Class Notes
Share your news with UConn Nation!
Your classmates want to know about — and see — the milestones in your life. Send us news about weddings, births, new jobs, new publications, and more — along with hi-res photos — to: Alumni News & Notes, UConn Foundation, 2384 Alumni Drive, Unit 3053, Storrs, CT 06269.
Submissions may be edited for clarity or length.
Spotlight Stories
Lois (Greene) Stone ’55 (ED) was the only representative of the 1950s in the Smithsonian exhibit “Girlhood (It’s Complicated),” about how girls shaped culture through fashion. The exhibit, which ran at the National Museum of American History and then toured the country until January 2025, explores how postwar teens, finding few options in stores, turned to DIY fashion and thus launched the era of teen fashion. A life-sized Lois as a teen sitting on her UConn dorm bed in a handmade blouse and skirt smiles from a vintage photo. Next to the photo is the skirt she designed and hand-sewed, a reimagining of the classic poodle skirt that replaced the dog motif with a carousel of horses, complete with wool manes, sequined saddles, and button eyes.
Good thing Stone knew how to make her own skirts — she needed them. At UConn then, girls were required to wear skirts to class, even in freezing temperatures. The incipient clothing designer studied English to prepare for a teaching career, one of the few paths open to women at the time, but she also drove herself to pursue chemistry, physics, and bacteriology, the former of which would later help her understand the synthetic fabrics emerging after WWII. After graduation, Lois continued to make clothing, creating evening gowns with matching capes that were popular in that era, as well as meticulously embellishing bodices one bead at a time. Now, after 69 years of marriage to physician Gerald Stone, Lois is the matriarch of a large and growing family: 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren (so far). —SIOBHAN MURRAY
Charles William Groce III ’93 (CLAS) has been appointed to the Massachusetts Superior Court by Massachusetts Gov. Maura T. Healey (above right). Groce’s rich legal career includes serving on the Massachusetts District Court and overseeing a drug treatment program through the Springfield District Court that’s become a national model. He currently teaches legal studies at UMass Amherst
CEO Nicole Wagner ’07 (CLAS), ’13 Ph.D. and her Woodbridge-based biotechnology company LambdaVision have raised $7 million in seed funding, the Hartford Business Journal reported in November. The money will further the UConn-developed company’s mission to develop a space-manufactured artificial retina that would restore sight to the millions of people worldwide who lose their vision each year to retinal degenerative diseases.
When Rebecca Elman ’09 (SFA) is serving dinner for dozens of rural Pennsylvania residents, the outdoor atmosphere always includes a full moon and a multicourse farm meal, and sometimes a pack of rowdy goats. The personal chef based in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, encountered said goats at Nittany Meadow Farm during one of her Full Moon Supper Club dinners. “That was a little distracting, but it was part of the dinner. They entertained,” she says, adding that “they did not take over the serving area.”
Elman hosts the dinners most months at farms throughout Centre County. Attendees dine communally, discussing favorite recipes, catching up with old friends and making new ones. It’s about bringing people together and introducing them to the wonderful central Pennsylvania farms they might not know are right there, says Elman, who calls upon her catering background to handle the events in places that don’t have a kitchen or the typical equipment. “It’s a different style of cooking,” she says.
The chef recalls one full moon dinner at Blackbranch Farm in Julian, Pennsylvania, as being “as farm to table as you could get. We set up tables right in the midde of the rows of radishes, carrots, and greens perfectly at peak.” As always, the food also highlighted the seasonal crops, in this case with dishes like cultured butter on radishes with everything bagel seasoning, and savory zucchini bread with whipped ricotta cheese and squash ribbons. Another memorable dinner had a Spanish theme, and one of the chefs made paella in a huge 50-serving pan in front of everyone.
“It was a real showstopper,” says Elman, who claims her UConn theater background helps her put on these dinners in terms of timing and presentation. In addition, she says, “Prepping a tablescape is a lot like scene setting.” And then there’s that show-must-go-on element as well. Rain, blown fuses, enthusiastic goats — “It’s always something exciting and something that involves problem solving. It keeps it fresh!” —BRIAN HUDGINS
Tony N. King ’23 (SFA) plays the part of Bird Vendor in Season 5 of “The Chosen.” Last summer, he finished filming Season 6 in Italy. “In my first contract, it says in so many words that my role ‘may continue.’ So, I had an idea that I could be invited back, but I knew I needed to do well for that to happen. Once I wrapped last season, [director Dallas Jenkins] came up to me and in his very soothsayer way said, ‘There’s more to come.’ Sure enough, my character has developed into a spoiler for Season 6. Let’s just say, he’s a very pivotal character in the crucifixion.” Each season of “The Chosen” covers a specific aspect of Jesus’ life. Season 5 focused on the Last Supper, while Season 6 centers on the Crucifixion. —KIMBERLY PHILLIPS
1940s
Jeanine Morgia Sansone ’75 (ED) writes to say that her father, James V. Morgia ’46 (ENG), was one of 70 World War II veterans honored by Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz at the National Guard Armory in Hartford to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (May 8, 1945). Connecticut is home to an estimated 600 WWII vets, and those at the commemoration ranged in age from 97 to 105! Morgia (one of our top 5 oldest living alumni at 103), set out to graduate from UConn in 1944. But his junior year was interrupted when, as an ROTC member, he was ordered to report to Fort Benning in Georgia for basic training, then officer training. Morgia received the Bronze Star for bravery during the Battle of the Bulge. He also received the Silver Star for commanding 150 troops during the Battle of Beho, Belgium.
1960s
Brian Flesher ’63 (BUS) has led a colorful career — make that many careers. He worked as a CFO in the publishing industry until 1995, taught accounting classes at Sacred Heart and Arizona State University, and became an actor in 1980 after taking acting classes at Fairfield University. He opted for another career change in 1995 and went to beauty school in Boca Raton, Florida. These days you’ll find him producing and appearing in comedy shows in Phoenix, Arizona.
William “Bill” Nagy ’66 (CAHNR) reminisces on his UConn days — the poker games, TKE fraternity parties, Hot Nuts concerts in Willimantic, Diana’s Pool visits, 10-cent drafts at Flats, and $1 drive-in movies that got the better of his schedule and caused him, he jokes, to graduate a year late. On a recent visit to Storrs, he was struck by the transformation of the once 8,000-student campus into an unfamiliar “small city.” While landmarks like the ROTC Barn, where he spent many an hour in dismounted drills, are long gone, the Student Union — still standing — served as his compass.
Congratulations to George H. Rowe IV ’69 (SFA, ED), who has earned a Doctor of Divinity from Calvary International School of Ministry and Theology. He is an elder at the Oasis Christian Church in Windsor, Connecticut.
1970s
John M. Silva ’73 (ED), ’74 MA still has his eye on the ball! He’s now a senior advisor for USA Team Handball in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Involved with team handball in numerous capacities since 1986, Silva founded the Carolina Team Handball Club, which has produced three Olympians.
Bob Kaufman ’74 (BUS), founder of Bob’s Discount Furniture, is pleased to announce a new store in Newington, where the company’s first store opened in 1991. There are now over 200 Bob’s stores in 26 states, making it the seventh largest furniture chain in the U.S. He remains the smiling face of the famed brand.
Barbara (Wasko) Fitzgibbons ’76 (CLAS) writes that her brother, Steve Wasko ’74 (CLAS), retired at the end of 2025 as president and general manager of MaxPak, a division of The Royal Group based in Lakeland, Florida, after a 50-plus-year career in the corrugated packaging industry. He and his high school sweetheart of 53 years, Mary (with Steve above) — parents of three and grandparents of seven — are looking forward to spending more time on the golf course and traveling.
Former dormmate trio, from left, Robin (Morier) Fagan ’78 (Home Ec.), Betsy McGeever ’77 (CLAS), and Terry (Wyer) Dehm ’78 (CAHNR) reunited this past summer in Rhode Island to share updates and memories from their days at Crawford C in South Campus.
Four UConn friends who still regularly get together recently decided to stage their reunion on the Storrs campus for the first time. From left: Meg (McGoldrick) Tweedy ’79 (CLAS); Vikki (Susman) Dunn ’79 (BUS); Mary-Caryl (Schiess) Goff ’78 (CLAS), ’03 MSW; and Dee Dice ’80 (CAHNR). “We are so amazed at the transformation, but … where is the Rathskeller?” writes Dice.
1980s
Don deGraffenried ’80 MSW returned from his second visit to war-torn Ukraine in October, where he provided pro bono advanced EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) training to therapists in Lviv who treat combat veterans, first responders, and traumatized civilians, navigating the language barrier amid air raids and incoming bombings. “Despite the challenges they face, the participants are eager, engaged students,” deGraffenried says. “Their determination is an inspiration that reminds me to continue to pay it forward.” A longtime presenter for the UConn School of Social Work, deGraffenried runs a private practice in New Haven, Connecticut.
Late last year, Keith A. Wiemert ’83 (BUS) retired as president and CEO of Middletown-based Ellafi Federal Credit Union after 28 years. Wiemert first took the helm in 1997, when the then-named Middlesex Schools Federal Credit Union managed about $40 million in assets. Today, Ellafi boasts more than $175 million in assets. Wiemert has been active in local civic groups, such as the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Well done!
Five friends who first met at the School of Fine Arts between 1980 and 1984 still get together as often as their busy lives allow — recently for a weekend in East Haven, Connecticut. From left: Jan Schmidt ’84 (SFA), Lisa Conti ’84 (SFA), Kim (Marotto) Cantin ’84 (SFA), Kathy (Begen) Bernardin ’85 (SFA), and Maria Guerrere ’84 (SFA).
In reflecting on the value of his UConn education, Rui Coelho ’84 (ENG) notes that his diverse professional path has included roles with the U.S. nuclear navy, consumer product companies, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), in such diverse areas as product development, manufacturing, supply chain management, systems engineering, and computer science. His path culminated in over two decades of improving public health in the medical device and biopharmaceutical sectors. Coelho remains an active volunteer in retirement, notably serving on the UConn biomedical engineering program’s external advisory board.
1990s
Klarn DePalma ’92 (BUS) has been inducted into the Connecticut Broadcasters Association’s 2025 Hall of Fame. DePalma, a tenured station manager, is senior vice president of sales for Nexstar Media Group — one of the nation’s largest owners of television stations nationwide. “My years at UConn provided me with a foundation that has supported every stage of my career in broadcasting and sales,” he writes.
Chun Lai ’92 MBA, chief investment officer at The Rockefeller Foundation, received the CIO Leadership Recognition Award. Having joined the foundation as an investment associate in 1996, he rose to deputy CIO in 2010 and assumed his current role in 2019. In his precious spare time, Lai enjoys reading, cycling, and skiing.
Dennis S. Weinstein ’92 (CLAS) continues to make waves in Michigan as a doctor of chiropractic medicine serving the Lansing community, a restaurant owner, and a devoted family man to his wife and three children.
Robert M. Nugent ’92 (ENG) was promoted to brigadier general in the U.S. Army, a rank that is reached by fewer than 1% of enlistees. The Windsor, Connecticut, VFW has also renamed VFW Post 4740 the Robert M. Nugent VFW Post in recognition of his 40-plus years of service to the state. Nugent met his wife of over 30 years, Cecilia Nugent ’91 (CLAS), in Hanks Hall. The couple’s two sons also graduated from UConn: Julian Nugent ’18 (ENG) is a U.S. Army captain and an engineer at Pratt & Whitney, and Nathan Nugent ’20 (ED) is vice president of wealth investment solutions for Citigroup. Thanks to Monika Nugent ’12 (CLAS), ’17 MPA for the update on Robert!
Congratulations to Jenny Lezon Norris ’93 (BUS) on being elected president of the Connecticut chapter of the Turnaround Management Association, a networking organization that promotes corporate renewal and change management, connecting professionals committed to revitalizing businesses. Norris brings valuable expertise from her career at Allianz Trade, where she provides credit insurance. She’s a proud Husky and avid basketball fan.
Congrats to Jennifer (Donalds) Barahona ’96 (CLAS), who was sworn in as Connecticut deputy secretary of the state in January. Prior to joining state government, she had a long career in executive nonprofit management throughout Fairfield County.
After connecting via this magazine (“The Good Neighbor,” Summer 2025), Michelle Puzzo ’98 (CAHNR) and Suzanne Ondrus ’14 (CLAS) teamed up for a good cause. Ondrus, based in Bogotá, Colombia, gave a remote training on speaking effectively for those with impaired hearing through Puzzo’s Manchester, Connecticut-based UR Community Cares organization.
Darrell Cookman ’99 M.Ed. was named Teacher of the Year at the Renzulli Academy in Hartford. Congratulations!
2000s
William Vanderrest ’00 (ED), ’01 M.Ed. was recently named Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA). In 2017, he received the Girls Coach of the Year award. Each of these awards can only be won once. Vanderrest, who has been head coach of both teams at Coventry High School for 26 years, is president of CHSCA.
After serving 15 years as senior policy advisor and in other positions at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jennifer Tomasello ’02 MPA has joined the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) as a senior director for federal government affairs.
Former UConn Women’s Basketball standout and WNBA veteran Ashley Battle ’04 (BUS), ’05 (CLAS) was named vice president of basketball operations, strategy, and innovation for the Portland Fire, a new WNBA team based in Oregon. 2026 is their inaugural season.
Gregg Schuster ’05 MBA is the new municipal manager for Upper Makefield Township in Pennsylvania after a search by the Board of Supervisors. Schuster has applied his 15 years of experience to membership in the International City/County Management Association, where he has served on several of its committees.
Congratulations to Vivian Lee ’06 (CAHNR), owner and chef at Leftie Lee’s in Avondale Estates, just outside Atlanta, who was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in July!
Kristi (Tokarz) Maler ’06 (ED), ’07 MA and Adam Coppola ’05 (CLAS), friends from their UConn student days, hadn’t seen each other in nearly 20 years before finding themselves both working at Seymour High School, where Coppola is a school counselor and Maler teaches English. They frequently wear UConn gear to show their Husky pride!
In June 2025, John Lentini ’07 MBA delivered a talk called “Three Dials to Lead You: A Control Panel for Life & Leadership” at TEDx Catawba in Hickory, North Carolina. The presentation introduced a powerful, practical framework designed to empower people to transform and thrive personally and professionally. TEDx Catawba was founded by fellow alum Christine D. Gagnon ’99 (BUS), ’02 MSA, ’04 MBA.
Angel Moran ’07 (CLAS) has been appointed board chairman of the PFLAG Greater Boston. PFLAG Greater Boston supports LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies.
Andrew Marone ’07 (CLAS, ED), ’10 MA received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange award for 2025–26 and will be a participant in the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program. Well done, Andrew!
Colleen Vellturo ’07 (CLAS, BUS), ’12 JD was promoted to partner at Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP. Vellturo defends clients in personal injury matters and insurance coverage disputes.
Margaret “Maggie” De Vito ’08 (CLAS), ’16 6th Year is serving as president of the Junior League of Hartford, a women-led nonprofit that collaborates with partners to give back to the Greater Hartford community and empowers women leaders since 1921.
Things are adding up for Casey O’Brien ’08 (BUS), who has just been promoted to partner at MahoneySabol, a Glastonbury-based certified public accounting firm. He brings nearly two decades of public accounting experience to his new leadership role and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Raymond Salani ’08 MA will have four photography books published by Schiffer Publishing by the spring of 2027. The first, “The Appalachian Trail: Four Seasons Along the Trail,” is available now. The second, “Iconic and Hidden Gems of the Appalachian Trail: 20 Unforgettable Hikes,” is slated for publication on March 28.
Denish Shah ’08 Ph.D. was appointed director of the marketing department at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Shah, who has earned multiple best paper and young scholar awards and been cited more than 5,700 times in top journals, has taught at the undergrad, master’s, Ph.D., and executive doctoral levels.
Joseph Michaels ’09 (BUS), a partner in the Chicago office of Sidley Austin LLP, is a 2025 “40 Under 40” in Crain’s Chicago Business. Michaels was selected for his work on high-stakes merger and acquisition transactions and corporate governance matters for companies such as General Electric, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and State Farm.
2010s
Richie Kremer ’10 (CAHNR), a member of the Board of Directors at the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents, earned the Certified Golf Course Superintendent certification. He is currently in his second season at Pequabuck Golf Club in Terryville, Connecticut.
Meghan (Kruger) Hopkins ’10 (CLAS), an associate attorney in Nixon Peabody’s Healthcare group, was selected as one of Providence Business News’ 2025 “40 Under Forty” honorees for career success and involvement within her community. Hopkins and her fellow honorees were recognized in July at the Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Dan Padover ’10 (CLAS), general manager of the Atlanta Dream, was named the WNBA’s 2025 Executive of the Year, writes his wife, Jessica L. Joy ’10 (CLAS), becoming the first person in league history to be given the honor three times. Padover started his basketball career as a volunteer student assistant to the UConn women’s basketball team. After graduation, he worked up the ranks of different professional and college teams before becoming general manager of the Dream in 2021 — working with former UConn greats Tina Charles ’10 (CLAS), the Dream’s previous center, and Renee Montgomery ’09 (CLAS), who co-owns the team and serves as vice president. In one of the most high-profile moves in the franchise’s history, Padover signed Brittney Griner, and in 2025 the Dream posted its best season yet, with 30 wins and a .682 winning percentage.
Rodrick Shiver ’11 MBA is vice chair of the Board of Trustees at Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina, for the 2025–2026 term. Rodrick, a certified public accountant, is the managing partner of Shiver Certified Public Accountants. He has served on the boards of several nonprofits in his hometown, including Historic Columbia, Columbia Empowerment Zone, and Tri-City Visionaries.
Following nearly four years as coordinator of competitive sports with his alma mater, Justin Paluch ’12 (BUS, ED) has accepted a position as assistant director for intramural sports and outdoor fields at Michigan State University.
Congratulations to Katherine Patnaude ’12 MS, who received an Impact Award from the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants in recognition of her exceptional leadership and dedication. Her efforts have helped improve reporting accuracy and reduce burdens for municipalities, auditors, and school districts across Connecticut. Patnaude is an audit partner at PKF O’Connor Davies.
In 2024, Mallory Molina ’12 (ED, SFA) co-founded the nonprofit Pan Global Music Initiative (PGMI), with her husband, Patricio Molina. The PGMI is dedicated to promoting classical music, with a focus on underrepresented cultures worldwide, through performance, education, and cultural preservation. Mallory also leads the Pan Asian Music Initiative, which aims to bring art songs by Asian composers to a wider audience. In October 2025, she performed at Carnegie Hall in PGMI’s debut concert, “Cantos de Quisqueya: A Celebration of Dominican Classical Music.”
Matthew Visconage ’12 (CLAS) just published his first book, “The Day Job Survival Handbook,” with Humorist Books. It’s a satirical guide to modern cubicle culture that tackles the experiences of passive-aggressive Post-it notes, meetings that should have been emails, the dubiousness of free cake left in the break room, and the quiet horror of suddenly having to sign a birthday card for someone named Dave in sales.
For the past couple years, Kristy (Rider) Murphy ’13 (CLAS) has been opening her young son’s eyes to the excitement of UConn basketball games. She tells us that Husky spirit is taking root in her young family — the UConn chant can be heard (loudly) through her home most mornings.
Shannon (Thompson) Marrero ’14 (CAHNR), a librarian at Greenbrier Library in Chesapeake, Virginia, received a master’s degree in library information and science from the University of Alabama.
All the best to James Kos ’15 (ENG), ’21 M.Eng., who married Jessica Fitch in September in Loveland, Ohio.
Emilie Burgess ’15 (NUR) is excited to share that she and her partner Kyle Horvath ’15 (CAHNR) were married on June 7 in Mystic, Connecticut. This photo of the happy pair of proud Huskies holding a UConn flag is among their favorites from the wedding!
Katherine Daily ’18 (NUR) received a doctor of nursing practice degree, specializing in adult gerontology acute care, from Johns Hopkins University. She works in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Avinash Veeraraghav ’18 (BGS) and twin brother Anand Veeraraghav ’18 (CLAS) co-founded a community orchestra in their hometown of Monroe, Connecticut. An inaugural concert of seven pieces was held on July 27. The orchestra has 41 musician residents, including middle school, high school, and college students, as well as retired and working residents.
Maya Schlesinger ’18 (CAHNR) married Will Reid ’19 (ENG) in May, nearly 10 years after they met in Buckley Hall as first-years.
Having completed two UConn medical residencies and worked as a UConn Health hospitalist, Aziz Khan ’19 MED-RES, ’25 MED-RES now leads Dermatology Partners, a privately owned, physician-led group. Khan has worked with Médecins Sans Frontières and Save the Children. He publishes articles in prestigious medical journals and attends global conferences to share insights on innovative treatments and complex cases. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American College of Physicians, and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.
2020s
UConn admissions officer Kathleen Stango ’20 (CLAS) married Samuel Shapiro ’21 JD in May. Other Huskies in this photo include Kathleen’s father-in-law, Paul Shapiro, who was senior legal counsel to UConn for many years and mayor of Mansfield from 2015 to 2019, and Kathleen’s father, Charles Stango ’95 JD, who serves as presiding judge for Bridgeport Superior Court (G.A. 2). A true Husky family!
Kelly-Anne Moffa ’21 (CLAS) and Robert Glassman ’19 (CLAS) were married in May in West Hartford, Connecticut. They met through Honors Across State Borders, an alternative spring break group. Many UConn alumni were in attendance, as was a very special guest — Jonathan XIV!
William Brisman ’22 (CLAS) and Randi Burr ’22 (BUS), ’23 Cert., both UConn track stars, were married on Aug. 23 at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey. Brisman graduated from NYU Law School last year and is practicing law while residing in the big city.
Julian Cote-Dorado ’24 (CLAS) is one of 65 Americans selected by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas to study and work in Germany as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals program. In addition to participating in intensive language study, Cote-Dorado will act as a citizen ambassador of the United States, hoping to promote a positive image of the U.S. abroad and create lifelong friendships and professional connections to enhance German-American relations.