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.


Andrew “Andy” Skero ’56,
a former industrial arts major, lives in Pittsburgh, Pa

Tom Hopkins ’60
taught mathematics in Scottsdale, Ariz., until he retired in 1995. Although he added French to his certification and taught that language, he enjoys using the Spanish he learned at California High School when traveling. Tom and his wife, Lynda, have visited seven South American countries.  

Larry Morris ’63 is retired from the automotive industry. He and Joanna Morris live in Reno, Nev. Larry majored in industrial arts education and was in Delta Sigma Phi.

Joann Barantovich Carnes ’66 and Dr. James Carnes live in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Joann was Cal State’s 1964 Homecoming Queen and a member of Delta Zeta.

Beatrice “Bea” Esken-Worton Kuchta ’66 is president of Tech Boxz, in California, Pa. Bea studied secondary education at Cal U, where she was a dorm counselor and a member of Jazz Club and the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association. She and Edward Kuchta live in Pittsburgh, Pa.

David Tanner ’67 and Janet Patterson Tanner ’67, ’73 are retired and living in Dauphin, Pa. They have two sons and five grandchildren. Janet, a former elementary school teacher, is a certified volunteer counselor at Morningstar Pregnancy Services in Harrisburg, Pa. David served for nine years as a U.S. Navy P-3 pilot before transferring to the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a C-130 pilot and senior intelligence officer, retiring in 1997. He was stationed in the Gulf of Arabia as air wing intelligence director during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Along with this military service,  David taught industrial arts and owned an architectural consultant firm. He received  the “Who’s Who in America” Lifetime Achievement Award.

Raymond “Ray” Johnston ’67 and Isabel Johnston live in Clermont, Fla. He is a retired green-job developer with Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corp. Ray is a former industrial arts major.

The Hon. Alfred B. “Al” Bell ’69 lives  in Greensburg, Pa. He studied political  science at Cal  U.  

Sue Ann Olsavicky ’67 is the owner of Never Too Many Stamps, in Goodyear, Ariz. She and Lt. Col Robert Hicks live in Goodyear. She studied secondary education, mathematics  at Cal U.

Joseph Laslavic ’70 and Margaret Laslavic live in Pittsburgh, Pa. He majored in elementary education and counseling at  Cal U and played on the football team for four years.

Joe Panarella ’70 and Liz Panarella live in Frederick, Md. He majored in industrial  arts education at Cal U.

Gary Veltre ’70 and Rebeca Veltre live in Nineveh, Pa. Gary studied secondary education at Cal U, where he was a resident assistant in Johnson Hall and worked in the Dixon dining hall kitchen.

Joseph Waugh ’71 and Susan Clutter Waugh ’72, ’76 live in Kernersville, N.C.  Joseph studied Earth science and was a member of the Student Congress. Susan studied speech-language pathology.

Paul Rach ’69, ’72 works for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He and Janice Rach live in Monongahela, Pa. Paul studied social studies education at Cal U and was in Phi Sigma Pi.

David Huber ’74 is a retired deputy assessor supervisor. He and Donna Huber live in Mission Viejo, Calif. David majored in English at Cal U and was in Glee Club, the choir and Theta Xi.

Edward “Bud” Finfrock ’73 is a sales engineer for Ramco Specialties, in Hudson, Ohio. He and Kim Finfrock live in Uniontown, Ohio. Bud studied urban recreation at Cal U.

Lynn Robb ’72 and Curt Robb live in Bristow, Va. Lynn was an education major at Cal U.

Dennis Smiddle ’72 is executive  director of nonprofit Fans 4 Help (Health, Environment, Learning and  Play). A retired Pennsylvania childcare health and safety inspector,  Dennis has won Senior Games gold medals in football and softball competitions in five consecutive years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cal U.

Charles “Danny” Ross ’73 and Darlene Ross live in Allison Park, Pa. Danny is a former elementary education major. At Cal U he participated in basketball, track and field, and Student Congress.

Paul Bittner ’77 is a painter for Sampson Morris Corp., in Monroeville, Pa. He and Elaine Bittner live in Pittsburgh. Paul studied secondary education and social studies  at Cal U and was a member and treasurer  of Kappa Phi Kappa fraternity. He also participated in the college marching band, the community symphony orchestra and intramural basketball and softball.

Cathy Corbett Zumpetta ’77 and Dr. Anthony Zumpetta live in Calvin, Pa. She majored  in social work at Cal U and was in the  band, Social Work/Sociology Club, and  Pi Gamma Mu, along with volunteering  in the Collegiate Center.

Melanie Patterson ’82 is CEO/president of Broad Innovations LLC, in Belle Vernon, Pa. She and Robert Patterson ’68 live in Belle Vernon. Melanie studied elementary education at Cal U.

Lorene Thornburg ’83 is a litigation paralegal, legal support manager for the labor, employment and employee transitions teams at Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.’s campus in Lone Tree, Colo. She was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.

Melissa Starkes Council ’85, of Pittsburgh, Pa., teaches second grade at Pittsburgh Mifflin Elementary School. She majored in early childhood education, was in the  Young and Gifted Gospel Choir and was  a Kappa Sweetheart.

Derek Clark ’85 is a teacher in the Dearborn (Mich.) Public Schools. He studied industrial arts at Cal U.

Paula Tirpak ’86 is a speech-language pathologist for West Boca Medical Center, in Boca Raton, Fla. She and Kenneth Tirpak ’85 live in Lake Worth Beach, Fla. Paula studied speech and language pathology at Cal U and was in chorus and the Speech and Hearing Club.

John Bell ’86 is CEO of John P. Bell Consulting, in Bowie, Md. He and Deitra Bell live in Bowie. John studied political science at Cal U, where he participated in football and fencing.

Gerald “Gerry” Peterson ’86 is founder and managing principal of Tartan Group LLC. A commuter student who earned his M.B.A. through evening classes at Cal U, he and Karen Peterson live in Murrysville. Pa.

Stephen Woods ’89, of Fairview, Pa., is plant manager for Erie Forge and Steel Inc. He studied industrial management, manufacturing and numerical control at Cal U. He worked in manufacturing in Erie, Pa., and Baltimore, Md. He enjoys coaching youth hockey in his free time.

Janie Walmsley-Wilkerson ’89 is box office manager at Cal U. She and Jason Wilkerson live in Rostraver Township, Pa. As a student, she majored in political science.

Jeff Broadwater ’92, who studied  elementary education at Cal U, is the  owner of Roughcreek Holdings LLC, a manufacturing company in Frisco, Texas.

Alison Onega ’95 is a teacher from Latrobe, Pa. She studied elementary and special education at Cal U.

Sheref Zurga ’95 is a controller for World Bank Group in Washington, D.C. A resident of Silver Spring, Md., he studied business administration at Cal U.

Frank Liu ’95 lives in Taoyuan District, Taiwan. He studied biology at Cal U.

Catherine Urban Dolfi ’96, an elementary education major, is supervisor of operations for Peoples Natural Gas, in Pittsburgh, Pa. She and Brett Dolfi live in Coal Center, Pa. Col.

Jeffrey McCartney ’96, formerly of Uniontown, Pa., graduated from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle, Pa., with a master's degree in strategic studies in June 2020. His next assignment is as  deputy commander with the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency, Joint Base Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Michael Elphick ’97 is a regional account manager for Meyn, a global specialist for poultry processing equipment. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Cal U, where he completed an internship with Lucent Technologies.

Louise Urban ’98 is senior vice president  of operations for Allegheny Health Network. A graduate of Cal U’s B.S.N. program, she was president of both Canonsburg and Jefferson hospitals.  

Jenn Valeriote ’99 and her husband, Mike Fry, live in Versailles, Ky. She was a communication studies major at Cal U and an All-American centerfielder on the Vulcans’ 1997 and 1998 NCAA Division II national championship softball teams. Jenn was also a four-year standout on the volleyball team.

Marta Allshouse Smith ’00 and Ryan  Smith live in Beaufort, S.C. Marta  studied elementary and special education at Cal U.

Michelle Senneway ’00, ’04 is the Pittsburgh area’s lead volunteer for Pandemic of Love, a mutual-aid community of volunteers that has  spread across the United States and into Mexico since its start in March 2020.  

Efrain Martinez ’01 is principal of Orozco Academy in Chicago, Ill. He majored in Spanish at Cal U and was a member of the Hispanic Student Association.

Kimberly Krieg ’03 and Keith Krieg live  in Beaufort, S.C. Kimberly majored in secondary education, English at Cal U and was in Phi Sigma Pi.

Joseph Sneddon ’04 is deputy state marshal for the Maine State Marshal Service. He and Stacy Sneddon live in Phippsburg, Maine. He studied criminal justice at Cal U.

Dr. Margaret “Maggie” Hardy Knox ’05 received the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2020 Career Achievement Award at its annual Women of Influence event. President and CEO of 84 Lumber, she also oversees Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pa.

Robert Nebel ’05 is a managing partner for Apex Unlimited Services, in Washington, Pa. Rob and Ashley Nebel ’07 live in Finleyville, Pa. Rob majored in business administration at Cal U and was in Phi Kappa Sigma.

Eric Zeznanski ’06, who majored  in technology education at Cal U,  is principal and a football coach at Chestnut Ridge High School in Fishertown, Pa. He and Lauren Keefer Zeznanski ’06, ’07 live in Osterburg, Pa. They have a son,  Odin Joseph.

David Shallenberger ’07 is the lead forecaster at National Weather Service (NWS) Pittsburgh. A certified incident meteorologist, David has served in the Pennsylvania National Guard since 2001.

Jess Shumar ’07 and Wesley Shumar ’09 live in Chambersburg, Pa. Jess studied criminal justice at Cal U and was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority.

Robert John “R.J.” Thompson ’07 was  a winner at the Graphic Design USA 20th annual Web Design Awards for his video project, “Pitt Business Backstory.” R.J. is associate director of student engagement in the College of Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh. He earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic design  at Cal U.

Angela Bohus-Diaz ’08 is a teacher in the Clark County School District, in Laughlin, Nev. She and James Diaz live in Bullhead City, Ariz. Angie studied elementary education at Cal U and was active with  the choir, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Cal U Call Center. She also gave tours to incoming students.

Michael Ulderich ’10, an assistant professor of technology education at Cal U,  was selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Science and Technology Standards Rewrite Committee. Michael also used  his 3D-printing skills to produce personal protective equipment to distribute during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, his wife, Alyssa Schardong ’11, appeared in a rendition of Tomorrow,  featuring Broadway star Marisha Wallace, as the theater industry copes with the pandemic.

Nikki Popielarcheck ’11 has been elected secretary of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Association of Graduate Enrollment Professionals. She is assistant director of Graduate Admissions at Cal U.

Britney Vokish Knight ’11 is associate pastor of spiritual formation at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, in Erie, Pa. She and Zachary Knight ’14 live in Erie. Britney majored in psychology at Cal U, where she was in the Honors College and Alpha Lambda Delta. She participated in theater and dance activities and was on  the dance team.

Clyde Mealy ’11, who majored in exercise science and health promotion at Cal U, lives with Charlotte Mealy in Rancho Mission Viejo, Calif.

Edward “Ed” Robbins ’11 is a pharmacist for Associated Food Stores Inc., in West Valley City, Utah. He and Stephanie Robbins live in Sandy, Utah. Ed studied exercise science and health promotion at Cal U.

Nathaniel Dixon ’12 is the founder and  CEO of Smart Growth Advisors, a business consulting firm in Pittsburgh, Pa. He majored in communication studies at Cal U, where  he was in Sigma Tau Gamma, the Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Public Relations Student Society of America, and the Interfraternity Council. Nate lives in Wexford, Pa.

Donte Jay ’12 and Sara Gould live in Gainesville, Fla. Donte studied electrical engineering technology and played football and rugby at Cal U.

Chris Campus ’13 and Laura Campus  live in White Oak, Pa. Chris majored in mathematics at Cal U and was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Kappa Kappa Psi, and the marching, jazz and concert bands.

Fran Del Duca ’13, of Sutersville, Pa., is the founder and CEO of Brideology International LLC, an online wedding merchandise boutique. She studied middle-level education at Cal U and was a member of the Honors Program, Future Math Teachers, Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, Ballroom and Latin Dance Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Student Honors Advisory Board, Student Government, Leadership Club and Photography Club. She also was a Cal U Peer Mentor.

Michael Meehan ’13
is a teacher in the  Wake County Public School System, in Apex, N.C. He studied education at Cal U  and now lives in Holly Springs, N.C.,  with his wife, Shelby Price. U.S. Army Capt.

Nicholas Granfield ’14  is commander of the Dakota Troop, 1st Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, in Vilseck, Germany. He took part in a virtual change-of-command ceremony on April 1, 2020. Joshua Trout ’13  is the chief executive officer at Select Hospital, in Camp Hill, Pa. After earning his bachelor’s degree in sports management at Cal U, Joshua earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration at Ohio University. He is a member of the American College  of Healthcare Executives and a board member of the American Heart Association’s National Post-Acute Care Writing Committee.

Matt Hagy ’15, ’16 has been the sports information director since 2018 at Albright College in Reading, Pa. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication studies and his master’s degree in sport management at Cal U, where he participated in marching band, CUTV and WCAL, and  was sports editor of the Cal Times.

Danielle Hayes ’16 is the assistant girls’ volleyball coach at Arnold High School, in Panama City Beach, Fla. At Cal U she was a two-time all-region selection; she helped the Vulcans win the 2014 PSAC championship and make three appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Ryan Kaufman ’17 is a news producer  for WCTV in Tallahassee, Fla. He worked previously at WTAP in Parkersburg, W.Va. Ryan majored in liberal arts at Cal U and  was active with CUTV.

Lakelyn Denny ’17, ’18
is lead teacher at New Directions Partial Hospitalization Program, in Uniontown, Pa. She earned  her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and her master’s degree as a reading specialist at Cal U, where she was in Sigma Pi Epsilon Delta, Kappa Delta Pi,  the Council for Exceptional Children, and the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association.

Andrew Cohen ’18 is a school psychologist. He and Rachel Cohen live in Colorado Springs, Colo.  

Avonlea Firda ’18, of Pittsburgh, Pa., is the managed care administrator for the Pharmacy Division of Giant Eagle Inc. Avonlea holds dual degrees from Cal U:  a B.S. in Science and Technology: Multidisciplinary Studies with a minor in sociology, and a B.A. in Social Science with a minor in biology.

James Doman ’18, who studied criminal justice at Cal U, is a hazmat technician for Specialized Professional Services Inc. He and Jill Doman live in Washington, Pa.  

Shaina Hilsey ’18, who studied sport management at Cal U, was accepted to Harvard's Graduate School of Education where she’ll pursue an M.Ed. in Higher Education. As a student, Shaina was a member of the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. In 2018 she was one of 10 college women selected to serve on  the American Association of University Women’s National Student Advisory Council. She is a policy analyst for the office of Postsecondary Education at  the U.S. Department of Education.

Ivy Jackson ’18
and Jevone Norman ’18 live in Coatesville, Pa. Ivy studied early childhood education at Cal U and was in the Young and Gifted Gospel Choir, the Black Student Union, TRIO, Cal U Women United, Kappa Delta Pi and the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association.

Evan Johnson ’18 is manager of quality assurance at the University of Pittsburgh. He majored in computer information systems at Cal U and played in the marching band. Evan and Jill Johnson live in Washington, Pa.

Andrew Kotlar ’18 is operations manager at 84 Lumber, in Eighty Four, Pa. He studied sport management at Cal U.

Gino Wolfe ’18 and Sue Wolfe live in Oak Harbor, Wash. A mental health clinician, Gino majored in sociology at Cal U.

Wanda Anderson ’19 is a registered nurse for Miners Medical Center, in Hastings, Pa. She and Dick Anderson live in Clymer, Pa.

Alex Arnold ’20 is an interpretive park ranger at Gateway National Recreation Area, in Sandy Hook, N.J. He earned degrees in both history and parks and recreation at Cal U, where he was a student member of the Council of Trustees and a member of Student Government and the Parks and Recreation Student Society.  

Jake Krause ’20, who majored in biology  at Cal U, lives in Washington, Pa.

Michelle Tirado ’20, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, is the women veterans program manager for the New Mexico VA Health Care System in Albuquerque. She graduated from Cal U with a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration and Leadership.

KirkRyan McFarland '13, '14 and Valerie McFarland welcomed their first child, daughter BrookLyn Grace McFarland, on Aug. 29, 2020. She weighed 8 pounds and was 19 inches long.

Angie Bohus ’08 and James Diaz were married on December 31, 2019, in Henderson, Nev. The couple lives in Bullhead City, Ariz. Both teach in the Clark County School District.

Ted Geibel ’60 and Rosemary Geibel ’59 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June 2020. Ted taught in the Canonsburg and Butler school districts before becoming a registered architect. He then worked for BHKR in Butler, Pa., and Eckels in New Castle, Pa. Rosemary taught in the Upper Saint Clair and Butler school districts before owning a private preschool. The retired couple now live at St. Barnabas Retirement Village in Gibsonia, Pa.  

Art Figurski ’63 and Pat Figurski '63 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 19, 2020. They were the first married couple to receive the Scholarship Awards in their respective fields upon graduation, Pat in mathematics and Art in industrial arts. Following their teaching careers, they served together in occupational ministry and now live in North Carolina.

Robert Suchy ’69 and Sandy Trona Suchy ’69 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 6, 2020. The couple, who have a daughter, Joelle, live in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The Hon. Fred C. Adams Sr. ’48

Wayne Alexander ’74

Sandra Ballentyne ’70

Joseph H. Batterby Sr. ’58

Gloria Kathleen Therese Vagnoni Beck ’61

Elaine C. Bender ’52

Dr. William R. Benedetti,* former dean and emeritus professor of education

John N. Bente ’86

Bonnie McNab Bertini ’88, ’96

Cindy Bohnak ’96

Andrew Cairns ’70

Harold A. Christopher ’60

Azure Dee Mary Kathleen Comedy ’02

Elaine Costello ’64,  emerita professor of chemistry

Donna J. Cox ’72

Ronald Anthony D’Amico ’76

Helen Ciappa Davis ’63

James W. Derrick ’68

Robert Francis Diehl ’64

Ralph “Rick” DiPiazza ’74

Mary E. Donahoo ’68

Sandra J. Dran ’71

Sandra L. Dunn ’75

David B. Evans ’67

Mary Z. Fabian ’85

Nancy M. Farkos ’79

Howard Fields ’64

Andrew Robert Freeman Jr. ’71

Mark M. Hall ’95

Marie K. Harless ’66

Leo R. Hill ’71

Brenda Jennion ’83

Verteree Cole Johnson ’00

Barry L. Jones ’68

Joseph A. Karpa ’82

Kathleen C. Kelemen ’68

Steven M. Kime,* former maintenance and grounds supervisor

Sandi K. Kindervater ’79

Jeffrey M. Knudson ’92

Kemp W. Konick ’69

Jamie J. Kudas ’89

Deborah S. Lee ’95

Ronald L. Leech ’77

Gail Bronwyn Lese '83, former trustee Donna Lincavage ’74, ’78

Steven W. Lutska ’83

Marian Cecilia Lynch ’65

Betsy Mechling ’72

Margaret A. Miller ’60

Linda Schneider Mehlman ’68

Leonard Jonathan Moncheck ’72

Myron M. Myrga Sr. ’62

Mary Elizabeth Parr ’74

Perry Anthony Pinto ’69, ’72

Richard Alan Pulig ’86

Mark “Swifty” Puskarich ’74

Marion Claire Ramage-Saeli ’71, ’74

Joyce Arlene Roscoe ’70

Bonita Lee Rymarchyk ’04

Shirley Shipley ’74

The Rev. Mark J. Skertich ’96

Andrew F. Suchko ’59

Robert L. Sumara ’15

Michael S. Tetteris Sr. ’67

P. Ronald Tarullo,* emeritus professor of business and economics

Michael T. Twardy ’59

Bernard Tychinski ’77

Richard Tylka ’60

Melvin Ujchick ’63

Suzanne Vacheresse ’59

Henry Vogt ’67 Steven R. Westover ’83

Carol Wagner Williams ’63

Candie Todaro Wood ’86

Dr. Peter H. Wright,* emeritus professor of technology education

Robert J. Ziegler ’83

Paul Zolak ’69, ’73

Katherine D. Zollars ’49

Ronald Zubaty ’77

*No class year available or on file

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