Classnotes
Classnotes listed are those received as of June 5, 2024.
- 1960+
J. Ron Hennings '69 has retired as professor emeritus, culminating 15 years as chair of the Educational Leadership Program at Prescott College. Hennings celebrates 55 years in public education, including 20 years as district superintendent. He is also a past president of the FSU Alumni Association Board of Directors and a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.
- 1970+
Tim Martin '70 has been happily retired for nine years after 43 years of teaching at the high school and college levels. He offers his home as a way point if you are passing through Albany, NY. Though, he thinks he should run it by his wife, Karin, first.
The Honorable George C. Edwards '74 has been appointed to the Garrett College Board of Trustees by Governor Wes Moore. Edwards spent 40 years representing Garrett County in the Maryland General Assembly.
Karen Moore White '76 was recently elected to serve on the Greater Oakland Business Association Board. As curator of the Garrett County Historical Society museums, White is actively involved in collecting, preserving and sharing the diverse and rich culture of Garrett County and the surrounding communities. She is the widow of Colonel Donald J. White '75.
Retired United States Navy Captain Bob Bechill '77 accepted a new position with the Consolidated Rehabilitation Group assisting disabled veterans find employment.
- 1980+
James Zamagias M'87, a longtime history and political science teacher and Dean of High School Academics at Bishop Walsh School, recently retired after 45 years. He has been a member of WCBC's Sports Team for over 30 years and will continue those duties.
- 1990+
Shannon Ralston '91/M'96 was named principal of Beall Elementary School. She has taken this position after working with Allegany County Public Schools since 1992.
David R. Jones '92/M'94 has been named the next president of Allegany College of Maryland, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Jones brings nearly 30 years of higher education experience, including 28 years at ACM, most recently as the vice president of Advancement and Community Relations.
Lisa Twigg Olinger '93 retired from the State of Maryland after 30 years of service. During her tenure, she served as a direct care associate, a developmental disabilities associate, a bachelor’s level social worker and finally retired from the role of patient’s rights advocate. She worked in Cumberland and Hagerstown at the Joseph D. Brandenburg Center, the Thomas B. Finan Center, the Potomac Center and the SETT Unit. Since retiring, Olinger has devoted her time to serving and volunteering with her family, church and foster children.
Alan Feuer '94 was selected for the 2024 NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. He was honored for his service as a U.S. Army Hawk Launcher Missile Crewmember and as the Training Non-Commissioned Officer at C Battery, 4th battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, 94th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, United States Army Europe from June 1985 to March 1989.
Jackie Johnson Jacobs '94 has been named chief academic officer for Calvert County Public Schools. Previously she was the Director of System and Instructional Performance.
LaNisha Cassell '95 has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of Voices Underground, a collective collaboration of scholars who specialize in African American history and creatives who promote the nationally significant history of the Underground Railroad in Chester County, Pa. Prior to this role, she was with the African American Museum of Iowa.
Sean Fradiska '96 was honored as the Manager of the Year for the Dapper Dan Club of Allegany County. He led the Pirates to win it all in 2023.
Daniel Greco '99 has been honored with the Youth Alliance Educator Award, which honors educators who go above and beyond in fostering growth, excellence and a sense of community both within their school and beyond. Greco is currently the principal at Marie D. Durand Elementary in Vineland, NJ.
Bill Moon '99 has accepted the position of Local Support Teacher at Leeds Elementary School in Elkton, Md.
- 2000+
Master Richard (Rick) Rando, II '00 has been inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He was also selected as one of Allegany County's Most Fascinating People for 2024 and co-hosts The Victory Couch podcast with his wife Julie Schibblehut Rando '04/M'09.
Sarah Lanosz Matthews '02 has been promoted to the position of assistant principal at Gilpin Manor Elementary School in Elkton, Md. She accepted the position after working as an elementary school teacher and local support teacher in Cecil County Public Schools for the past 20 years.
Nicole Munson '04 recently joined Frostburg State University as the Human Resources Associate in FSU's Office of Human Resources. As an FSU alum, she is excited to be part of the FSU community (again).
Casey Snyder '04 was appointed as the new Executive Director for the Harford Community College Foundation. He was previously the Director for Development.
Dr. Sarah Schaller Welsh M'04/D'18 was appointed as the new Supervisor of English Language Arts and Reading for Allegany County Public Schools. She has been with ACPS for 21 years and was most recently the Assistant Supervisor of Students Services.
Joanna Zazzali '04 was named director of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher after being an employee of the aquarium for more than 16 years.
Coty Warn Forno '06 was awarded the Storybook Holiday Hero Award by the Frostburg State University Children's Literature Centre and the City of Frostburg. Forno is the Founder and CEO of Mountain City Center for the Arts.
Jeanne Dodd Keller '07 was honored by the American Bankers Association with the Emerging Leader Award. This award recognizes the next generation of bank leaders who are committed to the highest standards of achievement and service to both their industry and local communities. Keller is a financial advisor with Pinnacle Financial Partners.
Jesse Topper '08 has been selected as Republican floor leader for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He has served the 78th Legislative District since he was elected in 2014.
Ashley Wisner Vascik '08/M'09 is the recipient of the Gold Compass Award from Washington County Public Schools. This award recognizes staff who lead the way by exemplifying the district's core values of academic excellence, engagement, growth mindset, belonging, well-being and community. Vascik is a social studies teacher at Boonsboro High School.
Danielle Carpenter '09/M'10 was awarded the Mike Michaelson Advisor of the Year Award. She was honored for her work as an academic mentor and Student Government Association advisor at St. Charles High School.
- 2010+
SSG Ryan Atlow '11 successfully completed his tour as a drill sergeant at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2024. Drill Sergeant Atlow finished the United States Drill Sergeant Academy at the top of his class in 2022 and served two years as a drill sergeant at the military's premier language school.
Brittany Collins '11 was recognized by the Maryland State Board of Education as Washington County’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. Collins is a multilingual learners teacher at Springfield Middle School.
Seth Loar '12 was honored as Allegany Magazine’s Favorite Realtor of 2024. He has won this honor for the second year in a row. Loar is employed by Coldwell Banker Premier-Cumberland.
Cady Kirkwood Rankin '14/M'18 was named one of the Leading Women Under 40 by The Daily Record in 2024. Rankin is a partner, director and financial advisor with Apricity Advisors & Partners.
Malory Brunett Nadrah '15 has accepted the position of head women’s lacrosse coach at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Oh. She was previously with Marietta College.
Victoria Glass '16/M'18 accepted the position of reading intervention teacher at Oakdale Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. She also serves as advisor of the school’s National History Day Club.
Ethan West '16 started as UniServ Director with the Maryland State Education Association on Sept. 3, 2024. In April 2021, he married Elizabeth Wilson.
Lauren Ryder Frick M’18 was recently promoted to manager with SEK, CPAs & Advisors. She is a member of the Estate Administration & Compliance and Trust departments.
James Kirk '18 is a contributing writer in Science magazine, with an article titled "Megastudy Testing 25 Treatments to Reduce Antidemocratic Attitudes and Partisan Animosity." Kirk is in the Ph.D. program at the University of Notre Dame.
Canyon Lohnas '18 was named to the International Literacy Association’s 2025 30 Under 30 list. This list highlights emerging leaders who are transforming literacy education and promoting equity in classrooms and communities. Lohnas is the program specialist for the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative at WVU where he is also pursuing a Ph.D. in the School of Education.
Brandon Reed '18 has been named head basketball coach at Allegany High School. He also serves as a special education teacher.
- 2020+
Gwen Schemm '20 has been named Head Campus Captain for The Hidden Opponent, an organization that works to ensure that student-athletes across the board have access to equitable mental health resources. She was also recently promoted at United Way to Assistant Manager of Marketing.
Dr. Wendy Walsh D'21 was named one of the Top 25 Women Chief Learning Officers of 2024 by Women We Admire. She is the Chief Learning Officer at Air Education and Training Command, JBSA-Randolph, Tx.
Taylor Buffenmyer Dickel MSN, FNP-C, RN, CMSRN M'23 recently joined Choptank Community Health System in its Easton Health Center. She specializes in the comprehensive assessment and treatment of adult and pediatric patients working in rural communities.
