1967

Thomas J. Morrissey, MA '71, distinguished teaching professor of English at Plattsburgh State University, is the author of numerous books on children's literature, science fiction and Irish literature. He has also written several musicals, including Puppet Song, featuring the great-granddaughter of Pinocchio. Puppet Song was produced at SUNY Plattsburgh in 2000. Thomas and his wife, Arlene Vernick Morrissey '67, live in Plattsburgh and are the grandparents of twin boys.

1969

Ginny Baker Hekinian writes that she and Roger Hekinian, PhD '69 ("BU's first PhD") are still married after 33 years and have three "old" children: Aram (30, an aspiring actor in New York City), Diran (28, soon to be a GP), and Anna (25, who has finished her medical studies and began her residency last fall). "We are still living in Finistere, Brittany, on the closest point of the European continent to the USA, and our hearts are still torn between our friends and family in the States and those who live in the rest of the world. Since we have both almost totally retired from our careers (Ginny was an English teacher and Roger an oceanographer at the French Research Institute for Exploration of the Sea), we now have more time for savoring the pleasures of Ôbeing alive' and for keeping contact with old and new friends."

1970

Geoffrey Strauss, MAT '71 and Janice Little Strauss, MAT '70 have both retired, Geoff in June 2001 from Union-Endicott Schools, where he was a business education teacher, and Jan in June 2002 from Owego-Apalachin Schools, where she was a Spanish teacher and K-12 program coordinator. "Our son, Micah, married Beccy Miller in July 2001, and our daughter, Alicia, married Tom Fedor in June 2002," they write. "Alicia and Tom are now expecting our first grandchild. Geoff says he is too young to be called ÔGrandpa.' Any suggestions what we should call him?"

1971

Lucille J. Jaesson, PhD, earned a master of education in administration and supervision from Antioch New England Graduate School. Lucille lives in Francesville, N.H.

Thomas J. Morrissey, MA '71, distinguished teaching professor of English at Plattsburgh State University, is the author of numerous books on children's literature, science fiction and Irish literature. He has also written several musicals, including Puppet Song, featuring the great-granddaughter of Pinocchio. Puppet Song was produced at SUNY Plattsburgh in 2000. Thomas and his wife, Arlene Vernick Morrissey '67, live in Plattsburgh and are the grandparents of twin boys.

Geoffrey Strauss, MAT '71 and Janice Little Strauss, MAT '70 have both retired, Geoff in June 2001 from Union-Endicott Schools, where he was a business education teacher, and Jan in June 2002 from Owego-Apalachin Schools, where she was a Spanish teacher and K-12 program coordinator. "Our son, Micah, married Beccy Miller in July 2001, and our daughter, Alicia, married Tom Fedor in June 2002," they write. "Alicia and Tom are now expecting our first grandchild. Geoff says he is too young to be called ÔGrandpa.' Any suggestions what we should call him?"

Ryder Syvertsen, MA '71, rydersyv@yahoo.com, is an adjunct professor of English at the School of Professional Studies at St. John's University in Staten Island. His 30-plus sci-fi and adventure novels, out of print since the mid-'90s, are now available in e-book form from eagleonemedia.com. His latest novel, John Lennon Real Love, is available on the Web at yoko-ono.us.

1972

Roger L. Hall, MA '72, a musicologist and composer, has been included in the 19th edition of Who's Who in the World. An American music specialist, Roger has worked to preserve music from the past. His publications include The Stoughton Songster, New England Songster, A Guide to Film Music, A Guide to Shaker Music, A Guide to George Gershwin, A Guide to Christmas Music in America, Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts," and Remembering Radio, all from PineTree Press. Roger has had his own radio program, produced a series of music videos and taught music in schools and colleges. A composer himself, he has written songs, church music, chamber works and choral music. For more information, visit his website, The Music Buffs Web Pages.

Reva Weiskopf Nimz, MA '72 is in her 26th year of teaching in the Teaching and Leadership Department at the University of Kansas. She writes, "Both of my children are in college, although I regret that I couldn't persuade them to leave the Midwest and try Binghamton. Would love to hear from old classmates (and we all are getting old!)."

1973

Paula Barber writes: "This year I founded ElderCare Resources, a private geriatric care management practice to whom individuals and their families turn for information, guidance and assistance with the challenges of aging, illness and disability. Please visit my website at www.ecareresources.com. In 1978, I earned my MSW from the University at Albany. In 1981 I married Howard Buxbaum, MA '73, and we have three children, Jacob, 20, Joseph, 17, and Shoshannah, 13. Would really enjoy hearing from friends from College-in-the-Woods. It is really strange that we are about our parents' age when we were at SUNY Binghamton! A friend's daughter is a student at BU!"

1974

Howard Mark Schilit, MS '74, who recently published the second edition of his 1993 book, Financial Shenanigans: How to Detect Accounting Gimmicks and Fraud in Financial Statements (McGraw-Hill Professional, 2002), appeared on CNBC, CNN and ABC News with Peter Jennings at the time of the Enron hearings this past winter. Howard also testified before the Committee on Governmental Affairs chaired by Sen. Joseph Lieberman during the Enron hearings in late February, and was subsequently quoted in a March 4 Washington Post article by Jerry Knight, "Analysts' Plea of Ignorance Undermines Market." In the story, Howard said he had "not looked at Enron's financial reports until he was invited to testify and was amazed by what he found while doing his homework. ÔI spent less than one hour the night before the hearing looking at the company's financial reports and I had three pages filled with warnings,' he said. ÔWas there evidence of fraud? . . . No. Was there evidence they were headed for bankruptcy? No. But was there enough for any decent analyst to ask questions? Absolutely.'" Howard is president of the Center for Financial Research and Analysis, Inc., an independent financial research organization whose mission is "to warn investors and creditors about companies experiencing operational problems and particularly those that employ unusual or aggressive accounting practices to camouflage such problems," according to the organization's website http://www.cfraonline.com.

David M. Tiffany, MA '66, PhD '74 became vice president for development and alumni affairs at the College of New Jersey in January 2002.

1975

Michael Reidy, MBA '75 has joined the Product and Strategy unit of MISYS Corporation, a global banking software company. He lives in Oceanside with his wife, Kathleen, a registered nurse, and their two daughters, Mary Ellen, a junior at Penn State, and Anne Marie, a high school freshman.

1976

David Andrianoff, MA '76 was named the first-ever Eurasia director for World Concern, a Seattle-based Christian relief and development organization. David began working for World Concern in 1982, and since then he and his family lived in Laos, Mongolia and Malaysia. The son of missionaries, David grew up in Vietnam and Laos, and focused his graduate studies on the Hmong people of Laos while earning his MA in anthropology at Binghamton. He and his wife, Jean, have two grown daughters, Bethany and Cheryl.

John Dreyer, MS '76 writes: "Lots of memories of OCC bus service, Empire Lake, Off Campus College and SAT [School of Advanced Technology, now Watson]. We have a local group of SAT alumni who stay in touch once a year or so. We're all getting older and grayer and that's the good news! Would love to hear from SUNY-B alumni in the field and in the area." John is operations manager at Titan Systems in Bedford, Mass., and lives in Lexington.

David Marc, MA '76, former visiting professor of television-radio-film in the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, has been named senior communications manager in the university's office of publications in the division of institutional advancement. Marc will serve as a contributing editor to the award-winning Syracuse University Magazine, as well as write and edit articles and publications for the University's Office of Development.

Robert A. Rubenstein, MA '74, PhD '76, professor of anthropology and international relations in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship at Syracuse University, as well as the director of the Maxwell School's Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts (PARC), presented the lecture "Cultures of Intervention: Anthropological Approach to Peacekeeping" at the University of British Columbia Jan. 28, 2002.

1977

John D. Bucchioni, MST '77 is executive vice president of Cherrydale, a designer, private-label manufacturer and importer of giftware, candles and gift wrap for upscale department stores and specialty shops worldwide. Cherrydale also manufactures and market gourmet chocolates domestically. In addition, John is a marketing and manufacturing consultant to many wholesale food, gift and collectible companies.

Joan Orgel Seiden, MSEd '77 writes that she has been teaching pupils with learning disabilities in elementary education for 23 years and still loves being in the classroom.

1979

Robert Ponterio, MA '79, professor of French at SUNY Cortland, was honored by the college in May for his research and scholarship relating to an ongoing project he is doing in conjunction with his colleague, Jean LeLoup, a Spanish professor. The project, "FLTEACH: A Model for Professional Development and Foreign Language Instruction," received a National Endowment for the Humanities award this year, and aims to provide systematic, ongoing professional development for foreign language teachers through the FLTEACH discussion list.

George J. Searles, PhD '79, a professor of humanities at Mohawk Valley Community College, has been named 2002 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching New York Professor of the Year. He was one of 50 professors -- one from each state -- so honored. "I want my students to develop the habit of inquiry," said George in describing his philosophy of teaching. "I want them to function effectively in collaborative situations. I want them to write with some measure of concision and clarity, and also to be able to stand before an audience and present their ideas coherently. Most importantly, I want them to think!" Searles' approach to teaching is a blend of the traditional and non- traditional, incorporating blackboard illustration, juggling and unusual props such as electronic games. He believes that "successful teaching requires not only mastery of subject matter but also a touch of theater."

1980

Thomas W. Lenney, MA '80 was named president and COO of Southwestern Water Exploration Co. in October 2001. Thomas has more than 21 years' experience in the oil and gas industry as an exploration geologist and is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Denis O'Brien, MBA '80 writes that he is living in Mystic, Conn., near the ocean with his wife, Lori, and three sons. He coaches little league and teaches in public schools as a volunteer in addition to being vice president of Advest Inc. Denis' oldest son, Cutter, started a landscaping business and attends the University of Connecticut. His second son, Justin, is attending Avon Old Farms prep in the fall and hopes to play Division I lacrosse. Denis' youngest son, Beau, plays little league.

Ben Pfingstag, MA '76, PhD '80 presented "The Arts of Advent: A Visual Journey" at the Arts and Humanities Series at Blue Ridge Community College. The presentation focused on art heralding the birth of Jesus Christ as well as detailing early events in his life as portrayed by artists in Italy, Germany, France, Spain and England.

1981

Maryann K. Beaumont, MBA '81 was appointed executive director of Friends of the Arts, where she will recruit musical performers for a series of summer concerts in addition to overseeing the ArtReach educational program. Previously, she was the director of marketing and development at Old Westbury Gardens. Maryann and her husband, Mark, live in Bayville with their daughter, Katherine.

Cheryl B. Richardson, MS '81 received her PhD in organization development from Benedictine University in June 2001 and is president of her own consulting company, CBR Consulting, in Aurora, Ill.

Marc Reese Space, MA, MAT '81, formerly an assistant superintendent with the Alamogordo Public Schools in New Mexico, was named superintendent of the Taos Municipal Schools in Taos, N.M., effective June 2002.

Timothy S. Stone, MA '81 is the principal of StoneHill Environmental, Inc., in Portsmouth, N.H.

1983

Joseph H. Boardman, MS '83, New York State commissioner of transportation, was the commencement speaker for the Utica School of Commerce, May 13, 2004. Joseph was named commissioner of transportation in 1997. He served as acting commissioner, first deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner for the Office of Public Transportation since joining the department in 1995. He lives with his wife, Joanne, and their three children, Joe Jr., Emily and Philip, in Rome, N.Y.

Terry Grabo, MS '83, who earned her master's at BU in family nursing, has joined the practice of Dr. Douglas S. Costlett in Luzerne, Pa. A nurse who has been in practice for 20 years and has published widely on a variety of women's health topics, Terry specializes in health and wellness, health education and counseling, perimenopause/menopause and various treatment options. Terry holds a master's in administration from Marywood University, a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, and a post-doctoral fellowship in women's health from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Nursing.

Richard J. Weisler, MBA '83 writes that he has joined ImClone Systems as a scientific services liaison. He coordinates clinical and basic research involving ImClone compounds at major cancer research centers in the southeastern United States. Richard presented "Herbals - An Oncology Perspective" at the annual Scripps Cancer Center Conference in LaJolla, Calif., in February 2004.

Joseph Yacura, MS '83 was named chief procurement officer for the Americas region of Six Continents Hotels, Inc. He is responsible for strategic planning, policy development, deployment and operational leadership for the region's supply chain and procurement functions.

1984

Suzanne Jacqueline Jacobs, MA '84 majored in theater for both her BA and MA. She would love to be in contact with more of the theater crowd from the classes of 1977-1982.

Nancy Ziegenhagen, MSEd '84, stepped down in June as director of The Susquehanna School, the independent, non-sectarian school she founded in Binghamton in 1969. In an article about her in the Press & Sun-Bulletin, Nancy said that opening the school had been "an act of naivetŽ, youth and passion. We certainly didn't know all that was involved. We just believed we could do it." The Susquehanna School started out with 18 students; enrollment is now at capacity with 74 students, ages 3 through 14. Nancy passed her baton to Carol Matruski '84, MSEd '88, who has been a faculty member at the school for 14 years.

1985

Peter VanderWoude, MS '85 was named manager of planned gifts in SUNY Cortland's Division of Institutional Advancement. He will design and implement a national effort to identify, cultivate and steward outright support, split interest gifts, retirement plan assets and bequest intentions from SUNY Cortland alumni, parents and friends. He will be responsible for implementing new programs to offer charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts and annuity trusts, donation of retirement plan assets and bequest registry programs. Peter and his wife, Kimberlea, have three children: a grown daughter, Kellea VanderWoude Russell, and two sons, Geoffrey 14, and Nigel, 8.

1987

Melissa Ann Murtland, MS '87 received an MBA from Marywood University, May 9, 2004. She was awarded the Sister Agnes Medal for Excellence in Business recognizing outstanding scholastic achievement.

Timothy J. Houlihan, MA '87, Ph.D. '93 has been named vice president for academic affairs and academic dean of St. Francis College in Brooklyn. He joined the college in 1999 as assistant dean of academic affairs and was subsequently promoted to associate dean.

1988

Jonathan C. Lothrop, PhD '88 recalled his doctoral dissertation while discussing his findings from an archeology dig in the early 1980s for "A Woman's Place Through Time: 11,000 years ago the Paleoindians hunted for food, clothing and tools" in the Post Standard. Jonathan is now with GAI Consultants in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Carol Matruski '84, MSEd '88 was named director of The Susquehanna School

Kyra D. Gaunt, MA '88 was inducted into American University's Performing Arts Alumni Hall of Fame. She received her bachelor's degree from American University and is an associate professor of ethnomusicology at Baruch College, The City University of New York.

1989

Frank Wojcik, MA '77, PhD '89 has been named director of the Drake Memorial Library at the State University of New York at Brockport. Frank was formerly director of information resources at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.'

1990

Nancy B. Fessenden, MASS '90, a self-employed personal historian and writer, completed her PhD in human services in March at Capella University. Nancy lives in Naples, Fla

Terry M. Gras, MS '90 of Otsego Mutal Fire Insurance Company has been named "Insurance Man of the Year" by the Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater New York, Inc.

Kim Lamar Shelton (Payne), MAT '90 writes that she was recently chosen by Davis College President George D. Miller III to serve a three-year term on the management team, a campus-wide leadership team which gives guidance and direction to the college. Kim is also the director of student academic services, an assistant professor and the chair of the Academic Affairs Council. Dyschel, her husband, is the college's chief accountant. They have a talented 8-year-old daughter, Katherine, and live in Vestal.

1992

Catherine Gridley, MBA '92 has been appointed president of Smiths Aerospace's customer services business, which serves more than 1,400 customers in 140 countries. Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group, is a leading transatlantic aerospace equipment and systems company with nearly $2 billion in sales and more than 10,000 staff in Europe and North America.

Albert Ng, MS '92 writes: "Moved to Orange County with wife and two boys and dog in November 2003. Weather is great, wife and kids are happy! Would love to hear from other Binghamton people, no matter where you are!"

1993

Steven M. Dir, MA '93 was chosen Camden County High School's Teacher of the Year, and Camden County System Teacher of the Year.

Douglas Smith, MBA '93 is the senior vice president and district executive of HSBC Bank USA in Nyack. After building his Career at HSBC, Douglas is now responsible for 25 retail branches in Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan and Ulster counties, where he supervises more than 210 employees.

1994

John J. Bellardini, MS '94 joined JC Jones & Associates LLC, which is based in Rochester, as a management consultant. John will join Syracuse associate Matthew C. Lumia to increase the company's presence in central New York and the Southern Tier.

1995

John J. Sosik, PhD '95 is a Penn State researcher and the lead author of The Dream Weavers: Strategy-Focused Leadership in Technology-Driven Organizations. John says, "Executive leaders need to make the right connections between their employees, technology, ideas and customers to create a culture that lives, breathes and breeds success."

Brian Thomas, PhD '95 is in an odd position in his first bid for political office. The federal courts have thrown out the state House and Senate district maps, so Democrat Brian is running for the seat that is likely being held by Georgia State Representative David Casas (R-Lilburn). Brian is an archeologist with TRC Garrow Associates and a former Army captain in military intelligence.

1997

Mark Ashe, MA '97, previously employed at Ithaca High School, is now a social studies teacher in the Cape Elizabeth School Department in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

1998

Tanisha D. Grimes Arroyo, MASS '98 writes that she and her husband, Jose, celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in February 2004. In March, Tanisha was honored by the local YWCA during Women's History Month as part of its celebration of "Women Inspiring Hope and Possibility." April came with an honor for Tanisha from the local chapter of the African American Heritage Coalition for "continuing education in the face of adversity."

Manish Ranjan, MS '98 is the strategic marketing manager at Ultratech and co-author of "Wafer-Level Advanced Packaging Technology" in Semiconductor International.

1999

Morgana Kellythorne, MA '99 writes: "After obtaining a law degree from the University of Victoria, I spent a wonderful year working as a law clerk to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa. I am now enjoying the challenge of a varied practice in commercial litigation and public law with the Toronto office of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. My husband, Ruggero Racca, and I continue to have a great time together raising Stella Vincenza, now 3."

Melisse Weber, MM '99, a mezzo soprano with the Tri-Cities Opera of Binghamton, participated in the "Opera and Me - K-3" program in Bath this March. She spent time with schoolchildren in classrooms and presented Little Red Riding Hood with other singers from the Tri-Cities Opera. Melisse has appeared in The Marriage of Figaro and The Medium and worked extensively with children throughout New York and Pennsylvania as part of Opera-Go-Round, the outreach program of the Tri-Cities Opera.

Frank Yanoti, MAT '99, MA '99 writes: "Since finishing my graduate degrees, I have been teaching English at John Jay High School in Dutchess County. I have also been working with the New York State English Council, where I sit on the executive board as website editor, and was recently chosen to be 2005 conference chair."

2000

Laura J. Sleeper, MA '00 writes that she recently moved to Owings Mills, Md., to take a consulting position with Levin Group Inc., a business-consulting firm for dental practices.

2001

Cathi Calori, MPA '01 writes that she has taught Introduction to Health Administration and Planning at SUNY Cortland since 2002. In addition, she is active as a consultant, assisting organizations across the country that are providing peer-based recovery support services for people with substance use or mental health disorders. This spring, Cathi accepted an 18-month faculty appointment at Cornell University. She is the associate director of the Sloan Program in Health Administration, which is a two-year graduate program leading to a master's degree in health administration. She maintains her affiliations in Washington, D.C.

2004

Andrew G. Gates, MBA '04 writes that after four years at Universal Instruments he accepted a position at Vectron International, a frequency control product manufacturer in southern N.H.

2005

2006