Alumni Class Notes

CLASS UPDATES

Christopher Ruhe ’79 retired from his job with a school district in metro Atlanta and began work as a school psychologist with the Department of Defense Education Activity. Christopher works for the federal government at a school for the children of soldiers living on base at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Ed Trifone ’86 accepted the position of southeast regional director at Legatus in Florida. Ed works with top-ranking Catholic business leaders and their spouses to study, live, and spread the Catholic faith in their business, professional, and personal lives.

Stacey Hutcherson-Burt ’96 attended Nursing School at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield Connecticut after her time at Holy Cross College. Stacey is now the director of nursing at an Ambulatory Surgery Center in Westchester, New York.

Timothy Emerick ’98 was named to the Best Lawyers in America list. Tim is a CPA, business adviser, and corporate attorney specializing in corporate and corporate governance law. He works for Barnes & Thornburg.

Kristen Hernandez ’01 is celebrating her fourth year in business as an independent consultant with Rodan+Fields, the top-selling skincare brand in North America. Kristen left a career in sales to focus on her entrepreneurial efforts. She also recently began substitute teaching in her local school district, the same district her own children attend.

Gillian (Hurley) Palmer ’02 accepted a new teaching position at West Catholic High School, teaching English and Literature. Gillian, her husband Chris, and two-year old daughter, Molly, anxiously await the March 2020 birth of son, Charlie. The Palmers make their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Major Jon Sward ’02 has graduated from the United States Air Force’s Air University, Air Command and Staff College located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, with a Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree.

David Gryp ’07 has been promoted to market president of Scottsdale at First Western Trust, in Arizona.

Angela Sturm ’10 is the proud grandmother of six grandbabies, all 10 years old and under, two of whom were born this past year. Angela and family anxiously await the birth of grandbaby number seven. In addition to spending time with her three granddaughters and three grandsons, Angela enjoys traveling and working as an iconographer.

Sarah Fugarino ’11 was excited to begin her new appointment as registrar at Martin University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Marie-Louise (Resweber) Bridgeman ’11 has been named residence life coordinator at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

Steve Bridgeman ’12 has been promoted from branch manager of Enterprise Holdings in Austin, Texas, to Area Manager, managing eight locations within the Lubbock, Texas area.

Michael Novitzki ’13 is seeking an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, while working full-time as the director of business development for KLM Engineering. Michael has served as a keynote speaker at Rural Water and American Water Works Associations throughout the United States.

Catherine Ficker ’13 accepted a position as admissions counselor at Holy Cross College.

David Fisher ’14 took a position as independent consultant with Cellular Sales in South Bend, Indiana on October 1, 2019.

Hannah Vincent ’15 was named director of choreography for Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/ High School in Westphalia, Michigan. Hannah also teaches dance at Heather’s Dance Company in St. Johns, Michigan.

Ryan Aranowski ’16 joined his father, and late grandfather, as a member of the South Bend Fire Department.

Kyle Barry ’17 was promoted to stock coordinator at Tommy Bahama in February 2019.

Brandon Lawler ’18 was hired as the youth, family, and sports programs director at the YMCA in French Creek, Ohio.

Raven Delph ’18 accepted a position with Piece by Piece Autism Center as a registered behavioral technician.

Nate Miller ’19 is employed at with University of Notre Dame Athletics as a ticket office intern.

BIRTHS, BAPTISMS, AND ADOPTIONS

Nichole (Molnar) Dunne ’09 and Jay Dunne ’07 are excited to announce that they are expecting their first child! Baby Dunne will be born in May 2020.

Samantha (Augustowski) Gates ’10 and husband welcome the newest addition to their family. The adoption of Robert Gerard Gates was finalized on October 28, 2019.

Katie (Fetters) Emery ’10 and husband, Noah, rang in the New Year with a new bundle of joy. The Emery Family introduces Barbara Nancy Emery, born January 1, 2020.

Joseph Esch ’11 and his wife, Amanda, welcomed their son, Oliver James, into the world on October 30.

Leah (Trattles) Kurz ’14 and husband, Daniel, announce the arrival of their first child, Kendra Marie, on September 8, 2019.

Kassie (Fletcher) Howland ’14 and Scott Howland ’14 were overjoyed to welcome their son, Oliver Peter Howland, to the world on July 30, 2019.

George Stainko ’15 and his wife, Alison, welcomed their son, Cole Michael Stainko, on August 4, 2019.

Claire (Doriot) Tarala ’15 and Mike Tarala ’15 announced the birth of their third child, Jude Pier Tarala, on October 9, 2019.

Christa (Tarala) Romkema ’16 and Ryan Romkema ’16 welcomed their sweet baby boy, Fulton Joseph, on January 26, 2020.

Karina (Cain) Moore ’17 and husband, Drew Moore ’15, were delighted to add to their growing family with the birth of son, Cameron Thomas Moore, born May 27, 2019.

Rayanna Harris ’18 was blessed with the birth of her second son, Casey, in March 2019.

Holy Cross College director of career development Adam DeBeck and wife, Torrie, welcomed Colin Michael DeBeck on September 14, 2019. Big sister, Kate, is just thrilled with her baby brother.

MARRIAGES AND ENGAGEMENTS

Thomas Hogan ’05 married his wife, Kelly Jennings, on July 20, 2019 on Beech Beach, in Rocky Point, New York.

Niko Jeliĉić ’14 and his wife, Gabi, married on August 10, 2019 in the Republic of Croatia.

Hannah Vincent ’15 became engaged to Steven Thelan. The couple plans to marry June 20, 2020.

Jonathan Mehall ’15 married Carley Marie May 25, 2019 in Roswell, Georgia.

Shelby (Nelson) Solomon ’16, and Trey Solomon ’17 were married in South Bend, Indiana on December 31, 2019.

Patrick O’Connor ’18 and his wife, Adeline, were married at St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Cathedral in Gaylord, Michigan on July 6, 2019.

DEATHS

Kyle S. Peterson ’96 died suddenly of a heart attack while camping in the great outdoors that he loved so much. Kyle passed on July 7, 2018 at the age of 43.

Holy Cross College student, William Christopher Berne, died in an automobile accident in rural Blackduck, Minnesota on September 24. William was 32.