Class Notes: Winter 2022
February 14, 2022
Class Notes
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- In Memoriam
2020
Eliza Kruczynski of Natick, MA, was promoted to FOX54 News Now weekend anchor.
Sahleenorr Samonte, DNP ’20, of Waterbury, CT, received the 2019-2020 Mary Lou Welch Diversity in Nursing Award in January 2021 from the Board of Iota Upsilon at-large chapter/Sigma chapter.
Christina Vittas of Wayne, NJ, was appointed audience development coordinator for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind “Sesame Street.”
2021
Brendan Dillon of Mount Arlington, NJ, was honored as a COVID hero by the Roxbury, NJ, Library Foundation. Brendan has been a member of Company 2 Fire and EMS for three years. He has been a New Jersey-certified EMT since 2018 and is certified in the state of Connecticut as well as nationally.
Stephen MacLeod of Northwood, NH, is the Memphis Business Journal’s commercial real estate and economic development reporter.
Julia Orlofski of Mountain Lakes, NJ, passed the NCLEX nursing exam and started work in August at Waterbury Hospital in its float pool.
Elizabeth Rossi of Cranston, RI, joined Integrated Media Group as an associate project manager.
2010
Matthew DiCarmine and Katherine (O’Connor) DiCarmine, MHS ’12, of Middle Village, NY, were married on April 24, 2021. Bridal party members included fellow Bobcats Barbara Ghilardi ’10, Kate (Agrafiotis) Liddy ’08, Chris Swanson ’10 and Kamil Piascik ’10.
Zachary Dendas of Branford, CT, joined Sullivan & LeShane in Hartford as a lobbyist and legislative associate. Zachary previously worked for U.S. Sen. Christopher Murphy. He also worked on various campaigns for candidates including U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut in 2010 and Andy Garfunkel’s campaign for Norwalk mayor in 2011.
Alexandria Hoff of Lumberton, NJ, joined Fox News Channel as a Washington-based general assignment reporter in early September.
Karen (Blanchette) Lasater of Merion, PA, was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in October 2021.
2011
Alexa (Landino) Charles of Wallingford, CT, is one of the owners of her family’s newly opened Stappa Vineyard in Orange, CT.
Matthew Galka, MS’11, of Phoenix, AZ, is a reporter at FOX10 Phoenix and earned two Emmy nominations; one for best story in a single shift and one for best reporter.
Miguel Garcia of Trumbull, CT, married Mary Kate Ross on Oct. 9, 2021. Members of the wedding party included Xavier Garcia ’10, best man; Bryan Kissel ’13, groomsman; and Amanda Auen-Langner ’11, bridesmaid.
Michael Herschenfeld ’11, MAT ’12, of Austin, TX, joined the Maryland State Department of Education as senior executive director of strategic planning and continuous improvement. He will oversee the Office of Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement.
Robin Schuppert and Sarah (Pandolfi) Schuppert, MAT ’18, CERT ’18, MS ’19, of Hamden were married on Aug. 7, 2021.
Benjamin Wald of New York, NY, married Jacqueline Spar on May 22, 2021.
2012
Connor Gillivan and Lauren Zimniski ’12, MS ’13, of Denver, CO, were married on July 11, 2021, in Denver.
Miles McQuiggan of Hollidaysburgh, PA, was named assistant commissioner for communications at the Colonial Athletic Association.
Emily (Lager) Sarin and Michael Sarin of Nanuet, NY, welcomed a daughter, Hailey Pearl, on April 21, 2021.
Linda Scoralick, MS ’12, SYC ’14, of Oxford, CT, was appointed second interim principal for Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford, CT.
2013
Erik Cote of Boston was appointed chief of staff at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Erik joined Wentworth in June 2019 as associate vice president of strategy and policy.
Josephine (Liz) Dickerson of Bronx, NY, was promoted to corporate communications specialist on the Core Corporate Communications team at Amazon. Josephine joined Amazon as a communications coordinator in January 2021.
Matthew Freund and Christine Fetzer of Brighton, MA, were married on Oct. 10, 2021. Matthew is the post-production manager for the TV show “Poetry in America,” which airs on PBS. He formerly worked at VideoLink in Newton, MA, as a production associate and senior video editor.
Annamaria McCarthy ’13, MAT ’14, SYC ’21, of Milford, CT, was appointed interim assistant principal at Hamilton Avenue School in Greenwich.
Anthony Volpe ’13, MBA ’14, of Staten Island, NY, a licensed real estate specialist, joined Casandra Properties.
Keith Yatauro ’13, DPT ’16, and Erica (Reiss) Yatauro ’14, MBA ’15, of Flemington, NJ, welcomed a son, Liam Robert, on August 27, 2020.
2014
Micah Bailey of Hamden, CT, had a lead role in “Empty Paradise,” a movie that premiered at the Bow Tie Cinemas in New Haven.
Kenneth Buffa, MS ’14, of Port Chester, NY, is a morning anchor at Cheddar News, a streaming financial news network. Kenneth previously worked at NBC Connecticut and WNBC-TV in New York.
Katie Milano, MS ’14, of New Windsor, NY, was promoted to assistant director of marketing at Mercy College. Katie previously was senior writer and content developer at Mercy.
Michele (Herman) Spillane and Mark Spillane ’15 of Springfield, MO, were married on July 9, 2021.
2015
Sarah Rose Faidell of Taunton, MA, has moved to the UK to work with CNN’s domestic digital department as a programming producer for the London bureau. Sarah had been living in Hong Kong as a producer on CNN’s international desk.
Nicole (Trotta) Giliberto and Rosario Giliberto of Bayside, NY, were married on June 26, 2021, at the Marina del Rey in the Bronx, NY.
Alexandra Gruber-Perez of Washington, DC, was appointed senior adviser to the associate commissioner of the Children’s Bureau, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
2016
Erik Benotti and Paige (Ferreri) Benotti ’16, MAT ’17, of Portsmouth, NH, were married on June 25, 2021, in Boston. They recently returned to Portsmouth, NH, from Missouri. Paige started a new position as a history teacher at David R. Cawley Middle School in Hooksett, NH, while Erik began his third year of medical school (at Kansas City University) doing clinical rotations in NH, ME, and MA.
Khristine Carroll ’16, MS ’18, MBA ’21, of North Andover, MA, joined Forum Plastics in Waterbury, CT, in the newly created role of vice president of business development.
Amanda Damone and Jacob Ward ’17 of Rocky Point, NY, were married on Nov. 6, 2021.
Alisha Galli of Stuart, FL, graduated from Chamberlain University as an advanced practice registered nurse/family nurse practitioner.
Nicole (Howe) Hayes and Jonathan Hayes ’17 of Boston were married on June 19, 2021.
Amanda Hoskins of Coventry, RI, joined the Connecticut Business and Industry Association in Hartford as a content creator in September 2021.
Gianna Rozea ’16, MOT ’18, and Thomas Rozea ’16, MHS ’18, of Cranston, RI, were married on July 31, 2021.
Abigail (Negro) Savluk ’16, MHS ’17, and Ethan Savluk ’17 of Plainville, CT, were married on July 31, 2021.
Shayna Zuk and Shane Garfi of Norwell, MA, were married on August 28, 2021, in Vermont. Seven members of their bridal party were Quinnipiac alumni.
2017
Chris Hayes, MBA ’17, of Cheshire, CT, was appointed chief financial officer at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare.
Morey Hershgordon of Maple Glen, PA, was promoted to sports director at WPRI-12 in Providence. He has worked at the Rhode Island TV station since 2018.
Ryan Kennedy, DNP ’17, of Manhattan Beach, CA, was a guest speaker at a July 2021 webinar about ADHD, its misdiagnosis, and best ways to treat it.
Joseph Mullaney of Leominster, MA, released his memoir, “Stare at Me: How Being Blindsided Brings Life into Focus,” in September 2021. His goal is to inspire readers, especially teens and young adults, to turn their challenges into triumphs. When Mullaney was 13, he was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, a degenerative neurological disorder that upended his life and transformed his perspective on what matters.
Matthew Pisani of Cheshire, CT, started working at Audacy as a live video sports betting producer for one of its new shows, “The Daily Tip.”
2018
Ilona (Delsing) Maher of Chula Vista, CA, competed in the 2020 summer Olympics.
Justine Razzaboni ’18, MOT ’20, of Hooksett, NH, appeared on “Live With Kelly & Ryan” in September 2021.
Tyler Rubeor of Dover, NH, married Abby Chase on June 26, 2021.
Morgan Sawitsky ’18, MS ’20, of Darien, CT, joined MKTG as an associate on the hospitality and events team.
Daquan Stuckey of Branford, CT, was sworn in by the New London Police Department and began his training in June at the Connecticut Police Academy.
Jeremy Wiss ’18, JD ’21, of Massapequa Park, NY, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. Jeremy joined the family firm of Levine and Wiss PLLC in 2015.
2019
Justin Deschaine of Bristol, CT, was hired by The Root Center for Advanced Recovery as an infectious disease coordinator nurse for the state of Connecticut.
Joel Vanner of Groton, CT, was promoted to media operator I at Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution.
2000
Jodi Cohen ’00, MPT ’02, of Seattle, WA, was named special agent in charge at the FBI Louisville Field Office. She joined the FBI as a special agent in 2005 and recently served as chief of staff for the executive assistant director and section chief in the National Security Branch (NSB) at FBI Headquarters in Washington.
2001
Deidra Rooney ’01, MPT ’03, and Kevin Rooney ’02 of Newburyport, MA, welcomed a son, Nolan Matthew, in Oct. 2020. Nolan joins big brother, Keegan.
2002
Jenna (Kentros) Kozodoy of Boxford, MA, joined the firm of Freedom Family Office as chief experience officer. Freedom helps entrepreneurs and affluent families achieve financial freedom.
Francis Thompson, MAT ’02, of Waterbury, CT, principal of Jonathan Law High School in Milford, CT, was appointed the school district’s new assistant superintendent for personnel.
2003
Matthew Himsey ’03, MPT ’05, and his wife welcomed a daughter, Piper, on Jan. 10, 2021. They live in Castaic, CA.
Ryan Murphy of Prospect, CT, was appointed family and community engagement coordinator for the Cheshire, CT, public school system.
2004
Greg Glynn of Augusta, Maine, recently launched Pliable, a marketing, public relations and broadcasting company that specializes in athlete branding.
Amanda (Myers) Kilmartin of Shelton, CT, ran for a board of alderman seat in Shelton, CT. Amanda served on Shelton’s Board of Education.
Brian Salerno ’04, MS ’05, of Merrimack, NH, was appointed executive director of the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning at Boston College.
2005
Jamie (Ahearn) Cormier ’05, MPT ’07, of Spencer, MA, was named one of the Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty 2021. Jamie is a physical therapy manager at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health, in Worcester, MA. She played an instrumental role in Fairlawn’s development of a COVID-19 unit.
Jonathan Goldstein of River Vale, NJ, has been included in the Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry.
Jocelyne Hudson-Brown of New Haven is the first African American appointed to serve on the Monroe Housing Authority board in Monroe, CT. Hudson-Brown recently was elected chairman.
Amy (Sparby) Murphy of West Newton, MA, graduated with a master of science in nursing degree from Simmons University and will be a family nurse practitioner.
Susan Schultz, MS ’05, of Wilton, CT, joined the Hearst Connecticut Media Group as a sponsored content producer in the marketing division. Susan was previously with the Darien Times for 16 years.
2006
Susanna (Cusack) Curreri of Nahant, MA, was promoted to director of portfolio operations at the Peabody Companies, a group of property management and real estate firms. She joined the Peabody Companies in November 2009 and previously held the title of senior property manager.
Jennifer DeAmicis of Boston started a new position at Pinnacle Construction Services, a woman-owned plumbing contractor in Boston. In October 2021, she began her second year as Boston chapter president for the National Association of Women in Construction.
Christina Entenmann-Edwards of Ronceverte, WV, started Hashtag Lewisburg magazine in 2012 after seeing the need for a local entertainment and events calendar.
Sharale (Walker) Mathis, MHS ’06, of Simsbury, CT, was appointed vice president of academic and student affairs at Holyoke Community College.
Andrew McCarthy ’06, MS ’07, and Danielle (Appel) McCarthy ’08, MBA ’14, of Middletown, CT, welcomed a son, Shane, on Aug. 31, 2021.
Erin (Ade) Real of New York, NY, joined Westfair Communications as managing editor.
2007
Lauren Cable-Rieger and her husband, Brendan Rieger of Bethany, CT, welcomed their second son, Jameson John “JJ” Rieger, on May 18, 2021. JJ joins big brother, Max.
Collin Hanley married Carmela Tripodi on Sept. 3, 2021. Groomsmen included fellow 2007 classmates Ed Kacik, Jonathan Pierce, Josh Coffey, Sean Mehaffey, Adam Merrick and Matthew Krawse ’08.
Shirley Lasch, MBA ’07, of Charlestown, MA, was appointed senior director of program management at QurAlis, a biotech company developing breakthrough precision medicines for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases.
John O’Brien of Mar Vista, CA, joined the writing staff of the Chuck Lorre CBS sitcom “B Positive” for its second season.
2008
Thomas Fritz of Mason, MI, was appointed director of the Office of Support and Equity at Michigan State University.
Cassie (Voegeli) Wildman ’08, MBA ’09, of Wolcott, CT, is the CFO of Lux Bond & Green. She received a 40 Under 40 Award from the Hartford Business Journal.
2009
Lauren (Walsh) DeSimone and Daniel DeSimone ’10 of East Hanover, NJ, welcomed a son, Connor, in June. Connor joins older brother, Jayden.
Erin (Sargent) Harrison ’09, DPT ’13, of Chicago, IL, was married in Montana in July 2019. The couple moved to Chicago where he opened a physical therapy clinic for Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.
Carley Shimkus of Long Valley, NJ, was named co-host of FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends First.
1991
Christy (Carmosino) Palumbo of Hamden continues her volunteer position as chair of Women in Business for the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce.
1993
Robert Dudol, MBA ’93, of Jupiter, FL, joined Chelsea Groton Bank as executive vice president and chief financial officer. In addition to overseeing the bank’s financials, Robert has management responsibility for the bank’s technology department.
1995
Danielle (Cafarelli) Bellizzi of Berlin, CT, is the superintendent of schools in Wallingford, CT.
1998
Yvonne (Barber) Alston of Newington, CT, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of her firm, Indelible Impressions Consulting. Indelible is a diversity, equity, inclusion and allyship (DEI+A) strategy firm advancing important conversations, education and training to help organizations understand the importance of culture and its impact on the human experience.
1999
William Brucker ’99, MBA ’16, of Stamford, CT, was appointed chief advancement officer at Family Centers, Greenwich, CT.
Jessica (Bertalon) Mack of Merrick, NY, is a food blogger and the mastermind behind the “More Than Meatless Monday” website.
1981
Stuart Fischer of North Miami Beach, FL, was selected to showcase his oil paintings at the Spectrum Miami curated art fair Dec. 1-5 at the Mana Wynwood convention center.
1982
Russell Certo of Grand Island, NY, was the recipient of the 2021 Community Impact Award. Russell is a physical therapist at Grand Island Physical Therapy P.C.
Paula (Tomasetti) Dominick of Wilton, CT, joined Wells Fargo in Oct. 2020 as chief compliance officer.
1987
Beth (Murphy) Purcell, BS ’87, MBA ’96, of East Haven, CT, ran for the East Haven Board of Finance in the November 2021 election.
1988
Greg Vespe of Tiverton, RI, retired from his physical therapy career after 33 years and accepted a position as executive director of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association.
1972
Fran Eitler sends warm regards from Lee, NH. The former business owner enjoys “a busy life with plenty of grandchildren and reasonable proximity to the fun.” He is a proud Quinnipiac alumnus and relates that his college experiences “weigh fondly, heavily and reside permanently and most pleasantly in our own scrapbooks of life.”
1976
David Klanica of Newtown, CT, was appointed to the board of directors of R.V.I. Guaranty Co. Ltd. and R.V.I. America Insurance Company in April 2021.
Bruce LaFrano of Loudonville, NY, completed 30 years of service at Dart Container Sales Corp. and is currently national accounts manager.
1977
Ronald Bergamo of Cheshire, CT, was elected to the Cheshire Academy’s board of trustees. He is owner and president of the marketing consulting firm, Impact Production Group.
1978
Anthony Acri III of East Haven, CT, ran on the Republican ticket for the position of City Clerk in New Haven, CT.
1958
Ronald Katz of Alpharetta, GA, enjoys playing bridge, attending the symphony and traveling to visit family.
1984
Robert Gross of Potomac, MD, is senior trial counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC. His practice areas include property damage, personal injury and wrongful death litigation arising from aircraft accidents and space-related activities. He recently received the Assistant Attorney General's Career Service Award “in recognition of exceptional talent, professionalism and commitment to the mission of the Civil Division for over 30 years.”
1985
William Campbell of Woburn, MA, is director of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance in Boston.
1991
Lorraine Sabalja of Brooklyn, NY, is associate counsel for trust and estates at Wheatley Pritchard & Associates in the New York Metro office. She recently joined the firm after doing pro bono work for several years.
1994
Bruce Gordon of Old Saybrook, CT, retired from a career practicing probate, elder and family law. He is traveling the country for the next few years with his wife, Karen, in a DRV Coach and F350 Limited. They are visiting their children and places they’ve yearned to see. They invite friends to follow their travels at Lucky Ducks RV on Facebook.
2000
Daniel Canavan of Fairfield, CT, is vice president of regulatory affairs for Avangrid’s Connecticut and Massachusetts-based utilities, including United Illuminating Co., Southern Connecticut Gas Co., Connecticut Natural Gas Corp. and Berkshire Gas Co.
2011
Dorcia Carrillo was selected as a “Rising Star 40 Under 40” by the Business Council of Westchester. The Law Office of Dorcia Carrillo in White Plains, NY, helps organizations in transition negotiate commercial contracts, particularly for technology products and services. Additionally, the firm advises clients on export licensing and trade control programs.
2016
Sheldon Poole of Hamden joined the law firm of Carlton Fields as an associate in Hartford. He is a member of the firm’s mass tort and product liability practice. Poole has handled complex personal injury and property suits involving alleged catastrophic injuries, including wrongful death and survivorship claims, and claims involving environmental contamination. He also served as liaison counsel for the Connecticut asbestos defense group, where he acted as lead counsel for depositions and as liaison between the defense group and plaintiffs’ counsel, and courts involved in the Connecticut asbestos docket.
2018
James Demetriades of Cromwell, CT, is an associate at Ferguson, Doyle & Chester in Rocky Hill, CT, where he focuses on employment and labor law. He won reelection to the Cromwell Town Council in November 2021, receiving the most votes of any council candidate.
2020
James Golicz is an associate at Morrison Mahoney in Bridgeport, CT, practicing in the area of liability defense. He married Daniella Tarquinio in September 2021.
2021
Amy Nizen Blakeslee ’00
Margaret Hindindger Boutwell ’44
Roseanne Fitzgerald Brennan ’79
James Butler ’62
Ralph Del Vecchio ’13
Matthew Froehlich ’05
Sarah Marie Wiley Hubel ’05, MOT ’07
Brian King, JD ’05
Mary-Elizabeth LeDuc, JD ’02
Paul J. Marchwat ’82
James Nankin ’68
Jonathan J. Nyce ’06, MAT ’10
John O’Hare ’54
Michael John Rademaekers ’85
Domenic John Twohill ’60
2020
Robert Frederick ’59
2018
Richard Lillie ’70
Births
Hailey Pearl Sarin was born on April 21, 2021. She is the daughter of Emily (Lager) Sarin ’12 and Michael Sarin ’12 of Nanuet, NY.
Shane McCarthy was born on Aug. 31, 2021. He is the son of Andrew McCarthy ’06, MS ’07, and Danielle (Appel) McCarthy ’08, MBA ’14, of Middletown, CT.
Connor DeSimone was born in June 2021. He is the son of Lauren (Walsh) DeSimone ’09 and Daniel DeSimone ’10 of East Hanover, NJ. He joins older brother, Jayden.
Jameson John “JJ” Rieger was born on May 18, 2021. He is the son of Lauren Cable-Rieger ’07 and her husband, Brendan Rieger, of Bethany, CT. He joins big brother, Max.
Weddings
Shayna Zuk ’16 and Shane Garfi ’16 of Norwell, MA, were married on August 28, 2021, in Vermont.
Benjamin Wald ’11 of New York, NY, married Jacqueline Spar on May 22, 2021.
Nicole Trotta ’15 and Rosario Giliberto of Bayside, NY, were married on June 26, 2021.
Robin Schuppert ’11 and Sarah Pandolfi, MAT ’18, CERT ’18, MS ’19, of Hamden were married on Aug. 7, 2021.
Abigail Negro ’16, MHS ’17, and Ethan Savluk ’17 of Plainville, CT, were married on July 31, 2021.
Tyler Rubeor ’18 of Dover, NH, married Abby Chase on June 26, 2021.
Michele Herman ’14 and Mark Spillane ’15 of Springfield, MO, were married on July 9, 2021.
Nicole Howe ’16 and Jonathan Hayes ’17 of Boston were married on June 19, 2021.
Collin Hanley ’07 married Carmela Tripodi ’07 on Sept. 3, 2021.
Connor Gillivan ’12 and Lauren Zimniski ’12, MS ’13, of Denver, CO, were married on July 11, 2021.
Matthew Freund ’13 and Christine Fetzer ’13 of Brighton, MA, were married on Oct. 10, 2021.
Amanda Damone ’16 and Jacob Ward ’17 of Rocky Point, NY, were married on Nov. 6, 2021.
Matthew DiCarmine ’10 and Katherine O’Connor, MHS ’12, of Middle Village, NY, were married on April 24, 2021.
Gianna Costantino ’16, MOT ’18, and Thomas Rozea ’16, MHS ’18, of Cranston, RI, were married on July 31, 2021.
Erik Benotti and Paige (Ferreri) Benotti ’16, MAT ’17, of Portsmouth, NH, were married on June 25, 2021, in Boston.
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