Class Notes

Let your classmates know what you’re up to! If you have news to share—reunions, gatherings, career or academic updates, weddings and birth announcements, retirements, exhibition openings, travel, or your favorite URI memories—click the button below to submit your update online or send an email to urimag@uri.edu.

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Summer 2026 Class Notes

Engagements and Marriages

Kyle Guenther ’18 and Olivia (Stalker) Guenther ’18Kyle Guenther ’18 and Olivia (Stalker) Guenther ’18 were recently married and live in Boston, Mass. The couple met in their senior year at URI and decided to get married in Rhode Island “back where it all began.” Their wedding was nothing short of a class reunion with alumni from all years sharing stories and reconnecting over mutual experiences.

 

 

General Class Notes

1955

Nathaniel Nazareth '55The Nazareth family shared the news of the passing of Nathaniel J. Nazareth, Sr. in March 2026. Mr. Nazareth was a former member of the URI Foundation Board of Directors, serving as a past president and as a URI Foundation trustee, and contributed to numerous board committees throughout his tenure. A proud Air Force captain during the Korean War era, he served his country with distinction as a jet fighter pilot. Following his military service, he built a successful career with his family’s Providence Casket Company.

1957

homas C. Higgins: A Man Reinvented by Nancy Higgins Hall '57Nancy Higgins Hall recently wrote a book, Thomas C. Higgins: A Man Reinvented; Farmer, Teacher, Artist, about her father and family. Thomas Higgins was employed by the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts in 1930 and retired from the University in 1964 as professor emeritus of agriculture. A local newspaper once called him a “Twentieth Century Renaissance Man.” The Higgins family lived at the University’s East Farm, in what is now the Master Gardeners building, from 1930 until 1956.

 

1972

On the Seine in Paris, October 2025: Jean (Kellner) Forbes B.S. ’72; Mary-Ellen (Mercurio) Cronan B.S. ’72; Michael Forbes B.A. ’72, M.A. ’77; Edward Cronan B.A. ’72, M.A. ’76Jean (Kellner) Forbes sent a photo: “Rhody Friends 57 years later! On the Seine in Paris, October 2025: Jean (Kellner) Forbes B.S. ’72; Mary-Ellen (Mercurio) Cronan B.S. ’72; Michael Forbes B.A. ’72, M.A. ’77; Edward Cronan B.A. ’72, M.A. ’76.”

1973

Bruce Foulke '73Bruce R. Foulke writes, “Hello out there. I have created a website for my music and wanted to share it with anyone who might be interested. My new website is brucefoulke.com. Here you can listen to some music, spoken word, and some videos created by fellow alum Paul Mason ’84. After more than 60 records as a producer and/or performer and co-founder of North Star Records, I thought I should try to make some serious retirement money on streaming platforms—lol. Please enjoy!

1975

Peter Gately was recently inducted into the Maine Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who bring distinction to Maine through competition as athletes or coaches; those who pioneered the sport; manufacturers; ski area builders and operators; instructors; volunteers; and others who have made significant contributions to winter sports. Gately received the honor due to his decades-long involvement in coaching and program development throughout the state and beyond. He started the ski team at Bridgton Academy in 1977 where he eventually worked for 40 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator.

1977

Anne Diamond '77Anne M. Diamond sent a photo: “Good times then and now! Here we are at the Brandon Inn (Vermont) enjoying our retirement with the phenomenal singer Ana Guigui. Left to right: Barbara (Marshall) Abbot ’76, Deborah Caster ’75, Anne Diamond ’77, and David Abbot ’75.

 

1978

Before the Tragedy by John D. Menna '78John D. Menna has released a book titled Before the Next Tragedy: Preventing Harm in School Shooting Scenarios. When threat assessments fail to prevent a planned attack on a school, protecting students and staff relies entirely on the school’s ability to protect itself from harm. Drawing on more than 40 years safeguarding people and operations within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear defense complex, Menna adapts high-reliability safety practices of high-hazard facility operations to strengthen K–12 school capabilities when efforts fail to foil premeditated attacks. The Amazon best seller is available at principledsafety.com.

1986

Rich Guckel writes, “I’m excited to share that our family launched a mobile catering and food truck company in South Kingstown, R.I.!  We’re serving up ‘over-the-fire’ American comfort food with a global twist across Southern New England.  Every dish is fire-grilled and infused with bold, approachable flavor. My wife Kayla and I, along with our son Sam ’28, always dreamed of a place that served experiences, not just plates. After years of working for others and sketching ideas in the margins, we finally brought FYR Grill to life. It’s a tribute to my late mother, Carolyn (Shoesmith) Cole ’61, M.S. ’85, a nod to the art of primal cooking, and our way of bringing the community together. You may have seen us at Rhody Football games last fall, and we look forward to seeing you on the road!  Follow us on Instagram @fyrgrillco.”

J. Brett Taylor, M.P.A. ’86 retired from the City of Wilmington as director of finance after a 40-year career in public service. He is now an executive partner at Gartner, Inc.

1990

Eclectic Energy owned by Pamela Davis '90Pamela Davis writes, “I am originally from Wickford, Rhode Island. After moving back from New York City after 32 years, I opened a curated gift store in Wakefield, called Eclectic Energy, located at 102 Main Street.”

 

 

1991

Michelle Tristani '91Michelle Tristani, M.S. ’91 is one of 13 professionals nationwide to receive a 2026 Memory Care Innovation Award from WTWH Healthcare. Tristani is director of memory care training and innovation at Benchmark Senior Living. She has more than 38 years of experience in healthcare and senior living and is a nationally recognized educator, speaker, and author specializing in dementia care. A speech-language pathologist by training, she has dedicated her career to improving how organizations support individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. At Benchmark, she developed the company’s nationally recognized “Connect First” program, an innovative communication approach designed to foster meaningful human connection for those living with dementia.

1992

Kristen Falso-Capaldi is a lecturer in the department of History, Literature and the Arts at Bryant University, where she teaches writing and film studies. She is also a writer and filmmaker; her most recent short film, “So You Want to Steal a Kidney” was awarded “best short film, comedy” at the 2025 Block Island Film Festival.

2021

Emma Sheridan has joined the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) as grants coordinator and co-accessibility coordinator. Sheridan has several years of experience in nonprofit grant administration, program management, and customer service, with a strong focus on advancing equity and accessibility. Most recently, she was a program coordinator for Preserve Rhode Island. Photo by Jeffrey Filiault for NEFA.

2025

TJ McEnaney '25TJ McEnaney (sports media and communications) is the youngest D-1 assistant basketball coach in the nation. As assistant to head coach Jamion Christian for the Bryant University Bulldogs in the America East Conference, TJ handles player development and assists in recruiting, workouts, stats, film, and team relations. While working full time with the Bulldogs coaching staff, he is also currently enrolled in the sports information and coaching master’s degree program at Liberty University.