Class Notes

NEWS OF 2002

From Brienne Wilson:

The Class of 2002 is hard at work! Tammy Miller is associate director of project management at Premier Research/SCP, a clinical research organization in Philadelphia, and has been quoted in PharmaVoice, an industry magazine. Tracy Allem Haas is a part-time Pampered Chef kitchen consultant and also works as an accountant for Service Electric Cable TV.

George Makhoul is a sales rep for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. He lives in Carlisle, but his job takes him all around central Pennsylvania. Melissa Keysock has accepted a position with Comcast Corp. in Philadelphia. She has moved to Lansdale, where she lives with her brother Mike ’00.

Jenn Boberg is completing her first year at Marywood University, working toward a doctorate in clinical psychology. Leslie Smith is in Spain, using her Fulbright Scholarship to learn and experience all she can while in Madrid.

Scott Heydt placed 95th out of 23,000 runners in the Los Angeles Marathon, which qualified him for the Boston Marathon in April 2004. He also submitted his first children’s book to publishers. As a chapter leadership consultant for Delta Tau Delta fraternity, he has visited 15 states to assist with chapters and conferences. In the summer, he’ll be taking graduate courses toward his elementary education certification at Ball State University.

From the Alumni House:

Greg Monaghan works for the passport division of the U.S. State Department, Philadelphia.

Emily Shertzer is working on a master’s degree in environmental science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she lives while training with the U.S. Olympic pentathlon team.

Inna Kolesnikova is a junior accountant for Dealogic on Wall Street.

NEWS OF 2001

From Kourtney Parrella:

Hello, classmates! I am now living in Horsham, in my second year teaching kindergarten at Rainbow Academy, a private school in Bucks County. In the summer, I’ll be an art teacher at Carousel Farms, a special needs camp.

I had the pleasure recently of attending the annual concert of the fabulous Moravian College Dancers. This time I got to sit in the audience! I enjoyed the pieces by student choreographers Danielle Anderson ’04 and Cathleen Lavelle ’05. I also ran into Genevieve LaVo, who lives in Bethlehem and is graphic designer for a textile company.

I caught up with Matt Weavil, Kevin “Kicker” Smith, Jon Gerber, and Tim McDade ’02, who live in Manayunk. Jon is a permanent substitute teacher at King High School, where he teaches business. Matt is employed at the Restaurant Depot in Pennsauken, N.J., and Kicker works at the Bamboo Club in King of Prussia. Matt and Jon’s band, the Squirrely Brothers, soon will perform at the Grape Street Pub in Manayunk and are juggling prospective record deals.

Chris Gilbert is in his second year as computing manager for the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University. He has earned certification in information technology.

NEWS OF 2000

From Kourtney Parrella ’01:

Chris Kosztyo lives in Bethlehem and works as a puppeteer, traveling all over New England.

Maggie D’Ambra teaches third grade at a charter school after teaching music for two years in her home town of Egg Harbor, N.J. She won the Miss Mays Landing 2001 title and competed for Miss New Jersey.

NEWS OF 1999

From the Alumni House:

Mark Strohl has been serving in the Navy in the Persian Gulf aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, participating in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Southern Watch (enforcement of Iraqi no-fly zones). He is part of a supply team that handles maintenance and repair of fighter jets. Mark has enjoyed port stops in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain. His shore home is Seattle, which is his ship’s home port. He plans to earn an officer’s commission and remain in the Navy.

Rebecca Ziegenfuss is engaged to Jason Lyons, and they plan a September 13 wedding. Rebecca is working on her teaching certification at Stockton College, and Jason is a vice president at Trump Plaza. They live in Mays Landing, N.J.

Katie Donahue and Todd Korlesky became engaged last November and plan a December wedding. Jessica Coughlin is engaged to Scott Milner.

Karmel Dutt is enrolled in a master’s program in biology at Northeastern University and continues to work for Wyeth BioPharma, a division of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, as a validation engineer.

Rebecca Graver is a soprano soloist in Carry It On, a CD of work songs from the steel industry. Lauren Nicholas ’01 designed the cover.

NEWS OF 1998

From Jennie Coughlin Crotty:

I can’t believe our five-year reunion is approaching! Don’t forget to mark your calendars.

Jeff Cary took the walk down the aisle July 6 with Greta Gottardy. Brian Beck, Mark Sposato, and Dan Burkholder were in the wedding party. Also there were Matt Cokeley and Freddy Blanco. Jeff is in his fifth year teaching second grade in Sellersville. Brian and Dan live on Oahu, Hawaii.

From the Alumni House:

Last October, Belinda Mangle married Joseph McGovern. Allison Rabold, Emily Donato, and Jenifer Hauze were bridesmaids, and Christopher Miller, Summer Miller ’02, Michele Malavarca Buck, and Abigail Hansen were wedding guests.

Jessica Black has relocated to Brussels to complete a master’s degree in international relations, which she will earn from the University of Kent, England. She plans to continue in the international education and immigration advising fields.

Casey Llewellyn and Brian Moyer plan to marry in Lake Tahoe this summer.

After receiving secondary education certification from Cedar Crest College last spring, Andrew Jenkins has become wrestling coach at William Allen High School, Allentown.

Angela Stetler has accepted a position in acquisitions at Greenberg Traurig, a law firm in Miami.

Jessica Thompson works for, and is a member of, the National Federation for the Blind.

In November, Valerie Rhoe became a senior research assistant at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, D.C., working on food economics issues in Central and South Asia and Africa. She has published articles in journals and books and taught master’s-level students about food economics. In addition, she is training to run a marathon on June 22, to benefit the American Stroke Association.

NEWS OF 1997

From Jennifer Kastle:

I feel a great sadness knowing that one of our classmates is no longer with us, but I’m also inspired by the overwhelming reaction of our class to the loss of Chris Seifert, who was killed in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. So many Moravian alums have responded to this tragedy, which shows the unique heart of our small college: We are a family. Chris is survived by his wife, Terri Flowers-Seifert, and their 4-month-old son Benjamin. He was truly dedicated to the Army and our country, and he was a wonderful friend, husband, and father. We will miss him.

Please keep Roy Beeson in your thoughts and prayers as well. Roy has been in Kuwait, also with Operation Iraqi Freedom, since September.

Kathy Stiely Frank and Jud Frank ’94 welcomed their second baby, Cole Ryan, on March 9. Casey, their 19-month-old son, is adjusting well to his new brother. Kathy is working as a nuclear pharmaceutical sales consultant for Cardinal Health. Jud teaches math at Liberty High School in Bethlehem and also works as a real-estate agent for Weichert Realtors in Bethlehem. They live in Bethlehem Township.

Jennifer Schaeffer is earning her master’s degree in nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. She plans to be a primary care/family nurse-practitioner.
On Christmas Eve, Stephanie Stern was engaged to Jon Chambers. They plan a Valentine’s Day wedding in 2004. They also have purchased their first home.
Two other classmates and ASA sisters shared wonderful news. Kelly DeWalt became engaged to Jason Fedor, also over the Christmas holiday. They live in New Tripoli. I ran into Emily Evans in my office building a few weeks ago, with her baby, Reese. She, her husband, and Reese live in Collegeville.
Tino Monti and his wife, Joelle, are expecting their first child in April. They’re both teachers and live in New Jersey.

Tracy Asper married Bob Wolak on a beautiful evening in October. Their wedding party included Kelly DeWalt, Greg Webb, and Dave Shelly ’98. Tracy and Bob’s first home is in Audubon, N.J.

From Debbie Yuengling Ferhat ’96:

Michelle Fox ’97 lives in Redondo Beach, Calif., where she works as a regional clinical research associate.

From the Alumni House:

Beth Schrey Folcher wrote to say she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in April. “One of the many lessons I learned at Moravian was to positively adapt and ovecome adversities that life throws my way, and that’s just what I’m going to do!” She and her husband, Michael Folcher ’98, planned to take the MS Walk in Allentown’s Rose Garden on May 4.

Joseph Bordieri was named chief resident in family practice for 2003-04 at Union Hospital in Union, N.J. He and Mariclare Cranston ’00 are to be married May 17.

Janine Misevich married Peter Rossi last July, and they’re in the process of buying a house in Kings Park, Long Island. Janine is in her sixth year teaching English at Kings Park High School.

James Lawlor and his wife, Jamie, will celebrate their second anniversary in August. James is in his third year teaching social studies at the middle school in East Meadow, Long Island.

Out in Menlo Park, Calif., Melissa Romanowski plans a September wedding with Robert Eick.

NEWS OF 1996

From Debbie Yuengling Ferhat:

I’m happy to announce a few births since our last update. Shea Foster Bennett and her husband, L.J., had a girl, Malia Rae, on January 11. Nicole DiFluri Clark and her husband, Chris ’97, had a boy, Nathan James, on December 24. Michelle Mistysyn Ulsh, Tara Pierson White, Carissa Barillari, and I went to Connecticut in January to visit them.

J.P. Orlando and his wife had a boy, James Alexander (to be called Alex), on February 9. Noel Fowler Hedges had a girl, Elizabeth Jane (called Libby), last July 20. Noel and her husband, Andrew, live in Rockaway Township, N.J. Noel sends word of Eric Kniskern, who is director of admissions at Widener University School of Law.

Erin Healy has a new job: associate director of admissions for Pace University’s Manhattan campus. Erin Higgins Henderson lives in Erie with her husband, Bob. They were married in Portland, Maine, on July 20, 2002, and honeymooned in London. Erin, a freelance graphic designer, is on the board of the Erie Advertising Club.

She keeps in touch with Jimmy McGorry, who is happy in New York City. He recently received his master’s degree. Darren Hoch was married to Aleta Hargett on July 15. They live in El Segundo, Calif., and he works for Sun Microsystems as a technical training instructor, insuring Internet security for newly formed cyber-counterterrorism government task forces.

Michelle Ciambrushini Ritter and Tom Ritter attended the Young Alumni get-together at Our Beerbelly’s in March. Tom has started his own business, Shopclicks Inc. The Ritters own and maintain websites.

From the Alumni House:

Tanya Lauser O’Brien and her husband, Tim, live in Elkton, Md. Last fall, Tanya performed in George M! at the Covered Bridge Theater. She is now awaiting audition results from opera apprentice programs, the Philadelphia Choral Arts Society, and a Wilmington, Del., production of Into the Woods, to be performed at the Baby Grand Theater.

Matthew Stone completed his doctoral studies in condensed-matter physics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. During his studies, he discovered two examples of a new type of quantum spin liquid and participated in research at neutron-scattering facilities at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Md., and the Institut Hahn-Meitner in Berlin, as well as the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Los Alamos, N.M. Matthew and his wife, Debra, live in State College, where he is a post-doctoral fellow studying magnetic semiconductors and granular materials at Penn State.

Samir Stewart is an economist for the Louis Berger Group, Washington, D.C. He does technical writing for marketing proposals in international projects.

Rob Bennett married Holly Trella in July 2002. Ray Bishop ’81 was best man and Chris Harris an usher. Other alumni in attendance included Rich Valanzola, Frank Chou, Eric Frank, and Teri McCandless Bishop ’81.

Above, Ashley Wertman with her sister, Courtney ’05. Below, Heather Kuhns with her brother, Robert M.B.A. ’03, and his wife, Jamie Druckenmiller ’99.

Photos: Stephen Barth

Above left, Jennifer Burkholder with her brother, Daniel ’98. Above right, Michael Zile with his father, Skip, his mother, Claudia, secretary, Moravian Theological Seminary, his brother, David ’01, David’s wife, Catherine Schade Zile ’01, his sister, Jessica Zile Murtha ’97, Jessica’s husband, Mitchel Murtha ’98, and their son Mitchell Jr. and daughter Ariana.

Photos: Stephen Barth