Class Note 1984

I recently decided to go off the grid. It’s like living in the good old days—pre-1995, pre-Internet, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. So I write this column the old-fashioned way. From sleepovers to breakfasts, to hearsay, I gathered the information for this column. Here’s the news that’s fit to print in June 2017.

Andrea (Kaufman) Aronson visited me recently with her husband and youngest daughter. Andrea lives in Westfield, New Jersey, where she works as an independent college counselor. Her business partner is Mark Montgomery who lives in Denver. Together they’re like an encyclopedia for all things related to college admissions. Andrea was not only a great guest, she also provided me with news about other classmates. The first was Dan Adel, whom she literally ran into while they were both on a college tour at Colgate. Dan lives in the D.C. area. He has some kind of marketing job. I wish I could be more specific but since I’m off the grid I can’t email him.

Marsha Trant, sorority sister of Andrea’s, lives outside Baltimore. She was at IBM for many years and recently separated from the company. She now evaluates her next move. One of her kids will graduate from Dartmouth in June.

Andrea met up with Mara Rudman at the D.C. women’s march. Mara is a lawyer in government and is transitioning. Andrea suggested I check with co-secretary Eric Grubman for more specific details. But Eric just informed me that he’s now off the grid too. Seems it’s catching on.

According to Andrea, here’s a bunch of news: Nancy (Ferrell) Getter also lives in Baltimore and Brett Aronow is traveling the world. At least I think that’s what my notes say. If only I could Facebook message Brett and double check. Mary Meeker lives in Nevada and lobbies for change in local education.

Last week I caught up with John Gilstrap over scrambled eggs and salmon in N.Y.C. John is CEO at Ravenscourt Partners, a high-stakes public strategy firm specializing in business development, PR and communications and government relations. Ask John about his “war room” approach to public strategy. Or I can just tell you what it is: a critical communications program to uncover issues and shield your organization in times of crisis and distrust.

And before I went off the grid, the College gave me some great news about Phyllis Utley. She was appointed to the first African American Heritage Commission of Asheville and Buncombe County (North Carolina) in 2014 and reappointed in 2016. And she was recognized as one of Asheville’s eight influentials for 2016. Why? To quote her nominator: “She has proven to be a diamond in this region and many people trust her with their lives. Phyllis is informative and assertive. She has not given up on those who people call hopeless. She is hope for the underrepresented population.” Wow! I hope she shows up for our 2018 reunion! Speaking of reunion, that’s something for which we should all get on the grid.

—Juliet Aires Giglio,4915 Bentbrook Drive, Manlius, NY 13104; julietgiglio@gmail.com; Eric Grubman, 2 Fox Den Way, Woodbridge, CT 06525; (203) 710-7933; grubman@sbcglobal.net