Alumni Engagement

Dr. Bill “Tex” Curtis ’71 (P ’13) is senior vice president and chief scientist at CAST Software where he heads CAST Research Labs.  He is also the executive director of the Consortium for Information and Software Quality, which was chartered to create international standards for automating the measurement of software size and quality. He also leads the American delegation to the International Organization for Standardization working groups, creating standards for software measurement and software process assessment.

Tex has 47 years of experience in the software industry and is best known for leading development of the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and People CMM in the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. The CMM and its successor, CMMI, became the world’s de facto standard for evaluating the capability of a software organization.  He cofounded TeraQuest, which, until it was acquired, was the world’s leading consultancy on CMM-based improvement. While at Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation —the U.S. fifth generation computer research center—he led empirical research that revised existing models on how individuals, teams, and organizations develop software-intensive systems. He is currently building a certification exam to determine if software developers can detect and correct the most damaging defects in software systems.

Tex has published four books and over 240 research articles. He has been elected a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Association for Computing Machinery for his career contributions to software process improvement, software measurement, and human factors in software engineering.

• 2025—Julia Hirschberg ’68
• 2024—Karin Musier-Forsyth ’84
• 2023—Guy Bradley ’85
• 2022—Brad Pendley ’87
• 2021—Dan Sutherlin ’91
• 2020—David Conover ’75
• 2019—Marion White ’74
• 2018—Jane Petro ’68
• 2017—Peter Meinke ’82
• 2016—Gary Dunbar ’71, ’75
• 2015—Sue Slaugenhaupt ’85

Andy Oswald ’06 lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife, Megan, who is also an Eckerd alumna, and their two young sons.

Andy credits many Eckerd professors for inspiring his enthusiasm for the subjects that ultimately shaped his professional work, including Marjorie Sanfilippo, Donna Trent, Ed Grasso, Peter Hammerschmidt and Tony Brunello. After graduating with a degree in management and political science, Andy began his career as a financial advisor and is part of a firm that was named to Forbes America’s Top Registered Investment Advisor Firms for 2023 and 2024.

Andy has used his connection with Eckerd and his own interests in various ways to help the college. A soccer player while at Eckerd, he has been active in growing the Men’s Soccer reunion games, and an avid golfer, he has participated and sponsored a team for 10 consecutive years in the annual Matthew T. McDermott Golf Tournament. He has spoken to business student organizations on campus and has brought clients to campus for special presentations. He is also a member of his 20th Class Reunion Committee this year and is a member of the1958 Society Member, President’s Collegium and Kadel Society.

• 2025—Ingrid Bredenberg ’70
• 2024—Stephanie Kadel Taras ’89
• 2023—Scott Rivinius ’88
• 2022—Rob Waters ’82
• 2021—Cathy McCoy ’71 (P ’00)
• 2020—AnnLouise Bleecker ’15
• 2019—Thomas Moore ’99
• 2018—Jack ’68 and Trisha ’68 Senterfitt
• 2017—Jesse ’91 and Mila ’90 Turtle
• 2016—Greg Mino ’93
• 2015—Robin Suarez ’85
• 2014—Susan Kroh McDermott ’89
• 2013—Matthew Staman ’92
• 2012—Dan Mageras ’96
• 2010—Lindsay Seward ’90
• 2009—Ian Johnson ’89
• 2008—Sandy Ripberger ’68, Charlie Stripling ’68
• 2007—Andy Haines ’86

Born and raised in Clearwater, Florida, Benjamin Dimmitt ’76 graduated from Eckerd with a B.A. in visual arts with concentrations in photography and printmaking. He also studied printmaking at Santa Reparata Graphic Arts Centre in Florence, Italy, and at the City and Guild Arts School in London, England. Benjamin moved to New York City in 1976 and continued his studies in photography at both the International Center of Photography in New York and at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshop in Santa Fe, NM.

From 2001–2013, he held an adjunct professor position at the International Center of Photography teaching black-and-white photography and landscape photography.

His photography investigates interdependence, competition, survival and mortality in the natural environment. Benjamin’s photographs have been exhibited both nationally and internationally in museums, galleries and festivals and are held in multiple major museums and private collections.

Closer to his current home of Asheville, North Carolina, Benjamin taught photography at Penland School of Craft, the Bascom Center for Art and at Warren Wilson College.

In 2023, the University of Georgia Press published a book of his photographs, An Unflinching Look – Elegy for Wetlands, documenting the impact of climate change and rising sea levels on a remote spring-fed estuary near Crystal River. Currently, Benjamin is working with the University Press of Florida on a book of photographs of mangrove communities.

• 2025—Margaret Brommelsiek ’80
• 2024—Barbara Nicholson McFadyen ’74
• 2023—Betsy Lester ’93
• 2022—Susan DeMay ’77
• 2021—frje Echeverria ’66
• 2020—Martha Ensign Johnson ’75
• 2019—Mary Law ’69
• 2018—Bede Clarke ’83
• 2017—Arthur Skinner ’72

Lara Dallman-Weiss ’11 is a two-time Olympian from Shoreview, Minnesota, whose journey from a multi-sport athlete to world-class sailor began at Eckerd, where she graduated with a degree in nutrition. As a member and captain of the Triton sailing team, she led her teammates to a third-place finish at the 2010 Women’s Nationals and was later inducted into the Eckerd College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.

Lara’s professional sailing career has taken her around the globe, earning first-place titles in boats ranging from 15 to 200 feet. She represented the United States in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women’s two-person dinghy and, in 2024, made history by competing in the first-ever mixed-gender 470 event. Now setting her sights on the 2028 Olympics on home soil in Los Angeles, Lara continues to embody the values of perseverance, teamwork, and purpose-driven excellence.

Beyond competition, Lara is dedicated to using sailing as a platform for empowerment and environmental stewardship. She coaches education professionals, has introduced formerly incarcerated women to sailing as a means of connection and confidence-building, and as an ambassador for Sailors for the Sea, she champions ocean conservation and sustainability. She also contributes to ecosystem protection efforts in South Florida by helping control the invasive python population. Through her work both on and off the water, Lara continues to inspire others and create pathways toward a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.

• 2025—Kathleen “Kathy” Corradi ’10
• 2024—Juarlyn Gaiter ’69
• 2023—Molly Rockamann ’03
• 2022—Jennifer Sullivan ’02
• 2021—Sophia Diaz-Fonseca ’81
• 2020—Mirna Ramos-Diaz ’80
• 2019—Janice Love ’75

Kathy McCloud ’76 (P ’10) began her college journey at Florida Presbyterian College before transferring to Clemson University, where she earned both her B.A. and M.A. in elementary education with an emphasis in administration. She returned to St. Petersburg in 1980 as the wife of an Eckerd faculty member and began a fulfilling 35-year career with the Pinellas County School Board.  Over the years, Kathy served as a teacher, curriculum specialist, and administrator—including director of student assignment—helping to uphold desegregation and expand access to quality education. She also worked with Upward Bound and the National Youth Sports Program, traveling to Washington, D.C., to advocate for continued support of programs that uplift disadvantaged youth. Kathy retired in 2012 and now resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

During her years in St. Petersburg, Kathy found a spiritual home at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, where she was inspired by its deep commitment to social justice and community engagement. Through Lakeview, she became involved in CUCA (Congregations United for Community Action) and food distribution nonprofit Operation Attack, experiences that strengthened her passion for helping make the world a more just and compassionate place. A longtime friend and supporter of Eckerd, Kathy served for many years on the Spiritual Life Council and the National Advisory Council, and now serves as an honorary trustee. She and her husband, Oscar, share a blended family of four daughters—including Shelby Walker ’10—and one grandson. In Atlanta, Kathy continues her service through Central Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, remaining deeply committed to faith, education, and social justice.

• 2025—Vicki Bartelt ’70
• 2024—Terri Lipsey Scott ’04
• 2023—April Bradley ’93
• 2022—Robin Dunn Marcos ’87
• 2021—Lorie Clark ’81
• 2020—Janice Love ’75
• 2019—Mirna Ramos-Diaz ’80

Ronice Barlow ’91 is senior vice president, chief operating officer of the independent contractor division at Raymond James, where she leads the strategic initiatives that drive growth, efficiency, and advisor experience across the firm’s national network of independent financial advisors. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years at her previous employer, Franklin Templeton, Ronice held multiple senior leadership roles including chief operating officer, head of strategy, head of Canada, co-head of United States sales and head of client experience for North America. A seasoned executive with deep expertise in global distribution, operations and client experience, Ronice is dedicated to driving strategic growth and operational excellence in the financial services industry.

Ronice graduated from Eckerd with a bachelor of arts in international business and proudly served on the Board of Trustees for over 15 years. She went on to earn her master of business administration from the University of Tampa, where she currently serves on the Board of Trustees. She currently serves on the board of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and has served as the chair of the sales and marketing committee of the Investment Company Institute (ICI) and on the board of Invest in Others, an organization that recognizes and honors financial professionals who give back in their community. Her other community passions include being involved in Copperhead Charities for the PGA Valspar Tournament and serving as an advisory board member for Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside.

Ronice currently resides in St. Petersburg with her husband, Steve, and has two grown daughters, Sara and Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys boating and playing golf and pickleball.

• 2024—Eve Konstan ’89
• 2022—Matt Kilgroe ’87
• 2021—Thom Shuman ’68
• 2020—Richard G. Miller ’64
• 2019—Sterling Watson ’69
• 2018—Peter J. Genz ’73
• 2017—George Atkinson ’67
• 2016—Terry Suarez ’66
• 2015—Bob Francis ’80
• 2014—Susan McEwan Vastine ’64
• 2013—R. Ernest Mahaffey ’68
• 2012—Albert and Birgit Robbert ’66,’69
• 2010—G. Timothy Womack ’85
• 2009—Olester Benson ’74
• 2008—Mark White ’80
• 2007—Marion Marshall White ’74
• 2006—Ann Rittenberg ’79
• 2005—Claire S. Francis ’65
• 2001—Janet Darden Cragan ’77
• 2000—Albert Howard Carter III ’64, Rowland A. Sherrill ’66
• 1999—George A. Raftelis ’69
• 1998—Gary Sperduto ’74
• 1997—John T. DeBevoise ’78
• 1996—Trisha M. Senterfitt ’68, Jack H. Senterfitt ’68
• 1995—Jamie L. Serino ’80
• 1994—Kenneth Alan Jacobsen ’73
• 1993—Robert Lee Dietz ’79
• 1992—Chris Pedro Trakas ’78
• 1991—Grover C. Wrenn, Jr. ’64
• 1990—William Rhodes Ripberger ’65
• 1989—Mary Jane (Stearns) Schenck ’66
• 1988—D. Luke Kim ’64, Thomas R. Wayman ’72, John B. Phelps III ’65
• 1987—Scott M. Brownell ’71, Walter W. Enloe ’71
• 1986—Meredith Black McGuire ’64, Ronald H. Francis ’65
• 1985—David E. Eachus ’67, Henry Travers ’68
• 1984—Jeanne Johannessen Smoot ’64, Charles M. Stripling III ’68
• 1983—Raymond L. Schmidt ’64
• 1982—Kenneth Prest, Jr. ’70, Colleen Shannon ’65
• 1981—Harry K. Singletary, Jr. ’68, Bluford H. Putnam III ’72
• 1980—Jane Arbuckle Petro ’68, James Mitchell Reed ’69
• 1979—Harry Thomas Price II ’65, Arthur J. Ranson III ’65
• 1978—H. Thompson Houchins, Jr. ’64, Susan E. Russ ’77, Charles C. Thornton, Jr. ’72
• 1977—Susan Solteau Kilham ’65, John M. McGuire ’67, Roger J. Porter ’64
• 1976—Sherman E. Armstrong ’69, William F. Coleman ’66
• 1975—David B. Cozad ’68, Frederick A. Russ ’66

Originally from Oklahoma City and now based in Paris, William Clements ’16 graduated from Eckerd with his B.S. in marine science with a concentration in geophysics and a minor in French. During his time at Eckerd, he served as a lab assistant for Earth structures and was active in campus life through ECOS as the director of Pet Life. As a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, he helped restart the American Indian Society in 2015.

After graduation, William worked as a field technician and special inspector on new-build construction sites around Tampa Bay, contributing to projects including One St. Petersburg, Saltaire, Belleview-Biltmore, and the Nielsen Center for Visual Arts. In 2024, he completed a master of science in marine technology at École Centrale de Nantes in France, focusing on hydrodynamics for ocean engineering.

His studies led to an internship at Subsea 7 in Paris, where he now works as an engineer in the project engineering and installations department. Focused on mooring line installations, he recently supported an offshore campaign in Brazil.

• 2025—Barbara Del Castello ’15
• 2024—Anjali Boyd ’19
• 2023—Elizabeth Tomaselli ’13
• 2022—Thomas Leonard ’12
• 2021—Brandon Cooke ’11
• 2020—Ben Hamburger ’10
• 2019—Jennifer Sato ’09
• 2018—Brandon O’Shea ’08
• 2017—Ben Flagg ’12
• 2016—Kaiya Waddell ’06
• 2015—Meghan Meehan-Draper ’10, Caitlin Meehan-Draper ’10
• 2014—Blake Johnson ’09
• 2013—Diana Huestis ’03
• 2012—Sarah Sieloff ’06
• 2010—Suleyman Bilgutay ’01
• 2009—Jaime Wilke Corvin ’99
• 2008—Taryn Fielder ’99
• 2007—Angela Guyadeen ’03

Nathan and Jen met on a Winter Term trip where they were researching the carbonate platforms of The Bahamas as they worked toward their degrees in marine science. For over 20 years, Nathan and Jen have worked as a mortgage team, providing financing and loan strategies for Florida homeowners. They have continued to support the Eckerd Waterfront Program in various ways over the last few decades, whether through sponsorships, direct donations, or participating in gift matching challenges, and are previous recipients of the Waterfront’s Martin A. Deane Award and members of Eckerd’s 1958 Society.

Nathan worked at the Waterfront during his time as a student, both in checkout and teaching sailing classes. After a stint as third mate on the HMS Bounty, Nathan returned to  the Waterfront. He ran the Waterfront’s boat donation and resale program and certified sailors to become sailing instructors. Nathan and Renee also worked closely together to create the summer camp programs and greatly expanded the recreational use of the Waterfront by resident students.

In 1999, Nathan and Jen married in St. Petersburg, surrounded by many fellow Eckerd alumni and Waterfront staff. They made St. Petersburg home, raising two daughters, both of whom attended marine science and watersports summer camps at the Waterfront during their youth.

• 2025—Jenn (Fraas) Martin ’95 and Chris Martin ’93
• 2024—John Meiners ’84
• 2023—Kevin Sherburne ’78
• 2022—Eric Lundin ’84

Erin O’Brien ’06 and Shannon O’Brien ’06 met while auditioning for a play on Eckerd’s campus, Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Shannon graduated with a degree in human development, and Erin graduated with a degree in theatre. They were married in 2008 by former Eckerd professor and director of service learning, Brian McHarg.Shannon and Erin continue to live in St. Petersburg, grateful every day for this beautiful area they get to share with their two children.

Shannon has thrived in his career as a mortgage broker, with a specialty in hard money lending. Shannon loves all things Tampa Bay—Tampa Bay sports teams, being on the water, and spending as much time as possible outdoors. After graduating from Eckerd, Erin went to the University of Tampa to earn a degree in elementary education and went on to teach  elementary school in Hillsborough County until becoming a mother. For over 20 years, Erin has volunteered for the American Youth Foundation’s National Leadership Conference. She has been the co-director of the conference since 2021 and is expecting to serve nearly 300 youth in the program this summer. Erin recently completed graduate certifications from Ball State University for leadership and curriculum development and the University of Kentucky in positive youth development.

Together with their family, Shannon and Erin generously give to Eckerd every year through the O’Brien Family Foundation to create scholarships for current and incoming Eckerd students. Shannon and Erin spend most of their time joining their children in their extracurriculars, spending time with family and friends, and taking in the beautiful sunsets and coastline this area has to offer.

• 2024—Tim Thornton ’74
• 2023—Eileen McCarron ’73
• 2022—Alberto Lense ’87 and David Canter ’97
• 2021—Craig Altemose ’06
• 2020—Timothy Holliday ’95
• 2019—Watson Haynes ’84
• 2018—Jonathan ’91 and Pam ’93 Baker
• 2017—Adele Solazzo ’82
• 2016—Cheryl Burke ’86
• 2015—Beth Miller ’65
  
• 2014—William Cooley ’68, Jean Cooley ’68
• 2013—Mo Eppley ’98
• 2012—Cindy Weatherby ’84
• 2010—Carolyn Eliades ’88
• 2009—Paul Cheney ’69
• 2008—Sue Cornman ’71
• 2007—Rebecca Blitch ’02
• 2006—William Nye ’96
• 2005—John M. Pollock ’90
• 2004—Robert R. Johnson ’71, John Steakley, Jr. ’83
• 2003—Debra Ann Albright ’86, Louis Raymond Hidu ’74
• 2001—Nay Malloy Howell ’75, William Robb Hough, Jr. ’76
• 2000—Carolyn Hall Horton ’64
• 1999—Brenda Bevans Remmes ’69
• 1998—Noreen H. Hodges ’87, Christie Cason Wheeler ’89
• 1997—Mary Charlotte McCall ’65
• 1996—David Butts ’78, John Stephen Rhodes ’69
• 1995—Diane L. Ferris ’86, Martha Jane Eblen ’76
• 1994—Elithia V. Stanfield ’74, James D. O’Donnell ’92
• 1993—Jan Love ’75
• 1992—Terry Cunningham ’88

The son of a chemical engineer who worked on the Manhattan Project, Bill Tench ’71’s own scientific career began as he followed his sister Kathy Tench ’70 to Florida Presbyterian College in 1967. He found an immediate home in the sciences, balancing time on the fencing team and sailing with hours spent wading the bay flats to collect specimens for the biology lab.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Ferguson and research assistant Sally DeGroot, Bill investigated a mysterious starfish disease. His discovery of a marine Vibrio—later linked to starfish wasting disease on the West Coast—sparked a lifelong interest in microbiology. By the time he graduated in FPC’s final class, his focus had shifted from marine biology to medicine.

After graduating from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, he completed his residency at UC San Diego and a fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering. He spent 30 years at Palomar Medical Center, serving as associate director of the laboratory and head of anatomic services, and also taught as a community professor of pathology at UCSD.

Bill developed an expertise in cytopathology—the study of cells to detect cancer and other diseases—that led to an invitation to the Cytopathology Committee of the College of American Pathology. He was board-certified in anatomic and clinical pathology with a subspecialty certification in cytopathology and contributed extensively to the academic literature of the field, particularly in image recognition technology. He instructed and certified more than 100 practitioners in liquid base cytology technology, a method used for cervical cancer screening that outperformed traditional tests. Bill’s commitment to medical service and detection extended to Peru, where he served on the board of the Cervicusco Clinic for over a decade, providing screenings for cervical cancer to indigenous women. Now fully retired, he remains connected to Eckerd  through philanthropic support of natural sciences and volunteers as a judge for the annual student Research Symposium.

• 2025—Elaine Raybourn ’85
• 2024—Nancy Blagg Kalinowski ’74
• 2023—Mark Lewis ’92
• 2022—LaRuby May ’97
• 2021—John Saunders ’71
• 2020—Virginia J. Scott ’85
• 2019—Harvey Jeffries ’64
• 2018—Jeff Moreno ’88
• 2017—Ward Shelley ’72
• 2016—Jonathan Keeton ’80
• 2015—David Conover ’75
• 2014—Karin Musier-Forsyth ’84
• 2013—D. Ashley Hill ’86
• 2012—Doug Greenfield ’71
• 2010—Jim Sweeny ’65, John Sweeny ’65
• 2009—Bill “Tex” Curtis ’71
• 2008—Harry Johns ’90
• 2007—Michael Bluett ’76
• 2006—William Evers ’76
• 2005—Susan Slaugenhaupt Nash ’85
• 2004—Carol Ann Baily ’69, Eva Dale Collins ’79
• 2003—Gabriele Giovanni Mazza ’68
• 2001—Linda L. Musante ’76
• 2000—Ernest Suarez ’80
• 1999—Paul R. Cheney ’69, Timothy Lightfield ’67, Stephen Updegraff ’74
• 1998—Robert W. Barnes ’72, Antonia E. Brown ’78, Gary L. Dunbar ’71
• 1997—Louis G. Tassinary ’76, Nathaniel H. Bronner, Jr. ’77
• 1996—Nancy G. Herbert ’74, Sandra Mortham ’89
• 1995—John Henry Hankinson, Jr. ’70
• 1994—E. Carrington Boggan ’65
• 1993—Paul E. Hoffman ’64, Priscilla Anne Rogers ’71
• 1992—Melanie S. Taylor ’74