Class Notes - Spring 2020
1950s
TONY EARL, ’58 (Social Science), the former governor of Wisconsin, was celebrated Nov. 7, 2019 during “Toasting Tony Earl,” an event held to honor the 50th anniversary of his election to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
1960s
JOHN MCDOUGALL, ’69, M.D. ’72 (Both in Human Medicine), a pioneer in preventive medicine, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. McDougall pursued a track straight to medical school, despite suffering a debilitating stroke at 18.
1970s
RICH NEWBERG, M.A. ’71 (Communication Arts and Sciences), received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis “Who’s Who” in recognition of his career in the field of journalism. Newberg is the former senior correspondent for WIVB-TV in Buffalo, New York, joining the CBS affiliate in 1978 and retiring in 2015.
JEFF RIVARD, ’72 (Communication Arts and Sciences), has been inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame. Previously, Rivard was the executive director of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association for 23 years.
JACK SCHRIPSEMA, ’73 (Business), recently retired as president and CEO of the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (GLCVB). Schripsema joined the GLCVB in 2012 and was influential in establishing the Lansing area as a destination, topping the 1 million room night mark in 2016.
JULIUS C. DORSEY, JR., ’74 (Communication Arts and Sciences), the president of Dorsey & Company, was invited to speak with graduating advertising students. His talk, entitled “Wherever you Land, Know the Difference between Marketing with an ‘M’ vs. an ‘m’: It Matters,” touched on the importance of the critical marketing functions necessary to run a successful advertising or public relations campaign.
RAYMOND E. FORD, ’75 (Engineering), MBA ’90 (Business), recently received his master’s in program and project management from the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Ford plans to write a book about his experiences as a nontraditional student.
WENDY JAMES, ’75 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was honored with the Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award by Lake Superior State University. James established the Better World Group (BWG) in Los Angeles, California, in 1999. Since BWG’s establishment, James has developed a unique expertise in the media, government, corporate and nonprofit sectors with a focus on environmental issues. BWG has been behind some of the nation’s boldest climate policies and environmental strategies.
BILL MCBRIDE, ’75 (Arts and Letters), has been named executive director of the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association is the voice of the nation’s governors and one of the most respected public policy organizations in the country. The association’s members are the governors of the 55 states, territories and commonwealths.
MARIE VANERIAN, ’76 (Social Science), the managing director of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Troy, Michigan, was recently recognized by Barron’s as a Hall of Fame adviser. The prestigious recognition has been given to only 145 financial advisers in the United States. To qualify, each member must have been named in 10 or more of Barron’s annual Top 100 adviser rankings previously. Vanerian has been recognized as an industry expert and thought leader throughout her career, which has spanned more than 40 years.
ERNEST L. NICOLAY III, ’77, MBA ’79 (Both in Business), has become the chairman of Kar’s Nuts, following 25 years as CEO. Nicolay will remain actively involved in the company’s operations following the appointment of Victor Mehren as the new CEO.
1980s
STELLA H. CASH, M.S. ’80 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), was named the 2019 recipient of the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. She’s the former director of MSU’s dietetics program. Now, she’s vice president of Development and Strategic Partnerships at the Sparrow Health System.
MICHAEL STEVENSON, ’81 (James Madison), has joined Labaton Sucharow LLP as a partner in its whistleblower representation practice. For more than 50 years, Labaton Sucharow has been one of the country’s premier law firms representing businesses, institutional investors and consumers in complex securities and business litigation.
ALAN WERNETTE, ’82 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), was recognized for 31 years of service as the senior State Park interpreter by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Wernette interprets the natural, historical and cultural resources of Ludington State Park, making visits meaningful for all guests.
SUSAN R. STACK, ’83 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was recently named communications coordinator and public information officer for the Kane County Health Department in Aurora, Illinois. Stack is also an adjunct professor of mass communication at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois.
ALISON MURPHY, ’85 (Business), has been appointed director of Buildings and Grounds at Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson, New York.
JOHN R. CHIMINSKI, ’86 (Engineering), received the inaugural CPhl Pharma Awards Lifetime Achievement Award during the world’s largest pharmaceutical exhibition, CPhl Worldwide. Chiminski is the chair and CEO of Catalent, a leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, gene therapies and consumer health products.
LEV RAPHAEL, Ph.D. ’86 (Arts and Letters), recently republished his book “Let’s Get Criminal,” a murder mystery following Nick Hoffman, the protagonist of his Nick Hoffman Academic Mystery series.
WILLIAM SULLIVAN, ’88 (Natural Science), was recently named president of the North American Spine Society. Dr. Sullivan received his medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1993 and is professor of Medicine and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
DEBORAH DIESEN, ’89 (Social Science), recently authored the children’s book “Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America,” published by Beach Lane Books. The picture book is a historical look at the activists who worked tirelessly to secure the right for all to vote. Diesen is also author of “The Pout-Pout Fish,” a New York Times bestseller.
DAVID ROUSH, Ph.D. ’89 (Social Science), a juvenile justice expert, was recently honored by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) with the 2019 Bernard P. Harrison Award of Merit. The award is NCCHC’s highest honor and is presented to an individual or group that has demonstrated excellence and service in advancing the correctional health care field, either through an individual project or a history of service.
1990s
PAUL BLATT, ’92 (Social Science), was recently promoted to CEO of JVS Human Services. Blatt has been with the Southfield-based agency since 2008, serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the nonprofit for the last five years. JVS Human Services is one of the leading human services agencies in metropolitan Detroit, enhancing the lives of job seekers, people with disabilities and seniors.
STEPHEN M. POTTER, ’92 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), has been appointed as Commander, 75th Innovation Command, Detroit Element, United States Army Reserves, in support of Army Futures Command.
ANDREW L. REIP, ’92 (Engineering), recently joined Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC (AHP) as director of Information Technology. Reip brings 25 years of experience to the role, with skills honed in the health care and health insurance industries. AHP is a Michigan-based certified public accounting and consulting firm.
BILL HERBST, JR., ’93 (Communication Arts and Sciences, Honors College), the vice president of Grand Rapids-based SeyferthPR, recently joined the firm’s ownership team. Since joining the firm in 2016, Herbst has been instrumental in developing a video production department as well as media relations and strategy for clients including: McDonald’s, Envision Ada, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and others.
KATIE FITZGERALD, ’94 (James Madison), was recently named executive vice president and chief operating officer at Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Fitzgerald will oversee the organization’s supply chain, equity initiatives, programs, network relations and research departments, and will lead the efforts to advance Feeding America’s strategic plan.
SIOBHAN MCVAY, ’94 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), MNSE ’96 (Education, Natural Science), was recognized as a recipient of the 2017 Presidential Award For Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). McVay is a chemistry and physical sciences teacher at Delran High School in Delran, New Jersey. Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award given by the U.S. Government to kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers of mathematics and science, including computer science.
SHANNON SCHOKORA, ’94 (Business, Honors College), is now the director of Finance of the Ford House, the historic estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford. In her new role, Schokora leads all financial functions of the nonprofit museum. She is a certified public accountant with 20 years of experience in nonprofit, health care, consulting and human services industries.
MARLON C. LYNCH, ’95 (Social Science), was appointed chief safety officer by the University of Utah, the first in the university’s history. Lynch will have responsibility and oversight of all campus safety initiatives.
ROBERT SROUFE, MBA ’95, Ph.D. ’00 (Both in Business), recently published “The Power of Existing Buildings: Save Money, Improve Health and Reduce Environmental Impacts,” a step-by-step guide to retrofitting existing buildings and reducing the environmental impacts of new construction projects.
JENNIFER TURNER, ’95 (Social Science), was named CEO of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville. Founded in 1980, TPAC is a nonprofit dedicated to providing and supporting the presentation of the performing and cultural arts. Previously, Turner served as the president of the Chicago Spartans, where she was one of the co-founders of SpartyBall.
PETER T. KATZMARZYK, Ph.D. ’97 (Education), the associate executive director for Population and Public Health Sciences at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, is a member of the 2019 Highly Cited Researchers List. The list, released by the Web of Science Group, identifies scientists and social scientists who produced multiple papers ranking in the top 1% by citations for their field and years of publication, demonstrating significant research influence among their peers.
CLARE PFEIFFER, ’97 (Communication Arts and Sciences, Arts and Letters), was recently promoted to director of Communications & Engagement at Ford House, the historic estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford in Grosse Pointe Shores. Pfeiffer will lead a team charged with media relations, social media, digital communications, the membership program, community outreach, marketing and planning public events like the DSO at Ford House and the estate’s holiday events.
ABDALMAJID KATRANJI, M.D. ’99 (Human Medicine), recently completed a humanitarian and medical relief mission in Jordan. In partnership with Atlantic Humanitarian Relief and Al-Gharraa Charity Organization, Dr. Katranji, an orthopedic hand surgery specialist, treated and performed surgery on refugees and impoverished persons across 6 different Jordanian hospitals. Dr. Katranji owns and practices from the Katranji Hand Center in East Lansing.
2000s
JENNIFER WIMBISH, Ph.D. ’01 (Education), president emeritus of Cedar Valley Community College and CEO of B/W Success Strategies Consulting Firm, recently published the book “Leadership Wisdom For All Generations: Unique Insights from Authentic Leaders,” which features personal anecdotes from leaders who positively impacted Wimbish’s life.
TONY GRANT, ’02 (Engineering), MBA ’05 (Business), the CEO of Northern United Brewing Company and former long snapper for the MSU Football team, had plans approved by the East Lansing City Council to place a Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales brewery at 218 Albert Ave. as part of the Center City District project. The location will be the ninth Jolly Pumpkin establishment in Michigan.
RACHEL MALOWINSKI, ’03 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), was recently promoted to senior manager at Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC’s Grand Rapids office.
MATT MANOSKY, ’04 (Business), was recently named tax partner at BDO USA, LLP in Detroit.
ERIC FISCHER, ’05, M.S. ’06 (Both in Business), was recently named tax partner at BDO USA, LLP in Grand Rapids.
LINDSAY BRYAN-PODVIN, ’08 (Social Science), recently published “The Financial Anxiety Solution,” a workbook to cope with money stress and make smarter money moves. Bryan-Podvin was inspired to write her book after receiving her MSW and working as a mental health therapist where the issue of money arose often.
2010s
RYAN IRVIN, J.D. ’11 (Law), the co-founder and chief operating officer of Change Media Group, has established the advertising and creative agency as one of the nation’s top 500 fastest growing private companies, as recognized by Inc. Magazine.
LISA NEUMANN, ’11 (Music, Honors College), was recently promoted to senior accountant by Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC in their Greater Lansing office.
WHITNEY GRAVELLE, ’12 (Social Science), was appointed to the Michigan Women’s Commission by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, where she will serve a three-year term. Gravelle is a citizen of Gnoozhekaaning “Place of the Pike,” and the current tribal attorney for Bay Mills Indian Community. Gravelle saw an opportunity to give tribal communities a seat at the table in state government.
RACHEL OLNEY, ’12 (Social Science, Honors College), J.D. ’15 (Law), was named a 2019 Up and Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. This award is given annually to 30 young attorneys who display the ambition, drive and determination that sets them apart from their peers. Olney is a member of Foster Swift’s litigation group in Southfield.
ASHLEY LYLES, ’16 (Arts and Letters), was crowned Miss New York International and will compete for the title of Miss International 2020 in Kingsport, Tennessee, from July 30-Aug. 1, 2020. Lyles is an award-winning medical journalist and aspiring physician. During her reign, Lyles will devote much of her time to her platform, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement. Her passion for heart health is driven by her father’s battle with heart disease.
MALIK HALL, ’18 (Engineering), recently co-founded JustGrabIt, a startup focused on localized product rentals. In addition, Hall is a program manager at Microsoft in the Seattle area where he oversees the deployment of hardware for the Azure Cloud Platform. Hall is also the co-lead for Diversity and Inclusion at Microsoft and helps the tech giant form foundations and strategies promoting diversity and an inclusive workplace.