College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Keep up with our graduates as they share their stories about life after the University of Dayton.

John Gibson '67 (ENG) and Maryann Geihaus Gibson (EDE) live in Red Bank, N.J. They write, “We visited campus this past August. It was a wonderful homecoming. The campus looks amazing. We visited the beautiful, refurbished chapel. As we toured the campus, we were approached several times by friendly students who asked if we needed directions. We had lunch in Kennedy Union and were impressed with the food selections. Maryann’s old house at 330 Lowes was gone, but John’s house on Stonemill was looking better than it did 50 years ago. A nice young man invited us in to look around. Yes, sometimes you can go home again.”

Vince Shankey '69 (BIO) and Maureen Hoffman Shankey '69 (FAE-FA) live in St. Petersburg, Fla. They write, “We both work from home, so we can live anywhere. We chose St. Petersburg for the beach and amazing art and fine craft community. Vince is director of research for Aseda Sciences in West Lafayette, Ind. Maureen is an art jeweler, thanks to Brother Louis A. Weber, S.M. He started a jewelry-making program at UD the year before we graduated and let Maureen come to the studio even though she couldn’t afford to take the class. She went on to earn a master’s of fine art in jewelry and metalwork and then to teach at several colleges.”

Mary Kaufman '71 (ENG) retired from Delta Air Lines in 2005 after a career spanning over 30 years. She lives up the street from Wrigley Field, so in 2006, she began working for the Chicago Cubs. Mary has been there for the last 11 seasons. She writes, “For a lifelong Chicagoan and history minor, this has been one remarkable year. Last time the Chicago Cubs were World Series Champions was in 1908! We were able to share in the victory year when the trophy was on display at our end-of-the-season party.”

Dan Kelley '71 (SOC) and Mary Cunniff Kelley '71 (EDE) live in San Diego. They write, “Four of our six grandchildren wore UD apparel when attending ‘College Day’ at Gwinn-San Martin Science Academy in Morgan Hill, Calif. We weren’t so fortunate with our other two grandchildren, since their mother went to Creighton and their aunt to Notre Dame.”

Brian Parry '71 (SOC) lives in Roseville, Calif. He writes, “Steve Lorenz of Vermont, Terry Mambort of Toledo, Ohio, and I met for a few days in San Francisco for some fun. We were roommates from the Class of 1971. We read the University of Dayton Magazine in front of AT&T Park before a Giants game. We meet once a year somewhere for a mini reunion.”

Jackie Krebs Eovino '72 (FRN) and Frank Eovino '72 (EDP) live in Louisville, Ky. They write, “Bill Mills ’72 and Ellen Eichenlaub Mills ’72 hosted us for a weekend of UD basketball, which is always a great reason for a reunion. We also had dinner with Maureen Quealy Johns and her husband, Steve.”

Danielle Ryan O’Reilly '74 (COM) and Ed O’Reilly '74 (ACC) live in Westville, Ind. They write, “We read our University of Dayton Magazine at Dublin Castle in April 2016 on a family trip to Ireland. We visited family in County Mayo to celebrate the centenary of the Easter Rebellion.”

Carol Benetize Cullen '78 (SWK) lives in West Palm Beach, Fla. She writes, “I celebrated my 60th birthday in Lavonia, Ga., with friends and fellow alumni from the Classes of 1977 and 1978. Guests included Patti Fink ’78, Ann Fehring Wilburn ’78, Cindy DiGregory Roberts ’77 and Ann Zengerle ’78.”

Michael Licata '78 (CRJ) and Susan Pelino Licata ’77 (MKT) live in Williamsville, N.Y. He writes, “I retired Dec. 30, 2016, from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, where I was a captain and substance abuse coordinator. The Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation honored me for my 35 years of service at the 25th annual community service awards dinner on May 12, 2016. I also received the Friends of Prevention Award from Western New York United for my work in prevention and for my dedication to the field. Susan and I are looking forward to a new chapter in our lives. We will continue to support UD alumni activities and athletics.”

William A. Potts '79 (CRJ) lives in Jefferson Hills, Pa. He writes, “I retired on July 23, 2016, after 34 years of service with the Borough of Jefferson Hills Police Department.”

Kathleen “Kitty” Munger '81 (COM) lives in Dublin, Ohio. The city’s mayor and city manager were among those who selected Kitty as the 2017 Dublin Irish Festival Honorary Chair to lead the event’s 30th anniversary celebration Aug. 4-6. Kitty is one of the festival’s founders, and in 2012 received the president’s volunteer service award for her contributions to the festival. Kitty writes, “Ireland and Irish culture is in my blood, starting with my grandmother who was born in County Clare. When I think about my legacy and what I’m honored to have been a part of, the Dublin Irish Festival is at the top of my list.” Kitty is the executive director of the Wendy’s Old Fashioned Franchise Association.

Mike Williams '82 (HST) lives in Vandalia, Ohio. He writes, “My article ‘Flyers in the Finals’ about Dayton’s run to the finals of the 1967 NCAA men’s basketball tournament was the cover story for the January-March 2017 issue of Timeline magazine, published by Ohio History Connection. The article is based on a variety of sources, including microfilm of newspaper and magazine accounts from the 1966-67 season, as well as interviews I did with Don Donoher and former team members Dan Sadlier and Gene Klaus.”

Patti Junker Gray '83 (POL) lives in Pittsburgh. She writes, “In 1980, Lynda Gordon Joseph ’83, Sue Harrington Filloon ’83, Janet Bricmont Stone ’83, Cathy Boling Kosinski ’84, Paula Marchese Patriarca ’84 and I met in the hallways of Marycrest 7 North. During the past 36 years, we’ve celebrated weddings, shared in the joy of the birth of babies, comforted each other after the death of loved ones and always encouraged one another’s dreams. We gathered at the Jersey Shore for sun, laughs and reconnection one weekend in August 2016.”

Lisa Patterson Hanahan ’85 (SWK) and Douglas Hanahan '91 (IET) live in Oak Ridge, Tenn. He writes, “I am truly grateful for my UD education. Our oldest daughter, Jennifer Hanahan ’11, is also a UD graduate. My career has taken me to Oak Ridge as a waste acceptance manager for RSI, a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy. I have a number of responsibilities, including interfacing with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Environmental Protection Agency. I also serve as waste management lead supporting environmental cleanup at the East Tennessee Technology Park. I plan, direct and monitor multiple projects.”

Laura Stramaglia Masuras '86 (RTV-CMM) lives in Sugar Grove, Ill. She writes, “Mary Kelly Brunsman ’87, Valerie Chase Campbell ’87, Debra Ivone Kelly ’87, Beth Gordon Bruns ’87 and I met in Nashville in September 2016 for a Campus South/Alpha Phi reunion weekend. The biannual vacations have been going strong for more than 20 years.”

Andrew Natale '86 (POL) lives in Troy, Ohio. Super Lawyers 2017 has named him to its 2017 Ohio Super Lawyers list. Andrew is an attorney at Frantz Ward LLP.

Tom Rock '88 (PUB) married Terry Cosentino Nov. 12, 2016, in Rye, N.Y. Tom writes, “Many UD family members and their spouses attended, including many former colleagues. Those attending included Maureen Becker ’75, who was my supervisor when I was her federal work study student in the graduate studies office; Rob Durkle ’78 and Myron Achbach ’58, who were my supervisors when I worked as an admission counselor and assistant director in the office of admission; Suzanne Petrusch ’95, Steve Okuley ’92 and Amy Ackerman ’89, who were my colleagues in the office of admission; and Steve Clark ’88, Susie Schreiner O’Toole Corbett ’87 and Kate Cavin Weston ’87, friends from Celebration show choir. It was a great gathering.” The couple lives in New York City.

Waleed Fadayel '89 (BIO) and Gina Abbate Fadayel (MET) live in Maineville, Ohio. They write, “We toured Jerash, Jordan, with our children Samuel ’17 and Stephanie ’18 while spending time with Osama Fadayel ’86 and the Fadayel clan. It was the trip of a lifetime to visit Jordan, Lebanon and Austria to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.”

Megan Flynn Finnigan '90 (SWK) and Tim Finnigan '90 (MKT) live in Wilmette, Ill. They write, “Tim is chief marketing officer for Allant Group and an adjunct digital marketing instructor at Loyola University Chicago. Megan is senior director of human resources at Baxter Healthcare. We have three children: Ellie, born in 2001; Caroline, born in 2002; and Clare, born in 2005.”

Susan “Suz” Harold Hines '90 (ENG / FRN) lives in Indianapolis. Suz writes, “After nine years with the state of Indiana, I’ve switched gears and joined Bentley Systems as a technical support engineer. I’ve also been back to campus multiple times since August to drop off, pick up and visit my twin freshman daughters. Thank you to local Dayton alumni for the legacy welcomes.”

Kristina Kerscher Keneally '91 (POL) and her husband, Ben, live in Gladesville, Australia. She writes, “I’m the host of two political talk shows on Sky News Australia and a columnist for The Guardian, writing about politics, religion, feminism and, occasionally, basketball.” Kristina received her master’s degree in theology from UD in 1995. In 2009, she was elected the first female premier of New South Wales and held that position until 2011.

Kristen Weinstein Eglinton '92 (ART) lives in New York City. She writes, “After graduating from UD, I earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in social sciences from the University of Cambridge. Eight years ago, I founded a nonprofit organization, Footage Foundation, that works with youth throughout the world. It was my work at UD that set the course for this action. Footage Foundation (footageyouth.org) runs the Girl-Talk-Girl program (girltalkgirl.org), assisting young women who are subject to gender-based violence in the United States and Russia, and supported by the U.S. State Department. Four UD alumni are on my advisory board. My nonprofit work is based on storytelling and compassion — the latter, a value I cultivated at UD. We are starting work this year with refugees globally. In 2016, we presented our methods, by request, at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. It’s all been a dream come true.”

Sean Halloran '92 (JRN) and his wife, Cheryl, live in Mainesville, Ohio. He writes, “I work as an IT recruiter and professional career coach. We keep very busy with my daughter, Fiona, who’s on the Mason High School water polo team and is heavily involved with church groups. My son, Jack, plays tennis for his middle school team and is learning trumpet. I keep busy on the side with the UD alumni pep band and, more recently, as the lead singer and guitar player for an active Cincinnati-area Irish folk-rock band, Lost Celts.”

Frank Chawk '94 (INS) lives in Alexandria, Va. He writes, “I’m a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps and a foreign area officer for Europe. Last spring, I attended a three-day seminar at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs to discuss European security issues with other military officers, former ambassadors and experts in European matters. Zlatko Kaurin ’11 (INS) is a graduate student at George Washington and helped organize the event. We met and found we’re both INS majors from UD. Go Flyers." 

Matt Joseph '94 (ENG) lives in Dayton. Carroll High School (Dayton) named him to its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in October 2016. Inclusion is based on academic excellence, career achievement, Christian leadership, dedicated service, philanthropy, heroism, humanitarianism and cultural enrichment. Matt has served as a Dayton City Commissioner since 2004.

Sarah Kendrick Kline '94 (PUB) writes, “After two years of living in Ankara, Turkey, my husband, daughter and I have moved to Annapolis, Md. I spearhead a global initiative called 5k4Refugees with three friends, raising money and awareness for refugees. Learn more at www.5k4Refugees.com.”

Steven Berry '97 (HST / PHL) has been hired as director of development for Merit School of Music in Chicago, where he lives. Previously, Steven was senior director of development at the Green Music Center in Sonoma County, Calif. Steven writes, “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to return to Chicago. Music has been a huge part of my life, and playing music, access to lessons and music appreciation shaped my identity as a young person and continue to enrich my life. Ensuring that young people have access to high-quality music education is an incredibly important mission.”

Joe Pott '00 (RTV-CMM) lives in Saint Louis. He writes, “I went on a family trip to Walt Disney World and brought along the summer edition of the University of Dayton Magazine. Along for the trip were Flyers Emily Stenson Pott ’00 and Liz Stenson Benton ’03.

Katrina Wanzer Derhake ’01 (ENG) and Thomas Derhake '00 (ELE) announce the birth of Leila Caroline (7-5-16), who joins brothers Dylan and Oliver at home in Chicago.

Jose Javier Pratts '03 (MED) and Ana Maria Pratts-Durand (PUB) announce the birth of Javier Jose (2-11-15), who joins sisters Sara Isabel, 5, and Ana Sofia, 3, at home in Brentwood, Tenn.

Faith Isenhath Whittaker '04 (HST) lives in Liberty Township, Ohio. She writes, “Chase College of Law recently selected me to receive the Outstanding Alumnus of the Past Decade award. I was very honored to receive the award, and at the luncheon where I was recognized I thanked Chase and also the University of Dayton. I am thankful for my education and experience at UD, which helped me go to law school and develop my career. I am a partner with Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in Cincinnati, practicing labor and employment law.”

Robert Armstrong '05 (MED) and Kristin Hamberger Armstrong '05 (CMT) live in Orchard Park, N.Y., with their two sons. Robert writes, “I was recently inducted as a fellow in the American College of Surgeons. I completed my general surgery residency at University Hospitals in Cleveland and my medical degree at Wright State University. I’m now a partner in a practice in Buffalo, N.Y.”

Caren Minniti Harrison '05 (GEN) lives in Cincinnati. She writes, “We all traveled to beautiful Montauk, N.Y., in September to celebrate Jessie Coleman’s wedding. Joining us were Class of 2005 alumni Jillian Burt McGuire, Abby Dahlinghaus Connell, Taryn Osborn Rechenbach, Jessica Coleman Lentini, Jennifer Struhar Schrock, Mary Cassinelli Gaffey and Katie Muskovich Brokke.”

Karen Sorensen Helm '05 (CMT) and Kevin Helm '05 (INB) announce the birth of twins Adeline Lois and Claudia Marie (8-24-16), who join them at home in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Joe Herzog '05 (CMT) and Catherine O’Connor Herzog ’06 (CMT) announce the birth of twins Caroline Kathleen and Joey William (9-17-16), who join 3-year-old siblings Jack and Phinn at home in Cincinnati.

Mallory Carlson Strong '05 (CJS / POL) lives in Cleveland. She writes, “I recently took a vacation with fellow UD alumni Kevin Crawford, Colleen Eynon, Kathleen Kress, Shannon Walker Crawford, Joanne Pfeiffer, Shannon Vandenhaute Lembach and Katie Patek. Everywhere we go, we bring our UD flag and all of our other UD gear. This year, we brought two UD flags and ‘decked out’ the pool deck.”

Krista Bjelopetrovich Schrage '06 (POL) lives in North Las Vegas, Nev. She writes, “A very special thank you to my Flyer family for the outpouring of love after my husband, Joe, passed away unexpectedly Oct. 3, 2016. I am so touched by all your prayers, comforting words and generous gifts. Joe enjoyed meeting so many of you when he and I attended my 10-year reunion last June. Thank you for rallying around me and our children, Tripp, 3, and Mila, 1, during this heartbreaking time.”

Jonathan Radwan '07 (CIS) and Kelly Foster Radwan ’09 (EMS) announce the birth of Jonathan Thaddeus Jr. (5-4-16), who joins sister Jovie at home in Avon Lake, Ohio. 

Sister Teresa Christi Balek, O.P. '08 (HST) lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. She writes, “I made my perpetual vows with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist July 27, 2016, in Ann Arbor. Alumni in attendance included Erin Lappe ’08, Elizabeth Mason ’08, Asha Manuel ’08 and Marisa Congelio Saelzler ’08. Also in attendance was Michael Carter, UD associate professor of history. Former faculty member Father John Putka, S.M., offered Mass in absentia. Currently, I’m teaching in Phoenix. I’ve worked in our community’s vocations office and in campus ministry at The Catholic University of America, where I also completed a master’s degree in American history. Many prayers for the UD community, where some of you remember me as Lauren Balek.”

Megan Bennett '08 (POL / COM) lives in Cleveland, where she’s joined the firm of Frantz Ward as an associate. She graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 2016.

Brandon Cramer '08 (MED) and Katie Welsh Cramer '08 (EMM) announce the birth of Eloise Jane (10-30-15), who joins sisters Lucy and Phoebe at home in Liburn, Ga.

Brittany Miller '08 (PUB) lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C. She writes, “I took my University of Dayton Magazine with me to Charleston, S.C., on a vacation with a group of alumni. We rented a beach house to celebrate the year we all turned 30. Fellow 2008 classmates included Rachel O’Connor Zimmerman, John Zimmerman, Emily Doherty, Jaron Austin, Chris Geiger, Tony Rush, Elizabeth Singler, Ross Beyerle, Alex Sutula and Brad Freas, along with Megan Beyerle, Meaghan Geiger and Megan Sutula.”

Ryann Gilton '09 (PUB) married Ayo Fapohunda Aug. 6, 2016, at Pinnacle Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio. She writes, “Alumni in attendance included Michelle Cunningham ’09, Ashlee Essex ’09, Lawrence Pelt ’10 and Stephen Vincent ’09. We traveled to Europe for our honeymoon.” The couple lives in Washington, D.C.

Alex Hoffman '09 (VCA) lives in Naperville, Ill. He writes, “Louis Suttmann ’09 and I rode our bikes across Austria this summer. Lou and I were random roommates during freshman year and lived together all four years. After graduation, Louis moved to Salzburg, Austria, to work at the American International School, where he’s still working. His father, who also grew up in the Dayton area, works there as well, and the family has connections to Steyr, Austria, sister city to Kettering, Ohio, which is how the Austria connection originally formed. Lou and I spent eight days riding from the west to the east of Austria.”

Michael Knezevic '09 (ENG) married Carrie Robison (EIS) Aug. 1, 2016 in Dayton. They write, “We met at UD and got engaged on the front porch of 240 Kiefaber Ave., where it all began. About 55 UD alumni attended the wedding, including Denis Berger ’53. Rudy Flyer even made a surprise appearance. The wedding party included Ashley Robison ’14, Sarah Parr ’10, Brian Hoyer ’08, Dan Bade ’08 and Doug Wiersma ’08, as well as current student Annie Knezevic ’18. Michael works in sales for an industrial equipment company.” The couple lives in Washington Township, Ohio.

Mary Clare Jordan '10 (PUB) married Jim O’Connor '10 (FIN)(ECB) April 9, 2016, at Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago. They write, “Approximately 40 UD alumni attended. The reception was at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago.” The couple lives in Chicago.

Michael Plaspohl '10 (CJS) and his wife, Julie, announce the birth of Mackenzie Jane (10-26-16), who joins sisters Alexandra and Elizabeth at home in Broadview Heights, Ohio.

Laina Grote '11 (VCD) married Tanner Adams ’12 (ELE) Sept. 17, 2016, in Westerville, Ohio. They write, “Many former Flyers celebrated with us, including four in the wedding party: Ashley Fithen Allison ’11, Loni Dickerhoof ’11, Ryan Mellion ’12 and Adam Von Lehmden ’13. Loni and Ryan actually arranged our meeting on Halloween weekend in 2011. We have been inseparable ever since.” The couple lives in Westerville, Ohio.

Carly Hensley '11 (BIO) lives in Cincinnati. She writes, “It all started when our friend Tim Bencic ’11 invited us to his family’s lake house in Cleveland the summer before our senior year. Our group of UD friends has gone every year since then, and it always turns out to be one of the best weekends of the year. With everyone now living in different places, this is a great chance for our college buddies to get together and reminisce about our days in Dayton. Those of us who joined Tim in 2016 include: Liam Steinberg, Nick Hanneken, Ian Freeman, Sean Freeman, Pete Zestermann, Dana White, Ann Kohus Zestermann, Brendan Hader, Samantha Sippel, Marcos Abreo and me.”

Lauren Maddente '12 (CJS) lives in Delafield, Wis. She has joined the firm of Fox, O’Neill & Shannon S.C. in Milwaukee as an associate. Lauren provides legal services within the firm’s business and litigation practice groups.

Jennifer Andrews '13 (MED) married Austin Heminger ’14 (ACC)(FIN) July 16, 2016, in Cincinnati. They write, “Many UD alumni attended, including Grant Heminger, Jeff Timpone, Chris Glavan, Mary Toyoda, Nick Capelety, Olivia Weyler, Matt Oxman, Courtney Edwards, Scott Johnson, Nick DiNovo, Frank Weyler, Mark Fitzgerald, Steve Perkins, Mitch Chamberlin, Paul Ternzi, Kylie Rook, Kyle Hodgeman, Maddie Whelan and Sadie Whelan.” The couple lives in Cincinnati with their chocolate lab puppy, Rudy.

Meghan Mathews '15 (BIO) lives in Grove City, Ohio. Meghan was recently accepted to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, IL. 

Megan Burton '16 (HST / CMM) has joined Jesuit volunteer organization JVC Northwest as a full-time volunteer with Catholic Charities of Spokane in Spokane, Wash.

Flannery Cohill '16 (PHO) has joined Jesuit volunteer organization JVC Northwest as a full-time volunteer with L’Arche Noah Sealth in Seattle, Wash.