»ĘÉ«Ö±²„

Alumni Life

Flash Mob

James Antonczak, BA ā€™80When the Antonczak family gets together for a family reunion, the theme is always the sameā€”blue and gold. This flock of Flashes includes seven members who are all »ĘÉ«Ö±²„ alumni, including three who married other Flashes.

Parents James Antonczak, BA ā€™80, and Michelle (Cligrow) Antonczak, BSN ā€™81, Olmsted Twp., Ohio, met their first week at »ĘÉ«Ö±²„ in 1976 at an ice cream social during freshman orientation. Michelle was playing the piano when James walked over and told her she was a lovely pianist. Thirty-five years later, they are still a happy ā€œKiss on the Kā€ couple.

James and Michelleā€™s son, Andrew Antonczak, BS ā€™08, met his future wife, Lisa (Thumm) Antonczak, BSN ā€™10, at the Zephyr Pub on a blind date in 2007 set up by a mutual friend while they were both in school. They were married in 2012. Lisa is a nurse practitioner and Andy is a pilot for Spirit Airlines, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The Antonczakā€™s daughter, Andrea (Antonczak) Tyrell, BSE ā€™15, met her husband, Matthew Tyrell, BBA ā€™15, at »ĘÉ«Ö±²„, as well. They met online when Andrea noticed a picture of Matt sitting in a »ĘÉ«Ö±²„ airplane. (Brother Andrew was Mattā€™s flight instructor.) Their first date was at Taco Tontoā€™s, topped off by the visit to the Victory Bell on the KSU Commons. Both graduated in 2015 and were married in 2016. Andrea is a childrenā€™s book author, and she and Matthew are also both employed at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Finally, Jamesā€™s brother, John Antonczak, BS ā€™66, was a proud KSU alum who worked for more than 40 years as an aeronautical engineer in General Electricā€™s Aircraft division, before passing away in 2018.

The Antonczak family still enjoys participating in activities at »ĘÉ«Ö±²„ā€”walking the grounds of the Kent Campus, visiting facilities like the May 4 Center and joining in on university events like the Bowmen Cup 5K. This family is the epitome of ā€œFlashes Forever.ā€ā€”Deb McGuinness, BA ā€™78

Flash Mob | Stamp of Approval? | Cupid Hits the Bullseye  | Golden Years | Speaking Up for Infants | Fellowship in Fashion | "Voice of Mission Control" | Class Notes

POSTED: Friday, October 25, 2019 11:17 AM
UPDATED: Friday, September 20, 2024 12:22 AM