Class Notes, Fall 2019

70s

Donald S. Scherzer ’71 of Shaker Heights, Ohio, is a shareholder in the Cleveland firm Roetzel & Andress, which recently was ranked as a top Ohio law firm in the 2019 Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for Natural Resources and Environment. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Kenton Hyatt ’74 of Tucson, Arizona, recently published the book “Radical Creativity” (Kairios Press). Hyatt has a Master of Arts in interpersonal communication.

Lyle Whybrew ’74 of Tipp City, Ohio, who earned a Bachelor of Music, was inducted into the Huber Heights (Ohio) Performing Arts Hall of Fame.

John S. Wilson ’75 of Waco, Texas, published the book “Mapping Texas: A Cartographic Journey, 1561-1860” with Baylor University Press in September. He earned a Bachelor of Science in education.

Mary Jo DiSalvo ’76, city of Dublin (Ohio) events administrator, was selected as the Marketer of the Year by the Columbus Chapter of the American Marketing Association for the second time. DiSalvo received a Bachelor of Science in journalism.

Nancy Lahmers ’76, Pete Sanderson ’76, ’77 and Gregg Gerber ’76 recently rode their bicycles 3,000 miles across the United States. They traveled from San Diego to St. Augustine, Florida, with 41 other riders. Lahmers of Columbus and Gerber of Delaware, Ohio, each have Bachelor of Science degrees in business; Sanderson of Columbus has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science.

Randy Michael Signor ’76 of Seattle recently published the novel “Osawatomie” (Xulon Press), about racial tension over a century in a Kansas town. Signor earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.

Harry R. Gensler ’77, ’79 of Las Vegas recently retired after 25 years as Nye County (Nevada) public defender. In recognition of his longtime service, the Las Vegas Municipal Court appointed him to serve as an alternate judge. Gensler received a Bachelor of Science in education and Bachelor of Arts.

William G. Zurkey ’77 recently was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in Chicago. He is the first person from Ohio to be inducted in the performing arts category. Zurkey retired after teaching 27 years at Avon Lake High School, where his choral groups were consistently rated superior. He received a Bachelor of Science in music teacher education.

Kay Standridge Kress ’78 of Clinton Township, Michigan, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies, is a partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP in Detroit. She was named a Fellow of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers earlier this year.

80s

Jim Daniels ’80 of Pittsburgh, a professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University, recently published a book of fiction, “The Perp Walk,” with Michigan State University Press. Another book, an anthology, “RESPECT: The Poetry of the Music of Detroit,” will be published this fall.

Dr. Diane N. De Hoyos ’81 of El Paso, an associate vice president for purchasing and general services at the University of Texas at El Paso, received a Women of Distinction Award, which recognizes outstanding Hispanic women in Texas who impact the country’s economic, political, leadership and social landscape. De Hoyos earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

Brent Short ’81 of Springfield, Missouri, was appointed director of library services at Park University. He earned a Master of Education in college student personnel.

Judy McFarland ’82 is the chief executive officer of Thread Marketing Group and BJ Fischer ’86 is the vice president of public relations for the Toledo firm, which was named among the 2019 PRSA Silver Anvil Award Winners for the “Toledo Jeep Fest: A Community Celebration” campaign. McFarland majored in technology and Fischer majored in English.

John Schuldt ’82 of Smithtown, New York, recently started a new position as director of global business development at Overseas Military Sales Corp. Schuldt was a major in international business, international economics and international relations.

Ginny Martin ’84 of Waterville, Ohio, director of health care practice management consulting at Rehmann’s Financial Services in Troy, Michigan, recently was named the president of the National Society of Certified Healthcare Business Consultants. Martin received a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Shantanu Narayan ’86 recently was named one of American Bazaar Online’s “Top 6 Indian American CEOs.” Narayan is chairman and CEO of Adobe Inc. and one of the University’s 100 Most Prominent Alumni. He earned a master’s degree in computer science.

Jeanne L. Allert ’87, founder and executive director of the Samaritan Women Institute for Shelter Care, has been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for 2019 by the Baltimore Daily Record. The award recognized Allert, who has a Master of Education, for outstanding achievements demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.

Jay Crawford ’87 joined the Cleveland NBC affiliate station WKYC Channel 3 this fall. The former ESPN anchor majored in radio, TV and film. The station also plans to have Crawford anchor a new, 5 p.m. newscast, set to launch in January.

Beth Thomas Hertz ’89 of Copley, Ohio, who majored in journalism, recently joined the media and public relations staff at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.

Charles Edward Schreck ’89 of Paris recently published the book, “Poku Blooms,” which continues the story of “Along the Coast.” Both historical-fiction novels tell the story of the Tuamaxuan tribe and its struggle to save its cultural heritage and ideals while holding onto families and friends. Schreck earned a Master of Business Administration in production management and IT.

90s

Timothy Jebsen ’90 of Midland, Texas, was honored this summer with the Art Cole Lifetime of Leadership Award for his 22 years of service as executive director at Midland Community Theatre at the American Association of Community Theatre Festival in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Jebsen has a Master of Arts in theater.

Justin Grubb ’91 of Worthington, Ohio, participated in Miami University’s Earth Expeditions global field course this summer in Baja. He studied desert and marine landscapes through ecological and social field methods. Grubb received a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Jeffrey Meyers ’91, who earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, recently retired from the South Euclid (Ohio) Police Department as a lieutenant and accepted the position of deputy police chief of Fort Myers, Florida.

LeeAnn Palmer Werner ’92 of Oswego, Illinois, recently published her first book, “The Illusions of a Girl.” She received a Bachelor of Science in journalism.

Krista Figley ’93 of East Palestine, Ohio, recently had a children’s book, “Mistakes,” published under the name Krista Jonelle. Figley, who earned a Bachelor of Science in education, is a second grade teacher with 20 years of experience in the classroom.

Dr. Shanda L. Gore ’93, ’95, ’09 of Sylvania, Ohio, was appointed vice president for institutional innovation and economic development at Union Institute & University. Gore earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication, a Master of Arts in mass communication and a Doctor of Education in leadership studies.

Jason Kucsma ’96, ’00 of Sylvania, Ohio, was appointed the executive director and chief financial officer of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library in August. Kucsma earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication and a Master of Arts in American culture studies.

Dr. Bonaventure Balla Omgba ’97, a faculty member in the Department of English and Foreign Languages at Norfolk State University in Virginia, recently published the book “Aimé Césaire et les porteurs de lumière.” Balla Omgba received a Master of Arts in French.

Jim Schuck ’97 was elected as a judge of the Delaware County Common Pleas Court in November 2018. He began his six-year term on Jan. 1. Schuck was previously an attorney with Bricker and Eckler LLP in Columbus. A native of Findlay, Ohio, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and general business.

Dr. Neil Berg ’99, ’02, ’08 of Blue Ash, Ohio, was hired by 84.51° as a lead data scientist responsible for the strategic analysis known as Kroger Precision Marketing. Berg has bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology.

Chris (Nardis) Eversole ’99 of Covington, Kentucky, was promoted to assistant vice president of talent management at Ohio National Financial Services in Cincinnati. She received a Bachelor of Science in education.

Jason Lady ’99 of Beachwood, Ohio, will have his young adult novel, “Monster Problems,” published Dec. 26. Lady majored in political science and French and minored in creative writing.

00s

Ann-Marie (Lance) Daugherty ’00 of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, vice president of logistics at Giant Eagle Inc., recently was selected as a Top Woman in Grocery by Progressive Grocer in the senior-level executive category. Daugherty earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in hospitality management.

Chris McDonald ’00 of Davenport, Florida, athletic trainer for the Toledo Mud Hens, joined the field staff for the 2019 Ronald McDonald House Charities Triple-A All-Star Game in El Paso, Texas. McDonald, who just finished his sixth season with the Mud Hens, earned a Bachelor of Science in education with a specialization in sport management.

Matthew Gamber ’01 was promoted to full professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in two-dimensional studies.

Jeremy Sack ’01 of Medina, Ohio, was named a partner at TGC Engineering, one of northeast Ohio’s leading civil engineering and surveying firms. Sack, who is registered as a professional surveyor, earned a Bachelor of Science in technology with a specialization in aviation studies.

Dan Dunlap ’02 of Loveland, Ohio, participated in Miami University’s Earth Expeditions global field course this summer in Belize. He studied coral reefs, manatees, howler monkeys, jaguars and other wildlife while learning the methods communities are using to sustain them. Dunlap received a Bachelor of Science in education.

Joshua Smith ’05 was chosen as Piqua City Schools Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in education.

Austin Hamilton ’08 of Jacksonville, Florida, an attorney at Jimerson Birr, earned board certification in business litigation from the Florida Bar. Hamilton earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.

Shane Lewis ’08 of Clawson, Michigan, was hired as the director of undergraduate admissions at Oakland University. Lewis previously worked as an admissions counselor at BGSU, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism.

10s

Nick Derksen ’10, ’12 recently joined the Ohio Department of Higher Education as the director of legislative affairs. He works with Chancellor Randy Gardner ’81, ’87 and manages the legislative aspects of the state related to higher education. Derksen earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Public Administration.

Lindsey Self ’10 of Perrysburg, Ohio, was elected editor in chief of the University of Toledo Law Review. Self holds bachelor’s degrees in sociology and psychology.

Ed Bannen ’11 of Westerville, Ohio, was promoted to senior manager of Assurance and Business Advisory Services in Columbus. He received a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Dr. Justin Sprung ’11, ’13 of Decorah, Iowa, recently was granted tenure at Luther College. An associate professor of psychology, he holds master’s and doctoral degrees in industrial-organizational psychology.

Shaina A. Hombach ’12, who lives in the Dayton area, was appointed assistant Montgomery County prosecuting attorney. She received a bachelor’s degree in English.

Sara Bauer ’14 of Brunswick, Ohio, participated in Miami University’s Earth Expeditions global field course this summer in Namibia. She studied ongoing research projects such as radio tracking, cheetah conservation and ecosystem management as well as the design of school and community programs. Bauer has a Bachelor of Science in education.

Katie Begin ’15 works in regulatory affairs at the Boston Beer Co. She was part of the team that participated in the opening bell for the NYSE on Aug. 30. The company brand that was highlighted was Truly Hard Seltzer, one of the brands Begin works on. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in environmental policy and analysis with a specialization in sustainable management.

Liz Breazeale ’15 of Denver won the Prairie Schooner Book Prize for Fiction. Her book, “Extinction Events,” was published by the University of Nebraska Press in September. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at BGSU.

Cameron Teague Robinson ’15 joined the staff at the Louisville Courier-Journal to cover the University of Louisville football team. Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism.

Keith Kaplan ’17 of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, was a 2019 Honoree at Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center’s recent 50th Anniversary Benefit. He received a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

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