Class Notes: Spring/Summer 2016-17

'60s

Linda C. Loving ’66 recently published her first book “A New Song to Sing: Breast Cancer as Journey of Spirit.” The workbook invites women with breast cancer—whether recently diagnosed or long-term survivors—to gather for seven sessions of sharing stories, insights, and wisdom as they name Holy hope and claim their own truth and healing. The book can be used in faith communities, book groups, community centers, and hospital/clinic settings, and is designed so that participants do not need outside leadership. As a cancer survivor and pastor, Loving is well aware of the need for such a resource.

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Craig Stehr ’67 recently moved to the Lower Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. He is close to the Mechanics’ Institute and Chess Room, City Lights Bookstore, and Vesuvio’s Bar, just across (Jack) Kerouac alley. “Uncertain if I’ll make a trip to the midwest for the reunion, but if the circumstances are right, we’ll see!” he said.

A group of USM alumni (from left) Bill Hansen MCDS’64, Steve Becker MCDS’64, Joe Messinger ’66, Hack Noyes ’66, Mike Williams ’70, Richard Wells MCDS’64, and Phil Recht MCDS’64 joined Audrey Arndt (seated) to celebrate her 93rd birthday in April. Arndt started working at Milwaukee Country Day School in 1946 and retired in 1992 as the assistant to the Head of Upper School, after 46 years.

'70s

John S. Scheinfeld ’71 had a one-night-only screening of his latest film, “Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary” at Milwaukee’s Downer Theatre on May 15. He introduced the film and conducted a Q&A after. The film premiered in New York on April 11, and attendance was so strong that the film was extended to a third week. It opened in Los Angeles on April 18 at two theatres, was extended for another week at both, and also opened in two more theatres. In total, the film will be played on nearly 110 screens across the country and the number keeps growing. The documentary will be on Netflix this summer and on PBS and DVD in the fall.

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Jane R. Best ’78 recently attended a grant awards reception and luncheon hosted by the Green Bay Packers Foundation in the Atrium at Lambeau Field. Best, the director of development for Christ Child Academy, accepted the grant on behalf of Christ Child Academy for a gym remodel project. Another highlight of the day was briefly catching up with classmate Toula (Demopoulos) Akladios ’78, who works for the Packers organization. Best and Christ Child Academy are very proud of being recognized and supported by the Green Bay Packers Foundation.

'80s

Julie Qureshi Brush ’85 was awarded the Senior Executive of the Year Award at the Watermark Mark Your Mark Awards ceremony in November. Watermark is the leading women’s executive and professional organization in California. Brush as recognized for her leadership and support of executive women in the corporate community, and for her advocacy of women serving on public and private company board or directors.

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Margy Stratton-Norman ’92 was recognized as a recipient of the 2017 Alumni Service Award by the USM Alumni Association in May.

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Lindsay Stevens Gardner ’89 was featured in a story about the “Rock the Green” music festival, which she founded.

'90s

John Rotheray ’98 and Heidi Rotheray welcomed their first child, a boy, Arthur Davidson Rotheray on February 18.

Rick Stratton ’92 was recognized as a recipient of the 2017 Alumni Service Award by the USM Alumni Association in May.

'00s

Heather Rotheray McDonell ’01 and Kevin McDonell welcomed their second child, Ryan Alexander, on March 25. Ryan joins big brother Colin.

Kate (Taylor) Mouton ’02 and Eric Mouton welcomed Billie Nell Mouton on April 1. She weighed 8lbs 3oz and was 19.5″ tall.

David-Andrew Wallach ’03 makes an appearance as the frontman in an ’80s cover band in the Oscar-winning moving “La La Land”.

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Charles F. Wright ’04 started the Wright Brothers Fund through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2011, with the help of his younger brother, Andrew, and his father, Charles Sr. ’68. The fund gives grants to organizations supporting environmental education initiatives. Through the three each pooled money to start the fund, both Andrew and Charles Sr. have since moved out of Milwaukee. Now, Wright is in charge of the fund, in addition to his roles on the board of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Wright said he feels it’s his obligation to get involved. “I’ve been provided with a lot of opportunities and I feel like I want to give back to the community that’s given me those opportunities,” Wright said.

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Rex M. Hupy ’09 is an associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, which was recently named “Practice Group of the Year” by Law360 in five categories: capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, real estate, and technology.

'10s

Spencer W. Haas ’13 who is currently attending Boston University, rowed for the Milwaukee Rowing Club Juniors. Haas competed in the U23 Trials in the Men’s 4x last July, and he and his crew won the race that qualified them for the U23 World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Toran Marks ’13 was selected to participate in this year’s NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program. The program provides juniors and seniors, who have a career goal of working in Division III athletics, with an opportunity to attend the NCAA Convention, go to scheduled Division III programming, be matched with a mentor, and learn more about the Division and its governance process. Marks (pictured left, center, in red polo) is a senior economics major at Grinnell College.

John Roethle ’13 received the 2017 Arthur Fleischer Award for outstanding performance in chemistry, in recognition of his work in the classroom and the research laboratory. Roethle graduated from Yale in May, receiving a combined bachelor’s and master’s (intensive) degree in chemistry. He has been active in research in the laboratory of Professor Ziad Ganim to develop microscopes capable of studying complex chemical reactions. In addition, Roethle also won the National Award from the American Institute of Chemists for recognition of his leadership ability, character, scholastic achievement, and advancement potential in the chemical profession.

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Olivia F. Williamson ’14 made the honor roll at Washington University in St. Louis, where she studies child development in a diverse setting. She is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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John D. Ostermeyer ’16 was named to the St. Olaf College dean’s list for the fall 2016 semester.

Ali Pollack ’16 led the Columbia College women’s tennis team in wins in 2017, with 16 victories as a freshman. She was the top recruit out of Wisconsin and the youngest tennis player to win the individual state title in Wisconsin at the age of 13.