Quinnipiac University Alumni
Quinnipiac University Alumni
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Alumni Association Awards - Call for Nominations

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Submit Nominations by December 4

The Quinnipiac Alumni Association will celebrate its alumni awards on April 17, 2026, as part of A Night for the Ambitious, The Quinnipiac Gala. These awards celebrate the excellence of our alumni.

We invite you to nominate fellow alumni for the following awards:

  • Distinguished Alumni Award
    Quinnipiac University's Distinguished Alumni Award is a high honor given to alumni who have achieved exceptional success in their careers, made significant contributions to their communities, and brought credit to the institution. The award recognizes a graduate's outstanding achievements, leadership, and service, reflecting the university's values and legacy of excellence.

  • Distinguished Leadership and Impact Award
    The Distinguished Leadership and Impact Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or businesses for their significant, positive, and lasting contributions to the Quinnipiac community. These awards honor efforts that make a difference through service, leadership, advocacy, or philanthropy.

  • Young Alumni Achievement Award
    The Young Alumni Achievement Award is an honor given to an individual who is early in their career but shows exceptional promise, talent, and leadership potential in their field. 

If you would like to nominate someone for any of these awards, please email your nomination to alumni@qu.edu no later than December 4, 2025. The Alumni Association Board will submit proposed candidates for each award for consideration and will announce the awards in mid-January.

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

A Night for the Ambitious The Inaugural Quinnipiac Gala

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Quinnipiac Today

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Students explore internship opportunities and diverse career pathways with pharmaceutical leader Boehringer Ingelheim

Innovators and experts from Boehringer Ingelheim came to Quinnipiac to network with ambitious Bobcats and discuss impactful internship opportunities and diverse career pathways at one of the world's leading family-owned biopharmaceutical companies.

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Parents get their picture taken at the Gala

Family's values and philanthropy fuel Quinnipiac community

Education has always been a core value for the Okorafor family. So when their son, Joshua Okorafor ’28, enrolled at Quinnipiac in the fall of 2024, Chinedu “Chin” and Ngozi Okorafor knew Quinnipiac would become more than just the place their son pursued his degree — it would become their community, too.

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Catch Up on Class Notes

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Joy Maini, JD '06, headshot

2006

Joy Maini, JD '06, joins Harris Beach Murtha's Trusts and Estates Practice

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.

Ben Teicher poses with his award and another person from PR Daily

2016

Ben Teicher '16 earns PR Daily award

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.

Savannah Reilly looks at the camera as her husband embraces her on their wedding day

2016

Savanna Reilly ’16 and Jake O’Brien marry

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.

Alex Leafer and wife are lifted on chairs by a crowd of people on their wedding day

2013

Alex Leafer ’13 marries Kendall in Utah

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.

Luretha McClendon Tolson headshot

2002

Luretha McClendon Tolson, JD '02, joins Halloran Sage

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/

Jeremiah Cottle in his military uniform receiving his diploma from National Defense University

2003

Jeremiah Cottle, JD '03, graduates from National Defense University

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.

Bethany Allen headshot

2006

Bethany Allen ’06 promoted to Chief Advancement Officer

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.

2015

Erica Kleinbaum '15 opens periodontist practice

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.

Holly LaPrade headshot

2006

Holly LaPrade ’06 earns HR scholarship

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.

Robyn Swanson smiling in a blue and red top

1994

Robyn Swanson ’94 earns Award of Excellence

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.

Tanya Bovee heashot

2001

Tanya Bovée, JD '01, earns Trailblazer Honoree award

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.

Flyer for Minty's Scoop on School book by Samantha Castella

2016

Samantha (Fanelli) Castella '16 publishes children's book

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!

Flyer for new psychological thriller book The Faces She Sees by Elizabe Scozzari

2012

Elizabeth Scozzari ’12 publishes psychological thriller

On September 30, 2025, my debut psychological thriller, “The Faces She Sees,” is being released! This has been a dream of mine since the English department at QU was so encouraging. I’m ecstatic to be sharing this news with you all!

1986

Susan Thomas '86 shares life updates

I have passionately worked in environmental conservation since QC and recently switched to a veterinary diagnostic company. Hubby and I currently live in central MA and have 3 sons (pilot, mechanical engineer and college freshman in environmental science). I have been a leader with BSA for 15 years and enjoy all types of outdoor adventures in my free time. Would LOVE to hear from my fellow Class of '86 "Bobcats"!!!

Laura Savage and Andrew Czuchra walk along the beach holding hands on their wedding day

2013

Laura Savage ’13 and Andrew Czuchra ’13 marry in April

Laura Savage ’13 and Andrew Czuchra ’13 were married on April 26, 2025. Although they both graduated from the School of Business and shared mutual friends, their paths did not cross until after graduating from Quinnipiac.

2015

John-Raphael Pichardo, JD '15, selected as Leadership Council on Legal Diversity fellow

I have been chosen as a Fellow for the 2025 Class of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). LCLD fellowship prepares high-potential, mid-career attorneys from diverse backgrounds with professional and personal development opportunities, leadership training, relationship-building resources, and access to LCLD Members (Managing Partners and General Counsel).

Meghan and Connor Aikens-Kinney hold hands while Justin Kile presides on a wedding alter

2020, 2019, 2021

Meghan (Donnelly) Aikens-Kinney ’20, MBA ’21, and Connor Aikens-Kinney ’19 marry

Meghan (Donnelly) Aikens-Kinney ’20, MBA ’21, and Connor Aikens-Kinney ’19 were married April 5, 2025, in Prospect, CT, by Justin Kile, professor of industrial engineering and director of the industrial engineering program in the School of Computing & Engineering. The ceremony was attended by several QU alumni.

Justin Wilcox headshot

2010

Justin Wilcox '10 named to Forbes’ inaugural Best-In-State CPAs 2025 list

Justin Wilcox '10, a partner at Glastonbury-based accounting and advisory firm FML, has been named to Forbes’ inaugural Best-In-State CPAs 2025 list. FML is the only firm in Connecticut to have three CPAs receive this honor. This year’s list identifies 1,000 of the finest CPAs from across all 50 states. Wilcox joined FML straight out of college and in less than 10 years became the youngest partner in the firm. He heads the firm’s cryptocurrency accounting practice, which he founded in 2018. Wilcox oversees U.S. federal and state tax compliance for FML, including U.S. foreign information reporting and financial accounting. He has also done pro bono tax filings and consulting for UConn’s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship (CCEI) program for the past seven years and is part of their summer fellowship.

Kimberly Lebel onstage being interviewed at the Global Surgical Conference & Expo

2021

Kimberly Lebel '21 speaks at AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo

I recently had the opportunity to speak on stage during the Opening Ceremony at the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo, one of the largest gatherings of perioperative professionals in the world. Even more exciting, I shared the stage with Carol Devlin, a respected leader in the field. Representing both the surgical nursing community and my roots at Quinnipiac University, this experience was a proud moment in my career.

Stephanie Van Albert headshot

2018

Stephanie Van Albert '18 earns Emerging Leader Award

MONECO Advisors is thrilled to announce that Lead Advisor, Stephanie Van Albert CFP®, has been honored with the “Emerging Leader Award” in The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Women in Business Awards. This prestigious recognition highlights her dedication, leadership and influence in the financial planning industry — all achieved under the age of 30. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) since 2019, Stephanie continues to set a high standard in the industry, providing insightful financial guidance to clients while also mentoring younger professionals/peers in her field. Stephanie was recently promoted from Senior Associate Advisor to Lead Advisor, and in her four+ years with MONECO has become a vital member of the wealth management team, consistently demonstrating dedication in both client service and professional growth. “We are incredibly proud of Stephanie for this well-deserved recognition,” said Charlie Rocco, Managing Partner at MONECO. “Her passion for empowering others and her commitment to making a meaningful impact in our community truly embodies the values we hold at MONECO. This honor reflects her hard work, dedication and the positive influence she continues to have on our clients in pursuing their financial life stories. This award not only acknowledges personal achievements but also highlights the growing presence of young, influential women in leadership roles across our financial planning industry. We are excited to see what the future holds for Stephanie as she continues to break new ground and inspire others.” In addition to her role at the firm, Stephanie is a member of both the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the Fairfield Emerging Leaders Organization (FELO), where she actively contributes to advancing the profession and supporting future leaders.

1994

In Memoriam: Deborah Kelley '94

A QC alumni, Deborah Kelley, PT Class of 1994, has passed after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was a lifelong resident of Portland, ME, and leaves behind 2 young daughters.

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A Best National University

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Top 100

The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranks Quinnipiac #51 in the country.

Best College

The Princeton Review ranks Quinnipiac among the top 390 colleges in the country.

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