THE M AGAZINE OF HOOD COLLEGE FORGING THE FUTURE | THE CAMPAIGN ISSUE
FALL 2023
FORGING THE FUTURE | THE CAMPAIGN ISSUE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FALL 2023 VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
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Laurie Ward
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EDITOR
Meg DePanise ’15, MBA’20 ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN
Renee Rohwer Ronda Wolford-Smith COPY EDITOR
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Matt Lee ’15 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mary Atwell
Archivist, Collection Development Services Manager
Mason Cavalier ’19
News Editor, Media Manager
Geoff Goyne
Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications/SID
Alicia Parlatore Payne ’73 INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Nancy Gillece ’81
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Michelle Burnett
Assistant Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement
Jaime Cacciola ’04
Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs
Kellye Greenwald ’86
Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement
Malinda Small ’81
Executive Director of Individual Giving
Emily Wise VanderWoude, CFRE Director of Leadership Giving
PHOTOGRAPHY
Paul Burk Photography, Mason Cavalier ’19, Craig Chase Photography, Meg DePanise ’15, MBA’20, Derek Knecht, Matt Lee ’15, Laurie Ward, Ronda Wolford-Smith
ADDRESS CHANGES Please report all address changes to the Hood College Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement at 301-696-3900; 800-707-5280, option 1; or advancement_services@hood.edu.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR If you have a letter you would like to send us for possible inclusion in the next issue of Hood Magazine, please email us at marketingoffice@hood.edu.
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IN THIS ISSUE 03 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 04 NEWS MAKERS 08 GRADUATE SCHOOL 10 STANDOUTS 12 ATHLETICS 16 FEATURE: THE FUTURE OF HOOD HAS ARRIVED 34 HOODPROUD
Hood Magazine is published twice a year for Hood College alumni, friends, parents, students, faculty and staff by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Every effort has been made to contact copyright holders of any material reprinted in this magazine. Any omissions will be corrected in subsequent issues if notice is given to the Office of Marketing and Communications. Copyright © 2023 Hood College
40 CLASS NEWS 49 POINT OF VIEW 64 A LOOK BACK
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34 ON THE COVER: TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Jordan Dowling ’26, Blaze, Luke Sisco ’24, Thomas Kasanicky ’24, Sidney Brinkman ’26, Gracyn Van Bemmel ’26, William Fitch ’24, Isabella DiPietrantonio ’25, Sahili Salerno ’27, Faith Harrison ’27 INSIDE COVER: Genevi Babati ’24, Blaze, Storm Fuller ’24, Riley Fitz ’24, Michaela Redden ’24, Eisella Pearson ’26, Adam Smolinski Bartice ’26, graduate school student Mariana Latorre, Alba Reyes Montiel ’25, Faith Kiser ’24
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2 024 AH I J O U R N E YS
THE CHARM OF THE AMALFI COAST APRIL 10-18, 2024
Portugal
Alluring Alentejo MAY 5 -1 3, 2 024
NORMANDY - HONFLEUR
Join your fellow Hood alumni and be captivated by Portugal’s best-kept secret, the beautiful Alentejo region.
THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
Alentejo boasts sweeping landscapes of cork forests
JUNE 22-30, 2024
and whitewashed villages, with a first-rate reputation for stellar cuisine and wines. Take in sparkling marble towns, the breathtaking royal city of Évora and fortified Elvas.
BASQUE COUNTRY SPAIN & FRANCE
OCT. 5-13, 2024
You’ll also savor the iconic Portuguese fado music and wonderful culinary experiences, including a hands-on cooking lesson in a private home, a unique olive oil tasting on an estate and delectable samples at a town market. Plus, admire the impressive Roman ruins of Mérida, Spain, and marvel at Lisbon’s cultural riches!
CROATIA & THE DALMATIAN COAST
Enjoy six nights in Vila Viçosa and one night in Lisbon,
OCT. 15-26, 2024
along with enriching guided tours and lectures. For more information about all Hood Alumni Travel, please go to hood.ahitravel.com.
Message from the President Dear Friends, It is with tremendous pride that I invite you to this edition of Hood Magazine, which features the successful conclusion of the Forging the Future campaign. When we began planning this campaign, we knew there was a daunting challenge before us. Hood had not had a comprehensive campaign for several decades, and the goal was the most ambitious in Hood’s history. In early conversations, I referenced the children’s book “The Little Engine that Could.” This would indeed be a very big and long hill to climb, and yet, I repeatedly heard, “Yes, it can be done.” You were eager to discuss the campaign goals and envision with me how this effort would make Hood a stronger institution poised for a bright future. Buoyed by your confidence, we started up that hill, saying, “We think Hood can, we think Hood can, we think Hood can.” In just two years, even during the pandemic, we reached our original $50 million goal. So, we kept going up. The Board of Trustees increased the goal to $65 million and led the charge, contributing more than $8,000,000. Now, here we are, at the top of the hill, exceeding all expectations. Forging the Future raised a total of $74,646,553 from 4,828 donors, nearly $25 million above our original goal.
ANDREA E. CHAPDELAINE, PH.D.
It is hard to express the depth of pride and gratitude I feel, and I know you share that sentiment. We thought Hood could, and Hood did! As you will read, the impact of this campaign is deep and broad: a transformed library and learning commons, a soon-to-be renovated and expanded Hodson Science and Technology Center, the founding of two new schools—The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business and The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences—and funding for endowed chairs, scholarships, experiential learning, student prizes, faculty research and so much more. Yes, there is much to celebrate, as these dollars translate to an inestimable benefit for Hood students. The hill was steep and long, but this journey is one of the highlights of my presidency. On occasion, someone might remark to me that fundraising must be the hardest part of my job. I quickly correct them that it is in fact one of the most rewarding ways I am able to serve Hood. As I spoke with you about the campaign and invited your participation, your stories about Hood and your confidence in Hood’s future were both moving and inspiring. You gave me hope and resolve to reach that mountaintop. Like my husband Dave and I, you also view your campaign gift as a deeply gratifying opportunity to enrich the lives of students and invest in Hood’s legacy. For me, that is the greatest reward of all—knowing so many individuals who selflessly give their time, talent and treasure to ensure a Hood education for generations to come. With deep gratitude,
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NEWS MAKERS Hood Alumna Establishes New Book Fund Supporting Hood Advantage Program Students qualify for the Hood Advantage Program and enroll at Hood will receive a book stipend to offset costs during their first semester. “I was most fortunate that my scholarships covered the entire cost of tuition, but not textbooks, which were expensive,” said Campbell. “[Hood] Advantage students have worked hard to achieve academic success, and I am pleased to help them continue their education by establishing this fund to assist in alleviating textbook costs.” The fund will begin issuing stipends in fall 2024 and is open to receiving additional contributions. A new endowed fund designed to reduce the cost of textbooks for Hood Advantage Program students has been established by Cynthia Shafer Campbell ’69. Incoming first-year students who
Those interested in supporting the fund can contact Director of Leadership Giving Emily VanderWoude at vanderwoude@hood.edu.
David Gurzick, M.S.’03, Ph.D., accepts the BRAVO! Award at Harry Grove Stadium.
Data Driven Frederick Receives Outstanding Community Impact BRAVO! Award The Michael S., P’09 and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09 Data Driven Frederick Center (DDF) received the 2023 Outstanding Community Impact Partner Award at Frederick United Way’s 2023 BRAVO! Awards ceremony. The Outstanding Community Impact Partner BRAVO! Award is given to those who reflect true community impact by leveraging the whole community to achieve incredible goals.
Hood College and Frederick County Government Renew Commitment to Tuition Discount Program Hood College and the Frederick County Government are proud to announce a recommitment to the NeighborHOOD Partners Program, continuing to offer tuition discounts and educational opportunities for Frederick County Government employees, their spouses and qualified dependents. The NeighborHOOD Partners Program, first established in 2019, aims to increase access to a Hood education, build a more knowledgeable and
better prepared workforce, and contribute to the intellectual capital of the Frederick community. “Our Frederick County Government employees are our greatest resource,” said Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, M.S.’10. “I am excited to renew our partnership with Hood College, which will provide opportunities for staff and their dependents to pursue higher education in our community.”
DDF, which was formally unveiled last April, is a state-of-the-art classroom that serves as a centralized repository of information about the Frederick region’s health, economy, social welfare, land use and infrastructure. Within DDF, graduate and undergraduate students conduct research and interpret, manipulate and present large amounts of data as part of their coursework—all skills crucial to the future of a data-driven world. “It was a heartening moment that validated all the hard work, long hours and dedication poured into [DDF] by so many individuals,” said David Gurzick, M.S.’03, Ph.D., chair of The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business. “It felt like a profound affirmation of our mission and the impact that accessible data can have on the Frederick community.”
At press time, Hood College received the largest gift in its history from The Hodson Trust. This gift, its impact and the legacy of The Hodson Trust will be featured in the spring 2024 edition of Hood Magazine. Watch the announcement! SUPPORTING HOOD COLLEGE 1936-2023
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NEWS MAKERS Tonya Thomas Finton ’78 Appointed as Chair of Hood College Board of Trustees
STORIES FROM CAMPUS
The Hood College Board of Trustees appointed Tonya Thomas Finton ’78 as chair of the board following its June meeting. Finton succeeds Trustee Emerita Judith Messina ’66, H’23. Finton, who was appointed as vice chair of the board in 2021, has been an active alumna for more than 43 years, serving as chair of the Student Life Committee and co-chairing Hood’s Forging the Future campaign.
Hood Students Attend Foreign Policy Symposium in Washington, D.C.
h ood.ws/student-symposium
During her time as a student at Hood, Finton served as a student representative on the search committee that chose Martha Church to be the College’s first female president. Finton later earned a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University and spent her career as an international trade specialist with the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Hood College Board of Trustees Welcomes Four New Members
From Housing Insecure to Hood: Ahmad Parker ’27, Hood Advantage Program Student
hood.ws/parker-advantage
Hood College is proud to welcome Susan Audino ’85, B.A.’99, Ph.D., Jane Esselen Blocker ’72, Jewel Smith ’96 and Phillip Yerby ’11 to the Board of Trustees. Audino earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and chemistry from Hood before earning advanced degrees in both fields, including a Ph.D. in chemistry from American University. Her professional career has focused on the cannabis industry, having founded S.A. Audino & Associates. Audino has served on Hood’s Board of Associates since 2017. Audino’s research was featured in the spring 2019 issue of Hood Magazine. Blocker spent her career in the field of business coaching, helping both startup entrepreneurial businesses and large divisions of multinational corporations. Following the sale of her own business, she became the EVP/COO of a nationally franchised staffing company. Since retiring in 2019, Blocker has dedicated much of her time, talent and treasure to Hood. Smith was the former chair of the Board of Associates at Hood. She currently serves as the
vice president of membership and operations at the Association for Accessible Medicines, overseeing multiple complex operational projects. She has a long corporate history, with experience in project management for patient assistance programs and global government affairs. Smith received her MBA from Marymount University and her B.A. in communication arts from Hood. Yerby joins the Board of Trustees as the first-ever “Young Alum Board Member,” a new position reserved for recent, involved and supportive alumni. Yerby has been unwavering in his support for Hood since graduating in 2011 with a B.A. in communication arts, serving as class reunion chair, inauguration class representative and former president of the Alumni Executive Board. He is currently vice president for client experience at Weber Shandwick.
Meet Hood’s First-Ever Public Health Graduates
hood.ws/firstfourPH
Hood Social Work Graduate Takes the Floor in Maryland State Senate Testimony
hood.ws/McKinley23
Find more stories from our community at hood.edu/stories
New Partnership Between Hood College and ScienceWerx to Provide Students Experience in Research Commercialization Hood College and ScienceWerx have entered a new partnership that aims to show undergraduate and graduate students how their research can be commercialized to benefit humankind. ScienceWerx is a nonprofit organization designed to address the difficulties involved in bringing new products to market. Hood students will be employed in marketing, intellectual property, business negotiations, manufacturing and more, providing high-impact learning opportunities and firsthand experience in research commercialization.
“I have always been impressed with Hood as I’ve engaged with students and faculty members throughout the years,” said Patrick Haley, chairman and co-founder of ScienceWerx. “With this partnership, ScienceWerx and Hood can now work together to bridge the gap between science and commercialization, bringing potentially life-saving products from ideation to production.” ScienceWerx plans on at least three internship opportunities for Hood students this spring.
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President Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D., and Patrick Haley, chairman and co-founder of ScienceWerx.
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Hood in the News | Our Experts Cited in the Press Hood Choral Arts Director Describes Being Chosen to Lead D-Day Remembrance Performances in France Lynn Staininger, choral arts director, speaks about the build up to a lifechanging performance for herself and Hood choral students. From Frederick Magazine story “Liberation Song,” published March 1, 2023:
International Student Services Director Speaks About Hood’s Diverse Community Amani Al-Dajane, MBA’20, speaks about the “rich tapestry” of culture and perspective brought by international students from 28 countries. From Higher Education Digest story “Hood College: Empowering Students to Lead Purposeful Lives,” published June 23, 2023: “When they arrive on campus, students are met with exceptional support and the warmth of our ‘Hood Hello,’” says Amani Al-Dajane, Hood College’s director of international student services and principal designated school official. “All Hood College faculty create an inclusive teaching and learning environment and are encouraged to design courses to reflect global diversity and set expectations in their classroom to respect others’ viewpoints. “Our diverse range of cultural events and programs are key to attracting international students to join our institution. Our calendar is packed with events such as International Education Week, Diwali, Holi, Iftar for Ramadan and many more holidays and festivities.”
ead the full story at hood.ws/ R hed-al-dajane
“We are a not-for-profit organization, and we knew we’d have to raise money [for] us to go, so I told [the military representative] he had to give me a week to see if we could figure it out. I took the invitation to the board, and they said, ‘Heck yeah, we’re going to D-Day, and we’re going to make this work.’ When I called him back and told him we could do it, he said, ‘This will be the event that will change your life forever.’”
To understand how far the Choral Arts Society has come in order to land such a special performance, it’s best to talk to the troupe’s artistic director, Lynn Staininger. “It became instantly clear that this was a completely different invitation from anything we had received in the past,” Staininger recalls.
Annual “Chap Swap” Featured in Inside Higher Ed’s Student Success Newsletter “Chap Swap” allows one student to spend a day shadowing President Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D., and vice versa, offering insight into their respective roles on campus. From Inside Higher Ed story “President Swaps Schedules With Students, Promoting Campus Engagement,” published May 1, 2023:
Anna LePlatt ’24, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, M.S.’10, and President Chapdelaine.
Once a year, Hood College president Andrea Chapdelaine steps away from her office and into the classroom for a day, assuming the life of one of the college students on her Frederick, Maryland, campus. On the flip side, one lucky student gets to be Chapdelaine for the day, navigating her schedule and assuming presidential duties for 24 hours. “I learned a lot of the role distribution that I didn’t think I understood before,” [Anna] LePlatt ’24 says. “I met so many people that were there for the [Data Driven Frederick Center Opening] that I got to introduce myself to, and now I have that connection going forward.” “I feel like I made a new friend,” Chapdelaine says. “That was my biggest takeaway: that I really got to know Anna, and I want to continue the relationship.”
Read the full story at hood.ws/ihe-chap-swap
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NEWS MAKERS Hood Business Chair and Data Driven Frederick Namesake Donor Describe Center’s Impact on Frederick Community George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business Chair David Gurzick, M.S.’03, Ph.D., and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09, namesake donor, speak on center’s opening. From Frederick News-Post story “Data Driven Frederick center opens at Hood College,” published April 8, 2023: “The potential for what this means for the socioeconomic future of Frederick County—of the region—is just unlimited,” said Marlene Young, president of the Delaplaine Foundation. She and her husband made the lead gift toward establishing the center, and its full name honors them. Officially, it’s the Michael S., P’09 and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09 Data Driven Frederick Center.
Three massive television screens, together spanning nearly 20 feet of wall space, hang in the new Data Driven Frederick Center at Hood College. The center occupies a relatively small room, but David Gurzick, chair of the College’s business school, has big plans for it. “You bring your questions, and we will give you the data to answer them in the ways that you see fit,” [Gurzick] said. “And we will provide the statistical understanding and democratize all of the data science and all of the technical stuff that’s really hard to get access to these days.”
Read the full story at hood.ws/ddf-fnp
Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09, and Michael S. Young, P’09.
Hood Welcomes New Hires Timothy Coffin, Ph.D., Bioinformatics and Health Informatics Program Director Timothy Coffin, Ph.D., joins Hood as the director of the College’s new graduate-level health informatics and bioinformatics programs. Coffin, a U.S. Air Force veteran, earned his bachelor’s in engineering from the Air Force Academy before earning an MPA in public relations from Dayton University and a Ph.D. in health research sciences from George Mason University. Coffin is also the founder and CEO of Celtiq, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in government healthcare solutions. Bre Harwood ’16, M.A.’19, C’19, C’22, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Orientation Bre Harwood ’16, M.A.’19, C’19, C’22, rejoined the staff at Hood as the assistant director of student engagement and orientation in May 2023. Harwood previously served as the career development program manager within the Catherine
Filene Shouse Center for Career Development at Hood from 2016 to 2023. Harwood earned her bachelor’s in communication arts, master’s in human sciences and graduate-level certificates in organizational management and thanatology from Hood. Shaun Hoppel, Director of Accessibility Services Shaun Hoppel joined the Hood community in May as the director of accessibility services, where he will promote the full participation and inclusion of Hood students with disabilities as well as the promotion of a collegewide culture of accessibility. He brings more than seven years of student service experience from institutions such as the University of Buffalo, SUNY Empire and Howard Community College. Camelia Rubalcada, Dean of Student Success Camelia Rubalcada was named as Hood’s dean of student success in late August, joining from Luther College in Iowa. Rubalcada also spent time
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in student success roles at institutions such as the University of Texas Rio Grande and Georgia Gwinette College. In her new role, she will oversee the Center for Academic Enrichment and Accessibility Services. Stephanie Snyder, LCPC, LCADC, NCTC Clinic Director Stephanie Snyder, LCPC, LCADC, and Maryland Board-approved supervisor, joined Hood as acting director, then transitioned to director of the NeighborHood Counseling Training Center (NCTC) for the counseling M.S. program in July 2023. Snyder is in the dissertation phase of her Ph.D. program at Walden University, focusing on counseling education and supervision. Snyder continues to collaborate with people in the community, providing support in local mental health inpatient settings and working with clients who struggle with addiction.
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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
Growing the Graduate School New programs in counseling, creative writing, health informatics and nursing. The Graduate School at Hood College is growing. In addition to the recently launched nutrition science M.S. program and the trauma, crisis, grief and loss certificate, the Graduate School has opened applications for a low-residency MFA in creative writing, a health informatics M.S. and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Meanwhile, the Master of Business Administration program is transitioning fully online. The College has also recently approved two new doctoral programs: a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a counseling Ph.D. April Boulton, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School, is spearheading the implementation of these new programs. She sat down with us to discuss this exciting chapter as well as how the Graduate School continues to evolve to meet emerging needs in higher education.
What new programs has the Graduate School added to its offerings? You’ll see an expanded portfolio of offerings from diverse disciplines, including counseling, creative writing, nursing and health informatics—which is heavily nested in data science and computing—so we have the humanities, STEM and health fields represented.
Tell us about the Graduate School’s growth in online programs. While many of our programs continue to flourish in hybrid and traditional classroom modalities, we have seen a consistent, growing need for flexible online formats, which aligns with national and regional trends. This pattern was well established pre-COVID, but the advent of platforms like Zoom and Teams has only hastened this expanding interest in fully online programs. Our graduate students are almost all full-time professionals, caregivers, volunteers and more, so they are increasingly looking for program modalities that fit their packed schedules. Added to that reality is the national embrace of teleworking and telehealth. These services and virtual options have magnified a similar preference for “tele-education,” which, of course, has been around for a few decades in the form of distance learning and online education. As a result, we are strategically expanding our online offerings, as evidenced by our long-standing MBA program transitioning to a fully online delivery starting this year. Currently, all of our education and several computing graduate degrees are online. Some new additions, like graduate-level nursing, will be fully online as well.
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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
How has the Graduate School student body evolved in the past few years? Our graduate students have always been from “two generational worlds,” namely young, early-career professionals (often right out of college) and older, established career professionals. However, one change is clear: that younger group is becoming more sizable every year. We used to see a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio of young to mature students, but more and more we’re seeing ratios approaching 1:1. This is evidenced by significant growth in our 4PLUS dual-degree program and ALTY (Alumni of the Last Three Years) Scholarship recipients, but our overall age distribution further reflects this trend. Put simply: new graduates from baccalaureate programs see the cost and time savings of adding a master’s degree to their educational profile. They also know that salary data consistently show professionals with master’s degrees outearn bachelor’s degree holders.
What trends are you seeing in graduate education? How is Hood responding? Graduate students are not only interested in flexible degree options that will elevate their career, but they are also interested in the auxiliary benefits such graduate programs provide, like holistic wellness programs, academic support services, on-campus housing and dining options, creative ways to network with peers and graduate-level internship experiences. These features are standard in undergraduate programs, but they are increasingly valued and sought out at the graduate level. This shifting landscape could be due, in part, to the growing younger demographic enrolling in graduate programs. Such services and experiences are top of mind, as these students recently graduated from a bachelor’s program, and they expect a level of continuation in graduate school. We welcome this expectation from students. Since Hood has a history of robust auxiliary and support services at the undergraduate level, this is already a strength we can and do extend to our graduate students.
More than 1,000 Hood alumni have returned to their alma mater to earn a graduate degree or certificate. Find out which program is right for you. Attend our next virtual open house or chat with a graduate admission counselor about your goals. Request information at
hood.edu/backtohood.
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STAND OUTS
Alumni Awards DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARDS Marcia Coyle DiBiagio ’73, H’08, J.D. Marcia Coyle DiBiagio is a journalist, lawyer, author, wife, mother and grandmother. She serves as the chief Washington correspondent for the National Law Journal and continues to report on the U.S. Supreme Court for PBS’s “NewsHour.” She also writes about the court for the National Constitution Center blog. In 2013, Simon & Schuster published her book “The Roberts Court: The Struggle for the Constitution.” She has reported on the Supreme Court and national legal issues, such as the death penalty, abortion and environmental racism, for 36 years. Her work has garnered national journalism awards, including the Polk Award for Legal Reporting, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Award for outstanding investigative reporting and the American Judicature Society Award for a career body of work covering the justice system. DiBiagio has a bachelor’s in English from Hood, a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University and a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. DiBiagio’s Hood friends remember her quite fondly from 50 years ago. Her passion for journalism began with the Blue and Grey. A classmate recalls that DiBiagio was the director of their Sophomore Revue—a big commitment—and was an inspiration with her creativity and hard work. No matter how busy she was, she always had a smile and time for everyone. Today, DiBiagio and her husband live outside of Annapolis with their daughter, handsome three-year-old grandson and two basset hounds. Her son and his wife have a beautiful one-year-old daughter.
Mary L. Townley ’83 A New Jersey native, Mary L. Townley graduated from Hood in 1983 with a bachelor’s in special education. She taught in several positions in the Winchester, Virginia, area for seven years before moving to Richmond in 1990. She continued teaching until early 1998, when she and her wife Carol welcomed their daughter Emily. After several more years teaching in public schools, Townley developed an internship program at a health lab for high school students with special needs. From this, she co-founded a nonprofit, the Next Move Program, which partnered special needs high school students and young adults with local businesses. These students learned on-site job training, while following a curriculum that taught employment and social skills. In 2013, Townley and Carol became plaintiffs in a court case fighting the same sex marriage ban in Virginia. The case was resolved in 2014 in their favor, with marriage equality won in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Hood classmates applaud the couple’s relentless efforts toward marriage equality. A classmate mentioned that Townley and her family led the charge to demonstrate that “Love is Love.” Townley’s efforts have and will continue to change the lives of many throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond for years to come. Townley retired in 2020 and now spends her time with family, her two chihuahua mixes and a tabby cat. She also volunteers at a local dog rescue.
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STAND OUTS Titilola “Lola” Jolaosho Falasinnu ’03, Ph.D. Titilola “Lola” Jolaosho Falasinnu arrived at Hood via Nigeria and Canada. Following her successful undergraduate academic achievements, she earned a master’s in epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University. Falasinnu then earned her doctorate from the University of British Columbia Center for Disease Control. Much of Falasinnu’s academic research has focused on HIV, and she has co-authored multiple research studies pertaining to the global epidemiology of lupus, the increase in fentanyl-related deaths alongside narcotic use and addiction, and the value of diversity and inclusion in all national and global medical research studies, revealing the need to correct the overwhelming underrepresentation of marginalized groups in clinical trials.
Currently, Falasinnu serves as assistant professor of immunology and rheumatology at Stanford University Medicine. As a Hood student, Falasinnu was named to the dean’s list multiple times, was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and was a Convocation Honors Scholar. Her Hood friends knew her as “Titi,” and she remains close to many of her fellow alumnae; those friendships are still strong more than 20 years later. Olawunmi A. Kilo, Falasinnu’s younger sister, followed in her footsteps and graduated from Hood in 2006.
OUTSTANDING RECENT ALUMNUS AWARD Spencer K. Knoll ’13 While on Capitol Hill, Knoll authored major legislation that was signed into law by President Biden to improve retention in the Foreign Service. He shepherded the passage of legislation to reduce military training fatalities and ensure that students do not lose the opportunity to attend a U.S. service academy because of a vacancy in Congress. He also successfully secured the Prisoner of War Medal for three veterans who had been denied this recognition for 50 years.
Spencer K. Knoll was a star at Hood, where he earned a B.A. in political science, and he continues to shine. As a Hood student, Knoll was active with the Maryland Student Legislature and served on his Class Council. A Tischer Scholar and participant in the Honors Program, he also volunteered on political campaigns and interned at the office of former U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.). He later received an M.A. from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.
Through his work with Senator Van Hollen, Knoll helped to secure hundreds of millions of dollars to support federal facilities and programs across Maryland. Today, Knoll serves on the Hood College Alumni Executive Board; is a member of the Foreign Policy for America NextGen Initiative; and chairs the Board of Directors of the Maryland Student Legislature, an Annapolis-based nonprofit that prepares college students for lives of public service. Earlier this year, he was appointed to the City of Rockville’s Cultural Arts Commission by the mayor. Knoll lives in Rockville with his wife Lauren.
Recently, he was named director of U.S. policy and advocacy at Malaria No More, an international NGO working to end malaria. Prior to this position, Knoll spent six years as an aide to U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), where he advised the senator on national security and foreign policy.
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ATHLETICS
Men’s Golf Takes the MAC Crown Men’s golf won its first MAC Commonwealth Championship in 2022-23, defending its home course at P.B. Dye in Ijamsville, Maryland, and scoring the Blazers’ first NCAA Championship bid in program history. Head Coach Thomas Chatfield, MBA’18, in his first year leading the men’s golf team, was named MAC Commonwealth Coach of the Year for his role in the Blazers’ success.
Left to right: Patrick Gogarty ’24, Sam Driscoll ’22, Head Coach Thomas Chatfield, MBA’18, Brady Leonard ’24, Tanner Leonard ’22, Assistant Coach Sean Stanistreet, Will Kujawa ’23.
Hood led by as many as 10 strokes in the tournament but needed to hold off York College, who entered the MAC Commonwealth Championship as the favorites, in order to win. A two-stroke lead after the first round briefly turned to a one-stroke deficit before the Blazers started to heat up on the back nine. Brady Leonard ’24 and Sam Driscoll ’22 fueled the strong finish, as both golfers shot even par on the back nine with three birdies apiece. The Blazers followed up their first-day score of 307 with a 311, totaling 618 over the two-day tournament. The result was a seven-shot win over the Spartans, who finished at 625 (309-316).
Hood’s 618 was the second best 36-hole outing in program history. Earning All-MAC Commonwealth First Team honors were Leonard and Driscoll, while Tanner Leonard ’22 and Will Kujawa ’23 played their way onto the second team. Brady Leonard tied for second, one shot off the lead, and Driscoll was fifth. Tanner Leonard and Kujawa tied for 10th, earning All-MAC Commonwealth Second Team accolades. After winning the MAC Commonwealth, Hood headed to Kentucky for the NCAA Division III Championships at Keene Trace Golf Club. The Blazers were 33rd at the NCAAs, playing on a course that hosted the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship later in the summer. “It’s cliche to say, but the team played their best golf at the most important time of the year,” said Chatfield. “The whole lineup played a role, and it really was a complete team effort. It has not sunk in, but surely this is a memory they will carry for the rest of their lives.”
FOUR BLAZERS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME The Hood College Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates the past, present and future of Hood College athletics by honoring the athletes, coaches, friends, faculty and administrators who have made significant contributions, both within the game and through their support of the College and to the Blazers’ athletic tradition. The 2023 class of the Athletic Hall of Fame was inducted during Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend. Julie A. Flynn ’80, B.S.’81, played volleyball, basketball and lacrosse, serving as co-captain for all three teams her junior and senior years. A frequent “player of the game” for basketball, Flynn also contributed to Hood’s 1978 second place finish in an MIAW Division B lacrosse tournament. Ryan B. Junghams ’09 played golf, but his athletic ability was evident on the basketball court. Junghams established many records as a player, including a single-game record of 47 points in
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2008 against Gallaudet, a stat that still stands to this day. In 2007-08, he led the nation in free throw percentage at 95.9. Alexandra C. Dystant ’15 ran track and field and cross country all four years at Hood; in her senior year, she captained both teams. At the time of her graduation, Dystant held 12 records, several of which still stand to this day. She was chosen as an All-Conference Athlete eight times, three in the CAC and five in the MAVC. Drew E. Demich ’17 played soccer at Hood and was named MAC Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Year, an NSCAA Scholar All-American and a CoSIDA Academic All-American. Demich received these recognitions while working toward a mathematics degree, making the dean’s list five times and the MAC Academic Honor Roll all four years at Hood.
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Left to right: Julie A. Flynn ’80, B.S.’81, Ryan B. Junghams ’09, Alexandra C. Dystant ’15, Drew E. Demich ’17.
ATHLETICS POLITE LEADS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM DéRonté Polite was named head coach of the Blazers women’s basketball team in May. “I am absolutely thrilled to be the next head women’s basketball coach at Hood College,” said Polite. “I would like to give a major thank you to Director of Athletics Susan Kolb and President Andrea Chapdelaine for trusting me to lead this program. My family and I are excited to join the Hood family and the Frederick community. Go Blazers!”
Polite previously served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at University of WisconsinMilwaukee from 2019 to 2023. His efforts on the sideline and recruiting trail helped the Panthers to a 12-win improvement in 2022-23, going 22-12 with an appearance in the Horizon League semifinals. Polite arrived in Milwaukee following one season at Lincoln College, leading the Lynx to a 16-13 record in 2018-19, as the program transitioned from the NJCAA to the NAIA level. Before Lincoln, he spent four seasons as the girls’ academy varsity basketball coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Polite served on the staff at Bryan College, an NAIA program in Dayton, Tennessee, in 2013-14. The Lady Lions went 20-11, setting the program’s win record and posting its highest conference finish in seven years.
“This search was incredibly competitive with significant interest from candidates across the country,” said Kolb. “We wanted to find someone who would retain our student-athletes, teach them how to win and develop their character and integrity. Blending DéRonté’s coaching and recruiting experience with his personal expectations for players, I am confident we have found the right coach who will take our women’s basketball team to new heights.”
Polite had an impressive playing career at Central Christian College of the Bible (CCCB) and was an integral member of the 2008-09 team, which achieved the first 20-win season in men’s basketball history, capped with a second-place finish in the Association of Christian College Athletics Tournament. A two-year captain, Polite was named the ACCA Player of the Year twice; was a two-time NCCAA Division II All-American; was a two-time NCCAA Academic All-American; and set CCCB’s season scoring record with 833 points.
“ Blending DéRonté’s coaching and recruiting experience with his personal expectations for players, I am confident we have found the right coach who will take our women’s basketball team to new heights.” — Susan Kolb, Ph.D. Director of Athletics Polite graduated from CCCB with a bachelor’s in religious studies, and prior to that, graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a bachelor’s in economics. He also earned a master’s in educational, school and counseling psychology with an emphasis in positive coaching from the University of Missouri.
MAC TO SPONSOR ICE HOCKEY IN 2024-25 sponsoring the sports. In 2024-25, with the addition of Misericordia men’s ice hockey and Hood women’s ice hockey, under NCAA legislation, MAC will be immediately eligible for automatic berths in the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Championships.
Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Executive Director Megan Morrison has announced that MAC men’s and women’s ice hockey will become an NCAA automatic qualifier (AQ) sport beginning in the 2024-25 season. MAC has sponsored men’s and women’s ice hockey as a championship sport since 2017-18 but was not eligible for an NCAA championship automatic berth, with fewer than six institutions
MAC will develop a regular season conference schedule, organize a championship and award an NCAA AQ. MAC schools sponsoring ice hockey will separate from the United College Hockey Conference (UCHC). “This is the next logical step in the growth of ice hockey in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Morrison. “The UCHC has been a good home for MAC institutions sponsoring ice hockey, and we hope to continue that partnership through mutual
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scheduling arrangements to support the growth of the sport even further.” The Blazers women’s ice hockey team will play at Skate Frederick, a two-sheet ice facility located just three miles from campus. Skate Frederick features two NHL regulation rinks as well as a pro shop and snack bar. The rink has year-round hockey and figure skating programs. In preparation for the inaugural 2024-25 season, Hood has plans to improve the seating, site lines and fan experience. A new Blazers locker room and team area will be installed at the arena. In addition, Hood logos and colors will create an energetic environment to watch and play NCAA ice hockey.
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ATHLETICS FUNK COACHES AT NATIONAL ICE HOCKEY CAMP development of the players throughout the week and great to network with the other coaches, intern coaches and directors at camp.”
Josh Funk
The USA Hockey-BioSteel Player Development Camps provide America’s top hockey players in each age group on- and off-ice training and instruction as well as the opportunity for players to compete nationally against others from their age group.
Head Coach, Women’s Ice Hockey
Josh Funk, women’s ice hockey head coach, was selected to be a coach at the USA HockeyBioSteel Girls 15 National Player Development Camp at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in July. “It was an incredible experience to be selected to coach at the USA Hockey Girls 15 National Camp,” said Funk. “It was fun to see the growth and
“Being able to represent Hood College on a national stage was an honor,” said Funk. “In the midst of starting a new program, representing Hood in front of coaches and players from across the nation was an invaluable experience I will never forget.”
springboard for countless future Olympians and professional players. This year, the camp featured 12 teams of 18 players from each of USA Hockey’s 12 Districts, who competed in games in addition to daily instruction and practices. Funk served as a coach for the Royal team, helping the squad to three wins in five contests. Coaching the camp at Miami University was also nostalgic for Hood’s head coach. “My sister was a synchronized figure skater at Miami, while my brother-in-law played hockey there,” said Funk. “To be at national camp and see their pictures on the wall of the rinks was such a cool sight.”
Since launching in 1977, USA Hockey-BioSteel Player Development Camps have been a
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FACES IN THE CROWD Hood College is proud to spotlight these amazing student-athletes, who excel on and off the court.
ATHLETICS
Hannah Armstrong ’23
Field Hockey Armstrong was Hood’s 2023 nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year. Established in 1991, the NCAA Woman of the Year program honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. Nominees must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and earned an undergraduate degree by summer 2023.
LET’S GO BLAZERS!
ARMSTRONG ’23
Ryan Hollwedel ’23 Men’s Basketball
Hollwedel was named the 2022-23 Middle Atlantic Conference Men’s Basketball Senior Scholar-Athlete. Every year, a senior student-athlete from each MAC-sponsored sport is recognized for their strong academic and athletic prowess.
HOLLWEDEL ’23
Tiffany Manning ’24 Women’s Basketball
Manning attended the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, where she learned about the relationship between personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles. The event provides a close personal network of likeminded peers, who offer connection and dialogue after the program concludes. This experience serves as a transformational opportunity for student-athletes and administrators to build a leadership toolkit and develop vital self-awareness to realize their potential.
Tamara Stanford ’25 Women’s Basketball
Stanford attended the NCAA Inclusion Forum, which brings together leaders within higher education and intercollegiate athletics. At the event, student-athletes engage in powerful programming and gain key takeaways to enhance efforts on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives. Educational programming focuses on each of the office of inclusion’s five core areas: disability, international, LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity and women.
Jared Young ’23 Men’s Basketball
MANNING ’24
STANFORD ’25
YOUNG ’23
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Young attended the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in June. This annual educational program brings together 200 selected NCAA studentathletes to learn about and explore potential careers in sports, particularly college athletics. The unique threeday forum helps studentathletes chart their career paths, as participants network with and learn from current athletics professionals.
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The Future of Hood Has Arrived by Matt Lee ’15
To describe Forging the Future: The Campaign for Hood College as a success would be an understatement. In just five years, a total of 4,828 donors contributed $74.6 million, surpassing the initial $50 million goal by a longshot. 16
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This unprecedented achievement was truly a collective effort. Trustees, alumni, families and friends, faculty and staff, and foundation/corporate/government partners all committed their time, talent and treasure. Ultimately, it
comes down to a dedicated campus community rallying together in support of a common cause—a Hood College education.
the Board of Trustees began identifying campaign priorities, the decision-making process aligned with the goals of the strategic plan.
Prior to Forging the Future, more than 25 years had passed since the College’s previous comprehensive campaign. On top of that, a fundraising endeavor of this size and scope had never been attempted. The groundwork for Forging the Future was laid by the development of the 2017-22 strategic plan, Moving Beyond Boundaries. As
The Board of Trustees formed a committee to oversee the campaign from beginning to end. Besides being trustees, the campaign leadership committee members were also Hood alumni. Campaign co-chairs included Janet Hobbs Cotton ’59, Tonya Thomas Finton ’78, Mark E. Friis, M.A.’82, Susan L. Whaley ’74, J.D., and FA LL 2 023
OUR STUDENTS ARE THE WHY Pictured above holding our campaign total are: Faith Harrison ’27, Russell Odor ’23, Riley Fitz ’24, William Fitch ’24, Gracyn Van Bemmel ’26, Alba Reyes Montiel ’25, Adam Smolinski Bartice ’26, Luke Sisco ’24, Thomas Kasanicky ’24, Storm Fuller ’24, Michaela Redden ’24, Isabella DiPietrantonio ’25, Sahili Salerno ’27, graduate school student Mariana Latorre, Jalen Chance ’25 and Blaze.
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THE CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
Janet Hobbs Cotton ’59, Tonya Thomas Finton ’78, Mark E. Friis, M.A.’82, Susan L. Whaley ’74, J.D., Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09, and President Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D.
Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09. For them, ensuring the success of Forging the Future was personal. “There has never been a time when support of higher education is more critically needed or important,” says Young. “The campaign’s success was due to the impressive breadth, diversity and incredible generosity of donors. The momentum is high, and Hood plans to continue building upon it.” Two other key players were Nancy Gillece ’81, vice president for institutional advancement, and Malinda “Lindy” Small ’81, executive director of individual giving. Both were heavily involved with managing what proved to be a complex and high-stakes project. Fortunately, extensive research conducted at the front end proved invaluable. “The campaign priorities were timely and progressive,” says Gillece. “They reflected the direction of the College, where Hood is going today and tomorrow. Our constituents responded positively to that.”
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Small points to building relationships with donors as perhaps the most essential component of the campaign’s strength. “Without those relationships, which we’ve cultivated for many years, we would not have been as successful,” says Small.
Because of donors’ unwavering support, the future at Hood College looks exceedingly bright. Alongside the Board of Trustees and institutional advancement team, at the helm of this monumental venture was none other than Hood’s president, Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D. Though still relatively fresh into her presidency, Chapdelaine did not hesitate in taking on a campaign leadership role. Her dedication throughout the campaign, despite having to frequently navigate uncharted
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territory amidst the pandemic, resulted in the largest philanthropic effort in the College’s 130-year history. “It was daunting,” says Chapdelaine. “We knew it was going to take real sacrifice and initial investment. I spent a lot of time on the road getting to know our donor base and letting them get to know me. The biggest part was telling Hood’s story—framing who we are as an institution, holding true to our values, helping people understand the challenges we face and the needs of today’s students.” Clearly, Hood’s story is one that resonates with a broad coalition of donors, who have made this campaign a triumph. Because of their unwavering support, Forging the Future has lived up to its name, and as you will see in the following pages, the future at Hood College looks exceedingly bright.
Transforming the Library into a Dynamic Learning Commons An academic hub for the Hood community. The first campaign priority to be completed was the $7.5 million renovation of the Beneficial-Hodson Library and Learning Commons, which was funded with significant support from The Hodson Trust and a State of Maryland grant. The building underwent a dramatic transformation, inside and out. The updated interior features an open-concept first floor, flanked by massive curtain windows that flood
the space with natural light. The spacious lobby is complemented by a self-service cafe. Rows of computers are stationed near group study pods next to the Student Success Center and IT Services.
Don’t expect anyone to “shush” you at this library.
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Don’t expect anyone to “shush” you at this library. Designed to be a welcoming environment where collaboration is encouraged, student services are on full display. “When we were first planning, we thought tutoring needed to be more private, but my thought process has flipped,” says Toby Peterson, library director. “Students see classmates getting tutored or studying, so then they themselves want to get tutoring or book a study pod.”
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The multi-use study pods have proven to be one of the most popular additions. Originally, the building had only eight study rooms—now there are 22. Some are larger and more business oriented. Others are intended as casual spaces for small groups. Students enjoy the floor-to-ceiling whiteboards and the ability to have privacy without being totally closed off. Peterson says these study pods are almost constantly filled.
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The building underwent a major technological overhaul. Many rooms are equipped with state-ofthe-art projectors or share-screens for video calls and presentations. Even the furnishings have built-in technology, such as lighting fixtures that can sense exterior sunlight and automatically adjust. These smart-tech enhancements make the building more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. An added bonus is that with sophisticated temperature
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Centralizing academic support services in the library has benefited students, faculty and staff alike. control and museum-quality storage, Hood’s history is being preserved better than ever before, while the special collections reading room has made the archives more accessible.
The spring 2023 semester was the busiest on record. There’s also more teaching than ever happening at the library, thanks in part to staff restructuring that has enabled reference librarians to work more directly with students. The Student Success Center saw more than 100 students receive tutoring in a variety of subjects. Doctoral classes
are held exclusively in the library as well. Centralizing academic support services in a single location— student success, accessibility, IT, the archives and the library—has allowed for cross-departmental collaboration, benefiting students, faculty and staff alike. The library
hours have now been extended, with students given 24-hour access. “The space gives equitable access across the board,” says Peterson. “It’s a place you want to be.”
“It’s a place you want to be.” —Toby Peterson, library director
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Increasing Student Scholarships An affordable, accessible and inclusive Hood education. At Hood, the greatest priority is supporting students—Forging the Future is no exception. Donors raised $25 million exclusively for student scholarships. Considering that the original goal was $9 million, this is an astounding achievement. Donors established 43 new named scholarships, such as the prestigious Chair of the Board Scholarship, which was funded with a lead gift from Judith E. Messina ’66, H’23, trustee emerita, and her husband David Fleischer. Additional support was provided by Cynthia Newby ’67, trustee emerita. This life-changing scholarship fully covers tuition for students with exceptional academic records. “People feel good when they give to a place like Hood because they know they are transforming student lives,” says President Chapdelaine. “It’s very humbling to see the generosity of our donors and their faith in Hood College.”
Savannah Hinegardner ’24 Savannah Hinegardner ’24 is a social work major planning to pursue a career in human services. She is a recipient of the Jamey E. George Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to students with documented challenges or disabilities. Hinegardner is currently completing an internship with Rock Creek School and is thrilled to be using her passion for social work to advocate for people in need. “This scholarship allowed me to explore my academic interests more deeply and develop new skills. A recognition such as this motivates students to work harder and achieve their goals. It also rewards them for their dedication, which serves as an incentive for others to strive for excellence.”
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Caylee M. Winpigler ’21 Caylee M. Winpigler ’21 was one of the first students to receive the Chair of the Board Scholarship. A history major, she completed a Summer Research Institute project in France. After earning her master’s from American University, Winpigler now works at the Ausherman Family Foundation and started the Young Professionals Group through the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. She believes scholarships changed her life in every imaginable aspect. “Scholarships are a critical part of helping students access higher education. Without my scholarship, I would never have been in such an empowered situation to pursue higher education along with many of my other aspirations. My undergraduate education at Hood gave me confidence to tackle the real world. I developed my skills as a presenter, writer and researcher. These have proven to be boundlessly helpful after graduation.”
Remy Anderson ’24 Remy Anderson ’24 is an early childhood education major with a film studies minor. She is also a member of the Blazers women’s lacrosse team and a head resident assistant. Anderson served as an intern at the Georgetown Hill at Hood College Lab School, where she taught pre-K, and recently received the Johanna Chait Essex ’53 Prize in Early Childhood Education.
“Receiving scholarships helped me achieve my goals at Hood by letting me focus on my studies and interests to foster self-growth and discovery without worrying about anything else. I believe scholarships and awards are important for students in higher education because they allow students to freely find what they are passionate about without worrying about not being able to support it financially.”
Supporting Faculty in Teaching and Research Hood faculty excel inside and outside the classroom. Jiang Li, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science While student support remains paramount, investment in Hood’s exceptional faculty is critical to providing a high-quality education. The campaign collected $2.8 million to support pedagogical and scholarly practice. McCardell Grants enable professors across many disciplines to complete research projects, write papers, create art, present at conferences and utilize their expertise inside and outside the classroom. From studying lobster larvae in Maine and promoting access to renewable energy in Nepal to deconstructing gender roles in Regency France and composing original poetry collections, Hood faculty do so much more than teach. FA LL 2 023
“My McCardell Grant helped me conduct cross-curriculum research on integrating computer science and computational thinking (CT) elements into the education curriculum. This work is important because we want to prepare teachers for the future, when CT thinking concepts will be foundational elements to their students. Hood’s faculty funding is very important for us to conduct research, stay ahead of the field and explore interdisciplinary opportunities.”
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Ensuring High-Impact Student Practices Life-changing experiences for every Hood student. Learning should never be confined to the classroom. Beginning in fall 2025, the new Heart, Mind and Hands Core Curriculum enshrines this philosophy by guaranteeing all undergraduate Hood students, regardless of major, will have opportunities to undertake several high-impact practices as part of their graduation requirements. What exactly are high-impact practices (HIPs)? Also known as “deep learning,” HIPs engage students in skill building through hands-on experiences. We learn best by doing, and HIPs allow students to match theory with practice. When students participate in fieldwork, study abroad, internships, capstone projects and more, they gain confidence, competence and real-world knowledge that can be applied to future careers. Campaign donors contributed nearly $3 million toward HIPs at Hood, helping to ensure that financial status is not a barrier to any student accessing these critical learning experiences. The types of experiential learning projects happening on and around campus are as diverse as the Hood student body itself.
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Angel Boardley ’24 Angel Boardley ’24 is a pre-medical biology/biomedical science student in the 4PLUS dual-degree program. While completing an internship with KamTek, Inc., a Frederick-based biotech research lab, Boardley was named Intern of the Month by the Maryland Technology Internship Program. Currently, she is an intern with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences ORISE program under the U.S. Department of Defense. Boardley is using her scientific expertise to conduct research on prostate cancer to support medical care for active-duty military personnel and veterans.
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“Connecting classroom concepts to practical research in the lab has been an eye-opening experience. These internships play a pivotal role in skill development, granting us a competitive advantage when we embark on our post-college career journeys over other entry-level applicants, who may lack such practical experience. My involvement in cancer research has been transformative, unveiling an undeniable passion within me for this field of study. The hands-on experience has affirmed my desire to continue working in cancer research and further contribute to advancements in this critical area.”
Robert Penny ’24 Robert Penny ’24 is an archaeology major with a minor in history. In July 2023, he traveled to Cadir Hoyuk, Turkey, where he participated in the excavation of an ancient site as part of the Summer Research Institute (SRI) program. Alongside Jennifer Ross, Ph.D., art and archaeology department chair, Penny worked firsthand with a team of seasoned archaeologists.
“There is no substitute for hands-on experience, especially with archaeology. Scholarships and grants like SRI are important because they provide enthusiastic and eager students with the means to explore other avenues of their career path. The SRI grant was crucial for my travel expenditures and to help support my family while I was abroad.”
Bahador Bemani ’23 Bahador Bemani ’23 earned his BSN at Hood College. A Hodson Scholar, he also received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Originally from Iran, Bemani assists with advocacy work for other Iranians living in Washington, D.C. He pursued a career in nursing to fulfill his passion for helping others and championing a healthy society. The clinical fieldwork he completed while at Hood has allowed him to do just that. “Real-world experiences are essential for nursing students. They expose students to diverse patient populations, foster interprofessional collaboration and create valuable networking opportunities. Ultimately, real-world experiences play a crucial role in preparing nursing students to become skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals.”
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Expanding The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business Social entrepreneurship at Hood and beyond. Formally established in 2018, The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business was made possible thanks to a gift from the school’s namesake and close compatriot of the College, George B. Delaplaine Jr., H’08. In a few short years, the school has grown tremendously and now houses some of Hood’s most popular programs. Campaign donors have enabled the School of Business to add new majors, such as finance, while also pivoting to meet market trends by transitioning the Master of Business Administration to a fully online program (read more on Page 8). This focus on innovation and workforce development led to Colleges of Distinction, a college ranking organization, labeling Hood’s business offerings as a “program of distinction” in 2022-23. Peter Castro ’23, a studentathlete and Hodson- Gilliam Scholar, is the first graduate of the new finance B.A. program. He started at Hood as a business administration major, but after learning about the finance degree, Castro jumped at the opportunity to join the inaugural class.
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“Data Driven Frederick will drive progress through measurable outcomes and positively impact Frederick County and the region at large.” —Marlene Young ’76, H’14, P’09
“Paving the way as Hood’s first finance major is definitely a cool feeling,” says Castro. “My advice for a future finance student: stay motivated by researching career opportunities in finance and finding something that excites you.” The school has been further augmented through the addition of The Michael S., P’09 and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09 Data Driven Frederick Center (DDF), which officially opened in March 2023. Named in honor of its primary benefactors and longtime Hood supporters, Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09, and Michael S. Young, P’09, the center was bolstered by congressional funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill,
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which was secured by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen as well as Representative David Trone (D-Md.). Data Driven Frederick acts as a hub for gathering and aggregating a wide variety of datasets. The goal is to promote data discovery, visualization and interpretation. This is achieved through developing community-wide dashboards with a shared data pipeline for users, including nonprofits, philanthropies and municipal offices in conjunction with Hood faculty and students. “We immediately recognized the potential and powerful possibilities of having an easily accessible, centralized data hub, supported by a diverse set of community partners,” says Marlene Young. “[DDF] will drive progress through measurable outcomes and positively impact the future of Frederick County and the region at large.” David Gurzick, M.S.’03, Ph.D., associate professor of management science and chair of The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business, has found that students are drawn to the collaborative nature of DDF,
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DATA DRIVEN FREDERICK RIBBON CUTTING
1. George B. Delaplaine Jr., H’08, and Michael S. Young, P’09. 2. President Andrea E. Chapdelaine , Ph.D., greets guests at the event. 3. Jacob Betteker ’24, Faith Kiser ’24 and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09. 4. George B. Delaplaine Jr., Marlene Young, Michael Young and David Gurzick , M.S.’03, Ph.D. 5. Ribbon cutting to open the The Michael S., P’09 and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09 Data Driven Frederick Center.
where they can do meaningful data management and research for realworld clients. “As we witness the rapidly evolving world around us, it is evident
that the most progressive organizations are increasingly adopting data-driven management strategies,” says Gurzick. “By leveraging the power of data, we’re able to make more informed decisions,
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develop more effective strategies, craft metrics for accountability and ultimately create a more significant, positive impact on our community.”
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Establishing The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences The next generation of healthcare professionals. One of the boldest initiatives of the campaign was founding an entirely new school— The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences. Undergraduate programs in nursing, psychology, public health, social work and sociology as well as graduate programs in counseling and nutrition science are now housed under one roof. Campaign donors have also paved the way for the recently approved Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) .
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“Grouping the behavioral and health sciences programs together allows for greater collaboration between disciplines, which leads to more opportunities for our students,” says Megan Shaine, Ph.D., clinical mental health counseling program director. “This kind of teamwork mimics the real world, where integrated healthcare is increasingly desirable.” Founded in 2022, the school was made possible thanks to a major gift of $2.5 million from Hood alumna Ruth Whitaker Holmes ’55, H’93,
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Ph.D., and her husband G. Burtt Holmes, O.D. The Maryland Department of Commerce E-Nnovation Initiative Fund and additional benefactors then matched the Holmes’ gift with grants and gifts totaling $6.8 million. Another lead gift of $250,000 from Edith Howard Hogan ’59, P’86, jumpstarted the nutrition science M.S. program, while the Maryland Higher Education Commission, Kahlert Foundation and Maryland Clinical Resources Consortium contributed grants toward the nursing program.
Frederick Health, the region’s largest healthcare system and close partner of the College, has also been instrumental in the school’s launch by providing a site directly adjacent to Hood’s campus. Newly renovated, the Toll House Avenue building has been outfitted with state-of-the-art simulation labs, where nursing and counseling students practice procedures on mock patients under observation from faculty. The wider Frederick community will also benefit from the NeighborHood Counseling Training Center, which offers mental health services on an income-adjusted fee basis. The center is staffed by counseling students, allowing them to gain experience working with actual patients. “Anyone who has tried to find a counselor or therapist lately can tell you that it’s not easy and can be quite expensive,” says Shaine.
“We offer accessible mental health services from well-trained, advanced counseling students, who are under the supervision of multiple licensed faculty and staff members.” The Frederick Health-Hood College partnership extends even further, as students are able to complete fieldwork placements at a variety of Frederick Health locations, including hospitals, primary care practices and clinics throughout the county. Plus, these programs now have room to grow. Nursing, for instance, has seen the fastest increase in enrollment of any undergraduate program at Hood, starting with 23 students and now expecting more than 200. “The partnership is a two-way street,” says Jennifer Cooper, DNP, RN, chair of the nursing department. “We can prepare students, but we need our community partners to aid us in providing high-impact
educational experiences to make students passionate about the career they are entering.” As industry-wide workforce shortages have plagued healthcare systems, the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences aims to address the urgent need for medical professionals. While training healthcare workers is critical, retaining them is of equal importance to meet the needs of both employers like Frederick Health and the people they serve. “Our students are immersed in experiences that help those in our community impacted by violence, addiction, chronic health problems and terminal illness,” says Cooper. “Students may enter Hood knowing that they want to be a nurse, public health professional, counselor, social worker or dietitian, but it is the high-impact experiences that affirm passion and drive them to be good at what they do.”
As workforce shortages have plagued healthcare systems, the school aims to address the urgent need for medical professionals.
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Renovating and Expanding the Hodson Science and Technology Center STEM education at Hood reimagined. Although the campaign has formally concluded, there is still work to be done. A substantial renovation to the Hodson Science and Technology Center, including a 32,000-square-foot addition, was identified as a campaign priority. In meeting the rapid growth of Hood’s STEM programs, such as cybersecurity and health informatics, the expansion will allow for modernized laboratories and training spaces, classrooms equipped with virtual technology, a greenhouse and an 80-seat auditorium. The addition will feature a new Biomedical Research and Training Center, the mission of which is to support workforce growth in the manufacturing, research and 30
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development sectors. Courses and training programs are being designed to address emerging methods and research topics, with the goal of preparing students to successfully enter the regional biomedical workforce.
government and nonprofit entities, the center will allow students to learn from and have hands-on experiences with academic, government and industry leaders.”
“The Biomedical Research and Training Center represents a collaboration among Hood faculty and numerous local industry experts to provide our students with exciting opportunities and exposure to research as well as biotechnical techniques and concepts,” says Meredith Yeager, M.S.’96, Ph.D., biomedical science program director. “Because of Hood’s proximity to dozens of biotechnology, biopharmaceutical,
students to learn
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“ ...the center will allow from and have handson experiences with academic, government and industry leaders.” — Meredith Yeager, M.S.’96, Ph.D., biomedical science program director
Conceptual renderings for the proposed renovation and expansion of the Hodson Science and Technology Center.
Part of the proposed center has been funded through the U.S. 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, with Frederick County’s booming tech sector cited as a key factor. “We want to make sure that students who pursue [STEM] fields have all the tools that they need to succeed,” says Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). “These investments are part of a larger national strategy to make sure that, as a country, we’re prepared to meet the jobs of today and the future.”
These improvements to the facilities will leverage existing partnerships, such as the Kite Pharma lab, which trains Kite employees and Hood students in cell therapy manufacturing. The College recently began a collaboration with ScienceWerx, a nonprofit organization that specializes in commercializing research and technology. Hood students will learn the process of turning scientific discoveries into viable, life-saving products. Maximizing these cutting-edge partnerships, however, will require a dynamic, contemporary space.
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“In our department, we are constantly growing, providing more educational programs and research opportunities for our students,” says Daniel Sierra-Sosa, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science. “The building renovation will ensure that we have more space suitable for teaching, researching and studying. With the new classrooms and laboratories, we will be better suited to continue providing high-quality STEM education and workforce development in the years to come.”
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Looking Ahead at Hood Our future depends on the present. Donors have invested in so much more than Hood College. They have invested in people—faculty, staff, and above all, students. When students leave Hood, they are prepared to thrive in burgeoning industries from science and technology to business and healthcare. Hood provides experiences and connections that allow students to stand out in competitive fields. They pursue careers and purposeful lives, which would not be possible without a Hood education.
Campaign donors made history with Forging the Future, and generations of Hood students will be afforded opportunities like never before. Conducting cancer research in a federal lab. Uncovering ancient ruins in Turkey. Teaching a child to read at a local preschool. These stories are only a snapshot of a much larger canvas, one of endless possibilities and potential.
from our students and removing inequities,” says President Chapdelaine. “When it all comes down to it, campaign donors have helped students for years to come and strengthened the College in innumerable ways. I could not be more grateful.” The future is calling. Hood College is ready to lead the charge.
“The impact is huge in terms of reducing the financial challenges
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1. David Gurzick, M.S.’03, Ph.D., chair of The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business. 2. Phillip Yerby ’11, trustee, Nancy Gillece ’81, vice president for institutional advancement, and Faith Kiser ’24. 3. The Hood College Choir performing. 4. Hannah Wilsback ’24 and Jennifer Cooper, DNP, RN, chair of the Department of Nursing. 5. Susan Murawski Ganley ’79, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, Donna J. Peterson ’79 and Jewel K. Smith ’96, trustee. 6. Carole King Heine ’84 , associate, and Stephen K. Heine. 7. David Levy, Dr. Mary “Cathy” Nace ’80, trustee, Susan J. Gearey ’79, trustee, Tonya Thomas Finton ’78, campaign co-chair and chair of the Board of Trustees, and Timothy C. Finton. 8. President Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D., kicks off the Party in the NeighborHOOD celebration. 9. Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09, campaign co-chair and trustee, George B. Delaplaine Jr., H’08, and President Chapdelaine.
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On September 23, the Hood College Board of Trustees and President Chapdelaine convened with donors at the Beneficial-Hodson Library and Learning Commons for the Forging the Future Fete, a special reception to celebrate the campaign’s successful conclusion.
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During this year’s annual Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend, the Hood and Frederick community celebrated Forging the Future with festivities on the Residential Quadrangle—it was a Party in the NeighborHOOD!
HOOD PROUD
Congratulations, Class of 2023!
“Today, the world is yours. Live in it, succeed in it, treat it tenderly and pass it on in a better way than you found it. Be your best selves, and just as you have made your parents proud and Hood proud, go out and make the world proud!” — Ron Young, H’23, Maryland State Senator (Ret.) and Commencement Speaker
The Hood College community is proud to celebrate the Class of 2023, who were honored at the 126th Commencement ceremony on May 20, 2023. You are comprised of 260 undergraduate students and 231 graduate students. You all share the green dink as your class color, but you come from across the country (22 states) and around the world (11 countries). 43 of you are legacy graduates, meaning you have a relative(s) who also attended Hood, including Johnathan P. Alexander ’23, whose mother, father and brother are all Hood alums, as well as Madison A. Lebherz ’23, the granddaughter of Ann Weisburger Lebherz ’47. Eight of you are dedicated Hood employees, such as Ali Imhoff, M.S.’23, former associate director of admission, who is also following in the footsteps of her father, Alan Imhoff, MBA’89, as a legacy. Seven of you are veterans or active-duty military, including three ROTC cadets commissioned as officers. 38 of you have earned your second Hood degree, while 18 of you will remain at Hood to pursue a graduate degree. As President Chapdelaine said, “Your educational experience was like no other. You had barely figured out your way around campus when the pandemic struck. It was a whole new way of learning, complete with technological challenges, social distancing, nose swabs, hand sanitizer, masks and quarantines; uncertainty and stress; and most difficult, personal setbacks and tragedy.
“And yet, despite all these obstacles: Here. You. Are.”
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HOOD PROUD In the words of President Chapdelaine, “If you remember nothing else, please remember that I am confident of your bright future.”
We cannot wait to see what that future brings for you.
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Our newest students are ready to start their Hood College journey! They were welcomed to campus with a week of activities, new friends and the start of classes on August 21.
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TOP 5 MAJORS FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS: NURSING, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, PSYCHOLOGY, BIOLOGY, COMPUTER SCIENCE
HONORABLE MENTIONS
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1. A chalk tribute to the Class of ’88. 2. Seaton VanderWoude, M.A.’23, at the Friday Family BBQ. 3. Elaheh Eghbal ’13, M.A.’21, gives classmate Jahtay Teh ’13 a lift! 4. Alumni Executive Board member Lisa Wells ’09 volunteering at Sip and Paint. 5. Members of the Class of 2003 reconnect at the Friday Family BBQ. 6. Enjoying gorgeous weather at the Friday Family BBQ are 1973 classmates Patti Suydam Ritter, Sherry Bronski Waltz and Sally Parkhurst Van Why. 7. MI’Kea Bowie Hawkins ’13 and husband Adrian loving the kids’ activities at the Friday Family BBQ. 8. Amanda Reinken ’06 and her Reunion Weekend escort, son and future Hood alumnus Zachariah, Class of 2038! 9. Trustee Jewel K. Smith ’96 and Tammi Simpson, J.D., vice president for community and inclusivity at the Pergola Society reception. 10. Gina B. Drum ’22 reconnecting with Caroline A. Jeranek ’21 at the B.O.L.D. Happy Hour! 11. The Class of ’73 resplendent in red at the annual Alumni Awards Luncheon.
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HOOD PROUD RE U NI O N 20 23 “Threes and eights! Threes and eights!” Only at the 2023 Hood College Reunion Weekend would this phrase make any sense. We welcomed Home to Hood the classes ending in those aforementioned numbers, and it was a weekend packed with hugs, laughter and old memories made new. Provost Debbie Ricker, Ph.D., provided an overview of Hood’s new Core Curriculum, “Heart, Mind and Hands,” and David Gurzick, M.S.’03, Ph.D., chair of The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business, introduced us to The Michael S., P’09 and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09 Data Driven Frederick Center and explained how this innovative resource center will benefit the entire Frederick community. The tour of The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences allowed faculty an opportunity to proudly show off the labs and learning facilities so important to Hood’s growing health-related academic programs. Saturday morning found alumni enjoying a yoga class, exploring our beautiful campus on the Hood Tree Walk and gathering at Hodson Auditorium in Rosenstock Hall for the annual State of the College address from President Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D. The Alumni Awards Luncheon opened with our 50th reunion class dancing into Coblentz to Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move,” holding signs asking, “What Will You Be in ’73?” From “wife, mother and retired!” to “happy, healthy and here!” these alumnae all had one thing in common—they might be 50 years older, but they were still “Hood Girls” at heart. We then proudly honored the 2023 Alumni Award recipients (see Page 10). The Class of 1973 closed the weekend with a spiritual service of remembrance in Coffman Chapel. Sharing their thoughts* on Hope, Opportunity, Obligation and Democracy, these alumnae demonstrated that the values and ideals instilled in them as Hood students are as relevant today as they were so many years ago. *To read these notes, please see the summer 2023 edition of the alumni digital newsletter, “The Four Columns.”
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Hello and Welcome to Class News!
Hood Magazine h like EVERY other Hood alum), when your If you’re an alum like me (and pretty muc degrees, s column to see who’s doing what: new arrives, you turn immediately to your clas this is the real y other piece of news you have to share— marriages, moves, babies, jobs and ever connector that binds our alumni family. n for about Forging the Future: The Campaig Throughout this issue, you’ll read stories in its success. n and how Hood alumni played a key role Hood College from concept to conclusio base on which pledges and bequests have created a solid , gifts your h muc how state over ot I cann aine, Ph.D., decide Trustees and President Andrea E. Chapdel to build Hood’s future. As the Board of are used wisely. focus is to make sure your contributions key a s, urce reso ate alloc to way best the our carbon ring that Hood’s commitment to reducing Part of this careful stewardship is ensu resources esses and determining how to use our footprint is a factor when evaluating proc are a priority in all very seriously, and sustainable practices responsibly. This is something we take that we do. away from r differences in this issue. We’re moving Maybe you’ve already noticed a few mino w) and more cing them with QR codes (like the one belo extraneous inserts and envelopes and repla to employ “green” r mail and more electronic mail, striving pape less ing send e We’r ns. optio e onlin ible. strategies wherever and whenever poss e your Hood Fund gift in an instant! Oh—that QR code? Scan it and you mak e. e, and thank you for helping Hood thriv Enjoy reading the rest of Hood Magazin
Kellye Greenwald ’86 gement Director of Alumni and Constituent Enga
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CLASS NEWS REMINISCE, UPDATE AND RECONNECT
1953 Johanna Chait Essex johalessex@gmail.com I received a lovely note from Shirley Dana Few; she was unable to attend our reunion, as there was a family wedding the same weekend. Myrna Hays Slick now lives in an independent living facility. It reminds her of our dorm days as freshmen and sophomores. Myrna keeps active, both mentally and physically, and sends greetings to all of the Hood family. Elaine Greene Powell was unable to attend reunion but wrote that, from the photos she has seen, she would not recognize the campus. Both she and Dave managed to escape COVID. Her grandkids are all well and doing interesting things, which is what counts. Patricia “Pat” Lloyd Fordham had a change in plans and was also unable to attend reunion. She lives in a small town in KS with her daughter (plus two dogs and three cats). She loves sitting on her front porch, just enjoying life in a nice neighborhood. She chats with Margaret “Marge” Aronson Dalmas frequently on the phone. I, Johanna Chait Essex, did attend reunion, thanks to my daughter, who drove, and my sister Linda Chait Solomon ’63, who celebrated her 60th reunion. When we got to the College, surprisingly, there was ample parking. We went into the campus center to register and get our information packet and goodies. From there, we went to Rosenstock to hear President Chapdelaine talk about the state of the College and the plans for new courses, both on the undergraduate as well as master’s level. There is now a School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, and on the athletics side, there will be a women’s ice hockey team this coming year. The campus looked beautiful. As we walked down the path to Coblentz, we passed through the Truxal Pergola. It was covered with wisteria and gave you the feeling, “Come sit and relax. All is well.” There are many new and renovated buildings on campus, including Coblentz-Memorial Hall. The luncheon was lovely. I sat with the Class of 1955 and was surprised to see Betty Loose Groff and her husband Jim. They decided to come at the last minute, so there were two members of the Class of 1953 in attendance. She and Jim planned to visit with their children after the luncheon. This time around, I found the photographer, and he took a picture of us with the
class flag. I had been up in my attic looking for something and happened to run across the photo taken after the 1949 Campus Day festivities with representatives of each class and President Truxal. I presented it to President Chapdelaine, who graciously accepted it, but since times have changed, and Campus Day as we knew it no longer exists, I had to give her a quick explanation of what it was. Hal and I are both fine. We were able to watch our son Joseph (via Zoom) receive his Ph.D. from USC in May—very exciting. Hopefully, the weather will be warm, and we will be able to sit out in our back yard this summer and read.
1954 Jean Baker Weikert alumoffice@hood.edu Jean McCarty Bowen was in rehab after a fall that broke vertebrae in her back. She is excited for her granddaughter’s wedding, glad her daughters are near and looking forward to Hood Magazine. Kaye Petersen Boothman no longer has her llama farm but walks daily. Marylyn Walters Corey declares she is 90 and had a wonderful party with her children and almost all her grandchildren and “greats.” She visited GA and NC last winter. Marylyn still drives and helps in a local thrift shop. Thalia Males Cutt is “doing very well but getting very old.” Her house survived the CA storms with one leak and a broken fence. “It’s finally summer, and I love having family nearby.” Mary Johnston DeMaris still paints. Her sister Elizabeth “Betsy” Johnston Schwegman ’55 lives in Neosho, MO. Mary has visited her several times and wishes she was closer. Betty Remsberg DeColigny is living at Homewood in Hanover, PA. Her two daughters and son stay in touch. Triplet granddaughters Megan, Erin and Kelli grace their family. Betty still visits them in MD and remains active in DAR and the local historical society. Carol Schwarz Fitch is trying to keep pace with four college-age grandchildren and taking advantage of cultural and educational aspects of Boston. She celebrated her 90th birthday with 13 family members on a Caribbean cruise. “Bones are crumbling, but life is good.” Nolah Sawyer Fulk always sends thanks. “Not much going on here, just doctor appointments and physical therapy.” Nolah’s daughter and son-in-law left her, temporarily, to visit Australia to observe an
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eclipse, requiring Nolah to “act her age.” Susan Clement Christie and husband Ed remain the same. Susan celebrated her 90th birthday in Oct. and Ed was 93 in Feb. Elizabeth “Penny” Hapgood Noepel is more than content still living in Kimball Farms. She continues to wear her Hood ring and is very glad her daughter Lucy Noepel ’87 chose Hood. Barbara Coleman is trying to be resilient while coping with hip mobility issues and trying to get her book published. Marilyn Ogden Heath shares, “Recently, Alan and I had many visits from family, as this year we are both celebrating significant birthdays and our 70th wedding anniversary. We have seen our three children and most of our six grandchildren—even the one from Japan! Our exciting news is that we are expecting two more great-grandchildren. Nicole, our only granddaughter, and husband Luke are expecting a baby girl at the end of June, and her brother Alan, who lives in Japan with wife Reona, are expecting a baby boy the beginning of Aug. That will bring our great grandchildren count to five!” I’m sad to report that Elizabeth “Betsy” Driggs Haight passed away in Dec. 2021. Many thanks to her daughter Linda for thinking of Betsy’s Hood friends when sharing this sad news. Flora Laugier-Yang wishes us a happy spring, “strong and unforgettable.” Flora is a retired pianist; she trained in Paris and Rome. She shares that she has three children, eight grandchildren and two “great grands.” She taught Chinese at the University of Bordeaux. Retired at 91, Flora “loves living in Bordeaux, being an hour from London and two hours from Spain and drinking the best wine!” Norma “Skitsi” Simpson Rein has a wonderful son, daughter, son-in–law, three grandchildren and two dogs. Nancy Davis Sackman’s husband George reports, “Nancy is now in an assisted living facility, where she has had memory issues.” Susan Laventhol Siegel says, “All is well in Tuscon. I’m still gardening, running the Etsy shop and housekeeping, all at a slower pace.” Susan was glad to learn that Hood is keeping up with the times “and maybe a bit ahead!” Nancy Sharon Stone called to say she is “still resilient” and relishes living in Annville, PA. She appreciates the help of two of her sons, who helped her downsize to an independent living apartment. Barbara Peterson Smith retired in Jan. 2022 and now enjoys her 50-acre tree farm and all its wildlife. She stopped travelling because of mobility issues
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CLASS NEWS and enjoys visits from grandchildren. Nancy Gunnet Tyler ’56 wrote to ask for news about her Big Sister Dorris Smith Radcliffe. Nancy reminisced about growing up in Jefferson, PA. As for me, Jean Louise Baker Leister Weikert, I keep in touch with family and friends. Grandson Sean and his new wife Seli, both graduates of St. John’s College in Annapolis, celebrated their marriage in both the U.S. and Turkey, where Seli is from. Feeling happy and blessed with Sean’s acceptance to the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. I’m feeling the age of 90 with dermatology issues and cataract surgery in my future.
1957 Martha “Molly” Smith Sperandio mollymom76@gmail.com Barbara Thomas Yinger writes, “I’ll be going to graduation at Hood by special invitation of the president, maybe because I paid for a study room in the library! Bob and I will be traveling to Lake Norman in June and meeting up with family. Our youngest great-grandchild Elle, who will turn one this July, will be my playmate. That makes five great-grandchildren for us. I keep busy at Buckingham’s Choice near Frederick, MD, playing mahjong, fixing flowers and finishing quilts for Carewear Volunteers, which go to hospice and infants locally.” Carol Phillips Degler says, “I never thought I would live this long, but my great-granddaughter came from CO to visit us in WA at her lovable age of 10 months this past week. Her mom was so thoughtful as to want her daughter and great grandmother to meet! I made her a house of cardboard and scraped together a few dollar store toys, and we were off and running. Dare I say that she is a beautiful child, and we blended musically together at our piano. At 87, it was a 2023 highlight.” Carolyn Stevens Amstutz shares, “I attended two graduations in May. My oldest grandson graduated from American University and is about to start work in Washington, D.C. My oldest granddaughter had a post-graduate year at Northfield Mount Hermon. She graduated from high school in England and spent a year being an American! She is back in England with her family and will start her first year at the University in Birmingham in the fall.” Mara Garcia-Bunuel writes, “I am still living in my house; we moved here in 1966. My family (daughter Kristina and husband Roger in Atlanta and son Martin and family in Baltimore) are just wonderful. I keep busy with a book group, a French group and a ‘bubbles’ group that friends and I formed during the pandemic. My gardening ambitions are limited to my kitchen porch, where I have potted plants splashing forth beautiful colors.” Nancy Paul Stimson says, “Since my last report, another great grandson has arrived.
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I had my second cataract surgery this week and think I can see a little better. Since I have macular degeneration, my sight isn’t the greatest. Fortunately, I can still drive, play bridge and be active at church. My last grandchild graduated from Clemson in Dec. and is joining Americorps next month in MS.” Eugenia Smith Durland reports, “In May, we took one last trip east for our granddaughter’s graduation from American University law school. Her sister is a doctor now, so those girls have lived up to their over-achieving childhoods. Our eldest granddaughter and her three little girls moved from Pueblo to Great Falls, MT, so we plan to visit them sometime this summer.” I received a letter from Christina, daughter of Patricia Pihlgren Haas, shortly after Pat died, which was just after the printing of the spring 2023 Hood Magazine: “My mom Pat Haas was a graduate of the Class of 1957. She passed away on Feb. 2, 2023, with my dad at her side. My sisters and I found a box of all sorts of Hood memories. Mom served multiple years on the CGA, was a member of the FTA and sang in the choir. She spoke often of concerts at Annapolis and loved listening to Handel’s Messiah every Christmas—I suspect it brought back Hood memories. I’d say her Hood days were some of the best of her life.” For your reporter, Martha “Molly” Smith Sperandio, life goes on and death hovers close by. I had a wonderful visit with my oldest son Richard, grandchildren and niece in CA in June 2022. I surprisingly lost Richard in Oct. 2022 to a heart attack caused by Mantle Cell Lymphoma, an incurable, aggressive cancer. He never let me know he was ill. At that same time, I was visiting my 89-year-old sister in PA. She was recuperating from a subdural hematoma and concussion and enjoying a family reunion, which caused 15 of the 18 present to come down with COVID, my 96-year-old sister Catharine “Kitty” Smith Dunn ’47 and her daughter being the first two to become ill. I am still blessed to continue volunteering in church ministries, AARP tax preparations, theater ushering, secretarial duties for our HOA and driving to PA for our annual cousins’ reunion. And, of course, writing this column.
1958 Marilyn “Maggie” Garis Kellow maggiehood1958@gmail.com Cynthia Williams Bohaker says all is well. She is looking forward to having her three daughters and their families arriving at Goose Rock Beach in Kennebunkport for two weeks. “It is a wild and crazy time with daughters, one son-inlaw, three adult grandchildren, their partners and two younger grandchildren, ages 9 and 6. The group comes from NJ, AZ and Japan. Our daughter Linda has not returned to the U.S.
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since 2019.” Susan “Sue” Brown Melech and husband Bob were recently invited to try out for a commercial for a senior living facility. They were both selected, and as a result, Sue’s picture was put on the back of a Rochester bus! Bob and Sue met in 1960 when they were in the cast for “Come Back Little Sheba” in community theater. Carolyn “Cyp” Patton Meyer is looking forward to reading about our class reunion and seeing a photo of those who were able to attend. Joan “Jeb” Bennett Moran attended our class reunion and says that she is so full of Hood pride. She says the campus is still beautiful and the Pergola is the central attraction. Staff and students are outstanding, accomplished and committed to their goals and each other. There are many advanced programs, more majors and lots of extracurricular activities. Eleanor “Elly” Baumgart Ritchie, Joan Enterline, Ruth Wood Weaver and Jeb represented the Class of ’58 at the Alumni Luncheon. Together, Sara Lea Callaway Redmon with Joan and Jeb were co-chairs for our class and did a great job. Sara Lea sends the sad news that her younger son Lea died suddenly in March. Due to a fever, he passed out and sustained a fatal concussion. He had planned to drive with her to our 65th reunion. Consequently, she had to cancel plans to attend. Her older son Frank, Lea’s wife and Sara Lea are thankful for the good memories and their faith as they struggle to deal with this abrupt change in their lives. Mary Allen Reynolds says, “There isn’t much to report. I went to NYC last year and enjoyed the theater, museums and fine dining. Flying into LaGuardia was beautiful.” Living in Pittsburgh, she attends music and dance performances, and her grandchildren visit regularly. Marthanne Stephens Smith sends the sad news that their youngest daughter Julia died in April after a two month stay in Boston at Mass General. Marthanne says, “Heart disease finally caught up with her, and it took my heart with her!” Once again, I want to say how much I appreciate all those who keep in touch. It is difficult to relay the news that two classmates have had children pass away recently. Please remember them and their families in our thoughts and prayers. I am looking forward to hearing about our 65th Class Reunion. Love, health and prayers to all of you.
Why do you give to Hood? I had help. I like to pay it back. — Debbie Eaton Thackston ’79, P’11, P’20
CLASS NEWS
1959 Anne Wilson Heuisler aheuisler@comcast.net Catherine Brooke Buckingham and her daughter are enjoying life at Fleet Landing in Atlantic Beach, FL. Her son, grandchildren and three great-grandsons live 30 minutes away in Ponte Vedra. Catherine says she is “very thankful for good health in my OLD age!” Eleanor Brown Wheeler and Phil feel fortunate to remain in their own home, relying on the support of their “wonderful family.” One of their greatest pleasures is “sharing the property with the native wildlife.” Shirley Calhoun DeWitt died in Dec. 2022, following a long illness. Shirley is survived by her husband of 63 years Frank, her children, grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Shirley was born in Oakland, MD, on Jan. 29, 1937. She earned her B.A. in early childhood education from Hood. She and Frank married in 1959, and after 13 years in Baltimore, they settled in Mansfield, OH. Shirley was a beloved kindergarten teacher in Mansfield City Schools for more than 25 years. She was a longtime member of Ontario United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and played in the bell choir. Nancy Fletcher Artlett is being entertained by “two darling great-grandsons. Life continues to be an adventure!” Mary Ann Guild Simmons remembers that, in the 1960s, she saw this note taped to husband Bill’s aunt’s bookcase door: “Most people are just about as happy as they make up their mind to be.” —Abraham Lincoln. In May, she opened the Washington Post and saw this headline for an editorial: “Snacking on Joy.” She says she loves “the concept of finding joy in small bites.” Mary Ann acts as our class reporter on site in Frederick, emailing “any amazing news from our alma mater.” Gayle Hamilton Blakeslee is grateful to be “in this wonderful place,” Broadmead in Cockeysville, MD. Her fractured pelvis continues to heal. I, Anne Wilson Heuisler, joined her for dinner one evening in June. Judy Moreland Granger and husband Bob celebrated their 64th anniversary on June 9. They have happy family news: their first great grandbaby, a girl, is due in late Aug., and a grandson’s wedding is planned for next June. “Has it really been 64 years since we graduated from Hood?!” More sad news, Susan Price Bearss died on March 24. Susie moved around constantly as a child, following her father’s job with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Consequently, she learned how to make friends fast. Susie attended Hood, though she didn’t graduate. She worked as an executive secretary at General Electric in Cincinnati, OH. Susie met her husband Dale on a blind date while visiting family in Grand Rapids. It was love at first sight,
and the two married six weeks later. He died in 2010. They had been married 45 years. Rachel Ravey Johnson recalls, “We were very well behaved. Most of us had been taught manners and proper actions—which really spoiled a lot of potential fun.” Rachel thinks she is in “decent shape—still hiking, swimming, kayaking and generally running around a lot. I do use trekking poles because my balance has become UNbalanced. My husband Carl, although 10 years younger, is starting to notice his age. Me too, but what do you expect at 76 and 86? Remember those halcyon days when we were girls? Knitting, studying, sunning on the dorm roofs, riding horses and racing down halls to encounter men! And how we loved those phone booths … sweet memories.” Mary Unruh Womer died in Jan. 2022, after a brief illness. Mary was the second youngest in a nine-child Maryland farm family, the only girl, with eight brothers. Mary had an interesting career as a local TV personality in Toledo, OH, and later in public relations for Washington College in Chestertown and as director of tourism for Kent County, DE, a role she held for nearly 15 years. She was the first female president of the Dover Rotary Club, earning awards and accolades for her outstanding achievements. Mary is survived by her husband Gary. Della Wilson Holtzapple writes, “The only news I can offer is that my husband and I are celebrating our 62nd anniversary on June 24. Is it too late for a marriage counselor?” As for me, I am proud that one of my former students, Nicole Ari Parker, is starring in the “Sex and the City” sequel, “And Just Like That.” Myra Silberstein Goldgeier (who died in 2018) and I took a train to Broadway to see Nikki as Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
1961 Marty Kaiser Canner plcanner39@gmail.com Katherine Baum Wolpe kwolpe@gmail.com Nancy Brown Braudrick lives in Gold Beach, OR, and enjoys going to church with her grandson and then to breakfast afterwards. Her grandson will soon be starting a job with the parks department, which may limit his availability on Sundays. Nancy’s son-in-law has been diagnosed with lymphoma. Nancy’s daughter Janice drives him from Gold Beach to Portland for treatment. They are praying for a positive outcome. Anne Bierstein Grenfell is recovering from hip replacement surgery in Nov. 2022 which went wrong. A nerve was damaged during surgery causing foot neuropathy. Her life has been sadly altered. Compensation comes from writing, tutoring, crocheting and
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hospice volunteering. Anne and a friend who lives in the same condominium have founded a grief group called Sole Survivors for people who have lost a loved one. The group meets for discussions and lunches to bond in sharing experiences dealing with grief and loneliness. Vivian Bruckel Harvey, as usual, spent the winter in Guatemala, and in Feb., had a group of 21 travelers, most of whom were textile artists. However, the day before she was scheduled to fly home in early April, she fell and broke her arm. After several surgeries, she thinks she is on the mend. She plans to return to Guatemala next winter and would love to show visitors around the magnificent Lake Atitlan area. Brenda Sheaffer Hillard’s husband and best friend Ray passed away in June 2022. We send our condolences to Brenda and her family. Brenda is enjoying the freshman year of her granddaughter Morgan, who is enrolled at nearby Franklin and Marshall College. Anita Ranoldo Miner’s husband Dick passed away in Feb. 2023; she is slowly adjusting to life, as others who have lost loved ones are doing. We send our condolences to Anita and her family. Anita and her two daughters took a trip to the Holy Land in April during the time when Easter, Passover and Ramadan coincided. Anita sends greetings to all her classmates. Marjorie Teague Turner’s son Jay reported that Marge passed away in Feb. 2023, a few days after taking a fall. We send our condolences to Marge’s family. Katharine Baum Wolpe enjoyed a visit with Anita Ranoldo Miner on May 12, 2023. Anita was in NYC for an Episcopal deacons meeting. Katharine enjoys her ongoing relationship with Philip. They get together twice weekly to play Scrabble and go to plays, movies, concerts and dance performances. They also participate in a virtual monthly reading group about the Israel/Palestine situation. Katharine sings in her church choir, attends monthly Democratic Club meetings virtually and will help out in person at the NYC Democratic primary election on June 27. Marty Kaiser Canner and husband Paul attended a memorial service on June 10, 2023, for Ann Friant Scheck, who passed away in March. Ann had a very impressive work history. She graduated from Hood with a degree in home economics. She later attended Towson University to obtain training in early childhood education and directed a daycare center for her church. At age 58, she became a massage therapist. She also found time to write and publish poetry. We send our condolences to Ann’s family and friends.
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1962 Linda MacDonough Morrow lmorrow@psu.edu Ann Holmes Flatt spent two weeks in a Swiss chalet with three generations of family and friends. After the stress of 2022 health issues, Pam Roberts Welham and Walt are resuming “life as we knew it.” They cruised the Mississippi River and will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Sedona, AZ. Caroline Fischer Giles writes, “Brian continues to play his guitar with a group of River Ramblers at our CCRC. I got to join in on one of their songs, ‘Sweet Caroline,’ with another Caroline. Great fun! Brian has neuropathy in his lower legs, but I continue to participate in exercise classes, walk and ride my bike.” Gail Dawson Clarke’s son moved to Durango, CO, and bought a nearby house for Gail five years ago. She manages to co-exist with mountain lions, bears, bobcats, prairie dogs, deer and jack rabbits. Despite health challenges, Liz Decker Rogers bucked the trend of moving to a CCRC and has been enjoying her house for almost a year. Liz recently visited Regina Schlank Pyle in her Boston assisted living facility. The two of them were happy to reminisce. Julie Shafer Barnshaw and family had their annual vacation in Ocean City, NJ. Sadly, no grandkids joined them this year. Jacob graduated from SMU in TX and is working for Samsung. Grace has an internship at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. Bobby works two jobs, and Freddy plays soccer all year. Penny Misirian Mardoian missed our reunion last year when she was in Ireland and got COVID. She is now spending her 68th summer in ME. Her son just started his own mental health business, Crisis 24. Penny had lunch with Matile “Teal” West Hugo, who lives in Brunswick, ME, and heard the story of Teal’s move to a retirement community in a snowstorm: “There were two pianos involved, as I traded my grand for the Yamaha upright from the Presbyterian church. The piano specialist had a plow on the front of his truck, or we never would have made it up the hill to the church.” Harriet “Rusty” Papst Hougland took her daughter Mary Hougland Padgett ’87 to Dutch’s Daughter to celebrate Mary’s recent birthday. “The restaurant is just as good as it was when our class celebrated our 50th reunion there.” Carol Belstra Lloyd enjoyed our 60th Hood reunion last year—her first! Carol is happy to still be working as a social worker. Grandchild number seven will arrive in mid-July. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Sara “Sally” Zimmerman’s first trip to Europe, when she learned German, got a job in Munich and visited nearby countries. To commemorate that life-changing year, Sally returned to many of
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those same places. In May, Joy Engle Demas and husband Bill visited Caroline Fischer Giles and her husband Brian in their new retirement home in NH. Joy wrote that Caroline still gives talks about echinoderms and other sea creatures. Sue Shinnick Hossfeld and husband Carl took their family to Snowmass, CO, for their annual ski trip. They love the snowcapped mountains, brisk fresh air and smell of wood-burning fireplaces. A trip to Newfoundland is planned for Aug., and in Sept., they will be in Rehoboth for a family vacation. Nancy Turner Heckscher still judges for the Garden Club of America in floral design and horticulture. She does Sogetsu flower arranging and some gardening, enjoys photography and plays bridge. Nancy has early multiple-myeloma and husband Ben has Parkinson’s. They live in a 55-plus community, where they watch a lot of tennis and entertain friends. Judy Hammond Blatchford loves their retirement community, but they haven’t done any wonderful trips like they used to, due to COVID and their advancing age. Sandy Warren Owens went to Arlington, VA, from Marietta, GA, to put her condo on the market, which was purchased when single and rented for 40-plus years. If you were at our most recent reunion, you met George Pedlow, whom Lynn MacDonough Morrow married in 2011, five years after Dave Morrow died with Alzheimer’s. They live in a CCRC in State College, PA, a distance from their six children. Lynn’s three are in Baltimore, Mechanicsburg and Cleveland. Together they have eight grands, seven boys and one girl. John Leebel, son of Elizabeth “Betty” Reynolds Leebel, sent this obituary of his mother, who passed away last April: “Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend entered into God’s kingdom on April 28, 2023, surrounded by her family after a long illness with Parkinson’s. Elizabeth was born on April 3, 1940, in Rising Sun, MD. She married Dennis Leebel in 1964 and had two children and three grandchildren, who survive her. She earned her bachelor’s in music from Hood College and taught music, math and computer science for 27 years.”
1963 Dorothy “Dottie” Snyder Engle dengle3699@aol.com “A smashing success!” That’s what Sue Coulton Gibbons said of our reunion porch party. She was one of our classmates we hadn’t seen for 60 years. She drove down from near Boston to Salisbury, MD, and brought Joanne “Jo” Cissell Doyle across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Hood, where they stayed in a dorm room, and then to my shindig. Brenda Eklund
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Pearson, my roommate of four years, flew into Dulles from San Diego and stayed with me a week, as did Cindy Klopp Butler from Ottawa, part of our “block.” Cindy left junior year to go to Cornell to get her degree in nursing. Dorothy “Dottie” Hussennetter Ritz came and stayed overnight after the party. The other dear sisters who came: Roberta “Bobbi” Sterner Kemmerling, Barbara “Bobby” Campbell Rickman, Kathie Anderson Houchens and Dave, Sarah “Sally” Schaeffer Morse and Al, Amie Godman Tannenbaum and Don, Gail Kloeblen Spertzel, Dianne Lawson Hadermann and daughter Krista, Louise Fisher Waynant and daughter Marcia, and Sue Oster Robinson. We had a little rain and a lot of good food. It was a great opportunity to have meaningful conversations with those we seldom have contact with. It spurred some of us to call others to fill them in and check on them. Jo Ann Twilley Plichta would have loved to come, but she hooked a foot on something and broke an ankle. On Saturday, my three house guests and I went to Hood and joined other classmates, including Linda Chait Solomon, for the Alumni Awards Luncheon. Lin spent Friday with her sister Johanna Chait Essex ’53. I entertained my houseguests until Tuesday, June 13, when I hauled them down to Dulles Airport. It was good to meet the daughters, and they felt very welcome. Sue Gibbons was meeting up with her son and Jo Doyle with her daughter, so their stay in this area continued. In other news, Robin and I had a river boat cruise to Holland and Belgium, where the tulips at Keukenhof Gardens were in full bloom and the windmills at Kinderdijk were awesome. We saw the Anne Frank House, which has been expanded since I was there last, the Dom Square, the Rijkmuseum and bikes, bikes, BIKES! We also stopped in other cities along the waterway: Dordrecht, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp— where Robin had to buy a diamond (she had done research)—and ended in Brussels. We did get to go to the Mauritshuis at the Hague for dinner; the art housed there includes some Rembrandts and Vermeer’s famous “Girl with A Pearl Earring.” And Brussels! Can you say chocolate? We went to see a chocolatier and his workers making “the good stuff.” We brought a lot home, but we had more friends than chocolate. Judy Martinka Ericson reported that she and her family lived at the Hague, and her children went to the American School there for five years. She says her daughter and granddaughter are going to Holland in the fall. Judy has a trip planned to Australia next year but has decided to skip the first-class ticket at $20,000. She just wanted a seat, not to buy the plane! Robin and I are leaving June 17 for the Canadian Maritime Provinces, a trip that we had scheduled for last Sept., when Hurricane Fiona
CLASS NEWS got to go instead. We are excited (at my age it doesn’t take much) because a couple from the Salt Lake area we traveled with in Africa are joining us. This is a bus tour. The forecast looks bleak, but it rained lots in Holland, where there was sunshine for every tour. Our Sept. tour will be a Great Lakes cruise, which will take us to several major cities, and for next June, Robin’s 50th, it will be a tour of France in castle country. One sad bit of news, Karen Beck Gould, who sang at our wedding, passed in Feb. 2018. Please keep us updated on your doings and mark your calendar for the second weekend in June 2024 for the porch party at Dottie’s.
1964 Barbara Maly Fish barb2fish@yahoo.com I send the sympathy of our class to Elizabeth “Betsy” Speed Rich, whose husband Tom passed away on June 14. They had been married for 57 years and raised two sons: Joe, who lives in Queens, NY, and works for HSBC in Manhattan, and Jim, who lives in Omaha, NE, and works in the Omaha Performing Arts Center sales department. Jim is married and has a beautiful, brilliant 2-year-old daughter, Peggy. Betsy and Tom retired in 2007 and left Nashville, TN, for MT, where they lived near Glacier National Park and took full advantage of the natural beauty that surrounded them. Kay Starcher Klausewitz recently traveled to Norway for a month of exploring by train, ship, on foot and by dogsled north of the Arctic Circle. She lives in the Five College area of western MA, where she is active in a Learning in Retirement group and can walk to a senior center for fitness classes. Her children and grandchild all live in MA. Eight years ago, Margaret Myers Sanders and husband Don moved from Hilton Head, SC, to her hometown of Lancaster, PA, where they lived in Willow Valley, a large CCRC. Don passed away in 2019, but their four grandchildren continue to brighten her life. She stays in touch with Shirley Greene Tebbe and Nancy Turner Heckscher ’62. Heidi Stephens Whitesel has two daughters; one lives in VA, the other in the U.K. In April, Heidi flew to the U.K. to visit her daughter’s family, then she and her daughter took a ferry across the English Channel to Normandy. Together, they visited Mont Saint-Michel, the Normandy battlefields and the Bayeux Tapestry, all of which were on Heidi’s bucket list. It was a great weekend adventure for the two history lovers. Carol Eisenberg Miller says, “I thank God every day that I am able to get around, take care of my old house, mow my acre of grass and maintain and drive my sports cars.” She also serves on the Property Committee of historic
Trinity Lutheran Church, established in 1751, where President Chapdelaine’s sons attended KinderMusic. Carol goes to all Hood sporting events in the Reading, PA, area and advocates for Lighthouse at Hope Rescue Mission, a new shelter opening soon to house women, children and pets in 43 mini apartments. Bob and Sue Hapgood Satterfield abandoned a favorite activity of fox hunting during the pandemic and have not resumed, though they still care for six horses: three of their own and three boarders. They also maintain a large vegetable and flower garden. Ever the artist, Sue has a small local cottage industry, Creature Comforts, sewing pillows, purses and gloves from recycled fabrics. No online sales, though. Most of the Satterfields’ travels these days involve visiting family members. Daughter Laine lives in Richmond, VA, where Bob and Sue go for theater and ballet; son Tuck and his family live in Durham, NC, where he has a part-time gig with a band called The Simple Joy; and Sue’s sister Nancy lives in Lexington, KY, where races at Keeneland, events at Horse Park and bourbon tastings are the attraction. Daughter Shannon lives nearby and babysits the animals and the farm when Bob and Sue travel. Bill and Sherry Kimble Johnson still enjoy life in their 112-year-old arts and crafts bungalow in Cleveland, TN. During the pandemic, they bought a small camper van, as did their daughter Jaime Boyce Lacey ’90 and her husband. They were all able to travel and camp safely in ME, the southwest and the north GA mountains. They also visited Sherry’s three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in Philadelphia, Charlotte and Birmingham. Bill and Sherry also enjoy many hobbies: weaving, knitting and vegetarian cooking for her, woodworking and photography for him. John and Nancy Hopkins Southard live in Winston-Salem, NC, and are glad that their younger son Rob has moved from New Orleans to Charleston, SC, much closer to them. Their older son Tim and his family live in Atlanta, where one of their children graduated from Georgia Tech with a master’s in biology. The other is a rising senior at the same university, majoring in materials engineering. Nancy, a true lifelong learner, has attended seminars on topics like the Great Reset and Parallel Economies and participates in two support/educational groups related to ongoing issues. She also administers her private charitable foundation, where she is the main donor, investor and grant maker. With the help of a chiropractor and a physical therapist, she remains active with golf, swimming and walking, and she reads a lot!
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1965 Emily Kilby erkilby44@gmail.com Still living her version of “This Old House” in Natick, MA, Marilyn “Lynn” Farnell has managed to whittle down the to-do list of household repairs with the help of her contractor and “occasionally visiting” younger brother. Lynn’s primary center of activity is the local Episcopal church, where she works 10 hours weekly and needlepoints with the Stitch and Chat group. Her weekly bridge group get-together is another social support, but her family, though living at some distance, is central. In 2022, Lynn and her recently widowed sister Jean Farnell Bednarski ’68, who lives in Lancaster, PA, shared several entertaining outings in the New England area. This June, they traveled to France along with Jean’s grandson. In her Christmas letter, Lynn wrote, “My car goes in more and more to the repair shop, as do I, but I am grateful for my health. There is enough turmoil in the world. We need to carve out time for each other.” She has been admirable in heeding her own advice. I have been unable to find any information about the passing of classmate Fredrica “Rickey” Godshalk other than that her representative notified Hood of her death last Oct. Rickey left Hood with a chemistry degree to enter the University of Maryland School of Medicine, from which she graduated in 1969 with her M.D. I had some contact with her three years ago, when she was suffering some unspecified health issues but was still on her Nicholasville, KY, farmette, where she’d been living and pursuing her horseback riding passions since 1985. She taught at the University of Kentucky Medical Center for 15 years prior to retirement. Rickey never married or had children and was predeceased by her parents and brother, which may explain the lack of public tribute upon her death. The endowed scholarship she funded at Hood will serve as a meaningful legacy. Lynn Guenter Steel died in Oct. 2022. Her obituary details a life of art, adventure and enduring family ties: “Lynn was born in Miami, FL, and grew up in Glen Burnie, MD, where she helped care for her four younger siblings. She received a B.A. in art history with a French minor from Hood College and attended classes at the Maryland Institute College of Art. After graduating, Lynn lived in NYC, befriending luminaries and famous artists of the 1960s. She also enjoyed being a chef at Sundance Theatre in Bucks County, PA. Lynn moved to England in 1970, where she met her partner Rivers Job, with whom she had a daughter, Rowan. She attended recorder and lute classes, frequented London’s museums, grew flowers, fruits and vegetables, was an avid cook and created beautiful artworks.
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CLASS NEWS Lynn traveled through Europe and the Middle East, working as an art teacher along the way. Homesick, she returned to America with her daughter in 1979 to reunite with family. At a gathering of mutual friends at a bar in Baltimore, MD, in 1983, Lynn met James Steel, to whom she was married until her death. Lynn enjoyed hiking in the woods, discussing art and music, working at her daughter’s middle school and caring for her retired racing greyhound and several cats. Lynn and James retired to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where they attended St. James Episcopal Church, for whom Lynn created stunning artworks of Stations of the Cross. She supported numerous charities and especially cared about animal welfare and civil, voting and women’s rights. She was a voracious reader and even wrote book reviews for the local library. Throughout her life, Lynn was known as a kind and gentle soul, endlessly creative and intelligent.” Without prompting, Kathryn “Kathy” Kahn Rusk wrote with an update on her “existence” in a 55-plus community in Lacey, WA. “I love retirement (finally) but amazingly keep really busy, though COVID caused me to read more books than I ever had, which was great!” Family is her primary focus, of course, but her seven grandchildren are so busy and distant in schools in Los Angeles, HI, PA and OR that get-togethers are hard to arrange. Yet, Kathy wrote, “We were able to have our 21st ‘Christmas on the Oregon Coast’ in person this year, but planning had to consider university finals, added boyfriends, etc. It’s all good!” Here’s hoping that all of us now-80-year-olds can say the same about the lives we are living.
1966 Dianne Beebe Barske eldibarske@gmail.com Our Hood College Class of 1966 has glue. That glue is named Virginia “Ginny” Wheeler Jones! Ginny has chaired landmark Hood reunions for us, and now three reunion Zooms, most recently on June 10. She’s been assisted by Pat Kehoe Tylander, who took the notes used for this column, while I was off camping with family on the Oregon Coast. Pat states, “I give much credit to Ginny for organizing our get-togethers, especially since she has committed to planning these Zoom events each year before our 60th reunion.” Thank you, Ginny, and thank you, Pat! Ten classmates were able to join the recent Zoom. Sad news was shared by Suzanne Roth Graham. Susan Worth Fiala passed away in May 2023 at her home in Forest Hill, MD. Sue worked in the computer field her entire professional life. In addition to that full-time career, she was very active in the lives
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of her three sons and three grandchildren and as a member of Fallston Presbyterian Church. Suzanne was able to attend Sue’s funeral and interment and met Sue’s husband and children. Harriet Rudman Weiner added that she and Sue both worked at Alex Brown & Sons, an investment company with strong ties to the Baltimore area. Sue became vice president in 1996. Harriet and Sue reconnected in 1986, when Harriet needed technical help with her computer and both were wearing their Hood rings, realizing that they had been classmates! From John Paul Fiala: “Terrible news. The love of my life, my child bride, my wife Susan Fiala died in May. Susan was proud to be a Hood alumna. She loved Hood and all her classmates.” Terri Petrillo Connolly has returned to CT to help her daughter, a nurse, with a baby. Betty Schmitt Martin lives in Gainesville, FL, and has met with Ginny there for reunions. Betty has had wonderful trips with Hood groups to Normandy and Portugal. Betty’s husband does not travel, and she mentioned that there has been no added fee for single rooms on these trips. Cheryl Carlson Peyton has written 11 books, two of which are about conversations with her dog Cody. The majority are murder mysteries with her heroine Alex Trotter as a travel guide. However, the book “Murder in Mobile” hits close to home, since it contains characters from her Hood College days, living in Terrace House. Copies of her books are in the Hood library and can be ordered on Amazon. Charla Bolton joined a Hood reunion Zoom for the first time. She worked in Long Island as a city planner and environmental planner and now lives in Pasadena, CA. Marti Keitel Ruben lives in VT after divorcing her Naval Academy husband of 40 years. While living in VT, she met a wonderful life partner at a ballroom dancing class, but sadly, he recently passed away. Carole Ann Kemp Lovett and husband Bill live in Lady Lake, FL, and have been able to meet with several 1966 Hood alums for lunch in Ocala. Gathering in April were Terri Petrillo Connolly and husband Frank, Betty Schmidt Martin and husband Harold, Ann Johnson Kupferberg, Pat Kehoe Tylander, and Ginny Wheeler Jones and husband Charlie. Kenni Ward Pinckard and husband Tom had been able to gather with the FL Hood ’66ers group previously back in Nov. 2021 but had a conflict this April. Thankfully, our reunion organizer extraordinaire Ginny was able to share that she has been doing well since heart surgery and has not only been organizing Hood reunions, but also a high school reunion last year. Through emails, my Hood roommate Barbara Cubberly Smith has shared important news. Having experienced a stroke more than a year ago, she has become an advocate for stroke prevention. She states, “I was able to
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be in and out of the hospital in just three days, completely recovered. It’s so important to know the symptoms. BE FAST is the mnemonic.” With hopes that we all stay well and can gather next year, when Ginny promises another Class of ’66 Hood Zoom reunion.
1967 May Mumma Ohman may.mumma.ohman@gmail.com Pat Rosner Kearns says, “I’m still trying to get overseas travel in but am in the midst of house searching in Louisville. Playing lots of golf but not getting any better!” Cheryl Wray Kirk “moved closer to my son in DE, with access to better doctors and closer to old friends. I am back in yoga—very nurturing.” Debbie Smith Aldrich says, “Life in Newburyport is wonderful. I had some serious heart and lung health issues, but somehow the problem cleared up! My kids are nearby. Still involved in my church.” Barb Jo Wood Spellman reports, “My grandson Cole, whose mother is Japanese, will take this coming school year to live in Japan. He speaks Japanese and has been working with a Japanese-American company in Atlanta.” Meredith Howard Parham wrote when she could “look out my window and see the final remains of snow, more than 107 inches this year. And I went back to college! My interest in very early music continues. This fall, Bruce and I will take a Viking cruise in Europe.” Johanna Van Wert Thompson shares, “Michael and I sailed to Lisbon, then on to Berlin. Time to make an appointment for knee replacement surgery. Thinking about moving to a retirement community.” Meredith Cook Held said it was good to see news of Dorothy “Dottie” Sanders Lacy ’66 in the last issue. “She transferred out as I transferred in. We were friends on the Cape during summer vacations. We recently enjoyed a family vacation in the Maldives!” Barb Cummings Stacks shares, “A group of our classmates live in the Middlesex, CT, area: Barbara Schmidt MacGregor, Linda Carlson, Margaret “Peggy” Narducci Phillips and moi! We gather and enjoy sharing our lives.” Cynde Lawson Swanson writes, “I live in Hartford, CT, and occasionally get together with Ruth Conger Crespi. We have gone to local reunions, the last at Barb Cummings Stacks’ home. I have kept in touch with Marcia ‘Marty’ Hoffert Burns and Sally Raube Chandler.” Patti Stegman Bourexis tells us, “Our beach in Buxton was named one of the top 10 in the U.S. My husband Mike and I are good for lodging and restaurant reservations. We moved here in 1995 while launching the Study Group, Inc., an education research company working with governments
CLASS NEWS and universities to improve programs for children with disabilities and STEM education.” Cynthia Newby “just stepped down from the Board of Trustees after a decade of service. I learned so much about the College. President Chapdelaine is a terrific leader. You should be very proud of Hood’s accomplishments and promising future. Still live in CT with my partner Jan. We garden and volunteer locally!” Barb Morgan Herron “had spinal fusion surgery in 2022. Recovery is a long, slow process. I’m active in church and the Baltimore Colts Cheerleaders Alums and plan to attend the reunion.” Laurie Seymour Carlson “starts most days with a long walk. I continue to work with a group dedicated to helping veterans. My grandchildren are growing up!” Kris Campbell Joyce says, “BJ and I have been watching our grandchild Emma play lacrosse at Tufts University. I have new vision to watch the games because of cataract surgery. Still doing my art too.” Susan Wadia-Ells writes, “My book ‘Busting Breast Cancer’ continues to hit the #1 bestseller spot on Amazon worldwide in the categories of cancer and breast cancer from time to time. After 14 years of research, I discovered that today’s breast cancer epidemic is unnecessary.” Nancy Esau Jeschke shares, “Our son Eric married his lovely wife Caroline. The wedding was to be held at the Arlington, VA, courthouse, but when everyone went to the courthouse, we discovered there was no one to officiate. My new daughter-in-law called a name on the list. This person came, delivered beautiful words, married them officially and left us happy.” Sally Raube Chandler says, “It’s been four years since my husband died; sometimes it seems like only a few months, and other times, I realize all that has transpired. I had a long bout with Lyme disease but remain involved with the wonderful Museum of Old Newbury. My two daughters are thriving. My three grandchildren keep in touch. I feel very lucky!” Suzanne Turner Hanifl says, “I had my second hip replaced and enjoy pain-free walking. We’re in MN for the summer; our three children and nine grandchildren are an hour from our house. We have racehorses in MN—had two winners Saturday!” Closing on very sad note, Virgina “Ginny” Price Bracken’s husband Brack passed away on May 5 after a short illness. Brack was also the brother of Susan Bracken. Our hearts go out to both of them and their families.
Why do you give to Hood? In giving to Hood, I’m investing in the future! — Kathryn Nicolato ’00
1969 Sayre Roney Steere sayre1126@gmail.com Barbara Shipley Cober recently returned from a trip to Hilton Head. She keeps active with church, her widow group and attending her grandson’s baseball games in MD. Ann Murray Meacham lives and works in CT, where she consults part time with an engineering firm. Her son and two grands also live in CT, while her daughter and three more reside in England. Divorced since 2004, Ann enjoys birding, walks in the woods and reading historical fiction. After nearly 50 years, Ken and Marty Silcox Hankins are scaling back their pottery business—no more shows or events, just producing pieces Ken wants to make. Marty is making great use of her new greenhouse, and in Aug., she will be going to England on a Jane Austen trip. Christine Diehl is quite involved with the West Haven Historical Society, the only city in the U.S. with a street named after a Revolutionary War enemy! Barbara Owen Floyd checked in from KY, where her daughter married in June. Two grandsons are college seniors, while another just graduated from high school and will enter the Navy’s nuclear power program. She anticipates a trip to Scandinavia in July. Connie Meek will be competing in marathon cross country ski races in Australia and New Zealand in late summer (their winter). Two and a half years ago, Bettina “Tina” Smith Tucker moved in with her son just outside Portland, ME. He had been dealing with kidney disease, awaiting “the call.” Just before Christmas 2022, a kidney was available, and surgery was a success. Tina calls this her “journey of amazement, hope and gratitude.” Carole Downing Staton also had a medical scare in 2022—breast cancer. Thankfully, following surgery and brief radiation, all is well. She looks forward to traveling to TX in early 2024 to witness son Andrew’s promotion to Lt. Colonel, USAF. Attending the 72nd National Square Dance Convention in June were Jill Stanley and Adam as well as Elizabeth “Betsy” Seele Gotta and Roy. Betsy received an award for being the only caller to call at 60 consecutive conventions! To commemorate her retirement (finally!), Christy Lundt Lambertus took a trip down the Mississippi River earlier this year. LaVonne Blattenberger Vogt continues to enjoy retirement in Wilmington, NC, near her daughter and three grandchildren. Husband Bob is valiantly fighting cancer. During his treatments at Duke, they stay with roommate Emily Biemiller Burgess. Margaret “Peggy” Jackson Wyckhouse and husband Bob traveled from home in southern CA to MO to witness their first grandchild graduate from
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high school. Peggy was “forcibly retired” from teaching senior citizens at North Orange County Community College due to COVID but says she’s fine with the change. Living only two miles from each other in Ponce Inlet, FL, are Barbara Hoagland Ziegler and Susan Taylor Shoch. Also nearby is Debbie Dick Holbert, who met up with Betsy Rudulph Lustenader and Jim in Soho, NYC, to view Jim’s photography showing. Susan was fortunate to enjoy a recent lunch with Chrysanthe Papayani Koumas. For the past two and a half years, Susie Oliver Schneider has been something of a “permanent” substitute teacher, filling in for first through eighth grade as well as for art, Spanish and woodworking. Her gig will continue at least through the fall. She is still the Area A race officer for U.S. Sailing and active in the Marblehead Garden Club. Virginia “Ginny” Monaco Hatfield and husband Paul take full advantage of their lakeside log cabin vacation home in Incline Village, NY, several times a year—and VRBO the rest. To celebrate their 50th anniversary, they spent two weeks touring Andalusia. Cheryl Brown Dreiling and sister Sharon Brown Vejvoda ’71 recently returned from a Smithsonian Journeys trip to France. Bogota, Colombia, comes next, and in Sept., they embark on an AHI Hood trip, “Imperial Journey,” that will take them to Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. Dave and I, Sayre Roney Steere, welcomed our fifth grandchild, little Celia, in Jan. Our oldest heads off to the University of Oregon in the fall. It’s fun to start over again. We drove several thousand miles in our new Tesla in May, going from our home in Bonney Lake, WA, to San Diego, via San Francisco and Monterey, to attend Dave’s USNA Class of 1968 55th reunion—highlighted by a reception aboard the USS Midway. Our return trip was via Phoenix and Bryce Canyon. I’d only been home a week when I stumbled on the pickleball court and broke my elbow. Perhaps I should start acting 75.
1970 Marj Berkheimer mench49@gmail.com I’m sure you all think the same as I do. Time is flying! As I write this, it is the end of June approaching the Fourth of July already. It is a big year for us (75!), and classmates are celebrating. Marty Hassell replied to my news request immediately. Marty and Ellen spent April in Paris with one week on their own and one week traveling with Road Scholars. They are celebrating Marty’s birthday in Sept. with a National Geographic Lindblad Great Bear Rain Forest trip to British Columbia. Always the photographer, Marty hopes to film Spirit Bears. Pamela Nesbit shared her profound gratitude
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CLASS NEWS for excellent medical care and early breast cancer detection at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I can relate to that gratitude as a nine-year survivor. Peggy Muncie’s grandson Bradley is 4 already, and I know Wilmette, IL, is too far from SC for Peggy and grandmother love! Peggy and Stephen have plans for a Greek Isles cruise in the fall. Laurie Clement, who was with us as a freshman, sent pictures of her visit with Lynne Britt Demers Becker, Pamela Fuller, Linda Winter-Blacksher and Wendy “Chips” Parker-Wood. Laurie lives in FL but had the lovely opportunity to house/cat sit in HI for the month of June. I’m still loving my role as Mimi Marj, and Aoife will have a baby brother in Oct. Phil and I traveled to Paris in May, including a cruise on the Rhone River. I enjoy being on Hood’s Board of Associates and hearing firsthand about the many accomplishments and good health of the College. Good health and much happiness to all.
1971 Mary McMunigal Burland mburl5@verizon.net Mindy Laighton Wilcox mlwilcox3@gmail.com Janet Schultheis Plitt reports that she and Calvin have nine grandchildren: three girls and six boys, aged 2-18. The grands entertain them with their many sports, school, church and arts activities, and the revolving door at their house always seems to have a grandchild arriving to play games, watch movies or cook in their kitchen. Their daughters live near them in Ellicott City, MD, and their son is an interventional cardiologist living in VA. Janet and Calvin celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Aug. 2021, and their children, in-laws and all the grandchildren planned a wonderful weekend of family fun and festivity. They like to take road trips and have explored all 48 contiguous states, always searching for antiquarian bookstores en route. Diane Miller Jackson regretted having to miss our 50th reunion but had family visiting that weekend. Diane has had some health issues but is fine now. She enjoys gardening, cooking, entertaining and spending time with family. She is involved with activities at church and appreciates each day. Diane and her husband went to Scotland in June after having to cancel travel for the past few years. Betsy Cooper Pizzolato and Tom love being grandparents to Ellie, who just finished kindergarten. They are planning a trip to ME in the summer and plan to visit Pamela Barry Bowie. Ruth LaBrieWilcox and her husband live in San Francisco, where she volunteers and serves on the board of directors of the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
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She sees Allyson Washburn, who also lives in the city, and Julie Godfrey Streets, who lives in Monterey. Kathy Nield bought a new home in Brockville, Ontario, and has been busy downsizing, as her new home is much smaller than her farm property. Her husband lost his battle with cancer six years ago, and now it’s time for her to be in a place that is easier to manage. Kathy and her dog do agility training and travel a lot in Canada and NY for competitions. She keeps in touch with several classmates but hasn’t seen any except Janice Letts Utsch, so she hopes she will be able to attend our next reunion in 2026. Nancy Fisher Henderson and John continue to live at Heron Point in Chestertown, MD, where she is involved in two knitting groups and a reading group. She serves as treasurer of their in-house Barn Shoppe sales and helps with sorting and selling for the Friends of Kent County Library book sales. She also sings in her church choir and plays in a local recorder group. Each year from May to Oct., she works twice a month on the race committee for RC Model Skipjack racing at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Nancy and John also race their Marshall 14 Catboat and do lunch cruises in their motorboat. Last year, she rode in a 365-day national competition on a Cybercycle, a recumbent stationary bike, and finished in first place with more than 3,300 miles! Janice Butz was back on the Hood campus for the 50th reunion of our Little Sister Class of 1973, who asked Janice to be their organist for the Sunday morning chapel service. The weather was perfect, and the campus looked beautiful. She felt blessed to be included in their celebrations. I’m sure we all agree with Janice when she says that it’s always a joy to reconnect with fellow Hood’lums! Mindy and I so enjoy reading the news from our classmates, and we hope that you do as well. We’d love to hear from more of you. Please do let us know of any news you’d like to share so that you can be featured in a future edition of Hood Magazine.
1972 Carol Schlosnagle Bradford cbradford043@gmail.com Cynthia Clifford cynthiaclifford999@gmail.com Sarah Sonne O’Donnell reports that her son and daughter-in-law are expecting a baby boy in Aug. and a girl in Jan. The first is a miracle baby that the couple did not expect. The second is the product of modern technology that they pursued when they thought their 7-year-old daughter Auri would be an only child, and they still wanted another child. She adds that her son calls the expected babies “the twins” and their
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daughter “big sister.” It’s a new twist on the old story of the couple who thought they couldn’t have kids, adopted and became pregnant. Now, instead of adoption, it’s their embryo carried by a surrogate. Grandma and Pop-Pop are excited! Helen-Mae Reisner writes that, like many of us, she’s been rebalancing and reflecting on life in this post-COVID year. She took a leave of absence last spring and realized that her work at Postal Service HQ was no longer a good fit for her professional needs. She transferred to the Department of Transportation’s headquarters, where she serves as a nurse consultant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Her work involves determining medical qualifications for commercial motor vehicle drivers and medical examiners and providing technical expertise in the deployment of the agency’s physical qualification standards through the federal rule-making process. She feels fortunate that her daughter and family live nearby so that, when the opportunity arises, she can spend time with them, including her three delightful granddaughters, ages 2 to 5. How she treasures these happy times! Rebecca “Becky” Riehl shared the following, “I have had a very difficult start to the year. My sister passed away quite unexpectedly in Feb. after a very short bout with cancer. We were not just sisters but best friends, as she and her husband live with me in the winter. I am grief-stricken beyond words, as my old normal is gone. Time does help heal the pain, and I’m trying to focus on all the great memories. I’m still playing lots of bridge and chasing my Life Master ‘title’ by going to national tournaments. Golf still occupies my time, along with visiting friends and relatives around the country.” Our love and condolences to Becky. We, your class reporters, so enjoy hearing from you but would like to hear from more of you and more often. Our best to you all.
1973 Leslie Hawkins hawkins.leslie.a@gmail.com What a great reunion we had in June! The campus looked beautiful, and we had good weather, with only very limited, short rain showers. Joining me at our 50th reunion were Bonny Barncord Berger, Elaine Williams Bielenberg, Marcia Coyle DiBiagio, Amy Hanley Dove, Sue Rothmann Griffin, Ellie Blumenthal Kinland, Lorraine Sharp Kish, Beth Layfield Law, Antoinette “Toni” Lucia, Donna Simmons Maneely, Ann Gemberg Mason, Chris McHenry, Laura Lee Miller-Bowes, Ann Cole Paciulli, Alicia Parlatore Payne, Janis Wilson Polastre, Charlotte “Charlie” Miller Ponticelli, Ann Troutman Rebuck, Patricia “Patti” Suydam
POINT OF VIEW
ALICIA PARLATORE PAYNE ’73 RECALLS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF CORRESPONDENCE WITH A TIGHTKNIT GROUP OF HOOD FRIENDS. BY ALICIA PARLATORE PAYNE ’73 I first visited Hood in the summer of 1968 with my parents. Even though the campus was devoid of students, as we strolled the beautiful grounds, I knew this was the college for me. And I was right. When I arrived at Hood for Move-In Day in September 1969, I was assigned to a room on the first floor of Shriner Hall. As soon as all the parents departed, the first-years on our floor got together for dinner. We all became friends pretty quickly, and some of us have stayed that way to this day. At this point, our group comprises seven women, who all live in different states. We call ourselves “the Shriner Shiners.” We are Toni Lucia, Patt Henry Montgomery, Jill Schonek Pollard, Patti Suydam Ritter, Sally Parkhurst Van Why, Sherry Bronski Waltz and myself, Alicia Parlatore Payne. As we prepared to leave campus for the final time in May 1973, Jill suggested we keep in touch through a round robin or chain letter, which we started right away. Originally, our letters were handwritten, then written on early computers with pin-feed printers, and this tradition continued evolving as technology advanced. We all moved around a lot, so our master address list had to be constantly updated. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Patt suggested we could continue to connect via Zoom calls, first weekly when we were in total lockdown, then biweekly. We continue to meet in that format in lieu of letters.
Through regular contact, we have kept each other up to date with marriages, divorces, births of children and then grandchildren, deaths of parents, new jobs and relocations as well as the ordinary events of our lives. Sherry has commented that our close friendship was only possible because of the common thread of experiences and memories developed at Hood. We have had numerous reunions, initially just with husbands, then sometimes with children, until it became too challenging to arrange. When our schedules and commitments started to free up,
we began meeting yearly in different places. Patti has helped scout out locations and Sally keeps us supplied with group photos from each event. Because of this connection, I annually send contributions to Hood. For me, it is important to show appreciation of the people, institutions and events that have shaped my life in positive ways. Without Hood, I would never have known these wonderful women, who all supported me when I was very ill four years ago, and whom I too
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support when each is in need. They are an essential part of my life. Not incidentally, I met my husband of 50 years in the Shriner desk room. As Toni said, “This is what 50 (or rather 54) years of friendship looks like.” Our story provides a wonderful example of what makes Hood special. It is not only a place to get a first-class education, but also a place to build enduring, lifelong friendships.
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CLASS NEWS Ritter, Catherine “Kate” Sturgis, Sally Parkhurst Van Why, Sherry Bronski Waltz, Lisa Hostetter Williams and Debbie Christ Zourdos. We had some cancellations just before the reunion for health reasons: Peggy Weinbeck, who had a hip replacement, fell at her daughter’s home and dislocated her hip, making the trip unadvisable, and Karen Bast Griffith, who got COVID (along with her husband) just before reunion. Martina Ha Smallwood, who had written about her plans to return to Hood for the first time since 1973, had to cancel due to her business (she is still working!). As Hood’lums arrived on Friday and Saturday, there were campus tours. Our guide was a young man, Class of 2024, who was enthusiastic about Hood and patient with us going on about what classes and activities we had in different buildings. He told us it was fun to hear the “old stories!” We got updates on new and growing programs. The College just opened a newly renovated building, in conjunction with Frederick Health, for the nursing and public health programs, among others, and a new M.S. program in nutrition, with amazing training facilities. We heard a college update from President Chapdelaine on Saturday, followed by Alumni Luncheon, which saw our class marching in with our “What Will I be in ’73?” signs to the Carole King song “I Feel the Earth Move,” with our dinks, blazers and lots of red clothing. We were also excited that our own Marcia Coyle DiBiagio received a Distinguished Alumna Award, and we closed out the day with a lovely class dinner, plus a video of pictures taken during our four years sent in from classmates, accompanied by ’70s music … gosh, did we look young! Our weekend ended Sunday morning, first with Strawberry Breakfast and then our chapel service, organized and led by Chris McHenry and organist Janice Butz ’71. Words were offered on Hood’s four pillars of Hope, Opportunity, Obligation and Democracy by Sally Parkhurst Van Why, Toni Lucia, Charlie Miller Ponticelli and Marcia DiBiagio, invoking memories, laughter and the gift of our Hood experience. Our service closed with the poignant ringing of a bell and the lighting of a candle to symbolize each of the classmates we had lost. It was very meaningful for those of us who also assisted and those attending. Our gabfests were the most fun—during the receptions, meals and back in the lounges at Blazer Hall. Many brought back yearbooks, photos, scrapbooks, notes and brochures (looking at the persons listed for freshmen students starting in Sept. 1969 brought up a lot of “what happened to…?” questions. Searching through our materials, it seemed at least one of us had information to offer and fill in the picture of what was happening with our dorms, classes and faculty over the years, and of course, the booklet “Sex is Never an Emergency”
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we got our sophomore year. Thanks to Lorraine and Charlie for co-chairing our 50th reunion. I also want to extend special thanks to Laura Lee Miller-Bowes and Toni Lucia, my partners on the Fundraising Committee, who worked so hard to raise funds for our reunion gift, which as of the reunion date totaled $112,395. Thanks to all of you who helped us raise these funds for our alma mater. I heard from Anne Irvine, who is moving from TX to Mesa, AZ, where she bought a home. Since that is only about 90 minutes from me, we plan to get together and catch up. Last, the aura of the Hood reunion stayed with me for some extra days, as I traveled to CT and enjoyed a three hour (!) lunch with Diane Wooding Burgess ’71 and Cindy Chabot Tencza ’71, with more great laughs and memories.
Why do you give to Hood? To help others and keep our college strong. Alumni support matters! — Claudia Nichols Nealley ’84
1974 Patricia E. Kidd pat.kidd@hotmail.com Elizabeth Guertler Godfrey writes, “My husband Rick and I still live in New Market, MD, for most of the year; that’s where our daughter and grandson are. We ‘snowbird’ with our RV every winter. We had been blaming the RV on our dog, who doesn’t like motels, but it came in handy during the pandemic, since we could travel and still stay away from people. We’ve visited most of the FL state parks but have wandered as far west as Big Bend National Park in TX (the most incredible, wild place we’ve ever seen). But since COVID, we just run down the Atlantic coast and stay at a campground in Ft. Pierce for a couple of months. A childhood friend has a condo there and some cousins live nearby, and we find that old friendships become more precious as time goes on. People ask, ‘What do you do for such a long time in the RV?’ We walk the beach, visit botanical gardens and museums, eat outdoors at cafes and scavenge Little Free Libraries for books. During the height of the pandemic, I taught myself to knit and crochet, which many Hood friends might find humorous, since I always used to avoid ‘domestic talents.’ Desperate times call for desperate measures. At home, I hike with the dog, and Rick rides his bike and plays senior softball. We see the kids as often as possible. Life is good. Everyone is
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happy and healthy. We know we are lucky.”
Mary “Gordie” Bell Thorpe continues to love living in FL (13 years). She says, “I hope to attend our 50th reunion in 2024. In June, we had a visit from our son and three grandchildren, who live in MI. I enjoy reading, baking and fishing. I am beyond excited to share my latest endeavor, a book filled with funny and heartwarming stories from my life. ‘As The Stomach Turns’ is available from Amazon and does have a chapter about my time at Hood. Overall, this book is a labor of love that I hope will bring laughter and joy to the reader.” Congrats on the book, Gordie! Deborah Kohler is also on the move: “In spite of the constant creep of age and the ever-present threat of RSV, COVID and other ailments, my husband and I are well and happy. We take road trips to visit friends, escape the cold of winter and explore natural wonders. Recent highlights have been to Wisconsin Dells to see the actual dells and the Frank Lloyd Wright homestead, hiking in Cuyahoga National Park and relaxing at Myrtle Beach. I took a trip with my sister to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We flew into Ecuador to spend a couple of days before flying to Barto. Because the environment is so protected, cruise ships must be very small. We joined 78 other guests for the tour of a lifetime. My sister is a scientist who has taught Darwin. She knows all about birds and animals and shared many facts with me, in addition to information from the naturalist guides. My greatest interest is in the movement of tectonic plates and volcanoes. All my curiosity was satisfied and my understanding enriched. Having said that, if I could go back, it would be to learn more about the indigenous cultures in Ecuador and Peru. Either way, it was the most inspiring trip of my life. I love catching up with all of you Hood’lums and wish you the best in whatever you’re up to as well.” Sally Johnson Leland reports that her husband Doug Leland, USNA ’73, has organized a 3,200-mile cross-country bike ride happening fall 2023 to honor the memory of fallen classmates. Dorothy “Dot” Herdle Files, who’s an absolute trooper about staying in touch, says: “Eben and I travel when we can, and he stays busy with trustee work at church. I write, direct and play music for bells, choir and praise band. And there’s always work with the critters and around the property.” My own news ( Pat Kidd) is that in retirement I’ve discovered the joy of writing poetry. For anyone who has an interest in any type of writing, I highly recommend Gotham Writers Workshop. The classes are on Zoom and the teachers are all pros in their field (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comedy, songwriting, scriptwriting). The classes I’ve taken have included writers from HI, CA, SC and Toronto, with students from their mid-20’s to mid-80’s. Just a joy.
CLASS NEWS
1975 Debbie Page Rath drath@nhhicks.com Thank you to everyone who took the time to share. Lynda Strasser Brooks and husband Jay are loving their retired life in Wilmington, NC. She is busy on the board of their HOA and writing for their garden club newsletter. Lynda has learned to play mahjong and enjoys making new friends while playing. Their family is great; son Sean and his family are in Raleigh, NC, so they see them regularly. Her daughters Heather and Robin are still up north, so Lynda and Jay make annual road trips to visit. Last winter, they escaped the cold with a trip to Asia, a first for them! They enjoyed Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. The trip was wonderful, but those long-haul flights were rough. Lynda is looking forward to our 50th reunion and hopes we get a good turnout so we can visit with everyone. Cheryl Cuddeback’s daughter Samantha graduated from New York University’s master’s program for occupational therapy. Cheryl doesn’t know what she did to have this lovely child be so forthright, loving and responsible. Cheryl’s husband Norm is doing well despite a stroke he had a couple of years ago. Cheryl says she feels like the guy on “The Ed Sullivan Show” who used to spin multiple plates. Not only is she taking care of the daily tasks of life while navigating the world of real estate, but she is also putting together a photo book as well as other creative endeavors. In July, Cheryl will be bonding with Billie Weise and Ann Cuppia Gandy in Ocean Grove—what a blessing. Doreen “Dory” Barrows Smith, Steve and their family had a wonderful trip to Spain over spring break. They saw beautiful sites in Barcelona, Grenada, Seville and Madrid. The most notable was the Holy Processions of Easter week—beautiful floats carried by 30 or more men down the crowded streets with candles burning alongside amazing displays of icons from the church. Dory’s daughter and granddaughter both speak Spanish, so it was a good place for their first international group travel (It may be the last, as the 30-somethings thought the schedule was “too busy!”). Dory does want to see so many things before health issues impact us. Since Cherilyn Widell’s fairytale marriage to a widower she met online, life has truly, once again, been overflowing with love, peace and joy. They split their time between Chestertown, MD, and a condo in Philadelphia. She joined a choir at Tenth Presbyterian Church filled with Curtis Music Scholars and got to sing parts of Handel’s Messiah at Easter, including the Hallelujah Chorus. Warm and wonderful memories of Hood flow from the past as she
sings: images of Messiah weekends, riding the academy bus to Annapolis, meeting midshipmen and Little Christmas dance in her head. She feels so fortunate to have shared those times with other Hood students and to begin her journey and career with such an amazing group of young women learning how to assert ourselves in a new world of opportunity. Cherilyn sends love to everyone. Dennis and Carol Fleck Whetzel are doing well and in good health. Their son and daughter-in-law are building a structure on their property, which will include living quarters for them. They expect the project to take two years, but they are excited that in their older years, they will be close to family. As for me, Debbie Page Rath, I’ve stepped back into the role of class reporter; I couldn’t imagine opening Hood Magazine and seeing nothing from our class. I hope someone will decide to take over in the near future. I’m still working full time from home but considering reducing hours at year end. I’d love to spend some time traveling, painting or taking photography and cooking classes. It’s never too early to start thinking about our 50th reunion, which is less than two years away. Everyone I spoke with is looking forward to it. I hope everyone will attend. Until next time!
1976 Nancy Ludwick Warrenfeltz nlwfeltz@hotmail.com Linda Fox-Jarvis reports that her family is doing well with son Brian, daughter Stephanie and granddaughter Miss Carter Caskill—a very animated and adorable 5-year-old. Linda’s husband David is retired U.S. Navy (21 years), plus a 24-year veteran of BAE systems. She is happy to say that her parents are still going strong—both celebrating their 90th birthdays this year and going on a Bermuda cruise in July. Linda continues her real estate business in partnership with her daughter Stephanie. The Linda Fox-Jarvis Team is an industry leader in the Tidewater/Hampton Roads area. They now have five members on the team and have qualified for the Chairman’s Circle Diamond Award. If you know of anyone moving to the Virginia Beach/ Norfolk/Chesapeake area, let Linda know. The LFJ Team will take good care of them! Linda and David love Virginia Beach, while also doing lots of traveling, particularly to their happy places, Charlottesville, St. Thomas and Paris. Anne Fairweather Harper says that all is well in Santa Ana, CA. Last year, her 90-year-old mother (a true spitfire) took all of her children and their spouses on a fabulous cruise. They started in Amsterdam, traversed over to England and Ireland, then back over to Bruges and down the coast of France, Spain and Portugal. “It was
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incredible to still make memories with mom and my siblings and to see so many incredible sights.” Anne’s husband is not yet retired, so he left the cruise early and didn’t have the opportunity to visit Portugal. In June, the Harpers took their daughters to Lisbon to kick off the summer. Later in the summer, they visited Anne’s niece and her family, who live in Anchorage, AL. It was their first visit to AL, and they were very excited to see nature in all its splendor. Jim will be retiring at the end of 2023, and they are thrilled thinking of all the adventures that are ahead. John Rodgaard, M.A.’80 just submitted his latest manuscript to his publisher. He hopes it will be hitting the street in Oct. The title is “Tailships: Hunting Soviets with a Microphone.” John and his wife, Judy Pearson, are co-editors of the 1805 Club’s annual “The Trafalgar Chronicle.” John is the chairman of the 1805 Club. Larry and I ( Nancy Ludwick Warrenfeltz) took our annual beach trip to the Outer Banks of NC, where we enjoyed time with our two children, their spouses, five grandkids, my sisters, a niece, two nephews, assorted spouses and four more “cousins.” It was a blast! From there, we took the Cape May Lewes Ferry to New Jersey for another week at Liz and son Jim’s Wildwood Crest condo. While there, we celebrated our oldest granddaughter Madeline’s 15th birthday. Please email me your Hood news. I will include it in the next publication. Thanks!
1977 Elizabeth Anderson Comer elizabeth.anderson.comer@gmail.com I’m sad to report that Gary Compher died in Oct. 2022. Gary, a Frederick native, earned his bachelor’s in political science from Hood. He graduated from Frederick High School in 1964 and was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1966. He faithfully served his country in C Company of the 92nd Engineer Battalion and was honorably discharged in 1968 after a tour in Vietnam. Gary worked as a human resources director and retired from the State of Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2008 after 28 years of service. Duck hunting, fishing and spending time with his family were his passions. He was the president of the Vietnam Veterans Association Frederick Chapter for 20 years. His work with the VVA helped improve the lives and treatment of many fellow veterans. Gretta Tomb retired from the VA after 14 years and has opened a small dental office just five blocks from her home. “I can walk there! It’s wonderful. We are striving to be as green as possible. I just had my 40th reunion from the University of Buffalo, so I’ve been doing this a while. I still love it. My four sons and two granddaughters are doing well. My daughter-in-law Jess works at the Frederick
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CLASS NEWS library and loves it!” Katherine “Kas” Kluth Rohm and husband Greg enjoy living near their grandchildren in Towson, MD. Greg is happiest spending time in his woodworking shop, and when not spending time with grandkids, Kas is teaching watercolor classes and exhibiting her own works in local galleries. They are both incredibly grateful for the time that retirement offers for just this kind of postponed hobby and hope everyone is doing well. Wendy Haddaway Gahm writes, “My family is doing well. All three kids are happily married, and I have two granddaughters to enjoy! I stay busy volunteering at my church, crocheting cat blankets at the humane society, sewing and crocheting for another church group and traveling to the Eastern Shore for a break with my husband. Retirement is good!” Ann Kowitski Barber writes, “A busy year being retired! Waiting anxiously for my third grandchild, who I hoped would arrive early for this news. Joined a great Facebook group, Sisterhood Travels - Travel for Women, and went on a Greece/Turkey cruise in April. Saw many archaeological dig sites and walked miles every day and had a great time with 150 travelers from all over the U.S. My favorite was Ephesus. Next trips with them will be in Sept. to the Canadian Maritimes and April on a Tulip Cruise. I’ve taken up knitting, exercise classes, a lot of walking and lots of babysitting!” As for me, Elizabeth Anderson Comer, I am still busy with volunteer work at Catoctin Furnace. If you have a chance, watch the Smithsonian Channel documentary “Forged in Slavery” about the enslaved and free African American ironworkers and their families at Catoctin.
1978 Jo-Ann M. Bourguignon h00dclass1978@gmail.com Happy 45th to all! I missed the reunion but heard the campus is looking as gorgeous as ever. We now begin the countdown to our 50th. In Jan., I was at a yoga class and wearing a Hood t-shirt, when another participant walked over; that’s how I met fellow Hoodie Kay Starcher Klausewitz ’64. We reminisced about common experiences: the D.C. shuttle, mixers, coffee houses, Messiah concerts—easy conversation springboards for us. Lori Rehrer Himes writes while recuperating from a knee replacement and surfing through Hood reunion photos. She lives just outside Philadelphia and works as a software tester. Her joys are her grandchildren: Roman, 11, who already loves golf; Sophia, 7, the family athlete; Kai, 2; and the newest little one, Caden, born early Spring. Lori’s passion remains sewing; she is currently engrossed in machine embroidery. She hopes to teach classes
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once she retires. Earl “Frank” Miller enjoys tranquility in Palm Bay, FL. With paternal pride, he reports his daughter Amy is teaching in Europe this summer but will resume teaching at Florida State University in Aug. His son is still racing automobiles, including most recently the 24-hour Le Mans. Dorothy “Deb” Bohn Brown enjoyed reconnecting with so many at reunion and says “Hello” to those she missed. She looks forward to staying healthy and works out three times a week so she can be ready for the 50th! Kelly Walfred Miller shares that after 32 years in law and mediation in MD, she retired from her law practice. She mentioned with humility that nearly all separation agreements in MD are based on her templates, and hundreds of agreements were based on her drafts. She was honored to serve as Carroll County’s first court navigator to help people in emergency matters as well as those self-represented litigants with pleadings and guidance. Celebrating retirement, she checked off a bucket list item, observing the manatees in Blue Springs Park, FL. Anne Reed writes that she and her husband retired in tandem last May 2022. She is happy for more chances to visit her 90-year-old mom in FL. In July 2022, their son Reed married lovely Erin in CA. Anne expressed her joy that as retirees they can visit the two for longer stretches. Anne continues as a non-stipendiary deacon in the Episcopal church. She also finds delight in being a volunteer port chaplain on the Ohio River, serving mariners and barge companies. Anne was contacted by Marcy Mayer Miller to ask her to officiate at the burial of her mother Elizabeth “Bette” Fischer Mayer ’45, P’78. “It was wonderful to be able to gather to celebrate her life, even as pandemic precautions remained necessary.” In closing, Anne wanted to express her gratitude for every day to have a full life, memories and friends who bring joy. Martina Crum-Martin reports from Phoenix that she and her daughter just returned from a month-long Padre Pio Pilgrimage to Italy. They enjoyed a whirlwind tour with 27 other pilgrims, beginning in Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi, Pompeii and the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto. A stop in Cescia, home to St. Rita, included a mountain climb to St. Rita’s shrine, where Martina prayed each day. A night tour of Rome illuminated the ancient sites: Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican, St. Peter’s Square and much more. Traveling on to Pietrelcina, birthplace of St. Padre Pio, they arrived in time to enjoy the town’s celebration of the anniversary of his canonization, which included mass in the cave where his body is enshrined. The journey ended with a week of rest in Bari, on the Adriatic Sea, where they enjoyed fresh seafood and cliff diving. She mused that recovering from jet lag, life’s routines and the summer heat of AZ would
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be a challenge but sends best wishes to fellow her fellow ’78 classmates. Tonya Thomas Finton confirmed the fun everyone enjoyed at reunion. She and Tim keep busy volunteering at the Richmond Museum of Fine Arts, and Tonya continues to enjoy serving on Hood’s Board of Trustees. She is happy to announce that their oldest son Chris is to be married in Nov. 2024. Their younger son continues his MBA pursuit at the University of Chicago. She reports it was great to reunite with friends and hopes our 50th attendance will be a record breaker. With gratitude for your support, I reiterate the invitation to send your ’78 news to the above email and keep in touch on our “Hood College Class of 1978” page on Facebook.
1979 Debbie Eaton Thackston deborah.thackston@gmail.com Malia Harrison Anderson writes, “I had a fabulous trip to FL in April, and while in Pompano Beach, I reconnected with Julieann Rimar Aldrich. I hadn’t seen her in 34 years! She went to Hood for two years before transferring to the University of Delaware. This proves that friends made at Hood last forever. Julie may consider coming to our 50th reunion. I’m enjoying retirement and spending time with my two grandchildren: James is almost 4 and Vivi is 18 months.” Elizabeth “Beth” Over Sharbaugh shares, “My youngest, Claire, is graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis!” Virginia Allen Natter traveled with family to Germany, France, Scotland, CO and CA. She was headed to MI in June to watch one of her granddaughters in a Theater on Ice skating competition. Jane Krebs Drozinski writes, “We are traveling to Buffalo, NY, in May for a family wedding, then visiting the grandkids in SC in June to catch the oldest three on swim team; then back to upstate NY to celebrate my sweet mother-in-law’s 90th birthday!” Bethanne Warrack sent word that they are working at BMS in Seattle this year, living downtown and walking to work each day. On weekends, they explore the rest of the state of WA. Their plan is to retire back to NJ in the fall. While out west, they took two trips to HI (since they were already halfway there!) and spent several days in Aruba before and after a Caribbean cruise. Marianne Hastoglis Gravely says, “Our youngest daughter Hope was married in Feb. We were delighted that Karen Ochis Holloway and Sandy Cochran Murphy were able to join us.” Donna Walters Gault shares, “My son David and his family moved to Lake Elsinore, CA, in Oct. I sold my condo in Nov. 2022 and moved into my new place in a senior community in June 2023. My great grandson
CLASS NEWS Owen was born in Aug. 2022.” A long email from Rebecca Seymour Sweeney brought tears to my eyes. “For six years, a dozen Hood friends and I have pulled off Secret Santa through the mail. We have a guy who has flawlessly mastered assigning each of us our Little Mortal without repeats. Susie Hawk Coy sends out a questionnaire, and we list our favorite foods, drinks, hobbies, books, music and teams, to name a few. Each of our mailed boxes, filled with wrapped and numbered gifts, is sent to either CO, CT, GA, MA, MD, NY, WA or PA. Although a few of us have successfully managed to keep our identity secret until Christmas Day, the post office frowns on made-up return addresses. Despite this obstacle, Decembers are a Mardis Gras of giving and receiving to our group. This reunion of our friendships began with the report of a sudden cancer, which rallied us in the best of ways. We’ve continued sharing joyous recoveries, other health scares, a weekend celebrating our 60th birthdays, the 2019 Hood reunion, sporadic trips to Cincinnati, Frederick, Atlanta, FL and more. Wherever we go, we see if anyone can meet up. When COVID hit, we started monthly Zooming. Whoever is free jumps on for an hour of laughing and catching up. We’ve toasted weddings, retirements, birthdays and grandchildren and shared Medicare ‘how-to’s.’ For decades, while life got in the way as we were finding careers and homes and raising families, keeping in touch was just beyond our reach. We’d periodically touch base but not to the extent of recent years. One beauty of aging is that there seems to be more time for reconnecting with old pals. Who knew that the Camelot provided by a small women’s college in the ’70s could deliver the strongest, best ties of friendships? I feel like the luckiest person in the world to call these loving, wonderful women my friends through thick and thin: Sue Hawk Coy, Esther Beckmann Bowman, Julie Flynn ’80 and Paula Davis Driftmyer.”
1980 Jackie Vallette Uglow jvu57@hotmail.com Susan Early Noriega reports she is still working at her job as VP for a nursing home and hopes to retire in two years. She is excited to share she is “finally” a grandparent with first grandson. Lynn Beasley retired from the EPA after 42 years. She plans to travel, spend time at her Northern Nest home and train her Australian Shepherd, Ethel, on “nose work.” Allison Horne retired from Marsh in 2019 and enjoys traveling, crafting and caring for her mother. Our condolences to her in the passing of her father in 2021. Mary Newton Deighan and husband Mike traveled to Japan to visit a daughter who is teaching English
in Fukui. This was a special reunion because they had not seen her since the pandemic began three years ago. Lisa Lelii Tanner and husband Mike retired to FL right before the pandemic. Her two sons live in Delray Beach. Lisa has her own travel business and leads groups all over the world, including Christmas Market River cruises in Europe, Italy and Scotland. Laura Shulman moved to Alexandria, VA. Sadly, her father passed away in March 2023 and her significant other in 2015. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Laura. She enjoys playing mahjong at her local senior center. Mike and Judith “Judy” Markham Davis say “Hello” and are well. Deborah Diestel Jackson is living with her third husband in FL and has four grown children. She is involved with Masonic activities and recently attended a Hood brunch in Sarasota, where she enjoyed alumnae fellowship and President Chapdelaine’s college update. Denman Schmid and Joyce Sundergill Schmid ’82 retired near Ocean City, MD. Their daughter Sienna teaches high school math in NJ. Denman retired six years ago from his commercial real estate banking career. Amy Falk reports that she and Ellen Higgins Kornfeld, Beth Ward Ross, Cathy Tamblyn and Ann Brooks ’79 got together for several days in Avalon in June to celebrate milestone birthdays. At the end of Sept., the Memorial crowd Amy, Ellen, Beth, Ann, Pam Marino Polino, Laurie Drysdale and Sarah Ann Miller will celebrate their 65th birthdays at a grand old mansion in Savannah, GA. Sharon White Munger lives in Raleigh, NC. She stays connected with her parents, who are 90 and 92. She plans to retire from her career in HR but plans to keep working as a project manager and beekeeper/assistant with NC State’s apiculture program. She plans to fully retire in March 2024. Sharon has a daughter who earned a Ph.D. and is a nurse anesthetist in Richmond, VA. Kimberly Taylor Corle cares for her dad and elderly aunt and uncle. She gets together on a regular basis with five other Lucky Ladies from ’80: Josephine “Jak” Killifer Cruthers, Ellen Aries Mulhern, Linda Curry Heartfield and Allison Horne. They are planning a mini reunion at Linda’s summer home in MD. Kim is painting, writing and traveling all over the country to see kids and step kids and enjoying retirement. Connie Shaff retired from the State of MD, Eastern Correctional Institute as a dietitian. She started working in dialysis from 2015 to 2022 for Fresenius and DaVita. Connie lives in Salisbury, MD, and loves cooking, canning, gardening and traveling, most recently for a river cruise in Portugal. She bought a winter home in Lakeland, FL. Susan Patton Fox has been very busy with her husband Bob and family. Last Aug., they celebrated their 40th anniversary
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with a trip to Europe. They live in South Bend, IN, close to their daughter and grandchildren, and winter in Jupiter, FL. Susan helps two other daughters and a son with their families. She is an author and still uses her law practice to help her son with his business. Finally, she is involved with Christian Healing Ministry. As for me, Jackie Vallette Uglow, my husband Ron and I are still trying to figure out where we would like to retire. We spend winter months away from MN exploring FL and places out west for areas to retire. Our youngest son Scott is engaged and plans to wed in June 2024. Our other son RJ is busy with the Navy in San Diego and never coming back to MN! We will celebrate our 40th anniversary with a big trip outside of the U.S. for five months in the coming year. Thanks to all who responded with updates. I wish you well this summer and look forward to writing to you this winter. Take care!
1981 Mary “Weird Mary” Calhoun hoodalum@msn.com Linda Wilce Marmer, M.S.’90 reports that she lives in Germantown, MD, and works for Sodexo as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). She’s been working from home since March 2020. She and Mike celebrated their 40th anniversary in July 2022. They hadn’t traveled much due to COVID and Mike’s medical issues. They hope to resume biking, hiking and traveling to ME and PA in 2023. Linda was excited to see that Hood has begun offering a master’s in nutrition once again, since she got both her B.S. and M.S. in nutrition from Hood. She has been in touch with the program director and may be involved in teaching or mentoring the students in the future. Sharon Gravatt Kulesz shared about the Napa Valley wine trip she took with Malinda “Lindy” Small. Lindy says, “It was great to sip our way through the valley with my two sisters and two nieces. I also had a great trip to RI over President’s Day weekend with Hope Bober Corrigan and Joy Miller Beveridge ’82 to visit Kathy ‘Tev’ Tevyaw.” Denise Gresh Draper and husband Randy (and Barley, their goldendoodle) moved from Mount Airy, MD, to southeastern PA in 2021 to be near their youngest daughter and two granddaughters. Their older daughter is completing a hematology/oncology fellowship at UCSF. Denise still works remotely as a technical writer for an engineering company. Congratulations to Theresa Stahl for publishing her first book, “I’m Full: Remindful Eating Tips to Feel Great and Make Peace with Your Plate.” She has been busy on her “book tour,” speaking to different groups about mindful eating and mindbody medicine, including presentations at the state Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual
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CLASS NEWS meetings. Theresa also volunteers as vice-chair of the Western Maryland Food Council and as a member of the Maryland Food System Resiliency Council. She enjoys speaking about the important role of dietitians in food policy councils and has given presentations at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) and at the Maryland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Stephanie Constantino Chisolm reports from Pikesville, MD, where life is going along well. She sees retirement on the horizon in about two years and looks forward to shifting gears, spending more time in her garden with exquisite veggies and edible flowers. She has been channeling her inner green thumb to create a tasty slice of paradise in her back yard. But, she says, retirement doesn’t mean lounging around in her green overalls (yes, she has a pair!) all the time. She has plans to share her years of experience in nonprofit patient advocacy as a consultant. She continues to enjoy the short “commute” to her home office at least four to five days each week—no traffic and the coffee is better! Her three adult children live nearby, and she enjoys spending time with them. “Hope all is well with the rest of the class!” Our classmate and friend Maureen McDonnell-Weschler passed away recently after a long struggle with cancer. Our thoughts are with her loved ones. Jacqueline Kincaid Brehm says, “I’ve never contributed to class news but thought I would say hello and send a shoutout to two very dear people from our class: Jenny Schaden McGinnis, M.A.’85 and Theresa Luteri Keeney. I have the fondest memories of hanging out with them. We were all transfer commuter students joining Hood in our junior year. Meeting Jenny and Theresa definitely made the transition less difficult. Hugs to them. I live and work in Tucson, AZ, but I still think of MD as home.” As for me, “Weird Mary” Calhoun, the corgis and I are here in the eastern panhandle of WV. We are living large, occasionally enjoying the company of our classmates, Jill Wood Tallman, Nancy Gillece, Patricia “Pat” Lynch Lufkin ’78 and my newest Hood friend Lynette Burrowes Siewe ’98. Our most recent adventure took place on June 4, when we all met at Harpers Ferry Brewing, overlooking the beautiful Potomac River, for an afternoon of laughing and regaling each other with colorful Hood stories. Wish you all could have joined us!
Hood supported my college dream. Now, I support others. — Dorothy M. Van Steinburg ’96
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Liz Bastian Chapin busybethc@aol.com Hello, Class of 1982! It was so nice to hear from some new voices. Janet Smith-Bull was a continuing-ed student and graduated in recreation and leisure services in 1982. Janet has lived in Ontario, Canada, since 1983 and is now a Canadian citizen. Before retiring in 2019, she worked in municipal parks and the recreation department and dealt with park and trail user groups as well as outdoor events. She has two children in their mid-30s. Janet and her partner enjoy sailing, paddling, camping, cycling and other outdoor pursuits in their free time. Volunteer work and a new business as a licensed officiant for weddings, celebrations of life events and baby-namings keep Janet busy in retirement. She and Deborah Hawn have remained in touch over the years. Melissa Lamb Nagy retired June 30 after a rewarding and joy-filled 31-year career in special education with Campbell County Schools. She lives in the Lynchburg area and looks forward to spending more time with elderly family members and her 10 grandchildren. Susan Hiles Giallonardo and husband Mark love FL country living in Ave Maria, just 20 miles from Naples. Their family tree is growing with the birth of a third grandchild. Miss Gracie now joins brother Will and cousin Carter. Susie gets together with Amelia “Amy” Blades Steward and Lisa Spuria as often as possible. In Jan., Joy Miller Beveridge retired from the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research after supporting clinical research there for more than 20 years. She looks forward to more trips west to visit her kids and “Grand-Joys.” Daughter Kendall is getting married to a wonderful young man in CA in Oct. Joy spent a great spring afternoon in Downtown Frederick with Hope Bober Corrigan and Malinda “Lindy” Small ’81, after visiting the Heritage Frederick Museum. This time of year, Liz Bastian Chapin spends time gardening and enjoys her patio after long days in the office. She and husband Chip are looking forward to some European travels in late summer/early fall as well as attending the CA wedding of Joy’s daughter. Gretchen Steinmetz Keith lives nearby, and we see each other throughout the year. Gretchen is always on the go and keeps in shape on the pickleball courts.
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1982
Mary Townley hoodmlt@aol.com I am writing this column just a few days after our 40th reunion. What a wonderful time we had. I’ve heard from many classmates saying that this was their favorite reunion yet. I personally
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wish to thank Hood College and my classmates for recognizing me as a Distinguished Alumna. I am honored and blessed to have such supportive people surrounding me. I’ve heard from several of our classmates with news to share. Theresa Bielenda says, “Reunion 2023 was so enjoyable that here I am almost a week later still basking in the memories. It was so great to see everyone who was there and celebrate our reunion and your Distinguished Alumna Award. I am living in Phoenix, AZ, now and working as an accounting technician for Commonspirit Health—also doing some planning, as I am about five years from retirement and about seven from having my condo paid off. I uploaded a few pictures from reunion to the shared album link in the email the alumni office sent. Already looking forward to the next reunion.” Deborah Single Hays writes, “It was so great to see all the long-lost friends from our class at the reunion. What a special place Hood continues to be. Our latest news is that our oldest son Matthew married his college sweetheart Lauren in April at The Line in D.C. We were able to see Mary and Carol at the wedding as well as many of the children’s friends from their college days. Matthew continues to work as a mechanical engineer for a government contractor for the U.S. postal service. Timothy is entering his senior year at Rice University this fall. He has sent in his medical school applications and is ready to see where this path will take him. Timothy is in France in a French immersion program this summer. I am still on some boards here in IA and am enjoying the relaxed, less harried life here in Iowa City.” It was wonderful to hear from Wren Brady, who shares, “Retired from my second career at Progressive Insurance after 20 years and have finished remodeling and repairs to my 1940 fixer upper on Terra Ceia Island in FL. The past 12 years, I’ve lived 35 miles from where I grew up in Sarasota, FL.” I was thoroughly thrilled to hear from a classmate whom I hadn’t heard from in many years, Monique VanStory-Frazer ’84. She writes, “I truly cannot believe how many years have passed since I’ve walked our beautiful campus. I was the former song leader for the Class of 1983. Unfortunately, I did not graduate until 1984. Although having to finish a year later due to health issues, I have the fondest memories of attending Hood! I happened to be going through the spring 2023 Hood Magazine and was most appreciative. I also got a kick out of hearing about Sally and Kathy getting together. I too lived in Memorial Hall and still can remember the beautiful matching curtains and bedspreads the girls decorated their room with. What a crack up! I’ve been in and out of the workforce for years due to severe issues with my back. I am now recovering from what I hope to be my final surgery and hope to be able to volunteer or
CLASS NEWS possibly work part time now that my children are grown. Thank you so much for your service in keeping everyone connected for the Class of ’83.” Darby Topper writes, “Proud to announce the graduation of my daughter from Southern Oregon University. Despite having spent her early years in a variety of foster/group homes and more recent major setbacks including the COVID pandemic and a wildfire that destroyed her entire town, leaving her living in her car for several months, she stayed the course and received her B.S. this week. In other news, I was pleased to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of the adoption of my five children (ages 2 months, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years). It has been a humbling experience, to say the least, and a blessing to have been a part of these wonderful children’s and now their children’s lives.” One last note from me, Mary Townley: I’ve connected with Denise Barton Schuler over the past few months. She and her husband Scott currently reside in Demorest, GA. Take care, everyone!
1984 Ellen-Marie Samsen Knehans emknehans@mchsi.com I was late with asking for news! It is all my fault. Please send news anytime. I keep an ongoing document for the next column. I hope all of you are having a great summer. Next June, we will meet again on the beautiful campus of Hood College for our 40th reunion. Huh? How did that happen? Please reach out to those we wrote postcards to at the last reunion. I plan to send out one to all this summer. Encourage those beautiful faces to join us for some laughter and tears. The next column is usually due around Christmas, so please start sending now. Thanks to those who saved me! I never copy and paste what you post on Facebook, but I can if you want me to. Just message me or shoutout to me somehow! Amy Connor Asman writes, “My son Connor Asman ’16 married his fiancee Allie on June 24, 2023, in Charlottesville, VA. Phillip McCarty ’16 was their officiant. Several Hood alums attended. They now reside in Boulder, CO. I spent another fun weekend with Sally Kildow Staley in Oakland, MD. We took a lovely, very humid four-and-a-half-mile hike and had fun hitting local establishments and watching Ted Lasso.” From Susan Youry Kenney: “Robbie and I have had our share of pitfalls in early 2023 (he had a stroke three weeks after he retired), but we are on the upswing now! We are purchasing a house in a community called Ocean Ridge Plantation in Ocean Isle, NC, and will be relocating there sometime in Aug. or early Sept.” Says Jamie Draper, “I ran into Laurie Draper Carter at the Slaughter Beach Annual Town Meeting and
got to catch up for a bit. I confess, we were caught talking during a presentation! Also, I will be starting my first term on the Slaughter Beach Town Council next week; I am looking forward to serving my adopted hometown.” Tamara “Tammy” Snyder Rall states that Karen Curtis-Craney, Teresa “Terry” Rappoldt Stickles and she will be seeing one another in few weeks for their annual “July Get Together” at the beach in Ocean City, MD, and Fenwick Island, DE. They will miss Camela “Cami” Meyer this year. Please get that news to me. Don’t fire me yet! Hope your summer was great and your fall even better. I can’t wait to see all of you at the next reunion.
1986 Alison Drum Althouse alison.althouse@gmail.com We are a small group for this edition of our class news. I hope to hear from more people for the next edition! Michael Birmingham wanted to share that his daughter Madeline Birmingham Washburn ’14 and her husband Bronson welcomed their second child in Jan. 2023, baby girl Abigail Marlene. Abigail joins big brother Joseph, age 3. Got to love that grandparent life! Chrystal “Chrysti” Hogan just completed her 37th year of teaching. She and her wife Jeanne spent the first two weeks of summer break on a 3,500-mile road trip! They visited family in WI, including attending a niece’s wedding, and then drove to MD to visit Chrysti’s mom Edee Howard Hogan ’59 before returning to Memphis. Over their 16 days of travel, they were in 12 different states. Christina Hom Wilson has been busy with her podcast, “Sisterhood Through Grief.” Along with five other friends she met in grief support, they discuss aspects of loss and grief. Their discussions are for those who may not have a support group to find understanding and validation, which helps in healing. The podcast streams on most platforms like Apple and Spotify. Aside from that, life is still busy with a lot of travel and happy kids. Kellye Greenwald continues as our faithful director of alumni and constituent engagement at Hood. “It’s a long title and barely fits on my nametag!” She recently adopted another kitten (Goober!) and continues to paint and craft—“It keeps me off the streets.” She enjoyed reconnecting with Wren Brady ’83 at an alumni event in Sarasota last spring and said, “Wren has forgiven me for imitating her in a Shriner skit!” Kellye is proud to report that her son Eddie graduated from nursing school, is working on an intermediate care unit and has already been tapped as a student mentor. Daughter Rose has a new role as lay counselor for adults with special needs and spends most
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of her spare time working on perfecting her bread and pasta recipes for a future cookbook. As for me, Alison Drum Althouse, we still live in Avondale, PA. Our son Drew Althouse ’12 and his wife Kristen live in MI with their daughter (our first granddaughter) Sammie. Drew is an Athletic Trainer at Eastern Michigan University. Our son Evan (UVA ’14) and his wife Gabbie live in MA and are awaiting the arrival of our first grandson in Dec. Life “on the road” is going to become even busier for us! Michael and I continue our associations with USNA. Michael works replay (for Navy football) and shot clocks (for Navy lacrosse), while I am the on-field sports photographer for TheMidReport—and we love the interactions with midshipmen in whatever capacity is needed. If you’re ever headed to USNA for a game, let me know!
1988 Charlotte “Bambi” Volatile-Goebel cagoebel1213@gmail.com I’m so happy to be the new class reporter and reconnect with so many classmates. I’ll start with a little bit of what’s going on with me. My husband and I moved to Stephens City, VA, after building our forever home to be closer to family. Speaking of family, ours grew last year when our first granddaughter was born in Aug. I am looking forward to being closer to campus for more events and reconnecting with more alums. As always, feel free to reach out if you are in the Shenandoah Valley area to stop by for a visit and sit on our front porch rocking chairs! With my move, I was a little slow getting requests for information out to everyone, but you didn’t disappoint. I received some great news from you! Susan Bobel Alis shared a warm “Hello” from Williamsburg, VA. Her daughter Mackenzie was married in Oct. 2022 in Williamsburg. Susan finished her 23rd year with WJCC schools and her 29th year in education. She enjoyed seeing so many familiar and new faces at reunion 2023. Her summer will be all about the “staycation” except for a quick trip to NYC in July. If you ever find yourself down that way, please let her know so that you can visit for a bit. Dorianna Colon Rice shared moving news too. After 40 years living in MD (the last 22 in Frederick), she and Kent moved to Leland, NC, and began construction on a new home in Compass Pointe, which was just completed in June. They are both working remotely and enjoying resort life at its best. She loves the fact that they have so many beaches nearby. Please feel free to reach out to her if you are in the area. Always room for a fellow Hood’lum! Mary Woods shares that all is well as she taps this out from a balcony in Bali! She and her husband are on a cycling trip,
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CLASS NEWS which was postponed three times due to COVID, but they are celebrating their 28th anniversary amidst this glorious place and are grateful to be here. After 20 years at a Montessori school, Mary switched hats entirely and was trained in the Orton Gillingham modality by former Hood roommate Stephanie Pratt ’87. She now tutors several dyslexic students in the NY metro region. It has been an astounding, profound and exciting transition. Their daughter Sara has lived and studied in the Netherlands for four years and will be moving to London in Sept. to commence master’s work at the London School of Economics. Hoping all is well with fellow classmates. Mary went back for reunion weekend last year and enjoyed catching up on the Shriner porch with great, lifelong Hood friends. Eunice Dubuque Aronson and Susan Bobel Alis were the chairs for reunion 2023 and hosted two wonderful events at Eunice’s farm. Cecilia Hite Murphy, Sheri Lieske LaMonica, Mary Beth Hession Blow, Patricia “Pat” Mikos, Jae (Pat’s partner) and my husband Chris were there on Friday. We enjoyed a lovely catered dinner, even though it started to rain and we had to run for cover! Saturday, we met up again for more chatting and enjoyed yummy charcuterie boards made by Susan. We added Daphne Finch, Eve Ryba Rothenberg, Anita Krall Christie, Ruthanne Evans and Janet Kemman Kirby ’87 before we went to Hood. The campus looked great, and we even got to see the new dorm that’s behind Memorial. The College put on a wonderful Maryland-themed dinner, complete with crab cakes! Pamela Eyler Noble and her husband joined us at the dinner. I had the pleasure of meeting up with some familiar faces this past reunion weekend but missed so many. Our next reunion is going to be our 40th, and it would be great to have more of us attend.
can’t wait to get her license. And hubby Todd is a state inspector for public housing. We’ve been married for 29 years! We’re very blessed to have such positive news to share.” Congratulations go out to Geraldine “Geri” Reynolds Brown, police information specialist II, who shared that she received the 2023 Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Civilian of the Year Award. Way to go, Geri! Amy Benton shares, “I’m still in Frederick. I’ve enjoyed a myriad of different industries. I was the publisher of The Gazette for about nine years, then joined a financial institution. That led me to opening my own marketing and PR company. I had a lot of different clients in the market that I helped but landed with a winery which brought me on for four years to help them launch. I’m now with our local Goodwill which, oddly, is owned by Greater Central Northern Arizona. I know, crazy. I have three great kids, two step kids, two puppies and a great second marriage. And wait, I have six grandchildren! We’re a big old, blended family. I’m too young for grandchildren, right?” Yes, we sure are, Amy. She and I (Deirdre Herman) also had so much fun remembering how she taught me to drive a stick shift manual car in her VW Bug on the roads of Hood campus! That VW Bug had some issues with the driver’s seat being secured to the floor, and if you took a turn too quickly, you got a little lift! Thanks to Amy and that VW Bug, I drove stick shift cars up until my VW Jetta was recalled just a few years ago. Lastly, Carole D. Smith urges us to follow “Hood College 1989 Reunion” and “Hood College Alumni” on Facebook to stay up to date and connected. What class news do you have to share? Or could you provide your updated email? Please get in touch anytime at our secure, dedicated classof1989@hood.edu email address, and I’ll be sure to include your news in the next issue. I look forward to reconnecting with all of you!
1989
1990
Deirdre Herman classof1989@hood.edu
Fayth Smith Brice fayth.hood90@gmail.com
Thanks so much to Carole Smith Neal for being our class reporter over the last two to three years. It’s an honor to take over this wonderful position for the class. My first news came from Robin Skinger Lawson, who writes, “I’m in my fifth year as a second-grade teacher in a low-income school in our amazing Plymouth, MA, public school district. Our oldest daughter Jacqueline graduated in the top 3% of her class from Plymouth North High School and is attending George Washington University in D.C. in the fall. Fun to have her near the Hood College community! Our younger daughter Kateline is a rising junior at Plymouth North High School. She is a varsity and competition cheerleader and
Jennifer Portmann Riberdy jenb.hood98@gmail.com
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Josette Franklin Elliott says “Hello” to everyone and wanted all to know that she has two daughters. Her eldest is Lydia Zipporah Cuffy, born in 1996, and her youngest daughter is Madison Erica Elliott, born in 2006. She received a Master of Divinity in 2010 and has been the pastor of a two-point charge with the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church for the past three and a half years. She wants to extend an open invitation to everyone to visit the churches she pastors on Sundays either at 9:30 a.m. at Laurel Park UMC (2700
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Hungary Road, Henrico, VA 23228) or at 11 a.m. at Greenwood UMC (10040 Greenwood Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060). I, Fayth Smith Brice, married Michael, who I dated while I was attending Hood. We currently have six children, and our seventh grandchild is due to be born in Aug. I returned to school to earn my master’s in business administration with a human resources concentration. I currently work for the government and have two businesses on the side: an Etsy jewelry business, AwesomeCreationsAC, which is expanding into other areas, and a career advising and coaching business, Career & Business Solutions LLC. Elizabeth “Beth” Stickler says, “My twins Emily and Benjamin are graduating from University of Maryland in May 2024. I am moving to Belfast, ME, at that time. I have been staying in touch with a lot of my classmates from Hood.” If you have any news to share with the class, please contact us!
1994 Carol Deck Montoya carolannmontoya@gmail.com Let me start by asking everyone to mark your calendars for our 30th reunion, June 7-9, 2024. I hope we can get a large group to attend! Sheryl Orr shares the happy news that she adopted a baby boy. Silas Huy was born on Feb. 18, 2023, and is the love of her life! Sheryl has been on parental leave for a few months and will soon be returning to work as a partner in the NY office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Sheryl is a co-leader of the law firm’s technology industry team and the co-leader of the firm’s corporate and business transactions practice in NY. Marivic Sison, M.A.’00 is in her 30th year as a middle school teacher with Frederick County Public Schools. She has been teaching in the same school (Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle) all this time—24 years as a special education teacher and then as a reading intervention teacher. Marivic is a member and current secretary of the Choral Arts Society of Frederick, a group that includes FCC and Hood College students as well as community members. The society will be celebrating its 80th season this coming year. Shannon Gierczak Parlak was happily remarried in Las Vegas on her 50th birthday in Feb. 2022. Her husband is from Turkey, and they are planning a threeweek Turkey/Greece honeymoon in 2024. Last year, Shannon went on a three-week college tour in Europe with her daughter Brooke. The trip took them to Spain, France, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Italy. Shannon still works in pharmaceutical research and owns Drama for Your Mama NYC bus tours. Lucy Song Gilbart celebrated her 27th wedding anniversary in Aug. Her dental office, Gilbart Dental Care, was
CLASS NEWS voted second best dental office in Frederick by Frederick Magazine. Lucy’s oldest daughter will be a senior at University of Maryland, and her youngest daughter will be a senior in high school (soon to be empty nesters!). As a hobby, Lucy enjoys making pottery. Her goal is to make functional dinnerware to replace all the storebought ones in her kitchen—she is halfway there! Last Christmas, the Gilbarts went on a cruise, and they are planning a trip to China next summer as a graduation gift for both daughters. Bobbi Ewin Prescott and husband Jason are about to be empty nesters too. Their son Robert graduated from James Madison University in 2021 and works for Accenture. Daughter Jessi just graduated from Middletown High School and heads to Virginia Tech in the fall to study environmental economics. Bobbi has received the top real estate agent award from Realtrends in volume and number of transactions for the Frederick region (if you are buying or selling in Frederick or the surrounding areas—reach out!). Bobbi says, “If you’re ever in Frederick or Fenwick Island, DE, and want to reconnect, let me know. I’d love to see you!” Krista Nowell Beran’s son Chris just graduated from Trinity Christian High School and will be attending High Point University in the fall. Krista and her family recently took a trip to Ireland, where they drove a boat down the River Shannon. Krista is working on a Ph.D. in nursing at George Mason University. Her husband Matt is retiring after 28 years in the Navy and has taken a job with a local government contractor. As for me, Carol Deck Montoya, my personal news is that my daughter Sofia Montoya-Deck ’26 just finished her first year at Hood! She’s excited to be moving into the newest residence hall, Blazer Hall, this fall. I’ve been on campus a few times this past year to visit, drive a golf cart at reunion and to meet new students and families as a member of the Parent Advisory Council. The campus is as beautiful as ever! My son Benjamin just graduated high school and will be attending Northern Virginia Community College (delaying my empty nest a bit). Thanks to everyone who sent in their updates. I encourage everyone to keep connected through our Facebook group and hope to see you at our reunion in June.
doesn’t remember a thing about first-year movein day because she was so nervous (like we all were!). I share Angela’s favorite memory of the spring semester when we became roommates. Angela and her husband recently traveled to Sedona, AZ, and the Grand Canyon to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Christie “Babs” Spencer Katora is proud of her son for making Eagle Scout in 2023 as a freshman in high school. Her favorite memory of move-in day was getting our Hood ID keycards done the day we arrived for orientation. Her face was swollen on the left side from having wisdom teeth out that week, and the fabulous photo followed her for four years to avoid paying to get a new one. Doug Pittsnogle, M.S.’01 and his husband adopted two puppies in 2022, and he reports they are the perfect fur babies. Jewel Smith was sitting in front of Blazer Hall looking at Memorial, her home at Hood, under renovation when she wrote. She was at reunion enjoying a “non-reunion” year and interacting with alums as a member of the Board of Associates. She enjoyed the “tree walk” around campus earlier that day and reported that campus was gorgeous, as usual. Kim Steele Estell is still enjoying the learning curve owning and directing a small preschool she purchased in 2021. Her older son finished his first year of college, making the dean’s list and joining a fraternity—very different from our experience at Hood, she points out! Her younger son is finishing eighth grade as a lifelong home schooler and studying myriad interesting subjects. They visited Las Vegas for BSides and DefCon in the summer. Kim’s favorite move-in memory is the overwhelming feeling of teamwork and welcome that surrounded the act of helping the first-years move in, both when she was a
first-year, and later as she helped new classes herself. La Kenya Brown Bradford shared exciting family and educational news: her second grandchild, a boy, was born in June 2023, and in May 2023, she graduated from GCU with her second master’s, this one in organizational leadership. She is getting ready to retire from Baltimore City Public Schools in four years, then moving to become a school of education dean in one of our HBCUs. Rachael Miskill Brown, M.S.’06 is still loving life in Wales and continues to tutor online. She and her husband traveled to Dusseldorf in April and Barcelona in the fall. She reports that she is glad she took Spanish while completing her biochemistry degree at Hood, as she says, “Yay for the liberal arts!” She is also learning to drive and hoping to pass the rigorous U.K. driving test shortly. Tracy Wiser “retired” from being a part-time pastor and is returning to doing only one job until retirement age. She reports this causes less stress and leaves weekends open to visit family. As for me, Tanya Sander-Marks, my younger child is starting high school in the fall and older child is starting senior year—I’m in complete denial. I visited Niagara Falls with my children and parents in late summer. We also enjoyed our annual trip to Bethany Beach, DE, with the musthave stop at Hood on the return drive. My favorite memory of move-in day was sheer awe of the beauty of Hood’s campus combined with sheer terror of all the faces I didn’t yet know. I enjoyed helping the future years and recognizing that same combination on hundreds of faces.
Say “I Do” at Hood Your special day deserves a special place. Tie the knot in historic Coffman Chapel, one of Frederick’s renowned “Clustered Spires.”
1996 Tanya Sander-Marks tsandermarks@gmail.com Angela Schmuck Bond is excited that her daughter Mikayla Bond ’27 will be attending
Visit hood.edu/conferenceservices or email conferenceservices@hood.edu today!
Hood in the fall and will be playing women’s tennis for the Blazers! Angela and her husband look forward to traveling around the mid-Atlantic area to watch the team play. She swears she
Inquire about our alumni discounts!
WEDDINGS | EVENTS | CELEBRATIONS | MEETINGS | CONFERENCES Photo by Susan and Teresa Photography
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1998 Jennifer Barbieri Casey jenniferbhome@hotmail.com Hope everyone had a blast at the reunion this summer. I was sad I couldn’t make it this year. Update from Ann Price-Davis: she finished her 25th year of teaching family and consumer sciences at Catonsville High School. Her two boys are active with LEGO Club, Cub Scouts, 4-H, Fire Company and sports (baseball and ice skating). She will attend a culinary/entrepreneur class/ camp in WI this summer while her family enjoys the EAA Airshow in OshKosh.
Why do you give to Hood? Every student should have the same help I did. — Amanda Reinken ’06
1999
2005
Anne Hambrick-Stowe Rankin annehambrickstowe@gmail.com Hello, Class of 1999! Congratulations to Marissa Vigneault, who has been awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor of art history at Utah State University. Go Aggies! This past spring, Johanna Lane Nathanson travelled to Europe for the Tour de Flanders bike race and a bike-and-barge tour out of Amsterdam. Sounds amazing! It would be great to hear from others for future columns. Let us know what you’re up to!
2001 Heidi Goldenman goldenmanh@hotmail.com Holly Kirkpatrick kirkpatrick@arcadia.edu Hello, Class of 2001! Eliza Adams shared that she is still living in downtown Baltimore (for more than 20 years!) and loves exploring the city and surrounding beautiful parts of MD. She made a big move career-wise these past few years. Having always loved incorporating music and movement into the days when she taught preschool, Eliza started a virtual preschool music and movement class at the school where she was teaching during the pandemic. It gave children an outlet to release their energy in positive ways through song and dance in between virtual learning, which she believes truly helps with all stages of a young child’s development. Eliza loved the virtual class so much that she decided
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to resign from her job and launch it full time. Not only did she reach out to children virtually in MD, but she also expanded her program nationally into 23 states (and counting). Her program is called “Shake Out Your Sillies with Ms. Eliza,” and she is now in person with several programs in the city and county areas. She works in different settings: children with their teachers and children with their families. This opportunity has brought her great joy, and she is grateful for any opportunities coming her way. Eliza still sings with her choir, Bach in Baltimore, and has worked with the same choir director since graduating from Hood in 2001. She was equally excited to share that her very first music professor at Hood, Wayne Wold, is on the board of choir directors with her, saying it is nice to remain connected after all these years. Things are going well for Eliza, and she wishes everyone all the best. She said her days at Hood were fabulous. On a sad note: we extend our condolences to the families and friends of William Rader and Summer Sears on the loss of these classmates. Our thoughts are with you all. Wishing everyone well in their respective corners of the globe.
Leslie Beck Hughan lhughan@gmail.com Jessica Holthaus Badour has shifted out of the public sector to the nonprofit Association of Food and Drug Officials, where she is workforce and communications coordinator. She’s currently working to highlight the food safety regulatory career path for college students in biological/ physical science programs and related degrees. Feel free to reach out to her about this effort if you have any suggestions: jbadour@afdo.org. Her husband also started a new career recently with Saint Gobain in their Omni Seals division working in the aviation industry. On the home front, Jessica is very proud of her oldest, Caius Thomas, who graduated from kindergarten this past year. Her youngest, Caroline Mae, also celebrated “pre-preschool” and is living her sassiest 3-year-old life. They celebrated summer with some trips to coastal GA (meeting up with other ’05er Kristen Heisey Leiter) and to Jessica’s parents’ new home in FL, after they moved off Long Island, NY, last winter. Jessica also enjoyed a short visit from Heather MannixMallet, who came to Atlanta this past spring for work. Rachel Collmus Ellick and her husband became foster parents in Dec. 2022. They live in Williamsburg, VA, with their son, foster son and eight chickens. Maggie Hasselbach started a new job at Virginia Commonwealth University in May. She is advising undergraduate students in the history department.
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2007 Lexa Hayes aehayes@aehayes.com Hello, Hood College family! I hope everyone has been well and, as always, I’m thrilled to share a few updates from the Class of 2007. Sarah Fortney Marshall is back at Hood in graduate school, working towards a master’s in humanities with an expected completion date of 2025. In March, she received the Kevin Dwyer Memorial Media Relations Award, a major accomplishment that recognizes the best public affairs professional in the entire Military Health System. Lexa “Lex” Hayes continues to volunteer for two nonprofit organizations that aid disabled and underprivileged residents on the Eastern Shore of MD. She is also beginning to pursue nonprofit status for her mental health advocacy group, the Mental Health Lexicon Project, which strives to help children and young adults obtain quality mental health services in a safe, nurturing, inclusive environment. Amelia Cotter Pollock’s poetry collection “Apparitions” (Highland Park Poetry Press, 2022) was shortlisted for the Haiku Foundation 2022 Touchstone Awards for Distinguished Books and nominated for the 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Award. Once again, it is always so nice to hear from everyone, and I sincerely wish you all good health, safety, wellness and peace!
2008 Steve Delaney stevenedelaney@gmail.com I hope everyone who attended our 15-year class reunion had a wonderful weekend in Frederick! Destiny Hartman Peace married and relocated to RI in May 2020. Addi Lucas Davis and her husband Christopher are thrilled to announce the arrival of their third child Lydia. Big brother Teddy (7) and big sister Edith (5) are wonderful helpers. Katie Podson has worked for the past 15 years as an ALS special education teacher in Howard County, MD. Elizabeth “Liz” Lipke Bowen has been promoted to manager III of professional and organizational development programs with Montgomery County Office of Human Resources. Also recently promoted is Charly Mulligan Culler, who became a human resources business partner with TJX Companies in Feb. 2023. Sarah Haney Koons is starting an MBA program at Mount St. Mary’s University in the fall. She had her fourth child in July 2022 and will be celebrating her 15th wedding anniversary with Stephen Koons, M.A.’08. Dominique N. Marsalek is a government affairs manager for the American Counseling Association and was named a Top 20 in 2022 Advocacy Award
CLASS NEWS winner for the DMV metro area by the Advocacy Association. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, Steve Delaney will serve as a middle school counselor for the Cherry Hill, NJ, school district.
2009 Lisa K. Wells lkw14@icloud.com Stephanie Hearn Duer hoodclassof2009news@gmail.com Lisa Wells has had an exciting year thus far, getting engaged at the finish line of the Hot Chocolate Run in April, then closing on her first home with fiance Tommy in May and finally being promoted again within Wawa management in July. This is her third promotion in three years! Lisa has also been very hands-on with Hood’s Alumni Executive Board and looks forward to all the wonderful changes the next year will bring. Kinsley Wilde just moved to FL to take over a new childcare center in Ocala. Her daughter Emersyn just celebrated her fifth birthday and starts kindergarten in the Fall. Katelyn Vaughan has been celebrating a bit in 2023, with her wedding and a Caribbean cruise in April and her son’s Bar Mitzvah in May. Julie DiFebo Skaarup and her husband Will Skaarup ’08 welcomed their first baby in June! Suzan Rababe, a law and society major and sociology minor, was nominated and selected for the 2023 City of Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 Award after working at Redmon, Peyton & Braswell, LLP since Jan. 2009. She’s also been on the move, traveling to Italy, France, U.K., Mexico, Egypt, Lebanon, HI, CA, CT, OH, FL, IL, MI, DE and many more states. Danielle Sgro Uehlinger and JP are expecting their second baby in Oct. William Epps successfully defended his dissertation “The Influence of Generational Conflict on Person-Supervisor Fit” on May 8, earning his Doctor of Business Administration from Trident University International. He will be walking at his graduation in Oct. 2023. Sara Wastler Lambert was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who, the First Edition of Who’s Who in America, which has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor. She was recognized for actively pursuing innovative methods in support of creating and implementing productive lessons about health, exercise and well-being in the classroom. This is in addition to her academic achievements and professional success, recognition for her community service and serving as a proud participant and ambassador of the limb difference community. Ilyse Kaplan has been with the Social Security Administration
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ALTY Scholarship [Alumni of the Last Three Years] Return to Hood and earn a master’s degree to help you in today’s job market. For more information, visit hood.edu/ALTY.
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for 13-plus years and is now a senior HR specialist. She and her husband celebrated eight years of marriage in Oct. 2022. They have been supporting her eldest nephew while he attends a trade school this last year and are excited to report he will soon graduate from a barber school in Baltimore, MD. He has already started his own business. After much time of no celebrations due to the pandemic, Ilyse will be heading to Bermuda soon. In Dec. 2020, Lauren Beward was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and earned her master’s in information systems from UMBC. While working in the defense contracting industry at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Jan. 2022, she was promoted to business development manager at Bravura, Inc., a woman-owned small business that provides IT, cybersecurity and systems engineering services to the DoD. Lauren is extremely active in industry organizations, serving on the board for AFCEA Aberdeen, Women in AFCEA, Women in Defense, the Association of Old Crows (AOC) and the APG Industrial Representatives Association (IRA). In 2023, she was awarded an Emerging Leadership Award from AFCEA International, a Rising Star Award from the Northeastern Maryland Technology Council (NMTC) and was also a
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finalist for the prestigious ATHENA International Young Professional Award. In June, she participated as a “celebrity” dancer in Dancing for the Arts, a competition that benefits the Maryland Center for the Arts. She has been living at home in Joppa, MD, to help her mother care for her 96-year-old grandmother. They’re thrilled to have three generations in one house, along with their two dogs, two cats and Sun Conure (they lovingly call their house “The Beward Home for Wayward Animals”). They adopted their Maine Coon mix, Edgar Allen Purr, in Aug. 2022 and their Rhodesian Ridgeback/Black Mouth Cur puppy, Radar O’Reilly, in March 2023.
2012 Ashley Nokes Reidenauer adnokes@gmail.com Laura Saad Voelker lauragvoelker@gmail.com Hello from the Class of 2012! We are so excited to announce more amazing updates from our class. Zeppa Kreager accepted a new role as the senior advisor for policy and strategic planning to the U.S. Ambassador in Mexico
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CLASS NEWS and Mexico City. She and her husband Andrew also welcomed their first daughter Lulu Patricia Kreager-Schreyer in Dec. 2022. Ashley Nokes Reidenauer recently purchased her first home in Owings Mills and accepted a new role as process improvement manager for SilverStay. Additionally, she continues to provide mental health therapy, specializing in DBT therapy. Hilary Lawch Rusnak completed her Master of Science in Communication Disorders in Aug. 2023, where she was honored to be chosen as her class’s graduating speaker. She has accepted a clinical fellowship at a pediatric private practice in northern VA and is thrilled to begin her new career as a speech language pathologist. She would like to thank Professor Sandona and Reverend Beth O’Malley for their career counseling and mentorship in helping her pivot to a career culture she absolutely loves and feels truly a member of. Laura Saad Voelker welcomed a beautiful baby boy with her husband. Helene Butler Rush continues to work as a virtual teacher for Frederick County Public Schools and was nominated Teacher of the Year for the 2022-23 school year. She is also the head coach of her daughter’s cheer squad. Melanie Martindale is enjoying her job teaching at a preschool. It has been a busy year for our class and more accomplishments are sure to come. Please keep your class reporters updated, so we can keep updated on all the amazing things our class continues to accomplish every day.
2013 Elaheh Eghbal hoodcollege2013@gmail.com Hello, Class of 2013! A few updates from your classmates: Spencer Knoll is now the director of U.S. policy and advocacy at Malaria No More. He was previously a legislative assistant for defense and foreign policy to U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Spencer was honored at our 10th Hood reunion in June with the Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award; congratulations, Spencer! MJ Huntsgood is the new program coordinator for Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Centers (CIVICs) at NIH. Ashley Birdsell Gibson and husband Pete welcomed Eleni in early April. Nilsa González is in Panama and working at an immigration and real estate law firm named Kramer & Kramer. She celebrated two years with the firm in May. William “Billy” Lewis and wife Robin welcomed baby Reed in late July. In the fall, Billy began teaching full time at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. Elaheh Eghbal became a program marketing lead at MITRE. Kellie Duncan Clairmont completed the first semester of a two-year program, the Ministry Training Institute, through
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her church, where she is on staff. She and her husband Matt are celebrating six years of marriage and enjoying life in NYC with their three kids.
2014 Bianca Padilla bianca.e.padilla@gmail.com It’s time to see what the members of the Class of 2014 are up to! Tyree Wilson accepted a position at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) conducting research for vaccine development to target malaria. He is currently in the process of building a brand known as “Ty Sci Guy” in hopes to provide outreach for impoverished communities and institutions regarding STEM activities. All content related to this can be found on Instagram and TikTok under “Ty the Science Guy.” Kyle Gatlin ’16 and Amy Hagerdon welcomed twin girls August and Abigail in July 2022. Anela Alic married Davor Jerkic on May 26. Anela was promoted to an IT program manager at a new company called HTEC in April. Madeline Birmingham Washburn and husband Bronson welcomed their second child Abigail Marlene in Jan. 2023. Tabitha Browne Milliken graduated from Drexel University with an MPH on June 17, 2023. Tabitha and her husband are also expecting their second child Myles Augustus in late Oct. 2023. Lauren Shaak Havens and husband Josh married in Sept. 2021 and are excited to announce the birth of their first child Barrett, just born in March, and they love him more every day. As for me, Bianca Padilla, I am entering year 10 into teaching fifth grade and as a National Board-Certified Teacher. Look out for reunion information Class of 2014. Cheers!
2015 Sarah Tapscott Rosier sarah.tapscott12@gmail.com Keesha Fields completed her clinical mental health counseling master’s in Dec. 2020. She received her NCC in June 2021. She has been working with her company as a therapist for the last two and a half years and is working on her LPC. Caroline Schuetz-Jarnot moved to the east coast of FL from CA in Dec. 2021 with husband Alex Jarnot ’17. Caroline and Alex welcomed a fur family member in April—a golden retriever puppy named Dottie. Caroline currently works as a visual merchandising specialist for Lululemon. Tara Biser Little and her husband have been enjoying watching their baby girl grow and learn. Laura Hanna and Rachel Marlow got married. Taylor Anderson launched an outsourced IT company called TNT
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Systems. Emily Eckard Leedy and her husband Andrew are loving life with their new baby Renee, born Jan. 2023. Wallis Shamieh started in a new role last year as content marketing specialist at the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) in Frederick. She supports the marketing department by creating compelling technical and educational content to promote the value of global accreditation. Julianne Berg is starting her second year at Innovatis Group and has been tasked with planning two big conferences in Las Vegas and Barcelona. She loves traveling for work and always tries to see something new in each city she visits. Ren Stone moved to CO and finished the first year of their master’s program. Russell Melendez bought a house in Harford County closer to his job, making it a 12-minute commute. He’s still employed with Harford County, continuing to train and learn more about water reclamation procedures and collection systems of the county. Russell continues his passion with music and fountain pens/calligraphy. Andrew Musick bought a beach house in Corolla, NC, on the 4x4 beach. Search property #3417635 on VRBO if you’re interested in renting. Andrew and his wife Katrina Nguyen ’16 will be having another baby boy in Aug. 2023. Chelsea Rudy and her husband Jay are expecting their first child in Jan. 2024—new year, new baby! They also added new puppy Hailee to their family in June. Both are excited for the new adventures and memories ahead. Mary Hickman is still living in sunny Honolulu and started a new job as a genetic counselor at GeneDx. Meg DePanise, MBA’20 and Justin Everett ’11 celebrated daughter Violet’s second birthday with a Baby Shark themed party. Summer adventures included vacationing at Topsail Island, NC, and potty training. Matt Lee and wife Bailey celebrated their son Umberto’s second birthday. Matt is also excited that Umberto is now attending the Georgetown Hill Lab School at Hood. Sarah Tapscott Rosier and husband Owen Rosier ’16 are planning many trips for 2023-24, and Sarah continues to plan and coordinate weddings for clients all over the country, adding and training team members to her company, Sleeping Bee Designs.
2021 Liliana Bean lilianacbean@gmail.com Makenzie Baldwin is going into her third year of teaching, has switched schools, moved out and started her graduate program at Hood! Kiara Brown is finishing her master’s program in Aug. and looking to become a professor. Micayla Bulger is halfway finished with her master’s
CLASS NEWS program and getting married to her college sweetheart Nico in Nov. Anna Eyler graduated with a master’s from McDaniel College in data analytics. Joining her was Maame Baffour. Caitlin Gosline moved back home to Long Island. She went right into a graduate program and received her master’s in social work from Stony Brook University in 2022. Currently, she is working as a multidimensional family therapist. Last year, she passed her social work licensure exam. Victoria Green Coshland and Collin Coshland ’18 bought their first house and moved to GA. Victoria will transition from teaching general education to teaching special education for kindergarten, first and second grades this fall, all while being a photographer as well. Celestria Hill moved to Montgomery, AL, and is now working for a voting rights and voter education organization. After graduation, Jacob Keith moved to Baltimore and is studying at University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law to pursue a career in intellectual property law. Jordan Reed-Estes moved to Boston, MA, about nine months ago and started a new job as
an environmental compliance specialist with the Coast Guard. ReidAnn Sever is still working in pediatric brain cancer research. She recently won a Young Investigator Award from the American Association of Immunologists and will begin applying to medical school this summer. She and her boyfriend Mason just adopted a dog named Dior. Sydney Whipp is going into her third year of teaching third grade. She’s getting married in July and will have some amazing Hood alums standing next to her on her big day: Kimberly Hicks, Becky McGugan and Jennifer Slick.
Why do you give to Hood? I give to help others because others helped me. — Ben Drake ’89
BLAZER BRICKS
2022 Cathy Neves cmn5@hood.edu Devon Carter returned to Hood and finished his first year of graduate school in the clinical mental health counseling program with a thanatology certification. Fabiola Melendez-Rivera finished her second semester of veterinary medicine and is a student ambassador at Ross University Medicine. Hunter Nelson enlisted in the Navy and got married. Gillian Hetrick became a vet tech/assistant and is now the lead animal care and adoptions specialist in shelter medicine and intake at the Montgomery County Humane Society. If you have news to share, contact your class reporter or email alumoffice@hood.edu.
ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
Etch Your Name into Hood History!
20%
D IS C O U N S E N IO R S T F O R A L L R E U N IO N & A L U M N I IN YEARS IN 4 A N D E N D IN G 9!
To order your very own personalized brick or handcrafted Adirondack chair, please contact the Office of Annual Giving at pergola@hood.edu or 301-696-3700 or visit hood.edu/personalizedgiving.
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In Memoriam Remembering those we have lost. As reported July 14, 2023
Undergraduate Alumni Maxine Alexander Brooner ’43
Julia Rank Loposer ’53
Marjorie Teague Turner ’61
Susan Marks Shanz ’73
January 2023
January 2023
February 2023
September 2019
Elizabeth Schaeffer Wolf ’45
Ramona Crowl Collier ’54
Elizabeth Reynolds Leebel ’62
Renate Moore Wilson ’76
June 2019
March 2023
April 2023
January 2023
Alison Underhill Haber ’47
Marjorie Reed Olson ’55
Deborah Warner McPhail ’62
Kenneth D. Carter ’81
June 2023
May 2023
February 2023
April 2023
Margaret R. Dodge ’48
Phyllis Tagliabue Baratta ’56
Karen Beck Gould ’63
Joan Ross Hankey ’81
November 2018
May 2023
January 2019
July 2023
Marcia Gurwitt Wofsey ’48
Joyce Garofalo Ranucci ’56
Karen Yeager Rupprecht ’63
M. McDonnell-Weschler ’81
March 2023
April 2023
April 2023
June 2023
Margaret Hukill Prince ’49
Patricia Pihlgren Haas ’57
Andrea Rudiger Leyrer ’64
Elizabeth Gahan Hill ’83
February 2023
February 2023
May 2022
November 2021
Jane Bunn Stillwell ’49
Mary Pace England ’58
Barbara Fried McClure ’64
Jerry A. Chesser ’84
November 2022
July 2022
May 2023
February 2023
Elizabeth Crosby Cloud ’50
Nancy Anderson Stearns ’58
Lee Wilson Badger ’65
E. Suzette C. Dotterer ’85
June 2023
June 2022
September 2022
June 2023
Jean Reynolds Drake ’50
Susan Price Bearss ’59
Ann Wheatley Kimball ’65
Susan B. Barry ’87
October 2022
March 2023
July 2023
May 2023
Joanne Jarrett Sullivan ’50
Priscilla Hannen Kleinman ’59
Susan W. Fiala ’66
Sylvia Ropp Lantz ’88
December 2020
May 2023
May 2023
January 2023
Francois Rougny Woodard ’50
Trina LeGore Gelfond ’60
Susan Rickerich Sphar ’66
Jean Curry McGehee ’89
June 2023
May 2022
February 2023
May 2019
Barbara Bierwith Crowder ’51
Linda Loring Loveland ’60
Judith Fournier Bingham ’68
Marley P. Walker ’89
March 2023
February 2023
April 2023
April 2023
Marylin A. D’Alessandro ’51
Phyllis Esposito Monks ’60
Meredith Owen Atkinson ’69
Jodie L. Burley ’93
March 2023
April 2023
January 2023
January 2023
Mary Burchard Walmsley ’51
Mary Anne Fleetwood ’61
Peggy L. Githerman ’71
Susan M. Cavanaugh ’97
February 2023
June 2023
February 2023
March 2022
Joan Scott Helmuth ’52
Nancy H. Holmes ’61
Joanne Greim Fox ’72
David B. Eppig ’99
March 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
June Zwigard Pfeifer ’52
Ann Friant Scheck ’61
Cheryl A. Lasher ’72
Evelyn D. Holcomb ’05
February 2023
March 2023
June 2023
March 2023
JoAnne McCune Horton ’53
Katherine F. Shepard ’61
Merrill V. Blair ’73
Matthew J. Kline ’13
February 2023
February 2023
February 2023
June 2023
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Graduate Alumni
Honorary Alumni
J. Ray Frank, M.A.’75
Mark A. Bowman, M.A.’84
David L. Holmes, H’10
July 2023
March 2023
April 2023
Terry A. Hershey, M.A.’76
C. John Slovikosky, M.S.’85
January 2023
May 2023
Betty Rhoderick Bures, M.A.’77
Kathryn L. Crawford, M.A.’91
February 2023
March 2023
Faculty, Staff and Friends
James K. Carey, M.A.’82
Jean M. Bir, M.A.’95
September 2019
July 2023
February 2023
Marjorie L. Serrano, M.A.’82
Carolyn G. Nicholson, M.A.’99
February 2023
April 2023
Lois H. Averil William S. Bivens May 2023
Thomas R. Cooper, M.A.’83 March 2023
BARBARA “BARBE” HETRICK, PH.D.
Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, Andrew G. Truxal Endowed Chair in Sociology July 20, 1945-June 11, 2023 Barbara was born in Baltimore County and raised in Dundalk. She earned a B.A. from McDaniel College as well as a master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. In 1973, she joined the faculty at Hood College, where she chaired the Department of Sociology and Social Work until 1986, holding the title of Andrew G. Truxal Endowed Chair in Sociology. Barbara then served as vice president and dean of academic affairs at Hood from 1985 to 1995. She is survived by her husband Doug Peterson, Ph.D., who also served on the Hood faculty. The Dr. Barbara Hetrick Scholarship Fund has been established by her husband. To make a gift to the fund in Barbara’s memory, visit hood.edu/give. Diane L. Beers ’88, Ph.D., a former student of Barbara’s, fondly recalls, “Barbe was absolutely crucial to my success at Hood and beyond—she mentored and supported me and expressed a faith in me that I did not always feel within myself. When I published my book and landed my first teaching job, I immediately contacted Barbe and thanked her because I knew it happened, in large part, because of her unwavering belief in me.”
TRAVIS W. EICHELBERGER
Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Assistant Director of Student Engagement December 3, 1980-August 15, 2023 Travis was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to the late Michael and LaNita Eichelberger. He earned a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in college student personnel with a counseling certificate from Shippensburg University. At Hood, Travis first served as the area coordinator for diversity initiatives from 2011 to 2015. He then served as director of diversity and inclusion as well as assistant director of student engagement from 2015 to 2019. Travis had a real passion for helping others and was an advocate for countless Hood students. Outside of his professional life, Travis had a knack for gardening and cooking, and he could frequently be found attending renaissance fairs. He is survived by his sister, nieces and nephews.
A LOOK BACK
The Hood Forward Campaign In 1951, Hood College kicked off “Hood Forward: A Family Enterprise,” a capital campaign to raise $750,000—today worth approximately $8.9 million. The Hood Forward announcement in the May 1951 Hood College Bulletin listed the campaign’s goal to raise money for a new chapel building, improvements to Brodbeck Hall, library purchasing funds, faculty salary increases and student scholarships. Without social media, email or smartphones, the College conducted campaign outreach through endless travel, countless letters, regional alumnae Hood Club partnerships and by using a promotional film about life at Hood. President Andrew Truxal, his wife and others worked tirelessly with Hood Clubs across the country to raise awareness about the campaign and explain the realities of the campus treasury. Visits included screening “A Family Enterprise,” a film full of nostalgic images of campus buildings, events and sports activities as well as many clips of students in and outside classrooms. Recent alumnae saw themselves performing on Campus Day or playing field hockey and tennis. The narrative between President Truxal and the happy father of a graduating student sets a strong patriarchal tone that is decidedly dated, but the film is nevertheless a treasure trove of footage showing post-WWII Hood College. It is still available for
viewing through the Hood Archives and Special Collections. Watch the film! Interestingly, two separate 20-minute versions were created. The first was the Hood Forward edition, presenting college life with a description of the campaign and campus needs. The second film replaced the funding appeal with eight minutes of student activities. I suspect the second film was more interesting and actually did more to bring in funds. It is also the version that has survived over the decades. Every year, the alumnae clubs raised money toward the Loyalty Fund through membership dues, special giving and proceeds from events like rummage sales, movie nights, dinners and holiday events. During Hood Forward, the clubs were asked to redouble their fundraising efforts and contribute healthy donations to the campaign while maintaining regular Loyalty Fund giving. The campaign visits and film showings paid off. Mary Grace Helfenstein, Class of 1922, the association’s executive secretary, stated in a June 7, 1952, report: “I believe this working together for a big project, so important to our college, has aroused the interest of more alumnae and has strengthened our clubs.” Hood Forward also targeted Frederick City and County, soliciting support from local businesses, government and citizens. Many gave generously,
October 1950, Campus Day Class Representatives with Noradel Truxal, President Truxal’s daughter.
1950, Andrew Truxal, his wife and the S. California Hood Club alumnae.
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February 1950, Andrew Truxal with officers of the S. California Hood Club, Helen Brummer ’35 and Bernice Sisson ’49.
but one hold-out raised the ire of President Truxal. The Sears-Roebuck Foundation politely declined, prompting an equally polite but scathing response from the president: “Dear Mr. Jones: Thank you for your good letter and for giving our problem your serious consideration. Naturally, I am disappointed that your organization cannot have a part in our program. We have not made a general appeal to the people of Frederick on behalf of Hood College for 25 years, so this is quite an exceptional thing. I believe we have had 100% cooperation from locally-owned businesses. As you know better than I do, such businesses have the wrong impression that organizations like yours are hesitant about participating in local enterprises. It makes us feel badly, therefore, not to have Sears listed as one of our friends.” A bronze plaque listing the names of the “shareholders”—alumnae and friends who contributed $150 or more—is still hanging in the Alumnae Hall vestibule. Even after more than half a century, their legacy of giving continues to be felt throughout the Hood community.
REUNION WEEKEND 2024 Friday, June 7-Sunday, June 9 The Office of Alumni and Constituent
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Engagement is excited to welcome
Registration materials will be mailed in April; if your mailing address has changed, please contact our office at alumoffice@hood.edu to ensure you receive your reunion packet in time to register for the weekend’s events. Your packet will contain information about on- and off-campus lodging, meals, classes and a complete schedule of events.
you Home to Hood! Whether you’re celebrating your 5th or 50th, or any year in between, we hope you’ll join us for a weekend of laughter, love and maybe even a little learning! We’ve planned a weekend full of traditions, both old and new, including a celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hood’s Black Student Union!
Registration deadline: Friday, May 24
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement at alumoffice@hood.edu or 301-696-3700.
SEE YOU AT REUNION 2024!
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“Growing up attending minimally funded schools in New York City, I never thought receiving a college education would be possible— with my Hood education, I plan to teach in inner city schools as an elementary school teacher.” Contributions to the Hood Fund enable students like Jayden to succeed by providing immediate support for: scholarships and financial aid, academic programming, athletics support through the Blue & Grey Club, and so much more!
Make your gift today at hood.edu/give.
Jayden Cruz ’26 ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
THE HOOD FUND IN VEST. IMPACT. INSPIR E. Learn more at hood.edu/hoodfund or contact the Office of Annual Giving at pergola@hood.edu or 301-696-3700.
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