CLASS OF 1979 | 2024 | SUMMER ISSUE
Hi, all. I am writing this in late March, before our 45th Reunion, but by the time these notes appear in our mailboxes, it will be somewhat after the reunion. I will update everyone on turnout and highlights in the next (Fall) issue of these class notes.
Lisa Frantzis sent an update. “I am transitioning out of 40-plus years of clean energy consulting in April 2024. It has been such a fantastic ride, and I owe it all to Howard Brown and the College of Science and Society at Wesleyan for getting me started in this career. I still plan to stay engaged in the work through boards and additional side-consulting projects, but I am also looking forward to spending more time with my family, playing music, and having more freedom! I live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, so if any of you are around the area, feel free to reach out. Now that I will not be working full time, I can spend quality time with former Wesleyan friends!” Sounds like a great plan, Lisa. Congrats on your retirement!
Mark Silbey also checked in with news on his retirement. “I recently retired from a wonderful career in orthopedic sports medicine. I had the pleasure of working with the U.S. Soccer Federation, ATP tennis tour, and several professional baseball teams. I’m now splitting time between New Hampshire and Florida. I still seem to be keeping busy in this life of leisure— skiing, playing golf, playing pickleball, and working on cars in my spare time. Looking forward to reunion.” Mark, kudos on what sounds like a great career and a busy and fun retirement!
Jono Cobb shared news on his continued involvement with Wes and on his upcoming travel. “A number of us have been meeting virtually through the spring, under the fearless guidance of Maureen Walsh,planning our 45th. I am looking forward to a small cruise ship and bike trip in Portugal shortly after reunion.” Thanks to you, to Maureen, and to the rest of our reunion planning group for all your collective efforts!
Pamela Dorman is now senior vice president and publisher at Pamela Dorman Books/Viking at Penguin Random House, where she has spent most of her publishing career. Recent highlights include Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series, Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins (a Reese’s Book Club Pick), and Jenny Jackson’s Pineapple Street, all New York Times bestsellers. She lives with her husband, Stuart Krichevsky, a literary agent, in New Rochelle, New York, and a Tibetan terrier, Benson. They have adult twins, Nicholas Krichevsky, a software engineer, and Sophie Krichevsky, a local newspaper reporter.
Phil O’Connell provided this newsy update. “I recently became the chairman of the Boston Wesleyan Law Alumni Association. I am eager to hear from Wesleyan grads who are Massachusetts lawyers. Although superannuated, I am still practicing law in Boston and am the office managing partner of the Boston office of Dentons U.S. LLP. My sixth grandchild, Philip Aloysius O’Connell IV, arrived in October 2023. I was in 13 plays while at Wesleyan and have a keen interest in Wesleyan theater; I’m eager to hear how things are going on that front. I can be reached at poconnelljr755@gmail.com.”
And here is a great write-up from Debbie Mincer about a recent group trip. “I traveled to Tanzania this past February on a trip sponsored by Sean Barlow and Banning Eyre, both class of ’79 and founders of Afropop Worldwide and Peabody Award winners. The amazing three-week trip centered on an African music festival in Zanzibar, musical and cultural events in Dar Es Salaam, and included a beach resort on the Indian Ocean and safari!” In addition to Sean, Banning, and Debbie, “in attendance were Matthew Jarvinen, Richard Sussman, Ralph Maltese,and Sheila Peck ’81.” Thanks for sharing, Debbie. So great that you all were able to be part of such an amazing trip! And Sean Barlow wants you all to know that the next Afropop Tour to Tanzania is February 2025. Info@afropop.org
Here is a photo from the trip that Debbie sent along.
That’s it for this issue. Thanks for the submissions!
DIANE M. LAPOINTE | dmlapointe28@gmail.com