Class Notes

In early October, Pam Clapp Hinkle, Bobbie Dwyer Leon, Colleen McCahill Turley, Katie Culp Jones, Elisa Devorshak Harvey, Ellen Stanley Booth, Katrina Ray Landis and I gathered for a fun and relaxing weekend at Katrina’s beautiful home on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It was a great way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of meeting each other freshman year on Willard 2nd Back! We stayed up late catching up, laughing, rehashing old memories — just like old times. It is truly amazing that we have remained close all these years, and continue to get together on a regular basis. Immediately after that weekend, I went to Copenhagen, Denmark, where I visited my daughter who was spending the semester abroad (from Elon University). Together we traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, for five days.

Still hanging out together after 35+ years, Donna (Bly) Hely, Joe Hely ’80, Joy (Johnston) Johnson, and Greg Johnson enjoyed a 12-day cruise to the Mediterranean last summer with some extra time in Barcelona. The two couples are looking forward to a trip to the British Isles in 2019.

Condolences

Colleen McCahill Turley ’81, who lost her mother.

I caught up with many classmates at our 35th reunion in June 2017. After our award-winning rendition of a Ballroom Keg Party for our 30th, we decided to celebrate our 35th by paying homage to Seacobeck. Thanks to Gregg Stull ’82, UMW Chair and Professor of Theatre and Dance for the authentic china and furniture. Sadly, we did not repeat the top award but a requested vote challenge is underway. Through the generosity of many and the challenge leadership of Anna Geisler Hogan ’82, the Class of 1982 was recognized as top Reunion Class Fundraiser. Reunion faithful attendees Nancy Kaiser ’82 and spouse Mary McElhone stay busy with their home renovation business, a national Scottie Dog rescue group and lots of fabulous travel. They toured the Baltics in June. Jenifer Blair ’82 is the Director of College Counseling and Advising for the South Carolina Governors School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville SC. She is also VP, Alumni Awards for the UMW Alumni Association Board and always up for a road trip to Fredericksburg or her beach house in Delaware. Retirement was a popular theme of reunion, Facebook and holiday cards. Carla Richardson Barrell ’82 retired from teaching but still plans to stay involved by substitute teaching. John Hoffman ’82, school principal also retired. His wife Terri Torri Hoffman ’82 continues to work for the Federal Reserve and they divide their time between Northern VA and Harrisonburg VA. Mia McCall ’82 retired after a long career working for the “Government” aka CIA. She is exploring opportunities and possibly moving closer to her parents in California. Betsy Rohaly Smoot ’82 retired after 34 years at the NSA. Annmarie Cozzi ’82 will reluctantly turn in her badge in early 2018 when she retires from the Bergen County NJ Prosecutor’s office. She plans to move “down the shore” full time. My roomie Debbie Snyder Barker ’82 took on mother of the groom duties twice for sons Chip and Sam’s weddings. Daughter Leah is working and living with friends in Arlington VA. With the youngest off to college (JMU) Heather Archer Mackey ’82 and husband Mike downsized their home in Richmond. Heather is a UMW Network Leader in Richmond and loves catching up with classmates at events. Dan Hudson ’82 sold the family home in Warrenton and moved to Richmond. He is always up for a foodie adventure. Erin Devine’82 celebrated her 5th anniversary as a Senior Philanthropic Advisor for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Erin’s three kids have successfully flown the coop – Kathleen is a licensed clinical social worker at the McLean Hospital in Boston; Patrick is doing economic development/social enterprise work in Mumbai, India and Caroline graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2016 and plans on nursing school. Erin lost her beloved husband Phil Keating in January 2011 and is delighted to share that she has a wonderful new man in her life. They are renovating a 1692 Ordinary (tavern and inn) in New Kent, VA that will likely open as a bed and breakfast and possible brewery. Sandy Young ’82 proudly shared daughter Amanda’s graduation from Hollins College. Becky Batten Rosenberger ’82 married in September and they bought a house in the Fan district of Richmond. Her son and daughter both live in Florida. Catherine Miller Canty ’82 not only retired from teaching but also celebrated her daughter Meghan Canty’s December college graduation and wedding. Vicki Haynes Morris ’82 continues to enjoy life and work in Wisconsin. She loves spoiling her grandson Maddox and recent trips included Cuba, Australia and New Zealand. Georgiana Hall ’82 left sunny Miami and is enjoying? her first winter in Colorado Springs. She will be volunteering at the Humane Society and continuing as a licensed educator for the House Rabbit Society. She also hopes to take up golf again and write more books. Her sequel to “Hershey”; “Trouble in the Attic” by GG Hall is out now. Jennifer Goodwin Donegan ’82 lives in Norfolk. We enjoy attending museum lectures together and lamenting the fact that we never took Art History at Mary Washington. Daughter Meredith graduated from Darden’s Executive MBA program, continues to work for Operation Smile and will be married in October. Caroline Borden Kirschner ’82 still lives in California and recently spent time with her daughter on a Mercy Ships voyage/mission. Ever elusive Michael Bennett ’82 recently spent time in Italy and Mallorca but promises to make our next reunion. Jackie Tanous Jacobson ’82 who continues to live and work in Colorado. Tim Horn ’82 recently wrote that after Mary Washington, he ended up going to SUNY-Binghamton for an MA in Theatre Arts and the University of Georgia and dissertation work at Yale but of all these schools, Mary Washington was the best. He married Janet in 1996 and they live in Nokesville with horses, dogs, cats and an unwelcome groundhog. After teaching in public and private schools for 24 years, Tim retired to focus on his Hypnosis business helping people become non-smokers, relieving stress, improving study skills and a myriad of other things. His former roommate Tim Erickson ’81 organized a theatre reunion and he caught up with Gregg Stull ’82, Seth Schrager’82, Ruth DeArmitt ’80, Rob Powell ’79, Bobby Kerns ’81 and many others. As for me, I celebrated my 30th anniversary at UBS and stay busy with local non-profits and continued volunteer work at Mary Washington. I enjoy living at the beach in Virginia Beach and welcome visitors. Please stay in touch.

Kathy Walters Along sent an update about her daughter Gina. Gina completed her licensing as a pediatric nurse and landed her dream job in Ft. Myers at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest FL. Son Joe spent his second summer in Seoul staying with a host family and attending Korean language class at Yonsei University. He has since transferred to the University of Chicago to complete his junior and senior years.
Scott Hampton Harris, who served as the Director of the James Monroe Museum, was named by Dr. Nina Mikhalevsky, Provost of the University of Mary Washington, as Executive Director of University Museums. Scott will provide strategic direction and oversee all the aspects of the Gari Melchers Home and Studio and the James Monroe Museum. Scott will also oversee the on-going work of the Papers of James Monroe, edited by Dr. Daniel Preston. The Papers project was recently awarded a three year, $300,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to produce volumes seven and eight of Monroe’s selected correspondence and public documents covering the period April 1814 to March 1821.
Elden J. LeGaux said that he and Perry have been living in the Miami area for the last 6 years. Elden is the COO and one of the founding partners in a boutique multi family office in Ft. Lauderdale. Perry is the Director of Operational Support and Hospitality at Camillus Health Concern in Miami. Daughter Amanda is a Global Campaign Manager for IBM in Raleigh and she and husband Joel are expecting their first child in June. Daughter Jordan is working in Chicago as a Proposal manager for dunnhumby, a global marketing firm. Daughter Kelsey is a Baking and Pastry specialist in Raleigh and is back in school to advance her culinary training.
Lisa R. Wright class of 1983
I recently retired after 30 years of law enforcement as a Captain at Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office. Prior to that I served as an investigator in a VA State Agency and prior to that got my start at Fredericksburg Police Department. Through my journey I was also able to teach high school Spanish and work for DEA at Quantico for six years where I traveled all over the United States teaching local, state, federal and worldwide law enforcement agents about asset forfeiture. I feel very blessed in my career to have worked at the various levels and positions and to finish as a member of Command Staff. I currently now own a teaching consulting business (www.abctipster.com), a photography business (Wright Eye Photography) and also work with a subcontractor for FEMA for hurricane relief efforts. I lost my father in 1983 but fortunately still am blessed with my mom who lives in Spotsylvania County as well.
Lisa Wright
Lisawright61@live.com

My husband, Christopher Lamm ‘85, and I were able to visit with Susie Ferrett Stough ‘85, and her husband, Mike Stough ’86, at the Family Weekend Legacy Breakfast back in September. Their legacy is daughter, Carolyn, and we have our son, Stephen as our legacy. We’ve been attending the legacy breakfasts since 2009 when we started attending with our daughter, Rebecca E. Lamm ‘13.
I’ve also kept in touch with Carolyn S. Parsons ‘83. She and I were both interns at the James Monroe Museum back in the ‘80s. We also occasionally see each other at two professional conferences: the annual Society for American Archivists Conference (SAA), and at the semi-annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC).
Jonathan Leib ’85 is living in Norfolk with his wife, daughter, and miniature goldendoodle. He is Professor of Geography and Chair of the Department of Political Science & Geography at Old Dominion University. Jonathan took up running several years ago, and is now on a quixotic bucket list quest to run a half-marathon in all fifty states. He’s currently at four states completed (California, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia), and only has forty-six to go!

Dallas-based Polsinelli shareholder and University of Mary Washington alumnus Henry Talavera has been appointed to the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities (Hispanic Commission). The Hispanic Commission is dedicated to addressing the challenges and responsibilities Hispanics face within the legal system of the United States.

Toni Moore Milbourne has settled in as library director at Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library and has completed her first term for her masters in library science and information technology at Syracuse University (online). In 2017, she traveled to Missouri to see her daughter Maggie graduate from Army boot camp. In January, she traveled to Arizona to see Maggie graduate AIT. Her son Allen joined her and they traveled to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, LA, and San Diego before arriving at Fort Huachuca. In June, Toni will travel to Peru with her youngest, Samantha, who has just submitted an application to Mary Wash!!

As for me, I continue to be busy. In addition to the computer company and yoga studio, I have started a company called Zen Sunrise Creations and I am designing jewelry. I have had a few shows locally and am trying my hand at Etsy. It’s a lot of fun and a great creative outlet.

Keep the updates coming! Remember – not everyone is on Facebook and people want to know what their classmates are up to.

Kenneth R. Morefield works as a Professor of English for Campbell University in North Carolina. He was recently awarded tenure. He and Cindy Morefield (Bowers) also recently celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary.

Leah Wilson Munnis writes that she is busy with grad school and can no longer
serve as class agent. If you’re a 1989 grad and would like to serve, please
drop us a line at classnotes@umw.edu.