Tower-Fall-2020

FALL 2020 | TOWER 25 CLASS NOTES 1980s Elissa J. Rich ’82 is proud of her daughters, Kathleen, who graduated in May (magna cum laude) with a B.S. from the College of Education, Temple University; and Megan, who completed her freshman year at Dickinson College, double majoring in archeology and history, with a 3.88 grade point average. 1990s In June 2020, Sean Patrick Smith ’96 released his first novel, the murder- mystery Three Miles to Eden . A resident of North Carolina, Smith is a contributor to area newspapers and magazines. Russ Starke ’96 , founder and CEO of the Think Company, a premier design and software development firm, served as the keynote speaker for the College of Business’ 2019 Entrepreneurial Leadership Week. During his speech, he covered his journey from KU graduate to successful business owner, philanthropist and community leader. Digital design teacher Amy Migliore ’97 was named the 2019 Secondary Art Educator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Art Education Association. Migliore, who has taught at Quakertown Community High School for more than 19 years, earned her master’s degree in educational technology fromWilkes University, and is currently working on her doctorate in art education, with a minor in curriculum and instruction, at the Pennsylvania State University. Brian Rieksts ’99 is working as a researcher at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) in Alexandria, Va. From Antarctica to the Pentagon, his engineering background prepared him to find practical solutions to a broad range of problems. 2000s Reading Area Community College Foundational Studies Associate Professor Denise Strohmayr ’01 was awarded the prestigious 2020 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition from the American Association of Community Colleges. This national award recognizes individuals who make a difference in the classroom by demonstrating passion, showing a willingness to support students inside and outside of the classroom, participating in college committees and going beyond what is required to ensure student success. Dr. Rebecca Helms ’02 was appointed Whole Health Clinical Director for the Crescenz (Philadelphia) VA Medical Center and Health System. Peter J. Mayes, ’02 successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in educational leadership at East Stroudsburg University. He is currently the principal of Nitschmann Middle School in Bethlehem, Pa. Marshall Mirarchi ’05 , former Secret Service canine handler officer, and Secret Service dog, Hurricane, were awarded the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) Order of Merit for their role in protecting President Obama and the first family from an intruder who attempted to gain access to the White House in 2014. Hurricane is the first non-British animal to receive the honor. Hurricane formally received his medal from PDSA in October 2019, during a special ceremony at the House of Lords in London. Attorney Rebecca Bailey ’06 was selected to the 2020 Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. She practices workers’ compensation law and personal injury law at Metzger Wickersham. During her spare time, she volunteers with various charities in the Pennsylvania area, including the Homeless Outreach Project, Homeless Veterans Stand Down, and the BethesdaMission Legal Clinic. Mark Kozlowski ’07 , an attorney with Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, was promoted to partner. While attending Kutztown, he was a member of the men’s lacrosse team and president of the Recreational and Sports Club Council. 2010s Danni (Nunez) Lewis ’11 , was featured on Philadelphia’s 6ABC and KYW News Radio for “The Adored Project,” her campaign to spread love and positivity. Alex Reinhard ’11 had the pilot episode of his scripted comedy series, “Squid Ink,” accepted into three prestigious film festivals. Reinhard filmed the pilot episode in summer 2019 with other Kutztown alumni: Joe Grasso ’11 , director of photography; Zac Camburn ’12 , swing grip; and Blake Antrim, on the writing team. Reinhard is the co-owner of Malix Media, a Philadelphia-based video production company that develops creative content for TV, web and social media, and served as the executive producer, creator, head writer, director and editor of “Squid Ink.” He is married to Alexandra (Shoup) ’12 and they reside in Philadelphia. Paul Walsh ’11, M’18 released his novel, “Lemonade.” This coming-of-age story focuses on a 22-year-old growing up in Bethlehem, Pa., as he struggles with the weight of his choices and the integration of his past - while the city of Bethlehem faces similar issues. Walsh, who is the artistic director of literary arts at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, returned to KU to earn his doctorate in education. Sgt. Danielle Farber ’12 was the first female National Guard soldier in Pennsylvania to complete Ranger School. Farber has a bachelor’s degree in sports studies and hopes to become a registered nurse. Audrey Zimmerman ’14 is the owner and designer behind children’s shoe company Zimmerman Shoes. She is a fourth generation shoemaker, and all of her company’s shoes are lovingly handcrafted in her family owned shoe factory, located in Pennsylvania Alex Hernandez ’15 was promoted to director of client operations at Altitude Marketing. She joined Altitude in 2015 as an assistant account manager.