Spring/Summer 2020: 2010s

2010

Zachery Fry, BA ’10, Huntsville, Ala., published A Republic in the Ranks: Loyalty and Dissent in the Army of the Potomac (University of North Carolina Press, April 2020). The book—a comprehensive reassessment of the army’s politics during the Civil War, showing how enlisted men developed political awareness that went beyond personal loyalties and laid the groundwork for Lincoln’s victory in 1864—was awarded the 2018 Edward M. Coffman First Manuscript Prize by the Society for Military History. He also received the 2019 John T. Hubbell Prize for the best article published during 2018 in Civil War History, a quarterly publication of The Kent State University Press. Fry is an assistant professor of military history at US Army Command and General Staff College, Huntsville, Ala.

Ashleigh Nugent, PhD ’10, Steinhausen, Canton of Zug, Switzerland, has been appointed the director of global medical communications for PTC Therapeutics, Inc. in Zug, Switzerland.

Edward Nakhle, MArc ’11,

Edward Nakhle, MArc ’11, Detroit, has joined the Detroit office of Quinn Evans as a senior designer. Nakhle holds a master of architecture and urban design from Kent State (2011), a master of architecture and a bachelor of science in architecture from Lawrence Technological University (2011, 2009), and a bachelor of applied science with a concentration in civil and structural engineering from the University of Windsor (2005).

Nathan Yaussy, MA ’13,

Nathan Yaussy, MA ’13, Burton, Ohio, [pictured above, right] won a $25,000 National Milken Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation on Nov. 8, 2019. The nation’s preeminent teacher recognition program, the Milken Educator Awards are hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher magazine. Yaussy is a ninth and tenth grade biology and life science teacher at Fairport Harding Early College High School in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. One of 40 educators across the country selected to receive the award, he is the sole Ohio recipient this season and the first from the district.
“Nathan makes learning tangible and exciting, both in and out of the classroom,” said National Institute for Excellence in Teaching CEO Candice McQueen, who presented the award. “With every lesson, students develop critical skills to think deeply and make the world a better place. As part of the National Milken Educator Network of Excellence, [he] will have a platform to broaden his impact and influence.”

Troy Aleman, BBA ’12,

When Troy Aleman, BBA ’12, married Tracy Arenson, BA ’07, Lakewood, Ohio, on Nov. 16, 2019, in Cleveland at Windows on the River, their wedding party was very “blue & gold.” “Out of 23 people total in our wedding party (including Troy and me), 11 of us were KSU grads. Pretty neat!,” notes Tracy. The couple met at WRL, a Canton advertising/marketing agency where Tracy is senior art director; Troy interned there during his senior year at Kent State and was hired as an account executive after graduation. Pictured (left to right): Oliver Harper, BS ’12, MS ’13; Lisa (Vavrik) Rowan, BS ’07; Holly Mueller, BS ’07; Gabe Bregon, BBA ’12; Troy Aleman; Tracy Arenson; Jake Gregory, BBA ’12; Michelle (Lallo) Elrod, BS ’07; Pat Tanski, BS ’13; Barb (Ditzel) Ginley, BSN ’07; Hunter Aleman, BBA ’12

Rob Young, BA ’12, BA ’14, and Ana Young, BS ’14, Fairview Park, Ohio, own and manage Big Bear Remodeling in Rocky River, Ohio, which was recognized as one of the top 50 remodeling companies in the United States by Remodeling Magazine in September 2019 at the Remodelers Summit and Awards Gala in Orlando, Fla. The small design/build firm specializes in kitchens, bathrooms and additions in Northeast Ohio, and has doubled in size twice in the last four years, with an employee-based business model. In addition to remodeling, Big Bear is state licensed in electric and plumbing, and it has an inhouse architect and designer. The remodeling company also has won multiple awards from Houzz and Home Advisor for service.

Matt Lilley, BA ’13, Kent, Ohio, has been hired as regional sales manager by Lippert Components Inc. in Elkhart, Ind. In his new role, he will work within the West Coast region to establish aftermarket partnerships and to support the company’s aftermarket growth efforts for RV products.

Michael Daugherty, BS ’14, Frederick, Md., has spent the last six years sharpening his skills as a logistics and supply chain expert. After working as an operations manager and robotics SME [Small and Medium-sized Enterprises] for Amazon.com, he has since moved to Washington, DC, to serve as a naval operations management analyst, consulting for the US Navy, specializing in unmanned submarine technology development and implementation. He is currently employed at Booz Allen Hamilton, one of the nation’s top defense consulting firms, and has offices in Washington, DC, and the Washington Navy Yard.

Scott Goss, MFA ’14, Shaker Heights, Ohio, an interactive installation artist, was one of 16 artists (out of a pool of 78 applicants) who received a 2020 Artist-in-Residence award from Akron Soul Train (AST). AST is an artist-in-residence program connecting and empowering the community and artists by granting fellowships that provide resources for all creative disciplines and include a community engagement component.

Hannah Summerville-Miller, BA ’15,

Hannah Summerville-Miller, BA ’15, married Max Miller, BSE ’15, Avon Lake, Ohio, on Aug. 17, 2019, in Vermilion, Ohio. They met their senior year at Kent State, and many other Golden Flashes were in attendance, as well.

Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine

Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (formerly Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine) graduates reunited at FASMA (Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic) physicians weekend in Wintergreen, Va. Andrew Liss, DPM ’76, serves Columbia and Kensington, Md.; Maryellen Waltz, DPM ’11, provides podiatric care to Culpeper, Fishersville and Orange, Va.; Jennifer Bell, DPM ’07, serves the community of Frederick and Mt. Airy, Md.; Casey Friske, DPM ’10, provides complete podiatric care in Clarksville, Md.; Mitchell Waskin, DPM ’83, serves the Richmond, Va. area; Eric Masternick, DPM ’02, works in Reston, Va., providing the community with podiatric services. FASMA, one of the largest groups of podiatrists in the United States, has recently partnered with NMS Capital of New York to fund growth. Pictured left to right: Dr. Andrew Liss, Dr. Maryellen Waltz, Dr. Jennifer Bell, Dr. Casey Friske, Dr. Mitchell Waskin; Dr. Eric Masternick. Not pictured: Devin Grant, DPM ’12.

Jenelle (“Jen”) Alverson, BFA ’15, Cincinnati, joined the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati as assistant preparator and collections technician on Sept. 12, 2019. Previously, she was a senior exhibition technician at the Akron Museum of Art and, earlier, exhibition technician at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland.

Adam Hazy, BA ’15, Ashtabula, Ohio, is the new marketing coordinator of the Ashtabula County District Library, as of Sept. 4, 2019. Previously, he was marketing coordinator at Andover Bank in Andover.

Chelsea Kennedy, BS ’16, MPH ’18,

Chelsea Kennedy, BS ’16, MPH ’18, and Andrew Grega, BS ’15, Norton, Ohio, were married in Cleveland on Sept. 1, 2019, with 11 KSU alumni in the wedding party, in addition to the couple. “We made lifelong friends at KSU,” notes Chelsea. “We participated in fraternity and sorority life; Andrew is a Kappa Sigma and I am a Chi Omega. We met when Andrew was the “House Boy” (dishwasher) in my sorority house. Andrew used his training from the College of Aeronautics and Engineering to become a commercial airline pilot. I work as a project coordinator at Kent State University in the College of Public Health. We took our parents to New York City in November 2018 to see the Christmas festivities. While ice skating around the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Andrew cleared the ice and proposed in front of not only our parents but thousands of strangers. It was like a scene out of a movie! We will never forget that moment.” Pictured (left to right): Kata Bjelopera, BS ’16, Wickliffe, Ohio; Chelsea (Natcher) Reaser, BBA ’16, Ravenna, Ohio; Molly Phelps, BS ’16, Stow, Ohio; Amanda Bevington, BA ’16, Logan, Utah; Melissa Boswell, University of Akron, ’15; Lindsey Mace, BA ’15, North Canton, Ohio; Chelsea Kennedy; Andrew Grega; DJ Ehrmantrout, BS ’16, Wooster, Ohio; Joe Spinhirny, BS ’15, Aurora, Ohio; Domenic Cicchinelli, BA ’16, Glenshaw, Pa.; Weston Sisson, BBA ’17, Warren, Ohio; TJ Ewing, BS ’16, Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and Collin Czehut, BA ’16, MEd ’18, Chesterland, Ohio

Eric Snitil, BS ’16,

Eric Snitil, BS ’16, Rochester, NY, was named new chief meteorologist at WROC-TV Channel 8 in Rochester, NY, in August 2019. Previously, he was a meteorologist at NBS affiliate WSFA 12 News, Montgomery, Ala., for 8 years. (He completed his degree at Kent State by taking the one class he had left online.) At KSU, he served as weather director for TV2 and was recognized as “Best Student Weathercaster” by the Broadcast Education Association.

Betsy Brannen, MLIS ’17,

Betsy Brannen, MLIS ’17, Walkersville, Md., was recently promoted to children’s services supervisor of the Urbana Regional Library with the Frederick County Public Library System located in Frederick, Md. Previously, she was a children’s services supervisor at the Walkersville Branch (2018-2010) and a library specialist at the Middletown Branch (2016-2018).

Damien McClendon, BA ’16,

Damien McClendon, BA ’16, Cleveland, was one of 16 artists (out of a pool of 78 applicants) who received a 2020 Artist-in-Residence award from Akron Soul Train (AST). AST is an artist-in-residence program connecting and empowering the community and artists by granting fellowships that provide resources for all creative disciplines and include a community engagement component. McClendon was featured at an Open Mic event at the Akron Soul Train gallery in Akron, Ohio, on Feb. 22, 2020.
In 2020 he is writing and revising poems that examine racism, poverty, masculinity and fatherhood and is teaming up with Vibe Collective to offer a professional development writing workshop with prompts such as: childhood, parenthood, family or chosen family.
McClendon, who majored in Pan-African studies at Kent State, was a semi-finalist in three consecutive National Poetry Slams and placed 7th in the World Slam.
He was Cleveland Heights Poet Laureate from 2018 to 2020.