2000s

00 Getting Together

Thank you to all of those who attended our Reunion this summer. We had a great turnout and fun was had by all. We are all officially old now. Grab your walkers and trifocals, because there is more fun to come. Our class will be having a tailgate this summer at the ND vs. Texas A&M game on Sept. 13 in the stadium lot. More information is on the way. In exciting news, Erin Rieck, daughter of Maureen (Misener) and Adam Rieck ’99, ’07MBA has been accepted into the ND Class of 2029! Erin is also the granddaughter of Terry Rieck ’69 and Ralph Misener ’76. Erin is the grandniece of Mike Conway ’72 and the great-granddaughter of Pat Conway ’30. Congratulations to Erin and her family. I hope you all have had such a great summer and are looking forward to a great fall. If you have any news or brags, please send them my way. I love hearing from you! — Laurie (Strotman) O’Malley; ndbug3@hotmail.com

 

00MBA Football Reunion Weekend

Hopefully you had a chance to reconnect at the official ND MBA 2000 ~ 25th Class Reunion! Our Memento Book sub-committee needs your photo memories. Please send photos of you and classmates while at ND, subsequent mini-reunions, sporting events, your growing families or celebratory gatherings. Email your photos to committee members Tina Villalobos Mitiguy (tmitiguy@gmail.com) or Jeanine Skendzel (jmskendzel@yahoo.com), with subject heading “Class Reunion Photos.” Special thanks to organizers Carol Anderson and Luis Fasano. Also, thanks to the organizing committee: April Whitfield, Kshitij Shah, Brendon Scott, Liberty Blunier, Brian Lohr, Marc Fields, Georgette Leonard, Sucheth Davuluri, Jason Young, Tina Villalobos Mitiguy, Jeanine Skendzel, Warin Suwannacheep, John Casserly, Wendy Cooling, Jose Portillo, Yasmin Choudhry and Kevin Twomey. Football weekend reunion! If these summer reunion dates didn’t work for you or you’d just like another opportunity to get together, 85 of us will also be gathering at the USC game on Oct. 18, which should be perfect in terms of weather. We already ordered 85 tickets, but if you didn’t get in on that and you’d like to join us, you can buy tickets on the open market (I’ll announce what section we’re in once I receive them), and you can certainly join us in our section and at the before/after parties. Please send any personal and/or professional updates to the email address below. — Mike McDaniel; mba2000@alumni.nd.edu

 

00JD Class Secretary — Daniel Hardwick; danhardwick@gmail.com

 

01 Save the Date

Spring is in full bloom; so are the accomplishments of our classmates! As we move further into 2025, it’s wonderful to see how members of our class continue to make an impact in their communities and reconnect with one another. Here’s what some of our classmates have been up to recently. Ann M. Hanlon, executive director of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, has been highlighted in the March 2025 issue of Georgia Trend Magazine. The article, “Buckhead, Perimeter & True North 400 CIDs: Improving Quality of Life,” features Ann’s work in creating pedestrian-friendly spaces and connecting trail systems throughout northern Metro Atlanta. Thanks to Brian Hobbins for checking in and sharing this great report from the national championship festivities. The game provided the perfect opportunity for a memorable reunion of Keenan Hall’s 3-West crew. Five-sixths of the crew were glad to partner up with friends from Stanford Hall and other Class of ’01 alumni in Atlanta. When Paul Raih committed to fly in from Sydney, Australia, for the event, John Scolaro, Matt Alverson, Austin Daniels and Brian Hobbins joined him for a roommate reunion. They were fortunate to connect with Derrick Shenk, Steve Silzer, Rob Mcintyre, Brian Rush and others in the shadow of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite the freezing-cold pre-game tailgate, more than 50 members of the Class of ’01 gathered in freshman form, having not aged a bit and regaling one another with stories of their personal and professional successes since graduation. Special thanks to Derrick Shenk, Steve Silzer, Drew Mitchell, Corey Hartman and others for organizing the tailgate. Mark your calendar for our 25-year Reunion, June 4 - 7, 2026, which will include two unforgettable class dinners and a Class of 2001 Mass at the Grotto. Please email me if you are interested in joining the reunion planning committee, and continue to share photos via @nd2001alumni on Instagram or submit Class Notes via email at classof2001@alumni.nd.edu. Go Irish! — Michael Anselmi; 415-860-7130; manselmi@alumni.nd.edu; classof2001@alumni.nd.edu

 

01MBA Rest in Peace, Brian

Thank you to Dominic Pang for your time volunteering as our Class Notes author. I am excited to take over the role so please send me your updates. Sadly, our classmate Brian Sullivan passed away on May 28, 2024. Brian Shields, Jonathan Schrader and I were able to attend his funeral Mass, which had a very large turnout. Please keep Brian’s family in your prayers. — Dan Hennessy; hennessy50@yahoo.com

 

01JD Class Secretary — Jonell Lucca;
cell 602-677-3266; jonelllucca@yahoo.com

 

02 Impressive Alums and Future Irish

Sean Bednarz joined the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) as a research staff member in the Science, Systems and Sustainment Division of IDA’s Systems and Analyses Center. After earning his degree in aerospace engineering, Sean earned his master’s degree in aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004. IDA is a nonprofit corporation that operates three federally funded research and development centers in the public interest. IDA answers the most challenging US security and science policy questions with objective analysis leveraging extraordinary scientific, technical and analytic expertise. Christopher C. Fallon III received the Atlantic County Bar Association’s Professional Lawyer of the Year Award. The award is presented to an attorney who is “respected by their colleagues for their character, competence and exemplary professional behavior.” Fallon, a civil trial lawyer, litigates complex commercial matters, business disputes and real estate controversies in NJ’s state and federal courts, at trial and on appeal. A leader in the legal industry, Fallon was previously highlighted as a “New Leader of the Bar” by the New Jersey Law Journal. Mary (Dunleavy) and Mike Hannon are excited that their oldest son, Marty, will be joining the Notre Dame community in the Class of 2029. Do you have any updates? Please send so we can share with the community. — Peter Countryman; 5261 Woodfield Drive, Carmel IN 46033; 317-502-1191; pcountry@gmail.com

 

02MBA Class Secretary — Melissa Hurd; hurdmc@yahoo.com

 

02JD Any News?

Hi classmates. I hope everyone is doing well. Any news to report? I am all ears! — Ryan D. Costantini; 414 S. Notre Dame Ave., South Bend IN 46617; mobile 574-339-8050; ryan.costantini@gmail.com

 

03 Congratulations

After serving as the Midwest regional director for Notre Dame Women Connect, Jennifer (Roberts) Pauwels was elected as the chair of the national board. Her term will begin July 1 and she will lead a board consisting of four executive officers and 12 regional directors, including the Central Regional Director, Katie Jeter-Boldt. As a part of her new role, Jennifer will join the Alumni Association Board of Directors, including Greg Barry, Ellen Webb and Mercedes Boyd Porras. Go Irish! — Josh Gentine; jgentine@alumni.nd.edu

 

03MBA Class Secretary — Rosemary Guillette; 9 Messenger St., Unit 7, Plainville MA 02762; rguillette@alumni.nd.edu

 

03JD Class Secretary — Lawrence A. Ward; 206-903-8817; ward.lawrence@dorsey.com

 

04 Mountains and Martinis

This summer, Sarah Mary Cunningham, will climb the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, in honor of the passing of her father, Dr. Lawrence Cunningham, who was the longtime chairman of the theology department at Notre Dame. The Rwenzori Mountains are a technical climb, and clock in at 16,800 feet; they take about eight days to climb, plus four days of trekking through the jungle to reach. She is grateful to her sister, Julia Cunningham ’07, for her support, and for her work’s leadership, which includes Ryan Krueger ’02, for giving her two weeks off and encouraging her on this journey. Sarah reports that the first thing she will do upon returning to NYC post-climb is wear high heels and have a martini! Congrats on this adventure! Julia Dickinson is proud to have helped start Boston’s only Nurse Midwifery master’s-level education program — teaming up with ND’s rivals Boston College to make this dream come true! BC will be admitting their first class of midwifery students in the fall of 2025. Julia continues to work as the director of midwifery at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, where she has delivered over 800 babies. She lives in Somerville with her husband, Paul Albert, and two sons, Fox (6) and Quinn (2). Send your updates to me. — Carol (McCarthy) Martino; carolmartino10@gmail.com

 

04MBA Quiet Times

After a strong round of updates for the Notre Dame Magazine spring edition, things have been quiet on the update front for the last couple of months. Don’t be shy to share good news and keep the updates coming! — Harry Howisen; hhowisen@gmail.com

 

04JD Wins and Twins

Erin Fischer Timmerman celebrates the 10 year mark as general counsel of EdgeCo Holdings, a private equity-backed financial services enterprise containing wealth management and retirement plan servicing throughout the U.S. and Bangladesh. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and their two-year-old twins, Joey and Sophia. Please send updates. — Katie (Wharton) DeFerrari; katiedeferrari@gmail.com

 

05 Wombats, Penguins and Whales, Oh My

Our classmate Rebecca (Chimahusky) Ferguson sent in the following (action-packed!) update: “I wanted to be at the reunion this year, but life has other plans for me. So instead, I figured I’d drop an update for the Class Notes. At the time of the reunion this summer, I’ll be wrapping up a four-year work assignment in HI and prepping for a move to CO for my next assignment. I moved to HI from MD in spring 2021, and have been pretty busy: ran my first and second marathons (one in HI, one in DC); ran three half marathons (two in HI, one in Memphis); went skydiving for the first time; certified in SCUBA; went sailing among humpback whales; hiked and snorkeled all over Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Molokai and Lanai; was promoted to GS15 (I’m a govie); traveled to my seventh continent (Antarctica!); saw wombats in Tasmania and penguins in New Zealand; hele-hiked on a glacier (also in NZ); met and married the love of my life; and this spring we’ll be welcoming our first child — another reason we can’t make it to the reunion. Looking forward to what adventures CO brings for us!” I’m sorry we didn’t see Rebecca at the reunion (I’d really like to hear more about all these adventures), but thank you to the 250 friends who joined us for a wonderful weekend. I’m anticipating a fall column bursting with reunion updates! Because of the success of reunion weekend and your generosity during ND Day, we are planning to get together again during a TBD 2026 football weekend. Email me if you’d like to help plan a class tailgate and ticket block and be sure to follow ndclassof2005 on Instagram for updates! — Caroline Meehan; ndclassnotes05@gmail.com

 

05MBA Class Secretary — Himanshu Gosar; hgosar@alumni.nd.edu; ndmba2005-owner@googlegroups.com

 

05JD Making Moves

A couple of our classmates have made notable firm moves. In the Steel City, John Wingerter serves as a partner at K&L Gates in the firm’s Pittsburgh PA office. John is a member of the Private Equity Transactions practice group. He made the move in January 2023 after nearly 18 years at Dentons Cohen & Grigsby. Out in the Golden State, Dan Nevarez, a certified authority on workers’ compensation, returned to private practice with Goldberg Segalla in February. Dan works remotely out of the rapidly expanding firm’s San Francisco office. Dan and his family moved to Granite Bay CA officially in 2024. Also out West, we have another member of the judiciary to celebrate. In February, Ryan T. O’Connor was nominated by OR Gov. Tina Kotek to fill a vacant seat on the OR Court of Appeals in Salem, effective immediately. Prior to his nomination, Ryan was a partner alongside classmate Jason Weber for more than 13 years at O’Connor Weber in Portland. Congrats, Judge O’Connor, on a well-deserved appointment! Several of our classmates made it back to campus in the spring to volunteer their time with current students. For the first time, the Law School’s Black Law Students Association, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) and Hispanic Law Students Association each hosted their Alumni Reunion Weekends together on March 21 - 22. As part of that incredible weekend, Karen Selking served as a panelist for the APALSA Alumni Fireside Chat alongside Sang Yup Lee ’05, ’09JD, director of development, Chicago Bar Foundation; Madhavi Seth ’17JD, privacy counsel, CrowdStrike; and Jobil Cyriac ’06JD, head/director of data use, AI and privacy (US and Americas), RWE. Besides practicing business immigration law as a principal at Zulkie Partners LLC in Chicago, Karen continues to run marathons — including qualifying for the Boston Marathon — and raises money for World Vision’s charity work. The following week, Erin (Gallagher) Barnhart spoke at the Law School on March 25 as part of its inaugural Death Penalty Abolition Week, a four-day series of events aimed at confronting the realities of wrongful convictions and sparking critical conversations about the use of the death penalty. Erin was part of a talk with her former client, death row exoneree Lamont Hunter, who was released from OH’s death row in 2023 after being wrongfully convicted in 2007. Newly discovered evidence became available that cast doubt on the original forensic conclusions, leading to the state’s vacature of the capital conviction. The discussion, moderated by Prof. Jimmy Gurule, is available through the Law School’s YouTube channel: tinyurl.com/3cc2yxxs. Thanks, Karen and Erin, for continuing to give back to the next generation of “different kind of lawyers.” Go Irish! — Adam J. Russ; Houston TX; adamjruss@gmail.com

 

06 Second Annual Mabel Cup Invitational

Jessica (Fedor) Friedrichs and husband Kevin welcomed a daughter, Audrey Agnes, on March 13. She lived for three days, then passed away due to having trisomy 13, a genetic disorder that typically results in a very short life expectancy. In her brief time on earth, Audrey blessed the lives of her parents, siblings (Clara, Emmett, Hannah and Violet), grandparents, aunts and uncles. May we all keep the Friedrichs family in our prayers! The Second Annual Mabel Cup Invitational was held in Scottsdale AZ (the other city that never sleeps). Jim McMahon designed the tournament rules and merch, and he co-captained Team Leahy with fellow organizer Nick Stahlschmidt (most skins, fewest shirts). Other Leahy players included Todd “Where’s the Beef?” Strobel (won the poker game, lost the cowboy ribeye argument), Mike Kalman (best Cameo, worst class update) and Chris Kepner (most quail hunted, fewest ribs eaten). Team Rockne was captained by newcomer Ryan Sienko ’05 (most hi-vis balls lost, best steak seasoning) and included two other debutantes in Mike Roisum ’05 (most bidets sold, fewest Star Wars avoided) and Chase Gund ’07 (shortest shorts, best dancing by a country mile). Rockne was bolstered by three veterans in Tyler Smith (best socks, most accurate handicap), Ryan Downey (most cacti hit, most golf carts hit) and player guide writer Jason Bogovic (new high score, won the cowboy ribeye argument). Team Rockne jumped out to a 10 - 4 lead after the first two days, but Team Leahy won 13 of 14 possible points over the weekend, marching onward to a 17-11 victory. Save the date for our 20-year reunion June 4 - 7, 2026 and email me if you are interested in joining the reunion planning committee. — Anna (Skoien) Lall; annagracelall@gmail.com

 

06MBA Class Secretary — Mike Lloyd; 651 Nathaniel Chase Lane, Herndon VA 20170; cell 312-388-0501; mt_lloyd@yahoo.com

 

06JD Another Check-In

Whether you’re drafting contracts or refereeing disputes among your children, I hope you’re thriving. Adrienne Lyles has taken on a new role at Stanford U as associate vice provost and Title IX and Title VI coordinator. Jobil Cyriac recently left Meta to join RWE, where he is now head/director of data use (AI) and privacy, US and Americas. He continues his role as a top-tier girl dad. If you’re coming to Law School Homecoming during the Purdue game weekend, let’s catch up! I’d love to hear what you’re up to. Don’t be shy about sending updates. — Brian E. Hammell; behammell@yahoo.com

 

07 Babies, New Job Titles, Birthday Meetups

Kristin (Schwarz) Whitney and her husband, Derek Whitney, welcomed their second child, Walker Bowen Whitney, on July 30, 2024. Kristin is also celebrating a huge full-circle accomplishment. After qualifying for the Boston Marathon seven times, including finishing her first Boston Marathon senior year, Kristin was appointed co-medical director for the marathon. Kristin is a sports medicine physician and medical director of the Injured Runner’s Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital. She was also recently promoted to assistant professor of orthopedics at Harvard Medical School. She’s the youngest contemporary faculty member in Harvard Orthopedics to earn this merit-based academic promotion. Way to go, Schwarz! Rachel (Sehgal) ’08 and Ryan Bravo welcomed their son, Lucas, on Jan. 18. He arrived just in time to watch ND lose to Ohio State in the CFP championship game. So many of us are celebrating milestone birthdays and many ’07 friend group reunions/celebrations have been happening since the fall of 2024. Denise Barilar, Katie (Nadeau) Tieu, Mike Tieu, Caitlin (May) Russo, Matt Russo, Jaci (Wilkening) Overmann, Kevin Overmann, Mark Solarz and his wife Kristi, and Serena Leahy and her husband, Zach, all met up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in April for an extended weekend of beautiful sunsets, pool time, margaritas and an epic ’80s-themed party. Sheldon Dutes was noticeably absent from the fiesta after bailing on the trip to start his new job in a different industry. After nearly 18 years of working in newsrooms across the country, including four-plus years at the TV station he grew up watching in Orlando, Sheldon anchored his final newscast on March 21 and began a new career in healthcare communications/public relations. Shout-out to all our classmates who are taking similar leaps and pivoting careers! We are now less than two years out from our 20th(!) Class Reunion and plan to host meetups leading up to the big event. We’ll post details in this column and our Class Facebook group! Please email your updates. God Bless and Go Irish! — AJ Cedeño; ndclassnotes2007@gmail.com

 

07MBA Class Secretary — Tim Ponisciak; tponisci@nd.edu

 

07JD Class Secretary — Patrick A. Salvi II; Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., 161 N. Clark St., Suite 4700, Chicago IL 60601;
312-372-1227; psalvi2@salvilaw.com

 

08 Summertime

Summertime: when the Midwest is now THE place. Do you feel like weekending in the Windy City for Lollapalooza? Laugh with Kelsey Klupchak (huge Hex Cougar fan) or Katie (HUGE Lux Pavilion fan) and Megan Scully (just likes humming show tunes). Do you want to party in slow motion on a Michigan pontoon? Please contact Mallory McMorrow (also ask her about her campaign for the U.S. Senate). Mediocre Ohio hiking? Hit up Andrew Zeiser (ask him about nothing). Cow tipping or the pitch-and-putt in Omaha, NE? Notify Mike Cimino. Downtown Erie, PA for economic development and Lake Erie fishing? Fax Drew Whiting (and ask him about municipal drainage issues). Vogelheim family reunion in Rogers City, Michigan? Make sure to beep Julia Hudac, who has the most interesting father in the world. Polka and beer garden in Milwaukee, WI? Well holler at Garrett Mandeville and Ben and Erin Clarke (ask Garrett about his road trip through the Yucatan in 2015; and Erin about her fame and insanely delicious Well Plated recipes). Minnesota? The land of 10,000 lakes? Poke Patrick Kaiser, who peaked in seventh grade but is still handsome. Do we have any 2008 alums in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? Please holler. By time of publication, Doug Schlarman will be wedded to Mark, who is more handsome and talented than Doug. More details will follow in the fall but the guest list is decent, with Christina Lee, Maggie Wickett-Altier, Maggie’s stunning husband Kevin, Magda (Karol) Villela, Kate (Dresser) Winnick, Laura (Campochiaro) and Dave Sena, Jenna Rogers, Colin Dunn, Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft, Jess Zarra, Cassie Belek, Sarah Geisman, Regina Gesicki, and so many more to write about later. Analisa Arizpe is doing a reading at Doug’s wedding–and has agreed to put her iPod down, even though she has not stopped listening to Natasha Bedingfield. The wedding is a reunion (of sorts) for many who went on senior spring break to Cozumel. Patrick McInerney was there. So was Pat Gotebeski, who remains as enigmatic now as he was then. Mike Reilly is jealous; so is Brian Sullivan, who has managed to lose weight in his late 30s, unlike the writer and Jesse Brawer. Tom Bufalino and Pat Ryan still enjoy Trace Adkins’ 2008 hit You’re Gonna Miss This. But not Taylor Claggett, who still hums the Jeopardy theme song under his breath. Dr. James Miller ’08, ’09Arch will be leaving his position as associate professor at Western Washington U to lead the Pacific regional strategy for the Maori and Pacific Housing Research Centre at the U of Auckland. His wife Elizabeth (Myers) Miller ’10 will enjoy time to write, and their three kids are excited for the adventure, playing rugby, and having an accent. Rachel (Sehgal) and Ryan Bravo ’07, ’08MBA welcomed their son, Lucas. He arrived in time to watch his first ND bowl loss. Lucas is already a member of Mensa, enjoys math, and likes listening for ping pong balls dropping, like his father did as a Fisher Hall RA in 2007. Congratulations to Cassie Belek on the birth of Cecily Katherine Belek in April. Cecily is already best friends with Lucas Bravo and likes throwing ping pong balls, thus keeping Ryan Bravo entertained. Sarah and Patrick Lasseter welcomed their third child, Mae Catherine, in April. Her brothers are excited. Megan and Nolan Kane welcomed their third child and third daughter, Kendall Brielle Kane, in March. — Patrick O’Brien; classof2008@alumni.nd.edu

 

08MBA Class Secretary — Megan Ulrich; meganlouisefitzgibbons@gmail.com

 

08JD Class Secretary — Marie-Therese Mansfield; mt.mansfield1@gmail.com

 

09 Doing Better Than Fine

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art appointed Jen Padgett as Windgate Curator of Craft, the museum’s first endowed curatorial position. During her six-year tenure with Crystal Bridges, Jen has served as assistant curator then associate curator of modern art, making numerous contributions to the museum’s modern collection and exhibition program. Craig Wiborg and Andrew Matasic stayed stateside over the winter where they traversed Corbet’s Couloir in Jackson Hole for the first time. Please visit the Notre Dame Class of 2009 Facebook Page to reconnect with members of the Class. Go Irish! — Megan Flynn; megflynn7@gmail.com

 

09MBA Class Secretary — Shawn Pulscher; 801-336-7344; spulscher@alumni.nd.edu

 

09JD Class Secretary — Josh Rinschler; josh.rinschler@gmail.com