Alumni News

About An Editor

Lisa Balschunat (left) and her “forever friend,” Jacqueline LaChance McKeon, in April 2015.

On November 21, 2018, former Tangerine editor Jacqueline LaChance McKeon ’84 passed away at her home in Chatham, New York, after a brief illness, with her children, Maura and Jack, by her side. She was 56.

Her friend and fellow Tangerine staffer, Lisa Penzotti Balschunat ’85, wrote this piece in her honor:

I met Jackie at a Tangerine kick-off meeting in 1983. Little did I know our simple “hello” would blossom into a 35-year friendship.

The summer prior to her freshman year, Jackie wanted to delay attending UC because her father unexpectedly died in her arms in her backyard. Jackie was an only child and did not want to leave her mother alone, but her mom insisted that her daughter “get packing” for the fall semester.

Jackie arrived at UC a bit fragile, but ready to delve into the rigors of journalism under the tutelage of Professors Jack Behrens, Ray Simon, Kim Landon, and Bob Baber. She drafted and edited news articles with fellow students, clicking away on manual typewriters—stories about everything from Professor Scott MacDonald’s provocative Film Series to the value of NCAA Division I Athletics on campus. Jackie accepted the position of editor for her senior year. She led the newspaper staff with a strong sense of responsibility and a great sense of humor, never missing Thursday’s publication deadline or pub night.

Throughout her professional career, Jackie was a consummate wordsmith. She could extract facts for a front-page news story quickly and succinctly. She wrote feature articles that intricately described an experience that kept readers engaged. Her articles were often juxtaposed with photographs she shot to further capture a story.

A voracious reader and collector of novels, Jackie was the only person I’ve ever known who packed two suitcases for a vacation—one for clothes, the other for books. Jackie had a zest for life and a curiosity that led to self-discovery and new adventures. We’d be chatting over coffee, and I’d learn that she’d taken up knitting, loom weaving, then rug hooking. She’d be off to a spin class, yoga session, or planning the next family vacation. She always found something new and interesting to do in between the daily routine.

It is an understatement to say Jackie loved hosting parties. She would often fill her home with good food and drink, flowers, candles and music to celebrate a special occasion— or just because it was Friday.

When faced with life’s challenges, Jackie found ways to work through the struggles and remain grateful for her family, friends, and faith. She never lost sight of simple joys. Planting tulip bulbs. Picking apples. Stacking a woodpile. Cutting a Christmas tree. Embracing an ocean sunset. Breathing in the fragrance of spring lilacs.

Jackie was a strong woman who loved deeply and lived passionately. She was my beautiful friend who had a beautiful heart. Cheers to a life well-lived.

Cracking Down on College Admissions Cheating

When the college admissions scandal broke in mid-March, celebrities like Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman weren’t the only names making headlines. Laura Smith ’03 was the FBI agent leading the investigation.

On March 12, Special Agent Smith filed the affidavit charging more than 50 people in connection with the years-long scam. Smith, a graduate of UC’s Economic Crime Investigation program, interviewed witnesses, investigated bank records, e-mails, cell site data, and other materials to uncover the scheme, according to the Washington Post.

Smith joined the FBI in 2010 as a forensic accountant conducting complex financial investigations. She is currently a special agent on a squad that investigates economic crimes, including various forms of corporate fraud, securities fraud and bribery.

Woman’s Best Friend

Alexandra Carletta '13 with Arko and another colleague

When Alexandra Carletta ’13 visited campus in February, she had her partner, Arko, in tow. Carletta is an officer for the City of Rome, New York, Police Department, and her K9 companion helps with scent tracking, crowd control, and narcotic searches.

A Meaningful Milestone

Utica College's Black Student Union

Black Students Union Celebrates 50 Years

One of Utica College’s oldest and most enduring student organizations celebrated a milestone this spring.

The Black Students Union celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1.

The BSU was founded on May 1, 1969, three years after a group of 20 students came together in the height of the Civil Rights Movement to form its ancestor organization, United Students. By the spring of 1970, BSU was recognized as an official campus organization, warranting its first-ever picture in the UC Yearbook, Annales.

On April 24, former BSU members Ronald Spratling ’71, Janice Miles ’74, Oliver Perry ’74, and Ci Ci Holloway ’79 returned to campus to discuss the black student experience at UC – and how the determination of the BSU’s founders paved the way for future generations.

“Change began very, very slowly. But it did begin,” says Spratling, pictured here (row 3, second from left).

Utica College will commemorate the anniversary of the BSU this fall.