Peter Jedick, '71
Peter Jedick, '71, Rocky River, OH, is a best-selling author and historian. His latest book, "THE WESTPORT JETS MEET THE BEATLES, A Baby Boomer Adventure," received a great review in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2025/11/paperback-writer-author…
Mae Hutchinson, '23
Mae Hutchinson, '23, Massillon, OH, has spent the last two years since graduating working on an Assertive Community Treatment team for Coleman Health Services. While working with clients who have been diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses has not been the easiest job, Mae finds it very fulfilling and telling of issues facing the psychology field. During the first six months of her position, she decided to start an MBA and is currently in her last semester!
Chloe Zebrak, '22
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. She is grateful for the love and support of family, friends and the Kent State community as the pair celebrates this exciting new chapter. Chloe says "It's a joy to reflect on my Kent State journey and share this happiness with fellow alumni."
John F. Garofalo, '87, M.Ed. '93
John F. Garofalo, '87, M.Ed. '93, Akron, OH, was recently named president and CEO of Akron Community Foundation. In this role, he provides strategic leadership to a team of 22 staff members and works in close partnership with a 24-member board of directors to advance the foundation's mission and deepen its impact across the Greater Akron region.
Scott Haws, '99
Scott Haws, '99, Canton, OH, was recently sworn in for a new term as Plain Township (Stark County, OH) Trustee. The ceremony featured Stark County Family Court Judge Matt Kreitzer administering the oath, with Haws' brother, Jason Haws, participating in the tradition. Haws expressed profound gratitude for the community's continued trust and shared his enthusiasm for upcoming strategic initiatives and growth within Plain Township. "I don't take this responsibility lightly," Haws noted. "There are big things happening on the horizon for our community."
Barbara Grubb Jiannetti , '77, and Jeannine Guttman, '77
Former Kent Stater editors Barbara Grubb Jiannetti, '77, St. Petersburg, FL, and Jeannine Guttman, '77, Rutland, VT, recently reunited 48 years after graduation. The pair reconnected in St. Petersburg this past November and have been lifelong friends since meeting in Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, Japan. Both had successful journalism careers at newspapers around the country.
Wayne Lynch, '71
Wayne Lynch, '71, Seattle, WA, recently self-published his first fiction novel "Blood Stained Papers." The novel is a vampire horror story about three newspaper reporters bitten by a centuries-old Master and the attempt by a rival TV newsman to rescue them from their fate with the help of a secret society unknown to police. It's also a story of lasting love and a quest for human redemption based in a crime-ridden city. It is available on Amazon Kindle.
Benjamin Holbert III, '84
Benjamin I. Holbert III, '84, Beachwood, OH, recently concluded eight years of service as mayor of the Village of Woodmere in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He was first elected to Village Council in 2012 and elected mayor in 2018. Due to charter-imposed term limits, he is no longer eligible to serve. He continues his commitment to public service and community leadership. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) and serves as the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.