time off for her pregnancy. Grace welcomed a son, her “little prince” Thyree, on June 6! “I’m still in awe with his beautiful existence,” said Grace. “I’m embracing motherhood and extremely excited for this new journey as a mom, business owner and professional track athlete. I still have goals to accomplish. God is Good.”Grace holds a BS in Public Health. She was featured in the story “Going Places,” published in the Fall 2016 issue of UAlbany Magazine.
Brian Navichoque started a new position as marketing manager, creative partnerships at NBCUniversal.
Angel Mejia is an engineering project manager at Apple.
Melissa Ertl is an assistant professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Minnesota.
Robert Stoddard is lead tax partner for the gaming industry at KPMG, Stamford, Conn. He has spoken at several industry events, including KPMG Malta’s Gaming eSummit, SBC Barcelona, CasinoBeats, and the University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing.
The Community Builders named Jesse Batus regional vice president for real estate development in New York/New Jersey. Jesse has been with TCB for 16 years.
Frank Ditta was promoted to director at Goulston & Storrs. He is a real estate attorney in the firm’s New York office. Frank holds a J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra.
Myles Fischer was named one of Albany Business Review’s Class of 2023 “40 Under 40” honorees.
Julie Bush was named one of Albany Business Review’s Class of 2023 “40 Under 40” honorees.
Ricardo Estremera finished 5th in the 2023 Central American & Caribbean Games. He won the 2023 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge in May.
Kendra Jenkins Rubin was named one of Albany Business Review’s Class of 2023 “40 Under 40” honorees.
Seth Marnin was confirmed in June as a Court of Claims judge in Manhattan. Judge Marnin will be the first openly transgender judge in New York State and the first openly transgender male judge in the United States.
Jason LeConte-Nelson was named assistant administrator for Human Capital, Transportation Security Administration. He holds a master’s degree from North Carolina State University and a Ph.D. from Columbia.
Aaron Thiell was selected as the North Colonie Schools Principal of the Year for 2023. He is the principal at Latham Ridge Elementary School.
Hon. Michelle Holmes Ladouceur was elected Surrogate’s Court Judge for St. Lawrence County in November 2022.
Stephen Casscles’s book, Grapes of the Hudson Valley and Other Cool Climate Regions of the United States and Canada (2nd Edition) includes two new chapters on rarely covered 19th century heritage grape varieties developed in New England. The book is available at www.flintminepress.com.
Christine Galvin works through the Legal Project in Albany, an organization created in 1995 by the Capital District Women’s Bar Association to assist those with civil legal needs who cannot afford legal services. Christine is currently volunteering to help abused and neglected children who have fled their homelands in hopes of building a better life in the United States.
Curt Spalding is a senior consultant at GZA GeoEnvironmental. He previously served as regional administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency New England, as executive director of Providence-based environmental advocacy organization Save the Bay and as a Professor of the Practice at the Institute at Brown University for Environment and Society. As the owner and principal consultant for a private consulting firm since 2017, Spalding also served as founding organizer of the Brown-based Providence Resilience Partnership.
Jennifer Manner produced and directed the documentary, “When Wire Was King: The Transformation of Telecommunications,” syndicated by American Public Television for PBS. Jennifer began serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors in April 2023.
Deirdre Sanders, principal at Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds, was elected to serve on the advisory board for the newly established chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) at Northeastern University.
Geoffrey Stein was the 2022-23 Artist-in-Residence at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. He holds an MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art, London and lives and paints in New York City and Westport, Conn.
William J. Cea of Palm City, Fla., retired after 30 years of practicing law at his prior firm. He co-founded Inked Mediation, LLC and will be working as a mediator full time.
Glenn Sapir, past president of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association, received the 2023 Hans Peller Memorial Award which honors an individual who has contributed distinguished and long-time service to the organization. Sapir is a regular contributor to NYSOWA and has received awards from other writers’ organizations.
Warren Winslow received the 2023 Northeastern New York PGA Doug Evans Distinguished Service Award. A member of the Western Turnpike Golf Course, Warren is a NYSGA committee member and past president. He started helping out in the mid-1990s and has been a volunteer team leader in the Capital Region over the past decade. He is also a senior rules official for the NYSGA and attends many state amateur championships to help officiate, provide rulings to players and help monitor pace of play around the golf course.
Norma Abel, Ralph Grimaldi, Lenore Rich Reinhard, Frances Harris Jones, Sheila Stromwasser Foraker, Constance Bentley Mulligan, Harry Thornhill, Richard Kelly, and Bill Robelee were among the alums who attended the Classes of ’55-’65 Luncheon at the Italian American Community Center in June. Photos, memorabilia and lively chatter were enjoyed by all.
The 2023 recipient of our Class of ’64 scholarship is Albany native LeAsia Royall, a 2nd year student in the Special Education and Literacy program. LeAsia is a substitute teacher, volunteers with students in different capacities and is interested in working with autistic nonverbal students at the elementary level. Our 2022 recipient, Matthew Maldonado, was accepted into the School of Education graduate program.
We’ll be contacting everyone early 2024 as we make plans for our 60th-anniversary reunion, so please share any changes in your contact information with the Alumni Association by emailing alumniassociation@albany.edu.
“The chance to get together is never bypassed ...” – from the 1964 Torch
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@ gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
The town of Springfield, N.Y.’s Fourth of July committee chose Fred Culbert, the voice of Springfield’s Fourth of July Parade for 30 years, to lead the parade as grand marshal. Fred was honored for his dedicated service to the parade over the years and for his other contributions to the town including being a social studies teacher, principal, school administrator, councilman, and serving for 54 years as a volunteer firefighter.
Brian Quigley is retired and living on Cape Cod. After graduating from NYSCT, Brian began graduate school at Indiana University and was drafted the next year. He served as naval officer in Vietnam 1967-1970. Brian attended grad school at UC Berkely and as a Fulbright scholar at University of Vienna 1970-1979, then served in the CIA and U.S. Dept. of State through 2005. Brian was married to Jacqueline Jadick ’64 and they had two sons.
Class Councilor: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
Oneida Daily Dispatch columnist Leo Maloney received the 2023 New York State Outdoor Writers Association’s Pass It On Award, which honors an individual who has “done the most to ‘pass on’ our outdoor heritage.” Leo and his wife, Carol, are avid campers.
Class Councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Sandra Clark, ACSW- DCSW, ABE-BCD, NBCCH-CFCH, Emeritus, is part of the first accredited class establishing the SUNY MSW Grad Program.
Margaret “Meg” Gemmell Delea passed away May 27, 2023 at the age of 93. Meg grew up in Schenectady and spent most of her life on Long Island, where she was an English teacher at West Islip High School. She was a brilliant photographer, painter, birder and volunteer for a variety of civic organizations. Meg attended numerous college class reunions while living in New York.
Class Councilor: Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli, jjzanch@yahoo.com
The Class of 1953 Red Devils 70th-anniversary reunion will be held as a virtual gathering on Zoom, Thursday, Nov. 9. Watch your email for an invitation.
Class Councilor: Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes, rosemaryk.hughes@gmail.com
Rev. Jim Thompson passed away June 8, 2023, at the age of 90. Active in ministry for over 40 years, Jim retired in 1996 as pastor of Jermain Memorial Presbyterian Church in Watervliet, N.Y. He continued to serve in various pastoral roles as a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Albany. Jim met and married Lois Porter while attending NYSCT. They were married 51 years before her passing in 2004. Jim is survived by daughter Barbara, sons James, David, and Scott Thompson ’91, niece Susan Smith ’83, MS ’13, a nephew, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Class Councilor: Joan Paul, fpaul1@nycap.rr.com
Sheila Lister Bamberger of Utica passed away April 16, 2023. She served as class counselor and was a member of several reunion planning committees.
Joyce Thomas of San Mateo, Calif., has been a freelance editor since she retired from Stanford in 2004. She has three children and two grandchildren.
Ronald Short passed away May 11, 2023. He served as class councilor and enjoyed attending reunions for NYSCT.
David Burch, partner at Barclay Damon, LLP, Syracuse, was among the 2022 Upstate New York Rising Stars honorees specializing in business litigation.
Dan Bressler was promoted to partner at Seward & Kissel in New York, N.Y., where he is in the firm’s Investment Management practice group.
Nic Rangel, Esq. was named Executive Director at the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York.
Tibisay Hernandez is diversity and inclusion manager, New York State Office of Diversity and Inclusion Management.
Garrett Guttenberg cofounded Seaview Adjusting Group, an adjusting firm based in Long Beach, N.Y. The firm was featured on “The Blox,” the world’s largest live-in startup competition created by MTV’s Wes Bergman. The show can be viewed on Vimeo, the Beta Blox Facebook Page and the Beta Blox app.
Melissa Alcoba joined the Worker’s Compensation group at Goldberg Segalla in Garden City, N.J
Mitchel Levy received a master’s degree in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Maryland in College Park in 1988. Since then, he has been teaching mathematics at Broward College in Davie, Fla. He will retire in June.
Howard Krooks was elected chair of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar. He is partner at Cozen O’Connor in Boca Raton.
Keith Brennan joined Barclay Damon’s Health & Human Services Providers and Health Care Controversies Teams in the firm’s Albany office.
The U.S.Department of Transportation named Gloria Shepherd the executive director of the Federal Highway Administration.
George Serrano was elected town supervisor of the Town of Wallkill in 2021.
Tom Holman spent the summer of 2021 on Long Island and also visited his sister in Hanover, Pa. He spent the winter in Naples, Fla., just after Hurricane Ian had devastated the city. Tom’s apartment complex was not damaged.
Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli and Joe ’49 moved to an assisted living residence since Joyce is now wheelchair bound.
Class Councilor: Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli, jjzanch@yahoo.com
A note from your class councilor: Hello Red Devils! Here’s hoping that not only those members of the Class of 1953, but the other alums as well, have all been vaccinated and are getting the booster shots. Be sure to get the flu shot, too! Who knows — it’s possible that a little pinch could be the saving of a life!
Janet Norton DeFabio passed away in June 2022 at Transitional Health Services, Kannapolis, N.C.
Douglas Nielsen and Gail are enjoying life with their four great-grandchildren. They celebrated their 5-year-old great-grandchild’s birthday over a week’s time. “It’s great to go to their house to visit. Knock on the door and all four come streaming to greet us. Who could ask for more?” Doug and Gail’s daughter, Sara, runs Lego camps and uses Lego therapy in various ways. The Nielsen’s last trip was with their daughter, Lisa, to Watkins Glen to visit relatives. “Walking the Glen trail is no longer for us old people. It’s so nice having all these helpful kids and grandkids to help us old ones,” Doug said. “My walking is curtailed by an arthritic right hip and knee. I don’t push the envelope anymore.”
Betty Coykendall Hart taught at her local high school via Google Meet during the pandemic. After Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, Betty continued working in the math lab daily. She has been faithful to a swimming exercise program, completes two miles each day on the elliptical and takes yoga classes on the weekend. Betty’s daughter has connected her with an adult learner who is studying to become a nurse and receives tutoring in Math three times per week. Betty says, “I have been extremely blessed and love working with the students and, of course, the math.”
Margaret (Peg) Hebert Wernette and husband Jack were both staff at London Central High School where students were from military families as well as families in the oil and gas industries. There was a very special connection between the former students and Jack and Peg. Jack taught American literature and drama for 34 years and Peg taught math for 33 years at the London Central School. A very special friendship developed between the teachers and their students, and they have stayed connected after all these years.
Pam Calabrese Weigand ’54 shared that Art Weigand died in Dec. He was a proud member of the Potter Club and attended as many reunions as possible. Pam and Art were two weeks shy of having been together 68 years. “I consider it a privilege to have known him so long,” Pam said. Our condolences to Pam, and to all of Art’s loved ones.
Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes was another very fortunate Red Devil who did not get Covid-19. Rosie did a daily reading of jokes for almost three years on Facebook, telling her audience she would continue the daily readings until the pandemic was over. It isn’t totally over yet, but she announced at the beginning of Dec. that she was retiring from being a jokester. It was wonderful for Rosie to reconnect with former students who logged on to her daily readings. She now listens to the song written for herby a former exchange student from Sweden. All of us who have taught know what a great experience it is to come together again with former students. What is shocking is that they are now grandparents!
Many classes have recently chosen to raise money for the Student Emergency Fund, which provides immediate funding for things like food, rent and internet access for students in crisis. This ensures these students can remain on their path to a UAlbany degree, despite whatever obstacles they are facing. Is this something for which the Class of 1953 would like to raise money? Let your class councilor know if this is something that you would like to raise funds for.
Please remember to stay in touch and please pass along any news you hear about a classmate. Go, Red Devils!
Class Councilor: Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes,rosemaryk.hughes@gmail.com
2022 was a milestone year for Joseph Stella and Madeline Payne Stella who, like many of you, joined the elite group of people known as “nanogenarians.” Joe and Madeline celebrated their twin great granddaughters’ 1st birthdays in Aug.
Jim Bennett is “still on his feet, just moving a bitslower these days!”
John Allasio is doing well in Michigan. “Marge and I can still walk and talk. In fact, we can do both at the same time!”
Last June, the Class of ’54 celebrated its 68th anniversary during a virtual reunion on Zoom. About twenty class members participated. This was our second Zoom Reunion, and it was enjoyed by all those attending. We will celebrate our 69th anniversary on Zoom on June 14, 2023.
Class Councilor: Joan Paul, fpaul1@nycap.rr.com
John Rookwood passed away in Aug. following two years of various health issues.
The Class of ’57 celebrated its 65th anniversary during a virtual reunion on Zoom in Oct. About 20 class members from all over the country participated, including Jan Champagne McCrath (Hawaii), Mary Furner (California) and a few classmates from Florida. We plan to have another session in the spring. We all have been very generous to the University, accumulating a large amount in our Class Fund and donating some of these monies to the University Library and the School of Education through the years. As many of you have suggested, we will continue to do so.
Sheila Lister Bamberger and Hank celebrated the New Year by participating in a Road Scholar program about the Rose Parade.
Grace McGrath is Graduate Admissions coordinator, Graduate Enrollment Services at Marymount University.
Tajnin Islam is junior business director, Global Rights, McCann New York.
Sierra Radley is a legislative correspondent with the U.S.House of Representatives.
Kiara Alvey is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return overseas and will serve as a community economic development volunteer in Colombia.
Wendy Marsh was listed in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023. She is chair of the Environmental and Land Use & Zoning Departments at Hancock Estabrook, LLP, Syracuse.
John Bagyi was named to Lawdragon 500’s Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers. He also was recognized as a 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyer and listed in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
Alon Bochman joined Google as Group Product Manager for YouTube Ads Privacy.
Francis Creighton was named president of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America in Washington, D.C.
John Castro joined the faculty at Nassau BOCES GC Tech as a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing teacher. John is the owner of Air Master LLC.
Heather Sunser is Barclay Damon’s Financial Services Practice Group leader and Tax Credits Team leader.
Jana Goldman Ryan is the director of Advancement at Adelphi University.
Reba Architzel shared that her friend and former UAlbany roommate Christine Kirby ’69 passed away in Jan.
Ellen Datlow received a Shirley Jackson Award in recognition of the anthology When Things Get Dark: Stories inspired by Shirley Jackson (Titan Books, 2021).
Onnolee Weatherup Smith was inducted into the Albany City School District Class of 2020 Hall of Fame. She was honored for her active involvement in the school district as board member of the Albany Fund for Education from 2002, and as its president from 2008-2018. Onnolee remains a strong and tireless advocate of public education.
Judicate West welcomed retired Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Judy Hersher to its exclusive roster of neutrals.
Steven Chase was recognized in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation. He is partner, Special Counsel in the Sarasota office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.
Deanna Sirlin’s artwork was featured in three exhibitions in the fall. “Borders of Light and Water” was on display in Venice, Italy, as part of the prestigious 59th Venice Biennale, the largest art fair in the world. Watermark was featured in the Crosland Library at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. “Wavelength” was on display at Chastain Gallery by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Atlanta.
Lucien Lombardo focused on prisons early in his career, but his work gravitated to studying and teaching about violence and children. He recently published a blog post for the Global Initiative to End Violence Against Children/Corporal Punishment. Read: https://endcorporalpunishment.org/no-hit-zones/
Greetings, Yellowjackets! We are looking forward to the 1955-65 reunion luncheon June 7, 2023. There will be no formal program so that time can be fully spent renewing friendships and reminiscing. Call your friends from all classes, even beyond the 10-year span, to join us!
Class Co-Councilors: Joan Cali Pecore, cueville@comcast.net; Doris Hische Brossy, dbrossy@aol.com
Ann Marie Sundstrand Mullen shared that Lillian Mullen of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., passed away in Jan. She was an English major, a member of Phi Delta Sorority for which she served as president her senior year, andwas also elected to Myskania. Lillian started her professional career as an English teacher at Yorktown High School, and later retired as an executive associate at CBS-NY.
Class Councilor: Mel Horowitz,melandsis@yahoo.com
Robert Sweeney served as election county deputy in Florida, enjoyed a “leafing” trip to Asheville, and is planning a trip to Japan to visit his son who is captain of a submarine.
Hannah Schnitt Rogers enjoyed a family reunion at Lake Tahoe.
Class Councilor: Sheril McCormack,vanillastar202@yahoo.com
Peter Fisher of Queensbury, N.Y., passed away in Aug. 2022. He was class councilor and chaired the reunion committee in planning the class’s 50th anniversary reunion, which brought in the largest attendance of any reunion classes from the New York State College for Teachers.
Patricia Jewell McAlexander published her third book, The Student in Classroom 6. The novel is set in Athens, Ga., where Pat lives. It is full of suspense, mystery and romance, and explores family relationships
Piret Kutt Kelly and husband Dick ’63 travel as much as they can and spent the winter in Portugal.
Bill Robelee made his annual fall trek to Oneida to get together with Ed Reid and wife Carol Eames Reid ’65.
As you receive this issue, we are looking forward to meeting our 2023 Class of ’64 Scholarship winner in May. Please keep us informed of your activities and changes in your contact information. Stay safe and healthy.
“Inquiring minds reach for international understanding and good will.” — 1964 Torch
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
In July, Laurel Wemett had a reunion in Seneca Falls with Margie Dunajski Harde and took some photos at the “It’s a Wonderful Life” Museum.
Gene Tobey capped off a long musical career singing in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at SPAC this past summer with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. In the past 50 years, Gene has sung choral works of Brahms, Verdi, Handel and Mahler at SPAC. In2009 he was in the male quartet accompanying the Mark Morris Dance Group.
Class Councilor: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
Greetings, beloved 1967 Classmates and Friends,
I am very excited to share with you the following news: Michelle Miller Bloom reported that following retirement as a teacher and curriculum supervisor, she began creating jewelry on a part time basis in 2014. Her focus is on Kumihimo, a Japanese braiding technique using fibers, glass beads, and unique artisan beads from around the world. Michelle generally partners with charities in Delray Beach, Fla., to sell at their events. Her goal is to support worthy causes. She also sells on her website: https://michelle-bloom.square.site. To see a short video of a Kumihimo demonstration by Michelle go to www.facebook.com/beadsbybloom. The marvelous video was produced by our classmate and Michelle’s wonderful husband, Michael Bloom. We are so proud of you, Michelle.
Your ’67 classmates and I would love to hear your news or any news you hear about our classmates.
Class Councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Last updated July 18, 2022.
The Class of 1973 will celebrate its 50-Year Reunion in October 2023! Our planning committee is now organizing the event. To participate, receive reunion info and/or update your contact info, send email to: alumniassociation@albany.edu or skantor@alumni.albany.edu or call (518) 442-3080. Join the official Class of 1973 Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/ualbany73.
Alan Lefor received a PhD in Engineering from The University of Tokyo in March. He was named professor of Surgery, Emeritus at Jichi Medical University in April. Alan also lectures at several hospitals in the greater Tokyo area.
Last updated July 18, 2022.
These notes will appear in the Fall 2022 UAlbany magazine print edition.
The Class of 1960 will have the opportunity to gather with fellow alums at various events during Homecoming, Oct. 14-15. If you are comfortably “on the road” again regarding the pandemic, come enjoy the camaraderie.
Class Co-Councilors: Joan Cali Pecore, cueville@comcast.net; Doris Hische Brossy, dbrossy@aol.com
Louise Tornatore passed away Jan. 23, 2022. Mel Horowitz and Louise shared the same major, Social Studies.
Class Councilor: Mel Horowitz, melandsis@yahoo.com
Sheril McCormack, a member of Freeport High School’s Alumni Half-Century Club, presented fourscholarships to graduating seniors at FHS’s Awards Night.
Class Councilor: Sheril McCormack, vanillastar202@yahoo.com
Julia Imbo, our 2021 Class of '64 scholarship recipient, began her final year in the Special Education and Literacy Program. Julia is student teaching in both general and special education classrooms this semester. She is looking forward to getting her first teaching position. We met our 2022 recipient, Matthew Maldonado of White Plains, N.Y., during the scholarship ceremony in May. He is majoring in Human Development with a concentration in Special Education and plans to teach students in grades K-2 upon completing his master’s degree in Special Education and Literacy.
Most members of the Class of 1964 were born in 1942, which means that many of us will become octogenarians this year. Can you believe that we are turning 20 for the 4th time? We wish everyone in the Class of 1964 a very happy birthday!
Please keep us informed of your activities and changes in your contact information. Stay safe and healthy.
“Time marches on… and on… and on…” – 1964 Torch Yearbook
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
In July, Laurel Wemett had a reunion in Seneca Falls with Margie Dunajski Harde and took some photos at the "It's a Wonderful Life" Museum.
Class councilor: Judy Koblintz Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
Dan Cook, one of the members of the University's first MSW graduating class, met his wife, Ann, at the School of Social Welfare. Instead of attending commencement, they got married on the same day. They are still together 55 years later.
Class Councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Last updated July 18, 2022.
These notes will appear in the print edition of the Fall 2022 issue of UAlbany Magazine.
Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli had knee surgery in April. She and Joe ’49 had a wonderful Easter and enjoyed a home-cooked meal prepared by her son-in-law.
Class Councilor: Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli, jjzanch@yahoo.com
A note from your class councilor:
Morton Cohn of Commack, N.Y., passed away Feb. 20, 2022, at the age of 91. He was very fond of his time in Albany. Morton was a teacher for 35 years. His son, Steven, wrote, “He was such a warm blessing to those around him.”
Louise Petfield Burns shared her experience living near the wild fires in Colorado Springs. Stay safe, Louise!
That is all I can bring to your attention this time. I will be pestering you for news for publication in December. Start thinking what you might contribute! C’mon Red Devils!
Class Councilor: Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes, rosemaryk.hughes@gmail.com
Naoshi Koriyama of Kanagawa, Japan, continues to write and translate poetry. His major translations are Like Underground Water –The Poetry of Mid-Twentieth Century Japan (Copper Canyon Press, 1995) and Japanese Tales from Times Past (Tuttle Publishing, 2015). Recently Naoshi wrote the poem “Today Is the Only Day That You Can Live on Earth” and sent a copy to the Alumni Association. Naoshi sends his warmest regards to the Class of 1954.
Class Councilor: Joan Paul, fpaul1@nycap.rr.com
Last updated July 18, 2022.
These notes will appear in the print edition of the Fall 2022 issue of UAlbany Magazine.
Harold Ashworth passed away Feb. 8, 2021. He served in the US Navy during World War II. Harold practiced law for over 50 years in his hometown of Rochester, N.Y.
Eleanor Alland moved to Harmony Hall in Columbia, MD, to be near her family. Eleanor’s new email address is ealland214b@gmail.com.
Joe Zanchelli and Joyce ’52 submitted a photo of their wedding party that included Harvey Milk ’51, along with a quote, for the most recent UAlbany Mini-Mag celebrating Harvey Milk’s life. The issue was released online on Harvey’s birthday, May 22. View it at https://magazine.albany.edu/mini/harvey-milk.
Class Co-Councilors: Joe Zanchelli, jjzanch@yahoo.com;Jean Pulver Hague, jeanhague@aol.com
Last updated July 14, 2022.
Taylor Chaney was appointed director of Annual Giving at D'Youville University, Buffalo, N.Y.
Robert Pirson joined Field point Private’s NYC office as a Managing Director and Commercial Banker.
Lauren Ursaki started a new position as investigator, Compliance& Ethics at Zoom.
Dan Krzykowski is an associate at Barclay Damon in Albany.
Stephanie Kazanas was recently tenured and promoted to associate professor at Tennessee Technological University. She currently serves as interim-chairperson in TTU’s Department of Counseling and Psychology.
Rashan Brown joined the Walt Disney Company Product Operations Management team on ESPN+. He formerly served as associate product manager at Learning A-Z. Rashan is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, and is the founder of spoken word poetry platform Poetry Me, Please.
Harlan Ginsburg joined Etsy as senior technical recruiter.
Shaine Holloway is an editorial intern atPhilomel Books, Penguin Random House.
Saolam Nguyen and Christina Hodson were promoted to senior auditors at UHY LLP.
Mackenzie Darling was named a 2022 Maeve McKean Women’s Law and Public Policy – O’Neill Institute Fellow at Georgetown Law School. Mackenzie is working with HIPS, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that focuses on promoting the health, rights and dignity of people impacted by sexual exchange and substance use.
Last updated July 14, 2022.
Steven Lorenzet was appointed dean of the Touro University School of Health Sciences. Dr. Lorenzet previously served as associate dean at Seton Hall University Stillman School of Business. His research has won multiple awards including the Citation of Excellence from Emerald Publishing.
Vanessa Gibson was elected Bronx Borough President. She is the first female and first African American to hold the position. Previously she served as a member of the New York City Council, representing the 16th district 2014-2021.
Fernando Luciano is founder and CEO of Day 1 Graphics US, a graphics and signage consultant company.
Manny De Los Santos is assembly member of District 72. Manny previously served 13 years as a social worker and community school director in schools across NYC. He is a proud UAlbany EOP and track and field alum, and member of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Diane (Matthews) Ryan won the masters (40-and-over) title at the 2022 Freihofers Run in Albany.
Brian Kearns was promoted to partner at UHY LLC in Albany. He leads the firm’s National Not-for-Profit and Government Practices.
Todd Zuckerwise was named assistant principal at Nassau BOCES Jerusalem Avenue Elementary School for the 2021-22 school year.
Dennis Amore was listed among the 2021 New York Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” Dennis is an associate in the Consumer Financial Services Litigation group in McGlinchey Stafford PLLC’s NYC office.
Last updated July 14, 2022.
Vianne Kara Singh received the Institute of Caribbean Studies Washington DC’s 30under 30 Changemaker award. She is senior communications strategist, Office ofThe Chief Information Officer, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.
Aponi Glover is an assistant teacher at Robert C. Parker School in Wynantskill, N.Y. She is getting married in November.
Last updated July 14, 2022.
Joseph Peterson is managing partner of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton’s Silicon Valley office. Joseph has represented clients in litigation, arbitration and administrative proceedings involving copyright and trademark law for over 20 years and was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2021 and 2022.
Allison (Baker) Schulder joined dessert bakery chain Sprinkles as chief financial officer. Established in 2005, the cupcake bakery has grown to 24 locations throughout the United States.
Phil Kelly was named director of Human Resources, New York State Canal Corporation.
David Bergh was named president of Cazenovia College.
Vera (Odierno) Sweeney is the founder of “Lady and the Blog.” A popular social media influencer, Vera helps busy women stay on top of the latest style, travel, and parenting trends.
Last updated July 14, 2022.
Anne Case was made a distinguished fellow of the American Economic Association. She is the Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University.
Heidi Amsterdam welcomed her first grandchild.
J. Stephen Casscles retired after serving as counsel in the New York State Senate for 33 years and the NYS Department of Health for three years. He recently joined Milea Estate Vineyards of Staatsburg, N.Y. as project manager of the Hudson Valley Heritage Grape/Wine Project, where he will be responsible for growing 19th century heritage grape varieties developed in the Hudson Valley and Boston's North Shore and making wine from them. Stephen is the author of Grapes of the Hudson Valley and Other Cool Climate Regions of the US and Canada.
Arnold Fischler welcomed his first grandchild.
Evan Zahn, mission lead and member of the Mending Kids Board of Directors, was honored for his work with the organization last spring. Mending Kids provides critical surgical care for sick children. Evan is director of the Congenital Heart Program at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Michael Ridgeway is president of MKS Inc., a software company in King of Prussia, Penn.
Mitchel Levy received a masters degree in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Maryland in 1988. He has taught mathematics at Broward College in Davie, Fl. for the past 34 years and will retire in June 2023.
Patricia Salkin earned a PhD in Creativity from the University of the Arts.
Richie Vais retired after 33 years as a social studies and special education teacher in Westchester County, N.Y.
Don Winslow was accepted into the Finger Lakes Region New York State Master Teacher Program for STEM educators. He is currently a teacher in the Lyons Central School District.
Deirdre Barthel and Jeff Quain of Albany celebrated their recent engagement. Deirdre is director of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs at the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Jeff is director of operations at J Strategies.
Kayla Arias was selected to the 2021 Super Lawyers Upstate New York and Rising Stars lists. She is an associate at Barclay Damon LLP, Syracuse and serves on the firm’s Diversity Leadership Team.
Ashley Clark Stella and Anthony Stella Jr. welcomed baby Milo James Stella, Nov. 4, 2021.
Ryan Starks joined Gentry Locke’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group, based in Richmond, Va.
Brienna Christiano and Jamie Dughi Hogenkamp were selected to the 2021 Super Lawyers Upstate New York and Rising Stars lists. They are associates at Barclay Damon LLP, Albany.
School of business alum Nick Domnisch was nominated to the Forbes Tech Council and is a regular contributor on Forbes.com. He serves as CEO / Partner at EE Solutions, a full-cycle consulting & development agency based out of NYC that builds custom enterprise software.
Mike Slifer received the American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (AMSCBM) seal. He is a meteorologist at NBC affiliate News Center Maine in Portland, specializing in forecasting.
Michael Brodack was named special agent in charge of the Criminal Division of the FBI New York Field Office. Michael previously served as the FBI senior liaison to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at FBI and CISA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He began his career as an FBI special agent in 2002.
Christy Reuter joined Blank Rome LLP as partner in the firm’s Real Estate group. Christy previously was partner at Meister Seelig & Fein, where she chaired the Hotel & Hospitality group.
John Bagyi was named an Upstate New York Super Lawyer for the 13th consecutive year.
Robert Modica is cofounder of Coffey Modica O’Meara LLP, based in White Plains, N.Y.
Keith Ball was named 2021 Georgia Principal of the Year and is a finalist for the 2022 National Principal of the Year.
Takis Dikasis is founder and president of online company Corporate Citizenship and has worked for several New York State offices including State Comptroller, Department of Taxation and Finance and the Workers Compensation Board. Takis has published three books: Abundant Life, Prosperous 20’s With An Unnecessary Depression and God’s Great Plan For Your Life.
Jill (Dizeo) Guzzardo was appointed to the administration at Nassau BOCES Children’s Readiness Center (CRC) for the 2021-22 school year.
David Burch was selected to the 2021 Super Lawyers Upstate New York and Rising Stars lists. He is partner at Barclay Damon LLP, Syracuse.
Ema Buco joined Northwestern Mutual as chief strategy officer. She oversees the highest level of financial representative recruiting, onboarding and development processes. Ema is a former resident director at UAlbany. She currently serves on the Alumni Association’s Benevolent Association Board of Directors.
Paul Turner started a new career in voiceover acting. He is a video narrator and podcast announcer for a well-being series on YouTube.
Deborah Y. Cohn, PhD, was appointed interim dean of the School of Management at New York Institute of Technology.
John Friedman was named managing director in Grant Thornton LLP’s Environmental, Social and Governance and Sustainability practice, based in the firm’s Arlington, Va. office.
Elizabeth Chilton, Washington State University’s provost and executive vice president, will also become the first chancellor of WSU’s flagship Pullman campus in July 2022.
Patrick McCullough is a founding member of the Executive Council Network, a platform that hosts world-class summits and events and creates opportunities for corporate leaders to connect and drive their impact beyond corporate walls. Patrick is senior vice president of NCR Corporation and serves on the MyVenue board of directors. He played football under Coach Bob Ford 1982-85 and is a member of the UAlbany Athletics Hall of Fame.
After years of being encouraged by friends to write a Star Trek book, entertainment journalist Ian Spelling co-authored Star Trek: The Original Series – A Celebration, published in September 2021 by Hero Collector/Penguin Random House. Ian has written for New York Times Syndicate, Troy Record, Reader’s Digest, Bergen Record, (201) Magazine, Fatherly.com and more. He was the editor of StarTrek.com, the official Star Trek site, 2010-2019. Ian has written for various official Star Trek magazines and has penned the weekly syndicated column, “Inside Trek & Sci-Fi, ”for more than 20 years. He also was an extra on “Voyager” and “Deep Space Nine”. Ian was the Associate Aspects editor for The ASP and covered movies, UAlbany events, and productions at Proctors Theater.
The Class of 1960 will gather in Fall 2022 during UAlbany’s Homecoming weekend. The event will be held in conjunction with alumni from other classes who were a part of our time in Albany. A date has not yet been confirmed.
Class Co-Councilors: Joan Cali Pecore, cueville@comcast.net; Doris Hische Brossy, dbrossy@aol.com
Sheril McCormack watched “Gucci” in the theater, her first film in two years. Only four patrons were in the theatre. With the Omicron virus surging, Sheril has done her best to stay home and stay safe.
Buzz Welker resumed volunteering at the hospital two days per week.
Robert Sweeney moved into his self-designed, energy-efficient home in Florida.
Class Councilor: Sheril McCormack, vanillastar202@yahoo.com
Bob Fairbanks and wife Barbara ’69, ’72 were featured in the Fall 2021 UAlbany Foundation Newsletter for their ongoing support of the Merlin W. Hathaway Memorial Scholarship and Eleanor Roth Hathaway ’47 Scholarship. Bob and Barb credit Coach Hathaway and Eleanor, who served as residence quadrangle coordinator and faculty member of the School of Education, as “matchmakers” for a marriage that has lasted 52 years and counting. They also support the Chi Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship and other initiatives.
Julia Imbo, recipient of the 2021 Class of ’64 Scholarship, enjoyed a fall semester full of new opportunities. Her experiences observing classroom instruction and attending lectures has increased her confidence. She can’t wait to begin student teaching in Fall 2022.
Unfortunately, we lost two classmates this year. The Reverend Dr. Alan Minarcik passed away Sept. 10, 2021. Following graduation Alan spent time as a high school Latin teacher before becoming a minister and serving numerous parishes in New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. He relocated to Canada where he served parishes in Saskatchewan and Ontario. He also served as chaplain at a hospital in St.Catharine’s, Ontario. Alan was our class councilor for many years, assisted in planning our more recent reunions and kept in touch with Alumni Association staff.
Ed Reid informed us that his college roommate Dave Jenks passed away Sept. 14, 2021. Dave had a long and successful career in real estate. He worked in Rochester before relocating to Texas, where he held several leadership positions with major real estate firms. As always, we welcome any news you’d like to share and please inform us if there are any changes in your contact information. “Quiet and solitude are sought by some …but not often found.” - 1964 Torch yearbook
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
Nick Argyros continues to expand the museum collection of The Photography Center of the Capital District with acquisitions of cameras and images representing the history of photography over the past 180 years. Since the pandemic has constrained social gatherings, no exhibits or receptions have been scheduled, but visitors to the Troy facility are welcome with safety measures in place. Learn more at photocentertroy.org.
In 2021 Tom Alcamo celebrated three milestones. It’s been 60 years since he graduated from Brooklyn Technical School, 50 years since he received his master’s degree from Buffalo State College and 20 years since he retired from the Williamsville School District. Go Red Devils!
Jim Hottois is fully recovered from injuries he suffered in a bicycle mishap last summer. He returned to flying for the Civil Air Patrol. He and Sue are planning a two-week cruise around the British Isles this spring. After the cruise Jim hopes to spend a month in the Midwest as a flight instructor working with Civil Air Patrol Cadets earning FAA Private Pilot Certificates.
Class Councilor: Judy Koblintz Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
Greetings, Beloved 1967 Classmates and Friends,
2022 is a glorious milestone 55th anniversary reunion year for our class and we are ready to celebrate in true Class of 1967 spirit! As always, the heart and soul of our ’67 class reunions is reconnecting and renewing the bonds of friendships with our classmates –friendships that have endured for more than 55 years. You are all so important to our ’67 Class. Our time at UAlbany was very special in many ways. After hearing from so many of our classmates in the last year, I have realized now more than ever that the most notable takeaway from our time together more than 55 years ago was, in fact, being together. So please join your classmates for a fabulous weekend that will be meaningful and fun, where you don’t have to do anything but celebrate and reminisce as you rekindle old friendships, meet some classmates you did not know before and rediscover the matchless experience of our beloved Alma Mater. Information on all reunion activities will be forthcoming. In the meantime, if you have ideas of what you would like to see in our reunion experience or would be open to join our planning efforts, I would love to hear from you. I promise to keep the planning process efficient and to work with everyone’s busy schedules. Our 55th-anniversary reunion will be our best reunion ever, in true Class of 1967 style. That is my story and I am sticking to it! I can’t wait to hear from you!
Class Councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, Aspenpaepke@msn.com
Ray Starman earned a consultant’s screen credit for season 1, episode 6 of CNN’s “History of the Sitcom” series. Ray is the author of the book TV Noir: 20th Century and has been published in Films In Review and The New York Times.
Attention Class of 1973! Conversations about our 50th reunion in Fall 2023 have begun. If you’d like to share your current contact information including email address, mailing address and/or phone number, please send an email to albanyclassof73@gmail.com.
A ’70s decade reunion including the Class of ’74 is being considered. If you are interested in planning the event or have suggestions or questions, please notify Carole Harnoff, class councilor, at caroleharnoff@gmail.com. Volunteers are always welcome!
Richard Louis Tastor passed away Aug. 5, 2021 at St. Peter’s Hospice. Rick earned a master’s degree in Public Policy from UAlbany. His first job after college was as an aide to New York State Senator James H. Donovan. He later went to work at the University at Albany as Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid. Rick loved helping students achieve an education and realize their dreams. He was passionate about his career, and also loved UAlbany athletics.
Seth Ruderman retired after serving 36 years as an Emergency Medicine physician. He volunteers for the Air Force at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
Samuel Moskowitz, a shareholder with Boston law firm Davis Malm, was named a 2021 Massachusetts Super Lawyer.
School of Business alumnus Nolan Altman received the 2021 International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) Lifetime Achievement Award. His local society, the Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island, was recognized as the IAJGS Member of the Year. The Jewish Gen’s Online Worldwide Burial Registry, of which Nolan serves as coordinator, was recognized as Outstanding Resource.
Paul Feldman, a shareholder with Boston law firm Davis Malm, was named a 2021 Massachusetts Super Lawyer.
Carla Palumbo has served as CEO of The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, N.Y. since 2014. Legal Aid celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. Carla has been an attorney with the agency since she started her legal career in 1982.
Nancy Frey Pettenelli spent the holidays near Philly with her youngest son’s family and two grandchildren.
Shirley Rosenbaum’s grandchildren attend Columbia and Barnard. Shirley participates in a virtual book club and takes a senior class at West Virginia University. She keeps in touch with her daughter via Zoom.
Tom Holman spent the winter in Naples, Fla. rather than St. Maarten.
Marian Newton Knight is still involved with church activities that are mostly on Zoom. She saw the Van Gogh exhibit and visited the Frick Museum in NYC. Marian spent Christmas with her three children.
Joyce Zanchelli and Joe’s three children rented a large house in Saratoga Springs for a family gathering at Christmastime. 15 of the 21 family members attended and a great time was had.
Class Councilor: Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli, jjzanch@yahoo.com
A note from your class councilor:
Hello dear members of the Class of 1953! Soon, we will be thinking of our 70th reunion!
In late September Louise Petfield Burns took what used to be a “semi-annual” trip back East to see family. This time it had been three years because of the pandemic. The delayed trip turned out to be a blessing because her first great-grandchild, Shirleigh, was born in February 2021 and in normal times Louise would have missed out on seeing her the year before. Baby Shirleigh “is a real sweetie and loves the family dog, Moxie, who, fortunately, is well-trained and very gentle with ‘her’ baby.” Louise visited all three daughters and three of five grandchildren in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It’s been a few years since she’s seen her granddaughter who lives in Minnesota. Another lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, where she is an archivist. Louise also visited her brother in the Brant Lake area of the Adirondacks. In July, Louise celebrated her 90th birthday with two of her daughters who together created a wall hanging featuring family signatures and baby Shirleigh’s footprint.
Twelve members of the Class of ’53 participated in a virtual gathering on Zoom in July, with the help of Loida Vera Cruz from the Alumni Association. One of the attendees, Kay Sinclair, passed away just three month slater. In addition to Kay, those who attended were: Ifigenia (Iffi) Aliferis Boulogiane, Lita Krumholtz Braundien, Louise Petfield Burns, Betty (Coy) Coykendall Hart, Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes, Linda Hopkins McGrath, Douglas (Doug) Nielsen, Herbert (Herb) Thier, Margaret (Peg) Hebert Wernette and Martha (Marty) Nevlezer Zonneville. Rosie encourages other classes to do this – it’s a lot of fun!
Rosie Keller Hughes welcomed her second great-grandchild, Brooks, last year. “Ahhh, there is such a wonderful feeling when one holds a great grandchild! So many generations are present! ”Rosie celebrated turning 90 with multiple smaller gatherings – one with family from Vermont and Pennsylvania, another hosted by her eldest granddaughter in Pennsylvania and a party with Rosie’s fellow building residents. “It was a happy and festive time, and then I became 90. Now people want to hold my elbow when I’m walking anywhere!” Rosie says there are other ‘take care of mom’ or ‘grandma needs help’ moments and she’s come to the conclusion to let them help. “When they are gone I continue to live alone and do what needs to be done all by myself.” Rosie has decided not to drive anymore. She had a driving incident in which no one was hurt, but knowing there could have been led to Rosie’s decision not to drive anymore. “I’ve discovered several local services that help the elderly get to appointments and to do shopping, etc.”
Let your class councilor know if you hear anything about our classmates via email. And stay tuned! You’ll be hearing about another virtual meeting of the Class of ’53. “You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.” - Bob Hope on turning 90
Class Councilor: Rose Mary Keller Hughes, rosemaryk.hughes@gmail.com
Naoshi Koriyama of Sagamihara City, Japan, writes and translates poetry. One of his poems, “Unfolding Bud,” was included in a secondary English textbook used in Pakistani schools. His latest translation was a book of poetry, The Angel of Suffering Zeami, written by Saburo Moriguchi. Mr. Koriyama donated a copy of the book to the Alumni Association.
John “Jack” Cooper passed away March 29, 2021 in Portland, Ore. at age 88. He graduated from the New York State College for Teachers (NYSCT),served in the U.S. Army, and later earned Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Yale. Jack taught English at the University of Chicago, where he published The Art of the Complete Angler. He then taught English literature at Penn State University 1970-1999. At PSU, Jack served as English department chair and faculty senate president, and received the Hoffman Award for Faculty Excellence in 1997. In retirement he authored and published Wit’s Voices. Jack volunteered for the Oregon Food Bank and Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the MAC, the Elizabethan Society of Yale, and was named Outstanding Retired Faculty Member of PSU in 2007.
Class Councilor: Joan Paul, fpaul1@nycap.rr.com
Mort Katz of Columbus, Ohio is still teaching chemistry and enjoying his music.
Jan Champagne McGrath has lived in Windward, Oahu for 30 years. She re-retired from HPU when she reached 80. She is still involved in acting and playwriting. Her book, Home: Four Plays by Jan Shiarella McGrath was published last winter and is available on Amazon. Jan’s children live in Honolulu. She enjoyed visits from her grandchildren and met her first great-granddaughter.
In October Sheila Lister Bamberger and husband Hank travelled to Cincinnati to visit their daughter. Along the way they visited Mort Katz ’56 and wife Carol.
Marilyn DeSanta DeLorenzo and Berenice O’Connor Ormsbee visited Marilyn Leach Causey ’58 in Schenectady in early November. Marilyn, Sheila Lister Bamberger and June Burrows Studley viewed a special exhibit of paper dresses at Munson Williams Proctor Museum of Art.
Sheila Bamberger corresponds with Joan Macholl and Barbara DeMarco Schacklinscky on social media. Barbara shares wonderful cartoons.
I wish one and all a relaxed and healthy 2022. Hopefully life will have returned to some normalcy as you read this.
Class Councilor: Sheila Lister Bamberger, bambergersheila@gmail.com
Alice Lockwood Say gave up skiing but continues to golf when possible.
Marilyn Leach Causey lives in Schenectady
Congratulations to Jack Kirby and Dick Zeller who turned 97 years old in 2021! Jack was hospitalized with a kidney stone but came home in time for Christmas. He still remains his cheerful self.
Joe Zanchelli and Joyce’s three children rented a large house in Saratoga Springs for a family get together at Christmastime. 15 of 21 family members attended.
Elizabeth McCormick is part of the American Association of People with Disabilities Summer Internship Program Class of 2021. At UAlbany, Elizabeth advocated for disabled students and was president of Delta Alpha Pi, the honor society for disabled students. She participated in Rockefeller College’s Semester in Washington program and interned for the D.C. Office of Disability Rights.
Raymond Blanchard is president-elect of the American Counseling Association of New York State.
Marlon Balogh was named a “City & State 40 Under 40 Rising Star”. He is a forensic accounting and fraud examination expert at Guidehouse.
Mike Avella Jr. was named a “City & State 40 Under 40 Rising Star”. He serves as government affairs associate at Dickinson & Avella, PLLC in Albany.
Iris White was named a “City & State 40 Under 40 Rising Star”. She serves as chief of staff at Bolton-St. Johns, a government relations and public affairs firm in Albany.
Haley Viccaro was appointed senior adviso for communications for NYS Governor Kathy Hochul. She previously served as communications director for Governor Hochul.
Jackie Silvestri opened Downtown Dough in Albany and Farmhouse Tap + Tavern in Altamont. She is the creator 518 Foodies, a Facebook Group with over 41,000 members.
Virginia Rawlins is the founder of Building Blocks Together, an advocacy organization that helps people buy houses. She is a licensed real estate agent and economic development program assistant at the Capitalize Albany Corporation.
Arleny Alvarez-Peña participated in the 7th annual Great Cycle Challenge USA to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. She met her goal of 200+ miles and raised over $2,500.
Jeanette O’Neil was appointed assistant director of Workforce Development, Columbia-Greene Workforce New York Career Center, Columbia-Greene Community College.
Kyle Ketcham, director of policy for the State Senate Republican Conference and Brittany Vogel, government analyst at Albany-based law firm Hinman Straub, were named “City & State 40 Under 40 Rising Stars”.
Katie Birchenough was named a “City & State 40 Under 40 Rising Star”. She is an associate attorney at Greenberg Traurig. Thomas Briggs was named a “City & State 40 Under 40 Rising Star”. He serves as manager at KPMG.
Nicholas Van Dam is the director of the newly established Contemplative Studies Centre in the University of Melbourne’s School of Psychological Sciences.
Ted Anderson was named director of North Sea Maritime Center at Conscience Point in Southampton, N.Y. Ted chairs the development committee and raises funding for childrens’ and senior citizens’ programming at the Tupper Boat House.
Frank Hoare was appointed general counsel for the New York State Thruway Authority. He retired from the United States Army Reserve in December 2019 after 28 years of combined active and reserve service.
James Hayes’ daughter carried on the family tradition when she began her studies as a freshman at UAlbany this fall. Welcome to the Great Dane family, Cecilia!
Bill McCann and Cheryl Couser ’02 were appointed co-directors of the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board. Bill is a former president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the host of the Saturday Morning Edition of Jazz on WCDB, 90.9 FM, Albany.
Michael Blum invented the Earthquake Emergency Pod for school children in developing countries using component material developed by SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Funds raised through Michael’s Kickstarter campaign will go toward product development and testing.
Kim Chatani serves on the Association of Certified Fruad Examiners (ACFE) board of directors, and is the audit committee chair. He is an assistant professor of accounting at Concordia University Irvine.
Victoria Lane was appointed chief special counsel for Ethics, Risk and Compliance, New York State Governor’s office. She previously served as a partner at Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP. She holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
Jason Irizarry was named dean of the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education. He is the first Latino dean to lead the Neag school.
As our alma mater opens up this Fall, let us give thanks that it and the world is returning to good health and peace of mind. So many lives have been lost in the past year including members and family of our class. Joan Cali Pecore and Doris Hische Brossy are sorry that our 60-year reunion did not happen last October. We are thinking about a future event, likely in conjunction with the other classes of our era.
Class co-councilors: Joan Cali Pecore, cueville@comcast.net; Doris Hische Brossy, dbrossy@aol.com
Bob Sweeney is dividing time between Hawaii and the mainland while his new home is being built in Florida. He is near completion of writing two books.
Sheril McCormack is happy for the return of Red Hat Society activities.
Class councilor: Sheril McCormack, vanillastar202@yahoo.com
Julia Imbo ’21 is the second recipient of the Class of 1964 Scholarship, established during our 55th reunion year. Julia earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and will enter the School of Education’s Special Education and Literacy master’s program this fall. Best wishes, Julia!
Pat Jewell McAlexander has spent part of her retirement writing novels. Her first novel, Stranger in the Storm, is a romantic thriller set in the Adirondacks of her childhood and was released as an e-book in 2020. Her second novel, Shadows of Doubt, is a suspenseful novel set in Athens, Ga., where Pat lives. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes Apple books in both print and e-book.
We hope that your life is starting to get back to “normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic. Please keep us informed of your activities and changes in your contact information. Stay safe and healthy.
“Time marches on…and on… and on…” – From the 1964 Torch yearbook
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com.
The Class of ’65 Red Devil’s 55th-Year Reunion was delayed but not forgotten. We were reminded of the profound musings of the great Muppet Show philosophers, Statler and Waldorf: Why do we always come here?/ I guess we’ll never know./ It’s like a kind of torture/ To have to watch the show. But it was far from torture. In fact, the 19 Red Devils who got together via Zoom Feb. 11, 2021, had fun! Classmates from all over the U.S. gathered for an imaginary view of the campus, enjoyed phantom fish or chicken dinners, imbibed at the virtual open bar and shared lots of good memories.
Judy Koblintz Madnick kept control of the festivities and Ira Rubtchinsky tried to moderate, but once things got going, there was no holding back. The liveliest discussion came when Jeanne Bollt Krips Tobin remembered going to Europe during her junior-year summer and discovering in her Paris hotel room what she thought looked like a second toilet, or perhaps a foot bath for weary tourists. Fortunately, her travel companion and classmate, Roselle Warshaw Mironer, was more cosmopolitan. Roselle explained that the French all have “bidets” in their bathrooms. Kate Harvey Jacobs recalled that “My fear of attending Harvard University disappeared when I discovered that I was as well-prepared as those who came from Ivy League undergraduate colleges. After I had two master’s degrees and a doctorate, I had a fellowship at Harvard in 2001 and wondered if I had the background to be there. But once there, I felt totally equipped for my goal of investigating the connection between quantum theory and theology.”
We became reacquainted with classmates we hadn’t seen for a half-century, and, as promised, there was a prize for the most profound thoughts submitted in advance of the reunion. Kate Harvey Jacobs and Ruth Siegel Baker won UAlbany t-shirts.
With apologies to Dan Fogelberg: We drank a toast to innocence, We drank a toast to now, We reached beyond the many years, A healthy future for us we did vow! With that in mind, we are looking forward to our in-person 60th-year reunion!
Roselle Warshaw Mironer is excited to report that she has decided to tear herself away from teaching and retire. She is looking forward to seeing friends, traveling, reading, attending classes, dancing, enjoying her synagogue and the work that she is doing with AIPAC.
Linda Delfs retired in 2015. “My colleagues at State Ed. kept telling me I’d be better off financially retired than I was working. They were right,” she said. “It’s been Saturday ever since, with plenty to do and I’m doing as much of it as I can before the arthritis and joint problems get to be too much.” Linda enjoys volunteering, mostly for the Shaker Heritage Society in Colonie, N.Y. She plays with a fife and drug corps near Albany as well as one in Massachusetts, and is involved with a reenacting group – an artillery unit in the 18th century. Linda’s daughter is a lawyer for a non-profit in D.C. and has been working long distance from western Massachusetts, hoping to find work in New England. Linda’s other daughter lives outside Palmyra, working from home for the University of Rochester while homeschooling two kids. Her husband, who does quality control for a Clifton Parkbased company, is the only one who got COVID. “So far he seems to have gotten through it unscathed.”
Class councilor: Judy Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
Greetings Beloved ’67 Classmates. The organizing committee for our next reunion promises to go all-out for a grand celebration of our 55th Reunion in 2022. Over the coming year, a major goal is to connect with as many of our classmates as possible. Let us hear from you. Stay connected!
Sandra Rudy Interdonato provided an update on her wonderful group of five former college roommates. “Although the Pandemic was hard on everyone, I was fortunate to be able to Zoom weekly with Rosina Schneider Mulligan, Vicki Fox Friedman, Bonnie Tomaszewski Kisiel and Mary Santay Shevis. The five of us formed a very strong bond at UAlbany and that bond has strengthened throughout the years. Before the Pandemic we got together twice a year and hope to resume that tradition shortly, but we all agree that for us, Zooming once a week will go on indefinitely.” After graduating from UAlbany, Sandy moved to an apartment on the exciting East Side of Manhattan where she met her future husband, Bob, owner and trainer-driver of Standardbred (sulky) racehorses. Sandy then completed graduate studies in speech pathology at California State University Long Beach, returned to New York and got married. Four years later she had a son, Michael, and raised him on their 10-acre horse farm in central New Jersey. In 2005, Sandy retired from her 33-year career as a speech and language therapist, which included 24 years in the Toms River Regional School District in New Jersey. She and Bob have lived in The Villages in Florida for the past 16 years. Despite the pandemic, they’ve been able to enjoy Florida’s warm climate and participate in golf and other outdoor activities that allow for social distancing.
After teaching for many years, Bonnie Tomaszewski Kisiel and husband Don ’66 are enjoying the more relaxing pace of retirement. They still live in the big house with the big yard because it’s hard to downsize, but it does require a lot of time for upkeep. Bonnie and Don spent time at a nearby beach this summer. They’re thankful that loved ones have remained healthly amid the pandemic.
Class councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Shirley Wiltsie Dunn is living in a geriatric unit in Troy. She was editor of State College News. Shirley and Jerry Dunn ’49 married a few days after Shirley graduated from NYSCT. She taught for four years, raised their four children, then returned to the workforce in the 1980’s. Shirley spent nearly a decade in the Department of Parks and Recreation and founded the Dutch Barn Preservation Society. In recognition of her research on Dutch farm locations, she was honored as a Fellow by the Holland Society of New York. A scholar of the Mohicans and early Dutch, she is the author of The Mohicans and Their Land, 1609-1730 (1994), The Mohican World, 1680-1750 (2000) and co-author of Dutch Architecture Near Albany: The Polgreen Photographs (1996), and The Mohicans (2008). Three of Shirley and Jerry’s four children are retired; one is still teaching. They have nine grandchildren and two great-granddaughters living in California, Virginia and New York.
Harold Sparky Vaughn is in great health which he contributes to heredity and a healthy lifestyle. An active member of the Rotary Club of Washington D.C., he is involved in anti-human trafficking work in cooperation with a club in Bangkok. As of this printing, Harold is still seeking a publisher for Bacco’s Song, set in Western Europe and Thailand. In the meantime, he is writing a historical novel.
Lila Lee Charmaine lives at the Ranch Estates in Scottsdale, Ariz. She enjoys yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba and mobility classes and daily walks. Lila became a great grandmother. Her granddaughter Emily of Raleigh, N.C. gave birth to twins and all are doing well. Lila was able to attend Emily’s wedding in February 2020.
Class councilor: Harold “Sparky” Vaughn, vaughnha@aol.com
Marilyn VanDyke moved into the Terrace at the Glen in Queensbury, N.Y. She celebrated Mother’s Day by visiting her daughter in Clifton Park. Marilyn is proud of all of her grandchildren, who earned college degrees.
Shirley Rosenbaum is still involved with the League of Women Voters. Her children and grandchildren are following in her footsteps: her son operates a non-profit bicycle shop and her daughter, a Julliard graduate, teaches piano. Shirley’s grandson was accepted at Columbia and will join the Columbia Symphony Orchestra.
Vickie Eade Eddy of Olean, N.Y. enjoys her grandchildren although distance keeps them far away. Two of her grandchildren attend colleges in New York State.
Nancy Pettinelli’s oldest granddaughter graduated from Ringling Art School and then left immediately for a job in Vancouver, Canada.
Tom Holman enjoyed time in Naples.
Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli and Joe ’49 moved to a lovely senior residence, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June.
Dr. Gerald R. Firth passed away June 7, 2021 at the age of 90. He was Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership at the University of Georgia. George’s great-niece, Kathryn Agan, started at UAlbany in Fall 2018.
Class councilor: Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli, jjzanch@yahoo.com
Hello Red Devils of 1953! A beautiful note was sent by Barbara Van Horne Smith, wife of our classmate Hal “Smitty” Smith. Smitty retired from serving as a Director of Guidance at Starpoint Central School after 33 years. The year after, Barbara retired from an elementary education position. They had three children, five grandchildren, and 11 greatgrandchildren. Barbara and Smitty visited two former exchange students while touring Europe. They spent winters at Jekyll Island in Georgia. Smitty was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment that has progressed to Alzheimer’s. They have a supportive family, but covid-19 has kept them apart. Hal and Barbara, you are in our thoughts.
Louise Petfield Burn’s middle daughter visited for two weeks. Since vaccines were not yet available, they wore masks everywhere – including in the house – and instead of going out for an occasional meal they enjoyed pickup meals from local restaurants. This July Louise and her eldest flew out to help Lousie celebrate another one of those birthdays that end in a zero! Louise resumed playing piano once a week for a small group of seniors at church who love to sing the old hymns. Louise’s congregation is getting younger, so she prefers the newer praise songs complete with drums and guitars. Louise attended church virtually for several months, but is going back in person again. She became a great-grandmother to a baby girl in February, and is anticipating traveling back east this fall to meet her. The Covid-19 restrictions kept Louise from her yearly visit back home with her family. Fortunately, she had a delightful visit from one of her granddaughters, an archivist, before the pandemic.
The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society featured Joyce Dawn Turner Ogden in the Spring 2021 issue of New York Researcher. The full-page article entitled “In Other Lines” detailed Joyce’s genealogical discoveries of New York ancestors. Joyce said, “I think they found my Olympia Washington address in their list of members and wondered why somebody so far away bothered with a membership to a New York-based organization.” Congratulations, Joyce! Doing genealogical research is time consuming and requires lots of dedication!
Millie Foote Sheerin talked with Ruth Dunn Benishin recently. Ruth is still writing but is hampered by her poor eyesight. She hasn’t lost her chutzpah! though and is fun to talk with. Joan Allen Balfe and Millie talk frequently and do their best to visit one another at least once a year. Both manage to live fairly active lives. Millie walks 2½ miles each day and volunteers as a docent at the Town of Brewster’s Museum. She has six children, 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. After getting fully vaccinated, Millie and husband Jim completed a 2K-mile road trip to visit five of their children, some cousins and best friends. Millie sent out a “Best to all!” message to her former classmates.
Betty Hart-Coykendall loves being 89. “It is a Fibonacci prime as well as the sum of the square of two Fibonacci numbers (5 and 8).” Betty reflected on the pandemic, saying: “It has been an interesting and challenging year but haven’t they all been that? We deep depression babies have been through many world shattering events. Our numbers are down to about 37% of those of us born at that time. The health care givers, I believe, have had the most challenging situations.” Betty’s daughter works in the Newborn Nursery at Strong Beginnings Birth Center, University of Rochester Medical Center. Betty repeats the following mantra to herself when she gets anxious: BT, BAP, BITM (B = Be Thankful; BAP = Be At Peace; and BITM = Be In The Moment). Each day Betty swims a kilometer at the Webster Aquatic Center, does two miles on an elliptical machine and weekly yoga. Betty taught virtual math labs on Google.
Just like so many of you, Rose Mary (Rosie) Hughes struggled with the loneliness of the quarantine. She felt lucky that her apartment had a balcony on which she could go and feel she was part of the world around her. Rosie continues to read jokes on Facebook each day in her attempt to bring some laughter into the lives of friends who are feeling depressed. Before lockdown Rosie was in an exercise class. When it closed, Rosie and two friends in her building decided to do their own classes in the hallway, with adequate space for social distancing. Rosie has since returned to the normal class. Rosie is now the great grandmother of two darling little fellows. She loves being a grandparent! Like a good number of you, Rosie turned 90 this year. It just doesn’t seem possible! “I can remember when we were still at State and there were alums celebrating their 50th reunion.” Rosie was stunned that people could still walk at that age! As class councilor, her hardest part of the job is to hear about the passing of another classmate – people like J. Paul Ward, Jordine Skoff VonWantoch, and Louie Vion. We are only two years away from a 70th reunion. Joe Lombardi has asked who will attend. Rosie hopes she can make it! She and Betty Hart Coykendall attended their 70th high school reunion. Stay well dear classmates! Keep moving. And laugh – it’s the best medicine! Share any news with Rosie (please note her new email address).
Class Councilor: Rose Mary Keller Hughes, rosemaryk.hughes@gmail.com
It’s time to think about how to celebrate the 65th anniversary of our graduation. One classmate suggested a luncheon in Albany. Please share your thoughts, as well as class notes, with your class councilor.
Sheila Lister Bamberger connected with Janice Champagne McGrath through email. Janice mostly taught in Newburgh with a one-year sabbatical in Nairobi in 1970. She attended a couple of reunions in Albany including our 25th while living in Maine, and attended another of our reunions after she moved to Hawaii. Janice retired in 1992 and moved to Windward Oahu to be near her son and grandkids, both of whom flourished. Janice worked part time training tutors for Hawaii Pacific University before “re-retiring” three years ago. She still enjoys acting and playwriting. Her plays have been read and produced in Honolulu’s theatres and some were published in a collection entitled Home: Four Plays, available on Amazon. Janice hopes all of her classmates are doing well, and she loves reading everyone’s news in the UAlbany magazine.
Class councilor: Sheila Lister Bamberger, hsbamb@verizon.net
Jacqueline Smead Alexander passed away Feb. 10, 2021 at the age of 95. She was a retired language teacher. Her three children attended UAlbany.
Bob Kloepfel passed away Feb.1, 2021. He was a member of the Potter Club and a returning Veteran when he enrolled as a freshman.
Champion golfer, CBS Sports reporter and author Dottie Pepper published Letters to a Future Champion: My Time with Mr. Pulver, a tribute to Jean Pulver Hague’s father George. Jean shared that reading all the compliments about her dad was a very emotional experience.
There is no stopping Bob Kittredge, who has an event on his calendar every day! Bob books guest speakers and serves as moderator of a residents’ group discussion on current events.
Elfrieda Laemmerzahl Miller of Delaware visited her grandson in Tampa, and her son Dave in Jupiter, Fla.
Ursula Neuhaus Schiff’s granddaughter got married in California. All of Ursula’s children and grandchildren live in California. Ursula resides in Sarasota, Fla.
Gloria Maistelman Herkowitz celebrated several family events. Two grandsons got married and a great granddaughter had a bat mitzvah.
Jerry Dunn resides in an independent living facility in East Greenbush, N.Y. His wife Shirley Wiltse Dunn ’50 was hospitalized briefly following a fall on New Year’s Eve. Shirley lives in a geriatric unit in Troy where she has been diagnosed with dementia. Jerry plays bridge online three times a week. He reminisced about living in Sayles Annex with friends Bob Kaiser and Bob Baker.
Joe Zanchelli and Joyce ’52 celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June. They downsized to a senior living facility in Saratoga Springs in May.
Class Co-Councilors: Joe Zanchelli, jjzanch@yahoo.com; Jean Pulver Hague, jeanhague@aol.com.
Brandon Kayemba graduated from St. John’s University School of Law. While a student at St. John’s Law, he served on the Dean’s Advisory Council on Diversity & Inclusion.
Kate Better, government and operations specialist, was named an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree for 2025.
Cecilia Hayes, daughter of James Hayes ’84, graduated with honors in May.
Kayla Arias, associate at Barclay Damon, LLP, Syracuse, was selected a 2022 Upstate New York Rising Star.
Ancell Scheker Mendoza was appointed vice minister of education of the Dominican Republic. Ancell earned a doctoral degree in educational administration and policy studies from UAlbany and received the Alumni Association’s International Award of Excellence in 2016.
Jacob Fischler and Kathryn Beard welcomed daughter Annie Madison, April 11, 2022. Annie is the first grandchild of Dr. Arnold Fischler ’82 and Heidi Amsterdam ’81.
Georgia Crinnin of Bousquet Holstein PLLC was named a Super Lawyers Upstate New York Rising Star in 2022. She is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates and Litigation Practice groups.
Brienna Christiano and Jamie Dughi Hogenkamp of Barclay Damon, LLP, Albany, were included in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™. They were also named 2022 Upstate New York Rising Stars.
Amanda Miller was included in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™. Amanda specializes in mass tort litigation at Barclay Damon LLP, Albany.
Gina Valentino is managing editor of luxury lifestyle magazine Gulfshore Life. She serves on the UAlbany Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Jamie Zieno joined New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney’s team as Chief of Staff.
Meteorologist Mike Slifer joined WFSB News in his home state of Connecticut.
Felix Abreu is a customer solutions engineer at Google and founder of Blue It LLC.
Jackie Orchard is pursuing a master’s degree in Creative Writing at California State University, Northridge.
