91²Ö¿â

Barbara Eckholdt Johnstone, '66, Grove City, OH, was honored to receive fourth place (Honorable Mention) in the Children’s Mystery division of the 2026 Readers’ Favorite® International Book Award Contest for her novel, "Cemetery Ridge." The organization receives thousands of entries from all over the world and separates each into categories, so every book competes only with others in the same genre. Submissions include those from publishing giants and New York best-selling authors, as well as independently published books or those by small publishing houses. Johnstone’s publisher, Proving Press, submitted her work for this contest. Johnstone, a retired teacher, wrote "Cemetery Ridge" with middle-grade students and teens as the original target audience. However, this suspense novel captures the interest of adults with a plot that brings back memories of school days and mysterious twists involving the disappearance of a young girl. "Cemetery Ridge" is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all bookstores.  

After 55 years of education-related jobs from teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, superintendent and professor covering the states of Ohio, Georgia and Florida, William "Bill" Truby, '71, M.Ed. '84, Ph.D. '92, Ocala, FL, is currently serving as the chaplain at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, FL. Listed as one of the top 24 places to visit in the world, Truby's role at the WEC is to hold weekly Bible studies, church services and open the main events in prayer. "It's so much fun meeting and greeting people from Ohio and especially the old stomping grounds of Kent and Northeast Ohio when they visit the WEC," Truby acknowledges. "There are few places on Earth more beautiful or serene. Even non-horse lovers find the campus to be more than they anticipated." There are two hotels, 12 restaurants, soon-to-be opening shops, 23 arenas, including five fantastic indoor arenas, The Manor and two large expo centers--and more to come!

Andrea Wright Jones, '91, Fort Wayne, TX, and Michael "Mike" Jones, were married in a small private ceremony on Aug. 26. The ceremony was held in the chapel of their church, Rising Star Baptist Church, which is led by Pastor Ralph S. Emerson. Before God and 40 close family and friends, the loving couple said, "I do!" This is the second marriage for them both, and they plan on it being their last. The dashing couple met nine months ago and have been inseparable ever since. They share a love of sports, traveling and laughter. Andrea brings to the union her daughter and 91²Ö¿â alumna, Jasmin A. James-Alexander, '15, and her husband Anthony Alexander, along with their two sons Andrew and Adam. Andrea also brings her son Jacob. They honeymooned in Negril, Jamaica, in late October.

Andrea Wright Jones, '91 Fort Wayne, TX, is the assistant director of Fiscal/HR and Administrative Services in the Public Events Department for the City of Fort Worth. She's been with the city for 14 years, having held her current position since 2018. In her role, she leads the department's financial operations in six funds, totaling more than $150 million in operating and more than $500 million in capital funds. First elected in 2018, she was recently re-elected to serve on the Fort Worth Employees Retirement Fund (FWERF) board of trustees for the fifth consecutive term. The fund has 2B under assets. Jones is the first Black woman to hold the vice chair position for two years, is the chair of the audit and budget committee and serves on the communications committee. She was also re-elected as the treasurer of the International Association of Venue Manager, Region 6, which covers Arkansas, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and the country of Mexico.

In September, Dave Herpy, '01, Clayton, NC, began a new role as a district director with the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. In this role, Herpy provides leadership and support for regional centers and talented professionals who serve small and midsize businesses across the state. He credits his experience directing the 91²Ö¿â Adventure Center from 2007-13, including launching the Crooked River Adventures canoe/kayak livery in 2010, as an important part of his professional journey. Outside of work, Herpy and his wife Courtney celebrated 20 years of marriage this year after meeting at 91²Ö¿â's 2004 Homecoming. The couple loves raising their four children and cheering for them in their sports on the weekends.

Michael A. Duniec, ’15, Brunswick, OH, is a U.S. veteran and leads Actimor Technology Group, a veteran-owned technology company helping organizations build, modernize, integrate and automate practical systems. His second book, "The Golden Bitcoin: Hard Money, Power Markets, and the AI Age of Digital Money," launches Nov. 14 in eBook, paperback and hardcover editions, with future plans for an audiobook. The story-driven book explores Bitcoin, payment systems, energy markets and artificial intelligence. Duniec is also developing his third book, "The Republic of Plenty," a Mars-set, first-contact thriller that carries his entrepreneurial and technology experience into speculative fiction. "The Golden Bitcoin" will be available wherever books are sold and through major audiobook platforms.

Sarah Karns, MLIS '15, Madison, IN, married David Fischmer, of Madison, IN, on May 17, 2025.

91²Ö¿â electronic media production graduate Brandon Lazenko, '16, Coraopolis, PA, has launched a Seed&Spark campaign for ""Body in the Basement,"" a short horror film presented by Robert Kurtzman.

Written and directed by Lazenko, the film brings together numerous 91²Ö¿â alumni among its cast and crew. It follows two men attempting to dispose of a body in the basement of an abandoned house, where the job becomes more than they expected.

The production is being developed through a nonprofit mentorship program guided by Robert Kurtzman and Marcy King, giving students and emerging filmmakers experience alongside industry professionals.