Classnotes
- 1960+
Dr. Edward L. Root ’62 was appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan to the Blueprint for Maryland Future’s Accountability and Implementation Board Nominating Committee.
- 1970+
The Rev. F. Allan Weatherholt, Jr. ’72 has retired after serving for more than 40 years as rector at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Parish Church in Hancock, Md.
Donna Kennedy Brosnan ’74 is enjoying time with her two daughters, their husbands and her six grandkids. They often visit her vacation home in Garrett County.
Albert L. Raley ’76 was recently inducted into Marquis Who’s Who biographical registry. In addition to this honor, his name was on the 2020 presidential ballot. Albert and his wife, Darlene, are the first husband-and-wife presidential/vice-presidential candidates in the history of the United States. They were also named “Most Fascinating Couple of 2020” by Allegany Magazine.
The Hon. Donald C. Fry ’77, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, has been selected as an honoree for the 2021 Baltimore Sun Business and Civic Hall of Fame Award.
Joe C. Zimmerman ’79 has retired as secretary-treasurer of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
- 1980+
Robin D. Cohen ’81, following his retirement from the federal government in 2017, has been working part-time at the Baltimore Scout Shop and is still active with the scouting program. Robin loves to see Eagle Scouts attending FSU.
Martin E. Crump ’81/M’90 has retired from the Allegany County Public Schools with 39 years of service. Marty started his career as a music/band director at Valley and Beall schools. He then became an administrator for the county, serving as vice principal, county supervisor and principal at Westmar Middle and Mount Savage schools. In retirement, he will enjoy spending time with his wife of 40 years, Kathleen ’82, and family.
Joseph P. George M’82 was selected to be a member of the Cumberland City Council in September 2021. He is a retired CBIZ insurance executive.
Dinah Courrier M’86 was honored by the Community Trust Foundation in Cumberland as the 2021 Humanitarian on Sept. 9, 2021, in recognition of her philanthropic leadership in her community.
Paul E. Milligan ’86 has retired after 35 years as a computer scientist with the Department of Defense.
Sonia S. Purdy Dressman ’87/M’91 was selected as the 2021 Social Worker of the Year by the Allegany County Department of Social Services. She is a family service worker for Adult Services.
Tracy D. Imhoff Lipscomb ’88 has been selected to serve on the Maryland Hospital Association’s Council on Financial Policy. She is the senior vice president of financial services and chief financial officer at Garrett Regional Medical Center.
- 1990+
Douglas “DC” Cathro ’91/M’94 has published and licensed multiple plays (The Book of Merman, Reason for Return and Family Holiday) through StageRights.com.
Michèle A. Paquin Barmoy M’92 received the 2021 Sanner Award for Outstanding Teaching from Allegany College of Maryland. She is an associate professor of biology.
Paul R. Courtney ’92 was appointed as the Department of Homeland Security’s chief procurement officer on Aug. 15, 2021. He joined DHS as the agency’s deputy CPO in 2019. Paul previously served as a member of the Senior Executive Service with the FBI, as well as the senior expert for Contracting and the deputy head of the Contracting Activity for the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Tony Tomasello M’93 has been named the new town manager for Poolesville, Md.
Alexander M. Giles ’94 joined Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP as a partner in August of 2021. He is recognized as one of the leading maritime lawyers in the region.
Glenn J. Rice, Jr. ’94/M’00 was named the new supervisor of Human Resources for Allegany County Public Schools. He formerly served as the assistant principal at Fort Hill High School.
Jason P. “JP” Andrick ’97 was appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan to serve on the Sports Fisheries Advisory Commission. He will be chairing the Cold Water Committee, focusing on fisheries in the western and central portions of the state.
Ray E. Bivens ’97, Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation director, received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of State Park Directors. His division was also named the top state park system in the nation by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.
Eric G. Hallenbeck ’97 was appointed co-interim athletic director for the 2021-2022 academic year at Garrett College. He has also been serving as their head baseball coach.
James I. Kurtz ’97 was appointed director of Student Services for Calvert County Public Schools. Prior to this appointment, James was the principal of Windy Hill Middle School in Owings, Md.
Nicole A. Goodfellow Horsch ’98 was hired by Liberty University School of Nursing as an online student support coordinator.
Kara A. Reed Nelson ’98/M’08 was named the girls’ varsity basketball coach at Middletown High School. She is also the physical education teacher.
- 2000+
The Hon. Tony Bridges ’00 has accepted a position as the executive director for Blue Water Baltimore. He is also a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 41, and is running for re-election.
Anne Ashby Ross ’00/M’07 was named principal of Yough Glades Elementary School in Oakland, Md., after serving as assistant principal of Broad Ford Elementary since 2017.
Dr. Jason W. Metz ’02 was named one of West Liberty University’s professors of the year for 2020-2021. Jason is an assistant professor of exercise physiology.
Kate A. Snyder Loughrie ’03/M’04 has been selected as the supervisor of Social Studies, Professional Learning, Title IIA, and New Teachers for Allegany County Public Schools. Previously, she was an assistant principal at Mountain Ridge High School.
Brian M. Lang ’04/M’14 received the Lion of the Year Award from the LaVale Lions Club. Brian is an IT telecommunications specialist at FSU.
Dr. Benjamin N. Norris ’04 was named Frostburg State University’s interim associate provost on July 1, 2021. In this role, he provides leadership for academic and student success initiatives, among other duties. He is also an associate professor in the Chemistry Department.
Rebecca P. Smith Sleeman ’04 accepted a new position as a Human Resources generalist with Garrett County Public Schools. She was also a 2017 graduate of Leadership Allegany.
Nicole L. Willig ’05 booked a co-starring role on Impeachment: American Crime Story, Episode 7. It aired on FX on Oct. 19, 2021.
Melanie L. Herget-Siira ’06 is a school counselor at Northeast High School in Anne Arundel County.
Adam R. Laye ’06/M’07, a teacher at Parkville High School, was recently named the 2021 Maryland History Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Shavonne R. Shorter ’07 has been named associate provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va. Prior to this appointment, she was at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania as a tenured faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies.
Dr. Alyssa G. Werner M’07/D’17 was appointed assistant principal of Washington Middle School in Cumberland.
- 2010+
Daniel A. Miller ’12/M’14 received a new position as assistant principal of Queen Anne’s County High School in Centreville, Md. He began his career teaching at Sudlersville Elementary School and was later assigned the position of math specialist and then teacher specialist.
Samantha R. Cunningham Coble ’13/M’15 was chosen by the West Virginia Department of Education as a finalist for the 2022 Teacher of the Year Award. She is a pre-K special education teacher at Keyser Primary School.
Tanya Zastrow M’14 accepted a new position as director of Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wis. She was formerly the director of Programs at Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas in Austin.
Nicole C. Leighty ’18/M’20 has joined the Fighting Irish Media at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana as an assistant of Athletic Communications.
Chandler Sagal ’18/M’19, director of Grants and Development at Allegany College of Maryland, was selected to participate in the 2021-2022 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
- 2020+
Nicole A. Regner Higgins M’20 joined the Garrett College Lakers staff as the head women’s volleyball and softball coach. She was the assistant women’s volleyball coach at FSU.
Gwen A. Schemm ’20 accepted a position with United Way of Central Maryland as a digital marketing specialist.