Alumni Announcements | Winter 2026

Published Feb 17, 2026 by
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Check out these announcements and notes from our CFAC alumni. If you are an alum with news and information to share with us, please complete our short form. We would love to get back in touch with you!

 

Later in the spring we will further celebrate the seven recipients from CFAC who will receive the 40 Under 40 Leadership Award from the ECU Alumni Association, and presented by ECU Health. Congratulations to:

  • Miller Diaz-Cobo ’15 – BS in Communication
  • Katie Dodge Gillis ’15 – BS in Communication
  • Kateryna Kosolapova ’20 – BS in Communication
  • Larissa Liles ’11 – BFA in Dance Performance
  • Nina Rose ’10 – BS in Communication
  • Mallory Strange ’17 – BS in Communication
  • Kate Oliphant ’16 – Master of Music Performance

Andy Farkas, who earned his BFA at ECU, spent time with printmaking students in Fall 2025, offering a public artist talk about his work, and creating prints and engaging with students and faculty in the printmaking studio at Jenkins Fine Arts Center. Farkas is a printmaker and graphic designer based in Asheville, specializing in the traditional Japanese water-based technique called Mokuhanga.

Alexandra (Fee) Krzyzewski ’19, who earned a degree in vocal performance, voice and opera, is now the Major Gifts Officer for The Metropolitan Opera. She is one of three School of Music alumni who currently work with the organization. That also includes Kate Avery ’12 and ’15, the Met’s Rehearsal Department Manager, and Deborah Nansteel, a mezzo soprano artist.

Amanda Miller ’06 and ’07, and Jessica Nottingham ’06 and ’08, both School of Communication graduates, were in the group of 2025 Leo Jenkins Society inductees. The annual celebration was held Dec. 10, where 25 donors were honored for their planned gifts and commitment to the institution’s future.

Kathee Brown Staton ’85 and ’88, a Health and Human Performance and CFAC theatre graduate, published a book of poetry. Called “kathee’s klassics,” she brought a signed copy to the School of Theatre and Dance.

Kristalyn Gill ’17 performed alongside Hugh Jackman in his live, Radio City Music Hall, concert series, “Hugh Jackman: From New York, With Love.” Kristalyn was part of the Honors College and received dual degrees in dance performance (BFA) and interpersonal/organizational communication (BS).

Roberta Fountain ’79 is an Emmy-award winning documentary producer. Since receiving theatre arts (drama/speech) and ECU Thomas Harriot College of Arts & Sciences psychology degrees, she has been involved in various aspects of video production, working as a director and videographer. She splits her time between Richmond, Virginia and her hometown of Jacksonville, North Carolina. We were thrilled to chat with Roberta on her recent stop into the ECU School of Theatre and Dance for a visit during Fall 2025. 
A man sits at a low table in a classroom studio, using blue ink on a wood block to create a print.

Printmaking alum Andy Farkas