“Other” Class Notes

Marcus Holmes (Col ’02 L/M) has been awarded the William & Mary Alumni Association’s 2018 Alumni Fellowship Award for excellence in teaching, research and mentorship.

Doug Smith (Col ’86 L/M) will be serving as the “seeing-eye Doug” to a blind sailor as they sail across the Pacific non-stop from San Diego to Fukushima, Japan, starting Feb. 24, 2019. They hope this Voyage of Inspiration will inspire others to overcome adversity and work to achieve their dreams. They also aim to draw attention to charities that they support and which they hope others will as well. 

Lucy English Gentilhomme (Educ ’77) and her siblings, Ellen English, Lloyd English, Margaret McLewin and cousin, Otis Douglas, commissioned and donated to the University a portrait of their great-grandfather, former Board of Visitors Rector, Sen. C. Harding Walker (Col 1882). The portrait by Bradley Stevens hangs in the board wing of the Rotunda. 

Walker was a member of the BOV from 1917 to 1934 and served in the Virginia Senate for 22 years, during which time he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1901-02 and president pro tempore.

In 1930, a resolution penned by Dr. Alderman on behalf of the BOV officially stated a “permanent acknowledgement of their obligation to Cyrus Harding Walker for his efficient services as rector, his unfailing courtesy, his sense of justice, his high-minded and unselfish devotion to the interest of the University and his far-seeing vision of the duty and dignity of his Alma Mater.” At the time of Walker’s death in 1934, the board noted that he was “deeply religious and profoundly a Christian” and “broadminded in his tolerance of others who differed from him.” “A man of well developed and firmly held convictions yet he agreed with Thomas Jefferson that the freedom of the mind of every man should be protected. He believed in a popular education that trained men to be trusted, and in a democracy that gave opportunity to all such men to be fairly heard. On his personal side, Walker cultivated and radiated a genial charm. He possessed a benevolent countenance and the light of kindliness shown in his eyes. His spirit was gentle; his heart was pure and he lived a life of good service and died with honor.”

Jaime Wisegarver (Col ’05 L/M), Webb Moore (Engr ’80), Terrence Graves (Law ’91), Jim Cluverius (Col ’64) and Carolyn White (Col ’89) were among many Wahoos who heard Athletics Director Carla Williams speak at the Richmond Bar Association’s luncheon on Sept. 27, 2018. They were thrilled to meet Ms. Williams and hear more about her background and her plans for the future of UVA athletics.  

Jill Orlove (Arch ’91) is exhibiting her artwork in Richmond’s upcoming Craft + Design Show at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Virginia. The show runs Nov. 16-18. Her art has been shown in the National Building Museum and Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum. 

Maggie Moriarty (Col ’13) and her husband, Jackson Cox, opened On Point Pupcakes, which makes gourmet treat mixes for dogs. Products are available online and central North Carolina retailers.

Edmund Potter (Arch ’95) traveled with his parents, Clifton W. Potter Jr. (Grad ’64, ’70 L/M) and Dorothy Turner Potter (Grad ’66, ’00 L/M), and his son Landon to the grave of James McConnell at the Lafayette Escadrille Monument in Paris. Most famous for the Icarus sculpture created in his honor on Grounds, McConnell was shot down March 19, 1917. They were on a trip organized by the 116th Infantry Regiment Foundation (Virginia National Guard) to visit World War I sites in France and Belgium as part of the 100th anniversary of the end of the conflict.   

Doug Williams (Com ’07) and Libby Muldoon Williams (Nurs ’07) welcomed their first child, Virginia Grace, on Aug. 29, 2018. The family lives in Arlington, Virginia. Her aunts, Kathryn Muldoon Griffin (Com ’02) and Courtney Muldoon Nazareno (Col ’03), are looking forward to encouraging their niece to be a future Wahoo!

Alexander Cole (Col ’04) and Kate Jerde Cole (Col ’05) welcomed their second daughter, Isabel, on August 30, 2018. Izzy joins big sister, Dylan, age 3, who is cautiously optimistic about the new addition. The family lives in Brooklyn, New York, but will be relocating to Glen Ridge, New Jersey, in the spring. 

Lee Roberts (Col ’83 L/M), a partner with Hudgins Gunn & Dial, was selected as a 2019 Mountain State super lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine.

Jason F. Lovvorn (Grad ’96) was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor of English at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Formerly an assistant director of the Belmont University Teaching Center, he currently serves as his department’s writing program director.

Tom Kinne (Engr ’83 L/M) had the privilege of flying the family of Pam and Maurice Wallace from St. Lucia to Charlotte, North Carolina. Pam is the CEO of the UVA Health System and Maurice is the associate director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute. They managed to get everyone in the flight deck of the Airbus for a photo. Kinne says, “Nice to meet you all! GO HOOS!”

Evan D. Macbeth (Col ’97 L/M) and his wife, Abbe Hoffman Macbeth (Col ’01 L/M), attended an unofficial reunion of members of the Virginia Pep Band in July. Representatives of classes from 1987 to 2004 were in attendance as well as more than a dozen children of couples who met in the band. Alumni donned their signature orange vests and enjoyed catching up. Photo by Jason Zeibel (Grad 01, 03).

Elan Leftin (Col ’16 L/M) recently appeared on the premiere of the 13th season of America’s Got Talent with his comedy group, Human Fountains. Watch the viral performance that moved them on to the next round here. 

Leigh Whittingham Ruhl (Col ’84) has joined Asheville School in Asheville, North Carolina, as assistant head of school for advancement.

Lee Clay Johnson (Grad ’11) will publish “Four Walls Around Me to Hold My Life” in the Summer 2018 issue of the literary journal, Ploughshares. Johnson is the author of the novel Nitro Mountain (Knopf), which won the 2017 Sue Kaufman Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and his stories have appeared in numerous publications. He lives in New York City.  

Kim Doan (Educ ’08 L/M) was selected to fill the empty seat on the board of supervisors in Uwchlan Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Uwchlan Township has three supervisors total. The position that requires the supervisor to learn aspects of township functions, work closely with residents, and make decisions for the health, safety, and wellbeing of the residents.

Aleco Bravo-Greenberg (Col ’90) was part of the team that created Stress Killer, a non-drowsy supplement powder drink designed to calm and bring focus. More information can be found at StressKiller.com.

Fred Thompson (Com ’72 L/M) was elected to the Alpha Kappa Psi Foundation Board in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Natalie Ellmann Guynn (Nurs ’09 L/M) is “thankful for all the amazing memories and the great education” she received at UVA.

Brian T. Wesley (Col ’03) is engaged to Nicole L. Fischer (Col ’04). Mr. Wesley, the son of Ronald Wesley (Law ’75), is managing attorney at Thornton Wesley in Richmond, Virginia. Ms. Fischer is the assistant director of outreach and licensed psychologist at the UVA Counseling and Psychological Services in Charlottesville. A summer 2019 wedding is planned.

M. James Faison (Law ’09) launched Milton’s Local, a brand of all-natural bacon and sausages in Charlottesville-area Food Lion stores. Faison originally pitched the idea for the company at Charlottesville’s Tom Tom Founders Festival in 2013. Milton’s Local was named for Faison’s grandfather, who was a Virginia farmer. The brand has won several awards, including those from the Specialty Food Association, the Natural Products Association and Garden & Gun magazine.

Mike Widener (Col ’72 L/M) has published Joint Tenancies: Property Leasing in Cannabis Commerce (ABA Book Publishing), an analytical look at the landlord-tenant relationship engaging the marijuana industry. Widener has published two dozen articles in academic and trade journals while being an adjunct professor of law and of counsel at Bonnett, Fairbourn, Friedman & Balint. This is his second book. Widener is a member of the Arizona State Liquor Board and a zoning adjustment hearing officer for the City of Phoenix.

George House (Law ’72) was recognized by the 2018 edition of Super Lawyers of North Carolina as a top lawyer in the field of environmental litigation. Mr. House is a lawyer with Brooks Pierce in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Mark Davidson (Law ’83) was selected for the 2018 edition of Super Lawyers of North Carolina as a top lawyer in the field of business/corporate law. Mr. Davidson is a lawyer with Brooks Pierce in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Bill Cary (Col ’71, Darden ’76, Law ’76) was selected by the 2018 edition of Super Lawyers of North Carolina as one of the top lawyers in the field of employment/labor law. Mr. Cary is a lawyer with Brooks Pierce in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Gary Goodman (Col ’67 L/M), Jim Morgan (Col ’67, Med ’71 L/M), Ken Poates (Col ’67, Med ’73), Laurie Croft (Col ’67 L/M), Bruce Thomas (Col ’67, Res ’77), Fred Jones (Col ’67 L/M), Ned Jones (Col ’67 L/M) and Bill Marr (Col ’67 L/M), members of the 1963 first year football team known as The 21 Jewels, were together at their 50th reunion. Officially, the team was so-named because 1963 was the first year UVA awarded a record number of 21 football athletic scholarships. However, there was general consensus that the team’s nickname most accurately described the gem-like quality of the players; let history so record.   

Patricia Cooper (Col ’05, Law ’10 L/M) donated the right lobe of her liver to her father, Dr. Wayne D. Cooper in a complex liver transplant surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center on Dec. 5, 2017. Dr. Cooper was suffering from end stage liver disease, and Ms. Cooper volunteered to donate her liver to him, as there was a low chance that he would ever receive a cadaver donor from the transplant list. They were each hospitalized for one week and are both recovering well. Ms. Cooper has returned to her home in Miami, Florida, and is back to work full-time as an immigration attorney at Gerstein & Gerstein Attorneys.  Dr. Cooper is home in McLean, Virginia. The Washington Post covered their story here. Dr. Cooper is the father of two other UVA graduates, Ryan Cooper (Col ’07), and Becky McDannel (Com ’11 L/M). 

Gabriela Gutowski (Arch ’05 L/M) and David Hammack (Engr ’05) are engaged to be married. The couple reside in Falls Church, Virginia, and an April 2018 wedding is planned in Charlottesville. Ms. Gutowski is the daughter of Andrew Gutowski (Arch ’75) and Francesca Lupica Gutowski (Arch ’74). 

David Theisz (Engr ’04) and Erika Chiang (Col ’04) welcomed their first child, Henry Ming-Yu, on Nov. 4, 2017. Henry is the grandson of Gordon Frederick Theisz Jr. (Engr ’59, ’66) and the nephew of Gordon W. Theisz (Med ’98). The family lives in Arlington, Virginia.

Doug Doughty (Col ’74), a sports reporter in Roanoke, Virginia, has been named to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He will be inducted in April.

Martha “Marty” Elcan (Col ’78) worked as a first assistant director on an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” and was surprised to find two fellow UVA theater majors were actors on the show: Jason George (Col ’94 L/M), who plays Ben and will be headlining the new Shonda Rhimes firefighter spin-off series, and Sarah Drew (Col ’02), who plays April. Saying hi from the set!

Justin Humphreys (Col ’01) cataloged the original Robby the Robot prop from the 1956 film Forbidden Planet, which recently set a world record for the most expensive movie prop to ever sell at auction. The robot’s record-breaking sale for $5.3 million was covered by the New York Times, CBS News and other news outlets.

Robert Chambliss “Cham” Light Jr. (Col ’76 L/M) was the lead panelist in a Virginia Law Foundation continuing legal education seminar on “Improving Your Results in Bodily Injury Claims” on Oct. 20, 2017. For his presentation, Mr. Light drew on more than 30 years as an assistant general counsel and claims director with Nationwide Insurance Company.   

Steven Le (Col ’15) has created MeeteR, a free app that provides a centralized platform through which college students can connect with friends and colleagues. First launching exclusively at UVA, MeeteR enhances opportunities for social connection, facilitates outreach, strengthens collegiate bonds, and fosters personal and professional relationships in campus communities across the country. More information is available here.

Randy Tinsley (Law ’87) was recognized in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in the environmental law and litigation fields. Mr. Tinsley resides in Greensboro, North Carolina, and works at the law firm, Brooks Pierce. 

Elizabeth Paul (Grad ’99) of Arlington, Virginia, published her debut chapbook, Reading Girl (Finishing Line Press). This collection of ekphrastic prose poems explores the paintings of French post-impressionist Henri Matisse. Elizabeth teaches writing and ESOL in the Washington, D.C. area. Learn more at elizabethsgpaul.com.

William Worsley (Col  ’73, Grad ’76, Darden ’85 L/M) has published his first novel, Investing in Vain (Distinction Press, 2017). The novel, based on Mr. Worsley’s decades of experience overseeing money managers, is a satire about Vain Capital, an under-performing Washington firm that promotes socially responsible investing to a corrupt world. Mr. Worsley retired in 2016.

Sarah Puckett (Col ’09 L/M) and her husband, Tim, keep a blog, www.our21stcenturyodyssey.com, as a way to document their travels around the world. In 2014, they took a year off of work and traveled to all seven continents in 11 months. They plan to visit 40 more countries on an 18-month trip in 2018-2019.

Hoping to dispel the myth that you have to 1) quit your career or 2) work while traveling in order to travel extensively, they embark on their travels with a five-part mission: 

* Travel without working.

* Demonstrate that it is possible to take a year or more off without hurting your career.

* Rack up millions of hotel points and airline miles to make travel more cost effective.

* Immerse themselves in other places, other people, other cultures, and be an advocate for respectful travel.

* Pick up trash that is in their path, in their own city and any others they travel to, a small gesture to make the world an even more beautiful place as they go.

Media:

Facebook:

Tim John Kub

Sarah Elizabeth Puckett

Instagram:

TimJohnKub

Spuckyduck

Jill Orlov (Arch ’91), an artist who specializes in miniatures, has an ongoing show called Those Were the Days, featuring “iconic television studio sets in metal miniature,” at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her work is also currently featured at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.

She will be taking part in a group show Sunday, June 18.

Last year, she and several other artists were commissioned to contribute to a group exhibit called Dream Rooms in which artists, designers and architects were each provided an 18″ wood cube to design a dream room to accompany a historic dollhouse exhibit from London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. Her contribution was featured on MarthaStewart.com and can be seen here.

In 2014, she also won second place in a designer furniture company’s annual Champagne Chair Contest.

More about her work can be found at JillOrlov.com.