Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

Mary Washington

Class Notes Spring 2025

Young alumni enjoy brunch at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center during Homecoming in October 2024. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

If you have family, friends, or neighbors who might be interested in Mary Washington, please pass along the alumni Refer an Eagle code: UMWFAM, which waives the application fee for those potential students.

Front cover: Sarah Kersey Moran ’10 (left) and Marne Dantone Sherman ’98 pose for a picture during Homecoming in October 2024.

Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Right: Graduates across the generations on the Mary Washington Alumni on the Road trip to Ireland in June 2024 with UMW’s Jan Clarke (front left) and Professor of English Gary Richards (front right).

Dear Mary Washington alumni, Spring is such a special time on campus. The dogwood and magnolia trees are in full bloom, and students are once again enjoying Campus Walk, Ball Circle, the Palmieri Plaza fountain, and other favorite outdoor gathering spaces at UMW and in the City of Fredericksburg.

We are so excited to celebrate the Class of 2025 as they leave campus to pursue careers or further their education. I hope they will be as inspired as I was to read this publication highlighting the amazing life and career accomplishments from alumni spanning nearly 80 years – and to soon share their own news. Thank you to the many class agents who make Class Notes possible.

We will host Reunion Weekend May 30 – June 1, 2025. Class years ending in 0 and 5 are celebrating milestone reunions, but all alumni and friends are welcome to be part of the festivities.

Learn more at alumni.umw.edu/reunionweekend.

We hope to see you on campus or at a regional event soon.

Sincerely,

Mark Thaden ’02 Executive Director of Alumni Engagement

Class Notes No class agent? No problem. Send your news to classnotes@umw.edu.

If you prefer to submit Class Notes by mail, send to: UMW Office of Alumni Engagement, 1119 Hanover St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401.

1940s

There are no Class Notes from the 1940s. If you graduated during this decade, please write to the Office of Alumni Engagement at the above address. We’d love to hear from you!

1950

Marcy Weatherly Morris classnotes@umw.edu Hello, everyone! Please send me your news so I can let our classmates know what’s been going on in each of our lives. We are all interested and would love to hear from you. Please send me a note: P.O. Box 1, King George, VA 22485, or call or text 540-604-2534. Thank you in advance!

I, Marcy Weatherly Morris, am doing fine, but I’m lonely and missing my sweetheart of many years. But I promised him that I would be alright, and I’m trying. Our growing family and special friends are here for me, and that has been so helpful on this new journey in my life. Our three greatgrands (Kathryn, Clara, and Bennett) and our three great-great-grands (Bentley, Chance, and Millie) are all doing well and are so much fun!

1951

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1952

Rita Morgan Stone rita.stone7@aol.com For our class, there have been address changes and some disconnected numbers, so it has been very difficult to check in with classmates. However, I did get some upbeat responses.

Selma Friedman Fink is an active senior, enjoying her busy life in New York. Her philosophy focuses on what she can do, instead of what she cannot. She is still politically active, registering young people to vote in the last two presidential

elections. She said that sculpting small stone pieces in a studio with all ages and abilities, and enjoying concerts, ballet, and theater keep her young. New York is endlessly interesting, and she feels so lucky to live there.

Claire Sindlinger de Groot, despite a snow-blocked driveway, was “pretty good.” Her children spread their visits and keep her cheered.

Eleanor Michelet Mulbry resides in an Episcopal retirement community in Charleston, South Carolina, near her eldest son. She is proud of her four sons and her first grandson.

Mary Lou Finney Boyd sounded upbeat as usual, despite adding oxygen to her routine. She enjoys the perfect living arrangement with an attached apartment at her daughter’s home, where she has frequent visits with her lively granddaughters. Nothing quells her enthusiasm for the Baltimore Ravens.

Barbara Campbell unfortunately experienced the recent widespread flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.

Her sister and brother-in-law, who reside at Lakewood, where I live, delivered supplies to her community.

Joyce Long Moore has a knee replacement surgery scheduled for March 12 and is anticipating a “blast” on her trip to Nags Head with her daughter.

A family vacation to Lake Gaston will finish out the summer fun.

Maryanne Heatwole Cox enjoys her own space on the lower level at her daughter’s home in Fredericksburg. She was looking forward to a birthday dinner with her children in her honor.

Virginia Orkney Philbrick enjoyed a long-anticipated visit from her good friend, Susan Hutcheson Jurgens. They had a tasty lunch at the old train station in Bedford, Virginia, now a charming restaurant where trains pass by and greet diners with their loud whistles. It causes the building to shake, which is a bit of a surprise if one is not expecting this delightful touch of nostalgia.

Betty Montgomery Handy, my roommate from our Mary Washington days, lives nearby. I, Rita Morgan Stone, cherish our long-lasting friendship.

Sophie McClanahan Barnes studied philosophy and English at Mary Washington. She also loved having courses with Dr. E. Boyd Graves and recalled that her cousin, W. Brown Morton, taught religious studies several decades after she attended. She also enjoyed frequenting the campus

coffee shop in the morning and dining in Seacobeck Hall. Sophie left school after she married and moved back to New Jersey. After getting divorced, she moved to a little cottage on a turkey farm, where she raised her four daughters.

She published a poetry book and has become a student and practitioner of natural medicine. Sophie said, “My Mary Washington education has contributed to my intellectual and spiritual progress.

It’s been a bedrock and has helped me surmount and not be discouraged by setbacks throughout my life.”

1953

Betsy Dickinson Surles surles@infionline.net

1954

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1955

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu Hettie Cohen Jones, a poet, writer, social justice activist, and a major figure in the Beat literary movement, passed away on Aug. 13, 2024. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, she earned a bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts and speech from Mary Washington, then returned to New York, where she met and married prolific writer and activist LeRoi Jones, who became Amiri Baraka.

Together, they published works by friends and Beat writers such as Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William S. Burroughs in their literary magazine and raised two daughters before divorcing in 1964. Hettie wrote 23 books, including her memoir, How I Became Hettie Jones, and co-authored the memoir of Rita Marley, reggae legend Bob Marley’s widow, No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley. Hettie also wrote children’s books and taught poetry and writing at New York University, the New School, Parsons School of Design, and the Lower Eastside Girls Club, among others. She was the former chairperson of the PEN America Prison Writing Committee and led a writing workshop at a women’s maximum-security prison in Bedford Hills, New York. She also fought to save the historic building in the East Village where she and Baraka had lived. She passed away in Philadelphia.

Dotty Booth Sanders and Dewey celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year with a luncheon

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Class Notes

at Carter’s Chapel United Methodist Church, where they are active members.

2024 marked Dotty’s first full year using a walker, but it hasn’t slowed her down, and she and Dewey visited Virginia, Florida, Michigan, and Tennessee. She has weekly lunches with Dewey’s nieces.

He continues to practice medicine but only sees 10-15 patients. He plans to have cataract lens surgery in January, which will hopefully improve his ability to read music at church. Their families are doing well in their careers and in school.

1956

Ann Chilton Power anncpower1@gmail.com The only classmate I heard from was Barbara Strangmann Hiscock. She lives in Cockeysville, Maryland. Last year, her sister threw her a 90th surprise birthday party. I, Ann Chilton Power, have served for 40-plus years as the 1956 alumna representative, and this is my last issue.

Please email classnotes@umw.edu if you have news for upcoming issues.

1957

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1958

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu Kay Martin Britto feels blessed to live in Ashby Ponds near Dulles Airport in Virginia. Her husband, Nelson, died in 2022. Kay has five children, four grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren. Two sons live nearby, and her other three children live in Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Seattle and fly into Dulles to visit. In her building, there are three restaurants and a big swimming pool, where Kay swims several times a week.

The library has an outreach program and brings in books. Kay said, “Once an English major, always a big reader!” She is on the dining committee, which serves as a liaison between residents and dining services.

She was pleased to see all the accolades that UMW received recently.

1959

thinking like he did: “Oh, certainly that can’t be true for me.” I then thought of the many blessings and lovely events and people I currently enjoy. So, that is an accurate fact. Thank heavens for my beautiful life right now. And I would like to know about your life. Please text or call me at 240-687-1717 or email me at bethcole75@gmail.com.

For me, Beth Shochat Cole, all is going well. I had a fun garden on a little plot of land behind my apartment last summer.

And as I write this in a very cold winter, I’m looking forward to putting seeds and little plants in the ground in spring.

I’ve become an active member of our excellent garden club, so I’m learning more from brilliant planters and looking forward to beautiful flowers and a wonderful harvest this summer.

I spoke with Nikki Forchas Alexiou, who still plays organ and now piano at her church, which she has been doing for 30 years! She has enhanced so many lives with her outstanding listening backdrops and interludes.

I’ve also been in touch with Sandy Quarles Cockrell, who suffered the loss of her daughter this year. Sandy has the most robust, supportive family of two sons, many accomplished grandchildren, and now a bevy of absolutely gorgeous great-grandchildren – and one of them looks so much like the Sandy I knew in college.

your notes. Many of you have written that the flash brings back memories of classmates and college life. As we have entered our golden years, few of us send news of an exciting and fastpaced lifestyle. Most of us are working to keep our minds alert and our bodies moving, having a few outside activities.

Just a “hello” or a one-liner is important to share. I hope to write the flash as long as I can type and control my computer.

Here are a few highlights from recent flashes: Jan Latven Allnutt attended a BYOL (bring your own lunch) and conversation time at her church and was surprised to be sitting next to a MWC 1933 grad!

Barbara Wagener wrote: “Thanks for keeping my brain alive. I have good memories of my two years at Mary Washington.”

Nancy Cleaves Blaydes is learning how to use a new computer and said it’s smarter than her. She and her husband still travel to Florida for the winter, and she’s grateful that she and her husband, who is 95, are still in good health.

Coleman McPherson Chambliss said that her continuing care home is a good place to be. She still has her dog and does a lot of walking. Gracie Hutchinson lives there as well.

Penny Engle Burkhardt rides her bike everywhere and rides better than she walks.

Barbara “Babs” White Ellis called me to share that her two great-grandchildren are doing well, as are their parents, and she was going to visit them.

Shelby Davis Porter is in good health, rides her bike daily, takes classes at the YMCA, and is in the book club in her condo.

Ann Brooks Coutsoubinas reiterated that her and Edna “Eddie” Gooch Trudeau’s trip to Fredericksburg was rewarding and reminded her of many happy memories of our exquisite campus and inspiring time at Mary Washington.

Eddie’s grandson, Lucas, is already 5’9” at age 15. He plays several musical instruments and appeared on the Battle of the Brains television program in Richmond. Is she proud or what? The year he was born was the only reunion that Eddie missed. Her daughter, Virginia, still works for the City of Virginia Beach.

Gail Mooney Grobe is recovering from long-term COVID.

Beth Shochat Cole bethcole75@gmail.com

1960

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote a recent column titled, “Even This Year Is the Best Time Ever to Be Alive” (though he talked about many human hardships that continue to exist). As I was writing this, I was

Years ago, when I became the sole 1960 class agent, I began sending out a monthly “news flash” to all our classmates with an active email address that included the month’s birthdays and

Karen Larsen Nelson karenlarsennelson60@gmail.com

2 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

Syd Collson Chichester planned to do pulmonary rehab for COPD before heading to Florida to spend Christmas with her daughter.

Bonnie Davis Hall and Ross had a very memorable trip to Vienna to visit Carlota Muse Rokita. They had transportation problems, and then both fell on a two-story escalator in Vienna.

Carlota took them from the hospital to her guest room to recover.

Darrell and I, Karen Larsen Nelson, help with three church services at assisted living and memory care facilities. I have 103 emails on my list. If you are not getting the flash and would like to receive it, please let me know.

Elizabeth “Liz” Hill Heaney passed away on July 6, 2024. She was raised in Hempstead, New York, on Long Island, where she met her future husband,

Bob, in a 12th grade English class. She graduated from Mary Washington with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and married Bob that summer. She had a brief teaching career before raising three children. She was famous for planning family picnics at Jones Beach, volunteering at her children’s school, and her festive holiday celebrations.

The family lived on Long Island until 1973 and then transferred to Johannesburg, South Africa, followed

by Toronto. Liz and Bob later lived across the U.S., eventually settling in Barnegat, New Jersey. Liz loved the Yankees, skiing, gardening, reading, horseback riding, traveling, watching sports, and spending time with family.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, three children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and other loving family.

1961

Lloyd Tilton Backstrom Ltbackstrom39@gmail.com Jerri Barden Perkins, MD, reported that four students – Kate Green ’25, Morgan Hicok ’25, Joseph Gasink ’26, and Boone Fleenor ’26 – earned the John C. and Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Endowment at UMW’s 25th annual Summer Science Institute in July 2024. The funds will help them continue their research during the upcoming academic year. Learn more at Giving. umw.edu or read the story in the 202324 Year in Review.

Clara Sue Durden Ashley wrote that living alone in her apartment in McLean, Virginia, is going well. Everyone there is very nice. Several friends have attended musical events with her at her church in Great Falls. Clara Sue’s second greatgranddaughter was born in September in Sterling, not far from her. She is so dear.

Clara Sue’s son, Andrew, escorted her to St. Augustine, Florida, for Thanksgiving, where they visited her other son, Dennis, and his family. They returned for Christmas. They went to Fort Lauderdale in February, where Andrew visited friends, and she spent time with Janie Riles, one of her MWC roomies. In May, Clara Sue hopes to attend the college graduations of two of her grandchildren.

Her granddaughter majored in music at Bob Jones University, and her grandson will graduate from the Coast Guard Academy.

Our condolences to Sandra Walters Julifs, whose husband, Harold, died Aug. 25, 2024, after a brief illness.

1961 graduates Clara Sue Durden Ashley (left) and Janie Riles reunited in Fort Lauderdale this winter.

Photo courtesy of Janie Riles.

1962

Lynne Lacy Esslinger ’90 and her daughters, Cammy and Lacy.

Kathleen Sprenkle Lisagor classnotes@umw.edu Dreaming of spring? I, Kathleen Sprenkle Lisagor, certainly have been, especially after the snow and polar temps hit us this year! I’m writing from a rehab center and making the best of a wicked ice fall with extended physical therapy. I’m also reflecting on John 10:10, and hope that you all “may have life more abundantly.”

At least I can report good news from Pat Mackey Taylor, who took a pretty snow ride to Pennsylvania to babysit her youngest grandchild! Several of you celebrated a sweet holiday season with new great-grandchildren! Louise Couch Girvin has a boy named Leo, Peggy Downs Gerber has a girl named Gianna, and I also have a girl named Gianna and a Christmas present named Rue! God bless them all!

In the ice storm, Joan Akers Rothgeb and Sue Granby were forced to stop en route to attend the funeral of Donna Floyd Parker’s sister near Roanoke.

We express our deepest sympathies to them in this trying time, as well as Ann Tench Huml, who lost her husband.

Joyce Wilborn Lacy now lives in Orchard Ridge in Winchester. She enjoys her children being nearby and watching the activities of two granddaughters planning their weddings, with

Julia Shumaker Bailess wrote that she is “doing well for an 85-year-old lady.”

She took her family on a Hawaiian cruise in June 2023. Her two sons live near Raleigh. Her daughter, also a MWC graduate, lives a mile from her and is a guidance director at Virginia High School. Julia has six grandsons and one granddaughter. Her middle grandson got married in October. Julia is active with the Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority, Mary Kay Cosmetics (for the past 45 years), and church activities.

Life is good in Southwest Virginia, which has mild weather and limited traffic and crime. Gayle Harris Stevens ’63 is one of her ADK sorority sisters. Julia also keeps in touch with Noel Sipple, Diana Copple Smith, and Jane Brungart.

She visited Noel and Jane last year at Goodwin House in Northern Virginia.

Sally Rambo lives in assisted living in Jupiter, Florida, near her brother and some of his family. She has done several Class of ’62 Zoom calls but has missed some due to ongoing health issues, including treatment for cancer and severe COPD. She is glad she attended MWC and can look back on a great college experience that led to a wonderful life, apart from being sick.

She sends greetings to the Class of ’62 and enjoys hearing about everyone.

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Class Notes

Bettie Stewart Kienast shared that her former roommate, Margaret “Maggie” Ann Walker MacAllister, passed away on Aug. 8, 2024. Maggie earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Mary Washington and a master’s degree from George Mason University, and she was a reading specialist throughout her career. She met her husband of 54 years, Mac, on a blind date in college when he was at West Point. Until his passing, they were rarely apart, except while he was in Vietnam.

They moved from Staunton to Northern Virginia to pursue their dream of having a farm and raising Tennessee walking horses. She and Mac were dedicated advocates for the humane treatment of horses and were deeply involved in the horse community. She was a longtime member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where she sang in the choir. Bettie was predeceased by her husband and survived by her daughter, son, two granddaughters, four great-grandchildren, and other loving family.

We are surely in our golden years and still have grit! If you have news, please write the UMW Office of Alumni Engagement, 1119 Hanover St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Be sure to include our contact, Jill Laiacona ’04, who manages Class Notes.

1963 Betsy Lydle Smith betsylydlesmith@gmail.com

1964 No Class Agent

classnotes@umw.edu Janet Claire Bagg Glancy retired in 2019 after 50 years in education and moved from Naples, Florida, her home for 47 years, to upstate South Carolina, a beautiful, rural area filled with horse farms and mountain views. She is happy that many in her family live nearby. She was sad to miss our 60th reunion in 2024 due to traveling abroad but hopes to make the 65th.

Barbara Kellam Latham and Roger are proud that their granddaughter has been accepted into UMW’s Class of 2029. That will make three generations of their family with Mary Washington degrees. Barbara graduated in 1964 from MWC, their younger daughter graduated in 1992 from MWC, and their granddaughter will graduate from UMW.

1965

Evie King Cox Coanriver@gmail.com Barbara Wohlfeil Weatherall reported that she survived Hurricane Helene

coming through western North Carolina and Asheville, where she lives. She said that she was lucky to be only inconvenienced with no power, water, or internet connection for several weeks, but many in the area lost homes and businesses. She also went on an already scheduled tour of Cuba and was there for the power blackout that affected the whole country. Despite that, she had a wonderful experience exploring Havana, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos.

1966

Katharine Rogers Lavery hlavery1@cox.net I, Katharine Rogers Lavery, will turn 80 in April. My family has already started planning a celebration. Life is the same as always except that most of our children and adult grandchildren have left the area, moving to Richmond, Raleigh, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, San Diego, Pensacola, Virginia’s Northern Neck, and Stafford, leaving one daughter in Prince William and one grandson in Reston. My sister’s entire family is still local. We keep in close touch via electronics, especially now that we have 15 great-grandchildren!

This year, we have two weddings, two college graduations, multiple birthdays, and our regular activities of bowling, senior fitness classes (Steve and Ann Kales Lindblom are also members), church activities, my music, and my tutoring. I have one granddaughter still taking calculus at NC State.

Ginny Bateman Brinkley celebrated her 80th birthday in Maui with nine family members, a trip organized by son Brett, where they enjoyed beaching, scuba diving, relaxing, dining out, and sipping mai tais. Ginny and Bill attended two of their grandchildren’s weddings, one in Florida and one in Texas, both officiated by son Scott. They enjoy entertaining at their Florida lake house, especially now that their daughters-inlaw have assumed all kitchen duties, leaving Ginny and Bill free to enjoy the grandkids. Ginny is working on a children’s picture book, Dinosaur Land, co-authored with two granddaughters drawing on their experiences on the lake. Ginny is still active in Dulcimer Divas, which meets regularly and performs holiday songs at a local nursing home. Ginny and Bill plan to age in place, requiring more attention to their home. Ginny has given up her volunteer position as treasurer of the Writers Alliance of Gainesville. She and several classmates keep in close touch – after 58 years – usually by text. Her contacts include Mary Grace Wright Day,

4 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

Elaine Gerlach McKelly, Ryan Stewart Davis, Anne Meade Clagett, Judy Blum Wasserman, Mary Ann Pyne White, Marty Spigel Sedoff, Marilyn Hunter Tracy, Kathy Fowler Bahnson, Bobbi Bishop Mann, and Susan Roth Nurin. Ginny, your group is larger than our MWC Lunch Bunch here in Virginia!

Ginny mentioned that Ryan Stewart Davis lives independently in Seattle, still drives, and is quite active in her senior community. In October, Ryan had a visit from Kathy Fowler Bahnson and husband Rick and gladly showed them the sights.

Lee Enos Kelley is enjoying life in her retirement community, still travels when she can, and still drives. Her only complaint is being tired all the time, partly due to poor sleep. Lee received a kind letter from the recipient of our Class of 1966 Scholarship and reports that about $1,000 is awarded each year. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.

Kathy Fowler Bahnson turned 80 with a Canadian Rockies mountaineer railroad adventure, a family birthday dinner, and a small but very special celebration. Kathy feels that her “use-by date” has expired!

She remains active but has scaled back many activities with a resolution not to overdo it. Kathy and Rick maintain a keen interest in current affairs and read voraciously, swapping their fiction and nonfiction choices with each other.

Kathy lauds MWC for the outstanding education she received, which enables her to continue to learn and stay relevant.

With one of their children and grands living nearby, Kathy and Rick enjoy as much or as little closeness as they wish.

They have planned a long drive to Big Sky, Montana, for Rick’s annual ski trip, with stops to visit a Kentucky horse farm and as many presidential libraries as they could find.

Anne Meade Clagett sent a lovely photo of her Christmas fireplace hung with stockings and said she is “alive and metaphorically kicking!” She has a very quiet life, with no traveling out of state, and is surviving off her “active sporty plus healthy eating childhood.” Anne was delighted that her sister, Patricia, visited in September. Anne also stays in touch with Bobbi Bishop Mann’s brother, Jim, a high school friend, because Bobbi and husband Robert have both had recent occasions to be in hospital and rehab centers but are now back at home together.

Marty Spigel Sedoff joined a new tap performance group in addition to her

dance group, Rhythmic Feet, which performs monthly at senior facilities. She also played in her summer golf league and takes water aerobics classes at the club. Marty, Bob, and son John finally attended a Minnesota United soccer game at Allianz Field and participated in a sailboat race on Lake Minnetonka.

In August, Marty and Bob signed up as extras for a movie about the Old Log Theater in Greenwood, Minnesota, and filmed for a week, but no word yet whether they made it into the film.

After their annual South Carolina beach vacation in September, Marty and Bob visited Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where Bob’s father was a chemical engineer on the Manhattan Project in WWII, then spent a marvelous week in Barcelona with friends.

Winnie Woodson Stribling celebrated her 80th being fêted by her husband, colleagues, and friends from far and near – an epic night to remember. Winnie directs a handbell choir that performs at church and with the San Ramon Valley Chorale. She leads a weekly afterschool children’s music program, MusicMakers, and incorporates their singing and ringing in concerts.

Judy Wells Clark can’t believe she’s an octogenarian. She is the organist and music director at South Roanoke United Methodist Church, teaches a few piano students, and plays piano as opportunities arrive. She played the Ravel Piano Trio last year and is working with a fine violinist. Judy said, “I’m not kickin’ very much now, but at least my fingers work!”

Yvonne Hutchinson March celebrated her 80th with her son and his wife from Ohio, her daughter from Baltimore, and her aviator grandson from Daytona Beach, Florida. It was their first reunion in four years. Yvonne loves life in St. Augustine, but not the traffic, and she is content to stay put. Because her apartment is too small for a piano, Yvonne is learning to play the harp!

Carolyn Eldred is content to stay put and thoroughly enjoys her Zoom experiences with Mary Washington ElderStudy, which she highly recommends.

Katie Winn Green continues her singing career with the Houston Choral Society, where she also serves as music librarian. Katie spends much time ordering, organizing, and tracking vocal and instrumental scores and costs for 95 singers. Katie traveled to Sydney, Australia, in September to celebrate birthdays with her granddaughter and daughter-in-law, quite a happy occasion.

Katie loves commuting to the central city by taking the ferry around Sydney Harbor. The family enjoyed a majestic Sydney Opera House performance of Duruflé’s Requiem, especially since Katie’s Houston group recently performed it.

Terry Caruthers and husband Don took their two youngest grandsons, who are recent high school graduates, and other family members, on a Mediterranean trip, which was wonderful, except that Rachel missed her plane, and Don and Hunter almost missed the ship! In the fall, the family engineered a fabulous tea party to celebrate Terry’s 80th. Unfortunately, she spent much of the holidays in the hospital but has recovered and only minorly regrets missing every party, pageant, concert, and family gathering.

She resolves “to give thanks to God for everyone and everything” and advises us to “listen prayerfully, should God give you a mid-course correction.”

Kitty Downs Gregg had a quiet year adjusting to life without her husband, Don, who passed away last April.

Daughter Cindi, who lives nearby, has been very helpful and even took Kitty to Las Vegas for a short September getaway. Son Chris, who lives in Virginia and works as a special projects manager for the FAA, took December vacation time to celebrate his and Kitty’s birthdays. Kitty used to be active in charity work in the Denver area, serving a few years as president of the Fine Arts Foundation, where she helped organize and present charity debutante balls.

Hundreds of people were involved, and proceeds went to local charities. Kitty recently attended a New Year’s party, where she reconnected with many staff members and volunteers. She thoroughly enjoyed the entire evening.

Carolyn Perry Grow’s past year has been a difficult journey back from husband Dave’s passing in late 2023.

Hospice frequently sent her materials and booklets, which proved very helpful.

Returning to former activities and even being able to laugh again are important milestones. Carolyn and Dave had close ties to Penn State, Dave’s alma mater, and she has enjoyed the Nittany Lions’ great success this season.

Annette Maddra Horner and husband John celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and both their 80th birthdays in 2024. Their daughters planned the parties, both informal but festive, and included many guests, young and old, from past and present.

A special highlight was having her

senior-year roomie and longtime friend, Mary Parsons Black, in attendance.

Annette spent last summer and fall helping John settle into an assisted living facility for support and treatment of dementia. John is also supported by friends, family, and fellow church members. Annette has reconnected with family and friends, weekly yoga classes, and volunteer work, and resumed her native gardening projects.

Diana Hamilton Cowell and husband Daniel lost their only daughter last April.

Despite their intense grief, they went ahead with a planned summer cruise around the British Isles and found it quite therapeutic. In July, Diana and Dan hosted some of the French visitors from their sister city, Periers, Normandy, during Bethany Beach’s weeklong celebrations. Diana quietly turned 80 in September but celebrated in November with 32 friends and family for Dan’s 80th at the Chef’s Table in Rehoboth. A fireman friend drove Bethany Beach’s antique LaFrance fire truck decorated with Christmas lights and a huge Happy Birthday sign and parked it in front of the restaurant. Diana and Dan had a quiet and peaceful Christmas.

Elaine Gerlach McKelly celebrated her 80th birthday in Wilmington, North Carolina, with her family. She and Tim enjoy apartment living in their senior community and can travel within the U.S. and visit their children and grandchildren. They saw Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in June, and then joined 14 family members for vacation in Fletcher, North Carolina, in July. They then took a 12-day trip to Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, and Washington, D.C. Elaine called that her farewell tour since she has many memories of all those places. They celebrated Tim’s 80th at a Hurricanes hockey game in November, followed by Christmas in Topsail Island with their son and his wife.

Pat Lewars Pace and Linda Glynn Hutchinson are still world travelers.

They spent over three weeks last year touring Spain and Portugal and have plans to visit Costa Rica and Panama in 2025. Pat also enjoys many activities in her independent living, continuing care facility.

Sandra Hutchison Schanné had a belated 80th birthday celebration at her home over Christmas. Her family, who were unable to gather in July, solicited memorabilia from family, friends, and neighbors to compile an album to present her at Christmas. All of Sandra’s

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children and grandchildren convened from far and wide to spend the holidays celebrating, enjoying fun, games, and cousin time together. Sandra’s first great-grandchild was born on Dec. 24! During the holidays, the Herndon Woman’s Club conducted a tour of local homes, including Sandra’s childhood home. Although there had been multiple renovations, the main rooms were unchanged, and Sandra recalled many memories there.

Susan Hanes Chaney celebrated her birthday in the Outer Banks with a tour to see the wild horses in Corolla.

She and Bill traveled to Northern Ohio, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati last summer to visit relatives, and Bill had fun harvesting corn with the cousins. Bill and Susan still do home maintenance, yard work, and gardening, and enjoy their private view of the river. Susan has joined a book club and assists with projects at church. They have considered downsizing but have been unable to find anything suitable and are staying in place.

Joan Cuccias Patton resumed her golf activities in July after recuperating from shoulder surgery. Twenty-nine members of her family celebrated her 80th birthday with an amazing celebration in Bermuda, organized by her children.

Joan looks forward to two cruises she’ll take soon.

Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner spends winters in Naples, Florida, and summers in Alexandria, Virginia. On her way south, she enjoyed a three-week layover in Smithfield, Virginia, with her sister while waiting out the hurricanes. She visited Fort Monroe in Hampton Roads and found the house where her Army in-laws had lived and where her husband, Charlie, was born. Once in Florida, she was ready for friends and relatives to fly south and visit, keeping her condo full most of the time. Mary Kathryn keeps in touch with Gerry Sargent Habas and Sally Souder, both Florida residents, and visits them when she’s in the area.

Mary Kathryn missed our last MW Lunch Bunch gathering in NoVA and looks forward to our spring one.

Sally Souder’s discharge from rehab after a surgical procedure was delayed because of the hurricanes, but she was released and returned home after the storms. She is doing well and wishes everyone a good and peaceful new year.

Betsy Chappelear Tryon claims being 80 is “interesting but is taking a lot of getting used to.” Her family’s plan of taking the train to Santa Barbara for her

80th was changed to spending time in a wonderful house by the lake in Big Bear, but it was cut short by unmanageable smoke from wildfires.

Genie McClellan Hobson traveled to Luxembourg in December to present at the European Leukodystrophy Association Symposium. She spent many years in Wilmington conducting research on the disease.

Jana Privette Usry received a request from Scott Gray Douglass, a lecturer of music at Columbia University, who attended Jana’s high school. He knew that she had worked with jazz music educator Dr. George Ross in Richmond and wanted to interview her about those experiences. Jana enjoyed a long conversation with Scott, recalling some favorable memories of her own music career.

Pam Kearney Patrick reported that she was unaffected directly by the wildfires, and that there’s plenty of snow about an hour away at Lake Tahoe, so there will be adequate water for the valley’s grapevines and fruit and nut trees. Pam has been juried into three art shows with Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons (WASH), an organization smaller than the Art League that draws from a huge geographic area. Pam and TaB continue their daily gym activities plus ballroom dance classes and open dancing and look forward to trail-biking in the spring.

Midge Meredith Poyck likes the snow in the mountains behind her house but no longer gets out in it. Tucson had its driest December ever, keeping the weather temperate enough for her to take wonderful daily walks and putter around in her yard, but no strenuous activities. Midge had a delightful 80th birthday celebration in November with her daughter, son-in-law, and grands visiting. The four grandchildren were quite eloquent with their written words and brought Midge to tears numerous times.

Cathe Cantwell Luria sent photos of some of her paintings. She has been taking classes in acrylic painting and has created some vibrant abstracts.

Cathe and Eric still live in Ajijic, Mexico, and celebrated her 80th birthday with a small dinner party, followed by a weekend excursion to Guadalajara with 10 friends celebrating their 80th birthdays. Cathe and Eric sing in a 65-voice chorus; she takes voice, art, and Spanish lessons; Eric enjoys pickleball and kayaking on Lake Chapala; and they enjoy many other

6 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

cultural activities such as chamber concerts, theater, and readers’ theater.

There is a direct flight from Guadalajara to Portland that enables them to visit their daughter and grandchildren regularly. Cathe uses MEET, FaceTime, Zoom, and What’s App and wonders if anyone would be interested in setting up a virtual class reunion.

Kathy Goddard Moss and her family were deeply saddened by the unexpected death of Kathy’s twin, Eileen Goddard Albrigo, in November.

Eileen had recently sold her house and was moving into a retirement community near her sons when she became ill. Her children, grandchildren, and Kathy had all helped with the move and were by her side when she passed peacefully in the hospital. Tom and son Joe traveled from California to join Kathy for the funeral and spent much quality time with family and longtime Virginia friends, then spent Thanksgiving with Eileen’s eldest son’s family. Though still grieving, Kathy and Tom are back in Oakland, enjoying the company of many good friends; activities like chorus, writing group, and exercise classes; and having Joe and his family close at hand. Kathy’s experience is a powerful reminder to treasure our time with the people we love.

1967

Mary Beth Bush Dore mbeth1945@gmail.com Florence Reese spent several days in Yorktown in October with Lucille Cascio Cralle, Martha Dabney Long, Susan Lowman Williams, and Janice Croes Davis, enjoying the 250th re-enactment of the Yorktown Tea Party. Did you know that the Yorktown Tea Party occurred 10 months after the Boston Tea Party, or that they only threw two half-chests overboard? Florence was recently appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Virginia Beach.

Patsy Monahan Holden lost her husband of 56 years in July. She travels to Austin, Texas, several times a year to visit two of her triplets who live there and her grandkids. Her eldest granddaughter, Lexie, teaches second grade after graduating summa cum laude from Baylor University.

Sarah Nabstedt Barnes’ husband died in April 2024. She still resides in San Diego, where she moderates a men and women’s book group and is working on Japanese and Chinese brush painting and advancing her calligraphy skills.

to be a first-time grandma in April 2025!

Her daughter and son-in-law live about a mile away, so she and John plan to be active helpers.

Peggy Hall Brown and husband Jerry moved to Cedarfield Retirement Community in Richmond (in the Short Pump area) two years ago, and she discovered at least seven Mary Washington graduates living there. The youngest is from ’71, and the oldest is from ’58. And they hold a full range of degrees: math, science, med tech, English, art, education, etc.

From left: 1970 alumnae Carolyn Woodruff, Karen Stifft Carroll, Karen Anderson Muszynski, Barbara Bingley, and Susan Duffey DiMaina reunited in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Photo courtesy of Susan Duffey DiMaina.

1968

Meg Livingston Asensio meglala46@gmail.com

1969

Marianne deBlois Zentz MdeBZ@verizon.net Anne Hoskot Kreutzer annekreutzer@hotmail.com From Marianne: Sarah Carrington Petras retired after 42 years of teaching Latin and Greek at all academic levels. She is currently reviewing French and learning Japanese, along with immersing herself in art projects. Amusingly, she points out that she was educated by the Washington family, with a B.A. from Mary Washington and an M.A. from George Washington University.

Sherry Gulledge Ellis still works as a speech-language pathologist in New Haven, Connecticut. She and husband Jack, her childhood sweetheart, have one son, Robert.

Lyn Howell Gray and Jim make occasional trips to see their friends and colleagues in Liberia and happily receive visits from friends at their home in Blacksburg. If it’s not the U.S. ambassador to Liberia, it’s fellow classmate Bev Holt or Jean Polk Hanky’s sister, Janet, all who have been friends since age 5. Lyn and Jim welcome any visitors!

Linda Gattis Shull wrote that it’s time to feature some of our 1969 classmates

who have achieved success in second, third, and even fourth careers since graduation. For example, after retirement, some were recalled by previous employers to head special projects overseas or fill a newly created position because of their special skills.

If you’ve traveled a new path from one career to another, paid or unpaid, we hope to share the highlights of your experience in a future newsletter. Don’t be modest – please brag!

1970

Lee Howland Hogan went on a cruise to the Arctic in June and on a Danube Christmas market river cruise in December. She and Donna Accettullo DeNyse met up when Donna was on her way to visit her two daughters and granddaughters in New York.

Helen Kim and her husband just signed on to be adjunct faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She retired in 2015.

I, Anne Sommervold LeDoux, have continued my travels and keep on enjoying them each time. This fall, I went to Canada and visited Québec and the Maritime Provinces. On Thanksgiving Day, I left for a 16-day visit to Sicily, where I encountered an amazing food fest! Please send news, no matter how insignificant you might think it is.

1971

Karen Laino Giannuzzi kapitankL11@yahoo.com

Anne Sommervold LeDoux ledouxanne@yahoo.com Thanks to those of you who sent your news for this edition!

Susan Duffey DiMaina wrote: “Great friendships endure!” In April 2024, she traveled with Karen Anderson Muszynski, Barbara Bingley, and Karen Stifft Carroll to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to visit Carolyn Woodruff. It was a lovely time to be there and catch the garden tour in nearby Charlotte, North Carolina. In August, Karen M., Karen C., Barb, and Susan went on an Alaskan cruise, enjoying good food, gorgeous sights, and excellent friends.

Not letting grass grow under their feet, in September, Barb, Karen M., and Susan visited Laurie King Myse’s new home in Fredericksburg, where they checked out her wonderful renovations and walked around our old stomping grounds.

Susan said that at our advanced age, it’s amazing how much energy we have!

Susan is over the moon that she is going

I, Karen Laino Giannuzzi, am settling into my new digs at Willow Valley Communities, a continuing care retirement community with the motto, “Live Life Forward,” which is certainly the way of life here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. My cats, Smokey and Bandit, seem to have settled into a good indoor life from having been indoors and outdoors in York. I cruised in August and September from Rome to Barcelona with a dear friend from the National War College (Class of 1988), celebrating our quarter-century birthdays. Great fun but way too hot even for the Mediterranean! My apologies for not getting my usual letter to you all in time for Class Notes, but I heard from a few of you.

I feel that I’ve been on a hiatus after unpacking hundreds of boxes, stuff for the walls, and of course, my piano. I cannot believe when these notes are published, I’ll have been here over a year. If anyone is thinking about a

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Class Notes

community like this, please let me know.

I’m happy to give you some ideas.

Eve De Zerne Barrett and I had a grand lunch in December, and she came to see the community. She and Larry have been in Colorado for almost 35 years, hiking and traveling, while living in Colorado Springs. Their daughter, Dr. Allison Barrett, is a surgeon, along with her husband, at Penn State Medical. They have two children, Amy and James. Eve and Larry’s son, Curtis, lives in Seattle and is a brilliant engineer with SpaceX, where he helped develop the ability of rockets to land on platforms at sea, among other innovations. He is now with Varda Space Industries. Our future in space is alive and well. It was great catching up with Eve, and when she is in town, we plan to continue meeting for lunch to catch up.

Susie Owens wrote that “this is a small world after all.” A couple of years ago, she met Rebecca Smith Bouygues, who has lived in the same suburb in Paris as Susie for over three decades.

They had never met before, nor did they know each other at Mary Wash, which makes this even more intriguing.

They recently had a Christmas lunch in Asnières-sur-Seine.

Sally Reichner Mayor sent a wonderful note, sharing that she is still in English education in a French-speaking environment. After 40 years, she finished with her involvement with Cambridge English examinations. She is now a campus counselor and training assistant for Les Roches, one of the best schools in the world for business hospitality, where you can earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. She has been there over 20 years. When Sally came to Mary Washington, she had already lived in Spain, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Philadelphia. Four years at Mary Wash was her longest place. Trips to Stockholm, Mallorca, South Africa, and Florida have kept her traveling. Sally has visited several of our classmates, including Tish Stoner Sawyer and Debbie Bourke. She got together in Fredericksburg with Julie McClelland Seder, Diane Hicks Clarke, Marge Roszmann Tankersley ’69, and Liz Muirhead Sudduth ’69. Sally is close to her daughters and grandchildren.

Her oldest, Patricia, is director of figure skating at the International Skating Union.

Sally plans to attend the Olympics in Italy in 2026. Daughter Adrienne organizes events and marketing for Vacheron Constantin luxury watches.

That’s all the news this time. I apologize for not getting out my usual letter asking

1971 alumnae Susie Owens (left) and Rebecca Smith Bouygues in Asnières-sur-Seine.

for news. We talked about a possible Zoom call, so I hope a few of us can organize something. Please send news for the next column.

1972

Sherry Rutherford Myers sherryhon2011@gmail.com Happy spring, dear classmates! Here’s hoping that everyone survived the winter and the cold temperatures. For those in California, we all pray for those of you in areas hit so hard by the wildfires.

Debbie Stanley Leap hit the air again this past year to travel to Portugal, Spain, and Colombia. Portugal was a trip several years in the making and included her daughter, Amy Leap ’12; her “German daughter,” Netti, who lived with them in 2003-04; and Netti’s mom. They had an incredible time gallivanting all over Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto. A few months later, Debbie had an excursion to Medellín, Colombia, traveling with a group of Spanish learners (from the U.S., Canada, and Germany) and speaking 95% Spanish.

She realized that she was even starting to think in Spanish. When she began this retirement quest to learn Spanish six years ago, she only dreamed of reaching this level. However, she feels there are still many levels to go. Like many other ventures, studying a foreign language requires many investments.

Terri Hall Alford traveled to Spain with Kathy Ray, Anne Toms Richardson, and Mary Saunders Williams in September 2024. They spent four nights in Paris and

8 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

then took a train to Bayonne to join a Rick Steves’ trip to the Basque country.

It was marvelous, and they enjoyed every minute. A highlight for them was a daylong excursion from Paris to Somme American Cemetery near Bony, France, about two hours north of Paris. It is one of 26 overseas American military cemeteries maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Kathy’s great uncle was buried there, along with 1,800 others who served in WWI. It was an honor to visit and to be hosted by the American superintendent and his French assistant.

Anne Toms Richardson shared sad news that her beloved former roommate, Fredericka “Freddie” Hastings, passed away on Nov. 18, 2024, in Zoar, Ohio.

For all of you who were close to Freddie, my deepest condolences. At this time in our lives, we all face so many losses of loved ones. Fortunately, the memories never leave us. Hold tight to those remembrances and never let go.

Dennis and I, Sherry Rutherford Myers, are alive and well in the Roanoke area.

I still substitute teach for the county and remain active in my two clubs.

Volunteering for their fundraisers and downtown summer concerts keep me on the go. We have seen Cheryl Prietz Childress and husband Dave several times over the past year. Their daughter, Thea, and her family have moved into a lovely home next door, so the two of them are having fun with their adorable two grandkids. Both homes have golf carts that run back and forth between the houses, and Dennis and I recently had a good time riding around on them.

It is always wonderful hearing from all of you. I would love to hear from more of you, so until next time, stay well and happy.

1973

Joyce Hines Molina joycemolina1951@gmail.com Vickie Wilson Watts and her husband, Harry, have four grandchildren graduating this year. The eldest, Isaac, is graduating from Virginia State University with a degree in computer programming and math. Tyler is graduating from Grove City College with a degree in civil engineering. Teya is graduating from Liberty University with a degree in psychology. And Teryn is graduating from high school. It will be a busy May for Vickie and Harry as they travel from the graduation in Virginia to two in Pennsylvania and back to Virginia for the final one!

Susie Baril Bourne stays active, enjoying traveling, Bible studies, bridge, tutoring math to middle and high school students, and being a grandmother to three, ages 10-14. She and Royce had fun catching up with Eric Rosenberg ’75 and Patty Gould Rosenberg at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, during their family vacation in June. Susie also spoke to Anne Gray Jones Fuller last February after several years and reported that Anne and Steven are enjoying retirement. After knee replacement surgery last March, Susie cruised and hiked around the coast of the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and Spain, entering at the Mediterranean and ending in Barcelona. Kentucky is especially pretty in the spring and fall, and she encourages us to visit.

Dale Cole Carter is grateful for staying in close touch with three classmates. Though they are far apart geographically, they speak almost every week. She wrote: “It’s pretty amazing to still be supporting each other in our lives.” She looks forward to Janet Hedrick, who lives in Fredericksburg, visiting Colorado in the spring. Kris Overstreet Helms, who is in Lynchburg, is always helping friends and family. A decade ago, Dale reconnected with Betty Hash Lyon, her first friend at MWC, who now lives in Charlottesville, and they remain close.

Dale is also enjoying winter life in Colorado.

Debbie Puryear, BettyJoyce Nash, and Margie Walsh Shepherd spent part of September traveling around Ireland and Northern Ireland. They visited Dublin,

Kilkenny, Belfast, Derry, and Galway.

They had a great time catching up and exploring, and they managed to stay on the left side of the road.

It was great to hear from first-time contributor Barbara Taylor Moore, who returned to her hometown, Charlottesville, after graduate school.

She teaches piano and organ privately and at UVA and is also the organist for University Baptist Church. Barbara has been married 41 years to a computer/ politics/building guru, who is retired but still manages properties for fun.

They have had many resident cats and have fostered cats and kittens for their local SPCA for a decade. Barbara also volunteers with lots of local music groups and has been a volunteer firefighter for the city for 30 years.

She has also cared for her 100-year-old mother for the last six months or so.

Barbara often sees other music majors from Mary Washington, especially Laura Blevins Douglass and Judy Mayberry Fiske; their teacher, Peggy Kelley Reinburg ’58; and her former roommate, Sharon Smith Lloyd, who is also in Charlottesville. One of these days, Barbara hopes to visit campus to see the updates, but for now, her fond memories wander into her mind. She loves hearing about all of you.

Cynthia Howk, another music major, reminds us that it’s never too late to return to music or learn a musical instrument. She recommends finding a New Horizons program in your area.

New Horizons was established in Rochester, New York, where she lives.

Adults learning to play instruments for the first time or resuming playing after many years is one of the fastest growing areas of music education.

Cynthia studied harp at MWC and played violin in the MWC CollegeCommunity Orchestra, established by the late Professor Emeritus James Baker. She remains active, playing violin in the Brighton Symphony Community Orchestra since its founding 50 years ago. She also plays in a string ensemble class that meets weekly, and she’s involved in a local alumni chapter of the Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity, which she joined at MWC. She recently joined the Fairport Musicale, whose members perform in small ensembles at local senior/retirement campuses every other month. Cynthia also plays violin for the Greater Rochester Women’s Philharmonic in a concert that raises funds for a local women’s shelter. The ensemble consists of 90-plus players, giving participants the opportunity to perform challenging music such as

Rachmaninoff symphonies, The Planets

by Holst, Enigma Variations by Elgar, etc. Cynthia also learned to play the pipe organ, when her family’s church wasn’t using their impressive 1925 Skinner Co. pipe organ for worship. She took lessons at the Eastman School of Music to get started. It’s been a real adventure for her to play this fantastic instrument and become acquainted with the talented organists in Rochester, many from Eastman’s renowned organ program.

During our 50th Reunion Weekend in June 2023, Cynthia discovered that the pipe organ at historic St. George’s Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg was designed and built by the Parsons Pipe Organ Builders near Rochester.

When she told the Parsons staff that she was visiting Fredericksburg, they put her in touch with the church’s organist, an adjunct faculty member at UMW. Cynthia visited the church and got to hear this fantastic instrument, which includes pipes that were originally in a 19th-century organ at a Rochester Presbyterian church that was demolished in the 1970s. The pipes were saved and recycled as part of this new Fredericksburg organ. As to the benefits of playing music? Cynthia always tells people it’s immensely rewarding, a great stress release, and a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist!

Cynthia also heard from Debora Olsen Searfoss, who lives in Indianapolis and plays piano and decided to take up cello. She now plays in a local community orchestra and loves it. As a cellist, she enjoys the experience of playing in a group.

At our 50th reunion, Cynthia’s conversation with Susan Jacobius Davis turned to music. “She told me she had her grandfather’s violin and always wanted to learn to play it,” said Cynthia, who told Susan about New Horizons.

“That gave me the perfect opportunity to tell her it wasn’t too late to learn.”

Cynthia also heard from Betty Snead DeLesDernier, who lives in Richmond and attended Mary Washington for her freshman and sophomore years before transferring to VCU to complete her nursing degree. She and husband Dave just celebrated their 50th anniversary, and granddaughter Ava has started playing viola, greatly enjoying her new adventure.

Rod and I, Joyce Hines Molina, toured areas of Colorado and New Mexico in October. The highlight was the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and standing amid the balloons as they were fired up and launched at dawn. We

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Class Notes

returned at night for the balloon “glow,” a perfect ending to this bucket-list day.

I also attended UMW’s Celebration of Giving in November 2024. Janet Hedrick invited me to stay overnight at her new home. We caught up, and I met Jack and her parrot, Cody. Janet continues to travel and has become an integral part of the Mary Washington community.

My year finished up with a December filled with musical performances and Christmas Eve church services. We enjoyed our traditional New Year’s Eve dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. My fortune cookie said: “Your future will look like a grand adventure.” Yay! The first two weeks of January were spent hibernating and reenergizing. Now I’m ready for that grand adventure!

Thanks to everyone who shared news for this Class Notes. It’s always great to hear from you, whether it’s your first contribution or your 50th. Remember to stay connected, inspired, and healthy, my friends!

1974

Sidnia “Sid” Baker Etherington sidleexx@yahoo.com Suzy Passarello Quenzer suzyquenzer@gmail.com Happy New Year! We just want to remind you that your classmates want to hear from you. For those that attended the 50th reunion and reconnected, remember your promises to keep in touch and share your wonderful adventures in 2025.

1975

Armecia Spivey Medlock vagirl805@msn.com Susan McDonald Osborn founded a nonprofit in Spokane, Washington, that delivers free food to low-income households experiencing food insecurity.

Now retired, she serves as volunteer executive director of the Spokane Helpers Network and was named one of Spokane’s Women of the Year in December. More importantly, Susan and husband Paul love living in the Inland Pacific Northwest, surrounded by their daughters, grandchildren, and in-laws.

Visitors are always welcome!

If you’ve never contemplated attending a class reunion, this is the year to do so!

As the Jan. 9, 2025, email said, please resolve to reconnect with all of us for our once-in-a-lifetime 50th Reunion Weekend, Friday, May 30 to Sunday,

June 1, 2025. We look forward to seeing everyone there! Let’s make it a reunion to remember!

1976

Janis Biermann biermannjanis@gmail.com Hello, classmates! I, Janis Biermann, extend greetings to you. I’d also like to thank those who sent in updates.

Cathy Kroohs retired in 2015 after 30 years as a medic with the fire department in Alexandria, Virginia. She said it was the best job in the world.

She also served 12 years in the Army Reserve. Although listed as a vehicle mechanic, she served as a section clerk and dispatcher, which is much safer.

Cathy has traveled to France, Italy, Spain, and Thailand to visit friends and relatives and to France, the U.K., Iceland, and Costa Rica on organized tours. She now lives in Manassas, Virginia, and highly recommends retirement to everyone.

Robin Rimmer Hurst sent her regards.

Most of her career has been spent in human resources for domestic and international organizations. In 2012, she received a doctorate in human and organizational learning from George Washington University and began a new career as a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University.

While working on her dissertation, Robin served as an adjunct instructor in UMW’s College of Business for five semesters. She said it was great to be back on campus and to get to know the wonderful students at Mary Washington.

So many things have changed but many have remained the same. She and her husband have two adult daughters, one granddaughter (age 5), and two grandsons (ages 2 and 4). For the past 20 years, Wendy Francis ’75 has joined their family for a New Year’s vacation, this year to the Dominican Republic.

Jeanne St. Martin Cline and husband Jack, a retired professional engineer, lived in Baton Rouge and the New Orleans area with their son, Richard, for 24 years. They survived Hurricane Katrina, but they and some neighbors had a traumatic time afterwards, with no power or cell phone service and limited drinking water and food for months.

They moved to Jeanne’s home area in Kingsport, Tennessee, in 2021. The recent hurricane didn’t physically affect them, but their kin and others were affected. Jeanne has been very active

1 0 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

in church and civic activities, including three Daughters of the American Revolution chapters and the Daughters of the British Empire in Louisiana, where she was regent of the Twelfth Night chapter. She also served as president of the Beau Chene Garden Club. She retired as the television program director and editor for Scott County Schools.

Jeanne’s sister, Jo-Marie St. Martin ’85, was chosen among the outstanding alumni from University of Tennessee Law School. She had an illustrious professional career as general counsel and U.S. House director of floor legislation for Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan. Jeanne wishes everyone to be safe and hopes that we have good weather.

Ginger Dillon Rush and husband Rick retired about 13 years ago to the Richmond area. They stay busy with church, bridge, volunteering, and two book clubs. Their two sons make them very proud. They also have a 7-year-old grandson named Dillon who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and keeps them smiling.

MJ Long Nickolls retired in August 2019 and enjoyed retirement until the shutdown happened. In 2021, a friend asked if she’d like to go to Africa. Her answer was a quick and emphatic “yes.”

Two years later, she found herself in Italy, seeing sights she never thought she’d see and eating local food that was incomparable to anything she had ever been served in the U.S. MJ looks forward to attending two destination events in 2025: a friend’s milestone birthday celebration in Santorini, followed by a wedding in Tuscany. She also volunteers at the Humane Society and adds to her junior ranger badge collection when she can. Life is good!

1977

Anne Robinson Hallerman annehallerman@gmail.com Lisa Rae Campbell Walker and Andy moved to a retirement community in Goochland in summer 2023. She was not eager to do so, but realized quickly it was the best decision they had ever made. The people are interesting, the food is fantastic, and they love having a pool that is open 24 hours. They also enjoy being “LeeLee” and “Grandy” to Sebastian Walker Iskanian (age 2.5), who lives in Maryland, so they often see him.

Ellen “Ellie” Regan passed away on Oct. 26, 2024, after a two-year battle with a rare form of liver cancer known as cholangiocarcinoma. Ellie was born in Munich, Germany, where she lived until 1972. She spoke German and developed a lifelong love of the country and its culture. At Mary Washington, Ellie earned a B.A. in history and became Virginia’s first female frisbee champion. She began her career with Dart Drug, where she first gained experience with information technology. She then worked a number of computer automation projects for PRC and on systems for the printing of U.S. passports, digitizing patents for the U.S. Patent Office, and automating the storage and identification of fingerprints for the FBI. Ellie was passionate about travel, volunteering, and buying and selling antiques. She is survived by Peter, her husband of 36 years, and her four sisters and other loving family and friends.

1978

Janet Place Fuller janetpfuller@gmail.com Allen Nichols Scott has had a lot to celebrate. Daughter Jamie was married in June 2023, followed by son Michael and his wife welcoming twins that July. The twins celebrated their first birthday on July 19, 2024. Allen and MJ Ford Johnston also saw Bruce Springsteen in concert last April in Baltimore.

Lucy Eppes Swanson retired in October 2024. She is now taking care of herself and her family and catching up on all the stuff she has ignored from home for far too long. She enjoys cooking, exercise, and reconnecting with friends. Lucy is also focused on decluttering to achieve a more minimalist lifestyle.

Cathy Jean Bennett wrote that this has been a difficult year. She lost her husband of 45 years in December 2023, before Christmas. He had been ill for quite some time, but Cathy never thought that they would not grow old together. They married in 1978, just after her graduation from Mary Washington.

Cathy also lost her darling mother on May 25, 2024, just before her 92nd birthday. Cathy has now decided to live every day to the fullest. She rescued a chihuahua and bought a camper. Her dream is to explore her new home state of West Virginia one campground at a time and then to travel west with her daughter and grandkids. Safe travels to Cathy!

1979

Lisa Langenbach wrote that she now spends about half the year at her apartment in Berlin, Germany.

Barbara Goliash Emerson emers3@msn.com Lorenza Amico has retired after 39 years working at the University of Virginia library. Now she’ll have more time for all her travels.

In October, Lisa Carle Shields hosted Gayle Weinberger Petro, Betsy Larson Kyker, Donna Anaya, and me, Barbara Goliash Emerson, at her beautiful Smith Mountain Lake home. We did the charity house tour by land and Lisa’s boat and shared many laughs while reminiscing. It was such a wonderful time!

Jennifer Boyd Ross wrote: “We enjoyed our first full summer on the water in Weems, Virginia. Semi-small-town living seems to agree with us. Two of our six grandchildren graduated from high school in May and June, which is why I was not at our reunion. We now have three grandkids in college. Our two granddaughters were offered admission to Mary Washington, but since they live in Fredericksburg, it was a little too close to home. I get it, but I’m still holding out for at least one to attend my favorite college. Paul and I celebrated 45 years together with a great trip to Portugal. We met on that fateful night at Marshall Dorm in 1977! I’m now on the Alumni board and honored to give back to ‘the Wash.’”

1980

Laura Lowe Collins said that she and her husband spend three to four months a year traveling in their 21-ft. Coachman Clipper. They spend two weeks each summer at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, as well as other state parks. They have discovered the fun and fulfillment of occasional campground hosting.

They also enjoy singing in nursing and veterans’ homes both at home and on the road. Laura is a co-facilitator of a peer support group for older adults dealing with vision loss.

Congratulations to Mary HudachekBuswell on her new position as interim chair of the School of Computing Instruction at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and as Georgia Tech’s nominee for the University System of Georgia’s Top Teaching Award for the state.

Barbara Gant Kinner and husband Greg returned to their home in Asheville, North Carolina, following Hurricane Helene. Fortunately, their home was not damaged, but they did not have drinkable water for two months.

Former roommates Sandy Slusher Smallwood and Deb Caton joined the ranks of the retired in 2024. Wishing them well as they begin new chapters!

1981

Lori Foster Turley lorifturley@gmail.com

Susan Garter skgarter@gmail.com Kathy McMullen Lueckert is retiring as president of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (A Corporation as of January 2025), but she’s not completely retiring.

She and husband Don will move back to Kansas City, and Kathy will manage the business affairs of Village Presbyterian Church. The Lueckerts have lived in Northern Virginia, Minnesota, Kentucky (twice), Kansas, and Washington state, but they are landing for good in Kansas City.

Pam Troutman is enjoying retirement in New Mexico, with its beautiful sunsets and sunrises, and various cultural activities. She makes jewelry, and after turning 66 in 2024, and noting that historic Route 66 turned 100, she plans to launch a Rt. 66-themed jewelry line on www.starartjewelry.etsy.com. Pam and husband Bruce continue to travel, most recently to Las Vegas, and plan to visit Europe in 2026.

David Turley and Colleen McCahill Turley are enjoying retirement. They attended Colleen’s all-class high school reunion in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and had a great time in a beautiful place with friends from childhood. They went to see Buddy Guy in concert and traveled to northern Italy in October, visiting Venice, Padua, Ravenna, Parma, Bologna, Florence, Milan, and more.

They enjoy being near their son and his wife and get together with them often for Virginia Tech football. Colleen and Dave celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at the Publisher Hotel in Fredericksburg and stopped on their way home at Carl’s, where everything began so long ago!

My husband and I, Lori Foster Turley, were in Nashville in November for our son’s wedding. A few days later, Craig and I flew to Lisbon, Portugal, where we began a weeklong cruise that ended in Barcelona, Spain. We spent much of January in Florida, visiting family and

University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

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Class Notes

friends, including Jenny Sharp-Warthan and her husband, Danny. They returned to Sarasota after completing a yearlong circumnavigation of America’s Great Loop on their boat. Jenny also volunteers with the Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium’s sea turtle conservation program and plays a lot of pickleball!

1982

Tara Corrigall corrigallt@gmail.com Carla Richardson Barrell shared a fun update. She and hubby Dan traveled to Key West, Florida, to check a place to visit off their list. They had great weather in October, driving two days with an overnight in Jacksonville. They kayaked through mangroves, visited the turtle rescue hospital, and ate great food.

Carla and Dan joined other Roanoke/ Blacksburg Mary Wash alumni for drinks at a local brewery and a hockey game.

The Roanoke Railyard Dawgs won their game. Their daughter, Kaitlin Barrell ’13, now works for Forsyth Tech Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, mostly from home, coordinating online scheduling and class offerings.

Carla enjoyed spending time with Kaitlin and other family during the holidays.

Carla’s parents are 88 and 90 now, so she spends time helping them out. She also volunteers at a local music venue called the Jefferson Center, plays piano at her church, and is treasurer of a local retired teachers association.

Cheryl Fetterman retired June 1, 2024, after 31 years at Cape Fear Community College, serving for the last five years as department chair for business technologies. She was honored to carry the mace and lead the faculty in for graduation ceremonies during those last years. She took a computer upgrade and repair course during the summer after retiring and an IT security course in the fall. She plans to teach three sections of an MIS (management information systems) intro course at UNC Wilmington in the spring. So much for retirement! Her parents passed away in 2018 and 2019. She was diagnosed with a heart issue in 2020, and her heart pumps at 50% capacity, but the only issues related to that are daily naps. Her brother, Don Fetterman, who attended MWC from 1974-77, has lived with her and her boyfriend, Joe DelaConcepcion (who is the younger brother of Jan DelaConcepcion, who attended MWC from 1976-77) since December 2024.

They moved in August, so now she has a full house of Mary Washington alums.

On a sad note, Dan Hudson passed away right before Christmas after a short battle with cancer. Heather Archer Mackey attended his Celebration of Life on Jan. 18, 2025, and reported catching up with Mark Scott ’84, Erin Devine ’82, Kerry Devine ’84 (the current mayor of Fredericksburg), Jim Pierpoint ’82, Becky Batten Rosenberger ’82, Dan Steen ’84, Anne Thompson Steen ’83, and Cedric Rucker ’81. Such a sad occasion to bring classmates together, but I understand many stories were shared about his college days and beyond.

to everyone. In the meantime, they are getting their youngest ready for college next year, which will make them officially “empty nesters,” with more time for travel and leisure.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2025! (For many of us, this is our Medicare year – yikes!) Please send your updates and reach out to your college friends.

Greetings, Class of 1985!

1983

Sherilyn Keaton and her husband live in Tucson, Arizona. She recently semi-retired after three decades of holding corporate positions, including as a software engineer and engineering executive for multiple global corporations. She is a professor of practice in software, systems, and industrial engineering at the University of Arizona. Her corporate career included head of software engineering in the United States for Siemens, and she was part of a global management team in Munich, Germany. She spent the remainder of the 2024 academic year and the beginning of the 2025 academic year in Antibes, France.

Marcia Anne Guida marcia.g.james@gmail.com Kathy Walters Along traveled in 2024.

She and husband Jim met up in Merano, Italy, with the German family that hosted Jim 50 years ago! Jim’s father passed away in 2024 at the ripe old age of 102, but his mother is still going strong at 100.

Cathy Cooke is recovering from a knee replacement and looks forward to getting back to shagging to beach music soon. Cathy, Becky Hobbs Shermer, and Hope Martin Chenault take a couple of trips each year. Their last adventure was to Fancy Gap, Virginia, where they stayed in a cabin called the Bear’s Den and enjoyed attending the fall festival in Mount Pilot. They always have a blast together and reminisce about their four amazing years at MWC. Muffin Williamson Wilson and her husband have now entered the realm of being grandparents! Son Spencer and his wife, Kathleen, welcomed baby boy Charlie on May 27, 2024, after moving from Arlington to Richmond. Muffin now shops for baby toys and books.

Judith Sweetman Gwynn is enjoying retirement in southern Maryland and spending time with their three grandchildren, with one more on the way in spring 2025! Judith and Sharon Arnold had an amazing adventure with the Mary Washington Alumni on the Road trip to Cuba in February 2024. The trip was eye-opening into a world where time has stopped.

However, the food, music, culture, and people exceeded their expectations.

Judith highly recommends an Alumni trip

1 2 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

1984

Christine Waller Manca christine.manca@att.net

1985

Joanne Bartholomew Lamm jlamm88@verizon.net I heard from Glenn Birch that he earned a master’s degree in nonprofit studies from the University of Richmond in December. Congratulations, Glenn!

It was a delight to hear from both classmates with such good news to share.

I, Joanne Bartholomew Lamm, was fortunate to meet up with my first roommate, Anne Birdsong Anderson, last summer in Irvington, Virginia. Anne was at Mary Wash for two years and then the Medical College of Virginia and is now a retired pharmacist. We hadn’t seen each other since 2014, which is way too long. We enjoyed catching up as our husbands, Chris Lamm and Paul Anderson, got to know each other a bit along with our son, Stephen Lamm ’19.

Please send any news you’d like to share. I hope to see a lot of you at our 40th reunion celebration in May/June!

1986

Lisa A. Harvey lisharvey@msn.com Ruth Massey Leichter lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, and retired from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in 2009.

1987

she is senior video editor for FanDuel Sportsbook. Kelly’s husband is partially retired but still helps her in the gun shop.

A classic western Maine life!

1988

Elisa Johnson Buckley is happy that her son, U.S. Army Sergeant Jacob Stelwagon, returned from his combat tour in Syria in December.

Beverly Newman bevnewmn@yahoo.com

Teresa Curtis retired in July after 36 years with State Farm Insurance. She joked she’s one of the odd people who stayed with the same company from graduation to retirement. After many moves in Virginia and Colorado with State Farm, Teresa now resides in Hanover, just outside of Richmond, with her partner, Jim.

Kemetia Foley kmkfoley@gmail.com

Jay Bradshaw jaybradshaw747@aol.com

From Jay: Happy 2025 to my fellow classmates!

Thank you to those who submitted updates. The feedback I get from everyone reading Class Notes is very positive. Not everyone is on social media, and there seems to be a thirst for information on how and what our classmates are doing. Please keep the updates coming and only share what you are comfortable sharing.

Having spent three years living in Marshall Hall, I am sad that 2025 will be the year that Marshall gets bulldozed. The most recent briefing that I have received indicates that the demolition date will be sometime after Commencement. The razing of Marshall and Russell will most likely take place this summer. The link is still active to order a brick from these buildings, which can be sent directly to your home.

Eda Spivey Price’s daughter, Olivia, is enjoying her first year at Mary Washington. She lives a couple doors down from Eda’s old room in Virginia Hall, which she loves. That makes Eda happy because she sometimes gets to visit. The campus holds so many great memories for her.

Anne “Z” Zemienieuski Fowler retired from teaching in June after 36 years.

She and husband Scott spent time in Japan visiting daughter MaryKate, who is stationed in Yokosuka with her husband. Their youngest daughter lives in Stuart, Florida, and recently completed a 240-mile ultra-marathon in Moab, Utah. Anne and Scott look forward to traveling in 2025.

Kelly Gould Stewart still works in the mental health field, where she’s been for the past 30 years. She joked that she stopped counting at 30, because it made her sound old. Kelly still runs her familyfriendly gun shop on weekends and has utilized shooting sports to treat PTSD. “It sounds counter-intuitive, but it works,” she said. “If I had the time, I would do an official research project on this.”

Kelly’s daughter still lives in NYC, where

Teresa and her MWC roomie, Nancy Erps Thompson, remain very close. She loves being “Aunt T” to Nancy and Philip’s three children. She is also close with her own four nieces who are growing up way too fast. The oldest now works in Nashville, two are in college, and one is still in high school in Richmond. Teresa is loving life and enjoying this new retirement phase!

She’s taking time now to be with family and friends while she decides what’s next. There could be a novel waiting to be written … stay tuned.

Catherine Ferree Miller ’87 graduated from MWC with a mathematics degree and a focus on computer science.

She has worked over 37 years with public safety technology, including the last 17 with the police department in Montgomery County, Maryland.

She serves as program manager of the National Capital Region Law Enforcement Exchange. She is also a recent past chair of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement and Technology Section and has served on its policy center license plate reader and facial recognition working groups. In early 2024, she moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and was featured on HGTV’s House Hunters. You can check out which house she purchased on the season 252, episode 6, “Sunsets on the Sound.” She continues her law enforcement work from her beach home in OBX. Tim Knezevich and wife Kim live in downtown Atlanta with a beautiful 19th-floor view overlooking Centennial Olympic Park. He retired in June 2024 after a fulfilling career as a global human resources executive in the technology, pharmaceutical, and financial services

industries. While he feels blessed to retire early, he is filling his time with photography, occasional consulting gigs, traveling, and sleeping in. Tim’s son, Collin (age 26), lives in Fort Worth and works as a statistician. When Tim visits his dad in Fredericksburg, he makes time to walk the campus and reminisce about the many friendships and fun times during college. He invites anyone who wants to catch up to email him at tim_knezevich@yahoo.com.

1989

Jim Czarnecki jimczarnecki@yahoo.com

1990

Susan Crytzer Marchant march66358@verizon.net

1991

Shannon Eadie Niemeyer sfniemeyer@comcast.net Hello, Class of ’91! I hope you all are doing well!

James Whalen and Carrie Reams Whalen ’92 live in Savannah, Georgia, and celebrated their 26th anniversary this year. James is celebrating his 10th year as an executive at Gulfstream, and Carrie continues her career in sales leadership with her sixth year at Sitecore. Daughter Sarah will graduate from Mercer University School of Law in May 2025 and begin her career at the HunterMaclean law firm in Savannah.

Daughter Caroline will graduate from the University of Georgia with degrees in genetics and Spanish (Go Dawgs!) in May 2025. Daughter Katherine began her freshman year of college in August at George Washington University, where she is studying international affairs and Spanish. James connected with several MWC friends for a golf trip to the Outer Banks this year, including Chris Bowers, Jim Harmon, Mark Mesterhazy, Dave Papke, Steve Gurley, Jeff Miers, and Dave Sanders. Carrie and James love to travel and have visited Australia, Argentina, Prague, Bali, Singapore, and Croatia, and recently spent a week in London with their goddaughter, Augusta, daughter of Lisa Wilbanks Hooper ’92.

The Whalens will see Lisa and many other MWC friends at daughter Sarah’s wedding in May 2025.

I hope to hear from many more of you next time!

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Class Notes

1992

Courtney Hall Harjung charjung@hotmail.com Russell Cate and Fred Dolan reconnected in November, spending time in downtown Black Mountain, North Carolina, where Russell lives and works as the town’s planner and zone administrator.

Sean Michael Dargan still lives in Madison, Wisconsin, and will release his seventh solo SMD album this spring. He said it’s going to be his best yet.

Christine Harrison Casey will attend the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference in Seattle in April. She’s especially excited about the trip because she’s never been there.

Rachael Schmeller Crout’s younger daughter got engaged in January.

Heather and her fiancé are planning a summer wedding and will be part of an international missions training program through their church.

My husband, Tom, and I, Courtney Hall Harjung, celebrated our 25th anniversary in October with a scuba trip to Curaçao.

Our holiday season was quiet, but our Mardi Gras season looks to be busy with balls, parades, and other fun activities in Pensacola, Florida; Mobile, Alabama; and New Orleans. Laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll)!

1993

J. Suzanne Horsley prof.horsley@yahoo.com Anne Carpenter Harris wrote: “This year has been filled with gratitude and meaningful milestones for my family and me.” She serves as a school counselor with Richmond City Public Schools, a role she has cherished for the past 24 years.

She has also been the executive director of Richmond Community of Caring, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting character education, for the past seven years. Anne and her husband celebrated 30 years of marriage in November with a beautiful vow renewal ceremony.

She joined him last summer during his pastoral sabbatical for a transformative journey to Ghana, West Africa. “The experience was profound, allowing me to explore my ancestry in ways I will carry with me forever,” Anne said. She

and her husband are extremely proud of their children, who are both thriving.

Their daughter is a school psychologist with Henrico County Schools, after graduating from James Madison University two years ago. Their son is pursuing graduate studies at Babson College and will soon embark on an exciting semester abroad in South Africa.

“Life’s journey has brought so many blessings, and I remain deeply thankful for the opportunities to learn, grow, and serve,” Anne said. “Wishing all of you a year filled with joy and purpose!”

Cliff Jordan is on assignment in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, for the next three to five years, where he is deputy chief of the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency (NGA) office, supporting the United States military forces in Korea. He’s making the most of this opportunity by exploring the country on weekends, Japan on long weekends, and the surrounding countries as time permits.

Allison Griffin Mitchell has one son at Texas A&M and another at Virginia Tech, both of whom are in the U.S. Army Corps.

She works in urology as a certified

Mary Washington alumni gathered with President Troy Paino and wife Kelly and UMW’s Katie Turcotte (third from left, back row) and Mark Thaden ’02 (far right) at Redbird in downtown Los Angeles.

1 4 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

Members of UMW’s Alumni Association Board, Student Alumni Ambassadors, and Young Alumni Council pose with UMW’s Beth Hunsinger ’01 (front row, far right) and Fred Nats mascot Gus at a baseball game in September 2024.

wound, ostomy, and continence nurse.

She has double-doodle brothers, Marley and Copper, who are 2 years old.

Tracy Young Rowland and her family had a holiday vacation in New Orleans for Christmas. After years as a stay-at-home mom to three kids while volunteering and working in K-12 schools, she returned to the career that she went to MWC for. She recently took a job as an accountant at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where she has lived for 30 years.

Nancy Overbey Sheetz and husband Bryan were both recently named Teacher of the Year at their schools, with Bryan at Thomas Dale High School, and Nancy at Bensley Elementary. Bryan teaches landscaping and turfgrass management, a program he started three years ago, while Nancy teaches first grade. She wrote: “What are the odds we would be honored in the same year? We’re excited because that opens up our plus-one to the gala next year, so we can each take one of the boys.”

continued my New Year’s Eve birthday tradition of cruising and enjoyed a sunny trip to the Western Caribbean. I plan to see MWC friends Leann Vernon and Cindy Dunnavant Easterday in January.

I’m still teaching public relations at The University of Alabama, and this year, I’m working on a grant-funded study about disaster communication and mental health. Keep sending me your notes – it’s so fun to hear from everyone!

catching up with Kristen Green ’95 and Heather Mullins Crislip ’95 when visiting Teddy in Richmond. The Grays’ daughter, Annelise, is a sophomore at Wake Forest. Fannie is compiling her flash and short fiction and hopes to query agents in the spring. Her flash, Pygmalia, received a Pushcart Prize nomination from Vestal Review in December 2024. Her published work can be found at thefhgraymatter.com.

1994

Susanna Parrett Daley and Steve Daley wrote: “Our news is three college grads!” Daughter Corinne graduated from JMU’s School of Nursing, works in MedStar Georgetown Hospital’s ICU, and lives in D.C. Daughter Grace graduated from Syracuse University with public relations and geography degrees, and she lives and works in D.C. for a sustainability investment nonprofit, doing marketing and communications.

Son Luke graduated from Davidson College with environmental studies and political science degrees and now lives in Richmond, where he works as a sustainability project analyst for Universal Corporation. Susanna and Steve are happy empty nesters, going on 29 years of wedded bliss this summer! Susanna still teaches third grade, in year 28. Steve is senior vice president of marketing for the Virginia Realtors Association.

Jennifer Dockeray Muniz jennifermuniz1@gmail.com

Michael Compton, MD, MPH, has a new book coming out, Veggie Smarts: A Doctor and Farmer Grows and Savors Eight Families of Vegetables.

Eric Nolan continues to see his writing published at home and abroad. He was one of only eight poets worldwide selected for The Galway Review 12, the respected Irish journal’s 2024 anthology.

The poem featured, “The Beach House, Early Spring,” was later published again

by The Eunoia Review in Singapore.

Poetry Hall bilingual journal twice also translated selections of his work for its global audience of Chinese readers. In August, one of Eric’s poems was again included in Poets Anonymous’ annual anthology, Gathering.

As for me, J. Suzanne Horsley, I have enjoyed being your Class Notes agent and hearing from my fellow Eagles! I

Fannie Davidson Gray and Tim Gray’s son, Teddy, graduated from VCU last May with a B.A. in psychology. Fannie enjoyed

University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

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Class Notes

As for me, Jennifer Dockeray Muniz, I’m still in Austin, Texas, and just hit my 27th anniversary with Apple Inc. I’m currently the director of operations for Apple Wallet, which has brought some fun travel to NYC and Raleigh recently, in addition to lots of time in Cupertino. Our oldest son, Waylon, is about to graduate high school, and we are in the midst of the college search process for BFA in acting programs, while our younger son, Wyatt, has gotten us involved in Texas football as he enters high school.

1995

Matt and Shandie Covington mattandshandie95@gmail.com

Kathleen Gillikin MacCubbin was promoted to regional vice president at Primerica in July 2024. She and husband Patrick also celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary that month. Their son, John, is in 11th grade and has begun looking at colleges.

Sarah Meyrowitz Meytin is recovering from her second surgery. She hopes this is the year she can finally get moving again! Her eldest son, Coby, graduated from high school in February, and looks forward to three months abroad with his classmates and college in the fall. Sarah said that touring UMW with her son as a potential student was a highlight of their college search!

1996

MJ Figel Day ran into Wyland Leadbetter ’96 and his family at parents’ weekend at Bucknell University, where both their sons are freshmen!

1997

To escape the Minnesota winter, my husband and I, Michelle Trombetta, went to Portugal to achieve our goal of visiting 50 countries before our 50th birthdays. I also did a girls’ weekend

Jennifer Rudalf Gates teamgates17@gmail.com

Michelle Trombetta michelletrombetta@gmail.com

in San Antonio with Kira Stchur and Larissa Lipani ’98.

1998

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

1999

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu Jennifer N. Reyes, DDS, appeared on The Great American Baking Show, which aired in May 2024 and is now streaming on Roku. She still runs her dental practice in Manhattan, two blocks south of Central Park. Her rescue dog, London, is the best “pawffice” manager to her and her assistant!

2000

Jennifer Burger Thomas jenntec14@gmail.com Kelly L. Engel Boyd was awarded 2025 Teacher of the Year at Princess

From left: Tom Schroeder ’96, Elena Schroeder, Sam Morris Schroeder ’96, Mike Johnson ’96, Colette Strawn Johnson ’97, Nico Johnson, and Lana Johnson attended the Mary Washington Generations breakfast last fall. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

1 6 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

2003 graduates met up at Epcot in Walt Disney World. Photo courtesy of Bonnie Ryan Lefkowitz.

Anne High School in Virginia Beach.

She and husband John adore their children, Gabriel, an engineering major at Purdue University, and Elliot, a junior at PAHS.

2001

Annie Johnston anniebatesjohnston@gmail.com

2002

Travis Jones tljones8@gmail.com Carolyn Murray Spencer turtlecjm@yahoo.com Jon McCone reported that Mid Atlantic Charters is up and running. The company is a full-service air charter company that operates a twin-engine turbo prop, Beechcraft King Air 200. He does flights along the East Coast and

out to the Midwest. He has also done charter sales for many years and books trips in aircraft of all sizes, anywhere in the world.

2003

Jessica Brandes jessbrandes@yahoo.com A group of Mary Washington alumni got together in November to drink around the world at Epcot at Walt Disney World as a mini reunion, including Catherine Keane, Bonnie Ryan Lefkowitz, Emily Ruesch, Ryan Quinn, Thomas Rogers, Jill Davis, Diana Daly Epstein, Sarah Sedaghatfar Little, and Jessica Brandes.

2004

Sameer Vaswani svaswani54@gmail.com

2005

Allyson “Ally” V. Lee Marzan allyvlee@gmail.com Jessica Mitchell Essalih resides in Houston with husband Tony Essalih ’99 and their children, Grace, Libby, Bennett, and Will. Jessica ended a 12-year career at L’Oreal last summer, pivoting to pursue her professional coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation via New York University’s School of Professional Studies. She is also active in the Junior League of Houston and serves on the board of directors at Houston Botanic Garden and on the parent advisory council at St. Luke’s Day School. Additionally, Jessica is on the reunion committee for this summer’s ’05 class reunion and hopes to see lots of familiar faces in Fredericksburg to celebrate 20 years since graduation!

University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

17

Class Notes From left: Joel Peck ’08, Erinn Mulligan ’09, Maggie Lantzy ’09, and Kristynn Sullivan ’09 enjoy the Homecoming brunch at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center in October 2024. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Dan Featherly was appointed to the Virginia Resources Authority Board by Gov. Glenn Youngkin for a four-year term. Dan looks forward to contributing to the commonwealth and serving the community through this important role. Learn more about the Virginia Resources Authority at VirginiaResources.gov.

Tim Jordan, who earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from UMW and a master’s and doctorate from Virginia Tech, now owns Star Party Winery with wife Mary Kate Law ’03, sisterin-law Emma Law Gutzler ’03, and brother-in-law Michael Gutzler ’01.

An Augusta Free Press article by Rebecca Barnabi ’06 profiled Jordan and his Shenandoah Valley-grown wine, which is fermented and bottled at Common Wealth Crush in Waynesboro, which Jordan also co-owns.

2006

Shana Muhammad shana.muhammad@gmail.com JC Lopez has been a process manager with Capital One for the past 17 years, supporting operational risk programs for fraud operations. He received an

MBA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. He lives in Ruther Glen, Virginia, with his 16-year-old son and 15-year-old stepson, his beautiful wife, and a chocolate lab named Kona.

2007

Jay Sinha jay.sinha9@gmail.com

Richmond and still drives his Scion tC from college.

2009

Elizabeth Jennings Haden elizabethsjennings@gmail.com Alexandra Meier alexandra.m.meier@gmail.com

2008

Jackie Wright Ly got engaged to Adrian Vigil. They’re excited to celebrate with friends from UMW’s Campus Christian Community at their wedding in Leesburg, Virginia, on March 29, 2025. The couple resides in Sterling, and Jackie serves as the youth and family formation minister for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Arlington.

Alyssa Lee alyssa.linda.lee@gmail.com

2010

Trevor Daubenspeck has been up to quite a bit since his last Class Notes entry. He earned an MBA, moved to Richmond, got married, bought a house, added a terrific toddler and dog to the family, and traveled across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean – although not necessarily in that order. Trevor works as director of finance for a law firm in

Michelle Esch Brooks, husband Matt, and daughter Teresa (age 9) welcomed son Matt Jr. in June 2024.

While on maternity leave, Michelle started a nonprofit called the Collie Junior Foundation, which provides scholarships, educational opportunities, and networking connections for kids

Daniel Clendenin daniel.clendenin@gmail.com Sarah Eckman sarahje@gmail.com

Trish Lauck Cerulli trish.cerulli@gmail.com

1 8 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

Kelly Caldwell kellyecaldwell@gmail.com

who show collies (dog breed “Lassie”) in American Kennel Club dog shows.

Rachel Sarah Nash passed away on Dec. 2, 2022, of metastatic triple negative breast cancer, at age 35. Diagnosed in 2020, she handled most of her care by herself or with the help of friends but moved home to Baltimore to be with her family once the cancer spread. She always maintained her sense of humor, which was a hallmark of her personality. Rachel earned a bachelor’s degree in creative writing at UMW and tutored for Academics Plus, which helped her discover her love of teaching. Upon graduation, she was accepted into the Baltimore City Teaching Residency program and soon began teaching high school English. In 2018, Rachel earned a Master of Education at Johns Hopkins University School of Education, specializing in school family and community collaboration, urban education, and administration and supervision. Rachel also served as a literacy coach, training classroom teachers, and was universally admired by her former teachers, colleagues, and students. She had an intense curiosity about the world and loved to travel, visiting 14 countries around the world and nearly all 50 states. She drove herself on two long road trips, one coast-to-coast, mostly camping in her car. Her trips with her family and on her own were some of her happiest memories. Another defining characteristic of her persona was her passion for social justice. Rachel is predeceased by her younger brother and survived by her parents, other loving family, and her beloved labradoodles.

Katie Vanderpool-King graduated with a B.S. in chemistry in 2014 and has been working in the chemical manufacturing field. She and her husband relocated to Connecticut two years ago, and she transitioned to working in the mechanical engineering field. She currently works for a company that makes automatic Stanley doors.

Recently, her company redid the ICU doors at Mary Washington Hospital.

care to patients from the comfort of their own homes — a step she firmly believes represents the future of medicine. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to expand her practice and help even more people live healthier, pain-free lives, no matter where they are.

2015

Samantha Amos received an Ed.D. in higher education from Ball State University in December.

Evan Smallwood esmallwood15@gmail.com Moira McAvoy moira.jo.mcavoy@gmail.com Claire Haeuptle Bowes turned her lifelong dream into a reality by founding Perform Physical Therapy and Wellness in San Diego. For the past three years, her team of doctors of physical therapy, massage therapists, and personal trainers has worked collaboratively in a state-of-the-art performance facility, dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal health and longevity. Claire and her husband recently returned to the East Coast, settling outside of Philadelphia, where she launched a fulltime virtual physical therapy practice, while managing the San Diego facility remotely. She is passionate about providing exceptional, personalized

2016

Quinn Doyle quinnmdoyle@gmail.com

Sebastian Brana joined the Richmond office of Ogletree Deakins as an associate. His practice focuses on counseling and representing employers through litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He assists employers with addressing claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, and other issues. Sebastian earned a B.A. from UMW and a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

2017

Samantha Litchford slitchfo@gmail.com Maggie Sandner-Gialamas Clegg married class president Alex Clegg in 2020. The couple met and started dating during the second semester of

2011

Hannah Hopkins hannahlhopkins@me.com Kira Lanewala klanewala@gmail.com

2012

Mandi Solomon msolomon211@gmail.com

2013

Amanda Buckner McVicker amanda.l.mcvicker@gmail.com Andrew Hogan andrew.hogan819@gmail.com

2014

Elizabeth Storey estorey@mail.usf.edu

Recent graduates attended Eagle Crawl 2024 in downtown Fredericksburg, organized by UMW’s Young Alumni Council. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

19

In Memoriam Class Notes

their freshman year. They moved back to Fredericksburg, bought a house in 2021, and opened a small vintage clothing store and Fredericksburg souvenir shop on Caroline Street on Sept. 28, 2024. You can find Maggie six days of the week at Blue Hour Vintage (www.bluehourvintage.com), where she offers 15% off student discounts. She has had write-ups in Front Porch Fredericksburg and on the city’s economic development page. Maggie has also been featured on the Visit Fredericksburg and Fredericksburg Main Street social media accounts and by the influencers @Happilyeverexploring and @happy_ dmv. Maggie originally chose Mary Wash because she loved the campus and the cute little town – especially all the antique shops – so it’s been an absolute dream to open one up on the same streets where she walked as a student.

2018

Brittany McBride bmcbride2128@gmail.com Kaela Gosdzinski Phillips welcomed her first child, Charles “Chuckie” Phillips, with husband Charles “Chuck” Phillips in January 2024.

Makenzie Katzer Campbell got married to her now husband, Andre Campbell.

Abbey Bernhardt and Bryce Runey got married in Ireland.

Cole Gabriele and Ellie Benning Gabriele got married in April.

I, Nathaniel Holic, was named to the platform for the Business Events Industry’s “PCMA 20 in Their Twenties” list.

2021

No Class Agent classnotes@umw.edu

2022

Carson Berrier cberrier@umw.edu Haylie Stevenson haylie5800@gmail.com

2023

Ryan Meek ryan.meek.31@gmail.com

Lisa Mosser married Matthew Allocca on Oct. 19, 2024. They met during their first year of college at UMW.

2020

Nathaniel Holic nholic2020@gmail.com Ashleigh DiBenedetto King became a fully licensed teacher in Virginia and is in her third year of teaching! Jacob King and Ashleigh married in 2022 and are expecting their first child, due in 2025.

Joey Cronin got married to his new husband, Ross Kolko.

Austin Jones proposed to his now fiancée, Sarah Frick.

Alec Biles continues to lead the ocean mapping industry. He was also featured as a backup dancer in the hit movie Wicked.

I, Grace Lefcourt, was hired as the visitor services and volunteer coordinator at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest in Lynchburg, Virginia.

I’m really excited about this opportunity and how I can apply my education from UMW to this new job.

Sofia Taylor is employed at the University of Michigan as a research assistant in two studies in the School of Nursing. She and her team are examining how acupressure affects fatigue symptoms in adolescent and young adult cancer patients and how music therapy affects anxiety in the same population. She has also applied for a national Fulbright scholarship to Frankfurt, Germany, as well as 11 clinical psychology Ph.D. programs.

She wrote: “We’ll see where the future takes me!”

Michael Bass, professor emeritus of environmental science and biology, passed away on Oct. 4, 2024. Michael retired from UMW in 2018, having served Mary Washington for more than 45 years. He earned his Ph.D. in 1976 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and joined Mary Washington after a few years in research positions.

Sarah Hampton sarah.g.hampton@gmail.com

Jack Saslowsky was promoted to senior marketing manager at Carahsoft.

Grace Lefcourt glefcour@umw.edu

Obituaries

2019

Christiana Meyers started a new role as public affairs manager at Siemens.

2024

At Mary Washington, Michael was the driving force behind building the environmental science program and was the first chair of the new Department of Environmental Science and Geology (now Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences). He also partnered with the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County on a variety of projects concerned with monitoring water quality, stream bank erosion, and the impact of construction projects on bodies of water such as Massaponax Creek and the Ni River. He also helped design the retention ponds that are a notable feature of the Central Park development in Fredericksburg. He often involved his students in fieldwork, enabling them to present their findings at regional and national conferences.

Graduates recall his impact on their work and honored him with the Class of 1972 Dr. Michael Bass Scholarship to create opportunities for talented students with financial need to pursue undergraduate research in the sciences. When the scholarship was established, donors wrote notes detailing how he influenced their careers and expressing their gratitude. Many of his former students kept in touch with him through the years and often visited him when they were in town.

Michael is survived by wife Heather, sons Jonathan and David, and other loving family.

2 0 University of Mary Washington Class Notes Spring 2025

In Memoriam Agnes Wilkie Rodgers ’42

Margaret Somervell Berry Thomas ’42 Frances Votey Tracy ’44 Bettie Keith Alexander ’45 Mary Martin Powell Lewis ’45 Margaret Sadler “Mickey” Kirby ’47 Nancy Bruce Kauffman Cotten ’48 Jean Krug Robertson ’48 Eloise Knox Adams ’49 Mary Campbell Harper ’49 Patricia Grace Hough Koop ’49

Jane Choate Lorentz ’60

Ramona Patricia “Pat” Minx Falls ’79

Gaye Roberts Olsen ’60

Cathleen Anne Foote Potter ’80

Becky “Dinah” Spivey Salp ’60

Tammy Lee Cochran ’81

Ellen Howard Eberly ’61

Lisa Bowen Campbell Heese ’81

Rev. Lynda Foster Moore ’61

Daniel Eugene Hudson ’82

Carolyn Barnette Wright ’61

Linda Hough Fallin ’83

Charlotte “Scharlie” Watson Coiner ’62

Mabel O. Royal ’83

Patricia “Patsy” Hutcherson Elmore ’62

Jane Copeland Williams ’85

Linda DeAlba Filer ’62

Carol Mowry Yarc ’88

Marilyn Maxine Kovach ’62 Margaret “Maggie” Ann Walker MacAllister ’62

Joyce Elizabeth Schuping ’90

Mary Martha Osborn Black ’63

Mason Briggs Cook ’92

Mary Page Burden Cosby ’63 Betty Stehmeier Debnam ’63

Barbara “Bobbie” Westerman Newlon ’49

Louise Hildegard Hosfield Cooke Fudala ’63

Audrey Miller Heath ’50

Nancy Lee Leidy ’63

Mary Lee Coleman Heaton ’50

Helen Frances “Fran” Ryan Myers ’63

Barbara Louise Lloyd Hiller ’50

Sue Bentley Varn ’63

Doris Ann Watts Torrice ’50

Bonnie Smith Wescott ’63

Jane Gregg Londrey ’51

Anne Reynolds McIlwaine ’64

Anne Elizabeth Taylor Miller ’51

Bonnie May Dewey Moles ’64

Ann Kimball Penney Ross ’51

Mary Batson Moore ’64

Corleta “Corley” Gibson Friesen ’52

Anita Sue Sanders ’64

Suzanne Branner Kessler ’52

Betty Eiland Musolf ’65

Patricia E. Machelor ’52

Sandra Jane Robinson ’65

Joan Morgen Rountree ’53

Carol Huber Rodgers ’65

Joyce Weimer Sterne ’53

Eileen Goddard Albrigo ’66

Virginia “Jingles” Kirkwood Browning ’54

Carolee Ann Prosise Taylor ’66

Nancy Dickerman Root Skinner ’54

Eve Brookie “Duch” Adams ’67

Barbara Joan “Bobbie” Scott Trenis ’54

Doris Inman Rives Campbell ’67

Patricia W. V. Seitz Hartel ’55

Patricia Shield Silsby Clohan ’67

Hettie Cohen Jones ’55

Mary McDowell Blanchard Harris ’67

Betty England Fox Mapp ’55

Patricia “Tricia” Ange Hart ’67

Margaret “Peggy” Mapp Nicolls ’55

Diane Finateri Keenan ’67

Mabel Virginia Fisher Ward ’56

Glennis Beverly Carr Neuhauser ’67

Patricia Whitmire Culberson ’57

Alyce Ann Talley Roberts ’67

Frances Helen Myers Martin ’57

Patricia “Patti” Eldridge Saldarini ’67

Myrna Elaine Dawson ’58

Betsy Lee Smith ’67

Meredith Eastwood Busby Frank ’58

Mary Somerville Jones Triplette ’67

Iris Rosenthal Goldin ’58

Rebecca “Suzy” Blankenship Capone ’68

Alicia Emily Borke Meyer ’58

Esther Bremner Gilman ’68

Inga Kuun Barrett ’59

Carolyn Lee Bogan Heitzman ’68

Mary Ellen Rose Fredman Downing ’59

Judith Shearer Eyster ’69

Sandra Taylor Fox ’59

Helen Jean Winfrey Gregory ’69

May Bennington Phillips Slago ’59

Coralee Wharton Howarth ’70

Cary Elizabeth Upshur Washington ’59

Susan Evans Opdycke ’70

Catherine Latil Ferguson ’60

Fredericka “Freddie” J. Hastings ’72

Kinsey Bass Green ’60

Patricia L. Cody ’75

Elizabeth A. Hill Heaney ’60

Dena Kay Caulkins ’76

Elizabeth “Betty” Frayser Kipps ’60

Ellen “Ellie” Regan ’77

Cathy A. Silverman ’90 Patricia Quinn Cloud ’92 David W. Beck ’93 Melissa Pullin Fields ’93 Horace C. Inniss ’94 David Martin Taylor ’94 Robert E. “Bob” Morgan ’96 Kristal Lane Murray Dean ’97 Damien Haussling ’97 Jessica Game Howell ’02 Omar Nathan Boucher ’03 Amy M. Cipolla ’03 Sandra Compton Reynolds ’05 Crystal A. Carnes ’09 Anita Lynn Perrow ’10 Nancy Kackley Berlin Dixie Stevens Burrus Browning Betty Simon Goldstein Roberta “Bobbi” Anne Holliday Ann Cook Howard Ann Elizabeth Moore Cynthia Louise Van Wirt O’Connor Ann Clopton Stone Nelson Mary Ann Elizabeth Neely Sinnett Joanne Vames Stamus Richard “Ric” Louis Stverak

Network MaryWash isn’t just for current students – it’s a powerful resource for alumni at every career stage, tapping into the professional expertise of 42,000+ Mary Washington graduates.

Ready to connect? Visit umw.edu/networkmarywash.

1119 Hanover Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

Save the date!

Please make plans to join us for Reunion Weekend, May 30June 1, 2025.

Visit alumni.umw.edu/ reunionweekend to learn more.

Mary Washington classes that end in 5 and 10!