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Class Notes Summer 2023

Alumni Year in Review Events
Were You Close? A memoir of sibling loss and unexpected grief. Alumni Profile
鈥榃e Have an Obligation to Lift as We Climb鈥� Planned Giving
Leading the way: Victoria-Ann Rodriguez 鈥�12, G鈥�17 Alumni Profile
A Degree that Opens Doors and Fills Pantries: Jillian Morgan G'19 Alumni Profile
Fortune Favors the Bold: Marianne Walker G鈥�09 Alumni Profile
The next chapter of alumni leadership Updates
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1940's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's 2010's 2020's
Class of 1947
In Memoriam Jean Picknally Montana '47 on December 17, 2022
Class of 1948
In Memoriam Marion Delimat '48 on October 15, 2022
Class of 1950
In Memoriam Theresa Tenerowicz Dziadul '50 on August 10, 2022
In Memoriam Christine Clark Trenholm '50 on December 2, 2021
In Memoriam Marin Hosko Starrett 鈥�50 on February 23, 2023
Class of 1953
In Memoriam Irma Black Schwartz '53 on September 21, 2022
Class of 1955
In Memoriam Margaret O'Brien Sullivan '55 on February 18, 2023
In Memoriam Doris Diane Ferver Brownlie 鈥�55 on March 5, 2023
Class of 1959
In Memoriam Joan Rowley Cove '59 on January 19, 2023
Catching Up Anne Byrnie Grace '59 Greetings to all of my former classmates! My husband, Jim, and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary on May 26, 2022, with a memorable party given to us by our children: Maureen, Karen, Russ and Dan. Also, last year we became great-grandparents for the first time, and we are expecting two more babies this summer! We are very grateful that our family lives fairly close by, and we see them regularly. I keep active by going to the Y for Aquacise classes twice a week and enjoy frequent walks (2-3 miles) down Main Street in our lovely town of Old Saybrook, CT. My favorite hobby is writing. I belong to a writers' group at our Senior Center and have been keeping daily journals for nearly 40 years! They are all hand written, so now I worry that my eight grandkids, and now great-grands, won't be able to read them! God bless you all! Anne
Class of 1960
In Memoriam Diane Brubaker Snyder '60 on January 1, 2023
Class of 1961
In Memoriam Myrna Stelma French '61 on August 6, 2022
Class of 1962
In Memoriam Marla Aubertin Lech '62 on February 18, 2023
Class of 1964
Catching Up Our Longmeadow Campus had the pleasure of a generational alumni visit from Lisa Jo Jones '91, her daughter Kayla Jo, and her mother Irene June Arciszewski Jones '64.
Class of 1966
In Memoriam Ann Meyer Shay '66 on January 14, 2023
In Memoriam Janet Vredenburgh Whitford '66 on December 14, 2022
Class of 1967
In Memoriam Susan Canfield '67 on July 20, 2022
In Memoriam Jane Flynn Robinson '67 on December 16, 2022
Class of 1970
Catching Up Longtime 91快播 friends enjoyed lunch together in Naples, FL. Left to Right: Wayne Bernard, Kiki Higgins Bernard '70, Hope Hensler Richardson '70, Lee Felt, Jim Buonomo, and Paula Rowse Buonomo '71.
Class of 1972
In Memoriam Debra Robertson Carson '72 on November 23, 2022
Class of 1974
In Memoriam Laurie Kulig Milne '74 on July 25, 2022
Class of 1977
In Memoriam Karen Van Allen Ingham '77 on September 5, 2022
In Memoriam Kathleen Arconti Colley '77 on December 20, 2022
Catching Up Freedom Credit Union promoted Charlene Marvonek Smolkowicz '77 from commercial credit manager to assistant vice president. She has been with Freedom since 2016 and is based in the main office in Springfield. In her role, she manages the Commercial Credit department, underwriting process, and analyst team for commercial and industrial, commercial mortgage/commercial real estate, and nonprofit borrowers. She is also responsible for maintaining sound portfolio credit quality and monitoring risk. Active in the community, she serves as treasurer and chairs the finance committee for the board of directors for Viability Inc., and participates in both the WIT (Women Innovators & Trailblazers) Mentor Match Program and the Springfield School Volunteers Read-Aloud program. She was recognized by United Way of Pioneer Valley as Volunteer of the Year in 2012.
Class of 1979
In Memoriam Gail Willey Richey '79 on October 31, 2022
Class of 1982
Catching Up Gianna Gallo Stebbins '82 started a new position as senior property manager at Pike International in New Haven, CT.
Class of 1987
Catching Up Michelle Arre '87 started a new position as a real estate lease specialist at Hartford HealthCare.
Catching Up This past fall, Diane Mazza '87 and Sandra Maresca Montaine '87 visited 91快播 after many years. Their tour included the dorms they lived in as students. Since their time at 91快播, they have remained friends.
Class of 1993 30th Reunion
Catching Up Tammy Beckwith '93 has been promoted to senior manager of IP Operations at Flagship Pioneering.
Class of 1996
Catching Up Country Bank announced that Lisa Meshlovitz Saletnik '96 has been promoted to vice president of Business Systems Optimization. Saletnik holds an associate degree in health science from 91快播 University and graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies. She has been with Country Bank for 23 years and has extensive experience in bank score systems and digital technologies. Having worked in various departments at the bank, she found her passion in the Information Technology and Innovation department in 2018. Before joining the IT department, she managed the services area for eight years. She has been instrumental in working with vendors and partners to continue to find the best solutions to help the bank best serve its internal and external customers. "I am thrilled to congratulate Lisa on her promotion and all of the accomplishments that got her here; she is a key part of our success," said Miriam Siegel, first senior vice president of Human Resources. "We're pleased to provide opportunities for our people to develop not only within their roles today but into new opportunities tomorrow."
Catching Up Congratulations to Tina Malley '96, owner & vice president of Springfield Spring & Stamping, on receiving a MassTech 2022 Manufacturing Award! Former Massachusetts State Senator and now 91快播 Trustee Eric Lesser nominated Tina and her organization, and this is what he had to say: "Thank you for all of the work you do to make Springfield a manufacturing hub now and for decades to come! Celebrating its 80th year in business, Springfield Spring & Stamping is one of the largest certified minority and women-owned businesses in the United States. As a member of the New England Minority Supplier Development Council, they manufacture precision-engineered springs, wire forms, and stampings for a broad cross-section of industries around the world."
Class of 2000
Catching Up Kelly Chapman Galanis '98 '00 G'01 was recently named manager of Advancement Services at Holyoke Community College. In her new role, Kelly will provide leadership and direction for the Advancement division鈥檚 fundraising operations, including database management, prospect research and moves management, advancement reporting, gift recording, data integrity, and data security. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education in higher education leadership and organizational studies at 91快播 University.
Catching Up Cara Gardner G'00 G'12 started a new position as impact manager at The Standard.
Class of 2004
In Memoriam Linda Perla Mihlek '04 on November 17, 2022
Catching Up Khadijah Watt Tuitt '04 DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC founded In-Tuitt Behavioral Health Services (ITBHS). ITBHS provides quality mental health and psychiatric care to individuals aged 18 years and older via telehealth.
Class of 2005
Weddings Mary Persaud 鈥�05 鈥�06 and Andrew Pelis, August 20, 2022
Catching Up Stephanie O'Leary '05 G'16 G'17 was named by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty Honoree, Class of 2023
Class of 2006
Arrivals Kelly Broderick '06 and her fiance Jack welcomed their son Jack Christopher Grainger, born March 27th, 8 lbs. 7 oz.
Catching Up BankESB promoted Meridith Humphrey Salois '06 to vice president, Commercial Credit Systems Management. Salois joined bankESB in 2001 as a loan servicer and progressed over time to collections assistant, credit analyst, and senior credit analyst before being elected officer in 2015 and promoted to assistant vice president in 2016. In 2020, she was promoted to assistant vice president, Commercial Credit Systems manager. She was responsible for leading the commercial integration group for bankESB parent Hometown Financial Group's recent acquisition of Randolph Bancorp and Envision Bank. She currently serves as vice president of the LoanVantage User Group and is an active volunteer in her community with the Southampton Road PTO and All 4-Kids Consignment Sale
Catching Up Ashley Uhey Carter '06 was voted Teacher of the Year at her middle school and is now running for District Teacher of the Year! She spent a week on the Amazon River in June 2022 researching and writing a science curriculum through a partnership with Delaware Teachers Institute and ACEER foundation.
Class of 2007
Weddings Michelle Chandler 鈥�07 and Adam Barrios, September 24, 2022
Weddings Michelle Chandler '07 married Adam Barrios on September 24, 2022.
Weddings Stephanie Mannion '07 married Charles Ngelezi on July 16, 2022.
Arrivals Stephanie Mannion Ngelezi '07 welcomed Ezekiel Lemba Ngelezi鈥� on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Catching Up Aundrea Paulk '07 was named one of BusinessWest, Class of 2022, 40 Under Forty honorees. And last fall, she was gifted a slot at the two-day, immersive Dulye Leadership Experience (DLE) in the Berkshires by BusinessWest. Paulk, director of marketing & communications for Caring Health Center in Springfield and owner of her own event-planning business called Soiree Mi, said she made the very most of her experience and came away with nuggets to share, a better appreciation of the need to sell herself and not just her company 鈥� or companies, in this case 鈥� and, overall, some solid takeaways on how to be a better, more effective leader.
Catching Up Darlene LaMotte Braica '07 has obtained a new certification: Core1500 Core Champion from Raytheon Technologies.
Class of 2008 15th Reunion
Catching Up Erlanger Health System Foundation announced the addition of David McCurry G'08 as the executive director of development to the philanthropic arm for the region鈥檚 nonprofit health system. McCurry earned a master鈥檚 in nonprofit management and philanthropy at 91快播. Additionally, he holds the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification. He served as an adjunct professor at 91快播 for more than eight years. He is an avid photographer and writer. He is the author of Called to Give: 鈥淪tewardship and the Christain Faith.鈥� He serves as a deacon at his church. He and his wife, Susan, have been married for 33 years and have three adult children.
Class of 2009
Catching Up Jessica Roncarati-Howe G'09, alumna of the nonprofit management and philanthropy program, used her degree to serve the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts as executive director and president at the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. Stepping back from this work after giving birth to twins - her second and third children - she re-entered community service as the first part-time program coordinator for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts in January 2020. This September, she was promoted to director of programs and operations, overseeing four of the organization's five programs (the Foot in the Door workforce development program, the Margaret Fitzgerald Mentorship Program, the Professional Women's Group, and a unique one-on-one digital literacy coaching program), grant writing for programs, and collaborating on the development and the overall strategic growth of the organization. These responsibilities and professional accomplishments are rooted in her learning at 91快播, and she is proud to be a part of a line of alumni (great-grandmother, mother, and sister.)
Catching Up Elisha Winkler G'09 started a new position as a senior prospect development manager with the American Cancer Society.
Class of 2010
Arrivals Ashley Bein Truex '10 G'12 and her husband, Dwayne, welcomed their second child, a daughter named Ryleigh, on November 15, 2022.
Class of 2011
Weddings Melinda Seil '11 and Robbie Devoid were married on September 24, 2022.
Weddings Natalie Yale '11 and Mark Marcum were married in the Fall of 2022. Together they have a son, Sylas Marcum, born May 2021, along with Mark鈥檚 three children.
Weddings Samantha Casey '11 married Logan Alexander on September 17, 2022.
Arrivals Laurel Fortier Baldwin '11 G'15 and her husband Joseph welcomed a baby boy on February 5, 2023.
Catching Up Joyce Wells Jellison-Hounkanrin '11 obtained a new certification: President's List - Fall 2022 from Capella University.
Catching Up Samantha Casey Alexander '11 accepted a new position with Crossroads in Portland, ME. She will be overseeing their Back Cove Program for gender-responsive eating disorder and substance use disorder treatment
Class of 2012
Engagements Lindsay Weaver 鈥�12 G鈥�13 to Eric Barker
Engagements Meghan Montanye 鈥�12 to Bill Plowman
Catching Up Caroline Prew '12 has been promoted to director of family and individual services at Berkshire Family & Individual Resources. Prew joined BFAIR as a receptionist in the agency鈥檚 Pittsfield office in February 2017 before becoming outreach coordinator during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from 91快播 University in 2012. 鈥淪ince joining our team almost six years ago, Caroline has eagerly assumed more responsibilities, and she brings a unique skill set to the job, specifically in the areas of critical thinking and teamwork,鈥� said Kristin Wampler, BFAIR鈥檚 vice president of community services. 鈥淗er endless positivity, enthusiasm, and strong advocacy will aid her in handling the everyday operation of our family and individual support program.鈥�
Catching Up Meghan Montanye '12 was recently promoted to assistant director of Staff Development at AIM Services in Saratoga, NY.
Catching Up Sarah Costa '12 G'14 will start the Ph.D. program in Applied Behavior Analysis at Simmons University in the summer of 2023 cohort.
Class of 2013 10th Reunion
Weddings Samantha Casey '11 married Logan Alexander on September 17, 2022.
Weddings Shelby Regan '13 G'16 married Mike McKeon.
Catching Up Springfield School Committee Member LaTonia Monroe Naylor G'13 was elected by the Springfield School Committee as Vice Chair.
Class of 2014
Arrivals Becca Felton '14 G'15 and her husband Nicholas G鈥�17 welcomed their second daughter, Essie Lee, on January 8, 2023.
Catching Up Ashley Haglestein '14 started a new position as an associate scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Catching Up UMassFive College Federal Credit Union has hired Kristina Hamel '14 '16 as vice president of human resources. Hamel comes to UMassFive from Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, where she worked for the past 20-plus years, overseeing up to 250 employees and more than 150 volunteers. She holds a bachelor's degree in human resource management from 91快播 University and has earned her senior professional human resource certification. At UMassFive, Hamel will oversee all employee hiring, training, recognition, and diversity program efforts.
Class of 2015
Catching Up Andrea Flynn St. Louis G'15 was named by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty Honoree, Class of 2023.
Catching Up Aleksandra Chernyak '15 completed her Master of Arts (MA) in US History at George Mason University.
Class of 2016
Weddings Abby Krobot '16 and Hector Perez were married on July 3, 2022. Yismel Rosario 鈥�16, Abby鈥檚 roommate and best friend from 91快播, served as a bridesmaid.
Catching Up Heather Lecompte '16 is now working as a financial planning case consultant at MassMutual and recently passed the Series 66 (Investment Advisor Representative) exam.
Catching Up Muath Alobaid G'16 now works as a media specialist at Mawhiba in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "Mawhiba" is a non-profit endowment organization that aims to identify and nurture talented and gifted students in scientific fields.
Class of 2017
In Memoriam Cyndi Oliveira Martel '17 on January 4, 2023
Catching Up Delmarina Lopez, J.D. '17 was named by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty Honoree, Class of 2023.
Catching Up Denise Galford-Koeppel G'17 is excited to serve on the board of the New England Association for Play Therapy. This year, International Play Therapy Week will be celebrated across the US. Denise is leading the celebration in New England
Class of 2018 5th Reunion
Catching Up Aquilah Munir '18 started a new position as director of operations at Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center in February 2023.
Catching Up Betty-Jo Sulewski O'Brien '18 has begun working for the Town of Warren, MA, as their assistant assessor.
Catching Up Chelsea Russell G鈥�18, CPA, was named by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty Honoree, Class of 2023.
Class of 2019
Catching Up Ashley Pereira G'19 G'21 passed the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) exam issued by the Society for Human Resource Management in January 2023.
Catching Up Bianca Cotton '19 started a new position as an account representative at Health New England.
Class of 2020
Catching Up In November 2022, Katelyn Hanlon G'20 happily joined the Brown University School of Public Health team as their administrative coordinator for advising.
Class of 2021
Weddings Jozzlyn Lewis '21 married her best friend Nicholas Priest on September 10, 2022, with their daughter Sofia by their side, and all their closest friends and family. It was a magical day. They are expecting baby number two in June 2023.
Catching Up Veronica Toun '21 is now working at UMass Medical Center as a medical technologist in the chemistry and hematology department.
Catching Up Haley Dwinell G'21 was promoted to director of programs at Girls Inc. of Worcester.
Catching Up Laura Freeman G'21 was recently named stewardship and donor relations manager at Holyoke Community College. Prior to HCC, Freeman worked as the alumni relations program coordinator at UMass Amherst and VIP services representative at MGM Springfield. She brings extensive experience to the development team in event planning (virtual and in-person), project management, scholarship administration, and volunteer management. She holds a master鈥檚 degree in strategic fundraising and philanthropy from 91快播 University.
Class of 2022
Catching Up Alexandra Borges G'22 is starting a new position as an acute care occupational therapist at CharterCARE Health Partners.
Catching Up Grayson Connery '22 has been named head soccer coach for 91快播.
Catching Up Purdue University Fort Wayne promoted Ryan Wooley G'22 to interim associate vice chancellor in the division of enrollment management and the student experience. In addition to his new role, Wooley is director of undergraduate recruitment and holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus and a master's degree from 91快播 University.
Catching Up Yenitza Garcia Harrison '22 started a new position as a quality specialist at the Center for Human Development (CHD).
Class of 2023
Catching Up A few short weeks after completing her degree, Brooke Demarest G'23 started a new position as an admissions advisor with Orbis Education, supporting Utica University鈥檚 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program
Catching Up Julie Thomas G'23 became a board-certified behavior analyst for Leominster Public Schools.
Catching Up Ramona East G'23 has returned to 91快播 as the student life and engagement director. Ramona is a dedicated student affairs professional who specializes in gender equity, diversity, and community engagement. Ramona looks forward to being a walking member of this year鈥檚 Commencement ceremony alongside the talented graduating class of 2023. Attributing mentorship as a key factor in impacting her professional path, Ramona believes that a strong support system is essential to pushing your boundaries and getting out of your comfort zone. In her free time, she enjoys doing yoga, spending time with loved ones, and taking long walks with her dog Romeo.