Hood Magazine | Fall 2022

Dutch Waterways Amsterdam to Antwerp

APRIL 6-14, 2023

Join your fellow Hood alumni for a spring adventure as you cruise the charming waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium.

Glide along picturesque fjords, canals and inlets on a seven-night, first-class river cruise. Delight in the OldWorld ambience of Amsterdam, Bruges and Antwerp. Revel in a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of Vermeer paintings, the breathtaking tulips of Keukenhof Gardens and your choice of included cultural and culinary experiences!

For more information about all Hood Alumni Travel, please go to hood.ahitravel.com.

2022

VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Laurie Ward

EDITOR

Meg DePanise ’15, MBA’20

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN

Renee Rohwer

Ronda Wolford-Smith

COPY EDITOR

Matt Lee ’15

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mary Atwell

Archivist, Collection Development Services Manager

Mason Cavalier ’19 News Editor, Media Coordinator

Lance Coffey ’22

Geoff Goyne

Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications/SID

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Nancy Gillece ’81

Vice President, Institutional Advancement

Jaime Cacciola ’04

Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs

Kellye Greenwald ’86

Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement

Caroline Jeranek ’21

Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Malinda Small ’81

Executive Director of Individual Giving

Emily Wise VanderWoude, CFRE Director of Leadership Giving

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mason Cavalier ’19 Michael DeMattia Derek Knecht

Matt Lee ’15

Laurie Ward

Ronda Wolford-Smith

ADDRESS CHANGES

Please report all address changes to the Hood College

Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement at 301-696-3900; 800-707-5280, option 1; or advancement_services@hood.edu

Hood Magazine is published twice a year by the Hood College Office of Marketing and Communications.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

If you have a letter you would like to send us for possible inclusion in the next issue of Hood Magazine, please email us at marketingoffice@hood.edu

IN THIS ISSUE

Social Snapshot

ONE-OF-A-KIND BLAZER CREATIONS!

These Blazers are flexing their creative muscles with one-of-a-kind Hood-themed creations! Want to get featured in the next edition? Follow @hoodcollege on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to be included in future Social Snapshots.

Anna Eyler ’21 got creative with her Cricut and fashioned these Blazer scrapbooks to collect all her Hood memories.

Sean Carnell ’26 has his Hood Athletics pride on display with this stylized free-handed canvas painting!

If there’s no t-shirt, did it really happen? Samantha Lloyd ’20 is staying cozy in a quilt made out of all the Hood t-shirts she’s collected at campus events over the years.

Kirsten Roy ’16, MBA’19, (@theyarnarts on Insta gram) is staying warm in her Hood-inspired beanie and ear-warmer!

Leah Giambarresi MacDonald ’03, C’05, M.S.’10, designed these cosmetic bags with our classic ivy logo for a Hood Girls trip! Each bag features a name and class-specific dink color.

Caitlyn Linder ’26 brought her Hood spirit to the most magical place on earth, rocking her Hood-themed Mickey ears in front of Epcot’s “Spaceship Earth.”

Sophie D’Agostino ’25 is wearing her Hood pride after styling this retro pollinator-friendly tee.

Jacqueline Suarez ’18 (@jaxcraft_ on Instagram) crocheted this custom-made doll for one of her graduating student-athletes who is attending Hood this fall!

Gio Saglimbeni ’22 (@the.kick.fix on Instagram) designed and wore his Blazer Mid 77s during the 2022 Commencement ceremony!

Message from the President

Dear Friends,

Four years ago, we launched the “quiet” phase of Forging the Future: The Campaign for Hood College. Today, I am excited to share that we are rapidly approaching our $65 million goal, and I am inviting each one of you to join me as we near the finish line. As you peruse this magazine, you will read about The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, made possible by Ruth’s generous contribution. You will see that we have exceeded our goal for scholarships and faculty support. The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business is thriving and includes the Michael and Marlene Grossnickle Young Data Driven Frederick Center. When you visit the campus, please tour the renovated Beneficial-Hodson Library and Learning Commons, a welcoming space for collaborative research and study that also includes a cafe. These are just a few examples of how this campaign has truly transformed our community.

So what’s left? With the increased demand for STEM-related programs, the Hodson Science and Technology Center is in need of a major expansion. We are planning a three-story, 32,000-square-foot addition that will provide the instructional and laboratory space needed to accommodate program growth.

We always appreciate and depend on your support for the Hood Fund, a top priority that is essential for all of our operations. Unrestricted support is a vote of confidence in my leadership and for that, I am grateful.

There is no better time than now to invest in Hood College. We look forward to celebrating the success of Forging the Future, and I welcome you to be a part of that celebration.

Sincerely,

ANDREA E. CHAPDELAINE, PH.D.

Hood Receives $6.8 Million Grant from State of Maryland

Hood College has received a $6.8 million grant via the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA) Capital Grant Program in support of a $20.1 million project to renovate and expand the Hodson Science and Technology Center.

This project includes a 32,000-square-foot addition to the Center to accommodate growth in the College’s STEM programs, such as bioinformatics and cybersecurity.

The proposed expansion will allow Hood to meet the needs of both existing and new programs, many of which include laboratory components that have been recently introduced into the College’s curriculum. These programs require state-of-the-art lab facilities to attract prospective Maryland students, who often already have experience with and access to high-quality lab spaces in high school.

During the 2022 Legislative Session, MICUA requested $13.3 million in total capital grants to support campus construction and renovation projects totaling $35.5 million, enabling the construction and renovation of academic buildings and outdoor spaces used for innovative and high-demand academic programs and strategic initiatives for its member institutions.

NSA Designates Department of Computer Science and Information Technology as National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Hood College was named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through 2027 by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security.

The CAE-CD recognizes Hood’s efforts to reduce threats to the national infrastructure of the United States via the promotion of research in cyber defense as well as the establishment of a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals.

“This designation is the result of a rigorous accreditation process and demonstrates that our cybersecurity program meets the most demanding academic and technical requirements in cyber defense.”

— George Dimitoglou, Ph.D., director of the cybersecurity program at Hood College

This project includes a 32,000-square-foot addition to the Hodson Science and Technology Center to accommodate growth in the College’s STEM programs, such as bioinformatics and cybersecurity.

The designation will allow Hood faculty and students to apply for research grants and scholarships from the U.S. Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, NSA and other national research and cyber defense funding organizations.

New Trustees Join the Board

Manuel Casiano, MBA’03, H’08, M.D.

After earning his M.D. from New York University Medical School, Dr. Casiano received his MBA from Hood College in 2003. He recently retired from his role as senior vice president of population health; chief medical officer; and vice president for medical affairs for Frederick Regional Health System. Casiano joins the Board of Trustees after previously serving on the Hood College Board of Associates. Other board memberships include Centro Hispano de Frederick, which supports the local Hispanic community with educational programming and support services.

Hood Presented FRED “MVP” Award for Innovative Partnership with Kite Pharma

Hood received the 2022 “Most Valuable Partner” Frederick Real Estate Dealmakers (FRED) Award from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) after partnering with Kite Pharma to install a state-of-the-art cancer treatment lab within the Hodson Science and Technology Center. The lab will be used to train new Kite employees and Hood students in the science of cell therapy manufacturing.

“This lab provides a unique learning opportunity for our students. Our partnership with Kite has ensured that any of our graduating biology students will have the needed skill set to work in this ground-breaking industry.”

—President Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D.

The FRED Awards are hosted by FCOED and recognize the most successful commercial real estate transactions and projects each year, including the people who made them happen. Awards given this year highlighted the biggest deals and dealmakers of 2020 and 2021.

Beatrice “Anne” Reaver

Reaver had a distinguished career in information technology, working for many years as a computer system and program analyst. For a decade, she served as director of human resources and network administrator for Emmitsburg Glass Company. Now retired, Reaver is proud to join the Hood College Board of Trustees. In addition, she is a trustee for the Community Foundation of Frederick County, where she is involved with grants, investment and human resources.

BOLD and join the Blazers of the Last Decade Society. Gifts beginning at $10 a

or $120 or more annually make you part of something BOLD!

gift immediately supports student scholarships and financial aid, academic programming, athletics training and equipment, and so much more.

TO MEMBERS:

support from the Career Center

on hood.edu/boldsociety

in the honor roll

admission to exclusive events

TO JOIN VISIT HOOD.EDU/GIVE Want to learn more?

Contact Caroline Jeranek ’21, assistant director of annual giving, at jeranek@hood.edu.

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner, Hood’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement Nancy Gillece ’81, President Chapdelaine and Hood’s Director of Corporate and Government Relations Helen Propheter.

Hood in the News | Our Experts Cited in the Press

Assistant Professor of Political Science’s Jan. 6 Commentary Featured in Washington Post

Katherine Robiadek, Ph.D, director of Martha E. Church center for civic engagement, describes how lack of civics education leads to riots.

From Washington Post story “Jan. 6 hearings show a democracy in crisis. Civic education can help,” published June 28, 2022:

“No matter how thorough the hearings may be, they can’t fix the long-term decline in civic knowledge and civic education in the United States—how Americans learn about values, rights and obligations that shape how they engage with their communities and their democracy.

Hood Community Rallies Behind Ukrainian Student

Students, faculty and staff support Andrii Bezmen ’22 at March for Ukraine on campus.

From Frederick News-Post story “‘No one’s going to surrender’: Hood rallies behind Ukrainian student with family in war,” published March 4, 2022:

Andrii Bezmen has spent nearly a third of his life away from Ukraine, currently pursuing his academic goals. But as Russia wages war against his native country, his attention is focused squarely on his family back home.

“No one’s going to surrender; it is impossible to surrender,” he said. “Because otherwise, you know, there’ll be no Ukraine. My dad cannot surrender. He doesn’t want to, and even if he would, there’s not going to be peace.”

Hood’s president, Andrea E. Chapdelaine, said she was proud of the students who turned out to support Bezmen.

“For the students to see (the community) banding together around the principle of, ‘We believe in peace, we condemn war,’ I think it means a lot to know they have a whole community that will stand together against violence,” she said.”

Read the full story at hood.edu/FNP-Ukraine-Bezmen

“Congress spends 1,080 times more on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs—approximately $54 per student per year—than on civic education, which receives five cents per student per year.

“The Jan. 6, 2021, attack was the first time that violence was used to halt an electoral vote count in an effort to overturn a U.S. presidential election ... Revitalizing U.S. democracy to avoid more such political violence may need more than congressional hearings.”

Read the full story at hood.edu/WaPo-Robiadek

Alum Pat Chapple Wright ’66, H’90 Explores Madagascar in Smithsonian Magazine

Famed biologist and foremost lemur expert recalls fieldwork, conservation efforts in the wilderness of Madagascar.

From Smithsonian Magazine story “Into the Forbidden Forest,” published July 2022:

was believed to be extinct. Wright traveled to Madagascar, ventured into the southeastern rainforest where the animal had last been sighted—and found a greater bamboo lemur. While she was at it, she also discovered a new species: the golden bamboo lemur.

In the mid-1980s Wright was an assistant professor at Duke University, studying tarsiers from the Philippines, when a professor challenged her with a seemingly impossible task: find a greater bamboo lemur in the wild. The species had not been seen for more than a decade and

Soon came a pivotal moment in her research. She was sleeping in her tent near the town of Ranomafana in 1987 when she awoke to the explosive crack of a 300-foot tree crashing to the ground. A logging company was taking down the forest. If Wright wanted to continue studying lemurs, among the world’s most endangered mammals, she first needed to save them.

Read the full story at hood.edu/Smithsonian-Wright

Hood Welcomes New Hires

Robert Klinedinst, Vice President for Finance

Hood College is proud to welcome Robert Klinedinst as the new vice president for finance. Klinedinst joins Hood after previously serving as a senior architect at The Johns Hopkins University. He held higher education principal roles with Little Diversified Architectural Consulting and Harriman Architecture and Engineering. At the latter, he was also a partner and treasurer.

With a wealth of experience in higher education, Klinedinst is no stranger to college campuses. His background in planning and architecture gives him unique insight regarding campus facilities and operations.

Shortly after graduating from Cornell University and beginning his career as an architect, Klinedinst earned an MBA from Penn State Great Valley. Combining skill sets in project management and financial planning with design and engineering helped define his trajectory.

“Architecture involves understanding needs and programmatic requirements. It’s about solving problems. There’s a design process that can be applied to buildings, campuses, organizations and how they operate,” says Klinedinst. “As an architect, I learned how to manage large, complex project budgets. Organizational budgets are similar, just with different components and timelines.”

Klinedinst hopes to leverage his diverse background in meeting his primary goal—continuing the success of Hood.

John Slick, M.S.’22

John Slick joined as the College’s mental health counselor in July after graduating from Hood with an M.S. in clinical mental health counseling. Slick previously served as the graduate intern at Hood Counseling Services. In the new role, Slick will enhance the social, psychological and academic well-being of Hood students by providing shortterm, goal-oriented mental health counseling services and programming.

Helen Propheter

Helen Propheter began as Hood’s director of corporate and government relations in August. She holds more than 30 years of experience developing professional partnerships, with 15 years working for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, serving as deputy director and executive director. At Hood, Propheter will build mission-oriented, revenue-generating initiatives with organizations to broaden resources for and engagement with the College.

Katie Grocki

Katie Grocki has been named as Hood’s registrar. She began in May after working at Montgomery College’s Office of Records and Registration, where she served as registrar at the Germantown campus. Grocki holds a B.A. in integrative studies with a concentration in organizational administration and a minor in nonprofit studies from George Mason University as well as an M.A. in higher education from the University of Maryland.

Christine Sneeringer

Hood welcomed Christine Sneeringer as controller in August. The controller develops, implements and updates accounting policies and procedures, monitors compliance and provides support to the senior team, faculty, staff and students. Sneeringer joins Hood from Mount St. Mary’s University, where she also served as controller. Sneeringer brings 30 years of accounting and budgeting experience to Hood.

Christine Traini ’87, P’16, P’21

Christine Traini was appointed as Hood’s new director of human resources in April. She joins the College from Legal and General America Life Insurance, where she had served as senior organizational development training specialist. Traini earned an MBA from Mount St. Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Science from Hood.

Sarah Mariner

Sarah Mariner has joined Hood College as director of financial aid in early June. She brings more than 13 years of experience in financial aid, most recently working at The Johns Hopkins University as director of university financial aid operations. Mariner earned a B.A. in telecommunications at Morgan State, an M.A. in Latin American studies from Tulane and a management development certificate from The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.

Runako Allsopp, J.D.

Runako Allsopp joined Hood as the coordinator for Title IX, investigation and campus accessibility in July. Allsopp previously served as assistant attorney general in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia in the Legal Counsel and Public Safety Divisions. Allsopp graduated with honors from Morgan State with a B.A. in political science and graduated with honors from Tulane Law School in New Orleans.

BACK

The Future is in Your Hands

Hood College is not only thriving— we are forging the future. We are committed to providing an exceptional, holistic education in the liberal arts and sciences. We continue to develop new degree programs that meet emerging needs, while constructing modern spaces in which to house them.

Growing our endowment will strengthen the College for generations to come. In 2018, we launched the first comprehensive fundraising campaign in more than 25 years. The initial goal was set at $50 million to provide scholarships, increase support for faculty and ensure that every student leaves Hood world- and work-ready.

The Hood community has responded with unprecedented enthusiasm, surpassing the initial $50 million goal in three years. As a result, the Board of Trustees voted to press on and seek more support for Hood. In 2021, the goal was raised to $65 million as a means of growing the resources to educate, innovate and create a more sustainable financial model.

Forging the Future

The Campaign for Hood College

The philanthropic priorities align with and advance the College’s core mission.

UNRESTRICTED ANNUAL SUPPORT

GROW THE HOOD FUND

INCREASE THE COLLEGE’S ANNUAL SOURCE OF UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT AND ADVANCE ALL ASPECTS OF THE COLLEGE’S MISSION.

FACILITY/CAPITAL SUPPORT

RENOVATE AND EXPAND THE HODSON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER

TRANSFORM THE LIBRARY INTO A LEARNING COMMONS

SUPPORT STUDENT ENROLLMENT GROWTH IN THE SCIENCES WITH STATE-OF-THE ART FACILITIES, MODERN EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY.

CREATE ACADEMIC HUB THAT ENHANCES LEARNING AND THE STUDENT COMMUNITY.

DEVELOP AND ENDOW ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

ENSURE HIGH-IMPACT STUDENT LEARNING

INCREASE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

EXPAND THE GEORGE B. DELAPLAINE JR. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

ESTABLISH THE RUTH WHITAKER HOLMES SCHOOL OF BEHAVIORAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

SUPPORT FACULTY IN TEACHING AND RESEARCH

Campaign Goals

$65 MILLION TOTAL GOAL by June 30, 2023.

HOOD MAGAZINE THE MAGAZINE OF HOOD COLLEGE FALL 20228 GIVING Campaign Priorities

ENABLE EVERY STUDENT TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY.

IMPROVE THE COLLEGE’S AFFORDABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY.

SUPPORT FAST-GROWING BUSINESS PROGRAMS AND SPUR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH DEGREE PROGRAMS THAT MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS.

ENGAGE STUDENTS AND FACULTY IN MEANINGFUL RESEARCH AND DISCOVERY.

$1.8 MILLION IN HOOD FUND SUPPORT $3 MILLION IN OTHER CAMPAIGN GIFTS

An Invitation to the Hood Community

Now, in our fifth and final year of the Forging the Future campaign, every member of the Hood community has an opportunity to make a difference at Hood and become part of the College’s success. To meet our $65 million goal, we are seeking $4.8 million or more by June 30, 2023.

What the Hood Fund Supports

In addition to the valuable flexibility these funds provide for the areas of greatest need every year, the Hood Fund also provides:

Unrestricted Scholarship and Financial Aid

Join Us

You have the power to build upon our shared legacy.

A priority of the campaign is to grow annual support for the Hood Fund. This fund provides unrestricted dollars that allow the College to address our areas of greatest need. Making an annual gift to the Hood Fund demonstrates a powerful vote of confidence in Hood’s longevity. In our everchanging world, the Hood Fund allows us to adapt, grow and evolve.

As part of Forging the Future, we set an $8 million goal to grow the Hood Fund. To meet this goal, we must raise $1.8 million before June 30, 2023.

Your gift fuels discovery and powers bold ideas. It accelerates innovation in the humanities, sciences and arts. In short, a gift to the Hood Fund allows the College to make choices, not compromises

Every full-time undergraduate student receives approximately $1,500 of “silent scholarship” annually, defraying the costs of attending Hood.

A Gift to Ensure the College Flourishes

You can help us amplify student success with a Hood Fund gift. During this transformative time at Hood College, please also consider a Forging the Future campaign gift, which will help us to realize our shared aspirations for Hood.

This campaign presents an opportunity for all of us to stand proud in support of Hood. We can enrich the experiences of students, faculty and staff through academic innovations, while propelling our beloved institution forward. We invite you to join thousands of other alumni, parents and friends in supporting the College at this historic moment.

Academic Support

The Hood Fund supports outstanding faculty, classroom equipment, library resources, furnishings, academic research, studyabroad opportunities and extracurricular programming. Without the Hood Fund, educational quality would be compromised.

Athletics

More than one-third of Hood College students are involved in intercollegiate athletics. The Blue & Grey Club provides resources to Hood’s athletic programs, ensuring that our student-athletes have world-class facilities and equipment to keep them safe and competitive.

For more information or to explore a multi-year campaign gift, please contact Malinda (Lindy) Small ’81, executive director of individual giving, small@hood.edu, 301-696-3977 or Nancy Gillece ’81, vice president for institutional advancement, gillece@hood.edu, 301-696-3702.

BACK

Domota Byrd ’22

“I was able to attend Hood and receive my degree because of scholarships and financial aid. I am grateful for my Hood education and experience that prepared me to land a job in my desired field right after graduation. To express my appreciation, I am giving a monthly sustaining gift of $20.22 (my class year) to the College. This was easy to set up on Hood’s website!”

Make your gift today at hood.edu/makeagift

Grants Total $1.8 Million in Three-Year Span

Hood College has been awarded 18 grants/sponsored projects that total more than $1.8 million. These grants were generously provided by:

Boyd Foundation – scholarships for students from certain areas of Pennsylvania.

Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. – funds for the Summer Reading Clinic and for the Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. Multimedia Center.

Focus for Health – funds for the Frederick Food Security Network.

G. Frank Thomas Foundation – scholarships for students from Frederick County.

Kahlert Foundation – funds for nursing simulation equipment.

Lake Linganore Homeowner’s Association – funding to support the work of the Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies.

Loats Foundation – scholarships for students from Frederick County.

National Science Foundation – a subaward through the Council for Graduate Schools to administer a master’s exit survey.

Maryland Center for Computing Education – funds to support teacher training on computer science standards.

Maryland State Department of Education IDEA – funds to support professional development for teachers.

Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund –funds to support an Endowed Dean of the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences and to support an Endowed Director of the Biomedical Research and Training Center.

M&T Charitable Foundation – funds to the Hood Fund and The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business.

PNC Foundation – funds to support Data Driven Frederick.

Serini Foundation – funds to support the Frederick Food Security Network.

Shields Foundation – funds to support scholarships for nursing students.

Truist Foundation – funds to support Data Driven Frederick.

Support whatmatters the mostto you and legacy!your

Did you know you can give to Hood College while preserving your assets?

These two options can be used to make any type of gift to Hood—for the Hood Fund, a reunion gift or a restricted purpose. The benefit is that both can provide savings to you as you achieve your philanthropic goals and support Hood.

1. If you have appreciated securities that have been held for more than one year, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains taxes by transferring shares to Hood.

2. If you or your spouse is 70 ½ years of age or older, you can give up to $100,000 per year directly from your individual retirement account (IRA) to Hood, free from federal tax

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MAKING A GIFT, visit hood.edu/makeagift or contact Malinda (Lindy) Small ’81, executive director of individual giving, at small@hood.edu.

A Family of 50,000

Getting to know FCPS Superintendent Cheryl Dyson, DOL’22

By Matt Lee ’15

For Cheryl Dyson, DOL’22, family is everything. The students, teachers and staff members she encounters on a daily basis are an extension of that family. Dyson has four children of her own, but when factoring in the 68 public schools in Frederick County, she is responsible for roughly 45,000 students and more than 6,000 employees.

Born in Baltimore, Dyson was raised primarily in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She began her career as a teacher in 1999 at Georgian Forest Elementary School in Silver Spring and would spend the next 22 years working with Montgomery County Public Schools in various capacities. After transitioning to administrative and staff development roles, Cheryl served as a director of family and community engagement, assistant principal, principal and area associate superintendent. In 2022, she was appointed superin tendent of Frederick County Public Schools.

“One of my immediate goals is to build strong relationships. I want to know what people love about this school system and where they see oppor tunities for improvement,” says Dyson. “How do we shape a vision that represents the voices of the larger community? Not only our students and staff, but also our families and neigh bors.”

At the start of her tenure as FCPS super intendent, Dyson intends to refine these goals by doing a lot more listening than talking. “I need to listen first and not make assumptions about where people are. I think that’s how you learn the institutional norms that people hold so dear,” explains Dyson. “I need to understand where the organization wants to grow and how I can support that going forward so that we are oper ating efficiently, while honoring some of those same traditions. Getting to know the teachers and our union lead ers is really important to me.”

Even something as simple as riding the school bus can help garner under standing of student experiences, which is exactly what Dyson plans to do. Also on her list are meeting with princi pals and talking with parents. “I did something similar when I became the principal of Strathmore Elementary School,” notes Dyson. “I asked every stakeholder—staff, students, parents— what they dreamed for their school. I’m very clear about what it means to walk into a new family, a new team.”

Hood College has enjoyed a strong relationship with FCPS for many years. All future teachers enrolled in Hood’s education programs complete their internships at FCPS. In addition, current FCPS employees can take advantage of NeighborHOOD Partners program to receive scholarships toward undergraduate and graduate degrees. Dyson may be new to FCPS, but she will be surrounded by plenty of famil iar faces. Numerous FCPS administra tors, principals, assistant principals and teachers are fellow Hood alumni.

Dyson feels all the more equipped to tackle the challenges of being superin tendent thanks to recently earning her Doctorate of Organizational Leader ship from Hood College. After spend ing four years in the cohort-based doctoral program working alongside likeminded peers, Dyson is poised to turn theory into practice. She intends to use her newfound knowledge and skills, coupled with her decades of professional experience, to continue serving the needs of students, teachers and staff.

“To me, reaching every child every day is about learning their stories and advo cating for our students in a way that allows them to be heard,” says Dyson. “We want their needs to be managed and addressed, so it’s like creating an action plan for each of our children.”

People are more than just numbers, but when crunching the data that encom passes tens of thousands of students, it can be difficult to parse out those singu lar stories. Fortunately, this is exactly what Dyson has been trained to do.

“The doctoral program at Hood impacted me both personally and professionally. I needed a cohort of accountability partners who could challenge and support each other. That is exactly what I found at Hood,” says Dyson. “I will forever be an ambassador for the program. It’s rigorous, but it’s worth every minute of your time.”

Dyson explains that being an educator means having a sense of humility and knowing that learning is a lifelong jour ney. Her motto is, “Every child. Every day.” She believes that when it comes to fulfilling the inherent potential inside each child, academics are only a single part of a much larger picture. Equitable practices and emotional wellbeing are also crucial to student success.

“We have to be smart about how we look at our student profiles. There’s some rich data at the granular level. We can tap into that data analysis to identify where our children are academically and work to close the achievement gap.”

Reflecting on her time at Hood, Dyson feels grateful to have been part of such a close-knit cohort. “We were together for four years. Some of us have been colleagues for longer than that, so I’m going to miss them,” she says. “I’ll always carry them in my spirit.”

“The doctoral program at Hood impacted me both personally and profes sionally ... I will forever be an ambassador for the program. It’s rigor ous, but it’s worth every minute of your time.”

Representation Matters | Diversifying the Nation’s Mental Health Counselors

Q&A with Atiya R. Smith ’03, Ph.D.

Atiya R. Smith ’03, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of psychology and counseling at Hood College and serves as coordinator of the school counseling M.S. program. In addition to the psychology B.A. she holds from Hood, Smith earned her doctorate in education with a specialty in counseling and counselor education from the University of Rochester. She is also a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland, a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Certi fied Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional (CATP).

At Hood, Smith operates the Student Retention Research Lab, which regularly conducts research on students of color who attend Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Her efforts are aimed at making counseling programs more inclusive, while combatting racism at all levels of academia. In this conversation, Smith discusses the importance of diverse voices in the field of counseling.

My primary research focuses on students of color attending PWIs. Initially, I focused solely on college students. I’ve since expanded the educational pipeline, spanning from elementary to graduate school. Paired with my own lived experiences as a woman of color, counselor educator and licensed mental health counselor, a large body of research has not only shed light on the unique experiences of these students, but also the need to address their experiences.

Can you tell us about your primary research and what drew you to it?

LEARNING CURVE

I also believe that research should inform practice. As a scholar-practitioner and student mentor, I bring this perspective into my classes, my advising sessions, my work as a counselor and through my research and scholarship. I also follow this in my work as the faculty adviser for the Black Student Union and for the counseling program’s chapter of the international honor society—Chi Sigma Iota.

The Student Retention Research Lab consists of undergraduate and graduate students, alumni and community partners. We conduct both quan titative and qualitative research, and I also collab orate with students on conference presentations and journal manuscripts. We focus on students of color attending PWIs and conduct research related to college students, graduate students in counseling programs and P-12 students with exceptionalities. Our goal is to better understand the experiences of these students, while offering strategies that can aid in their success.

While many students of color are successful in counseling programs at PWIs, the literature indicates that these students typically experience a range of unique challenges at both the master’s and doctoral level. Such challenges include, but are not limited to, racism, microaggressions, discrimination, marginalization, exclusion and tokenism. Students also report a Eurocentric cur riculum; racial inequalities in how students are treated and the opportunities they are provided; a lack of culturally relevant experiences during clinical supervision; and a lack of both faculty of color and peers of color in their programs.

These experiences have the potential to result in decreased perceptions of their institution, dissatisfaction with or withdrawal from their program, increased frustration or a decision to pursue a different career path. It may also con tribute to racial trauma, which has been directly linked to decreased psychological well-being, physical health, social interactions and academic performance. It should be noted that a body of research has highlighted similarities between the experiences and outcomes of students of color and faculty of color, especially women.

As someone who trains rising school counsel ors and clinical mental health counselors, it is important to be aware of these concerns and how it may impact their future clients, so I assist them with brainstorming ways to be social justice advocates and agents of change.

These students typically experience a range of unique challenges at both the master’s and doctoral level. Such challenges include, but are not limited to, racism, microaggressions, discrim ination, marginalization, exclusion and tokenism.

Rooted in my own mentoring experiences, I believe it is important to include students in research projects and conference presentations. Last year, I presented two research sessions at conferences for the Maryland Counseling Associ ation and the Maryland chapter of the Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development.

I presented one session with a graduate of the counseling program, Laura Fernandez Garza, M.S.’19, and the other with current students Jason Francis and Zuleyma Medina.

I have a range of active projects, including a qualitative study examining the experiences of Black women who attended independent PWIs for their P-12 education. Previous research indicates that students of color have challenging experiences at these schools, emphasizing the need to address the impact on their academic performance, perceptions of belonging, mental health and overall well-being. We are currently

interviewing participants to better understand their stories and aim to develop a set of systemic strategies to improve how they experience their schools. I am working on this project with Megan Shaine, Ph.D., undergraduate psychology student Asiayonna Jones and the following graduate students in the counseling program: Jason Francis, Kaylin Fields and Kori Payne. Another study examines the experiences of students of color attending college-level honors programs. Little research has focused on this area. We want to better understand how programs can aid in their success. I am working with undergraduate nursing student Alanis Gonzalez Quiles and two graduates of the counseling program, Stephanie Park Kesner ’18, M.S.’21, C’20 and Brittany Spoor ’20, M.S.’22.

Why is it important that there are more counselors of color?

The U.S. continues to become much more racially and ethnically diverse. To best serve the diverse needs of both clients and counseling students, the counseling profession should also reflect this diversity.

In looking at institutions, approved program cur riculum should expand to offer diverse voices and perspectives. This allows for students to better understand different cultures and the worldview of diverse clients. This can lead to much more effective treatment planning, diagnosis, case conceptualization and basic understanding.

Institutions should also recognize the positive impact of visibility, such as the presence of fac ulty of color. Some students have said, “Because you are here, I believe I can be successful too.” It reminds me of how I felt as a student when I saw faculty of color—it was an unspoken statement of encouragement and empowerment. Additional ly, other students can see that faculty of color are knowledgeable, skilled and valuable members of the campus community.

I am honored to have the opportunity to come back to my alma mater and empower the next generation of leaders to use their hearts, minds and hands to best serve the world. It has been an exciting adventure and I am looking forward to the years to come.

Calling future counselors!

Hood’s HRSA scholarship

underserved regions of the country. To apply and learn more about our

What are some of the challenges for counseling students of color who attend PWIs?

Can you tell us about the Student Retention Research Lab?

Introducing the M.S. in Nutrition Science

NEW GRADUATE PROGRAM POISED TO TRAIN REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONISTS (RDNS)

By Matt Lee ’15

Council on Education for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), making it Maryland’s only master’s program in nutrition to carry this endorse ment. This will ensure that Hood students are receiving an education that meets professional standards, paving the way for meaningful careers post-graduation.

The degree is comprised of three unique tracks—dietetics, sustainable nutrition and nutrition science. The dietetics track will allow students to pursue state licensure as RDNs. “With three tracks, we can meet the needs of a variety of students,” notes Davis. “For instance, the sustainable nutrition and nutrition science tracks may be attractive to already registered dietitians.”

There is a direct correlation between our health and the food we eat, which is why people are paying increasing attention to their diets. As such, demand for registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) has skyrocketed in recent years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11 percent employment growth in the field by 2030, faster than the national average across industries. However, limited access to qualified dietetic educators has compounded a work force shortage, leaving healthcare facilities and school systems understaffed.

The good news? Hood College is poised to boost the ranks of RDNs with the launch of its nutrition science M.S. program. This is not the first time nutrition has been taught at Hood, as the subject was a focus area of the bygone home economics major. The new iteration of the nutrition program was made possible thanks to a grant from alumna and

Board of Trustees member Edith Howard Hogan ’59, P’86, who received a bachelor’s in home economics from Hood before earning a master’s in dietetics from Harvard and going on to a stellar career in public health.

To spearhead the program, the College has en listed Anne Davis, Ph.D., RDN, as director. “As far as leading the new program, it’s exciting,” says Davis. “I feel very honored, and I think it’s an innovative move for Hood College.”

Davis joins Hood from the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, where she served as the founding program director and associate professor of clinical nutrition in the School of Health Sciences. She studied at the University of Maine, University of Connecticut School of Allied Health and Temple University.

The program was recently granted Candi dacy for Accreditation by the Accreditation

Davis explains that the clinical study of nutri tion is vital because it touches so many differ ent aspects of health and wellness. Likewise, dietitians and nutritionists are needed in a wide array of settings, from hospitals and private practices to schools and community centers.

“The field of nutrition is extremely vast,” says Davis. “Every health professional should know something about nutrition. There’s nutrition laboratory research, applied nutrition and pub lic health programs. There are more and more opportunities for registered dietitians, which is fantastic.”

The degree is comprised of three unique tracks— dietetics, sustainable nutrition and nutrition science.

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

ACCREDITED BY THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL ON EDUCATION FOR NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

The inaugural class of nutrition science students will convene in spring 2023 with an expected graduation date of 2025. The program will utilize a hybrid learning model that includes both on-campus and virtual experiences for added flexibility and convenience. Students can also opt to enroll part-time and earn the degree at their own pace.

“ Whether you’re interested in the farm-to-table movement or practicing in a clinical setting like a school, nursing home or hospital, the tracks that we’ve designed will serve your interests.”

–April Boulton, Ph.D., dean of the graduate school

Ample opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration will be made possible through The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, which will house seven Hood programs, including nutrition. Undergraduate nursing, public health and sustainability studies majors will find themselves well-positioned to work in tandem with the graduate nutrition program. Students can take advantage of state-of-the-art simulation labs and internships with local partners such as Fred erick Health, Medstar, Meritus Health and Adventist.

“I think potential applicants to this new program are going to be really pleased with how we’ve handled this diverse field,” says April Boulton, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School. “Whether you’re interested in the farm-to-table movement or practicing in a clinical setting like a school, nursing home or hospital, the tracks that we’ve designed will serve your interests.”

Watch a video and request information at hood.edu/nutrition

Dietitian vs. Nutritionist: What’s the Difference?

All dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. Typically, dietitians are licensed professionals who work in clinical settings and treat specific medical conditions. The title of registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can be used depending on the practitioner’s preference. Nutritionists provide more general advice on healthy eating and sometimes have specialized areas of focus such as sports nutrition.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT:

Blair Kreh ’21, M.S.’22

Blair Kreh ’21, M.S.’22, is a recent graduate of Hood College’s M.S. in bio medical science program. During his time at Hood, Blair was a member of the molecular pharmacology program at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research and the 4PLUS dual-degree program. At the Class of 2022 Commencement ceremony, Blair gave the Graduate School remarks. This fall, Blair will be joining the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GIV ING THE GRADUATE SCHOOL REMARKS AT COMMENCEMENT?

Delivering my remarks at Commencement was an exhilarating and serendipitous moment. My Hood College experience was quite unique, as I had the fortunate opportunity to graduate with a bachelor’s and master’s degree consecutively.

I recognized this as an opportunity to con nect with my fellow peers, to bridge the gap between the undergraduate and graduate students, and to unify the Class of 2022. I am grateful for the privilege to represent the Hood College Graduate School at Commencement. I will remember that day forever.

COULD YOU BRIEFLY SUMMARIZE THE TOPIC OF YOUR THESIS?

My master’s thesis was titled “Assessment of a Novel RAR-γ Selective agonist in vitro and in combination treatment with immune checkpoint inhibition in vivo using a Syngeneic Murine Lung Cancer Model.”

Recently, immunotherapy, which activates immune cells to target cancer cells, has been recognized as an effective strategy to treat lung cancer. This study assessed the efficacy of

novel retinoid (vitamin A derivative) agonist that selectively targets the retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-γ subtype.

This study provided valuable insight into the mechanisms of this novel immunotherapy and may have future implications in the cancer clinic as an effective treatment for lung cancer.

WHAT WAS COMPLETING YOUR THESIS LIKE?

Completing my thesis was an intense process that required determination and perseverance. My thesis was the most difficult and complex project I have completed in college, and I could not have done it without the consistent help from my colleagues at Frederick National Laboratory and professors at Hood College. This study gave me an understanding of the biologi cal nature of lung cancer and taught me how to conduct science at a professional level.

HOW DID HOOD COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR UPCOMING STUDIES AT DENTAL SCHOOL?

Hood College provided me with a broad skill set. From various on-campus opportunities to my research experience at Frederick National Laboratory, my Hood College education has enhanced my academic and social skills.

Additionally, Reverend Beth O’Malley led me to discover the power of mindfulness and meditation, which will be an asset during my rigorous studies at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE AT HOOD?

My favorite experience at Hood College was speaking at Commencement this year. How ever, many of my favorite memories were at various events on campus, including freshman orientation, Honor’s Convocation, the ring cer emony, orchestra/choir performances and the Graduate Degree Recipient Reception.

ANY OTHER INFORMA TION/FUN FACTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

My mother Jacqui Kreh, M.A.’10, C’10, P’21, also spoke at her Hood College Commence ment in 2010, so when the opportunity was presented to speak at the Class of 2022 Commencement, I could not pass it up. It was an enlightening experience to witness the similarities between my mother’s Hood College education 12 years ago and my own recent experiences at the College.

DID YOU GRADUATE FROM HOOD IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, TOO?

Learn about our 4PLUS pathways and ALTY Scholarship to save money and fast-track your master’s degree.

Visit hood.edu/4PLUS and hood.edu/ALTY.

Advance your career with a doctoral degree.

DOCTORATES IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

PREPARING LEADERS, TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES.

LEARN MORE: HOOD.EDU/DOL OR HOOD.EDU/DBA NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2023

Michael W. Dillman ’02, M.S.’06, DOL’22 gained the title “triple alum,” having earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree from Hood College.

OTHER “TRIPLE ALUMS” INCLUDE:

Michele D. Baisey ’98, M.S.’02, DOL’19

Lura Sullivan Hanks ’98, M.S.’03, DOL’19

Kelly A. Harrington ’08, M.A.’13, DOL’21, C’13, C’16

Ja’Bette Brown Lozupone ’05, MBA’10, DOL’20

Katherine Creager Swire ’83, M.A.’93, DOL’20

Joshua F. Work ’09, M.S.’15, DOL’19

Alumni Awards

OUTSTANDING RECENT ALUMNA AWARD

Kathryn “Katie” Chick ’07

Katie came to Hood in 2003 and quickly made her mark. She was a member of the choir, Hood Theater and Meyran Hall House Council. She was consistently named to the Dean’s List and inducted into the Mortar Board honor society.

Since graduating from Hood in 2007, Katie has built a notable career in the field of human resources management, progressing from an entry-level coordinator to director in record time. Her current role is vice president of talent at NorthStar. While she has focused on building her career, Katie has also been a constant advocate for the College. She rarely misses an

opportunity to tout her campus experiences and Hood degree as being instrumental to her successes.

Katie’s community activities include acting as human resources adviser for the Washington, D.C. office of StreetWise Partners, a national nonprofit organization that provides skills, resources, mentorship and networking opportunities to unemployed or underemployed citizens. Recently appointed president of the Mortar Board National Organization, Katie noted in her acceptance remarks that her involvement in the Hood chapter of Mortar Board is what set her on her “path to the presidency.”

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD

Mary Mannix ’82

Mary graduated from Hood in 1982 majoring in history and political science. She also holds master’s degrees in American history and library science.

As manager of the Maryland Room at the C. Burr Artz Public Library in Frederick County, a role she has held since 1998, Mary has brought the history of Maryland to life for the community. As an adjunct professor during Hood’s 125th anniversary celebration, Mary hosted a Hood College history exhibit at the library. To help bring this historical milestone to life, she devoted more than 30 hours conducting oral history interviews with alumni and community members for the 125th project. Mary’s current teaching roles include genealogy librarianship at the University of Maryland, and genealogical and local history at the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Frederick Community College.

Prior to working with Frederick County Public Libraries, Mary’s career led her to serve as a reference librarian with The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and library director of the Howard County Historical Society as well as roles with the Baltimore City Historic Preservation Commission and the Maryland Historical Society.

Locally, Mary is proud to co-chair the Frederick Historic Sites Consortium and was named Tourism Ambassador of the Year by the Frederick County Tourism Council in 2019. She remains active in the MidAtlantic Regional Archives Conference and has been chair of the Meetings Coordinating Committee since 2008. She also boasts accolades from national library associations, including being chosen as the winner of the 2011 American Library Association Genealogical Publishing Company Award for service to the profession.

Mary has been unceasing in her efforts to bring local and state history to the forefront of national organizations and exhibits and continues to champion the cause of “stories yet to be told.”

To quote her classmate Rebecca Rittenhouse Dupont ’07, “Katie truly lives the Hood ideals of responsibility, leadership, service and civic engagement. She deserves the acknowledgment she so rarely seeks.”

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO HOOD COLLEGE AWARD

Chrisse Butler Hassett ’72, M.S.’75 and Lucia Grabenstein Kline ’72

For the past 50 years, Chrisse Butler Hassett and Lucia Grabenstein Kline have been constant Hood volunteers. They have organized class reunions, serving as class agents and reporters. Together, they have represented the Class of ’72 at Hood presidential inaugurations and so much more.

In 1975, Chrisse returned to campus and earned her master’s degree in human sciences. She continued to serve Hood as a Phone-A-Thon volunteer, reunion chair and hostess, and has performed countless other roles in service to her alma mater.

Professionally, Chrisse’s degrees influenced her teaching roles as an elementary school instructor and reading specialist with Frederick County Public Schools. She also taught as a master teacher in the Hood Reading Clinic. In addition to her teaching career, Chrisse has volunteered in her community and raised her family, all while continuing to stay involved and active with her classmates and with Hood.

Lucia Grabenstein Kline, a Frederick native, also has familial connections to Hood; her mother-in-law Natalie Townsend Kline was a member of the Class of ’41.

Chrisse Hassett Butler’s roots to Hood run deep. She has many Hood legacy connections, including being the granddaughter of Frances Good Bowers ’27. When she visited Hood in her junior year of high school, Chrisse fell in love with the campus. She credits former registrar Lucille Norman as the reason she has called Hood, and Frederick, home ever since.

While at Hood, Lucia volunteered to be a campus guide, which allowed her to show off the beauty of the Hood campus and buildings to future students; she felt very proud to be a Hood ambassador. Following graduation, Lucia helped launch the Back to the Classroom alumnae college sessions, held during every Hood reunion weekend. She has also served as 1972 class agent, Phone-A-Thon volunteer and an active

member of the hospitality team for many reunion weekends. Lucia shared that cochairing class reunions with Chrisse has given her the most pleasure, especially when she sees so many friends return to celebrate the place she treasures.

In addition to her service to Hood, Lucia has spent many hours volunteering in the Frederick community, and she credits that first volunteer job at Hood with planting the seed of service that has been present throughout the years.

Kline

Hassett

The men’s basketball team won the MAC Commonwealth Championship in 202122, its first in school history, in exciting fashion at top-seeded Eastern University. All-American Mason Wang ’22 scored the go-ahead bucket with barely a minute remaining in the game. The victory sent the Blazers to their second NCAA Tournament in program history, where they fell in the first round to then-No. 17 Oswego State. Overall, the Blazers recorded their second 20-win season and connected on a school-record 346 3-point field goals. Mason and Evan Wang ’22 were both named to the D3hoops.com All-Region Team. Men’s basketball was joined in the winner’s circle by the Blazers’ Esports team. Playing Overwatch, Esports claimed its divisions of the New England Collegiate Conference in both the fall and spring seasons. After winning in the fall, Hood moved up a level in the spring and again won its division.

Champions!

FRONT: Ian Pugh, Jared Young, Christopher Smalls, Bryce Keller. SECOND ROW: Assistant Coach Carson Garvis, Assistant Coach Luke Summers, Troy Fulton, Jack Fricka, Bryce Butler, Evan Wang, Mason Wang, Trumaine Strickland, Zack Magill. BACK ROW: Head Coach Chad Dickman, Garrett Cox, Andrew Warehime, Will Spencer, Garrison Linton, Ryan Hollwedel, Soren Almquist, Will Pataki, Brian Barrett, Lual Chol, Lance Coffey, Assistant Coach Arthur Claybon.

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY TO JOIN BLAZERS ATHLETICS

Women’s ice hockey will launch in winter 2024-25, becoming Hood College’s 26th varsity sport. The team will join the Blazers’ other NCAA Division III programs in the Middle Atlantic Conference.

“We are excited to add women’s ice hockey to our athletics program at Hood College,” said President Andrea Chapdelaine, Ph.D. “As a fast-growing sport in Maryland, women’s ice hockey will expand our athletic recruitment and the diversity of athletic experiences we offer our students.”

Hood will conduct a search for a head coach, who will recruit the Blazers’ inaugural team.

“As we continue to research new opportunities for women to compete in athletics, ice hockey fits well within our parameters for potential sports,” said Susan Kolb, Ph.D., director of athletics. “We have an excellent facility at Skate Frederick to offer our players for their home ice. Regionally, we are close to many clubs and high school level women’s ice hockey programs for recruiting. I am thrilled to see women’s ice hockey come to Hood College and will look forward to our first season.”

Other current Middle Atlantic Conference institutions competing in women’s ice hockey include Alvernia University, Arcadia University, King’s College, Lebanon Valley College, Stevenson University and Wilkes University.

“Gender equity is a fundamental principle across the MAC, so I’m delighted that Hood will be sponsoring women’s ice hockey,” said Megan Morrison, MAC executive director. “It underscores Hood’s commitment to gender equity and adds to the growing number of ice hockey programs sponsored by MAC institutions.”

In all, 67 institutions competed in Division III women’s ice hockey in 2021. Sponsorship of women’s ice hockey at the Division III level has grown by a third since 2013. The number of student-athletes on Division III rosters also increased by 33 percent in the same period, growing from around 1,100 student-athletes to more than 1,500.

CHATFIELD TO LEAD MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GOLF

Thomas Chatfield, MBA’18

Thomas Chatfield, MBA’18, will take over the men’s golf program, in addition to coaching the women’s golf program.

“Our previous coach, Chad Dickman, has done a great job in nine seasons improving the men’s golf program,” said Susan Kolb, Ph.D., director of athletics.“Thomas has been a volunteer with the men’s program for several years, and he understands the competition in the MAC as well as the recruiting landscape.”

Chatfield will be coaching a men’s golf team that placed fifth at the conference championships in 2022. Four of the

Blazers’ top five players are expected to return, as are four other members of the 2021-22 team.

“Thomas has been a volunteer with the men’s program for several years, and he understands the competition in the MAC as well as the recruiting landscape.”

-Susan Kolb, Ph.D., director of athletics

The women’s team is coming off its best year in program history, finishing fifth at the MAC Championships with a school

record score of 36-holes. The Blazers obliterated the previous team’s scoring average by more than 60 strokes.

“This is a wonderful opportunity with a great group of young men,” Chatfield said. “I have been around the program for the past few years and have seen continued growth. I look forward to expanding upon the team’s development and hope to continue building upon the solid foundation.”

In addition to his duties as Hood’s golf coach, Chatfield is also the associate athletic trainer for the Blazers, a post he has held since 2014.

BARTHLOW NOMINATED FOR NCAA WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Cailyn Barthlow ’22 was named Hood’s institutional nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Barthlow, a biology major, was chosen for her accomplishments on the softball diamond and in the classroom.

The NCAA Woman of the Year program, now in its 32nd year, honors the academic achievements, athletic excellence, community service and leadership of a graduating female collegiate athlete who has exhausted their NCAA eligibility.

In addition to leading the MAC Commonwealth with 137 at bats, Barthlow was second in runs scored with 38. She was also among the league leaders in hits (3rd, 46) and sacrifice flies (t-9th, 2). Barthlow homered twice in a game against DeSales, tying the Blazers’ singleseason record.

The Libertyville, Maryland native, who is attending medical school at Virginia Tech, has a long list of accolades off the field. She served as vice president of both the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Students Providing Understanding and Resources (SPURs). Barthlow made the Dean’s List every semester, graduated summa cum laude and was named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll each season.

The awards Barthlow has won in the classroom include the Beta Beta Beta Biology Award, Sidney Silverman Department of Biology Award, Organic Chemistry Award and the Biology Faculty Award. She has been inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, Gamma Sigma Epsilon, Ionic Society, Beta Beta Beta and Chi Alpha Sigma honor societies. Barthlow was also a pre-bac fellow at the National Cancer Institute conducting HIV research.

In the community, Barthlow was a patient care companion at Frederick Health Hospital, acted as service chair for a donation drive for the Frederick County Humane Society and participated in the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk.

Barthlow is one of 577 nominees across all three divisions of the NCAA and one of 202 student-athletes across Division III to be nominated. She is one of 13 athletes nominated by MAC institutions. The 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced this fall.

FACES IN THE CROWD

JOCELYN PFLEIGER ’25

SOFTBALL

Pfleiger completed an outstanding first season with the Blazers. She was named to the NFCA All-Region V Second Team, was the MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year and earned All-MAC Commonwealth First Team honors. Pfleiger set the school record for home runs in a season with a conference-best nine. She also led the MAC Commonwealth in slugging percentage (.685), hits (50), runs batted in (36) and doubles (tied, 12). She had an 18-game hitting streak early in the season.

ROBBIE WILEY ’25 MEN’S LACROSSE

Wiley was named to the All-MAC Commonwealth Second Team after an impressive first season as a Blazer, tallying 41 points on 32 goals and nine assists. Wiley excelled during MAC Commonwealth play, recording 14 goals fueled by a season-best four against Albright.

BLAZERS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-MAC HONORS

Mason Wang ’22 of the men’s basketball team was named the Middle Atlantic Conference’s Senior Scholar Athlete and was voted Academic All-MAC.

Mason was an easy selection for the honor in men’s basketball. He was a three-time All-MAC Commonwealth First Team selection and was most recently named the 2022 MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year. Mason led the Blazers to the 2022 MAC Commonwealth Title and was named the Championship MVP. He finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in program history.

Mason’s twin brother Evan Wang ’22 along with Hazen Stowell ’23 of the men’s swim team were also voted Academic All-MAC.

TAY ZECHMAN ’24

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

Zechman earned All-MAC accolades after she finished third in javelin throw at the MAC Outdoor Championships on May 7. Zechman’s best throw traveled 32.76 meters (107-6). Earlier in the spring, she set the school record in the event with a heave of 34.55m (113-4) during a meet at Salisbury University on April 23.

Evan earned his first career D3hoops.com All-Region honor with a strong senior year that saw him join Mason on the All-MAC Commonwealth First Team. Evan also led the MAC Commonwealth with an assist/turnover ratio of 2.22 and was second to his brother in 3-point field goals in the conference with 2.8 per game. Evan’s 96 assists are tied for second in the league. He ended his career second alltime at Hood with 413 assists.

Stowell swam his way to a pair of All-MAC honors at the conference championship meet in February. He placed second in the 500-yard freestyle and was third in the 200yard freestyle.

DUTCH DEPROSPERO ’25 BASEBALL

DeProspero had a strong start to his career with the Blazers. The first-year student-athlete was named the MAC Commonwealth Pitcher of the Week three straight weeks from February 28 to March 14. In his final start of the streak, he tossed a one-hit shutout in a spring break victory over Franciscan (Ohio) in Florida.

Mason Wang ’22 Evan Wang ’22 Hazen Stowell ’23

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE

By Matt Lee ’15

The United States has been in the grip of a healthcare crisis for decades. Barriers to access coupled with soaring costs have left large swaths of the population with limited options. An estimated 30 million Americans do not have health insurance (CDC). This situation is compounded by another escalating problem—a drought of healthcare workers.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. had roughly 20,000 fewer doctors than required to meet the country’s needs (Association of American Medical Colleges). COVID-19 simply added more fuel to fire, straining a workforce that was already stretched thin. As of 2022, nearly 20 percent of the nation’s healthcare workers have quit their job during the pandemic (Morning Consult).

The issue extends to mental health practitioners. More than one-third of Americans—an estimated 122 million people—live in areas lacking mental health professionals, with rural counties being the worst affected (USAFacts).

The forces driving this current shortage are complex. While pandemic burnout has certainly taken its toll, experts point to a “pipeline problem” as the true culprit. In short, there are not enough educators to train the next generation of medical practitioners. In 2019, more than 80,000 applicants nationwide were turned away from nursing programs due to a lack of available faculty, classroom space, clinical sites and budget (American Association of Colleges of Nursing).

As dire as the situation may seem, there are reasons to remain hopeful. Here at Hood College, an exciting new academic venture is poised to alleviate some of the pressure. The launch of The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences has given plenty of people on campus—and in the community—cause to celebrate.

The School is comprised of undergraduate programs in nursing, psychology, social work, sociology and public health as well as graduatelevel programs in counseling and nutrition. Close partnerships with Frederick Health and other organizations will offer students hands-on learning opportunities. In many cases, students will have prospective jobs lined up before they are even handed their diplomas.

While the School’s vision was guided by the collective efforts of Hood faculty, this endeavor would not have been possible without a $2.5 million gift from Ruth Whitaker Holmes ’55, H’93, Ph.D., and her husband G. Burtt Holmes, O.D. The Holmes’ gift was then matched by grants totaling $1.5 million from the Maryland Department of Commerce E-Nnovation Fund and other benefactors.

“We are so grateful to Ruth and her forward-thinking, transformative gift to establish the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences,” says Andrea Chapdelaine, Ph.D., president of Hood College. “Ruth and Burtt epitomize Hood’s values in their steadfast and selfless giving to enhance educational offerings at Hood.”

The School is the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to education and philanthropy. Holmes was a trailblazer in the STEM field. She defied stereotypes to pursue her passion, earning a bachelor’s in home economics from Hood College in 1955 before completing a dietetic internship at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital the following year. Holmes went on to earn an M.S. in nutrition from the University of Massachusetts in 1971 and a doctorate in higher education from Boston College in 1979.

Holmes taught at Framingham State College, where she also served as coordinator of the Food and Nutrition Division and director of the undergraduate dietetics program. She maintained close ties with Hood as a member of the Board of Trustees and Board of Associates, while also staying active with the Alumnae Fund. Along with her sister, Holmes funded the Ruth Whitaker Holmes ’55 and Portia Whitaker Shumaker ’55 Science Scholarship, which is awarded annually to undergraduate students.

Holmes’ interest in the sciences was nourished by her father U.A. Whitaker, a prominent engineer. When Whitaker passed away in 1975, he bequeathed part of his fortune to support biomedical education and research. The Whitaker Foundation was one of the largest nonprofits in the country, contributing more than $700 million to various universities and medical schools, including Hood College. Holmes has ensured her family’s charitable legacy will carry on for many years to come, touching the lives of countless students at her beloved alma mater.

As part of the College’s strategic plan, the concept originally developed from discussions held by faculty, board members, alumni and students. This team outlined the mission, vision and values for the School, drawing upon Hood’s liberal arts heritage.

“We began to see individual strengths, but also the exponential alignment with all of these programs,” says Provost Debbie Ricker, Ph.D. “They connect across a multitude of disciplines to work synergistically with one another. We thought this was a perfect amalgamation to create a unique, holistic School of Behavioral and Health Sciences.” Grouped together, students and faculty in these interdisciplinary programs can collaborate like never before. They will also enjoy concentrated support from community partners, chief among them being Frederick Health.

The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences

Mission Statement

The mission of The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences is to prepare graduates to support and advocate for the needs of diverse communities by providing a holistic study of health and behavior as a continuum of physical, mental and social well-being. The School provides an interdisciplinary learning environment consistent with the College’s liberal arts mission and applied through research and practice environments.

Vision Statement

The School’s vision is to:

• Positively impact the quality of human and community life;

• Promote innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration reflective of the dynamic, ever-changing fields of behavioral and health sciences;

• Create an accountable culture that centers diversity, equity and inclusion as essential components; and

• Enhance understanding of health, behavior and society through dissemination of knowledge from basic and applied research as well as practice.

Values

The School upholds a set of core values that align with the College and guide our work with all constituents. We are committed to:

• Demonstrating professionalism, integrity and ethical principles;

• Creating actionable solutions that promote health, social equity and access to resources;

• Promoting excellence in teaching, research and practice;

• Championing diversity, equity and inclusion; and

• Celebrating interdisciplinary collaboration.

Nearly a decade ago, Hood initiated a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion program for registered nurses. Frederick Community College students with a two-year associate degree in nursing could transfer to Hood to complete their bachelor’s degree. Frederick Health agreed to provide these students, most of whom were already working for Frederick Health, with scholarships to cover their tuition. Within a few years, Hood grew the program into its own full-fledged, four-year BSN.

“The program is self-sustaining now,” says Tom Kleinhanzl, CEO of Frederick Health and Hood Board of Trustees member. “It’s grown beyond Frederick Health in a positive way, contributing to the education of nurses who serve people across Maryland. The partnership has been a win-win for us all.”

Kleinhanzl appreciates working closely with Hood, which not only allows Frederick Health to recruit nurses, but also provide direct input on the curriculum. “The care we’re delivering for patients must weave into the clinical training. We have to make sure what’s being taught is concurrent with real, day-to-day

practice,” explains Kleinhanzl. Hood and Frederick Health offer two separate but essential pieces of the puzzle. Hood lays the educational foundation—faculty, coursework, evaluation—while Frederick Health provides the real-world backdrop for students to learn under the supervision and guidance of working, registered nurses.

Today, Frederick Health continues the tradition of granting scholarships to Hood nursing students. In exchange, scholarship recipients agree to work at Frederick Health for a set term following graduation. “There’s a tremendous need to invest in these students,” says Kleinhanzl, who has seen firsthand how staff shortages weigh heavily on the healthcare system. “We want them to have access to the right faculty and programs as well as ensure we have enough training sites. Then we’ve got to retain them and give them a healthy worklife balance.”

The current iteration of the nursing program is fairly new, but its history stretches back to World War II, when Hood offered a nurse training program in cooperation with Johns Hopkins and Columbia University, among others. In recent years, the nursing program has experienced phenomenal growth. Originally, there were 23 students. With the launch of the School of BHS, there will be more than 200.

“There is a great need for nurses,” says Jennifer Cooper, DNP, department chair of nursing. “There’s been a longtime shortage of nurses in Maryland, so the ability we have to draw nurses into the program and get them out into the workforce is important for Hood, but also for our hospitals.” To accommodate the program’s continued expansion, Hood has leased a nearby building from Frederick Health that will house simulation labs, classrooms and faculty offices. These facilities will provide a long-term training ground for nurses at Frederick Health and elsewhere.

Hood’s newest graduate program also

falls under the Department of Nursing. The only ACENDaccredited nutrition master’s degree in Maryland, Hood’s program will focus on an element of health that often receives less clinical attention— the food we eat. With three unique tracks, the program is positioned to prepare graduates for licensure as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), among other career paths in the field. It also aligns well with the recently created undergraduate sustainability studies program, which highlights the importance of maintaining healthy food systems.

A gift from Board of Trustees member Edith Howard Hogan ’59, P’86 kickstarted the M.S. in nutrition science. At the helm is program director Anne Davis, Ph.D., RDN, who has ambitious plans. “The nutrition program’s mission is to prepare competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to be culturally sensitive practitioners, using an evidence-based approach to promote the health and wellness of individuals and families that make up the diverse global community,” she says.

Davis is most excited to collaborate with likeminded faculty and students within the School. She anticipates that graduates of the nutrition program will be able to serve hospitals, private practices, schools and the retail food industry. With obesity and malnutrition both being linked to a bevy of chronic conditions, from heart disease to diabetes, promoting a balanced diet is of increasing concern to healthcare professionals.

On the behavioral health side, Hood offers an undergraduate psychology program and graduate-level counseling program, which is divided into clinical mental health counseling and school counseling specializations. These programs are some of the fastest growing at Hood, for good reason.

With the pandemic exacerbating an already widespread mental health crisis in the U.S., the demand for professionals in this sector has never been greater. Nationwide, one in four adults and one in five children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness each year, yet only a fraction receive adequate care (CDC).

Shannon Kundey, Ph.D., chair of the psychology and counseling department, believes that any conversation regarding health should include cognitive and emotional factors. “Our psychology and art therapy majors prepare students to think critically and holistically about mental well-being and what drives behavior,” she says. “At Hood, experiences with the liberal arts help our graduates think outside of the box and to adapt quickly regardless of their profession.”

Candidates for the M.S. in counseling can put knowledge to practice at the NeighborHOOD Counseling Training Center, where they provide therapeutic services for Hood students on campus. Another opportunity for those pursuing licensure is the Helping the Helper program. This scholarship, funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, supports counseling students who want to work in disenfranchised, underserved communities.

None of the aforementioned disciplines would be effective without public health, which is predicated on preventing disease through educating people at all levels of society. The significance of public health was made painfully evident during the pandemic, when mitigating the spread of COVID-19 was dependent upon an informed and responsive public.

Program director Sherita Henry, MPH, DrPH, explains that public health involves shaping our behavior to result in healthier outcomes. Because healthcare is such a broad field, students need to take a cross-disciplinary approach, learning to conduct health analysis and interpret health policies. This means that students must be well-versed in science, math, communication and human behavior.

“Our graduates will be essential to the professional workforce. They can serve the needs of communities through public health practice, education, social justice and advocacy, conducting research and utilizing key data trends to inform policy,” says Henry. “Not only will the needs of communities be served, but issues relevant to health disparities and inequities can be addressed.”

At the local level, public health students have worked with the Frederick County Health Department and the Frederick County Healthcare Coalition. Nationally, the program has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through an initiative to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 across college campuses.

These types of experiential learning projects equip students for careers as epidemiologists, safety and occupational specialists, environmental health scientists and more.

“As our population continues to grow and diversify, public health workers will have new challenges to face as they join us in preventing disease and illness, protecting our wellbeing and promoting health for our community and others around the globe,” says Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, H’22, health officer for Frederick County.

“The curriculum is designed so that students will have an opportunity to apply the public health core competencies gained in the classroom to real-world needs during their training, benefitting the students and our community. We are thrilled to have Hood College as an academic partner because a well-prepared public health workforce is the foundation of a healthy community.”

The social work and sociology programs likewise straddle the worlds of physical and mental health. Social workers, for instance, address a multitude of people’s needs. “In social work, we are called to empower people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty,” says Michelle Gricus, DSW, social work program director. “The mission of the School of BHS and the mission of the social work profession are directly related, specifically as the School’s mission relates to supporting and advocating for people’s well-being.”

Laura Moore, Ph.D., department chair of sociology, echoes this sentiment. “Sociology is particularly relevant to human wellness given its focus on the contextual factors influencing individuals’ access to resources associated with better life outcomes. Sociology and social work can offer key insights into understanding how family, community, public policy and institutional framings simultaneously influence human wellness.”

In other words, the exterior social systems in which we all exist can have a profound impact on the internal systems of our bodies. Seemingly invisible policies can create unequal access to essential resources, such as healthcare and food. Social workers and sociologists enable individuals from underserved populations to navigate these institutional hurdles.

Students in the sociology and social work programs connect with local organizations like the Frederick Community Action Agency and the Mental Health Association of Frederick for field placements and internships.

After graduation, many of these students become case managers, paralegals, public policy researchers and social workers. “Some of our graduates help adults living with mental health challenges to live fuller lives in the community. Other graduates may help families deal with their struggles so they can reunite or participate in school, work and community activities,” says Gricus.

“We have only begun to scratch the surface of what the School will be as a fully evolved and functioning, living and breathing entity. It’s limitless...”

—Deborah Ricker, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs

Founding a new School encompassing seven collegiate programs is no small undertaking. The list of faculty, staff, students and community partners who have contributed to this project could easily fill several more pages. The number of people who will benefit from the care provided by the next generation of healthcare professionals is even greater.

“We have only begun to scratch the surface of what the School will be as a fully evolved and functioning, living and breathing entity. It’s limitless,” says Ricker. “Hood has always been excellent working at the interdisciplinary level, but this takes it to a whole new inflection point.”

The problems plaguing our country’s healthcare infrastructure will not be resolved overnight. It will require a monumental amount of time, money, energy and labor. Rather than be paralyzed at the scope of this endeavor, we must begin to search for solutions. “We have no higher calling than making sure this community’s health needs are met. That’s our mission,” remarks Kleinhanzl. “This is going to change how we care for this community. We’re doing something that is going to outlive all of us.”

In addressing workforce shortages and educational obstacles, The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences will be an integral part of moving the needle towards an accessible and equitable healthcare system.

“At Hood, we can leverage our strengths to solve urgent problems facing the world,” says President Chapdelaine. “The School builds upon Hood’s history as a pioneer in health sciences education. I am so proud of the tremendous work our faculty, staff, alumni and partners have dedicated to this pursuit. I could not be more excited to see where we will go from here.”

A special thanks to these alumni who served on program planning committees:

PUBLIC HEALTH | Michelle Wargo Hill ’91, Nicole Hoff ’07, Kimberly Roth ’04 , Shahrzad Ehdaivand Slater ’03

NUTRITION SCIENCE | Edith “Edee” Howard Hogan ’59, Karen Dotterer White ’86, M.S.’93, N. Joy Dubost ’95, Marcea Horton Cotter ’82

Congratulations, Class of 2022!

Hood College is proud of a truly unique group of students, who were honored during our 125th Commencement ceremony.

You are comprised of 223 undergraduate and 207 graduate students

You are a diverse group, hailing from 23 different states and 14 countries

32 of you are legacies, some with multiple relatives who attended Hood stretching back decades. Business administration major Emily Griffin’s great-grandmother was a member of the Class of 1914—the same year Alumnae Hall was dedicated!

39 of you earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree from Hood Michael Dillman ’02, M.S.’06, DOL’22, earned his third Hood degree, a Doctorate of Organizational Leadership!

And let us not forget the obstacles you have overcome by finishing your degrees during a pandemic. You pivoted back and forth between different modes of learning. You were distanced from your peers, faculty and campus. You persevered through uncertainty and anxiety. You navigated these challenges with maturity and strength. You are an inspiration to us all.

As you embark on the next adventure—whether it’s a new career, more school or some well-deserved time off—we know you will go far and be successful in whatever you choose to pursue. No matter what you do or where you go, you will always be a Hood alum.

In the words of President Andrea Chapdelaine, “Do well and do good, but most of all, be happy.”

“

We need your courage, your ingenuity and your inclusive approach now more than ever. Your ability to adapt, to persevere, your sense of fairness and justice, your resilience define you as a class.”

Aba Blankson ’99, H’22, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, NAACP and Commencement Speaker

2022 Honorary Degree Recipients

Aba Blankson ’99

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, NAACP

Commencement Speaker 2022

After graduating from Hood College and earning master’s degrees from Towson University and Cornell University, Blankson has led a multifaceted career. She worked for the U.S. Department of State and the Common Application before beginning her current executive role with the NAACP. Blankson is a lifelong proponent of education and an advocate for diverse voices.

Barbara Brookmyer, M.D., MPH

Health Officer, Frederick County Health Department

Dr. Brookmyer oversees Frederick County Health Department’s seven divisions and their various programs, from immuniza tions and cancer prevention to mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment. For her efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, she was awarded Community Leader of the Year in 2021.

George Irish

Vice President and Eastern Director, Hearst Foundations

Irish worked in publishing for nearly 30 years and served as president of Hearst Newspapers from 1998 through 2009. He then transitioned to a leadership role in the nonprofit sector with the Hearst Foundations. Irish facilitated grant fund ing for Hood College’s Summer Research Institute, which continues to benefit stu dents by providing experiential learning opportunities.

HOME TO HOOD

After two years of virtual this and online that, Reunion 2022 finally brought us all home to Hood! What fun to see the campus come vibrant ly alive with classes not just ending in ’2 and ’7, but almost every year in-between.

We celebrated 50th reunions for three classes—1970, 1971 and 1972— including a Big/Lil Sis get-together for ’70 and ’72. Saturday’s tradi tional Alumni Luncheon had our three 50th classes marching in to different Beatles songs, each chosen to represent the spirit of their class. We also honored our 2022 Alumni Award recipients: Katie Chick ’07,

Mary Mannix ’82, Lucia Grabenstein Kline ’72 and Chrisse Butler Hassett ’72, M.A.’75.

Besides our 50th classes getting a chance to reconnect, Saturday’s “Sip & Tie-Dye” party brought together multiple generations, from the Class of 1967 on up to our newest members from the Class of 2022. It was a joy to hear stories swapped and memories shared like “When I was at Hood…” and “You had a curfew?!” as recent alums met our more “seasoned” ones.

Sunday’s Service of Reflection was a collaborative effort on the part of

all three 50th reunion classes. The theme of “You’ve Got a Friend” was a beautiful metaphor for the unifying thread that connects all Hood alumni and showcased the hearts and talents of members from each class. It was the perfect way to close the week end’s festivities.

Cynthia Liebig Allen ’71 summed up her reunion experience beautifully: “I was so in the moment, awash with this wave of connection. The after glow of the weekend remained with me for weeks afterwards, and I can’t wait to do it all again for our 55th.”

VISIT HOOD.EDU/REUNION FOR MORE PHOTOS.

1. Linda Wicks Crites ’72 and Anne Francis Phillips ’72. 2. The Class of 1987 hosted a Shriner porch party. 3. Congratulations to the Class of 1972 who celebrated their 50th Hood Reunion. 4. Congratulations to the Class of 1970 who celebrated their 50th Hood Reunion. 5. From front to back, Cat Cecil Wiles ’06, Amanda Reinken ’06, Victoria E. Benson ’04, M.S.’22 and Anika Watley ’07. 6. The Class of 1982 held their own party on the Admission House patio. 7. Linda Allan ’70, M.S.’78, Myra Holsinger ’70, Mary McMunigal Burland ’71, Edith Purdie ’71, Linda Cumber Gifkins ’72, Sarah Sonne O’Donnell ’72, Ernestine Odoms Tilghman ’72, Jane Esselen Blocker ’72 and Darlene DeMay ’72 present the gift from the classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972. 8. Tana Velasquez ’22 volunteered as the tie-dye teacher. 9. Reunion Chair Jane Esselen Blocker ’72 and her classmates were proud to name the Blazer Hall patio in honor of their class’s 50th reunion. 10. Everyone enjoyed the Friday night All-Class BBQ on the Quad. 11. Congratulations to the Class of 1971 who celebrated their 50th Hood Reunion. 12. Alumni enjoying the wine tasting at Links Bridge Vineyards. 13. Class Reunion Chair Ernestine Odoms Tilghman ’72 and classmate Carol Lipson Fivozinsky ’72 celebrating at Blazer Hall.

Welcome Week

Our newest undergraduate students are dinked and ready to start their Hood College journey! Due to inclement weather, the dinking ceremony and Convocation were held in Coffman Chapel for the first time in more than 20 years.

POINT OF VIEW

Three Cheers for Chuck!

That is the public view of Chuck’s role at the College. Behind the scenes, I was able to get to know Chuck one-on-one.

By Lance Coffey ’22

As a proud graduate of the business administration program and member of the Class of 2022, I am honored to share some fond memories about Charles “Chuck” Mann. After 12 dedicated years overseeing Hood College’s financial health and operations, Chuck has begun his well-earned retirement. Though he will be missed, his legacy will not soon be forgotten.

During his time as Hood’s vice president for finance and treasurer, Chuck considerably strengthened the College’s financial position, resulting in positive annual budgets and stellar growth of the endowment and assets. Chuck and his team have managed to increase the endowment fund by more than 270 percent since he joined Hood in 2010. His numerous accomplishments can be seen and felt by the entire Hood community— the athletic center, the revamped library and learning commons, and Blazer Hall are just a few of the major construction projects he spearheaded. Additionally, he’s been a longtime adjunct instructor in The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business, where he will continue to teach macroeconomics.

I had the opportunity of working with Chuck as an intern and as president of the Blazing Alpha Fund, Hood’s student-run investment club. His advice on finance and life in general (not to mention my golf swing) are some of the many lessons that I will never forget. Chuck opened my eyes even further as to what the world of finance holds. He was generous with his insight, teaching me how different processes work, not just in higher education, but in the whole of business.

I believe that I speak for many in thanking Chuck for his unceasing dedication to Hood. His impact has changed the trajectory of the institution...

Because of Chuck, I had opportunities to gain a vast amount of experience in business meetings. I learned firsthand about dealing with endowments, budgets, infrastructure and investing. Chuck has always been someone I can bounce investment ideas off and receive honest feedback. I aspire to operate my own medical device company, and many of Chuck’s strategies for managing money and employees will stick with me throughout my career and life.

Aside from the time I personally spent with Chuck, he has shown countless other students integral parts of business, so they too will be well-prepared for careers in whatever field they choose. Having been a teaching assistant for his macroeconomics class, I can tell you that Chuck wanted to make sure his students excelled and genuinely understood the principles and best practices we would

need outside of school. For a liberal arts institution like Hood, it is imperative that students develop knowledge about the business world. Chuck treated this task with the utmost importance, as he has with all his professional roles.

Chuck was a man about campus. He could often be found getting lunch in the dining hall or attending athletic events, and his constant positivity still radiates around us. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Blazers men’s basketball team and enjoyed their run to the NCAA tournament. He even traveled for hours to a packed gym at Eastern University to watch our Blazers bring home their first MAC Championship.

I believe that I speak for many in thanking Chuck for his unceasing dedication to Hood. His impact has changed the trajectory of the institution, and he has positively impacted many of the College’s recent developments. The College will continue to reap these benefits long after he is gone—something for which we are all eternally grateful.

In retirement, I know Chuck will not be far from campus, whether in the classroom teaching economics or cheering on the Blazers at games. I hope he enjoys this next chapter with lots of travel, relaxation, playing with his grandchildren, and of course, plenty of golf.

Lance Coffey ’22 holds a B.A. in business administration from Hood College. He served as president of the Blazing Alpha Fund and interned under Chuck Mann. He currently works for the Pennsylvania State Treasury as an investment assistant.

REMINISCE, UPDATE AND RECONNECT

1942

Alumoffice@hood.edu

Kristine Forester Brecht shares the following news on behalf of her mother Jean Brown Forester: “Today, Oct. 30, 2021, my mother died. Jean strove to reach 100 and achieved it with aplomb at a huge family celebration at her daughter Elise’s home. She endeared herself to the staff at Garvey Manor in PA with her friendly nature during her last months. Wishing all remaining members of the Class of ’42 good days ahead.” Jean’s children—Kristine Brecht, Ann Lyon, Jon Forster, Peter Forster, Elise Dreibelbis—donated a brick in her honor. To commemorate the famous t-shirts she made for the 1942 class, it will be inscribed with, “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work for Hood we go.”

1951

Alumoffice@hood.edu

Lois Vars Mason shares that in May she was inducted into the University of Rhode Island School of Pharmacy Hall of Fame for her 20 years of service as dean. “I was 1 of 4 honored, so this makes only 8 honorees so far. Not bad for a 93-and-a-half-year-old Hood grad!”

1952

Alumoffice@hood.edu

Our condolences to Ann Nygren Greenberg on the passing of her husband, Gerald, in Mar. 2020.

1953

Johanna Chait Essex johalessex@gmail.com

I received a lovely note from Myrna Hays Slick ; she has moved into a retirement home in Douglasville, PA. Not only does she have many activities to choose from, but this move has also brought her closer to her family, who live in Pottstown, PA. Patricia “Pat” Lloyd Fordham and her daughter, who live in a Victorian house in Pratt, KS, love the lifestyle that a small town brings—walking to shops and being able to watch the world go by as

they sit in their rocking chairs on the front porch. G . Marilynn Phillips’ note was full of good news: her grandson Ryan was married in May and her first great granddaughter graduated from high school with high honors. Lynn, who does have problems with her knees and finds walking difficult, has nonetheless become a “compulsive” gardener. Shirley Dana Few is now the great grandmother of 2; newborn Lily Jane and 2-and-a-half-yearold Jack. The marriage of her son Randy to Patricia took place on Shirley’s 90th birthday, and her children and grandchildren gave her an incredible party the next day. She still lives at The Forest but moved from the cottage to an apartment. It’s the perfect size and location. Shirley still drives and plays bridge.

1954Jean Baker Weikert alumoffice@hood.edu

Dear classmates, it seems important to remember this beloved quote from the scriptures regarding the fruits of the spirit, Galatians 5:22-26: “but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faith, against such there is no law. And they that have crucified the flesh with the afflictions and lusts. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit. Let us not be desirous of vein glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Thank you all for your responses to remain in touch. At this stage in our lives, it’s good to uphold and strengthen each other and identify our aches and pains, joys and sorrows, blessings and losses. Betty Luscombe Wenzel is living in Garland, TX. Her husband John writes of his taking care of her at their home while she endures the last stages of Alzheimer’s. He relates that Betty will be 90 this year and is in good health otherwise and in good spirit. We commend them for their constancy, care and remaining in communication. Betty had so diligently served as treasurer of our Cooperative Government Association during our senior year at Hood. Nolah Sawyer Fulk’s voice sounded great as she called to remind us of her move to Greenville, VA. Nolah undergoes physical therapy twice weekly and does seated acrobatics and marching. Nolah moved

from Pitman, NJ to a gated continuing care community with her daughter and son-in-law and is still unpacking. She laments the present landscape in northern VA; fields which used to be fields of horses are now fields of houses. Marilyn Ogden Heath and husband Al feel fairly well and still in Venice, FL. They love being near the water. Marilyn has stopped travelling to judge horse shows, thus having more time to regularly teach dressage, sing in the church choir and play pool volleyball. Nancy Sharon Stone gives thanks to her (our) silent partner for having her (us) in his hands. She is grateful for Hood and for ’54 classmates Alice Avanozian Arana and Anne Counes She likes her new location in Annville, PA. Barbara Coleman tells of beautiful weather at Oceanside, CA. She remains proud of nephew Nicholas, who works for the state department and speaks fluent Mandarin. The department is sending him to a college in Boston. Barbara is using a walker due to a bad hip, which limits activities. It was fun for her to see Tom Cruise land by helicopter on the flight deck of the carrier Midway, which is docked in the San Diego Bay. More than 30 years have passed since the last Top Gun movie. He was promoting the current version at Mirror Airbase. She notes that Tom Cruise is in great shape. His first Top Gun film was partly done in Oceanside. They used to see him riding around on his motorcycle. Down the street from Barbara is the little Victorian cottage where the love scenes were filmed. Pat Sabiston wrote to tell of her mother Peggy Patterson Sabiston’s passing. Nancy Kreuzburg Morton of Silver Spring, MD also passed away. Barbara Peterson Smith of Calhoun, GA tells of retiring in 2021 and is enjoying their 58-acre tree farm and wildlife. They have stopped traveling and enjoy visits from grandchildren. A lovely letter from Kimann Stefanye Kenton relates of her mother Marilyn Randall Stefanye’s passing in FL at The Villages. Betty Remsburg DeColigny’s triplet granddaughters Megan, Erin and Kelli are keeping their family busy. Betty still resides at Homewood in Hanover, PA. Mark and I feel blessed to continue to be positive in outlook. Daughter Kathy, son-in-law Orran, daughter Christine, daughter Heidi, son-in-law Ron and son Dan prove to be helpful, especially

because we are not driving. Cross Keys Village is a quiet, secure and friendly place. We are able to play in our kitchen and keep our 1-story cottage in fairly good order. Mark experienced a fall in Nov., which necessitated orthopedic surgery with a 4-inch steel pin in his left hip, then in Dec. he had a cardiac arrest cardiopulmonary resuscitation and hospitalization. He ceases rehab next week. In conclusion, 2 Timothy 1-9, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear of power.”

1957

Martha Smith Sperandio mollymom76@gmail.com

Eugenia “Genie” Smith Durland writes, “Jun. 12 is my 87th birthday. I’m happy to report that I’m in pretty good shape for that age. Had a knee replacement in Jan. and my new knee works great. Bill and I stay close to home (he is 91 and doing well). With the help of our son, we remodeled our condo’s bathrooms and kitchen. I’m loving what feels like new digs. We have 6 great grandchildren and are blessed to have all but one of them here in CO, where we also enjoy scenic vacations by a half-day drive. We are too old to work overseas anymore but keep in touch with our friends in Palestine and those we know who are still working there.” Carol Degler expressed her inability to attend reunion but enjoys reading Hood Magazine and our class column. Barbara Thomas Yinger writes, “I enjoy being outside gardening and taking short trips with my husband Bob, going to events involving our local great grandchildren and starting a vegetable garden in a garden plot here at Buckingham’s Choice in Frederick, our chosen retirement community. My sewing and completing small quilts for a local foundation will take a breather as we host some friends from our past experiences, one I worked with and others we went to high school with. I traveled to Louisville, KY in Mar. with son Scott and family to celebrate with granddaughter Abby, who was honored by the Louisville Heart Association for her volunteer work. We’re looking forward to a Jun. family gathering in the Outer Banks.” Just a brief report about “our” 65th class reunion: Hattie Snyder Bingham and husband Gene arrived on Fri. afternoon at our cottage. We enjoyed getting reacquainted and having dinner in Buckingham’s dining room. Sat.,

In 10 words or less... What’s one healthy habit you have?

I love listening to audio books while on a lunchtime walk.

–Amanda Dymek, director of wellness

Love unconditionally, don’t judge others, enjoy every moment every day. –Doreen Jarvis, P’07

I went on the campus tour seeing the new library, the nursing class unit on 4th floor of the science building and the administration building. The library is beautiful and most impressive, all white and spacious with 3 floors of individual study rooms, group study rooms and comfy chairs. Brodbeck won’t be open for a tour until next year, and the new dorm was being used for reunion participants, so I didn’t see either of them. Then on to the president’s talk in Rosenstock Hall, where I met up with Hattie and Gene. Chapdelaine’s presentation made us all proud. The luncheon and awards presentation were in the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center. There were 350 reunion attendees. The classes of ’70, ’71 and ’72 were honored for their combined class gift totaling more than $1M! No other class totals were announced. Including bachelor’s, master’s and doctorates, Hood graduated more than 400 at Commencement; certainly different from our graduation. Roberta “Bert” Geehan Horton says, “We still live in the same home since 1966; aging in place, they call it. Glad the house is on 1 floor, as I have a bum knee right now. Main news is the marriage of our granddaughter Katie in Chicago in May. Granddaughter Alanne’s wedding is in Jul.. We will be able to attend, as it is half an hour away in Chapel Hill, NC. As I write this, we are vacationing in Banner Elk, NC. We enjoyed driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and walked easy trails on the resort property. We put out birdseed and a hummingbird feeder and have enjoyed the mountain birds daily.” Nancy Paul Stimson writes, “I had a malignant kidney removed in Nov. and survived a few setbacks that sent me back to the hospital twice. Finally, I have mended and am doing fine. I was blessed with another great grandson in Feb. I’m still playing bridge, love Wordle and continue my church money counting responsibility. I also play trivia every Tue. night; keeps my brain sharp. I have not left MA since COVID hit.” Hattie Snyder Bingham shares, “Gene and I just spent a delightful weekend with Barbara and husband Bob Yinger. It was very special because I hadn’t seen Barbara since college years. We were the only 2 representing our Class of 1957 at the reunion. The walking tour was most informative; the library is very impressive and quite a contrast to the years I did most of my studying there. The only disappointing thing was to see that the YHUT (Carson Cottage)

where day-students used to gather was in such unrecognizable condition.” Molly Smith Sperandio is “currently enjoying a visit to southern CA to see my son and connecting with a niece, granddaughter and grandson. Life goes on with shots in my knees and walking with a cane; ushering at theaters; physically supporting 3 church ministries; supporting our HOA as board secretary; playing cards weekly with friends; playing lots of brain games on my phone and watching TV; and, when needed, working the polls honestly.”

1958

Marilyn Garis Kellow maggiehood1958@gmail.com

Cynthia Williams Bohaker reports that all is well with her and her family; no exciting news. Carolyn Patton Meyer says nothing new from her. She just hopes others are not getting too discouraged about all that is going on in these troubled times, but she says we are not too old to vote! Joan “Jeb” Bennett Moran had a pleasant surprise in Mar. when Nancy Gillece ’81 and President Chapdelaine visited the Sarasota-Venice area. She heard about ongoing and updated programs at Hood. Due to COVID, granddaughter Molly’s wedding in NYC had to be postponed from Jun. until Sept. Also, grudgingly, Jean “Jo” Olmstead Witherington and 2 other 84-year-olds decided to cancel their scheduled Mediterranean Odyssey Cruise. Jeb was happy to have Carol Huelson Warrington and husband Bob in FL come to their winter home. Nancy Drew Picard sends the sad news that her husband Howard died in Mar. I remember him leading the chapel service at our 50th reunion. Sara Lea Callaway Redmon sends the sad news that her husband Carl passed away peacefully at home in Jan. He loved attending our class reunions at Hood and planned on getting their granddaughter to drive them to the next one. This has been a very difficult time. Friends, even those from grammar school, and church family have been a tremendous help. Mary Allen Reynolds broke her rotator cuff last Sept., but her orthopedic surgeon and personal trainer have returned use of her arm to normal. Her older son will be her “plus one” for a wedding in NYC this Jun. They will be able to go to museums and the theater after the wedding and attend the Met Opera in a movie theater

in the afternoon before the wedding. They also plan to go to other interesting museums and restaurants in Manhattan. Nancy “Bunnie” Potter Richardson and husband Brian feel blessed to have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on Jun. 14. She still plays tennis 3 times a week and looks forward to the summer and family gatherings. Eleanor “Elly” Baumgart Ritchie managed a trip to watch her grandson graduate from Arizona State School of Engineering in May. Recently, she visited Frederick and says the campus is still beautiful. Brodbeck Hall will be repaired. On her way home she had lunch with Joan C. Enterline and had a good time catching up. Marthanne Stephens Smith has a new 12-week-old great grandson named Miles. Due to COVID, she hasn’t seen much of him but gets constant email pictures, including sounds of farts and burps, which she is sure are his! She is well but homebound with her 90-year-old husband, who is slowly becoming senile. They hope to stay in their townhouse as long as possible. Jo Olmstead Witherington continues with the Narrators group. This summer, they are going to children’s summer camps around Orlando to perform short plays and warm-up games. She sings with her chorus, volunteers at the local museum, mows her grass and does yard work. Anne Merrick Vosti feels blessed in so many ways, such as having moderately good health. Recently, in a single week, she visited her brother and sister-in-law in a memory care unit of a local nursing home, attended her granddaughter’s graduation with a master’s degree in public policy from Stanford and went to a 1-year birthday party of a great grandchild. She says the juxtaposition of these different emotional experiences was so interesting and that seems to be the “name of the game” at this time in life. I appreciate all the kind thoughts of sympathy in the passing away of my sister Lois. Some of you may know her as the mother of my niece Susan Transue Hoge ’76. I feel blessed to be in touch with so many of you. I also have contact with several friends from high school. Life in WI is about the same as throughout the country. Hopefully, life will become more peaceful, healthy and truthful in the future. Thanks for all the news: the sad, the happy and the humorous. Love and prayers, Maggie Garis Kellow. We sadly report the death of The Reverend Howard J. Picard, P’80, beloved husband of Nancy Drew Picard. Rev. Picard passed away in Mar. 2022.

1959

Anne Wilson Heuisler aheuisler@comcast.net

Tarun Comegys Johns cruised the Columbia and Snake Rivers, developed Omicron on the way home, recuperated and then celebrated her 85th birthday. Doris Feikin Koman of Henderson, NV died in Aug. 2021. Doris was the loving wife of Jerry Koman, mother of 3 and grandmother of 2. Doris was a graduate of Hood College and UM Nursing School. Mary Ann Guild Simmons suffered cardiac failure while visiting friends but survived with a trip to hospital. She watches the progress of restoring Brodbeck Hall and praises beautiful planting on campus. Frederick now has tens of thousands of immigrants; Mary Ann gave furniture and household goods to an Afghan family who arrived with only a backpack. Edith “Edee”

Howard Hogan has enjoyed rescheduled trips to the San Pedro Islands in Belize and to Portland, OR to cruise the Columbia River. She looks forward to a cooking session in Sweden in Jun. and then visiting Bethany Beach for the summer. Edee funded the M.S. in nutrition science program for Hood’s new School of Behavioral and Health Sciences. Joan Kirkpatrick broke her leg in Jul. 2021 and is still using a wheelchair or walker. She says, “I admit it is rather nice to have everyone opening doors for me and getting waited on.”

Patricia Lancaster McVannan of Endicott, NY died last Dec. after a courageous fight with Glioblastoma. She is survived by her 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren. A graduate of Hood College and Syracuse University, she taught 9th grade global history. As president of the teachers’ union, Pat was known for her tenacity and unrelenting support of her colleagues. From winning paid maternity leave to leading successful contract negotiations, she fought for the rights of her fellow teachers. Kuulei Mobley Green died peacefully in Jul. 2021 at her home in Star, ID. Kuulei and her husband David had 2 children and raised and showed Great Danes. In 1990, David retired, and together he and Kuulei set out to become Episcopal priests. Kuulei continued her studies after David died and completed her master of divinity in 1993 and was ordained as a priest. She subsequently was employed for many years as a chaplain and an assistant pastor. Our class remembers her eloquent participation in our 50th reunion chapel service. Anne Montesano Kersack Ellis spent the summer in NY’s Finger Lakes. A highlight of her year was a Hood luncheon in Mar. in The Villages, a retirement community in FL., where she swims, gardens and volunteers at

a historical village. Up north, she volunteers as a docent at Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens in Canandaigua, NY. Anne enjoys a bimonthly “phone visit” with Merle Winer Pollak ’58, Janet Knecht Huber-Diaz and Nancy Smith Grissino Judith “Judy” Moreland Granger celebrated the marriage of her oldest granddaughter in late Feb. and the high school graduation of her youngest in May. Judy and Bob visited her brother in FL and Bob’s brother in CA. Rachel Ravey Johnson is kayaking, swimming, hiking and canoeing but uses trekking poles to countermand her uncertain balance. She is a master naturalist who looks for adventures and laughs a lot. Judith Silberfein Gold died in May 2020 in Albany, NY. Judy and the late Emanuel “Manny” Gold were married for more than 54 years. They are survived by their 2 children and 2 granddaughters. Judy helped Manny write laws while he was in the NY state legislature. Her idea for labeling pills quickly spread from a NY law to laws across the world. Judy was hands-on as a full-time teacher, nurse and mother for a son who needed extra care. Gretchen Rasely Sills of Hendersonville, NC died in Oct. 2021 at The Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC. Carolynne Veazey Lathrop completed 7 months of physical therapy after tearing a hip muscle in Dec. 2020. Then she had a flareup of a 2013 injury. She can walk with a cane and hopes surgery will not be necessary. Joan Victor Boos had to give up some volunteering activities since her shoulders gave out about 2 years ago; husband John is doing very well. “Life is still good, although it is getting limited in activities.” Della Wilson Holtzapple says, “Husband had horrific fall and broke his neck, and I am no nurse! This ‘growing old together’ is a myth or at least misses the marks of ‘happy ever after.’ My escape organ job requires I be nimble to crawl in a pit to get to my computerized organ and listen to extended Biblical citations. Hey, it’s a job.”

1960Alumoffice@hood.edu

Our condolences to Sally Fletcher Murray on the passing of her husband Donald in Feb. 2022, and to Delores Wright Shade, who lost her beloved spouse Thomas in Apr. 2022.

1961Martha “Marty” Kaiser Canner plcanner39@gmail.com

Sarah “Sally” Bennett Edwards and her husband William celebrated their 60th anniversary last year with all 5 children and 8 of their 9 grandchildren at their place on Cape Cod. They live in West Simsbury, CT but spend several months during the summer on Cape Cod. Sally still plays tennis but is finding it more difficult to meet players her age. She spent a couple of weeks last winter in FL and hopes she will be able to travel to Italy this fall, depending on the world situation. Anne Bierstein Grenfell is still tutoring students in a home and hospital group and for independent families. She participates in Zumba and weight toning classes and is writing a sequel to her first book, Prelude to Eternity. She plans to dance at her granddaughter’s wedding on Jun. 25. Vivian Bruckel Harvey was sorry not to be able to attend a 60th reunion in 2021. She is planning to spend 4 months in Panajachel, Guatemala beginning in Nov. and would love to have visitors. There was an article in the New York Times about Sadie and Vivian questioning the CDC ruling about dogs and travel; they were happy to see the ruling against travel with dogs overturned about 3 months after that article appeared. Ann Corderman Helton is the board chair at Webster UCC, which has been fully open for most of this year. There are also Zoom services for those at home. She and husband Arthur are planning their annual 2-week stay on MD’s Eastern Shore. Family and friends always join them. They are making renovations to their early 1800s farmhouse which “the Quakers who built this house would approve.” They are also awaiting the birth of their third great-grandchild. Jeanne Duncan Jehl and husband Joe continue to live in Annapolis. They will spend Jul. in Taos, NM as they have for years, except for 2020. Janet Spaulding Nunn and husband John are planning a trip to AK with their daughter and a cruise through the Panama Canal in Oct. The cruise ends in FL, and they hope to drive to NC to visit their grandchildren. Janet keeps busy knitting, reading and volunteering. Carole Gorchoff Paul and Albert are planning to be in Switzerland for a family reunion and hiking in Jul. Her daughter Pamela, who has been editor of the New York Times Book Review for 9 years, has been appointed a Times opinion columnist. Dorothy Willis Rainwater and husband Roger will be staying close to home this summer. She hopes to attend a 60-year reunion at Massachusetts General Hospital in the fall. Roger is a bridge tender and enjoys

observing the pelicans flying around his tower. Dorothy is proud of her grandson, who is a lifeguard at the local YMCA. Sandra Murphy Schmidt and husband Bob had planned to take an American Cruise Line tour of Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island in Jun., but the COVID surges persuaded them to change their minds. They had planned a driving trip to New England for Jun. but have postponed that until Sept. They have remained well and are fully vaccinated. They do dine out and are looking forward to 2023. Katharine Baum Wolpe is now attending Sun. church services in-person. She has restarted her gardening in the churchyard. Her democratic club still meets on Zoom and will be supporting democratic candidates in the NY state primaries on Jun. 28 and Aug. 23. She and her friend Philip see each other twice a week for off-Broadway plays, films, modern dance performances and Scrabble games. She and Philip are in a monthly Zoom group reading about Israel and Palestine. She hopes to visit family in CO this summer and in MD this fall. Martha “Marty” Kaiser Canner and husband Paul hope to attend the wedding of their granddaughter Claire in Rochester, NY in early Oct.

1962

Sarah “Sally” Zimmerman revsaraz@gmail.com

Jane Hargrave Harder writes, “In 1958, I was in Meyran Hall and a home economics major. I transferred from Hood to Purdue University, graduated, married and lived in Potomac, MD, Boston and then Seattle, where I live now in a retirement community. My husband passed away in 2001. I remember so many names and faces and the fun we had our freshman year and wish that I had stayed in touch.” Penelope “Penny” M. Mardoian shares, “My daughter-in-law Christine and I went to Ireland for 2 weeks in early summer. I will spend my summer in ME and will have a mini reunion with several of my classmates after Labor Day.” Linda “Lynn” MacDonough Morrow shares that she is “grateful to be living in a CCRC, where we have been safe through the pandemic and still able to have some social time. My 3 kids and their families and George’s 3 kids and their families all survived COVID with both physical and mental health intact. We had a pre-Christmas gathering of George’s family at his son’s CO home. My kids all live within a 2-4-hour drive.” Sarah Enos Karpowitz writes, “I am fine; had a few medical issues but enjoying nicer weather and friends from a great Bible study. I am retired and watching 5 grandchildren grow up very

quickly. Best to all.” Susan “Sue” Shinnick Hossfeld says, “May marks the month of our 1-year anniversary of living in Brightwood, a retirement community. We have a cottage, which gives us some space, but we still want to continue to downsize. Brightwood kept the social activities as normal as possible during the years of COVID. We were fortunate to take ski trips to Snowmass, CO with friends and family.” Barbara Arthur Pretzsch has “been busy with the Crochet Guild of America as a reviewer for the master’s program, and I also crochet to donate. Daughter Lyn lives a mile away and checks on us and the cats and dogs we foster. Lyn got us involved with the Paws Animal Rescue in Gulfport, MS. Our new 2-acre property has room for Bob’s woodworking hobby and storage.” Patricia “Pem” Merrill says, “Hello from the Hueneme Bay, CA community, where I paint, have a business painting pet portraits, volunteer-teach an art class in the clubhouse and am rewarded by seeing the growth and development of creativity and talent in many of our residents. I am happy as a clam at high tide. My daughter and granddaughter live an hour away; my granddaughter’s first album is being produced by Pharrell Williams for Republic Records; a grandson is also under contract with Republic. My oldest grandson is successful in his business of digital marketing and branding.” Barbara Kirby Stewart shares, “The good news is that we are in fairly good health for ones over 80. So difficult to believe it’s been 60 years. Children and their families are all doing well. My youngest grandchild just graduated from the University of Hawaii-Hilo. 3 other grandchildren graduated earlier from Cal State Sonoma, ASU and Northeastern.” Arden Moore Reynolds contemplates, “60 years, are you serious? How did we get to be here? There’s still some of that kid in me, although thankfully I’ve learned things along the way, and I have a better sense of who I am. Gerry and I married 3 weeks after graduation. We still have good health and are active in the community, volunteering and going to the gym. We subscribe to the Merrimack Rep and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Daughter Robin lives nearby in Acton, MA with her daughter and son. Robin directs the paintings department at Bonhams Skinner and may occasionally be seen on Antiques Roadshow appraising a painting.” Please take a moment to extend condolences to Linda Stup Broadrup and Ann Holmes Flatt , both of whom lost their beloved spouses in 2018. As for me, Sara “Sally” Zimmerman, I was in Milwaukee in early Jun. for grandson Henry’s graduation from high school. He will head west

to Macalester College in St. Paul, MN in the fall and plans to major in computer science. Henry plays trombone and leads a jazz combo; granddaughter Helen plays the string bass in the orchestra. I’m living in Frederick just 65 miles from where I grew up in Harrisburg, loving the mountains all around and frequently seeing family members. Quite a change from the decades I spent working in FL. I volunteer as a chaplain a few hours a week at the hospital and occasionally offer a sermon at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick.

1963

Dorothy “Dottie” Snyder Engle dengle3699@aol.com

Greetings, Sisters. I see Barbara “Bobby” Campbell Rickman at her retirement home, and you would know her in a heartbeat. She showed me her home’s mailroom that she organized and her very nice apartment. I learned that she and Charlie collected domino sets wherever they traveled, in addition to several he made. Judith “Judy” Martinka Ericson is slowly getting settled in her new home in Greenville, SC, but it’s been a challenge. She is proud of her granddaughter, who graduated from Clemson. She’s glad to be able to see her family often and enjoys her trusty companion, a springer spaniel. Does anyone else feel 80? That’s what Susan “Sue” Colton Gibbons wants to know. Sue doesn’t act 80! She is working at the food bank, ringing hand bells, doing church activities and being the Granny Nanny to her 15-year-old twin grandchildren, who will soon be driving, and Sue is going to teach them to cook. Summer promises 2 weeks in ME and 1 in MA. Linda “Lin” Chait Solomon keeps young by tutoring and says it gives structure to her week. She also enjoys eating at restaurants, outside and at less crowded times. She enjoys reading and says tutoring gives her a reason to reread the Harry Potter books. Thankfully, all her family is doing well. Another classmate in independent living at retirement home Pennswood Village in Newtown, PA, Martha “Marcie” Smith White, says it’s a wonderful, vibrant place. She met a widower who moved in about 3 years ago, and they have been having a great time ever since. They have shared experiences. His family has a cottage in Southwest Harbor,

ME, and she says she’s been fortunate to go there with him. Marcie’s son Andy died in Jan. 2017: “Because he was part of a large study of persistent schizophrenia, an autopsy was performed. We were shocked to learn that he also had Huntington’s disease, an eventually fatal disease for which there is still no cure. Because he and his twin brother Philip were adopted, we had no record of this being part of their background. Philip and his wife made the decision to be tested, discovering he also has the gene. He no longer drives and can no longer work. His wife has been absolutely wonderful, as have her parents. My plea to classmates is if you have any knowledge of Huntington’s, I’d really love to hear from you.”

After deciding to remain in central OH rather than move to another state to be near 1 of the children, Kathleen “Kathie” Anderson Houchens and Dave are moving to Granville, OH in Jul. They feel it is the perfect place to downsize but has all the amenities and activities that they want: gardening space, near nature with outdoor opportunities and facilities to keep them functioning, such as a pool, workout department and many other features. They named it Cairn Cottage because when they went to England, every B&B they stayed in had a name. Kathie already has a slate plaque she made for the front door. When the Houchens go to Denver to see their daughter, they hope to meet up with Linda Myers Gray. Amie Godman Tannenbaum has big news. She and Donald celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the same day of the week and at the same time as when they were married surrounded by close friends from Gettysburg College, where Amie taught French for 33 years and Don taught political science for 51 years. To top it off, they treated themselves to a 21-day transatlantic cruise. This treat had been delayed due to COVID and will be extra sweet. Congratulations and best wishes for many more happy years together. Katherine “Kathy” Van Tine Harford reports that she and Geoff are still loving life in central PA and doing volunteer work. One son lives in State College, PA and owns a construction business. The other son is a professor of finance at the University of Washington in Seattle, where his 2 sons also live. As for me, Dottie, no moss is growing! I had a surprise vacation to Jamaica for my son Ryan’s wedding. In Jan., he met Natasha, a young Jamaican lady aged 27, and they were married on the beach on Sept. 20.

The wedding at sunset went off without a glitch. About 12 family members of the bride attended. Our daughter Robin, Ryan’s high school friend Chris and our Danish exchange student Soren flew down from Calgary to represent Ryan. Ryan is 50, by the way. Robin was the official photographer; you can see pictures on Ryan’s Facebook page. I flew to Calgary for a week to visit Soren and his family. Running through the airport isn’t easy anymore. So now you know what my addiction is: travelling. Happy trails until next time!

1964

Barbara Maly Fish barb2fish@yahoo.com

I send the sympathy of our class to the family of Gayle Reed Carroll, who died in Apr. Gayle was an artist and poet and shared some of her poems with us at reunions. On a more cheerful note, I want to wish a happy birthday to all who are turning 80 this year. From Los Angeles, Joan Emann Whitten reports, “Life here is still good, and I am incredibly grateful. My family all had mild cases of COVID, but I escaped without even a cold for 2 years. They live close by, and we formed a ‘pod’ for eating and visiting, so I was never alone. My knitting guild opened a Zoom chatroom every day from 8 am to 10 pm so that people could hop on and chat. I do resent that this pandemic has robbed me of time that I will never be able to get back.” Joan’s grandson Calder will start college in the fall and his sister Branwen will be a junior in high school. When traveling became safer, Joan visited family in PA, CT and OH. She also went to Stitches West, a knitting convention in Sacramento. Susan “Eloise” Varney Rauth and husband Jim recently moved from their home in Mount Pleasant, MD to an apartment in Homewood, a senior living complex in Frederick. She was delighted to find that Barbara “Bobbi” Campbell Rickman ’63 lives in the same community. Traditionally, Susan hosts a Derby Day party, but this year, Judi Coombs Creighton organized a get-together in Rehoboth Beach, DE instead. Henry and Christina “Chris” Santangelo Blenke had just returned from a trip to Turkey when she wrote, “We traveled with 9 wonderful folks from all over the US and a Turkish guide, who was super in every way. We began in Istanbul, staying right behind the Blue Mosque and

In

What’s one healthy habit you have?

My morning runs help both my physical and mental well-being.

–Andrea Chapdelaine, president

visiting Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and more.” Next, they went to Cappadocia with its cave hotel, amazing rock formations and ballooning. Whirling dervishes in Konya were followed by a cruise on the Turquoise Coast. The last stop was Ephesus, with a side trip to the town of St. Nicholas. Sounds like a wonderful trip! Like many of us, Susan Lyeth Sternfeld is slowly returning to a somewhat normal life. In Apr., she celebrated her 80th birthday and her grandson’s 20th with a visit to Washington, DC, where he is a sophomore at George Washington University. Susan and husband Joe stopped in Frederick for a brief visit with Harriet LeSourd Wise before heading home to Cambridge, MA. Their daughter Karen, who will turn 50 in Sept., will handcycle the Camino de Santiago in Spain in late Aug. with a support van for her wheelchair. Diana Hoke Smith says that she and husband Joel are fine—for their ages! They live in the mountains of northern GA with 5 rescue dogs and 1 and 3/4 rescue cats (1 has only 3 legs). Diana keeps busy writing and working as a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in the foster care system. She was named National CASA of the Year in 2017. She recently finished a book about her grandfather and the history of golf. Wee Bobby Cruickshank: The Luckiest Unlucky Golfer in the Game is available on Amazon. She says, “What I really love to write are children’s poems and have been published in Highlights and other magazines in Ireland and Australia.” Diana and Joel love the rural life but miss trips to visit relatives in Scotland. Joanna Miller and Diana have some things in common. Joanna too loves the country life on her 2-acre lot carved from her childhood home, Mapleshade Farm in Garrett County, MD. Joanna is also a writer, working on her memoir and hoping to have it to the printers in the fall. Marta Schneebeli Johnson writes, “Despite COVID and all of us entering a new decade/turning 80 this year, life is good in San Francisco.” 5 years ago, Marta moved to a senior living community, a good move for her because it keeps her very busy. “It’s been a real godsend during COVID because of being able to be with so many people (when we aren’t shut down from surges), but I feel like I have lost several years in my life.” During the shutdown, Marta connected with Hood classmates via email, leading to good political discussions and many laughs. In Aug. 2021,

Thinking about what I put in my mouth. Eat healthy!

–Eleanore Jackson Knott ’51

she played tour guide in DC with her French granddaughter and had dinner with Carolyn Clewell. In Aug. 2022, Marta hopes to go on a traditional Stone Harbor, NJ vacation with her son and daughter and their children, plus her sister and her family. The extended family of about 20 people has not been able to get together for 4 years.

1965

Emily Kilby erkilby44@gmail.com

Here’s to a group of classmates who’ve stayed close over the past 57 years, despite the physical distances that separate them. According to Barbara Casey Ruffino, “None of us has aged since 1965. Well, maybe a little, but we can still recognize the bouncy co-eds we were in ’65.” COVID put a stop to their travels together, and their lunch meetings in Frederick became Zoom chats, but they’re never far out of touch. In the past 12 years, Barb has clocked 300,000 miles in 56 trips just keeping in touch with her immediate family. While Chevy Chase was the Ruffinos’ residence of record after husband Russ’ retirement as rector at St. Peter’s by the Sea in RI, he has been serving as interim pastor for Episcopal churches in several Italian cities, most recently in Palermo, Sicily. Despite full- or part-time work stateside, Barb made multiple trips annually to be with Russ. Daughter Jane, a consultant/ teacher in content design/UX writing and a doctoral candidate at Stockholm’s Sodertorn University, has (with her Swedish partner) produced the first Ruffino grandchild. Barb has managed several visits with charming Josephine in Sweden, even during pandemic times. In Jun., Barb and Russ moved back to RI. Nancy McAdams Baggett’s book The Art of Cooking with Lavender continues to keep her busy with promotional activities. In Jun., she did a lavender cooking class on Zoom for the Association of Culinary Professionals and another for Omnivore Books in CA, then traveled to TN for a live lavender talk and cooking class. “I keep saying I am going to get off the treadmill but never seem to,” Nancy writes. “Finally, after 6 years, my culinary lavender patch (10 plants) is thriving. All but 1 of my plants are mature now, and they produced a beautiful crop that took me 3 hours to harvest.” It is not easy to grow

lavender in central MD, but Nancy enjoys the challenge and loves being out in the field at her Ellicott City home. Another point of pride this spring was the high school graduation of her only granddaughter, who’s headed to Boston College. Barbara Hyde Sands and husband Larry have moved from their longtime country place near Reading, PA to a lovely suburban home with much less property to care for. Ever musical, Barb sings in community and church choirs and directs a handbell choir. The pandemic canceled the Sands’ planned trips to foreign locations, so they confined their adventures to the US, traveling to Holland, MI, Chicago and upper NY. They also spend 2 months each winter in Delray Beach, FL. During the pandemic shutdown, Barb walked 4 miles daily as well as doing 2 long-distance initiatives, but with the resumption of normal activities, she’s down to 2 miles a day. She writes, “I love seeing my surroundings from a much closer perspective than from a car window!” Avid golfer Larry enjoys playing at courses in PA, MD and FL. Both Sands make the most of their good health. Christine “Chris” Plankenhorn Tischer writes, “Joseph at 86 and I are really doing fine with limitations, meaning we are happy and enjoying the life we have with his walker and my arthritis. Even with my misshaped hands, I am still able to do calligraphy, which I will continue until making correct letter forms is too difficult.” Zoom kept Chris connected with the calligraphy community during the pandemic, but she’s finally back at in-person instruction, teaching a class called Learning the Foundational Hand this fall at Frederick’s Delaplaine Arts Center. Chris’ mastery of the art keeps her busy creating marriage vows, guest records, school alumni awards and the like, but recent commissions have had her writing family names on a historical quilt, producing a handbook binder for a collection of napkins from Queen Victoria and creating a book of donors to a Catholic church in Linthicum, MD, using both calligraphy and her unique photo-transfer technique. In Mar. 2022, Chris joined a group of watercolorists for a trip to Spain, where she did pastel drawings while they did their watercolor work. Even with 2 hip replacements for Chris and Joseph’s 2 surgeries to repair a serious esophageal diverticulum in 2020, the couple continues to pursue their personal and cultural interests and take Viking Cruises—on the Great Lakes

In

words

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What’s one healthy habit you have?

this Aug. and next year on the Mississippi River. In her spare time, Chris keeps up a lovely garden at her Hagerstown home.

1966Dianne Beebe Barske eldibarske@gmail.com

Our 55+1-year Hood College Class Reunion was Jun. 10-12, 2022. From all reports, those who were able to take part had a grand and memorable time. There were 2 attendance options—on campus or on Zoom. Thanks to reunion chairs Virginia “Ginny” Wheeler Jones and Patricia “Pat” Kehoe Tylander for making this possible. 6 classmates returned to campus, 3 of whom were from Terrace House: Dottie Moore Byerly, Cheryl Carlson Peyton, and Kandy Kiefaber Higinbotham. Dottie is a docent at the 18th century Hammond-Harwood House in Annapolis, MD. The architectdesigned house, a rarity from that period, was added to the National Historic Registry in 1966. Dottie’s video filmed at the house is available on YouTube. Cheryl is the author of a new mystery book, Murder in Mobile, which includes characters from her days at Hood: Millicent “Milli” Towner Fazey, Ruth Mary Ross Jones, Kandy and Dottie! Cheryl’s books are all available on Amazon as paperbacks and as e-books. Kandy brought our 50th reunion update book; looking through it stirred memories and much laughter. Kandy planned to do some substitute teaching through the summer and shared updates about her son and 2 grandsons. Also on campus for the weekend was Judith “Judy” Messina, who brings honor to our class as current chair of Hood’s Board of Trustees. (There were comments made that perhaps Judy makes up for some of our class notoriety associated with the burning of the Pergola!) Judy called her position as chair “a weighty responsibility” with many challenges and changes facing education today but commented that Hood has been innovative and smart in facing these changes. She lives in NYC and writes for NY publications and for a NY think tank. The 2 additional classmates back on campus were Ginny and Pat, our reunion chairs. Pat reflected on how difficult the COVID years were for her family. “It was hard not being with the grandchildren for so long. It’s so good to be with them again.” Ginny deserves a “stalwart award.” She was leading the reunion just days after the loss of her older brother and a few months following her second open-heart surgery. She shared news of her grandchildren, now “grand-adults.” In addition to Judy, Pat and Ginny on campus, there were another 8 of

us on screen via Zoom. Carole Ann Kemp Lovett made a cameo appearance from her FL home before technical difficulties interfered. She attempted to take us outside to see her avocado tree when she was cut off. Local Hood’Lums are invited to stop by for picking. Betty Schmidt Martin from Gainesville, FL had a sampling of Carole Ann’s avocados last year. Betty is active in 2 women’s groups in the area and enjoys time at the beach and sharing a condo with her son. Patricia “Pat” Chapple Wright was recently featured in the Jul./Aug. 2022 issue of Smithsonian Magazine! The Forest and the Taboo article discusses Pat’s work as a biologist, exploring the astonishing forbidden wilderness in Madagascar. Barbara Trogler Lidle retired from her position as a library director 5 years ago. She lives in West Chester, PA, where she is involved in her church. Harriet Rudman Weiner related that she has given her Hood ring to Patricia “Pat” Kehoe Tylander, who never received one. Subsequently, Pat donated to the Hood ring campaign in Harriet’s honor. Terri Petrillo Connolly said she has “family all over the place.” Her daughter, a single parent, is moving from VA to CT, and Terri and her husband are building a home in CT to help their daughter and the 16-month-old grandbaby. Terri reflected on her interviews for her first teaching position and how invaluable the broad, liberal arts education she received at Hood had been during her teaching career. Marilyn Boyer is active in her local senior center and stays busy keeping up with her garden club and garden in Belfast, ME. Marilyn echoed Terri’s praise for her Hood education. “It fostered flexibility and creativity and has been applicable in so many areas of my life.” Sara “Sally” Wislar Farneth shares that sentiment. She is involved in literacy campaigns and teaching English as a second language. “My Hood education has been the backbone for all that I have accomplished.” She praised it for fostering critical thinking and an attitude of “of course you can.” I, Dianne Beebe Barske, add my praise to the Hood experience. It has added much to the 3 careers that I have happily juggled—teaching, art and journalism. (During my 4 years at Hood, I bounced from early childhood ed to art to English as majors.) And there was such praise for this Zoom experience that there are plans to recreate it for our class during Hood Reunion Weekend 2023.

1967

May Mumma Ohman may.mumma.ohman@gmail.com

Our 55th reunion was held in early Jun. Judy Donaldson Jefferis says, “It was so much fun being at our 55th reunion. Downtimes were my favorite: sitting on Meyran porch talking to May Mumma Ohman, catching up with roommate Beth Costello Hobby, reminiscing with Susan S. Bracken about our time years ago in Chicago and talking with Virginia “Ginny” Price Bracken about her move to Kennett Square, PA. My permanent home is Clark, WY. I run an Angus/horse ranch. If classmates find themselves near Cody, WY, I’d be happy to have them stop in.” Ginny says, “Reunion bonuses involved reconnecting with Hood Club friends Natalie C. Bowers ’52 and Frances Pickle Wetmore ’52 and seeing the Class of 1972 celebrate its 50th. 1972 was the class I helped admit when I worked in Hood admissions. Brack and I are moving back to PA to Kennett Square. Visitors welcome.” Barb Cummings Stacks is “looking forward to seeing friends and updates on the campus. I am fortunate in my area to visit, lunch and share books with Hood friends: Linda A. Carlson, Margaret ‘Peggy’ N. Phillips and Barbara ‘Barb’ Schmidt Macgregor.” Kristina “Kris” Campbell Joyce says, “BJ and I will be attending reunion and look forward to seeing Hood friends. Here in Boston, we have been going to Tufts University to see our grandchild Emma play lacrosse in the Nationals. Her brother will be coming to Boston University as a freshman.” Barb Morgan Herron says it was “so good to see everyone! I have been part of a workgroup charged with closing the Lutheran church. Think of selling ‘the old family home’ but on steroids. Much of the last year went to overseeing that my 99-year-old mother-in-law was cared for. Fortunately, we placed her just 5 minutes away.” Molly King Safren attended the reunion luncheon and shares, “I am still working full-time in my psychotherapy practice. My husband manages my office and is busier now than when he worked for NASA. We are lucky that family live within 15 minutes.” Judith “Judy” Lehman Ballinger says it was “wonderful to be at Hood again! I stayed in the new dorm with old roommates Kris and Cheryl Wray Kirk . I moved to Simpson House, an apartment in a turret with vintage stained glass that won me instantly. My only trip was to UT to celebrate my aunt’s 103rd birthday, Ruth Austermuhl Blattenberger ’40. She may be Hood’s oldest alum.” Beth Costello Hobby says, “Contrary

to expectations, we looked better this time than we did at our last reunion! Interesting, isn’t it, how we can just pick up right where we left off? The campus looked beautiful; the receptions were handled well. Superb meals.” Gail Witham Pohl writes, “We sold our home and moved to our cottage on the lake. We have 21 grandkids, and most have enjoyed the lake. Doug and I are still active in church, square dancing and gardening.” Laurie Seymour Carlson says, “I’m happy to be living a more normal life after the restrictions of the pandemic and to see more of my grandchildren. When the lockdown began, I joined an organization that focused on making CDC-approved masks. We made more than 100,000. Now we are focused on making supplies for medical centers.” Leilani “Lani” Chen Viney writes, “I am sorry I cannot make the reunion. I considered coming until my husband took a bad fall and fractured his skull. He is still recuperating. I’ll be thinking of you all on Jun. 10.” On a sad note, Patricia Rosner Kearns’ husband Robert passed away in Jan. 2019. Our condolences, Pat. Meredith Cook Held shares, “After 18 years as a realtor, I retired last year. I’d accomplished everything I had set out to do. My biggest accomplishment was working to prevent a public utility commission from putting power lines down Main Street. Our daughters invited us to move into their neighborhood. We sold our house and purchased one northeast of Austin. What a great decision!” Johanna Van Wert Thompson says, “Our family is going on a trip to AK in Jun. There will be 16 of us. We had 3 grandchildren’s graduations this spring: 1 graduated with his master’s from Virginia Tech, another from Washington and Lee, and the third from high school. We have been BUSY!” Sally Raube Chandler “visited Hood 6 weeks ago with my daughter. The campus looked beautiful and lush. My husband passed away in early 2019. Then came COVID lockdowns, and

I was very sick with Lyme’s disease and landed in the hospital twice. Another daughter lives in TX, so I have not seen my grandchildren in years. When they come in Jul. for a week… wonderful!”

1968

Sandra Gerwin Herndon sandraherndon@gmail.com

Phyllis A. Gimbel is a professor at Bridgewater State University, MA. She has written 3 books; the most recent is about mentoring school leaders. She and husband Paul are the proud parents of 2 children and 5 grandchildren, who live nearby. Constance “Connie” Lux Welton and her husband of 25 years share 4 children and 5 grandchildren. They live in Connie’s parents’ home, which they remodeled themselves. For the past 20 years, Connie has helped raise grandchildren and was a caregiver for her parents. In the summer of 2021, she discovered that she had breast cancer. It was caught early, so she can thankfully say that she is healthy today. Laurie Kammler Kaye enjoys traveling from NYC to CT, NJ and NH to visit family. Laurie anticipates making that long-awaited trip to Baltimore to see Charlotte S. Whitenight soon. She also tries to stay in contact with roomie Donna Nelson Hyde Gwendolyn “Gwen” E. Lehman and her husband sold their second home near Philadelphia and have moved back to their home in MD. She had a recent exhibit in Ocean City of her paintings, a series of abstract landscapes based on the theme “the horizon is just a line.” She is active in various agencies and still finds time to write short stories and poetry and make fine art photographs. As children coming of age in the ’60s, they are still marching in protest of major political issues. Diane Connolly Ware and her husband Peter retired from teaching in 2005, celebrated their 52nd anniversary this year

and are living in a continuing care community in Medford, OR. They hope to participate in an Alaskan wilderness fly fishing camp in Aug. 2022. They enjoy working on social justice issues, including helping to fight off an LNG pipeline through their region. Rosemarie Dempsey Curlett is still working full-time as the manager of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center in Chestertown, MD. She was particularly busy during the pandemic. Her husband John is loving retirement. Her 2 children and their families live close enough to visit often. Ann Fisher Miller and her husband Earl continue to enjoy retirement but are thinking about downsizing to a 1-level home; after 2 knee replacement surgeries, Ann says stairs have become a challenge. She hopes to plan a trip to Ireland with friends in the not-too-distant future. Although an art major at Hood, Benna June Germann Eldridge has spent her adult life in social work without ever taking a course in the field. She established the first respite programs in NY for people with developmental disabilities. She and husband Doug will soon celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary. They are enjoying their recent retirement by visiting their 3 children and 6 grandchildren, who live in Canada, PA and FL, and by visiting Doug’s 105-year-old mom. Benna is proud to report that she is a cancer survivor (1994, 2008 and 2019). Linda Winter-Blacksher and her husband Bill are healthy and enjoying life at their homes in golf course communities in Sarasota, FL and Hendersonville, NC. They see their girls, sister-in-laws and 9 grandkids a couple times a year. They hope to spend part of Sept./Oct. in the UK and France. Through the magic of Facebook, Linda keeps in touch with a good number of classmates and Little Sisters: Mary Bloodgood VanHyning, Sandra “Sandy” Deemer Harra, Suzann “Suz” H. Carson, Betsy Kern Perlstein, Laurie Clement ’70 and Wendy “Chips” Parker-Wood ’70.

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Being present in the moment (sometimes)! –Susan Audino ’85, B.A.’99

I don’t worry about things I can’t control. –Mary McMunigal Burland ’71

Diane Sharp Oldfin lives in Naples, FL and has owned an interior design business for 30 years, a family-run furniture store and the building in which it is all housed. Her 2 sons own and have managed the store with her for the last 20 years. The design business has taken her overseas on 9 occasions, but she hopes to “semi-retire” this year. Diane stays connected with Charlotte S. Whitenight Charlotte was recently contacted by John Dring, husband of Margaret “Peggy” Soxman Dring, who shared the sad news that Peggy passed away in May. In Jun. 2022, Sandra “Sandy” Deemer Harra and her husband Ed celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary and 9 years of retirement from teaching. They spend most of their time gardening and exercising and being outside but hope to begin traveling again soon. Summer in CA is fire season. They have worked hard to create defensible space around their rural home. Their community went through a very close call during the Wallbridge/Meyers Fires in 2020, but their home was saved through the heroic efforts of local men and their bulldozers, “The Caz Dozer Crew.” They feel very blessed.

1969

Sayre Roney Steere sayre1126@gmail.com

First to check in was Martha “Marty” Silcox Hankins, who had recently visited with Lila Wisotzki. Marty’s oldest granddaughter is off to Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston in the fall, and younger sister will be performing with the Peabody Children’s Chorus in Italy this summer. Marty’s TX grandchildren will be entering middle and high school. Marty keeps busy with Master Gardeners, Friends of the Library and STEM classes, including laser cutting, vacuum forming and 3D printing. Christine “Chris” Diehl is enjoying living on the CT shore in West Haven. Daily walks provide exercise and seeing the beauty of the shore birds such as egrets, herons and gulls. She pursues watercolors, and many of her paintings and cards are displayed at local fairs. Volunteer work includes the library, senior center and church. After 18 years in the alpaca business, Susan “Sue” Korff Hammer is cutting back on breeding in anticipation of downsizing the herd and retiring from showing. Sue named one of her alpaca babies after her roommate Mary Louise Wittkofski O’Brien.

This spring, little Mary Louise was in an alpaca show in Lexington, VA. Since Mary Louise and husband Jim are retired in Norfolk, VA, Sue invited them to the show and to visit with the Hammers. They had a grand time—and little Mary Louise came in second in the juvenile black female class and brought home a red ribbon! The Outer Banks of NC was the site of Maureen Clancy Shiftan’s eldest son’s wedding in Oct. 2021. In attendance were Joan Esselen Foot and Carol Crofoot Hayes In the intervening year, Maureen’s grandbaby Ada Carolina was born. Maureen looks forward to a 2-week summer hiking trip to the Dolomite Mountains of Italy, where she and T lived 40 years ago. Hood roommates Jill Stanley and Elizabeth “Betsy” Seele Gotta continue their enthusiasm for square dancing. In fact, both will be participating in the 71st National Square-Dancing Convention in Evanston, IN in Jun.; Jill manning the registration table, while Betsy serves as “caller.” Despite recuperating from heel surgery, Jill hopes to dance with Betsy as well. Margaret Dunkle remains heavily involved with the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, which she helped launch in 1972. Recent activities include working with ESPN/ Trilogy Films 4-part special coming out in Jun., in addition to podcasts, speeches and panel discussions. Margaret was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame 10 years ago as Title IX turned 40. Cynthia “Cindy” Kannapel Weiss and Glenn had a fabulous spring trip to Marco Island, FL followed by a week in St. Maarten. Summer vacations will include NC’s Outer Banks as well as Cape May, NJ. Granddaughter Bryn is off to Elizabethtown College in the fall. Cindy and Glenn watch their 2 younger grandchildren twice a week, which keeps them hopping. Carole Downing Staton’s son Andrew has recently been assigned to a new duty station in Ft. Hood, TX, where he and his wife have purchased a home. Carole and Roy hope to visit soon. Meanwhile, they will help their granddaughter celebrate her fifth birthday in NY. Dave and I, Sayre Roney Steere, continue our exploration of the Pacific Northwest. In Jan., we spent a few days in Klamath Falls, OR with a side trip into northern CA. We “border-crossed” in Apr. while time-sharing in Blaine, WA; Canada is so close! And after a 25-year gap, we returned to Kauai in May. I could get used to living in the tropics. Pickleball, running and hiking keep me active, though gardening seems to be my

primary focus for summer. On a sad note, I must report the death of Jane Ronald Raglin She and I became acquainted freshman year when, on the numerous occasions we had to line up alphabetically, she and I stood beside each other. In later years, we’d reconnect at USNA Class of ’68 reunions, as our husbands were classmates. Most recently, I’d admire the completed, enormous jigsaw puzzles she would post on Facebook. Such patience and persistence. We will miss you, Jane.

1970

Marj Menchy Berkheimer mench49@gmail.com

Class of 1970, it was wonderful to see you at our reunion in Jun. What follows is Mary “Sam” Ryan Reeves wrap-up of events and attendees. Listen to Carole King singing “You’ve Got a Friend” and imagine the poignancy of hearing Hood women singing it together. It was a special time. The second weekend of Jun. had remarkable weather for Frederick. 19 members signed up to celebrate our 50th (albeit 2 years later). Nancy Schneider Alder, Linda J. Allan, Marj Menchey Berkheimer, Linda Walls Bradley, Deborah Clancy Butler, Melinda “Mindy” Brown Condon, Vickie Smith Diaz, Margaret “Marge” Frisk , Elizabeth Houghton Fulmer, Susan Doucett Greenberg, Martha “Marty” Hassell, Ann Lefko Heslin, Myra L. Holsinger, Mary Rife James, Margaret “Peggy” Muncie, Christine “Chris” Bradley Pecor, Anne Parkin Pierpont , Mary “Sam” Ryan Reeves and Ellen S. Sacks attended. Fri.’s events included interesting class sessions and the Pergola Society Reception, then a gathering that night with members of our Little Sister Class of ’72 at Blazer Hall. We joined other classes for an all-college dinner on the quad. Sat. morning offered breakfast, yoga, campus walking tours and the annual college update presented by Hood College President Andrea Chapdelaine. We proudly marched into lunch, sporting class scarves and sunflowers, looking fabulous while humming the tune “When I’m Sixty-Four” on kazoos. The luncheon honored our class and the classes of 1971 and 1972. Together, our 3 classes donated cumulative gifts exceeding $1M! At past dinners, formal decisions have been made about who would keep us informed and connected in the future.

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This year, more informally, it seems the status quo will continue. Marj will continue to be our class reporter, Linda and Myra will continue to oversee fundraising, and Marj and Sam will continue to be reunion co-chairs. Keep in mind our next reunion will be in 3 years. “55! If we’re still alive!” There were not nearly enough pictures to share, as apparently we had too much fun to take them. Sun., following the traditional Strawberry Breakfast, a beautiful Service of Reflection entitled “You’ve Got a Friend” was held. Marj read the following passage composed by Peggy Muncie: “One thing that I have realized is how very fortunate the Class of ’70 was to have a graduation that beautiful spring day in the Hodson outdoor theater, to walk across the stage and be handed a blue rectangular case with our diploma. 1970 was a hard year for the United States. President Nixon ordered the invasion of Cambodia. The National Guard had gunned down protesters on the Kent State campus, killing 4 and wounding 9. Jackson State College in MS had 12 students killed quelling rioting on that site. Sad times. Our brothers, our boyfriends, our fiancés were being drafted. Some members of our class married prior to graduation to help their fiancés. We knew what was happening in the world. We felt it. Some traveled to DC to stand up for what we hoped would bring peace. The world was changing. Women were claiming a greater presence in all walks of life. The doors were opening. Glass ceilings would be broken. Yet here among the high towers above us, thy columns so fair, gleaming white in their calm majesty, we were in the sheltering arms that stood the long test of time and stand now in the years yet to be. We had graduation. So many colleges and universities did not. Boston University held the Class of 1970 graduation in 2010. Here at Hood, 50 years later, the Class of 2020 had a virtual graduation due to the crisis of the pandemic. As we come back to Hood to be in reunion, to recall, we remember. We give thanks for the sheltering arms that have sent us on our way. We remember the good times. The meeting of friends that we have kept in touch with and shared our life joys with all these years. Our weddings, our children’s births, career joys and setbacks, the marriage of our children and, oh yes, the joy supreme— the love of grandchildren. We celebrate the good. And we grieve what is no longer here. For some, a gathering place. For some, our energy, strength and health. For others, the loss of loved ones. It is a moment of gratitude for all life has helped us to move through. And we offer thanks and love for those who are no longer here.” Linda Allan read the list of

our departed class members. Anne Parkin Pierpont lit the memorial candle. Our own Reverend Peggy Muncie read the scripture. Reverend Debbie Clancy Butler joined in a blessing. The congregants then sang “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King, the lyrics more meaningful than ever. If you missed this reunion, think about making the journey in 3 years. The Hood campus, though having gone through many changes, remains incredibly beautiful, and Frederick is more thriving than ever.

1971

Mary McMunigal Burland mburl5@verizon.net

After 50 years plus 1 for good measure, the Class of 1971 returned to Hood to celebrate our 50th reunion on Jun. 10-12, 2022! From beginning to end, the weekend was beyond wonderful. The campus was beautiful. The weather was gorgeous except for a little rain on Sat. morning, and most importantly, the Class of ’71 was together again. After 51 years, the lure of Hood drew 26 classmates to celebrate this milestone reunion. Many of us came from nearby states, while Mindy Laighton Wilcox flew in from CA, Cynthia Liebig Allen made the trip from AL, Catherine “Cathy” Moon McClure and Elizabeth “Betsy” Ziegler drove from VT and Sharon Weiss Jones came on the auto train from FL. The new dorm on campus, Blazer Hall, was the weekend home for Diane Wooding Burgess, Mary McMunigal Burland, Janice Butz, Sharon Weiss Jones, Cathy Moon McClure, Debra Walton Sheaffer, Cynthia Chabot Tencza, L. Martha Thomas, Janice Letts Utsch, Sharon Brown Vejvoda, Mindy Laighton Wilcox and Betsy Ziegler. Dorm life has surely changed since our years at Hood. The weekend passed quickly from Fri.’s Pergola Society reception to an absolutely superb dinner that evening at Dutch’s Daughter in Frederick, organized by Lynn Patterson Jacobs and Cynthia Liebig Allen. 20 of us attended, including Diane Kromer Donovan, Gail Haulenbeek , Ann Vlachos Hendricks, Nancy Sword Hollyfield, Nancy Matthews, Barbara Hasbrouck Murphy, Jan Renn, Marlene McGibbon Santucci and Lucinda Tyson. Sat. began with breakfast and yoga in Gambrill Gymnasium, which was enjoyed by Edith Purdie, followed by President Chapdelaine’s update on the College. The alumni luncheon on Sat. was unique in that it was the first time that a triplet of 50th reunion classes were honored: 1970, 1971 and 1972. Our class marched in to the Beatles’ song

“Here Comes the Sun” and carried sunflowers with blue and yellow ribbons in support of Ukraine. One luncheon highlight was the presentation of a check of more than $1M, the combined reunion gift from the 3 classes. Edith and I were honored to represent our class. Later that afternoon, we enjoyed the 1893 Reception at President Chapdelaine’s beautiful home followed by our 50th Reunion Dinner in Coblentz, where we were joined by Karen Spence and Janet Jacobsen LaHayne. It was a delightful evening with good food, wonderful conversations and lots of reminiscing about our college years. We even did a Zoom call to talk with Nia Lourekas, Allyson Washburn, Kathy Nield, Donna Eaton, Debbie Hamlin Hitchings and Nancy Fisher Henderson We each received a wonderfully creative tapestry designed and made by Cynthia Liebig Allen and inspired by the Carole King album “Tapestry,” which was released in the spring of 1971. Of course, Sun. began with Strawberry Breakfast followed by a Service of Reflection in the Coffman Chapel, in which all 3 reunion classes participated. Janice Butz was the organist for the service, Lynn Patterson Jacobs read the names of our deceased classmates, Sharon Brown Vejvoda lit the memorial candle and I spoke on behalf of our class. It was a very moving service and the perfect ending to our reunion weekend. After almost 2 years of planning, the weekend passed so quickly. Saying goodbye to our classmates was a bittersweet moment, but comfort comes in knowing that in only 4 years we will be at Hood again to celebrate our 55th reunion.

1972

Carol Schlosnagle Bradford cbradford043@gmail.com

Virginia “Gini” Procino Hartmann writes that on Memorial Day her hometown hung banners for local veterans, especially graduates of Watchung Hills Regional High School. These included banners for Gini as a second lieutenant in the US Air Force and her brother, who served in the US Coast Guard. Janet Stickley Kurzynske and Rick had a wonderful celebration for their 50th anniversary with their 3 daughters and their spouses, 4 grandsons (15, 14, 12 and 13) and 3 granddaughters (7, 3 and 1). Janice “Jan” Williams Martin and her husband were pleased to see both their sons, daughters-in-law and granddaughter this spring—so nice after all this COVID mess. Jan is working on opening their cottage in CT and spending time at their private beach relaxing, soaking up the sun, swimming and sailing.

They’ve been riding their pony Barley around the area; so much fun. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the price of gas, ha! Sarah Sonne O’Donnell just finished her 3-year term as chapter regent of the Cooch’s Bridge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She will be the corresponding secretary of the Delaware State Society. One of her accomplishments has been to initiate the naming of the Delaware State Sea Turtle. More than 13,000 K-12 students voted to name the Loggerhead Turtle as the Delaware State Turtle. The state bill naming this turtle was then signed into law. This project took more than 2 years from conception to completion. Helen-Mae Reisner was looking forward to reunion but had to cancel plans due to a medical matter. Here’s hoping her recovery is short and sweet. Martha “Marti” Murray Robinson went to Iona, Scotland with a Celtic/ Jungian pilgrimage group in Apr. She and most of her group ended up testing positive for COVID while there. They had to stay an extra 5-7 days in a Glasgow hotel until they tested negative and were allowed to fly home. That was her COVID (mis)adventure despite being vaccinated and boosted. She’s still pursuing Jungian studies through reading and Zoom programs. We want to thank all our classmates who came “home to Hood” for a reunion weekend full of laughter, hugs, singing, dancing, silliness and love. We appreciated those who worked so hard to put our reunion together and to give us this opportunity to

reconnect our friendships and reminisce about our happy times together during our Hood days. The chapel service was especially lovely and moving, as we heard names of classmates who are no longer with us. Our singing Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” brought tears to our eyes. At the end of the weekend, there was some discussion about possibly returning in 2 years when our Little Sisters will celebrate their 50 years and in 5 years to celebrate our 55 years.

1973

Leslie A. Hawkins hawkins.leslie.a@gmail.com

I’ll start with Marcia Coyle DiBiagio, who sent me news last Dec. just after I had submitted our class news for the spring issue. Marcia reported that her daughter, son-in-law and 2-year-old grandson are still living with her and were expecting their second child in Apr. Since her grandson was “finding new and creative ways to destroy their house,” it should be very interesting with another grandchild on the scene. Marcia’s husband is semi-retired but still taking on new clients in financial distress, and Marcia continues her work covering the Supreme Court, writing occasionally on the blog of the National Constitution Center and doing analysis on PBS Newshour whenever they are interested in the Court; we may be seeing more of Marcia in the coming months! To balance this out, she and Ray are planning

a river cruise down the Danube this fall. Sara “Sally” Parkhurst Van Why posted a photo on the Class of 1973 Hood’Lums Facebook page of a gathering of the Shriner Shiners on Siesta Key in FL visiting the home of Jill Schonek Pollard. It was attended by Sherry Bronski Waltz, Patricia “Patt” Henry Montgomery, Anntoinette “Toni” Lucia, Alicia Parlatore Payne and Patricia “Patti” Suydam Ritter. They toured the Ringling Museum and took their picture under a sign for a musical “Hood” that turned out to be about Robin Hood. R. Ann Jones has settled into her new home in Asheville, NC but came west in Mar. to visit her sister Meg, who also relocated from Chicago but to Scottsdale, AZ. Ann and Meg came down to Tucson, where we enjoyed a busy lunch, catching up on our news.

Interestingly, Ann and Meg also connected with Bonny Barncord Berger while in AZ. Bonny and her husband also left Hinsdale, IL after 38 years and are building a home in Scottsdale. Elinor “Ellie” Blumenthal Kinland wrote to say she got married on Jan. 2, 2022, to Roger Copeland in Frederick. Ellie has retired from her social work practice and Roger is a retired administrator from FCPS. In 2014, Jeanne M. Carper retired from her 38-year-long career as a medical book editor. Over the past 2 years, during the pandemic, Jeanne went back to her history degree roots (with fond memories of Dr. Latkovski) and researched 46 lines of her family tree. She self-published a book and launched a website on the descendants

of her sixth great grandparents, married in 1770, raising families near Catoctin Mountain Park. She chats in email almost daily with her Meyran roommate Martha Kazenwadel Schlott , who lives in Downingtown, PA with husband Rick, and has frequent contact with Robin Dunn Bleesz and Marlene Grossnickle Young ’76. Janis Wilson Polastre says that she and husband Bob have been enjoying spring in the Hudson Valley, keeping busy with gardens, hikes and outdoor arts/music events. They’ve visited their daughters in Savannah and Fairfax and are putting an addition onto their 170-year-old house, always an exciting experience. Elaine Williams Bielenberg has started a small fabric art business called Mother of Invention, has a booth at the Belfast, ME United Farmers Market year-round and is working on Facebook and Instagram accounts for an online presence. She’s keeping close to home for summer, as the best weather in ME is May-Nov., and hopes to swing her golf clubs as well. As for me, I called Charlotte “Charlie” M. Ponticelli this past week and we ended up talking for more than 2 hours…thank goodness they don’t charge by the minute— remember those times? She is enchanted with her granddaughter Summer, who will turn 1 next month. She’s cut back on work and volunteer activities, although she resumed her visits with Spanish speaking prisoners. As part of her church mission, Charlie reads Bible passages and talks with them. Since the pandemic, she’s been visiting 2 women and said those conversations have been interesting and quite different from the men.

1974Patricia E. Kidd pat.kidd@hotmail.com

Victoria “Vicki” Raeburn Benton writes with lots of news. She says, “Leigh and I are good. He won re-election to the Orange County Legislature last Nov. and is now into his 25th year! I am retired and proctoring medical exams at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown. I love it, as it gives me a purpose without the dreaded paperwork. We are looking forward to traveling to France in Jul., a much-delayed trip from 2020 due to COVID. We will spend 3 days in Paris, then hop a train to Avignon. Here, we board a river boat for an 8-day cruise down the Rhone River through wine country to Lyon.

In 10 words or less... What’s one healthy habit you have?

A few minutes of quiet morning prayer time. –Teresa Filios Korpita ’80 Yoga every day, even if for just 10 minutes. –Stephny Lietuvnikas, M.A.’20

We fly out of Marseilles at the end. Looking forward to brushing up on my francais and enjoying a relaxing 14 days!” Vicki’s son PJ is in his 20th year as the CSI detective with the New Windsor Police Department and son Chris continues to work with the LPGA as the physical therapist on the tour. She’s also a proud grandmom to multiple grandkids; Marty has been inducted into the National Honor Society, Ryan is a member of NJHS (with a 100 average), Camden pitches baseball on his high school team and has been approached by several schools (including Hood!) and Jace is an avid soccer player. Vicki is a very proud grandmom. Jane Dodge Armacost says, “My husband and I just returned from the Hood Reunion Weekend. I wanted to see my friends from Class of ’72 who were celebrating their 50th Reunion. I spent quality time with my Big Sis Kathy Martin Belikoff ’72 , her husband Larry, Virginia “Gini” Procino Hartmann ’72 and her husband Tom. I enjoyed seeing others from our Big Sister class. There were a few of us from ’74 there: Magaly Mauras Green and Patricia “Pat” Kidd. The campus was beautiful, the food was delicious and the memories were so sweet. My roomie Wilma Diehl Robley and husband Lee May joined us on Sun. for a get-together at the Harpers Ferry KOA, where some of us were camping for the weekend. Good times! John and I are planning a 3-week camping trip, our longest to date, to the Midwest in late summer, so I hope diesel fuel prices don’t go too much higher!” Mary “Gordie” Bell Thorpe’s news, while short, is very impressive; “I have written a book, As the Stomach Turns. The book contains humorous life experiences, and yes, it does include some from Hood. In publication and will keep you posted.” Great to have a published author among us. D “Dot” Herdle Files writes, “Eben and I have travelled to Europe to see our granddaughter’s family and to our church’s annual conference. Eben builds ramps with the Texas Ramp Project. I’m writing music for our church’s bell choir.” I asked Dot about the Ramp Project; it’s an inspiring effort to build accessibility ramps for those who need them but can’t afford them. Elaine Oakley Caine was with our class for just a year, but she writes that she enjoyed “a wonderful year at Hood and there have been many times that I wish I remained for the other 3. I have 2 wonderful children—well, they are 35 and 31 now, so they are not really children.

I retired from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville in Jul. 2014 and now live with my husband in a suburb of Charleston, SC. We love the beach and riding waves. Since retirement, I can play the flute whenever I want and have performed with the Charleston Community Band, the Charleston Flute Quartet, the College of Charleston Orchestra and the Charles Towne Flute Quartet. As of May 31, I have dropped all commitments except the Charles Towne Flute Quartet, where I play first flute and have recently become the director.” Yesterday, I returned from our Big Sister Class of ’72 reunion—their 50th! What amazing women. We’re getting close to celebrating this milestone too, just 2 years to go. Martha “Marti” Murray Robinson ’72 was kind to invite me; I’ve been a tagalong to a few of their reunions. I’m here to say Hood looks great and is doing well thanks to visionary leadership from Andrea Chapdelaine.

1975

Deborah “Debbie” Page Rath dp95942@aol.com

Thanks to everyone who took time to share some of their Hood College memories. Cheryl L. Cuddeback shares a memory from her first night at Hood: While deep asleep, she was awoken by a couple of gals giggling, talking and singing in the hallway. Her first thought was these gals were going to be her friends. For the next 3 years, she was not only blessed to become friends with Billie E Weise ’74 and Margery Berringer-Schuran ’74, but she also became part of a special group she has forever cherished. They partied hardy by frequenting the Frederick Townies’ hang-out “Brownies.” They also appeared in various Hood theater productions under the guidance of our dear and beloved director Dennis Hughes. On Halloween night, they wore costumes. Liz Burwell dressed as a female version of John Belushi in the movie Animal House, creating her own clown outfit by stuffing it with pillows. Cheryl is grateful for Facebook, so she can still stay in touch with so many BFFs, including Carolyn Schoemer Huyghe ’74, Linda Shurko ’74 and Elizabeth “Liz” Anne Arant ’74. She still maintains close contact with Billie Weise ’74 and Ann Cuppia Gandy ’74 as well, bonding each summer in Billie’s hometown, Ocean Grove, NJ. In thinking back, Jacqueline “Jackie” Testa Ciminera recalls

being particularly fond of working with the Hood theater. She remembers very well all the fun we had and how much we enjoyed our very enthusiastic director, Dennis Hughes. Equally important and precious to Jackie are the memories of the fabulous professors in Hood’s English department, especially Drs. Hadley Tremaine, Margaret Ford and Janice Cole. Because of them, she fell in love with literature, and it’s been a lifelong passion. Jackie’s life is quiet. She and her husband’s lives revolve around their children and grandchildren, but she met wonderful people at Hood, both classmates and teachers, and hopes everyone in the Class of 1975 is doing well. As a commuting 25-year-old student, Margaret “Peg” Yanarella Hosky’s favorite Hood memories are when she would head to the Alumnae House to taste Dixie J. Miller ’72’s delectable dips and the hours spent with Dr. Dana Cable discussing thanatology. Both have been close to her heart throughout her adult life. Elizabeth “Beth” Sheppard Kline grew up in MA and returned after graduation, but she now lives on Cape Cod and loves it there. However, every time she would return to Hood for a new semester, from a school break or as an alum, Beth always had a feeling of coming home. Beth was very well prepared academically and has wonderful memories and friendships that remain today. One of Ellen Bosek McMahon’s favorite memories from Hood was Dad n’ Daughter Weekend. There were so many great activities. Rev. Dr. Sue E. Shorb-Sterling chose to share that, as a freshman, she tried out for the choir and made it. Sue sang second alto all 4 years in the choir. Dr. Warner did more than conduct choral music. He taught them how to sight read, how to sing with feeling and expression, and even threw in a little music theory from time to time. Through his eyes and ears, they learned not only to appreciate the music, but also to learn the history behind the pieces. Sue has many great memories of singing with the Naval Academy choir at their chapel. Sue also shared another choir memory; a trip to Germany where they sang concerts in small villages and were guests in people’s homes. They made incredible music as they sang a cappella pieces written around the same time period as some of the churches were built. Sue got to experience much thanks to her voice. Cherilyn Widell’s favorite memory was easy: Raudy Cabin (or was it “Rowdy” cabin?). It was a wonderful rustic log cabin in the Catoctin foothills owned by the College and run by the Recreation Association. Mr. B, the riding master, would lead early morning rides up to the cabin for breakfast cooked

over a campfire. On weekends, Cherilyn would reserve the cabin and invite Princeton men and girlfriends for the weekend. They would build a roaring fire in the big stone fireplace, put on Don McClean’s “American Pie” album and snuggle in the dark. “A long, long time ago, that music used to make her smile,” and it still does today. In other news, Cherilyn is getting remarried to Robert Rocco Falconio on Jun. 12, 2022, in Ocean City, NJ. I also have so many fond memories. All the time spent in theater with friends; the different productions, sets, costumes but never acting (although Dennis tried play after play). A special thanks to the ladies of Smith, who made every day special.

1976

Nancy Ludwick Warrenfeltz nlwfeltz@hotmail.com

Diana Hilgartner Boyd and her husband Dave sold their home of 21 years in Champaign, IL in Aug. 2021 and moved to the Austin, TX area. They lived in an apartment in Buda, TX for 4 months while their home in San Marcos was finished. Dave and Diana’s daughter Kirsten is teaching music at nearby Davy Crockett Elementary School. They love their new life in TX; so many things to see and do. The people are friendly and freedom loving. Dave flew his small homebuilt airplane 1,000 miles from IL to TX in Oct. His Pietenpol Camper flies about 70 miles a leg, so it took him 6 days to make the trip. Diana drove their car and followed him on this adventure to many small airports; carrying food and water and acting as the ground crew when he landed and took off. The Boyds’ youngest son Will has 2 lovely little girls, ages 1 and 3. Diana and Dave are a short 10-hour drive from them in Jackson, MS. Their oldest son lives in Colorado Springs and works as a civilian engineer for the Air Force at Peterson Field. If you’re in the Austin or San Antonio area, don’t hesitate to give the Boyds a call. Susan E. Rivers sends a quick update regarding her life in retirement. She thought it was going to be slow, but she’s actually quite busy. She’s the finance treasurer for a local church preschool and is managing a database for the Senior Recreation Council for Frederick County. That, and getting her yard and gardens in line, is keeping her busy. Barbara “Barb” Woolmington-Smith and Craig drove to PA in Aug. to attend Barb’s 50th High School Reunion. There had been a great deal of online enthusiasm for this event, and she was really looking forward to seeing many of her “old” classmates. While Barb was reminiscing, Craig and his sister visited some long-lost cousins in Lancaster, PA. Barb thinks he enjoyed

that much more than sitting through lots of 50-year-old stories. Shortly after the PA trip, the Smiths head to Los Angeles for the birth of their first grandbaby. They cannot be more delighted. The parents have chosen to be surprised, so they do not know the gender. Barb will be knitting in green instead of blue or pink. As for me, Nancy Ludwick Warrenfeltz, Larry and I are enjoying having our daughter Lindsay and her husband Nate and 2 of our grandsons living in the same development that we do in FL. The other 3 grands are in PA. We drove north to see 2 granddaughters in the Little Mermaid Jr. in Mar. The trip included a 6-inch snowfall. That was a great day for movies, popcorn and hot chocolate. In Jun., we returned to PA for oldest granddaughter Madeline’s 8th grade graduation. Off to high school next year! From PA, we enjoyed a long weekend with our son Jim and his family at their Wildwood Crest Beach condo. We followed that with a ferry trip to DE and a drive south to Kill Devil Hills, NC to continue the summer beach vacation with my sisters and brother and their families. Please email me your Hood news. I will include it in the next publication. Thanks!

1977

Elizabeth Anderson Comer ecomer@eacarchaeology.com

Kathleen “Kathy” Weslock sent this update from the reunion on Jun. 11: “Hello, fellow Hood’Lums! While small in number, we trooped our colors today at reunion. It was so great to catch up with all, reminisce about our younger years and think about all our classmates. Hood looks more beautiful than ever, and we are optimistic about her future, as always. We heard from our president about plans for the future and new projects; Memorial Coblentz is about to get a major renovation and the new dorm is spectacular. We should all be #HoodProud! Missed you all, particularly our fearless class correspondent!” (Note from Elizabeth: I was recovering from COVID).

Ann Kowitski Barber sends this news, “The best news of all is retirement as of 6/25/22. I can’t wait to do a lot of traveling and spend more time with my family, especially my 2 grands, who are growing up so fast. Jack will be 4 in Jul. and Anna will be 2 in Sept. Off to western Canada and Seattle in Jul., and Cape Cod in Aug. Hope you all had a great reunion.” Gregory “Greg” McGuirk has retired from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and been named professor emeritus. Katherine “Kas” Kluth Rohm writes that “retiring in the thick of COVID 2 years ago was probably not the best

timing on my part, but 4 young grandchildren living nearby have provided much-needed sanity to our newfound retirement lifestyle! I also have spent many fulfilling hours with a watercolor painting hobby that was relegated to the back burner for too many years. I am teaching watercolor classes and doing some shows and sales and enjoying every minute. My art can be found at kasrohmart.com. Hope everyone is happy and healthy!” Dale Hilgartner Cirillo shares that “in the summer of 2019, my husband Jim and I both retired and moved from VA to Red Lion, PA, which is south of Harrisburg. We moved to be near our eldest son Jonathan, his wife and their 3 sons. We enjoy living near our children and their families. We have 3 sons, who are all married. Peter, our eldest twin, lives about an hour outside of Austin, TX. Our other twin lives near Philly with his wife and 2 daughters. We are busy with our church, family and friends. I am learning to quilt better, though my patterns are of the simplest variety. I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ blesses you all in a very special way!” Last, but certainly not least, a huge thank you to all our classmates who were so generous in giving to honor of our 45th reunion. While we missed seeing many of you at reunion, we had 32 donors give a total of $196,130 in gifts and pledges to celebrate the occasion. This is a marked increase from the $17,875 raised for our 40th. I am proud that so many thought of Hood in your gift giving. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish for our 50th!

1979

Deborah Thackston Deborah.thackston@gmail.com

Some of our classmates are still in the workforce! Jane Krebs Drozinski is “still working! Finishing 21 years at Carroll Lutheran School, a private Christian school, 10th year in kindergarten, lead teacher for the lower school. It’s wonderful to see students I’ve taught in kindergarten or first grade as they graduate high school and college!” Bethanne Warrack is also “still working, currently a principal scientist doing analytical chemistry for biopharma. I’ve been with the same company for 40 years!” Also still working is Mary Marburger Hoffman: “In addition to being the managing partner of Yacht Haven Annapolis, I’m still running my farm, teaching piano 40+ years and have been a Mary Kay consultant for 18 years.” Jo Ann M. Bitsura is “the director of clinical operations/project manager for a pharmaceutical company.” Laura Quinn Paschal is still working at NASA and proud

to have been part of the team working on the James Webb Space Telescope that launched on Christmas Day. She reports, “This is the culmination of more than 2 decades on this project!” Elizabeth “Beth” Sharbaugh adds, “I love what I do and am still working! I do catastrophe modeling and analytics for a reinsurance broker. We model hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks, pandemics, etc. to quantify cost for insurance companies, banks, federal government.”

Carolyn Fiery Shearer shares, “I’m still working as director of life enrichment at Lighthouse Senior Living in Ellicott City, MD.” Carol Miles Frentz adds, “I’m still working 2 jobs: lead surgery technician for a veterinary hospital, and at night, I run a Taekwondo school as a fifth-degree black belt. I am the chief instructor. My 92-year-old mom lives close by, and I take care of her. No retirement for me anytime soon!” Many of our classmates have retired but continue to give back in more ways than you could ever imagine. Betsey Lillard reports, “I retired a few years ago. I volunteer, and have for a long time, with the Friends of Fort Frederick State Park, Inc. (an 18th century stone fort) and am currently board president of the Conococheague Institute, an 18th century homestead outside Mercersburg, PA. It keeps me pretty busy!” Betsey adds, “I miss my former coworkers but not the job!” Lynn Howard shares, “I belong to Susquehanna Post 135 American Legion Auxiliary, working for our veterans. I volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Maryland Chapter. In addition to being on the walk planning committee and a team captain, I search for various ways to raise money to fight this awful disease. I make and sell flower arrangements, sell used items on Facebook Marketplace, work with an artist to sell painted blocks that I involve my dad in sanding, organize pickleball mixers, sell gorgeous handturned wooden bowls made by the husband of fellow classmate Virginia B. Stayman, hold raffles, etc. In 2021, I raised more than $10,000 that went for programs, support and research to find a cure. Through the work of many, we will continue to move closer to our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementias.” Malia Harrison Anderson, who has always been an advocate for individuals with disabilities, shares, “I can’t wait to retire and volunteer!” Bess Muir reports, “I retired from the Navy back in 2005 and since then I’ve been taking care of parents and traveling. I am currently working full-time doing administrative support for a group of assisted living facilities on the Eastern Shore and in Anne Arundel County. In addition, I enjoy

my kids and grandkids!” Anne E. Mosher filled us in on her news since graduation. She went on to Villanova School of Law and spent her career as a prosecutor for the US Army and then the US Attorney’s Office in Tucson, AZ. Anne has been happily retired for 6+ years and spends her time between Tucson and her home in Rehoboth Beach, DE. She still hangs out with Sandy Wallbrunn Evans They both love to travel and have taken several international trips, including to South Africa and Croatia. Sandy has homes on the east coast of FL and coastal ME. In Apr., I had the pleasure of meeting Julie Murray McCaffery for lunch in Urbana, MD, which we found to be halfway between us. It was wonderful to catch up, as we hadn’t met since before COVID. Hopefully, it’s the first visit of many. Write to me by email with any news!

1980

Alumoffice@hood.edu

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Deedee Randall Luttrell, whose husband Jeff passed away unexpectedly in Jun. 2022. Our thoughts are with you and your family, Deedee.

1984

Ellen-Marie Samsen Knehans emknehans@mchsi.com

Greetings, all! Happy Summer! (Fall when this is published) Susan “Sue” Sutton Bartolotto sends her family news. She is working for Fairport Central Schools and her husband John is working for CareStream. Sarah and John are doing well in PA. Their daughter Emily was married in Aug. 2021; she and husband Pete are expecting their first baby in Sept. 2022. Daughter Hannah is doing well working in Rochester, NY. Son John just finished up his second year at Baldwin Wallace University, where the men’s lacrosse team was OAC Champion! Sue is looking forward to spending time with the new grandchild. Bill and I took 2 trips to Frederick this year already. In Feb., Jonathan “Jon” Knehans ’18 and fiancée Megan were married in the Pergola on the windiest day ever. Our daughter-in-love Megan graduated from nursing school and is now working for the University of Maryland trauma center. Jul. will take us to Hillsboro, OR to see our eldest son Ted and Becca. Jul. will also bring us to Lexington, SC for another retirement housing trip; we are narrowing down the neighborhoods. From Lexington we will stop in on Bill’s dad in San Antonio. Let’s get some news to me—short notes or perfect paragraphs that I can edit are wonderful. We

want to share in your joys! I have 750 words for each column. Sometimes that is plenty, sometimes the news will have to be edited or split for the next issue. The best to all of you. Stay happy, safe and wonderful.

1986

Alison Drum Althouse alison.althouse@gmail.com

Kathrine M. Anderson shares that her youngest Emilia just graduated from high school and is off to American University’s School of International Studies this fall. Her middle child Antonia will be a sophomore at UMass Amherst majoring in psychology. Her oldest Philip is finishing his medic program, so he can be a firefighter/paramedic and join a larger firehouse at some point. Kathrine is excited that their postponed (thanks, COVID) trip to Italy is happening at the end of Jul. Sheila Guth Snyder resigned from Bayhealth Medical Center after 33 years to start a full-time remote position with Nordic Global Consulting as a senior application adviser, doing basically the same work from her home. She loves being able to spend more time with her daughters Alyssa and twins Stephanie and Andrea, along with their significant others and grandsons Mahj and Kannon. Sheila is looking forward to their annual family vacation in late Sept. this year at a beachfront home in Avon, NC. Martha Hearn Shimano shares that her longtime dream of starting a private foundation has finally come to fruition. She is concentrating on animals, the environment and the arts. The foundation’s mission statement is, “Using education, engagement and conservation to help make the world a better place.” Martha says, “It’s been a labor of love putting all the policies and procedural aspects of a foundation in place.” Amid all of that, she is in the throes of helping 2 of their 3 daughters get married: Katherine on Jul. 3 and Melanie on Dec. 18. Lots of happy times ahead for the Shimano family. Chrystal “Chrysti” Hogan finished her 36th year of teaching this May, her 26th at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. She spent time in Jun. visiting her mother Edith “Edee” Howard Hogan ’59 at her new residence, Ginger Cove in Annapolis, MD. Chrysti and her wife Jeanne are very much looking forward to Aug., when they will enjoy a week cruising the French Polynesian islands, including Tahiti and Bora Bora. Dana Humphreys-Acock

and husband Mitch sold their house in the suburbs and moved into a condo in downtown Columbus. Empty nesters living the city life. If anyone is passing through Columbus, they’d love to see you. Dana is closing her private psychotherapy practice this fall and heading into retirement with plans to go to Anchorage, AK to hike with Robyn M. Henry ’85. Hood Sisters are always welcome to join. Patricia “Patty” Kenyon Grimm is super excited to share that her second cousin Rachael Low will join the Class of 2026 and play soccer for the Hood Blazers. Rachel just graduated from Courtland High School in Spotsylvania, VA, where Patty also went to school. Kellye “Sweetpea” Greenwald shares how happy she was to see her Sisters at the Shriner Porch Party over reunion weekend. Kimberly “Kimby” Sparling Clauson ’87 and husband Mel brought the Blue Whales! Also on the porch were Marcia “Swampa” Menihan Kodlick , Cathy Manning ’87, Diane Beers ’88, Mary Woods ’88, Marla Sulmonte ’92 (who reminded us that she is “half-Sicilian”), Marta Vila-Storm ’87 (aka Miss America), Rachel Schwartz-Sorenson ’87, Stephanie Schwartz Pain ’87, Stephanie Pratt ’87, and last but certainly not least, our House Mother Cathleen “Kate” Duffy ’87, who reminded us, “ain’t nothin’ fina than Shrina.” We missed many of you at reunion this year—let’s try and make it to the next one!

1995

Jacki Resop Amato jresop@yahoo.com

Over Memorial Day weekend, Hood’Lums Quicha E. Tresvant Jones ’96, Jewel K. Smith ’96, Emma Frederick King and I met in Towson, MD for lunch at the World of Beers and a movie, Top Gun: Maverick. The movie was on its opening weekend. Watching the original Top Gun on VHS tape on my little 13” TV in my dorm room in the early 1990’s does not even compare, but we didn’t know any better, and we watched it over and over and over. And yes, I still have that VHS tape. It was good to catch up and enjoy time with friends. Remember, you can send in your updated information to me or Hood anytime. I’d love to hear from you. Have a safe and healthy 2022!

1999

Anne Hambrik-Stowe Rankin annehambrickstowe@gmail.com

Hello, Class of 1999! After not having any updates reported in the last magazine, I am excited to be able to share a few in this one about babies, work and health. Sherie L. Love-Kenny and her husband welcomed their second child Jacob last Oct. Both he and their older son Max are doing well. Congratulations, Sherie! Wishing you all the rewards and fun times of raising 2 boys. I am also pleased to share the impressive work Sandra M. Quezada is doing in the medical field. Sandra is a faculty gastroenterologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she is associate professor of medicine, associate dean for admissions and associate dean for faculty diversity and inclusion. On a national level, Sandra is co-chair of the American Gastroenterological Association Equity Project Advisory Board, chair of the Intersociety Group on Diversity in GI and special section editor for the Gastroenterology Academic Journal. Sandra thinks this might be her first update she’s shared since we graduated, and it’s great to hear from her. Thank you, Sandra, for your contributions to continued advancements in medicine and the impact you make both locally and nationally. Speaking of continued medical advancements, after having a kidney transplant 4 years ago (my donor was one of my brothers!), I had a pancreas transplant this past Mar. Being diabetic since I was 4, it has been a most welcome lifestyle change for me to now be free from the 24/7 “job” of managing type 1 diabetes. What an amazing and incredible experience to receive these gifts of life. If you’re interested in learning more about being a living kidney donor, visit www.pennmedicine.org. Last, but certainly not least, Nectaria Kordan Bogdanis decided to join “the Great Resignation,” leaving her corporate job and focusing on her business, Soapfistication. She creates soaps, bath bombs, shower steamers and other cosmetics, with a primary focus on the art of making. She also designs and sells bath bomb molds to other makers in the industry. You can check out her work at www.soapfistication.com. Congratulations on your “retirement” and on your ambitious jump into full-time selfemployment and all that this exciting adventure

What’s one healthy habit you have?

Love unconditionally, don’t judge others, enjoy every moment every day. –Doreen Jarvis, P’06

brings! I hope to hear from others for the next column about whatever is happening in your life, with your family, your work, your hobbies, special interests or even just to say hi to your classmates. Reach out anytime by email or text. In the meantime, take good care!

2001

Heidel “Heidi” Goldenman

Greetings, 2001 alums! I hope this finds you all well. A brief update this round: Christine Acquarulo Wheeler is excited to share that she and her husband just bought their forever home in Chesapeake Beach, MD, where they moved in Jun. 2022. Sarah Kistler Drabant completed her MS in library science at Clarion University in spring 2022. Congratulations to you both! Amy C. Estell writes that she started a cut flower farm near Frederick called Estell Gardens. The gardens supply fresh flowers for several farmers markets, local delivery, weddings, florists and events. If anyone needs flowers or wants to know more about flower farming, please contact her at amy.pavani@ gmail.com. Last but not least, I was happy to have a quick exchange in fall 2021 with Erin Goodwillie Hantz ’99, who still resides in France with her family. So hard to believe it’s been 20 years since we worked together in Strasbourg. Thank you to Jennifer “Jen” Stange Knieriem for her continued support in keeping us connected on Facebook. Please keep sharing all those great (or even mundane) moments with us or feel free to send a quick hi. Wishing you all the best!

2003Leah Giambarressi MacDonald macdonaldleahg@gmail.com

Hello, classmates! We’ve got lots to update this issue, so let’s get to it. First, Heidi Schnarr writes that she started a cat rescue called Heidi’s Kittens in Stevensville, MT. It’s officially been 1 year since she started rescuing cats. She also fosters children and currently has 1 longterm placement. Erica Smith is the new associate dean of students at UDC Law. She started there in Nov. after leaving her job at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she was an assistant clinical professor. Christina Ecke Poyer is still teaching kindergarten at Roland Park and is starting her tenth year there in the fall. Her

son Alex spent 8 months in Alvesta, Sweden playing ice hockey. He’s a goalie and headed to MA in the fall to play for the 95 Giants. In Jan., Jennifer Fair Milas was named a partner at her firm, Mclean, Koehler, Sparks and Hammond. Erin Smith Babitts recently started a new job as program director for behavioral health services for Four Winds Saratoga, in Saratoga Springs, NY. Heidi Bonnett Adams welcomed her seventh child, Leonidas Maximus Rex Adams, or Leo for short. She also continues to work at her home bakery while she “contemplates what she wants to be when she grows up.” Julie Sirak Pacilli celebrated 3 years in Jun. since she opened Four Mountains Travel Company and 3 years with Ardeo Education Solutions, working in client service for institutions offering their Loan Repayment Assistance Program. Last Aug., she moved across NC from the mountains to Wilmington right on the coast. Taryn E.L. Chubb received her JD from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in Jun. She graduated in the top third of her class, and pending passage of the bar exam, she’ll begin her career as an associate at Rosette Law, LLP, in Oklahoma City, practicing federal indigenous people’s law. And lastly, I, Leah Giambarresi MacDonald, started a 2-year term as the president of our Alumni Executive Board in Jul. I’m super excited to work with the Alumni Relations Office and the AEB’s subcommittees to continue the great work done by my predecessor, Phill Yerby ’11.

2006

Sharia M. Barksdale hoodclass06@yahoo.com

Ashley E. Maready has changed careers and now works as a digital content writer/ editor. Her work can be read at The Ascent, a Motley Fool personal finance blog. Amanda J. Reinken recently played in the Hood alumni field hockey game after 18 years. She also attended reunion weekend with Catrina Cecil Wiles and had a blast!

2007

Lexa Hayes aehayes@aehayes.com

Hello, Hood College family! I hope everyone has been happy and healthy. As always, the Class of 2007 has been quite busy, and I’m

thrilled to share our myriad updates. After teaching preschool for 12 years, Jessica Palmer Biggs changed careers in Dec. 2021. She is now training coordinator at Dynamic Corporate Solutions Inc., an HR consulting firm. She lives in Middleburg, FL with her husband Josh, their 8-year-old boy/girl twins and 2 dogs. Tamara Maggard Brzozowski married Mark Brzozowski on Aug. 7, 2021, and the couple welcomed their daughter Camden Blair into their family in May 2022. Tamara just received her master’s in education in athletic administration and leadership from Goucher College. Amelia Cotter Pollock started a new position as manager of docent programs at the Lincoln Park Conservancy in Chicago. Her fifth book and first poetry collection, apparitions, was released in spring 2022 by Highland Park Poetry Press. Though legally married in 2020, Rebecca R. Dupont finally had her wedding to husband Benjamin Riesebeck on Apr. 23, 2022. She is very happy to have been able to celebrate with loved ones. Stephanie Cowen Eisenberg works as a community outreach and public information specialist with the civil engineering firm WSP USA. She is a consultant covering public information and outreach for future and active construction projects for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, covering the central and western portions of the state. Stephanie currently attends the University of Florida (virtually) to obtain certification in transportation equity. She recently received her certification in digital marketing from the University of South Florida. Stephanie and her husband celebrated 11 years of marriage, and their daughter Elivia is about to become a first-grade student. A personal note from Stephanie: “I miss Frederick and especially Hood!” I think most of us feel the same way. Lexa “Lex” Hayes has been busy managing her health, work and home obligations. Despite restarting chemotherapy, Lex remains active as lead soprano soloist for 2 choirs on the Eastern Shore and works as a freelance music reviewer and essayist. Lex continues to run her makeup and skincare company, Lux by Lex, and spends her remaining time with her husband and 10-year-old son James in their home on the water in St. Michaels, MD. Lex says that James is determined to go to Hood and is already asking to tour the campus! Charis Sutherland Loomer is completing her third academic degree at Hood. She currently holds degrees in early childhood education

In

and curriculum and instruction and is pursuing a leadership role in education for the State of Maryland. After an upcoming internship, Charis will complete her studies in the spring of 2023. She currently lives in Frederick with her 2 children, 7-year-old daughter Raegan and 5-year-old son Brooks. Charis teaches Kindergarten at Oakdale Elementary School. Natalie M. McVeigh is the managing director at the Center for Family Business Enterprise of Eisner Advisory Group. She now lives in Brooklyn (Bushwick), NY and, after doing a lot of post-graduate education in her field, is excited to be starting a PhD in mind-body medicine this fall. Natalie was grateful to be able to attend the 2022 reunion with a group of friends. Finally, Genna Woodruff Natoli married Aric Natoli in 2016. She received a master’s in teaching from Shepherd University in 2019. I hope that everyone who was able to attend the reunion had a fantastic weekend. Until next time, stay well and keep being amazing!

2008

Steven E. Delaney stevenedelaney@gmail.com

Hannah Grant Paugh welcomed her third child Maryn Elise in Feb. 2022. Katie R. Podson has been working for the last 13+ years teaching high school special education in Howard County and has received her master’s in education. Lisa Blankfard Weeks welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Charlotte into the world in Dec. 2021. Lauren V. Procter married Shawn Beaumont on Sept. 30, 2022. They bought a house in Marriottsville, MD in 2020 and welcomed their dog Dacks to their family last Dec. M. Caitlin O’Connell and her family have moved to Taneytown, MD, home of their Red Bird Farm. Caitlin and her husband Sean and daughter Shea are excited for their new adventures and will share the farm with their 3 beautiful horses. They hope to farm a portion of their land using sustainable agriculture. Amanda “Mandy” Hiel ended 13 years of service at Lonza, Inc. in Sept. 2021 and started a new job working at Kite Pharma as a quality assurance specialist. She traveled to Turks and Caicos in Oct. 2021 to see Meghan Tomlin Bush ’11 and Andy Bush get married, knocking country #10 off the list! She is currently in the process of writing her first memoir about her international adventures, sharing how travel has changed her life. Mandy moved into her new home in Frederick in Jun. 2022. Amy Kaufman MacLeod has been promoted to manager of commercial intelligence at Republic National

Distributing Company after working as an administrative assistant and then a business intelligence support specialist for the last 4 years. Last Dec., Amy, her husband and their dog moved from Catonsville to Sykesville, MD. Her brother Stuart “Stu” C. Kaufman Jr. ’07 is getting married this year, and she is part of the wedding party as a “Groom’s Lady.” They recently had the bachelor party in Stevensville, MD on the yacht that was featured briefly in the movie Caddyshack. Among those on the yacht was Hood alumna Francis B. Pedersen ’07 Holly M Crawford is now the director of adult public programs at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In their new position, they are keen to develop and implement programs that inspire joy and invite learners to expand their understanding of themselves and the world. Samantha S. Snyder graduated with a master’s in art education from Mount Saint Mary’s University. She currently teaches at both Frederick Community College and Frederick Christian Academy. When not in the classroom, Samantha is at DARCARS Toyota answering the phone. In her spare time, she is an active member of the People’s Baptist Church and loves helping people find Jesus. Please feel free to contact Samantha at ssnyder@fcamd.org. Amanda Jimemez Alley and her husband Patrick moved to SC last year with their 4 children and are loving life in the warmer climate. In 2018, Julie Biscoe Justice took a position as a curriculum resource teacher and site testing coordinator in Worcester County, MD. She is looking forward to having both of her children in the same school where she works this fall; Carter in second grade and Evelyn in pre-k!

2013

Elaheh Eghbal hoodcollege2013@gmail.com

Hey, Class of 2013! We’ve been a busy bunch. Jahtay Teh started a new job at Pact, an international development organization, managing projects in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. He also began serving as the vice president of diversity and inclusion for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, where he is starting his fourth year of membership. Kellie Duncan Clairmont and her husband Matthew purchased their first home in Staten Island in Dec. 2021 and welcomed their third child on Jun. 23. Spencer Knoll married Lauren Agresti on May 7 at the Engineers Club in Baltimore. They recently bought a home in Rockville. This Aug., Spencer will graduate with an MA in security studies from the Georgetown University Walsh School

of Foreign Service. He works on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant for defense and foreign policy to US Senator Chris Van Hollen of MD. Brett Shelley graduated from Virginia Tech last summer with a degree in plant molecular biology and is now working at USDA in Beltsville as a postdoctoral researcher. Ashley Birdsell was recently named a 2022 Michele Dowdy Emerging Leader by Virginia Counselors Association. She continues to be the regional marketing lead, Nederlander National Markets as well as an MEd student in clinical mental health counseling at the College of William & Mary. Stephanie Taylor Widmeyer and her husband welcomed their second child in May. Stephanie also had the great pleasure of watching her sister Shelby B. Taylor, M.A.’22 graduate from Hood with her master’s in counseling. William Close is still in the Army and is stationed in HI. In Oct. 2020, Will got married to Melanni Derez in Savannah, GA. Currently, Will is starting classes for his master’s in supply chain management at Florida Tech. Andrew Bodine just got his full therapist licensure, LCPC, this past Mar. He is a fully licensed therapist in MD working at Silver Psychotherapy and specializing in trauma and grief. William “Billy” Lewis directed a production of Shrek the Musical at Poolesville High School and has finished his final class for his secondary education certification at Montgomery College; he’s now qualified to teach in Montgomery County. He and Robin recently celebrated their 2-year anniversary in Costa Rica. Amanda Blakeslee Darling started a new position as an office coordinator with the Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services in Sept. 2021. She lives with her husband Will, son Willie and daughter Emma in Millington, MD. Elaheh Eghbal is the senior manager of integrated marketing at MITRE Engenuity and has been busy with her puppy Lucy. Be well and keep thriving!

2015Sarah Tapscott Roiser

sarah.tapscott12@gmail.com

Khyle Ball has had a busy summer. In Jun., he earned his MPH from Drexel University and in Jul. he moved to DC. He is currently exploring the idea of pursuing a doctorate in public health. Julianne Berg started a new job. She now works in membership for a tech user group. She enjoys her job very much and loves it when she gets to travel for work. Ashley Abrew has begun a job with the National Archives in Washington, DC as an archivist. Ashley is also a licensed nail

technician serving the DMV area. Jena “Ren” Stone will be moving to CO this fall to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, pursuing a master’s in curriculum and instruction. Amanda Shaffery is now engaged to Robert Vaughn. The couple are set to marry in Apr. 2023. Tara Biser Little and her husband Devon are excited to be expecting a daughter in Nov. Nicole Kuehl Gingrich left the worlds of economics and technology transfer behind and took a job as a communications specialist within a different division at NIST. She now works with the sales force team and doesn’t miss economics at all. She’s proven that just because you earned multiple degrees in one area doesn’t mean you’re stuck doing it the rest of your life. Nicole and husband Russell Gingrich welcomed their second child Robert in May 2022. Robert’s older sister Rebecca loves him so much! Sarah Wagstaff earned a master’s in library and information studies in 2020. She moved to a new home in 2022 and is taking American Sign Language classes to become a translator. Anet Zhandosova is a physician at Staten Island University Hospital in NYC, where she completed her first year of residency training in emergency medicine. Anet and Dylan O’Connell ’12 were married in

Jan. 2022 and are planning a trip to Ireland this summer. Megan Rodriguez Mercer and her husband Jared welcomed their baby boy into the world in Sept. 2021. With their 2 dogs, it’s now a full house! Matt Lee and his wife Bailey bought a house (Matt’s childhood home!) in Frederick and celebrated their son Umberto’s first birthday in Aug. Meg DePanise, MBA’20 and Justin Everett ’11 celebrated daughter Violet’s first birthday in Jun. They discovered that she loves the beach just as much as they do when they took their first family vacation to Topsail Island, NC. Sarah Tapscott Rosier recently went full-time with her event planning and management company, Sleeping Bee Designs & Events. She’s looking forward to supporting many families and couples as they celebrate amazing milestones like weddings, anniversaries and more. She’s proud that the majority of her events are within Frederick County.

2016

Justin Fox

jfox125@gmail.com

Kirsten Roy bought her first house and is living there with her boyfriend and their 2

dogs. She also started her crochet design company, the Yarn Arts, “just for fun.” Find her on Instagram @theyarnarts. Tamara Schlossenberg is now working as the collections manager for the art collection at the David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the Visual Arts & Culture of African Americans & the African Diaspora, located at the University of Maryland, College Park. Nicole Curreri graduated from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and is officially a doctor of podiatric medicine. She will be beginning residency in RI and is looking forward to the next chapter. Philip McCarty has started pursuing a master’s in library science at the University of Maryland and is now the teen library associate at Brunswick Library in Frederick County. Justin Fox continues to work at Georgetown University, where he is currently the interim assistant dean of summer sessions. Andrew Drum was deployed to the Middle East with the 29th Infantry Division in 2021. He has recently returned home to his current security job and is looking at opportunities in the geospatial imagery field. Keep your family close!

2017Mary Milligan Jaskiewicz mrmilligan13@hotmail.com

Jennifer Forester and fiancé Austin bought their first home this spring and moved in at the beginning of May. Reem Zietoon graduated from pharmacy school with her PharmD and soon will start her first year of residency at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. C.J. Blickenstaff took a position as a communications specialist with US Customs and Border Protection. Her husband retired from the Coast Guard, and they relocated from Buffalo, NY to Charles Town, WV. Alana Thomas earned her master’s in pharmacology and toxicology from Michigan State University. Melissa Dryman has bought a house, had a baby, launched her own photography business and is back in school working towards a master’s in elementary education at Liberty University. Currently, Melissa is a childcare director at a Carroll County Public School. Caroline Kinna started a new job as a psychotherapist at Life Change Therapy Now, a small private practice in Frederick. Cameron Rogers enrolled at the Graduate School at Hood College in Jan. He is studying for his MBA. Cameron also began working for the Hood’s marketing department as a graduate social media ambassador. Mary Milligan Jaskiewicz welcomed her second child Franklin Shawn in Apr. Mary also started

a new job as a content creator and social media specialist for Securis in Chantilly, VA. Logan Samuels Bennett joined the Federal Communications Commission in Mar. as an attorney adviser in the Communications Cybersecurity Reliability Division of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

2018Mat Molina matthew.molina2014@gmail.com

Samantha Bailey passed the bar exam and was sworn-in to the Connecticut Bar Association in Nov. 2021. She is currently working as an associate in commercial tax in Hartford, CT. Kyle Bulgarelli recently transitioned from his job as an admission counselor at Hood to being the head coach for Hood’s men’s soccer team. Kyle says, “I am very excited to be able to coach and mentor student-athletes that are in the same position I was in during my undergrad years at Hood.” Brandon Green shares that “this past year at my TV station ABC12, I was promoted to sports director and won 2 Michigan AP Awards for Best Sportscast and Best Sports Coverage.”

Mat Molina writes, “I’ve been accepted and started from the time of writing this to my first year at the Osborne College of Audiology at Salus University.” Michelle Shedd “married Ian Sanville ’21, and I also got promoted to a manager of processing at NewDay USA.” Catherine “Cat” Vasko writes, “I recently started a new job as exhibitions and operations manager at International Arts and Artists in Washington, DC.”

2019 Alumoffice@hood.eduTimothy Sylvia lives in Charlotte, NC and is beginning a new position as a senior internal communications specialist with Albemarle. Previously, he spent 4 years as an editor and moderator with pv magazine, a leading renewable energy trade publication, where he reported on solar energy’s relationship to extreme weather phenomena. Katelyn Long is in her third year of curating at Steppingstone Farm Museum in Havre de Grace, MD. She thanks Hood and the history department for setting her on the path to success. Maddy Collins lives in Silver Spring

and is the marketing and communications coordinator at the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association based in Sterling, VA. In Mar., Maddy attended the ICCFA convention in Las Vegas, where she met deathcare professionals from around the world. Payton Mills shares that she started a new position as Hood’s admission event specialist with the enrollment management division. Daniel Forgosh has worked as an immigration specialist at the National Institutes of Health since 2020. In this role, he does the immigration for some of the world’s greatest scientists to come to the US to conduct biomedical research. In addition, Daniel became a homeowner in North Bethesda in 2021 and a proud cat dad this past Jul. Mason Cavalier moved to Downtown Frederick and is now living on 6th street. He recently rescued a 3-year-old orange cat named Honey from the Animal Welfare League of Frederick.

Don’t see your class listed? Please contact the office of alumni and constituent engagement at alumoffice@hood.edu if you would like to become a class reporter or share your news.

of evaluating these exceptional students, as we determine who best represents the mission and values of Hood and the tradition of the ring. Every ring and scholarship that we award touches my Hood-loving heart, and I’m thrilled to see the connections that form between the alums and their ring and scholarship recipients.

My mission as president of the AEB is to strengthen the network between alumni and current students, encourage alumni service to Hood and to enable alumni to be active Hood ambassadors in their communities.

ALUMNI EXECUTIVE BOARD NEWS

Appointed President for 2022-24 Term

“I’ve served on the Alumni Executive Board (AEB) for a decade. I initially joined as a way to give back to Hood after she has given so much to me. I’ve served on both the career committee and as chair of the Hood legacy ring and scholarship committee. Last year, we refined the evaluation process used to

determine which applicants should receive legacy rings and scholarships. In an effort to minimize implicit bias, we removed the applicants’ identifying details and developed a grading rubric that allows for a more objective evaluation of applicants’ accomplishments and essays. The result is a more objective process

I would love to see more of my fellow alumni rise up and give back. I’m here to help them serve in whatever way is most meaningful to them, so we can show the current students and the world what a true lifelong love of Hood can be.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the Alumni Executive Board, please contact Kellye Greenwald ’86, director of alumni and constituent engagement, at greenwald@hood.edu.

Leah Giambarresi MacDonald ’03, M.S.’10, C’05

In Memoriam

Remembering those we have lost.*

REMEMBERING CHARLIE NICODEMUS

Charles Albert (“Charlie”) Nicodemus, H’05, lifelong resident of Walkersville, Maryland, and longtime supporter of Hood College, died May 28, 2022, with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Kathryn Zimmerman Nicodemus, H’05; his son John C. Nicodemus and daughter-in-law Ellen; his daughter Kathryn Nicodemus Baker and son-in-law Gary; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Born March 2, 1929, to the late Robert N. Sr. and Helen K. Nicodemus, Charlie graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1950, with a bachelor’s degree in business.

Charlie and Kathryn were avid Hood supporters. He served on the Board of Trustees under four presidents, from 1992 through 2004. Recognizing the couple’s support, enthusiasm and commitment, the College honored the Nicodemus’ with the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters in 2005. He received the President’s Award at the Hood graduation ceremony in May 2013.

President Andrea Chapdelaine remembers her first meeting with Charlie and Kathryn. “Charlie shared with me his dedication to Hood and asked that I ‘take good care of her.’ On our most recent visit, he said I was doing a ‘fine job’—words of praise that moved me deeply, knowing how much he loved Hood.”

Charlie and Kathryn were supporters of Hood’s athletic teams and constant audience members at campus events. In 2008, the couple were among the first to be inducted into the Hood College Athletic Hall of Fame. The Nicodemus Athletic Center was named in their honor.

There’s no mistaking that Charlie led a full life; he will be remembered for his love of family and community, his service and generosity, and his wit and wisdom.

Memorial donations may be made to the Charles Nicodemus Scholarship Fund at Hood College.

Alumni

Elizabeth Sircom Wedell ’41

January 2021

Lois Hoffberger Feinblatt ’42

April 2022

Gertrude Flagg Dalzell ’44

April 2022

Sally Crutcher Eaton ’45

January 2022

Mary Alice Wimbrow Puls ’45

June 2021

Lois Piper Dalgliesh ’47

April 2022

Joan Stanton Fitting ’47

April 2021

Margaret Green Lebherz ’48

April 2022

Carolyn Turkington Zinzow ’48

June 2021

Jacqueline Nevin Yeager ’49 May 2020

Dorothy Zierick Bohl ’50 September 2021

Anne Frankel Rockwood ’51 February 2022

Joyce Lines Cain ’52 June 2022

Marion Decker McCormick ’52

January 2022

Caroline W. Russwick ’52 May 2022

Margaret Brown Barati ’53 May 2022

Dorothy Joyce Coffin ’53 February 2022

Mercea Panfil Hadigian ’53

June 2022

Joyce Pritchard Furst ’54 June 2022

Nancy Davis Sackman ’54 January 2022

Lois Burnett Foell ’55 May 2020

Suzanne Best Ricci ’55, P’85 January 2022

Alice Schmidt Sachs ’55 June 2022

M. Linda Kelly Gleysteen ’56 February 2022

Dorothy Gates Bennett ’57 July 2018

Susanne Gardner Kennedy ’57 March 2022

Sara Sibley Lenhart ’57 February 2021

July

2022

Anne Marshall Muhl ’57

January 2021

Betty Darling Sutherland ’58 April 2021

Roberta Altwegg Wood ’58, P’83 January 2018

Anne MacGregor Ballantine ’60 February 2022

Berta Pocock Dietz ’60 January 2022

Ellen Booth Vester ’60 April 2022

Carol A. Hageman ’61 November 2021

Marjorie P. Westergaard ’62 March 2022

Janet Feick Burmester ’63 May 2022

Gayle Reed Carroll ’64 April 2022

Judy Strachan Self ’66 October 2019

Kathy Chubb Smyser ’66 November 2021

Linda Bartasek Tafe ’66 July 2021

Margaret Soxman Dring ’68 May 2022

Susan Baummer Butkus ’69 March 2022

Jane E. Etzel ’69 June 2022

Nancy Roe Hebdon ’69 March 2022

Sarah Jane S. Raffety ’69 December 2021

TERRY MARTIN ’76, M.A.’78

Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychology and spouse of Gail J. Martin ’21

Feb. 13, 1951 –Feb. 28, 2022

Terry earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Hood College before completing his Ph.D. at the University of Maryland. He returned to his alma mater as a professor, becoming a mainstay in the Department of Psychology and Counseling. He retired with emeritus status in 2020. Terry was instrumental in launching Hood’s thanatology program. He helped found Hospice of Frederick County as well as Camp Jamie, a community outreach service for children dealing with the loss of loved ones. Camp Jamie continues to help families after more than 30 years, leaving behind a tremendous legacy of Terry’s dedication to grief counseling.

Jane Ronald Raglin ’69

April 2022

Susan Horak Veres ’72 March 2022

Richard A. Jones ’74 June 2022

John R. McMurray Jr. ’76 February 2022

Gilbert B. Kelbaugh, M.A.’77 May 2022

K. Victoria Kelch ’78 April 2022

Mary Lou M. Galpin ’81 September 2021

Bonnie Stevens Raymo ’81 May 2019

Victoria Daub Shirk ’82 January 2022

Colonel William E. Weber, USA Ret., M.A.’82 April 2022

Shirley Holder Bruce, M.A.’84 April 2022

Christine S. Chagaris ’85 June 2022

Marion Hoffman Kirk ’87 September 2021

Sara Gibbs Dashiell ’89 February 2021

Joan Bennett Walton ’89 May 2022

Janice Snyder Osmann ’90 May 2022

Charles J. Buckler, M.A.’91 April 2022

JASON LANEY, MFA’21

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Art & Archaeology

Nov. 1, 1975 –July 2022

Jason earned a B.S. in international business and economics from Eastern Oregon University but later decided to pursue his true passion—the arts. He received an MFA in ceramic arts from Hood College and soon signed on as an adjunct instructor with the Department of Arts and Archaeology. Jason also taught at the Frederick Clay Studio and exhibited sculptural work throughout the world. As a student, alum and colleague, Jason had a tremendous love for Hood. He is remembered for his easygoing attitude, infectious sense of humor and tireless work ethic.

Sarah Jett Logan ’91 April 2022

Judith Freeman Finneyfrock, M.S.’93, P’91 April 2022

Mary F. Wellman ’91 August 2020

Kathryn G. Boyer ’95 March 2022

Vivian Smith Hurley ’98 April 2022

Sarah J. Thompson ’99 February 2022

William A. Rader ’01 August 2021

Debra Manderewicz, M.A.’05 March 2022

Diana Y. Teka ’22 March 2022

Faculty and Staff

Linda J. Mullineaux, faculty February 2022

Mary Louise Speers, faculty April 2022

Alice M. Cassano, staff March 2022

Mildred E. Piasecki, staff February 2022

REBECCA HAHN WINDSOR

Trustee Emerita Sept. 19, 1926 –July 20, 2022

Rebecca was predeased by her husband of 64 years, Robert S. Windsor, Jr., and her sister Mary Moser. She is survived by her two daughters Barbara Windsor and Rosemary Windsor; twin grandsons Jason and Jeremy Williams; and niece Sharon Domergue. In addition to serving as CEO of Hahn Transportation, Rebecca was the first female chairman of Maryland Motor Truck Association and the first woman to serve on the American Trucking Associations Executive Board of Directors. She was also a dedicated member of the Hood College Board of Trustees.

A

BACK

Looking Back… at Class Reunions

By Mary Atwell, Hood College archivist

“Reunion—coming together as one again! The years fade away in a magic instant, and after the first few excited shrieks of recognition we are just as we always were. A strange and wonderful experience! Who needs LSD?”

—Pat Baldwin Hoffmann ’37, 30th reunion reporter, 1967

A colorful quote that sums up both Reunion Weekend and the era in which it was uttered!

Reunions started immediately at the Woman’s College of Frederick (now Hood College). The Reformed Church which established the College had no institutional ties to the Frederick Female Seminary (FFS), but the two communities were heavily entwined by their student bodies. Frederick area families who sent their girls to the seminary did not hesitate to send them to the new institution. In fact, FFS alumnae were welcomed and expected to attend the new school’s reunions. They provided a large, thriving community and an immediate sense of history for the new woman’s college.

The first notable mention of a class reunion is found in a June 1897 Lesbian Herald article. It details reunion events held jointly by FFS and Woman’s College alumnae in College Hall. Activities included musical performances, a reception and the presentation of a paper, “The Literature of the Romans—the Mirror of their Morals and Politics.” Interestingly, the events took place the evening before the 1897 Commencement exercises. Alumnae reunions remained a part of Commencement week for decades, usually in the form of a luncheon and

annual Alumnae Association meeting. Over the years, there was a growing dissatisfaction with this arrangement; alumnae wanted time they could call their own on campus, when dorms were free, faculty were available and programming was dedicated solely to them.

Solidified by a 1966 poll, the first Alumnae Homecoming weekend was scheduled in June 1967. The annual business meeting was still held, with the addition of campus lectures, a keynote speaker and fun activities for alumnae family members, all creating a full weekend schedule. Over the years, reunion weekend was held at various times in spring, summer and fall, until firmly settling in June, where it remains today.

Notably, the reunion lectures became relevant to current events and higher education, a purposeful divergence to that of 1897’s evaluation of Ancient Rome! A quote from a 1969 lecture by Jean Reynolds Drake ’50 rings hauntingly true today: “We have to listen and evaluate what the opposite points of view are, be they young versus old, black versus white, liberal versus conservative, military versus antimilitary, etc.”

Yet, despite the urgent topics discussed, alumnae weekends are certainly not all business. As Pat Hoffman’s quote indicates, fun activities

were always highlighted and varied from German bands performing on the porch of Alumnae Headquarters, to wine tastings and the ever-present quirky Hood alum humor. A perfect example of that humor came during the 50th reunion of the Class of 1920, when each participant was given a gold coat hanger with the saying “Hang On” attached. Myrtle Smith Henrick, reunion reporter, pointedly remarked that the gift was open to interpretation—hang on until the 55th reunion? To life in general?!

Whether alumni tour the campus on foot or by golf cart, visit local wineries, gather on Alumnae House lawn, talk late into night in dorm rooms or enjoy the traditional Strawberry Breakfast, Reunion Weekend is beloved—an event you should not miss!

Catherine “Pat” Baldwin Hoffmann ’37 receives plaque, 1969 reunion (unknown photographer)

Class of 1932, undated (Frank Keefer)

Etch Your Name into Hood History!

For more than 100 years, support from our community has served as the foundation of Hood College. Continue this legacy with your very own personalized Blazer brick. Starting at $350, your customized brick will be displayed in the Jeanne Zimmerman Gerey ’52 Plaza near Alumnae Hall. We also offer handcrafted Adirondack chairs for $500. Located throughout our scenic campus, these signature blue and grey chairs are affixed with commemorative engraved plates—the perfect gift for your Hood student or graduate.

For more information, please contact Caroline Jeranek ’21, assistant director of annual giving, at jeranek@hood.edu or 301-696-3919 or visit: hood.edu/personalizedgiving.