October 19, 2012

BUFFALO, NY – It seems only fitting that on the same weekend of University at Buffalo's homecoming, a group of alumnae will take part in the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston.  Nine alumnae formed a boat that was selected from a lottery for the October 20 race. 

The Alumnae boat consists of coxswain Dawn Vona (Kavanaugh) Sara Corona (Sheffer) and Amy Aldridge representing the class of 2004. As well as Kasey Hansen, Michelle Schwach, Kali Spoto, Tara Celestini, Caitlin Rush (Logue) and bow Ginelle Brown (Michael) of the class of 2005.

Each rower has expressed how much being a student athlete at UB has shaped her as an individual not only athletically, but also personally and professionally as well.  They all have created everlasting bonds with those that they spent countless hours with as teammates and peers while competing as a Bull. It has been seven or eight years since these ladies have been student athletes representing the UB Bulls, but they are just as excited today to represent the blue and white as they were as student athletes. The boat will even be competing against some old foes as well as some fresh faces.

Dawn Kavanaugh Vona (2004) earned a degree in business administration and continued on her education to receive a masters in informatics from UB.  Vona is now working as the assistant vice president in emerging channels at M&T Bank. 

Kasey Hansen (2005) graduated with a degree in business administration and is now a divisional merchandising manager.

Sara Sheffer Corona (2004) received her degree in English and went on to earn a masters of special education from UNLV. Corona currently works as in an instructional coach with Friendship Public Charter Schools in Washington, DC.

Kali Spoto (2005) earned a degree in exercise science and continued on her education at UB with the physical therapy program, graduating with her DPT in 2007.  Today, she works as a physical therapist and an adjunct professor at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY.

Tara Celestini (2005) graduated with a degree in exercise science and went on to become a licensed massage therapist.

Caitlin Logue Rush (2005) received a degree in art history with a minor in marketing.  Rush went on to earn a masters of science in college student personnel administration from Canisius College and currently works as the undergraduate program manager right here at the University at Buffalo School of Management.

Amy Alderidge (2004) earned a degree in political science and is now paramedic.

Ginelle Michael Brown (2005) earned a degree in business administration and is currently an associate director of video production management for Verizon Wireless.

Michelle Schwach Miecznikowski (2005) received a degree in psychology and legal studies; she went onto earn her J.D. from the UB Law School in 2008. Miecznikowski currently works as an attorney at Cohen & Lombardo, P.C. here in Buffalo.

Check back in to www.buffalobulls.com early next week to see how the alumnae did in their regatta.