Skip to content
lasell.edu

Class Notes

Home  /  Alumni  /  Leaves Magazine: Fall 2023  /  Community + Connections  /  Class Notes

Class Notes

The Class Notes section of Leaves includes items submitted by class secretaries and alumni, along with information gathered from press releases, news stories, and websites. Notes are edited for clarity and space. Unfortunately, we cannot verify factual content of submissions. In the interest of protecting alumni privacy, it is the policy of University Advancement not to share personal information. Please contact the office if you wish to connect with a fellow alumnus. If you are interested in serving as a class secretary, please contact David Nathan, assistant vice president of communications and stewardship, at 617-243-2344 or alumni@lasell.edu.

Lasell students show off a snow sculpture in front of Clark House in the 1960s

1960s Clark House students show off their snow sculpture for the annual Lasell Junior College winter competition.

1930s

Nancy Carruthers Taber '38 on her 105th birthday with family

1938
Nancy Carruthers Taber, who is believed to be Lasell's oldest living alumna, celebrated her 105th birthday in July at two parties with extended family at her home in southern Maine. "I am blessed," says Nancy, who grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts, and has two children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. 

1940s

1942
Ruth Bowlend Eckhoff turned 101 in September and lives on her own in an adult community in Gainsville, Florida. 

1946
Class Secretary | Joan Hanson Blake

1948
Barbara Taber Stine passed away on Christmas Day 2022. Her husband, Charles, reports they married on his birthday in 1950 after he graduated from Syracuse University. She had four children, 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He writes, "She loved her two years at Lasell."

1950s

1953
Class Secretary | Mary Ann Donahue

Dorothy Brinkman writes that she is 91 years old and “doing pretty well.” She sings with the Martin Luther King Jr. Choir, which raises scholarship money for high school seniors pursuing careers in the arts. She is in an acting class, participates in Silver Sneakers workouts, does yoga, and goes camping. She occasionally talks with Dot Day Bardarson.

Lee Smith Connors has reached the magical age of 90. She has five children and 11 grandchildren, all but one of whom live near her. Her husband died many years ago from Alzheimer’s disease. She started her own business at age 40 doing sales and traveled around New England for 22 years. She writes, “Thank you, Lasell, for giving me a great foundation.” 

Mary Ann Donahue is pleased to be the new class secretary. After graduating from Lasell, she earned two theater degrees from Boston University; launched a production career on Broadway and in feature films and TV; and supervised PBS pledge drives for 22 years. She now enjoys relaxing between her co-op apartment in New York and cottage at the edge of Cape Cod. 

Elsie Knaus Klemt is 91 and still lives in her condo in Hendersonville, North Carolina, after moving south from New Jersey in 1991. She has cut back on her volunteering to a few hours a week at the local library. Elsie travels to Ohio to visit her daughter and to her adopted state of Maine to see her son and his family. She’s in touch with Janet Chase Ash, Althea Janke Gardner, Maggie Angus Christman, and, of course, former Lasell roommate Sylvia Pfeiffer Nesslinger. She writes, “My memories of Lasell are still vivid and happy ones.”

Lee Coronella Krueger earned two more degrees after graduating from Lasell Junior College 70 years ago. She married a career U.S. Navy officer and raised three daughters. She traveled around the world and even lived in Japan for a few years. Lee and her husband retired from military life to Eugene, Oregon, where she continued her career as a high school English teacher. Since her husband’s recent passing, she has moved to Portland to be closer to one of her daughters. Lee writes, “Now I’m making new friends and living a more laid-back life.”

Marie DiSilva Stocki stays in touch with fellow “day hop” (commuter student) Jean Nazarian Martinian. “Both of us are holding our own,” she writes. Marie’s sister Joan DiSilva Vrettas ’62 passed away last year.

Louise “Weezie” Dawe Turner P’74 reports that after years of living in a lovely townhouse in Southboro, Massachusetts, she is moving to a senior living facility. She still has an active real estate license and goes into the office regularly.

1954
Ann Bowerman Logan and her husband, Bob, continue to enjoy their seven children, 19 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.Ann stays busy walking, reading with her book group, sewing baby blankets, and traveling.

1957
Judy Muncaster, a resident of Honolulu, reports that she and her fellow Hawaiians were devastated by the wildfire in Lahaina, a tourist destination on the island of Maui. She encourages her fellow alumni to support relief efforts.

Harriet Schwarz Ryan '51 (second from right) with friends

Harriet Schwarz Ryan '51

Harriet (pictured second from right) looks back with great fondness on her time as a "day hop" (commuter student) and is proud to be a member of Lasell's centennial graduating class. She writes, "I am 92 years old and in pretty good shape for having lived this long. I receive Leaves and am saddened to read about the passing of so many good friends, but I also enjoy readinb about the marriages and births of the younger 'Lasellites.'"
Dot Day Bardarson '53 playing ukelele with family

Dot Day Bardarson '53

Dot enjoys learning new songs during weekly ukelele sessions with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter at her home in Seward, Alaska. Dot had a solo art show at Cyrano's Gallery in Anchorage.

Shirley Vara Gallerani '53 (right) and Mary Ann Donahue '53

Shirley Vara Gallerani '53

Shirley (right) and Mary Ann Donahue '53 have lunch together a few times each year, mostly in the summer when they are both on Cape Cod. They are on Lasell''s Board of Overseers and enjoy driving together to meetings on campus. Shirley spends the winters in Naples, Florida. Her husband, Peter, passed away in 2020. She has four children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She writes, "How blessed I am! They come to Florida to visit me."
Carol Phalen Swiggett '56 and husband Jim

Carol Phalen Swiggett '56

Carol and her husband, Jim, live in Tubac, Arizona, and spend their summers attending the Aspen Music Festival with their daughter in Colorado. They enjoy time with their children and grandchildren and are expecting their first great-grandchild in November. Carol's paintings are being shown at a gallery in Arizona.

1960s

1960
Barbara Jacoby Adelstein is the proud grandmother of four: two college students (at Bates and Skidmore) and two high schoolers.

Claire Sullivan Gaylord reports that her husband, Bud, died on February 1. She writes, “We enjoyed 42 happy years together, and Bud was able to enjoy all 95 years of his life to the fullest.”

Carrol McKay Stephens was recognized by Bill and Joyce Cummings, founders of the Massachusetts-based Cummings Foundation, who made a generous gift to Lasell in her honor.

1961
Class Secretary | Elaine Butler Ryan

Pat McKinnon Williams Dernavich is helping her husband recover from a hip replacement. She is happy that her family — daughter Katie and son Todd and his children — live within three hours of her in North Carolina. Pat is hoping to connect with Lasell friends in Fort Myers, Florida, where she spends the winter.

Nancy Thomas Dudek has lived in an over-55 community in Dover, New Hampshire, since the death of her husband, Andy, in 2016. She writes, “We had a wonderful life together, and were fortunate to travel the world after retiring: 49 countries and all 50 states. One learns to live with grief, andI have a treasure chest of wonderful memories.” She has two children and four grandchildren. Nancy keeps in touch with Sue “Suds” Clark Stern and Susie Natapow DeBlase.

Betty Hood enjoyed a trip in May to Bath, England, the English countryside (where her mother’s ancestors were from), and Paris. The trip was her two sons’ 80th birthday present to her (delayed by COVID). She writes, “It was wonderful spending so much time with them in addition to everything we did there: Moulin Rouge, the Eiffel Tower, and great food in both countries.” She feels fortunate to still be dancing and teaching dance, her passion. She enjoys her biannual visits with Joan Franke Neustaedter in New Jersey.

1962
Class Secretary | Joan Sastavickas Curtin

1964
Carol Brown Weed and her husband, Skip, cruised the Danube last year and visited Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, and Budapest. They relocated from Austin, Texas, to Hillsborough, North Carolina, to be near their daughters and grandchildren.

1965
Diane Yacovone Aurigemma sold her home and downsized to a townhouse in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. She enjoys having more time to travel and exercise horses. She writes, “I often think of my Lasell sisters and events like the picnic at White Horse Beach and River Day on the Charles.”

1967
Class Secretary | Katherine McDonough Ryan P’03

Micki McKinney McCauley and her husband will cruise the Caribbean this winter. They may also sail on the Nile in the future.

Katie McDonough Ryan P’03 and her husband celebrated their 50th anniversary in May with a 15-day Mediterranean cruise.

A large number of members of the Class of 1968 made gifts to Lasell in memory of active alumna Ann Sterner Tyler, who passed away on March 24: Marlene Ewart Bacot, Cindy Rardin Crawford, Patricia Torbron Geoghegan, Olivia Haskin Hitchcock, Jackie Hoffmeier Lee, Georgene DeNyse Lunberry, Melinda Smith Partridge, Stephanie Pendleton, Janice Taylor Perruzzi, Anne Kusik Roush, Ruthanne Woods Thibodeau, Elizabeth Wissman Walendziewicz, and JoAnn Shattuck Wilson.

1969
Mary Anne Conboy G’15 has now listened to or read 634 books since the start of the pandemic. She recently completed the 11-volume set of “The Story of Civilization.” She writes, “It was so interesting to read about where words originated, how music was played, and how women were treated in the early days of Rome and Greece. Very long books but well worth the effort.”

Rebecca Robarts Wilson reports that while walking her dog in her neighborhood in Menlo Park, California, she started speaking with a couple from South Carolina who turned out to be close friends with the brother of her Carpenter House roommate, Nancy Alterman Walker. She writes, “Talk about a small world!” Rebecca remembers that she and Nancy shared a top-floor room with a tiny balcony.

Marilyn Richo Coffey, Marla Lupoli Lewis, Sally Nutter Carpenter, and Pat McNulty Magnotta (pictured from left)

1962 Mini Reunion

Marilyn Richo Coffey, Marla Lupoli Lewis, Sally Nutter Carpenter, and Pat McNulty Magnotta (pictured from left) enjoyed a memorable time together reminiscing about their college days and life after Lasell. Ingrid Jonason Burch, who is usually part of their gatherings, was unable to join. Sally reports that all of them are enjoying retirement and want to hear from other members of the Class of 1962. She writes, "Many thanks to Lasell for these lasting friendships."
Heather Heath Reed '68 (right) and Sue Pegues Spadaccia '68

Heather Heath Reed '68 and Sue Pegues Spadaccia '68

Heather (right) and Sue, along with sue's husband, Bob, met up at Lasell in August for a wonderful tour, lunch, and visit with new President Eric Turner (thank you, President Turner!). In September, Sue and Bob visited Heather at her home in Westport, Massachusetts, for lunch and a tour of the area, including a photo at Westport Point.

Ruth DeWitt Ghia '53, Joan Keefe Feloney '53, and Ruth's daughter, Michelle

Ruth DeWitt Ghia '64

Ruth and her husband took a two-week cruise to the Panama Canal this spring and then returned home with COVID. Fortunately, they were ill for only a week. She has been busy planting additional gardens around her home. Ruth and her daughter Michelle (pictured right and left) met Joan Keefe Feloney '64 for lunch in her hometown on Manchester, Connecticut. Joan is Michelle's godmother. Ruth also keeps in touch with Pat Perry Polidor '64, Joy Raymond Carey '64, and Dianne Farr Vigil '64. They all look forward to next year's 60th Lasell Reunion.

1970s

1971
Class Secretary | Carol Goulian Stewart

1973
Kristin Cooksley Magnussen has worked full time since graduating from Lasell’s nursing program, and she has spent the last 15 years at Ledge Light Health District. She and her husband moved a few years ago to a condo inNew London, Connecticut, where they watch ferries,  submarines, and boats on the Thames River from their windows. Their son, his wife, and their three grandchildren live nearby. They travel to her husband’s hometown, Aalesund, Norway, a few times a year.

1974
Class Secretary | Barbara Hirschfield Henry

Beth Ballard, Jill Mills Cozens, Susan Curry Soucy, Jill Greenleaf Kells-Murphy, and Patty Raposa Reineke gathered in August at the home of Debi Bradley Severance on Skaneateles Lake in New York. Writes Beth, “We have remained close friends since graduating in 1974 and have been getting together annually since 1985. We have fond memories and longlasting friendships from our two years at Lasell. We are looking forward to our 50th Reunion next year.” 

1977
Theresa Canavan Loe writes that she is happily retired after a 40-year career in nursing and is busier than ever. She continues to live in Central Texas, where she has resided since 1992. 

Elizabeth Bacon McNamara returned to nursing in 2012 after completing a refresher course at Boston College and is now a community nurse case manager for a nursing service in Acton, Massachusetts. She and her husband, Frank, had 12 children between 1979 and 2000: six boys and six girls. Their eldest, Luke, died in an elevator accident at their home in Boston in 1982. She writes, “Now we are contemplating downsizing and retirement. Our 20th grandchild is on the way. Family means everything!”

1980s

1989
Class Secretary | Michelle Forget White

 

1990s

1993
Class Secretary | Tracey Provost Downs

1995
Class Secretary | Deb Lestch Blumenthal

Tenisha Walton has worked as a physical therapy assistant since graduation and focused on home health for the last 10 years. She writes, " I enjoy the flexibility and seeing patients excel in their functional skills in their own homes." She lives in Dallas and recently started her own photography business. 

Andrea Kneeland Bradstreet (below, left) celebrated her 50th birthday with Avery Evans '92 (formerly Brandi Robinson, middle) and Kristin Clisham Faivre '93. 

Andrea Kneeland Bradstreet '95 with Avery Evans '93 and Kristin Clisham Faivre '93.

2002
Jack Levy is co-owner of Nutrishop in Livermore, California.

2003
Theresa Ashe Capasso is a behavior therapist in the Newton Public Schools.

Victor Cipolla is a flight attendant with Allegiant Airlines and lives in Cincinnati.

Karina Fontanez was appointed assistant dean at the Salem Academy Charter School in Massachusetts after two years as an academic advisor at Lasell. She writes, “I’m excited for this new journey and thankful for the preparation I received at Lasell to take on this role.”

2004
Class Secretary | Crista Cannata

Lauren Damato DiCicco lives in Connecticut and is head footwear designer at D’Amelio Brands.

Stacy Piccolo was certified in mindfulness-based stress reduction by Mindful Leader.

2005
Class Secretary | Gregory Koch

2006
Class Secretary | Danielle Grethel Phillips

Irene Boulas Ioakimidis joined Goodbaby International as a senior demand planner.

Amy Stowell Santiago was promoted to director of people and culture at Spiro.

2007
Class Secretary | Elizabeth Huston

2008
Class Secretary | Kevin Lang

Hannah Costa joined Privia Health as associate director of people operations.

2009
Class Secretary | Rachel Craft Howard

Megan Harrison graduated summa cum laude from Sacred Heart with a master’s degree in social work. Following graduation, she started working at Yale New Haven Hospital as an outpatient pediatric GI social worker. She got engaged over the summer and is getting married on May 4, 2024.

Stella Cazeau (left), age 7, and London Wall, 6, daughters of Lasell alumni

Next Gen Lasers!

Stella Cazeau (left), age 7, and London Wall, 6, are teammates on the under-8 youth cheerleading team in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Stella is the daughter of Ryann Grande Cazeau '05 and Evans Cazeau '04, and London is the daughter of Ami Ruehrwein Wall '03 and Troy Wall '05. Writes Ami, "We are all friends from Lasell and now all live in Wakefield."
Michael Ketchen '06, Ally Chute '10, Aurialis Alvarez '18, and Kyle Ganley '05 (pictured from left with Professor Nancy Waldron) at Michal Longe '95 School of Business Day

School of Business Day

Michael Ketchen '06, Ally Chute '10, Aurialis Alvarez '18, and Kyle Ganley '05 (pictured from left with Professor Nancy Waldron) shared their career experiences at the fifth annual Michal Longe '95 School of Business Day. Michael is a real-estate investor, Ally is a district sales manager at Vertos Medical, Aurialis works at the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, and Kyle is a certified public accountant at Lindquist, von Husen & Joyce.

Katie LaChance Elwell '08 with husband Michael and son Brody

Katie LaChance Elwell '08

Katie; her husband, Michael; and their daughters, Aubrey and Callie, welcomed a baby boy, Brody, to the family on April 27.

Rachel Craft Howard '09 (right) with Drew Gundloch '08 G'13 (left) and Molly Gundloch '09 (middle) at the Savannah Bananas game in Brockton

Rachel Craft Howard '09

Rachel (right), and her husband, Mickey, met up with Drew Gundloch '08 G'13 (left), creative director at Franklin Sports, and his wife, Molly '09 (middle), at the Savannah Bananas baseball game against the Brockton Rox in August. Mickey also works at Franklin. Rachel started a new position as an instructional coach in a school district near her family's home in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University in October 2022 with her master's degree in education in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in language-based disorders and dyslexia.

Submit a Class Note

Have you been promoted? Started a new job or hobby? Expanded your family? Share your accomplishments and milestones with us for the next issue of Leaves. 

Share an Update

2010s (2010-2015)

2010
Class Secretary | Heather Oblon

Kayla Lee joined Trillium Flow Technologies as senior buyer/planner.

2011
Class Secretary | Kimberly Hooper Gladman

Krysten Harvey was promoted to manager at the Macquarie Group in Nashville.

2012
Class Secretary | Kasey Looney Silva

Talia DeChiara is now a certified professional insurance agent. She is an account manager at Atlantic Insurance Brokerage in Kingston, Massachusetts.

Brandon Gilson’s company, The Best Seats VIP, celebrated its sixth anniversary in September. He enjoyed a busy summer of customizing experiences and putting together travel packages for his clients at concerts, special events, and sports competitions. The company has welcomed more than 20 new corporate VIP members into its Concierge Club over the last two years.

Cheree Iadevaia lives in Brandon, Florida, and is an athletic trainer at PT Solutions.

2013
Class Secretary | Carrie Goodwin Kenniston

Nicholas Andrew joined the Connecticut law firm of Diana, Conti & Tunila as a paralegal.

Alexander Dixon is project advisor-professional services lead at Matter Surfaces.

Molly Hudlin was promoted to director of the Center for Development at the Berkshire County Arc. She has worked for the Western Massachusetts-based human services agency for nine years and previously served as case manager and assistant director of the center. Arc serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and brain injuries, and individuals who need assistance with daily living.

Michael Pierce joined Togio as vice president of sales.

Kate-Lyn Eadie Renick has worked at the Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for seven years, including the last three as communications manager for marketing and social media.

Samantha Salkovitz is the advancement communications and social media coordinator at Wheaton College.

Amy Sleeper was promoted to senior event producer at Haute Agency in August.

2014
Class Secretary | Flannagh Fitzsimmons

Courtney Amberg lives in New York City and started a new job in July as retail merchandiser at Ceremony of Roses, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

Jessica Auger started a new position as human resources business partner at JW Transport.

Aly Bermudez, a former pitcher at Lasell, was named softball coach at New College of Florida. She had served as pitching coach at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers.

Kristy Litts Chockey and her husband, Brett, had a baby boy in February. She works as a school counselor in Connecticut.

2015
Class Secretary | Shannon Pasco

Jennessa Agnew was promoted to vice president at the League of Conservation Voters, a national environmentale non-profit where she has worked since graduation. In her new role, she oversees the activation of millions of voters in support of pro-climate candidates running for federal office.

Servi Barrientos works for X (formerly Twitter) as a partner manager in the global content partnerships sports division. He collaborates with big content partners like the NFL, NBA, NHL, UFC, CBS Sports, and Turner. He writes that he “came back home” to Lasell and volunteers as a technical coach for the women’s soccer team.

Max Berkowitz was named assistant athletic director for communications at Springfield College. He previously served as sports information director at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham and as a sports information assistant at MIT.

Bridget Lynch, who helped Lasell to four league soccer titles and the Lasers’ first NCAA Tournament victory, was inducted into the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Boston. She was a threetime league Offensive Player of the Year and Academic All-American as a senior. She graduated with 98 goals, 27 assists, and 223 career points.

Deidra Mack was promoted to account executive at rag & bone.

Marco Roberto Sancho G’22 started a new position as benefits coordinator at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

Courtney Parent '10, RJ O'Brien '10, and Head Men's Basketball Coach and officiant Aaron Galletta

Courtney Parent '10 and RJ O'Brien '10

Courtney and RJ married on May 26 at Searles Castle in Windham, New Hampshire. Lasell men's basketball coach Aaron Galletta served as officiant. Alumni at the wedding included Taylor Yandow '18, Derek McMahon '18, Nick Stanovich '16 G'19, Logan Liberty '16 G'20, Beka Costa '16, Dan McCorkle '16, Allie McCorkle '17, Tara Deggendorf '16 G'21, Jess Yeaton '16, Kiana Lane '16 G'19, Devon Day '17 G'19, Bobby Casey '16, and Justin Ferreira '16.

Philjay Solar '13

Philjay Solar '13

Philjay was reappointed to serve a second and final term on the Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission.
ComArts Conversations alumni with faculty Deborah Baldizar and Meryl Perlson

ComArts Conversations

A large group of alumni from the School of Communication and the Arts returned to campus to share their experiences as media planners, producers, filmmakers, graphic designers, and communications managers with students at ComArts Conversations 2023. Pictured from left to right: Front row, Patrick Leung '14, Spencer Kosior '18, Megan Palumbo '19, and Margaret Brochu '20; back row, Professors Deborah Baldizar and Meryl Perlson, James Kappatos '20, Mitchell Bolton '21, Michael Bueno '18, Emma Helstrom '20, and Anna King '22.

Justin Miller '14 (left) with Emmalyn Anderson Reid '11 (right)

Justin Miller '14

Justin (left) and Nicholas Campoano-Hill '14 visited with classmates and friends they hadn't seen in years. They enjoyed a drink with Emmalyn Anderson Reid '11 (right) at Sam Adams Tap Rom and took in a Red Sox game with Shannon Pasco '15. Justin and Nick also caught up with former professor/friend Brian Wardyga and had a great opportunity to discuss Lasell's radio and video production programs.

Kaitlyn Quinn '14 G'15 with husband John and dogs Earl and Sugar

Kaitlyn Quinn '14 G'15

Kaitlyn married John Richards in August at their home in Norton, Massachusetts. Their dogs, Earl and Sugar, dressed for the occasion, while their cats, Mint and Patty, enjoyed the air conditioning inside. Kaitlyn works as a human resources assistant manager at HarbourVest Partners and teaches courses at Lasell as an adjunct faculty member.

Alumni at the wedding of Sara Roberts O'Brien '14 G'15

Sara Roberts '14 G'15

Sara married Tom O'Brien on June 17 at the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, and is now using her married name, Sara O'Brien. Alumni at the wedding, pictured from left to right: Front row, Casey O'Brien '14 and Molly Brennan Gavin '14; back row, Zach Gavin '16, Trish Moran '14 G'15, Kia Rivera '14, Sara, Melissa Fraitag '14, Laura Justice '14, and Betsy Diacatos '14.

2010s (2016-2019)

2016
Class Secretary | Jordan Dalpe

Lisi Anczok works at New Era Cap as a global sourcing manager.

Sam Buote married wife Elizabeth in November 2022 — and they are now the Wegelers. Sam’s two best friends, Elizabeth Bohn ’17 G’18 and Elana Korman ’18, served as Sam’s best women.

Rebecca Douglas works as a technical designer at The Black Dog in Mashpee, Massachusetts, and Ministry of Supply in Boston. 

Chloe Fimlaid is a product developer at Samsonite.

Shapleigh Webster joined The Hamilton Company as an assistant property manager. 

2017
Class Secretary | Yordan Villalon

Tessa Dinnie is a grants administrator at Northeastern University’s Bouve College of Health Sciences.

Kiernan Dowd started a new position as assistant director of food and beverage at Raffles Boston.

Tyler Hurst works as an assistant front office manager at the historic Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, Massachusetts. 

Gabriella Mattuchio is engaged to be married to Michael Baccari. She is an assistant patient coordinator at Skin MD in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Michelle Port is a writer for Cape Cod Life publications.

2018
Class Secretary | James Rossano

Meghan Burgess started a new position as an officer for Jimmy Fund Golf at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

Katherine Burke started a new position as associate manager of product engineering in the handbags and accessories area at Michael Kors. She writes, “I’m excited to join the team.”

Alexander Moule was named men’s and women’s volleyball coach and events and facilities coordinator in the athletics and recreation department at Pratt Institute in New York. The former Lasell volleyball player had been the men’s and women’s volleyball coach at Baruch College, guiding the men’s team to the 2023 City University of New York Athletic Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. 

Danie Roberts shared that she started a new job as a disaster recovery coordinator at the Homeland Security and Emergency Management division of the New Hampshire Department of Safety. 

Stanley Sajous G’22 is a criminal defense investigator at the Committee for Public Counsel Services, where he received the Emerging Defender Award.

2019
Class Secretary | Rebecca Van Spall-Hood

Anthony Carter started a new position as an installation service technician at Instawork. 

Amanda Mitchell is a residence director at Union College in Schenectady, New York. 

Taylor O’Neil, an account executive at John Guilfoil Public Relations, was recognized as a Rising Star in Ragan Communications and PR Daily’s Communicator of the Year Awards. 

Henry Santana, the director of Boston’s Office of Civic Organizing, ran for an at-large seat on the Boston City Council. 

Ammy Thach, founder and designer of Rev Label, a chic streetwear and swimsuit clothing brand, was featured in her hometown newspaper in Randolph, Massachusetts. “Growing up, I always loved design and clothes and stuff like that,” she told The Enterprise. “My family didn’t have a lot of money. I had the same pieces I would have for school, and I would have to try to make different looks out of them.” 

Rebecca Van Spall-Hood serves as cochair of the program committee at the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable. 

Hailee Walsh has moved to Nashville and started a career in IT. As a Lasell student, she served as vice president of philanthropy for the Student Alumni Association and worked as an intern in University Advancement. She writes, “While in these roles, I helped raise more than $10,000 for the Lasell Fund using Salesforce and other technology used by the alumni office. The experience I gained at Lasell helped me achieve my position in IT today.”

Pictured from left: Brian Cipolla '21, Jackson Gervais '15, Owen Caldwell '25, Tyler DiNezza '25, Skylar, Sean Doris '21, Patrick Colvin '20 G'22, and Chris O'Connor '20 G'22.

Lasell Baseball Champions

Skylar Beckerman '16 G'17 G'23 (center) and several other former and current Lasell baseball players helped the Dodgers win the championship of the Fall River Independent Baseball League over the summer. Pictured from left: Brian Cipolla '21, Jackson Gervais '15, Owen Caldwell '25, Tyler DiNezza '25, Skylar, Sean Doris '21, Patrick Colvin '20 G'22, and Chris O'Connor '20 G'22.
Alexa Donegan '16 G'20 with Joe, Mookie, and Luke

Alexa Donegan '16 G'20

Alexa and her husband, Joe, welcomed their first child, Luke, in April and adopted a German shepherd, Mookie. They've been living in Florida for three years and "are loving it."
Ciera Sears '16 G'21 and Patrick McCarthy '16

Ciera Sears '16 G'21 and Patrick McCarthy '16

Ciera and Patrick married on August 12 in Hingham, Massachusetts. Many of Patrick's Lasell soccer teammates joined the celebration.

Katie Stopera '16 with Lasell students and alumni at PUMA headquarters in Somerville, Massachusetts

Katie Stopera '16

Stopera, a senior product line manager at PUMA, acted as a liaison between the company and a group of Lasell School of Fashion students working as consultants for the international footwear and apparel giant. PUMA Women's Hoops challenged the Lasell cohort to research an enhanced brand ethos, create brand assets and expand awareness through narratives and promotions, and develop a line of 15-plus pieces to show how fashion connects the women's basketball consumer (see In Closing section for full story).

Stephanie El-Massri Liwosz '17

Stephanie El-Massri Liwosz '17

Stephanie writes, "After relocating to California, I was baptized on the corner of Sunset and Hollywood, met my match and got hitched, accepted a position as a personal accountant for a private client, started an e-commerce business with my husband, and moved to the Laguna Beach area! I recently adopted a rescue pup from Mexico and am living life to the fullest!"
Kaylee Wright Hamel '17 with Pat and Harper Ellen

Kaylee Wright Hamel '17

Kaylee and her husband, Pat, welcomed daughter Harper Ellen on July 19.

Yordan Villalon '17 at the Celtics Jr. Celtics Academy

Yordan Villalon '17

Yordan was promoted to lead coach of the Boston Celtics Jr. Celtics Academy and won Cohort of the Summer using agile project management philosophy. He was a peer leader/mentor at the U.S. Golf Association's Pathways Internship Program during the U.S. Open in June at the Los Angeles Country Club. Yordan is launching his own golf business and serves as vice president of the Lasell University Alumni Association.

Madison Garside '18 (right) with bridesmaid Jane Lapsley '18 (left)

Madison Garside '18

Madison (right) got married in July and Jane Lapsley '18, her roommate of four years at Lasell, served as her bridesmaid.

Korinna Locke '18 and fiance Ryan

Korinna Locke '18

Korinna was engaged to her fiance, Ryan Quinn, and can't wait to get married in October 2024 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They purchased their first home together.

Kyle Vergauwen '18 (right) and Miranda Anzalone '19

Kyle Vergauwen '18 and Miranda Anzalone '19

Kyle and Miranda married on August 19 at Village by the Sea in Wells, Maine. A large group of Lasell alumni joined the celebration. Kyle and Miranda write, "We met at Lasell in 1016 and have been together ever since. We are so grateful to Lasell for helping us find each other. Lasell will always hold a special place in our hearts."
Alumni at the wedding of George Foti '19

George Forti '19

George married Madison Miller, a Hartwick College graduate, on August 5 in Oneonta, New York. A total of 12 alumni, including four of George's teammates, attended the wedding. Pictured from left: Evan Abateill '19, Sarah Rudker '20, Sam White '19, Joe O'Brien ;19, Ben Allen '18, Kat Mansfield '19, George, Madison, Mike Bocchino '19, Maurice Hill '18, Kariny Silva '19, Katie Stopera '16, and Yordan Villalon '17.

2020s

2020
Class Secretary | Katie Jones

Lianne Almeida, a fashion designer, editor, and writer, was profiled in SHOUTOUT LA.

Cassandra Moisan joined Restoration Hardware in Boston as a curator.

2021
Class Secretary | Brianna Doody

Dylan Alves G’24 returned to Lasell as coordinator of conference and events services. 

Dillon DeSouza G’22 was promoted to head rehab tech at Stafford Integrated Rehabilitation after just six months! 

Ashley Lussier graduated from Simmons University with her master’s degree in social work and will be receiving her license in clinical social work. She has accepted a clinical position at Kendall Psychological Associates in Salem, Massachusetts. 

Mary Rand G’22 became engaged over the summer to her high school sweetheart, John, who serves in the U.S. Army and is deployed overseas. Mary works as part of the marketing team for Coast Cannabis, a womanowned, family-operated company.

Tyrek Robinson is a sales associate with the New Jersey Devils. He joined the National Hockey League team in April 2022. 

Tori Rosemond is an integrated behavioral health clinician at Codman Square Health Center. 

Hunter Spencer works as an associate merchandise planning analyst at Ross Stores and lives in New York. 

Jillian Szcesuil G’23, a merchandising assistant at The TJX Companies, received her MBA from Lasell through the accelerated master’s program. 

2022
Class Secretary | Courtney Sobolewski

Kaitlyn Hennessy is a consulting and valuation project manager in the St. Louis office of HVS, a global consulting firm focused on the hospitality industry.

Peter Skarzynski joined WROC-TV in Rochester, New York, as an account executive.

Courtney Sobolewski moved to Maine after graduation to pursue a career in strength and conditioning at Skolfield Sports Performance. She is also an assistant coach for the University of New England’s women’s lacrosse team.

2023
Class Secretary | Emily Casella

Jazmin Armstrong is working as an assistant pre-toddler teacher and will be applying to graduate programs at Northwestern University and the University of Washington.

Maddie Bailey started a new position as a marketing and events coordinator at North Country Health Consortium inLittleton, New Hampshire. She helped organize and run the first in-person Community Health Worker Summitsince the pandemic and created a photo booth for the event. 

Kaylee Bickford started a master’s program at the University of Southern Maine in educational psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis. In addition, she began working at the Margaret Murphy Centers for Children.

Ashley DiBattista G’24 secured a parttime role as a statistics analyst I at ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, shortly after graduation. She’s working toward her master’s degree in sport management at Lasell and is set to graduate in May 2024. 

Katelyn Esposito joined New Balance as an account specialist. She writes, “I am so grateful to be given this opportunity and to work for a company with such great values and reputation. I am so thankful to everyone who helped me along the way, including my family, peers, and educators. I am thrilled to start this new chapter and see what this opportunity has in store for me!”

Carrie He visited family in China and vacationed in Japan and Hong Kong during the summer. She is pursuing a master’s degree in education inschool counseling/school adjustment counseling at Salem State University. Additionally, she was hired as a graduate research assistant for the Educator Scholars of Color program, which aims to recruit, support, and retain students of color in Salem State’s teacher education program. 

Julia Maisano accepted an internship at Walt Disney World in Florida and is pursuing her master’s degree in criminal justice. She continues to study American Sign Language. 

Mike Maruk was promoted to junior compositor at Cadence Effects. He started as an intern in June and became a full-time employee in September. He has done the visual effects for a couple of titles coming to Netflix and theaters. 

Briana Muller started a new job as an operations manager at Rent the Runway and now resides in Jersey City, New Jersey. 

Mahima Patel started a doctoral program in pharmacy in September at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 

Zumm Serrano is pursuing a dual master’s degree in social work and disaster resilience at Tulane University. 

Omar Jiménez Soto was promoted to director of dining services at WilmerHale, a Boston law firm. He writes, “Not only is it located in the stunning Financial District, but the experience itself is unique.” 

Liliana Undavia G’24 accepted a job as a technical fashion designer at Perry Ellis International in Miami. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in sustainable fashion operations at Lasell.

Katie Jones '20 with Michael Kinsman

Katie Jones '20

Katie and her boyfriend, Michael Kinsman, are engaged. He proposed on September 7 in East Taunton, Massachusetts. They hope to have a spring wedding. Katie is assistant director of admissions events at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She worked the last two years in alumni relations at Boston College, where she earned her master's degree in higher education administration in 2022.

Kelsey Scannevin '22 G'23

Kelsey Scannevin '22 G'23

Kelsey represented the United States and finished 14th in her age/weight class at the International Powerlifting Federation's 2023 Junior World Championships in August in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She qualified for worlds by winning at U.S. nationals. She works as a full-time strength and conditioning coach at Champion Physical Therapy and Performance in Waltham, Massachusetts. Kelsey is a certified nutrition coach and earned her master's degree in sports nutrition for human performance at Lasell.

Josh Wolmer '22 at ESPN

Josh Wolmer '22

Josh is a production assistant at ESPN. He creates highlight packages, including from the Stanley Cup playoffs and NCAA Division 1 hockey championship, for SportsCenter and midnight edition host Scott Van Pelt.

Emily Casella '23

Emily Casella '23

Emily started her graduate program in school counseling at Boston College and is serving as a student ambassador and co-chair of the academic committee for the Graduate Education Association at BC.

Kaitlyn Gargas '23

Kaitlyn Gargas '23

Kaitlyn works for Live Nation as a guest services lead at the MGM Music Hall in Fenway and as a production runner across multiple Boston venues. She worked at different festivals over the summer, including Boston Calling and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee. She writes, "If I am not working a concert, I am probably attending one!"
Michael Woo '23 at the Massachusetts State House

Michael Woo '23

Michael joined state government as a community and external affairs coordinator in the Office of Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio.

Graduate

Candace Thomas G’16 started a new position as vice president of human resources at Eastern Bank.

Din Jenkins G’19, deputy chief at the Boston Housing Authority, is an adjunct professor at William James College.

Taylor Montanye G’15 started a new position as the director of sales at the Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle/Renton in Washington.

Darlene Johnson G’22 was named community health manager in the Department of Public Health and Human Services in Brookline, Massachusetts. She has served the department for more than 15 years in a variety of roles, most recently as administrative coordinator.

John Rankin IV G’22 is coordinator of business development and facilities operations at Babson College. He previously served as director of operations for the Hawks Lacrosse Club.

Jeffrey Eveillard G’25 was named strength and conditioning coach of the St. John’s men’s basketball team, led by Coach Rick Pitino.

Submit a Class Note

Have you been promoted? Started a new job or hobby? Expanded your family? Share your accomplishments and milestones with us for the next issue of Leaves. 

Share an Update