1950s

Jim Addy ’55 was awarded with a plaque and proclamation for his dedication during his 10 years as mayor of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

1960s

Lawrence Martin ’69 was inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in October 2024. 

1970s

Sherry Melhorn ’79 spends time at the Harford County senior centers participating in activities including chair volleyball, ping pong, pickleball, bingo, exercise classes, cardio drumming, bocce ball, games, cards and movies. She also enjoys gardening at home. She retired in 2017 from the Defense Mapping Agency after 36 years.

1980s

JoAnn Cain ’86, a longtime musician and educator, won the 2024 Avivo Prize, a $5,000 award given annually to a music educator who demonstrates noteworthy creativity in teaching and the ability to provide students with a strong foundation in musicianship skills. Currently in her third year teaching K-5 music at Harford Day School in Bel Air, Maryland, Cain previously served for 14 years as a music educator in the Baltimore County Public Schools. 

Joe Helensky ’87 published his first novel, “Distant Relative,” in September 2024. Set in Baltimore and Seattle, the novel explores the question of what you would do now if you learned you harmed someone long ago.

Mary Anne Perry ’87 served as the live announcer for the Anti-Defamation League’s In Concert Against Hate at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in November. Among Perry’s duties was introducing Ben Stiller as master of ceremonies.

1990s

Terrence Casey ’90 published his fourth book, “Forging the Iron Lady: Margaret Thatcher, the 1970s, and the Origins of Neoliberalism.”

Derrick Terry ’95 was appointed to the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. The PFAC includes community-minded patients and their family members, community members and representatives from the hospital who work with leadership.

Tara Elliott ’96 was elected district court judge in Missoula, Montana, on Nov. 5, 2024. Elliott most recently was an assistant United States attorney for the District of Montana. Before that Elliott was an assistant district attorney for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York City.

2000s

Shannon Milligan Urbancik ’04 published her first book, “I Hear Her Say.” It focuses on self-perception and how it affects those around us. Although picture books are typically thought of for children, the message of this story is relatable to people of all ages.

Jake Fishbein ’05 founded Highlighter, an innovative AI-powered platform transforming how families navigate special education. Drawing from his own experience as a parent of children with individualized education plans (IEPs) and his passion for education that began during his time at TU, he created Highlighter to provide instant, personalized support for families managing their children’s special education journeys. The platform helps parents understand complex documents like IEPs, creates meeting talking points and tracks educational progress.

Gregory Janos ’05 recently was named director of alumni relations at his high school alma mater, The Harvey School in Westchester County, New York.

Jessica E. McClain ’06 was accepted into the esteemed 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leaders USA program. McClain’s selection from a highly competitive pool of over 6,000 applicants highlights her leadership and dedication to fostering meaningful social change. She joins a group of 205 global leaders committed to inspiring, empowering and connecting with emerging changemakers across the world.

Kendra Smith ’08, ’23, a dance teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Wheaton, Maryland, was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. She was one of 14 public school educators in the Washington, D.C. region to win grants of between $2,500 and $5,000, which are awarded annually to public high school teachers who bring new and exciting performing arts experiences to students. 

2010s

Julia Bialeski ’12 published the book, “Leading with Grace: Cultivating Hope, Authenticity, and a Focus on People Throughout the Leadership Lifespan.” The book combines personal stories from Bialeski’s time as an elementary school principal with actionable steps for all leaders, regardless of their experience or field.  

Billy Fanshawe ’14 founded the vodka brand Lytos in 2019. The vodka, which is infused with electrolytes, received a patent for its innovative electrolyte-enhanced content and proprietary production process. Lytos is the first vodka brand to successfully infuse added electrolytes into spirits. 

Alessandra Cascarano ’15 published her first children’s book, “There’s More to Me: A Story about Self-Discovery.” It’s a picture book that inspires children to embrace their unique qualities, dream boldly and explore their limitless potential.

2020s

Noelle Cook ’20 served as associate producer and researcher (and appeared on screen) for the feature documentary “The Conspiracists.” The film, based on nearly four years of ethnographic research, explores the impact of conspiracy-fueled beliefs on individuals and democracy.

Garrick Ross ‘20 joined Ogletree Deakins’ Baltimore office as an associate.

Jessica Nichols ’20 was named a 2024 Howard County Teacher of the Year for her work at River Hill High School. She also sits on the board of Columbia Community Care, a non-profit that services the needs of Howard County’s less fortunate, and is president of the Columbia Democratic Club.

Griffin Breidenbaugh ’22 was promoted to sales and marketing director at ACS Industrial Services, a leading provider of industrial electronic repair services. Griffin, son of owner Ellen Breidenbaugh and late founder Arnie Breidenbaugh, has been an integral part of the family-owned business since childhood, contributing in various capacities from shipping and receiving to marketing, management and accounting.

James Carline ’23 won a 2024 Capital regional Emmy for “Solus Country,” a film he made while a student at TU’s Department of Electronic Media and Film.