Class Notes

Ian Jenkins (Col ’97, Med ’01) has published his first book, Three Dads and a Baby: Adventures in Modern Parenting, a memoir about becoming the first polyamorous family recognized as the legal parents of a child anywhere in the world. Learn about the legal, personal and health struggles the family overcame on their journey to being proud parents of two amazing children. The story has been covered in the Huffington Post, CNN, DailyMail, numerous blogs and podcasts, and international media from Latin America to Spain, Austria, and Australia.  

Claude R. “Bud” Mayo (Educ ’75 CM) is currently serving as director of Hunt Test Preparation. Hunt is the oldest independently operated preparation program in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Maureen Kraemer Ohlhausen (Col ’84 CM) is chair of the global antitrust and competition law practice at Baker Botts.  She joined the firm after serving as the acting chairman of the Federal Trade Commission from 2017 to 2018 and as an FTC Commissioner from 2012 to 2018. 

John B. Gordon III (Col ’95, Educ ’00 CM) published his first book, The Teacher’s Lounge: The Real Role of Educators in Your Schools. The semi-autobiographical book describes the impact of educational decisions from our past, and how local and national pop culture and political events changed the culture in education. This is not your typical book about education that overwhelms the reader with research, while not thinking about the practical application in schools. Instead, readers will be provided with insight into how education has changed based on everyday experiences, the increased levels of accountability, and the influence of social media and technology in schools and student lives. The Teacher’s Lounge further looks at the role each stakeholder plays in education, and how those roles work together and unfortunately, sometimes are in opposition of each other. From the growing diversity in schools in the 1970’s, to the effect of Reagonomics in the 1980’s, the educational system became the platform for politics. The influx of reality television and music in the 1990’s, and the effect of technology and social media in the 2000’s, gave all audiences a broad view of what it is like to be a student in school today. The Teacher’s Lounge is guaranteed to make you laugh, reflect, and begin the debate on what is needed for the future of education.

Catherine A. Thompson (Law ’18) joined Ain & Bank, a family practice law firm, as an associate. Previously, Thompson worked at an international law firm in Washington D.C. She focuses her practice on a range of complex and multi-jurisdictional family law matters including divorce, child custody and support, relocation and wealth management.

Gerry Kruger (Educ ’83 CM) released her third book, On Kruger Pond: Charlie’s Legacy, about an unforgettable goose who formed a special bond with Kruger while overcoming setbacks and challenges. This book offers readers updates about three generations of his descendants. Her second book, Two of Us: A Father-Daughter Memoir, traces the ways in which her father’s compassion for others and dedication to service shaped her own life and beliefs.

Natalia C. Wilson (Col ’02) was named equity partner of family law firm Ain & Bank, where she serves as managing partner. Wilson has been a part of the firm for more than 10 years. She received her law degree from American University, Washington College of Law in 2005. 

David Massey (Col ’81, Law ’84 CM) released his fifth album, Island Creek. As of the first week of March, the six-song EP was at no.18 on the Roots Music Report’s nationwide Top Fifty Americana/Country Albums chart, and three of the songs on the album were on the RMR’s nationwide Top Fifty Americana/Country Songs chart. The record was also at No. 1 on the RMR’s Top Fifty Albums chart based on nationwide airplay for Maryland artists in any genre. Island Creek is available on most streaming sites and at his website: www.davemasseymusic.com. Massey retired from his law practice as a mergers and acquisitions partner at Eversheds-Sutherland in Washington, D.C., at the end of 2017.

Steve Odabashian (Col ’91) and his wife, Maggie, welcomed their fourth son on Nov. 13, 2020. Given the date, Friday the 13th, they wisely rejected the idea of naming him Jason and instead opted for Kevork Simon. Steve and his wife live in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, with older sons Arthur, 7, Shant, 5, and Raffi, 2. Steve is a renowned test prep tutor who runs Main Line Test Prep and Tutoring.  

Laurel Wittman (Com ’00 CM) recently joined the board of the Well Spouse Association and is serving as president-elect. She expects to begin a term as president in October 2021. The Well Spouse Association is the only 501©(3) membership organization for the spouses and partners of people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Wittman is managing director, head of life sciences credit–east at Oxford Finance, a venture lender focused on the healthcare space, where she has been employed since 2004. She has been married to Eduardo Lopes (Arch ’95 CM) since 2005 and they live in Falls Church, Virginia.

Ashley Bristow Bartley (Col ’06) published her first two children’s books in a social emotional learning picture book series with Boys Town Press: Diamond Rattle Loves to Tattle  and Opal Octopus Is Overwhelmed. Bartley was featured in The Winner’s Circle by The Institute for Writers. Her other publications include articles featured in The Joyful Life Magazine, Kindred Mom, Bright Futures Counseling, and Boys Town Press. 

Jessica Dunne (Engr ’00, ’03) was re-elected this past fall to a second term as a councilmember for Dunellen Borough in New Jersey.  She serves as council president for 2021.

Robert G. Saunders (Com ’90) was recently appointed by the Virginia Legislature to serve as a Judge on the General District Court for the city of Newport News, Virginia, after practicing law for 24 years. 

Hayden Saunier (Col ’79 CM) published her fifth collection of poetry, A Cartography of Home. Her other poetry books include How to Wear This Body, Say Luck, Tips for Domestic Travel, and a chapbook, “Field Trip to the Underworld.” Her work has been awarded the Pablo Neruda Prize, Rattle Poetry Prize, Gell Poetry Award, published in numerous journals, (including Beloit Poetry Journal, Tar River Poetry, and VQR), featured on Poetry Daily and read by Garrison Keillor on The Writer’s Almanac. 

Andrew G. Lee (Col ’85, Med ’89 CM)  was selected as a 2021 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Awards established by the University of Texas Medical Branch McGovern Academy of Oslerian Medicine. The awards recognize faculty who excel in teaching students and residents in clinical settings, modeling the ideals of compassionate, scientifically sound, patient centered care, exemplified by Sir William Osler.” He writes, “I am proud to receive this award and nothing has been more challenging as an educator than teaching during a quarantine, a lockdown and a global viral pandemic.”

Kim Curtis (Col ’00 CM) was appointed to the Virginia State Historical Records Advisory Board, a gubernatorially appointed board that serves as the central advisory body for historical records planning and related projects developed and carried out by the state.