Class Notes for December 2019

Do you have news of your own to report? Your classmates would love to hear what you’re up to. Please send us your updates at kimi@strose.edu. If you’re not on the mailing list for the President’s Newsletter or Saint Rose Magazine, please contact Fran Vorsky, director of alumni engagement, at vorskyf@strose.edu or 518.454.5196.

2010s

Sagine Maitre ’19 reports: “I’m back in school for an 18-month program in medical diagnostic sonography (Ace Institute of Technology). I chose this specialty to gain experience in health care. I want to start working in the hospital so I can start helping people.”

Matt Parrella ‘19 is working as a Salesforce.com developer for 7Summits in Broomfield, Colorado. He is 3x Salesforce certified and is a 2x Trailhead Ranger Salesforce developer.

Rohit Ahuja ’18 is working in the financial counseling division at Ayco. “I work with high net worth individuals to provide holistic financial planning. My time at Saint Rose allowed me to network with a lot of folks from the industry, some of whom from Ayco who helped guide and pave the path for me. Working with Dr. Avis and Dr. Wu from the business department was instrumental to my success both at Saint Rose and Ayco. I am back at Saint Rose now pursuing my master’s in business analytics. All good things all around, and I have the wonderful team of professors in the finance department at Saint Rose to thank.”

Rhina Allende ’18 reports: “I am now a middle and high school special education math and science at Mastery Charter School in Philadelphia and attending the University of Pennsylvania for my master’s.

Erin Donovan ’18 reports: “I’ve been accepted to the Pro Bono Scholars Program for the spring semester, which allows me to take the bar exam five months early, in February. I’ve also been hired to begin my career as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx starting next September.”

Timothy Osei ’18 is currently working as an accounting settlements coordinator at the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg in Manhattan.

Logan Ripley ‘18 has begun working at Orvis as a digital content specialist in Shaftsbury, Vermont.

Nathan Brown ’17 is operations manager at The School of Cosmetic Arts in Fairfax, Virginia.

Sabrina Hamilton ’17 is working for Brafman & Associates PC. “I am a paralegal at a high-profile criminal defense boutique law firm located in New York City.”

Dannielle Melendez G’17 was featured in a blog post by the Albany Times Union. Melendez recently relocated to the Pine Hills neighborhood of Albany, near the Saint Rose campus, citing the area’s walkability and proximity to parks and amenities.

Nicholas Negron ’17 is working full time for the New York City Mayor’s Office of Contract Services while attending law school at night. This is his first semester in law school.

Jesse Petrucci ’17 is working as an audit associate for FGMK, LLC, in Chicago, Illinois.

Tiffany Lloyd ’16 is working as an agent assistant at Paradigm Talent Agency in Brooklyn, New York.

Kim Burgess ’16, who was a marketing assistant for Julie & Co. Realty, is now the marketing coordinator for Bonacio Construction. “This might technically be considered a promotion since both companies have the same owners. Job-wise I went from assisting in the marketing efforts of the director of operations and 20+ realtors at Julie & Co., to being the sole marketing person/department for Bonacio.”

The Rev. Margaret Fountain Coleman G’16, an author and educator, was named Woman of the Year 2019 by the Luther V. Garrison Sr. Masonic Foundation, Inc., of Yonkers, New York.
http://www.yourgv.com/lifestyles/society/former-south-boston-resident-to-be-honored-as-woman-of/article_13cc63f2-1055-11ea-ae7f-8fe1c1301bb6.html

Sam Crocker ’16 and Nick Menozzi ’17 accepted the Best Marketing Automation Technology award at the Digiday European Marketing and Advertising Awards in London, on behalf of their employer, Impact. Impact is a partnership automation technology company based in Santa Barbara, California, but operating globally. “We’ve won six awards this year, including this one,” says Crocker. “I lead our business development team for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. I’m based in our London office. Nick Menozzi (business administration, ’17) also works on my team in London. I am communications ’16. Both Nick and I are also men’s soccer alums. We are hiring in our offices in Califronia, New York, and London. Always happy to recommend people for roles that might be a good fit.”

Geneva McPherson ’16, G’18, who graduated in Saint Rose’s Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) inaugural class, authored a book, “I Vow This to Me.” https://www.amazon.com/Vow-This-Me-Personal-Affirmations/dp/1985753553/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=geneva+mcpherson&qid=1572276649&s=books&sr=1-1

Jonathan Munroe ’16 has joined Berkshire Bank (Rotterdam, New York) as a financial advisor. He was previously a members solution specialist at SEFCU (Albany, New York).

Amelia Rossettie ’16 reported, “I started a new job as the manager of mechanical licensing in recorded music at BMG Rights Management. The switch from publishing to the label side of things has been a fun new challenge. I also have been performing quite a bit around Nashville and enjoying all that the city has to offer.”

Ciara Cristo ’15 began a new position as a program associate on the IBM account at Ogilvy in New York City in September.

Corrine Furjanic ’15 reports: “I have been working for the Penn State Alumni Association as their graphic designer for the alumni magazine called the Penn Stater. I helped do a rebrand of the magazine, which launched January 2018. I also have my own design business where I am currently doing an interior design project for my church.”

Kaitlin Kruglak ’15 obtained her master’s degree in forensic science at the University of New Haven (Connecticut). “After graduating from there in 2018, I accepted my current job in West Lafayette, Indiana. I now work as a forensic microscopist for a pharmaceutical company. I am also a published author and had my graduate thesis research published in the September issue of ‘The Journal of Forensic Science.’”

Jessica Osborne ’15 is currently a forensic scientist in the Latent Print Unit with the Michigan State Police. In this position, her duties include processing evidence for latent prints, collecting them, analyzing and comparing the prints to subjects, and testifying in court. Her previous experience includes working for the Phoenix Police Department Crime Laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona.

Daniella Toosie-Watson ’15 reported on the English at Saint Rose Facebook page that she recently graduated from the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan with her MFA. “I’m currently on fellowship (the Zell fellowship) with the program as a visiting scholar. I’m also serving as Writer in Residence for the InsideOut Literary Arts Program, which is a Detroit-based organization that teaches poetry in the city’s public schools. I love InsideOut so much! The 4th graders I’ve had the opportunity to work with are miraculous, and brilliant, and funny, and just such gifts. When we were studying metaphor and comparing ourselves to rain, one fourth grader wrote, ‘I am the rain because it is beautiful when it falls.’ Can you believe that came out of her mouth?! When I read that line in class, I literally laid on the floor next to her desk and held her paper to my chest, and the kids were all very confused as to what was happening, ha! Also! Since having graduated from Saint Rose I’ve been published in several journals, including ‘Callaloo,’ ‘Virginia Quarterly Review,’ and SLICE Magazine, and my work is forthcoming in the anthology, ‘The BreakBeat Poets Volume 4: LatiNEXT.’ I’ve also received fellowships and awards from the Callaloo Creative Writing Workshop, The Watering Hole, and the University of Michigan Hopwood Program.”

Nick Dipasquale ’14, G’14 is in Hamburg, Germany, working as a business analyst for Pan European Asset Company.

Arianna Gaddy-Collington Bullock ’14, G’16 is working for the New York Council of Nonprofits in Albany, New York, as program accounting coordinator. She recently was married and had two classmates in her wedding party.

Taneisha Kirchner ‘14 is a senior product designer at HuffPost in New York City. Her previous experience includes being a lead designer at the start-ups StockTwits and Flywheel Sports. Prior to the startup world, she worked at several digital agencies.

Alexandria (Remillard) Wood ’14 reported, “After graduating with a bachelor’s in forensic science in 2014, I went to Syracuse University, where I received my master’s degree in chemistry. I now work as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Pfizer. [She also got married.] I have a daughter named Eliana and another daughter on the way.”

Gerald Moore ’13, G’14 has begun working for The Business Council of New York State, Inc., as a staff accountant.

Keri O’Brien G‘13 is the director of marketing for yarn retailer Darn Good Yarn in the Capital Region of New York.

Ashlyn Slater ’13 was featured by the City School District of Albany for her World History AP class of first-year students.

Marissa Kilkenny ’12 has been promoted to senior catering sales manager at Bellagio (Las Vegas, Nevada), where she has worked for more than five years.

Catherine Kirk Robins ’12 is working as deputy director for legislative policy for the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative in Baltimore, Maryland.

Steven Gamache ’10, the eighth-grade lead English language arts teacher at Paul Habans Charter School (New Orleans, Louisiana) has received a Milken Educator Award – a national recognition of teaching leadership and excellence, called “the Oscars of teaching” by “Teacher” magazine. The citation noted Gamache’s commitment to and creativity in helping all students achieve at the highest levels, whether they’re new English learners or honor students; Gamache’s cohort went from 55% to 73% in achieving basic proficiency or better over the academic year. The recognition, given by the Milken Family Foundation, includes a $25,000 cash prize to Gamache.

Robert J. DeVincenzo ’10 is vice president and treasury product manager for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York City.

Kristen Gundersen Sigsbee ’10 married Mason Sigsbee in May at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs, New York. She was recently promoted to production director at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization in Alexandria, Virginia, after three years of service.

Abby Ingraham ’10 is director of associate membership and partnerships at Northeastern Retail Lumber Association in Albany, New York.

Tiffany Niles ’10 is a talent-acquisition specialist with PAR Technology Corp. in New Hartford, New York.

Kristofer J. Wildermuth ’10 is a web content specialist at Taconic Biosciences in Rensselaer, New York.

2000s

Michael Treantis ’09 has been hired by AAA Western and Central New York as an insurance manager, according to the company. Working out of the company’s Amherst headquarters, he will oversee all insurance sales operations at AAA WCNY branches across the entire region.He was most recently at GEICO Insurance Agency, where he had worked for 10 years and had received outstanding results as a property sales manager, AAA reported.

Chris Chenes ’08 just celebrated his 10-year work anniversary at the Tri-City ValleyCats Minor League Baseball team in Troy, New York, where he serves as the communications and marketing manager.

Erin Cassady-Dorion ’05, G’07 is the northeast regional sales manager for Raptor Technologies, a provider of integrated school-safety software. She has a passion for finding partnerships between education institutions and private industry. In addition, she is a Ph.D. candidate at the University at Albany, where she is working on exploratory research in entrepreneurship education in U.S. public schools. In her community, Cassady-Dorion volunteers as co-chair for the Niska-Day parade committee through the Niskayuna Community Actions Program, and is a former president and afterschool enrichment program chair of the Parent Teacher Organization.

Robert Aronstein ’03 was featured by the Schenectady Gazette for playing piano at the Wishing Well restaurant in Wilton.

Peter Gannon ’02, president and CEO, United Way of the Greater Capital Region, was featured in an article in the Albany Times Union. Gannon spoke about his working-class roots, being able to relate to the families he serves, and bringing new ideas and energy to the United Way.

Marcy Pendergast ’00 was announced as the new director of College Learning Centers at Hudson Valley Community College.

1990s

Kelly Monroe ’99 is an attorney and partner at Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto LLP (Albany, New York).

Joyce Waters ’97 recently became CIO, executive data & analytics, automation and hybrids for GE Renewable Energy in Greenville, South Carolina. She has been with GE Renewable Energy since 2016. She has worked for various GE organizations since 2007.

Bridget Mendel G’92 was in the news for her bid for a seat on her local school district board in Bradenton, Florida. A longtime educator and citizen activist, Mendel, who is said to be challenging a powerful incumbent for the position, said that she wants to reexamine the role of standardized testing, and wants to restore instructional time and invest in evidence-based materials and professional development for schools.

1980s

Janine De Tillio Cammarata ‘88 has published a third book in her “The Puzzle Quests” series with “Sketchy Dinosaurs.”

Martin Dinan ’86 was featured in the Albany Times Union for his ongoing participation in SongwritingWith:Soldiers, a collaborative weekend that brings together military veterans with singer-songwriters to share their experiences through music and lyrics. Dinan is director of veteran enrollment at Saint Rose.

Janell (Stevens) Sluga ’85 is a geriatric care manager at Senior Life Matters (Jamestown, New York). “I work with seniors and their families finding solutions for their issues of concern. I spend much of my time counseling individuals with Medicare on their Medicare related insurance choices. I also work with Long Term Care Insurance, Medicaid and other entitlements. I have worked in WNY with seniors for 30 years and love my job! I write a weekly newspaper column for the Post Journal related to Senior Issues. I was recently awarded The New York State Employee of Distinction Award for my work with Seniors. I live with my husband in Western New York. I have two sons, one in college, one graduated from college and working in Ohio. I think back fondly of my days at St. Rose. My professors, Donna Reittinger, Greg Gross, Steve Alger were wonderful influences for me and I think of them often.”

Michelle Cuozzo Borisenok ’80 was heartily applauded for her leadership and longtime service to Saint Rose at the dedication of the Michelle Cuozzo Borisenok ’80 House and announcement of the Women’s Leadership Institute.

Jean Hopkins ’80 was mentioned in memoriam by current Saint Rose student Leah Dollard ’20, a senior who plays forward for the women’s basketball team, in a story that ran in the Albany Times Union. Hopkins, a close family friend and neighbor, and Dollard’s grandmother, Jo Anne Dollard, were Dollard’s biggest fans. Both Hopkins and Jo Anne Dollard passed away recently.
“They’ve been watching me since middle school and I don’t think either one of them missed a home game, so this year’s very special to me,” Dollard said. “I want to honor them this year with my last season.

Ever since she was 10 years old, Dollard had been coming to Saint Rose basketball games with Hopkins. “She was actually one of the reasons why I chose Saint Rose,” Dollard said. “I sat right behind the bench and ever since then I just felt part of the Saint Rose family. With her passing, it was like a little part of the Saint Rose family has gone away. But she’s got the best seat in the house now.”

John Sacca G’79, an Army veteran of Korea and the Vietnam War, received the 2019 Veteran of the Year Award (sponsored by the Association of the United States Army and the Friends of the New York State Military Museum). Sacca, who enlisted in the Army in 1966, was initially posted to the 8th Army in South Korea; months later, he requested a transfer to Vietnam, where he served in various combat capacities through 1969, when he joined the New York Army National Guard in Albany, New York. He continued his military service until 1991, and was commissioned as a captain in the New York Guard, where he served until retiring in 2013. He has received numerous commendations and medals from the U.S. Army. In addition, he taught at Capital Regional schools at the middle- and high-school and college levels. In addition to his master’s from Saint Rose, he holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the University at Albany.

1970s

Nellie Bush G’77, longterm president of the Greater Amsterdam School District (GASD) Board of Education, was honored as a New York State Assembly Woman of Distinction for 2019. She retired from a 43-year career in teaching and administration. She now serves as the president of the GASD Board of Education and works in the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District as interim elementary principal.

1960s

The Honorable Elizabeth O’Connor Little ’62, better known as longtime New York State Senator Betty Little, announced that she is retiring in 2020, after serving nine terms.

In memoriam
Evelyn (formerly Ian) West ‘16
Eric La Malfa ‘15
Dale Turner G’05, G’07
Suzanne M. Braun G’98
Lauren Buys Sherman ‘88
Margaret Sandora ‘81
Thomas D’Ambrose ‘78
Brenda Sparks ‘75
Dana Ciamprone ‘71
Pelida Gorski Schaefer ‘70
Laureen Fitzgerald ‘68
Sister Norina Mastro ’68
Sister Johanne McCarthy ’66, Trustee 2000-2004
Lucille Bagnoli ’65, G’69
Sister Anne Brown ‘63
Claudia Countryman Engelhardt ’63, G’82
Mary Jane Fogerty ‘61
Kathleen Rinella ‘61
Sister Elizabeth Jean Allard ‘58
Katherine Conroy Ryan ‘53
Phoebe Gisondi Boschi ‘51
Kathleen (Anne) Marjorie Killian Brock ‘50
Mary Elizabeth Boomhower ‘48
Betty James ‘43

Friends of Saint Rose
Lila Latham Touhey
Jennifer Childress, associate professor of art education at Saint Rose for 18 years