Wayne Cotter is a favorite of the talk shows, having appeared dozens of times with both David Letterman and Jay Leno. A top nationally touring comedian, Wayne hosted the Fox Television Network series "Comic Strip Live" for many years. He has been nominated as "Best Standup Comedian" in the American Comedy Awards. He served as host of the Discovery Channel's "Amazing America," a light-hearted look at weird and wacky subcultures throughout the United States.

Although he studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and began a career with a New Jersey computer company, before long Wayne started moonlighting as a Philadelphia comedian. He continued this double life for some time, and ultimately came to the visionary conclusion that the computer industry was going nowhere and left town to pursue show business full time.

Almost immediately, he became a frequent guest of Jay Leno and David Letterman and a fixture on the national comedy circuit. He was also honored to be one of the last new comedians to debut with Johnny Carson, with whom he also became a favorite, appearing in two Carson anniversary specials. He went on to appear regularly on many broadcast and cable shows, including Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, and ultimately became the host of his own show on the Fox network.

Wayne continues to perform in clubs and theaters, and has also become a highly sought-after entertainer for corporate events. Drawing often on his experience as an engineer and manager, he brings his clean, relatable standup comedy to business audiences nationwide. He also draws raves as a Master of Ceremonies at events across a wide a variety of industries.

“One of the funniest comedians working today” - Jay Leno

Student speaker: Mario Castiello
HCC Student and Scholarship Recipient

Born and raised in Milford, Connecticut, I felt a passion for helping people when working at Yale New Haven Hospital. I had a calling when I learned to be patient helping my grandmother walk around the house who is normally confined to her chair all day. Even before high school, I volunteered at my local church teaching groups of children, participating in unstructured and structured play activities and supervised them. Living in Milord made Housatonic an even more convenient choice for me.

For those who do not know me, I strive to mold people from making bad habits into healthy ones. Working to become a doctor of physical therapy, I am determined to make people’s lives healthier. I have gradually developed an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and while working at Yale New Haven Hospital, I attend both Housatonic and Southern Connecticut State University. Before landing a paid position, I volunteered assisting elderly with range of motion exercises and daily activities.

Academically, I plan to never stop learning, which is especially essential in the health field, as new techniques and findings are constantly being updated. I enjoy obtaining knowledge outside of the classroom by going to local yoga classes and conferences on exercise science. Although, I plan to take advantage of everything that HCC has to offer, I plan to give back to the College in later years of my life.

Dawn Hatchett

Dawn Hatchett, a 1993 Housatonic Community College graduate, has lived and worked in the greater Bridgeport area all her life. She is currently the Executive Vice President & COO of LifeBridge Community Services (formerly FSW Inc.) having started at FSW as a Housatonic Community College intern a little over 20 years ago. She is the first female and first African American to hold this position.

Dawn initially planned to pursue a career in business management, but her concern for people living in poverty, strong desire to make a difference, and extensive volunteer activities ranging from prison ministry, to soup kitchens to local youth and school mentoring programs, changed her mind. Realizing that her true calling was in human services, Dawn turned to Housatonic Community College (HCC) in the early 1990’s to help her achieve her goal. She began by enrolling in HCC’s then brand new certificate program and graduated with a Certification in Mental Health. The program required its students to participate in work internships and Dawn was able to obtain the “real world experiences” she needed to confirm her new career path. Determined to acquire more skills, Dawn entered and graduated from HCC’s Associate Degree program that in turn enabled her to successfully complete an accelerated BS degree in Human Services from Springfield College. As Dawn continued to advance professionally, she prepared herself for her increased responsibilities by obtaining a more advanced degree, first her MSW degree from Southern Connecticut State University and later her license LMSW.

Dawn is a living example of the power of community colleges to leverage the talent and determination of their students and to equip them to become leaders in their profession and their community. Today Dawn is a highly respected executive and community leader who is recognized for her professional contributions especially services for at-risk youth, and for her commitment to the mission of LifeBridge, which is to empower people of all ages to build a brighter future.

John Evanich

Mr. Evanich is a CPA and Tax Partner with the firm of J.H. Cohn, LLP in Glastonbury. After completing more than 50% of his undergraduate education at HCC, he made a "seamless transition," transferring his credits to the University of Bridgeport and earning his B.S. in Accounting, Cum Laude, in 1974. In 1982 he completed his course work and received an M.S. in Taxation from Pace University in New York. 

In 2003, Mr. Evanich served as president of the Connecticut Society of CPAs, a professional organization with more than 6,000 members. "My entire professional career was a direct result of the opportunity afforded me by Housatonic Community College." he says. During his tenure as president, Mr. Evanich, the first community college graduate to attain the status of President in the history of the organization, succeeded in convincing the CSCPA Educational Trust Fund to offer scholarships to graduating community college students. 

Through the years, Mr. Evanich has found opportunities to mentor youth through job shadowing, Junior Achievement, church programs and as a member of Housatonic Community College's Advisory Council. As a member of the professional and business community he had an opportunity to testify at legislative hearings and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means on behalf of small businesses and individual taxpayers. He is a contributing author of "Starting a Small Business in Connecticut" through the Community Accounting Aid Services, Inc. 

Mr. Evanich and his wife of 35 years, Barbara, have three children and four grandsons. Speaking of his induction into the "Alumni Hall of Fame," he reiterated his belief that Housatonic Community College was "absolutely critical to my achievements…"

Charlene Labate Santoro

Charlene (Charlie) Santoro received her Associate Degree in Accounting and the Accounting Accomplishment Award at Housatonic Community College in 1999. This was the beginning of a long and well-conceived plan that brought her to her current position as a CPA and Manager at BlumShapiro & Co. in Shelton. "HCC was the launching pad that gave me the foundation to keep moving forward," she says. After completing her studies at HCC, Ms. Santoro went on to earn a BS in Financial Accounting at the University of New Haven in 2002 and an MBA in Finance in 2004. Describing herself as proactive, positive and persistent, Ms. Santoro adds that she earned her BS and MBA while working full-time and being a single mother. In addition, she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa International Honor Society in 1998 and received the Danny Washington Scholarship for Academic Achievement and Community Service in 2001.

Ms. Santoro cited Professor John Tiber at HCC for helping her achieve academically and gain confidence in her abilities. "He was a master at gently pulling comments out of me and before long he couldn't keep me quiet if he tried," she said. The self-assurance built during those years was a steppingstone to opening doors later in her professional career. 

Although time has always been in short supply, Ms. Santoro manages to add community service to her list of accomplishments. She currently volunteers with the School Volunteer Association of Bridgeport as a member of the Board of Directors' Finance Committee.

"The Distinguished Alumni Award is a wonderful surprise and an honor to me, my family and my firm, BlumShapiro," she said. "... my family was there with me along the way," she added saying that her two teenage sons are planning to attend HCC to get their start. 

Mary Ann Vlahac

Mary Ann Vlahac lives her family philosophy that "education is the key to the doorway of life... learning a skill, contributing to the community..." through her professional and volunteer careers. Her induction into the "Alumni Hall of Fame" reaffirms her lifelong belief in education and community service.

After completing her Associate Degree at HCC, Ms.Vlahac transferred her credits to UCONN where she earned a BS. She then earned an MBA and completed her work toward a doctoral degree in Service Marketing. Now, along with her position as Marketing Director at Sikorsky Financial Credit Union, a cooperative not-for-profit, she has come "home" as an adjunct professor at HCC. Along with the satisfaction of sharing her skills and experience in her classes, "I...continuously learn from my students," she says. Thirty-five years after she graduated from HCC she says, "the circle is complete as I now share my business experiences with HCC students."

"You can take me out of Bridgeport, but you can't take Bridgeport out of me," says Ms.Vlahac, who was raised in a multi-generational household on the west side of Bridgeport. Family values and community values coincide in her professional and volunteer life within the greater Bridgeport and Stratford areas. She is a member of the Stratford Rotary Club who takes the organization's motto "service above self" to heart. Ms.Vlahac takes every opportunity to share her knowledge and ability as a mentor and adviser as an Ementor at Bunnell High School in Stratford, a counselor through the Women's Business Development Center, and a volunteer for a variety of Rotary programs. In 2009, she created and coordinated a program with the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and Stratford and Bunnell High Schools to teach Financial Literacy as a career choice for seniors. The same program was provided to Oxford High School. 

As a student, teacher, community member and family member Ms. Vlahac says her parents taught her to do her best. Now, she says, "I'm sure they are saying "she's done her best" right now."

“All biographical information is based on the inductee’s resume at the time of induction”

Janet L. Janczewski

Janet L. Janczewski is the retired Senior Corporate Counsel and Secretary for The Southern Connecticut Gas Company and Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation.  “HCC provided me with the opportunity to begin my journey into higher education while raising a family.  It provided me with an environment and flexibility at a cost I could manage,” said Mrs. Janczewski.  After graduating from HCC, she went on to Sacred Heart University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. Degree.  From there, she was off to the University of Bridgeport School of Law, where she was awarded the Juris Prudence Award for Ethics and received her J.D., magna cum laude.  She is a member of the Connecticut, New York and Florida Bar Associations.  

Frances M. Newby

Reflecting on her start at HCC, Ms. Newby noted, “HCC gave me the confidence I needed to pursue learning at the college level, because at the time, I did not think I was college material.”  Frances M. Newby is the Chief Human Resource Officer for Southwest Community Health Center, an $18 million non-profit organization she helped to establish.  She has been with the Health Center for more than 17 years as a board member and then an additional 16 years, building the Human Resource Department.  After graduation from HCC with an Associate in Science degree in Urban Assistance Studies, Ms. Newby earned her B.S. in Social Work from Sacred Heart University and her Master’s in Counseling from the University of Bridgeport.   She is known as a “catalyst for change” and has worked with numerous community agencies in the Bridgeport area.  

David Peck

Since his graduation from Housatonic Community College, Chief David Peck has had an outstanding career serving the Greater Bridgeport Community as Chief of Police of Fairfield. Starting as a patrol officer, Chief Peck worked his way up through the ranks of the Department serving in nearly every capacity and ultimately the position of Chief. After Housatonic, he continued his education at the University of New Haven, as well as many specialized schools, including the prestigious FBI National Academy Program and their Leadership Institute. Chief Peck retired from the Fairfield Police Department after a long and distinguished career serving the citizens of southwestern Connecticut. Housatonic Community College should be proud of such an outstanding alumnus.

“All biographical information is based on the inductee’s resume at the time of induction”

Patricia J. Foley

Ms. Foley is the owner of her own accounting business – Patricia J. Foley, CPA.  Her start was at HCC, where she earned her Associate of Science degree in Accounting. She later received her B.S. in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University, and her MBA from the University of Hartford.  Ms. Foley belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Women’s Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.  She is active in a number of numerous civic organizations and clubs, including Friends of Connecticut Libraries and the American Library Association. 

Fernando Goncalves Rosa

Mr. Rosa is Deputy Director of HEDCO, Inc., which provides area small businesses with alternative financing and additional support. He earned his Associate Degree in General Studies at HCC, then went on to Central Connecticut State University where he received his B.S. in Accounting.  Mr. Rosa currently serves as Chairman of the Board of PALCUS, the Portuguese American Leadership Council; as Connecticut Director for the Portuguese American Citizenship Project; and as a Director of the Portuguese Foundation.  In addition, he serves on the Newington Development Commission and gives his time to Capital Workforce Partners, where he is a Director. 

Nancy L. Sidoti

Ms. Sidoti was Dean of University College at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Prior to that, she served as assistant registrar and admissions coordinator for the University's Stamford campus, and as the first director of admissions for University College when it was founded in 1998. Ms. Sidoti earned her Associate of Science degree at HCC, then went on to Sacred Heart University, where she received her B.S. and Master of Arts in Teaching. She has been involved in a number of business organizations, including the Society for Human Resource Management, the American Society for Training and Development, the American Management Association and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. Ms. Sidoti is a volunteer docent at the Perry House in Stratford; a volunteer with Smile Awhile - a program that provides entertainment to residents of area nursing homes. She also coordinates activities for the Sacred Heart Association of Retired Professionals. 

“All biographical information is based on the inductee’s resume at the time of induction”

The guest speaker for the evening was Adam Steltzner, Lead Landing Engineer of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover Project

As chief engineer and development manager for the Mars Science Laboratory focused on entry descent and landing phase, Adam Steltzner’s job was to ensure that the intricately designed NASA Mars rover vehicle, Curiosity, landed safely. Steltzner was in charge of all the mechanical engineering elements of entry, descent and landing for the Mars Exploration Rovers. In 2004, he was among the scientists and engineers featured on the NOVA episode “MARS Dead or Alive,” which chronicled the process that ultimately delivered the rovers Spirit and Opportunity to Mars.
(View the episode at www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/mars/program.html.)

According to Steltzner, his educational history was “a little rocky”, as he says he had a “lack of focus in high school”. After finding inspiration at The College of Marin, a Community College located in the San Francisco Bay Area, his perspective on learning drastically changed. Steltzner remembers his community college days “being quite awesome”, as he felt it was here that he was able to give in to the curiosity that had always been inside of him. He took classes from professors who were passionate about what they taught. The enthusiasm he saw in his educators influenced him to want to learn more - so much so that he started to consider a career as a community college professor. It was his time at College of Marin that propelled him forward to pursue higher education and helped to get him to where he is today.

Steltzner, who has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Davis and a master’s degree from the California Institute of Technology, says today’s engineers must think critically to extend their skills and influence outside their area of specific expertise.

Now, he and his team design, build, and fly the systems that, at 50 miles above Mars, will slow the new rover from a speed of nearly 15,000 miles per hour and deliver it safely to the planet’s surface. “The technical job of designing and developing these complex engineering systems is challenging and very rewarding to me,” says Steltzner. “There are very few days when I don’t have a moment or two to think as hard as I possibly can. I like that.”

Deloris Dail Curtis

Deloris Dail Curtis, a 1979 Housatonic Community College Honors Graduate, has been at the helm of the Admissions Office at the college as Director of Admissions since 1988. Her professional career began at Housatonic in 1986 as an Admissions Counselor and then Acting Director of Admissions in 1987. She is the first female and African-American to have held that position and has been instrumental in helping the college achieve its mission of providing access to higher education for Connecticut residents.

Deloris’ educational accomplishments include a B.S. in Human Services from New Hampshire College (Magna Cum Laude); an MS in Counseling/Personnel Work in Higher Education from the University of Bridgeport (Cum Laude); a Certificate in Management for Women in Higher Education from Wellesley College (MA) She has also been a Licensed Professional Counselor certified by the Connecticut Board for Certification of Professional Counselors, Inc., since 1994.

Academic, professional and community awards and achievements received during my tenure at the college include a Sabbatical to Review Best Practices on Recruitment, Enrollment and Partnership Programs in Community Colleges; a conference presentation on “Successful Partnership Programs and Including Diversity in the Curriculum”; profiles in Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and in America’s Outstanding Names and Faces; Employee’s Recognition Award for 20 years of Service; Certificate of Achievement from Rutgers University’s Summer Institute for Union Women; Certificate of Completion from the Center for Women and Families for “Battered Women’s Rape Crisis Counselor Certification Training; Certificate of Recognition for Leadership in the community from the Commissioner of Higher Education for being Advisor to the Black Student Union at Housatonic; Volunteer of the Year Award from the Multicultural Magnet school, Bridgeport; a Volunteer award from the School Volunteer Association for being a mentor of CATCH (Caring Adults Touching Children’s Hearts – a program for tutoring and mentoring young children ); a Corporate Award for Dedicated Services to the Community from WIAAGB (West Indian American Association of Greater Bridgeport); and, most recently, was recognized by the Greater Bridgeport Club of the National Association of Negro and Business & Professional Women’s Club, Inc. as Inspirational Woman for 2011.

Deloris has been active in advocating for faculty and staff interests at the college in various roles including ACL vice-president, 4Cs presidential aide and chapter chair. She has also served as the Grand Marshall at the College’s Commencement Exercises for more than 20 years – a role she is honored to have

Leona May

Leona May is employed by Federal OSHA since 1990. While a compliance officer in the field, she covered safety and industrial hygiene. She worked in general industry, construction and maritime industries. In 2001, she was promoted to Complience Assistant Specialist, involved soley in nin-enforcement activities. Her audiences cover a wide spectrum of groups ranging from students to professionals. She graduated in 1990 from the University of New Haven with a BS in Occupational Safety and Health. Leona graduated from Housatonic Community College in 1971 and 1986.

In 2012, she received the Government Advocacy Award from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton, CT.

Linda Bayusik

Linda Bayusik maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and graduated from Housatonic Community College in 1996 with an Associate Degree with a major in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Communications and Journalism. While at HCC, Linda received the Board of Trustees Medallion, the Academic Dean’s Award, the Dale Ward Scholarship Award, the Connecticut Post Award and the Journalism/Horizons Award. She was also named a Housatonic Scholar, became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Society and was listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.
In 1997, Linda began working at HCC as the Events Coordinator and started attending UCONN (Stamford). She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies with a focus in Communications and Writing. While there, she was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society.
In 2009, Linda became Director of Student Activities at HCC. She served on the HCC Foundation board as a member and executive officer, and is now a board member emeritus. She also helped coordinate numerous fundraisers including the last three Alumni Hall of Fame Galas.

Linda has been, and continues to be, very active in the community. She volunteered for Make America Better, the Salvation Army, the Thomas Merton House and Habitat for Humanity. As a member of Black Rock Church, she helped with a house-build project for the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Bridgeport; served on the Women’s Ministry; and currently serves on the Care Ministries.

Linda says, however, that her most important volunteer work is that which she does for children with cancer, providing various means of support to them and their families. She attends childhood cancer awareness events and was the lead organizer of this year’s St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser, “Line of Hope Connecticut.” She is an outreach volunteer for Patient Airlift Services, and for the Rhode Island Blood Center, assisting with bone marrow drives in Connecticut.

Linda, and her husband David of 43 years, reside in Bridgeport, and have three married children: Charlene Santoro and David Bayusik of Shelton, and Bryan Bayusik of Beacon Falls. They have six grandchildren: Jake, Anthony, David, Logan, Brandon and Rylee. Linda’s hobbies include boating, line dancing and spending time with her family.

Paul Piorek

The value of hard work is something most students at Housatonic Community College understand, none more than Paul Piorek, who worked long, overnight shifts as a disk jockey in order to pay his tuition at HCC and advance his dream to work in electronic media. Paul maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and graduated from HCC with an Associate of Science Degree in General Studies, then went on to earn his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Secondary Education/English at Southern Connecticut State University.

For the last 23 three years, Paul has put his education to the test as the Television Weathercaster for News 12 Connecticut/Cablevision in Norwalk, where he has become a favorite on-air personality with viewers. His determination to keep abreast of the latest technology as it relates to meteorology has kept him at the forefront of his career. His efforts have not gone unnoticed. He is a four-time winner of the Connecticut Associated Press Broadcasters’ Association “Best Weathercast” Award, an Emmy award winner for television weather at the 50th annual National Association of Television Arts & Sciences awards banquet in New York, and has been voted Best Local TV Personality. Paul is also a very active member of the community. He has served as Master of Ceremonies or Moderator for dozens of charity, community and sports events, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Fairfield Special Olympics, and Bridgeport’s Foster & Adoptive Care Community Forum. He has also been recognized for his years of dedicated service to people with special needs.

According to Paul, his greatest achievement (and joy!) has been the adoption years ago of his two sons, Billy and Eric, who graduated from high school and middle school respectively this year. (Paul is one of only a handful of single men who have adopted on their own.)

He and his sons live in Fairfield, where they enjoy, among many other activities, the entire HO-scale railroad village Paul built in their basement.

Kevin Russo

Kevin Russo serves as Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney for the State of Connecticut, with primary responsibility for supervising law enforcement officers during the pre and post-arrest phase of investigation involving some of the most serious cases within the jurisdiction. Additionally, he is the Chief Administrative Assistant for all criminal matters within the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford.

Kevin is a true HCC success story, but things did not start out so easily for him. As a child, Kevin had a debilitating speech impediment, made worse by bullying, which led to feelings of low self-esteem and ultimately conditioned his decision to bypass college for a career as a laborer. But at age 23, he made the life-altering decision to give academia a second chance and enrolled at HCC. It almost didn’t work: the mis-matching of him with a professor who couldn’t see Kevin’s potential almost brought his college days to an end. Fortunately, the intervention of Mary Eady, a Special Services Coordinator at HCC, got him back on track.

In 1986, Kevin earned his Associate in Science Degree. He progressed to Southern Connecticut State University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics. In 1991, he earned his Juris Doctor in Law from Western New England College School of Law.

Upon passing the Connecticut Bar, Kevin accepted a position as a professional writer with Connecticut Legal Research. He vowed then that he would apply to HCC as an adjunct professor to complete the circle that began with the short sighted professor telling him he could not write, and ended with his successful return to HCC as an adjunct professor, teaching Macroeconomic Theory and Application.

In addition to his high profile law career and his teaching, Kevin is a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation; speaks on juvenile crime; and managed a “Scare Them Straight” program through Milford Superior Court. He was the recipient of the Trio Achievement Award sponsored by the National Council of Educational Opportunity Associations. Previously he managed a slow-pitch softball team that dedicated its entire season to raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and because of those efforts, was honored by Parade magazine.

Kevin lives in Shelton with his wife Deborah Doyle Russo, and their three children: Rylee, and twins Ryan and Olivia. 

“All biographical information is based on the inductee’s resume at the time of induction”