Class Notes
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Ulster fraternity brothers, family and friends of David W. Litt, a member of the graduating class of 1978, have established a memorial fund in Dave’s honor and will begin the awarding of scholarships from that fund. The David W. Litt Memorial Fund now exceeds $50,000 and will award its first grants in this 40th anniversary year of Dave’s graduation. Annual grants will be given to students who demonstrate a marked improvement in their academic performance while at Muskingum and who are involved in leadership activities or otherwise active in campus life. Also, an equal amount each year will be contributed from the Fund to Muskingum’s Annual Fund to provide general financial aid in Dave’s honor for all Muskingum students. Those wishing to contribute to The David W Litt Memorial Fund may send their checks payable to the Fund to the Office of University Advancement, Muskingum University, Attention: Paul McClelland, New Concord, OH 43762 or call/email: 740-826-8468; paulm@muskingum.edu with questions about tax advantaged gifts to the Fund.
On July 8, 2018, Sarah Bishop will be installed as the Associate Pastor of Christian Education and Family Ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven, Florida.
Martha Marne Deithorn was promoted to Director of Human Resources at the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois.
On May 4, 2018, Scott Chappuis graduated with my PhD in Media and Communication from Bowling Green State University. He is moving to Wooster, Ohio to begin working as a Visiting Assistant Professor at The College of Wooster.
On May 20, 2018, Stephen Fondriest will be graduating from Ohio Northern University's Claude W. Pettit College of Law.
Keith Roberts recently published the book “Meaning Making with Malignancy: A Theologically Trained Sociologist Reflects on Living Meaningfully with Cancer.”
In some of these essays, Roberts focused on advice to people who have a chronically ill friend, such as the chapter, “Awkward! What to Say (or NOT Say) to Friends with a Life-threatening Disease.” Other chapters are directed to the ill person, such as the essay “Planning for the Future When ‘Planning the Future’ Feels like an Oxymoron.” The reflections are sometimes informed by philosophical or theological analyses and sometimes by a sociological lens.
On January 1, 2018, Dan Shuey was promoted to partnership at the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP in Columbus, OH. Dan is a litigator specializing in appellate, real property, and general commercial litigation.
After serving as Dean of the School of Business at Marian University Wisconsin since 2008, and Professor of Management since 2006, Jeffrey Reed resigned his administrative position at Marian and began a sabbatical in June 2017. During the 2017-18 Rotary year, he serves as Governor of Rotary International District 6270, serving 54 Rotary Clubs in Wisconsin. A member of the Rotary Club of Fond du Lac Morning, in March 2017 he traveled to Peru to visit soy cow and soy bakery Rotary Project Sites. In January 2018, he traveled to South India on a Rotary Friendship Exchange tour. Previously, he traveled as a site visitor to observe the Rotary micro-loan project in Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia.
Jeff has also served in leadership roles with the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Wisconsin State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, Midwest Leadership School, Central Midwest District of the UUA, Midwest Unitarian Universalist Conference and on boards of several organizations.
His wife Sylvia (PhD, St. Louis University) retired from her position in Institutional Research at Marian University and serves on three non-profit boards in Fond du Lac. Their son Daniel (ND, NCNM) is in practice as a Naturopath in Salt Lake City, UT.
In his free time, Jeff enjoys travel (there are still a few places on his bucket list), playing the piano at the Open Circle fellowship, and their prairie garden.
David Briggs, director of High Point Theatre, was elected during January’s Association of Performing Arts Professionals meeting in New York to serve a three-year term on the board of North American Performing Arts Agents and Managers and Agents (NAPAMA). NAPAMA is an organization serving the Performing Arts industry professionals in developing ethical guidelines, professional development, best industry practices and works to bridge the gap between artists, management and performing arts presenters.
David started in the performing arts management industry in 1983 and is honored to be part of an outstanding group of industry leaders. His role on the board is to bolster the relationship between the presenters and artists and their representatives. The current board contains 15 industry professionals, with three of the board members representing municipal, non-profit and university presenting. The other twelve board members make up agency representatives/owners, artists and agents.
Laurel Canan, Board President, commented: “We are delighted to have someone with David’s knowledge of the presenting side and his connections to the arts management field. It’s safe to say that everyone on the board was honored that he agreed to be nominated and know that his input will help take the organization to even greater prominence in the field.”
Seth Cosens is in his 31st year of teaching Business Education at Susquehanna Valley High School (Conklin, NY). And his 30th year as Boy’s Head track and field coach. His son, Tanner, was a four-year letter-winner on the Binghamton University Men's Lacrosse team. As a senior, he was a team captain. Tanner is currently completing his degree work in anthropology and is a member of the BU Men's Lacrosse coaching staff.
Benjamin E. Davis was named President of the IPC Employee Relief Fund, Inc., a not for profit organization. This non-profit organization was established in February 2000 to assist local employees in the publishing industry manage personal financial crisis. 10/17
Benjamin E. Davis has been named the General Manager and Senior Director of Newspaper Operations for the Anderson Independent Mail (part of the USA Today Network) located in Anderson, South Carolina. The Independent Mail is a daily newspaper serving Anderson County, South Carolina and parts of northwestern Georgia.
Dr. Chris Briggs is the new superintendent of Pickerington Local Schools in Pickerington, Ohio. Dr. Briggs served as the superintendent of Northridge Local Schools for the last four and a half years before taking over Ohio's 15th largest school district in July, 2017.
Jennifer Peeke was promoted to Supervisor at a Children Services Agency (Licking County) in October of 2016.