Letter From the Editor
A new look for a new era
November 17, 2025
By Brian Koonz, MS '20 November 17, 2025
We’re excited to bring this special issue to you. It reflects the innovation, imagination and excellence we all share as part of the Quinnipiac community.
As we began planning this magazine last spring, we knew it had to represent Quinnipiac in memorable, even surprising ways. It had to honor the past while highlighting the present and charting the future.
You’ll notice this theme throughout the magazine, from stories about our new president, Marie Hardin, PhD, and the new South Quad with its dynamic learning opportunities, to a photo gallery stretching from the 1960s to the 2020s with a custom Spotify playlist, and a tribute to Quinnipiac’s 1998 move to Division I, the top tier of college athletics.
As we look forward to our centennial in 2029, Quinnipiac’s trajectory continues to point ever upward. But how do you portray that in an alumni magazine?
For Laura Ziegler, our associate creative director, the challenge started with a brainstorm. It ended with a handcrafted miniature diorama representing Quinnipiac’s three campuses, all featured in a three-dimensional “Q” on the cover.
The common thread Ziegler manifested was our shared momentum. Whether you walked across the Quad when it was still moist with mud or last May when it rolled out an emerald carpet for Commencement, you left your mark here.
“The idea took shape around a single, powerful theme: momentum. Quinnipiac is evolving — boldly, ambitiously and with intention — with new leadership, new spaces and a vision unfolding in real time,” Ziegler said, “while remaining deeply rooted in the traditions, values and community that define us.”
The next step was finding someone who could bring the “Q” and that inspiration to life.
Stefanie Correia, a California-based miniature artist, spent nearly 89 hours creating the buildings and landmarks inside the bird’s-eye “Q” on our cover. From Arnold Bernhard Library and Commons Bridge to the North Haven Campus and the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, Quinnipiac continues to grow and build upon the footing of its past.
This whimsical rendering will soon be displayed in Undergraduate Admissions. See it for yourself the next time you visit campus. But why wait? Scan the QR code on the back cover to watch our video, “From Concept to Creation,” and go behind the scenes to see how this handcrafted “Q” was created.
We hope you’ll spend some time reading how Quinnipiac continues to thrive as a leading institution in the 21st century. Thank you to everyone who helped us get here, including you.
Enjoy the magazine,
Brian Koonz
Photo credit: Autumn Driscoll
In my first few months at Quinnipiac, what’s captured both my attention and my heart is the sense of pride across our community.
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The gasps of joy never happen after one visit. It might take weeks. Months. Maybe longer.
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1976
Jeraldlyn Mebane '76, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is retired after a diverse career. Her career included 3.5 years at Avco Lycoming as a cost accountant; 20 years in corporate accounting and financial services (Clairol/Bristol-Myers Squibb CPG); nonprofit accounting for Kids in Crisis, a nonprofit organization; a family-owned real estate business and retail sales; as well as managing personal and family properties over the years. She said, "I always loved learning new things and staying challenged!"
November 23, 2025
2009
Jennifer (Patterson) Obsuth '09 is the founder of Reach Catalyst Group, a strategic marketing and communications firm, and the Female Forward Alliance, a female-focused nonprofit dedicated to empowering women, giving back and building connections throughout New Jersey.
November 22, 2025
2011
Jacqueline (Borchardt) Johnis '11 and Chris Johnis '11 were married on October 15, 2016, in Connecticut.
November 20, 2025
2019, 2022
Andy Thane ’19, DPT ’22, and Amy (Brenner) Thane ’19 were married in May 2024 in Middletown, Connecticut. Both the maid of honor and best man were Bobcat alumni!
November 20, 2025
2024, 2025
After graduating in May 2025, Jennifer Moglia '24, MS '25, returned to Live Nation Entertainment in New York City full-time as a venue marketing coordinator. She interned in the company's media and sponsorship division as a creative copywriting associate in 2023. Moglia now leads marketing efforts for iconic Long Island venues Jones Beach Theater and Westbury Music Fair, and assists with marketing for the newly renovated and reopened Brooklyn Paramount. She recently began leading the NYC chapter of LNE's women's employee resource group, WE Nation, and worked her first concert at Madison Square Garden, capturing content for a sold-out Maroon 5 show.
November 20, 2025
1978
Quinnipiac celebrates its 50th year of varsity men’s ice hockey in 2025. I'm one of the three captains of the inaugural team 1975-76. I currently still live in Hamden, and I’m the creator of the Area For Rest & Prayer on the Farmington Canal trail (4.3 mile marker in Hamden). This is an original team photo.
November 20, 2025
2000
After 23 years working for the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) as an investigations social worker, I transferred to the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) and was recently promoted to special investigator in their Gaming Division.
November 19, 2025
1999, 1993
Gene Zingaro, JD ‘93, and Don Cretella, JD ‘99, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Zingaro & Cretella, LLC. The firm was founded in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on January 1, 2001, and now has offices in New Haven and Newtown, Connecticut.
November 19, 2025
2020, 2021, 2023
Julia Basso ’20, DPT ’23, and Cameron Mowry ’20, MBA ’21, welcomed their guests, including the many Quinnipiac alumni in their wedding party, as well as family and friends, for the big day at Quinnipiac.
November 13, 2025
2006
Joy Maini, JD '06, has joined Harris Beach Murtha's Trusts and Estates Practice Group as Senior Counsel. Joy brings nearly 20 years of experience as an estate planner. She also serves as fiduciary and represents fiduciaries in the administration of complex trusts and estates and develops family succession and business plans. She is based in the firm's Bantam, CT, office.
November 03, 2025
2016
Julia (Gonsalves) Mann ’16 and her husband, Chris Mann, are shown with their daughters, Blake and Willow Mann.
November 01, 2025
2015, 2016, 2018
Alex Rigazio ’15, DPT ’18, and Alexis (Smith) Rigazio ’16, MOT ’18, met at Quinnipiac and were married in September 2020. The couple’s son, Ryan, was born on Aug. 2, 2024, and already loves all things QU, his parents said. The family lives in New Hampshire.
November 01, 2025
2016
Emily (Su) Van Fleet ’16 and her husband, Kevin, are shown with their daughter, Kaia, and big brother Theo.
November 01, 2025
2016
Ben Teicher '16 earned the PR Daily National Winner for Crisis/Reputation Management on behalf of the American Hospital Association for their response to the Change Healthcare cyberattack.
September 29, 2025
2010, 2015
Justin Schussler ’10, MS ’15, and his wife, Cristina, happily welcomed their son, Jonah Frederick, on Sept. 10, 2025. Jonah is lovingly embraced by his big sisters, Eloise and Nora.
September 20, 2025
2016
Savanna Reilly ’16 and Jake O’Brien were married on Sept. 13, 2025, before a wonderful gathering of family and friends at the Henry House in North Bennington, VT.
September 20, 2025
2013
Alex Leafer ’13 met his wife, Kendall, 18 years ago at a film program. After 11 years of friendship, they started dating in 2018 and were married on Sept. 6, 2025, on a mountain in Park City, Utah.
September 20, 2025
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Collins Quinn Yatauro was born on Aug. 3, 2025, to Keith Yatauro ’13, DPT ’15 and Erica Yatauro ’14, MBA ’15, BSN ’16. Collins joins siblings Liam and Hayden. Collins’ middle name is in honor of Quinnipiac, his parents note.
August 27, 2025
2002
Halloran Sage is pleased to welcome Luretha McClendon Tolson, JD ‘02. Luretha joins the firm as a Partner and an experienced litigation attorney. Read more on the breadth of Luretha’s practice on her bio page: https://halloransage.com/attorney/luretha-mcclendon-tolson/
August 13, 2025
2003
I recently graduated from the National Defense University - College of International Security Affairs with a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies, Irregular Warfare Concentration. I also received Joint Professional Military Education Phase II Certification. I was one of only a few U.S. civilians to attend among U.S. and foreign military students. The institution is a U.S. Department of Defense senior leadership school where I was nominated and sent by my employer of 18 years, the U.S. Secret Service (USSS). I have returned to the USSS to bring back strategic skills to support the agency's dual mission of national leadership protection and financial crimes investigation. See attached photo of me receiving my degree from University President and USN Vice Admiral Peter T. Garvin. I am a 2003 JD graduate of the Quinnipiac School of Law.
July 10, 2025
2006
Bethany has been with Sherrill House Inc., for just over three years and was recently promoted to Chief Advancement Officer. She is the first female on C-suite at Sherrill House and manages all fundraising and development, as well as all marketing and communications needs.
July 10, 2025
2015
I am excited to announce the opening of my new periodontal practice, Dr. Erica Kleinbaum, GUMDOC MA, serving the south shore and south coast of Massachusetts through our Brockton and Taunton office locations. I offer full scope periodontal care and provide services such as extractions, implants, laser periodontal therapy, gum grafting and treatment of periodontal disease. To learn more, please visit www.gumdocma.com for hours and information.
July 08, 2025
2023, 2024
Ephemia Nicolakis ’23, MBA ’24, married Loukas Agoris on June 21, 2025. She is a marketing specialist at Yale University, and he is a seminarian at a Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
June 28, 2025
Larisa (Madison) Vivolo ’14 and Vincent Vivolo ’14 met at Quinnipiac in 2010 and started dating as first-year students. They have been together ever since. They were married in March 2021, welcomed their daughter in January 2023 and their son in May 2025.
June 18, 2025
2006
Holly LaPrade ’06 was recently selected as the recipient of the Andy Thiede HR Certification Scholarship. The scholarship was created by Andrea (Andy) Thiede, a human resources professional from Berlin, CT, with a passion for helping others in the HR field. LaPrade is a human resources manager with the Banton Construction Company.
June 10, 2025
1994
Robyn Swanson ’94, of Cromwell, CT, is senior vice president at Ellafi Federal Credit Union (formerly Seasons FCU), the first financial institution in Connecticut designed to serve women and their allies. She was recently honored with the Award of Excellence at the Hartford Business Journal’s 2025 Women in Business Awards.
June 10, 2025
2012
Angelina (Reyes) Vaughn '12 received a Boston/New England Regional Emmy® for Outstanding Video Essayist on June 7, 2025.
June 07, 2025
2016
Asia (Skyers) Sumner ‘16 married Bryan Sumner of Raleigh, NC, on May 25, 2024, in Prospect, CT. The couple met in law school at North Carolina Central University and have been inseparable ever since.
May 30, 2025
2001
Tanya A. Bovée of nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. has been named a Trailblazer Honoree by the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY). She is a principal in the firm’s Hartford office and has more than 20 years of experience representing management across industries including life sciences, retail, automotive, manufacturing and hospitality.
May 30, 2025
2016
Hello! I am Samantha Castella (formerly Fanelli), a QU Class of 2016 graduate, and I'm so excited to announce I wrote a children's book, Minty's Scoop on School! As a mom and pediatric PT, I'm passionate about helping kids grow with confidence, which is why this story is so close to my heart! Minty is a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone who's nervous about her first day of school, afraid she won't fit in - until she discovers that being unique is what makes her so special! I can't wait to share this sweet story about self-acceptance and friendship with you all! You can check out my book on Amazon now at www.amazon.com/dp/B0F27FSYH2 - THANK YOU!
May 24, 2025
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