Class Notes

VOLUME 44.3 | SPRING 2023

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1950s

1951

“One knows one has entered the stage of life called ‘extreme’ old age when the daily obituaries, with rare exceptions, are all of persons younger than oneself. How does it feel to be so old? It feels as if the mass of the earth and with it the pull of gravity were gently but inexorably increasing. In spite of age, however, I’m still exercising the intellectual skills acquired at Kenyon more than 70 years ago, especially the ability, picked up from professors Philip Blair Rice and Virgil C. Aldrich, to analyze a philosophical argument and the ability, acquired in three years of study and practice, to read Greek. Speciﬁcally, I’m currently co-editing a Festschrift of papers on Plato, Aristotle and Epicurus, honoring the distinguished philosophical career of one of my dissertation students, Fred D. Miller. My own paper in this collection will surely be my swan song. Living into a 10th decade seems to require dumb luck as much as anything else, beginning with the luck of being born with good genes to attentive parents. Another bit of my dumb luck was join-ing the Archon Society and moving from Old Kenyon into the army barracks that initially housed the Society, thus avoiding the terrible ﬁre that destroyed Old Kenyon in the winter of 1949. A good friend, Ernest Ahwajee, remained in Old Kenyon and never woke up the morning of the ﬁre. In thinking of Kenyon I always think of the luck that allowed me to have a long and productive life and cut short the life of my friend.”

— David A. Keyt, Tucson, Arizona

1952

“All’s quiet on the home front. Just satisﬁed with enjoy-ing such luxuries as a steaming hot cup of morning coffee while reading the Times on my Apple phone; a good, long shower while listening to folk songs like “Annie Laurie,” learned long ago in elementary school; a short half-mile outing on my walker under clear blue skies on a cool summer morning; and, now and then, a surprise call from an old high school, Kenyon or Army buddy. And to top it off, a sound, mostly pain-free night’s sleep. Take care, old friends, and good health to you one and all!”

— Allen B. Ballard Jr., Clifton Park, New York

1954

“It has been a good year. In June, Barbara and I celebrated our 67th anniversary. In July, the clan gathered to celebrate my 90th birthday. In September, our ﬁrst great-grandchild was born. Life is good!”

— John T. Seaman Jr., Barrington, Illinois

1956

John G. Hartong, Crystal River, Florida, reminisced about a Spanish professor, Dr. “Fauncie” Ashford: “Psi Upsilon ﬁnally initiated him, so he gave B’s to pledges and A’s to initiated members!”

1959

Raymond L. Brown, Hadley, Massachusetts, enjoyed the fall soccer season, doing the rankings for the boys’ prep soccer league (50 teams) and the girls’ prep soccer league (42 teams). Ray is also an observer of officials for the local soccer officials organization. “The two-acre lawn also must also be mowed,” he noted. “No Florida any-more during the winter — so snow shoveling will be fun?”

1959

Robert J. Clawson, Acton, Massachusetts, described his September poetry reading, Bob’s ﬁrst in public since July 2019. “At a Boston art gallery, I encountered a surprisingly large and intensely engaged audience of mixed ages whose enthusiasm reaffirmed my hope for the Kenyon-inspired love of the genre I’ve fostered for the past 65 years.”

1959

“Now some years past usefulness to my fellow man as a physician and limited from most close physical contacts by a terminal disease, I still have a strong desire to do something useful and helpful to others other than being a good husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend. Perhaps I am being too ambitious here. It just occurred to me that these thoughts might not be unique to me, so I am sharing them with you. What else can or should one do near the end of one’s useful life, I am wondering? Or is it enough for one to simply say, ‘Thanks for the memories’?
”

— Richard A. Dickey, Hickory, North Carolina

1959

Alan S. Loxterman, Richmond, Virginia, remembers Kenyon professors whose varied teaching styles inﬂuenced his own. “Also lingering in memory are conversations about literature and life with Kenyon graduate John Clarke, an older returning veteran (and poet). My master’s during the notoriety of ‘(University of) Chicago critics’ began a particular interest in literary criticism. After a doctorate in English and undergraduate teaching at the Ohio State University, I attracted English majors using multiple cultural theories applicable to science ﬁction.” This year, Alan will self-publish “Frankenstein’s Children,” a book for an online audience of current students and the Kenyon-curious. “After 38 years of teach-ing at the University of Richmond, Virginia, I still proﬁt from deep friendship: contact with former students who continue to challenge and conﬁrm that some-one still listens!”

1959

“After 10 years teaching Latin as an adjunct at Middle Tennessee State University — preceded by 34 years as a classics professor in New Jersey — I have a young colleague who could take over next fall. I would just reappear if he needed a hand or if I was teaching some-thing not on the regular schedule. Almost time to hang it up.
”

— Fred C. Mench, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

1959

“Our Proud Patriots Political Action Committee continues to gain more and more members, I’m proud to say, as vice president for membership. Virginia politics seems to take up more of my time, cutting into our enjoyment on the lake with our antique boats. Still grateful for all Kenyon did for me in fostering clear thinking and commitment to excellence.”

— Roger C. Smith, Moneta, Virginia

1960s

1960

“I remain happily retired after many years as a professor of English and ﬁlm studies at the University of Rochester. I am a widower with three children and six grandchildren. I am, so far at least, still vertical, more or less compos mentis, reasonably presentable, spend most of my time reading, writing, gardening, going to movies, playing tennis when I can. For more than 35 years I was the ﬁlm critic for a local weekly alternative newspaper here in Rochester, as well as serving the same role for our local NPR station. I continue to write about ﬁlm and other subjects, and now and then contribute to a blog I have maintained for several years.”

— George Grella, Rochester, New York

1960

Brent E. Scudder, New London, New Hampshire, describes storm-chasing in Tornado Alley for the last ﬁve years. “Last spring, I was staying at a motel in the eastern part of Wichita, Kansas. All indicators for a tornado that day lay in southeastern Nebraska. I raced up there only to ﬁnd that a large tornado hit Andover, Kansas, which was only six miles from my morning motel in Wichita.”

1961

“Our big news is that we are moving to Prince Edward Island to be closer to Lynda’s family. It is quite a transition after living in Ottawa for over 50 years. Moving is a nuisance. However, there are beneﬁts, such as getting rid of piles of useless junk. As well, Charlottetown is a lovely small town with good bookstores, pubs and seafood restaurants. I’ll survive.”

— Robert D. Hoge, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

1962

John F. Binder, Los Angeles, published “Who Needs Heaven?” (available on Amazon), a memoir that includes stories of working closely with Paul Newman. “Newman’s work on his lines was surprising,” John remembers. “He didn’t act much. He would just sort of feel out his lines. He’d take them apart. He’d read or recite a few words, then fall silent and move his head a bit or look up and smile, maybe. He broke the lines into pieces. He’d mutter about what he might do here or there. He’d ask me to read a line again for him, so he could hear it. I was fascinated, but I must confess, the ﬁrst day we did this, after half an hour’s halting work, I thought to myself, ‘Can this guy act? Where’s Paul Newman? Where’s “Fast Eddie” Felson, my favorite. Where’s Hud? Where’s Cool Hand Luke?’ Of course, that was silly. When he reassembled all those bits and pieces, pauses and looks at the camera, ‘Paul Newman’ materialized.” Newman was no spoiled movie star, John recalls. “He was decent to everybody. When someone showed up on set to interview him or talk other business, he would turn on ‘Paul Newman’ like a light switch.”

1962

“I’m back in my house in Plevna, Ontario. It’s just a 15-minute drive to the family cottage on a lake which we’ve owned since 1945. We’ve spent a lot of time maintaining it and recently renovating it after a devastating windstorm last May. I’ve maintained ties with my former place of residence in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, by taking part in concert choirs and entering oil paintings in local art shows.”

— Samuel W. Corbin

1962

“Several of you guys from the Class of 1962 have met my life partner, Dick Hanna, at Kenyon events, the last being our 60th. On July 1, Dick passed away unexpectedly in Chicago at our summer condo. Dick fully appreciated my devotion to Kenyon, visiting with me several times.”

— Byron S. Dunham, Savannah, Georgia

1962

“When COVID ﬁrst came to our hamlet in 2020, I volunteered as a retired physician to help out at the local hospital. But they didn’t want me — said I was too old and not healthy enough. So instead, I made a memorial for our neighbors who had been emotionally and physically affected by this horrible pandemic by carving sculptures from old black walnut and cherry trees that had fallen on our farm in the tornado of 2018. I arranged 35 of these sculptures in the hayloft of our old Dutch barn into a ‘forest’ in which my neighbors could reﬂect on what had happened to them and others in this time of sorrow.”

— Patrick Eggena, Carmel, New York

1962

“Marcia and I took a long-deferred car trip up the East Coast from Miami to Boston. Stops included St. Augustine, our nation’s oldest city — 1565 — where the Alligator Farm is a must; Charleston, bustling with Gen-Zers and top-notch restaurants; St. James, North Carolina, where golfers are only outnumbered by loblolly pines; and Washington, D.C., for a brief visit with Richard D. “Dick” Spero, my freshman roomie, and his wife, Irene. On this dazzlingly scenic route we felt welcome everywhere by towns-people, but it felt like a political jigsaw journey, with deeply conﬂicting partisan views that from region to region mirror a very divided nation. The solutions will have to come from the hopefully patient and enlightened generations of Kenyon Owls who follow us.
”

— Richard A. Rubin, Mill Valley, California

1962

Robert K. “Kim” Stevens, San Pedro, California, shared an amazing tale of his days working in the U.S. Embassy in Rome during a hunt for an American general kidnapped by Italian terrorists. Kim writes that he met “the Pentagon Psychic,” a so-called clairvoyant the Defense Department hired to locate hostages. The psychic failed to locate the general, who was later rescued by more ordinary means: “When the Italian police, who had wasted millions of lire acting in good faith on this ‘intelligence,’ found out that that source was now stand-ing in front of them, we can say that their anger was expressed in extraordinary ways. The psychic was taken by the shoulders, driven to the airport and placed on the next plane out of Italy. I read months later in the Washington Post that the Pentagon had decided to desist from its ‘experimental use’ of ‘psychic intelligence.’ At the time, this was all very hush-hush. After more than 40 years, I think the story can be told, even though I have no official license to do so. All the principal actors in this scene are now dead, except for me.”

1962

Joseph B. Wharton, Mount Vernon, Ohio, says his update is as exciting as watching paint dry: “Quite literally the main event of the past year, as well as a once-in-a-lifetime event on the farm. Had the big hay barn painted red — ﬁrst paint in about 55 years. Writing the check was the exciting part!” Joe compared his stewardship of a historic structure to being a Boy Scout helping an old lady across the road. “Hate to see the grand old barns go down,” he added. “As some sage said, ‘Barns build houses, houses don’t build barns.’”

1963

“Our ﬁrst full year in SoCal has introduced us to many differences from our 35 years in central Oregon. We are learning to say, ‘Hey, how ’bout them Rams and Dodgers?’ in nine different languages. (Seriously, our utility bill is printed in nine languages.) Driving 80–85 mph keeps us up with the ﬂow of traffic on ‘the Five,’ which is the SoCal pronunciation for I-5. Except for during rush hour, when 5 mph is a good day. This year we plan to take up surﬁng.”

— Lester D. Alford, Fontana, California

1963

“Professionally it has been a very busy year. Our coating and laminating business has been very robust with substantial growth because of our Kenyon family, anchored by daughter Cynthia Frost ’84, son-in-law Richard C. Hoffman ’89 and most recently Alexander B. Hoffman ’20. My wife, Anne, continues to battle MS, and this occupies our time along with our beautiful gardens and my efforts to improve my golf game. See many Kenyon friends, particularly David D. Taft ’60!”

— Calvin S. Frost, Lake Forest, Illinois

1963

“While ﬁghting off cancer over the last year — so far, success-fully — I decided age 80 was the perfect time to earn a pilot’s license and buy a plane. Joy and I, along with canine Lola, now spend time with our amphibious ICON A5 aircraft brunching at remote airports, splash-ing in Florida lakes, and beaching on sugar-soft beaches. It’s cut into the glamping trips we take with our Airstream, but it certainly keeps us busy and active.”

— Richard F. Spinner, Sarasota, Florida

1964

Jeffrey C. Breaks, Gloucester Point, Virginia, appreciated the Bexley Hall article in the fall Bulletin. “It brought back memories. In September of 1960, I and about a dozen others were housed on the third ﬂoor of Bexley as an overﬂow dorm. Maids made our beds and tidied up — the last year for that! — and plenty of study rooms were on the ﬂoors below. The walk down Middle Path, even in the snow, was not bad at all! There were bats in the attic. Ledges outside the windows provided a convenient way to get from room to room if you didn’t want to use the hall. I took physics at Kenyon (before semiconductor chips), worked for 41 years in the aerospace and defense industries, and retired 17 years ago. I began volunteering at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia, going through old documents and doing other people’s taxes for free with the AARP Tax-Aide Program. I have also done four books on family ancestors and have three more to go.”

1964

Michael E. Reed, Chicago, reports that he has left the practice of law after a 52-year career and is attempting to follow the admonition of John M. Capron to not “fail at retirement.” Mike resides in the Lincoln Park neighborhood close to the DePaul University campus, participates in several Chicago charitable organizations, and currently serves as board chair of a 200-bed hospital foundation.

1964

“In going through family records, I discovered that I am related to Rutherford B. Hays. His great-great-grand-father was Timothy Phelps, born about 1705, from whom I am directly descended.”

— Lloyd Saltus II, Sudbury, Massachusetts

1964

“In going through family records, I discovered that I am related to Rutherford B. Hays. His great-great-grand-father was Timothy Phelps, born about 1705, from whom I am directly descended.
”

— Lloyd Saltus II, Sudbury, Massachusetts

1965

Robin F. Goldsmith, Needham, Massachusetts, presented a keynote address titled “Beat Quality Backlash” at ASQ Boston’s Annual Quality Conference, BOSCON 2022, in November. Two decades ago, Robin chaired back-to-back record-attendance BOSCONs.

1965

“I’m now in a very nice retirement community. I teach classes and take classes with an older adult education program connected to the University of Denver. I teach a class called ‘Is America in Decline? Scholarship on the Rise and Fall of Civilizations and the Modern State.’ My history major returns with a vengeance. Yes, I think America is in decline — democracies don’t last much over 200 years. I still hike in the Colorado mountains and snowshoe in the winter.”

— Richard E. Passoth, Denver

1965

“After retiring from a long legal career, most recently as a consumer bankruptcy attorney, I am enjoying retirement in the over-55 community of Sun Lakes, where every amenity is covered. Life is good: playing bridge, swimming, water aerobics and tennis when able. I miss old-fashioned Kenyon life, where everything was so totally different than today. Current students would not understand.”

— Robert M. Vockrodt, Chandler, Arizona

1966

“I have fully retired from family medicine. Mae continues to practice law from home, office and condo, and we now are officially snowbirds. Mae’s firm has an office in Cape Coral, Florida, the location of our condo, so she takes her work with her. I like to say I am fully retired and my partner is fully employed! We both continue activity in the not-for-profit sector. I am getting over a total hip replacement and she a double meniscectomy — successfully, if slowly.”

— Frank B. “Burt” Dibble

1966

“Hay has been cut and bailed, temps are dropping, summer birds have left, and snow has already fallen in the mountains. While I continue to recover from cancer surgery a year ago, Gretchen and I are enjoying low-impact travel. We just returned from a week of boating, hiking and kayaking the San Juan Islands near Bellingham, Washington. Then Lareto, Mexico, for two weeks, followed by four nights at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful snow lodge at the end of January.”

— Richard T. Nolan, Red Lodge, Montana

1966

“My wife, Claudia, and I returned to Ohio for a weekend in September to attend the 60th reunion of my Parma Senior High School Class of 1962. We represented our good friend, the best man at our wedding, James W. Jarrett, now deceased. Jim and I were well-remembered for our many contributions to Parma High. It was a delight returning to the Buckeye State through the scenic mountains of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Claudia and I are doing well in retirement, enjoying gardening, National Theater productions, European river cruises and our annual retreat to Sint Maarten.”

— Gerald E. Reynolds, Fairfax, Virginia

1966

“On Mother’s Day our son, Johnny, told us that he, his wife, Liz, and their children Morgan and Jack were moving to Cleveland. We are thrilled that our grandchildren will be 12 minutes away. We are lucky to have a kid magnet in our 1-year-old black lab, Bubbles. All is well.”

— John A. Rutter Jr., Pepper Pike, Ohio

1966

Peter A. White spends the warmer months of the year in his Montana mountain cabin and the others in his Gambier home. “I appreciate both for many reasons,” he explains, “not least because of the College. My father’s family was from Mount Vernon, where I had good times as a kid and an endless supply of brownies from my grandmother when I was a Kenyon student. I also enjoy returning to Cleveland to enjoy the Art Museum and the Cleveland Orchestra, remnants of a lost prosperity but both thriving because they are very good.”

1967

Stephen W. Carmichael, Rochester, Minnesota, updates, “Susan and I have started traveling again. In June we took a cruise of the Baltic Sea.” Stephen photographed a plaque in Stockholm marking the spot where the Swedish Prime Minister, Olof Sven J. Palme ’48 was assassinated in 1986. “His assassin was never identified.”

1967

Stephen G. Stonehouse, Redondo Beach, California, is “back to the classroom with Naturalist Program and Reading Partners, so, busy with that. Spent 10 days in Ireland, which was terrific and included Olivia S. Stonehouse ’15, who finished her equine breeding program at Penn and heads to central New Jersey to work at a private equine hospital there.”

1968

“I was honored to join Brackett B. Denniston ’69 and Stuart Viscount Revo in saying a last and very affectionate farewell to Geoffrey R. Enck, the ‘Fat Fury.’ Lots of memories were shared — Fury would have denied all (with a smile!). The south end of the campus looks beautiful. Old Kenyon, Ascension, Hanna, et al. seem to have been sand-blasted ... but it might have been my bad vision.
”

— Richard H. Levey, Detroit

1968

William M. Northway, Frankfort, Michigan, explains how he and Paul H. Rigali Jr. first met in August 1964, both heading off early to their freshman year in hopes of making the varsity soccer team. “We both played soccer and lacrosse, both majored in biology, joined ADPhi and went into dentistry, specializing in orthodontics. We both became members of the E.H. Angle Society of Orthodontics and have made considerable contributions to the orthodontic literature. In September, Paul and I met at his incredible home in Vermont, where he hosted a gathering of fellow senior members of the Angle Society. We had as our special agenda scramble golf and the betterment of mankind. Even though we live 977 miles apart, it’s hard to have a much better friend; we thank Kenyon for that.”

1968

“In the last six months, my wife, Teri, and I have vacationed in Asheville and Charlottesville, both about four hours from home. The home at present is in a high state of disrepair — we’re adding a first-floor bedroom for what they call ‘aging in place.’ I’m still practicing law (military divorce issues), including teaching other lawyers and testifying as an expert witness. In September, I presented a three-hour program through Microsoft Teams to 80 military lawyers in Europe, including attorneys from Poland, the Netherlands and Italy. Our son and daughter are doing well, and we love seeing our 11-year-old granddaughter, Layla.”

— Mark E. Sullivan, Raleigh, North Carolina

1969

Steven C. Althoen, Dexter, Michigan, describes life at Kenyon in the fall of 1964. “Things went well for a time, with a room at 27 Lewis Hall and dinners served family-style at Peirce. Personal issues caused me to withdraw in October, and I still appreciate Dean Thomas J. Edwards and Acting Chaplain W. Hayden McCallum’s help with my crisis. Two years later, I returned to Kenyon. My weekends were spent alternately in Mount Vernon and (via bus) in Columbus, since I had just reunited with the love of my life, whom I first met in middle school. Marcia attended Ohio State but was expelled for being caught with me in a Franklin County Holiday Inn; in December we married. We lived in a 50-foot trailer at Humphrey’s, just west of Mount Vernon. In the fall of 1967, we arrived at apartment D2 in McIlvaine Place. Our two years there were the happiest of our lives.” Marcia taught special education at Wiggin Street School, graduating from OSU in 1969 with her expulsion expunged, he sums up. “I must always acknowledge Professor Robert M. McLeod’s generosity and kindness, without which I would not have graduated. As a full professor of mathematics at the University of Michigan-Flint, I was pleased to contribute to his case for promotion to full professor at Kenyon, which should have happened many years before mine.”

1969

“Stephanie and I are enjoying retirement from law life, but not our back surgeries this past year, which we have called ‘The Year of the Knife.’ Thankfully, we are doing better and able to spend more time in North Carolina. As for the four sons, Jimmy and Chris are practicing law at our old firm in New Orleans, and each has given us two grandchildren. Burke S. Irwin ’19 is pursuing his doctorate in particle physics at the University of Minnesota. Cullen will graduate from Wake Forest this spring and plans to go to law school. Just what the world needs — another lawyer. But Stephanie and I do like having another lawyer in our family.”

— James B. Irwin, Covington, Louisiana

1969

Henry B. Vess III, Pinehurst, North Carolina, retired in 2016 after 44 years as a trial lawyer in the Chicago area, he updates. “My wife and I had semi-retired in 2013 and moved to Pinehurst, where we spend substantial time volunteering. We have four sons, and by year end were expecting a seventh grandchild and a second great-grandchild. We see frat brother John M. Smyth Jr. and his family when we can.”

1970s

1970

Saul H. Benjamin, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, informs the class, “With the death of Queen Elizabeth II … you may now claim to be only two degrees of separation from the British throne.” He recalls sharing a bench and conversation with then-Prince Charles in Oxford in 1983. “I was waiting to meet my supervisor for lunch. Charles had some sort of equerry standing nearby who suggested that he cross the greensward in the Front Quad — something I believe only fellows or other dignitaries are permitted to do — and take a seat on the available bench at the diagonal corner. It happened that I was already walking to that very bench. What else to do but offer greetings and a question? I said I was writing a thesis. He said that he never dared to do such a thing. One question led to another, and hence the discovery of our birthdays being a day apart. ‘How very intriguing,’ he remarked. I wish I can report that I had the gumption back then to say “Ah, yes. ‘The Prince and The Pauper!’” Saul’s first book of poetry, “Late to Fatherhood,” arrives in 2023.

1970

Robert C. Boruchowitz, Seattle, has been co-teaching in the Defender Clinic at Seattle University School of Law. Bob remains active with state and national committees on public defense and is assessor for public defense services with the city of Edmonds, Washington. Daniel M. Epstein, Gambier, Ohio, and partner Sarah Longaker joined Randolph St. John Jr. and his wife, Cindy, in August for a view of Niagara Falls. Daniel has donated his literary archives to Kenyon.

1970

“Still at J.P. Morgan Asset Management after 42 years. How did that happen? Am also a senior advisor to the Davis United World College Scholars program, the largest scholarship program for international students to attend U.S. colleges and universities. Staying in touch with Edward L. ‘Ned’ Smyth, J.D. Pell Osborn, Stephen S. Davis and a few others.”

— Douglas M. Fleming,, Rumson, New Jersey

1970

The Rev. John K. Morrell described his late September experience with Hurricane Fiona, “the worst on record” to hit Nova Scotia, he writes. “My home is on a beach between Brule and River John. My wife and I slept through Friday night. Mid-morning we heard what sounded like a two-by-four hitting our front wall. A mobile home overturned in our lane and a flooded marsh was 50 feet from my shed, with high tide still three hours away. We packed two suitcases, a number of bags and boxes, and our two cats in carriers. Dodging trees on the highway, we came upon the fire department clearing trees off the road. We stayed with a 90-year-old friend for 24 hours before returning to our beach home Sunday morning. In daylight, a nightmare. Of three cottages near the beach, two were destroyed and one was pushed into the marsh. Three other cottages back from the beach were pushed into the marsh, along with two trailers.” Lacking power and internet, John relied on a freshwater hand pump and wood stove while readying for an October train vacation through Calgary, Banff and Vancouver on the Rocky Mountaineer.

1971

Sante Matteo, Oxford, Ohio, shared some charming lines of poetry “composed for the 2022 combined 50th reunion of the 1970, ’71 and ’72 classes,” which begin, “The first of Kenyon’s female Owls / Were met with hoots and cheers and howls.” William J. Williams, Laurel, Maryland, writes, “May was a special month. After 47 years, I retired from service in the Department of Defense — 30 years in the Air Force and 17 as a civilian — and 10 days later welcomed the birth of our first granddaughter.”

1973

Wallace L.M. “Lee” Alward, Iowa City, Iowa, has volunteered for more than 20 years with Orbis, a flying eye hospital that travels the world teaching eye surgery to ophthalmologists in areas with minimal resources. “During the pandemic, the plane was grounded,” he notes. “To keep the mission moving forward, we began giving lectures by Zoom. I taught courses on glaucoma management in Mongolia and Zambia. I gave more Zoom lectures than any other volunteer faculty member, which led to my designation as a Hero of Orbis.”

1973

Andrew M. Brilliant, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, started a master’s in creative writing at University of Massachusetts-Boston. “Going from being a Lord to an Owl, and now becoming a Beacon — is that like being both a wave and a particle?” he asks.

1973

J. Scott Douglas celebrated a move to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. “After 40-plus years of battling Greater Atlanta traffic, Debra and I have moved and are enjoying semi-retirement. We were delighted when David J. Snell and his wife, Kathy, moved here from southern California and are sad about their move to the Pacific Northwest. We recently had a delightful visit from Andrew M. Bourland and his wife, Karan, during which we were able to refresh many of the bad habits we so enjoyed as undergraduates. I am trying to stiff-arm reality by working out part-time in a gym. Debra is active in local charities and in retrofitting every room in our home. Most days I wake up and think: Who ever dreamed we would live this long?”

1973

“My heart is repeatedly warmed by my new, and renewed, Kenyon connections. I have gotten to know Ingrid P. Goff-Maidoff ’85, whose most recent book of poetry, “Wild Songs,” speaks to our connection with the natural world and with each other. Tending Joy, in West Tisbury, Massachusetts, is Ingrid’s delightful, colorful shop, full of poetry, inspiring cards and international wares. I am also delighted by regular dinners with Kaj Wilson ’72, Laurie B. Sherwood, Joan G. Silverman and Gail P. Woodhouse ’74. Kaj gets credit for bringing us together for evenings full of laughter and Kenyon memories.”

— Cathi (Sonneborn) Gilmore, Waban, Massachusetts

1973

“Enjoying living near the beach and working in my studio in the arts district of Delray Beach. Looking forward to exploring the beauty of the natural habitats in Florida and discovering how it affects my artwork.”

— Bonnie Levinson, Delray Beach, Florida

1973

“I’m beginning my 42nd year with Cincinnati Public Schools in one capacity or another. I see the irony that someone who was such a mediocre student should spend so long in education. Perhaps I’m striving to atone for all my shortcomings. I know I’ve learned a lot as an adult working in high schools. I feel so privileged to go to school each day and contribute to the well-being of our community.”

— James F. Loomis, Cincinnati

1973

“It has been 49 years since graduation, and I have been working in the Emergency Department at the University of Cincinnati for 49 years. I would retire, but I don’t know how to do anything else. Besides, teaching a whole new generation of emergency physicians is quite fun.”

— Edward J. “Mel” Otten, Cincinnati

1973

“I paused my weekly newsletter, Retirement Income Journal, and celebrated with trout fishing near Akureyri, Iceland. I’ve started some new writing projects on retirement finance, including a monograph on Iceland’s pension system. Back to 80 percent self-employed workaholic mode. A hip issue eliminated running, but I can hike and wade. Since cataract removal, I can see the dry fly on the fishing line. It’s all good ... or at least not too bad.”

— Kerry H. Pechter, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

1973

“I’m busy making up for lost time since we didn’t have a women’s swim team at Kenyon in the early ’70s. With my son this summer, swam a mile across the Hudson River — the Great Newburgh to Beacon Hudson River Swim — which I can’t wait to do again. Won a bronze medal in the Illinois Senior Olympics for the 500 freestyle. Does anybody remember the old pool in the dilapidated airplane hangar? Kenyon has come a long way!
”

— Mary (Wampler) Rhodes, Northfield, Illinois

1973

“Robin W. Rockhold, Canton, Mississippi, retired in June as deputy chief academic officer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center after 39 years as a researcher and administrator. Last fall was Robin’s first term as emeritus professor of pharmacology and toxicology. “Currently enjoying rural Southern life with wife of 43 years, who also recently retired from her rheumatology practice.” ”

— Robin W. Rockhold

1973

David J. Snell and his wife left South Carolina for Seattle, where he serves as deputy regional flight surgeon for the FAA Northwest and Mountain Region, covering seven states, 90,000 pilots and 1,500 air traffic controllers. “Not much in the way of flying — only a desk,” David observes, “but more than enough angst from controllers and pilots. Now in the position to certify senior airline pilots that I flew with in the USAF, back in the day when we both had the rank of captain. We’ll miss the ongoing company and tales from J. Scott Douglas and Debra, permanent residents of Hilton Head Island.”

1973

Douglas B. Thomson continues to practice medicine in Bowling Green, Kentucky, now as a part-time hospice physician and health department tuberculosis physician. He “still enjoys being married to Lucinda Neff Thomson,” he submits. “We stopped by Gambier this summer en route to the Finger Lakes and enjoyed seeing the campus and new construction. We escaped the tornado that hit Bowling Green this past December. Total devastation just a few miles from our home, but somehow we managed to sleep through the whole thing.”

1974

“About three years ago I made what some may consider an insane decision at my age: to produce a daughter, through surrogacy. Opening Night was May 3, 2020. It is undoubtedly the most spectacular production I’ve ever developed, and will almost certainly remain so, even though I’m a producer on another stellar show that opened on Broadway in December: ‘A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.’”

— Rob Kolson, Los Angeles

1974

“Timothy J. Newcomb, Worcester, Vermont, shares that for the fourth year running he won top honors for political cartooning at the annual Association of Alternative Newsmedia convention, this year again taking first place. “Baffling,” he characterizes his win, too modestly. “In spite of the fact the AAN represents newspapers across the U.S. and Canada, it proves there is no accounting for taste.” Tim’s happy his daughter Lydia VanDorn Newcomb ’08 is back in Vermont and practicing as a criminal defense attorney.”

— Timothy J. Newcomb

1975

Jean M. Amabile has lived overseas for over a decade after retiring from the “high stress life of a public defender,” she writes. “Living in China and now Chiang Mai, Thailand, for the past 13 years, has expanded my world view immeasurably. The learning curve is constant. By contrast, safety and security here are the norm. I still get back to the U.S. and Canada where my two kids and two grandkids live. So I have the best of both worlds. Aging outside the box is the best!”

1975

“Being back in contact with Steven C. Durning brought home the accordion-like feature of time and my difficulties in making sense of its passing, especially during COVID, where time felt both frozen and lost. How better to connect than with a novel, “Fellowship Point,” that celebrates and explores time and relationships written by my close, best personal friend and sophomore-year roommate, Alice Elliott (Kirby) Dark. So, hello again, and you’ll thank me. Her, actually.
”

— Elise L. Cagan, Highland Mills, New York

1975

Sara Anne “Sally” Cody, Portland, Maine, retired after teaching Latin for 45 years at Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine. “Cutbacks were being made, and the timing seemed right,” she notes. “We have an exuberant 7-month-old German shorthaired pointer puppy named Duke who is challenging my aging infrastructure (right knee and hip). Husband Robert J. Cody had a moose permit for the North Maine Woods in October. I was delighted to receive my yearly birthday greeting from Donna Bertolet Poseidon and learn of her upcoming travels and adventures.”

1975

Leonard C. Felder, Los Angeles, is still taking daily walks, writing and talking on the phone to Peter R. Reiss and his wife, Carol, several times a week, he informs.

1975

Michael R. Halleran, Williamsburg, Virginia, shares two “totally disparate” recent highlights: “Our older son, Tom, was married in April on the beach in south Florida. The setting was perfect and the occasion most wonderful. And in the last year or so, I’ve taken up golf; this summer I got a hole-in-one. Never before, and I’m pretty certain never again. As the Lefty Gomez adage has it, ‘I’d rather be lucky than good.’”

1975

Charlotte J. “Shami” McCormick, Geneseo, New York, shares her glee in seeing Paul McCartney in concert: “He was fabulous ... never took a break, not even a sip of water. Completely charming, in great voice and amazing musicianship. Totally smitten all over again.”

1975

Arthur S. Milnor, Woodbury, Connecticut, muses, “As I settle myself into retirement and reflect back over several wonderful careers in the world of nonprofit management, I can’t help but think of ‘becoming the captain of my ship and master of my fate.’ It’s in no small measure to the foundation of a Kenyon education I received nearly 50 years ago.” Aboard a watercraft on what he calls a PDW — a “Perfect Day on Winnipesaukee” — he writes, “I find during these voyages I am taking long deep breaths … inhaling the smells, sights and sounds that surround me. It’s a time of reflection and contemplation, of feeling good about myself and my chosen lot in life. Being this close with nature, I am at peace with the world and at ease with myself. For you see, out alone on the lake, I am the captain of this ship and the master of my fate.”

1975

Pamela Cole Schneider resides in Altoona, Florida, with her husband. “Tim and I have 19 acres of peace and quiet bordering the Ocala National Forest north of Orlando. I continue to focus on horses and dressage as my main post-retirement hobby — my new guy is an 8-year-old Lusitano gelding originally imported from Brazil.” Pam and Tim went hiking in Ireland last May and enjoyed a two-week trip to the Canadian Rockies last fall. “We also enjoyed a Schneider family gathering in western New York on Keuka Lake back in July — ages from 90 (my mother) to 3 (cute as a button granddaughter). And no one got COVID!”

1976

“After 47 years and five different careers, I am stepping down as the executive director of Episcopal Community Services in October 2023. Looking forward to travel, fly-fishing and time with Jacqueline McEwen-Griffith ’77 and our grandchildren. Also some community and board work so I am not home for lunch too often. I am told that is best practice.”

— David E. Griffith, New Hope, Pennsylvania

1976

Robin E. Osler, New York City, started a new position after putting her own firm, EOA/Elmslie Osler Architect, “into sleep mode,” she updates. “I am a principal and creative director at CallisonRTKL, a global architecture and design firm with offices in Seattle, New York, Miami, Dallas, L.A., Chicago, London and China. The New York office is in the Woolworth Tower, so I work in a completely different part of the city from where I have always been. I continue to teach at the Spitzer School of Architecture at CCNY, so I have a full plate. My husband and I also purchased land in mid-coast Maine, where we will be building a house in the next year or two.”

1977

John J. Bogasky, Silver Spring, Maryland, and his wife, Shelly, went “over the edge” on Sept. 17, he informs: They rappelled down a 12-story building to raise money for their local Special Olympics program. “We raised over $15,000, thanks in part to donations from many classmates,” he notes.

1977

Janette Thomas Greenwood, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, retired last spring after 31 years as a history professor at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. “Now enjoying the usual retirement activities,” she writes. “Playing lots of pickleball, spending time with my two grandsons, traveling with my husband, Mike Rubin, and generally just enjoying life in Rhode Island. A shout-out to the 1976–77 women’s basketball team and our perfect record (all in the loss column! But we had a lot of fun.)”

1977

Rabbi Steven J. Lebow and his Atlanta congregation celebrated his 40 years of service in the rabbinate. He is now “semi-retired” and still serves a number of Jewish congregations in north Georgia.

1977

Jerome Mindes, Rockville, Maryland, stays busy “globally as an advocate for inclusive education and inclusive development assistance, and locally by encouraging neighbors to lower their carbon footprint by composting food waste,” Jerry shares.

1977

Michael Schmidtmann, Warrenton, Virginia, was emcee and head of speaker curation at a TEDx conference in northern Virginia in September. “We had speakers from all over the U.S. give short talks on science, community and human potential.”

1978

Lee Peterson Baker, Afton, Minnesota, and her husband recently completed the Great Loop aboard their Grand Banks trawler, navigating 7,661 miles along contiguous U.S. and Canadian waterways. “Traveling in seven separate segments spread out over three years, we passed through 151 locks, changing elevation a total of 3,224 feet. We crossed through 19 states, four Great Lakes and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Along the way, we toured countless museums and historical sites, Civil War battlefields and Civil Rights Trail destinations. We are just beginning to process this exhilarating experience.”

1978

The Rev. James H. Logan Jr., Concord, North Carolina, teaches at a Bible college in Charlotte and serves as a pastor of a congregation and as a bishop covering churches in the U.S., Africa, Europe and the UAE. “I’m proud to enjoy seven grandchildren,” Jim adds.

1978

Samuel T. Marcus, Frankfort, Kentucky, writes, “A few years ago (at age 60) I apparently decided to try and outrun my mortality — literally — by beginning road and trail running. Actually, I stumbled into it (pun intended) through a 5K trail run benefiting the Franklin County Humane Society, for which I was board president. Jump forward to 2022, age 65 and of (reasonably) sound body — but obviously not sound mind — I ran my first full marathon. My time was ridiculously slow, but I completed the course without much ill effect, including the ability to get out of bed the next day without assistance and walk almost normally.” Since submitting that note, Sam has already run another full marathon. “I need to improve my time, after all!”

1978

Kate A. Stephenson retired in 2022 after 35 years practicing law in Nashville. “Now filling time with the usual retirement things,” she writes. “Traveling — just returned from a spectacular hiking trip in the Alps. Volunteering. Children (two) and grandchild (so far only one). Keeping up with friends. Studying Spanish. Pretending to write the great American memoir. Also flagging down young people on the street who happen to be wearing Kenyon T-shirts or sweatshirts.”

1979

John F. Cluff, Ocean Gate, New Jersey, fondly remembers going to Greece five times. Currently semi-retired, John recommends going to Canada as well. “Currently involved with a Christian Bible group.”

1979

“After several years of a COVID-induced break, Brenda K. Shaver, Sondra Swartz Kasshana, Sarah ‘Sally’ Bates Goodroe and I gathered once again this past summer at the Maine home of LeAnne Grillo. This fall marked 43 years since we all met on the first floor of Mather Hall. Gorgeous scenery, luscious food, laughter — for a few days, we almost felt 20 again. We were joined for dinner — and paddleboarding by the adventurous few on the mighty north Atlantic! — by Leslie J. Ballin, and for dinner one evening by Dwight Atkinson. Kenyon friendships last!”

— Robin L. Inboden, Springfield, Ohio

1979

“Prepare to be amazed, Kenyon Review! My oldest son, Jack, whom we called a rocket scientist, now is an actual rocket scientist, at SpaceX. Out of family loyalty, I will sell my deeply cratered Tesla short positions.”

— Robert B. O’Connor, Germantown, Tennessee

1979

Jeffrey S. Day, Kensington, Maryland, learned recently about some recordings of the 1977 Little Feat tour with the Tower of Power horn section. “Now on the market in a nine-CD set,” he notes. “Their show in the Wertheimer Fieldhouse was phenomenal — classmate Robert B. Slattery III recalls that steel guitarist Lowell George was ‘on fire.’ The YouTube video of what might have been their show in Carnegie Hall was no comparison to their performance at Kenyon.”

1979

“After a fulfilling career in social work and health care, I am very happily retired in south Florida. My wife is a retired teacher. We have spent our working lives in service to others and will continue that in retirement. Our son and his wife in Nashville have the most beautiful 2-year-old ever, not that I am biased! Our daughter enjoys life in Miami, working as a preschool teacher. We love our church and are involved in many volunteer activities. Visitors welcome!”

— David M. Switzer, Lake Worth, Florida

1979

“It was a great privilege to help organize a Kenyon Lords basketball reunion that took place at the home of Scott D. Rogers ’80 and his wife, Karen, in Cincinnati. Three of the top four scorers in the history of the program, John A. Rinka ’70, Scott D. Rogers ’80 and Timothy P. Appleton ’77, were there. It was very cool to meet the legend John Rinka, who still holds the all-time career scoring record for small schools. Other alumni present were Hugh J. Burnstad ’81, Daniel J. Martin ’78, Kenneth P. Danzinger ’94, Christopher H. ‘Kit’ Marty ’69, Drew A. Peterson ’80, Kent Wellington ’88 and James H. Smith III ’72. Kenyon’s current head coach, Dan Priest, joined us as well.
”

— Mark L. Thomay, Middleburg Heights, Ohio

1980s

1980

I am retired! It’s not what I expected. Everyone keeps asking, ‘So, what are you going to do now?’ When I answer, ‘plenty of nothing!’ they always frown a little and don’t even think of ‘Porgy and Bess.’ I believe there’s way too much Puritan work ethic going around. I thought of giving clichéd answers: ‘Travel! Volunteering! All the odd jobs I never got to!’ But that would be lying just to make them happy. And that’s not me. At least, not anymore — I’m retired!

1980

“It’s been very useful to make a career move at 60, not least because Google is an excellent place to be and journalism had generally become the other thing. One of my sons has entered the Jesuit novitiate while the other is doing very well in his master’s in artificial intelligence. As a parent, I’m proud of how, each in his own way, they take reality seriously. My wife left the San Francisco Public Library and has been doing her own bookbinding, with great success. I’ve given a series of online art history lectures on modern culture and technology, and their Renaissance antecedents. Now looking for new ideas.”

— Quentin R. Hardy, Berkeley, California

1981

Ronald James “Jamie” Assaf, Osprey, Florida, retired after 13 years as the senior VP and general counsel of KEMET Electronics, a global electronic component manufacturer. “I have relocated from Boca Raton with my wife, Nadine, whom I met 34 years ago in law school. We have twin girls — Maegan, an occupational therapist in Manhattan, and Caitrin, a TV news anchor in Little Rock, Arkansas. Son Brendan is a senior majoring in entertainment design at Ringling College of Art and Design.”

1981

Wendy W. Cook, Hinsdale, Illinois, had “a terrific time hanging out with Cathy L. Regan and Michael R. Mizenko in Denver in September,” she writes. “Time flew as we caught up, shared memories and even some confessions!”

1981

“Afforded more time during lockdown, I stepped into a new endeavor as a booking agent, working with five artists from the U.S. and Canada, hunting and securing them gigs and routing concert tours nationally. It’s fun, a nice complement to my ongoing role as a DJ on community radio and presenter of house concerts, and recalls the days as concert chair of the Kenyon Social Committee.”

— Douglas Gertner, Denver

1981

“My grandson Ira was born in April. I am so happy to be able to hang with him, and his parents, regularly. Retired life is good.”

— Laura F. Nelson, St. Paul, Minnesota

1981

Doug E. Page, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, is enjoying retirement. He took a tandem bike tour in Puglia, Italy, in May and a 75-mile one-day ride for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in September; volunteers for Habitat for Humanity; and visited his daughters on the south Jersey beaches last summer.

1981

Gregory P. Sesler, Erie, Pennsylvania, has been “easing toward retirement, spending less time working and more time traveling,” he updates. “Beth and I went to Iceland and Spain last spring and just returned from a two-week self-driven canal boat trip in Belgium and France. It included a lot of World War I history. Very much enjoyed the land of waffles, chocolate, good beer and French fries. We celebrated the wedding of our second daughter in June and traveled more this fall, visiting our other three children scattered about the country.”

1982

Abigail R. Esman, The Hague, Netherlands, spent a “fabulous” couple of days in September visiting William H. Byerly II and Catherine A. Biern Byerly ’84, she writes, “including a joyous, laughter-filled (and delicious) dinner with Peter S. Austin, who joined us for the evening. Bill and Peter hadn’t seen each other since graduation, but they certainly had kept plenty of memories!”

1983

“If I didn’t make it thoroughly clear in my last note, reopening my bar, Madame X, has been exponentially harder than opening it the first time in 1997. Between supply-chain problems, staffing shortages and the seeming desire of every human between the age of 21 and 40 to party like it’s 1999, it’s been a constant battle to keep up. Yeah, I know I should be grateful to be open, and busy — but damn! I thought I’d be retiring right about now, not turning it up to 11!”

— Amy McCloskey, Brooklyn, New York

1985

Richmond H. “Rick” Curtiss III, Palm Springs, California, was a contestant on the quiz show “Master Minds” on the Game Show Network, he informs. “It was a completely different experience than my 2015 ‘Jeopardy!’ appearance, but still very interesting and fun. It should be available to watch on the Game Show Network website. Still very happily working for Red-Jeep.com giving Jeep tours of the desert around Palm Springs — the San Andreas Fault, the Indian Canyons, Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs celebrity homes and Palm Springs mid-century architecture.”

1985

“Retired from a paycheck in July 2021 and, feeling strong and healthy, I have focused my energies as the founding board chair of a new nonprofit in Cleveland, Goods Bank NEO, addressing both environmental concerns and helping those in greatest need. The organization redirects from the landfill new products returned to retailers and provides them to nonprofits helping the poorest in our community.”

— Scott D. Garson, Shaker Heights, Ohio

1985

Patrick J. Shields, New York City, and his wife, Beckey Bright, continue post-production for their 2023 documentary “Eagleman and Wonder Woman: An America Love Story.” Patrick ran the 2022 New York City Marathon to benefit the EJ Autism Foundation, founded and run by Beatrice “Bea” Huste ’86.

1985

Frank R. Virnelli Jr., West Hartford, Connecticut, retired from working for the state of Connecticut on April 1, he informs. “At Hartford’s Asylum Hill Congregational Church, I continue to serve as a deacon (part of the lay leadership), operate the cameras during livestream services and other events, and act as coordinator for our men’s group, which meets for breakfast each month and serves meals at a local soup kitchen. I volunteered two days at the Travelers Championship PGA event, during which all went well — other than I almost got Rory McIlroy run over by patrons. And I am starting as a volunteer at the Bushnell, the Hartford venue that hosts touring performances of Broadway shows and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, among many other events.”

1986

Charles D. “Cully” Stimson, Falls Church, Virginia, retired from the Navy JAG Corps in February 2022 after 30 years of active and reserve duty, completing his service as a two-time commanding officer with the rank of captain. At his retirement ceremony, Cully was awarded the Legion of Merit by Rear Adm. Les Reardanz, deputy judge advocate general for reserve affairs and operations.

1987

Jessica Greenstein, Highland, New York, has been working in the Office of International Programs at Vassar College since January 2021. “I thoroughly enjoy it — and am putting my Kenyon modern foreign languages major to good use! Vassar places great emphasis on international education and encourages all students to participate in study abroad.”

1988

Christopher E. Bonacci, McLean, Virginia, writes that his solo private practice in Vienna, Virginia, in oral and maxillofacial surgery “continues to thrive, providing patient-centered care without third-party interference.” He and his wife are in year seven of a food, wine and custom travel business. “We source private-label extra virgin olive oil from my grandfather’s ancestral village in Trevi, Umbria, Italy,” he explains. “We now import via air freight — to our garage — over two tons of oil just weeks off the tree for immediate distribution to hundreds of customers in 35 states. We visit Italy every fall to oversee the pick, press and same-day bottling, bringing along enthusiastic customers for an extraordinary back-roads Italian experience.”

1988

“It was exciting to be back in Gambier dropping off our daughter Emily Gisser ’26! It’s pretty remarkable to me how the College balances established traditions and change. I was really impressed with Orientation and Convocation — and maybe a little sentimental. A lot has changed, no surprise; but the VI still pours drinks, Peirce is still magical and McBride still smells like ... McBride. It was also great to make a quick detour and catch up with William B. Lockwood ’91 as we continued our college drop-off road trip.”

— Barry M. Gisser, Minneapolis

1988

Allison E. Joseph, Carbondale, Illinois, was “thrilled” to be named Illinois Author of the Year for 2022 by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English, she notes. “My newest books of poems are ‘Lexicon’ (Red Hen Press), awarded Best Book of the Year by the Poetry by the Sea Conference, ‘Any Proper Weave’ (Kelsay Books) and ‘Speak and Spell’ (Glass Lyre Press).”

1988

“My wife, Lori Robinson, and I still live in Chelsea with our tween Naomi. I have transitioned to working for QuickBooks remotely, and my wife works for the NYC DOE as a speech pathologist. I invite any ’88s or any other ‘80s graduates to my Sunday Talks. We run the gamut on what we discuss, and I post invites weekly. I regularly see Christopher V. Blackburn, Laura K. Porter-Jones ’90 and David F. Hanson ’87. Also, Stephen R. Sexsmith ’80, Robert F. Roche ’80 and Pamela Goodell ’89 have become wonderful resources. I am working on a wonderful volunteer project getting tickets and access to theater for my community, so if anyone has any contacts please reach out. I also saw Michael K. Zorek ’82 recently, as our kids go to the same school in Hell’s Kitchen.”

— Matthew C. Pasher, New York City

1988

“Hello from Cleveland! I’m still working as the chief enrollment officer of an independent, faith-based school on the near west side called Urban Community School. It’s an amazing place, and I’m really proud of the work we do to support low-income families. On the personal front, life as a newlywed has been full of laughter! And speaking of laughter, getting together with Lynne A. Schneebeck, Laura Jill Tibbe, Lauren Ewers Polite, Susanna M. Brown and Susan Lind Quigley continues to be a joyful gift.”

— Patricia Rossman Skrha

1989

“I just returned from a weekend on Gambier Island attending Alumni Council meetings. As always, I connected with so many fabulous people across generations. The highlight — aside from tequila shots at the VI — was a networking session with students and alums. My insecurities led me to wonder what I have to offer in terms of career advice. But speaking with students, I was reminded how terrifying it is to be graduating from college and figuring out what’s next. When I told them it’s OK not to know, it’s OK to change your mind, I could literally see their shoulders relax and a wave of relief sweep over their faces. Of course my mommy instincts kicked in, and I wanted to hug them all and make them soup. It was also awesome to see my daughter, Shea C. Wilt ’25! When not on campus, I’m happily living life in Kirkland, Washington, with my husband and son. I love my job with the King County Library System, and I see my BFF Abbe Jacobson Kopf as often as I can!”

— Kyla K. Carlson

1989

Teresa Victoria “Tracy” (Krug) Cordon, Wilmington, North Carolina, is pursuing her passion as an ADHD advocate. “Follow me on Insta @peanutbutterandpositivity if interested!"

1989

Ann E. Minner, Austin, Texas, recently stepped out from her 24-year home in the public library world to become the director of the Talking Book Program with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. “If someone in your life is visually impaired or has a reading disability, look to your state library for free resources that will bring reading back into their life,” she urges.

1990s

1990

Julia Griner officially retired. “As for many,” she shares, “the last couple of years have been tough, and between COVID, energy crises, changing world travel patterns and price hikes on all sides, our little cooking school has not been able to weather the storm. It is bittersweet, but since we have both worked for 40 years, we figure we are due. We continue to work in the food world. We just tested all the recipes for the Pasta Grannies cookbook No. 2, and I remain the go-to expert on pasta-making for that project. So we won’t be idle. Also, I reconnected with Karen K. Devine, who lives outside Bologna and is a masseuse extraordinaire!”

1990

“After eight years at the Atlanta NBC station, I’ve gone ‘across the street’ to the competition. I’m now the chief investigator for Atlanta News First at the local CBS station. So far, I’ve won the Peabody Award, duPont-Columbia Award, six National Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Hillman Prize. My work has been recognized with 123 regional Emmys and a national Emmy for investigative reporting. All the accolades are great, but the real reward is changing laws and sending corrupt officials to prison. This year my work resulted in a new state law in Georgia requiring all 911 dispatchers to receive annual training to give CPR instructions over the phone. Last year, we got every 911 dispatcher at the busiest airport in the world trained as emergency medical dispatchers after several passengers there died of heart attacks. My wife, Tiffany, is studying to become a wealth advisor as she reinvents herself at age 50. Our son, Ian, 15, is considering colleges in Ireland. Daughter Mackenzie, 12, has an early-onset teenager! I talk often with Michael J. Mullen and many members of the K80s Facebook group.”

— Brendan P. Keefe, Johns Creek, Georgia

1990

“I have enjoyed getting to know Nell Flanders, Kathryn Flanders’ sister, who is the symphony director at Idaho State University. I got to see Kate when she helped her sister move in. Lucinda and I are doing well. I recently enjoyed ‘running’ the Pikes Peak Marathon, which I first heard about when I was a Kenyon student!”

— Thomas P. Klein, Pocatello, Idaho

1990

Jenny Ross Thurber, East Lansing, Michigan, was promoted to director of student services at Davenport University and received a Milestone Award for 20 years of service. Jenny and John L. Thurber celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary on June 6. Last spring, John met Sean Ward in Orlando for a trip to Walt Disney World, and later traveled to Milwaukee to visit Todd P. Van Fossen and tour the Harley-Davidson Museum.

1991

Michael C. Bassett, Dayton, Ohio, shares three accomplishments since graduating: “1. I’m in my third decade working as an occupational therapist. I’ve worked in general hospitals with patients needing function-based physical and cognitive rehabilitation, and I now work in a psychiatric hospital with a forensic population. 2. I have been married to Jeannine for many years. 3. After graduating, my journey took me to Kentucky, then North Carolina, followed by Virginia and then back to Ohio. In my spare time I take piano lessons, sing in the church choir (converted to Catholicism a few years ago), exercise and eat a vegetarian diet (I don’t want to get any older).”

1991

Holly Hatch-Surisook, Minneapolis, and her husband, Joe, closed the doors of their restaurant Sen Yai Sen Lek, as well as Dipped & Debris, in April after 14 years. “It was emotional to say goodbye to our staff and community, heart-warming to know the place our food and hospitality had had in guests’ lives, and fun to celebrate all we had accomplished! Our dear Kenyon friends Chelsea M. Guillen and Sarah E. Phemister and their spouses made the trip and joined the party on our last night! The timing is right; our youngest just moved into his first apartment while our daughter is a college senior. Though it’s not retirement yet, we are taking our own gap year to drive our Escape Travel Trailer around the country.”

1991

Megan Lewis-Schurter, Fort Collins, Colorado, began her third year as director of theater at Colorado State University as her son, Tristan Alexander Lewis-Schurter ’26, began his first year at Kenyon. “In summers, I take students on my intensive study abroad program called Arts and Culture in South Africa, run by John Joseph ‘Jay’ Alexander and his amazing company, Scholarly Sojourns. And this summer the brilliant writer-goddess Jenna J. Blum ’92 visited me for some Rocky Mountain adventure and love. So proudly purple!”

1992

“I’m a mom of three, one of whom is a high school math teacher, one of whom is studying animal science at the University of Findlay and hopes to go on to vet school, and one of whom is a high school sophomore. Things are really starting to quiet down around our house now that only one of them is still fully ‘in the nest.’ I’m currently in my 27th year as a music therapist and team leader at a state psychiatric facility, and I love getting to work on a wide range of goals with my forensic clients as they reintegrate into the community and prepare for discharge.”

— Laura E. Hauser, Pickerington, Ohio

1993

“More than three decades after first appearing with Brendan P. Keefe ’90 on KCTV news, I made my return to television as the host of a documentary, ‘Arab Indianapolis,’ and a tour guide on ‘The Great Muslim American Road Trip,’ both on PBS.”

— Edward E. Curtis IV

1993

David E.G. Hutchison and his wife just celebrated their 10th “nomadiversary,” he updates. “Ten years basing our outdoor and volunteer adventures out of the restored 1957 vintage camper trailer we lovingly refer to as ‘Hamlet.’ What began as a year, maybe two, break from home ownership and career tracks in our early forties transformed into a full-on love affair with traveling and seeking sustainability — in all that it might mean. Along the way we’ve reconnected with Kenyon friends and family — most recently with Theresa (Gormerly) Morrison, who willingly accepted our mail and packages before we embarked on last summer’s quest — Alaska. If you’ve ever dreamed about driving off in your own tiny home on wheels, check us out at freedominacan.com.”

1994

Rachel D. Erenstoft, East Amherst, New York, went back to school for a second master’s degree. “I’m enrolled at the Warner School of Education at University of Rochester, getting my master’s in elementary education 1-6 inclusive, allowing me to be certified to teach both regular education and special education!” she reports. I’m still living in western New York — Go Bills! — but go to U of R once a month for a seminar. Other than that, I’m student teaching during the day and taking classes full time! Not much time for anything else, but loving ‘the littles.’”

1994

“First recurring TV role (‘A Good Cop’) aired last spring! Coming out of COVID cocoon, looking for representation and welcome any meetings with producers, directors or agents on either coast.”

— James K. Feuer, Alhambra, California,

1994

Kathryn A. Foley, Adams, Massachusetts, updates, “In addition to being a longtime licensed mental health counselor, I have become a licensed horseback riding instructor and a certified therapeutic riding instructor.” Combining her love of psychology and counseling with a love of and belief in the power of connection with animals, Kathy teaches riding, runs a small therapeutic riding program, provides equine-assisted psychotherapy and maintains a private telehealth psychotherapy practice, with the help of nine horses, including two therapy-trained miniature horses. “With both kids now in college, I’ve found a lifestyle that brings me real joy.” Camp at her place via Hipcamp, contribute at gofund.me/3b512998 or learn more on Facebook: Aisling Mountain Farm.

1994

Colleen H. Grazioso, Manchester Center, Vermont, “had a great time celebrating Melissa F. ‘Missy’ McClaran’s 50th birthday in Vermont this year!”

1994

“My husband, two kids (Luca, 16, and Sofia, 13), dog (born in Gambier, named Zaby) and I moved back to Rome, Italy, after five wonderful years in San Francisco. I’m working on completing a book of personal essays, titled ‘I’ll Behave Later,’ about my last 25 years living overseas. If you’re interested in previewing excerpts, please subscribe to my newsletter, ‘A Pen in My Purse’ on Substack.”

— Sheila Ortona

1994

Jessica Vandemark, Phoenix, realized a lifelong dream by traveling to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. “Between the stunningly beautiful scenery, the wild animals in their natural habitat, and the vibrant mix of food, music and art from different traditions I got to experience along the way, the whole trip was magical!”

1995

“Nothing makes you feel old more than having children who begin ‘adulting’ (and I use that term lightly). Recently married and new homeowner Alex and his wife recently invited Cindy and me to their new home for dinner, with the unexpected caveat that we bring the food (anyone know the correct emoji for that?). Meanwhile, Daniel has begun his junior year at Rhodes, where he is playing baseball and prepping for law school. And we’ve begun the college application process for Stephen, so we will soon have two in college again. Luke, the ‘baby,’ has his learner’s permit. ”

— J. David Hicks, Bristol, Tennessee

1995

Matthew R. Leaf and Heather Marie (Steiner) Leaf checked in from their empty nest in . “We moved our oldest into his first apartment at the start of his junior year at the University of Vermont and moved the youngest into her freshman dorm at Marist the following week. They promise to return home for vacations and occasions, and assure us there will be plenty of laundry to accompany them. Our dog enjoys receiving all of our attention. Work continues to be great for both of us, and I have added working toward my master’s in restorative practices to my agenda.”

1995

Jennisen M. Lucas, Cody, Wyoming, finished a term as president of the American Association of School Librarians. “I am now back to defending my students’ right to read at a local level. Reach out to the local library boards and local school librarians and stand with them as they fight against censorship. It can be lonely and challenging. In other news, I started my doctorate in professional studies, instructional design leadership. My son is now a fourth-grader, and my husband, Josh, is still the best special educator I have ever seen! We met 30 years ago while I was a freshman at Kenyon.”

1995

“My spouse, Khytam, and I have three kids — Usha, 11; Jack, 9; and Hannah, 4 — and we work at Penn State in psychology and anthropology, respectively. We enjoy camping and go several times a year with two other families, scheduled by Khytam so that we hit every Pennsylvania state park by the time our oldest kids go to college! We were also excited to see my brother Kevin’s opera, ‘The Hours,’ which premiered at the Met last fall.
”

— David A. Puts, State College, Pennsylvania

1996

Stephanie M. Hill, Westerville, Ohio, returned to her home state after 24 years. “My sister, Trish Piliado ’93, moved back here in December from Washington, so I finally live near family again. Thank you, Joseph F. Herban, for taking me around town to look at houses! I also started a new job as a lean strategist for KaiNexus, a software company out of Austin, and I continue to maintain my business, Light Bulb Moment Consulting, working with clients in San Francisco.”

1996

“I was recently promoted to local energy policy manager for Minnesota at CenterPoint Energy, helping communities set and achieve their energy and equity goals. While I miss strategic marketing for energy efficiency and clean-energy future initiatives, I’m loving the new role. (And loving that, since it’s Minnesota-focused, I don’t need to travel much anymore.) I’m still finding time to write (a poem was just published in an anthology); take many, many walks with our crazy/sweet rescue dogs and sneak in a date night with my husband every so often.”

— Kathryn A. “Kat” Knudson, Minneapolis

1996

Jane L. Roth is now acting head of school at Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, enjoying teaching English and Latin alongside administrative responsibilities. “After all, don’t teachers become teachers so that we can keep being students ourselves in some way?”

1997

Gregory A. Davis, Bethesda, Maryland, now works for a congressional commission charged with reforming the Pentagon’s system for requesting and spending money. “This, no doubt, sounds exceedingly dry to most of you. If not, feel free to reach out!”

1997

Dwight K. Schultheis, Brookline, Massachusetts, started a new job in April at a San Francisco–based company named Truepill in the digital health space. “My wife, Lauren, who recently became a social worker, joined another digital health company named Cerebral and sees patients exclusively over telehealth from home. Two kids, now 12 and 14, both on travel sports teams (soccer and ice hockey), so much of our time is spent taxiing them to practices and games, but we were able to squeeze in some great vacations to Ireland and Denmark last year. It was also great to see Benjamin Jump, Matt Mikula, Derrick ‘Sugar’ Johnson, Keith A. Blecher, Adam Kendrick Myers, David M. Eisenberg and Jason C. Lafferty in Green Lake, Wisconsin, over the summer.”

1997

Aaron B. Webber found “the love of his life and married him” after nine years in England. “Now John ‘Mac’ MacLeod and I live happily in Exeter with our two cats. Highland wedding to follow!”

1998

Aaron M. Czechowski and Adrienne Misheloff Czechowski ’97, Sammamish, Washington, celebrated daughter Annie’s decision to become a member of the Kenyon Class of 2026. “We attended an admissions event in April, and during a panel session the students talked about the intentional choice of studying for four years in rural Ohio. It brought a tear to my eye and made me want to attend again! It was especially fun in May at reunion where Adrienne and I could proudly sport the P’26 addition to our name tags. Big thanks to Christopher C. Ellsworth ’96 and Annie Higby Ellsworth ’04 for their unwavering hospitality and support.”

1998

Gregory W. Foster, San Diego, is “still slinging lots of hot sauce” with his company, Inferno Farms. “As of this writing, I’ve earned five Guinness world records for eating the hottest chili peppers in the world. Organized the first West Coast Hot Sauce Experience in June and am already planning the second for 2023. When life hands you a bushel of hot peppers, make hot sauce! Stay spicy!” Dara M. Newberry writes, “I have recently relocated to St. George Island, Alaska, to be the primary care provider on the island.” Son Max is a freshman at Columbia College, Chicago.

1998

Christina L. Rimelspach moved to Aurora, Colorado, in the metro Denver area, five years ago and loves it. “I got married to Ed Spree in 2019, and we finally got to take our honeymoon this past May. We spent a week in Barcelona and a week in Brussels. Highly recommend! I continue to work for Evolve, a vacation rental company, as a team lead on the customer experience team. I also keep busy as the go-to person for the Kenyon Alumni Association in Colorado.”

1999

Sarah H. Booth, Dobbs Ferry, New York, and her husband, Armando Inarritu, welcomed a son, Sebastian Inarritu Booth, who was born on March 22, 2022, in New York City.

1999

“’ve been living and working in Hawaii for the last 12 years in the film and TV industry. Recently my family and I relocated to Oahu from Maui to work on a long-term TV show. Apart from work, our 5-year old daughter, a dozen horses and two dogs keep our family busy.”

— Jessica B. Cole

1999

George W. Cook III, Ypsilanti, Michigan, left his position as director of legislative affairs for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to become senior director, state government relations for Kellogg Corp. “Our oldest son, Jack, started high school and joined the water polo team. My son Noah is an all-star catcher in his Little League baseball division, and he and our daughter Cora both started middle school this fall. My youngest, Naomi, now in second grade, is in gymnastics. It’s been busy, but we’re mixing in some fun travel to Hilton Head and then a cruise to the Bahamas!”

1999

“It’s been quite a year for the Kurschat household! My wife, Katie, and I welcomed our first child, Evelyn Grace, to the family on March 31. In August, we moved from the South Loop of Chicago to Downers Grove, a western suburb where Katie grew up. Contact me for our new address, to offer advice on getting Evvie to sleep through the night, or to share in our excitement for next summer’s Chamber Singers reunion! ”

— Erich K. Kurschat

1999

Zachary “Gush” Nowak finished his first year as director of the Umbra Institute, an American study abroad program in Perugia, Italy. He spends his time updating the curriculum and pedagogy there, as well as drinking Campari spritzes on his terrace overlooking the valley and enjoying living in a beautiful medieval city.

1999

“I’ve left Jacksonville to take a position as the director of ultrasound education for the new Lakeland Regional Medical Center residency in emergency medicine. Stay well out there!”

— Andrew W. Shannon, Lakeland, Florida

1999

Eric G. Smith, Manhattan Beach, California, and his wife celebrated their 18th anniversary. “My son is a high school freshman, and my daughter is in seventh grade. Logan is an avid drummer, already way beyond any skill I ever thought I might have had, with a growing following on Instagram and a couple of small endorsements. Lily plays soccer year-round, working at being a goalie and a forward. In November 2021 I started a new role with Roku, the streaming TV company, leading several sales verticals and building a growing and sustainable ad business within our large customer group. As for finally seeing people in person again, I recently caught up with Robert S. ‘Steve’ Grzymala ’96 after way too many years.” In October, Eric had planned to connect with Jeffrey R. “Jeff” Romph ’97, Andrew Q. Winter ’96, William H. “Harmon” Handorf ’00, Brien T. West, Patrick O. Walsh ’98, Robert W. “Winston” Sale ’02 … “and with luck many others.”

2000s

2000

Benjamin D. Bagocius, Alexandria, Virginia, is an associate professor of the humanities with the Bard Sequence Program, a division of Bard Early College. He teaches Bard College classes at public charter high schools in Washington, D.C. Ben published his first book of poetry, “The Canaanite Woman,” last summer, and his second, “The Gospel According to B.,” is slated for publication in 2024. Ben’s academic articles, book reviews and poetry are regularly published — “including two poems in Kristopher J. Armstrong’s exquisite literary journal ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow.’ I’m founding director of the Institute for Spiritual Poetry, which hosts workshops to write and talk (join us!) and a literary journal (publish your poetry and short prose with us!).” His poem “Apple or Baby Jesus” was recently nominated for a Best of the Net award for 2022.

2000

Kelly P. Dillon, Grove City, Ohio, earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor of communication and digital media at Wittenberg University. She also won the Edith B. and Frank C. Matthies Award for innovative teaching. For her spring sabbatical she will research the use of digitized handwritten notes in the college classroom. “This new achievement has only affirmed my sense of place in the liberal arts classroom,” she adds, “a journey that started 26 years ago in Gambier.”

2000

Rachel I. Leber, Portland, Oregon, now in her fourth and final year of naturopathic medical school, notes, “It’s all clinical from here! So nice to have some brain space, time to apply and integrate everything we have learned, not to mention actual down time and fun! I rejoined an all-percussion drum troupe here in Portland that makes my heart sing! Singing, cycling, hiking and yoga-ing whenever I can, and always meeting new people in this relatively new city of mine.”

2000

Beko O. Reblitz-Richardson, Oakland, California, updates that oldest son Kai started high school. “He’s excited, but I’m not sure I’m ready for this change! One of his classes is Asian worlds, so my Kenyon Asian Studies Concentration is coming in handy. I spent the summer in Idaho with my family, at Bear Lake, with some good hiking, biking and running. I’m still working as an attorney at Boies Schiller Flexner, currently handling privacy cases (some against Google) and antitrust matters.”

2000

Holly Donahue Singh, Tampa, Florida, notes, “With our daughter in middle school and the adults teaching at the University of South Florida, Deepak, Anushka and I are all kept pretty occupied.” In December, her first book, “Infertility in a Crowded Country: Hiding Reproduction in India,” was published by Indiana University Press. Joanna Radnor Vilensky, Columbus, Ohio, shares that Gelsey Lynn Rellosa, Elizabeth Roche Griffin, Heather Graber Stinson, the Rev. Rebecca White Newgren, Sara Gage Rinala, Aleta P. Lafferty and Margaret Beeler Stefani are all in a regular text thread where they discuss topics ranging from Kenyon’s new mascot to jeans styles to communes. They might even discuss vegan cheese once in a while.

2001

Aaron K. Perzanowski, Ann Arbor, Michigan, joined the faculty of the University of Michigan Law School as the inaugural Thomas W. Lacchia professor of law. “Although Ann Arbor is quite different from Gambier, I’m quickly readjusting to life in a college town.”

2001

“This summer, I enjoyed my first sabbatical, focusing on exploring some creative pursuits. I stumbled into working with glass — primarily stained glass — and I got hooked! I’m back at work now, continuing to serve as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where I live with my husband, Will, and sons, Isaac and Micah, now in third and first grades, respectively.”

— Stephanie Sorge

2001

— Stephanie Sorge

2002

Rebecca M. Capasso, New York City, returned to Bellevue Hospital Center as the assistant director of inpatient psychiatry and assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine. “It has been quite a transition to return to hospital work after the pandemic!” she observes. “My daughters continue to grow — both physically and in confidence — and we continue to love living in New York City.”

2002

“After trying most of the New England states on for size, I’ve found myself settled in Connecticut for the last five-plus years with my husband, Ray, a professor of sport management, and my 6-year-old daughter, Corinne, an avid chicken chaser. I’ve spent most of these five years working for American Farmland Trust as the New England deputy director, until this past May, when I was appointed the USDA Farm Service Agency state executive director. Far from where I thought my chemistry major would take me, but working to support and maintain small agriculture through the turmoil caused by the pandemic has been so very rewarding (and plenty challenging).”

— Emily J. Cole, Simsbury, Connecticut

2002

“I am still extolling the virtues of a liberal arts education. I co-own and run a K-12 school called the Dow Academy in Mochudi, Botswana. My fondest wish is to evolve it into a liberal arts school. We welcome interns and fellows or just anyone who wants to take some time out and advance basic education. I have a J.D., an L.L.M. in finance, and a 3.5-year-old daughter. I have 10 dogs. I farm sheep, goats, ducks and chickens. I started a fruit orchard this year.
”

— Cheshe M. Dow, Botswana

2002

Curt N. Foxx, Sherman Oaks, California, welcomed a fourth child to the family on July 5, a boy named Casey. “He joins Evan,11; Emma, 8; and Rowan,3. I recently retired from coaching after 24 years and took a new career with NCSA as a recruiting specialist. Everyone is doing well!”

2002

“After spending my entire career in higher education I’ve made a big transition into strength coaching. My company is called Strength Wise Barbell, and I focus on elevating performance for athletes who are 40+. It feels a little nuts to make the leap into entrepreneurship with a family and a mortgage, but I’m excited about finding a passion and trying something new. My family is doing great after moving back to Evanston following almost a decade in the Bay Area.”

— Christopher M. Van Nostrand, Evanston, Illinois

2002

“After 17 years in Washington, D.C., I’ve moved to the Columbus suburbs and am thrilled to have a fresh start. I’ve also shifted my career from grassroots advocacy and health-care policy to working as an editor for policy, program and business reports and documents. I’m so grateful for remote working, reduced stress and a better life balance.”

— Dana L. Whitley, Westerville, Ohio

2003

Eric A. Christiansen and his family live just outside “hot and humid Atlanta,” he notes, “where I’ve gotten used to doing yard work ten months out of the year. I’ve been working as a pilot for JetBlue for six years now, enjoying almost every minute of it. The best perk might be grabbing dinner with fellow Kenyon alumni during work trips: Monica M. Gastelumendi, Isaac P. Gilman, Nathan N. Hara and Benjamin J. Hildebrand, thanks for making time for me during my layovers this past year!”

2003

“My family and I had an amazing trip to Peru in June, and we were lucky enough to spend some quality time with Monica M. Gastelumendi and visit her amazing vocal music school. We’re headed back to Mexico this summer, as I’ve accepted a position at the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara, where I started my career in the foreign service and — more important — met my spouse.”

— Nathan N. Hara

2003

Daniel A. Johnson and his husband, Vidur, moved to Fort Greene, Brooklyn, after living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan for the past six years. “I’m currently working as a lawyer at the firm Leader Berkon Colao & Silverstein, focusing on commercial litigation. In other news, I’m doing a podcast called Phi Fic where a few contributors and I discuss literature from a philosophical perspective. You can find us on Apple and Google podcasts if you search for ‘Phi Fic’ or follow us on Twitter at @PhiFicpodcast.”

2003

Rose N. Meiri, Winnetka, California, came in second in the chicken wing eating contest at the Maryland Chicken Wing Festival. “Megan Rafferty Barnes was there with her family to film the whole thing,” Rose writes. “Oh, and I got married in October, with Xander CM Piper ’04 as my officiant — but that’s less important.”

2003

Morgan C. Ogilvie and Joel A. Rice ’01 are “loving life in Franklin, Tennessee,” they inform. “It’s a Cheeveresque enclave, not unlike Kenyon, with fewer anachronists. We lived in California for two years while I earned my M.F.A. at CALARTS in 2020, where I had to live amongst the youth. We are happy to be back home but return regularly to L.A. to visit professors and friends.”

2003

Robert J. Snow is head writer for a new Skydance show, “The Search for Wondla,” coming soon on Apple TV+. Bob and his wife, Ruth, live in Los Angeles and were expecting a third daughter in December.

2004

Erin B. Carter, Westlake, Ohio, has taken a step back from seeing patients in her group mental health practice. “Instead,” she updates, “I have been pouring more energy into advocating for Prader-Willi syndrome, the genetic, life-threatening rare disease that my daughter was born with. In September, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak with members of Congress and their staffers about legislation that could help the rare disease community and open doors for a potential treatment. This is a new and deeply personal venture for me and I’m so thankful for the help of fellow alums Jennifer A. Judson and David N. Donadio ’03 for their guidance, expertise and friendship. If anyone out there has a personal connection with an elected official who may be interested in helping us, please reach out — my daughter’s life depends on it!”

2004

Alexander J. Franz trained for submarine command. “I spent three months in D.C. brushing up on nuclear reactor operations, during which the highlight was hanging out with Eric B. and Emily R. Kahn and their two awesome kiddos. I then spent two months honing tactical and weapons skills in Hawaii at the Submarine Command Course. Finally, I spent a couple weeks at headquarters learning who’s who and how the machine works. After six months, it was great to be back home in San Diego with Erin N. Franz ’06 and our three kids.” In December, the Franzes moved to Guam. AJ takes command of the attack submarine USS Jefferson City this spring.

2004

Rabbi Adam S. Lavitt and his husband, Alex Weissman, moved to Philadelphia in July to be closer to Alex’s family — and for two exciting new jobs, Adam informs. “Alex returned to his rabbinical school as faculty, a sweet homecoming. I’m director of program design and facilitation for an organization called the Jewish Studio Project, which cultivates creativity as a Jewish practice for spiritual connection and social transformation. This role allows me to bring my spiritual care work into a totally new and exciting arena.”

2004

Daniel S. Scharff is now CEO of Machu Picchu Energy, a producer of craft organic energy drinks with a strong social mission, based in Santa Monica, California.

2005

Celeste D. Berteau has lived in Edinburgh, Scotland, for eight years. “I’ve switched jobs and now work for the Promise Scotland, an organization tasked with helping care for young people who have been in foster care, residential care, secure care, kinship care or ‘looked after’ by social work while living at home. My little boy just turned 3, and this year allowed us two trips back to visit family in the States. After two years of not seeing anyone, it was such a gift!”

2005

Thomas M. Coiner, Marlborough, Massachusetts, “has a wonderful partner, two dogs and a modest garden, i.e., he is overflowing in Epicurean happiness,” he informs. After a two-year hiatus, he started performing onstage again. Early in 2022 he appeared off-Broadway in D.H. Lawrence’s “The Daughter-in-Law,” and in the fall he appeared in “The 39 Steps” at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. “Don’t go to the fridge and miss my part on Paramount+’s ‘The Good Fight’ this year,” he jokes.

2005

Melzetta R. Moody, San Leandro, California, updates, “Last year, hubby Malick, 3-year-old Matthew and I moved back to California from the Philadelphia area, and it has been great to be home. I am currently the head of people for a technology product marketing agency based in Brooklyn, New York. Shameless plug: If you know great writers, designers, project managers, please let me know. We’re growing like crazy!” Vacationing in Europe, Melzetta and her family met A. Ted Samuel and his parents in Amsterdam and Brussels. For 2023, she and Milina M. (Burke) Murphy, Sherry C. Wherry, Sandra R. Norris, Shamekia L. Chandler and Qiana S. Woodard ’04 are planning “our first international girls trip!” she notes. “The most exciting news is that I will begin my four-year appointment as an alumni trustee on Kenyon’s Board of Trustees!”

2005

Tristram B. Warkentin now leads product management for Google’s AI research team, Google Brain. “It’s been an awesome experience,” he explains. “I founded and launched the AI Test Kitchen (aitestkitchen.withgoogle.com), launched the world’s most capable large language model (PaLM), the most capable conversational AI in the world (LaMDA 2), AI protein function prediction (Proteinfer), Robots (PaLM-SayCan) and many more! I still live in Palo Alto, California, with my wonderful wife, Danielle; daughters Alex,5, and Mira, 7; and goldendoodle Bear, 9.”

2006

Kathryn L. Zeanah, Earlysville, Virginia, returned to the Hill for homecoming this year with her family. “While there, we were able to connect with some former members of KCWB: Megan S. Morrison, Lindsay C. Madaras, Heather A. Preston ’05, Laurel Gourrier ’10, Morgan P. Korinek ’12 and Avery Anderson ’15. It was a quick trip, but great to be back and experience a little bit of the magic that is Kenyon in the fall!” Katy shares.

2007

Lauren M. Greene and Benjamin M. Van Horrick and their children Benji, 8; Miriam, 5; and CJ. 1.5, moved to Okinawa, Japan. Ben completed the Army Command and General Staff College course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, last May, writing a 97-page thesis about Marine Corps operations in Marjah, Afghanistan. Back on active duty with the Marines, Ben will serve at Camp Courtney on Okinawa for three years.

2007

Samantha J. Ley and Matthew C. Zaremsky, Delmar, New York, welcomed identical twins Maya and Juno last April. “Older sisters Ellie and Rowan are excited to help out with the babies!” Samantha informs. “Matt also got tenure and is now an associate professor in the SUNY Albany math department.”

2007

Kathryn M. Peterson updates, “I have spent the last 15 years in elementary education, specializing in urban teaching. I work closely with at-risk and refugee populations. After seven years in the classroom, I became an elementary school administrator and K-6 instructional literacy coach. I live and work in a vibrant community in downtown Detroit. I spend most of my weekends traveling across the state to be with my long-time boyfriend/partner, who lives in Grand Rapids.” Kathryn attended the wedding of Amy N. Loria with her brother Mark A. Peterson ’08 and Joel C. Jablon.

2007

“I changed positions to scale back at work to make more time for family life, and have been extremely thankful for the ability to do that. Living near three university campuses, it’s great to have the energy of college life around us, but it also reminds me of how special the people and place of Kenyon are to me.”

— Sarah E. Ryan, Ypsilanti, Michigan

2007

Stuart H. Schisgall, Chicago, announces the arrival of a son, James Schisgall. “Mom and James are doing well. Now we have to figure out how to manage two under 2.”

2007

Lauren Z. Steele and John W. Steele IV moved back to SoCal in 2020 and live in northern San Diego with their kiddos (5 and 2), Lauren writes. “I grumble about the constant 70- to 75-degree weather conditions and pine for jacket weather and snow, but we’re happy to be here. Some of you may remember our dog, Bailey, who was a presence at Kenyon in our junior and senior years. He died in April at the ripe old age of 16.5, having spent the greater portion of his last years happily lounging in the sun and generally enjoying a peaceful senescence.”

2008

“After a challenging breast-feeding experience with my first baby, I was inspired to leave my job in software marketing and start a company called Mighty Milk. We offer nonjudgmental online breast-feeding and pumping classes for new and expectant parents. I teamed up with an amazing lactation consultant who leads the classes. I’d love to connect with any other alums who work with prenatal/postpartum families, or any expectant parents. And I’m happy to report that breast-feeding is going very smoothly with my second little one.”

— Kate (Hellman) Miller, Northampton, Massachusetts

2008

“Took the big leap and left coaching to start a consulting company, IntelliSport Analytics, which supports sports leaders using research to make informed decisions and organizational change. Starting my third year teaching sports ethics at Georgetown University and conducting research for the Wharton Business School. Recently fulfilled a bucket list of seeing Metallica and O.A.R. back-to-back nights in Pittsburgh with ’08 classmates Joshua M. Mitchell, Andrew J. Berger, Jacob M. Hoyson as well as Rachel R. Berger ’11 and my wife, Melissa.
”

— Marc E. Christian

2008

Rachel S. Dickson, Chicago, announces, “The documentary I produced, ‘Let the Little Light Shine,’ aired nationally on PBS on Dec. 12.” Rachel’s film portrays a community in action “fighting for a school that works in a system that doesn’t.”

2008

“Our family of four moved from Kamas, Utah (outside of Park City), to Raleigh, North Carolina. We’re excited to be closer to family, and my wife and I are looking forward to reconnecting with old friends. The girls started kindergarten this year, and I will continue working with Merrill Lynch, now out of the Raleigh office. ”

— Bert H. Early III

2008

Alexander C. Kerr, Chicago, started his own tech company at the beginning of 2020. Trajektory sits at the intersection of technology, analytics and sports, helping professional sports organizations evaluate and quantify their sponsorship impact. Named the top tech startup in Chicago in 2021 by TechInMotion, Trajektory works with teams from around the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS and NWSL. “I also got married in October of 2021 to my better half (she’s Canadian),” Alex shares. “We recently bought a house in the Chicago suburbs, along with our Italian sheepdog, Mozzie.”

2008

“This high holiday season marked the first that our synagogue has had a rabbi in many years, and I am pleased to say I chaired the search committee to hire him — something I likely never would have done were it not for the friendship and teaching of Jessie L. Rubenstein and Karen (Singerman) Martin during our time together on the Hill. My son, Ezra, turned 2 and joined his big sister, Eve, at preschool in November. Professionally, I embarked on a new chapter by beginning a certificate program in traumatic stress studies, while working as a virtual mental health therapist for Carbon Health.”

— Anna K. Livak Hale, San Leandro, California

2009

Corrine D. Anderson, Decatur, Georgia, is “busy leading a double life as an actress and the owner of Baby Deer Bakery in Atlanta,” she updates. Cory spent much of late spring on set for various television projects and then used the summer to recipe-test new additions to her bakery menu. “Also learning how to code — which is alternatively very enjoyable and entirely maddening!”

2009

Nina L. O’Keefe and William F. O’Keefe III ’07 “continue to live the good life in Minneapolis with their son, Liam, and dog, Bexley,” they report. They celebrated their 10th year of marriage with a kid-free trip to Bermuda. Nina adds, “A souvenir I brought home from Reunion — a plush frog wearing a purple Kenyon T-shirt — quickly became Liam’s most constant and treasured companion, necessitating an order of four backup frogs from the bookstore website in case of disaster. God bless the internet.”

2009

Caleb S. Ruopp, Concord, New Hampshire, is entering his second year as a teacher of English for speakers of other languages. “My son Graham turned two!” he updates. “He’s an adorable little handful, and my wife and I still chase that elusive dream of a full night’s uninterrupted sleep. Life is busy, exhausting and wonderful.”

2009

“Years of hard work finally paid off! In March, my first story for children was published in Cricket magazine. In April, I gave birth to my first child with hubby Sean Sun — healthy, happy Juniper (Juni) Evelyn Sun. Over the summer, I completed my second master’s, in speech-language pathology, and began working for a small private speech-language therapy practice with a focus on literacy.”

— Helle A. Sun, San Francisco

2009

Michael T.S. Vanacore, Kensington, Maryland, is the pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Wheaton, Maryland. “Grateful for my religious studies formation at Kenyon,” he writes, “which has been a major inspiration in my discernment and call to ministry.” Michael and his wife, Rosa, have a 16-month-old son, Manu.

2010s

2010

Naomi L. Blaushild, Chicago, graduated from Northwestern with a doctorate in human development and social policy in June. “I began working as a postdoc at the Learning Partnership in Chicago and got engaged to my partner of four years, Mike Czajkowski!” Naomi updates. “Can’t wait to have my Kenyon best friends Anna R. (Griffin) Lowell and Claire (Anderson) Boring as bridesmaids!”

2010

Halcyon B.K. Paulson Brooke, was engaged to be married June 24. “I completed national board exams in October,” Hally writes, “which was a doozy, but they are done and I passed! My functional medicine nutrition company is growing rapidly. Our team of seven is changing lives, with the goal of 100,000 people hearing our message this year. Check out livenourishedcoaching.com.”

2010

Jonathan A. Meyers, West Hollywood, California, is an executive producer at RadicalMedia in Los Angeles. His recent projects include the HBO documentary “Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known,” the film of “Trevor: The Musical” on Disney+, and the second season of the sketch/musical comedy series “Sherman’s Showcase” on AMC/IFC.

2010

“In July 2022, I wrapped up my postdoctoral researcher position with the University of Delaware and began a new role as a research agricultural economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. I’m part of the Rural Economy Branch, and my research will focus on rural community sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change. My position is fully remote, so I’m staying in Delaware for the time being!”

— Laura A. Paul, Newark, Delaware

2011

Michael J. Beck and Joy M. Leaman “got hitched on a whim in her motherland — Scotland!” Michael reports. “We had an epic weekend in Pitlochry, a small town in the lower highlands, capped off by a night of ceilidh dancing and scotch at Blair Castle. Shout-out to Kenyon fam that made the trek: Katrina S. ‘Trina’ Rennie (bridesmaid), Harrison Scott and Chanel Scott (groomsmen), Brandon M. Ventling, Miguel E. ‘Miggy’ Barrera, Ryan P. O’Connor and Elizabeth R. (Jacobs) O’Connor ’12, Gaby Koenig, Hannah J. M. Kramer, Jennifer C. Fitzgerald and John ‘JJ’ Hoeffler, McNeil F. Parker ’10, and the even more recently married William H. Vandenberg ’10. Upon return from the festivities, we immediately moved into my mom’s basement, because that’s what mature, independent and married adults do.”

2011

“Had a great spring and summer, despite loss. The highlight was a Kenyon reunion of sorts at Hannah B. Withers’ May wedding in Missoula, Montana. I got to reconnect with so many Kenyon graduates, and it was a real delight. Still working as a ‘scrum master’ (a people and process coach) at Fidelity. Diving back into fiber art and weaving now that I have a studio again. And celebrating my stepson turning 13 in September (pinch me). Still spending about half my time in my garden and the other half daydreaming about two upcoming trips to visit my partner’s family in Croatia — our first since the pandemic.”

— Liza W. Chabot, North Carolina

2011

Sasha Pauline Fanny-Holston moved to Mount Vernon. “I’m still adjusting to life in the country, but I’m loving passing only two traffic lights (and several deer) to/from campus! Outside of work, I’ve been going to yoga class, knitting a temperature blanket (Google it) and hanging out with fellow alums and colleagues. Can’t believe I’ve been back at Kenyon for over a year.”

2011

Marina N. Prado-Steiman, Gainesville, Florida, is happy to report she is now an attorney at the University of Florida. “I’ve been working in the Student Legal Services department for six months, and I love it! I provide free legal representation to all UF students. This summer, I went to the National Student Legal Services conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and fulfilled a lifelong dream of going to the interactive art exhibit, Meow Wolf. My wife, Nicole, works at a nonprofit and provides exemplary legal representation to survivors of domestic violence. Last year, we bought our first home together, and it feels wonderful to improve on something that’s ours.” Marina and Nicole were looking forward to their December vacation to Mexico.

2011

Nicholas T. Severyn, Lexington, Kentucky, finished a fellowship in neonatology at Indiana University in June and took a faculty position at the University of Kentucky as a neonatologist. “My wife and I are enjoying our new home in Lexington and just celebrated our son’s second birthday here on Sept. 11,” he notes.

2012

Graham H. Sorenson moved from British Columbia to New Brunswick, Canada, and is now a dual citizen. “My wife and I bought a house that has a small view of the Bay of Fundy, a big lawn for our dog, and enough forest to encourage lots of birds,” he updates. “I still work for Birds Canada doing bird conservation work and recently joined Quest Nature Tours as a guide for occasional birding/wildlife tours. Reach out if you are in the Maritimes!”

2012

Caitlin Starling and David M. Hohl, Chicago, welcomed a son, James. “While he decided to show up almost a month early this summer, he’s outstripped all his doctors’ predictions and is definitely the coolest baby we know!”

2012

Daniel K. Tebes and his partner moved from San Francisco “to the ‘burbs,” he updates. “We celebrated our two-year wedding anniversary in December — pandemic wedding! — with our families in northern Vietnam. We both lead product teams at tech companies based in SF, and in our free time enjoy helping startups get off the ground, volunteering with a local farm and a dance studio, and backpacking in the Sierras.”

2012

Robert Z. Wolf, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, writes, “Hey gang! I married my wife, Stephanie Sassano, in July of 2021. I’ve been teaching chemistry at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland for the past nine years and am the head coach of both cross country and track at St. Ignatius. Go Owls!”

2013

W. Spencer Carlson, Mill Valley, California, started a pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies’ wellness center. “It brings me back to Kenyon’s amazing wellness center and the remarkable professionals who helped me through various challenges,” he writes. “Sending the whole Class of 2013 best wishes and healthy hearts and minds.”

2013

“It’s been a wild time to work in abortion, but my clinic is still providing care in Cleveland. We’re also the first independent abortion clinic with a staff union! I’m proud to be a union member, and I urge Kenyon to recognize K-SWOC. I also recently joined the inaugural board of the Northeast Ohio Worker Center and have been honored with opportunities to write and speak publicly about the intersection of reproductive justice and the labor movement. If you want information or need care, INeedAnAbortion.com is a great resource ... spread it far and wide.”

— Colleen M. Damerell, Cleveland

2013

Kenneth J. Fedorko, Denver, describes his life of hiking, climbing and playing volleyball as well as acting and writing. “I had one particularly eventful week where I got caught in a thunder and lightning storm at the peak of a 14,000-foot mountain; later that week, a bat got into my apartment and flew around my kitchen for nearly half an hour. The scariest part is … the bat disappeared. I have no idea how it got out. Maybe via a vent? Terrifying — it could reappear at any moment!”

2013

Morgan E. Peele, Philadelphia, defended her dissertation and received her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. She recently began a new role as a senior data scientist in oncology analytics at Merck, where she focuses on prostate cancer.

2013

William J. Plaschke, Overland Park, Kansas, married Alisha Morris in June, with Kenneth J. Fedorko, Daniel J. Katz, Nathan W. Huey and John Rancatore ’14 standing alongside him. “We were so glad to see some other dear Kenyon friends make the trip,” he informs. The couple traveled to Italy, Greece and Turkey on honeymoon. “It was the best two weeks ever.” Willie is a content editor for a tech company focused on law firms, and on weekends is blogging, releasing music and starting a meditation practice.

2013

Christina A. “Tina” Taliercio lives in Salt Lake City with her boyfriend, Matt, and her cats Waffles, T-Dog and Olive. She recently completed training as a B-737 pilot for Alaska Airlines and is looking forward to some Hawaii layovers. She spends her days off camping and hiking around Utah and hanging out with her telescope.

2014

Rachel M. Bishop, Atlanta, married her partner of seven years, Tyler Holsonback, on Sept. 17. In attendance were Devon R. Bacso, David J. Hoyt, Martha M. Gavinski and Shannon P. Kelley. In August, she joined the U.S. Department of Labor as a trial attorney.

2014

Michael P. Gallaher was stationed at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, was promoted to USAF captain, flies on the E-8C JSTARS and lives with his girlfriend, Carson, and their pets Mozart, Kaiju and Poe. “From November 2021 through April 2022 I was deployed to Germany,” he notes. “I was there when the war in Ukraine started, which made that deployment a lot more interesting than I originally thought it was going to be.” Michael has been training to become an instructor air weapons officer. “I have also been selected for an assignment as an instructor air battle manager at the 337th Air Control Squadron at Tyndall AFB, and so will be moving to Panama City, Florida, in February 2023.”

2014

Natalie Thielen Helper, Brooklyn, New York, began a new fundraising job at THE CITY, a nonprofit news outlet covering local news in NYC. She sees as much theater as possible, often with Benjamin L. Neuhaus, and advocates for immigrant and reproductive rights. Closest to her heart, she’s found a way to participate remotely in the effort to shut down the Red Hill fuel tanks poisoning the drinking water aquifer of her home island of Oahu, 5,000 miles from where she currently lives. This winter she planned to finally learn how to crochet.

2014

Caroline L. Hesse, Sayville, New York, opened a wholesale cheese distribution company called C. Hesse Cheese, based in Brooklyn. “I service cheese shops, restaurants and grocery stores, and am hoping to launch a mail-order branch within the next year. I am hoping for a lot of things. Find me at @CHesse_Cheese on Instagram. I would love to be on the cover of the alumni magazine, for what that’s worth.”

2014

“I spent the last week of summer in Ally Bruschi’s lovely Santa Monica apartment enjoying a heat wave and caring for her lovely dog, Louise. My time in L.A. was made even sweeter by seeing Natalie C. Margolin, Genevieve R. Malkin and Lucia L. Knell ’13.”

— Kelsey A. Kiser, Brooklyn, New York

2014

Kristina Miklavic, Lillehammer, Norway, enjoys her job at the Equality Centre working on projects including “how structures in local politics across Norway dictate who gets to participate; an online tool box for health personnel regarding sexual health among elderly; a workshop for teachers regarding anti-racism; and a project we’ve newly started on getting body image and self-esteem in the school curriculum.” Kristina enjoyed a three-week visit from Anabel Yahuitl Garcia last spring: “Road trips around western Norway enjoying the beautiful fjord landscape, and we even got to meet up with Catherine P. Lloyd and enjoyed some kayaking on the fjord.”

2014

After meeting 12 years ago as first-years, Anna V. Peery and Samuel L. Loomis were married at Sam’s childhood home in Santa Barbara, California. “We were so lucky to have had a few of our Kenyon friends there to celebrate: Lana R. Dubin, Peter E. Bogdanich, Michael L. Burten, Dulce M. Montoya and Jessica Lieberman.”

2014

R. McKinley J. Sherrod is a design strategist with the Institute for Healthcare Delivery Design at the University of Illinois at Chicago, “I work with clinicians and administrators to improve patient experience and make health care fit people,” she explains. “My husband and I — along with our pittie, Mabel, and senior cat, Dobbins — finally moved into our 100-year old condo in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood after six months of DIY renovations that included refinishing the original hardwood floors. (Hauling a 100-pound drum sander up three flights of stairs is not for the faint of heart.) I’m writing this from my tranquil new office/sunroom, which reminds me of my ninth-floor room in Caples amongst the treetops.”

2014

Kerry D.J. Strader, Mount Vernon, Ohio, celebrated her first year back on the Hill since returning to Kenyon as associate director of off-campus study. “I really enjoy helping our students branch out around the world, especially since the pandemic upended international travel. In my free time, you can find me living that pastoral Knox County life at the Mount Vernon Farmers’ Market or running on the Gap Trail. I’m also thrilled to be volunteering as an assistant coach for the cross country teams.”

2015

Audrey L. Davis arrived in the U.K. and began a master’s in Renaissance and early modern studies at the University of York. She enjoyed the brisk fall weather and the fully functional public transportation system. She does not enjoy tea, but is getting good at pretending to.

2015

Alyssa M. LaFrenierre married Christian F. Josephson ’16 on June 11, 2022, at Kenyon. “Along with family and other friends, we had around 50 alumni there to celebrate with us! It was the best day!”

2015

Caroline R. (Dultz) Przybylowski works in fashion marketing, overseeing fashion and beauty digital advertising and publisher partnerships for Macy’s in New York City. She was married in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Sept. 24. “Now Caroline Przybylowski — say that five times fast!”

2015

Life in London is picking up speed! Our baby Felicity is a baby no more — we have a toddler, which is fun (and a little terrifying some days!). After a tough time postpartum, I landed a dream job at the English Institute of Sport, working with the British Olympic diving team, and that has been amazing. Learning to juggle work and motherhood.

2015

Margaret R. Tucker and William C. “Liam” Cardon ’16, Washington, D.C., were married on May 14, 2022. “We were so excited to share our special day with so many Kenyon friends.”

2016

Kaitlin E. Creamer defended her doctoral dissertation and earned a doctorate from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California-San Diego. “My dissertation focused on efforts to culture new marine bacteria, study their genomics, and the evolution of the natural chemicals that they produce (i.e., drug discovery from the sea!). My doctorate journey brought other adventures, including a research cruise aboard the EV Nautilus using a remotely operated vehicle to collect deep-sea sediment, animal and rock samples. I’m now a postdoctoral scholar at University of California-Berkeley and the Innovative Genomics Institute, investigating the genomics of microbes important for carbon sequestration processes. Although I’m sad to leave the SoCal beaches behind, I’m excited to explore more of the NorCal area over the next few years!”

2016

Bradley J. Raynor completed a graduate program in international affairs in 2021 and fulfilled his lifelong goal to join the foreign service. “I will be serving in Cameroon for my first tour and cannot wait to see one of the few waterfalls in the world that empties directly into the ocean. But as exciting as that news was, it was nothing compared to the moment when Alison T. Pratt ’17 said yes to my proposal to marry her after a truly wonderful seven years of dating. We started our adventure together at Kenyon (notably not near Uganda), and now it would seem the next step in our journey will be taking us a little bit closer to Uganda.”

2016

Emily A. Sakamoto married Thomas K. Reardon ’17 on April 23 at the Inn at Little Washington in Little Washington, Virginia, in a small family-only ceremony.

2016

Jennifer J. Seely is an assistant attorney general for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, working on air, water, contaminated sites and environmental health. “Grateful for trails, mountains and water in Anchorage!”

2016

Peter W.O. Wear has been living in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago for the past six years. They recently began working as a content marketing strategist at a company focused on driving organic traffic toward companies focused on sustainability and clean technology. They live with their partner of five years, Tommy, and two guinea pigs, Chia and Tofu. Peter continues to read voraciously, and has gotten into street photography as well as writing poetry.

2017

Christine C. Appleby received her master’s in special education from Lourdes University in Toledo, Ohio, last May and began work as an intervention specialist in the fall.

2017

Lauren E. Michael started her master’s degree at the University of Rhode Island. “I’ll be studying bird migration on Block Island in the fall and spending the rest of the year on the R.I. coast.”

2017

Aldis H. Petriceks, Boston, “has come humbly, with fear and trembling, to the conclusion that, at the end of the day, it’s about love.”

2017

Seth T. Reichert is pursuing a master’s degree in urban planning in Los Angeles and expects to graduate this spring. “When I’m not in school, working or doing homework, I am playing music with Rebecca R. Simantov ’19, Sabrina E. Halavi ’20 and Jana T. Heckerman ’22 — or rekindling my long-lost love of reading for fun.”

2017

“I got engaged during the dreamy winter season in North Carolina under beautiful winter lights in an arboretum. I am in the third year of my chiropractic program, focusing on family chiropractic and nutrition.”

— Alexandra Simic-Hachmann, Venice, Florida

2017

Jennifer L. Wendler graduated from American University last May. “My digital master’s thesis is posted online for all who wish to read it — search ‘Ideals of Femininity in the Dutch Republic.’” In July, Jenna spent a week in Italy for a summer program at Venice International University discussing Shakespeare’s “Othello” and Renaissance and contemporary views on multiculturalism in the theater and society. While seeking full-time employment in the arts, she is an adjunct faculty instructor in the AU art history department.

2018

“I’m still in Austin, Texas, working on my doctorate in political theory at UT. I spent some time in Washington, D.C., last summer with Henry D. Brill ’19, as well as Lindsay Stoner, Paul R. Murphy, Ann L. Coonan and many other Kenyon friends.”

— Evan C. Gee

2018

Houlder L. Hudgins, Richmond, Virginia, enjoys the River City life during the summer and works at the United Network for Organ Sharing. “I reached the halfway point in my master’s degree program in public health at George Washington U. My younger brother William B. ‘Dell’ Hudgins ’22 graduated, and it was great to be back on campus for that.”

2018

Natalie S. Kane finished a six-month season in the artistic/literary department at Roundabout Theatre Company in NYC. “I’ve loved becoming more immersed in the theater community here and am looking forward to getting back to freelance directing and dramaturging.”

2018

Juliet E. Levy, Denver, lives with her boyfriend and their dog. “After earning my master’s in musicology from the University of Denver in 2021, I completed an internship with the company that makes Operabase and CueTV. Then I started a customer support position with MakeMusic (Finale/Garritan/SmartMusic) outside of Boulder.”

2018

Samantha V. Palicz, McLean, Virginia, graduated from George Washington University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences with a doctorate in physical therapy and now practices as a pediatric physical therapist in the D.C. area.

2018

Caroline R. Popiel lives in New Haven, Connecticut, with her husband and two cats, while working at Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin as a software test engineer. Indigo L. Rinearson has been working as a software engineer at Axios since April, living in Seattle and baking pies for fun.

2018

Nathaniel W. Rosenberg was promoted to manager for deposit to enrollment in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Specifically, I am working with students who are starting early in the summer or fall, students who defer their enrollment, and leading our final transcript collection and review process. When I’m not emailing students or reading hundreds of applications, nothing brings me more joy than cooking dinner for and spending time with Conor L. Tazewell ’15, Sarah P. Jensen and Claire M. Oxford, who also live in Madison.”

2018

Henry O. Uhrik completed an M.F.A. in illustration and visual culture at Washington University in St. Louis and now teaches comics and illustration at Rochester Institute of Technology.

2019

Alejandra J. Colmenares is a research coordinator for clinical psychology at the Addiction Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “My life’s work is my personal relationships,” she notes. “Thanks, Kenyon, for that.”

2019

I got engaged (to a guy #gayrights)! Still living in L.A. and have no plans on ever leaving this horribly dystopian utopia.”

2019

Anna C. Tancredi and Austin R. Barrett ’18 live in Los Angeles. “I just started as a graphic designer at HDMZ,” Anne updates, “a PR firm for science and health-care companies.

2019

Diego A. Fajardo, Indianapolis, was working at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on its diversity, equity and accessibility task force. “I worked directly with the president of the biggest children’s museum in the world to recommend new standards to build a better work environment,” he notes. “Now I am moving on to become the collections manager at the Museum of Miniatures, still in Indianapolis, where I will manage cataloguing the collection of miniatures and curate exhibits at our mini Minis Museum.”

2020s

2020

Mijal Epelman and Caroline A. Campos enjoy coming home to their “sweet little apartment” at the end of each day as they work on an acting M.F.A. (Caroline) and a J.D. (Mijal) at Yale, they inform.

2020

Charles C. Gnagy started graduate school in the mathematics department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee last fall.

2020

Mijal Epelman and Caroline A. Campos enjoy coming home to their “sweet little apartment” at the end of each day as they work on an acting M.F.A. (Caroline) and a J.D. (Mijal) at Yale, they inform.

2020

Charles C. Gnagy started graduate school in the mathematics department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee last fall.

2020

John Thomas “Tommy” Johnson teaches social studies and English to sixth-graders at his high school alma mater in Chapel Hill, North Carlina, while doing coursework in Manhattan at Teachers College, Columbia, in the summer. “It’s really meaningful to serve kids in the community I grew up in, and I really enjoy the elastic, multidisciplinary nature of middle-school teaching.”

2020

“After two years in Minneapolis, I’ve found my way back to Ohio as an M.F.A. candidate in fiction at Ohio State! If you want to read my work,” Kate adds, “find my first publication in Gigantic Sequins, Issue 13.”

— Kathryn G. LeMon

2020

Madeline E. Lockyer moved to Toronto to be with her boyfriend, Thomas, and their dogs, Cosmo and Marti. At the time of writing, she was “in the midst of working the Toronto International Film Festival as head mixologist and menu consultant.” In October, she went back to school for a certificate in museum curation and conservation with the Ontario Museum Association.

2020

Julia K. Muse completed her master’s in library and information science at the University of Illinois last May and accepted a position as the humanities and social sciences librarian at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. “Making my return to a small liberal arts school has been very rewarding!”

2020

Claire M. Preston completed a master’s in virtual and augmented reality at Goldsmith’s, University of London, and in October joined Dartmouth College as a Neukom/ITC XR fellow.

2020

Connor J. Rumpit and Kara J. Morrison moved to New York City, where he began working as an assistant swim coach for New York University.

2021

Sarah G. Greenspon lives in New York City and works as an assistant preschool teacher. Thomas H. Guidotti and Erika Oku “are living the good life in Ohio,” Thomas updates. “I am at Booz Allen Hamilton in Dayton, where I support modeling and simulation contracts for the Air Force. Working with things like missile systems isn’t something I would have foreseen doing after Kenyon, but here I am.”

2021

Hanaa Ibrahim shares, “With the help of passionate and dedicated alumni, we have been able to establish the Kenyon International Student Mentorship Initiative, which aims to guide Kenyon’s international students through professional life after Kenyon. As many of you know, there are a lot of challenges inherent to being an international graduate in the U.S., and our goal directly addresses some of those challenges — including educating students (with the help of the Center for Global Engagement) about a complicated visa system, the confusion that comes with applying for jobs as a non-U.S. citizen, and other complications.” Hanaa moderated an alumni-student panel at the kickoff ceremony Oct. 22.

2021

Hannah D. Petrich moved to Alaska. “My full-time job is working with sled dogs,” she updates. “I work for the most accomplished dog musher in the world, five-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey, living in a dry cabin at the kennel with 120 of the best endurance mammals on the planet. I help train a group of Iditarod dogs, I guide dog-sledding tours and I’ll hopefully get my first mid-distance dog sled race under my belt this winter!”

2022

Kate F. Alexy spent her summer visiting friends in Key Largo before starting her first year of veterinary school at Cornell University.

2022

Noah D. Amsterdam, who interned at a solar energy company for a few years through a Kenyon connection, has been promoted to full-time designer. “I now ensure people making the switch to solar have the best possible understanding of its potential for their properties. I am also continuing my work as an editor for EA Sports with the FIFA video game series.”

2022

J. Michael Asuncion is “enjoying work at Morgan Stanley and life in Milwaukee. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m missing (lacrosse) ‘fall ball’ — good luck to all those involved!”

2022

“I help edit these alumni notes now! Since August, I’ve been working at the Office of Communications doing accounting, editorial assistance and lots of photo-related work. I’m also volunteering a few days a week for Kenyon’s running programs as an assistant coach. If you’re interested in Kenyon photography, please check out @dannie.lane.photography on Instagram and dannielane.com online!”

— Daniel O. “Dannie” Lane

Behind the Recipe

One of Us: Thomas Holton ‘91

How to Breathe Underwater

My Generation: 1960s

60-Second Syllabus: FILM 243

All in the Family

Book Shelf

One of Us: Rachel Sachnoff ‘12