Bryan Auchterlonie writes he is growing more resilient and patient by the day and, with the help of his wonderful family, looking forward to more normalcy. He says he is grateful to live in Colorado and traveling frequently to Sonoma County where their business has expanded with the addition of Farmhouse Inn to their portfolio.
Chaz Beck returned to Minneapolis after 10 years in Chicago. He is looking forward to being closer to his family and gaggle of nieces and nephews. Additionally, Chaz and his wife adopted a COVID-19 puppy who can’t stand when either of them leave the house without her.
Niki (Watson) Book was excited to attend VIRTUAL reunion planning weekend this summer! We are all hoping for a safe way to kick off our generation's ROARING 20s with reunion weekend this spring! Until then, sending wishes for health and happiness to all '01ers!
Daniel Connolly has now completed 14 years of work as a reporter for The Commercial Appeal newspaper and recently finished a project for USA TODAY about sexual abuse in competitive cheerleading. He writes that he worked with a stellar team of journalists including Marisa Kwiatkowski, who had previously exposed the abuse of Dr. Larry Nassar, the now-notorious gymnastics doctor. He says, “I've also been writing a lot about the pandemic and about the upcoming election. This fall I'm happy to celebrate my second anniversary with my wife Ayleem Connolly, who is teaching Spanish via video connection from home this year. I count myself lucky in many ways.”
Andrew Dinsmore was excited to learn David Somers ‘12 joined him in the office of Senator Coons where David will spend a year as a AAAS fellow helping advise Senator Coons on manufacturing and science policy. David and Andrew will need to keep their love of Kenyon mostly hidden because the Senator's wife is a Dennison alum...
Megan Hill Grewal writes after 18 years in the high school classroom, she is now a safer at home mom for the time being with Sachin (3.5) and Zoe (14 months). She misses teaching and her Kenyon friends, but has been fortunate enough to witness lots of milestones with her children. Occasionally she is able to trade voicemails and texts with Leigh Andrews Plotke, Brooke Bergdahl Tyler, Lindsey Good, and Erin O'Neill ’02.
Erika Hagan was accepted as a postulant towards ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church in CT this past summer. She says, “Still many years to go, and a degree to finish, but I'm thrilled to be joining my many fellow alums in ordained calling.”
Beth Harrod started a new job as an ICU nurse at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Beth writes, “Taking care of COVID-19 patients has been extremely hard, but I love my job and am continuously learning more each day.”
Laura (Folks) Hollis is currently living in North Canton, Ohio! She married her second husband this year and they welcomed Piper in May 2019, the capstone to her blended family with 5 kids! She is busy driving Kid-Uber and working with her mom on building up their Etsy shop and presence in local craft shows.
Andrew Kahrl was recently promoted to the rank of full professor in the departments of history and African American and African Studies at the University of Virginia.
Aleka Kostouros continues to work as a Behavioral Health Consultant in a community health clinic in Philadelphia. She said, “between COVID-19 and the civil unrest and violence that has especially impacted the community I work with, this year has been challenging and eye opening, to say the least. So much grief. So much anger. So much fear and anxiety. I've been in the clinic the whole time, though mostly doing sessions over the phone, which has been an adjustment.” To recharge, Aleka says she has been taking a lot of day trips to parks and small towns outside of Philadelphia with her boyfriend, and just being grateful for small things. She adds, “It's been wonderful to get out in nature and explore and relax. I hope everyone is safe and well. And for real, wear a mask. “
Hannah Levin moved from NC to Floyd, VA in mid-January to join her partner David and his two children. She writes, “six weeks into the adventure, and right after a vacation to Costa Rica, the world shut down due to COVID-19 and I cancelled all of my Yoga and Ayurveda teaching gigs which had me on the road quite a bit. As yoga studios across the country shut down, I started teaching yoga on Facebook for 40 minutes each morning, for anyone who wanted to join.” Hannah has continued teaching each morning since March 22, over 200 classes, including students that are fellow Kenyon alumni, such as Siiri Morley ’00, Megan Buhr, and Brad Dreifuss. Hannah says, “It’s been an amazing way to reconnect, despite these trying times.” In addition to yoga Hannah continues to lead an online health coaching program for women, The Vitality Circle. Hanna adds, “I love the beauty and peace of where I find myself now. As David homesteads our land, and I am able to support many with Yoga and Ayurveda through the miracle of modern technology. Sending everyone much love!!”
Dan Mayer has been busy running his law practice which specializes in representing mental health practices and practitioners. Dan is getting ready to launch a podcast with his friend and business partner, a licensed mental health professional, that focuses on compliance and how mental health practitioners can protect their practices. The Podcast is called Protecting Your Practice.
Andreana Prichard and her husband Patrick welcomed their first baby, Theo, in March. He was born the week lockdowns started and they’ve enjoyed a lot (!) of time together as a family since. Andreana is still working as an Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma; her husband is in public health.
Gillian Turney (Pollock) moved to the eastern shore of Maryland with her husband who was in medical school. He is now a Surgical PA at the Orthopedic Center in Easton and Gillian is a happy stay-at-home mom. Gillian writes, “It took us 5 years with 4 miscarriages, 3 IFV cycles and an amazing egg donor to get our little guy, but it’s WELL worth all of it.” She adds, “I’m being extra open with you all because I’ve learned over the years how many women have had miscarriages but don’t talk about; it’s like some secret club we joined when we first had ours - so if it helps, there’s always a silver lining.” Gillian notes she hopes we can have our reunion on campus- as she wants to show James all her old Kenyon haunts.
Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB is still loving life working as an administrator at a Roman Catholic seminary and school of theology in southern Indiana. She writes, “I moved into residence at the school due to COVID-19 concerns at my own monastery, and this has bought me additional time to work on icon projects. I recently became a board member for the American Benedictine Academy, and now serve on the editorial board of the American Benedictine Review, a journal concerned with monastic studies.”
