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C L A S S Sandi Dennis ’08 sent a note and this photo from Africa to her business professor, Howard Feldman, and we quote a bit of her letter: “Much has happened on this continent these last ten months, from the Arab Spring, intense economic struggles, drought, and wars compelling people to leave home in order to survive. I was recently in northern Burundi, just within walking distance of the border with Tanzania. I was asked by a donor to check on a program that has been building homes and supporting education for the Batwa, the country's earliest inhabitants, representing less than 1 percent of the population. We also visited the community orphanages of Youth For Christ. One is located in Gitega, the center of Burundi, and the newer one is in Chibitoke on the eastern side near the border with the Congo. The primary school is open to the community and the students have done so well that there is now a waiting list to get in. “Builders without Borders just finished the first secondary school buildings. There is a community health clinic but it is not yet operational. They use solar power and a water filter system for drinking water. The orphans are placed into campus homes each in the care of a home mother. “My general observation is that Kenyans and Ugandans are benefiting from employment in the service sector, the Chinese are working hard on infrastructure and mining, while the Indians are bringing in quality technology products. The majority of the young educated Burundians I have spoken with seem determined to stay and develop their country. All in all my time in Africa has been challenging, humbling, and eye opening….”
N O T E S tor of the Fulcrum Foundation in Seattle.” To be married in June: Air Force Major Erich Kunrath and Dr. Mary Miller, a Santa Clara graduate; the poor lass, could she not find a Catholic university? Mary is a pediatrician at a community health clinic in Gladstone, Oregon, and Erich is a B-1 pilot flying missions over Afghanistan. Most interesting
souls, these two: Erich has taught at the Air Force Academy, where he also coached the ski team; Mary was a goalkeeper for the Broncos, spent two years of research with NASA, and has practiced in Eugene and Albuquerque. Our best wishes and prayers. We hear wonderful news from Deborah Vaughn recently, who writes: “January 9, 7:31 a.m., as the sun rose; 9 lb., 14 oz., 21 inches; 12 hours active labor, no complications. Emery Anne Vaughn, ‘Emmy’ born at home, nurses like a champ. All are exhausted, but well. While we want to run thru the streets showing off how beautiful she is, for now we sleep. Love to all from our new family of 5.” Congratulations Deb, by now you don’t need to be told to grab as much sleep as possible, whenever possible, wherever possible.
’02 HEY! I KNOW HER! Sean Chiles knows the identity of our winter 2011 mystery faculty member: “Jill Hoddick,” he writes, that and nothing more. Concise and to the point, our Sean.
’03 A TWO PERCENTER Brian Cahill has been selected for early promotion to the rank of major in the U.S. Army. This “below the zone” selection is limited to about the top two percent of Army officers. Congratulations, Brian!
’05 LIFE COACHING Jessica Heller writes: “I just wanted to let the UP community know that I’ve started my own life coaching business called Ignite Life Coaching. If you are someone who is looking to make a change in your life, if you’re feeling stuck, or just looking for a direction to choose, I would love to be a part in giving clarity to the situation. Just look up Ignite Life
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Coaching on Facebook and Twitter.” Kelsey Wingate writes: “I just received my UP magazine today and couldn’t wait to look through it! I’m almost positive that the mystery faculty member is Jill Hoddick. I graduated in 2005 from the theater department and have many fond memories of taking classes from Jill and being laced into a corset by her! Also, she taught me the parts of a sewing machine and how to paint my face to make me look old! She’s a treasure and must be looking forward to retirement. Thanks so much!” Yes, Kelsey, that’s Jill, and she is looking forward to the next chapter in her life, although she will miss her many friends, colleagues, and students here on The Bluff. Hopefully she’ll have time left over from her new pursuits to come visit.
’06 THEY’RE BOTH ADORABLE, AREN’T THEY? Caitlin Johnston Guante writes: “Just wanted to pass along a picture that I thought was classic, of Fr. Jim Lies and my newborn baby girl, Lilia Lisbet
Guante, born September 10, 2011. Maybe (nudge, nudge), you can print it in the next Portland Magazine? My cousins Fiona and Ailis Thornhill came over with Fr. Lies for this photo session.” Alicia Bolster writes: “I recently married Captain Jacob Debevec (Notre Dame ’05) and switched from Active Army to the Reserves (in which I am also a Captain) so that I could move to Edwards Air Force Base with my husband as he starts test pilot school and I work as a civilian labor and delivery nurse.”
’07 EMMA’S UPDATE We heard recently from Emma Benzar, who shared the following with Fr. Art Wheeler, C.S.C., who shared with us: “It has been a busy year, but I just wanted to say that I am thinking of you, and wanted to send a quick update. In June I graduated from medical school at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU). A couple