24 accomplished graduates honored

Twenty-four University graduates from around the nation returned to campus March 28 to receive 2004 Best of BGSU Accomplished Graduate Awards.

The BGSU Alumni Association recognized the graduates for their professional success and contributions to their communities.

"We feel this group of accomplished graduates exemplifies the diverse successes of our alumni," said Mariann Reinke, associate vice president for University advancement and director of alumni affairs. "Each recipient is making a difference in their profession, their community and the nation."

Nine award recipients are from Ohio:
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1995. A Democrat who represents Ohio's 17th District, he is co-chair and founding member of the House Manufacturing Caucus. Ryan is the youngest member of the 108th Congress.

Leif Ericsson of Norwalk is a 1996 graduate of BGSU Firelands, where he earned an associate degree in liberal arts. He is the acting owner of Viking Technology Inc., a business he created to provide on-site and in-house computer consulting, repair, upgrades, Web design, networking and service to business and residential clientele. His clients include Time Warner and USNET.

David Norwine of Port Clinton is president and CEO of Magruder Hospital and a part-time instructor of health care administration at Bowling Green. Also a former pastor, he earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1968.

Adam Eibling of Port Clinton is director of business development for Midwest Covenant Care Inc., which is based in Aliso Viejo, Calif. As a consultant for 10 Midwest facilities in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, he develops and implements new programs for each facility. Eibling received his bachelor's degree in social work in 1996.

State Rep. Chris Redfern of Catawba Township is the Democratic leader in the Ohio House of Representatives. Redfern earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1988 and a master's degree in state and local government in 1991, also from BGSU.

Dean L. Olivieri of North Canton is president of Fred Olivieri Construction Co. In 1987, Olivieri created the company’s retail division to accompany existing commercial and industrial divisions. He earned his bachelor's degree in construction technology in 1979.

Ronald Abrams of Mansfield is president of North Central State College. Abrams received his bachelor's degree in industrial technology education in 1973 and a master's degree in career technology in education in 1975.

David Coleman of Loveland is known as the "Dating Doctor." He has spoken to more than five million people in the United States and Canada about prescriptions that lead to healthier, more satisfying relationships with spouses, families, co-workers and neighbors. Coleman graduated in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in speech pathology and audiology and in 1985 with a master's degree in college student personnel.

Christine Potokar Fischer of Richmond Heights is an assistant professor in the division of geriatric medicine and staff physician at University Hospitals in Cleveland. Since 1999 she has been a staff physician at the Hanna House Skilled Nursing Facility and Judson Park Retirement Community. Fischer earned her bachelor's degree in 1989.

Also honored were 15 alumni from other states:
Jeffrey Shore of Los Angeles is senior vice president of production for E! Networks. He has produced television series pilots including "Star Dates," "The Anna Nicole Show," "It's Good To Be" and "Style Court." He was executive producer and creator of the "E! True Hollywood Story," the highest-rated series in E! history. He graduated in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in English and journalism.

Brenda J. Hollis of Denver is a consultant for international criminal law, investigation and prosecution. She has trained international peacekeepers for the Pearson Peacekeeping Center in Canada and worked with the Institute for International Criminal Investigation, the Coalition for International Justice and the Open Society Justice Initiative. Hollis earned her bachelor's degree in political science in 1968.

Frank Murru Jr. of Orlando is vice president and general manager of Discovery Cove, an exclusive interactive marine life park. He oversees all aspects of park operation and serves as a member of Sea World's senior management team. Murru graduated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in biology.

Ronald Whitehouse of Nokomis, Fla., was a founding partner and former chairman of the board of HQ Network Systems Inc., an international franchiser. He also served as chairman, CEO and majority stockholder of HQ Chicago Inc. & Affiliates. Whitehouse graduated in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Tenor Hugh Kash Smith of Sarasota, Fla., made his operatic debut in "Madama Butterfly" in Naples, Italy, after winning the Pavarotti Competition in 1995. Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera and the Opera of Paris are among the venues where he has performed. Smith earned his bachelor's degree in 1991 and master's degree in 1994, both in music.

Uzee Brown, of Mableton, Ga., earned his master’s degree in music theory and composition from BGSU in 1974. Chair of the Department of Music at Morehouse College in Atlanta, he is also choir director at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He is a published composer and arranger who wrote the musical prologue for Spike Lee's "School Daze."

Kenneth Yontz, from Elm Grove, Wis., is chair of Apogent Technologies Inc. and Sybron Dental Specialties. He also serves on the board of Rockwell Automation and is founder of the Karen Yontz Women's Cardiac Awareness Center in Milwaukee. The Sandusky native graduated in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

John J. Deal of Greensboro, N.C., is a professor of music education and dean of the School of Music at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Deal received his bachelor's degree in music education in 1971 and master's degree in instrumental conducting in 1975 from BGSU.

J. Michael McGuire, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., helped rescue the accounting practice of Arthur Andersen in the Carolinas after the Enron scandal. He managed the sale of four Carolina offices to Grant Thorton LLP, which saved 250 jobs. McGuire graduated in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and management information systems.

For the last 20 years, Betty Landman of Glenside, Pa., has been president of Arcadia University, one of the first campuses to open its doors for mature men and women to pursue degree study part time and offer on-campus childcare for students and employees. Winner of the 2003 Women of Distinction Award from Philadelphia Business Journal, she graduated summa cum laude in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

Andrew Fichthorn of San Antonio is executive vice president and general manager of Sea World San Antonio. He formerly was senior vice president of planning and development for Busch Entertainment Corp., where he led the development team for Discovery Cove, a marine mammal interactive day resort in Orlando, Fla. He graduated cum laude in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance.

Adena Loston is the senior official for agency-wide educational endeavors for NASA in Washington, D.C. She is responsible for guiding the space agency’s efforts to organize and enhance its educational programs. Prior to joining NASA, Loston was president of San Jacinto College South in Houston. She earned a master's degree in business education in 1974 and a doctorate in education in 1979 from BGSU.

Bruce Misamore, who divides his time between Houston and Moscow, is chief financial officer at YUKOS Oil Co., Russia's largest oil company. He previously served as senior vice president of finance and treasurer of PennzEnergy Co. and as vice president and treasurer of Pennzoil Co. Recognized as one of Toledo's 10 Outstanding Young Men in 1975 and listed in the 1978 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America, the former Findlay resident earned a bachelor's degree in finance in 1972 and a MBA in 1973 from Bowling Green.

Julie Shaffer-Callens, a United Airlines pilot based at Washington Dulles International Airport, flies scheduled passenger operations in Boeing 727, 737, 757 and 767 aircrafts. She participates in Pilots for Kids, a national organization of airline pilots who donate their time visiting sick children in hospitals around the country, and the United Airlines Fantasy Flight, in which the company organizes fantasy flights to the North Pole for terminally ill children each holiday season. A resident of South Riding, Va., Shaffer-Callens graduated in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in aerotechnology.

Marie May Watson is an associate professor of communication disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She formerly taught at Central Michigan University and was a speech pathologist at Kobacker Psychoeducational Center at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo and the Grafton State School in North Carolina. In 1999 she co-authored More Than Playing Around, with accompanying software by the same title, as well as the software "Phonological Practice: An Electronic Workbook." Watson earned her doctorate in communication disorders at BGSU in 1986.

Each honoree received a pewter star statue and, from the college in which they studied, a certificate of recognition as a 2004 BGSU Accomplished Graduate Award winner.