1960s
VERN SCHOOLEY, ’61 (Engineering), was reelected officer of the Ball/Hunt/Schooley American Inn of Court in Long Beach, Calif. He credits a 4-unit law course during his engineering studies as the springboard to law school and a career combining engineering and law, litigating patent infringement cases in six states.
VIRGINIA CARUSO, ’64 (Social Science), Ph.D. ’86 (Arts & Letters), was named a History Hero in March 2025 by the Historical Society of Michigan. The award cites outstanding community service and devotion to Michigan’s history.
1970s
N. SCOTT SCHOMER, ’70 (Natural Science), recently published “The Thermodynamics of Language: Where Reality and Spirituality Finally Meet,” a radical exploration of consciousness proposing language as a thermodynamic process shared by all matter.
ANITA MITCHELL, ’72 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was awarded the 2025 Buck Dawson Author’s Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame for her book about Paralympian swimmer Abbas Karimi.
JEANNE SADLER, ’72 (Social Science), published her first book, “The Great Triumph: A Memoir of Courage & Devotion,” a portrayal of a Black family’s experiences from the Great Migration through the 20th century.
CHRISTINE BORGMAN, ’73 (Natural Science), was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Borgman is a distinguished Professor and Presidential Chair in Information Studies at UCLA.
NICHOLAS HILL, ’74 (Arts & Letters, Honors College), presented a solo exhibition of recent work in July 2025 at the CASAPLAN Art Gallery in Valparaiso, Chile.
RICHARD “RORY” WALCK, ’74 (Arts & Letters), ’75 (Eli Broad College of Business, Honors College), released his debut album, “I’m an Analog Man in a Digital World,” in October 2025. His follow-up, “Wrong Way Driver,” is slated for mid-2026.
MARTA (BONER) ONOFRIO, ’75, M.A. ’81 (Education), completed a lifelong bucket-list goal by hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim at age 70, with Sparty on her backpack, accompanied by her daughter, grandchildren and other family members.
KELLIE DEAN, ’76, M.A. ’81 (Education), founder and president of Dean Transportation, was named a 2025 recipient of the Chuck Wilbur Promise Keeper Award by the Michigan College Access Network. Dean was instrumental in launching and growing the Lansing Promise in 2012.
PEGGY WIRGAU, ’77 (Arts & Letters), released her historical fiction novel “To Outwit Them All” (Iron Stream Media), about a Loyalist socialite-turned-spy during the American Revolution in New York.
LEE UPTON, ’78 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was named a semifinalist for the 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor for her 2024 comic novel “Tabitha, Get Up” (Sagging Meniscus Press).
1980s
WILLIAM “BILL” GERENCER, ’80 (Natural Science), released his novel “Working Waterfront: A Fish Tale” (Archway Publishing), a personal memoir offering an insider look at the New England seafood industry from a 45-year veteran.
MARK SCHWARTZ, ’80 (Lyman Briggs College), M.S. ’82 (Social Science), received the AAG Distinguished Scholarship Honors from the American Association of Geographers.
JUDY WINTER, ’80 (Communication Arts and Sciences), served as executive producer of the award-winning documentary “Camp RicStar,” which aired on WKAR/PBS in December 2025 and is now streaming nationwide.
REED KAKUSKA, ’81 (Engineering), received NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award for his contributions to the Artemis Space Launch System program. He is RL10 Chief Engineer for NASA Programs at L3Harris/Aerojet Rocketdyne. The award, given to fewer than 1% of the aerospace workforce annually, is one of NASA’s most prestigious honors.
CHRISTINE (JEWELL) ROBERE, ’81 (James Madison College), MSW ’98 (Social Science), retired as president and CEO of United Way of the Lakeshore after 23 years, capping a 33-year career with United Way. She led key initiatives including Michigan 2-1-1 and the ALICE Project.
KATHY BOYER, ’83 (Arts & Letters), published her book “Memoir of a Crazy Cat Lady: My Journey from Air Force Musician to Animal Communicator” (Hasmark Publishing International).
WALLACE JEFFERSON, ’85 (James Madison College), was elected president of the American Law Institute. Jefferson, the first African American Justice and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, served on the court from 2001 to 2013 and previously led the Conference of Chief Justices.
DANIEL SPRINGER, ’87 (Communication Arts and Sciences), retired following a 40-year career in broadcast news, including the past 24 years at Fox News covering major stories throughout the Pacific Northwest.
LYNN BALDWIN, ’88 (Communication Arts and Sciences), published her first picture book, “My Backyard Used To Be” (Tilbury House Publishers), which explores the history of a single backyard and the kids and animals who played there over time.
CHET GENTRY, M.D. ’88 (Human Medicine), was named 2025 Family Physician of the Year by the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians. He founded Innovative Family Care in Cookeville, Tenn., and the Cumberland Center for Healthcare Innovation, an accountable care organization supporting independent physicians.
DEBRA GEROUX, ’88 (Human Ecology), J.D. ’95 (Law), was appointed to the International Association of Privacy Professionals Advisory Board. She is co-chair of Butzel’s Health Care Industry Team, focusing on health care compliance, cybersecurity and privacy.
1990s
SCOTT HIRKO, ’90 (Social Science), Ph.D. ’11 (Education), was recently named a visiting assistant professor of sport leadership and management at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
RICH CZARNECKI, ’91 (Engineering), was named the 2025 Michigan CIO of the Year ORBIE Award winner in the Large Enterprise category for his leadership and innovation as MSU’s chief information officer, overseeing enterprise-wide IT initiatives for the university.
BRIAN O’CONNOR, ’91 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was appointed to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Board of Directors. He is the first Spartan to hold a governing board seat in HRC’s history, the nation’s largest organization advancing equality for LGBTQ+ people.
MARK WARD, B.A./MBA ’91 (Eli Broad College of Business), won Best White Wine and multiple Double Golds at the 2025 San Francisco International Wine Competition for his 2023 “Madison” Petit Manseng. He also earned four gold medals, including Best of Class, at the 2025 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition. Ward is head winemaker for Virginia wineries Vint Hill, Pearmund Cellars and Effingham Manor.
BRADLEY SCOBEL, ’92 (Social Science), joined Butzel as a shareholder in the firm’s Troy, Mich. office, where he focuses on real estate development, financing and business transactions.
JIM BAUMBICK, ’93 (Engineering), MBA ’97 (Eli Broad College of Business), was appointed president, Ford Europe. He will lead the strategic direction for the company’s European business and develop products relevant for European customers.
TODD GRABOWSKI, ’93 (Engineering), was appointed vice president and president, Americas, of Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls is a global leader in building technology, software and services for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings.
LARRY FRANCE, ’95, M.S. ’97, MBA ’01 (Engineering), was named chief financial officer for CabinetWorks, the country’s largest privately owned maker of cabinets.
KATIE (LEWIS) BENTON, ’96, M.A. ’97 (Communication Arts and Sciences), founded The Settled Stay, a concierge hospitality company in Saugatuck, Mich., offering hosted stays, personalized experiences and boutique events.
HENRIQUE BRAUN, M.S. ’96 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), was elected chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company. Braun has served in senior leadership roles across the company since joining Coca‑Cola in 1996.
DANIEL HARDWICK, ’97 (James Madison College), is a recipient of Connect CRE’s 2025 Washington, D.C. & Mid-Atlantic Lawyers in Real Estate Award. Hardwick is co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice based in Washington, D.C.
ROD BERGER, ’98 (Social Science), released his new book “The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets the Moment” (Wiley), a practical guide on crafting compelling and authentic stories that connect with audiences across business and life.
2000s
HEATHER ANA HATHAWAY MIRANDA, M.A. ’00 (Human Ecology), contributed a chapter to the anthology “Nadie es ilegal. Mexicanas en Chicago” (UNAM), published in 2025 and featuring narratives of Mexican women in Chicago.
NANCIE STODDARD, MBA ’00 (Eli Broad College of Business), was appointed to chair, Board of Directors of the Howell Nature Center, a non-profit organization that provides hands-on educational experiences for people of all ages to learn about and appreciate wildlife and the natural environment.
TODD SMITH, ’01 (Social Science), was appointed Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division. Smith brings more than two decades of experience investigating domestic and international drug trafficking, including serving as an expert witness in the trial of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
CHRISTINA MCKENZIE, ’03 (Arts & Letters), was elected the 2026 President-Elect of CREW Detroit. The Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network is an international organization with more than 12,000 members dedicated to advancing women in commercial real estate.
SHANE HENRY, ’04 (Social Science), was elected president of the Detroit Athletic Club for 2026.
DOUGLAS BINGHAM, ’05 (Engineering), was named vice president of integrated supply chain for Honeywell’s Industrial Automation, overseeing operations for 11,000 teammates across 40 sites in 17 countries. He has been with Honeywell for more than 20 years in supply chain leadership roles.
SCOTT IDLE, ’05 (Communication Arts and Sciences), released his debut book, “Lift Others as You Climb,” now available on Amazon and in retailers across Michigan. The book serves as a field guide for those climbing through resistance, death, addiction, loss and divorce.
EMILY HEINTZ, ’06, M.S. ’07 (Eli Broad College of Business), was appointed executive director of Curiosity Lab, a 5G-enabled intelligent mobility and smart city living laboratory. Heintz previously held senior roles at SkySpecs, Michigan Venture Capital Associate, Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Ann Arbor SPARK.
SHERRI MARIE CARR, J.D. ’07 (Law), received the 2025 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico and Service Leader Award with distinction and was named to the ABA Free Legal Answers Pro Bono Honor Roll.
PATRICK RAWSTHORNE, ’09 (James Madison College), a commercial litigation attorney, joined Butzel as a shareholder in the law firm’s Grand Rapids office.
2010s
ASHLEY (WRIGHT) LEDON, ’10 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), represented Michigan at Strolling Thunder 2025 in Washington, D.C., connecting families with lawmakers to discuss early childhood policy. Ledon and her 2-year-old daughter met U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib.
MEG (HART) WINGERTER, ’10 (Communication Arts and Sciences, Honors College), published her historical fiction novel, “The Silence That Remains.” Set in Stalin’s Russia, the book follows a young Ukrainian woman navigating famine, Nazi invasion and oppression while finding the courage to speak her truth.
TRACY BOWER, Ph.D. ’11 (Social Science), published her third book, “Critical Connections: Build Relationships and Harness the Power of Community in Work and Life.” She is vice president of workplace insights at Steelcase and a senior contributor to Forbes and Fast Company.
MIKE HOFFSHIRE, M.A. ’11 (Education), published his first co-edited book, “Ten Steps Toward Greater Operational Efficiency in Higher Education: An Administrator Playbook,” which offers a practical framework for university leaders.
MICHAEL BLOUIN, Ph.D. ’12 (Arts & Letters), published “The Political Poe” (University of Iowa Press). He is a professor of English and humanities at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tenn.
ANN DORSHIMER, ’12 (James Madison College), joined Foster Garvey’s Seattle office as an associate in the Commercial & IP Transactions practice group. She brings experience in civil litigation, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution, with a focus on the firm’s Alcoholic Beverages practice.
SCOTT HALL ’12 (Engineering), received the 2025 Kuriki Award from the International Electric Propulsion Conference in London, England, for advancing electric space propulsion. He works for Orbion Space Technology in Houghton, Mich.
PAIGE ZIELINSKI, ’12 (James Madison College), was promoted to partner at Jenner & Block. She is a white-collar defense attorney representing clients in investigations and enforcement matters before federal and state agencies.
ANDI TONIS, ’15 (Communication Arts and Sciences), recently founded A Thousand Tiny Sparks, a company dedicated to improving creativity and collaboration.
AARON PAN, ’16 (Natural Science), is a licensed chiropractor and is pursuing a BSN through MSU’s Accelerated Nursing program in Detroit, focusing on patient-centered, whole-person care.
ZINA FATTAH, ’17 (Communication Arts and Sciences), illustrated the cover and designed the interior of “Why the Birds Fly Back,” a children’s book by Akosua Harvey. She has served as a visual strategist for publisher Stirred Stories since 2021.
REBECCA SULLIVAN, M.S. ’17 (Eli Broad College of Business), a fixed-term faculty member in the Department of Marketing at Broad, released a new book, “Building Isn’t Enough: The Rest of the Equation for Entrepreneurs.”
TATIANA BUSTOS, M.A. ’18, Ph.D. ’21 (Social Science), was selected as one of 80 fellows for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network, a national program for community-driven leaders.
EMMANUEL CHIMA, MSW ’19, Ph.D. ’25 (Social Science), was named founding director of the Centre for Refugee Education and Settlement Studies at the Canadian Foundation for Refugee Education in London, Ontario.
ASHLEY FERNANDEZ COOK, ’19 (Social Sciences, Communication Arts and Sciences), a commercial litigation attorney, joined Butzel as an associate in the law firm’s Troy, Mich. office.
2020s
MELANIE TEPER, ’22 (Education), received her Doctor of Chiropractic, summa cum laude, from Palmer College of Chiropractic.
PRADNYA GHORPADE, ’23 (Engineering), was named one of the Most Visionary Global CEOs of 2025 by TradeFlock. She is cofounder and CEO of EATRO Inc., which delivers home-cooked meals from verified chefs, and is pursuing a master’s in supply chain management at MSU.
THOMAS VUE, ’23 (Eli Broad College of Business), recently wrapped up his first year as an internal auditor at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, Mich.