1940s
Eva Fleming Scott ’47 of Amelia County was recently recognized by U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes for being the first woman elected to the Virginia Senate. Scott originally served in the Virginia House of Delegates, winning a seat there in 1971 and serving four consecutive two-year terms before running for the Senate in 1979 and becoming the first woman to serve in that body. In addition to Longwood, she attended the School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia, now part of Virginia Commonwealth University.
1950s
Anne Gary Gaulding ’58 reports that her granddaughter Lucy Anne Everett is completing her freshman year at Longwood. Everett loves Longwood and is majoring in elementary education. She will be the third generation in her family to graduate from Longwood. Everett’s great-grandmother, Ormond Mildred Marshall, graduated in 1927.
1960s
Glenda C. Booth ’66 of Alexandria was appointed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation. Booth is a freelance writer who has penned articles on topics as diverse as the Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax and Alexandria’s official town crier (both for Virginia Living).
1970s
Linda Dexter Griffin ’71 retired in February 2015 after 42 years of service in education (public school and post-secondary), the last 28 at Louisiana Tech University, where she served as director of counseling and dean of student development. Upon retirement, she was honored to be named dean emerita of student development. Griffin and her husband celebrated retirement by taking a cruise on the Seine River in France. One port was the city of Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431.
1980s
James Thornton ’85 was named the superintendent of the Isle of Wight County public schools effective July 1, 2015. He previously held the same position for the Mecklenburg County schools since 2010. Thornton has more than 11 years of experience as a superintendent and 25 years of experience in education, including serving as an athletics director and as a teacher. Thornton earned his Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy from Virginia Tech, a Master of Education in supervision and administration from Virginia State University and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Longwood.
Anna Drucilla Prow ’88 and Elizabeth Ann Cook and were married June 6 at Zigbone Farm Retreat Center in Sabillasville, Md. Prow is the managing director and chief operating officer of the Enough Project, a division of the Center for American Progress. The project, which is based in Washington, works to end genocide and crimes against humanity in central Africa. In addition to her degree from Longwood, she received a master’s degree in urban policy analysis from the New School. She was a Peace Corps volunteer from 1994 to 1996 in Sambava, Madagascar, where she was an English teacher trainer. Cook is the vice president for institutional strategy and development at the World Resources Institute, an environmental research organization based in Washington.
Lisa Lindsay Mondoro ’89 was promoted to chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County in Maryland. She had worked four years for the organization before being named to the position in September. Mondoro, who earned a degree in sociology/criminal justice from Longwood, was previously senior director of operations for the club’s six locations. She has more than 20 years of experience in youth services and has lived in Anne Arundel County for 14 years. She is currently working on a master’s degree in special education.
1990s
Nancy Welch ’90, M.S. ’92, is the new superintendent for the Mathews County Public Schools. A 20-year teacher and administrator in the district, she stepped into the top position as of July 1, 2015. She previously taught at Powhatan County Public Schools, Prince Edward Academy and Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Karen M. Wooten ’91 is a site surveyor in the member quality department at United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). She previously was with Virginia Commonwealth University Health System.
Christie Fidura ’92 received the top honors in two module courses from Feverbee, an internationally recognized community management consultancy, in Intermediate and Advanced Professional Community Management. This professional certification has contributed to her international reputation in the field of community management.
Col. John L. Rafferty Jr. ’92 is the commander of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C. Part of the 18th Airborne Corps, Rafferty’s brigade is responsible for long-range precision fires support. This is Rafferty’s third assignment at Fort Bragg. The first was as a fire direction officer and platoon leader for B Battery, 5th Battalion, 8th Field Artillery. He also served as commander of the 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
Kendall Driscoll ’94 is the new fire marshal for James City County, where he has worked in a variety of positions for 20 years, most recently as assistant fire marshal. His responsibilities include reviewing site plans for safety issues, inspecting newly constructed buildings, determining the causes of fires and investigating bombings, arsons and hazardous materials incidents. His appointment was unanimously approved by the county’s board of supervisors in May 2015. After earning his sociology degree from Longwood, he began his career in James City County in 1995 as a police officer.
J.B. Neill ’95 was named the boys varsity basketball coach, athletic director and dean of students in June 2015 for the Metropolitan School District of Shakamak in Jasonville, Ind. Previously Neill held a similar position at White River Valley Jr./Sr. High School in Switz City, Ind., compiling a 64-49 record in five seasons there. He spent last year working toward his administration license at Oakland City University. Neill was a member of the Lancer basketball team while at Longwood.
Chelsea Callahan Johnson ’96 is a music therapist in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Britt Nelson ’99 is the development director at ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation in Richmond. She previously was the executive director of the Junior League of Richmond.
2000s
Jon Hughes ’00 is the manager of the structural heart-cardiac surgery area for St. Jude Medical Inc. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., St. Jude Medical is a global medical technology company focused on six key treatment areas: heart failure, arrhythmias, vascular disease, structural heart, chronic pain and neurological diseases. A member of Longwood’s men’s basketball team when he was a student, Hughes is a resident of Williamsburg.
Sharon Gregory ’01 and Andrew Bonniwell were married on Sept. 12, 2015, at Kiptopeke State Park in Cape Charles. Both currently reside in Richmond and are members of the local theater community.
Melissa White ’01 was named principal of Stonehouse Elementary School, part of the Williamsburg- James City County school system, prior to the start of the 2015-16 school year. White had served as assistant principal at Rawls Byrd Elementary School since 2012. Prior to that, she was a teacher at Lois S. Hornsby Middle School from 2006-12. She also taught in Hampton City Public Schools and Isle of Wight County Schools. In addition to her bachelor’s degree from Longwood, she received a Master of Education degree from the College of William & Mary.
Tonya Dunivan Futrell ’02 was promoted to partner a tWells Coleman. She specializes in accounting, tax and consulting services for closely held companies.
Jeanette Amoroso Clarke ’03 is vice president of capital investments at Apple Hospitality REIT in Richmond.
Camille Dungey, M.S. ’05, library media specialist at Bensley Elementary in Chesterfield County, received a Laura Bush Foundation Grant of $5,000 to purchase books for the school library.
Kara E. Smolnycki Ednie, M.S. ’05, was named 2014 Teacher of the Year at Rural Point Elementary School in Hanover County. She is a librarian at the school.
Josh Holder ’07 was named an assistant vice president of EVB, an independent, full-service community bank. He is the branch manager for the Kings Charter branch.
Brian Raska ’07 was named assistant principal at Stafford Elementary School prior to the beginning of school in fall 2015. In addition to his Longwood degree, he earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia and a master’s in educational leadership from George Mason University.
Melissa Campbell, M.S. ’08, was named 2014 Teacher of the Year at King George (County) High School. She is head media specialist at the school.
Amanda Elizabeth Chandler ’08, M.S. ’10, and Adam Meredith Freitag were married April 3 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. Chandler is a speech language pathologist for the Lunenburg County Schools. Her husband is a tugboat captain for Kirby Inland Marine.
Valerie Lynn Dieter, M.S. ’08, was named 2014 Teacher of the Year for Providence Middle School in Chesterfield County. She is a librarian at the school.
Dr. Mandalyn Renee Swanson ’08, M.S. ’12, graduated in May from James Madison University with a Ph.D. in assessment and measurement and began working as a program evaluation specialist for Virginia Beach City Public Schools in June.
Lisa Warren Gibson, M.S. ’12, was named 2014 Teacher of the Year at Stonewall Jackson High School in Shenandoah County. She is a librarian at the school.
Teal Chappell Lloyd, M.S. ’12, was named 2014 Teacher of the Year at Stone Spring Elementary School in Harrisonburg City. She is a librarian at the school.
Kimber Bennett Tate, M.S. ’12, was named 2014 Teacher of the Year at Spotswood High School in Rockingham County. A librarian at the school, Tate was also named the Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year by the Rockingham Educational Foundation.
Jennifer Gaskins ’09 and David Clifford were married on May 9, 2015, at House Mountain Inn in Lexington. After graduating from Longwood, she earned her degree in veterinary technology and passed her boards to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She currently works in the radiology department at the VMCVM in Blacksburg.
Michelle Andersen ’09, M.S. ’11, received a Heart and Soul Star Award at Children’s Hospital in Richmond this spring. A communication sciences and disorders graduate, Andersen was recognized for her persistence in seeking hearing assistance for a preschool-age patient despite the fact that he had previously received normal hearing evaluations. The patient, who has Down syndrome, was fitted for hearing aids and subsequently began to make progress in his speech.
2010s
Jordan Miles ’10 was named managing editor of Farmville Newsmedia, LLC. A reporter for the Farmville Herald since 2013, Miles now leads news-gathering operations at the Herald, including print and digital products. Prior to joining the Herald, Miles worked for the Cumberland Bulletin, the Buckingham Beacon and WFLO radio station.
Lindsay Ryman ’10 is the officer administrator for the Pensacola, Fla., Chamber of Commerce. She previously worked as the program manager for the Richmond Technology Council.
Daniel K. Bendele ’11 is an SMB account manager with Convergent Technologies Group in Midlothian. The company offers cost-effective tech support and managed IT services for small and mid-sized businesses.
Daniel Cheatham ’11 was commissioned as an officer in the Army National Guard at a special ceremony at Fort Pickett in April 2015. After having served in the Guard since 2006 as a pharmacy tech in a medical unit, Cheatham made a decision to commit further to the military branch he loves. He applied and was accepted into the Accelerated Officer Candidate School program. Referred to as a “natural leader” at the April graduation ceremony, Cheatham was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.
Crystal Hayes Wooldridge ’11 and Kyle Wooldridge ’10 celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary March 1, 2015.
Caitlin Keroack ’12 is an assistant athletic trainer at Ferrum (Va.) College. Keroack previously was a trainer with the softball program at Illinois State University. Prior to that, she spent a year at the University of Richmond, where she worked as a trainer with the men’s and women’s track and field teams and with the football team during spring practice. In addition to her Longwood degree, she earned her master’s degree from Illinois State in 2015.
Mark Montgomery ’12, who played baseball for Longwood, was promoted to the Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders this summer from The Thunder in Trenton, N.J. A pitcher, Montgomery was selected by the Yankees in the 11th round of the 2011 draft, starting his career with the Staten Island Yankees.
Samantha Marigrace Lankford ’13 and Andrew Keith Boyd were married May 16, 2015, at Cooper’s Landing Inn in Clarksville. She is an auditor with the Commonwealth of Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts and recently earned her CPA. Her husband is employed as a software engineer for Sentel Corporation. The couple resides in Henrico.
Hannah Pierce ’13 was one of 288 hopefuls who competed in August at the LPGA Q School at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Since graduating, Pierce has played on the Sun Coast Golf Tour. She finished in the top 25 in each of her five tour events, including a tie for eighth at the Mission Hills Country Club (Fla.) Palmer Tournament.
Thomasine LaVerne Stroble, M.S. ’13, completed her master’s degree in professional school counseling in December 2013. She retired from the Prince Edward County School System in June 2015 after working 10 years as an educator. Stroble is currently serving a two-year term on the Farmville Planning Commission.
Tristan Carey ’14 signed a professional contract with the Rilski basketball club in the National Basketball League for the 2015-16 season. The overseas signing advances the pro career of Carey, who was a second-round pick in the NBA Development League in November 2014.With Rilski, Carey joins a club coming off a third place finish in the 2014-15 NBL standings and a Bulgarian League semifinal appearance.
Savannah Ketchum ’14 is the costume studio supervisor at Lynchburg College. Prior to joining the college, was she was on tour with Flash Dance the Musical and was involved in the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Her first production at Lynchburg College was the 1930s comedy You Can’t Take it With You.
Carrie Mawyer ’14 and Paige Harris ’14 both recently started their first year of teaching as part of the fifth-grade team at Riverheads Elementary School in Staunton. Mawyer and Harris were freshman roommates at Longwood.
Steven A. Valdez ’14 of Richmond was appointed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to the Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism. Valdez is an associate at KPMG, LLP.
Gabrielle V. Pedro ’14 and Travis W. Fredrick ’12 are planning a Nov. 6, 2015, wedding in Orlando, Fla.
Kevin Underwood ’14 is teaching third grade at Stanleytown Elementary in Henry County. He previously worked in retail, was a Marine, was a staple line operator at Drake Extrusion and was a lead supervisor on a main assembly line at Master Brand Cabinets. Underwood served in the Marine Corps from 2001-05, during which time he was deployed to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of Southern Watch and Northern Watch under Operation Enduring Freedom.
Rebecca Chappell ’15 is a staff writer for The Tidewater News, covering the city of Franklin. A native of Carrollton in Isle of Wight County, Chappell majored in English.
Nick Conigliaro ’15 is the weekend sports anchor and a reporter for KTWO Television in Casper, Wyo.
Jessica Lee Halterman ’15 is the marketing coordinator for Speedpro Imaging NoVa in Sterling.
Karolina Kodin ’15 is a graduate student in biology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is working with a professor there on research aimed at unlocking the potential of using alfalfa as a biofuel crop. Kodin said her master’s thesis topic likely will evolve from her work on the relationships between drought tolerance and gene expression in alfalfa.
Kendall Tignor ’15 works as a nurse in Richmond Memorial Hospital’s intensive care unit.
Novel Idea
John Hudson’80 has published his debut novel. Dust to Dust received a first-place award in the fiction/science fiction category at the EVVY Awards on Aug. 23 in Denver, organized by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association, and placed second in the Outskirts Press Best Books of 2014, besting all but one of the 1,500 books published in 2014. The book is about an attempt in 2026 by researchers specializing in human regeneration technology to bring Thomas Jefferson back to life. Self-published through Outskirts Press, the book is available online as a paperback and in Kindle/Nook downloads through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Hudson, senior vice president and marketing director of the Bank of Clarke County, also is the author of Since 1881, a history of the bank where he has worked since 1983, and Welcome to Boyceville, a history of Boyce, the Clarke County town where he grew up. A music education major, Hudson was a member of Longwood’s first male class on campus and was the charter president of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity. He performs regularly as keyboardist and soloist with his Dixieland band, Dixie Rhythm, and is house soloist with the Clarke County Community Band and Yesterday Swing Orchestra.