Class Notes - Spring 2023

News from Spartans around the world

June 10, 2023

1950s

RUSSELL DORE, ’59, M.S. ’60 (Both in Social Science), recently published his first two historical fiction novels. The first, “Motor City Drama: Behind the Scenes Building the Big Three with Ford, Durant and Chrysler,” features imagined conversations between the three automotive pioneers who put Detroit on the map. The second novel, “They Put America in the Air: Behind the Scenes Building the Commercial Aircraft Industry with The Wright Brothers, Bill Boeing and Donald Douglas,” takes a similar approach, providing the reader with an insider’s perspective to conversations between American aviation pioneers. 

 

1960s

JIM SARGENT, M.A. ’68, Ph.D. ’72 (Both in Social Science), has published the sixth iteration of his Mickey Matthews Mystery series, “California Redwoods,” through Doce Blant Publishing. The novel takes place in 1945 and follows detective Mickey Matthews as he attempts to solve a cold case in Northern California.

 

1970s

CHRISTOPHER MYRON CLAXTON, ’72 (Business), has independently published a novel entitled “Demons of Federal Misconduct: A Chicago Memoir!.” Based on a true story, this book takes readers through two federal investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, demons, angels and spiritual warfare.

FAY L. LOOMIS, ’73 (Arts and Letters, Honors College), M.A. ’75 (Arts and Letters), was featured in Kaleidoscope: Exploring the Experience of Disability through Literature and the Fine Arts magazine, Issue 86. Loomis’s creative nonfiction essay “At Sea” chronicles the author’s response to health issues and the pandemic. Loomis’s work was selected from more than 400 submissions considered for the award-winning publication from United Disability Services. 

MARY M. AUSTIN, ’74 (Lyman Briggs), was recently honored with the 2022 Medallion Award by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

STEPHEN SCHRAM, ’75 (Communication Arts and Sciences), has retired after nearly 17 years of service as Michigan Radio executive director and general  manager. Schram was recruited by then University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman in 2006. Under Schram’s leadership, Michigan Radio expanded its reach and influence with consistently exceptional journalism on the most important topics of the day. 

SANDRA SWANTEK, ’76 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was recently named president-elect of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Swantek is section chief of Geriatric Psychiatry and an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois. 

MICHAEL HECK, ’79, MLIR ’80 (Both in Social Science), has been reappointed as magistrate for the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

 

1980s

CYNTHIA WILKENING, M.S. ’80 (Natural Science), recently published a book of thought-provoking and inspirational haiku poems “Water is Faithful: Haiku for Mind, Body, and Soul.” Through her poems, Wilkening prays others will find that hope is not lost and that a relationship with the divine is not only possible but compelling.

LOIS J. AREND, ’81, Ph.D. ’87 (Both in Natural Science), M.D. ’92 (Human Medicine), was elected president of the Renal Pathology Society (RPS). The RPS is an international medical society dedicated to improvement and dissemination of knowledge regarding the pathology and pathophysiology of renal disease. Dr. Arend is associate professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

KRISTIN CLARK-TAYLOR, ’82 (Arts and Letters), recently joined the website UExpress with a new advice column titled “Take My Hand.” The weekly column offers old-school wisdom viewed through a modern-day sensibility and a gentle spiritual grounding. It will answer specific reader questions, and provide solution-driven exploration of the issues and challenges readers face in today’s world. 

JAMES LENTINI, M.M. ’84 (Music), has been featured in the album “Dimensions, Vol. 4: Works for Orchestra.” Lentini’s composition “A Distant Place” employs eight instruments including harp and guitar to portray the driving spirit that compels us to chase our dreams. 

SUSAN I. STEWART, ’84 (Social Science), M.S. ’90, Ph.D. ’94 (Both in Agriculture and Natural Resources), was appointed to the Michigan State Waterways Commission by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Stewart is the chair of the board of directors at Irish Boat Shop.

MARVIN D. BAISEL, ’85 (James Madison), has been reappointed to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Baisel has served as a magistrate for the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates since 2021. 

ERIC J. FRAHM, ’86 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), has been reappointed to the Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Frahm represents the Michigan Milk Producers Association and owns and operates Golden Elm Dairy.

JAMES BACARELLA, ’88 (Social Science), was recently elected Iosco County prosecutor and has been appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court Justice for All Commission.

ROCH GAUSSOIN, Ph.D. ’88 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), received the USGA 2023 Green Section Award from the United States Golf Association in recognition of Gaussoin’s innovation in the putting green construction and management. A professor and extension specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Gaussoin has dedicated nearly 20 years to researching critical aspects of putting green construction and management.

JEFFREY E. HORNING, ’89 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), has been reappointed to the Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Horning represents the Michigan Milk Producers Association and operates Horning Farms. 

 

1990s

RICHARD CLARKE, ’90, M.S. ’93 (Both in Natural Science), recently launched TreeWilder, a subscription-based carbon offset program. TreeWilder supports robust tropical forest protection and exceptional renewable energy projects with subscription fees.

STEPHANIE E. HIRCHERT-WALTON, M.S.W. ’95 (Social Science), has been appointed to the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Hirchert-Walton is a school social worker for Eaton Regional Education Service Agency.

ANNE N. SLEPER, ’98, M.A. ’00 (Both in Communication Arts and Sciences), was appointed to the Michigan Board of Speech Language Pathology by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Sleper currently serves as the lead speech and language pathologist at Ascension Borgess.

KEVIN J. STACHOWIAK, ’98, D.V.M. ’00 (Both in Veterinary Medicine),has been reappointed to the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Stachowiak currently serves as owner and veterinarian at Caseville Small Animal clinic.

SCOTT VENTLINE, ’98 (Business), was named a managing director by UHY Advisors in the Great Lakes region. Ventline is a leader and resource in the tax practice. UHY Advisors, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading professional services firms and fifth largest in Southeast Michigan.

 

2000s

CHRIS MILLER, ’00 (Natural Science), was named one of OneAmerica’s ASPIRE Awards winners. Miller, senior director of data governance and quality, was honored by the company for outstanding leadership. 

AARON L. DAVIS, ’03 (Social Science), recently joined Michigan law firm Butzel in their Lansing office. He joins the firm as a shareholder. 

JEREMY MANSON, ’03 (James Madison), J.D. ’06 (Law), was recently named shareholder at Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett, P.C. in Birmingham, Michigan. 

KELLEN KALSO, ’04 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was named chief operating officer of Store Space Self Storage. Kalso is a former member of the MSU Men’s Soccer team. He previously served as vice president of Operations for The William Warren Group, which owns the StorQuest Self Storage brand. In his new role, Kalso will focus on supporting Store Space’s growth.

CINDY MATULIS, ’06 (Education), recently made the 160-kilometer trek through the Himalayas to reach Everest base camp with her family, including her husband and four young children. 

MEGAN M. EBERHARD, ’07, D.V.M. ’09 (Both in Veterinary Medicine), has been appointed to the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Eberhard currently serves as area chief of staff and veterinarian for Banfield Pet Hospital in Lake Leelanau, Michigan. 

CHRISTOPHER BARNES, Ph.D. ’09 (Business), was recently featured on New Belgium Brewing’s Green Flags podcast where he educated listeners on the ways adequate sleep and rest contribute to a successful work environment. 

ASHLEY BARRETT, J.D. ’09 (Law), recently joined Michigan law firm Butzel in their Lansing office. He joins the firm as a counsel.

BRAD LOVE, Ph.D. ’09 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was recently named University of Texas System Distinguished Teaching Professor, one of 36 faculty to earn the title from among the 10,000 instructors working at the 13 University of Texas campuses.

FRANK L. TRAMBLE, ’09 (Communication Arts and Sciences), was recently appointed vice president for communications, marketing and public affairs at Duke University. An award-winning higher education leader with a background in strategic executive communications, integrated marketing communications and operations, brand management and fundraising, Tramble will be the university’s chief communications strategist.

 

2010s

ANDREW GAUTHIER, ’11 (Business, Honors College), is founder and co-owner of Groovy Donuts, which has been recognized as one of the 2023 awardees for the Best Small Business Award, presented byMichigan Celebrates Small Business. Groovy Donuts was acknowledged onstage at the awards ceremony and was a featured dessert offering during the 19th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala in May. 

DEEMA TARAZI, ’12 (James Madison), M.J., J.D. ’16 (Both in Law), recently joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as senior policy advisor and counsel in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. Brownstein is a law and lobbying firm that has been making moves for more than 50 years to stay at the vanguard of its industry. 

ASHLEE T. BUSCH, M.M. ’14 (Music), has been featured in the album “Dimensions, Vol. 4: Works for Orchestra.” Busch’s composition “Shallow Streams”features quick-moving wind, string and percussion lines dancing over a calm riverbed of the piano.

GARETT KOGER, M.J., J.D. ’17 (Both in Law), recently joined Michigan law firm Butzel in their Lansing office. He joins the firm as a senior attorney. 

 

2020s

BRADY TERECHENOK, ’22 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), recently joined The Christman Company as a virtual construction specialist in the construction management and real estate development firm’s office in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

 

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