UMass Amherst Alumni Association
Welcome to Class Notes. Find out what your fellow alumni are up to these days. Share your news and events by submitting a note.
William Foster (1975, SBS) has been a writer since age 8 and published since age 12. This collection represents 3 of his 10 written and produced plays. A popular professor of English at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, CT, these works have been used in his literature classes over the last 13 years.  Submitted on Feb 7 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Robert Equi (1979) Robert (Bud) Equi (1979, ENGR) writes, "After bouncing back on forth between the east coast and the mid west, we have been settled in Madison, CT for the past 8 years. Both of our children are enjoying their college years, one in Boston and the other in Pennsylvannia. Business travel keeps life busy. When we are not working you can find us on the water (kayaking or sailing) or playing tennis. We have enjoyed being back in New England to spend time with our family and summers on the Cape. Hoping to find ways to give back to the Engineering and Business schools via the Mentoring program in the coming years." Submitted on Feb 5 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Joseph Lacoy (1981) Joseph Lacoy (1981, SOM) writes, "I reside in Lakeland, Florida and manage the Human Capital Management arena for the Polk County Public School System (13,000 full time employees). My son is a freshman at Polk State College and my wife Teri has worked at the Publix Supermarkets corporate office - information tech for over 30 years." Submitted on Feb 5 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) John Depolt (1990) John DePolt (1990, SOM) is the chair of the Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina' first Leadership Council. Junior Achievement taps emerging community leaders to inspire young people to succeed in today's global economy. The Leadership Council is tasked with obtaining the resources necessary to successfully implement their programs, which include: educating local school children about the value of free enterprise, financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship. "Participation in the Leadership Council provides our members with a meaningful opportunity to create positive change in the community by connecting with and mentoring our future business leaders," said DePolt. Submitted on Feb 4 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) James Smith (1972) James A. Smith, '72, '77G, has joined Terra Firma Risk Management, a London-based security firm, as a managing partner. He previously worked as a senior security consultant for five years for Clayton Consultants, a Triple Canopy company, and before that as a senior consultant for Pinkerton Business Risks for four years. Smith, who entered the private sector security field after retiring from the U.S. Foreign Service, lives on an island in northeast Florida." Submitted on Feb 1 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Andrew Martineau (2009) Andrew Martineau (2009, SOM) was nominated for Vail Resorts employee of the month for December. This is Andy's first year working for Vail and at Vail Mountain. Andy's hometown is Beverly, MA. Submitted on Feb 1 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Richard Gagnon (1995) Richard Gagnon (1995, CNS) superintendent of Segregansett Country Club in Taunton, MA, has been selected to receive the 2010 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Excellence in Government Relations Award in the compliance category. The award will be presented at the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference during Celebrate GCSAA! presented in partnership with Syngenta, Feb. 9. Formerly the Opening Session and Welcoming Reception, Celebrate GCSAA! is hosted by GCSAA President Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS. The conference (Feb. 8-12) will be held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show (Feb. 10-11) at the San Diego Convention Center. For more information visit: http://www.golfindustryshow.com. Submitted on Feb 1 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Margaret Lenihan (1987) Margaret Lenihan (1987, SOM) PeoplesBank has announced the appointment of Margaret M. Lenihan as First Vice President, Commercial Banking. Ms. Lenihan joined PeoplesBank in 2001 and possesses more than 25 years of banking experience. She previously served as Vice President Commercial Marketing and Product Management. Submitted on Feb 1 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Kathleen (Palmer) Mullin (1988) Kathleen (Palmer) Mullin (1988, SOM) PeoplesBank has announced the appointment of Kathleen P. Mullin as First Vice President, Credit Risk Manager. Ms. Mullin joined PeoplesBank in March and possesses more than 20 years of banking experience. She previously served as Vice President, Credit Risk Manager. Submitted on Feb 1 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Daniel Ferreira (2000) Daniel Ferreira (2000, ENGR) writes, "I am the WIZZ AM radio station's Chief Engineer through my consulting company, Broadcast Technical Services. I have also worked at the University of Massachusetts part time as WMUA's chief engineer for the past 20.5 years. I also worked for WFCR for 13 years, concurrently with WMUA. In fact, that is how I funded my education; by using my tuition benefits!" WIZZ Radio was honored to receive the support of the world famous comedian, and local resident Bill Cosby on Tuesday January 5, 2010...and again the following day. Bill arrived at the station just after sign-on at 7:15am Tuesday and spent the next 3 hours chatting with morning show host and station owner Phil D. The "Phil and Bill Show", as it quickly became dubbed, took listener phone calls and requests. Many local sponsors of the station attended to watch and participate in the event and meet with Bill. Several spoke live with him as well. Mr. Cosby told many stories of his personal experiences with other star entertainers, as their songs were played during the show. Those included Sammy Davis, Jr., and it was one of his songs which started this whole event rolling. Here is a link to the WIZZ AM 1520, Greenfield, webpage with coverage of Dr. Cosby's kind appearance to help the station raise funds. http://www.wizzradio.com/cosby.php Submitted on Jan 27 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read all Class Notes
John DePolt (1990, SOM) is the chair of the Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina' first Leadership Council. Junior Achievement taps emerging community leaders to inspire young people to succeed in today's global economy. The Leadership Council is tasked with obtaining the resources necessary to successfully implement their programs, which include: educating local school children about the value of free enterprise, financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship. "Participation in the Leadership Council provides our members with a meaningful opportunity to create positive change in the community by connecting with and mentoring our future business leaders," said DePolt. Submitted on Feb 4 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) James Smith (1972) James A. Smith, '72, '77G, has joined Terra Firma Risk Management, a London-based security firm, as a managing partner. He previously worked as a senior security consultant for five years for Clayton Consultants, a Triple Canopy company, and before that as a senior consultant for Pinkerton Business Risks for four years. Smith, who entered the private sector security field after retiring from the U.S. Foreign Service, lives on an island in northeast Florida." Submitted on Feb 1 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read more Career News
Dana Rossi (1997, ENGR) and Michelle Rossi are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Hazel Anne. She was born on November 13, 2009 in Norwalk, CT, Norwalk Hospital, and weighed 5 lb., 13 oz. Hazel was named after her great-grandmother, Hazel Peck Rossi, who attended UMass Amherst in the late 1920s / early 1930s. Submitted on Nov 30 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) Daniel Berthiaume (1993) Dan Berthiaume (1993, HFA) and Julie Berthiaume are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Caroline Patricia. She was born on April 10, 2009 and weighed 7 lb., 12 oz. Caroline joins older brother David, born Sept. 2007, at home. Both she and mom are doing great! Submitted on May 28 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read more Births & Adoptions
Aaron Eppy (2002, SBS) and Elizabeth Miller (2008, Music) were married in August 2009 in Harvard, MA. They currently reside in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Submitted on Jan 7 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Stephanie Fuchs (2005) Stephanie Fuchs (2005, HFA) Christopher and Susan Fuchs, of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Barbara Fuchs, to Scott Douglas Bentley, son of Douglas and Linda Bentley of Slatersville, Rhode Island. The wedding ceremony will take place in the Summer of 2010. The future bride is from Hopkinton, and is a 200l graduate of Hopkinton High School, MA. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts, History degree and a Master of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts. Ms. Fuchs is a social studies teacher at Northbridge High School, MA. The future groom is a 1999 graduate of Woonsocket High School, RI. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2003, earning a Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems degree, with a minor in Computer Science. Mr. Bentley is employed as a Senior Systems Analyst by Fidelity Investments in Smithfield, RI. Submitted on Dec 17 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read more Marriages & Commitments
Robert (Bud) Equi (1979, ENGR) writes, "After bouncing back on forth between the east coast and the mid west, we have been settled in Madison, CT for the past 8 years. Both of our children are enjoying their college years, one in Boston and the other in Pennsylvannia. Business travel keeps life busy. When we are not working you can find us on the water (kayaking or sailing) or playing tennis. We have enjoyed being back in New England to spend time with our family and summers on the Cape. Hoping to find ways to give back to the Engineering and Business schools via the Mentoring program in the coming years." Submitted on Feb 5 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Joseph Lacoy (1981) Joseph Lacoy (1981, SOM) writes, "I reside in Lakeland, Florida and manage the Human Capital Management arena for the Polk County Public School System (13,000 full time employees). My son is a freshman at Polk State College and my wife Teri has worked at the Publix Supermarkets corporate office - information tech for over 30 years." Submitted on Feb 5 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read more Catching Up
Ayis Caperonis (1999, HFA) received a Masters in Education from Pace Univesity in NYC on May 24, 2007. She is a Member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education and recieved an award for Outstanding Graduate work in the field of teaching from the School of Education at Pace University. Submitted on Jun 16 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) Mark Follett (1988) Mark Follett (1988, SBS) feels grateful and honored both professionally and personally to have received an MBA and MSF (Master of Science in Finance) from Northeastern University, Boston, MA on May 1, 2009. Submitted on Apr 30 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read more Educational News
William Foster (1975, SBS) has been a writer since age 8 and published since age 12. This collection represents 3 of his 10 written and produced plays. A popular professor of English at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, CT, these works have been used in his literature classes over the last 13 years. Submitted on Feb 7 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) Richard Smardon (1970) Richard Smardon (1970, SBS) of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY has written a book, "Sustaining the World's Wetlands: Setting Policy and Resolving Conflicts." Written both as a textbook and as a professional reference book, "Sustaining the World's Wetlands" contains detailed case studies of wetland management worldwide. Examinations of international wetland policy in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America generate a discussion of the differences between wetland management issues in developed and developing countries, and culminate in suggested strategies for the future of wetland management. Submitted on Jan 6 2010. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read more Books & Publications
Jay Flanagan (1975, SOM & G '79) writes, "I recently retired from the Federal Government after 33 years at various Federal agencies. I and my wife, Kay, sold our house in Falls Church, VA, and have moved to Charlottesville, VA. Our son, Rob, returned to Northern Virginia from Middle Tennessee State Univ. to continue his college career at George Mason Univ. Kay and I are planning extensive travel, in between auditing various classes at the University of Virginia." Submitted on Dec 2 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) Neal Mann (1967) Neal Mann (1967, SBS) writes, "Retired part time in 2000 and full time from Audiology in 2005. While employed part time as an Audiologist, I took the tests for my commercial driver's license and started driving trucks delivering wine and juice just because I wanted to." Submitted on Nov 6 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read more General
Steven Winniman (1982) died in Springfield, MA on July 11, 2008. Steven graduated Cum Laude from the University of Massachusttes Amherst. In 1986 he began practicing law in Springfield with his father Attorney Douglas Winniman. He was a member of the Hampden County Bar Association and Cong. B'nai Jacob Synagogue. Submitted on May 3 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) Dennis Wrenn (1972) Dennis Wrenn (1972) died in Athens, Greece on February 19, 2009. "A Tribute to Dennis Wrenn" will be held on Monday, March 30th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Mechanics Hall in Worcester (www.mechanicshall.org). This will be a celebration of Dennis' life and work and will be filled with music, memories, photographs, students, colleagues, friends and family. Because of the breadth of Dennis' influence, we are worried that this magnificent room might actually be too small! To make sure that no one makes the trip and is then unable to enter the hall because of space restrictions, admission will be by free ticket. To get tickets, please visit http://nsma.info/. We look forward to seeing you there! Submitted on Mar 17 2009. Add Comment | Comments (0) > Read more In Memoriam
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