CLASS OF 2011 | 2023 | FALL ISSUE

Laura Heath-Stout writes, “Allegra ’12 and I and our toddler, River, are moving to California! I’ll be starting a postdoc at the Archaeology Center at Stanford, and Allegra will continue working remotely for JOIN for Justice, an organization that trains Jewish people in community organizing. We’re excited to spend more time with our Wesleyan friends in the Bay Area!”

Siena Kramer is working as a nurse educator in the Neurocritical Care Unit at Tufts Medical Center and got married to Charles Tandler on June 23, 2023! They will be moving back to Palo Alto, California, in June 2024.

Emily Pontecorvo contributes, “Earlier this year I joined Heatmap News as one of the founding staff writers. Heatmap is a subscription-based online magazine doing original reporting and analysis of the most pressing stories of climate change and the transition to clean energy for a broad audience. Check us out at Heatmap.news!

Kara Perez lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her partner, after a decade in Austin, Texas. She owns Bravely Go, a financial media company, and has discovered a deep passion for explaining what an index fund is.

Susie Howe writes, “2023 was a year of changes for me! I got married on July 1 to Sam O’Connor-Divelbiss in Wayne, Illinois. We both got new jobs on Chicago’s North Shore– Sam will be teaching math in Wilmette and I will be teaching Latin at Lake Forest High School after seven years at Elgin Academy. Those who knew me from the Wes equestrian team will be happy to learn that I bought my first horse in 2021. My time at Wesleyan developed my love of horses and Latin and both have become major parts of my life.”

A. J. Chan and his wife, Hilary Burke Chan ’10, welcomed their second child, Oliver Tobias Chan, in November 2022. Ollie and his older sister Rosie were able to visit Wesleyan this summer and sit on Foss Hill!

Tim Morley and I welcomed our first child, Joseph “Joey” Arthur Morley on June 8 in Hartford, Connecticut. Joey and his friend Ollie got to sport matching Wes onesies when they met each other this summer!

Thanks for the contributions this cycle!

CLASS OF 2011 | 2023 | SUMMER ISSUE

Class of 2011,

It’s that time of year again! Thanks for everyone’s contributions. Read below to see what our classmates are up to.

Becky Eidelman contributes, “Todd Rosenthal ’10 and I welcomed our son Felix Rosenthal to the world almost a year ago. He was born March 25, 2022.”

Cheryl Chitty Tan is fundraising for The Monster in the Mirror, a musical she wrote lyrics for that gets staged this May in Singapore. She’s thinking about trying out a bigger acting market. She was in the first episode of season three of Westworld and wants to hang out with the Wes mafia.

Allison Klion said that Kapish Singla forecasted she would close her art gallery and become a housewife. She is now raising a one-year-old in the suburbs but is not in New Jersey as predicted—her husband is from Morris County though. She awaits the oracle’s next prophecy.

Phoebe (née StonebrakerKilmoon was recently hired as a features contributor at The Onion. Also here’s an update on her previous update: She didn’t move to LA. Instead, she and her husband, James (né McCarthy) Kilmoon, bought a house in Jersey. But they currently live in Atlanta where they are filming James’s movie. Phoebe is expecting another baby in May and is very happy and tired.

Devon Hopkins writes, “I’m starting a new job as the chief marketing officer for Raftr, a private online community platform for higher education and nonprofits. I’ve been spending my time between Santa Monica, California, and Lake Arrowhead, California, where my partner and I have a little cabin in the mountains that we Airbnb to friends and family. I’ve also been enjoyed playing League of Legends: Wild Rift with fellow alumni Seth Halpern ’09, Christian Hoyos, and Anthony Smith.”

Thanks everyone!

Best,

Allie

CLASS OF 2011 | 2023 | SPRING ISSUE

Hi Class of 2011,

Hope this finds you well and having enjoyed a wonderful 2022 and now 2023!

Austin Woolridge writes, “Players’ Lounge (co-founded by me) raised its Series A.” https://venturebeat.com/games/players-lounge-raises-10-5m-in-funding-plans-future-expansion.

Joe Giaimo contributes, “Emily and I welcomed a baby boy, Joey, back in July. Our oldest, Siena, is enjoying her new role as big sister, and we all enjoyed a fun time together at Homecoming in November watching the Cardinals take home the Little Three Football Championship with a win over Amherst!”

Thank you to all who continue to support our annual class gift. Last year we raised $10,753 with classmates supporting financial aid, sports teams, clubs, departments, and more. This year we have a goal of $14,000. We hope to surpass total donor totals of 200! Please consider supporting with a donation by going to wesleyan.edu/giving. Thanks for the update on this, Joe!

All my best,

Allie

CLASS OF 2011 | 2022 | FALL ISSUE

Hi Class of 2011,

Hope this finds you all having a wonderful and healthy fall. See exciting updates from our class!

Moon Herrick contributes a group note, “I’m living in Brooklyn, just a few blocks away from Elspeth Kelly, her husband Bruce Pettig ’12, and their dog Roo. Elspeth is a practicing clinical psychologist and extremely active member of Muddy Paws Rescue. Reach out to her if you’re looking for a foster or new furry member of your fam!

“Samantha Pearlman and Ross Shenker are a single subway ride away on the UWS. Sammy is killing it as singer/songwriter, and as a member of the singing group America’s Sweethearts. She continues to act and teach singing lessons in between, and is engaged to be married.

“I commute to D.C. for my new job at the Department of State, where I specialize in forest and climate policy issues. I stay with Liza Conrad, who is working tirelessly for Stacey Abrams, and has recently adopted an adorable dog named Otis. Graham Richman is technically based in D.C., but he’s usually on tour with Bartees Strange, being a literal rock star.” Thanks, Moon!

Further west, Jordana Hoyt and David Markowitz are thriving together in Seattle with their wise and ageless dog Willy. Elise Rosenthal is a practicing ob-gyn based in Dallas, Texas, and, incidentally, is engaged to be married. Lauren Goldstein is in St. Louis with her husband and her adorable son, Herbie—the clan’s beloved first born.

Gus Spelman writes, “After ignoring each other at Wesleyan for three years, flirting in Chicago for three more, and then dating for seven after that, Gus Spelman and Charlotte Cottier ’12 were married this June.” Congrats Gus and Charlotte!

Allegra Heath-Stout ’12 and Laura Heath-Stout “Welcomed our child, River, to the world in November 2021. Their current favorite hobbies include scooting around on their belly, splashing in water, eating watermelon, being bounced up and down, riding in a carrier while a mom hikes, and chomping on various objects with their new teeth.”

Laura Heath-Stout (left), Allegra Heath-Stout (right), and baby River.

Becky Eidelman and Todd Rosenthal ’10 welcome their new baby boy, Felix Rosenthal, on March 25, 2022. Congrats!

As always, thanks for the updates!

CLASS OF 2011 | 2022 | SPRING ISSUE

Hi Class of 2011,

See updates from our class below. Thanks to all who contributed!

Phoebe (née Stonebraker) Kilmoon is currently writing for the sketch comedy TV show Studio C. She and her husband welcomed their first kid, Desmond, in April 2021. They’ll be moving to LA this spring.

Marshall Johnson writes, “I got engaged to my longtime partner Becky Bradley in December 2021. We are planning a spring/summer 2023 wedding.”

Dr. Christopher Ceccolini is excited to share that he completed his PhD in counseling psychology this spring after finishing his residency at NYU School of Medicine. He looks forward to starting his postdoctoral fellowship at Weill Cornell Medicine this fall in their psychotic disorders division. He’s super grateful for the emotional support of his Wesleyan friends during the six years of his doctoral journey, especially from Jordan Gratch ’13. The doctor is in!

Issy Magowan tells us, “I gave birth to my first child, a baby girl named Imogen, on August 24th. In the past year I have shot for both The New Yorker and Time magazine. I’m continuing to make new photographic work.”

CLASS OF 2011 | 2021–2022 | WINTER ISSUE

Hi Class of 2011,

Great updates to read below. Thanks to all of you who contributed!

Kim Prosise is currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. She works as a performing artist and talent agent with her events company, Gold Arrow LLC, and spends her free time writing, hiking, and trying new desserts. She contributes to a number of causes and has become particularly passionate about premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) awareness.

Mallory Cruz writes, “I was recently invited to contribute a chapter to the book, Sincerely, Your Autistic Child. It was published back in April. It’s an anthology written by autistic individuals where we talk about our experiences growing up autistic and what we want relatives of autistic children to know and understand.”

Barbara Fenig and Patrick Cline welcomed their daughter, Eleanor, on April 8, 2021.

Ameen Beydoun (Film Studies) who is currently living in San Diego, California, tells us, “I published my first graphic novel called Habibti Pada. Available at www.ameenbeydoun.com. I was product manager for EdTech Company in Nairobi (2018–2020), launched a solar refrigeration startup in Dakar, Senegal (2018), and received a masters and MBA from Middlebury Institute of International Studies 2016–2018.” From 2015 to 2016 Ameen was an English teacher at Peace Corps Comoros and also an English teacher at Peace Corps Liberia from 2012 to 2014.

Tyler Wuthmann graduated from naturopathic medical school last month. He tells us, “An odd four years to be in medical school for sure but informative. I’m excited to start my residency in Seattle, Washington, in September. It is an integrative residency focused on family medicine and primary care at Bastyr Center for Natural Health.”

Eliza Gordon is starting her third year as an elementary school principal in Austin, Texas. She returned to the University of Texas at Austin to begin her doctorate this summer in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy in the Cooperative Superintendency Program with the hopes of completing her dissertation in three years.

Jacob Mergendoller graduated from New York University’s School of Social Work in May and started working as a psychotherapist at a community mental health center based in Manhattan (and anywhere else Zoom is available).

Thank you!

CLASS OF 2011 | 2021 | ISSUE 1

Hi Class of 2011, thanks for everyone’s contributions. Lots of great updates including announcements of growing Wes families! Congrats to everyone!

     Joe Giaimo and his wife, Emily, welcomed their daughter, Siena, back in August! They’re enjoying every second with her and can’t wait to get her to campus soon for her first football and baseball games!

     Alyssa (Bogdanow) Arens is living in the suburbs outside Boston and working in philanthropy at the One8 Foundation. Her day-to-day portfolio is focused on Jewish community engagement, Israel education, and combating anti-Semitism, though in the early months of the COVID crisis, she also helped support the MA COVID-19 Relief Fund. Alyssa and her (non-Wes) husband had a baby daughter, Eleanor, in July 2020. Alyssa includes, “she was born about 10 days before Allie and Katie Rowan had their son, and we’ve had an incredibly active and helpful Wesleyan new moms text thread ever since. Eleanor is looking forward to toddling around Foss in the adorable little Wes outfits her 76 Lawn uncles and aunts sent her—hopefully at our 10 year reunion, if it happens!”

     In other good news, Joella Jones tell us, “I graduated from Columbia Law School in May and am now practicing at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP in New York City. My husband and I are also expecting our first child, due in April.”

    Ameen Beydoun (Film Studies) writes—“Publishing my first graphic novel about a young African girl that immigrates to the Middle East and faces off against monsters and shawarma. Check out the Indiegogo fundraiser and consider pre-ordering your copy of Habibti Pada for yourself or a young person you love!” Ameen is currently living in San Diego, California. Since graduation Ameen was product manager for EdTech Company in Nairobi (2018–2020), launched a solar refrigeration start-up in Dakar, Senegal (2018) and received an MA/MBA from Middlebury Institute of International Studies 2016–2018. Ameen was an English teacher at Peace Corps Comoros and Libera in 2015–2016 and 2013–2014, respectively.

     Cheryl Chitty Tan started pushing singing lessons like crazy during her lockdown and is now an established vocal coach, which helps her choose projects. She wrote lyrics to a musical called The Monster in the Mirror fulfilling a bucket list item. It’s a Birdman meets High School Musical one-take film filmed in a black box; please watch it! She was briefly on Westworld Season 3, episode 1 with Aaron Paul, and is creating a solo show aiming for Australia. She started playing D&D and has been enjoying reconnecting with Alpha Delts. She wants to break into Los Angeles but maybe after things have improved. She hopes everyone will help each other. @cherylchittytan on Instagram.

     Chris Ceccolini writes, “I am excited to be moving to New York City this summer to begin my clinical psychology residency at NYU Langone—Bellevue Hospital Center. I’ve missed New York while working on my counseling psychology PhD in Boston these last five years, and am looking forward to setting down permanent roots. I’m coming home!”

     Ruby Lin is a country HR manager for Hong Kong and Taiwan at Hyphen Group, and Nigel Stacey wants us to still know he is still related to Arthur Stacey ’13.

    Mallory Cruz includes, “Recently, I wrote a piece for a book being published on March 14 this year. The book is called Sincerely, Your Autistic Child, and it’s an anthology of letters autistic adults wrote for parents of autistic children about our own childhoods. It’s so those parents can read it to consider how to approach and think about their child. I’m sure the book description on Amazon explains it better though.”

CLASS OF 2011 | 2020 | ISSUE 3

Hi Class of 2011, hope this finds you healthy and well in a year that has proven to be full of challenges. See our class updates below. 

Lots of new additions to the Wes Family! Ilaria O’Keefe informs us “I gave birth to baby #4 in February, we bought our first home in August, and I continue to work as a birth doula, homeschool our kids, study herbal medicine, and direct and sing music in upstate SC.” Katie (Colasaccco) Rowan writes, “On July 24th, Allie Rowan and I welcomed our son, Nico, into the world! We’ve been settling into the whole parenting-during-a-pandemic thing as best as we can, and Nico’s been a real joy to watch change and grow over the past two months.” Last but not least, Julian Sonnenfeld and his wife Gia had their first baby on July 20, 2020. Grant Jonas Sonnenfeld was born at a heavyweight 9 lbs 13 oz in Charlotte, North Carolina. Julian writes “Grant and Gia are doing great, hopefully a future Cardinal!”

In more exciting news, Alexandra Furnas writes, “I got married to Amy Cesal, just completed a PhD in American politics from University of Michigan, and started as a postdoctoral scholar at the Center for Science of Science and Innovation at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.” Laura Heath Stout is also continuing her education as a new postdoctoral fellow in the writing program at Emory University. She is excited to report she just got a book contract with Routledge for her first book, provisionally titled Identity, Oppression, and Diversity in Archaeology: Career Arcs. Congrats Laura!

Charlotte Cerf writes “my fiance and I are moving to the Burlington, Vermont area as both of our jobs in tech can be done fully remotely.”

As always, thanks for the updates and look forward to continuing to hear from all of you. Stay healthy Class of 2011!

Allie Southam | asoutham@wesleyan.edu

CLASS OF 2011 | 2020 | ISSUE 2

Yael Chanoff works as an archival film researcher in San Francisco. The most recent documentary she worked on, Athlete A, will be available on Netflix this summer.

Tyler Wuthmann writes, “I’ve moved part-time up to Seattle from San Francisco to attend naturopathic medical school. I’m in my third year as a medical student here in Seattle at the School of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University. It’s a four-year medical program where I will receive an ND degree and plan to get a residency down in the Bay Area once I graduate in 2021.” He is loving the program and adds, “I still make it down to San Francisco often to be with my fiancé, Mike (unfortunately not a Wesleyan alum, but I try not to hold it against him). We are planning our wedding in the Bay Area for the summer of 2021. I’m mostly seeing patients through telemedicine with attendings in our internal medicine clerkship due to social distancing while helping Seattle flatten the curve.”

Siena Kramer has relocated to Boston, where she will be working at Tufts Medical Center as a neurointensive care nurse.

Ruby Lin Ka Tung is based in Hong Kong, working at MoneyHero/CompareAsiaGroup as a country HR manager.

Jared Gimbel writes, “After becoming viral in Greenland as a result of a video series, I will release an early access version of my first video game, Kaverini: Nuuk Adventures, after multiple delays.” Jared is plotting the sequel, which will take place in a “completely different country.”

Julia Leonard is excited to move back to Connecticut to be an assistant professor of psychology at Yale starting summer 2021.

Thanks for the updates. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!

Allie Southam | asoutham@wesleyan.edu

CLASS OF 2011 | 2020 | ISSUE 1

I hope 2020 is off to a great start for the Class of 2011. Some exciting updates from our classmates below.

Isabel Magowan writes, “I am a working artist and photographer based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and married last June. Thinking of all my fellow Wes classmates and hoping they are doing well!”

Christopher Ceccolini and Jordan Gratch ’13 finally tied the knot, nearly 10 years after first meeting at Wesleyan. The two were married on Oct. 19, at Gedney Farm in Massachusetts. They were surrounded by many close family and friends, including 26 Wesleyan alumni from numerous graduation years (2010-2014). Jordan is now a first-year associate at Latham & Watkins LLP in New York and Chris is a clinical fellow in psychology at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Chris looks forward to joining Jordan in New York when he finishes his PhD in counseling psychology next year.

Ceccolini-Gratch wedding

Amanda Faraone lives in Austin, Texas, with husband Alex Anthony ’10, and their son, George. She is the new development director for American Short Fiction and is at work on her novel about teenage girls and love magic.

Becky Eidelman writes, “In the fall, I began a two-year master’s degree program in urban and environmental policy and planning at Tufts University.”

Jared Gimbel became a member of the International Association of Hyperpolyglots (HYPIA) in late 2019. With his video game about Greenland, Kaverini Nuuk Adventures, slated for a 2020 release after many delays, he has begun working on the expansion.

Cheryl Tan writes, “I am still in Singapore! Last year I did four screen projects and a difficult play called Displaced Persons’ Welcome Dinner, about humanitarian aid workers in conflict zones. It premiered at the Singapore International Arts Festival and took up 13 weeks (two workshop sessions before the full production). It’s a semi-devised work, very tiring.”

Marshall Johnson reports, “Back in September I started a new job in astronomy as a staff scientist at Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) in Santa Barbara, Calif. LCO operates a network of 23 robotic telescopes at seven observatory sites around the world, and, in my new position, I’m working with our NRES high-resolution spectrographs that we operate at four of those sites, in addition to conducting my own research. I now work closely with Tim Brown ’72, among others.”

Last but not least, Jennifer Spero writes, “I will be marrying Tristan Tully ’09 and moving to London!” Congrats, Jen and Tristan!

As always, thank you for your updates!

Allie Southam | asoutham@wesleyan.edu