Connections Fall 2016

CONNECTIONS A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNAE OF RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE

DOING MORE

Zebrafish Research Yields Clues to Human Facial Development

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 9 Brianne Gustafson ’05, Veterinary Medical Officer, U.S. Customs & Border Protection

14 Members of the Classes of 1937, 1939 Celebrate Milestone Birthdays 16 Class Notes

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DDEAN’S MESSAGE

DEBORAH LAWRENCE, PH.D.,’88

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING Shannon Ballard Gorman SGS ’13

Dear Alumnae, As we look back to the past and note the 100th anniversary of the founding of Russell Sage College, we simultaneously embrace our present and future as a vital part of The Sage Colleges, a robust and complex mix of interdependent educational opportunities that one could not have envisioned back in 1916.

On September 7, we held our Centennial Founder’s Convocation.

You may be wondering why it was earlier than usual – we needed to accommodate the schedule of NASA Astronaut Stephanie Wilson, who delivered powerful and inspiring words to our Class of 2020!

Hailing from nearby western Massachusetts, Astronaut Wilson encouraged our students to make “game-changing” decisions, break large far-reaching tasks into smaller doable pieces, and to always try to do things as a team.

Good advice for all of us.

During my remarks at Founder’s Convocation, I recounted some of the story of our founder Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage. Sage, working closely with Eliza Kellas (some of that game-changing teamwork that Astronaut Wilson lauded) established Russell Sage College of Practical Arts in September 1916.

Russell Sage College has always had a penchant for delivering an education that is broadly based in the liberal arts while simultaneously providing practical career-focused skills. We are not alone in valuing the confluence of professional and liberal studies. Recent research sponsored by the Council for Independent Colleges has found that liberal arts knowledge is important to employers as well.

Source: cic.edu/Research-and-Data/Liberal Arts/Pages/Infographics.aspx – Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

We are living in a time, however, when the value of a liberal arts education is being called into question, perhaps in favor of more immediate and focused technical training. I hope you agree with me that there is so much more to an undergraduate liberal arts education than just job-training, and it’s sometimes the intangible thing that leaves the longestlasting impact. We need your help in spreading the word.

So, what’s your story? We’d love to hear from alumnae, especially those of you who graduated recently.

What was your major? What is your current position? What from your liberal arts education has impacted your life in a significant way, either personally or professionally? Tell us at centennial.sage. edu/stories. You can write as much or as little as you want – but please do also include a photo!

Wishing you all well as you Be, Know and Do MORE,

Deborah Lawrence ’88 Dean, Russell Sage College

CONNECTIONS

EDITOR Elizabeth Gallagher ART DIRECTOR Sarah Statham SGS ’08 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Deanna Cohen Elizabeth Gallagher CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Tamara Hansen Joann Hoose Matt Milless GRAPHIC DESIGNER Bethany Van Velsor THE SAGE COLLEGES OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS & PR 65 1st Street Troy, NY 12180 Tel: (518) 244-2246 connections@sage.edu | sage.edu

“To Be, To Know, To Do” Russell Sage College’s enduring motto

“Be. Know. Do. MORE”

Tagline celebrating Russell Sage College’s 100-year legacy and its promising future

Mission Statement The mission and purpose of The Sage Colleges is to provide the individual student with the opportunity and means to develop and advance personally and professionally, and thus to be successful in achieving life goals; to contribute to the larger society a group of diverse, thoughtful and competent citizen-leaders who continue to be engaged in the pursuit of lifelong learning; and to translate learning into action and application, recognizing the obligation of educated persons to lead and to serve their communities.

About the Cover

Saba Abuzaid ’19 and Debbie Yang ’17 are two of the students participating in Professor Kristi LaMonica’s research into genes that influence face development. Read more about their research on page 8.

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PRESIDENT’S PAGE

SUSAN SCRIMSHAW, PH.D.

PRESIDENT SUSAN SCRIMSHAW TO STEP DOWN IN 2017 Susan Scrimshaw announced in June that she will step down as president of The Sage Colleges at the conclusion of her contract in June 2017. She has served as president since 2008.

“I have enjoyed working to position Sage to thrive in its second century, so while this decision is bittersweet, the timing makes sense,” Scrimshaw said. “I am proud of the milestones that I have been able to accomplish together with the faculty, staff, board, alumnae and community partners.”

“President Scrimshaw is a bold visionary and her innovative and forward-thinking helped

to transform The Sage Colleges,” said Tip Simons, chair of The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees. “Because of her efforts, Sage is stronger than ever – a vibrant, diverse and academically outstanding institution that is on its way to university status.” In October, he announced that Ricketts Hall, home of the Occupational and Physical Therapy programs, will be renamed Scrimshaw Health Sciences Hall.

The board of trustees is conducting a national search for a new president. In the coming months, Scrimshaw will visit with alumnae across the nation and work to conclude the

$60 million Centennial Campaign for Sage, position Sage to apply to New York state for university status and ensure a smooth transition to the next leader.

She is looking forward to traveling with her husband Allan Stern, spending time with grandchildren and friends, and completing the second edition of her co-edited book, The Handbook of Social Studies in Health and Medicine. She will remain involved with the Nevin Scrimshaw International Nutrition Foundation, the Food and Nutrition Bulletin and the National Academy of Medicine.

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MORE than Before: Successes Under President Scrimshaw’s Leadership FINANCIAL STABILITY: Sage emerged from a budget deficit and now operates with a balanced budget. The endowment is up by almost 50 percent.

RECORD FUNDRAISING: In honor of its Centennial year, Sage launched the most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history.

As of October, the Centennial Campaign for Sage has raised $58.9 million, exceeding its $50 million goal. In the spirit of MORE, Sage set a new goal, to raise $60 million by June 2017.

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INCREASED ADMISSIONS: Applications have grown by almost 157 percent since 2008.

Undergraduate enrollment has increased by over 4 percent and new graduate student credit hours have increased by more than 52 percent.

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IMPROVED DIVERSITY: Diversity on Sage campuses has increased by 12 percent. Sage enrolls students from Afghanistan, China, Dubai, Greece, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Thailand.

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INNOVATIVE ACADEMICS: In 2009, Sage restructured graduate programs to create the Esteves School of Education, School of Health Sciences and School of Management. Sage has since added an online division; the School of Management earned accreditation from the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Educators and expanded its MBA program to Saratoga County; and the Esteves School of Education offers its Educational Leadership doctorate in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

ENHANCED FACILITIES: Improvements on the Russell Sage College campus include the renovation of the library into the Shea Learning Center; The School of Health Sciences’ simulation labs; the Hannaford Nutrition and Physical Assessment Lab and the Manor Nutrition Science Lab; and several beautification projects and new gardens.

COMMENCEMENT

Thomas Maggs JCA ’67, president of Maggs and Associates insurance brokerage; Donna Robinson Esteves ’70, member of The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees, energy entrepreneur and former teacher; Nelson “Tip” Simons, chair of The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees; commencement speaker Paula A. Johnson, M.D., MPH, president of Wellesley College and women’s health care leader; and President Scrimshaw at Sage’s Centennial commencement celebration on May 14. Sage awarded 879 degrees and honorary doctorate degrees to Maggs, Esteves and Johnson at the ceremony. President Scrimshaw also presented Esteves with a Woman of the Century medallion, in recognition of her extraordinary gifts of the past few years, which established the foundation for Russell Sage College’s second century.

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Influenced

LIVES THAT

RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE 1916 | 2016

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new installation in the Shea Learning Center, Lives of Influence, recognizes members of the Russell Sage College community whose lifetime achievements and affiliation with RSC have brought honor to the college. “As we celebrate our Centennial, we also celebrate the women and men who have helped Russell Sage reach this milestone,” said President Susan Scrimshaw.

Each month during the Centennial year, a placard dedicated to a notable alumna, faculty member or administrator of influence has been added, and their contributions to the college noted in subsequent issues of Connections.

SHARE YOUR STORY MORE than 38,000 graduates and hundreds of faculty and administrators are part of Russell Sage College’s history, and therefore its future.

Share your Sage story at centennial.sage.edu/stories

ANN CARACRISTI ’42

Shortly after the United States entered World War II, Ann Caracristi – then, an English and History major in her senior year at Russell Sage College – was recruited by the Signal Intelligence Service (a precursor to the National Security Agency) to join its cadre of codebreakers deciphering Japanese military communications. She arrived in Washington, D.C., the week after she graduated, beginning a distinguished career in the intelligence field.

Caracristi held several leadership roles within the NSA, and, according to declassified document number 4111636, available at NSA.gov, “was often the first woman to attain a particular senior grade.” The document (which still contains redacted information about her assignments and responsibilities) describes her as “a pioneer in the application of early computers and mechanized processing to cryptanalysis. She established a new laboratory facility for studying new communications phenomena. She also created the organizational infrastructure to train and make effective use of one of the largest group of new employees ever absorbed by NSA.” Caracristi eventually became the first woman deputy director at the NSA, a position she held from 1980 until she retired in 1982. After she retired, she remained active in a variety of advisory roles in the intelligence community, including membership on President Bill Clinton’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Her contributions to national security were recognized with numerous awards, including the 1980 Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award (the department’s highest civilian honor) and the National Security Medal, presented to her by President Ronald Reagan in 1982. Since 2002, the National Defense Intelligence College has bestowed an award in Caracristi’s name, recognizing academic excellence in the field of intelligence.

In 1982, the Russell Sage College Alumnae Association bestowed the Crockett Medal on Caracristi, in recognition of her career achievements and generosity to the college, and the college awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Public Service at its 1992 commencement exercises.

From WWII through the New Millenium 1938: Ann Caracristi entered Russell Sage College, majoring in English and History.

1930s

1941: The Japanese bombed 1940s Pearl Harbor. The United States entered WWII. Olga Andruskiw served in the Army Nurse Corps during 1942: While a student, WWII. Caracristi is recruited by the Signal Intelligence Service to decipher Japanese military communications. She began training after graduation.

OLGA ANDRUSKIW, PH.D. Olga Andruskiw served in the Army Nurse Corps during WWII, then taught at the University of Texas and Syracuse University before joining the Nursing faculty at Russell Sage College in 1956.

She was chair of Russell Sage’s Nursing department from 1962 until her retirement in 1985. Under Andruskiw’s leadership, the department significantly increased enrollment; launched a Master of Science degree; and received more than $2 million in grants.

Andruskiw’s contributions to the nursing profession extended around the world. She established nurse training programs in Colombia, Guyana and Venezuela; conducted seminars in Taiwan and China with Professor Emerita Rosalind Wang; and chaired the nursing committee of the American Bureau for Medical Advancement in China.

Andruskiw was a fellow in the American Academy of Nurses. She coauthored a book, Administrative Theory and Practice: Issues in Higher Education in Nursing, and wrote regularly for professional journals focusing on women in leadership and administrative positions. She was an assistant editor for the Journal of Professional Nursing and a manuscript reviewer for Nursing Outlook.

Upon her retirement, Andruskiw created an award that recognizes a senior nursing student for leadership and scholarship. When Andruskiw died in 2002, Associate Professor of Nursing and Department Chair Glenda Kelman, Ph.D., ’72, ’74 and several other former colleagues and students established a lecture fund in Andruskiw’s memory.

1945: When WWII ended Caracristi briefly left cryptologic service. She returned in 1946 and worked to break Soviet transmissions during the Cold War. According to declassified document 4111636 her “expertise, knowledge, 1950s professionalism, and tough response to the challenges of 1956: Andruskiw joined the tough intelligence problems Nursing Faculty at Russell brought her rapid advancement Sage College. Before and at the NSA.” during her tenure at RSC, Andruskiw established nurse training and education programs in Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, China and Taiwan and published several scholarly works.

1980: Caracristi is named the first woman deputy director at the NSA and received the Department of Defense’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award, its highest civilian honor.

1980s 1962-1985: During Andruskiw’s tenure as chair of Russell Sage’s Nursing department, the department significantly increased enrollment; launched a Master of Science degree; and received more than $2 million in grants.

1982: Caracristi retires from the NSA. President Ronald Reagan presented her with the National Security Medal. In the 1985: Upon her retirement, same year, the Russell Sage Andruskiw established College Alumnae Association an award to recognize a recognized her achievements graduating nursing student for and generosity to the college leadership and scholarship. with the Doris L. Crockett medal.

1990s 1992: The Sage Colleges awarded an honorary Doctorate of Public Service to Caracristi at commencement.

1993-2001: Caracristi’s postretirement activities in the intelligence field included service on President Bill Clinton’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

2016: Ann Caracristi died January 10 at her home in Washington, D.C. She was 94.

2000s 2002: After Andruskiw passed away several former colleagues and students established a lecture fund in her memory.

Happy 100th

Alumnae returned to campus by the hundreds this year for events in honor of Russell Sage College’s Centennial.

CENTENNIAL 5K

Alexandra Scoville ’14 in the Centennial 5K.

One hundred and thirty-nine runners and walkers participated in the Centennial 5K on campus in September.

Fastest female Emily Patrie.

Michael White and Andriana White ’17, a member of the student Centennial committee, at the 5K.

REUNION

Party On Hudson’s Shore Nearly 600 Blue Angels, Golden Horseshoes, Purple Cows and Red Devils returned to campus for Reunion 2016. The weekend began with a barbecue (pictured) and fireworks for all classes, and included special festivities for members of classes ending in 1 and 6.

MORE Reunion photos on page 14.

FOUNDER’S DAY ASTRONAUT INSPIRES AT CENTENNIAL FOUNDER’S CONVOCATION NASA Astronaut Stephanie Wilson – a veteran of three space flights, who has logged more than 42 days in space – addressed the Russell Sage College community in September in celebration of Founder’s Day. “It is fitting for our Centennial Founder’s celebration that we have a woman with us whose hard work, courage, wisdom and accomplishments are both an inspiration and a challenge to all of us,” said President Scrimshaw in her introduction.

Wilson spoke specifically about game-changing decisions and teamwork, drawing parallels between Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage and Eliza Kellas’ work to establish Russell Sage College for women 100 years ago, the work of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate to push the boundaries of space travel, and the gamechanging opportunities that await today’s Russell Sage students.

Wilson paraphrased Drew Faust, president of her alma mater, Harvard University, when she said, “It is not risk-free to put forward an idea. It takes courage to defend it and requires trust that the idea will be given a fair assessment. We are thankful that Margaret Sage and Eliza Kellas were willing to take a risk, had the courage to defend an idea and had the trust that their idea would be given a fair assessment. They also employed the Sage motto.

They Were. They Knew. And they Did.”

SCULPTURE DEDICATION

Alumnae Relations Director Joan Clifford ’82, member of The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees Jim Jones and former trustee Janet Willis Jones ’68 admire the new sculpture.

Celebration, a sculpture by Kathryn Field, was dedicated in the Shea Learning Center on October 20. It includes steel and paint images of Russell Sage College students, based on photographs from Sage’s archives and is a Centennial gift from Donna Robinson Esteves ’70.

View photos from the Centennial gala and MORE at flickr.com/sagephotoshare

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FACULTY AND STUDENTS

BIO PROFESSOR AND STUDENTS’ ZEBRAFISH RESEARCH YIELDS CLUES TO HUMAN FACIAL DEVELOPMENT bachelor’s degree/Occupational Therapy master’s degree. “Occupational therapy is becoming more research based,” she said. “This experience helped to broaden my experiences in research.”

Mary Witkowski ’17, who is pursuing an accelerated Biology bachelor’s degree/Physical Therapy doctorate at Sage, and who worked with a team of students and LaMonica as part of an independent study, said the experience increased her understanding of how genetics affect bones, muscles and body systems. In spring 2016, Witkowski presented their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, and the TriBeta (National Biology Honor Society) conference at Eastern Connecticut State University. She hopes to contribute to a publication when their research is further along.

Saba Abuzaid ’19 and Professor Kristi LaMonica.

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hen Assistant Biology Professor Kristi LaMonica, Ph.D., arrived at Russell Sage College from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2014, her cargo included several hundred zebrafish. Zebrafish – with a genetic makeup remarkably similar to that of humans – are the backbone (or more accurately in this case, the jawbone) – of LaMonica’s research into genes that influence face development. Now established at Russell Sage College, her fish lab in Mueller Science Hall also provides resumebuilding opportunities for students to gain sophisticated research skills and contribute to scientific reports and publications.

LaMonica and her students are looking for fish that have a facial deformity, then attempting to identify the genes that caused the deformity.

It is not hypothesis-driven science-as-usual, Lamonica explained. “We don’t know what we’ll find when we work backward from observing a mutation to discovering what genes are expressed and how they’ve been altered.” Identifying the genes that affect facial development in fish will lead to a better understanding of facial development and conditions like cleft palate in humans, she said.

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“The research involves aspects of molecular biology, genetics and developmental biology, and is progressing steadily thanks in part to my classroom students and student research assistants.”

A New York State Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program grant provided stipends to Saba Abuzaid ’19 and Debbie Yang ’17 for their research assistance in summer 2016. They spent eight weeks carrying out specialized techniques, from dissecting half-millimeter zebrafish embryos under a microscope, to performing mRNA in situ hybridizations, which help locate areas of gene expression in the fish.

Abuzaid is a Biology major who plans to attend medical school. When she talks about identifying her first mutation with assistance from LaMonica, and then finding the next one on her own, her excitement is infectious. She’s now a teaching assistant for LaMonica’s General Biology lab, which keeps her connected to the research. “I joke with Professor LaMonica that I have priority for future research roles with the fish,” she said.

Yang is enrolled in Sage’s 3+2 Health Sciences

Fish labs are not necessarily a standard offering in college-level science programs said LaMonica.

Of 24 colleges in New York’s Capital RegionAdirondack area, only two others have fish labs and to LaMonica’s knowledge, Sage’s is the only one working with novel mutations. “For a small school, we can conduct amazing research and offer students amazing opportunities,” she said.

LaMonica recently received a grant from the Bender Scientific Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region and a Schacht faculty research grant from Sage to support her research, in addition to CSTEP support for student research assistants.

READ MORE faculty and student accolades at sage.edu/stories

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ALUMNAE

PROTECTING THE DOGS THAT PROTECT AMERICA: Army Captain Brianne Freeman Gustafson, D.V.M., ’05

MORE FROM BRIANNE You Might Be Surprised to Know: “The Customs & Border Protection Canine Program has a breeding program! It averages a litter every one to two years … We currently have a litter of 11 puppies, born at the end of May. It’s the biggest litter in Canine Center El Paso’s history. They’re already in training and all are doing well. The trainers are expecting a high percentage of the litter to enter into the program. The ones that do not meet requirements will be adopted.”

On Joining the Military: “The final clincher was when my brother joined. I thought, ‘I can do that!’ Currently, we serve together in the same Civil Affairs Battalion. The Army made me realize my passion for serving working dogs and has also given me a solid foundation for my career with Customs & Border Protection.”

Brianne Gustafson ’05 with a U.S. Customs & Border Protection dog.

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rianne Gustafson is a major in the U.S. Army Reserves and the veterinary medical officer at Canine Center El Paso in Texas, the headquarters of the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Canine Training Program, where at any one time approximately 150 dogs (and their human partners) are preparing for roles in the Department of Homeland Security’s anti-terrorism efforts.

Gustafson is responsible for the working dogs’ health and welfare; she is also involved in the selection process for dogs entering the program.

Gustafson said that the summer after her first year at Russell Sage College – when she worked at an animal hospital – prompted her to pursue a rigorous pre-veterinary track at RSC. As a veterinary student at Iowa State University, she was still determining her medical specialty when she met a recruiter for members of the Army health care team. “My interest was piqued when I learned about being able to treat and care for military working dogs,” she said. “What an honor.”

Gustafson was commissioned into the Army Veterinary Corps when she graduated from veterinary school. She served for three years at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in South Carolina and after leaving active duty, joined a small animal hospital in El Paso, where her husband is stationed with Border Patrol.

Private practice was a fantastic experience, and she learned a lot, she said, but she missed the daily interaction with working dogs that she had in the Army. “When I heard that Customs & Border

Protection was hiring a veterinarian, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Canine Center El Paso – and its sister site in Front Royal, Virginia – trains dogs, handlers and certified canine instructors in disciplines like narcotic, currency and firearm detection, search and rescue, tracking and trailing and more. The program also provides training to other local, state and federal agencies and serves as a resource and liaison to the field. There are more than 1,500 Customs & Border Protection canine teams working nationwide.

Before Gustafson joined Canine Center El Paso in March, it relied on civilian veterinarians. As the first veterinarian on staff, she’s excited to build the animal health program. In addition to routine (and, due to the dogs’ line of work, sometimes not-so-routine) medical care, Gustafson is very involved in supply and equipment procurement and a renovation project that will make the existing treatment space more functional. She is in regular contact with her counterparts at Front Royal as she develops the El Paso program.

The working dogs – mostly Belgian Malinois and German or Dutch Shepherd in the El Paso program – have exceptionally high energy and because of that, tend to be prone to injury, said Gustafson.

“Treating these guys is not without its challenges,” she said. “A working dog typically has no idea what rest is. They’re all about working and training.”

The Vet’s Pets: “I have two dogs. One is a little mutt named Izzy. I adopted her from Fort Stewart, Georgia, shortly after completing Officer Basic Training in 2009.

Interestingly, she looks like a miniature working dog, weighing only 8 pounds. My other dog is a pit bull named Brutus. Every vet needs a pit bull.”

CONNECT WITH CAREER SERVICES

Assistant Director Shatoya Michel, Director Carleen Pallante and Assistant Director Amanda Shaw of the Office of Career Planning.

Alumnae volunteers help Career Planning at Russell Sage College do MORE, and alumnae frequently seek counsel from Career Planning as well – its services are available free of charge.

Visit sage.edu/alumni-career-resources to learn more.

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DALUMNAE ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT ANNIE IWANICKI ’86

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f you were one of the hundreds of alumnae who ventured back to campus for Reunion 2016, then you experienced first-hand the excitement and enthusiasm we have for our beloved Russell Sage. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of attending many Reunions as a member of the Alumnae Association Board, and all have paled in comparison to the one celebrating our Centennial. From the art show to book clubs and readings, Zumba, going back to school with Alumnae College, and an all-class barbeque capped off with festive fireworks, Reunion 2016 had something for everyone. For me, the best part was not only celebrating my 30th Reunion with classmates, but renewing friendships, reliving traditions and experiencing RSC today with sisters from every class was such a thrill!

In addition to toasting Russell Sage College, we had a chance to celebrate one another’s accomplishments, including this year’s Doris Crockett Medalist Carol Sweet Morse ’66; Elizabeth “Betsy” Fineburg ’64, Susan C. Picotte ’76 and Alayne L. Schroll ’78 who were presented with Woman of Influence awards; and Outstanding Young Alumna Jessica Beth Lennington Campbell ’01. These women have shaped opinions, seized opportunities, solved problems, acted with purpose and achieved goals. They are truly inspiring and make us proud of the quality of the alumnae in our ranks.

Several long-serving board members have come to the end of their terms and I wish to thank Helen Rodriguez Burmaster ’78, Tiffany Magnino Grygus ’03, Meredith Patik ’02 and Jenna Russell Cuilla ’06 for their commitment and service to the Alumnae Association. Their departures have made room for new ideas and energy and it is a pleasure to welcome Mairead Kissane-Smialek ’91, Sara Simon ’04 and Theresa Hotte ’15 to the board, along with student representatives Mariah Thompson ’16, Rachael Mossey ’17 and McKenzie Will ’18.

Our work this year will be focused on expanding our outreach efforts to keep you even more informed and engaged with what’s happening with RSC. Rest assured, alumnae will have a voice in selecting The Sage Colleges’ next president and to this end, I have asked vice president Carrie Cokely ’97 to serve as the alumnae representative to the presidential search committee. We are also committed to doing our part in support of the Sage Fund for Excellence and to attract new students to RSC. I believe that the college is far too shy and reserved about telling its story. But WE shouldn’t be. We’re the ones who have benefited from our experiences in and out of the classroom. I encourage you to share your Sage story with a young woman contemplating college and ask her to consider Russell Sage and its outstanding academic programs. Let us come together and do all we can to strengthen our alma mater.

As you page through Connections, I hope you feel great pride in RSC, and in your membership in the community of extraordinary women that is Russell Sage College.

She celebrated her 100th birthday on September 19 and like all great women, she just keeps getting better.

Stay in touch,

Annie Iwanicki ’86 Annmpi13@gmail.com

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DALUMNAE ASSOCIATION

HONORS

Carol Sweet Morse ’66 is 2016 Crockett Medalist

Elizabeth Fineburg, center, with Annie Iwanicki and RSCAA board member Cathy Lewandowski Zwolinski ’81.

Jessica Campbell, center, with Cathy Lewandowski Zwolinski and Annie Iwanicki.

Four Honored for Professional Achievement at Reunion

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arol Sweet Morse received the Doris L. Crockett Medal during Reunion weekend. The Crockett Medal is the Russell Sage College Alumnae Association’s highest honor, and recognizes alumnae for their commitment to Russell Sage College in conjunction with professional achievement and/or community service.

Morse is a retired physical therapist and former member of The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees who has created a scholarship for women to study business at Sage.

Several alumnae who nominated Morse for the Crockett Medal also cited the special role she plays keeping alumnae connected, by regularly attending alumnae events and reaching out with notes and phone calls to alumnae who “have slipped off the radar.”

In 2013, the United Way honored her with a Volunteer Spirit award for her longtime involvement with the Hudson Valley Singers, including six years as president.

Doris Crockett joined Russell Sage College at its founding in 1916 as secretary to the president. She remained part of the administration for 43 years, serving as director of admission, registrar and dean. The Alumnae Association established the award in her name upon her retirement in 1959, to recognize alumnae who demonstrate the same commitment to the college, as well as professional achievement or community service.

PHOTO: Carol Sweet Morse, center, with Ronnye Shamam ’64, member, The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees, and Annie Iwanicki ’86, president, Russell Sage College Alumnae Association.

Susan Carroll Picotte, J.D., ’76, Alayne Schroll, Ph.D., ’78 and Elizabeth “Betsy” Fineburg ’64 were recognized as the Alumnae Association’s 2016 Women of Influence for their positive influence in their professions and their communities, and Jessica Lennington Campbell, Ph.D., ’01 received the Marion Hughes Reuss ’45 award, recognizing alumnae who achieve significant professional accomplishments within 15 years of graduation.

Picotte is a partner in the Albany law firm Cooper Erving & Savage. She concentrates her practice in trust and estate planning, administration and litigation; elder law; and not-for-profit organizations. Schroll is a professor of chemistry and the Leavy Family Chair in Chemistry at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont. Her expertise is in bio-organic chemistry. Fineburg is retired from a 35-year career in education in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Bucks County Community College Board of Trustees. Campbell is a postdoctoral fellow studying the neurobiology of childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorders at the Yale Child Study Center and a Marriage and Family Therapy master’s degree candidate. Fineburg and Campbell were recognized at Reunion; Picotte and Schroll will be honored at a future RSCAA gathering.

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DALUMNAE ASSOCIATION

REUNION

BLUE ANGELS

1981 1961

2001

RED DEVILS

1951

1971

1991

PURPLE COWS

1966

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1986

DALUMNAE ASSOCIATION

REUNION

GOLDEN HORSESHOES

1956

1976

1996

ALUMNAE RECOGNIZED FOR CENTENNIAL GIFTS

2011

2006

President Scrimshaw, Danish Sharp ’15 and Katie Gnirrep ’18 at the Centennial brick display, dedicated over Reunion weekend.

President Scrimshaw recognized Christine Collard Devereaux ’56, Barton and Kristina Hanson Smith ’61 and James and Helen Miller Wick ’51 at Reunion, for leadership gifts to the Centennial Campaign for Sage.

The first floor of Kellas Hall has been named in honor of Devereaux, in gratitude for her unrestricted gift and establishing a fellowship for alumnae pursuing a graduate degree at Sage. The pediatrics room in the School of Health Sciences Simulation Labs was supported by an unrestricted gift from the Smiths, and named in honor of Dorothy McMullan, former director of the School of Nursing. A classroom in Mueller Science Hall was named in honor of the Wicks, for their support of the Esteves School of Education’s Help Yourself Academy STEM enrichment program.

Christine Collard Devereaux ’56, Irmgard Kauppert Engelson ’56, Director of Planned Giving Susan Warshany and friend Chris Koski.

President Scrimshaw and Kristina Hanson Smith ’61.

Helen Miller Wick ’51 and James Wick.

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CLASS NOTES

Doris Schwartz Lewis and Margery Rose Goodman.

MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 1939 CELEBRATE A REMARKABLE FRIENDSHIP

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n early July, Margery Rose Goodman ’39 and Doris Schwartz Lewis ’39 got together for lunch; Margery had just turned 99, and Doris – who turned 99 in May – wanted to treat her best friend.

Word spread around the restaurant about the milestone birthday celebration and several people – including a couple with their newborn – stopped by the table to extend well-wishes. “People always make a fuss over them when they are out,” said Margery’s daughter, Carol Goodman Comras, who joined the best friends for lunch. “And they always say they met at Russell Sage.”

Margery grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts, less than an hour from Doris who grew up in Andover. They met in fall 1935, when they entered Russell Sage College and were assigned as roommates in Sage Hall. They remained roommates all four years. Through

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CONNECTIONS fall 2016

Carol, they shared memories of college that included “running around in cardigans even in the cold weather”; Margery’s father, who traveled frequently for business, delivering clean laundry, cartons of cigarettes and, somehow, roast chickens from Margery’s mother, on his trips through Troy; and several vacation adventures.

When they graduated – Margery with a degree in Business and Doris with a degree in Sociology – they returned to the Boston area. Margery worked at Boston’s historic Gilchrist’s department store until she married Jerome Goodman in 1941. They raised two daughters and Margery later returned to retail, working for Stoddards, a well-known cutlery store, through her 80s.

Doris married Allen Lewis in 1942 and also raised two daughters. “Doris was an important volunteer for Jewish community organizations in Boston, especially at Beth

Margery Rose Goodman wrote that she and Doris Schwartz Lewis celebrated their 90th birthdays with friends and family. They lived together in Sage Hall and now have separate apartments in the same condominium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

– Class Notes, spring 2008

CLASS NOTES

Margery Rose Goodman was the first to respond with class news … she celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary and 75th birthday recently and was elated that her roommate Doris Schwartz Lewis celebrated with her ...

Marge and Doris continue to be close friends and see each other often. I’m sure that their telephones are overworked!

–Class Notes, winter 1992

Israel Hospital where she served for more than 30 years on several committees,” said Carol Comras.

“Doris was always in my life. I always knew she and my mom met as teenagers and I knew friendship could last a lifetime,” Carol said of the relationship between the Goodman and Lewis families as she was growing up. Later in their lives, Margery and Jerome and Doris and Allen shared a condo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, every February. Margery and Doris remained devoted to Russell Sage, too, regularly attending Reunions together – most recently their 75th in 2009 – and sharing news in Connections Class Notes.

Inevitably, they had to support each other through difficult times, including the deaths of their husbands, of Doris’ daughter from cancer and of Margery’s son-in-law (Carol’s husband). “After my dad died, my mom sold their house and moved into the condominium community where Doris was living. They were not exactly roommates again but neighbors for sure,” said Carol.

“They were back and forth all the time and spoke daily all these years, until somewhat recently.”

Four years ago Margery, a grandmother of two, moved to a setting that offered more

of the services that she would need as she aged. “Although my mother has lost a lot of her memory, she knows family,” said Carol. “She knows for sure that she went to Russell Sage College, met Doris there and that Doris is still her best friend.”

Doris, grandmother of three, lives independently and is active on the board of Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly. “‘The more you do, the more you can do,’ is Doris’ motto,” said Carol (An apt motto for a graduate of Russell Sage College, which is celebrating a century of educating women to Be. Know. Do. MORE).

While Margery and Doris no longer speak every day, they are able to get together regularly. Doris attended Margery’s birthday party at Carol’s house, there was a celebratory lunch for each of their birthdays, and when Doris’s daughter visited in July, the women got together again.

“Doris was an only child and my mother had a twin brother,” said Carol of the bond between Margery and Doris. “By the time they finished college, their connection was like sisters. They were in it for life.”

NEWSPAPER SALUTES ALUMNA ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY

L

illian “Babe” Travis Ortloff ’37 turned 100 on July 19, and the Lake Placid News dedicated the entire front page of its August 25 issue to her. In the article Babe’s daughter Sue Cameron shared details about Babe’s significant service to her country and community as well as some fun anecdotes about her golf game and contributions to the 1980 Olympic Games.

Lillian “Babe” Ortloff in her 1937 Russell Sage College yearbook photo.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Russell Sage College, Babe taught in Lake Placid and Mamaroneck, New York, and helped her sisters run the Interbrook Lodge in Keene Valley during the summers. Then, in 1944, she joined the American Red Cross and was sent to liberated France where she was a hospital recreational worker. In 1946, she met and married Carl Ortloff, who had served in the American Signal Corps in China during World War II. The couple raised four children in the Lake Placid area and Babe assisted with Carl’s television and electronics repair business and later returned to

teaching. She was one of the founders – and for many years, the lead teacher – of Lake Placid’s Head Start program, and she was also a substitute teacher at the Lake Placid Central School.

Babe, the New York State Junior Golf Champion in high school, bowled and played tennis into her 80s.

Her community pride and enthusiasm found its full expression during the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid: in addition to helping with the Garden Club decorations, Babe calligraphed all of the award diplomas for the games!

The Lake Placid News article included photos from Babe’s birthday celebration at Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid and is available online at lakeplacidnews. com/page/content.detail/id/525674/Birthday-Girl. html?nav=5005.

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

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CLASS NOTES

1939

1947 |

1940

1948

Please send your news to: Polly “Pauline” Soper Minehan, 671 Lakeside Circle #323, Pompano Beach, FL 33060; 954-783-7733

Please send your news to: Elizabeth “Betty” Cummings, 6 Church Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-1603; 508-835-3774; beamancummings@charter.net

1941

Please send your news to: connections@sage.edu

1942 |

REUNION

Please send your news to: connections@sage.edu

1943

Please send your news to: Muriel L. Wilhelm, 35 Schooner St. Apt. 314, Damariscotta, ME 04543; 207-563-0218

1944

Please send your news to: connections@sage.edu

1945

Please send your news to: connections@sage.edu

1946

A cheery note came from Marjorie Long Mowrey. She and her daughter bought a house and Marjorie is having fun with interior decoration. She works two days a week and was looking forward to the New Jersey shore at the end of August. I would be looking forward to the beach too, if my life were that full!

I am sorry to report that Vera Cohen Lee has been sidelined with a fractured hip but, always ready to be up and at it, Vee will get back to her dancing before long.

I am hanging in there, not doing anything remarkable. My hobby is brushing up on my French under the guidance of a friend whose native tongue is French.

Please send your news to: Ann Heddens Kingston, 645 Ridge View Drive, Louisville, CO 80027-3295; 303-604-6408; ignatz1130@gmail.com

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CONNECTIONS fall 2016

REUNION

Please send your news to: Sylvia Saarnijoki, 24 Holly House Court #4A, Litchfield, CT 06759-3640; 860-567-5271

Please send your news to: Suzanne Freedman Juster, Pacifica Forest Trace, 5500 NW 69th Ave. Apt. 577, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319; 954-722-5567; isjuster@aol.com

1949

Want to read an interesting book? Harriet “Hattie” Blank Lapkin suggests Bridge Ladies by Betsy Lerner as a good read if you like bridge; went to RSC, especially as a member of the Class of 1949; and/or are the mother of a daughter or the daughter of a mother.

Please send your news to: Elizabeth “Jay” Lee Warren, 46 West 25th Ave., Spokane, WA 99203; 509-995-1928; billandjay@ hotmail.com

1950

Three cheers for email, Facebook and especially cell phones. My suggestion: get out your old address book and try calling a couple of old (yes, “old”) classmates.

When I called Shirley Clapp Southworth, her son, Harry, Jr., answered and then Shirley and I had a long chat. She lives with daughter Wendy in San Diego, and she has many contacts with kids and grands. Same with Harriet “Hattie” Blank Lapkin. She and Sam celebrated their 67th anniversary this summer. She has contact with Ruth Norby Hensley who lives in Denver.

Harriet DeFranco’s daughter Roseanne, Marie Corrado, Pat Guilder and Harriet DeFranco at the Saratoga Race Course.

I had a surprise visit from Eleanor “Ellie” Cochran’s daughter Judy recently. Her mom is in a nice residence in Dedham, MA, and is not too spry, but taking advantage of the excellent programs there.

Facebook brought messages from Sally French and Ed Dannemann in Georgia and Eleanor King Markel in Washington state.

Elsie “Chick” Gabor Summit and husband, Bob, spend time at their home in Palm City, FL, and in an independent living apartment in Wellesley, MA. They have four greatgranddaughters. She recently met Marjorie “Midge” Schwartz Lewis for their annual lunch. Midge reports that politics are on her mind: “I keep reminding myself that I’m living through history and every day’s Donald Duckism is one for the books.” She frets about the grandchildren and tells them to stay out of crowds. She also said, “My health is reasonably good. Arthritis hampers me but what the hell ... it could be worse.”

I had a call from Marjorie “Jackie” Naylor Constantine’s daughter telling of Betty Wiesner’s death in August. Our heartfelt condolences to her family members. Betty took over our class presidency after we lost Meek several years ago and we are grateful for her continuance of all we were and are ... an outstanding class. Rise and shine ’49!

Marie Corrado, Harriet DeFranco and Jeanne Mader in Lake Placid in August.

I spoke with several classmates and regardless of their situation they seemed to have similar attitudes: take a day at a time, do what you can do when you can do it, make the best of the situation, accept what you can’t change, count blessings, and college was one of the great times of our lives.

It was with sorrow that I learned of the passing of classmates Irma Horn Cohen, Ruth Butler Johnstone and Evelyn Simmons Sharp. We extend to their families and friends our sincere sympathy.

Michelena “Mickey” Mastrianni had pneumonia within the past year. She is now in charge of the 70th reunion of her high school class.

CLASS NOTES Barbara “Bobby” Bell Bombard received a family picture from Janet Eckert Givens and Verg at their 65th wedding anniversary. Bobby has enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow. One is a communications major at Ithaca College, another is a high school sophomore and the youngest is in kindergarten. Bobby lives in a senior apartment and has many friends. She has stopped stitching. She and Ginny Cheney Finck had made stitched purple flower souvenirs for each of us at several Reunions.

Dorothy “Dottie” Oates Benenati is active with a craft group that makes gifts that are sold, with the proceeds given to hospice.

Jeanne “Randy” Randall Mader reports that her aching foot is somewhat better.

She is in charge of planning the luncheon and banquet for her 70th high school class reunion.

Roberta Ressler Shane continues to play golf. She lives in Florida and sees alumnae including her Sage Little Sister while playing bridge. Roberta will be going to Chicago to attend a wedding and then Indianapolis to visit friends.

Marie Guilana Margosian sold her home and moved into an independent living area; her sister is in the assisted living area of the facility.

Diane Bault De Mille visited her son in Hilton Head. She rented a condo with a pool and the first day she slashed her leg at the pool. She went to the hospital, sat around for three days and went home with an infected wound. What a nice vacation, Di! Mary “Des” Desport Kline has been busy attending weddings and graduations. A granddaughter is a ballerina with the Long Island Ballet Company and is staying with Des. Ruth Wilson Royter is involved with Words with Wings which helps young writers. At home, she grows roses and berries from which she makes three kinds of jam. At times Ruth has worked at her local nature center and art museum where Native American art is shown. If anyone is near Missoula, MT, Ruth would be happy to see you!

Mary Ellen “Mel” Greene Keays fell and broke her left arm. At some point, she had also broken her right arm. She has one great-grandchild and another on the way.

Hannelore “Lorie” Bremser Dunne is in an independent living apartment.

She recently went to South Carolina for a baby shower and to Brooklyn for a granddaughter’s wedding. Lorie has three great-granddaughters.

Marion Holderle Ginegaw is in an independent living community which keeps her busy. She enjoys the people, activities and facilities. She is awaiting the arrival her first great-grandchild.

Margery Reinhardt Helm keeps busy volunteering, playing bridge, and being with her family. She and a daughter flew to California to spend time with another daughter and family.

I, Bret Movsky, recently hosted my grandson, Adam, and his girlfriend, Ashley, from Raleigh, NC. My grandparents married in 1877. My grandfather bought some land in 1917 and a house was built. In 1927 at the house, my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and my parents announced their engagement. In the late 50s, the land was sold and a mall was built. During Adam and Ashley’s visit, Adam proposed to Ashley at the park near the reservoir where my father proposed to my mother. We three celebrated by eating meals at two of the restaurants in the mall on land where the 50th wedding anniversary of Adam’s great-greatgrandparents and engagement of greatgrandparents occurred. The evening before the engaged couple left, 20 relatives came to the house to celebrate with cake and ice cream.

Please send your news to: Bret Movsky, 221 Warrington Drive, Rochester, NY 14618; 585-244-7095; brmovsky@yahoo.com

1951

Before Reunion Alice Kalijian Ishjanian’s son Alex called me, Jane McKersie, to tell me of Alice’s passing. I am so glad that I had a chance to communicate with her the summer before last. She was unable to speak at the time, but Alex was there to help and he gave me information about her full, productive life.

Seven of us represented our class at the 100th anniversary celebration of Russell Sage College over Reunion weekend.

We were sorry that Class President Rose DelNegro Waeaver was unable to attend at the last minute (We re­elected her president). She sent this note: “My warm thanks to our classmates who attended the 65th Reunion. You represented all of us who could not be there and showed everyone that the Class of 1951 still has

spirit. I want to thank Jane for all the calls she makes and all the news she reports.”

I really wish that we had had more time to visit with each other over the Reunion weekend.

Only Jim and Helen Miller Wick and my husband, Alan, and I were able to stay the whole time. We stayed at the same motel and had breakfast together, which was nice. Just about everyone else came for one event. Carolyn Stevenson Bedford and Pat Parsons Strickland came from New Hampshire for the Friday luncheon but had to go back for family gatherings that weekend. I looked forward to talking with both of them, but we did not have much opportunity as we were not seated near each other at the luncheon tables. I admire Carolyn for her ability to make the many moves that her husband’s business required. She said that over the years she has cooked in 28 different kitchens.

Cynthia Silver Tepper and Janet Harris Lassman came for the Saturday luncheon and Parade of Classes. They both look super. Janet spends time between South Windsor, CT, and Boca Raton, FL. Cynthia and I enjoy talking about our families and one of her friends who lives near me. We agree that Sage gave us a wonderful education and we made many lifelong friends. We also all have marvelous, brilliant, handsome/beautiful grandchildren.

Elaine Lessen Ainspan and I sat next to each other at the Friday luncheon at Vail House given by President Scrimshaw.

Elaine’s son Stephen, who works for the State of New York, drove her to the luncheon and added so much to our conversation. Great to have him there. Elaine and I go back to Freshman Orientation week, when we were roommates in French House. She has always been a wonderful friend. After we got home, Elaine sent me a newspaper clipping about President Scrimshaw’s retirement along with pictures from the Vail luncheon.

Anne Gruver Robb and her husband, Walt, were at the class Reunion dinner. Walt served as a trustee for many years and they have been very generous to the school.

As day students, Anne and I have often talked about how much VanDerHeyden House meant to us at Sage. I was not surprised to see the plaque in Buchman Pavilion saying that the Robbs had helped to provide special space there for today’s CONNECTIONS fall 2016

17

CLASS NOTES day students. Anne said that Walt still goes to his office every day. They are both active in local affairs in Schenectady. There were only six of us at the dinner: the Robbs, the Wicks and the McKersies, but we had a good time.

Several classmates called to say that they were just not able to make the trip. Most who came had someone drive them to Troy. Jim Wick, who is 90, drove from Cape Cod where he and Helen now live. Alan and I had some good conversations with them. Alan and Jim are RPI grads who were smart engineers who knew how to pick great wives. Jim stays active in their condo association and land conservation on the Cape.

We received several pictures of our classmates while at Sage from Marilyn Webster Roberts’ son Jon who lives in Port Orange, FL. While we were not able to show them at Reunion, Rose Weaver has had an opportunity to show them to several class members when she visited them. Jon has been very supportive of our class Reunions and we thank him.

Considering that we are in our mid-80s, I think we were well-represented at Reunion.

Director of Alumnae Relations Joan Clifford ’82 saw that we had golf carts available to get around campus. We really did not need them for the Parade of Classes. Several of us walked the short distance, but for those who took advantage of the carts, they were fun to ride in and wave at the spectators.

Sage did a lovely job with the 100th anniversary Reunion. The venues were great, the weather was fine, wonderful to see old friends and I am glad that we went.

Please do keep in touch with me for Connections. Everyone remarked how much it meant to them to get news of friends from 1951!

Please send your news to: Jane McKersie; 978-551-3786; jadmck5@gmail.com

1952 |

REUNION

Please send your news to: Mary Ellen Falter Davie, 27 Freedom Pond Lane, N. Chili, NY 14514; 585-617-5123; rpdavie@rochester. rr.com

1953

It is a joy to dial a number of a former classmate and when she answers the years roll away and you chat like it was yesterday. That’s the way it was when I called Betty Goddard Calabrese in August.

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CONNECTIONS fall 2016

We chatted about our children, classmates who are no longer with us and old age. She is a list addict. I am a calendar addict. She shared a story that I think you will enjoy.

One day this summer her son asked her to carry 18 fresh eggs from the produce stand to the house. She said no problem and did fine until she stubbed her toe on the patio and fell, hurting her elbow and breaking all the eggs. What a mess that was, egg yolks and blood. Betty and a good friend were going to tour the cities of Florida this summer, staying a week in each city. In the fall, she plans to take a cruise in the Caribbean.

When I sent out my request for news, Joan Crummy Firra wrote from Albany, where she was visiting her cousin on his farm.

Each time she visits, they do a project. This time their project was replacing a split rail fence. Joan’s next big trip is to Churchill, Manitoba, at the base of Hudson’s Bay. She hopes to see polar bears and the Aurora Borealis while she is there. Joan has sold her physical therapy practice to her daughter, but will continue to work in the clinic. They see human patients three days a week, and dogs twice a week. Joan says she enjoys working with dogs because they are so responsive.

When I called Burt Sebecke Reale, our chat was short and sweet, because we had a bad connection. She did manage to tell me her daughter from Colorado was there for a visit.

Maxine Serata Epstein wrote that she had no news, that all was good. She was keeping cool, playing bridge and having fun. What more can one ask at our age?

Maxine’s pal Doris Rogers Rothman was looking forward to going to California for her grandson Aaron’s bar mitzvah.

It is a treat to get an update from Diana Kay Johnson who lives in Vail, CO. She wrote that she ran into a gal who graduated from Sage four years after we did; they knew some of the same people and they jawed the day away. Diana has stopped teaching skiing, but still skis with other 80-yearolds and keeps busy going to the gym and yoga classes and raising money for the Humane Society.

Audrey DeSmidt Benson celebrated her 85th birthday Memorial Day weekend at a party with 16 family members, including two great-grandchildren, a girl, 3, and a boy, 6 months. Audrey was going to York, ME, in August with, Lynn, her oldest daughter and her husband. They planned

to eat lots of lobster and seafood. After that she will spend September at the lake.

Liz Green Halfer wrote a short note. She had nothing to report, except she was still producing bear sweaters and musical programs. In her spare time she reads and enjoys rural living.

Jean Twiss Riley’s family gathered over July Fourth to celebrate the holiday and honor the memory of Jean’s husband, Bill, who died in the spring. Bill’s son and his wife came all the way from Taiwan.

The family had a ceremony to toast Bill.

They dropped some of his ashes in Lake Champlain. It was touching and sad, but something he would have loved with all of them there. Jean, her sister, and daughters were again looking forward to opening day at the Saratoga Race Course, to win their fortunes.

I can count on Nancy Phillips Wood to respond to my requests for news. She and Charles recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They had a family celebration at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham, NC, where they were treated like royalty. Nancy also celebrated her 85th birthday this summer. Charles’ eyes continue to deteriorate so Nancy does all the driving.

My Sage Big Sister Jane Turner McKersie ’51 called to tell me that Alan had lost his wallet and they searched everywhere, but couldn’t find it. So they tried the little rhyme I had taught them. “Tony, Tony do your stuff. I have hunted long enough.”

Within 15 minutes they found his wallet in his favorite chair. Try it. It works.

As for me, Jack and I are holding our own.

I just got back from our cottage on the St. Lawrence, and we are planning a trip to California and the redwoods in September.

The redwoods are on my bucket list.

Please send your news to: Patricia Walker Mulholland, 1013 Sassafrass Circle, Bloomington, IN 47408; 812-334-2457; jmulholl@indiana.edu

1954

Please send your news to: Leila Berkowitz Schwartz, 12 Crescent Street, Box 688, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846; 518-696-3908; leilen@me.com

1955

We send sympathy to Joanne Stewart Hush and her family. Jo’s husband, Paul, passed away in 2015.

CLASS NOTES Barbara Lisle Picken passed away in May. Her sister Janice Lisle Cowie ’59 wrote me a note mentioning Barbara was wearing her Sage ring at the time of her death.

Beverly Briggs Moore called to inform me of Mary Kellet Floyd’s death in August.

Mary lived in Troy and worked at RPI. She is survived by three sons.

Briggsie’s brother Welden was recently buried in the Saratoga National Cemetery.

He was an Air Force veteran. We send sympathy to all the many families.

Marge Van Keuren Winter and her husband, John, attended one of Russell Sage College’s Centennial celebrations that coincided with John’s RPI reunion.

They spend several months in their Catskill Mountains home near where Marge grew up. You may also find them in Kansas, Texas, or wintering in California.

Sally Frawley Miller and her husband, Al, departed New Jersey to be near their son in White Plains, NY. Their next address will be at an assisted care facility in Rye, NY. Pat Avis Hammer and Joanne Stewart Hush met Maryann Tillson in California.

Isn’t it great that we have wonderful Sage connections?

Each summer Althea Williams Hurley travels from California, east. She visits family and also Joanne Hush and Sally Miller. Althea enjoyed four graduations this spring, including a grandson’s from medical school.

Pat Avis Hammer and Sally Frawley Miller attended an alumnae luncheon in New York City. Pat enjoys golf, tennis and contract bridge. Her travel plans include Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in January. Then, it is one week in the Caribbean followed by skiing in Colorado. Great news, Pat! Phyllis Pierson Macaulay lives near her daughter in Vermont. Her daughter is a chaplain at Middlebury College.

Elsie Grub Scofield Martineau has resided in Palm City, FL, for 10 years. She wrote, “I do pool aerobics, tai chi, garden, play cards and enjoy opera, the movies, eating out and shopping with friends, plus the perk of being close to the beautiful beaches here.” Her daughter and son-inlaw live nearby, and her granddaughter and her husband and two greatgranddaughters and a grandson also live in the area. She volunteers at a soup kitchen, “shepherds 10 families at her church” and is one of the parish nurses for her church.

She attended a step-grandson’s wedding

in Phoenix in May, then flew to Connecticut in June to attend a step-granddaughter’s high school graduation and from there spent six weeks traveling throughout New York and Pennsylvania, visiting family and friends from high school and college. She was looking forward to touring Ireland in September with a daughter and her husband. She added, “If you are ever traveling to Florida along the east coast, stop in at Whispering Sound on Route 714 and look me up. I would enjoy showing you around!”

Dorothy Muller Frost, 230 Lake Drive, North Bennington, VT 05257; 802-4422997; dotsyfrost@yahoo.com

If someone would like to replace me as correspondent, kindly contact me.

1960

Please send your news to: Vee McEvoy Lindberg, 5100 Highbridge Street Apt. 22C, Fayetteville, NY 13066; 315-632-6133; pvlindberg@twcny.rr.com

Diann Allan Billing, 46 Mallard Drive, Hackettstown, NJ 07840-2836; 973-9624648; dbilling@verizon.net

1959

Please send your news to: Karolyn Wentzel Nealon, 3310 Longbow Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235-5135; 412-824-2558; jhnealon@ verizon.net

1956

I, Carol Davis Winston, was unable to attend our 60th Reunion due to a family gathering in Boston. Lois Hunter Alterman was there and wrote a review for us.

Elaine Foster Perry, Elaine Montrose Usdane, Eunice Smith Lauglin, Faye Keller Clarke, Janet Deans Holton, Joyce Grafton Schmidt, Judy Fatel Lebson, Margaret Stevens Teneyck, Joan Callahan Tooher, Joan Hubbard Myer and Lois Hunter Alterman attended Reunion. Lois reports that this was a group of terrific active and interesting women. A few still work part time and others are involved with their communities, volunteer work and travel.

A common thought was that the years at Sage had thoroughly prepared us for leadership as well as excellent and varied career choices. It would be great hearing from more classmates about activities you are involved in.

Please send your news to: Carol Davis Winston, 35 Dunbar Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418; 561-625-5910; carwins@comcast.net

1957 |

REUNION

Please send your news to: Irma J. Wilhelm, 43 Young Road, Augusta, ME 04330; 207-622-9344; Ijwilhelm@aol.com

1958

Please send your news to: Millicent Clayton Hull, 1332 Atterberry Road, Sequim, WA 98382; 360-504-1149; MMCH21@juno.com

John and Marge Winter (on left) with Herb and Ruth Ulrich Grommeck.

John and Marge Winter recently had dinner with Herb and Ruth Ulrich Grommeck.

Please send your news to: Kathryn Diamond, 793 Ashbury Street, San Francisco, CA 94117; kathryn@ kathryndiamond.net

1961

Our 55th Class Reunion is behind us. This was also an occasion to celebrate Sage’s 100th year. Classmates of 1961 enjoyed reconnecting and sharing memories and life updates. A highlight for Harriet “Bonnie” Hagar Diedrich, Sonja Cotton Lightbody and Julianne Korns Kelly was to sing with Sagette alumnae at the barbeque on Friday night.

Jane Shapiro Town informed us that President Susan Scrimshaw recognized Kristina Hanson Smith for her leadership gift to the Centennial campaign. This gift will partially fund the pediatric lab in the nursing department in McKinstry Hall and was named in memory of Professor Dorothy McMullan.

Thank you, Stina!

I’d love to hear from more Blue Angels from the Class of 1961. Please stay in touch.

Please send your news to: Sandra Houck Tiedemann, 272 Patrice Terrace, Williamsville, NY 14221-3922; 716-632-6756; sjtstitches@aol.com Linda Nee, 10201 Grosvenor Place, Apartment 1413, North Bethesda, MD 20852; Nee.Linda@aol.com CONNECTIONS fall 2016

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CLASS NOTES

1962 |

REUNION

organization and Susan and her husband are spending the summer sailing around Marblehead, MA. Please send your news to: Shari Taylor Grove, 32 Shepard Street #31, Cambridge, MA 02138-1518; 617-576-1302; sharigrove@gmail.com

1965

directors of Safelight, a nonprofit that serves women who have been abused and/or are survivors of sexual assault. She wrote, “I have a great group of women that I play tennis with each week. Biltmore House, where I work, continues to be busy.”

Elizabeth Susman is going into her 52nd year as a nurse. She met with Mary “Mimi” Buchakjian Sobo and her husband while they were vacationing in Cooperstown, NY. Grace Hilt Mack attended a camp reunion in the Adirondacks where she was a waterfront counselor and wrote, “It was great to get reacquainted with people that I had not seen in 54 years! My sister and I will travel in March to southern Italy. I also got to Maine in July and had forgotten how beautiful Maine is.”

Elaine Cohen Freedman stopped by Russell Sage College’s 100th birthday celebration on campus on September 19, to celebrate with alumnae, staff and students.

Karen Wurstlin Williams and Mimi Sobo in New York City.

Joan Sisson Gross has moved to Avon, CT. She wrote that she is a widow, living near her sons and getting used to traffic and taxes. “Miss the good old days. Wishing everyone well. I am doing quite well, by the way.”

Please send your news to: Carolyn Cogan Garter, 13657 Whippet Way West, Delray Beach, FL 33484-1569; 561-498-3093; ccggrandma@yahoo.com Elaine Cohen Freedman, 96 Brookline Avenue, Albany, NY 12203; rlfrealty@verizon.net

Ann Turnbull Charat, heading out to hike and take photographs early in the morning at Silver Lake in Brighton, UT.

1963

Please send your news to: Jean Hunt Evoy, 1596 NW Goathill Street, Arcadia, FL 34266; jevoy@bio.miami.edu Carol Carpenter Michels, 160 Barley Neck Road Box 396, East Orleans, MA 02643; ccmichels@aol.com

1964

Linda Schwarzwald Feins had a joyful reunion with Susan Lee Cort and Shelley Lederman Abelson at Linda’s grandson’s bar mitzvah in New Jersey in June.

Husbands Irv, Gene and Shel enjoyed talking about their RPI days. Linda is a hospice volunteer in Sarasota, FL, and was featured for her hospice work in the March issue of Sarasota magazine. Shelley keeps busy doing publicity for a nonprofit 20

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

The Class of 1965 bought a marble brick for the Sage Centennial with some class monies and donations. Look for it on the wall near Mueller Science Hall on campus.

Margaret “Peg” Holmes wrote from Asheville, NC. She was reelected vice president for membership of the American Association of University Women of North Carolina. In May she completed 12 years on the board of directors of The Hendersonville Branch of AAUW. She is also on the board of

Doris Fischman Roth traveled to Peru and climbed Machu Picchu! She said the trip was outstanding and Lake Titicaca was amazing.

Karen Wurstlin Williams and her husband, George, enjoyed a weeklong visit from their son and grandchildren, who were enchanted with life in California.

Granddaughter Kate, a high school junior, toured UC Santa Cruz. In June, Karen and George had lunch with Mimi Sobo and her husband as part of a weekend excursion to New York City. Karen was back east again in September to attend her 55th high school reunion in East Greenbush, NY. Marcia Carlson Leader wrote, “Sage enriched my life in a wondrous way! After a nursing career, teaching career and administrative career, all due to Sage, I love my retirement, husband, three children and four grandchildren. Thanks, and I hope to see alumnae soon.”

Kathleen Dunham O’Brien attended the annual women’s writing retreat at Pyramid Lake in the Adirondacks this past summer.

She wrote, “Classes are offered in the mornings; quiet time for writing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, in the afternoon. I again chose poetry. About 60 women live in cabins of the former Marian Lodge. My son and his wife teach in Bogota, Colombia, and I will be traveling there this fall.”

Ann Turnbull Charat wrote, “Life is great in Utah! This summer had my husband back up working at Deer Valley on the mountain bike program, renting out bikes and giving lessons. For myself, I was back up in the Wasatch Mountains hiking and taking more photographs. I am busy editing my photographs because I entered a fall art show. Another thing that we did this spring

CLASS NOTES (not fun, but so worth it) was have all of the rooms in our house painted. It’s a great way to find out what you truly need in your life. A lot didn’t make the cut, and we are living with less clutter. I stay in touch with roommate Lenore Petrillo Rainey and recently heard from Peg White Gorss.”

Marion Schweisguth Lang is enjoying life in Menomonie, WI, as well as travels with husband Warren, and good times with family who all live reasonably close.

After years of directing theater for adults, teaching creative dramatics, and leading a theater company that brought drama for young people into the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts and into elementary schools, Marion is now a member of Ukulele Klub of Eau Claire and the Menomonie Threshold Singers, women who sing for people in hospice or facing difficulty.

I, Bonita “Bonnie” Maxon had a busy spring with a trip to Vegas where we saw Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson One and finally got to see Menopause the Musical. In June we flew to Minneapolis for our grandson’s bar mitzvah which is why I missed the Centennial Reunion at Sage.

Near the end of June we did our yearly RV trip to Rhode Island to dig clams and dug over 600 this year. While we were there our great-granddaughter, Aurora Astra Sky, was born. And we thought we were the true hippies!

Please send your news to: Bonita “Bonnie” Maxon, 110 E. Shore Drive, Petersburg, NY 12138; 518-658-2873; bamrdk@aol.com

1966

Carol Sweet Morse and her family at Reunion 2016, at which Carol received the Alumnae Association’s Crockett Medal.

What a wonderful 50th Reunion we had!

There were 31 of us and a few brought their brave husbands. There was a fabulous barbecue with fireworks Friday night.

So good to see so many and to spend so many hours in our lounge at Sage Hall catching up. I am borrowing words from Joyce Hartman Diaz, who summed up our activities better than I could. “Reunion

50 was fantastic! Sage really did a lot of planning to make our 50th special, and it showed. For all of us who attended I think we’d agree that it was the best! Kudos to our very special Carol Sweet Morse who was the Crockett Award recipient this Reunion. She looked marvelous in her purple hat and gave a heartfelt and memorable speech. Special mention also to Judy Galza DiMattia, recipient of the past Woman of Influence Award; she entertained us all by waving, with gusto, her purple boa!”

I heard from so many people before, during and after Reunion. I’ll try to summarize it all here, starting with those who were at Reunion. My most special memory is of Maureen Adams Dwyer and Ellenanne Melligan Zima seeing each other for the first time in 50 years. Maureen was a “missing alumna” for many years and we finally caught up with her. She was Ellenanne’s maid of honor right after graduation and then they lost touch.

Maureen is retired from the Social Security Administration as a disability specialist.

Ellenanne is a retired French-Spanish teacher and a literacy volunteer at her local elementary school. She is active at church and has started a genealogy club.

Caroline Bailey Toner lives in Longmeadow, MA, and is a volunteer tax preparer with an AARP program and also has been driving for Meals on Wheels for 35 years.

Lynne Bennett Crimi is a deacon at the Episcopal Diocese of Albany. She volunteers at a cancer center and hospice.

Judy Bonney Slack lives in Altamont, NY, and is retired from teaching high school and working as a teaching assistant.

Ginny Borg Wolfe taught 10th grade English and worked for her husband, Jim, in the HVAC business. Ginny’s volunteer work includes literacy, church, and therapeutic riding. She’s ridden horses in 12 states and 16 countries! She lives in Middletown, NY. Linda Boswell DeWitt is retired from teaching in Parsippany, NJ. She now lives in Northville, NY, and volunteers as a patient advocate at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, NY. She also works with the Proctors Theater Guild in Schenectady. She stays in touch with Alicia Brady Sarles, who is retired after teaching kindergarten for 25 years. Alicia lives in Tarrytown, NY. Elizabeth Dodge has returned to her childhood home in Pawlet, VT, after retiring. Liz loves to travel and spent time in Shanghai with Capstone to set up

chemical and mechanical test labs. She volunteered with American Field Service, finding homes for high school foreign exchange students.

Judy Galza DiMattia is a retired executive consultant with IBM. She and her husband, Mickey, live in a restored sheep barn in Ridgefield, CT, and enjoy friends, family and lots of gardening. Special kudos to Jude for convincing our class to dance into the Saturday gathering, swinging our purple boas! By the time we left on Sunday, the campus was littered with purple feathers!

Hilah “Winkie” Geraghty Gaba is retired as director of the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School in Bethesda, MD. Winkie describes her life as “great husband, three great kids, seven wonderful grandchildren. Fun job as director of a 200-child nursery school. We stay busy with three houses and grandkids.”

When Chloe Goossen Morris retired, she and her husband, John, immediately set off on a Viking Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. She volunteers at her library in Reston, VA, and at their seasonal town in Florida she volunteers at the Treasure Coast Humane Society where she helps with cat care. She says her golf and tennis continue to improve!

After Reunion, Joyce Hartman Diaz visited Jude in Connecticut for a few days, then went to Buffalo for a visit with her brother and family, then on to Fredrick, MD, to visit her sister and family. She planned late summer and early fall visits with her daughter and two granddaughters, then to San Pedro, CA, to visit Joanna Phinney Wallis, and Hermosa Beach, CA, to see her son, his wife and her newest granddaughter. Joyce is retired from Arizona State University.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Huebner Braunstein is a psychologist in private practice in San Ramon, CA. Betsy continued to work after the death of her husband in 2012 and is also an expert for the Board of Psychology in California. She has traveled to Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia and Portugal.

Judy Jaffe Walsh lives in Nahant, MA, and loves to spend time with her five grandchildren. She and her husband, Jim, spent two weeks in South Africa on safari, following a five-week cruise from Miami to Cape Town. Judy has worked as a stockbroker and also a consultant for startup companies. Since retiring, she is CONNECTIONS fall 2016

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CLASS NOTES a board member of the St. Botolph Club in Boston, where she is involved in bringing musicians, artists and speakers to perform at the club.

Martha Johnston Trzepacz lives in Wallingford, PA, and is a retired librarian at Strath Haven Middle School.

Ellen Kort Price is retired and lives in San Francisco. She and her husband, Richard, have four children and several grandchildren.

Deborah McGourty Hallenbeck is a retired special education teacher in Virginia Beach, VA. Deb had several beautiful paintings in the art show at Reunion.

Rosemary Noonan Celtruda is retired from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and loves to travel and visit her grandchildren. She lives in Mystic, CT, and enjoyed many years of volunteer work in her church and in the Mystic Junior Women’s Organization.

Jeanne O’Connell is retired from the East Lyme Connecticut Public Schools as a teacher and reading consultant. She volunteers at the East Lyme Public Library Foundation, American Association of University Women, and at a child and family agency.

Kathryn Oliver Paul lives in Loudon, TN, and says she is living in the 38th house in her lifetime, having moved 19 times with her parents and 19 times with her husband, Tom. She volunteered and worked in fundraising wherever she lived.

Jill Rowley Sitcer and her husband, Gary, moved from New Jersey to Williamsburg, VA, this year. She spent the last 50 years giving back to her community, including as high school PTA president, with the Westfield Service League, and at a thrift and consignment shop. Her favorite is the local garden club and one of her floral designs once won a blue ribbon at the New Jersey Flower Show.

Charlotte Shaw Tracy lives in Bristol, RI, and has always made volunteer work her career.

She was a member of The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees for 12 years and is senior warden in their church and chair of the search committee for their new rector.

Judith “Judy” Shor Kronick lives in Windsor, CT, and is a retired reference librarian at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Carol Sweet Morse lives in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and worked as a physical therapist in home care until she retired in 1998 to work in her husband’s small manufacturing business.

She has enjoyed a lifetime of choral singing, even making trips to Europe to sing. She 22

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

runs her choral group, monitors bluebird boxes, has served on the PTA, and held many committee positions. She worked in the school library in Brussels and here, and served on various boards including Sage’s board of trustees. Carol is in remission from pancreatic cancer, following two years of chemo and surgery. Congrats to Carol for the Crockett Award!

Carolyn Toohey Cooper came to our class dinner Saturday night with her husband, Paul. It was good to see her, as she was unable to do many of the other functions over the weekend because she was recovering from knee surgery. She is retired from Johnson & Wales University. She lives in Westport, MA, and is enjoying retirement, her grandchild and reading.

Judy Wargo Koleszar-Moorhouse is retired from Prudential Florida Realty. She and her husband, Ralph, divided their time for 15 years between Florida and North Carolina.

She now lives in Weaverville, NC. She has traveled to Hungary and reconnected with family there. She loves gardening, perfecting her stained glass skills, and volunteering to raise funds for the local safe house.

Kathy Roberts Abramczyk, Miriam Rheingold Adler and Anne Wing Decker were also at Reunion but I unfortunately ran out of time to chat with them and they didn’t send any information on their Reunion surveys. As for me, Barbara Towne Patterson, I’m busy keeping our rose and vegetable gardens going. I also get to mountain dulcimer festivals whenever I can.

I heard from several folks who could not make it to Reunion but who sent emails.

Chris Basalyga Harrington is always busy with volunteering with the Village Garden Club of Dennis, MA, Cape Cod Regional Technical High School’s horticulture department, Northside United Methodist Church Community Outreach, Bayberry Quilters, and as a math tutor and president of Dennis Niners Golf League. All this after retiring from teaching and working as an educational consultant for New York state.

Roseanne Billy Fraser Burger lives in Wooster, OH, and is retired from buying and marketing for her own folk art gallery, A Country Tradition, for 20 years. She’s been on the board of Friends of International Students, College of Wooster, and the design commission for the City of Wooster.

Carol Chambers lives in Albany and is retired from teaching and as a school librarian for the Albany City School District. She spent many years traveling with her family to

Europe, Canada, Cape Cod and Maine. She is a 19-year breast cancer survivor and works with the American Cancer Society as a Reach to Recovery volunteer. She also volunteers at the Teresian House in the pastoral care department.

Gwendolyn Day Morrissey lives in Granby, MA, and is retired from teaching in the Holyoke Schools. She volunteers as president of the Junior League of Holyoke, on the board of directors of Holyoke Children’s Museum, treasurer of Holyoke Teachers Association and on the Granby Library Board of Trustees and library building committee.

Gratia Dexter Schroeder lives in Venice, FL, and is president of Short Stop Printing in Englewood, FL, a business she founded and still finds challenging after 33 years. She was the first female president of the Rotary Club of Englewood, and has served on the board of the YMCA, Triangle Economic Development Authority, and other organizations. She also serves on the board of directors of Dollars for Mammograms, which funds mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women.

Marsha Dorfman Snyder lives in Baldwinsville, NY, and is retired as founder and executive director of an adoption counseling service. She volunteers as a reading tutor and serves on two local boards.

She enjoys golf and traveling.

Deborah Dreyer Ludwig lives in Buffalo, NY, and is retired after 30 years of teaching elementary school. She now works nights in an independent living center.

Judith Ellish Levy lives in Bloomfield, CT, and is retired as a social worker to both the young and geriatric populations.

Carol Epstein Stein worked in nursing before she opened the Cumberland Gallery in Nashville. She said, “Whoever thought a New Yorker would end up in Tennessee?” Carol said she has enjoyed a fulfilling life with creative artists and clients, and is not ready to retire, but is thinking about it.

Gail Ericson Barton and her husband, Bruce, own Sea Glass Designs in Green Cove Springs, FL. They spend winter on their boat in the Bahamas, collecting rare sea glass. All of their jewelry is hand crafted.

Gail Fabricius Smith lives in North Plainfield, NJ, and is retired as dean of students at Nazareth College. She was also a public school English teacher, counselor and director of guidance. She is a master gardener and volunteers with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County.

She has been involved with projects in Nicaragua that focus on education and

CLASS NOTES health for women and children.

Nancy Gloor Grant is a retired oncology nurse. She worked in nursing for 48 years.

She plays bridge and tennis and loves gardening, reading and vacationing on Hilton Head every summer.

Frances Greenbaum Presiman enjoyed a career as a private art dealer and fine art appraiser for museums, conservators, corporations and private collectors. She lives in La Jolla, CA. Sheila Herens taught physical education and health. For a time she left teaching to work at the Connecticut state legislature. She taught tennis at summer camps and began a career with Bristol Parks and Recreation in Bristol, CT, where she lives. She still teaches tennis to children and mentally challenged adults.

Nancy Kebbon Aho is a retired physical therapist at Central Vermont Medical Center and lives in Boothbay, ME. She enjoyed traveling around the world through many grants her husband, Arne, was awarded. He is a retired architect and university professor.

Kathleen Kuhn Sennott wrote, “I was blessed to enjoy working at The Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro, MA, for over 30 years. I began as a French teacher and after getting an advanced degree in theology, taught religion and served as campus minister.” Her present ministry is to work with a variety of Notre Dame sponsored educational and health care ministries.

honor of her parents at the Centennial brick and tile display at Mueller Science Hall. She is a retired scientist from Hoffman La Roche, where she spent her entire career. Ellen lives in Nutley, NJ. Linda Nelson Pettit is a retired OB-GYN nurse practitioner. She has enjoyed a 44-plus year marriage and fantastic, successful kids.

She lives in Dover, MA. Karen Pelton Saari wrote that 15 years ago, under the auspices of Project Censored at Sonoma State University, she conducted the first known academic research project on the number, race and circumstances of civilians killed by law enforcement in the U.S. Her research was published in a book, Stolen Lives. Karen lives in Bodega, CA. Carol Pfordte Mabin and her husband, Kyle, retired from owning the Deep River Motor Inn in Plymouth, NH. She is involved in local government, volunteers at the hospital, and is very involved with her grandchildren.

Joanna Phinney Wallis lives in San Pedro, CA, and retired in 2007 after working as a chemist at various Lockheed facilities, at Computer Sciences Corporation, several consulting companies, and Infonet.

Ruth Rosborough Keiser moved from New Jersey to San Jose, CA, in November. She drove out with her son Mark and two cats, traveling for six days through 13 states. She has settled in and loves the weather, the people, and so many things to do.

Annette Lipstein Friedman officially retired in 2012, but still works per-diem as a home care specialist. She said she’s “trying to travel the world before I am too old to walk.”

She enjoys kayaking in local lakes (she lives in Livingston, NJ) and when traveling.

Rita-Ellen Roy DiRubbo retired from teaching in Liverpool, NY, in 2002 to care for her father after her mother died. Four years later she took care of her husband, who passed in 2013. Since then she has traveled to Europe twice.

Peggy Lumpkin deWolf lives in Princeton, NJ, and has spent much of her life teaching.

She currently teaches a course in human evolution to adult learners in New Jersey and Maine. She plays flute in a trio and is taking harpsichord lessons. She says she was fortunate to have a daughter when she was 41 and to remarry at 66. She’s sorry she couldn’t get to Reunion, but it conflicted with an opportunity to see her step-grandson before he posted to Kabul as a member of the diplomatic corps.

Donna Schulman Bender lives in Harwich, MA, and is a retired professor at Cumberland County College. She and her husband Jerry travel extensively. She speaks on overcoming obstacles when she is not in the middle of sponsoring an intergenerational experience at the local school. She was surprised by having a Donna S. Bender scholarship created at the high school for one entering the field of education.

Beatrice Mayo Simons lives in Tafton, PA. She was a physical therapist for 40 years, mostly in pediatrics, and retired from Easter Seals Lehigh Valley in 2006. She is busy at their church as one of the music directors.

Ellen Menara was unable to get to Reunion this time, but donated a beautiful brick in

Anne Sellers McGirt worked for 40 years as a physical therapist in northern New Mexico.

Her second career started eight years ago, caring for their first granddaughter.

Roberta “Bobbi” Simmons Dunn lives in Sturbridge, MA, and is retired from the Tantasqua Regional High School.

Patricia Tinkham Batten lives in Hilton Head Island, SC, and is a retired resident

services director at the Seabrook Retirement Community.

Carol Woolley Quinn and her husband, Ned, are retired and enjoy life at the beach at Pawleys Island, SC. She was a physical therapist for 47 years, mainly in home care and short- and long-term rehab. Carol swims every year in a 2.4-mile open water race in Charleston. She loves paddleboarding and has joined a Dragon Boat team.

Mary Yushak Corliss says she was sorry she couldn’t make it to Reunion, but was traveling in Italy at that time and would toast us in absentia!

Post-Reunion, Judy Shor Kronick, Carol Sweet Morse and I went to the annual RSCAA summer barbecue in Sandy Hook, CT, hosted

by Karin “Brownie” Williams LaBanca ’94 and her husband, Frank, who was our chef extraordinaire. We all had a great time.

Please send your news to: Judy Shor Kronick, 158 Brewster Road, Windsor, CT 06095-2624; 860-830-5887; judykron2@comcast.net Barbara Towne Patterson, 1 Ralsey Road, Stamford, CT 06902; 203-324-7259; b.patterson66@gmail.com

1967 |

REUNION

Rona here! I am counting the months until our 50th! On June 2-4 2017, please plan on being in Troy. The Reunion committee is working on plans and don’t be surprised to hear from them – probably several times. We really want a great showing from the Class of 1967 as we celebrate both us and the conclusion of the RSC Centennial year!

I heard from Kay Steinkirchner Rock and she filled me in on lots doing in her life since Reunion 45: She and Steve have five grandchildren, ages 1 to 7; four live near to them. She said that they keep them young and running! They also love to travel and in the past year have been to Hawaii, St. Thomas, Florida and New Mexico and were preparing to leave for Colorado.

Steve stays busy with two choral groups and Kay is involved in adult education initiatives at church and has accepted an offer from her former employer, Right Management, to return to work on a project basis. “If you told me I’d be going back to work after retirement, I wouldn’t have believed it.” Expect to see Kay and Steve at our 50th!

Mary Ann Oppenheimer and her husband, Michael Fishbein, live in Franklin, MA, where Michael is vice president for academic affairs at Dean College. Mary Ann is retired and volunteers for the Franklin CONNECTIONS fall 2016

23

CLASS NOTES Food Pantry, the Franklin Public Library, Milford Regional Medical Center and for their synagogue, Temple Beth Torah, in Holliston. Their summer included several long weekends in Rochester, Connecticut and the Adirondacks and a week in Colorado.

Mary Ann’s stepchildren live and work in Rochester. Her oldest granddaughter is starting a master’s program at Cleveland State University. The middle granddaughter is entering her senior year as a nursing major at the State University of New York at Buffalo and 13-year-old Allison is in middle school.

Mary Ann is working on Reunion plans and says “Anyone who wants to help is welcome!

And most important, plan to be in Troy for the fun.”

So, Red Devils, keep your updates coming and tell us we will see each other at the 50th!

Please send your news to: Judith Prest Bowden, 518-441-5012; judithbowden@ yahoo.com Rona Miller McNabola, 30 Spottswood Road, Glen Rock, NJ 07452; 201-444-8950; ronamc@verizon.net

1968

Linda Bail and Janice Anthony.

In June, Maine artists Janice Anthony and Linda Bail both displayed paintings at a Thos. Moser Gallery show in Freeport. The show was curated to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Acadia National Park.

Please send your news to: Susan Wolfe Herron, 408F S. Croskey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146; 215-735-1088; swherron@verizon.net

1969

1970 Judy Borinni Hyde, Linda Stevenson Kimball and Cathey Walton Sell in Maine this summer.

“What a memorable weekend!” Sarah Johnston Marsh wrote, after attending the Centennial celebration held during Reunion weekend, June 3-5. Sarah accompanied her sister Martha Johnston Trzepacz to her 50th Reunion. Alix Gordon and Sally Wyrick Anderson stopped by Friday night with their weekend hostess Barbara Fass Wood. At the barbecue, Ruthanne Mills Brod arrived with Thea Hillery Barrier, all the way from Alaska to surprise Kathy Taylor Brown and attend the celebration. Pam Noe Janney stayed with Cathy Regan for the weekend and both arrived at the barbecue so Pam and Sally could join the Sagette singalong.

Linda Stevenson Kimball arrived with her spouse, William. Carrie Sindeband Ricker and her guest Pam, Marilyn Philbrick Buxton and Terry Wolgang Ragazzini also joined us.

Many thanks to the Alumnae House and the Reunion committee for providing a luncheon for the non-Reunion classes. We were all invited to participate in the Parade of Classes with our own class banner.

Happily for us Cathy Regan unearthed a “Happiness is Blue” Rally Day bed sheet banner from 1968 which we proudly held aloft. Our Parade participants were decked out with blue boas and halos. We can hardly wait for our 50th Reunion in 2019.

I received a long email from Kathy Taylor after the celebration. She lives in Rutland, VT, and works part time for the Rutland Area Visiting Nurses and Hospice in the occupational health division. She has six grandchildren who live close by and she gets to enjoy their baseball, soccer, tee-ball and softball games.

Judy Borinni Hyde, Linda Stevenson Kimball and Cathey Walton Sell met in Maine this summer. Cathey’s husband, Louie, recently wrote a book, From Washington to Moscow, published by Duke Press.

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CONNECTIONS fall 2016

Please send your news to: Elin Fischman Lawrence, 315 Ram Island Road, Charlestown, RI 02813, 401-364-7169 (MayOctober); 2100 South Ocean Lane, Point of Americas 1 #1008, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, 754-223-7223(October-May); cell: 860-643-4560; elinlawrence@yahoo.com

Please send your news to: Beverly Miller Sigg, 5101 Hwy A1A Villa 6, Vero Beach, FL 32963; b2zig@yahoo.com

1971

Please send your news to: Mary Mulvihill Pecoraro, 5 Walsh Avenue, Stoneham, MA 02180; 781-662-8648; mmpec71@gmail.com

1972 |

REUNION

Please send your news to: Rosemary Crowley Buja, 19 Greenvalley Road, Medway, MA 02053-1933; 508-533-6120; rbuja@comcast.net Patricia Maiorano Johnson, 2433 220th Place, NE, Sammamish, WA 98074; 425868-0139; pj2433@comcast.net Susan Ackerman Hillman, 29428 Arlington Way, Farmington Hills, MI 48331; 248-4898062; suehillman@aol.com

1973

Jackie Colby Love wrote that she and Blue Angels Jackie Henry Roy, Patricia Briggs Demeter, Jean Seyfried Radtke, Susan Wilber, Judy Baum Bowman and Susan Bogardus showed up for the Class of 1973’s Big Sisters at their Reunion 2016, part of Russell Sage College’s Centennial celebration. The alumnae met at Jackie’s cabin in Schoharie, NY: “We had one big pajama party for quite a few days.

Everyone volunteered for the Centennial.

I drove my husband Ned’s Suburban back and forth to the college. He had signs printed, ‘The Country Castle Coach.’ The Country Castle is what I lovingly call his hunting cabin! I kind of changed his plans for a deer stand. We had a champagne toast for our Big Sisters at Kellas. Singing our favorite songs and enjoying our sisters was great. There were a few other Angels there too: Diana Coleman and Linda Woo. Hopefully I am not missing anyone. We are looking forward to our 45th Reunion in two years. Of course, we already have plans for the big event! If you haven’t come back to Russell Sage for a Reunion, you are missing

CLASS NOTES out. You renew old friendships and make new friends. Hope to see and hear from more alumnae in the near future!”

Laffond, 3580 Loftlands Drive, Earlysville, VA 22936-2452; 434-465-1350; llaffond@ comcast.net

Please send your news to: Deborah Tuma, 525 Riverleigh Avenue, Unit 72, Riverhead, NY 11901; 631-338-5421; dstumafish@yahoo. com

Mary Beth Ford Karam, 204 Greenwood Drive, Schenectady, NY 12303; 518-3559713; bkaram56@gmail.com

Clarissa Robaczynski Alimena, 47 Mulberry Lane, Shelton, CT 06484; calimena@yahoo. com

1974

Please send your news to: Jo SchoenGood, 47 Dowitcher Court, Wayne, NJ 07470; Cbyh2@aol.com Denise Lipkvich, 5 Tanglewood Drive, Brandford, CT 06405; dlipkvich@yahoo.com

1975

Please send your news to: Melanie Punte Puorto-Conte, 2000 Van Antwerp Road, Niskayuna, NY 12309; 518-842-0602; mpuortoconte@nycap.rr.com

1976

Please send your news to: Marie Nangeroni, 2031 Nott Street, Niskayuna, NY 12309; 518669-9937; mnangeroni@hotmail.com Vilma Zaracostas Russ, 41 Ridge Road, Cornwall, NY 12518; 845-534-2325; vilmaruss@yahoo.com Elizabeth Sciurba, 27 Ingersol Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; 518-695-6405; esciurba@nycap.rr.com

Sharon Barber Wall, 58 Bloomingdale Avenue, East Greenbush, NY 12061; 518479-4226; sbwall@nycap.rr.com

1979

Please send your news to: Linda Cowell-Jay, 3 Crossbow Road, Norfolk, MA 02056; 508520-8735; lcowellmd@aol.com

1980

Judy Bopp Campisi was recently promoted and is now the statewide executive director for the American Heart Association in Connecticut. She’s looking forward to connecting with alumnae as she spends more time in Hartford, New Haven and eastern Connecticut.

Please send your news to: Therese Sutherland Geraci, 2439 Crescent Lake Place, Johnson City, TN 37615; tsgeraci@ aol.com Maxine Goldsmith, 39 Harwich Lane, West Hartford, CT 06117; 860-632-6301; geemaxhome@gmail.com

1981

Please send your news to: Ann Marie Murray, ammpteach@aol.com

Wendy Symmes Mayer, 57 Linden Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907; 781-581-6235; sage6235@aol.com

Suzanne Candee Tartaglia, 21 Mount Nebo Road, Newtown, CT 06470; 203-270-6880; suzanne@candee.org

1977 |

1982 |

REUNION

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Please send your news to: Lois Cloud Malenczak, 102 Edwards Avenue, Sayville, NY 11782;631-563-1966; lcloudpt@aol.com Jill Hastings Mack, 39 Rocky Point Drive, Bow, NH 03304-4115; 603-663-5710; cyberjill@comcast.net Joanne Salvador, 301 South Ocean Blue #1, Pompano Beach, FL 33062; j.m.salvador@ att.net

1978

Class of 1978 friends Nancy Niles, Leslie Banwell Polito, Lynne Dellert Mincarelli and Janet McKeough Chapman got together in May at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA. Please send your news to: Laura Haid

Members of the Class of 1982 at the barbecue during Reunion weekend, part of Russell Sage College’s Centennial celebration.

Moo for 1982! Hello Purple Cows! I’m hoping this finds you all well. I, Lisa Abatemarco,

am back in North Carolina after spending six months working in Alabama and two months in Florida in 2015. Looks like North Carolina will be home for a while.

The Class of 1982 was well represented at Russell Sage College’s 100th anniversary celebration and Reunion weekend in June.

Attending the festivities were Suzanne Weber Bichler, Karen Shea, Patricia “Patty” Zabarouskas Bass, Katherine Collard, Carrie Isbell, Carol Buchanan, Deb Weiss, Ann Nickolopoulos Stamatis, Lisa Wilson and Kathy Kruser.

Congratulations to our very own Joan Schrader Clifford for organizing, managing and surviving a very successful celebration.

Thanks for everything you do for us!

Kathleen “Burnsie” Burns Meyerson is a nana for the second time. Kathy’s son Mark, his wife Ashley and Kathy’s grandson Max welcomed Evelyn Anne Meyerson to the family. Kathy and Dave have purchased another print shop and now own two Minuteman Press locations in the Dutchess County, NY, area. Kathy teaches second grade.

Terese “Terry” Garrity Bentley and my goddaughter Shelby travel up and down the eastern U.S., attending and riding in horse shows. I’m sure by now you all know that Terry is on The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees.

Susan Russell Grimm has been traveling a lot lately too. Sue and her son Eric have been making college visits. Sue’s daughter Meredith is interviewing for internships and they recently went to the Cleveland Clinic and Sue met Sue Biles Majka for dinner.

Janice Burke Kelsey is involved in some very interesting projects. She is a cofounder and vice president at Solar CITIES, introducing biogas to the world, and a proponent of vertical farming. She is one busy woman! Visit her Facebook page for more information!

Please join Russell Sage College Class of ’82 Reunion on Facebook and keep up with what we’re all doing. Reunion 2017 will be Friday, June 2-Sunday, June 4 and we have a hash tag: #BackInTheBlazer. Terry and I are the co-chairs so we will be posting lots of info on the Facebook page. I’m also planning to send a ‘Save the Date’ magnet. Please update your snail mail and email addresses with Alumnae House so we can find you.

If we each get one person who has never attended Reunion (or hasn’t been back to Troy in a long time) to register we could smash our 25th Reunion attendance!

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

25

CLASS NOTES Please send your news to: Lisa Abatemarco, 205 East Noble Street, Selma, NC 27576; lmra323@gmail.com Marcy Anderson, 70 County Road 84C, Santa Fe, NM 87506; 505-455-2067; marcyanderson@gmail.com Joan Traver, 1 Downey Road, Troy, NY 12180-9527; 518-279-9946; joanietr@ earthlink.net

1983

Deirdre Jameson wrote, “It is our 15th year in Minnesota and I am starting my 12th year as a library media specialist. This summer I completed a Master of Arts in K-12 Reading from the University of St. Thomas. I have enjoyed spending the past three years with my cohort colleagues who are all from Twin Cities Catholic schools. Our daughter Bridget Jameson got married this May in Bolton Landing, NY. Our son Sean Jameson lives in New York City and is in his third year of law school. We spent our vacations heading east to visit our kids and other family members. This past spring I spent a few days with my Purple Cow roomie, Evelyn Ferrito Jacquier ’82 in her hometown, Nashville, TN ... We hadn’t seen each other for 20 years. Hope we get together more frequently in the future. I’d love to hear from fellow Red Devils. My email is Deirdrejameson@gmail.com.”

Please send your news to: Sharon Spicer, 10 Laurel Glen Drive, Shelton, CT 06484; 203-929-6706; smwspicer@gmail.com

Reunion Co-Chairs Deb McAllister and Tami Miller.

1984

Reunion 2016 was amazing! The weekend was filled with excitement as alumnae celebrated Russell Sage College’s 100th anniversary. Many Class of 1983 members attended the awesome barbecue Friday night on the field along the river. Do you remember dancing the night away at concerts on the field?

Debbie Mitchell McAllister’s oldest daughter Nicole and her husband Matt recently moved to the Atlanta area. The adjustment has been difficult for Debbie. Debbie has been asked to fill in as the special education teacher in a classroom for autistic children as her school continues to interview teachers. She is enjoying this challenge.

Tami Andrews Miller and her husband are celebrating not having college payments: their daughter graduated from college in May and has joined the work force. Tami’s son recently moved to Boston from New York City to accept an opportunity as a civil engineer project manager. Tami continues to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain services to fulfill their lives.

26

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

1985

Please send your news to: Deborah Webster McMaster, 77 Hollis Street, Pepperell, MA 01463; 978-433-1947; dwmcmaster77@ aol.com

1986

Jennifer “Jeff” Flather wrote, “What can I say but Reunion was the best weekend ever!

The Class of 1983 joined the Parade of Classes on Saturday proudly displaying the Red Devil spirit.

Conversation began regarding Reunion 2018 – our 35th! Excitement is building as we prepare. It is clear that we are still red hot after 33 years!

(Standing, left to right) Friends from the Class of 1984 Linda Stadtlander, Lori Becker Lanson and Margaret Weichsel Bradley and (sitting, left to right) Mary Ann Wilson and Wendy Price in Maine.

For those of you who made it, you know what I am talking about ... so much love and much laughter!”

Debra Jeffs was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in October.

Debra Jeffs, Ph.D., RN-BC, has been selected as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing; she was inducted in October. Debra previously taught in the associate degree nursing program at the former Sage Junior College of Albany and in the baccalaureate nursing program at Russell Sage College. She lives in Little Rock, AR. We recently learned of the sudden passing of Kathy McGranaghan in 2016.

Please send your news to: Amy Young, 29 Howes Street, Springfield, MA 01118; 413-747-8965; aeyoung84@gmail.com

If you are on Facebook, connect! There are a number of us there! I look forward to your news!

Please send your news to: Jennifer Flather; Jennifer.flather@outlook.com Alison Wolf, 27 Birch Road, West Hartford, CT 06119; 860-714-7059; Alisonl.wolf@ gmail.com

1987 |

REUNION

Amy Snow celebrated her son David’s graduation from medical school in May. Congratulations, David Snow, M.D. Her oldest daughter Alexandria graduated from St. John Fisher with a degree in Psychology and is now attending an accelerated nursing program.

Stephanie Berke Stiepleman is clinical director at West Boca High School’s Medical

CLASS NOTES Science Academy. This year is her ninth year teaching, and last year she was named teacher of the year at her school.

Please send your news to: Dawn Cope Barilli, 239 Old Orange Avenue, Walden, NY 12586; 845-778-1630; dawnbarilli@gmail.com Terry Allen, 6550 Number 4 Road, Lowville, NY 13367-9104; 315-376-1906; tballen@ twcny.rr.com

1988

Please send your news to: Kristine Menihan Taylor, 375 E. 2nd Street, Corning, NY 14830; 607-339-6743; ktaylor@cppmail.com

1989

Please send your news to: Beth Gehring Gruber, 4437 SW 14th Avenue, Cape Coral, FL 33914; 973-632-3423; beth_gehring@ hotmail.com

1990

Please send your news to: Cathy Maxwell DeVoti, 199 Foley Road, Sheffield, MA 01257; threekidz3@yahoo.com Katie O’Conner Nikolski, 3 Hart Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; knikolski@yahoo. com

1991

Please send your news to: Elizabeth Bartolomeo Edwards, 472 East K Street, Benicia, CA 94510; mlredwards@ sbcglobal.net Valerie Priolo McKee, 3663 Hosiers Oaks Drive, Portsmouth, VA 23703-3470; 757-6383243; bryantvaleriemckee@hotmail.com

1992 |

REUNION

Please send your news to: Cynthia Bacon Woellmer, 10 McChesney Court, Troy, NY 12180;518-274-4004; cwoellmer@gmail.com Nicole Grottoli, 277 Shufelt Road, Nassau NY 12123; 518-598-7781; ngrottoli@gmail.com

1993

Please send your news to: Elizabeth Krizar, 933 Route 9, Hudson, NY 12534; 518-4419008; ekriz@hotmail.com

1994

Please send your news to: Lori McCarthy; lormccarthy@yahoo.com Michela Moore; michelamoore@comcast.net

1995

In May, Stacey Barlow Hills was named assistant provost for faculty affairs at Southern Vermont College in Bennington, VT, where she is also chair of the Business Division. She is still involved with Girl Scouts and is membership chair for Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating. Maybe her daughter will be a Sage woman in the class of 2026!

Tara Jorolemon Sheehan’s niece, Irelynn, is a first-year student in Russell Sage’s Nursing program. Tara, along with her daughter, Madelyn, had the chance to go with Irelynn to her acceptance brunch in March. She said, “It was great to go on campus to see all the updates and changes ... and reminisce! Madelyn picked out some Sage wear from the new bookstore.” Tara works part time as a physical therapist at Auburn Community Hospital in the acute care and outpatient settings. Her husband, Mike, is employed with HillRom in Skaneateles, which purchased Welch Allyn. Madelyn turned 16 so they are getting used to a new driver!

Madelyn visited Puerto Rico with her Spanish Club and Mike and their son, Ryan, 14, spent two weeks in New Mexico in August on a Boy Scout trek.

I, Kate Siegmann Robertson, sent our youngest of four off to kindergarten this fall.

Please send your news to: Linda Stroka Riemer, 2325 Harrow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241; the_riemers@yahoo.com Kate Siegmann Robertson, 126 Bushendorf Road, Ravena, NY 12143-2212; 518-756-2388; rarksr@gmail.com

1996

Please send your news to: Wendy Kares, 27 Kimball Street, Lebanon, NH 03766; winkares@gmail.com Michaelynn McClenahan, 806 Huntingdon Drive, Schenectady, NY 12309; 518-4692788; mikemcc213@aol.com

1997 |

REUNION

Please send your news to: Belinda Hilton, 12 Grant Court, Guilderland, NY 12084; 518-4565036; bhilton@att.net Jennifer Sennett Glenn, 16 Sargent Street, Queensbury, NY 12804; 518-793-8308; je.glenn@roadrunner.com Kasia Prybylo Noblett, 2417 Deerfield Court SE, Roanoke, VA 24014; kasiaprybylo@ yahoo.com

1998

Hello Purple Cows of 1998. The Centennial celebration held over Reunion weekend 2016, brought many to campus.

Mary Murphy-Cocco is married to Rian. They live in Delmar, NY. She is a realtor and they recently purchased a boat.

Gina Salzano lives in Branford, CT. She has a 7-year-old daughter, Ella, and is an occupational therapist.

Meghan Maidelis is married to Melissa.

They live in Portland, CT, with two dogs. She is a firefighter.

Charlotte Smith Zenzick is married to CJ. They live in Enfield, CT. They have a dog and she is a fifth-grade teacher.

Sarah Rudney Leiva is married to Jose. They live in Croton Falls, NY. They have a 2-yearold daughter, Lucy. She is an occupational therapist.

Barbara Peacock Doherty is married to Tom. They live in Irvine, CA. They have a daughter, Jenna, 13, and a son, James, 17.

She is a stay at home mom.

Nan Templin Gough is married in Virginia Beach, VA. They have two daughters, Amelia and Lily. She works at Norfolk Botanical Garden’s Propagation Greenhouse.

Michelle Albee Matto is married to Barry.

They live in Elkridge, MD. They have two children, Henry, 9, and Harrison, 7. She is a food regulation consultant.

Amy Elkins Dickerson is married to John. They live in Wilton, CT. They have a daughter, Sarah, who is 7. Amy is a psychotherapist.

Mary Gados is married to Gareth Hunt.

They live in South Hero, VT. They have two children, Branston, 6, and Michaela, 8. She is a physical therapist.

Chelsea Moore lives in Bronx, NY. She is starting a new life.

Jen Besze Gleason is married to Charles.

They live in Springfield, NJ. They have two children, Caiden, 6, and Reece, 3. Jen is a physician assistant.

Tanjya Schumann Kieffer is married to JP. They live in Hampton, VA. They have a daughter, Emma, 13. Tanjya is a kindergarten teacher. She was named teacher of the year for 2016-2017.

Laura Kirby Haver is married to Rob. They live in Macon, GA. She has two stepdaughters: Ashton, 17, and Ella Grace, 11. Laura is a reservist in the Air Force with a rank of major and she works for hospice.

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

27

CLASS NOTES I, Catrina McKissick Truesdell live in Sidney, NY, and work as a physical therapist, managing two outpatient clinics.

Please send your news to: Catrina McKissick Truesdell, 7 Webb Avenue, Sidney, NY 13838; 607-433-9801; catrinapt1@hotmail.com Angela Porter Gordon, 34 Arcadia Court, Albany, NY 12205; 518-729-5532; angela. gordon@gmail.com

1999

Please send your news to: Kendra Wray Pulsifer-Griep, 5 Marion Road, North Billerica, MA 01862; 303-524-5709; kwp31@ yahoo.com SarahBeth Douglas Votra, PO Box 222, Tully, NY 13159; 315-882-7617; sarahbethvotra@ gmail.com

2004

Please send your news to: Amy Carlotto Zuckett, 515 Hunters Path Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017; amy.carlotto2@gmail.com Melissa Fields Roller, 700 West Road, Richmond, MA 01254; 413-698-8078; mjroller@earthlink.net

2000

Cara Desautels-Beyor lives in Vermont and is having fun with her family and new addition, a black lab puppy.

Kim Ciriello Perrotta lives in Wethersfield, CT, with her husband of 12 years and daughters who are 10 and 8. They are busy with the girls’ activities and awesome family vacations! Kim is excited to be celebrating her 10th year as owner of Woodside Therapeutic Massage in Wethersfield.

Please send your news to: Cara Desautels Beyor, 2145 Plains Road, Milton, VT 054684378; 802-527-1360; desauc16@aol.com

Please send your news to: Jessica Rafter, jrafter101984@gmail.com

2007 |

REUNION

Please send your news to: Jennifer Harris, 12 Francis Drive, Wynantskill, NY 12198; 518275-2263; jenniferdabeyharris@gmail.com Angela Puorto-Cortina, 105A Hicock Street, Winooski, VT 05404; apuorto@gmail.com

2008 Lianna Scull married Michael Berkovich on May 14 in Hudson, NY. Pictured (left to right) are Roni Schneider ’03, Crisan Scalia Crozzoli, Lianna and Shameka Robinson.

Please send your news to: Julia Hillje Dardia, 87 Poplar Road, Wayne, NJ 07470; 518-527-3314; juliahilljedardia@gmail.com Julia Stevens Bogardus, 45 State Street, Oxford, NY 13830; 518-257-2407; julia. bogardus@gmail.com

2005

Brittany Lemoine Cappiello, brittany@ williamstownpt.com

Sarah Bates married RJ Worboys in October 2015 in Greenwich, NY. Please send your news to: Amy Witterschein, 234 Hillside Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081; 845-649-2491; amywitterschein@gmail.com Briana Dolan Tracy, 267 Eastchester Road; New Rochelle, NY 10801; 518-421-5913; brianadolan1@gmail.com Jessica Trong, 10 Farm Street, Troy, NY 12180; 518-928-2303; jtmarie0922@gmail.com

2001

2009

Please send your news to: Michelle Fage, PO Box 37, St. John, VI 00831; 310-968-3789; michelle.m.fage@gmail.com

2002 |

2006

REUNION

Please send your news to: Melissa Callaghan Rice, 6 Bacon Rd, Framingham, MA 01701; coachcallaghan@yahoo.com

2003

Jessica Howard Walker graduated from nursing school as co-salutatorian of her class! She passed her boards as an RN and is working at a local hospital. We are so proud of her, Congratulations, Jess!

Elizabeth Toombs Gray lives at 38 Barnes Rd, Ashfield, MA. She’s an early intervention occupational therapist in western Massachusetts and enjoys her three children when she’s not at work.

28

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

Kristy Quackenbush-Orr’s son, Lucian.

Kristy Quackenbush-Orr gave birth to a son, Lucian Aldric Orr on May 5.

Please send your news to: Jessica Gertler, 1422 Jenkins Street, Merrick, NY 11566; jessicagertler@gmail.com Steffanie Winne, 457 State Road 146, Building 5- Apt 212, Guilderland Center, NY 12085; decievingapple@gmail.com

Director of Alumnae Relations Joan Clifford ’82 and Tania Capaz ’09 in the Russell Sage College Alumnae Office.

Tania Capaz just started graduate school at The Sage Colleges School of Management and has worked in Russell Sage’s Alumnae Relations Office for a year. Each day goes by and she wonders “Where is the Class of

CLASS NOTES 2009?” She sits by her phone and refreshes her email hoping to hear from her class. We are all busy and life just happens. We may not speak for months or years. We may have not been the best of friends. Please know someone is thinking of you and would like to know how you are doing!

Anna Murdza and Simone Razzano are getting married in July 2017, in Albany! We were lucky to spend time with them at the Centennial celebration in June.

Congratulations and happy wedding planning, Anna!

Jessica Lynch and her husband, Shane, welcome their first child, Hailey Marie. She joined the family on May 15, 2016.

Please send your news to: Danielle Drahos Basore, 59 Brunswick Avenue, 2nd Floor, Troy, NY 12180; 610-334-6976; danielleabasore@gmail.com

Ivanna Ramos Figueroa, Joanna Mackenzie Eaton ’10, Jessica Hanna Maguire, Danielle Mackenzie ’10 and Allison Nutting at Krystan Linneer’s wedding to Charlie Roselius in July.

Daniela Puorto, 15 Parkside Place, Revere, MA 02151; daniela.puorto@gmail.com

2010 Sharon Decker Pailley’s daughters: Natalie, 2, and Leah, born in April.

Erin Marzilli’s son, Cole.

Erin Marzilli and fiancé Ryan O’Shea welcomed their son, Cole Martin O’Shea.

Erin continues to grow as a makeup artist, licensed aesthetician and certified instructor. She has been in business for over five years and is happy to start a new chapter in her life.

Please send your news to: Veronica Nunes, 21 Lochview Drive, Windsor, CT 06095; 860-977-3397; veronicajnunes@gmail.com Brittany Wood, 306 Sunset Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144; 518-322-6634; brittanywood06@gmail.com

Sharon Decker Pailley and her husband John just celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary. They have two beautiful daughters, Natalie, 2, and Leah, born in April. In May, Sharon celebrated five years working with the New York State Police Finance Department! Job well done Sharon!

Krystan Linneer married Charlie Roselius in July with Allison Nutting, Danielle Mackenzie ’10 and Joanna Mackenzie Eaton ’10 as bridesmaids. Jessica Hanna Maguire and Ivanna Ramos Figueroa were able to attend and celebrate with her!

Sarah Rusch loves life in Durham, NC where she has lived since 2013. She and her boyfriend live on a 25-acre farm with horses, dogs and turkeys. She recently took a new job as kidney transplant coordinator at Duke Hospital.

educator and orients all the fresh nurse arrivals to the nursing life on board a ship.

Rochester, NY, will always remain home for her, but for now, home is a ship docked all year in Benin, West Africa.

Please send your news to: Ivanna Ramos Figueroa; ivannar@gmail.com Amanda Spring, 729 E 750 N Ogden, UT 84404; 518-756-8255; amanda.spring22@ gmail.com

2012 |

REUNION

Please send your news to: Hillary Brown, 110 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; brown.hillaryc@gmail.com

2013

Please send your news to: Meghan Whipple, 25 Wakefield Street, Lewiston, ME 04240; bass_slayer91@hotmail.com Courtney Reed, PO Box 262, Mechanicville, NY 12118; creed1391@yahoo.com Ginamarie Garabedian, 39 Forest Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; ginamarie_ helene@hotmail.com

2014

2011

Please send your news to: connections@sage.edu

2015

Please send your news to: connections@sage.edu Ivanna Figueroa and husband Ruben.

Anna Murdza and fiancé Simone Razzano.

Ivanna Ramos Figueroa is in her third year volunteering as a nurse with Mercy Ships.

This year she took on the role of nurse

2016

Please send your news to: Tanesha Beebe; tanesha.beebe@gmail.com CONNECTIONS fall 2016

29

DIN MEMORIAM

1936

1944

1951

1968

Dorothy Sladky Cotton 8/22/2016

Sonia Hill Bounous 8/2/2012

Martha Clapp 7/31/2015

Sheila Bock Beam 7/3/2013

1937

Muriel VanZandt Lichtenwalner 3/19/2016

Marie DuBois Leon 2/3/2016

1969

Phyllis Warren Wildhack 6/17/2015

1945

Joan Mende Reineke 4/28/2016

Muriel Vail Bohne 3/19/2016

1939

Dorothy Neumann Soderlind 5/25/2016

Virginia Lytle Rumpler 1/14/2015

1971

Doris Saum Armbruster 1/27/2013

1946

Jean Tutton Tamanian 4/30/2016

1940

Mary Hetherington Coyle 4/26/2016

1952

Dorothy Roch Mahoney 3/15/2015

Anne Powell Potts 4/13/2015

Nedra Simmons Bloch 9/8/2011

1941

Marion Sharpe 12/28/2012

Catherine Merrill Mastro 8/7/2016

Elizabeth King Bidwell 8/27/2007

1947

Marion Reimherr Eddy 6/30/2014

Jean Moser Kallgren 5/8/2016

1954

Vera Lasher Schultz 8/12/2009

Dorothy Collins Knepper 4/1/2016

Frances Winn 10/5/1999

Dorothy Friedman Wernick 8/3/2016

1942

1948

Margaret Bitzer Candee 1/22/2016

Bernice Coplin Rubin 4/3/2016

1943

1949

Emily Horton Bershad 6/4/2015

Betty Wiesner 8/23/2016

Phyllis Webster Coffin 7/18/2011

1950

Phyllis Taylor Patrick 2/25/2016

Irma Horn Cohen 4/10/2016

Kathaleen Perkins 7/9/2016

Ruth Butler Johnstone 5/7/2016

Lorraine Geisler Sammons 5/21/2015

Evelyn Simmons Sharp 7/10/2016

Betty MacElroy Whiteman 4/22/2016

Cora-Ann Gomez Yore 3/14/2016

1956 Betty Sakin Beller 12/15/2011

1957 Virginia Halbrook Peattie 2/17/2016

1959 Donna Abbey 5/5/2014 Cynthia Perkins Inman 8/14/2016

1961 Brenda Mabel Harris 10/19/2015 Margaret Ridley Senechal 7/16/2016

1963 Beverly Greene Cook 4/12/2016

30

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

Leila Cohen 3/8/2016

1972 Linda Lyons Goodemote 7/27/2016

1974 Linda Hoyt Donnelly 4/30/2016

1975 Rosemarie Jankowski Donnelly 5/24/2016

1982 Diane Lamperti Donney 4/4/2016

1985 Michelle Dziewisz Perras 11/27/2015

1989 Linda Floyd VanAlstyne 7/1/2016

1998 Amy Chiefari 6/10/2015

2002 Michelle Petruzzi 4/29/2016

ALUMNAE EVENTS

On August 17, several alumnae and President Scrimshaw (front, third from left) watched the eighth race at the historic Saratoga Race Course from the winner’s circle during the Alumnae Association’s day at the track. The race was named in honor of The Sage Colleges’ Centennial.

(Standing) Member of The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees Chet Opalka and Daniela Puorto ’09 and (seated) Trustee Ronnye Shamam ’64, Melanie Puorto-Conte ’75 and Sharon Valiquette ’75 at Val-Kill, the home of Eleanor Roosevelt.

Vanessa Freeney Melito ’98 and her mom Linda Freeney joined the RSCAA’s visit to the home of Eleanor Roosevelt in October.

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

31

ALUMNAE EVENTS

Linda Brennan ’71, Christina Ward ’71, Tami Andrews Miller ’83, Sonya Chesbro Soanes ’71 and Jackie Colby Love ’73 worked with the Gator to welcome first year students to campus in August.

Several alumnae – including Linda Brennan ’71, pictured with her husband William – attended the RSCAA’s birthday party for Russell Sage College, on campus on September 19.

RSCAA board member Kate Saulsbery ’11, event host Karin “Brownie” Williams LaBanca ’94 and The Sage Colleges Board of Trustees member Ronnye Berg Shamam ’64 at the Southern Connecticut Alumnae Association chapter summer barbecue in July.

President Scrimshaw (standing, second from right) and Chicago-area alumnae gathered at The Admiral at the Lake Lighthouse Lounge in September.

Terry Wolgang Ragazzini ’69, Diane Novak Czerniawski ’73, Marsha Bor Parker ’68 and Judy Shor Kronick ’66 at the Southern Connecticut summer barbecue.

32

CONNECTIONS fall 2016

Nancy Meyer ’71 and Gail Slater Brownell ’71 welcomed students and their families at the alumnae booth at the Centennial year Sagefest in September.

RSCAA board members Kate Saulsbery ’11, MaryAnn Publicover Kniska ’91 and Trustee Belinda Rucker Hilton ’97 at Founder’s Day Convocation featuring NASA Astronaut Stephanie Wilson in September.

Trustee Tammy Harrison Parsons ’97, Theresa Hotte ’15 and Leslie Bennett ’03 served ice cream to first-year students as they moved in in August.

Northern California-area alumnae visited Mission San Francisco Solano in October. Pictured, left to right: Gillian Griffis ’75, Kathryn Diamond ’60, Marilyn Fowler ’69, Mary Hamilton ’62, Marsha Felton ’64, Barbara Oseroff ’73, Karen Pelton Saari ’66 and Juanita Dickson ’60.

Syliva Saarnijoki ’47 and Kate Saulsbery ’11 at the Southern Connecticut fall luncheon.

CELEBRATE a CENTURY of RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE at REUNION!

June 2-4, 2017 The Russell Sage College Alumnae Association will mark the end of the Centennial Celebration with another Riverside Picnic for all alumnae on Friday, June 2.

MORE events are scheduled June 2-4 specifically for classes ending in 2 and 7: Reunion Book Club discussion | Tours of campus and historic Troy | Visual and performing arts | Zumba | Class dinners | Parade of Classes | Friendly competitions for class spirit | Much, much MORE!

Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID

65 1st Street Troy, NY 12180

Permit No. 314 Albany, NY

A special opportunity is available during the Centennial Campaign for Sage: A personalized 12” x 12” Centennial brick will honor donors who make a $500 gift, and a personalized 4” x 8” marble tile will honor donors who make a $1,000 gift. These special pieces will only be offered during the Centennial Campaign and will be prominently featured on Ferry Street Plaza.

The $60 million Centennial Campaign for Sage is an ambitious fundraising campaign to take Sage into its second century.

Centennial Campaign gifts of any amount support academic programs, facility renovations and upgrades, and an endowment for faculty and campus needs.

Thank you for helping Sage Be. Know. Do. MORE

Office of Institutional Advancement

centennial.sage.edu

65 1st Street, Troy, NY 12180 (800) 898-8452

centennial.sage.edu/bricks-and-tiles

centennial@sage.edu