1955

Barbara Heaps Rudolph, G’09
410-838-4778
blhrudolph@aol.com

What a wonderful weekend for a reunion!! The campus was in its Spring Glory ….trees, grass and flower beds all radiating the seasonal splendor. Our class of 1955 was small, but we were happy to reconnect and celebrate our love for Hood. Special thanks to the Alumni Office for their preparation of the festivities. Those in attendance were Jinny Parker Domhoff, Jeanne Schmidt Whitehair, Penny Probert Boorman, Barbara “Bobbie” Briggs-Letson, Jacke McCurdy, Art and Joan Lewis Lopatin, Lee and B.L. Heaps Rudolph and Marian Winquist Kinzinger’s husband Walter. Maggie Mitchell Kline, G’08 and Dick joined the group for dinner. Jeanne sends greetings from the West Virginia hills. She said, “While our group was small there was plenty of enthusiasm and time to catch up.” She and Jacke suggest that we might make plans to go sooner and to a restaurant in town. Be prepared to regroup in a few years. Jeanne was also impressed with how beautiful the campus looked. “Flowers were everywhere and the grounds were spotless.” She arrived Friday evening in time for the picnic. “The crab cakes were worth the effort and I did find time to visit the wood burning kiln and was pleased.” She said to ask Jinny about the high rise beds. Evidently, she solved the problem by pushing a bureau to the bed, climbed onto a chair and finally jumped into the bed. “Parachutes to descend would have been thoughtful. Did someone forget we were the class of 1955?” Never forget, Jeanne. They had a short memorial meeting for deceased classmates. Marian Winquist Kinzinger’s husband Walter spoke for Marian and was part of our group. He brought Marian’s ’55 blazer and gave it to Penny Boorman who wore it for pictures. Jinny Parker wrote, “It was great to see Bobbie, Jeanne , Jacke, Joan, Maggie and Penny and the brave men Art , Dick, Lee and Walter who all attended our 60th reunion.  Hats off to Walter Kinzinger who came without his dear wife Marian Winquist Kinzinger. As many of you know, Marian died two years ago . Walter brought all of Marian’s Hood mementos and generously gave them to all those in attendance. “My lasting memory will be climbing into the upper bunk bed in Room #100 of Shriner Hall. Many of the present day Hood students raise their bunks up several feet so they have storage underneath. After I turned out the ceiling light at night I groped my way across the room, climbed up on the desk chair, then stepped up on the bureau and flung myself into the bunk. Bobbie Briggs was smarter. She just hauled her mattress down and slept on the floor. Of course, smartest of all was Jacke McCurdy. She stayed at a motel!” Jacke said, “I was so glad I attended the reunion– 60 years is hard to believe. Though there were only eight, we were still small, but mighty. The Friday night BBQ was held at Brodbeck with the best of Maryland cooking …crab cakes, crab soup, southern fried chicken, and so on. We sat with President Volpe and the provost which gave us a look at what had been happening at Hood. President Volpe has done a beautiful job at Hood. He will be missed. Saturday we were introduced to the incoming President. She’ll have big shoes to fill. I wish her well. The lunch and dinner were both in the sports center. It was so good seeing those who came. Jinny is still in the best shape and is the high jump judge at College in her town while I have a three wheel bike with a motor–oh well.  Bobbie Briggs came from California, my roommate Joan Lewis Lopatin and her husband Art came from east coast of Florida, but the best was Jeanne driving her new Jeep from West Virginia. Penny came from New Jersey and is a friend of friends of mine in Florida, it’s a small world. Other members of our class should try to come next time. It’s worth the effort. Ididn’t mentioned strawberry breakfast as I’m sure I gained 5 pounds.” Joan Lewis Lopatin wrote, “It was wonderful seeing you and the other girls (including dear Walter). I would have loved to see more of the class attending. However, the luncheon and dinner were fine and the program and the Belmont was most enjoyable. If all goes well, I look forward to the 65th. Stay well.” Barbara Briggs-Letson wrote a poem about reunion. She said, “It was a good time and I am glad we connected a tiny bit.” Here is her poem:

Is it an accumulation of memories
or now’s aloneness of life
which we celebrate?

Having so many years pile up
tumble out
in words wrapped in force and joy.

Voluminous tales said round and round
in strident volume
so aging ears
can catch and savor the richness of our hours
and honor them.

Or the excitement of being with friends
women who have stretched and grown
for more than the eighty years
of a past.

We weave stories and remember.

We admire shards of how were formed
together
yet apart
voices sent into memory.

A time of bittersweet.

I swallow tears and smile
quite sure that we eight will not be together again
in this way.

Alison E. Kelley
410-707-7983
aekelley06@gmail.com

This year, the Class of 2010 celebrated their 5th year reunion! Everyone in attendance had a great time reconnecting with classmates and attending the many fun activities that were offered! Here are updates from our class. In mid-June, Emily Heflin will be relocating to Atlanta, Ga., with her husband. They are excited for this new adventure in their lives! Stephanie Gardner recently got engaged and moved to Lancaster, Pa., where she is teaching Pre-K. She is busy planning her wedding which will be on New Year’s Eve! For the past three years, Kenny Smith, Jr., has been working as a technician for a lab. He still lives in New Jersey where he is very involved with his church and has become one of the deacons. On March 17, Ali Kelley got engaged to Harrison Bliss ’11. They are planning a wedding for September 2016!

Leslie Beck Hughan
410-303-2208
lhughan@gmail.com

This summer the class of 2005 celebrated our 10-year reunion. Holy cow, how has it been 10 years since we graduated? For those of you who couldn’t join us for this reunion, I’ll sum up the weekend in one word: amazing. We were able to tour the campus to see what is exactly the same and what has changed since we graduated. I’m ashamed to admit this, but I forgot just how breath-takingly beautiful the campus is in person. Since we graduated, there is a new fountain outside Hodson; new sidewalks; a new athletic building named after honorary class of 2015 member Ronald J. Volpe; carpeted floors throughout Smith and Memorial; and residential rooms on the ground floor in Meyran. While it was really strange to see some of these changes, the college still looks and feels like Hood did when we were students. Aside from the nostalgia of reunion and being on campus again, it was so much fun to be reunited with classmates. There was a lot of hugging, laughing, storytelling and picture taking. Additionally, a lot of new Hood memories were made this weekend at the dinners, in Shriner, in Whitaker and during the scheduled activities. I could go on forever about how wonderful reunion was, but then there wouldn’t be room for the wonderful news below from our fellow classmates. I’ll wrap up my recap with these two thoughts and a challenge. Classmates who weren’t here with us this year, you were missed and we hope to see you at the 15-year reunion in 2020. I mentioned there was a lot of photo taking and failed to mention some of it was by a professional. Visit Hood.edu/Reunion and click the link on the left for the photo gallery. Lastly, before I turn it over to news, with 30 people attending the 10-year reunion, let’s all commit to attending our 50-year reunion in 2055. Now the news: In April, Jocelyn Berte Dunnavant started a new job at Sara June Salon in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can check out her bio at SaraJuneBrooklyn.com. Kimberly Beach Jenkins moved to Riva, Md., with her husband Mark and children Shelby and Hunter. She also started a new job at Seven Management Companies as their human resources manager. Cassie Dukes and husband John Tagliamburis welcomed a baby girl Madlyn Hope Tagliamburis on Nov. 19, 2014. She was born at Carroll Hospital Center at 3:37 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches long. Jordana Francis Chettiparampil gave birth to a second daughter Rose Chettiparampil on Feb. 20, 2015. Rose was welcomed by big sister Angela and proud father Joe. Jessica Holthaus Badour was accepted into the International Food Protection Training Institute’s Fellowship in September. The year-long program provides food protection professionals with knowledge, skills and abilities to work effectively within the framework of food regulatory science, law and policy, including a series of seminars over three week-long sessions in addition to a research project. Her project examines state food safety agencies’ use of social media to communicate with stakeholders by surveying existing practices, in order to determine the effectiveness of social media as a communications tool during recalls and other food safety events. She will present the findings from the research project in June at the annual Association of Food and Drug Officials conference in Indianapolis. Tammy McElroy McNish earned a Master of Sports Leadership from Northeastern Univ. in May. She is still living in Charlotte, N.C., and would love to catch up with any classmates traveling through the area. Andrew Noll, a physician assistant, left MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center after four and a half years to start a new job at Patient First in Owings Mills, Md. Caroline Pandorf started a dog walking and pet care business, Spoiled Pawz, for upper Montgomery County, Md., eight years ago. Recently, she became certified in dog training and obedience training. You can check out her business at SpoiledPawzOfMontCo.net. In addition to her growing business, Caroline stays busy keeping healthy and fit, working out at the gym five times a week. She lost 75 pounds since our graduation and this May finished her second 5K obstacle course, beating her first 5K time by 20 minutes. She hopes to enter 8K and 10K events in the future. Sarah Robinson Rathbun is expecting her third daughter in late July. The new baby has been lovingly nicknamed Short Cupcake by big sister Lydia. The Rathbuns also moved from San Francisco to suburban Castro Valley, Ca., in October.

Allison Horne
610-429-3202
auntieal@verizon.net

Hello classmates….long time, no hear. I hoped to see many of you at our 35th reunion in June!  I have been very remiss in getting reminders out to all of you over the last 18 months so you could send me updates, but I received some in the last week that I wanted to share. Susan Patton Fox and her husband Bob relocated to Northern Virginia in 2007. She sold her law practice in Connecticut and ‘career-switched’ to teaching middle school social studies and language arts. Their oldest daughter Ashley received her master’s degree in theology and catechetics at Franciscan Univ., of Steubenville, Ohio and is now working as a DRE (director of religious education) at Our Lady of Angels in Woodbridge, Va. She and Susan write a blog together: Hopeinlove.org. Their son graduated from Longwood Univ., in Virginia three-years-ago, received his accounting certificate and tried his hand as a professional golfer in Florida, before deciding to go for the young life as a CPA in Manhattan while he was still single. Their daughter Katharine graduated from Franciscan two-years-ago and has been working as a neonatal intensive care nurse at National Children’s hospital in DC. She married Jonathan Boulos last June and was expecting Susan’s first grandchild Lucy in late May! Their youngest Maryjacqueline is due to graduate from Franciscan this year as an elementary education teacher. Susan said they are all incredibly grateful for God’s blessings. Jen Goerk Lyden wrote that last fall, three of her photos were selected for a group show entitled “Five Artists,” at Heaven Gallery in Asbury Park, N.J. One of the pieces sold to a local collector and the curator was her Jr. High art teacher in Ridgewood, N.J.  Diane Cain Proctor has a new job as reading specialist and started her own private tutoring business. She uses the Orton-Gillingham approach to tutor dyslexic students in every grade, K-12. Her three daughters are all on their own now: Alison is 27 and finished a year in the Peace Corps in Namibia and then worked in New Delhi, India for her internship. She finished her master’s degree in May 2014 in intercultural service, leadership and management from SIT, Brattleboro, Vt. Middle daughter Sarah just turned 26, finished her Master’s degree in clinical psychology and lives in Valdosta, Ga., with her husband Andrew who is in the U.S. Air Force. Sarah is now working as a case manager at an out-patient psychiatric hospital. She does psycho-educational/skill building groups, assessments, discharge planning and chart audits. Her youngest daughter Andrea, age 23, just finished college at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y. She loved this college! She majored in psychology and art and would like to explore art therapy options in the future. Diane lives in Massachusetts and has been taking care of her elderly parents, both 83. She has taken up gardening, knitting, crocheting, walking and spending lots of time with family and friends in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Valerie Cerrone Nelson passed on the news that her daughter (Alexandra, age 26) got married in September to Christopher Mann! It was a lovely party and they were thrilled to have Cathyann McCann Ray and Judy Reamer Egan ’81 with them for the event! She really enjoys her new career as a midwife and the practice at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. She said, “Catching babies is wonderful and I love working in women’s health!” Deborah Sheetenhelm Hammond reported that she retired from local government in March 2014 and since that time has published two novels: In the Eye of the Storm and The Big Sky. Both are available through amazon.com, so check them out! She has a third novel, called The English Rose that is available now and has five additional books in development. Jennifer Reinbrecht is a massage therapist in Denver, Colo. After Hood, she headed west for the Mountains, following Carl Kline, Hood’s interdenominational minister, to South Dakota for peace and justice work. She met her husband, became a graduate teaching assistant and earned her master’s degree in Sociology while waiting for her husband to graduate. They have been in Denver for 30+ years, having enjoyed hiking, backpacking, white water rafting in the past and now enjoy road trips, day hikes, gardening and exploring whether and they can afford to retire. They are active Airbnb hosts and have met wonderful people from all over the world.  As for me, I have been with Marsh USA for over 22 years, working in Philadelphia as the finance manager for the Mid-Atlantic offices. I live in an old, historic house in West Chester and love spending time with my family and friends, especially on the Eastern Shore of Maryland or at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Mary Newton Deighan wrote, “Since graduating from Hood in 1980 my life has been filled with raising a family. In the years after our marriage in 1982, my husband Mike and I welcomed nine children into our lives: five daughters and four sons. We learned the art of tag-team parenting and homeschooling, bringing dance, theatre and sports into our lives as well. We’re not quite empty nesters yet as half of the children are still at home, but we’re getting there! Our children have been finding their talents and paths in the world: Justin (age 28) received his bachelor of science degree in physics from the College of William & Mary in 2007 and went on to receive his Ph.D. in engineering physics from the Univ. of Virginia in 2012. He lives with his young family in Boulder, Colo., where he works on the MAVEN mission to Mars at the Univ. of Colorado. Mikaela (age 26) graduated from Christendom College in 2010 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. She is currently studying the art of Chado (Japanese Tea) at the Midorikai School in Kyoto, Japan. Kathleen (age 24) graduated from Christendom College in 2013 with a bachelor of arts degree in History and is a 2nd grade teacher at St. William of   York in Stafford, Va. Sean (age 22) graduated from Christendom College in 2014 with a Bachelor of arts degree in political science and economics and has found work in the world of retail sales. Madeleine (age 20) is a junior at Christendom College, majoring in political science and economics; she is looking at a 2016 graduation. Veronica (age 18) is graduating from Piedmont Virginia Community College in May 2015 with an associate’s degree and plans to transfer to a four year college. Colin (age 16) is a sophomore in high school and is the first of our children to attend public school doing so in order to participate in team sports. Our daughter Erin (age 14) and son Padraic (age 10) are homeschooled in the 8th and 5th grades respectively and are keeping us young and on our toes! My education and experiences at Hood followed me into my life. I used my German and communication majors to work for German subsidiaries for 10 years and for the past 22 years have been a part-time bookkeeper for a software development company. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Hood theatre and still keep my hand in that creative art by costuming local community theatre productions.”

Deborah Page Rath
530-891-4975
drath@nhhicks.com

Can you believe it has been 40 years since we graduated?  Our 40th reunion weekend was enjoyed by all and here are some of their experiences. Ann Thomas Phillips shared how great it was to see familiar faces from 40 years ago, especially Rachael Nisley Mock, P’01 and Pam Balch Ewell who she had not seen in decades. She said it was great to talk with classmates even those she did not know well while at Hood. She’s looking forward to our 45th and hopes that more classmates will come back and share their old memories and make some new ones. Priscilla Munkenbeck Cherrin had a fabulous, fun filled time. She said the campus and surroundings look magnificent and the hospitality was endless. She is convinced that Hood’s campus is the fountain of youth. “The food was terrific and tasty. They did a wonderful job. President Volpe was as cheerful and pleasant as always and will be missed by all. The best of all was seeing our classmates. Everyone looks great and as friendly as ever. So happy we all attended and will continue to be friends. Thank you all.” Marcia Ritter Doiron said, “the reunion was great; cannot believe it was 40 years! Lisa Oller Kennedy traveled from Texas, Ann Shackelford Silva from Maine, me from Massachusetts, Lynda Strasser Brooks from North Carolina, Fran Vogler Groves and Ellen Bosek McMahon from North Jersey and Cill Munkenbeck Cherrin and Laura Lee Hickman from Delaware…that’s the Memorial Gang! Pam Balch Ewell traveled from Germany! It was fun for all, food was great and the campus looks beautiful!!” Ellen Bosek McMahon added that “Saturday’s luncheon was very special and the speakers and tribute to Dr. Volpe was memorable. I’m so glad to have been there. Reconnecting with everyone was such fun.” It was definitely a great reunion from Laura Lee Hickman. “The campus was beautiful and food delicious…especially the Maryland picnic on Friday night. It was so nice to re-connect with the gang of Meyranites as well as Cherilyn Widell. We all had a blast at Shriner dorm both nights with gatherings that went late into the evening! We are looking forward to the next!” I personally want to thank everyone who donated during our 40th reunion year. The class of 1975 reached and exceeded our 40% participation goal with 41.54% making a gift to the college. The total amount donated from our class was the highest ever at $15,456. Although I was unable to attend this reunion, I hope to see everyone at our next reunion. Have a wonderful and safe summer! Debbie Page Rath

Karin Ninesling Infuso
910-400-5137
kinfuso@aol.com

Approximately 30 members of the Class of 1970 attended Hood Reunion 2015. Despite clouds on Friday, the weather was warm and breezy. The campus was flower-filled and beautiful, and the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center, where meals were served, was attractive and air-conditioned.  Hood Alumnae staff provided amenities such as table settings, servers, golf carts and bus transportation which helped everyone have a comfortable time. Marj Menchey Bernstein hosted a Seven-0-A-Go Go cocktail party on Friday night in her beautiful new home where we reconnected over wine and appetizers. During the Saturday luncheon, Margaret “Peggy” Muncie received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Her classmates applauded her inspiring remarks and sang the traditional Hood tribute “To Peggy.” President Volpe was surprised with a Distinguished Alumni Award and his response was emotional and touching. The dinner on Saturday night was notable for an excellent menu of filet mignon and glazed sea bass, an open bar and a musical combo that played during the evening. Strawberry Breakfast on Sunday included the traditional berry, cornflakes and ice cream menu as well as eggs, waffles, sausage, potatoes, fruit and pastries. As we finished breakfast and departed for Chapel Service or the journey home, we agreed that Reunion 2015 was the best reunion yet, and we hoped that more of our classmates would attend our 50th reunion in 2020. Various classmates offered personal comments about the weekend. Space restriction limits this content, but please read the complete column on the Hood website. Linda Allan, M.S. ’78 remembered classmates who have died and celebrated those in attendance. She is already thinking about our 50th reunion gift. Linda Ayers was glad to see classmates and loved visiting the campus which is “more beautiful than ever.” Ada Karen Blair appreciated the chance to see classmates again and noticed Hood’s attention to details that made the weekend so memorable. She enjoyed the Saturday morning coffee with comments by President Volpe and President-elect Chapdelaine. Marie Oliver Brackbill attended the functions with long-time friend Ellen Sands Smith. Jeanne Bryant Wyland attended the events and made us smile wearing her Hood blazer on Friday. Sandy Doucett Greenberg had a “terrific time” at the reunion with friends Nancy Schneider Alder and Vickie Smith Diaz. Sandra White Harper has not visited Hood in a long time but has “fond memories” of her time there and stated the campus is “beautiful.” Marty Hassell played and sang with us at Strawberry Breakfast and hopes to see us again next reunion. Linda Kramer Evans said the campus is “more beautiful” than it was 45-years-ago and was “delighted” to attend the reunion with her former roommate Susan Spiro. Ann Lefko Heslin, pleased that Hood is doing “fantastically well,” wishes all classmates would visit the campus. Myra Holsinger, our class agent, offered information about our 50th reunion gift.  She was glad to see classmates, especially Elaine Hubert.  Elaine called the reunion a “wonderful chance to touch base with old friends and get to know some classmates better.” Marj Menchey Bernstein, a gracious hostess on Friday night only four weeks after she moved into her new home, declared Reunion 2015 was “GREAT!”  Karin Ninesling Infuso wished she had more time to explore the new areas of the campus and enjoyed connecting with people she did not know well 45-years-ago. Anne Parkin Pierpont rekindled friendships and made new ones and was proud that Hood honored Peggy Muncie, “a wonderful role model” for all of us. Barbara Pepi Danella enjoyed interacting with classmates at the events. Mary Rife James commented on the memories that “came flooding back” of her “extraordinary experience” at Hood. She is “eternally grateful” for the career that Hood afforded her. Mary “Sam” Ryan Reeves shared her thoughts about the out-going and in-coming presidents and stated our reunion was an “awesome” weekend.  Ellen Sands Smith commented on the wonderful “camaraderie” of the classmates who forged new friendships during the “terrific weekend.” Nancy Schneider Alder missed being in Coblenz Dining Room, but thought the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center was a nice venue. She is glad that Coffman Chapel and the Onica Prall Child Development Lab are still the same. Vickie Smith Diaz enjoyed a “wonderful visit” that included walking around the “lovely campus” with friends. As the weekend progressed, classmates talked about absent classmates who attended reunions in the past as well as classmates not seen in many years. All attendees hope to see many members of the Class of 1970 at our 50th reunion in 2020.  

Marcie Kendall Gibboney
801-583-2434
mkgibboney@gmail.com

Hope this finds everyone enjoying summer! It was great to hear from a bunch of classmates especially those who were willing to share how they spent their BIG 5-0. In true Hood fashion, there was a lot of celebrating!! Beth Hawkins Perry, Scarlett Kinley, Lori Haugen Maze, Cathy Gillespie Hopper, Mary Beth Hession Blow ’88 and Jaime Boyce Lacey ’90 had a “mini-reunion” in Baltimore in March. It was decided that as they passed and approached the big 5-0, they were all looking remarkably similar to their Hood Days! Lucy Noepel was unable to make the trip from snowy New Hampshire since she was moving to a new home. Lucy celebrated her 50th with friends and also mentioned a trip to visit Scarlett in February. In April, she took a trip with her mom to Hood and they visited with Lori Haugen Maze. Maria Viola-Cable celebrated in April with a trip to Paris with her husband! One of the highlights of her trip was having champagne and dinner with fellow Hoodlum, Kay Nicholas Guillot. They hadn’t seen each other in 26 years, but it was as if no time had passed–Hood friendships last a lifetime! She added that the weather in Paris was fabulous and the trip was magical. 50 is off to a great start! Lynn Herzog Parker hit a few milestones this year so far–not only celebrating her 5-0 but also 26 years of marriage with her husband Bob. Her son Grant also just finished his first year of college at UVA. Robin Samuelman Kalfaian’s daughter Kate (age 21), graduated from Champlain College in Burlington, Vt., this spring. She is moving to Brooklyn, N.Y., to be a 3rd grade teacher. Her younger daughter Annie (age 19) just completed her sophomore year at James Madison Univ., in Virginia where she is studying speech and language pathology and communication disorders. They are spending time at home before heading off to Europe. Robin noted that she gets together with Lisa Edwards, Audrey MacDonald Wilcox ’86, Gretchen Miller-Anderson ’86, Lisa O’Brien ’86 and Deb Daly McClelland ’86 as much as they can! It was great to hear from Cindy Bull Zeller, P’17. She has a daughter Emily Zeller ’17 who is a rising junior at Hood pursuing a degree in English secondary education. Her daughter Julianne was born two days after the last reunion that I attended and will be a freshman at Towson Univ., in the fall. Her husband John is a retired Maryland State Trooper currently working as an investigator for the Maryland Lottery. Cindy has had a long and winding career in biomedical and forensic science leading to her favorite career so far, an associate professor at Towson Univ., where she’s taught Forensic DNA Analysis to both undergraduate and graduate students for the last 10 years. She was honored to receive the University System of Maryland Board of Regents Award for Teaching in 2013, an honor for which she can thank her professors at Hood who inspired her and became her role models whether they realized it or not. Happy 50th to everyone reaching that milestone this year…I think we all can agree that 50 really is the new 40! Thanks to everyone who sent an email with an update!  And, remember, you can send news anytime and I’ll update the blog. In the meantime, it is great to keep in touch with everyone on Facebook and hope to hear from you all soon!

Deborah Page Rath
530-891-4975
drath@nhhicks.com

Can you believe it has been 40 years since we graduated?  Our 40th reunion weekend was enjoyed by all and here are some of their experiences. Ann Thomas Phillips shared how great it was to see familiar faces from 40 years ago, especially Rachael Nisley Mock, P’01 and Pam Balch Ewell who she had not seen in decades. She said it was great to talk with classmates even those she did not know well while at Hood. She’s looking forward to our 45th and hopes that more classmates will come back and share their old memories and make some new ones. Priscilla Munkenbeck Cherrin had a fabulous, fun filled time. She said the campus and surroundings look magnificent and the hospitality was endless. She is convinced that Hood’s campus is the fountain of youth. “The food was terrific and tasty. They did a wonderful job. President Volpe was as cheerful and pleasant as always and will be missed by all. The best of all was seeing our classmates. Everyone looks great and as friendly as ever. So happy we all attended and will continue to be friends. Thank you all.” Marcia Ritter Doiron said, “the reunion was great; cannot believe it was 40 years! Lisa Oller Kennedy traveled from Texas, Ann Shackelford Silva from Maine, me from Massachusetts, Lynda Strasser Brooks from North Carolina, Fran Vogler Groves and Ellen Bosek McMahon from North Jersey and Cill Munkenbeck Cherrin and Laura Lee Hickman from Delaware…that’s the Memorial Gang! Pam Balch Ewell traveled from Germany! It was fun for all, food was great and the campus looks beautiful!!” Ellen Bosek McMahon added that “Saturday’s luncheon was very special and the speakers and tribute to Dr. Volpe was memorable. I’m so glad to have been there. Reconnecting with everyone was such fun.” It was definitely a great reunion from Laura Lee Hickman. “The campus was beautiful and food delicious…especially the Maryland picnic on Friday night. It was so nice to re-connect with the gang of Meyranites as well as Cherilyn Widell. We all had a blast at Shriner dorm both nights with gatherings that went late into the evening! We are looking forward to the next!” I personally want to thank everyone who donated during our 40th reunion year. The class of 1975 reached and exceeded our 40% participation goal with 41.54% making a gift to the college. The total amount donated from our class was the highest ever at $15,456. Although I was unable to attend this reunion, I hope to see everyone at our next reunion. Have a wonderful and safe summer! Debbie Page Rath

Melissa Barrick Estes
301-974-5981
melissadestes@gmail.com

I’m happy to share that the Class of 2007 has been blessed with success, love and sweet new babies! Amelia Cotter and Jonathan Montgomery Pollack were engaged on May 8, 2015. Laura Duncan, M.B.A.’09 is happy to report that she will be teaching the legal environment of business as an adjunct professor at Hood starting with this year’s Summer II session. Rebecca Dupont obtained a graduate degree in museum studies from Johns Hopkins Univ. on May 22, 2015. Amber Guzman, M.A.’08 obtained her second master of arts degree in clinical psychology in 2010, graduated with her Psy.D., in clinical psychology in July 2013 and was licensed as a clinical psychologist in August 2014. She currently works at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VAMC, where she is the clinical psychologist in the Geriatric Extended Care Service Line. She continues to use her master’s degree in Thanatology from Hood in this capacity. Nicole Hoff graduated with her Ph.D. in epidemiology from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in December 2014. She has been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for almost four years during school. She now works for UCLA and is still based in DRC running a research program. Heather Holder Kuriga and her husband welcomed a daughter, Michelle, on March 12, 2015. Adrienne Lawrence is the new senior editor and writer for Federal Occupational Health with the federal government. She will lead a team to overhaul the organization’s voice and looks forward to her move to Bethesda, Md. Charis Loomer Beavers, M.S.’13 married James Beavers on July 4, 2014 and welcomed a baby girl, Raegan Carroll Beavers, on October 21, 2014. Janelle McKelvey Hughes is married to Leland Hughes and is working at the National Institute of Health in Baltimore. Natalie McVeigh received certificates in Family Business Advising (CFBA) and Family Wealth Advising (CFWA) from the Family Firm Institute (FFI).  She is also the owner of a start-up, internet based resource for family businesses called Family Owned Business Resources. She is also recently engaged to the love of her life, Jessica Carsten. Erin Folden Neuland and her husband, Andre, welcomed a daughter, Grace Amelia, on March 20, 2015. Jade Brew obtained a masters of science degree in accountancy from the Univ. of Phoenix in 2011. Shannon Williams recently completed a two-year fellowship program through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and earned a LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at the European Univ. Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. She also got married on Feb. 14, 2015, and recently bought a townhouse in Silver Spring, Md. Chantel Wilson will have an additional degree conferred on May 15: Ph.D. in crop and soil environmental sciences from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ. Congratulations to the Class of 2007!

Chanda Gilmore
chandagilmore@gmail.com

Michelle B. Donati-Grayman
602-373-8656
mdonati@arizona.aaa.com

It has been a busy year for the class of 2004 with many births and job opportunities. Erin Bernard married Ralph Rogers on August 31. One of the five people in attendance was Victoria Campbell Locane, M.A.’09, C’05, who officiated the ceremony. The couple welcomed son Rex Jameson Rogers on Dec. 9, 2014 and currently reside in Providence, R.I.  Congratulations to Sally Downing Taylor and her husband Iain and little sister Kaitlynd Rose on the birth of Jonathan Taylor on August 13, 2014. Congratulations also to Michelle Donati-Grayman and her wife on the birth of their twin boys, Moses and Elias, in September 2014.  Michelle was recently promoted to communication manager at AAA Arizona and received the 2014 Volunteer of the Year award from the 161^st Air Refueling Wing. Jessica Lertora married Jason Sweeney on April 12, 2013 in Pasadena, Md., and welcomed son Blake Silas Sweeney on January 10. Jessica was also promoted to lead counselor of the Taghi Modarressi Center for Infant Study: Secure Starts Program at the Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore where she has worked for the last nine years. Thomas Dasch, Jr. was promoted to Clinical Administrator at the Frederick Institute where he has worked for 10 years. Thomas also became an entrepreneur and started his own organic beard oil business, National Beard Company. Thomas and Melissa Janovic Dasch, M.A.’10 had their second child, Emit Thomas Dasch, on April 4, 2014 and are expecting their third child, a boy, September 2015. Chanda Gilmore welcomed her third daughter, Shelia Elizabeth Nandi Faith, on January 1, 2015 with her life partner, Arthur Kirksey. The couple recently purchased their first home in Delaware where Chanda is a doctoral candidate at Wilmington Univ. Sandra Delaney, M.B.A.’13 and fiancé Richard Horn will get married on June 5, 2015. Their daughter Chloe will turn 3 on May 26, 2015. Sarrah Kiermayr Yoder and husband Joel welcomed Noah Eron Yoder on April 19, 2015. Noah joins big sister Micah in the Yoder home. Wendy Cochran Taylor has worked as food control program manager at the Frederick County Health Department since 2011. Sara Lewis was recently honored for outstanding achievements in public policy by PLEN (Public Leadership Educational Network) at its 35th Anniversary Celebration.