In Memoriam
Russ Younkers ’68, who passed away on Oct. 21, 2023, was a member of the FSU Foundation Board of Directors, a proud Bobcat and generous donor. He earned his bachelor’s in physical education from FSU in 1968. After college, he taught physical education at Mount Rainier Junior High School and Bowie High School. In 1972, Younkers joined the Prince George’s County Police Department, where he served the department for 20 years and achieved the rank of sergeant before retiring in 1992. Afterward, he worked as a project manager for Prince George’s County until his second retirement in 2021. Younkers was an avid supporter and fan of the Men’s Soccer Team at FSU, the Bowie Baysox and the Washington Capitals. Russ and his wife, Penny, established several endowed scholarships to support students in HPE, Nursing and Athletics. In 2019, FSU wanted to name the Men’s Soccer Locker Room in their honor, and Russ chose to honor his former coach, Ken Babcock. Russ’ kids (Stacy and Mike) and his grandsons (Ryan, Andrew and Alex) were the highlights of his life.
Former Campus Chaplain Succumbs
Fr. Ciarán Fergus, O.P., Catholic chaplain for FSU from 1973 to 1989, passed away on Sept. 2, 2023, at age 91. Fr. Fergus was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of a police officer and a registered nurse. After a period of working in a bank, Fr. Fergus joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and served as a corporal in the Orleans (France) Area Command during the Korean War. Being honorably discharged in 1953, he returned to Brooklyn to enroll in St. Francis College, where he earned his BBA in accounting. He entered the Dominican novitiate in 1958 where he received the religious name Kieran (later changed to Ciarán). He studied Philosophy at St. Stephen's Priory in Dover, Mass. from 1959-62, where he earned his M.A., and went on to the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., to study theology from 1962-66. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1965. Fr. Fergus embarked on a lifelong career in campus ministry at many colleges and universities. He arrived in Frostburg in 1968 where he remained for 16 years. According to his online obituary, Fr. Fergus considered himself a "professional campus minister." At FSU, he initiated pro-life activities on campus and directed Pre-Cana and family life programs for students preparing for marriage and performed regularly in the University’s Wind Ensemble. After Frostburg, Fr. Fergus was called to serve on many other campuses. In 2021, he began residence at Mohun Healthcare Center in Columbus, Ohio, where he passed away. He once wrote about his calling to ministry to young people: "The campus minister must be present to, known by, and easily available to the members of the university community on their own ground."
Jane Warren Sloop, 90, passed away on Jan. 24, 2024. She is the wife of Dr. Richard “Dick” Sloop, a retired faculty member, advisor of Tau Kappa Epsilon and the namesake for the Sloop Institute for Excellence in Leadership. She was a graduate of James Madison University, taught business classes and mentored the typing team at Allegany High School for 35 years, was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, enjoyed playing bridge and was everyone's biggest cheerleader. Surviving Jane are her two children, Richard Sloop, Jr. and his wife Tanya, and Camilla Myers and husband David. Grandchildren are Warren Sloop, Savannah Sloop, Blake Myers and his fiancé Samantha, Brooke Jones and her husband Shaun. Jane’s great grandchildren are Carsyn, Kinsley, Mason and Ashlyn.
Dr. Stephen Twing, faculty emeritus and past chair of the political science department, passed away on Feb. 12, 2024. During his 25 years with FSU, Dr. Twing’s teaching and research focused on foreign and national security policy. He also edited Homeland Security Affairs, a journal of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security; advised FSU’s Model United Nations team and organized and directed the Model United Nations program for local high school students; served as advisor to the International Relations Club; and served on the International Studies Program Steering Committee. He is survived by his wife, Tracy, and their children, Nicholas, Kaitlin, Maria, Michelle and Tim.
Alumni
- 1950+
1950 Eugene M. Flinn Oct. 26, 2023
1951 Dorothy Wilson Workman June 9, 2023
1953 Betty Jane Clingerman Diggs Nov. 27, 2023
1953 Juanita J. Blank Lynch Nov. 15, 2023
1955 William A. Hyde Oct. 4, 2023
1956 Rosemary Lancaster Mathews June 9, 2023
1956 Eileen R. Millar Renwick July 14, 2023
1956 Arlie D. Swecker Jan. 22, 2024
1957 Harry F. Fauber Jan. 15, 2024
1957 Vivian A. Smith June 21, 2023
1958 Richard K. Matlick Aug. 6, 2023
1958 Georgia A. Russell Feb. 3, 2024
1958 Lois I. True M'64 Nov. 19, 2023
1959 Warfield Wilson Sept. 25, 2023
- 1960+
1960 Suzanne Harrison Grimes Nov. 22, 2023
1960 Jane Blair Kroll Dec. 31, 2023
1960 Wilma C.A. Hook Thompson Feb. 5, 2024
1962 Richard F. Bittner M'66 Jan. 11, 2024
1962 Judith A. Burrell Nov. 10, 2023
1962 Donald E. McIntyre Aug. 2, 2023
1962 Dianne L. Ewing Pritchett Nov. 22, 2022
1962 Alice L. Shockey Snyder M'69 Oct. 2, 2023
1963 Lowell L. Chapman M'68 Jan. 11, 2024
1963 Dr. Russell W. McGaughey, Jr. Oct. 24, 2023
1964 Bonnie Sweeney Heller Jan. 23, 2024
1964 Gary L. Holtzman July 18, 2023
1964 Marie Fisher May M'82 Aug. 6, 2023
1964 William J. Robertson, Jr. Nov. 23, 2023
1964 Joyce Hamner Simpson June 12, 2023
1964 Ouida K. Spalding Dec. 21, 2023
1964 Kay E. Beeman Sutter June 5, 2023
1966 G. Ray Ewing Dec. 29, 2023
1966 Dr. Bill D. Roy Sept. 30, 2023
1966 Richard B. Worley, Jr. Dec. 16, 2023
1967 Glen M. DeHaven Nov. 30, 2023
1967 Frances E. Adams Eaves July 20, 2023
1967 Donald L. Marschke Sept. 15, 2023
1967 Deborah E. Hughes Ridenour Aug. 5, 2023
1967 Samuel E. Wynkoop, Jr. Dec. 28, 2023
1968 Gerald J. Catts Sept. 28, 2023
1968 Dr. Lesley A. Cave Klishis June 20, 2023
1968 Nancy Clippard Mosner Sept. 17, 2023
1968 Harold L. Shorb Sept. 29, 2023
1968 Russell W. Younkers Oct. 21, 2023
1969 Lois J. Curtis Franks Jan. 17, 2024
1969 Barbara A. Volkman Patton Nov. 21, 2022
1969 Rebecca Yates Shorb May 26, 2023
1969 Larry E. Troutman Nov. 21, 2023
- 1970+
1970 Rev. Dr. William A. Durst Nov. 14, 2023
1970 James E. Haupt Oct. 28, 2023
1970 Anne L. Thomas-Palmer M'78 July 24, 2023
1970 Linda S. Schade Nov. 5, 2023
1971 Charles R. Breakall Dec. 17, 2023
1971 J. Steven Cramblitt, Jr. M'75 June 30, 2023
1971 Lt. Col. Vic W. Ryan, Jr., USMC, Ret. Sept. 11, 2023
1971 Patrick D. Wilhelm M'81 Aug. 27, 2023
1972 Jen N. Knutson Nov. 29, 2023
1973 Wayne D. Ridenour June 19, 2023
1973 Bishop Henderson Wheeler, Sr. M'75 July 6, 2023
1974 Mary Jane DeMouy Poulter Aug. 6, 2023
1974 James R. Shove July 8, 2023
1974 Thomas J. Weimer Nov. 13, 2023
1975 Rolland H. McGiverin M'75 Aug. 27, 2023
1975 John M. Nies June 2, 2023
1975 William J. White IV M'97 Oct. 1, 2023
1976 Kathleen M. Faecke Arnold Nov. 2, 2023
1976 Virginia M. Hartman Cairl M'76 June 22, 2023
1976 Wayne C. Faupel M'76 Jan. 9, 2024
1976 Robert K. Keller Sept. 18, 2923
1976 Candace R. Ferree Sandvick June 9, 2023
1977 Walter L. Cook Sept. 26, 2023
1977 John A. Green Sept. 17, 2023
1977 John R. Moore M'77, M'91 Jan. 21, 2024
1977 Mark A. Stachowiak July 29, 2023
1977 Richard C. Visconti Dec. 30, 2023
1978 Barry A. Covey Oct. 13, 2023
1978 John S. Evans, Jr. Sept. 16, 2023
1979 John R. Bradfield Oct. 22, 2023
1979 Carol Braun Kline M'86 Nov. 22, 2023
- 1980+
1980 Robert E. Hoover M'80 Dec. 23, 2023
1980 Lee T. Oxford Sept. 10, 2023
1981 Howard P. Kenney M'81 Dec. 23, 2023
1982 Dr. Paul H. Heavner Sept. 1, 2023
1982 Helen E. Nutter Bingham Dec. 31, 2023
1982 Ronald A. Eidle Jan. 28, 2024
1983 Mary E. Bewig Clapsaddle* Nov. 27, 2023
1984 Judith G. Knicely Powell M'88 Jan. 28, 2024
1985 Eric L. Webber July 11, 2023
1986 Kevin L. Ruppel Dec. 21, 2023
1987 Robert F. Czekaj M'87 Oct. 6, 2023
1988 Lt. Col. Michael L. Peloza M'88 July 7, 2023
1988 Christina M. Wright Smith July 22, 2023
1989 Theresa J. DiGilarmo April 15, 2023
1989 Craig L. Driver M'89 Dec. 19, 2023
- 1990+
1990 John Michael Downton July 5, 2023
1990 Kimberly A. Cassell Jackson M'12* Nov. 12, 2023
1990 Susan M. Knisley Aug. 30, 2023
1990 Matthew J. Wilms June 9, 2023
1992 Thomas G. Ford M'92 Dec. 5, 2023
1993 Timothy C. Jenkins Nov. 3, 2022
1993 Wendy A. Shoemaker Nov. 23, 2023
1994 Emily V. Putman Caviness M'94 Dec. 20, 2023
1994 W. Sue Uphold Liller Aug. 12, 2023
1994 Dawn M. Marker VanMeter Dec. 1, 2023
1996 Joseph J. Wirfs M'96 Sept. 25, 2023
1997 Christine Masarweh Davis Sept. 6, 2023
1997 Frank J. Weichmann Nov. 2, 2023
1997 Gary O. Wolz M'97 Feb. 2, 2024
1999 Laura J. Robinson July 26, 2023
1999 Aniceh Zolfagharian July 20, 2023
- 2000+
2000 Jennifer E. Etzel Jan. 20, 2024
2000 Caroline Reeves-Novotny Jan. 11, 2024
2000 Robin Wenner Rath Sept. 16, 2023
2000 Douglas Scott Ryan Oct. 4, 2023
2003 Rickey L. Holloway Aug. 31, 2023
2004 Laurie A. Growden Sweitzer M'08* Nov. 19, 2023
2008 Brandon T. Bowersox Sept. 15, 2023
- Friends of the University
Dr. Robert J. Ailes June 28, 2023
William A. Avey, Sr. June 10, 2023
Carole Hill Barger July 20, 2023
Charles E. Beall June 3, 2023
G. Phil Beeman Aug. 27, 2023
Travis P. Bradley Aug. 7, 2023
Martha A. Coleman Burdock* Nov. 18, 2023
Mary L. Byrnes May 25, 2023
Ronald F. Cardwell Sept. 6, 2023
Beverly Parsons Carter Aug. 24, 2023
Thelma Tucker Crandell July 3, 2023
Sarah Lloyd Davis Oct. 21, 2023
Harry L. Diehl Aug. 2, 2023
Julie Wells Bowser Duffy Oct. 16, 2023
W. Kenneth Elliott June 3, 2023
Fr. Ciarán Fergus, O.P. Sept. 2, 2023
Patricia K. Bolls Fouts Aug. 15, 2023
Samuel P. Ginder, Jr. Jan. 6, 2024
Linda L. Gragg-Bolick Oct. 29, 2023
Theodore M. Green July 25, 2023
Ernest J. Gregg, Jr. July 28, 2023
John F. Hixon, Jr. Aug. 3, 2023
John J. Hughes July 20, 2023
Patricia H. Bennett Jarmer July 14, 2023
James E. Johnson* Oct. 21, 2023
Joyce A. Kirk Aug. 3, 2023
Paul R. La Chance* Sept. 1, 2023
Lawrence Lacks, Sr. Aug. 26, 2023
Dr. Patricia M. Mace-Leonard* Oct. 25, 2023
Dr. Mohsen Malayeri May 20, 2023
Dr. James O. Martin* May 31, 2023
Samuel P. McCulloh* June 24, 2023
Rose A. Carado McMonegal May 31, 2023
Mary C. Cooksey Michael July 1, 2023
Tina J. Midgarden Oct. 9, 2023
Dr. Veluppillai Nagulendran June 25, 2023
Dr. Jacob Opper* June 16, 2023
George W. Patterson* July 23, 2023
Carolyn Billett Press Jan. 19, 2024
Wilson T. Renwick July 9, 2023
Rev. Donald F. Sause Nov. 29, 2022
Mary Ann Festerman Schurg* Jan. 3, 2024
John D. Shuman May 22, 2023
E. Jane Warren Sloop Jan. 24, 2024
Margaret R. Ager Smith Nov. 21, 2023
Frances L. Gue Sparks Aug. 4, 2023
Edward J. Thompson* Dec. 5, 2023
Tyrone V. Tolliver III Sept. 6, 2023
Arlene Moxley Tressler July 30, 2023
Eugene E. Turano Oct. 1, 2023
Janice L. Walker Feb. 28, 2023
Donald C. Ward Aug. 10, 2023
Richard B. West Dec. 10, 2023
Robert L. White, Jr. Oct. 7, 2022
* Former faculty or staff member