Class Notes Archive

Sarah Shendy, '06, Cleveland, OH, lieutenant of training and professional standards at Case Western Reserve University Division of Public Safety, was inducted into the Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes. Inducted individuals are selected based on their notable accomplishments and contribution to their profession and society.

Sarah Shendy, ’06, Cleveland, OH, was featured in the spring 2021 edition of the Kent State Magazine for being appointed by Governor DeWine as the inaugural director of the Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment. Shendy received the 40 Under 40 Award in 2022 from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Globally, she was the only Arab-American female on the list.

Sarah Shendy, '07, Bedford, OH, returned to the police academy where she once sat two decades ago. Shendy is a police academy instructor and teaches topics including Communications, Police Legitimacy and Procedural Justice, Missing Persons, Domestic Violence and Victim Rights. Attending the Kent State University Police Academy changed her life, and she strives to do the same for others.

Colleen G. Sherman, M.B.A. ’07, Painesville, OH, was recently named chief executive officer of Cleveland's NoteWorthy Federal Credit Union, which specializes in musical instrument loans. Sherman brings more than two decades of management and accounting experience with performing arts organizations in Greater Cleveland.  

Jared Shoup, ’18, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, a high school social studies teacher at Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA), was recently named a recipient of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission Excellence in Teaching Diversity Award. Shoup was recognized at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

After graduating from Kent, Bill Shutt, MA '72, DuBois, PA, worked 30+ years as a mechanical engineer. Toward the end of that career, he turned toward music. Over the last 15 years, Bill has composed more than 50 choral anthems for churches - though none are published yet - and would love to share them for free with others who would like to try them.

Danielle Smeach, '06, and Brian Letzelter, '05, of Cleveland, Ohio, are pleased to announce their engagement.

After a national search, Kendra Smith, '22, AICP, Toledo, OH, has been named Enterprise Vice President, Community Health & Impact with Advocate Health's National Center for Clinical & Community Impact. In this role, Kendra will oversee the comprehensive community health strategy and associated initiatives across six states.

Carter E. Strang received the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Living Legacy Award given for “extraordinary leadership, innovation, and professional excellence.” He is a Leader-in-Residence at Cleveland State University College of Law, a retired founding Tucker Ellis LLP partner, and past president of the CMBA, the CMBA Foundation, and the Federal Bar Association Northern District of Ohio Chapter. 

Trish Stukbauer, '91, Mooresville, NC, expanded her "Hope’s Harbor" devotional series with two new books in 2026, each written for people navigating difficult seasons that are too often carried quietly.

Trish Stukbauer, ’91, Mooresville, NC, is a writer and communicator who has applied her journalism background to author two devotional books, "God, Give Me Today" and "Kindred Spirits." Her work focuses on supporting readers through difficult life experiences, including anxiety, depression and coping with a loved one’s addiction.

Janice Sudia, '88, Barberton, OH, is proud to announce the third generation of Kent State Golden Flashes in her family with the recent graduation of her daughter, Andrea.  
Mary Ann (Naugle) Obert, '62
Janice (Obert) Sudia, '88
Andrea Sudia, '26

Gerald Tinker, Sherman Oaks, CA, was recently honored by having The City of Miami officially name a street after the Kent State legend and Varsity K Hall of Famer, co-designating a portion of Charles Terrace in Coconut Grove as Gerald Tinker Way.

"Lafayette (Lafe) Tolliver, '71, Toledo, OH, has recently published his first book ""Interviews from Hell.""

This debut novel allowed Barbara to combine her interest in creative writing with experiences she had gleaned from years as an educator.

""Cemetery Ridge"" is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kindle and local bookstores. "

After 55 years of education-related jobs from teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, superintendent and professor covering the states of Ohio, Georgia and Florida, William "Bill" Truby, '71, M.Ed. '84, Ph.D. '92, Ocala, FL, is currently serving as the chaplain at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, FL.

Rev. David Twigg, '56, Waianae, HI, retired for the fourth time in 2024 at age 90. 

Norma West, '82, Saint Louis, MO, recently retired after a long career in the theatre. After 12 years as a costumer and crafts artisan/dyer in theatres across the country, West became the third female member of IATSE Local No. 6 Stagehands Union, founded 1893,  and the first female officer a year later.

Emily Williams, ’16, M.Arch. '18, M.U.D. ’18, AIA, Strongsville, OH, has been promoted to associate at Bialosky, citing her distinct value as a dual-disciplined practitioner and engaged leader in our design community. As a licensed architect and planner, Williams contributes to buildings and master plans that uplift neighborhoods, campuses and communities.

Mitzi Wilson, North Olmsted OH, started the Sharon Sigel Memorial Scholarship in memory of a sorority sister with an initial gift of $10,000 more than 20 years ago in 2003. Today, it has more than $50,000 in it dedicated to benefiting Kent State University students who are active members of the Alpha Phi sorority.

Pat Quinn Winter, ’83, CFRE, Monroeville, PA, has joined the consulting team of Advancement Advisors.  A seasoned fundraising executive, Winter specializes in developing strategy and implementation plans for capital, endowment and special campaigns. The breadth of her experience includes major and planned giving, annual giving, donor relations and stewardship programs.

Lauren B. Worley, ’01, Cincinnati, OH, has been appointed as communications director of Tampax, Feminine Care. Worley, a veteran public relations leader, joined P&G as the global newsroom leader in January 2020. Her family has a long history with P&G, which began when her great-grandmother worked as a cook for the Procter family.

Andrea Wright Jones, '91, Fort Wayne, TX, and Michael "Mike" Jones, were married in a small private ceremony on Aug. 26. The ceremony was held in the chapel of their church, Rising Star Baptist Church, which is led by Pastor Ralph S. Emerson.

Andrea Wright Jones, '91 Fort Wayne, TX, is the assistant director of Fiscal/HR and Administrative Services in the Public Events Department for the City of Fort Worth. She's been with the city for 14 years, having held her current position since 2018.

Chloe Zebrak, '22, South Euclid, OH, recently got engaged to her soulmate, Dominic, in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. The couple is planning to be married in June 2026. For Chloe, life since graduation has been full of growth, learning and wonderful memories, and this milestone makes it even more special.