Milestones

Milestones are published as space and deadlines allow. Please email high-quality images to revieweditor@calu.edu using "Milestone Photo" as the subject line. Be sure to tell us your name, year of graduation, University activities or sports you participated in, and the identity of everyone in the photo. Please do not send printouts or low-resolution digital photos, as they will not reproduce well.


George Rummell
’56, who studied industrial arts education at Cal U, and Dorothy Rummell live in Dover, Del.

Filomena DeBlassio Andreani ’56 lives in Coal Center, Pa. She majored in elementary education and was in College Players, women’s basketball and chorus.

Timothy Gorske ’62 is president of Metal Building Consultants, in Hudson, Fla., where  he and Marianne Sankovich Gorske ’63 reside. Timothy majored in education at Cal U, where he was student body president, co-chair of social activities and a member of Sigma Tau Gamma.

Martin Cwynar ’64 and Nancy Cwynar ’64 live in Imperial, Pa.

Paintings by Lynn Angelelli ’65 were on exhibit at the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center in Bethel Park, Pa.

Cal Cohn ’65 is a retired U.S. Navy commander. He and Susan Cohn live in Surprise, Ariz. Cal majored in geography and Earth science at Cal U, where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi.

John F. Martin Jr. ’68 and Patricia Martin live in Alexandria, Ohio. He studied philosophy and participated in theater at Cal U.

Don Scholter ’70, of Hillsboro, Ore., is a system support administrator for the College of Marin, in the state of California. He majored in psychology and played football at Cal U.

Dominic Palmieri ’70 is a board member for the Westmoreland County Veterans of the War on Terror. He and Carol Palmieri ’70 live in Greensburg, Pa. Dominic studied secondary education and was a member of Kappa Phi Kappa, Alpha Mu Gamma and the Spanish Club.

Harris Goldenberg ’72 is chair of the electronics, telecommunications and biomedical instrumentation program at Texas State Technical College, Abilene/Sweetwater. He and Carolyn Goldenberg live in Bastrop, Texas. Harris studied industrial arts education at Cal U and was a founding member of WMCL radio.

Allen Hixon ’71 found family ties during a trip to the United Kingdom – specifically, the village of Hixon in Staffordshire County. The former history/social studies and economics major says he ‘felt ready to connect with all things British I had studied back at Cal U, or California State Teachers College, as it was known then. Seeing the Magna Carta, Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall (and) Westminster Abbey, along with places like Canterbury, Salisbury, York, the white cliffs of Dover and, of course, London, was nearly overwhelming. ... It was a trip beyond anything I could have imagined.’

Barbara Williams ’73 was honored by the city of McKeesport, Pa., with an award for “Living the McKeesport Message” of respect, dignity, hope and love. Her experience includes helping to educate those in the criminal justice system and other special populations.

Val Wilson Paulisick ’73, who has a Master of Social Work degree, is the CEO and founder of Rewind-Reuse Center and Workshop in Export, Pa. Val and William Paulisick ’74 live in Export.

Charles White ’75 and Peggy White live in Claysville, Pa. Charles majored in psychology. He was a member of the Glee Club and the Veterans Club, and he practiced judo.

Rodger Young ’76 lives in Lady Lake, Fla. He studied secondary education and played basketball at Cal U.

John Rapano ’76, ’79 lives in Olympia, Wash. He studied elementary education and philosophy at Cal U.

William Glover ’77 and Nancy Glover live in Galax, Va. William majored in geology at Cal U and was in ROTC and Delta Chi.

John Ackermann ’80 and Betsy Ackermann live in Pittsburgh, Pa. John studied industrial arts and elementary education at Cal U.

Charles “Chuck” Valentino ’82 is a manager for Thermo Fisher Scientific in Greenville, S.C. He majored in chemistry at Cal U.

Gerald Crow ’83 is North Central Forest Tax Team leader for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He and Sandra Crow live in Tomahawk, Wis. Gerald studied environmental conservation at Cal U and was a member of Beta Beta Beta.

Greg Tylka ’83, ’85 is interim associate chair of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Iowa State University.



Jim Chaffee ’90 is chief operations officer for the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa.

George Zboyovsky ’90, the manager of Brentwood, Pa., is credentialed through the Washington, D.C.-based International City/County Management Association. He studied physics at Cal U.

Michael J. Beam ’92 and his business partner, Duke Adams, announced that their company, Vagabond Bowties LLC, was a finalist for the 2019 fall season of ABC’s Shark Tank. Their company was one of the 150 finalists selected from 40,000 entries.

Erik Sprowls ’89, ’93 is the creator of Dead and Buried Treasures. Erik stars as “creature feature” host Capt. Calico Drake, who introduces the movies. The show airs on public-access channels in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Nino Sapone ’92 is airport director at Bishop International Airport in Flint, Mich.

Brent Kincaid ’97 was honored by Williamstown (W.Va.) High School for a basketball record – 3-point shooting percentage – he set in 1989-1990.

Brandi Hershey ’96 is the first female to serve as a Court of Common Pleas judge in Bedford County, Pa. Before being elected judge, Brandi practiced law for 20 years, serving as an assistant district attorney in both Blair and Bedford counties and, more recently, as founding attorney of the Law Office of Brandi Hershey, representing individuals and businesses. She has received numerous awards and was named one of the 2018 Most Influential Persons of Bedford County by the Bedford Gazette. Also in 2018, Pennsylvania Business Central listed Brandi among the “Top 100 People in Pennsylvania.”

Kelly Parsley ’95 is head track and field and cross country coach at Bethel College, Kansas. He studied communications at Cal U.  
Derek Anderson ’96 lives in Columbia, Mo. He majored in business administration at Cal U.The Rev.

John B. Gizler III ’96, a priest in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, was installed as pastor of St. Philip Parish in Crafton, Pa., in November 2019. He was elected to serve a five-year term on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council and appointed by Bishop David Zubik to the Diocesan College of Consultors.

Randal Finfrock ’98 is a member of Greensburg (Pa.) City Council.

Vicky Krug ’98 won the Excellence in Teaching Award from Westmoreland County Community College, where she teaches developmental education, college literacy, abnormal psychology, general psychology and interpersonal communications. She earned her master’s degree in education at Cal U.

Gina Filippone ’99 is a project controls analyst for AECOM, based in Germantown, Md. She studied wildlife biology at Cal U and now lives in Pittsburgh, Pa.


Patricia Mays ’00 lives in Clearfield, Pa. She majored in English at Cal U.

Tawnia St. Amant ’01 earned her doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Cal U.

Travis Everhart ’01 is the head football coach at Alderson Broaddus University, in West Virginia. He studied geography and regional planning at Cal U.

Laura Fano ’01 is a supply chain manager for Pepsi in Twinsburg, Ohio. She majored in political science at Cal U and was in the Pre-law Society.

Chad Merrill ’02 is the weather prognosticator for the Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack. His experience includes work as a meteorologist for WTOP Radio in Washington, D.C., the Nowcast Weather Network, Earth Networks, WJAC-TV in Johnston, Pa., and the former WHAG-TV, now WDVM, in Hagerstown, Md.

Chad Ewing ’02 is national sales and marketing director for HPC Fire Inspired, a gas fire-pit manufacturer. At Cal U he studied computer science, with a minor in information systems.

Mike Steeber ’04, of Belle Vernon, Pa., is a science teacher at Frazier High School, where he provides instruction in engineering, physics and robotics and was the football team’s head coach from 2010-2018.

Adam Bryan ’05 is the director/manager of the Alban Arts and Conference Center in St. Albans, W.Va.

Michelle Saylor ’05 is scheduled to retire in July 2020 as superintendent of the Bellefonte (Pa.) Area School District. She earned her master’s degree in education and her principal’s certification at Cal U.

Meghan Florkowski ’06 is director of the WISE Women’s Business Center at Syracuse University. She earned her master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion.

Justin Welker ’06 is water operations manager for Range Resources.

Jere Jones ’06, a business administration major from Norristown, Pa., is a senior mortgage processor/underwriter for Magnum Opus Federal Corp., in Philadelphia, Pa.

Mark Anthony ’06 is vice president of sales for CemSites, in Perryopolis, Pa. He and Sarah Anthony live in Uniontown, Pa. Mark studied political science at Cal U.

Tobi Baldwin ’10 teaches in the College ofRehabilitative Sciences at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, in Florida. Tobi earned her master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion from Cal U.

Mercedes Himmons ’10, of Canonsburg, Pa., is an assistant athletic trainer at Cal U.

Ben Iannacchione ’10 is director of sports performance for the University of Kansas football program. He studied sports counseling at Cal U.

Robert Prah ’06, ’10, director of Military and Veterans Affairs at Cal U, was a candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 58th legislative district.

Dr. Mary lloyd Claytor ’07, ’10 is an adjunct professor of dance at Chatham University, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Crystal Parish ’11 is program director for Silvermist, a residential program in Butler, Pa.,that treats young adults with substance use disorders. Previously, she was a therapist and then a clinical manager for multiple Gateway Rehabilitation Center outpatient locations. She studied community and agency counseling at Cal U.

Jacob Crawford ’11, of Middletown, Pa., is a senior web developer for Pennsylvania Interactive. Jacob majored in graphic design at Cal U, where he was a member of Studio224 and played ice hockey.

Ian Lonich ’12 is a certified neurological physical therapist with Allegheny Health Network.

Craig Bosse
’12 and Cynthia Bosse live in Slidell, La. Craig studied sport management at Cal U.

Michael Poploskie
’12 was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who, which considers accomplishments, visibility and prominencein a field during the selection process. Michael has 15 years of experience as a physical education teacher at Mastery Charter Schools’ Pickett Campus, in Philadelphia, Pa., where he has been the school’s athletic director for more than 10 years. He earned his master’s degree in sport management at Cal U, with a concentration in intercollegiate athletic administration.

Casey Creehan ’11 is the football coach at Peru State College, Nebraska. He earned his post-baccalaureate certificate in intercollegiate administration from Cal U.

Tara Friel ’12 is general manager of the Roxian Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pa. She majored in communication studies at Cal U and was Snow Club president.

Robert Kagel ’12 , the county administrator in Chester County, Pa., was named a VISTAMillennial Superstar. The award is hosted by Wilmington University, Brumbaugh Wealth Management and the ChesterCounty Economic Development Council to recognize professionals under 40 years old.

April Ryan ’13 was a featured artist for the Steubenville (Ohio) Art Association’s painting workshop and demonstration. April owns Thistledown Home and Art in Washington, Pa.

Joseph Lane ’13, who studied criminal justice at. Cal U, is a public safety officer at St. Vincent College, near Latrobe Pa.

Kim Shaffer ’13 owns Kim’s Gym in Salida, Colo. She earned her master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion. She is certified with the National Academy ofSports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise and the American Association of Health and Fitness Professionals.

Don Trapp ’14 is the strength and conditioning coach for the State College Spikes, a minor league baseball team in State College, Pa.

Kirk Ryan McFarland ’13, ’14 was the casting director for the horror feature film Shimmer, directed by Rob Ciano. Ciano will film the trailer for United, a faith-based project from Invictus Films written by Kirk Ryan and Stephen Edwards.

Nathan Hines ’15, of Reidsville, N.C., is director of bands at Morehead High School, in Eden, N.C. He earned his master’s degree in education at Cal U and was a graduate assistant in the Music Department.

Steven Krenn ’15, who studied commercial music technology, presented a paper at the Facebook Reality Labs in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Justin Locante ’16 owns Conscious MindWellness in Pittsburgh, Pa. He majored in sport management and played hockey at Cal U.

Zachary Filtz ’16 is an op-ed writer for Weiner Public News in Washington, D.C. Zachary majored in English at Cal U and was a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. He and Shannon Stepp live in King George, Va.

Jed Hamberger ’16 is superintendent of the Oswayo Valley (Pa.) School District. He earned his superintendent letter of eligibility from Cal U.

Tyla Paige Epps ’17 works in the intensive care unit at UMPC Mercy Hospital, in Pittsburgh, Pa. She studied gerontology at Cal U.

Jake Schiffer ’17 is sports and wellness director at the YMCA of Centre County, Pa.

Mikal Payne ’10, ’16, who earned degrees in sport management, is a co-facilitator for a brain injury support group in Concord, N.H.

Jamie Bogol ’09, ’16, of Brownsville, Pa., is secretary to the directors of operations and mental and behavioral health at Intermediate Unit 1, based in California, Pa. She studied history and education at Cal U.

Becky McMillen ’17, executive director of University Conference Services at Cal U, received a Kinetic Legend award from Kinetics Software for the strategic use of its product Kx, an enterprise software platform. Becky earned her MBA at Cal U. She and her team use the software to track the number of high school students and other visitors to the Convocation Center.

Garrett Del Re ’17 is head girls basketball coach at South Park (Pa.) High School.

Cmdr. Jason Lando ’17 was a candidate for police chief in Boulder, Colo. He is the commander in vice/narcotics for the Pittsburgh (Pa.) Bureau of Police. Jason earned his master’s degree in legal studies from Cal U.

Jacob Garcia ’17, of Washington, D.C., is a management and program analyst for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A former business administration major, he is part of an honors program at NOAA that provides travel opportunities, mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities with senior executives.

Aryn Hess ’18 is a microbiology medical laboratory technician/medical technologist for UPMC in Pittsburgh, Pa. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, a bachelor’s and associate in liberal studies, and an associate in technical studies.

Eric Porter
’18 is a magisterial district judge in Charleroi, Pa. He studied criminal justice at Cal U and is an instructor at Cal U’s fulltime IUP Police Academy.

Colby Brandt ’19 is assistant police chief in Glendale, Ariz. He earned his master’s degree in legal studies from Cal U.

Artist and author Dave Howard ’19 owns Uncle Dave’s Books, in Leechburg, Pa. He studied fine arts at Cal U.

Patrick Smith ’12, ’19 is a quality clinician for Community Care Behavioral Health, in Lock Haven, Pa. He earned his doctorate in health science and his master’s in exercise science and health promotion, both at Cal U.

Briana Hendriksen ’17 and Jose Negron ’16 are engaged. Briana is a marketing specialist for AVI Foodsystems at Cal U, and Jose is assistant sports editor for the Mon Valley Independent newspaper. At Cal U, Briana was a member of Sigma Kappa, the Public Relations Student Society of America, Travel Club, Student Activities Board and the Cal Times student newspaper. Jose was editor of the Cal Times and a member of the Underground Café and Student Activities Board.

Suzy Hart ’15, ’17 and Brendan Garay ’15, ’16 are engaged. Suzy works in the mental health field as a facilitator and supervisor. Brendan is a senior tax accountant. At Cal U, Suzy was involved with the Student Activities Board. She also was president of the National Society of Leadership and Success and served in Chi Sigma Iota, the international counselors society. Brendan was Student Government president and is a current member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Deryk Hartin ’10 and Caitlin Knowles were married in March 2020 in Sarasota, Fla. Deryk is a chiropractor with Chambers Medical Group of Bradenton, Fla.

Michael Motsko
’16 and Malena Kinsman were married in July 2019. Michael, who earned his Cal U master’s degree in educational leadership, is a special education teacher at North Pocono High School, in Lackawanna County, Pa.

Joshua Deppe ’16 and Courtney Ollerman were married in October 2019. Joshua, who studied sport management at Cal U, is the CrossFit manager at the Prairie Athletic Club. They couple lives in Sun Prairie, Wis.

Nicole Presto ’14 and Brandon Dunmire ’16 were married in September 2019. Together, they operate a video production company, AmbiDream Productions LLC. Bridal party members were Tavahn Parker '15, Dane Vaughan, Jordan Westfall '15, Trisha Bandish, Madison Presto and Amanda Testa '14.

Theresa Kulasa ’17, and Robert “Bobby” Lea ’19 were married in September 2019 in Zelienople, Pa., where they met. Theresa majored in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine and secondary education. Bobby earned his master’s degree in exercise science. They live and work in White Oak, Pa.

Re’maro Rush ’10 and Danielle Danhires celebrated their wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico, in December 2019. The groom’s party included best man Darren Burns ’09; Eric Spurlin ’11; Sam Adeshina ’10, ’11; Tamba Marenah ’11; and Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09, ’19. Guests of the bride and groom included Chelsea Ratica ’14; Trisha Runtich-Spurlin ’11, ’13; Paige Marenah ’14; and Jessica Krieger-Barnhart ’12, ’18. The bride and groom live in Baldwin, Pa.

Christopher Jansante ’70, ’74 and Linda Ometz Jansante ’70 celebrated their 40th anniversary in August 2019. Chris is a retired optical business consultant with Essilor U.S.A., and Linda retired as a secondary English teacher in the Yough School District, in Herminie, Pa. They live in Hempfield Township, Pa. B.J.

Forsyth ’98 and Jennifer McElroy Forsyth ’99, of Cranberry Township, Pa., celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in November 2019. They have three children and still connect with many friends who also were Vulcans. B.J. is an Acacia Fraternity alumnus, and Jen was a member of Phi Sigma Sigma.

Harvey L. Rawlins ’68 and Linda Tunney Rawlins celebrated their 50th anniversary in June 2019. They have three daughters, four grandsons and two granddaughters. Both graduated from California (Pa.) High School.

Dr. Wilma A. Bailey ’44

Mary Jane Crayton Barber ’58

William Keith “Butch” Barber Jr. ’66

Linda T. Belis*

Dorothy Beppler ’54

Betty A. Bindas ’49

Candace Lafferty Byers ’76

Joseph Checchi ’63

Joseph S. Ciferno ’65

John R. Clarchick ’70

Richard Closser ’84

Randall C. “Randy” Coccari ’89, ’91

Barbara L. Cole ’75

Marjorie Robertson Cowden ’54

Valentine Cullen III ’66

Johnna Cumpston ’84

Elizabeth “Bettie” Viola Dinsmore Dallmeyer ’63

Robert E. “Bob” DeLorenzo Jr.*

Walter Dinsick Jr. ’69

Joyce Ewing ’89

Dorthy Bierman Flynn ’63

Joshua J. Fritch ’13

Robert Goin,* former athletic director at Cal U

Joshua “Josh” Lorne Gumbert ’12

Robert L. “Bob” Harned ’70

Willard W. “Lock” Hartley II ’64

Marilyn Lillian Burton Hillen ’82

Rose Ann Petitto Houdyschell ’78

Donna Jean Hradil ’05

Matthew John Luckhardt ’03

Richard E. “Yakey” McCallum,* Cal U maintenance department

Sandra L. McGurk ’93

Jeannine Metal ’80

Shirley M. Mislo ’72

David Allison Morris Jr. ’74

Herman Osso ’69

Katie Burdick Peterson ’06

Esther Ross Howard Pevarnik ’64

Ty Pompei*

James Pudlo ’59

June Lorraine Puskarich ’70

Judith Ann Pavlick Rasel ’61

Carroll B. “Pete” Rugh ’59

Duane Anton Ryan ’77

Ruth Stern Schrag*

William Steven Sento ’64

Paula Dale Kozik Sibert ’69

Billie Jo Ferrari Smiley ‘69

Barbara Jean Horak Smith ’67, ’69

Charles Donald Smith ’55

Janice Mize Smaroff ’62

Richard T. “Rich” Sonson ’72

Elizabeth Reisinger Spragg ’85

Brenda Joyce Hawkins Thornburg ’82

Brianna Ruby Waller*

James Walter Williams,* Cal U maintenance department
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