Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine | Vol. 94, No. 2 | Fall 2024

A New Shade of Pink

Every now and then, the universe gives you an unexpected gift. A handful of Sweet Briar community members experienced this in the fall as they witnessed a rare Northern Lights show caused by a geomagnetic storm that made the spectacular sight visible on campus. The sky was lit with many colors, including what felt like a kismet display of pinks and greens over campus landmarks such as the Sweet Briar Farm barn on Monument Drive. This show of natural beauty offers us the opportunity to reflect and truly appreciate the already gorgeous place we live as it is bathed in a new light.

Lean In

“I hope that your love of Sweet Briar will bring you back to campus soon. There is so much to feel here that will inspire you, as I am inspired each and every day by our students, faculty, staff, and our local community.”

—PRESIDENT MARY POPE M. HUTSON ’83

Dear Sweet Briar Community,

I am pleased to bring you greetings along with this issue of the Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine. In these pages, we have attempted to capture the spirit and vision of our college through news and stories that exemplify our mission to forge ethical women leaders.

In my speech at the Inauguration Ceremony on Sept. 28, 2024, I shared that when I first visited Sweet Briar’s campus as a prospective student in my senior year of high school in 1978, I wondered about our college’s motto: Rosam quae meruit ferat, or “She who earns the rose may bear it.” If she works hard, she earns the rose and the right to bear it.

In these pages, you will see evidence of the right to bear the rose among both students and alumnae. Our Honors Summer Research Program students are forging their own paths through research with our esteemed faculty. The students on the softball team are helping rebuild their program and are already finding success. Our alumnae have earned awards for their volunteer and professional service to Sweet Briar, and four in particular have done so by making a “pivot” in their lives.

I also enumerated two words in particular in my speech: courage and love. Each and every day, our students and alumnae demonstrate those traits, too. It takes courage to leave home and come to these 2,847 acres, which, for many of our students, is their first time away from home for an extended period. It takes courage to embark on an academic journey and even more, to delve into weeks of research—that may or may not result in success. It takes courage to realize that the path you intended for yourself is no longer the right one, and it takes courage to change course and try something completely different. This kind of courage evokes a special kind of love: love of learning, love of teaching, love of exploration, and love of self. And ultimately, for alumnae and students, all of these acts of courage and love come back to a love of Sweet Briar.

I hope that your love of Sweet Briar will bring you back to campus soon. There is so much to feel here that will inspire you, as I am inspired each and every day by our students, faculty, staff, and our local community. It is because of you that we are here, and we endeavor to protect it.

With gratitude,

Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83 President

Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine

Fall 2024, Vol. 94, No. 2

Sweet Briar Magazine Staff

Editor

Clélie Steckel

Staff Writer Rachel Balsley

Contributors

Lea Sparks Bennett ’83, Phyllis Watt Jordan ’80, Professor Lisa Powell, Megan Sunwall, Professor Erica Trabold

Art Direction and Design Journey Group

Photographers

Pete Emerson, Cassie Foster Evans

Photography, Cole Pillow

College President

Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83

Board Leadership

Board Chair

Mason Bennett Rummel ’83

Board Vice Chair

Verda Andrews Colvin ’87

Board Secretary Sally Mott Freeman ’76

This magazine aims to present interesting and thought-provoking content about Sweet Briar College, its people and its connections around the world.

Publication of the material does not indicate endorsement of the author’s viewpoint by the College. We reserve the right to edit and revise all material that we accept for publication. If you have a story idea or content to submit for publication, contact the editor, Clélie Steckel, at cdsteckel@sbc.edu.

Contact Information

Office of Alumnae Relations and Development

P.O. Box 1057

Sweet Briar, VA 24595

When you have finished reading this magazine, please consider passing it along to a prospective student or family.

© 2024, Sweet Briar College

42 The Pivot

Read about four alumnae who had plans for their lives and careers—until they didn't.

47 Collage-versation

Two faculty members— one in STEM, the other in humanities—discuss creativity outside of the classroom.

52 Where Women Lead Campaign Update

Learn how donors are helping Sweet Briar reach its goals and complete projects.

“No matter what our pursuit is, there has to be that first person who says yes, and that first yes allows you to keep wading into the water.”

—Erica Trabold

Sweet Briar Honey Products

In the summer of 2024, Sweet Briar harvested more than 1,000 pounds of honey with assistance from the Willits Summer Food Systems Fellows. This gift from the bees in our apiary is available to purchase in the Book Shop, either on its own or in a variety of products made with honey, which is also stocked in rooms at the Elston Inn. Our soaps, lotion, and body scrub tend to fly off the shelves, so be sure to place your order soon!

Departments

Where

8 The Fruits of Our Labor Sweet Briar College Farm wine grows into retail sales.

12 Sweet Briar’s Land Acknowledgement Honoring the Monacan Indian Nation and its history.

14 The Bird Residents of Sweet Briar

A much-beloved piece of the College’s art collection received conservation treatment.

16 The Sweet Briar Fund Donors show support for students, programs, and the place we call home.

18 SBCommitment Program

New program supports Virginia’s most promising students.

Women

20 4+1 = 2 Degrees

New partnerships with Virginia universities open doors to Sweet Briar students.

22 Reunion 2024

Classes ending in 4 and 9 celebrated anniversary reunions with other alumnae and friends.

26 Honors Summer Research

Students continue the long-held tradition of original research with faculty mentors.

32 By the Numbers Student life at Sweet Briar.

Lead

34 Board of Directors

Eight new members joined the Sweet Briar governing body.

36 Call it a Comeback

Sweet Briar softball two seasons in after hiatus.

38 Alumnae Awards for Service & Career Success

Two annual honors announced at Reunion 2024.

40 The Inauguration of President Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83 Celebrating Sweet Briar’s first alumna president.

P.36

Softball is back! Read about the team’s comeback to Vixen Athletics.

You can make a gift to support:

• Our students, through scholarships;

• Our faculty, through professional development and academic program support; and

• Stewardship of our natural and built environment, including our historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Use the envelope enclosed with this issue of the Alumnae Magazine, make a gift online at sbc.edu/give, or visit sbc.edu/ways-to-give for other ways to make a gift.

Where

Stories about Sweet Briar’s place and landscape

Traditions Rooted in Place

Just as important as Sweet Briar’s many traditions are the places and spaces where they are held. Whether that’s Monument Hill and the Burial Grounds of Enslaved People serving as gathering places to honor our founders, meeting in the Dell and Quad for special events, or growing produce in the Greenhouse, every place on our campus holds a special meaning to the community. The “where” of Sweet Briar enables our women to lead, and to do so in a safe environment ideal for trying

new things, forging memories, embracing history, and stepping outside of your comfort zone. In this section we’ll explore how our campus has changed to provide additional learning opportunities for students while expanding auxiliary revenue; how we honor the history of the land our campus lives on; and the campus’s natural residents.

The Fruits of Our Labor: Sweet Briar College Farm wine

grows into retail sales

Highly anticipated Sweet Briar College Farm wine is now available for purchase.

By Rachel Balsley

U.S. World News & Report has recognized Sweet Briar College three times in five years as one of the country’s most innovative schools, partly because of its focus on diversifying its programs and stewardship of its natural and agricultural resources. One of the most recent ways the College has done this is through the creation of Sweet Briar College Farm wine, which is now available for local purchase.

“The College made the exciting decision to invest in agricultural enterprises, including the 20-hive apiary, 17.75-acre vineyard, and 26,000 square-foot greenhouse,” said Dr. Lisa Powell, associate professor of environmental science and agriculture, director of the Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability, and STEM division head.

Agriculture

Meadow Merlot

The merlot grapes in this wine grow in a vineyard overlooking a sprawling wildflower meadow, which we planted and steward to provide habitat and resources for both native pollinators and the honeybees in our 20-hive apiary. Both the wildflower meadow and the vineyard serve as important learning areas for our students.

Earned the Rosé

We’ve named this wine after our motto: “Rosam quae meruit ferat—She who earns the rose shall bear it.” At graduation, Sweet Briar College students receive not only a diploma but also the rose they have earned.

Celebration Sparkling Chardonnay

Founded in 1901, Sweet Briar College has much to celebrate in our history of educating and empowering women leaders. This effervescent dry wine comes from our 2023 chardonnay harvest. Raise a glass to celebrate women making history!

While Sweet Briar’s original plan was to sell its grapes to existing wineries, its wine is now being sold under its own label.

Bottling Greatness

In 2019, Sweet Briar College broke ground on two vineyard tracts comprising nearly 18 acres. Within the following years, the land bore fruit to make the College’s first batch of wine available for purchase, which made its sales debut at Reunion 2024. The process between these two stages was a long one with plenty of twists and turns.

The business was originally established in response to demand from Virginia wineries for a larger supply of Virginia-grown grapes. After two years of Sweet Briar selling its entire grape harvest to a nearby winery, national and regional shifts in the wine market brought reduced demand for grapes. Anticipating interest from a supportive base of alumnae, friends of the College, and local entities, the College struck out on its own to bottle and sell wine on campus.

“While the dream and the vision

Where of wine with a Sweet Briar label was always in people’s minds, originally it was thought that for quite a few years we would just be selling grapes wholesale by the ton to other Virginia wineries as a source of auxiliary revenue for the College,” added Dr. Powell.

After establishing production, Sweet Briar began the complicated process of licensing its wine for sale under its own label, including custom artwork designed by the Savannah College of Art & Design. The artwork was also influenced by College faculty, administrators, and a group of students who were able to contribute to the final decision.

“We had to decide where we wanted to be in the wine market as far as the quality of the wine. We wanted a high-end product because that translates to how we want to run our business as a College, a farm winery, and how we want people to view us,” said Director of Grounds and Projects John Thomas.

“We want a high quality product. We want to make and sell really great wine because Sweet Briar is a really great college. The labels really

Leading the Way Chardonnay

This well-balanced chardonnay comes to you from our 2023 harvest. Enjoy it chilled with your favorite charcuterie board—even better if that board includes honey from the 20-hive apiary tended by Sweet Briar College student beekeepers!

The summer 2024 Willits Fellows learn in the vineyard.

Where tell the story of Sweet Briar,” Dr. Powell said.

In true Sweet Briar fashion, the wine labels promote the high-caliber wine varieties and highlight the College’s mission, values, and history.

Starting with the 2023 vintages, the text on every label includes the College’s mission statement, and each label highlights different aspects of the College’s history, student-centered agricultural endeavors, and sustainability initiatives. With varieties such as “Earned the Rosé” and “Leading the Way Chardonnay,” each bottle tells a story bigger than the wine inside.

The wine has been a big hit at multiple College events where guests were able to partake or buy a bottle, and has been lauded by Virginia wine experts based on early tastings. Participants attending Reunion 2024 and the Sweet Briar Summer: Arts and Writing Retreat were some of the first to have the opportunity to buy wine to bring home. Sweet Briar College Farm wine is available for purchase on campus, and the ability to ship wine to select states is being explored. More information (and wine) coming soon!

Experiential Learning Uncorked Sweet Briar’s wine joins a growing list of agricultural pursuits and opportunities for learning on campus. The College is home to an apiary that produces hundreds of pounds of honey each year, a greenhouse that provides produce to the campus and local communities, and more. Depending on the day, you’ll find students clad in their beekeeping veils harvesting honey, with dirt under their fingernails from planting in their greenhouse plots, or walking back from the vineyard after educational sessions with leaders in the Virginia wine industry. There is no shortage of learning opportunities through this impressive suite of agricultural programs.

The College’s course catalog has dedicated classes about these

relatively new resources and how to use them, as well as opportunities for students to complete honors research projects and participate as Willits Summer Food Systems Fellows. This year, the fellows were directly involved in the launch of wine sales at Reunion. They were also able to get hands-on experience on and off campus in the production of the wine. While Sweet Briar makes a small amount of wine on campus as part of its farm winery license, the majority of the wine is produced at a custom crush facility, which makes and bottles wine while working with the College on flavors, blends, and colors. The Willits Fellows traveled to the facility and bottled the 2023 “Meadow Merlot” themselves, which was both educational and fun. As the 2024 harvest began, they collected randomized samples of the grapes for lab testing.

“I greatly enjoyed being part of the first wine sales. I was able to learn about the different varieties of grapes we use to make our specialties, how

the wine bottling process works by physically going to the facility where it takes place and helping with packing the wine, and got to meet some great alumnae along the way as they picked up their wines!” Willits Fellow Kendall Compton ’25 said of her time working with the College’s wine enterprise this summer.

After taking the Economics of Wine course, and while serving as a Willits Fellow, Meredith Farmer ’25 completed training to be a Virginia ABC manager, enabling her to be able to be even more involved in selling and serving the wine. Others will soon follow in her footsteps, helping the College advance its position as a winery.

Dollars & Scents

In addition to offering unique modes of learning, the College’s wine and other agricultural businesses provide special opportunities for auxiliary revenue. The Book Shop has been selling honey and honey-based products for several

Students in the Agriculture Enterprise course harvest grapes in 2020.

“Every college should strive to diversify its revenue sources. It reduces your overall risk and alleviates some of the burden on development’s goals for fundraising. It’s a counterbalance.”

—Peter H. Bryan, Vice President for Administration, Chief Operating Officer

Members

years, and our greenhouse not only supplies produce to campus dining and local food banks, but also sells wholesale to local restaurants, schools, and other institutions, and directly to community members through its on-campus markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions. With the addition of wine sales, there are many ways to experience the bounty created through the College’s cultivation and stewardship of its land.

“Every college should strive to diversify its revenue sources. It reduces your overall risk and alleviates some of the burden on development’s goals for fundraising. It’s a counterbalance,” said Vice President for Administration and Chief Operating Officer Peter Bryan. “We think that our auxiliary revenue can grow and that it can become a much more meaningful part of the College’s revenue.”

Looking ahead, the sky’s the limit. Ultimately, the College hopes to produce enough wine to sustain a profitable tasting room, inviting visitors of Virginia’s Wine Trail to campus. The team also hopes to increase its presence in the local and state-wide wine community, including entering competitions to showcase our high-quality products.

“Our equestrian team and our vegetables all win lots of ribbons and medals, so we’re excited for our wine to start winning them, too,” noted Dr. Powell.

After the existing wine ages and production increases, the College will have up to eight styles to sell, including a sparkling rosé that will join our merlot, meritage blend, rosé, chardonnay, sparkling chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc. The wine has also been integrated into the College’s infrastructure for pick-up at the greenhouse with its other campus-grown produce and goods. Special events, both on and off campus, are on the horizon to provide opportunities to enjoy and purchase Sweet Briar College Farm wine. Where

of the Class of 2014 explore the chardonnay tract during Reunion 2024.

Sweet Briar College Acknowledges and Honors Campus Ties to the Monacan Indian Nation

By Rachel Balsley

Like many places in Virginia and the United States, Sweet Briar College’s campus has a long history that has taken many forms. Everyone knows about Sweet Briar’s history as a college, but more recently the community has recognized the Monacan Indian Nation’s ancestral connection with the land.

In 2020–2021, former President Meredith Woo formed a task force on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) chaired by Dr. Dwana Waugh to recommend ways to make Sweet Briar a more inclusive place. One of the areas of focus was institutional history, including how Indigenous and enslaved communities have contributed to the College’s and campus’s past. During the last school year, Dr. Waugh presented a proposed land acknowledgement statement to the Board of Directors, which was approved in the spring with a ceremony to follow.

“This ceremony served as a way to be more inclusive, and to recognize the stewardship of the land that we reside on. It’s a way to acknowledge the Monacan Nation’s presence and their representation on the landscape here on campus, and to help bridge a gap, repair relationships, and find ways to move forward together,” Dr. Waugh said.

“It’s a way to include those stories that aren’t traditionally considered a part of our historical traditions, but are incredibly important to our future vision of place and space.”

On May 8, the College community gathered on the Quad with members of tribal leadership

The Sweet Briar community gathers for the Land Acknowledgment ceremony in spring 2024.

to acknowledge this important connection. The ceremony included Damarys Rodrigues ’24 reading “Calling the Spirit Back” by Joy Harjo, the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate and the first Native American to hold that honor, and remarks by President Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83, who said: “Today we recognize the profound contributions the Monacans

continue to make to our shared community. May this ceremony serve as a meaningful step towards a strong partnership between Sweet Briar College and the Monacan Nation, promoting understanding, appreciation, and a commitment to continued stewardship of this land.”

Following President Hutson’s remarks, Monacan Indian Nation

Land

Acknowledgement Statement

“Sweet Briar College acknowledges the many benefits, responsibilities, and relationships of being in this place. We respectfully acknowledge the Monacan Indians, upon whose historical homeland our College is located and who have lived on this land for generations.”

Assistant Chief Edith Lou Parrish spoke about the history of the land. “We are known as Monacan, and we understand the land is the people and the people are the land, and we are not strangers on any of the land that was once considered our territory. As we are able to have air to breathe and water to drink, remember the original people, my ancestors. We have been stewards of the land for centuries and have made it possible for us to enjoy many of the natural resources we still have today. Today, pay respect and give honor to my people of the Monacan Nation and my ancestors who have passed on.”

In addition to a plaque that will be displayed and dedicated later this school year, the College has established a scholarship that will invite a member of the Monacan Nation to attend Sweet Briar each year.

“Sweet Briar is committed to women’s leadership, and we are excited to contribute to the future of the Monacan Nation by providing education and opportunity for future generations,” President Hutson said of the establishment of the scholarship.

The College is also committed to strengthening ties in the regional area through events that grow the rich tapestry of cultural diversity in our shared communities.

“This is just the beginning of building partnerships and collaborations for the future,” added Dr. Waugh.

Sweet Briar gives special thanks to the Monacan Indian Nation and its tribal leadership, Dr. Waugh and all of the current and former task force members, the President’s Office, Sweet Briar’s Board of Directors, Dean Kerry Greenstein, and all who helped make this event and initiative a reality.

Visit monacannation.gov to learn more about the Monacan Indian Nation. If you would like to contribute to the Monacan Nation scholarship, please reach out to alumnae@sbc.edu.

Preserving the Bird Residents of Sweet Briar

By Clélie Steckel

For many years, one of Sweet Briar’s most intriguing objects in its art collection has hung on the wall of the Faculty Lounge in Guion Science Center: a map of campus identifying the bird species and locations on the College’s property.

While the piece is scientific in what it depicts, the bird species are represented in beautiful watercolor and gouache paintings. According to the inscription on the piece, in the summer of 1937, Margaret Carry ’35 and Martha Clark ’37 conducted the census to collect data for the map, including sightings and nest locations. The last name “Carry” might jog some readers’ memories; the Carry Nature Sanctuary lining the main drive into Sweet Briar’s campus was established by Margaret’s parents in memory of her brother, Charles W. Carry. Bonnie Lewes Wood ’34, Elsetta Gilchrist ’27, and Stuyvesant Morris Pell drew and painted the birds after the paintings of Louis Aggasiz Fuertes, an ornithologist and illustrator.

After graduating from Sweet Briar, Elsetta Gilchrist attended Cambridge College’s School of Landscape Architecture (now Smith College) and was in the first class of its graduates in 1934. She served as Sweet Briar’s director of landscaping and development for 30 years and designed our own Daisy’s Garden. She also designed the Western Reserve Herb Society Garden, now

part of the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Her design for the National Herb Garden at the United States National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., was implemented by Sasaki Associates and dedicated in 1980.

Stuyvesant Morris Pell received his B.S. from Cornell University in 1939.

The work on this map would likely have been overseen by Florence Hague, Sweet Briar’s

Below Paper conservator Carolyn Frisa works on the Bird Residents of Sweet Briar map.

professor of biology at the time, listed as a member of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 1938. While we cannot find evidence to support Ernest “Buck” Preston Edwards’ participation in this project, it is worth noting that at the time, Buck was 18, and his father was teaching physics at Sweet Briar. In 1965, Buck returned to Sweet Briar as a professor of ornithology, ecology, and field natural history, later becoming the College’s first Dorys McConnell Duberg Professor of Ecology.

In the fall of 2023, an anonymous member of the Class of 1958 expressed interest in making a gift to Sweet Briar in memory of her friend and classmate, Lynn Prior Harrington ’58, whose aunt, Gertrude Prior ’29, was a birder while at Sweet Briar. The conservation of the “Bird Residents of Sweet Briar” map was a perfect fit for this alumna’s gift; it is likely that Gertrude and Elsetta knew each other during their time at Sweet Briar.

In April of this year, the bird map was sent to Works on Paper,

a conservation firm out of Bellows Falls, Vt., that also conducted conservation work on the College’s drawings and blueprints by Ralph Adams Cram (see the Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine Volume 91, Number 1 from spring 2021 for details on this project). After years of hanging on the wall in Guion without UV-protected glass, the piece had been slightly water damaged and experienced some minor fading. The yellow gouache and watercolor pigments in particular were affected by sunlight. Carolyn Frisa, owner and principal conservator of Works on Paper, used a HEPA-filter vacuum with a specialized soft

brush attachment to remove the debris on the surface of the paper, removed old repairs to the piece, and realigned and repaired the small tears in the paper. She also compensated for some areas of pigment loss by inpainting with watercolor and applying dry pastel to stained areas; both processes are reversible if the piece needs more conservation in the future.

The piece returned to Sweet Briar and was reframed in August.

This project is a wonderful example of what a small group of people can accomplish with dedication and resources. Sweet Briar would like to thank the donor from the Class of 1958 for her gift

Above

The Bird Residents of Sweet Briar depicts the locations of nests and sightings of the species surrounding the campus map.

made in memory of Lynn Prior Harrington ’58 to conserve this important piece of history. The College is also grateful to Carolyn Frisa of Works on Paper and her father, Ed Frisa, for transporting the piece to Vermont and back. Gail and Bruce Curtin of Whitehall Framing in Amherst, Va., ensured that the piece was properly reframed and protected. Clare van Loenen, the College’s director of museum and galleries, supported the conservation of the piece and assisted with its unframing and rehanging.

Sweet Briar’s Community Remains Dedicated to Fundraising and Participation

A fundraising update for fiscal years 2024 and 2025

By Clélie Steckel

The alumnae and friends of Sweet Briar once again demonstrated their loyalty and commitment to the College and the vision of women’s education to make a more just and sustainable world for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. These stalwart parents and families, faculty, staff, students, friends, and alumnae contributed a total of more than $16M for the year.

Thanks to the generosity of the entire Sweet Briar community, the College raised $6.47M in unrestricted funds from the Sweet Briar Fund and unrestricted bequests, exceeding the FY 2024 $5M goal for unrestricted funds. An additional $1.21M in restricted funds came from gifts and grants from individuals, private foundations, and state and federal sources; $7.1M came from the Where Women Lead campaign; and additional funds from other sources make a giving total of $16.1M.

Charitable giving to Sweet Briar is about more than money.

Sweet Briar’s participation rate for degreed alumnae (the criterion used by the Voluntary Support of Education and by U.S. News & World Report) was 28.7%, which was on par with other institutions for alumni/ alumnae participation rates.

Charitable giving to Sweet Briar is about more than money. These gifts show members of the Sweet Briar community that all are unified in a common goal to sustain the future of the College.

and the stewardship and maintenance of Sweet Briar’s land and buildings comprising its natural and built environment. Restricted gifts support myriad projects, from special initiatives for student life to designations for specific academic programs and projects. The College’s Where Women Lead campaign, currently in its quiet phase, seeks to expand Sweet Briar’s efforts related to its people, place, and programs.

For more information about progress toward campaign goals, see the feature article on page 52.

Every member of the Sweet Briar community—alumnae, families, friends, retirees, faculty, staff, and students—has the opportunity to make an impact on the progress toward these goals. The College relies on financial support from

For the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Sweet Briar has a goal to raise $5.5M in unrestricted support and $800,000 in restricted gifts and grants, as well as cultivating and fundraising for the Where Women Lead campaign. The College continues to strive for increased participation among degreed alumnae donors.

Unrestricted gifts to the Sweet Briar Fund support unfunded scholarships for students, professional development for faculty and academic program support,

members of each of these groups annually to expand its capacity in key areas to fulfill its mission to educate women leaders who will go on to make a difference in the world.

To make your annual gift to Sweet Briar, visit sbc.edu/give or include a check in the gift reply envelope enclosed in this issue of the Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine.

Sweet Briar College Announces SBCommitment Program

Sweet Briar College introduced the SBCommitment Scholarship program, a powerful opportunity that will open the gates to the future for Virginia students, to begin in the 2025–2026 academic year. This initiative provides full tuition coverage to full Pell Grant-eligible students across the Commonwealth, underscoring Sweet Briar’s commitment to

making higher education accessible and meaningful.

SBCommitment supports Virginia’s most promising students by covering their tuition costs. This scholarship is designed to help talented individuals pursue their educational aspirations without financial constraints.

Virginia applicants to Sweet Briar College will have the chance to be

automatically considered for this scholarship, which aims to attract and support the next generation of leaders and innovators.

“SBCommitment is more than just a scholarship; it’s a testament to our dedication to the talented women of Virginia,” said President Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83. “We are excited to offer this opportunity to ensure financial challenges do not hinder talented women from pursuing their dreams. Our commitment to building Virginia’s future leaders runs deep; this is simply the latest example of Sweet Briar’s efforts to ensure access to the valuable resources of higher education for Virginia’s young women.”

Sweet Briar College has a rich tradition of empowering women through hands-on learning and a focus on leadership. Our beautiful campus fosters a close-knit community where students grow into connected, ethical leaders ready to address the world’s challenges. With an innovative academic calendar designed for experiential learning, students engage deeply with their studies through practical experiences in our labs, greenhouses, barns, and teams.

“SBCommitment is a reflection of our commitment to the students of Virginia and our mission to cultivate the next generation of women leaders,” said Director of Admissions Taylor Patterson Gibson ’16.

Domestic, first-year, first-time students with a 3.6 GPA or higher who reside in Virginia and apply will receive automatic consideration and expedited decisions for the SBCommitment Scholarship.

Women

Remarkable students and alumnae and their extraordinary experiences

Intro

Lasting Legacies

Sweet Briar has always been a part of life for Gracie Robertson ’28. Katie Clarkson Robertson ’97, Gracie’s mom, first brought her to Sweet Briar for the ANRC National Horse Show in 2014. “My mom says that visit is when I fell in love and never wanted to leave,” Gracie shared. Many visits to Sweet Briar followed: trips to the College during the efforts to save Sweet Briar in 2015, participating in Sweet Work Weeks a few times, and riding camps. On each trip, Katie squeezed in a riding lesson for Gracie with Merrilee “Mimi” Davis Wroten ’93, director of Sweet Briar’s Riding Program and head NCEA coach—the highlight of their trips to campus.

“It’s special going to school where my mom went,” said Gracie. “She really wanted this to be my own experience. It’s nice to be able to ask her questions about the traditions, and very interesting to see in what little ways they’ve changed since being here. After I grew up coming here with her, I already had some feeling of home at Sweet Briar.”

Sweet Briar Fast Tracks Access to Graduate Degrees through Partnership with Two Virginia Universities

By Clélie Steckel

Sweet Briar College recently penned agreements with two Virginia universities to allow its students more direct access to and faster completion of select graduate degrees.

The Direct to Tech (D2T) program with Virginia Tech will enable qualified Sweet Briar students to secure an offer of admission to Virginia Tech’s Master of Engineering graduate programs in computer science or computer engineering before completing their undergraduate degrees, effectively reducing the timeline of the admissions process and facilitating an early transition into graduate school.

Ilka-Marie Kuleba ’26 and Cameron Fox ’26 prepare a program on the CNC milling machine.

Currently, enrolled Sweet Briar students majoring in any field—not just in engineering—can apply to D2T programs during their senior year. To be eligible for admission, students must complete certain prerequisite courses by the second semester of their junior year and maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0. The partnership agreement will continue for a five-year term, after which it will automatically renew for five-year terms.

“Sweet Briar is well known for empowering women, from our

MARIA

Leadership Core Curriculum to our ABET-accredited engineering program,” said the College’s president, Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83. “We’re thrilled to join with Virginia Tech in the Direct to Tech program. It will enhance our students’ opportunities by putting women on track to take leadership roles in computer engineering and computer science, technological fields that are of critical importance to Virginia and to the nation.”

Additionally, Sweet Briar and the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Engineering and Applied Science have signed an agreement establishing a collaborative program called UVAccelerate. The program facilitates early entry for Sweet Briar students into Master of Engineering degree programs

Sanjita Pokhrel ’25 measures the pressure of a soda can using a strain gauge and wheatstone bridge.

at UVA. Through this partnership, qualified Sweet Briar students can apply for graduate admission to UVA during their junior year and begin taking graduate-level courses during their senior year, thereby accelerating the completion of their master’s degree. In the fifth year of the 4+1 program, students who have earned their undergraduate degree from Sweet Briar will matriculate directly into their designated UVA Master of Engineering program. The partnership agreement will remain in effect for three years, after which it may be amended or extended.

“I’m grateful to President Hut son and Sweet Briar for working with us on this new partnership, and I’m delighted to welcome Sweet Briar students to our excellent engineering school. I look forward

Virginia Tech and UVA to form these respective partnerships to enhance opportunities for students and will support all who participate.

At-a-Glance

Reunion 2024

Each summer, alumnae return to campus not only to reconnect with classmates but also to explore everything new happening at the College. This past June, alumnae, including those celebrating anniversary and milestone reunions, enjoyed a variety of events on campus and quality time with friends.

Members of the Class of 2014 celebrate their 10th Reunion.

Members of the Class of 2004 celebrate their 20th Reunion.

Comedian Amy Gibbs

MARIA MILENKO / SENSO ART

“Somehow the magic of all that Sweet Briar is hits as the car turns on to the drive. It was a wonderfully perfect weekend.”

—Member of the Class of 1989

“It is always the absolute best coming back to Reunion! The campus, the friends, the memories, seeing all of the updates and new programs. There is so much to do and see.”

—Member

of the Class of 1974

Members of the Class of 1989 celebrate during Reunion.

The Class of 1974 celebrates their 50th Reunion.

Members of the Class of 1964 celebrate their 60th Reunion.

“I enjoyed the weekend tremendously and don’t think I would have seen that much of the campus again returning on my own.”

—Member of the Class of 2014

The Class of 1999 enjoys Reunion down at the Boathouse.

“I truly enjoyed my visit for Reunion. There were lots of caring, sentimental touches which made the weekend memorable. It was clear the weekend was designed to help us enjoy the parts of Sweet Briar we already knew and show us how the College we love has grown.”

—Member of the Class of 2004

Jozanne Summerville ’04 enjoys the Reunion Celebration Dinner and Dance.

The Class of 1984 poses with their class banner during their 40th Reunion.

HSRP offers its participants a chance to work closely with a faculty sponsor during intense study of a topic specific to their academic pursuits, often preparing them for future research or publishing opportunities.

8 Vixens Complete Honors Summer Research Projects

By Rachel Balsley

Eight rising juniors and seniors dove deeper into an area of interest for eight weeks of the summer as a part of the Honors Summer Research Program (HSRP). A component of Sweet Briar’s Honors Program, HSRP offers its participants a chance to work closely with a faculty sponsor during intense study of a topic specific to their academic pursuits, often preparing them for future research or publishing opportunities. Students also foster critical thinking skills, cross-disciplinary curiosity, and analytical and creative rigor while accessing advanced research resources throughout their concentrated courses.

This summer’s cohort took on topics ranging from examining different types of grain boundaries with computational software to collecting local water samples to determine the level of microplastic pollution.

Above

Ainsley John Darling ’26 tests new designs for spotted lanternfly traps.

Left

Liza Dareing ’25 studies cyanobacteria, including which environmental factors increase bacteria growth and decrease water quality.

Liza Dareing ’25 researched cyanobacteria, a blue-green algae, and which environmental factors increased bacteria growth and decreased water quality. Throughout her research, Liza worked with her faculty sponsor, Dr. Lili Lei, to test seven treatment groups of water and soil samples taken on campus. Each group had different combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and leachate added, with the samples treated with phosphate producing the most bacteria growth and a combination of phosphate and nitrate seeing the biggest decrease in water quality over the two-week observation period. Liza hopes to eventually continue her research at the graduate

school level, specifically looking at environmental pollutants and finding ways to clean and prevent those pollutants from entering waterways and impacting the overall health of the environment.

Ainsley John Darling ’26 surveyed host species of Lycorma delicatula, commonly known as spotted lanternfly (SLF). She also tested new techniques for trapping them while minimizing bycatch, the inadvertent capture of unintended species. SLF is an invasive species that poses growing environmental, agricultural, and economic threats in the eastern U.S. Throughout the eight-week program, Ainsley John tracked and cataloged

concentrations of lanternflies on different trees and other plant species around campus. She designed and built two trap designs, both of which were more effective on campus than established trap models. The College currently has a grant from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to remove Ailanthus altissima, commonly known as Tree of Heaven and preferred host of SLF, from campus and help decrease its spread.

Ainsley John worked under the mentorship of Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Agriculture and Director of the Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability Dr. Lisa Powell, and they collaborated closely with Jules

Right Abigail Huling ’25 participates in an archaeological dig in Matohasanaj, Albania.

Below

Julianna McIntyre ’25 creates mini habitats for caterpillars for her study of the salt content of monarch butterflies’ diets.

Below

Griffin Amanita, spotted lanternfly field supervisor for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Emma Evans ’26 studied the levels of microplastic content in tap water in Amherst County, Va., to fill a gap in pre-existing research. She performed an extensive analysis, which included collecting water samples from six local sites, isolating microplastic particles, and counting them using a microscope. So far, her research has found higher microplastic levels in river water compared to filtered well and tap water. In addition to her findings, Emma was able to log many hours in a lab setting, learn how to use different kinds of equipment, practice lab safety, and strengthen her research and writing skills under the supervision of Dr. Lili Lei. She was

also able to get to know and create connections with members of the Amherst community who expressed interest in learning more about her research and its results.

Abigail Huling ’25 performed an analysis of Matohasanaj, Albania, in relation to Hellenistic Greece and Ancient Rome. Along with Assistant Professor of Archaeology & Ancient Studies

Dr. Erin Pitt and fellow student Chloe Burchett ’26, Abigail was a part of the first-ever excavation of Matohasanaj. Abigail’s goals included exploring the site and its chronology, tangibly dating its remaining structures, and recovering enough physical evidence to begin understanding how the site was utilized while it was still functioning. During the archeological excavation in Albania, the

Above

Emma Evans ’26 studies the level of microplastic content in Amherst County, Va., water.

A mini caterpillar habitat, from Julianna McIntyre’s ’25 research.

in the Guion greenhouse for later testing with a broad spectrum fungicide.

Below Elizabeth Wells ’26 installs an ultrasonic smart meter to a campus pipe.

Right Ariel Hullender ’25 grows milkweed

MARIA MILENKO / SENSO ART

30 Sweet Briar Alumnae

Below Lara Jost ’25 presents her project, “Predicting Grain Boundaries of Fe-Cr-C Alloys Using Density Functional Theory.”

team explored ruins and uncovered artifacts such as coins, ceramics, and metal, as well as the remains of a building’s foundation.

Ariel Hullender ’25 spent her eight weeks in the course studying azoxystrobin, a broad spectrum fungicide, and its effect on milkweed, the host plant for migrating monarch butterflies. Ariel started growing milkweed in February in the Guion greenhouse and recently introduced the fungicide to half of the plants to measure its impact on their growth. Working alongside Dr. Megan Kobiela, assistant professor of biology, Ariel hopes to provide the field with a better understanding of whether azoxystrobin is harmful to monarchs to help protect the species, which is experiencing a decrease in population due to many factors in the wild. She hopes to share her findings in a future research paper.

International student Lara Jost’s ’25 project, “Predicting Grain Boundaries of Fe-Cr-C Alloys Using Density Functional Theory,” was guided by faculty sponsor and Assistant Professor of Engineering Dr. Bryan Kuhr. For eight weeks, she tackled the steep learning curve of using the computational software, which she then used to examine what types of grain boundaries have positive and negative effects on

materials such as steel. In addition to gaining experience in both math and science, Lara also strengthened her organizational skills and academic independence through the program.

For Julianna McIntyre’s ’25 project, she studied how the salt content of monarch butterflies’ diet influences their genetic expression in stress-sensitive genes. The concept stemmed from Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Megan Kobiela, who served as Julianna’s faculty sponsor and did her Ph.D. dissertation on this topic. Thus far, Julianna identified six genes that may be sensitive to salt in the butterflies and created primers using the National Center for Biotechnology Information database for her analysis. A biology major, she hopes to continue this research following the replacement of important equipment and eventually pursue a Ph.D. in entomology.

Inspired by a water leak on campus in 2022, Elizabeth Wells’ ’26 project hit close to home as she examined Sweet Briar’s pipes and water flow. She partnered with the Physical Plant and Director of the Engineering Program Dr. Jon Bender to develop a system of non-intrusive water flow rate measuring devices to act as both an early-warning leak detection method and a way to monitor water usage in real time across multiple parts of the campus. So far, Elizabeth’s research has resulted in the installation of an ultrasonic smart meter, which will measure and record instantaneous usage of the main campus and faculty housing areas while detecting when Amherst County is resupplying Sweet Briar’s water tank. Elizabeth’s research builds upon a previous capstone project by Marla Moock ’23 and Belle Williams ’23. She hopes to further partner with Amherst County on ways to better track water usage to help prevent significant future leaks that could impact entire communities.

By-the-Numbers

Student Life at Sweet Briar

So much of campus life at Sweet Briar takes place outside of the classroom. Weekly events and programs hosted by the Office of Student Life and student organizations bring a vibrancy that transforms our campus from a place into a community. We come together for countless traditions, embrace and learn more about the cultures represented in our community, and explore new things as we bond and form connections. Our students and the individual and shared passions they bring to our community make life on campus that much sweeter.

The College’s twice-annual Step Singing tradition brings all classes together to honor each other through song, especially the senior class as they sit on the Golden Stairs.

41

Clubs, Organizations, and Multicultural Communities

96

New Members Tapped into Tap Clubs

Student Body:

441

37% Students in Leadership Positions

Quad Rocks offers students the opportunity to learn about the many student organizations, clubs, and programs they can get involved in throughout their time at Sweet Briar.

251

Student Events

Hosted

21 “Boathouse” Parties Held

8:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

In addition to water recreation and special events, the Boathouse is used for student gatherings and themed parties. What happens at the Boathouse, stays at the Boathouse!

Lead

From innovative curriculum to excellence in the classroom

Playing a Pivotal Role

We often say that leadership opportunities can be found here at every turn. Our students lead inside and outside of the classroom, developing the relationships and skills they will need beyond this campus. Whether it’s individual competition or team sports, athletics provide a unique environment to develop character, dig in, and challenge yourself and your peers.

Team captains serve not only as the voice of a team but also as a source of encouragement, a standard to uphold, and an example to live up to.

But every member of the team has the chance to lead, be it holding your head high or comforting a teammate after a tough loss, staying late to improve your skills, or lending a helping hand during practice. Sports play a pivotal role in a community, especially one like Sweet Briar where leadership and teamwork are essential to our daily lives.

Community

Board of Directors Welcomes Eight New Members

Sweet Briar College recently welcomed eight new members of its Board of Directors, including Elizabeth “Lele” Dickson Frenzel Casalini ’82, P’14, Nancy Webb Corkery ’81, Jane Dure ’82, Michela English ’71, J. Eric Greenwood P’12, Andrew McAllister P’21, ’24, Tori Murden McClure, and Phillip C. Stone.

Elizabeth "Lele" Dickson

Frenzel Casalini

Kirklin, IN

An alumna, mother of Sophia “Sophie” Elizabeth Casalini ’14, and member of a three-generation Sweet Briar family, Lele Casalini is the owner of Two Creek Hollow farm, a yoga therapist, professional-rated tennis instructor, and photographer. While at Sweet Briar, she majored in American studies and participated in riding, swimming, and tennis. Since graduating, Lele has stayed active and engaged with the College as an ardent supporter. Lele’s mother, Cynthia “Cynnie” Wilson Ottaway, is a member of the Class of 1957.

Nancy Corkery Marion, MA

Nancy Corkery was a government major and student-athlete while at the College, participating in the field hockey, lacrosse, and equestrian programs. She has since shared her expertise with Sweet Briar on several committees, most recently chairing the Turf Field Committee, which opened in 2022. Nancy has also worked in sales, marketing, and in alumnae relations at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, Mass., and served on the board of the Braitmayer Foundation for more than 25 years.

San Antonio, TX

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in English from Sweet Briar, Jane Dure began a career in magazine journalism in New York City before moving home to work at Texas Monthly Magazine, ending her journalism career as the magazine’s deputy editor. She then earned a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she served on the Law Journal and worked in the school’s Center for Legal and Social Justice. She is now an oil and gas mineral title attorney in San Antonio. While at Sweet Briar, she was on the tennis team that earned a berth at the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Championships in 1981 and was the editor of The Sweet Briar News.

VA

Michela English returns to the Board of Directors having previously served from 1999–2005 and as Emeriti Trustee from 2007–2022. Michela has also contributed to Sweet Briar as a member of Campaign Steering and Planning Committees and Development Leadership Council for the For Her World campaign. In 2013, she was honored with the Sweet Briar College Distinguished Alumna Award. Following earning a B.A. in international affairs at Sweet Briar, she earned a master’s in public and private management from the Yale School of Management. Michela has spent her life in numerous sectors, including as program analyst at the Federal Energy Administration, consultant for McKinsey & Company, vice president of corporate planning and business development for the Marriott Corporation, senior vice president of the National Geographic Society, senior executive for Discovery Communications, and president and CEO of Fight for Children. She currently serves on a number of corporate and educationfocused nonprofit boards.

Jane Dure

Michela English Gwynn,

J. Eric Greenwood Virginia Beach, VA

J. Eric Greenwood is the father of Charlotte Greenwood ’12. A graduate of Rutgers College and the University of Virginia Darden Graduate School of Business, Eric was a LTJG in the Marine Safety Office and LCDR USCG for the U.S. Coast Guard. He has since served as vice president of sales for Carolina Pad & Paper Co., vice president of private wealth management at Goldman Sachs, managing partner of J.E. Greenwood & Company, L.P., and director of the Babson Center for Global Commerce at Sewanee: the University of the South. He also serves as a member of the Boys Home of Virginia Board of Trustees.

Andrew “Andy” McAllister is the parent of recent graduates Madeline McAllister ’21 and Abigail McAllister ’24. Andy is a senior professional with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, having served for more than 30 years in technology program and portfolio management as well as executive leadership roles. He also serves as a volunteer director and board vice president of River Road Church, Baptist, Endowment Fund. Following graduation from the Virginia Military Institute with a B.S. in electrical engineering, Andy received an officer’s commission in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Signals Intelligence leadership roles at field stations across the Pacific as well as with Regimental Combat Team 7 (Task Force Ripper) in Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm. He also earned an M.S. in systems engineering from Virginia Tech.

Tori Murden McClure is a noted explorer and former president of Spalding University, retiring in 2024 after 25 years of service to the university. During her career, she also has worked as a chaplain at a Boston hospital, director of a Louisville women’s shelter, policy assistant in the Louisville Mayor’s Office, and the first full-time employee of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky. Tori holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College, Master of Divinity from Harvard University, law degree from the University of Louisville, and Master of Fine Arts in writing degree from Spalding. She is author of the memoir, A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean, which details her life and experience as the first woman and first American to row a boat solo across the Atlantic Ocean, having accomplished the feat in 1999 after 81 days at sea. The book is the basis of stage musical “Row,” which made its world premiere at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts in summer 2021.

Harrisonburg, VA

Phillip Stone served as Sweet Briar’s president from 2015–2017, playing an instrumental role in the saving of the College following the attempted closure. Prior to Sweet Briar, he led Bridgewater College as president for 16 years. In 2017, he returned to practicing law and is currently leading the Stone Law Group, PLC in Harrisonburg, Va. A native of Bassett, Va., Phillip earned his B.A. in economics with honors from Bridgewater. He attended graduate school at the University of Chicago School of Economics and received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. He also holds four honorary doctorate degrees.

Andrew “Andy” McAllister Richmond, VA

Tori Murden McClure Louisville, KY

Phillip Stone

Call It a Comeback Sweet Briar softball two seasons in after hiatus

By Rachel Balsley

After a four-year hiatus, the Sweet Briar College softball diamond once again has a team to fill its dugout. Over the past few seasons, this new, scrappy

group of Vixens has restored the program while building community and finding success along the way.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Brian Hensley, the program’s

first year back in 2021–2022 was spent recruiting and preparing the facilities for a new era of softball.

“As soon as I got the job, I was recruiting. I was out on the field every weekend wherever softball was happening talking about Sweet Briar, what the future would look like, and how exciting it was to build something and create a legacy for many more years to come,” he said.

For Hensley, softball is about community. Whether that’s networking while on the road recruiting, requiring the team to spend a certain amount of study hall time together, setting a goal for a cumulative team GPA, or dedicating time to complete service both on and off campus, this sense of community also extends to those all around campus, who have consistently shown their support to the players and team over the past two seasons.

“Community support has been fantastic. If you go to any of softball’s home events, the student-athletes and their families are very involved in terms of tailgating and post-game gatherings,” said Director of Athletics Jason Vittone. “It’s been great to see students who aren’t athletes coming and supporting the softball program, as well as faculty and staff.”

In addition to promoting and creating community, a big part of Hensley’s coaching strategy includes

leadership training and character development. When the team took the field for the first time again in spring 2022, they did so with 13 first-year students. Two years later, those veteran players will now serve as mentors to those joining the team this year.

“Thankfully, the first group of girls in the fall of 2022 were all committed to getting softball back and better than ever at Sweet Briar. We all knew it would not be easy and we may not win every game, but we knew we had each other to take on this challenge together,” said Ilka-Marie Kuleba ’26, a softball group leader entering her third season on the team. “It has been the greatest feeling to know that I was part of rebuilding the softball program, and seeing it grow and succeed more and more each year has been something I can truly say I am proud to be a part of.”

Hensley brings nearly two decades of coaching experience to Sweet Briar, including as assistant softball coach at Liberty University, his alma mater, where he also served as head of recruiting. In the 2010–2011 season, he led Liberty Christian Academy to a Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) State Championship title and was named the VISAA 2011 Coach of the Year. Hensley is joined by Assistant Coaches Jillian Jones, Mike Rosser, and Aaron Cofer.

“Brian has put together an extremely competitive program right from the start, regardless of wins and losses. Any of the teams that have played against Brian’s team that were previously in the ODAC

would say that this is not what they expected from Sweet Briar, which is a great thing. People probably see Sweet Briar softball differently today than they did before,” said Vittone. “Brian has really stepped up the level of competition. The students have really done a great job embracing that and trying to build the program moving forward.”

With two seasons under its belt, the team is making strides during its competitive seasons and recruiting talented players to join its ranks. In their first season back in 2022–2023, the Vixens ended with a record of 13–23, the most wins in a single season in the program’s history at the time, including first-ever wins against 12 different teams and their first victory since 2009. The season also marked the team’s return to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) after its departure in 2015. The 2023–2024 season ended with a record of 14–25.

“With the present team we have and the new recruits, I am looking forward to more wins and showing the other teams what we truly are capable of,” said Kuleba. “This is another year of growth, so I am also looking forward to getting to know the new recruits and gaining a closer bond with my teammates on and off the field.”

Looking ahead, the team has its sights set on achieving a few new milestones, including winning 20 games in a season and making it to the ODAC Conference Tournament. This fall’s off-season has been spent completing individual and group workouts, taking advantage of the 24 allotted practice days by the NCAA, and playing a scrimmage against Radford University. The Vixens will play their season opener on Feb. 21, 2025 against Mary Washington University. Hensley plans to continue holding the players

2024 Highlights

Lauren Jamerson ’26

3rd Team All-ODAC

Alyssa O’Quinn ’26

College Sports Communicators

Academic All-District Softball Team

Victoria Tew ’26

College Sports Communicators

Academic All-District Softball Team

2023 Highlight

Above Emma Staton ’26 covers second base.

Program-first wins against 12 different teams to high standards while creating community and strengthening their bonds as a team.

“I’ve found that softball always takes care of itself. If we do all the right things, practice hard, put in the work, and create the work ethic, we’re going to have success.”

Alumnae Award Recipients Announced at Reunion 2024

By Clélie Steckel

On June 1, during Reunion weekend, Sweet Briar College held its annual Convocation. In addition to recognizing volunteers and classes who have achieved fundraising milestones, the College recognized the recipients of the 2024 Outstanding and Distinguished Alumnae Awards.

The Distinguished Alumna Award was first presented in 1988, created by the former Alumnae Association to recognize alumnae, preferably graduates, who have brought distinction to themselves and Sweet Briar College through outstanding professional or volunteer accomplishments. This year, two alumnae received the Distinguished Alumna Award.

Sherrie Snead McLeRoy ’74 attended Sweet Briar as a 13th generation native of Virginia and a graduate of Amherst County High School. At Sweet Briar, she majored in history and anthropology; her honors thesis was entitled, “The Development of a Museum

for Amherst County,” which led to the establishment of the Amherst County Museum and Historical Society. The organization began in 1975, and Sherrie was the museum’s first director. She and her husband, Bill, co-authored many books on Amherst County history. In total, Sherrie has written or co-authored 24 books. In addition to her work on Amherst County, her publications cover key figures in Texas history: horticulturalist and viticulture expert Thomas Volney Munson; philanthropist and civic leader Bettie Brown; and adoption activist Edna Gladney. Her book, Grape Man of Texas, about Munson, earned the “Best Wine History Book in the World” award in 2004. For her contributions to Amherst County’s historical record,

Left: President Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83 and Vice President of Alumnae Relations and Development Claire Dennison Griffith ’80 present the Outstanding Alumna Awards to Virginia “Ginny” deBuys ’64, Virginia “V.M.” Galgano ’64, Mary Caroline “M.C.” Harrell ’64, and Hedi White ’64.

which brought distinction to the county and Sweet Briar, Sherrie received one of the Distinguished Alumnae Awards this year. Sherrie is also the subject of two resolutions for her work at the Amherst County Museum and Historical Society, one from the Amherst County Board of Supervisors and the other from the Town of Amherst.

The Distinguished Alumna Award was presented to Kathleen Spencer Kilpatrick ’74, who currently serves as the chair of Sweet Briar’s Historic Preservation Advisory Group, established in 2017. Kathleen, who majored in government at Sweet Briar, served as the executive director of the Capitol Square Preservation Council in Richmond, Va., and curator of the Virginia Capital, director and deputy director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, state preservation officer, senior special assistant to the assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget for the U.S. Department of Interior, and was appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a six-year term on the National Council on the Humanities. Her previous service to the Commonwealth of Virginia also included special assistant for policy and legislation to the secretary of natural resources, responsible for issues related to historic resources, game and inland fisheries, marine resources, state parks, and outdoor recreation. She has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Advisory Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites and currently serves in her home county on the board of the Fluvanna Historical Society, is a Board of Supervisors-appointed member of the Fluvanna County Agricultural-

Forestal District Advisory Committee, the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Council, and the County Planning Commission. She was most recently appointed a trustee by the Governor to the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.

Kathleen is the vice president of Journey Through Hallowed Ground, a multi-state National Heritage Area stretching from Monticello to Gettysburg and working to advance preservation, cultural tourism, and sustainable development strategies and which also runs the highly-acclaimed National History Academy for high school students across the country. She is the president of Scenic Virginia, the only statewide organization committed to preserve, protect, promote, and advocate for Virginia’s

unparalleled scenic beauty. Kathleen has received the State Leadership Award from the American Battlefield Trust, the President’s Award from the Shenandoah Valley battlefield Foundation, the Secretary of Defense Award in Cultural Resource Management for her work with military installations in Virginia, the State Advocacy Award from the Piedmont Environmental Council, among other state and national recognition. She also received the Architectural Medal for Service to Virginia from the Virginia Center for Architecture and Design and the Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

The Outstanding Alumna Award was established by President Anne Gary Pannell in 1968 upon the recommendation by the

Board of the former Alumnae Association. The award is given to graduate alumnae who have been out of college for at least 15 years in recognition of outstanding service to Sweet Briar College in a volunteer capacity.

The recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Alumnae Awards are the volunteer class leaders of the Class of 1964: Hedi Haug White, Ginny deBuys, V.M. Galgano, and M.C. Harrell. The awards were presented to these leaders in recognition of their outstanding volunteer work for their class and for Sweet Briar. In 2014, the Class of 1964 became the first class to raise more than $1 million in honor of their 50th Reunion. Ginny and V.M. have held their class leader roles for many years, if not every year since their graduation. M.C. did not graduate from Sweet Briar but stayed close with members of her class, and was sorely missed by her classmates and so was recruited to join the class leadership team. Hedi joined the Reunion Gifts Committee for the class in 2014 and has stayed engaged as a class leader since that time.

Sherrie McLeRoy ’74 (top) and Kathleen Kilpatrick ’74 (below) are honored with the Distinguished Alumna Awards.

Class leaders are key volunteers at Sweet Briar. They serve their class by ensuring that alumnae receive the latest news about Sweet Briar and they serve the College by helping with fundraising and engagement, which are pivotal to securing Sweet Briar’s future. Alumnae class leaders are selfless, serving in their roles not for the recognition but for the opportunity to serve and support Sweet Briar.

All six recipients of the 2024 alumnae awards demonstrate unwavering commitment to Sweet Briar and the education each of them received here. They have distinguished themselves through their volunteer and professional work, which brings recognition to the College and elevates its reputation. As alumnae, these women are part of a sisterhood that stretches across generations, marked by their tenacity, confidence, and determination as women of consequence.

Mary Pope Maybank Hutson ’83 Inaugurated as 14th President of Sweet Briar College

By Rachel Balsley

Following a week of rain, the sun shined brightly over the Sweet Briar College campus on Sept. 28 as members of the community, family, and friends gathered for the Inauguration of Mary Pope Maybank Hutson ’83 as the College’s 14th president. The first alumna to hold the position, it was a historic day, and first of many joyous occasions in the institution’s new era.

“Today, we shine a light on Sweet Briar College—its legacy, leadership, and vision for the future, this place and its inspiring academic experience in an incomparable setting, the dedicated faculty and staff who give Leadership

selflessly of their wisdom, time, and care, for us and for future generations,” said President Hutson during her remarks.

The ceremony began with a procession led by Albemarle Pipes and Drums; faculty including Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. Chris Penfield who served as chief marshal and mace-bearer; delegates from other academic institutions; current and former members of the Board of Directors; members of the Alumnae Alliance Council; the president’s cabinet; former Sweet Briar presidents; and honored guests. The Rev. Keenan Colton Kelsey ’66, a member of the

President Hutson wears the Sweet Briar medal and her presidential regalia for the first time.

Board, gave an invocation, and the College symbols and artifacts were presented to President Hutson by Board Chair Mason Bennett Rummel ’83.

“When Mary Pope agreed to work at Sweet Briar, it just made sense. We’d just been through a milestone in our history…and she agreed to serve on the settlement board and shortly thereafter came to work at the College to keep that momentum going. Mary Pope Hutson has fulfilled that promise. She had the courage to persevere, and she has never slowed down in the last nine years. Her passion for Sweet Briar—and her pace—are unmatched,” said Rummel.

President Hutson is a leader, mentor, and champion of women’s education, conservation, and preservation. She was appointed in November 2023 by the Board of Directors as the College’s next president following nine years of service as senior vice president for alumnae relations and development. Under her leadership, alumnae engagement and financial support dramatically increased as she has secured contributions totaling more than $168 million during her tenure. In 2015, President Hutson was one of thousands of alumnae, other volunteers, and the Saving Sweet Briar Board who helped raise the millions of dollars necessary to avert the College’s threatened closure. Now, as president, she reaffirms her unwavering commitment and dedication to Sweet Briar.

“Today I stand before you as the first alumna of Sweet Briar to hold this position. Mindful of the debt I owe to all my predecessors, to all the stakeholders, to all the well-wishers and all those opposed, and to all the rose-bearers, I pledge to help and guide, with all the power that I can summon, the next generation of rose bearers,” said President Hutson. “We are fully committed to our mission. Moreover, we are fully confident that a great many girls, women— including alumnae—and their

families and fellow citizens, all see the value and wisdom of our course. This is the philosophy that will guide Sweet Briar during my tenure. Our role on behalf of girls and women reaches back more than a century, and yet we can say to the world, together, we will balance fidelity and quality, diversity and sustainability, so that all of you might bear the rose.”

During the ceremony, Sweet Briar’s 12th president, Phillip C. Stone, spoke of the attempted closure, the enduring symbolism of the Sweet Briar rose, and President Hutson’s success in alumnae relations and development during and following his tenure at the College.

“I was delighted when Mary Pope was chosen as president. I saw her, of course, as a great fundraiser, but more than that, I saw someone who loved Sweet Briar. She loved it so much she gave up her career,”

Alumnae Alliance Council members Lola Bailey ’95, Epiphany Soward van de Bogart ’15, Alexis Meares ’14, Lea Harvey ’90, and Beth Anderson Kearns ’85 participate in Inauguration.

President Hutson poses with Sweet Briar’s 9th president, Elisabeth “Betsy” Showalter Muhlenfeld, and its 12th president, Phillip C. Stone, who gave remarks during Inauguration (above).

Stone said. Speaking to President Hutson, he said, “I want it to be said about you when your tenure is finished as I have said about some of your illustrious predecessors, ‘While Mary Pope Hutson was at Sweet Briar College, the roses bloomed.’”

Stone was followed by Dr. Belle Wheelan, president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, who joined remotely to speak to the challenges presented to higher education institutions today.

“This is truly a special day in the life of Sweet Briar College. A new beginning. A time of renewal and reflection,” said Dr. Wheelan. “In these days of reduced budgets and increased accountability, a president’s job is more complex than ever before. However, it is obvious that you will have the support of the College family and the central

Virginia community in continuing to provide a high-quality education to the students who entrust their future to you.”

With extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, President Hutson’s career has taken her around the globe. She previously served as the executive vice president of the Land Trust Alliance, executive director of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, and director of educational programs for the Historic Charleston Foundation. President Hutson also worked in the U.S. Senate and Department of the Interior as a liaison for the Office of Territorial and International Affairs to St. Thomas, as Guam Desk Officer, and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary. In 1990, she was appointed by the White House as special assistant to the Ambassador of Kenya. Throughout her career, she has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles, including an appointment by U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt as the chairwoman of the National Park Service System Advisory Board and a recent appointment by Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Virginia Board of Historic Resources. Though President Hutson’s passion for history and preservation runs deep, she has her eyes focused on her beloved College’s future.

“As a category of one, legacy, leadership, love, and courage are the foundation for the future. I see a future where Sweet Briar is once again the preeminent leader in women’s education, where the quality of instruction is clearly reflected in the leadership roles played by its growing legions of graduates, where a restored and renewed nationally significant campus serves future generations, and a financially secure institution is poised to meet any challenge that the future holds. As individual women and as a sisterhood, we will form our grand procession, taking our movement forward to secure the future. We will bear the rose.”

By Phyllis Watt Jordan ’80

Sometimes it’s a shift in the business climate.

Sometimes it’s a once-in-a-century pandemic.

Sometimes it’s a personal epiphany.

Whatever the reason, Sweet Briar graduates have mastered the art of the career pivot— shifting from ad sales to floral design or from theatre major to bakery owner.

Nationally, nearly three in five workers are contemplating a career change, and about a quarter of them actually achieve it. It takes drive, creativity, and resilience to strike out on a new path. Sweet Briar alumnae credit their liberal arts education—and the opportunities they had to engage in a range of sports and extracurricular activities—as key to their success. “There’s no part of Sweet Briar that says you accept things as they are,” says Tania Salas ’10, an erstwhile sales rep who just opened her own bakery.

Her classmate, Carina Finn Koeppicus ’10, remembers running from the newspaper office to the theatre to her creative writing classes. It was good training for her life today working as an editor at Bon Appétit, while also writing novels and feeding a lively TikTok account in her spare time.

For Nancy White ’79, a double major in studio art and business gave her the mix of skills she needed for her second career, running a flower shop in her hometown. “You create your own life,” she says. “Sweet Briar gives you the tools and the confidence to do that.”

Courtney Silverthorn ’03 was that rare child who knew exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up, having set her sights on becoming a scientific researcher by age 10. She took every science class her high school offered, majored in biochemistry and molecular biology at Sweet Briar College, and went straight to graduate school at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to study pharmacology and molecular sciences.

Then she had an epiphany.

“What I realized about halfway through grad school is that I loved the science, but I couldn’t stand the tedium of being in a lab,” she recalls. “Thinking about a 40-year career doing that was daunting to me at that point. So, I had to figure out what else I could do with a Ph.D. in the sciences that wasn’t lab work.”

Today, Courtney is vice president at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she helps facilitate public-private partnerships, build a stronger research workforce, and engage with business and government leaders. Her work there also includes strengthening the research pipeline for rare diseases.

At Johns Hopkins, Courtney was intrigued by a lecture on “tech transfer”—basically how to get a new drug or innovative technology from the lab to the marketplace. After earning a certificate in biotechnology enterprise from Johns Hopkins, as well as her Ph.D., she spent seven years working on intellectual property issues at the federal National Institute for Standards and Technology.

“One of the greatest achievements of my career was getting 11 agencies and the White House to agree on a legislative package for the tech transfer legislation,” she says. “It took me two and a half years. It was a lot of diplomacy, a lot of individual conversations, a lot of negotiations.”

The move to NIH gave her a chance to bring her skills to the medical research world. Among her priorities is building a pipeline of researchers who can flow into industry and other roles. She hopes to promote alternative paths for contributing to the sciences, like the one she found.

Tania

Salas ’10

When the pandemic hit, Tania Salas ’10 and her husband started baking bread. But unlike millions of Americans who joined in on this trendy hobby, they never stopped.

They shared sourdough loaves and baguettes with their neighbors, which led to a bread club, a farmer’s market stand, and a commercial operation supplying loaves and pastries to restaurants and coffee shops. Finally, in August 2023, Tania and husband, Danny Greenberg, opened the Flour Your Dreams Bakery & Café just outside of Nashville, Tenn. They’re now baking more than 350 loaves a week along with more than 900 pastries and 380 cookies

coming out of their ovens.

This wasn’t the future Tania envisioned when she graduated from Sweet Briar with a theatre and film studies degree in 2010. It wasn’t what she imagined in early 2020 while she was working to support sales teams for a manufacturer. But she was ready for the challenge.

Opening their own bakery brought a new set of challenges: finding a location, navigating the permitting process, and overseeing renovations. She’s also brought her creative skills to bear on the project. “I designed the bakery. I designed the space, the layout. I chose the colors… . And the pastry recipes are all my creation, some years in the making.

“What I’m using that I learned at Sweet Briar is multi-tasking, wearing 10 hats at one time, constantly managing different tasks.”

Nancy White’79

After years in magazines and advertising sales, Nancy White ’79 decided to reinvent herself as a floral designer. Her first day at work was during Valentine’s Day weekend. Amid the chaos of one of the industry’s busiest days, she found a calling that appealed to both her creative and business sides.

Since then, Nancy has purchased that suburban New York shop, built connections with flower growers across the globe, and increased her business fourfold. “You create your own life,” Nancy says. “Sweet Briar gives you the tools and the confidence to do that.”

A studio art major at Sweet Briar, Nancy enjoyed the freedom to work with professors in designing her own classes. She also took her share of economics courses, a decision that would come in handy as she embarked on an entrepreneurial career.

She started out in the Sotheby’s marketing department and later shifted to selling magazine ad space. As more advertising moved online, it was time for a new direction. She signed up for a floral design program at the New York Botanical Garden and secured an internship at her hometown shop, the Flower Bar in Larchmont, N.Y.

Within a year, she owned the business and was engaged in a fast-paced learning curve. The best roses, she learned, come from South America. Tulips, of course, come from Holland. But so do many other blossoms, which flow through a giant Dutch flower market the size of six football fields.

Beyond the flowers, Nancy focuses on building and managing her staff, from the floral designers to the delivery drivers. Her shop was voted “The Best Florist in Westchester County” in 2022. “The key thing about me is that I’m an entrepreneur,” she says. “I like having that focus and purpose.”

Carina Finn Koeppicus ’10

On any given day, Carina Finn Koeppicus’ ’10 job at Bon Appétit takes her to a chocolate factory for a tour, to see a stove showroom with new induction ovens, or to visit a campsite where she’s testing the latest high-end cookware for outdoor entertaining.

Beyond her job, she posts regular videos on TikTok (@SheNeedsASnack), where her 115,600 followers pay attention to the New York City restaurants where she eats. In her free time, she writes a series of fantasy novels for middle grade readers. The first book in her series, Feast & Famine: The Last Great Heir, is set to be published in February 2025.

Carina says Sweet Briar was good training for the frenetic life she’s leading. “I was always running from the theatre to the newspaper office to all of the million activities I was doing,” she says. “Which is pretty much what my life is like now.”

An English and creative writing major with a Master’s of Fine Arts from the University of Notre Dame, Carina set out to pursue writing. To make ends meet, she started working in restaurant kitchens. Before long, she was writing about food, including a stint as a restaurant critic for a digital food platform.

As commerce editor for Bon Appétit and its sister brand Epicurious, she focuses primarily on products for the home or kitchen. Her personal TikTok feed is also food-focused. She reserves time in the mornings and evenings to write her fantasy novels.

“I was really doing a proto version of what I do now in college,” Carina says. “I remember adults telling me ‘You’re doing so many different things. What are you really interested in?’ I never had to pick. I was very supported. I had professors who recognized my talents before I did and steered me in the right direction.”

COLLAGE— VERSATION

PROFESSOR ERICA TRABOLD AS INTERVIEWED BY PROFESSOR LISA POWELL

Having built a successful career as a writer, Professor Erica Trabold is gaining international recognition in the visual arts in the medium of collage. Professor Lisa Powell is one of Erica’s biggest fans, and recently they hosted, along with other members of the Common Read Committee, a collagemaking evening for students in celebration of Mobility by Lydia Kiesling, this year’s Common Read selection. Prior to the event, they sat down to talk about how Erica has explored and embraced collage, and the possibilities the medium holds for creative expression.

Pancakes with Duck 9.75 x 7.75 inches by Erica Trabold

Erica Trabold

LISA POWELL: What led you to start to explore collage as part of your creative practice?

ERICA TRABOLD: It’s fun! I collaged quite a lot when I was younger, and even in grad school, where I took a graphic memoir class. I can’t draw, so I would build collages to tell my stories. Collage has always been something I’ve found meditative, but because of my perfectionist tendencies, writing doesn’t always feel that way. Writing requires long hours, deep thinking, and engagement, all things I found more difficult after I had my daughter. During that season of life, I gave myself permission not to write, but I needed a creative outlet. After I put her to bed, I found myself cutting and pasting images together. As I became a parent, I changed. I let the way creativity was moving through me change, too.

LP: Are you merging these practices of writing and collage, and how do you think together about this practice that is not meditative, but still creative, and one that is both meditative and creative?

ET: I think most artists, at some point, start to get in their own way. And for me, that began happening the more that writing became intertwined with my profession. The more hours I spend analyzing the writing of others, the more judgment I bring to my own work. That’s how I’ve been trained to read, and that’s how I work as a professor. How do I make something better? That’s always the question. But I think that with collage, since I don’t have that same professional background, it’s sort of impossible for me to get in my own way because I’m not trying to meet any certain standard. I like that I’m able to be intuitive, that I can move things around, that the more it doesn’t make sense, the better it is. That’s not the case with writing—it really has to make sense, and it has to make sense to other people. On the other hand, visual art can be interpreted in so many different ways. I think imperfection is inherently a part of the collage practice, and that makes it so much more approachable. And I would say that collage is one of those art forms that is approachable to almost everyone.

LP: I think that is part of why I’ve enjoyed your Sweet Briar Summer: Arts and Writing Retreat workshops so much. For you, collage is a different kind of art form or creative practice. For me, the memoir writing we do

in your workshops is a different type of writing than the academic journal articles I typically write—it has similarly been a freeing experience for me.

ET: Absolutely. I’m so glad that you have joined me there twice! We had so much fun. You’re absolutely right that we all need something to counterbalance the dance that our brain is always doing, the thing that we’re trying to be really good at in our lives or in our careers. We need another thing to just let our creative selves play.

LP: But of course, this summer I found myself leaning toward my professionalizing tendencies at the Summer Arts Retreat. Maybe that’s why it was so important that I switched gears one night and painted a cat.

ET: I love that you did that, and I was jealous, honestly. But I’m already bringing a tendency toward professionalization to my collage practice, too. Where can I submit my collages? Where can I show my collages? How can I meet other artists? Can I start calling myself an artist now? Ooh, now let me start making a CV for my art! It seems like once you’ve started training yourself to operate in those ways, it’s hard not to bring some of that along with you. But I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing…

LP: …to be ambitious, like when you took the step to apply for a faculty grant to go to an international collage workshop. How did you transition to collage being something for which you attend workshops and submit your work to exhibits and shows?

ET: I think the first artist residency that I applied to felt like a make-or-break situation. I was looking for validation that I wasn’t wasting time by pursuing collage. I wondered if it was just a hobby or something more. I wanted to meet other people who were doing it too and learn more about arts practice than I could teach myself. There was an opportunity to apply for a one-week artist residency in Scotland with the editor of Kolaj Magazine. I thought, okay, I’ve made enough stuff now that I have a work sample I could submit, and I’m just going to go for it because this feels like some-

thing that I want to keep doing. It’s not something that I’m just going to drop because as I was saying before, I really do feel like I’ve changed as an artist. Now, those experiences of early motherhood and its relationship to collage don’t just go away; they come with me as I go back into my career and into my life. The project that I was working on at the time involved words, so it felt like a kind of writing. I was using a copy of a book that I love that I found an old copy of for $0.25 at a library sale and started making collages into the book. The images interacted with the words in ways I thought were really cool. And so I submitted to the residency and was hopeful that maybe I would get to go. The application asked why I wanted to participate in the residency. I wrote that I was taking the first step by believing in myself, but I wanted to know that someone else believes in this work, too. I was seeking a professional development opportunity, but more than that, community.

Chia with Kiwi 9.75 x 7.75 inches

“HOW DO I MAKE SOMETHING BETTER? THAT’S ALWAYS THE QUESTION. BUT I THINK THAT WITH COLLAGE, SINCE I DON'T HAVE THAT SAME PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, IT’S SORT OF IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO GET IN MY OWN WAY BECAUSE I’M NOT TRYING TO MEET ANY CERTAIN STANDARD.”

ERICA TRABOLD

SWEET BRIAR ALUMNAE MAGAZINE

Saltine Divinity 8 x 7.75 inches

I was accepted into the program, and I got to go to Scotland. I felt validated by that, which allowed me the confidence to go further. I feel like that’s always how it happens. No matter what our pursuit is, there has to be that first person who says yes, and that first yes allows you to keep wading into the water. I was only in Scotland for a week, but I learned so much about how to document my work and submit to exhibitions. When I came back, I was able to start looking for those opportunities. I’m really grateful for the faculty grant support in that way because otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to take that step. It was an expense that I wouldn’t have been able to take on my own.

LP: In the collages you’ve been posting on Instagram, your craftsmanship is so wonderful that the image looks like a photo of an actual scene, because your lines are so clean and the surgery on the original images is just so well done. Your work looks so seamless that it could be real. Are you trying for your collages to look like they could be images of real scenes?

ET: Thank you for saying that. One thing I learned during my Scotland residency is that simple gestures and simplicity are okay, that they can be really beautiful. I was working on a project there I feared was too simple. I asked several other artists for feedback. Is this enough? They discouraged me from complexity for complexity’s sake. That’s something that I brought back with me, and I started a series, Nourishing Flourishes, when I got back. I was inspired by a book from the ’60s that included striking photographs of flower arrangements.

I’m starting with beautiful materials to begin with, so I owe a lot to that. I didn’t make everything you see in the collage. My work is to find something that complements it or juxtaposes that imagery to make it even more interesting. It’s been a fun scavenger hunt to start with a gorgeous flower arrangement, then look for some kind of food that can complement its shape and color and become this sort of missing puzzle piece.

I’m saying something like: I’m not going to make anyone a cake, but I’ll make you a collage.

Students participate in a collage-making activity as a part of our Common Read programming.

I realized that this series is speaking to my experience of motherhood. Like everyone else, I’m online and seeing all of these perfect women and wives who have the time and patience to make their children homemade Fruit Loops and Cheerios. Their hair is perfect and they’re in the kitchen doing all these things in a really feminine and perfect way. I realized that I was doing some version of that. My collages present food in a really feminine and perfect way, but the art also resists making anything that’s actually edible. I don’t actually cook that often at home, my husband does. Maybe

LP: So combining these existing, beautiful images has become this way that you are reflecting and commenting on the stage of life that you’re in, as well as what you’re seeing as a person on the internet. Ultimately you’ve taken these pieces which have their own complexity, and you’ve used this amazing judgment and skill in putting them together.

ET: It includes all of that. That’s the part of the iceberg the viewer sees, but the iceberg is really big underneath the water.

LP: I’ll connect this to one of my favorite pieces of your writing, “A List of Concerns,” a lyric essay in your book, Five Plots, which was also published in The Rumpus. Like a collage, the piece is similarly a form we might initially think of as simple, a list, and some of the

Birthday Meringue 9.5 x 8 inches

items in your list are more lengthy and in depth, but some of them are one line. You’ve taken language, and you’re saying something very straightforward, but then you’ve made these choices that tell such a bigger story.

ET: Absolutely—both writing and collaging require judgment, deciding which seemingly different things ultimately go together. There are plenty of essays that I have tried to write, many collages that I have tried to make, that just don’t work. I have to continually hone my judgment, give myself grace, remember that I myself am not perfect, and that I’m not always going to get the results I wanted. At the end of the day, I’m the kind of artist that is obsessed with juxtaposition and loves making puzzles. Collage and lyric essays have a lot of things in common, and the more that I discover about those connections, it’s unsurprising to me that I would do collage too because of just the natural sensibilities that I have and enjoy as an artist.

Students participate in a collagemaking activity as a part of our Common Read programming.

LP: How do you plan to bring your collage work to your teaching and other activities on campus?

ET: Collage is an extremely approachable art form that can be used in a variety of contexts. We’ve already held one collage night as part of promoting our Common Read book, Mobility by Lydia Kiesling. The novel asks readers to look at their choices and how those choices will impact their futures, so I wanted to think of a way we could do that together. We made vision boards in the shape of daisies, using collage techniques. I made three! Similarly, I’m planning to incorporate col-

“NO MATTER WHAT OUR PURSUIT IS, THERE HAS TO BE THAT FIRST PERSON WHO SAYS YES, AND THAT FIRST YES ALLOWS YOU TO KEEP WADING INTO THE WATER.”

ERICA TRABOLD

lage in a few lessons about form and juxtaposition with my creative writing students this fall.

LP: I had so much fun at that collage night, both seeing what our students and colleagues made, and making something myself. I did not expect to get as into the process as I did—it really can be, as you said, meditative—I was in a whole different headspace while collaging, even though I had meetings about planning research projects and events right before and right after. It was great to be working creatively with others, on independent pieces, but collectively. We all manipulated both the

images found in magazines and the daisy shape in interesting ways.

I keep up with your work on Instagram via your account @ericatrabold.collage. What are other ways to see your work? Where have your collage pieces been exhibited so far, and where will they be in the future?

ET: Over the summer, I exhibited for the first time in New Orleans! More recently, I’ve had work accepted for juried shows in Hampton, Los Angeles, and Madrid, and a local gift shop in Lynchburg has started selling my collages on a commission basis. And of course, I’ll keep making more.

Erica Trabold is assistant professor of English and Creative Writing. Her books include her award-winning debut essay collection Five Plots and chapbook Dots, and her essays have been published widely in online and print literary journals. In 2023, she co-edited the anthology The Lyric Essay as Resistance: Truth From the Margins. She received two grants from the Kenan Fund in 2024 in support of her collage work by participating in a collage artist residency in Sanquhar, Scotland, and attending Kolaj Fest in New Orleans, La.

Lisa Powell is associate professor of Environmental Science and Agriculture, director of the Center for Human & Environmental Sustainability, and STEM division head.

SWEET BRIAR ALUMNAE MAGAZINE FALL 2024

Donors to the College’s current campaign make new program enhancements possible

BY CLÉLIE STECKEL

“... forging ethical leaders with the skill, compassion, and vision to create a more just and sustainable world...”

FROM SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE ’ S MISSION STATEMENT

Britt Larson-Jackson ’22 and Mulligan, a beloved horse who recently passed away after many years of service, enjoy the newly-renovated Howell Lykes Colton '38 stables shortly after they reopened.

Presidential Scholars Funding — Now and for the Future

SIn the years since the Where Women Lead campaign was first conceived and its silent phase was launched, a number of projects have begun or are now complete. The campaign seeks to fund the people, places, and programs that make Sweet Briar College an ideal place for students to be inspired and become “ethical leaders with the skill, compassion, and vision to create a more just and sustainable world,” as described in the College’s mission statement. As of this fall, a number of existing structures have been updated, new structures were built, the College’s key scholarship program has been enhanced, and necessary infrastructure updates received a jump-start.

WEET BRIAR’S PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS program puts an exemplary liberal arts education within financial reach of the College’s brightest applicants. Exemplifying academic achievement, Presidential

Scholars have 4.0 GPAs (or higher) and are eligible for annually renewable merit-based scholarships of $16,000 per year. The 21st-century admissions landscape is undeniably competitive, with the most sought-after students often having the choice of prominent public and private institutions offering generous financial aid packages. The current use and endowed funds raised for the Presidential Scholars program maintain these students as a significant component of Sweet Briar’s total enrollment.

Presidential Scholars are chosen on the basis of quantifiable academic achievements and are invited to participate in special accepted applicant weekends to deepen their interest in joining the Sweet Briar community. The Presidential Scholars program current use funds allow the College to be responsive immediately to the financial needs of the best students and their families during an environment of economic uncertainty; its endowed funds create a platform of opportunity that encourages accomplished young women to attend Sweet Briar for generations to come.

To date, alumnae and friends have contributed $5.6 million to current use funds and $3.4 million in endowed funds for the Presidential Scholars program.

Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine 53

Enhancements to the Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center

WEET BRIAR’S EQUESTRIAN represents a vital pillar of the student experience—and of the College’s capacity to differentiate itself in the contemporary higher education landscape. As one of the oldest and most renowned equestrian programs in the nation, its emphasis is not just on competition; it also includes field riding, recreation, training and schooling of horses, and two Equine Studies certificate programs. Through this holistic approach, the College routinely rides to national, regional, and divisional titles.

Sweet Briar’s riding program trains horsewomen of all skill levels, from beginning to advanced riders, each of whom learn the benefits of perseverance, discipline, and teamwork, and gain confidence in themselves. As practiced at Sweet Briar, riding is another aspect of women’s leadership.

Two phases of enhancements to the Riding Center allow Sweet Briar greater flexibility in the way it teaches riding and generates auxiliary revenue for the College.

Completed in 2021, the first phase of renovations to the Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center made significant impacts on the riding program. Made possible by donor and foundation support, these improvements

demonstrate the success of the College’s strategic plan to invest in its riding program. Not only do these upgrades meet the needs of our current students; their improvements have already helped us attract additional riders in recent incoming first-year classes.

The renovations to the Howell Lykes Colton ’38 Stables included replacing

$1.5M

arena will include a 115’ x 200’ interior space

49 stalls; replacing all stable windows; replacing all barn doors; removing existing stable aisles and replacing them with a new concrete floor; overlaying floor with rubber pavers and horse-safe drainage grate drains; updating all electrical and plumbing components; and refurbishing all tack rooms. Exterior upgrades to the riding center included new roofing and gutters, updated drainage systems, replacement siding, and new directional signage and landscaping. Building upon the increased program capacity and momentum made possible by Phase I, Phase II of enhancements to the Riding Center were completed in the fall of 2024.

Thanks in large part to generous gifts from Richard C. Colton, Jr., the Richard C. Colton, Jr. Foundation, and other donors, Sweet Briar has continued enhancements to the Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center to include an additional covered riding arena to be used for competitions, clinics, and instruction space.

The new $1.5 million arena includes a 115' x 200' interior space, as well as additional parking.

Sweet Briar's Peter Bryan, President Mary Pope M. Hutson '83, Merrilee “Mimi” Wroten '93, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Fisch, and Sarah Miller '20 break ground on the new Richard C. Colton, Jr. Arena.

Women’s Leadership Core Curriculum Empowers Sweet Briar Students

INTRODUCED IN 2017, the Women’s Leadership Core Curriculum replaced the College’s general education program. The program is a 10-course, four-year academic program focused on empowering women to craft the solutions that the world needs. Through the Core Curriculum, students gain communication skills, learn to sift through evidence, gain an understanding of cultural and disciplinary perspectives, and more.

The funds raised for the Core have been used to provide faculty with resources to provide an innovative approach to the liberal arts foundation created through this program. Funding also supports Sweet Briar’s Grants for Engaged Learning (GEL), introduced in parallel to the Core, which allows students to apply for a grant up to $2,000 to support opportunities like independent research, travel abroad, and internships.

One of the riding program’s immediate needs has been more all-weather teaching spaces to accommodate the growing number of students who ride or want to learn to ride. The existing indoor arena, Robin S. Cramer Hall, can only accommodate two riding lessons at a time, which required the riding center to provide extended hours and often caused scheduling challenges for instructional sessions. The new auxiliary covered riding arena, a pre-engineered metal building sited adjacent to the hunter barns, meets this need for Sweet Briar’s growing program.

Richard C. Colton, Jr. is a long-time friend of Sweet Briar. His mother, Howell Lykes Colton ’38, attended Sweet Briar, as did one of his sisters, Keenan Colton Kelsey ’66, and two cousins, Charlotte M. Jorgenson ’72 and Susan Mueller ’70. Mr. Colton has also loaned Sweet Briar an art collection entitled, “Women of the World,” which hangs in the Josey Dining Room of Prothro Hall.

Current programming from Sweet Briar Riding includes hosting horse shows and clinics, which bring well-known professionals to campus. In the summers, the program offers riding during Reunion weekend and summer camps during two long weekends. The increased teaching space allows the College to expand and diversify its horse show, clinic, and summer camp offerings to increase reputational and auxiliary revenue opportunities. Examples the programs made possible by these enhancements include annual conferences featuring leading professionals and being a venue for U.S. Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) programs, including Certified Trainer programs and Emerging Athletes programs.

Meet Sweet Briar’s New Equine Veterinarian, Dr. Alyson Ainsworth

As of Sept. 1, Sweet Briar has a new face at its riding center: Alyson Ainsworth, D.V.M., who joined the College from her private practice. Dr. Ainsworth received her B.A. in foreign languages from the University of Virginia— where she also joined the polo club and varsity team—and her D.V.M. from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Va. Prior to opening her private practice in 2021, she served as associate veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in locations throughout Virginia; Valley Equine Associates in Charles Town, W.Va.; Yergey, Stewart & Vallance in Laurel, Md.; and held an internship at Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in Canada.

In addition to her veterinary work, Dr. Ainsworth serves as president of Aftercare Charles Town, a nonprofit that rehomes racehorses after they retire from racing, and also rides her two former Virginia Polo ponies.

The equine veterinarian position is new to Sweet Briar and enhances and augments the College’s Equine Management Certificate programs. Of course, Dr. Ainsworth cares for the horses in Sweet Briar’s Howell Lykes Colton ’38 Stables, but she also teaches and mentors students who are interested in becoming veterinarians themselves.

Thayer and Meyer Fields

Water-based turf field and reoriented and resodded soccer field

THE THAYER AND MEYER FIELDS were completed in October of 2022. Thayer Field, a water-based turf field used primarily by the field hockey team, is named for Mildred “Bee” Newman Thayer ’61, who is also a donor to the project. Bee played on the field hockey and tennis teams and is a member of Sweet Briar’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Meyer Field, a reoriented and resodded soccer and lacrosse field, is named for the late Margot Saur Meyer ’60. Margot played on the field hockey and basketball teams at Sweet Briar.

Bee and Margot knew each other growing up in Short Hills, New Jersey, and attended the Kent Place School together. Fittingly, the sign that recognizes the dedication of

both fields reads, “Thayer Field and Meyer Field, teammates forever,” conveying both the personal friendship between Bee and Margot as well as the lasting relationships formed among athletes who play on these fields.

Thayer Field and Meyer Field sit adjacent to Babcock Performing Arts Center. Both fields also have new lights, allowing for practice and games after sunset, and new stands seat spectators from home and away. Finally, a new audio-visual system allows announcers to be heard from both fields and also increases opportunities to live stream and record field play for training purposes.

Mildred “Bee” Newman Thayer ’61 speaks at the Thayer Field dedication ceremony.

“Allie’s generosity inspires the Sweet Briar community, and I hope it will also inspire others to join her.”

PRESIDENT MARY POPE M. HUTSON ’ 83

New and Refreshed Student Spaces Funded by the Class of 1972

FOR THEIR 50TH REUNION , the Class of 1972 raised funds for the Sweet Briar Fund, capital projects that fall under the Where Women Lead campaign, and their ’72 Memorial Scholarship. These gifts totaled more than $10 million—a

new record for Reunion giving.

In the Alumnae Magazine issue from the spring of 2024, the Class of 1972 funded renovations completed over the summers of 2022 and 2023, with one more addition in October of 2024. In 2022, Daisy’s Café, Reid Parlor, Reid Pit, and the Meta Glass common room were refreshed and redecorated to meet the needs of our current students. The ’72 Student Commons Courtyard in front of Prothro was constructed, including a turf area to allow frequent use of tents by dining services and outdoor activities that may affect planted grass. The remaining area includes a beautifully landscaped garden. In October of 2024, new benches, tables, and chairs were added to the garden to create additional seating for students and guests.

Over the summer of 2023, the remaining student spaces were renovated, which included the E.B. Room and kitchen in Dew, the mezzanine and kitchen in Carson, the lounge and kitchen in Randolph, the common room and kitchen in Manson, and the lower level parlor and kitchen in Grammer.

FOR ALLIE STEMMONS SIMON ’63, giving to Sweet Briar is a tradition as long-held as her service as a class leader, which she has done since she graduated.

With years of philanthropic support of the College, Allie carefully chose which area of the Where Women Lead campaign to support: the College’s electrical infrastructure.

When fundraising is completed for the project, enhancements to Sweet Briar’s electrical infrastructure will allow the College to replace its existing steam heating system, which was stateof-the-art in 1938 when it was first installed. Providing heating and cooling from sources other than the steam plant will allow for greater flexibility in controlling the temperature in Sweet Briar’s residence halls. Currently, this is no small feat for Physical Plant; when the steam plant is switched to heating in the late fall and to cooling mid-spring, the process of converting from heating to cooling to all the residence halls takes approximately one week.

“Allie’s generosity inspires the Sweet Briar community, and I hope it will also inspire others to join her,” said President Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83. “Support for the Where Women Lead campaign will make a tremendous difference to our students for years to come.”

Interested in learning more about opportunities within the Where Women Lead Campaign? Email campaign@sbc.edu or call 434-381-6131 to speak with the College’s

Grammer offers a new kitchen and common area for students to enjoy.

In Memoriam

1944

Catherine “Tee” Tift Porter

August 12, 2024

1947

Mary Stuart McGuire Gilliam

May 10, 2024

Joann Miller Anderson

July 17, 2024

1948

Jane Johnson Kent

July 3, 2024

1949

Susan Corning Mann

April 26, 2024

1950

Carolyn Tynes Cowan May 8, 2024

Judith Campbell April 23, 2024

Dorothy “Dotsy” Wood Letts

July 11, 2024

1951

Mary Abbé Evans

December 21, 2022

Ruth Oddy Meyer

April 12, 2024

Mona Wilson Beard September 9, 2024

1953

Florence “Flo” Pye Apy

March 28, 2024

1955

Elise Wachenfeld De Papp

March 5, 2024

Ruth Campbell Van Derpoel

March 7, 2024

Gay Reddig Mayl

May 27, 2024

Elizabeth “Betsy” Miller Sayler

August 26, 2024

Isabel Anderson Fitzgerald

September 6, 2024

1956

Sarah “Sally” Garrison Skidmore

March 29,2024

Mishew Cooper Williams

May 10, 2024

Majory Manget Lyman

December 30, 2023

1957

Lucile Winerich Pipes

April 20, 2024

Priscilla Bowdle Lamont

May 15, 2024

Susan “Buffy” Stevens Cooley

June 13, 2024

1958

Janet Wynn Snyder

September 5, 2024

1959

Virginia Ramsey Crawford

May 22, 2024

Elizabeth “Betsy” Smith White

August 15, 2024

1960

Ellen Pringle Read April 23, 2024

Marylyn Jackson Parins June 9, 2024

Nina Newton Farriss September 10, 2024

1961

Nancy Bloomer April 3, 2024

1962

Mary Jane Shroder Oliver Hubbard April 4, 2024

Cynthia Vaughan Urfer May 17, 2024

Nancy Fleshman Bowles September 14, 2024

1963

Nancy “Lark” Schulze

September 2, 2024

1964

Caroline Tate Noojin

June 24, 2024

Marilyn Dunlap Laird

August 13, 2024

1965

Janet West Garrett January 28, 2024

Alice Mighell Ficken

June 10, 2024

1966

Grace Butler Johnson April 4, 2024

1967

Gayle Dearborn Vance February 15, 2024

Barbara Tillman Kelley May 23, 2024

1968

Amanda de Coligny March 30, 2024

Celia Newberg Steingold February 2024

1969

Beatrice “Bea” Kallina Bursi January 19, 2024

Janith “Jan” Holt July 16, 2024

1970

Alison King Jourdet June 12, 2024

1971

Jan Pridmore February 3, 2024

1972

Elizabeth “Liz” Kestner Pearson April 8, 2024

Susan Jensen March 23, 2024

1977

Wendy Congdon Stanton June 2024

1979

Lydia Wardwell Zimmerman April 17, 2023

1981

Virgnia Ginia Zenke

April 4, 2024

1982

Jill Maple Fallon July 18, 2024

1985

Perry Liles Lucas March 8, 2024

1986

April Adelson June 24, 2024

1989

Patricia “Trisha” Foster Christian August 26, 2024

1998

Jennifer Toler Ober February 1, 2024

2003

Lara Corazalla August 7, 2024

Data reported as of Oct. 4, 2024. Please send alumnae obituaries to alumnae@sbc.edu

Mary Jane Schroder Oliver Hubbard

APRIL 4, 2024

Mary Jane Schroder Oliver Hubbard passed away on April 4, 2024. She graduated from Sweet Briar in 1962. She excelled at both field hockey and lacrosse, first as a student at Swarthmore High School and later at Sweet Briar. She was inducted into the Sweet Briar Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. While at Sweet Briar, Mary Jane also pursued her other passion: the arts. She studied voice and studio art. She married Loren Oliver in 1963. During their many years together, Mary Jane and Loren worked side by side in their adjoining home studios in Amherst, Va., crafting works of acrylic, watercolor, and pen and ink. A number of years after Loren’s passing, Mary Jane married the Reverend Dr. James Hubbard in 2000. Mary Jane continued to work in her art studio and displayed works in local art shows and galleries and had a showing of her art in the Benedict Gallery during her 60th Reunion in 2022.

She is survived by her husband, The Reverend Dr. James Hubbard of Amherst, Va., James’ children, Christopher Brooks of Durham, N.H., and Tamara Sparacino of Swannanoa, N.C., and by Mary Jane’s son, Jasper Oliver (Shelly Shreve Oliver ’98) of Lynchburg, Va. Mary Jane has been interred in the Sweet Briar College columbarium on Monument Hill.

Julie Amanda de Coligny

MARCH 30, 2024

Julie Amanda de Coligny passed in her sleep peacefully in Lynchburg, Va., on March 30, 2024. She was born on July 16, 1946, in Mount Kisco, N.Y., and grew up in Richmond, Va., attending St. Catherine’s School. Amanda graduated from Sweet Briar College and received a graduate degree from the University of Bridgeport. In the 1970s, she opened Amanda’s Natural Mercantile in Amherst. In recent years Amanda sold her baked goods to devoted customers of “Honest to Goodness Foods” at the Lexington Farmers Market. Amanda was a colorful character and anyone who knew her had “Amanda stories.” She was hard-working, strong-willed, smart, and entrepreneurial. Amanda lived life on her own terms. She loved her dogs and cats and always had trouble with her truck. Amanda was predeceased by her parents, Calvert Guerric and Julia Sadler de Coligny Davis, and her niece Anne Arleigh Davis Cobbs. She is survived by her brother, William de Coligny (Margie de Coligny), as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Class Notes

1949

Preston Hill

3910 South Hillcrest Dr. Denver, CO 80237-1110 HillPreston49@gmail.com

Only 15 of our classmates are still listed. Talked to my suitemate Katie Cox Reynolds. She and Phil are still okay except for arthritis and both use walkers, as do I. Katie and Phil celebrated their 67th year of marriage in July. I live alone and all three of my kids are out of state so I have 24/7 caregivers. Good news is that my grandson, Michael Martinson, asked for a transfer from Las Cruces, N.M. to Denver and now lives here. He finished at the University of Colorado Boulder in aerospace engineering. We try to have dinner together once a week.

1953

Katherine Amsden: I came to our 50th Reunion, but have not been back since. Am in a wonderful retirement community in Concord, N.H. and have been here for 22 years. My wife of 43 years died one year ago, but I am surrounded by many very caring friends. Place is HAVENWOOD HERITAGE HEIGHTS—so look it up and come visit me.

Josephine Wells Rodgers: The Hallmark, a retirement community in Houston, Texas, is now my home. I enjoy living at the Hallmark where I have friends and all the services I need: driving, nurse’s clinic, food and most important: friends. Also, my daughter Mary lives close by and often comes to visit me in the evenings. She is a CPA. In addition, I spend time at our ranch/farm property in Goliad, Texas. My eldest son, Robert, is now retired and volunteers at the Chattanooga Zoo and Chickamauga Battlefield. Charlie, my youngest, lives in Wisconsin where he breeds alfalfa for Land O’Lakes.

Nan Rosa: As of June 2024, I am kinda well and happy. Frank and I will celebrate 67 years married next month! As someone asked in awe: “to the same man?” We are still in our two-story townhouse of almost 25 years (address and phone are still the same as in the last directory) and are not entertaining any thought right now of moving. Frank is under hospice care which is doing a fantastic job. I am still able to do a good bit around the house,

at least till I tripped, fell and ended with a bad concussion and six days in hospital! Now that the headaches and nausea have stopped, I’m almost good. My daughter, Mary-Nelms ’85, has taken away my cane and car keys, only a temporary setback. She has been doing a yeoman’s job of managing home care, groceries, doctors and meds, as well as a pretty stressful job as an HR director of five interconnected companies. All on a Sweet Briar education, 1985. We both loved our days at SBC.

1955

Mitzi Halla 1733 Kirby Rd Apt 1307 McLean, VA 22101-4835 703-209-3139 mitzihalla2015@outlook.com

Mitzi Halla: Alas, our Class of 1955 has no secretary, nor any officer except for me as Class President (2015 and counting). Like many in my class, I’ve slowed down a lot, but still have been sending my Mitzi Letters every few months. The only news since my last Mitzi Letter (July 27) is the death of our dear classmate Gay Reddig Mayl on May 27, 2024. There is no obituary. Roman and I have eight delightful grandchildren. Six graduated from their colleges last May and have jobs they’re enjoying. The younger two are rising college juniors. I was thrilled to hear from Jane and Charlotte! My letters will continue and I welcome any news! Please write or call when you have a chance!

Jane Feltus Welch: Within the past 10 months, I’ve had three great-grandchildren—two boys and a girl. Certainly a lovely way to consider everlasting life. I continue to stay in my large house because it’s been home for 50 years now and everything in it belonged to either Jim’s family or mine so I feel surrounded by all the people I loved through THINGS. It’s very comforting even though I’m walking with a cane. Physical therapy and pilates and church are my primary sources of inspiration. Still manage to get up to the New York City apartment a couple of times a year. Use a walker in the city. Love to all my dear, dear Sweet Briar class. Such wonderful women—all of you!

Charlotte Orr Moores: In 2021, I moved to Huntsville from Decatur to be nearer to two of my children. It’s just 20 miles and I have a lovely apartment here. I have my other son still in Decatur and my other daughter in Montgomery. I have eight grandchildren, six married, one still in college and one in medical school. My six greatgrandchildren live in Houston, Charlottesville and Birmingham so I get to see them often. Being 91 means I’ve slowed down a little, but still drive and spend time at my lake house. Old age isn’t too bad! Love to my mates!

1957

Diana Robin: I’m retired now and live in Minneapolis, but still travel regularly to my condo in Chicago. I’m the author of 10 books, mostly with Princeton University Press and University of Chicago Press. I enjoy early music concerts in Minneapolis and Chicago. I often visit my son in Phoenix and my sister in New York City. I recently visited classmate Carolyn Fleming Swift at her home in Omaha. She is enjoying retirement with her children and grandchildren and has become a champion at contract bridge in Omaha.

1959

Ann Young Bloom 77 Middle Rd. #364 Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 (610) 283-5949 (call preferred over email/no texting) annbloomie@gmail.com

Erna Arnold Westwig and Ralph continue to enjoy retirement in Ithaca, NY, with its beautiful lake and college environment. They have been there for 10 years and have had the further blessing of having their son, Erik and family, living near them. They escape some of the winter in Ithaca by walking the beach and feasting on seafood in Cherry Grove Beach, north of Myrtle Beach, SC. Erna continues to play bridge with the Cornell Campus Club group and enjoys the Horizon Villages Book Club along with other activities there.

Pres Hodges Hill with President Mary Pope Maybank Hutson ’83 and a bottle of Sweet Briar College Farm wine.

1959

Debora von Reischach Swan Snyder writes she is lucky enough to still play tennis and pickleball, live with her husband Don in a lovely Senior Housing Complex in Williamsburg, VA, and spend the summer in West Boothbay Harbor, ME. They keep up with their combined families of seven children with their spouses, 12 grandchildren and Don’s six great-grandchildren. There have been many high school and college graduations. Last year, they took a cruise from Singapore to Dubai. This summer they attended a friend’s 90th birthday in VT and another friend’s 100th birthday in Boothbay Harbor. They are enjoying their friends and all the many wonderful things their families are doing.

Meriwether Hagerty Rumrill is still working a bit at landscaping in Northern Virginia and keeping the 18th century family farm going in King and Queen County. She mostly LOVES being with the kids, grandkids and friends! She says to come visit!!

Sandra LaStaiti Sylvia is writing her FIRST EVER Class Note! She is just back from two weeks in Italy. Fabulous is how she describes her trip. And “right now, Thursday August 22nd at 2pm, all four children, four spouses, eight grandchildren and three greatgrands have not been heard from.

had dinner with Ann Turnbull Lowry. Such fun!

April was a knee replacement from which I’ve made a great recovery! Looking forward to August trip to PEI & October trip to New York City! Come to Austin.

Ali Wood Thompson: My husband, Travi, passed away in Maui in February 2023. I am really enjoying this summer in Maine in an independent living place at Stroudwater Lodge in Westport. It has lots of activities to do every day and my most favorite things to do are painting pictures and playing bingo. It is wonderful having my daughter, Lynne, and her husband, Scott, nearby, and they stop by frequently. Much aloha, Ali Thompson.

Clockwise: 1. Judy Welton Sargent. 2. Jana Bekins Anderson. 3. Ali Wood Thompson. “Eating lobster on my birthday at Stroudwater Lodge.” 4. At Reunion in June 2024, Ann Bloom and Elizabeth Lipscomb attended the dedication of a beautiful bench at the Alumnae House in honor of Sandra Maddox, H ’59. 1961

Sally Hamilton Moore: Just finishing 10 days cruising the Baltic Sea from Stockholm to Copenhagen. My children, their spouses and four grandchildren plus granddaughter-in-law are with me. It has been a fabulous trip for all 10 of us.

Bee Newman Thayer: Currently, I have been spending the summer at my home in the mountains of Dalton, N.H. Lovely to be able to drive up, but a little lonely. Contemplating what to do with the house and considering this with my children. Will continue living in Hanover at Kendal, a CCRC. As I approach 85 and look to the past, how fortunate I have been. Sweet Briar and my friends of 60+ years have been a big part of my life. Blessed with good health and a wonderful family, I have no regrets. Best wishes to my classmates and others.

1961

That means ‘all is good’. I, however, have lost two inches, wear hearing aids, and am blond.”

Ann Young Bloom enjoys the challenge of being the class secretary. She still lives at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr and has never been happier. Ann was able to show off the beautiful Sweet Briar College campus to her closest friend, Betsy, at the 65th Class Reunion. She loves what she is doing and she loves doing things for Sweet Briar. And she wants you to know, she just cut her hair short and plans to start an exercise regime to build up her stamina!

Jana Bekins Anderson: A big part of my life centers around my garden with flowers and weeds galore. The rest of the time is spent with my horses and another new filly. Meet the lively Miss Chiquita and her mother Tinsel. These are some of the things that make my life an adventure.

Judy Welton Sargent: I’ve made my final move to a nice retirement facility near my daughters in Austin. It’s the last hurrah, my 11th move since marriage in 1963! In June, I had the great pleasure of having Di Doscherr Spurdle, her daughterin-law and grandson (16) for dinner with my daughter, Catherine, husband Tom and my grandson, John Paul (16). The next night Di & I

Ruina Wallace Judd 4200 Massachusetts Ave., NW Apt. 104 Washington, DC 20016 ruejudd@icloud.com

Many of our dear classmates are struggling with health issues. Please check in with classmates. A letter or a phone call from a dear friend is the best medicine. We are thinking of you all!

Many of our classmates express delight in the joys of grandchildren and even great-grandchildren!

Ann Gregg McIver: Hi all. Still in Brooklyn brownstone since 1970, five kids later all still here in Brooklyn and all doing great. Master’s degree from Columbia and college teaching at Medgar Evers College until retirement. A great life! Great memories of looking out my Sweet Briar bedroom window to see the mountains. Hi to all.

As a class, we are thankful for the vision and leadership of President Meredith Woo and excited about the presidency of the first alumna president, Mary Pope M. Hutson!

1963

Allie Stemmons Simon 3701 Guadalajara Ct. Irving, Texas 75062 asimontc@outlook.com

Greetings Ladies of the Class of 1963! Unfortunately I must start on a sad note as shortly after our last class notes were published, almost a year ago, I received word of the death of our classmate Ann Clute Obenshain on October 22, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. We send our condolences to her two beloved daughters.

Then a spring message, also from Louisville, produced

and family.

Sally Hamilton Moore

Clockwise: 1. Roomie reunion: Laura Lee Brown, Ginger Cates Mitchell, and Lyn Clark Pegg. 2. Irene Pschorr Belknap, Spring dinner. 3. Susan Enns Tully with her husband: 60 and counting! 4. Prue Gay Stuhr and three-year-old dalmatian, Derby.

an amazing picture of Keitt Matheson Wood decked out in an elegant pink and green hat as she attended the 150th Kentucky Derby. A more recent message from Keitt says, “Except for celebrating with family in New York and Chicago, and with friends in Cashiers, N.C., we have stuck pretty close to home this past year. It has been a good time to get a number of things done around the house. With Chenault McClure Conway, we enjoyed Anne Leavell Reynolds and Herbert coming through Louisville for a short visit.”

A welcome note from Irene Pschorr Belknap who is working on a major “bucket list” project producing a coffee table book about all her artwork. Irene says “It’s a big job when you’ve been at it so long.” Her work is already in four books printed in English and German. She and her doctor husband (who is vainly trying to retire) have 4 grandchildren.

Prue Gay Stuhr is always a wonderful correspondent. She writes that her twin grandsons graduated high school this year and are headed to UMass Amherst in the fall. She and Ed and their two

several new restaurants there and also one knock-out, The Crown Block, in Dallas which I’ve been able to enjoy. Their grandson, Cole, is a junior at SMU.

Mary Lou Morton Seilheimer and Charlie are still living at Mount Sharon but their property is on the market so they can begin the downsizing process. Her garden and the Boys & Girls Club of Orange keep Mary Lou busy. Their children are “all grown up.” Anne and Josh live in New York City and are renovating a charming farmhouse in Millbrook, and grandson Julian is a freshman at Dartmouth and his sister, Louisa, is a junior at Taft. Nora and Charles live in Charlottesville. Their son, Henry, is a sophomore at Groton, a passionate naturalist with a specialty in salamanders, and his sister Parthie, is a freshman at St. Anne’s-Belfield.

Tish Skinner Dace sent a note “just writing to tell you I’m still here, alive and mostly kicking, so you won’t worry about me.” Tish leads a very isolated life because of being immunocompromised but says it has its compensations: the tropical birds outside her window, her sweet cat to pet, and the never boring occupation of political activism every waking moment.

Cynthia Hubard Spangler: I’m still basically healthy, am happy, and am able to play both tennis and pickleball with no injuries to date. Charles and I are heading to Montana for a month, and then I will join my family for a trip to Egypt. I’m so happy for our Classical Civilization course! It’ll be a trip of a lifetime for me. My best to all my wonderful classmates!

Dalmatians are well “with excellent medical support to keep us going.” Prue remarked that she especially enjoyed reading about President Mary Pope Hutson ’83 and Medford Taylor in the spring issue of the alumnae magazine.

Susan Enns Tully and Paul moved permanently to Lake Placid, FL two years ago and have grown to love it. They joined a great church and Susan is active in the Stephen Ministries. Paul built her an art studio and she still paints as much as possible. Last Christmas, they celebrated their 60th anniversary in Tennessee with all three of their children and their mates, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and are expecting two more great-granddaughters shortly.

From Lynn Caril Blau, “Happy to say that Jeffrey and I are both well and enjoying life, still in West Hartford, Conn. and New York City, playing golf, gardening and doing a lot of hiking.” Their daughter, Alex, lives in Nashville, teaches at Vanderbilt and had an art exhibition recently at the Zeitgeist Gallery. Their other daughter, Elizabeth, lives in Las Vegas and has opened

Sue Jones Cansler writes, “2024 for me started off with a fabulous two weeks on safari in Kenya with three girlfriends—an extraordinary time with legendary Masa Mara guide Jackson Looseyia. We had such a good time that we’re planning a trip back in early 2025! Shortly after my return, I broke my hip which was not so much fun and put an end to plans for a trip to Chicago with Laura Lee Brown, Ginger Cates Mitchell and Lynn Clark Pegg. Nonetheless, I managed to recover very quickly and am enjoying life on St. Simons Island. Also having fun following the budding careers of our three grandchildren who are now all ‘out in the world’.”

I had a wonderful phone call from Lucy Otis Anderson who had me in hysterics referring to herself as the “Grandmother of a JellyFish”—it seems that was the role her grandson played in his school production of “Finding Nemo.” Lucy and David recently enjoyed a family beach vacation on Pawleys Island.

Happy news from Jean Meyer Aloe—“I’ve been dating a great guy for over a year now. Can’t believe how wonderful this relationship is! I’m off to India soon for a retreat involving yoga, meditation, and exploring the lush Kerala region and its tea plantations, etc.”

From our Class President, Nancy Dixon Brown, a quick check-in—“I’m in Oxford, Miss. visiting a daughter. Having a quiet summer so far.”

Mary Stevenson (Stevie) Fontaine Keown: Mark and I are still pretty healthy except for the usual aches and pains at this age. We have done a lot of traveling over the last 30 years or so since becoming empty nesters. These days, our travels seem to consist of grandchildren’s high school and college graduations, special birthday parties, and unfortunately too many funerals. I still keep up with classmates Lee K. Parham and Kathy C. Patten who are neighbors here on Lookout Mountain. Lee and I still try to walk five days a week! Love hearing that Sweet Briar seems to be doing so well!

Virginia Cates Mitchell: We three old roommates (Laura Lee Brown, Lyn Clark Pegg, and Ginger Cates Mitchell) had a great reunion in Chicago this past April…taking in art shows, museums, other touristy things as well as enjoying some wonderful food and “catch ups”.

And finally, the first response I received this time was from Margaret Millender Holmes but I’ve saved it for last because it bodes so well for our future. Maggie writes, “Happy to note we are an odd numbered class, not simply an odd class! Fortunately I’m still driving and looking forward to 2028 and the trip down I-81 and 29. Can that really be 65 years or is my arithmetic suffering along with my knees?”

Your arithmetic is perfect, Maggie! Hold that thought! Best to all—Allie

Molly Sutherland Gwinn

147 North Euclid Ave. Unit 301 Oak Park, IL 60302

973-699-4464

mdsgwinn@gmail.com

How to follow the reports of longtime class secretary Sally Hubbard who wrote our class notes for 17 years? Her contributions always reminded us of the energy and optimism of our classmates, stories told with style and humor. Fortunately, this year classmates answered the call for news with updates on life after 80, which showed that they were still on the move, whether traveling or downsizing or celebrating a family milestone.

Mary Ellen Freese Cota traveled to Paris this summer, her first time in France since her Junior Year Abroad. She met her husband Alberto on the old Queen Mary in 1963 and hasn’t returned since. As part of her effort to “resuscitate” her French, she spent a week in an immersion program, living in a home and taking three hours of French lessons a day. Along the way Mel attended a granddaughter’s graduation in New Canaan, Conn., and visited her daughter and family in Santander, Spain, on her way home to Mexico. As Mel writes, “a dream trip for me truly.”

Carol Reifsnyder Rhoads and her husband Bob celebrated his 80th birthday with a May trip to Portugal with his high school friends and a musical tour of Paris with Rice University alums. In August, they gathered their extended family for a reunion at Isle of Palms, S.C. Home is still Clemmons, S.C., but they escape the summer heat at their mountain house near Boone and Blowing Rock, N.C. Carol says she keeps in touch with her roomies from senior year, Katy Weinrich van Geel, Susan Strong McDonald, and Anne English Wardwell. In a separate email, Katy wrote that she and husband, Tyll, have moved to a retirement community, Lasell Village, in Auburndale, Mass., to be closer to children.

Retired class secretary, Sally McCrady Hubbard and her friend Laurence Alvarez continue to “travel outrageously.” They visited Sally’s son and wife in St. Thomas, toured Ireland and Scotland by bus and the Mediterranean islands, Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, on Laurence’s beloved 5-masted sailing ship, the Royal Clipper. Their next dream is an Atlantic Crossing on the Royal Clipper in March, 2025. Meanwhile, “wonder of wonders,” her children aged 57 and 58 are returning to school online, at Cornell and Arizona State.

Bonnie Chapman McClure had the good fortune of welcoming her daughter, son-in-law, and a small team of teenage eventers

1965

from suburban New York to France for the Olympics. They had tickets for rugby, beach volleyball, and of course, three days of eventing at Versailles. Bonnie still keeps horses near her home in Normandy, but gave up riding when her husband went into a nursing home with dementia.

Magda Salvesen is now Executive Director of the Jon Schueler Foundation. Magda wrote from NYC that an upsurge of interest in the artist’s work from various exhibitions in the U.S. and the U.K. and the republication of Schueler’s memoir, The Sound of Sleat: A Painter’s Life, has been both rewarding and challenging. She, three co-directors and a collections assistant are planning for the future, upgrading technical equipment and updating inventory for an eventual catalog raisonne.

Dasha Morgan still lives outside Asheville, N.C., in Mills River and continues to write, currently a weekly column for her brother’s local newspaper, The Tribune, as well as various freelance projects. Along with her news she added compliments to the College for all it is “currently doing and becoming—the changes are amazing and a big improvement.”

Eugenia Dickey Caldwell wrote from her wonderful new place in downtown San Francisco, a huge space with great views, that she and Peter are doing pretty well, despite his Parkinson’s. But she admitted, in her words, “everybody seems to

have something undesirable when they are over 80!”

Mibs Sebring Raney and husband, Bev, have traveled within the U.S. for family events, including the high school graduations of two grandchildren in Houston and Austin, Texas, and a visit with family in Taos, N.M. Grandson, Nate, will attend Lehigh University in the fall and granddaughter, Morgan, will attend the University of Chicago.

The blessings of grandchildren continued. Saralyn McAfee Smith reported that she and her husband, Hamp, are 81 and doing fine. Their daughter, Laura, is married to the Chief of Police in Dodge City, Kan. Granddaughter, Cheyenne, is a high school junior and granddaughter, Sierra, and her husband Tylor recently had their first child. Saralyn added, “I am completely in love with my great-grandson, Drayden, and love giving him a bottle and rocking him to sleep.”

Mal Leslie Welch expressed the same gratitude for her grandchildren who gathered to celebrate her 80th birthday. She wrote, “Hard to believe I held each of these children when they were born; they are smart and kind and give me great hope for the future.”

Melinda Musgove Chapman agreed that the exciting events of the last two years were travel for the weddings of granddaughters, one in Amelia Island, Fla., and another in NYC. She looks forward to a third one in Florida. She wrote that the most important gift her first bride gave her was a beautiful

Clockwise: 1. Sally Hubbard and Laurence Alvarez overlooking the bay in Ravello, Italy. 2. Mal Leslie Welch celebrating her 80th birthday with her family. 3. Carol Reifsnyder Rhoads and husband Bob. 4. Mimi Vogt Macht and her family.

Clockwise: 1. Bonnie Chapman McClure “Poppies honoring the World War I deaths.” 2. Dasha Morgan. 3. Carol Reifsnyder Rhoads and family in Colorado. 4. Laurence Alvarez’s 5-masted sailing ship, the Royal Clipper, by Sally McCrady Hubbard.

Class Notes

great-granddaughter named Hope on May 31st.

On the virtues of downsizing. Mimi Vogt Macht moved to an assisted living community in Vancouver, Wash., to be closer to her older son, Marlow, who is an Emergency Room physician there. Her younger son, Madison, is also a physician, a critical care pulmonologist in Denver, Col. Mimi has four grandchildren, two boys, Eli and Aaron, and two girls, Hazel and Ruby. Mimi has kept her long-time home in Hood River, Ore., a perfect place for family vacations with lots of outdoor fun, but likes the activities offered in her new community, not to mention three good meals daily. Mimi enjoyed catching up recently with roommate Mel Freese Cota

Our esteemed president, Brenda Muhlinghaus Barger, and husband Hugh are well settled in a Davidson CCRC, The Pines. Brenda wrote that downsizing from a home of 42 years to a townhome of seven years to a one bedroom unit in a retirement home was a daunting task but that they now feel at home with great friends, good neighbors, a rich schedule of lecture, exercise, gardening, games and marvelous food. Brenda summarized it all: “Why turn on the stove again?”

Fund agent and chief cheerleader Mary K. Lee McDonald has followed a different path. She wrote that she still enjoys being in charge of her own space and keeping her own schedule. She continues to work, but is slowing down in this changing real estate market. As usual, Mary K. looks forward to a number of trips this year, heading to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket this fall and to Lido Key/Sarasota, Fla. in February. Her plans for spring? She looks forward to being with all her classmates on campus, May 30–June 1, 2025 for our 60th reunion. And she promises we will be impressed with all the many wonderful enhancements since 1965.

Class secretary Molly Sutherland Gwinn agrees with Brenda about the satisfactions of downsizing. After years of caring for old difficult homes, she now lives on the third floor of a contemporary condo building in Oak Park, Ill. Within walking distance of the Chicago EL, a bookshop and movie theater, and the historic Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio where she volunteers as a guide. Best of all,

son, David, daughter-in-law, Janice, and grandchildren William (14) and Nora (12), are a mile away.

A number of classmates wrote that they planned to return to campus next May for our 60th Reunion and I hope many more are saving the date. I look forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and catching up on the activities and changes in our lives over the last 60 years.

1967

Gracey Stoddard

1225 Park Avenue New York, NY 10128

graceystoddard@hotmail.com

Greetings to all members of Sweet Briar’s Class of 1967! And thanks especially to the following classmates who responded to Sweet Briar’s call for news through Wufoo, SBC’s new AI assistant, either in 2023, 2024, or in both years. I have quoted your most recent news verbatim, depending on when you sent it (noted if received in 2023).

Betsy Kurtz Algo: “This has been quite a summer for us with friends and family visiting constantly and lots of laughter and fun. Jimmy and I are compulsive hosts and love company in our northern Michigan cottage in the great north woods. Hello to everyone. Pam Pryor was here with us for a week of laughter.”

Victoria Baker: “Lee and I are feeling blessed to still be healthy and fit enough for the quality of life that retirees hope for. I have been engaging in charity work, giving occasional enrichment lectures on anthropology, and enjoying many travels—more recently, adventures in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. We regularly practice our post-retirement hobby of ballroom dancing. I’m excited about the real prospect of having a competent woman president who symbolizes diversity and fights for our hard-won freedoms.”

Kat Barnhardt Chase: “We are 18 months into living at Westminster Canterbury, Lynchburg. It is still a good choice for us. There are many Sweet Briar people, as well as other friends through travel and the arts. Last summer saw us on a small Alaskan cruise; this time we are on the Snake

and Columba Rivers following Lewis and Clark after a tour of three national parks. Bob and I both continue with various volunteer activities and with regular exercise in the gym and pool. I continue to serve at St. Paul Bear Mountain Episcopal Mission in Amherst.”

Ginny Stanley Douglas: “We have spent a fairly quiet summer. Action in November with our niece’s wedding in DC, and then a Pilgrimage to Israel with/Trinity Cathedral. Our grandson, Miles, is off to Oregon State University, and Genna is a Junior in High School. Becky’s new EV is great…however, she is always borrowing my Subaru for long trips! Bill and I are well.

Linda Fite: “Writing this whilst lying on my screened porch’s comfy couch. I am, as ever, very good at doing next to nothing, not to mention doing a halfhearted job at what I manage to do: some wimpy efforts at painting, ineffectively practicing the guitar, boring myself writing my (ha ha) memoirs, telling myself that walking around Walmart looking for some oddball items counts as exercise…You get the picture. Visited my sisters in Memphis at Xmas and my son in LA in Feb., but no international trips were planned in ’24. Beach week is coming in August. Living the Life!”

Colleen Coffee Hall: “After visiting Sweet Briar for the first time since I graduated (so beautiful) for old times sake, Bob and I went to Tommy’s. When the bar patrons learned that we hadn’t been there in almost 60 years, they could not have been nicer or more fun. What a treat! Sometimes, simple and unexpected experiences are the best ones.”

Stephanie Lucas Harrison: “I am still working as a commercial real estate lawyer and proud to

be recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America. I am taking ballet classes at Houston Ballet Academy 4–6 times a week. Maybe I just don’t change. Ted and I see a lot of our grandsons—Benjamin, who is 9-1/2, and Andy, who is 7-1/2, and get to do things we would not otherwise do—like see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie last week. Life is good, if uneventful.”

Maria Wigglesworth Hemmings: “While the rest of you are all going to weddings, etc. of grandchildren, we have 2 under 2. And now I understand about grandchildren. I hate this aging stuff, but life goes on. We are spending time amongst Connecticut, Florida, and Wyoming. I remain a Stephen minister leader and volunteer at a clinic in Fla. We finally made it to SE Asia last year and are going to Patagonia this year. I will meet Pam Fromme Formato in the City in August. We are spending most of the summer in Wyoming…”

Charlotte Hoskins Herbert: “The permanent move to Tucson, Arizona, last year changed and simplified my life. I’m enjoying northern visitors and new friends and activities.”

Victoria Jones: “Still living with my husband in NYC, pet-free after all these years, and enjoying the perks of retirement, most recently with Tai Chi and watercolor classes. 57 years after graduating from SBC, I’ve gotten around to continuing my education by signing up for auditing at nearby Columbia U. Hoping to visit my son, the conservationist in Arizona this summer, regardless of 117-degree sustained heat there last year. So, no news, which is good news.”

Pam Ford Kelley: “I’ve been busy the past three years raising money to completely restore the

Left: Victoria Jones’ son. Right: Lee and Victoria Baker competing in the 2024 Ballroom Dance Showcase.

1885 Belmont Chapel in Newport, RI, that had been totally hidden by ivy for years. We’re expecting to be recognized by several RI preservation groups, as well as nationally. Other than that, I get out on boats and do some sailboat racing. Less active stuff, as we are moving in that direction, includes some drawing and painting, desultory gardening, and bridge. Did I mention I’m also the President of the Island Cemetery in Newport? Ageappropriate career choice!”

Adele Leslie Kellman: “My husband Paul and I continue to spend 6 months in our Florida home in Osprey, near Sarasota, and the rest of the year in Morristown, New Jersey. We travel to Europe regularly to see our daughter and her family in Andorra, usually taking a side trip into Spain or France while we are there. This spring, we visited some towns in France near the Spanish border (Ceret, Collioure, and Beziers). We expect to spend a few weeks in Tuscany. Our son was married last October, and he and his wife live in New York City.”

Diane Stephenson Lankford: “Have just moved from Atlanta to Skidaway Island at the Landings, which I find is an amazing adult summer camp year around. Having finished my last business project in Atlanta last November, I decided I had one last tiny build in me, so I am doing that here on a lagoon, alligator and all:) Still close to my 2 kids/6 grandkids (3 now away at college) and will probably see them more now when they visit. Kay Trogdon Hightower and I had a revisit of being roommates/house 3/ our early business careers when she stayed with me while husband had a bypass.”

Marion MacRae: “I am well, except for Parkinson’s, which hasn’t slowed me down yet. Still have a housemate who is 64. Amazing to think what we could do back then. I am thankful for what he does for me now. Like enjoying the husband I never had—though I didn’t want one then.”

Bonnie Blew Pierie: “Husband, Tim, and I are doing pretty well, as we feel our age and learn to live with it. So far, so good. News is that we are currently in Massachusetts and are planning a trip by air to Florida where we will pick up our auto to drive to Alabama for the wedding of the youngest son of old friends. Having never been to the Alabama

coastal region, we expect to visit Apalachicola [Florida] along the way where the oysters are supposed to be wonderful! We enjoyed our stop at SBC last Fall. Maybe again this year?”

Gracey Stoddard: Like so many of you, I am grateful to be well enough. I keep busy in New York with my sons, my Book Club friends, walks in Central Park, and visits to the opera and the theater, whenever possible. I also serve on a couple non-profit boards, with the main one being the African Dream Academy Foundation, which supports a school in Liberia. One of its female graduates has been accepted by Sweet Briar, where she will study Environmental Science, if she can just get past the last, huge hurdle of being awarded an F-1 Student Visa. Keep your fingers crossed!

1969

Claudette Dalton

175 Rosewood Drive Nellysford, Virginia 22958 cla.dal2t@gmail.com

I wanted to start with some of the SBC info we learned at the Reunion, but my word limit means that info will need to wait for a different communication. I can share that both academics and finances are massively better. Now, on to the news:

Liz Medaglia, with husband, Joe, are avid travelers who visited Southern Spain, Ireland, Egypt, England and Italy—where they were sojourning during our Reunion. The Italian trip included some research into family ties plus time in Rome, Venice and Sicily. Liz started a Medieval Interest Group that meets to discuss history, hear speakers and even dress in Medieval garb. (A picture of this is a must!)

Liz is in contact with Peggy Davis Molander, Jan Sheets Jones and Maria Estefania

Maria Estefania and husband, Bob, took a rescheduled cruise to the Norwegian fjords and Scottish Isles along with a rowdy bunch from W&L who shared tales of the curvy trip over the mountain between our schools. She says Liz Medaglia dressed them up for one of the Medieval Group events. Kay Giddens Glenday and her husband, Ian, are also friends. Maria

continues to stay busy in DC with a variety of interesting classes at American University, church work and assisting a preschool for homeless infants and toddlers. A superb example of what wonderful things your classmates are doing.

Another heroine is Marcy Bernbaum Jan Huguenin Assmus sent word of Marcy’s long legislative and financial battle to get clean public restrooms in DC. For the whole story, see www. dcpublicrestrooms.org. Marcy just returned from another mission— this one in Guatemala City where she worked with Safe Passage, a group that encourages high schoolers to choose schooling over working salvage in the garbage dumps. During her stay, she could not walk in the area due to the danger from gangs.

Also traveling during Reunion was Frere Murchison Gornto who was cruising the British Isles with husband, Dean. Frere stays fit and busy hosting her many grandchildren at their lovely beach house in Wrightsville Beach. She is still playing pickleball and Mah Jongg as well as volunteering.

Martha Brewer spent Reunion time in Scotland, finishing the trip with a Taylor Swift concert! Last year, she successfully lugged her recently repaired knees on a five-day hike on the Whale Trail in South Africa.

Ann Tremain Lee is thrilled that her three daughters are now closer to home. Allie already lives there, Cameron moved to the Outer Banks, and Maria to Charlottesville. Ann has spent some time with Joan Adriance Mickelson and Michael Nexsen Robertson. Ann said Joan had wonderful stories to tell—Joan, please share them!

Another who keeps in touch with classmates is Cathy Hall Stopher. Cathy keeps up with her SBC roomie, Nancy Crawford Bent, Keithley Rose Miller, Carolyn Mapp Hewes and Blair Josephs Rohrer! She shares four grandsons and one granddaughter between their tween and elementary years with Ed, her husband of 54 years.

Some impressive news came from Diana Cassedy Rich. Diane got her PhD in Political Science from Georgetown in 1992 after working at NASA for 24 years. She taught in universities all over the world and also served for 15 years as the Director of the Capitol Hill M.A.

program at Catholic University. All this while raising two sons, both now married and living in California. To be nearer those sons and her eight-year-old grandson, she has left her long-time home in DC and moved to San Francisco. Diane and her husband were in Italy when she wrote her note, “looking at the Andalucia Mountains from the terrace” before moving on to Rome. She keeps in touch with Cherrie Wheeler Weatherford too.

Avis Brown Yount ran into President Mary Pope Hutson at a golf tournament in Linville, NC. The family spends the summer at Grandfather Mountain and Avis is an avid golfer, playing some California courses after attending the Women’s US Open in Carmel last year. Her physician daughter, Lindsay, is running the liver transplant program at Duke and her son, Kenan, is a cardiac surgeon at UVA. Between them, they have six children. Kenan got an MBA from UVA’s Darden School and teaches in the joint UVA Med-Business MBA program now.

Another physician classmate is Mary Lee Bell Coffey, who writes from Croatia, thus winning the prize for most exotic travel! She and Shelby left from Venice and traveled the Dalmation Coast as far as Athens and then headed back to DC. She shares how the two of them pack blood pressure monitors and Hokas now instead of dinner jackets and high heels! But she is clearly grateful for all she has—as we all should be.

I got a long note from Nancy Wendling Peacock and will have to edit it. Nanner continues her music career with her business, Washington Street Publishing, that finds songs to add to films, TV and ads. They also represent some artists. Go to www. washingtonstreetpublishing.com for more info and www.youtube.com/ watch?v=fn1-7YKH7OY to hear one of their songs in a film trailer. She still writes music, including the music for a musical she hopes will be picked up as a film. Daughter, Jenni, was an attorney general in Tennessee and helped win billions from opioid companies and has moved to DC to help distribute that money for the U.S. Attorney General. Son, Josh, has moved to Los Angeles with his ZGF Architects firm but works all over the world. His latest projects are a training facility for the San Antonio Spurs and the Baylands Ecosystem Project in Sunnyvale, California. His wife, Lia (an interior architect/

designer) is working on an expansion of the Portland, Oregon airport.

Great news from Keithley Rose Miller who still runs her Kemble Interiors decorating business in Palm Beach with her daughter Tory. Keithley lost her husband fourteen years ago but stays busy visiting her married son in Los Angeles as well as fostering injured and needy dogs. She wins the literary prize by reading 70–100 books a year! She sees Cathy Hall Stopher in Florida and Anne Stupp McAlpin in St Louis and keeps in touch with Sherry Irving Titus and Belle Quesenberry McIntyre. Her daughter and granddaughter are friends with May Humphries Fox’s ’70 daughter and granddaughter.

Almena (Mena) Hill Pettit makes me jealous by announcing she has a great-grandchild, Oliver Crawford! Her other offspring and their children are all doing well. She and husband, Brooks, still live in Tallahassee and welcome visitors any time. She wonders if SBC leaders still make trips to major cities.

Jane Merriam Wickens shares that she and husband, Justin, still go between

celebrating her forty-sixth wedding anniversary with a cruise on the Seine to Paris. She works with the American Association of University Women to support women and children’s education. She has three sons and seven grandchildren.

Ann Moore is retired from library management and is learning to sail on Lake Ontario where she has a cottage. She stays active with swimming, book clubs, her church thrift store and learning to do machine embroidery.

Sue Roessel Gibson retired after thirty-nine years of teaching near Philadelphia. She fills her time with her three small grandchildren and part of the year at their lake home in New York. Sue sees Phyllis Girard who is also retired from teaching in Philly. Phyllis is a deacon in her church, a docent at an arboretum and works with her two dachshunds at a dog club when not spending summers at her Nova Scotia home.

prepared path into a male-dominated field and industry.”

To that observation, Bryan adds her news that she and husband, Paul, focus on a healthy lifestyle, but the hardest thing is to keep socializing since they are introverts. They find staying active in their church helps. They have started downsizing and like many of us, have found the children don’t want most of their things. They hope to move to Denver in the next 3–4 years to be near their daughter. Their son is in Boston and Bryan jokes that flying from Denver might be easier than driving from Pennsylvania.

Charlottesville where they help with her daughter’s children, and their Cape Cod home. She is “a soccer Nana” in Charlottesville. In Cape Cod, they are deciding whether to keep their house or downsize to a condo she inherited. Since many family members visit and her garden is looking splendid this year, she is loath to leave the house.

We got a short note from Kathleen Stewart who was at SBC on a scholarship from St. Andrews University in Scotland. She still lives in Scotland and would love to hear from anyone who remembers her. I have contact info. Kathleen, we “claim” you as a classmate, so stay in touch.

A great reply came from Atlee Walker who sent a lovely selfie! She and her husband are living in a retirement village in Silver Spring, Maryland. She has a daughter in Baltimore who has two children. One is a sophomore at University of Maryland and the other is a junior in high school.

I heard from the Canandaigua Lake Trio: Mary Mahan Marco, Ann Moore and Sue Roessel Gibson. Mary is another traveler

Darlene Pierro updated her Junior Year in France experience last May by spending two weeks in Paris perfecting her French. At home, she is on the board of the Virginia Foundation for Learning Disabled Students and treasurer of her neighborhood civic association. She is also contemplating how to update her 150-year-old home for future age disabilities.

The news from Ginny Stanford Perdue is also about aging as she finds ways to cope with husband John’s progressing Alzheimer’s. She feels their roles are reversed but with help from family, friends and her old SBC clan, she is coping well. If any of you have advice and support for Ginny, let her know.

Bryan Alphin Bente spoke for all of us at the Reunion “when I saw how few would be there and I really didn’t know the ones who were coming. But I was reminded that in past Reunions, I found extraordinary women that I had not known at SBC. This year, I met inclusive, interesting and amazing people. Cutting yourself off from SBC means cutting yourself off from the fantastic people the school and our classmates helped to come into being. We are none of us the people we were in 1969; we are better, stronger, more interesting. My Sweet Briar experience helped to prepare me to be the only woman in a class, a conference or a meeting and then provide other women with a better

Lynn Pearson Russell is our new class President—we owe her a huge thank you! Lynn retired in 2021 from her leadership role at the National Gallery of Art but stays busy with travel and her many, many friends. She sees Maria Ward Estafania and Liz Medaglia pretty often at a club they belong to and there is a local Sweet Briar alum contingent spanning from the ’50s to the early 2000’s that meets at the horse farm of one of them. She shares the theme of what fabulous people she meets there. She spends much of the summers at their home in Cape May hosting her far flung family from California, New York, and beyond.

You may all remember that Betsy Blackwell Laundon was one of our “day students” from Amherst. And she has been perhaps the most loyal of our class, attending SBC events and keeping up with changes. She has a much needed perspective. She knows how the local people feel about SBC and she shared how her experiences as a day student set her somewhat apart from those of us carousing in the dorms.

Pam Noyes lives not too far away in Purcellville, Virginia where she continues her love of horses. Pam and Montz usually come to the Reunions together, leaving their spouses and animals to fend for themselves. I am going to try to meet her halfway soon and eke some more news from her.

Kathy Montz Miller loves the way the school is trying to attract forward thinking students. She would probably skip fewer classes now! After Reunion, she and husband, Dusty, went sailing for two weeks in Greece. Despite heavy winds and weather, they enjoyed their friends and the food! In September, she is off to Tokyo to

Clockwise: 1. Nancy Wendling Peacock, her son, Josh, and his wife, Lia. 2. Atlee Walker. 3. Mary Lee Bell Coffey and Belle Quesenbury McIntyre. 4. Mary Mahan Marco, Ann Moore, Sue Roessel Gibson.

visit her granddaughter who works there. Then she plans to spend, “… the next five years weeding and taking care of my animals, Pony, Goose, chickens, guinea hens and a dog. Possibly some time for Dusty.”

Jan Hugenin Assmus shares that she and husband, Gert, have moved to a retirement community but it is still in Hanover, so they don’t feel too displaced. They have lots of friends there and an eightyear-old granddaughter to make them feel young.

I send love from Emerald Isle and ask you to watch for emails from leadership about the Reunion and a survey of the class.

1971

Barbara Brand 3415 Fairfield Road Gettysburg, PA 17325 babrand@embarqmail.com

Alix Sommer Smith 39 Goose Creek Circle Fredericksburg, VA 22406 alixsmith9@hotmail.com

Here we are at 75. Some of us are streamlining, relocating near children, or moving into retirement communities. Others seem to be in a race to see as much of the world or complete as many projects as possible. Several of us had interesting thoughts about our current “season.” It is such fun to compile these notes. Barbara and I are glad our injuries improved enough to get them done on time. Hope to hear from more of you next year!

Mary Frances Oakey Aiken and husband, John, still divide their time between Naples, FL and Manakin Sabot, VA. When she turned 75 in December, her children threw a big celebration. In Florida for the winter, all went well until February when a car broadsided them. The Mini Cooper protected them amazingly well but was totaled. John broke his sternum and further exacerbated his back problems; she had a fractured elbow. She is all healed, but John had extensive back surgery in mid-July. The seven grandchildren are growing fast; it is hard to believe the oldest will be a senior in high school this year.

“Lifelong learner” certainly describes Beryl Bergquist. She has been studying Welsh in preparation

for her trip there in July. She is also taking pool lessons given by pro Dale Norman at her senior center using a vintage Canadian Dufferin banner cue stick and an American Heritage break stick. She likes the idea of using vintage sticks made in North America and enjoyed by someone before her. Her skill level is fun, not pro. She is loving her “reduced responsibility retirement” that also includes gardening, volunteering and other activities at the senior center.

Rene Roark Bowditch is loving life in this “season!” She and her husband, David, are going on great trips and await the arrival of a first grandbaby in September. “I am blessed with the BEST husband of 46 years, David, who has been my chauffeur and cuts up my food while I heal from a shoulder replacement.” They have turned over the running of their B&B in Yorktown, the Hornsby House Inn, to a young man who is doing them proud. Rene hangs out a lot with Rosemary Dunaway Trible (she and Paul retired from the Presidency of Christopher Newport University and are back at their family home outside Kilmarnock, VA).

Barbara Brand sent greetings from South Central PA. She still works at the Adams County Library in Gettysburg and finds it just as enjoyable and challenging as ever. This summer was a washout as far as outings and activities. In June, she had a tumble from a horse and got a concussion. It wasn’t the mare’s fault—she spooked and they went in different directions! She impatiently awaited the go-ahead to return to work, but it was a bummer not to be able to travel to Sweet Work Weeks this year.

Wendy Norton Brown moved out of her house of 46 years and into a Continuing Care Retirement Community that has just opened and continues to be built out. She could never have imagined that she could be this happy this quickly! She has made so many new friends, especially in her building—there are always friends to meet at the bar, eat dinner with, go to exercise classes with—and do many other fun activities! She is so happy to have left a house and yard behind and not have so many responsibilities—and more time for fun and new friendships!

Brooke Thomas Dold and husband Wylie are still in Houston. They celebrated her mother’s 103rd birthday in March. In April, Brooke

had her appendix removed! May brought a storm that knocked out power for several hot days, so they were looking forward to a family wedding in Lake George, NY, in August. Brooke reminds us all how much the death of Martha Roton Terry has been a source of sadness to family and friends, especially SBC classmates.

Betty Duson sent greetings from a Viking cruise ship in the North Atlantic, where they were unable to dock in Greenland as planned as it was completely locked in by ice. They were headed on to Nova Scotia, as storms also prevented their stopping in Newfoundland. It was a wonderful cruise nevertheless as they had beautiful weather all throughout Iceland. She is now fully retired, “fighting hard against inertia and the destruction of our planet.” So far Houston has not experienced another disaster like Hurricane Harvey, and they remain grateful for air conditioning. She wishes everyone well during these unpredictable times.

1971

Lynne Manov Echols wants folks to know that God is so good. After losing her only son in 2020, she and Frank have been adopted by a church family and now have seven grandkids who call them Oma and Opa. She is still enjoying travel with her childhood friend of 63 years (also named Lynne). They just returned from her first cruise ever, down the Danube from Budapest to Bucharest. In April 2025, they will do a 2-week self-drive tour centered on Germany’s Romantic Road. She blogs her trips on her Facebook page, so you can travel along!

After a joyful Christmas in San Francisco with her 1-yearold grand-daughter, Mimi Fahs enjoyed great snorkeling in Roatán for winter break. They still have their NYC studio for wonderful cultural events in NYC like Harlem Renaissance at the Met, NYC Ballet, Susan Lori Parks’s new play “Sally and Tom” at the Public, and sensational concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Birdland Jazz Club. Back in Orient (on Long Island), she’s gotten into cooking

1. Rene and David Bowditch in the Swiss Alps in June 2024. 2. Lynne Echols cozies up to a VERY strange man she met on the street in Arbanassi, Bulgaria. 3. Lynne Echols in a medieval castle in Ruse, Bulgaria. 4. Lynne Echols wore SBC gear while enjoying spectacular Danube River scenery in the region of the Iron Gates.

Clockwise:

with fresh local seafood and smallfarm biodynamic produce. And finally, her band, the Mudflats, is going strong, with ten gigs this summer. Check out their new website: www.MudflatsStringBand.com

The power of water and volcanoes impressed Carol Remington Foglesong on her trip to Iceland in September 2023, the port wine on her trip to Portugal in May 2024, not so much. She has trips planned for December 2024 to the Panama Canal, and in May 2025 from Paris to Prague. She is also very involved in her community: secretary to the residents’ council, resident leader of software improvement, aqua aerobics…and the list goes on. “We learned how to juggle multiple projects/tasks while at SBC, didn’t we?” she wrote.

Surrounded by 24 years of possessions and boxes as she got ready to move, Elizabeth Glassman wrote her news. After living in Chicago since 2000, she decided to sell her apartment on the gorgeous Lake Michigan. From September 30, she will be based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Aside from the mess of moving and wondering “how did I accumulate so many books, dishes, papers, etc.,” all is well and she hopes the same for all her classmates.

Lendon Gray continues to enjoy serving on the SBC Board as well as some other equine boards. She is teaching youth Dressage riders, 3 months with a group in Florida, one month with a group in Michigan this year (glorious weather). The rest of the year her work takes her all over the U.S. for long weekends.

Dee Kysor and her SBC roommate, Susan Greenwald, along with a friend from Goochland, Va., attended the Sweet Briar Arts and Writing Retreat this past summer and she highly recommends the experience. She and her husband, George, are planning to sell their home of 31 years and move to the Buffalo, N.Y., area, to be near their daughter and grandchildren and birding activities.

Kathy Wilson Lamb and her husband, Rex, continue to winter in Lexington, Va., and summer in the Straits of Mackinac. Their children bought a cottage nearby, so they have lots of time with grandchildren. Kathy continues to fight Myelodysplasia, a blood cancer which necessitates a blood transfusion every two weeks. Rex is doing well with a new knee.

Louise Dempsey McKean no doubt speaks for most of us when she says “like many other now 75-year-olds, we have streamlined and adjusted our lifestyle to accommodate our slower less energetic selves.” She and her husband still travel but not as often and mostly to familiar places like England and France where they have family and friends. They spend as much time as possible at their home in Quebec and have downsized to a condo in New Hampshire. Luckily, most of the family is within an easy drive.

Becky Bottomly Meeker and her husband have called Gloucester, Va, home for forty years. Their three sons and one daughter are all married with families, and everyone, including nine grandchildren and four golden retrievers, gather in Gloucester in the summer. “I keep up with Kathy Wilson Lamb probably the most,” says Becky.

Mim Washabaugh Meglan enjoys working in her gardens. She also had a fun visit this past spring with Susan Greenwald and Ann Tippin Prestney

In 2007, Beverly Wright Miller and her husband built a home in Amherst County. Now, when she drives past Sweet Briar, “it gives me comfort that the college, much like all of us, has weathered the changes and challenges of these fleeting years.” Beverly reads, gardens and sews, and works with her husband on numerous community projects helping others. They also enjoy fall beach trips to Sandbridge.

Anne Wigglesworth Munoz and her husband, Milton, have lived in Tucson for five years, enjoying the winters, the wildlife, and especially being close to their four grandkids in Phoenix. Last year, Milton was diagnosed with NPH, but implanting a shunt has him back to his “old self, full of energy, ideas, and feisty as ever.” After traveling to Turkey, Spain, and France last year, their next planned journey is to Jordan and Egypt. She is still making art quilts and entering shows, with more ideas than time.

Caroline Tuttle Murray has spent the last year getting settled in the house she built across the street from her daughter in Greensboro, NC. She says it is not only wonderful to have family close by but fun to design and build the home she always wanted. When she wrote, she had just returned from an Emerald Isle vacation with both children and spouses, five grandchildren,

David, who I met in my freshman year Spring Break in Nassau with classmates Linda Lewis, Kathy Wilson, Judy Wilson, Nancy Wood, celebrating 53 years!

and other family, had also been to Sonoma and was planning a mountain trip for fall. She continues to Zoom weekly with Diana Zeidel and Mimi Pitts Dixon and they are planning a reunion at Keswick Hall in the fall.

After four wonderful months in St. Maxime, France, in 2023, Jacque Penny returned home to Florida to avoid the winter cold. She lost her Mum on April 26, and it has been a very difficult adjustment. She has no plans for travel at this moment, but she figures something will present itself after the election. She wants to congratulate the class on our 39% giving participation in 2024, and she looks forward to seeing everyone at our 55th reunion!

Last year, Kathy Garcia Pegues wrote of health setbacks for both her and husband John, but they have rebounded, and were able to participate in Sweet Briar Work Weeks again this summer. They plan to travel in September to Benelux and France. Their daughter, Emily ’00, earned her Ph.D. in Art History, and son, Adam, earned a masters in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. The

grandchildren are thriving. A former student who John coached has endowed a UVA scholarship in his name, the John Pegues Man of Character Scholarship.

Mary Lyman Ray cruised the Rhine River last October, and took another cruise in April that included Portugal and Spain. In February, she plans to travel to New Zealand and Australia. She is still doing line dancing, water aerobics, and singing in a couple of groups. Her three children and their families (six grands from 15 to 1) are all within ten miles.

Alisa Yust Rowe reported that she and her husband are still in Houston where they have been for 51 of their 52 years of marriage. They still enjoy spending weekends at their farm and she is still active on the board of Arts for Rural Texas. She enjoyed meeting SBC President Mary Pope Hutson ’83 when she was in Houston last year. The four grandchildren all live close by, and three are now in college—“the age we all were when we met. That’s a reminder that time flies.” She would love hearing from anyone coming through Houston.

For her 75th birthday, 40 friends joined Susan Schmidt on

Clockwise: 1. Gilbert & Wendy Smith in Arkansas awaiting the total eclipse in April 2024. 2. Sweet Briar College Reunion 2024: Pamela Weiler-Colling ’79, Wendy C. Weiler ’71 and Caroline Chappell Hazarian ’09. 3. Becky Bottomley Meeker with

Lookout Catamaran’s Sunset Cruise. She is content in Beaufort, NC, kayaking, rowing, swimming, sailing, and walking the beaches with her Boykin Spaniel, Pippa. She also surveys shorebirds on Rachel Carson Preserve and plants natives at the North Carolina Maritime Museum. She edits scholarly books, leads a critique group, is writing the science of ocean currents and sea level rise and a memoir of delivering boats as a captain of 41 years. She plans to visit godchildren families in the Virginia and North Carolina mountains.

Marilyn Boyd Silar has lived in Naples, FL, for the last ten years, but has decided it is time to return to Richmond, VA, where she is building a house. She is looking forward to enjoying it with nearby friends and family.

Alix Sommer Smith fell and broke her right (dominant) arm in March, resulting in four nights in the hospital, two weeks in rehab, three months of P.T., and a total loss

of self-confidence. Fortunately, the ability to type returned in time to do the class notes and confidence is returning with help from a great personal trainer. The second annual Virginia wine tour went on in May as planned with Denise Wissell O’Connor, this year in the Leesburg/Shenandoah Valley area. Another 8 wineries and 1 brewery down! She is looking forward to an Alaskan cruise in 2025 with roommate Elodie Taylor Thompson

Wendy Weiss Smith’s highlights include a week in Istanbul with small group Road Scholars, including always cheerful Susan Greenwald, as well as various North Carolina beach visits with friends and a family reunion near Hilton Head.

After 30 years in Durham, NC, Wendy and her husband of 48 yrs and their mostly Plott hound headed to a retirement community in Burlington, NC. Their house sold off-market, just as they’d purchased it. Sorting has been

exciting. Winter will find us traveling to northern India with W&L. She says “All, be well!”

Jean Thatcher sent a photo of Alison Jones and herself at a June 2024 dinner celebrating her daughter Kate’s first baby. Alison is Kate’s godmother, and she is Alison’s daughter, Robin’s, godmother. Jean continues as Mayor of the Village of Lloyd Harbor, Long Island, NY, President of Suffolk County Mayors Association (32 villages) and Chair of The Wildlife Center of Long Island. Alison continues her work on “No Water, No Life,” her comprehensive case studies of five rivers/watersheds in North America and Africa. Fabulous photography and interviews enhance and document the expeditions on which Alison’s work is based.

Nancy Liebowitz Voss and her husband still live north of Dallas and have just celebrated 52 years of marriage. She wrote that they recently had the humbling experience of visiting all five Normandy beaches and were about to cruise to Greenland and Iceland with family. Both are still active in youth and prison ministry and they have just trained their third therapy dog who accompanies Nancy to youth prison and regular and behavioral hospitals.

Cami Crocker Wodehouse and husband, Chuck, have been married 51 years, and have lived in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., for half that long. Their four grandchildren, boys, 14 and 12, and twin girls, 9, live just a few miles away, so they can enjoy their many activities and Cami can teach the girls piano. Cami admits to a hip replacement and Chuck suffers from sciatica but “we try really hard to avoid what my mother used to call ‘the organ recital’ when we get together with friends.” They still enjoy traveling, however, especially small ship cruises to places like Turkey, Greece and the Caribbean. Driving Portugal is next. Cami is also very involved in researching local and state political issues and candidates for herself and friends, and encourages us all to be informed voters.

Our Class President, Wendy Weiler, continues to run her executive search and consulting business in NYC, serves on the board for French-American Aid for Children and on the Advisory Council of Action Against Hunger. Wendy is grateful to have her daughter Caroline Chappell Hazarian ’09, son-in-law, and

grandchildren nearby. We end with her message to our class: she is grateful for all we have done to help Sweet Briar thrive and she wants us all to plan ahead for our next reunion. “PLEASE SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 55TH REUNION, MAY 29–31 2026. 2026 WILL BE THE 125th ANNIVERSARY OF SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE, SO THE REUNION PROMISES TO BE EPIC!”

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Susan Dern Plank 11 Muterfield Ct Slingerlands, N. Y. 12159 sbc1973notes@gmail.com

After many years as our faithful and devoted Class Secretary, Evie Carter Cowles, decided it was time to pass on the reins to someone else. Our thanks and gratitude, Evie! So here I am with a new email address solely for our class’ notes— which can be used for many years in the future. Please tell our classmates so we can all keep in touch in future editions of the Alumnae Magazine. Do send any updates you may have for yourself and others via snail or email addresses as we make changes in our lives.

Diane Dale Reiling: Chuck and I are enjoying our move to N.C. (by Lake Norman outside of Charlotte), but the humidity THIS year has been a bit much. We take advantage of “lock and leave” to explore new and delightful places within a few hours’ drive. Just after our 50th Reunion, Chuck was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. It hasn’t slowed us down. We spent a fabulous July 4th at Martha’s Vineyard at a Dale Family reunion as my family members all seem to be moving east. I have lunch regularly with Nan Robertson Clarke and saw Joan May Harden on our way to the Homestead in October.

Ginger Woodard Gast: Our 50th reunion was a blast! The campus looked lovely and I’m excited about all the new programs. My husband, Paul, and I enjoy our retirement community in Gainesville, Va. I’m active in water aerobics, a knitting group and Italian classes. I had a unique opportunity to teach English in an Italian elementary school in 2023

Clockwise: 1. Susan Schmidt and Pippa. 2. Jean Mackenzie Thatcher & Alison Jones at a June 2024 dinner celebrating my daughter, Katie’s, first baby. Alison is her godmother & Jane is godmother to Alison’s oldest daughter, Robin. 3. L–R: Kris Harris, Kate Schlech, John and Kathy Pegues, Erin East at Sweet Work Weeks. 1971

and plan to return soon. Six grandchildren live nearby so it’s fun to be part of their lives. We look forward to the S.C. family’s (3 grandchildren) yearly visit for a cousins’ reunion. Put 2028 on your calendar and head back to the Briar Patch!

Nancy Lenihan Conaty: I still love Hilton Head, but spend a lot of time in Irvington, Va., where son, Matt, and family have a second home. I’m sorry not to have attended our 50th Reunion but later had a wonderful time in Charleston for Sweet Briar Day!

Roberta Culbertson: I live in Bluemont, Va., on what was once a cattle farm, surrounded now by horse country. I have moved from forest to fields and have family nearby. It’s interesting how in our later years quite a few of us gravitate toward parents, siblings, and

children. The extended family isn’t dead, maybe just extended in time. I’m now a full-time Buddhist practitioner, work I have wanted to do for almost forty years as practicing with more or less of a commitment wasn’t the same. My daughters are both relatively nearby, finally: the dancer-poet is in Charlottesville, and the human rights lawyer works for the UN in NYC. The latter, her son and husband were here in early July—exhausting but wonderful of course. My latest book is The Last Best Lessons: A Way of Aging, based on the last year of a friend who died of Parkinson’s. Now I am focusing on a blog that may eventually become a book: Half-Baked Buddhist.org. Hope life is going well for all and teaching its rich lessons on the downhill.

Laurie Norris Coccio: Since our Reunion much has happened. My elder daughter and husband, who live in Oxford, England, had their first baby, who arrived six weeks early in May. My husband, Chris, and I were on an African safari that week. Breaking up my return trip to the States, I spent two weeks with the new family. It reminds us what the cycle of life is about.

Sue Dern Plank saw Pam Rasche for a brief visit in Milwaukee in Aug. 2023 and met her mother too. We hadn’t seen each other since our graduation so it was fun to reminisce. Pam retired after 30 years as an attorney for the State of Wisconsin. At the time, she was the Director of the Civil Rights Bureau of the Equal Rights Division. I continue to live in the Albany, N.Y., area but spend time in Ambergris Caye, Belize during the winter with husband, David. Spring took us to Tenn., for our grandchildren’s school break, Easter and our daughter’s birthday. My Calif. cousin and his wife paid us a short visit in June after his 50th Reunion in Cambridge. Our daughter, grandchildren (now 12 and 9) and grand dogs visited us in July for nearly a month after the children spent several weeks in Wis. with their paternal grandparents. Both places were a bit cooler and less humid than Tenn. this summer. Sept. took us to Vt., for Homecoming (David’s 50th but our son-in-law’s first) at Norwich University. Thanksgiving was celebrated in eastern Tenn. with our daughter and family, plus our international Belizean student, Elisa Garcia, SBC 2022, who has become a member of the family. She is now an electrical engineer working in Altavista, Va.

Betsie Meric Gambel: The death of my oldest and best friend, Lisa Slatten, really took a toll on me. It was followed shortly after by that of Charlotte Battle Robbins, who also was good friends with Lisa. Their deaths underscored that each day is a precious gift. Thus, I gave myself “permission” to spend six weeks in Europe this past summer traveling with friends and being joined by sons, Gregory and Meric, and their families. Having them all together is a rarity, and it was truly magical. Gregory is in Philadelphia and Meric in Greenville, SC, where my grandchildren are best friends with Carol Anne Provence Gallivan’s grandchildren. In October, Lisa Fowler Winslow

and I cruised to Croatia which was fun. I am semi-retired and have a wonderful CEO, allowing me time to travel, plus pick and choose what Gambel Communications projects to work on, as The New Orleans 100. It is affiliated with a network of 24 other city and state newsletters. I am truly blessed.

Nan Robertson Clarke: It has been a terrific year! The glow of seeing so many classmates at our 50th lingered for months afterwards. I get to see Diane Dale Reiling regularly now that she has moved to N.C., a real treat. In April, I had a really fun trip to D.C. with Susan Craig, Diane Leslie and Emily Garth Brown. We visited many monuments and museums— and surprisingly found ourselves the absolute hit of a Georgetown bar! In family news, Hal and I welcomed 2 new grandchildren this summer, now totaling 10. An absolute blessing that we did not see coming.

Susanne Garrison Hoder and husband, John, had a wonderful June trip to Croatia, Italy and Switzerland, joined by Lee Addison Sanford and husband, Sandy. He planned their travels well so they crossed the Alps after cruising among lovely Croatian islands. Susanne and John bought a summer place in Tracy’s Landing, MD, near son, Frank, and his grand dog in DC. Their oldest son, Ross, is in Miami, while they live in Punta Gorda, Fla., during the winter.

Betsy Thayer hasn’t had any significant changes in her life since our fun 50th, which she says is fortunate in many ways. She lives in Burlington, Vt., and enjoyed mostly great summer weather and thereby outdoor water activities.

Kathy Pretzfelder Steele: My husband, Dave, and I love spending time with our three grandchildren, ages 12, 9, and 5. Kathy and Dave keep busy organizing and taking part in community activities. SBC roommate, Debbie Pollock Arce, was in Florida visiting her son and caught up with them over lunch in Mount Dora. In June, we spent a fun week on Hilton Head Island, sharing a beachfront home with our two daughters and their families. Being surrounded by family is the BEST! Besides two or three trips to this favorite getaway annually, we also travel to an area of the country we have never visited. Our latest spot was the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, TN., where we went hiking.

Clockwise: 1. Charleston Sweet Briar party, January 2024. 2. Norma Valentine ’93, Lee Anne MacKenzie Chaskes ’83 and Nancy Lenihan Conaty. 3. Lee Sanford and Susanne Hoder in Croatia. 5. Diane Leslie, Nan Robertson Clarke, Susan Craig and Emily Garth Brown at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. in April 2024

Weezie Blakeslee Gilpin says her best news was her youngest, Christopher, and family visiting from Australia for 10 days. All three children, partners, and six grandchildren were together for the first time in 18 months. Weezie and Bob also celebrated the completion of a small guest house on their property that will allow them to have a one story option whenever they cannot deal with the two flights up to the kitchen in our upsidedown “big” house. The project had her interior design juices going full steam. Working in the library and volunteering in the thrift store also keep her busy.

1975

Anne Cogswell Burris 423 Cheves Drive Charleston, SC 29412 ac_burris@comcast.net

Randy Anderson Trainor: I am still working in interior design, though hoping to retire next summer. I’m busier than ever, so it will be hard to stop! We’re up to five grandchildren ranging in ages from 1 to 20. All my children and grandchildren are coming to celebrate my husband’s 80th birthday this summer. This should be fun. Catherine Cranston Whitham, Libby Whitley and I got together in Richmond in May. It’s always fun to catch up with them.

Karen Bewick: Thankfully, my health, and that of my immediate family is pretty good. I had an anterior hip replacement at the end of January that has been nothing short of miraculous. I felt less pain walking out of the hospital (same day) than walking in. Like most of us, our bodies are experiencing the aches and pains of ancients in training: skin cancers, arthritis, torn rotator cuff, and the beginnings of macular degeneration…but I’m so grateful I am well enough to mumble. We are still “day caring” our bright, sweet, and active grandson who’s favorite expression when he sees me is to “run.” At least he is keeping me in shape! I’m almost finished with the current phase of my home renovation. In the past year and a half, I’ve replaced the roof, all the windows, the siding with Hardie plank and I’ve finished the exterior

1975

of the sunroom and the deck. I am rebuilding the decking under our hot tub and adding a stone patio. Maybe next year I’ll add a pool!! Anyone planning to come to the DC area is invited to our house. We have lots of space. We spent Thanksgiving 2023 at the Grand Cayman and are looking forward to returning this Thanksgiving where hopefully (asthma) I can scuba dive (first on my bucket list).

I keep in touch with SBC sisters by Facebook and phone calls, but that’s not enough. I’m planning on coming to our 50th next year and am very excited to see everyone.

Betsy Brooks Jones: I had so much fun along with Ellen Harrison Saunders, Carol Brewer Evans, Cathie Grier Kelly, and Patty O’Malley Brunger visiting Pam Myre Turner at her home in Little Rock, AR, in spring of this year. Lots of laughing and reminiscing!

Tombo and I still live in Franklin, Va, and on the Outer Banks. Our daughter Brownrigg, husband, Rob, and precious grandchildren, Jack (11) and Libby (9), live in Arlington a few hours away. We recently had a wonderful trip visiting our son, Thomas, who lives in London.

Still can’t believe we are in our 70s!

Cece Clark Melesco: My life was turned upside down with the sudden passing of my husband, David, at the end of September 2023. I’m pretty good with day-today life, but there are some difficult times. Thankfully, my five children and their spouses along with grandchildren and very supportive friends have pulled me and my life together. I’m still living on Smith Mt Lake outside Roanoke, VA. Three of the kids live in the area so I see them regularly. One lives in Arlington Va. and another in Mt Pleasant, S.C., so I am on the road visiting a lot. The happiest news was the birth of my fifth grandson in February in S.C. I really love spending time with all the grands and being their Gigi. Please call and come spend some time here if anyone is ever coming this way. Kathy Osborne Spirtes visited earlier this spring, and it was great catching up on all her adventures.

Betsey Clay: Hard to believe we’ve been out of college for so long. A lot has happened in the past couple of years, since Covid. Although times were trying, the results have been positive.

First of all, we still live in Algete, Spain. It’s about 20 minutes from

the airport, and being retired, we have flexible schedules. Anyone who is coming through or visiting the capital, please feel free to get in touch. Our son, Juan, and his family are back in Madrid. His girls (13 and 11) keep them on their toes. He works from home doing construction planning for mostly American clients. The girls play all racquet sports, ice-skate, cook and sell grandparents’ “stuff” online. It’s a great way to increase storage space and give them an allowance. Martha works every afternoon following her workshop in a popular restaurant close to us. I try to prepare vegan meals when they visit. As it turns out, José likes and enjoys this cuisine. All are healthy and busy. José has recovered from lingual cancer amazingly well. We try to go to the northern coast of Spain at least twice a year, once in summer and for New Year’s Eve. We love visiting the second generation of nieces and nephews when we are in the U.S. and of course, my siblings, too.

Hope to see a vast majority of you ladies when our 50th rolls around. Until then, best wishes to all.

Catherine Cranston Whitham: 2024 finds us in good health, notwithstanding a cracked

Clockwise: 1. Ann Ramsey and Anne Burris—Mar-Tee Gras at CCV. 2. Anne Burris and Ann Ramsey— Good, Bad and Ugly at CCV. 3. Beverley Heffernan competing on Tracy. 4. Patti Tucker O’Desky

5. Wendy Routh’s dogs

kneecap and wrist, and NOT from playing pickleball! Having healed, I’m headed for a walking trip to Croatia with Backroads this fall. Whit and I are fortunate to spend lots of time at our mountain house near Highlands, NC. I had a great catchup over lunch with Mary Bush Norwood ’74 and Emory Furniss Maxwell ’74 as they came through Richmond in June after the 50th festivities at SBC. Happily, I see Beth Montgomery, Libby Whitley and Randy Anderson Trainor often. Long live SBC friendships!

Beverley Crispin Heffernan: Jim and I continue to enjoy retirement, based in Utah but happily able to travel a fair amount. August to September 2023, I literally flew around the world, traveling to France to compete in mounted archery. Then, with Jim and son Chris joining me at the Paris airport, we went on to Mongolia. Chris and I participated in an open competition there, and the following week Jim and I watched Chris participate on the USA team in the mounted archery World Championships.

This past March, I competed in mounted archery in Texas, and then returned in April to Dallas with Cynde Manning Chatham, Robin Singleton Cloyd and Nancy Haight to watch the solar eclipse! Jim and I went to England in May for the Royal Windsor Horse Show and then went to Paris to visit my niece and admire the chaos of Olympics preparation. We returned to England in July, along with Cynde and Nancy, to attend the Great Yorkshire Horse Show and do some sightseeing! In Utah, Jim and I divide our time between Sandy and Hurricane, with horses and dogs in tow back and forth. I hope to see everyone at our 50th next year!

Connie Crocker Betzendahl: We continue to be blessed with the presence of our two daughters and their families, with three grandchildren—all within 20 minutes of each other. We continue skiing out of our place in Vermont. This year we went to Beaver Creek, Colo. Our place in Cape May, N.J. is always fun, and I continue to enjoy our place in Pennsylvania and my gardens. Of course, I still have two horses—one retired and the other my Icelandic. In August, I will be going on my fifth trek in Iceland! Be well all!

Bonnie Lee DamiianosRampone: Husband, Chuck Jr.,

and I are well and continue to love living in the Three Villages on Long Island where we grew up. We currently transport Developmentally Disabled Adults to their AHRC Program (Association for Habilitation and Residential Care). It’s extremely rewarding to be involved with our passengers, drivers, and program managers. We dispatch from two yards, one on the north shore and one on the south shore of L.I. I handle payroll, dispatching, drivers and assistants, routing and am authorized by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities in Albany to clear our applicants to hired employee status. I enjoy our employees and their extreme kindness and understanding toward our passengers. Sometimes I hop on the buses to help secure our wheelchair passengers and observe. Our son, Chuck III, works with us in the office and drives when needed. Our business was extremely challenged during the pandemic. Our passengers are considered “high risk” so the program was closed for two years. I enjoy my sons, Chuck III and Chris, and I am blessed with beautiful daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren with a fourth due in September. I have a lot of adoring family and friends who live in the same/nearby villages. I find my life busy to overflowing… all is good.

Louisa Dixon: I am back in my hometown, Staunton, Va., after 20 years in France. I’ve been an “adult child living at home” to be with my mother who passed away a year ago at age 105. I enjoy seeing Terry Starke Tosh and Sarah Dowdey regularly and I also catch a glimpse of Kathy Osborne Spirites every once in a while. I’ve been listening lately to the Sirius XM Radio station, 70’s Gold, where they play songs that were blasting from Meta Glass dorm windows during our first weeks as SBC freshmen in the hot end of summer 1971!

Linda Frazier-Snelling: I am happy to send in news this year! I have dropped off the SBC radar for a bit since having a stroke a year ago. I can’t believe I had a stroke at 69!! It was the same age as my mother. She lived to be 85 so I guess there’s hope for me! I am still not myself but I’m hanging in there. We are living in Temecula, Calif. close to my son and three of our six grandchildren. Best wishes to all my Sweet Briar friends!

1975

Clockwise: 1. Kathy Wilson Orton and John Orton at Ankor Wat in Cambodia. 2. Coni Crocker Betzendahl “Our Normandy house in Chadds Ford.” 3. Nelle Newton Placek, Rosalind (Roz) Moorman Stauthamer and Kathy Osborne Spirtes at a wine tasting in May of 2024. 4. Nan Stuart and her dogs. 5. Chris Myers’ daughter, Chris.

Lisa Hall Isbell: After 37 years in the conservation of art on paper and archival materials, including, most recently, 20 years at the National Archives, I have entered the world of retirement. Like most in my situation, I wonder how I had time to work! Current projects include assisting my husband as “preliminary editor” of his writings as well as archivist (file clerk?) for extensive quantities of loose papers belonging to both of us! For the time being, we are thinking of remaining here in familiar Northern Virginia where we find usefulness in the church and among our friends.

Ellen Harrison Saunders: What a year! Our Grace and Bridgette Cyr were married in a magical ceremony in January. Whitney and I had a fabulous trip to Botswana. We are grateful that Whitney has mostly recovered from a serious health issue, and we

cherish every occasion with our four precious grandchildren and their dear parents; Pam Myre Turner hosted Patty O’Malley Brunger, Carol Brewer Evans, Cathie Grier Kelly, Betsy Brooks Jones, and me for a fabulous visit in Little Rock, Ark.. I am still busy volunteering for our Free Clinic, SBC, and a new non-profit benefiting women and children. See you for our 50th!!!!

Helen Hodges Richards: For the last few months, I have been very involved in caring for my 44 year old daughter who developed an abscess on her foot and eventually had a toe amputated. I’ve been her chauffeur. The healing process has slowed since she contracted COVID. My son, daughter-in-law and their three daughters are doing very well on their small farm east of Dallas. James is a city attorney. He goes to the office twice a week and works from home the other three days. I come to their house once a

week and give piano lessons to the older two.

My father died about a year and a half ago, and he left me his piano. Amanda, my youngest, is currently teaching Latin at Hockaday School, an all-girls school in Dallas. This summer, she is developing a new course about Latin in politics and science. I have also been taking classes at my local community college, as well as piano lessons. Now that I passed pre-calculus, I hope to begin calculus!

Chris Hoefer Myers: I ask you all for prayers for my 31-year-old daughter, Chris, who was diagnosed with Stage II Triple Negative Breast Cancer in November 2023. It is now Stage IV. You can follow her on caringbridge.org (listed as Chris Myers). Please put Chris Myers on prayer lists at your churches too. Blessings to all of you!!

Linda Lucas Steele: The past 12 months have been a blurry year of firsts as I reinvent life without Roger. My children and three grandsons are filling the hole in my heart while I travel and contemplate where I want to live (near them). Time lessens grief’s intensity; equilibrium comes from memories. So, my amazing SBC sisters, let us make more great memories together at our 50th!

Cynde Manning Chatham: Beverley Crispin Heffernan, Nancy Haight, Robin Singleton Cloyd, and I were in Dallas for the eclipse in April. The clouds opened and we saw the full event. Thanks to our “5th roommate” Keith! Also, thanks to Beverley, Nancy and I joined her at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate, UK in July. Glad for rain gear, good food, and an amazing venue. I also had the chance to reconnect with friends from my year at St. Andrews. Thank you, Sweet Briar, for experiences and friendships beyond my imagination in 1971!

Margaret McFaddin: I spent two weeks in the Spring touring homes and gardens in the S.C. Lowcountry with Kathleen Ryan and Jody Anderson Wharton I learned some history while we enjoyed great food and laughed a ton! We also continued our annual trip to Pawleys Island. Looking forward to our reunion next May!

Kathy Osborne Spirtes: I am living an exciting, retired life in NH. I was widowed 20 years ago and have found a second love in life, and we have enjoyed skiing, boating and

traveling together. Rosalind Moorman Stauthamer and Nelle Newton Placek and I recently met at Nelle’s home in San Francisco (and her second home in Geyserville, CA) to celebrate our meeting up in Paris for spring break fifty years ago in 1974. Roz and Nelle left SBC after one year and they still have lots of interesting memories and stories about our freshman year.

Louise Pulizzi: Now that I’m “professionally inactive” (I hate the word “retired,” it’s so misleading), I’ve started a new chapter by living in Paris most of the year. I was delighted to discover that Nanette Cooper Dumonteil, ’78, who lives with her family in Paris, owns a doggie boutique, Chez Chien, right around the corner from my apartment. We SBC gals are always turning up in the most interesting places! During the winter months you can find me in Sarasota, Florida, while my husband works on his golf game. We are so grateful for good health, our family and friends. If any of my SBC classmates are in Sarasota or the City of Light, please don’t hesitate to reach out. (lep75017@gmail.com). Well wishes to all!

Janet Richards Oikawa: Shio and I attended July 2024 Sweet Work Weeks for a couple of days. Shio toured Japan with Ann Gately ’70 and Mary Hapala (daughter of beloved Government Professor Milan Hapala at SBC from 1947 until 1990) in March 2024 for two weeks. They went to Kyoto, Kanazawa and Tokyo…plus they had the opportunity to meet Shio’s cousins who hosted them. Hope all from the Class of 1975 are planning to attend our 50th Reunion. See you there!

Buffy Shelton Smolens: It is hard to believe we are approaching that 50th Reunion that seemed so distant! I have amazing memories of my time at Sweet Briar! Peter and I are enjoying retirement in San Antonio. Life is busy with travel. Hiking the Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast was a highlight in fall 2023. We are leaving in mid-July for Norway. We are blessed with five grandchildren ranging in age from 21 to 5 and see them often. At our age, all news is not always good. Sadly, my son passed away suddenly in March from a pulmonary embolism. It is an unimaginable loss for us… and especially for his wife and two

young daughters (5 and 7). I know peace will come. My best to all!

Janet Sheppard Kelleher: When I announced to my three children that I had metastatic breast cancer eight years ago, we had no grandchildren. Miraculously, each child presented us with a beautiful grandson just in time for us to help in their formative years and show them that we love them unconditionally. What a joy! Of course, I wish we had more healthy years ahead, but Ed and I remain so very grateful for the prayers and chemotherapy which have given us time, way beyond our expiration dates. We plan to enjoy a few more adventures as we look forward to The Great Beyond!

Ginny Shipe Cameron: I am still working full time in the insulation business while trying to put together a wedding venue at the farm in West Virginia. After two years of being weekend warriors, the place is finally taking shape. Our next step is to build an addition for our personal living quarters and renovate the upper barn for ceremonies. We already have three reservations in the making for Spring 2025, so the push is on. In the meantime, we’ll be at the beach during summer weekends enjoying the awesome boats, bay breezes and gorgeous sunsets. The kids and grands love Ocean City too, which makes life even better. Hope to see everyone at our 50th reunion! I think we’ll have a good turnout.

Ann South Malick: Mark and I are enjoying the dog days of summer as we babysit our granddog Gus. I am involved in Historic Harmony Pa., volunteering in a weaving cabin. It gives me the opportunity to spin, weave and talk about history. Mark is semi-retired. He still finds ways to work with sports and Olympic endeavors. Mary Frances (33) has her own landscaping business and Kacer (32) is working his way up the ladder in the hospitality business. See y’all for our 50th (yikes) Reunion!

Nan Stuart: I am writing my class notes and hoping that I get them in before the deadline. I have been remiss every time because I have missed the deadline, and I am not going to miss it now! I am alive and as well as I can be at 70 years old. I have had two strokes recently but am recovering nicely from them. I live with my dogs and that suits me just fine these days.

I have several businesses that

I am busy with namely Kinsco which is a public safety store that sells uniforms and gear to police, fire, sheriff, animal control, and any other public safety personnel. I also have a company called Surgireal that makes fake body parts for students at vet schools and other places such as nursing schools. I also spend a lot of time at Colorado State University working with the Oncology Department with cancer. My dogs are cancer researchers, and we learn a great deal from them. I live near Boulder, Colo. and I take in stray people who want to come and visit. That is all for now! Oh by the way, this is from Nan Stuart “formerly known as Stanley!”

Barbie Tafel: I have embraced turning 70 and given myself permission to say YES to every opportunity that comes my way. I will NEVER RETIRE because I adore my exterior design business and real estate as well. After 40 years, I can transform a house and grounds in a heartbeat. I traveled to Camps Seafarer and SeaGull (3 generations) on the North Carolina coast, and then to a Tafel family reunion in Berlin, Germany with 150 attending. Travels to Southern Germany, Vienna, and Greece followed. It’s too much but my children planned it and…I am ALL IN!! Love to all my SBC friends.

Gray Thomas Payne: We are enjoying our half and half life of Camden, ME and Nashville. I’m not sure if any of our classmates are in Nashville? (Secretary’s Note: Missy Nesbitt Voigt from freshman year is also in Nashville!!!) I am fortunate to spend the winter/ school year with my adult children and the four grandchildren. We travel as much as we can and enjoy exploring new places and experiencing different cultures!

Dorsey Tillett Northrup: My news is that I, at the age of 70, started a new business. I told myself that age shouldn’t be my barrier, so I got a website. I did a ton of work and had a really big sale set up at my house where I started selling prints and products with my artwork on them. So, that was a huge event in my life and something that I will do as a hobby from here on out. Also, I just finished writing my memoirs in helter-skelter form. My kids sent me something called Storyworth where I received an email once a week for a year, asking me a different question about my life. After 42 weeks I hadn’t started it. My daughter asked

Class Notes

me if I was going to do it because the kids had paid for three books and it was going to expire soon! So, I got going on it. I added and subtracted and changed the titles of the chapters. I dreaded the project at first, but then I really got into it. It took me eight months and it’s 454 pages.!!!! Now at least 300 of those are photos and some are blank pages depending upon how they lay out the book. Anyway, it’s a great way to get you to write about your life and family in little bursts. So, don’t quit setting goals just because our birth years began in 1952 or 1953! Otherwise, Frank and I are probably normal on the boo-boo scale. He had an open heart bypass last summer and me with my second knee replacement. But we are OK right now. We went to Italy for two weeks recently. Hoping to plan another fun trip soon. Don’t forget to donate! Wishing you all good health.

Patti Tucker O’Desky sent a picture of Billy and her at their new home in Corona del Mar, CA.

Carroll Waters Summerour: Toby and I continue to stay busy. We took trips to NOLA for Christmas and Jazz Fest. In February, we took our annual “barge” trip south where we “barge in” and stay with our friends at their winter homes. We played golf and croquet in Florida (West Palm Beach and Boca Grande), Georgia and South Carolina (Jekyll Island and Hilton Head). We are now busy with Summer Chapel and kids and grands coming and going. Our six grandchildren range in ages from 7 to 17. Our oldest, Avery, scored the winning goal in the Louisiana State soccer championship game and was named MVP! Life is good!!

Ann Wesley Ramsey: All is well in the Ramsey household. I would like to say that I am grateful for my SBC experience and the long-term friendships! I went to the Arts weekend at the end of June and was so impressed with the direction of the school, the greenhouse, the emphasis on the Arts and the beauty of the campus. It was lively with a boys and girls soccer program going on at the same time and prospective students visiting. The meals were healthy and delicious…even better than 1971! Many of the professors are young, happy to be there and competent in their fields. I hope many of our class come back and have the same opportunity to see what I experienced. I am grateful to Wendy Wise Routh for her diligent

leadership over the past four years. Now, on to our BIG reunion!

Kathy Wilson Orton: John and I have been keeping busy since I retired, spending most of the summer (hiking, biking and golf) and winter (skiing) in Colorado, while keeping Houston as home base. I’m still on a couple of nonprofit boards there. We traveled to The Galapagos and Machu Picchu in fall 2023 and Asia in spring 2024. We visited Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Singapore. All were amazing. If any of you are in the Aspen/Snowmass area, let me know.

Wendy Wise Routh: 2023/2024 Has been a good year! We spent the winter in Lantana, Fla. and the spring and summer in Southampton, N.Y. Lexie is working for Bloomberg Philanthropy and John Carlos is with Hellofresh, both in NYC. I am still working as an Interior Decorator and Carlos is now CEO of his Retirement. The pups are doing well now…though our baby golden was bitten by a tick that caused blinding cataracts. However, the surgery was successful$$ And one of our labs suffered from a heat stroke but is fine now! It has been such an honor to be your class president, and you have given back to SBC in a great way. Over 30% of you gave, which was our goal. I am so looking forward to our Reunion next year …50 years!!!!!! I hope to see everyone there! Till then you will be hearing from me OFTEN!

And I, Cogs (Anne Cogswell Burris), your “Class Scribe,” FINALLY moved back (after two years!) into our renovated home in January! While I play golf twice a week, my game is blissfully horrid!! I just continue to play for the three F’s (fellowship, fresh air and fitness)!!

In April, Ann Wesley Ramsey and Rocket came to Charleston for my club’s Women’s Member-Guest golf tournament. In May, I traveled to Richmond for Wesley’s club’s Member-Guest tournament and had a brief visit with Beth Montgomery. No golf awards, but we looked cute in our “Good, Bad and Ugly (golf game)” and Mar-Tee Gras outfits. Lon and I enjoy spending time with our five grands (ages 5 to 11) and are fortunate to have four of them living nearby which allows us to attend performances and sports events and help with chauffeuring duties. (Our granddaughter’s swim coach is former SBC Aquatics Director Donna Hodgert ’89.) Lon has no

plans to retire any time soon. Life is very good for us, and we are so thankful. Hoping to see you in May 2025 for our 50th (ouch!) Reunion!

From your Secretary: Over the years, I have always looked forward to the time of year when I hear from my SBC sisters. For many years the news was full of personal and professional accomplishments, activities, vacations, moves, children and then grandchildren. As we grew older, the news was not always good. Now as we begin the fourth quarter of our tenure on earth, I am humbled and honored by those of you who shared with me your not-so-good news—some of which has been printed while others have been lifted up in prayer. If Sweet Briar taught us anything, she taught us the importance of friends and the strength and support of long-time relationships. God bless you all and thank you for answering my requests and submitting notes.

1977

Christine Weerasinghe Hand 197 Waterworks Road Ashgrove, Qld 4060, Australia gampolanook@gmail.com

A big “Hello” to everyone in the Class of ’77. I hope it’s been a good year for you as we look forward and plan towards our grand 50th Reunion. If it’s not been on your radar, perhaps this is the time to get started by connecting with the planning committee. But, now it’s time for our news update.

Beside her love for walking and painting outdoors, Angela Scully has kept herself busy working on some interesting consulting projects on economic development. She delights in collaborating with classmates and is the brainwave

1. Members of the 50th Reunion Planning Committee meeting in Destin, Florida in Sept 2023. They had a grand time eating, bobbing in The Gulf, reconnecting and reminiscing: Front Row: Glenn King Springer, Angela Scully, Debbie Koss McCarthy, Molly Reeb Nissman; Back Row: Ellen Sellers McDowell, Kathy Goodhart Henson, Stella Wright Martin, Ebet Little Stevens, Tricia Waters. 2. Molly Reeb Nissman and Harry Lehman, Summer of 2024! 3. Sarah Bruce Kelly and husband Frank.

Clockwise:

behind the Class of ’77 newsletter which we all enjoy. She is amazed at the range of talent amongst us: artists, writers, volunteers, business owners and travelers. She would welcome hearing from anyone with a story to tell. Contact: angelamscully@aol.com

We are also thrilled to have connected with Sarah Bruce Kelly who has published an international award-winning novel, “Vivaldi’s Muse” which was avidly discussed by members of the Book & Film Club. Bravo, Sarah! Sarah completed an M.A. in Music History at UVA. She and husband Frank are retired and spend their time between homes in Richmond and Surfside Beach, S.C. They have four young grandchildren and two grand dogs that keep them actively pursuing endless adventures!

Laurie Burrell Garden and husband travel extensively by plane and camper van. Laurie claims these to be their “GO GO” years, still healthy and unencumbered by grandchildren. They live in Colorado where Laurie runs an Etsy shop, Gratitude Farms, where she sells beautiful hummingbird feeders decorated with her artwork.

Debbie Koss McCarthy had a wonderful time with fellow classmates, Glenn King Springer, Angela Scully, Molly Reeb Nissman, Ellen Sellers McDowell, Kathy Goodhart Henson, Stella Wright Martin, Ebet Little Stevens and Tricia Waters in Destin, Fla., in Sept. ’23, all part of the 50th Reunion Planning Committee. They had a fabulous time bobbing in The Gulf, eating and reminiscing.

It’s new beginnings for Sally Bonham Mohle and husband Peter who undertook the onerous task of downsizing and moving to a new Erickson Senior Living Community seven miles away. While the process of selling and moving was exhausting, Sally is delighted at not having to cook, and Peter with having fewer dishes to wash up. Enjoy the good life, Sally and Peter!

Anne Waddell’s eldest son had another child, Danielle Rose, making Anne a grandmother of two. She remains in touch with Antonia Bredin Massie and saw her in October on Nantucket. Anne enjoyed a year of fine art painting and drawing which can be viewed at www.annewaddell.com

Congratulations to Laurie Fitzgerald Nowlan on the publi-

cation of her second picture book, Squiggles, A Very Merry Chrismouse In addition, she and husband, Pat, have welcomed grandkids #10 and #11—twin boys. It brings the tally to 10 boys and only one potential SBC student! In June, they had a fabulous trip to Ireland and Scotland with their daughter’s family. What a fruitful and busy year, Laurie!

Patti Wornom played mother again looking after her son postback surgery. Her bungalow was easier for him to convalesce in rather than his two-story home. Patti relishes working in her garden and pampering her two shih tzus. She frequently visits her daughter and family of three children in Houston and enjoys meeting classmates through the Book and Movie Club.

Molly Reeb Nissman and husband, Harry, live in Virginia Beach and have great fun visiting the 11 grandchildren they share between them. Molly still works as financial advisor for UBS, plays tennis and enjoys hiking. She takes great joy in reconnecting with classmates through the Book and Movie Club and claims that our class is absolutely amazing!

Ellen Sellers McDowell and husband Rex had a great summer visiting their seven grandchildren in Destin. She and Rex took an AMA cruise on the Rhine from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam in August. Following that, Ellen took her Cookbook Club with a total of 22 people for a “Culinary Oregon Trail” trip. Classmate Becky Frost Good and husband Steve joined in for the excitement. Ellen was delighted to have Stella Wright Martin stay with her.

Stella had a booth at the Chi Omega Christmas Market for her beautiful handicrafts. Ellen also helped Jill Steenhuis ’80, to put up a two-day oil painting workshop. She and Stella attended a Reunion Planning meeting in Victor, Idaho. Outside of this very busy schedule, Ellen loves participating in the Book Club run by Mac and Angela’s newsletters.

Libby White Drbal and husband Doug are overjoyed with retirement in Colorado. They love the wildlife, skiing, hiking and fly fishing. Libby volunteers at a garden club and is head of the neighborhood Wildlife Committee. She and Doug visited her “Dutch Brother” in Amsterdam in 2022. They traveled to Switzerland in 2023 and cruised down the Danube

1977

before Libby’s knee replacement in November. Libby always skis with Vivian Cohen in February. In August, she met up with Keedie Leonard ’76, Meg Wiederseim ’78 and Addy Donnelly ’78 for a mini get-together in Rhode Island.

Kathy Roantree Renken savors her start as a work-study student at the SBC library. It eventually led to her working as a librarian at a local community college. She claims Texas to be “HOT” but remains content to stay on as family is close by. They have three grandsons in Georgia and three grandsons and one granddaughter in Colorado. She delights in teaching a community GED class and hopes to do more teaching once retired.

Vera Blake Thiers relishes the freedom to travel now that she is retired. She spent the summer months in the backwaters of Canada with no technology apart from her phone. Vera visits her children and grandchildren in Berlin regularly and also caught up with Kate McElhinney Montgomery’s daughter, Suzanne, there. She had fun catching up with Kate in Connecticut last July after 23 years! Vera has downsized to a condo near her old house and extends a warm

welcome to SBC friends in her spare guest room.

Tricia Waters misses the stimulation of work and her work colleagues now that she is retired. She has since been auditing classes at George Mason University with 18 year olds; a truly eye-opening experience for her. The highlight of the summer for Trish was a week in Florence with Ebet Little Stevens, a celebration of their semester abroad 49 years ago. It was more than fabulous!

Carolyn Williams Seeling and husband, Stephen, have been married for 43 years. Now retired, they spend time between historic Lewes, Del., and a fun area of Philadelphia called “Fishtown.” Their daughter is married and lives in Philadelphia while their son and family, including two little ones, live in N.J. Carolyn is grateful for good health and the ability to visit her family.

Catherine McElhinney Montgomery and husband Doug are over the moon at the birth of their first grandchild, Beau Beverley Montgomery, on July 22, weighing 8 lbs 3 ozs.

Congratulations to the new grandparents! It was also a fun time when Vera visited her in July. Kate would love to see more

Clockwise: 1. Kathy Roantree Renken & grandkids. 2. Doug, Brewzer and Libby White Drbal. 3. Kate McElhinney Montgomery’s grandson Beau. 4. Frank and Sarah (Bruce) Kelly at our seaside paradise.

classmates join the Book and Film Club where we have had occasion to discuss our own publications and productions. It’s a great way to promote one’s work.

Harriet Dinegar Milks and husband, Bill, are still working at the Alaska State Department of Law, thinking about retirement but continuing to be entertained by the challenging legal and political scene there. They had front-row seats to climate change, having lost a third of their property last summer to a glacial outburst. They were fortunate not to have lost their home as some neighbors did, leaving them ever grateful for the gifts of community and of their time on this amazing planet. We hope nothing like that happens to you again, Harriet!

Anne Marshall retired in 2018 from the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife after 30 years working in fish biology and environmental conservation. She lives in Olympia with her partner Larrie (also a fish biologist), a corgi and 3 cats. They love being retired and have lots of fun along the miles of coastline and big mountains. They would enjoy seeing any classmates who may come their way.

Finally, to news of myself. The year started badly with a serious fall that impaired my mobility for almost four months. It was my opportunity to read extensively and spoil my cats. My son moved to a new flat leaving our home free of his stored furniture and in August our daughter visited us from Germany. I’m glad to finally be able to tend my much-loved garden which has yielded guavas, paw paws, bananas, spinach, peppers and a good supply of herbs.

Please contact me anytime on gampolanook@gmail.com with news for our next publication.

1979

Bridget

Wray Gardner 3 Illy Court Savannah, GA 31411 bwg31411@gmail.com

Hello classmates! We had a great 45th Reunion and hope to see more of you at our 50th! Please let us know where you are and what you are doing… we miss you! I am helping our new class secretary, Judy Williams Carpenter, gather our notes after returning from New Orleans for the birth of our fourth grandchild. William joins his sister, Collins (3), Atlanta cousins, Joe (7) and James (3), and six boy cousins in New Orleans! Jim and I are still in Savannah after 44 years, and I am busy with church activities including serving on the vestry, volunteering with the Speech and Hearing Center, and traveling to spend time with our growing family.

Nancy White: Seeing so many of you at our 45th Reunion was such a treat. The College is thriving, and we all vowed to build/keep connections to each other as we plan for the 50th. Stay tuned for a get-together for the Class of ’79 in the NY area!

As for me, nothing has changed—I keep busy with the flower shop, serving as president of our Chamber of Commerce, sailing, gardening, and (finally) decorating our 1892 Victorian farmhouse.

Clara Jackman Garbett: I am still in Glen Allen, Va., with now one horse, two goats and a corgi. I have retired from teaching, spent time caregiving for both of my dear parents, who I lost in 2021 and then 2022. My daughter lives in Hawaii, which is on my travel list and my son lives out west, also on my travel list! I have a friend who I have been visiting in England for several years and love being there as well…so happy to have made it to our 45th Reunion with Pam Ramsdell Mitchell What a great time…planning to make our 50th!

Becky Trulove Symons: Don retired at the end of the year and we are adjusting. The highlight of our year has been the birth of our grandsons in October and November. We will make our annual two-week beach trip to Pawleys Island, S.C., in August. I LOVED seeing so many classmates at Sweet Briar for our 45th Reunion. It was so much fun! I hope everyone will start making plans to come for our 50th in 2029!

Tucker McGowin Slaughter: After 33 wonderful years, life took a sad turn for me when I lost my beloved husband, John, last July. I am grateful we had downsized to a lovely condo. I am finally breaking out the frequent flier miles to visit/work with Lynne Einsel in Connecticut and my son, John III, in his bachelor pad in Chicago. I go to Pawleys Island every summer, where waves, homemade cornbread and shrimp boil call my name. My time in the mountains is with family and friends at Monteagle Assembly just outside Sewanee, Tenn. Life is good!

Elizabeth Connor Kelly: I moved back to New Plymouth, New

Zealand in February 2023 after my husband, Steve, retired as a school psychologist on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. I miss my regular scuba diving but am thrilled to be back with my New Zealand Community. Our recent trip to the U.S. included the 150th Kentucky Derby, SBC Reunion, a quick trip to the U.K. and a week in the San Diego, Calif., area. I work part time as a dance movement therapist and continue my volunteer La Leche League Leader work. Son, Patrick, is a rocket scientist in the Seattle area and son, Teague, is in Portland, Ore.

Susan Anthony Lineberry: Holla Holla to the Class of ’79! What a great turn out at Reunion. I absolutely loved seeing everyone and am looking forward to the 50th. In the meantime, Neal and I are enjoying retirement. We have five grandchildren and savor every opportunity to visit with them. I have enjoyed getting to know the Virginia Peninsula Sweet Briar Alums and look forward to our monthly gatherings.

Cindi Little Townsend: Our 45th Reunion was GREAT. Susan and I thank all of you who helped our Class meet our fundraising goals this year! Y’all are the best! On Sunday morning of Reunion weekend, I drove to Cape Charles to celebrate my husband’s 75th birthday with many family members from Virginia, Arizona and Georgia. We have one granddaughter, Palmer (4), and are fortunate to see her numerous times a week; grandparenthood is the absolute best! We live 30 minutes from Susan Anthony Lineberry and see her and Neal often. Looking forward to mini reunions with classmates before our 50th!

Mary South Gaab: Hi all! I was so upset to miss Reunion this year, but I will be at our 50th! I had a knee replacement that became infected and resulted in two knee replacements. We live in Plantation, Fla., just 10 minutes from Terry’s office. Our three children are doing well. Cam recently moved to Montauk, N.Y., to work as sous chef at the Ocean Club at Montauk Yacht Club. Meg, Dion and adorable Sefa are in Orlando. Our son, Terry, lives with us and is a tremendous help to me and a great cook! If you are ever in the Fort Lauderdale area, please give me a call.

Ashley Wilson Brook: David enjoyed being at our 45th and loved meeting you all! We enjoyed Mary Grayson’s visit

From Left: 1. Dancers at Reunion Lunch: Jeannette Rowe Cadwallender, Marlene Weber Delledera ’81, Sarah Skaggs and Elizabeth Connor Kelly in the front. 2. Peggy Girard, National Sales Manager, AP Americas Inc. 3. Teddy Garcia and Edie Breining, grandchildren of Jenny Kelsey Breining.

after Hurricane Beryl took away Houston’s power! Loving summer mode with lots of reading and hoping to see movies. Loved being with our Mighty Fine Class of 1979!! Please plan to be with us in 2029 for our 50th!

Hannah Craighill Morehead: It was so wonderful to see and catch up with so many people at our 45th Reunion! Chip and I are rolling along here in Baltimore. We love having our “children” and two grandchildren close by.

Peggy Girard: I celebrated my 40th anniversary of working in the RF shielding industry, starting in 1983, only four years after graduation, and I am still happily working as National Sales Manager (previously owned my own company in the industry for 24 years). Sweet Briar was a wonderful, fulfilling experience for me and I cherish the memories spent on that wonderful campus! I hope all my classmates are doing very well. I now live in North Palm Beach, Fla., after moving from Connecticut and love it. Happy 45th anniversary to all of us Class of ’79 women!

Pamela Weiler Colling: Our 45th Reunion was a lot of fun. It was great to see everyone and being on campus never disappoints. Our College is in very capable hands with our new president, Mary Pope Hutson. I wish her much success.

Jenny Kelsey Breining: It was WONDERFUL being back on campus again for our 45th Reunion! Happy to report I went part time in April. Still working as a maternal newborn nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center, but working part time allows me to try to find more time to spend with our fabulous grandchildren, Teddy and Edie. Unfortunately, one family is in Atlanta, Ga., and the other in Wellesley, Mass., and our youngest daughter is in NYC. Not sure where we will end up retiring or WHEN that great day will be! Hopefully before our 50th Reunion!

Pamela Ramsdell Mitchell: I retired from teaching kindergarten in June 2020. I am loving retirement and doing lots of volunteer work at my local library. My husband, John, is retired, too. We are still living in Readfield, Maine. Our four kids are all over the country—California, Utah, Florida and Maine. We have two grandchildren, who, of course, are adorable!! Reunion was wonderful and so great to catch up with everyone there! I am looking

forward to our 50th!!

Jeanette Rowe

Cadwallender: Nick and I live in my family’s nearly 200-year-old home in Fredericksburg, Va. I am busy with volunteer work for historic properties in our city, as well as my garden club and Flower Guild at my church. Our two grandsons live in Philadelphia and we enjoy our visits with them, especially when we can take the train and avoid the highways. It was fun to be back in Manson for Reunion and I look forward to our 50th.

1981

Kearsley Rand 5901 Mount Eagle Dr., No. 303 Alexandria, VA 22303 krrrww@comcast.net

Anne-Marie McAndrews Pagli 24 Neck Rd. Madison, CT 06443 annemarie.pagli@raveis.com

Sharon Resener Miller: Hi all, I am enjoying life in New Smyrna Beach, Fla, with my 15-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Ike. I have my own CPA practice and doubt if I’ll ever be able to retire, so why not live at the beach? I had a wonderful time visiting Sharon McGrath Gardner and Joy Gillio Baiocco in Frenchtown, N.J., a couple of years ago. It was as though we were never separated. I also caught up with Lisa Allison Barnhart in Atlanta last year. Love SBC!

Sue Richeson: I’ve been retired two years from 40 years as

a software engineer/developer in Charlottesville, Va., and I’m loving it! I’ve been taking art and craft classes and playing with electronics projects. Also doing a lot of reading and projects around the house. I’m working up the courage to have the kitchen and a bathroom remodeled!

Tiffin Hartman Fox: Greetings from the Azores with my husband, Trent. If any of you are headed to Europe and want to stop in for a visit, please feel welcome. We are in Germany on the French border. tiffinfox@yahoo.com.

Eva Devine: I had a lovely visit from Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83 and Claire Dennison Griffith ’80 in late June. They stopped by the family restaurant while in Baltimore. I so enjoyed seeing them and giving Mary Pope my personal congratulations on her Presidency! I sent them back to SBC with a taste of the Chesapeake!!!

Ms. Lori Faust Williams: My mother passed away from Alzheimer’s in July. It’s a horrible condition and she had it for over four years. Now she’s finally at peace. Brighter note, my daughter, Shelby, is just one semester away from becoming a teacher—her dream job. I am still with Rusty, we’ve been together for 22 years. We remain happy on our horse farm here in White Post, Va. We rescue horses and have established Idylwood Farm Equine Sanctuary, a non-profit organization, to help with the rescued horses and donkeys. Had lunch with Kearsley and Claire recently. Was so much fun!

Olivia Chaplin Baker still lives in DC and works part time for a child-advocacy nonprofit and travels as much as possible. She

likes to visit her three kids in their various homes: Mary, age 31, in NYC; Hal, age 28, in New Orleans; and Elizabeth, age 28, in Denver. She has also recently been hiking in Alaska, Oregon, and Ireland and has another hiking trip to Morocco planned for the fall. There is lots of room in her empty nest house, and she’d love SBC visitors!

1983

Wylie Jameson Small 10 Creekdale Lane Rochester, NY 14618 wjsmall61@gmail.com

Melissa Byrne Partington’s highlight of the year (so far) was time spent at Smith Mountain Lake in June with Wylie Jameson Small, Anne Little Woolley, Pam Dickens Sellars, Leslie Malone Berger, Barb Paulson Goodbarn and Bridget O’Reilly Holmes tons of laughing and reminiscing! Melissa’s daughter, Rachel Partington ’20, is living in Boston, working at Tufts Medical Center Library and came back to campus for Sweet Work Weeks in July. Her son, Andrew, is a luthier, working for a small guitar manufacturer in Michigan, and her daughter, Leah Partington ’26, is enjoying her junior year at Sweet Briar! Husband Robert, is great and they are trying to figure out their next adventure! Lucy Chapman Millar recently welcomed granddaughter Lucy Hudson Powell into the family. She hosted a fun-filled weekend last winter with Wylie Jameson

From Left: 1. Tiffin Hartman Fox in Azores with husband, Trent. 2. Eva Devine and President Mary Pope Maybank Hutson ’83 in Baltimore. 3. Laura Coleman Proctor 65th birthday party, June 2024. From Left: Laura Coleman Proctor, Angie Odom Wright, Virginia Donald Latham, Murray Tutwiler Priester (only at SBC 1 year) and Caroline Hawk Sparrow.

Class Notes

Small, Anne Little Woolley, and Leslie Wright Root and their husbands. Lucy shuttles back and forth between Atlanta and her home in Palmetto Bluff, S.C., and is looking forward to going to Italy with friends in the fall.

Bridget O’Reilly Holmes writes that she and her husband still live and work in Connecticut (31 years now!) and her two daughters are in NYC. They have delighted in watching their family grow, welcoming a husband, a fiancé and two dogs into the fold. Bridget recently connected with old and dear friends from SBC which, Bridget reports, was the highlight of her summer!

Blair Redd Schmieg’s daughter, Raleigh, was married to Andrew Terrell in September at The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. It was a beautiful day and event! Blair says: “will come as a surprise but we have moved again! We are now living in Half Moon Bay, Calif.! We are ten houses from the beach and loving it here. I would love to see any of you out here! We have plenty of room!”

Tracy Gatewood sends her love from the Gulf Coast of Alabama! She moved to Fairhope in mid-2022 and has thoroughly enjoyed the change. She continues to make her way further south and is guessing Florida will be next—in time for a delayed retirement! Tracy still works in commercial real estate. In 2021, she earned a certified distance education instructor (CDEI) designation to teach real estate. She remains active in non-profit initiatives and has the additional responsibilities relating to older parents. She invites classmates to call her if visiting the Alabama coast!

Congratulations to Cate McNider, who has recently published her poetry book, Escape Velocity. In this book, she invites us to explore the uncharted territories of our inner selves and discover what lies beneath the surface. With each poem, she fearlessly confronts her own conditioning and strips away the layers of habit and illusion that obscure our true nature. It sounds like a fascinating book!

Ann Sterling Hart has moved to Ocala, Fla., after living in Palm Beach Gardens for 35 years. She bought an old farmhouse with some land and spent two years rehabbing it and building a barn for her lovelies. She supports that endeavor by running Dressage Shows and officiating other shows as well. Her daughters are married and thriving,

and made her a grandmother last year—three weeks apart. Elena Quevedo and Ann had lunch shortly before she moved, and Ann reports how fun it was to catch up.

Amy Boyce Osaki notes that all is well in Portland, Ore. She and her husband celebrate 30 years of running their travel business Mountain Hiking Holidays in 2025. This year, their work trips are to Patagonia, Shikoku, the Dolomites of Italy, the Pyrenees of Spain, the Alps of Austria, and an Art/History/Garden trip to Japan. They travel just for fun as well. Amy loved attending our 40th reunion in 2023 and is looking forward to our 45th. From Amy: “A shout out to Desiree Bouchat, Sarah Sutton, Val Johnson, Claude Becker, Shirl Carter, Myra Merritt and more, hoping you all can attend in 2028!”

Kim Howell Franklin writes that a rainy May weekend didn’t dampen the spirits of nine classmates who ventured to the Brandywine Valley in Delaware. They enjoyed the beautiful spring blooms of Longwood Gardens, Winterthur’s decorative arts and stunning grounds (VERY reminiscent of SBC), and the Wyeth Family studios and art collection at the Brandywine Museum of Art! In attendance were Eleanor Bibb, Sally Archibald Roberts, Wendy Chapin Albert, Effie Holladay, Ann Goodmann Uloth, Mary Ware Gibson, Katie Hutchinson, Kathy Barrett Baker and Kim Howell Franklin. Stay tuned for details on our 2025 “mini reunion” and hopefully more classmates can join in next year!

Congratulations to Leslie Malone Berger who recently retired from Roanoke County Public Schools after twenty years as a speech language pathologist. She is looking forward to traveling and enjoying time with her precious grandson!

Martha Riggs Lowry passed along the sad news that she recently lost her husband of 36 years, Ron Lowry. Our thoughts are with Martha, who continues to work as a residential interior designer. Last fall she traveled to Italy and Croatia and will be heading to Sicily and Malta in October, and Egypt in January. She still lives in WinstonSalem, N.C., and works extensively with a Latino non-profit organization and her church.

Mason Rummel Bennett shares our excitement in Mary

Clockwise: 1. Chair of the Board of Directors, Mason Rummel Bennett ’83 and President Mary Pope Maybank Hutson on the way to 2024 graduation ceremonies. 2. Sweet Briar women gather at the wedding of the daughter of Melissa Cope Morrissette. Pictured left to right: Laura Morrissette, Bet Dykes Pope, Vaughn Morrissette ’54, Melissa, Jewett Wynn Rothschild, and Louise Jones Geddes ’84. 3. The family of Lee Anne MacKenzie Chaskes celebrating her son, William, graduating from W&L Law School. 4. Book cover of Cate McNider’s most recent compilation of poetry, Escape Velocity, available on Amazon and CateMcNider.net 5. Grandaughter of Wylie Jameson Small. 6. Ann Sterling Hart and Kashmir.

Pope Maybank Hutson being the first alumna president of our alma mater! She and husband Rick are enjoying life in Louisville and when work doesn’t get in the way, they make every effort to make it to the NYC area to see Ellie (4) and Pip (1), their two grandchildren. Mason just celebrated her 35th anniversary at the Brown Foundation and Rick continues to thrive in the medical equipment industry.

Pamela Weekes is still living in NYC and loving living downtown by City Hall. She is opening her first bakery in Philadelphia late this fall on Walnut Street along with a few other new locations in the next year. It is hard to believe, but 2025 will be the 30th anniversary of opening Levain! A few anniversary specials are in the works, including a book. Pamela is still swimming at 6am with friends and the men’s team coaches at Columbia University a few times each week.

Virginia Harsh Mossburg writes that she loves her SBC friends (as we all do!). She just changed careers and is enjoying her new commute.

As for me, Wylie Jameson Small, Stuart and I are loving being grandparents to our beautiful granddaughter, Raina (1). We have been traveling to the UK, and between Rochester and Kiawah, S.C., where we split the year. I am currently completing my fifth book, another historical fiction taking place during the bubonic plague of 1348. My previous four books, A Knight’s Duty, The Failed Apprentice, To Kill a Queen, and A Shaft of Light are all available on Amazon under my pen name, W.J. Small.

1985

D. DeAnne Blanton 501 E. Riverside Dr. Bridgewater, VA 22812 ddblanton@gmail.com

Heidi Belofsky Cromwell: I had great fun at our farm in Wellington, Fla., this past winter where I foxhunted every chance I had with the Four Winds Foxhounds. The Four Winds is led by Carol Stanley MFH, SBC class of 1967. In April, Doug and I sold our house in Tysons Corner (where I had lived for 34 years) and moved to our new 1908

farm, Leeton Hill, in my hometown of Warrenton, Va. My two youngest sons, Devin and Grant, both graduated from college in May.

Elizabeth Morriss Srinivasan: I’m grateful for my Sweet Briar education every day, especially during Jeopardy! The class Chaucer, Milton and Shakespeare comes in handy and so do my art history classes! Srini and I are enjoying being empty nesters. Our youngest son graduated from Emory Law and is an Assistant District Attorney in West Chester, Pa. He has the good fortune of learning from his brilliant supervisor, Renee Merion Everett ’90, who has led the Juvenile Division of the D.A.’s office for nearly three decades. Our eldest son is close by in New Jersey! We enjoy babysitting our granddogs!

Karla Kennedy Hicks: So excited to connect with Dr. Mallihai Lawrence Tambyah in NYC after 38 years! Thanks to Heidi Stukey Shott ’84 for arranging this awesome weekend. No surprise, Mallihai is a professor at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane. We welcomed our first granddaughter in May.

Renata Leckszas Davis: Bill and I spent the month of January in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia on our own. We welcomed our first granddaughter, Blake Eveleigh Davis, in February. We spent a week in Colorado in May with son, Andrew, and his wife, Katrina, and headed to Moab to hike in Canyonlands National Park. Volunteer work keeps us busy along with the ever-growing family and a busy social calendar.

Debbie Oleisky Fischer: This has been a year of changes for me!

I decided to retire after teaching science and living on campus at Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, Md. Now I live full-time at our home on the eastern shore of Maryland just down from the Chester River! I am on the board of my local Friends of the Library and plan on spending more time visiting my two daughters who live in New Orleans and in Nashville. I look forward to coming back for the 2025 reunion!

Martha Swanson: My son graduated from VT Engineering grad school in December and then I drove with him out to Denver (when it was –20 degrees); had a wonderful 90th birthday celebration for my mom; attended my niece’s awesome graduation at Sweet Briar; and topped it off with the summer arts retreat on campus where I met up with two wonderful ladies from the class of 1985, DeAnne Blanton and Ellen Reed Carver. Looking forward to more adventures!

Beth Anderson Kearns: It was a crazy year including trips to Tucson to manage my Mother’s estate (she passed in September 2023) and a road trip home from Arizona to New Hampshire this past spring. Spent a bit of time on the Cape to recharge! Just back from Sweet Work Weeks again—the campus is beautiful! A bit more travel planned—looking forward to a return visit to Iceland in September. Also looking forward to seeing Rushton Haskell Callahan ’86 in August for our annual catch-up! And get ready for our 40th Reunion next year!

Kim Knox Norman: All is well in Atlanta where Bart and I have lived for over 30 years. I continue to work as director, preservation

and digitization services for Emory Libraries and recently completed the Certificate of Proficiency at UVA’s Rare Book School. It’s always big fun to see my Vixen friends throughout the year, especially for tropical vacations with Ann Martin Gonya, Katie Hearn, Lenetta Archard McCampbell, Karen Gonya Nickles ’86 and Christine Corcoran Trauth!

Leanne Weber Kreis: I have enjoyed sharing special times with Shelley Jobe Milan, Beth Richmond Hyder ’84 and Cheryl Gorman ’84. My husband, George, and I are enjoying our work/life balance and still live in the Severn River in Crownsville, Md., near Annapolis. Our daughter is engaged to be married in June 2025. Our son and daughter both live in the DMV area.

Barbara Tragakis Conner: Delighted to share my new role at Franklin & Marshall College! On June 1st, I moved from director of recruitment/admission to director of the admission visit experience & Lombardo Welcome Center! Let me know if your travels bring you to Lancaster!

Laura Morrissette Clark: All is well in Mobile!! Tough year losing another great classmate Perry Liles Lucas!! Let us all embrace how she championed the challenge of ALS!! A remarkable friend!! Thank you Perry!! You have helped us all to remember to live every moment to the fullest!! Holla Holla!!!

Ann Martin Gonya: My husband and I moved full time to Keswick, Va., from Baltimore in March 2020. We live on a farm with an apiary, our beekeeper also takes care of the hives at SBC. I am looking forward to my first grandchild’s arrival later this summer. I frequently see and travel with fellow Vixens Katie Hearn, Kim Knox Norman, Christine Corcoran Trauth, Lenetta Archard McCampbell and Karen Gonya Nickles ’86. Looking forward to our 40th reunion!!

Ellen Carver: I attended the Arts & Writing Retreat on campus in June and had an absolutely fabulous time taking time out for myself to nurture my inner artist. The SBC faculty put on an amazing lineup of workshops and performances for alums of all decades! The SBC Wine Tasting at the Boat House with alums was outstanding! I can’t wait to go back next summer.

From Left: 1. The beautiful family of Bob and Perry Liles Lucas with her mother, Jane Liles ’53. 2. Vixens and friends in St. Maarten.

1987

Mrs. Mary S. Cate Mayes: It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around the year 2024 but it has brought some wonderful milestones. I just passed 34 years at Iowa State University. Larry and I will celebrate 37 years with two grandsons to spoil. Life is good.

Angelyn Schmid: Two years after relocating from Texas to Alabama, John, my husband of 33 years, and I are enjoying the outdoors and new friends. We live near our daughter, an accountant, and are looking forward to our son’s college graduation next year. My mom and I are traveling to Portugal and Spain, the first time for me to go back there since SBC study abroad days! Best wishes to the SBC family!

Dr. Anne Farrell: Still working hard after 31 years at Lakes Animal Clinic in Antioch, Ill., I love to take the train to Chicago and meet with alumni. Otherwise, I’m busy training my dogs for HRC hunt tests, which should keep me busy for a long time!

Martha Bennett Huffman: Steve and I have entered the next phase of our lives. Daughter, Ruth, is now pursuing her Masters in Accounting at Augustana University and son, Luke, has begun his rigorous journey at West Point. I hope to find time to connect with long lost friends from Sweet Briar. Please contact me if you’re ever in the Dallas area!

Jean Lewis: Moved to a great apartment, still in Northern Virginia, three years ago. I did not know how much I would appreciate downsizing! Grace is living with me and working full time as a caregiver

for two families with children with special needs. I live close to my mom, and I am back and forth often. She still lives in her home in Middleburg. This fall marks my 24th year teaching high school Spanish. I am working on a plan to retire in a couple years.

1989

Emmy S. Leung

7102 Wynnewood Ct North Chesterfield, VA 23235-5619 fan-han@prodigy.net

Dr. Edie Rue: I was sorry to have missed our 35th class reunion. Thank you for keeping us in the loop through our Facebook page. I am still happily married to my soul mate of 30 years and proud of our two sons: Oscar (21) who is headed to Cambridge University for graduate school in Quantum Physics, and Forrest (19) who is getting his commercial aviation degree and flying upside down on the aerobatic team at the University of North Dakota. I look forward to seeing Beth Donald Owen this August for the Concours d’Elegance car show in our home, Pebble Beach.

Latane Spencer Hill: 2023 and 2024 both offered multiple opportunities for joyful minireunions in Boulder, Colo., for several members of the class of 1989.

The Rocky Mountain foothills were a sweet middle-ground meeting place for Vixens hailing from multiple states. Susan Stoebner and Ruth Taul Magnusson ventured from California (originally Texas and Alabama), Margaret Frazier Gardner from Tennessee (still!), Monica Mahoney from Kentucky (still!) and Sandra Martin Pereira from Rhode Island (still!), though Sandy now also calls Portugal home (cool). Latané Spencer Hill is the Colorado transplant, originally from Virginia, and Laura Mangus is the Colorado native who holds down the fort out here in the wild west.

Hildee Williams Wilson: Hildee Wilson writes she is loving her new role at the University of Miami as executive manager to the Dean of the Frost School of Music.

1991

Mary Lanford Price 113 Little Cedar Lane Lexington, VA 24450 mprice310@gmail.com

Dear Classmates, what an honor to serve as your class secretary! If you’d told me when we graduated that I’d someday fill this role, I’m not quite sure I would have believed you. I grew up reading my mother’s copy of the SBC Alumnae Magazine, and the class notes back then always seemed so well-written. I’m not sure I can rise to the level of those august ladies of yesteryear, but I’ll give it a go! Before I move along to updates from classmates, I’d like to extend a special thanks to Carey Bates for serving as class secretary for the past three years and for doing such a good job on the handover. I know you will all join me in thanking Carey for her faithful service!

Fittingly, Carey’s update was the first to be submitted. She writes, “I started a new job with insightsoftware (remote) out of Raleigh, N.C., last summer. It is a fantastic opportunity. I’m applying for a scholarship to obtain my Certified Equity Professional (CEP) designation. I’m still singing with Yale Camerata, fishing and trying new renal-friendly recipes. My brothers and sister (and 11 nieces and nephews) are all well. Loving coastal life

in Connecticut! Fishing, golf, beach walks at low tide searching for sea glass—all of it! Hope everyone is doing well!”

Kana Roess Goldsmith: Michael and I are empty nesters with our oldest working in Birmingham, Ala., and Gus, a senior at Sewanee, and Sara Margaret, a sophomore at Samford. I am the executive director of Sawyerville, a nonprofit organization that offers summer camp, summer learning, mentoring, scholarships, and person-to-person in Hale County in the Black Belt of Alabama. We live in Huntsville, where my husband is the rector of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity. And I’m thankful!

Elliott Pitts writes that she’s still living in Maine and raising needed funds for children’s hospitals. Her job involves a lot of travel, and she’s happy to visit SBC friends while on the road. This year has included an annual trip to the Abacos, a fun-filled 30th Peace Corps reunion in Denver, taking her niece and nephew on a hilarious trip to New Orleans, a high school graduation in Louisville, and by the time you read this, hiking the Camino de Santiago (Portuguese route). Life is good in Portland, Maine; come and visit!

Lorraine Haire Greer: We are having a busy year full of travel and adventures. Loving the retired life. We are making upgrades to our house in New Hampshire. Alex is a senior this year, so we are visiting colleges. So proud of this kid:

Clockwise: 1. Latane, Sandy, Laura, Susan & Monica. 2. Margaret Frazier & Latane Spencer, loving each other up in CO! 3. Laura Mangus, Latane Spencer and Ruth Taul Magnusson reuniting in Boulder.

Dr. Anne Farrell and Hawk

Working on his 4th degree black belt, honor student and soon to be an Eagle Scout. We have done a lot of traveling. This summer is D.C., Williamsburg and Switzerland with our New Bern friends. We just recently purchased our new home in New Bern but won’t be moving until next fall. Tom and I remain active with Scouting America.

Susan Sickels Dyer: Presently selling our farm in the Berkshires, planning to move to Park City, Utah, full time. Enjoying skiing, quilting, gardening and our yellow labs. My two sons are thriving— Kenny graduated from UMass in May, working toward a Ph.D. in psychology. Teddy finished his master’s at Johns Hopkins, working remotely for Apple while living in San Diego. I volunteer as guardian ad litem and serve on nonprofit BODs. Highlight of this year is a new Airstream and first cross-country trip with two dogs. My sister, Stacey Sickels ’88, is now a grandmother! Granddaughter Isla brings joy to our extended family.

Mamie Farmer Farley: I am doing well in Richmond! We had two graduations this spring—Miller finished grad school at Ohio U with an M.B.A. and a master’s in sports administration and will relocate to

Charlotte, N.C., in August, working in sports business. Harry graduated from UVA this spring and has started a job in NYC, also in sports business. Joanie is a counselor at camp this summer before going to Europe to study abroad this fall during her junior year at Sewanee. Matthew and I are always happy when we can see our busy young adults! See you all in ’26!

Bonnie Dawson recounts a painful struggle with some of the worst that life can offer yet still shows her resilient spirit: I fought with cancer for 10 years and my husband of 36 years passed away five years ago. Within that time frame, I married again, and my husband of nine months passed away from a massive heart attack, a complete shock. I will say a lot of people I did not know, and some I did know, helped me out. After my second husband passed away, I moved to Florida to take care of my mom, who passed. Now I live in Hudson, Fla.

Joan Dabney Clickner: Bobby and I are facing an empty nest, with a senior in college and a senior in high school. Georgia wants a career in astronomy, so she’s got her sights set on UVA (sorry, Sweet Briar!).

Ian is finishing up at Virginia Tech,

getting a degree in international studies. I’m still the wellness coordinator for a real estate firm in Northern Virginia, but my mantra these days is “keep dreaming”—I want to do something more inspiring eventually. I’m still teaching myself Croatian—who knows? Maybe we’ll end up there, living by the Adriatic Sea!

Penelope Tadler writes that she just wrapped up her 33rd year teaching, with two to go before retirement! She has started watercolor painting and showed her work in an art show in August. She has spent time with Elliott Pitts, Judith Kobliska Goetz and Allene Doucette up in the Catskill Mountains. They try to get together the same weekend every year for a mini reunion. It’s become a wonderful tradition. Penelope also chats with Julia Brooks over Messenger every morning as they get ready for school.

Suzanne Liscouski Petrie: I am enjoying being in the horse industry full-time! Still running my boarding facility, www. briarcreekfarm.com. I travel and teach as a Masterson Method certified practitioner and instructor. We bred our first Lusitano foal and imported a lovely Andalusian, so I

finally own the horses I’ve wanted since I was in my 20s! (They may be too athletic for me now, lol!). My son, Bobby, is 16 and doing great in high school—he’s quite the musician. I love the Class of 1991 virtual happy hours! Bob and I are doing fine! Miss y’all!

Victoria Hutcheson: My husband, two daughters and I are still at the family farm in Aldie, Va. I have taken a step back from teaching riding lessons and am supporting my older daughter as she steps into that role. For the last five years, I’ve been a middle school special education teacher in Fauquier County. I was fortunate to have worked alongside fellow special ed teacher and SBC alumna Mary North Cooper ’89. This was my last year in middle school, as I look forward to teaching at the high school where my youngest will be a freshman this fall!

Cathi Tavi Goslau Rainold: Lots going on in 2024! AJ got his license and a big truck. I am going back to the preschool room in August and can’t wait to teach again. I have not ridden since I lost Trix but am going to give it a go this summer again on a friend’s horse. Harriett Farmer Hoffman ’92 and I were the wrestling moms last season, and it was a blast! Still

Clockwise: 1. Penelope Tadler, Judith Kobliska Goetz and Elliott Pitts enjoyed another perfect weekend in the Catskills for their annual reunion. 2. Elizabeth Clark with son Sid (15) on the great Minnesota prairie! 3. Bonnie Dawson “After so much loss, walking alone.” 4. Sara Margaret and Kana Goldsmith in front of her great-great grandmother’s house in Demopolis, Ala. 5. Lorraine Haire Greer attends a Rolling Stones concert in Foxborough, Mass., with her husband, Tom, and son, Alex. 6. Melanie Duke, Beth Hensley Martin, Laura Ferrazzano ’88, Susan Spurrell Andrews, Karen Hott and Georgianna Conger ’87 at the Ponies & Pearls Polo Benefit in Aiken, S.C. 1991

in Summit County working on the house. Going solar in September. My husband is still sailing all summer and hunting a lot. Miss everyone and like seeing you all on Facebook.

Laurel LeStrange: I’m enjoying retirement and regular contact with our classmates. I continue to be not married to my significant other, Doug, whom many of you have met. I’m very involved with the Humane Society and Southern Sun horse rescue. Nothing exciting to share!

Amy Lemieux: We have a new vixen, class of 2045! Frank and I were blessed to welcome a new granddaughter in April. Congratulations to us, the Class of 1991, for having the highest class participation in giving for the 1990s. Reunion is two years away, so let’s start planning to have the biggest get-together yet!

Karen Hott: Last fall, we had a mini SBC reunion in Aiken, S.C. It

was a fantastic weekend with a polo benefit. It’s been fun this past year to reconnect with classmate Wesley Foster Huffard in the Atlanta design community. #allroadsleadtosweetbriarfriends

As for myself, Mary Lanford Price, there’s not much new to report from our home near Lexington, Va. This fall, Ren is a sophomore at Bard College and Elaine is a sophomore at Dickinson College. I continue to teach at Virginia Military Institute and work for the VMI Alumni Agencies as a writer and editor. I enjoy seeing Tori Hutcheson and her family when they come to horse shows, and I see Frances Belliveau ’82, as well, since I work with her husband, Scott. I also keep up with Suzanne Ziesmann via Facebook Messenger.

And finally, a word from our class president, Joan Dabney Clickner: Our dear friend and

1993

Clockwise: 1. Robin Bettger Fishburne ’96, Norma Bulls Valentine and Amy Waite Page at Charleston Sweet Briar Day in January 2024. 2. Norma Bulls Valentine, Lee Anne MacKenzie Chaskes ’83 and Robin Bettger Fishburne ’96 at the Charleston Sweet Briar Day in January 2024. 3. Dianne and Bill Doss enjoyed connecting with their kids, and kid-in-love, when their daughter was rowing in Charlottesville, VA, April 2024. 4. Sisi Zirkle Carroll, along with her husband Wil, speaking about her family’s 400 years in the wine business, Böcking Wines

classmate, Nicole Jacqueline Gauthier, passed away on Feb. 29, 2024, from acute myeloid leukemia. She was a mother to her beautiful daughter, Chloe, and best friend to many. As an avid traveler, she conquered the world and fiercely traveled to all seven continents. Melinda Wick Aufmuth, Claire Stapleton Batson, Donna E. Peters and Amber Vellenga were all able to attend her celebration of life at her home in Walnut Creek, Calif., in June. The class of 1991 is forming plans to set up a study abroad scholarship in Nicole’s honor.

1993

Jennifer Jarvis Ballard: Last summer, I was thrilled to help my daughter with her wedding. We had a beautiful time that was shared with family and friends, including her four best friends from Sweet Briar as her wedding party. Right before we left the get-ready room, her wedding party and I sang her the Holla Holla song. I have been staying busy with the large Girl

Scout troop that I lead. My son is doing well in his career as a mechanic. He has a wonderful girlfriend. Jesseca is headed back to complete her third year of vet school.

Julia Skilinski Brooks: I’m still working in my Math A.I.S. position for the third year at our local elementary school and enjoying it. I also adopted another cat, Max (6), in May to go along with Fletcher (9). I keep in touch with Laurie Palmer and Patty Sagasti Suppes regularly. I love to see so many people doing well from our class on Facebook.

Sisi Zirkle Carroll: Our family winery in Germany celebrated its 400 year anniversary this summer, which was a grand occasion with over 150 people from around the world coming to celebrate Böcking wines. If anyone travels to Germany—please come and visit the Estate.

Dianne Hayes Doss: Our son, Dan, is living in DC with his girlfriend. He is working remotely for a solar company while she is in grad school for a masters in Public Health. Our daughter, Jenny, is at Oregon State, halfway through her studies for a bachelors in Ecological

From Top: 1. Jennifer Jarvis Ballard and family. 2. Jesseca and her SBC friends while doing a fun photo shot in the creek at the wedding venue. 3. Charleston Sweet Briar Day.

Engineering. She also spends a crazy amount of time training and competing with the rowing team. Bill and I are home with our two cats and a dog, and I will be starting grad school in August 2024 for a masters in data analytics. Love you all!

Debra Elkins: Still at the US Dept of Health and Human Services and running Presidential Transition preparations for this Election Cycle. In touch with Kate Polevitzky ’93 who moved over to Homeland Security!

Laura Goebel Hammer: My husband, Keith, and I moved to Davenport, Iowa last fall to get closer to aging parents and other family. Instead of downsizing, we bought a big old house that needs love—we might have lost our minds!! Our three sons are scattered about the country and moving on with life after college. I attended the reunion last summer and it was great to see our beautiful campus and connect with classmates!

Heather Bowers Hockman: Now in my 27th year as a Family Physician, I am working as a chief of primary care for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Florida. My son is a rising Senior in Aerospace Engineering and is a Florida Gator. “Chomp. Chomp.” I am happily dating a “younger” (by four years), wonderful Senior Computer Engineer. Both of my parents are doing well in New Hampshire.

Kathryn Cunningham McMahon: Opening a needlepoint shop has been a dream come true. I can’t believe that Stitching Fox is now four years old. Thanks to all the alumnae who have supported my small business and an eternal “thank you” to Amy Campbell ’97 who created the logo and website. I am developing a line of Sweet Briar needlepoint kits. Stay tuned! Casey and I are celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary this October in Antigua. We are enjoying our new home in Rutherfordton, N.C., and balancing a kitchen remodel with traveling, gardening and spoiling our two Pekingese puppies.

Sabryna McClung Roberson: Our rising HS junior’s (!!) travel softball team ruled our summer. Greg and I celebrated our 25 year anniversary, volunteered at the US OPEN and helped run our county fair’s rib cook-off!

Norma Bulls Valentine: I’m still serving on Sweet Briar’s Board of Directors. I spent the winter in Wellington still working in real

estate. I saw Amy Waite Riley in Charleston at a Sweet Briar Day I hosted. I see Tracy Imse Thomson when I’m in Florida. My sister, Nancy Bulls, is still taking care of my horses & donkey at my farm in Aiken. We are still taking painting classes—some of those I use for class Birthday cards. Call us! We would love to catch up sometime soon!

1995

Katie Schellhammer 22914 Goldenrod Dr Brambleton, VA 20148-6967 katie@schellhammer.net

English Griffith Koontz reports, “We are still living in Clarke County, Va. We were delighted to have our daughter home visiting for a few weeks between a summer internship and her junior year at SMU. My trips to Dallas have been a great chance to catch up with Rebecca Nelson Freudigman ’94. Haven’t seen many others in person recently but enjoy staying in touch by text and social media. Hope to attend Reunion and see many more! Love to all!”

Jennifer Gaudette Nelson saw Catherine King Laufer ’96 and her husband while the Laufers were off to Acadia National Park. She said, “Freeport, Maine was a perfect place to meet up and catch dinner. We had such a great time! We could have talked for days. If you are ever wandering through Midcoast Maine, give me a Holla!”

Kimberly Roda’s last year has been busy with a move, home renovations, high school graduation, prepping for college, and traveling to Turk & Caicos, Tulum, and Europe. She enjoys keeping up with Sweet Briar classmates and can’t wait to see everyone at Reunion! Holla Holla!

Tricia Lynn had a busy year. She sold her house, bought another house. She is now mortgage free! She started at a new college and made a trip to Greece.

Kelly Hall visited with Jennifer Parker Raudenbush, Karen Giorgetti, and Cari Miller James this summer in PA. She also took great trips with her students to Dublin and Greece and will be traveling back to Greece and Portugal this fall. She is looking forward to Reunion next year!

Kate Steptoe Fisher reports,

“The 2023–2024 were fantastic. My journey in the ski instructing and coaching world continues. In 2023, I obtained my Professional Ski Instructor Children’s Specialist certification in the Rocky Mountain region. I am now working on my coaching level one cert for Alpine racing with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. It has been a pleasure working with junior racers at Mad River Mountain in Ohio. I also travel around to races in the Southeast with my youngest son who is an alpine racer and I help coach young athletes. My oldest child, Blake, graduated and will be attending CU Boulder in the fall. Blake also earned his Eagle Scout. My younger two children continue to thrive in soccer and Lilly made Varsity as a freshman. We traveled to Croatia and Ireland in the summer of 2023.” Kate even taught Heather Aspinwall Chiles’ daughter how to ski!

Sarah Young Bass writes, “The plans to carry me back to my old Virginia home were not meant to me. Mike and I are in the process of moving to Texas to help our former foster child’s single aunt and her five kids who were about to be homeless. The kids are respectful, smart, joyful and all-around good kids. I know the situation will bring challenges, along with many blessings. Otherwise, we took a trip to the Galapagos Islands earlier this year and lived among amazing wildlife. I am still running my HR consulting practice, and Mike continues to work remotely

in software for a cancer research company. Please look me up if you are near Houston. Holla Holla!”

Kathryn Czarkowski: Kathryn Czarkowski and her husband, John, celebrated their 20-year wedding anniversary in June by taking in 3 Dead & Company shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas. I (Katie Maxwell Schellhammer) traveled to Columbus, Ohio last fall to see Heather and Kate. Aspinwall and I played a lot of tennis. At home, in addition to my tennis, I paparazzi’d my 3 kids at their high school and college band/colorguard activities, subbed for 6 weeks as an elementary music teacher, and sent my middle son to college at Wake Forest University, where my oldest currently is. Brothers are reunited! My youngest daughter started riding competitively, and we proudly wear our SBC swag at the horse shows. I see Anna Reilly when possible. Sarah Butcher Howell organized a fabulous SBC local event where Dawn Leary Schwarting, Sarah, and I heard Katrina Balding Bills ’97 present her book.

Want to know about the rest of your classmates? Mark your calendars for our 30th Reunion on May 30–June 1, 2025!

Clockwise: 1. Jennifer Parker Raudenbush, Kelly Hall, Karen Giorgetti, and Cari Miller James. 2. Catherine King Laufer ’96 and Jennifer Gaudette Nelson. 3. Kate Steptoe Fisher, Heather Aspinwall Chiles, and Katie Maxwell Schellhammer. 4. Tricia Lynn ’95 in Greece.

1997

Melanie Vracas

4207 Fielding Street Alexandria, VA 22309 mevracas@comcast.net

Alicia King Anderson: Dr. Alicia King Anderson earned her Ph.D. in mythological studies and depth psychology, defending her dissertation in December 2023 on the Storyteller Archetype. She is currently working on books focusing on burnout, unicorns and storytelling. If any of these topics are interesting to you, Alicia also teaches classes! You can find out more information and updates on her website, aliciakinganderson.com. Through her site, she was able to reconnect with her big sister, Amy Spisso ’95!

Maia Pearson Bannan: Maia is still living in Charlottesville and feels lucky to see several SBC friends when they visit their own children at UVA. With a rising junior in high school, her family will be starting their college tours this year. Anyone who is passing through town should reach out, she would love to see you.

Christina Benson Stanton: Christina is still loving Charleston. Life remains a whirlwind, with her most recently breaking her ankle after jumping off her horse during a bareback adventure. She and her husband celebrated Christina’s big 5-0 birthday on Jam Cruise 21. (Who doesn’t want to party on a boat?!) Their boys, Jack (15) and Ridley (14) are rocking life and keeping their parents on their toes! Christina continues to follow her passion, working in the climate sector. Along with her partners, she has co-founded an NGO: Climate Resilience for All. As the COO, she supports their motto, “when all women are resilient, we will all be resilient.”

Katrina Balding Bills: Life has been packed for Katrina and her family. She has been navigating coordinating schedules between her high school daughter, college student son and caring for her 91 years young parents. Her husband, Kevin, transitioned to working from home, which has been amazing. Working as a Mary Kay sales director remains her passion, which is evident in the goals she exceeds every year. She loves staying connected to SBC,

serving as the co-chair of admission ambassadors, friend of the riding program and representing our class as our co-fund agent. Most recently, Katrina became a published author of the book Dragon: The Story of a Fiery Thoroughbred and The Girl Who Loved Him

Lisa DuCharme Elwell: Lisa sends her hellos from London! Between working for Fidelity International and Life and juggling family activities, with two teen boys and a husband, there is never a dull moment. Last year, Lisa was grateful to spend some time with Kathryn McMahon, Melanie Peters and Katy Seder in North Carolina. This spring, she saw Katie Gumerson Altshuler while Katie was in London and saw with Katy, again, while traveling in Massachusetts. If anyone is London bound, she would love to see you!

Jill Gavitt: Still living in Staunton, with her dog Maisie, Jill is teaching Spanish at the high school. When not in the classroom, Jill spends her time giving back to the community. While never an equestrian while at SBC, she has been volunteering at the therapeutic riding center. Jill credits her SBC sisters for providing her with all the horse know-how she needs. She is also an organizer of the annual Mischief and Magic Festival, which is held each September in Staunton. She invites everyone to come check out the festivities! This past summer, she was able to catch up with Jill Butcher, Kathy Johnston, Alexa Schriempf and Jessica Hively at Sweet Work Weeks (where Katie Clarkson’s absence was felt).

Alison Hall: Alison recently accepted a new position as the director of parks and recreation for the city of Auburn, Ala. While she enjoyed returning to her hometown of Dothan, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return to Auburn. The transition has been eventful as she sold her home, bought a new one and had to find a rental in between. She is finally able to get settled this summer. Allison is very grateful to her Dothan support system, which included Laura Martin ’91 and Joyce Scott ’05. She also looks forward to reuniting with the SBC group in Auburn.

Kate Hall: Kate and her husband, Chris, are currently dividing their time between Virginia and South Carolina. Her son, Max, is in trade school while Grace ’23 is teaching preschool in South

Clockwise: 1. February 3, 2023 wedding of George Hastings Sartin II and Mollie McKay Sartin at the Montage Palmetto Bluff Resort in South Carolina. Hastings grew up at Sweet Briar and is the son of Ute Köhler Sartin ’97. In attendance was Virginia White Moss ’98. 2. Christina Benson Stanton “My guy named Smiles!”

3. Cassandra Thomas Sheehan “Gator on the St. John’s river.”

Carolina. Her bonus kids are growing up too fast and doing really well. If you are on campus, keep an eye out for Kate who will be hitting The Book Shop for new Vixen swag!

Jessica Hiveley: Jessica completed her personal goal of visiting all 50 states before turning 50! She is currently planning her international adventures.

Ute Köhler Sartin: While at SBC, Ute worked at the public relations office. During that time her son, Hastings, was born and raised on campus. Last February, Hastings married his perfect match, Mollie McKay, in the May Chapel at Montage Palmetto Bluff. Virginia White Moss ’98 and her husband, George, also attended the wedding. This December, Ute will become a grandmother spending Christmas in Wilmington with her granddaughter! Ute is still working as the assistant director at the FSU College of Medicine in the department of family medicine and rural health.

Courtney Lammers Hemmer: Courtney is still living south of Boston in Hingham, Mass. working for a medical device company. She

credits this position as being the most rewarding and meaningful of her career. In her role, she brings life-saving technology to children and adults living with diabetes. This fall her daughter, Sydney, will be turning 21 and entering her junior year at American University in DC. Courtney keeps in touch with many of her SBC sisters on a daily basis and is grateful to have the continued connection and sisterhood!

Amy Louthan: Earlier this year, Tyler had a visit from Alexa Schriempf and some of the artists in residence. She is still living on her farm in Puerto Rico and gave them a tour through the rainforest.

Rebecca Moats Miller: Life is keeping Becky busy these days as her three sons are growing up quickly. This year, she celebrated 22 years as a realtor and 10 years that she and her husband, Chip, have owned their own brokerage. Becky is currently her local association’s first woman to sit on the Board for the Virginia association of Realtors. Not all work and no play, she started riding again two years ago. Enjoying her reconnection to this passion, she

feels it has been good for both her body and soul!

Alexa Schriempf: Alexa has been busy as a new homeowner! After purchasing a house in Amherst, she has been working on renovations over the past year. The guest room is almost ready to welcome visitors and the patio will be open for fall firepits. Working remotely for the government, in a new position, Alexa has had the flexibility to hike, bike and pick up her hammer and brush. If you find yourself in the Blue Ridge area, let her know!

Leighton Barrett Strong: Leighton currently serves as the president of the PTSA for The Willow School in New Orleans, representing over 2,000 students and more than 250 faculty and staff across three campuses. She recently initiated a $20 million capital campaign to acquire and refurbish a historic building adjacent to one of the campuses.

She is also coaching a boys youth soccer team. Initially the only female coach, she was joined by another SBC alumnae! The third coach is a male who went to the study abroad program, in Spain, through SBC. Lastly, the league director’s mother also went to SBC. Leighton would love to see fellow alumnae at Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest or anytime you find yourself in the Big Easy!

Lisa Tedder Baker: Lisa is currently working as an emergency nurse at the Grady Health Center. Her teens, ages 16 (daughter) and 12 (son) keep her busy and are both active in the theater! Lisa still uses her SBC B.A. in English, as a freelance writer on health and medical topics.

Cassandra Thomas Sheehan: Cassandra is working as an ER veterinarian/hospitalist in Melbourne, Fla. She loves the fast pace as well as the challenge of working with difficult cases. In addition to performing emergency surgeries, Cassandra has been able to use Chinese medicine along with rehabilitation. In her free time she loves to go airboarding along the St. John’s River.

Courtney Totushek Brown: Courtney, her husband (Adam) and their kids are still living in McClean. This year, she celebrates her fourth year as a realtor with Long & Foster. Additionally, she is the president of the Safe Community Coalition. She also volunteers at McLean High

School where her son, Fletcher, will be a junior this year. Corbin is a rising sophomore.

1999

Sarah Kingsley

940 W Princess Anne Rd #A5 Norfolk, VA 23507

Sarahkingsley99@gmail.com

Christine Carl Allison: Christy has happily moved into running Webbed Presence—her small business in online presence—full time, and has greatly enjoyed making new friends through her local Chamber. She and her family are enjoying the slower pace of life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and can hardly believe it’s been over two years since they left NoVa!

Kim Bolz-Andolshek has been working in the Ed tech software space for over a decade as a VP of sales. She will wrap up 21 years of public service as a school board member in December (as long as she doesn’t file again, lol). She has two kids in college: Madison at the U of MN and her baby is a junior in HS. She is trying to figure out how to travel more than work, laugh as much as possible and spend time with new and old friends. And she LOVED reunion, so great to be back with fellow vixens!

Rachel Bratlie:Rachel and her family are living in Northern California. Rachel works for The Permanente Medical Group as an adult and perinatal psychiatrist. She was recently appointed co-site chief in Oakland. Son, Zach, is starting 6th grade and son, Jake, is starting 4th grade.

Katie (Leeming) Sparkman continues to live in her hometown of Rowayton, Conn. with her husband and three children. She is a real estate agent with William Raveis and loves making connections with her fellow vixens. She is an active volunteer in her community. She loved her time at reunion catching up with fellow classmates and seeing the exciting transformations at SBC.

Donna (Hoogland) Harwood still lives in Charles City, Va. and works for Hanover County Public Schools. She started a new adventure this year; being elected to the Charles City County School Board. She is excited to see how she can be of service to her local school district

over the next 4 years. More than any other year, her 25th Reunion felt like a homecoming and an opportunity to connect with her Sweet Briar sisters. She is honored to be a part of the 1999 leadership team!

Angela (Walton) Carpita continues to teach High School Biology and is back in a familiar role of AP Environmental Science. The walk with Dr. Fink during Niners’ 25th Reunion was a lovely reminder of her roots and passion for ecology. Aside from Reunion, constant contact with Sarah Dorminey, Kibby Fergusson ’00, Tarah Hartnett, Jill Triana, and Megan Butt keep her grounded, laughing, motivated, and ever so grateful.

Kelly Turney Gatzke continues to work as a library media specialist for Huntsville City Schools. She was celebrated as the Alabama PTA Elementary Educator of the Year for 2023–2024. She enjoyed returning to Sweet Briar and seeing the Niners for their 25th Reunion!

Mrs. Kristina (Wiggington) Gravatt owns a thriving private practice specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the Ann Arbor, Mich. area. She and her husband continue to work from home much to the delight of their two labrador retrievers. Krista and family just celebrated her middle child’s high school graduation and will have two kids in college and one going to high school in the fall.

Amy Gibbs Brown had the best time performing at Reunion

this year with Kim BolzAndolshek. Holla Holla Women in Comedy!!! Amy has been touring with Moms Unhinged Comedy Show. This September, she will be in Athens, Nashville, Denver, Austin, and Fort Worth. Follow her on social media for dates, etc. If you have a cool theater near you, let Amy know and she can come do a show for your community. Later this year, she plans to release her first special “Indoor Wife” on her Youtube page (Amy Brown Comedy). Subscribe to see it for free!

Tina (Hansel) Snover has been living in beautiful Grand Junction, CO, for the past 12 years and still oversees the FCA in 22 counties of Western Colorado including a staff of 19 folks. She and David have been married for 22 years and the girls are entering their senior & sophomore years. She continues to coach soccer for FCA Sports and at Palisade High School. She’s hoping to get back to Virginia sometime to visit old and beloved friends! She is also currently serving as an Advisor for the Women in Leadership Program at UCCS.

Lindsey Neef Kelly finished her second year coaching kids’ tackle football as an offensive line specialist, assisting husband Sean, the head coach. She continues as in-house counsel and collections manager at LFCU, where she recently served on the organizing committee for the MLK Jr. day of service for all employees. Sean

Clockwise: 1. Amy Gibbs Brown’s Reunion Stand Up Show! 2. Tina ‘Hansel’ Snover. 3. Niners 25th Reunion. 4. Kim Bolz-Andolshek “Ireland with my kids.”

and the kids (12, 11, 10, and 8) are all great!

Meghan Pollard says it was wonderful to be back on campus for Reunion. She loved catching up with everyone and seeing how well everyone is doing. She didn’t want the weekend to end. Piper (10), Lex (8), and Meghan have had a wonderful summer and spent a week at the beach at Tybee Island. Her work continues to keep her busy in Admissions at Duke. She has been there for 25 years!

Sarah Kingsley started a new job with American Cancer Society in September last year in the development department. Despite being nervous about the idea of being in “sales,” the Relay For Life event that she oversees came in $27,000 over goal. She also joined a bluegrass band and plays violin. She still needs to learn how to fiddle. Her only child will be attending Savannah School of Art & Design, known to most as SCAD. Sarah saw several Vixens at her first Comicon. Sarah will be swimming with whales in September with her college “little sister,” Christine Rangel ’01.

Dr. Shannon (Smith) Willis is still working for Bandfield. They opened a brand-new hospital in April and she’s been with the company for 15 years now. Shannon is also in the process of leaving an abusive marriage. Joshua (9) and Michaela (5) have adjusted really well. Michaela starts kindergarten in 2 weeks and the kids will finally be in the same school! She lives in Mebane, N.C.

Emily (Sartor) Patterson LOVED being on campus and seeing classmates at the 25th Reunion, including freshman year roommate Brandi Whitley Hilder, sophomore & junior year roommate Angela Walton Carpita, and graduate school roommate Jill

2003

Triana. Emily is celebrating 20 years at Duke Medical Center where she counsels patients and their families after a cancer diagnosis, while enjoying every minute of raising 2 teens with husband, Brad.

2001

Sarah Houston Kenning 2192 Monterey Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30318 sarah_e_houston@yahoo.com

Ms. Katherine Morse: I enjoyed my recent visits to the campus in April and June 2024. On July 20, 2024, I graduated from Georgia Southern University with my second master’s, this time in special education general curriculum P–12. Vixen Creative Marketing is growing with clients in Georgia and Florida. M. K. Wellington Art is online and getting space in a shop in Darien, Georgia, this fall. This school year marks my 5th year teaching special education. The big news is that Josh and I will marry on May 24, 2025, in Camden County, Georgia, near where we met.

Dr. Tobias Trout Murphy: Dear classmates: I have a few important developments to share. First, I have a new name and pronouns, identifying as a transgender man. The student formerly known as Tamara Trout ’01 is now Tobias Murphy, MD. I have finished my psychiatry training and fellowship. I am the same funny and caring person you knew—just with a different name and presentation. I have a supportive spouse and family, and I am thriving in my career and personal life. I just wanted to address the elephant in the room before seeing you all in person. Love and blessings to all.

Megan Thomas Rowe: Megan would like to send positive vibes to anyone raising a teenager. May the odds be ever in your favor. Remember, there are mental health professionals for a reason. Use them! And for my kids who will likely read this, love you bunches!!! Looking forward to gearing up for our (gulp) 25th Reunion in two years. Start planning now for a great time back in the pink bubble Centennial Class! I hope you are all well and finding fulfillment and joy in your lives. Cheers and holla holla! Joy Powell Talmon: I still reside in Iowa with my husband

and two kiddos, now 16 and 13. I recently celebrated 11 years working for United Way of Central Iowa, with my last couple of years as the volunteer engagement officer. In my free time, I’ve had the pleasure of being the current Board Chair of LeadDSM, an organization supporting leadership in Des Moines.

Jane McKenzie Davis 611 Mann Lane Shipman, VA 22971

jmd03.sbc@gmail.com

Friendships, celebrations, and reunions continue for the Class of 2003!

Kaitlyn Johnson married Joseph Lewis in Sequim, Wash. on August 19, 2023, in an exquisite oceanside ceremony. Upon completion of the ceremony, they jumped off a 20ft pier, wedding dress and all, in celebration of their beautiful day! In attendance was Rachel Howell Smith and Miss Iris Johnson (future class of 2033).

Josh and Katherine Morse.

Clockwise: 1. Courtney Pfaff Kimble and Shirley Pinson Hendricks. 2. Wedding of Kaitlyn Johnson and Joseph Lewis. 3. Laurel Stevens Rogers and Julia Schmitz. 4. Kristin Farris, Jane McKenzie Davis, Nicole Crowder at Sweet Work Weeks this summer. 5. Katilyn Johnson and Iris Johnson.

Shirley Pinson Hendricks and husband, Wes, celebrated New Year’s Eve with Courtney Pfaff Kimble, and husband, Chance, in beautiful sunny south Florida! Shirley reports “it was a fabulous time with lots of dancing.” They also enjoyed summer vacation together in Sarasota, Fla. while cruising around the Gulf!

Danielle Ross Oberg reports that she, Megan Doughtie and Virginia Uchello Lyon enjoyed a girl’s weekend in Nashville in November as they explored downtown, the Opry, the Parthenon replica and local gardens. They are planning another girl’s weekend in August to Rhode Island to check out Providence and Newport. Danielle and Megan met again in NYC when Megan visited with family, and they enjoyed a wonderful time touring the city with all the Doughtie women. Danielle took another trip to NYC in June to meet Carrie Deshazor Markley and husband, Jason, while they were in town from North Carolina for their daughter Eleanor’s Broadway debut! Danielle met Eleanor during our 20th Reunion.

She continues to work in talent acquisition and onboarding with Boehringer Ingelheim where she loves what she does and has a great working team! Danielle and her family traveled to Dublin, Ireland in June for a few days to see Pearl Jam in concert! She shares “they’ve been my favorite band since I was a teenager and to experience them with my daughter (12) and my husband was absolutely amazing!” She then spent a week in Acadia National Park in Maine, along with her brother, sister-in-law, two nieces, and nephew. They spent the week hiking, indulging in all things lobster and blueberry, and spent July 4th in Bar Harbor complete with fireworks to close out the night. Danielle’s daughter just returned from a two-week sleepaway camp, and they are taking it easy until school starts up at the end of the month!!

Kristen Farris Berquist stopped to have lunch with Shirley Pinson Hendricks at Sharky’s on the Pier on her way back to Atlanta, Ga.. They enjoyed catching up and sharing college memories!

Hirschler welcomed Tiffany Williamson Pittman as the firm’s Director of Operations. Based in the Richmond office, Tiffany works with leadership across the firm to provide strategic direction, guidance and expertise advice to enhance the firm’s operations. Tiffany reports “Hirschler is a wonderful firm with an excellent reputation for its highlevel client service and counsel, and I am excited to join this respected team to support its continued growth within the region.”

Claire Affleck is living in Auburn, N.Y. on her horse farm with her boyfriend, three cats, four dogs and 17 horses. This year, she purchased a farm in Ocala, Fla. to use during the winter show circuit at the World Equestrian Center. Claire invites everyone to “C’mon down & visit!”

Julia Schmitz was promoted to professor of biology at Piedmont University where she has been for 13 years. Julia shares that she led a study abroad trip to Greece where she taught human behavior and public health, in conjunction with exploration of ancient ruins. In June, Laurel

Speilman Rodgers and Julia attended the Association of Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE) Conference in Maryland, where they met a colleague of Nicole Crowder and I, Jane McKenzie Davis, who was pleased to host Julia for a night on her way from Georgia to Maryland at Jane’s B & B!

Courtney Pfaff Kimble lives in central Virginia with her family on their farm. She and husband, Chance, celebrated 18 years of marriage this year. Courtney works as an associate manager of Clinical Services Nursing for Aetna and is able to work from home. Courtney stays busy supporting the farm activities and enjoying her mom role. She reports that her daughter (16) was elected as the Region Five Director for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), serves on the AQHA National Youth Council and as the secretary for the local affiliate of the Virginia Quarter Horse Association (VQHA). Her son, (13), serves as the treasurer of the VQHA and made the high school golf team as an eighth grader! He will also be one of the members of the National Youth Activity Team Tournament (NYATT) team representing Virginia as he shows Western Pleasure and Horsemanship at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio in October 2024. Courtney’s youngest son, (10), is starting middle school and has decided he wants to join the family horse show world. In the meantime, he is developing his soccer skills so that he can make the middle school soccer team. She shares “I am so incredibly proud of these kids and all of their accomplishments. However, I still do not know how they have gotten to be so old because I certainly have not gotten any older…hahaha!”

Margaret Van Hook Stevens shares that she is entering her 21st year of teaching with Fayette County Public Schools and teaches with the Virtual Program. She reports they “spent the summer still following my son’s movie Little Town that is now out on Amazon Prime and Apple TV! Feel free to watch: www.amazon.com/ Little-Town-Jason-Paul-Field/ dp/B0D5PDVD2L. I also play the teacher in the movie!” Margaret was happy to catch-up with Shannon O’Neil ’02 this summer at her home. Nicole Crowder shares that she loved catching up with

Clockwise: 1. Classmates at their 20th reunion (2023) Class of 2003. 2. Kristin Burris stopped to have lunch with Shirley Pinson Hendricks at Sharky’s on the Pier on her way back to Atlanta. It was so great catching up and laughing about silly college memories! 3. Claire Affleck. 4. Courtney Pfaff Kimble and Shirley Pinson Hendricks enjoyed summer fun in Sarasota, FL while cruising around the Gulf!

classmates Kristen Farris Berquist and Jane McKenzie Davis as well as new friends at Sweet Work Weeks this summer. In her 17th year teaching chemistry at the University of Mary Washington, Nicole has been elected as the Department Chair starting this year.

Class of 2003 was represented at Sweet Work Weeks this year by Nicole Crowder, Kristin Farris, Julia Schmitz, and Jane McKenzie Davis. Their experience was evident as they painted, pulled weeds, landscaped, and organized Daisy’s Closet! And always enjoyed fresh greens from the greenhouse!! It was quite the adventurous and fun couple of weeks! One of the many benefits of Sweet Work Weeks is getting to know and working alongside other alumnae from other classes! Be on the lookout for this fun and rewarding opportunity each year!

Tica Stoevhase Fetiveau is still happy enjoying France! Tica reports that the Olympics passed with lots of emotions while she mostly enjoys family life with her son (6) and daughter (soon 4). Work is busy and keeps her on her toes— sometimes virtually, sometimes in Prague, Manila, or Buenos Aires. You can still find Tica on the tennis courts and in team competition, swimming with the kids in the ocean or recently on the golf course (trying). Tica shares that anyone passing by the Nantes area is more than welcome to stop by our hidden home surrounded by nature and calm.

As for me, Jane McKenzie Davis, I am happy to report that I successfully completed the Leadership Coaching Program at George Mason University and am a certified coach. I am now preparing to take the ICF (International Coaching Federation) exam for the ACC Credential. In June, my Sweet Briar Little Sister, Ebony Scurry Contreras, and daughter (11), visited me and my mom after her Sweet Briar 20th Reunion.

On a very sad note, Laurel Haynes has shared that Lara Corazalla passed away on August 7th. She shared that they met freshman year and had been best friends ever since. Laurel shared that Lara loved Sweet Briar. Lara spent her professional life as a librarian at Southern Methodist University and always yearned to learn more and expand her mind. A true mark of a Sweet

Briar Woman! Lara was a proud progressive Democrat, a long-time and active member of the American Civil Liberties Union and Doctors Without Borders. Lara found joy in all of life’s simple pleasures as she lived life with a grateful heart. She adored her cats, was passionate about politics, enjoyed a wide variety of music, and enjoyed cooking. Lara left an imprint on many with her selfless and gentle demeanor, her kindness, and her beautiful soul. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Thank you, Laurel, for sharing this sad news and our hearts are with you and Lara’s family!

As I gathered our class notes, noticed the many friendships, life changes and intersections, learned of loss, and reflected on recent conversations, it touched my heart and spoke to how friendships made at Sweet Briar are truly lifetime friendships!

2005

Hilary Cooper Cook 8536 Glencrest Lane Dallas, TX 75209 hilary.c.cook@gmail.com

Brentz Basten East: It’s been a wonderful year. The family has taken up Pickleball with me to help with not playing tennis anymore (still too scared to serve after all the shoulder surgeries). Rosa and William are doing well in school. Matt and I just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. Matt, being a Boy Scout leader, has us scouting out potential hikes for the troop. It’s all good until the big mountains!

Tamara Helton, Lauren Bryne ’04, Cat Brumley and I have a lake trip planned soon! Always a lovely time with SBC friends at the lake.

Tamara Himelright Helton: Things have been crazy busy and changeful. I closed out my career in physical therapy at 15 years and did a career switcher program to become a teacher. I now teach high school biology in Winchester, Va.,

close to my hometown. I am loving it and very happy to be close to family and friends. My daughter will be a freshman next year at my school with my son soon to follow in two years. Looking forward to Reunion! Can’t believe it’s been 20 years. It will also be my 20th wedding anniversary.

Elizabeth (Liz) Churchill: In December, I will be celebrating my 2 year anniversary with the Department of Defense. This career change has proven to be an excellent decision for me. I’m also enjoying the benefits of being a government employee and getting all the federal holidays off! Currently, I am the mother of five fur babies. I have two cats, Buttercup & Humperdink, two dogs, Odin (GSD) and Clover (Jack Russell), and one horse, George. George, who is an Appendix, and I love doing jousting and mounted combat activities with my hobby group, the SCA.

Lynsie Watkins Steele: I had two “Covid” babies which brings my kid count to six (five boys and one girl—hopefully SBC-bound class of 2044 ?!). I currently live in Ivy, Va. between Charlottesville and Crozet. I operate equally between being

Clockwise: 1. Tamara Himelright Helton, Alaska June 2023. 2. Lynsie Watkins Steele and her kids on Assateague Island for their annual beach trip 2024. 3. Lori Giguere and Mike Plate on their engagement. 4. Kimberly McDonald. 5. Liz Churchill riding George and Seanne Weekes ’12 riding the late Nitro at Pimilco Race Track for Canter for a Cause, Oct. 2022.

self-employed and working for startups in the marketing and communications space as a director. I also volunteer with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, consult with nonprofits, and am working on a children’s book series. In my free time (ha!) I teach cooking to adults and children, and freelance as a food writer, reviewer and photographer for local/national publications.

Megan Knight Bowling: It has been a busy couple of years. I am finishing my M.B.A. in Healthcare Management (September 2024) with hopes of continuing to grow in healthcare leadership. I received the Centra New Leader award in 2023 for my accomplishments as the manager of the geriatric psychiatric unit at VA Baptist Hospital. I also received my Board Certified Nurse Executive certification in 2023. We built a house in Amherst, Va. a few years ago and continue to enjoy all that SBC offers, including weekly pickleball on campus.

Lori Giguere: Lori Giguere and her longtime partner, Mike Plate, got engaged while skiing in the Alps in February. Lori and Mike reside in Acton, Mass. with their children Ella (15), Logan (15), Jack (13), and Tripp (10).

Hilary Cooper Cook: Matt and I thought we would spend three years in Dallas for my work before

returning home to Richmond, Va. We recently hit the 10 year mark here in Texas and are loving it. Admittedly, I travel often for work but am coming up on two years with Marriott International where I lead our global marketing operations. This career change has been immensely rewarding both personally and professionally. I am especially grateful that it allows me to travel with my girls—Lori Giguere, Kimberly Gibson McDonald and Ashley Forehand Oakley. We enjoyed a much needed vacation to Riviera Maya, Mexico late last year. A special congratulations to Lori on her upcoming wedding. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and Mike!

Kimberly GibsonMcDonald: Kimberly and her family have moved from Virginia to Ohio to be closer to family. She is walking into her 20th year of teaching and still loves it as much as she did from day one. Columbus, Ohio has provided Kimberly with a variety of new opportunities. One of them being able to play rugby with the Columbus squirrels! Nothing like breaking your first bone at 40 years old! Kimberly and her family take full advantage of the teacher schedule by spending their summers at Camp Lindenmere where her kiddos enjoy all the

glories of sleepaway camp and David (HSC ’05) and Kimberly get to work together and watch their kids go feral.

2007

Caitlin Ashley-Lizarraga Elsa Cannon SweetBriarClassof2007@gmail.com

Erica Kennedy McCallie writes: “I started my own pottery business called Froth & Glaze! I started taking pottery classes about a year ago and soon after started making coffee and espresso cups. I am also a self-taught competitive latte artist and participate in local latte art throwdown events. I’ve been partnering with ClearStory Arts, a local nonprofit, to help support local artists in Chattanooga, Tenn.”

Eleanor O’Connor visited Emily Olson in Kerrville, Texas. The two friends had a great weekend exploring Hill Country, visiting the Alamo, seeing the bluebonnets, and exploring Fredericksburg. Eleanor writes: “It was so nice to catch up in person and create new memories. A big thanks to Emily for being a top-notch hostess and tour guide.”

Morgan Roach Viña started 2024 with a new job. She transitioned into a role as a senior member of the National Security Practice Group at a woman-owned government relations firm in DC. Morgan continues to teach with Seton Hall University’s program in DC and co-host the Fault Lines podcast in association with the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia School of Law. In April, she wrapped up her tenure with Ambassador Nikki Haley’s campaign for president. She served on the Virginia Leadership Committee and was the southeast regional chair for Women for Nikki. Morgan also serves as Finance Chair for the Alexandria Republican City Committee.

Laura Jane Schaefer is still working at Energy Trust of Oregon and her two girls are growing like weeds. She writes: “My annual trip east included a visit with Rachel Reynolds Baxtresser, Maggie Saylor Patrick, and Natalie Pye along with a bonus of former professors Cathy Gutierrez and Eric Casey

Freddie and Paul Fincham 2009

who are now in NYC. I keep in close touch with Margaret Loebe ’06, as well as many in our sister classes including Emma Meador ’09 and Ashley Baker ’15.”

Martha Loftin Snell and husband, Adam, recently welcomed their second daughter. Sarah Bailey Snell was born on August 17, 2023. Sarah and big sister, Janie, love playing outside and spending time with their Nannie, Nan Dabbs Loftin ’81.

Emily Wiley is staying busy working as a MFH for Windy Hollow Hunt. She is enjoying the extra time from not commuting regularly into NYC as with her previous position. In June, Emily and a few friends enjoyed a riding trip to Utah and plans to get in one more riding trip to Patagonia before the end of the year.

2009

Jess Brennamen Johnson 103 Penderbrook Ct. Stephens City, VA 22655-4873 brenneman09@sbc.edu

Lindsay Mills works as a veterinary technician in MA. She plans to add goats to the farm. She will be your new Stewardship Secretary for Class of 2009!

Maggie Nicholson and partner Erik welcomed son, Bellamy Cruz Vickers, to the world in April 2024. Maggie continues to work for the San Francisco-based preservation architecture firm Page & Turnbull as an architectural historian and cultural resources planner. Sarah Balderston stopped travel nursing, took over as the director of the Emergency Department in Jackson Hole. Sarah

Clockwise: 1. A recent art display by Erica Kennedy McCallie at a ClearStory First Art Friday Event. 2. Eleanor O’Connor with Emily Olson on her recent trip to Texas. 3. Daughters of Martha Loftin Snell, Sarah and Janie, looking their best in SBC colors. 4. Emily Wiley on her summer riding trip in Utah.

Clockwise: 1. Emily Prince ’12, Gina Miraglia Genova ’11, Quinn Plummer Crook, Caroline King, Kayt Colburn, and Annie Colpitts, gather in Richmond for a visit over the July 4th holiday weekend. 2. Victoria Trudeau, Megan Seeley Grasham and Evelyn Grasham. 3. Matt Davis proposing to Melaina Macone. Photo by Cecilia Schultz ’90. 4. Stephanie Jasper Wilson and Naval Aviator LCDR Marshall Wilson married in a dream wedding in Hawaii, August 2023. 5. Annie Colpitts’ new home she designed and built! 6. Jacob, Mason, and Kristen Walters back on campus for the alumna lacrosse game.

says “Busy, busy tourist season summer but I love it!”

Dr. Doreen McVeigh: Doreen and Ken welcomed Frederick ‘Freddie’ William Denne Fincham in September 2023. Paul loves being a big brother, while Ken relishes being a father again! Since the last update, Doreen is a Chair of Governors at a primary school in Canterbury and is much involved in the Canterbury Cathedral community.

Sarah Doyle was promoted to Interim Executive Director of the North Olympic Salmon Coalition.

Jackson Ray Flanagan was born Jan 4th, 2024, at Morton Plant Hospital in Dunedin Florida. His mom, Mary Susan Sinclair-Kuenning and her husband, Dr. James E. Flanagan, are completely in love and are thrilled to be parents. Jack’s smile lights up a room and he already is showing his mother’s love for drama and movement!

Jessica Lyle Hudson got a new job as Project Analyst for Franklin County Government’s County Manager’s Office and moved back home to North Carolina near extended family. It was great to

attend our 15 year reunion, see all of the changes and taste some great wine with classmates.

Megan Bell Bigham welcomed a sweet baby boy on May 10th!

Amanda Strickland Haas started a new job as a Collections Manager for Fort Monroe where she continues to share her love for history and museums. Her family welcomed their son, Oliver Charles Haas, almost a year ago. She is looking forward to being the Class of 2009’s newest class President and is excited to reconnect and re-engage with her classmates!

Rebecca Christian Olander: Graduated from Duke University School of Nursing in May 2024 with a Master of Nursing, FNP program with a concentration in Orthopedics. My husband, Will, and I continue to enjoy living in Richmond, VA with our sons James (7) and Thomas (4).

2011

Heather McTague 1065 Brennan Dr. Warminster, PA 18974-2124 hmmctague@gmail.com

Annie Colpitts: Annie recently moved into her newly constructed first full-sized home, after five years of living in her 160 sq. foot tiny home, both of which she designed. She is now in Louisa County, outside of Richmond, VA, where she has lived since 2011. After four years at Barton Malow, a national contractor specializing in higher education, healthcare and sports construction she was promoted to Marketing Manager leading the pursuit of new projects, in January. Outside of work she is knitting, painting, gardening and traveling to see friends. Her new address is 356 Anderson Mill Drive, Bumpass, VA 23024.

Melaina Macone: Melaina is engaged to marry Matt Davis in a small ceremony in Los Angeles this September. The two got engaged at the end of the Inca Trail to Machu

Picchu last October. One of the members in her backpacking group was Cecilia Schultz ’90. At exactly the right moment, Cecilia snapped a photo of Matt popping the question.

Heather Marianne McTague: Heather is extremely proud and excited to announce that she passed her Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam and is now Heather McTague, CPhT. She is currently in her third year with CVS, as the Pharmacy Inventory Specialist, and is training to become a certified immunizer. She can’t wait to stick everyone during flu season!

Mai McCarthy: After two years of living in Kayenta, Az on the Navajo Nation, she is back in the greater Houston, TX, area where she bought a house and landed an awesome teaching gig at a local early college high school. The culture at the high school reminds her of her Sweet Briar family! She is also going for her second Master’s, at Texas Tech University, in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Kennedy Munro: Kennedy and Jim welcomed their incredible daughter at the end of last summer and have since moved back to their home state of CT. They look forward to reconnecting with the Sweet Briar network in the area.

Victoria Trudeau: In April, Victoria traveled from her home in Detroit, MI, to visit Megan Seeley Grasham ’11 for her 35th birthday and to meet her beautiful daughter Evelyn, born September 2023, at their home in Huntsville, AL.

Kristen Green Walters: Kristen lives in Warrenton, VA with her husband, Cory, and their two boys, Jacob (age 5) and Mason (age 2). Mason was unexpectedly diagnosed with a large malignant brain tumor in February 2024. The risky removal surgery was a success and Mason is happy at home. His cancer journey is just beginning, but Kristen thanks all of her Sweet Briar sisters for their gifts, well wishes and support!

Stephanie Jasper Wilson: Stephanie has been flying as an International Flight Attendant and Inflight Japanese Translator for American Airlines since 2013. She has been serving part-time, as a Captain, in the Army National Guard and is assigned to Joint Force Headquarters in Virginia. She married Naval Aviator LCDR Marshall Wilson in August 2023. After living in Chicago, Newark, Dallas, Key West and Norfolk, they

have settled, for now, in Fort Worth, TX with cats (Penelope and Ulysses) and a Brittany Spaniel (O’Donoho).

2013

Sarah Lindemann Richardson 287 Geri Lane Louisa, VA 23093 sarahlindemannrichardson@ gmail.com

Jenness Gough Coelho: On June 8, 2024, Jenness got married in Taormina, Sicily to the love of her life, Philip Coelho. They were so excited to celebrate in such an incredibly beautiful location with friends and family! Philip and Jenness will continue to live in San Antonio, Texas! Laura Mooza Shurley ’12 and Laura Beckner Pickert ’12 were also in attendance.

Kaitlin Eckenberg Stephens: Kaitlin Stephens and Matt Stephens (H-SC 2013) are pleased to share the news of the birth of their son, Walt Stephens. Prior to Walt’s birth, they moved to Stamford, Conn. and Kaitlin accepted a promotion to Executive Director Global Benefits, at IBM.

Victoria Mills Ramsey: Alumnae Ann Roach Dodge and Victoria Mills Ramsey with their children on summer vacation at Ocracoke Island, NC!

Ann Dodge: Ann and her husband, Gideon, have been enjoying their summer. They are expecting their second little girl in October and Virginia is looking forward to being a big sister. Ann writes that they are currently surviving toddlerhood!

Alyssa Berkeley Haydon: Alyssa welcomed Beckham Charles Wagstaff into her family on June 22nd, 2024. After two weeks in the NICU, he is home and they don’t remember life before him. His big sister, Isla Haydon, will be starting kindergarten in August, and Alyssa will be starting her ninth year of teaching when she returns to school in October!

Dani Humphrey Daniels: Dani and her husband, Tim, have once again relocated, this time to Noblesville, Ind. for Tim’s nursing school to CRNA adventure! They are enjoying the similarity of Indiana and Virginia. Dani writes that she is currently on a work break, spending quality time with her two-year-old, Gavin, and exploring new endeavors. She invites any alumnae in the Indianapolis area to let her know!

1.

2.

Ann Roach Dodge and Victoria Mills Ramsey with their children on summer vacation at Ocracoke Island, NC! 3. Alyssa Berkeley Haydon’s children,

Charles Wagstaff, and big sister, Isla

Indy from the zoo gondola.

Montgomery

and Angela Curtis celebrating Annamarie Spencer’s 40th birthday. 6. Torry Mott Ehrhorn and daughter, Mary Emma, riding their mare, Lyr. 7. Violet Devine, daughter of Julie Moorhead Devine and husband, Jack, meeting her baby brother, John Matthew Devine, III, for the first time.

Clockwise: 1. Whitney Waller Davis with her family. 2. Nicole Sabovik ’19 and Jackie Montero-Sharpe enjoying the springtime in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia. 3. Jenness Gough Coelho and her handsome groom. 4. Victoria Ramsey and Annamarie Spencer at Summer 2024 Sweet Work Weeks.

Clockwise:

Laura Beckner Pickert ’12, Jenness Gough Coelho ’13, Laura Mooza Shurley ’12.

Alumnae

Beckham

Haydon. 4. Dani Humphrey Daniels: view of

5. Royal

’14

2015

Clockwise: 1. Lucy “Drinkwater” Valandra (c.o. 2015) and her husband, Tom, welcomed twin boys, Tate and Micah, on March 21, 2024. Everyone is happy and healthy! They have relocated back to the Midwest to be closer to family. Lucy is a financial advisor with Pearl Planning in Dexter. 2. Makenzie Williamson Flood “This is my favorite picture from our wedding day!” 3. Arielle Sperrazza Morgan speaking at the 2024 Commencement services as a representative of the Alumnae Alliance Council. 4. Meredith Briar meeting some of her mama’s (Hayley McClendon Foraker) best SBC pals at Stacey Karmen’s wedding in June 2024. 5. Caitlin Daniel, Hayley Foraker McClendon, and her daughter, Meredith Briar. 6. Shaun and Epiphany Soward VandeBogart make some new Friends.

She and her family have a membership to the Indianapolis Zoo with guest passes.

Whitney Waller Davis: Whitney and her family just moved back from living a year abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. They are settling into life here in Cary, N.C. again and expecting their second child in early October. Their oldest son, Alden, is four years old. Whitney is currently staying home with the kids as they make the transition to life stateside and add a new member to their family.

Jackie Montero-Sharpe: Jackie recently has been traveling for work (Spain, Mongolia, Nigeria!) and has also been enjoying spending time with her Thoroughbred, Wendell.

Kelly Winder Takacs: Kelly and her husband, Brett, welcomed their second daughter, Taylor. Haley is enjoying being a big sister! Kelly has been enjoying work as a Senior Analyst on the new ICAM team

in the IT division of the Federal Reserve Board.

Torry Mott Ehrhorn: Torry Mott Ehrhorn and her husband, Will, welcomed their daughter, Mary Emma, in Afton, Virginia in December 2023.

Annamarie Lichtenberg

Spencer: Annamarie turned 40 this year and celebrated with a themed party. SBC alums Angela Curtis and Royal Montgomery ’14 came to celebrate. Annamarie’s family also got a new puppy. Her husband, Scott, named him Briar. Annamarie attended Sweet Work Weeks: Summer 2024 and spent time with Victoria Mills Ramsey Annamarie reports that other than that, all remains the same.

Julie Moorhead Devine: Julie and her husband Jack welcomed their second child, John Matthew Devine III, on July 20, 2024. They are currently settling into life as a family of four and Violet absolutely loves her baby brother!

2015

Amber MacKay 1703 N Cliff Alexandria, VA 22301 amberlmackay@gmail.com

Kim Orchowski Quinn: Kim moved back to the suburbs of Annapolis in March and is loving life with her family.

Kasey Stewart Brovan: Wow, it is hard to believe that we are approaching our 10 year anniversary of our graduation. Since leaving Sweet Briar, I married my amazing husband, Brian, and we have 2 children, Clara (6) and Noah (4). I have been with my current company, SSP International, since February of 2023 and was recently promoted to their Enrollment Coordinator. We are a relatively small non-profit that hosts residential STEM summer camps for high school juniors across

the US, so I get to combine my passion for education and STEM on a daily basis. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring.

Lydia Lewis: Lydia recently returned from a remarkable two-week tour of Italy, where she performed the Mozart Requiem under the direction of choral conductor Dr. Kent Hatteberg. Performances were in Rome, Florence, and Asiago. This fall, Lydia will perform as a chorus member with the Grammy Award-winning Louisville Orchestra in their concert of Carmina Burana. Professionally, Lydia continues as the Sister Cities Manager at the World Affairs Council of Kentucky & So IN in her hometown of Louisville, KY. She manages programs and fosters relationships with cities in Argentina, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ghana, China, and the UK.

Kaity Goodwin: Kaity is currently balancing her time between two libraries, and she absolutely loves it! She also started working at

2015

Branham’s sons, Orion

and Jack

Chris, Charlotte and Lillian following the baptism of their newest born at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Austin, TX. 5. Lydia Lewis pictured with fellow performers in Italy. 6. Amber MacKay in Copenhagen.

her hometown library almost a year ago, and there’s a special magic in working at the same place that she adored as a book-loving child.

Verena Joerger: Verena is still living in Kennett Square, PA with her cat, Charlie Bucket, and working for the EPA. She is expecting to bring home a second kitten this year. Her horse, Soleil, is boarded nearby and enjoying retirement. She is still riding and recently took up weekly dressage lessons. Verena is looking forward to attending our 10-year reunion in 2025!

Kathryne Stockinger: Kathryne and her husband, Chris (H-SC 2014), welcomed their second daughter last November. Lillian Allison Stockinger was born on Thanksgiving day at 9lb 1oz and 21.5 inches long. Her older sister, Charlotte, is overjoyed to take on her duties as big sister. Kathryne and Chris are still living in Austin, TX. Kathryne has taken on a parttime mechanical engineering role with a commercial real estate data company in order to spend more time at home with their children.

Khirsten Branham: Khirsten completed her Master’s in English Curriculum and Instruction in the summer of 2024, adding to her Master of Arts in Teaching (2021). She, her husband, Mike, and son, Orion (4), recently welcomed a sweet baby boy, Jack Callum Branham, to their family in December of 2023. She and her family reside in Wise, Virginia,

where she works as an English/ language arts teacher.

Julia Moran: Julia recently moved into a new position as a school counselor at the new Career and Technical Education Center in Roanoke City. The students she will be working with are learning hands-on skills to help them in their future careers. They have many cool programs like HVAC, Barbering, Landscaping, and more! Julia has been working as a school counselor at the middle school level for 6 years and is looking forward to this new opportunity to help students reach their future goals. She is lucky to still be riding horses like she did during her time at SBC!

Elizabeth Cobb: Elizabeth Cobb and her husband, Josh Thompson, still reside in Kansas City, Missouri. Since 2022, she has been working for a managed IT division within a wealth management firm. She and Suri Xia (SBC student from 2011–2014) visited Elizabeth’s family ranch in January. Elizabeth now has three pets after taking in two stray kittens off the street last year. 2024’s big trip was to a five-day cyberpunk festival in April in the Mojave Desert.

Juliette Michael: Juliette moved back to her hometown of Winchester, VA last fall to join the Law Office of Joan K. Fine where she practices civil litigation and estate planning. When not working, she is renovating a historic home in downtown Winchester. She regularly sees her Sweet Briar classmates

an Earth Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and escapes to the mountains with family every chance she gets. Keep hiking friends!

Caitlin Daniel: Caitlin is living in Mechanicsville, VA and working on her Virtual Assistant business, 1901 Creative Solutions, where she helps other business owners with their administrative and creative tasks. She is also attending craft fairs and markets for her creative product business. She recently got the chance to visit with her SBC roommate and best friend Hayley Foraker McClendon who lives on the West Coast, and meet her beautiful daughter, Meredith Briar. Caitlin is eager to get back to campus, and spend time in one of her favorite places.

and is looking forward to seeing everyone at reunion.

Arielle Sperrazza Morgan: Arielle is finishing her last year as Young Alumnae Support Co-Chair. Can you believe we are becoming “old alumnae” and can no longer join YAS after this year!? She is also very much looking forward to our ten-year reunion! Recently, she was asked to speak at Sweet Briar’s graduation and welcome the class of 2024 to the alumnae family and Alumnae Alliance Council. While unexpected, this was a tremendous honor. Arielle has enjoyed meeting the outgoing senior class, rising seniors, as well as other students throughout this school year.

Makenzie Williamson Flood: Makenzie got married in February of 2023 to a wonderful man. They are currently living in Columbia, SC. They have 5 dogs, 7 chickens, and 2 horses that were rescued. Her husband has always been slightly afraid of horses (due to their size) but we are breaking him into the farm life slowly. Makenzie is also looking forward to attending the 2025 reunion and catching up with all her fellow Vixens!!

Hayley Foraker McClendon: Hayley has a family of four including her wonderful husband, Matt, and two amazing kiddos! Since her last update, Hayley gave birth to a beautiful (inside & out) baby girl and named her Meredith Briar McClendon. She is already committed to the SBC Class of 2045 (haha). Hayley continues to work as

Amber MacKay: Amber was married to Marty Weitzel last fall and they spent their honeymoon in Ischia, Italy. Since then, Amber has traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark and Paris, France (she got to experience the Eras Tour en francais). Her summer has been spent soaking up the sun at a variety of east coast beaches from Maine to South Carolina. Amber can’t wait to travel back down 29 next spring and see all of her classmates at their first reunion since graduating!

Epiphany Soward VandeBogart: Epiphany is thrilled to announce she has passed her Professional Engineering exam and is on her way to becoming a licensed Water Resources and Environmental Engineer! She loves living and working in Lynchburg with her husband, Shaun. They are on the hunt for a farm property in the area they can share with their two horses, Beau and Hank! Shaun and Epiphany especially love giving back at Sweet Work Weeks. Hope to see you there!

Jordyn Elliott enjoyed an exciting year! She recently bought her first home in Northwest DC and adopted a rescue Cocker Spaniel named Maggie. She is still working to support sexual and reproductive health and rights. She enjoyed a fabulous summer exploring her partner’s native France. It brought back such

Clockwise: 1. Julia Moran and her horse. 2. Kasey Stewart Brovan family photo from cruise in April 2024. 3. Khirsten

(2020)

(2023). 4. Kathryne,

wonderful memories from JYF! She loves keeping in touch with her SBC sisters and tries to return to campus at least once a year.

Chelsea Alvarado: Careerwise, in July 2023, I presented a poster at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam for my work in the neurodegenerative research space. At the start of this year, the scientific manuscript associated with my poster was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

Personally, my husband and I welcomed our baby boy on July 5, 2024!

Ginny Williams: After graduating from SBC, I completed my MSIS at University of Tennessee and shortly thereafter I married Zachary Burch in 2019. We have made our home in Knoxville, TN where I work as a public librarian and Zach works in cybersecurity. In 2021 we bought our first house and in 2022 we welcomed our son B, and now we enjoy the delightful chaos of a toddler and two cats.

Tristin Burke: I was awarded “VHD District Teacher of the Year” for all of District One during Virginia History Day at the Virginia

bers, I highly encourage you to join the ten-year reunion in 2029.”

2021

Bea Wray

1824 Duke of Gloucester St. Colonial Hts. VA, 23834 wray21@sbc.edu

Katie Balding: Matthew J. Gottlieb (VMI ’20) and I were engaged on May 22nd, 2024, where we live in Smithfield, VA with our dog Grizzle. Engagement photos by sisters Lily Peterson (SBC ’21) and Ella Peterson (SBC ’25). We can’t wait to celebrate our VMI & SBC wedding!

Natalie Carroll: I recently began working as the Lead Docent at the Patsy Cline Historic House in Winchester, VA! I also still volunteer as the Class of 2021 Social Media Secretary & Stewardship Officer, and I am now a Young Alumnae Support Co-Chair! I am also pursuing a M.A. in Public History at Southern New Hampshire University, and I am aiming to complete this by the end of 2026!

enjoying spending time with friends and family, and learning how to code in my free time.

Museum of History & Culture on 04/27/24.

2019

Cecilia Mahan 1101 Carter Braxton Lane Williamsburg, VA 23188 Mahan19@sbc.edu

Cecilia is moving back to Virginia after spending the year in Massachusetts near family. She is looking forward to being back and enjoying the Virginia weather again!

Caroline Thomas: Holla, Holla from Charleston, SC! Caroline successfully completed her first year of law school, and she couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from her husband, her Sweet Briar friends, and her new friends in Charleston. Attending Reunion 2024 was an absolute highlight—Caroline had an amazing time reconnecting and making new memories. The experience was so enjoyable that she is now considering attending every reunion in the future, just for the sheer fun of it.

“To my fellow Class of 2019 mem-

Natalie Jones Domikis: I’ve been accepted to the University of North Carolina Greensboro to obtain my master’s in applied statistics. I got married to my husband, Noah, in April of 2024 and we recently moved to our new home in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. We’re enjoying our new life together and relaxing with our two dogs, Harper and Fergie.

Margie Heath: I moved to Iowa late last year, and this past January, I accepted the position of Assistant Library Director and Adult Programming Coordinator for the Hartley Public Library.

Angel Lindberg: My fiancé and I recently bought a house in Charlotte, NC and are preoccupied planning for our wedding in October! I received my EIT certificate last year and I’m currently working towards my Professional Engineering licensure while working full time as a Mechanical Engineer in the Iron and Steel Industry.

Bea Wray: I’m currently working as an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Behavior Technician while pursuing my Master’s in Library and Information Science degree from the University of

From Top: 1. Katie and her fiancé, Matthew, and their dog, Grizzle. 2. A recent photo of Natalie Carroll. 3. Angel Lindberg and her fiancé, Jack. 2021 North Carolina Greensboro. I’m

Clockwise: 1. Jordyn Elliott and her partner, Max Bouchet, in Le Gers, France. 2. Tristin Burke. 3. Zach, B, and Ginny enjoying unprecedented snowfall in Knoxville.

2023

Grace Lombardi

728 Sweetgum Lane North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 GKLdance@gmail.com

Cassie Mumford 1392 Agency Rd Salem, IA 52649-9402 cassmunford21@gmail.com

Cecile Fuselier Wilson: I married my husband Luc on May 25th!

Brianna Rabassa: I am an Office Admin at Hanger Clinic. I also dyed my hair red and have my own small business called Bris Forever Flowers.

Grace Lombardi: I moved to North Myrtle Beach, S.C. and I’m a preschool teacher. I have also become an auntie to the two most wonderful and beautiful baby boys!

Sita Moses: I just earned my Wilderness First Responder certification through NOLS!

Lucy Wasserstein: I will be a ski instructor in Vail, CO all winter and then continuing to work as a scuba diving instructor in the summer out of Saint Martin!

Send in your news!

New career? New baby? New adventure? Update your class secretary or visit sbc.edu/magazine to submit your notes through our online form. Email photos with captions, subject names and class years to classnotes@sbc.edu

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Disclaimer

While the Alumnae Relations and Development Office reserves the right to edit submissions for any reason, our goal is for Class Notes to represent the multitude of alumnae voices. To that end, we limit editing. Alumnae should be aware that they are submitting notes to a college publication and utilize appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice, content, and correct spellings of classmates’ names. Please be mindful that Class Notes are a place for updates and friendships but are not to be used as a political platform. The thoughts and opinions expressed in Class Notes are personal and do not reflect those of Sweet Briar College. Sweet Briar women have strong ideas and thoughts that may not be shared by all readers. Our community is a loving and accepting place for all.

Next Class Notes Deadline (even numbered class years only): Jan. 10, 2025

From Top: 1. Brianna Rabassa at work with her Red Hair. 2. Cecile Fuselier Wilson “Just Married!”

The College’s community is a collage made up of the people, places, and programs on campus, intersecting in student life, classrooms, lectures and events, and annual traditions and celebrations. At its core, Sweet Briar is a place to learn, no matter the relationship of our community members to the College—students, alumnae, faculty, staff, families, and friends—and we all devote ourselves to education and to our love for Sweet Briar.

Start Planning Your Legacy

In 1899, Indiana Fletcher Williams founded Sweet Briar College through a visionary planned gift. Indiana’s vision of a college for the education of young women inspired her to establish a trust of land and other assets that became her enduring legacy. This planned gift has provided transformational education opportunities for generations of young women for more than 100 years.

Please join us as a Williams Associate to ensure that her legacy—and yours—will prosper in perpetuity. Donors who are 70 1/2 or older may make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QDC) from their IRA or at age 73 a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).

Not sure how to get started? Visit: sbclegacy.org For questions, please contact the Alumnae Relations and Development Office at 434-381-6131 or alumnae@sbc.edu.