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Class Notes

The Class Notes section of Leaves includes items submitted by class secretaries and alumni, along with information gathered from press releases, news stories, and websites. Notes are edited for clarity and space. Unfortunately, we cannot verify factual content of submissions. In the interest of protecting alumni privacy, it is the policy of University Advancement not to share personal information. Please contact the office if you wish to connect with a fellow alumnus. If you are interested in serving as a class secretary, please contact David Nathan, assistant vice president of communications and stewardship, at 617-243-2344 or alumni@lasell.edu.

this photo. Please provide short caption for this photo. Lasell Junior College students enjoy a break between classes at The Barn in 1954. Photo courtesy Winslow Archives at Lasell's Brennan Library

Lasell Junior College students enjoy a break between classes at The Barn in 1954.
Photo courtesy of the Lasell University Winslow Archives.

1940s

1946 | Class Secretary
Joan Hanson Blake

Nancy “Straw” Lawson Donahue P’78 H’98 celebrated her 95th birthday and still enjoys weeding her garden and going out with her many friends (all younger!) for lunch, dinner, and coffee. She reports that Betty Ann Felker Hancock also turned 95 and is doing well in Concord, New Hampshire.

Priscilla “Prilly” Randall Hurter celebrated her 96th birthday in August and lives in a personal care facility in Pennsylvania. She has three children, six grandchildren, and 15 greatgrandchildren. She writes, “Lasell was just a two-year school when I attended, but oh was it a great two years.”

1950s

1953
Class Secretary | Mary Ann Donahue

Mary Ann Donahue writes that overdue repairs to her summer cottage on Cape Cod took almost the entire season but were worth the effort. She enjoyed her annual lunch with Shirley Vara Gallerani. She writes, “It’s always a pleasure to receive classmate news for Leaves.”

Shirley Vara Gallerani is awaiting the birth of her seventh and eighth great-grandchildren. One will live in Dallas and the other in Massachusetts. She writes, “It is wonderful to see the family growing.”

Elsie Knaus Klemt writes, “If no news is good news, then that’s what I relay to you.”

1954
Bobbie Jennings volunteers with the Hawaiian Humane Society and leads a trap, neuter, return, manage program for feral cats at her retirement community. While at her lanai window waiting for Hawaiian Electric to complete some work near her apartment recently, she was approached by a young woman. Writes Bobbie, “She asked ‘Are you Bobbie Jennings, the one who, at college, hit a home run that broke the music room window?’ I was speechless! She explained that she had to find out who lived in this apartment, so she Googled and found my name in a past Class Notes entry in Leaves. Can you believe it? I still can’t get over it.”

Ann Bowerman Logan and her husband, Bob, celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. They have seven children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Ann and Bob enjoy spending winters in Naples, Florida. Ann keeps in touch with Mary McCulloch Bush, her dear friend of 70 years.

Barbara Judd Ozinga can attest that life is full of surprises—both pleasant and unpleasant. She celebrated her 89th birthday and took a wonderful trip to Charleston, South Carolina, but had an unexpected ambulance trip to the hospital and learned of her sister’s diagnosis of a fatal disease. She writes, “I am meeting the challenges head on and recovering my strength and helping my sister. I am excited that Lasell is thriving and still hope to make a campus visit someday.”

1956
Joyce Schretter Heine is retired and lives in Swampscott, Massachusetts.

1958
Carole Bartholomew and her husband, who was her high school sweetheart, recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They are happily retired in Florida and have three children. Carole worked for the CIA after graduating from Lasell.

Dot Day Bardarson '53

Carol Swiggett '56

Carol (center) continues to paint and create greeting cards that are sold at the Tubac Center of the Arts and the Tubac Territory Gallery near her home in Arizona. Her new website is carolswiggett.com. Carol and her husband, Jim, visited New Mexico with their daughter Helen and granddaughter to see La Boheme at the Santa Fe Opera. They also spent a week with their son Clifton and his family in the San Juan Islands in Washington. Their son Hank is general manager at the Tubac Golf Resort where they live.

1960s

1960
Barbara Jacoby Adelstein is very proud of her grandchildren: Ellie is teaching children with autism, Shay attends Skidmore, Leila is at Hamilton, and Charlie is looking into colleges in New England.

Constance Sprague retired from a career as an administrator and earned her real estate license. She writes, “I now live a quiet life with my cat.”

Carole Waksler’s husband, Jerry, celebrated his 92nd birthday. They live in the same home in Somerset, Massachusetts, which offers many amenities and makes their lives easier as they have no children nearby. She hopes to hear from classmates at carolewaksler.cj@gmail.com.

1961
Class Secretary | Elaine Butler Ryan

Marsha Shapiro Carpenter lives in Virginia and reports that she and her husband, Richard, celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Their son Christopher is a well-known winemaker in Napa Valley and Australia.

1962
Class Secretary | Joan Sastavickas Curtin

Doris Orben Campbell and her husband, Don, are enjoying themselves in an independent living community in North Carolina. Doris participates in weekly tai chi classes.

Marjorie Flemer March, who has been retired for 24 years, writes, “Lasell started me off on a long career in education that was very satisfying and full.”

F. Lynne Andrews Scielzo has retired and lives in Florida.

1964
Betsy Printz has retired to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, after owning an upscale boutique for 35 years.

1966
Nancy Bliss traveled to Africa with Overseas Adventure Tours. She joined safaris and met residents and learned about their cultures.

Michelle Donnellan Hollingworth, who lives in Florida, and Marilyn Jeanne Ulm Becker, a resident of Arizona, met on a recent visit to New England. They were roommates in Converse House.

Donna Terwilliger Moor has retired and lives on Cape Cod.

1967
Class Secretary | Katherine McDonough Ryan P’03

Bonnie Kamerdiner Schalle celebrated the 30th anniversary of her advertising agency. She writes that she is traveling, playing golf, and enjoying life.

Carolyn Cunningham Nell is a retired social worker and lives in Florida.

1968
Judith Magidson completed a two-volume book on Elvis Presley and is sending it to publishers. She enjoys giving presentations about her work.

Heather Heath Reed made a gift to the Susan Pegues Spadaccia ’68 Memorial Scholarship in memory of her beloved classmate and longtime friend.

Betty Hood '61

Elaine Butler Ryan '61 and Carol Schumacher Dougherty '61

Pictured left to right: Kate Tobin Yelle ’58, Shirley Vara Gallerani ’53, Cricket Bigelow George '60, Jane Norcross Bodrie ’68, Barbara McAlary Kashar '60, and Mary McCartney Kuhrtz '60.

1960s Alumni on Cape Cod

Ruth Ghia '64

Diane Yacovone Aurigemma '65

Stephanie Pendleton, Pat Torbron Geoghegan, Carol Spindler Picciano, Libby Wissman Walendziewicz, Linda Smith Partridge, and Anne Kusik Roush (pictured from left), all members of the Class of 1968

1968 Mini Reunion

Mary Anne Conboy '69 G'15

1970s

1971
Class Secretary | Carol Goulian Stewart

Mary Hobler Hyson writes that 2026 will mark many milestones—the 55th anniversary of her graduation from Lasell and husband Eric’s graduation from Princeton, their 55th wedding anniversary, and her 75th birthday. Also, in 2026 her daughter-in-law will receive her doctorate, granddaughter will graduate high school, brother will turn 80, and sister will turn 70.

Mary Ann Merriman retired 10 years ago after working for 44 years as a registered nurse. She is active with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Florida and recently celebrated 6,000 hours of volunteer time with the organization. She writes, “Please get your pets spayed or neutered. The number of unwanted pets surrendered to shelters is simply overwhelming and heartbreaking.”

1972
Helen Follansbee Nicita is president of Imaginus in Maine.

1973
Kristin Cooksley Magnussen is still working as a nurse. She is involved with regional and local public health emergency preparedness planning and oversees a medical reserve corps unit. She and her husband, Jan, live in a condo on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut. Their son, Thor, his wife, and their four children under the age of 9 live nearby. She writes, “The education and training experiences at Lasell surpassed my BSN program at Boston University.” She would love to hear from nursing classmates at krismrn@msn.com.

1974
Class Secretary | Barbara Hirschfield Henry

1975
Laura Kaplan Ouellet connected through Facebook with friend Marianne Moran Conkey. They had not seen each other in 50 years but discovered they live only three miles apart in Venice, Florida. Writes Laura, “How cool is that!”

1977
Trish Fletcher retired in June after a career working in early childhood special education. After earning her associate’s degree at Lasell, she went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s and a special education certification. She writes, “I will miss my pre-K students but had a wonderful 40-plus years of teaching. I am looking forward to travel, gardening, and spending time with my grandchildren.”

1980s

1982
Shari Stein Jackson owns Lakeside Reiki and Nutrition Coaching and lives in Enfield, Connecticut. She writes, “Hey to my McClelland girls! I miss you all! I hope that you are all doing well.”

1984
Kari Sullivan Custer celebrated 40 years in the field of education and continues to serve as the state education consultant for attendance and engagement at the Connecticut State Department of Education. She leads statewide efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and improve student engagement.

1989
Class Secretary | Michelle Forget White

Karen Hirsch Sullivent-Adams is enjoying her next chapter as a grandma. Her first grandchild was born on August 25. She retired after a career teaching elementary school.

1990s

1992
Lee Anderberg-Brown P’29 is celebrating 30 years in real estate sales at Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty in Vermont. Her son Reed Brown ’29 is a first-year at Lasell.

1993
Class Secretary | Tracey Provost Downs

1995
Class Secretary | Deb Lestch Blumenthal

1997
Lori Whitney Hunt is a manager at athenahealth.

1998
Jennifer Share is a head teacher at the Everbrook Academy and thankful for her Lasell education, which prepared her for a rewarding career in the childcare field. She and her father, Neal P’98, created a scholarship in honor of her late mother, Elisse Allinson Share ’65, a former Lasell trustee. Elisse presented her diploma to Jennifer at her Commencement. She writes, “That was a very special day for me and my family.”

2000s

2000
Aimee Abdallah Huntemann is an accounts receivable specialist at CS Contract Solutions and lives in Goffstown, New Hampshire.

2001
Class Secretary | Jinette Dumont-Chapman

2003
Elisha “EJ” Vaughn married Kenyani Shanai on August 16 in South Orange, New Jersey. They are honeymooning in Aruba. Alumni in attendance included Eric de la Cruz, Jennifer Edwards, Mitchell Phillips ’04 G’06, and Danielle Grethel Phillips ’06.

2004
Class Secretary | Crista Cannata

2005
Class Secretary | Gregory Koch

2006
Class Secretary | Danielle Grethel Phillips

2007
Class Secretary | Elizabeth Huston

Vanessa Wojtusiak works in social media and influencer marketing at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

2008
Class Secretary | Kevin Lang

Drew Gundlach G’13 now leads the player and brand strategy team for baseball and softball at Franklin Sports, where he most recently worked as senior director of creative. He writes, “I’m looking forward to working closely with our incredible roster of MLB and pro softball athletes to create standout athlete experiences and tell brand stories that really connect.”

Christy Silver Sicard is a massage therapist at Flote and stay-at-home mom in New Hampshire.

2009
Class Secretary | Rachel Craft Howard

Erica Desautels and her husband, Ta-wei, a Boston College alumnus and frequent Lasell visitor, welcomed their first child, a boy named June, in February. They have lived in Jamaica Plain for the last 13 years and are thrilled to raise their child in Boston.

Benjamin Segal joined Cosm as director of customer service, leading guest experience initiatives for the company’s immersive venues in Los Angeles and Dallas (Boston coming soon!). He writes, “The role brought an exciting cross-country move from New York to Los Angeles, where I’m now enjoying the West Coast life while still traveling often to connect with friends, family, and colleagues.”

Val Pierre '06

Megan Harrison-Beck's daughter, Audrey Ann Beck

Megan Harrison-Beck '09

2010s (2010-2016)

2010
Class Secretary | Heather Oblon

2011
Class Secretary | Kimberly Hooper Gladman

Brian Ferrarese joined Dandelion Energy’s regulatory affairs team after more than seven years at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. He served as chief of staff to the commissioner for six years and assistant commissioner of operations and environmental compliance.

Ashley Jannino is the new midday host for Jam’n 94.5 and recently celebrated 15 years with iHeart Media and the Boston radio station.

2012
Class Secretary | Kasey Looney Silva

Shantell Jeter G’15, manager of special projects at Boston Public Schools, received the Reggie Health and Wellness Champion Award for her work advancing health, mentorship, and community-building. She founded the You Got It Girl summer camp, which combines basketball training with mental wellness, yoga, mindfulness, and creative enrichment for girls 6–16.

Kasey Looney Silva started a new position as director of processing at Unlock Technologies.

2013
Class Secretary | Carrie Goodwin Kenniston

Will Dempsey, health data officer for the State of Vermont, earned his master’s degree in public health from Boston University.

Calvin Finemore and his wife, Christina Annicelli, have a daughter, Lily, who turned 3 in November. He is a sales representative for New Hampshire Distributors, an Anheuser Busch distributor. Christina accepted a new position as the library director at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, New Hampshire. She loves her new position because it combines her love of literature and education.

2014
Class Secretary | Flannagh Fitzsimmons

Matt Arias ran the 2025 Boston Marathon to honor the memory of his best friend, Nick Larkin, who suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Matt ran for the ReM.A.R.C.able Foundation, which provides resources, equipment, and financial support to the mobility impaired community.

Kelsey Conroy was promoted to dean of residential students at The Fessenden School in Newton.

Laura Justice passed the U.S. customs broker licensing exam and now works as a trade compliance specialist for Burton Snowboards. She lives in Vermont with her cat, Marty.

Sara Roberts O’Brien ’14 G’15 launched a digital marketing company that helps local businesses grow through strategic social media advertising. With a marketing background and communication degrees from Lasell, she helps business owners reach the right audience, attract qualified traffic, and get results. Learn more at saraobrienmarketing.com. Fellow Lasers get a special alumni discount!

2015
Class Secretary | Shannon Pasco Lazinsk

Jenessa Agnew, vice president, field, at the League of Conservation Voters, moderated a panel, “States Leading the Charge: Powering Climate Action Toward 2030,” at the Netroots Nation conference in August in New Orleans.

2016
Class Secretary | Jordan Dalpe

Rebecca Douglas works at The Black Dog as senior technical designer. In her spare time she enjoys playing the harp and using her metal detector. She recently found a colonial shoe buckle.

Kelli Smith G’17 is focused on growing her travel advisor business and making this a breakout year! From curating memorable journeys for her clients to exploring new destinations, she writes that it has been “quite the adventure.” Follow along and join her on Instagram @enchantedkelli to see all the places she goes and the travel inspiration she discovers.

Courtney Amberg '14

Aly Bermudez '14 (left) with Lasell classmates

In Memory of Aly Bermudez '14

Aly Bermudez (left) died of cancer on April 27 in Sarasota, Florida. Her many Lasell friends recalled her zest for life and unique ability to make those around her feel good. “It’s very sad because she was so young,” lamented Courtney Amberg. “She was very optimistic until the end. She told me, ‘I’m not scared to die, but I’m just not ready.’” After graduating from Lasell with a degree in fashion design and production, Aly pursued a career in the fashion industry. She worked for two years in London before returning to New England for designer jobs at TJX and J. Jill. She moved to Florida to join Chico’s as an associate designer then made a radical career change: The former Lasell pitcher joined New College of Florida as head softball coach and worked as a private pitching instructor.

Nora and Fiona, children of Molly Gavin '14 and Zachary Gavin '16

Molly Brennan Gavin '14 and Zachary Gavin ’16

Ashley Doak '15 G'20

2010s (2017-2019)

2017
Class Secretary | Yordan Villalon

Tessa Dinnie works at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she is administrative lab manager at the Weissman Lab.

Michaela Rose Kotob relocated to the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia for her job with Free People, where she works in creative and brand marketing. In her spare time, she continues to pursue photography and grow her personal project, We All Dream, a community and podcast that explores creativity, connection, and well-being. She is grateful for support from Lasell Professor Catharine Weiss and for her study abroad experience while a student.

Mack Kingman, a former standout on the Lasell women’s soccer team, is in her second year as an assistant women’s coach at the University of Vermont. She has also coached at Lasell and Pfeiffer University.

Yordan Villalon was named to the Boston Business Journal’s 2025 40 Under 40 list. He serves as operations project manager at We Are ALX.

2018
Class Secretary
James Rossano

Sarah Gallant celebrated her third anniversary as building manager at Harvard University’s Winthrop House.

David Harwood, a game day assistant with the Boston Red Sox Foundation, celebrated 10 years with the Red Sox during a pregame ceremony on the field at Fenway Park. He writes, “I am so lucky to work for such an amazing organization with so many wonderful people!”

Spencer Kosior continues to produce the morning news at NBC10 Boston and NECN. He’s also proud to have collaborated with Dan Fox ’15, Anthony Padrazo ’17 G’20, and Molly Parrott ’19 on an indie rom-com movie titled Endr.

2019
Class Secretary | Rebecca Van Spall-Hood

Lily Delaney and Will Himaras are engaged and plan to get married early next year. She is the salon coordinator at Glow Beauty Boutique in Braintree, Massachusetts.

Tamara Fils-Aime is a program manager at Health Resources in Action in Boston.

2020s

2020
Class Secretary | Katie Jones

Amelia Bickford is a merchandise assistant for women’s footwear at TJX. Amelia joined the company in January and was assigned to her department in May. This year Amelia has focused on career growth, exploring the area, cooking new meals, and finding the best vintage shops around Massachusetts.

Cassandra Greeley is a rentals assistant at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, Connecticut, where she has worked for three years. She helps to maintain a collection of more than 500,000 costumes, many of which are from Broadway shows and were worn by theater legends. She occasionally works with some of the biggest names in costume design.

Brandon Ray is the director of career services at Villa Maria College in Buffalo, New York.

2021
Class Secretary | Brianna Doody

Shannon Grafton was promoted to customer service representative at PEAK Event Services.

Tori Rosemond is an outpatient clinical coordinator at Clinical and Support Options.

2022
Class Secretary | Courtney Sobolewski

Kiara Cyprianos, assistant director at the Jim Scott Community Center in Oakton, Virginia, earned her certification in Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL). The training, provided in partnership with Fairfax County, is an evidence-based program designed to improve strength, balance, and fitness for older adults, helping them maintain independence and reduce the risk of falls.

Lauren LeSanto Fobes is a senior talent acquisition recruiter for Washington Mills and lives in Upton, Massachusetts.

Rachel McGrillen works for BlueHive as an event services specialist and lives in Auburn, Massachusetts.

Madison Whiteley is a merchandise team lead at Aerie by AEO and lives in South Carolina.

2023
Class Secretary | Emily Casella

Sheridan Blaha accepted a position as a critical care technician in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. She writes, “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to grow and learn in such a high-acuity, specialized environment.”

Erica Da Costa has worked as an educational interventionist supporting underprivileged youth and representing seniors and individuals with disabilities. She returned to campus in 2024 for President Eric Turner’s inauguration to deliver a poem. Erica began law school at Boston College in the fall. She writes, “I hope to gain the skills to use my voice to make meaningful change, and I’m comforted knowing that it’s unfolding just a few miles away from where it all began at Lasell.”

Jocelyn Garcia has worked as a tax associate at the PwC Acceleration Center in Mexico City since May.

Joanna Lopez is an apparel sales representative at Matt Reimer Co. in Boston.

Sophia Mazzone works for the Rue Gilt Groupe as a social content creator.

Sophia Sadrzadeh is a licensed real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Newton. She specializes in assisting first-time renters and buyers.

Omar Jimenez Soto is the assistant front office manager at the Courtyard by Marriott North Station in Boston.

Alexandra Stevas joined Steve Madden as a production associate and contributes to the brand’s retail buying team.

2024

Stefan Ceccherini started a new position as a marketing and communications specialist at the Everett Haitian Community Center. He would like to connect with friends and classmates on LinkedIn.

Zachary Dunnack joined Curry College as assistant director of athletic communications.

2025

Aidan Morin joined the athletic facilities and operations team at Boston College as an intern.

Spencer Villinski moved to New York and is a trainee in men’s shoes and accessories in the merchandise executive development program at Macy’s.

McKenna McCool is pursuing her master’s degree in sports science at the University of East London while playing semipro volleyball.

Katie Jones Kinsman '20

Isabella Raffone '21

Isabella was promoted to senior account manager at BEST Crowd Management, which gave her the opportunity to lead the opening of a new stadium and build a team of more than 250 people from the ground up. She now oversees security and guest services for sporting and special events at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Bryant University Athletics in Smithfield, Rhode Island; and Yale University Athletics in New Haven, Connecticut. She manages team communications, scheduling, payroll, and event operations, while building strong client relationships to meet specific needs. She writes, “I’m deeply grateful for the guidance I received at Lasell from professors and the athletic department, which helped shape me and my leadership skills.”

Michael Woo '23 with Elliot Pototsky '25

Lasers Head to Syracuse

Graduate

Thomas Morgan G’19 G’22 G’24, director of student engagement and belonging at Bristol Community College in Rhode Island, received the Distinguished Service Award from the students at the school’s Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony in the spring.

Nancy Snow G’20 is enjoying retirement. She volunteers with the local Council on Aging to teach basic computer courses to seniors.

Jennifer Ferrucci G’25, a new teacher at Brookside Elementary School in her hometown of Milford, Massachusetts, was profiled in the Daily News. She is a special education teacher in the Milestones Program and works with kindergarteners and first graders. Jennifer has taught at Brookside since 2021, completing her student teacher training program there last year while earning a master’s degree in education from Lasell.