35 minute read
CLASS NOTES
CLASS NOTES OR PHOTOS TO SHARE? CONTACT RUTH ACRA ’86
AT CLASSNOTES@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG
1951
Ω MOOSE TYLER ’51 (FTYLERVB2@AOL.COM)
1952
Ω THE GARNETT ’52 (CLASSNOTES@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG)
1955
Ω GEORGE WEBB ’55 (GWEBB@CNU.EDU)
1956
Ω BILL SPICUZZA ’56 (BILLSPICUZZA@YAHOO.COM)
1957
Ω ASHBY TAYLOR ’57 (CLASSNOTES@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG) Jim Bickford was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who as a Distinguished Executive for his work in the Land Development field at Mid-Atlantic Builders LLC.
1958
Ω (CLASSNOTES@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG) Buck Stanton reports that the process of paying tuition has come to an end: Children Mike ’75, Pat ’77, Rob ’84, and Angel ’90 all graduated from NA, followed by grandchildren Sam ’20 and Jens ’21 — not to mention the years Buck was there. The involvement led to marvelous results for all the Stantons who got to experience the magical place called Norfolk Academy. Buck is now 11 years retired and playing golf, shooting his age more often than not.
1959
Ω BEAU WALKER ’59 (MONTROVILLE@GMAIL.COM) Bruce Price published Frankie, a unique mystery, inspired by advances in AI, in May. Bruce has been following the subject for 40 years and without any forethought ended up writing a novel. The main theme is that as robots get smarter, there will be more and more bizarre, unanticipated events.
1960
Ω JAY FYFE ’60 (JFYFEPACK@GMAIL.COM)
1961
Ω ED LEVIN ’61 (EROSSLEVIN@VERIZON.NET) In January, Ed Levin lost his wife. That was at once tragic and merciful because she was suffering from a lot of ailments. In the spring he was in Charlottesville to judge law student moot court and spent time at Dick Hofheimer’s home in the clouds. Views are spectacular, the drive terrifying. Then Ed went to the Puglia region of Italy, Rome, and Florence with his grandson as a high school graduation trip. He is starting to feel his age.
Jim Bickford ’57 was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who (top left). Ed Levin ’61 traveled to the Puglia region of Italy, Rome, and Florence with his grandson as a high school graduation trip.
1962
Ω BOB COLE ’62 (CLASSNOTES@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG)
1966
Ω MARK FLAHERTY ’66 (MOFLAHERTY1@COX.NET)
Ω ERIC HAUSER ’66 (ERICAHAUSER63@GMAIL.COM) As with so many other NA graduates, Bob Nusbaum’s past two years have been defined much more by what he didn’t get to do than what he did. He thinks Sue had Covid before it had a name — after singing Handel’s Messiah in a choral concert in December 2019. When she got an antibody test after their first rounds of vaccinations in 2021, her antibodies were twice what one would expect. So, they haven’t been on their annual trips to China since 2019. Her choral group had to cancel its trip to perform in Italy (including at the Vatican), planned for 2020. They did manage to sneak in a trip to California to see Bob’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids after their initial vaccinations, but have had to scrub several other planned visits. They have gotten quite proficient at making their semi-annual Florida-to-Maine snowbird trek as aseptically as possible. They also ventured to a family graduate school graduation in New York City in May, dodging a bullet when other attendees came down with Covid immediately afterward.
1967
Ω JOHN DONAHOE ’67 (JOHNDONAHOE007@AOL.COM)
1970
Ω ROGER THOMAS ’70 (YOGAMAN558@GMAIL.COM) Thanks to the prompting of her first-born, Susan Gray, a trip to the Tuscany region of Italy was how Anne Reed Harper’s family celebrated major milestone birthdays of 2021–22. Booked through Vacations by Rail, they joined a group from Great Britain for seven wonderful days of soaking up Italian history, art, architecture, scenery, and food. The scent of jasmine was everywhere. Loved every precious minute.
1971
Ω SAM BROWN ’71 AND TOY SAVAGE ’71
(CLASSNOTES@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG)
1972
Ω HEATHER HOLLOWELL ’72 (HOLLOWELL17@COX.NET)
1973
Ω MICHAEL VIA ’73 (LAXSTX@COX.NET) Michael Via is the proud grandparent of his second grandchild/grandson, Harrison “Harris” Alvin Via, born December 17, 2021. He is the brother of Reid Anderson Via, born April 1, 2019. Woody McDowell enjoyed watching his granddaughter graduate from the Academy this year. Congratulations, Samantha Fischer ’22! Phil Stedfast welcomed Robin Wilson to
Herb Sebren ’62 earned prizes and this photo with the HampdenSydney College basketball team for winning a 3-point shooting contest. Herb played for HSC. A trip to the Tuscany region of Italy was how Anne Reed Harper ’70 and her family celebrated major milestone birthdays of 2021–22. [Photo: Montecatini Opera Festival]
the family last October. He has been lucky enough to visit the Wilson family in Blacksburg and the Byrne family in Pensacola. And he has enjoyed them all visiting him at the beach.
1974
Ω SUSAN SMITH ’74 (TENORUKEGIRL@GMAIL.COM)
1975
Ω CHARLIE NUSBAUM ’75
(CNUSBAUM@NUSBAUMINSURANCE.COM) Bill Willcox passed away in May at home in North Carolina. The Jackson Hole News & Guide, one of several newspapers he worked for over the years, remembered him as a dedicated photographer. “Willcox won a ton of awards and showed the world what northwest Wyoming looked like, the faces of its people and the things they did for work and play,” the paper said.
1976
Ω MERIWETHER PAYNE ’76 (WETHER33@VERIZON.NET)
1977
Ω RAY SEARS ’77 (RANDLSEARS@VERIZON.NET)
1978
Ω STEPHANIE CALLIOTT ’78 (SACINVA@AOL.COM)
1979
Ω ERIC PETERSON ’79 (ERICPETERSON1522@COX.NET) Paul Wilson is living in Chapel Hill, NC, working full-remote as a software engineer. He just got back from visiting friends in Norway and is planning a tour of Budapest.
1980
Ω ARCH BROWN ’80 (ARCHMBROWNJR@GMAIL.COM)
1981
Ω LARRY BERNERT ’81 (LARRY.BERNERT@WWTAM.COM) Jeff Brooke was re-elected to a sixth term as president of B’nai Israel Congregation, Norfolk. He hangs out there regularly with classmate Bruce Berman. Amy and Jeff Brooke have three grandchildren, one of whom (Anna Horowitz, age 1 year) moved back to Norfolk from New York City and took up residence next door in Ghent.
1983
Ω ALICIA DEVINE ’83 (ALICIADEVINE@MAC.COM)
1984
Ω ERIC ACRA ’84 (EACRA@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG) Lisa Hume Nickelson is in Gulf Shores, AL. Her daughter Caroline graduated from St. Michael’s Catholic High School as Salutatorian, and is attending the University of Alabama’s Honors College, where she plans to study in the nursing program. Lisa’s husband owns a franchise in Slidell, LA, called Chicken Salad Chick and commutes back and forth. Lisa is still working at Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals as their Groups Sales & Events Director and Photography Manager. Two cats and one dog complete the family in this sleepy southern town. The Gulf waters and sugar-white sands are beautiful — but come visit before the water and temperatures get too hot!
1985
Ω DANIELLE SCHWEIKERT ’85
(DANIELLE.SCHWEIKERT@GMAIL.COM)
1986
Ω RUTH ACRA ’86 (RACRA@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG) Over the past year as Covid issues have abated, Randy Bryan has enjoyed getting out and traveling. He loved catching up with so many people at the NA reunion last fall. His two older girls are in New York and Fort Worth, TX, and he enjoys visiting with them. His youngest daughter spent her spring semester studying in Europe and he and wife Rae enjoyed a few trips to visit her. They plan to spend lots of time at UVA as she finishes her fourth year. Randy enjoyed a fantastic dinner with Danny Rosin and Robert Fiveash ’87 when he was in Raleigh in early June. They had a terrific time catching up. Randy also enjoyed seeing Coach Tom Duquette in Charlottesville in April as his 1972 UVA lacrosse team was honored for their NCAA National Championship. And he was delighted to get an email from John Tucker indicating he was coming to New Orleans for a conference of the Heads Collegiate Forum. They shared a long lunch and had a great visit. In addition to The NorVa, The National, and Virginia Credit Union Live, Rick Mersel is now booking The
alumni profile | Charlie Nusbaum ’75
Charlie Nusbaum ’75 has racked up countless hours volunteering, often in a leadership capacity, for an array of organizations across Hampton Roads. He is a past president of the Norfolk Academy Alumni Association, Ohef Sholom Temple, Tidewater Red Cross Chapter, and Norfolk Crime Line, and has volunteered for many other groups.
Nusbaum recently received the Humanitarian Award from the Tidewater chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, recognition for the extraordinary impact he has made locally through his volunteer work and philanthropy. The prestigious award is given annually to those who have made a significant, lasting contribution to the region, often through decades of work. Earning it could signal a time to relax and enjoy leisurely pursuits.
That’s not the route he’s choosing to take: “A friend said to me, ‘You’ve got to slow down!’ and I said, ‘Why?’ I don’t like to sit still. If you keep motivated, you stay young. I like being around people and making things better.”
Nusbaum, who is president of the S.L. Nusbaum Insurance Agency, estimates that he spends about a quarter of his time in volunteer work. And he’s taking on more. In June, he was elected to a new role as chair of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation. He is excited that the position will give him a greater platform to teach people about philanthropy. In particular, he wants to emphasize the power of small donations, that “you don’t have to be a millionaire to be part of the team.”
His principles about giving back have roots in his family, like his great aunt Justine Nusbaum, whose myriad contributions to the community included serving the American Red Cross from 1916 to 1999, more than 80 years. His ideals also have Norfolk Academy roots, starting with Bernice B. Lovitt, who served as head of Virginia Beach Country Day School for Girls, the school that merged with Norfolk Academy to create the modern, co-educational institution.
Lovitt, a close friend of Nusbaum’s grandmother, told Nusbaum as a teen: “You don’t have to be the best student, just be the best person.”
Her encouragement of his interest in service combined with memorable lessons from his NA baseball coach, Charlie Cumiskey, a man who also served as Lower School Director and Athletic Director. To this day, Nusbaum likes to recite Cumiskey’s mantra for team success, one that worked far beyond the baseball diamond. “He always said, ‘A little hustle. No fuss. And no cussing,’” Nusbaum said with a laugh. “He taught us a lot about how to deal with people.”
For Nusbaum, one of the best ways to deal with people is to show them how they can make a positive impact in “the 757” by “leaving things better for the next generation.” That simple yet urgent precept, combined with plenty of stamina — “I don’t get tired too easily,” he notes — keeps Nusbaum fired up every day to serve the community he loves. And that benefits all of us.
Charlie Nusbaum ’75
Esther Diskin is Director of Communications. Sandler Center in Virginia Beach. Ned Lilly married Nancy Mosier in Charlottesville on May 6, 2022, and was happy to have Barbara and Greg Gordon, Mac Purrington, Dale Purrington ’89, Sean Wetmore and Jeni Wetmore ’89, Holly Benton, Suzanne and Glenn Youngkin ’85, Jill and Doug Wetmore ’84, Chris and Chris Neikirk ’84, and Andy and Gigi Tysinger ’87 in attendance, as well as his daughters, Elizabeth ’16 and Eleanor ’18.
1987
Ω MEREDITH DOXEY ’87 (MEREDOXEY@GMAIL.COM)
1988
Ω HELEN YOUNCE ’88 (HELENMYOUNCE@GMAIL.COM) Ned Henry and John Tucker had a great dinner overlooking the Mississippi River at The Four Seasons when Mr. Tucker was in New Orleans for a conference. They talked about senior pranks over the years, softshell crabs, martinis, the Outer Banks, the state of the world, Patty Masterson, Katherine Holmes, and Diane Wallace. They agreed that it’s all about family and friends.
1989
Ω ELEANOR DEMOORS ’89 (EDEMOORS@GMAIL.COM)
1990
Ω CURTIS ROMIG ’90 (CURTIS.ROMIG@BRYANCAVE.COM) Kevin Lilly took the position of Director of Laundry Services for Eggleston in April. Their two commercial laundry facilities in Norfolk and Portsmouth help more than 50 people with disabilities gain independence, confidence, and increased feelings of self-worth through on-the-job training and stable, rewarding work opportunities. He also just finished coaching his son Holt’s Coastal Crush youth lacrosse team. They recently played against Coach Tom Duquette’s team and got crushed, but it was a great thrill to play against his former coach.
1991
Ω (CLASSNOTES@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG)
1992
Ω JEN HEILIG ’92 (BECKJEN2@AOL.COM) The Class of 1992 was well represented in March Madness. Seth Eilberg, Pat Griffey, Brent O’Connor, Lexa Pope, and Doug Levy all made last-minute plans and traveled to Indianapolis to cheer on Griff Aldrich, the head coach of the Longwood University men’s basketball team, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Although the Lancers did not prevail, a great time was had by all. The group has vowed to go again next year if Griff’s team returns.
Randy Bryan ’86 (far left) and Ned Henry ’88 (far right) were delighted to reunite with former Headmaster John Tucker when Mr. Tucker was in New Orleans for a conference. Rebecca Cardon ’93 and Rick Mersel ’86 celebrated at this year’s graduation, as Rick’s daughter Lily and Rebecca’s niece Bella were among the graduates. Several alumni gathered to watch a University of Richmond men’s lacrosse game in the spring. Among them: Michael Saks ’96, Mike Willey ’96, Jay Scholten ’97, Kate Rueger Scholten ’96, Claude Diggs ’98, Robbie Kane ’99, Peter Reeves ’98, and Emily McKnight Tafel ’98. Not pictured is Jason Archbell ’98, an assistant coach for Richmond.
A reunion of Bulldogs past and present: Katherine Vaughan Walters ’99, Kathryn White Palmore ’99, Jennifer Kawwass ’99, Carrington Rice Wendell ’99, Dustin Walters ’99, Eddie Carver ’03, Oli Kawwass ’03, and Donovan Kawwass ’32. Jennifer Byrd ’01’s twins, Audrey, left, and Henry. Naomi Sternlicht Silkowitz ’02 moved with her family (husband Jeremy, children Ilani and Shaine) to Chappaqua, NY, after nine years in Manhattan. They met up with Allison Glaser Narod ’02 and her family (husband Jason and children Ella, Jackson, and Charlie).
1993
Ω SARAH JOYNER-VIOL ’93 (JOYNER.SARAH1@GMAIL.COM)
1994
Ω SARA STRAETEN DAILEY ’94 (SSDAILEY@GMAIL.COM)
1995
Ω MARY GARRIS ’95 (MARY_GARRIS@YAHOO.COM)
Ω KENDELL GRIFFIN ’95 (KGRIFFIN@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG)
1996
Ω GEORGIA SUSSMAN ’96 (GEORGIAW@GMAIL.COM)
1997
Ω LAUREN REID ’97 (LAURENA@GMAIL.COM)
1998
Ω ANNE MARIE BURROUGHS ’98
(ANNEMARIE.BURROUGHS@GMAIL.COM) Keith Lockwood and his wife, Heather, welcomed the birth of their son, Brooks Garrison Lockwood, on June 17, 2022. Their daughter, Chloe, celebrated her third birthday in September, and loves being his big sister.
1999
Ω JENNIFER THOMPSON ’99
(JENNIFER.KAWWASS@GMAIL.COM)
2000
Ω BLAIR MUSTIN FINE ’00 (BLAIRFINE@GMAIL.COM)
Ω MARIA KITCHIN MOORE ’00
(MMOORE@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG)
Ω ALLISON WATSON ’00
(ALLISON@OLYMPIADEVELOPMENT.COM) Kim Thompson Manuel and her family moved to Madrid, Spain, over the summer as she continues her service in the U.S. Navy. She just finished a yearlong fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University’s Institute for Policy and Strategy. They will be in Spain for three years.
2001
Ω JENNIFER BYRD ’01 (JENNIFER.M.BYRD@GMAIL.COM)
2002
Ω EVA COLEN ’02 (EVA.M.COLEN@GMAIL.COM)
Ω KATHLEEN O’BRYANT ’02
(KATHLEEN.OBRYANT@GMAIL.COM) Scott Raney was recently elected a shareholder of Flora Pettit PC, where he works as an attorney and Chair of Recruiting in the firm’s Charlottesville office. Scott spent three years practicing with a prominent firm in New Orleans before moving back to Virginia and joining Flora Pettit in 2017, and he currently focuses his practice on commercial real estate, finance, and development. Scott and his wife, Liz, enjoy living in Charlottesville, where they are raising their three sons, Scotty (10), Wyn (6), and Wells (1). Naomi Sternlicht Silkowitz started a new position working as Assistant General Counsel at the New York City Department of Transportation. Her family moved to Chappaqua, NY, this summer after nine years in Manhattan. Also, her family (husband Jeremy, children Ilani and Shaine) met up with Allison Glaser Narod and her family (husband Jason and children Ella, Jackson, and Charlie). Chris Del Vecchio and his wife, Winola, are happy to announce
alumni profile | Jennifer Kawwass Thompson ’99
Pioneering Work in Reproductive Health
Dr. Jennifer Kawwass Thompson ’99 is still in the adolescence of her medical career, but she already has quite a list of achievements helping patients build families.
Kawwass assumed a new leadership role in Emory University’s Reproductive Center in June, when she was appointed Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division. She handles responsibilities including caring for patients, teaching fellow doctors, leading and managing the Emory Reproductive Center, and conducting research.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to help patients grow their families. I truly love my job,” Kawwass said.
This promotion continued an impressive rise for Kawwass. After graduating from Norfolk Academy, she attended Davidson College, where she played field hockey and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in biology. She then earned her medical degree from UVA’s School of Medicine; the school recently awarded her a 2022 MD Early Achievement Award, recognizing outstanding leadership early in her career.
In 2007, she moved to Atlanta for her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Emory and an additional three years of fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists care for individuals and couples with disorders of the reproductive tract and help with family building and fertility preservation. In 2014, Kawwass joined the Emory REI Division as a faculty member.
Kawwass’ work has been recognized and utilized at the national level. For the past decade, she has been a guest researcher for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; many of her research collaborations have led to publications in high impact journals. She is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine Ethics Committee that meets twice a year to review and publish guidance on topics in reproductive medicine.
Most recently, shortly after Covid-19 erupted, Kawwass was invited to join the national ASRM Covid-19 Task Force, a group of experts from different medical fields, which met regularly to evaluate evidence surrounding reproductive care and Covid to provide recommendations to patients and providers.
That was hard work, but Kawwass found it therapeutic. “We were able to do something to help at a time when many people were feeling helpless,” she said.
Kawwass credits Norfolk Academy for laying the foundation for her career helping patients and training future physicians. Her Academy education encouraged her to think critically, write persuasively, and present evidence clearly and succinctly, all skills that she incorporates daily. Her teachers, along with her parents’ unwavering support, instilled in her the self-confidence to pursue her dreams, she said.
“I think very fondly of my time at NA and am doing my best to allow my chil- dren to have as similar an early education experience as possible,” she said.
Jennifer Kawwass Thompson ’99
Mike Connors is Digital and Social Media Specialist. Catherine Brown McFarland ’03 with her husband, Nate, holding Mac, who was born on May 27, 2021. Mac joins big brothers Coleman and Robert.
that their first child, Amelia, was born in October 2021. After four years in Hong Kong, the family will soon be moving to Korea, where Chris will take on the role of High School Assistant Principal at Seoul International School. Christopher Graffeo recently completed a 14-year post-graduate training odyssey, including post-baccalaureate pre-medical training at Columbia University (2010), medical school at New York University (2014), neurological surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic (2021), and finally fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute (2022). He has accepted a faculty position as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma, specializing in Skull Base & Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, and moved to Oklahoma City this summer with his wife, Audrey, and their two boys, Leif Salvatore (6 years old) and Hal Gerald (16 months). Bay McLaughlin’s Venture Capital firm, Brinc.io, just raised more than $100 million to fuel global expansion and invest in Web 3.0 accelerators. Bay has been back in Hampton Roads for the past year and a half and has connected with a lot of innovation and technology entrepreneurs and wants to use part of this money to invest in the state and region with the right partners. He and his brothers also launched First Landing Seafood Company and have their first product, Lynnhaven Oysters, available at firstlandingseafood.com, the Browning Marina on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach, and at various restaurants.
2003
Ω POLLY GELLMAN ’03 (POLLYGELLMAN@GMAIL.COM) Leggett Kitchin and his family have moved to Atlanta with his position at Norfolk Southern. They look forward to connecting with other Bulldogs in town. Mallory Schnarrs and Wade Taylor ’04 were married October 23, 2021, in Virginia Beach. They live in Seattle and are expecting their first child. Wendall Winn and his wife, Erin, welcomed daughter Lucy Burton Winn on August 5, 2021. Lucy joins big brother Lane. Carrington Allen “Mac” McFarland
Michael Via ’03 with Sarah and their two boys, Reid and Harris.
was born on May 27, 2021, to Catherine Brown McFarland and husband Nate. Mac joins big brothers Coleman and Robert. The Vias are enjoying life in Texas as a family of four: Michael Via is beginning his third year as Chief Enrollment Management Officer at St. John’s Episcopal School in Dallas, while Sarah is completing her master’s in school counseling with William & Mary and loving life as a mother of two busy boys. Reid turned 3 in April and is beginning his second year of preschool at St. John’s. Harris turned 6 months in June and is busy trying to keep up with his older brother. A.J. Kahn met up with Mallory Schnarrs and Wade Taylor ’04 while he was in Seattle on a business trip from Denver. Wade and A.J. have similar professional overlaps in the healthcare space and had conversations around women’s health and mental health. Natalie and Ian Holder welcomed daughter Roma on Earth Day, April 22, 2022. She joins Luna, who loves being a big sister. Juliet Kline Buder and her husband, Mitch, moved to Seattle this past year and welcomed their son, Bennett Owen Buder, on September 29, 2021. Juliet was recently appointed as the new Executive Director of the Bellevue Schools Foundation in Washington.
2004
Ω LINDSAY HEWIT ’04 (LINDSAYHEWIT@GMAIL.COM)
2005
Ω KATIE KENERSON ’05 (KATIEFLIPPEN@GMAIL.COM) Josh Diamonstein and his wife, Cara, welcomed a healthy little boy into the world in November, Barrett Adler Diamonstein. Barrett and his big sister, Georgia (3), had a great summer in Washington, DC, and visiting family in Norfolk. Josh also started a new job in January, leaving government service to do market research for Rebellion Defense, a defense technology software startup that specializes in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
alumni profile | Derek Melvin ’01
His Unconventional Path Is Helping Diversify Wall Street
Norfolk Academy’s Statement of Philosophy underscores the importance of educating students to understand their role in creating a just society, a concept that Derek Melvin ’01 has personified throughout his career on Wall Street.
“At Norfolk Academy I learned how to navigate an institution that is steeped deeply in culture and tradition,” Melvin said. “Academy alumni understand both the advantages and responsibilities that come with being a member of our school community.”
Now a managing director in Morgan Stanley’s Fixed Income Division, Melvin’s path to Wall Street was different from most of his colleagues.
“I was fortunate to have attended two great schools — Norfolk Academy and Harvard University — but I had never taken any courses related to business or economics,” he said.
As a Government major, he knew little about finance, but he researched the banking industry, received a summer internship, and after graduation, joined Morgan Stanley as an analyst on the Securitized Products Sales team.
His unconventional path would be influential as he began to grapple with the lack of diversity in Wall Street’s traditional recruiting pipelines.
“I was lucky to have had friends and mentors who helped provide an on-ramp to my career,” Melvin said. “And I figured that there were many other talented people of color who could also succeed in our business if we did our part to provide them with similar access and exposure to our industry.”
In spring 2020, senior management approached Melvin for his thoughts following an intense period of soulsearching by the broader corporate world in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
“I responded with a combination of excitement and healthy skepticism; over the years I had seen countless diversity efforts fail,” he said. “But this time the firm was willing to allocate substantial resources to support the implementation of new ideas.”
A couple months later, the firm launched Melvin’s idea: the Morgan Stanley Experienced Professional Program, which is designed to recruit diverse professionals from non-traditional careers and backgrounds into the investment banking industry. About two years later the program has continued to grow, expanding to every division within the firm and even to Morgan Stanley’s offices in Europe. In addition, other banks and financial institutions have begun to emulate the model.
“At Norfolk Academy, I spent a lot of time working with school leaders across the administration to set up programs and organizations that we hoped would leave the school in a better place when it came to issues of diversity,” he said. “To create change, we built a series of coherent arguments, backed up by facts and figures. Twenty years later, I am still trying to replicate that same sense of social entrepreneurism here at Morgan Stanley.”
Derek Melvin ’01
Dr. Grayson Bryant is Assistant Headmaster for Development.
A 2003 classmate reunion of Oli Kawwass, Eddie Carver, and Matt Timms. Over Memorial Day weekend, Jason Kennedy ’07, second from left, led his team to a huge win at Watkins Glen International Raceway.
Joel Zedd ’07 married Allison Lundy at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk on June 24. Emma Goold ’08 and her husband, Talal, took a recent trip to San Francisco. From left, Allie Johnson Jones ’08, Mitchell Jones, Phillip DeLage, Amy Nusbaum DeLage ’08, Jean Goodman Baker ’08, Anne Goodwyn ’08, and Blair Lindsey ’08 at Amy and Phillip’s wedding in New Orleans in March 2022.
2006
Ω EMMY BEALLE ’06 (EMMY.BEALLE@GMAIL.COM)
Ω ELEANOR NEXSEN ’06 (ELEANORTPROCTOR@GMAIL.COM)
Ω GIFFORD TAYLOR ’06 (TGTAYLORJR@GMAIL.COM)
2007
Ω DAVID CALLIOTT ’07 (DACALLIOTT@GMAIL.COM)
Ω ALEX MOORE ’07 (ALEXCARNEYMOORE@GMAIL.COM) Over Memorial Day weekend Jason Kennedy led his team to a huge win at Watkins Glen International Raceway in its third race of eight planned for this year. Besides racing the car, Jason spends his free time as a high-performance driving instructor for NASA and SCCA and is always looking for a volunteer pit crew. Joel Zedd married Allison Lundy at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk on June 24. Also in attendance were Keenan Marshall, Ted Blackman, Jimmy McNider, Jason Kennedy, and Noah Watts ’08.
2008
Ω WILLIAM KITCHIN ’08 (WOKITCHIN@GMAIL.COM)
Ω ANGELA NELSON ’08 (ARN8@GEORGETOWN.EDU) Emma Goold and her husband, Talal, moved back to Virginia in August for Emma to begin a job at the U.S. Department of Labor. Since graduating from law school in 2019, Emma had been working as a law clerk in Fayetteville, AR, and Cedar Rapids, IA. Emma also competed in her first triathlon this summer!
2009
Ω ANNESLEY COLE ’09 (ANNESLEYCOLE@GMAIL.COM)
Ω RYAN LAROCK ’09 (RYANLAROCK@VAUMC.ORG)
2010
Ω JESSICA SMITH ’10 (JESSICASMITH.VB@GMAIL.COM) Nick Sas married Tipanun Bisalbutr, who is an attorney working in mergers and acquisitions for McDermott Will & Emery in Washington, DC. Nick also graduated from William & Mary Law School. Last summer following their wedding, Evan Brush and Cary Gentry ’12 moved to Manhattan, where they loved hanging out with other NA alums including Virginia Greenberg ’12 and Ross Hanson. After leaving active duty in the Marine Corps, where he served as an intelligence officer with multiple deployments from the previous six years, Evan completed internships for Goldman Sachs and a family office before starting at Columbia Business School (CBS). Cary taught Middle School at the Brearley School. Last November they completed their first marathon together in Richmond and raised almost $2,000 for Afghan refugees. Evan started a mental health and cognitive performance focused startup with some of his CBS classmates, is an active participant in Columbia’s Veterans Writers Workshop focused on fiction, and traveled to Colombia with his classmates this spring. This summer, Cary and Evan moved to London for Evan’s internship with Boston Consulting Group. They plan to stay there following his graduation in 2023. Carrie Thornton recently completed her time in Pennsylvania, where she attended graduate school and worked a postdoctoral program, and moved back to Hampton Roads. She is starting a job with Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters this fall and is looking forward not only to this opportunity but also being back home!
2011
Ω KYLIE PHILBIN ’11 (PHILBIN.KYLIE@BCG.COM)
2012
Ω DAVID BEST ’12 (DAVIDBEST94@GMAIL.COM)
Ω MARY RIVES DOUGHERTY EVANS ’12
(MRD1594@GMAIL.COM) Kristen Prossner is in her final year as a Ph.D. candidate at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Her research conducted in the Elizabeth River was recently published in a peer-reviewed science journal, Environmental Research. In the article, she and her co-authors present a new method for measuring a carcinogen found in oysters, using technology that utilizes the same principles behind at-home pregnancy tests and Covid tests, but is a little more sophisticated. The Elizabeth River has extremely high levels of this contaminant, particularly in
Before moving to London over the summer, Evan Brush ’10 and Cary Gentry ’12 lived in Manhattan.
Carrie Thornton ’10 recently moved back to Hampton Roads, where she is starting a job with Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.
the southern branch. They demonstrated that this new method was a faster and less expensive way to measure concentrations in oysters than conventional analytical methods and it has important real-world applications for monitoring and remediation efforts in the Elizabeth River and other contaminated sites. as well as in oil spill response. Brandon Mueller is a sound designer in Frisco, TX, for the video gaming company Gearbox Software. He was involved in the creation of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, which launched on March 25. Brandon also is engaged to his college sweetheart, Caroline Bryan. A spring 2023 wedding is being planned, followed by a European honeymoon.
2013
Ω HALEY LOFLIN ’13 (HLOFLIN22@GMAIL.COM)
2014
Ω MARGARET WILBANKS ’14 (M.WILBANKS1@AOL.COM) In May, Kathleen Kelly graduated from the University of Miami with her Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees. She will continue her training as a pediatric resident at Northwestern University in Chicago. Tyler Holmes is moving from New York City to Los Angeles to attend USC’s Film and Television Production Program for his MFA.
alumni profile | Sarah Yue ’19
Her Wanderlust Began with NA’s French Exchange
I participated in the French Exchange in March of my junior year at Norfolk Academy, traveling to Paris with Mr. Warsaw, Mr. Lilly, and Ms. McCallum. That sparked my desire to study abroad, learn languages, and form connections. When I decided to attend Tulane University, that was a main priority. The program I’m taking requires three semesters abroad: one summer in Merida, Mexico, with my cohort of peers studying Globalization and Finance, and two during junior year.
After returning from Mexico, I embarked on my second journey, to Rabat, Morocco. I studied Human Rights and Multiculturalism, and Arabic in fall 2021. I traveled through Morocco, heard from lecturers, visited NGOs, and applied in-classroom concepts to different regions. I also had a lovely host family who welcomed me like my own family, helped me learn the Darija vernacular, and provided delicious food. At the end of the semester, I researched the impact of the intersection of race and gender on sub-Saharan female migrants in a thesis-like project, culminating in a 40-page paper and presentation.
In spring 2022, I relocated to Paris, France, and enrolled in a French business school. I had classes only Monday to Wednesday, so I had time to explore the city, country, and beyond. Most of these trips included friends and fellow Academy alumni, who either were studying abroad in Europe or ventured over to visit.
Elle Lambert ’19 visited Paris for her birthday with Katharine Barbour ’19, and a trip to Istanbul, Turkey, followed. I met Katharine in Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Tenerife, exploring new places and forming new experiences. I then met Elle in Portugal, visiting Porto and Lisbon, afterwards meeting Straeten Avery ’19 in Nice, France, to explore the Cote D’Azur. I met NA Maymester students, led by Mr. Warsaw and Mr. and Mrs. Acra, which was an awesome experience, especially because I have kept in touch with some French students I had met four years earlier. My brother Bennett Yue ’23, Sammi Jacobs ’20, and Sarah Jacobs ’22, also visited, and I showed them a city I love so much.
I could not be more grateful for my time abroad, the people I’ve met, and the things I’ve been lucky enough to do. I’m especially grateful for the lasting impact my time at NA has had, igniting my love for travel and the connections I’ve maintained that made so many of my experiences possible.
Sarah Yue ’19 studied abroad last school year, and reunited with classmates and NA teachers during her time. One of her trips was to Istanbul, Turkey, where she met up with Katharine Barbour ’19, left, and Elle Lambert ’19, right.
Sarah Yue ’19 attends Tulane University.
While leading the French Exchange during Maymester, Mr. Warsaw, Mrs. Acra ’86, and Mr. Acra ’84 caught up with Kevin Tan ’13 (FAR LEFT) and Sarah Yue ’19 (NEAR RIGHT). Kevin lives and works in Paris. Sarah was studying abroad as part of a program with Tulane University. After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis in May, Brian Higgins ’15 spent a month touring Europe.
Amanda Haddock ’15 started a new job at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon as the Assistant Trail Crew Leader. Mary Stuart Elder ’16 and Joe Henry-Penrose ’16 became engaged in March. Grace Marshall ’16, Jack Broach ’16, and Taylor Acra ’17 met up in Washington, DC.
2015
Ω ALDEN STEDFAST ’15 (ASTEDFAST19@GMAIL.COM) On May 19, Brian Higgins graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with his master’s in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation Brian spent a month touring Europe. He has accepted a job offer in Chicago. Amanda Haddock started a new job at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon as the Assistant Trail Crew Leader. The main project she will be working on is crosscut saw logouts on most of the park trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail.
2016
Ω BRITTANY NEILAN ’16 (BNEILAN17@GMAIL.COM) Mary Stuart Elder and Joe Henry-Penrose got engaged in March. They also recently bought their first house in Raleigh, NC.
2017
Ω CARTER FURR ’17 (CBSFURR@GMAIL.COM) Antonio Arcona was named a Tobias Scholar Athlete award winner (top male student-athlete in school) at High Point University in April. After graduating from UVA, Graham Barbour helped launch Sly Dog Creative, a boutique firm that offers services in both film and photography. One of their advertisements recently won first place in a Bush’s Baked Beans film festival.
2018
Ω CROSS BIRDSONG ’18 (CBBALLIN5@GMAIL.COM)
Ω GREER GILL ’18 (GREERGILL14@GMAIL.COM) Makayla Thornton graduated in May from James Madison University with a bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in German. Campbell Pozin graduated magna cum laude from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Finance. He is now attending CNU for his master’s in Financial Analysis, while enjoying his fifth year of lacrosse eligibility. During the 2022 lacrosse season, he was named a USILA All American, USILA Scholar All American, and Division III National Short Stick Defensive Midfielder of the Year, and made the C2C Conference First Team. He interned over the summer with Towne Bank. Hampden-Sydney College highlighted Jordan Blackwell, who served as the college’s Student Senate chairman, among a host of other activities. After graduating from HSC in the spring, Jordan started working as a staff assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2019
Ω INGRID BENKOVITZ ’19 (INGRIDBENKOVITZ@GMAIL.COM) Scarlett Baughman graduated a year early from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a B.S. (Hons) in Hospitality Management and a minor in French, magna cum laude. Her next stop is graduate school for a master’s in Hospitality Management, with a research thesis focused on sustainability and how to successfully incorporate sustainable principles within the food and beverage industry. During her three years at UNLV, Scarlett founded the Rowing Club and was Club President in her senior year. She brought home the school’s first and second medals for rowing, winning gold at the San Diego Crew Classic Regatta (fall 2019), and after a two-year forced hiatus because of Covid-19, bronze in this year’s Covered Bridge Collegiate Regatta. She was a member of the Honors College for all three years, treasurer of UNLV’s Executive Sports Club Council, Fundraising Treasurer, member of sorority Zeta Tau Alpha, and Vice President and member of UNLV’s flying trapeze club, Cirque du UNLV. Several of our 2019 Bulldogs spent their junior year of college abroad: Tulane student Sarah Yue spent her year studying in both Morocco and France; UVA students Katharine Barbour and Elle Lambert studied in Spain; and UNC student Straeten Avery studied in France. While abroad, the four former classmates connected and spent some epic weekends traveling together. Lily Kauffman is applying to medical schools and working as a volunteer EMT in Virginia Beach. She is also captain of the Virginia Riding Team at UVA, works in a neuroscience research lab, and recently published an abstract in the American Diabetes
Several of our 2019 Bulldogs spent time abroad last school year. LEFT: UVA student Katharine Barbour, left, and Tulane student Sarah Yue in Instabul, Turkey. MIDDLE: Sarah Yue and UVA student Elle Lambert in Paris, France. RIGHT: UNC student Straeten Avery, who studied in France. Sarah studied in Morocco and France; Katharine and Elle studied in Spain; they all enjoyed spending epic weekends traveling together!
Scarlett Baughman ’19 graduated a year early from UNLV (LEFT). Founder of the school’s Rowing Club, she joined — and was held up by — teammates at the Covered Bridge Collegiate Regatta during her final year (CENTER and RIGHT). Emma Hugo ’22 went to Turkey with her family for two weeks, traveling to Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Dalaman.
Association journal, Diabetes, after presenting a poster at the American Diabetes Association conference in New Orleans, LA. Alexander Burkett will graduate from Vanderbilt University in May 2023 with a B.A. in Medicine, Health, & Society (Global Health concentration) and minors in Psychology and Portuguese. He is commissioning through the Air Force ROTC in May 2023. In fall 2021, he was initiated into the Nu Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
2020
Ω HANNAH ANTONICK ’20
(HANNAH.ANTONICK@RICHMOND.EDU)
2021
Ω MADDIE BROOKS ’21 (MADDIEBROOKS522@GMAIL.COM)
2022
Ω DAVID SMYTHE ’22 (DAVIDWSMYTHE22@GMAIL.COM) Emma Hugo went to Turkey with her family for two weeks. They went to Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Dalaman. ◆
in memoriam
Mr. Westmore C. Willcox ’75 Ms. Sarah P. Wick ’04 Ms. Margaret J. Pritchard ’08 Miss Amber Nicol Morgan ’24
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Ms. Doris Taylor Doyle
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