Tag: 1992

Greetings all. Hope that 2025 has gotten off to a good start for you all. Lots of news to report, so here I go . . .

First up is my frosh year roommate, James Wilton, who is still living in North Carolina and continues to manage operations in the Southeast for Genesis10. His son, Jack, is now in Fort Myers, Florida, working for Colony Hardware as an operations supervisor (graduated from NC State in 2023). Both of his daughters, Carley and Lola, are enjoying their college years at NC State University (one a senior, elementary education; the other a sophomore, sports marketing), and James and his wife were able to attend a bunch of NC State games this year.

Speaking of undergraduate days, in November I went down to Wes with my daughter, Lila, to attend the Admission 101 program. While there, I caught up with Linda Perlstein, who came from Seattle with her son, Milo. Linda recently left the Gates Foundation and is now supporting Melinda French Gates at her company, Pivotal Ventures.

On the other end of the college process, Karen Cacace is looking forward to returning to Wesleyan in May with her husband, Mike Flynn ’93, to watch their daughter, Sophia, graduate.

Todd Graham and Julie Schwarzwald ’88 met up this winter in Minneapolis–St. Paul and combined their efforts to organize a large and successful Wes alumni happy hour. Todd leads socioeconomic and land development forecasting at a metro planning agency.

Beth Shakman Hurd is a religious studies and politics professor at Northwestern. She has a new book coming out in the spring, Heaven Has a Wall: Religion, Borders, and the Global United States, published with the University of Chicago Press.

Also in the writing business, Jen Crittenden reports that she just wrote the book to an original “raucous musical comedy about friendship, rebellion, and autonomy”—Regency Girls. Set in 1810 England, it tells the story of Elinor Benton, who finds herself unmarried and pregnant. Facing certain ruin, she gathers up her three best friends and sets off on a life-changing road trip to find Madame Restell, renowned for helping women with “female troubles.” Regency Girls will be premiering at The Old Globe theater in San Diego this spring.

Also out West, Ben Parrillo is taking a hiatus from entertainment (with his wife, Sepi, and their 7-year-old daughter, Leon Soleil), building houses in Joshua Tree, California, through his company Bunkrhome.

Jody Sperling and her dance company, Time Lapse Dance, are featured in the documentary Obsessed with Light, which was released in theaters in December. This winter, Jody and dancers are heading on a three-city tour of Egypt—they’ll be performing at Alexandria’s Bibliotheca, among other venues. When not traveling, Jody lives with her daughter, now in eighth grade, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.  

In some very sad news, Carlos Perez reports that his family lost everything in the fires that recently swept through California. Steve Scholand offered Carlos his family home in Connecticut to have time to heal and recover.

And to close things out, we have a first-time notes contributor in Dale Griffith (Go Dale! I love hearing from new folks!). She has a lot of news to catch us up on. After Wesleyan, she taught for 10 years at York Correctional Institution for Women in Niantic, Connecticut. While at York, she worked with author Wally Lamb to publish a collection of the York women’s stories, published by HarperCollins in 2001. After some time in North Carolina, she returned to Connecticut, started teaching English at Middlesex Community College in Middletown, then became full-time faculty. After retiring there in 2016, she came full circle, working with the Wesleyan Center for Prison Education by teaching a course on public speaking at York Correctional.

That’s all for now. I love to hear from everyone, so please keep your news coming!

Hi all:

It’s class notes times again. I have just returned from a five-month sabbatical in New York City at the Russell Sage Foundation. I was jointed there by our classmate, Abby (Smith) Saguy, who was on leave from the UCLA sociology department. It was great spending time with her, and the (social) highlight was when Simon Fulford joined us for a fantastic dinner with Abby’s husband, Dotan. I also got to see a lot of old Wesleyan friends including Jill Slater, Doni Gewirtzman ’93, and Jane Thompson (including a fun weekend when Laura Hill joined us for NYC adventures). I also managed to catch up with a bunch of former Argus editors, including my co-editor in chief Mike Santoli, as well as Jason Rekate ’93, Andrew Siff ’90, and Alex Navarro-McKay ’90. My time in NYC ended with a big reunion with a large contingent of the 1988–1989 Clark Hall RA staff—David Patterson ’90, Linda Turnbull ’90, Nina Grekin ’90, and Claude Szyfer ’90. It was fantastic to be able to spend so much time with everyone!

In other news, Kate Edwards started a new job at Axalta in a research group working on matching paint colors after an auto body shop repair—and hopes no Wes alum needs this service! Her oldest kid starts at York University in Toronto in the fall.

Jody Sperling is still dancing and choreographing in NYC where she directs her company, Time Lapse Dance, and is eco artist in residence at New York Society for Ethical Culture. On the personal side, she’s currently planning her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah!

Kathryn Berla reports that her she and her son, Johnathan (14), had the pleasure of spending their annual San Diego vacation week with the Diana Strauss Casey ’91 and Hal Skinner families in July. Dan Grant ’91 and his sons joined for a few days from Marin County, as did Liz Martin ’91 from the D.C. area. They all had tremendous fun seeing the range of children (ages 13–22) body surfing and exploring the Ocean Beach community together.

In another huge reunion, Tim Proskauer and Mari Valerio Ferrari hosted a bunch of ’92ers in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Blues and Brews regulars in attendance included Chris Arndt, Chris and Sara Mulhauser, Ben Ratliff, Jay Hardwig, Nita Smith, Ben Harris, Eric Halperin, Susannah Fox, and Brian and Francesca Wolff (along with two Wolff cubs, Ellington and Rosie).

Chris “Chez” Chesak continues to live with his wife and daughters in Cincinnati where he runs the Outdoor Writers Association of America. He’s excited to also be president-elect of the Society of American Travel Writers and to take over as their president during their convention in Istanbul this fall.

Joan Matelli finished up her last law class at Northeastern and is now one more experiential co-op away from becoming a lawyer.

In the spirit of “take this job and shove it,” my former Clark hallmate Anne (Jennings) Paris quit her job, participated in the FathomPDX interactive art experience in Portland, and then went to Burning Man. Let us all know what comes next Anne!

Another former Clark hallmate, Sam Robinson, writes that his daughter is a rising junior at Vassar College. They are a star on the women’s rugby team, sing a cappella, and will likely go to med school. Sam is retired from architecture, being diagnosed with spino-cerebellar-ataxia in 2019. He stays busy with his awesome property in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, political volunteering, and sailing (when he can!).

Finally, Asya Geisberg bears sad news about one of our classmates. She writes: “I’m saddened to write about the very quick illness and departure from this world of Deb Whitney. Deb lived an incredible life on both coasts, with a career in film, TV, assisting Barbra Streisand in LA, and finally two decades as a paramedic in New Hampshire, where she was pursuing an MA in public health. Deb was beloved and respected by many in the medical community and leaves behind her longtime fiancé, Art, as well as extended family. Heather Nash and I are grateful we were able to visit Deb in April.”

Heather Nash adds the following tribute: “Thirty-six years ago, I walked into my dorm room on my first day of Wesleyan University, carrying a life-size poster of Humphrey Bogart only to discover that my new roommate, Deb Whitney, had brought the exact same one. This was my intro to the amazing person who would become one of my dearest friends and such an important part of my life. Deb loved Wesleyan, classic films, documentary-making, music, learning Russian, dogs, and sitting down for a good cup of tea with a friend. She moved out to LA after college to break into the film industry, worked in production and for Barbra Streisand for a bit, but ultimately pursued a career as a paramedic back East, where she took such loving care of her patients and co-workers. Deb loved her family and friends deeply and was one of the most open-minded, supportive, and nurturing people I knew. I am so grateful Asya Geisberg and I had the chance to visit her near Boston a few weeks after her cancer diagnosis this past spring. I feel blessed to have had her in my life and still cannot wrap my mind around the fact that she is no longer here. My heart goes out to her partner, Art Patriquin, her mom, Susan, sister, Emily, her nephew and niece, Art’s daughters, and the rest of her family. Deb, you were so very loved. Chris and I have told Ella all about you and we are going to watch Casablanca this weekend in your memory. Here’s looking at you kid. . . .”

Hello, Class of 1992!

My desperate plea for class notes material brought on a flood of responses. So much, in fact, that I have more news than I can fit into the 800-word limit of a single column. So, if your update did not make into this set of notes, fear not, you will have prominent placement in the next edition!

My old housemate Simon Fulford continues to live in Portland, Oregon, where he has been the executive director of a child-and-family-serving nonprofit. Last October they broke ground on a $25 million youth residential treatment campus—Oregon ranks pretty much worst in the nation for addiction and recovery services for kids and adults. Simon’s two youngest sons are seventh and tenth graders, providing all the joys and challenges that come with that. His eldest, now 21, currently lives in Buenos Aires.

Dr. John “Juan” Luque is a full professor at Florida A&M University, in public health in Tallahassee, Florida. He was recently elected president of the American Association for Cancer Education. He spends his free time playing tennis in USTA league and defended his title in the annual local mixed doubles Sweetheart Tournament in February. He is also training his elementary school-age daughter in tennis so he can have a second career as a coach.

Cathy Keane continues to live in St. Louis where she has been teaching classics at Washington University since 2001.

This year Sara (Davidson) Flanders opened a yoga studio in Providence, Rhode Island, where she lives with her husband and 10-year-old kiddo. It’s the first yoga studio in Rhode Island that’s donation based with a majority of teachers of color and teachers in the LQBTQ community.

Dan Wulf recently musically directed Working for the third time (all three versions) for his 27th Watertown (Massachusetts) High School musical. Dan also conducts the Boston chapter of HaZamir, an international Jewish choir, and crossed paths with Allison (Wienir) Wissot ’93 at the annual festival performance weekend.

Valerie Nozick was recently promoted to chief commercial officer at Europcar Mobility Group USA/Fox Rent a Car. Last fall she joined Fox to establish the sales and marketing group and to get back to the travel industry. When not traveling, she spends her time at home in Seattle with her husband, Dan, and their spoiled dog, Geoffrey.

Kathryn Berlá was inspired by her experience with our 2022 30th Reunion and continues to see Wes folk. She was happy to connect with John Melnick and Hal Skinner (and their children) visiting NYC in December, and then again with Hal and Jonathan Liebson in February on another quick trip to the city.

Sam Ernst is living in the Berkshires, teaching middle school, and emptying the nest of his three collegiate children. Sam recently finished a tour of the last dregs of the ski season, along with the eclipse, in northern Vermont and New Hampshire: Magic, Sugarbush, Stowe, Bolton Valley, Mad River, and Tuckerman’s. The trip left him pining for a reunion of the Wes ski team, so be sure to get in touch with Sam if you find yourself in New England.

Matt Wein is now leading corporate law and compliance at Bay Area-based gene-editing biotech Metagenomi, which just completed a successful IPO in February. He’s residing in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and splitting his time between San Francisco and Boston.

Jen Mittelstadt reports that she and her husband, Aaron Matthews ’93, were thrilled be back on campus this year to drop off their son, Lucas Matthews, as a Wes frosh. She’s a professor of history at Rutgers University and Aaron is a documentary filmmaker. They live in Brooklyn with their daughter, Adelaide, who will be applying to college next year. 

Darcy Dennett is on hiatus from TV production, working on a corporate project for JPMorgan Chase & Co. She just ran the NYC Half, albeit it somewhat slowly in an effort to get into better shape for the Brooklyn Half in May. 

Rick Barot’s fifth book of poems, Moving the Bones, will be published in October 2024. He’s been a visiting writer at the University of Utah this year but will soon be back at his regular gig, directing the MFA program in creative writing at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

That’s all for now. But even though I have some extra news for the next column, I’m always looking for your updates, so please continue to send me your news—I would especially love to hear from you if it’s been a while since you last checked in. Your classmates want to know what you are up to!

Dear fellow ’92ers,

I bring you news from our class!

Deb Lack reports that her younger daughter, Lane Daniels, will be attending Wesleyan in the fall, as part of the Class of ’28, intending to study political science, history, and theater. Currently at Wesleyan is Byron King’s daughter, Meriwether ’27, who has settled in and is making great friends, which Byron saw with his own eyes at Homecoming and Family Weekend this fall. Also there was Chris Chesak, who was voted onto the 1990s All-Decade Football Team and who got to catch up with his old teammates.

Edoardo Ballerini was back on campus last semester, teaching a guest course on narration and the spoken word in the Shapiro Center for Writing. In December he did a live reading for students from his Audible Original, The Angel of Rome, cocreated with best-selling author Jess Walter, a fictionalized version of his summer in Italy after graduation.

Another visitor to New England was Nancy McLoughlin, who was grateful that she was able to race in the Head of the Charles last fall among beautiful foliage—it brought back so many wonderful memories of rowing for Wesleyan.

Lisa Liang took a break from novel writing to produce a short film with her sister, which is currently making the rounds at festivals. On the personal front, her youngest heads off to college this year.

Jeffrey Kipnis reports that he and Jennie Van Cleef spent an amazing nine days together marauding across southern New Mexico and southwest Texas. 

Moving abroad, Dan Fortmann was recruited by Lufthansa at Munich Airport in June and is now a “passenger service professional debutante” in the aviation industry at Germany’s number two airport. 

Jill Slater started a new position as leader of the (Climate) Resiliency Team at the New York City Housing Authority. Jill continues to live in Manhattan’s financial district with her husband and their 10-year-old daughter. Fellow New Yorker Eric Leach-Rodriguez lives with his husband of 11 years and, on behalf of a childhood friend, became a living kidney donor last year. And on the Upper West Side is Darcy Dennett. She is working on a short film on the 100th Anniversary of the People’s Forest in Connecticut over the course of this year. In her free time, she is renovating a very old house, about one hour northeast of Wesleyan, getting back to running while still swimming laps, and did her first super minitriathlon this past summer.

Jody Sperling also lives in NYC, where her daughter is in seventh grade. She still dances, choreographs, and directs her company, Time Lapse Dance. Since the pandemic, she’s been an eco-artist-in-residence at the New Society for Ethical Culture. Jody and the company were featured in the documentary Obsessed with Light, which had its world premiere at the 2023 Rome Film Fest.

Another tristate resident is Kate Edwards, who lives in Pennington, New Jersey, and continues to work at Datacolor, which makes instruments that measure color. Her kids are getting ready to fly the nest—Iris is a high school senior and Nick is a sophomore.

Ty Jagerson continues to live in the Bay Area, now working at General Motors running their V2X program, building the business around using plugged-in EVs to power homes, businesses, and the grid.

Also on the West Coast is Ola Green, who relocated to Los Angeles and has been working in documentaries as an executive for Netflix since 2019. He is proud to have worked on award-winning films with Beyoncé (Homecoming), the Obamas (American Factory), and Questlove (Descendant).

Rounding up the news is an update from Maria Rosa Truglio, who works at Penn State as professor of Italian and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and is working on Italian children’s literature. She got married in 2021 up in New Hampshire to Greg Fox. Her son, Thomas, is finishing up his residency in medicine at Dartmouth, and her other son, Anthony, has been teaching in the linguistics program at Penn State.

That’s all the news for now. Hope to hear from you all soon!

Hello fellow ’92ers!

Normally I am simply the conduit of information but this time, I have a bunch of news of my own to kick us off. In August, Princeton University Press published my new book, Political Rumors: Why We Accept Misinformation and How to Fight It. I’ve been working on this project since the early months of the first Obama administration so I’m thrilled (and relieved!) to finally see it off in the world. Also in August, I dropped my son Ben off at the University of Virginia where he is starting his first year. Just before I did, I had dinner with Matt Schortmann and Soo Lim whose daughter, Liv, is about to start her last year at UVA. It was great to see them and my fellow Itza Pizza alums Sarah Guernsey and Adam Blumer ’91, who all live in the Boston area.

I’ve got a lot of company in taking the college step, judging from my Facebook feed. Christina Scully Manning dropped her son off at Pomona College, Samantha Ball Karmel dropped her son off at Cornell, and my first-year roommate James Wilton dropped off his youngest daughter, Lola, at NC State. Lola joins her older sister Carley who is a junior education major. She just missed overlapping with her older brother Jack, who graduated from NC State this year and accepted a leadership development position in Orlando, Florida, with Colony Hardware. Now an empty nester, James remains in Waxhaw, North Carolina, and earlier this year added the title of branch manager to his duties as national account manager for Genesis10 in Charlotte, North Carolina. And he was named head coach for the Weddington (North Carolina) Middle School sixth grade football team for this coming season.

Also on the college front, Chris Chesak’s older daughter is off to Ohio State. Chris continues to live in Cincinnati and is a freelance writer and executive director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. He was also just elected president-elect of the Society of American Travel Writers.

We also have a few classmates who are sending their kids to Wesleyan, 35(!) years after we started. Laura Hill’s daughter, Allegra, is joining the class of 2027, as is Byron King’s daughter, Merriwether. Bryon also reports that he recently attended the wedding of Julien Farland. In attendance from were Saad Khan ’93 and Anand Kini.

Cati Coe and her spouse moved from Philadelphia to Ottawa, Ontario, last year to take a position at Carleton University as a Canada research chair in migration and care.

Ken Lefkowitz is keeping busy co-developing an 80MW wind farm near the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria. Jennifer Blaine is still based out of Philadelphia and launched a new solo multi-character work, Mannequin, in May 2023. She also continues to work as a comedian and produced a new show in September in FringeArts, a festival based out of Philadelphia.

Kevin Prufer is still teaching in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Houston and has two books coming out soon. The Fears, a poetry collection, will be published by Copper Canyon Press in 2023, followed by Sleepaway: A Novel, from Acre Books in 2024.  Another recent author is Susannah Fox whose book, Rebel Health: A Field Guide to the Patient-Led Revolution in Medical Care is coming out this fall with MIT Press.

Jill Slater lives in Manhattan with her husband and nine-year-old daughter and leads Resiliency for the New York City Housing Authority.

And finally, Abby (Smith) Saguy will be spending the 2023–24 academic year in NYC as a Russell Sage Foundation fellow, living with her husband, Dotan. They are hoping for visits from their daughter, Claire, who will be in her senior year at UCLA, where she is majoring in labor studies and minoring in Spanish and food studies, as well as their son, Jonah, who will be in his second year at UC Riverside, where he is majoring in computer science with business application. And tying into Abby’s news is my last piece of news: I’ll be joining Abby at Russell Sage in February 2024 for five months, marking my return to Manhattan after over 30 years away. I’ll be excited to see my old friends, so give me a ring if you are in NYC!

That’s all for now. Please send me your news and notes for the next issue!

Please write to your class secretary.