Perry T. “Pete” Demming, BSBA ’56, the first UA student to wear a kangaroo outfit and perform as Zippy, passed away October 7 at the age of 81.

Patricia S. Myers, BS ’55, is a writer-reviewer for an all-Arizona music website, www.MusicSceneAZ.com. The site, specifically designed for her by a paid sponsor, went online in November 2014. A jazz journalist and critic since 1972, she also reviews regularly for AllAboutJazz.com and has covered the summer jazz scene in Paris for the past 15 years.

Teresa A. Cianchetti, BS ’84, of Munroe Falls, Ohio, was named the 2016 Ohio Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Department of Education. Cianchetti teaches first grade at Suffield Elementary School in the Field Local School District.

UA Head Basketball Coach, Keith B. Dambrot, BSIM ’82, MBA ’85, has been named NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee Chairman.

Filmmaker Kevin J. Everson, BFA ’88, was profiled in Indiewire.com. An art professor at the University of Virginia, Everson has made more than 100 films and previously was honored by the Alpert Foundation and the California Institute of the Arts for his unique artistic vision with the prestigious Cal Arts/Alpert Award. His award-winning films screen around the world while his installations, paintings, sculpture, and photographs are exhibited in renowned art institutions like the Centre Pompidou, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Patrick J. Hager, BS ’82, PhD ’89, a corporate scientist in the Automotive Aftermarket Division with 3M, was elected to the company’s prestigious technical Hall of Fame, the 3M Carlton Society. Admission into the 52-year-old elite group is reserved for the very best scientists who have innovated and contributed to 3M’s collaborative research culture. Hager has advanced to the highest level within the company’s technical community and was recognized for his leadership in expanding 3M’s polypropylene film technology platform and stretch-release adhesives.

David J. Kuzy, MBA ’89, has been promoted to CEO of Carus Corp., effective January 1, 2016. The company, a leading supplier of environmental solutions based in Peru, Ill, recruited Kuzy in 2013, and he currently serves as its president and COO.

Misty P. McCrary, BS ’89, under the pen name Mia Mae Lynne, released the book “Atlanta’s Most Eligible Bachelor” on November 4, 2015. The book is part of her series, Southern Men don’t Fall in Love.

James O. Murphy, BSCHE ’85, president and CEO of Davis-Standard LLC, has been named chairman of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association.

Crissy A. Bessemer-Kolarik, MA ’96, is the new executive director of the South Summit Chamber of Commerce in Barberton, Ohio.

Joseph D. Di Rocco, BS ’93, president of Citizens Bank and Citizens Commercial Banking in Ohio, was profiled by the Akron Beacon Journal in October about his role as head of the bank’s Ohio operations.

Eric J. Eden, BA ’95, has been named chief marketing officer for Socrata, a software solutions company based in Seattle.

Seema Kurup, BA ’92, MA ’94, a professor of English at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Ill., will publish a new book, “Understanding Louise Erdrich,” in December 2015. The book offers a comprehensive analysis of Erdrich, a critically acclaimed Native American novelist.

Mark T. Manwaring, BS ’92, has joined Rea & Associates, a regional accounting and business consulting firm, in its New Philadelphia, Ohio, office as a staff accountant.

Ron P. Shea, BA ’99, has opened a new brewery, R. Shea Brewing, at 1662 Merriman Road in Akron’s Merriman Valley. The business was profiled by Cleveland.com.

Angelina M. Wilkinson, JD ’97, a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, has been named the new Chargé d’Affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Apia, Samoa Islands. Her previous assignments have included consular activities at U.S. Missions in Matamoros, Mexico; San Salvador, El Salvador; and Guadalajara, Mexico.

Sesime K. Adanu, MA ’02, PhD ’07, has been named dean of institutional effectiveness and enrollment planning for SUNY Broome Community College, located in Binghamton, New York.

Rachel M. D’Attoma, AAS ’00, is a recipient of a 2015 Greater Akron Chamber “30 for the Future” award, which recognizes trendsetters in their industries and those who make an impact on the region through dynamic leadership and community service. D’Attoma is executive director of the American Red Cross of Summit, Portage and Medina Counties.

Terri E. Brunsdon, MST ’00, a tax attorney with Day Ketterer, is quoted in an Akron Legal News story about the Solo and Small Firm Practitioners Section of the Akron Bar Association. The Section provides a forum for addressing issues affecting solo and small firm practitioners and sponsors educational programs.

Cyril Kleem, MA ’02, easily won his third term as mayor of Berea, Ohio.

State Watercraft Officer Dawn M. Potter, AAS ’00, has been awarded the State of Ohio Boating Educator of the Year by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Potter serves as the outdoor recreation and safe boating coordinator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and is responsible for Ohio's Outdoor Recreation Boating program.

Christopher P. Reuscher, left, JD ’02, a partner with Roetzel & Andress, and Michael Schmeltzer, right, JD ’05, an attorney with Slater & Zurz, were recipients of the Greater Akron Chamber “30 for the Future” award, which recognizes trendsetters in their industries and those who make an impact on the region through dynamic leadership and community service.

Daniel T. Zaratsian, BS ’07, a data scientist with SAS Institute in Cary, N.C., specializes in text analytics and event stream processing. He recently was profiled in a company blog.

Stephen M. Campbell, BS/MD ’12, a fourth-year student at Northeast Ohio Medical University, was one of just 27 Ohio students to be awarded the prestigious American Medical Association Ohio Physician’s of Tomorrow Scholarship. Campbell is also a former UA Strive Toward Excellence Program and Upward Bound Math/Science student.

Angelina C. Gingo, JD ’12, is quoted in a Daily Legal News story profiling the Women in Law Section of the Akron Bar Association. Gingo, an Akron attorney is vice chair of the group, which seeks to increase the impact and participation of women in the legal profession.

Tammi A. Mackey-Shrum, MA ’11, has been named site director of Ohio’s historic Zoar Village and Fort Laurens.

Emily A. Woods, BA ’11, has been promoted to senior associate in the Cleveland office of Walthall CPAs, a leading regional CPA and business advisory firm.