2020s
Nick Anello, BS ’20, North Olmsted, OH, joined Bialosky Cleveland as an architectural designer in 2022, after earning a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. As a student he was a CNC coordinator and brings that interest in fabrication and making to his work. [CNC, or computer numerical control, is the automated control of machining tools by means of a computer.] Before joining Bialosky, he worked on the Spatial Laminated Timber (SPLAM) Pavilion for the Chicago Biennial, which received a national award from the American Institute of Architects. He is currently working on Belle Oaks, a 375-unit mixed-use development in Richmond Heights, Ohio.
Jaylin Chadwell, BS ’20, Twinsburg, OH, a phlebotomy technician at Cleveland Clinic Twinsburg Family Health and Surgery Center, donated one of her kidneys in March to a woman she’d met while doing a blood draw. In May 2022, 90,000 people across the nation were waiting for a kidney donation. Chadwell, who was given six weeks’ medical leave to recover, says she’d eventually like to be a donor advocate.
Jamal Parker Jr., BS ’20, Pennsauken, NJ, former Kent State football defensive back, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in May 2022.
During his junior season as a Golden Flash, Parker was named a team captain and started each game. He finished his college career with 230 tackles, 28 passes broken up and 9 interceptions. Athlon Sports named him to the All-MAC First Team Defense and All-MAC Third Team Specialists in 2019.
Michael Reiner, BS ’20, Wellsville, OH, began working as a digital web producer for Youngstown’s Channel 27 WKBN in September 2021. As a journalism major at Kent State, he had two internships at WKBN: working in digital media for the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities Reach 4 More program in 2017 and web production in 2019. He also worked in sports for the Kent State student television station, TV2 KSU. Previously, he was director of social media and marketing at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort in West Virginia.
Dave Sabo, CER1 ’20, Euclid, OH, is a business partner for North Coast Wine Club, in Solon, Ohio. The award-winning winery buys premium grapes from all over the world and makes premium, organic wines as a group (not from kits). For an annual $275 fee, members receive a case of select varietals of wines the club has made. Membership also provides privileges for a year of participation in the club’s events, including the winemaking processes, wine education and tastings.
Sabo graduated with a degree in enology from Kent State University at Ashtabula.
Molly Thomas, BIS ’20, Northfield, OH, joined Camp Christopher, a program of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland, as environmental education program manager. Her grandfather was camp director in the 1960s. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a minor in sustainability from Kent State. In 2020, when the camp (located on 160 acres in Bath Township) only offered day camps due to the pandemic, she used the time to revamp the camp’s environmental program offerings. A new aspect involves training college students and going more in-depth on environmental issues.
Maria Zezzo, BBA ’20, Ashtabula, OH, was hired by BamBams as marketing manager in April 2022. BamBams is a supplier of promotional products based in Manassas, Virginia, with its own factory in China. Zezzo previously had worked since June 2020 as an account manager at FAST Platform, a cloud-based solution for the design, ordering and fulfillment of decorated apparel.
Keshunn Abram, BBA ’21, Southaven, MS, wide receiver, signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets following the 2022 NFL Draft on April 30, 2022. Abram finished last season with 47 catches for 699 yards and three touchdowns, and he caught at least one pass in all 14 games.
Dustin Crum, BS ’21, Kent, OH, quarterback, signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2022 NFL Draft on April 30, 2022. Crum was the 2021 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. He became the first KSU quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season in 2021, while leading his team to the MAC East Division Championship. He joined Joshua Cribbs as the only Golden Flashes to top 9,000 career total yards (7,420 passing, 2,071 rushing), and finished his collegiate career with 55 touchdown passes.
Azure Fernsler, BA ’21, Reading, PA, former Kent State field hockey standout goalkeeper, was nominated for the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year award. She was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Golden Flashes to a share of the 2021 regular season conference championship and a top-25 spot in the National Coaches Poll for eight consecutive weeks. She ranked eighth nationally in save percentage (.800) and 10th in saves per game (6.12). She graduated in December with a degree in environmental studies.
Cassandra Likouris, BA ’21, Washington, DC, was one of seven local people making a difference in their communities who DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton invited to the virtual State of the Union Address on March 1, 2022. Likouris works for the District of Columbia Shadow Delegation and is executive director of Students for DC Statehood.
Sandra Morgan, MBA ’21, Cleveland, OH, director of external affairs and communications for Kent State’s College of Arts and Sciences, is the granddaughter of Garrett A. Morgan. Born in Kentucky in 1877, the son of freed slaves, Garrett Morgan came up with solutions to problems he saw. Among his inventions are the gas mask that Allied troops carried into battle to protect against chemical attacks in World War I and the three-way traffic signal.
The successful Cleveland inventor is the subject of a new, short film, The Inventor, by Philip Musey, which made the film festival circuit during summer 2022. It was honored for “Best Historic Short” at the Manhattan Film Festival in June. Morgan is also the subject of a 2016 children’s book by Monica Kulling, To The Rescue! Garrett Morgan Underground, which tells how he risked his life to prove the effectiveness of his patented breathing device. Garrett Morgan was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005.
The family believes that John Hunt Morgan, a Confederate general known for his daring raids into Union territory—and for his dalliances with the women he owned as property—is Garrett Morgan’s grandfather. Sandra Morgan says they are seeking DNA confirmation that they are related to the general.
Michael Turner, BS ’21, Warren, OH, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox with the 281st overall pick in the ninth round of the 2022 MLB Draft on July 18, 2022. After four years at Kent State, Turner used the final year of his eligibility and transferred to Arkansas for this past season, where he helped lead the Razorbacks to their third appearance in the College Baseball World Series in the past four years.
Antonio Williams, BIS ’21, Chicago, IL, signed a contract extension with the Plymouth City Patriots (Plymouth, England) for the 2022–23 season of the British Basketball League. Previously, Williams played briefly for the Estonian-Latvian Basketball League, where he managed more than 17 points and six assists per game.
Kalp Champaneri, BA ’22, BS ’22, Cleveland, OH, joined Bialosky Cleveland as a construction administrator after graduating from Kent State in 2022 with bachelor’s degrees in construction management and architectural studies. Originally from Mumbai, India, Champaneri served as a Global Ambassador at Kent State to be a cultural liaison for international students. He currently supports construction management on Laurel School projects in Northeast Ohio.
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aria Johnson, BS ’22, Richmond Heights, OH, landed a job as a metro desk intern with The Columbus Dispatch in summer 2022. Before graduating with a degree in journalism and double minors in creative writing and media advocacy, Johnson worked as writer and editor-in-chief for UHURU Magazine, the magazine for Kent State’s communities of color, and worked with The Kent Stater and KentWired as a reporter, editor and editor-in-chief.
Jenna Mar, BA ’22, Dublin, OH, was named head coach of girls tennis for the St. Francis DeSales Stallions (rival of her Bishop Watterson High School alma mater) on June 8, 2022. She had been teaching at Wickertree Tennis Club since age 15 and played for Kent State’s club team. She graduated from Kent State in three years with a degree in psychology thanks to retroactive credits earned from testing out of some courses as well as summer classes.
Jyae McWilson, BS ’22, Cleveland, OH, joined Bialosky Cleveland in 2022 as an architectural designer after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Kent State. She contributes to the firm’s projects, including Hawthorne School in Lorain, The Lincoln Tremont in Cleveland and the restoration and adaptive re-use of Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in architecture.
Cameron Olin, BFA ’22, Medina, OH, was part of the ensemble cast for Sondheim on Sondheim, which ran Aug. 4-14 at the Cain Park Alma Theater in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Angelique Wong, BA ’22, Silver Spring, MD, participated in The Runway fashion show held at the Cleveland Museum of Art on June 19, 2022. The event showcased unique designs focused on diversity and inclusion from fashion designers around the world. Attendees also had the opportunity to shop the runway and purchase one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories from area designers.
The event gave area fashion designers like Wong—whose brand is size-inclusive—a chance to network. “I want to create an experience where every woman and every man feels celebrated and appreciated,” she says.
The second annual fashion show was put together by Fashion Talks, a group that produces events focused on creating opportunities in the fashion industry for small businesses and those who want to learn more about fashion.
Micah Young, BS ’22, Chardon, OH, was named the varsity boys basketball coach for the West Geauga Wolverines (his high school alma mater), on May 30, 2022. He had previously been the school’s freshman coach, after a year spent coaching at The National Basketball Academy. Young majored in physical education and health at Kent State.