SPRING 2024
Featuring news received between November 18, 2023 and March 15, 2024
Class Notes Quarterly features professional accomplishments, educational attainments, awards, and other life milestones celebrated by our alumni. A section of In Memoriam listings follows to honor alumni who are no longer with us, including links to complete obituaries available online at the time of publication.
See the links below to jump to your choice of decade, or to additional sections devoted to marriage, birth, and death announcements. Based on alumni feedback, we have created easier to find and read In Memoriam listings for deceased classmates and friends, and we are pleased to provide links to their full, online obituaries as published by local media outlets, when available.
Searchable Archive: Our online class notes archive may be accessed and searched at any time. The archived collection of notes (including class notes, marriage and birth announcements, and in memoriam listings) begins with those received in 2010. Use the sidebar menu (at left) to navigate between the archive and past issues referenced in the notes.
Have news to submit? Please submit your news via the online Alumni Update Form.
Did we miss something? Don't see a note that you remember submitting prior to July 31? Is a correction needed? Email bwalumni@bw.edu, and we'll make the necessary additions (or edits) to this page and to the class notes archive.
Class Notes
1951
JAMES “JIM” LAWSON, Los Angeles, Calif., was honored with the co-naming of a mile-long stretch of Adams Boulevard in South Los Angeles as the Reverend James Lawson Mile. A sign was unveiled at his home church, Holman United Methodist Church, preceded by a peaceful march to pay homage to Lawson’s teachings of unity and dedication to nonviolent resistance during the civil rights movement.
1959
BARBARA McCAMANT KNIGHT, Brunswick, retired four years ago from a 59-year long career as a teacher and principal.
1961
CALE-DEANE LANG LABRAM, Huntsville, Ala., has explored her genealogy since retiring. She traced her lineage to ancestors who arrived on the Mayflower and has attained membership to various societies, such as the Daughters of American Colonists, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of the Families of the Old Northwest Territories, and the First Families of Ohio.
1963
JAMES “JIM” HARDIMAN, Solon, was named a 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business. He is board chair of Youth Opportunities Unlimited.
1966
MARILYN MESSER, Pleasanton, Calif., moved to Pleasanton from Palo Alto. She spends a month in Maine every summer. She is interested in reconnecting with some of her BW peers.
1967
ROBERT “BOB” KLAUSMEIER, Springfield, is now retired. He has written and published two teacher education books and numerous education and history articles. He has been listed in Marquis Who’s Who, a publication consisting of the most accomplished individuals within their respective fields.
1971
FRANK FUHS, Olmsted Falls, has been a referee with the United States Soccer Federation for thirty years. He has also served ten years as an instructor for new referees as well as nearly thirty years as an Ohio high school soccer referee.
1973
ROBERT “BOB” STENECK, Whitefield, Maine, retired from his position as a professor and researcher of marine sciences at the University of Maine. He is the recipient of the 2024 Gilbert Morgan Smith Medal, which recognizes research excellence regarding algae. He has conducted extensive research that has contributed to improving Maine’s fishing industry and preserving coral reefs around the world.
1975
GEORGE MYERS, Mechanicsburg, Pa., has published three books: Mixers: on Hybrid Writing (essays on contemporary literature), Fast Talk with Writers (interviews), and Atmospheric Landscapes of North America (poetry). He also writes regularly for Tonic, the in-house creative agency for Highmark Health.
1976
DAVID “D.C.” ANDERSON, Montgomery, N.Y., is involved in the development of Anne of Green Gables the musical as the character Matthew Cuthbert.
STEVEN SOSNOWITZ, Brewster, N.Y., is retired and is enjoying time with his eight grandchildren.
1977
PETER NEFFENGER, Oakland, Calif., was appointed to the Board of Visitors to the United States Coast Guard Academy by President Biden.
1979
MICHAEL “MIKE” KING, Franklin, Tenn., was inducted into Fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Scotland as one of just thirty foot and ankle surgeons from the U.S. to ever receive this honor.
1980
RALPH MOODY, Brook Park, will retire in May after sixteen years with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
1983
PERRY BEAUMONT, Wilton, Conn., accepted a teaching appointment at Yale University’s department of Statistics and Data Science. His book, Business Case Studies in Applied Data Science, is widely regarded as an industry standard.
1985
DARRYL WILSON, Houston, Tex., was elected to Primerica’s Board of Directors. He is the founder, chairman, and president of the Wilson Collective and has more than 30 years of experience as a global business leader.
1986
MELISSA DEARTH BAUER, Berea, was appointed as chief information officer of BW’s IT department. In her new role, she leads a department focused on developing and implementing information technology initiatives that improve service quality, increase cost effectiveness and support business development.
RANDELL “RANDY” McSHEPARD, Beachwood, was featured as a 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business. He is board chair of PolicyBridge.
1987
WARREN NYERGES, Naples, Fla., has been happily married to his wife, Maureen “Moe” Nyerges, for seventeen years.
1990
MELISSA HEINTZ LEHKY (MBA ’92), Hinckley, retired in 2017 after working at seven major corporations for information technology.
BRIAN LOWE (EMBA ’93), Fleetwood, Pa., retired from FirstEnergy Service Corp. in 2023 after 53 years of service.
1991
CAROLE SANDERSON, Russell, received both the Smart Business Smart 50 Award and the Weatherhead 100 Award in 2023. She is also an accomplished tennis player, having won gold medals in the National Senior Games for the past two years.
1992
JEFFREY “JEFF” BRIAN, Cleveland, has joined Fitzsimmons Hospital Services as a delivery technician. He’s living in Cleveland with his partner and their cat, Eddie.
MELISSA HEINTZ LEHKY (MBA), see ’90.
1993
KIM POLISSENI HURST, New Albany, became an elementary school principal after spending twenty-seven years as a music educator.
BRIAN LOWE (EMBA), see ’90.
JOHN MARKOWSKI, Fort Mill, S.C., is celebrating twenty years of both his business, C.M. Environmental Services, and being a high school football coach.
1995
JENNIFER “JEN” FORD BILEK, Medina, has been appointed Executive Director of Leadership Medina County.
SARA GOTTWALD BROKAW, Milan, has been promoted to president of The Bellevue Hospital. In her new role, she will spearhead strategic initiatives including physician recruitment, service line development and operational excellence. She also will continue to serve as the chief nursing officer.
NICOLE “NICKI” DAWSON, Orlando, Fla., has been included in Marquis Who’s Who, a publication consisting of the most accomplished individuals within their respective fields. Dawson directs the University of Central Florida’s ALIVE Lab and introduced a now widely recognized dementia rehabilitation program, Leveraging Existing Abilities in Dementia (LEAD).
1996
JASON KUNTZ, Lebanon, Pa., has changed career paths after working in higher education for twenty-five years. He is now director of resident life experiences at a 55 and older community.
1999
JILL VINCLER ROLAND, Cleveland, was promoted to supervisor at Medina County Adult Probation.
2000
STEPHANIE CLEMONS, Westerville, was named director of Columbus State Community College’s Student Advocacy Center.
2001
KELLY CARLSON GUMP (MAED), Hendersonville, N.C., is an associate dean in Southern New Hampshire University's competency-based education programs.
TRACY CEROVSKI HAWTHORNE (MBA ’11), Valley View, was promoted to chief financial officer at Donley Companies Inc.
2002
KRISTEN DUNN KITCHEN, Conneaut, is a major gifts officer and associate director of advancement at Saint John School in Saybrook.
MEGAN WILSON-REITZ, Cleveland, began a new position as a Consultant in DE&I Strategies & Education for Exponential Talent LLC, a consulting firm that works with companies worldwide to help build equitable and inclusive cultures and tap into the power of a more diverse workforce.
2005
ALANA JOCHUM, Cleveland, has joined Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund as its inaugural policy director. The nonprofit’s mission is to end discrimination and achieve equality for transgender people.
2006
KATHRYN “KATIE” DEMBY, Savannah, Ga., began a new position as food service category manager for Parker’s Kitchen.
JOHN EARLEY, Fresno, Calif., was awarded the Cogir Senior Living Choice Award for overall performance and cultural development.
JAMES IGNECZI, Columbus, is an intervention specialist after beginning as a substitute teacher and becoming an instructional paraprofessional.
2008
STEFANIE DEKA, Northfield, was named a member at McGlinchey Stafford law firm.
2009
WILLIAM “BILLY” BERNARD, Lakewood, is serving a three-year term on the board of directors for the Northern Ohio Hemophilia Foundation.
WILLIAM “BILL” McNICOL, Cleveland Heights, launched his own clothing brand, William Frederick.
2010
MIDORI LEBRON, Cleveland, was appointed by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board of Education.
TONILYN “TONI” ROGERS, Hamilton, N.Y., was promoted to deputy athletics director/senior woman administrator at Colgate University.
2011
MARIA GINGO, Cleveland, is an assistant principal at Avon Lake High School.
TRACY CEROVSKI HAWTHORNE (MBA), see ’01.
2012
DENNIS CAMPBELL (LDHE), Stow, has accepted a new role as executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.
JACLYN “JACKIE” LEE (MBA), Charlotte, N.C., was selected to join the inaugural cohort of the Black Professionals in International Affairs Colin Powell Leadership Institute.
2013
BRADEN PONTOLI, Pasadena, Calif., has joined the bass section of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and had his debut performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in December.
RICHARD “RICH” TEEL, Cleveland, was named to the 2024 Ohio Rising Stars List, which recognizes Ohio’s best up-and-coming attorneys.
BRITTANY STERLING, University Heights, earned a master’s degree in education with a specialization in clinical counseling in 2023.
PHILLIP “PHIL” WALLACE, Cleveland, has been named interim director of TRIO for Cleveland State University.
BRANDON WOJTASIK, Cleveland, has been named to the 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.
2015
ALEXIS BRAVO, Yuba City, Calif., was promoted to director of operations at Capital I, a healthcare technology management and supply chain management consulting firm.
ARMAND RIVERS (MBA ’15), Cincinnati, began a new position as an audit manager at Microsoft.
2016
AUSTIN CORDOVA, Perry, will serve as linebackers coach for Ithaca College’s football team this upcoming season.
CULLIN FISH (MAED), Berea, was named assistant director of experiential learning at Case Western Reserve University.
GRIFFITH GENTILCORE, Sandusky, is instrumental band director, pre-k general music, and film studies teacher at Sandusky Central Catholic School.
RACHEL WILKEN, Columbus, Ind., was named an operations & knowledge exchange intern at the Airline Tariff Publishing Company.
2017
KERI RUSSELL WESTFALL, Perrysburg, is a personal injury paralegal for a firm in Michigan. She ran for Brunswick City Council at Large in the November 2021 election.
MARVIN WILLIAMS, Oak Lawn, Ill., works for UCAN as director of government affairs after serving in legislative roles for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and the administration of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
2018
KIRSTEN GODDARD BRAMLEY, Olmsted Twp, was promoted to interim director of BW’s Division of Community Learning.
JASON GOLDSTON, Mentor, is in the cast of the national tour of Frozen: The Musical.
DANIEL “DAN” HOY, New York, N.Y., made his Broadway debut in the musical Harmony after stepping up as an understudy halfway through a performance.
HAYWARD YOUNG, Brooklyn, N.Y., was accepted into the Silberman School of Social Work One Year Residency Clinical Track Program. He is working for Bowery Residents’ Committee as an independent living specialist.
2019
MIGUEL FIGUEROA, Richlands, N.C., is pursuing a master’s degree in history from UC Denver. He also owns a wine business, Atabey Wine.
CARIEMA WOOD (MBA), San Antonio, Tex., was named an honoree for The Baltimore Banner’s 2024 Emerging Leaders Event.
2020
KAILEY BOYLE, Middleton, Wis., played the role of Mrs. Claus in the 2023 Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes.
DANIAL “DANNY” TREICHEL, Lakewood, was named donor relations specialist with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
MARCUS MARTIN, Copley, is playing the role of the genie on the national tour of Aladdin: The Musical.
2021
NICHOLAS “NICK” CORTAZZO, Pittsburgh, Pa., is in the cast of the national tour of Hadestown: The Musical.
ERIC “SIEGLE” GRAUPENSPERGER, Tacoma, Wash., is in the cast of the national tour of Tina: The Musical.
ARUNDHATI “ARU” GUPTA HENTHORN, Alexandria, Va., started a new position as a business operations analyst at Navy Federal Credit Union.
JAHIR HIPPS, Berea, is in the cast of the national tour of M.J.: The Musical.
JOSE MIRELES, Houston, Tex., is a language arts teacher at Cypress Fairbanks ISD, his alma mater.
ETHAN ROGERS, Austin, Tex., is in the cast of the national tour of Les Miserables: The Musical.
EVAN SMITTLE, Westlake, began a new position with the Cleveland Play House as a development associate.
MARCUS WOLK, Strongsville, is a police officer in the village of New London.
2022
DOMINIQUE “DOM” ALTOMARI, Seattle, Wash., was named a naturalist educator for the University of Washington’s Botanical Gardens.
LEE PRICE, Port Chester, N.Y., is in the cast of the national tour of Beetlejuice: The Musical.
BRONWYN SHEPTAK, Cleveland, began a new position at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens as a young adult educator.
2023
MICHAEL BINDEMAN, New York, N.Y., is in the cast of the national tour of Cher Show: The Musical.
MARK DOYLE, New York, N.Y., is in the cast of the national tour of Moulin Rouge: The Musical.
ELIZABETH LESCO, Wickliffe, is a member of the Observational COVID-19 Study Team at University Hospitals. She intends to apply to PA school in the spring.
REGAN OLAK, Norwalk, has been accepted into BW’s physician assistant program beginning this May.
HARRISON ROTHBLOTT, Toronto, Canada, is the music director for the national tour of Shrek: The Musical.
LAUREN SENDEN, North Mankato, Minn., is in the cast of the international tour of The Sound of Music.
Friends of BW
KRISTEN BAIRD ADAMS, Cleveland, was named a 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business. She is board president for the City Club of Cleveland.
JANE CRONIN, Hudson, was named a 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business. She is board chair emeritus and chair of governance and external relations committees for Providence House.
BRUCE HENNES, Cleveland Heights, was named a 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business. He is a board member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.
ROBYN MINTER SMYERS, Shaker Heights, was named a 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business. She is a board member of the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio.
MARGARET WEITZEL, Olmsted Twp, was named a 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business. She is board chair for Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network.
MARGARET WONG, Shaker Heights, was named a 2024 Notable Woman in Law by Crain’s Cleveland Business. She is founder and managing partner of Margaret W. Wong & Associates, LLC.
DEBORAH “DEB” YANDALA, Cleveland, was named a 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business. She is a board member and chair of governance for Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry.
Marriage Announcements
CODY GOULD ’21 to BRONWYN SHEPTAK ’22 (2023)
ANTHONY LAUTANEN ’16 to HOLLY RICHARDSON LAUTANEN ’17 (2023)
RACHEL STOSS McKINSTRAY ’15 to TRENT McKINSTRAY ’17 (2023)
Birth Announcements
TAYLOR FLOWERS ’15 and Allan Rowan, a son (2023)
IAN GIBSON ’05 and wife Bethany, a daughter (2023)
BRITTANY STERLING ’13 and husband Robert Armstrong, a son (2023)
In Memoriam
1948
WILLIAM “BILL” CLARK, Brecksville, died November 17, 2023. Majored in health & physical education. Lettered in baseball.
LENORA “LENNIE” PORTER GALBREATH, Danville, Calif., died February 2. Majored in home economics. Member of Delta Zeta.
1950
DORIS MEIER MEYER, Edison, died December 13, 2023. Majored in business.
1951
WILLIAM “BILL” CRAWFORD, Frankfort, Ill., died on March 2. Majored in health & physical education. Member of Lambda Chi Alpha. Lettered in basketball.
1952
DONALD SHEPARD, Elyria, died January 13. Majored in biology.
DIANE DOANE TRINTER, Lorain, died December 18, 2023. Majored in home economics. Member of Alpha Gamma Delta.
1953
WENDELL “WENDY” BABSON, Bay Village, died January 2. Majored in health & physical education. Member of Phi Kappa Tau. Lettered in baseball.
DONALD “DON” RUTHENBERG, Holts Summit, Mo., died February 2. Majored in sociology. Member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Ruthenberg received an Alumni Merit Award in 1978.
1954
LOWELL FRANTZ, Smithville, died February 16. Majored in music. Member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
BARBARA “BARB” BOORN SCOON (MAED ’77), Berea, died January 3. Majored in education and earned an MAED in literacy. Member of Kappa Phi.
1955
MARJORIE “MARGE” HASKINS COOK, Chagrin Falls, died March 2. Majored in education. Member of Phi Mu and Kappa Phi.
1956
BARBARA BATTERSHELL BUCKMASTER, Richmond, Ind., died December 25, 2023. Majored in botany. Member of Alpha Xi Delta.
1957
RUSSELL T. JACKSON, St. Petersburg, Fla., died December 25, 2023. Majored in chemistry and zoology.
BRUCE SNYDER, Sebring, died January 29. Majored in music.
1959
PHILIP “PHIL” RADCLIFFE, Bridgewater, Va., died February 21. Majored in political science. Member of Lambda Chi Alpha. Received the BW Family Heritage Award in 1995.
LYNNE HOGE RICE, Westlake, died February 12. Majored in business administration. Member of Delta Zeta.
1961
JUDITH “JUDY” PITTENGER DUNK, Glen Ellyn, Ill., died May 31, 2023. Majored in home economics. Member of Alpha Xi Delta. Received the BW Outstanding Senior Award.
1963
MARILYN SHIPMAN WASIL, Garrettsville, died February 17. Majored in education. Member of Alpha Xi Delta.
1964
RICHARD MAUSER, Londonderry, N.H., died July 3, 2023. Majored in clarinet and saxophone.
1967
DARREL LOCKE, Lakeside Marblehead, died February 26. Majored in music. Member of Phi Kappa Tau.
1969
PAUL PANGRACE, Parma Heights, died February 22. Majored in history. Member of Alpha Phi Omega and Phi Alpha Theta.
HUGH PETTIGREW, Naples, Fla., died February 17. Majored in chemistry and biology.
1970
KATHERINE ANN ROBERTS KATCHER, Biltmore Lake, N.C., died January 1, 2020. Majored in English. Member of Phi Mu.
1971
PATRICIA “PAT” RODGERS, Emlenton, Pa., died January 1. Majored in studio art.
1972
PENELOPE O’CONNOR, Cleveland, died October 15, 2023. Majored in physics and French. Member of Sigma Lambda Alpha.
1973
ROBERT “BOB” BUTLER, Brecksville, died December 21, 2023. Majored in business administration.
1977
STEVEN BLUHM (MBA), San Diego, Calif., died October 24, 2023. Earned an MBA.
JOYCE TINNEY McCLEERY, Bay Village, died November 18, 2023. Majored in early childhood education.
BARBARA “BARB” BOORN SCOON (MAED), see ’54.
1980
ELLEN GORNALL FLAESGARTEN, Berea, died May 19, 2023. Majored in education. Member of Alpha Gamma Delta.
1985
LARRY MITOFF, Lorain, died January 1. Majored in business administration. Member of Alpha Sigma Lambda.
RICHARD “TIM” ROSS (MBA), Wakeman, died February 23. Earned an MBA in management.
1986
JANET CUPOLO SCHROTT (MBA), Bay Village, died April 11, 2022. Earned an MBA in management.
1988
SUSAN McEWEN JOHNSON (MAED), Avon Lake, died January 30. Earned an MAED in literacy.
MICHAEL “MIKE” KARPATHAKIS, Stoughton, Wis., died January 25. Majored in physics.
1989
BRIAN “BIRD” PELFREY, Lakeside Marblehead, died February 6. Majored in business administration. Member of Alpha Tau Omega. Lettered in baseball.
1990
LAURI BURNETT FRASHURE, Columbia Station, died December 11, 2023. Majored in home economics.
1991
CANDACE “CANDI” THOMPSON, Oberlin, died December 2, 2023. Majored in business.
1992
BETH ANN SACK HITZ, Ridott, Ill., died February 20. Majored in English.
BRIAN TUMINO (MAED ’02), Brooklyn, died December 6, 2023. Majored in history and earned an MAED in administration. Tumino was a lecturer at BW, and in 2016 he received the Outstanding Educator Award.
2001
FAY SCHLENKERMAN BOYER, Brooklyn, died December 13, 2023. Majored in psychology.
2002
BRIAN TUMINO (MAED), see ’92.
2018
SARA ZIELINSKI (MBA), Brunswick, died December 5, 2023. Earned an MBA in business analytics.
2021
GRANT GIBEAULT, Medina, died December 30, 2023. Majored in public relations. No obituary at time of publication.
Friends of BW
AARON “LEFTY” FOX, Chagrin Falls, died March 3. Fox was a professor at BW.
GUY WELLS, Wellington, died December 23, 2023. Wells was a part-time lecturer at BW.