Class Notes

We love to share what our graduates are up to and encourage alumni to share personal updates with us for our Class Notes pages. Find information on how to submit your class note below.

1950s

Will Brewster ’51 returned to The Hill in celebration of Reunion Weekend 2025. Will and his wife, Arlene, live in Kittery Point, Maine. (Picture 1)

Colin Phipps ’55 and his wife, Anne, met with Director of Advancement April Speck-Ewer for a Spartan lunch in Florida this past April. Colin established the Dr. Andre Derdeyn ’55 Financial Aid Endowment in honor of his lifelong friend Andre Derdeyn ’55, who passed away in 2021. (Picture 2)

Harris Husted ’56 lost his wife, Leska, to Alzheimer’s in June of 2024. He is now living at a Traditions retirement complex in Houston, which he writes “is OK, but not too lively after 9 p.m.!”

During Reunion Weekend 2025, the Spartan Alumni Association honored Jeannette Schaleben Cook ’58, P ’92, ’89, ’86 with the 2025 Spartan Alumni Leadership Award. (See page 35.)

1960s

Maynette More ’65 moved to Eagle Mountain, Utah, seven years ago after 30 quiet years in Austin. Maynette, a repeat cancer survivor, began weightlifting in the ’80s and has recently resumed training, with plans to compete in local and national competitions. She writes, “I’ll be better and stronger by the time of the competition. Since there aren’t many 77-to-78-year-old female powerlifters, I may be setting some records for my age group.” When Maynette is not working out, she leads a quiet life taking care of her two cats and two dogs. She closes, “Here’s to the reunion for those of us in our 70s and 80s.”

Thank you to Dianne Duncan Tucker ’65 for coordinating the 60-year reunion of the Class of 1965 class party.

Share Your Notes

Online at sstx.org/alumni, select the “Stay Connected” box, or email your class rep (found on page 47), molmstead@sstx.org or dallen@sstx.org

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Brocky Brown ’68 and Mary stay comfortably busy offering their basement to Airbnb and Furnished Finder guests who visit their town of Speedway, the home of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Brocky and Mary sold their newspaper business but continue to be involved with the town’s activities. Their next project is to work with a team of eight historians to print a history book for the town’s 2026 centennial celebration. Mary is part of a groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research program, and they have plans to attend all the seminars possible. Brocky and Mary recently attended a reunion at a school in Cincinnati where he taught and coached in the ’70s and ’80s, and Brocky loved hearing, “Mr. Brown! You’re here!” followed by wonderful hugs and reminiscing. He writes, “It was a joy-filled step back in time that helped me see a solidly positive future for us retired ’68ers.”

Molly Dougherty ’68 had an inspirational trip last fall to El Salvador for the first time in four and a half years. Sadly, a few weeks after she returned, her beloved husband of 33 years, Kip (Richard Pells), began to experience declining health. Sadly, he passed away of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on April 30. Thankfully, he died peacefully in his sleep at home.

Since her daughter and two grandsons moved in, life has gotten pretty busy for Margaret Halcomb ’68. The school years are filled with homework, sports, homework, Cub Scouts, homework, laundry, homework and travel. School breaks are very much appreciated! This summer, Margaret and her husband, Rick, are taking their grandsons to England. Her son and his wife live in London, and the grands are looking forward to seeing them. Then they will take a cruise to Norway, Scotland and back to England. This will be the first summer without a long camping trip. Margaret is feeling the same aches and pains she’s sure all her classmates feel, but thanks to Pilates, she is still balanced, limber and standing up straight. When not spending her time raising children, Margaret works with beads. Over the past 20-plus years, she has learned so much about making jewelry and is pleased to share, “my right brain hadn’t totally shriveled up after a left-brain career. Everyone is healthy and happy here and I wish the best to all my classmates.”

During Reunion Weekend 2025, the Spartan Alumni Association honored Clarke Heidrick, Jr. ’68, P ’02, ’05, ’10 with the 2025 Founders Award for Distinguished Leadership. (See page 35.)

Robert Henderson ’68 writes, “The winter cold finally lifted in northern Virginia, and while the cherry blossoms were short-lived, they were spectacular.” His wife, Leilani, is back in one of her favorite places, pruning the yard and garden back into that beautiful flow of nurturing colors and patterns. Their grandchildren are winding up the school year (Laila 1st grade, Wyatt and Maile preschool) and are excited for the soccer, art, nature and other camps and activities coming for the summer. Rob is helping old and new friends with finding new ways to support nongovernmental Organization (NGO) work that’s being constrained or eliminated by the federal government. He writes, “No big breakthroughs yet, but it’s creating some interesting opportunities and new ways of thinking about resources for civil society and community development.”

Greg Hicks ’68 says, “We continue in Seattle, and retirement has been happy. I had a project with a group of architects and community planners a while ago for the Architecture League of New York, and we are still doing cleanup and enjoying the aftermath. It was called American Roundtable and focused on communities around the country experiencing stress of one kind or another, like an old New England mill town in the grips of opioid addiction, an African American community on Mobile Bay and a Rust Belt town in Ohio — that kind of thing. Our team had a look at a string of towns and tribal communities along Washington’s outer Pacific coast, all threatened by sea-level rise and tsunami. A beautiful place with real challenges. We had a wonderful photographer. Right now, I’m helping with an oral history project for Austin’s All Saints parish, and I’ve just wiped down my canoes for the new paddling season. I continue rereading [my] favorite things. We’re busy and content, though I envy John [McFarland ’68] the sight of that stupendous Cuero oak.”

John McFarland ’68 is holding down the fort in Austin while trying to move toward retirement with Clarke Heidrick, Jr. ’68, P ’02, ’05 and ’10. In early spring, John and his wife, Jill, took a church-sponsored Civil Rights Pilgrimage bus tour to Tulsa, Little Rock, Philadelphia (Mississippi), Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham for nine days. Rudy Green ’71, P ’07 and Joyce Christian joined them for part of the tour, which recalled lots of memories: “Vietnam, assassinations, riots, demonstrations, Woodstock, Black power.” John and Clarke went again to the College World Series in Omaha in June, taking a detour on their road trip to see the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas. Most recently, John went with a client to see his property near Cuero so he could see the “Hobbit oak” on his land. He writes, “Amazing. That’s me under the tree.” (Picture 3) no cell service and no water. In April, we had the first wildfires of the season and evacuated again. In spite of these challenges, Duane is responding well to the medication he’s taking to slow the progress of his dementia. I have joined our branch of the NAACP, Red Wine and Blue and our local branch of Good Trouble. I use the 5 Calls app and keep very busy with political activities. I am heartened by the variety of progressive groups involved in politics here in our little Southern town. Love to you all, my adopted brothers and sisters!”

Since 2020, Tony Tichenor, M.D. ’68 has regularly briefed the class of ’68, and the Spartan community who sought an unbiased source on what the medical scientific researchers learned about COVID-19 protection, prevention and care. Tony is taking a well-deserved break from regular postings/emails but will continue to add to the Class of 1972 alumni archives at Princeton University, his alma mater. Many of his classmates express deep gratitude for this service to our community. The archived versions are available at https://www.princeton72.org/posts/tichenor.

1970s

Gaye Holcomb Evert ’70, Ellen Jockusch ’70 and class representative Dee Meador ’70, P ’00, ’04 organized the class of 1970’s 55-year reunion, including a celebration at Gaye’s home in Austin.

Ellen Jockusch ’70 has completed her term as Pioneer Spartans chair on the Spartan Alumni Association Board. Thank you, Ellen!

Greetings from Ellen O’Brien ’68 who writes, “Hello, all y’all. I love our beautiful environment here in western North Carolina! Hurricane Helene was an incredible experience and it resulted in an incredible response from various groups. Rebuilding continues in towns like Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. Our development took some hits, but the flooding was the biggest surprise and caused the most damage. We evacuated as soon as we could because we had no electricity,

During Reunion Weekend 2025, the Spartan Alumni Association honored Fred Myers ’71, P ’05 with the 2025 Spartan Alumni Leadership Award. (See page 35.)

Ginger Borron ’71, Ellen Jockusch ’70, Kathryn Miller Anderson ’71, P ’00, ’04 and Gaye Evert ’70 still love the Beatles! (Picture 4)

Tom Tuohy ’71 won the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) Outstanding Volunteer Award for the fall quarter 2024! The NAFCM represents over 36,000 members from 415 centers in North America, including the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Tom mediates a variety of cases including general, family and Texas Child Protective Services (CPS), and he mediates proficiently in both English and Spanish.

On May 6, Marschall Runge, M.D. ’72 released his second book, “The Great Healthcare Disruption: Big Tech, Bold Policy, and the Future of American Medicine,” offering an inside look at “the most significant transformation in medical care since the discovery of antibiotics.”

Henrietta Wright ’74 ran into Reyden Weis ’17 and Sydney Rudman ’17 at her daughter’s birthday party in Brooklyn, New York. (Picture 5)

1980s

Jeffrey Folmar ’80 is in real estate in Austin and keeps up with Missy Quinn ’80 and John Ratliff ’80.

Last October, Paul Hofheinz ’80 visited St. Stephen’s for the first time in decades — this time accompanied by his own kids. Paul writes, “It was a fun, meaningful visit. I understand and appreciate what St. Stephen’s did for me and my life much better now. It is easier to see how special it all is when you have kids of your own.” Paul operates a think tank in Brussels he founded 22 years ago. He writes, “We have been very successful over the years — something I attribute to luck and hard work and maybe a few good ideas here or there.” Paul has two boys who are dual citizens, thanks to his wife who is German. Paul has lived in Europe since 1986, when he arrived to study economics at the London School of Economics. Paul writes, “I’ll try to make the next reunion in April 2026. It would be lovely to see everybody and reconnect again.”

Mary Duckett Land ’80 is still in real estate covering areas in Lakeway, West Austin and Horseshoe Bay. She sold the Sotheby’s International Realty company she owned to the Sotheby’s affiliate in San Antonio. Mary writes, “Hard to believe we’re at 45 years! Time flies. Hopefully I can make the next reunion, as it would be great to catch up.”

The Class of 1980 would like to thank its Class Representative Peter Larkam ’80 for hosting a lovely party celebrating the class’s 45-year reunion. In April, Peter was able to get together for a few hours with Charles Robinson ’80 and Taylor Dudley ’80. Charles and his wife, Amy, have their own financial services firm in San Antonio, and Taylor is quite the repository of Austin and Texas political lore. Peter writes, “Fascinating and not likely ever to appear in formal journalistic channels — way too juicy! It was an enjoyable evening of many true tall Texas tales.” To his classmates, Peter writes, “I would love to see many of us get to SSES in person next spring. If that’s not possible for you, it would be wonderful to see you at an in-person gathering for our 50th. Please reach out if you enjoy event planning and we can begin building momentum between now and our 50th. I feel grateful to have been associated with each of you during our St. Stephen’s years! We all were truly fortunate to be able to attend SSES, and I think the 1980 class is doing quite a job carrying out the SSES mission of a ‘life of purpose.’”

Peter writes that he “trolled the web” and found social media news and photos of Mark Bauman ’80, Mike Gwynn ’80, John Ratliff ’80 and Laura Barrow ’80. He says, “Since I haven’t reached these classmates directly, I won’t speak on their behalf in print, but I shared some of their achievements with Charles and Taylor verbally. ... I’m hoping they see their names in print here and reach out directly with permission to tell some of their story!”

Gabrielle Mathieu ’80 and her husband still live in Switzerland. She practices traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, in their roomy flat in a turn-of-the century house in the town of St. Gallen. Their neighborhood still has many grand old houses, somewhat like Clarksville in Austin, but greener, since it’s rainy. They own a big plot in the community gardens five minutes away, and Gabrielle does lots of hiking in the summer, including some overnights in mountain inns in remote locations. She also works in a lab as a medical technologist. Gabrielle writes, “Some of you may remember Ms. Sinkin, our biology teacher, who also had a lab background. Retirement from the lab job is less than two years away; we’ll probably take a couple of weeks off from my practice after retirement and drive down to Corsica or some other warm place.” (Picture 6)

Missy Quinn ’80 is very good friends with Charles Warlick ’83, who just retired from St. Stephen’s, and Chris Caselli ’82, P ’27, ’30 and his wife, Dr. Colleen Hynes, who are both still teaching on The Hill. Missy went back to school (“my favorite thing — done it multiple times!”) again at age 50 and got her Master of Science in Social Work. She is now a clinical social worker in private practice and really enjoys the work. She is still in Austin, and still loves it. (Picture 7)

Clark Richards ’80 is a partner at Richards Rodriguez & Skeith law firm, along with his brother Dan Richards ’77, P ’14, ’16.

Julia Soper ’80 sent Peter Larkam ’80 her longform Christmas letter. Peter writes, “It describes a relentless whirlwind tour of activities. Bob, her husband, hit the jackpot in finding someone of Julia’s stamina and nursing skills to help him recover from a stroke event. Feel free to contact me directly for a copy of Julia’s long-form letter. It is amazing, as is she.”

David Westrup ’80 is still practicing law full time and teaching advanced business law at Carroll University, a small private university nearby. He still thinks fondly of SSES. (Picture 8)

The Spartan Alumni Association honored Sallie Smither Crotty ’84 with the Spartan Impact Award during Reunion Weekend 2025. (See page 35.)

Brian McNulty ’84 and Ashok Sudarshan ’84 met up in the front range of the Rocky Mountains for some recreation and fellowship. This photo was taken at 8600’ after a hike near Conifer, Colorado. (Picture 9)

With the support of her classmates, Class Rep. Libbie Ansell ’85, P ’18 organized a wonderful 40year reunion party for the Class of 1985.

Jennifer Stayton ’85 will conclude her service this summer as executive chair of the St. Stephen’s board of trustees. She served in the role from 2023 to 2025. She will serve as vice chair for her final year of board service.

Ty Allen ’85, P ’17, ’19; Lou Mabley ’86, P ’19, ’23, ’26; Laura Scanlan Cho ’89, P ’19, ’23; Patricia Henna Rowe ’89, P ’16, ’19, ’23 and SSES parent Katherine Leigh P ’28, ’26 served on the Parent of Alumni Reception Committee this past academic year. The committee, chaired by Spartan Alumni Association Board member Claire McKay ’71, P ’98, ’05, coordinated the event and encouraged attendance. Their work led to over 50 parents of alumni attending this first annual get-together. Parents of Alumni: Mark your calendars for the next one, taking place on April 18, 2026!

After two years serving as the alumni co-chair of Spartans Engage, Amy Bieberdorf ’87 is transitioning into a new role on the Spartan Alumni Association Board. Next year, she will serve as the board’s first alumni regional representative for Austin.

This summer, Laura Scanlan Cho ’89, P ’19,’23 will join the Spartan Alumni Association Board as alumni chair of Spartans Engage. Laura and parent of alumni Robyn Gill P ’21, ’19, ’16 started

Spartans Engage in 2019. In partnership with the St. Stephen’s Parents Association, the initiative provides networking and career experiences for rising seniors.

1990s

In mid-June, Seema Lisa Pandya ’94 presented a new sculpture in the Narrows Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn, New York. She describes the installation, titled “Rain Taal,” as “a group of biomorphic sculptures that capture rainwater, delivering slow rhythmic drips onto resonant metal bowls before flowing into the garden bed. Drip rates are adjusted and composed to create rhythmic patterns, inspired by taal in South Asian music.”

This April, Ben Chan ’95 attended the Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD) 2025 in New York City, an iconic gathering that honors trailblazers in science, conservation and exploration. The event featured astronauts, deep-sea explorers and conservationists from around the globe. In June, he’ll travel to Mongolia as assistant expedition leader for public relations of the Roy Chapman Andrews (the inspiration behind the Indiana Jones character) Legacy Expedition, retracing the legendary explorer’s early 20thcentury journeys across the Gobi Desert by camel caravan. Retrace their two-week journey on Instagram, Facebook and other platforms: @RCAlegacyCamelExpedition. Photo: In the Explorers Club Archives with Roy Chapman Andrews’ leather whip (circa 1920s). (Picture 10)

Stephen Driver ’95 is currently an assistant district attorney in Harris County and serves as the division chief over human trafficking and child exploitation. He and his wife, Ashlie, will celebrate their 25th anniversary in July. They have three children: Madeline, who just completed her senior year at Rider University; Travis, who completed his sophomore year at Baylor University; and Elise, who just completed her junior year of high school.

Jenny Roan Forgey ’95 joined Jackson Walker LLP as a senior counsel in their land use and real estate group.

Rhea Benbow Thomas’ ’95 first book, a collection of short stories, will be published this summer and is available for presale at https:// mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/let-birdsfly-rhea-thomas/.

Colin Clark ’96, Ramzi Khazen ’96, Jonathan Miles ’96, Shannon Powers Flahive ’96, P ’31, Chantal Sharif Beck ’96, Elizabeth Anne Sykes Rains ’96 and Kate Bentsen Henrichson ’96 gathered together as a class during Reunion Weekend 2025 in April.

T.J. Brown ’99 and Katherine Bailey Brown ’05 have completed their terms on the Spartan Alumni Association Board as Annual Fund cochairs. Thank you, T.J. and Katherine!

2000s

With the support of fellow class representative Aaron Albrecht ’00, Claire Browder ’00 hosted a lovely reception for her class’s 25-year party during Reunion Weekend 2025.

Rachel Katz ’05 organized a wonderful 20-year reunion for her class during Reunion Weekend 2025, bringing classmates together both on and off the St. Stephen’s campus.

Paul Byars ’07 will vacate his position on the Spartan Alumni Association Board, where he served as co-chair of Spartans Engage. Thank you, Paul!

Hiroki Tajiri ’07 traveled from Japan to Las Vegas to watch WWE’s WrestleMania, where he met up with classmates Tyler Carwell ’07 and Ike Wagh ’07 and shared a meal with Sho Sato ’08

(Picture 11)

Louise McNutt Brazitis ’07 will serve as vice president of the Spartan Alumni Association starting this summer. Louise served as chair of alumni recognition from 2020 to 2023 and cochair of Reunion Weekend 2024 and 2025.

Alex Mauro, M.D. ’07 was honored with the first Young Alumni Achievement Award during Reunion Weekend 2025. Learn more about Alex’s work on page 35.

2010s

Jim Old ’15 organized not one but two class parties during Reunion Weekend 2025 for the 10year celebration of the Class of 2015, including a Saturday night reception at the home of Anthony Jones ’15

Erika Komatsu ’18 produced her debut musical in Tokyo, Japan, with the theater company she co-founded, Hitsuji Biraki. The independent musical, “Hako no Naka,” ran for four shows over a weekend in November 2024. Erika enjoyed the production’s serious tone and is excited to work on a comedy next. (Picture 12)

Lauren Aung ’19, Veer Chauhan ’19 and Pria Gokhale ’19 traveled from all corners of the Northeast to meet up in New York City this winter. (Picture 13)

Travis Dowd ’19 ran and won his debut marathon at the 2024 BMW Dallas Marathon on December 15, 2024. His time was 2:26:08.

Ian Hutchison ’19, Will Dure ’19, David Lucid ’19, Ford Martin ’19, Wyatt Smith ’19 and Zach Routh ’19 took a ski trip together to Taos, New Mexico. (Picture 14)

2020s

Roman Rhone ’20 started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in New York City called startswithus.; the initiative which aims “to empower busy young professionals to drive change, build community, and create opportunities” through communityoriented philanthropy and leadership events. Find more information at startswithusnyc.com or @ startswithusnyc on Instagram.

Despite being unable to attend Reunion Weekend 2025 in person, Lizzy Jones ’20 and Sophia Waugh ’20 organized their class’s five-year celebration, hosted by Kamdyn Lyon ’20.

Both Linda Liu ’21 and Carson Murtuza-Lanier ’21 earned Stanford University’s J.E. Wallace Sterling Award for Scholastic Achievement by finishing in the top 25 of graduating seniors in the School of

Humanities and Sciences. Awardees had the opportunity to invite “the most influential instructor of their scholastic career” to the awards ceremony luncheon in Stanford, California. Linda invited Jin Chung, and Carson invited Dr. Frank Mikan. Read more on page 39.

Ellie Gunnin ’22 received Trinity University’s Tiger on the Rise Award, which recognizes future Trinity alumni who are committed to being stewards of the university through leadership and service.

In April, Swarthmore University’s Sam Palmer ’22 and Haverford College’s Harrison Simms ’24 faced each other in the long-standing lacrosse “Hood Trophy Rivalry” between their schools. Swarthmore emerged victorious 16-5. (Picture 15)

Jack Mabley ’23, a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, was selected to become a member of the Texas Cowboys, the university’s oldest men’s service organization.

Charlie Hubbard ’25 and Casey Maina ’25 have been named class representatives for St. Stephen’s newest alumni!

Former Faculty

Don Roth retired after a 17-year tenure overseeing the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis, in September 2023. Don and his wife, Jolán Friedhoff, continue to live in Davis, California, a wonderful college town. In retirement, Don continues to do volunteer work as a member of the boards of San Francisco Classical Voice, the Bear Valley Music Festival and the Alliance Francaise of Sacramento. The latter organization meshes with his main retirement project, working to attain some fluency in French many decades after his last French course as a college freshman!