CLASS OF 1987 | 2026 | SPRING ISSUE

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Hello, Friends!

We are reporting continued connections with Wesleyan friends—even across class boundaries.

Archie Caride ’23, founder of Chorus, a new curatorial space in Brooklyn with Melissa Marks ’87, one of the artists featured in Archie’s inaugural exhibition. 

Melissa Marks says, “My son, Archie Caride ’23, opened a curatorial project space in Brooklyn and included my work in his inaugural exhibition! The space is called Chorus, and the show features three other Wesleyan artists: John Bell Rush ’23, Kelly Nano-Miranda ’23, and Pelumi Sokunbi ’25!” Melissa’s husband, Vicente Caride ’85, was instrumental for his support. Melissa installed a three-wall, permanent, mural installation at a new Rutgers University hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey! She had a solo exhibition at the Shirley Fiterman Art Center in New York that included improvisational wall drawing while the gallery was open. 

Wesleyan artists and curator at Chorus. John Bell Rush ’23, Kelly Nano-Miranda ’23, Melissa Marks ’87, Archie Caride ’23, Pelumi Sokunbi ’25, included in “”One” at Chorus. 

Wendy Blum got together with many WesFriends recently, including a clothing swap at Sumana Rangachar’s with Pauline Frommer ’88 and Michele Ahern; a meal with Eddie Zas,Simon Heart, and Johanna Van Hise Heart; and another with John Fitzpatrick and Muzzy Rosenblatt! She met with Lee Cohen Hare,Mitchie Topper, and Molly Rabinowitz. She and Christie Trott ’88 saw John Proctor is the Villain. In Massachusetts, Wendy saw Paul Gosselin ’88, Nancy Nachbar ’89, Steve Morison ’88, and connected with Steve Kullback ’89. She is still dancing with George Russell ’83, and she saw Meg Fry ’91 and Emily Fraenkel Faulkner ’86. She had a surprise meeting with Jada Shapiro ’99 and her spouse, Dan, and spent time with Debby Hamilton in California. Finally, she joined many of our class in rooting for Michael Bennet in his Colorado governor campaign!

Ken Sabbag continues to thrive in Pasadena, California, with his wife, Maggie, and three college-age daughters. With a nearly constant schedule of on-campus activities, having an empty nest means a life of constant travel across the country. An orthopedic hand surgeon, he says his work and life are pretty steady. When he got engaged 24 years ago, his future in-laws nicknamed him “the annuity,” but Ken is looking forward to winding down to work on his bucket list. They were planning to go to Patagonia in January to visit the namesake of his favorite clothing line. Ken saw crew coach Phil Carney at the Head of the Charles Regatta last October and cheered loudly for the Cardinal crew.  

Lisa Ranghelli met up in Salzburg with Karen Goldenberg, her frosh quad mate on third floor Clark, to visit Alpine villages. She celebrated Trisha Lindemann’s 60th in NYC, along with Janet Lieberman. Lisa recently caught up with Eve Halper, who moved with her husband from Arizona to Colorado. Lisa keeps regular contact with Rachael Nusbaum ’88 and they hang out in NYC whenever Rachael comes east from San Francisco. Professionally, Lisa has enjoyed working with Sinead Keogh ’14 at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, where she oversees the Research and Evaluation Department. A previous coworker there was Victoria (Ramos) Hill ’15. Lisa says it’s great to see smart, committed alumnae in the field of public health.

Sarah Plagenz Liepert met up with her freshman roommate Jenifer Goldman Fraser for Mistral Music’s December concert. She credits this magazine’s profile piece (some 20 years ago!) on founder/flutist Julie Scolnik ’78 for introducing her to Mistral’s chamber ensemble. Sarah serves on the board and invites those near Andover or Brookline to come to a performance. Jenifer plays violin in an orchestra at Groton Hill Music Center, and Sarah might be inspired to pick up her flute again!

Book news! Jason Loviglio’s book, Empathy Machines: This American Life, Podcasting, and the Public Radio Structure of Feeling, came out in January 2026. Jason is a professor at the University of Maryland. Rebecca Bratspies’s co-authored book, Environmental Justice: Law, Policy and Regulation, was also published in January, and another co-authored book, Teaching Environmental Law in Context, will release in the spring of 2026. Rebecca welcomes visitors to check in with her in New Orleans.

Paul Zoltan has moved with his wife and their eight-year-old daughter Natalia from Dallas back to Cleveland, where he represents immigrants facing deportation.

Margaret Sheppard Kelly has been serving as an environmental scientist at the EPA in Washington, D.C., for the past 35 years. She says 2025 was an exercise in uncertainty. She made it through colleagues’ voluntary and involuntary departures; a reorganization; new limits to ensure taxpayers’ money is used wisely (or slowly); and the longest-ever government shutdown, although her group was exempted. Margaret expects 2026 will continue the adventure.

Steve Shackman and his firm secured a landmark win in New York’s highest court, clarifying that “good guy” guarantors are released once a tenant properly surrenders a space—no landlord sign-off required. The decision has been recognized as a major shift in commercial leasing law. Go, Steve!

The days are lengthening in January, but by the time you read this, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere will be enjoying more sunlit evenings.

REBECCA ZIMBLER GRAZIANO | rebecca.graziano@hotmail.com