Mary Washington Class Notes Fall 2025

Mary WashingtonClass Notes

Fall 2025

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Dear Mary Washington alumni,

We hope you enjoy this issue of Class Notes. It’s wonderful to read about the career achievements, family milestones, and community involvement of so many alumni across all generations. Your stories reflect the diverse paths our Eagles have taken since graduation.

As always, we extend heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated class agents who work diligently to collect information and keep classes connected. They are the vital link that makes this publication possible, reaching out to classmates and ensuring that important news is shared with our broader community.

We also want to thank all alumni who submitted updates for this edition. Whether you shared news

of a recent accomplishment, a family celebration, or a new adventure, your contributions help maintain the strong bonds that unite our Mary Washington family. We encourage you to continue sharing your stories and to reach out to old friends whose updates you read in these pages.

We hope to see you at an upcoming campus, regional, or virtual alumni event soon!

Mark Thaden ’02

Associate Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement

Front cover: A group of 2005 alumni gather for cool treats at Carl’s during Reunion Weekend 2025.

Right: Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte, who also serves as the UMW Foundation executive director, with 1995 grads (from left) Brendan Kelly, Mike Riordan, and Sean Lynch during Reunion Weekend.

Photography.

Class Notes

No class agent? No problem. Send your news to classnotes@umw.edu

If you prefer to submit Class Notes by mail, send to: UMW Office of Alumni Engagement, 1119 Hanover St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401.

1950

Marcy Weatherly Morris classnotes@umw.edu

I, Marcy Weatherly Morris, would like to issue a challenge to my classmates so I can compile an interesting article for the next issue. Please share the following:

1.) What did you study at Mary Washington?

2.) Are you married and for how long?

3.) How many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren do you have?

4.) What was the most memorable or important thing you have done in your life?

I look forward to hearing your answers. Please send me a card: P.O. Box 1, King George, VA 22485, or call or text 540-604-2534.

1951 No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1952

Rita Morgan Stone rita.stone7@aol.com

Much of our Class of 1952 news remains the same. I’ve enjoyed phone conversations with many of you.

Susan Hutcheson Jurgens was cheered by visits with her two daughters, Ellen and Carol, who returned from Iran.

Ann O’Dette Chovitz from Norfolk, Virginia, sounded upbeat as she tries to stay apolitical.

I also spoke with Mary Lou Finney Boyd, Maryanne Heatwole Cox , and Joyce Long Moore, who looks forward to a Lake Gaston family trip despite knee surgery that was not as successful as she had hoped.

At the invitation of a mutual Powhatan friend, Betty Montgomery Handy and I enjoyed a Sunday brunch at Lakewood, where I live.

Lastly, I shall include a note from Ginny Orkney Philbrick , who never fails to respond: “Mary Washington College offered students many wonderful

opportunities to learn and grow. For me, the most impactful of these was its excellent faculty. Beyond their impressive training and adherence to high academic standards, many professors made efforts to know students outside the classroom. As a history major, I remember social occasions with faculty, delicious dinners at the homes of mentors, and fascinating excursions to historical sites. I decided to share my love for history with college students, hoping I might achieve a measure of all that my professors offered me. After a few years at a large university where that proved difficult, I accepted a position at a small college where the MWC approach was easier to achieve and remained there until retirement.”

I, Rita Morgan Stone, was saddened to learn of the death of our esteemed Mary Washington president, Dr. William Anderson. The tribute included in this issue reminds us of his many accomplishments and contributions to our alma mater. It was my first year on the Board of Visitors when Dr. Prince Woodard died. It was our task to choose the next president, a decision that I still think is the BOV’s most important responsibility. Obviously, we made a wise choice. I’ll always remember President Anderson with admiration and cherish our friendship.

1953

Betsy Dickinson Surles surles@infionline.net

So much history has been made in our political arena this year. My personal life has been on a new agenda as a widow. Acceptance, belief, and continuing forward without Jesse has been challenging, but I grow every day. I, Betsy Dickinson Surles, am a survivor, and my photographic memory helps me recall many precious memories of our life together. I’ve found a new church fulfilling my spiritual, emotional, social fellowship, and physical ministry needs, but I miss teaching Sunday school. My pastor’s Biblical sermons aid my spiritual growth as I drive to church every week. So many relatives, friends, and grandchildren of past students there add to my life. I miss hearing from my fellow ’53-ers, but many have completed their journeys

Peggy Hopkins Johnson is in good health and is active and busy, but she’s sad so many classmates have passed. After graduation, she taught school for 34 years and lived in Fredericksburg with her husband and daughter for 70

years. She helped organize many Mary Washington class reunions. She moved to an assisted living home a year ago near her daughter, Liz. Peggy would love to hear from her classmates. She even texts! Call her at 540-220-7868 or drop her a note at The View Alexandria, 5000 Fairbanks Ave. #313, Alexandria, VA 22311.

Doris Lindsey Whitfield enjoys reading Class Notes. It’s a wonderful reminder of growing up on Marye Street in Fredericksburg with friends in the neighborhood and her father teaching history at Mary Washington. Her parents taught her about the beauty of nature and the importance of exercise on their walks to Alum Springs Park. She has carried on that tradition and enjoys swimming at her pool in Raleigh, North Carolina. Doris’ two daughters, two granddaughters, and their families bring joy to her life. She is active in many environmental organizations that keep her focused on what’s important. She sends her best wishes!

1954

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1955

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1956

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

Ann Chilton Power wrote: “Though I have retired as class agent, I subscribe to The Washington Post. At 90, I take note of the obituaries. Bonnie Estes Bowman ’58, Mary Fredman Downing ’59, Christa Huchthausen Mueller ’60, Mary Ann Sills Marks ’62 , and Parry Watson Pierce ’68 all attended MWC and have passed away. My sophomore year roommate, Dixie Moore Anderson Kirby, also passed away on May 15, 2025.”

1957

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1958

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

Lois Fairfax Runaldue passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2025, in Woodbridge, Virginia. She was the first in her family to attend college and in a long line of Mary Washington graduates. She will be missed by her family, including

Class Notes

daughter Leslie Runaldue Tufarolo ’84 and granddaughter Chelsea Tufarolo ’13

1959

Beth Shochat Cole bethcole75@gmail.com

I, Beth Shochat Cole , was pondering what to write when I received a text from Kay Rowe Hayes that eloquently summed up my thoughts on “the glory of enjoying these elder years.” She wrote: “I’ve been thinking of your task to write comments, and my life is so simple with minimal demands to sustain a good quality of life. Children, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild, with another on the way, are thriving in happy surroundings.” Kay’s time is occupied with gardening, playing bridge, book clubs, and staying connected with her community groups and friends. She has no desire to travel and enjoys her “country-casual” lifestyle with a wildlife habitat in her backyard. The much-needed rain has ended serious drought conditions, so she’s focused on restoring her landscape.

Kay encouraged Dodie Reeder Hruby to write her activities. Dodie and Dale are in their 11th year at Patriots Colony in Williamsburg. They moved from Northern Virginia to be closer to their middle child and her family in Suffolk. They have six grandchildren who live nearby. Their son and his family, including two great-grandchildren, are in the Dallas area. Their youngest daughter moved to Georgia as her husband is the new president of Georgia Military College. Dodie and Dale both lead active lives. Her passion is oil painting, and she’s painted portraits of their nine grandchildren, but they’re gaining “greats” faster than she can paint.

Mary Massey loves life at Riderwood Village in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she’s lived for six years. Her “home away from home” is Nature Forward, formerly the Audubon Naturalist Society, where she’s volunteered for almost 34 years. Besides wonderful classes and entertainment, Mary enjoys dining with friends at restaurants and following the University of Maryland Lady Terps and the Washington Mystics women’s basketball teams. She exercises to prevent arthritis pain, affecting both her and her little 16-year-old dog. Mary is grateful to be agile, energetic, and mentally alert at age 88.

Our classmates are showing me what us “elders” can do and be. I’m the corresponding secretary of our garden club, serve on our community association board, keep up with a daily yoga practice, and regularly attend the

symphony. If you have similar stories, we’d love to hear them. Please keep in touch via phone, text, or email: 240-687-1717 and bethcole75@gmail.com.

1960

Karen Larsen Nelson karenlarsennelson60@gmail.com

1961

Lloyd Tilton Backstrom Ltbackstrom39@gmail.com

Elizabeth “Bitsy” Anne Wright Coxe is grateful to still be here, appreciating life! She misses family and friends who’ve passed, albeit with love and memories that sustain her. She enjoys sons Michael and Stephen, daughterin-law Mariana (Stephen’s wife), and her fabulous 19-year-old granddaughter, Alice, a junior architectural studies major at Swarthmore College (Stephen’s alma mater). As her only grandchild, Alice has her full attention. Bitsy sends wishes of health and happiness to our class. Kay Slaughter moved from her Charlottesville home of 33 years to the Colonnades, where Bette Marchant George lives. They didn’t know each other at MWC but discovered many connections in a long visit this spring. Kay will miss her beautiful Rivanna River home but is grateful for the individual moments of beauty and the family and community events she enjoyed there. She looks forward to the next stage of life. She curated an art show in 2024 called “Beyond Boundaries,” about Alice Ivory, a local African American woman who overcame racial and gender barriers to become a welded metal artist. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and individuals loaned their sculptures for the exhibit, which ran last fall.

Betsy Ottley Taggart hosted Kay and a mutual friend at her home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They had a wonderful time reminiscing about life and their years at Douglas Freeman High School in Richmond.

Clara Sue Durden Ashley’s granddaughter, Anwyn, graduated cum laude from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she majored in music and played piano, organ, flute, and piccolo. Her sister, Noelle, graduated from high school and ice skates beautifully. Clara Sue and son Andrew traveled to Connecticut for the graduation of her grandson, Palmer, from the Coast Guard Academy, where he majored in civil engineering. The weather was rainy and chilly, and the stadium’s benches were hard, but the ceremony was beautiful.

Jerri Barden Perkins, MD, wrote: “We all aspire to live a life filled with purpose and happiness – or, if we’re fortunate, both.” She spoke in April at UMW ElderStudy, where she shared reflections from her memoir, Pushing Your Boundaries. She asks: “How safe are our drugs? With many Americans taking more than one prescription medication, how confident are we in the safety of them?” Jerri will present additional talks through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the Universities of Richmond and South Carolina. Her presentations explore the balance between innovation and oversight in drug and medical safety devices. All profits from her book support the UMW Scholarship Foundation

1962

Kathleen Sprenkle Lisagor classnotes@umw.edu

Betsy Carper Cole went to her grandson’s beautiful wedding in northern California. It was magical

being with her five grandsons and three great-grandchildren.

Georgianne Maloy Hull is celebrating 63 years of marriage.

Peggy Downs Gerber and John had a beautiful trip to Spain.

Myrtle Lee Dean France is enjoying her physical well-being, clearing her home farmland, and the positive news from daughter Rebecca’s cancer treatments.

Judith White Walsh resides in California and continues her MWC theatre talents.

I, Kathleen Sprenkle Lisagor, am thankful for the Christmas births of my two greatgranddaughters. I’m recuperating from a brain bleed after falling last winter, but I’ve played piano for sing-alongs at Harmony at Falls Run in Fredericksburg.

1963

Betsy Lydle Smith betsylydlesmith@gmail.com

Barbara Yancey Williamson and James, her husband of 62 years, have lived in Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg, Virginia, for 11 years. You can be as involved in activities as you want – or not!

Their three sons, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren are spread out from Boston to Phoenix. Unfortunately, Barbara and James don’t get to see all of them that often, but they keep in touch.

Cathy Foster Skala lives in Long Beach, California, near her daughter, son, and grandchildren. She and husband Charles, now deceased, previously lived in Colorado and Smith Mountain Lake in Franklin County, Virginia, where Cathy developed and hosted a cable TV program, The Back Porch. Cathy volunteers with the Assistance League of Long Beach and is active in the Philanthropic Educational Organization. Cathy, Susan Rutan Joehnk , and Betsy Lydle Smith were roommates at South Mission Beach in San Diego after college. They were recruited, along with other Mary Washington graduates, to teach in San Diego Public Schools.

Arlene Drescher Wilson has lived in Nashville for two decades and met her Australian partner six years ago at a bluegrass venue. They split their time between Music City and Newcastle, Australia. They’re returning there in August, where it’s winter and 55 degrees!

Son Henry and his family live in Charlotte, North Carolina, two hours away from Arlene’s MWC roommate, Julie Burch Southall, in Greensboro. Her other college roomie, Betty Chilton Finkle, lives in Los Gatos, California, and Lively, Virginia, on the Rappahannock River. Arlene does textile design and painting. Visit @aw_earthwork on Instagram and arlenewilsonearthwork.com. She’s involved with the Nashville

Tree Foundation to offset her carbon footprint.

Nancy Slonim Aronie’s third book, Seven Secrets to Writing the Perfect Personal Essay: Crafting the Story Only YOU Can Write, came out this year. “This sounds like tooting my own horn, but my life has been amazing!” said Nancy, who had an art opening at Granary Gallery on Martha’s Vineyard. You can find her artwork by searching her name and the gallery. Joel helps her with the technical parts of her pieces. She wrote: “We’re still a team, celebrating our 58th anniversary!”

Inspired by Nancy, whose books I’ve read and dissected, as well as my writing group at Robson Ranch in Eloy, Arizona, and motivated by wishing I knew more about my grandmother who died when I was 10, I, Betsy Lydle Smith, have written my memoir and vignettes about my life. I plan to publish it for my family and friends this summer. It’s been fun and enlightening to reflect on my influences. Mary Washington was a big one. I remember my freshman English professor, Dr. Griffith, ripping apart my writing and encouraging me to rewrite. My sister, Susan, and I had a wonderful trip to Ireland last summer to learn more about our grandmother whose parents were from there. We saw where many of our family traits came from. Pete and I have lived in the Sonora Desert in southern Arizona, for four years. We took our third summer trip to the Pacific Northwest to escape the heat and visit our two daughters and grandchildren. We enjoy road trips and were wowed by Zion National Park’s stunning beauty this year. We were thrilled when our eldest granddaughter chose the University of Arizona.

Elizabeth Chamberlain Hartz wrote that Nancy Lee Leidy, who was in Virginia Hall our freshman year and then went to Virginia Commonwealth University to earn a medical technician degree, passed away on Oct. 17, 2024.

Mary Burden Cosby passed away on Dec. 10, 2024, reported her son.

Mary Saunders Latimer wrote that Nancy Hurst Gibbs passed away on Jan. 21, 2025.

1964

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

Margaret Goode Watkins enjoyed a visit with Ruth Pharr Sayer in May. Ruth came from Princeton, New Jersey, while Margaret traveled from Alexandria,

Virginia. They met in Easton, Maryland, where they had lunch and caught up on family news, including their grandchildren’s accomplishments! Margaret traveled to Winchester in April to attend the funeral of Jane Showker Capehart’s husband, John. They met when Margaret and Jane were juniors at Mary Washington, and John was attending Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, and married the summer after graduation.

1965

Evie King Cox Coanriver@gmail.com

Rosemary McCall Schoenthal passed away on Jan. 10, 2025, reported her son. After Mary Washington, Rosemary worked as a teacher, a county election official, and a real estate broker, and was a devoted farmer’s wife. She was proud of her family and found immense joy in her grandchildren. She loved gardening and was a phenomenal chef, a generous caregiver, and an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wytheville, Virginia, serving on the altar guild. She is survived by her loving husband, two sons, and five grandchildren.

1966

Katharine Rogers Lavery hlavery1@cox.net

Our MW Lunch Bunch held a potluck luncheon in May to greet Cathe Cantwell Luria, who visited from Ajijic, Mexico. Her husband, Eric, had never been to D.C., so he and Cathe saw notable landmarks, stopped at my house for lunch, and continued to Williamsburg. Cathe and Eric enjoy many musical activities, including vocal, instrumental, and dancing. Cathe has become a prolific acrylic artist. Joining us were Lois Rucker Scott , Ann Kales Lindblom, Susanne Landerghini Boehm, Caroline Hogeland Ruppar, Genie McClellan Hobson, Sandra Hutchison Schanné, and me. Anne Meade Clagett , Anne Powell Young, Joan Cuccias Patton, and Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner were unable to attend.

Lee Enos Kelley took a river cruise that ended in Amsterdam as the tulips were at their peak. During our luncheon, she and her sister were traveling to their hometown, but Lee sent us a packet about our Class of 1966 Scholarship Fund, which awards approximately $1,000 each year to a student who might otherwise be unable to finish their

Class Notes

senior year. Please contribute to help our scholarship fund grow and benefit more students.

Lois Rucker Scott called me after a long absence to inquire if the converted barn home her daughter bought had been part of my family’s farm. Lois’ two daughters and their families live in Fairfax and Arlington. Lois and Sam are delighted to have their grandchildren nearby and love being involved. Lois struggles with back and mobility issues but was able to attend our luncheon and enjoyed being back in the fold.

Susanne Landerghini Boehm tried to bring Anne Price Fortney with her. We hope to see her next time. Susanne’s husband, Ralph, a professional violinist and strings instructor, visited briefly. He and I shared interesting anecdotes and memories of our lives as musicians and discovered mutual friends in our music circles.

Genie McClellan Hobson and husband Don, who were traveling in their RV, stayed after lunch. Genie (a clarinet player) and I (cornet) were both MWC band members. Don (trumpet) and I played together in UVA/MWC joint concerts but hadn’t seen each other for years. Genie enrolled in the Class of 1967, attended two summer sessions, and completed a bachelor’s degree in 1966. Consequently, she is the last to turn 80, with a birthday celebration in September.

Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner wrote in July that her broken arm had healed beautifully, according to her surgeon, who gifted her a dozen donuts! He gave her permission to drive again, so she planned to return to Northern Virginia. She’ll visit her sister before arriving in Alexandria in time for our next MW Lunch Bunch in August.

Sandra Hutchison Schanné hosted her college freshman grandson from Denver while he played in a lacrosse tournament. He received a full scholarship to the University of Utah, where he’ll continue his lacrosse career. Sandra stayed home for her 81st birthday and received a steady stream of calls from family and friends, including her senior year roommate, Catherine Cargle Catchpole, who lives in Massachusetts.

My daughters arranged a huge 80th birthday celebration for me, Katharine Rogers Lavery. They hired a pavilion at a brewery in Loudoun, Virginia, and invited the entire clan. We had 65 family members (four generations) and four lifelong friends

at a casual yet elaborate buffet with a three-tiered cake. It was wonderful to reconnect and reminisce. After several other birthday celebrations, two graduations, and my sister’s 50th wedding anniversary, Hank and I took our annual beach vacation to Nags Head with our young adult grandkids plus cheerful visits with friends.

While my granddaughter was at the college testing center in Elizabeth City, Mary Parsons Black and I visited the local watering hole, discussing old times, new discoveries, and possible future gettogethers. Mary lamented that she’s too far away in North Carolina to join our MW Lunch Bunch but might make a special trip in August. She attended the 50th Parsons family golf reunion in June at the Foundry Golf Club in Powhatan, where there is a Parsons Pond! Mary suggests that we come with the 1908 Society for Reunion Weekend next May.

Carolyn Perry Grow wondered if we could have a Zoom meeting. She lives near Charlottesville, too far to come for lunch. She asked about Pat Thompson, a math major from Orange, Virginia. Pat married Paul Greenwald in 1987, and they visited Carolyn and Dave several years ago from The Villages in Florida. She learned that Pat passed away five years ago. Carolyn also inquired about Ambler Carter. They met in 1964 in Norfolk, when a friend invited her to play bridge at Ambler’s house. Anne Powell Young shared that Ambler lives near Philadelphia in the same apartment building as her daughter and has visual issues that prohibit driving and reading with ease. But she is alive and well – and is still a walking dictionary! Anne participates in a local book club, sees Marcia Covert Chaves frequently, and purchases Marcia’s paintings, intending to leave them to her grandchildren. Marcia loves fishing at her family’s property in the Outer Banks.

Kathy Goddard Moss occasionally joins us by FaceTime. She and Tom were driving from Oakland to Toronto to visit their children and siblings while their retirement community was retrofitting buildings to make them safer in case of an earthquake. Their three-month journey included visits to Seattle, Atlanta, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio. They then flew to Madrid, spending five weeks with their daughter’s family. Still missing twin sister Eileen, Kathy deeply values all the time spent with loved ones.

Joan Cuccias Patton attended her annual Newport Beach family reunion with 50 members, then joined her

siblings and their spouses for a cruise from Norway, around the British Isles, to Liverpool. Joan then flew to Paris to meet Harry for a Seine River cruise to Normandy. After her long absence, Joan planned to host the next MW Lunch Bunch in August. Sadly, her roommate and best friend, Emily Cosby Dieter, passed away in May. Our condolences to Joan and to Emily’s family.

Pam Kearney Patrick plans to join us on FaceTime next time we meet. She misses our sisterhood and requested copies of the photo we posted on the 1966 Facebook group for her and Carol Bingley Wiley. Pam and Carol both paint and exhibit their work, in California and Maine, respectively. Pam has connected with local art and watercolor groups, was juried into three shows, and earned the juror’s award in one of them. She found a cousin in Vancouver whom she plans to visit; he has three sons who proudly carry on the Kearney name. Carol keeps up with Mary Grace Wright Day, Ginny Bateman Brinkley, and Pam Hughes Ward, who lives on Virginia’s Northern Neck.

Ginny Bateman Brinkley enjoys playing in a dulcimer group and posts some of their sessions on Facebook.

Terry Caruthers has become an avid painter, using photos to paint portraits of friends and family. She also painted a large collection of floral arrangements in colorful vases. She displays her artwork locally and on her new website.

Barbi Barriga Rowe turned 80 in October with an amazing Banner Birthday Royal Jubilee. Barbi and Gordon were the queen and king with their children and grandchildren as princesses, knights, and pages. Friends and family convened in glorious Brandywine, Pennsylvania, coming from Switzerland, Colombia, Madrid, and several East Coast cities. They had 70 guests for Friday desserts, Saturday charcuterie and a dinner party with dancing, and Sunday brunch! Barbi is already anticipating her 90th!

Pat Lewars Pace and Linda Glynn Hutchinson traveled to Costa Rica and Panama, with wonderful sights but extremely hot and humid weather. Pat’s absolute must-see was the Panama Canal, where they witnessed huge container ships barely scraping through the channels. Pat and Linda’s next destination is undetermined except that it will be somewhere cool!

Elaine Gerlach McKelly and husband Tim decided to take one more trip abroad to Scotland, inspired by her

reading the entire Outlander series. Their granddaughter, a 2023 UMW graduate, is in law school and the Marine Corps. She attends the officer candidate school in Quantico and is pursuing a career as a Marine Corps judge advocate.

Katie Winn Green still relishes her 80th birthday trip to Australia to visit her son’s family and has settled back in her Houston Choral Society routine. They performed Vaughn Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem” and Brahms’ “Schicksalsied” with a full orchestra last season. Katie’s garden is mostly weeds, since it’s too hot to enjoy working outside.

Judy Wells Clark is a church organist, music director, teacher, and occasional performer. To commemorate its 100th anniversary, her church commissioned a Peabody Institute student to compose a piano trio based on the hymn, “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” Judy and her colleagues performed it twice to receptive audiences.

Robbie James East was happy that Lois is back in touch. Robbie, Lois, and Kathy Pollard Wood (Robbie’s freshman roommate) spent delightful times in Lois’ beach house, and Robbie, Lois, Clara Middleton Leigh ’63, had many happy lunches together. Robbie reconnected with another roommate, Rachel Saffer Bitler, who lives in western Pennsylvania. A committed genealogy detective, she discovered she shares some ancestors with Robbie! Rachel’s son teaches public school and plays in a well-known bluegrass band. Robbie is grateful for the hospice care she and her husband received before he passed. She attended a Loudoun County family reunion and reminisced about Dennis and his unfailing quick wit. To avoid lonesome nights, Robbie has adopted two cats, Peaches and Poppy, who provide good company and much joy. Robbie loves gardening and converted her yard to a chemical-free pollinator garden and monarch waystation.

Susan Hanes Chaney and Bill drove to Loudoun for a memorial service and were shocked that they hardly recognized anything from when they lived there. Route 66, constructed while we were at MWC, is now 15 lanes in Centreville! Susan and Bill are happy in their quiet Tidewater town and enjoy maintaining their yard and small garden. They’re considering a U.S. river cruise but have no other major travel plans.

Midge Meredith Poyck traveled to South Carolina for her eldest grandson’s

wedding, where it was delightful to reunite with family. All six of Midge’s grandkids earned undergraduate degrees and are employed or attending grad school. To escape the Tuscon heat, Midge took a month-long retreat to Santa Fe, joined by her daughter, son-inlaw, and dachshund puppy.

Diana Hamilton Cowell happily reported that youngest son Dana was married in Morgantown, West Virginia, and lives in Charlestown, working with the Charlestown Police Department. In May, Diana and Dan joined UMW Theatre in NYC to see Purpose, Death Becomes Her, and Gypsy on Broadway. They traveled by train, stayed in Times Square, walked to the theatres, had a fabulous Italian dinner at Carmine’s, and accompanied UMW Theatre Chair and Professor Gregg Stull ’82 on a fascinating Broadway tour. On Sunday, they attended Mass at the Actors’ Chapel (St. Malachy’s), had a group brunch, and returned home.

Marty Spigel Sedoff and Bob had a winter getaway in sunny Palm Springs, along with Bob’s sister and her husband, to escape the cold Minnesota weather. Son Jim and his wife have relocated to Minneapolis, making their family circle complete.

Betsy Chappelear Tryon is pleased her granddaughter is no longer traveling the globe to play volleyball and lives and works nearby. She plays touch football and handball, with one short trip to Brazil with the USA handball team. Other than household errands and family gatherings, Betsy is spending time at home, writing her memoirs using a book, Tell Me Your Story

Yvonne Hutchinson March spent two weeks in June with her sister in Maryland and attended a family reunion and her son’s birthday celebration with relatives in D.C., Delaware, and Maryland. They dined at the Kennedy Center and saw Les Misérables. Yvonne and her sister took a quick trip to NYC to visit Susan Roth Nurin, who, unfortunately, was in rehab after suffering a stroke.

1967

Mary Beth Bush Dore mbeth1945@gmail.com

Vivian Crater Gray co-authored The Handbook of Dissolution Testing, 4th edition, while working as a consultant for the pharmaceutical industry.

Elise Moore Strickland and husband Don moved to Denver two years ago to be closer to their daughter. They enjoy

meeting new people and watching their granddaughters participate in soccer and volleyball.

Ginger Blackwell Rigsby and husband John enjoy living in Florida. In an exciting accomplishment, they’ve successfully visited all seven continents. Their most recent travel included stops in Italy, China, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan. This last voyage involved traveling from Milan to China, along the Silk Road.

1968

Susan Morris susan.morris@mac.com

Due to unexpected health challenges, our faithful class representative, Meg Livingston Asensio, has stepped down. I, Susan Morris, reached out via email to everyone in the Class of 1968 for whom the Alumni Office had contact information. If you didn’t hear from me, I don’t have your contact information, so please reach out. However, I’m heartened by the number of replies, which reminded me that our class is a magnificent group that continues to make Mary Washington proud.

I married Jim Leflar shortly after graduation in June 1968. Our marriage lasted 20 years, and we had three wonderful sons. I raised them as a single mother while navigating a rewarding career in educational consulting. Today, Elliot works at Darden Publishing/UVA in Charlottesville, Jim is with Google in Chicago, and David teaches middle school in Atlanta Public Schools. They’ve given me three granddaughters, ages 14, 12, and 18 months. In 2001, I married Don Wolford, who retired from United Airlines. We travel often and live in Barrington, Illinois. I’ve attended the past five UMW reunions and look forward our 60th in 2028!

Pam Tompkins Huggins reports that her family continues to grow. Eldest granddaughter Aimee married a great guy she met while attending Barnard College, and he was attending Columbia. Daughter Sally celebrated her second daughter’s graduation from San Diego State University. Youngest granddaughter Meryn (Jamie’s daughter) loves her almost 11-year-old big brother but still gives cuddles to Pam and Jim. Middle daughter KT owns a home in San Francisco with her husband, Andrew, and their two children (ages 13 and 11). They’re also building one in San Pancho, Mexico, and currently live in Tokyo for Andrew’s job. Pam shared a new favorite quote borrowed from an elderly

woman who was asked how she was by a grocery checkout clerk. Cane raised in the air, she replied: “I’m smart, I’m beautiful, and I’m aging to perfection!”

Merrilyn Sawyer Dodson is going on UMW Alumni’s Provincial French countryside tour in October. She has resumed kayaking on her property with her miniature schnauzer. Granddaughter Taylor graduated high school this spring and earned a full scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas for Division-I soccer, with additional academic funding due to her GPA. Sadly, Merrilyn’s husband, Steve, passed away on Dec. 15, 2024, after a fall on Father’s Day last year.

Angela Cummings Petro plans to travel through Spain and Portugal with a friend, starting in Barcelona and ending in Lisbon. Her daughter is expecting her second child in August, which will make Angela a grandmother for the fifth time. Retired and living in Williamsburg, Virginia, she stays busy and is learning to say “no” more often.

Janet Roark Williamson lives in Charleston, West Virginia, with her husband of 57 years, Barry. Both are retired but active – Janet practices Pilates and takes care of the house, and Barry works part-time as a consultant for Greenwood at the Dow plant. They have two children – Leslie lives in Charleston and works for AbbVie Inc., and Chad lives in Maryland and works for the National Institutes of Health – and two grand-dogs.

Nancy Bell Rockey and her husband reside in State College, Pennsylvania, in the home they built 25 years ago. Two of their grandchildren graduated from Penn State, and their high school senior granddaughter in Lancaster has committed to play lacrosse at UMW! When they visited the campus, Nancy enjoyed seeing her granddaughter fall in love with it as she did many years ago. With nine grandchildren, ages 11-23, they’re often busy and rent a beach house in Bethany each summer for all 19 members of their family. She looks forward to our 60th reunion in 2028!

Marjorie Arnsdorff moved from Savannah to northwest Arkansas 25 years ago and retired after a career as a sales representative for McGraw-Hill and Pearson Education that took her to 47 states. She’s thrilled to live near her son and 5-year-old granddaughter. Please email her at joriedorff@gmail.com.

Danielle Giraud Yeager and Harris have lived in Broomfield, Colorado, for 15 years and enjoy being with their family.

Son Evan’s family, including Josh and Nolan (ages 13 and 10), live nearby. Daughter Brienne’s family, including Micah (age 21), live in Goodyear, Arizona. Harris is retired but works from home for BAE Systems. They love the Colorado Rockies, which they can sometimes see from their deck, and visiting Black Hawk, Colorado.

Dodo Fisher Roberts divides her time between Wilton, Connecticut, and Nantucket, where she stays June through October. Her daughters live nearby, and she became a grandmother when Chase was born in November. Dodo stays busy with volunteer work but hasn’t traveled much lately.

Frances Rodgers Bryant relocated from Virginia Beach to Cumming, Georgia, in 2022 to be closer to her son and his family. Sadly, her husband, Julian, passed away in 2020.

Carol Simmons van der Kieft and husband Mike, married since July 1968, celebrated their 57th anniversary. They moved from North Carolina to a senior community in southern Pennsylvania, near their son and his family. Her neighboring towns are New London, Oxford, and London Grove, leading her to believe that early inhabitants from Great Britain lived there. She is enjoying re-reading her Mary Washington history books. Please email her at csvdk@gmail.com.

Laurie Walters Shepherd and husband Richard live in Blacksburg, Virginia, after moving from their home of 40 years to a 55-plus community. They’ve had a few health issues but are happy to still be vertical. They enjoy visiting their four children and six grandchildren in New Jersey, Kentucky, and New Mexico. Laurie enjoys walking, reading, yoga, and playing cards, while Richard is a pickleball enthusiast.

Elizabeth Morgan Golladay’s first poetry collection, The Song of North Mountain, published in May 2024, won second place for poetry books in the Delaware Press Association’s 2025 Professional Communications Contest. One poem, “Ghost Light,” received second place in the individual poems category. Elizabeth had book signings in July near her home in Milford, Delaware. Her book is available on Amazon, IngramSpark, and Barnes & Noble. She is recovering from a couple of recent surgeries.

Judy Henley Beck’s granddaughter, Siena Lemke, now attends UMW, majoring in theatre. She’s in the Honors Program and earned a Presidential Award Scholarship. Judy is returning

to the UMW Alumni Board after a 22-year absence while she cared for her mother. She is also active in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and served as co-president of the Maryland Chesapeake District. Judy loves to travel and visited Donna Harrison Lile in Nashville and Judy Jackson Jones in Virginia Beach.

Bari Holden spent 26 years in computer services with Electronic Data Systems in Dallas, moving and traveling often. After retiring in 1999, she settled in Surprise, Arizona, and became a certified professional tour director, leading bus and cruise tours as well as international travel. She organized and led the travel program for her community of 1,300 neighbors for eight years. She even toured North Korea! She also served on her HOA Board of Directors and held other volunteer positions. Bari enjoys good health, good friends, and her lovely piece of paradise. She took up diamond painting and creates pieces to sell in her community gift gallery and makes raisins and harvests lemons and oranges to share with friends and neighbors. She also entertains her great-nephews from Colorado during spring break. She is deeply grateful for her blessings.

Susan Blosser Wight shared that her husband is recovering well after a difficult winter. They play golf and have trips planned to northern California this summer and Burgundy next year. If you’ve been there, she’d love your thoughts!

Mary James Wright considers herself blessed. She retired as managing editor of Time-Life Children’s Publishing and Education. She and husband Paul Sims Wright were high school sweethearts and celebrated their 56th anniversary. They live at Lake Monticello, outside her hometown of Charlottesville, and near her college roommate, Charlotte Shelton , who owns a successful cidery and tasting room in nearby North Garden. Mary and Paul’s eldest son, Chris Wright ’93, is a tech writer for a company in Columbus, Georgia, and writes fascinating science fiction and fantasy novels (on Amazon under C.B. Wright). He lives with his wife and teenage daughter in Phenix City, Alabama. Youngest son Keith lives in Brooklyn and is a vice president at Goldman Sachs in NYC. His daughters attend UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Greensboro.

Linda Rice White moved to the Atlanta area in March to be closer to family following the passing of her husband in October. Her eldest granddaughter is in

her final year in law school, her grandson is in his second year of college, and her youngest grandchild is a senior in high school. God bless you all!

Jill Robinson Burkert lives in Bend, Oregon, after retiring from the University of Alaska, Juneau. She enjoys hiking with her new dog, which has helped her lose 40 lbs., without a diet and lower blood pressure. She also volunteers for CASA, advocating for kids in foster care.

Debbie Derr McClintock lives in Farmville, Virginia, where she creates art, plays mah jongg, and participates in a garden club. She also goes to dialysis, which isn’t fun, but she gets to live!

She’s a member of the Farmville General Federation of Women’s Club and is involved in church activities. She was a member of a book club – until the books got too serious and stuffy! Married for 54 years this September, she has a large and loving family, including four children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren, one-and-a-half great-grandchildren, and lots of pets, including her own cat.

Carolyn Ramsey Noland raised her two daughters in Atlanta. After living in five states, she settled in Richmond, Virginia, in 2010 and met the love of her life at age 71. She and Rev. Dr. Jim Noland were married with their 17 grandchildren present. The eldest is at Princeton, and the youngest will start kindergarten soon. Most live nearby, so Carolyn and Jim attend many ballgames, swim meets, concerts, plays, and recitals. They love travel – Carolyn has visited all 50 states – and biking on rail-to-trail paths.

Sandra Davison McClinton and husband Chuck live in Cape Coral, Florida, and have four children and nine grandchildren. They enjoy retirement through travel, cruising and flying in their Cessna. They’re planning a monthlong journey through western Canada, starting in Churchill.

Rochelle Grey was among the first married students at Mary Washington, with a husband and four children. She graduated and earned a master’s degree in educational media and then spent 40 years teaching K-12 and college. Living in Stafford County, she enjoys retirement, her family, and living close to Mary Washington, where she can attend dramatic, musical, and educational offerings for seniors. Go UMW!

Betty Dobbins Talley reported that UMW’s Talley Center for Counseling Services is thriving and seeking a new director. Betty travels extensively and spent New Year’s sailing the Adriatic. This summer, she adventured to the

Baltic and Nordic countries. She’s planning future trips to Alaska, the Atacama Desert, and Virginia, including UMW. She’s happy that her stepdaughter dog-sits! Please keep in touch!

Susan Reed Culp retired as an elementary school teacher in East Hampton, Connecticut, in 2007. She and husband George live in Jubilee, a 55-plus community in Lacey, Washington. Age has slowed them down a bit, but they enjoy golf, pickleball, and other activities. Susan loves to reflect on her memories of MWC and sends best wishes to the Class of 1968!

Cathy Tyng retired in 2006, and she and her husband live in a protected forest in western Massachusetts. She plays organ for two churches, rides horses, and cares for her German shepherd.

Peggy Miller Zilm and husband Frank are retired and live in Kansas City, Missouri. They keep busy with volunteer work, family, friends, and travel. Peggy would love to hear from other MWC grads in the area.

Susan McCrory Braaten lives in New Bern, North Carolina, in a home they custom-built six years ago. She and her husband, Major Gen. Tom Braaten, moved 18 times during his military career, including to England and the Republic of Panama. Tom retired from the Marine Corps in 2001 and then again after serving as CEO of their YMCA and as director of the airport in New Bern. Their daughter, Kristen McPeak, lives in Raleigh with her husband and Susan and Tom’s only grandchild, Sophie, a high school senior who is looking at colleges. Susan’s career has been focused on supporting them and volunteering on several nonprofit boards.

Barbie Bennett was featured in a 2019 article in UMW’s alumni magazine titled, “Bennett Broke Gender Barriers in Banking.” She’s the CEO of Anari, Inc., a boutique investment advisory company, leading investors on trips to Latin America. Her upcoming travels include Panama and Mexico. She lived in the Spanish house at MWC and spent her junior year in Madrid, so she’s proud she can still speak Spanish. She also operates Q Street Fine Art out of her home in Washington, D.C., primarily featuring international artists. A funny anecdote: She began calling herself Barbie at MWC. When the movie came out, she joked to her grandchildren that the Barbie doll was named for her! “I’m showing my age of almost 80 years old in January!” said Barbie, who sends warm wishes to our classmates

and former professors still with us and thoughts and remembrances of those who have passed.

Linda Clement Barnes reported that Susan Bottimore Martin passed away at her home on March 3, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

1969

Marianne deBlois Zentz MdeBZ@verizon.net

Anne Hoskot Kreutzer annekreutzer@hotmail.com

From Marianne:

Greetings, Devils! We’ve heard from the “Faithful Few”:

Nancy Yeager Allard and husband Paul curtailed their travels so Nancy could help care for her sister. They may not be cruising but still get to several D.C. theatres and are active in their community.

Betsy Crews Neilson plans to do Alaska in style with her daughter and her family. They’re going first by sea and then by land, up from Vancouver, over to Denali, and out by Anchorage. She looks forward to sharing that adventure with her granddaughter!

Betty Wade Miles Perry loves her weekly thrifting outings with her 13-yearold granddaughter, Bonnie, daughter of Ellen Perry ’00 ! BW knows all the thrift shops around Virginia Beach, if you need a suggestion. She and Boyd look forward to their time in Maine in August.

Barbara Burton Micou visited with Linda Gattis Shull to celebrate Linda’s **th birthday – y’all know these silly numbers!

Christie Wineholt is sweltering in New Bern and enjoying time with her grandson, Fox. Christie reports that Lou Myers Daly shares time between Vail and Mexico, and she has four grands under age 3! Christie broke her hand, so she resorted to calling people. She said that Nancy Parker Soles and Pam VanSant are well.

Patti Boise Kemp and Jack are still dancing around the maypole – not really, but that sounds fun. She sends hugs to all our classmates!

Carol Abell Brauninger reminisced about taking her first-ever flight with Joan Mueller to a college newspaper editors conference in Raleigh when they were students. What a fun opportunity MWC provided!

Class Notes

Karen Jones Rogers and Kitty Culhane Rogers returned from a week on Cape Cod with their families. They celebrated the life of their mother-in-law who passed away last year at age 101. The highlight was a boat outing from beautiful Hyannis Harbor to spread her ashes in the local waters of her birthplace.

Jean Polk Hanky and her husband enjoy long weekends at their river cottage in Irvington, Virginia, with easy access via golf cart to five restaurants, including two owned by their grandson and his wife. Jean had a real Texas cowgirl visit with a friend, near Abilene, where she got to ride a horse, sit on a longhorn steer, enjoy some real BBQ, and heard “yes, ma’am” more than ever before.

Barbie Hopta Reid enjoys seeing family and friends in Richmond. I’m sure she’s still a pickleball powerhouse and a garden volunteer at Maymont!

From occasional contact on Facebook, I see that Jeanine Zavrel Fearns is doing great!

Those of us who are past residents of la maison française, (Brent Hall), are sad it was torn down. We had some good times there!

Condolences to Donna Cannon Julian on the passing of her husband, Gene.

Martha Wilbourne Cummings is enjoying life with family, new friends, and pickleball.

Anne Hoskot Kreutzer spent a summer weekend with Tom and their family at their lake house in southern Virginia.

Lyn Howell Gray is retiring from her parttime project in Liberia after her next trip in August.

I, Marianne deBlois Zentz , had a tough spring, losing both my sister, Madeleine deBlois ’64 (a Goat!), and one of my daughters, but I’m trying to bounce back with therapeutic visits to my kids and grands, in Houston and Ventura.

Anne Witham Kilpatrick will become a great-grandmother for the second time in July!

Anne Simpson Brackett , who lived in the French house, is wholeheartedly donating time, love, and arms to her daughter’s new triplets – identical girls and a boy! Her daughter already had one girl, so the family has grown quickly!

Phyllis Newby Thompson and John “Tom” celebrated their 55th anniversary on June 19. They marked the occasion with champagne in the garden and tried to bring 55 years to reality! They’re both well if you don’t count the treasures that

78 years of living bring your body and mind. “We’re thankful to have made it this far and to be as healthy as we are and have lived such a good life,” Phyllis wrote. Suzanne McCarthy Van Ness joins them regularly for chats and meals, and they’re so thankful to be together in the “wild, wild west.” “The Class of ’69 is so special – to each of you out there – we truly are a one-of-a-kind group of women.” Phyllis said. If you’re out west, please drop by!

Nina Shepherd responded to our request for stories about second and third chapters. Career #1 was in D.C. at the Congressional Budget Office, followed by retirement. Career #2 was as a Department of the Treasury advisor in post-USSR Romania, with unbelievable world travel and experiences. This was her dream job, after Dr. Phillips’ International Economics class at MWC. Career #3 (after 18 months of retirement) was working in the Ministry of Finance in Amman, Jordan, for USAID, while living in South Carolina. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see Nina’s passport?

Shirley Myers Sorrentino wrote that her nonprofit, Franklin County NonEmergency Transportation Services (FC NETS), is official, which has been her dream for years. The board worked hard to get the necessary documents and policies in place. Now the real work begins – raising funds and finding an executive director, drivers, vehicles, a call center, etc. FC NETS is a micro transportation service that will serve the residents of Franklin County, Virginia, who have no transportation to get to places for their health and well-being. “I never dreamed 60 years ago that I would be doing this,” Shirley wrote. “Thank you for the opportunity to brag!”

From Australia, Carol Hewitt Guida reconnected with us and with her MWC memories from 55-60 years ago. In view of current events and their impact on society, she’s hopeful that today’s students are blessed with the enlightening and enabling education we received at Mary Washington – a hopeful sentiment to close our Class Notes!

1970

Anne Sommervold LeDoux ledouxanne@yahoo.com

Mary “Mimi” Webb Stout , Judy Wiener Winters, Lynne Royston Wine, Peggy Hall Brown , Elaine Wilson Maloney, and Ellen Mohlere Hale represented the Class of 1970 at Reunion Weekend 2025. They were surprised that more classmates were not present

but presumed it was not a good weekend for many folks. There were fewer than 20 members of the 1908 Society, including the six from 1970. Nevertheless, they enjoyed spending time together. The campus looked wonderful as always. They send best wishes to our class!

Tina Kormanski Krause and Paul returned from a wonderful two-week cruise. They’re planning another next spring but don’t know where yet. She loves unpacking only once! Tina and Paul spend lots of time with their daughters and their families. Lindsay is in Richmond, and Megan will soon be back in Harrison, New York. All 10 of them took post-Christmas trips to Disneyland and London. Tina keeps in touch and travels once a year with Kathi O’Neill, Kathy Thiel, Gabby Pagin, Mary Karen Vellines, Jean Burgess Botts, and Suzanne Ferguson Buchanan. Together, they’ve visited Bald Head Island, North Carolina; Montgomery, Alabama; Philadelphia; and New Orleans. They’ll meet in Charleston in October, outside Tina’s home of Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Many of us were saddened to hear of the death of Lucia Smithey Bushway’s husband, Jeff, who had been ill for quite some time. Lucia lives in Nashville.

Donna Accettullo DeNyse is enjoying life by visiting her five granddaughters in New York.

I, Anne Sommervold LeDoux , continue to travel. My most recent trip was to South Korea and Japan, in time for the cherry blossoms. It was amazing, including seeing North Korea, talking to a defector, and meeting a Hiroshima survivor. September brings a river cruise on the Douro River in Portugal.

Kathi O’Neill announced the birth of her first grandchild, Kevin O’Neill Argiropoulos, in February. She wrote: “As part of our milestone anniversary celebration, our class established the Class of 1970 50th Reunion Talley Center Endowment. The work of the Talley Center, focusing on student wellness, resonated with me. I’ve taken an interest in it and how our support has helped it serve the campus community. In May, I drove to UMW and met with Executive Director for Gift Planning and Major Gifts Jeremy Vaughn; Melissa Palguta, staff therapist at the Talley Center; and Juliette Landphair, vice president of student affairs. I toured the Talley Center in Lee Hall, near the space that once housed The Bullet newspaper office. The Center is a welcoming place, providing crisis intervention, counseling

services, and individual and group sessions. Melissa shared details on the scope of the Center’s operations and programming, and her deep commitment and personal warmth were contagious. What a dramatic and needed improvement from our experience, when counseling came from caring roommates and friends! The whole focus on personal wellness is one that is being given good attention by the University, as evidenced by Juliette’s new position as associate vice president of health and wellness. The financial side of the endowment is solid, totaling $192,236 at the end of July. The interest from these funds can be used for salaries, stipends, and related expenses, as well as professional development, training, and internships. Truly, we’re helping the Talley Center thrive. What a gift we’ve given UMW and its students!”

Many thanks to those of you who contributed and a special thanks to Kathi and her update!

1971

Karen Laino Giannuzzi kapitankL11@yahoo.com

Barbara Vick Meyer died July 6, 2025, according to Randy Hume ’75. She had been ill for a while.

1972

Sherry Rutherford Myers sherryhon2011@gmail.com

It’s fall, y’all! Here’s hoping everyone survived the heatwaves and thunderstorms. Our thoughts and prayers go to those who lost loved ones in the Texas floods.

It was wonderful to see so many of our classmates at the memorial for Dr. Michael Bass. There could not have been a more devoted class sponsor. He will be missed, as will President William Anderson.

Congrats to Deborah Gill on publishing the second edition of her book, The Controller’s Sketchbook, a finance and accounting guide for the architectural and engineering (A|E) industry. It will serve as the basis for a new accreditation from SDA, an A|E business-operations organization, with a certificate in design firm financial management. Deborah is in semiretirement at her house on the Bay.

Dennis and I, Sherry Rutherford Myers, stay active in the Roanoke area. I had the chance again this summer to be a part of the county’s extended school year.

It’s been rewarding to work with autistic children. I look forward to substitute teaching next year.

Dave and Cheryl Prietz Childress came to town for the Morgan Car Meet. It was fun having that in southwest Virginia. Those sports cars are totally amazing. It’s always good to see Cheryl and Dave, and we get together whenever we can. They also went on a boat trip with a club they’ve belonged to for several years and traveled to Canada.

1973

Joyce Hines Molina joycemolina1951@gmail.com

MarySue Warren Wimer reminds all classmates to direct contributions to the Class of 1973 50th Reunion Scholarship Fund. Gifts can be made at any time, including Mary Wash Day and Giving Tuesday. In addition to cash donations, legacy planning of wills, trusts, and insurance policies can be directed to the scholarship fund. We’ve awarded scholarships to three students and look forward to having sufficient funds to increase our giving. Our donations are needed to continue to build the legacy of the Class of 1973.

Pamela Maynard Galbreath’s book, In the Scent of Horses, Hay, and Old Barns, will be launched Nov. 25, 2025. It is available for pre-order from Four in Hand Press, an imprint of Trafalgar Square Books. The biography traces the arc of Wyoming’s Eleanor Prince, who battled obstacles in order to devote herself to a lifetime of service to horses and horsemanship. The book is for not only horse lovers but those who appreciate stories of intrepid women in the American West. For more about Pamela and her writing life, including writing awards and honors, visit pamelagmusings.com.

Janet Hedrick is active with the Fredericksburg chapter of the American Association of University Women, which was established in September 2024 with the help of Debe Biggers Garrison and Nancy Smith Raines. Janet co-chairs a women’s retreat, sponsored by the United Women in Faith at her church, and leads a weekly Bible study group called Women Exploring Christianity. She also plays bridge and goes bowling each week. In May, Janet and her significant other, Jack Bales, traveled to Illinois, where they attended the Horatio Alger Society Convention at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Jack was reference librarian at Mary Washington for 40 years. They were introduced by Distinguished Professor Emeritus of

History William “Bill” Crawley. Bill and Janet grew up in Chatham, Virginia, and stayed in touch over the years. Bill and Jack are longtime friends, and Bill suggested to Jack that Janet might be someone whose company he would enjoy, and he was right! They enjoy hiking, jigsaw puzzles, shopping in antique stores, attending UMW events, and various adventures.

Janet went with other UMW alumni on an On the Road trip for two weeks to Greece in spring 2025. Her roommate was Gayle Franklin Hawkins ’71 . They met on a 2002 alumni trip to Italy. Others on the Greece trip included Mary Basnight Donovan ’67, Marjorie Roszmann Tankersley ’69, Cathy Harwood Lafferty ’75, Mandy Harden Anderson ’92 , Rachel Jank ’23, and Diane Costello ’76, MBA ’92 . Several are discussing a river cruise to France in 2026. Janet and Jack have booked a river cruise on the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Memphis for next April and plan to attend the Horatio Alger Society Convention next spring.

Susan Jacobius Davis posted great photos during their 52nd anniversary trip to the American West. Susan has visited 49 states, leaving only Oklahoma unvisited. On this adventure, she and Bruce visited North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

I, Joyce Hines Molina, flew in June with Rod on our 28th year of attending the “Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven” fly-in at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. We flew our “new-to-us” 1956 Cessna172. For the past 27 years, we flew our 1946 Piper Cub. I guess you could say we’ve upgraded; the new airplane is younger than us, and I don’t have to be a contortionist to get in and out! We met up with Larry Setti ’77, who flew in his beautifully restored Piper Cub. Larry completed his requirements for graduation in December 1978, but he identifies his time at Mary Washington with the Class of 1977, which includes his twin brother, Garry. He became interested in aviation in college and loves flying out of a grass strip at his family home in Fauquier County, Virginia. He enjoys, as we do, flying to the small airport in Fredericksburg for lunch at the Robin’s Nest Café, where sandwiches and old-fashioned milkshakes are served first-class. Larry read about my flying adventures in an issue of Class Notes. We both had attended the same fly-in but didn’t know each other. It’s a small world, and the world of aviation is even closer. In May, Rod and I traveled

Class Notes

to Portugal and returned with happy memories of a beautiful country filled with whitewashed houses topped with red terracotta tile roofs, tricky sidewalks of irregular stones, amazing seafood, and port wine. I participate in a couple of community concert bands and stay active on the keyboards for church or personal enjoyment. I frequently see Sally Smith ’58 in the audience for band concerts. Stay positive, stay strong, and stay curious, my friends!

1974

Sidnia “Sid” Baker Etherington sidleexx@yahoo.com

Suzy Passarello Quenzer suzyquenzer@gmail.com

From Sid:

Greetings, Class of 1974!

Patti Goodall Strawderman and Peg Hubbard reported that their annual mini-reunion was held in April in Nashville. Six of nine from their Jefferson 4th West group attended, including Lisa Tyree Sweeney, Jonette deButts Hahn, Deb Ryan Howard, and Karen Sunnarborg Susan Tyler Maguigan lives near Nashville and joined them on their first night at the Grand Ole Opry. They missed Rita Hodges Gilpin and Nancy Pederson Trzcinski, who couldn’t make it. They did a lot of eating, walking, and visiting museums, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and the National Museum of African American Music. They ate at a Blake Shelton restaurant called Ole Red. The food was good, and the band was loud, performing for the entire lunch hour, with no breaks, which was fun but not conducive to conversation. One of the highlights of the trip was discovering the Station Inn, a tiny “listening bar,” where they were lucky to catch an incredible bluegrass band led by Liam Purcell, who is amazingly talented. Several of them are going to see the band at Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in July and in Richmond, Virginia, in August! Their small group made a commitment at our 35th reunion to meet up every year between campus reunions, and it’s been wonderful for them to see each other and go to fun places. They encourage other classmates to get together with your MWC buddies and plan something fun.

Gail Roberts Lamm lives in Richmond, Virginia, and is enjoying retirement. She spends time reading books, knitting, and meeting up with friends. She’s traveled a little, starting with a Rhine River Christmas market tour a few years ago.

There was a trip for a knit-fest, classes in Barcelona, and an extra week in London. She leaves in a few weeks for a cruise that ends in Bergen and includes a little time for a train trip to the mountains. They fly home from Oslo. September is always in Holden Beach, North Carolina, where she’s spent two weeks every year since retirement with MWC roomie Nancy Nelson Hudson and her husband, as well as several others.

Christine Huard-Spencer cannot believe it’s been 51 years since we graduated. She got married in 1974, right after graduation, and moved to California. She then earned a master’s degree in geography and worked as a professional transportation and environmental planner for over 40 years. Christine is retired and enjoying her freedom. She recently traveled to Egypt and Wales and has another trip planned to Mongolia in September. She volunteers at the public library and at a fabric/ textiles sewing thrift store. Christine is a self-described “crazy cat lady” – she has three right now – and enjoys living in southern California. Two less than wonderful things have happened as well. Her beloved Jim divorced her about 13 years ago, breaking her heart, and her sister, Jan (Class of 1972), died of Covid at the beginning of the pandemic, which also broke her heart. Yet, Christine feels blessed because she has sufficient money to lead a fun life and has lots of dear friends. She sends best wishes to the Class of 1974!

Carolyn Click attended Mary Washington from 1970-72 and then transferred to VCU, where she majored in journalism. She is the author of a new book called The Cost of the Vote: George Elmore and the Battle for the Ballot.

1975

Armecia Spivey Medlock vagirl805@msn.com

Allan Jenkins wrote that it was nice seeing so many folks at the Class of 1975’s 50th reunion in May. It was a beautiful day in Fredericksburg, other than some brief rain, and Allan appreciated everyone who made the reunion happen. He expressed thanks to several former faculty and other alumni who attended, especially King Stablein, his former geology professor, who came from Bethesda, Maryland; Peggy Marshall ’74, who majored in biology and geology; and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of German Sammy Merrill, whom Allan instantly recognized at the president’s reception. Allan was glad to see Eva Graham, whom he sees occasionally, and several other classmates, including Melissa Dowd, Karen Lebo, Randy Hume, and me, Armecia Spivey Medlock

Last October, Allan and Lezle sold their home for the last 35 years in Lenoir City, Tennessee, and moved to Hudson, Florida. They hated to leave but didn’t need the big, century-old place where

they raised their three kids, who are now in Atlanta, Reno, and Los Angeles. Allan and Lezle kept a small place in Sweetwater, Tennessee, about 20 miles down the road, where they can escape the Florida heat and storms, and stay while visiting family and friends. Allan and Lezle were heading home after Reunion Weekend when they decided to visit Allan’s hometown, Colonial Beach, Virginia. They had a pleasant, relaxing stay with friends, and the weather was perfect. Allan and Lezle also spent a weekend in Gloucester Point, Virginia, with Glenn Markwith ’76 and his family, where they enjoyed seeing old friends and having home-cooked crabs and crabcakes, before driving on to Sweetwater. Anyone who wants to contact Allan can find him on Facebook. P.S. Hello to Steve Jones and his family, down under!

I’ll heartily second the thanks to those who attended our 50th Reunion Weekend! It was great seeing everyone and sharing this incredible milestone with many of you! Since we’ve achieved the 50-year mark, we’re invited to walk in future Commencement ceremonies. Our graduation was rained out, so it took place in George Washington Hall with only two guests per graduate permitted in the auditorium. The next UMW Commencement ceremony will be on Saturday, May 9, 2026, so mark your calendars! Let’s come back to campus and walk together on that day!

1976

Janis Biermann biermannjanis@gmail.com

Judy Sledge Joyce and husband Rick are enjoying retirement with trips to Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Morocco. They keep busy on the pickleball court at home. Judy volunteers on the board of the Ladies Auxiliary of Alexandria Hospital and fosters animals for local shelters.

Marti Taylor Clements and husband Mark, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1976, are busy with seven grandchildren and love watching two little ones every day. They live in Glyndon, Maryland, in an old house that’s been in Marti’s family for 125 years! She loves monthly Zoom calls with Carolyn Roberts, Jan Biermann, Susan Grimes, Judy Sledge Joyce, and Laura Toler to discuss Great Lives lectures and catch up. Marti often reminisces about her happy MWC days and special dancing days in Goolrick!

Carolyn Roberts and husband Jim have downsized into a condo in Washington, D.C., which has made it easier to spend time at their condo in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. In the past year, she visited Australia, Japan, Canada, Croatia, and Cuba. She also volunteers training service dog puppies, which is exhausting but fun! She can’t wait to see everyone for our 50th!

Susan Grimes and I met in NYC to attend a photo expo in June. Since retiring a year and a half ago, photography has become an important part of Susan’s life. It’s been a journey learning the camera, getting the shots, and editing! She has met some wonderful and very knowledgeable photographers while attending workshops in varied locations. Susan is training for the Berlin marathon in September before heading to Africa for volunteer work and another ultramarathon in Spain! Her life is full, and her family is well. Eldest child Ben lives in Los Angeles; Jeffrey lives in Concord, New Hampshire; and Caleigh is in San Francisco! She hopes to gather everyone together at Thanksgiving! She looks forward to our 50th class reunion!

Sadly, Jean Patton Hippert lost her husband, Brent, in January, in the crash of his Beech Bonanza. They met her freshman year at MWC, while he was a Marine at Quantico. They would have been married 50 years in October. Four days after his death, on Jan. 29, her family welcomed its newest member, Hazel Mae Brynne Stafford. They’re blessed by her arrival and his memory. Jean lives on the Space Coast in Florida, close to her daughter and her family. Our condolences to you, Jean. I know how important it is to remember happy times with your husband. Enjoy Hazel!

1977

Anne Robinson Hallerman annehallerman@gmail.com

Pat Seyller wrote that Mary Byrd visited her in Norfolk, Virginia, in April to see Loving v. Virginia at the Virginia Opera. It was a short visit, but they had a great time and caught up on Mary Washington news. Mary has retired and loves it, but Pat still works at Virginia Opera and is trying to decide when to retire. “I may have to work forever!” Pat said. “It’s a good thing I really love my job.” She hopes to visit Mary in Saltville.

Grace Matheny Lalonde, Melinda Peed May, and Kathy Haffey Bova celebrated the opening of Northern Neck Partners for Pets, a no-kill animal shelter and

adoption center, with its founder and president, Terrie Martin Dort . The facility provides a secure environment where homeless pets can live without fear, hunger, or needless pain and suffering while they wait for forever homes. Congratulations to Terrie for her volunteer work in establishing this nonprofit animal charity with the mission to provide humane care, veterinary services, and adoption programs for homeless dogs and cats.

Lizzie Willcox visited Anne Carlucci in Charlottesville where Anne lives with her husband, Mitch, and their Westie, Laddie. Liz is about to become a grandmother for the first time.

1978

Janet Place Fuller janetpfuller@gmail.com

I, Janet Place Fuller, hope everyone is having a great summer. I heard from Elizabeth “Beth” Doggett Atkinson, who has enjoyed reconnecting in recent years with Pam James ’81 , her Russell Hall roommate from 1974-76. In June, they enjoyed lunch and a tour at Gunston Hall in Fairfax, Virginia. Beth is a volunteer docent for children’s tours and found it fun to give the scoop to an adult. She occasionally writes and takes photos for a local newspaper and enjoys traveling to new places abroad. Beth learned that Kathy Mayer Rugh ’78 was elected state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which Beth is also a member. Beth’s daughter, Virginia Atkinson ’03, was named to the Forbes Accessibility 100 List in June for her international work – making it an exciting month for the Atkinson family!

1979

Barbara Goliash Emerson emers3@msn.com

Judy Kemp Allard, Lisa Carle Shields, Betsy Larson Kyker, Gayle Weinberger Petro, and I, Barbara Goliash Emerson, spent a couple of fun but hot days in Charlottesville in June, visiting Monticello and catching up. Fortunately, our rental had a pool, so we cooled off and reminisced with good tunes from back in the day. 2025 marks 50 years of friendship with these characters. Four of us were freshmen together in Marshall, sophomores in Russell, and then reunited in Framar when it was the senior Honors house.

Please visit the 1979 Facebook for Class Notes due dates and send me your news.

Class Notes

1980

Susan Garter skgarter@gmail.com

Sandy Slusher enjoyed our 45th reunion, sharing a hotel suite with Debi Caton and Barbara Gant Kinner, just like old times! I, Sue Garter, the fourth Bushnell Hall suitemate our senior year, was disappointed that I could not attend due to a family situation. They met up with lots of classmates, and Sandy reconnected with Dr. Robert Rycroft, one of her professors and department chair at that time. She looks forward to our 50th reunion!

Condolences to Barbara “Cookie” Pittman Lawson, who lost her father in April, and to her son, Tommy Ferrier ’16, who lost his grandfather. On a happier note, Barbara and husband Kenny checked off a bucket list item with a trip to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City in May. They watched amazing softball games and met some of the best players in the world. They’ll soon be in Chicago to watch history made with a series of all four teams of the new women’s professional Athletes Unlimited Softball League.

I had a visit in June from my former roomie and fellow Freehold, New Jersey, cohort member, Jan Stankiewicz McCarthy and husband Mike. We looked after their beloved canine, Desi, while Jan and Mike attended a family wedding nearby in Pennsylvania. Jan and I had a lovely day for a hike through Longwood Gardens.

1981

Lori Foster Turley lorifturley@gmail.com

Susan Dill Hanna has lived in New Hampshire since 1983 when her husband left the Navy for the private sector. She and Bill were married over Christmas break during her junior year at MWC and celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary last December. They raised two children and are now grandparents twice over. Susan went to law school and practiced before becoming a fulltime artist in 2014 and opening her own studio and gallery three years later in Dover, New Hampshire. In 2023, she moved her retail gallery into a larger space in town. Susan is an oil painter who primarily paints outdoor scenes. She spends most of her week painting, teaching, and running SEH Studios Art Gallery and has added Dover Art Supply to her retail space. Please check out her art on SEHstudios.com and reach out if you’re ever in Dover!

Our 45th reunion is coming up, May 29-31, 2026. I, Lori Foster Turley, hope you’ll make plans to attend!

Our condolences to Babette Thorpe, who lost her father; Tara Corrigall ’82 , who lost her mother; and the family and friends of Beth Francis ’82 , who passed away on June 12, 2025.

1982

Tara Corrigall corrigallt@gmail.com

Rev. Trenda Powell Jacocks and her husband, Col. Dr. John “Jake” Jacocks live in Northern Virginia near her mother, Mary. Trenda’s sister, Andra Powell McKown ’84, and Capt. Marty McKown, live at the beach in Maryland. Trenda and Jake have four grandchildren, from a newborn to age 8. Their two daughters and their husbands are in NYC and Ohio, so they frequently visit them and their grandchildren. Trenda serves as pastor of a diverse church in Annandale, Virginia, and will be halfway through her doctorate studies this fall. She hopes to have her dissertation from Western Seminary on Sabbath-keeping for children and an art and faith book for families finished by 2027. Trenda and Jake support a UMW scholarship for firstgeneration students and thank alumni who’ve given toward their Mary Wash Day matches. They’ll continue as a family to support this scholarship to help future students and hope others will give on Mary Wash Day! Trenda and Jake enjoy seeing sisters Roslyn Roach Aroesty ’84 and Christy Roach and their families at the beach each summer at Andra’s and Roslyn’s beach places. Additionally, Trenda and Lois Hopkins Bradley work closely with families at Parkwood Church

in their work serving an active preschool, which Lois has led after many years in that community with husband Rev. Mike Bradley.

Nancy Kaiser always enjoys volunteering at Reunion Weekend, but this year included two special events. A portrait of Cedric Rucker ’81 was unveiled at the Cedric Rucker University Center, and Jenifer “JB” Blair received the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award for her decades of alumni service to Mary Wash. Nancy then dashed back to Delaware and joined wife Mary for an overnight flight to London to begin their cruise in Norway. The Norwegian fjords and Arctic Circle were breathtaking and beautiful. They also enjoyed time in London, seeing The Devil Wears Prada with Vanessa Williams and Operation Mincemeat.

Speaking of theatre, Gregg Stull has been appointed director of the arts at UMW and will oversee programs in studio art, music, theatre, and historic preservation. He’ll lead the planning and construction of the new theatre building and the renovation of Pollard, Melchers, and duPont Halls.

Historic Virginia Garden Week included a stop at the New Kent Ordinary, co-owned by Erin Devine. With the Virginia Beach tour near my house, I, Tara Corrigall, hosted a drop-in luncheon, attended by Jennifer Goodwin Donegan, Anne Maria Doughty Dziegielewski ’95, Liz Ferguson Williams ’95, Laure Durbin Ferguson ’81, and Nell-Garwood Unger ’94

Sadly, Beth Francis passed away on June 12, 2025. She married Alicia McMahan in 2000, and they had twin

boys, Perry and Riley, in 2005. Riley just completed his sophomore year at UMW.

On a personal note, my mother passed away in May after a long illness. I attended high school in Montana, and when my family moved in November 1977, I stayed behind to finish my senior year. My mom reached out to my sister’s Herndon High School guidance counselor who introduced us to Mary Washington College. Mom became a huge fan and proudly attended graduations for me; my sister, Mona Corrigall Filchock ’84; my niece, Jordan Filchock Hennessy ’12; and my nephew, Josh Filchock ’19. We truly miss her.

Retirement, grandchildren, travel, and joint replacements are common themes for us these days, so send your news and highlights. Please stay in touch!

1983

Marcia Anne Guida

marcia.g.james@gmail.com

It was fantastic to hear from Theresa Min! After 20 years, she retired from accounting work when the company she worked for went out of business during the pandemic. At age 70, her husband works as an upholstery technician and loves his job. Theresa’s parents are still lively. Her mom is 88, and her father is 92. They enjoy being independent and go to a senior center every day! Theresa’s eldest son, Anthony, is a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force living in San Antonio, Texas. His wife, whom he married in 2024, is also in the U.S. Air Force. Theresa will be a grandmother as they’re expecting a boy in September. Middle son Patrick is in Japan, working as an electrical engineer for the Department of Defense, and was promoted to GS 14. He expects to return to the U.S. in 2026. Youngest son Tommy works for MGM National Harbor as a casino dealer. Theresa’s brother, John, has his own practice as a primary physician, and her two nieces will graduate next year from UVA and Brown University. Sisters Catharina and Julia live in San Francisco, where they work as a lawyer and as a student counselor at UCLA San Francisco. Theresa and her husband traveled to South Korea in May 2025. It was a totally different country from when she and her family immigrated to the U.S. in 1976.

After our MWC graduation, Pat Schlimgen Martin married Rick, whom she dated throughout college. In 1984, she began her teaching career with Prince William County Schools. In

January 1989, their son was born, and in July 1993, their daughter was born. Pat and Rick lived in Stafford County most of their married life. She was a K-2 classroom teacher for 20 years, then became an elementary school librarian and finished her career in June 2020 with 36 years, all with PWC. They have a wonderful grandson, aged 13. Sadly, Pat lost Rick, her husband of 40 years, to stage 4 lung cancer on June 13, 2024.

Farah Maynor Marks has a new granddaughter, who is 16 months old. After working 39 years in admissions and advancement at Randolph College (formerly Randolph-Macon Woman’s College), Farah retired in June 2025. She looks forward to spending more time with family, traveling, and old friends.

Susan Leavitt attended the wedding of Anna Brooks Thomas, Estie Corey Thomas’ daughter, who is Susan’s goddaughter. Susan was elected to the Alumni Board – go Susie! She sells real estate and cares for her parents. Needing a historical perspective and patriot lift, Lee Ann Malott Pritchard and her husband visited presidential libraries in 2024, including Abraham Lincoln’s in Springfield, Illinois, along with a tour of the nearby village of New Salem, where he lived as a young man; Harry Truman’s in Independence, Missouri; and Dwight Eisenhower’s in Abilene, Kansas. Lee Ann said each one was inspiring and well done. They have four grandchildren who are very active. Life is good!

Mary Ann Mayer wrote that her dad is 97 and doing well. She’s busy with innkeeping and moved from owning her own B&B to working full time at another inn in New Hampshire. She’s been taking pottery classes and hopes to become proficient at playing with clay. Mary Ann aims to retire to part-time in a year and a half.

Amanda Patterson Ormond is busy at her clean energy consulting company. Two years ago, she took a part-time position as a professor and executive director of the Just Energy Transition Center at Arizona State University, where she helps communities thrive after closure of coal-fired power plants. She works remotely from her home in Flagstaff. Amanda and husband John celebrated 36 years of marriage this year. Daughter Kelly is engaged to be married in 2026.

Carter Still Sonders lives in Williamsburg, where she retired from the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation in 2022 after 28 years in various fundraising positions. Her husband

retired from UPS in 2021. They spend as much time as they can at their second home in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Carter is quite the shell-seeker! Their sons are ages 26 and 28, but they haven’t added any daughters-in-law or grandchildren. Carter and her husband enjoyed a river cruise on the Danube last November from Regensburg to Budapest. In December, they’ll cruise the Rhine and visit Christmas markets in Switzerland, France, and Germany. Carter ended a six-year term on the Williamsburg Community Foundation board and may soon join her husband in his volunteer work with Meals on Wheels. Carter occasionally runs into fellow historic preservation major Diane Poole Schwarz , who lives in Williamsburg. Carter has also connected with Dean Driver ’84, who completed two master’s degrees at the College of William & Mary after age 60!

Since remarrying in July 2021, Kathie Enfield Jerow has been transitioning to Québec to live with her husband, Marc. A long process to obtain Canadian residency finally ended in June. Now a full-fledged resident, she teaches both English and French to adults and children in person and online. She’s also active in a women’s community service organization and oversees a lively conversation group for locals who want to practice English through games and other activities. Additionally, Kathie showcases her handmade crafts on her Facebook page, Kréations Par Kathie Jerow. She participates in many artisanal expositions in the greater Québec area. Kathie is celebrating her troisième âge, living her dream while immersing herself in French-Canadian life. She travels to see family and friends in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania as well as overseas. I, Marcia Anne Guida, work at Humana as a regional vice president, but I’m contemplating retirement. My youngest son, Frank, is getting married in August. My husband, Keith, and I celebrated a matrimoniale benedizione (wedding blessing) in Savoca, Sicily, in July, joined by friends and family from the U.S., the United Kingdom, India, and Europe, including Kathy Walters Along and husband Jim. Other recent travels have taken us to the UK, Cannes, and Milan.

1984

Christine Waller Manca christine.manca@att.net

James Emery retired from the Department of the Treasury in July

Class Notes

2024 and moved to Rhode Island with wife Kathleen. He is a full-time teacher at Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School in Providence.

Robin Graham Grantham and husband Jim returned from a 10-day mission journey to the UK. Robin retired from teaching in 2024, and Jim retired in January 2025. Their church in Laurel, Mississippi, is partnering with churches in London and Edinburgh. They look forward to seeing more of the UK in future trips. Her mother, a Fredericksburg native, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 16. She and Robin’s father were married 65 years.

Mark Scott and Marianna Rixey Scott ’85 welcomed Lori Langpaul Beebe ’83 and Julie Niehaus ’83 in June at their new home in Bolivia, North Carolina.

1985

Joanne Bartholomew Lamm jlamm88@verizon.net

We enjoyed a small gathering during our 40th reunion in May. It was a pleasant time with old friends and acquaintances. The organizers and the alumni office did a stellar job of planning and executing the weekend of fun activities, learning sessions, and fabulous meals. The campus couldn’t have been more beautiful and welcoming. Chris Lamm and I, Joanne Bartholomew Lamm, enjoyed catching up with Theron Keller, Abas Adenan, Richard Ehrle, Cathy Gibbons Kunkel, Kathy Goeller Booth, Renee Allen Kuntz, Kathleen Dwyer Miller, Sigrid Skrivseth Houston, Lisa Taylor, Melissa Greene Keatts, and many other dear classmates. Rusty Berry traveled from Dallas to attend, and it was so nice to see him again. We met in lifesaving class during our freshman year and had fun reminiscing about “saving” each other and Kim Holcomb! Our instructor was Mildred Droste, who loved what she did.

Chuck Borek wrote that life is treating him well. He finished a Doctor of Ministry degree last year. He serves as general counsel for a software company. His youngest is in his first year of college, studying early childhood education, and his wife retired from the IRS after 34 years. Chuck keeps in touch with Chris Barnett , who attended Mary Washington for a few years.

1986

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1985 grads during the all-class party at Reunion Weekend 2025. Photo by K

1987

Kemetia Foley kmkfoley@gmail.com

James Llewellyn, president of UMW’s Alumni Association Board of Directors, and wife Deborah had dinner with Rob Whitt ’93 in London this spring at a wonderful Indian cuisine restaurant, Brigadiers. Rob gave them a tour of the Sky Garden at the top of the “Walkie Talkie” building.

1988

Jay Bradshaw jaybradshaw747@aol.com

Beverly Newman bevnewmn@yahoo.com

From Jay:

Don Appiarius serves as ombuds at the University of Wyoming and has opened a private practice in mediation and investigation.

1989

Jim Czarnecki jimczarnecki@yahoo.com

1990

Susan Crytzer Marchant march66358@verizon.net

1991

Shannon Eadie Niemeyer sfniemeyer@comcast.net

Congratulations to Michelle Howe Pearson, who was inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. She is deeply honored and humbled to be one of five educators inducted this year and the second educator from Colorado in the history of the program.

Michelle shared with them her love of Mary Washington and that she was an educator-in-residence at UMW. She feels that her success has been a testament to the great education she received.

Diana Kelley-Richey accepted early retirement after a 31-year career at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. She resides in Huntsville, Alabama, and is excited to start the next chapter of her life.

Mary Ann McDonald and her boyfriend of six years, Tyler Gardiner, were married May 17 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Her matron-of-honor was Nicole Shaffer Tarring. Tara Smith DeGarmo ’93 was a

bridesmaid, along with Mary Ann’s childhood best friend and sister-in-law.

Mary Ann’s dad watched from heaven as her brother walked her down the aisle on the happiest day of her life.

1992

Courtney Hall Harjung charjung@hotmail.com

In June, Rachael Schmeller Crout and husband Eric celebrated their 31st anniversary, and their daughter, Heather, got married. Heather and husband Kyle feel God leading them into the ministry. The Crouts’ other daughter, Anna, is following in Rachael’s footsteps and finishing up her degree to become a special education teacher.

Sean Michael Dargan released his eighth album last month. Titled Dazzle Camouflage, it contains 12 original songs with his band, recorded in Madison, Wisconsin. Find it on BandCamp or any online streaming service.

Tom and I, Courtney Hall Harjung, enjoy scuba diving in the Caribbean. We vacationed in Curaçao and Grenada again. When we returned to Pensacola, we got PADI Emergency First Responder® certified and plan to get our rescue diver certification soon. We celebrated our birthdays this summer gambling in Biloxi, Mississippi, and attended engineering conferences in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, and St. Simons Island, Georgia. I’m busy as an event planner, volunteer, and music festival board member. I’m fundraising for Son of a Sailor Fest, a weekend of Jimmy Buffett tribute events in the famous musician’s hometown of Mobile, Alabama. Fins up! As we say in the south, happy fall, y’all!

1993

J. Suzanne Horsley prof.horsley@yahoo.com

1994

Jennifer Dockeray Muniz jennifermuniz1@gmail.com

Laura Keiner Swindells shared that Dr. Peter John Stanskas passed away in January. He was a dear friend to her from Russell and Mercer Halls. A chemistry major, he earned a doctorate at the University of Maryland and taught at San Bernardino Valley College, where he became a full-time faculty member in 2002. He held many leadership roles, including academic senate president, dean of science, vice chancellor of

academic affairs, and president of the academic senate for California Community Colleges. SBVC created the Dr. John Stanskas Memorial Scholarship (www.sbvcfoundation.org/donations) and named him a professor emeritus. Nathan Wade was appointed by Gov. Katie Hobbs as a judge on the Arizona superior court in February 2025 after 18 months as a commissioner. After 10 years in public defense and criminal justice work, it’s been a big but rewarding change. Nathan lives in downtown Tucson with his 9-yearold blind wiener dog, Penny, and his energetic Jack Russell/cattle dog rescue, CeCe. No kids, but at age 53, he’s up for Saturday playdates and paying for doggy daycare! He took a great trip to Boston, Provincetown, and NYC in May and caught up with Scooter Wooldridge and others in “PTown.” He looks forward to more adventures!

Sarah Anne Brewer Sumpolec and her husband celebrated their 30th anniversary. They’ve been in L.A. for four years after living in Fredericksburg since college. Sarah Anne teaches theatre arts and wrote and produced a short film — a love letter to classic literature — that premiered in Hollywood and will screen at the Richmond International Film Festival in September (figgytv.com).

Len Ornstein finished his 30th year teaching high school social studies. This year, he visited the Reagan Library in California, attended the National Council for Social Studies conference in Boston, and traveled with his wife and son to Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia — including a bucket-list tour of the Osaka Castle battlefields. He planned to attend a Holocaust workshop in Flagstaff, Arizona, this summer and move his son to Arizona State University. Len keeps in touch with John DiMeglio, Andy Woodfin, Mark Tanis, Nick Miller, and Ted Keim through Facebook and texts. He lives in Phoenix’s West Valley — reach out if you’re nearby or in Vegas!

Mark Bushman will retire from the Department of Agriculture on Sept. 30, 2025, after 28 years. He looks forward to volunteering at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.

Eric Nolan has seen his writing published in the U.S., Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Chile. The Chinese Poetry Association regularly translates his work for readers worldwide.

Melissa Czarnecki went to Pontevedra, Spain, in June for the Multisport Championships and raced for Team USA

— her first “worlds” and first trip to Spain! She hopes to qualify again.

Amy Umberger recently took a position as an educational diagnostician for Fredericksburg City Public Schools, joining fellow MWC grads and diagnosticians Jenn Graebner ’92 and Gabby Sulzbach Pickover ’92 . Shout out to the Mary Washington education department!

I, Jennifer Dockeray Muniz , have one son heading to Chicago to earn a BFA in acting and another playing Texas high school football. I’m still director of operations for Apple Wallet — life is busy here in Austin!

1995

Matt and Shandie Covington mattandshandie95@gmail.com

Sadly, Matt Covington and I, Shandie Covington, were unable to attend the 30th reunion, but we’ve enjoyed everyone’s photos. I loved seeing my Ball Hall roommate, Ronda Johnson, and our friends, Maureen Thompson Brand, Jennifer Moore Swisher, and Sean Lynch, all having a blast. Big thanks to Mike Riordan for his pictures on Facebook!

I’ve been busy planning and executing the Gloucester Arts Festival, a monthlong celebration of the arts on Virginia’s middle peninsula in June. The highlight of the event was a week of plein air painting by both invited artists from around the country and community artists, painting the beautiful vistas of Gloucester and Mathews counties. I miss organ donation and transplant, but I’m enjoying this new second career. Matt and I love living on the water and are trying our hands at oyster gardening, growing about 750 oyster spat off our pier. Our nest is now empty, with our newly engaged daughter living in Indiana, where she is working full time and is halfway through a master’s degree program at Ball State University. Our son is a junior at the College of Charleston and staying down there to work during the summers. We can’t really blame him!

Maureen Thompson Brand had an amazing time reconnecting with old friends and new at our 30th reunion. The campus was as beautiful as ever, and it was inspiring to hear about exciting plans for the University’s future. After trying unsuccessfully to sway her older kids to attend UMW, Maureen is thrilled her daughter wrapped up her first year there in May. It has been fun for them to compare their Mary

Class Notes

Washington experiences; some things changed, but many stay the same! Last fall, Maureen and her husband met up with Stephanie Quinn Lawrence and Jason Lawrence, whose son is a junior, during Family Weekend. They hope to meet up again this fall. Maureen lives in Virginia Beach with her husband of nearly 30 years and their two dogs. With their youngest off to college, they’re enjoying the perks of an empty nest, like a consistently clean kitchen and more time for weekend travel and hobbies. She works as a speech-language pathologist with the birth-to-three population, which remains her favorite age group – especially since she no longer has toddlers at home!

Cynthia Liccese-Torres celebrated 24 years working for the Arlington, Virginia, government in January 2025. She spent much of that time as part of the historic preservation program, serving as its supervisor since 2013. She became the manager of race and equity programs countywide in July 2024. She is responsible for both internal and community initiatives to help advance critical race equity work and celebrate cultural heritage and diversity. She is excited about the new challenge and meeting new people. Her daughter, Sophia, graduated with honors from George Mason University in May 2024, and she’s earning her master’s degree in elementary education at GMU. Her son, Nicholas, has one more year of studying criminal justice at Northern Virginia Community College and is pursuing a career in law enforcement.

1996

Jennifer Rudalf Gates teamgates17@gmail.com

1997

Michelle Trombetta michelletrombetta@gmail.com

Robin Kozic , MJ Figel Day, Amy Mannion, Ali McEvoy Rehm, Katie O’Leary Preston, and Amy Lapasota celebrated their 50th birthdays together in Vermont. They’re grateful for Mary Wash, which brought them together 32 years ago.

Joyce Hanzlik Colson married Justin Colson in Key Largo, Florida, on Jan. 25, 2025, surrounded by family and friends, including Amanda Moore Freels. They honeymooned in St. Lucia. They live in Chesapeake, Virginia, and often go to the Eastern Shore for work and to visit Justin’s family. Joyce helped her son

move to Virginia Beach. Her daughter is a high school senior, so Joyce plans to downsize soon.

Julie Keefe Fusaro and Jason Fusaro ’98 live in Northern Virginia and celebrated eldest daughter Madison’s graduation from JMU. Taylor is a senior at JMU, Lexi is a sophomore at Clemson, and Sienna is a high school senior, so they’ll soon have an empty nest!

Dianna Rowell Boschulte became director of psychology internship and postdoctoral residency training at the VA New Jersey Health Care System, while serving veterans in the outpatient PTSD clinic. She enjoys being part of the future of the psychology field.

Jennifer Wilson Watson returned to the FBI National Academy Associates as director of member services.

Chris Watson ’96 became pastor at Kilmarnock United Methodist Church, where they moved last summer. They love living in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Eldest son Aiden got engaged and lives in California. Liam married Naomi Mozeleski, daughter of Matthew Mozeleski ’00 and Shawna Darbonne Mozeleski ’99

Kate Lulfs Ehrle reported that Richard Ehrle ’85 retired from the federal government and is looking for his next thing. Kate is CEO of Cask, focused on commercial and defense cybersecurity. They celebrated their 26th anniversary in the Adirondacks and visited their college-aged kids at the University of Alabama. Kate had a fun 50th birthday at the Alabama-Georgia football game – Roll Tide! She spends weekends caddying for Will, a middle schooler, at junior PGA golf matches. She is getting back into golf and enjoys volunteering with scouts, UMW, and her nonprofit, Girls Affected by PCOS.

Amanda Neptune Bridges teaches seventh grade math in her tiny island community and plays clarinet in the local band. Eldest child Kate is a junior at Connecticut College, studying environmental science, anthropology, and Spanish. She’ll study abroad in Quito and the Galápagos. Nick graduated from high school and studies mechanical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Will is a high school sophomore and often places in the top 10 in half marathons among adult men runners. The family traveled to Costa Rica and Germany, staying in Amanda’s childhood home. She loves living in Rhode Island but misses Denver, especially after her younger sister’s sudden death last year.

1998

Jen Carter Tsimpris jctsimpris@gmail.com

Rebecca Smith Danzenbaker’s debut novel, Soulmatch, was published by Simon & Schuster on July 29, 2025. Soulmatch is a young-adult dystopian romance where you must report to the government on your 18th birthday to learn about your past lives and if you have a soulmate. Good souls leave with their inheritances. Bad souls leave in handcuffs. Soulmatch is perfect for fans of YA dystopian novels like Divergent, Matched, and Delirium. Her second novel, another YA dystopia still in development, will be published in summer 2026.

Scott Delaney retired from the federal government after 26 years with the IRS. He is looking for his next passion job. He also wrote a children’s book, Elphie Earns Her Wings: Courage, Empathy, and Teamwork. He is happily married to his best friend, Kristine.

Jen Carter Tsimpris is coming up on four years as a social worker with Trinity Hospice in Richmond. She loves the flexibility of the hours to spend maximum time with her kids, John Landon, age 13, and Anne Kathryn, age 9. Jen’s husband, Basil, works for the Supreme Court of Virginia as chief deputy clerk. Their 7-year-old beagle, Nellie, completes their family nicely!

1999

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

Jennifer Maleski became an equity partner at Dilworth Paxon LLP, a firm with offices in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. Jennifer is experienced in insolvency and restructuring as well as commercial and general litigation, focused on bankruptcy. She has represented a variety of debtors in Chapter 11 proceedings and out-of-court restructurings, including debtors in the hotel, coal mining, waste removal, residential housing, and telecommunications industries, as well as several nonprofit entities. She also represents financial institutions in commercial workout and litigation matters, including obtaining judgments, foreclosing collateral, pursuing other collection options, and negotiating loan modifications and settlements. After graduating summa cum laude from Mary Washington, Jennifer earned a J.D. with honors from Connecticut School of Law

in 2002, where she was executive editor of the Connecticut Law Review

2000

Jennifer Burger Thomas jenntec14@gmail.com

Kirsten St. Clair Oliphant has a new novel out under her pen name, Emma St. Clair, with Thomas Nelson in August 2025. If All Else Sails, a sailing romantic comedy, takes place on Virginia’s Northern Neck and along the Intracoastal Waterway.

2001

Annie Johnston

anniebatesjohnston@gmail.com

Jessica McCaughey, Ph.D., who earned a B.A. in English at Mary Washington and is an associate professor of writing at the George Washington University, received a Fulbright Award to teach and lecture at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland for six months. Her family plans to move there in January.

Star Party Winery, owned by Mike Gutzler and his wife, Emma Law Gutzler ’03, as well as her sister, Mary Kate Law ’03, and her husband, Tim Jordan ’05, was featured in a New York Times article on Virginia wineries. Common Wealth Crush, which Tim co-owns, was also mentioned.

In January, Jonathan Williams was named president of Easter Associates, Inc., an association management and government affairs company with offices in Richmond and Charlottesville. He and Erin Pickens Williams live in Short Pump with their 12-year-old triplets, Colin, Cash, and Grace.

Madelyn Marino lives in Glen Rock, New Jersey, with husband Mike and son Jonas (named after the Weezer song). Jonas turned 5 this summer and will start kindergarten in the fall after the family enjoys summer vacations in the White Mountains, New Hampshire, and Tyler Place, Vermont.

I, Annie Johnston, live in Raleigh, North Carolina, and traveled to Portugal for a summer vacation. I take frequent work trips to New York and enjoy catching up with Madelyn Marino and Jennifer Amore over dinner in the city.

2002

Travis Jones tljones8@gmail.com

Carolyn Murray Spencer turtlecjm@yahoo.com

The Class of 2000, including Director of Advancement and Alumni Communications Angela Zosel McCormick (front row, third from left), poses for a photo on the Lee Hall steps during Reunion Weekend. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Dr. Christina Meluzio is a clinical child psychologist who owns a private practice in Stafford County. She runs social and coping skills groups in addition to individual therapy and supervises interns looking for practicum experiences.

2003

Jessica Brandes jessbrandes@yahoo.com

Becky Foster Murphy celebrated her first anniversary as a librarian at the new, state-of-the-art Twin Beaches Branch Library near her home in North Beach in Calvert County, Maryland. In October 2024, her husband, Matt Murphy, ended a decade of leadership at Stadia Church Planting to become chief operating officer and interim chief advancement officer at Sojourners, a 53-year-old faithbased organization in Washington, D.C., focused on social justice, peace, and faith-driven activism.

2004

Sameer Vaswani svaswani54@gmail.com

Jason Lancaster completed an M.S. in national security at the National War College in Washington, D.C. He is moving to Chesapeake, Virginia, with his wife and two children. Thanks to his experiences during the European Capitals trip with Dr. Porter Blakemore and Dr. Jack Kramer, he is writing a book on the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

2005

Allyson “Ally” V. Lee Marzan allyvlee@gmail.com

2006

Shana Muhammad shana.muhammad@gmail.com

Beka Kruse Wueste published her novel, The Unsent Letters of Lucy Prior, in 2025, earning praise as a “deeply introspective and emotionally resonant novel,” from Kirkus Reviews and a five-star rating from Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews. In June 2025, she exhibited 24 paintings and drawings in her exhibit, “Then and Now,” at the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts and was the featured guest author at multiple talks and book signings in Virginia. She recently became director of brand and marketing and integrated data services.

Jacob Kendall-Taylor married Elizabeth Lahrman (Boiler Up) in Chicago on May 3, 2025. Kevin Stallings, Jason Jager, Jon Kunzman, Megan Anderson, Catie Eck , Ryan Ulrich ’05, and I, Shana Muhammad, attended the wedding.

2007

Jay Sinha jay.sinha9@gmail.com

Daniel Clendenin daniel.clendenin@gmail.com

Sarah Eckman sarahje@gmail.com

2008

Trish Lauck Cerulli trish.cerulli@gmail.com

Alyssa Lee

alyssa.linda.lee@gmail.com

Justin Doyle, Jeremy Jordan, and Brendan Kelley celebrated their 40th

Class Notes

birthdays at West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in June. Deborah Harpe Doyle and Taylor Harper accompanied them on the adventure. Doreen Davis Tadde and her husband are expecting their second child in September.

After 11 long years away, Julia Behrmann Baker and Johnny Baker, along with their two magnificent children, moved back to the great state of Virginia!

Jen Wheeler, also known as “Aunt Jenny,” is thrilled to have them back in Northern Virginia and looks forward to spending lots of quality time hiking, swimming, and exploring D.C. together. They’ll need to trade their Braves hats for Nationals hats before they’re allowed back in a sports bar!

Abbie Steele Boehnlein got married in March and moved to Colorado Springs with her husband who is active-duty military.

2009

Elizabeth Jennings Haden elizabethsjennings@gmail.com

Alexandra Meier alexandra.m.meier@gmail.com

2010

Kelly Caldwell kellyecaldwell@gmail.com

2011

Hannah Hopkins hannahlhopkins@me.com

Kira Lanewala klanewala@gmail.com

From Kira:

Rachael Wonderlin lives in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, with husband Ron, 2-year-old Sawyer, and their cat and dog. Rachael enjoyed returning to UMW in February to teach a section of Adult Development about dementia caregiving. She’s been back almost every year since graduating to teach that class!

I, Kira Lanewala, got married to Sammy Luffy ! We live in Los Angeles with our two cats, Kendrick and Susan.

From Hannah:

I, Hannah Hopkins, serve as program manager for the Launching Leaders internship initiative at Nonprofits First. I mentor young professionals and build

partnerships with local universities. After working across sectors in youth leadership and nonprofit development, I live in South Florida with my husband, Danny (a UMass Amherst alum), and our determined rescue cat, Oliver.

2012

Mandi Solomon msolomon211@gmail.com

Morgan Mangold joined UMW’s Simpson Library in April 2024 and is head of metadata and collection development. Husband Eugene Hamrick was awarded Best Utility Analytics Leader from the Utility Analytics Institute in October 2024.

Alaha Ahrar, founder and CEO of the Kindness Sharing Project, received several national and international awards and recognitions. She initiated the Kindness TV show on FCC TV in Falls Church, Virginia. A “Living Memorial Tree” was planted in her name by the Rotary Club on the U.S. National Mall to honor her humanitarian works and services. Alaha is the first Afghan woman to receive this honor. She also received the Most Effective and Empowered Woman Activist Award from the Women’s Association in European Union Countries and an award for organizing the Empowering Afghan Women and Girls Through Education conference in Austria.

Erin Kenderish and Annie Brulatour will be married on the island of Oahu in September, surrounded by friends and family.

2013

Amanda Buckner McVicker amanda.l.mcvicker@gmail.com Andrew Hogan andrew.hogan819@gmail.com

2014

Elizabeth Storey estorey@mail.usf.edu

Jen Furlong’s new book will be published by Abante Press in September. Magick Squared is the third in her award-winning young adult series, The Unimaginables. She also launched The Wandering Wordsmith, a traveling pop-up book shop at Renaissance Faires and Festivals, which opened at the Virginia Renaissance Faire in May and West Virginia Renaissance Festival in June.

2015

Evan Smallwood esmallwood15@gmail.com Moira McAvoy moira.jo.mcavoy@gmail.com

2016

Quinn Doyle quinnmdoyle@gmail.com

2017

Samantha Litchford slitchfo@gmail.com

2018

Brittany McBride bmcbride2128@gmail.com

Corrie Presland-Byrne serves as lead of conservation technology for Hammerhead Technology, a forwardthinking, conservation-based technology organization focused on creating solutions that benefit the greater good. She got engaged to her partner of three years, Rodrigo Benvenuto, and they plan to wed in late 2026. They live on the eastern coast of Florida with their 7-yearold rescue dog, Bo.

2019

Sarah Hampton sarah.g.hampton@gmail.com

Mae Caras and Jake Waterman got engaged last summer and will be getting married in Italy in September.

2020

Nathaniel Holic nholic2020@gmail.com

Grace Smith got married and changed her name to Grace Shuler.

Ginny Bixby is the senior reporter at Bethesda Today, a local news outlet in Montgomery County, Maryland. She is in her third year covering politics and government. Ginny was the recipient of six awards from the Maryland-DelawareD.C. Press Association in May and part of a team that won News Organization of the Year. Ginny also received an official citation from the Maryland General Assembly in recognition of her reporting and is frequently featured as a local politics analyst on television and radio news programs. In April, she reported on the Mahmoud v. Taylor case at the U.S. Supreme Court. Prior to her role in Bethesda, Ginny covered local news for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville following graduation.

2021

Nancy Martin Cooper nancye.martin6@gmail.com

I, Nancy Martin Cooper, am excited to take over as the 2021 class agent! I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, followed by a master’s degree in special education from UMW in 2022. My husband, Zachary Cooper, and I got married Oct. 6, 2024. Our love story started at Mary Washington. He graduated from UMW in 2021 and earned a bachelor’s degree in science. My mother, Denise Finch Martin ’93, is also an alumna.

Christopher Good matched into the internal medicine residency at Methodist Health System in Dallas. He’ll graduate from medical school at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

2022

Carson Berrier cberrier@umw.edu

Haylie Stevenson haylie5800@gmail.com

From Carson:

William Cather was recognized with an honorable mention by the American Numismatic Association in its annual literary awards. His two-part article series, “Congress and U.S. Currency, Parts I & II,” was published in the March and April 2024 issues of The Numismatist.

I, Carson Berrier, am leaving my role as senior admissions counselor in UMW’s Office of Admissions to pursue a M.Ed. in counselor education at the University of Virginia this fall.

From Haylie: Maggie Mrowka was named College of Charleston softball’s head coach and made history as the youngest head coach at the NCAA Division I Level.

Alana White married her long-term partner, Morgan Clemons. They’re expecting their first child late this fall.

2023

Ryan Meek ryan.meek.31@gmail.com

After growing UMW’s Global Medical Brigades chapter, Valeria Ortiz Jimenez has explored her interest in global health at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in the last two years. She spent a few weeks in Rwanda during the summer of 2023 in a community-based education program at the University of Global Health Equity, where she explored ethical considerations, best global

health practices, and the importance of partnering with the communities where you are working. This experience emphasized to Val the value of oral health literacy and awareness. With more attention to oral health education on a community level, we can alter the perceptions of oral hygiene, push advocacy for policy changes, and improve the management of systemic diseases. She hopes to incorporate her passion for global health into her career as a dentist.

Esther Cuyjet has worked as a zookeeper at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg this year, where she handles and cares for Clydesdales, Highland cows, bald eagles, and other amazing animals. She was accepted into the master’s degree program in animals and public policy at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts, where she’ll start this fall.

Mia Buffington was offered a job in Boston last December that she was excited to accept, which led her to uproot her life in Northern Virginia. She has been working as a child and youth program coordinator in a government contractor role with the Massachusetts National Guard, which has been a great opportunity! She plans events and provides resources for kids whose family members are deployed and uses her UMW communication and digital studies degree every day. Mia loves this phase of life, enjoying the beautiful weather, getting into the local sports culture, exploring New England, and eating lots of cannolis and Boston cream pies.

I, Ryan Meek , completed my first year of medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in the spring and began my second year this summer. While doing my best to perform well in school, I joined a research group investigating novel treatment options for retinitis pigmentosa, which has delivered promising results. I’ve also been involved in collecting data for a research study investigating birthing satisfaction in postpartum mothers to help improve the birthing process for laboring mothers. I love living in Philadelphia and acquired a bartending job at a restaurant in my neighborhood where I enjoy meeting the locals, becoming part of the community, and making good drinks.

2024

Grace Lefcourt glefcour@umw.edu

Sofia Taylor received a Fulbright research grant to study music performance and dopamine function in Frankfurt, Germany, for 10 months

starting in September 2025. She looks forward to representing UMW abroad.

Eliza Vegas started her first full-time position in March as a library assistant for Loudoun County Public Libraries at Rust Library in Leesburg, Virginia. She absolutely loves her role! After working at UMW’s Simpson Library, she is thrilled to continue her library work and contribute to making Rust Library as special of a place as she remembers from her childhood. Eliza plans to go back to school for a Master of Library and Information Sciences degree in fall 2026. She is giving herself time to gain work experience and decide which program she’d like to pursue.

2025

Danielle Ross dross@umw.edu

TonyaLynn Denault is halfway through her first quarter of a Master of Public Administration course at Walden University.

Alexis Brown became a special education teacher, level 1. She also took on a supervising position at a childcare center, honing her leadership and organizational skills. She plans to further her education by earning a master’s degree in special education.

Since March, Sky Shane has served as events and rentals manager at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. She was lead coordinator for its annual fireworks festival, which drew about 6,000 people.

Andrea Ortiz-Valdez is interning at KPMG and will pursue a master’s degree in accounting at George Mason University in August.

Jasmine Imanverdi is the marketing coordinator for The St. James, a wellknown sports facility in Springfield, Virginia, specifically working with its largest sports program, soccer.

Kevin Landry is pursuing an M.S. in cybersecurity at George Mason University. He is also a full-time dad and a Coast Guard veteran. He is building an opensource, AI-enhanced honeypot for adversary simulation and threat deception.

Robyn Jackson became the data analyst and archivist for UMW’s Facilities department in April, managing and preserving the University’s architectural records and documentation related to campus buildings. She’s digitizing these materials to improve accessibility and support cross-departmental use across campus. An exciting recent discovery includes the original architectural drawings of the heating plant’s chimney stack, which reveals the historic MWC lettering once featured on the structure.

In Memoriam

Rosalyn Brownley Hudgins White ’45

Gurleen Verlander Ferguson ’46

Nancy Robertson Glaize ’46

Mary D. White ’46

Helena Ann Feaster Amunds ’47

Gloria Sasek ’47

Edith Levi Scannell ’47

Elizabeth “Betty” Bane Strader Shamburger ’48

Atha Fotine Patelos Catafygiotu “Toni Themis” ’50

Mary Natalie Wilton ’50

Beverly Steel Livesay ’51

Jacquelin Carter Alexander ’52

Anne Ernestine Beck Macfarlane ’52

Catherine Jones Shepherd ’52

Martha Coyle Stewart Prowe ’53

Pamela Damon Powell Wiehl ’53

Joan Pittman Drewry ’54

Susan Gatewood Powers Blackford Moffett ’54

Barbara Clark Fowler ’56

Cynthia Radack Madden ’56

Phyllis Falteich McGuire ’57

Emmaneta Hepford Subers ’57

Bonnie Estes Bowman ’58

Leigh G Massengill ’58

Carolyn Chase Dale Miller ’58

Lois Elaine Fairfax Runaldue ’58

Dorit “Dori” Elizabeth Vanderwilden ’58

Frances “Fran” Karins Updike ’58

Sally Arnold Sullivan ’59

Elizabeth Rowe Dunivan ’60

Carolyn Cole Seay Harshaw ’60

Sarah Jane Groseclose Rose ’60

Anne Overstreet Smiley ’60

Elizabeth Grenzebach ’61

Patricia Ann Roberts Rutledge ’61

Mary Ann Sills Marks ’62

Judith Woodrum Calfee ’63

Nancy Hurst Gibbs ’63

Carolyn Riley Beever ’64

Katherine “Kitty” Laing Walker ’64

Nancy Hall Chilton ’65

Jacqueline Strollo Boone ’66

Carolyn A Eldred ’66

Diane Nottingham Ward ’66

Martha Dutcher Maiden ’67

Mary “Sandy” Sanders Blakemore Drayer ’68

Susan Bottimore Martin ’68

Parry Watson Pierce ’68

Mary “Mellie” Baker Gibson Kerins ’69

Valerie Ann Dahnehl Lane ’69

Barbara Vick Meyer ’71

Sara Elizabeth Martin Ort ’71

Madeline Wooten Wagner ’72

William L. Pritchett ’73

Kenneth Wayne Garner ’75

Courtenay Ochs ’76

Wilma Fehrn Paceley ’76

Charles R. Sisk Jr. ’77

Jessie Jerdone Ewell Mendez ’84

Melanie G. Stith ’84

Gene S Kapuscienski ’85

Dean Altvater ’87

Linda Harding Grove ’88

Robert Franklin Jr. ’92

David J Szegda ’97

Cheryl Hanback Shepherd ’98

Christine Myskowski Ryder ’07

Katie Banks Robinson ’09

Dora E. Minor ’11

Rebekah DeBell ’19

Patricia Quinn Cloud ’24

Obituaries

William M. Anderson Jr., the University of Mary Washington’s sixth president, passed away on June 30, 2025. His impact lives on through our campuses, particularly in the buildings we learn and work in, the programs we participate in, and the many ways we connect with community at UMW and through the Fredericksburg region. When President Anderson started in the role in 1983, he became the youngest president of any of the state’s four-year colleges and universities. Twenty-three years later in 2006, he retired as the longest-serving president of any public institution in Virginia. During his tenure, more than $120 million of capital improvements were made to the University’s two campuses, including the addition of a new library, $14 million science center, student center, alumni center, art gallery, an enclosed Campus Walk, four new residence halls, and an apartment complex. Among his major achievements are the creation of the Stafford Campus and the institution’s attainment of university status in 2004.

Under President Anderson’s direction, the University completed installation of a campus-wide fiber-optic telecommunications network that brought state-of-the-art data, telephone, and cable service to every classroom, office, and residence hall on campus. Other significant accomplishments include increased enrollment and selectivity, increased funds for faculty development, expansion of the intercollegiate athletic program, and the creation of the Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) program to promote community engagement. He furthered beneficial ties to the local business community as an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving as its president, and sponsoring a Small Business Development Center.

During his tenure and credited to these energetic efforts, Mary Washington’s endowment increased substantially – from $1.3 million to $24.5 million – thus contributing not only to enhanced physical facilities, but also to expanded opportunities for faculty development. The result of his work was national recognition as a liberal arts and sciences college of outstanding quality.

His entire professional career was devoted to higher education. A native of South Boston, Virginia, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s degree from West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, and a doctorate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He served as coordinator of academic programs and enrollment research for the Virginia State Council of Higher Education. Then, for a period of four years, he served as director of research and planning for the West Virginia Board of Regents. In 1976, he became executive vice president at Mary Washington before being named president in 1983.

Upon the announcement of his retirement, numerous individuals and organizations expressed their appreciation for President Anderson’s record of achievement at UMW, including significant donations to the University in his honor. In addition, the General Assembly of Virginia honored President Anderson with a resolution recognizing him “for his long and exceptional service to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University of Mary Washington and, moreover, to the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” and the UMW Board of Visitors unanimously approved a resolution to name the Anderson Convocation Center. During his last Commencement ceremony in 2006, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in recognition of his time as president. He also

was presented with a Washington Medallion, which recognizes extraordinary service to the University that has made a lasting and indelible impact.

President Anderson defined the University of Mary Washington for a generation, and he will be remembered for generations to come. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jane; children Bill, Mason, and Harper; five grandchildren; and other loving family and friends.

Those who wish to honor President Anderson’s memory are encouraged to make a gift to the William M. Anderson Jr. –Washington Scholarship at alumni.umw.edu/Anderson.

Galen deGraff, professor emeritus of management, passed away on July 12, 2025. deGraff taught business courses, primarily in finance for over two decades at UMW, retiring in 2015, and led the Strategic Management capstone seminar for over 20 years.

With an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate Business School and a doctorate in strategic management and international business from George Washington University, deGraff wrote the book International Strategic Business Environments: A Comparative Empirical Assessment of the United Kingdom and the United States, which was published by GWU. He also flew in Vietnam as a combat assault helicopter aircraft commander in the 1968 TET invasion with the 173 Assault Helicopter Company and on the staff of the 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. Stories from his military career and from his research and consulting interests in strategy formulation, strategic management, international business, and the management of family firms often came into his classroom, bringing business concepts to life.

deGraff is remembered fondly by many alumni, including those who gathered support and resources to name the Galen deGraff Classroom in the College of Business in 2022, along with the endowed Galen F. deGraff Scholarship in Business to help recruit out-of-state students who plan to major in business.

deGraff is survived by wife Amy, daughter Gislaine, two grandchildren, and other loving family and friends.

Thomas G. Moeller, professor emeritus of psychology, passed away on June 25, 2025.

Moeller retired from the Mary Washington faculty in 2008, after 35 years of service. Within the Department of Psychology, he was founding editor of the alumni newsletter and coordinated the Graduate-in-Residence program. Alumni often recalled his impact long after they graduated and cited him as the reason that they chose Mary Washington. He was also faculty advisor to UMW’s Catholic Campus Ministry.

Moeller’s main areas of expertise were normal and abnormal child development, educational psychology, parenting education and the study of aggression in youths and adults. In

2001, he authored a book, Youth Aggression and Violence. In 2007, he was awarded the Grellet C. Simpson Award from UMW for excellence in undergraduate teaching. He was also an active member of the Virginia Psychological Association. He also served for two years as president of the-then Rappahannock Area Mental Health Association and conducted a part-time clinical psychology practice in Fredericksburg.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marquette University. After two years in the U.S. Army stationed in West Berlin, Moeller entered graduate school and received a Ph.D. in child behavior and development from the University of Iowa.

Moeller is survived by sons Kurt and Scott, four grandchildren, and other loving family and friends.

Mary Washington Alumni

On the Road

Whether you are planning the trip of a lifetime, a return to a favorite locale, or simply looking for your next adventure, the Mary Washington Alumni On the Road Travel Program is a great place to start your journey. On the Road offers a variety of educational travel experiences in which you will benefit from faculty-led programs, intellectually engaged companions, and the high standards of quality that you expect from the University of Mary Washington.