Fall 2025 Edition
Alumni & Friends Magazine
Fall 2025 Class Notes
See what fellow OHIO alumni have been up to in recent months.
October 13, 2025
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*Denotes accolades featured at or in the media
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1950s & '60s
1950
This March, analytical chemist Jenny (Gecsy) Grasselli Brown, BS 鈥50, HDS 鈥78*, received the , presented jointly by the Science History Institute and Pittsburgh Conference and Exposition on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (Pittcon), which took place this year in Boston. Along with the award, which recognizes her contributions to the development of spectroscopy and her 35-plus-year career advocating for women in STEM, she joined the Pittcon Hall of Fame. Sadly, Grasselli Brown passed away just months later, in July. Learn more about her legacy in OHIO Today News.
1965
The Ohio chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association inducted Donald 鈥淪kip鈥 Hoovler, BA 鈥65*, as the 51st member of the in January. Hoovler became involved in harness racing in 1968; while he is a longtime owner known for his dedication to the sport, he also has contributed as a district chair for the U.S. Trotting Association, board member and former president of the Ohio Harness Horsemen鈥檚 Association, and Little Brown Jug Society member.
1969
Nick DiCello, BBA 鈥69*, was recently inducted into the as a distinguished alumnus. DiCello was a member of the first varsity wrestling team at Westlake High School and became a prominent businessman in Northeast Ohio as founder of Ohio State Waterproofing, which continues to serve the area almost 50 years later.
Haywood Handmade Gallery in Waynesville, North Carolina, hosted a by Ann Miller Woodford, BFA 鈥69, this spring. Woodford is a celebrated artist and author making work about emergence and empowerment in a variety of mediums.
1970s
1971
The Society of Experiential Education (SEE) honored Roseanna G. Ross, BSED 鈥71, PHD 鈥82, with the at the organization鈥檚 annual conference last fall. Ross was recognized for her contributions to the field of experiential education, dedication to advancing its principles, and for her contributions to developing SEE programs over the past four decades.
1972
Author and U.S. Army veteran Patrick McLaughlin, BGS 鈥72, was elected as . He has been a board member since 2017, previously serving on its Rules and Advisory Opinion committees and as vice chair from 2023 to 2024.
1973
The documentary photography of Ken Light, BGS 鈥73, was on display at the Bronx Documentary Center last fall in an exhibition titled . For more than 50 years, Light鈥檚 black-and-white photography has aimed to shed light on social justice issues in the U.S.
Joseph Pilotta, MA 鈥73, PHD 鈥77*, received the in honor of his many years of professional accomplishments as a college professor, author of more than 30 titles, and managing partner at In-Nova.1 and China Alliance Partners.
1978
Michael Catheline, AB 鈥78, MA 鈥82, retired after 46 years as an educator. He鈥檚 spent the last four decades working for the State of Ohio, teaching in juvenile and adult correctional institutions.
Former Dairy Queen exec John P. Gainor, BSC 鈥78*, delivered the keynote address for OHIO鈥檚 Spring 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies on May 3. Gainor served as the president and chief executive officer of the restaurant chain until his 2017 retirement; he described the opportunity to impart wisdom upon this year鈥檚 graduating class as a 鈥渢rue honor.鈥
Detroit Lions assistant athletic trainer Joe Recknagel, BS 鈥78, this spring after 45 years with the team. He started his career with the Lions as a summer intern in 1977 and was hired full-time in 1980, becoming one of the longest-tenured athletic trainers in the NFL.
1979
Vanessa Bell Calloway, BFA 鈥79*, starred in the BET+ original movie 鈥.鈥 A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she has been featured in many movies and TV shows throughout her 40-year career.
John D. Elliott, BFA 鈥79, retired from a career as a U.S. Foreign Service officer. He now lives in Ocala, Florida, with his family and directs several nonprofit groups that he founded. His photography has been exhibited in galleries across four continents, including this year鈥檚 solo exhibition The Human Pulse at the College of Central Appleton Museum of Art.
1980s
1980
From January to June, William 鈥淐lark鈥 Kent, AB 鈥80*, served as a National Trustee on the 黑料视频 Board of Trustees. The BTL Technologies CEO retired as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force in 2003 and is a member of Phi Beta Sigma and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities.
1981
The American Dance Festival accepted a documentary created by OHIO faculty and staff exploring the legacy of Gladys Bailin Stern, retired director emerita and distinguished professor in the School of Dance, for its Movies by Movers event. The documentary, titled 鈥淎n Interview with Gladys Bailin,鈥 originated as an interdisciplinary oral history project by faculty and staff, including Kate Mason, BFA 鈥81*, Lorraine Wochna, MA 鈥04, and Andie Walla, BSC 鈥07, MED 鈥12.
1982
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee appointed Mark Dantonio, MED 鈥82*, as a beginning last spring. Dantonio began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at OHIO and went on to become a head coach at the University of Cincinnati and Michigan State University before retiring in 2020.
1984
The 黑料视频 Center for Sports Administration named Jon Steinbrecher, MSA 鈥84*, as the 2025 Charles R. Higgins Distinguished Alumnus. Steinbrecher is commissioner of the Mid-American Conference and is the only person to have served as commissioner in all three NCAA Division I subdivisions.
1986
Ed Stofcheck Jr., BFA 鈥86*, was hired as a full-time for the Marion Community Foundation to oversee funds management and business operations. Stofcheck will work with the foundation鈥檚 board, president, CEO, staff and volunteers to develop and implement the foundation鈥檚 strategies and goals.
1987
In March, Linda Bailiff, BBA 鈥87, MPA 鈥90, of Granville, Ohio, was reappointed as for a term ending March 18, 2029.
1989
John F. Madden II, BS 鈥89*, recently became the 63rd member of the . Madden began his golf career in 1989 after graduating from OHIO, where he played on the men鈥檚 varsity golf team. He was named the 2016 MAPGA Golf Professional of the Year, served as the 46th MAPGA president from 2014 to 2015, and was a district director on the national PGA Board of Directors from 2019 to 2021.
1990s
1990
OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus named Dr. Le-Ann M. Harris, BSH 鈥90, MHSA 鈥92, BSN 鈥08, its new chief operating officer in March. Most recently, she had served as chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care at the center, with previous positions as its director of nursing and chief nursing officer and as vice president of patient care at OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital. In September, she transitioned into another new role, as .
1992
Cathleen 鈥淐athee鈥 Mang, MAIA 鈥92, recently signed with Adler and Associates Entertainment, Inc. for the second film she wrote, produced and directed about Balinese masked dance drama, 鈥.鈥 Her first feature documentary, 鈥淒ancing Faces of Bali,鈥 is available on in the U.S. and the U.K.
1994
Last fall, Margaret 鈥淧eggy鈥 Dillon, MSJ 鈥94, PHD 鈥97, taught undergraduate and graduate journalism and writing courses as a visiting professor at Jagiellonian University in Krak贸w, Poland. She is a professor emerita of media and communication at Salem State University in Massachusetts, from which she retired in May 2024.
Law firm Flannery Georgalis, LLC, announced its hire of former U.S. Attorney William 鈥淏ill鈥 Ihlenfeld, BSJ 鈥94, as partner-in-charge. Ihlenfeld resigned from the Department of Justice in January and will lead the firm鈥檚 expansion into West Virginia with the opening of three new offices.
1996
A prosecution team that included Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian S. Deckert, AB 鈥96, was honored with the for its work on United States v. Aimenn Penny, regarding the 2023 firebombing of a church in Chesterland, Ohio. The award, one of the Department of Justice鈥檚 highest recognitions, was presented at the 72nd Annual Attorney General鈥檚 Awards in Washington, D.C., early this year.
Raymond 鈥淢ike鈥 Massie, BBA 鈥96*, in March after more than two decades of major investigations into public corruption, including the 2007-08 corruption investigation鈥攖he largest in Cuyahoga County history鈥攚hich resulted in felony convictions for politicians Jimmy Dimora, Frank Russo and around 70 others. Massie now serves as a sheriff's inspector leading a public corruption unit in nearby Lorain County, Ohio.
The Western States Communication Association presented Alena (Amato) Ruggerio, BSC 鈥96, MA 鈥97, with the for her work at Southern Oregon University and scholarly contributions to communication pedagogy.
1999
The Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (317) Board awarded Dan Brozak, BA 鈥99, the for Athens County. The award recognizes his extraordinary work as a hospital liaison at Hopewell Health Centers.
Julie (Boeke) Howard, BA 鈥99*, is the new for Georgia-Pacific. During her nearly 20 years with the company, she鈥檚 served in leadership roles for the brand鈥檚 paper towel products, most recently serving as vice president of its towels and napkins division.
Last December, Bill Peters, BBA 鈥99*, was appointed of On Target Laboratories, a biotechnology company that specializes in specialized imaging to target and illuminate cancer during surgery. He brings over 20 years of service in medical technology to the role.
2000s
2000
Early this year, the appointed Michael Elliott, AAS 鈥00 BCJ 鈥01 MED 鈥05*, serve out the unexpired term of a member who resigned. Elliott cited both his children, who attend school in the district, and his interest in giving back to the community as reasons for pursuing the opportunity. His term ends Dec. 31, 2027.
2002
Beaver Local High School in Northeast Ohio inducted James Crawford, PHD 鈥02*, into its . An accomplished businessman, Crawford is also the author of two novels and the former director of both the Center for Development and the Center for Innovation and Leadership at 黑料视频 Southern.
Jacob Zink, BSED 鈥02*, is the new at Lynchburg-Clay Local School District near Cincinnati. Zink has an extensive career in teaching and education administration, having most recently served as principal of Lynchburg-Clay High School; he will continue in both roles through the 2025-26 academic year.
2003
Jeffrey Allen, BBA 鈥03*, made history this year when he took home a $10 million prize, the largest in entertainment history, as . Shortly after, he completed 鈥,鈥 a 365-mile expedition to raise money and awareness for creatine transporter deficiency, an ultra-rare genetic disorder that affects his son.
The Miami Valley Better Business Bureau鈥檚 Women in Business Networking program recognized Jessica (Baker) Holderman, BA 鈥03*, as a . Holderman is an independent licensed social worker who is currently serving as an executive assistant at the Dayton VA Medical Center.
The Boston Theater Critics Association nominated Sharath Patel, BFA 鈥03, in the 鈥淥utstanding Sound Design, Large鈥 category of the 42nd annual for his work on 鈥淒iary of a Tap Dancer鈥 at the American Repertory Theater.
2005
In February, the Puget Sound chapter of the American Marketing Association elected Holly Prouty, BSC 鈥05, MED 鈥08, to serve as a volunteer board member and vice president of communications. Professionally, she is a system communication manager of CRM communication and strategy at Washington State University.
Matt Westerhold, BSC 鈥05*, from a 30-plus-year career in local journalism and community news in early August. Shortly after graduating from OHIO in his late 40s, Westerhold became editor of the Sandusky Register in northwestern Ohio before going on to take the helm as executive editor of the Register and sister publications the Advertiser-Tribune (Tiffin), the Review Times (Fostoria), the Norwalk Reflector and The Courier (Findlay) in 2020.
2006
Cleveland Magazine named Stephanie Haney, BA 鈥06*, one of its . A licensed attorney in both Ohio and California, Haney serves as a digital anchor, reporter and legal analyst for WKYC Studios鈥 3News.
2008
This year, Mary (Sray) Flenner, BA 鈥08, launched , a quarterly print publication with empowering educational and lifestyle content for preteen girls. In the magazine鈥檚 first six months, it grew to 350 subscribers from across the country.
Goldman Sachs named 95 individuals to its last fall, including Alyson Shupe, BA, BBA 鈥08, who was selected based on commercial effectiveness, leadership and impact on firm culture.
2009
This spring, Michaela (Hahn-Lawson) Burriss, BA 鈥09, was named of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, where she will support the organization鈥檚 goal of advocating for and providing free resources to individuals who are or have been incarcerated.
The officers of the Ohio State Highway Patrol鈥檚 Zanesville post named Scott Leach, BSME 鈥09*, their . After graduating from the Russ College of Engineering in 2009, Leach joined the State Highway Patrol in 2018 as a member of the 165th academy class.
2010s
2010
Cuyahoga County hired Emily Bacha, BS 鈥10*, as program director of its . Bacha will steer the institute鈥檚 goals relating to local water resource management, following its mission of educating the community about water-related economic opportunities, advancing necessary policy and ensuring clean water access for all.
Rick Mahon, DO 鈥10*, is the of Akron Children鈥檚 Hospital鈥檚 anesthesiology department. Since he joined the Akron Children鈥檚 team in 2018, he has led the burn anesthesia unit and served as the department of anesthesiology鈥檚 director of quality and safety.
Mansour Gavin LPA elected Kathryn 鈥淜atie鈥 Weber, BFA 鈥10, as a with the firm early this year. Weber also serves as assistant law director for Mayfield Village in Northeast Ohio and was recognized in the 2025 class of 鈥淏est Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.鈥
2011
The New York Times included 鈥淭he Unmothers鈥 by Leslie J. Anderson, MA 鈥11, on its list. Reviewers praised the 鈥渃hilling atmosphere鈥 in Anderson鈥檚 novel, calling it 鈥渙ne you won鈥檛 want to miss.鈥
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey selected Crescent Gallagher, BA 鈥11, MPA 鈥13*, to serve as his administration鈥檚 . Gallagher brings more than a decade of experience in communications, policy development and legislative experience, having previously served in leadership roles in state government and grassroots advocacy organization Americans for Prosperity 鈥 West Virginia.
2012
Early this year, Thomas Cassity, AAB 鈥12*, was promoted to the rank of at the Ohio Highway Patrol. He joined the OHP in 2012 as a member of the 152nd academy class and was recognized as Chillicothe Post Trooper of the Year and District Trooper of the Year in 2014.
Scripps graduate Adam Wagner, BSJ 鈥12, was hired as editor and reporter for the new initiative, where he coordinates state legislative coverage with WUNC and four other public radio partners.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Keith Washburn, AAS 鈥12, BCJ 鈥14*, as in February. He will serve the remaining term of retired Judge Tony Eddy through the November 2025 election cycle.
2013
The Bronx Documentary Center hosted a screening of 鈥溾 and Q&A with its creator, Victor J. Blue, MA 鈥13, last fall. Blue co-directed and produced the film, a rare look inside a Sharia courtroom in the heartland of the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
In December 2024, author and public speaker Lyle C. May, AA 鈥13*, participated in an of incarcerated journalists about the impact of the carceral system both on those in prison and outside of it. He is currently finishing his bachelor鈥檚 degree in law and sociology through Adams State University.
Spencer Plassman, BSC 鈥13, has joined Massachusetts-based wealth management firm Bulfinch Group as a . There he will provide financial planning services for clients with a mission to empower them to focus on what matters most in life.
2014
Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) named Lauren Hancock, MPA 鈥14, as its . As one of ROX鈥檚 two founding employees, Hancock helped drive the expansion of ROX鈥檚 research, education and programming for girls into 40-plus states.
In March, Everett Woodel, MBA 鈥14, was appointed as the for the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he oversees day-to-day operations for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio.
2017
The Northeast Georgia Health System selected Kevin Matson, MHA 鈥17*, as its of overseeing the southern market. He will lead daily operations for Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton and provide oversight of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow. Mattson joined NGHS in 2000 and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
2018
The History Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication honored Ken Ward, PHD 鈥18*, with its best journalism and mass communication history book award. His book, titled 鈥淟ast Paper Standing: A Century of Competition Between the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News,鈥 was based on his dissertation at OHIO and was a finalist for the annual book award sponsored by the American Journalism Historians Association.
2019
Faith Voinovich, BSCHE 鈥19, was included in Venture Capital Journal鈥檚 list, which recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 for their impact and leadership within their firm or the broader VC community.. She is a principal with the Ohio Innovation Fund, a role she ascended to in 2020 after joining the fund as an intern in 2018.
2020s
2020
Adonis Durado, MFA 鈥20*, received a prestigious Philippines National Book Award for his fifth poetry collection, titled 鈥淎ng Nakayatak kay Nayatakan (Who Steps Upon is Stepped Upon).鈥 The visual communication assistant professor in Scripps College of Communication won in the Best Book of Poetry in Binsaya (Cebuano) category.
2021
Directed by Collin Black, BSC 鈥21*, a team of Bobcats became one of 25 finalists for the Doritos 鈥淐rash the Super Bowl鈥 ad campaign, gaining national exposure when their commercial found a spot on the company鈥檚 website in early 2025. The 30-second, Trojan horse-themed ad was created by Black and several fellow OHIO alumni.
The town of Clayton, North Carolina, hired Andrew Lyons, BS 鈥21*, as a . Lyons鈥 meteorology degree from OHIO and master鈥檚 degree in engineering from North Carolina State University help him to oversee the maintenance and improvement of the town鈥檚 stormwater systems and infrastructure, as well as projects to restore natural waterways.
2022
In January, Sarah Parker, EDD 鈥22*, was inaugurated as the of Washington State College of Ohio, where she also served as interim president. Previously, she was the college鈥檚 vice president of academic affairs and was involved in the development and expansion of academic and workforce pathways. She also is the former academic dean of Hocking College.
2023
Former OHIO quarterback Kurtis Rourke, BSC 鈥23*, has a decision to make after being drafted by both the and the Canadian Football League鈥檚 this spring. The Ontario native is the first Bobcat to be drafted to the NFL since 2018 and the first Canadian quarterback to be drafted since 2001. Rourke was selected as a potential backup in the seventh round of the NFL draft and 25th overall for the CFL draft; he played for OHIO for five seasons before transferring to Indiana University last year.
Alumni Authors
OHIO alumni publish books across subjects and genres. Here are releases within the last year.
- The Texas Murders: A Texas Ranger Thriller, western (Little, Brown and Co.), by James Patterson and Andrew Bourelle, BSJ 鈥97, and Shot Clock, sports/thriller (Severn House), by Andrew Bourelle, BSJ 鈥97
- Royal Roots: Reimagining a Life through Humor, a Castle, and the US Navy, memoir (self-published), by Patricia Wynn Brown, BSHSS 鈥73
- Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion, pop culture (St. Martin鈥檚 Press), by Chris DeVille, BSJ 鈥06
- The Couch in the Yard, children鈥檚 picture book (Penguin Random House), by Kate Hoefler, BA 鈥01
- The Endless Sphere of Time, poetry and photography (True North Editions), edited by Kate (O鈥橤rady) Jordahl, MFA 鈥82, photos by Geir Jordahl, MFA 鈥83
- How to LOVE Sales: A Framework to Build Confidence and Success, business/self-help (Kesig Enterprise Solutions), by Paul Kesig, BBA 鈥05
- Power of the Pony, children鈥檚 book (self-published), by Heidi Nyland Melocco, MS 鈥02, and Savannah Melocco
- Everyday Ecofascism: Crisis and Consumption in American Literature, climate change and political science (University of Minnesota Press), by Alexander Menrisky, BSJ 鈥12
- Womb Witch: Herbal Magick for Reproductive Health, herbalism and self-care (Microcosm Publishing), by Angelica Merritt, BSJ 鈥12
- Where We Love, fiction (self-published), by Mary Bell Meyer, AB 鈥72
- Hannibal Lokumbe: Spiritual Soundscapes of Music, Life, and Liberation, biography (Columbia University Press), by Lauren Coyle Rosen, BSJ, BA 鈥05, and Hannibal Lokumbe
- Draven鈥檚 Run, science fiction (self-published), by Glenn Somodi, BSJ 鈥92
- Edison Goes to Washington, children鈥檚 book (self-published), by Kristin Strobel, BA 鈥07, MA 鈥08
- Unseen Scars, poetry (self-published), by Martin Terrell, AA 鈥79, BA 鈥86, MS 鈥91
- GURPS Monster Hunters Adventure: The Face of Fire, RPG adventure guide (Steve Jackson Games), by J. Edward Tremlett, AB 鈥93, BSC 鈥96, and Christopher R. Rice 路
- Jurita鈥檚 Song: From Dust to Destiny, historical fiction (self-published), by Vern Turner, BS 鈥66
Send your published work updates to ohiotoday@ohio.edu or to OHIO Today Magazine, 黑料视频, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH 45701-0869. And don鈥檛 forget to add your achievement to the 黑料视频 Alumni Association鈥檚 Bobcat Authors database at .
Feature photo: 鈥淲hen students move out, the deer move in.鈥 This was the caption on an OHIO Instagram post that received thousands of 鈥渓ikes鈥 in early May, shortly after Commencement weekend. Followers joined in the fun, noting that the deer 鈥済ot [their] summer resort back鈥 and 鈥渨e are fawning over our newest unDEERgrads.鈥 Other campus critters weren鈥檛 left out; one person asked those still on campus to 鈥渢ell the Treudley groundhogs we said hi!鈥 Photo by Taylor (Bowling) Burris, BSED 鈥17, MED 鈥18
