Class Notes
Left: The class of 1982 had a mini-reunion on Oct. 23, 2022, with Marlene Evans Davis, Emilie Groff Gorski, Julie Quinn Kiernan, Cindi Lamas, Kathleen McCaffrey, and Linda Desch Zuchowski. For some, it had been 30 years since they had seen each other. Several walked around campus noting all the changes made over the years. They enjoyed conversations, reminiscing in the Red Room of Berchmans Hall, and lunch at The Suburban.
Right: Katherine Gilchrist, C’99, Kansas City, Mo., performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2022. She also performed as Wicked Witch/Elphaba for a national corporate event in September 2022, will direct multiple projects in Kansas City theatres (including Unicorn Theatre) in 2023, and has ongoing work with Heidi Van, C’01, at The Black Box in the Kansas City West Bottoms.
’60s
Lily Loh, C’63, Palo Alto, Calif., celebrated the release of her book, “Listen to Jesus Daily,” in paperback. Lily’s book is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
’70s
Christina LaMaster, C’73, Lincoln, Neb., was promoted to the director of learning and engagement at the LUX Center for the Arts. She received her MA from Bradley University and her MFA from Illinois State University.
Nancy Mellard, C’75, Overland Park, Kan., was featured in the October issue of Leader’s Edge. Last year, she served as the council chair of The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers. Nancy was the first woman to chair the Board of Directors and said it was an incredible experience. She is the executive vice president and general counsel for the Benefits & Insurance Services Division of CBIZ, Inc.
Patricia O’Brien, C’77, Pueblo, Colo., published a second book, “Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice and the Carceral State.” The book, which was cowritten by Judith S. Willison, attempts to chart a path toward transformative justice by using an anti-oppressive social work approach to resist the expansion of the carceral state. It critically examines strategies to shift punishment-centered practices to build collaborative partnerships and possibilities toward decarceration, health, and community power.
Right: Geoffrey, U’15, and Andrew Kump, U’18, Kansas City, Kan., spoke with USM’s Pre-Law Club in February
2023. Geoffrey is an attorney at Evolent Health, and Andrew is a legal underwriting specialist at Shamrock Trading Corporation.
’90s
Amy Contreraz Aguirre, C’98, Billing, Mont., serves as the executive director of Angela’s Piazza: Women’s Drop-In Center in Billings, Mont.
’10s
Veronica Donovan, U’12, Basehor, Kan., began managing the USM Spire Shop in October 2022. She previously spent 13 years in the USM finance office. Veronica is excited to take on this new challenge, and USM’s marketing office is happy to have her join its team.
Allyson Coy Schaffer, U’13, and her husband, Danny Schaffer, U’14, Bonner Springs, Kan., welcomed a child, Malcolm Schaffer, on Nov. 3, 2022.
Kaitlynn Tuey-Gieck, U’18, Great Bend, Kan., has taught for five years. She will return to school to get a Master’s in Special Education. She and her husband, Michael, were married on Feb. 20, 2022. They welcomed their son, Alexander, on June 25, 2020, and their son, Asher, on April 15, 2022.
Cristin Gerling, U’19, moved to Leavenworth, Kan., and works as a fourth grade teacher at Lansing Intermediate School. Cristin was spotted on campus during Homecoming 2022 helping out her mom, Celina Gerling, C’91, and other alums at the alumni table.
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Aspire Magazine 
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