Class Notes: Fall/Winter 2022-23

’70s

Loni de Borhegyi ’70 was not able to attend the 50th reunion on campus, so she held a mini-reunion in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. She writes: “The Cahills were our neighbors and very close friends in Milwaukee. Seen here, from left to right, are my brothers, Carl and Kip, and next to me is Mike Cahill. Terry Cahill was also with us but is not pictured. The Cahills were closing their beautiful hotel in Zihuatanejo, so Carl flew down from Minneapolis and joined me and Kip who also lives in Ajijic, Mexico. All of our east side Milwaukee and USM friends were in every conversation!”

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Michael Williams ’70 retired after 32 years as chief deputy of the United States district court, eastern district of Wisconsin. Prior to that he served multiple roles, including as a staff attorney with the Department of Justice, United States Trustee’s Office, and as an attorney with Farm House Foods Corp. He began his legal career as a law clerk to federal bankruptcy judge Howard W. Hilgendorf.

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Vic Thomas ’74 received the Expressive Cultural Heritage Award from the International Institute of Wisconsin. As the associate entertainment director for Milwaukee World Festival Inc., Thomas was honored for his work as the ethnic festival liaison, helping to organize and host a variety of ethnic and cultural festivals, including Polish Fest, German Fest, Black Arts Fest MKE, and more.

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Steve Farwig ’75 returned to campus on the first day of school (Aug. 30, 2022) to speak with 8th graders about the history of the 8th grade stairs, because the Class of 1975 was the first 8th grade class to use the stairs exclusively.

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Mike Johnston ’75 was published in the July 2022 issue of “The New Yorker” magazine for an article he wrote titled “The Secret Art of the Family Photo.” He also wrote an article in the March 2022 issue titled “Your Camera Roll Contains a Masterpiece.” Johnston has been writing and editing the website The Online Photographer since 2005.

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Von Mansfield ’78 was recently profiled by UW-Madison for a story about a group of former walk-on football players who funded an endowed scholarship to support a walk-on player. Mansfield earned a scholarship to UW-Madison for his work as a walk-on member of the team, and became a fifth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1982. He was inducted to the inaugural USM Athletic Hall of Fame class in 2016.

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Cee Cee Wilmanns ’79 is pictured standing next to Nantucket (Tuck), a 9-year old Holsteiner horse being ridden by his owner, Michelle Carnes. Tuck earned third place in the 3-foot show jumping category at a recent competition in Tyron, North Carolina. He was retired nearly two years ago after what was believed to be a career-ending injury. However, through Wilmann’s great care and training, and after ample rest and rehabilitation, Tuck returned to the show ring after just seven weeks—a truly incredible accomplishment. Tuck’s future as a sport horse is bright!

’80s

Diane Stratton ’87 was named one of six new members to the Connecticut College board of trustees in July 2022. Stratton is a jewelry designer and owner of Diane Stratton Jewelry, and she had a booth at USM’s 2022 Holiday Shops. USM alumnus Jonathan McBride ’88 also serves on the Connecticut College board, and Stratton’s father, Fred Stratton Jr. MCDS’57, previously served on the board.

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Susan Zarwell ’87 and her husband, Ben Zarwell ’87, ran into a familiar face when enjoying dinner at Birch in Milwaukee: Zach Nelsen ’16 (pictured). Nelsen serves as the chef de cuisine at the restaurant. “Wow, this guy can cook,” said Zarwell. “Go to Birch if you get the chance!” 

’90s

Sarah Cyganiak ’94 pictured, left and her sister, Liz Stuckslager ’91, visited the new letter-winner wall at the University of Michigan. Both women played tennis for the university, with Sarah lettering from 1994 to 1997 and Liz lettering from 1992 to 1995. Sarah was inducted to the USM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

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Maisha Meminger Crosby ’95 received the Excellence in Mentorship Award in recognition of her innovation and excellence in mentoring interns from the virtual student federal service program. She received the award from the United States Secretary of Labor Martin Walsh (pictured).

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Doug Christiansen ’96 and his wife, Meghan, are excited to introduce their newest addition, Connor Houlihan Christiansen, who was born in Carmel, Indiana on July 5, 2022. Connor weighed in at an impressive 9 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 21 inches long. “Big sister Maeve has welcomed her little brother with open arms as we settle into life as a family of four,” said Doug.

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Will Piper ’96 has been named assistant director of alumni relations and reunion giving at USM.

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Angela Pittman Taylor ’96 was promoted to deputy director of corporate communications, target market leader at Baird.

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Sachin Shivaram ’99 has been named co-chair of New North Inc., a nonprofit economic development corporation that connects investments in northeast Wisconsin. As a co-chair, Shivaram serves as the primary representative of the organization. He is CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

’00s

Hisonni Johnson ’01 won several awards in the “voices heard” category of the 2022 Milwaukee Film Festival. He won best film, best short, best director, and best cinematography for his film “Hermanita.”

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Emily Harrington Vruwink ’04 has been named 7th grade science teacher at USM. 

 

 

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Charlie Wright ’04 and his wife, Victoria, have welcomed a son, Charles Frederick “Fritz” Wright III on July 20, 2022.

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Kathleen Hale ’05 wrote a nonfiction book called “Slenderman,” about the 2014 Slenderman stabbing in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The true-crime narrative examines mental illness, the American judicial system, adolescence, and the power of the internet. Hale spoke to Upper School students at USM, and visited Boswell Books in Milwaukee, in October 2022. 

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Ebony Taylor ’06 was part of a team of DEI leaders across Amazon businesses to develop SHINE: Bringing Greatness into Light, a specially curated leadership summit. Held in Seattle, the event was grounded in personal growth, professional guidance, and community enrichment for senior- and executive-level Black women at Amazon.

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Jehan Hamedi ’08 was named part of Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 group for 2022. He serves as CEO of Vizit, which helps brands and retailers gain consumer attention through a patented AI-powered visual brand performance platform.

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Sanjay Hariharan ’08 was promoted to principal data scientist at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey.

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Jack Wigdale ’08 has started a new position as president and chief executive officer at SixSibs Capital, a Milwaukee-based private investment firm.

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Rex Hupy ’09 has been promoted to partner in the M&A and private equity practice areas with Kirkland & Ellis law firm’s New York City office.

’10s

Emily Heller ’10 and her husband, Luke, welcomed their daughter Elizabeth Katherine Heller on Sept. 19, 2022.

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Libby Aik ’12 was recently named digital project manager for Louis Vuitton in Paris. Aik moved to France in 2016 to be an English teaching assistant. In 2018, after gaining French-speaking skills, she moved to Paris and eventually worked in digital marketing for Pernod Ricard, a global leader in wine and spirits prior to her current role at Louis Vuitton.

 

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Jessica Trinkl Giles ’12 and her husband, Shane, welcomed Henry Steven Giles on Aug. 19, 2022. Giles lives in Nashville, Tennessee and is applying for medical residency programs. She loves being a mom.

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Steven KP (Kaplan Pistiner) ’13 was given a solo exhibition of his work at Gallery Loupe in Montclair, New Jersey. The show, titled “over, onto itself” featured brooches, pendants, and necklaces that he designed and hand carved from cherry wood. He currently serves as a visiting lecturer in jewelry and metalsmithing at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston.

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Catherine Jacobus ’14 has graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work with her master of social work degree, and began working at Hitch Elementary within the Chicago Public School District as a school social worker.

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Olivia Williamson ’14 has started a new position as a 6th grade math teacher at Milwaukee Academy of Science. “I am honored to be a part of a staff who is committed to educating the whole child, building strong relationships with families, and bringing the Milwaukee community together,” she said.

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Jordan Benard ’16 accepted a role at Boston Consulting Group as a recruiting solutions specialist on the firm’s recruiting marketing team. She will be working to help supervise and enhance BCG’s careers website and talent community out of the company’s Atlanta office.

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Walter Taylor ’17 has started a new position as a business process analyst at Baird.

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Candace Walther ’17 began her legal career as a law clerk at Finnegan, Handerson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, one of the world’s largest IP law firms, after passing the Georgia bar exam. She is also a registered patent agent. 

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Hannah Gold ’18 participated in the inaugural women’s hockey competition at the Maccabiah Games, the world’s most prominent Jewish athletic competition, in July 2022. It was the first year that women were allowed to compete in hockey at the games. Although Team USA lost to Canada 6-2 in the final round, Gold did not leave empty handed—she was named the team’s most valuable player.

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Natalie Levandoski ’18 earned a certificate of integrative nutrition health coach-in-training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

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Chyna Bacchus ’19 is starting her career as a financial solutions advisor with Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Nashville, Tennessee. She earned the role after completing a 10-week summer internship, where she discovered her passion for financial advising and financial education.

’20s

Gracie Gridley ’20 was named winner of the Tyler Peterson Award by YMCA Camp Minikani for being an exceptional counselor and exemplifying the spirit of Minikani.

Parents of Alumni

Although their children have graduated from USM and moved on to other adventures, these women remain lifelong friends. From left Gigi Short, Debbie Hogate, Lisa Gibb, Marina Rosenberg, Mary Jane Martinez, Sara Bowen, and Carla Bartlett, pictured at the home of Dr. Lauren Heaberlin ’07.

Meet Your Alumni Association Board 

The USM Alumni Association serves more than 5,600 alumni worldwide, and is managed by the Alumni Association Board. Members of the board gathered in person and virtually in August 2022 to brainstorm new and exciting ways to engage, support, and reconnect with alumni. Watch your email for more information on upcoming events in your area, ways to get involved, and information about what’s happening at USM, or join the community online at www.usmconnect.org.