Class Notes
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PEN NAMES
![](https://www.fdu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LeadingBusTeams-1.jpg)
Leading Business Teams
CO-AUTHORED BY: William Kane, MBA’87, MA’97 (Flor)
PUBLISHER: Routledge
![](https://www.fdu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Climbing-the-Stairs-of-the-City-1.jpg)
Climbing the Stairs of the City and Other Short Stories
BY: H. Lloyd Weston, BA’74 (Ruth)
PUBLISHER: Austin Macauley Publishers
![](https://www.fdu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/American-Roulette-a-Novel-1.jpg)
American Roulette: A Novel
CO-AUTHORED BY: Phyllis Orenyo, MA’03 (Flor)
PUBLISHER: Milford House Press Imprint of Sunbury Press
![](https://www.fdu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/What-I-Know-About-July-1.jpg)
What I Know About July
BY: Katie ‘Kat’ Hausler, MFA’13 (Flor)
PUBLISHER: Meerkat Press
1960s
1960
John Kramer, BA (Metro), stepped down in January 2024 after eight years as mayor of Old Tappan, N.J. He served for 16 years on the planning board, 19 years in the Borough Council and 34 years in the police department. Kramer is past president of the Bergen County (N.J.) Police Chiefs Association, where he is on the executive board.
1963
Francis Tepedino, BS (Ruth), an attorney-at-law, writes that the professors he remembers from the Rutherford Campus are Curtis Thomas, who taught Literary Masterpieces, and Patrick Conway, who taught chemistry. Tepedino remembers Thomas for his insightful discussions and reenactment of Beowulf. He says Conway — who chaired the chemistry department, had a juris doctor degree and was a lawyer — is one of the most intelligent people he has ever met.
1966
Thomas Galiszewski, BS (Flor), was inducted into the Arthur L. Johnson (ALJ) High School Alumni Association’s 2024 Hall of Fame Class. He was on the wrestling and conference championship soccer teams. Galiszewski joined ALJ in 1966; taught general science, chemistry, physics and astronomy; and was the varsity wrestling coach for 29 years. He received The Star-Ledger Teacher’s Scholar Award in 1989 and in 1996.
1969
Robert Silbering, BA (Metro), wrote Law and Disorder: How a Kid From the Bronx Became America’s Top Drug Prosecutor, writing about his time at FDU and as New York City’s special narcotics prosecutor. The book was published by WriteLife Publishing, an imprint of Boutique of Quality Books, in January. A special adviser to the CEO of T&M Protection Resources, Silbering received The Pinnacle Award from FDU in 2013.
1970s
1971
John Schaffer, BS (Metro), released his second album of original songs, “Second Bite.” He wrote and self-published two novels: A Northern Rebel and A Rebel’s Road Home, available from Amazon. Music from Schaffer’s first album, “Junction 35,” and from “Second Bite” is available on iTunes, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube.
1975
Michael Botwinick, AS, BS (Flor), was in Marquis Who’s Who for his expertise in retirement and estate planning. He has been a registered principal, financial adviser and certified planner at LPL Financial since 1998.
Robert Brody, BA (Metro), thanked Bernard Dick, emeritus, English and communication (Metro), in an op-ed for northjersey.com, “Thank you professor: What we can learn from lessons in gratitude.” Brody wrote that in 1973, Dick praised an article he had written for the student newspaper. “I never forgot his praise.” Brody also wrote about reaching out to Dick and staying in touch.
1976
The dog park in Nutley, N.J., has been dedicated as the Louis J. Crupi DVM Dog Park in honor of Louis Crupi, BS (Ruth), a veterinarian who owns the Dog, Cat and Bird Clinic of Nutley.
Breaking Through the Silicon Ceiling: How a 20-year-old Single Mother Became the World’s First Female Semiconductor Company CEO, the latest book by Christine King, BSEET (Metro), was published by Business Books in July. It offers insights into overcoming gender bias and thriving in male-dominated fields. After graduating from FDU, she climbed the ranks at IBM. She is former president and CEO of AMI Semiconductor. King is co-chair and senior consultant of Henry Schein One, a Fortune 250 company in the health care industry.
Roger Lane, BA (Metro), former New Milford, N.J., mayor and councilman, has been named to the Wyckoff (N.J.) Township Committee. He previously served on the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education and the township’s environmental commission.
Robert Robinson, DMD (Metro), has an orthodontic practice in New Providence, N.J. He has supported local sports, music and educational organizations. Robinson has held leadership positions on the Borough Council, the Board of Health and the Emergency Management Committee.
1978
Howard Gershkowitz, BSME (Metro), spoke at the Arizona Professional Writers 2024 State Conference held on May 4 in Scottsdale, where he talked about “Time Management in the 3rd Dimension.” A financial adviser, he’s written the novels The Operator and Not On My Watch, both published by All Things That Matter Press; a poetry chapbook, Observations and Distractions; and an anthology, Journey to Authorship. In 2023, Gershkowitz won first prize in the Tempe Library/Arizona State University Creative Writing contest for his short story, “The Painting.”
John “Jay” Jorgensen, BA (Metro), has joined Blick Law LLC, where he will focus on alternative dispute resolution practice, handling mediation and arbitration matters. Jorgensen retired as a family court judge in Middlesex County, N.J., after 15 years.
1979
Christopher Calligan, BS (Metro), writes that in 1971 he was “backstage” with James and Kate Taylor and Carole King at the campus’s cafeteria where the concert was being held. He also saw the Beach Boys in 1973 at FDU.
William Ochs, BS, MS’82 (Metro), project manager of the James Webb Space Telescope, spoke as part of the Gildart Haase School of Computer Sciences and Engineering Advisory Board Lecture Series. He discussed his undergraduate days and managing the design, construction, launch and operations of the telescope.
1980s
1980
Sylvia Engeln, BS (Flor), retired from the insurance industry six years ago. Since then, she has volunteered at the International Rescue Committee, which helps people affected by humanitarian crises — including the climate crisis — survive, recover and rebuild. Engeln works with the housing team in the Phoenix, Ariz., area to secure financial support for clients.
Nancy Razza, MA, PhD’91 (Metro), held a workshop on the education of tarot card and tarot-card readings at the Hancock (N.H.) Town Library. A licensed psychologist, she has a private practice in New Hampshire.
Radio Daze: My Personal Journey Through Life and the Radio Industry, an autobiography by Perry Stone, BA (Metro), was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc., in 2024. He has more than 40 years’ experience in radio and broadcasting. Stone hosts “The Perry Stone Show,” airing on Facebook, YouTube, X and Twitch.
1981
Mitch Maiman, MBA (Ruth), is cofounder and former president of Intelligent Product Solutions, a product design firm in Hauppauge, N.Y.
Frank Tuminelli, DMD (Metro), spoke at the 19th Jesse T. Bullard Lectureship in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry at Texas A&M University School of Dentistry. He is director of the American Board of Prosthodontics, and program director for the advanced education program in prosthodontics at Manhattan Veterans Administration’s New York campus. Tuminelli is clinical assistant professor of dental medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health in Hempstead, N.Y.
Stephen Zujkowski, MBA (Ruth), joined Autoscheduler.AI as vice president of customer success.
1982
Original art by Serena Bocchino, BA (Metro), based on Heroes: Women Artists Who Influence and Inspire, was displayed at the Arts Council of Princeton, N.J. She calls them “poem-paintings,” integrating free-verse poetry that she has been writing since 1982 with her studio practice.
Jeff Hoenig, BA (Flor), has been married to his wife, Monika, for 40 years. Hoenig’s website, jeffonthesunnyside. com, includes his blog (“Becoming a Southerner”), and a schedule of his speaking engagements.
James “Jim” Scully, BA (Flor), has been a teacher and a coach for 40 years — mostly for boys’ basketball and lacrosse teams in New England and northeast Ohio. As a high-school lacrosse coach, he’s had teams go to state final fours. Scully was named Coach of the Year three times — a first in Ohio. In 2023, after promising his wife he’d retire, he was persuaded to coach a girls’ lacrosse team at The Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. The team made it to the state championship. He recently celebrated his 150th win as a lacrosse head coach in Ohio. Scully writes that his accomplishments remind him of his days at FDU, where his father, Jim Scully, was dean of students from 1978 to 1985. He remembers Theodore “Ted” Bruning, BA’69, MBA’79 (Flor), former head men’s lacrosse coach and 1997 Devils Hall of Fame inductee, who introduced Scully to the sport. Scully stays in touch with former teammates and other FDU alumni.
1983
In May 2024, Leslie Alexander, BS (Metro), a registered clinical herbalist in Erie, Pa., led an herbal walkabout and an herbal tincture class at the Corry Area Historical Society.
1984
Peter Cicala, BS (Ruth), was named to the board of directors of Eterna Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Mass..
Robert Nelson, AA (Metro), was in Marquis Who’s Who for excellence in financial coaching and personal development. He’s been mayor of Bay City, Texas, since 2019. Nelson was chief executive officer of Budget Management, LLC.
Patricia Verduin, MBA (Metro), has been named to the board of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. The nonprofit fundraises for the research and treatment of the disease. A former chief science officer at Colgate Palmolive, she is on the board of FMC Corporation, Ingredion Corporation and Monsanto.
1985
Renée Barnstone, BS (Flor), is chief financial officer for Advantage Media, Charleston, S.C. She has more than 30 years of executive leadership, strategy and advisory experiences.
Thomas Gallagher, BS (Metro), was sworn in as mayor of Old Tappan, N.J., following in the footsteps of his father, Edward Gallagher. A member of the borough’s volunteer fire department, he has also worked with the First Aid Corps.
1986
Rose Rosato, BA (Metro), has been acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member by The Inner Circle for her contributions to the mental-health counseling field.
A video of the May 2006 appearance of William Warfield, BS (Metro), on the “Tony Danza Show” is on YouTube. He was a contestant on the show’s “ExtravaDanza” segment, where he won a $3,500 gift card.
1988
Gregory Smith, BS (Flor), is president of commercial banking at Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Bedminster, N.J. He joined the bank in 2019 as senior executive vice president and head of commercial banking.
1989
Gary Wayne, DMD (Metro), specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery and dental implants, and was listed in Boca Magazine’s Top Doctors 2024.
Spot Profiles
In Character
![](https://www.fdu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Robert-Quiles-1024x683.jpg)
Alumnus Robert Quiles sings his heart out during ‘Mr. Cellophane,’ as Amos Hart in ‘Chicago.’
Robert Quiles, BA’20 (Flor), starred in the touring production of “Chicago” as Amos Hart, the gullible husband of leading lady and murderer Roxie Hart. He majored in theater arts at FDU and starred in mainstage productions including “Legally Blonde,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Sister Act.” He credits the audition work in his advanced acting class for preparing him to be a working actor.
Chimney Sweep
No, it’s not Dick Van Dyke. Emma Dougherty, BS’23 (Flor), saw her honors thesis, “Artificial Light at Night Affects the Time Nesting by Chimney Sweeps,” published by Ibis, one of the world’s top ornithology journals. The chimney sweep is a highly threatened bird species that nests in North American chimneys. Dougherty found that night-time light pollution delays the birds’ return to their nests. She is attending medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
1990s
1990
Chris Hubbard, BSME (Metro), is president of Process Wastewater Technologies LLC. Since 2022, he has served as joint business development manager and regional sales manager.
How Did I Get Here So Fast? Thoughts on My Journey to Seventy, a memoir by Charles Vanyo, MPA (Ruth), was published by BookBaby in November 2023. Vanyo hopes it will resonate with people who grew up in New Jersey in the ’60s and ’70s, and anyone who has cared for aging parents.
1991
Angela Calzone, MA (Flor), president and CEO of Inroads to Opportunities, appeared on two podcasts, “Little Give” and “The Give Back Economy.”
Scott Gault, BS (Ruth), wrote “The Business of Private Aviation” for Tampa Bay Business & Wealth magazine. He is the Hillsborough Market County president at Bank of Tampa.
Lester Owens, MBA (Ruth), has been named to the board of directors of the Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. The former senior executive vice president and head of operations at Wells Fargo & Co., was inducted to Silberman College’s Hall of Fame in 2019.
1992
John Wisse, MBA (Flor), was included in Marquis Who’s Who for his expertise in financial planning and analysis. He is a senior financial operations leader at PSEG.
1993
Parent’s Pocket Guide to Surviving the Preschool Years: One Challenge at a Time, by Danielle Lindner, BA, MAT’97 (Flor), was independently published and is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She is the founder of The London Day School in Florham Park, N.J.
1994
Paul Manz, MPA (Ruth), received the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest civilian award bestowed by the Secretary of the Army. Recipients “exemplify Army values and help our nation’s military achieve critical missions at home and abroad.” Manz was honored for championing, leading and delivering innovative precision weapon and munition overmatch capabilities and for being the “Father of Munition-Deployed Navigation Warfare.” He also received the Weems Award from the Institute of Navigation “for outstanding contributions and exceptional technical leadership in the development and delivery of ‘resilient and survivable Positioning, Navigation and Timing’ capability for assured precision weapons and munitions.” He is chief technology officer for the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition and holds a dozen patents.
Bill McColl, MAT (Metro), has more than 25 years of experience as a senior producer and writer for television, radio and digital media. McColl helped create and produce “WSJ at Large with Gerry Baker” and “Bulls and Bears,” on Fox Business Network. He is a contributor at Investopedia.
1995
Daniel DaSilva, PhD (Metro), wrote the article “Turning Anxiety Into a Positive,” for the Morris Psychological Group P.A. website. He is a neuropsychologist with specialties in aviation and pediatric neuropsychology.
2000s
2002
Sandra Graham-Mason, MPA (Metro), was named to Medical Marketing and Media’s 2024 Women of Distinction. She is senior director of oncology marketing at Regeneron, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. Graham-Mason is on FDU’s Alumni Association Board of Governors.
2003
Reinaldo Marcus Green, BA, MAT’05 (Flor), directed “Bob Marley: One Love,” a Paramount Pictures production. He directed “King Richard,” which was nominated for Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards.
Michelle Lewis, MPA (Metro), chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, was recognized by Schneps Media in its “Power Women of Manhattan 2024.”
Shanene Muldrow, BA (Metro), wrote the series Sawyer, Kid Lawyer, with illustrations by her brother, Sheldon Muldrow. The first of five books is about Sawyer navigating her first day of first grade. It is available from sawyerkidlawyer.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Walmart.
2004
Brian Blath, MAS (Metro), retired after 25 years with the Bridgewater (N.J.) Police Department.
Allyce Foran Hackmann, BA (Flor), vice president of external communications for ADP, was one of the recipients of the Top Women Awards in 2024 honor by PR News (In-house Innovators Category). The award honors the “supportive, innovative, inspiring women making an impact on their organization.” She is married to Westley Hackmann, BA’05 (Flor), director of account service, at Oxford Communications.
Rémy Raisner, BS (Metro), is founder and CEO of The Raisner Group in New York City. Raisner previously played professional basketball in France.
2005
Claudette Peterkin, AA’03, BA, MAT’10, EdD’23 (Metro), wrote “The value of engagement for students with disabilities through play,” for njea.org. She is a special education teacher at Dr. John Grieco Elementary School in Englewood, N.J.
Christine Pronek, MST (Flor), joined Wilkin & Guttenplan P.C., in East Brunswick, N.J., as partner. She will focus on trust and estate work.
Stability: The Belle of the Ball, a memoir by Marie Renée Thadal, MS (Metro), was published by Halo Publishing International. Thadal is vice president of sales and operations at Coptis in Harrison, N.Y. In 2018, she founded Itiah Angels of Learning, a nonprofit supporting girls’ education at her elementary school in Haiti.
2007
Brad Esporrin, MST (Flor), joined Weaver as a partner in the accounting and advisory firm’s investment fund services.
Rachel Goldman, MA, PhD’10 (Metro), appeared at a virtual event hosted by Oprah Winfrey, “Making the Shift: A New Way to Think About Weight.” Goldman, a licensed psychologist and expert in cognitive behavioral therapy, is a clinical assistant professor in the psychiatry department at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and has a private practice in New York City.
Legislator Carmen Morales, MAS (Metro), was sworn into office by New Jersey General Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. An educator, she represents District 34 in the New Jersey General Assembly.
Robert Roselli, BA, MAS’09 (Metro), is vice president of 34 Sherman LLC, N.J., a construction business committed to providing customers with affordable housing, in Morris Plains, N.J. He has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since 1991.
2008
Ruth Levy, BS (Metro), has been elected partner at Williams Mullen, Columbia, S.C. She is a litigator and regulatory attorney focusing on environmental and health care matters in federal, state and administrative courts in North and South Carolina.
2009
Irvinder Singh, MBA (Metro), was named chief information officer of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank in Columbia, S.C. He joined AgFirst in 2023 as principal director of technology.
2010s
2011
Gene Rickle, MAS (Metro), was promoted to captain of the South Brunswick (N.J.) Police Department.
2013
Ashley-Ruth Bernier, MFA (Flor), was a 2024 recipient of the Barbara Neely Grant, an award created by the Mystery Writers of America to honor Neely, who wrote one of the first crime fiction series with a Black female protagonist. Bernier’s short fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, Stone’s Throw, The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2023. She is the 2022 winner of the Jacobs/Jones African-American Literary Prize from the North Carolina Writers’ Network.
Antonio Ellis, BA, MAS’14 (Metro), was promoted to police chief of the Manchester Township (N.J.) Police Department and named public safety director. He joined the force in 2000.
2015
After 24 years in law enforcement, Rich Calabrese, BA, MAS’16 (Metro), retired as police chief of the Cinnaminson (N.J.) Police Department.
Kyle Matthews, BA (Metro), the director of sales and distribution at The Hartford, was featured in an article “Insurance is an exciting industry,” on insurancebusinessmag.com.
William Merkler, MAS (Metro), was promoted to lieutenant of the South Brunswick (N.J.) Police Department.
Reel Change III: Flashbacks and Coming Attractions, the third installment in the essay collection by William Mesce, Jr., MFA (Flor), was published by BearManor Media in February. He writes that after winning a short-fiction competition, three of his stories, “Overhead,” “Smoke” and “Lucky Man,” were produced as audiobooks with visuals for BookTV’s YouTube channel. Mesce’s award-winning World War II trilogy (The Advocate, Officer of the Court and A Cold and Distant Place) recently relaunched as a boxed set by Joffe Books.
2016
Christopher “CJ” Bedell, BA (Flor), is the author of Ugly Beautiful People, an adult LGBTQ thriller. The book was published in August 2023 by Next Chapter Publishing.
Ronald Edwards, BA, MAS’17 (Metro), was named director of professional standards, accountability and cybersecurity of Dover (N.J.) Township. He was a deputy commissioner of administration for New York City’s Department of Corrections.
The rights to Poppy’s Question, a picture book by Nicole Melleby, MFA (Flor), an FDU adjunct creative writing instructor, have been acquired by Algonquin Young Readers. The book will be published in 2025. Melleby is also the author of Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine, published by Algonquin Young Readers in April.
Tomika Sommers, BA (Metro), a detective with the Trenton (N.J.) Police Department, spoke at the 57th Commencement of Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, N.J. She received her associate degree in criminal justice there in 2011.
2017
Jason Caroll, BA, MAS’18 (Metro), was named chief of the Barnegat (N.J.) Police Department. He joined the department in 2001, was promoted to sergeant in 2006, to lieutenant in 2018 and to captain in 2021.
Andrew Filewicz, PharmD (Flor), co-wrote “Beyond-use dates: Ready or not, USP guidelines will impact your practice,” for dvm360.com. He’s director of pharmacy compounding at Stokes Pharmacy.
Kristen Landon, MBA (Metro), was appointed chief commercial officer at 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Washington, D.C.
Alexandra Mueller Leggett, BS (Flor), and Zachary “Zack” Leggett, BA, MSA’18 (Flor), were married at the Florham Campus on September 26, 2023.
Kevin Lutz, BA, MAS’18 (Metro), has been named director of the Office of Law Enforcement Professional Standards.
Thomas McQuillen, BA (Metro), has been reelected director of the Upper Township Board of Education, Petersburg, Cape May County, N.J. He is vice president of the school board.
Susan Alexandra Padgett, MS (Metro), a cosmetic chemist and cofounder of Educated Mess, was featured in “8 Trending Ingredients in Skin and Hair Care That Experts Predict Will Be Huge in 2024,” on purewow.com.
Michael Venezia, MAS (Metro), was sworn into office by N.J. General Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and will represent District 34 in the New Jersey General Assembly.
2018
Brooklyn ’76, a novel by Anthony Ausiello, MFA (Flor), was published in February by South Allen Street Press. Ausiello had a book signing on March 9 at The Mall at Short Hills, N.J.
Reinaldo Roldan, MS (Metro), firearms expert, has been named New Jersey’s designated microstamping examiner. Microstamping is a ballistics-identification technology. An Army veteran, Roldan is a senior investigator with the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement Office.
Samantha Scott, MS (Metro), is director of the clinical psychology postdoctoral program of TidalHealth in Salisbury, Md.
Director Lauren Shields, BA (Flor), founded the Blank Page Theatre Company and Audition Checkup, an acting and vocal-coaching company. She cofounded the film company 151st Productions.
Kyleesha Wingfield-Hill, MAS (Metro), is director of the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery in Newark N.J.’s department of public safety. She was previously executive director of the Brick City Peace Collective.
2019
Alisha Davis, MA (Flor), published The Switch Point, through Next Chapter in December under the pen name A.D. Childers. It’s available on Amazon.
Beata Mastalerz, DNP (Metro), is the executive director of Phelps Hospital, Tarrytown, N.Y., part of Northwell Health.
2020s
2020
Jannice Santiago, BA (Flor), is chef and owner of Spanglish Mid, a Puerto Rican restaurant, in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico. Santiago opened her restaurant, her lifelong dream, in November.
Jorge Torres, BA, MAS’21 (Metro), was promoted to lieutenant at the Red Bank (N.J.) Police Department. He joined the department in 2008.
2021
Margaret Garbarino, BA (Flor), has joined New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s office as deputy press secretary.
Anthony Torres, MPA (Metro), founder of Bergen County LGBTQ+ Alliance, was a featured guest at an event held as part of FDU’s celebration of Pride Month.
Joseph Wassif, MS (Metro), joined Kaniksu Community Health, Idaho, as director of psychiatry. Throughout his career, he has worked in mental-health settings including: Bonner General Behavioral Health, and in outpatient care, residential treatment, universities and a Veterans Affairs medical center.
2023
Samantha Pereira, BA (Flor), is head of marketing at Torpago, a fintech startup that partners with banks and credit unions to build and launch commercial credit card and spend management programs.
Krzysztof Sadowski, MAS, MPA’24 (Metro), has been selected by the American Society for Public Administration to join the Founders’ Fellows Class of 2024. Fellows receive a year-long mentorship with a seasoned practitioner or senior scholar as well as professional-development opportunities. Sadowski is a law enforcement officer with the Passaic County (N.J.) Sheriff’s Office
Terry VanAuken, EdD (Metro), graduated from FDU’s doctor in higher education program. She joined FDU in 2015 as business manager of the Office of Division III Athletics, after retiring as a public school business administrator. In 2023, VanAuken started teaching Introduction to Sport Management. She writes that in eight years, FDU has given her purpose, enabled her to achieve her dream of earning her doctorate and given her a place to call home.
In Memoriam
Jason Scorza, vice provost for academic and international affairs, professor of political science and philosophy, and director of the University Core Program, passed away on March 15, 2024. He joined FDU in 1999 and would have celebrated his 25th anniversary at FDU this fall. He held a variety of leadership roles at FDU including director of the School of Art and Media Studies and director of the School of English, Philosophy and Humanities. He helped organize interdisciplinary conferences, symposia and events, including the biannual Holocaust Symposium at Wroxton College. He also focused on global education, including both inbound and outbound study abroad and international-education experiences for FDU students, forging relationships with partners across the globe. Scorza is survived by his wife, Beth; his father Joe Scorza and stepmom Karen Hyman; his mother Lucille Scorza; stepsister Alison Johnson; and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his stepsister Melissa Hyman. Donations may be made to WNYC, Wroxton College or the Mohonk Preserve.
Jason Amore, senior vice president for University advancement, died on February 6, 2024, at the age of 48. He joined FDU in 2021 and was set to assume the position of vice president for university advancement at St. Bonaventure University, New York. Amore is survived by his two children, Julian and Adelynn; his mother, Rebecca Stayer Amore; siblings Tiffany and Ed; and his children’s mother, Kara. Donations in his memory may be made to the Dennis J. Amore Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Allegany County Area Foundation, 6087 State Rt. 19, Belmont, N.Y. 14813.
Robert Chell, professor emeritus of psychology, died on March 5, 2024. He taught at FDU for 37 years, starting in fall 1968 and retiring in June 2005 as a professor of psychology and chair of the psychology department at the Florham Campus. Chell used his academic experience to build a consulting practice, working with such clients as Allied Signal. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Beverly. Contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Herbert Potash, professor emeritus of psychology, died at the age of 85 on May 7, 2024. He taught for nearly 30 years at the Florham Campus and was co-director of the MA program in clinical psychology while maintaining his own clinical practice. He wrote two textbooks, Inside Clinical Psychology: A Handbook for Graduate Students and Interns and Pragmatic-Existential Psychotherapy with Personality Disorders. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janice; son David and daughter-in-law Jenny Gibbs; daughter Stephanie Barry and her partner Kevin Becker; and grandchildren Sam, Max and Nicky Barry; and Lydia and Michael Potash.
David O’Reilly, deputy campus executive for the Vancouver Campus, passed away on December 29, 2023. He was part of the team that opened the Vancouver Campus in 2007. As deputy campus executive, O’Reilly led the physical and financial operations of the Vancouver Campus and its academic support services. He also designed and taught business and economic courses at the undergraduate level. Over the years, O’Reilly lived and worked in Ireland, Germany, the United States and Japan, and had traveled extensively throughout Asia and Europe. He is survived by his wife Riki and daughters Hana and Lisa.
Alumni In Memoriam
Vincent O’Mara, AA’50 (Ruth)
Samuel Convissor, BA’53 (Ruth)
Joan Wludyka Schneider, BSN’53 (Ruth)
Patrick Paolella Sr., BS’54 (Ruth)
Diana Jesion Smith, BS’54 (Ruth)
Herbert Donnerhack, BS’56 (Ruth)
Joseph Bonomo, BS’58 (Ruth)
Robert Dunn, BS’58 (Ruth)
Joseph Favorito, BS’58 (Ruth)
Michael Schimenti, Jr., BS’59 (Ruth)
James Berrier, DDS’60 (Metro)
Stephen Ferber, BS’60 (Ruth)
Laurence “Larry” Reynolds, BS’60 (Ruth)
Peter Veritas, Jr., BS’60 (Metro), MBA’62 (Flor)
Anthony Bonillo, BSEE’61 (Metro)
Paul Freeland, BS’61 (Flor)
Barry Gordon, BS’61 (Metro)
Charles Kleinle, BS’61 (Metro)
Claire Mercer, AA’61 (Ruth)
Eugene Zick, BS’61, MBA’69 (Ruth)
Stanley “Tom” Ledder, Jr., BS’62 (Flor)
Linwood Tindall, BA’62 (Ruth)
Sidney Ulm, BS’62 (Ruth)
Paul Calabro, BS’63 (Ruth)
Isabel Connelly, MBA’63 (Flor)
W. David Edwards, BSME’63 (Ruth)
John O’Neill, Jr., BA’63 (Ruth)
William Strack, BS’63 (Ruth)
Janet Wylie, BS’63 (Flor)
Ronald Boyajian, BS’64, MBA’69 (Metro)
Kenneth Devory, BS’64, MBA’69 (Ruth)
Robert Donfield, Sr., MBA’64 (Metro)
Dominic Jengo, BS’64 (Ruth)
Anthony “Tony O” Olkewicz, BS’64 (Ruth)
Peter Opper, BA’64 (Metro)
Edward Pasko, BS’64 (Ruth)
Alfred D’Auria, BS’65 (Ruth)
Michael Leckstein, BA’65 (Metro)
Dennis Miskewicz, BS’65 (Ruth)
Armand “Monty” Zullo, BS’65, MBA’67 (Ruth)
Wilbur “Bill” Hartmann, BS’66 (Metro)
Charles Merton, BA’66 (Ruth), MBA’71 (Flor)
Francis “Frank” Molenda, Sr., BS’66 (Ruth)
Allen Handzo, BSEE’67, MBA’71 (Ruth)
Thomas McConnell, MBA’67 (Ruth)
Philip Meshinsky, MBA’67 (Ruth)
Asela Silva, BA’67, MA’72 (Metro)
Robert Sonner, BS’67, MBA’77 (Metro)
Dianne Tappen-Bolton, BS’67 (Flor)
Nan Jane Bayersdorfer, BA’68 (Metro)
Theodore Bonsignore, BS’68 (Metro)
Hans Kratz, MBA’68 (Ruth)
William Patterson, MBA’68 (Metro)
John Scerbo, MBA’68 (Ruth)
Dennis McLaughlin, MBA’69 (Metro)
Terrance “Terry” Pott, MA’69 (Ruth)
Russell Reichert, BA’69 (Flor)
Warren Schoder, BS’69 (Flor)
Charles Toll, BS’69 (Metro)
Alan Wilson, MBA’69 (Metro)
Robert Young, MBA’69 (Metro)
George Edwards, Jr., MSD’70 (Metro)
Paul Pannone, BA’70 (Flor)
John Buoye, Jr., BS’71, MBA’75 (Flor)
David Cole, BS’71 (Metro)
Diane Dodd, BS’71 (Metro)
Joseph Dondiego, Jr., BS’71 (Metro)
Herbert “Herb” Maisenbacher, BS’71 (Flor)
Robert Rokose, MBA’71 (Flor)
Joyce Baber Ballard, BA’72 (Flor)
Helen Brunet, BA’72 (Flor)
Ross Fanning, BS’72 (Metro)
Eileen Booth Harrington, BA’72 (Ruth)
John “Jack” Schoen, MA’72 (Metro)
Ralph Skeels III, MA’72 (Metro)
Charles Williams, MBA’72 (Flor)
Roger Hendrixson, Sr., BS’73 (Flor)
Richard Patterson, ’73 (Ruth)
Richard Vuyosevich, BA’74 (Ruth)
Karen Berryman, BA’75 (Flor)
Franklin Knecht, BS’75 (Metro)
Sr. Eleanor Maragliano, MA’75 (Ruth)
Adam Szura, AA’70, BS’75 (Ruth)
Carl Bomgardner, BS’76 (Metro)
Peter Eagler, BA’76 (Flor)
Joni McGraw Ellsworth, BSN’76 (Ruth)
Henry “Shep” Shepherd, Jr., MBA’76 (Metro)
John Cerrato, BS’77 (Metro)
Carmela Manicone Cusmano, BS’77 (Ruth)
Anthony Politi, BS’77 (Metro)
Deborah Zell Brown, BS’79 (Flor)
John Bubenko, Jr., MS’79 (Metro)
Eldridge Dunn, MBA’79 (Ruth)
Howard Lee Edwards, MBA’79 (Flor)
Dan Fry, MBA’79 (Ruth)
Sr. Nancy Meister, MA’79 (Ruth)
Richard Sommese, MBA’79 (Ruth)
Peter Barnes, III, MBA’80 (Flor)
Sondra Haimowitz, MBA’80 (Ruth)
John “Jack” Magullian, MBA’80 (Ruth)
Elie Chalom, BA’81 (Metro)
Elisa Demetropoulos, MBA’81 (Ruth)
James Hoyt, MBA’82 (Ruth)
John Napoli, BSEE’82 (Metro)
Rosemary Ohmann Seghatoleslami, MS’82 (Metro)
John Wilson, BS’82 (Flor)
Vincent Caravello, BS’83 (Ruth)
Doris Fraser Guidi, EdD’83 (Metro)
Despina Hatzelis, MBA’84 (Ruth)
Simon Rusmin, MBA’84 (Flor)
Li Lin Ong, MS’85 (Flor)
Leslie Picinich, MBA’86 (Flor)
Marvin “Scott” Self, MBA’87 (Ruth)
Maria “Fatima” Calcado, MBA’88 (Flor)
Michael Elassar, DMD’88 (Metro)
Nidia Nieves, AA’92 (Metro)
Eric Jason Clemente, BA’94 (Flor)
John Cleary, MBA’95 (Flor)
Douglas Rigg, BA’98, MA’00 (Flor)
John Howe, BA/MA’99 (Flor)
Joseph Zadroga, MAS’02 (Metro)
Erez Cohen, BA’06 (Flor)
Adam Bleznick, BA’10 (Metro)
Charles “CJ” Doyle, III, BS’17 (Flor)
Nicholas Saccoliti, BS’21 (Flor)
Richard Salkind, BA’22 (Metro)