Classes & Obits

Class Note 1983

Issue

November-December 2021

“Hey, hey, hey, hey”: Jean Hanff Korelitz was a guest onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonafter her novel, The Plot, was chosen by viewers as the winner, out of six books, of the show’s summer book club. During a playful discussion with the host about the book, including various accusations that Jean stole the novel’s plot (the book is all about a stolen plot), Jean shared some of the most amusing accusations. Throughout the summer readers followed Jimmy Fallon’s Instagram and The Tonight Show’s social media channels to discuss the book. When asked if her book will be turned into a movie, Jean admitted The Plot has been optioned for television, but beyond that her lips are sealed. Stay tuned. Another class author, John Fanestil, has written a second book, One Life to Give: Martyrdom and the Making of the American Revolution, which was released in August. Erik R. Seeman, chair of the history department at the University of Buffalo, says, “Fanestil makes a persuasive case that religion shaped the course and outcome of the revolution.” Other academics and writers of religion and history have drawn parallel to present day times. John’s writing has also been featured in The Christian Century and The San Diego Union Tribune. Based in San Diego, John, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and a former Rhodes scholar, is the executive director of Via International and has worked for years to advance social justice, including the Central American peace movement. Spanning the globe to bring you…new from Japan: Sam Reckford’s daughter, Molly Reckford ’15, and her teammate, Michelle Sechser, competed at the Olympic Games in rowing in the women’s double sculls. She and her partner finished fifth, just one second out of first place! In the semi-final they rowed the second-fastest time ever in the event—just .18 seconds off the record, which was set by the Italians who beat them in that race and also won gold in the final. In other news, Rich Roberts, a partner at the law firm of Halloran Sage in Hartford, Connecticut, was recently included in the 2022 list of the “Best Lawyers in America.” He was recognized for his land use and zoning law, municipal law, and real estate law practices. “Rocky mountain high, Colorado”: d’AndreDee” Willis is heading west after being selected as the new campus architect and director of planning for the University Colorado, Boulder. With her consulting practice in D.C. and as a vice president at the architecture firm HGA, some of Dee’s architectural highlights include the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Northern Virginia Science Center, the Contemplative Site and the African American Burial Ground at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and many buildings for the campuses of the University of Virginia, Marquette University, and Wheaton College. By the time you read this column our class will have just collectively celebrated our 60th birthdays during our virtual party. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday!

Shanta Sullivan, 1541 North Sierra Bonita Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; shantaesullivan@gmail.com; Elliot Stultz, 421 West Melrose St., #8A, Chicago, IL 60657; elliotstultz@yahoo.com