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Leading off with Carol Sherwin’s thoughts on our 35th Reunion: “I had the honor of marching in the class parade, even as it started to rain on our heads. I got a chance to catch up with several of our classmates who I have not seen since the last Reunion and other wonderful folks whose smiles are just as bright as our college days.

“The highlight of Reunion came at the very end of my campus visit—the memorial service for those members of our class who are no longer with us. I did not expect to shed so many tears during the memorial, and as I sat there, it came to me that it was a miracle and a blessing to have had time with those souls during our college days—for me, in particular, Mark Smuckler. 

“Many thanks to the memorial’s organizers who put the event together, and I send endless prayers to the families and friends left behind. May we never forget those people who traveled with us during our days on campus.”

Our very own Maxroy Mitchell’spost-Reunion news is he is now co-chair of the Black Alumni Council, and Max is excited for the chance to ensure that people feel connected to this remarkable network.

In April, George Irvine was elected to City Council of Newark, Delaware for the Fifth District. He writes, “It is good to go into public service; our democracy depends on it. Wesleyan taught me to do my research, to pose salient questions, and to articulate possible solutions for debate—all critical skills for serving on council.”

Marcela von Vacano retired from public service after 27 years as a lawyer with the EPA, with no adverse decisions other than the five to four Supreme Court decision in San Francisco v. EPA. However, Marcela suggests law geeks read Barrett’s dissent. Marcela joined the UC Berkeley Law School as deputy director of the Environmental Law Clinic and loves the cases, clients, students, and colleagues.

Marcela’s daughter is at UC Santa Barbara and son Max is in high school. While she didn’t make it east for Reunion, Marcela visited with Erin Branagan and Robin (Delman) Ekiss, “who haven’t aged and make me laugh and think a lot.”

After 25 years teaching cultural anthropology at Wheaton College, Brian Howell left higher ed to become dean of parents with Alpha School. “It’s a move into edtech and start-up culture, with the goal of bringing educational reform to every student in 20 years. My role is developing the parent community in Chicago.” In addition to catch-ups on campus, Brian had a bonus connection with Andrea Weiss Maes at the Cubs Clubhouse in June.

Tara Magner spent 10 weeks in Spain in 2025 studying the movement to create and support community foundations. She traveled across Spain visiting nine community foundations. Now back in the USA, Tara leads the Chicago program at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, her role for the past 10 years.

Bill Fabbri, Ann Goebel-Fabbri, Zak Raley, and Marni Beck Pedorella all spent a long weekend in June at Kiley Papavasiliou and Aimee Salyapongse’s ’93 house on Cape Cod. Everyone enjoyed sun, surf, great meals, and Bill, Zak, and Kiley successfully completed a team triathlon.

Mark Kiefer premiered a new short film that he wrote and directed called Comedy Damage at the Woods Hole Film Festival in August.

Jeff Levine has been named to the 2026 Class of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP). Fellows are nominated and selected by their peers to recognize their contributions as professional planners. “It’s an honor to be named FAICP. I got to go black-tie for the first time in decades at the induction ceremony—in Detroit at the National Planning Conference—where they may or may not have given me the secret password and a key to the FAICP restroom.”

Rebeca Rumayor’s son, James, will attend the University of Tampa in the fall.

Nikolaus Bates-Haus missed Reunion in lieu of attending his youngest’s high school graduation. Over the summer Nik’s been living his dream, spending most days studying forest ecology and encountering bears, turkeys, toads, giant spiders, and lots and lots of cows!

Sarah Lewis Chaskes received her MS with honors in education/curriculum, with a social justice focus, from Cal State Fullerton. Michael Chaskes received his first-ever Emmy nomination for his work as an editor on NBC’s The Voice last year. Michael and Sarah enjoyed a show by Dar Williams ’89, and Michael has been finding more time to see classic movies with Paige Harding ’90 and Eric Greene ’90.

RENÉE K. CARL | rcarl@wesleyan.edu