Lindenwood - Your Alumni Connection - Fall 2017

21 CAMPUS NEWS FACULTY SPOTLIGHT UPCOMING EVENTS LINDENWOOD SPORTS ALUMNI EVENTS AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES LINDENWOOD Fall 2017 contractor. The couple plans to be married June 2, 2018, in St. Charles, Mo. Brown received a B.A. in marketing. Kayla Hoke (’11) was recently promoted to administrator of Washington Surgery Center, a fully licensed and nationally accredited freestanding surgery center. Hoke credits the discipline of Doug Cannon and the advice of Jay Hardman in aiding her professional successes and growth within the company over the past six years. Hoke received her B.A. in business administration. Rocky Valentine (’12) was recently hired as the superintendent of the 775-student Sparta (Illinois) School District in Christian County, replacing longtime Sparta Superintendent Jeff Hyatt. Valentine grew up in Douglas County, and has spent seven years as a teacher, coach, and principal in Sparta. He lives in Rogersville with his wife, Breanna, a nurse, and two daughters. He has a bachelor’s in history from MidAmerica Nazarene University and a teaching certificate through Missouri State University, as well as a Master of Arts in school administration and an Ed.S. in education administration from Lindenwood. Alp Ozkilic (’10) is back in the U.S. after his mixed martial arts career took him overseas for more than two years. He now makes his home in Long Island and continues to compete in mixed martial arts. Nicknamed the “Turkish Delight,” he became the first Turkish-born fighter to compete in the UFC. He wrestled at Nassau Community College and was a two-time All- American before transferring to Lindenwood University and launching a professional fighting career after graduation. He has fought in the U.S. and China before returning to Turkey to address an injury. Focused on returning to the UFC, he also works as a real estate investor. Amandine Deligny-Abbott (’12, ’15) got married in May and has been working full-time at Ansira, a St. Louis-based marketing agency, since 2015. She also works part-time at Provenance Soapworks, a St. Charles business. Deligny-Abbott also works with Live Nation and CID Entertainment and volunteers at festivals like the Vans Warped Tour. She received her B.A. in music business with a minor in business administration and an M.B.A. in marketing. Shauna Isbell Kemp (’13) has been named the head coach of the University of Jamestown women’s wrestling program. Kemp was a member of the USA women’s wrestling team from 2012 to 2013 and was the 2012 Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association national champion. Kemp has competed all over the world, including the Junior Pan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Hari Ram Grand Prix in New Deli, India, and the Pan American Games in Panama City, Panama, as well as in Canada, Spain, and Ukraine, representing Team USA and the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. She received her Bachelor of Arts in mass communications with emphasis in media management and sales. Bruno Di Giacomo (’13) has worked in investment banking and private equity since graduating from Lindenwood. Last year, he co-founded Blackbird Investments. The company advises investors on various aspects of their investments. Giacomo received his B.A. in business administration with an emphasis in economics. Christian Averill (’13, ’15) was recently promoted to senior district executive in the Baden-Powell Council, Boy Scouts of America, in Binghamton, N.Y. In June 2017, he received a Friend of Scouting Achiever Recognition Award for fund-raising and growth in Cub Scout membership. He also serves on the Board of the Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau. Averill received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nonprofit administration and was a member of Lindenwood’s wrestling team from 2010 to 2013. Spenser C. Daniels (’15) relocated to Arlington, Texas, in January 2017 and has recently been named the assistant director of operations for WDS Logistics, which specializes in IT products and installation across a variety of industries. Daniels received his B.A. in marketing and psychology. Benjamin C. DeClue (’15) was recently promoted to assistant city administrator for the City of Lebanon, Mo., and serves as the acting city administrator. He was also recently honored at the Missouri City/County Management Association Spring Conference Awards Banquet for outstanding service to that organization. Dr. Sherrill Rayford (’15) traveled to Cuba in February as a participant in the People-to-People exchange program. The trip aboard Adonia, the first United States cruise ship granted permission to navigate to Cuba in more than 50 years, was piloted by a female captain. Rayford interacted with individuals aboard Adonia during informational, participatory enrichment sessions to learn about the cultural history of Cuba’s inhabitants. Later, participants toured famous landmarks during shore excursions in Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos, and Havana where travelers spent one night. A rare opportunity was seeing artist, Jose’ Fuster, referred to as the Cuban Picasso, in his studio. Rayford received a Doctor of Education degree in instructional leadership from Lindenwood University in 2015. Boyan Donov (’16, 17) was recently hired by Cedar Lake Cellars, a year-round winery and event venue, as assistant operations manager. Donov’s responsibilities include assisting the operations manager with a variety of functions including managing, training, and increasing the efficiency of all support systems. He helps with staff recruitment and training, as well as monitors IT operations and equipment. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in sport management and his M.B.A. in marketing. Alumni News & Notes continues on next page...