Callahans met at Millersville and stay connected In 2008, Michael Callahan ’81 was named president and CEO of Benchmark Construction Company, Inc., a leading area construction company known for its awardwinning work. Callahan is only the second president of Benchmark, following Robert Brandt, who founded the company in 1985. It was the same year that Callahan joined Benchmark as a carpenter and literally worked his way up the company ladder. Callahan feels strongly about where that drive came from. “I owe a great deal of my success to Millersville,” said Callahan, who graduated with a degree in industrial arts in 1981, the same year his future wife, Neysa Fratantoni, graduated with her degree in business administration. Callahan looks back on his years at Millersville with great fondness. The industrial arts program offered him a broad base of hands-on experience in wood, metals, graphic arts, drafting and teaching. He even studenttaught at the Warwick School District and put himself through college doing construction work. One of his most influential professors was George Hauber, who taught wood technology. “I was given tools that helped me throughout my career, from woodworking to dealing with people,” said Callahan. In his 27 years with Benchmark, Callahan served as a superintendent, project manager, vice president of construction, executive vice president and now president and CEO. Benchmark has received awards for highprofile projects that include the Lititz Watch Technicum training facility, the Academy of
• 2010s • Samantha L. Goldfarb ’10, Philadelphia, completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. • Ellen R. Grim ’11, Hamburg, was accepted into the Peace Corps. She will spend two years in Uganda enhancing teacher skills and community education resources. • Kristin O’Brassill-Kulfan ’11, Ephrata, has completed a master’s degree of arts in modern history from The Queen’s University of Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Music in Lancaster, now known as the Ware Center, the Cancer Center at Lancaster General Health Campus and the exciting new student housing project at Millersville University. Most of Benchmark’s work is in healthcare, education and senior living. Those are areas that Callahan is proud to serve. He has been especially pleased to work on projects that are associated with Millersville, such as the Ware Center Neysa and Mike Callahan present a check from renovations that customized the facility to Benchmark Construction to Mary Fleig, head Millersville University’s needs. women’sbasketball coach. Robert Slabinski ’78 “Neysa and I were both in apartments (far right), former CEO of Student Services Inc. and at Brookwood Court when we were at basketball fan, was also on hand for the ceremony. Millersville; she was in 17A and I was in 12D,” recalled Callahan, adding that he was for two children and a spouse of Benchmark there to observe as both units were torn employees to attend Millersville University. down to make way for the new. They also support the Black & Gold Mike and Neysa married two years Club and Marauder athletics, especially the after graduation. Neysa pursued her women’s basketball team. College athletics career in insurance, accounting and office has always interested the Callahans, since management. She is now an accounting clerk Mike wrestled in high school and college, and for Hempfield School District’s food service their son played football at William & Mary. department. She looks back to her college “I believe strongly in college athletics. I years with good memories and recalls Dr. think it builds character and the ability to Jong Choi Hau, an accounting professor who budget time,” said Callahan. encouraged her in her field. For Neysa and Mike Callahan, doing what The Callahans have two grown children. they can to support Millersville University For the entire family, Millersville has been a is just a matter of giving back. After all, place that brought them all together. Millersville is where they first met in the “Mike and I met at Millersville, and we have cafeteria, it’s where they both benefited from remained involved at Millersville. It means a the mentorship of their professors and where lot to us,” said Neysa. they built lasting friendships with alumni they Michael and Neysa Callahan established get together with regularly. the Callahan Scholarship for employees “Millersville is where it started for us, and it and relatives at Benchmark, setting up an gives us a good feeling to give,” said Callahan. endowment that has provided scholarships
She recently accepted a position at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives as a records clerk.
Marriages • Robert Jengehino ’96 and Tanisha Belz, 9/29/12. • Jana E. Langness ’02 and Michael Farris, 5/19/12. • Jennifer Wright ’03 and David Harman, 10/11/12. • Heather L. Landes ’08, ’09M and Malcolm Huggins, 8/11/12.
• Kyle Miller ’08 and Amanda L. Roland ’08, 6/23/12. • Barbara C. Stover ’08 and Mark Stottsberry, 10/23/12. • Brittany M. Trofe ’10 and Bastiaan Schotsman, 8/4/12. • Kimberly L. Zug ’10 and Matthew DeBord, 5/5/12. • Tara C. O’Malley ’11 and Michael Free, 6/30/12.
Births • Tom DeAngelo ’97 and wife Michele, a daughter, Isabella Grace, on 11/7/12.
• Benjamin Stiles ’97, ’04M and wife Lynn (Barr) ’98, a daughter, Cora Ashley, on 8/29/12. • Janet (Santore) Garchinsky ’98 and husband Christopher ’98, a son, Charlton James, on 8/23/12. • Laurel (Ness) Rivera ’99 and husband Robert, a son, Ryan Joseph, on 9/10/12. • Cynthia (Trang) Brooks ’01 and husband Charles III ’01, a son, Charles D. IV, on 7/8/12. • Scott Cuff ’01 and wife Melissa (Tolton) ’03, twin sons, Joshua Evan and Nathaniel, on 2/28/11.
Review Winter 2013 35