Class Notes Ken Lipner (B.S. ’64) recently published his memoir “Guns Piranha Lions No Visa No Problem!: My Life and Times.” His eclectic life includes experiencing 120 countries, filled with jet fights, Cold War listening posts, exotic locals and close calls with danger. From sporting events to civil rights activism, he navigates it all as a peace-promoting policy advisor, economist and adventurer, making unforgettable connections along the way. John H. “Jack” Hickey (B.A. ’76) was honored with the Maritime Law Legal Luminaries Award and the 2024 Miami-Dade Bar Circle of Excellence Award in the transportation/maritime law category. Hickey was also recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for the sixth consecutive year in the areas of admiralty and maritime law; personal injury litigation - plaintiffs; and medical malpractice law - plaintiffs. William Hall (J.D. ’79), a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, attained a 25-year milestone of Florida Bar Civil Trial Board Certification. Nicholas Mazza (Ph.D. ’81) has taken on a voluntary role as poetin-residence at the FSU College of Social Work. Mazza, an accomplished poet and writer, will facilitate opportunities for the College of Social Work and larger
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community to benefit from expressive writing to enhance social work education, practice and service. Christine Broderick Emmanuel (MBA ’83) authored “The Westcott Story: The Enduring Spirit of an American Family Spanning 400 Years.” A true story, this 400year retrospective — Volumes I and II — traces the fascinating history of the Westcotts in America from 1630 to 2024. James Diament Westcott III (1838-1887), for whom FSU’s Westcott building is named, factors into the narrative of Emmanuel’s family’s spirited 14-generation sweep across America. Deputy news editor at FSView & Florida Flambeau Justice Ulrich published an article in February 2025 on the newly released book.
representing clients across the sector. Jani Kozlowski (B.A. ’89) is an early childhood professional with a disability, a child of a parent with a disability and the mother of a son with a disability. In her recently published guide for families, “Empowering Your Child to Fly: A Family’s Guide to Early Childhood Inclusion,” Kozlowski brings a unique perspective to including children with disabilities in early childhood settings. The book contains photos and stories gathered from interviews with 15 families who have children with disabilities.
Anthony DiBenedetto (B.S. ’87) was named a recipient of the 2025 Horatio Alger Award, recognizing leaders who have achieved remarkable success despite adversity. DiBenedetto is the founder and chair of Think Big for Kids and CEO of Appspace. Last year, he committed $1 million to support first-generation FSU College of Business students.
Donna Kathryn Kelly (B.A. ’90) recently released her new novel, “The Lion at the Falls,” which was selected as a finalist in the 2024 Killer Nashville Claymore Award Competition in the supernatural category and awarded third place in the 2024 West Virginia Writers’ Competition in the book-length prose category. Photo by Linda M. Barrett Productions.
Fred E. Karlinsky (B.A. ’89, J.D. ’92), shareholder and chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Insurance Regulatory and Transactions Practice, was named Legal Services Provider of the Year by Insurance Insider as part of the publication’s 2024 U.S. Honors award program. Attorneys from Greenberg Traurig were recognized for their work providing legal services and advice to the reinsurance market and for
Deborah “Deanne” Young Rhoades (M.S. ’92) recently published her second novel, “Send Me A Song.” The novel follows the story of children who come to America as indentured servants of their parents’ employer and cling to their learned values of kindness, generosity and love even as they move to rural Tennessee and become more successful than their ancestors could have ever imagined.
Michelle Mattox (B.S. ’95, MPA ’02) was named vice president of advancement and alumni relations at Johnson & Wales University (JWU), bringing to JWU more than two decades of experience cultivating key relationships, executing successful fundraising campaigns and building effective teams. Kimberley Michaels (B.S. ’95) was hired as chief of staff to the chief growth officer at top Fintech company, Paysafe, where she will oversee growth organization priorities, support decision making and coordinate cross-functional initiatives. Brian Stephens (B.S. ’97) is an experienced security risk advisor with Teneo Risk Advisory and formerly with Bank of America. He recently joined GMR’s board of directors. Based in the DFW area, GMR, Inc. is a leader in the field of facility inspections and lighting surveys nationwide. Christine Morin (B.S. ’98) was named CEO of Cradles to Crayons® (C2C®), the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to ending clothing insecurity. Alison Voorhees (B.A. ’00) joined Santa Cruz County Bank as senior vice president, director of marketing. Santa Cruz County Bank is distinguished from “big banks” by its relationship-based service, problem-solving focus and direct access to decision makers.