Class Notes

Danielle “Dani” Williams Kruer has been living in Chesapeake, Virginia, with her husband Gregg Kruer and their children, 12-year-old twins Evan and Alexis and eight-year-old Lucas.  Since November 2015, Dani works as a staff attorney for the Chesapeake Circuit Court.

Reena Desai recently got accepted into the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) Graduates Fellows Program. She is only one of 20 graduate students, out of all graduate schools the D.C. metro area, to be selected for this fellowship.

The UNA-NCA provides an opportunity for Washington area graduate students interested in international affairs, development, trade, finance, and related disciplines to explore the role of the United Nations within the context of modern global affairs and other international organizations.

The UNA-NCA Fellows Program offers participants the chance to build strong professional and academic skills through relevant internship experiences and a series of 10 seminars on global issues and focusing on pertinent current issues facing the United Nations system, including reform challenges, and featuring leading figures working on those issues.  Congratulations Reena!

Kate Amy Degnan recently changed jobs and is now an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Catholic University in D.C.  Kate and her husband, Matt Degnan ’99, have two kids, ages eight and five, and live in Falls Church, Virginia.

John Friday, who  graduated (BLS) in 2000 (and MALS in 2003), has several updates to share—On November 1, 2015  he released his fourth album of original music; on April 13, 2016 his second grandchild (and first granddaughter) was born; and on July 9, 2016 he got married!

Robb Easton-Mullins continues to work as a freelance scenographer, opening a world premiere at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre. He also continues to be a part of Wake Forest University’s Department of Theatre and Dance as an Associate Professor of Design and as the Associate Chair of the Department. By the time you are reading this, he will have completed his fourth charity motorcycle ride with Long Reach Long Riders, raising money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Behind the Scenes.

Benjamin Preston married Juliana Schatz—a documentary film producer and classmate from the Columbia University journalism school—in September 2014. They live in Brooklyn, New York, along with an unlikely pile of well-used surfboards and “vintage” cars. After a two-year stint as web editor of the New York Times’ now-defunct Automobiles section, Benjamin dove headlong into freelance work. He now writes business stories for the Guardian, auto industry analysis for Car and Driver, and is directing a video series for Time featuring his own misadventures restoring a rusted out Toyota Land Cruiser, among a great many other journalistic and automotive projects.

Kristin Branson and her husband Jonathan welcomed their daughter, Emerson, who arrived in June.  Congrats to the new mom and dad!

Daniella Kelly Sicuranza and her husband, Chris Sicuranza ’99, celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary this October.  In honor of the milestone, they said sayonara to the kids (now six and four), for a week in July and went north to the Canadian Rockies for a week of high-flying adventure heli-hiking, glacier trekking, and zip lining.

From Daniella: I’ve been honored to serve as your class agent for the past several years, but the time to pass the baton has come. If anyone is interested in taking on the role please email classnotes@umw.edu. I wish everyone and their loved ones a happy holiday season!

The Class of 2001 enjoyed a great 15th reunion in June. Class members who attended enjoyed the Class Party on Friday, activities throughout the day on Saturday, and a farewell brunch Sunday morning. During Reunion Weekend, our very own Angela Mills was elected President of the Alumni Association. Let’s support her volunteer leadership term by participating in Alumni Association activities!

I was unable to attend the reunion but look forward to seeing everyone at our 20th. Last fall I traveled with Madelyn Marino and Jennifer Amore to Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. In Estonia, Madelyn completed another half-marathon, while I ran a 10k. Jason Lane ’03 and Michael traveled from their home in Switzerland to meet us for the Finland portion of our vacation. Madelyn, Jennifer, and I are currently planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains later this summer and another international vacation for 2017.

Beth Waters Hunsinger is now UMW’s Director of Annual Giving and loves working for our alma mater. She lives in Spotsylvania with husband Brent and 10-year-old son Jackson. Thanks to all of our classmates who participated in the Race for the Eagle—we raised over $100,000 for the University!

Shari Wilcox accepted the position of Associate Director for the Center of Culture, History, and the Environment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Lauren Smith Flora lives in Roanoke and is an Associate Professor-Audiologist at Radford University.  She and her husband Adam have two children, Calder and Riley.

Lauren Oviatt Brennan works as an Editor at Sidecar Post (we knew she had talent when she designed the Homecoming shirt our senior year at MWC, which was on display at our reunion tent).

Laura Reigle Campling lives outside of Reading, Pennsylvania, and is the proud mom of two children, Grace and Ben, who keep her very busy.

Kelly Turcic Bailey is the Director of Alumni Engagement at Slippery Rock University. Her two children, Lily and Aiden, have moved her into the soccer mom demographic she studied under Dr. Farnsworth.

Teresa Joerger Mannix is now in her seventh year at Georgetown University, serving as the Assistant Dean for Communications at the McDonough School of Business. She recently was elected president of the College Communicators Association of Virginia and DC at its 25th anniversary meeting—the same one that honored the organization’s co-founder (and one of her many Mary Washington mentors), Ron Singleton, Vice President Emeritus for University Relations. Teresa also enjoyed a visit back to campus last spring to honor longtime cross country and track coach Stan Soper, who retired this year.

Madelyn Marino continues to pursue her goal of running a half marathon in every U.S. state (plus some international ones). This year she plans on completing races in Boise and Yosemite with Jen Amore; New Mexico with Annie Johnston; and New Orleans, Nashville, South Carolina, and Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Caroline Jarvis works in London as a Business Development Director for a charity investment manager and is having a great time traveling the world with her boyfriend. They will be visiting nine different countries this year. Her knees have finally recovered from doing the NYC marathon last year and she is considering another in 2017.

Christina Wills Chaney and James Chaney ’02 welcomed their second daughter, Cecilia, on July 9, 2015. They are also proud to announce that their son, Colin, graduated from Courtland High School on June 11, 2016.

Solson Scherman has lived in Costa Rica since 2006 with his partner Karol and their one-year-old daughter, Olivia. Solson works as a custom travel agent and photographer. He has no plans to return to the states but welcomes friends to come visit.

Karol Kozak Lester and her husband, David Lester, welcomed their third child, Elijah James, on April 22.  Big sister and brother, Lila and Hayes, love him to pieces. The Lesters reside in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Kim Kelley Winslow is a Senior Audit Manager with KPMG.  Chris Winslow practices law at Winslow & McCurry, PLLC in Midlothian, Virginia.

Laura Indzeris Johnson and Tom Johnson ’97 welcomed their second daughter, Elizabeth Virginia, in September 2015.

Sarah Osborn Barwick and her husband, Jason Barwick, are expecting their second child, a boy, this September. Three-year-old big sister Lily eagerly awaits his arrival.

Rachel Sykes Meyers is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration at Rutgers University. She and her husband live in northern New Jersey with their two daughters.

Lesia Kindrat-Pratt recently bought a home in Fairport, New York, where she works in communications. She completed her seventh home with Flower City Habitat for Humanity Women Build and continues to volunteer for a therapeutic riding program.

Virginia Green Bartlett wrote that her daughter, Latham, arrived in February, welcomed by her and her husband, Shane, big sister Sophia, and big brother Ellison.

Rev. Andrew Mertz received ordination as a Unitarian Universalist Minister on May 22 from the UU Congregation of Sterling, Virginia. Last year he and his new wife moved to Hayward, California.

Christina Meluzio and her husband, Walter Morehouse, welcomed their first healthy baby boy, Alden Joseph, on September 23, 2015! Dr. Meluzio, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, also began her own private practice, Meluzio Psychological Services, LLC, in Stafford, Virginia. Please contact her at cmeluzio.mps@gmail.com for referrals to her Silver Linings social/coping skills groups for school-age children and adolescents ages five to 18, or for individual/family therapy services in the Fredericksburg/Stafford areas.

Meredith Camp Rhodes and Jimmy Rhodes ’99 welcomed twins Peyton Olivia and Declan James in November 2015.  Meredith is an instructional designer for a government contract company in Washington, D.C., and Jimmy is Director of Financial Services at the American Diabetes Association in Alexandria, Virginia. They live in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Stefani Miller and her husband moved to Durham, North Carolina, in April. They have a one-year-old son and their daughter is four. Stefani is excited to grow her counseling private practice in Durham.

Andrew Blate resides in Fairfax with his wife, Jessie Thomas-Blate ’03, and their son Leo. Andrew is the owner of three companies including Beautiful Home Services, LLC, a remodeling and home improvement company.

LoriAnn Maresca Solano continues to reside in Long Island, New York, with her husband and daughter. She currently works as a Licensed Behavior Analyst, providing services for children, families, and schools. She also enjoys educating and sharing information regarding natural health and beauty products.  Dance and performance remain an important part of her life as well. The Solano family is happy to announce the expected arrival of their second child in the fall of 2016.

We would like to welcome Jaxon Ellis Hilliard, born May 11, 2016, into the world!  Congratulations to Jess Hilliard and family.

Sage Shaw lives in Bilbao, Spain, where she attends Deusto Business School’s Executive MBA program and works for Deusto Business School Health in the area of chronic disease management.

Annie Mazes married Stefan W. Spezio on Oct 9, 2015, in Astoria, Queens, where they reside. Bridesmaids included MWC grads Claire Burke, Courtney Oser, and Summer Edell—all fellow 2004 grads and college roommates of the bride. Annie is the Director of Library Marketing at Workman Publishing Co. in NYC, and Stefan is the Director of Academic Enhancement at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York. A June honeymoon to Spain and the South of France was planned.

Sameer Vaswani was promoted to Senior Diabetes Care Specialist and is celebrating his five-year anniversary with Novo Nordisk.

Leslie Brians was given the honor of being named the 2016 Ft. Bragg Military Spouse of the Year. She currently lives in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with her husband, Maj. Obadiah Brians, where she is the co-founder and Creative Director for InDependent, a non-profit organization serving military spouses.

Cara Stout started her new role as an Education Consultant for Compass Learning in Austin, Texas. Compass Learning provides digital curriculum and academic intervention solutions for K-12 schools.

The Class of 2005 also had quite the baby boom since the last issue! My husband Rob and I welcomed our son, Hunter Thomas, in June 2016. Laura Rawlett Taylor and her husband, Brandon, welcomed their daughter, Eleanor Quinn, in December 2015. Kimberly Pittman Gordon and her husband, Shamus Gordon ’06, welcomed their daughter, Tierney Mae, in February 2016. Kathryn Amirpashaie Kwiatkowski and her husband, Brent, welcomed their son Caleb in April 2016. Abbey Meyrick Iliff and her husband, Jesse, welcomed daughter Willow in April 2016. Willow joined big brother Baxter. Nina Deboeck Wieczorek and her husband, Chris, welcomed their fourth child, Vincent John, on June 23, 2016.

In September 2015, after two and a half years in southern Maryland, Rebecca J. Barnabi gladly returned to Virginia and now calls Staunton home. She is city editor of The Waynesboro News-Virginian.

Christy Morris Magyar and her husband, Billy, welcomed identical twin girls, Megan Michelle and Molly Anne, on February 26.

Sara O’Brien Cowling and her husband Nicholas welcomed their first daughter, Nora Elizabeth Cowling, on January 10, 2016. Sara and her family reside in Baltimore, Maryland.

Adrienne Hagen earned a Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and married Craig Dietz of Auburn, Nebraska.

Jay Sinha served on the UMW Presidential Search Committee that helped select President Rick Hurley’s successor, Dr. Troy Paino. He’s sad to see President Hurley go, but is excited to support Dr. Paino’s administration. He recently joined the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Virginia, and supports HHS with their Data Privacy goals as part of Booz Allen Hamilton.

Jennifer Wagar married Dustin Fulford at a wedding in Woodbridge, Virginia, on May 22, 2016. In attendance were Mary Wash classmates Joshua Rutherford, Marshall Vogt, and Jen Merritt and many family and friends. The couple celebrated their marriage with a trip to Venice, Italy, and Edinburgh, Scotland, and are planning a party to celebrate with family from Indiana in late July.

Elizabeth “Liz” Williams Nichols, her husband Jonathan, and big brothers Max and Charlie welcomed their new baby, Thomas Joseph, on May 21 in Midlothian, Virginia.

This spring, Alison Baker Berry left the field of legislative affairs after nine years to become a sustainability consultant at JDM Associates in Falls Church. There, she works supporting national building efficiency programs. Her husband, Scott Berry, will celebrate his eighth year lobbying for the Associated General Contractors of America this August.

Allison Chin Procious and her husband, Greg, bought their first home in May in the Lake Monticello community, outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, the same week he graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

Katie Donohue McMillan was recently hired as the Innovation Portfolio Manager at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina.

Isaac Kassock works at Saint Michael the Archangel High School in Fredericksburg. Normally a teacher, neat circumstances elevated him to the position of Interim Principal for part of the school year, helping him to learn all sorts of interesting things about human nature as found in students and the teaching body.

Jeremy Bloom and his partner, Robert Hubbard, moved to San Diego, California, in early 2015. In November, he began working for the American Civil Liberties Union, but not before returning to Virginia to work on one last electoral campaign. He was excited to see many alumni on his short visit, including Kaitlyn Gardy, Ford Hamemaker, Emmanuel Dabney, Lauren McMillan, and Denise Erickson Hamilton.

Alyssa Lee is the Annual Giving Manager for Northern Virginia Family Service, a nonprofit based in Oakton, Virginia. Last year she traveled to Iceland to see the Northern Lights and Montreal for the Women’s World Cup. She is planning to travel to Rio de Janeiro in August for the Summer Olympics with her girlfriend.

Dr. Jeffrey D. Zeiders received his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in the fall of 2015. He and his wife, Mary-Lacey Zeiders, live in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he is the Director of Learning and Development at a government contracting firm.

Charles Brown and his wife, Lindsey Marie Smith Brown ’12, just had their first kid, Jackson Wyatt Brown, in November.

Jess McKenzie Mays married Zachary Mays on January 3, 2015, in a private ceremony. The public reception was attended by Maggie Lilley ’07. The Mays moved from Boston, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, where Jess works as Director of Customer Success at an area start up, Twenty20.

Ryan Lacey married Elizabeth van Berg in a sunset ceremony in October 2014 at the Comus Inn at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland. Federal Judge Julian I. Jacobs presided.
The couple honeymooned in Maui and now reside in Fairfax, Virginia.

Karin Curtis recently moved to Los Angeles with her fiancé and is an attorney at Gordon & Rees in commercial litigation. Prior to that, Karin was in Miami prosecuting violent, repeat criminals.

Samantha Staebell Bosserman is the director of communications and board development for the Virginia School Boards Association. She and her husband David were married in 2013 and live in Waynesboro, Virginia, with their dog Maggie. Sam is the President-Elect for the Waynesboro Kiwanis Club and has been very involved in Relay for Life since graduating from Mary Wash.

Emily Frank Poulin and her husband, Josh, welcomed their second baby, a son named Thomas, born on May 11, 2016.

Jeslyn Thomas married Jomy Methipara on June 11 in Chicago, Illinois. In attendance were Amy Brewer, Sarah Price, Sherin Stephen, and Julia Sullivan ’07. Jeslyn is now a third-year medical student at Ross University, and her husband is a patent attorney working for Dickinson Wright, PLLC. They currently reside in Arlington, Virginia.

Brent Monseur started an OB/GYN residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia after completing his M.D. at the Medical College of Virginia as well as three years of board service with Medical Students for Choice. During that time he also participated in NASA’s Aerospace Medicine Clerkship at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Charlotte Rowell Sellier and her husband Joel welcomed their third daughter, Margaux Claire, in September.