CLASS NOTES Many thanks to all who contacted me for this submission. Be on the lookout for e-mail regarding the 10-year reunion, and please send me your thoughts on what you would like to see planned for the reunion. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, as we enter 2010. God bless all who serve our nation overseas; we are always praying for you.
’02 Class of 2001: Jeff Kuehne at the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in Maine at the end of his hike. Kuehne completed the 2,178mile through-hike of the Appalachian Trail on Aug. 20, 2009. The journey from Georgia to Maine took him just under five and a half months. and his wife, Stacey, as they are expecting their first child on April 24, 2010. Tillman is flying for Comair, a Delta subsidiary, and Stacey is a nurse at Orlando’s Winnie Palmer Hospital. Jeff Kuehne completed a 2,178-mile throughhike of the Appalachian Trail on August 20, 2009. The journey from Georgia to Maine took him just under five and a half months. Jeff was posting pictures while on his hike onto Facebook and I have to admit Jeff looked like a true mountain man. Jeff’s hike went so well he even met his new girlfriend along the trail. While vacationing for 29 days in China, Ed Seager ’64 and his wife, Janice, encountered two of our BRs, Terry Li and his wife, Kendra Russell Li. Ed’s story of how they met went like this: “While we were in Beijing, we spent one day touring the Summer Palace. While on the grounds, Kendra recognized the VMI ball cap I was wearing and asked if I went to VMI. That surprising and unlikely encounter led to a pleasant few minutes, during which we made introductions and exchanged some information. Terry and Kendra were in China visiting Terry’s mother who lives there. Kendra indicated she is serving with the U.S. Air Force at the NATO base in Geilenkirchen, Germany. Terry served with the USMC and is now out of the service and working independently in Germany.” Ed and his wife were traveling with some family members and friends that included her aunt and uncle (who is almost 80 and a retired U.S. Navy aviator), and Mary Jo Jordan, the widow of one of Ed’s VMI roommates, Sam Jordan ’64, who passed away in 2006.
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the unique opportunity to support VMI in a manner that is reflective of our ethos as a class, and many future cadets will be able to receive financial support for an excellent college education that they may otherwise have difficulty achieving. I implore all of you to consider donating to this scholarship. In order to do so, you can send checks payable to the VMI Foundation with a note stating your desire to contribute to the Class of 2002 Memorial Scholarship Fund. You can also make a credit card gift online at the secure site, www.vmialumni.org/donate. In the comments block, just indicate your desire to contribute to the Class of 2002 Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks can also be mailed to The VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450. I will be sending more information in our end-of-the year letter. I want to specifically commend Reuben Trant, who came up with the idea for this scholarship and spent many, many hours putting together all the complicated documents and arrangements in order to make this scholarship a reality. Because of Reuben’s diligence and dedication, we now have the opportunity to honor the legacies of Luke, Chad and Matt and help future cadets who are in need of financial assistance. Thank you, Reuben! With respect to class notes, I have some updates for you all. Tim Brennan was married on Sept. 19, 2009, in Washington, DC, to the former Miss Hillary Brickey. In attendance from VMI ’02 were Jason Breeding, Andrew Harter, Nick Compher, Paul Murphy, Matt Mitchell and Dave DeBruyn. The happy couple resides in DC and spent their honeymoon in Aruba. Congrats to Tim and Hillary! We wish you the very best. Ray Girman, Ben Bowman and Scott Hunsberger met up at VMI on Ring Figure weekend this November. Ray had not visited the I in over eight years and was checking out all the new buildings and upgrades on Post. Scott and
Brother Rats: I hope that this edition of the Alumni Review finds you and yours doing well. It’s amazing how quickly the time seems to be flying by. I hope you had a happy holiday season, and I wish you a happy New Year! It is my distinct pleasure to announce the establishment of the VMI Class of 2002 Memorial Scholarship, in honor of three of our fallen Brother Rats, Capt. Luke Wullenwaber, USA; Mr. Chad Kenna and Mr. Matthew Serra. I have been contacted over the years by many ’02 BRs who have inquired as to how they can contribute to VMI, especially because of the complicated issues that occurred our first class year, which continues to be an area of concern for some members of our class. It is my opinion that this Memorial Scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to keep the Corps of Cadets supported forever. The purpose of this scholarship is to honor the memories of our deceased BRs, whose deaths were sudden, unexpected and tragic. In addition, the scholarship will provide financial assistance to deserving cadets at VMI. Priority consideration in the awarding of the scholarship will be given in the following order: 1. Children or grandchildren of deceased members of the VMI class of 2002. 2. Children or grandchildren of living members of the VMI class of 2002, and 3. Other current members of the VMI Corps of Cadets. Within the above priorities, financially needy candidates will take precedence over merit-based candidates in the choice of the recipients. Merit-based awards will be determined by the candidates’ overall qualifications to Class of 2002: Capt. Reuben Trant and Ashlyn Davis were married at J.M. Hall on Aug. 8, 2009. Attending the include academic standwedding were, from left, Jesse Wullenwaber ’03, Jeremy ing, demonstrated leadUssery (USMA), Keenan Entsminger, Brandon Lindsey, ership, community and/ Mike Davis ’77, the bride and groom, Chaplain James or military service, athPark (USMA ’72), Will Davis ’06, Tim Wofford, James letic ability, and promise. Howard, Jack Trant ’57, Tim Trant ’98, Tri Tang, Jackson It is my opinion that this Castleberry and John Trant. scholarship provides us
VMI ALUMNI REVIEW