1980s Class Notes

Marya Triandafellos '81 (HAS) is launching a public art installation of ten 4' x 5' digital drawing May 4 - July 26 in Washington Market Park (WMP) in Tribeca, NY with the support of Friends of WMP and NYC Parks Art in the Parks program. In addition, her 3D printed sculpture Born Again Road Kill, figures constructed from metals found on NYC streets, is featured in the prestigious NYCxDESIGNxSOUVENIR exhibition.

Mark Zampino ’81 (A&S) was recognized by the Southern Connecticut State University School of Business with its "Exceptional Staff Service Award," and, in addition, the "Dean’s Outstanding Leadership Team Award."

In addition, acting at its spring statewide conference in March 2025, the Connecticut Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) named Mark an Honorary Member for his longtime service to the organization as a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and competition judge.

Edward Chesky Jr. '85 (A&S) has retired to the Tampa Bay, Florida area following 24 years of military service and 10 years of law enforcement duty. Edward served as the Chief of Counter Proliferation Weapons of Mass Destruction for the Pacific Command and Reporting Officer for the International Missile Technology Regime Treaty. 

Following his military career, he worked in law enforcement with final duties in Department of Homeland Security in Hartford. He supported both the attempted Times Square Bombing and Boston Marathon Bombing investigations. 

In addition he performed duties as the Chairman of the West Hartford United Methodist Church.  Served as county Chairman of the Coos County, NH Small Beginners Farmer Association and built and ran, as CEO, a high biotech extreme conditions farm that used cutting edge technology to produce organic farm products in cold temperatures.

Keith Walsh '85 (HAS) had a solo show in October 2025 at Malvoyante, in Los Angeles. His work confronts our nation’s current sociopolitical situation by examining it through the lens of the 1970s: stagflation, governmental ethical crises, the receding Second Red Scare, the genesis of contemporary radical conservatism, and the activism of the Communist Party USA.

His text-and-image drawings, mapping, abstraction, and interpolations with ephemera are created from his research into a wide range of sociopolitical, economic and cultural material. The show continues his long-term project to protect and renew progressive social legacies in this autocratic era that has scrubbed government data and the history of racial and political minorities.

Kim Izzarelli M'87 (Barney) is currently serving in the Peace Corps as a Youth Development Coordinator in Belize. You can listen to her interview on WanderingTheWorld.com in October.

Scott Gordon ’89 (A&S) has written a novel, Head Fake which was longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel 2025. He has even received a review from Chris Rock - “Head Fake is about how laughter can save us. It’s a jab in the ribs, reminding us that even in our worst hour, laughter and connection can be the flashlight in the dark, guiding us toward healing and redemption.”