Notables:

Eric Walter ’05 set a couple of joggling Guinness world records at O’Laughlin Stadium in April 2013. Joggling is running while juggling. He ran 1,000 meters on the SHU track in a record time of 2:46.63. The time to beat was 3 minutes flat. In the 400 meter he ran a 56.47 (57.32 was the old record). Walter also won the 200, 400, 800 and the 4×100 relay at the 2011 World Joggling Championships in Rochester, Minn.

Sister Donna Kustusch, OP, ’63 a long-time faculty member at SHU, passed away in July 2013. “Donna’s determination came from her deep commitments—to her students and to the mission of Siena Heights; to her sisters and to the mission of the congregation; to the call of the gospel for a preferential option for the poor; and to her prayer relationship with God,” said SHU Vice President of Academic Affairs Sister Sharon Weber, OP, a former colleague. A faculty member in the Religious Studies program from 1975-92, she had the challenge of bringing the curriculum to a new generation of students. For her enthusiasm in the classroom and her concern for the growth of each of her students, she received the award for outstanding teaching in 1991.

She also established the Spirituality and Peacemaking Institute in 1988. The institute provided such offerings as a variety of lectures in collaboration with Weber Center, prayer opportunities for students and a conference “Dominican Education in Search of Peace.” Her commitment to the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ vision of acting on behalf of the poor drew her to her work on the U.S.-Mexico border. In fact, she received the Sister Ann Joachim Award in 2002 for her work serving impoverished women and children in Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas.

Matt Keller ’03 was recently named the vice president of Federal Services at GuidePoint Security in Reston, Va. “Matt brings an unrivaled skill set to our Professional Services team that includes a strong background in practical, hands-on federal information security engineering and leadership experience,” said Justin More-house, founder and principal at GuidePoint Security. “He will be the catalyst that brings GuidePoint Security’s industry-leading professional services to the Federal market and our team is honored and excited by his arrival.” According to a company release, the company will lever-age Keller’s experience to extend its Information Assurance and Technology Integration services, including Incident response and forensics, computer network defense and security architecture and design.

Keller has more than 15 years of IT experience managing and engineering solutions across both private and government networks. He previously was principal security engineer, team and technical lead and computer network defense architect for a government contract. Prior to that appointment, Keller served as the senior cyber forensics analyst and forensic lab manager for a Department of Defense cyber security operation center. He and wife, Priscilla, also recently celebrated a birth of a son, Theodore. The family lives in Leesburg, Va.

Gordie Theisen ’82, ’11/MA, joined his son, former SHU assistant baseball coach Eric Theisen, on the Hillsdale College baseball coaching staff. Gordie, who coached the Saints’ baseball program from 1987-2003, is serving as HC’s recruit-ing coordinator and pitching coach. Before joining his son at Hillsdale, Gordie was an assistant baseball coach at Adrian College. Eric took over as head coach at Hillsdale in May after serving as an assistant. The Chargers are members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Division II.

From The Sites:

SHU—Benton Harbor

2007
Kimberly Wise was recently promoted to director of Human Resources at South Haven Health System. She and her husband, Ronald, and their two children, Anthony and Madison, reside in South Haven, Mich.

SHU—Lansing

2009
DeMarquis Battle recently published his first book titled “Don’t Bow: Standing Against the Idols of Our Generation.” Earlier in 2013 he graduated with a master’s degree in Bible and Theo-logy from Lincoln Christian University. It was his second master’s degree. He is employed in the financial aid department at Davenport University and resides in Lansing, Mich.

SHU—Monroe

2007
Lisa Doan opened a new business in June 2013 in Monroe, Mich. Inside Looking Out is a custom drapery design shop that carries accessories, local artists’ designs and home décor.

2012
Misozi Houston and her husband, Anthony, announced the birth of their daughter, Lily, on July 4, 2012. The family resides in Bushkill, Pa.

SHU—Online

2013
Kelly Beymer is continuing her education in the master’s program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She will continue her career as a radiologist assistant. She resides in Whitestown, Ind.

SHU—Southfield

1989
Tim Krumholz currently works as a principal quality engineer for Rockwell Collins, a military and commercial avionics supplier. He currently resides in Anamosa, Iowa.

1997
David Conklin was named the new director of the Genesee (Mich.) District Library in May 2013. He is the director of all 19 district branches, and formerly was the director of the Shelby Township Library and 19 years in the Oakland County Library system. He is a resident of Atlas Township, Mich.

2005
Regina Rogers Taylor is studying for her master’s degree in information resource management at Central Michigan University. She is scheduled to graduate in May 2014. She and her husband, Jason, reside in Dearborn, Mich.

2008
Les Morrison recently was named the director of Marriage and Family Services at the Perspectives of Troy (Mich.) counseling centers. He also conducts marriage seminars and retreats at the Perspectives’ office as well as at churches in the Midwest.

Main Campus:

1975
Leslie Butler works as a claims supervisor for EMC Insurance Co. in Lansing, Mich. He resides in Lansing.

1977
Gail Kowalski was featured in the June edition of Rapaport Magazine, a publication that chronicles the diamond jewelry industry news and economic trends. The article is titled “Hollywood Likes Us: Gail Kowalski creates red-carpet designs from her JBG Jewelry by Gail gallery located on the wild Outer Banks of North Carolina.” It details her career and events leading to her successes on the red-carpet Holly-wood scene. The full article can be seen in the news section at jewelrybygail.com. Kowalski is a 36-year resident of Nags Head, N.C., and has won numerous national and international awards.

Kenneth Thompson had his solo exhibit on display titled “The Illus-trated Facts of Global Warming” at the Lenawee County of Visual Arts at the Croswell Opera House from Sept. 25-Nov. 9. Thompson is the owner of Flatlanders Art Gallery and Supply in Blissfield, Mich.

1978
Donald Ford is retired from the Barry County (Mich.) Sheriff’s Department. He resides in Micanopy, Fla.

1983
Michele Seaman Morrell reported the death of her husband, David, who drowned in Puerto Rico while working for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security earlier this year. She asked that the Siena community keep her and her two daughters in their prayers. They reside in San-dusky, Mich.

1984
Kenneth Kops was assigned as chief of staff with the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. In July 2013 Col. Kops was awarded the Legion of Merit medial for his meritorious service while assigned to the 353rd Civil Affairs Command, where he served as deputy commander before his new assignment. He and his wife, Yeon, live by the motto, “Ain’t life grand!” They reside in Brooklyn, N.Y.

1985
John Detro was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army on Sept. 5, 2013, during a ceremony at the Fort Bragg (N.C.) Medical Simulations Training Center. His former high school track coach, Frank Connolly, and his mother, Grace, attended the ceremony and helped pin on his new rank. Detro is the XVIII Airborne Corps deputy surgeon for clinical operations and training and supervises the site that trains thousands of first responders and medics who have deployed in support of the global war on terrorism. When the XVIII ABC headquarters deploy to Afghanistan early in 2014, he will remain on the base as Task Force Bragg surgeon.

1986
Scott McClure was recently hired as the athletic director at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. He was a former sports information director, coach and adjunct instructor at Siena Heights and also worked at the National Association of Intercolleg-iate Athletics for many years.

1989
Larry Bryant threw out the opening pitch on April 27, 2013, before the Detroit Tigers baseball game honor-ing the Negro Leagues. Bryant received the honor as an employee at Comerica Bank.

1993
Tracey Ladd was recently named the new director of the Starkweather Arts Center in Romeo, Mich. Ladd has taught art at several universities and was also a coordinator at the Toledo Museum of Art. As an art-ist, she works in the mediums of silversmithing, painting, and glass.

1996
Matt Ostapowicz is employed as a lieutenant in the Special Response Team with the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Police Department. He and his wife, Amy, and their three children reside in Jenison, Mich.

1998
Mark Harvey is employed in sales at DirectBuy of Woodbridge, Va. He and his wife, Stacey, and their two children reside in Woodbridge.

2002
Sister Paula Terese Pilon professed her final vows as a sister of the Congregation of St. Joseph Sept. 21 at the congregation’s center in Nazareth, Mich. Sister Paula entered the congregation in 2003 and began her novitiate in 2005. She currently works as the coordinator for Work-place Spirituality for Borgess Health. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies at the Catholic Theological Union.

2003
Courtney Aldrich works as a victim rights specialist with the Mackinac County (Mich.) Prosecutor’s Office. She is also nationally credentialed as an intermediate level advocate with the specialties of sexual assault intervention and comprehensive/system based intervention through the National Organization for Victim Assistance. She resides in St. Ignace.

Gabrielle Clemons was recently hired as a graphic designer for Sparrow Health Systems in Lansing, Mich.

2005
Sandra Mroz is employed as a therapist at Parkside Family Coun-seling in Adrian, Mich. She resides in Adrian.

Nichole Markusic Zimmerman is employed as a computer teacher at the Woodward Academy in Detroit, Mich. She and her husband, Joseph, and their son, Lucas, reside in Plymouth, Mich.

2006
Rebecca Pavka is employed as an admissions representative at Davenport University. She resides in Wixom, Mich.

2007
Audra Miller and Bradley Mohler were united in marriage Dec. 29, 2012, at the historic Baker Street Station in downtown, Ft. Wayne, Ind. The bride is the owner of A. Miller Photography in Delphos, Ohio. The couple resides in Delphos.

2009
Liz Artz graduated in May 2013 with a master’s degree in educational leadership from Central Michigan University. She is currently employed as a student engagement coordinator at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mich.

Chet Hesson was named the new assistant athletic director for compliance at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. He is responsible for the administration of a comprehensive NCAA Division I, Atlantic Sun Conference and Pioneer League rules compliance program. His primary duties include investigation and reporting of rules infractions, preparation of waivers and releases, monitoring of playing and practicing seasons and recruiting.

2010
Kelly Sawyer Woodland works as an accounting assistant with the State of Michigan. She and her husband, Lance, reside in Pleasant Lake, Mich.

2012
Corey Alexander signed a professional baseball contract with the Traverse City Beach Bums, a member of the independent Frontier League. Alexander, a left-handed pitcher, was signed for the 2014 season. In his senior year at SHU, he was 8-4 with a 1.96 earned run average and helped the Saints to a conference tournament title and an appearance in the NAIA national tournament. It will be his first ap-pearance in professional baseball.

Kyle Armstrong is beginning his second year as a graduate assistant track and field coach at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He is studying for his master’s degree in business leadership.

Stephen Guerra is beginning his second year as a math teacher at St. John’s Jesuit High School and Academy in Toledo, Ohio. He said, “I am very thankful to the faculty at Siena through my time there. … I feel so prepared and ready to take on anything. … It makes me very glad I chose Siena for my undergrad and shows that they truly are renowned for educating teachers. Even my principal had heard of SHU, and I can’t help but think that is what put me at the top of the list.”

Tama Lunsford and her husband Nathan ’15, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Rose Louise, Aug. 28, 2013. The family resides in Tecumseh, Mich.

2013
Andy Switzer is currently working as an English teacher at Yiling Senior High School in Yichang City, China. He works with 3,000 students and teaches 14 classes a week. He is doing private lessons through a Cambridge University-sponsored program called “Online School of Education.” He said, “I found myself reviewing old Siena notes, lesson plan designs and student teaching reflections. There are truly invaluable and really made a huge difference.”

Deaths

Alumni

Marjorie Gable Reagan ’44
Sister Martin Mary Ryan, OP ’49
Sister Joan Liberty, OP ’50
Sister Marjorie McEntee, OP ’52
Catherine Turner ’52
Clare Wrona Marcyan ’53
Ann Rose Cummins ’54
Sister Mary Margaret Donnelly, OP ’54
Sister Shirley Ruder, OP ’54
Sister Paul Emelia Brown, OP ’55
Sister Helene Dompierre, OP ’55
Sister Michele Gebhardt, OP, ’55
Sister Clara Patricks, OP ’55
Sister Jean Harlan, OP ’56
Joan Watson Klusnick ’58
Dr. Marvel Proton ’60, ’66/MA
Sister Kathleen Gaynor, OP ’61
Sister Ursula Ording, OP ’61
Sister Donna Kustusch, OP ’63
Sister Mary Patrice Kerin, OSF ’64/MA
Sister Anne Wasco, OP ’67
Shawn Medley ’06
Chris Comstock ’08

Friends

Marilee Uyttenhove—former SHU staff member.