Class
Notes

  • 1960s

    Thomas Priester, ’62, became the first New York State track official to officiate for 50 years.

  • 1970s

    Jan Crossen, ’73, released her latest book “Colors of the Sky: A Memoir” in September 2025. This is Crossen’s story of self-discovery — hiding her true self as she struggled to live authentically in a disapproving world. She wrote this memoir with the hope of making connections, enlightening minds, opening hearts, and ultimately saving lives.

  • Terrence Factor, ’74, back row, (third from left) and his wife, Rebecca (Smith) Factor, ’74, (second from left) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Istanbul, Turkey, with their family.
    A group in medieval royal attire posing in an ornate setting.

  • Doris (Shaub) Mason, ’75, and her husband, Tom, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May with a private family dinner and a card shower. They are proud parents of three children, Tom (Kristen (Bachman) Mason, ’03), Carrie (Mason) Lanza, ’05 (Chris Lanza, ’06), and Jon (Liz (Kerr) Mason, ’10). Tom and Doris also have four grandchildren.
    Doris and Tom Mason on their wedding day
    Doris and Tom Mason
  • Maria (DeMarino) Bachuchin, ’76, was inducted into the Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame and received the 2024-25 IHSAA Outstanding Official Award for the sport of Gymnastics. Bachuchin was also named the Indiana Exchange Club Secretary of the Year at their state convention. Bachuchin is the secretary of the Duneland Exchange Club, a civic service organization. Bachuchin (center) is pictured with her husband, Mike, ’76, (left) accepting the IHSAA Award.
    Maria (DeMarino) Bachuchin holding an award while standing next to her husband Mike
    Bachuchin, ’76 (center) and her husband Mike, ’76, (left)

  • 1980s

    Chris Truxell, ’89, published a book “A National Park Love Story.” The book is about two middle-aged divorcees who connect online, sharing a passion for adventure and a heartfelt mission to visit all 63 national parks in the United States. Part travelogue, part love story, this memoir captures the beauty of second chances and the healing power of nature, one park at a time.

  • 1990s

    Margie Lenhart, ’92, received the Excellence in Media Award from the Youngstown (Ohio) Press Club. Lenhart has worked in radio for nearly 30 years.

  • Celeste Sundo, ’97, was promoted to the superintendent of Sugar Creek Charter School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • Tina (Book) Duffy, ’99, was awarded the Ideagen Most Valuable Player Award at the software company’s 2025 Gemmy Awards in Nottingham, England, in recognition of her contributions as head of product for environmental health and safety.

  • 2000s

    Andrew Cozad, ’01, was added to the board of directors of the Robert Henri Museum and Art Gallery in Cozad, Nebraska. As a relative of American painter Robert Henri, Cozad and his wife Missy (Wacht) Cozad, ’02, have loaned several Henri paintings and sketches to the gallery. Cozad has also written a children’s book about Henri titled “Robert Henri: The Boy Who Painted Life.”
    Andrew Cozad in front of a painting

    Andrew Cozad
  • Brandy Niccolai-Belfi, ’04, was appointed dean of arts and humanities at the Tarrant County College Southeast Campus.
  • Abby Horvath, ’05, served eight years active duty, worked in manufacturing for 11 years and recently moved to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, working as a full-time SCUBA instructor. A customer came in, Tracy (Ewing) Benjamin, ’01, and they discovered they were both SRU graduates and bonded over their love for The Rock!
    Horvath and Benjamin posing for a selfie together

    Horvath and Benjamin
  • Cari Jubb, ’05, ’07M, was awarded the 2024 School Counselor of the Year from the West Virginia School Counselor Association (WVSCA). The WVSCA School Counselor of the Year Awards honor school counselors who exemplify excellence in the profession and set the standard for comprehensive school counseling programs.
  • Tanya Pell, ‘05, in a two-book deal, released her Gothic horror novel “Her Wicked Roots” through Simon & Schuster in October 2025. The same month, her story with New York Times bestselling author Christopher Golden was also released in the horror anthology “Fever Dreams.”
  • Rochelle Coleman, ’06, is the founder and financial coach of Second Stage Finance, a financial coaching company helping people at all stages of their financial journey. Services include financial literacy courses, one-on-one financial coaching sessions and employee financial wellness programs.
    Rochelle Coleman headshot

    Rochelle Coleman
  • Susan Kelley, ’07, authored an article “How to Write with GenAI: A Framework for Using Generative AI to Automate Writing Tasks in Technical Communication,” published in The Journal of Technical Writing and Communication. This article explores how to effectively use Generative AI in technical writing tasks with Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) verification.

  • 2010s

    Mike Crum, ’11, received his doctorate in social work from Capella University. Crum has built a career working for the military in suicide prevention, military resilience and primary prevention to prevent abuse/neglect, suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault and other risk factors.
    Mike Crum headshot

    Mike Crum
  • Chelsea Campbell, ’12, was named the director of safety for North America at Avery Dennison in Mentor, Ohio.
  • Tara (Bly) Hackwelder, ’12, rang the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange Aug. 29, representing the ZTTK Foundation. Hackwelder founded the organization for advocacy and research of ZTTK Syndrome. Her daughter, Elizabeth, was among the first five patients in the world diagnosed with ZTTK Syndrome in 2015.
  • Adam Katchmarchi, ’12, has joined The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance as vice president of educational development. Katchmarchi will collaborate closely with PHTA staff, partners and industry professionals to enhance and expand educational programming with primary responsibilities to include developing innovative courses and trainings, elevating the quality and accessibility of educational content, and fostering strategic partnerships aimed at enriching industry-wide professional development.
  • Michael Thornhill, ’12, released his debut book, “The First, The Few, and The Only,” a genre-expanding project that blends memoir, manifesto and survival toolkit for BIPOC students and professionals navigating systems not built for them. It became a No. 1 new release on Amazon for Hispanic biographies within 48 hours.
  • Carly Bacha, ’14, ’18M, was featured in the Fabulous People, Fab Teachers: Arizona 2025 section of the website fabulousarizona.com.
  • Claire Fauzey, ’16M, ’24D, joined the faculty at Westminster College as an assistant professor of education.
  • Spencer Hasenkopf, ’16, joined LeChase Construction Services, LLC, as a senior safety manager based in the Southeast region. Hasenkopf ensures compliance with site safety plans and applicable regulatory standards, conducts safety training and inspections, and acts as liaison to clients and subcontractors on matters related to health, safety and the environment.
  • Billie Burke, ’19, joined South Coast Internal Medicine caring for patients in Middletown.
  • Thomas “TJ” Wiesen, ’19, was honored with the Rising Safety Star Award by The National Safety Council who recognizes professionals age 40 or younger committed to improving safety within their organization through impactful initiatives.

  • 2020s

    Tamer Fahmy, ’20, received Erie’s 40 Under 40 award. Fahmy is an IT systems administrator at Erie Insurance and has his own independent IT consulting and web developing service. Fahmy is also an active volunteer and disc jockey.

  • Ally Gilmore, ’22, and Devin Parkinson, ’22, had their journal article published from research done while students in the Journal of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Excellence. Their article is titled “Reading for change: Exploring the impact of participation in an anti-racist book club on undergraduate students’ perspectives and actions.” Their mentor professor at SRU was Elizabeth LaGamba, associate professor of curriculum, instruction and educational leadership, and they worked with SRU Honors College to facilitate the book club the study was founded on.
    Ally Gilmore and Devin Parkinson hugging in their graduation cap and gown

    Gilmore and Parkinson
  • Nate Oxman, ’23, published his first novel, “The Philly Phenoms,” in June 2025. It is a middle-grade sports fiction story and has received several awards including an American Fiction Award (Sports category).

  • Weddings

    Lauren Amos, ’21, and Nicolas Martin, ’22, were married June 2. The couple met her junior year and his sophomore year.
    Lauren Amos and Nicolas Martin at their wedding

  • Madalyn Bestine, ’20, ’24M, and Justin Svetz,’22, were married Aug. 23 in Erie.
    Madalyn Bestine and Justin Svetz at their wedding

  • Births

    Ryan Beilstein, ’09, and Rachel (Hunkele) Beilstein, ’10, welcomed their third daughter, Reese Anne, Aug. 1, 2024. The Beilstein’s reside in Slippery Rock where Ryan is employed by SRU Federal Credit Union.
    Two young girls with pigtails wearing matching purple shirts smile while holding a sleeping newborn baby dressed in a floral outfit on a patterned chair.

  • Megan (Kloos) DeFazio, ’16, ’18M, and Jesse DeFazio, ’15, ’18M, welcomed their first daughter, Cecilia Lynn, April 28.
    A sleeping newborn baby swaddled in a striped hospital blanket wearing a large knit bow, lying next to a wooden announcement sign.

  • Katie (Grant) Johnston, ’19, ’20M, and her husband, Johnny, welcomed their second child, Jake, June 14. Jake joins big brother Jack.
    A young boy with red hair smiles broadly while lying on a fluffy white rug next to a newborn baby, both wearing matching dark grey

  • Jennifer (Szurek) Layne, ’05, welcomed daughter, Cheyenne Reagan, Feb. 19. She joins siblings Logan, 12, and Adelaide, 8.
    A close-up of an alert baby with light wispy hair and wide blue eyes looking slightly to the side, resting in a grey padded car seat.

  • Jay Williams, ’06, and Kelly (Hynal) Williams, 05, ’07M, welcomed their baby boy, Joseph Lyell, March 13, 2024.
    A close-up portrait of a happy baby with light brown hair and dark eyes wearing a rust-colored t-shirt, smiling while sitting in a patterned baby seat.

In Memory

  • Hazel K. Vukmir (Kistler) ‘49
  • Melvin L. Klein ‘49
  • Marjorie A. Raymond (Ackerman) ‘53
  • Margaret J. Stickel (Sickle) ‘55
  • Donald F. Walter Jr. ‘57
  • Ruth N. Clarke (Bachtell) ‘57
  • Barbara A. Armel (Helfrich) ‘59
  • J. C. Magnus ‘59
  • Richard O. Walker ‘59
  • Victor P. Eyth ‘60
  • Robert N. Goss ‘61
  • Donald L. Shirey ‘61
  • Donna J. Cooper (Hunt) ‘61
  • Bruno A. Raso ‘61
  • Salvatore P. Catalfamo ‘62
  • John L. Phillips ‘63
  • Raymond W. Bitar ‘63
  • Byron C. Welker ‘63
  • Irene M. Perman (Kapurik) ‘64
  • Margaret R. Grimm (Templeton) ‘64
  • Alice D. Dickie (Donnelly) ‘65
  • Judith B. Hoffman (Bodine) ‘65
  • Robert P. Basl II ‘68
  • Gerald Trimble ‘68
  • Peter J. Gabriel ‘69
  • Marianne Archer (Rad) ‘70
  • Deborah Simpson (Gibboney) ‘70
  • Mary A. Susko (Johnston) ‘71
  • Delores E. Litke (Soltis) ‘71
  • Robert L. McHattie ‘71
  • Dennis Riegelnegg ‘72
  • Georgia Carr ‘73
  • James S. McBride ‘73
  • Bernard Rodgers ‘73
  • John T. O’Neill ‘73
  • Mary L. Pannell (Easley) ‘73
  • Susan G. Frankenstein ‘73
  • Darla A. McPaul (Simmons) ‘73
  • David J. Parry ‘73
  • Marjorie L. Fleming (Badger) ‘74
  • Joseph V. Deramo ‘74
  • Jeffrey Bolea ‘74
  • Frederick R. Schneeman ‘75
  • Sandra K. Diorio ‘75
  • Clare M. Brown (Sellers) ‘75
  • Lisa E. Beggs (Mallory) ‘75
  • Blair Caracci ‘75
  • Lynn J. Bausher (Shafer) ‘76
  • Wayne M. Koble ‘76
  • Michael E. Witkowski ‘77
  • Mary J. Timmerman ‘77
  • Douglas D. Dodds ‘78
  • Holly F. Rogerson (Rich) ‘78
  • Barb Ryan ‘78
  • Chris M. Uhrinek ‘78
  • Pamela K. Amann (Karasack) ‘78
  • David J. Andrews ‘79
  • Bruno D. Zuccala ‘79
  • Clarissa Clair ‘80
  • Ruth A. Cook ‘81
  • Thleatha B. Price ‘81
  • Vivas M. Macoskey ‘81
  • Dianne M. Courtwright (Ciallella) ‘82
  • Mary A. Hogg (Depalma) ‘83
  • Chester M. Czyz ‘84
  • James F. Agnew ‘85
  • David M. Grabosky ‘85
  • Paul A. Lombardi ‘86
  • John L. Sabo ‘86
  • Ilona J. Daniels (Griggs) ‘87
  • Thomas A. Naviglia ‘87
  • Sharyn L. Gates (Heffner) ‘88
  • Jeffrey J. Bester ‘88
  • David Gengarella ‘89
  • Elizabeth A. Snodgrass (Pache) ‘90
  • Gordon P. Cavalero ‘90
  • Carl E. Miller ‘90, Administrator Emeritus
  • Barbara Eckels ‘91
  • Daniel R. Snyder ‘91
  • Marie M. Sarver (Sullivan) ‘92
  • Janet L. Robinson ‘92
  • Linda C. Hays (Paul) ‘92
  • Veronica A. Gibbs ‘93
  • Kenneth Ballon ‘94
  • Jamie A. Nevel ‘07
  • Caitlin A. Amprim (Voke) ‘09
  • Nicole L. Rudd (Morocco) ‘09
  • Jayme Ragan ‘10
  • Jeff R. Merulli ‘11
  • Stephen P. Glinsky Jr., Professor Emeritus
  • Henry Lenz, Professor Emeritus
  • Doran J. Keeley, Retired Staff
  • Donald W. Keeley, Retired Staff

SRU Alumni Association

Executive Committee:

President, Rajeev Karmacharya ’95
President Elect, Mike Zody ’88
Treasurer, Don Huddart ’87
Secretary, Justina Cerra ’13
Immediate Past President, Melissa Visco ’04

Board Members:

Angela Beeman ’06
Lee Bowers ’98
Hollie Carlson ’14
Joe Coudriet ’23
Joe Dropp ’03
Jack Dugan Jr. ’87
Bruce Ferguson ’94
Claudia Hartmann ’18
Lisa McCullough Holmes ’88, ’01
Jamaur Law ’13
Jeff Milliner ’04
Karen Taylor Perry ’79, ’80
Greg Sferra ’78
Chris Thrasher ’23
Matt Vannoy ’09
Holly Vogt ’97
Dave Wolfe ’13
Sam Zyroll ’78
Send Class Notes or updates to contact information to alumni@sru.edu or by using the online form at rockalumni.com.
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