“Other” Class Notes

William Link (Grad ’79, Grad ’81) has published a book, Atlanta, Cradle of the New South: Race and Remembering the Civil War’s Aftermath, with the University of North Carolina Press. The book examines how the transition from the Old South to the New South has defined the broader meaning of the Civil War in the modern South and argues that no place embodies the region’s past and future more clearly than Atlanta. Mr. Link is the Richard J. Milbauer Professor of History at the University of Florida. He is the author or editor of 13 books, including Righteous Warrior: Jesse Helms and the Rise of Modern Conservatism.

Steven Farrar (Com ’77 CM) was named to Greenville Business Magazine’s 2014 “Legal Elite” list in the area of insurance law. An attorney in the Greenville, S.C., office of Smith Moore Leatherwood, he focuses his practice on complex litigation matters including business litigation, defending lawyers and accountants, insurance coverage disputes and all phases of construction defect litigation.

Thomas Travisano (Grad ’75, Grad ’81) has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for 2013 in the category of creative arts—biography. His project, a new critical and cultural biography of 20th-century American poet Elizabeth Bishop, is an outgrowth of his curiosity about and critical and scholarly engagement with Bishop’s writing, life and worlds. He has published eight books and more than 25 articles and is the founding president of the Elizabeth Bishop Society. Mr. Travisano is a professor of English at Hartwick College, where he teaches courses on modern and contemporary American literature and poetry.

Kurt Pomrenke (Col ’75 CM) was elected by the Virginia General Assembly to serve a six-year term as a juvenile and domestic relations court judge for the 28th Judicial District, which includes the city of Bristol and Smyth and Washington counties. Mr. Pomrenke, a Bristol attorney, will begin his post on July 1, 2013.

Kate Daniels (Col ’75, Grad ’77 CM) has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for 2013 in the category of creative arts—poetry. Her project Eastern State, a poetry collection, emanates from her interest in creativity, illness and writing. The poems investigate the subject of poetic language, literary creativity and the psychological health of creative writers. Ms. Daniels, who has written four previous volumes of poetry, is a professor of English and director of creative writing at Vanderbilt University.

Arlene Keeling (Grad ’92, Nurs ’74, Nurs ’87) received the Distinguished Nurse Award from U.Va.’s nursing honor society, Beta Kappa. Beta Kappa members from the nursing community nominate a nursing professional for this biennial award. Ms. Keeling, the Centennial Distinguished Professor of Nursing and director of the Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry, has received recognition for her work on the board of the American Association for the History of Nursing and for her accomplishments in nursing history. In addition to directing the Bjoring Center, Ms. Keeling teaches nursing history, directs the School of Nursing Ph.D. program and is chair of the department of acute and specialty care.

Barbara Deane (Educ ’74 CM) retired to Stone Creek in Ocala, Fla., after a career as a human resources executive with McCormick & Co. and later Gannett Co. Ms. Deane served on numerous local, state and national boards in Virginia and Louisiana. While living in Louisiana, she received the ATHENA Award from the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Gannett Diversity Award. Ms. Deane was chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Network and the Providence House board and served on the Governor’s Commission for Secondary School Redesign, the Alliance for Education and the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Shreveport Common Advisory Committee. She likes to call retirement “redirection” and enjoys traveling the world.

Ed Polloway (Educ ’72, Educ ’76) has received the designation of fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Individuals may be nominated for fellowship after seven years of continuous active membership in the association. Mr. Polloway is the Rosel H. Schewel Distinguished Professor of Education and Human Development at Lynchburg College, where he also serves as dean of graduate studies and vice president for community advancement. A nationally recognized expert and scholar in the field of special education, Mr. Polloway has pioneered a number of special education teacher preparation programs. He has authored many articles and books, most recently the 10th edition of a special education textbook used throughout the United States.

Thomas Bagby (Col ’72, Law ’75 CM) was installed as the 2013 president of the Virginia Bar Association at the organization’s annual meeting in Williamsburg, Va., on Jan. 26, 2013. He served as president-elect in 2012 to prepare for his leadership role. In addition to continuing the organization’s ongoing efforts before the Virginia General Assembly to advocate for law reform and preservation of access to justice, he plans to focus on efforts to help ensure the independence of Virginia’s judges. Mr. Bagby serves as president of Woods Rogers in Roanoke, Va., and as chair of the firm’s labor and employment law section.

Stephanie Widas (Col ’00 CM) and her husband, Peter, welcomed a son, Evan Kingston, on Oct. 23, 2012. Evan joins big brother Kienan Murphy, 3. Ms. Widas is a senior analyst with the city of Greenville, S.C. The family resides in Lyman, S.C.

Josh Busscher (Col ’07) and Lena Lockridge (Col ’08, Law ’11) were married on Oct. 6, 2012. Mr. Busscher is a fourth-year medical student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, and Ms. Busscher works as a law clerk for the Supreme Court of Virginia in Richmond.

Todd Blake (Col ’01 CM) and Kimberly Kuchem Blake (Col ’02 L/M) welcomed a son, Davis William, on April 8, 2013. Davis joins big brother Palmer Todd, 2. Palmer and Davis are the nephews of Chad Kuchem (Col ’09 L/M) and Mallory Kuhlmann Kuchem (Col ’08). The Blakes reside in Leesburg, Va.

Victoria Kinsman (Col ’77 CM) is serving a two-year term on the board of directors of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations in 116 countries. She is married to John Kinsman (Col ’80 L/M).

Jennifer Bradley (Col ’02) and Augusta Meacham Niday (Col ’01) are now partners at Mullett Dove Meacham & Bradley, a boutique matrimonial and family law practice in Northern Virginia.

Kimberly Linkous (Col ’08 CM) recently received the inaugural Darlene Shelton Outstanding Provisional Award from the Junior League of Raleigh, N.C. Ms. Linkous, who joined the Junior League this past spring, raised money and planned activities for a space-themed spring carnival for 120 children in the Boys & Girls Club of Raleigh. She and her husband, Drew, recently purchased their first home and reside in Raleigh.

Katherine McKnew (Col ’02) and her husband, Joseph, welcomed a daughter, Anne Sidney Knott McKnew, on April 28, 2013. Anne Sidney joins big brother Joseph Andrews. The family resides in Virginia Beach.