Four new members were recently announced to the Kent State University Alumni Association National Board of Directors. The Kent State graduates will act as volunteers to represent the alumni population and to govern the Alumni Association. One faculty member was also named faculty representative on the board.

Three of the four members, Matthew Fantin, Robert Maschke and Valerie DiTommaso, will serve full three-year terms. Ken Senvisky will fill the last year of an unfinished term ending in 2007. After one three-year term, board members are evaluated for eligibility for a second term.

According to a Kent State press release, Fantin graduated in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree with a focus in marketing. He lives in Charlottesville, Va.

Maschke graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture in 1988. He currently resides in Lakewood.

In 1999, DiTommaso earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising. She currently resides in Chicago.

Senvisky graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He lives in Twinsburg.

Pam Speck, administrative secretary in the Williamson Alumni Center, said the Alumni Association sponsors the Distinguished Teacher’s Award with support from the board. She said the group also works with the Admissions Office to identify alumni volunteers to be sent to out-of-state college fairs and to help with geographic area receptions.

Recently appointed executive director Lori Randorf said the group helps award scholarships and holds many programs designed to engage alumni.

“They’re very engaged in a variety of different ways,” Randorf said. “(I know the new members) will step in and be very involved.”

The four new board members will serve alongside Kathy Stafford, vice president for university relations and development, Randorf and 16 other members.

Justin Hilton, assistant professor of architecture and environmental design, was also appointed to the board as faculty representative, according to the press release.

Randorf said that the representative “represents the perspective of the faculty.”

Hilton graduated from Kent State in 1997 with a Master of Architecture degree and has been an alumni board member. He will serve a three-year term.

Randorf said that at the next board meeting, all of which are held in-person, President Lester Lefton will give a university update. She said in addition to attending quarterly meetings, members occasionally have the opportunity to see updates on-campus. Speck said this has included the construction of Stopher and Johnson halls.

Contact general assignment reporter Dan Stroble at [email protected].