’50s
João Faustini ’55 was named a fellow of The Hymn Society at the organization’s annual conference in Waterloo, Ontario, on July 18. This award, the highest honor given by the organization, was conferred because of Faustini’s work as a composer, publisher, translator, educator and practitioner of church music, particularly the music of his home country of Brazil.
Doug Smith ’56 was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame in Buffalo, N.Y., for his dedication to reporting, announcing and statistic collecting over a career spanning nearly 70 years. Smith and his wife, Polly, recently moved to Cortland, where he announces basketball for the State College and baseball for the local wooden-bat collegiate-league team and recently performed in Miracle on 34th St., adding to several stage credits from his Rider days.
’60s
Sanford Barth ’64 recently went to China to help further develop its system of healthcare delivery and financing. A retiring adjunct professor and the former head of the Health Policy Department at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Barth started down his path after transferring to Rider and receiving a degree in economics. Subsequently, he earned a master’s in health policy, served as captain for several years with the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps and then earned a doctorate in health policy.
’70s
Michael Ivankovich ’72 hosts the radio show “What’s It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser” on WBCB 1490 AM, which was recently picked up by KEZW Cruisin 1420 AM in Denver, Colo. The show focuses on antiques, collectibles and general household contents.
Thomas Pergola ’73 joined Sterling National Banks’ commercial banking team as senior vice president and managing director. Pergola graduated from Rider with a bachelor’s in business administration. He will aid in managing team sales and service efforts to grow and retain Sterling’s valued client relationships.
Joanne Kerekes ’74 announced her retirement from the South Brunswick School District as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, after a career that spanned more than 40 years in public education. Kerekes has held positions as a staff developer, teacher, unit leader, project specialist and principal. She earned a bachelor’s from Rider and a master’s from Rutgers University.
Mark V. Dennis ’77 was honored by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley at its annual Professional Advisors Breakfast. Dennis received his bachelor’s in accounting from Rider and, shortly after, his CPA certification. Dennis partnered with Raymond Duncan at Duncan and Dennis until Duncan’s retirement. Since then, Dennis serves clients independently and is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs.
Scott Krieger ’78 began his three-year term as president of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ on July 1. A certified public accountant, he earned a bachelor’s in commerce from Rider. Krieger is also the immediate past president of the Jewish Community Foundation and a former United Jewish Appeal Campaign Chair. He is a 1996 recipient of the Julius and Bessie Cohn Young Leadership Award. Krieger lives in Livingston, N.J., with his wife, Robyn.
Sue Healy Lipay ’79, Phyllis Gordon Rifkin ’79, Donna Civitella Doran ’79, Sherri Srager Morris ’78, Mary Fielding Csontos ’79, Joyce Tobin Biggins ’79, Debbie Gaier Sprung ’81, Christine Decker Henry ’80 and Joanne Fitzgerald Naylor ’79 have been friends for over forty years after meeting at Rider College in the late 1970s. All of them, with the exception of Healy Lipay, lived in Poyda for part or all of their time at Rider. Between them, there are 20 children and three grandchildren. They get together for brunch, weekend trips to New York, Washington, D.C., and Long Beach Island, and house parties. Last June, they all met on Bald Head Island off the coast of North Carolina for the start of their 60th birthday celebrations. The endless support they give and receive has helped them along the way and has made for exceptionally close friendships. They look forward to the next 40 years and have Rider to thank for introducing them!
’80s
Janice Vashon ’81 was named Certified Peer Recovery Specialist of the Year by Parents Support Network of Rhode Island and the state Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Disabilities and Hospital. She holds a bachelor’s in music education from Rider.
Alice (Buckley) De Lancey ’81, Patty (Lucasiewicz) Hodge ’81, Donna Kaiser ’81 and Sue (Elliott) Crespin recently gathered on Long Beach Island for a mini-reunion to catch up and reminisce. Each of them spent their junior year abroad together in Madrid at the Universidad Complutense. De Lancey, Hodge and Kaiser recently returned together to Madrid and spent 10 days traveling throughout central and southern Spain as they did while Rider students. Fellow Rider alumna Ellen Deboeser ’81 also joined the mini-reunion.
Robert Murdock ’81 was named the 2017 Alumni of the Year of Middlesex County College during the college’s Celebration Day for contributions to the college, its Alumni Association or its foundation. After graduating from Middlesex County College, Murdock went on to earn his bachelor’s from Rider. He is the founder and business manager of the band The British Invasion Years, formerly The British Invasion Tribute Band.
Stanley J. Koreyva Jr. ’81 was named president of Amboy Bank in May. He joined Amboy in 1990 and was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2008. Amboy Bank, a full service commercial bank with assets of $2.4 billion and 22 offices in central New Jersey, has been voted Best Bank in Central Jersey for 19 years in a row. Koreyva earned a bachelor’s in accounting from Rider and is a certified public accountant.
Tim O’Brien ’81 was named vice president of the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute, a leading organization of chain link fence manufactures in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He is currently district manager for Master Halco, Inc. He was previously vice president of sales for Specified Technologies Incorporated and product manager for Thomas and Betts, a global leader in wire and cable management.
Lt. Col. Joni Pentifallo ’82 retired from the United States Air Force after 25 years of service. Pentifallo was the Mission Support Group Deputy Commander, 158th Mission Support Group, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard. She currently works as a professional healthcare representative for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and resides in Annapolis, Md.
Just Hartz ’85 was the guest organist at Friends of Music at Guilford’s ninth annual spring recital in the Organ Barn at Tree Frog Farm in Guilford, Vt. Hartz was educated at Westminster Choir College and The Julliard School. He has been an E. Power Biggs Fellow of The Organ Historical Society, and, since 1989, Hartz has been playing popular Christmas carol sing-alongs and recitals at Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, Pa.
Dan Lowden ’87 was appointed as chief marketing officer of Digital Shadows, a leader in the digital risk management industry. Lowden graduated from Rider with a bachelor’s degree in finance. In his new position, he will lead the company’s strategic marketing efforts to expand its presence in the global market, develop new partnerships and continue to focus on customer needs.
John Golubieski ’87, ’95 was named chief financial officer of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for the management of central nervous system disorders. He earned his bachelor’s in commerce and his MBA from Rider.
Michael F. Housel ’87 authored The Hyde Seed, which was published by Airship 27. The Trenton native’s novella is set in the world of professional prize fighting, in which an insightful cautionary tale about the duality of life and the struggles everyone faces is delivered.
Kevin Nerwinski ’88 was appointed as Lawrence Township municipal manager, the top administrative post. Nerwinski, a Lawrence Township native who graduated from Rider and went on to law school, was chosen out of 28 applicants and looks forward to fulfilling the role of municipal manager.
’90s
Robert Maguire ’94 and Julia (Oliva) Maguire ’95, ’99 welcomed a baby boy, Christian Thomas Maguire, on May 8. He joins big sisters Kiersten and Emily.
Laura Anderson Tracey ’95 was recognized as George L. Catrambone Teacher of the Year by Long Branch Public Schools for her outstanding contributions and achievements as an educator. Tracey received her bachelor’s from Rider and her master’s from Monmouth University. She has been teaching language arts to Long Branch elementary students for 17 years and lives in Ocean Township, N.J., with her husband, Paul, and four sons.
Dr. Scott Schulze ’95 joined Orthopaedic Associates of Southern Delaware, an 11-physician, multispecialty practice. Schulze is a board certified, fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon. Specializing in diseases and injury from the fingertip to the elbow, Schulze is the only fellowship hand and upper extremity surgeon offering wrist replacement surgery on the Eastern Shore. Schulze graduated from Rider with a biology degree and psychology minor.
Thomas Robbins ’95, ’99 was named to Northfield Savings Bank’s Board of Trustees. He is corporator of NSB and a director of the Northfield Savings Bank Foundation. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rider. NSB was founded in Northfield, Vt., in 1867. It is the largest independent bank headquartered in Vermont.
Jon Kapell ’98 received his Educational Doctorate in Leadership in Higher Education from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Kapell received a master’s from Rider , where he studied human services administration.
Stephen Evans ’98 was hired as a private client investment advisor of Advisory Research Inc., a diversified investment firm with $8.7 billion in assets. Prior to Advisory Research Inc., Evans held notable positions with U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch, Paine Webber and Arlington Capital Mortgage. Evans earned a Master of Business Administration with distinction from Rider.
Barbara Brower ’99 announced her intention to retire as principal of Fisher Middle School in Ewing Township, N.J. Prior to becoming principal in 2006, she was a teacher at the school for 31 years. Brower earned a bachelor’s from West Chester University and a master’s from Rider.
’00s
Amy C. McGarrity ’00 was chosen out of a nationwide search as chief investment officer of the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA). PERA provides retirement and other benefits to public employees distributing $3.7 billion in 2015. McGarrity has held investment positions in both private and public sectors. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Business Administration from Rider.
Edward C. Fronczkiewicz ’00 was admitted to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court as a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies’ Legal Counsel Forum representing the state of Pennsylvania.
Pete Pfreundschuh ’00 joined Sucampo, a global biopharmaceutical company, as chief financial officer. Pfreundschuh has over 25 years of progressive financial and business experience, including roles in commercial leadership and business development and licensing. He earned a bachelor’s in accounting from Rutgers and a Master of Business Administration from Rider.
Lee Nittel ’02 received a five-year contract to continue as superintendent of the preK-6 school district in Mine Hill, N.J. Nittel, who was hired in April 2015, earned a master’s in educational administration from Rider.
Vincent Civitillo ’05 and wife Tara Civitillo (Maerling) ’07 welcomed their daughter on July 21.
Susan Mograbi Mastroianni ’07 and her husband welcomed a baby boy, Leonardo Piero Mastroianni, on March 27.
Arthur Katalayi ’09 was included in the 2017 Most Influential People of African Descent global list. The list identifies 200 outstanding individuals that are under 40 years old in hopes of building a progressive network of civil society actors to join together and support the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015-2024, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution.
’10s
Joe Feola ’10, ’12 accepted a school counselor position at Stuyvesant High School in the New York City Department of Education. Feola presented a study at the second ALGBTIC Conference in San Antonio, Texas. He also spoke at the Columbia University Winter Roundtable about “Culturally Responsive Crisis Intervention and Social Justice Advocacy for Queer People of Color.”
Angela Cleveland ’11 was named the 2017 New Jersey School Counselor of the Year by the New Jersey School Counselors Association. Cleveland received her master’s in organizational leadership from Rider.
Jillian Carucci ’12 was one of 11 stage directors selected as a 2017 Directing Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project. Caruccia will spend the next year as part of the award-winning program. Co-founder of Tunnel Theatre and member of the League of Independent Theater, she is currently developing a new play in residency at The Tank.
Patrick Crowthers ’12 works for Virtua Hospital’s Pediatric Early Intervention Program as a special education teacher and behaviorist. He earned a master’s from Rider’s College of Education and Human Services. Crowthers and his wife, Kelly, welcomed their newborn son, Hudson Thomas Crowthers, on Feb. 22.
Jennifer Sorensen ’12 received a master’s from Rutgers University and currently works for the Somerset County Department of Human Services coordinating a grant from the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which includes community organizing, advocacy, education and program facilitation. She graduated from Rider with a bachelor’s in history.
David Spadora ’12 performed in the off-Broadway performance of Marry Harry. Spadora graduated with a bachelor’s in fine arts and theatre and has appeared in more than 20 different productions since graduating.
Jason Kanterman ’13 joined the law firm of Stone & Magnanini LLP in its Berkeley Heights, N.J., office as an associate. Kanterman received his bachelor’s from Rider and his law degree from Rutgers Law School in Camden. His practice will focus on complex litigation including qui tam, whistleblower, white collar crime and various complex fraud work.
Lindsey Jarzyk ’13, ’16 was hired as a middle school counselor in the Delanco Township School District. Jarzyk volunteered in the spring of 2016 with New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling to assist students and teachers in navigating the colleges and universities that attend the National College Fair of New Jersey. The experience allowed her to network with other counselors in New Jersey.
Allyson Coryell ’14 became the new JV head coach for the Hightstown High School baseball team this spring. She is the first woman in Mercer County to ever head a scholastic baseball team.
Barbara Zukas ’14 was hired as an elementary school counselor in Hamilton Township Public School District.
Eugene Marsh ’14 received $8,000 and training from the National Board for Certified Counselors to support his education and facilitate his service to underserved populations. Marsh is pursuing a master’s at Rider in the clinical mental health counseling program.
Jenna Lorusso ’14 was selected in a national search to be a vocal apprentice in the 2017 Nahant Music Festival. The apprenticeship included performing the role of Josephine in Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore. Lorusso received a bachelor’s in voice performance from Westminster Choir College and a master’s in voice performance from the University of Miami.
Mark Laseter ’14 will be a choral scholar at the cathedral in Great Britain next season. Laseter, who sings with the professional chorus seraphic Fire, was a featured soloist at a May 21 performance with the Chattanooga Bach Choir at Christ Church Episcopal in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Nichole Hitchner ’14 accepted a position as Career Advisor in Career Development Services at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla.
Emma Rose Brooks ’15 was cast as Sarah Brown in Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical Guys and Dolls. She was previously in last season’s Man of La Mancha, playing the role of Antionia. A Vermont native, she graduated with a bachelor’s from Rider.
Rebecca Smith ’15, ’16 was hired by R&J Strategic Communications as an assistant account executive. Smith received her bachelor’s and master’s from Rider. She will be responsible for building and maintaining media relationships and industry research, among other tasks.
Sarah Palermo ’15 received an Excellence in Diversity Award at Michigan State University, where she is a master’s degree student in the College of Music. The award specifically recognizes a vocal solo from the original full-length musical Crazy People Like Us, words and music by Palermo in collaboration with Mary Bliden.
Cameron Cook ’16 was accepted to four prestigious graduate schools to pursue his doctorate in French. Cook finished a year in France as a teaching assistant in June. He ultimately chose the University of Minnesota.
Laura Karns ’16 accepted a school counselor position at Bradley Gardens Elementary School in the Bridgewater-Raritan school district in New Jersey.
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