CLASS OF 2007 | 2023 | SPRING ISSUE
I can’t believe it’s 2023—I hope everyone had a fantastic 2022. As always, we have so much to celebrate and be grateful for!
Tess Amodeo-Vickery is doing well and still living in Italy, where she recently gave birth to a baby girl, Valerie Calliope (named after the muse of epic poetry, thanks to her Wesleyan Classical Civilization degree)! She’s got a new album of original folk/dream/pop songs coming out in 2023, which was produced long distance between Rome and Los Angeles during COVID and her pregnancy, and while the virtual tours she created for her Italian tour company, Clam Tours, were featured in The New York Times article commemorating the 500-year anniversary of Renaissance master Raphael’s death.
Abby Huber earned her certification as a Certified Healthcare Interpreter™ (Spanish) in January 2022 and now works as an interpreter at LPG Ophthalmology in Providence, Rhode Island, putting into practice the valuable training she received from the MIIS Professional Certificate in Spanish Community Interpreting in 2020–21. She loves making communication and connection possible for patients and providers as she promotes ethical and accurate interpreting and translation practices. Abby also has her specialized translation business on the side, at www.ajordanhuber.com, translating from German and Spanish into English not only for health care but also for history projects, particularly handwritten correspondence.
Charlie Congleton is currently in Newport, Rhode Island, and is head coach of boys’ lacrosse and teaches math at St. George’s School. He would love to connect with any Wesleyan folks in the area.
Luke Mecklenburg is married, has two dogs, and is living in his hometown of Denver, Colorado. After obtaining a JD at the University of Colorado School of Law, Luke clerked for Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy Rice and then spent seven years as a commercial litigator at Snell & Wilmer, LLP. In April 2022, Luke left private practice and joined the Federal & Interstate Water Unit, Colorado River Subunit of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office to work on protecting Colorado’s significant interests in the waters of the Colorado River. Based on this most recent position, Luke is finally convinced that getting a JD was the right move. Luke continues to play music, including a recent stint with a local Balinese Gamelan group and with a lawyer group that presents musicals about ethical issues for continuing legal education programs. He also frequently plays ukulele and sings at friends’ weddings with his wife.
Music is in the heart of many a Wesleyan ’07er. “Nick Earhart, Lee Pender, and Nick Nauman have been jamming semiregularly with Jesse McIntosh ’05 at Jesse’s place in Los Angeles. They’re building a musical language together and have enjoyed the opportunity to hang out midweek.”
The ’07 crew is also busy creating and growing the next generation of Wes students. Grace Nowakoski, her husband Jeff Diteman, and their daughter Florence welcomed a new baby, Alder, last summer, just after moving into a new home. They are really appreciating their yard in all New England’s beautiful seasons! She works with expectant and new parents as a birth doula, group prenatal care leader, and parent support group facilitator.
Frani Rollins and her husband Robert and daughter Lola were excited to welcome a new addition to their family, Jack Rollins, the day before she was awarded tenure at Mercer University where she is a professor of theater. April 2022 was a memorable month!
Ian MacLeod and his wife were very pleased to welcome their second son, Skye, to the world in August. Having two kids is twice the fun and love . . . and twice the work! They live in Sacramento, where they enjoy daily walks by the American River and weekend trips to the coast or up to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Rosa Cohen-Cruz was promoted to director of immigration policy at the Bronx Defenders in early 2022. On April 3, 2022, Rosa, husband Elric, and son Islay welcomed new baby Perrin Cohen-Cruz into the world. Older brother Islay is doing a great job at showing Perrin the ropes and the family is overjoyed and doing well.
Simon Au is hoping not to repeat the sins of the previous generation, by being too busy with work and not spending substantive time with his kid except on weekends.