Class of 1987

I hope you had a nice summer! Some happy news to share: Karen Griffith Gryga and Mark Sweeney ’86 became engaged in May. They are living in Annapolis, Maryland, and spend a lot of time on the water.

Sharon Meyers Levine and her husband, Ken, moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, last spring and are really enjoying their new home, and have connected with the local William & Mary alumni community in the area. Both of their daughters are W&M graduates. Their younger daughter, Amelia Levine ’24, graduated in May and worked as an EMT this summer to prepare for physician assistant school. Their older daughter, Ainsley Levine ’20, was accepted into the Ph.D. program in marine biology and coastal ecology at Texas A&M University at Galveston. 

I hope to catch up with many of you at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend! 

I am writing this in late February and the weather is slowly starting to get warmer here and there. Matt and I are heading down to the ’Burg (we are there almost once a month, it seems) for a weekend of games and will be cheering on Tribe Baseball, Tribe Women’s Soccer (spring season) and Tribe Basketball. We were down earlier in February for the W&M Gold Rush weekend, which is timed alongside Charter Day and W&M Athletics’ Lord Botetourt Affair. The Gold Rush game also serves as a reunion weekend for basketball alumni, who were honored at halftime of the men’s game. Some familiar faces in the crowds for the fun weekend were Dave Fiscella ’61 and Judy Trimm Fiscella ’62, Mark Batzel ’88, Emily Powell Boddy ’88 and Mark Boddy, Drew Gilfillan, Lee Norris Barnes and Billy Barnes ’82, Marsha Fishburne Lycan, Ken Tyler ’87, M.A.Ed. ’89, Julie Shackford Cunningham ’88 and David Bond.  

Tim Carroll has been named to the Board of Trustees of the William & Mary Foundation. Having spent many years in the tech industry, he is currently with Microsoft Azure as the lead of their Weather & Climate portfolio. (The W&M Foundation raises private funds to help support students, faculty and other priorities of the university.) Tim is supportive of many aspects of W&M, including its Global Research Institute, Tribe Women’s Soccer and the Tribe’s Club Men’s Lacrosse program. You may remember that Tim was part of a talented group of freshmen that had been recruited to play men’s lacrosse at W&M, not knowing that the 1984 season would be the team’s final year as a Division I team. Despite that disappointment, they stayed at W&M and, alongside upperclassmen, transformed into a strong club team and forged lifelong friendships. Tim, Rigg Mohler and other former players were featured in an online exclusive article in the W&M Alumni Magazine last summer detailing their loyalty to the Tribe players in the program today, their recognition of Coach Bill Devine J.D. ’86, and their commitment to each other. Tim is a dad to twins and has also spent years coaching lacrosse in Maryland. 

After more than 30 years as an educator, Matt Deluca ’87, M.S. ’96 continues to inspire and share his love for theater arts. Following several years after college acting and directing, Matt became an educator after earning a master’s degree in education. Initially teaching in an elementary school setting, he moved on to middle school, where he was a dean specializing in math and science education, but also was pivotal in reviving the theater and dramatic arts program. An article on the district’s website states that the theater arts program participants grew to almost five times its size. In the Mineola Union Free School District in New York, he manages and directs four major musical productions a year at the high school and middle school levels. He not only manages scores of students in the cast, but also the student-run crews, parent volunteers and community supporters. Matt has previously been nominated for the Tony Awards’ Excellence in Theatre Education Award which, according to its website, is an award that “recognizes a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession.” He just directed his 52nd musical (“Seussical”), overseeing 195 cast and crew! (As a retired first grade teacher whose largest class was 29 children, I am exhausted just writing about this!) I was in touch with him in February as he was enjoying some well-earned R&R at the beach before his next show (“Young Frankenstein”) was to premiere in just five weeks. I have been lucky enough to see one of his productions a few years and it really felt like we were at a Broadway show. 

I hope all of you are doing well. I look forward to seeing you at Homecoming Weekend 2024, which is Oct. 17-20.

It’s been three days since Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2023 and I am already looking forward to next year! The weather was perfect, the football game a sell-out, and campus was packed. Almost 40 years after becoming a band, N’est Pas (Art Schmalz ’88, Chip Puskar (aka Charles Esten), Chris Neikirk ’88, Clem Cheng ’86, Dennis Whelan, John Hendrickson ’88) outdid themselves again, rocking a packed tent for the second straight year at the Saturday Night Bash in the Sunken Garden. They had reunited in Nashville ahead of Homecoming for rehearsal and some recording. You can find N’est Pas’ newly released single “Down Memory Lane” on Spotify and other platforms.

Chip still holds the Guiness World Record for the most consecutive singles released (54 in 54 weeks) and is happy to announce that his album of new music, “Love Ain’t Pretty,” drops on Jan. 26, 2024. It’s the culmination of a musical career that started on campus alongside N’est Pas, and he and Patty Hanson Puskar are excited to share it with the world. You can find information at charlesesten.com.

Tim Carroll, head of Microsoft’s Climate Portfolio, was part of a panel with President Katherine Rowe and members of W&M’s faculty at W&M Weekend in San Francisco June 1-4, discussing data revolution and ways to tackle global environmental changes. Read more about his work in the winter 2023 W&M Alumni Magazine.

Jackie Genovese is the executive director of Stanford University’s Medicine & the Muse program in the School of Medicine’s Biomedical Ethics department. Her program gives medical students, physicians and patients opportunities to engage in classes combining literature, writing, the arts and medicine. She was a recent recipient of the 2023 Amy J. Blue Award which “honors faculty and staff for exceptional contributions to the university.” Details are online in the May 15, 2023, edition of the Stanford Report at Stanford University.

Laurie Grant Nichols and her husband live in Atlanta where she is a nonprofit fundraising consultant. Laurie and her daughter visited Laurie’s father, Denys Grant ’58, in Richmond, Virginia. They took a day trip to Williamsburg and marveled at the changes on campus and even took a photo in front of our old freshman dorm, Spotswood Hall. Laurie stays in touch with old friends Coakley Steiner Brown ’88, Jack Miller ’86, Jack Langan ’86 and Matt DeLuca ’87, M.S. ’96. Laurie attended a virtual special memorial service held by W&M Thetas in honor of Lisa Krizan Anderegg ’85, who passed away in July. Lisa was VP of W&M’s chapter and Laurie’s big sister. Many Thetas from ’87 took part, including Melinda Speer Miller, Anne Marie Belair Pace, Jessica Jones, Kathleen Moriarty Mueller and Ginger Stair Garvey.

Kenny Tyler ’87, M.A.Ed. ’89 is VP for athletics at Barton College. The Wilson Times reported that Ken “will oversee 25 NCAA-sponsored intercollegiate programs at Barton as well as two non-sponsored intercollegiate teams involving 700 student athletes.” Ken has been involved in teaching, coaching and athletic administration since graduating from W&M.

George Coundouriotis is founder and president of Zambawango Desserts and Coffee. The bakery in Shady Springs, Georgia (Atlanta area), just celebrated its fifth anniversary. George describes it as the first low-carb/gluten-free gourmet bakery in the country. Talented Executive Pastry Chef Kathleen McDaniel even went on the Food Network and won a competition versus well-known chef Bobby Flay. The low-carb goodies ship nationwide (zambawango.com).

I am sad to write that our friend Kathleen McCarthy Sober passed away in June. At W&M, Kathleen was a business management major, an overall amazing person and a defender on the Tribe Women’s Soccer team. She and her husband, Harry, lived in Alexandria, Virginia, where she had a successful career working at Planning Research Corporation (PRC), Unisys and with E3 Federal Systems. Five years ago, Kathleen and her partner established their government contracting company called Hive Group, of which she was CEO. The Hive Group established the Kathleen McCarthy Sober Women’s Soccer Scholarship Endowment supporting the William & Mary’s Women’s Soccer program, as per Kathleen’s wishes. Friends can send donations in honor of Kathleen to W&M Athletics or at give.wm.edu (fund 5314). Her family and friends gathered to remember, honor and celebrate Kathleen’s life in August.

Congratulations to Tracy Mancini, who was named president of Carteret Community College in Morehead City, North Carolina, in 2020 after previously serving in a role there as vice president of instruction and student support. Prior to her time at Carteret, Tracy spent 17 years as an instructor, department chair and dean at Durham Technical Community College. Tracy holds master’s degrees from both Duke University and the University of North Florida, and a doctorate in community college executive leadership from Wingate University. In April, the college’s board approved a salary increase and performance bonus, noting her “excellent communication skills, her collaborative yet decisive management style, her work ethic, her long-range planning and her positive relationships with our community partners,” as reported by The Carteret County News-Times.

Raelene Canuel Wagoner and Doug Wagoner were recently featured in a W&M Alumni Magazine online exclusive many of you may have seen. They made a $500,000 commitment to the All In campaign for William & Mary Athletics. Their gift goes toward the construction of the new William & Mary Athletics Complex. They are loyal William & Mary supporters and actively volunteer at the college. They are hoping that the new Athletic Complex, with its resources and opportunities, will both enhance community/school spirit and will inspire other alumni to boost their financial support of Tribe Athletics. (Construction started this spring.) The Wagoners live in Northern Virginia. Their daughter Madeline Wagoner ’20 is also a graduate of W&M. 

I hope your 2023 is off to a great start. Here are a few updates: 

After 26 years of working in college athletics as a coach and athletics director, Ken Tyler ’87, M.A.Ed. ’89 is now working in advancement as a major gifts officer at his high school alma mater, Episcopal High School in Alexandria. He is enjoying traveling and reliving the “glory days” with his fellow alumni. Speaking of the glory days, Ken stays in close contact with many of his W&M basketball teammates, especially Mark Batzel ’88, Mark Boddy and David Bond.

Ken’s son, Jordan Tyler ’20, is proudly serving our country as an officer in the Navy  and is currently stationed in Sasebo, Japan. His daughter, Logan, is a senior and a Dean’s List student at Roanoke College, where she is a captain of the women’s soccer team. She is teammates with Cameron Shackford, who is the youngest daughter of W&M Women’s Soccer coach Julie Cunningham Shackford ’88.

Fellow Norfolk native Lisa Koehl Mooney is a pediatrician in New York, where she lives with her husband and three daughters. Following our graduation, Lisa went on to medical school at Eastern Virginia Medical School and has been a practicing pediatrician for over 32 years. She enjoyed visiting campus quite a bit over the past four years because her middle daughter, Kelly Mooney ’22, is a W&M graduate!  

We have another published author in our class. Congratulations to Carolyn Wixson McBride! Carolyn has been working as a freelance marketing content writer since 2021. Watch for her debut novel “The Cicada Spring,” which is being published this year by New Degree Press. Carolyn married Dennis McBride in June 2022. Dennis is a professor at Virginia Tech who is assigned as chief innovation strategist to the Department of Defense. Carolyn and her husband divide their time between their homes in Northern Virginia and West Palm Beach.

Three days after Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, I am wearing my new W&M sweatshirt still wishing we could do Homecoming all over again this weekend! Our 35th reunion weekend was truly wonderful! We had an amazing turnout, perfect weather and missed all those unable to make the trip. I’m so grateful to all of those who sent in updates in the past few days.

Friday got busy right away as the Class of ’87 arrived in full force. I met up with some of my Tri Delta sisters at the Lodge, including Lisa Viviano Henesey, Sarah Wilson, Sharon Meyers Levine, Ann Darby Simpson Rush, Kim Norris Chappel ’88, M.A.Ed. ’92 and Kathy Redmond Schaum and got to see Wendi Willard Spalding, John “JR” Reynolds and Courtney Joyner Reynolds. Afterward, I made my way over to the Inn to meet up with Lee Norris Barnes and her husband, Billy Barnes ’82, Lisa Milkovich Panciocco ’88 and Susan Cramer Twining ’88. Then we joined the crowds (alumni and undergrads) walking over to the Friday night kickoff at the Sunken Garden.

N’est Pas was in top form after just a few days of practice and the main tent was packed. Thanks go to Clem Cheng ’86, John Hendrickson ’88, Art “Artie” Schmalz ’88, Chris Neikirk ’88, Chip Puskar (known professionally as an actor and musician Charles Esten) and Dennis Whelan for starting off the weekend in a “rocking” way at the Friday Night Fest! Our class was down front, didn’t miss a beat, and were together up front dancing and singing like it was 1987. Some things never change. (Read more in a W&M Alumni Magazine interview with the band.)

Love has been in the air for a few of our classmates. Carol Lye and Jay Sailer ’88 were that cute couple back in ’87 and they renewed their love a few years ago! Carol and Jay rekindled their romance but had to wait more than two years to tie the knot since Carol was in Australia and had to wait for the country to reopen up post-COVID-19. They married at Bruton Parish last February and live in Lexington, Virginia, where Jay is a medical director at Carilion Rockbridge Hospital. Carol is busy with her artwork, is learning the game of pickleball (I’m thinking her W&M tennis career may give her a competitive edge), is a mom to two sons and a grandmother to her 1-year-old granddaughter, Vera.

Congratulations to another ’87 love match: Lisa Hastey and Dan Mahlbacher actually met at our 30th reunion and the two planned to be married in December 2022!

I got a big assist on this column from my girl Karen Sheehan Maher, who, along with her Lodge mates, took on Homecoming with a never-ending supply of energy. Karen made the trip from Long Island and joined up with Beth Stanford Fuchs, Carrie Lang, Liz Hunter ’87, M.A.Ed. ’90, Theresa Jacoby Massie, Sara Sawyer and Suzie Gruner McMullen. Theresa came in from California, where she is the director of marketing for a hospital center and runs a wine shop in Alameda with her husband, Chris. Beth Fuchs is looking to move from Reno, Nevada, back to the East Coast. Carrie Lang lives with her husband, Joe, in Montana, where she works for Yellowstone National Park. Liz is in Maryland and a few years back switched careers to become a nurse, and passed her boards just before COVID-19 happened. Liz’s son, Noah Dalbey ’22, graduated from W&M. Suzie is in Leesburg working for Booz Allen Hamilton, and her son, Luke McMullen ’24, is currently at W&M. Sara lives in Glenville, West Virginia, where she is a biology professor.

Five of us were late for the ’87 class photo (Karen Sheehan Maher, Eileen Aquino, Elizabeth Overstreet Trumbull, Sasha Mobley and I) because we were having too much fun catching up. Luckily, we got help from Jon Tarrant and Nicole Drapeau Gillen and took our own. Sasha (former ’87 W&M Volleyball player) made the trip all the way from the San Francisco Bay Area. Eileen is in the banking industry in Norfolk, VIrginia. Elizabeth works for Pitney Bowes and lives in McLean, Virginia, with her husband, Scott. She Elizabeth lives in McLean, Virginia, and regularly meets up with Lynn Flaherty Dommel and Kathleen McCarthy Sober to play pickleball. Elizabeth’s daughter Aly Trumbull ’24 plays field hockey for the Tribe and her other daughter, Brittony Trumbell ’19, is an alumna. The Class of ’87 may just be responsible for the Tribe field hockey’s team success! Maddie George ’24, daughter of Joe George and his wife, Christine, is a goalkeeper on the team (their son Kyle George ’18 also attended W&M). Pyper Friedman ’25 is the daughter of Toni-Jean Lisa “TJ” Friedman and her husband, Kevin. Sally Snead ’23 is a senior on the team and is a daughter of Margie Vaughan Snead ’89 and her husband, Bill. (Their other daughter, Anne Snead ’20, is also an alumna.)

Drew Daniele and his wife, Diana, live in Southern California and just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in October with a sentimental Southern journey through Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. They drove for 10 days going from Nashville to Asheville, and then visited Amy Johnson Ford ’89 and Mike Ford ’89 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2022 was the culmination of the journey! The Danieles have lived in Pacific Palisades, California, near Santa Monica and Malibu, for years and have two children. Drew Jr. recently graduated from University of Colorado-Boulder and their daughter, Dayna, is in high school. Drew works for Lincoln Financial Group and Diana is an author and publicist in the Los Angeles area. Drew says that fellow Lodge 1/Pi Kappa Alpha pals Mike Cole, Mike Dutton and Mike Hecht do not live too far away, and that in a way, they have been blessed over the past 25 years to have recreated a Lodge 1-West of sorts. Mark Clouser ’86 recently returned to Southern California and Doug Neil ’86, former PiKA president, also lives in the area.

On Friday night, Drew reconnected with Ann Darby Simpson Rush, Sharon Meyers Levine and fellow Tri-Deltas and fellow former swimmers Lisa Viviano Henesy and Sarah Wilson. Drew ended that evening, just where it all began so many years ago, by spending time with Mike Moses and others from DuPont Hall at the post football game reception. Drew got to spend some good times Saturday with his former roommate Kurt Witzgall, several PiKAs and several swimmers including Scott Graham, Tim Aslaner and Bill Sykes.

Carylin Miazga Waterval had a fun-filled weekend. She and many friends were sure to attend the Farewell to Yates Dorm (1962-2023) event. W&M is demolishing Yates to make room for its new residential plan. Friends meeting there included Carylin, Mike Dingman ’86 and Christina Cornejo Dingman, Kevin Davis and Aimee Bellaria Davis, Jim Calpin and Karen Rodgers Calpin, Chris Foote and Katherine Parkinson Loevinger. Yates 1st Center and Yates 1st South were represented well, including RA Dan Head ’85. Carylin enjoyed seeing other Class of ’87 women who were all in Alpha Phi Omega (service fraternity) together, including Elizabeth Murphy Weithman, Theresa Whalen, Carolyn Bond DuBois, Anja Bergman Crider and Kathy Healy Fitzsimmons.

Congratulations are in order for Norman Johnson, who has had a busy 2022 and published his second book (“Darwin’s Reach,” CRC Press). “Darwin’s Reach” is about how evolutionary biology is being applied in many areas from medicine to agriculture to the environment, and in law. Norman received his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1992 and is an adjunct research assistant professor in the Biology Department at University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He was not able to attend Homecoming but enjoyed a visit to W&M and Williamsburg about a year ago.

Jenny Koleda Hoenscheid, Julie Benedick and Lezlie Farrell Anderson ’87, M.B.A. ’96 reunited for the trip to our 35th. Jenny is working in the software and data side of a food manufacturing business in Maryland. Her son graduated in May from the College of Charleston and is living there now, so Jenny loves to visit. We were part of a group (Karen Sheehan Maher, Marsha Fishburne Lycan, Nancy Reinisch O’Toole ’88, Julie Cunningham Shackford ’88, Jen Finn Duffy ’86, John Cunningham ’91 and Grace Barnard ’11) that joined forces for a wonderful tailgate, and had a lot of fun seeing everyone. I had a great time talking with Jon Tarrant, Kelly Hughes Iverson and Ann Hebert Stephens. Ann traveled from Houston, where she works for Shell Oil Co., Kelly is an attorney working in Maryland, and Jon lives in Baltimore. On his drive home from Williamsburg, Jon stopped in for brunch with Terri Erwin ’86, who lived for a decade working as an entrepreneur in Hawaii, and now is in Richmond working in the public interest field. Jon is enjoying trips to NYC now that his daughter is a freshman at the Parsons School of Design in Manhattan. Jon’s in touch with Todd Middlebrook ’85 and Pete Trippi ’87, and is looking forward to catching up with them the next time that he’s in the Big Apple. Jon recently heard from Hart Baur ’86, who was up in Stafford, Virginia, attending his daughter’s soccer tournament. It was great seeing everyone. Hope to see some of you at some W&M game weekends this winter and spring!

Well, it’s been an unusually quiet spring on the Class News front. I am guessing the friends in the Class of ’87 have been so busy returning to “normalcy,” and maybe working away from home for a change, that sending in a class news update is not close to mind. I am hoping that after we celebrate our 35th reunion at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend this October, my inbox will be packed with news! 

I have seen lots of Facebook photos of many of our sons and daughters graduating from colleges, or even getting married, so it looks like many of us are moving into the empty nest stage. Congratulations to all of you who have been celebrating your kids. 

Speaking of getting back to campus … Lesley J. Gordon had a great reason to return to campus this past fall. She had the opportunity to speak to W&M students majoring in history. Two of her former W&M professors, Cam Walker and Anthony Elser, even attended! She discussed her undergraduate experiences at W&M and spoke about her eventual path to graduate school and becoming a history professor. After graduating from W&M, Lesley went to graduate school and earned her Ph.D. at the University of Georgia in 1995. Her first teaching position was at Murray State University, and she then taught for 18 years at the University of Akron before moving to the University of Alabama in 2016. Lesley is currently the Charles G. Summersell Chair of Southern History in the University of Alabama’s Department of History. Her bio on the university’s department website lists her research interests as Southern history and the American Civil War. She has published many essays and articles and written or co-authored several books. When Lesley spoke to the W&M students, she was able to combine her college days with her expertise. She explained that when speaking to the students, she “tied her own memories of W&M to broader issues related to Civil War memory.” Lesley currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

Have you thought about making plans for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2022 yet? Somehow, unbelievably, it is our 35th Reunion year!!??

This fall David White was featured in Virginia Business magazine’s annual “Virginia 500-The 2021 Power List,” which the magazine describes as highlighting the most powerful and influential leaders in business, government, politics and education. David has been with the Virginia Maritime Association since 2003 and is currently the executive director of the Virginia Maritime Association in Norfolk, Virginia, which represents the concerns and interests of nearly 500 member maritime companies. In addition, David serves as the executive vice president of the Hampton Roads Shipping Association, he is a member of the WHRO Public Media Board and he works on the Elizabeth River Project (focusing on environmental cleanup efforts). David lives in Norfolk with his wife, Cathy, and three daughters (including Madison White ’20).

The Berkshire Eagle newspaper in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, ran a column featuring the Rev. Nina Ranadive Pooley when she became the new rector of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church last winter. She and her family previously lived in Maine, Maryland and Tennessee, and she has served in the roles of rector, associate chaplain and associate rector. After graduating from W&M, she earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia, and then a doctor of divinity degree from the School of Theology at the University of the South. Nina grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and now lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Ken, and two daughters.

Christine Kubacki Atherton and her husband, Mike Atherton ’86, have spent the pandemic years enjoying and making the most of their hobbies and interests. Mike is both an avid pilot and a photographer. Christine has been actively involved in her church’s online community and has been studying Spanish. Though the pandemic had limited their ability to gather with friends, they still keep up with good friends from W&M including Leslie Brodhead ’86 and Andria Silver Wojtunik ’86. Mike was able to travel to Saratoga Springs, New York, for a post-vaccine visit to see Mitch Cohen ’85. Christine and Mike have lived in Arlington, Virginia, for almost 34 years.

I hope the New Year has been going well for all of you. We’ll be down in Williamsburg for a few baseball games and other activities this spring, and are definitely planning on being a part of Homecoming this fall. Hope to see you there.

Matt Seu ’86, M.B.A. ’89 and I spent a wonderful long weekend in Williamsburg for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend! Festivities started with a Thursday eve Tribe Women’s Soccer game under the lights. Marsha Fishburne Lycan and Julie Cunningham Shackford ’88 were of course on the sideline coaching, but we got to chat with Neil and Jen Finn Duffy ’86,Chip Puskar and Patty Hanson Puskar, and Nancy Reinisch O’Toole ’88, and Bo Wilhelm. Patty and Chip were there cheering on their daughter Addie Puskar ’22, a senior on the team who was recently named William & Mary Student Athlete of the Week. Nancy drove down for Homecoming and was in the crowd with us cheering on her daughter Jillian O’Toole ’23who is a junior on the team, along with Kayleigh Shackford ’23 (Bo and Julie’s daughter). It’s been great seeing Addie, Jillian and Kayleigh play over the years. I have to say, being able to cheer on the daughters of friends I’ve known since ’83 is a special experience.

We got to spend some time at happy hour Friday at The Lodge with my Tri Delt sorority sisters Sarah Wilson, Karen Griffith Gryga and Sharon Meyers Levine. I was happy to meet Sarah’s oldest daughter, Clementine, who was on a college visit checking out W&M (her husband, Chris Robins, was back in Massachusetts with their youngest daughter, Lola). Sharon and her husband, Ken, had a busy weekend not only with Homecoming events, but they also were looking forward to the graduation ceremony for their oldest daughter, Ansley Levine ’20, on the Sunday of Homecoming weekend. We were joined by some W&M sorority sisters and friends of Ansley and Amelia Levine ’24, along with Stu West ’88, M.B.A. ’93 Mike Sapnar ’88and his son Sam (a recent St. Lawrence University grad), Mark Sweeney ’86 and Jeff Tinnell ’85.

Some other names and faces in the crowd from the tailgates and events this weekend include Mark Boddy and Emily Powell Boddy ’88, David Bond, Mark Batzel ’88, Rhanna Kidwell ’86, Cathy Caputo Livingstone ’86, Martha Feathers Owens ’85, M.Ed. ’92, Ed.S. ’94, Erin Sheehey Downs ’84, J.D. ’87, Darcy and Kelly Jackson Higgins ’85, Diane Alleva Cáceres ’87, M.A. ’89, Lynn Alleva Lilley, Carl Kumpf ’88 and his W&M undergrad daughter Cayla Kumpf ’22, Dan Head ’85, Pam Bitto Watts ’86 and her husband, Jim, Karen Nelson (in town for events including the Sunset Ceremony and the graduation ceremony for her daughter Susanna Maisto ’20), Catherine Nelson Schlawin ’89, and many, many others (forgive me if I forgot to add your name, I’m getting old!)

While talking with Dan Head ’85 and Marsha Fishburne Lycan at the Tribe Women’s Soccer tailgate, I got to speak briefly by phone with Dan’s sister Laura Head Milgram, who was a Spotswood freshman back in ’83 with Marsha and me! Laura is doing really well and is living in the Cleveland area with her husband and four kids. Laura earned her medical degree at Case Western University and specializes in pediatric pulmonology.

W&M sent a few news clippings with news about classmates. In August 2021, W&M News originally published a story by Daisy Garner ’21 highlighting Amy Zhao ’19 and the recent award she received in the “Design & Creator” stream of WizForm’s Build Your Dream competition. Daisy’s article titled “The Art of Blockchain” notes that Amy’s project idea was called “The Art Block” and focused on using blockchain technology to “address intellectual property issues in the art world.” Her interest in blockchain apparently began when she took a course at W&M’s Global Research Institute. Mike Tierney ’87, M.A. ’89 is the co-director of William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, which its webpage describes as a hub that brings together faculty, practitioners and students to explore and research real world issues. The GRI was founded in 2008 and external partners have apparently invested more than $70 million in GRI.

In August, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured a piece on Chip Puskar (Charles Esten), his roles on the successful ABC/CMT show “Nashville” and more recently on “Outer Banks” on Netflix, and his close ties to Pittsburgh. Chip’s mother, Cynthia Fulwiler Puskar ’63, and dad, the late Charles E. Puskar Jr. ’63, were William & Mary graduates, and Chip was born at Allegheny General Hospital. He and his sister Cathy Puskar ’89, spent most of their early childhood in the Pittsburgh area before relocating to Alexandria, Virginia. They still have many Pittsburgh-area relatives and friends, and the article notes that he’s often back cheering on the Steelers whenever he can. Chip and Patty live in Nashville, Tennessee, and are proud parents of three children: Taylor, Chase and Addie Puskar ’22. Chip is serving once again as the 2021 National Light the Night Honorary Chair. The Light the Night Walk is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) fundraising event to pay tribute and bring hope to those battling cancer. Patty and Chip have been heavily involved and personally committed to helping LLS. (They are putting on their 8th Annual Light the Late Night concert this year.) Their daughter Addie (who plays Tribe Women’s Soccer) is a leukemia survivor and has been cancer-free for 18 years. If you’re interested in learning more or donating, you can visit bit.ly/TeamAddie2021.

It was fun bumping into so many friends and classmates at Homecoming. Next year is our 35th Reunion, so I hope you can make plans to be there next October!

[Editor's note: The Class of 1987 winter 2021 column was reprinted in the spring 2021 issue. The correct spring 2021 column can be found below in the Class Notes Archive under Spring 2021. We sincerely apologize for the error.]

I am looking forward to seeing classmates back at W&M Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2021 this year. Can’t wait! Hope you are all doing well! Thank you to those of you responding to my pleas for news back in May. Most of the news this time is actually Tribe legacy news!

Sharon Meyers Levine’s daughter Ansley Levine ’20 graduated from W&M in 2020 virtually, which they found to be disappointing, but they are now looking forward to the 2020 commencement celebration planned during Homecoming this October 2021. The family definitely will be there to celebrate in Williamsburg! Their younger daughter Amelia Levine ’24 entered W&M with the Class of 2024 and finished her pandemic freshman year in May. Sharon notes that W&M did a great job of keeping the community safe and giving the kids as best of a college experience as they could. Her daughter is definitely looking forward to what will definitely be a new and different W&M experience this fall.

Following COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, Sharon was still able to see several classmates. She met up with Ann Darby Simpson Rush and Karen Griffith Gryga in Virginia Beach in October at Darby’s beautiful home. While returning Amelia to W&M in January 2021, she stopped by to visit with Linda Habgood Zanfagna ’88 and Gary Zanfagna ’88 at their house in Westfield, New Jersey. And she was able to have a post-vaccine visit with Liese Cochran Mosher at her parents’ home in Washington, D.C., when Liese was visiting from San Clemente, California. Everyone is doing fantastic and enjoying empty nesting and their successful careers.

Susan Parker Lauer can’t wait to finish up the 2020-2021 virtual kindergarten year and move back into her classroom. Though she’s an experienced kindergarten teacher, she really had to step WAY out of her comfort zone this year to teach and connect with her kindergartners through a computer, but notes that if her time at W&M taught her anything, it is that the best growth takes place outside the box with which you are most familiar. Susan has developed a new hobby, which is enjoying listening to fellow alumnus/daughter, Kathleen Lauer ’19, when she presents “Capitol Conversations.” It is presented each weekday at 1 p.m. by the U.S. Capitol Tour Guides. You can find it at www.visitthecapitol.gov/capitol-conversations.

Jay Black and Lori Jackson Black’s daughter Reagan Elisabeth Jackson ’21, graduated magna cum laude in May 2021 with a double major. Her degrees are a B.A. in linguistics (the first time this degree has been conferred at W&M) and B.A. in psychology. Reagan is the third rung in Jay’s legacy ladder: his grandfather, J. Martin Diggs ’54, Jay (1987) and now Reagan (2021). Jay and Lori are excited for Reagan’s next chapter as she will be at University of Virginia next and will be enrolling in their Master of Linguistics program.

Congratulations to all of you with new graduates!

[Editor's note: The Class of 1987 winter 2021 column was reprinted in the spring 2021 issue. Below is the correct spring 2021 column. We sincerely apologize for the error.]

After reaching out in January 2021 for news of changes or updates for this spring column, I heard from a few classmates who had good things happen in 2020. Jay Black and his wife, Lori, of Mathews, Virginia, recently bought a second home in Waynesboro, Virginia. Jay says it is great to be closer to fly-fishing opportunities! Their daughter Reagan Jackson ’21 will graduate this spring from William & Mary. She is hoping to pursue an advanced degree in socio/psycholinguistics and has applied to Oxford in hopes of completing the program there.

Susan Parker Lauer is living in Stephens City and has been teaching for over 20 years. Though she hasn’t started a “new” job in the past year, she has had to step way out of her comfort zone to master teaching kindergarten virtually since last March. (Kudos to all you teachers out there making it all happen in person or virtually!) Susan and Carl have not been able to visit their eldest daughter due to COVID-19. She lives in Denmark where she is continuing her work toward her masters at The University of Aarhus. Susan’s daughter Kathleen Lauer ’19 has been working at the U.S. Capitol as a visitor assistant and tour guide. Her youngest daughter just graduated college in 2020.

Congratulations are in order for Andrew McRoberts, who married Laura Dudley (a Mary Baldwin grad) in late 2019. They made the move to Urbanna, Virginia, full time once COVID-19 happened. They now have a home on Urbanna Creek and are only about an hour away from Williamsburg.

Ken Tyler ’87, M.A.Ed. ’89 is vice president of development for the George C. Marshall International Center (GGMIC) in Leesburg, Virginia. The organization focuses on leadership and education and was inspired General George C. Marshall. On its website, the organization describes itself as “hosting educational programs that reflect Marshall’s principled approach to leadership.” (You can read more about it at georgecmarshall.org). Ken’s also a proud father of two. His son Jordan Tyler ’20recently completed Navy Officer Candidate School. Ensign Tyler’s next assignment is attending Supply Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island. Ken’s daughter Logan is a sophomore at Roanoke College, where she competes on their women’s soccer team.

Virginia Business magazine included an “Executive Insight” feature in September of 2020 focusing on David White. David graduated from William & Mary with a business degree and is executive vice president of the Virginia Maritime Association. The association includes over 450 member companies. David also serves as the executive vice president of the Hampton Roads Shipping Association.

It is September right now and by the time this article is published, it will probably (hopefully) be 2021. Despite the myriad challenges of 2020 being a little unexpected, it seems that our Tribe classmates have found many ways to stay connected.

Jenny Koleda Hoenscheid met up with Julie Benedick over Labor Day weekend in New York and headed up to Cape Cod to tour an unusually quiet and crowd-free Chatham and Harwich by bike. On their way home, they stopped in Connecticut to see Nan Shanley Cunningham ’86 for a quick visit. Now Jenny’s back at home working remotely along with her husband. Her son is a junior this year at College of Charleston. Her daughter graduated from high school in June and made the smart decision to take this year as a gap year and is working close to home as a nanny/education facilitator for a family with two elementary-age children. Jenny already had made reservations for W&M’s 2020 homecoming along with Kristin Rombough Robinson, Julie Benedick, Lezlie Farrell Anderson ’87, M.B.A. ’96 and Nan Shanley Cunningham. The group is going to hopefully regroup for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2021 which will be a much-needed celebration for all of us.

While many people have been working remotely from home this past year, Matt Harrison ’87, M.A. ’94 has been busier than ever working at four different Charlotte area hospitals. After he graduated with a biology degree in ’87, he went on to earn his M.A. in biology in ’94, and received his M.D. at MCV/VCU in ’98. His completed his residency in family medicine at the University of South Alabama back in 2001. He moved to Charlotte and from 2001-2011 had a private clinic doing inpatient and outpatient care and obstetrics. He is currently medical director for the student health clinic at Belmont Abbey, assistant professor at Campbell Osteopathic School of Medicine, and medical director at the HELP crisis pregnancy center/prenatal clinic. Matt and his wife Kathleen have seven kids between the ages of 12-23. Despite all his important responsibilities and being so busy, Matt told me he also finds time to travel on medical missions to Ghana. He is still in touch with many old W&M friends including Rob Skoff, Danny Malks, Chris Bernart, Ray Nardo, Sharon Varallo, George Coundouriotis, and Rob Garnier ’87, J.D. ’91 and Marnie Crannis Garnier ’88, M.A.Ed. ’91.

Chris Geschickter has really been missing out on being able to join his brother Tad Geschickter ’85 and Tad’s NASCAR teams this past season due to the COVID restrictions. But he, along with race fans everywhere, was glad that NASCAR was one of the first sports to come back on TV. He and Tad still keep up via text/phone often. Chris got away a few times this summer to reunite in a socially distant way with some of his Saint Stephen’s classmates and Tribe friends (including Tom Repke and Karla Palmer Repke) at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Chris also stays in touch often with Jenny Koleda Hoenscheid and enjoys reading updates on the Class of ’87 Facebook page. Chris is excited that his daughter Lindsay (a high school senior) is applying to William & Mary this fall!

Elizabeth Overstreet Trumbull is living in Northern Virginia and has recently started meeting regularly with Lynn Flaherty Dommel for walks on Saturday mornings to catch up. She was able to join with friends Beth Buzzerd Armstrong, John Armstrong and Cindy Clark for a socially-distanced happy hour at Melinda Miller’s screened-in porch in Great Falls recently. Their W&M Supper Club has actually been meeting since 1988 when they all lived in Arlington after graduation. A few members of the group that couldn’t make it to the recent happy hour include Christy Checkel Sweet ’88, Kathleen McCarthy Soberand Carrie Harrison. Elizabeth’s two daughters followed in her footsteps to W&M. Her oldest daughter Brittony Trumbull ’19 was also a Kappa and is now working for Deloitte Federal. Her daughter Aly Trumbull ’24 is having a wonderful freshman year and also recently pledged Kappa.

Matt Towner provided this update: “As of July 2019 I moved with my family from Fairfax to Newport, Rhode Island, where I am serving as the George H. W. Bush Chair for Intelligence Studies at the United States Naval War College. I am teaching Foreign Policy Analysis and Chinese Foreign Policy and developing China related courses for the future. My oldest is in her second year in college and youngest just started HS, both daughters. I will be here in Newport through the summer of 2022 when I will most likely head back to D.C. and life in the DC USG….unless I find my dream teaching job in New Zealand!!”

Suzie Gruner McMullen and her husband are new empty nesters! Their son Luke is a student-athlete at Salisbury University where he plays tennis. They are hoping to see him play pretty often as the university is near a family beach house. Her 2020 days have been full of work, making improvements to their log home in Leesburg, long walks with the dogs, and her tennis team/league play as well. She is still in close touch with her Tribe as well and filled me in on what they are up to nowadays: Sara Sawyer is living in West Virginia, where she is a professor at a liberal arts university. Beth Stanford Fuchs recently moved with her husband to Reno, Nevada, to start their semi-retirement there now that both their kids, Ryan and Shannon, are college graduates and doing well. The oldest son of Liz Hunter ’87, M.A.Ed. ’90, Noah Dalbey ’22, is at W&M, her daughter Mollie is in her second collegiate year and plays hockey at University of Vermont, and Liz’s son Cooper is in high school. Liz recently started a new career and received her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Karen Sheehan-Maher is a physical therapist and is also a new empty nester. Karen’s daughter Meghan graduated from high school in June and is studying performing arts, and her son Brendan is also away at school and playing hockey. Carrie Taylor Lang is in human resources at Yellowstone National Park. They all, including Theresa Jacoby Massie, keep in touch whenever they can arrange a Zoom call but are hoping to get together again at the next W&M Homecoming.

Theresa Jacoby Massie continues her work as a senior brand manager for Sutter Health in California. Theresa and herhusband Christopher started a new business venture and launched Park Street Wine Sellers in January. It is a shop in Alameda, California, and they were still able to keep sales strong through their e-commerce platform. They can ship to any state that allows interstate shipping of wine to consumers. Their daughter Miranda just started her freshman year in high school and is a talented swimmer, and Theresa serves on the Board of Directors for the city’s 200+ member swim team, the Alameda Gators. Theresa is a Tribe Cross Country and Track & Field alum with hopes her daughter would consider swimming at W&M, and was devastated to hear of the seven sports being cut by William & Mary. Theresa was able to see Liz in February when she graduated from nursing school and passed her licensing exam. If you like supporting small businesses, especially ones that are Tribe-owned, consider making an online order with Park Street Wine Sellers! I made an order in September for my son and his fiancée to pick up (they live in Oakland) for a special occasion and it was a breeze. Christopher even lists a few “great picks” if you are undecided on what to choose.

Happy 2020! It’s early January as I write this. Matt and I are getting ready to pack and head down to Williamsburg to cheer on the Tribe for a few home basketball games (Towson and JMU) and to visit friends and family. Both our sons are living on the West Coast right now — one in the Bay Area, and one in Los Angeles. I want to give a thankful shout out to my Tribe in California for helping us figure out the area and get our youngest son settled in the right spot! I definitely won’t mind a few trips out there this winter to escape the cold! Speaking of California girls, as Matt and I were hopping in a car for the airport leaving a conference in Austin this fall, we bumped right into Beth Stanford Fuchs! Turns out we had been at the same hotel all week and never even knew it. I was so happy to see her but sorry the timing was off for us to really be able to catch up.

Matt Seu ’86, M.B.A. ’89 is doing well, enjoying his work, and had a great 2019. His company, Actualize Consulting, was named one of the Washington Post’s Top Workplaces this fall. I am retired from teaching and we have been enjoying the opportunity to travel more often. Not only do we get to more Tribe games throughout the year, but we are hoping to repeat our 2019 trip down to Florida in March to see the World Champion Washington Nationals Spring Training games again.

Cindy Matthews Mendelsohn is living in California with her husband, Seth, and daughter, Madeline, and is working for Bank of America. Seth left his work at Disney Studios a few years ago and is now working on an exciting project for Princess Cruises that has taken him far and wide, from the Panama Canal to Liverpool. Cindy has been missing Williamsburg and has not been back in more than 10 years. She hopes to make it back soon because she has a goddaughter nearing graduation and her nephew is finishing his Ph.D. at William and Mary. In a small world twist, it turns out that Professor Scholnick (from William & Mary’s English and American Studies department) officiated Cindy’s and Seth’s wedding back in 2003, and is still teaching at William & Mary, and in the same department where her nephew is finalizing his Ph.D.

Chris Fincher was the focus of a business community article in The Greenville News this fall. Chris is currently the TD Bank regional vice president in Greenville, South Carolina. The story highlights his career path after he graduated from W&M with a degree in government and economics, and thought he would work for a while, and then maybe apply to law school. Plans changed when he began working in banking at Wachovia Bank in North Carolina. Chris spent 32 years with Wachovia and Wells Fargo and began working in Greenville in 2008. In addition to his current work, Chris is also involved with the community and serves on the board of the Metropolitan Arts Council and the United Way of Greenville County. He and his wife, Kathy, are members of the Parents Advisory Council at the University of South Carolina where their two sons attend the Darla Moore School of Business.

Ross Spicer was featured in The Winchester Star in November regarding his recent and unopposed campaign for Frederick County Commonwealth’s Attorney. After graduation, Ross earned his J.D. with distinction at George Mason University of Law. He’s lived in the Winchester area for more than 17 years and has been a prosecutor for 20 years, including the last seven as the Frederick County Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Peter Trippi co-curated an exhibition that will be presented in Milton, Massachusetts, at the Eustis Estate from May 2020 until March 2021 called “Artful Stories: Paitings from Historic New England.” He is still living in New York City but has really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about New England's amazing history and culture.

As some of you know, I grew up in Norfolk. You may not know that I grew up alongside a famous Norfolk celebrity — Thad Doumar. Now those of you that know Thad know that he’s an affable, humble, intelligent, overall great guy. But did you know that he has also been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network, and has hosted Guy Fieri a couple of times? Thad and I both went to Norfolk Academy and then both made the great decision of going on to W&M. After Thad graduated with his accounting degree, he went on to run the family business with his dad, Albert. I had grown up visiting Doumar’s in Norfolk often, because if you lived there, that’s what you did. The restaurant has been there since 1934 and is a Norfolk landmark. It’s known around Virginia actually, for its North Carolina barbecue, its ice cream and shakes, its curbside service (at one time via roller skates), the Doumar family members, and, of course, its waffle cones. On August 19, Inside Business of Hampton Roads included a feature on Thad and his legacy carrying on the family business. You should look it up to read the details, and then stop by to see Thad when you get down to Norfolk. Thad’s great uncle, Abe Doumar, invented the ice cream cone in 1904 and the machine he invented is still in use today! Even the vice presidential motorcade couldn’t resist stopping by Doumar’s for a visit this past spring. Congratulations to Thad on Doumar’s continued success!

Steven Rosenberg was appointed Staunton, Virginia’s new city manager in June and assumed his new role on July 1. He had been working as Staunton’s deputy city manager. Steven majored in history and government at William & Mary and earned his law degree from Emory University School of Law. Steven began his career at the firm of Hazel & Thomas, P.C. in Fairfax and then began working in local government. He served as senior assistant city attorney for the City of Alexandria and then worked as county attorney for Augusta County. He also worked for five years as an associate general counsel and special assistant attorney general at the University of Virginia. Steven and his wife Catherine reside in Staunton.

I was happy to hear from Dr. Sharon Varallo, who is doing well in Rock Island, Illinois, where she is a professor of communication studies at Augustana College. Her latest venture is researching and volunteering for college-in-prison programming. She would love to hear from any classmates who work in the field of prison justice.

Brooke Wanner Nedza recently remarried and has moved to Mineral, Virginia, where she is living with her husband John on his Christmas tree farm. She hit 20 years working for Aetna, and currently is the vice president of client management for national accounts covering Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. Brooke stays close to Kate Untiedt ’84, her Theta big sister, and Toni (Fischer) Ritchey, her Theta sister, both who are practicing law on different sides of the country. She’s also been fortunate to have reconnected with freshman hallmates Karen Yablonski Carroll, Terri Pfeiffer Wise, Sharon Varallo, Stephanie Thompson and Karen Libucha Kouagou, who are all fabulous and successful! Brooke’s dad Sandy Wanner, a former James City County administrator, currently teaches a local government class at William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business. His course is designed to help students understand how local city and county governments work, with an opportunity for an internship.

Tim Carroll had planned to make it to last year’s Homecoming & Reunion Weekend but a Cub Scout camping trip with his twin third-graders took priority, so he did not make it. His stepdaughter just graduated from James Madison University in May, and now he and his wife are busy trying to keep up with their twin 9-year-olds. Tim is hoping that he’ll be at the game for this year’s Homecoming weekend.

Matt Seu ’86, M.B.A. ’89 and I were so happy to get to William & Mary for a quick visit this spring. We drove down for a weekend to see the spring football game and the Women’s Soccer alumni game, and we caught the Tribe baseball game against James Madison University. Best part was that we got to hang out later at the Delly with our girls Marsha Fishburne Lycan and Julie Shackford ’88 just like the old days. Can’t wait for the fall football and soccer games to start! Hope to see you there.

Back in February, several Tribe alumni in Conway, Arkansas, met to celebrate Charter Day at the home of Vicki and Clayton Crockett. Fred Ablondi and Tracy Flora McGarrity represented our Class of ’87. Susan Metcalfe Ablondi ’89 joined in the fun along with Anne Goldberg ’91 and Kristen Epps M.A. ’05. The best part may have been the food that was served that always brings back the vibe of Williamsburg. Guests enjoyed versions of Hot Chandler sandwiches, Virginia peanuts and bread ends with house dressing, all accompanied by Virginia wines.

Nicole Drapeau Gillen is in Reston and now works for Acumen Solutions, where she oversees their marketing consulting. Her daughter Tara graduated this summer from the University of Edinburg in Scotland, and her daughter Samantha is attending George Mason University this fall.

Anthony Kanakry is a veterinarian working in Columbia and Crofton, Maryland. His oldest daughter Alexa graduated in May from Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania with a double major in music education and cello performance. She was honored this year to be named as a Fulbright Scholar. She will use this opportunity to teach English in Spain for a year. Congratulations to Alexa!

Jay Black was recently promoted to senior vice president – investments at Davenport & Company LLC where he has worked for 27 years. Jay works in the firm’s Kilmarnock, Virginia, office on the Northern Neck and lives in Mathews County. Jay’s stepson Tyler will begin his freshman year at VCU this fall to pursue a major in business. His stepdaughter Reagan Jackson ’21 just completed her second year at William & Mary and has really enjoyed every minute.

Michael Richards has been serving as the chief of staff for the superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools for the past four years. In March, he was named the new superintendent of Harrisonburg City Public Schools. He is a Northern Virginia native who previously worked in the Del Valle Independent School District in Texas as the director of data and accountability. Mike will move to Harrisonburg with his wife NoNiega Ramos Richards and their two children.

I am writing this in late January and hope your new year is off to a wonderful start so far. It was great to see so many of you at Homecoming! Dennis Whelan and Chip Esten reunited with fellow N’Est Pas bandmates Clem Cheng ’86, John Hendrickson ’88, Chris Neikirk ’88, Art Schmalz ’88 to entertain a big crowd of old (and new) fans huddled under a tent in the rainy Sunken Garden before the game. The show was amazing, and it really took us all back to 1987, if only for a few hours anyway.

We have a Guinness World Records winner among us. Chip Esten set a record for the most consecutive weeks to release an original digital single by a music act. He was recognized and awarded the certificate in July 2018. Chip had started releasing a new single every Friday as part of his #EverySingleFriday campaign that began merely as a creative way for him to put out some of his own music. From July 2016 to July 2017 he released 54 singles. Chip credited work on the part of Patty Hanson Puskar and other musical talent around him in Nashville for inspiring and supporting him through the challenges of that endeavor. Patty and Chip were in Europe in January for his first UK solo tour, which included 12 shows through England, Amsterdam and Germany.

I’d love to include more news in my next column. Please get in touch with me this spring if you have any Class of ’87 news you would like to share.

There was some exciting news for Anne Marie Pace this past spring. She’s had a very successful career as a children’s picture book author and her ninth and 10th books come out this year. The news that Disney Jr. was developing her popular Vampirina Ballerina book series into an animated series was an unexpected surprise. “Vampirina” is now showing in more than 100 countries and has been translated into 15 different languages.

Anne Marie lives in Virginia and is a mother of four. Her youngest is now a freshman at William & Mary! Anne Marie was in Concord, Massachusetts, for a writing event this past spring and met up with her old sophomore and junior year roommate Kerri Cox Sullivan ’87, M.A. ’89. Kerri also has four children and lives in New Hampshire.

Susan Parker Lauer is an empty nester now (one of her three daughters is a senior at William & Mary this year). She is filling her “free” time by keeping busy serving as both the press book chairman and the parliamentarian for the Fort Loudoun chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has visited Williamsburg often this fall and attended the swearing-in ceremony for and the Legacy Brunch with President Katherine Rowe. She was sorry to miss Homecoming & Reunion Weekend this year but she opted for spending Parents Weekend with her daughter instead.

Chris Geschickter enjoyed catching up with so many close friends at our reunion last year. Chris is the head of HR for Johnstone Supply and lives in Westfield, New Jersey. His son is a sophomore in college and his daughter is a sophomore in high school. When he is not busy with his kids’ activities and games on the weekends, you can often find him helping his brother Tad Geschickter ’85 with his NASCAR teams.

Congratulations to Christine Kubacki Atherton and Mike Atherton ’86 who just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in June! Several years after Mitch Cohen ’85 introduced them in the breakfast line in the Colony Room, they were married in Wren Chapel and held their reception at the Alumni House. The Athertons still see a lot of Mitch and his wife Susan in Northern Virginia. Christine recently spent time with Leslie Brodhead ’86. Christine met Leslie on her very first day at W&M and despite the distance (Leslie is based in Colorado), they have remained close friends.  

Many of you that follow W&M Athletics already know that Marsha Fishburne Lycan has been coaching the Tribe women’s soccer team alongside Head Coach Julie Cunningham Shackford ’88. Marsha’s been involved in coaching (or playing soccer) her whole life including recent stints as assistant coach at the University of New England for six seasons, as head coach for the GPS Maine U17/U18 Girls Elite team, and as director of coaching at the Falmouth Youth Soccer Association. Among other accolades, Marsha was named the Premier Coach of the Year by Soccer Maine in 2010.

Speaking of athletes, Suzie Gruner McMullen and her teammates had quite a summer on the tennis circuit. The team came together and trained for about four months and ended up 11-1 going into regionals in July. They remained undefeated throughout the competition and emerged as the USTA (U.S. Tennis Association) League Mid-Atlantic Regional Champions! This earned them a chance to compete in Nationals at the USTA Headquarters in Orlando in August. Congratulations Suzie!

After graduating from W&M, Kelly Hughes Iverson attended law school at the University of Maryland and has had a successful career as partner of a Maryland firm working in defense of professional malpractice and product liability litigation. She has always been active in both state and local bar associations, and was elected 2018 President of the Baltimore City, Maryland, Bar Association. Kelly is also one of the top lawyers in 2018’s Top 50 Women Attorneys in Maryland.

I had not had the privilege of spending time with my friend Mary Hazinski Hawke in years, and I was heartbroken to get a call in late July that Mary had passed away after a long illness. I was thinking through all the memories and good times we had at school and I am hard-pressed to think of Mary without picturing her smiling, laughing or in general lighting up a room, or even any situation, while surrounded by friends. After graduation, Mary earned her law degree at Fordham University School of Law, where she met her husband Chris, and went on to a successful career in litigation for several years in New York City before she and Chris settled down in New Jersey. Mary and Chris have four children who range in age from 14-22. Mary was tirelessly devoted to her friends, her family and community. She served, often in leadership roles, on boards for several charity and volunteer organizations.

A celebration of Mary’s life was held on a sunny day by the water on July 25 in Rumson, New Jersey. It was well-attended by a large crowd of family, friends and local community members. Sarah Wilson Robins, Lisa Viviano Henesy, Carla Montague ’88 and her husband Scott Hartman ’89, Pete Hoehn and his wife, and Mary Johnston McSwain and her husband Tim were part of a group of William & Mary friends that were able to be there. Sarah said that ultimately, after listening to all the heartfelt speeches, it was comforting to know that the Mary we knew back at school had continued living a very full life surrounded by love. If you would like to honor Mary, the program asked that those interested consider donations on her behalf to the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center.