Class Notes
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94
Dwight Taylor was selected to campaign for the Virginia Chapters Leukemia Lymphoma Man of the Year Fundraiser. He dedicated his fundraising efforts to his mother, Peggy Anne Taylor, who died from cancer during his junior year at JMU. Melvin J. Brown (’93)
95
The professional services firm Sikich LLP of Naperville, Illinois, recently hired John Yim as its chief financial officer. Yim previously served as global finance director for the human capital and benefits business segment at Willis Towers Watson.
96
Megan Seibel has been appointed to the position of deputy secretary of agriculture and forestry for Virginia. Seibel and her family manage a wine grape and beef cattle operation in Botetourt County, Virginia.
Kristin Wilson Palmer (’02)
97
Stacy Donnelly McFarland is the director of annual giving at Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Edwige A. Sacco (’02)
Jessica Killeen (’05)
Judson G. Foster (’06) 60
M A D I S O N
98
Former Breeze sports editor Steve Trout recently won his fourth Sports Emmy. Trout was recognized for his work on NFL Films’ eight-episode documentary on the Arizona Cardinals, All or Nothing.
02
Matt Horn is the city manager for Geneva, New York. In 2016 he was named to the “Top 100 Local Government Influencers” list by the public administration advocacy group Engaging Local Government Leaders. ✱ Kristin Wilson Palmer has been named senior vice president and head of communications at the Insurance Information Institute. She and her husband, Nickia (’00), reside in Woodbridge, Virginia. ✱ Edwige A. Sacco recently joined the board of Boston Partners in Education. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting students in Boston Public Schools through in-classroom academic mentoring services. Sacco is a managing director in KPMG’s forensic practice, where she advises clients on their financial crimes compliance efforts.
Steve Trout (’98) with his fourth Sports Emmy.
05
Jessica Killeen was selected as one of Alexandria, Virginia’s, “40 Under 40” for 2017. Killeen is a community activist, volunteering with the Alexandria Democratic Committee, Alexandria Bar Association, Alexandria Sister Cities Committee, Fairlington United Methodist Church and as a mentor to a young girl with Space of Her Own. Killeen Continued on Page 62
Parents Council’s gift to JMU sets a record The announcement of a record-setting financial gift highlighted the Parents Council annual spring meeting in April. At the large group breakfast, the current council chairs, Chris and Kim Biggers Hayes (’14P, ’17P), presented President Jonathan Alger with a check in the amount of $473,422.51 — the largest gift by the council ever presented to the university. More than 100 members attended the festive and informative weekend that included tours of the University Recreation Center, student panel discussions, presentations on university updates and a visit to the Madison Connection call center in Wilson Hall, where members called parent donors to thank them for their financial support of the university. The JMU Parents Council is comprised of 173 members representing each of the four classes. Members are eligible to serve for the duration of their students’ enrollment at JMU. The purpose of the council is to provide advice and guidance to university administration, serve as a liaison between
M AG A Z I N E
the university and parents and families, serve as effective spokespersons and work together with the Office of Parent Relations to develop programs that promote parent and family involvement in the life of the university and create opportunities for participation in their students’ experiences. For more information, visit jmu.edu/parents/council/.
G I F T P H O T O G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F T H E O F F I C E O F PA R E N T R E L AT I O N S