Featured class notes

Educating the next generation of performing artists at Mercy High School. Won United States of Frozen to become the first high school theatre in the state to present Frozen the Broadway Musical, with an application based on outreach, equity and inclusion, and artistic vision to incorporate school's targeted social issues.

In May 2022 I accepted a job in New York City as the Menswear Merchandiser for COS (H&M Group) - North America. For the past 4 years prior to that, I was working at Carhartt in Dearborn, MI in merchandising as well, but had always dreamt of making the move to New York!

Floyd Rumohr directed Love Alone: Elegies for Rog, an off-off-Broadway adaption of Paul Monette's poetry by actor/writer, Jonah Scott Mendelsohn, at The Tank in New York City in early December, 2022.

Tina Kozak is the first woman to serve as CEO of Detroit-based Franco. Since joining the firm in 2007, Kozak has led double-digit growth in revenue and employment, expanded service offerings and worked to purposefully enhance the company’s culture. Kozak volunteers with Life Remodeled and Michigan Women Forward. She is an active member of PRSA Detroit, the Detroit Economic Club and Inforum. She graduated from WSU with degrees in Spanish and public relations in 2002. She is a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit XXXIII and a Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 honoree.

Courtney Buzzell started a new position with Roundabout Theatre Company as an Education Coordinator for the Theatrical Workforce Development Program. This program trains people ages 18-24 in technical theatre and helps individuals network with industry professionals all around New York City.

Celebrating 10 years in August as adjunct faculty for the Physical Education and Recreation department at Oakland Community College teaching modern dance, ballet, jazz, yoga, group exercise/fitness and neuromuscular relaxation stress management classes. As a CFPCA Dance alum, she has definitely put her program studies to good use and attributes success to the experiences she has had with the incredible faculty she studied under such as Eva Powers, Linda Simmons, Diana Mileski, Betty Mawhinney, Kelly Gottesman, Doug Risner, Elishka Mayer and Barb Selinger.

After moving my studio from Detroit to Colorado in 2015 I opened 1010 art Studios in Southwestern Co. Recently finished a large commission for the Durango Botanical Society

George Eichorn, WSU Class of 1980, was named Business Manager for Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, a 501c3, Roseville, Michigan. IVC provides assistance to older and disabled adults who need extra help in the counties of Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair.

Bryan Cain ‘07, who has been serving as Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Endicott College since 2017 was promoted to the position as Vice President of Student and External Affairs at Endicott.

I recently created a YouTube channel titled "Rita Dickerson Detroit Black History. " It chronicles Black history in and around Detroit's cultural center between 1920 and 1970. There were 8 Black hospitals, three privately owned schools and much more. The link is below: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQZJYodIWU8CgKAyZ9w9NmA

I'm pleased to once again be selected by Lürzer's Int'l Archive for their “200 Best Digital Artists Annual.” Previously, I had 3 illustrations selected in 2011. I'm still working at 77. My clients are primarily ad agencies in NYC, NJ, and Philadelphia. For 27 years Boundless Creativity by Big Al Gruswitz has specialized in 3D & 2D photorealistic illustration, medical illustration, and difficult retouching. Prior to illustrating I was an ACD/AD for 30 years in Detroit and NYC with a total of 57 years in advertising as of next June. My website: http://www.boundless-creativity.com.

Dave Hardin, Class of ’79, ’83, ’10, has published the memoir Standpipe, Delivering Water In Flint (Belt, Cleveland). https://davidhardin.weebly.com/

Active duty service member of the United States Navy. Achieved rank of Fore Controlman First Class, or pay grade of E-6. Certified to work with Ship's Self Defense Systems and Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC). Currently serving as a Navy recruiter in Flint, MI.

I launched my consultancy in 2002, after years of working in the private, non-profit and public sectors. From marketing world-renowned Rodeo Drive and Starbucks Coffee Company to helping small to mid-sized non-profit organizations enhance their reputation and digital presence, my experience is vast. On the non-profit side, I have raised millions of dollars for worthy causes from gun violence prevention to economic empowerment, and domestic violence prevention to mental health and wellness and senior services to live events and theatre. I am always on the path of trying to help the greater good. In 2011, I was the top vote getter when I ran for City Commission in Royal Oak, serving from 2011-2015 as a volunteer commissioner. Currently, I am training to become a volunteer for Care House of Oakland County.

New York City & State’s Brooklyn Power 50 recognizes the executives, advocates, health care officials and others who are moving the borough forward. Floyd Rumohr, CEO, Brooklyn Community Pride Center, was selected as among the top 50 for 2020. More info: https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/power-list/power-list/brooklyn-power-50.html

Since graduating with my BA in Music, I continued to serve in the Air National Guard, earned my Associate of Applied Science in Information Management from the Community College of the Air Force and taught English in Spain (September 2019- March 2020.

Kimberly Atkins has joined the Boston Globe as the newest member of its Editorial Board. Atkins will be a Senior Writer for Globe Opinion, penning both editorials and columns and playing a pivotal role in new initiatives for Globe Opinion. She will join the Globe on July 20 and be based in the Globe’s DC Bureau. Atkins will also continue her highly visible role as a regular contributor to MSNBC, providing on-air analysis and commentary on the national political news of the day.

Rachelle is the Communications and Marketing Coordinator for the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, specializing in faculty news and digital publications. Living across the border in Windsor, Ontario Rachelle is active in the border city community and volunteers with the local Multiple Sclerosis Society and Canadian Cancer Society chapters.

Named Crains Detroit business 20 in their 20’s for 2019

My name is Hayward Crawford and I am a Filmmaker & Content Producer from Michigan and the Director of "Alpine" https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/alpine-movie/x/22419867#/ I have been creating and working in the video/media field since 2007 and working professionally in the film industry since 2013. Over the past 12 years, I've directed over 5 original short films, several documentaries and other web-based content. You can view more of my select past work at www.vimeo.com/haywardcrawford. I originally conceived the Alpine story from a spec script I wrote for "The Walking Dead' TV show. My past filmography involvement includes 'Dial A Prayer' starring William H. Macy & Brittany Snow, 'Eloise' starring Robert Patrick, Brandon T. Jackson & Eliza Dushku and "Destined' starring Cory Hardrict & Jesse Metcalfe. After receiving my Bachelor's Degree at Wayne State University in Detroit, I began freelancing as a filmmaker/content creator and even participated as an original crowdfunding backer in the summer of 2013 for the indie feature film 'DWP' produced by Lena Waithe & directed by Justin Simien. DWP went on to win awards at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014 and was later developed into a Netflix original series in 2017. After college, I went on to complete a certification in Directing and Production at the Motion Picture Institute of Michigan in 2014, where I directed my film school thesis "One out of Ten" which went on to screen at 3 local Michigan festivals. As a Producer, I went on to help produce "Akoma" that went on to win Best Short Film at the 2016 Channel 4 Film Challenge Detroit and "Affliction" that went on to win the Emerging Filmmaker Award at the Trinity International Festival in 2018 and Best Short Film Award at the I See You Awards in 2019. I currently reside in Los Angeles, California.

City & State’s Brooklyn Power 100 – written in partnership with journalist Aaron Short – tracks the rising and falling fortunes of the borough’s most politically powerful figures, including government officials, business executives, nonprofit leaders, activists, advocates and academics. Floyd Rumohr, CEO, Brooklyn Community Pride Center was recognized on July 13, 2022 among the honorees. More information: https://www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/2022/07/2022-brooklyn-power-100/373945/

Floyd Rumohr received a Power Professionals Award from Schneps Media on May 20, 2022 at The Mansion at Oyster Bay and an LGBTQ+ Power Professional Award from AMNY Metro, PoliticsNY, and Gay City News on June 29, 2022. Pictured: Rumohr with fellow honoree, Teresa Gonzalez.

After school, I will plan to go back to school or work at a business that requires a lot of designing in the art of creativity to fit the client's taste. My favorite part of designing is making poster designs because posters are fun projects to do for a client and gives the beauty of decoration type of elements that works well within each piece. Poster designing requires a lot of patience and building connection of ideas that flows from inspiration and creative mind. Poster building is favorite part of design and collecting thing to creative a better design of the poster project, and provides a lot of aspects creative moment. As a creative designer I will continue to make type of artworks that will attract people's feeling and evacuations about each design of the piece.

Deborah Stern has died after a brief struggle with pancreatic cancer. Stern, who lived in Hightstown, NJ, performed many notable starring roles with the Hilberry Classic and went on to an active stage career, including a Broadway appearance opposite John Lithgow in “Spokesong.” An avid swimmer and accomplished cook, Deborah later founded a successful dog walking business. In addition to her sister and best friend Nikki Stern, she is survived by brother, David, nephews, Andrew and Ted, and devoted friends. Deborah has donated her body to science. Donations in her name may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Gary Garrett passed away in his home on August 26, 2019, following heart trouble. He was a professor of communications, public relations and English literature at many local colleges and universities. He also worked with the Red Cross and other nonprofits. Garrett was an active member of his Detroit community where he live for more than 50 years. In addition to teaching, Garrett had a passion for Shakespeare, jazz and his pet dachshunds. After retirement, he became the primary caregiver for a lifelong friend. He is survived by his sister and three generations of nieces and nephews.

Marcelle Madelaine Pour, an art historian and lecturer, died peacefully July 13, 2019, in Parsons, Tennessee. She was born and raised in Diekirch, Luxembourg, and emigrated to the United States in 1948, made her home in Chicago, and later became a U.S. citizen. In 1950 she married Ivan Pour and they raised a family in the Chicago area. Pour was passionate about the arts and traveled extensively around the world visiting over 30 countries and enjoying experiencing different cultures.

Bridget Wolff, of Howell, NJ, passed away on February 18, 2019, from complications due to a glioblastoma. She was raised in Detroit and was the youngest of three daughters. Bridget loved theater and music and persuaded anyone she could to join her to hear the latest bands at the local dive bar, Todd’s Sway Lounge. After graduating Wayne State, she earned a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. Wolff is survived by her husband, Bill Hemp; her daughter, Tala; stepson, Will Hemp; parents, Arnold and Shirley Wolff; two sisters, Jean Wolff and Leslie LeBow and her husband, Scott; in-laws, Shirley and Bill Hemp; sister-in-law, Sheryl Bergman; brother-in-law, John Hemp; and many nieces and nephews.

Donald Pilette (1927-2018), longtime Detroit journalist and educator, died Tuesday, Dec. 4. He spent much of his career at The Detroit News, serving in several capacities, including national and systems editor, until he retired in 1992. He also was an adjunct instructor at Wayne State for 37 years, teaching news editing and reporting. Pilette received Wayne State’s Arts Achievement Award in 1992 and the university honored him in 2011 by naming the journalism lab in his name.