SCOPE Magazine Fall 2025

Creative communities, lifelong connections

From sustainable seafood to Google, alumni bring Creative Thought Matters to their careers and communities.

Artificial intelligence

The Tang celebrates 25 years

McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center

Class Notes, and more!

Matt Ferrari ’05 on Skidmore Baseball and conquering Mount Everest

SIGNS YOU’VE ARRIVED

With plenty of goodwill and a dash of silliness, Skidmore rolled out the welcome mat for 712 new Skiddies at the start of the 2025-26 academic year. “Skiddy up” and “Give us your children” were among the playful yet still fit-for-print signs that greeted early arrivals and families at Pre-Orientation in late August.

Selected from more than 12,200 applicants, the Class of 2029 is among the most selective in College history. And, Skidmore continues to make more students’ college dreams a reality — providing over $75 million in need-based aid annually.

With new students hailing from 38 states and 22 countries, perhaps one simple sign summed it up best: “Welcome home.”

COVER STORY On Summits, Success, and Skidmore: Alumnus Matt Ferrari ’05 (second from left) summited Mount Everest on May 27, carrying a Skidmore Baseball flag with

4 Community Review Skidmore’s health and wellness hub, Little League lessons on leadership, the Tang’s 25th, summer research, faculty and staff highlights

14 Learning from Fish Emma Laquinta ’25, Mariana Posada ’25, and Professor of

Karol ’04

From the editor:

Repairing the World, One Engine at a Time Keith Murray ’91

20 Building with Purpose Dattner Architects: David Levine ’86, Rachel Ehrlich ’98, and Sara Brandt ’14 26 The Art of Belonging Skidmore's inaugural Miranda Fellows

34 Skidmore Greetings from South Portland, Maine Laura Marston ’02, Luke Myers ’97, and Megan White Abercrombie ’98

As the seasons turn on campus, students are filling classrooms and labs, our entire community is benefiting from the new McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, and the Frances Young Tang ’61 Teaching Museum and Art Gallery is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the same inventive spark that has defined it from the start. That energy feels especially meaningful at a time when higher education itself is in a season of profound transition. Here at Skidmore, we continue climbing — together — with the conviction that Creative Thought Matters, and that our community can meet even the steepest challenges with creativity, curiosity, and care.

This issue of Scope magazine explores the power of creative communities and lifelong connections. Across generations and disciplines, our alumni and students are showing how the values they shaped here — commitments to sustainability, excellence, and belonging — can strengthen neighborhoods, inspire innovation, and build enduring networks of support. Their stories remind us that Skidmore is more than a place; it is a community whose impact extends far beyond campus.

As we chart our future through a period of change for higher education, we know reaching the summit won’t be easy. But we embark on this journey both with a plan for our future and with your support, which is more important now than ever. Like Matt Ferrari ’05 planting a Skidmore flag atop Mount Everest, we climb with determination — and we ascend together.

Senior Director of External Relations and Strategic Communications

Sara Miga ’08

Director of Creative Services

Mike Sylvia

Managing Editor

James Helicke

Editor

Angela Valden

Class Notes Editor

Katie Rocque

815 North Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-580-5000 scope@skidmore.edu 2

Contributors

Tory Abbott ’23

Jodi Frank

Kyle Lancto

Peter MacDonald

Holly Leber Simmons ’02

Photography Sarah Condon-Meyers

On Creative Futures: The Skidmore College Strategic Plan, 2025-2030

As we embark on another exciting academic year, and following the significant successes and triumphs of last year, I find myself reflecting on this moment in American higher education and where Skidmore stands during these tumultuous times.

Without question, it’s a remarkably challenging climate for higher education in the United States.

Sweeping recent legislation and changes to the Department of Education create a complex and evolving environment that institutions must now navigate.

Attacks on freedom of expression and thought, academic freedom, scientific and scholarly research, and the legal rights of private institutions are inimical to the highest goals and values of universities and colleges, including Skidmore.

That’s why I was an early signatory to — and helped to shape — the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) statement earlier this year in response to several actions of the current federal administration that directly impact higher education. In it, well over 600 leaders of higher educational institutions and I “speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.” We also expressed our openness to constructive reform and legitimate government oversight.

I did not take this decision to speak out lightly: A college’s role is to foster robust discussion and debate, not to stake out positions that may stifle discussion. Only when a political action impacts the very mission of Skidmore am I obligated to make our position clear.

These challenges also mean it’s more important than ever that we state clearly and with pride our priorities, goals, aspirations, and ideals for the future.

I see our new Strategic Plan — the result of nearly two years of collaborative effort by our entire community, including alumni, faculty, staff, students, and trustees — as much more than an institutional guide; it is a statement both to our own community and the world about who we are at Skidmore, what we value, and why we are so important to America’s future.

Approved by our trustees in May, Creative Futures: The Skidmore College Strategic Plan, 2025-2030 lays out six strategic foundations that form the pathway for the College’s growth and direction in the years

to come. These foundations bespeak the principles that guide our Skidmore education, the characteristics that define and inspire us, and the vision that animates us.

We ask, “Who are we at Skidmore College?” And we answer:

We are one of the great liberal arts colleges in the nation, with a concept of education that unites the ideal and the practical, “the mind and the hand,” in a unique curriculum of the traditional arts and sciences as well as pre-professional programs that form the model for the 21st-century liberal arts college. We boast signature buildings like the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, Arthur Zankel Music Center, Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences, and now McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, that offer transformative concepts of teaching and learning for our students.

We are focused on providing a life-changing education for our students and rigorously preparing them to thrive in the increasingly competitive and rapidly changing global marketplace. We are a community that is kind, compassionate, committed, and centered on our people. And we unite all these attributes in our defining motto of Creative Thought Matters, which animates every aspect of the College.

The Plan, tightly focused on a five-year horizon, allows us to respond nimbly to the rapid pace of change and the challenges we now face. We will execute this Plan with care and thoughtfulness, and I am eager to see our College continue to flourish and evolve through the vision it expresses. I urge everyone to read and think about our Plan, and share in its inspiring statement of who we are and where we are going, as we stride with confidence into the future and our second century at Skidmore.

What our founder, Lucy Skidmore Scribner, envisioned over a century ago — a College that offers a life-changing education to all its students, through challenge and opportunity and guidance — remains our North Star. I have never been more committed to that vision and to our continued standing as an example of those values for all.

Marc C. Conner, President

“We look

confident

to

the

future,

that this Plan charts our pathways forward and upward, prioritizing the principles and programs that most define us and toward which we will aspire. The creative future is indeed quite bright at Skidmore.”

SIX FOUNDATIONS

Creative Futures:

The Skidmore College Strategic Plan, 2025 - 2030

■ Creativity and Academic Excellence

Skidmore will invest in its creative, innovative teacherscholars and strengthen the hallmark programs that define a Skidmore education. It will continue to support academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression while exploring new, cross-disciplinary opportunities across existing areas of learning and teaching.

■ The Skidmore Student Experience

Skidmore will enhance student life through improvements to residence halls, Case Center, and other student spaces; expand wellness programming at the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center; and bolster support for robust career preparation and high-impact experiential learning.

■ Supporting Access and Opportunity

Skidmore will increase the endowment dedicated to student financial aid to ensure all students have access to the transformative experiences that Skidmore affords. The College will strengthen its distinctive brand, rooted in Creative Thought Matters, and launch the largest campaign in its history.

■ Building an Inclusive Community

Skidmore will foster a deeper sense of belonging by investing in its people, programs, and campus. The College will support affinity groups, prioritize accessibility, and encourage dialogue, cross-cultural understanding, and global literacy.

■ Environmental Sustainability

Skidmore will advance campus sustainability through both education — a curriculum that integrates sustainability principles and literacy — and climate action, including renewable energy efforts, a robust building and renovation policy, continued waste reduction, and sustainable food practices.

■ Prudent Financial Stewardship

Skidmore will channel resources toward its highest strategic priorities. To ensure long-term success, the College will increase focus on mission-critical goals, engage in collaborative and transparent budgeting practices, and reinvest in facilities and programs outlined here and in its Campus Master Plan.

attend

CELEBRATING SKIDMORE’S NEW HEALTH AND WELLNESS HUB

This spring, Skidmore celebrated the opening of the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center and those who helped make the project possible.

eflecting an integrated vision of student health and wellness, the state-of-the-art facility brings Skidmore’s medical care; mental health and counseling; health promotion and education; physical fitness; NCAA-caliber indoor tennis courts; and wellness for the mind, body, and spirit under a single roof.

“What I don’t think I fully understood was the power of a building to create community and connection,” said Julia Routbort, associate dean of student affairs for health and wellness. She described an 80% increase in visits to the Student Wellness Center alone since the new facility opened in early 2025.

In addition to eight new outdoor tennis courts, the new building offers four indoor tennis courts. New locker rooms and team meeting rooms further enhance the experience of student-athletes.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics Gail Cummings-Danson highlighted its impact for all students and said it was a space that set Skidmore apart.

“Teams that come in here are jealous that we have this space — and we love that. We’re just thrilled that we have finally arrived at this moment.”

The project was supported by a lead gift from Kim Wachenheim Wagman ’88 P’15, Amy Wachenheim McCaffery ’01, and their families.

Foundational support for the new outdoor tennis courts was made possible by a gift from Susan Kettering Williamson ’59.

Inset photo from left, Amy Wachenheim McCaffery ’01, Trustee Kim Wachenheim Wagman ’88 P’15, David Wagman P’15, Sue Wachenheim P’01 P’88 ’85, Life Trustee Ed Wachenheim P’01 P’88 P’85, President Marc C. Conner, Kyle Wagman ’15, and Lance Wachenheim ’85 were among those to

a packed celebration of the new McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center this spring.

HONORING A THOROUGHBRED LEGEND ON AND OFF THE COURT

Skidmore has named an outdoor tennis court in honor of Jeffrey Segrave, who retired in May after more than four decades of extraordinary service as a championship tennis coach, longtime athletics director, department chair, dean, and celebrated teacher-scholar.

Under his leadership, the Women’s Tennis Team captured 17 state titles, multiple conference championships, and the 1998 NCAA Division III National Championship. Inducted into the Skidmore Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007, Segrave coached eight NCAA All-Americans and earned numerous national and regional coaching honors.

Speaking at a retirement celebration, Professor of Sociology John Brueggemann quipped that no one could ever know Jeffrey Segrave given the breadth of his academic, athletic, and leadership achievements over the years.

“You may know that he is a brilliant teacher, scholar, and citizen — one of only two people to have won all three of Skidmore’s major faculty awards, and one of only two people to coach a Skidmore team to a national championship. You surely know he’s an internationally recognized expert on the Olympics,” Brueggemann said, noting that Segrave had published on topics ranging from philosophy and literature to comics and quidditch. But “the truth is there’s just too much of him ... Jeffrey, we hardly knew you, but we love you.”

Four indoor tennis courts, new facilities and offices for both health services and Skidmore’s Wellness Center, new locker rooms, team meeting rooms, cardio and weight rooms, and fitness studios are among the many amenities available to students, staff, and faculty at the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center.

WHEN THE BEST ROLE IS SUPPORTING

By Angela Valden

Abigail Caldwell ’03, a theater major at Skidmore, found her true calling in care. She now oversees Skidmore’s Health Services — an essential part of the integrated care approach underlying the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center.

oward the end of her Skidmore undergraduate career, Abigail Caldwell ’03 decided to make a big pivot.

“As a first-year student, I thought I would major in theater, move to New York, and pursue a career in theater,” she recalls. “That is what I came to Skidmore for.”

As the semesters went by, she discovered new interests through a variety of courses — “I was so grateful to be at a liberal arts college where I could explore so many different fields.”

Then it came time to choose a study-abroad program.

“My theater professor told me, ‘If you’re going to be a performer, you have to build life experience. So do something completely different.’”

Caldwell chose a cultural studies program in Kenya that placed her with a Muslim family in Mombasa, a Christian family in a rural farming village, and in a semi-nomadic Maasai community for one month of independent study.

“When I saw communities with limited access to medical care, I realized I had taken access to healthcare — especially reproductive healthcare — for granted,” Caldwell says.

“When I came home, I knew I wanted to switch paths. I wanted to help people gain more autonomy over their reproductive lives.”

After exploring different roles in healthcare, she landed on a nurse practitioner program at Yale University for her graduate studies. “I went into the program thinking I’d focus solely on women’s health, but I discovered that I loved many aspects of healthcare. I knew I wanted a role that was grounded in primary and preventive care but that also centered sexual and reproductive healthcare.”

Caldwell worked at a community health center and then for Planned Parenthood before becoming Skidmore’s director of Health Services in August 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Even though it was a hectic time to step into the role, it gave me the opportunity to work closely and intensively with colleagues and students right from the start. I was amazed by what we were capable of accomplishing together as a team and as a community,” she says.

She calls her Skidmore position a unique role in healthcare, embedded in an institution that values education and growth.

“I love how dynamic the work is. Some days I am seeing patients, other days I’m collaborating with colleagues. Last week I taught a PHE (Peer Health Education) course. I love that every day is different but it all contributes to supporting students and helping them access the care and resources they need.”

An integrated care approach to support students’ health and well-being is at the heart of Skidmore’s new McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, which allows students to access Health Services, the Counseling Center, and Health Promotion in the same building, along with new cardio, weight room, and group fitness facilities and indoor and outdoor tennis courts.

“Having all three of our health and wellness departments in one building makes collaboration easier and improves access to care,” Caldwell says. “Students may come here for one thing but discover other ways to engage with their health and well-being while they’re here.”

The way in which Skidmore prioritizes well-being and support is one of the things she has always valued most about the College.

“When I was at Skidmore, I felt supported to explore who I was and what I cared about,” Caldwell says. “Now, I get to pay that forward.”

COURT CAMARADERIE SPURS

NATIONAL SUCCESS

By Tory Abbott ’23

Tennis All-American and Liberty League Player of the Year Konika Dhull ’25 found more than just success on the courts; she found a team she could count on.

When Konika Dhull ’25 arrived at Skidmore in August 2021, she did so with nearly eight years of experience competing in tennis singles competitions under her belt. She had represented her city at nationals in India on numerous occasions. But by the time she was applying to colleges, she had grown disenchanted with playing individual tournaments.

While she was drawn to the College for its liberal arts curriculum, it was the support from the team and Coach Curt Speerschneider that sealed the deal.

That support became evident when Dhull’s mother and grandmother died from the coronavirus just a few months before she was set to arrive on campus, and her future teammates immediately demonstrated what team spirit means at Skidmore.

“All the seniors on the team reached out to me. They told me: ‘We’re right here for you,’ recalls Dhull. “I realized that the culture here is so supportive and collaborative; I felt like just being part of it right then and there.”

From that first year at Skidmore, Dhull set a goal to compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northeast Regional Championship. She says something clicked in her senior year, citing a motto she shared with her doubles partner, Grace Truong ’25: “Just have a party on the courts.”

The pair went on to claim the championship and earn the prestigious All-American title in September 2024. They were selected to compete at the NCAA Doubles Championship in May. Dhull also competed in the NCAA Singles Championship, where she won a firstround match, ultimately finishing in a tie for ninth in the nation.

“Konika has had quite a career here — going from a relatively normal lineup player to getting a bid as one of 32 players in the NCAA Singles and one of 16 teams in the NCAA Doubles,” says Speerschneider. “It’s a storybook ending for her.”

Dhull graduated with a degree in computer science and minors in management and business and the Periclean Honors Forum in May. She now plans to seek opportunities as a sports analyst while continuing to compete casually.

“Even if I can’t see my team, I can still hear them cheering me on,” Dhull says. “And that’s what I love about them.”

A NEW HOME FOR SKIDMORE BASEBALL

Opening this fall, Ferrari Field will provide Skidmore Baseball with a modern new home and a significant upgrade from its longtime facility. The project — located near Skidmore’s Equestrian Center — features a state-ofthe-art turf surface, made possible through the support of Matt Ferrari ’05 (see p. 18). “The new field will be a huge enhancement for our program in so many ways: Current players will enjoy more opportunities to practice and play in often-challenging spring weather. We are also excited about the potential impact the new field will have for recruitment,” said Head Baseball Coach Ron Plourde. “Ferrari Field is a big win for Skidmore Baseball.”

Konika Dhull ’25 (right) and doubles partner Grace Truong ’25 (left) celebrate during a match on the new McCaffery-Wagman outdoor tennis courts.

LITTLE LEAGUE LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP

By Kyle Lancto

childhood coach’s words on sportsmanship at the Little League World Series continued to echo through Trey Bourque ’25’s time at Skidmore, where heart, grit, and service defined his leadership on and off the field.

When he was just 12 years old, Bourque’s Cumberland American team captured the heart of America during the 2014 Little League World Series, staging thrilling comebacks night after night. Down but never surrendering, the kids fought until their final out.

But it was a quiet moment captured on the field that day by an ESPN camera that has resonated far beyond Little League baseball.

After the team’s journey ended in a hard-fought loss, Coach David Belisle knelt beside his players and offered a message about character, perseverance, and holding your head high — win or lose.

“You had New England jumping. You had ESPN jumping,” the coach told his team. “You want to know why? Because they like fighters. They like sportsmen. They like guys who don’t quit. They like guys who play the game the right way.”

Fast forward 11 years, the lessons the young, crestfallen catcher learned that day have endured. Now a Skidmore College graduate, Bourque leaves behind a legacy as captain of the baseball team, co-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and a standout double major in economics and management and business.

More than a viral video moment, it’s his enduring commitment to team, community, and growth that defines him.

“I might not have fully understood what Coach Belisle meant that

day,” he says. “But now, whether I’m on the field or in a meeting, I know leadership is really about how you carry yourself when things aren’t easy.”

Belisle, who also coached Bourque in high school hockey in Rhode Island, says he isn’t surprised by Bourque’s trajectory.

“Trey has always been a confident kid,” Belisle says. “But he’s also always been a gamer. Any time we needed a big hit or a clutch goal, I could count on him. No situation was too big, and he led with a quiet confidence that rubbed off on others. It doesn’t surprise me one bit to see him stepping into leadership roles. That’s who he’s always been.”

At Skidmore, Bourque led by example on and off the field. As baseball captain, he earned his teammates’ respect through steady composure and selflessness.

Tyler Chenevert ’28, a two-sport athlete (baseball and men’s ice hockey), offers an example of Bourque’s impact. “When he found out that I was trying to walk on, Trey did everything to support me in my journey,” Chenevert said. “After officially making the team in the fall, he had me immediately tied into the culture of the team. He lived it every day and created a culture that I was excited to become a part of. Trey’s leadership is second to none.”

That same mindset carried into his work with SAAC. Alongside co-president Lily Schwartzman ’25, Bourque expanded the committee’s reach and impact. They championed mental health awareness, supported equity efforts in athletics, and created more opportunities for student-athletes to connect with the wider campus.

This spring, the SAAC Executive Board received a Skidmore President’s Award for Leadership and Service — one of only a tiny number of student groups ever to earn the distinction.

“People don’t always need someone talking at them,” Bourque says. “They need someone who understands where they’re coming from.

Whether it’s on the field, in class, or in meetings, I try to be a reliable, hardworking teammate others can look up to.”

And true to his coach’s words, what he learned from the Little League World Series has stayed with him.

“It really opened my eyes. That experience helped turn my love for baseball into a college career I can be proud of.”

A four-year starter, Bourque earned All-Liberty League honors every season. As a junior, he was recognized as one of the top defensive catchers in the country with a regional Gold Glove Award. He graduates as Skidmore’s all-time leader in hits (198), runs scored (146), and RBI (134). He was recently named the College’s Outstanding Senior Male Athlete.

Even early on, he showed flexibility and a team-first mentality. In his first two seasons, Bourque primarily played third base, putting the team’s needs first and demonstrating the adaptability and leadership that would define his career.

Academically, Bourque’s ability to balance a double major with multiple leadership roles also stood out. With a GPA topping 3.90, he graduated summa cum laude from Skidmore, earned honors in both his majors, and was inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honor society in economics. He also earned the Jefferson Huff ’88 Prize in Business, which is awarded to a top management and business student.

“There were definitely days when I was juggling a lot,” he says. “But it helped me become more organized and really lean on my priority system.”

Skidmore Head Baseball Coach Ron Plourde praised Bourque’s impact. “He wasn’t just a great player — he was someone the younger guys looked up to. You hope every few years you get a guy like Trey. Despite the accolades and records, he made this program better in ways that won’t show up on a stat sheet.”

Bourque is quick to share credit. “Coach Belisle, Coach Plourde, my father, my brother, and so many others shaped me into the competitor and person I am today,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough.”

Belisle continues to have high expectations for Bourque’s future. “Trey is going to be phenomenal in life. He’ll be successful, of course, but more importantly, he’ll put family first, work hard, be a team player, and lead. That’s what will carry him far.”

As Bourque heads into life beyond Skidmore, the moment that once made headlines now feels like the start of a much longer story.

“From Little League through college, baseball taught me how to think strategically, stay competitive, and build lifelong friendships. That’s what I’ll carry with me,” Bourque says. “In some ways, it feels like I’ve come full circle. Back then, Coach believed in us and gave us a gift. Now, I hope to be that person for someone else.”

A QUARTER CENTURY OF CREATIVE THOUGHT ON DISPLAY

The Frances Young Tang ’61 Teaching Museum and Art Gallery — a national model for campus museums — is celebrating 25 years as a hub of interdisciplinary learning, creativity, and curiosity.

Thanks to the visionary support of the Tang family, the museum has blended contemporary art with bold ideas and created space for dialogue across disciplines and

Anniversary festivities began on July 19 with Frances Day, the museum’s annual open house named in honor of Frances Young Tang ’61. The day was filled with

This year’s Frances Day officially kicked off the Tang Teaching Museum’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

From cape-making with artist Yvette Molina to crafting miniature Tang replicas from paper, attendees of all ages had the chance to engage their imaginations.

ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITIONS

Building Blocks | Through Dec. 7

Exploring the Tang’s architectural origins and inaugural programming.

All These Growing Things | Through July 19, 2026

Foregrounding the interdisciplinary teaching and learning that is central to the Tang’s mission through works from the Tang collection that explore questions of becoming and belonging.

See It Now | Through Jan. 4, 2026

Highlighting works collected by Ann Schapps Schaffer ’62 and Mel Schaffer, longtime champions of emerging artists, this exhibition anchors the fall seminar The Artist Interview, taught by Dayton Director Ian Berry.

Kathy Butterly: Assume Yes | Feb. 14 – July 26, 2026

Debuting in 2026, this major retrospective celebrates experimental and expressive ceramic sculpture.

Visit tang.skidmore.edu to learn more about the Tang and subscribe to its newsletter.

A LEAP INTO THE FUTURE

This summer, a robotic dog soared across the lab floor under the guidance of Hamza Mustafa ’27, a computer science major. Mustafa worked with Assistant Professor of Computer Science Wenlu Du to develop an artificial intelligence model designed to teach the robot bipedal locomotion. “This project felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my interest in robotics with my passion for AI,” he explains.

Mustafa was among a record 122 students and 66 faculty members to participate this year in Skidmore’s Faculty-Student Summer Research Program —part of the Zankel Experience Network (ZEN), established by Jimmy Zankel ’92 and Pia Scala-Zankel ’92. Associate Professor of Political Science Bob Turner, who coordinates the program, calls it “the proverbial crown jewel of close faculty-student relations and academic excellence at Skidmore.”

“Many students report being amazed at how hard research is: Hypotheses aren’t born out, fruit flies die, and machines don’t work as expected,” Turner says. “Figuring out how to overcome those challenges is what it is all about.” He notes the research experience offers students a competitive advantage when applying to graduate schools and jobs after graduation.

“Academically, I gained a much clearer picture of what AI looks like in practice. I also realized that it’s much harder than I expected, which has been humbling but motivating,” adds Mustafa. Besides, “I really enjoyed working with Professor Du: She is hardworking, smart, and supportive, but also fun and down-to-earth. Plus, she always brings the best snacks!”

Below and bottom right: Computer science major Hamza Mustafa ’27 (left) commands a robotic dog with the assistance of AI and the guidance of Assistant Professor of Computer Science Wenlu Du.

FACULTY AND STAFF HIGHLIGHTS

Debamalya Chatterjee, assistant professor of biology, published “Plant defense against insect herbivory: Flavonoid-mediated growth inhibition of Helicoverpa zea” in Plant Stress.

Tory Chase, visiting assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, is part of a quarter million-dollar grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection.

Jennifer T. Cholnoky, senior lecturer of geosciences, published “Teaching geosciences with museum collections: curiosity and connections” in University Museums and Collections Journal

David Cohen, associate professor and chair of management and business, has been named associate dean of the faculty for faculty diversity, development, and faculty affairs, effective June 1.

Beck Krefting, professor of American studies and director of the Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning, co-founded the Critical Humor Studies Association, which includes members from six continents. Krefting also co-authored “Toward a Critical Humor Studies Praxis” in the journal Cultural Critique

Evan Mack, senior teaching professor of music, is founder of the nonprofit We Are Instrumental, which was awarded a $2.1 million grant from New York state with three nonprofit partners.

Greg Malen, assistant professor of mathematics, and Lucy Oremland, associate professor of mathematics, were awarded a National Science Foundation grant to fund the Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematics Conference for the next three years. The annual conference, which highlights student research and achievements, will be hosted at Skidmore in spring 2027.

Rebecca McNamara, associate curator at the Tang Teaching Museum, presented the paper “‘What was before’: Lenore Tawney and Her Circle, 1950-1963” at the Textile Society of America annual symposium.

Mary Crone Odekon, professor of physics, published “Estimating the Masses of Supercluster-scale Filaments from Redshift Dispersions” in The Astrophysical Journal

Pushkala Prasad, professor and Zankel Chair in Management, delivered the keynote address at the 18th Organization Studies Conference on Organization, “Organizing and Politics,” in Mykonos, Greece.

Patrick Reilly, assistant professor of economics, co-authored a research article, “Product Market Competition and Financial Constraints: Evidence from Higher Education,” that was published in Financial Accountability and Management

Jess Sullivan, professor of psychology, was named a 2024-25 U.S. Policy Fellow by the Society for Research in Child Development.

Cate Talley, assistant professor of French, published “The Politics of Authorial Subjectivity in Nerval’s ‘Les Faux Saulniers,’” in French Studies

Joshua C. Woodfork, vice president for strategic planning and institutional diversity, has been selected for inclusion in City & State’s inaugural Trailblazers in Higher Education

Juliane Wuensch, assistant professor of German, published “The Value of a Diligent Housewife: Rereading Amalia Schoppe’s Fairy Tales through a Socialist Feminist Lens” in Feminist German Studies.

NATALIE FUEHRER TAYLOR NAMED INTERIM DEAN OF FACULTY

Natalie Fuehrer Taylor, associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department, has been appointed interim dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs.

“A distinguished teacher-scholar and experienced faculty leader, Natalie brings to the role more than two decades of Skidmore service, a deep understanding of our academic community, and a longstanding commitment to the liberal arts,” President Marc C. Conner said in making the announcement.

Since joining Skidmore in 2002, Taylor has taught a wide range of courses in political philosophy, including courses in American political thought and feminist political thought. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from Fordham University and her B.A. from Kenyon College.

An experienced department chair, Taylor has served twice on Skidmore’s Institutional Policy and Planning Committee as well as on other important College committees.

Taylor succeeds Dorothy E. Mosby, who served in the position from June 2023 through May 2025.

BOOKS BY FACULTY AND STAFF

Max Reinhardt: From Bourgeois Theater to Metropolitan Culture Northwestern University Press

Steve Goodwin, weekend public services coordinator at Scribner Library, translator

Temporality and Progress in Victorian Literature Edinburgh University Press

Ruth M. McAdams, senior teaching professor of English

Sports through the Lens: Essays on 25 Iconic Photographs University of Texas Press

Daniel A. Nathan, professor of American studies, co-editor

Sustaining Cultural and Disability Identities in the Literacy Classroom, K–6 Routledge

Laurie Rabinowitz, assistant professor of education, co-author

Sixties British Pop, Outside In Oxford University Press

Gordon Thompson, professor of music emeritus

Bequeath: Essays Louisiana State University Press

Melora Wolff, professor of English

YA IS ALL GROWN UP

By Tory Abbott ’23

Young adult (YA) fiction tends to get a bad rap. Plenty of adults turn their noses up at the genre as “for kids.” And I remember doing the same in high school.

But my perspective shifted while taking Professor of English Mason Stokes’ Queer Fictions course at Skidmore. He included on his syllabus Gabby Rivera’s brilliant coming-of-age tale, Juliet Takes a Breath, a thought-provoking novel that doesn’t shy away from complicated conversations on queerness, feminism, and race — despite where it may be shelved in the bookstore.

Now, Stokes has released his own teenage tale of self-discovery, though with a historical twist: Stokes’ first YA novel, All the Truth I Can Stand, is based on the tragic story of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student whose 1998 murder sparked a national wave of advocacy that led to — among other things — the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

However, the image that Stokes paints of Shepard, reimagined under the literary guise of “Shane,” is at odds in many ways with Shepard’s legacy. Borrowing from accounts included in Stephen Jimenez’s controversial A Book of Matt, Stokes tells a story that, while no less tragic, requires a more elaborate understanding of Shane as a character — and, by extension, Shepard. Legacy, Stokes argues, has a way of obscuring the humanity of a person.

The question he poses to his readers is this: Which is more important, preserving the memory of Shane as a hero or that of Shane as a person? The book doesn’t offer an easy answer.

“I’m aware that this particular novel is difficult material. It’s not necessarily a sort of Pride float,” Stokes tells me. “But I also think young adults are ready and eager for that sort of difficulty ... They know that the world is messy and hard and complicated.”

Despite the novel’s positive reviews (including a starred review in Publishers Weekly), Stokes acknowledges that older readers — particularly those who lived through and remember Shepard’s murder — might feel frustration with the book, recalling his own discomfort while reading A Book of Matt. He says he felt protective of Shepard during his writing process, and 17-year-old Ash, Stokes’ main character and Shane’s love interest, grapples with similar internal conflicts.

“I’m sort of moved by the criticism,” explains Stokes, who dedicated the book to Shepard. “Someone has invested time and energy in caring and being upset. That matters to me, too.”

He hopes to inspire in readers, young and old, a more nuanced understanding of Matthew Shepard the person — not the myth. Acknowledging Shepard’s complexity does not cheapen his legacy, Stokes argues, it humanizes it.

“I’m just wondering if there’s a line somewhere. This much truth is fine. But too much is a problem,” Brian, a professor in Stokes’ novel, tells Ash. “Is there a point where you’d say, ‘No thanks, I have all the truth I can stand?’”

But, like the boundaries of YA itself, those lines are in constant flux — if they were ever there to begin with.

LEARNING FROM FISH

By James Helicke

Emma Laquinta ’25 and Mariana Posada ’25 conducted original research with Professor Jason Breves, a leading expert in comparative endocrinology — all while pursuing their passions in the arts and athletics.

When Emma Laquinta ’25 walked into Professor of Biology Jason Breves’ Comparative Vertebrate Physiology class, she knew within the first week that she wanted to do more. A biology major on the premedical track, Laquinta had always been interested in how the human body worked. But in Breves’ classroom, the systems of fish, amphibians, and mammals revealed a new and complex world she hadn’t fully considered.

“The dissections, the lectures, the way he covered everything from fish to people — it was my favorite class I’ve ever taken at Skidmore,” said Laquinta, a senior from Providence, Rhode Island.

Soon after, she joined Breves’ lab, where she found herself working hands-on with juvenile Atlantic salmon, studying how the fish adapt to shifting environments. The research, which involved hormonal manipulation to simulate the fish’s natural migration to seawater, gave her something she hadn’t fully expected: a broader scientific foundation that would shape her future career in medicine.

“I don’t plan to be a fish physiologist,” she said with a laugh. “But I do want to be a human physiologist — a physician. And the work I’ve done in this lab is setting up the skills I’ll need in med school, residency, and beyond.”

Laquinta’s story is one of many at Skidmore that reveal a defining theme: Students don’t have to pick and choose between seemingly disparate interests; they can do both. While diving into advanced biology research, Laquinta also pursued a minor in chemistry, danced in ballet classes, and became a dedicated member of the men’s rowing team — where she serves as coxswain for the varsity eight.

“I always wanted to row, but I was in a pre-professional ballet program in high school,” she said. “At Skidmore, I found the flexibility to do it all.”

The same holds true for Mariana Posada ’25, a biology major who also found a mentor in Breves. Posada also began working with Breves after taking his Comparative Vertebrate Physiology course. Intrigued by the subject matter, she asked to join his research team. One year later, she was listed as a co-author on a peer-reviewed paper — a rare accomplishment for undergraduates at many other institutions.

That study, published with Breves and a fellow student, focused on a protein called anoctamin-1, which had not previously been associated with how killifish maintain salt balance. The team uncovered new insights into how fish regulate salt balance in challenging environments — a question with implications beyond marine biology.

Mariana Posada ’25 and Professor of Biology Jason Breves in Skidmore’s aquatic animal facility.

“We used PCR (a laboratory technique that exponentially amplifies specific DNA sequences from a small sample) to quantify gene expression to see how this protein might help fish maintain the right balance of salts in their bodies,” Posada said. “It’s about understanding what helps them survive.”

Posada, who is from Long Island, has long been drawn to science but also found herself craving creative outlets. That’s where Skidmore made a difference.

“I came here because I knew I wanted to study biology, but I’m also really into music,” said Posada, who plays guitar and explores classic rock and pop in her free time. In addition to guitar, she joined Skidmore’s Chinese and Mongolian music ensembles, where she learned to play new instruments. “Being able to do both — that was a huge draw.”

The integration of science and creativity is no accident. Skidmore has invested heavily in its natural sciences, most notably through the Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences, which was completed in 2024. Cross-disciplinary in scope, the facility houses state-of-the-art laboratories and spaces including the aquatic animal facility, where Breves conducts much of his work.

“Fish physiology might sound esoteric,” said Breves, “but the physiological principles we study are foundational across all animals, including humans. It’s a powerful entry point into medicine, veterinary science, and many other fields.”

But perhaps what most distinguishes his lab is the way undergraduates are embedded in every part of the research.

“At Skidmore, students don’t have

to wait until graduate school to do real science. They can go from learning the basics to participating in cutting-edge research, sometimes in the span of a year.”

In his lab, students might examine how salt-excreting cells in fish gills function — or fail — under different environmental circumstances. Or, students like Laquinta might travel off campus to administer hormones to juvenile salmon and analyze how their bodies adapt in preparation for life in the ocean.

For Posada, the experience has been transformative. After two years in the lab, she has taken on a mentoring role, helping train newer students to isolate RNA, conduct PCR testing, and apply other molecular biology techniques. She has also been accepted to graduate school, where she plans to continue her studies in biology and physiology.

“The skillset I’ve gained here — both the lab techniques and the ability to think critically — is probably a major reason I got in,” Posada said.

“What I want for my students is the same freedom I had,” said Breves, “to pursue what truly interests them and build a meaningful career around it.”

For Laquinta, that richness has defined her Skidmore experience. After graduation, she’ll spend a gap year as a research assistant at the New York Blood Center before applying to medical school. She plans to specialize in emergency medicine, inspired in part by her work in Saratoga Hospital’s emergency department.

“Skidmore gave me the chance to explore every side of myself — the scientist, the athlete, the artist,” she said. “And the mentorship I’ve had here, especially from Dr. Breves, has made all the difference.”

In Breves’ lab, the research stream may begin with fish, but it leads students toward a much broader current of science and discovery.

MAKING SCIENTIFIC WAVES

Professor of Biology Jason Breves was recently awarded the prestigious Grace E. Pickford Medal from the International Federation of Comparative Endocrinological Societies. He is the first recipient from a liberal arts college to receive the honor.

His research focuses on comparative endocrinology — the study of hormones across animal species. In particular, he has examined the role of prolactin in helping fish maintain salt and water balance; his findings have informed a broader scientific understanding of prolactin-regulated pathways in the human kidney. Separately, Breves has identified how the actions of growth hormone are disrupted in salmon exposed to pollutants — with implications for the survival of affected salmon.

“At its core, my research aims to understand how animals adapt to their environments,” Breves said. “We can apply that knowledge to understand human and animal disease and how long-term environmental changes affect the health of wild animals. This knowledge also informs the design of technologies that seek to rear animals more sustainably.”

Breves accomplishes much of his research in collaboration with Skidmore students.

Emma Laquinta ’25 joined Professor of Biology Jason Breves on a research trip to the Conte Anadromous Fish Research Lab in Massachusetts, where they administered hormone treatments to juvenile Atlantic salmon to simulate the internal changes that fish experience during their spring migration to the ocean.

video:

Emma Laquinta ’25 and Mariana Posada ’25 discuss their Skidmore experiences, including their research with Professor of Biology Jason Breves.

A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT

Fitzhugh Karol ’04 gifts a new form to the campus that helped form him

Artist Fitzhugh Karol ’04 discovered his passion for sculpture during an introductory ceramics course with the late Professor Emeritus of Ceramics Regis Brodie (see page 73). This spring, Karol returned to his Skidmore roots, gifting a new permanent, large-scale sculpture to campus for future generations to enjoy.

“Creative thinking and the making of things is what I think of as my contribution, my language — it’s what I want to do with my life,” Karol says, reflecting on how his time at Skidmore has shaped him.

“Having an artwork come to campus feels full circle indeed — it’s very exciting for me. I love that students will sit on and around the work. They’ll have it in their everyday background and be in conversation with it.”

Tingwon, inspired by a small, volcanic island off the coast of Papua New Guinea, is now installed in its new home outside the Saisselin Art Building.

Karol’s installations — seen in public spaces from Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge — encourage interaction and community. Tingwon was formerly on display in Australia, on beaches in Sydney and Perth as part of Sculpture by the Sea

REPAIRING THE WORLD ONE ENGINE AT A TIME

By Peter MacDonald

Keith Murray ’91, a Skidmore history major and head mechanic at Coachworks of Saratoga, exemplifies the College’s longstanding “mind and hand” ethos.

eith Murray ’91, a history major who took Arabic language classes at Skidmore, planned to study Middle Eastern history after graduation. He ended up landing a Peace Corps assignment in Yemen. Then the first U.S.-led Gulf War hit, and that opportunity disappeared.

It was a disappointing turn of events, but Murray was already working part time as an apprentice mechanic under Burt Schwab, owner of Coachworks of Saratoga.

“I had the basic mechanical skills from being a motorcycle and small-engine wrench,” says Murray, “but Burt taught me to take pride in my work, fix it fast, and fix it right.”

Growing up on a dairy farm in nearby Stillwater, he says working hard and getting his hands dirty are part of his DNA. “I was a natural at fixing things — dirt bikes, snowmobiles, monster trucks, tractors, you name it,” says Murray.

In 1987, he decided to pursue an associate degree at the Sage Junior College of Albany (now Russell Sage). It was then that the ever-curious Murray developed an interest in the Middle East and Islam, earning honors in history and converting to Islam.

“The core beliefs and principles of Islam just fit me — who I was and who I wanted to be,” says Murray. “Work hard, take care of body and soul, be kind, believe in a higher power.”

A change in plans

Murray had his sights set on attending SUNY Cobleskill to pursue diesel mechanics but couldn’t make it to a required admissions interview. Instead, he applied to Skidmore through the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), which provides access to college for talented students who otherwise might be unable to attend.

A first-generation collegian, Murray became good friends with fellow students in the program at Skidmore. He loved his classes.

He helped found a running club. He worked in what is today the Geosciences Department. And in his free time, he worked at Coachworks.

“I was just an ordinary guy trying to fit in. With HEOP, it was okay to be yourself.”

Staying connected

For more than three decades, Murray has stayed centered and connected by praying five times a day, even as his work has proved demanding.

“We used to work 10- and 12-hour days for the first 20 years, six days a week, and many times on Sunday,” says Murray, who was named general manager of Coachworks in 2004.

Fitness has offered another outlet: For years, Schwab and Murray spent their off-hours mountain biking, kayaking, and snowboarding. Today, Murray is a certified Iron Man coach and trained for a third Lake Placid Iron Man competition but recently underwent knee replacement surgery.

Now that Schwab has retired from Coachworks, Murray is in charge. He is adding a second location and a pair of two-year apprentices, whom he plans to mentor — just as Schwab did for him many repairs ago.

Is it odd that a mechanic majored in history at a liberal arts college?

“Nope. They are both about doing research and understanding or solving problems,” he says. “I still read a lot of history and watch a lot of documentaries. But working on engines is so satisfying — taking something broken and making it right. Extreme satisfaction, especially when you hear the sound and vibration of a healthy engine.”

ON SUMMITS, SUCCESS, AND SKIDMORE

By James Helicke

Earlier this year, Matt Ferrari ’05 successfully summited Mount Everest — with a Skidmore flag in hand.

WhenMatt Ferrari ’05 reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 27, he didn’t go alone. Packed in his gear — 29,032 feet above sea level on the world’s highest peak — was a Skidmore baseball flag.

“Skidmore is my alma mater and a place I believe in,” Ferrari said. “Skidmore changed my life. It set me up for personal and professional success and gave me some of the best friends I have today.”

Skidmore’s new baseball field, Ferrari Field, opens this fall and honors

Matt Ferrari’s continued support for the College and its athletics program. As a student-athlete, he was part of the Thoroughbreds team that won the program’s first Liberty League title and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005 — a team later inducted into the Skidmore Athletics Hall of Fame.

“Baseball taught me about consistency, leadership, and the importance of showing up — day in and day out,” he said. “That mindset carried over into Everest. It’s waking up at 4 a.m., going to the gym, and doing the work, even when no one is watching.”

Background photo: Headlamps from Matt Ferrari’s team of climbers and guides illuminate the way as they make their pre-dawn push toward the summit.

Above photos:

Matt Ferrari during his ascent of Mount Everest and with one of the Sherpa guides, whom he deems the unsung heroes of the expedition

Inset photos left:

Matt Ferrari as a baseball player, executive, and successful mountaineer

Ferrari’s connection to Skidmore remains strong. He stays in close touch with longtime baseball coach Ron Plourde and credits his professors in the Management and Business Department — including Bernard Kastory and the late Betty Balevic — with shaping his future. A mentorship program coordinated by Kastory sparked his early interest in commercial real estate. While most students met with their mentors occasionally, Ferrari continued the relationship for three years.

“If it weren’t for that experience, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today,” he said.

Today, Ferrari is co-chief investment officer and head of acquisitions and East/Central operations at TruAmerica Multifamily, a Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment firm that manages $16 billion in assets and is consistently ranked among the top 25 in the nation.

His climb was supported by Alpenglow Expeditions and included a team of mountain guides, Sherpa, and fellow clients. Ferrari’s team summited Everest via the technically demanding and less-traveled Northeast Ridge route from Tibet, becoming the final group to summit during the 2025 season.

“We had the top of the world just for our team and all to ourselves,” Ferrari said.

The path to Everest began more than a decade earlier, when Ferrari read Into Thin Air while vacationing with fellow Skidmore graduate Russell Dey ’05. The book — chronicling a deadly Everest expedition — sparked his fascination with high-altitude climbing.

He began in 2014 with Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Vulcan Osorno near Puerto Varas, Chile. In 2015, he summited Mount Sajama, Bolivia’s highest peak. Three years later, he reached the top of Mount Elbrus in Russia — another of the Seven Summits — and enrolled in Alpenglow’s Mexico climbing school, where he ascended the country’s tallest and third-tallest peaks.

Over the years, Ferrari continued to challenge himself: Cotopaxi in Ecuador (2021), Aconcagua in Argentina (2023, turned back just short of the summit due to snow), and Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan (aborted due to weather and teammate illness).

In 2024, he summitted Cayambe (the third tallest peak in Ecuador) and climbed to Everest’s North Col — a 23,000-foot ascent from the Tibet side that served as critical preparation for his eventual summit. He climbed Antisana, the fourth tallest peak in Ecuador, in November.

“The more I climbed, the more I realized that if others could summit Everest, I could too,” he said.

Living at sea level in Miami didn’t stop him — he slept in a hypoxic tent for two months to simulate high-altitude conditions and completed six-hour Stairmaster sessions with a weighted backpack. The weekend before he left for Tibet, he climbed Chimborazo, the tallest mountain in Ecuador.

His training paid off. While most climbers spend two months acclimatizing in-country, Ferrari completed the expedition in just 35 days. “At 21,000 feet, it’s harder to do everything — to eat, to sleep,” he said. “You have to be in phenomenal physical and mental condition. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be so fulfilling.”

Climbing Everest, he emphasized, wasn’t a solo endeavor. “We all want to reach the summit individually, but we’re stronger as a team,” he said, giving special credit to the Sherpa and guides. “Without them, there’s no way we were getting to the top. They are the unsung heroes.”

Looking back, Ferrari sees clear connections between his time at Skidmore and his success on the mountain — and in life.

“It all ties together — the baseball experience, the business foundation, the friendships. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Skidmore.”

And now, thanks to one determined Thoroughbred, a Skidmore flag has flown at the top of the world.

BUILDING WITH PURPOSE

At Dattner Architects, three Skidmore grads find purpose in public service, sustainability, and design.

By Holly Leber Simmons ’02

David Levine ’86, Rachel Ehrlich ’98, and Sara Brandt ’14 graduated from Skidmore over the span of three decades. They studied different disciplines — studio art and art history, English literature, and psychology — and yet all three became architects at the same New York City firm, Dattner Architects. The common thread? A shared foundation in Skidmore’s liberal arts education — and a belief that Creative Thought Matters.

“I feel like it’s not a coincidence that we all came from Skidmore,” said Brandt, who joined Dattner in 2024. “Because Skidmore promotes inclusion, creativity, and collaboration.”

Dattner Architects was founded in 1964 by Richard Dattner, whose family fled Poland during World War II as refugees. He envisioned a practice focused on civic architecture — public schools, libraries, affordable housing, and other infrastructure designed to serve communities. Today, the women-owned firm continues to prioritize civic engagement, sustainability, and design that gives back.

Much like a liberal arts education at Skidmore, civic architecture draws from a broad spectrum of disciplines — history, sociology, psychology, the sciences, and the humanities — and a commitment to improving communities and strengthening public life through active engagement. At Dattner, the Skidmore alumni found a place where their creativity and crossdisciplinary thinking could thrive.

Left to right: David Levine ’86, Rachel Ehrlich ’98, and Sara Brandt ’14 in Dattner Architects’ Manhattan office.

Sara Brandt ’14

For Sara Brandt, architecture was not an obvious path. At Skidmore, she majored in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience and a minor in Spanish. The College, then as now, offered a liberal arts environment that encouraged curiosity and exploration.

She said Skidmore was an ideal place to explore multiple interests — from psychology and design to music and Spanish — and to begin thinking creatively across disciplines. “I was able to take all that experience I gained and explore it holistically.”

She chose Skidmore after hearing Professor of Psychology Sheldon Solomon speak while she was visiting campus. “Wow. If there are thinkers and educators like this at Skidmore, that is where I want to learn and grow for the next four years,” she recalled thinking. Solomon became her mentor at Skidmore, later writing a recommendation for her graduate school application.

After graduation, Brandt received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach English in Spain. She returned to the U.S. and planned to pursue a doctorate in psychology. But after working in neuropsychiatric research, including in the neurocritical care unit at Columbia University Medical Center, she had what she described as an epiphany.

“I really wanted to do design-based work,” she said. “I wanted to do something where I felt like I was creating and having an impact on people’s spatial surroundings. For me, architecture feels like the psychology of human space. The spaces we interact with throughout our lives have a great impact on how we develop as people and how we interact with others.”

After working under the mentorship of Bromley Caldari Architects, she went on to earn her Master of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute in 2022. Around that time, she was riding her bike past a building she’d admired for years: the Spring Street Salt Shed, designed by Dattner Architects, in collaboration with both WXY and their client agency, the New York City Department of Sanitation.

“It felt like such a beautiful mixture of design for both form and function,” she said.

That admiration and her passion for civic engagement led her to Dattner, which she joined in 2024. “Something that drew me to Dattner is the work is rooted in the idea that architecture should respond to community and public need. This felt like the best place I could do that as an architect in New York City.”

Today, Brandt works in Dattner’s transit and infrastructure studio. She works primarily on New York state parks projects, including the rehabilitation of Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, New York City’s first public green roof originally designed by Dattner Architects and built atop the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant. She also contributed to the design proposal for the new AirTrain stations at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“It feels like a great way for me to incorporate how I came into architecture, which was through this more human-centric, environmentally centered lens of psychology,” she said. “I feel grateful that Skidmore really encouraged me to explore different aspects of my education and understand what the right path was for me.”

Like Brandt, Rachel Ehrlich ’98 discovered architecture through the lens of creative exploration. An English literature major, she was also deeply involved in Skidmore’s Theater Department, building sets and painting backdrops.

“It was very hands-on and incredibly gratifying,” she said. “Working in the scene shop there and painting stage sets was like my home away from home at Skidmore.”

Skidmore’s liberal arts background, she said, was the “perfect springboard” for architecture — even if she didn’t fully realize it at the time.

“I never would have thought of it when I took a 26-question math test my freshman year and celebrated that I would never have to do math for the rest of my life,” she quipped.

After graduating into the dot-com boom, Ehrlich took a job with a fellow alum’s internet startup. She soon realized that working on web projects wasn’t for her. She missed the tangible experience of working with a team to create real spaces — as she had done in Skidmore Theater’s scene shop. One day, she picked up a book on minimalist architecture at a bookstore and thought, “I could do that.”

The interest stuck. She enrolled in architecture school at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2001.

“A professor reminded us, ‘You’re going to be builders. You’re here because you want to make something, you want to build something new and better. You want to improve people’s lives.’”

In 2007, she joined Dattner after hearing a principal speak about the firm’s then-in-progress project Via Verde — a sustainable housing development in the Bronx that later became a signature project.

“I thought, ‘Wow, I want to work on that. I want to work for Dattner.’”

Today, Ehrlich is a leader in the firm’s housing studio and continues to focus on affordable housing and climate-conscious design. She contributed to St. James Terrace, a supportive housing project and community center adjoining the historic St. James Church in the Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx. The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the design for its sensitivity to the 19th-century site.

She is currently working on the third phase of AtlanticChestnut, a 1,200-unit affordable housing development in Brooklyn, and on the redevelopment of the former Haverstraw Chair Factory in Rockland County, which will include 450 units and a waterfront park.

Outside of work, she brings her commitment to sustainability to her town of Madison, New Jersey, where she serves as president of the borough council. She ran for office on a platform stressing the need to take climate action at the local level.

Rachel Ehrlich ’98

David Levine ’86

David Levine ’86 was the only one of the three who set out to become an architect while still at Skidmore. As a studio art and art history major, he discovered architecture during a junior-year program in New York City at the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies, which was offered through Skidmore’s former University Without Walls program.

“The year was very intense,” he said. “There was architectural theory, architectural history, and the core of the program was design studio classes.”

Back on campus, Levine co-led an independent study designing mixed-use buildings for downtown Saratoga Springs. After graduating, he worked for a Boston architecture firm before earning his master’s from Yale.

His goal from the start was clear: “I went to architecture school with an intent to practice architecture that made a social difference.”

He began his career in residential design but shifted his focus after connecting with a group of like-minded professionals at the American Institute of Architects Housing Committee who were advocating for affordable housing in New York City.

Levine joined Dattner in 2007, working on the New Settlement Community Campus in the Bronx — a community center and school that remains a hallmark of the firm.

“It gave me an overwhelming sense of collaborative accomplishment, knowing that the kids’ lives and the community would be improved because of this new built environment,” he said.

Today, Levine is working with a team on the deconstruction of Hunter College’s Brookdale Campus, which will make way for a new CUNY College of Nursing and Graduate School of Health Policy, as well as a health and science career-focused New York City public school. He also plays a key role in Dattner’s sustainable initiatives.

He was among the first at the firm to earn certification through the Passive House Institute of the United States. “We’ve designed and completed several large, multifamily affordable buildings to these standards,” he said.

Levine credits Skidmore with nurturing the critical and creative thinking that continues to guide his work.

All three Skidmore alumni have built careers in architecture around design that supports people, neighborhoods, and the environment. They also draw inspiration from Skidmore, which works to ensure that its education is accessible to all, encourages civic engagement, and promotes sustainability.

Levine and Ehrlich work in Dattner’s housing studio, focused on affordable housing projects. Brandt works in transit and infrastructure. Each sees the link between their early education and the work they now do.

Dattner’s projects are rooted in public service — from housing and schools to parks and transportation. Many are funded by city and state agencies. The firm has also become a leader in sustainability, joining the Architecture 2030 Challenge and specializing in Passive House construction, a rigorous standard for energy-efficient buildings.

Mentorship and collaboration are key values. Levine and Ehrlich mentor junior architects, and Brandt has been part of a Dattner task force focused on inclusion. Levine is involved in its Sustainable Practice Group.

“Architecture is the perfect profession for people who want to make a better world and use creative thought and their minds and hands to do that,” Ehrlich said. “I cannot think of a more perfect expression of that than architecture — and especially the kind of civic architecture that we are doing at Dattner. I hope this inspires people.”

Above photo: Santaella Gardens in the Bronx is Dattner’s first completed Passive House (passivehouse.com) project. With 249 apartments providing urgently needed workforce and affordable housing, the 12-story building features a super-insulated, virtually airtight building envelope with high-performance windows and advanced air sealing details that offer residents enhanced thermal comfort while lowering heating and cooling costs.

The Miranda Family Fellowship at Skidmore is more than a launchpad for arts careers — it’s a lasting community of mentors, collaborators, and changemakers.

By Angela Valden

Clockwise from top left: Skidmore’s inaugural cohort of Miranda fellows: Sophie Kelly ’25

Chiara Garcia-Ugarte ’25

Javier Soto ’25

Darren Jackson-Wilkins ’25

Reyn Ricafort ’25

he Miranda Family Fellowship program is entering its third year at Skidmore, and more and more students studying theater, music, dance, and arts administration are feeling the impact of the professional preparation and supportive community it fosters.

The three-year program — during fellows’ junior and senior years and for one year after graduation — offers guidance and opportunities to emerging artists and arts administrators, fostering broad participation in the arts. From taking group field trips to see performances, to participating in inspiring conversations with experts across industries, to engaging in meaningful mentorship sessions with faculty and guest artists on campus, the fellowship has enriched students’ experiences in a multitude of ways.

“Our multidisciplinary cohorts support one another and learn together with the goal of moving into the profession alongside one another,” says Lisa JacksonSchebetta, professor and chair of the Theater Department, who manages the fellowship at Skidmore. “It’s a game changer for students in the arts.”

Skidmore’s inaugural cohort of fellows — Chiara Garcia-Ugarte ’25, Darren Jackson-Wilkins ’25, Sophie Kelly ’25, Reyn Ricafort ’25, and Javier Soto ’25 — graduated in May with strong portfolios and an abundance of connections and well-earned confidence.

“Each of these fellows has distinguished themselves — they have won awards and accolades, assisted professionals in the field, and created original work,” says Jackson-Schebetta. “They have also been leaders in our department, at the College, and in our wider community.”

The fellowship expands the College’s ever-evolving portfolio of offerings that focus both on key learning outcomes and post-grad preparedness — ideas that underscore Skidmore’s motto, Creative Thought Matters.

“Community and collaboration are key to a successful arts education,” says Luis A. Miranda Jr., patriarch of the Miranda Family and Miranda Family Fund. “As the parent of a 2023 Skidmore graduate, my family’s reverence for this institution is personal. We are deeply proud and thankful that this partnership with Skidmore is not only supporting the higher educational pursuits of our nation’s young people but is also providing a nurturing environment to help shape our next generation of artists and arts administrators. This is only the beginning.”

Skidmore welcomed a second cohort of fellows in fall 2024, and a third is starting this fall as the program continues to evolve to provide the fullest, most balanced experience possible for each student.

Mentor Teisha Duncan and each of the first five fellows reflected on their journeys with the Miranda Family Fellowship so far, providing a glimpse at what it means for the creative futures of Skidmore students.

“Community and collaboration are key to a successful arts education. As the parent of a 2023 Skidmore graduate, my family’s reverence for this institution is personal. We are deeply proud and thankful that this partnership with Skidmore is not only supporting the higher educational pursuits of our nation’s young people but is also providing a nurturing environment to help shape our next generation of artists and arts administrators. This is only the beginning.”

— Luis A. Miranda Jr.

Darren Jackson-Wilkins ’25

Theater major Minors in music and arts administration

Darren Jackson-Wilkins ’25 was looking forward to attending a fully funded master’s program in theater arts this fall and seeking work in arts administration and theater, building off the things he became passionate about at Skidmore.

Among many other accomplishments, he received the Skidmore Racial Justice Award for his role in the play Black Super Hero Magic Mama and wrote, performed, and produced a one-act cabaret titled Scraps of Us with Nina Renkert ’25.

“One of the things I’m most proud of academically and artistically is just how much I’ve grown and all the different things I’ve tried.”

A summer internship with Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs as part of the structured field experience for his arts administration minor was a pivotal opportunity, and he was invited back the following summer to work as SPAC’s programming assistant. He was also able to study at the British American Drama Academy in London for a semester.

Through the Miranda Family Fellowship, Jackson-Wilkins also enjoyed traveling to other colleges and learning about others’ art while bringing his own to a wider range of audiences.

“I’m really passionate about what my identity means directly in the work that I’m doing, so being able to build a network with people who are also doing that has been really rewarding. The resources provided by the Miranda Family Fellowship have exposed me to new works of theater and helped me to become more aware of how my identity informs my experiences and my art.”

Being a member of the inaugural cohort of Miranda fellows was also special, he says, because he made close friends and worked with exceptional faculty and guest artists in the Theater Department.

“We got to figure it out together and shape what the fellowship was going to look like for us. It was very unique in that Skidmore is one of the first colleges to have the Miranda Fellowship, and it’s been great to craft it together. I am very grateful for the doors it has opened.”

Darren Jackson-Wilkins (right) performing in the Skidmore Theater production of Black Super Hero Magic Mama

From writing and staging an original play to attending clown school, crafting puppets, and performing comedy and drag, Sophie Kelly ’25 enjoyed many creative adventures through the Miranda Fellowship, Skidmore’s Theater Department, and beyond.

For their senior project, Kelly acted in, produced, and directed their comedic parody Stop the Presses: The Jack Skelly Story, which they staged in the spring semester. A one-act musical inspired by Newsies, the story follows Skelly, a senior theater major who is wrestling with how to be a leader in their school. In a twist of events, they are transported back in time to 1899 to lead the real newsboy strike.

Kelly also developed an original adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, drawing on Asian and Asian American experiences. For that project, they earned the Theater Department’s Stephanie Mnookin Award.

The fellowship funded Kelly’s studies at the Accademia Dell’Arte in Italy — at a fancy “clown school,” as Kelly described it — during the summer between their junior and senior years. “It’s very physical, very intense, and it’s comedy, which is something that I really like to pursue, specifically in acting. Being able to get these funds and study what I really love was so exciting for me, and I don’t think I would’ve gone if it wasn’t for the Miranda Fellowship.”

Kelly also benefited from meaningful connections with faculty and guest artists, including Visiting Assistant Professor in Directing Margarita Blush. Kelly met Blush during the mainstage production of The Courage to Right a Woman’s Wrongs and worked closely with her as both a performer and assistant puppet artisan on Where Are You Going, Little Horse?

“I was extremely excited to work with her,” Kelly says. “To be able to put on a puppet show with a director who had worked in depth with puppetry was a real privilege.” Being a member of the fellowship’s inaugural class at Skidmore was also a privilege, Kelly says.

“It’s built a sense of community. Being around these students who are just as hungry and passionate about this work (as I am) is so exciting. I truly cannot describe how thankful I am to be able to work with artists who want to make the world a better place and inspire me to do the same.”

Sophie Kelly ’25

Theater major, English minor

Sophie Kelly (left) was a performer and puppet artisan for Where Are You Going, Little Horse?

Reyn Ricafort ’25

Theater major

Reyn Ricafort ’25 is grateful for the resources the Miranda Family Fellowship provided — from funding to mentorship — that allowed him to focus on creating art as a playwright.

Fellowship funding supported him in writing his second play, Artipisyal, which he presented as his senior project. Through a fictional story about a grieving Filipino American immigrant family, Artipisyal tackles what it means to be human in the age of AI.

Ricafort also wrote, directed, and starred in a Playwrights’ Lab-staged reading of his play The Year It Stops, about two young men who fall in love at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic despite their conflicting identities and politics.

“It was a lot of work, but I felt like it was in line with the spirit and legacy of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote and acted in Hamilton. To me, it just felt so special to be able to tell an Asian American story. There’s something so invigorating about doing something that you love and means a lot to you.”

The Theater Department and the fellowship do an incredible job of encouraging students to work on their practical skills as industry artists, says Ricafort, who also took on roles including editor in chief of the Skidmore Theater newsletter; general manager of the Theater Department with Sue Kessler ’99; and teaching assistant in Laura Menzie’s Voice and Speech class.

He also found the small student-to-faculty ratio at Skidmore allows students to build profound connections — in his case, with advisor Lisa JacksonSchebetta and Visiting Lecturer in Playwrighting Eric Holmes in particular.

“Dr. Lisa has been incredibly integral in encouraging us and stewarding the way for us to be able to tell these stories and grab at these opportunities,” Ricafort says. “Eric has championed my perspective as a playwright, encouraging me to lean into the parts of myself that deviate from what other playwrights have already written about.”

In addition to disrupting narratives that sometimes dominate in commercial theater, the fellowship seeks to curb the pervasive trope of artists — particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds — pushing themselves to the limit to be heard.

“It emphasizes taking care of yourself and taking care of your community,” Ricafort says. “I feel that supporting underrepresented voices in theater and entertainment is such a vital thing. I’m Asian, I’m queer, and I’m also an immigrant. The types of stories we tell matter, so this fellowship was very, very important to me. I was so honored to have been chosen.”

Reyn Ricafort (left) as Luis in The Year It Stops

Ricafort was selected to work with Pregones Theater to present The Year It Stops at the Miranda Family Fellows Summit Industry Showcase in New York City in June.

Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, Javier Soto thinks of Skidmore as his second home.

“Skidmore was the best fit for me, allowing me to do both theater and media and film studies at a school that felt exciting and encourages students to do the most.”

He felt empowered by the friends and educators he met at the College.

“Instead of trying to shape me into a certain kind of actor or a certain kind of artist, they really embraced that I’m different, where I come from, how I am,” he says.

“At Skidmore, they didn’t see it as an issue that I wanted to do so many completely different things. They thought that was awesome and encouraged me to pursue these different things.”

With the support of the Miranda Family Fellowship, he has deepened and nurtured his relationship with Chilean culture and his abilities as an artist. For his senior project, he spearheaded a multimedia production of Chilean writer and activist Ariel Dorfman’s Death and the Maiden

Another highlight of the fellowship, he says, was the robust programming it provided. Through small-group activities and one-on-one meetings, in person and online, industry experts shared key insights with the fellows.

“We’ve had great conversations with authors, playwrights, actors, producers, agents, lawyers. They tell you about the industry and — from a perspective of an emerging artist, an artist of color, an artist coming from a marginalized background — you can make that industry work for you,” Soto says.

The fellowship also funded Soto’s summer experience with The Orchard Project, a nonprofit artist accelerator. It has been offering summer programs in Saratoga Springs for over 20 years, lifting up artists with diverse voices at multiple stages in their careers.

“I’ve really seen a lot of growth in myself,” Soto reflects. “I’ve become more comfortable and more secure in my own capabilities. I’ve discovered ways to experiment, and as it happens with art, sometimes it’s tough to finance, but through the fellowship, I’ve been able to do it. I’m proud of being self-motivated, doing it away from home and from my family. But I feel like I make them proud, and I make myself proud.”

Javier Soto ’25

Theater major Media and film studies minor

Chiara Garcia-Ugarte ’25

Art history major

Minors in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx studies and arts administration

Chiara Garcia-Ugarte ’25 discovered her love for museum work and community through the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore. In addition to being a Miranda fellow, she was the Tang Museum’s 2023-24 Carole Marchand Endowed intern and chair of the Tang Student Advisory Council, among other roles.

Her senior project, Beyond the Bite: Food, Art, and Identity, highlights art that examines food as a source of survival and pleasure while also exploring its multifaceted role in expressions of gender, family ties, sexuality, and prosperity imbalances.

“Because of the fellowship, I was able to have lunch with one of the artists who had an exhibition at the Tang Teaching Museum, Yvette Molina, and we were able to talk a lot about our shared identity, her art process, and how she began collaborating with museums and galleries and other artists,” says Garcia-Ugarte. “It’s been really wonderful to get to know and work with her, and we’ve had many discussions about how our identities inspire our work.”

Having opportunities to learn about and collaborate with other art departments across campus through the fellowship also enriched her time at Skidmore.

“I’ve become great friends with a lot of theater and dance students who I didn’t know before, and I’ve enjoyed watching them produce art. I wouldn’t have normally gone to a theater production at the JKB or seen all these dance concerts if I hadn’t had the encouragement and push from the fellowship.”

Garcia-Ugarte feels confident in now having access to a very large network in the visual arts, theater, music, dance, and other performing arts.

“At the Tang, I found a new form of creative expression. I found that I could visualize a career path for myself through museum work, and it was also a way that I could amplify voices,” she says. “Being able to reach out to fellows and to provide the space for them to showcase their work has been an opportunity that I’m really excited to take advantage of after graduation.”

Chiara Garcia-Ugarte giving a tour as a Tang guide

Teisha Duncan

Artist-in-residence, theater Miranda Family Fellowship mentor

Miranda fellows at Skidmore receive personalized mentorship through the College’s Theater Department during their junior and senior years and for one year after graduating.

“That first year after graduation is especially important because it helps you build resilience and a community that can help you maintain it,” says Teisha Duncan, one of four faculty mentors alongside Lisa Jackson-Schebetta, Lecturer Laura Menzie, and Sue Kessler ’99, theater manager, lecturer, and associate chair of theater. “You see the confidence the fellows get from knowing they have a built-in community with us and with their cohort.”

Now that the inaugural group has graduated, Duncan hopes they keep in touch and continue to take advantage of the support system they have at the College.

“I’m excited for them to go and take over the world. These were super impactful students. These were also students who were really kind to each other and kind to other students. They’ve all found their way.”

Commitment and creativity matter, Duncan says. It’s a lesson she conveys to her mentees, particularly when the going gets tough.

“Required for every career is belief and continuous action. Whatever you decide to do, you have to work on it. If you want to do theater, if you want to do the arts, and there’s something you’re passionate about, then commit to it. But there are also nontraditional ways that this career exists.”

With each new professional networking opportunity the fellowship afforded, the students learned about a different path they could take or became more inspired to create their own, she says.

The fellows have grown as artists and as global citizens, Duncan says, and they are sharing their gifts and perspectives with the world.

“As a result of this experience, they’re better able to articulate what they want, what they’re thinking, and what they’re searching for. They’ve expanded their language, their identity, and their curiosity. Socially, they’re more confident. They just feel more empowered, and they take great pride in being a Miranda fellow.”

From top: Teisha Duncan and Lisa Jackson-Schebetta

By Jodi Frank

For Laura Marston ’02, Luke Myers ’97, and Megan White Abercrombie ’98, it’s all in the neighborhood. Inspired by their Skidmore experiences, they’ve helped build a mini-Skidmore community in South Portland, Maine, that celebrates creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.

Nestled on the northern shore of South Portland, Maine, the Knightville neighborhood features a mix of 19th-century buildings, marinas, extensive shoreline, and quaint boutique shops and restaurants.

The neighborhood’s walkable streets, its proximity to Casco Bay and Portland’s Old Port historic district just across the Fore River, and a close-knit community characterize its bustling business district.

Among the entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators in this pocket of the city, three Skidmore alumni have established thriving businesses within just a few blocks of one another. They are all friends, know each other’s families, and exemplify Skidmore’s Creative Thought Matters ethos

“It’s fascinating to see how our paths have intertwined here in South Portland,” says Megan White Abercrombie ’98, owner of Bonny Read, which features an eclectic selection of midcentury and antique furniture and home décor.

A short walk from Abercrombie’s business on the same street is SoPo Seafood, a wholesale seafood market and restaurant co-founded by Luke Myers ’97. Around the corner, Laura Marston ’02 owns and operates GoGo Refill, a store dedicated to reducing environmental impact by offering sustainable, plastic-package-free household products.

“There is a strong Skidmore alumni connection here for sure, and there are so many of us who are entrepreneurs,” Marston says. “It’s nice to be able to reach out locally to collaborate and support each other’s businesses and families.”

Many more Skidmore alumni live and work throughout South Portland and the surrounding region. To learn more about who they are and what they do, Marston, Myers, and Abercrombie recently hosted a regional event at SoPo, where nearly 60 alumni and members of their families gathered to celebrate the creative professionals who help drive the local economy.

“It was great to see such a strong turnout,” Myers says. “Seeing so many alumni thriving as creators and entrepreneurs here really underscored the vibrant, creative spirit that was cultivated during our Skidmore days. It’s been wonderful to witness.”

Knightville

Among the entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators in this pocket of the city, three Skidmore alumni have established thriving businesses within just a few blocks of one another.

Laura Marston ’02

Megan White Abercrombie ’98

Luke Myers ’97

Street, South Portland

BONNY READ

GOGO REFILL

SOPO SEAFOOD

THINK BIG. START SMALL. Laura Marston ’02

rominently displayed in bold, black letters along the sidewall as one enters GoGo Refill are the words: “Think big. Start small.”

The tagline embodies the mission of Laura Marston and the story behind her one-stop shop that sells plastic-free, earth-friendly household cleaners and personal care products. Those wares range from laundry detergent sheets and chewable toothpaste tablets to shampoo bars and lip glosses in cardboard tubes.

“GoGo Refill really evolved out of slow and steady changes over time to reduce singleuse plastic in my household,” says Marston, whose entrepreneurial journey started with a New Year’s resolution to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles during car trips with her two young children. “Thinking big and starting small was a manageable way to move forward. We can all start with a focus on one or two things and develop a habit of reducing.”

Established in 2019, GoGo Refill also offers nearly 90 bulk items that customers can refill in their own containers, including liquid dish soap, liquid laundry detergent, nontoxic glass cleaner, shampoo, and a host of skincare products. And, if they don’t have their own jars or bottles to fill? No problem — feel free to take one out of the large bin filled with donations from neighbors for reuse.

“We fill mason jars, shampoo bottles, laundry detergent containers,” Marston says. “As long as it’s clean and empty, we will refill it.”

GoGo Refill obtains many of its bulk products from a Missouri manufacturer that sends 30-gallon barrels of laundry detergent, hand soap, dish soap, and all-purpose cleaner, among other items. “We ship those back when they’re empty. So most of our own packaging is also circular and refillable,” says Marston, who notes that GoGo Refill has reduced the use of hundreds of thousands of new plastic packaging pieces — a testament to the impact one committed individual can make.

Marston has been a strong advocate for sustainability policy in Maine, helping shape the 2021 Act to Promote Bulk Retail Purchasing, which encourages stores to allow reusable containers to reduce single-use plastic waste. She also played a key role in the 2021 Extended Producer Responsibility law, which requires producers to pay fees based on their packaging’s recyclability — funding municipal recycling, infrastructure improvements, and education initiatives.

An English literature major from Concord, New Hampshire, she followed her mother, Mary Hiersteiner Ruedig ’70, to Skidmore, where she also met her husband, Peter Marston ’02. The two settled in the greater Portland area, where they now live in Cape Elizabeth.

While working as a strategy consultant focused on custom software development — including mobile and web apps — for small and mid-sized businesses, Marston found herself at a crossroads.

“My work involved extensive business research and design, aligning closely with my clients’ aspirations,” Marston says. “At the time, I was experiencing what I call my ‘plastic awakening,’ becoming increasingly aware of waste-related issues. I asked myself what my own business might look like if I focused on what really mattered most to me.”

Marston also operates an online shop. For her, founding GoGo Refill was not only to sell products that prioritize sustainability but also to create a community to share resources about waste reduction. Her Skidmore education taught her that meaningful change starts with communication, creativity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

“A good liberal arts education influenced me more than anything,” she says.

Visit GoGo Refill online at gogorefill.com.

A TREASURE HUNTER WITH AN ARTIST’S EYE

Megan White Abercrombie ’98

Inside Bonny Read, Megan White Abercrombie offers a treasure trove of midcentury and antique furniture. The 2,500-foot shop — named after legendary 18th-century female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read — evolved from her love of antiquing and working at a home décor gift shop in Portland while raising two young children.

“I saw an opportunity and started to buy antiques that I thought the owner would be interested in,” Abercrombie says. “I sold a lot to her, but she didn’t take everything. So I began thinking about what to do with the pieces left over.”

She began selling at Flea-for-All, a large antique and artisan market located in Portland’s Arts District, and through online platforms like Facebook Marketplace. “But I was spreading myself too thin across multiple platforms, so I decided to refocus my efforts,” Abercrombie says.

Real estate agent Kim Myers, the wife of SoPo Seafood co-owner Luke Myers, helped Abercrombie locate a shop in the Knightville neighborhood of South Portland. “It was tiny — maybe 700-squarefeet — but I opened the shop during the pandemic in 2020 using Instagram exclusively to sell, and the business really took off from there.”

The pandemic, surprisingly, turned out to be good for business: While many retailers faced long backlogs for new furniture, Abercrombie could immediately offer secondhand items.

Like Myers and alumna entrepreneur Laura Marston of GoGo Refill, Abercrombie highlights the sustainability aspect of her business. “It’s a pretty green business,” she says. “I’m giving old things a new life, and I mostly source locally around New England.”

Abercrombie spent the first decade of her life in rural Palermo, Maine, deeply rooted in a hands-on, sustainable lifestyle on her family’s small farm. “We were always making things, working with our hands,” she recalls. The family moved to Belfast, a larger Maine town known for its vibrant art community. Her mother, an elementary art teacher and artist who owned a gallery in town, introduced her to antiquing and craft fairs.

An art major at Skidmore, Abercrombie focused on painting and printmaking, delving into etching, relief printing, and lithography. From the beginning, she was impressed by Skidmore’s art facilities.

“The spaces really wowed me — the printing presses and the entire lithography studio,” she recalls. “The substantial space devoted

to the arts created a sense of place that was very appealing. It was exciting to have studios with natural light and a clear investment in the arts.”

She discovered metalsmithing in her senior year, and shortly after graduation, she set up her first business, Peridot Designs, selling sterling silver jewelry at craft fairs and boutique shops. She has fond memories of working in the print shop and studying with professors like Associate Professor of Art Kate Leavitt.

In 2024, Abercrombie moved her shop to its current location across the street. A favorite part of her work is arranging distinct displays in which brass candelabras might share space with sculptural lamps and rattan furnishings.

“I think about line, texture, color — all the design elements I learned at Skidmore — and how they play off each other,” says Abercrombie, who is in constant search of antiques and other treasures to fill and curate her shop.

“It’s pretty addictive,” she admits. “But I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s a labor of love and a creative process that I get lost in every day.”

Follow Bonny Read on Instagram @bonnyreadvintage.

ON BASEBALL, PHILOSOPHY, AND OYSTERS

Luke Myers ’97

uke Myers ’97 co-owns SoPo Seafood, a wholesaler, online market, and restaurant that specializes in locally harvested seafood ranging from raw-bar oysters and clams to lobster and caviar, plus a range of fish. His story is one about pivoting as an entrepreneur and how the business has evolved to where it is today.

Myers worked in the seafood industry for years before joining forces with two friends to launch SoPo Seafood in March 2020. The initial plan was to establish a wholesale warehouse, catering primarily to the restaurant industry. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the same month and forced food establishments to shut down nationwide, Myers and his business partners quickly shifted online to a direct-to-home delivery model. They also organized curbside pickups. The emergency pivot not only kept the business afloat but also deepened community ties during a dark period of uncertainty.

“People still tell me how much they appreciated our deliveries,” Myers says. “We were also able to keep the partnerships we had recently established with the local harvesters.”

In 2021, a building that formerly housed a diner in Knightville became the ideal location for SoPo to set up its market, restaurant, and raw bar. SoPo, which has a warehouse on a wharf in Portland, has 25 employees and three trucks for deliveries across southern Maine. It also continues to maintain its thriving online business for home and restaurant deliveries across the country. About 95% of its seafood is caught in the Gulf of Maine.

“Individual harvesters and small, locally owned seafood businesses have been stewards of the Maine coast for generations, and it’s our privilege to support them,” says Myers, who also owns O’ Oysters, a mobile oyster bar service that delivers fresh oysters and shucks to order at events.

Sustainability and traceability stand at the core of SoPo’s philosophy. Myers is passionate about enabling customers to know exactly where their seafood comes from. Using modern technology like the BlueTrace software, SoPo enables customers to trace their seafood from catch to delivery, supporting informed and ethical consumption choices.

Myers was raised in Auburn, Maine, where recreational fishing was woven into the fabric of family life. “There was always fish on the table or in the freezer,” says Myers, who noted that the green clam sauce his mother made was a favorite dish.

His love of baseball is what initially drew him to Skidmore. “The conversations I had with Coach Tom Hanson and the chance to play college baseball in such a beautiful setting, coupled with the financial aid package I received from Skidmore, made my decision easy,” recalls Myers, who was recruited for the men’s baseball team and still plays the sport.

A philosophy major, Myers was inspired by creators and innovators and by the notion that he was reading the works that created momentous shifts in culture and politics. Over time, he realized that entrepreneurs, too, can create meaningful change.

“When I attended Skidmore College, I was surrounded by creators: ceramicists, dancers, musicians, athletes, painters, and amazing teachers,” Myers says. “I think business is also a creative act.”

“Running a business is a little like writing and directing a screenplay, although it’s not merely acting out scripted parts — it’s about the live, dynamic creation of something impactful,” he adds. “As I see the day’s activities winding down at SoPo, with people laughing and talking, it’s like watching a piece of art come to life.”

Learn more at soposeafood.com.

Faculty and students share their perspectives on what artificial intelligence could mean for learning, careers, and creative thought.

By Angela Valden

Artificial intelligence stirs intense emotions and vigorous intellectual debate. It’s not uncommon to feel excited and energized by the possibilities of AI while simultaneously feeling deep concern about its potential consequences.

But most tend to agree on one thing: AI is present and rapidly evolving — in our day-to-day activities, our workplaces, our classrooms, and broadly in how we acquire, process, and distribute information.

At Skidmore, many faculty, staff, and students are staying on top of the conversation, acknowledging that AI in higher education is an unfolding matter that needs to be addressed.

“There’s a coordinated effort going on to make sure we unlock what AI can mean for the College,” says Matt Lucas, F. William Harder Chair of Business Administration. Lucas is co-chair of Skidmore’s AI Working Group, which reports to President Marc Conner. He also serves in the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum at Skidmore, alongside Beck Krefting, professor of American studies and director of the Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning; Lead Instructional Technologists Aaron Kendall and Ben Harwood; and Professor of Mathematics and Director of First-Year Experience Rachel Roe-Dale. “We have to figure out, how much do we want AI to be part of our pedagogy? How much do we want AI to be involved in our staff work? How do we think about it across all the disciplines, and what, quite frankly, is education with AI-infused technology? Those are things that we have to decide and work on in a unified way across the college, still respecting individual needs and uses.”

Recent and ongoing initiatives include AI think tanks; sessions on AI ethics; learning clusters for faculty; a yearlong Skill2Build AI Institute for faculty and staff; an AI Academy for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users; and multiple panel discussions that have highlighted both faculty and student perceptions. It’s no simple task, but robust programming is keeping ideation and dialogue open and active at Skidmore.

We’ve gathered a selection of perspectives from faculty and staff that illustrate some of the many considerations at the forefront of conversations around AI at Skidmore.

Matt Lucas

F. William Harder Chair of Business Administration, co-chair of Skidmore’s Presidential AI Working Group

It’s critical that AI is infused into our curriculum because our students are graduating into a world where AI is part of the work environment in many industries, and those who have human skills and AI skills are the most prepared. We’re seeing that when students combine AI skills with a Skidmore liberal arts education guided by Creative Thought Matters, they are tremendously valuable to organizations.

The No. 1 piece of advice I give is to become great at prompting, no matter the tool. It’s not difficult to learn, but it does take practice. You also want to be fully engaged with your own learning and knowledge while using a tool, because offloading the AI content means you could be replaced. If you’re engaged and in control, you bring value and perspective to your work.

I’ve learned how to use AI in the classroom to create an interactive, personalized learning experience, which is interesting in itself. In the context of business classes, for example, we do a lot of work with case studies. With the assistance of AI, each student can choose their own favorite company to research and simulate a business scenario. When students are able to select their own interests in the classroom, they become more engaged and learn more deeply.

Overall, we have to be very thoughtful about how AI works with the learning experience and within each discipline. It’s a complex topic and it requires educators to be at the forefront of understanding those complexities and reflecting that in their curriculum.

Erica Wojcik associate professor of psychology

My focus right now as an educator is getting my students to stop and slow down and think carefully, which is very hard to do in today’s world. So much of user-friendly design is about making things faster and easier and cutting out the points of friction where we have to make a decision or sit with something hard. I find that a lot of activities around AI are intended to get rid of that friction and get an entry point into something without having to struggle.

There are real uses in certain fields for the power of AI. But as educators, our goal is to cultivate the human mind. We need to ensure that society continues to value the thing that makes us human – our ability to be creative. We can’t just focus on creating the product; we need to focus on the process of creation and what we can discover from that process. The only way to get practice doing critical thinking is to do a ton of it. So, if you project into a world where we’re just getting rid of friction, we are going to lose the thread very quickly, and those thinking muscles are going to atrophy.

There are really important conversations that need to be had about environmental and privacy concerns, but my major concern as an educator is the cost of using cognitive prosthetics and what that does to us as individual humans and as a community at large.

Emilio Vavarella

assistant professor of media and film studies

What I do in my work is to think about our relationship with technology from as many different angles as possible. We often use technologies to extend ourselves. Increasingly more often, we extend our cognitive processes through AI, as we let AI do some of the thinking that we would otherwise be doing ourselves. This has profound consequences for teaching, learning, and the societies we are building.

Learning how to use these tools and understanding that they have a huge power in framing our perspective is very important. For me, what’s interesting is to not simply do work with AI, but it’s to create work about AI. It’s to not use it simply as a tool, but to use it as an object that needs to be investigated and understood.

I don’t think AI poses a direct and immediate threat to creativity, but I do think that we really need to do work that reflects and comments on AI from a human perspective. That’s fundamental, and the fields of art and media studies, in the broadest sense, are the best spaces to ask these questions. The problem that I see is when one becomes infatuated, in a superficial way, with whatever AI is doing. For example, the AI software Midjourney can make really beautiful images and is impressive, but what’s important is not how good the resolution of an image is, but what are you trying to represent and why? What is the meaning behind what you’re doing? I tell my students that I care about seeing how their minds work.

Erika Schielke

senior teaching professor of biology

Derrell Downey Jr. ’25

computer science major

We should all be talking about AI because the reality is that it is here to stay. It’s something we all need to adapt to, and we need to address the fact that we’re going to be living with it. If you don’t stay on top of AI, other people will keep moving and you’ll fall behind, so it’s really important to know how you can use it to your advantage. There is a lot of talk about how it is going to affect the workforce, and I want to be able to get a job and still have a job in five or 10 years.

Particularly in humanities classes, though, I don’t necessarily know what the right way to go about handling AI is. I’m definitely very cognizant and kind of worried about leaning on it too much, and I don’t want it to impact my ability to think and express my ideas independently and to write well.

An example of an assignment I worked on this year for which I adamantly felt “I am not using AI on this” was my senior thesis in American studies. It’s a 40-page research paper that we write over the course of one semester, and I cared so much about my topic and so much about what I was doing with that paper — and I was so proud of it as a culmination of everything I’ve worked toward in my educational career — that I wanted to write it for myself.

Whether I’m writing, reading a novel for fun, or going to an art museum, I’m doing that to see what humans can produce. I don’t want it to be created by a machine, because that feels like it defeats the whole purpose.

I think students who go on to do research in biology are going to encounter AI, and I think there are some really fascinating applications of generative AI in disease detection and in biological research. I don’t think we can avoid it. As an educator, one of my big takeaways is that I feel like I am trying to keep up. The tools are changing so rapidly that with any exercise, it’s a different output from semester to semester.

I’m finding that students’ comfort and familiarity with AI is hugely variable. Every semester, I have students who don’t want to use it because they don’t want to risk integrity violations. They don’t know where the boundaries are, so they’re afraid of it. There are also students who have ethical concerns, in particular around environmental impacts and labor exploitations, and I frankly share those concerns with students.

As a way to think critically and creatively about AI in one of my classes, I have my students co-create a syllabus policy for how we use it. We don’t have a consensus in academia, and there’s no consensus in the scientific community or in the writing community, so — for now — we as a class come up with what we think is an appropriate policy. There are some cases in which we agree that AI is inappropriate, and it’s worthwhile to explore that. Students also find that prompt engineering practice — the process of revising their prompt to get a useful output — is among the most helpful exercises we engage in.

At least in the tech world, AI is a complete game changer.

Last summer I interned at a consulting firm, and AI literacy factored heavily into my internship. The company had its own ChatGPT model that was trained on the company’s data, and every employee was able to use it for pretty much any task.

I was blown away by how it was able to save me time. I was given a task by a co-worker to deduplicate something like six million records, and doing it by hand would have taken weeks. The next step was to write a Python script, which probably would have taken all day, maybe two days. I knew how to do it, but it takes a while. The tool generated a script in less than a minute. I obviously had to make sure it worked and that everything was right, but having that tool saved me days. That being said, AI literacy is hugely important because you can’t create an effective prompt for things like this if you’re not AI literate.

I think my biggest concern is the environment. I know that every prompt uses a lot of energy. Also, regarding bias, an AI model is also only as good as the data it’s trained on, and if the data itself is biased, then the translation will be too.

Catie Hamilton ’25

American studies major, business and Periclean Honors Forum minors

Search results

THAT LEAD TO GOOGLE

Dozens of Skidmore alumni have gone on to work at Google offices around the world, with more than 20 based in New York City alone.

Five Skidmore alumni spoke directly to current students at one of Google’s Manhattan offices in January, providing an inside look at company culture, opportunities, and expectations, as well as advice for navigating a career path after graduation.

The visit — arranged by Skidmore’s Career Development Center — is an example of the holistic approach the College takes to educating students and preparing them for professional opportunities. It’s uniquely Skidmore, with its expansive alumni network and extensive career services.

Nick Brown ’17, senior partner manager for large customer sales, food, and beverage, at Google, recounted how Skidmore’s Career Development Center made all the difference when he was planning his post-graduation moves. It led the international affairs and business double major first to a role as an associate for a boutique financial services firm, then to a tech startup for four years.

“The CEO of the startup was actually a Skidmore alum I found through the alumni network. So if there’s anything to take away from this, it is utilize the career services, because they basically helped me all the way to where I am at Google today,” Brown told the visiting students. “I think one of the benefits of going to a school like Skidmore is it’s small, but there are a lot of really successful people who have gone through there, and it could lead you to your next job.”

He also recommended taking advantage of the one-of-a-kind courses offered at Skidmore — like the Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting Partnership — to gain valuable experience.

Sophie Rubenstein ’10, a double major in art history and business, worked at Skidmore’s Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery.

She recalled an art history class that taught her how to articulate why what she learned there would be relevant to business.

“It was incredibly helpful for my interview process,” she said. “The more you can cultivate your story of what you’re interested in and what you’re passionate about, the more effective you’ll be, and I learned that initially at Skidmore.”

After graduation, Rubenstein secured an opportunity to work on a media campaign with Barclays bank and Time magazine. Starting out as an assistant at Time, she then moved to The Washington Post.

“I thought I wanted to be in publishing, but so much of life is about the time in which you graduate and your experience. More people were consuming their news and their content on the internet than receiving publications in the mail, and my job was moved to work on washingtonpost.com.”

A former Time colleague reached out to her about a company just starting up within the video advertising space. “Because I knew this was such a trend, I took that leap of faith and I went to this small company, which then got acquired by Yahoo, and Yahoo brought me to Google.”

She is now in her fourth role at Google, as head of Search Ads 360, Google Customer Solutions.

Jessica Palmer ’07, a senior account executive for large customer sales, media and entertainment, at Google, told the visiting students that she gained helpful experience by placing ad sales in the student-run Skidmore News, and she put a semester-long business project on her resume. “It culminated in a business plan, so I was able to talk about that type of experience in my first rounds of

Nick Brown ’17

and Sophie Rubenstein

Jessica

presents to a group of Skidmore students during an informational session at Google’s New York City headquarters arranged by Skidmore’s Career Development Center.

interviews,” the psychology major and business minor said about her early job search.

Like her fellow Skidmore alumni and Google colleagues, she also made big moves through networking. Right out of college, she connected with the senior vice president of Nickelodeon ad sales, whose children she used to babysit.

“I started as a sales assistant there in 2007, and I ended up working at MTV networks (now Paramount) for about 10 years,” Palmer said.

With skills in digital and TV sales and social media marketing under her belt, she started looking at opportunities at tech companies like Google.

“I started networking with people who had previously worked at Viacom (now Paramount) and connected with the lead of a team specializing in video accounts at Google. The video account executive role was essentially meant to find TV advertisers and convince them to spend their TV budgets on YouTube, so that was how I went from a TV company to Google.”

For Jenna Blum ’09, an education major and Spanish studies minor at Skidmore, a junior-year summer internship at Discovery Communications — now Warner Bros. Discovery — set her on an entirely different course.

“I had an internship within Animal Planet, in the development department,” Blum recalled. “I learned how TV shows were pitched and made, and I really loved it. And then I went back to Skidmore, and I was surrounded by all these education majors who were really excited to go into teaching. I felt like maybe there was something else that I wanted to do instead.”

Her college internship led her to her first job as an administrative assistant for human resources at Discovery Communications. “I graduated when it was not the best time to graduate, and I didn’t know anything about HR,” Blum said. “I knew that I liked working with people and that I really wanted to be at Discovery, so I learned all about recruiting, and I was passionate about it. So I worked my way through HR at Discovery.”

When an opportunity at Google caught her eye, she applied for it, and she didn’t get it. “This is important to know — that you can apply for jobs and not get them and then still get a job at the company,” she told the students. “A year later, a

recruiter from Google reached out and asked if I was still interested in working here, in a different role.” Now, she is an employee relations partner for Google Cloud.

Anastasia (Tas) Soetanto ’10, who double majored in international affairs and business, also recalled having to navigate a challenging job market when she graduated.

“When I picked those majors, it was really the international affairs major I was leaning heavily into, thinking I would work for a nonprofit or something to do with policy when I graduated,” Soetanto said. “I had to kind of pivot and lean back into the business major and try to figure it out.”

When applying for jobs, she kept an open mind and let her skills and interests speak for themselves. “I just spent a lot of time being introspective, figuring out what I can offer and really telling a very concise and good story about what it is that I could offer to each role.”

Soetanto was hired for a job as a media planner — a role she learned on the fly — and did that work for several companies before applying to Google. She joined Google as an account manager in sales and is now a global product strategist in ads measurement.

Being able to adapt to changing circumstances and environments is a very valuable skill set to have, said Brown, with Palmer adding that Google provides many opportunities to move around and try new roles.

Blum agreed.

Exciting opportunities across industries

Among many notable recent employers, Skidmore students have found rewarding careers with these companies and nonprofits:

• Audubon Society

• Boston Children’s Hospital

• CBS

• Dell Technologies

• Deloitte

• EY

• LinkedIn

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art

• Penguin Random House

• Sony Music Entertainment

“I think it sounds like for most of us, we didn’t land exactly where we expected to be, and it works out,” Blum reflected.

“Usually one job leads you to the next, or one internship leads you to your job. So be open to taking risks and exploring.”

(left photo), alongside

Palmer ’07

’10,

PERSISTENCE, PRIDE, AND NOW A DIPLOMA

SHOWING THE WORLD WHY CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS

Skidmore conferred 628 degrees during its 114th Commencement on May 17 and encouraged the Class of 2025 to carry Skidmore’s core values into an increasingly complex world.

Honorary degrees were awarded to poetjournalist Aaron P. Dworkin and Adam D. Weinberg, director emeritus of the Whitney Museum of American Art. Speakers urged graduates to embrace uncertainty, seek truth, and lead with imagination.

“Creativity, caring, and curiosity are not just words in a mission statement,” said Board of Trustees Chair Jon P. Achenbaum ’77. “They are guiding principles that will shape your successes and our collective future. Class of 2025, carry these Skidmore values with you: Be the architects of change, the custodians of compassion, and seekers of truth in a complex world.”

President Marc C. Conner urged graduates to embrace moral clarity, intellectual rigor, and kindness as they navigate an uncertain world. Ronald P. Seyb, associate professor of political science, was selected by the Class of 2025 as this year’s faculty speaker. Qavalina Andrade ’25, class president, reflected on the enduring power of education.

“We’ve learned firsthand the value of community, solidarity, and compassion — qualities that extend far beyond the boundaries of this campus,” Andrade said.

To thundering applause, Amelia Clarke ’25 — administrative assistant for Skidmore’s Classics and Economics departments — has joined the ranks of Skidmore’s alumni as a member of the Class of 2025.

Clarke, who first enrolled at Skidmore in 1998, earned a degree in sociology. She says her academic journey was delayed while she raised kids and by health challenges. She credits the support of the Skidmore community — along with her family and faith — for helping her reach this “defining milestone” in her personal and professional life:

“I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone, leaned into every challenge, and stayed committed when giving up might have been easier. More than anything, this experience reminded me that growth happens in the struggle, and strength is built through consistency. I’m incredibly proud of this accomplishment — not just for what it represents, but for who I became along the way.”

A SKIDMORE FAMILY TRADITION

MARCHES ON

When Sophie Compton ’25 walked across the stage at SPAC, she didn’t just carry the pride of earning a degree — she carried nearly a century of family history stitched into the seam of her graduation regalia.

The well-worn black robe first made its debut in 1935 on Sylvia Lufburrow Decker. Three years later, Sylvia’s sister Miriam Lufburrow Allen wore it to her own Skidmore graduation in 1938. It returned in 1964 for Miriam’s daughter, Elizabeth Allen Shertenlieb, and again in 1990 when Elizabeth’s goddaughter, Amanda Yelen, crossed the stage. In 1993, Amanda’s sister, Kate Yelen — Sophie’s mother — wore it at her own Commencement.

More than three decades later, Sophie has become the sixth woman to don the same regalia, still bearing its original E.D. Starbuck label and the Lufburrow name tag. But that’s not the only legacy Sophie honored: She also wore her mom’s graduation hood, her dad Randall Compton’s cap (he’s a fellow ’93 Skidmore grad), and her Aunt Amanda’s 1990 Skidmore ring.

“I am thrilled to be wearing this gown and to carry on the tradition,” says Sophie, who earned a degree in classics with minors in religious studies and anthropology.

EXPRESSED IN SIGN AND SOUND

Each year, longtime American Sign Language interpreter Mark Finkin ’07 ensures that everyone can experience the full meaning of Commencement through expressive, fluid signs that invite all guests to engage with the celebration.

Born to deaf parents in New York City, Finkin says he could sign before he could speak. But long before he interpreted at graduation ceremonies, he was already center stage — as a jazz musician.

With his family’s support, Finkin began playing piano at age 5 and studied at Manhattan’s High School of Music and Art. Over the years, he has performed across the United States with renowned artists, including Barry Manilow. He’s currently performing and recording with his daughter, jazz vocalist Alexis Cole.

Although his musical success initially interrupted his college education, Finkin was determined to finish his studies. He earned an associate degree from SUNY Adirondack before transferring to Skidmore’s former University Without Walls program. The same day he enrolled at Skidmore, he was asked to interpret at Skidmore’s Commencement Exercises.

“That’s how I knew I was doing the right thing,” said Finkin, who also works as sales manager at Hilton Piano Center in Albany, interprets regularly in hospitals, and runs a summer bed-and-breakfast on Monhegan Island, off the coast of Maine.

In 2007, he earned his Skidmore degree in music — and interpreted at his own Commencement and every Skidmore Commencement since.

UMBRELLAS UP, SPIRITS HIGH

It’s been 75 years since Jane “Nicky” Nickum Eastman ’50 graduated from Skidmore — back when the campus was nestled downtown. But the memories — and Nicky’s connection to the College — remain as strong as ever.

An English major, Nicky graduated and followed a career in advertising, including work on New Jersey’s first live TV show and at Life magazine.

A proud member of the President’s Society, Legacy Society, and Loyalty Circle, Nicky had planned to attend her 70th Reunion before the pandemic struck. This year, at 96, she was the only member of the Class of 1950 to attend their 75th Reunion.

She made the trip from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with her niece and fellow alumna Karen “Kam” P. Damtoft ’80. Together, they honored a family legacy that also includes Nicky’s late sisters, Betty Nickum Morris ’42 and Nancy Nickum Damtoft ’47 (Kam’s mom).

“It’s a real honor and a treat to be here with my aunt,” Kam said. “We didn’t know exactly what we were in for — except some rain — but it’s been so much fun.”

Nicky and Kam joined more than 800 alumni who returned for Reunion 2025 — a weekend of reminiscence and a few showers that helped raise nearly $16 million for Skidmore.

Karen “Kam” P. Damtoft ’80 (left) and Jane “Nicky” Nickum Eastman ’50 (right) stop for a photo along the Case Walkway at Reunion 2025.

CLASS NOTES

To submit a class note, email the class correspondent listed with your class year or visit www.skidmore.edu/classnotes

’47

Doris Dunkle Jerman ’47 dojerman@att.net

Jeanne Liota Bilello ’47 died March 1 at age 99. Her son shared that she always spoke with joy about her Skidmore experience.

’48

At 98½, Jean Stewart Brandt ’48 has moved to assisted living, where she appreciates the support. She has two great-grandchildren and enjoys taking photos of their four generations together. Watching them grow has reaffirmed what she learned at Skidmore. “The knowledge from my 1948 degree has stayed current for 77 years!” she writes.

Leila Goldstein Garlock ’48 passed away on April 29 surrounded by her three daughters. She lived 98 happy years filled with family trips with her grandchildren, a Skidmore reunion shared with her daughter, Susan Lesser ’73, and joyful gatherings with her extended family. Sweet, thoughtful, well-informed, and funny, Leila was loved by all who knew her.

’51

Patricia Bryant Koedding ’51 pbkoedding@outlook.com

Richard Ericsson ’78 and Donna Ericsson ’77 share the passing of their mother, Dorothy Danninger Ericsson ’51, at age 94. A devoted Skidmore alumna, Dottie often thanked her third-grade-educated mother for making college possible. She was New Jersey’s first female licensed private investigator and served 10 years on the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education. In retirement, she enjoyed sailing with her late husband, Eric “Ebby” Ericsson, spending much of their time on the water.

Dorothy Danninger Ericsson

’52

Betty Johnson Boothe ’52 bettyboothe@gmail.com

Margery Blacker Griffith ’52 is one of two resident artists with an in-apartment studio at The Willows. She currently has 15 works — pastels, watercolors, oils, and prints — on display in the community gallery. Her largest and most popular piece, an oil painting, recently sold. After graduating from Skidmore, Marge studied with individual artists and took classes at the University of Cincinnati and the Art Academy of Cincinnati. She now lives in Chesterfield, Mo., near St. Louis.

Cindy Hartwig Gyorgy ’52 recently moved from Oneida, N.Y., to an assisted living facility in Hallowell, Maine. The move was exhausting, but she is now happily settled near Augusta, Maine, where she used to spend her summers. She keeps in touch with Barb Underhill Collyer ’52, Randy Moore Foster ’52, and Jean Adams Shaw ’52

Ann Burchards Botjer ’52 is now living in an independent living facility in The Villages, Fla. She spent her life on Long Island, so the change to no snow and ice was welcome.

Burch enjoys playing chair volleyball — feet glued to the floor and seat glued to the chair! “Our freshman days at Baker House — such wonderful memories,” she writes.

Randy Moore Foster ’52 enjoys her independent living facility in Wallingford, Conn. Her two great-grandchildren keep her entertained. She recently attended two birthday parties — for a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old. Such fun!

Marcia Hillfrank Forest ’52 shared that her husband, George, died last spring. Marcia is able to continue living in her home in North Hampton, N.H., thanks to a wonderful live-in caregiver who is incredibly caring. Marcia enjoys her many friends, her hobbies, and her summer days at Lake Ossipee in New Hampshire.

Barbara Underhill Collyer ’52 lives in a beautiful senior home near the Cornell campus in Ithaca. She is well cared for by a great staff and has become a whiz at chair yoga. Her daughter, Carol, lives nearby and visits frequently. Barb misses her dogs, her horse, and her car but enjoys her many friends and activities at Cornell. Her loyalty, however, remains with Skidmore. Our Class of 1952 is deeply appreciative of all she has shared with Skidmore over the years. Thank you, Barb.

Nancy Chilson Steinman ’52 is now living in an assisted living facility in Concord, Mass. Her career as a scientist has been very exciting; she recalls being one of the first researchers in the field of kidney transplants. She and her late husband lived in Europe for many years and raised three children. Nancy enjoys many conversations with fellow retired scientists.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Joanna Van Orden Turrell ’52, who was a longtime realtor in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Keowee Key in 1987. She is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Mary Lyons Harberg ’52 lives in the Houston, Texas, condo where she moved with her husband (now deceased) in 2003. She also spends a lot of time at their ranch in Texas, where her large family gathers for fun events. Mary so enjoys her children, 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her family includes four generations of twins.

Barbara Bower ’52 wants everyone to know that she has just started a new full-time job in Littleton, Colo.— caring for herself! She lives in a large community of more than 2,000 people but finds it worth the effort to be close to her six great-grandchildren (ages 7 and under),

the children of three grandsons who live nearby. Barb sounds great over the phone.

Jean Adams Shaw ’52 writes from Essex, Conn., that all is well at Essex Meadows Retirement Community. She and Biff chose the right place. Jean is pleased to receive news from the Skidmore campus and has many fond memories of both the old and new campus.

Betty Johnson Boothe ’52 had three wonderful trips with her three daughters this past year (dogs and husbands stayed home), spending five days in Iceland with a rented car, a week in Northeast Harbor, Maine, sailing and relaxing, and then several days in Kennett Square, Pa., visiting her cousin. Very recently, she fell and broke her lower leg. Her lifestyle sure changed quickly, but she is patiently healing. Your news is always welcome.

’56

Susan Leach Ryan ’56 writes that after 66 wonderful years of marriage, her husband, Kevin, passed away on May 8, 2024. A 1956 graduate of Dartmouth, they met on a blind date their sophomore year and married in 1957. They have two sons and four grandchildren. Eleven years ago, they moved to a retirement community in Santa Barbara. “I miss him terribly, but I’m lucky to have friends and family nearby. I’m still healthy and enjoying being 90!”

Nannette Sloan ’56 traveled to Madrid and London, enjoying the art-filled museums and visiting friends. Her children and grandchildren help keep her current, and life in New York City offers plenty of interesting places to explore.

Gail Richardson West ’56 passed away on Sept. 26, 2024.

’57

Dotty Wakeman Mattoon ’57 mattoondotty35@gmail.com

This is a momentous year for us — the Skidmore Class of 1957 is turning 90! It’s hard to believe, but here we are, still making memories, staying active, and reflecting with gratitude on lives well lived. Here are the latest updates from our inspiring classmates. Let’s celebrate each other and this special milestone together.

Elizabeth “Betty” Hartz Hewitt ’57 shares, “Yes, the BIG 90. Scary! But there are still about 96 members of our class out and about — amazing!”

Margaret “Marge” O’Meara Storrs ’57 celebrated her 90th birthday with family. “It doesn’t get any better than that,” she writes. “How lucky I am. I send you my best wishes.”

Linda Gorham Harvey ’57 marked her 90th in Captiva Island, Fla., where her immediate family of eight rented a lovely home with a pool and a beach nearby. She even swam in the Gulf on several days. “We had a wonderful time being together,” she shares.

Joann “Joy” Hamann Shaw ’57 writes, “Yikes — how did we all get to be so old?” Despite health challenges and her husband Gordon’s move to the memory unit at Newbury Court, she finds joy in family updates: a granddaughter getting married, a great-granddaughter on the way, a grandson in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, and another graduating college in May. “Sometimes life goes by awfully quickly. I hope all is well with our classmates.”

Mary “Bang Bang” Gund Farr ’57 enjoyed a Skidmore gathering in March in Naples, Fla., which President Conner attended. She reflects fondly on her 64-year marriage to Hap, who attended RPI. “He went to the Army, I went for a master’s, and we reunited in Cleveland and married soon after.” Now they split their time between Cleveland and Florida, and the family gathers at a Michigan island purchased by her grandfather 100 years ago. “Life has been good,” she writes.

Nancy Mann Germanetti ’57 celebrated both her 90th birthday and her 70th wedding anniversary with Hugh this year. They live in Longhorn Village in Austin, Texas, a vibrant retirement community connected with the University of Texas. “We live independently with a beautiful view of the Hill Country,” she says. Nancy also enjoys connecting with fellow Skidmore alumna Kaye Patterson ’59, who lives there too.

Gail Richardson West

Joan Firmery ’57 remains very active, volunteering at a local historic village where she and other former home economics teachers maintain costumes for re-enactors. She also serves as treasurer for two professional and retired teacher associations. “Never looking for something to do,” she writes.

Last fall, Skidmore alumni Jane Merrill Akeson ’57, Sid Wright Coursen ’58, Linda Gorham Harvey ’57, and Mary Avery Gessner ’58, who all live on Cape Cod, took a 30-mile ferry ride to Nantucket to explore the island.

Jane Merrill Akeson, Sid Wright Coursen, Linda Gorham Harvey, and Mary Avery Gessner exploring Nantucket

Charlotte Megill Hix ’57 reflects, “It’s hard to believe we’re nearing 90!” She now lives near the ocean, close to daughters Elizabeth Colby ’81 and Katherine Hix ’83, and looked forward to another beach-filled summer. She stays active with genealogical research and writing, accompanied by her dog, Bentley.

Class President Hope Thompson Kerr ’57 lives in Bend, Ore., with her twin sister. She plays pickleball four times a week and celebrated her 90th birthday with her kids in May. “I hope all our classmates are well!”

Doug Wilson shares the joyful news on behalf of our late classmate, Deborah “Debbie” Grigg Wilson ’57, that granddaughter Kathryn Wilson ’27 has been accepted into the Skidmore Sonneteers. Debbie led the group her senior year. “I’m thrilled beyond words,” he writes, sending warm wishes to all.

Thelma Kropper Hewitt ’57 reports that life in New Hampshire is “absolutely wonderful,” with visits from old friends and a supportive community. Sadly, her beloved son passed away after a long illness. Her daughter, Susan, is happily married and close by.

Josephine “Jo” Leach Lewis ’57 passed away in July. A proud English major at Skidmore and Cornell, she dedicated her career to teaching English as a second language, serving as

director of courses at San Francisco City College. She traveled extensively but found joy in her peaceful garden home in San Rafael, Calif. Her legacy includes service to both her alma maters and countless students.

Tina Tonon Burnham ’57 now lives in the skilled nursing unit at The Overlook in Charlton, Mass. Despite dementia, she remains joyful and social. She engages in crafts and puzzles and fondly recalls her Skidmore days. She turned 90 in May.

Class correspondent Dotty Wakeman Mattoon ’57 writes, “Surprise! Francis ‘Toby’ Rowe Hohenstein ’57 called me in April while in Punta Gorda for a sailing buddies’ reunion. We met for a delightful lunch — it had been decades since we’d last seen each other! Neither of us has changed.” She and Jim celebrated their ninth anniversary in April. They enjoy bocce at the yacht club and regular “date nights.” As this special 90th year rolls by, she hopes each of you celebrates every day with sunshine, health, and happiness.

’58

Naomi Tamerin ’58 celebrates that her grandchild has been accepted to Skidmore as a member of the Class of 2029. “The torch has been passed!”

Susanne Hecht Goldstein ’58 is enjoying life — traveling, driving, and nearing age 90. She’s heading to Italy with her stepdaughter and credits her joyful outlook in part to one key piece of advice: “Get a dog!”

’59

Barbara Huge Homeier ’59, her husband, David, and their cat, Bogie II, are settling into their new home at Bethesda Orchard, a senior retirement center. They miss their house of 54 years but are staying active. Barbara has fond memories of trips east, including returning to Skidmore for her 50th reunion, and misses traveling to favorite places in Maine and Boca Grande.

’60

Susan Smith ’60 and her husband, Bill Wilkes, are enjoying living in their new home at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living.

’61

Gig Smiley Read ’61 gig4smile@aol.com

Carole Heller ’61, an engaged alumna and longtime Skidmore supporter, passed away peacefully on Feb. 16 at age 84.

Judy Tulchin ’61 lives at Carol Woods retirement community in Chapel Hill, N.C., where she’s connected with the CEO, Marianne Ratcliffe ’94, a fellow alumna. Judy is near her daughter, Lisa, and two sons, Matthew and Ben, but still visits her son Drew and his family. Now in assisted living for diabetes care, Judy stays active with hiking, exercise, book clubs, and museum visits. She also tutors a Spanish-speaking housekeeper and enjoys time with her grandchildren.

Doris Kadish ’61 turned 85 in July and is in excellent health. After 40 years of teaching at Kent State and the University of Georgia, she is now retired and living in a retirement community in Athens, Ga. Her husband passed away in November. She enjoys reading, writing, exercising, streaming, playing games, and spending time with friends, her three children, and three grandchildren. “I consider myself enormously lucky to have reached this stage in life,” she said.

Paul and Zelda Jacobson Schwartz ’61 were thrilled to return to Skidmore in May for the graduation of her granddaughter, Ayla Wellnitz ’25. She encourages classmates to get ready for their 65th reunion in June 2026 and says she’ll be preparing new messages for their time together.

Paula Rosen Janis ’61, our class TV star, continues to lead an exciting life. A documentary and an animated series about her show, The Magic Garden, are currently in development. Paula is grateful that a show that first aired 53 years ago still resonates with fans of all ages.

All is well in Southern California for Edna Simons Alvarez ’61 Her three granddaughters, in their 20s, recently coordinated a visit from Boston, Honolulu, and London. Edna continues to lead her six-session group, Glorious Age of Aging, focused on action steps for post-80 adults. She also hosts her monthly First Friday Ideas Salon via Zoom, where rotating expert facilitators lead discussions on significant 21st-century issues.

Pam White Leighton ’61 shares that her son Chip’s book, What Time Is Noon, is now a New York Times best seller. The book features

hilarious texts, ridiculous feedback, and not-so-subtle advice from teenagers. Pam also notes with sadness the passing in June 2024 of her roommate, Claire Hawkins Seaquist ’61

Margaret Howe-Soper ’61 enjoys living near her granddaughters, ages 11 and 13, in Charlotte, N.C. She stays active as a reading specialist at the local library and with family, choir, book clubs, and the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Committed to civil rights and strengthening democracy, she devotes time to promoting good government.

Ginny Merola Carter ’61 and Dee Hillebrand Robertson ’61, freshman-year roommates, reunited after Christmas 2024 at Ginny’s home in Reston, Va.— their first meeting since a 1963 Cape Cod reunion with their spouses.

Ellie Platzman Palmer ’61 enjoyed a fun week with Debby Goldfarb Cooper ’61, who escaped snowy Connecticut for sunny Boca Raton, Fla. Ellie loved spending time with a dear Skidmore friend.

Kirsten Holst Whitsett ’61 shared that she’s still in touch with Mary Pierce Riney ’61, one of her sophomore-year roommates. She, Brenda Giombetti Darcey ’61, and Anna Jalar Jeanneau ’61 — both now deceased — often reunited in places like Virginia, Maine, San Diego, San Francisco, France (Anna lived in Angers), and Boston, their last. Though Kirsten has traveled widely, these gatherings with longtime friends remained among her most cherished.

Class correspondent Gig Smiley Read ’61 shares news of her first-ever river cruise — traveling from Prague to Budapest with a best friend from eighth grade. “I loved the food, service, and small-ship experience.” She regularly sees her 8-year-old grandson, Ben, who lives nearby. His older sister, Nora, is a freshman at UVA and is enjoying the equestrian program. “It’s difficult reading The Washington Post and seeing the drastic changes under the current administration.”

’62

Susan Sambrook Berry ’62 lcdrssberryret@yahoo.com

After 57 years in Manalapan, N.J., Janice Sachs ’62 and her husband, Steve, moved to an independent living community closer to their daughters. The facility also offers memory care, which Steve now needs following an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Downsizing was dramatic, but they’re happy they won’t have to

do it again. While it was hard to leave longtime friends, they’re meeting new people and staying active with all their new home has to offer.

’64

Janice Touloukian ’64 jantouloukian@gmail.com

Linda Keating Fuller ’64 released two new books, Info/Comm/Tech in Popular Culture: An Encyclopedia Time Capsule and Celebrating the Super Bowl: Programs, Profits, Parties.

Val Burkhardt Marier ’64 and her husband, Bob, shared that 2024 brought health challenges, but they’ve entered 2025 with renewed energy. They enjoy reading, knitting, and writing, and Val contributes to a weekly blog and local newspaper. A highlight has been cheering on their granddaughter at University of Hartford basketball games. As always, they continue to appreciate the serenity and natural beauty of life in Maine.

Sue Hunter ’64 continues her philanthropic work, raising funds for scholarships for women in need and supporting other benevolent causes. A favorite tradition remains the annual family reunions in South Carolina.

Linda Smith Thurston ’64 and her husband, Dave, are still enjoying life in Port Charlotte, Fla. They stay active, travel abroad, and spend meaningful time visiting family.

Carol Krentzman Ginsburg ’64 shares the exciting news that her granddaughter, Charley Paone ’28, was accepted Early Decision to Skidmore. Carol and her daughter, Marge, are in the process of purchasing a second home in Saratoga Springs — in a less rural area and filled with interesting summer activities.

Carol Russo Loscalzo ’64 and her husband, Frank, celebrated their grandson Ryan Capozucca ’25, who graduated from Skidmore in May with a degree in business and management. He was co-captain of the crew team, as was Carol’s niece, Maris Prichett ’02. The Loscalzos have three other grandchildren: Caroline, who graduated from the University of Richmond in May; Jason, a rising junior at Northwestern; and Katherine, a rising sophomore at Point Park University.

A memoir, Good Morning Star Child, by Tina Spiro ’64 — which includes reflections on her Skidmore days — was scheduled for publication by Kindle and distribution on Amazon. She planned a book launch and signing at Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida, in June.

Janice Touloukian ’64 continues to enjoy serving as class correspondent and loves hearing from you by email, text, and phone. Her oldest granddaughter graduated from Connecticut College and is teaching English in Madrid. Two others attend the University of Michigan and Davidson College. Though officially retired, she remains active on the pastoral staff at First Church of Christ in Woodbridge and recently completed a term as moderator for the UCC’s New Haven Association. Bob stays busy in retirement and still sails.

Toby Weirdberg Rubenstein ’65 owcpclaimsconsulting@gmail.com

Duffy Dyer ’65 loves living at the continuing care retirement community she moved into two years ago. It is 2,300 square feet with a two-car garage and is near the beach in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Peggy Sills Huckel ’65 is still living in Saratoga Springs, halfway between her son in Philadelphia and her daughter in Portland, Maine. Now retired from the Saratoga Springs Public Library, Peggy recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. She stays busy traveling between visits with her grandchildren and caring for her father-in-law, who is nearing 104.

Mary Krugman ’65, who passed away in 2023, was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame for her groundbreaking contributions to nursing and health care. She pioneered the world’s first accredited nurse residency program, shaping training and retention nationwide. A mentor to many, she retired in 2015. Her numerous honors include the Florence Nightingale Award and the University Medal. Her legacy lives on through the American Academy of Nursing and nursing education.

Katherine “Katie” McDowell ’65 is doing well and hopes to semi-retire from her law practice after resolving a traumatic brain injury case. “We’re still enjoying the great outdoors here in northern Arizona and trying to find time to work to preserve our democracy, given the present administration’s assault. We hope you all are well and would love to hear your news!”

Kathie Aberman ’65 shared highlights from her “Get-Out-of-Winter Tour”: a week in Cuba, planned by her son Peter, who encouraged her to start traveling again, followed by six weeks in Arizona visiting her other children and enjoying warmer weather. She hoped to

see classmates at Reunion, including Kathy Feingold Hotchner ’65, Joan Lasky Sussman ’65, Betsy Schwartz ’65, and Sallie Baldwin Andrade ’65. She planned to celebrate Passover with her sister, Jane Aberman Baringer ’66, and extended family in New Hampshire.

Rorry Pond Zahourek ’65 shares that Mary Kerber Krugman ’65 was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. Rorry and her husband enjoy winters in Grand Case, St. Martin, and summers in Belchertown, Mass. They frequently travel to visit granddaughters in London and South Carolina. Rorry remains active in holistic nursing through committee work and writing. Rorry stays in touch with Nan Whitcomb Lipton ’65, Kathy Feingold Hotchner ’65, and Sarah Knight Erlij ’65

Karen Norvig Berry ’65 shares that she and her husband, Bill, are excited to attend their first Penn State Road Scholar program focused on weather and astronomy — complete with telescope use and lectures on the science of the skies. The couple remain active on their local Great Decisions foreign affairs lecture committee and are already helping to organize the 2026 series.

Julie Ann Hall ’65 shares that her self-published book, Volumina, A Bawdy Fairytale, is now available on Amazon. “This is fun!” she says. She continues to work as an LCSW psychotherapist in New York and is very happily married to Scott Houston.

Sue “Gibbsie” Gibbs ’65 is happily retired and still living in Oslo, finally embracing life after a long and busy career in an ICU. She spent the past two Augusts in the U.S. catching up with friends and enjoys a quiet life filled with long walks. She now prefers snowshoeing to cross-country skiing and plans to travel around Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. She missed Reunion this year — “It’s a long way to go for a couple of days, and like many of us, I’m no longer a kid!”

Suzy Gebhardt Clarke ’65 sends regards to all.

Jeannie Hitchcock Kithill ’65 enjoys regular Zoom calls with Bev Holmes Strodtz ’65, Sandy Brandt Van Mell ’65, Charlotte Dusenberry Lesser ’65, and Lyddy Marty Fraser ’65. Living far away sadly prevented Jeannie from attending Reunion. She and her husband, Phil, stay busy with their grandkids (ages 4 and 8), hiking, skiing, and playing soccer and pickleball — “never a dull moment!” Jeannie still lends a hand at Santa Fe Prep, coaching swimming, lining lacrosse fields, and archiving athletic memories.

Pam Page Traver ’65 and her husband, Chuck, are enjoying retirement, though, as she says, “artists never fully retire.” They ski and snowshoe in winter, boat in summer, and recently celebrated the arrival of their first great-grandchild in February. Pam often sees Chris Avondoglio Denham ’65 and caught up with Nina Knoblauch Comiskey ’65 in Maine last summer. Nina is active in her community and Pam continues to create art in her home studio and had a solo exhibit in Newburyport, Mass., last year.

Nancy Thorne ’65 shares that her three sons, a grandson, and a daughter-in-law all work in sports television; they often cross paths both professionally and at family gatherings. She planned an inn-to-inn horseback ride in France’s Loire Valley just before Reunion. She stopped skiing but can’t give up the saddle.

Tina K. Olsen ’65 has been painting and showing at 118 Elliot St. for the past eight years and is teaching art as a form of meditation. Tina keeps in touch with Olga Sibony ’65, Judith Testa ’65, and Ann Schaumberger ’65. She also saw Lucille Rhodes ’65 in San Miguel de Allende in April. Returning to campus for Reunion, Tina told the Scope magazine team that, at age 82, she often finds herself reflecting on her college years: “Every time I look back, it’s Skidmore,” she said. She was excited to have three paintings featured in the alumni exhibit at the Tang Teaching Museum, including Motherhood Denied, which explores the emotional and societal challenges associated with raising children. Seeing her work displayed in a museum that didn’t exist when she was a student felt like a full-circle moment in her life and artistic journey.

Tina K. Olsen with her work at the Alumni Art Exhibition during Reunion

Karen Berlan Bleier ’65 has two new great-grandchildren, bringing the total to seven. Her youngest granddaughter recently became engaged. Sadly, her sister passed away recently after a 40-year battle with multiple sclerosis.

’66

Last year, Marguerite Miller ’66 hosted an exhibition of paintings, reGeneration, at the Josephine Butler Parks Center in Washington, D.C. The large watercolor paintings deal with displacement of longtime residents in a historic neighborhood during the late ’90s. See more of Marguerite’s work at margueritem.com.

’67

Lorraine Rorke Bader ’67 Lorraine.bader@gmail.com

Barbara Marder ’67 had her artwork selected for GBH’s Community Canvas initiative and featured on GBH’s digital mural above the Massachusetts Turnpike in Brighton, Mass.

Pamela Stewart ’67 regularly performs vocal solos and researches Romantic-era art song composers and poets. She also restores and paints old chairs, donating them to animal rescue auctions. Pamela and her husband, Douglas, had three grandchildren graduating in June, with two others in high school and college. They planned to drive to Maine for one graduation and to reconnect with old friends while also keeping a close eye on world events.

Last fall, Christine Goodwin ’67 traveled to Sicily with a Skidmore Alumni tour, reconnecting with Carolyn Grodin Wenger ’67 and her sister, Susan Morse ’64. The group included 18 travelers — 12 alumni and several friends and relatives. Highlights included Sicilian food and wine, Greek temples, ornate churches, and a volcano. Christine enjoyed the experience so much that she has already signed up for the next Skidmore Alumni trip, to Turkey, scheduled for this fall.

Elizabeth MacCracken Winn ’67 recently enjoyed a visit with former dean Claire Olds, who now lives in assisted living.

Class correspondent Lorraine Rorke Bader ’67 was in New York in April and got together with Sandy Colony ’67, Judy Harris Soper ’67, and others from the class.

’68

Niki Holbrook Sabbath ’68 nhs46ff@gmail.com

Janice Brophy Billingsley ’68 and her husband moved to Waccabuc, N.Y., after the pandemic, trading city sidewalks for sky-filled walks. She frequently visits New York City for theater and museums and recently traveled to Saudi Arabia. One daughter lives in Brooklyn with two young sons; the other, a French professor, splits time between the U.S. and France. Janice has taken up painting, inspired by Mr. Pardon’s color course. She’s very grateful for her Skidmore friends. “That would be my advice to my Skidmore self — hold on to old friends!”

Louise Diracles ’68 is loving life with her 4-year-old grand girl close by. She and Kramer care for her on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. “She is the joy of my life.”

Beatrice Kingston ’68, Donna Deitch Rempell ’68, and Debby Davis Cromwell ’68 met for lunch in Keene, N.H., last fall. They hope to gather again this spring — and would love for others to join them!

Deborah Kelly ’68 is managing director of a brand and marketing firm in Denver and serves on the boards of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Healthy LifeStars, a nonprofit supporting kids’ wellness. She recently retired after 28 years on the Perdue Farms board. A lifelong skier, she’s had a home in Snowmass for 38 years. (Let her know if you’re in the area.) Now engaged with Skidmore, she serves on the President’s Advisory Council and appreciates the College’s distinctiveness.

Beatrice Kingston ’68 retired from teaching at St. Elizabeth University three years ago and is enjoying the freedom — reading, writing, cooking, and spending time with her seven birds. A passionate traveler and 40-year+ amateur Maya scholar, she’s visited El Salvador, Honduras, and Copán. This year’s adventures have included Puerto Rico, southern California, and upcoming trips to France, Germany, and possibly Ireland. She stays closely connected with her “many Japanese daughters” through regular email exchanges.

Liz Lewenburg ’68 and her husband are retired and split their time between San Diego and Martha’s Vineyard. Liz stays active with gardening, tap dancing, Zumba, a ukulele group, and horseback riding with her 24-yearold dressage horse. Her daughter, Sara, recently retired from the Justice Department’s

civil rights division. Her granddaughter is a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, and her son runs his own business. “We feel very lucky,” she writes.

Debby Mayer ’68 attended the Skidmore-sponsored trip this year to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The trip started in Lisbon and ended in Barcelona — a city she’s visited and loved.

Ellen Sherman ’68, a former NBC Dateline producer, now co-hosts the podcast Binge or Bomb, where she reviews top international streaming series — from Britain to Israel. “We binge so you don’t have to,” she says. So far, she’s reviewed 102 series across 34 episodes. The podcast is free on Apple and Spotify. Her son Andrew recently married in Palm Beach, where classmate Michaele Cohen Drayer ’68 joined the celebration — “We danced like it was 1968!”

Mary “Tumpy” Burge Pearcy ’68 reports that life in Aiken, S.C., remains busy and fulfilling. She rides and hunts with Aiken hounds, gardens, plays golf, and travels. She and Steve planned a Windstar cruise to Greece and Turkey. This winter, she enjoyed a Zoom call with Lora Ekmejian Coes ’68, Susan Low ’68, and Roxy Currie Wales ’68, and caught up with Judy Norman O’Connell ’68. “We all look marvelous!”

Class correspondent Niki Holbrook Sabbath ’68 is planning a trip to Norway to visit her ancestral home, which has been turned into a museum. It’s been a lifelong dream and the culmination of a five-year genealogy study. A bilingual cousin will be her tour guide.

’69

Carol Bogardus ’69 mscarolab@gmail.com

Last year was not a travel year for Jeanine Caltagirone Jacobson ’69 and her husband, Les, but they looked forward to a June river cruise from Budapest to Prague. Before that, Jeanine visited Las Vegas and Houston. They had to cancel a mid-January trip to Los Angeles for the Jacobson Writer-in-Residence Program at REDCAT due to wildfires. Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to their Sarasota condo, which is now undergoing repairs.

Liz Loomis ’69 and Gretchen Dorn Anderson ’69 reconnected in 2024 at the funeral of Gretchen’s oldest brother, Ernie, who was married to Liz’s husband’s sister, Mary. Liz also

met Gretchen’s husband and family, who live in Michigan. Liz writes that she always enjoyed spending time with her.

Ann “Annie” Kleinkauf Gunnin ’69 has lived in the North Georgia mountains since 1997, enjoying a break from Atlanta traffic. After retiring in 2009, she published Letters to Virtue in 2014, based on Civil War letters from her great-great-grandfather. Her research led to a passion for genealogy and membership in several heritage societies. Now in her sixth year as registrar for her DAR chapter, she calls it a full-time job. She and her husband recently celebrated 40 years.

Judy Wilson ’69 is still reeling from the Los Angeles fires. Their home was spared, but many friends weren’t so fortunate. Randy is easing into retirement and preparing to sell his last commercial property. Travel plans this year include Edinburgh, London, Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Paris. Judy is president of the San Marino League and serves on the boards of the Pasadena Art League and Valley Hunt Club. She stays in touch with Candy Leeds ’69 and Sue Hubbard Okie ’69

Susan Thomas ’69 and her husband, Bill, retired nearly 10 years ago to their weekend home in St. Michaels, Md., where they enjoy being near their children and grandchildren. They love the Chesapeake, boating, golfing, and traveling. Recent trips included Tanzania, Kenya, and Costa Rica, with Norway next on the list. Bill worked in medicine with MedStar Health, and Susan ran a 30-year psychotherapy practice. She has enjoyed reconnecting with Mary Anne Hungerford McLaughlin ’69 in Florida.

Lillian Thompson ’69 moved to a senior community in Kirkwood, Mo., in St. Louis County. She and her brother recently returned from their annual trip to Tucson, Ariz., where they attended the world gem and mineral show. Her brother is a regional reseller and dealer. “I still love exploring the world and how people live. My email hasn’t changed since my days with the United Nations Development Program in Crimea: LillianThompson2005@ yahoo.com.”

Barbara Cornish Fountain ’69 loved attending the 55th reunion with Barbara Levi Lankalis ’69. In retirement, she volunteers as a French teacher for children ages 4 to 14 and as an ESOL tutor for adults from countries including China, Japan, Yemen, Brazil, the Philippines, Turkey, and Colombia. She also moderates a Great Decisions foreign policy discussion group.

Phyllis Muenz Stolls ’69 and her husband, David, live in Riverside, Calif., and celebrated their 55th anniversary last summer. They have three children and six “grandies.” Last fall, they enjoyed a visit to Connecticut with Susan Family Zito ’69 and her husband, Michael. Phyllis and David have traveled to all seven continents and more than 135 countries. “Travel is the best education in the world — aside from Skidmore … LOL,” she writes.

Elisabeth Olson Geraghty ’69 feels fortunate to be studying piano again, practicing watercolor painting and yoga most days, and staying healthy. She is very concerned about democracy. “Thank you, Carol, for your work in keeping us all connected.”

Kristine Ford Herrick ’69 and her husband, Lee Smith, moved from Plymouth, Mass., to Westwood, Mass. The move brought them closer to Boston, daughter Katie, and three grandchildren before they head off to college. She reflects: “How do they grow up so fast?” It’s also provided an opportunity to reconnect with fellow art major and The Yearbook 1969 staff member Carol Monacelli ’69 after 56 years. “It’s all good!”

Alex Friedman ’69 took her first textiles trip to Gujarat, India, where she visited many small villages in Kutch and saw a wide variety of needlework, dyeing, and silk-printing, all of which have very long traditions.

Vicki Dobbyn ’69 thanks class correspondent Carol Bogardus ’69 for all she does for Skidmore and the Class of 1969. She also writes: “I’m alive and well and living in BC, and I stay in touch with my amazing roommate, Kris Herrick ’69.”

’71

Susan Flanders Davidson ’71 suzart@davidsonautonet.com

Judy Pigott ’71, of Seattle, has embraced a new mantra for 2025: “Do less and do it more slowly — I decline.” She’s found the approach inspiring to others and helpful in staying focused. With her projects winding down, she’s stayed close to home or within the U.S. and is feeling encouraged by how life is opening up as a result.

Jeff Jannuzzo ’71, now retired from law, left New York City for Longboat Key, Fla., in 2020. He enjoys year-round outdoor sports and has weathered four hurricane evacuations. In 2019, Jeff survived a ruptured aorta — thanks to a timely Uber to the hospital. He’s enjoying island life with his wife, Anne-Marie.

Carolyn DeCamp Webber ’71 reconnected with her Skidmore roommate Laura Larson Walker ’71 in Tampa and later met her again in Las Vegas. She comments, “It was as though they had never been apart!” Carolyn enjoys retirement, international folk dancing (how she got through her Skidmore PE requirement), singing in three choirs, and volunteering as a museum docent. She and her husband will perform in Ireland this summer. Carolyn also serves as a docent at the nearby Free School Museum.

Susan Law Dake ’71 never left Saratoga Springs and lives a block from Skidmore. She married a “townie” 40 years ago, whose family owns Stewart’s Shops. She has two children, five grandchildren, four stepchildren, eight step-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren. Susan oversees philanthropy at Stewart’s and volunteers with local nonprofits. She will join the Skidmore Board of Trustees next fall.

Jane Glennie Babbitt ’71, now with two bionic knees and one bionic hip, is enjoying life in Camden, Maine, where she has lived for 35 years. She’s active in her UCC church, volunteers for a Maine cruising guide (guides. cruisingclub.org), and regularly joins weekend protests against Trump and Musk.

After 23 years, Susan Canfield Barber ’71 is moving from her beloved “mountain house” (as her grandkids call it) near Lake Tahoe to be closer to family in Sacramento. Now a widow, she will miss the splendor of the Sierra Nevada and her 19-year volunteer role helping children through therapeutic riding. She looks forward to living closer to her younger son; her older son and daughter-in-law teach at the University of Oregon. She visits Skidmore annually and has family in Saratoga.

Helen Wiley Doane ’71 has lived on Cape Cod for 51 years with her husband, Paul, balancing family life while he worked in NYC, Arkansas, and Minnesota. She ran a decorative painting business, creating custom furniture for local inns and designers. For years, they split time between the Cape and a home they built in remote New Mexico, returning full time in 2023. Their son, Seth, is a CBS correspondent in Tuscany; daughter Sarah lives in Halifax and works at Dalhousie University.

Sue Hufnagel ’71 is enjoying retirement in Owls Head, Maine, after a career teaching and coordinating services for preschoolers with special needs. She retired to be home when her three grandchildren get off the bus — a role she treasures. Sue stays active with community exercise classes, gardening, preserving vegetables, and quilting. She loves her land and flowers and says walking helps keep arthritis at bay. “Overall,” she says, “life is good!”

Class correspondent Susan Flanders Davidson ’71 gathers regularly with Martha Seem Banghart ’71 and their husbands and recently met numerous alumnae at a Florida poolside party, including Penny Jones ’65, Peggy Kuechle ’65, Carole Maeder ’65, Linda Thorell ’65, Eileen Cameron ’65, Diane Kloevekorn ’66, Susan Davidson ’71, and Linda Ellenbogen ’65. Instant friendship!”

Phyllis Muenz Stolls and Susan Family Zito visiting in Connecticut

Alex Friedman (center) in Ahmedabad

Southwest Florida neighborhood ladies, from left, Penny Jones, Peggy Kuechle, Carole Maeder, Linda Thorell, Eileen Cameron, Diane Kloevekorn, Susan Davidson, and Linda Ellenbogen

’72

Bobbsie Hertz Rifkin ’72 bobbsiehr@aol.com

Julie McConchie Forte ’72 and her husband, David, joined Janet Crosen Elwood ’72 for dinner at the home of Betty Sandbeck ’72 in Largo, Fla.

Kebbie Kennedy ’72 continues to participate in the Gift for Life AIDS Walk, supporting people living with HIV/AIDS in the greater New York City and tri-state area.

In January, Kebbie Kennedy ’72 visited New Hampshire to spend time with her Skidmore roommate, Chris Dahlgren Huber ’72, and caught up with Kristina Nelson Occhino ’72 She also visited her sister, Cille Kennedy ’66, who recently moved to Roanoke to be closer to family. Kebbie planned a trip to New Mexico for the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque. She stays busy making baskets and giving weaving demonstrations at local historical sites.

Janet Olotka Dugdale ’72 and her husband of 49 years, Ray, live in Kittery, Maine. Their daughter, Julie, a freelance writer, lives in Denver with her husband, a Mohs surgeon, and their two young sons — avid Rocky Mountain skiers. Their son, Brian, is a construction litigation lawyer in Washington, D.C., and his wife is a burn surgeon. Janet and Ray enjoy kayaking on their tidal river and throughout New England.

Congratulations to Rebecca Liddell ’24, daughter of Anne Liddell ’72, who graduated magna cum laude from Skidmore and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at Skidmore’s Commencement ceremony on May 19, 2024.

Betsy Stern Guttag ’72 and her husband, Bart, regularly travel to Tampa for medical reasons. She stays connected with Bobbsie Rifkan ’72 through visits.

Elaine Tingen Silny ’72 missed the theater reunion because she was directing a play at her independent living retirement village — the sixth production since she co-founded the group in 2022. The previous show was a New Year’s Eve murder-mystery dinner. Elaine continues to enjoy an active creative life in retirement and sends her best wishes to classmates.

Four poems by Trish Passmore Alley ’72 were selected for Poetry Month celebrations in Vermont. “Fragile” was published in a PoemTown Randolph anthology, and all four appear in her April blog post, Poetry as Protest, at

gracefulmischief.com. “My first protests were at Skidmore!” she writes. Encouraged by a subscriber, Trish is also renewing her search for a publisher for her memoir, Defining Grace

Class correspondent Bobbsie Hertz Rifkin ’72 met with Betsy Stern Guttag ’72 and her husband, Bart, for a brunch in mid-May of last year at a Tampa restaurant. They did some major “catching up,” as they had not seen one another for at least 30 years!

’73

Joanne Rubin ’73 jrubin610@aol.com

In 2024, Jennifer Smith Linck ’73 traveled to Northern Italy, where her paternal side of the family is from, and was struck by the beauty of the lake region. She also visited northwestern Canada. Although she transferred to and graduated from Colgate, she remains grateful for her first two years at Skidmore.

Lynn Faught ’73 made a big life change by moving full time to Southold, on the North Fork of Long Island. She sold her longtime summer cottage and her Washington, D.C., apartment of 22 years and purchased a (relatively carefree!) condo. Now happily settled, she enjoys spending time with classmates Mary Foster Morgan ’73 and Doug Gray ’73, who both live nearby.

Joy Glucksmans ’73 and her husband, Dave, traveled to Spain last October for a continuing legal education course. Although both are fully retired, they enjoyed meeting members of the Barcelona Bar Association and learning about family law in Spain. They plan to travel to Morocco next and are active learners at Senior University of Greater Atlanta.

Barbara Good ’73 and her husband, Howie, escaped the Northeast winter twice — first to the Caribbean with Howie’s brothers and their spouses, including Arnold Good ’81, and later to Palm Springs with Barbara’s cousin and her husband. Howie’s poetry collection, Akimbo, was published in March 2025. They look forward to spending more time with friends and family.

Betsy Blades ’73 had a busy fall 2024. She traveled to Spain for the Pan-European Voice Conference, presenting workshops on integrating body, mind, and emotion in singing. Highlights included viewing 16,000-year-old cave paintings at Altamira and exploring Madrid. In September, she attended a War Words performance at the Library of Congress

featuring her son, Matt Zeller, and his Afghan interpreter, Janis Shinwari. In October, she led Feldenkrais Method workshops at the NYSMTA State Conference at Ithaca College.

Zoe Vose Morsette ’73 is back at work after a 3½-month recovery from a broken wrist — an injury sustained while scooting backward playing tennis the day after her 55th high school reunion. She recently delivered props for Dead Outlaw, a musical that moved from a successful Off-Broadway run to Broadway’s Longacre Theatre. Zoe also enjoyed reconnecting with Mary Moebus Yedlin ’73 during Mary’s visit to New York City for the Toy Fair.

Barbara Stone ’73 enjoyed a terrific two-week trip to Japan last October and recently returned from another wonderful trip to Portugal. With her daughter and family relocating from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, she anticipates more travel out west. Barbara recently joined a protest in Boca Raton, saying it felt good to take action, and she also volunteered at a Special Olympics tennis event. She looks forward to continuing her volunteer work in the future.

Donna Kurkul ’73 spent time in upcountry Maui before the 2022 Lahaina fires, enjoying Kapalua golf with husband Stuart and sea turtles at Baldwin Beach. They visited Marci Abad Ronka ’73 on Oahu and met Anne Hill Horwitz ’88 in Saratoga. Now recovered from a fall, Donna was thrilled to walk French Leave Beach again. She delights in three leucistic white squirrels at home. She also contributed to the upcoming Centennial renovation of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library because of her family’s connection to the Coolidge family.

Timi Carter ’73 skipped a Skidmore alumni event in February due to icy roads but later enjoyed a lunch catch-up with JJ Glidden ’72 and her husband, Jeff. She attended a seeing-eye dog training class with a friend and is considering becoming a substitute sitter. In May, she joined her brother and sister-in-law on a Columbia River cruise tracing Lewis and Clark’s trail. “I’m lucky to enjoy good health, family and friends,” she writes.

Zoe Vose Morsette and Mary Moebus Yedlin

CLASS NOTES

A shout-out and thank-you to Sally Amend Larmon ’73 for managing our Skidmore Class of 1973 Facebook group. If you’re on Facebook and haven’t joined yet, check it out. Sally keeps us engaged by sharing campus updates, Saratoga news, and nostalgic moments from our time at Skidmore. Drop in to post a note, share a photo, or simply enjoy reading and liking what others share.

Class correspondent Joanne Rubin ’73 can’t wait to be in the garden, sit on the patio, grill out, and simply enjoy the beautiful weather. It’s such a joy to see the grass turn green, buds break through, and flowers bloom. She hopes you’re all able to get outside and enjoy the season, wherever you are. She and Rosie enjoy their walks — often stopping to visit with neighbors!

’74

Reggie Carbon ’74 rcarbon14@gmail.com

Patti Brennan ’74 was inspired by classmates who’ve pursued the arts since retirement and began taking watercolor painting classes in March. She also loves living near her two grandchildren and spending as much time with them as possible.

Janice Greenberg Ellinwood ’74 began work a few years ago on The Fairchild Books Illustrated Dictionary of Fashion Details for Bloomsbury Publishing. Aimed at fashion designers, theater costumers, costume historians, and reenactors, it has proven to be a mammoth undertaking. She now anticipates publication in 2026. Fingers crossed!

Connie Miller Bull ’74 serves on the Friends of the Central Library Board in Syracuse, N.Y., which runs the country’s longest-running lecture series, now in its 30th year. She also serves on the Nascentia Health Care board, which supports homebound individuals through care management and insurance services. Her daughter, son-in-law, niece, and nephew all live nearby, and they enjoy frequent family gatherings.

Winnie Wan ’74 recently became a proud, doting grandmother to a 2-year-old granddaughter she sees weekly. In October 2024, she was honored to join Skidmore’s Board of Trustees. Semi-retired, Winnie continues to serve as an executive advisor and board member for biotech startups. Since 2016, she and her husband have enjoyed overseas travel to exotic destinations.

Teri Ceraso ’74 retired after 20 years as assistant provost at La Salle University. Pursuing her love of antiques, she is now a partner in Treasure Trove, a consignment shop in Perkasie, Pa. Teri enjoys life with partner Doug, her two children and their families, and many friends. On a 2024 ancestral trip to Italy, she visited her grandparents’ villages, reunited with relatives, and celebrated joyfully.

Carolyn Hanchett Spector ’74 is grateful for a wonderful life, including marrying her husband, Bruce, and raising their son and daughter. In 2023, they moved to a condo in Austin near their son and now spend summers in Chicago near their daughter and her family. Carolyn has worked as a paralegal and volunteers with a women’s giving circle in Austin.

Hanchett Spector and family at her daughter’s wedding, including Jeff Spector; Carolyn; her son-in-law, Andrew Smith; daughter, Susan Spector Smith; and her husband, Bruce Spector

Catherine Stroup ’74 sends greetings from Columbus, Ohio. In the spring, she enjoyed visiting San Diego and Rancho Mirage, touring Little Italy, the USS Midway, Hotel del Coronado, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and Torrey Pines State Preserve. She even went on a harbor cruise. France is next on her travel wish list.

Beth Chiquoine ’74 enjoyed driving to Saratoga with Doreen Siddell ’74 for their 50th reunion, where the two shared stories and laughs during the 10-hour round trip. Through Doreen, Beth reconnected with many nursing major classmates. More recently, Beth visited New Zealand, appreciating its beauty, friendliness, and the perspective of seeing the world from the other side of the globe.

Emily Pavlovic Chiles Startz ’74 returned to Skidmore in March for the inaugural Dialogue Across Differences event. She established an endowment to fund contemporary programming that encourages listening to all perspectives. Support for the initiative is open to all.

Selma Suzuki ’74, a psychotherapist since 1988, has worked in private practice, appeared regularly on morning news, hosted a radio talk show, and promoted emotional skills development. She currently works for the Puyallup Tribe, serving Native Americans in the Tacoma, Wash., area. She and her husband will celebrate their 43rd anniversary.

Laurie Dodge Ingersoll ’74 published a new book, Imagine This: Creative Writing for Teachers, offering imaginative, STEAM-friendly exercises to unlock student creativity. She previously published 10 children’s books, a gratitude journal, and a conversation starter guide for families — all available on Amazon. Learn more at LaurieIngersollStudios.com.

In March, Ellen Brickman ’74, Kate Ferris ’74, and Emily Pavlovic Chiles Startz ’74 enjoyed lunch in Saratoga Springs before attending a presentation by Terry Fulmer ’76 on “Age-Friendly Health Care” at the SurreyWilliamson Inn.

Taber Shirley Rehbaum ’74 moved to Alaska in 1995 to lead Big Brothers Big Sisters in Fairbanks. From 2009 to 2017, she served as CEO of the statewide organization. After returning to banking, she retired in 2022 as vice president and commercial loan portfolio officer. Taber keeps in touch with classmates Tobi Soloman Gold ’74 and Elizabeth Elwell ’74 and enjoys life in her log home north of Fairbanks with dog Eli, gardening, cooking, hiking, and splitting wood!

Patricia Fleming ’74 now lives in Reading, Pa., with her sister and brother-in-law. After decades in New York and New Jersey, she returned to her home state: “It feels strange but welcome to be closer to friends and family. If any classmates live nearby, I’d love to expand my social circle!”

Rosemeryl Sanders ’74 loved last year’s 50th reunion and was thrilled to see a strong turnout from Skidmore RNs. She and her husband, married since 1974 and retired since 1996, now have seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. They planned a European cruise this summer to celebrate. She also treasured time last summer with Peggy Sager Tobin ’73 and her husband, Jim.

Carolyn

’75

Noreen Reilley ’75 noreen.reilly@verizon.net

Tara Ashcroft Hoffmann ’75 lost her husband of 45 years, Horst (also known as Otis while living in Saratoga and Schenectady), on Oct. 24, 2023, after a long illness. Born in Germany in 1950, Horst and Tara lived for many years in New York’s Hudson Valley with their children.

Ann Carter Usher ’73 and Marcia McFarlandGray ’75 didn’t know each other at Skidmore but met three years ago at a stable in the Berkshires. Since then, they’ve gone horseback riding together three mornings a week every summer and fall. Both took riding to fulfill their PE requirement — back in the days of swim tests, parietals, and house mothers. Their love of horses has endured. They’ve become close friends and cherish their shared “horse time.”

Horseback riding friends Marcia McFarland-Gray and Ann Carter Usher

Harold Stone ’75 lives in Pomona, Calif., with his sweet, beautiful, and bubbly wife, Vera. A retired public school teacher, Harold has one adult son and two youthful adult granddaughters. In retirement, he enjoys playing harmonica, cooking, gardening, tackling home improvement projects, writing and, as he puts it, “googling.”

’76

Ingeborg Hegemann Clark ’76 iehegemann@gmail.com

Ellen Hole McGrail ’76 retired from Aetna Student Health in November 2024 after 23 years in provider network operations, supporting students at 175 colleges and universities nationwide. She now splits her time between Marblehead, Mass., and Murrells Inlet, S.C.

Martha Devaney ’76 lives in Wilton, just outside Saratoga Springs, and was reelected chair of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee. To celebrate her 70th birthday, she took a bucket-list trip to Machu Picchu with her adult children and new grandson. A proud 46er, she has summited all 46 Adirondack High Peaks. Her son is an LMSW in Lake Placid, her daughter teaches ESL near Boston, and baby Benjamin is the apple of her eye.

’78

Emily Walker Bracchitta ’78 ebracchitta@gmail.com

Jaye “Jay Jay” Austin Williams ’78 is leaving Bucknell University after eight years to join the University of California, Riverside, as an associate professor in the new Department of Black Study. This marks a return to California, where she earned her Ph.D., completed a postdoc, and began her academic career — after 30 years in professional theater. She’ll split time between Riverside and central Pennsylvania, where she lives with her wife, Pilar. She’s looking forward to the Class of ’78’s 50th reunion in three years.

Pamela Hanney Miller ’78 and her husband of 45 years, Ray, recently retired and relocated from Rye, N.Y., and Great Falls, Va., to Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C. They love their new home and especially enjoy time with their 10 grandchildren (the oldest is 10). Their days are filled with golf, pickleball, good food, and great entertainment. Pamela highly recommends Charleston as a vacation spot or retirement destination.

Kathy Herlihy-Paoli ’78, Alexis Schade McCormack ’78, Amy Byrnes Simek ’78, and Priscilla Nawn Adam ’78 reunited at Priscilla’s home in Newport, R.I., in mid-March. Kathy writes, “Lots of laughs and great memories of our four years at Skidmore!”

June Bissell House ’78 writes, “Retired after a career in city planning, I’m finally back in the textile studio and loving it. In 2024, I collaborated with costume designer Gwen Van Den Eijnde to create hand-painted textiles for the Boston Early Music Festival’s Don Quichotte. That led to a guest instructor role in the RISD Apparel Design Department — what a treat! I’m looking forward to more work with Gwen and RISD in 2025.”

Anne Lyons Miller ’78 shares that she, Carol Falconer Endahl ’78, Susan Webster ’78, and Lauren Coleman ’78 regularly reunite for hiking, backpacking, and kayaking adventures. Anne lives in Maine, while the others live in Virginia, Montana, and New Mexico. The group has also explored Acadia and is planning another trip soon.

Kathy Herlihy-Paoli, Alexis Schade McCormack, Amy Byrnes Simek, and Priscilla Nawn Adam reunited in Rhode Island.

June Bissell House working in the textile studio

Carol Falconer Endahl, Susan Webster, Anne Lyons Miller, and Lauren Coleman during a 2023 hike in Maine with Katahdin in the background

CLASS NOTES

Sally Shafto ’78 announced the release of her latest book translation with the University of Minnesota Press (Chris Marker: Early Film Writings, edited by Steven Ungar) — her third translation of a filmmaker’s work. Sally is a scholar of French and Francophone film and teaches film studies at Framingham State University.

Peggy Isham ’78 lives in Watertown, Mass., just outside Cambridge and a few miles from her two youngest grandchildren. She still visits Martha’s Vineyard a couple times a year to help with her library’s used book sale.

Mark Haynes ’78 writes, “Though I was only at Skidmore for three semesters, I look back fondly — Kimball shenanigans, sledding on cafeteria trays, and a winter course in Eastern religions that shifted my worldview. My English professor actually taught me how to write a coherent paragraph! I’ll never forget checking my mail after exams and finding my McGill University acceptance letter — it changed my life. Wishing all the best to our classmates from the Class of ’78.”

’79

Deborah Monosson ’79 djm200@live.com

Since retiring as a public school teacher, Penelope Studwell Matallana ’79 has been plein air painting in oils, pastel, and watercolor. She planned to paint in the Cotswolds in August. She exhibits locally in Staunton, Va., and posts her artwork on Instagram (@penelopebmatallana). Her daughter, Alix, and husband, Jorge, planned to travel to his home country of Peru, including a visit to Machu Picchu.

Helen Neumann Westerman ’79 has lived in New Orleans for the past four years and is relocating to Chapel Hill, N.C.

Lisa Lavieri ’79 writes that her daughter, Suzanne, graduated from Trinity College’s School of Medicine in Dublin with an M.D. in June 2024. Suzanne teaches at Tufts Medical School in Boston and is an avid marathon runner. Lisa tutors for SAT/ACT, private school entrance exams, and college planning.

Martha Van Gelder ’79 and her husband, John, moved from Denver to Bend, Ore., last summer to be closer to nature, beaches, mountains, and craft breweries. Martha retired in January and has upcoming trips planned to New Zealand, Croatia, and Slovenia. “If you’re in Bend, look me up!” she says.

Michele Herman ’79 enjoys teaching three sections of memoir writing at The Writers Studio, working privately with writers on a variety of manuscript projects, and pursuing her own writing. She is proud to be on the masthead of the print monthly The Village Star-Revue, where she has carte blanche to write on topics she finds interesting.

Deborah Mangold Perez ’79 and Bob Perez ’79 enjoy traveling the world with their daughter, Carley, and her husband, Andrew. Carley, an epidemiologist, is based in Boston. Deb and Bob continue to pursue their lifelong hobbies of living, gardening, restoring their two 1850s homes, and hiking the Maine coast.

Sheryl Krafchick Dropkin ’79 passed away in 2024. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Steven, as well as two children and four grandchildren.

After more than 33 years, Richard Schneider ’79 took a deferred retirement from the National Archives and Records Administration and is settling into life in Delaware. He and his wife, Michele, celebrated their 10th anniversary by renewing their vows on the Maui beach where they married in 2015 — this time joined by their children and teenage grandson.

Carol Goldbaum Nussbaum ’79 exhibited her digital artwork in Harmony, Balance & Symmetry at the Nilson Gallery at the Monmouth Museum. Her kaleidoscopic, mandala-inspired pieces transform original photographs into vibrant circular designs. Carol draws on 30 years of graphic design and 15 years in advertising to create images featuring seashells, toys, and more.

Robin Safeer Southgate ’79 is enjoying lake life in eastern North Carolina and being closer to her middle daughter’s family. She and her husband, Ed, traveled to Europe in March to visit their youngest daughter in Barcelona. Their oldest daughter is getting married in Moab in May 2026. Julia Mutch ’79 will join Robin, her daughter, and friends in Boston for a bridal shower weekend in July.

Class correspondent Deborah Monosson ’79 had dinner in Boston with Lisa Lavieri ’79, her daughter, Leslie Norman ’79, and Elaine Pantages Conti ’79 — a fun evening reminiscing about Skidmore and catching up. She also spent a few weeks skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho, and loved it. She’s planning to return next winter — let her know if you’ll be there! This fall, she’s heading to Spain for hiking in the Pyrenees.

’81

Nelson Ritschel ’81 delivered the keynote lecture, “Shaw and the 1920s London-Irish Theatre,” at Bernard Shaw’s Ireland: An International Perspective on June 5, 2024, at the Museum of Literature Ireland. While in Dublin, he was a guest of President Michael D. Higgins for the United Nations’ Agricola Medal presentation at the Irish Presidential Residence.

Since 2011, Jill Fishon-Kovachick ’81 has owned and operated Saratoga Clay Arts Center in Schuylerville, N.Y. “We are a community of creation and education,” she shares. She recently opened Vessel by Saratoga Clay Arts Center, a gallery and shop at 80 Henry St. in downtown Saratoga Springs, featuring work by local and national ceramic artists. An online shop is also launching soon — stay tuned.

’82

Jack Bell ’82 attended his son Christopher’s wedding in Key Biscayne, Fla., in June 2024. After more than 40 years in human resources at major companies, including Disney and Walgreens Corp., he is now enjoying retirement in Winter Park, Fla.

Laurel Robinson-White ’82 is proud that her son, Sawyer White ’28, completed his first year at Skidmore as a member of the Class of 2028. She also began a new role this year teaching third grade Sunday school at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles.

Laurel Robinson-White and her son, Sawyer White

’83

Lillian Jaray Ostrove ’83 DanJasRy@yahoo.com

Helen Pirie Wilson ’83 passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 1, 2024, at age 64. Born in Bethpage, N.Y., on Feb. 2, 1960, she attended Seely Place Elementary, Edgemont Junior/ Senior High, Skidmore, and Syracuse University’s ESF School. Survivors include her partner, Anthony Gentile; her mother, Sarah; her sister, Kimberlie; and a niece.

’84

Craig Poler ’84 cwpoler@gmail.com

Leslee Trzcinski Schenk ’84 lives in Rochester, N.Y., and is a full-time yoga coach for athletes and teams — from Olympic to recreational — across the United States. After more than 20 years in branding and marketing with Saatchi and other top firms, she now focuses on performance, functional movement, stress reduction, and super aging through her company, TUNE Yoga. Learn more at tuneyoga.com.

Mark Nathan ’84 launched his latest venture, Plastech Products (plastechproducts.com), which manufactures compostable alternatives to single-use plastics. Serving businesses of all sizes, Plastech offers certified, plant-based products at competitive prices, thanks to patent-pending technology. The company is currently raising capital to bring production onshore.

Drake Patten ’84 celebrated 10 years as a shepherd on her historic conservation farm, Hurricane Hill, in Rhode Island. She and her husband, artist Wright Deter, raise rare sheep and create zero-waste wool products. The farm offers workshops in fiber arts and botanical dyeing. This summer, she planned to launch Sewing the Resistance, a new learning and making program. Drake also reunited with best friend Kathie Newsome Popadin ’84 to see Sting in Atlanta. Learn more at hurricanehillfarm.com.

Michele Colman ’84 lives in Ridgefield, Conn., and is celebrating 38 years with Steve Fugazy ’82. They share their home with two sons, an adorable (and crazy) rescue puppy, and Michele’s 89-year-old mother. Michele runs a successful design business, plans to visit Katy Weil ’84 in Portland, Ore., and loves reminiscing with Jane Bourbeau ’84

Bill Tatro ’84 moved to Florida in 2023, where he enjoys spending the winter months before heading to New York’s Thousand Islands to fish on the St. Lawrence River. Six years ago he became a financial advisor, and he is now a fiduciary and investment advisor representative. He runs his own firm, Bass Financial Advisors, and serves clients in all 50 states.

Ann Munigle ’84 has run her pet care and sitting business, ANNimal LLC, for 15 years in Hartford County, Conn.

Tammy Chittick Langalis ’84, Melissa Thodos Johnston ’84, Kim Murphy Wilson ’84, Cathy Heine Kellstrom ’84, Sarah Taylor Bramah ’84, and Diane Hutchinson Reilly ’84 gathered for a “Skidmore Gal-Pal Gathering” in South Florida.

Tammy Chittick Langalis, Melissa Thodos Johnston, Kim Murphy Wilson, Cathy Heine Kellstrom, Sarah Taylor Bramah, and Diane Hutchinson Reilly

Kim Hamilton Bobrow ’84 returned to the School of Criticism and Theory in 2024, currently held at Cornell University. As a Hokin Doctoral Fellow at Brandeis, she first attended the program and studied with Professor Edward Said. A former Salmagundi student staff member, she fondly recalls its symposium featuring Said, Conor Cruise O’Brien, and Mark Lukas. She credits Skidmore — and what she calls “the University of Salmagundi” — as the foundation of her academic career.

After the dust settled on our 40th reunion, class correspondent Craig Poler ’84 shared that we set a new record for attendance and fundraising. “Thanks, all, for your participation!” His two daughters are getting married in the next year, making wedding planning a top priority. He has managed to spend more time with Herb Eidt ’86, Brian O’Brien ’82, and Steve Yale ’81, which led to another Alaska fly-fishing trip this summer.

’85

Cynthia W. Pendleton ’85 cropen1985@gmail.com

Tara Swinchatt ’85 is transitioning from massage therapy to coaching, helping women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who feel overwhelmed caring for aging parents. Having managed her own parents’ care for years, she understands the emotional toll and lack of centralized resources. “After 22 years of helping folks live better in their bodies, I’m enjoying helping them find peace of mind.”

Lisa Bogart ’85, who received an alumni Outstanding Service Award at Reunion, expressed gratitude and appreciation: “Wow! So many of the Class of 1985 came back for our 40th Reunion. I am thrilled to have had so many classmates attend, some for the very first time. It was cold and it rained, but this in no way dampened the spirits of anyone celebrating our connections to Skidmore and each other. I especially thank our class volunteers: Carrie Grady ’85, Dana Williams Dudley ’85, Bill Conn ’85, Glen Lois ’85, Cindy Pendleton ’85, and Skidmore’s Brian Stephenson (among others) for personalizing our Reunion. I am still feeling all those warm, fuzzy Skidmore feelings. If you didn’t make Reunion this time, make time to do so in 2030!”

Barney Straus ’85 directed a three-day Group Relations Conference in downtown Chicago in June. Skidmore alumni interested in studying leadership and group dynamics can learn more at mindbodtgrc.com.

Elizabeth Freed ’85 moved to Stuart, Fla., known as the Sailfish Capital of the World.

After a career in fashion design, Amy Tucker ’85 founded ART RANCH, a creative retreat in Fredericksburg, Texas, offering workshops, residencies and events exploring art and nature. She recently hosted Leslie Muller ’85, who led a natural ink workshop attended by Katherine Ellins ’73. Amy also supports women in leadership through the Women’s Innovation Network, which she founded in 2021.

Amy Tucker, Leslie Muller, and Katherine Ellins

’86

Zack Salino ’86 skidmore86notes@gmail.com

Mark Purowitz ’86 retired from mergers and acquisitions and venture capital to focus on a passion project — leading AAU College Hockey, which supports over 5,000 student-athletes across 170+ programs. “At a certain point, when the rearview mirror feels larger than the windshield, priorities shift,” he notes. His wife, Debbie Dente Purowitz ’88, continues to excel in the equestrian world, and their sons, Mike and Jon, are thriving.

Lesile Rose ’86 closed her massage business after two years and started a new job at Freedom Massage in Salem, Mass., as a licensed massage therapist. “It’s a great place to work, and if anyone is in Salem, feel free to stop by.” She and her partner Britton still live in Rowley, Mass., and are halfway through house renovations. Their dog, Izabella, enjoys the new kitchen, which she believes is mostly because of the snacks.

William Smith ’86 celebrated his 28th year working on stage at Radio City Music Hall and his 25th as part of the production crew for the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. He also helped host the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary Homecoming Concert — an exhausting but fun two-week experience. Grateful to Skidmore for shaping his path, he feels fortunate to love the work he does.

James Gosse ’86 enjoyed a 30-year career as a podiatrist in Chicago. Since 2020, he has been battling stage IV metastatic melanoma and is now two years strong with no new active disease. He lives in Sarasota, Fla., with the man of his dreams; they’ve been together for nearly 28 years. If he could give advice to his freshman self, he’d say: “You will become a free and open person beyond anything you can imagine. You will marry the man of your dreams and live a full, purposeful, and fulfilling life.”

Steve Spodick ’86 lives in northern New Hampshire with his wife, Kathy, of 30 years, enjoying lake life, skiing, hiking in the White Mountains, and watching their children build lives of their own. He works in pharma sales, travels the Northeast, and plays in a classic rock band, The COGs (Creepy Old Guys). He keeps in touch with Doug MacKinnon ’86, Marc Travis ’86, Ted West ’86, Jane Zodis ’86, and Barb Short ’87. He recently caught up with Doug and his family over dinner in Lancaster, Pa. — Doug is still rocking his Grateful Dead gear.

Dave Silveira ’86 recently started a new role as director of community outreach in Sacramento, where his team helps connect homeless individuals with shelters and services. Now in his eighth year working in homeless services, he finds the work incredibly rewarding.

Dave Resnick ’86 has been active on the Skidmore social circuit. He celebrated Chris Perrault ’86’s 60th birthday in Seattle, visited Dean Goering ’86 at his farm outside of Cincinnati (where they were joined by Rob Perlman ’85), and later caught up with Andy Johnson ’86 over dinner, who was in Seattle on business.

Dean Goering, Dave Resnick, and Rob Perlman

Jill Akin Schulman ’86 and Brett Schulman ’86 recently moved to Tribeca after 25 years in Chappaqua. Brett is retired, and they’re enjoying city life while planning future travels. Their son, Robert, married last September and works in marketing at Bloomberg; their daughter, Sabrina, is an attorney at Kirkland & Ellis. They’d love to hear from Skidmore friends in downtown NYC: Jill.Schulman1@gmail.com or JBSchulmans@yahoo.com.

Titus Peterson ’86 checked in from Colorado, where life has been quite an adventure. His older son is preparing to graduate from college, while his younger son is a high school junior. Titus has been focusing on commercial real estate investing, primarily seeking multi-family properties in Colorado. His work has also led him to collaborate with investors nationwide, a challenge he finds both rewarding and exciting.

Jeanne “Jen” Dutten-Swenson ’86 never imagined she’d go from the Yukon — via the University of Alaska’s MFA program — to UConn, but that’s exactly where she landed with a visiting assistant professorship. Now temporarily among a new pack of Huskies, she’s enjoying the return to East Coast vibes

while keeping Ohio as her home base. Jen would love to reconnect with fellow Skidmore alums in the area.

Jan Halper Scaglia ’86 shares exciting family updates. Her daughter Leigh graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, passed the Louisiana Bar, published in the Cornell Law Journal, and began work as a federal tax attorney. Her daughter Elana Scaglia ’15 and Austin Stokes ’15 welcomed their son, Ody, and Austin earned his Psy.D. Jan’s massage practice is thriving, and she and Ken are heading to France for Coline Paimblanc Riviere ’86’s daughter’s wedding.

Austin Stokes, Elana Scaglia Stokes, and their son Odysseus (Ody)

Sam Bayne ’86 reports that life is good down in Atlanta. His oldest son, Sam, is engaged, and the family is heading to Ireland for a golf trip — his first time playing there. Sam is still selling homes, and his team ranked No. 3 in Atlanta in 2024, with plans to top that because, as the great Ricky Bobby once said, “If ya ain’t first, yer last!” He drives through campus on his way to visit his sister in the Adirondacks and is amazed by how much Skidmore and Saratoga have changed and hopes to return for a reunion soon.

In March, Carrie Webster ’86 happily stepped away from a career in healthcare marketing to spend more time with her 87-year-old mother — a change she calls both meaningful and refreshing. She’s been enjoying live music and festivals, with highlights including the New Orleans Jazz Fest and Lady Gaga at Madison Square Garden with her daughter. Carrie is also planning a September wedding to Steven, her partner since 2017. Her daughters, 25 and 20, are her pride and joy.

In 2020, Naomi Kummer Golden ’86 left a 34-year retail career to buy her own business. She and her husband, Jeff, split time between Needham, Mass., and Cape Cod, enjoying golf, cooking, and time with Winston, their mini Goldendoodle. Their daughter, Maya, works at Boston Children’s Hospital, and son Elias is an EMT in New Hampshire. A 12-year bone cancer survivor, Naomi recently celebrated her 60th birthday in Portugal and hopes to see classmates at Reunion.

Kummer Golden and Linda Hubert

In early February, Karen Kells Corby ’86 enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in New York City with Skidmore friends Brita Forssberg ’86, Donna Vazquez ’86, and Lisa Summa ’86. Last year, they celebrated their milestone birthdays with a trip to Asheville, N.C., and this year they’re planning round two with some Class of ’87 friends in Stone Harbor, N.J.

After more than 30 years, some members of the Class of 1986 reunited for a Howe-Rounds gathering, starting in Charleston and Beaufort, S.C. It was a memorable time with freshman triplets Kristen “Leigh” Mulvaney Shipman ’86, Laurie Sprague ’86, and Jill Megalos Miller ’86, along with honorary member Angela Sparks Beddoe ’86. They were even joined by a special guest, Chris Gleason ’84

When art history meets the auction house

By Katie Rocque

John and Kathy Nye ’86 once assumed an art history degree might be shelved after leaving Saratoga Springs in favor of a more “practical” career. But the broad knowledge, deep friendships, and strong communication skills developed through a liberal arts education have proven invaluable in navigating a competitive auction world.

After more than a decade with a legacy auction house in New York City, John and Kathy acquired a regional auction house in 2003. More than 20 years later, Nye & Company remains a vibrant and vital competitor in the ever-evolving field. The work is dynamic, requiring a balance of expertise and empathy. The pair often describe themselves as equal parts objects experts and social workers.

Celebrity auctions — including the estates of Luther Vandross and Dizzy Gillespie — keep buyers coming back, as do unexpected discoveries like a previously unknown 17th-century Rembrandt painting that sold for $1.1 million. Business travel also adds variety, including appearances on Antiques Roadshow. WGBH invited John to serve as a furniture and decorative arts specialist and Kathy as a specialist at the Triage Table. The show has taken them from Orlando to Anchorage and countless cities in between.

Kathy and John met during their second year at Skidmore and married at 25. Though their journeys took different turns, their paths have long intersected. From working in Skidmore’s Alumni Office to guiding in Alaska to co-running the Lone Star Cafe in New York City, the couple have followed opportunities (and each other) across the country. In the end, their story has been one of shared passions and a tightly braided partnership — both in life and in business.

“The opportunity to work with my college sweetheart has been one of the greatest joys of my life and has put my art history degree to use on a daily basis,” John shared.

Their story is a testament to the enduring value of a liberal arts education and the unexpected places it can lead — especially when passion, partnership, and purpose all align.

As the saying goes, life begins at the edge of your comfort zone, and for William “Will” Pouch ’86, that was this winter at the shore of Lake George, where he decided to take the polar plunge. Brrr!

Class correspondent Zack Salino ’86 is checking in with an update. Both of his kids are furthering their education — one is at Massachusetts General Hospital studying to become a DPT, and the other will start a Ph.D. program in psychology at Columbia University in September. “It’s a challenging time to enter academia, but my advice to her was that periods of turmoil can be the best times to jump into the fray.” His international trade business is navigating rough waters with the current administration’s tariff strategy, but this globalist fat cat is prepared to weather the storm. If he could go back and give his freshman self some advice, he’d say, “Hey, you’re not as dumb as you think you are. Have more self-confidence — you might surprise yourself.”

’87

Melissa Weintraub ’87 gaudior@icloud.com

Elizabeth P. Czelusniak ’87 officially retired after teaching in public school for 32+ years and is enjoying traveling, reading, and simply not rushing under pressure. She also enjoyed watching her daughter, Emily Czelusniak ’25, swim her final season at Skidmore. Her older sister, Olivia Czelusniak ’21, graduated as a DPT from Drexel University this spring. “Large parties planned for these big occasions! My spouse, Steven, will also retire in June. We’re set to travel everywhere we can!”

Stacey Gerrish ’87 and Thom Lach ’87 enjoyed spending the winter together in Colorado.

Naomi

Pressman ’86

Lisa Summa, Brita Forssberg, Karen Kells Corby, and Donna Vazquez in New York City

CLASS NOTES

Forty years after her own college days, Abbie Sanders King ’87 is enjoying Skidmore anew through her daughter, Clementine King ’27 “Visiting Skidmore brings up pride, nostalgia — and a little PTSD!” she jokes. She’s glad to see old favorites like DA’s, the Olde Bryan Inn, and Compton’s still around, along with Professor Sheldon Solomon. Clementine lives in Wiecking Hall, across from the Tang, and Abbie is heartened by Skidmore’s growth and increasingly diverse student body.

Caterina “Rina” Bongiovanni Flatau ’87 is nearing retirement as a physical therapist specializing in neurological, trauma, and burn care. She volunteers as a docent at the Everson Museum in Syracuse, N.Y., and will lead a tour to Venice in September 2024. She fondly recalls classes with Penny Jolly and Mr. Kettlewell and notes with sadness the passing of Professor Regis Brodie. Her daughter, Abigail Flatau ’22, enjoyed Skidmore and now works in New York City.

Jonathan Jacobs ’87 recently returned to New York City after visiting his daughter, Lindsay Jacobs ’26, in Madrid. He’s enjoyed returning to campus in recent years for drop-offs and pickups, noting that the food has improved and the campus is even more beautiful. While politics are ever-present, he’s grateful Lindsay has space to learn, grow, and enjoy college. He also marked the 40th anniversary of the Skidmore Village Pine-C Beach Party. While Lindsay hopes to be in Sussman Village next year, “she will do no such thing.”

law with her father and later her brother, specializing in estate and family law. She also served as assistant city attorney for Oswego and as counsel for the county’s Department of Social Services.

Josh Dorman ’88 was granted a sabbatical from the Spence School to focus on painting and animation. He began the year by creating an animated music video for Langhorne Slim’s We the People He is also completing four artist residencies, including a two-week voyage on a tall ship in the Arctic Circle, as well as stays at Ucross in Wyoming, MacDowell in New Hampshire, and a month on Ireland’s southern coast.

Lucinda Bliss ’88 has joined the University of Colorado Denver as dean of the College of Arts & Media. She relocated to Denver last July and is settling into life in the West — mountain running, skiing, returning to her studio practice, and serving a diverse community of students and faculty.

In addition to designing commercials, Mark Newell ’88 has worked as a film unit production designer and supervising art director at Saturday Night Live since 2016. “As a day-one fan, working on and celebrating the show’s 50th anniversary has been a surreal experience!” he says.

Deirdre Ritter Hill ’88 and Jeff Hill ’88 are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this year, thanks to meeting at Skidmore. They are marking the occasion with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, and Bora Bora.

Joel Gross ’88 is grateful to classmates who attended his daughter Katherine’s wedding at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, R.I. He enjoyed catching up with Cathy DeYoung ’88, Kent Eby ’88, Melissa Finnon Fiorillo ’88, Deren Gibson ’88, and Freling and Susan Smith ’88. Though the wedding itself was a blur, he was glad to meet everyone for lunch and drinks beforehand.

’89

Clara C. Rabassa ’88 uwantcr@yahoo.com

Kathryn Greene Wolfe ’88 retired in January 2025 as associate court attorney for Oswego County Court after nearly 15 years with the New York State Unified Court System, including service as principal law clerk in Oswego County Supreme Court. Earlier, she practiced

Jesse Stovin ’89 is an attorney in New York City with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. His son, Aidan, a sophomore at Northeastern University, is pre-law and will work in litigation support at WilmerHale in Manhattan through December. His daughter, Helaina, a sophomore at Syracuse’s Newhouse School, is an associate producer for One Press Pass and will intern in TV broadcast and production analytics for a local baseball team this summer.

The NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning honored Amy Kraczkowsky Hull ’89 as the Lightning Community Hero. Amy has been instrumental in helping provide over $2 million to support homeless and at-risk children, through her role as president of The Lamplighters. The Lamplighters supports children at Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House; both nonprofits serve families and children dealing with housing insecurity.

Amy Kraczkowsky Hull ’89 being honored as the Tampa Bay Lightning’s community hero

Judy Fisher Sadoff ’89 released her latest children’s book, The Chipmunks Guide to Forest Bathing: Finding Wisdom in Nature

’90

Dana Metes ’90 danametes@yahoo.com

Mary Wendroff Petto ’90 earned the highest certification level in rapid resolution therapy, which she integrates into one-on-one coaching and corporate wellness programs. She is one of just 22 people worldwide with this specialization. Her company, Portable Visions, also offers mindset and mindfulness programs to corporate clients. “As a rapid turmoil resolution specialist, my mission is to end suffering,” she said. “Once we clear that stuckness, you’re poised for a quantum leap in fulfillment.”

’91

Heather Santmire Denkmire ’91 heather@heatherdenkmire.net

Craig Zolan ’91 still has his day job in financial services and he recently launched a podcast, Fresh Corduroy, covering topics of interest to skiers and snowboarders. Recent episodes feature Skidmore alumni, including Christine Feehan ’03, former FIS communications

The scene from the “Skidmore Village Pine-C Beach Party”

lead for women’s alpine racing, and Lyndsay Strange ’09, who has coached in two Olympics and on the U.S. Para Alpine team. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms: freshcorduroy.net.

’92

Jamie E. Nimmons ’92 jamie.nimmons@gmail.com

During Skidmore’s 2024 Celebration Weekend, Alexandra Bellak ’92 and her mother, Elizabeth Bellak, gave a talk and book signing at Wyckoff Center for Renia’s Diary: A Holocaust Journal They are the niece and sister of Renia Spiegel, whose long-hidden diary chronicles life as a young Polish woman during the Holocaust. The event was moderated by College Librarian Marta Brunner and sponsored by the English, History, Religious and Spiritual Life, and World Languages departments, as well as Scribner Library.

After years as CEO of a commercial real estate firm, Scott Simon ’92 pursued his passion for inspiring courage in a chaotic world. His book, Scare Your Soul, was released in paperback in December. The journey has taken him on an unexpected global adventure. He now splits his time between delivering keynotes and leading workshops on courage and stepping outside comfort zones. He is grateful to fellow alumni, including Derek Martin ’93 and Kerri Tabasky ’93, for their support.

’93

Jenny Herdman Lando ’93 jennylando@gmail.com

At this year’s Commencement ceremony, Randall Compton ’93 and Kate Yelen Compton ’93 celebrated the graduation of their daughter, Sophie Taylor Compton ’25. The gown Sophie wore was no stranger to Skidmore graduations — it was first worn by Sylvia Lufburrow Decker ’35, followed by Miriam Lufburrow Allen ’38, Elizabeth Allen Shertenlieb ’64, and, lastly, Kate in 1993.

Adriana Grant ’93 recently moved to Dover, N.H., with her husband, Peter Mumford, and they now live in a house built in 1789. An English major at Skidmore, Adriana was awarded a writing residency at Prospect Street Writers House in North Bennington, Vt., which she will attend this summer.

’94

Emily Sellergren ’94 had a great time visiting with Anne Koch ’94, Lisa Gillett ’94, Sasha Custer ’94, and Naomi Oads ’94 in New Mexico. She is doing well and still has her counseling practice, working primarily with students from the University of Colorado. In her free time, she plays pickleball, skis, and hikes. “I miss everyone. If you’re in Boulder, look me up!”

Lisa Gillett ’94 was named the 2025 New Mexico Art Educator of the Year by the New Mexico Art Education Association. Known for helping students find their artistic voice, the Albuquerque High School jewelry instructor was recently featured on the New Mexico PBS series ¡Colores!. Gillett has taught for over 20 years and continues to inspire with her hands-on, confidence-building approach to art education.

Claude Brodesser-Akner ’94 has shifted gears after 25 years in journalism and is now pursuing a master’s in social work at Fordham University. He’s counseling migrant students as part of his clinical internship at the International High School at Union Square. Claude lives on the Upper West Side with his wife and two sons. He recently reconnected with Bandersnatchers musical director Townsend “Todd” Belisle ’93 and his former Daily Variety intern Debra Kamin ’04, who is “totally killing it at The New York Times.” He sends love to ’94–’96 SGA, Writing Center, Res Life friends, and Skiddies in NYC!

Davis Martin ’94 recently reconnected with photographer Kathy Hurley to help preserve rare images of The Allman Brothers Band performing at Skidmore College on May 15, 1971. The longtime fan and alumnus assisted in digitally restoring over 500 photographs

Hurley captured during the band’s early years. Some of these images had never before been seen by the public. Their collaboration honors a legendary moment in Skidmore’s music history — and a timeless connection between artist and audience.

’95

John M. Johnston ’95 johnjohnston35@gmail.com

Rebecca Brynteson Conner ’95 has been working at Amtrak for six years as the records officer and Freedom of Information Act officer.

“I love my job!”

Chanel Greene ’94 shares a remembrance of Kristin Martinkovic ’95, who passed away on Feb. 11, 2025: “I met Kristin when she was a first-year student in 1991, and we’ve been friends ever since. I was a bridesmaid at her wedding, and we stayed close over the years. Our last photo together was in 2014 at my wedding.”

Lindsey Hammond Schmid ’94, Dennis Bruce ’92, Chanel Greene, Kristin Martinkovic, Mark Freeman ’94, and Jennifer Berton ’95 at Chanel Greene’s wedding. Kristin passed away on Feb. 11.

Phoebe Smith ’95 celebrated a milestone-filled year at Skidmore — watching her son, Ely Lettow ’25, graduate at SPAC and receive the Hartnett Prize for Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience. She also reconnected with classmates at her (gasp) 30th reunion.

Joni Guerette Olsen ’95 visited her son, Cameron Sweener ’21, at the White House this past October. He lives in Washington, D.C., and works at the Capitol. Joni is retired, homeschooling their youngest and living in the Berkshires. “I love being a Skidmore family!”

Adriana Grant with her husband, Peter Mumford

TRANSFORMING TRAGEDY

How two alumni each turned to creative outlets in difficult times and found inspiration.

Life is Variable By Tory

Abbott ’23

Jamie Kennard ’96 never imagined that he would become a documentarian. He picked up filmmaking after his wife, Tracy Kennard, died from a rare form of head and neck cancer. Kennard took on a caregiving role during her treatment, and the pair were forced to sell the wine bar they owned.

“Without a business or anything to sink my teeth into after she passed, I decided to purchase a camera with the idea of learning and teaching myself how to make documentary films,” says Kennard.

In late 2024, he debuted his first feature-length documentary, Variable, to audiences in 15 cities across the United States and Canada. The film chronicles Jamie Kennard and his brother Doug Kennard’s quest to become the second and third people in history to ski the famed Adirondack 46 peaks that mostly top 4,000 feet.

In many ways, Kennard’s time at Skidmore planted the seed for Variable. He recalls a first-year trip with Skidmore’s ski team to Mount Washington, the tallest mountain in the Northeast and “a mecca for backcountry skiing.”

“That trip was sort of a light bulb moment into what’s possible away from the ski resorts — just getting out there and doing something that’s human powered, where you’re getting yourself up the mountain and back down.”

Kennard majored in sociology, but a gap year spent touring with his punk rock band led him to the realization that he wanted to pivot to a career in graphic design, and he began taking classes with Associate Professor Emeritus of Art Deb Hall.

“I think I’ve taken to heart that sort of broader liberal arts way of thinking about the world, and that’s how I’ve moved through life — not getting too pigeonholed into one way of doing things or one career and just giving myself more latitude to experiment and to fail or succeed as it comes,” Kennard explains. “Luckily for me, there have been a lot more successes.”

In 2014, the Kennard brothers became the first people to ski the 35-hundreds (35 mountains in the Catskills that are 3,500 feet or higher). Kennard aims to complete a second film, following the third person — the first woman — to complete this arduous journey, in 2025. Variable continues to be screened at select venues in the Northeast.

Blessings in Trauma

By Emrah Jusufoski ’28

“Simple things like waking up and seeing the sunshine bring me joy.” Resilience and appreciation for life run through In the Face of Catastrophe, the memoir Jenn Goldman ’13 co-authored with her mother, Caryn Meg Hirshleifer. The book chronicles Jenn’s near-fatal brain bleed in August 2021 — just three days before her 31st birthday — and her first year of recovery.

Told through five voices — Jennifer, her mother, her father David (an emergency physician), her sister Amanda, and her fiancé, Mischa — the story weaves together diary-style reflections and medical records to offer a raw, multidimensional perspective on the trauma and healing that followed.

A double major in religion and philosophy at Skidmore, Jennifer was a wellness advocate and launched Essential Rose, an aromatherapy beauty brand, from her dorm room. Before the stroke, she taught a self-care course called Lead Your Life and shared motivational content on wellness and spirituality.

By telling her story with such vulnerability and depth, she offers solace, connection, and courage to others. Her account is a moving reminder of how community and love can carry us through even the most difficult chapters.

’96

Christen Schaffer ’96 opened Carroll Hall, an award-winning, architect-designed botanic garden in Brooklyn, N.Y., available for events and open to the public most Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Carroll Hall hosts an artist residency and is planning a pop-up winter experience. Christen welcomes Skidmore alums to apply, partner, or get involved — especially those in beverage, bakery, or marketing. Learn more at carrollhall.com and come say hi.

Matthew Sloane ’96 recently published a graphic novel, Hiding Inside a Man, a personal exploration of masculinity, identity, and the power of self-compassion. The book blends storytelling and illustration to examine the inner journey of understanding what it means to be a man. It’s available through his website, matthewsloane.com.

’97

A photograph by Jacqueline Abodeely ’97 was featured in the Officers as Artists exhibit at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C. A former New York State Park Police officer, she pursued photography after a medical retirement, completing mentorships with Alison Shaw and exhibiting in Shaw’s Martha’s Vineyard gallery and in Saratoga Springs.

Grant Copeland ’97 co-wrote a book with business associate and friend Peter Friedman titled I’ll Get the Tip: Moments Between the World’s Biggest Stars and an Unknown Ad Guy. The book shares anecdotes from Friedman’s five-decade career producing television and video content for Lucasfilm and Nike. Featured figures include Arnold Palmer, Michael Jordan, Bill Clinton, LeBron James, Bono, Neil Armstrong, and Olivia Rodrigo. The book is available on Amazon.

Connie Brooks ’97, owner of Battenkill Books in Cambridge, N.Y., was named a finalist for Publishers Weekly’s 2025 Bookseller of the Year. The store was recognized for its community outreach, youth arts programming, and exceptional customer service. Highlights include book-themed Adirondack chairs created by teens, weekly knit nights, radio book recommendations, and co-founding the Mud U Cambridge workshop series. “To be recognized at the national level is beyond my wildest dreams.”

John Rodzvilla ’97 published Project Management for Book Publishers with Routledge in July 2024.

Chad Kasdin ’97 was named partner at the Chicago law firm of Corboy & Demetrio. Chad is a trial lawyer who represents plaintiffs in personal injury and medical malpractice cases.

Abe Francis-Fallon ’97 joined fellow Skiddies Adrian Winter ’98 and Laurence Leboeuf ’98 for a weekend of hockey shenanigans in Boston.

’98

Michele D. Rothstein ’98 mdrothstein@gmail.com

Megan Breuer ’98 was promoted to senior medical writer at Medscape, a branch of WebMD, where she coincidentally crossed paths with Matthew Bonaguide ’97. She oversees text-based programs on neurology, psychiatry, women’s health, rare diseases, and those sponsored by federal agencies, including the CDC and FDA. Megan has lived in the Netherlands for more than 20 years, enjoying life with her husband, Remco, daughter, Annabel, and cat, Wilma.

Skidmore alumni supported Financial Literacy Month by joining Graeme Campbell ’98 and Stanley Maragos ’99 at an event for Economic Ventures, a nonprofit offering entrepreneurship and financial literacy programs for youth. Founder Carrie McIndoe, a longtime Skidmore guest lecturer, was honored with the inaugural True North Award for her commitment to experiential learning. The event also highlighted youth financial literacy books including The Four Money Bears, Decoding Crypto, and Growing Up Powerful.

’00

Lauren E. Granahan ’00 lauren.granahan@gmail.com

Mary Jaworski MALS ’00 retired two years ago from the federal government and loves traveling with her husband, Marshall. Their most recent trip was to Europe and Iceland. “I would love to hear from other MALS graduates in my class.”

Evan “EV0” Saffer ’00, former musical director of the Dynamics and member of disco-metal band Makes My Blood Dance (MMBD), is tour-

ing nationwide with a new album. Described as “Saturday Night Fever meets Guitar Hero 2099,” the Nu Metal Tour features Josey Scott, HED (PE), Adema, and Flaw, followed by West Coast and national dates with Powerman 5000, Julien-K, and Texas Hippie Coalition. The album includes a Macy Gray collaboration. More at makesmyblooddance.com.

Evan “EV0” Saffer with his disco-metal band Makes My Blood Dance

In 2024, Melanie Lary ’00 had much to celebrate. She eloped in August with her partner of 20 years, Matthew Rogers, at the Wolf Cove Inn in Maine. In November, she marked 10 years as research and campaigns manager for FOUR PAWS USA in Boston, Mass. As part of a global animal welfare organization, she is proud to follow her passion for protecting animals around the world.

Melanie Lary and Matthew Rogers at their wedding in August 2024

Bernadette McHugh ’00 earned a Doctor of Education in higher education from Northeastern University, defending her dissertation in February. She is currently the assistant dean of advising and academic support at Columbia University and lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons.

Damion Grasso ’00 submitted his first-ever Class Note in advance of his 25th reunion, which he celebrated with Oak D friends Jessica Zambarano ’00, Crista Cavicchio ’00,

and Sarah Bergh ’00. A clinical psychologist and professor at the UConn School of Medicine, he researches childhood adversity and trauma. He and his wife have two daughters, ages 13 and 14, and are adopting two boys, 13 and 15. He also runs a youth mentoring nonprofit. “My first experience mentoring was as a Skidmore freshman volunteer with the Saratoga Mentoring Program.”

Grasso and family on a trip to San Juan

Erin Glover-Frey ’00 is now a Florida Bar board-certified specialist in condominium and planned development law — a distinction earned through years of practice, a rigorous exam, and peer review. She serves as counsel to Saydah Law Firm in Oviedo, Fla., where she lives with her husband and daughter.

’01

Janine Geller Jones ’01 jrgeller@hotmail.com

Emily Flynn ’01 is featured in Tasting Heritage, a documentary short by filmmaker Emily Strong. Four years in the making, the film premiered May 4 at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and was also screened at the Asian American Showcase in Chicago.

’02

Kathryn Herbst ’02 kateherbst@gmail.com

Becca A. Flitter ’02 recently published a clinical study in Science Translational Medicine showing that a temperature-stable oral norovirus tablet vaccine induced strong mucosal immunity in adults up to age 80. The work was featured on the cover of the March 5, 2025, issue. Becca currently serves as director of immunology at the San Francisco biotech company Vaxart.

’03

Bridget Cummings Dorman ’03 bcdorman09@gmail.com

Vera Ventura ’03, a four-time cancer survivor, founded BreastCancerGoddess.org, a nonprofit which hosts healing retreats and promotes a metabolic approach to cancer. Her work has been featured on Boston’s WCVB and will appear on NBC’s Good Night News Ventura also leads group fasts for disease healing and shares her journey, including a 67-day fast to heal stage IV brain cancer, on Instagram at @verathecancergoddess. Learn more at BreastCancerGoddess.org.

Molly Aaker ’03 writes that her daughter, Cora Sage Aaker, was born on Nov. 8, 2024.

Chanel Luck ’03 built a retreat home and space for families and friends to gather in Playa Grande, Costa Rica, and is now taking bookings and leading boutique wellness retreats.

’04

Jacqueline Andrea Vernarelli ’04 jvernarelli@gmail.com

Virginia E. Berry ’04, a picture book creator, recently published Sea Stars and Mermaid’s Purses, the second book in her Armchair Adventure Club Collection. This whimsical adventure, developed with a marine biologist, follows Miri and her mom on a coastal treasure hunt, blending storytelling with marine biology.

Cara Benson ’04 published an essay in Orion Magazine about grief, birds, and developing relationships with humans and the non-human world. She is under contract for a related memoir about love, loss, and commitment during the climate crisis. See more at www. carabensonwriter.com.

’05

Robert Caiazzo Jr. ’05 robert.j.caiazzo.jr@gmail.com

Mieke ten Have ’05 shares her design techniques in her new book, Interiors Styled, revealing four key elements — Color Theory, Pattern Play, Wild and Tame, and Flowers for Living — that she uses to personalize spaces. Illustrated with photos of rooms she styled for designers like Stephen Sills and Mario Buatta, the book also showcases how she applies these principles in her own country home, the Barn.

Sophia Avants ’05 was awarded a fellowship by the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research to study ritual stepped pools in the Lower Galilee this fall, complementing her work on purity practices in early Judaism. She is developing a digital map of the ancient town of Sepphoris’ pools at Duke in collaboration with Eric Meyers, the site’s lead archaeologist.

Jonah Lobe ’05 feels lucky to have been featured in Scope last year in a story by Angela Valden highlighting his career and upcoming graphic novel, Quiet: Level One. The Kickstarter campaign is now complete — funded more than 1,000% — making it the most-funded debut graphic novel in the platform’s history. With full funding secured, Jonah plans to release the complete work in early 2026.

’06

Kenneth Olmstead ’06 passed away on May 15. A cherished family member and friend, Kenneth loved his daughter, his dog, and music. Professionally, he explored technology’s impact on society. He held a master’s degree from Georgetown University and roles at the Pew Research Center and the Internet Society. From his New Jersey hometown to his Skidmore days, to nearly two decades in Washington, D.C., Kenneth enriched our lives with his wit, charm, and generosity. He is deeply missed.

Damion

Four-time cancer survivor and founder of Breast Cancer Goddess Vera Ventura

’07

Autumn Q. Bush ’07 autumnbush@gmail.com

Allison Keane Barr ’07 and her husband, Brendan, welcomed their first child, a son named August, on Feb. 13. Mom and baby are doing well and appreciated the love and support of their family during the early weeks.

Since graduating from Skidmore’s University Without Walls (UWW) program, Peter G. Rose ’07 has authored 10 books on culinary history, focusing on the Dutch in 17th-century New Netherland, as well as several cookbooks. His latest work, History on Our Plate (Syracuse University Press), was completed on the eve of his 80th birthday. He continues researching colonial culinary history, noting, “Fortunately, there is always something new to learn.”

’08

Chelsea Lisaius ’08 traveled as part of the Costa Rican National Pickleball Team to Peru, where over 30 countries were represented. Chelsea has ranked as the No. 1 female player in Costa Rica.

Adam and Ashley McLean ’08 live on Mount Desert Island, Maine, with their two children. Adam is a senior instructional designer at The Jackson Laboratory and recently received the President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. He also teaches music part time at College of the Atlantic. Ashley is the circulation manager at the Southwest Harbor Public Library and creates fiber art featured in local venues. In their spare time, they shuttle their kids to theater rehearsals.

Margaret Farris ’08 and her husband, Amit Thakur, welcomed their son, Isaac Vivek FarrisThakur, on June 14, 2024. He’s thriving in the bustle of New York City life.

A FULL POUR

Annie and Andrew Brill ’03 are blending community and creativity at The Saratoga Winery.

When Annie Barron Brill ’03 became general manager of The Saratoga Winery in 2020, she had no idea she’d be running the business just a few years later — alongside her husband and fellow alum, Andrew Brill ’03

Located just west of downtown Saratoga Springs — about five miles and 10 minutes from Skidmore’s campus — the winery has become a favorite local destination for wine, food, and events.

The couple, who met as students on campus, moved back to Saratoga Springs in 2015 to start a family after working in the hospitality industry in Chicago. Though neither is originally from the area, they were married locally — and stayed for good.

In 2023, they officially became owners of the winery after spending two years helping reshape its vision and operations. They’ve introduced a popular weekend brunch, expanded event offerings, and launched creative new wine-and-dine experiences, all while deepening the venue’s role as a community gathering space.

Annie, a political science major, says her Skidmore education continues to guide her leadership style. “I feel like I use my degree every single day that I step into the office. My classes at Skidmore taught me about diplomacy, spotting historical patterns, and the art of compromise and negotiation — all very useful skills in business.”

Andrew, who majored in business and economics, brings complementary strengths, and together, the pair oversee everything from catering and staffing to branding and long-term growth.

Last fall, they returned to Skidmore in a new role — as clients of the Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting Partnership (SSCP). “It was such an enriching experience,” Annie says. “It was incredible to see how professional, hardworking, dedicated, and responsible current Skidmore students are.”

With two young children at home and a business that keeps them on their toes — especially during Saratoga’s busy summer season — the Brills enjoy reconnecting with fellow alumni and other members of the Skidmore community. They’re proud to be part of a story that blends creativity, community, and entrepreneurship — and began at Skidmore.

Margaret Farris with her husband, Amit Thakur and their son, Isaac Vivek Farris-Thakur

’09

Benjamin Johnson ’09 and Amanda M. King ’10 eloped on a Colorado mountainside, where they re-met after having both attended Skidmore. They were sneakily photographed to document this joyful moment by Shelly Anderson Varga ’10

Benjamin Johnson and Amanda M. King eloping on a Colorado mountainside

Sarah Saviskas ’09 and Andrew Bloom were married in June 2024 at City Hall in Providence, R.I. Skidmore friend Phoebe Conklin ’09 officiated the small ceremony in front of the couple’s parents and siblings. Sarah is an urban planner for the Seattle Department of Transportation, and Andrew is a social impact manager for the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. The couple live in Seattle with their dog, Bodhi.

Sara Kliger ’09 was recently promoted from Upper School mental health and wellness counselor to Upper School division head at Bank Street School for Children in New York City. She also married her partner, Michael Morris, in March 2025, with several Skidmore alumni in attendance.

’10

Claire Solomon Nisen ’10 claire.a.solomon@gmail.com

Rebecca Rawling ’10 was excited to attend her 15th reunion along with Ali Cooper ’10 and many others. She also celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary and ran her third marathon on Catalina Island with her brother.

Michael Goldsmith ’10 has worked at the California Department of Justice for five years. This past year, he helped draft and advocate for Senate Bill 1061, which prevents medical debt from appearing on credit reports. He testified in support of the bill before both the State Senate and Assembly. The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law, marking a significant step forward in protecting consumers from the long-term financial impact of medical debt.

Ari Manstein ’10 welcomed her second son, David, in September 2024 and is living in Fort Collins, Colo.

Jake Young ’10 was awarded the 2024 Orison Prize in Fiction for his book Shared Perspectives. Kaveh Akbar, who selected the winning manuscript, described it as “a brilliant vortical rush of mind and action ... rendering elliptically what linear narrative would cudgel into meaningless bromide. Such a delightfully bizarre, lyric, dazzling achievement.”

’11

Tanner D. Kaufman ’11

Tanner.Kaufman@gmail.com

One of the most impactful classes Korena Burgio Dill ’11 took at Skidmore was on how to read to children — something she now enjoys doing with her baby daughter. Regina George Dill, named after both parents, was born in September 2024 and wears pink on Wednesdays.

Michael Levin ’11 presented at the 104th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in January. He and his co-presenters discussed “Linking Incidents to Customers: Inferring Rail Vehicle Delay Causes from Track Circuit Data,” a project for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

’12

Ross A. Lovern ’12 rosslovern@gmail.com

Wyatt Erchak ’12 defended his doctoral dissertation, “Private Wrongs: A Hidden History of the American Civil War’s First Black Union Regiment,” earning a Ph.D. in history from Carnegie Mellon University.

’13

Andrew Haber ’13 and Yumi Karlshoej ’15 were married July 27, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. A happy Thoroughbred couple!

’14

Jessica Strasser ’14 jessicabstrasser@gmail.com

Gallery 5 Schenectady hosted a reception featuring new works by Joe Klockowski ’14 in a one-evening exhibition titled Pockets Full of Lichens and Seeds, II. The show included new landscape paintings depicting upstate New York vistas, as well as Klockowski’s miniature plein-air studies painted in nature.

Christine Pardos ’14 married Kyle Klem in fall 2024 in Littleton, Colo. Lifelong friends from the Class of 2014 Theater Department flew out from both coasts to celebrate!

Korena Burgio Dill and family

Andrew Haber and Yumi Karlshoej

The wedding of Christine Pardos in Littleton, Colo., included Gina Sayre ’14, Emma Bridges Filipowicz ’14, groom Kyle Klem, Laura Cornachio ’14, and Gab Johnson-Nieporent ’14.

Salvatore Fruciano ’14 successfully defended his dissertation and was awarded a Ph.D in chemistry from Colorado School of Mines in December 2024.

Emma Bridges ’14 married Adam Filipowicz on June 22, 2024, at Wrensmoor Castle in Alhambra, Calif. Emma, a theater and social work major, and Adam, a biology major, met while living in Portland, Ore., and are excited to embark on this new chapter of their lives together. They celebrated their union in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Skidmore alumni.

The wedding of Emma Bridges at Wrensmoor Castle in Alhambra, Calif., included Sarah Ryan ’13, Alexia Zarras ’14, Will Hoeschler ’14, Xavier Hatten ’14, Stephanie Sherry ’13, Laura Cornachio ’14, Christine Pardos ’14, Missy Matteis ’15, and Mack Lacy ’14. ’15

Jessica Dunning ’15 jldunning11@gmail.com

After graduating, Noah Samors ’15 and Kyle Salzman ’15 moved to New Orleans. Noah worked as a freelance entertainment techni-

cian and designer until 2022, when he began MFA studies in themed entertainment design at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). In October 2024, he joined Walt Disney World as an entertainment technician and earned his MFA in March 2025.

Julia Diamond ’15 married Jude Lim last fall in a sunset ceremony at a winery in Middleburg, Va. The couple met during Diamond’s junior semester abroad in Australia. Skidmore friends traveled from around the country and the world to celebrate.

Julia Diamond and Jude Lim’s wedding included Elly Kosova ’17, Tina Chang ’16, Ellie Erickson ’15, Rachelle Gage ’16, Carmen Lin ’16, Erica Wolfe Heinz ’17, Sean van der Heijden ’16, John Machusky ’15, Hector Biaggi ’15, Angelo Gonzalez ’15, Elon Drager ’15, Marvin Michel ’14, PierreFrancois Wolfe Heinz ’15, Christine McLear ’16, Philip Diamond ’12, Erik Morrison ’15, Robert Fulton ’15, and Will Roche ’17.

At a mini-10-year reunion, former Catherine Street roommates Jenna Frank ’15, Anne Gormley ’15, Remy Marin ’15, Whitney Packer ’15, and Maggie Patterson ’15 reconnected on a trip to Laguna Beach, Calif.

began as personal reflections grew into a historical archive with submissions from mothers, students, and allies, highlighting the importance of preserving Jewish voices and history. This is her fourth published work and her first outside the children’s book genre.

’18

Kelly Ortiz ’18 started a financial planning practice at Northwestern Mutual, combining expertise in psychology and business management to provide tailored solutions for families, nonprofits, small business owners, and people of color. Passionate about financial empowerment, Ortiz also enjoys running, studying Portuguese, and traveling to engage with diverse cultures.

Becca Gracey ’18 played the White Witch of Narnia in the Portland Players’ production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in Portland, Maine, in March.

’16

Stella C. Langat ’16 stellaclangat@gmail.com

Rachelle Gage ’16 is honored to share her recently published book, We’re Not OK: Jewish and Ally Experiences Post 10/7. What

Hannah Fowler ’18 began her career at NBCUniversal as an NBC page, an experience she fondly compares to working alongside Kenneth from 30 Rock. That role led to her current position as an external corporate communications manager at The New York Times, where she leads brand storytelling for Wirecutter, product and design. An English major, Hannah credits Skidmore with shaping her path. She lives in Brooklyn, where she enjoys the city’s creative and design communities.

Whitney Packer, Jenna Frank, Maggie Patterson, Anne Gormley, and Remy Marin during a mini reunion in Laguna Beach, Calif.

Becca Gracey as the White Witch of Narnia

CLASS NOTES

Lizette Roman-Johnston ’18 is now head JV softball coach at her alma mater, Wilton High School. She holds the school’s single-season batting average record (.603) and, as a Skidmore softball alumna, finished her senior year with a .415 average and All-Region First Team honors.

’19Five years after they met on Caroline Street, Savannah Forehand ’20 and Corbin Dunn ’19 are engaged to be married. Corbin proposed (and Savannah said “yes!”) while the couple was in Cape Cod.

Corbin Dunn proposing to Savannah Forehand

Bianca Thompson ’19 starred as Monroe in the Chicago premiere of Funny, Like an Abortion at Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. In Rachel Bublitz’s darkly comic, timely play, Monroe, in a future America where saying “abortion” is a crime, hosts a surprise abortion party after an unwanted pregnancy. Eileen Tull directed the production, co-produced by Chicago Danztheatre and Fat Theater Project.

Monica Andrews ’19 was recently promoted to director of learning and engagement at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, N.Y. As a Skidmore student, she served as the Meg Reitman Jacobs ’63 intern at the Tang Teaching Museum.

Linnea Harris ’19 recently earned an MFA in creative writing from Colorado State University, where she was the program’s Gill-Ronda Fellow. She studied creative nonfiction and taught undergraduate writing. Linnea is grateful to her Skidmore mentors in environmental studies and English, especially creative nonfiction professors Susannah Mintz, April Bernard, and Martha Wiseman, for their guidance and brilliant teaching.

Roman DiPasquale ’19 and Tiffany KapelaBarlow ’19 tied the knot at a ceremony in Schoharie, N.Y., on Sept. 15, 2024. In attendance were classmates Alexandria (Lexi)

Parker ’19, Olivia Lipkin ’19, Lea Tanenbaum ’19, Ari Caplan ’19, Eric Poon ’19, Max Fleischman ’19, Jacob Hale ’19, Edward (Ted) Randell ’19, Sarah Markley ’19, Madeleine Elliott ’18, Melanie Allison ’20, Isabella (Lulu) Fairclough-Stewart ’19, Annabelle Vaes ’19, Helen Gray-Bauer ’19, Matthew Mailloux ’18, Gabrielle Vuillaume ’21, and Kyle Cassarino ’21. Tiffany is an associate director in Skidmore’s Office of Admissions, and Roman is a senior staff analyst at GlobalFoundries.

Roman and Tiffany (Kapela-Barlow) DiPasquale in Schoharie, N.Y.

’20

Elizabeth Levy ’20 started a new job as the assistant swim coach at the University of Idaho. “It’s been awesome getting to work with a Division I program in one of the most beautiful parts of the country!”

Anna Taft ’20 published a book from Brill, Climbing Together: Relational Morality and Meaningful Action in Intercultural Community Engagement, partly based on her Skidmore MALS work. It explores philosophical insights and narratives to show how organizations can enhance intercultural collaboration through relational morality and meaningful action.

Meghan Thornton ’20 is manager of new media strategy in Skidmore’s Office of Communications and Marketing. Her digital media campaigns on Tiktok and Reddit recently landed the College a Capital Region MARCOM Award and two Education Digital Marketing Awards. Meghan works closely with Skids and may even know his secret identity.

’21

Korotoumou “Katy” Ballo ’21 returned to her hometown of Anyama, Ivory Coast, to open its first library, providing free educational

resources to thousands of youth. A recipient of Skidmore’s 2021 Davis Projects for Peace award, she used the grant to launch Impactful Education, addressing literacy and technology gaps. The library features 24 computers and thousands of books, with programs in English, reading, and computer skills. Ballo hopes to expand across rural Ivory Coast.

Korotoumou “Katy” Ballo poses with a group of young students inside an Ivory Coast library created by her nonprofit, Impactful Education.

Gabrielle Vuillaume ’21 and Kyle Cassarino ’21 happily announce their engagement. The couple met during their sophomore year at Skidmore and have been together ever since. They got engaged in Saratoga Springs in May.

’22

Eliana Colzani ’22 and Anna Merrens ’20 are beginning their Master of Environmental Management degrees at Yale School of the Environment, focusing on sustainable agriculture and water management, respectively. During orientation, they met in New Haven with recent Master of Forestry graduate Brandon Wilson Radcliffe ’20 to reflect on their shared Skidmore experiences.

Elizabeth Cumbo ’22 celebrated her one-year work anniversary as development national operations and administration manager at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Anna Merrens, Eliana Colzani, and Brandon Wilson Radcliffe in New Haven, Conn.

’23

Aymon E. Langlois ’23 aymonlanglois@gmail.com

Tory Abbott ’23 successfully completed a two-year tour of duty as a (very) strategic communications coordinator with Skidmore’s Office of Communications and Marketing, where they contributed to this magazine (including this issue). They recently relocated to Charlottesville, Va., with Luke Deuterman ’23, who is attending the graduate program for religious studies at the University of Virginia.

Jackson Hornung ’23 has been promoted to the Toronto Blue Jays’ Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Hornung was a 2024 Northwest League All-Star and batted .308 over 44 games to start the 2025 season with the High-A Vancouver Canadians. A two-time Liberty League Player of the Year, he was selected by the Blue Jays in the 16th round of the MLB draft shortly after graduation.

Jackson Hornung in action with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (photo: Susan McGowan)

’24

Emily Cleveland ’24 was accepted into the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program at the Mass General Hospital’s Institute of Health Professions. She will begin the program this fall, focusing her studies on supporting the language development of children with disabilities.

Mya Carter ’24 has been awarded a 2025–26 Fulbright grant to conduct environmental science research in Crete, Greece. Her project focuses on the threatened Cretan date palm and the invasive red palm weevil. She will identify and map infestations in Crete’s largest groves, including the Palm Forest of Vai, and collaborate on management plans. Carter credits her mentors at Skidmore College and the University of Crete for their support throughout her application and research planning.

ALUMNI AUTHORS

Recent books published by Skidmore alumni

Linda K. Fuller ’64

Celebrating the Super Bowl: Programs, Profits, Parties

Tina Spiro ’64 Good Morning Star Child

Julie Ann Hall ’65 Volumina, A Bawdy Fairytale

Howie Good ’73 Akimbo

Janice Greenberg Ellinwood ’74

The Fairchild Books Illustrated Dictionary of Fashion Details

Laurie Ingersoll ’74

Imagine This: Creative Writing for Teachers

Sally Shafto ’78 (translator)

Chris Marker: Early Film Writings

Judy Pearl Fisher ’89 The Chipmunks’ Guide to Forest Bathing

Scott Simon ’92 Scare Your Soul

Matthew Sloane ’96 Hiding Inside a Man

Grant Copeland ’97 I’ll Get the Tip

John Rodzvilla ’97 Project Management for Book Publishers

Virginia E. Berry ’04 Sea Stars and Mermaid’s Purses

Mieke ten Have ’05 Interiors Styled

Jonah Lobe ’05 Quiet: Level One

Peter G. Rose ’07 History on Our Plate

Jake Young ’10 Shared Perspectives

Jennifer Rose Goldman ’13 In the Face of Catastrophe

Rachelle Gage ’16

We’re Not OK: Jewish and Ally Experiences Post 10/7

Anna Taft ’20 Climbing Together

IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO COLLEGE ...

What advice would you give to your first-year self?

“Talk to others. Everybody feels lost, but whether you say it or not, we’re not so different.” — Tina Garber Olsen ’65

“Hold on to old friends!”

— Janice Brophy Billingsley ’68

“Make a plan! Something I neglected … ”

— Terrin Haley ’68

“Don’t sweat the small stuff; let it go. Keep moving and singing. Strive to seek those things which bring you joy.”

— Martha Seem Banghart ’71

“Maximize every moment and relationship at Skidmore and in the Saratoga Springs community. That network will become deep roots.” — Susan Flanders Davidson ’71

“Don’t transfer into Skidmore like I did; start as a freshman!” — Michelle Smith Meth ’80

“Take risks and fail fast.” — Mark Nathan ’84

“While searching for your professional path in life, try to imagine what you would like your life to be like in five, 10, or 20 years. What will you want to be doing — and with whom? As long as you keep health, family, and friends as your top priorities, you will not go wrong. Learn from your mistakes and from those of others. Stay away from shiny things that have no fruit. Every now and then, when you are all alone in the car, you should be listening to loud music with the windows rolled down. If you are not singing every now and then, you need to revisit your priorities and get back on track.”

— Robert Shaffer ’85

“First, be more observant of the world around you — so much is missed by not taking the time to experience what’s right in front of us every day. Second, adopt this quote in your day-today life: ‘Be kind; all those you encounter are fighting a terrible battle.’”

— Andrew “Andy” Horn ’86

“Have more self-confidence — you might surprise yourself.” — Zack Salino ’86

“You will become a free and open person beyond anything you can imagine. You will marry the (person) of your dreams and live a full, purposeful, and fulfilling life.”

— James Gosse ’86

“You will have lots of jobs in your lifetime, so know that learning what you don’t want to do is as important as learning what you do want to do.” — Dana Metes ’90

“Go to class.” — Tim Clemmey ’90

“Enjoy every moment.”

— Laura Schmuttenmaer Kenyon ’05

“Take advantage of all that Skidmore has to offer. There were so many events, lectures, and other offerings that I didn’t go to because I didn’t feel like getting up early or didn’t have someone to go with. I would give anything to go back in time and experience all of the incredible opportunities the College had to offer.” — Faith Provencher ’05

“It’s OK not to know where you are headed. Your time at Skidmore will set you up for success no matter what path you choose. And never, ever stop learning!”

— Caitlin Givens ’05

“Don’t stress about the small stuff. Skidmore years are the best years of your life, so enjoy the small moments in the Burgess Café, hang out in your friend’s room, or have a good conversation with your professor. Those moments don’t return, so enjoy each one.”

— Kathryn (Kasha) Wink Gilligan ’05

“I would tell myself to relax and enjoy the moment more!” — Laura Goldberg Barber ’05

“It’s not that serious! Everything will work out how it’s supposed to. And have fun.”

— Laura Cornachio ’14

“Have all the fun experiences and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make new friends. Say yes to everything. You are enough.” — Emma Bridges ’14

“Worry less about the outcome of your college experience, enjoy quality time with friends, and take some time to relax. Take advantage of club resources more, like Outing Club trips to the ski slopes. Prioritize wholesome social experiences, deepening friendships and relationships. Utilize the Career Development Center to plan your career and gain resources and contacts. Take advantage of professors’ office hours and engage more deeply in the subjects you’re studying.” — Ben Yatt ’15

“You’re about to have the best four-year experience of your entire life. Trust the process and soak it all in. Do not try to fit in — you will belong because you are more than enough.”

— Angela Botiba ’15

“College is a place to grow, change, learn new ideas, and challenge existing ones ... College may be the best years of your life, but even before that, they’re the growth years of your life.” — Anna Krechevsky ’22

“Take the time to breathe and enjoy the fun activities Skidmore has to offer in addition to focusing on your studies. Try not to overthink. Relax and give yourself ample time to finish your assignments — don’t just leave it until the night before.” — Cianna S. Stovall ’22

“Don’t stress. Everything unfolds the way it’s meant to. Transferring wasn’t easy, but I threw myself into everything I could ... I’m most proud of the leadership roles I stepped into and the growth they brought me.” — Erin McMorris ’25

“It takes time, but everything works out. ... I’ll miss the magic of springtime in Saratoga, the friendships I built, and the creative energy that has shaped my path toward a future with Paramount.” — Bailey Gerson ’25

“The first few months might feel tough, but the right people and opportunities will come. ... Take chances early and often — you won’t regret it. Skidmore is a place where you can truly find yourself.” — Trevor Lai ’25

“Slow down and savor every moment; college flies by so fast. From lake days with friends to long talks with professors, every experience has been meaningful. I’m proud of how much I’ve grown and the confidence I’ve found in myself.” — Qavalina Andrade ’25

“Stay true to who you are. Keep being a positive light, hold tightly to your values, and never lose the joy you bring into every room you enter. I’ve grown so much — from a quiet, shy freshman to someone who’s out there, connecting with others, leading, and speaking up. ... The people here made this experience unforgettable.” — Mbaye Seck ’25

“If I had to start over, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge — academic, professional, or personal — taught me something valuable. ... I’m leaving confident, creative, and deeply thankful for these four transformative years.”

— Austin Sommers ’25

IN MEMORIAM

Remembering the alumni and community members we have lost.*

Phyllis Friedman Levenson ’45

Patricia Gibson Beetle ’46

Mary Mosenthal Boone ’46

Audrey VanDahl Cortelyou ’46

Jean Kirchenbaum Elkind ’46

Claire Reese Burrill ’47

Phyllis Hoffman Clark ’47

Jane Geibel Morton ’47

Dorothea Tuttle Andrews ’48

Joy Stimm Farrelly ’48

Maryanne Meyer Kaemmerlen ’48

Caroline Bruner Dean ’49

Beverly Bernhardt Jarrett ’49

Joanne Whiting Lenci ’49

Claire Zimmerman Macfarlane ’49

Barbara Anne Nichols Wilsey ’49

Roberta Bryant Briggs ’50

Jan Sutherland Fairservis ’50 P’84

Liboria Cardaci Muller ’50

Grace Young Riccio ’50

Maria-Louise Wagman Stracke ’51

Marilyn Berger Burr ’52

Camilla Wilson Dahl ’52

Arline M. Fisch ’52

Nancy Lukens Pegnam ’52

Jo Doris Freedman ’53

Jane Mackay Howe ’53

Mary Rosenfeld Lasser ’53

Anne Lienhard Heinsohn ’54

Patricia Piper Perry-Adams ’54

Mary Lou Ellis Sorenson ’54

Sydney Bartlett Tansi ’54

Joan Hunt Tyrrell ’54

Carolyn Ruscoe Burt ’55

Nancy Mathis Engen ’55

Virginia Suellau Glynn ’55

Jane Blau Grossman ’55

Faire Millham Hart ’55

Gail Hull Healy ’55 P’84

Rosemary Wheatley Hudson ’55

Susan Hamilton MacCachran-Ingholt ’55

Jane Havey Palmer ’55

Nancy Wind Ross ’55

Mary Brown Bowden ’56

Barbara Conway Fertig ’56

Linda Nelson Jardine ’56

Nancy Hedlund Perkins ’56

Margot Stainton Pulver ’56

Anne Parsell Shughart ’56

Gail Richardson West ’56

Rita Grabino Woldenberg ’56

Lindsay Pyle Behne ’57

Georgia E. Carlquist ’57

Jane Fulton Hess ’57

Judith Greene Kunitz ’57

Josephine Leach Lewis ’57

Jane Kelly Morais ’57

Eleanor Rowland Strain ’57

Marcia Bauer Cunningham ’58

Bess Wilson Henderson ’58

Judith Podlesney ’58

Barbara Marr Waite ’58

Marsha Johnson Bancroft ’59

Carol Caldwell-Hollingshead ’60

Patricia Boyes Demonet ’60

Barbara Albright Gille ’60 P’93

Donna Bryant Snow ’60

Suzanne Besunder Stier ’60

Barbara Morse Townsend ’60

Cindy Goss Triplett ’60

Judith Windle Vincent ’60

Carole Sussman Heller ’61

Dorothy Whittemore Schafer ’61

Barbara Mann Bigham ’62

Judith Martin Clements ’62

Patricia Duckwall Selwood ’62

Tracy Brown Wickwire ’62

Carolyn Caesar Ingraham ’63

Susan Carnes Reeder ’63

Sabina Hartley Duke ’63

Betsey Swire Frumin ’63

Nancy Elwell Powers ’64

Linda Stolinsky Pura ’64

Kathanne Kuhn Mitchell ’64 P’91

Barbara E. Terry ’65

Judith Friedman VanVlandren ’65

Gail Starr ’65

Dina Erdman VanDuyne ’65

Suzanne A. Jaffe ’66

Juliette N. Willis ’66

Logan Parry Hottle ’67

Christine Talarico Hayward ’67

Susan Miller Waite ’67

Carla Brichke Altschuld ’68

Louise Dodd ’69

Marilyn Roxin Stern ’70

Anne Sunderman Patterson ’71

Julia C. Van de Water ’71

Sarah R. Lundy ’72

Eileen Fitzsimmons ’74

Paula Erlandson Ferguson ’74

Mary E. Green ’74

Karolyn Vreeland Blume ’74

Sarah Hafensteiner ’75

Philip B. Smerling ’75

Linda D. Fuller ’76

Mary Margaret A. Hudak ’76

Mariette Arguimbau Scott ’76

Maura Curran Breen ’77

Sara G. Maurer ’77

Georgeanne Gardella Rexford ’78

Martin J. Rosenkranz ’78

Karlene F. Salyers ’78

Louise Stark ’78

Sheryl Street Cabot ’78

Gregory D. Neumunz ’79

Nancy Black Gruber ’80

Patricia M. Hayes ’81

Rebecca Clark Hodgson ’81

Christine M. Murphy ’81

David J. Reich ’82

Helen P. Wilson ’83

Carol Burridge Massa ’84

Andrew G. First ’85

Teresa Fowler ’85

Nora LaJoy Nellis ’90

Sister Mary C. Bilderback ’92

Craig Lapham ’92

Dorothy G. Hemmings ’92

Noel Casabonne ’93

Adam H. Talman ’93

Jerry L. Simatos ’01

Kenneth McDonnell Olmstead ’06

* As reported to Skidmore since the last issue of Scope.

Honor. Remember. Celebrate.

Pay tribute to fellow alumni with a gift in their memory — or by supporting the Alumni Memorial Scholarship or the Skidmore Alumni Garden.

The Alumni Memorial Scholarship was created in partnership with Class of 1989 alumni Harold Herz and Anne Margiloff Wargo and honors the legacy of those we’ve lost while providing vital support to our current students.

The Alumni Garden is a living tribute to generations of Skidmore graduates — a place of reflection and remembrance, maintained through the generosity of alumni and friends.

To learn more or designate your gift, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@skidmore.edu or 518-580-5610.

› Regis C. Brodie

Regis C. Brodie P’88 ’99, an internationally acclaimed artist who created many of the ceramic pieces given by the College as awards to distinguished alumni and trustees, died on Oct. 10, 2024. Brodie, 81, served Skidmore from 1969 until his retirement in 2010. Survivors include his wife, Becky Brodie P’88 ’99; children, Laura Ellor ’88, Ellen Brodie, Courtney DeLeonardis ’99, and Bradford Brodie; and grandchildren.

› Mimi Ciancio

Mimi Ciancio P’87 ’91 G’16, who worked to ensure that all students could flourish academically through roles in the Office of Admissions, English Department, and Higher Education Opportunity Program, died on Nov. 7, 2024. Ciancio, 90, served Skidmore from the 1970s through 2006. She is survived by her three sons, Lee, Claude ’87, and Paul ’91; and four grandchildren, Rachel ’16, Michael, Ella, and Anthony. Her husband, Professor of English Emeritus Ralph A. Ciancio, died in 2019.

› Rev. Thomas Richard Davis Jr.

The Rev. Thomas Richard Davis Jr. P’85 ’88, Skidmore’s chaplain emeritus, a retired faculty member in religion, and a voice for addiction treatment and women’s rights, died on June 10. Davis, 90, joined Skidmore in 1966. He retired in 1996 but continued to teach courses until 2015. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Linda Davis; his children, Tommy Davis ’85 and Miriam Davis-Doern ’88; Miriam’s husband, James Doern ’87; and grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

› Giuseppe Faustini

Professor of Italian Emeritus Giuseppe Faustini P’00, who published widely and taught about Renaissance and modern Italian literature and Italian cinema, died on Nov. 21, 2024. Faustini, 75, served Skidmore from 1982 until his retirement in 2024. Survivors include his wife, Mary; his daughter, Franca Faustini (Angelo) Zuppa ’00; and his grandchildren.

› Charlotte Margolis Goodman

Professor Emerita of English Charlotte Margolis Goodman, author, feminist scholar, and specialist in American literature, died June 8, 2024. Goodman, 90, served Skidmore from 1974 until her retirement in 2001. Survivors include her children, Andrea Hansell, Matthew Goodman, and Jeffrey Goodman; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

› Regina Janes

Regina Janes, a dynamic teacher and a prolific scholar whose interests ranged from satire and the Enlightenment to Latin American fiction and life after death, died on July 20. Janes, 78, joined the English Department in 1976 and retired in 2018. She is survived by her son, Charles Woolley.

› Claire M. Olds

Claire M. Olds, a pioneering administrator during Skidmore’s transition from an all-women’s college to a coeducational institution and its relocation from downtown to its current campus, died on May 25. Olds chronicled her experience as dean of students (1964-1977) in her 2008 memoir, Skidmore When I Was Dean Olds. She served as director of personnel, affirmative action officer, and director of equal employment opportunity before her retirement in 1983. She is survived by her nieces, Susan and Kathryn Olds.

Skidmore College

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Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-1632

MIND AND HAND

Summer research opportunities, faculty-student collaborations, and experiential learning reflect our foundational philosophy that a daring education rooted in creativity can best prepare students to meet the challenges of the future.

Help students pursue these opportunities and discover their passions while fueling every part of campus with your gift today.

Make a gift through the Skidmore Fund at skidmore.edu/give.

Skidmore

Jonah Cadorette '26, a music and psychology double major and apprentice timber framer