Class Notes

By Foundation Staff

*Annual Alumni Association Member
**Lifetime Alumni Association Member

Faculty, staff and friends

**Lori DeShetler (’01, ’01, ’04, ’14, ’14 M.E., Ph.D.) was recently promoted to Associate Dean for Assessment and Accreditation in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences Department of Medical Education at The University of Toledo.

*Brittany Jones (’21 Ph.D.) recently published her first work as a solo author. An extension of her dissertation, Jones’ chapter in “Radical Food Geographies: Power, Knowledge and Resistance” discusses the theoretical approach and advocacy of Black American foodways in urban areas. Specifically, it uplifts urban agriculture as tool of resistance, sovereignty, autonomy and preservation of Black agrarian wisdom.

*Kurt Landis (’21 M.S.W.) participated in a ribbon-cutting in late August for one of Toledo’s newest mental health care centers, Center For Greater Healing. The organization provides a variety of healing mental health therapies, such as holistic trauma therapy. Landis serves as Founder and Executive Director of the organization.

Alumni

Romules Durant (’98, ’02, ’07 M.E., Ed.D), superintendent of Toledo Public Schools, received recent recognition as the 2024 Urban Educator of the Year at the Council of the Great City Schools’ 68th annual fall conference in Dallas.

Ryan Evershed (’05 J.D.) was recently appointed to the Second District Juvenile Court by Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox.

Jennifer (Sidebottom) Fonseca (’95 ME) was named by the Florida Association of Colleges and Employers the 2024 Brownlee Leadership Award recipient in recognition of her contribution and support of the organization and to career services field.

Oliver Hale (’87, ’88) received the 2024 President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Services during a press conference this past July. For the full story (originally published on Aug. 2, 2024 by WKTV.org) visit tol-edo.org/chefo.

*The Hon. R. Marc Kantrowitz (’78 J.D.) was inducted into Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s 2024 Hall of Fame this past September.

Kayla Kirk (’17, ’17) launched a new business, Charmed Ceramics, located within Huron Street Studios in Downtown Toledo. Kirk spent the last three years at Detroit’s historic Pewabic Pottery working as a production potter and educator. Her new pottery studio introduces exciting new opportunities for the public to participate in hand-building and wheel-throwing workshops.

Juan Montoya (’09 M.M.P.) was invited to serve as the Assistant Conductor for the San Francisco Symphony’s 2024-2025 orchestral season.

Adam Nightingale (’05 JD) was installed as 123rd President of the Toledo Bar Association (TBA). He was sworn in at the TBA’s Annual Meeting & Luncheon on June 4, 2024 by the Honorable Jack Zouhary and will serve a one-year term serving the organization’s more than 1,500 members. To view the full announcement visit the Eastman & Smith press release.

Dr. Richard Paat (’86) was awarded the inaugural “Exemplary Mentor/Teacher Award” presented by The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Alumni Affiliate. Dr. Paat has organized fifteen international medical mission trips and two migrant worker health care conferences. He has housed and trained numerous international physicians before they return to serve in their home countries and continues to mentor high school students for their senior projects. Dr. Paat was selected to receive the Exemplary Mentor/Teacher Award for his continued service to students through his medical mission programming and role as a faculty advisor with the Community Care Clinics.

Nathaniel Reid (’06, ’06) has been named Executive Director of the Sylvania Franciscan Foundation. He previously spent the past 6 years at Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Johnathon Ross (’75) was awarded the inaugural “Exemplary Community Service Award” presented by The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Alumni Affiliate. His accomplishments include, but are not limited to, serving as a member of the state council of the Single-Payer Action Network, board advisor for Physicians for National Health Programs, and as president of the Toledo-Lucas County Board of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ross was nominated and selected for this award for his tireless efforts to champion public health and his continued advocacy of accessible health care nationally.

George Scherff (’69) was recently named as SIFCO Industries, Inc. chief executive officer, effective July 8, 2024. The supplier of products to the aerospace, energy and defense markets said that Scherff, “with decades of experience leading middle-market companies during periods of growth and transition, would succeed Peter Knapper in the position”.

Todd Schwede (’69, ’71) has released his book “Rockin the Boat” which chronicles some of the adventures accumulated over 40 years as a marine surveyor and investigator career.

Chett Siefring (’05, ’08 MSV) has been named a Fellow by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). This honor was bestowed upon Siefring by NSPE President-Elect Brian Malm, PE, FNSPE, at NSPE-Ohio’s annual Awards Luncheon in June. The Fellow designation honors active NSPE members who have demonstrated exemplary and devoted service to their profession, the Society, and their community.

A member of the NSPE since 2009, Siefring is the current vice president of membership for NSPE-Ohio, president of NSPE-Ohio’s Northeast Chapter, and board secretary for the Engineers Foundation of Ohio (EFO). He is also a past president of NSPE-Ohio, NSPE-Ohio’s Toledo Regional Chapter, and EFO. Siefring is active on numerous NSPE-Ohio and EFO committees including Legislative and Government Affairs, Political Action Committee, Awards, Scholarship and Professional Education Committee. When Siefring was named NSPE-Ohio’s Uncommon Engineer in 2020, NSPE-Ohio Past President Devon Seal, MBA, PE, said, “Chett is our ‘go-to’ guy. Whatever is needed, he is up for the task.”

Siefring, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from The University of Toledo, is the director of engineering at Geo-Sci. Previously, he worked for Midwest Industrial Supply, Hull & Associates, TTL Associates & Terracon. He is licensed in Ohio and five other states. He resides in Medina, Ohio with his family.

Ralph Stuckman (’63 M.E.A) was featured in a recent blog by the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

Marie Thomas (’89) was promoted to editor at the Sentinel-Tribune newspaper in Bowling Green, Ohio. She started at the paper as a staff reporter and most recently was education editor before being announced as editor in Aug. 2023.

Colonel Brian Wisniewski (’94) has been selected for promotion to Brigadier General at United States Army Cyber Command. He is the first ROTC graduate from The University of Toledo to achieve the rank of General Officer. His promotion ceremony was on Oct. 18, 2024.

Nicholas Wittenberg (’07, ’07, ’11 JD) was recently appointed to serve on the 2024-2026 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee. The FOIA Advisory Committee’s goal is to foster dialogue between the executive branch and the requester community, solicit public comments and recommend improvements to FOIA administration and proactive disclosures.

To submit your own update, visit www.toledoalumni.org/news/submit-class-note.