Class Notes

Al Brewster is president of Battle-Buddies, a nonprofit that helps military veterans overcome barriers to health care, work access, and educational opportunities as they reintegrate to civilian life. Al continues to sail competitively. Al’s youngest, now 17, is checking out colleges including Mary Washington. His oldest son continues to practice law in L.A., and his first grandson will soon turn 2. Last August, Al spent 10 days providing psychosocial first aid in and around Kabul, Afghanistan, in response to the murders of three contractors.

Pat Barnhardt lives at Woodberry Forest School, a prep school for boys, about 45 minutes north of Charlottesville. Pat has been there for 32 years. Her husband teaches English, and she’s assistant head at a small independent elementary school in Orange. Pat’s son is married and a lawyer in Charlottesville. Her daughter is finishing art school in Portland, Ore. Pat hasn’t been on the UMW campus for a long time, but she takes at least two pilgrimages to Carl’s each year.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Wright writes that she doesn’t have a new FEMA deployment – for now. After her last deployment, Betsy came back with health problems. Diet and exercise, including bicycling, have made a difference. She planned to become active in the FEMA deployment database again near the end of 2012. Betsy assists with an ESL ministry and the 5-year-olds’ music choir at her church.

Jackie Ewansky Bryan is enjoying her fourth year as an assistant professor/reference and instruction librarian at Saint Leo University in Florida. She has presented at library conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Jackie is secretary and board member of the Florida Dance Education Organization. Husband Rich will retire in May after 31 years as a psychology professor at Saint Leo. Older son Richie graduated from the University of Central Florida and is a graphic designer in Tampa. Younger son Eric will graduate from the University of Florida in May with a degree in English. Before traveling to Switzerland last summer, Jackie and Rich visited with Kathy Magyar Lutte ’75 and husband Eddie, who live in Bethlehem, Pa.

Joanne “Jody” Rehm writes that she was diagnosed last spring with a recurrence of breast cancer after 12 years cancer-free. She decided to walk in her fifth Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Her sister, Mary Jane Rehm Pearcy ’71, came from San Diego to walk with her for 40 miles over two days in Charlotte, N.C. Jody’s son returned to the D.C. area last fall after completing a master’s degree in human behavior at USC in Los Angeles. Jody is training director for Genworth Financial in Raleigh and loves her work and the quality of life in the Triangle.

My husband, Gene, and I relocated last fall to Pinehurst, N.C. By the time you read this issue, I will have become grandmother to a lovely granddaughter in December, compliments of son Ian and his lovely wife. I planned to fly to the San Francisco area to help with the newest family member.

It was great to receive all the news for this issue.