28 minute read
Alumnae Section
Dear Wesleyannes,
Every time. It still gets me every time. Each spring when I visit local high schools to present the Wesleyan First Award, I am renewed in mind, spirit, and soul.
For the seniors, the prospect of embarking on the “next step” and the hope of what’s to come are palpable in the air at the gymnasiums and auditoriums during these honors ceremonies. Always, I am humbled to participate in these events, and always, I am proud to provide this opportunity to a surprised young woman on behalf of the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association.
Having presented the awards virtually last spring, the return to in-person was welcomed. After noticing my arrival at one honors program, a school counselor walked over to tell me that the student about to receive the award would be elated. Having been pointed out by her daughter, the mother then approached me. The mother had heard about an award presentation two days earlier at another school across the county. She was nervous, thinking somehow this would change her daughter’s odds of receiving it (even though I’d personally called to make sure she knew to attend the event for this very reason).
And did she attend! Along with a host of supporters in the bleachers who celebrated when I announced her daughter’s name: siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and even her mother’s work supervisor in tow. Extremely excited and humbled, the recipient shared that she’d watched me hand out the award for six years, and had sworn she was coming to Wesleyan, even if she didn’t receive the award!
Sisters! This award has the potential to be life-changing in a multitude of ways. And not just for these students, but for their families and communities. Just like Wesleyan shaped you and I for the better, you know this to be true. And you can do this. As an alumna, you have the right to share the one-page nomination form with a school counselor to facilitate this award right where you are. Please consider learning more about the ease of giving this award and commit to trying this next year. If I can claim responsibility for the enrollment of four current Wesleyan students, so can you!
The other benefi t of this award is that it may be instrumental in saving the life of Wesleyan, as w omen’s institutions continue to close; most recently it was Judson College. Friends, it is certain that colleges will close without students to sustain them, and Wesleyan is no exception. Wesleyan needs our support by helping provide steady enrollment.
While I will soon be vacating my position as president of the WCAA board of managers, I pledge to remain “true, faithful, and loyal” by continuing to support the College in the ways I can. Sisters, my parting words to you are, “Please continue to choose Wesleyan so others can, too.”
Wesleyan First Award recipient Lainey Hendrix from Portal High School in Statesboro, GA, with WCAA President Abbie Lacienski.
Abbie Smoak Lacienski ’01
For more information about the Wesleyan First Award, a program developed by the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association, and how you can present awards to high-school students in your area, contact WesleyanBOM@gmail.com or admissions@wesleyancollege.edu
A Message from the Incoming Alumnae President
Dear Wesleyan Sisters:
I am honored to serve Wesleyan as president of the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association for the next three years. There has never been a better time for alumnae from across the generations to engage with Wesleyan and I invite you to join me in that engagement.
As Wesleyan’s largest constituency, we have a responsibility to the students at Wesleyan today, a responsibility we accepted when we read the Benson Charge as seniors. The Association’s first constitution says that it is our responsibility as alumnae to contribute to the strength and prosperity of our Alma Mater. The objectives expressed in the first constitution also include reviving girlhood friendships.
I find myself often wondering what the italicized words mean for the Association and for each alumna today. We would probably use different words in 2021. Yet, the meaning of those original words is actually pretty simple. They mean we should remain connected with each other and with Wesleyan, and that we should give back … regardless.
Wesleyan celebrates more ethnic and religious diversity among her students than is found on most college campuses of similar size. That diversity makes Wesleyan unique and provides our graduates with a firm foundation for success in a world that is increasingly more global. The College’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has grown at least in part out of the student body influence as students have the opportunity to learn from and value each other.
As alumnae, it is our responsibility to journey and grow with Wesleyan, to join Wesleyan in the commitment to DEI, to celebrate Wesleyan, to celebrate alumnae accomplishments, to encourage students, to hold the tension that a diverse campus community may create while encouraging that same diversity, to honor and support our sisters, to gently push Wesleyan and each other, and to listen to and learn from students.
The WCAA Board of Managers takes our role of encouraging alumnae engagement seriously. We have been working over the last year on a program we hope to roll out with the 2021-2022 academic year that will facilitate communications between Wesleyan and her alumnae through channels already in place through our various networks.
Thank you for putting your trust in me to lead the Alumnae Association these next few years. I, along with the rest of the WCAA Board of Managers, welcome your support and input at any time.
Jan M. Lawrence ’80
Alumnae
CONNECTIONS
The Best of Both Worlds. As we move forward this year, alumnae are waxing nostalgic for the “way it used to be” with that shared hope coming from a place where sisterhood meets memories that bind us together as Wesleyan women. While our virtual realities have provided new and creative ways to connect with each other using the convenience of technology, nothing takes the place of more personal interaction with our sisters. As we grow and build a more resilient Wesleyan network, our goal is to use the best of both worlds - virtual and personal - to continue to connect with each other. To schedule a virtual or in-person alumnae or class event, mentor a student, and/or volunteer for the WCAA, contact the Alumnae Office at csnow@wesleyancollege.edu (478) 757-5173 or the WCAA Board of Managers at WesleyanBOM@gmail.com. Alumnae events listed below were held after January 1, 2021.
Florida
Tallahassee
Tallahassee alumnae enjoyed a twist on tradition when they held a first-time virtual Spring Luncheon Meeting in March. Assistant Professor of Nursing and Director for the BSN Program Sirena Fritz was the guest speaker whose topic was COVID-19 and Wesleyan. Many thanks to Virginia Barber Perkins ’63 who coordinated the event and to alumnae hostesses Shari Richardson Arrington ’71, Bootsie Laslie Brinson Bird ’58, and Martha Herring Stubbs ’68, who contacted alumnae about the event. President Vivia Fowler and Alumnae Director Cathy Coxey Snow ’71 also attended.
Georgia
Atlanta
In January, a Purple Briefcase Seminar for Atlanta alumnae featured CCD Director Dr. Mallory Neil who discussed Wesleyan’s mentoring program. The Club held a virtual annual Atlanta Club Scholarship Fundraiser during the month of February and raised more than $2,000 for the fund that benefits local Wesleyan students. Atlanta Book Club participants focused on discussing the book Sula in March.
Macon
In March, Macon alumnae hosted a pre-Easter Grab & Go Easter Bag Hunt for all residential students. More than 350 bags were made for the event that included a Picnic on the Quad. Club volunteers were on hand to connect with students. In May, the Club sponsored a Reading Day Cookie Break where members provided homemade treats for students headed into exam week.
North Carolina
North Carolina Triangle Club (Raleigh/Durham)
Club members gathered virtually for their annual meeting/ luncheon in January. Guest speakers from the College included President Fowler, Advancement Officer Susan Brown Allen ’17, and Cathy Snow. The Club’s Pioneer Book Club continues to meet in outdoor spaces provided by Club co-leader Pamela Henry Pate ’71.
Virtual Alumnae Midday Meet-Ups
Conservatory Days: A look back at the life and times of Wesleyan Conservatory
alumnae with Director of the Library Kristi Peavy and Wesleyan Archivist Virginia Blake who presented a brief history of the Conservatory and School of Fine Arts. Cathy Snow moderated a discussion with Conservatory alumnae as they shared memories of what student life was like on the College Street campus.
Rebellious Women. Alumnae celebrated Women’s History Month in March when they joined Curator of Collections Lisa Sloben ’00 and her student assistants for a guided Virtual Tour of Wesleyan’s Women’s Suffrage Exhibition: Rebellious Women that was on display in the College’s East Gallery.
Lunch & Learn with the President / Provost
Alumnae zoomed-in on the second Wednesday of each month to join in conversations with President Vivia Fowler or with Provost Melody Blake and their special guests from the College, each sharing information on a different aspect of campus life. Cathy Snow moderated Meet & Greet times before each session. Missed a session? Check out the Wesleyan website to view recorded sessions. www.wesleyancollege.edu/lunchandlearn
February: The Center for Career Development (CCD). Provost Blake and CCD Director Dr. Mallory Neil discussed internships and mentoring at Wesleyan.
March: Faith and Service. President Fowler, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Dr. Tyler Schwaller, Director of the Lane Center for Service and Leadership Melissa Rodriguez ’16, and Faith and Service Coordinator Kaiya Jennings shared information on campus faith and service programs and their outreach to the broad community.
April: Wesleyan Graduate Programs. Director of Graduate Programs and Online Enrollment Kristina Ejike and Associate Professor of Music and Director of the M.A. in Music Graduate Program Dr. Chenny Gan ’02 updated alumnae with the latest news on the College’s graduate programs.
Got Sisterhood? Get Social.
For current updates on news of classmates, friends, and alumnae events check us out on Social Media.
Connecting with Students during COVID-19.
CANDLELIGHTING 2021: Seniors were inducted into the WCAA during a socially-distanced ceremony in Porter Auditorium in April. WCAA President-Elect Jan Lawrence ’80 administered the Benson Charge at the live-streamed event. A one-time ceremony was held at the Equestrian Center for seniors unable to attend the main induction ceremony. WCAA Treasurer Anna Cornelious Martin ’04 presided at the Center with Pat Grogan Borders ’70 serving as an alumna guest Candlelighter.
MARKER CEREMONY 2021: A pre-baccalaureate tradition, The Marker Ceremony took place on campus this year at the Candler building marker site, where Wesleyan Trustee Mary Beth Brown Swearingen ’89 served as the 2021 marker speaker. Seniors processed into Porter Auditorium for the Baccalaureate Service where Mary Kathryn Borland ’04 provided welcoming remarks on behalf of the WCAA. Following baccalaureate, the WCAA and the Alumnae Office sponsored Lemonade on the Lawn for seniors and their guests.
READING DAY COOKIE BREAK:
In May, members of the Macon Alumnae Club baked and bagged homemade cookies for all residential students to enjoy on Reading Day.
GRAB & GO EASTER BAG HUNT:
Macon Alumnae Club members sponsored and hosted a Grab & Go Easter Bag Hunt for all residential students. More than 350 bags were made for the event that included a Picnic on the Quad. Club members were on hand to connect with students. SENIOR TOAST 2021: Hosted by President Vivia Fowler, the annual Senior Toast was held on the lawn at Bradley House. Mary Kathryn Borland ’04, a member of the WCCA Board of Managers, administered the Toast to nearly 70 seniors who gathered together to be honored by the WCAA. Young Alumnae Ad-Hoc Committee member Tiffany Hatch Johnson ’07 was on hand to connect with students.
Sympathy
Mary Nunn Domingos ’46 on the death of her brother, John Robert Nunn, D.V.M., on February 21, 2020. Frances Oehmig Collins ’47 on the death of her sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Oehmig Field, on November 1, 2020. Ruth White Fruit ’54 on the death of her husband, Roy Elliott Fruit, on March 20, 2021.
Gwen Jackson Lindsey ’54 on the death of her husband, Almont Edward Lindsey, Jr., on November 28, 2020.
Eleanor Adams Lane ’58 on the death of her daughter, Margaret Marion Scott, on January 24, 2021. Nina Beth Sheppard Terrell ’58 on the death of her husband, William “Dean” Terrell, on April 6, 2021. Carol King Pope ’59 on the loss of her grandson, Mitchell Garrett Pope, on September 19, 2020. Andrea Morris Gruhl ’61 on the death of her husband, Werner M. Gruhl, on October 23, 2020.
Mary Grace Averett Kay ’61 on the death of her husband, William Benjamin “Billy” Kay, Sr., on January 8, 2021. Lynn Cochran Thompson ’61 on the death of her sister, Betty Jo Cochran Ridley Hall ’63, on March 17, 2020. Vida Gentry Beall ’62 on the death of her husband, Holst Clay Beall, Jr., on August 22, 2020. Marian Carter Clark ’63 on the death of her daughter, Rebecca Clark Rice, on August 26, 2020. Susan Taylor King ’63 on the death of her husband, Robert E. King III, on March 20, 2021.
Faye Coleman ’65 on the death of her twin sister, Virgie Raye Coleman ’66, on April 19, 2020. Dot Ogden Brown ’67 on the death of her husband, Judge Steven Phillip “Phil” Brown, on January 28, 2021. Helen Neal Kleiber ’67 on the death of her husband, Donald Gene Kleiber, on May 23, 2021. Maribeth Wills Lowe ’67 on the death of her husband, Thomas Hall Lowe, M.D., on March 6, 2021.
Catherine “Doreen” Stiles Poitevint ’69
on the death of her aunt, Kathryn Stiles Stribling ’47, on December 31, 2020. Melissa Lane Thomas ’69 and Eleanor Adams Lane ’58 on the death of Melissa’s brother and Eleanor’s nephew, Clark Hughes Lane, on April 29, 2021. Lynn Golson Priester ’72 and Florence Priester ’11 on the death of Lynn’s mother and Florence’s grandmother, Alice Lundy Childs Golson ’45, on January 20, 2021. Alice also was an aunt to Beth Childs Brooks ’66 and a sisterin-law to Pat Johnson Childs ’49.
Betsy McPherson Farr ’73 on the death of her aunt, Gwendolyn Elizabeth “LeeLee” McPherson Wall ’49, on December 23, 2020.
Carol Ann Blanchard Hood ’73 on the death of her aunt, Emmie Carlton Johnson ’49, on November 30, 2020.
Patsy McCall ’73 on the death of her mother, Evelyn McCall Cannon, on November 26, 2020.
Diane Anderson Lewis ’74 and Sally Anderson Hemingway ’79 on the death of Diane’s mother and Sally’s aunt, Doris Poe Anderson ’48, on January 26, 2021. Mary Linger ’75 on the death of her mother, Mary Carolyn Barksdale Linger, on April 3, 2021. Bryndis Roberts ’78 and Jennifer Jenkins Cobb ’03 on the death of Bryndis’ mother and Jennifer’s grandmother, Josie Spencer Roberts Walls, on April 6, 2021. Mary Huckabee Howard ’78 on the death of her brother, Leo Bennette Huckabee III, on September 25, 2020. Anita Marchman ’79 on the death of her mother, Joan Marchman, on January 29, 2021. Natalie Anderson Rauch ’79 on the death of her husband, Harry Alexander Rauch III, on December 27, 2020.
Helen Anne Richards ’80 on the death of her brother, Roy “Martin” Richards, Jr., on February 13, 2021. Sheila Belknap Feightner ’85 and Angel Feightner Poe ’08 on the death of Sheila’s mother and Angel’s grandmother, Opal Belknap Mitchell, on January 28, 2021. Susan Foxworth Dunwody ’87 on the death of her husband, Eugene “Gene” Cox Dunwody, on January 9, 2021. Amy Allen Ray ’01 on the death of her aunt, Becky Jones Brock ’72, on December 30, 2020. (See In Memoriam, Winter 2020, WESmag) Tereese Winfrey ’10 on the death of her father, Alvin Winfrey, on June 18, 2020.
Zari L. Floyd ’16 on the death of her grandmother, Viola Elaine Vaughn, on April 20, 2020. Sara McMahon Logue ’16 on the death of her grandmother, Kathryn Lackey Baker, in December 2019.
FACULTY, STAFF, AND TRUSTEE DEATHS
Shirley Anne Scoggins, former administrative assistant for the business and economics department (1989-1991), died on March 17, 2019.
Patrick Calvin “Pat” Pritchard, Alumnae Professor of Education, Professional Studies Division Chair, Director of the Center for Educational Renewal at Wesleyan, died on March 6, 2021.
Marriages
Congratulations to:
Beth Koon ’83 and Randall “Randy” Spiwak who married on February 26, 2021. They reside in Winter Haven, FL.
Sara Mary Olufemi “Femi” Adetola ’06 and Nana Asante Bediatuo, executive secretary to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who married on December 26, 2020, at the St. Francis Cottage at Nsawam in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Allison Hunt ’20 and Daniel McKinnon who married on April 24, 2021.
Births & Family Additions
Congratulations to:
Parrish Smotherman Jenkins ’06 and Andrew on the birth of a daughter, Nora Mathis Jenkins, in January 2021.
Taylor Bishop Deal ’12 and Billy on the birth of a daughter, Briar Ofelina Deal, on May 13, 2021.
Diep Nguyen ’14 and Adi on the birth of a son, Solal, on March 17, 2021.
ALUMNAE WEEKEND NEWS
(Celebrating Reunion Classes of 2000, 2021, & 2022)
We Can’t Wait To Hug-It-Out! What a Difference a Day Makes, especially for 50th Reunion Classes. We’ve added a day to the weekend for extra sisterhood fun!
Alumnae Weekend 2022, April 21 - 24 This is Where It All Began: A Sense of Place
See You in ’22!
1945 Alice Lundy Childs Golson 1946 Jane Wallace Baggett Betty Graham Bull Marion Chapman Henigbaum Mary McLendon McManus 1947 Marilyn Mathews Rebecca Train Stimson Kathryn Stiles Stribling 1948 Aurelia Bond Adams Doris Poe Anderson 1949 Emmie Carlton Johnson Gwendolyn Elizabeth McPherson Wall 1950 Jo Ann Russell Campbell Harriett Middlebrooks Roswurm Norma Lee Taylor 1951 Jean Elsom Hogan 1952 Sarah Segrest Lane Vann Snell Smith Frances Causey Spears 1953 Elizabeth Perry Bryan 1954 Marilyn Bennett Edwards Emily Cook Fawcett Ruth Forehand Miller 1955 Nita Sexton Dowling-Brandon 1957 Mary Margaret Turner Dancy Dorothy Lewis Mulcare Adele Burgin Weaver Bettie M. Willson 1958 Wynn Armstrong Creal Janet Lindsey Sheffield Charlotte Richardson Smitherman 1960 Rose Pickett Holder 1961 Sally Harmon Brown Constance Ashley Newbanks 1962 Marsha Harris Rudolph Betty Burroughs Smith 1963 Betty Jo Cochran Ridley Hall 1964 Patty F. Baker 1966 Virgie Raye Coleman Carolyn Anne Brandes Wilson 1967 Edith Wallenburg Shelton 1968 Dana L. Mitchell Karen Justyna Scheidt 1971 Nancy Watson Adams 1976 Jane Speir Brook Melinda Poole Gray 1977 Katherine Bird McCormick 1979 Susan Hartman Edwards 1981 Sylvia Fesco Bond 1986 Judy James Tucker 1993 Jennifer Gunter Eckhardt 2021 Cynthia Gail Hires McClendon
1940s
Emily Bradford Batts ’46 lives with her daughter in Whispering Pines, NC. She celebrated her 95th birthday in March of 2021. “I’m happy to be around family after losing my husband in February, 2018,” writes Emily.
1950s
“My husband of 68 years, Almont E. Lindsey, died November 28, 2020. He was a wonderful productive man who founded the largest CPA firm in the southeast - Odum Hughes, in 1974 (began as Lindsey, Crisp, Hughes and Mabe). He built the first totally electric high-rise at Seven Cadness in VA in 1964 and the Chatham House and many apartments and shopping centers throughout the Southeast,” reports Gwen Jackson Lindsey ’54. (See Sympathy)
Phyllis Caverly Long ’54 writes, “I’m a widow - 4 children, 3 surviving, 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and counting...”
According to Joan Nachbaur Rathbun ’58, she feels blessed to still read about Wesleyan and to be kept informed about her classmates.
“2020 has been a difficult year, having lost several friends. Sadest was losing our grandson, Mitchell Pope. Fortunately, we have avoided COVID-19 and continue to take care. And, as always, I am proud to be a Golden Heart,” writes Carol King Pope ’59. (See Sympathy)
1960s
Even if reunion had not been postponed, Doris V. Manning ’60 would not have been able to attend. “My eyesight is very low now. God bless to all.”
My husband of 55 years, Werner Gruhl, died on October 23, 2020. I had spinal surgery on September 28, 2020. I am still active at three levels in League of Women Voters: Howard County, Maryland and National Capitol area. Zoom makes it easier to ‘attend’ many board and committee meetings. I love to Zoom!” says Andrea Morris Gruhl ’61. (See Sympathy)
“I am still working with the Fore (In) Sight Foundation founded by Professor Emeritus Dr. Bernard C. Murdoch. He was chair of the psychology department at Wesleyan,” writes Sandra Combs Lewis ’61.
“I still enjoy my retirement and stay very busy. I’m a rector at church where people say I am the best reader and I owe it all to my speech and drama professors at Wesleyan! I do a great job of crafting - assemblage, collage, bookmaking, and photography,” reports Linda Maria Willson ’64. Katie Gibson Jones ’66 writes, “Only attended my freshman year… wonderful experience! Married twice, widowed with 7 adult children. Currently work in real estate in Naples, FL.”
1970s
“Hello classmates! Just checking in. I am married to Tom Slade (31 years) and we have 15 grandchildren together and more on the way - I LOVE being a grandmother! I am still a realtor here in Atlanta and my daughter and son and their families live nearby. My 98-year-old mother is sharp as a tack and lots of fun. I hope all of you are safe and healthy after this crazy, incredible year,” writes Kathy Owens Slade ’74.
Sandi Davis Townley ’75 writes, “My husband, Chris, died March 6, 2020, after a year-long battle with Glioblastoma. He loved Wesleyan as much as I do and because we married after my freshman year, our early days of married life included many Wesleyan memories. I am making my gift this year in his memory.” (See Sympathy, Summer 2020 WESmag)
“My husband died on December 27, 2020, from Glioblastoma. We were married 37 years. He served as an Army Chaplain for 29 years and loved every minute of his time in service. We lived all over the world thanks to the Army. Our daughter, Bonnie, still considers Germany ‘home.’ Harry met many of my Wesleyan friends over the years and was in awe of the close friendships we maintained over the years,” writes Natalie Anderson Rauch ’79.
Loisanne Tatum Robins ’79 was happy to see her roommate, Rebecca Tuten McClain ’79, briefly in September. “Bruce and I hope everyone is healthy and safe in the year to come!”
1980s
Congratulations to Lynne M. White ’81 who was honored as the 2020 “Woman of Influence” by Commercial Real Estate Women of Orlando. Lynne is a past president of CREW Orlando and is a Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate attorney with Losey PLLLC.
“After 59 years of being single, I married my soul-mate Randy Spiwak on February 6, 2021! Our wedding theme was “A Very Winter Haven Wedding,” held in the Museum of Winter Haven History, in Winter Haven, FL. We had a COVIDcompliant wedding and reception with a few family and friends present. We also had 630 others who watched our wedding via Facebook Live!” reports Beth KoonSpiwak ’83. (See Marriages)
Congratulations to Dale Barfield Waters ’89 who celebrated her 30 Year Service Anniversary with The Boeing Company on April 9, 2020. Mom Natalie Brewton Barfield ’54 is very proud, too.
1990s
Congratulations to Cathy Lee Taylor ’93 who was promoted to director of adjunct faculty orientation and mentoring in 2020. She wrote a one page devotional for the Upper Room Magazine that was published in the March /April 2021 edition. Cathy hopes everyone is doing well.
“My middle child, Elizabeth Harrell just got married to Quinton McGahee on March 13, 2021. They were married in Warrenton, GA, at his family church and reside in Gibson, GA, where he was reared by his wonderful parents, Julie and Jeff McGahee. I am a very lucky woman, as I have gained an amazing son-in-law and extended family,” says Christina Harp Harrell ’94.
Tanya Alexander ’96 has a target date of August 2023 to complete her Ph.D. in marital and family therapy. She already has earned two master’s degrees - in marital and family therapy and in art therapy.
2000s
Esther Celestin ’00 joined an amazing EdTech startup as director of customer success. “We purchased our first home in Fayetteville, GA!” reports Esther.
“My husband Anthony and I have welcomed our first child, Jonathan Isaac Mercaldo, on November 17, 2020. He’s a bright ray of sunshine in our lives, especially in 2020, and we couldn’t be more in love,” reports Pragna Halder ’08. (See Births, Winter 2020 WESmag)
2010s
Congratulations to Nur-Taz Rahman ’10, who completed her 18-month Simbonis Fellowship at Yale University’s Cushing/ Whitney Medical Library in January 2021. She now works for 10x Genomics, Inc., where she is putting her Ph.D. from Yale (cell biology) to good use.
Congratulations to Shui Yu ’11 who started a new job at Compenia as a consultant. She previously worked as a compensation consultant/project manager at Willis Towers Watson. “I’m happy to help Wesleyan in any way - to refer students for internship and job opportunities! I sure miss the people in the South!” writes Shui.
It’s official! In August 2021, Alaina Avera Harrison ’12 will start the three-year masters of science in counseling program at ULM to become a school counselor!
Betsy W. Herlong ’12 looks forward to June 26, 2021, and her wedding to Adam Powers. After graduating from Wesleyan Swechhya Shrestha ’13 worked for a year as a research assistant at Brandeis University. She entered Wesleyan University in fall 2014 as a doctoral student in biology and then earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience in May 2020. Swechhya is currently employed at McLean Hospital as a research fellow and at Harvard Medical School as a research fellow in psychiatry.
Best wishes to Beth Hurst ’14 who accepted a job offer with the Center for Applied Social Research at the University of Oklahoma. Beginning in August she will be working closely with the National Weather Center and the Center for the Analysis and Prediction of Storms as a postdoctoral researcher!
Diep Nguyen ’14 says it is “so hard to put into words the incredible joy we have, but life comes in full circle when our baby boy, Solal, came into the world on St. Patrick’s Day 2021, eight years after Adi and I met in Northern Ireland! If that isn’t fate idk what is!” (See Births)
Christina Mayfield ’15 and Matthew Denninghoff are busy making wedding plans.
Congratulations to Amber Davis ’19 who is the new marketing coordinator for Dr. Jennifer Orthodontics in St. Paul, MN.
2020s
Valentina Huang ’20 will attend the Jacob School of Music at Indiana University, where she will begin work on a M.M. degree in organ performance in fall 2021.
Rachel Solomon ’20 is a 1st degree connection claims service representative at GEICO. Proud grandmother and one of Wesleyan’s First Five Dyleane Tolbert Taylor ’72 is delighted with Rachel’s position.
Wesleyan alumnae chosen to serve the Biden administration
When President-elect Joe Biden began the process of staffing his administration, he highlighted a key priority: Building a team that “looks like America.” His commitment began with the appointment of experts from across the country to form his presidential transition team. According to data, Biden’s transition team was one of the most diverse ever established and included Wesleyan College alumna and former trustee
Geovette Washington ’89
who was named team-lead of a 21-person Department of Commerce review team.
Prior to her current position as senior vice chancellor and chief legal officer at the University of Pittsburgh, Geovette served as general counsel and senior policy advisor for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at the White House. Before joining OMB, she served as deputy general counsel for the U.S. Department of Commerce and was the second-highest ranking official in the Office of General Counsel for this cabinetlevel agency.
Washington’s move to the Department of Commerce followed fourteen years in the District of Columbia litigation firm of Baach Robinson and Lewis PLLC (now Lewis Baach), where she was an associate for four years and a partner for 10 years. She specialized in resolving complex commercial disputes through litigating, alternative dispute resolution processes, and negotiating settlements. In her current position, Geovette is the senior-most executive for legal and public policy matters at the University of Pittsburgh. She provides legal advice, counsel, and support to the chancellor, the University’s Board of Trustees, University officers, and other faculty and staff groups. She and the lawyers on her staff are also responsible for providing legal advice on a host of issues across the University, including athletics compliance, construction and other commercial contracts, employment issues, environmental regulation, international initiatives, philanthropic and other financial documents, student discipline, research integrity, and technology transfer.
Geovette earned her Juris Doctor degree from Duke University School of Law. Today she is active in several civic and professional organizations. In 2012, the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association honored Geovette with the award for Distinguished Achievement in a Profession.
Colonel Joy Mastrangelo Kaczor ‘96 was also appointed to President Biden’s team. Serving as vice commander of the White House Communications Agency, Kaczor is responsible for providing global information services to the president, vice-president, executive office of the president, and United States secret service, ensuring that the White House has the ability to communicate anywhere, anytime, and by any means to anyone. Previously, Kaczor served as the current operations division chief for U.S. Cyber Command where she led, directed, and managed more than 150 joint service members of the joint operations center, and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians and contractors in synchronizing global cyberspace operations, and the operations and defense of the DoD Information Network.
Prior to serving the DoD, Joy was the Deputy Commander of the 67th Cyberspace Operations Group, the Air Force’s only group tasked to execute worldwide offensive cyberspace operations. The Group readies and employs more than 250 Airmen to conduct network attack and exploitation in five geographic locations worldwide. Prior to that, she commanded the 33rd Network Warfare Squadron responsible for defending one million Air Force unclassified and classified systems valued at $10 billion, supporting over 900,000 users.
In April 2001 the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association honored Joy with its Young Alumna Award. In March 2021 Wesleyan welcomed Joy back to campus where she spoke to students about her new position, her career, and how Wesleyan shaped the woman she has become. She also visited with her former math professor Joe Iskra, and members of his math class.
Congratulations to Joy and to Geovette who demonstrate ways that Wesleyan Women continue to do the extraordinary in their professions and in service to their communities.
KALI GODING ’21
I came to Wesleyan as a shy and timid girl, and I have grown so much more than I ever could have guessed I was capable. I was inspired to put myself out there, to join clubs, to make more friends, and to immerse myself in sisterhood.
I believe that anyone who comes to Wesleyan, even for a short visit, will be changed by the atmosphere. Sisterhood has never been stronger than it is on this campus. Community has never been stronger than it is here. I have never been stronger.
Wesleyan has fostered an incredible network that has encouraged me and given me the confidence that I will achieve my goals and live the life I always dreamed of.
Kali graduated cum laude with a major in chemistry and minors in forensic science and mathematics. She will attend Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania, to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science.
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