Scroll To Top

AKRON MAGAZINE

MARCH 2017 ISSUE

Akron e-Magazine banner - Tradition: What makes us The University of Akron

 

Farewells

Lorena C. Albatys, BSA '74, MSA '77, Jan. 19, 2017
Mary W. Altier, JD '79, Nov. 20, 2016
Doreene Anderson-Pierson, AAS '13, Jan. 9, 2017
Gerald D. Archer, AAS '81, Dec. 13, 2016
Kay A. Archer, BAED '62, MAED '67, Jan. 4, 2017
Edward K. Ardelian, BSED '64, Nov. 7, 2016
David A. Arroyo, BSE '75, MSE '80, Jan. 19, 2017
Charles W. Aukerman, former assistant lecturer, Communication, Oct. 29, 2016
Gust Bambakidis, BS '58, Dec. 9, 2016
Alex Banyar, retired manager, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Oct. 31, 2016
Gilbert F. Belair Jr., BSBA '43, Nov. 6, 2016
Donna M. Bennett, PHD '89, Jan. 14, 2017
David M. Bernabei II, BA '14, Nov. 14, 2011
Thomas M. Besch, MA '95, retired professor, Surveying & Mapping Technology, Nov. 30, 2016
Richard L. Boron, MSE '73, Dec. 9, 2016
Genevieve Bye, BA '57, Oct. 29, 2016
Melvin A. Cain, Nov. 20, 2016
Harry M. Caruthers, BSE '90, Jan. 2, 2017
Dana F. Castle, JD '73, retired professor, Law, Jan 8, 2017
Michael P. Coburn, MSE '73, Dec. 30, 2016
Hope L. Colopy, BSE '66, Jan. 20, 2017
Ryan H. Copeland, BS '98, Dec. 22, 2016
Wilbert O. Crawford, AAS '80, Dec. 14, 2016
Deborah D. Davis, BA '72, Nov. 13, 2016
Michael J. De Como, MS '68, Jan. 9, 2017
Ronald L. Desmett, BSED '71, Dec. 7, 2016
Sonia Dial, retired administrative secretary, English, Dec. 19, 2016
Don D. Dickes, JD '63, Nov. 7, 2016
J. David Dyer, JD '75, Nov. 19, 2016
Phyllis Edwards, retired laboratory assistant, Home Economics & Family Ecology, Nov. 29, 2016
Peggy Elias, 1997 honorary alumna, Jan. 24, 2017
Lee H. Gabriel, AA '78, Nov. 21, 2016
Ronald R. Glassman, JD '78, Oct. 30, 2016
Robert E. Gorman, BAE '67, MA '75, Jan. 17, 2017
Lynn Hackenberg, BSBA '70, Aug. 3, 2016
John D. Hahn, AAS '72, Dec. 1, 2016
Frederick H. Harkins, BSBA '54, Jan. 13, 2017
Tim R. Haury, BSBA '66, Nov. 12, 2016
Dan T. Hayes, BSED '50, MSED '56, Nov. 11, 2016
John C. Healey, AAS '75, BST '78, Nov. 14, 2016
Patricia A. Jawyn, BA '72, MA '72, former instructor, Workforce Development & Continuing Education, Dec. 28, 2016
Irene L. Jones, MAE '77, Nov. 22, 2016
William J. Judge, BSLE '68, former student assistant, Political Science, Jan. 6, 2017
Thomas A. Keiser, MSENG '70, Jan. 4, 2017
Patrick J. Kennedy, MAE '77, Jan. 21, 2017
Barbara J. Khorran, BSE '72, BAED '72, Dec. 19, 2016
Doris L. Lee, BSE '79, Dec. 10, 2016
Anne G. Leibfarth, BSN '89, Dec. 26, 2016
Stephen P. Leiby, JD '73, Jan. 13, 2017
Wallace L. Lewis, BA '57, Nov. 13, 2016
Glenn E. Lichtenwalter, BSA '82, Oct. 31, 2016
Raymond A. Loew, BS '96, Dec. 30, 2016

Monte E. Mack, JD '57, Nov. 23, 2016
Michael Mahaney, MSE '76, Oct. 24, 2016
Robert V. Maher, BA '44, JD '49, Nov. 8, 2016
Richard J. Mann, BSE '72, Oct. 30, 2016
Ruthie M. McCloude, former account clerk, Purchasing, Dec. 22, 2016
Joseph M. McDowell, BSBAM '70, Nov. 11, 2016
John C. Melin, BA '49, Jan. 10, 2017
Michael T. Mouse, BA '72, MAE '96, former employee, Physical Facilities, Dec. 15, 2016
April J. Myers, BA '07, MSW '09, Nov. 27, 2016
April A. (Gallagher) Myers, BA '08, former student assistant, Nov. 27, 2016
Gary P. Nagy, AAS '76, BA '87, Dec. 7, 2016
Steve S. Nash, BSBA '83, Dec. 8, 2016
Olaf Nielsen, JD '56, Jan. 18, 2017
Richard L. Oldfield II, Jan. 2, 2017
David E. Pallas, BSA '73, Oct. 28, 2016
Steve Pilo, AA '72, BAE '74, Dec. 19, 2016
Anthoula A. Poleondakis, BSBA '10, Jan. 11, 2017
Marie E. Pry, MSED '68, Dec. 17, 2016
Harold E. Pulcini, BA '59, Nov. 4, 2016
Lucile Mary Rachan, BSED '53, Nov. 28, 2016
Mary E. Ray, AAB '82, Nov. 19, 2016
Deborah K. Repp, BSE '77, Dec. 16, 2016
Marjorie E. Rhoades, BSED '41, Dec. 12, 2016
Timothy R. Royer, AAS '85, Nov. 21, 2016
Margaret A. Samuelian, BSED '46, Dec. 7, 2016
Marylyn M. Scott, MPA '91, former graduate assistant, General Studies, Dec. 19, 2016
Charlyn S. Scroggins, BA '82, Nov. 25, 2016
Marily Shanabrook, BA '55, Nov. 21, 2016
Poi Shen, AAS '81, Dec. 19, 2016
Dennis M. Smith, BSIM '72, Oct. 23, 2016
Stephen G. Smith, BAE '69, Jan. 19, 2017
Daniel Snyder, BM '01, JD '11, former special lecturer, Sports Science & Wellness Education, Dec. 4, 2016
Luke L. Sveda Jr., BSCE '54, Jan. 23, 2017
Lisa M. Temsey, BSE '94, MAE '13, former Assistant Lecturer, Office of Student Success, Dec. 7, 2016 
Hildegarde Thomas, BSED '35, Jan. 4, 2017
Lena Perri Velardi, BAED '45, Dec. 9, 2016
Robert L. Vogt, BSED '53, Nov. 14, 2016
Leslie A. Wagner, former student services specialist, Student Services Center, Dec. 26, 2016  
Kenneth H. Wait, MAED '65, Jan. 10, 2017
William B. Watt, JD '58, Oct. 3, 2016
Sherri L. Weidman, BSE '75, Nov. 16, 2016
Norbert A. Weisend Jr., BS '49, Oct. 16, 2016
Dennis L. Welch, BSIM '81, retired manager, Bursar’s Office, Nov. 13, 2016
Charles P. Welsh, MA '76, Jan. 14, 2017
M. Louise Werner, BSED '42, Nov. 5, 2016
John E. Wiedey, BSIM '69, Jan. 9, 2017
Mary Young, MA '91, Nov. 21, 2016
Joseph A. Zynda, MSN '09, former graduate assistant, Nursing, Dec. 27, 2016

Class notes

Judith Bowns photoJudith Bowns, BAED ’65, recently retired from Fairfax County Public Schools after 45 years of service. She is also the co-founder and director of The Cappies, a 501c3, now in its 17th year. The Cappies, an international organization that celebrates high school theatre, consists of student critics who travel to local student shows and write reviews selected for publication in local newspapers.

 

Ann Kathleen Otto photoAnn Kathleen Otto, BAED ’69, recently published her debut historical novel, Yours in a Hurry. The novel allows readers to experience historical events and includes characters from Hollywood to Europe and the Pacific Rim, including famous film stars, aviators and American heroes.

Grady P. Appleton photoGrady P. Appleton, BAED ’71, founder and longtime president and chief executive officer of East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC), will retire at the end of 2017 after 35 years with the organization. Under Appleton’s leadership, EANDC has led dozens of successful projects impacting the lives of individuals and families in urban communities. EANDC strengthens communities by providing quality housing and practical home ownership opportunities, increasing financial independence, empowering citizen involvement and revitalizing communities.

 

Patricia J. Cleary photoPatricia J. Cleary, BA ’76, MAED ’92, Superintendent of Barberton City Schools, will retire in August after 12 years of service in the Barberton school system. Under Cleary’s tenure, the district has begun to implement Chrome books in all of the schools. The district also saw consolidation of buildings, going from eight to four, with a new high school, middle school and two new elementary schools. Cleary plans to travel to see her out out-of-town children. She will also become a grandmother in June.

 

Riyad H. Mansour photoRiyad H. Mansour, Ph.D. ’77, is the Ambassador and Permanent Observer to the State of Palestine to the United Nations. Mansour is also the non-resident Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Dr. Mansour is fluent in oral and written Arabic and English. He has published several studies and articles, particularly about the Palestinian community in the U.S. He has lectured in many American universities and participated in numerous international conferences, symposia, seminars and panel debates as a representative of Palestine. He is also a member of senior officials committees of the State of Palestine and the PLO. In November, he spoke at a conference in Washington, DC; the presentation can be seen on CSPAN3.

 

Carla D. Moore photoCarla D. Moore, BA ’74, completed her final term on Ohio’s 9th District Court of Appeals in January 2017. She had been on the court since 2004 and prior to that spent 15 years as an Akron Municipal Court judge. In retirement, Judge Moore plans to continue missionary work in Jamaica, something she and her husband began doing in the past year.

 

Patrick T. Pringle photoPatrick T. Pringle, BS ’73, MS ’82, was awarded the 2016 Washington State Faculty award for demonstrated excellence in teaching in the community and technical college system by the Washington State Association of College Trustees at the 2016 ACT Awards Dinner in May. Pringle is a professor of earth science at Centralia College in Centralia, WA. Throughout his 11 years at Centralia, Pringle has been a strong advocate of hands-on learning, using integrated field trips as labs and incorporating tree-ring and geologic research exercises and projects into his classes and research. He’s shared the insights and broad experiences of more than 23 years of geoscience research, science outreach, and public information with students. He is also widely published. His work includes the definitive guidebook to the geology of Mount Rainier National Park, Roadside Geology of Mount Rainier National Park and Vicinity.

Kevin R. Allard photoKevin R. Allard, BSA ’85, has been named interim superintendent of the Department of Commerce’s Division of Financial Institutions. As superintendent, he will lead regulation of 118 state chartered banks, plus savings and loan associations, credit unions, pawnbrokers and other depositories and consumer finance companies.

 

Lawrence S. Aylward photoLawrence S. Aylward, BA’85, has been named the editor-in-chief of Store Brands, a publication about in-store brand programs. Aylward, a publishing professional with decades of editorial experience on business-to-business publications including several food magazines, will oversee editorial operations. He has spent nearly 20 years writing and editing for various food magazines, including Meat+Poultry, Meatingplace and Pizza Today.

 

John M. Cradler photoJohn M. Cradler, MM ’89, Master Gunnery Sergeant, took part in the 58th inauguration of the President of the United States on January 20, 2017. As a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the band provided music for the inauguration swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, led the second division of the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, and performed at the Salute to the Armed Forces Inaugural Ball. “The President’s Own” is the only musical unit to participate in all three events.

 

Daniel P. DeVille photoDaniel P. DeVille, AAS ’83, BMT ’85, has been named director, external affairs for The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison service areas. The company's external affairs group serves as liaisons with municipal governments, key commercial and industrial customers, and civic organizations, and provides support for community involvement activities. DeVille will be based at The Illuminating Company's regional headquarters in Brecksville, Ohio, and will lead a team of eight external affairs managers who work from regional offices in the Cleveland and Toledo areas.

 

Bruce H. Fahey photoBruce H. Fahey, JD ’80, a shareholder at Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC, was named among the “2017 Ohio Super Lawyers,” an attorney rating service designation based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Fahey is a repeat honoree in the “Workers’ Compensation” practice area. Fahey focuses his practice on assisting employers in the development, implementation and use of cost-effective workers’ compensation risk management, claims management and defense programs.

 

Thomas M. Gacse photoThomas M. Gacse, JD ’80, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Youngstown effective January 1. Gacse is a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio and a resident of the Youngstown area for 25 years. He has spent his professional career serving as a magistrate for Mahoning County Common Please Court, as well as having worked in Northeast Ohio as a trial attorney, general counsel, and in banking.

 

Jimmy L. Jackson, Jr. photoJimmy L. Jackson, Jr., BA ’89, JD ’03, was appointed on December 2, 2016, by Ohio Governor John Kasich, to serve as judge in the Cleveland Municipal Court. Over the past decade, he has presided over bench trials, written opinions, researched case law, facilitated settlement negotiations and resolved discovery disputes. Judge Jackson’s colleagues, staff, attorneys, and the people of the community who have appeared in his courtroom have made the position rewarding.

 

Misty P. McCrary photoMisty P. McCrary, BS ’89, has released her third book in her Southern Men Don’t Fall in Love series. Her book is titled Fulfilling Katie’s Needs and is available for purchase on Amazon, at local retailers, and also as an e-book. See photo

 

Jovette S. Pino photoJovette S. Pino, JD ’83, has been named vice president and general manager of Columbia Gas of Kentucky (Columbia) operations. In this role, Pino will be responsible for all field operations throughout Columbia’s 30-county service area in Kentucky. Pino’s vast experience in operations management and labor issues will enable her to be an outstanding leader for the operations team. See photo

 

Randall J. Raines photoRandall J. Raines, BS ’86, was recognized as the 2016 Ohio Fire Officer of the Year by the Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS during the 36th annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame ceremony in September. Raines has been a member of the Green Fire Division for 30 years, and is responsible for the development, instruction and implementation of the fire department’s various rescue and Hazmat Teams, the Water Shuttle Program, and its medical and fitness program for department members. Raines’ character and leadership qualities have helped shape the department over the years and has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of firefighters.

 

John E. Scheatzle, Jr. photoJohn E. Scheatzle, Jr., BSBA ’87, has been appointed president of DMC Global’s (formerly Dynamic Materials Corporation) NobelClad explosion welding business. Scheatzle’s industry expertise and proven track record running a global performance metals business make him ideally suited to lead the NobelClad business. His leadership skills will prove highly complementary as the organization pursues a range of geographic growth opportunities and expands the industrial applications for NobelClad’s specialized products.

 

Diane Snow-Shafran photoDiane Snow-Shafran, BS ’82, MS ’85, has been named the new dean of the John V. Roach Honors College at Texas Christian University. Snow wishes to strengthen its ties to faculty and enrich the learning environment across campus while encouraging mentoring relationships for students.

 

Shrinivas P. “Shri” Thanedar photoShrinivas P. “Shri” Thanedar, Ph.D. ’83, CEO of Avomeen Analytical Services in Ann Arbor, MI, surprised employees with $1.5 million in holiday bonuses. The company recently sold its majority stock ownership, and Thanedar rewarded the hard-working team that made the company so profitable. Part of the revenue from selling the majority share went toward employee bonuses for all 50 employees, from the scientists developing products to sales and administrative personnel. Thanedar started Avomeen in 2010, and the company has since increased its revenue by more than 400 percent and doubled its staff size.

 

David C. Vidikan photoDavid C. Vidikan, BSCE ’84, has been promoted to vice president at Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, in the firm’s Denver, Colorado office. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Vidikan has delivered more than 150 water and wastewater projects, including treatment plant designs, water transmission and distribution pipelines, pumping stations, interceptor sewers, and a variety of other water/wastewater projects spanning the Denver-area market.

 

Scott A. Wilkinson photoScott A. Wilkinson, BS ’87, has been appointed the new president and CEO of Inogen, Inc. effective March 1, 2017. In January, he joined the Board of Directors. Wilkinson currently oversees Inogen’s global commercial, manufacturing, service, research and development, technical and support operations.

 

Pamela R. Wyman photoPamela R. Wyman, BSBA ’83, MBA ’85, has joined the sales organization at Visioneering Technologies, Inc. (VTI), as Director, Sales Operations & Inside Sales. Wyman will be responsible for introducing the unique, patented technology of the NaturalVue (etafilcon A) Multifocal Contact Lenses and other NaturalVue Brand products to doctors across the country and in supporting the sales team with strategic analysis.

Raymond M. Bobgan photoRaymond M. Bobgan, BA ’93, Cleveland Public Theatre executive artistic director, has been named one of Ohio’s top arts administrators by the Ohio Arts Council. Singled out for his “sustained, impactful, and visionary leadership” of the West Side theater known for championing the voices of local playwrights, Bobgan will receive a 2017 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio at a ceremony in Columbus in May. Bobgan, now entering his 11th season at the helm of CPT, is one of nine artists and organizations throughout the state to be honored, culled from a field of 81 nominations.

 

Ronald L. Cable, Jr. photoRonald L. Cable, Jr., BA ’96, JD ’00, has been appointed as juvenile court magistrate. As a magistrate, Cable will hear both delinquency and dependency, neglect and abuse cases. Cable brings a broad scope of experience as an attorney and a magistrate and will be a valuable addition to the court.

 

David L. Dingwell photoDavid L. Dingwell, JD ’92, has been appointed chair of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct. He has served on the board since 2012 and has chaired one of the board’s two probable cause panels. Commissioner Dingwell is a partner in the Canton firm of Tzangas, Plakas Mannos, where his practice focuses on litigation, probate and estate planning and employment law.

 

Dan J. Ferry photoDan J. Ferry, BSA ’94, was recently promoted to chief financial officer of Akron’s Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center. Ferry joined Crystal Clinic three years ago as senior director of finance. His previous experience comprises 20 years in hospital finance, including serving as director of finance for Parma Community General Hospital and as controller for two hospitals in the Sisters of Charity Health System. Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center (CCOC) is an orthopedic specialty hospital located in Northeast Ohio with 12 locations, including an office in Green, and 42 physicians on staff. CCOC serves patients throughout Ohio and contiguous states who are in need of care and treatment of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and skin related issues. Ferry has already made significant contributions to the organization that have proven invaluable. He consistently demonstrates a commitment to enhance growth and financial health.

 

Angela R. Garritano photoAngela R. Garritano, BA ’95, MSED ’00, MA ’04, a Green High School Spanish teacher and the school’s foreign language department chair since 2007, has been named Ohio Foreign Language Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Foreign Language Association. Garritano will represent Ohio at the group’s 14-state Central States Regional Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in Chicago on March 9 and 10. Garritano will be formally honored at the association’s state conference March 30-April 1 in Columbus.

 

Anthony J. “Tony” Manz photoAnthony J. “Tony” Manz, BSME ’98, has been appointed president and CEO of InSource Technologies, Inc. effective January 1st. Tony has worked at InSource since its beginning 20 years ago, first as an intern, then as engineer, engineering manager and business unit director. He was elected to the board of directors in March 2007, appointed an officer of the company in July 2009, and appointed COO in July 2015. InSource designs and builds custom products for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). They serve more than 30 customers, mostly in the continental United States, specializing in electronic controls, wire harnesses and cables and refrigeration units.

 

Monica M. Moll photoMonica M. Moll, AAS ’94, BA ’00, is Ohio State University’s new safety director as of October 29. And in the aftermath of the November 28th attack on OSU’s campus, where a student drove his car into a crowd and then began slashing at people with a butcher knife, Moll and the OSU police department got high marks from colleagues and observers for effectively handling the crisis, down to Moll’s steely-calm demeanor at news briefings. Moll plans to take a close look at improving budgets and training. She hopes to do more to train officers in dealing with people with mental illness.

 

Charlotte A. Wray photoCharlotte A. Wray, BSN ’98, President of University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of 130 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know for 2016. The list features highly accomplished C-suite level women leaders from across the U.S. leadership and management throughout their careers, spearheading initiatives to improve their organizations’ quality, operational and financial performance, as well as the well-being of the communities they serve. Becker’s Hospital Review has published a version of this list since 2009. This is Wray’s second consecutive appearance on the list.

Nicole L. Cheraso photoNicole L. Cheraso, JD ’08, has been appointed director of finance and operations for the Adoption Network of Cleveland. Cheraso supports the executive director in the overall administration and operation of the organization’s activities and directs its financial affairs.

 

Cynthia L. “Cindy” Cogswell photoCynthia L. “Cindy” Cogswell, BA ’09, a postdoctoral fellow for Assessment and Evaluation at the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning, was interviewed in Inside Higher Ed on December 13, 2016, regarding her work as an evaluation and assessment scholar.

 

Anthony “T.J.” DeAngelis photoAnthony “T.J.” DeAngelis, BS ’06, has been named chief nursing officer at the Summa Health System- Barberton Campus. DeAngelis has been with Summa for 11 years. He most recently served as the nursing vice president for medical-durgical, telemetry and patience experience at Summa Health System – Akron Campus. DeAngelis received the Wilfred & Florence Weaver Advanced Education for Leadership Award from the Summa Health Foundation and is a green belt certified in the Six Sigma program. He also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and the American Heart Association and is a coach and referee for various youth sports organizations.

 

Carl S. DeForest photoCarl S. DeForest, BA ’00, MPA ’02, Brunswick Police Chief, has been appointed as its next city manager/safety director. DeForest has been serving as acting city manager and police chief since June 27, as well as two additional times in the past. DeForest will remain as police chief and acting city manager until approximately June 2017, in order for leadership appointments and transition to take place in the division of police. At that time, DeForest will become city manager.

 

Christopher N. Faircloth photoChristopher N. Faircloth, BSIM ’05, has been named one of Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 Under 40 Class of 2016 honorees. Faircloth is an Akron Lending Manager at Economic Community Development Institute (ECDI).

 

Robert F. Flora photoRobert F. Flora, MPH ’08, was appointed chief academic officer, designated institutional officer for McLaren Health Care. Flora’s responsibilities include administering all McLaren Health Care graduate medical education programs, ensuring McLaren meets all applicable requirements set by the Accreditation Council and supervising all academic-related scholarly activity within the McLaren system. His career spans more than 20 years in health care.

 

Courtney A. Gras photoCourtney A. Gras, AS ’07, BS ’13, promoted the inaugural Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference called Flight. The conference emphasizes supporting our region’s entrepreneurial community. The conference was held on December 1st and 2nd.

 

Meghan B. Harris, MS ’02, has been appointed executive vice president at KEPRO and now heads Operations, IT, Health Service Research and Quality for KEPRO. Harris is also responsible for KEPRO’s public and commercial operations, providing operational leadership to achieve company-wide goals and objectives. Harris brings nearly 17 years of experience in the health services research field, with expertise in biostatistics, experimental design, sampling, regression, health outcomes, and savings calculations.

 

Betsy L. Hartschuh photoRyan D. Hartschuh photoBetsy L. Hartschuh, JD ’04, along with husband Ryan D. Hartschuh, PhD ’07, together have co-founded the Akron Children’s Museum. With the goal to help Akron children learn through play, the museum opened its permanent home November 25 at Lock 3 Park. The museum encourages learning through fun, interactive play in the core areas of science and technology, health and wellness, citizenship and community, and arts and culture. The Hartschuhs, Akron natives, have worked to make the museum a reality for more than four years.

 

Amy C. Holbrook photoAmy C. Holbrook, JD ’02, a shareholder at Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA, has been named to the 2017 list of Ohio Super Lawyers & Rising Stars. Super Lawyers, a Thompson-Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Attorneys selected to the list of Super Lawyers represent no more than five percent of lawyers in Ohio.

 

Kenneth J. Klouda photoKenneth J. Klouda, AAS ’07, BS ’08, was named the Ohio Fire Prevention Bureau’s new fire chief in November 2016. Klouda has extensive education and training, including his AAS degree in Fire Protection Technology and a BS in Emergency Management. Klouda looks forward to having the Fire Prevention Bureau be the forefront of Community Risk Reduction in the state of Ohio. He feels the bureau’s role as leaders in the state is to help every community address their fire and life safety risks.

 

Matthew R. Miller photoMatthew R. Miller, BSA ’01, was named executive vice president of Park and its community banking subsidiary The Park National Bank effective April 1, 2017. Miller is a graduate of the Ohio Bankers League Bank Leadership Institute. He has completed the Chicago Booth Executive Education program in Strategic Business Leadership, as well as the Licking County Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Program. Miller is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts. He is vice-chair of the Next Generation Advisory Board for the Ohio Bankers League, and has been part of that board since 2014.

 

Matthew T. Miller, BA ’07, UA Myers School of Art alum, had his work featured at the BOX Gallery in downtown Akron on January 13. The BOX Gallery hosted two solo shows between January 13 and February 18 including Miller’s “Earth Magic.” Miller is a multi-disciplinary artist working as a painter, illustrator, printmaker and tattoo artist and whose work is inspired by his passion for mythology, American super hero comics and vintage rock n’ roll poster art. Miller is studio assistant to the renowned sculptor and craftsman Don Drumm.

 

Stephanie Y. Pope photoStephanie Y. Pope, BS ’00, has been named on Crain’s 2017 40 Under 40 list. Pope is probation officer for the City of Cleveland and Commissioner for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. Pope founded The Destiny Project, a youth empowerment program for girls, ages 9 through 16, to provide programming for young ladies to inspire them to live a life of purpose. The program is important to Pope as she has been afforded opportunities in her life, and she wishes to reach back to help the next generation move forward and be successful.

 

Michael C. Prewitt photoMichael C. Prewitt, JD ’05, was recently named IP and R&D Counsel-Corporate Secretary at Nestle USA.

 

Amanda K. Read photoAmanda K. Read, BSA ’04, has been named a new partner in the Cleveland office of Novogradac & Company LLP. The firm specializes in affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable energy tax credits. Read provides a wide range of services to community development entities (CDEs), including transaction structuring, development and implementation of internal compliance policies and procedures, bookkeeping, monthly loan servicing and asset management, compliance review and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund reporting. Read is licensed in Ohio as a certified public accountant.

 

Andrew C. Voorhees photoAndrew C. Voorhees, BA ’01, JD ’04, has been named on the 2017 List of Ohio Super Lawyers & Rising Stars. Voorhees is an attorney at Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA, specializing in the area of creditor-debtor rights. Super Lawyers, a Thompson-Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Attorneys selected to the list of Super Lawyers represent no more than five percent of lawyers in Ohio.

Dustin Canterbury, BSA ’16, has joined Walthall CPSs’ Wooster office as an associate. Walthall CPSs is a full-service regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm with offices in Cleveland, Amherst, Mentor and Wooster, Ohio. It provides a broad range of tax, accounting, business valuation, employee benefit, and financial and estate planning services to a variety of industries, including manufacturing, professional services, construction, real estate, health care, and nonprofit.

 

Brett A. Ekkens photoBrett A. Ekkens, BA ’12, MS ’15, has been named to the 2017 American Football Coach’s Association (AFCA) 30 Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute. He recently completed his first season as a full-time coach with The University of Akron Zips. The institute is sponsored by the AFCA and NCAA Leadership Development to identify and train the next generation of leaders in the football coaching profession. At age 27, Ekkens is the youngest offensive line coach in the country.

 

Kristina M. Lockwood, BA ’13, BA ’13, JD ’16, is the city of Canton’s new assistant prosecutor for code enforcement. Lockwood’s duties include attending code hearings and prosecuting property owners. Violations can range from failing porches to unmowed grass. Lockwood’s position is meant to “step up enforcement” that was previously lacking.

 

Clifton M. McEvoy photoClifton M. McEvoy, MPA ’12, has been honored as one of Ten Outstanding Young Omahans. The Omaha Jaycees honored its 84th class of Outstanding Young Omahans in February. Annually, the “junior chamber” leadership training and civic organization honors 10 Omahans between ages 21 and 40 who demonstrate a commitment to community service and personal and professional development. Following graduation from Saint Louis University, McEvoy was commissioned as an Air Force officer (captain), and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was an AmeriCorps service member, graduate of Leadership Omaha and is currently on the board of directors for Nebraskans for Civic Reform, a member of the Greater Omaha Young Professionals Council, committee vice-chairman for the Greater Omaha Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and president of Omaha Professionals United in Service. He is the executive director of the Buford Foundation.

 

Alaina M. Pinto photoAlaina M. Pinto, BA ’14, has joined the news team at WHDH-TV in Boston, MA as the morning traffic reporter. Pinto started at WHDH just after Christmas.

 

Amanda T. Quan photoAmanda T. Quan, JD ’10, was named on Crain’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2016 list of business professionals. Quan is an associate attorney at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart P.C.

Quan represents employers in all types of litigation in her work at Ogletree Deakins. She serves on the board of Applewood Centers, a facility which provides mental health services, social services and education to children, adolescents and families in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. Quan is described by a colleague as a person of high work ethic, who delivers a great work product and is universally liked and respected by opposing counsel, clients, judges and co-workers.

 

Victoria Snyder photoVictoria Snyder, MS ’10, was recognized by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as one of 12 people to meet in 2017 for her creativity and commitment to the community. Snyder, of Aliquipa, has maintained her walk of servitude as current executive vice president of Ya Momz House on the Northside, an award-winning multimedia company founded by Emmy-award winner Emmai Alaquiva in 2001. Snyder also is the director of programming of Hip-Hop on L.O.C.K., an arts education program based in 11 school districts in the Greater Pittsburgh area.

The Akron Magazine Fall 2022 issue of The University of Akron

Fall 2022 (PDF) | Previous issue


Also see

Class Notes & Farewells

Alumni Association

Shop the Alumni Store

The University of Akron is proud of its more than 180,000 alumni around the word. We invite you to join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.


Would you like to share some news?

Send us a note through Post your Pride and we'll include it for the next edition!


Give to UA