Class Notes for September 2026

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

As a member of the  San Francisco Track and Field Club, Bob Callori, '69, just competed in Gay Games XII in Valencia, Spain, and won a Silver Medal for a 5K run as well as Gold Medals in a 400m sprint, a 200m sprint and a 4x100 meter relay. The Gay Games sporting event occurs every four years.

Thomas Jordan, '72, Sturgeon Bay, WI, was honored  to win First Place at the 2026 International Photography Awards for his photo book, "Damned Good for an Amateur." There were more than 14,000 entries submitted from nearly 100 countries in a multitude of categories. For Jordan, credit goes to his Kent State University photo instructor Charlie Brill. "I learned a lot from him," Jordan said.

Diana Rogers-Adkinson, M.Ed. '91, Ph.D. '94, North Adams, MA, was appointed as the president of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on July 1, 2026.

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.

"God, Give Me Today" offers daily encouragement for those struggling with anxiety and depression, pairing Scripture with honest reflection, journaling prompts and simple prayers focused on getting through today rather than fearing tomorrow. "Kindred Spirits" speaks to those who love someone struggling with addiction, exploring the complicated intersection of love, hope, boundaries, heartbreak and faith.

Drawing from personal experience, Stukbauer writes without easy answers or platitudes, creating devotionals meant to feel less like instruction and more like having someone beside you who understands.

The books continue a series that began with "Hope’s Harbor," a devotional for grief, and share a simple underlying message: even in life’s hardest seasons, you do not have to walk through them alone.

Carson’s Caramels is a family-owned artisan caramel company led by Kent State University alumna Joanne Montz, '95, Chagrin Falls, OH. What began as a small passion project has grown into an emerging confectionery brand built on creativity, perseverance, relationship-building and a willingness to think outside the box. The company’s beginnings are as personal as its name, with a story rooted in family, creativity and unexpected paths to entrepreneurship.

Carson’s Caramels offers handcrafted, naturally gluten-free caramels in distinctive flavors including Sea Salt, Coffee, Orange, Bourbon, and seasonal varieties. The company has expanded beyond direct-to-consumer sales into wholesale, retail, corporate gifting, hospitality, and specialty partnerships.

With three decades of experience in sales, networking, business development, and corporate leadership, Joanne has built the brand from the ground up—embracing product development, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, marketing, and strategic partnerships. Carson’s Caramels reflects her belief that experience, relationships, creativity, and determination can turn an unexpected idea into exciting business opportunity.

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. Shendy focuses on conversations surrounding the human aspect of policing. To make the story sweeter, Shendy is often teaching classes she helped write. She serves on several Subject Matter Expert (SME) Committees at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA).