Jack R. Lengyel, BSED ’58, will be honored October 17 as the 2014 Alumni Leadership Award recipient for Kent State University’s College of Education, Health and Human Services. Lengyel served as assistant football coach at The University of Akron, Heidelberg College, and Cornell University before coaching at the College of Wooster. Perhaps his greatest task and achievement as a coach was rebuilding the football program and community at Marshall University after the tragic airline crash involving the entire team in 1970. He remained at Marshall until 1974 and was portrayed by Matthew McConaughey in the 2006 Warner Brothers biopic “We Are Marshall.” After spending time in the private sector, Lengyel began a career in intercollegiate athletics administration. He became director of athletics at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1988, where he remained for 13 years. There, he received a Lifetime Service Award from the Annapolis Touchdown Club and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Board of Trustees. The Navy’s sports conditioning facility is named in his honor.

Gene F. Feucht, MS ’68, who retired after a 50-year career in education, which included 10 years as superintendent of Perry Local Schools, has been named to the board of the Stark County Educational Service Center.

Elizabeth A. Crosby, BA ’79, an attorney with the law firm of Buckley King, was invited to the Cleveland Employment American Inn of Court as a Master of the Bench, based on her experience and strict adherence to professional and ethical standards. Membership is determined through committee evaluations and election by judges, professors, and peers.

Bradley S. Norton, BS ’88, was promoted to senior vice president, global chassis and service, by Federal-Mogul Motorparts, effective in July.

Samuel C. Randazzo, BSBA ’71, an attorney with McNees Wallace & Nurick, has been named an Ohio Super Lawyer (the top 5 percent of attorneys in each state in 70 practice areas) and a Rising Star (a peer-selected honor). Randazzo has spent five decades solving issues affecting the price and availability of communications, natural gas, electricity, and other regulated services.

Stephen A. Perry, BSA ’70, was appointed to a nine-year term on the board of trustees at Kent State University by Gov. John Kasich.

Dale N. Woodling, JD ’78, joined the board of trustees at Plymouth Harbor in Sarasota, Fla.

Raymond A. Miller, BS ’88, a partner in the Intellectual Property Department with the law firm Pepper Hamilton in Pittsburgh, has been named to the 2015 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” Miller also is co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Transactions and Rights Management and Life Sciences practice groups and, he is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Robert A. Musson, BS ’85, a practicing physician, is also a beer connoisseur and author who recently published “Images of America: D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.,” a book about the nation’s oldest brewery.

Mary J. Olson, MA ’86, BS ’66, a retired teacher who served both Akron Public Schools and The University of Akron, has been named to the board of the Stark County Educational Service Center.

Diane Snow-Shafran, MS ’85, BS ’82, was elected by her colleagues to serve as president-elect of the National Neurotrauma Society in 2015-16.

Elinore Marsh Stormer, JD ’82, was awarded the first annual Spirit Award by Stewart’s Caring Place: Cancer Wellness Center, recognizing her commitment and service to the community.

James R. Ahern, MA ’95, BA ’92, a lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army, was selected for senior service college attendance at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he is pursuing a master’s degree in strategy and national security.

Christine L. Baio, BA ’91, will assist in creating and implementing integrated marketing strategies and communications programs for Whitemyer Advertising as an account executive.

Mike J. DiFranco, BSME ’95, joined the JohnsByrne team as its new vice president of marketing. JohnsByrne specializes in producing custom solutions for packaging designs.

Charles S. Fast II, BS ’97, AAB ’94, a certified public accountant with Walthall CPAs, was promoted to supervisor in the accounting and business advisory firm’s Akron office.

Anthony R. Grilli, BSA ’93, joined Jenne Inc. – a distributor of business telephony, data, audio and video conferencing, and security technology products – as the company’s chief financial officer.

Margaret E. Matejkovic, JD ’92, BA ’85, took the reins as vice president of membership and secretary for the Akron Bar Association in July.

Darlene A. Pollock, BS ’94, and her husband, Logan, published three novels this year: “Lake Effect: A 1986 Great Lakes Story,” “Invasive Species: Part 1,” and “Invasive Species: Part 2.”

Erin E. Ryan, BS ’96, has joined SME, a Great Lakes-based geosciences, materials, and environment professional consulting, as senior business development manager, responsible for identifying potential clients and facilitating business relationships in the Cleveland and Cincinnati markets with a focus on industrial, real estate, and environmental industries.

L. Patricia Simmons, MA ’90, moved to North Carolina in September to become chief executive officer and deputy director of the North Carolina Zoo.

Sandy D. Womack Jr., MAED ’97, became director of curriculum and instruction for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District on August 1, 2014.

Joseph G. Ayoub, BA ’06, BA ’89, has published a book of poems titled “From the Pen of a Poet,” which includes two sections: Lover’s Confessions and Poetic Impressions. Ayoub is a substitute teacher in Ohio who specializes in sociology, French, and political science. PHOTO

Mary L. Matt, AAB ’03, joined the leadership team at Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio as associate director of marketing and development in August.

Tracy N. Meder, BS ’01, recently was chosen to represent the United States at the World Trophy 50K race in Doha, Qatar.

Jeffery P. Rust, MBA ’02, JD ’99, a partner who specializes in health care law with Farrell Fritz, P.C., in Uniondale, N.Y., was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2015 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America” – the third consecutive year he has earned the honor.

Laura A. Thompson, BA ’05, was promoted in August 2014 to director of design operations for the design firm Interior Image Group.

Deborah J. Vargo, PhD ’09, has been hired as dean of Madonna University’s College of Nursing and Health, effective July 1.

William Whitacre, MS ’04, BA ’99, is the new superintendent of the Mahoning County Board of Development Disabilities, effective September 1.

John G. Carpenter, BS ’13, AAS ’12, joined the professional surveying firm of KS Associates. He is a recipient of the 2011 Charles Salem Award for Academic Excellence and the 2012 Graduating Associate Degree Student Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award from The University of Akron.

Thomas C. Petropoulos, MPA ’12, is the Akron Bar Association’s new coordinator of member engagement.

Dezra B. Robitson, BA ’14, is one of just 24 fellows selected to participate in the 2015 Ohio Legislative Service Commission Telecommunications Fellowship Program, a nationally recognized and highly competitive program that is held in Columbus and provides participants the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in state government. The fellowships are professional, full-time positions. Robitson, the first in her family to graduate from college, was a Firestone Fellow of The University of Akron Strive Toward Excellence Program, the endowed program that is funded through Bridgestone/Americas (formerly the Firestone Trust Fund).