Alumni News and Events

2021 Deans’ Recognition Award Recipients

Some of TU’s most outstanding alumni were honored at the 2021 Distinguished Alumni and Deans’ Recognition Awards Banquet Oct. 14. Learn more about Distinguished Alumni Award winner Lucy Motsay Rutishauser ’86 and Distinguished Young Alumni Award winner Darius Christian ’11.

College of Business & Economics

Headshot of Frank DeSantis outdoors

Frank DeSantis ’99 has worked in various roles at Stanley Black &
Decker for the past 22 years and is currently the vice president of
customer experience for the infrastructure business. He also
serves as chair of the College of Business & Economics Advisory Board.

College of Education

Headshot of Mark Potter

Mark J. Potter ’84, ’91 is the president and CEO of the Maryland Science Center where he has led the organization’s $7.5 million capital campaign, in addition to overseeing the development of a comprehensive strategic plan and the addition of new exhibits and educational programs. He also served as president of the TU Alumni Association from 1995–99.

College of Fine Arts & Communication

Headshot of Shelly Strong

Shelly Strong ’90 served as head of physical production at DreamWorks
(now Amblin Partners) for five years with credits including Tropic Thunder, The Help, 1917 and the forthcoming Tom Hanks film, Finch, among many others. Additionally, Strong serves on several boards and committees, mentors young filmmakers and advocates for the homeless population in Los Angeles.

College of Health Professions

Headshot of Karen Keady

Karen Keady ’87 is the vice president and chief nurse executive at the University of Rochester Health System, providing executive system leadership for nursing and clinical support staff. She is also an international speaker and published author in the fields of heart failure, self-care, cognitive impairment and leadership development. 

College of Liberal Arts

Headshot of Skip Prichard

Skip Prichard ’93 is an accomplished CEO, growth-oriented business leader, keynote speaker and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller The Book of Mistakes: 9 Secrets to Creating a Successful Future. His views have been featured in print and broadcast media, including the BBC, The New York Times, CNN, NPR and Forbes.

Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science & Mathematics

Headshot of Katherine Gavin

Katherine Gavin ’98 has spent more than 20 years at T. Rowe Price and is managing the firm’s advertising, creative and media agencies within the Global Brand Marketing division. She is a member of TU’s ASRM Advisory Board and the dean’s advisory board for the Fisher College of Science & Mathematics.

Top Tigers in Their Twenties

Do you know an exceptional recent alum? Nominate someone for our Top Tigers in Their Twenties Awards by Feb. 1.

Alumni Events

Crab Feast

More than 100 alumni and guests gathered for the ultimate Maryland pastime—picking crabs—at an all-you-can-eat feast at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood on Aug. 22.​

Janice Pinn, Marsha Hooker and Melanie Hooker sitting at a table picking crabs
Janice Pinn, Marsha Hooker ’77 and Melanie Hooker
A group of people picking crabs
Eliezer Vainqueur ’21, Jared Golian ’19, Sonya Lloyd, Doug Lloyd ’04, Tim Gavin and Katherine Gavin ’98
Raymond, Rachel and Dawn Boebel picking crabs at a table
Raymond, Rachel and Dawn Boebel ’97
A group of people sitting at table picking crabs
Sylvia Chapman, Tyrone Chapman ’79, Thomas Judd ’96 and Rachel Gorenstein ’17

Moon Dancer Winery

The weather on Sept. 10 was perfect for an outdoor wine tasting with fellow alumni in southern Pennsylvania. Guests were treated to live music while taking in a beautiful sunset over the scenic Susquehanna River.

Robin Pettiford and Ashena Sparrow outside holding multicolored wine glasses
Robin Pettiford ’94 and Ashena Sparrow ’18
A group of people sitting outside at a winery
Jed Nieves; Kathryn McCauslin ’18; Kaitlynn Gooding ’18, ’20; and Daniel Miller
John and Mary Beth Cuddy outside smiling
John and Mary Beth Cuddy ’75, ’86
Two alumni standing outside, smiling and holding multicolored wine glasses
Wearing smiles and animal print is always perfect for a night with Tigers.

Farm-to-Food Bank Volunteering

 A group of 25 generous Tigers harvested potatoes at First Fruits Farm on Sept. 18. The crop was sent to local food banks and homeless shelters, as well as to Louisiana to aid with hurricane relief efforts.

A large group people standing together outside
The group arrives motivated and ready to help.
Justin Piche and his two children in a field smiling
Justin Piche ’10 with his tiny Tiger helpers, Kealy and Graham
Pari Kratz in a yellow Towson University t-shirt pulling vegetables from the ground
Pari Kratz ’93
A group of people wearing black and gold t-shirts outside holding vegetables
Carlo Mercado ’12, Alfredo Guillen ’17, Michael Massimini ’08 and Nam Ha ’18, ’21

Homecoming Festival

After celebrating Homecoming virtually in 2020, everyone was excited to return in person for the 2021 Homecoming Festival. Alumni and guests enjoyed a live DJ, great food, fun games, entertaining band performances and, of course, a special appearance by Doc. 

Four people outside SECU Arena holding up their pinkies and smiling
Members of TU’s Lambda Beta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha are happily reunited.
A small child smiling next to the mascot Doc the Tiger, who is flexing his arms
A Tiger in training gets some pointers from Doc.
Stephanie Calabretti and Ruth Roberts outside smiling; one is holding a color portrait of another woman
Stephanie Calabretti ’97, ’01 and Ruth Roberts ’98 bring their friend Melissa Luckman ’98 to Homecoming (in spirit).
A group of seven people, one perched on a Tiger statue, smiling outside SECU Arena
All set up and ready to welcome alumni to the Homecoming Festival.