SweetBp
4
4
STRATEGIC
PLAN
UPDATE
Volur%7f?f *•
Number 1 1^
Fall 2002
1
A Message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors
Strategic Planning-Why Bother?
While at times it
will force hard
choices, I
believe deeply
that [strategic
planning] will
ensure Sweet
Briar's future as
a leading liberal
arts college for
women in the
21st century.
There is much talk these days about strategic plan-
ning, both at Sweet Briar and elsewhere. In fact,
the Sweet Briar community under President
Muhlenfeld's leadership has been and continues to be
actively engaged in strategic planning, a process that is
ongoing rather than a special project or a one-time
event. The Board of Directors has provided general
oversight for these efforts by helping President
Muhlenfeld shape her vision for the institution, identify-
ing critical issues that should be addressed, and estab-
lishing long-range strategic and financial goals to ensure
Sweet Briar's viability and continued excellence.
Many of you may ask what strategic planning in a
college setting really means and why it's so important.
From my professional experience over the past 25
years, as a management consultant and an executive in
both not-for-profit and corporate organizations, I can
tell you that planning takes many forms
and that success varies dramatically
depending on the nature of the organiza-
tion and the way it approaches this chal-
lenge.
Generally, the goal of strategic plan-
ning is to develop a clear set of priorities
or actions to be taken over a 3-5 (some-
times 5-10) year time frame that, if
implemented effectively, will achieve a
measurable, deliberate improvement in
organizational results. In a business set-
ting, the goals usually involve growth in
revenues, market share, number of cus-
tomers, and profitability. In the not-for-
profit world, they will more likely
involve a combination of financial and
mission-oriented objectives, such as
increased enrollment, a higher percent-
age of successful graduate school and
career placements, larger endowments.
Such plans are clearly different in time
frame and scope than the annual operat-
ing budgets that all of us are familiar
with, but once in place they provide a framework and
context for budgeting that typically clarifies and stream-
lines the decisions driving that process as well.
Every organization and every management guru has
his or her own "spin" on what makes strategic planning
effective. My own belief is that this is clearly an area
where one size does not fit all. However, there are some
generally accepted key success factors that seem to
characterize "best practices."
First is to be sure that planning efforts begin with a
clear understanding of the external environment. In
Sweet Briar's case, this includes the needs of prospec-
tive students and their parents, the competitive choices
they face, and factors influencing their college selection
decisions. Second is to take an integrated approach that
deliberately links all functional areas together to achieve
the desired result. Said differently, there must be one
integrated plan that achieves certain goals for enroll-
ment, educational programs and retention, and place-
ment. There cannot be independent plans done by the
Admissions Office, each discipline within the curricu-
lum, co-curricular life, and the placement office. Third
is to involve and enroll all constituencies to ensure both
the credibility of the effort and a commitment to imple-
mentation. And fourth is to acknowledge that the plan is
a living thing that will, by definition, require continuing
adjustment.
For any organization, some components of the plan
are more controllable than others. For a college of
Sweet Briar's size, an understanding of how the key
variables (i.e., enrollment, tuition, financial aid. operat-
ing and capital spending levels, and endowment size,
performance and spending rate) affect each other is crit-
ical. Some of these (e.g.. tuition, financial aid, operating
and capital spending levels, and the endowment spend-
ing rate) are largely controllable. Others (e.g., enroll-
ment, donations to the annual fund and the endowment,
and the performance of the endowment investment port-
folio) are harder to control and to predict. Having a
strategic plan in place that explicitly links these factors
and identifies how key decisions in one area impact
results in another is of critical importance to maintain-
ing the College's long-term financial viability.
President Muhlenfeld is leading a very inclusive
strategic planning effort that is consistent with the best
practices I've seen in both business and the non-profit
world. While at times it will force hard choices, I
believe deeply that it will ensure Sweet Briar's future as
a leading liberal arts college for women in the 21st cen-
tury. It is forcing us to ask tough questions about the
relevance of our programs to today's women, the effec-
tiveness of our enrollment planning and management,
and the fundamental economic equation of sustaining a
small, selective college in a highly competitive and
price-conscious environment.
I am both enthusiastic and optimistic about what I
see at Sweet Briar. As a member of the more than
slightly cynical class of 1971. 1 would not have expect-
ed to be saying that in 2002. Sweet Briar continues to
offer an intense and highly effective college experience
for its students who go out each year to make meaning-
ful contributions to society in their chosen fields. It is
my sincere hope that our current exercise in strategic
planning will help us be even more effective in the
future.
) l/^uMu/u-
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine {ISSN
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ter spring and summer by Sweet Briar College
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The Alumnoe Office Staff
Lou-se Swiecki Zingaro '80, Director,
Alumnoe Association, Managing Editor, Alumnae
Magazine
Ann MocDonald Carter '97, Associate Director
Melissa Coffey '98, Assistant Director
Joan Lucy, Assistant Director
Sandra Maddox AH 59, Assistant to the Director
Noncy Godwin Baldwin '57, Editor, Alumnoe
Magazine
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& Class Notes Editor, Alumnae Magazine,
Tour Coord inaior
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Computer Programs Coordinator
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Graphic design by Nancy Blockwell Morion 74,
The Design Group, Lynchburg, VA
Printed by Seckmon Printing. Forest, VA
Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine • Fall 2002 • Vol. 74, No.
INSIDE FRONT
A Message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors
The Power of a Plan
A Message from the President
Strategic Plan Update
By Mary Molyneux Abrams '86
President, Little Pond Productions, Inc
Commencement Honors
Letters
In Memoriam
Recent Deaths
36 In the Spotlight
37 Outstanding Alumna Award:
Nannette McBurney Crowdus '57
40 Reunion Service of Remembrance
42 2002 Reunion Scrapbook
46 Class Notes
72 Bulletin Board
30
33
34
35
JM
INSIDE BACK
In the Sweet Briar Tradition:
Julia Gray Saunders Michaux '39
BACK COVER
Alumnae Travel
Sweel Briar College Alumnoe Magazine • www.alumnoe.sbc.edu
Spring 2002 • 1
A
MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
THE POWER OF A
Three years ago, in April 1999, the
Board of Directors got the first glimpse
of a new strategic plan entitled
"Building Sweet Briar's Second Century."
The plan was the product of more than
three years of work, involving literally
every element of the Sweet Briar commu-
nity— students, faculty, alumnae, staff,
administration, members of the Board of
Directors — and at certain points, outside
consultants.
Three years may seem like a long time
to develop a plan. After all. in most organi-
zations, a slim committee can complete one
in a few weeks. But Sweet Briar, one of
only 17 national liberal arts colleges for
women, was at an important crossroads. It
was moving toward its centennial year in a
time when women's education and liberal
arts colleges generally had fallen out of
public favor, and when the economic reali-
ties plaguing private higher education were
becoming increasingly intractable. Further,
the shape of women's lives had changed
dramatically. Virtually all of our current
graduates intended to go to graduate
school, develop careers, provide leadership
to their communities, and fully engage the
myriad experiences of family life. How
could Sweet Briar prepare these young
women for lives of such complexity?
The Greatest Challenges: The
Strategic Plan articulated in no uncertain
terms our two great challenges: funding an
education of high quality, and maintaining a
healthy enrollment of talented students. We
noted that the pool of high school seniors
willing even to consider a women's college
is tiny, and that pool is not growing.
Further, we now compete not only with our
sister women's colleges but also with the
top coeducational liberal arts colleges in the
country and very fine public institutions
such as William and Mary and the
University of Virginia.
Rolling up our Sleeves: What was
needed was an honest look at everything. In
the process, we surveyed alumnae and stu-
dents; the faculty held seemingly innumer-
able debates. We examined the cracks in
our buildings, faced up to our deferred
maintenance and developed a master plan
for the campus (the first fruits of which you
saw in the last Alumnae Magazine). We
questioned the efficacy of our curriculum,
grappled with the implications of technol-
ogy, and explored new pedagogies. Most
importantly, we reaffirmed our mission "to
prepare women to be active, responsible
members of a world community" and
developed a compelling vision of a 21st -
century Sweet Briar education.
When all was said and done. "Building
Sweet Briar's Second Century" built on the
distinctions that have always characterized
Sweet Briar. We realized anew that our
close student-faculty interaction, our resi-
dential campus, our traditional emphases on
study abroad and independent study, and
our involved-alumnae network had allowed
us to develop an intentionally comprehen-
sive, integrative approach to women's edu-
cation.
Our Heart: The Educational
Program. At the heart of our Strategic
Plan is an educational philosophy that
embodies three important, interrelated con-
cepts. First, what we teach must speak to
the life our graduate will lead. We seek to
ensure a demanding program that not only
provides first-rate academic experiences,
but also guarantees that she develops the
professional skills she will need and has the
kind of "real world" experiences that will
enable her to draw important connections
between what she learns in the classroom
and what she will do once she leaves the
College. We envision this kind of education
as three interlocking spheres (intellectual
culture, professional skills development,
and "real world connectivity" experiences),
at the nexus of which lies an ideal educa-
tion for a motivated young woman.
Second, we are educating individuals.
That means that from the moment a
prospective student encounters our
Admissions Office, her particular interests,
"What was needed was
an honest look at everything.
//
2 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www alumnae.sbc.edu
aspirations and tears are of the utmost
importance to us. Third, every aspect of our
educational program should be structured to
encourage her to integrate know ledge and
experience across disciplines, both in and
out of the classroom. The faculty and staff
will themselves model that integration.
The Goals: We set four goals, each
accompanied by strategies designed to
accomplish them.
• Goal I addresses the heart of the matter:
our educational program, calling for the
College to "craft an environment and
academic programs that will heighten
Sweet Briar's reputation as an exciting
intellectual destination."
• Goal 2 looks at the kind of students we
want to attract: "We will position the
College as a wise choice for intelligent
young women willing to invest them-
selves strongly in their own intellectual
and leadership growth. . . .These
women will risk going down a different,
intense and focused educational path
from most of their friends."
• Goals 3 and 4 stand in service to the
first two goals. They call on Sweet
Briar to "increase the size and
selectivity of the student
body" and "strengthen the
College's fiscal standing
to insure strong
financial footing"
well into the
future.
The Results:
An Exciting
Intellectual
Destination.
The Board
approved the
Strategic Plan in
April 1999, and
authorized "seed
money" for sev-
eral academic ini-
tiatives. Since then.
I've shared the cen-
tral elements of the
Plan with you in vari-
ous publications, from
the "Nexus" concept which
underlies a Sweet Briar edu-
cation today, to building initia-
tives such as the new Student
Commons. The Alumnae Magazine has
provided an in-depth look at various strate
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnoesbc.edu
gic initiatives associated with Goals 1 and
2. especially the new program in
Environmental Studies and the Center for
Civic Renewal. This issue highlights yet
another initiative, undergraduate research,
illustrating beautifully how today's Sweet
Briar leads the student to weave "hands on"
experiences — internships, research experi-
ences, artistic work — with classroom learn-
ing.
Most exciting for me personally has
been watching this approach yield extraor-
dinary growth and creativity on the part of
the faculty and staff, generating exciting
new initiatives such as the Bachelor of Fine
Arts in interdisciplinary arts or the remark-
able conference on "Secrecy" held earlier
this year, a collaborative project of young
faculty in Classics, Religion and History.
You'll notice that the new dean, Stephen
Stahl, himself a catalyst for this creative
energy, will be teaching an environmental
science lab this fall illustrating how non-
invasive techniques in geology can help us
understand and document our slave grave-
yards.
Intellectual Culture
Academic Programs
Symposia
Lectures
Readings
Performances
rofessional skills
for Leadership
and Success
Informaton Technology
Writing
Presentation skills
Quantitative reasoning
Research skills
Analytical skills
Integrative skills
Leadership skills
Size and Selectivity: From 1 986 to
1991. on-campus enrollment dropped from
approximately 610 to 503 — primarily a
function of the trend toward coeducation.
In April 1999, the Plan noted that "in terms
of quality, our student body is better today
than it was in 1984, a year in which we had
not yet experienced dramatic enrollment
declines. In that year, we had 253 students
in the first-year class. . . .But the grade
point average of the '84 entering class was
0.5 lower than today's first-year class; SAT
scores nearly 200 points lower (more than
100 points after recentering). . . .Because
we have so few applicants, however, our
student profile is primarily determined by
the fact that applicants self-select (only
those very interested in this kind of college
and who know they meet Sweet Briar's
admissions standards apply), rather than by
our selection from among applicants."
The Plan set an enrollment goal of an
additional 60 FTE (full-time equivalent stu-
dents, based on credit hours). In 1999, we
had 564 FTE, and planned to grow to 624
FTE in 2005-2006 (approximately 650
headcount, since some students enroll
part-time). We have more than met
that goal to date, with 609 FTE
in 2001-2002; in fact, we've
increased our goal to 635.
We continue to see frus-
trating fluctuations in
enrollment from
year to year, but
the trend is decid-
edly upward.
Certainly our
national reputa-
tion in riding
provides high
visibility, but
the new indoor
athletic and fit-
ness facility,
noted by the
Strategic Plan as
important to the
realization of Goal
3, is still in the plan-
ning stages.
Financial Security:
The Board approved the
Strategic Plan in April 1999
in the midst of a booming
economy which was fueling good
annual growth in the endowment,
despite the fact that Sweet Briar has tradi-
Foll 2002 • 3
Real World Connectivity
Work experiences
Physical well-being
The arts (VCCA)
International experiences
Training in personal finance
Self knowledge
LOOKING BACK FOR SWEET BRIAR'S FUTURE
Ann Whitley '47 Retires,
Handing Over the Reins to
Christian Carr
Speaking at Ann Whitley's retirement party, President Muhlenfeld praised the museum
founder not only for her outstanding efforts to preserve Sweet Briar's past, but for the
many ways her work enriches our future.
Years before the College began the serious business of strategic planning, taking stock
of its existing resources and strengths to shape the next 1 00 years, Ann was already on the
case.
After receiving a thumbs up from President Harold Whiteman, she began scouring every
attic and closet on campus, flagging down dump trucks when necessary, to retrieve treas-
ures tossed aside by untrained hands.
"For a college to have someone like Ann come along, someone capable of recognizing
the uniqueness of the College's holdings, is very unusual," says Christian Carr, visiting assis-
tant professor of arts management. "Many institutions have valuable paintings or works on
paper. But Sweet Briar's decorative arts collection
sets it apart."
Professor Carr, who specializes in architecture
and decorative arts, has been named interim direc-
tor of the Sweet Briar College Museum. She came
to the College in Fall 2001 as a duPont scholar-in-
residence, teaching in the arts management depart-
ment. In that role, she designed a course taught with
the Sweet Briar collections: "Curating, Collecting
and Connoisseurship." This year, she will offer
"American Architecture and Decorative Arts," and
"British Architecture and Decorative Arts" through the
art history department.
Professor Carr was instrumental in obtaining a
grant from the federal Institute of Museum and
Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, DC,
enabling the Museum to conduct essential conserva-
tion assessments of its sites and collections. Only
four programs in the state were selected to receive
support. As part of the grant, two conservation pro-
fessionals will visit the Museum November 4-5, to
assess the condition of Sweet Briar's collections.
Going forward, in addition to using the collec-
tions as a teaching tool, Professor Carr plans on put-
ting Sweet Briar's art history and arts management
students to work in the Museum on a regular basis,
conducting tours and creating special exhibitions.
"Right now," she says, "there's a lot of African-American archeological research taking
place on campus. During the month of February, those holdings - the objects students have
been digging out of the ground - will become part of a Black History Month exhibit. Next
spring, in conjunction with Garden Week, we're planning an exhibition around Daisy
Williams' botanical sketchbook. We want people to keep coming through the doors."
Professor Carr holds a bachelor of arts degree in art history and English from Hollins
College and a master of arts in the history of decorative arts from the Bard Graduate
Center in New York City. She did her doctoral work at Bard and is currently completing
her dissertation.
"It just happened that Ann was ready to retire and Professor 'Ninie' Laing had
retired the year before," she explains. "Those are shoes I can't hope to fill. But at least I
have a similar interest and background - enough to get started and continue this extraor-
dinary work."
Interim Museum Director Christian
Carr displays an 1 849 French bronze
girandole, made for the American
market, featuring George
Washington, Davy Crockett, and a
Native American.
tionally drawn more heavily on its endow-
ment earnings than most institutions. The
Plan called for strengthening the College's
financial position by modest enrollment
growth, developing new revenue sources
(the Florence Elston Inn and Conference
Center, for example), and launching a capi-
tal campaign. We have been working dili-
gently on all these fronts (you'll hear more
about a campaign soon).
As Chairman of the Board Michela
English says, however, "Reality rules." As
I write this, the stock markets have fallen
dramatically from their highs of two years
ago, and are fluctuating wildly as we
slowly emerge from recession. We realize
that in this climate we cannot even pre-
serve our current endowment, much less
grow it, if we draw on it too heavily for
annual operating expenses. This depend-
ency must be reduced to levels that can be
managed in uncertain economic times. We
have therefore developed stringent budget
models designed to trim our costs signifi-
cantly over the next five years.
Fortunately, we have learned the power of
planning, and w ith the guidance of our
Board of Directors, will emerge a more
efficient and far stronger institution.
The progress that has been made on
every front in just three years has been
astonishing — and great fun to be a part of.
As you read the articles and profiles that
follow, pay particular attention to the sto-
ries of individual students. Each, in her
own way, is a living testament to a superb
education for women that is intentional.
individual,
integrated, and
rooted in the
enduring val-
ues of a
remarkable
college.
[For a look at the entire Strategic Plan, see
http://www.sbcnews.sbc.edu/strategicplan/
or call the President's Office to ask for a
copy]
4 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
The Sweet Briar
EXPERIENCE
SBC Admissions Office updates communications
to click with the current generation.
Since Fall Semester 2000, the
Admissions Office has been busy
implementing a multi-layered, multi-
year plan to revamp its recruitment mar-
keting materials.
It is a sizable task, including not only
traditional publications like the viewbook,
but a world of virtual tools prospective stu-
dents can use to explore and evaluate their
interest in the College; contact administra-
tive offices like financial aid; correspond
with students, faculty, and alumnae; and
submit their applications.
The updated look and precise language
of these new recruitment materials are
based on Sweet Briar's strategic planning
goals, which have been tested and tweaked
through extensive market research. The
firm selected. Art & Science Group Inc.,
specializes in higher education and the
non-profit sector.
"It was interesting to go through the
process." says Margaret Blount, dean of
admissions. "For example, we discovered
that 83 percent of the students who
enrolled in 1999 agreed with the statement:
"Women flourish when special attention is
paid to their needs in college.' The others -
students who inquired but didn't follow up
- don't buy it.
"We're using these types of insights to
inform our activities and revise our key
messages. Our picture of the College and
the student body has changed. We've
evolved from being a supportive and nur-
turing place for students into a challenging
environment where confident young
women can seize exceptional opportuni-
ties."
My Four Years. The experience of
Brieanne Vogler '01 helps to illustrate
Dean Blount's points.
During a prospective visit in 1996,
Brieanne spoke with Dr. Robin Davies,
associate professor of biology. "I asked
her." recalls Brieanne. "if it were possible
to come to Sweet Briar and jump into
research. I had read all these amazing
things about the science program and I
wanted to know if I could get involved
from the start.
"Professor Davies' answer just floored
me. She said, 'You can't be a Sweet Briar
science major without doing research.'
That was it. I needed to be here. It was a
huge boost."
Brieanne recently completed her second
semester at George Washington University
Medical School, earning honors in every
course. Though she intends to be a practic-
ing M.D., she is still "hooked" on basic
research. "Sweet Briar," says Brie, "taught
me that science and medicine without
research is incomplete." True to her Guion
roots, she spent the past summer working
as a research scientist, experimenting with
human molecular growth regulation at the
National Institutes of Health - Institute for
Child Health and Human Development.
Brieanne's fellow medical students are
curious. "They're highly intelligent, com-
petent men and women from places like
Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Duke,"
she explains. "They wonder why I went to
a place like Sweet Briar - a women's col-
lege. My answer is: Those were my four
years. I wouldn't trade them for anything."
Risky Business. When Brieanne
entered Sweet Briar in the fall of 1997. the
College was completing the first phase of a
deliberate, ongoing strategic planning
process. Though the goals of the plan had
yet to be formalized, it was clear that
Sweet Briar's small size, leadership oppor-
tunities, and hands-on research programs
were appealing to Brieanne and students
like her. These young women were willing
to risk going down a different, intense and
focused educational path from most of
their friends in order to achieve ambitious
personal and professional objectives.
This emerging view of Sweet Briar stu-
dents as intellectual and social risk takers
At right, Brieanne Vogler '01, now in med-
ical school, spent this past summer working
at the National Institutes of Health.
"Our picture of the
College and the student
body has changed.
We've evolved from
being a supportive and
nurturing place for
students into a
challenging environment
where confident young
women can seize
exceptional
opportunities."
— Margaret Blount, Dean of Admissions
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 5
The Class of 2005
162 students
Average GPA: 3 5
25%-75% Range for Test
Scores:
SATVerbal:520-630
SAT Math: 490-600
ACT Combined: 21-27
Average # of academic units:
20
Geographic Distribution:
47% From Virginia
22% from the South (not including
VA)
1 6% from the Northeast
8% from the Midwest
6% from the West
4% International
Multicultural Students:
1 2% of the Class of 2005 are
African-American, Latin-American,
Asian-American, and Native-
American students
7 first-year students came from
Bulgaria, China, Dominican
Republic, Nepal, Peru, and
Yugoslavia
6 international exchange students
came from France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, Scotland and Spain
Top Academic Interests:
Math and Computer Science
Biology
English/Creative Writing
Studio Art
International Affairs
History
Modern Languages
Education
Chemistry
Government
Interesting Career Plans:
veterinarian, theatre law, seminary,
opera singer, forensic psychologist,
environmental biologist, film director
High School Background:
80% enrolled from public high
schools
20% enrolled from private high
schools
Financial Aid
52% received need-based financial
aid
Margaret Blount is entering her third year as dean of admissions. Her appointment coincides with
the launch of the College's new recruitment marketing efforts. She joined the staff in 1988 and,
after taking time off for graduate school, served as director of admissions between 1 996-2000.
was at odds with the College's late-90s
admissions materials, which were urging
prospective students to "Believe in
Yourself." The confidence-building mes-
sages that had served the College well
through decades of profound social change
for women were rapidly becoming out-
moded.
The temptation was to respond quickly.
And the Admissions Office had begun
altering text to reflect the College's dis-
tinct, student-centered advantages, espe-
cially its emphasis on experiential learning.
But with so many extraordinary new initia-
tives like the environmental science pro-
gram. Center for Civic Renewal, and
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the works,
the College drew a deep breath regarding
recruitment marketing and wisely waited to
get it right.
Enter the Art & Science Group.
Today, whether you're clicking around the
SBC website or walking around campus
with an authentic admissions tour guide at
your side, you will catch some aspect of
Art & Science's recommendations in play.
Many of the key positioning themes and
strategies proposed by the marketing group
are familiar, having been woven into the
Sweet Briar admissions website, view-
book, and college fair pieces early on. In
2002, thanks to strong support from the
Board's Ad Hoc Admissions Advisory
Committee, the College finished a year-
and-a-half-long project, rewriting and
redesigning its academic websites around
the new template, with links to the
College's new alumnae website.
Consistency is central to the success of
Sweet Briar's effort to establish a differen-
tiated market position. And. of course,
alumnae can help by incorporating Art &
Science's major themes into their own dis-
cussions about the College with young
women and their parents. The message
goes something like this:
• A Sweet Briar education is for confident
young women who are ready to seize
opportunities and willing to take risks.
• We seek women with an inquisitive
spirit and inspire their curiosity and
ambition through intense interaction
with committed faculty and frequent
contact with successful women working
in promising and important fields.
• Through the College's unique four-year
curriculum, women develop the particu-
lar knowledge, skills, contacts, and
experience they need to fulfill their per-
sonal and professional aspirations.
• Sweet Briar has a national reputation
for its programs in the sciences, its
Junior Year Abroad programs in France
and Spain, its unique Honors Program,
and a vital research program which
"fast tracks" undergraduate students
into graduate level research projects
with faculty.
• Top academic programs in environmen-
tal studies and public policy and the
law, a vibrant presence of the visual and
performing arts, and the integration of
6 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
information technology into all pro-
grams enhance the College's strong lib-
eral arts core.
• Located in an unparalleled natural set-
ting in the Blue Ridge mountains of
Virginia, Sweet Briar's 3,250 acre cam-
pus provides an intellectually and
socially rich environment. The land
serves as an outdoor classroom for the
environmental sciences and offers a
unique setting for the College's interna-
tionally-renowned Riding Program.
Tee-Shirt Contest. Reaching the small
percentage of traditional-age students who
will consider a women's college requires a
broad mix of media.
As an increasing number of prospec-
tive students conduct their college
searches online. Sweet Briar's "most
wired" status among women's colleges
certainly compels admissions to construct
an impressive web presence. But surfing
is a solitary affair, giving the traditional
viewbook an advantage when it comes to
reaching parents and prospects seated
around their kitchen tables. And the per-
sonal contacts made at college fairs con-
tinue to generate leads that result in appli-
cations and acceptance.
Yet, according to a national survey, 65
percent of university and college students
report that word of mouth directed them to
the institution they ultimately chose to
attend. "That's why," says Dean Blount,
"it's so important to wear your Sweet Briar
tee shirt to the grocery store and tell your
dentist where you went to college. Speak
up! Remember, we only have 13,000
alumnae. All Sweet Briar graduates
together amount to half the size of the cur-
rent student body at Virginia Tech."
SBC's new recruitment materials feature both student and alumnae profiles, demonstrating the value of an education which recognizes the many
roles and responsibilities women will assume over a lifetime.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 7
ItTak
es a L.o
ege
Recruitment efforts involve the entire community.
Every weekday evening, from the end of August right up to the
start of the winter holiday season, chances are you'll find
Jennifer Crispen, associate director of physical education and
athletics, sitting at her desk at 8 p.m. with a phone to her ear.
Fall semester is the peak of the recruiting season. But Professor
Crispen, who was recently appointed national rules interpreter for
NCAA field hockey, is not talking about sports.
"We recruit to the academic program first," says Crispen,
"which requires being in touch with what's going on all over cam-
pus. You have to be ready with a comeback. If a prospective stu-
dent is interested in a communications major, which we don't offer,
you have to be ready to talk about a Sweet Briar psychology major
who just finished an internship at CNN."
In an office directly across the hall, Kelly Morrison, assistant pro-
fessor and tennis coach, often recruits students who have taken ten-
nis lessons, but have no interest in team sports. "While we're on the
phone," explains Coach Morrison, "they'll ask about another pro-
gram or professor. Then, they'll call again or e-mail additional ques-
tions. I become someone they know on the inside who can help
steer them through the process."
Over at the Riding Center, Director Shelby French fields approxi-
mately 800 inquiries a year. Roughly half follow up and more
than 1 00 complete the application process.
"It makes sense," says Director French. "A lot of prospective stu-
dents aren't sure what they want to major in. But they're passionate
about riding. They know they love the sport and that's why they
look at us. At least, that's where they begin. Once they get here
they discover they love English, or dance, or environmental science
just as much."
Vivian Yamaguchi Cohn '77 is familiar with the type of student
French is describing. She was interested in riding and brought her
horse to Sweet Briar, while her parents focused on academics and
all the other programs the College had to offer. "It was a good
thing they did," laughs Vivian, who now balances a career in cor-
porate law with the joy of raising four bright, rambunctious boys.
Vivian, a former Region VII
Alumnae Board chair, meets and
corresponds with prospective stu-
dents in her ongoing role as an
Alumna Admissions Representative
(AAR). Three of the four accepted
applicants she contacted this year
chose to enroll. She patterns her
recruitment efforts on the examples
set by dynamic Chicago alumnae
like Nannette McBurney Crowdus
'57, who maintained contact with
Vivian before, during, and after
college.
"Nannette knew how I was
doing, if I had made Dean's List
and things like that," recalls Vivian.
Jennifer Crispen, associate "When I graduated, of course I
director of physical education , i ,i
and athletics was 3oin9 fo be actlve m the
Vivian Yamaguchi Cohn '77
Chicago Club because Nannette was there. And Florence Elston
'21 was with us then, too."
The personal touch that distinguishes Sweet Briar's AAR program
applies to the academic program as well. Throughout the year, fac-
ulty meet with prospective students, parents, and guidance coun-
selors. While some contacts take place during prearranged lunch-
eons, academic fairs, and classroom visits, many others evolve out
of chance meetings in the halls.
Jill Granger, associate professor of chemistry, has toured whole
families through Guion. "I've had parents ask very detailed ques-
tions about our program and equipment," she says, "only to dis-
cover that they're scientists with a daughter who's interested in mod-
ern languages and theatre arts."
A few years ago, Professor Granger and Robin Davies, profes-
sor of biology, carried out an exciting recruitment experiment. They
went through the list of accepted applicants and invited qualified
students to engage in research the summer before they matriculated.
"They turned out to be some of the best students I know, " says
Professor Granger. "Unfortunately, we're not always doing the type
of research that high school graduates can easily enter into."
Dean of Admissions Margaret Blount is pleased with the outpour-
ing of support she receives from faculty, coaches, alumnae, and
other offices such as Career Services. "This is not a one-office job,"
she says, "and the community really gets that. Personal contacts
make Sweet Briar come alive. Prospective students and their parents
quickly realize that this is not some same-old same-old liberal arts
college, that Sweet Briar has features which set us apart from the
pack."
8 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine '
/.alumnae. sbc.edu
Putting Prospective Students to the I /^\ qt
Admissions interactive quiz addresses key issues. \^ \J
A Hebrew school student goes up to the
Rabbi and asks. "Rabbi, what is heaven?"
"Heaven?" says the Rabbi. "Why.
heaven is rows and rows of people seated
at long tables studying the Torah."
"I see." replies the student. "If that's
heaven then what is hell?"
"Hell?" says the Rabbi. "Why, hell is
rows and rows of people seated at long
tables studying the Torah."
The Hebrew school Rabbi and Margaret
Blount. SBC's dean of admissions, have
something in common. Both understand
that educational institutions can be heav-
enly or hellish places, depending on what
type of student you are.
For some young women, what the
College touts as its major strengths - small
size, natural setting, single-sex commit-
ment, community involvement, and leader-
ship opportunities - are perceived as being
just the opposite.
To help ensure a good match, the
Admissions Office has developed a 10-
question interactive quiz that helps
prospective students sort through key
tersectio pleasures pathways
Are you sure? A lot of women who attended
Sweet Bnar and other women's colleges
never pictured themselves at a women's
college either - but ended up loving their
expenences there Ifyoureallywantlo find the
best college for you, keep an open mind
Close»
rcr
issues like Sweet Briar's location. 8: 1 stu-
dent-faculty ratio, and emphasis on partici-
pation inside and outside of the classroom.
The program prompts responses, creat-
ing "a trail of bread crumbs" Admissions
can use to evaluate a student's interest
level and engage promising candidates in a
dialog with the College.
As for the others. "What we do is
pretty bold." says Dean Blount. "Not many
institutions are willing to tell students *We
don't think you're right for our college."
But Sweet Briar is so small that bringing a
mismatched student into this environment
takes a toll on the entire community. It's
traumatic for everyone. That's why we go
out of our way to let prospective students
know exactly what they're getting into.
There's no point trying to persuade some-
one who prefers a coeducational urban
campus that Sweet Briar is right for them.
We simply wish those students the best of
luck in their college decision."
After these "self-selecting" students
complete the quiz and receive their scores,
links appear at the bottom of the page, giv-
ing them the option to learn more about
specific areas of the College. Dean Blount
can examine a report on these links and
"blast" a targeted
e-mail message
hack to all the stu-
dents who clicked
on. for example,
academics or athletics.
"Let's say a student
clicked on riding," explains
Dean Blount. "She'll receive an e-
mail from the program director, Shelby
French, as will every other student who
clicked on riding in the last two weeks. Or
I can blast an announcement about Sweet
Briar's new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree
to every student who has taken the quiz."
The software automatically blocks the
addresses of students who do not wish to
be contacted. Since April 1. 2001 over
2,000 unique users have taken the test.
"The feedback we've gotten has been
very positive," says Dean Blount.
"Virtually 100% of the students who
respond say the quiz was helpful. They'll
say, 'Sweet Briar is not right for me, but
now I have a good sense of where I need
to be headed' or they'll say, 'It sounds like
Sweet Briar is just right for me. keep send-
ing information.' "
a
Click the box that best describes you (
• Me at a women's college? Never • under no circumstanc es
A women's college could be the nghl place for me: I do want an
education that acknowledges that women lead different lives and gives me
the tools I need to flounsh I'd senousry consider a college mat offers that
kind of education
pleasures
pathways
i;ET
BRIAR
Some soft selling occurs
during the quiz. For
example, clicking on the
answer: "Me at a
women's college? Never -
under no circumstances."
generates the pop-up box
pictured to the far left.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc. edu
Fall 2002 • 9
All Roads Lead to Goal 4
Even Modest Increases in Enrollment
Require Additional Endowment
Goal 4 maintains
that "The single most
effective way to
provide financial
stability for the
College into the
future is to grow
the endowment
significantly."
For veteran
administrators like
Robert Steckel,
these 21 words are
as close as the
College will ever
get to finding
a silver bullet.
According to the American Council
on Education (ACE), only eight% of
U.S. households have a combined
income higher than $100,000. Of these
households, only 11% have college-age
children. The average amount they spend
on a college education per child is $8,000
a year.
The annual cost or "sticker price" of a
traditional, four-year college or university
includes tuition, room, board, activity fees,
travel, and other expenses. The College
Board's estimated in-state cost for public
institutions like Virginia Tech. James
Madison, or William & Mary stands at
$1 1,976 for the academic year 2002-2003.
The estimated out-of-state cost is a bit
higher at $17,740. For private institutions,
the estimated cost is $26,070. Sweet Briar
comes in below that amount at $24,165.
At a recent meeting of the Council of
Independent Colleges of Virginia,
admissions guru George Dehne reported
that two out of three state colleges and uni-
versities are now offering no-need scholar-
ships — a statistic that helps to explain
ACE's $8,000 average spent on a college
education by households with incomes at
or above $100,000.
At Sweet Briar, more than 80% of the
students receive some form of financial
aid. The sample financial aid package fea-
tured on Sweet Briar's website shows a
FYE % of SBC costs
funded
by tuition
1 992 47%
1 997 36%
1993 41%
1 998 36%
1 994 40%
1999 32%
1 995 40%
2000 29%
1 996 35%
2001 28%
10* Fall 2002
family with an income of $61,000 con-
tributing $9,575 toward their daughter's
education this year.
During his long tenure at Sweet Briar,
Robert Steckel. former director of financial
aid, worked with the statistics cited above
on a daily basis. The experience has left
him with a deep understanding of the key
role Goal 4, the strategic plan's challenge
to increase endowment funds, will play in
determining Sweet Briar's future.
"Sweet Briar," says Mr. Steckel, "is not
tuition-driven. You can't be tuition-driven
at an institution that enrolls fewer than 700
students and has a tuition discount at the
50 percent level. Reality says you will
never get enough income from your tuition
revenue stream to support a viable institu-
tion over the long haul. You're not going
to be able to grow programs and create
new ones, compensate high-quality faculty,
and meet the debt service on your portion
of new construction and other important
projects.
"Endowment is critical. If the College
plans to be here and prospering 50 years
down the road, it has to work at doubling
or even tripling its endowment starting
today."
During the 1 3 years Steckel served as
director of financial aid, "Not once," he
says, "did I see a report indicating that
more than five% of the female portion of
the college-age population was interested
in considering - that's considering, not
enrolling in - a women's college."
To make matters even more challeng-
ing, Steckel notes that 45% of parents rule
out certain college choices for their chil-
dren in advance, before any serious search-
ing begins, a fact which has prompted
Admissions to intensify communications
aimed specifically toward parents.
Sweet Brior College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
CO
FAMILY GUIDE TO
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
"Some of the pressures that determine
Sweet Briar's standing in the marketplace
are beyond our control," says Mr. Steckel.
"But the motivated young women who do
decide to take full advantage of what the
College has to offer can go on to medical
school at Johns Hopkins or Harvard, law
school at Yale, or a Ph.D in microbiology
at Duke. It's that caliber of an education.
And maintaining it in the decades ahead is
going to require bold action on Sweet
Briar's part."
Goal 3 of the College's strategic plan
calls for increasing the size of the student
body two% a year through 2005-2006. The
target is 624 full-time enrolled (FTE),
which is the largest number the College
can accommodate without instigating a
housing shortage.
At a small college like Sweet Briar,
even a modest increase in the size and
selectivity of the student body can have a
significant, positive impact on academic
and co-curricular life. Unfortunately, the
same does not hold true for the College's
bottom line, where the addition of 60 or so
students barely registers. To quote the
strategic plan, "Clearly, other strategies are
necessary." Which leads to Goal 4.
Goal 4 maintains that "The single most
effective way to provide financial stability
for the College into the future is to grow
the endowment significantly." For veteran
administrators like Robert Steckel, these
21 words are as close as the College will
ever get to finding a silver bullet.
"This College," he says, "which has
done so well by generations of women, is
facing profound challenges that only a
much larger endowment can help see it
through. It's that simple. It really is."
AVERAGE FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE
Annual family income=$61 ,000
Net worth=$24,000
SWEET BRIAR'S AID OFFER
Scholarships & Grants $10,900
Self-help (loan/job) $3,700
BASED ON
Sweet Briar's Cost* $24,165
Expected Family Contribution $9,565
* Cost includes tuition, room, board, student activity fee, technology fee, and
expense allowance
Women's College Endowments 2001
Wellesley College $1.14 billion
Smith College $917 million
Bryn Mawr College $434 million
Mount Holyoke $389 million
Agnes Scott $347 million
Scripps College $179 million
Mills College $1 68 million
Barnard College $140 million
Randolph-Macon Women's College $131 million
Sweet Briar College $104 million
Hollins University $91 million
Wells College $46 million
Mary Baldwin College $33 million
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbcedu
Fall 2002 • 1 1
A True Learning Community
Sweet Briars new dean works to strengthen SBC's
reputation as an exciting intellectual destination.
Tr
I
L L f | Ihe thing that amazes me the
most," says Dr. Stephen D.
Stahl, dean of the College and
vice president for academic affairs, "is the
ability of Sweet Briar students to succeed
in all aspects of campus life. They're doing
a remarkable number of different things
inside and outside of the classroom and
they're doing them all well. It looks like
we're very close to achieving our goal of
having a true learning community - much
closer than I thought we would be."
It is always fascinating to get a fresh
take on the College, especially from the
vantage point of someone like Dr. Stahl,
whose experience as a professor and
administrator is marked by innovation.
At the very beginning of his profes-
sional life as a geology instructor, Dr. Stahl
helped to transform his department by lim-
iting enrollment, increasing selectivity, and
offering hands-on research opportunities to
motivated students. At the same time, the
department's definition of desirable out-
comes was expanded to include careers, as
well as the traditional benchmarks of
enrollment in graduate or professional
schools.
The results were dramatic.
"The 'A' students always do well," says
Dr. Stahl. "But the "B" and 'C students
suddenly caught fire because they realized
why they were taking these classes. It was
a spectacular transformation."
In the years that followed. Dr. Stahl
worked at developing and promoting
research learning both in the classroom and
at the administrative level. It was the
model he carried to the State University of
New York College at Fredonia, where he
was dean of natural and social sciences and
professional studies for three years before
coming to Sweet Briar. He succeeded Dean
George Lenz in July 2001.
Connections. Dr. Stahl earned his B.S.
from Washington and Lee University. One
of the things he values most about his
"Once you develop a
culture of research
learning," says Dr.
Stahl, "students are no
longer motivated by
getting the correct
answer or typing page
1 5 of a required 1 5-
page paper. Instead
they start thinking, 'Is
this the right answer?
What other questions
do I need to ask?' And
they take off from
there."
undergraduate experience, and part of his
attraction to SBC, is the honor system.
"Fewer than 100 institutions still have
honor systems in place," says Dr. Stahl.
"and many of those are under attack. It's
true the penalties for cheating are high.
And it's difficult to do the right thing. But
what students take away - a commitment
to lifelong personal integrity - is worth the
price."
Dr. Stahl has reconnected with his alma
mater in preparation for the advanced lab
in environmental sciences he is co-teaching
this fall. His five-week section involves
non-invasive techniques for site characteri-
zation. Sweet Briar is borrowing geophysi-
cal equipment from W&L for the time
being, until a mutual grant enables both
institutions to pool students and purchase
additional new tools.
"A big part of this," explains Dr. Stahl,
"is going to be using geophysical equip-
ment to help characterize the slave grave-
yard at the College. We don't know the
location of all the graves. The technology
will give us different densities and the vari-
ous attributes of soils and rocks, allowing
us to identify gTaves that don't have a sur-
face expression.
"It's a nice environmental science proj-
ect that ties in with the Archaeology-
Sociology department as well, making it a
true multi-disciplinary effort. It also has
the potential to expand to other nearby his-
toric sites like Jefferson's Poplar Forest
and the Booker T Washington National
Monument."
Exporting Culture. Dr. Stahl 's vision
for Sweet Briar goes far beyond encourag-
ing multi-disciplinary projects among
departments already invested in hands-on
research.
As he sees it. the sciences have already
accepted the notion that it is difficult to
find the boundary between teaching and
research. And there are equivalents in other
disciplines as well.
1 2 • Foil 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
STRATEGI
PLAN
UPDATE
For example, the fine and performing
arts have a strong tradition of learning by
doing. The same holds true in education,
where student teaching is required. And,
especially at Sweet Briar, modem lan-
guages benefit from first-rate study abroad
programs.
"Where we're trying to export this
notion," says Dr. Stahl, "is into the human-
ities and social sciences — particularly the
social sciences; the humanities are a little
tougher. But we can begin by creating a
social sciences lab where students can
learn cutting-edge research techniques
while working on original research."
The idea of creating a social science
laboratory complete with integrated statis-
tical and geographic information systems
and polling equipment is grounded in
bricks-and-mortar reality. Once the Student
Commons is complete, the government,
sociology and anthropology, and econom-
ics departments will move into Gray Hall.
The laboratory would serve as a social sci-
ences centerpiece, operating under the aus-
pices of Sweet Briar's Center for Civic
Renewal.
Right now, 30% of Sweet Briar students
are majoring in the natural sciences.
Nationally, 20 percent would be considered
the high end of normal. "Obviously," says
Dr. Stahl, "we're doing the sciences very
well. We'd like to see the social sciences
develop in the same way."
It's a B.F.A.! Given the new dean's
near-evangelical zeal for learning by doing,
it's no surprise that the requirements and
logistics behind Sweet Briar's Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree were finalized during his
first year.
Just as the College's Bachelor of
Science degree distinguishes a higher level
of commitment, imagination, and compe-
tency in the sciences, the B.F.A. signals an
exceptional grasp of the creative process,
plus a demonstrated willingness to con-
front the intellectual and physical chal-
lenges of a career in the arts.
The admission-by-audition-only pro-
gram fully exploits the resources the
College has amassed over the years. From
Babcock, to Pannell. to the Studio Art
Farm, to the VCCA - all of the College's
individual strengths in the arts have finally
coalesced to form an impressive, energetic
arts community.
"In addition to majoring in one depart-
ment and minoring in another," says Dr.
Stahl, "students will interact with practic-
ing artists on a regular basis, getting fresh
perspectives across disciplines. We also
expect that students will want to earn an
arts management certificate, so they'll be
savvy artists when they get out there."
Citizen Scholars. Though the number
of art majors at Sweet Briar - ten percent
of the student body - is typical of colleges
nationwide, the dean is quick to point out
that the quality of the students is remark-
able and explains why this is so.
"Sweet Briar," he says, "is much more
vibrant than the numbers would seem to
indicate. And it comes from having a very
strong and active faculty.
"We expect our faculty not only to be
excellent teachers - that's just the starting
point. They also have to be published, top-
notch scholars. And they also have to
spend a significant amount of time helping
to shape the future of the College.
"Really, the College works as well as it
does because the faculty are such good cit-
izens of the campus, much like the stu-
dents have to be involved for it to work as
well. And all of us are trying to find ways
to make things work even better, which is
why it's so exciting to be here."
Dr. Stephen D. Stahl, dean of the College and
vice president for academic affairs, is begin-
ning his second year at Sweet Briar. He came
to the College from the State University of
New York College at Fredonia, an undergrad-
uate liberal arts college within the SUNY sys-
tem, where he was dean of natural and social
sciences and professional studies.
Dean Stahl received his Ph.D. and M.S.
degrees in geological sciences from
Northwestern University and his B.S. from
Washington and Lee University. He was previ-
ously a professor of geology at Central
Michigan University. The Stahl family resides in
the Deanery on Faculty Row.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 '
Professor Beck with Misa Sormento '02
The
Right
Tools
for the
Job
The National Science
Foundation Highly
Recommends
Professor Beck's Grant
Proposal for a
300 MHz NMR
Top-notch faculty and bright, dedicated
students are only two-thirds of the hands-
on learning equation. Real research
requires serious hardware.
Soon, because of the efforts of John J.
Beck, assistant professor of chemistry.
Sweet Briar's already well-equipped labo-
ratories will boast a research-grade nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer.
"The NMR," says Professor Beck, "will
give Sweet Briar researchers the ability to
report data with confidence. We can
deduce our own structures. We can safely
report. 'Look, we have a compound,' with-
out someone responding. 'Well, but you're
working with outdated equipment and we
don't trust your stuff." This takes us to the
next level. Now we can publish in very
high-level journals."
An NMR is an MRI for molecules.
Sweet Briar's nuclear magnetic resonance
spectrometer uses the same technology as
the magnetic resonance imaging machines
installed in hospitals - with a critical dif-
ference. While NMRs spin molecules
around inside stationary magnets. MRIs
mercifully work the opposite way, spinning
magnets around stationary patients.
The arrival of the NMR means the
College's gas chromatograph/mass spec-
"Most colleges can't
handle the consumable
costs. That's why it's
very rare to have
undergraduates
working on
equipment like this."
trometer will primarily be used in introduc-
tory classes. "The mass spectrometer is a
sophisticated instrument." says Professor
Beck, "but it's easy to learn and gets really
heavy usage. The new NMR allows us to
make the break between training and
research equipment. Now, as soon as stu-
dents get into intermediate lab. they can
begin performing original research using
this huge, quarter-million-dollar piece of
equipment."
The purchase price is only the begin-
ning. Upkeep on a 7.4 Tesla NMR sepa-
rates the women from the girls. "Most col-
leges." explains Professor Beck, "can't
handle the consumable costs. That's why
v products cl
^
14* Fall 2002
Professor Beck's students came up with their own research team name and logo.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www alumnae.sbc.edu
it's very rare to have undergraduates work-
ing on equipment like this."
Professor Beck emphasizes that without
administrative and alumnae support, exter-
nal grants for equipment like the NMR
would not be possible. "The backing we
receive is what allows us to go after exter-
nal funding in the first place," he says.
"The fact that the College can provide
stipends for student researchers and buy
necessary supplies demonstrates an impor-
tant institutional commitment."
In addition to requesting funds for the
NMR from the National Science
Foundation. Professor Beck applied for 1 1
other external and internal grants last year.
So far, amounts awarded and pending total
$348,078. Some benefit the science pro-
gram in general. Others are tailored toward
the work he and his students are pursuing
on an ongoing basis, during the academic
year and through the summer.
The majority of Professor Beck's
research involves natural products, a term
used to describe drugs or medicines
derived from plants. His student research
team, a group that works together under
the banner "Natural Products Chemistry,"
is isolating and enhancing specific biologi-
cal compounds that give herbs like Osha
their therapeutic value.
"Osha," explains Professor Beck, "is
used everywhere from the American
southwest to Asia for headaches, strokes,
fevers, anemia - the list goes on. We've
identified one of the compounds that gives
the plant its medicinal properties. Now we
want to increase those properties without
increasing the toxicity of the drug."
In addition to modifying compounds,
the Natural Products Chemistry research
team can test intermediate and final prod-
ucts in house. The group includes a biol-
ogy major who has established protocols
for antibacterial and antifungal testing,
giving chemists the results they need to
make decisions and keep working.
"Organic chemistry didn't make sense
to me until I started doing undergraduate
research," says Professor Beck. "Then,
suddenly, it seemed impossible not to
understand it. Everyone has the potential
to be a nerd; it's just a matter of being able
to apply what you're learning."
nternationalization
on the Home Front
Elementary Arabic Debuts this Fall
In an effort to address an immediate need for more speak-
ers of Arabic, the Modern Languages and Literatures
Department is offering "Elementary Arabic I" on a not-for-
credit basis during the Fall Semester 2002 and "Elementary
Arabic II" in Spring 2003.
The College is among a select few participating in the national
program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State under auspices of
the U.S. government's premier diplomatic initiative. The Institute of
International Education (HE), through its existing Foreign Language Teaching
Assistant (FLTA) program, is the administering agency, working in collaboration with
the Fulbright Commission in Morocco and Jordan.
"I've really enjoyed working with the HE on this project," says Tiffany
Cummings, director of international studies at Sweet Briar. "I'm also grateful to
University of Virginia Professor Mohamed Sawaie for sharing his wisdom and Arabic
teaching materials with us. It's really been a nice joint effort."
After carefully considering a number of Fulbright-sponsored applicants, the
Modern Languages and Literatures Department chose Nabila Elyazale from Morocco
to teach the introductory Arabic courses. Sweet Briar provides a six-credit tuition
waiver to the instructor, with the Fulbright Program covering all other costs, includ-
ing her room, board, books, insurance, and a monthly stipend.
The College is also hosting a one-year visiting student, Luz Luna, from Colombia
to assist in Spanish. "In the near future," says Dr. Cummings. "through the same HE
program, we hope to have one-year students from Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan,
Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tadjikistan."
In addition to one-year visitors, the College has a number of four-year interna-
tional students entering or returning this fall from the following countries:
Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Botswana, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica,
Peru, Spain, Taiwan, and Yugoslavia.
While many students here and across the United States continue to participate in
the College's acclaimed Junior Year in France and Spain programs, some SBC stu-
dents are electing to study in Tanzania, Italy, Cuba, Germany, Mongolia, Australia,
Denmark, Scotland, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Greece. A recent, generous schol-
arship from Mr. and Mrs. A. Marshall Acuff (Mr. Acuff is a member of the Executive
Committee of the College's Board of Directors) has both increased students' ability to
travel abroad and enabled them to consider a world of destinations. In addition, stu-
dents may earn academic credit for participating in an internship abroad, provided
they have faculty supervision and approval. For Fall or Spring Term faculty-
sponsored internships, students are eligible for a proportionate amount of their SBC
scholarships and financial aid, if they are billed by Sweet Briar for the internship
credits.
"Great things are happening," says Dr. Cummings. "For example, Laura Pearson
'04 has received the very prestigious National Security Education Program David L.
Boren Undergraduate Scholarship for Study Abroad - also administered by IIE - for
$13,000 to study in the Czech Republic. Study abroad is a wonderful thing for our
students and for all of us, because students bring their experiences back to the class-
room here."
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002* 15
Associate Dean
Jonathan Green
SBC's Music Professor
Takes on
a New Set Of Challenges
This fall, Dr. Jonathan Green is busy
directing a very different ensemble.
Sweet Briar's ASCAP award-winning
composer, associate professor of music,
and director of the Chamber Orchestra,
Concert Choir and Chamber Choir has a
brand-new title. He is now associate dean
of new faculty and integrated programs.
Dr. Green's job description positions
him at a number of strategic points in the
College's effort to develop and maintain a
true learning community.
For starters, he is in charge of orienting
new faculty, working to ensure that new-
comers quickly feel at home on the cam-
pus. As Dr. Green explains it, "Sweet Briar
faculty are expected to assume all sorts of
out-of-the-classroom obligations — advising,
committee work, research — which can
seem daunting until you find where you fit
in.
"Participation in the community is a cen-
tral part or teaching here. In fact, this is the
only place I know of where, during the
tenure process, every tenured faculty mem-
ber is asked to write a letter on behalf of
every candidate."
Also high on Dr. Green's agenda is
coordinating interdisciplinary programs,
which by nature exist without a departmen-
tal home base; assisting Admissions and
the Dean's Office in the areas of recruit-
ment and retention; and overseeing the
Writing Center and student tutoring. On
the teaching side, he is continuing to con-
duct ensembles.
"These are the five things I'm definitely
doing," laughs Dr. Green. "The rest — and
I'm sure there's more — will consist of any-
thing else that needs to be done."
Amy Mullen '02
Gets Her "Groove" On
At The Kennedy Center
Dance Major Takes Top Honors
at Regional Dance Festival
f you're near a computer with internet
access, go to SBTV's archived Dance
Theatre page, http://www.sbtv.sbc.edu/fea-
tures/dance.html, and click on "Groove."
You'll see the student dance that Professor
Mark Magruder says "got people in the
Kennedy Center on their feet, standing and
screaming."
In March 2002, dance major Amy
Mullen '02 performed her original work
"Groove" at the Mid-Atlantic American
College Dance Festival at the University of
Maryland, where she earned the honor of
"Best Choreographer" and "Best
Performer."
With 37 of the region's finest colleges
and universities represented, the chances of
dancing out the door with even one of the
two awards are pretty slim. To receive both
is virtually unheard of.
Amy was invited to perform her win-
ning piece at the John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC
for the National College Dance Festival.
"This is the biggest thing that's hap-
pened in the Sweet Briar dance program
ever" says Professor Magruder. "It's like
David and Goliath."
According to Professor Magruder, 413
dances were adjudicated across the United
States last spring. Of those, only 37 fac-
ulty, guest artist, and student dances were
performed at the Kennedy Center. "Just
being nominated to go to Washington, DC"
he says, "is an award in and of itself."
This summer, Amy headed to Duke
University to attend the American Dance
Festival (not to be confused with the
American College Dance Festival). "It's
the premiere place to study in the whole
world." says Professor Magruder. "I'm not
exaggerating. People come from every-
where to study there.
"And, of course, Amy received the
largest scholarship the Festival offers both
this summer and last summer. No one I
know of has ever received a scholarship
two years in a row. But she is an amazing,
amazing dancer."
Amy's recent achievements are not bad
for a student who came to Sweet Briar
with an interest in English and creative
writing and no background in modern
dance. Her classes with Dance Professors
Mark and Ella Magruder were the first.
"She was a little self-conscious in the
beginning," says Mark. "Then, she blos-
somed."
What Are the
Chances?
• In 2002, more than 5,000 students
participated in nine regional
American College Dance Festivals.
• Nationwide, only 1 8 students are
nominated for either "best student
performer" or "best student choreog-
rapher." That's one in each cate-
gory from each of the nine regions.
• Last year, only 1 7 students were
nominated because Amy Mullen
'02 won in both categories. Then,
she went on to perform her original
work, "Groove," at the Kennedy
Center in May 2002.
• Amy came to SBC with no back-
ground in modern dance. She even-
tually decided to major in dance
with a minor in English and creative
writing.
1 6 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www alumnoe.sbc edu
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www alumnae sbc edu
Conference Reveals the Truth, History and
SoaalRoleof Secrecy
Secrecy has always played an extremely
important role in human society and con-
tinues to do so today.
In a joint endeavor, professors from
classical studies, history, and religion at
Sweet Briar organized a Secrecy
Conference in March 2002 as an extension
of their interdisciplinary Honors seminar
on the History of Secrecy.
The conference, sponsored by the
Lectures and Events Committee, offered an
opportunity for students, alumnae, and the
public to meet and interact with some of
the very scholars whose essays and books
have formed the foundation of the public's
perception of secrecy throughout history
and human affairs.
All aspects of secrecy and its place in
human society were discussed, with papers
on a broad range of topics, from the
Eleusinian mysteries in ancient Greece to
magic and mysticism in Renaissance
Europe; from Hitler's secret police, ancient
and modern espionage to conspiracy theo-
ries and new American religions.
Among the keynote speakers were:
Fritz Graf. Princeton University, an his-
torian of ancient Greek magic and religion:
Jon Mikalson, the University of
Virginia, an historian of popular concep-
tions of gods and religion in classical and
Hellenistic Athens;
Sander Gilman, the University of
Illinois. Chicago, a prolific historian whose
research covers concepts of race, gender,
and cultural difference in pre-war Europe;
Margaret Jacob, the University of
California at Los Angeles, an historian of
the Enlightenment and the cultural impact
of the Scientific Revolution;
Moshe Idel. Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, a leading scholar of Jewish
mysticism and the Kabbalah.
march 15-17 2002
1 8 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Bone Collections
£^§hao!ow Boxes
New Student Grant Program
Funds A Wide Range of Projects
Last year, the College initiated its
"Student Research & Creative Endeavors
Grant Program." awarding students up to
$500 to pursue original projects that go
beyond the typical scope of classroom
work or independent study.
"Whether students are going into art or
economics." says Dean Stephen Stahl.
"chances are a big part of their life is going
to involve w riting proposals to see their
projects through. This is part of a well-
rounded education."
So far. the program has awarded nine
grants in a wide range of disciplines.
In her proposal. "Animals. Bones, and
Carcasses: The ABC's of Creating a Zoo-
Archaeological Collection." Megan Piatt
'05 requested funds to turn animal car-
casses collected on the College's 3.250
acres into a comparative collection for
campus archeologists. Students digging at
Sweet Briar and other sites are likely to
encounter animal bones along with other
remnants of material culture like ceramics.
Piatt's collection will help her and future
students learn how to identify their finds.
Joanna Mullen '02 was adept at
scrounging materials for her art projects.
But the scope of her senior project.
"Shadowboxes: Assemblage and Collage."
required specific hardware in addition to
an assortment of "found objects." Though
she strives to maintain a "less is more"
approach, basics like drill bits, lumber, and
glass are difficult to do without. The grant
enabled her to purchase the items needed
to get her plans in
motion, working up to
her senior show.
to
*Jt*1^l£l3it^
i^"-5*S
-j ■ \.i.:\ afi:^
1
famffl.
One of Joanna Mullen's shadowboxes, Hoping
to Make a Genius of Me
The B.F.A. Premieres This Fall
A new bachelor of fine arts degree in interdisciplinary arts will be an option for students beginning fall semester 2002.
The degree program helps Sweet Briar capitalize on being the only college in the United States with a residential artist
colony on its campus (the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts), its low student-faculty ratio, its arts management certificate
program, and the cooperative spirit of its fine arts departments.
"This degree introduces students to arts management through required courses, opening the door for a certificate and pos-
sible career in that field," says Rebecca AAassie Lane, director of galleries and arts management. "With the added focus on
interdisciplinary arts and the addition of juried auditions, it is a well-rounded B.F.A."
• Admission into the program will be based on a competitive auditioning process,
judged by Sweet Briar arts faculty.
• Two new classes will be offered with the degree: a fine arts workshop and an
interdisciplinary arts senior thesis.
• To be eligible to participate in the program, students must complete the
requirements from one of the existing fine arts majors, including dance,
creative writing, music, studio art, or theatre. Additionally, they must choose
from one of the following minors: dance, teaching or performance; creative
writing; music, solo applied music or history and theory; studio art; or theatre.
"This B.F.A. will strengthen the fine arts at SBC, attract talented and motivated students, and distinguish SBC among its
peers," said Jonathan Green, associate dean of new faculty and integrated programs. "We are establishing a veritable
artistic think-tank. I can think of no circumstance that could be more invigorating to the creative process than the company of
my colleagues, great visiting artists, and eager students, all wrestling with the very means of human expression."
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc edu
Fall 2002 • 19
The Endless Summer
For Honors Summer Research Students,
Eight Weeks Can Stretch Into Graduate School and Beyond
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning
in late May through mid-July. Sweet Briar
faculty and students gather to eat lunch,
share a few laughs, and listen to "Time
Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy of
Scintillator Crystals" or "Written on the
Body: Social Praxis and the Construction
of Self."
These are not the type of titles normally
associated with summer. They will never
appear on a K-tel beach-music compilation
or Glamour magazine's list of sizzling
summer paperbacks. But for the Honors
Summer Research students who return to
campus to explore "Rates of Parasitism on
Native Silk Moth Populations" or "The
Influence of 18th and 19th Century
Japanese Prints on European and American
Artists," the words evoke happy, memo-
rable summertime experiences.
The HSRP Program. The Colleges
Honors Summer Research Program
(HSRP) just celebrated its fifth anniver-
sary. The increasingly competitive research
fellowship pairs undergraduates from a
variety of academic disciplines with fac-
ulty mentors in an eight-week program of
in-depth, original research.
Part of the thrill is having only one
project to focus on. After two semesters
spent juggling classes and independent
projects with student government responsi-
bilities, team sports, campus jobs, or com-
munity service, paring life down to a single
scholarly pursuit is a joy.
Students receive a stipend and the tools
they need to get a jump on their senior
Honors thesis, lay the groundwork for a
major art exhibition, or engage in research
that falls outside their regular course of
study.
The work is intense, but not isolating.
Perhaps the greatest feature of the HSRP is
the way it brings the campus community
together to share ideas, report important
results, and kick back in the off-hours.
"Faculty and student research used to
go on in the background," says Tim
Loboschefski, assistant professor of psy-
chology and associate director of the
Honors Program. "Students didn't know
what other students were up to. Faculty
were not always aware of each other's
research. This program brings research to
the forefront, recognizing and congratulat-
ing all these people who are doing all this
hard work."
Briar. The HSRP picked up on the idea and
expanded it to include all disciplines. Last
year's symposium attracted 200 students
and faculty advisors from Virginia and sur-
rounding states, showcasing 75 presenta-
tions and posters.
After working together all day. fellows and faculty face off at evening events like "Academic
Armageddon" where students are challenged to spell Professor Loboschefski's last name correctly
and Professor Beck is asked to use the word "giggy" in a sentence.
The Presentations. HSRP fellowships
are evenly divided among the sciences,
social sciences, arts, and humanities. The
fellows, their faculty mentors, and other
interested scholars — about 35 people in
all — get to know each other during
lunchtime colloquia consisting of two half-
hour faculty or student presentations, fol-
lowed by question and answer sessions.
The informal atmosphere encourages
plenty of feedback and socializing. It also
serves as an important workup to the
College-sponsored Mid-Atlantic Regional
Conference of Undergraduate Scholarship
(MARCUS) that takes place on campus in
October.
MARCUS started several years ago
when Robert Granger, associate professor
of chemistry, proposed establishing an
annual chemistry conference at Sweet
MARCUS is just one of the ways stu-
dent scholars fulfill the HSRP's expecta-
tion of giving something back to the com-
munity. As Professor Loboschefski puts it,
"Not everything conforms to one model.
The exhibits and gallery talks that arts
management students create, for example,
are equally as outstanding and help to
redefine what research can be."
The Results. Whether a project origi-
nates in Guion or Benedict, the HSRP
experience provides a comprehensive
introduction to graduate level research and.
in some cases, a ticket into graduate school
itself.
"If you ask students about the benefits
of giving up a summer to research, they all
tell the same basic story," says Professor
Loboschefski. "It gives them much more
than a set of grades and a letter of recom-
20 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc edu
During her time at Sweet Briar, Meredith
Taylor '01, a psychology major and anthropol-
ogy minor, was able to initiate in-depth proj-
ects in both disciplines. After spending a sum-
mer examining faunal remains (bones) at
Professor Chang's excavation in Kazahkstan,
she focused on completing her original
research in psychology — research that she is
continuing to pursue in graduate school at
Virginia Commonwealth University.
mendation. It allows them to hand over
actual work that they can discuss at
length — work that can be compared to
what graduate students are doing."
Meredith Taylor '01 was in the final
stages of editing her Honors thesis examin-
ing the relationship between type I diabetes
mellitus. disordered eating, and identity
development when she was called to inter-
view at Virginia Commonwealth
University (VCU).
"The professor I spoke with on the
phone." recalls Meredith, "asked me to
bring a draft of my thesis along with me. I
was able to hand her a pretty substantial
piece of work and say I wanted to do
something related to it for my master's the-
sis. We talked about it along with all the
other research I had done at Sweet Briar
and. I believe because of that, they found a
place for me in the health psychology pro-
gram. At the time, there were somewhere
between 150-200 applications for only
eight positions."
Meredith's goal, the problem she began
working on as an HSRP fellow, is finding
methods to help people, especially children
and teenagers, cope with chronic illnesses
like diabetes or asthma.
"There are a lot of psychologists out
there helping people with cancer or AIDS
cope with their mortality." explains
Meredith. "But there are not many of us
out there helping people to live with ill-
nesses that probably will not kill them — at
least not right away.
"There's plenty of literature showing
where doctors miss the mark. They give
patients medications, tell them how they
work, and explain what will happen if they
don't take their meds. But really what
patients want to know is: 'How can I live
my life as normally as possible within
these constraints?' Their health gets worse
because they don't engage in healthy
behaviors, taking care of themselves the
way they should. This is the area I want to
work in. developing interventions and fill-
ing the gap."
Giving Back. On April 28, 2002 a vio-
lent F5 tornado ripped through La Plata.
MD, killing three, injuring dozens of oth-
ers, and demolishing homes, schools, and
businesses.
Catherine Peek '01 spent the past sum-
mer in La Plata as a community design
services volunteer through the Washington.
DC chapter of the American Institute of
Architects.
Working directly with landowners,
Catherine and a team of ten others quickly
conducted design charettes. helping indi-
viduals to redesign buildings and incorpo-
rate their ideas into a comprehensive, long-
term rebuilding plan.
"Even before the tornado hit. La Plata
was considering ways to help with eco-
nomic revitalization. So, I'm bringing a lot
of my Sweet Briar experience to the table
here. In fact, during my first week in
La Plata. I called on a contact I had made
while working on my
Summer Honors
Research," says
Catherine.
Her HSRP proj-
ect, "Sustainable
Communities and
Urban Sprawl,"
used the nearby
city of Lynchburg
as a model for the
"do's and don'ts"
of urban planning
and downtown revital-
ization schemes. Her
broad-scale investigation and
analysis spanned three years and
introduced her to city administrators, archi-
tectural firms, business organizations, and
local historians.
After graduation, she attended Harvard
University's summer program in urban
planning and design (where she ran into
another Sweet Briar alumna on a similar
path. Kindle Samuel '98). There, she deter-
mined that a career in architectural design
would enable her to go where she wants to
be, "in the middle, making linkages, nego-
tiating and interfacing with architects,
planners, and people."
This September. Catherine enrolled in
the Master of Architecture degree program
at Rice University in Houston. Texas.
"My Sweet Briar research was
absolutely foundational," she says. "Once
you have that hands-on research experi-
ence, you can't forget or unlearn it. I feel
that I can concentrate on architectural
design at this point because I have a broad
liberal arts education working for me.
Eventually, I'll be able to put it all together
and draw on it all."
Catherine Peek surveys the remaining debris
from a service station in the La Plata, MD,
downtown business district. 75% of the busi-
nesses in the downtown district were hit by
the tornado in April, 2002.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae-sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 21
HSRP 2002
Where Science and Humanities Meet
Sweet Briar's Honors Summer Research
Program (HSRP) demonstrates the
College's commitment to challenge top stu-
dents from a variety of disciplines, offering
them intense, eight-week excursions into
the world of original research.
While all SBC students engage in some
degree of independent work and public
speaking, the HSRP is tailored to students
who desire to work at a higher level.
A closer look at three fellows and fac-
ulty mentors from summer 2002 shows the
range of research funded by the program.
Lost Ball in the High Weeds
- a Memoir
Amanda Carpenter '03 • Jennifer Brice,
assistant professor of English
"Amanda is in step from the minute she
starts an essay," says Professor Brice.
"Often you see writers spending one or
two pages clearing their throats. By page
three the writing is starting to look good,
it's coming more easily, sounding natural
— they finally find their voice. Amanda
doesn't have that problem. My guess is it
has something to do with growing up in
eastern Kentucky, being steeped in a strong
oral storytelling tradition."
Amanda Carpenter '03 always enjoyed
participating in creative writing work-
shops. But as a history major with a double
minor in government and law and society,
there was little time left over to expand the
short stories she presented in class.
Now. with an HSRP fellowship, she has
been able to reverse the situation, putting
her history major to work in support of her
writing.
In a history course called "Virginia
Narratives," students research and write
local histories, drawing on resources found
at newspaper offices, courthouses,
churches, and museums. Amanda chose to
investigate a local murder, using a combi-
nation of public records and personal inter-
views.
This summer, she applied the same
techniques to her own history, returning
home to do research before starting her
Summer Honors fellowship. From there,
she settled down to the task of churning
out a minimum three pages a day and
meeting with Professor Brice three times a
week.
Amanda's memoir is the first creative
writing project to be funded by the HSRP.
"There are a lot of good writers who come
through the doors here," she says. "I hope
this opens the way for others to follow.
When you have to go out and get a regular
summer job. you never find the time to do
something as big as this. And even if you try,
there's no one to bounce your ideas off of.
Amanda Carpenter '03 with Jennifer Brice, assistant professor of English
22 • Fall 2002
"I'm very grateful. This is a huge thing
for me — someone's paying me to write."
Development of an Artificial
Photosynthetic Device
Nicole Crowder '03 • Robert Granger,
associate professor of chemistry
Last summer, Nicole Crowder '03 set
out to produce oxylate, an intermediate
product in photosynthesis, using a novel
carbon dioxide reduction catalyst under
development in the Sweet Briar Chemistry
Department. The project was an important
first step toward the ultimate goal of creat-
ing a solar-powered system that will both
remove COt from the atmosphere and pro-
duce useful organic materials.
For seven weeks, nothing worked. Then
Nicole experienced a "eureka" moment
that brought her back to the lab again this
summer.
"When you actually get something to
work," says Nicole, "it's such a great feel-
ing. It's 'oh my gosh — Yes! — please give
me another eight weeks.' You immediately
forget about all the frustration. That's how
I know this is what I want to do. Graduate
school applications are definitely in my
future."
Applying to graduate school seems to
be a reproducible result of working on the
COt reduction project. Nicole's predeces-
sor, Rebekah Burr '01, is currently work-
ing toward a degree in medicinal chemistry
at Rutgers University.
"I enjoyed being in the lab at Sweet
Briar so much," says Rebekah, "that I
decided medical school was not for me.
After graduation, I worked as an intern at
Bristol Myers Squibb as a synthetic
chemist in its infectious disease laboratory.
Now. at Rutgers, I'm in a lab searching for
a cure for breast cancer."
Rebekah's work at Sweet Briar brought
good results. "She proved the feasibility of
the project." says Professor Granger. "She
proved that we could reduce CO2, but she
wasn't able to reach the point of making
carbon-carbon bonds. Last summer, Nicole
made carbon-carbon bonds. That's often
how it works. Students build on each
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Nicole Crowder '03 with Robert Granger,
associate professor of chemistry
other's research."
This summer Nicole's scaled-up experi-
ments yielded compounds structurally sim-
ilar to those found in tree bark, bringing
the team one step closer to creating a "tree
in a test tube."
While attempting to mimic the process
of photosynthesis is a worthwhile chal-
lenge in and of itself, the research has
direct applications for use in manned space
flights.
"It costs about $10,000 a pound to
launch something into orbit," says
Professor Granger. "Loading trees and
truckloads of dirt into a space station isn't
practical. But a compact, artificial system
that recycles carbon dioxide makes eco-
nomic sense in space and possibly in
undersea environments as well."
An Examination of
Homosexuality in Religion -
Antiquity to the Present
Anne Oakes '04 • Cathy Gutierrez, assis-
tant professor of religion
In her religion classes, Anne Oakes '04
was intrigued by differing views of sexual-
ity in different religions at various times in
history, especially by perceptions of sexu-
ality in polytheistic societies compared
with monotheistic ones. "But that's a
really, really huge project," laughs Anne.
"So I narrowed it down to comparing
Greek and Roman ideas about sexuality
with those of early Christians — the evolu-
tion over that time period — with a focus on
same-sex relationships."
Anne has a hunch that polytheism toler-
ates a wider range of sexual behaviors, that
worshipping multiple gods makes having
multiple partners more acceptable. But she
has many research miles to go without
much in the way of existing scholarship to
guide her.
"There is a long-term plan in place."
says Professor Gutierrez. "What Anne is
doing is background for her senior Honors
thesis. If we did this as an independent
study over the course of a semester, neither
of us could devote the same amount of
time. Honors research keeps your intellec-
tual life alive during the summer. Anne is
reading a bunch of stuff I've read before
and a lot I haven't."
Anne and Professor Gutierrez have
been meeting with Michelle
Church '03 and Eric
Casey, assistant pro-
fessor of classical
studies, who are
working on "An
Examination of
the Role of
Dreams in the
Cult of the Greek
God Asclepius."
"We're helping
each other out in a
way that doesn't hap-
pen during the regular
school year," says Anne.
"The projects overlap in interesting
ways," adds Professor Gutierrez. "The
classics student, Michele, is leaning toward
the religion end, and Anne is getting deep
into the classics material. And we all bene-
fit from the extras — like taking a day trip
up to Charlottesville to go to the library at
UVA."
Anne's long-term plan is to use her
summer research paper to support a con-
temporary look at homosexuality and reli-
gion. "Ideas about sexuality and same-sex
relationships have changed so much in the
last few decades," she says. "To under-
stand it. you have to understand the histori-
cal context. That's what I'm hoping this
summer will do — give me a start on devel-
oping the solid background I need to work
from."
Anne Oakes '04 with Cathy Gutierrez,
assistant professor of religion
■ I
The Start of Something
As Stephanie Garcia '97 Prepares fiaTTos'kJocTofal Studies at Duke,
SBC Students Continue to Build on Her Undergraduate Chemistry Project
Stephanie Garcia
Chlorpyrifos, better known as the
widely-used pesticide Dursban or
Lorsban, is a known neurotoxin.
Two years ago the Environmental
Protection Agency initiated a phased with-
drawal of chlorpyrifos from household
products, eliminated
its use on tomatoes,
and reduced toler-
ances for child-
friendly fruits like
apples and grapes.
Still, a myriad of
other agricultural
applications remain
unrestricted. And
storage and disposal
problems are looming,
along with issues of
persistence and bioaccumulation.
Stephanie Garcia '97 knows a lot about
chlorpyrifos. As part of her graduate
work in the departments of pharma-
cology and toxicology at Duke
University, she has been studying the
pesticide's effects on the developing
brain. This summer, in addition to
defending her dissertation, she began
making plans to continue her studies
through a postdoctoral fellowship in
neurotoxicology. The fellowship will
allow her to do research at Wake
Forest University, where her husband
is completing a residency program.
"The neurotoxicologist I'll be work-
ing with as a postdoc was very
impressed that I went to Sweet
Briar," says Stephanie. "He said,
'That's a really good school!' So, the
word is out to a greater extent than I
realized. We have a solid reputation."
In her own way, Stephanie has
helped to further the College's stand-
ing in the sciences. In 1995, under
the guidance of chemistry professors
Jill and Robert Granger, she started
working on the synthesis and charac-
terization of platinum and palladium
compounds that were subsequently tested
against human cancer cells. It was the
beginning of a project that has fueled fac-
ulty and student research on campus ever
since.
"When you first start into a new area of
science," says Dr. Robert Granger, "you
don't know anything. You don't even know
what your compounds are soluble in.
There's a lot of tedious information gather-
ing, and it has to be done by someone very
bright, focused, and organized. Stephanie
did that. She laid the foundation for the
anti-cancer research."
Many of the chemistry and biochem-
istry students who continued to build on
Stephanie's research have since gone on to
graduate schools themselves. For example:
• Gennaine Gottsche '00 is enrolled at the
University of Mississippi Medical Center
School of Dentistry.
Honors Summer Research projects not only enhance
intellectual life on campus, some are available to the
wider community through SBTV on the web.
Alumnae can watch Gwen McKinney '03 discuss
her original research, "The Influence of 1 8th and
19th Century Japanese Prints on European and
American Artists," and then follow up with a visit to
her Spring Term 2002 exhibit in the Pannell Gallery,
"Defining Influence: Japonisme and the Western
Artist." Go to http://www.sbtv.sbc.edu.
Brieanne Vogler '01 (L); Rebekah Burr '01 (R)
•Yen Nguyen '01 went to the California
Institute of Technology, where she is work-
ing on research related to SBC's "platinum
project."
• Brieanne Vogler '01 is a second-year
medical student at George Washington
University Medical School. As a summer
research scientist at the National Institutes
of Health — National Institute for Child
Health, she is working on experi-
ments related to human molecular
growth regulation.
• Emma Kate Payne '03 will gradu-
ate from SBC this year. She is work-
ing to enhance the cancer-fighting
effects of platinum and palladium
compounds on malignant cells.
Emma started working on the proj-
ect through the Honors Summer
Research Program in 2001. She dis-
cussed her research for SBTV and
the clip is featured on the chemistry
department's academic website:
http://www.sbc.edu/academics/
chem.
rvNPSFM Padio
Filmmaker Marcy Mezzano
Running Time: 4: 15 min
Format: Quickbrne Movie (mov)
For almost • year, Geen McKinney '03 has been
fulfilling her dream of putting together en
exhibition at Sweet oner College to shot-case the
belt of the College's Ukivo-e and Western art
collections. With guidance from Rebecca Mania
Lane, director of the College galleries and arts
management program, and Diane Moran,
professor of art history, Gwen's dream became
rch orolect and has now
View the Movie \c
get players and oluo-i
iated in the s
e.-re.
"Defining Influence: Japonisme and the Western
Artist" The exhibit e'plores the effects of the
introduction of Japanese woodblock prints Into the
European and Amoncan art norld In the late 19th
and early 20th centuries. Guen complimented the
ing College
nthe habona
ertivr
i lo.r
24 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
The Shape
of Things to Come
Sweet Briar's Physical Education Department
Forges Ahead, Hoping Facilities Will Follow
Standing over a model of the College's
newly-minted master plan back in 1998,
Ric Dumont of Sasaki Associates dis-
cussed how the College's changing needs
were reflected in its current building initia-
tives.
"Look at Cram's core cluster and you'll
see a trilogy." said Dumont. "three vertical
structures emphasizing academics, religion,
and food - all the basics of college life
circa 1900 are covered. Sociability and
athleticism were not the issues they are
today."
Athleticism was not an issue in part
because the beauty and expanse of the
Sweet Briar campus provided ample
opportunities for organized games, hiking,
and horseback riding — enough, at least, to
get started. In 1910. the SBC tennis club
had more than 100 members. Club
lacrosse was introduced in 1914. In 1919,
Milly MacDonell came to Sweet Briar with a
vast range of experience in athletics, recre-
ation, and teaching. She was most recently the
assistant director of campus recreation & fit-
ness services at Western Illinois University, has
coached volleyball and Softball at the
University of Tennessee at Martin, and volley-
ball at the University of North Carolina-Chapel
Hill. She was assistant athletic director at UTM
and was a four-time "Coach of the Year" in
both sports. She earned her M.S. from
Western Illinois University and her B.S. from
Mississippi University for Women.
the hockey team played the first intercolle-
giate contest for women in the state of
Virginia.
By 1923 student interest in athletics was
clearly outgrowing all that the great out-
doors had to offer. The Athletic
Association was making the case for an
indoor facility and students were busy rais-
ing $82,000 from parents, friends, and
each other to build the Daisy Williams
Gymnasium. Five years later, enough
funding was in place to start construction.
Today, the 7 1 -year-old gymnasium
serves as the only dedicated facility for
indoor sports and recreation on campus, a
reality that places the College at a serious
disadvantage when prospective students
compare the athletic and recreational facili-
ties available at virtually all other compet-
ing institutions.
While it's true that a new Athletics and
Recreation Center will help attract and
retain well-rounded students (more than
85% of entering freshmen have partici-
pated in high school sports), the building
initiative is not based on an "if we build it.
they will come" scenario. Current students
and other members of the community are
already making full use of existing athletic
and recreational spaces, and spilling over
into other areas as well. Last year, for
example, popular tai chi classes were held
in the Florence Elston Inn and Conference
Center.
In 1999, a pioneering gift from Mollie
Johnson Nelson '64 went toward the pur-
chase of several pieces of updated cardio-
vascular equipment for the College's fit-
ness center, a small area directly across
from Director of Athletics Milly
MacDonell's office.
"Students are in the fitness center day
and night." says Director MacDonell.
"Some as early as seven in the morning.
So, I know they're motivated. And it's not
the athletes. The athletes are off practicing
and exercising somewhere else.
"Right now we're so cramped, espe-
cially in winter, we have to schedule team
practices in the gym during
the same hours people
want to exercise.
Though I did man-
age to squeeze in a
kickboxing class
at noon on
Tuesdays and
Thursdays."
As chair of
physical educa-
tion, athletics, and
recreation at Sweet
Briar. Director
MacDonell is determined
to serve the needs of the entire
community, with an overriding
emphasis on balanced, healthy lifestyles.
"One thing that excited me about com-
ing to Sweet Briar." she explains, "was the
chance to shape things around values like
health and wellness, leadership, teamwork,
and preparation for life. Whether they're
involved in competitive swimming or
yoga, I want students to think of physical
activity as something they'll continue
doing, not just a class they took or a game
they played in college."
In addition to developing a program that
will appeal to prospective students, high-
light health, and promote recreational inter-
action within the community. Director
MacDonell is working to supply student
athletes and coaches with the room, equip-
ment, and hours they need to prepare for
competition.
"Whether they're
involved in competitive
swimming or yoga, I
want students to think
of physical activity as
something they'll con-
tinue doing, not just a
class they took or a
game they played in
college."
—Millie MacDonell
Director of Athletics
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 25
This summer, as the facade of the Student Commons was nearing completion, it became easy to see how its architectural and programmatic counter-
part, the Athletics and Recreation Center, will balance the south end of the campus and fulfill the College's commitment to enhance co-curricular life
activities. Plans for the facility include a Sports Hall Complex complete with a three-lane jogging track and indoor courts adaptable for tennis, bas-
ketball, volleyball and other sports. The renovation of the Daisy Williams Gymnasium will double the space for weights and fitness training. A
1 ,600 square foot area adjacent to the existing gymnasium will serve as a multi-purpose room for aerobics classes and activities like yoga, tai chi,
and swing, salsa, and folk dancing. The gymnasium itself may be improved to host large events like concerts and graduation in inclement weather.
"When teams put in the time and effort
to compete at a higher level, of course they
want to be successful," she says. "I work
with coaches who are passionate about
their sport and their students. You would-
n't hire a group of great researchers and
not give them the labs and equipment they
need to do their best. Our coaches are
qualified at elite, national levels, where
they could be focusing on building the best
team and that's all. But they're here
because they believe in the Division III
philosophy: academics come first."
Sweet Briar was one of the first
women's colleges in the nation to apply for
membership in the NCAA, and the College
joined the Old Dominion Athletic
Conference nearly 20 years ago. Since
that time, Sweet Briar teams and individual
athletes in swimming, lacrosse, field
hockey, tennis, and other sports have
achieved high conference and even
national rankings. These successes have
come despite, not because of, the College's
sports and fitness facilities.
In the 1980s, in a perverse twist, the
same Title IX mandates that drove coed
institutions to lavish resources on women's
athletics, allowed women's colleges to lan-
guish. As a result, fundamental pieces of
equipment like Sweet Briar's strength-
THE DOWNSI DE OF
ith the passage of Title IX in 1 972, the pressure was suddenly on
coed colleges to create equal opportunities for women in sports.
Though substantial changes were a decade or more in coming,
institutions eventually met the challenge.
For women in general, Title IX represented a victory. But for women's
colleges the legislation had an unfortunate flip side.
"Any given piece of legislation can have unintentional consequences,"
says Jennifer Crispen, associate professor of physical education, athletics
and recreation. "One of the unintentional consequences of Title IX is that
programs at single-sex institutions have not been compelled to keep up.
Women's colleges do not have to improve their opportunities or facilities because they
don't have equity issues on their campuses.
"It took coed colleges time to do it, but today they are furnishing women's programs
with the same quality facilities, equipment, uniforms, buses, fields, and lights that men's
programs have traditionally enjoyed. If women's institutions are going to continue to
provide all aspects of the college experience, they have to take it upon themselves to
remain competitive and embrace excellence."
training machines are not only outdated,
they are hand-me-down machines sized for
men.
In a testament to the spirit and
endurance that athletics instills. Director
MacDonell is going full tilt, creating a dis-
tinctive program that will eventually fill a
state-of-the-art facility. "Hope goes a long
way." she says. "We're doing great things
right now — hosting the NCAA Division III
Women's Tennis Tournament, reviving the
Friends of Athletics, hiring new coaches —
and we expect to get even better."
26 • Fail 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc edu
Sweet Briar Welcomes Two New
Coaches, Including One Alumna
Paul R. Shaw has been appointed head
soccer coach. Arriving from Ontario,
Canada, he has 19 years coaching experi-
ence and a 'B' License from the Canadian
Soccer Association. He has coached at the
provincial and elite levels in Canada as
well as assisting with the NCAA Division I
program at Western Illinois University.
Shaw was the business manager for the
W-League Toronto "Inferno" and has also
been with the Miami "Fusion" and the Des
Moines (IA) "Menace," where he managed
the first team coaching staff.
"Paul brings a wealth of experience in
soccer to Sweet Briar College, both in
coaching and in promotion of the game,"
says Athletics Director Milly MacDonell.
He is an excellent teacher, coach, and
motivator. We are excited at the opportu-
nity to work with a coach of his caliber,
taking another step toward a program of
national prominence."
Melissa "Missy" Ackerman '87 has
been appointed head lacrosse coach and
lecturer. Announcing the appointment,
Athletics Director Milly MacDonell
reminded the community that "Missy was
an Ail-American and ' Player of the Year'
in both lacrosse and field hockey when she
was a senior here. Bringing her back to the
College is an important step for us. She
played on the nationally-ranked SBC
lacrosse teams of the 1980s and shares our
goal of returning the program to national
prominence."
For the past seven years Ackerman has
been head lacrosse coach at Randolph-
Macon College in Ashland, VA. Last April
the 1 8th-ranked "Yellowjackets" defeated
Washington & Lee University 12-11 in
overtime to win the 2002 ODAC
Championship and earn a berth in the
NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse
Championships. It was Ackerman 's second
ODAC title and the second time she has
led her team to the NCAA Championships.
She was named ODAC Coach of the Year
in 1999 and 2000. Ackerman 's career
record at RMC is 73-40 (.646). and her
ODAC record is 44-10 (.821).
k %
Friends oi
Athletics
Friends of Athletics, founded last year,
is a group of donors who sustain the
College's commitment to sports by
funding enhancements to intercolle-
giate athletics, including:
• team travel
• athletic recruiting
• annual Varsity Sports
Award Banquet
• communication to build
enthusiasm and increase
attendance at students' games.
Join the Friends!
Make a contribution to Sweet Briar's
athletics program through Friends
of Athletics
Call toll-free 1-888-846-5722
(888-THNK-SBC) to make a gift. You
may even specify the sport you wish
to support:
• lacrosse
• field hockey
• soccer
• swimming
• tennis
• volleyball
At Sweet Briar, athletics and physical
education are important parts of edu-
cating the whole student. Visit
www.athletics.sbc.edu for more infor-
mation about the athletic department
and intercollegiate athletics at Sweet
Briar.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnaesbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 27
tfsSfw-fi
Sweet Briar Hosts NCAA
Women's Tennis Championships
Kelly Morrison, assistant professor and tennis coach, put Sweet Briar in the
national spotlight this year, hosting the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis
Championships. This is the second time the College has welcomed coaches, play-
ers, spectators, and media to the campus; Coach Morrison served as tournament
director in 1995.
This May, the seven-day event ran simulta-
neously with Alumnae Reunion, transforming
-® the post-commencement campus into a lively
** ilC^i destination, the place to be on a lovely
spring day.
was electrifying," says Coach
\orrison. "People think of Wimbledon
is a model for tennis — players wear
white; the crowd is quiet and dignified.
Well, that's the exception these days.
The crowd here was jumping up and
down, screaming back and forth.
The only thing we did Wimbledon
style was a strawberries and cream
social for alumnae who were on
campus for Reunion."
While staging the event
requires an extra effort from
almost every department on
campus, from College
Relations to Physical Plant, the
excitement and exposure
»J/ »A '^gct »r""'£o« 8V»riar "" — ^ make it all worthwhile.
m&vo'A tor tic^ewv Swee'^^^^^ A "A prospective student, a
field hockey player who
happened to be here dur-
ing the tournament, put her
»S Sj^**^^ deposit in before she left," says Coach
V p^g*^"" Morrison. "That's really what this is about, shovv-
^^^ casing the whole Sweet Briar community."
Both Dean Stahl and President Muhlenfeld participated in opening
ceremonies. In her address, the president
complimented the participating athletes
on their Division III choice, which demon-
strates a commitment to academic excel-
lence as well.
"The president's words meant a lot to
the players," says Coach Morrison.
"Quite a few came up to me over the
course of the week saying, 'Wow, I wish
I'd known all this was here.' Well, now
they know — and so will their sisters and
friends."
Jennifer Crispen Appointed Rules Liaison
The NCAA Division I, II and III Field
Hockey Committees have appointed Sweet
Briar College Coach Jennifer Crispen as
the rules liaison for the sport. She is work-
ing with the United States Field Hockey
Association (USFHA) to resolve rules
questions from the college field hockey
community.
The USFHA is the national governing
body for field hockey. NCAA college field
hockey teams use the international rules
with minor modifications. Coach Crispen
has coached field hockey at Sweet Briar
since 1977 and is in her second year on the
NCAA Division HI Field Hockey
Committee. She ranks sixth among active
coaches in total games coached (499) and
18th all-time among active coaches in
career wins (264-214-21 ). This fall she
will coach her 500th collegiate contest.
From NCAA NEWS March 4, 2002 and
Sweet Briar College.
Coach Bonnie Kestner Takes Top Honors
Coaching and Competing
Bonnie Kestner. coach of the Sweet
Briar College varsity swimming team, has
been voted Old Dominion Athletic
Conference Coach of the Year four times,
most recently in 2002.
In April. Kestner won all five events in
her age group at the 2002 Virginia Masters
Short Course Championship Meet in
Newport News. VA. She was
I first overall among the women
in the 500 yd. Freestyle and the
100 yd. Butterfly.
In addition, she set new
Virginia Local Master's Swim
| Club (LMSC) records in her age
I group in the following events:
500 yd. Freestyle. 200 yd.
Backstroke. Individual Medley,
and 100 yd. Individual Medley.
Kestner 's times were close to
her performances five years ago
'• when she competed in the 1997
U.S. Master's Swimming Long
Course National Championship and won
two events.
28 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www alumnae.sbc.edu
UPDATE
Florence Barclay Winston '57 Invests in
New Athletics Facility
The College has received its first pledge
toward construction of a new Athletics and
Recreation Center, a $250,000 unrestricted
gift from alumna and Board of Directors
member Florence Barclay Winston '57 of
Raleigh. NC and her husband, Charles M.
Winston.
First elected to the Sweet Briar Board in
2000. Mrs. Winston has served as director
of design for the Winston Hotels and was
formerly a partner in Angus Barn-Darryl's
Restaurants. She currently chairs the
Development Committee of the University
of North Carolina Arts and Science
Foundation Board. She is past president of
the Rex Hospital Guild, past president of
the Raleigh Junior League, past Vestry
member and junior warden of Christ
(Episcopal) Church. Raleigh, a past mem-
ber of the Carolina Club, Chapel Hill
board, and past member of the Rex
Hospital Board of Trustees. She served as
fund-raising chair for her 25th Class
Reunion committee at Sweet Briar.
Mr. Winston, an alumnus of the
University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, is chairman of the board of the
Raleigh-based Winston Hotels, developer
and builder of hotels throughout the South.
He was a co-founder of the Angus Barn
Restaurant in Raleigh and a partner in the
organization that founded and operated the
Darryl's Restaurants. He was voted North
Carolina's "Outstanding Restaurateur of
the Year" in 1979, and earned the
"Distinguished Service Medal" from the
UNC-Chapel Hill Alumni Association in
May 2000.
Grant Supports Studio
Arts Farm Project
A $250,000 matching
grant from the Mary
Morton Parsons
Foundation of Richmond
will allow Sweet Briar to
renovate and expand one
of the College's former
dairy barns into a dynamic
new campus center for
studio arts. Coupled with
construction of a new
3,000 square foot annex,
the conversion of Dairy
Barn No. 2 will allow the
College to bring all the
studio arts together for the
first time.
The renovated facility
will house well-equipped
drawing and design
rooms; a photo lab and
darkroom; wood and
frame shops; a small gallery; increased and
better configured spaces for student sup-
plies and equipment; and faculty offices
and studios. The northern exposure will
provide excellent outdoor light, and high
ceilings will dramatically provide more
space than is currently available.
"With the construction of the new
Studio Arts Farm complex, students and
faculty will finally have a physical facility
commensurate with the quality of their
work," said President Muhlenfeld.
The gift is well timed. A new B.F.A.
degree in interdisciplinary arts will be
an option for students beginning Fall
Term 2002.
Student Commons Progress
Charlie Philbin, son of
Charlotte Holland Prothro
Philbin '95, proudly dis-
played the construction hat
of his grandfather, Mark
Prothro, chair of the Buildings and
Grounds Committee of the Board of
Directors, who was on campus touring the
Student Commons in May 2002 (Alumnae
can take the same tour of the site on
SBTV: http://www.sbtv.sbc.edu).
Crews worked furiously throughout the
summer to ready the Student Commons for
the return of students in late August. Its
newly completed ground-floor cafe and
dining areas are a welcome sight for the
entire community. The Book Shop and
administrative offices are expected to be
complete in late fall.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 29
The Class of 2002 awaits Commencement.
The Alumnae Association Welcomes
SBC's Class of 2002!
One hundred and twenty-six seniors, representing 29 states, DC, Russia, and Canada
earned degrees on Saturday, May 4 as Sweet Briar's 93rd Commencement ceremony
took place before students, faculty, families, friends, and an international Internet audi-
ence. Frederick C. Walker, acting director of human resources for the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) and father of senior Arney Walker, addressed the class on behalf of Dr.
Ruth Kirschstein, acting director of the NIH, who was unable to be present. He read the
speech Dr. Kirschstein. an influential viral researcher, had prepared, imploring the gradu-
ates to "refresh your outlook frequently, be yourself, and let what you love guide you first
and foremost."
Commencement Honors
The Emilie Watts McVea Scholar
The highest-ranking member of the Class of 2002.
Alicia Kristin Roddy, Clarksville, TN
The Presidential Medalists
The Presidential Medal recognizes seniors who have
a range of accomplishments comparable to those
associated with candidates for Rhodes, Marshall, or
Truman Scholarships. Awardees must have demon-
strated exemplary intellectual achievement.
Laura Leigh Reither, Summerville, SC;
Tia Tanya Trout, Louisa, KY
The Penelope Lane Czarra Award
This award honors the senior who best combines
scholastic achievement, student leadership, and
effective contributions to the quality of life at the
College.
Allison Victoria Gross, Minnetonka, MN
The Connie M. Guion Award
This is given to a senior for her excellence as a
human being and as a member of the College.
Rebecca Ann Lewis, Gap Mills, VW;
Jee-Yon Park, Chantilly, VA
The Walker Family Award
This award honors a senior with high scholastic
standing who has a cheerful, positive disposition
and shows warmth, generosity, and humility.
Jesse Kendyl Martin, Denver, PA;
Anya Elizabeth Moon, Hamilton, VA
The Judith Molinar Elkins Prize
The family of the late Professor Judith Elkins estab-
lished a prize to recognize the outstanding achieve-
ments of a senior majoring in the mathematical,
physical, or biological sciences, while actively par-
ticipating in the College community and demonstrat-
ing the ideals and dedication to learning exempli-
fied by the life of Professor Elkins.
Jennifer Ann McDonaugh, Onancock, VA;
Kathleen Patricia McNamara, Arlington,
VA
The Lawrence G. Nelson
Award for Excellence in English
Allison Victoria Gross, Minnetonka, MN
The Leigh Woolverton
Prize for Excellence in the Visual Arts
Joanna Marie Mullen, Clearfield, PA
The James Lewis Howe Award in
Chemistry
Laura Leigh Reither, Summerville, SC
The Pauline Roberts Otis Award in French
Nicole Eve McDaniel-Carder, Austin, TX
The Marcia Capron Award
for Excellence in French
Aja Gabrielle Grosvenor, Brooklyn, NY
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society
International Outstanding Scholar
Education Award
Sarah Elizabeth Madison, Shipman, VA
The Kathryn Haw Prize in Art History
Sophie Clemence Wackenhut, Huntsville, AL
L' Alliance Franchise de Lynchburg
Alicia Michelle Watson, Annapolis, MD
The Alpha Lambda Delta Award
Alicia Kristin Roddy, Clarksville, TN
The Jessica Steinbrenner Molloy
Award in Theatre
Lindsay Elizabeth Keller, Littleton, CO
The Anne Gary Panned Taylor
Award in History
Erica Elizabeth Munkwitz, Hatfield, PA
The W. Edward Overly Award in Spanish
Jesse Kendyl Martin, Denver, PA;
Anya Elizabeth Moon, Hamilton, VA
The Helen K. Mull
Graduate Fellowship in Psychology
Anya Elizabeth Moon, Hamilton, VA
The Martha von Briesen
Prize in Photography
Ruth Hadsel Huffman, Lexington, VA
The Jean Besselievre Boley Prize
Jillian Kristine Tremblay, St. Louis Park, MN
The Juliet Halliburton Davis
Environmental Science Award
Megan Jacqueline Ogilvie,
Dundas, Ontario, Canada
The Juliet Halliburton Davis
Environmental Studies Award
Shannon Mary-Lynn Robison, Chrisman, IL
PHI BETA KAPPA 2002
Regan Janell Blackwood, Herndon, VA
Rebecca Joy Cefarafti, LaPlata, MD
Sherry Lauren Forbes, Madison Heights, VA
Kathleen Julia Fowler, Poquoson, VA
Allison Victoria Gross, Minnetonka. MN
Jamie Eileen Henna, Burke, VA
Shelly Kay Kellogg, Gaylord, Ml
30 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Director of College Events Jacqueline (Jackie)
Dawson was honored with the Shirley P. Reid
Excellence in Service Award from the Student
Government Association. Outgoing SGA
President Tia Trout '02 presented the award.
Alexis Elizabeth Kovacs, Scottsville, NY
Jesse Kendyl Martin, Denver, PA
Jennifer Ann McDonaugh, Onancock, VA
Mariah Leakhim McGill, Middlebury, VT
Anya Elizabeth Moon, Hamilton, VA
Monique Crystal Moshier, Cherry Valley, CA
Megan Jacqueline Ogilvie, Dundas,
Ontario, Canada
Laura Leigh Reither, Summerville, SC
Alicia Kristin Roddy, Clarksville, TN
Jennifer Lane Taylor, Newberry, FL
Tia Tanya Trout, Louisa, KY
Tamara Young, Wolcott, CT
Cum Laude
Catherine Serena Bevier Basten,
Lynchburg, VA
Jennifer Lynn Burke, Greensboro, NC
Melissa Schaan Cates, Saint Charles, MO
Amy Lynn Gardner, Severna Park, MD
Donyele Bertel Gibson, Ellicott City, MD
Aja Gabrielle Grosvenor, Brooklyn, NY
Emily Doidge Harris, Greenwich, CT
Lindsay Elizabeth Keller, Littleton, CO
Rebecca Ann Lewis, Gap Mills, VW
Alicia Donaldson Markham, Durham, NC
Alicia Nicole McCartney, Piano, TX
Kathleen Patricia McNamara, Arlington, VA
Kelly Diane Monical, Charlotte, NC
Joanna Marie Mullen, Clarion, PA
Jee-Yon Park, Chantilly, VA
Shannon Mary-Lynn Robison, Chrisman, IL
Julia Marie Rowland, Houston, TX
Misa Oji Sarmento, Yuba City, CA
Elizabeth Barritt Taylor, Houston, TX
Sonya Lynn Truman, Hanover, PA
Arney Elizabeth Walker, Woodbine, MD
Alicia Michelle Watson, Annapolis, MD
Tacita Chantal Yavari, Alexandria, VA
Magna Cum Laude
Abigail Elizabeth Arnold, Marietta, OH
Erin Ruth Beazley, Amherst, VA
Paula Michelle Brice, Wallace, NC
April Scarlette Callis, Raleigh, NC
Rebecca Joy Cefaratti, LaPlata, MD
Amanda Racine Davis, Folsom, CA
Juliana Mae De Santis, Culpeper, VA
Kathleen Julia Fowler, Poquoson, VA
Leslie Carol Fretwell, Oklahoma City, OK
Kathryn Mary Gjeldum, Wheaton, IL
Jaime Eileen Henna, Burke, VA
Ruth Hadsel Huffman, Lexington, VA
Sara Esther Kaplan, Bloomington, IL
Mary Camille Litman, Harker Heights, TX
Jesse Kendyl Martin, Denver, PA
Kathryn Ann McClellan, Windsor, CT
Nicole Eve McDaniel-Carder, Austin, TX
Monique Crystal Moshier, Cherry Valley, CA
Amy Elizabeth Mullen, Clarion, PA
Erica Elizabeth Munkwitz, Hatfield, PA
Megan Jacqueline Ogilvie, Dundas,
Ontario, Canada
Leigh Anne Riddell, Slidell, LA
Elizabeth Ashley Trantham, Zebulon, NC
Jill ian Kristine Tremblay, Saint Louis Park, MN
Natasha Katherine Ungerer, Lakewood, NY
Sophie Clemence Wackenhut, Huntsville, AL
Elizabeth Anne Waring, New Bedford, MA
Tamara Young, Wolcott, CT
Summa Cum Laude
Regan Janell Blackwood, Herndon, VA
Sherry Lauren Forbes, Madison Heights, VA
Allison Victoria Gross, Minnetonka, MN
Shelly Kay Kellogg, Gaylord, Ml
Alexis Elizabeth Kovacs, Scottsville, NY
Sarah Elizabeth Madison, Shipman, VA
Jennifer Ann McDonaugh, Onancock, VA
Mariah Leakhim McGill, Middlebury, VT
Anya Elizabeth Moon, Hamilton, VA
Laura Leigh Reither, Summerville, SC
Alicia Kristin Roddy Clarksville, TN
Jennifer Lane Taylor, Newberry, FL
Tia Tanya Trout, Louisa, KY
The Honors Program, Class of
2002
Highest Honors in Biology
Catherine Serena Bevier Basten,
Lynchburg, VA
Regan Janell Blackwood, Herndon, VA
Honors Degree with
Honors in Classical Studies
Rebecca Joy Cefaratti, La Plata, MD
Highest Honors in Government
Amanda Racine Davis, Folsom, CA
High Honors in International Affairs
Sherry Lauren Forbes, Madison Heights, VA
Honors Degree with
Highest Honors in English
Allison Victoria Gross, Minnetonka, MN
Honors Degree with Honors in Government
Kathryn Ann McClellan, Windsor, CT
Honors Degree with High Honors in
English/Creative Writing
Erica Elizabeth Munkwitz, Hatfield, PA
Honors Degree with Highest Honors in
Biochemistry
Laura Leigh Reither, Summerville, SC
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Assistant Professor of Religion Cathy Gutierrez
was the 2002 recipient of the Connie Burwell
White Excellence in Teaching Award, presented
by Jee-Yon Park '02, chairman of the College's
Academic Affairs Committee.
Fall 2002 • 31
SBC's newest alumnae recess
between lines of applauding
faculty.
Honors Degree with Highest
Honors in Government
Leigh Anne Riddell, Slidell, LA
Honors Degree with Highest
Honors in Biology
Natasha Katherine Ungerer,
Lake wood, NY
CLASS OF 2002
Alumnae Relatives and Turning Point Students
Tia Trout; sister Tamara Trout '01 Julia Rowland; mother Victoria
Nalle Rowland '66
Elizabeth Taylor; sister Kathryn
Taylor '99
Megan Ogilvie; sister Caroline
Ogilvie '04
Monique Moshier; sister Michelle Erin Beazley; sister Sarah Ogden '00
Moshier '05
Sophie Wackenhut; sister Anne-
Claire Wackenhut '98
Melissa Rudder; cousin Catherine "Bunny" Brown '49;
Walter Brown H '49
*rj*
/
Susan Seitz Jackson; aunt Lola T. Bailey TP '95 (L);
mother Bonnie Seitz TP '01 (R)
Commencement photos by Charles Grubbs
FOUR MAJORS IN CLASSICAL STUDIES: THE LARGEST
NUMBER EVER IN ONE GRADUATING CLASS!
L-r: Sonya Truman; Kathleen Fowler; Leslie Fretwell;
Rebecca Cefaratti
32 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.5bc.edu
e 1 1 e r s and
m a
Recent magazine article
I read wifh great Interest in
the most recent alumnae maga-
zine [Spring 2002] an article
about Mindy Weisel [who pub-
lished a journal, Touching Quiet
of her 1 992 residency as an
artist at the VCCA ] and now
can't find my copy of the maga-
zine to refer to. More specifical-
ly, it mentioned a New York
musician named Joelle Wallach
who had written a piece about
Sweet Briar [while also at the
VCCA]. Could you please email
me a copy of that article so that
I can refer to it when I contact
Ms. Wallach concerning her
music? Thank you for your assis-
tance.
— Beth Ann Bradford Amico '81
Centennial Issue
Very Handsome
Dear Nancy and all of you
who put this issue and the video
together,
This is a very tardy thank you
for all the effort you put into this
magazine. Also the video. The
magazine was very handsome
and I enjoyed all the photos and
the articles about some of the
professors and distinguished
alumnae. And I compliment the
College for putting on such a
gala affair. I wish I could have
been there but your publication
and video gave me an idea just
how festive it was.
It never occurred to me when
I was a student at the College
just how young it was. I dia
realize, however, just how limit-
ed the facilities were. I am cer-
tainly glad the College has
made all the additions it has
over the years. I am glad I
attended when some of the old
formalities were observed. The
Southern ambiance was a
delightful novelty to me. Perhaps
that is why Savannah appealed
so much to me when we moved
South.
My best wishes to you and I
look forward to future issues of
the Sweet Briar Magazine.
— Shirley Houseman Nordhem
'42
All The Renovations Going On
I received the [Spring 02]
Alumnae Magazine last Friday
and read with interest about the
Prothro Complex [new Student
Commons] and all the other ren-
ovations going on. The whole
college community must be
thrilled and I'm sure we alums
would love to have had all those
amenities in our day too.
— Rebecca Faxon Knowles '55
My father with the first
Amherst County students
Dear Mrs. Zingaro,
Thank you for sending the copy
of the Reunion Service of
Remembrance and your letter.
I've been humming "For All the
Saints." Another sister and I are
pleased that Elizabeth Gray '33
left a bequest to Sweet Briar for
a scholarship. I went to Sweet
Briar on a scholarship and it
meant a great deal to me.
I've enjoyed the Alumnae
Magazine, especially Vol. 72,
No. 2 [Centennial issue],
because it pictures my father
Arthur Gray, Jr., with the first
Amherst County students.
— Ellen Douglas Gray Wilson '45
Ed. Note: Seep.7,
Centennial issue for Arthur
Gray, Jr., tutor, with students.
Reunion '02 Service
Of Remembrance
To: alumnae@sbc.edu
Thank you for the Order of
Service of 1 9 May; what a very
special annual service, certainly
a unique part of Reunion. It is
ng and a jo
for us to kn
our mother was remembered by
the college she loved.
— The Family of Helen
Carruthers Hackwell '35
Thanks So Much
Thanks so much for the arti-
cle in the alum magazine
[Spotlight: "Scientist Stitches a
New Career," Spring 02]. It
looks great, and has already
generated some terrific contacts!
I really appreciate it! Warm
regards,
— Denton Freeman Kump '88,
"Poesis, Inc."
INDEED comforting and a joy-
ous new memory for us to know
Trip was wonderful
Greetings. The trip was won-
derful! Ireland [Alumni College
in Ireland 7/14-22] provided
perfect weather — no rain from
the time we landed until we
were on the bus back to
Shannon at the end of the week,
and our Irish hosts were very
thoughtful, knowledgeable, and
a lot of fun. And the group was
great. We all decided that we
want to go on another trip with
Jonathan [Professor Green] as
the Sweet Briar host — how about
music in Italy? My mother and I
had a great time exploring
together. Ireland is exceptionally
beautiful. It was also wonderful
to meet alumnae from other
classes. The trip provided an
opportunity that simply wouldn't
have been available any other
way. I will read all of the alum-
nae notes in the future with
much more appreciation. AHI
and the folks on the ground
really did a good job. The pac-
ing was just right, and the con-
cept of staying in one place with
day trips was a brilliant idea.
Our thanks to Sweet Briar for
making it possible. Best wishes,
— Norvell Jones, the younger
i'67]
What A Wonderful Job Your
Alums Do
(E-mail received by
Admissions Office)
Hello, my name is Amanda
Turner and I attend Moorestown
Friends School in Moorestown,
New Jersey. I visited Sweet Briar
at the beginning of the fall last
year and both my parents and I
loved it. This fall I was up in
Nantucket for a family reunion
and was in a store and one of
your alums was shopping as
well and she overheard me talk-
ing about how wonderful Sweet
Briar is. She immediately started
talking to me as if I were a good
friend. She was so kind ana
advised not only on selecting
Sweet Briar but also on the col-
lege experience in general.
Unfortunately I did not receive
her name but I thought that you
would like to know what a won-
derful job your alums do in the
area of promoting the school. I
was wondering, do you allow
prospective students to have
interviews with you during the
summer? If so when and now
should I go about scheduling
one? Thank you for taking the
time to read my letter ana I am
looking forward to working with
you in the future. Sincerely,
— Amanda Turner
Judy Sorley Chalmers' ('59)
Work In NYC After 9/11
How moved I was to read my
classmate's story of her work in
NYC. Her journal was the most
comprehensive and human of
the stories we have read. It
might interest her and you to
know that I live near Gander,
Newfoundland with a popula-
tion of 6,000. In a few short
hours we had 30-some planes in
Gander with 1 4,000 people
diverted here.
As an American I was des-
perate to do something because
we all felt so helpless and far
away. So I was cooking too, but
only for a week at our church
camp where we had 220 people
off a flight destined for
Philadelphia from Paris. Every
school and church was occupied
with stranded passengers and
the local people provided bed-
ding, food, and often their
homes for these friends. Many
close friendships and connec-
tions were formed and I often
wondered if there was anyone
in the area I knew or any SBC
alumnae stranded here, but you
got to know best the group that
was staying where you were
working.
Please convey my apprecia-
tion to Judy and if possible send
me her e-mail or address.
Many thanks,
— Kathy Tyler Sheldon '59
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 33
n Memoriam
HBW as pictured in the Summer 1983 Alumnae Magazine
Harold Bartlett Whiteman, Jr.
It is with tremendous sad-
ness that we report the
death of Dr. Harold B.
Whiteman, Jr., sixth president
of Sweet Briar College. He
died May 6, 2002 in Nashville.
Tennessee after a long illness.
Dr. Whiteman, born April
22. 1920 in Nashville, served
as Sweet Briar's president from
July 1971 to June 1983. In
addition to his responsibilities
as president, he served as pro-
fessor of history at Sweet Briar
beginning in 1973. He also
served on the Board for the
Virginia Center for the Creative
Arts (VCCA) for many years,
having held the office of treas-
urer in the early "90s.
Dr. Whiteman had an exten-
sive educational background.
He attended the Montgomery
Bell Academy in Nashville
from 1930 to 1934; the Taft
School in Watertown.
Connecticut from 1934 to
1937; Yale University, where
34 • Fall 2002
he received his B.A. in 1941.
graduating magna cum laude.
Phi Beta Kappa; Vanderbilt
University from which he
received a master's degree in
political science in 1948; and
Yale University where he
received his Ph.D in 1958 in
international relations. Dr.
Whiteman was in the U.S.
Army as a special services offi-
cer of the Air Transport
Command in Africa from 1942
to 1946, when he was dis-
charged with the rank of major.
Always the scholar/teacher,
he taught mathematics at the
Taft School in 1946-47 and
served as a teaching fellow at
Vanderbilt during 1947-48.
From 1948-1964. he was dean
of the freshman year and asso-
ciate dean at Yale University.
Named assistant to the presi-
dent at New York University in
1964. he remained at NYU as
vice chancellor for student
affairs until his appointment to
the Sweet Briar presidency in
1971.
Following the Sweet Briar
years. Dr. Whiteman worked in
development for the Yale
Divinity School (1983-85) and
in development for
Montgomery Bell Academy
(1985-89). A lifelong sports
enthusiast, the 1940 captain of
the Yale football team was
especially fond of sailing and
was an avid tennis player.
Lasting tributes were made
on the occasion of his retire-
ment by a number of faculty,
staff, and alumnae in an article
entitled "The Whiteman
Years. . .A Man for All
Seasons" in the Summer 1983
Alumnae Magazine. He is
greatly missed, but we give
thanks for his life, for his lead-
ership, and for his devotion to
Sweet Briar College.
He is survived by his wife,
Edith "Deedie" Uhler Davis
Whiteman; three children,
Harold Bartlett Whiteman III,
Maclin Davis Whiteman. and
Priscilla Whiteman Kellert;
three grandchildren; three step-
grandchildren; and one step-
great-grandchild.
A memorial service is
planned, to be held during the
Fall Alumnae Council meetings
in the Sweet Briar Memorial
Chapel. For anyone wishing to
send a memorial gift, the fami-
ly asks that gifts be made to
The Harold B. Whiteman, Jr.
Scholarship Fund at Sweet
Briar.
Helen Hudson McMahon '23
1902-2002
Helen McMahon. known
fondly as "Helen Mac"
by generations of
Sweet Briar alumnae, faculty
and staff, passed away on
August 6th at the Briarwood
Home in Amherst, VA.
The eldest of five children,
she was raised in Huntington.
WV. Shortly after World War I,
she entered Sweet Briar, gradu-
ating with a major in English.
Helen Mac taught school in
Huntington until 1938. then
returned to Sweet Briar to
serve as director of the
Alumnae Association until
1947. During this time, she
became interested in summer
camping for girls, and for a
number of summers worked at
a girls' camp owned by a
Sweet Briar professor near
White Sulphur Springs. WV.
There she learned the basics of
camp management.
In 1947. Helen Mac took
over management of the Sweet
Briar Book Shop, holding this
position until retirement in
1 97 1 . After World War II, she
built a house on campus and
purchased a girls' camp near
Little Switzerland, NC, which
she and Jeanette "Dan" Boone
ran for many years. They never
had trouble finding camp coun-
selors, as Sweet Briar students
eagerly sought summer jobs
there.
In 1974, she received the
Outstanding Alumna Award.
Enumeration of her many con-
tributions included praise for
her Book Shop regime, build-
ing new quarters while continu-
ing the Book Shop's support of
the scholarship program.
As a pillar of the Amherst
County Sweet Briar Club, she
provided ideas and muscle for
everything from bake sales to
house tours to buffet lunches.
She was called upon to deco-
rate Sweet Briar House and
Wailes Center, man booths on
Amherst County Day and at the
Christmas Bazaar, assist in fire
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • wwwalumnae. sbc.edu
drills.... and she was 1923's
fund agent.
Age eventually caught up
with Helen Mac; she sold her
camp. Glen Laurel, but she and
Dan continued to live in their
campus home, which was ever
welcoming to alumnae and the
Sweet Briar community at
large. Summers were spent in
Little Switzerland and travel-
ing.
During the late '70s. Helen
Mac worked closely with Ann
Whitley '47 to create the Sweet
Briar Museum. Over a long
period, she gathered historic
materials, kept an office at the
Museum, and filled the files
with important data that other-
wise would have been lost to
the College.
In 2001. she was honored
with one of only 22 Centennial
Awards, presented during the
April Centennial Gala
Celebration.
Health considerations forced
a move to the Briarwood Home
(then Ryan's Nursing Home) at
age 89. This past April 23. she
celebrated her 100th birthday
there.
She is survived by a brother.
Joseph McMahon; sister,
Catherine McMahon Haegy;
niece, Mary Meade Boxley Utt;
nephews Charlie Meade,
Robert C. Meade, A. Davis
Meade; and a number of great-
and great-great-nieces and
nephews.
By Ann Marshall Whitley '47
A Memorial Service will be
held in the Sweet Briar Chapel,
date to be determined.
Memorial contributions may
be made to the Sweet Briar
College Museum.
Antoinette Nelson
Sweet Briar lost a longtime
fond friend with the March 1 8
death of Antoinette ("Toni")
Dalton Nelson, 88, of
Lynchburg. She was the widow
of Sweet Briar English
Professor Lawrence ("Larry")
G. Nelson.
Toni. who earned a master's
degree from the University of
Michigan in 1936. was also a
member of the Sweet Briar fac-
ulty, teaching Latin in the
Classics Department (1961-65).
She offered private piano les-
sons to Sweet Briar students,
and worked part-time for many
years in the Admissions Office,
interviewing prospective stu-
dents. She taught at her alma
mater, Randolph-Macon
Woman's College as well, and
u as a docent at its Maier
Museum of Arts.
Toni was a dedicated mem-
ber of and contributor to Sweet
Briar's Friends of the Library
and a member of the Women's
Club of Lynchburg, the
American Association of
University Women, and St.
John's Episcopal Church in
Lynchburg.
She is survived by one
daughter. Judith Nelson of
Boston. MA; one son. Lars
Nelson, of Glen Allen. VA; one
brother, Robert Dalton of New
York City; and two grand-
daughters, Lori Nelson and
Jennifer Nelson.
Recent Deaths
1933
Katherine Le Blond
Mrs. Katherine L. Farquhar
1940
January 26, 2002
Corolie Kahn
1950
Peachey Lillard
Mrs. W. P. Manning, Jr.
SPEC
Margaret Ham
April 19, 2002
Mrs. Michael P. Ferro
May 24, 2002
Miss Margaret Ham
1934
Louise Rogers
April 30, 2002
1952
Susan Hobson
April 9, 1991
Mrs. Grady C. Frank
1942
Elizabeth Duffield
Mrs. Colin W. McCord
1923
Jane Guignard
April 14, 2002
Mrs. Wayne D. Fajans
March 11, 2002
Mrs. J. G. Curry
1935
Virginia Cunningham
Date unknown
1956
Jane Black
May 30, 2002
Mrs. Valentine Brookes
1943
Corinne Howell
Jane Black Clark
1926
Gertrude Collins
February 17, 2002
Mrs. Charles Nelson, Jr.
July 20, 2002
Mrs. Eric H. Calnan
n i 1
1935
Margaret Glover
May 15, 2002
1956
Mary Ann Edens
Date unknown
Mrs. M. G. Paddock
1943
Patricia Robineau
Mrs. Jefferson D. Wingfield, Jr
1928
Louise Conklin
January 16, 2002
Mrs. John 1. B. McCulloch
May 1,2002
Mrs. David H. Knowles
1935
Elizabeth Hamilton
Date unknown
1956
Frances Gilbert
February 7, 2002
Mrs. Madison Hunt
1944
Dorothy Denny
Mrs. Herbert H. Browne, Jr.
1928
Marion Jayne
September 11, 2001
Mrs. F Edmund Sutton
July 19, 2002
Mrs. Carlos Berguido, Jr.
1935
Catharine Taylor
March 22, 2002
1958
Shirley McCallum
May 13, 2002
Mrs. Catharine T. Manning
1944
Betty Van Dusen
Mrs. Shirley M. Davis
1928
Elizabeth Jones
March 20, 1996
Mrs. John S. Samson
February 10,2002
Mrs. Courtney Shands
1935
Mary Wynn
December 22, 2001
1961
Sue Sands
January 27, 2002
Mrs. Daniel G. Talbot
1945
Mary Catherine Waddell
Mrs. John E. McWilliams
1928
Bonnie Mathews
June 29, 2001
Mrs. William P. Spencer
September 7, 2001
Mrs. John M. Wisdom
1937
Eleanor Wright
November 30, 2001
1968
Barbara Johnson
February 8, 2002
Mrs. William S. R. Beane III
1947
Susan Durrett
Mrs. James E. Prickett
1928
Virginia Van Winkle
May 24, 2002
Mrs. Frank Ambuhl
April 26, 2002
Mrs. John B. Morlidge, Jr.
II 1 n / nnnn
1938
Cecily Jansen
May 4, 2002
1971
Margaret Gilmer
March 26, 2002
Mrs. Charles R. Kendrick
1947
Patricia Knapp
Mrs. Henry M. Cook
Mrs. John C. Kerr
1929
Sue Brooke
December 4, 2001
Date unknown
Miss Sue H. Brooke
1938
Anne Walker
Date unknown
2001
Katherine Leigh Sturtz
June 29, 2002
Mrs. Blake T. Newton, Jr.
1949
Gratia Boice
Miss Katherine Leigh Sturtz
1929
Evaline Edmonds
May 26, 2002
Mrs. Gratia B. Smith
June 10, 2002
Mrs. Carl E. Thoma
1939
Ann N. B. Parks
May 11, 2002
If you
wish to mite to a member of the
April 18, 2002
Miss Ann N. B. Parks
1949
Mary McKinney
Mrs. McKinney Herrick
family of someone recently deceased,
1931
Virginia Quintard
June 21, 2002
please
contact the Alumnae Office for
Mrs. Edward L. Bond
1940
Margaret Caperton
February 12, 2002
name
md address.
January 22, 2002
Mrs. William Ranken
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 35
Spotlight
The
Yale Medal
Awarded to
Walter H. Brown
'45W
Many have heeded the call
"For God. For Country and for
Yale," but few with greater
understanding of genuine
friendship and the inclusion of
all. Through your strength of
character and tireless energy,
you were able to galvanize the
brave but war-disrupted class
of 1 945 W into becoming one
of Yale's most unified and
notable cohorts of alumni.
As the 50th and 55th Reunion
Gift Chair of your class, you
combined tenacity with a leg-
endary appetite for personal
travel, crossing the country to
encourage and motivate your
fellow volunteers and class-
mates. Your leadership has
extended beyond your class as
Director and President of the
Yale Club of Central New
Jersey, as Vice Chairman of the
Yale Alumni Board and as a
member of the Yale
Development Board.
We are indeed fortunate to
count you as an alumnus of
this University, and the AYA is
proud to recognize your out-
standing commitment by con-
ferring upon you its highest
honor, the Yale Medal.
Robert C. Levin
President of the University
Maureen O. Doran
Chair of the Association of
Yale Alumni
Walter Brown; President Levin; Chair of the Association of Yale Alumni Maureen O. Doran
Walter H. Brown Receives Yale's Highest
Award
April 26, 2002. Walter Brown, former
chairman of Sweet Briar's Board of
Directors, husband of Catherine "Bunny"
Bamett Brown '49. and honorary member
of the Class of '49. received yet another
honor. He was presented with the Yale
Medal, the highest award given for "out-
standing service to Yale."
At left is the accompanying resolution.
Not to be outdone, the Sweet Briar
Alumnae Association Board at its April
meeting passed its own resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Association,
assembled on April 20. 2002. acknowl-
edges with deep pride and approval the
honor bestowed upon Walter H. Brown by
his alma mater. Yale University. In April
2002. during the Spring Assembly of the
Association of Yale Alumni. Walter was
the recipient of the Yale Medal, the highest
award given by the University, in recogni-
tion of "outstanding service to Yale."
The Board of the Sweet Briar College
Alumnae Association wishes to express
warmest congratulations to our Walter
Brown. Honorary Member of the Sweet
Briar College Class of 1949. to salute him
and to celebrate with him this most recent
accolade in his ever-growing record of
service and accomplishment. They do so
now by way of this Resolution to be
recorded in the official Minutes and to be
transmitted to him.
Diane Dalton '67
President
Sweet Briar College
Alumnae Association
Louise Swiecki Zingaro '80
Director
Sweet Briar College
Alumnae Association
Congratulations. Walter!
36 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
2001 Outstanding Alumna Award To
Nannette McBurney Crowdus '57
Introduction ofHonoree at
Reunion Convocation, May 18,
2002 by Diane Dalton '67.
president of the Alumnae
Association
t is my great privilege, as
president of the Alumnae
Association, to present the
Outstanding Alumna Award,
one of Sweet Briar College's
most prestigious honors. This
annual award recognizes an
alumna who has given out-
standing volunteer service to
Sweet Briar. The winner of the
2001 award is Nannette
McBurney Crowdus of the
Class of 1957.
We are delighted that many
of Nannette 's family are here
today on this happy occasion.
I'd also like to give a special
welcome to Nannette 's class-
mates who are here celebrating
the 45th Reunion.
As a student at Sweet Briar.
Nannette was involved in many
facets of campus life - the
Dance Club; Choreography;
Choir; the World Affairs Club;
Tau Phi: the Sweet Briar News,
as editor; the Senior Show, as
co-author; the Briar Patch, for
which she was feature editor:
and the May Court. Elected to
Phi Beta Kappa, she obtained
her degree in British History,
graduating magna cum laude
with highest honors in history.
The 1957 Briar Patch notes
many qualities that are even
more evident today: "...consci-
entious and enthusiastic edi-
tor....ingenious way with
words... enviable facility for
acquiring knowledge... adept
organizer... dependable for a
job well done... satisfaction is
the reward of thoroughness. . ."
After graduating. Nannette
married William Warren
Crowdus II. As the couple
raised their two children and
moved around the country.
Nannette was wife, mother, and
volunteer extraordinaire for
Sweet Briar and for the Junior
League, the American Red
Cross, and the Boston and
Chicago Symphonies. She also
pursued graduate studies at the
Wharton School of Business at
the University of Pennsylvania,
Boston College, and
Washington University, and
built a very impressive profes-
sional record. She has been
director of public information
for the American Red Cross: a
director of the McBurney
Corporation; a realtor: director
of sales and marketing for the
National Association of
Realtors; a consultant to the
real estate industry: and a
regional manager for the Worth
Collection.
Nannette has demonstrated
her devotion to Sweet Briar,
from the day she arrived on
campus as a student through
her years as an alumna. She has
been a leader in many areas,
from involvement in club activ-
ities in the communities in
w hich she has lived, to service
on the College's Board of
Directors and on the Alumnae
Association Board, serving as
president from 1989 to 1992.
During her tenure, the Alumnae
Association developed its first
Strategic Plan, which has
served as a template for future
plans.
Currently in her position as
chairman of planned giving on
the Alumnae Association
Board, she has raised to a new
level an understanding of the
importance of planned giving
to the College. Referring to
Sweet Briar's founder. Indiana
Resolution
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the Sweet Briar College
Alumnae Association, assembled on April 20, 2002, acknowl-
edges with gratitude the historic contributions that Nannette
McBurney Crowdus. Class of 1957, has made to Sweet Briar
College. She has served with distinction in positions on the
local, regional, and national levels including her leadership as
President of the Alumnae Association from 1989-1992. In her
present position as Chair of Planned Giving, she has been
instrumental in educating alumnae about the importance of
planned gifts to the life of the College. The 2001 Outstanding
Alumna Award conferred upon Nannette recognizes that her
impact upon the College is immeasurable.
The Board of the Alumnae Association wishes to express its
deepest appreciation to Nannette for her extraordinary leader-
ship which has led our beloved alma mater forward in the
ranks of the leading colleges in the nation. They do so by way
of this Resolution to be recorded in the official Minutes and to
be transmitted to her.
— Diane Dalton '67
President. Sweet Briar College Alumnae Association
— Louise Swiecki Zingaro '80
Director. Sweet Briar College Alumnae Association
Fletcher Williams, who wished
to prepare women to be "useful
members of society," Nannette
noted: "I can think of nothing
more useful or responsible than
planning for the future of those
you love." Nannette has kept
Sweet Briar College high on
the list of those she loves and
to our great pride, was a
national spokesperson on
behalf of all charitable giving
when she spoke from the steps
of the U.S. Capitol in October
2001. promoting legislation on
charitable donations.
She is one of our chief fund-
raisers, cheerleaders, organiz-
ers, hostesses... in short, as a
classmate remarked, "Nannette
lives, breathes, and eats Sweet
Briar."
By conferring upon her the
2001 Outstanding Alumna
Award, we recognize that
Sweet Briar is blessed to be the
beneficiary of her dedication.
Before Nannette came forward
to receive her award. President
Muhlenfeld stepped to the podi-
um. Indicating a huge vase of
roses placed stage right, she
said: "Nannette. it is my pleas-
ure to present you with these
lovely roses from your class-
mates. I understand that there
are 4? of them - one for each
year of sen ice. The card reads:
'Congratulations on an honor
well deserved, long overdue -
we appreciate your efforts for
the College and keeping the
Class of 1957 on top. Hugs to
you from your Colleague and
the Class of 1957.'"
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www alumnae. sbc edu
Fall 2002 • 37
Nannette McBumey Crowdus '57
Accepts the 2001 Outstanding Alumna Award
Thank you so very much. Betsy,
Diane. Louise, everyone - thank
you, and my special thanks to the
Alumnae Association for this generous
recognition and for this memorable day. To
share this moment with my classmates in
the Fabulous Class of 1957 and other
friends present today adds immensely to a
joyous occasion, not to mention the pleas-
ure it gives me to be able to acknowledge
publicly all the kind words and thoughtful
deeds that have come my way since I was
named Outstanding Alumna of 2001 .
My family is here today also and I want
you to meet them, because I am very proud
of them. Wisely they decided that it is
unlikely that anything this grand will hap-
pen to me again any time soon, so they
have turned up en masse, to my great
delight. I am going to embarrass them
completely by asking them to stand when I
call their names so you can have a good
look at them.
First, the Yale graduate who journeyed
from Quantico, VA to Washington and Lee
to have a blind date with a senior at Sweet
Briar in the fall of 1956, my husband of
almost 45 years, Bill Crowdus, retired mar-
keting executive and now woodworker,
gardener, and chef extraordinaire, who has
always been and continues to be, the wind
beneath my wings. Without his support and
encouragement. I would not be standing
here today.
Next, our son Warren, a graduate of
Washington and Lee and the Law School
of the University of Chicago, now a senior
international tax partner with Baker and
McKenzie in its Washington, DC office.
With him is our daughter-in-law, Barbara
Louise Rollinson. who received her B.A.
from Wellesley College and her Ph.D in
Economics from Duke. Lou is a partner in
a firm in DC that handles international tax
matters, so if you need some help with
"I belong to
Sweet Briar and
Sweet Briar
belongs to me.
38 • Fall 2002
//
international taxes and regulations, you
now have two experienced people to turn
to for advice. By the way, on May 4, Lou
was named Volunteer Alumna of the Year
at National Cathedral School for Girls in
Washington. I can't take credit for her
genes, but I can be very, very proud of her.
Warren and Lou have brought William
Warren Crowdus IV. a student at Concord
Hill School in Bethesda. who will be six
next month, and Elizabeth Louise
Crowdus, four and a half. Class of 2020.
Our daughter Carol Crowdus Barbour
earned her B.A. from Colgate, her M.A.
from Northwestern and her MBA from the
University of Chicago. Currently she is
national sales manager and vice president
of Endowments and Foundations at J.P.
Morgan Chase in New York. You need
$400 million in assets to talk to her. Her
husband Jeff Barbour, a graduate of the
University of Illinois, is a partner in
Berkshire Wine Importers, bringing in
wine from all over the world, so if you
own a vineyard, he's your man. That's his
day job. He is also a professional classical
singer. They live in Wilton. CT with
Katherine Alice Barbour, now two and a
half. Class of 2022. I can take partial credit
for Carol's genes, so I am pleased to tell
you that she is a former president of the
Dana Hall School Alumnae Association.
My sister is here from New York -
Olivia McBurney McGregor, Sweet Briar
Class of 1965. To those of you in the
Classes of 1962 and 1967. she was also
known to some as "Wiggie" and was busy
with Paint and Patches.
And - from Atlanta, my big brother,
Willard McBurney and his wife Darla.
There is a secret I want to share with
you: Nobody becomes outstanding by her-
self. There are so many individuals who
have led me to this moment. Teachers,
mentors, examples, friends and oh. yes,
family. The Alumnae Association has
named 45 outstanding alumnae. Just read-
ing the list of names brings images of lead-
ers, pioneers, innovators, and steadfast sup-
porters of everything Sweet Briar exempli-
fies. I have known and admired 29 of
them. Being chosen to join that august
group is truly an overwhelming honor.
There are two I deeply admire here today:
Nannette Crowdus accepts Outstanding
Alumna Award
Ann Marshall Whitley, Class of 1947 and
Kitchie Roseberry Tolleson. Class of 1952.
Also here for 50th Reunion is the
Distinguished Alumna of 2001 who was
recognized last fall at Alumnae Council.
Joanne Holbrook Patton. Class of 1952.
On a Friday morning last summer.
Louise Zingaro. director of the Alumnae
Association, left a message on our answer-
ing machine, saying she wanted to talk
with me. but she would call again. We
played telephone tag most of the day, and
that afternoon, when I was on the phone
with my sister, call waiting beeped.
Thinking it might be Louise. I put my sis-
ter on hold, and answered. Indeed it was
Louise, and her first words were "Have
you gotten your mail today?" "Yes, we
have," I replied. "Well, I guess this can
wait till Monday," she said. By this time, I
was becoming nervous. Had something so
important happened at the College that
they are telling me in writing by snail
mail? So I said, "Louise, what is going
on?" Her reply was pure Louise: "I can't
stand it. I have to tell you that you have
been named the Outstanding Alumna of
2001 and you will be recognized during
your 45th Reunion next May." Surprised?
Astonished? Overcome? You bet. When I
got back on the line with my sister, I was
trying so hard not to cry that the poor thing
could hardly understand what I was saying.
Then I told Bill about Louise's call — tears
again — and from that moment, he has told
anyone who would listen.
The journey to this moment began in
the spring of my junior year in high school,
when my mother and I made the obligatory
trip to visit colleges. During that brief visit.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Nannette's family on hand to congratulate her
I knew that Sweet Briar College was where
I belonged. It was an epiphany that many
of us acknowledge and express about
Sweet Briar. That sense of place I discov-
ered from the beginning has grown and has
been a part of my consciousness from that
moment. There is a feeling of possession: I
belong to Sweet Briar and Sweet Briar
belongs to me. Indiana Fletcher Williams'
dream of founding a college that offered
"an education to prepare young women to
be useful members of society" has become
incarnate in the magnificent buildings set
on these green fields and hills. But more
importantly, her vision is realized in the
fruit of this college: those who come, who
study, who meet new ideas hospitably, who
follow paths others have traveled, and who
go forth on their own paths to make a dif-
ference in this world, leaving footprints for
others to follow. This place and our experi-
ences here endure and shape our lives.
I've often said that the only job I have
ever held that I was trained for was presi-
dent of the Alumnae Association and was I
trained! The continuum of directors of the
Alumnae Association started for me with
Elizabeth "Jackie" Bond Wood, Class of
1934. who trained Ann Morrison Reams,
Class of 1942, who trained our own Louise
Zingaro, Class of 1980. All trained me, at
one time or another, starting during my
time on the Alumnae Board in the '70s.
Also serving as role models and mentors
were various presidents of the Association
through the years and members of the
Alumnae Board. Being president of the
Alumnae Association and a member of
Sweet Briar's Board of Directors are the
high points of my career, volunteer and
professional. There is nothing in my expe-
rience to compare with the devotion of all
the individuals involved in providing lead-
ership, oversight, and governance for this
college. All share the same agenda: what-
ever is best for Sweet Briar, her mission,
and her students. It has indeed been a priv-
ilege to serve Sweet Briar with them.
Have I mentioned the Class of 1957?
The Fabulous Class of 1957? Now, there
are classes among you out there that think
they are special, but — the Class of 1957
really is. Let me tell you about a truly out-
standing group of women.
There are 1 37 of us now. and most of us
spent four halcyon years together here,
learning what we needed to be who we are
today. We arrived from all over the world,
usually by train, with trunks, not comput-
ers and stereos. The culture shock of
Eastern prep school versus Southern belles
resolved itself, as the trench coats and knee
socks group learned about hoop skirts and
vice versa. During those years from 1953
to 1957, one of the step-singing songs that
was traditionally sung by the seniors
praised evolution. Remember that one?
One line thanked evolution for having
taken "the Class of '57, an embryonic
mass, and turned it by a miracle into a sen-
ior class."
Well, let me assure you that evolution
has continued to do wonderful things for
the Class of 1957, because we have
evolved into an astonishing array of tal-
ents, skills, and successes. We have doc-
tors, both medical and academic; we have
published poets, authors, professors and
photographers; we have artists who not
only paint, but sell their works from gal-
Recipients of the Outstanding Alumna Award
1968 SBC's first graduates, Class of 1910:
Anne Cumnock Miller';
Eugenia Griffin Burnett';
Louise Hooper Ewetl * ;
Frances Murrell Rickards*;
Annie Powell Hodges*
1969 Edna Lee Gilchrist '26*
1970 Gladys Wester Horton '30
1971 Mary Huntington Harrison '30'
1972 Phoebe Rowe Peters '31*
1973 Edith Durrell Marshall '21*
1974 Florence Freeman Fowler '19*
and Helen H. McMahon '23*
1975 Elizabeth Prescott Balch '28*
1976 Juliet Halliburton Burnett Davis '35
1977 Martha von Briesen '31 and
Jacquelyn Strickland Dwelle '35*
1978 Dorothy Nicholson Tate '38*
1979 Martha Lou Lemmon Stohlman '34
1980 Dale Hutter Harris '53
1981 Ann Marshall Whitley '47
1982 Preston Hodges Hill '49
1983 Mary Elizabeth Doucett Neill '41
1984 Nancy Dowd Burton '46* and Jane
Roseberry Ewald Tolleson '52
1985 Julia Sadler de Coligny '34*
1986 Adelaide Boze Glascock '40 and Sarah
Adams Bush '43*
1987 Julia Gray Saunders Michaux '39
1988 Evelyn Dillard Grones '45*
1 989 Anne Noyes Awtrey Lewis '43 and Catharine
Fitzgerald Booker'47*
1990 Margaret Sheffield Martin '48
1991 Sara Shallenberger Brown '32
1992 Catherine Barnett Brown '49
1993 Ann Samford Upchurch '48*
1994 Clare Newman Blanchard '60 and
Mildred Newman Thayer '61
1995 Helen Murchison Lane '46 and
Adeline Jones Voorhees '46
1996 Alice Cary Farmer Brown '59
1997 Julia Mills Jacobsen '45
1998 Elizabeth Trueheart Harris '49
1 999 Allison Stemmons Simon '63
2000 Sara Finnegan Lycett '61
2001 Nannetle McBurney Crowdus '57
'deceased
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 39
leries and shows; we have entrepreneurs
who own steamboats, hotels, bed and
breakfasts, restaurants, a world class resort
and farms; we have lawyers, marketing
executives and insurance agents; we have
philanthropists and fund-raisers; we have
chairmen, presidents and members of just
about every kind of volunteer organiza-
tion. The Class of 1957 has provided eight
members of Sweet Briar's Board of
Directors: Anna "Chips" Chao Pai (anoth-
er Distinguished Alumna), Jody Raines
Brinkley, Carol McMurtry Fowler, Anne
Wilson Rowe and Flo Barclay Winston.
Cynthia Wilson Frenzel Ottaway's hus-
band. John Ottaway, served with distinc-
tion, as did Jane Pinckney Hanahan's
brother. Coates Pinckney. Dr. Aileen Laing
is Sweet Briar's professor of art history
emerita. Not only are there generations of
students who have been led with wit and
scholarship through art history by our
classmate, but thanks to Ninie, all of us
have learned the story of Ralph Adams
Cram, one of the most famous American
architects, and his design for Sweet Briar.
Mary Anne Wilson, who will retire in
2002, has put Sweet Briar's Junior Year in
Spain on the radar screen with the finest
study programs abroad during her years as
director. Nancy Godwin Baldwin has been
dean of admissions and is the editor of our
Alumnae Magazine. To be considered out-
standing from such a group is truly a hum-
bling experience, but understand that being
among outstanding people enables each to
become even more outstanding.
You have honored me today because I
have devoted a part of my life to Sweet
Briar. Believe me, I have received much
more than I have given. The relationships,
the experiences, and the challenges I have
enjoyed could perhaps have been found in
some other endeavors, but I found them by
being involved with an institution I love
and respect. Sweet Briar has always been
"True North" for me, and by that, I mean a
destination that is physical, intellectual,
and emotional; a compelling idea that
demanded my support; and a place which
has always rewarded me with a feeling of
fulfillment. It is somewhat amazing to be
thanked so graciously by all of you for
serving this place we hold in our hearts.
And you know what? I wouldn't have
missed any of it for the world. Thank you
so very much.
Thanks for the Memories!
Reunion Service of Remembrance
Sunday, May 19, 2001
Dr. Guy Brewer, Chaplain,
Sweet Briar College
II thank my God every time I remem-
ber you. In all my prayers for all of
you I always pray with joy because
of your partnership in the gospel from the
first day until now. being confident of this,
that he who began a good work in you will
bring it to completion. And this is my
prayer: that your love may abound more
and more in knowledge and depth of
insight, so that you may be able to discern
what is best."
(Philippians 1:3-6.9-10)
When Wilfred Brown applied for a jani-
tor's position at Andrew Jackson High
School, he ran into a brick wall. Mr.
Munson. the principal, was firm and to the
point.
"Wilfred, since you can't read and
write, we can't use you. We will not have
an illiterate person working at Andrew
Jackson High School."
Wilfred took the rejection in stride. He
went the next day to the local mill and
hired on as a laborer. Because he was such
a good worker, Wilfred became shift fore-
man at the mill when his boss was injured
and had to retire. Wilfred saved his money,
and when the owner of the mill died four
years later, he bought the business. To
everyone's surprise. Wilfred was a natural
entrepreneur and a shrewd manager. He
built his mill business into the largest oper-
ation in the tri-county area. As other com-
peting mills struggled to keep up. Wilfred
bought those businesses, too. Eventually,
he owned 10 mills in the area.
A few years later, Wilfred and his fami-
ly attended the high school graduation cer-
emony for his oldest daughter. After the
ceremony. Mr. Munson. the principal,
approached Wilfred.
"Wilfred Brown, look at you! You have
become a millionaire, one of the leading
businessmen in our state. We are all so
proud of you. but you just have to wonder.
Where would Wilfred Brown be today if
you had learned to read and write?"
Without missina a beat, Wilfred
responded, "I can tell you where I'd be,
Mr. Munson. I'd be a janitor at Andrew
Jackson High School!"
It's a wonderful thing to be a literate
person, but education alone does not
ensure success in life. Wilfred Brown suc-
ceeded in life despite the handicap of illit-
eracy. My high school wrestling coach. Joe
Drennon. would have said that Wilfred
Brown succeeded by practicing the five
P's: "Proper preparation prevents poor per-
formance."
St. Paul credits success in life to five
P's as well: People. Prayer, Partners,
Purpose, and Promises. When Paul writes
to his friends at Philippi, he gives thanks to
God for the five P's.
"I thank my God every time I remem-
ber you. In all my prayers, I always pray
with joy because of your partnership in the
gospel from the first day until now." What
a remarkable letter from a converted cur-
mudgeon!
In his earlier life. Paul had been the
opposite of Wilfred Brown. Instead of illit-
erate. Saul of Tarsus was one of the most
educated men in the ancient world. He was
a trained rabbi who had studied under
Gamaliel, the premier teacher of Israel.
Paul was a Roman citizen and cosmopoli-
tan personality who spoke four languages
and was well versed in secular literature
and philosophy. And yet. the Scriptures
portray him as a bitter, angry person whose
aim in life was to persecute people who
disagreed with him.
When Paul encountered the risen Christ
on the road to Damascus, he discovered a
dimension of life that he had never found
through his studies. Jesus revealed to him
that the significant life depends on God's
grace and that we experience grace
through the five P's: people, prayer, part-
ners, purpose, and promises. Even in
prison, Paul expresses his gratitude for
these greatest of gifts. "I thank my God
every time I remember you."
Of course, your gratitude for the five
P's has drawn you to set aside family and
work obligations to attend this Alumnae
Reunion weekend. You have returned to
Sweet Briar neither to reminisce about
papers and tests nor to finally complete an
old biology experiment. You have returned
40 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
to celebrate the five P's you
received in this community.
Paul prayed. "I thank my
God every time I remember
you." He gave thanks for the
first P: the people in his life.
When J met Dr. Fred Craddock
at Emory University. I wanted
to be like Fred. This man was
the most amazing preacher I
had ever heard. Every time Dr.
Craddock preached. I felt my
heart stirred and my life moti-
vated. I asked Dr. Craddock,
"How do you do it? How do
you have such an impact on
people?"
His answer was unexpected.
"People listen to me because I
love and appreciate them. If
you want your preaching to
have an impact, you must love
people." Then Dr. Craddock
gave me a gift that I have car-
ried with me ever since. He
took my Bible and wrote in the
front cover. "Philippians 1:3 . .
."I thank my God every time I
remember you." For the past
18 years, I have written those
same words in Bibles, cards,
notes, and letters to people in
my life. It's my way of claim-
ing the first secret of the signif-
icant life: thank God for peo-
ple.
Prayer is the second P of the
significant life. Listen again to
Paul's prayer: "In all my
prayers. I always pray with
joy." JOY! What a rare experi-
ence in the 21st century! In
fact, external messages of
unhappiness and discontent
bombard our everyday lives.
The average American watches
approximately 15 hours of
commercials on television
every week. These commer-
cials all have one common
message: You are unhappy and
discontented! However, if you
buy this product or service,
then you will be happy.
Rather than seeking happi-
ness in life through posses-
sions, pleasure, or prestige,
Paul found joy in prayer. He is
writing from a dungeon.
deprived of creature comforts,
uncertain whether he will live
or die. Paul made the monu-
mental discovery that the sig-
nificant life hinges more on our
internal life than on external
circumstances.
Here is a spiritual challenge
for you. For the next 30 days,
try muting those television
commercials and spending the
time praying for people in your
life. As you pray for each one.
God will give you a greater
love and appreciation for them.
And, you will experience inter-
nal joy.
A November. 1988 Los
Angeles Times story pictured a
car hanging by a single wheel
from a freeway bridge with the
caption. "Hanging By A
Thread." According to the
story, a 1 9-year-old woman
returning from work at 12:30
a.m. fell asleep at the wheel
and drove off a freeway bridge.
Half a dozen passersby wit-
nessed the accident and
stopped to help. They tied
ropes to the rear bumper of the
car and held it in place until
rescue vehicles could arrive. It
took 25 volunteers and emer-
gency personnel two and a half
hours to free the woman from
her car. The fire captain com-
mented to the reporter, "The
passenger kept screaming at us
throughout the rescue. She was
in a lot of pain and must have
been scared to death. She kept
repeating the same thing over
and over . . . "Leave me alone!
I can do it myself!"
Clearly, no one could rescue
herself from a car suspended
from a bridge. And none of us
can do life on our own. We all
need the third P: Partners. Paul
prayed: "In all my prayers, I
always pray with joy because
of your partnership." There
never was a more capable
leader than Paul, but he could
not do his work without part-
ners.
A Sweet Briar saying cele-
brates the partnerships in our
lives. We say, "Everybody
stands on someone else's
shoulders." How true! This is
why we have Alumnae
Reunions. This is why it is so
difficult this morning to read
the honor roll of Sweet Briar
sisters who have died this past
year. This is more than a list of
names out of the phone book.
These women have been part-
ners to us.
Do you know who a friend
is? A friend is someone who
brings out the BEST in you.
This is the fourth P for which
Paul gave thanks: Purpose.
"And this is my prayer for you
. . . that you will be able to dis-
cern what is best." Paul under-
stood that God created each
person with a highest and best
purpose in mind. However, we
all need a community to help
us discern our purpose and
bring out the best in us. To
bring out the best in those who
are coming behind us is the
most important legacy anyone
can leave. We bring out the
"BEST" in others by:
Believing in them.
Encouraging them.
Supporting them, and
Trusting them.
This is the reason we have a
chaplain at Sweet Briar
College. The focus of my work
is to ensure that Sweet Briar
College brings out the best in
every student by helping her
clarify her purpose in life.
Finally, Paul thanks God for
the fifth P: Promises. He under-
stood that the life of promise is
the confident life. "Being con-
fident of this, that He who
began a good work in you will
bring it to completion." What
would life be like if we had no
promises on which we could
rely? What confidence could
we have in the future if we
believed God's promises
expired 21 centuries ago? The
promise you showed as college
students 50 years ago, 40 years
ago, five years ago, has not
expired. God will bring to com
pletion the good work He
began in you as a Sweet Briar
student.
Albert Raboteaux relates a
story about a runaway slave
woman and the power she
found in the promises of God.
In his book. Slave Religion:
Invisible Institution of the
Antebellum South. Raboteaux
recounts the perils of this
anonymous slave woman run-
ning from her owners and slave
chasers in the North Carolina
swampy wilderness. The only
possession she had with her
other than the clothes on her
back was a large Bible that
someone had given her. She
could not read, but this woman
clung to her Bible as if her life
depended on it. Whenever she
became too exhausted, hungry,
and frightened to go on, she
would sit on a tree stump and
frantically leaf through her
Bible that she could not read.
She was looking for the one
word someone had taught her to
look for. the letters J-E-S-U-S.
Sustained by this single word,
the woman found confidence
and courage to go on to free-
dom.
What could this illiterate
slave woman have found in the
name of Jesus that would sus-
tain an impossible dream? She
found the promises of God.
She found faith that the prom-
ises of God are not limited by
color, or education, or slavery,
nor anything else in all of cre-
ation.
Wilfred Brown succeeded in
life despite his own illiteracy.
He had a significant life
because he appreciated the five
P's. And now, he has the
resources to hire the best litera-
cy tutor in Alabama. I'm bet-
ting that the first thing he
learns to write is, "I thank my
God every time I remember
you."
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 41
2002 Reunion Scrapbook
"And when the five bell rings
at a quarter to three. . .
I'll be back at SBC!"
Remember that old step-singing song? It came true for Reunion
guests at the Florence Elston Inn. The "fire bell" did go off
one night — of its own confused volition — more than once.
Innocently asked if he slept well, one Elston resident replied: "I
was too busy evacuating!" And there was the morning that '87.
'92. and '97 awoke in the unseasonably cool weather to no hot
water in Meta Glass. As President Muhlenfeld had charged gradu-
ates two weeks earlier. "Expect the unexpected!"
As always. Sweet Briarites took it all in stride, "laughing all the
way," and enjoyed a weekend of reconnecting, reminiscing, and
renewing ties, while marveling at the signs of Today and
Tomorrow all over campus. Rejuvenation was not confined to
Reuners' exchanges with each other: campus rejuvenation of spirit
and commitment was evi-
denced by restored and refur-
bished buildings including
Faculty Row houses in the des-
ignated historic district, and
obvious construction.
Most notable: the construc-
tion site at the new Student
Commons. This put Prothro
Dining Room out. Meals were
in the Quad or in festive tents
at the Florence Elston Inn
complex.
In addition to open houses,
fly fishing, golf, alumnae col-
leges, art and authors exhibits,
and plain leisure time fun.
Reuners could watch the
NCAA Division III Women's
Tennis Championships being
played on our campus - a
proud moment for the College.
It was a time to celebrate.
Gordon Beemer H'21, (L), represented late wife Florence Woelfel Elston-
Beemer '21 & classmates for 81st Reunion; Natalie Roberts Ross '31 &
husband William came for her 71st !
1 942 celebrated the 60th with 9 alumnae, 4 husbands. Front: Ann Morrison Reams, CP; Betsy Gilmer Tremain;
Barbara Ripley Furniss, Sec; Betty Blackmer Childs; Lucy Call Dabney; Rene Mitchell Moore. Back: Bernie
Reams; Mike Tremain; Todd Furniss; Mackall Childs; Dougie Woods Sprunt; Debbie Wood Davis. Absent: Mary
Moore Rutherford; Ann Reams said, "She was here, but somehow got misplaced!" RG: $23,199; 31% Part;
TG: $113,899.
Cheers to 1947 at the 55th! Front: Judy Burnett Halsey; Douglas
Lindsey; Sarah Ann McMullen Lindsey. Back: Liz Ripley Dovey; Nan Hart
Stone; Carol Blanton McCord, Sec; Ann Marshall Whitley. RG: $1 1,024;
Part 31%; TG: $282,415.
Joanne Holbrook Potton announced 1952's RG: $76, 1 1 1; 70 % Part;
TG: $76,593.
42 • Foil 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • vAvw.olumnae.sbc.edu
1952 marked the Big 5-0 with 55 attendees (36 alumnae). With dazzling gold headbands, they sang two songs, with piano accompaniment, no
less — and laughingly commented that their gift to the College should have been "More Railings and Ramps!"
Total elation! Carol McMurtry
Fowler, '57 CP, lifts two of three
awards skyward, with President
Muhlenfeld standing by.
1 957, 30-strong for the 45th, walked away with three
prizes: the Nancy Dowd Burton Award for the largest RG
($151,779), the Participation Award for classes celebrating
25th-50th Reunions (78%) and the Award for Total Giving to
all funds during the year ($2,422,996). Classmates also hon-
ored Nannette McBurney Crowdus, recipient of the
Outstanding Alumna Award at Convocation.
'57 Class Officers: 3rd row, Diane Duffield
Wood, Co-Sec; Anne Wilson Rowe, Co-FA;
Nannette McBurney Crowdus, Co-RGC. 2nd
row: Marjie Whitson Aude, Co-Sec; Cynthia
Wilson Ottaway, Co-FA; Charlotte Heuer de
Serio, Co-FA; Lee Haskell Mack, Co-Sec. Front:
Carol McMurtry Fowler, CP & Co-RGC.
1962 thoroughly enjoyed the 40th, presenting a RG of $46,732 with 64% Part, & TG of
$670,168.
'62 Class Officers: Adele Vogel Harrell. FA;
Nancy Hudler Keuffel, Co-RGC; Parry Ellice
Adam, Sec.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae-sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 43
'72 Class Officers: Marion Walker, CP; Carter Frackelton,
Co-RGC; Martha Holland, Co-RGC & Co-FA; Susan
Snodgrass Wynne, Co-FA.
1972 class members sang Feelin' Groovy" while class officers took the stage to remi-
nisce that the late Harold Whiteman's first year as SBC's president was their senior year:
they "take credit for helping break him in!" RG: $87,400; 44% part; $88,000 TG.
1977 took the stage, singing with gusto to the tune of "A
few/ of my favorite things," concluding "We simply remem-
ber our time at The Patch. ..And then we don't feel so
bad!"
1977 spent a lively weekend rejoicing and making the most of the 25th, bringing a
RG of $21,165 from 35% Part; TG equaled $48,900.
44 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
'82 Class Officers: Gay Kenney
Browne, RGC: Heather Pirney
Albert, Co-CP; Elizabeth Sheets
Reed, Sec; Ann Morton Young
Habliston, Co-FA.
'92 Class Officers: Keeley Sullivan
Jurgovan, FA & Co-RGC; Margaret
McClellan Driscoll, Co-RGC;
Catherine Gornto Freeman, CP.
1982 had 21 on hand for the 20th, + 17 children, ranging from age 15 months to 14 years! RG: $32,453;
26% Part; $33,820 TG.
Note: All names read L-R.
Abbreviations:
CP=Class President
RGC=Reunion Gifts Chair
FA=Fund Agent
Sec=Secretary.
Each class made 3
announcements at
Convocation:
Reunion Gift to the Annual
Fund (RG)
Class Participation(Part)
Total Giving (to all funds)
for the year(TG).
Class of 1997, New Kids On The Block just 5 years
out, had a wonderful time at their 1 st "official"
Reunion, quickly getting into the spirit of the festivi
ties. RG: $5,143; 29% Part; $5,666 TG.
'97 Class Officers: Ann
MacDonald Carter, CP; Kerri
Rowlings Burtner, Sec.
Ann Stuart McKie Kling '74,
National Reunion Giving Chair,
announced that total giving to the
Annual Fund, including all Reunion
classes, reached $522,997, with
42% participation; Total giving this
year to all funds by all Reunion
classes: $4,943,488.
Reunion Photos © David Abrams
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • wv/w.alumnae. sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 45
c ass notes
1928
Bonnie Mathews Wisdom, widow of
the late Judge John Minor Wisdom, died
on February 7, 2002 in her sleep. She
was 94 years old. The following tribute
was sent by her daughter, Kathleen.
[Bonnie] is survived by her two
daughters, Kathleen Mathews Wisdom
and Penelope Wisdom Tose, and is pre-
deceased by her son John Minor
Wisdom, Jr.
Named Charles Stewart Mathews in
honor of her father. Mrs. Wisdom was
known all of her life as Bonnie, a refer-
ence to "Bonnie" Prince Charlie, grand-
son of King James II.
Mrs. Wisdom was a descendant of
George Mathews who served as Chief
Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
after the Louisiana Purchase. She was
born on Georgia Plantation in Lafourche
Parish in 1907 and educated at home for
the first ten years of her life. At the age
of ten, she began boarding in New
Orleans at Miss Lottie Miller's School for
Girls in the Garden District, and graduat-
ed from Sweet Briar College in 1928.
Mrs. Wisdom was especially proud
of her ancestor, Louisiana Supreme
Court Justice Mathews. As presiding
Justice on the court he issued a land-
mark civil rights ruling in the 1830s in
the appeal of the case of Marie Louise v.
Marot. in which the child of a free
woman of color was being claimed as a
slave. Justice Mathews ruled that the
jury was correct to free the child, as he
stated that "being free for one moment
in France it was not in the power of her
former owner to reduce her to slavery."
Reflecting on their marriage, Judge
Wisdom was fond of saying, "sixty-
seven years of marriage and never a
peaceful moment," at which Mrs.
Wisdom would note "Peace is boring."
Mrs. Wisdom's interest also widened
to include politics, when, before the
Judge was named to the Court, they
were among the small number of
Louisiana Republicans. As she was fond
of saying, they were two of fifteen hun-
dred Republicans in the state "half of
whom had either died or moved to
Texas." She had a deep belief in the two
party system, served as a poll watcher
during the Huey Long years, and was
editor of the best selling Louisiana
Republican Women's Cookbook.
Mrs. Wisdom's lifelong scholarship
and her interest in both French literature
and Shakespeare led her to become a
board member of the Folger
Shakespeare Library in Washington.
DC, and to be cited in a footnote in a
history of the U.S. Supreme Court. Her
knowledge of literature enabled her to
correctly find the source of the quote
used by Justice Harlan in a famous dis-
sent in the Plessy v. Ferguson case
which ushered in the age of racial segre-
gation in the late 19th century. Harlan,
while quoting Albion Tourgee, attorney in
the case, was not only quoting from the
brief, but also quoting from a novel by
Tourgee when he said that "justice is
pictured blind, and her daughter, the
Law, ought at least to be color-blind."
Mrs. Wisdom said, "I discovered
that Tourgee, like Mozart, was simply
repeating himself."
Another deep interest of Mrs.
Wisdom's was her garden, especially the
one at their Garden District home on
First Street, now the home of novelist
Anne Rice. She was a member of the
New Orleans Town Gardeners.
One of the proudest memories was
of her work against the proposed
Riverfront Expressway: As an active
Republican, she was able to convey to
Transportation Secretary John Volpe the
dissatisfaction of the city over the proj-
ect. It was subsequently canceled by the
Nixon administration.
Her other activities included the
Causeries de Lundi and the Quarante
Club. She was also especially fond of
opera, which, as she often said, one
"heard" instead of "saw." As a hostess,
Mrs. Wisdom was known for her deli-
cious menus, and for the fact that she
was perhaps one of the last hostesses in
New Orleans in whose home the ladies
always withdrew after dinner, leaving the
gentlemen to their brandy.
Donations are suggested to Sweet
Briar College. P.O. Box E, Sweet Briar, VA
24595, or to the John Minor Wisdom
Collection at the Tulane University
School of Law.
1929
President and Secretary: Sally Callison
Jamison
And now there are 21 ! While you are
absorbing this interesting statistic I will
report on the state of the survivors.
Dorothea Paddock Seeber's daugh-
ter, the Reverend Sister Lauren Seeber,
writes that Dorothea maintains her
merry personality despite her blindness
and lack of mobility. Her book has now
come out in paperback.
Evaline Edmands Thoma admits to
slowing down although she has enjoyed
traveling to a distant wedding where she
saw dozens of relatives that she had
never seen before. She still paints and
wishes she was still playing golf.
Our '29 class baby Martha Dabney
Jones marvels that at age 92 she can be
the youngest member of any group. She
ATTENTION, ALUMNAE:
NOTICE OF DISCONTINUATION
OF CLASS NOTES POSTCARDS:
The double postcards requesting news that have in the past been mailed
from the Alumnae Office are being discontinued. Class Notes from all class-
es can now be published in every issue of the alumnae magazine. Alumnae
are encouraged to send news directly to their class secretaries. News, news-
paper cuttings, etc. that are received in the Alumnae Office will continue to
be forwarded to the secretaries. Starting with the next magazine, the winter
issue (December 2002), we will publish the deadlines by which secretaries
must receive your news, and we will print the secretary's address and e-mail
address at the beginning of each class's notes.
continues to be a good walker, does
most of her errands on foot, and walks
twice weekly to a school where she has
been tutoring for several years. She
sends congratulations to those of us
who are still walking daily.
Sue Tucker Yates, a faithful respon-
dent, sounds as active as ever, traveling.
She is about to visit with all four of her
children at Christmastime in Ashboro,
Charlotte, and Blowing Rock, North
Carolina. She continues to enjoy enter-
taining house guests in her cottage with
a wood burning fireplace. Sue still teach-
es her Bible class of 12 young matrons
who meet with her every Monday morn-
ing in her home. Almost every weekend
she entertains house guests and says
that they, as well as the Wall Street
Journal, keep her informed about news.
She adds that she would love to hear
from us 29ers soon and not to wait until
next summer.
Helen Schaumleffel Ferree recently
lost her beloved dog of many years'
companionship but is happy to have
good friends and fellow club members
of 65 years who visit her weekly.
Meredith Smythe Grider ('56) report-
ed that her mother Ruth Meredith
Ferguson Smythe is in a nursing facility
in a retirement home in Louisville, KY.
Jinny Chaffee Gwynn who lives in
Bentley Village in Naples continues her
routine of church, hair salon, and dupli-
cate bridge. Her latest good news is the
recent addition of her 13th great grand-
child. We had a good chat before I left
Naples.
"Whiz", Margaret Weisiger Proctor
sends greetings from Arlington. Virginia.
saying that by God's grace she is in
good health, living at home under the
loving care of her eldest daughter Page
who lives nearby. Twice a year Whiz flies
to Michigan where her youngest daugh-
ter and her family live. She occasionally
goes to her place in Rehoboth Beach,
MD. Her children and grandchildren are
scattered around the east coast from
Massachusetts to Florida and Quito,
Equador.
On Feburary 27th I attended a lovely
Sweet Briar alumnae luncheon in Naples,
hosted by Patricia Sorensen Ackard '41
and Helen Gwmn Wallace '41. Those
present also included Edna Syska Peltier
'42, Kay Leroy Wing '50,
Margaret-Maggie Degler '54, Rachel
Briers Bell '96 and our special guest SBC
Alumnae Director Louise Zingaro.
Although our ages ranged from the late
twenties to the mid nineties, we had a
fun and lively time with Sweet Briar as
our focus of conversation. Louise
Zingaro brought news of the college and
we reminisced about some cuties and
customs.
During the summer of 2001 I spent
some weeks at Torch Lake in Michigan
mingling with children, grands, and
greats. Included in the group were
daughter Jane Messer '59, Bess Smith
Stone '58 and Meredith Smythe Grider
'56. the latter being the Grande Dame of
Alden Michigan.
Later in the summer I enjoyed a mini
reunion with family in Lewisburg WV
just up the GreenBriar River from my
birthplace Hinton.
Now that we have reached the early
nineties, good flappers— carry on!
Sally
1932
Class Secretary: Virginia Squibb Flynn
Fund Agent: Eleanor Wright Conway
My dear classmates: Sad to report
the death of Marjorie Ward Cross
January 1 0th, 2001 . She was our fund
agent for many years.
Also the deaths of Theda Sherman
Newlin on May 20, 2001 , Hallie Orr
Barton on December 5th, 2001 and
Emily Maxwell Littlepage on September
13th 2001. Cornelia Mathewson Eggers
died March 9, 1999 in Seattle,
Washington.
Anna Gilbert Davy writes happily
46 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
that she moved to a retirement home in
Carmel Valley. CA to be near her daugh-
ter in Colorado and one great child and a
son in Arizona. Gussie still plays golf
and travels alone.
Marge Miller Close moved ten
years ago from Quebec to be near chil-
dren. Enjoys courses at University of
Victoria and a Women's Club. So happy
to hear from Sweet Briar.
Barbara Munter Purdue writes from
Seattle where she has a husband, five
children, and nine grandchildren. Seattle
is a pleasant place to live. Seventy years
since we graduated, hard to believe!
Eleanor Wright Conway still lives in
The Forum Indianapolis. IN. She has five
grandchildren in Alaska.
Jim and I are "hanging in" at
Evergreen Woods. North Branford. CT.
Keep the news coming!
Fondly. Ginny Flynn
1933
The Alumnae Office received a news-
paper cutting about a summer 2000
exhibit at the public library in Amelia,
VA, of oil paintings by Clara West Stark.
1938
President: Janet MacFarlan Bergmann
Secretary: Frances Bailey Brooke
With all the lovely weather we are
having in the middle of winter, Spring is
sure to arrive early. Another event that
will soon come is our 65:' reunion, less
than a year away when you read this in
August 2002. Please mark the dates on
your calendar: May 16-18, 2003 and
plan to come back to the Briar Patch, to
celebrate together and enjoy our beauti-
ful campus.
A newsy card from Vesta Murray
Haselden states that she and Ed are
"still kicking but not too high". They are
happily still in their own home in
Columbia, but are not planning any more
trips. She often sees her first great-
granddaughter who lives in Greenville.
SC. Vesta hears from Janet, Dee
Armfield, and Moselle at Christmas, and
recently had luch with our charming
president Betsy Muhlenfeld.
Billy Heizer Hickenlooper and Bo
have moved into a great community
near their old house in Cincinnati. They
are both fine after "62 divine years
together" though Billy suffers from
arthritis in her hands. They departed in
January for several weeks in Florida. She
occasionally sees Dottie Mather Goyert
They can boast a record number of
"greats" — nine grandchildren and seven
great grandchildren!
Winters in Stuart, Florida and sum-
mers in Falmouth, Massachusetts, keep
Barbara Hill Ferguson young She is
still playing tennis and golf. Her son
Stanley Lincoln lives nearby and is com-
modore of their yacht club. Two grand-
daughters are neighbors and the other
two live in Texas with two great grand-
children whom she will visit this winter.
She and Janet MacFarlan Bergmann
plan to get together next summer.
Maud Tucker Drane has had a sad
and difficult year. Her daughter Robbie
died last year with complications from
lupus, and in May Maud lost her hus-
band Hardy after sixty wonderful years.
She was able to join her loving and sup-
portive children and grandchildren in
Connecticut for Christmas and will visit
them again in Hilton Head in March
A joyful card from Macky Fuller
Kellogg said she was enjoying life in
Vieques, Puerto Rico with her brother in
law and husband of six years swimming,
playing tennis, and visiting old friends.
Sounds wonderful — must be something
special in the air down there!
Carolyn Staman Ogilvie's card was
full of news. She and Buck are fine.
While anticipating the birth of their first
great-grandchild, they learned another
was due three months later. Then a third
grandson announced plans to marry in
July. They will be spending some time
traveling and celebrating with family.
A long phone call from Marion
Brown Snider (Brownie) last weekend
brought me up to date. She is still living
in the same condominium (24 years) in
St. Petersburg. Florida, and keeps busy
with church work and aqua-cises in spite
of some physical difficulties. She broke
her ankle in September but gets around
well on a walker. Her two sons and two
grandsons live near her.
Janet MacFarlan Bergmann and
Carl are living permanently in Falmouth.
Massachusetts. She is recovering well
from a stroke but no longer drives. She
does some church work part-time. Her
son, who lives nearby, is a great help to
both Janet and Carl, and she enjoys her
two grandchildren. During our delightful
telephone conversation a few days ago
we agreed that it's time to rally the
troops for our 65'\
Shirley Haywood Alexander is com-
fortably settled in a retirement communi-
ty in Raleigh, North Carolina, and keeps
busy with bridge, lunches, and many
short trips with friends. Her grandson
Haywood graduated from UNC-Chapel
Hill and is living and working in
California.
While visiting her brother Bruce on
Cape Cod last summer, Nancy Old
Mercer and her daughter Anne had
lunch with Mary Ann Housel Carr, who
gathered together several classmates for
a very happy mini-reunion. Nancy stays
busy with bridge and family in Dallas.
It's very sad to report that we have
lost three members of our class during
2001 Molly Talcott Dodson died May
1 1th after a severe stroke. Her husband
Grif, who had had Alzheimer's disease
for several years, died less than a week
later. On August 21 Jo Sutton
McCandlish died at Westminster
Canterbury Retirement Home in
Winchester, Virginia. A card from Kit
Talbert brought word that her mother
Cecily Jansen Kendrick died in Denver.
Colorado on December 4th after a long
illness. Beside Kit there are two other
children and four grandchildren. Charlie
died several years ago.
George and I had a busy year with
two trips in the spring — one in March to
Holland to see the tulips (too early!) and
one to Japan (too strenuous). We've
been trying to recover since! The arrival
of our second great-grandchild (a girl) in
July was a delight. Another is due this
year in July — also to be a girl, so I will
have to start recruiting for SBC before
long.
Betty Hopper Turner says she is
happy in a Retirement Home in
Providence where they have lived for
over 50 years. She tries to keep in con-
tact with Dottie Gilbert Brown. Kitty
King Corbet! Powell, and Sammy
Hamilton Schuck She has bad vision
problems, but the many available servic-
es help.
Take care, dear classmates, keep the
cards coming and remember the 65'".
1941
President: Helen Littleton White
Secretary: Helen Gwinn Wallace
Fund Agent: Margaret Craighill Price
Eleven stalwart octogenarians
returned to college for our 60" Reunion
last May. We were seated in the front
row for the Convocation, since we were
the oldest returning alumnae (except for
one member of the class of 1931). and
we didn't have to put on a skit! The
campus was at its glorious "May best",
and the weather perfect. We missed our
absent classmates. Since H.A. was will-
ing to stay on as class president I agreed
to be secretary. Last May the deadline of
March first seemed far away, but here it
is. and I'll do my best to report on the
twenty-two responses I received.
Two classmates write that they've
had enough traveling up and down the
east coast. Ellie Damgard Firth and
Swede no longer spend summers in Hot
Springs, Virginia. Ellie plays duplicate
bridge three times a week, while Swede
plays golf. Their daughter, granddaugh-
ters, and great-granddaughters live near
them in Florida. The Turtles (Charlie
Davenport) are living in Florida year-
round now. Charlie said moving was "a
horrendous job" but she's glad to stay in
one spot. Except for trips, I guess,
because they took their family on a
cruise from Barcelona to Venice in July.
Several classmates felt the effects of
the September 11th tragedy. Lossie
Taylor Noell's two grandsons were
evacuated unhurt from the Trade Center
towers. A granddaughter was born to
the eldest grandson's wife three days
later! Barbara Nevens Young was in
Basel. Switzerland following a great trip
down the Rhine with Helen Jean Winter
Clobridge and their sisters. The crisis
delayed their return to the United States.
They're off again in October for a
Panama cruise. Lin Boyle Richardson
was a victim of poor timing on
September 1 1th. She flew from Maui to
Boston in order to take a Delta flight to
Holland for an Elderhostel trip. She
arrived in Boston at 9:15 a.m., only to
have the airport close down after they
unloaded her baggage and the trip can-
celed. So she returned to Maui a week
later and that was all for her 2001 trip.
Undaunted, she plans to take the Sweet
Briar trip to Quito and Galapagos in
August!
Doris Huner Swiech had to abandon
plans for Reunion when her husband
had his second stroke. They miss their
home in Toxaway. NC but are happy to
be closer to family in Indiana.
Judy Davidson Walker's husband.
Tony, also had a stroke a year ago. As
we all do, Judy misses Anita and her
"staunch support of '41". Her assistant
minister at St. Mary's Portsmouth, is an
SBC grad. and she's great — of course!
Ruth Hemphill DeBuys says
Reunion was "the nicest thing that hap-
pened last year". She has a grandson at
W and L and three "greats" had birth-
days in the fall. What fun! Ruth talked
to Lillian and Lossie recently. After the
rigors of trying to learn to operate her
new computer, she is taking a ten-day
cruise to Holland and Belgium with her
daughter
Janie Loveland Byerts enjoys keep-
ing up with friends by e-mail (her
address: bema@nettallv.com). She still
volunteers in the hospital as a patient
advocate and enjoys her grandchildren,
who spend a lot of time with her.
"Butch" Gurney Betz says she's not
an e-mailer, but she dashed off a note on
a yellow pad. She has two great-grand-
daughters whose names begin with A
(more A's than she got in school, she
says!) and she plays a little golf "for fun
and exercise". At camp in the
Adirondacks she sees Decca Gilmer
Frackelton and Mary Scully Olney (who
visits Decca there) with their husbands.
At Christmas she heard from Shirley
Shaw, Mary White and Barbara
Nevens Young. The latter summers in
upper New York State, near Butch's
camp, but she says they never get to see
each other. Typically, Butch signed off
with "Let's Go Mets!"
Several of us are enjoying life in
retirement homes. "H.A." Littleton
White keeps busy at Freedom Village
playing bridge, going to lectures, and on
cruises, such as a recent one in France,
cruising the Saone and Rhone on a
riverboat through beautiful country all
the way to Provence. She sees Mary
White Miller when she visits her son in
Great Falls. Virginia.
Shirley ("Shirts") Shaw writes that
she "actually likes" her retirement
home. Dunwoody Village, in Newtown
Square. Pa, and that she often sees a
high school friend of mine whom I
haven't seen for years! Small world, as
she says.
Emory Hill Rex and her daughter
visited Margaret (Craigie) Craighill
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 47
Price on her farm in Sperryville, Virginia.
At Christmas Emory's family had a fami-
ly reunion that included five Sweet Briar
alumnae and one student, from the
classes of 1935 to 2003! This past year
Emory has been learning to cope with-
out Dan, her beloved husband of 58
years. Craigie and I get together in the
summer, when John and I go back
"north" Katherine Estes and Douglas
Woods Sprunt had dinner with Craigie
recently. She divides her time between
the farm and her retirement home in
Washington.
Evie Cantey Marion has a new
address. No retirement home for her.
She's moved back to her family home in
Columbia, SC which she's restoring. Her
daughter is with her and her son and his
wife live just two blocks away. Most of
your notes spoke of the joy of families.
Jane Clark Hartrich keeps busy going to
weddings, baptisms, graduations, and
family reunions. She has a total of 22
grandchildren and 5 "greats" and the
number is still growing.
"Dowsit" Neill and Jack checked
out a new retirement home in
Lexington when they stopped by to
visit Libby Lancaster Washburn on
their way to Dowsit's sister's memorial
service in Iowa, and thence to Ontario
to inspect their cottage. A long trip
from Southern Pines!
Lillian Fowlkes Taylor and Tyler are
still an "item" after sixty years. They
have three children and four grandchil-
dren. Lillian's been having trouble with
dizziness for several years, so travel is
out, although I notice she still manages
to get to Florida occasionally with her
golfing buddies!
One classmate certainly isn't letting
eighty-two years slow her down.
Elizabeth (Libba) Hudson Boba has a
sporty red Toyota and traveled to Europe
in September. But she admits that early
bedtimes, comfort foods, and quiet visits
are becoming increasingly attractive.
John and I still divide our time
between our Florida high rise on the Gulf
and our Virginia high rise on the
Potomac. A big change from the farm!
But we do still have a few racehorses —
as well as six grandchildren and seven
"greats". In Florida I see Pat Sorensen
Ackard, Anne Borough O'Connor,
Angela (Edge) Cardamone 0 Donnell.
and Lucy Parton Miller. Lucy and I have
kept up with each other through the
years. She and Laymon live in a lovely
retirement home in Ft. Myers, less than
an hour away. They are kept busy visit-
ing and being visited by their children
and numerous grandchildren
Sadly, I have to report that we lost
five classmates during the past year. The
ranks are thinning! In Memoriam:
Barbara Searles Parrett, Eunice Foss
Sneed, Wilma Cavett Records, Marian
Atkinson Ryerson, and Helen Hamilton
Bixby
Also, Pat Potter Duncan wants you
to know that Gordon Beemer has a new
great-grandaughter. who will probably be
in Sweet Briar's class of 2024. Well, dear
classmates, thank you for your cards.
Have a happy, healthy year, and take
very good care of yourselves.
1944
Class President: Louise Smith Barry
Class Secretary: Connie Budlong
Myrick
Fund Agent: Sydney Holmes Bales
Mini-Reunion Co-chairs:
Alice Lancaster Buck and Elizabeth
Williams Gookin
Greetings to all '44s! Out of the list-
ed 124 names connected with our group
26 responses have arrived at my mail-
box. If prizes were being awarded for
pure legibility, they would run from A+ to
Z-. Some of the lower grades result from
the Postal Service exceeding zeal for
stamping and gluing mysterious paper
strips atop written material, unique
handwriting the rest to my bifocals.
Whee! Here we go subject matter
predominates in the areas of travel, chil-
dren and assorted degrees of grand-
childness.
Ellie La Motte Trippe is leading a life
she describes as "happily rolling along
along" as they enjoy three grand daugh-
ters and "sedentary" lifestyle, which
sounds pretty peppy to me. Interaction
with the grands, the dogs, and an ongo-
ing crossword puzzle championship duel
plus the round of cultural activities keeps
them busy. Ellie sends greetings to all!
Muriel Abrash Schapiro is a busy
volunteer in Richmond, helping children
and seniors to learn "English as a
Second Language". She didn't identify
the first language, which would be inter-
esting to know. She also keeps up with
many cultural activities. Both of her col-
lege age grands are graduating this year.
Another grand is at Virginia
Commonwealth University. The remain-
ing one is doing environmental studies
in Samoa and Costa Rica. The two
youngest girls are on the threshold of
eighth grade.
Sally Skinner Behnke wrote from
her winter home in Sun Valley where she
is relishing the wonderful snow and
good skiing. Her grands are pretty well
grown up. She counts two in college,
one in high school, and one busy being
a career girl. Her top excitement for last
year was "Mysteries of the Earth". This
involved a by-plane trip around the
world! She tells us that it was rewarding,
strenuous, and the most fascinating
place for her was Easter Island.
Marty Falk Vallery had a busy sum-
mer while she and Norma Bradley
Arnold had a stimulating journey to
Helsinki, then on to Russia via boat. All
went well until their home-bound flight
became a horror of cancellations,
missed connections, and delayed
arrivals. After finally getting home, she
decided to put off her planned trip to
Spain and Portugal because of the dire
effects of 9/11/01. She is staying active
with volunteering, golfing, bridge, and
interacting with friends.
Nancy Ann Eagles O'Bannon was
humming along, ready to take a month
in the Florida sunshine as she wrote her
postcard. After that they will be at home
until July, when they will leave for a trip
to Iceland. She often talks with former
roommates Sally Skinner Behnke and
Kay Mensing Teitgen. I was lucky to
have a catch-up phone call with her the
other day.
Libby Vaughan Bishop feared that
her news would be uninteresting in com-
parison with other '44 exploits. I assure
her that she is blessed with her "lovely
husband, aged Yorkie, and an equally
aged cockatiel". Her days rock along
with symphony, opera, judging flower
shows, all blessedly normal and unhar-
rowing. A pleasure for her is having the
daughter of a cousin at SBC. She sends
love to all '44s.
Frances Longino Schroder is a busy
one! Volunteering takes up time and
keeps her on her toes. She didn't identify
her activity, but I'll bet it's not ballet. She
has four daughters, and was blest to
have all of them plus three husbands
and three of the grands with her during
the period from 12/3 to 12/24. she
admitted that the time was perfectly
wonderful and pretty hectic. I admire her
stamina! She sees Betty Haverty Smith
pretty frequently and keeps in touch with
Marty Falk Vallery and Hazel Fellner
Tuttle. Longe and her sister in law are
planning to attend the SBC Alumnae
College this June.
A sad postcard came from Omaha,
Nebraska. It announced the death on
12/22/01 of Betty Van Dusen Samson
(Mrs. John S,). There was no other
name on the card, but I know we all
send our loving sympathy to her family.
Martha Lee Hoffman McCoy has let
us know that she and Harry have sold
their home in Norfolk, and are now living
in a condo overlooking the harbor in
downtown Norfolk. They winter in
Florida at 400 Century Drive, Marco
Island, Florida, 34145. Their summer
address is 303 Brooke Avenue, Norfolk.
Virginia, 23570.
Murrell (Rickey) Rickards Werth
enclosed a lovely picture of herself and
husband Matt on their wedding day last
year. They live in her Ghent townhouse
in Norfolk. Trips on their agenda include
Princeton, New Jersey for his reunion in
June. July will find them in Woodstock,
Vermont, then on to Lake George and
Hotel Sagamore, which her son now
manages. Venice is their fall objective.
Whew! I can see how she writes, "My
life is too busy."
Pat Whitaker Waters reports that all
is well with her family. One of their
grands was married last summer: anoth-
er is a senior at Virginia Tech; while a
third is a freshman at William and Mary.
The next is a sophomore at the
University of Maryland. One of the
younger ones is a senior in high school.
The youngest are eight and ten years of
age. That pretty well runs the gamut
from grades to grads! Next on the
menu, Pat is planning a trip to London
with her son, who will be a guest of the
British Broadcasting Company.
Kay Mensing Teitgen and husband
Bud are about to trade Milwaukee winter
for a Florida stay which will last until
May. Their future plans are in 2003 to
move to a retirement home now under
construction. Kay knows that the BIG
MOVE to smaller quarters will be a
"tremendous job of downsizing" with
over 40 years of accumulated living.
Carlisle Morrissett Branch has a
wonderful announcement. She is great-
grandmother to her namesake. Carlisle
Rose Hickey, born 7/1 8/01 . Carlisle Rose
lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. Carlisle
the first gets to see both Peggy Gordon
Seiler and Paulett Long Taggart whenev-
er they come to Richmond. (I feel as
though nobody ever comes to Memphis.
If you do, please call me!)
Tee Tift Porter had sad news about
the 12/19/01 death of her husband of 51
years, James T. Porter. They had been
friends since childhood as neighbors.
Tee, you are in our thoughts and
prayers.
Anita Lippett Clay takes several
prizes in this issue. First from the point
of view of your elderly bifocaled corre-
spondent. Her postcard gets an A++ for
total legibility! Big enough to see easi-
ly— plain enough to be read without eye-
strain or the need to know how to deci-
pher exotic languages. Bless you, Anita.
She continues to play her accordion with
the Savannah Crabettes and again will be
marching in the St. Patrick's Day parade
with the group. Her additional good
news is that their son Henry and his
family are back home after 1 7 years in
Buenos Aires as missionaries.
Dotty Beuttell Blakeman mentions
that not much is going on in her life,
then adds that "Sometimes that is bet-
ter". She says that Chat's son who is
stationed in Islamabad loves his work
there, even though his wife and daughter
are back in Washington. Chat's daughter
is also doing well, as are Dottie's four.
She has had to give up golfing because
of bursitis.
Norma (Brad) Bradley Arnold is in
Florida for the winter. She also men-
tioned her trip to Helsinki, then on to
Russia. Brad especially enjoyed the fas-
cinating cruise from St. Petersburg to
Moscow. She recently returned from a
short trip to the Western Caribbean.
Ellen Boyd Duval Miller and hus-
band Bill are happily settled in their
retirement facility. They have their own
little house, and value the knowledge
that if they need assistance, it is nearby.
Emily Ann Wilkins Mason also gets
a legibility A++. Her family is involved in
a variety of careers. Son Tom, an actor,
has a small but interesting part in a film
that won't be out until winter. The film,
Gods and Generals, was shot at Harpers
Ferry, West Virginia. Son-in-law Joe
Malloy remains on the library staff at
Sweet Briar. Em reported on the recent
visit by SBC President Betsy Muhlenfeld
to Roanoke. The gathering was hosted
48 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
by Edte Page Breakell '45, Alice Trout
Hagan '48, and the Masons. President
Betsy gave an enthusiastic detailing of
big plans for Sweet Briar in the future.
Jean Blanton Stein and husband
Chuck have the best of two worlds with
their respective alum connections —
Sweet Briar and Stanford! They live in
Woodbridge. Virginia, near to all off-
spring. Summer sees them in their
Hatteras cottage. A lot of their travels
result from events at their colleges. The
SBC '01 Centennial College was a superb
high spot, where Louise Smith Barry did
an outstanding job as '44 Class
President. Another stellar event was the
gathering in December at the lovely
home of Betty (Fence) Williams and hus-
band Richard Gookin in Warrenton.
More about this later.
Peggy Gordon Seiler and husband
Bob are in good health. He is still on the
staff of the St. James church, and is
busy nearly every day visiting shut-ins.
They enjoyed the SBC centennial-
renewing old ties. Peggy also had her
50'" reunion at UVa. Law school. I loved
her closing paragraph, and will quote it
for you all — "We send fond wishes and
prayers for peace and justice in this
scary time — all too reminiscent of 1941.
Pearl Harbor, and the ensuing conflict."
Betty (Fence Williams) Gookin
detailed the exciting celebration at the
Gookins' home "The Oaks" on Sweet
Briar Day. The party was intended to
revive the Hunt Country Alumnae Club
and made an excellent move in this
direction. Sweet Briar President Betsy
Muhlenfeld was present to speak, and to
show the alumnae centennial quilt to the
more than sixty assembled. In addition
to this entertainment feat, Betty has had
fun with Alice Lancaster Buck as they
played tennis with their grandsons. The
next thing on the Gookins' agenda was
an SBC-sponsored trip to Cuba.
Helen Cantey Woodbridge and West
have done some globe covering with
their trip to Vienna. Prague, and
Budapest, Later they did a coast-to-coast
sweep, first visiting their son in
California, then going to the East Coast.
There they were with their daughter in
New York during the 9/11 tragedy time.
Daughter Penny was downtown and wit-
nessed the event, but returned home
safely. Helen keeps up through a Foreign
Affairs Forum, a study group and on a
lighter side — Colonial Dames, a bridge
club and other entertainment "etcs ".
Betty Farinholt Cockrill tells us of
things romantic — plus a few more pro-
saic. Their second granddaughter had a
"storybook wedding" in November.
December brought a welcome to the
new grandson born on Christmas morn-
ing. January brought Betty and Jim an
outstanding example of togetherness
when they had same day hip replace-
ments! Their recovery period was under
the loving care of daughters and grand-
daughters. The Cockrills are now busy
with June and July wedding plans for
two additional granddaughters!
Louise Smith Barry. Mme. President
of '44, told of a great second Center for
Civic Renewal Symposium during the
Centennial Alumnae College at Sweet
Briar. Among the many visitors wel-
comed were those from our class, who
came from Iowa, Massachusetts, New
York, Georgia, and Virginia. This group
included eleven class members, seven
spouses, and one grandchild — a total of
nineteen reuners: Marion Shanley
Jacobs; Paulett Long and Ganson
Taggert; Sydney Holmes Bales; Louise
Smith Barry; Peggy Gordon and Bob
Seiler; Ellen Boyd and Bill Miller; Alice
Lancaster and Pete Buck; Fence Williams
and Richard Gookin; and Jean Blanton
and Chuck Stein. The entire group plans
to attend the gathering this year. On a
personal level, Louise had visited Alice
Johnson Fessenden in Las Vegas, and
had seen Helen Cantey and West
Woodbridge on an East Coast visit.
Connie Sue Bud long Myrick is now
a member of a multiple-family house-
hold and loving it. "My daughter Jeanne,
her husband Chuck, and my youngest
granddaughter Julia are the characters
(!) of this ongoing drama. We have been
in our new home for a little over a year,
and are facing an influx of accumulated
possessions from at least three house-
holds. It is stimulating to be living with a
bright, busy seventeen-year-old, and
wonderful not to be alone. One of the
exciting future prospects is to become a
great grandmother. My oldest grand-
daughter, Christie, is due this summer. I
thank you all for your input, and wish
you the blessings of good health, con-
tentment, and happiness."
Addendum: The daughters of
Barbara Duncombe Stolp, Mary and
Lindsey. wrote to the Alumnae Office
with news of Barbara who suffers from
Alzheimer's disease and is still in an
assisted living facility. They wrote: "If
she were able, we know she would want
to tell you all about her children and
grandchildren, and so we will do it for
her: Mary and her husband, Charlie
Trageser, live in Newton, MA. Mary is an
artist and photographer, her daughter
Claire is a freshman at Reed College,
where she is thriving, and her son David
is a junior at Newton North H.S. and
plays the guitar constantly. Lindsey and
her husband, Tom Kline, live in
Bethseda, MD; Lindsey is an attorney,
her son Andrew is a freshman at Walt
Whitman H.S., a musician and an ath-
lete; Emily is a 7th grader, a swimmer,
and a typical teenager; and Daniel is a
4th grader, into sports and computer
games. We wish that she could enjoy
her grandchildren and be involved in
their lives because we know how proud
of them she would be. We also know
how much she valued her friendships,
from all stages of her life. So this is our
effort to keep her friends connected to
her. Please let us know if your address
has changed or if you have an email
address, so that as her life and circum-
stances change, we can let you know."
Mary's email address is
MSLana@smith.alumnae.net and
Lindsey's is LindsLano@aol.com.
1947
President: Ginger Barron Summer
Secretary: Carol Blanton McCord
Fund Agent: Meredith Slane Person
Cindy Converse Ash sent me a won-
derful pack of color photos from our 50"
reunion, which are too good not to share
with you all at our 55" in May. Cindy and
Al have made plans to go to Mexico in
March. Canada in July, and Maine in
Aug. 2002. With their 4 children and 4
grandchildren living in San Diego.
Tampa/ White Plains. St. Petersburg and
Conn., they have lots of other good
places to visit. "The rest of the time Al
will be playing his cello with two groups
and I will be at our local hospital gift
shop once a week and working at the
church in one way or another..."
When Jean Old gets asked when
she expects to retire from brokering, she
says, "what's retire?" She went to
Iceland and Greenland in Sept. '01 "with
a gentleman friend, but traveling com-
panions who can keep up are getting
harder to find". When she returned she
had a total shoulder replacement and is
"now fit to travel to the Sea of Okhotsk,
North Eastern Siberia, in May. We are
the first tourists to that area". Jean still
sees Martha Smith and Margie Redfern
in Norfolk; Martha is now living in a
retirement home there.
Kay "Wizzie" Weisiger Osborne
had a book of her poems published and
will do a reading at Catawba College.
She still writes columns for the Life Plus
section of the Salisbury Post. Her
daughter and granddaughter still live in
Alaska, but get down at least twice a
year for a visit.
Sara Ann McMullen Lindsey and
Doug plan to attend Reunion this com-
ing May. Sam is still a Regent at
Gunston Hall. They put a statue of
George Mason between Jefferson and
Roosevelt on the Tidal Basin on April 9,
2002. She and Doug visited cousins in
FL, Jan. 2002.
"After 42 interesting, never boring
years together ", Evie White Spearman's
husband, Allan died very suddenly on
Hallowe'en while she was having
Hallowe'en in Kennesaw, GA with their 8
year old grandchild, Vivian Spearman.
Last summer Evie had a lovely visit with
Peggy Robertson Christian and
"Punkie", whom Evie dubs "The
Cincinnati Kids", in Richmond while on a
visit to Gaithersburg, MD to visit her
daughter, Lyn.
"Wash" Ferrier Ramsay wrote from
Chapel Hill that all's well despite having
had heart surgery in Sept., '01 .
Aimee DesPland McGirt, also living
in NC, is still teaching part-time at
Richmond County Community Coll. and
likes it so well she hopes never to have
to quit. She had all her family together
for a December 28th Christmas. Her
younger daughter brought her a Jack
Russell puppy, and when in bad weather
she has to keep him inside, "it's like hav-
ing a new baby!"
Last Summer's visit to Martha's
Vineyard afforded Ann Colston Leonard
and Ed a chance to spend time with Sue
Van Cleve Riehl and Bud, and also with
daughter Chris (also SBC) who was
starting a special program at Harvard.
Ann says. "3 new grandchildren expect-
ed this spring, two of them in tandem.
This brings our total to a modest 6". Ed
retired a year ago, so they are able now
to stay longer at the Vineyard. Ann con-
tinues her pottery, "standing rather than
sitting at the wheel in deference to my
back". From California, Anne Webb
Moses wrote that she and George had a
BIG Christmas gathering with family
from far, (Italy, R.I., MA), and nearby,
which was made even more joyful by
both of them feeling well at the same
time! Anne enjoys gardening, book dis-
cussions, yoga, volunteering, dance, and
genealogy; "doing less now but enjoying
it more".
Jane Warner Williams' husband
died in October and her brother in
August. 2001. She is still working, but at
a lesser pace. Trying to catch up on her
traveling, she accompanied her son and
his family to Charlottesville, where her
grandson had an interview at UVA. She
drove down to SBC on her own for the
day and caught Kenneth Starr's speech
to the symposium on Election 2000.
Jane said she had "forgotten how beau-
tiful SBC is — and on a blue and gold
October day it was AWESOME".
Julia Holt Coyle and "Chook" go to
Venice, FL every April where he enjoys
the fishing, so she'll miss Reunion in
May, 2002. She often reflects on how
our class and SBC have enriched her life.
Just back from a "wild, wonderful
joyous Christmas in Barnstable where
[son]"Tuck" had 8 services in 3 days —
but lots of Ho- Ho- Ho's in between",
Maria Tucker Bowerfind's exuberance
had still not cooled down, "My favorite
Christmas carol was a 2 yr. old's who
announced "I think I need a nap", and
another 2 yr old piped up, "Right, I'm all
stressed out!" My thoughts exactly! A
lovely lady came up in church and intro-
duced herself: Alice Reese's sister-in-
law! Heard from 3 of Bozzie's 5 girls — 4
more grandchildren born since she
died". Maria and her husband hope to
come to Baltimore in mid-March for the
arrival of their 7th grandchild.
Saravette Royster Trotter and Jim
celebrated their 50" anniversary in
Iceland "on the theory that it wouldn't be
crowded and would be cool. It was both
and lots of fun."
Jane Arthur Etheridge Hamlin went
to Bryn Mawr for the graduation of her
oldest granddaughter who is currently in
grad school at Univ. Texas, Austin, a six-
year program. She hopes to be a college
prof. Jane Arthur added. "If I make it to
my youngest grandchild's graduation, it
may be in a wheelchair. He was a year
old this October".
Carol Blanton McCord: My husband,
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.olumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 49
Mac, died last October just one week
before our 55"' anniversary. I'm still liv-
ing in the same house we built in 1950
near Baltimore, but considering other
options. Our five children are living in:
Baltimore, (1) Ct.(1),Mass.,(2), NC(1); of
our 8 grandchildren, the eldest is still a
part time student, his sister is in grad
school at UVa and also teaching there;
two others at U Colorado and UVA. I
plan to return to NH in summer; stay
busy reading, writing, walking, nature
study, music, and keeping in touch with
friends and relations. Hope to see you all
at Reunion!
1950
President: Edith Shepherd Brooke
Robertson
Secretary: Elisabeth (Betty-"B.G.")
Elmore Gilleland
Fund Agent: Mary Dame Stubbs Broad
Many thanks to all of you who
responded with news! Next time we
hope that more of you will "stay in
touch". Your communications showed
your main interests and concerns are
FAMILY, VOLUNTEER WORK and/or
CAREERS, TRAVEL, and 9/11.
The daughter of former class secre-
tary, Lola Steele Shepherd, moved to
Seattle from France so Lola and Deedee
have "stayed put" except for two trips to
Seattle to visit her and their granddaugh-
ter. They attended the memorial service
in San Diego for Bo Shepherd, Deedee's
brother, and husband of Diane Dietrich
Shepherd, who was in our class for two
years before going to England with her
family and later graduating from G.W. in
DC Dee has two sons, one a lawyer in
D.C., the other working in L.A., and a
daughter in Lexington, KY who has two
daughters. Lola sees Edie Brook
Robertson, Frances Martin Lindsay,
and Jane Lewis Zollicoffer in Norfolk. In
Richmond she spotted Mary Waller
Berkeley Ferguson and her husband
taking their evening "constitutional".
Lola had a temporary setback with a
broken collarbone due to an unaccom-
panied leap with her horse over a log on
an overnight trail ride, but is recovering
nicely. She was looking forward to
attending the Winter Forums to hear
SBC professors discussing terrorism.
Our class president, Edie Brook
Robertson, relates that they had just
arrived in Denver, having passed through
Pittsburgh on 9/10/01 and were con-
cerned about their daughter in NYC and
their son in Alexandria. Anxious time
until they determined that all were fine.
Their annual Colorado vacation took a
"nose dive" as Peyton couldn't finish the
Colorado trail, nor could Edie complete a
watercolor of the golden aspens. She
and son Brooke attended a wedding in
Santa Fe, but half the people couldn't get
there. Edie ran a centennial in Norfolk for
a cultural organization to benefit a muse-
um. She was busy writing a paper for
presentation at her book club. A big
event was the surprise 75'" birthday
party for Peyton in the DC area. Dolly
Clark Rasmussen and Lola and their
spouses helped celebrate.
Fund Agent Mary Dame Stubbs
Broad would like to thank everyone who
contributed to the Alumnae Fund —
through any means! She and Doug had
a great trip in November on the "Nieuw
Amsterdam" from Norfolk through the
Panama Canal. In the Spring they plan to
go to Cornwall, England to search for
Doug's "roots" and then to Holland "with
probably millions of other tourists" to
attend the "Floriade". They continue to
enjoy family skiing outings in Virginia.
Our most avid skiers may be Betsey
Sawyer Hodges and Allen who, with
their offspring, welcomed in the New
Year in their North Carolina home. They
returned briefly to port St. Lucie, Florida,
and they took off for Snowmass.
Colorado to ski. In March with their chil-
dren and grandchildren they accompa-
nied students from Jupiter, Florida on a
mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala.
Betsey helped with physical therapy for
children with cerebral palsy and took
care of babies who were malnourished
or had harelips or cleft palates. They left
with a respect for the people of
Guatemala and an appreciation of how
much the U.S. has been blessed. In May
their granddaughter graduated from col-
lege and went with a mission to Nepal.
After a relaxing summer in North
Carolina, they enjoyed a trip to New
England, returning to Florida in time for
Thanksgiving.
Speaking of returning to Florida, we
have many classmates to do just that.
Mim Wyse Linsky heads to southern cli-
mates this winter. But this year she was
wishing the weather would warm up in
Vera Beach! She is making good recov-
ery from back surgery in November. Big
family news is that their eldest son, Ned
(44) is engaged! Mim recently heard
from Judy Campbell Campbell who was
planning to come to Sebastian, Florida
for her annual vacation. In the small
world department; while shopping at
Walgreen's, Mim ran into Lou Moore
who was visiting friends in the same
condo complex!
Another Florida visitor was Fanchon
Lewis Jackson. Her husband, a pediatric
radiologist, retired last June and they
were visiting old medical school friends
in Florida and North Carolina and later
planning to attend Joe's 45'" Duke
Medical School reunion and visit grand-
children in California and Virginia.
Jane Munnerlyn Carter has nine
grandchildren ranging in age from one
month to 22 years! She said she likes
the wide spectrum as it keeps one's
mind and heart jumping in all directions!
Danie travels to Ponte Vedra Beach,
Jacksonville, Florida to visit Muffet
Murchison Corse who moved to
Jacksonville, but still travels back to
Virginia.
Now the really "smart" classmates
are the ones who have established resi-
dency in Florida (I am a little biased!).
Nancy Storey White has been a Florida
resident for a LONG time. She sent a
Happy New Year letter from North
Carolina where she was visiting family.
Nancy is a resident of the Plymouth
Harbor retirement home in Sarasota.
She is much stronger now thanks to a
personal trainer, but says he doesn't
cook like Oprah's trainer! Her New Year's
resolution: to fight all terrorists she finds
at Plymouth Harbor. She adds that she
still makes resolutions because they give
her a goal for the year, but that she
doesn't necessarily keep them past
January!
A native Floridian, Nell Greening
Keen, is moving from Anna Maria Island
near Sarasota back to Tampa. She wel-
comes the move because she will be
closer to her daughter, Elinor, and her
two-year-old daughter and eight month
old son. Nell's youngest son, Hampton,
lives in West Palm Beach and has left
the practice of law to work for a money
company. Our daughter and Hampton
were attorneys in the same building, but
in spite of our efforts, they never met!
Nell enjoyed seeing Fran Cone
Kirkpatrick and her husband on the way
to the Keys where they winter. They are
proud grandparents of a baby girl, their
second daughter's child.
Marianne Delacorte Holland and
her husband, longtime residents of
Connecticut, moved to Winter Park,
Florida. Having their son, daughter-in-
law and two grandchildren nearby was a
big incentive.
Our best wishes go to Peachey
Lillard Manning who, after a fall in
Naples, Florida, found that she had a
brain tumor, which was removed. She
spent two weeks in rehabilitation and
was starting radiation, but says she is
feeling great. She had a wonderful
Christmas gathering of 16 family
members where she "sat like a
Queen!" Her four daughters continue
to be a blessing!
We are very sorry to tell you that
Jean Probeck Wiant's husband, Rick,
passed away in September. He had
fought a long battle with lymphoma and
actually did well for a long time, but died
suddenly of a massive bacterial infec-
tion. Jean says that the good news is
that he went quickly and did not suffer
and lived with a good deal of dignity
until the last week of his life. He seemed
like a member of our class since he
attended so many of our reunions. We
will miss him!
It appears that many of you may
never retire! A prime example is Lucy
Kreusler Carey who has been a widow
for almost four years and finds that
working makes her happier. She is
teaching Russian part time at a Berlitz
Language Center and will soon start
teaching Polish. She volunteers for the
Red Crass using her knowledge of for-
eign languages. Last summer she visited
the Scandinavian countries and next
summer plans to go to Holland and
Belgium. Periodically, she returns to
Poland to see friends. Her only child,
David, is a lawyer and president of the
City Council in Bel Air, Maryland.
Barbara Favill Marshall is also a
very busy person! She has been
involved as a volunteer with the Chicago
Symphony for over 50 years! Her talents
range from playing cello in a spring
quartet to playing tennis. Fitness walking
is also on her agenda. She and her hus-
band love to travel, but plan to stay in
the US or Canada. On 9/11/01 they were
on a cruise ship with the English
Chamber Orchestra off the coast of
Turkey. They spend the winters in their
home in Carefree, Arizona, and summers
in Illinois and visiting their daughters
and three grandchildren in
Massachusetts. A son and his wife live
in Colorado.
Virginia Mann York has not done as
much writing in 2001 while seeing her
husband through cancer surgery. She
has completed a manuscript of verse,
"The Compass", and its companion vol-
ume of essays in "An Aquarian Thesis"
is near completion. Warmer tempera-
tures in Sarasota and Charleston lure
them south, but they will return home to
New York in April for Poetry Month read-
ings.
Another talented classmate,
Beverly Benson Seamans, is working
on a commission for the Marblehead
High School of a five foot figure of a
Revolutionary Drummer Boy, which
will be dedicated in June. She and her
husband enjoyed a walking tour of
Tuscany from Siena to Montepulciano
last spring — a total of 85 miles in
about a week! They plan a repeat per-
formance this year! A trip to Bali was
cancelled because of 9/11. In the sum-
mer they enjoy life in Maine and
Marblehead, with sailing being a
favorite pastime. She says that they are
blessed with two children and three
grandchildren.
An email from Cora Jane
Morningstar Spiller's daughter. Helen
Spiller Petersen, saying that Alicia
Iznaga Mazzeo, Cora Jane's former SBC
roommate, had asked her to write about
her mother's accomplishments and con-
tributions for the Alumnae news. This is
Helen's lovely tribute to her mother:
"Cora Jane Morningstar Spiller is
alive and well and enjoying life in her
hometown of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Actually, she is ensuring that everyone in
town is enjoying life. After traveling the
world as the wife of an Army officer,
Cora Jane and her husband Bob moved
back to Bowling Green where they met
and both graduated from Western KY U.
in 1950. In 1980 they should have
begun their retirement, but this is when
life got exciting. The Sweet Briar alumna
busied herself with EVERYTHING. She
was president of the Arts Alliance,
worked at the theatre thrift store, called
families in emergency situations for the
ARC, held top positions in the local
chapter of DAR, organized and hosted
receptions for citizens after the swearing
in ceremonies at the Federal Courthouse,
and spearheaded a campaign to raise
50 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
over S1 million for the local Salvation
Army. And she still teaches Sunday
School classes, is a member of the
board of the Human Rights
Commission, an ombudsman for the
county, a historian and volunteer geneal-
ogist for the DAR, a member of PTO and
works on committees of the Colonial
Dames of KY. But she finds time to go to
Florida once a year to visit her room-
mate. Alicia Iznaga Mazzeo. Now
there's friendship!
A very nice email came from Alicia's
husband. Bias, who said that Alicia grad-
uated from the University of Havana
majoring in History, Geography, and
Philosophy, She married Bias, an MIT
engineer, and they lived in Boston,
Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and now
Parkland, Florida. They celebrated their
5CP wedding anniversary last year and
have five children and 11 grandchildren.
Alicia traveled in Europe, the Soviet
Union, and South America, but unfortu-
nately had a brain tumor ten years ago
which has limited her ability to walk and
travel. She has helped many Cuban
immigrants and taught English to
groups of Catholic nuns arriving in the
US. Presently she is translating books
on religion into Spanish. Alicia said that
she corresponds with lleana Garcia Carr
('48) in Puerto Rico. Also, she writes of
Worden Willis (75) who lives near her in
Parkland. Florida. Worden works full
time as a broker and volunteers more
than 20 hours each week to rescue, care
for, and place dogs in good homes.
Ann Belser Asher is still thinking of
all the fun we had at our 50" reunion
Her life has "quieted down" to Flower
Guild work at the church, associate
trustee of Sulgrave Manor (ancestral
home of George Washington in England)
and Conservation Chairperson for the
Nantucket Garden Club. She and Norm
celebrated their 50" wedding anniver-
sary. They live in DC and summer in
Nantucket.
Maggie Craig Sander's card arrived
a bit too late for our last class notes. She
is busy with volunteer work, going to
"old lady" club meetings and grandpar-
enting. Three of her granddaughters live
in Charlottesville. Maggie had a mini-
reunion with Elsie Landram Layton
when she was visiting in New Orleans.
She said that Elsie is still as attractive as
ever and they had great fun catching up.
Another active classmate, Dorothy
Barney Hoover, is back in the "social
swim" after the death of her husband in
1999. Her days are busy with tennis,
needlepoint (working on a church kneel-
er with 20 other women), Hispanic min-
istry and training to become a Stephen
minister in her church. Six grandchildren
(ages 14-19) are doing well. The eldest
is a Junior at Hilton Head Prep and was
elected to the National Honor Society.
Two others are honor students.
Merry Moore Lynn sent a great end-
of-the-year letter. She is still working
part time for her brother. She and Jim
have taken several trips to visit family in
Virginia and included a visit to SBC.
Merry had not been back in 50 years
and was very impressed with the many
changes and the lovely campus.
Roommate, Diana Dent, had a wonder-
ful cruise down the Columbia and Snake
rivers following the route of Lewis and
Clark. She is planning an auto trip to
Nova Scotia and a summer course at
Dartmouth to brush up on her Spanish.
She is still volunteering as an ESL tutor.
When Dorothy Montague Cholnoky is
not in Scottsdale, Arizona, she and Diana
meet for fitness walking.
The class of 1950 includes many
seasoned travelers Bonnie Loyd
Crane's Christmas card featured a photo
of an onion dome in Moscow's Red
Square. 2001 included trips to Russia
and Berlin to visit her daughter, Melinda,
and her two children. All the family came
to her house in Wellesley for the holi-
days. Bonnie and I are both blessed, as
our mothers are 98 years old and are
still doing well, A recent card from
Bonnie tells of an upcoming trip to
Central Mexico to see the Monarch but-
terflies before they migrate to New
England and a visit to Puerto Vallarta to
observe humpback whales — an interest-
ing contrast from some of the smallest
creatures to the biggest! When she isn't
traveling, Bonnie's art gallery occupies
most of her time.
A Sweet Briar trip to Sorrento, Italy,
attracted Carolyn Tynes Cowan and
Edith Tanner Broughton, but Edith's chil-
dren vetoed her going because of 9/11.
Only 22 of the 49 who signed up made
the trip, but Carolyn reports that they
missed a fabulous time! This was her
second SBC trip and she is looking for-
ward to another one!
Pat Owens Purvis and husband took
their children and grands to Disney
World and then on a Disney Cruise. She
adds that not having to cook on
Christmas Day was wonderful beyond
belief! Loyal Anglophiles, they returned
to Britain for the twenty-something time
this past summer. Daughter Lisanne
(SBC 78) was with them in Wales and
they are looking forward to another trip
there.
Experienced traveler Pat Halloran
Salvadori has plans for a spring trip to
Italy with daughter Margaret, her hus-
band, and their two children. Margaret
was in Barcelona representing Cook
County at its trade meeting. Another
daughter, Sharon, came home for
Christmas after being away two years
and was preparing for orals at NYU. Pat
has recovered from a fall where she
broke her nose. Now she wouldn't let
that stay in the way of traveling! In July
she is joining a SBC group for a trip to
Ireland and hopes that other class mem-
bers will sign up.
Betsy Markgraf Waring gave rave
reviews to the April '01 centennial Sally
Ride Lectures at SBC which she and Jim
attended. They also highly recommend a
trip on a small boat to Alaska, where one
day they saw 30 whales! Because of
9/11 they reluctantly cancelled an
Elderhostel trip to Paris and St.
Petersburg, but hope to reschedule.
Interesting news from Ginger
Luscombe Rogers, who in February
attended a swearing in ceremony in DC
conducted by Colin Powell for a friend
who is the new US Ambassador to
Norway. Afterwards, she visited her
daughter Sarah who lives near
Annapolis. Ginger is still serving on the
Architectural and Historical Board of
Review, but is trying to find younger
people to take over. Her daughter. Larkin,
and her four-year-old grandson have
moved back to Hudson after eight years
in England. Ginger is playing tennis and
golf, but hasn't ridden (horseback) in
over a year. Her travels have taken her to
Guatemala and Belize where she enjoyed
snorkeling and touring impressive
Mayan ruins.
Guy and I had a fascinating visit last
spring to Oman to visit New Zealand
friends who live there and then on to
Jordan and Syria (Israel was cancelled).
The well-preserved Roman ruins and
Petra were highlights. We were stranded
in Detroit 9/1 1 where we were visiting
our daughter and family. Finally back to
Florida four days later, but we delayed a
flight to London a few days. Spent a
week in a cozy cottage in Wales, visited
friends in the Cotswolds, ferried to
Quimper, Brittany, to the International
Conference on Quimper Faience (pottery
which I collect) — topped off with visits
to Paris and London. No more big trips
planned — just Elderhostels in the US!
Family is always foremost in our
class news, particularly our roles as par-
ents, grandparents, and great grandpar-
ents Anne Green Pangel's daughter and
her husband adopted an adorable one-
year-old boy from Romania and she
says that Ian is the sunshine in their sky,
Anne and her husband visited Trish
Denning Love and her husband in Hilton
Head. South Carolina and had a wonder-
ful time catching up on each other's
families, solving the world's problems
and dining at good restaurants. Deborah
Freeman Cooper is moving to a smaller
home in a life-care community this
spring. Their youngest son and his wife
will be living with them until their son
finishes his anesthesia residency at
Penn — and they are "expecting" so
Debbie will have fun being a "hands-on"
grandmother!
Joan Teetor Marder and Steve are
well and thriving in Tucson, Arizona.
They were looking forward to a visit
from son Ray, his wife and three daugh-
ters and a spring visit from daughter
Emily and her twins. We are still enjoy-
ing the CDs recorded by Emily (Saxe)
especially the tunes of the 40s and 50s
(ah! Nostalgia!).
Dolly Clark Rasmussen cherishes
Thanksgiving and Christmas family
reunions and sent photographs of their
attractive clan. A record was made by
their three grandsons who peeled ten
pounds of potatoes in 15 minutes! Many
of you write about the events of 9/1 1 .
Dolly was playing golf with a friend
when the friend's husband came to tell
them that their daughter-in-law. a flight
attendant, was on the plane that hit the
Pentagon. Dolly attended the moving
service where there were over 300 uni-
formed pilots and flight attendants and
concludes. "We have been concentrating
even more than usual on family and
friends".
Chicago's Sweet Briar Day in
December was enjoyed by Kay Leroy
Wing and Pat Halloran Salvadori. Kay
proudly reports that she will be a great
grandmother in July. No doubt many of
us can identify with her comment—
"That's ridiculous— we just graduated a
few years ago, didn't we???!!". Kata
Edwards Crain emailed that she is most-
ly in the "grandmotherly stage" where
she loves visiting grandchildren in Dallas
and Houston. She sums it up, "Everyone
thinks their grandchildren are precious
but mine REALLY ARE!!"
Bill Bailey Fritzinger comments that
they don't lead a very exciting life, so
consequently not very much news, but
we know she and Fritz have a full and
busy life managing their farm.
Mary Waller Berkeley Fergusson
expressed what several of you have
communicated — that you would write
something for our class notes if it wasn't
just "same old same old". In answer to
this, please do not feel that you have to
come up with anything spectacular.
Most of us are at the stage of our lives
where great events or accomplishments
are not everyday happenings. We've
"been there, done that" and now we are
enjoying work and/or retirement, grown
children, precious grandchildren and
maybe a few trips for some excitement.
So PLEASE send your "same old same
old" so we'll know you're still out there
"kicking"! If you have email addresses
that I do not have, please email them to
me at BettvnGuv@aol.com. November
1 st is the deadline for the spring issue.
Postcards will only be sent for the
February 1 5th deadline for the summer
issue.
Last, but definitely not least, Sally
Bianchi Foster and Bob continue to be
involved with their community serving
on various committees and volunteering
in the nursing area of their retirement
village. They also allow time for just sit-
ting and relaxing! The activities of their
children and grands are an integral part
of their lives. Real family loyalty was
tested by their viewing of 700+ slides
their granddaughter took in Europe!
Bianchi's and Bob's holiday letter has
some positive thoughts that I would like
to share with you: "One of the highlights
of 2001 , a highlight carved out of
tragedy, was a loving, supportive letter
from our Down Under friends. It arrived
soon after 9/11 and confirmed our belief
that our country would indeed survive
and flourish, thanks in part to loyal and
caring supporters around the world. In
our own way, we reaffirmed this belief
by planting 150 bulbs around our home.
It was bad on our backs, but good for
our morale. If the deer permit, we shall
have a colorful spring".
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc. edu
Fall 2002 • 51
1952
The following tribute was written by
Mary John Ford Gilchrist:
With deep regret we have learned
that one of our class of '52, Susan
Hobson McCord, died in March after
suffering years with rheumatoid arthritis,
which was of late complicated with can-
cer.
Susan was active in many ways dur-
ing her four years at Sweet Briar and as
a senior was both President of Student
Government and a member of Phi Beta
Kappa. After college she pursued a
career in education in New York City and
abroad.
While raising three children, Susan
and her husband, Coke, a heart surgeon,
who later specialized in international
health care delivery, spent much of their
life in Bangladesh and Mozambique. He
taught and worked in the medical field
as she did the same in the educational
field. In Bangladesh Susan served as
the Principal of the American
International School at Dakka and later
represented the American Friends
Service Committee, founding a library on
development issues that has since
expanded across Bangladesh. In
Mozambique Susan worked for the
Ministry of Education to establish an
adult literacy program. Upon her return
to New York she worked for the literacy
volunteers of New York City and was its
director of education at the time of her
retirement.
At the time of her death Susan had
substantially completed a biography of
Natha Singh, a man who though born to
a lowly caste, became a teacher in
Punjab, India. She wrote in collabora-
tion with Mr. Singh's son, Sewa. Susan
had a deep love for Bangladesh and its
people and made many trips back.
The class of '52 stands proud to
have had one among us, who lived a life
of such dedication to the education and
well-being of others less fortunate.
1953
President: Dale Hutter Harris (The Hon.)
Secretary: Mary Ann (M.A.) Mellen
Root
Fund Agents: Mary Kimball Grier,
Eleanor Johnson Ashby
Ladies;
lis time again to share our news.
Sorry about the wrong email address
listed on the postcard. The Alumnae
Office doesn't know how, or where, they
got it and neither do I. Whomever "Fritz"
is, he must have been astonished at
some of the mail he received (we're so
interesting that I am sure he wants to
meet us all!). Anyway, thank you to all of
you who persevered and resorted to the
old fashioned way of communicating. I
loved getting your letters.
The big moves among us are Cinnie
Moorhead McNair and Norm who have
departed from San Antonio and relocat-
ed to Charleston, South Carolina. They
are delighted to be closer to their sons,
seven grands, and one great, plus being
able to catch up with the East Coasters
of '53.
Nan Locke Rosa and Frank moved
to a townhouse in Montgomery,
Alabama after 35 years in a large house.
They can talk about "throw out deci-
sions" with Sug Cantey Patton and Pat
who moved around the corner to smaller
quarters in Atlanta after inhabiting the
same abode for 43 years. In between
packing and unpacking, the Rosas man-
aged to fit in a tour of the Greek Isles, a
Caribbean cruise, and a trip to Ireland.
Nan may have given up the travel busi-
ness, but she still seems to be bitten by
the bug. The rendezvoused with Anne
Elliott Caskie and Challen in Charleston
in January.
Other travelers include Kay Vennard
Le Blanc and Joe who toured Spain. Kay
says she's planning to come to our
50'" — as I hope you all are. It will be her
first trip back and she asks, "Is the
Amherst County Room still there?"
Ginger Timmons Ludwick and Dave
continue exploring the world. They sent
a wonderful picture taken in Norway.
Unfair, Ginger never ages!
Joan Arey Harrison and Chuck
said they are also doing lots of travel-
ing but she neglected to mention any
destinations.
Nan O'Keeffe had a super trip to
Sicily last spring and was headed for
England this summer.
Mary Kimball Grier and Bos went to
Ireland last year. They continue to make
their annual February trip to the Grand
Canyon. What a delightful way to escape
the winter.
Katzy Bailey Nager and C.J. toured
England (including the Wimbledon
matches) last summer and then "house
swapped" with a family in Ireland, a
most successful venture for both cou-
ples. The Nagers joined Maggie Graves
McClung and David, and Kitty Guerrant
Fields at the SBC Centennial Celebration
in Spring 2001 and said that it was
"FABULOUS!" The McClungs are still
happily splitting their time between
Smith Mountain Lake and Roanoke. Kitty
Fields and daughter Fran spent a week at
the Greenhouse Spa in Texas and loved
every pampering moment. Kitty passed
her usual summer days with friends in
Michigan and welcomed in 2002 in
Edenton, a charming historic town in
North Carolina. She is planning a glori-
ous gathering for family and friends at
the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond in April
2002.
Eleanor Johnson Ashby and Garnett
made three trips to Europe, mostly the
United Kingdom, but branched out to
include a cruise to Scandinavia and the
Low Countries. Nancy McDonald often
joins them on their travels.
Dale Hutter Harris and Ted spent
last Christmas in England with their
daughter and her family. They have two
grandsons in England and two grand-
daughters in Arizona.
Isabel Grayson Parish and Hav say
they love life in Pinehurst (Mah Jong,
bridge, golf, theatre, church), but they
managed to break away for trips to
Florida, South Carolina, Ohio, Virginia,
New York, Louisiana, and Georgia. As a
pilot, musician, and physician, Hav has
many interests, including the "windjam-
mers", a group dedicated to preserving
the music of 20th century Circus Bands.
Sounds energising and loud. Their
"Painting Preacher" son had an art show
at a gallery in the French Quarter this
year, congratulations.
Anne (Kim) Green Stone and John
have been busy showing their champion
Arabian Stallion, who is among the top
ten in the US and Canada. Kim and John
have served on the many Arabian sport
horse boards, both domestic and inter-
national. They also welcomed two new
grandchildren. That makes a total of
eight in five years.
Nancy Bomar Andrews and David
continue to live in lovely Alpine, New
Jersey. Nancy is chairwoman of the
Horticulture Committee of the Garden
Club of America, and would love to wel-
come any '53ers to their offices in New
York City. Dr. Dave will retire in June
2002.
Jane Perry Liles and George hosted
a mini-reunion (McClung, McLaughlin,
Fields, Nager, Harris, Root, Pickett) at
their Grandfather Mountain getaway in
June 2001 . "A grand time was had by
all."
Connie Werly Wakelee and Dave
are contemplating a move to Hanover,
New Hampshire area, not far from
Dickie Wellborn Hopper Happy House
Hunting!
June Arata Pickett and Bob some-
times stop by Hilton Head on their way
north.
Dolly Wallace McLaughlin and
Kemp were also visitors last summer. I
love company so "come on down".
Jackie Lowe Young and Dick are
spending more time at their house on
Hilton Head. It's great having them
around. Their latest Atlanta grandchild
had his first birthday in February. The
Youngs cruised down the coast of Italy
last year and loved it.
Kirk Tucker Clarkson and Jack have
sold their big boat and opted for a small-
er bateau and property on the Eastern
shore of Virginia. In June 2001 , they
went to France to celebrate the 50"'
anniversary of Kirk's Junior Year in
France with her Paris roommate and her
husband. Then on to England for a
reunion with her WWII pen pal, a very
special trip indeed. Kirk reported that
she and Katty Turner Mears were
recently at Sweet Briar with the Garden
Club of Virginia Restoration Committee
and the committee voted to give the col-
lege a new landscaping plan for Sweet
Briar House!
We have two classmates who live in
Mexico; Barbara Buxton Waugh and
Sallie Gayle Beck. Sallie reports that
she leaves Merida in the winter and trav-
els to explore Mayan ruins in Mexico
and Central America. Her goal is to see
them ALL.
The dreaded bug 70,h hits most of us
this year. Liz Gibson Brooke and George
celebrated with their immediate family in
NYC this fall. Then she and George went
to London, Wales, and the Cotswolds.
Their children come from California and
Texas to join them for Christmas in
Connecticut. Liz and I both have sons in
Dallas and hope to coordinate our visits
sometime.
Jane Dawson Mudwilder's children
surprised her with a huge gathering of
family friends to usher in the new
decade. She says she's still in shock—
and she loved it.
In April 2002 Midge Chase Powell
and Bill and their entire family (16 in all)
will go to Cancun to ring in her big day.
Midge is still selling real estate in
Winnetka when she isn't involved with
their eight grandchildren. The Powells
sent a wonderful picture of themselves
with their golden retriever in the front
yard of their house with a HUGE flag
hanging in the yard. God Bless America.
Edie Norman Wombwell's three
sons surprised her in Denver with a
fancy dinner, corsage, the works for her
70'". She and George spend eight
months in their Colorado home near
Aspen, and four months a year in
Louisville. They are going on a windjam-
mer cruise with children and grandchil-
dren this summer. My kids also sur-
prised with woop-de-doo. Such fun. I'm
dragging the whole thing out by going to
Ireland with my daughter, Francie('80)
on the SBC trip in July. One last fling in
my 70" year.
We lost one more class member in
December when Elizabeth Enteman
Hearns died. Our sympathy to her family.
I expect to see all the rest of you at
SBC in May 2003!
1956
President: Kay Smith Schauer
Secretary: Betsy Meade Hastings
Our 45"' Reunion (also Sweet Briar's
Centennial Year) was really fabulous, and
the thirty or so of us who were there had
a wonderful time! None of us has aged
in looks in the past five years. So all of
you had better be here in 2006 so we
can say the same about you!! This is
Betsy Meade Hastings, your Class
News editor for the next five years, lead-
ing up to our Golden 50"' Reunion in
2006! Thirty of us had a fabulous time at
the 45" on May 1 1 -1 3, 2001 : Kay Smith
(our new class president leading up to
the 50"), Nancie Howe Entenmann, Ann
Train Ross, Louisa Hunt Coker and Mac,
Peggy Anne Rogers, Joan Broman
Wright and Jim, Marty Fields Fite, Ann
Stevens Allen, and me(your new class
secretary) Mimi Thornton Oppenhimer,
Lou Galleher Coldwell, and Ginny
Echols Orgain came over for the
Saturday luncheon, and Jane Slack
Sigloh and Mary Ann Hicklin
52 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Willingham and her attractive groom
were waiting for us Friday evening for
drinks and a picnic at tables in the
Quadrangle. (Can you imagine being
served cocktails by white-coated waiters
from the liquor tent on the Quadrangle?)
Our 45" in May 2001 elected Kay Smith
as Class President and me as Secretary.
Our collective job is to inspire ALL of
you to come to the 50'" in May 2006 as
guests of Sweet Briar and celebrate our
accomplishments and the College.
Last May the 50,h Reunion Class
('51) numbered 39 alumnae and 13 hus-
bands and presented to Sweet Briar a
check for $90,906! But '56 raised
$30,920 and we were proud . . . I'll bet
we can match the class of '51 by our
SO". By now our husbands realize what
riches they received in us, the products
of a Sweet Briar education, and so many
have provided that education for your
daughters. So they and we can express
our appreciation by making our 50'"
Reunion gift the largest yet! Please start
talking this up among your classmates
now.
Starting farthest away, Ann Train
Ross takes the prize for most miles trav-
eled. After last May's Reunion, they had
"a most magical trip" to Mexico, the
Everglades, and to see their son Richard.
Fiona, and Malachi in San Francisco.
Back in the UK, John had the operation
to straighten out the Dupuykoen's con-
tracture in his hand. In July they had an
enjoyable trip to Wales to try out their
new motorhome; then in September 01
they set off for 6Vz weeks' tour through
Germany, Austria. Hungary, Croatia,
Slovenia, Italy, and France — sightseeing
and visiting friends along the way. In
November they visited her parents in
Cape Town and over the holidays they
had Richard and family from SF and Tish
and family from Bath to visit them
(Harefield. Middlesex) and all went to
visit AN and family in the Lake District.
She hopes for a huge gathering at the
50".
From Kay Smith Schauer in CA: "It's
time for Bob and me to be quiet. He's
had a reoccurrence of non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma and I have a potential retina
problem. But we are happily tucked at
home enjoying sunshine and our bird
feeders. We hope to be out soon, travel-
ling and visiting our grandchildren in
MA."
In Dallas. Van Hartman Ellis is busy
with St. Michael's Altar Guild and book
shop, and trying to keep track of her
family, all moving through the calendar
at a furious pace. In the Christmas pic-
ture she looks as young as her two love-
ly daughters (and 3 grandchildren).
In Houston, Betty Pierce Bradshaw
and Jack are both retired and remaining
there, but building a beach house in
Galveston's West Bay. Their three kids
and two grandchildren are likely to stay
in Houston, so they will not move to
Pawley's Island as they had planned.
Betty is active in an Alzheimer help
group at church, and closely following
the Anglican Mission in the U.S. as it
expands. They're proud of George W.,
loyal Texans that they are!
In San Antonio. Eleanor Russell is
delighted to have moved from house to
condo, with no concern for yard or larg-
er home. She doubts seriously that she'll
make the 50". but we'll hope to see her.
otherwise give her a full report.
Peggy Pattillo Beckham writes from
Abilene that their "baby" is running for
Congress against a 24-year incumbent,
Charles Stenholm, who has served the
17th District in Texas. Rob is running
unopposed on the Republican ticket, but
it will be a hard fight to unseat
Stenholm. "In the meantime," says
Peggy. "I'm trying to grow a thick skin."
Jeannie Applequist is still in CO at
Trollhagen Tree Ranch, growing beautiful
large trees for landscaping in the moun-
tains surrounded by lots of wildlife. Her
recent activity was a 3-week work stint
with the Red Cross at Ground Zero over
Christmas and New Year's . . . "An
amazing experience that stretched me in
every direction, physically, mentally, and
emotionally. I did one-on-one case work
with victims affected by the disaster. The
stories were horrendous, and I felt very
blessed to be there and help with the
grieving process. . . another life-chang-
ing experience. You are all welcome to
visit when in the Wild West. We're 100
miles from both Aspen and Telluride in a
very small ranching community. Love to
all ... I miss singing with you!"
Anne Willis Hetlage retired from
Washington University in St. Louis in
July 2000 after 20 years of a great job!
She also added a third grandchild that
summer. So now she has time to enjoy
the little people, travel, and volunteer at
the St. Louis Art Museum.
And now from our just retired Class
President, Nancie Howe Entenmann, in
Toledo, OH. The smoothness of our 45'"
Reunion was due in large part to
Nancie's efforts over the past five years.
She and Dick are still involved in vestry,
choir, and as unofficial Senior greeters to
Newcomers. Dick's choral group
Masterworks Chorale is singing around
OH. Re: travels, great Gauguin-Van Gogh
exhibit in Chicago, and family trips to:
Madison, Wl — son Dirk and Shari + 2
(baby Walter Howe (ahem), 5 mo.): El
Paso, TX (daughter Becky and John +2).
They are dreaming about a trip in 2002
to Australia and New Zealand! Dick is a
yearlong gardener and Nancie keeps
thinking about being a clown ... (I think
she'd make a perfect clown ... Go for it.
Nancie!)
Mary Koonz Gynn is not sure we're
old enough to be having a 50'" Reunion
yet. and most of us would agree! She
has a new granddaughter born to her
daughter Shelly, and her son Barry has
two boys 3 and 5. Her activities still
include farming, which she truly enjoys,
and also golf, tennis, weight lifting, and
biking to stay in shape.
Our previous News Editor Meredith
Smythe Grider knew the feeling and was
the very first to return her card! She has
gone from having no grandchildren to
having two sets of late-in-life babies. Her
two oldest girls have had boy-girl twins,
both by invitro. So how lucky can I be?
One family is in Chicago and one in
Louisville, so she gets to be a hands-on
grandmother. "Youngest daughter
Meredith has been living with me since
quitting her job in DC and is anxious to
find a new job and move out! It's great
having a kid in the house again. She
loved her trip to Thailand and Cambodia
in fall 2001
Peggy Anne Rogers is happy in her
own cottage at Alexian Village on Signal
Mountain, TN. They have a travel club —
Natchez, Myrtle Beach, the Greenbriar —
and she went with her cousins on a
cruise Jan. 23-Feb. 3 to Venezuela. She
hopes to spend this summer in England
again. Retirement is great— time to read
lots of books and perhaps take some to
the Sweet Briar Library Board. She's still
active in Deaf projects; they have about
30 Hard of Hearing who meet monthly in
Chattanooga and she collects articles
and books for their Library on the Deaf.
She also enjoys photography.
Rose Montgomery Johnston defi-
nitely plans to attend the 50" and hopes
we have a crowd! She's still a practicing
psychologist in Memphis. Their four
daughters live in NC, SC, GA, and MI
We have 11 marvelous grandchildren! I
travel as often as I can; have enjoyed
mini-reunions with SBC classmates
(Carolyn Dickinson Tynes, Mary Ann
Hicklin Willingham. Frances
Shannonhouse Clardy. Nancy Salisbury
Spencer, and Ann Stevens Allen) I also
keep up with Norma Davis Owen,
Beejee Smith Abse. and Bet Forbes
Rayburn.
Joyce Lenz Young wrote from
Weston, MA: Thanks to Meredith and
Macie — you were great! She was so
sorry to miss the 45"; her news is most-
ly grandbabies! After many years of
none, they now have 3 with 1 on the
way ... all boys so far — no SBC
prospects. The latest was born on
Christmas Day, 9 lbs. 9 oz., with not
even an aspirin! She and Hugh continue
to plug along in New England. He's
retired but does a great deal of consult-
ing. "Our lives are pretty mild compared
to what I read of others. Travels are
mostly to the West Coast or WV to visit
children. This year we all gathered to
celebrate Hugh's 70"' in Santa Barbara.
"Think YOUNG" was our logo. I do hope
anyone who journeys our way will get in
touch with us — we're only a few miles
from Boston, although I don't suppose
Logan Airport is high on anyone's list
these days!"
Our cosmopolite Dr. Harriet Y.
Cooper is still living on E. 81st in New
York City. Her news is dominated by
how all New Yorkers have been affected
by WTC disaster and how it has changed
the city. "Some of the Louisville girls
may know of Fred Algy Management and
its CEO. David Algy— all lost. We are
closer to our firemen (our station, so far
uptown, lost 8 of its 13 men) and
admire our 'Bravest' as well as our
'Finest.' I'd just returned from CO and
the Telluride Film Festival, a wonderful
event, especially meeting Roger Ebert
and Jim Ivory. In June 2001. 1 gave a
paper at the International D. H. Lawrence
Conference in Naples, held in a magnifi-
cent palazzo — great art and food. Then
visited old friends in Capri (much
changed since '85) and Rome, and
stayed in Tarymnia and Viterbo to study
my beloved Etruscans further.
Classmates, please call me when in NYC:
212-737-8473."
Iris Potteiger Hinchman in Sea
Bright, NJ says the trip to Nice and Paris
was wonderful except it came one week
after 9/11 with all those concerns. "It
was hard living at the Shore when I
could see the smoke and knew people
who had perished. When I have gone to
New York for shows or museums I don't
venture down to the World Trade area —
I am not ready. Before going to Nice I
visited my son and daughter-in-law in
San Francisco, my favorite city, and on
the way back stopped to go
Halloweening with my grandchildren
Catherine and Jack, outside Dallas in
Irving. I attended a lovely wedding in
Newport, Rl, in the Ashley Croft
Mansion, a beautiful site. Enjoyed a
North NJ Alumnae Meeting because
President Muhlenfeld was there, and the
video shown made me very connected
and proud. In the Poconos. Carol
Duncan '57 and I have discovered each
other."
January '02 finds Parksie Carroll
Mulholland and Jack at their condo in S.
Ft. Myers, FL, where they will be until
April, playing lots of golf and having lots
of visitors. She's on the committee to
help run a charity tournament for the
local Hope Hospice. She is still involved
in judging Horticulture, but less so since
she's not in Baltimore as much. "We
also spend time at our VA mountain
house, so we have a different style of life
now and love it. Much excitement as we
have last child's wedding in June — son
David to Amy from Salem, VA. I see
Bmcie Bordley Gibbs now and then.
She's in new house on her farm and her
daughter and husband live in old spot.
No world-shaking news from my depart-
ment—just graying gracefully and happy
as can be. I love having my retired
spouse Jack around all the time. We
have a great time together!"
Janet Monroe Schumann writes
from Clarksville, MD: "Life stays busy, if
not hectic, with full-time job as Director
of Development at the School of
Engineering at Johns Hopkins University
in Baltimore. We are entering a $2 billion
plus campaign. I have two grand-chil-
dren, Jaime 5 and Sophie 3. Paula in
Washington, DC, running our business
and other interior design work. Look for-
ward to 2006!"
Bunny Burwell Nesbit "I have
decided to sell the family home in
Upperville. VA and move to Sarasota, FL.
I cannot drive due to poor eyesight so
I'm pretty stuck here. I will be moving
into a new Senior Community where I
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 53
will have everything I want or need.
Sarasota has the opera, ballet, sympho-
ny, theater, and museums that I have
missed for so long, not to mention
weather, beach, restaurants, and shops,
so I'm very excited about this move. I
stay busy these days trying to unload
everything I've collected during my lite
that will not move to FL. Ugh! What a
time-consuming job! I'll send my new
address when I move."
Helen Turner Murphy: "I have two
pieces of important news:
1. We have an adorable grandson,
Blake Woodson Douglas, born 2/8/01. 2.
Our new (VA) Governor, Mark Warner,
has named Tayloe a member of his
Cabinet as Secretary of Natural
Resources. The appointment has
received universal praise and I am quite
proud. We shall be spending most of
our time in Richmond but that is where
our daughter lives so we don't mind!"
From Jane Slack Sigloh: "Life is
full — still teaching, preaching, and writ-
ing, but taking lots of time off to enjoy
fourteen grandchildren (yes, that's 14!)
and the garden (we have planted a small
vineyard so we're literally laborers there-
in). My Minnesota man Denny has
adopted the UVA Wahoos, so
Charlottesville is definitely hometown
USA."
Joan Broman Wright and Jim loved
being with everyone at our 45'"! They
spent Christmas 2001 in FL with daugh-
ter Elise ('83) and her family and son
Jim from Raleigh, l\IC. She visited Marty
Field Fite in Vera Beach, FL, and her
sister ('51) and husband in Stuart, FL,
with a wonderful time at The Cloister
enroute.
And now for the annual February
Event in Richmond, VA most fully
described by Mimi Thornton
Oppenhimer: For many Februarys, when
Helen Turner Murphy was in Richmond
with Tayloe for the state legislature, the
late Prince Trimmer Knox gave a lunch-
eon for her and all SBC '56ers in the
Richmond neighborhood — and some-
times beyond. It was a wonderful get-
ting-together of old friends, very much
enjoyed by all. After Prince's death we
decided to continue our meeting and
dining in her memory, adding Prince's
husband Joe to our group. This year
2002 was a particularly special occasion
because Joe hosted our group in his
very charming new house! There were 8
of us, 6 from Richmond — Betsy Parker
Paul, Ginny Echols Orgain, Leezie
Parrish Loughlin, Lou Galleher
Coldwell. Louisa Hunt Coker. and Mimi
Thornton Oppenhimer — and two who
came from afar— Joan Broman Wright
drove over from Charlottesville and
Nancy St. Clair Talley from Winchester.
Other details: Joan Broman Wright,
"Yesterday was the best fun at Joe Knox'
where he gathered together "the flowers
of S.B. '56", Joe's words on the printed
invitation — music from the Sr. Show
was after lunch entertainment!"
Ginny Echols Orgain: "Joe told us
last Feb. he wanted to be the host, not a
guest, in '02. 1 didn't think he was seri-
ous! He created his own invitations and
is providing Sally Bell box lunches. I
know Prince will be hovering over us,
and we will remember all the wonderful
lunches she did."
Louisa Hunt Coker: "We had a grand
gathering with wine and song and lis-
tened to an old tape of our Sr. Show —
you remember 'We open in Venice. . .'
We had a marvelous lunch and Joe out-
did himself!"
Mimi adds her biggest news: a new
grandson. She now has four grandsons
and one granddaughter. Helen Wolfe
Evans and Murphy have eight grandchil-
dren: four boys and four girls!
This from a 2001 postcard (In the
meantime we caught up at the 45",
when she was in great spirits): Marty
Field Fite's life was full and blessed in
2000-2001. Great 3-week trip to Kenya
'01 visiting missionary friend and teach-
ing 3-5 year-olds in The Little Angels
School, followed by 2-day Kilimanjaro
safari. Before and after the trip, grand-
children visits in Ocean City, MD sum-
mer home. Three plus friends = 5
teenagers for ten-day visit — a challenge,
but fun. In Fall she baby-sat in Tulsa with
4 grandchildren twice for a week each,
visited her Sacramento, CA family over
Thanksgiving, her Tulsa family over
Christmas, and took 2 courses at Trinity
Episcopal School for Ministry in
Ambridge, PA. "Enjoyed being in my FL
home for all of Feb. '01 and looking for-
ward to cruise on the Mississippi with
Joan Broman Wright and Jim in March
01 , and visits in FL with 8 of 1 6 grand-
children in April. In May, planning on
seeing all of you at SB 45™, after visiting
the Wrights in Charlottesville, VA." No
word this year.
Frances Gilbert Browne and Herb
are loving their new house, a renovated
'40s ranch in town. We had a great time
(11 months) renovating and have been
here since Hallowe'en — 232 Middleton
Dr, Charlotte 28207. Downsizing has
been quite a challenge — cleaning an attic
after 30 years is a daunting prospect,
but we feel like new people now it's over.
Room upstairs for our boys and grand-
children, all here for a happy Christmas.
Paul and Anne had a son last fall (now
we're at 5 little boys) — what fun!
Frances missed the 45" — in the hospital
with viral pneumonia — but she's okay
now. She has a chronic lung infection
which she'll always have to live with, but
which doesn't hold her back.
Jane Black Clark, wasn't at the 45*.
because of her long battle against can-
cer. After many healthy years, her cancer
resumed in 2001 .In spite of that, she
sent out a beautiful Christmas letter of
praise to the Lord and gratitude for all
the years of love, joy, close family (3
beautiful happily married daughters and
grandchildren), and friends, especially
her devoted David, "the ultimate caregiv-
er." She first had cancer in 1956 soon
after their marriage in 1955.
Nancy Ettinger Minor's husband
Raleigh "went to be with his Lord and
Saviour" on Feb. 7, '02 after a struggle
with cancer.
They live at The Landings on
Skidaway Island near Savannah, which
she says is so warm and supportive it's
like returning to the womb. You can
send your sympathy to her: 1 Spartina
Lane, Savannah, GA 3141 1 or /
r minor@aol.com
Evelyn (Evie) Christison Gregory
died on August 1 , 2001 . The Alumnae
Office has her last address: 4 Dwyer
Street, #1, Madison, NJ 07940, but no
mention of her husband's or family's
names or present addresses. Mail to the
above address from the Alumnae Office
was returned. Please send any address
or contact number or info you may have
to the Alumnae Office: E-mail:
alumnae@sbc.edu
1959
Secretary: Judy Nevins LeHardy
Fund Agents: Ann Young Bloom; Betsy
Smith White
One of our own, Mary Ballou Handy
Ballentine, reigned as Richmond
Christmas Mother for the year 2001 . The
Christmas Mother Fund, created in 1935
by Richmond Newspapers Inc., provides
needy children and families with toys,
clothing, food, and other necessities
during the holidays. She felt highly hon-
ored and found it tremendously reward-
ing to assist in a campaign that raised
nearly $250,000. We subscribers to the
Richmond Paper were treated to many
pictures of her in action, and an espe-
cially lovely one of her with two of her
three grandchildren. Nice going. Mary
Ballou!
Jane Moore Banks says: " Middle
age is fast fading, though I don't feel any
older than I did 20 years ago." She still
plays tennis and paddle tennis as often
as she can. Still working full time, she's
turned over most of the business to her
two older children, who have been work-
ing with her for 20 years. Her four chil-
dren and six grandchildren are her
"pride and joy".
Courtney Gibson Pelley continues
with lots of volunteer work.
This year their travel money went
into work being done on their Arlington
house and beach house.
From Cathy Tyler Shelton in Canada
comes the news that John retired at the
end of last March '01 , and they had a
wonderful 6 weeks in Europe on a Eurail
Pass with friends and family, visiting a
German friend in Dresden and Meissen,
spending time in Spain at John's sister's
house, and ten days in Greece. John
then sailed across the North Atlantic on
a 37' boat. They are enjoying cross-
country skiing and spending time with
their four grandchildren.
Isa Mary Lowe Ziegler is excited
because her suite mates are finally
coming to California to visit her. Sally
Beattie Sinkler, Vivian Butler Scott
and Jim. and Virginia MacKethan
Kitchin and Lee have planned the trip
for May '02.
Rew Price Carne retired in April '01,
but in the fall wenLbaek-to First Union to
workort part-time projects, "and was still
there as of Feb. Home improvements,
golf, and church projects fill the rest of
her time. She also travels, mostly in
California, but had a wonderful train trip
to Portland and Seattle.
Fleming Parker Rutledge has a
third book coming out this month (Th
Undoing of Death, Eerdmans
Publishing). It is a collection of 25 year:
of Holy Week and Easter sermons, and
will include a lot of art. She enjoyed
"seeing Rhett Ball('60) in Montgomery
when I was preaching there, and spent
some very special time with Vivian
Butler Scott and her very attractive hu
band Jim just prior to_h£LWp-tfrBBston
for grueling cancel treatment Spoke to
her on the phone a few days ago and
discovered that after a year of coura-
geous battling she is in remission and
beginning to enjoy life again. Her attitude
is admirable." Preaching trips this year
will include Columbus GA, Kerrville TX,
Oberlin, Germantown TN, and Lafayette
LA. She enjoys seeing SBC people wher-
ever she goes.
To Ali Wood Thompson, 2001
seemed to be a year of traveling. She
hopes it calms down this year. "Being
that Travis is the Republican National
Committeeman from Hawaii, he has 4
meetings around the U.S. annually. So I
have tagged along, going to Boston,
Austin, TX (and also saw our son who
lives nearby) and to Portland. In June,
Trav and I thought it would be great to
try a photo safari, so we joined friends
and went to Zimbabwe and to Botswana.
What a marvelous experience that was!
On the way home, we stopped in Ireland
for a week — that was a real contrast
from Africa! Then in November, I joined
some of my classmates and husbands
from school and had a mini-reunion
down in Guatemala with our Guatemalan
classmate. Otherwise, I'm still running
our little Hawaiian band (with about 16
members in their 70s and young 80s)
and playing at the nursing homes and up
country at the geriatric hospital. Aloha to
you all
Suzanne Hater Hambrick reports
the birth of a new granddaughter,
Catherine Glaze, born Jan. 11, '02. They
now have two grandsons and two
granddaughters, and feel fortunate that
they all live nearby in Hickory, NC.
Elizabeth Johnston Lipscomb
writes, " I am enjoying my first year of
retirement very much, especially the
extra time to visit our two small grand-
sons in Florida. We've also appreciated
being introduced to the beauties of New
Mexico by son Bill, who lives in Los
Alamos."
A cutting from the March 2002 edi-
tion of Episcopal Life tells us that the
husband of Barbara Sampson Borsch.
Frederick H. Borsch, retired bishop of
Los Angeles, has been appointed interim
dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale
54 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
and associate dean of Yale University
Divinity School.
From Gay Hart Gaines "I continue
to work hard for the Republican
Party Last April 1st Stanley and I
hosted a "Patriotic, Red White and Blue"
party around our pool to raise money for
the Palm Beach County Republicans and
it was not only a financial success, but
great fun. We sang lots of patriotic
songs and by the end of the evening,
there wasn't a dry eye that was five
months before 9/11.1 am the Vice
Regent for Florida for Mount Vernon and
working hard to raise money for this
most visited historic home in America.
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association is
the oldest preservation board in
America. We are a not-for-profit organi-
zation devoted to preserving and restor-
ing George Washington's home and edu-
cating visitors about the life and legacy
of courage and character of our first and
greatest President. We now have eight
precious grandchildren, ranging in age
from 16 years to 5 months. Our entire
family was with us in Palm Beach for
Thanksgiving, eight adults and eight chil-
dren for eight days. Stanley and I have
restored his family home in West
Virginia, where he was born and grew
up. We plan to spend about five or six
weeks there a year, and our children love
it. Last summer we drove to
Charlottesville and to Sweet Briar. It was
a nostalgic and happy trip and Sweet
Briar looked beautiful. I appreciate the
boxwood a lot more now than I did as a
student! It is truly magnificent!"
Virginia Ramsey Crawford writes: "I
continue to sing in the Fairfield County
Chorale, and to paint (watercolors). I
volunteer at the Norwalk Hospital, and
Mac and I do "Meals on Wheels" Ever
the librarian, I participate in a book dis-
cussion group. We have instituted a poli-
cy of traveling with each of our 8 grand-
children in order to get to know them
better. This year's granddaughter
(Rebecca,_13)-wafrted-to go overnight on
a train, so we'll be going to Charleston.
S.C. sooruWe-are looking forward to,
another summer at our second home at
Chautauqua. NY"
From Penny Fisher Duncklee "We
have moved to Las Cruces. New Mexico.
Turns out this is the tenth state I have
lived in. Our house is a 125 year old
fixed up adobe More big news is that
a bilingual children's' book
(Spanish/English) for which John wrote
the words and I painted 14 watercolor
illustrations has just come out.
Manchado and His Fnends/Manchado y
Sus Amigos. Recently I participated in a
city-wide Open Studio tour as part of
Love of Art month. Sold a painting, too.
The kids are healthy and happy as are
John and I".
Jane Jameson Messer enjoyed the
southern hospitality of Snowdon
Durham Byron and Jamie in
Sheperdstown, WV for a couple of days
last year after she walked in the Race for
the Cure in Washington, DC. In July she
spent her usual 3 weeks at Torch Lake,
Ml, where Karen McKenzie Smith, her
roommate senior year, spent one week
with her. There was a mini-reunion of
sorts with her mother, Sara Jameson,
'29, herself, Karen, and Linda
Knickerbocker Ford at Linda's summer
home in Harbor Springs, Ml.
Judy Sorley Chalmers writes: "My
news since our last magazine has entire-
ly to do with my work at Ground Zero in
New York. I began on September 12th
and have worked nightly, or daily, for
nearly four months since then The
organization we formed has become
known as GZFS - Ground Zero Food
Services, and we have procured the food
for, and cooked and served and deliv-
ered over 250,000 meals since
September 11th, — to policemen, fire-
men, rescue workers, National Guard,
ETC. We are now becoming a national
disaster relief organization to provide
similar services should the need arise
again anywhere in the country." She has
posted an essay about this on the
Internet: check on "full text" when you
goto
http://judithchalmersaroundzero.info/
(Also see the article in the last edition
(spring 2002) of the alumnae magazine.)
From Polly Space Dunn comes the
news that she and her husband spent
ten glorious days skiing in Vail last win-
ter and enjoyed a delightful dinner with
Betsy Colwill Wiegers and George Back
in Savannah she plays lots of golf and
tennis, and still enjoys painting. One
daughter, unmarried, lives just outside of
Savannah, and the other lives in
Rumson, NJ with her husband and "pre-
cious" 172 year old girl. The Dunns love
their summers spent in the NC moun-
tains.
Val Stoddard Loring had a chance to
tour the SBC campus while visiting her
husband's cousin, Ann Withington, in
Lynchburg last year. They had lunch with
Ann's aunt, Mabel Shipley, who was the
assistant treasurer at SBC while our
class was there. Val enclosed a snapshot
of herself. Ann, her sister-in-law Carol
Kimberly Loring (both of whom attended
SBC), and Anne Willis Hetlage '56. all on
a great Lindblad tour of the Galapagos
Islands in Jan. 2002.
The year 2001 was an eventful year
for Dede Ulf Mayer. Her first grandson,
Liam Hunter Mayer, was born to her
son, Tom and his wife, Laura. She spent
a huge amount of time in the summer
and fall in Western PA (Tidioute), trying
to empty the old family homestead built
by her great-grandfather in 1875. It had
been the storehouse for family history
and the gathering members and friends
for all these years, but the time had
come to let it go! Finally, she states that
in Oct. she and Hank ended their mar-
riage of 36 years. She is happy to be liv-
ing in Charlottesville.
Sorrell Mackall McElroy writes that
they love living in the country outside of
Richmond— a great place for all 14
grandchildren, who are 8 and under.
They had a really sad shock last year—
the loss of a two-year-old granddaugh-
ter. I know we all send them our heartfelt
condolences.
In January Ward and I spent a
month in Australia and New Zealand —
while there we especially enjoyed visiting
with 5 couples from our cruising days.
We stay busy with volunteer work, and
give occasional slide presentations about
our sailboat trip around the world, which
is fast becoming past history! Our 10
grandchildren range in age from 1 to 21
and keep us on our toes. Thanks for all
the cards and e-mail- let's have even
more next time!
1962
President: Jocelyn Palmer Connors
Class Secretary: Parry Ellice Adam
Fund Agent: Adele Vogel Harrell
It doesn't seem possible that we
have forged our fortieth. Of course, that
is just a matter of record. We haven't
changed. . .or aged. If you have any
doubts, read on about our lively ladies.
Anne Allen Symonds and Taft are
new first-time grandparents to Jonathan
Taft Symonds III, born 9/11/01 in
California. Older son Allen is in Aspen
and youngest, David, in Jacksonville. She
also reports that Betsy Pearson Griffin is
the new Director of the Museum of
Printing History. Betsy went on the SBC
Cuba trip in January 2002 and loved it.
Ray Henley Thompson is newly elected
Vice President of the Garden Club of
America.
Martha Baum Hartmann loves life in
sunny south Florida, playing her banjo
with as many bluegrass musicians as
possible. She went to Belize in February
for mountain biking and snorkeling. Last
March she spent three weeks in Japan
visiting her son who is a lawyer in Tokyo.
She took her banjo and played with sev-
eral Japanese Bluegrass groups!
Ginger Borah Slaughter is moving
from Atlanta on May 1st to Highlands,
North Carolina. She begins her new resi-
dence in the community with rehearsals
for "The Sound of Music" as one of the
singing nuns.
Laura Connerat Lawton is back
teaching science at Windsor Forest High
School after successful open-heart sur-
gery in December 2001 Rosalie Smithy
Bradham drove over from Charleston to
cook a gourmet dinner for her which
sped her recovery.
Douglas Dockery Thomas and her
husband shared a wonderful evening at
the Metropolitan Opera with Adele Vogel
Harrell and Parker, and Nancy Hudler
Keuffel and Gerd. The Keuffels have an
apartment near Lincoln Center. She has
enioyed seeing SBC friends on Garden
Conservatory trips — Anne Allen
Symonds and Taft as well as Betsy
Pearson Griffin and Buzzy on a recent
Houston trip. Douglas is the proud
grandmother of Isabel Douglas Porteous
born in New York on September 4th. Her
daughter Keith also lives in New York and
works for the World Monuments Fund.
From Scotland, Louise Durham
Purvis remarked at how sympathetic the
British were concerning 9/1 1 . Husband
John is still very busy representing all of
Scotland in the European parliament.
They have six grandchildren and Emily is
expecting their seventh in March. Louise
sends her love to all. especially at our
reunion.
Linda Emery Miller is still working
for the Iowa Department of Education.
Although she and Clark are looking for-
ward to retirement, her job frequently
takes her to Washington DC, where their
daughter Jocelyn lives and works.
Elizabeth Farmer Owen and Douglas
welcomed another grandson (their
fourth) on Thanksgiving Day. Each of
their children, a son and daughter, has
two sons and they love to baby sit for
them.
Mig Garrity Sturr says that her travel
agent career is hopping once again. This
summer she will return to a Tuscany
Manor home with the USNA Alumnae
Association for an in-depth study of the
region. Then she will go on to Brussels
where youngest daughter Dara-Lynn will
marry Pascal Van Pee on August 10th.
She plans to tour with wedding guests to
Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp.
Brooke Hamilton MacKinnon reports
that Katherine married in Flagstaff sum-
mer of 2000. Virginia was married on the
beach in South Carolina, summer of
2001 . Hunter is in Birmingham and
Luther is in Colorado. Brooke and Gilli's
plan is to build outside Cashiers, North
Carolina and move there permanently.
For now, Atlanta is a great place to call
home.
Peggy Johnson Laney and Jim went
to the Galapagos Islands and on to
Machu-Picchu, Peru. While there, a pair
of fellow tourists asked Jim to take their
picture... for the SBC newsletter! They
turned out to be Pat Warren and Simone
Aubry. both '61 . Peggy sent a wonderful
photo of all three of them. Small world.
Jocelyn Palmer Connors and Tom
are moving back to Lynchburg to "retire".
Daughter Kaky '86 and husband Garland
live in Charlotte with Jocelyn (12) and
Stuart (7). Dede '87 and Charlie are in
Martinsville, Virginia with Agnes (5) and
Robert Connors King, born 9/31/01. Son
Mark and his wife live in Norfolk.
Jocelyn's parents, in their 90s, still live in
Charlotte. Jocelyn started playing golf six
years ago and loves it.
Anne Parker Schmalz and Bob have
moved from New Haven (after 40 years)
to Dorchester, Massachusetts, to be near
her parents, their son, and his family, and
their Cape Cod cottage. Fran Early and
Betsy Shure Gross have been helpful in
getting them involved in the Boston area.
They had 16 children and grandchildren
at their new home for Christmas.
Barbara Pearsall Muir spent the
month following 9/11 with a trained ther-
apy dog at the Pentagon Family
Assistance Center. They earned the honor
of sitting with family members at the
Pentagon memorial service. All else is
well with them.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 55
Ann Ritchey Baruch has built a
house on Spring Island, South Carolina
near Hilton Head in the beautiful "Low
Country", a new area for her Rosalie
Smithy Bradham and Alice Allen Smyth
have visited several times.
Caroline Coleman Stautberg lives
with second husband Jerry on a beautiful
farm in Monkton, Maryland, just north of
Baltimore. They raise thoroughbred hors-
es to sell and race themselves. They are
expecting 18 foals this year.
Mary Jane Schroder Oliver Hubbard
is thoroughly enjoying her new life with
James in Roanoke, and being so close to
Sweet Briar. Even when she will probably
leave the area again, she will keep con-
nected through her membership in the
Friends of Art, of which she is on the
Board. She enjoyed the buying trip to
NYC in the Fall of '01 . She writes. "The
arts are truly coming into a finer focus
than ever at Sweet Briar. Join the FOA so
that you can be a part of the excitement."
Julia Shields loves her retirement
which affords her trips to England with
her church choir, to Ocracoke with family,
and to Massachusetts to an Elderhostel.
Julia says that Marcia Armstrong Scholl
has also retired. She and Bern live in
Paris and love seeing their daughter
Anna and grandchildren who live in the
USA.
Mary Steketee MacDonald reports
her regime: ski when she can, travel
when she can, taxes January-April, and
Saratoga race track in the summer. This
includes hiking in the Catskills and the
Adirondacks.
Adele Vogel Harrell continues as
director of the Urban Institute's Justice
Policy Center. Parker still travels the
world for Korn-Ferry. Their daughter
Glenn expects her fifth momentarily.
They spent a week with her on Fire
Island, New York, last summer. Daughter
Logan has Conrad (1) and has bought a
house 1 mile from them, so it is handy to
baby- and dog-sit. They thoroughly
enjoyed the New York weekend with the
Keuffels and Thomases.
Gwen Weiner Neff and Charlie live
between Incline Village. Nevada; Seattle;
and Tucson. During the last 24 years she
has run the family business in Texas. She
is also involved in interior design and has
her own paint studio. Charlie is a writer
and jazz trumpet player with a PhD in
international relations. They have four
children and nine grandchildren in
Seattle, California, and New York.
Macon Winfree Hilton and Bob went
to Kenya and Tanzania late February into
March, which was quite an adventure.
Last July their son and his wife had a
boy, Ryan Walker Hilton.
The Adam family continues to
expand. Gladden ('87) and Phil had their
second, James, on May 30th. Happily,
they moved closer to us one month later.
Aubrey ('86) and Jim welcomed Eva on
October 27th in Boston. We had a won-
derful week in Wales last February.
Thank you all for your contributions.
Next report should be a great reunion
review.
1965
President: Whitney Jester Ranstrom
Secretary: Beverley Sharp Amberg
Fund Agents: Jean M. Mcintosh,
Milbrey Sebring Raney
Dana Reinschmidt Tompkins, Alice
Perry Park
Salutations, Class of '65! What fun it
was to hear from so many of you, from
Scotland to California. As I write this col-
umn in Feb., 2002, 1 am hoping all the
postcards you sent actually arrived. The
DC Postal Service is still recovering from
the anthrax attacks, and we received a
Christmas card postmarked Dec. 19 in
mid-February! But I shall report on
everything I've received, so please let me
know if you sent news that does not
appear in this issue. And forgive me if I
seem to have taken a creative approach
to the spelling of your family's names;
deciphering handwriting is about as chal-
lenging as my all-but-futile foray into
physics back in 1961. (Shudder!)
Well, let's begin across the Atlantic.
How nice it was to hear from our
exchange student Jean Murray
McDermid. She sends to all of us greet-
ings from Stechill, Scotland, and says
she enjoys reading alumnae news and
"connecting names to faces and friend-
ships from so long ago." Jean and her
husband are still teaching, and their two
children "are grown up and graduated
from university."
On this side of the Atlantic, I had two
cards from Massachusetts. Judy Howe
Behn writes that she and Bob are happy
to be back in the Cambridge/Boston area,
just five minutes from her parents' home.
Their son Mark will receive his Ph.D.
from MIT in geophysics in June, 2002,
and then continue with two years of
postgraduate work before becoming a
college teacher. Says Judy, "Education
seems to go on forever!" Judy had a nice
visit in June with Pat Markle Dresden.
whose husband is the new headmaster
of Concord Academy, Judy's alma mater.
From Shelburne Falls. MA. Bunny
Sutton Healy writes that she is still "a
country mouse/city mouse:" sometimes
in Boston, sometimes in the Berkshires.
Her husband Jon is Commissioner of
Food and Agriculture in Massachusetts,
their daughter Elizabeth is a junior at
Tabor Academy, and Eben is headed for
Haverford College in the fall. Bunny
works part-time at The Park School, and
she is also working hard on her golf
game and on learning to play the piano.
Two classmates sent news from New
York. Katy Weinrich Van Geel writes
from Rochester that she is "happily
occupied with professional work as a
CPA and CFP." She also enjoys volunteer
work, aerobics, and church activities.
Tyll, her husband of 36 years, continues
teaching law courses at the U. of
Rochester, and (every mother's dream!):
" both children are gainfully employed in
the Boston area."
From NYC, Magda Salvesen writes
that she is teaching history of art at The
New School, and history of garden
design at the NY. Botanical Garden, and
"flitting around giving single lectures." In
her capacity as "compiler," she has just
sent in to Merrell Publishers all the mate-
rial for the Jon Schueler monograph,
which comes out this fall.
Dabney Williams McCoy had lots of
news to report from Richmond, VA. In
May her son Chris graduated from law
school and moved to Charlotte. NC. with
his wife and son. her daughter Catherine
graduated from UNC. and her son Tim
and his wife presented the McCoys with
their second grandson. Tim works for an
investment firm in Richmond, and
Catherine moved to NYC a week before
Sept. 1 1 . Job hunting was a challenge,
but she now works for a hedge fund with
Jane Merkle Borden's older son. Dabney
says that Catherine loves her apartment
and her job, and Dabney loves being able
to visit! She and husband Tim enjoy their
work (professional and volunteer), enjoy
visiting their children and out-of-town
friends, and enjoy spending part of the
summer in Maine.
I had a number of nice notes from
North Carolina Alice Mighell Foster
writes that all is well in Winston-Salem.
She is delighted that her son Hails and
his wife and 17-month-old daughter
Helen live nearby. She is also delighted
that her daughter Ashley and her hus-
band, who live in Charlotte, are expecting
a baby in July. Alice stays busy with "a
small business, grandmothering, and try-
ing to 'relearn' golf and bridge."
From Washington. NC. Kathleen
Watson Taylor writes, "I am still savoring
the wedding of our oldest child, Carney,
to 'the love of his life,' Sarah Jane, in
Nashville, TN." Kathleen adds. "We are
thrilled!" The newlyweds live in nearby
Greenville, NC. Kathleen's youngest son
Selden is an engineer, living and working
in his hometown, and he will be married
in June. Kathleen's daughter Anne and
her husband live in Raleigh.
Blair Both writes that she is present-
ly enjoying Wilson ("tobacco-land"), NC,
and being interim rector of St. Timothy's
(for the last 1 6 months). Blair asks,
"Does anyone know of a good Episcopal
parish searching for a rector? I'm start-
ing to look in earnest." Blair adds that
she and her dog love seeing Linda
Schwaab Hodges and her many animals
in Kinston, and she also enjoys her visits
with Harriet Wall Martin in Chapel Hill.
Brenda Muhlinghaus Barger e-
mailed from Davidson with a rundown on
her 4 children. Jack, the oldest, is mar-
ried and working in Houston. Older
daughter Kate will graduate from vet
school at NCSU in May and has received
a Rotary Ambassador Scholarship to
study in Mexico City next year. She will
be at the University studying poultry
nutrition and hoping to work with poultry
producers in the surrounding area.
Younger daughter Emily is working in
Atlanta, and Sam, the youngest, will
graduate (from Wake Forest) the same
weekend as Kate. Brenda says, "Best
news is that we get the checkbook back!
We will have no one in college or grad
school! Hooray!"
Several classmates sent news from
Georgia Dryden Childs Murck writes
from Savannah that for 30 years, needle-
point has been her passion. She recently
went to Callaway Gardens for "five days
of uninterrupted stitching." which she
compared to finals and term papers:
"utterly exhausting but exhilarating."
Dryden recently reconnected with her
roommate, the former Nancy Collier, via
the Internet, and they have a great time
trading news about grandchildren. "What
a treat." says Dryden. She was also
delighted by a surprise Thanksgiving visit
from her daughter who lives in L.A. and
by "wonderful beads" from her son, "to
feed my newest creative addiction."
Husband Sandy "has turned into an
artist" and sells his acrylic paintings of
flowers. "What a wonderful life!" says
Dryden.
2001 had both highs and lows for
Aline Rex McEvoy, who writes from
Atlanta. Highlights of the year included
trips abroad (Normandy and Paris) and
in the U.S., family and school reunions,
wonderful weddings, and "being grand-
parents to Lily." On a very sad note. Aline
lost her father suddenly, following knee
surgery, and we extend to her and her
family our heartfelt sympathy on this
poignant and unexpected loss. But on a
happy note, Aline and husband Peter are
looking forward to becoming grandpar-
ents again when son Clay and his wife
Kimberly welcome their second child in
May. Aline and Kimberly had fun attend-
ing the SBC Centennial Gala, where they
ran into Mary K. Lee McDonald. Alines
daughter Emory continues her adventure
in NYC, despite the Sept. 11 tragedy, and
she enjoys all the city has to offer.
Also from Atlanta. Elvira Tate
McMillan e-mailed happy news of the
birth of granddaughter Riley Cochrane
Dubilier to daughter Minnie in NYC. It
was a traumatic time, as Minnie was suf-
fering from liver trouble, and the baby
arrived 11 weeks early, but Elvira reports
that Riley was able to leave the hospital
at 12 weeks and seems to like her new
home.
What a treat it was for me when
Laura Haskell Phinizy recently came
from Augusta to Washington, and we
took a "road trip" (how's that for nostal-
gia?) to Annapolis, MD. Laura came to
visit her daughter Laura, who lives in DC
and teaches at Pyle M.S. in Bethesda,
MD. Daughter Laura's husband Keith has
been called by the U.S. Naval Reserve to
duty in Bahrain as a result of Sept. 1 1 .
Laura's next daughter Marion, a nurse, is
married and lives on St. Simons Island,
and daughter Louise is at home. Laura
has been busy! She reports that she
finally completed the Graduate Realtor
Institute and received her GRT as well as
her real estate broker's license. Now she
is working as husband Stewart's "assis-
tant."
I had a brief but enthusiastic e-mail
from Scribbie Scribner Euston, who
56 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae-sbc.edu
lives in Jacksonville, FL She reports that
she and husband Greg had a great gift
from a member of the SBC class of '92:
daughter-in-law Kimberley McGraw
Euston gave birth to twin grandsons.
Scribbie reports that "they are forcing me
to exercise more, when I have a chance
to be with them, than any personal train-
er would ever dare!"
My husband Dick and I have just
returned from New Orleans, with mar-
velous memories (and an obscene num-
ber of excess pounds). We stayed with
roommate Dana Reinschmidt Tompkins
and her husband Bob. a professor in the
biology department at Tulane and a chef
to rival EmeriM The Tompkins family has
opened a second candy store in the
French Quarter, both called Southern
Candymakers and filled with exquisite
delights, made fresh daily. (Call 1-800-
344-9773 for a glorious brochure.) We
all spent as much time as possible with
roommate Jean Mcintosh, who is an art
director for The Times-Picayune. She has
recently adopted yet another cat, dubbed
Amelia Earhart for her trying tendency to
take flying leaps at the elegant curtains in
Jeannie's beautiful and newly renovated
home.
I'm always delighted to hear from
Mibs Sebring Raney. who calls from
Houston, TX, from time to time. She and
husband Bev (a pediatric oncologist) sur-
vived the terrible floods that assaulted
their city, but Mibs says they had water
up to the front door! Mibs has restruc-
tured her professional nursing life and is
now an independent practitioner, with an
office at home. And now she works with
just the elderly. Her most thrilling news
was of the birth of granddaughter
Margaret Milbrey Walker to her daughter
in Austin, "just two hours and 40 min-
utes away!" says Mibs.
Saralyn McAfee Smith e-mails from
Dodge City. KS: "Our lives have changed
considerably in the past year." Husband
Hamp retired from his position as
Director of the Special Education
Cooperative last summer, but he enjoys
occasional substitute teaching. Their
daughter Laura was married in May,
2001 . and they enjoy taking care of her
two-year-old daughter Sierra while Laura
works and attends school. Saralyn's 89-
year-old father has come to live with
them, and she says, "We are now a
multi-generational household and loving
it." Saralyn spends all her spare
moments on the computer, working on a
memorial site for her son Robbie, who
tragically passed away in 2000. and pro-
viding links and sources for other griev-
ing parents. She invites us to check out
her website at: http://momofrobbie.
triDod.com/robbiesmithmemorial
She also mentions that she loves to
get e-mail and can be reached at:
saralvn@kscable.com
How extremely sad I am to report
that Jane Merkle Borden's husband Lew
died suddenly and unexpectedly of a
massive heart attack in the fall of 2001 .
Jane writes from Denver that she and her
wonderful husband were married a week
after her SBC graduation, and she is
thankful for their 36 very memorable and
charmed years together. But the mercuri-
al year also brought joy to the Bordens,
for younger son Arroll and his wife Tanya
blessed Jane and Lew with their first
grandchild, a little girl named Maya, in
Jan., 2001 . 1 know all our hearts go out
to Jane, and we will all keep her in our
thoughts and prayers. Her address is:
Mrs. Lewis M. Borden. 2830 East 7th
Ave., Denver. CO, 80206.
Also from Denver, Betsy Benoit
Hoover writes that she continues to
enjoy her psychotherapy practice. She is
on the staff of The Samaritan Counseling
Center in Denver. Betsy also reports that
daughter Melinda graduated from med-
ical school (U. of Colorado) and began
her residency in OB/GYN at the U. of
Iowa. Betsy's husband George, a profes-
sor of architecture at CU. is on sabbatical
this year, working on a book on ancient
Greek religion and architecture. In Oct.
Betsy and George travelled to Greece,
where they spent several glorious weeks
visiting archaeological sites. Hours
before their departure, on the island of
Santorini. George ruptured the quadri-
ceps muscle in his right leg and had to
have surgery in Athens. (What a way to
extend a trip!) Betsy, of course, was left
with the arrangements and the luggage;
she says, "I'm still tired!"
Moving on to California, I was happy
to hear from Sally Rasco Thomas, who
lives in San Diego. She is looking for-
ward to a third grandchild, to join older
sisters Naja. age six, and Mira, age 2.
Sally says, "I do love being a grandmoth-
er!" She also mentions that she and
Brooke Patterson Mahlstedt would love
to see classmates who visit San Diego.
It was nice to have news from Kay
Knopf Kaplan, who lives in San Rafael.
CA. Husband Bob is a financial advisor
with Morgan Stanley, and Kay has been
with Charles Schwab for 10 years. Oldest
son Scott and his wife Tanya delighted
the Kaplans with a darling grandson, Kyle
Benjamin, now age 2. Middle son Dan is
a fixed income manager at Seneca
Capital, and youngest son Tag (a.k.a.,
Jim) is the Western sales manager for
EA.com. Kay says, "Both younger men
(33 and 31 !) have wonderful women
partners. One is the CEO of her own
company, and the other is at The Gap
and brings to the mix her darling 3-year-
old Bridget." The year's highlight for Kay
was her Schwab sabbatical, during which
she and son Tag went to South America,
where they hiked into Machu Picchu
(Peru), "bummed around the beach" in
N. Peru, and went to Ecuador and sailed
in the Galapagos. Kay says, "Imagine
standing high in the Andes at dawn all
alone with your son at the Sun Gate look-
ing down thousands of feet into Machu
Picchu. Thrilling."
It was great to hear from Genie
Dickey Caldwell, who e-mailed from San
Francisco. She says that she and Peter
are enjoying having her godchild Lee
Phillips (Cora Lee Logan Phillips
daughter and a dot com casualty) live
with them while she looks for a job. She
also says that so far her own job with
IBM has been spared, though there have
been so many layoffs that her morning
commute from San Francisco to Silicon
Valley is noticeably less crowded. And
Genie has taken in other lodgers, as well:
she writes: "We sold our macaw to a
breeder but ended up taking him back,
along with a female to whom he had
bonded, when the breeders closed up
shop. So we tried to cut down to one
parrot but wound up with three parrots!
Way too many for a small city house."
(One can only speculate about how many
conversations transpire simultaneously!)
As for me, I'm still enjoying
Washington, and I treasure the time I get
to spend with roommate Janet West
Garrett, who always has so many cre-
ative projects in the works that I am left
in awe (and frequently in her sawdust!).
She is now renovating two houses simul-
taneously (one, singlehandedly: her
country house in Blue Ridge. PA), and
she is forever donating her artistic skills
to worthwhile causes. The Ambergs and
Garretts had a fun evening not long ago
with Leslie Smith, a DC lawyer, and her
husband Joe Goulden, an author of many
books on politics.
On a personal note, I was at first
reluctant to mention that I spent most of
2001 in treatment for breast cancer. But I
decided that if I could persuade even one
of you to get annual mammograms, it
would be well worth mentioning. I was
lucky that the mammogram caught it
early, and I'm happy to report that I feel
great and the prognosis is excellent. But
the year also had its joys! In June, our
daughter Elizabeth was married in New
Mexico, in a lovely Cottonwood grove
beside the Rio Grande, at the foot of the
Sandia mountains. (And, thank God, it
didn't rain!) The next day we all went up
in a hot air balloon, (my fantasy since
reading the Babar books over 50 years
ago!). Our son Rich is in a graduate pro-
gram in film school at USC, with a focus
on screen writing.
Are you asleep yet? Have a wonder-
ful year, take care of yourselves, and
please send me your news! Beverley
Sharp Amberg.5012 Tilden St..
NW, Washington, DC 20016
E-mail: BeverAmb@AOL.com
1968
President: Martha Bennett Pritchett
Secretary: Lynne Gardner Detmer
Fund Agents: Barbara Johnson
Prickett, Anne Peterson Griffin
Barbara Baur Dunlap writes that
"Holly is still busy with her shoe compa-
ny, HollyWould, designing 'preppy with
an attitude shoes.' Charlie and I are still
busy giving lectures on marriage and the
family, most recently in Latin America
and Naples. When we're not giving semi-
nars, we're babysitting our dear little
one-year-old grandson. Life is still very
busy with four unmarried kids. Boots
graduates from U.Va. May 2002. Molly is
spending this semester in Florence. Love
to all, Barbara."
Martha Bennett Pritchett: "We have
a reunion coming up soon! It looks like I
will be unmarried by the time you go to
print... but I'm not sure. This process
has become unbelievably long. My four
children, who have been my career, are
doing well. Hartwell will graduate from
Wake Forest in business in May and
wants a job with NASCAR.... Anyone
have any connections? He and I were
entertained royally by Ann Banks Herrod
for Hartwell's 21" birthday.. .He wanted to
go to Graceland. Leslie Harper is a fresh-
man at Elon University (reminds me of
SBC with males), plans to be a math
major and models for Nils ski wear.
Twins (high school juniors): Elizabeth has
been #1 on her high school tennis team
for 3 years and on the varsity soccer
every year. In January her brother Poston
was ranked #1 in the country in the 16-
under 50-yard freestyle by the USA
Swimming database, and #5 in 100 yard.
He will be swimming in Augusta, GA, and
Austin, TX, in March and hopefully in
Minneapolis. I'm pretty busy still keeping
up with them. My sports claim to fame is
I was the Croasdaile Country Club Ladies
Golf Tournament — Net winner for 2001 ! I
still am a real estate broker and am doing
some writing on homebuilding. and am
contemplating my next career. Come see
me!"
Ann Biggs Jackson says, "Biggest
news of the year was my older daugh-
ter's wedding. Cary Lewis married Chris
Cosperon Sept. 15, 2001.... Interesting
timing. My younger daughter. Win. has
left Boston and come back to Maryland
to teach riding at Oldfield's School. I'm
still busy on the board at Ladew Topiary
Gardens as Secretary of the Board. Still
active at tennis and gardening, and the
steeplechase scene."
Lesley Bissell Hoopes sends greet-
ings to all. She and Lynne Gardner
Detmer meet occasionally in New York
when Lynne is in the city attending the
Metropolitan Opera. She writes. "The
horrific events of Sept. 11th directly
affected 3 families in our building alone,
as well as numerous dear friends
throughout the city. So our family feels
extremely fortunate to have celebrated
happy occasions in 2001 . Daughter,
Elliott, graduated from Denison in May
and is currently in Washington. D.C., job
hunting in the art world. My mother's 80'"
birthday was celebrated with a family
cruise through the Galapagos Islands.
Son, Brad, is still enjoying life in south-
ern California as a concierge at Loew's
Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego. And
Toby and I continue our maritime and
museum interests, respectively."
Susan Bokan "visited Bunny Church
in Raleigh, NC. last fall where her green
thumb has created a magical garden with
her new husband, Jim. Joined Linda Fite
for a creative class at Omega Institute.
Just returned from a special tour of
Caribbean gardens on the square rigger
'Sea Cloud.' I go to New York City
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine '
/.alumnae, sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 57
monthly to enjoy both the Metropolitan
Opera and Museum."
Stephanie Bredin Speakman is
"busy still at writing, riding and winging
it out to Australia in search of El Dorado,
i.e. the perfect little cattle station in the
mountains. Daughter Tavi Hyland Jones
(SBC '96) is about to move to Belize with
her husband, Corky, and 2-year-old son.
Booker. They plan to teach diving at an
eco resort to start with. Hoping Bill will
retire at the end of the year and join me
on the Australia venture!"
Kate Buster "finally made it" to the
top of Mt. Rainier called by some
climbers the hardest endurance climb in
the lower 48 states. Mt. Rainier is the
highest mountain in the Cascade Range,
the fifth highest peak in the United
States, and among the leaders of glacial
mountains in the world, containing 27
sheets of ice. "It was the most difficult
athletic achievement of my life, especially
since I was 'blown off' by 60 mph winds
twice before! The crevasses were many
and really deep this past Sept., since they
had had such a dry summer there in the
Northwest. Now, when I look at photos
of Mt. Rainier, I am finally at 'peace' with
the mountain." Kate plans to go to New
Zealand next year. . ."everyone seems to
love it there!" She continues, "be happy,
and grateful for all we have on this beau-
tiful earth."
Katharine Cooley Maher: "2001 was
a big year for us with all three children
getting married in three months! Our
son, Alexander, married Macye Kinsey in
Jackson, WY, in August, and they contin-
ue to reside there. Our daughter Maggie
married T.J. Wagner in Mobile in
September, and they now live in Atlanta.
Our son, Colby, married Amy Lambert in
Natchez, MS, in October, and they reside
in Cincinnati. We are thrilled with our
new enlarged family. I am now working
in the alumni office at the University of
South Alabama and really enjoy it.
Brenda Oarden Kincaid writes after
several years. "I have been married for
almost 35 years now to the same man.
We have four children and two grandchil-
dren. Our oldest daughter Julia lives in
Jacksonville, Florida. She is the mother
of Ellie, 5, and Jack, 2. Our daughter
Sarah lives in Jersey City, New Jersey
with her husband John who is finishing
his last two years of medical school. Our
youngest child Jed lives in Arlington and
works in Washington, D. C. for a law
firm, which does consulting for the cell
phone industry. Jed is an electrical engi-
neer. Our son Douglas lives with us, and
he is recovering from a mental illness.
This experience has changed all of our
lives and it has taught us a lot about the
world of the mentally ill. I sometimes feel
this is the last frontier in medical
research. We are hopeful that advances
will be made at an even greater pace in
the next few years. I am the Assistant
Headmaster of Nansemond-Suffolk
Academy in Suffolk, Virginia. I teach one
class of Advanced Placement Calculus
and I have been a reader for the
Advanced Placement exam for three
years. My husband Doug works for the
Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing
Authority. Neither of us have any plans
for retirement. We enjoy our family and
our lives."
Francie deSaussure Meade loves
"to hear everyone's news. Marguerita
Chandler wondered about Coo
Prettyman's tragic death about two years
ago, and I meant to track her down to let
her know that it was cancer, but I some-
how lost my momentum. It was very sad
news to hear. Dave retired from the Army
672 years ago and we live back in Burke,
VA, with our 13 year old, Ted, with older
children Mary and David now both mar-
ried and not too far away. Mary and I
have a mother-daughter interior design
partnership going on (between her
babies). It's fun and stimulating. Happy
2002 to all!"
As for me, Lynne Gardner Detmer:
Jim and I and our blended family have
had a wonderful year. ALL thirty of us
came to our daughter's wedding to Scott
Jones (a wonderful man perfectly suited
to her) in Naples, FL, on Aug. 3, 2001.
Jim and I took a one month break from
our hectic daily lives by taking back-to-
back Wind Song cruises from Tahiti to
Auckland, N.Z., and then Auckland to
Christchurch, where we stayed for four
more days. The high seas. . .and New
Zealand were both absolutely fabulous!
We came back truly refreshed. The rest
of our lives is normal: I continue with
Adormngs, my jewelry business; and
now have half ownership of the family
farm in the Adirondacks added to my
responsibilities. Actually, I love all the
"work" I do. I love creating beautiful
things for others to enjoy; and the farm
beckons at all times to come,
oversee... and enjoy. Jim is happily
retired and busier than ever; he is the
Williamsburg electronic filing coordinator
for the AARP sponsored Tax Aide pro-
gram, as well as an active volunteer at
his church.
Sara Granath; "What is there to tell?
I think my life is much the same from
year to year.
But, of course, last summer I spent
ten days in Sydney for a theatre research
congress. That was great fun, though I
had to travel 30 hours to get there.
Especially I liked visiting the Art Gallery
of New South Wales, which I did three
times. And of course, I went straight to
the opera, where I saw/heard Britten's
Peter Grimes. There I also heard people
calling my name: David from Great
Britain and Janelle from the States. That's
part of being in an international organiza-
tion. I write theatre reviews and I teach.
This semester I have (at least) 2 new
courses: The Rise of the Novel, for
History students, and Creative Writing for
'my own' lit. students. The only creative
writing I have studied is at Sweet Briar,
for William Smart, Comes in handy now.
I am very interested in sports and I
watch the Olympics from SLC every day.
Thank God for the VCR, when I have to
be in the theatre... My brother is actually
there, as trainer for a young Swedish
skater (mostly he works as a dentist). I
got an e-mail from him yesterday, and he
is enjoying himself."
Somehow I mislaid a midsummer
(2000) letter from Tonia Macneil.
Apologies! Tonia wrote, "The fact is that
nothing much happened this year. The
days went by, I didn't take any big trips
or discover any great truths or paths.
Well, I suppose that taking 5 months off
to try to heal my back was some-
thing... Well, there is one thing. Quite by
accident, I discovered a series of semi-
nars on philosophy and literature....
Since last February, I have taken a course
every semester, reading bits of Plato,
Sappho, Rilke, Schopenhauer and
Nietzsche, William Blake, Shakespeare
and Martin Buber. I even attempted read-
ing the Post-Modernists, because I want-
ed to understand their point of view. My
mind doesn't have the power of retention
that it once had, and I am not sitting up
in the dorm smoker until all hours argu-
ing the finer points of their arguments,
but nevertheless, it seems that my life is
richer for these insights. And my fellow
seekers are an invariably interesting
bunch — ranging from doctors and thera-
pists to computer nerds and bookkeep-
ers.. .As I look back, I realize that this
has been a year of friendships, new and
old, ebbing and flowing. As always, there
is my evolving life at St. Gregory's, cele-
brations of births, baptisms, and mar-
riages and lives well lived, the weekly
communion of friends, at church, on the
phone, on walks. And there is my trust
investment club, a group of courageous
women who monthly meet, put up with
each other, and actually learn a little. In
retrospect it has been a good year, physi-
cal limitations notwithstanding, and I am
grateful for it. . .May your mind be easy
and your sleep sound. May you find
trust, generosity and fellowship wherever
you go, and may beauty surround you
every day of the year."
Celia Newburg Steingold is "contin-
uing to enjoy life in DC Have added
another museum to my professional
docenting career (in addition to National
Gallery for 13 years). Hillwood. with its
18c. French and Russian collections, is
lots of fun. Oldest daughter, Marissa, got
her Masters from New England
Conservatory and has set out for LA to
be a jazz vocalist and composer. Alison,
2nd daughter, is a junior at Georgetown
and aspires to be a Talking Head'. ..that's
what you get for living in D.C.!"
Penny Oliver Hawkins: "In 2001,
Lizzy Green, Suzanne Little and I trav-
eled to San Francisco to celebrate with
John and Libby (Harvey) at their wed-
ding in Petaluma; Libby was beautiful
and glowing; John is terrific. We enjoyed
the whole day including the Butter and
Eggs parade in which John and Libby
were featured. I dare say Libby's close
friends in Petaluma would have made
OUTSTANDING 'asses' (a la Aints and
Asses). The SBC group wore pearls and
discussed Libby's gentile good taste at
SBC. I saw John and Libby again at our
Montana cabin in July. They are very
happy and 'beautiful' people. My person-
al big news for 2001 : 1 retired from my
'high stress' position after 18 years at
U.S. Bank. I traveled for a month and
then began working at a smaller local
bank. I've added about 2 hours to my
active day since I no longer spend life on
the freeway to Denver. I love mentoring
young bankers! 2002's beginning is won-
derful! My daughter is engaged to be
married in September. She still com-
mutes to her job in Chicago. My son
remains in Durango, CO. in the District
Attorney's office. He is the Domestic
Violence prosecutor. I wish all a healthy
2002.
Sarah Paradise Ingber writes, "Our
happiest news is the birth of Lily in Nov.
'01 to daughter Katie and Stewart Taylor.
We are so delighted with this sweet little
girl and looking forward to time spent
together; Katie will stay at Stanford for
her Residency so we're nearby. One can
never completely escape, but I retired
last year from tax and 'CPA-dom'; having
much more fun playing tennis and golf
and trying to learn something about gar-
dening. Anne Hinshaw Vanderweil and I
both have Dec. birthdays and so
exchanged notes. We just want to stay as
strong as we were in the Boxwood days
when we drank regular coke, ate cinna-
mon buns and smoked! Anne and Gary
have three really great kids. ..Alex, Shelley
and Stefan. We see them every once in
awhile. Alex was here at Stanford for his
Masters and then work; and then we
sometimes get together in Boston when I
visit Mother. Anne is an inspiration in so
many ways and she has even been taking
Italian lessons!"
Catherine Porter: "All is well in our
family. Our daughter, Terrell, is a junior at
Madeira and looking at colleges. My hus-
band, Jim Fuller, continues his law prac-
tice at Williams & Connolly. I left the law
firm in the fall of 2000 to join Agilent
Technologies, a California high tech
equipment manufacturer, as their
Washington Counsel and Director of
Public Policy. It's a great company. Check
it out at Agilent.com. A few health issues
as we age. . had my second hip replace-
ment in fall of 2001 (first one in Feb.
2000), and so I now have a matching
pair. So far so good... just too much log-
ging and tennis. Enjoy reading about
what everyone is doing. All the best."
Pat Skarda is "still teaching English
at Smith College, where I've been since
1973. 1 love this college and often notice
Sweet Briar following Smith's lead. But
the weather in VA always seems more
attractive than that in MA. Recently I've
been working hard for the Catholic
Church as a consultant to the Bishops'
Committee on Vacations and as a mem-
ber of the Executive Committee for the
Continental Congress on Vacations. I'm
the chair of Documentation and have
written the Instrumentum Laboris for the
Congress. I learned a great deal in the
doing, as you'd imagine."
Susan Somerville Menson
moved... "still in the Avon, CT area, but
I've sold my house which I lived in for 22
58 • Foil 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
years and moved to a nearby condo in a
golfing community where I have been a
non-resident member for 15 years.
Passed a big milestone in 1999 with the
death of both my parents within a month
of each other. Have spent the better part
of two years winding up their affairs,
after 8 years commuting to VA to super-
vise their care. Hope all is well with all."
Peter and Amy Thompson
McCandless write that they "remain
ensconced in the swamps of the Low
Country (well, the suburbs of Charleston,
anyway), Alastair and Colin in the
Southern Piedmont. One of these days
Amy will learn to avoid the speed traps
on the roads between. Alastair continues
to work at the Commerce Club in
Greenville and will begin training in their
management program in January. In
July, Peter traveled to Britain to chair a
medical history session in an interdisci-
plinary and international London confer-
ence called locating the Victorians.' That
was followed by trips to Scotland and
Barcelona. Peter continues to enjoy
teaching the history of medicine and dis-
ease as well as modern British history,
and is currently working on a study of
disease and medicine in early South
Carolina (c. 1660-1820) tentatively enti-
tled "Prosperity and Pestilence." He is
still an avid tennis player. Amy finished
her first year as part-time associate
provost in December. Because she taught
two classes as well, her life was even
more frenetic than usual, and husband,
cat, and house were all left suffering
from MAD (maternal attention deficit).
She continues to research various issues
relating to Southern women and higher
education. In March she was part of a
Symposium on Southern Women in the
Twenty-first Century at Converse College,
and in October her book, Past in the
Present: Women's Higher Education in
the Twentieth Century American South.
won the History of Education Society
Book Prize. One of the most enjoyable
parts of her job (this is relative; she per-
versely likes everything about her job) is
working as British Studies Coordinator.
She advises British exchange students
and faculty (taking them to Jestine's for
sweet tea and shrimp & grits). Besides a
week in Scotland with the students, Amy
also flew to Barcelona, Spain, with Peter
during the mini-break. Then in
September Amy flew back to the U.K. for
a conference in Stratford at King Edward
Vl's Grammar School (the Bard's alma
mater). From there she drove to
Northampton, camped out, and lectured
to the new American Studies students at
UCN. It was only two weeks after
September 11,n, and she was touched
by the prevalence of Union Jacks — and
Stars and Stripes — at half mast."
Suzanne Weston: "My life hasn't
changed much since last year (other than
the major ramifications from 9/1 1 !): I'm
still doing rocket flight software testing.
Steve sold his renovated Victorian house
and his new Victorian house is on the
market, our St. Bernard and two cats still
rule the house, and our family is doing
well. The only change is that our big
motorcycling trip this year was to Oregon
for a BMW national rally and to see our
daughter and family."
Connie Williams de Bordenave
"We are grateful that we and our three
children are healthy and happy with their
vocations and their friends and families.
Our oldest daughter married a fine man
this past year. Tad just finished a four-
month sabbatical. I am still working as a
jeweler and have also taken a part time
job as a potter's assistant. Tad and I are
returning to India for two weeks this
month [February], Much love to each of
you. I wouldn't wish time away, but I am
looking forward to our next reunion."
Cecilia Williamson Grinstead
writes: "Sad news from me this year —
my dear Andy went to live with his Lord
on the last day of Feb., 2001 . He had
been diagnosed with inoperable, malig-
nant brain tumors shortly before
Christmas, 2000. He became quite inca-
pacitated but retained his personality,
humor, and courage. He died in my arms
at home. The children and I had a year to
say our farewells. They have been saints.
Andrews got his MBA in May and he and
wife, Julie, are still in Chicago where she
has one more year of OBGYN residency.
Cece still teaches second grade in
Birmingham. Millie graduates from Yale
in May. Tere did her first semester in
Edinburgh and is a junior back at
Davidson I sold our house and moved
back to hometown, Greenville, AL, to
help my baby sister, Carol (also an SBC
grad) who was diagnosed with breast
cancer in July. (She has a precious 7-
year-old!) Her prognosis is good, and all
the family looks forward to a healthy,
cheerful 2002."
Betsy Wolfe says that she hasn't
"seen any SBC folks this year, and would
love to have visitors. Ed and I became
grandparents for the first time on
1/2/02— a wonderful little New Year's
boy. Conner. I am working full time as
Clinical Coordinator and Training Director
of UCSF, Infant-Parent Program and love
my job. We continue to love skiing and
are off to Vail in February, and Zermatt
and Val d'lsere for two weeks in March
(after skiing Canada over Thanksgiving).
We plan to move from one of our houses
in Sausalito to another and do some
remodeling over the summer in order to
have a larger garden. Can't wait to read
the news!"
Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp says: "it
was wonderful to be back at Sweet Briar
last spring and participate in Centennial
festivities. I am still busy with research in
developmental disabilities of childhood at
CDC. Prior to Sept. 1 1 , 1 had been travel-
ing a lot, having just returned to Atlanta
on Sept. 6 from Germany. Since Sept.
1 1 , as many others, I have traveled less.
CDC has. of course, been very affected
by all the events of Sept. 1 1 . Ralph con-
tinues in private practice. Tim (age 25)
received a Ms. degree from the London
School of Economics last year: he is
doing real estate/mortgage banking in
Atlanta. Whitney (21) graduates from
Emory this May, and is headed for gradu-
ate school.
And finally, I received a mystery
postcard from CT with no signature, no
name printed on the outside. I no longer
keep the old originals, and so was unable
to match up handwriting to guess at the
identity. Sorry! In any case, this mystery
classmate is restoring an old farm and
house circa 1746, and she "finally has an
empty nest, but with no spare time."
Remember, friends, that e-mail is the
best (LGDetmer@aol.com). and always a
really legible name (with maiden name
too).
1971
President: Carol Remington Foglesong
Secretary: Miriam W. Meglan
Hello Class of 71 ! It was wonderful
to see those who came to our 35m
Reunion last May, and it has been great
to catch up on everyone's news while
compiling the notes. First and foremost,
Hola! Hola! to our new class president,
Carol Remington Foglesong. and many
thanks to our outgoing president, the
ever-glamorous and always-adventure-
some Jacque Penny Many thanks for a
job well done!
Rhoda Allen Brooks still lives in
Cincinnati. She has two grown children:
John (26) works in San Francisco; and
Lyn (26) lives in Cincinnati at the
moment. Rhoda does a lot of community
volunteer work in the arts and with
Children's Hospital, and she grows roses
and plays tennis. She sees Christine Fox
(73) on trips to Washington, DC for a
board of an historic house. On these
occasions she's also able to catch up
with twin sister Ruth's second son, a stu-
dent at American University. Husband
John is semi-retired; so they have the
flexibility to spend time in northern
Michigan and travel to see children and
parents.
Frances Barnes Kennamer's plans
to retire this March from the state public
health department after 25 years were
derailed by a promotion. She loves her
work. One of her responsibilities, coordi-
nating Alabama's bio-terrorism prepared-
ness program, has taken on new urgency
and importance since September 1rn-
At home I try not to think about the
awful things and possibilities I have to
think about every day at work. I have a
new appreciation for our home, my fami-
ly and just a 'regular' life." Daughter
Helen is a high school junior and thinks
there is only one college in the world —
Auburn. Husband Seabie works at home
three days a week, doing research for the
Social Security Administration. He loves
it and so does their Lab. Abby. "It sure is
hard to get up and go to work, knowing
they can stay at home!!"
Mary Bell Parks (Loveland, CO)
missed Reuion because she was escort-
ing her two adult children, Julia (23) and
Steve (20) on an eight-day tour of Egypt.
"I had lived in Alexandria when I was lit-
tle, and always wanted to see it again.
The trip turned out to be very timely re:
9/11, etc. I learned a lot!" The other rea-
son she was m.i.a? "...Every time I
show up at Sweet Briar, it's after having
to climb off the wing of a disabled airliner
(1996) or getting a broken thermostat
fixed in Culpepper!"
Barbara Brand (Gettysburg, PA) is
this year's recipient of the Give the Class
Secretary a Break! Award. She apolo-
gizes for having " . . .nothing to tell my
classmates. No kids, no great retirement
stories, nothing except my boring
research and restoration projects." We
who saw her at Reunion think her too
modest. Her research and restoration
projects are fascinating!
Judy Brown Fletcher (Indianapolis,
IN) and husband Steve have moved his
parents into a retirement community and
confiscated and disposed of both their
vehicles. "It's now safe to drive on 86th
Street!" Judy flew to California twice this
fall. First was for a west coast reunion of
part of class from Tudor Hall where she,
Deborah Eck, and three others rented a
house at Sea Ranch. "Wow, talk about a
beautiful location!" The second was to
visit their daughter who lives in Venice
Beach and works at an internet company,
for Thanksgiving. They were joined there
by son Will, a grad student at Texas A &
M where he is studying biological
oceanography, or as Judy puts it: "fish."
On a far more serious note, Steve is
recuperating from recent triple by-pass
surgery. He went to the doctor after hav-
ing some arm pain hauling his suitcases
on a trip. One test led to another and to
the discovery of some serious blockages.
Judy is wondering how she is going to
help him focus on things other than work
for the next two to three months of recu-
peration.
Jeannette Bush Miller still lives in
Montclair, NJ. where she works for a
small foundation. She handles their
financial transactions and reviews grant
requests from other non-profits. She
offices "...in a historic house surrounded
by several acres of gardens that are open
to the public — a very pleasant place to
work." Older daughter, Sarah, was
accepted early decision to Duke. Younger
daughter, Liz, is in 8th grade.
Debbie Chasen Wyatt
(Charlottesville, VA) is ". . .still plugging
away as a trial attorney (going on 24
years), but cutting way back on caseload
as my two boys enter hormone hell!
Which means ISSUES. Which means,
oh, no, this is real." The older, Tom, will
be 16 in April, and William just turned
13. Debbie's still married to the same guy
and she and husband Rick celebrated
their 30'" anniversary recently. She is try-
ing to return to some gardening and,
". . .maybe by NEXT year (always next
year), will return to painting." Between
trips to Europe, that is. This year it's a
bike trip through Normandy with William.
Last year, it was a bike trip along the
Loire with Tom and for William, an intro-
duction to Europe with a trip to Italy. The
year prior, she took Tom to Italy. Debbie
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 59
reports having success in getting Rick to
travel with her to Rome, but says he is
". . .more a jungle/river type traveler." She
concludes, "Oh, yes, I think about retiring
and starting a newspaper in this
Falwellian state, but it's probably only a
dream. A bientotf
Cami Crocker Wodehouse
(Jacksonville, FL) sends many thanks to
all who so generously donated to the
second annual SenioRITAs at Sawgrass
tennis tournament. The RITA (Research
Is The Answer) Foundation hosts several
events in the Jacksonville area and all the
proceeds go to benefit breast cancer
research. Last year the event alone raised
over $32,000. with much of it going to
the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville where there
are several very exciting breast cancer
initiatives underway. Through Cami's
efforts, Sweet Briar College Bosom
Buddies raised over $1 ,000, enough to
make us one of the major tournament
sponsors. We even had a sign on center
court right up there with Lexus and
Merrill Lynch. Please contact her for
more information about the event.
Betty Duson reports that Houston,
TX is still recovering from the terrible
floods that tropical storm Allison brought
last summer. Her brother and his family,
as well as several friends, lost their
homes and everything in them and spent
the night on rooftops with their small
children, waiting to be rescued. Against
that backdrop, Betty found the events of
September 11th and their aftermath
"humbling." Meanwhile, all's well with
husband, son, and self. She's sandwich-
ing in time to learn Spanish and flamen-
co guitar while working, volunteering,
and chauffeuring child and parents.
Deb Eck has had a travel agency in
San Diego for 12 years. Her business has
evolved, and she is now doing more
group travel and meeting planning than
cruises and tour packages. She was mar-
ried over the weekend of our 25'"
Reunion. Husband Bobby Pastoral is a
manager at UPS. He's younger than Deb
and "adorable", an assessment con-
firmed by Judy Brown Fletcher, who
describes him as "...a darling husband
who can cook and charm." Deb is very
active in her industry and several
women's groups, including Executive
Women International.
All's well with Michela English
(Washington, DC) who sends "...cheers
to all. Life at Discovery Communications
continues to be challenging and good,
and family is fine. Eleanore (17) is wait-
ing to hear from colleges and most that
she applied to (all co-ed, of course) are
on the West Coast. I really enjoyed
Reunion last May. SBC continues to
thrive under President Betsy
Muhlenfeld."
Nlimi Fahs (New York City, NY) had
a first-hand view of the terrorist attacks
on the World Trade Center. "On
September 11, 1 had just delivered my
10-year-old son, Craig, to school, and
climbed up out of the subway to see the
first WT tower burning. I was Vh miles
away, with an agonizing view down 7th
Avenue, when the 2nd plane hit. We were
all safe. The coming together of New
Yorkers has been deeply moving, and we
all love New York more than ever." She
has a wonderful new loft near NYU. Her
architecture practice is thriving. She
walks to work through Washington
Square to the New School University and
Craig plays whatever sport is in season,
all season.
Beryl Bergquist Farris (Atlanta, GA)
and daughters Kristin (SBC '03) and
Ariana (17) spent last June backpacking
in Portugal, Spain, and Gibraltar. They
"...toured in a style the girls had not pre-
viously experienced and a style that Mom
might not always enjoy. Sitting upright
on overnight trains, riding public buses,
locating hostels, dining a la market plus
peanut butter crackers from home with
possibly one meal a day in a non-elegant
restaurant..." Husband Marc declined
the opportunity and stayed home. More
recently, Kristin completed her term at
University of Adelaide in Australia and
will go on to the University of Otago,
South Island, New Zealand for her junior
year. With the seasons reversed in that
hemisphere, Kristin had three weeks to
trek the mountains of Thailand and an
extra month to work illegally as a bar-
tender in Australia. Ariana is still college
searching. The University of Southern
California, SMU, and the University of
Miami are on her list. Beryl's doing her
best to become a goat farmer/rancher
down in central Georgia. "However, the
dog packs kill our goats and chase away
the protector donkey. We feel so sorry
for the goats! Any ideas?" You can e-
mail her at Bervl@areencards.nu. (I'm
afraid to ask.)
Kathy Garcia Pegues (Warrenton,
VA) describes her recent job change:
"Essentially. I've parachuted into hell." In
addition to requiring a 90-minute com-
mute, this teaching position is in an
urban setting where she has been
shocked by the difference between the
behavioral and academic expectations
from suburban Virginia schools to this
one. "About half of my students are
recent immigrants to the US and are still
acquiring language (so teaching English
at the high school level is a challenge
while I'm trying to get them to under-
stand Milton, Shakespeare, Emerson,
T.S. Eliot, etc.)." Absent a more support-
ive administration, Kathy will be looking
to move again. At home, her "...excep-
tional husband has taken over all cooking
and household affairs and has simply
been a prince." Daughter Emily (SBC '00)
is an art historian working for another
SBC grad, Lynn Rogerson ('86) in nearby
Alexandria, VA. Son, Adam is third year
at the Naval Academy and just finished a
semester exchange program at West
Point, where he fell in love with a lady
Cadet! He's back in Annapolis now, run-
ning up huge phone bills!
Elizabeth Glassman (Santa Fe, NM)
sends her greetings and is looking for-
ward to reading everyone's news in the
summer magazine. "For me, it has been
a couple of years of change. I have spent
the last two years in New York and Santa
Fe. Now I will keep the Santa Fe portion
and move to Chicago where I have been
named Executive Vice President of the
Terra Foundation for the Arts, and
Director of the Terra Museums. One is in
Chicago on North Michigan Avenue, and
the other, outside Paris, in Giverny,
France. Does this mean lots of commut-
ing to Paris? Absolutely!" We all should
keep in touch!
Sioux Greenwald (Hoboken, NJ)
missed Reunion to attend the graduation
of Jennifer Smith (look-alike daughter of
Dee Kysorfrom William & Mary. Robi
Randoph was up at Syracuse for Pete's
graduation the same weekend.) On the
way, Sioux stopped in Richmond where
Val Murphey and Dick regaled her with a
tour of the "Fish of Richmond" (fund-
raiser outdoor art). Sioux stays in touch
with Wendy Weiss Smith via e-mail and
has gotten some good book group ideas
from her Campus Club book group at
Duke. From both Sioux and Val, we have
word that Ann Tippin was back in the
Philadelphia area for a few short visits to
deal with the aging parent issues, includ-
ing the death of her father. She, husband
Bob Prestney, and 12-year old daughter
Beth, live outside Sydney, Australia,
where the recent brush fires swept right
over her house but left it unscathed.
Sioux hopes to have a longer visit with
her this Spring '02 when she plans to
stay for a month; in the meantime, she
continues to enjoy working in the not-for-
profit sector at a local charter school.
Anne Helms Cooper (Lynchburg,
VA) continues to work as Program
Manager for Family Support Services at
Central Virginia Community Services
(mental health). She will be presenting at
a workshop on "Building on Family
Strengths" in Portland, OR, at the end of
May. She is the grandmother of two
grandsons, aged one and three.
Louise Jackson (Shreveport, LA)
was sorry to miss Reunion, but was par-
ticipating in an estate-planning seminar
that week and couldn't get there. "I'm
thriving. My family is all here, most with-
in shouting distance so it is great fun to
walk dogs and nieces and nephews
(aged 1 to 20) on Sunday afternoons. In
this crazy world of bank mergers, a
bunch of my buddies from my old bank
moved to a smaller more local bank and
asked me to start a Trust Department for
them about Pk years ago. We've done
great and business is booming — but I'm
glad the start-up is over. It's been a fabu-
lous learning experience. Who would
have "thunk" this Art History major
would be starting a Trust Department?
On a more serious note, she reports,
"Daddy has been in the hospital for two
months and he is really sick and not
doing well at all. We are taking it day by
day, so it is a hard time."
Carol Johnson Haigh (Sudbury, MA)
and husband Tim still live in Sudbury,
MA. Daughter Jessie graduates from
Hampshire College in May. Her sister,
Christine, is a sophomore at University of
Arizona - Tucson, and is a Tri-Delta
there. Tim's company is in Cambridge
and is doing well. Carol sings with the
Concord Madrigals with concerts during
the holidays and in the spring. "I hope all
the women in our class are as happy and
delightful as always, and in good health."
Alison Jones (Summerland, CA) is
this year's recipient of the Most Multi-
Media Class Note Award: "My life's in
transition now. I have no news this go-
round. Next time. Those interested in my
photography can go to the following
website:
http://wvirw.alisonionesphoto.com." Trust
the editor, this site is not to be missed.
Alison's photos are breathtaking.
Carolyn Jones Walthall moved in
February 2001 from Mobile, AL — home
for 14 years — to nearby Daphne, AL
when husband Julian became pastor of a
new congregation. They built a house
with the help of Carolyn's
contractor/builder brother, Skip, in a bun-
galow, arts and crafts style on a quiet
street with a little bit of woods. She is
still working as administrator of Youth
Leadership Mobile, a community aware-
ness and leadership development pro-
gram for high school sophomores and
juniors and is helping to start a similar
program in Daphne. She enjoys "...gain-
ing more balance in my life: a little yoga,
a little red wine, lots of purple and black
clothes that are comfortable." Son
Claiborne will graduate from Brown in
May; son David lives in Italy and gives
great tours of Tuscany and Sicily; and
husband Julian into cooking and fly-fish-
ing.
By the time these notes are pub-
lished, KJ Jones Youell (Chester, VA)
and husband John will have returned
rested and tan from their Western
Caribbean cruise in late February.
Daughter Katie, who graduated from
JMU last May, started graduate school
this January at the University of
Baltimore. Her degree will be in
Publication Design. Son Blanton is finish-
ing his undergraduate degree in Parks
and Recreation at VCU and is the lead
singer of the Buddah Funk Box band.
For Marilyn Kolb (Lexington. MA),
2001 was not a great year. She didn't
know anyone personally in the 9/1 1
tragedy in NY, but as with many of us,
she had a number of tangential business
associates who were impacted. "This is
something we will carry with us for quite
a while, and it is hard for us in the
Northeast to grasp how little this has
affected the rest of the country other
than in a philosophical context." Under
the category of "life goes on", her 15-
year-old is lobbying for us to move to
Florida where she has figured out she
can get her driver's license 3 years earlier
than she can in Massachusetts. "My 12-
year-old is the classic 12 going on 25, at
least in her mind, so we are trying to be
good parents about all this." The post
9/1 1 hassle in airports has decreased
Marilyn's travel load, but has crimped
vacation planning. "I am increasingly
jealous of classmates who are, or who
are planning, retirement!"
60 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Kalhy Lamb's (Atlanta, GA) biggest
news is that she and husband Rex have
two college graduates (both from W&L),
and no more tuitions! "It's like getting a
raise!" Eager to Retire, Rex is waiting for
a better economy. Kathy works on an on-
call basis, volunteers, exercises ("...a lot
because I like to eat"), and is learning to
play golf, ". . .the most difficult sport I've
ever tried".
On May 25. 2001, Jean Littleton
Knight (Richmond. VA) became a grand-
mother. Stephen Christian Littleton
Knight was born to son Stephen and his
wife, Beth! Jeannie is teaching and
directing an aftercare program at a
Waldorf school, new in Richmond. She
volunteers with Lifenet, an organ pro-
curement organization, as a donor Mom.
Their son Jamie, murdered in 1997, gave
the gift of life to five individuals and
enhanced the lives of 30 more through
tissue donation.
There have been some major
changes in the Megargee-Sutton house-
hold (Petersburg, VA)! Amanda's son
started college in August: Film School at
Virginia Commonwealth University in
Richmond, not too far from home. "He
had a great first semester, and I hope it's
just the beginning of great things for
him." Lucy, the black lab, opted to stay
home with Amanda, who is keen on
adopting a Corgi, if she can find a suit-
able adult. Amanda is in her 25" year of
teaching, her fourth year in kindergarten,
and "...I still love to go to work every
day."
Jean Mackenzie Thatcher
(Huntington, NY) is taking her first "sab-
batical" in 25 years, and describes it as
"wonderful!" She is delighted to be at
home with daughter Catherine (Katie)
who is in sixth grade and just turned 12.
Son, James (23), graduated from
Hampden Sydney and is in graduate
school at UVA. He is currently teaching in
France at University in Lyon. Jean, hus-
band Richard, and Katie have a trip
planned over Easter that will include
spending some time with him. "In my
previous life I headed a medical malprac-
tice captive insurance company for a
consortium of large NYC teaching hospi-
tals, and most recently ran the high-risk
malpractice pool in NY State. My current
goal is to try not to get pulled back into
the malpractice world, and to do some of
the stuff I have never had a chance to do
previously because of work, work,
work!" Jean stays in touch with "...a
bunch of SBC friends— Alison Jones.
Amanda Thrasher Honey Hammer.
Gale Hull, Karen Harnett (70). Char
Reed (73), and dear former Dean
Catherine Sims who just lost her hus-
band to cancer." She adds that Alison
"...has bought back the little stone cot-
tage that her family first owned in
Mountainville. NJ, and has completely
restored it— wonderful job! We have just
formed a venture for publication of vari-
ous photo-iournalistic essays and chil-
dren's works — Briar Patch
Publications — more on this later! The
rest of my time is spent being Deputy
Mayor/Trustee of our little incorporated
Village, Lloyd Harbor, and president of
The Caumsett Foundation which is dedi-
cated to preserving the natural environ-
ment and historic elements of Caumsett,
Marshall Field, Ill's 1700 acre estate on
Long Island's North Shore."
All's well with Anne Milbank Mell
(Summit, NJ) and family. Daughter
Meredith (24) lives in Boston where she
markets Fidelity's college tax deferred
savings plan funds. She's active in a
lacrosse league, is training for the April
marathon and is looking for sponsors
since she'll be running for the Dana
Farber Cancer Research Foundation.
John (21 ), in his third year at UVa will be
taking a hiatus from mechanical engi-
neering to study during the spring
semester in St. Petersburg and Siberia,
Russia. Caitlin (17) has applied to college
and is now hoping her parents will let her
enjoy what remains of her senior year.
John and Anne will celebrate their 30'"
anniversary in May with a trip to Italy
planned for the fall. Like most of us, she
says she can't quite figure out where
those years went. Anne's mother passed
away last summer, and so she has been
spending more time with her dad who
doesn't drive because of macular degen-
eration. "We all miss her but we're also
grateful that she had such a long-joyful
life."
During Reunion, Todd Moseley
Brown (Louisville, KY) and husband Bill
were a.w.o.l on a month-long driving trip
through Colorado, Utah, Arizona,
Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, etc.
Bill retired in January 1999; she followed
suit in March 2001. She's doing some
consulting and says, ".. .having flexible
time is heavenly!" Todd is dealing with
elderly parents — happy to still have both
living, and both fairly alert. "Mother is in
terrible health and is in a nursing home
healthcare wing. She can't even turn over
in bed by herself, much less get up and
go to the bathroom, so it is a struggle.
She hates having no control over any-
thing! Daddy is getting less and less
strong mentally and physically." Todd has
three wonderful stepsons ranging in age
from 24 to 32. The oldest is the Deputy
Water Commissioner of an area in CO
and is engaged, with the wedding sched-
uled for September 21 in Breckenridge,
CO. The middle son is in Cincinnati and
is a fourth year resident in orthopedics.
Last April, he was married to medical
school classmate whose specialty is
OBGYN. The youngest is in language
school in Spain. Todd and Bill's travel
plans include a cruise in April, a week in
Chautauqua with her sister and brother-
in-law this summer, and then the wed-
ding in September. "Life is good."
Liz Mumford Wilson (Hyannis Port,
MA) says that little has changed in the
past year. Her son is in eighth grade in a
boarding school, and while that is going
very well, she's been challenged to get
out and find some new. non-PTA volun-
teer work opportunities. So she has
joined the board of the United Way for
Cape Cod and the Islands, and is learning
a lot about the various organizations for
which the United Way raises money.
There are ". . tremendous hidden needs
in this vacation/resort area that is so
beautiful on the surface yet has stagger-
ing problems in the shadows". Liz is still
painting and ". . .had a full schedule of
shows last year, and three major ones to
prepare for this year — one is a solo
show, and one is a four person show at
the Mystic Seaport Museum gallery, in
November." That should keep her out of
trouble. She played more golf last sum-
mer, but wasn't very meticulous about
keeping score!
Mary Frances Oakey Aiken
(Roanoke, VA) and husband John will
have all three children in college or grad
school next fall: son Tevis, at William and
Mary Law; daughter Claiborne, at VA
Tech getting a Masters in Teaching; and
youngest Courtney at a yet-to-be-deter-
mined college as a freshman. For the first
time in nearly 27 years the "nest" will be
empty!!! If any one of us is ever in
Roanoke, VA or Naples, FL, Mary Frances
wants to know!
After 27 years at Fayetteville
Technical Community College, Pamolu
Oldham (Cameron, f\IC) is retiring to
write. Her projects will include a novel for
which she received a National
Endowment grant several years ago ("It
was axed on the last round at a major
house. . .") and ". . .some short videos
and other stuff." Pamolu's daughter Jess
and her husband Danny live in the Village
in NYC. Jess is in book design with a
jacket design on a recent National Book
Award winner's book. Danny just finished
his M.A. in Irish Studies at NYU. Pamolu
stays in touch with Jacque Penny
("...my wonderful freshman room-
mate...") via e-mail. "I'm just so ready to
submerge and do my own work."
Susan O'Malley (Seattle. WA) still
works part-time teaching physical thera-
py at the University of Washington and is
raising daughter Rebecca (11) who
thinks it ". . .cool" to wear my very old
SBC sweatshirt around town." Their fam-
ily vacation last summer in the Tetons
sounds as if Chevy Chase had a hand in
it: "... in spite of my husband's sprained
ankle and Rebecca's lack of interest in
camping, I had a ball gawking at the
magnificent sites." Last summer when
the mobile Vietnam Memorial came to
the Seattle area, Susan was able to pay
respect to Judy Brown's brother. "Some
things you never forget."
Jacque Penny (Miami Beach, FL)
went on a two-week Baltic Cruise in
August. "St. Petersburg, Russia was fab-
ulous but honestly each city and country
was delightful. That cruise was all history
and the one I just returned from was all
geography — I sailed for another fortnight
from Valparaiso. Chile down around Cape
Horn (Patagonia, sea elephants, pen-
guins, whales, etc.) and up the coast to
Buenos Aires with grand little stops of
beauty and grace all the way. I fell in love
with Uruguay— a very elegant little coun-
try. Note, that I said in love 'with' not 'in'
although I would have preferred the lat-
ter." Jacque continues to try to live each
day more completely. "Life is not meas-
ured by the number of breaths we take
but by the moments that take our breath
away".
Carol Remington Foglesong writes
from Maitland. FL that all is relatively
quiet, if not calm. Her divorce was final-
ized recently. "Not exactly where I
expected to be, but life does happen; I'm
not the first, nor will I be the last."
Youngest son, Chris, 19, is a sophomore
at Trinity University in San Antonio,
majoring in Engineering. ("Have no idea
where that came from in this family.")
Oldest son. Eric, 24. decided it was time
to complete and is enrolled full time at
Rollins College with a major in Political
Science. Carol is still with the Orange
County Comptroller, recording deeds,
taking minutes, and managing records.
After 11 years, she still loves her job. An
appointment to a national electronic
recording task force is requiring a lot of
travel. The group "...is trying to move
deed recorders into the 21st century,
probably jumping right over the 20th for
many locales!" Carol invites all of us vis-
iting Florida to ". . .holler and/or stop
by. . ." should any of our travels take us
to Florida.
For Robbin Richardson Falls, "...life
is so good . . . living single in Raleigh, NC
with my three adult children in the area
... soooo lucky." Kylie (28) sells medical
supplies; Chip (25) works as a building
contractor with a development company;
and Will (21 ) is a student at NC State.
"I'm selling real estate for my living,
painting abstracts for my hobby, and dat-
ing a wonderful Frenchman for my pas-
sion ... wish I had taken more interest in
foreign language in school ... I seem to
have a real purpose for it now!"
Rene Roark Bowditch
(Williamsburg. VA) left her legal practice
to be a devoted, full-time mom for her
14-year-old. 6'5" tall, eighth grader,
David ("Yes, he loves basketball"), and
her precious 11 -year-old daughter,
Tilden. She is chairing the capital cam-
paign to build a permanent home for her
children's Christian school in
Williamsburg, VA. Husband. David, has
just gone back into the brokerage busi-
ness after being a small business owner
for the last 1 1 years. So even though the
two of them ".. .are moving ahead in
years, we have lots keeping us young! I
still bicycle and roller blade with my chil-
dren, and I'm just coming into the
"teenage years" with all the interesting
challenges that provides. Never a dull
moment here! Life is so good! We all
have so much to be thankful for in this
country!"
Our thoughts and prayers are with
Martha Roton Terry (Mobile, AL) who
sent heart-breaking news of the loss of
her husband, Jack, to cancer this past
fall. Their son, Caldwell, is in his third
year at the University of Alabama, major-
ing in business administration (finance
and marketing). His favorite pastimes are
golf and hunting. Daughter Ann, a junior
in high school, is looking at colleges and
Sweet Brior College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 61
is still dancing and competing with her
dance company in Mobile. Best friends
forever, Martha and Frances Barnes
Kennamer stay in close touch. Their hus-
bands were close and their daughters are
the same age and friends, too. Martha is
still working for EDS, doing application
design and programming for Bruno's, a
supermarket company based in
Birmingham, AL. She works from home
and says, ". . .thank heavens for remote
access!!" She loves working at her desk
in pajamas with her cats and chocolate
Lab at her feet.
Comer Schmoeller Diehl
(Sacramento, CA) missed Reunion
because of her daughter Genna's wed-
ding. Genna had moved to Italy and
ended up marrying her Italian sweet-
heart, Matteo Fabiano — what a great
name! His family all came to Northern
California for combination wedding/vaca-
tion. The newlyweds are living in
Brussels where she is the Digital
Marketing Manager for Levi Strauss, and
he is the e-commerce Europe guy for
Proctor & Gamble. Son, Justin, is teach-
ing seventh and eighth grade earth sci-
ence in Mission Viejo in Southern
California. Still single, he is starting to
look for a more permanent relationship.
Comer has been divorced ("...never was
very good at picking the right guy") for
1 1 years. She is the Product Specialist
for InsWeb Corp., an internet insurance
aggregator. "That means I'm just about
the only person in the tech side of the
company that knows insurance." She
goes on to say, "Life is really good, and I
don't think that I've been in a better place
emotionally or financially in a very long
time. World events are troubling, but I try
not to dwell too much on the tragedies.
Oh, my latest life-changing event is the
impending change of name. I've never
liked mine, so by the end of this year I'll
officially be Kate Parker Bailey. Guess I'll
have to write a novel next!"
Ann Shipper Oates (Rochester, NY)
and family are well, enjoying a very mild
winter in Rochester, NY. Ann is in
Investor Relations at Kodak, a position
that has presented all kinds of challenges
and learning experiences during this last
year. Daughter, Alison, (SBC, '99) contin-
ues to work for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals,
and lives in Rochester about 20 minutes
from home. Son, T.K.I II , lives and works
in Tokyo, "...and we do miss seeing him.
However, we have a trip planned to Tokyo
in late April so are looking forward to the
reunion. We had a wonderful trip to
Turkey last May, which unfortunately
coincided with our reunion last May.
Sorry to have missed seeing all. Hope to
see you at the 35'"."
Trudy Slade McKnight thrives still on
Bainbridge Island, WA, with occasional
ferry commutes into Seattle. She has had
a professional resurgence and thorough-
ly enjoys her new direction as a Life
Coach, providing coaching support for
people around the country who want to
live their vision and navigate change suc-
cessfully. She's on the web at
www.trudymcknight.com, if you're curi-
ous. She and husband leave soon for a
three-week adventure vacation in
Thailand. She toys with the idea of
Master's Swimming, and has started
swimming laps again. Their elderly pet
population has shrunk to three dogs and
four cats.
Susu Smith (Beaufort. NC) has
moved back to the North Carolina coast.
This summer she will be ". . . sailing the
Chesapeake Bay following Captain John
Smith's 1608 voyage. Looking for spon-
sors; so far, self-funded. Leaving
Jamestown in May, circling the Bay
counterclockwise. Grateful for docks,
showers along the way."
Alix Sommer Smith (Fredericksburg,
VA) wrote: "It was really great to see so
many members of our class at reunion. It
helped get me on the stick to eat right,
lose weight, and exercise so that, hope-
fully, I will be in better shape for our 35'".
My husband, Gene, and I took a cruise in
the western Caribbean in January. Other
than that, not much new to report. If I
was contemplating retiring at the end of
my thirtieth year with the Stafford
Country, Virginia, schools. I rethought
that in the economic turndown."
Lissy Stevenson Bryan is still in
Richmond, VA where she has an annual
Christmas cookie "bake-off" with Susan
Ewing and May Humphreys Fox "... and
that's about it for the domestic stuff. We
also play golf — between injuries. As
usual, too much on my plate . . . we're
trying to finalize plans on an addition and
remodel of this house, emptying stuff out
of Stewart's father's house, trying to keep
our place in the mountains (in Bath
County) from falling apart . . . then lots of
Boards but really fun— downtown-orient-
ed, community development, affordable
housing, children. Our dog recently
fathered 8 yellow lab pups! So, so cute!
Also, saw Barb Smith — turns out they
own the hottest thoroughbred stud
around (horse, that is...)".
Sarah Thorndike Shepherd and hus-
band Tony are in Sissonville, WV, where
they are still living on their "...200 acre
head-of-the holler hillside farm..." near
Charleston. "I'm still running a recycling
plant as Executive Director of the County
Solid Waste Authority, employing as
many of our disadvantaged as possible
(rather like a Works Project
Administration during the [other] depres-
sion). My physical and mental therapy is
raising and training horses, as well as a
little golf in the summer and sguash dur-
ing the winter. Our oldest daughter, Jane,
graduated from Brown in May, married in
June, settled in Silver City, NM, is the
county's Land Use planner, and will make
me a grandmother in July! Son, Chris
(EHS '99) and younger daughter, Lida
(St. Paul's '01), are taking their times
getting through college (Hamilton and
UC Berkeley), taking 'semesters off' and
doing really fascinating things. How
times have changed."
Sally Uptegrove Lee (Nashville, TN)
reports little new going on in her life. "It
has been five years since I had colon
cancer and I am doing fine. I am still
teaching at Harpeth Hall School and help-
ing with the bookwork in Bob's masonry
company. Our daughter, Rachel, graduat-
ed from Trinity University last spring and
is now teaching in San Antonio, TX. The
advantage of teaching is the long sum-
mer vacations. I am attending a technol-
ogy conference with Rachel and several
teachers from Harpeth Hall in San
Antonio in June, and am looking forward
to a cruise to Alaska this July."
Beverly Van Zandt (Shoreacres, TX)
spent most of 2001 battling breast can-
cer and received wonderful notes and
prayers from lots of friends, especially
Jacgue Penny "Am about to finish
chemo and all has gone reasonably well.
Can't wait to have a calendar without MD
Anderson on it. Have two daughters,
Beverly and Roberta. Beverly is graduat-
ing this spring and I have no idea where
she will attend college. Unfortunately, I
couldn't talk her into Sweet Briar as she
wants to go co-ed. Roberta is a freshman
in high school and is my sailor. We just
returned from 420 Midwinters in Stuart,
FL. I am a partner in a yacht brokerage
(beverlv@hsvachts.com) and love the
chance to be on the water everyday — our
offices are floating docks. Its laid back
style has been a Godsend this year."
Ellen Weintraub's (Miami Beach, FL)
plans to attend Reunion were dashed the
week prior by a double whammy: her
employer of the past six years went out
of business, and her mom finally agreed
to go in for her knee replacement sur-
gery that same weekend ". . .after putting
it off for every reason imaginable for over
five years." All's well that ends well: Ellen
got a better job, and her mom has
become very mobile. At 86, she still
drives, and does everything she needs to
for herself to be independent.
Wendy Weiss Smith (Durham, NC)
and husband Gilbert will be hiking
around the Southern Island of New
Zealand, including the 34-mile Milford
Track that involves four hiking days.
"What WAS I thinking??? Great Spring!"
Dorrie Wetzig Brand reports that she
and Skip are still in Elmira, NY ("there
was a great special on Mark Twain where
Elmira played an important role"). Son
JB graduated from Hamilton College in
2000 and is living and working in NYC.
He was a block and a half from the WTC
when the planes hit, and ". . .though I've
seen the sight, it all still seems unreal."
Daughter, Laura, is a senior at Williams
College. Dorrie stays busy volunteering
for her local historical society, working
for a friend who does estate sales, and
playing "...this new game I've discovered
called golf!"
Patsy Wheeler Maddox (Amherst,
VA) is still teaching — Amherst Middle —
eighth grade learning-disabled students.
Her oldest daughter is an attorney with
McGuire Woods in Richmond and her
youngest is a first year teacher and head
varsity softball coach. She's busy plan-
ning a July vacation in Great Britain.
Late spring and early summer was a
hectic time for Linda Whitlow Knight
(Nashville. TN), who hated missing
Reunion. Younger daughter, Elizabeth,
graduated from SMU with a double-
major in Italian Studies and Cinema.
Then, older daughter Katherine was mar-
ried in the Wren Chapel in Williamsburg.
(The wedding and related festivities were
wonderful.) In early June, she attended
her 30" reunion at Vanderbilt. Shortly
after that, she concluded her term as
President of the Tennessee Lawyers'
Association for Women, on whose board
she continues to serve. In addition to her
legal practice and various Bar
Association activities, Linda is still the
Secretary of the Tennessee Economic
Council on Women. Daughter Elizabeth
moved to Rome last summer as a pro-
fessor's assistant on SMU's Summer in
Italy program and recently found a job
marketing for an educational software
company in Rome. Daughter Katherine is
completing her third year at Vanderbilt
Law School where she is on the execu-
tive boards of both the Journal of
International Law and the Moot Court
Board. Aside from attending the girls'
graduation and wedding, Dick and
Linda's traveling last year included
attending a friend's wedding in the Bay
Area and a long weekend in St. Louis in
July to see some relatives and do some
historical research. This coming summer,
she hopes to visit Elizabeth in Italy.
Anne Wiglesworth Munoz (Salt Lake
City, UT) writes: "Things are good (and
cold) here in Salt Lake. Everybody is
Olympics crazy — and I guess that's good
but we're not looking forward to driving
anywhere near a venue. My daughter got
us free tickets to Dave Mathews Band
February 9, so we will venture down
(with 20,000 other people) to the Medals
Plaza where they will perform. Milton is
still teaching fifth grade; Maya (20) is a
sophomore at Scripps (planning to go to
Spain next fall). Aliria (17) is a junior at
Skyline High School, studying and swim-
ming hard. I have been combining my
batiks with quilting this past year and
even won first prize in my category (non-
traditional quilts) in the International Quilt
Show going on during the Olympics.
Yeah!"
Nesi Wisell O'Connor (Longwood,
FL) and husband, Jim, traveled quite a bit
during the year in Europe. Canada, and
the US and were able to share time with
friends all over the world. That was the
great part of it all. She reports they were
hit with some stressful family issues dur-
ing the year but ended 2001 with a
Christmas party (Carol Remington
Foglesong was there) to celebrate their
15 trees and a new Scottish mural. "It
was a beautiful closure. We are praying
2002 is great for everyone. PS. I enjoyed
the reunion immensely."
Contrary to what we may have imag-
ined, Kate Worobec Story (Princeton,
NJ) is alive and very well despite her
business travel to some very dangerous
parts of the world. Over the past five
years she has averaged about 20 travel
days a month ". . .NO, I am NOT an air-
line stewardess!!! I develop international
wealth management business outside the
62 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
US, which takes me to fascinating
places — Middle East, Latin America,
Continental Europe, UK. the Caribbean,
etc. ... you name it, I have probably been
there meeting with governments, diplo-
mats, wealthy families and individuals.
What a trip this past few years have been
... literally! Yes. I have been caught in
riots, robbed, stranded in foreign lands
BUT I have also been held over in some
of the most beautiful places on the planet
and had the pleasure of meeting some of
the world's most fascinating and congen-
ial individuals." While risky, her career
path has been very satisfying. "Life is
much too short ... and much too fun!"
On the home front, son Stephen graduat-
ed from college with honors last June
and is following in her footsteps. "2001
was a tragic year and I am certain that on
September 11th I was not alone in hav-
ing lost forever friends and colleagues in
the World Trade Center attack. The world
is more challenging than ever." In clos-
ing. Kate wants everyone to know she is
proud every time she reads her roomie's
name — Kathy Garcia Pegues, who can-
not be congratulated enough for her con-
tributions to Sweet Briar. It looks like her
daughter might be a 'chip off the old
block', too. Bravo!"
Life is good for Barb Wuehrmann
(East Grand Rapids, Ml). She and hus-
band Jim Palazzolo spend their winters in
Green Valley. AZ and summers in
Michigan. Although she retired from her
practice three years ago. she keeps her
hand in by helping out at a non-profit
clinic that serves the Southern AZ rural
community. When back north, she fills in
at her old office. Jim works out of their
homes as a consultant in material han-
dling. Son Mark has 18 months to go in
his OB-GYN residency in Detroit. Son
Jim is working for a biomedical tech firm
in Silicon Valley. We're all well. "No
daughters-in-law or grandkids yet."
Aiisa Yust Rowe (Houston, TX)
reports that youngest daughter. Alison,
was married in September. Both daugh-
ters are now married — and to really fine
young men. Richard and she will cele-
brate their 30' anniversary this spring.
This coming year, she intends to spend
lots of time with their mothers, polish a
novel she's been writing, do a little
antiquing, and spend a little time in the
country.
As for me, I'm busier than a one-
armed paperhanger and having the time
of my life with my hedge fund. Vaughn
and I continue to work on our house in
Frederick. MD. and after 23 years of mar-
riage, he shows signs of having become
resigned to my passion for 18th and
early 19th century American furniture.
We spent a week last summer in Ireland
with our 15-year-old nephew, but follow-
ing a particularly intense business travel
schedule this Spring, we're looking for-
ward to the luxury of just "lying low" this
summer. I saw Carol Taylor Thum
(Cleveland, OH) recently. She's still mar-
ried to the same guy (Dave), working in
the same place (The Cleveland Museum
of Art), and except for shorter hair, looks
very much the same. She's also started
writing again. I've also been keeping up a
lively e-mail exchange with Jan Pridmore
who is an astute businesswoman. Her
entry in the 'Give the Class Secretary a
Break! Contest' read. "I think once every
ten years is often enough to submit a
note." Many thanks to all of you for tak-
ing time from busy schedules to send
news. What an interesting, intelligent,
engaged, and vibrant group we com-
prise!
1977
President: Vivian Yamaguchi Conn
Secretary: Sally Bonham Mohle
Fund Agents: Janet Myers Deans;
Peggy Haley Sheehan
Nina Baker is a print sales rep. for
her family business and is really enjoying
her job. Natalie is 12 and loves horses,
although she broke her arm this past
year when the horse she was riding
refused to jump. In mid February Nina
and Natalie met up with Dee Hubble
Dolan for their annual trip to The
Homestead.
Barb Bernick Peyronnet says Maggie
(12) and Annie (7) keep her and Doug
hopping. Maggie is in the honors pro-
gram at middle school and Annie was in
the first grade and loving it. Barb says
that last year they headed to Alaska for a
wonderful cruise. This year Maggie will
go to Toronto for a church mission trip.
Barb. Maggie and Annie are taking piano
while Doug is in a trio, playing guitar.
They have played at benefits and hoped
to play at a coffee shop this past Spring.
Elvira Cash Pecora began a new job
in September, in a French Immersion
Montessori Pre-School. She says she is
having a great time speaking French to
all the children. Their two boys, 13 in 7th
grade and 16 in 10th, are still very active
in traveling soccer. Husband Chip is now
working for a company in San Fransisco
and he does a great deal of traveling as
the Director of Sales. They spent a great
spring 2001 at the Grand Canyon.
Jennifer Collins True is home taking
care of her own 4th grader (Hayley) after
teaching 3rd and 4th grade to other chil-
dren. She also sends care packages to
her college freshman (Parker) at Wabash
College. She says they are founders of a
non-profit animal rehabilitation organiza-
tion and they are working hard to get it
up and running.
Laurie Fitzgerald Nowlan says son
Patrick was in his first year at Penn
State. Daughter Carly was finishing her
senior year at Country Day School of the
Sacred Heart in Philly. where Laurie is
the admissions director. Sons Fitz and
Luke were in 9th and 5th grades; she and
Pat celebrated their 25°' anniversary on
June 4th!
Linda Guardabassi Michael said
Andrew (who was playing football and
thriving) was a freshman in college at
Wheaton, one hour outside Chicago. Paul
was a sophomore at Christian Academy
of Louisville. Migraines were about to
sideline his football participation, but he
was looking into basketball, golf and ten-
nis as alternatives. Krista is 1 1 and "thor-
oughly in love with horses", competing
in dressage and jumping. Linda has been
working part-time as assistant teacher of
English as a Second Language for for-
eign adults. She's also involved in her
church, doing yoga and water aerobics.
Doug continues to work for Trane
Commercial/Industrial air conditioning.
The whole family enjoyed a trip to Italy
during Spring Break 2001.
Debbie Koss McCarthy still loves
directing the Augustine Project (a non-
profit that provides free literacy tutors for
low-income, dyslexic children and teens).
Courtney was graduated from UNC-
Chapel Hill with a degree in
Math/Computer Science in May. Alex fin-
ished high school in the spring and head-
ed to UVA this fall. Debbie and David say
they get choked up just thinking about
having an empty nest!
Phooi Ching Lai writes from
Singapore that she is still associate pro-
fessor at Nanyang Technological Univ.
Phooi, husband Choon Hin and daugh-
ters Zhenling (15) and Zhenhua (13), vis-
ited Hawaii in November of 2001 . They
found people somber, due to 9/1 1 , but
assume things are recovering there.
Ebet Little Stevens says Liz starts
college in the Fall (where is still up in the
air), Anne will be a high school sopho-
more and Rob will be in middle school.
Ebet is working on starting a consulting
business which focuses on contract
sales.
Stephanie Maxson Kenyon and fam-
ily discovered (while having recessed
lighting put in) that their entire house
needed to be rewired. Her travel business
dried up after 9/11 so she was looking
for something new when she wrote. Jay
(9) and Michael (5) are keeping busy
with school projects, little league, T-ball
and basketball. Hubby Scott was in his
28th year as an elementary school
teacher and has been cancer-free for five
years. Stephanie ran into Dorothy Lear
Mooney (who looks the same) in the ele-
mentary school.
Becky Mayer Gutierrez is teaching
5th grade at Turners Falls. MA. George
was college hunting. Becky and Mere are
proud of their boys — 1 7. 1 4 and 1 1 .
Molly Reeb Nissman reported that
Nancy was a junior at Mary Washington
(VA), majoring in English and Art History.
Andrew was 9 and in 3rd grade and Matt
was 5 and in Kindergarten. Hubby
Harvey was still practicing psychiatry in
Virginia Beach where Molly is a financial
consultant with Paine Webber. She works
as a team with sister Jane Reeb Short
(74).
Kathy Roantree Renken was home
schooling 10th, 7th and 3rd grade when
she wrote. She also teaches gymnastics
to pre-schoolers. Her SBC activities have
become part of her life again: Drama
(she's in charge of church dramas),
Singing (solos and worship team at
church) and teaching. She says Jeff is
still on the road, working for SAP
America.
Fran Scott, with her 12 year old son.
Zach, and two Beagle mixes, is enjoying
life back in Nashville. Her communica-
tions company, Scott Gardner Group,
continues to expand with business and
agency clients across the US.
Ellen Sellers McDowell and family
had a busy year, remodeling the house in
addition to teaching Sunday School,
being a Girl Scout leader and room
mother at school. The family had a great
time sailing in the British Virgin Islands
over Christmas Break — they chartered a
38' catamaran. Rex was the skipper;
Emily (16), Ginny (14), Mary Susan (12),
Kate (10) and Ellen were the crew.
Beth Wade Osborne says she is
enjoying life more and more each day,
especially with children Ellie (4) and son
Noel (1 ). Beth and John are due to cele-
brate their 10" anniversary in October
2002. They are both enjoying their
jobs — he as a consultant and she as a
sales manager for IBM. They also enjoy
weekends at their beach house in Dewey,
DE.
Ellen Wahl Skibiak writes from
North Caldwell, NJ that daughter Allie is
now 9 and their pride and joy. She
recently won a silver medal in a figure
skating competition. Husband Ed keeps
going in his dental practice when he's not
on the golf course or pursuing his pas-
sionate hobby as a gourmet cook! Ellen
keeps busy helping out part-time in the
family business and volunteering count-
less hours at school, Girl Scouts, etc.
Robin Holman Mills would like you
all to change her name to Robin Holman
Grubbs. Robin Holman was remarried
last year to John Grubbs. She has been
teaching first grade for 14 years, after
finishing her MA + 30 hours at Murray
State. Daughter Jordan is at "Ole Miss"
and Robin has two stepchildren at home.
For fun, Tricia Waters continues to
sing with the Alexandria (VA) Choral
Society. She uses her arts administrator
skills (honed in the museum world) as
manager of the same choral group.
Husband John Neer ("contractor and
dreamboat') and children Lucy (11. jazz
dancer/gymnast) and Will (9.
artist/author) keep her on her toes. Tricia
has caught up with Farnell Cowan who
recently relocated to Northern Virginia.
And, I. Sally Bonham Mohle. cele-
brated my 24'" anniversary with Pete this
year. Our highlight of 2001 was attending
the weddings of our niece and nephew in
PA and NH, respectively.
Debby Epperson Sizer is the general
manager of two radio stations in Galax,
VA— one is a 100.000 watt FM country
station and the other is an AM gospel
station. She has two sons, Brian (24) and
Steven (20)— they both attend college at
the Masters College in Santa Clarita, CA.
Debby's daughter, Virginia (17), is being
recruited by many colleges to play bas-
ketball. Debby's family also includes
fiance John Stringer and two dogs, a yel-
low lab named Bentley and a black lab
named Emily, plus one cat, "Miss Kitty".
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 63
Laura Burreli Garden says there
really isn't anything earth shaking in her
life. "I am still enjoying being a stay at
home mother for Sarah 5 and Lloyd 10.
Doing the usual stuff like volunteering in
the school and driving the kids around
for activities. I have a touch of the Magic
School Bus in me as I often take a van-
load of kids on "adventures" and nature
hikes. We enjoy skiing often in our
Colorado Rockies backyard and in the
summer we all go dirt bike camping (just
like motorcross) to mountain ghost
towns near the Continental Divide. This
year Sarah got first motorized dirt bike —
with training wheels. Amazing how our
hubbies interests can change our lives. I
never thought I would like motorcycles
and now I ride one on dirt trails through
the woods. Not bad for 47! Husband
Lloyd had a stressful winter with United
Airlines as their financial crisis caused
our crisis. However both survived.
Please start flying United again. I love
hearing from old classmates so please e-
mail me at
locreates@attbi.com."
1980
President: Jeannie Elise Davis Harris
Secretary : Liz Swearingen-Edens
Fund Agents: Eithne Broderick Carlin;
Emily Quinn McDermott, Elizabeth
Fletcher Lubin, Kimberly Merin
Wood Fuller, Georgia Schley Ritchie
Amy Campbell Lamphere's children
(Jake 12/ Sarah 9) are reportedly grow-
ing too fast and involved in too many
activities (guitar, piano, swimming,
Scouts, soccer, basketball.) necessitat-
ing the purchase of a huge red minivan.
Jim's business — title insurance — con-
tinues to grow, while Amy works part-
time consulting for regional dance/arts
groups. "I love having my hands in the
field without the pressures of fundraising
— nearly impossible in the non-profit
arts after 9/1 1 ." Travel, skiing, knee sur-
gery and volunteer work on the
Symphony board have also kept Amy
busy, but not so busy that she can't find
time to e-mail Mimi Walch Doe on a
regular basis. "I laugh out loud from her
notes back" says Amy, who also saw
Catherine Flaherty at Catherine's sister's
wedding last summer. "I'm sad to have
missed reunion. Time with friends is one
of my mid-life crisis resolutions, so I will
NOT miss another chance to catch up,
and also to remember."
Emily Quinn McDermott has two
daughters (Elizabeth 7/Faith 4) and
enjoys trying to achieve a balance
between work in "the service industry"
(that of wife and mom) and her rowing
career. When not volunteering in
Elizabeth's first-grade classroom or
studying the effects of sibling rivalry at
home, Emily trains and competes. She
says: "Last year I rowed in 8's and 4's,
but this year I am 'sculling' (2 oars
instead of one, and boats are reeeallly
skinny and tippy). It's time consuming
and a lot of hard work, but a wonderful
break from reality!" Husband Ed is a
lawyer in the city and except for breaking
his hand this winter, is doing great. The
McDermotts plan to purchase a gerbil in
the near future.
Anne Secor had a difficult year with
the loss of her dad in May, a three-week
evacuation of her NYC home due to the
9/1 1 attacks, then the disappearance of
her great new job at Martha Stewart
because of company-wide layoffs. The
better news is that she and Steve just
bought a "gorgeous" piece of wooded
vacation land in the Laurentian
Mountains north of Montreal, on a lake
complete with babbling brook. Anne is
busy making lots of promising job con-
tacts and enjoying the beginning of the
new year. Kitties Marley and Farnsworth
are fine.
Ann Connolly Reagan's daughter
Hannah has turned 13 and is an enthusi-
astic snowboarder/tennis player. Ann
continues her work at The Dragon's Nest
toy store, and manages to ski and play
for the Upper-A tennis team in
Newburyport.
Beth Fletcher Lubin's husband
Marvin has retired from Merrill Lynch
after 33 years, and is happy as a clam!
Beth writes: "Son Hill is turning 14
(HELP!), and as Marvin said recently,
he's not sure who is more hormonal, me
or Hill! When the weather warms up, we
plan on spending as much time at the
beach as possible, as well as any other
fun we can come up with."
Georgia Schley Ritchie is practicing
law again (King and Spalding), but still
curates shows of British artists under the
guise of her company, Young Masters.
Her last show was in October in London
and the next will be in March in Atlanta.
The children (Addison-9/ India- 6/2, and
Tallulah-272) are well and Georgia and
Diff continue to enjoy Atlanta.
Susan Smith Kemp's family is great,
children growing up. Michelle is 11, Ford,
9 and Tricia, 7. Susan stays in touch with
Anne Darden Sell and the two couples
even had a recent golfing/shopping trip
to Pinehurst.
Lillian Sinks Sweeney is a slave to
the PTA. While her husband is "globe-
trotting", she's busy on the board of
directors for Taylor's old pre-school,
which is a lot of fun. Lillian writes: "I
hope that as folks read this I'll be in
Honduras on a summer Mission trip with
our church. I am looking forward to a
great experience. All is well, everyone
healthy and happy."
At Christmas, Lisa Faulkner-0 Hara
got the chance to visit Sally (Gray)
Lovejoy, her husband and parents at
their beautiful home in Virginia. At the
time, Sally was due to meet President
Bush at his upcoming signing of the
national Education bill, on which she had
devoted much of her 2001 working life
on Capitol Hill! Lisa is working within an
advertising network building a new mar-
keting research company. This she
describes as "hectic, but definitely fun.
My husband and I took a great vacation
in California last spring and highly rec-
ommend Carmel Heights and Big Sur to
anyone who hasn't been there yet. We
also made our umpteenth annual sum-
mer pilgrimage to Nantucket with our
family. My kids (son Bud is 11 and
daughter Evan is 7) are doing well and
up to the usual soccer, basketball, base-
ball, lacrosse, dance, Brownies, and
piano lessons that comprise a family's
weekends."
Mimi Walch Doe says "I have cut
way back on my travel/talk schedule
since 9/1 1 . It's just not worth it to leave
my precious family — unless of course
they come too and it's an alluring tropical
venue.." Mimi's big news is that her lat-
est book, Busy but Balanced (St. Martin's
Press) was just released! Her web site is:
http://wvtfw.SpiritualParentina.com
Missy Gentry Witherow and family
are happy in Memphis with daughters
Somer (8) and Wallace (6). Missy loves
keeping up with Susan, Francie, Eithne
and Lillian, and says it's wonderful hav-
ing Francie back in Atlanta and Martha
Corretti Coghlan '82 back in Birmingham.
"Our girls will go to big girl camp this
summer and then we look forward to
exploring out west with them. Above all.
we are so happy to be blessed with good
health."
Kim Fuller is still a travel agent 2
days a week because she loves to travel
and likes the perks. The remainder of the
week, she works with her husband who
works at the University of Oklahoma
Health Sciences Center and is CTO of a
new small start-up bio-tech company.
Kim says: "it's been fun getting back to
lab-bench science and using that degree
my parents paid for!! I do everything
from experiments to making lotion. The
company has discovered a natural anti-
aging compound. It not only fights wrin-
kles but helps those with skin problems
like eczema and psoriasis. Also develop-
ing a skin lightener for age spots and a
tanner. It's pretty exciting. We are getting
ready to launch the wrinkle cream —
thinking of starting with QVC— but we'll
see. Keep your fingers crossed — this
could be really big!!" (Kim, hurry and tell
us the name of your anti-aging lotion
before we can no longer remember that
we need some.) She stays in contact via
email with Sally Gray Lovejoy and Janel
Hughes Wiles, and met with Sally and
Bret in June 2001 for dinner in DC. Kim
occasionally sees Ann Connolly in
Newburyport.
Randie Mulholland Benedict is in
her twelfth year as Director of Admission
at Garrison Forest School in Owings
Mills, MD where she and her family live
on the campus in a lovely 100 year old
home. She and her husband Ben will cel-
ebrate their eighteenth wedding anniver-
sary this summer and will have an official
teenager in the house when their son Lex
turns 13 in July. Ben is in sales with a
large manufacturing company and travels
throughout the country each week.
Daughter Parker is ten in May and has
just finished the fourth grade. Her family
enjoys gardening, skiing, snowboarding,
lacrosse, tennis, riding and golf. Annual
vacations take them to the Delaware
shore, Fort Myers, FL and Chautaugua,
NY "Best to all my old SBC friends,"
says Randi.
Shannon Thompson Eadon says
2001 was almost a very good year.
Children Logan (11) and Tucker (9) are
both healthy and happy in school. The
Eadons were able to enjoy several ski
trips last year and a family foray to St.
Johns for Easter She loves designing
and selling jewelery and Gordie is enjoy-
ing investment banking. Shannon writes:
"September 11th. ..both Gordie and my
brother Brad work in NYC and were
missing for hours (both are fine); but life
is not the same. Unfortunately, we lost
many friends and our community was
hard hit. So, Christmas was a time of
healing and reflection. ..we hope that the
new year will bring peace. I have kept up
with many Sweet Briar friends via e-mail
such as Francie, Susan. Missy, Eithne,
Diana, Muffit and Piffin. Yes! Piffin has
been found alive and well in England with
two boys and husband too. E-mail her at
Dortz@alobalnet.co.uk. I am sure she
would love to hear from you."
Carolyn Hallahan Salomon is happy
at home with Thomas (2 3/4) and
Meaghan (15 mo), busy "enjoying life
through their wonderful little eyes." She
has also started up an all-natural pet food
supplement business, which is doing
well. Husband Robert is eager to recover
fully from knee surgery so he can get
back on his dirt bike! Carolyn's e-mail is:
chsalam@netzero.net.
Catherine M. Flaherty writes (while
mid-flight to Denver) that life is hectic as
always. She continues to be very much
involved with her career as a Senior
Sales Manager, and her life at home as
Mom (to three very cute little boys, by
the way). They're celebrating Spring
Break by skiing for one week at Vail, then
hitting Florida for one more week of fun
and sun with the boys, now 4, 6 and 7.
Myth Monnich Bayoud looks forward
to Charlie's third birthday and his
dinosaur party at the Dallas Museum of
Natural History! Upcoming travel desti-
nations include Palm Desert to visit
David's parents, and the San Diego Zoo.
Myth co-chairs the Halloween-themed
auction at Charlie's school in October,
and will spearhead with her husband a
fundraiser for responsible teenage driv-
ing, scheduled for early 2003. She stays
in touch with Susan Boline Thompson.
who with husband Gregg, their daughter
and twin boys, lives around the corner!
Myth also keeps up with Brianna
Boswell Brown, Melanie Bowen
Steglich and Janel Hughes Wiles,
whose family had a great Christmas ski
vacation in Vail. Myth was happy to have
heard from Leslie Ludwick Bires. Claire
Dennison Griffith, Lillian Sweeney and
others over the holidays.
If you glanced at the Wall Street
Journal on July 1 1 , 2000, you're sure to
have seen the full-page photo of Frances
Root in Smith Barney's ad for Premier
Selections Large Cap Funds! Francie,
64 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
focusing on value stocks, is prominently
featured as Co-manager.
Beth Newberry writes that she and
husband Steve are "pulling a "Sarah and
Abraham". A third child. Porter Brown
Phillips, was born Novembr 30. 2001."
Porter shares his name and his birthday
with Beth's grandfather!
Tinsley Place Lockhart reports that
she is no longer married to Hugh
Lockhart, but has for four years been
with a man called John Lockhart, which
she says is handy for the monogrammed
towels. Her children (Beau,
16/Esmerelda.13). described as "huge
and wonderful," joined Tinsley for a visit
to her mother's home in Scottsville.
Virginia last summer. The internet busi-
ness is still a going concern but Tinsley
has also been working toward a law
degree at the University of Edinburgh.
She wrote to us while she was supposed
to be studying for exams and admits to
"procrastinating big time. Writing this
makes my conscience smart, so I must
go hit the statutes, but would love to
hear from people. ..best e-mail:
tinslevlockhart@hotmail.com / best URL:
www.tinslevlockhart.co.jk
Jill Steenhuis Ruffato returned to
the states for March/April shows in
Jackson, MS. Huntsville. AL. Atlanta and
Alexandria, VA. The news grande is that
she and Serge have sold their home and
are moving six kilometers away (toward
Aix) to begin a new restoration project on
an old house. Jill also announces that the
adults painting workshop she has been
promising for years is about to become a
reality. She says: "It will focus on Art and
Faith... I hope it will be a sort of spiritual
retreat (because) to paint is to pray and
actively participate in celebrating the gifts
of nature.." Two one-week sessions
June, 2002, mailings to come. Her boys
are thriving and share the soccer ball.
Dianne Delledera gave birth to her
fifth child on January 1, 2002! Little Ivy
joins Robert (14). Dylan (12), Isaac (9)
and Autumn (5). Dianne claims that
"between scouts, dance, basketball, soc-
cer, work, etc.. Ivy will hardly ever see
the inside of the house!" Rob is currently
working in Lynchburg, life is nutty and all
is well.
Susan Posey Ludeman is fine and
keeping up with Danny, Jr. (17). Allie
(15), David (11) and Caroline (8).
Pam Leuzinger Williams continues
to enjoy her interior design business, has
just earned a real estate licence, and
manages to play a little tennis, too. Will
(16) and Trip (8) are doing well at Trinity
and St. Christopher's.
Mitch Baruch Jeffery tells us that
Jim is busy with his own asset manage-
ment firm, Charlie (16) is away at school
in New Hampshire, and Jane (7) follows
in Mom's footsteps at the Chapin School
in NYC. Mitch volunteers at Chapin,
Lenox Hill Hospital and helps with Red
Cross 9/11 relief efforts.
Catherine Mills Houlahan is "over-
joyed" with the arrival of Rose Evelyn (7
mo) and doesn't even mind the reappear-
ance of diapers and baby bottles. Connor
(7) and Shelby (5) are having great fun
with their new sister and daddy John is
also a fan.
Vicki Clarendon Richter tells us that
she has accepted a new job as Senior
Development Associate at the National
Liberty Museum. The goal is to educate
children about the meaning of liberty, the
importance of tolerance and acceptance
of others. The children (15, 13 and 11)
are well: the eldest attending boarding
school at Vermont Academy, younger
boys at Episcopal Academy. Vicki says
"Ah, teenagers! Thank goodness I
remember what I was like!"
LaQuela Scaife Barnett welcomes
another grandniece this year, and prac-
tices her role as combination Brownie
Mom, Gymnastics Supporter and
Basketball Fan to daughter Lexi.
Meanwhile, the family business contin-
ues to expand, adding a new line of cus-
tom CD greeting cards, (customgreeting-
cards.com) She sees Jana Joustra once
a month and reports that she is with HCA
and having a great time in Nashville.
LaQuela looks forward to a whale watch-
ing expedition to Carmel with her Mom
and Lexi. A trip to Mexico is planned for
the spring.
MYSTERY-as in didn't sign name -
PERSON (possibly Lisa Sturkie
Greenberg?) has seen Francie Root sev-
eral times, is still working as an assistant
fourth grade teacher at Lovett, is a Team
Mom for baseball and makes the soccer
scene. Husband Jon is a partner with
Greenberg Traurig law firm in Atlanta.
Like everyone else. I (Liz
Swearingen-Edens) am in perpetual
motion. Son Alex (6+) daughter Cary
Pippin (4) husband Joe. my graphic
design/illustration clients and misc. other
activities keep me busy. I recently visited
with Carol Williamson Jenkins, husband
Nick and son William (8. designs robots)
on The Ridge in Alabama. House guests,
wild tennis matches, etc. provided much
entertainment. Carol is well. Many thanks
to everyone who contributed to this col-
umn!
1983
President: Miriam Baker Morris
Secretary: Melissa Bryne Partington
Fund Agent: Tracy Gatewood Lyons
Everyone seems to be quite busy
these days, in the throes of family activi-
ties, hobbies, work and the dreaded
"Turning 40"!! Our 20" year reunion is
right around the corner ladies. I hope to
see you all there!!
Wylie Jameson Small writes that
she has finished her first novel and is
working to get it published. She is also
busy with volunteer work at Rudy's
school and with Rudy's competitive
squash activities as well as trying to get
some tennis in a few times a week.
Mason Bennett Rummel and Rick
are very involved with their children.
Bennett is approaching high school and
Annie is busy with piano and voice and
Emma is finding cheerleading to be awe-
some! Mason is busy with her work and
Rick continues his business selling med-
ical equipment. Mason had the opportu-
nity to visit Lea Sparks Bennett last
spring in Lynchburg.
Phyllis Feddeler Fejzuli is living in
Palm Bay. Florida with her husband Alen.
7 year old son AJ, 9 month old daughter
Dorian, and Porter the dalmatian. She
enjoys volunteering at her son's school
and being a stay-at-home mom.
Carol Dudley Boswell and her hus-
band Greg are still in Dayton, Ohio. Greg
is working with Pella Window Systems
and is enjoying himself. Lucas (7) is hav-
ing a blast in 1st grade and enjoying par-
ticipating in sports. Carol has been sub-
stitute teaching in their school district
and thinking about doing graduate work
in the area of educational research. They
might be visiting Virginia this summer
and hope to stop by Sweet Briar.
Blair Redd Barnes is still working as
the head trader of Craig Drill Capital. She
and Chip are living in Rye. NY and see
Meg Price Bruno quite often. The biggest
news from Blair is that she had a baby in
January (she sent her notes just days
before it was born). Their daughter,
Raleigh was very excited about her new
brother or sister. Their son Brandon is a
junior at Chapel Hill and Jeb will graduate
from Trinity Pawling this year and then
head to College of Charleston in the Fall.
She is excited about seeing everyone at
reunion next year!
Grayson Harris Lane completed her
PhD degree in Art History at Boston
University in January 2002. She still lives
in Menlo Park, CA, and is raising two
children, Campbell (5) and Robert (4).
She is also involved with Stanford
University's art museum.
Amy Boyce Osaki is quite the world
traveler with her business, Walking Softly
Adventures, now in its 7th year. She trav-
eled to Europe for five months last year.
She stayed with the family she worked
for in Paris when she was there on SBC
Junior Year in France. Madame also trav-
eled with her — she's taken three of their
trips and is quite a hiker! Amy also visit-
ed Marijtje van Duijin (who went to
Sweet Briar for our senior year) and her
family in Holland. Heidi, Amy's daughter
will turn 2 this year. Amy also spoke to
Desiree Bouchat who was in the World
Trade Center at work on September 1 1
and got out (on the last elevator out).
Amy says Eleanor Wells Carter has two
cute kids and they trade mommy notes.
Elizabeth Taylor Seifert is still
Director of Public Policy with
GlaxoSmithKline. Her children Catherine
(6). Lydia (4) and Peter (2) are growing
like the weeds! She says being a mother
to 3 is a joy and sometimes a struggle.
Mark is busy building a legal practice in
Cary. NC. Elizabeth is also looking for-
ward to seeing everyone at our 20".
Blair Clark Smith married Calvin
William "Billy" Swoope III in January.
They are merging two families — her four
and his three children! He has twin 8-
year-old boys and an 1 1 year old boy.
Quite a crew! Blair is teaching math at a
middle school (after getting her masters)
and, of course, running around with the
kids. There was a mini-reunion at the
wedding with Leslie Malone Berger,
Anne Little Woolley and Lucy Chapman
Millar and their husbands.
Leslie Malone Berger loves her field
of speech language pathology and con-
tinues to work with medically fragile pre-
emies to three year olds, focusing on
speech and language as well as feeding
and swallowing. Alex (10), Kiernan (8),
and Emilie (5). keep her and Kevin busy
with homework, lacrosse, baseball and
gymnastics and just plain running
around!
Wendy Chapin Albert and Tolly's two
girls Anne (10) and Eleanor (6) are going
to the same school and love it. Wendy
has started riding again and she has
introduced the concept to the girls too!
She has enjoyed keeping up with SBC
friend Meg Price Bruno, who lives in
Armonk. NY now, and hopes they can
get together this year.
Nina Pastuhov is still selling insur-
ance in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area.
She spent her 40" birthday with her
boyfriend on a two week vacation to Utah
for the Olympics.
Kathy Barrett is getting married this
year. In March she received her certifica-
tion in "International Business and
Corporate Protocol" which allows her to
teach adults "Etiquette and Dining" skills.
With this certification, she is now quali-
fied to teach etiquette to all ages! She
visited Barb Paulson Goodbarn in
Denver over the Christmas holidays.
Martha Riggs Lowrey writes that her
husband Ron received a much needed
liver and kidney transplant in September
2001. She would like us all to consider
signing an organ donor card — as she
and Ron were blessed by this wonderful
gift from someone else. She also had a
nice visit with Hannah Davis Emig and
her family in late summer.
Gigi Harsh Mossburg and her hus-
band were fortunate enough to attend the
Centennial Gala at Sweet Briar and she
said it was an incredible experience!
They saw Heather Pirnie Albert ('82),
Francie Mantho Belliveau ('82). Heidi
Slavin ('82) and their husbands. She
also went to Heidi's bridal shower, given
by Heather. Gigi hadn't seen these
women since 1981 and says it was as if
she had seen them just yesterday!
Lee Anne Mackenzie Chaskes is
busy with her boys Will (14), Robert
(1 1 ), and Adam (2). Her week is made
complete by participating in Bible Study
Fellowship (with over 900 classes around
the world) and says that studying God's
word helps her get through the laundry,
schedule and all of her responsibilities
with a calm heart and a sane mind.
Becky Campbell Moravek and family
are doing well. They are busy with their
home and their 34' MarineTrader trawler.
The family made a trip up the
Connecticut coast and over to Long
Island. She is also doing lots of volunteer
work and carting her children Megan
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 65
(1 1 ) and Jack (8) to soccer games. Her
husband Bob is still at Southern Star
Shipping in NYC.
Barb Paulson Goodbarn saw Bridget
O'Reilly Holmes in March 2001 while
the Holmes family was in Colorado for a
ski trip which looks like it will become an
annual event! She enjoyed her visit with
Kathy Barrett as well.
Ellen Clare Gillespie Dreyer is doing
well and says that turning 40 was pain-
less! She is busy with her family, and
wants to let everyone know if they come
to the DC area to call her.
Alicia Nygaard Formagus writes
they are busy with their two sons William
(13) and Thomas (11). She has been
asked to help to reproduce the University
Park Children's Park (where she lives) in
Tyler, TX. She says they are also being
led to develop a Christian Retreat Center
on their farm in Northeast Texas.
Betsy Birckhead Glick's big news is
that they have moved — not out of Hilton
Head but to a house with more space!
She is still a stay-at-home mom with
Kevin (9), and Christopher (4). They
stopped by Sweet Briar last summer on
their way back from the Greenbrier and
were amazed by the construction and all
the changes. She is very much looking
forward to reunion. As for Robert and I,
we are still in Marblehead, MA. Robert is
busy with seminary and will finish with
dual masters degrees in Divinity and
Counseling in the spring of 2004. 1 am
still working full time at IBM. Our two
beautiful children, Rachel (4) and Andrew
(2.5) are the joys of our lives! If anyone
comes up to Boston, please let me know
— we'd love to see you! Thank you all so
much for keeping in touch. It is hard for
me to believe that I have been doing this
for almost 15 years (or is it 20?).
Looking forward to seeing you next year!
1986
President: Lisa Redd Toliver
Secretary: Charade Boiling Estes
Fund Agent: Shapleigh Donnelly
LaPointe
I couldn't wait to make the trip to the
mailbox to see what exciting news await-
ed. Thanks for the great response! The
first postcard arrived from NJ. Kathryn
(Kate) Repetto Erskine reports that she
and husband, Ron are living in
Ridgewood.
Terry Cerrina Davis and husband
were just days away from the birth of
their first child. Her excitement "jumped"
off the page. Congratulations, Terry!
Dr. Nancy Palermo Leitz checks in
from Charlotte, NC where she lives with
husband, Tim and children Claire (6) and
Benton (4). Her specialty is OB/GYN and
she says that she is blessed to take care
of lots of SBC grads!
Drusilla Davis Fadus and Joseph
are in Marietta, GA. Their little ones,
Margaret (7), Jim (3) and Katherine
(17 mos) keep her very busy. "Life as a
full-time mom gets richer with each
passing day."
Kirsten Bailey Atkinson and Loid are
still in Wilmington, NC. She received a
Masters in Conflict Resolution and
serves as the State Board President for
the Mediation Network of NC. Kirsten
would like the e-mails of her SBC
roomies. Roomies?
Holly McGovern Barber and family
are enjoying life in Tampa, FL. Holly start-
ed her own catering business last year,
but still finds time to run in occasional
races. She sees Meme Boulware Hobbs
and family on a regular basis, and is
looking forward to seeing Ashley
Simmons Bright this summer.
Mary Johnson Ryan and Kevin are
still in West Chester, PA. Mary Grace (2)
keeps her very busy but she finds time to
work part time as a Certified Financial
Planner with Citizens Bank. Jessica
Sinnott is practicing law at E.I. du Pont
de Nemours and Co. Last Spring she and
husband Bill were on campus for the
Alumna-in-Residence program. She had
nothing but good things to say and
encourages others to participate.
In Redding, CT with husband Devin
and daughters Emma Jane (5) and
Beatrice Ann (1), Stephanie Hamilton
Gregory is busy undergoing yet another
whole house renovation project. She has
lost touch with her SBC pals, but her
New Year's Resolution is to contact old
friends.
After taking a break from teaching art
history at Queen's College, Katherine
Redmond Teague and Jensie have start-
ed collecting art. Jensie IV (7) and twins
Anne and Redmond (4) keep her very
busy.
Looking for property in the Outer
Banks of NC? Contact Real Estate Broker
Louanne Pahel Woody!
Meme Boulware Hobbs writes, "All
is well in Birmingham, AL. I'm busy with
Libby (8) and Whit (6). They play all
sorts of sports and we do too much! I
see Elizabeth Cahill Sharman ('84) and
talk with Holly McGovern Barber ."
Aloha from sunny Maui. Tricia
Lonick Vergel de Dios was married in
Virginia, July 1, 2000. Susan Swagler
Cowles was a bridesmaid. Tricia has
been working at the Hyatt Regency Maui
for 15V2 years as the Wildlife Manager,
but will begin working with Coldwell
Banker Island Properties after the birth of
her son — the special delivery is sched-
uled to arrive on July 10, 2002.
Shannon "Spunk" Kuehlwein writes,
"Great to see SBC again after so many
years. I'm busy buying a house with my
partner, so we are decorating, painting,
building — basically making a mess. I
love my job as a Police Officer and I'm
training to be a Defensive Tactics
Instructor for our department. My work
as a Firefighter has also kept me busy as
I am currently working to be certified in
NH as well as VT. I find myself being
reenergized in these careers since 9/11."
Deanne Dawson James, husband
David and daughter Teagan (2) are enjoy-
ing life in NC. She works for a software
company specializing in data protection
and after the events of 9/1 1 she has been
traveling worldwide and working very
hard! Her travels have taken her to South
Africa, Mexico and Spain.
Beth Ann Trapold Newton is expect-
ing her third child in Spring 2002. The
baby will be welcomed by Gus (8) and
Bonnie (6). Beth Ann writes, "I'm a bit
scared about the large age gap, but it'll
be nice to have built-in babysitters in a
few years!"
Karen Gonya Nickles is busy with
work, family and friends. She is a soccer
mom — coaching her daughter's (8) team
and watching her son (11) play. She
recently had dinner with Katie Hearn
('85), Loretta Archard ('85) and Anne
Martin Gonya ('85).
Mary Beth Miller Orson writes, "Carl
and I are still in Scottsdale, enjoying the
AZ sunshine with our daughter Caroline
(3). We went tubing down the Salt River
with Eve Hill this summer and went on a
jeep tour of the red rocks of Sedona with
Jennifer Green Mitchell and her family a
few days before Christmas. I'm still an
attorney at Honeywell in Phoenix."
Rebecca Young Metro is enjoying
life as a stay-at-home mom to Katie
(472) and Andrew (272) in Arlington, VA.
Stephanie Jones Renfro and family
moved back to Hickory, NC in April 2001.
Husband Jim, a Marketing Manager with
Corning Cable Systems. Helen (10).
Gavan (772) and Stephanie are glad to be
back and hope to stay.
Susan Finn Adams and Michael are
still in Williamsburg, VA. They celebrated
their tenth anniversary and moved June
2001 into the house his late father built
when Michael was born. What a special
place for their three children (now 7, 4
and 3). Sue is still working part-time out
of their home researching new projects
for a book publisher. She hopes to have
some mini-reunions soon (Jen/Linda-
BNL anyone??).
Jennifer Green Mitchell is still living
in Arlington, VA with her husband and 4
year old daughter but they travel between
their home in Arlington and their week-
end place in Madison County. Jennifer is
a Senior Analyst at a fundraising consult-
ing firm in DC. She keeps in touch with
SBC classmates Susanne Gonge
Bashkin. Mary Beth Miller Orson and
Eve Hill
In March 2001 , Mary Jo Biscardi
Brown and husband returned to the U.S.
after a 272 year stay in Copenhagen,
Denmark with his company. In August
2001 , they made another work-related
move from FL to PA. They are slowly set-
tling into their new home and enjoying
new surroundings in Bucks County, PA.
Mary Jo is looking forward to serving,
along with Lynn Mather Charette as
Fund Agent for Reunion 2006— our 20'"!
Lee Malley-Lowe still lives in
Vienna, VA with husband Bill and 2 chil-
dren, Jack (6) and Megan (2). They are
busy adding another addition onto their
home, doing all the work themselves.
Lee recently started a new position with
CIGNA as Director of Contracting and
really enjoys keeping 2 full time
jobs. . .Mom and professional.
Corrine Neale reports from the
Jersey shore that she enjoys her job as a
clinical social worker at a nursing home
and is proud to be a certified EMT
Alyson Carey Goods has had a very
busy year with her three children, Jack
(6), Avery (4) and Claire (2). Between
lacrosse, swimming, skiing, and ballet
she's not sure why she is called a stay-
at-home mom! Husband Bob is joining a
new law firm two years after making
partner at his current firm. Alyson hopes
to hear from any SBC friends at her email
RRGNEWS@adelohia.net.
Jennifer Crossland checks in from
Richmond, VA. She started a new job in
October 2001 and says that she is much
happier! She sees Nancy Ray Wilshire
(not as often as she'd like) and Linda
DeVogt (too much). She sees many
SBCers and now keeps in touch with
several classmates by email addresses
exchanged at reunion.
Dayna Avery Hulme still works in
medical malpractice litigation in
Brentwood, TN and has two daughters.
Courtney (9) and Alexandria (4). She
keeps busy with third grade and pre-
school activities, including piano, dance
and Brownie cookie sales and is involved
with church choir and Junior League.
She tries not to miss her monthly Bunco
group where Jonna Lee Ashwood ('87) is
usually always there. Dayna and her hus-
band had hoped to celebrate their 15*
anniversary in southern France and parts
of Italy, but plan on it this summer for
their 16".
Heather Brown is living in Tulsa, OK
working as in-house counsel for the
Williams Companies. She manages their
litigation across the country and is loving
it! She would love to hear from long lost
classmates. Her email:
Heather.Brown@Williams.com.
Sharon Beard Testa is enjoying her
twin daughters Elizabeth and Caroline
while trying to find time to work and fin-
ish her dissertation for her Psy.D in
Counseling Psychology. The twins and
Mary Johnson Ryan's daughter are pals,
so she sees Mary and husband Kevin
often She and husband Scott spent an
evening with Cara Heard Ellicott and
husband Ross. Cara's children were fea-
tured in the Christmas Tiffany's catalog.
Sharon would love to hear from any
classmates who are in the Philadelphia
area.
Lisa Marks has moved to Morrisville,
NC. She writes, "I have been incredibly
blessed this past year, in two areas in
particular. I was fortunate to do a short
term mission trip with my church to the
village of Hainomosa in the Dominican
Republic. I had mixed emotions about
the trip, I wanted to do something for
these people and for God, but I felt really
inadequate and terrified of failure. . . I
busted a bit of concrete, laid some stairs
and such, but the best part of the trip
was what those people did for me... .My
other tremendous blessing was a job
opportunity that I love! I have taken a
66 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc edu
position as a Marketing Director with a
pharmaceutical company in Raleigh, IMC.
I would love to hear trom anyone in the
area or anyone passing through.
Debby Klepac-Gaskill is living in her
hometown of Ventnor, NJ. Debby, hus-
band Greer, children Lillian (7) and
William (4) spend their winter holidays in
VT and their summers on the beach.
Debby has been teaching math in
Margate, NJ for 10 years and earned a
Masters in Educational Administration
from Monmouth U.
Bella Viguerie Gsell writes, "Nicole
Yvonne Gsell was born August 3, 2001 ,
joining Christopher (5) and Anne Claire
(3) in the line up." She had a visit from
Elizabeth Haynie Walnstein during
Christmas holidays 2001 and she sees
Ashley Simmons Bright all the time.
"Everyone seems to be doing great!"
Elizabeth wrote from SBC where she
was attending her first board meeting for
Friends of Art (FOA). She recommends
that all art history majors join Sweet
Briar's FOA and "help make a lasting con-
tribution to our school."
When Kansas City had its worst ice
storm on January 30. 2001 , Missy
Duggins Green's phone lines were down
for 10 days and her home was one of the
250,000 without power. Needless to say
it was cold and dark, but she didn't get to
experience this natural disaster because
she was in Naples, FL for 3 weeks with
her children, Miles (3) and Nancy Pippin
(2). The power was restored 2 hours
before they arrived home. While in FL
she ran into Lynne Higgins Dreyer while
on an outing with the children. Missy
writes, "I had a great time seeing every-
one last May and look forward to going
back to the Patch in 2006."
McKenzie Reed van Meel writes
from Amsterdam announcing the birth of
Cornells Mercer van Meel. Daughter,
Madison (272) speaks both English and
Dutch and translates conversations with
Mom into Dutch so her Daddy will
understand. McKenzie has started paint-
ing pottery again, whenever she gets the
chance — actually she dreams about it
more then she gets to do it! Being a full-
time mommy keeps her busy.
Suzanne Craft Bailey and Drew
moved to a new house in Charlotte and
son, Christopher started 1st grade.
Daughter, Elizabeth (2) is doing much
better after her 2nd set of ear tubes.
Suzanne started riding horses again after
15 plus years out of the saddle, but she
says it's just like riding a bike. She is try-
ing to participate in more SBC Charlotte
activities.
Catherine Callender Sauls and fami-
ly visited last summer and she keeps in
touch with other classmates.
Robyn Bailey Orchard broke her arm
in five places, and is almost back to nor-
mal after an operation and extensive
therapy. This minor setback didn't pre-
vent her from being granted tenure, a
permanent PA teacher certification, and
passing the language and candidacy
exam for her Ph.D. in English literature
and criticism. She hopes to finish her
coursework summer 2002.
Ashley Simmons Bright writes,
"Edgar & I have 3 children Ella (11),
Gordy (9) and Walker (5) who will start
kindergarten next year. We're still living
in New Orleans but have been spending a
lot of time on the Gulf Coast in
Mississippi where we have built a home.
I've been doing lots of volunteer work
and see Bella Viguerie Gsell a lot "
Lisa Ringler Bennett and daughter,
Sydney, moved to a new home on a 100
acre horse farm. She is still with
Computer Sciences Corp and loving it.
She hasn't had time to ride as much as
she would like to, but has fox hunted a
few times this winter and just started
playing polo. She is looking forward to a
trip to Anguilla in April 2002 — she says
she can't wait to sit on a beach and chill
out!
Desiree Petrus writes, "In October
2001, 1 left the PA Senate Transportation
Committee where I was Chief Counsel for
the Chairman to become Research
Counsel on the 'Casey for Governor' (PA)
campaign. I am very excited to be part of
a history-making, high-profile, statewide
campaign and am working very long
hours. I look forward to a victorious pri-
mary and general election this year. This
year will be a whirlwind year because of
the campaign so my travel and book
plans have been placed on hold until
after the fall election. After the election, I
will be revising my book, How to Start a
Business in Pennsylvania at that time and
anticipate my first work of fiction to be
published in late 2003. It is my intent to
continue in politics either remaining
active in statewide campaigns or moving
to the national level."
Elizabeth Lindsey and Ken, a
Presbyterian minister, are still in rural
NW Indiana. Still doing freelance from
home and always looking for new clients.
Does anyone need a good copy editor?
Mimi Holland Dinsmore and Tyler
(HSC '86) are in Charleston, WV. She's
working part-time at an art gallery, man-
aging her church bookstore, but still
finds time to be Mac's (8) cub scout den
leader. She wished she had paid attention
to SWEBOP when she had the chance!
It was great catching up on the news
first, but I received an unsigned post-
card: A classmate is living in
Charlottesville, VA but hopes to get back
to the mountains of Colorado soon. She
and her husband are expecting a baby
boy March 2002 who will join sibling
Maggie (2).
As for me, Davis (VMI '85) and I are
still living in Stafford, VA. I am the Task
Manager for the Technical Library at the
Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency in Arlington, VA. Working full-
time, keeping up with Chelsea (13) and
Cameran's (8) social calendar leaves little
time for anything else. Lisa Redd Toliver
and I try to get together once a month
for lunch or just to chat on the telephone.
Everyone take care and I'll see you back
at the Patch for our 20"!
1989
President: Whitney Bay
Secretary: Emmy Leung
Fund Agent: Kathryn "Kate" Robinson
Hillestad
As usual, it is great to hear from so
many of you! I even heard from some
classmates that haven't sent news
before. Everyone has been keeping so
busy! I have received several baby
announcements, many of which are
girls. We definitely have a large num-
ber of potential candidates for the
Class of 2023!
Remember Happy Gilbert? Well,
it's Allegra Helms now. After leaving
SBC she finished up college in DC at
American University, majoring in
Economics and minoring in CS and
Accounting. She worked for Mobil Oil
in Fairfax for about 5 years. She now
lives in Lynchburg with husband, Joe,
and their two labs. Hannah and Rosie.
In December, after several years of
running a part-time photography busi-
ness and working full-time at J Crew,
she made the leap to being a full time
photographer! Her work has been fea-
tured in The Knot Mid-Atlantic Wedding
Pages and The Knot Carolinas Wedding
Pages.
Jill Whittaker Player is still in
Austin Texas and loving it. She is stay-
ing busy at home with Josh (4), Grey
(2), and is due with her third child
2/02.
Tracy Carter Warren and Andy are
expecting their third child in 6/02 —
adding to Caroline (6) and Drew
(3), not to mention 2 dogs and 2 cats!
Andy commutes to his job as CFO of
CNBC and Tracy stays at home with the
brood in Ridgefield. CT.
Dana de Holl Lesesne has moved
to Sewanee, TN. Husband, David,
accepted the position of Dean of
Admissions for the University of the
South (Sewanee). Their twin girls,
Madlen and Tess, turned five the day
after Christmas and are growing up to
be quite the little equestrians (like
mother, like daughters). The move has
allowed Dana to get back into horses.
She got a 3-year old thoroughbred for
Christmas. The girls have a pony, also,
so they spend most of their time at the
barn. A mini reunion was held at their
beach house last Spring— Jill
Needham, Christen Anderson
Abernethy, Rebecca Hendrix, Lee
Lefkovits Dawkins, Amanda Germond,
Amy Oftaway Zambetti. Helen Bradley
Tarbufton, Nancy Belhea Howell,
Ailish O'Connor and Beth Gottlieb
were all there.
Clara Green is living in NYC and
happily pursuing a career in the per-
forming arts. She directed her first NY
production recently and has appeared
in several plays, also modeling in print
ads. Despite what has happened, she
still thinks this is the best city in the
world. On 9/11, she was on the 63rd
floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and saw
the whole thing. She would like to
thank everyone from SBC who called
or emailed to see if she was okay.
Sarah Anderson Stanton and Murray
now have two little boys, Gray (3) and
Olav (1 Vs). Both boys ride, and Gray is
now skiing. Sarah has 3 horses to keep
in shape, and Murray continues to
restore antique Harley Davidson motor-
cycles. He has three, 1923, 1926, and
1927. He also has an array of British
bikes to ride for fun. The farm keeps
them busy, and they plan to host a
Hunter Trials and a Hunter Pace this
summer. Sarah is still teaching piano,
and Murray has his law practice. They
moved into their new house in the sum-
mer of 2000, and Murray just moved into
his new office, which is located on the
farm, a 1/4-mile from the house.
JoAnn Bogolin is still in Atlanta,
working as a health care actuary at
Tillinghast-Towers Perrin. She has 2
dachshunds. Daisy and Posey.
Sans Good Washington has had a
busy year as assistant treasurer for her
Junior League. She and husband Michael
are busy shuttling sons, William (9), to
Pony Club meetings and riding lessons,
and Beniamin (19 months) to what has
become grandmother's day out!
Tish Markey Hutter and Rob are still
living in Mexico with their 3 children,
Harrison (7), Katherine (572), and Anna
(2). They are enjoying the warm sunny
weather and doing a lot of traveling
throughout the country. They will be
there for 2-3 more years.
Stacey Hannan Quinn will celebrate
her 10" anniversary with Siemens Mobile
as a Principal Technical Writer in
April! Siemens was awarded $100
Million deal with Cingular Wireless last
October so they are all very busy working
to fulfill the contract. She has also been
busy with the Junior League of Boca
Raton and trying to enjoy family life.
Courtney Anne turned 2 years old on
9/18/01.
Whitney Bay Shuck is still working
as a web architect for Maritz Travel. Her
new jewelry business is also doing well.
She has started lampworking classes, so
she can make her own glass beads.
Husband. Quin works for AMPS design-
ing a power source for NASA's deep
space probe. They will celebrate their
second anniversary this year.
Twig O'Dell Tucker now lives in
Medina/Orono, MN. She has three chil-
dren, Jack (7), Will (5), and Katie born
2/2/01 ! Karen Greer Goss is Katie's god-
mother Amy Ottaway Zambetti has
moved back to her hometown of Gross
Pointe, Ml. She has two sons, James (7)
and Charlie (5). She visited with lei
Ollison during the Christmas holiday.
Michelle Lennane Gorman lives in
Bozeman, MT, where she enjoys sleigh
riding with her horse and sons, James
(4) and Thomas (3). Husband, James is
remodeling a farmhouse. They ski and
play soccer in their "spare time."
Amy Sanidas and husband, Daniel,
are waiting the arrival of their first child
3/02. They are enjoying life in NYC.
Elizabeth Fokes Pettys is a legal sec-
retary with Richter, Head, Shinall &
White, LLP. She will begin paralegal certi-
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 67
fication in the spring. She wants to even-
tually be an attorney. Husband, Richard,
also works in the legal field. They live in
Atlanta with their 7 cats!
Anne Caston Gaa lives in Baltimore,
MD and works as a nurse at Johns
Hopkins Hospital. She is also working on
a dual Masters degree in Public Health
and Nursing at Hopkins, and hopes to
finish 12/03.
Jill Needham Franke and Doug live
in Fort Worth, TX. They have a 5-year old
son. Jill is working for Organon
Pharmaceuticals.
Shelley Brashear Tomlin, Edward,
Haley (6), Edward-James (4) and John-
Francis (1) are living in Dallas, TX.
Shelley started her own business, The
Live-In Connection, Inc., which provides
sitters/companions for the elderly. She
keeps in touch with Betsy Howie and her
daughter Kathryn (1). She also sees her
sister, Shannon Brashear Longfield ('92)
and her children, Max (3) and Avery (1).
Deana Catana Lemert is enjoying life
in Pittsburgh, PA. Daughter, Phebe will
start Kindergarten in the Fall! Deana and
her husband are expecting their second
child 5/02.
Jill Causby Skerlak, Michael and
their daughter, Lauren (2) have relocated
to Northern NJ. Jill is happy to be back
on the East Coast, which is closer to her
family in VA. She is enjoying being a
stay-at home mom and is active in the
Junior League of Morristown, Moms
Club and plays tennis weekly.
Hildee Williams Wilson and Alistair
welcomed their second child, Ian Alistair
6/7/01 . She has decided to stay at home
with Ian and Emily (7), after working at
the Knight Foundation for 10 years.
Colleen Bradley Bell and Bradley are
expecting their 4th child 5/02. They have
one boy, Chasen, and two girls, Caroline
and Charlotte. Colleen is Chairperson for
the West Coast Executive Board of Best
Buddies International, a non-profit organ-
ization dedicated to improving the lives
of people with developmental disabilities.
Andrea Williams Oakes lives in
Staunton, VA with husband Kenneth and
their girls, Jaclyn (7) and Alex (6). They
are expecting their third child. Andrea
works for Cincinnati Insurance Company
and serves on the city School Board.
Sarah Consolino Murphy, Bill and
their 3 children moved to Racine, Wl, last
August.
Karen Ashworth Lambert is living in
a suburb of Atlanta. She works as an
occupational therapist and manager of a
rehab. unit. She and husband, Daniel have
2 children, Jack (2) and Sam (1). Julie
Littleton Smith and Buddy welcomed
their 4th son, Mark Joseph, 3/20/01 . He
weighed in at 8lbs. 12 oz. Their other
boys are Harrison (9), Drew (3), and
Michael (2). Julie is kept busy with 3rd
Grade, baseball and football practices,
mother's day out activities, church, etc.
She and Buddy have purchased a lake
house and are looking forward to a fun
summer!
Pauline Hanson Palm is living in
Fort Worth, TX, and is in her 9th year of
teaching art at Meadowbrook Christian
School. She also teaches Bible to Junior
High students and is the yearbook coor-
dinator. Allyson Welch Cain, Tom and
Nicole welcomed a little girl, Natalie Cain,
12/06/01,10 lb 3 oz, 22-inch long. Ally
still works at washingtonpost.com. She
has stepped down from manager to
become a Senior programmer and will be
working part-time, so she can stay home
as much as possible with Natalie. Tom
works with Mitretek, saving the world
from chemical weapons.
Kim Kline Malone and David are
doing great, and adjusting to the popula-
tion explosion in the house. Twins, Sarah
and Jeffrey will be 1 yr old in May, and
their lives have been very busy since
their arrival. Brother Brendan (4 in Aug)
is enjoying his babies, and is very protec-
tive.
Kate Robinson Hillestad has traded
in her classroom of students to stay
home with Kathryn Grace born 4/4/01 .
She still teaches several students and
enjoys the rewards of working one-on-
one. Katie Grace visits the stable regular-
ly with her mom and had already been to
SBC before she was 6 months old.
Sandy Compton Sellman hosted a
mini reunion on 2/9/02, for daughter
Alex's first birthday. Kim Malone, Allyson
Cain, Kate Hillestad, Madeleine Corbo
and their children were all in attendance.
I ran into Nancy Quinones Chancier at
the VA Bio Conference last Fall! When
not traveling, she plays with her 2 grey-
hounds, 3 cats, and a horse that she is
leasing. She is working for the Virginia
Economic Development Partnership as a
Senior Manager of Business
Development.
As for me, I am heading into my 4th
year at Wako Chemicals USA. I am the
Product Manager for the laboratory
chemicals division. I am enjoying the
work and the occasional business trip. In
my free time, I enjoy trail riding along the
James River with my horse, Cadot, and
my labs, Sampson and Dillon. Keep the
news coming! I can now include notes in
all issues of the magazine, not just once
a year. Also a quick note that you can
now make your contributions to the
Alumnae Fund online!
1992
President: Catherine Gornto Freeman
Secretary: Kimberly Olmstead Calhoun
Fund Agents: Keeley Sullivan Jurgovan;
Margaret McClellan Driscoll
Stacey Simpson is living in
Unionville, PA, working for Intervet, Inc.
as an equine specialist and territory man-
ager for the mid-Atlantic region. She
works a lot but still has her horses as a
side business. Stacey is keeping in touch
with Marilyn Adams, Catherine Gornto
Freeman and Tracy Loftus Keller from
time to time.
Jennifer Brodlieb Cacioppo won't
make it to reunion because, it is a few
days before her second child is due and
she is hoping to squeeze in a few rounds
of golf just before the due date. Jenny
has been talking with Pokey DuPont
Schifl trading baby tips — her first one
was born in November and his name is
Riker.
Jacqueline Geets Henry was just in
NC visiting Pokey and playing mother's
helper. Pokey plans on introducing Riker
to Jenny and Lisa Crego when Jackie,
Lisa and Pokey come to stay with Jenny
in NYC this spring. Along with visiting
with friends Jenny is busy at her church
and taking care of Annabella (2).
Amy Dickson Riddell's biggest news
was the addition to their family on
3/29/01. Grace Katherine was born mak-
ing Lauren and Emily very happy big sis-
ters. Tim is still a Family Practice doctor
with Ochsner Clinic in Mandeville and he
loves it. He just bought a fishing boat so
he is now in fisherman's heaven! Amy is
staying busy being a mom, playing in a
volleyball league, being a Daisy Scout
leader and Co-chairing the Ochsner hos-
pitality club on the Northshore. They are
very happy in Louisiana, but will soon
grow out of their house so watch for our
change of address cards! She cannot
wait to see everyone at reunion.
Tracy Loftus Keller and her husband,
Chris, had a baby girl, Caroline, on
7/31/01. She is still a paralegal and PA
realtor.
Kelly Brown Estes is keeping busy
with her children — Ben (5) who is in
kindergarten and Julia Katherine (3). She
continues to teach 2nd grade in
Washington, VA. She keeps in touch with
Heather Metzler Allen and Megan
Spadaro Proffitt. She is looking forward
to seeing everyone at the reunion in
May!
Jen Valentine Van Ness and her
husband, Jim, are still in Richmond and
loving it. They have two children —
Ashton, who will be 3 in September and
Hank who will be 1 in April. Jen is still
selling real estate and enjoying that very
much.
Brett Haltiwanger has been in the
bay area for Th years now and she
thinks it's been great. She started com-
peting in triathlons in the summer of
2000 and despite a serious head injury
from a bike fall last year, she is gearing
up tor the coming race season. Brett
recently went to Japan for a meeting
(and a little vacation) and found that
Japan was spectacular. She only wishes
she could have spent more time there
after the meeting. Brett is also enjoying
her postdoctoral fellowship at Berkeley,
but she is playing around with the idea of
going to law school in order to become a
patent attorney. She would love to hear
from some of you and know what is
going on with you.
Janeime Asbury is living in Atlanta
and has two girls — Jaela is 6 and Janelle
is 3. Along with her hygiene career they
keep her pretty busy. Janieme recently
caught up with Fie Carmouche Hill
before Fie moved to DC from Atlanta. Fie
is currently expecting her third child!
Heather Metzler Allen has had a
good year. She is now a Branch Manager
for Sun Trust Bank and loving it! Her two
girls are now 6V2 and almost 3. Heather
keeps in touch with Kelly Brown Estes
and Megan Spadaro Proffitt and they are
hoping to have a mini reunion before the
big one in May.
Elizabeth Roane took some time off
from working and went to France for the
summer to take a French immersion
course. She returned to NYC just after
9/1 1 and has had a tough time finding a
job since. However she is very positive
and feels certain that she will find some-
thing soon.
Jennifer Toomey Driscoll is enjoying
Hagerstown, MD with her husband
Charles and Kate (4) and Betsy (1). They
had a wonderful holiday visit with Diana
Bradford Walsh and Nick in NYC. Jen
writes, "Diana deserves a gold medal for
braving the Barbie Dept. at FAO Schwartz
with my daughter Kate!" Also, Jen had a
ball spending Christmas in Williamsburg
with Margaret McClellan Driscoll, her
husband, Sean, and their children,
McRae and Parker.
Cathy Driskill Hindman is looking
forward to seeing her old roommate,
Tricia Pheil and other classmates at
reunion. She is busier than ever with her
children. Tabitha will turn 10 in February,
Jack was 6 in December and Andrew is
2! Cathy works part time as a volunteer
coordinator at New Covenant Schools
where Tabitha and Jack are in school. In
addition to all that she is serving on the
Board of her Home Owners Association
and she teaches Sunday School for 2
year olds.
Kyra Meelan Werner got married on
10/6/01 in NY to Judd Werner.
Stephanie Brundage Snasdell was in
the wedding while Kathy Hughes and
Barbara Baisley attended. Kyra and her
husband just closed on a purchase of
33.5 acres of land and hope to build a
house and a horse barn next summer.
Catherine Gornto Freeman has a
crazy life in the household with 3 little
ones — Charlotte (3) and David and
Lawrence (2) definitely keep them on the
go! And to add to the chaos they recently
added a new member to the family — a
black lab named Tallulah! Catherine had a
wonderful trip to NYC in Dec. and got to
visit with Marilyn Adams and Lindsey
Jenkins Matthews and her 3 adorable
boys.
Leise Scheppe Hammer and her
husband, John, saw Elaine Barksdale
Finucane and her husband, Michael, at
their family farm for a duck-hunting trip.
Leise has two children Jack (3) and Duff
(1). John and Leise will be celebrating
their 10-year anniversary this 6/27/02 —
Congratulations!
Charlotte Bonini and Deiss are living
in Castine, ME where life is good, but a
little hard in the snow. Charlotte made a
trip south and had a ball visiting with
Tracy Steele, Jennifer Toomey Driscoll
and Margaret McClellan Driscoll.
Jamie Delmonte Galbreath just had
another baby girl, Elizabeth Hadley, on
1/14/02 Wendy Newman Bragau ('86)
68 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
and Katey Miller Hennig are her god-
mothers.
Tracy Steele and her husband Kevin
welcomed Caroline Addison to the world
on 1/11/02 and reports that all is well!
Kristen Liljegren Maurice has had a
crazy year. She had been working on her
Ph.D. dissertation and teaching interna-
tional grad students at the University of
Florida. But on 1 2/8/01 she got married
to Andrew Maurice and they are now liv-
ing in Charleston where he is doing train-
ing in the Navy as a submarine officer.
They are not going to be in Charleston
for long but they are enjoying the city
while they are there. Kristen is looking
for a job and doing a little teaching while
still working on the dissertation.
Anne Vogel Swan's exciting news is
that her oldest son. Liam, will become a
big brother in 4/02. when Anne and her
husband are expecting #2.
Emily Ghiz moved to Atlanta from
Boston in 1/01 and for the last year has
been working as a pastry chef consultant
for two restaurants in the Atlanta area.
Recently Emily has started her own busi-
ness working with custom designed
wedding/specialty cakes and handmade
chocolates. She is trying to get used to
the southern climate after living in
Colorado and New England for years.
Ginger Marks Collier's biggest news
to share is the birth of their second
daughter, Dabney Windrow, on 11/06/01.
Ginger is pleased to report that her oldest
daughter, Stuart, is adjusting just fine.
Judy Currie Hellman got married on
9/8/01 to Robert Hellman and they are
currently living in New Canaan. CT. Judy
is in school in Manhattan where she is
two years into a four-year program
studying Spiritual Psychotherapy. In
addition she is working as a nutritional
and behavioral counselor. Judy frequent-
ly sees Elkin Cushman and also recently
caught up with Betsy Butler (91) and Toi
Reynolds at her wedding.
Kathleen Davis Willis has been liv-
ing in metro-Boston (town of Wayland)
for almost two years now with her hus-
band, Dave, and daughter Morgan. It's
been great for job security and certainly
an intelligent career move for Dave, but it
is nothing like the 'mountains of Maine'
that they grew to know and love. They
are living on a 'gentleman's' cattle farm
so they get to experience a fairly rural
lifestyle. Feeding cows every other day...
assisting with other livestock, etc.
Kathleen is still a very satisfied and suc-
cessful full-time mother who dabbles a
bit in freelance public relations proiects
from time to time. Kathleen returned
from a trip to Breckenndge. CO where
she stayed with Harriet Farmer Hoffman
and her husband. Scott. Harriet is an art
teacher at Summit County High School
and is beginning to commission her art-
work around town. And, Harriet's athleti-
cism has not changed since college —
Scott and Kathleen cheered her on at a
co-ed ice hockey game one night.
Kathleen was able to see Holly Hicks —
who lives in nearby Crested Butte, CO —
and meet her fiance. Randall Palmer.
Margaret McClellan Driscoll and her
family are doing well in Williamsburg.
VA. Margaret is busy spending time with
McRae (372), who loves pre-school, and
Parker (1), who is a big. sweet boy.
Margaret enjoyed seeing Holly Caswell
King and her son, Caswell and Keeley
Sullivan Jurgovan and her son, Jack
over Thanksgiving.
Kate Haw is having a ball as
President of Friends of Art. She writes.
"It's the most satisfying contribution I've
ever been able to make to the College,
and it has been a great opportunity to
build relationships with alumnae from
graduating classes of the last 60 years. I
encourage everyone to join the friends
and take advantage of what we are all
about." Kate is still living in New York
and working at the American Federation
of Arts.
Pokey Dupont Scruff gave birth to a
son Riker on 11/12/01.
Jackie Geets Henry came to visit
Pokey over the holidays.
Cricket Rabin Katalevsky sends her
greetings from Northern California. She
and Kinll are doing great and expecting
their first child in 6/02. As for myself — it
is always so fun to go to my mailbox and
see postcards from you all. I love hearing
from you! Everyone who wrote/emailed
me mentioned how excited they are to
head back to SBC to celebrate 10 years. I
am sure it will be a blast! Clay and I are
doing well with Lily (2 in May) and get-
ting ready for #2 in late April or early
May.
Holly Caswell King and I take Lily
and Caswell to a music class once a
week, which is wonderful. They like to
hold hands and talk to each other (in a
language only they can understand) as
they walk out of class. It is a riot! We are
helping each other learn a lot about the
thrills and spills of toddler land. If I don't
see you at reunion I hope you had a fan-
tastic time! Take care everyone!
1995
President: Jessica Elaine John
Class Secretary: Heather Lynn Reardon
Dear Friends,
Reading your notes this year, I could-
n't help but be amazed at the collection
of fabulous women that make up the
class of 1995. Listening to the stories of
the winding paths of each of your lives
brings back such vivid memories of our
years at Sweet Briar and the magic that
happened there which set us off on our
great journeys. I hope that you enioy the
following stories as much as I have.
Catherine Orr is working in Africa
guiding private horse safaris on a private
game reserve in the Lapala Wilderness. It
is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for
adventure. There is no electricity or com-
munications at the base camp, so she
will have to wait until she gets back to
Michigan to begin planning her wedding
to high school sweetheart, Jack.
Jennifer Parker is a speech therapist
specializing in pediatrics at Pottsville
Hospital. She has come to really love her
job. On a trip to Atlantis in the Bahamas
last March, her boyfriend, Art
Raudenbush, proposed to her. They will
marry on May 18th, 2002.
Kimberly Roda Moorhead and Tim
moved to Louisville, Kentucky, after he
completed his MBA. Kim still works for
the Information Technology Association
of America as their VP of Marketing. She
recently was honored to become a mem-
ber of the Kentucky Opera and landed a
role in Carmen which made her thankful
for the first time ever that she had taken
Prof. Leveau's French classes. Mary-Byrd
(Schroeder) and Jack Braun plan to visit
in the winter.
Laura Swope Townsend has
returned from Germany to live in North
Carolina. She works part-time in the
Preschool Department of the church she
and her husband attend. Her son,
Andrew, turned two in September and
continues to bring his parents great joy.
They still live in Fayetteville while her
husband, who is a Captain in the Army, is
stationed at Fort Bragg. Laura keeps in
touch with Lola Bailey who is still work-
ing hard as usual.
Peter and Maren Howard Leggett
moved to Scottsdale, Arizona last
January for Peter's job with Ping Golf
Manufacturers. She is teaching English
as a second language to her second
grade class. She still gets together with
her SBC friends for weddings and fun.
She keeps in touch with Meredith, Lucy,
Eileen, Carson, and Jessica.
Carson Scheppe is still working for
the Atlanta Mart. She bought a house
and is planning to marry Scott Hobby in
June. They were engaged in New York in
February.
Meredith Williams and Lynden
Melmed were engaged on New Year's
Eve in Dallas. It was wonderful, romantic,
and perfect. Lynden went to UVA for
undergrad and law school, so they will
hold the wedding in Charlottesville next
fall. They are planning a small wedding at
Ash Lawn Plantation near Monticello.
After, they will honeymoon in South
Africa as Lynden was born there and still
has many family members there.
Jessica John Ponce had a whammy
of a year last year as she married Steve
on January 6 and had baby son Treatt on
December 6. She is still living in Vero
Beach, Florida, and she is enjoying some
time off from work to cuddle the new
baby.
Lucy Deoliveira Bosworth is a part-
ner in an employment firm in New
Orleans and working a crazy schedule.
Eileen Yates Von Herbulis and Brian
moved to Virginia for his job with the
Marine's war lab, working as an interior
decorator.
Theresa Moore Smith is enjoying
both the rewards and challenges of being
a stay-at-home mom to daughter Rachel
Lynn who celebrated her first birthday on
January 23, '02.
Margaret Bruha of Lake Bluff, IL
vacationed in Rio de Janeiro last year,
and recently returned from a travel
adventure in Costa Rica where she visit-
ed the Arenal Volcano and Pacific
Beaches. Margaret is now training for her
first marathon, the Kona Marathon in
Hawaii where she will be running for
support of the American Diabetes
Association.
Speaking of marathons, after a fabu-
lous recovery from her back surgery,
Gwen Hickey-Babcock and husband
Devin completed their first Triathalon in
October. They both came in first in their
age group. Even more exciting, Gwen's
going to be a mom next fall. Her due
date is September 17th.
Kelly Hall is currently working on a
doctorate in Medieval Literature at Florida
State University. She spent the summer
teaching college level literature classes
for the US Navy, living on board the
U.S.S. Arctic. She says it was her best
summer job ever and she enjoyed the
free trips to Ireland, Scotland, Spain,
France, Crete, and the Arabian Gulf.
Holly Prothro Philbin and Philip had
their second child. Luke Holland, in
September. He joins his two-year-old
brother Charlie.
Sarah Glenn Stafford Mercado had a
baby girl, Scout, just one day earlier. She
and AJ are living in Dale, Texas.
Beverly Stone loves her job as a
tenth grade teacher in Richmond. Home
ownership is still treating her well and
she works in the yard to escape the
"real" world. Volunteering this year with
Junior League has been rewarding for
her. She leads a reading program funded
for at-risk students. She keeps in touch
with Gwen Hickey-Babcock. They were
both bridesmaids at Bergen Hall's wed-
ding last July.
Anne H. Cho is living in New York
City and selling real estate for Insignia
Douglas Elliman and loving it. So if any-
one is looking to buy or sell their apart-
ment or townhouse, let her know.
Willie, Aiko, and Tracie Burroughs
are cavorting in the majestic shadow of
the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Tracie
teaches wildlife biology at the local com-
munity college and high school science.
She passes her summers working for the
Division of Wildlife. For R&R, she back-
packs the wilderness, which is gracious
enough to share its majestic wonders
with her, and gallops across the open
plains. Just last week, she rescued a
snowy Pegasus, invented time travel,
dined with Zeus in the heavens, brought
peace to the world, shared secrets with a
mermaid, and rode the magical Pegasus
into the night sky to capture Stardust.
Life is a never-ending adventure.
Christine Patten Hundertpfund and
husband Jan live in Barcelona, Spain.
She has taken a leave of absence from
her job with Continental Airlines. She
received her English Teaching Certificate
and is now teaching English as a second
language. For now, she is happy to
remain on one continent for a while.
Robin Hendrickson is working as an
assistant manager at Chanel in Highland
Park Village.
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 69
English Griffith is in Charlotte work-
ing for Merrill Lynch and planning a trip
to London. She and Susan Woodward
Yeatts went up to Philadelphia to visit
Cee Cee Valentine's new house. Snooz
and Cee Cee are both well.
Eugenia Stark graduated from UVA
Law in May of 2001. Congratulations to
her on passing the VA Bar exam. She is
now working at Gibson, Dunn, and
Crutcher. LLP in DC and practicing in the
area of tax and employee benefits ERISA.
She sees Tina Carlton and Sarah Young
often and keeps up with Cee Cee
Valentine by email.
Karen Whitby had a busy summer
traveling to Jackson Hole, WY. She is
also a new home owner and she has
been busy with everything associated
with having your own place. She is still
working in the President's office at the
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Katie Maxwell Schellhammerand
Scott are building a house in Brambleton,
VA, which is in the suburbs of DC near
the Dulles Airport. Although the com-
mute will be terrible, she is really excited
to be a homeowner. Unfortunately, Katie
lost her grandmother in October. Her
grandma was a SBC Vixen too, class of
1936.
Heather Aspinwall is teaching
school in Alexandria, VA and is having
fun dating, going out with friends, and
traveling. In February, she and Kathy
Whitby went skiing in Colorado.
Sarah Clifford Weaver attended the
Friends of Art board meeting at SBC this
year. She has been a participant since
graduation, traveling to Paris. New York,
and Boston to purchase art for the Sweet
Briar Galleries and making incredible
connections with alumnae in high profile
art positions. They have a ball and net-
work while creating a traveling exhibition.
Mary Gordon married this year and
traveled with husband Boyd to England,
Scotland, and France on their honey-
moon. She is still teaching special educa-
tion classes and it is going very well.
Mary Byrd Schroeder Braun and
Jack live in Alexandria, VA. They bought
a townhouse and are enjoying decorating
it.
Anna Reilly lives in Arlington, VA
and works as Senator John Warner's (R-
VA) scheduler on Capitol Hill. It has been
a scary time for her and her colleagues
with the September 1 1 attacks and
anthrax. Thankfully, she and other Capitol
Hill SBCers are safe!
Liz Dunck Hayes and Paul live in
Charlotte, NC. They traveled to DC in the
fall as Liz was an attendant in the wed-
ding of James and Kara Dickey Moore.
Kara and James' wedding was beautiful
and full of SBCers. They were on their
honeymoon during September, safely out
of New York Cat Ehlen, Gretchen Vida,
and Catherine Orr were also bridesmaids
in Kara's wedding. Cat lives in Boston
and Gretchen lives in Tampa.
Lee Roman Winn still lives on base
at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station
in Havelock, NC. She does volunteer
work around the base and cares for
Travis, who will be four, and Taylor, who
just turned two. Jason returned from
70 • Fall 2002
deployment to Turkey in November '01
and will be leaving for three months to
Saudi Arabia in May of '02. He'll be part
of Operation Southern Watch over Iraq
(as someone has to keep an eye on
Sadaam). She's in touch with Jill
Goolsby. Eleanor Dickinson, Anna
Hawthorne Henry and Jen Wissman.
Eleanor Dickinson graduated from
the Portfolio Center in Atlanta where she
specialized in Graphic design. She is now
interviewing in NY and DC for a job. She
also may have a book published and a
lifestyle chair that she designed and had
built was entered into I.D. magazine.
Daniela Ricci is doing PR work for
the national MS society in DC, a leading
volunteer organization that does commu-
nity service. She stays busy playing soc-
cer with a women's team in her area.
Nancy Weigle is living up near
Boston with her husband Jay Smith
(HSC '92). Jay is an architect and Nancy
is a family practice physician now
halfway done with her residency. She is
enjoying her job and working with all
ages and getting to use her Spanish. She
has delivered over seventy babies so far!
Kelly Coggshall is currently writing
her PhD dissertation in Biophysical
Chemistry and will graduate from UVA in
May '02. Then we will be able to call her
Dr. Pepper!
Amy Woods is to be married this
May in Costa Rica. She is engaged to
Peter Jarich from Milwaukee, Wl. She
and Peter met while in grad school at
Georgetown University. Amy works with
Care International in DC.
Leah Anderson Tidier is very busy
with three year old son Andrew and one
year old daughter Natalie. They moved to
Bowie, MD last year, where she and
David bought their first home. Since
Leah is the "house" manager, she does-
n't get very many days off. She sees
Harriette Bayse a lot and recently spent
some time with Gretchen Vida in Florida.
Lucile Page Martin and Bud are
doing great in Atlanta. Lucile is in grad
school at Emory for anesthesia and
working as an ICU nurse. She plans to
join Cathy Cummins, Holly Miller, and
Nancy Weigle in Toronto for vacation.
I keep in touch with Heather Bond
Grossman who lives in Manassas, VA
with her husband Mike, who is a police
officer, and her two children Ashley, who
is four, and Michael, who is two. And
also with Heather Elliott who has moved
back to ML Airy.
As for myself, my husband Eric and I
are building a house and stable on our
land in the Redlands, which is south of
Miami. We need room for our new baby
son Tom and the horses. Tom was born
in January '02 and he is my angel. I
spent the down time during pregnancy
traveling and sleeping which was wise as
both activities now seem to be very elu-
sive.
Start planning now for our ten-year
reunion. Until next year, stay safe and
happy. Holla Holla Holla. Heather Roll
Reardon
1998
President: Charlotte Rognmoe Gilbar
Secretary: Dawn Everett
Fund Agent: Allison Gerber
This has been some year! It is amaz-
ing how your view of the world can
change so quickly. But it is wonderful to
see that we have all had joys in our lives
too. I got notes long and short, near and
far and nearly everyone said they were
looking forward to our reunion next year.
So save the weekend of May 16-18,
2003 (or so I have been told) for our
very first reunion!! I look forward to see-
ing you all then and hearing more news
in the future.
Mary Ann (Gheen) Bennett and Tim
are still living in Amherst. She is in her
4th year teaching at Nelson County
Middle School. She saw Susan Aronhalt
in December for Christmas Vespers and
she was living back at home and finish-
ing up her Masters Degree in Social
Work. Susan and Mary Ann flew to
Nashville this summer and visited with
Nicki (Benson) for a week. She is teach-
ing 8th grade English at a private school
near Nashville. They have a cute house
and three crazy cats!
Melissa Rothwell Pembrooke and
Peter (VMI '98) are the proud parents of
Sarah Elizabeth Pembrooke born April 7.
2001 . "We are currently living at Fort
Hood, TX but hope to be relocating back
east in the summer." She closed her
piano studio (22 students) after having
Sarah. She has traveled back east several
times to visit family while her husband's
been deployed. I met up with Anne
(Smith) Culver (and daughter, Beth) and
Heather Cushman '97 in Annapolis right
before Christmas. Anne and Brian (VMI
'98) bought a house and are living in NC.
Joanne Hopkins completed her first
(but not last) Ironman! She finished
Ironman Florida 2001. Erikka Sund went
to cheer her on. Joanne and Erikka also
attended the baptism of Erin (Wortley)
Valliere's baby. Genevieve. Erikka is the
godmother.
Jessica Cronin has been a head-
hunter in Boston for the past few years.
"I just got my CPC Certification — which
will help a great deal! I am so lucky,
because I love my job, and the people I
work with have become great friends. I
am looking forward to visiting Allison
Gerber Scarlett Swain. Charlotte
(Rognmoe) Gilbar. and Jayme
Calabrese Pomroy when we get together
in DC next month, and I had a trip
planned to London in April." Scarlett has
moved back to North Carolina. She is liv-
ing and working in Raleigh and is so glad
to be back. Allison finished Law School
at Tulane and sat for and passed the bar
in Maryland and is currently living in DC.
Kathy Carr avoided the news making
events in the city of Houston this past
year. She stayed relatively dry during
Tropical Storm Allison, and didn't have
any financial connections to Enron. She
attended Heather Thomas's wedding in
May. Laura Fitton Pieper has been work-
ing for the Perry Chief newspaper for
over a year. She is now a full-time
writer/reporter/columnist, after starting
as a front desk receptionist. She and
Nathane have a puppy.
Gretchen Gravley wrote with lots of
news from SBC. She is still in the
Admissions Office, with many other
alumnae. She just completed her first
year at Lynchburg College in the MBA
program Shelley (Shreve) Oliver still
loves her Admissions position too. She
and Jasper bought a house in
Boonsboro. Christina Cotter still lives in
Amherst and is still teaching in Nelson
County. Gretchen also got to see
Amanda (Diamond) Ring this fall when
traveling for work in the Durham area.
Isabel Jean-Pierre finished her sec-
ond year as a law student at Catholic
University's Columbus School of Law in
DC. She is also interning for a Federal
Court Judge in the United States Court of
Appeals. She looks forward to graduating
and beginning a successful career in the
field of law. Thanks, Gretchen!
Amanda (Diamond) Ring is in grad
school getting her Master's of Education
and was promoted to Head Teacher of
the Two's and Preschool Programs at her
center Joelle Jackson graduated with a
Master's Degree in School Psychology in
May 2001, and began an internship to
finish the Ed. S degree. She has been
doing some fieldwork in the schools. She
looks forward to working in schools and
learning through experience.
Ashley Grosvenor wrote with news
of Dame (Fitzgerald) Billingsley and
Melissa Rickman Dame is living in
Fredericksburg, VA and Melissa is living
in San Diego, CA. Both are doing well.
Ashley is in Philadelphia and applying to
medical schools.
February 2002 marks Anne-Claire
Wackenhut's first year of teaching at the
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center.
She is taking classes toward her lead
certification and hopes to be qualified by
the fall. In addition, she was working on
her thesis this semester. She planned to
finish in April and graduate from
Georgetown with an M.A. in Liberal
Studies in May! She is still with Steven.
We recently saw Mary Lea (Martin)
Harris and her husband Geoff She and
Chantel Bartlett keep in touch and saw
"Rent" together. She returned to Sweet
Briar this spring to see her sister Sophie
graduate. Chantel Bartlett attended the
Centennial Gala. And was excited to see
everyone again! Chantal and Kim
Izquierdo were bridesmaids for Bobbie
Jo Hedrick at the end of May 2001 . She
also visited Candice (Broughton)
Maillard and her husband. Richard, in
Atlanta. She also visited with Alicia
Foster in Virginia Beach and had dinner
with Amy (Peck) Driscoll '92. She had
dinner with former President and Mrs.
Bush, former Prime Minister John Major
and former Sec. of State. James Baker all
in one night, on 9/10/01 at her firm's
annual Investor Conference. Her biggest
news is that she bought a house. She
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.olumnae.sbc.edu
worked hard to fix it up and is very proud
to be a homeowner.
Astrid Liverman is still at UVA finish-
ing up her coursework for a doctorate in
architectural history. She got her mas-
ter's in May 2001 in architectural history
with her thesis on Hector Guimard, the
art nouveau architect of the Paris metro.
She planned to travel this summer to
China and France (to visit with family).
She has also seen Mary Lea (Martin)
Harris Britt Sheinbaum and Darelle
Pfeiffer. She also traveled to SBC to
introduce her UVA Prof. Richard Guy
Wilson at the symposium on Sweet Briar
architecture and then again for alumnae-
in-residence (young alumnae in the arts).
Susan Barney is still living in
Richmond, VA working as a District Field
Rep. for Congressman Eric Cantor. She
spent New Year's Eve in Atlanta with
Lindsay Culp. Cady Thomas and Emily
Busse She sees Mamie (Tokaruk) Bates
in Richmond and keeps in touch with
Tricia (Mohana) Summers Marnie and
husband Kerry are living in Richmond.
VA and celebrated their 2nd anniversary
in December 2001 . They bought a sec-
ond home and have been busy decorat-
ing it. She is still working at Fahrenheit
Technology. Tricia is still living in Virginia
Beach. She took some time off from
teaching and is working out of her home
selling Mary Kay. She has been able to
take some time and travel, which is good
for her since Brian has been off fighting
terrorism since 9/1 1 . She has been to
SBC to see her sister, who is a sopho-
more. She also sees Sarah Katherine
Spangler and Susan Barney often. She
hears from Melinda Brown who sounds
like she is doing awesome. She also has
a puppy, Hailey. that keeps her super
busy. Sarah Katherine is teaching
Kindergarten and absolutely loves it! She
also designed the web page for her
school and manages to not have a free
minute! She is also engaged and will be
married on December 14, 2002. Tricia
will be a bridesmaid.
Cady Thomas finished her 2nd of 4
years of a JD/MBA program in DC. She
sees Serena Putegnat Susan Barney
Emily Busse. Sarah Nolton and Lindsay
Culp often. She bought a house. Serena
Putegnat graduated from law school in
December 2001 and studied for the bar.
Stephanie (Belk) Loter and Tom are
living in North Carolina in a house they
bought in 2000. They have many dogs,
cats, a 30-year-old pony and a turtle.
Stephanie graduated from NC State Vet
School in May 2002 and was looking for
an equine vet internship for summer. She
and Tom also planned a hike across the
Grand Canyon this summer. Catherine
Zahrn graduated from University of
Hawaii with an MFA in Dance in the sum-
mer of 2001 . She moved to Spartanburg,
SC and traveled a lot visiting family and
friends. She saw many friends at Sarah
(Herndon) Snydor's '01 wedding. Page
Darney is a branch administrator for
Ferris. Baker, Watts and a licensed stock-
broker. She has two horses and a puppy
that she is showing in obedience and
agility. Diana (Jordon) Avery wrote to
say she and husband Brent have bought
a house and enjoyed a ski trip to Jackson
Hole, WY in January.
Cynthia (Bumgardner) Puckett and
husband Darrin are living in Georgia. She
received a Masters in English Education
from the State University of West
Georgia. She has been visiting, and visit-
ed by, many classmates and keeps about
30 '98ers in touch through letters.
Brigette Laib has been busy working at
Ashland-Drew Marine, where she has
started a new position in the Fire Safety
Rescue division. Brigette coordinates the
Fire Safety Rescue sales and service for
marine vessels in Canada, North
America, and South America. She trained
in Holland for three weeks to prepare her
for the new position. She keeps in touch
with Cynthia Puckett. Anna Meres, and
Candice Maillard. Brigette and Anna met
up with Cynthia in Daytona Beach, FL for
some sun and fun. before they served as
Pit Tour Guides for the Pepsi 400 race in
July 2001. Katie Rinehart is still in Bend,
Oregon and got her real estate license in
2001 and works as a Realtor with her
mother and her partner, Patty Dempsey.
She bought her first house last summer
and is really enjoying having her own
place as well. Heather Thomas got
engaged in 2/01 to Jonathan Armbruster
and began planning a May 2002 wed-
ding. Amanda (Kottke) Wilson and
Natalie (Lindfors) Recupero will be
bridesmaids. In October, she went to the
North American Symposium on Bat
Research in Victoria, Canada and pre-
sented her research. This February HAT
and Jon bought a house.
Alison Burnett has been the Civil
Law staff attorney for the Illinois House
Republicans for the last year and a half.
This is an election year in Illinois and the
races have already turned pretty nasty.
Candice (Broughton) Maillard and
Richard have bought a house in
Jefferson, GA. Richard is partner in a
Scandinavian paving stone company, and
she is pursuing work in special
events/events planning, among other
things. In June, she was the wedding
coordinator at a friend's wedding. They
got an Australian sheepdog and are very
happy Emily (Virkus) Calle and Dan
bought a condo and Emily's first horse
(Cricket). Their new home is in McLean
on the same block as her office building.
Emily is still ballroom dancing. She has
been in competition and Dan finished his
training to become a ballroom dance
instructor, and he's doing that part-time,
in addition to his regular job. By far the
furthest news came from Adair Collins
in Bulgaria. She has been working in the
Peace Corps there for the last few years
and returned to the VA/DC area this sum-
mer. She taught ESL and conducted
community/educational development
projects.
I have also been working pretty hard
for the last year. Tony and I have been
planning our August 3. 2002 wedding
since 3/01 when we bought the ring. We
got engaged in 8/01 after he carried the
ring in his pocket for 2 weeks waiting for
the right time. We are planning a small
wedding at my home church and recep-
tion at our favorite restaurant. We are
going to Canada for our honeymoon. I
am still teaching in Vernon, now 2 litera-
cy classes and technology every day. We
do lots of work on plays and are looking
for a new place to live. I look forward to
hearing from everyone as our 5"" year
approaches and can't wait to be back at
old Sweet Briar!
2001
President: Sarah Houston
Secretary: Jennifer (Jenn) Stringfellow
Hello Class of 2001 ! Nearly a year
has passed since we graduated (can you
believe it?!) and I'm excited to report that
our class is doing great!
In July Alison Brown moved to
Roanoke, VA where she took a job as a
Veterans Service Representative with the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Elise Burdette married Michael
Paulhus December 29th. 2001 in
Greenwood, SC. Her bridesmaids includ-
ed Emily Black, Meghan Frier, Sarah
Houston and Katie Wood. Elise and Paul
will continue living in Lexington, VA until
he graduates from law school in May,
when they will move to South Bend, IN
where Paul will assume a federal clerk-
ship. Elise has been keeping busy with
volunteering in the Lexington community.
After graduation. Nathalie Delvoie
toured Europe with Katherine Morse, and
is now teaching 5th grade at Fort Belvoir
Elementary School in Fairfax County, VA.
Kyle DuVall spent 2 months at the
University of Ghent in Belgium studying
Dutch. In October she married Phil
Blonde. Erin Alberda, Shweta Sharma,
Christy Holterman, Lon Kovatch,
Bethanie Swisher, Laurna Kaatz and
Alison Brown, all from our class, as well
as Katie McNamara and Salina
Woodward from the class of 2002
attended her wedding. Kyle now works
for First Union Bank in Greensboro. IMC.
She and her husband hope to move to
Dallas. TX in March or April
Sarah Farber lives in San Diego, CA
where she loves working for DC Comics.
Elizabeth Finch currently lives in
Virginia Beach, VA, and works for
Molawk Marketing, a military distributor
to all branches of the military in all parts
of the world. Beth works as an inventory
analyst for Playstation, and PC games,
and also helps establish relationships
with potential clients.
Sarah Foley lives in Washington. DC
with Kris Harris '99, and Erin Wright 00,
and she works for the lobbying firm,
Katz, Kutter, et al. Her immediate supervi-
sor is Patricia Ireland, former president
of NOW, and also our graduation speak-
er. Sarah also keeps busy playing field
hockey in the summers.
Elizabeth Haeberle ("Lizard ") cur-
rently attends law school at the
University of Kentucky College of Law
and will graduate in 2004.
Sarah Herndon married Raf Snydor,
HSC '01, on December 15th, 2001. They
now live in New Jersey, where Sarah
enjoys working at a dance school.
Catherine Holswade now lives in
Richmond, VA where she works full time
at Maymont Park as a zoologist.
Sarah Houston moved to
Philadelphia after graduation, and started
working for a pharmaceutical company.
In January of this year she began gradu-
ate school at La Salle University where
she will receive her Master's in Speech
Pathology.
Julia Kientz moved to Charlottesville,
VA in August and began working as an
interpreter at Monticello. She was
engaged to Robbie Ambersley in the fall.
and they have planned an October wed-
ding in Jackson, MS. Her maid of honor
will be Sarah Farber, and her bridesmaids
will be Ebeth McGovern. Shelly Steiman,
and Emma Kate Payne ('02).
Lauri Kovatch moved to New Jersey
to work for a biotech company in the
microbiology department. She brought
her horse with her and hopes to get back
into competing again soon. She's excited
about the cruise she's going on this sum-
mer with Erin Alberda, Alison Brown,
Bethanie Swisher, Laurna Kaatz and Tana
Malm.
Katy Kruschwitz moved to Hoboken,
NJ and works in the Diversified Financial
Products Group at USB/Painewebber as
a programmer/analyst.
In January. Dawn Martin graduated
from the BB&T banking school of Wake
Forest University in Winston-Salem. NC.
She's back in Lynchburg working as a
loan office for BB&T. and is getting ready
to buy her first house.
After graduation. Amy Mosher
moved to San Diego. CA with her
boyfriend, Jered, and now works as a
lifeguard in Coronado. She has applied to
Cornell, U of R and San Diego schools of
law, and will know in the next few
months where she will go to law school.
After graduation Elizabeth McGovern
("Ebeth") moved to Charlottesville, VA.
She is currently enrolled in the Master of
Teaching Degree Program at UVA with a
concentration in French. She also tutors
high school students in math and chem-
istry, and continues to ride horses and
compete when time allows.
Katherine Morse moved to Waverly,
GA to take a job as an environmental
education instructor. Unfortunately the
program was canceled, and she eventu-
ally took a job with USC Archaeology and
Anthropology Institute where she is
working on an excavation at a Native
American site near New Ellenton, SC at
the Savannah River Site.
Natasha Nicodem completed an
internship at the Salvador Dali Museum
in the fall, and now works full time at the
Gulf Coast Museum of Art in St.
Petersburg, FL, where she now lives.
Cristina Paolicchi was accepted into
the Nuclear Engineering Program of the
U.S. Navy, and is now at Officer Training
School in Pensacola, FL. After she gradu-
ates in late April she will go to a naval
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
Fall 2002 • 71
base in Rhode Island to begin studies In
nuclear engineering. After six months
she will be assigned to a warship and will
eventually learn to command an aircraft
carrier.
Jana Putnam moved to WA, where
she graduated from Western WA U in
June of 2001 as the Presidential Scholar
of the College of Business and
Economics. She originally took a job with
the Boeing Company as a logistics spe-
cialist, and now has a temporary position
as Secretary Senior of the Office of the
VP for Student Affairs at Western WA U.
Emily Reeh moved to OH to work in
entertainment sales for a small company.
She continues her education with busi-
ness and photography classes.
Ameeka Reeves now lives in
Lynchburg, VA where she is an algebra
teacher at E.C. Glass High School. She
and her fiancee, Scott Cruz bought a
townhouse in January, and have planned
a June 15th wedding, which will take
place in the SBC Chapel.
Whitney Smith now lives in
Richmond, VA with two other SBC grad-
uates. She enjoys working in group sales
for the Richmond Ballet.
Leah Solivan moved back to her
hometown, Shirley, MA where she took a
job outside of Boston as a software engi-
neer for IBM. She and her fiancee. Kevin
Busque, plan on moving into their first
house in Lunenburg, MA after their
August wedding.
Shelly Steiman now lives in Grosse
Point, Ml where she works in a vet's
office. She is also taking classes to go to
veterinary school.
This summer Meredith Taylor
moved to Richmond, VA where she start-
ed graduate school at VCU in the
Counseling Psychology doctoral pro-
gram. She will have completed her first
year at summer's end, and has begun
work on her master's thesis.
Megan Thomas moved to
Fredericksburg, VA where she works at a
research facility called the Naval Surface
Warfare Center. She and Brianne Harvey
('01) will be bridesmaids in Kate
Talaber's (01) wedding in May.
Brianne Vogler moved to
Washington, DC in July, and started her
first year of medical school at GWU.
Amy Whitney is keeping busy with 2
jobs — one as the In-House Coordinator
for the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni
Assc and the other as the part time
event consultant with the Calverton
School, a college prep school in
Southern MD.
Arianna Wolynec-Werner, our
Boxwood Circle Fund agent, is enjoying
the jazz and blues clubs in Chicago while
she's attending the U of Chicago Divinity
School in the Ethics program. She will be
attending Nia Fonow's ('01) wedding on
April 12th, and will be a bridesmaid in
Amanda Campbell's (01) wedding in
April.
Rami Achterberg will be moving to
Salt Lake City in the summer. She got
accepted to the German MA program at
the University of Utah, received a tuition
waiver and stipend and will work as a TA.
She said, "The alumnae in Salt Lake City
were so nice and all responded to my
email. It's great to have such a good
alumni network. My email address is
sbctraum01@aol.com/."
Last, but not least: I moved back to
Northern VA, and in June started working
full time for a small direct marketing
firm. Squire & Heartfield Direct, that I
had interned for throughout college.
Along with serving as your class secre-
tary, I'm also serving as the VP of my
high school Alumni Assoc.
I loved hearing from all of you —
thanks to everyone who took a minute to
respond. Please stay in touch. I hope
these notes find all of you happy and
doing well!
bu etin board
Support Sweet Briar Online!
For your convenience, gifts to
the College and Annual Fund
may now be made online at
http://vAvw.giving.5bc.edu. The
site also features a list of
employers who will match your
gifts, planned giving informa-
tion, and profiles of students
who benefit from your generosi-
ty. The extraordinary generosity
of alumnae, parents, and friends
continues as the College's gift
totals as of June 30, 2002
reflect significant giving in sever-
al critical areas including the
Annual Fund. Our most pro-
found gratitude to all who par-
ticipated.
Alumnae with media contacts:
please check in!
The SBC Office of College
Relations is interested in creating
a contact list of alumnae who
either work on the editorial side
of the media or who have strong
media contacts in their areas.
Please E-mail Greg Moody at
gmoody@sbc.edu
Sweet Briar NetLetter
Want to keep up with the latest
news and upcoming events at
SBC? The Sweet Briar NetLetter
is published periodically and
distributed via e-mail. To sub-
scribe, go to http://www.sbc-
news.sbc.edu/ and click the sub-
scribe box in the left column.
Retirements, Transitions
Look for news of faculty/ staff
retirements and transitions in the
Winter (December) issue of the
magazine.
Alumnae Association Launches
New Web Site
Sweet Briar alumnae now have
a new online "home." With just
a click of your mouse, you can
recommend a prospective stu-
dent to admissions, submit a
change of address or Class
Notes, order a Sweet Briar
Centennial Plate while they are
still available and send greetings
to your classmates via a Sweet
Briar e-card. Here, you can also
catch up on the latest news,
read the magazine and keep up
with Alumnae Club events
around the world. Come
"home" today! Go to
http://www.alumnae.sbc.edu
The 2001-2002 Honor Roll of
Donors will be posted on the
new Sweet Briar website in the
fall. It will not be printed in
magazine form. For their con-
venience, donors will be notified
by postcard when the Honor Roll
is available on the website.
Order Keepsake Centennial
Magazines!
The Centennial issue of the
Alumnae Magazine is available
with a laminated cover.
Cost: $5 per issue plus $2 p/h.
Send order and check payable
to Sweet Briar College to:
Alumnae House, Box E, Sweet
Briar VA 24595.
Please Give Us Your Updated
Contact Information:
(Name, address, e-mail address,
job information). Phone: 434-
381 -61 31; fax: 434-381-6132;
e-mail: alumnoe@sbc.edu or
write Alumnae Office, Box E,
Sweet Briar, VA 24595
Sweet Briar Christmas II
The Sweet Briar College Choir
and Chamber Choir
Jonathan D. Green, director
Allen Huszti, organist
Heidi O'Gara, harp
A new CD of music recorded
live at the 2000 and 2001
Christmas Vespers Services at
Sweet Briar will be available this
fall. Works include Benjamin
Britten's "Ceremony of Carols"
and the premiere of Green's
"Seven Carols for Treble Choir."
To order, send check for $15
($1 2 + $3 S&H) to: Sweet Briar
Christmas II, Book Shop, Sweet
Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA
24595.
ATTENTION, ALUMNAE: NOTICE
OF DISCONTINUATION OF
CLASS NOTES POSTCARDS:
The double postcards requesting
news that have in the past been
mailed from the Alumnae Office
are being discontinued. Class
Notes from all classes can now
be published in every issue of
the alumnae magazine.
Alumnae are encouraged to
send news directly to their class
secretaries. News, newspaper
cuttings, etc. that are received in
the Alumnae Office will continue
to be forwarded to the secre-
taries. Starting with the next
magazine, the winter issue
(December 2002), we will pub-
lish the deadlines by which sec-
retaries must receive your news,
and we will print the secretary's
address and e-mail address at
the beginning of each class's
notes.
72 • Fall 2002
Sweet Briar College Alumnae Magazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu
I N
THE SWEET BRIAR TRADITION
Julia Gray Saunders Michaux '39
Julia Gray Saunders Michaux. Class of 1939, has spent the last 63
years of her life involved in the affairs of Sweet Briar College at
every level, from president of the Richmond Club and hostess of
innumerable Sweet Briar functions (a Richmond friend refers to Julia
Gray as "Mrs. Richmond SBC"), to serving on the Board of the
Alumnae Association and the Board of Overseers (now Board of
Directors) of the College.
She has raised money to build the chapel, sold bulbs to provide
funds for scholarships, served for many years on the Boxwood Circle
Committee encouraging alumnae to donate at least $1,000 to the
Annual Fund, and was chairman of Reunion for her class. On the
Alumnae Board, she represented Region III (Virginia. Washington,
DC. and West Virginia) as regional chairman. During her two terms on
the Board of Overseers, where she served for eight years, she was a
member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Future
Directions Committee and chair of the Student Affairs Committee and
the Planning Committee (Co-Curriculum). A grateful Alumnae
Association named Julia Gray its Outstanding Alumna in 1987.
When Julia Gray was elected to the Board of Overseers in 1981.
she said. "I feel that the liberal arts education offered by Sweet Briar,
with its broad spectrum of subjects, still best prepares the student for
participation and leadership in today's complex world. The liberal arts
college, however, will be constantly challenged by new technologies
and the desires and demands of career-oriented students. The College's
curriculum must respond to these challenges if it is to prepare the stu-
dent for graduate work and the complexities of the real world."
Recently. Julia Gray heartily endorsed her earlier prescient words,
saying. "My feelings about Sweet Briar, the importance of a liberal arts
education and the needs of its students have not changed one whit.
That's why I knew when I wrote my will that a significant bequest
would be included so that Sweet Briar is able to continue its fine and
vital work. It thrills me to know that my legacy will help to assure the
continuing excellence of the college I have served so proudly and with
such joy through the years."
Julia Gray Michaux
" 'Julie's' the kind of person who has fun wherever she goes, but
she is particularly partial to Virginia Beach as a place to play. Art
Shaw's recording of 'Begin the Beguine' is her musical favorite,
and Charlie McCarthy possesses a big slice of her affections. She's
doubly honored with two presidencies: of Chung Mung and the
Spanish Club. As assistant editor of the News, the bane of her
existence comes in the form of late news articles. She loves her
work on scenery for Paint and Patches, and she labors cheerfully
and well for the Orientation Committee, the Studio Club, and the
Ateneo." —1939 Briar Patch
"My feelings about Sweet Briar, the importance of a lib-
eral arts education and the needs of its students have
not changed one whit. That's why I knew when I wrote
my will that a significant bequest would be included so
that Sweet Briar is able to continue its fine and vital
wor
k."
-Julia Gray Saunders Michaux '39
i BRIAR COLLEGE
TRAVEL PROGRAM
2002-2003
"Alumni College Down Under in
Australia & New Zealand," November 4-
16, 2002
Note: Limited spaces still available for
trip. Contact Noreen Parker, Alumnae
Office.
"At the Crossroads of Cultures In
Indochina: Exploring the Treasures of
Vietnam and Cambodia"
January 6-21, 2003
Indochina: lush, verdant topography, monu-
mental antiquities, exotic temples and ornate
palaces combine with a textured past — an unfor-
gettable experience. Dr. Michael Richards, SBC's
Hattie Mae Samford Professor of History, leads
this adventure.
We begin with 3 nights in Hanoi, explore the
harrowing Deauty of Ha Long Bay and grandness
of French Indochina, then fly to the former royal
capital of Hue' to see the mysterious inner sanc-
r r l _ l . I l _.. .1.1. i r
i world's most beautiful coastal routes, the Hai
Van Pass, to a stop in Da Nang, and 2 nights in
Hoi An, an ancient port town beautifully pre-
served. In Saigon we view the renowned Mekong
Delta, Cu Chi tunnels and the Reunification
Palace. Going up the Mekong to Cambodia, we
visit, Phnom Penh and its shimmering Silver
Pagoda and priceless Southeast Asia artifacts.
Tour ends with a grand finale - the breathtaking
ruined Khmer capital, Angkor Wat, rising majesti-
"Russia River Cruise on the Tolstoy"
July 11-24, 2003
Sweet Briar President Muhlenfeld will accom-
pany our group on this delightful river cruise from
Moscow to St. Petersburg aboard the M.S. Tolstoy.
The most luxurious cruise ship on Russia's rivers
and canals, the Tolstoy accommodates 1 49 pas-
sengers and crew of 80. Start with 3 nights in
Moscow: visit the Kremlin, the Kuskova and
Ostankino palaces and estates; and the Old and
New Tretyakov Art Galleries of Russian art. Then
cruise through Uglich, Yaroslavl and Goritsky,
filled with ancient history, art and architecture
including the Palace of Tsarevich Dimitry (the slain
son of Ivan the Terrible) and the monasteries of the
cialties with delectable French nuances.
"Alumni College in the Loire Valley"
May 27- June 4, 2003
An educational week in the legendary Loire
Valley, based in the historic town of Blois. Enjoy
the convenience of 7 nights at the first-class hotel
Mercure Blois Centre in the heart of the city. This
tour follows the Alumni College format, with daily
seminars and excursions. Highlights inclu
of picturesque Blois, expedition to the chateaux of
Cheverny and Chambord, visit to a winery in
Vouvray with dinner in the winery's cellar; a day
to see the magnificent Chateau de Chenonceau
and visit Amboise and the Leonardo da Vinci
Museum; and a tour of Chartres' magnificent
cathedral and the "old town." A panel discussion
with local residents is included. Tour offers excel-
lent value: transatlantic air, 3 meals/day, all semi-
nars, excursions, and accommodations included
at reasonable cost.
Transfiguration and Belosersk. See Kizhi Island, its
fairytale ancient Russian Wooden architecture,
ana the quaint riverside village of Svir Stroy. The
magnificent conclusion of our cruise: 4 nights
docked in St. Petersburg, the most beautiful of
Russian cities founded by Peter the Great in 1703.
ii' Mi I . I n . i r y. 1 n I I L.
Oranienbaum's Chinese Palace and the Palace of
Peter III; Catherine's Palace in Tsarskoye Selo with
its fabulous Amber Room; Paul's Palace in
Pavlovsk; the Russian Museum; and an early
opening of the Hermitage.
"Alumni College in the Italian Lake
District": A Family Tour
July 21-28, 2003
Headquarters for this Alumni College tour is
inars and excursions. Highlights: a visit to Lake
Orta; a special cruise on Lake Como, visiting
Como, Bellagio and Tremezzo with lunch en route;
a boat trip to 3 beautiful Borromean Islands; a
full-day excursion to Milan; and a private boat
trip on Lake Maggiore. Enjoy a panel discussion
with local residents. We travel with alumni from
the University of Notre Dame.
Children ages 8 and over are welcome. There
are special activities for them during the day; they
eat breakfast and dinner with their parents and
join them for evening activities.
Reasonable price includes transatlantic air, all
meals, accommodations, lectures and excursions.
Special family pricing is available.
"Alumni College in Spain"
September 30-October 8, 2003
Spain has more cities designated World
Heritage Sites by Unesco than any other country
in the world. Four of these special cities - Avila,
Segovia, Salamanca and Toledo, along with
Madrid, form the core of this exciting tour. Our
base is Avila, an ancient city surrounded by ll"1
century walls, in the shadow of which stands our
hotel for 7 nights, the first-class Palacio
Valderrabanos Gran Hotel.
Excursions include the ancient city of
Salamanca; a trip to Madrid to see the Prado
Museum; a visit to El Escorial; the Valley of the
Fallen, an underground basilica constructed by
Franco as a tribute to those who died in the
Spanish Civil War; Toledo, with its magnificent
cathedral; and Segovia. Meet Avila residents at a
panel discussion.
Price includes transatlantic air, meals, accom-
modations, seminars and excursions.
"Opera in Prague and Vienna:
Composers and Castles of Central
Europe"
February 28-March 8, 2003
This rich travel program provides music lovers
a series of special encounters, private recitals, and
grand musical performances. Tour begins in the
captivating city of Prague, with 2 outstanding
opera performances in the National Theater and
Prague Opera House. Exclusive musical experi-
ences include a private concert and lecture at the
Estates Theater; private chamber performance in
the halls of the Strahov monastery; and special
performance and luncheon at the lovely
Nelahozeves Castle, hosted by Prince Lobkowicz.
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.. .^ Vltava River. Lives of great
composers who worked in Prague — Mozart,
Dvorak, Smetana — are examined during lectures
and guided tours. Next stop is Vienna; the high-
light will be premiere seats for a performance at
the State Opera House, perhaps the greatest
mecca in the world for opera buffs. Also featured:
tours of the Kunsthistoriches Museum, Art
Nouveau Secessionist Building, St. Stephen's
Cathedral.
President Muhlenfeld and Dr. Allen Huszti,
SBC Professor of Music, host this adventure.
All dates and itineraries are subject to change.
For further information, contact Noreen Parker,
Alumnae Office: (434) 381-6317, fax: (434)
381-6132, e-mail: nparker@sbc.edu or Melissa
Coffey (Tel: (434) 381-6243; fax: (434) 381
61 32; e-mail: mcoffev@sbc.edu, our travel coordi-
nators in the Alumnae Office.
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