1975

VINCENT T. MARCHESE (Sociology) presents newly-appointed Ramapo College President, Dr. Cindy Jebb, with a graphic poster of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Dr. Jebb was the dean of the Academic Board and professor of comparative politics at the United States Military Academy and Brigadier General of the United States Army. Vincent gave her the framed graphic poster as a gift for her office.

1976

MICHAEL MASHEL (Political Science) retired from BNY Mellon, where he worked for ten years as a program manager in the corporate PMO. Previously, he was a web hosting project executive for 15 years at IBM. Michael is married with two children and lives in Rockaway.

1978

RON CEPHAS JONES (Fine Arts) is starring in the Broadway play, “Clyde’s.” The Emmy-award-winning actor was recently profiled in the New York Times.

1979

CHRIS ALLEN (Business Administration) was named senior vice president and chief risk officer at Partners Bank, headquartered in Sanford, Maine. Most recently, Chris served as chief risk officer at Patelco Credit Union in the San Francisco area.

ROGER J. MULLER, JR. (Environmental Studies) was featured in NJ.com in May where he talked about his organization, Lionfish Divers, which works to educate the public on the environmental dangers of lionfish, an invasive species, and their impact on the oceans. Roger is an avid scuba diver who has completed 111 diving certifications from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors and the National Association of Underwater Instructors.

1981

STEVEN B. ROSNER (Business Administration) was featured in a February NorthJersey.com article about his sports marketing firm, 16W Marketing, LLC. The company, headquartered in Rutherford, represents Boomer Esiason, Phil Simms, Howie Long, Cris Collinsworth, Bob Papa and other prominent names in professional sports.

1984

CHRISTINE L. RUSIN (Communication Arts) was inducted into the Warren County Hall of Fame. She owns media company Parashoot Productions which has completed over 500 media productions for corporations, hospitals and businesses. She is also a poet and fine art photographer. Christine volunteers for many non-profit organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America and St. Patrick's Church.

1985

CATHLEEN BENKO (Information Systems) was appointed to the board of directors of SolarWinds Inc., an NYSE-listed company that provides IT management software. Cathleen also serves on the boards of directors of NIKE, Inc., Prime Impact Acquisition I and WorkBoard. She chairs the Harvard Business School/NC advisory council and is a member of the boards of directors for several nonprofit organizations, including Stanford's Institute for Research in the Social Sciences, American Corporate Partners, National Association of Corporate Directors, the International Women's Forum and Life Skills for Soldiers.

1990

VICTORIA VALLO (Literature) was honored by the Wayne Education Association for 25 years of service to the Wayne public schools. Victoria has been a teaching 6th grade English at Schuyler Colfax Middle School since 1996 and has been a team leader for 23 years.

1991

RONALD J. CAMPIONE (Political Science) joined the DRI construction steering committee as well as the National Association of Dealer Counsel's board of directors. DRI is an international membership organization of attorneys whose mission is to defend the interests of businesses and individuals in civil litigation. The National Association of Dealer Counsel is comprised of attorneys who represent vehicle dealers. Ronald is an attorney and principal at Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. He earned a J.D. at Seton Hall Law School.

1993

YIZHE WANG (Chemistry) was named chief executive officer and appointed to the board of directors of LianBio, a biotechnology company that develops therapeutics focused on China and other Asian markets. He previously served as global brand development leader at Eli Lilly where he worked on anti-Covid research, among other roles and projects.  Dr. Wang earned an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Yale University.

1997

KATRINE ALIHA BECK (Political Science) was honored by the New York State Bar Association with the Trial Lawyers Section Annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award. The award, which was established last year, honors a trial attorney who has made extraordinary efforts in addressing and raising awareness about issues of equity, diversity and inclusion. Katrine co-founded a women-owned litigation firm and has served as mentor in her profession for many years. Her volunteer activities include serving on the board of Girls Inc. of Westchester that supports girls from underserved communities. Among other honors, Katrine was named to Crain’s New York Business “Notable Women in Law” and to the Business Council of Westchester’s list of “40 under 40 Rising Stars.”

LESLIE A. TRIFONE (Communication Arts) has been promoted to manager of marketing and sponsorship at the Mall of Short Hills which is owned by the Taubman Company.

1998

JEFFREY R. TAYLOR (Metropolitan Studies) has been appointed detective with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. He previously served as a task force officer. He has also worked for the Middlesex County Department of Corrections and the Morris County Park Police. Jeffrey is a faculty member of the N.J. Division of Criminal Justice Top Gun Narcotics Investigation School and has been assigned to the Morris County Rapid Deployment Team since 2005.

1999

ALINA SYCHOVA (Business Administration, International Business) was interviewed in September by Thrive Global. The interview was featured as part of its series, "Women Leading the Finance Industry." Alina is head of capital markets origination at Sova Capital Limited, headquartered in London with an office in Moscow. Alina holds a masters in finance from London Business School.

2001

JEFFREY HERING (History, Political Science, 1989; MALS, 2001) joined Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston where he teaches history. Jeff is former history department chair at Don Bosco Prep and adjunct professor at Bergen Community College.  Jeff holds a doctor of education degree from National American University.

2002

BRANDEE A. FETHERMAN (BSN) was named chief nursing officer at Morristown Medical Center. Brandee joined Morristown Medical Center in 2001 and has been promoted multiple times, assuming key leadership roles in critical care, medicine, trauma, and neurology. Most recently, she has been instrumental in managing patient care and safety during the COVID pandemic. She holds an MSN from Drexel University.  Brandee serves on the board of the Organization of Nurse Leaders, New Jersey (ONL NJ), and is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), the American Organization of Nurse Leaders, the Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association and the Sigma Theta Tau, International Nursing Honor Society.

MARK SCHWED (Law and Society) joined the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP as a tax partner. Mark had been a partner with Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP.  He has been recognized as a leading lawyer for tax in New York by Chambers USA and as a “Next Generation Partner” by Turnarounds & Workouts magazine. He is a member of the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association’s tax section. He received his master of laws degree from New York University and his J.D. from Cardozo Law School.

2003

ZOE BALDWIN (Political Science) joined the Regional Plan Association as New Jersey director. Most recently, she served as director of government affairs for the N.J. Utility & Transportation Contractors Association. She also served as projects director for Senator Cory Booker and as senior transportation and environment specialist for the late Senator Frank Lautenberg.

2004

TACQUICE WIGGAN DAVIS (Psychology) was named assistant vice president for inclusive excellence at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. Most recently, she served as the associate director for the Department of Intercultural Affairs at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

2006

BRIDGETTE CALLAGHAN (Psychology) was proclaimed a "Mental Health Hero" by the Nutley Board of Commissioners for her work as director of Brooklyn’s Intensive Mobile Treatment program at the Institute for Community Living, Inc. in New York City. The program provides housing, meals, medication, cellphones and other needs to adults, many of them homeless. Bridgette holds a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University and is a licensed social worker in New York and New Jersey.

KELLY LLOYD LANKFORD (Communication Arts) was promoted to counsel at Dentons LLP where she focuses on commercial disputes and arbitrations. She also maintains a pro bono law practice representing tenants facing eviction, political asylum seekers and survivors of human trafficking.

KATHERINE G. MCGEE (Political Science) now serves on the N.J. Office of the Secretary of Higher Education’s (OSHE) Campus Sexual Assault Commission. The Commission studies emerging issues, policies and practices concerning campus sexual assault; monitor progress and offer technical assistance to institutions of higher education; and develop action plans aimed at the issues and needs identified through campus climate surveys.

2007

CHRISTOPHER BARBARINO (Business Administration) was promoted to vice president, portfolio manager at Lakeland Bank. Christopher joined Lakeland Bank in 2017 as assistant vice president, portfolio manager for the Waldwick commercial lending team. He holds a real estate finance and investments certification from New York University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies.  He also volunteers at Pet ResQ, Inc.

JAQUAIR GILLETTE (Contemporary Arts) was profiled in USA Today and Northjersey.com as a Paterson resident who is making a name for himself as a local actor, artist and activist. Jaquair recently had roles in the television dramas, "FBI" and "Law and Order: Organized Crime," and he took part in a poetry workshop at the Paterson Museum. He also volunteers at the Green Acre Community Garden in Paterson’s 4th Ward.

MEGAN KNOWLTON BALNE (History and Theater) was elected secretary of the Burlington County Bar Association. Megan has served as a trustee for the BCBA for the past three years and has chaired the business corporate law subcommittee. She has also served as a speaker and moderator for CLE courses on employment law and women’s history. Megan leads the Employment Law Group at Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP. She holds a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law-Camden. Megan received the New Jersey State Bar Association Professional Achievement Award, and in 2020, she was recognized as a “40 under 40” award recipient by NJBiz. Most recently, Megan was recognized by South Jersey Biz in its 2021 “Women to Watch” feature.

2008

KAITLYN M. ARSENAULT (Accounting) was appointed chief financial officer of Skye Bioscience, Inc. in San Diego, Calif. Kaitlyn, a certified public accountant, has served as an independent consultant for public and private companies. She also served as assurance manager in Friedman LLP's SEC practice.

ALEX VAN DER TOORN (Information Systems) received the 2021 Emerging Leaders Rising Star Award from the New Jersey Bankers Association. Alex is vice president, IT network and application support manager. He joined Lakeland Bank in 2005 as a network analyst.

2009

RENEE R. GRANT (Social Science) is the new director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program and the Academic Opportunity Program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Renee joined HWS in 2016 and has served as assistant director of housing operations before being named associate director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs in 2019. She holds an M.A. in higher education administration from Rowan University.

JORDANNA MAZIARZ (nee Suriani) (International Studies) is now director of undergraduate admissions at Montclair State University. She lives with her husband, SEAMUS (class of 2009), and daughter, Sloane, in Wayne.

2011

MICHAEL MARCIANTE (Communications Arts) was appointed executive director of the Partnership for Haddonfield, Inc., the management corporation for the borough's business improvement district.

2015

BRIANNE K. KENNEDY (International Studies) was named to the International News Media Association's 2021 "30 under 30" list as a rising star in the global news media industry. Brianne is associate director/member engagement at the Wall Street Journal, a publication of Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

2016

MEGAN CHAN (BSN) was named a 2021 Nurse of the Year and Healthcare Hero by NJBiz, one of five nurses to receive the honor. Megan is a registered nurse at Saint Peter's Healthcare System. In December, 2020 she was the first employee at Saint Peter's University Hospital to receive the Moderna vaccine.

STEPHEN A. DELLOSTRITTO, JR. (Biology) is a new graduate of the SUNY College of Optometry. He was honored with the Dr. William M. Eisenberg Memorial Award for Excellence in Ocular Disease.

2017

REBECCA C. RUBER (Business Administration) was featured in the California Herald in January 2021. Rebecca is a professional model and actress who has appeared in television and movie productions such as “Billions,” “Abnormal Attraction” and “Limitless.” She also hosts two podcasts: “Just Ghouly Things,” which discusses the paranormal; and “Inside the Ring,” on the topic of boxing, another of Rebecca's professional pursuits.

CRISTOPHER J. UGARTE (Social Science) was named to EDP Soccer's 2021 list of "30 Promising Young Coaches under the age of 30." EDP Soccer is an organization that supports and promotes youth soccer in the U.S. Cris is a coach at TSF Academy.

2018

ZERKA GUL (International Business) joined Star Hill Financial LLC as vice president of operations. The company provides equipment finance and solutions and is based in Fairfield, Conn. Prior to joining Star Hill, Zerka worked with TIAA Commercial Finance in various roles.

EVELYN PENA (Social Work) serves on the Paterson Housing Authority’s board of commissioners. Evelyn is district-wide community outreach liaison for the Paterson Public Schools. She spent three years at Oasis-A Haven for Women and Children as a program coordinator. She holds an M.S.W. from Seton Hall University and has earned a number of certifications including in mental health first aid, stress management, cultural competency, and cyberbullying.

2019

JONELL ROBLES (BSN 2013; MSN 2019) is a member of the Northwell Health Nurse Choir that performed in August on the NBC television show, "America's Got Talent,” and earned a Top 10 spot on the show’s finale. Jonell is an assistant nurse manager at Lenox Hill Hospital, part of the Northwell Health System.

2020

KYLE C. DATTOLA (MAEL) was appointed K-12 math supervisor for the Hillsborough Township Public Schools. He has been serving the Summit Public Schools as a high school math teacher and coach. Prior to his time in Summit, Kyle worked in Montgomery, Cherry Hill, and in Royersford, Pennsylvania. He earned a B.S.in mathematics education from The Pennsylvania State University.

RYAN GREFF (Business Administration) received a "40 under 40" award from The Irish Echo. The awards spotlight the up-and-coming Irish American leaders who work in a variety of fields and occupations. Reflecting on Ryan being chosen as an honoree, SBDC Regional Director Vincent Vicari remarked: "This honor is extremely well deserved. Ryan Greff has played a significant role in the planning and execution of the center's Economic Recovery Task Force Initiative. The center continues to deliver critical aid to small businesses to help them get through the COVID-19 pandemic."

JOSEPH T. TURNER (Philosophy) was named the community outreach chairperson for the Young Professionals of the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Foundation in Paramus. Joe also serves on the board of the People Are There Foundation in Waldwick, which provides suicide prevention services.

THOMAS YANNETTI (Accounting and Business Administration) was elected to the South Hackensack Board of Education. At age 23, he is the youngest person ever elected to the board. Thomas is a third generation resident of South Hackensack.

2021

JONATHAN LANCASTER (History) serves on the Bergen County Human Relations Commission and is federal government relations co-chair for the 9th Congressional District for the Bergen County Education Association. Jonathan is lead teacher and social studies teacher at Bergen County Technical High School.

SARAH KIEFER (History, 2004) When my husband Chris Nichol and I married in 2020, our family and friends couldn’t be there in person. But in July 2021 we finally celebrated with everyone, including my friends from the class of 2004.

Births

JASON JASINSKI (Mathematics, 2010) and his wife, Alison, are the proud parents of a 1-year-old son, Zack. Jason has been a mathematics teacher at Becton Regional High School for 11 years and owns a tutoring company.

In Memoriam

Phyllis E. DiAmbrosio ’83

James L. Conyers ’83

Barbara A. Dennis ’84

Laura Deluca ’84

Barbara L. Scola ’87

June Camp ’88

Bonnie Caruso ’94

Michelle C. Devine ’96

Paula Rubenacker ’98

Americo N. DeStefanis ’05

Andrew R. Fraioli ’07

Tyler A. DiRussa ’21