Class Notes
Paul Lombardo (Grad ’82, Law ’85)
Paul A. Lombardo (Grad ’82, Law ’85) of Georgia State University College of Law has published a new edition of Three Generations, No Imbeciles: Eugenics, the Supreme Court, and Buck v. Bell (Johns Hopkins University Press).
Ashley Bartley (Col ’06 CM)
Ashley Bartley (Col ’06 CM) has released her third children’s book in a social emotional learning series published by Boys Town Press. Remi in Overdrive offers children struggling with ADHD, hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or inattentiveness ideas and strategies they can implement both at home and at school. Remi in Overdrive is available on Amazon, Boys Town Press, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, along with her other two books, Diamond Rattle Loves to Tattle and Opal Octopus is Overwhelmed. Ashley is a school counselor, author and curriculum writer who now lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband and three young boys.
Christopher Stanley (Com ’76)
Chris Stanley (Com ’76) was recently named Professor Emeritus in the Department of Theology and Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University in western New York. He retired from the university in 2021 after 22 years as a professor at St. Bonaventure. Dr. Stanley has authored or edited seven academic books and two historical novels, together with dozens of professional articles and papers, in his 31 years in academia. He is looking forward to continuing his writing in retirement. He lives in Allegany, New York, but plans to move to southern California in the next year.
Elliot Felix (Arch ’99)
Elliot Felix (Arch ’99 CM) helps students and families get the most out of college with his new book. Felix founded brightspot strategy and has helped more than 100 colleges and universities use design thinking to improve what they offer, how they are organized and how they operate. In his new book, How to Get the Most Out of College (Alinea Learning, 2022), he shares what he’s learned about how colleges and universities work so that students and families can make it work for them, because it’s not just where you go to college but how you go to college.
How to Get the Most Out of College is the top new release in the academic development category on Amazon and was recently featured in Forbes. Having done hundreds of consulting projects to help attract and retain students, the book is a chance to give back and help level the playing field, including a “buy one, give one” model where for every copy sold, one is donated to a student in need.
Joshua Richards (Col ’09, Grad ’10)
Josh Richards (Col ’09, Grad ’10 CM) has been promoted to Corporate Director, ESG at Transwestern, an integrated commercial real estate services, development and investment management firm. In this role, Richards is responsible for expanding engagement across the various companies to identify, track and communicate ESG goals and key performance indicators; advocating for responsible, proactive programming that advances the brand and mission of Transwestern and its clients; evaluating partnerships and opportunities to deliver resources at the leading edge of industry; and reporting progress against the firm’s commitments to all stakeholders.
Richards joined Transwestern in 2017 as Director of Sustainability for Asset Services. During his tenure, he advanced Transwestern’s energy and sustainability platform through extensive benchmarking and compliance of the firm’s managed assets, educating internal and external audiences on the value and implementation of ESG and increasing transparency through integrated communications and reporting.
Additionally, Richards reinforced the firm’s commitment to culture by leading the Transwestern Experience, a unique approach to customer service. He is also actively involved in the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, leading the national Awareness and Belonging Committee which provides resources and strategies to create a more open and inclusive work environment.
Nicole Darden Ford (Com ’07)
Nicole Darden Ford (Com ’07) has joined Rockwell Automation as vice president and chief information security officer. Darden Ford joins Rockwell from Carrier, where she was global vice president and chief information security Officer, overseeing global information security, compliance and product cybersecurity through the company’s spin-off from parent company United Technologies Corporation. Prior to Carrier, she was global vice president and chief information security officer for Baxter International, where she had global responsibility for information security, information governance and IT quality compliance. Darden Ford began her career in the U.S. military and federal government, including for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, handling security, network engineering, and telecommunications.
Darden Ford is also passionate about building and growing teams, fostering culture, and focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion. She currently serves on the boards of IT-ISAC, South Florida Tech Hub and the Lola Mercedes Parker Foundation. She will remain located in Jupiter, FL.
Pamela Maliszewskyj (Col ’89)
Dr. Nicholas C. Maliszewskyj (Col ’89 CM) and Ms. Pamela Baldwin (Col ’89 CM) first met in the Hancock dormitory stairwell in August 1985, and they formed a close friendship that has spanned over 36 years. They were married on Mar. 12, 2022, in Frederick, Maryland with their four adult children and many friends and family in attendance. The couple will reside in Frederick following a brief honeymoon in Bermuda. Wahoowa!
Jenna Pastuszek (Col ’09, Educ ’10)
Jenna Pastuszek (Col ’09, Educ ’10 CM) and Joshua Zecher-Ross are thrilled to debut GET HAPPY!: A Tribute to the World’s Greatest Entertainer, Judy Garland, live and livestreamed at The Green Room 42 in Manhattan. With “lavishly clever arrangements” and “witty, endearing personal stories,” this is not a traditional Judy Garland tribute—there will be no impersonation here. Instead, lifelong Judy fans will love the cleverly curated playlist of beloved classics and forgotten gems while millennials and Gen Z-ers will discover an artist who transcends time.
The tribute will take place on Apr. 7 at 7:00 P.M., and tickets are available at this link. Contact The Green Room 42 Presents, 646-449-7792, programming@thegreenroom42.com or tickets@thegreenroom42.com.
Richard Mines (Engr ’77)
Dr. Richard O. Mines Jr. (Engr ’77), Mercer University School of Engineering professor, was named Engineer of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia.
The Georgia Society of Professional Engineers coordinates the Engineer of the Year awards, which are judged by the Engineering Council of Birmingham. The purpose of the awards is to honor licensed engineers who have made outstanding contributions to the engineering profession, public welfare and/or humankind.
Dr. Mines received the Engineer of the Year Award as the overall highest scoring nominee from the categories of Engineer of the Year in Construction, Education, Government, Industry and Private Practice. He received the honor during the 2022 Georgia Engineering Awards held Mar. 19 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.
Dr. Mines is a professor of environmental and civil engineering at Mercer. He has served in academia for 34 years and consulting for seven years, specializing in the design of water and wastewater treatment facilities. He also serves as startup coordinator for the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in civil engineering degrees at Mercer, where he has taught since 1998. He was previously on the faculty of the University of South Florida, where he was twice named Civil Engineering Professor of the Year.
Meagan Jolley (Com ’76)
Bill Chapin (Col ’76 CM) of See Rock City, Inc. is thrilled to announce the succession from fourth generation family ownership to fifth generation, as his son Doug Chapin is set to purchase the outstanding shares of the company.
“We have always had a focus on hospitality, as well as on conservation,” said Bill. “In the last 90 years we have protected the geological wonders of Rock City Gardens for everyone’s enjoyment, and for future generations of the next 90 years. Rock City is a unique outdoor attraction that allows visitors to experience what has been created by God and enhanced by man.”
See Rock City, Inc. has seen outstanding growth under Bill’s leadership, including consistent increases in profitability and attendance despite economic downturns, the acquisition of Battles for Chattanooga museum, Grandview, Starbucks, Clumpies Ice Cream Co., RiverView Inn and GOOD DOG, as well as multimillion-dollar renovations alongside the creation of several restaurants and shops inside Rock City Gardens. Bill has received two separate lifetime achievement awards in tourism, one from Southeast Tourism Society in 2019, and another during the Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference in 2017.
See Rock City, Inc. is a hospitality and entertainment company that features the world-renowned Rock City Gardens high atop Lookout Mountain. Visit www.seerockcity.com for more information.
Photo 1: Bill Chapin at Carter Cliffs; photo credit to the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Photo 2: Bill Chapin, Susan Harris and Doug Chapin at iconic Lover’s Leap; photo credit to the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Photo 3: Doug Chapin and Bill Chapin at the See Seven States Flag Court; photo credit to Rock City
Molly Scarborough (Col ’13)
Roscoe Scarborough (Grad ’09, ’15) and Molly Petry (Col ’13 CM) were married on Mar. 11, 2022, in a private wedding ceremony at the Historic Brunswick Courthouse in Brunswick, Georgia. The couple resides on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
JoAnne Speiden (Educ ’69, Educ ’77)
JoAnne Hilson Speiden (Educ ’69, ’77) of Somerset, Virginia, was chosen as President of the Virginia Electoral Board Association on Mar. 20, 2022. This organization is a voluntary organization consisting of the 133 local Electoral Boards across the Commonwealth. Electoral Boards are citizen boards that ensure elections are conducted accurately, fairly, securely and according to the Code of Virginia. JoAnn received her B.S. in Education in 1969 and her M.S. in Education in 1977, and was employed by the Piedmont Regional Education Program in Charlottesville for 32 years as an adapted physical education teacher. Since then, she has been a member of the Orange County Electoral Board.
Halley House (Col ’08)
Halley Bogart (Col ’08) and William House, USA Ret., were married on Feb. 24, 2022, in San Diego, California. The Houses reside in Durham, North Carolina.
Michael Goodwin (Col ’78)
Michael Goodwin (Col ’78 CM) has recently published his fourth novel, Vice Versa.
It can be purchased on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Vice-Versa-Michael-Goodwin/dp/1633635651/
Robert Cottrell (Educ ’16 CM)
Dr. Jason Cottrell (Educ ’16 CM) was awarded the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) – College Student Educators International Presidential Citation.
The Presidential Citation is awarded by the discretion of the ACPA President based on their observation and/or direct work with the individual. This honor is bestowed upon members of the Association for lifelong service and extraordinary contributions to the profession of student affairs and most particularly to ACPA. It is one of the Association’s highest honors.
ACPA – College Student Educators International is a values-centered leadership association that has worked to boldly transform higher education since 1924. Student affairs and higher education professionals, faculty and students trust ACPA to deliver high-quality educational programs, provide access to modern research and scholarship, and promote leaders at all levels through a racial justice and decolonization lens.
ACPA President Dr. Danielle Morgan Acosta described Cottrell as “a passionate public servant” and “a dedicated member of ACPA for 13 years who has held numerous leadership positions in the Association at the chapter, coalition, and convention spaces,” stating that she is “honored to present one of two Presidential Citations to Dr. Jason Cottrell.”
A second Presidential Citation was awarded to the Association for the Study of Higher Education.
Tonya N. Jefferson (Col ’93)
Tonya N. Jefferson (Col ’93 CM) co-founded the non-profit Virginia Africa Partnership during late summer of 2021, and is currently the Vice President, Government Liaison and Resource Mobilization. The Virginia Africa Partnership (VAP) strives to boost trade and investment opportunities between Virginia and Africa by providing market research; helping companies identify new markets via trade mission; connecting them to potential business partners, customers, or distributers; fostering minority and women-owned small business; and facilitating the transfer of technology for the transformation of natural resources designed to increase trade and spur growth. The collaboration of higher educational institutions and the promotion of siter-cities initiatives will cement that long-term partnership.
Jefferson applied to the Clinton Global Initiative University as a George Washington University doctoral student on the due date, Jan. 26, 2022, which was exactly two days after she learned of the opportunity, and was accepted into the 2022 cohort as a result of her thoughtful, thorough and compelling application. Her Commitment to Action plan included all four of VAP’s current projects: Leadership and STEM Awards Ceremony to be held on June 11, 2022; Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Exchange to be held from July 10 through Aug. 10, 2022; Higher Education Leadership Conference to be held from Oct. 5 through Oct. 7, 2022; and Entrepreneurship Academy, in addition to a few new projects and partnerships.
Emily Thiede (Col ’04)
Emily (Bean) Thiede (Col ’04 CM) sold her debut novel, This Vicious Grace, and an unnamed sequel in a six-figure deal to Wednesday Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Publishing. The first in a planned young adult fantasy duology, This Vicious Grace will be published June 28, 2022 in the U.S. and in the United Kingdom by U.K. publisher Hodder & Stoughton, with translations announced for Germany (LYX Verlag), Russia (Eksmo), Romania (Storia) and the Czech Republic (Host).
BuzzFeed calls Thiede’s debut “remarkable” and “one of the best YA fantasies of the year,” and it is listed amongst Goodread’s “68 Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2022” and Nerd Daily’s “24 Debut Releases To Get Your Hands On In 2022.”
Launch events are to be announced in the Virginia/D.C. area for summer 2022, and This Vicious Grace will be available wherever books are sold on June 28.
R. Bradford Mills (Col ’83)
R. Bradford Mills (Col ’83 CM) joined the Philadelphia-area food bank Caring for Friends in January 2022. Founded in 1974, the organization distributed 14 million pounds of prepared meals and fresh produce to homebound seniors and other needy people in 2021.
Kevin Passerini (Col ’02)
Kevin M. Passerini (Col ’02 CM) and his wife Megan welcomed a son, Tate Millar, on Oct. 21, 2021. Tate joins big sisters Reese Mary and Maeve Alice and big brother Grant Michael. The family lives in Wayne, Pennsylvania, where Kevin is a partner with Blank Rome and Megan is an Executive Director at Health Union.
Pete Ward (Educ ’81)
Pete Ward (Educ ’81 CM) is entering his 12th year as Chief Operating Officer of the Indianapolis Colts and his 42nd season with the franchise. Ward started as a PR intern with the Baltimore Colts in 1981 and was part of the historic relocation to Indianapolis in 1984. He resides in Indianapolis with wife Lena and two children.
Top