Class Notes

Since my last submission a lot has happened. In February, my husband Tom and I moved from Johns Creek, Georgia, to Mobile, Alabama, where Tom is working as the Lead Roadway Designer on the I-10 Mobile River Bridge Project, which will result in the tallest suspension bridge of its kind in the country. I am responsible for the Newcomers Column, a new feature on the Visit Mobile website. This is my first time writing a blog, and I enjoy exploring my new city, engaging in the Gulf Coast culture, and sharing my experiences online.

Our move has been tinged with sadness. After a brief illness, my grandfather passed away just before Father’s Day. Then our cats Leo and Luna became very sick. They were diagnosed with liver and pancreatic failure and were treated aggressively to turn their health around. Luna rebounded quickly and is doing well, but Leo did not recover, and we had to euthanize him. Our loss is heartbreaking because he was a part of our family for 15 years.

We discovered that our house rental was not approved by our neighborhood’s HOA, so as I write this, we’re packing to move into Midtown Mobile. Our new home is very close to museums, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, city parks, etc. We hope our location will lead to the fun, active lifestyle we are looking for. We have high hopes that things will be better and brighter in our future. I’m looking forward to seeking out alumni in the area, heading to the nearby beaches, and taking weekend trips to fun places like Biloxi, Mississippi, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Please get in touch with me and let me know what’s on your horizon!

Tim Brown ’95 says that the men’s rugby club has seen significant contributions from 65 different alums this year. Walter Martin ’89 has been hugely helpful by traveling to away games and helping students find jobs. John Jay Radshaw ’93 helped organize alums to raise funds for the team. Adrian Martinez ’13 helped organize training camps and help players find jobs during the summer. Jerry Podorski ’00 has gone on tour with the club twice, helped with games and weekend events, and had numerous students intern for him at the DEA. Amy Lamarca helped organize the parents group, and her son Andrew, a rising sophomore, is one of the best players. Kris Kabza ’91 has coached the women’s team for over 20 years, winning a national championship a couple years ago. Tim raised over $200,000 the last eight years for rec sports and now varsity sports. Tim coached the team solo for three years and served as director of rugby for eight years. This year, Tim recruited 24 students directly from their high schools and six foreign students from Argentina, Scotland, and England. The men move up to DI rugby this year, and this would not be possible without alumni support and contributions.

Susan Rankin has been working for Fairfax County Public Schools for more than 20 years. After receiving her Masters of Library Science from Catholic University, she switched from teaching elementary school to being a school librarian. She’s been a librarian for eight years at Flint Hill Elementary School in Vienna, Virginia. She lives in Herndon, Virginia, with her husband, Chip Smith, and their sons Cameron (17) and Clayton (8).

Melissa E. Brugh met Myrna White and found out that they know some of the same people but never met until the hospital where Myrna works (Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville) began the process of integrating with Melissa’s employer (Sentara). Melissa will celebrate 14 years with her company in July. She works in Sentara’s IT department, which is based out of Virginia Beach.

Kate Gordon Crossman and her husband Matt have been married for 24 years. Kate worked at The Smithsonian Institution Archives and the Corcoran Gallery of Art before deciding to be a stay at home mom. Kate and Matt’s children have grown. William Henry is a sophomore at the College of William and Mary, Elle is a senior in high school, and Claire is wrapping up elementary school this year. They live in Lexington, Virginia, where Matt is the Supervisor of Financial and School Services for Rockbridge County Public Schools. Kate is now the Director of Online Communications and Branding for Virginia Military Institute. Kate’s roommate at Mary Wash was Carol Holsinger, and their friends included Gil Walker and Kevin Walker.

Amy Morgen Liebert has been married to Karl Liebert ’93 for 22 years. Their son, Kal, will be a junior at Old Dominion University, and their daughter, Morgen, will be a junior in high school. They live in Burke, Virginia. Karl works for Boeing, and Amy is an office manager for a chiropractic office in Arlington. They try to get together with Edna Coste Borchetta, Suzy Cole Ferger, Jennifer Peterson Riggle ’93, and Amy Larsen DeCarlo ’93 a few times a year.

Mike “Gunner” Nelson’s daughter Savannah’s travel softball team won the USSSA 12U Virginia State Championship in June 2016.  Savannah is a rising eighth grader and his eldest daughter, Kaitlyn, is a rising senior at Dominion High School.  Kaitlyn is visiting and considering different colleges and visited the University of Mary Washington as one of her choices! For several years, Jeff Miers ’91 and Mike have worked together at Copper River Information Technology leading technology engagements with their customers.

Suzy Cole Ferger lives in Odenton, Maryland, with her husband Kevin and two sons, Cole (10, just finishing fourth grade) and Rory (seven, just finishing first grade). She works as a program manager for a federal government contractor in downtown Washington, D.C. She spends time with the same people as Amy Morgen Liebert.

William Rice ’90 was good friends with Jenny Collins Dolan, who passed away on April 17 after being diagnosed with cancer five years ago. There was a beautiful service held at Leesburg Presbyterian Church on May 7. During the service, classmate Arty Vogt read a reflective Psalm, classmate Wynne Yarbrough shared his own special creation of a classic once-upon-a-time fairy tale centered around “Jenny Wren,” her family and friends joined in an uplifting Time of Remembrance, and a lady named Judy McHenry sang a spectacular version of the 1929 bittersweet hymn “I’ll Fly Away.” The service, the reception that followed, and all of the attendees (including a number of MWC grads) were a testament to the love Jenny shared and friendships she valued, with some of those MWC connections being the most special to her.

Tevin Chaney really enjoyed the 25th Reunion. He met many alums, including Anne Thompson Mendez ’91, Barbara Elwell Carmichael ’91, Rachel Schmeller Crout (and her husband, Eric), Libby Johnston Ross and Scott Ross, Billy Germelman ’91, Luke Peterschmidt ’91, Shannon Eadie Niemeyer ’91, Denise Mickelson Campbell ’91, Danielle Masters Szenas ’91, Mark Mesterhazy ’91, and Amy Rose LaPierre ’91 on campus in Ball Circle for lunch. After the class picture, Tevin and several others went to the Bookstore, where they met us with Todd Stayin and his wife, Laura, Julie Lail, Mary Ryan Cox, and others. Everyone commented on not buying any UMW items, only items with MWC on them. They then toured the campus and saw the new buildings and renovations. The new Student Center looked amazing, as did Mason and Randolph (AC and everything)! They then took the trolley to Carl’s and saw Megan Donnelly ’91 and several other people enjoying ice cream. That afternoon, Rene Rios joined the group, but Rob Hager was unable to leave Richmond but promised to come up next time. A large group walked to Sammy T’s for dinner (which was great, as always) and then went to the Rabble Rousers show, which, as always, did not disappoint. Tevin met up with Steve Lee and Lindsay Mast Lee ’93, Steve Wohleking ’91, Tammy Leigh Tucker ’91, Mike Antonio, Evan Stiles ’91, Lisa Sellers Shepheard ’91, and the Rabble Rouser guys. He was able to catch up with Steve Lee, his roomie at MWC, and realized it had been far too long.