Class Notes and Obits

Please submit class notes to Amanda.schwartz@utoledo.edu

’60’s

John L. Straub (Law ’69) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

’70’s

Jack G. Fynes (Law ’77) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

**Thomas G. Pletz (Law ’71) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

David W. Wicklund (Law ’74) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

Mark Meyers (UTCTC ’79, A/S ’80) and his wife Nicole Meyers recently became small business owners when they opened Meyers Car Wash in Toledo. Information on their new business can be found HERE.

*Cheryl Smith-Miller, PhD (A/S ’79, MEd ’82) a nurse researcher at the University of North Carolina Hospitals, has recently been appointed as an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Nursing in Chapel Hill, N.C.

’80’s

Kathryn J. Woodward (Law ’86) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” She is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

*Joseph S. Simpson (Law ’88) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

Michael G. Sanderson (Law ’81) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

**Michael S. McGowan (Bus ’78, Law ’81) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

Neema M. Bell (Law ’86) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” She is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

The Honorable Connie Zemmelman (Law ’81) has been elected as the new president of the Toledo Bar Association. While in private practice, Zemmelman was chosen by colleagues for listing in “The Best Lawyers in America” and in 2007 she became a Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge.

Ken Krsolovic (A/S ’80) co-authored “League Park, Historic Home of Cleveland Baseball.” The book was published in 2013 by McFarland. To view the book click HERE.

’90’s

Jenifer A. Belt (Law ’95) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” She is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

James I. Rothschild (Law ’93) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is currently employed in the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. in Toledo.

Wendy Tressler (Univ Coll ’95, MEd ’98) and Gregg Dodd (A/S ’96) are working together at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Tressler is senior project manager, overseeing the $120 million aspirational building program that will result in ten new libraries. Dodd serves as director of marketing, overseeing the organization’s comprehensive marketing, public relations and community relations strategies.

Katie Bush (UTCTC ’99, HHS ’01, MA ’04, Nurs ’08) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. She was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

Matthew Sutter (Univ Coll ’98) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. He was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

*Josh Flores (Ed ’99) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. He was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

Christopher J. Hewitt (Bus ’90, Honors ’90) has been included in the 2014 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.”

Matthew R. Kutz (MEd ’97) was honored at the International Leadership Association’s global conference by the University of San Diego for outstanding leadership book award in the category for innovation and cutting-edge perspective for his book “Contextual Intelligence: Smart Leadership for a constantly changing world.” Please view his book HERE.

’00’s

Chief Warrant Officer Justin Shedron (A/S ’07) has been recommended for designation as a pilot-in-command of the UH-60 “Blackhawk” helicopter. Shedron also received his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Akron in the summer of 2013.

Cheri A. Budzynski (Law ’07) has been re-appointed as social media vice chair for the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environmental, Energy, and Resources Air Quality Committee for the 2013-2014 term year.

Dr. Ryan Szepiela (MED ’06, Res ’10) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. He was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

Jennifer Sorgenfrei (A/S ’02, MS ’09) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. She was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

David Mann (A/S ’08, Honors ’08, Law ’12, Honors ’12) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. He was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

*Jameel Burkett (Bus ’02) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. He was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

George Thomas (Law ’07) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. He was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

Ryan Rowley (A/S ’05) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. He was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

Deborah J. Sobczak (Bus ’00) was awarded the 2013 excellence in advising award from the Ohio Academic Advising Association. She was presented with this award at the OHAAA State Conference at Ohio State University in June 2013.

Ashley (Adams) Green (MEd ’07) has been appointed as a co-director of Michigan State University’s National/International Fellowships and Scholarships (NIFS) Office. Prior to joining the NIFS office, Green served as program manager for the Center of Advanced Studies in International Development at MSU, assistant director of career services at Grand Valley State University and as career program manager and adjunct career instructor for the Broad College of Business at MSU.

’10’s

Nathan Syrek (MBA ’11) was a recipient of a 2013 20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award presented in September 2013. He was selected from a field of 109 candidates. The 20 under 40 program focuses on individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or the community.

Marriages & unions

Matthew Rubin (LLSS ’11) proposed to Breanne Democko (A/S ’09, Law ’12) in September, 2013. The proposal came at the Canfield Fair, outside of Breanne’s hometown in the Youngstown area. Working with midway officials, Matt rigged a game so that she would win and when she was told to pick a prize, her husband-to-be appeared from behind the counter. She said “Yes!” A 2014 wedding is being planned. Rubin is an account coordinator for the marketing firm, Hart in Maumee, Ohio. Breanne is an attorney in the business section of Eastman & Smith in Toledo.

Births **David D. Dobrzykowski, PhD (Bus ’95, MBA ’99, PhD ’10) and Sarah Dobrzykowski welcomed their first child, David Jr., into the world on September 5, 2013. David Jr. is already a true Rocket fan, attending his first Homecoming on October 5.

Faculty, staff & friends

Joseph Czerniejewski, Toledo at 81. He was a custodian at UT from 1977 until his retirement in 1993.

Paul Paquette, Toledo at 65. He was a professor of criminal justice from 1993 to 2003. He was nationally recognized as an expert on terrorism; Paquette joined the University as director of the two-year corrections program at the former Community and Technical College.

Dr. Lawrence “Larry” J. Coleman, Knoxville, Tenn. at 71, served as the Judith Daso Herb Endowed Chair in Gifted Studies and professor of curriculum and instruction from 2001 until his retirement in 2011.

Dr. David S. Rosenberger, Altoona, Pa. at 87. He worked at the University for more than two decades. He joined the College of Education and Allied Professions in 1960 as an associate professor and was named professor in 1964. He served as chair of the Department of Administration and Supervision from 1964 to 1967, and as assistant dean of the college from 1967 to 1971. After overseeing Education Placement Services from 1965 to 1975, Patterson helped establish University Placement Services, which he directed from 1975 to 1977. He was named professor emeritus when he retired in 1983.

Dr. Robert “Bob” A. Schmall, Temperance, Mich. at 80. He was a former part-time instructor.

Dr. Parimal R. Vyas, Toledo at 58. He was a volunteer clinical assistant professor from 1987 to 1993 and was named volunteer clinical associate professor in 1994 in the Department of Urology.

Maria A. Wilson, Toledo at 84. She was a custodian in Environmental Services at MCO from 1979 until her retirement in 1992.

Dr. Donald A. Baker (Ed ’66, MED ’76, Res ’81), Toledo at 69. He was an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery. He joined the MCO faculty in 2001. He received a football scholarship to UT, where he played for the Rockets from 1961 to 1963. Baker graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1966 and was an assistant football coach for the Rockets from 1969 until 1970, the first two seasons of Toledo’s 35-0 streak. He returned to the classroom to pursue medicine and graduated from MCO in 1976 and completed his residency there in 1981. In 2003, Baker was inducted into the Varsity ‘T’ Club for his gridiron play. He was a member of the UT Foundation Board of Trustees. The family suggests contributions to the Dr. Donald A. Baker Scholarship Fund through the UT Foundation.

Helen Hillman, Charleston, S.C. at 98. She was a longtime Toledo resident who was a member of the Satellites Auxiliary and volunteered in the MCO gift shop. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Frederick Joel Hillman Scholarship Fund in the UT College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences through the UT Foundation.

**Dr. George Taoka, att. in 1946, Toledo at 97. He was a professor emeritus of economics and finance. He joined the UT faculty as an instructor of commerce in 1948 and was named professor in 1959. Taoka served as chair of the department, which changed names over the years. He was one of the first recipients of the University’s Outstanding Teacher Award when it was established in 1964. The native of Watsonville, Calif., served on Faculty Senate when it was formed, was vice president and treasurer of the UT chapter of the American Association of University Professors and was a member of several other institution committees. He also was faculty advisor to Alpha Kappa Psi. Taoka retired in 1982 and continued to teach part-time for several years. Tributes are suggested to the College of Business and Innovation through the UT Foundation.

Caroline “Carol” L. Topliff, Maumee, Ohio at 74. She was head nurse of the emergency room at the former Maumee Valley Hospital and MCO from 1960 until her retirement in 1991. Tributes are suggested to the Dorothy Hussain Scholarship Fund in the College of Nursing through the UT Foundation.

40’s

Harold Goodnight (Eng ’49), Lima, Ohio at 92.

Peter Hoffman (Bus ’41), Sylvania, Ohio at 94.

**June Shunk, att. in 1949, Dublin, Ohio at 86.

Mary Hausmann Sussman (Ed ’49), Toledo at 87.

Thaddeus Szelagowski (Ed ’42), Toledo at 93.

**Milford Meyers (Ed ’47), Toledo at 90.

50’s

*Raymond Knauss (Ed ’58, MEd ’64), Toledo at 77.

Kenneth Kwiatkowski (MEd ’59), Maumee, Ohio at 85.

Raymond Kusner (Bus ’51), Toledo at 90.

*R. McGuire (Eng ’51), Cincinnati, Ohio at 86.

60’s

Thomas McCally (Ed ’63, MEd ’70), Toledo at 78.

John Wayton (A/S ’69), Lambertville, Mich. at 76.

Richard Braun (Ed ’63), Plymouth, Mich. at 72.

Annmarie Heldt (Ed ’68), Toledo at 66.

70’s

Mark Thomas (Eng ’76, MBA ’83), Toledo at 59.

Donald Stalker (A/S ’73, MEd ’76), Toledo at 92.

Bernardine Valasek (Ed ’74), Maumee, Ohio at 88.

**Pauline Clegg (MEd ’73, Ed Spec ’81), Ottawa Hills, Ohio at 91.

Paul Paquette (Ed ’70, MEd ’78), Toledo at 66.

James Heider (UTCTC ’72, Bus ’79), Auburndale, Fla. at 65.

James Hardy (Ed ’74), Toledo at 65.

Allen Baldwin (Law ’76), Bowling Green, Ohio at 65.

Mildred Meyer (MEd ’73), at 82.

Timothy Fisher (Eng ’75), Waterville, Ohio at 60.

80’s

Dr. Randall Grimes (A/S ’81), Thurmont, Md. at 55.

Mary Zvanovec (A/S ’89, MS ’93), Perrysburg, Ohio at 46.

Margaret Kasner (UTCTC ’80, Univ Coll, 82), Pukekohe, New Zeland at 74.

Dominic Dioletti (UTCTC ’84), Oregon, Ohio at 69.

90’s

John Ocock (MBA ’94), Sylvania, Ohio at 66.

John Drolshagen (Univ Coll ’90), Toledo at 69.

William Urban (Ed ’95, MEd ’04), Swanton, Ohio at 43.

**Ingrid Wood (UTCTC ’98, HHS ’02), Toledo at 64.

Lawrence Seger (UTCTC ’95), Toledo at 61.

Connie Jo Price (Univ Coll ’93), Crossville, Tenn. at 62.

Anne Ball (UTCTC ’95, Nurs ’97), Toledo at 54.

David Moses (UTCTC ’97), Columbus, Ohio at 55.

*Annual Alumni Association Member
**Lifetime Alumni Association Member