Class Note 2005
Issue
March-April 2023
Happy belated new year, ’05s. We skipped the last submission, so there are several updates to share. First, we remember classmate Jodie Neukirch Elliott, who sadly passed away in August. A memorial page was established where you can share your memories: www.jodiesfund.org. The site also has details on a fund established at Duke University, which will ensure the continuation of Jodie’s work and legacy by supporting programs for young adults with chronic health conditions and related peer mentorship and leadership programs. The class of 2005 has made a contribution to the fund in honor of Jodie.
Next, we remember classmate Bob Bruce, who lost his battle with cancer in October. After time spent living and working in Alaska post college, Bob was accepted at the Tufts School of Medicine Maine track program and at the same time was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He received a combined diploma from Tufts School of Medicine and Maine Medical Center in 2013. Bob did his residency at the Army Hospital at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, and then completed a fellowship in critical and pulmonary care at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He then moved to Southern Pines, North Carolina, and practiced at Womack Army Hospital at Fort Bragg, reaching the rank of major. Bob is survived by his wife, Becky, and children Robert, Abigail, and Malcolm—his greatest joy in life. We will update the class on additional ways to remember Bob as they are made available.
In baby news, Allette Vayda and Mandy Yow welcomed baby Parker Vayda-Yow in August. They are celebrating 12 years of living in Nashville and are always interested in meeting alumni in the area!
Katie Bell Barnett lives outside Albany, New York, with her husband and two kids, Nora, 7, and Reuben, 4. After a decade as a journalist and nonfiction author she switched gears and became a psychotherapist and has been doing her part to address the pandemic mental health crisis, working mostly with teenagers and some adults in private practice.
Dartmouth celebrated the 50th anniversary of coeducation in Hanover in November. Our class had the largest group of young alumni in attendance, including panelists Kimberly Marable, Lis Smith, and Becca Heller, Dartmouth trustee Caroline Kerr, women’s initiatives subcommittee of the Campaign Executive Committee member Ashley (Donnenfeld) Shackelton, Kate Carolan, Kate (Lyon) Bustard, and Colleen Harrison. The celebration included panels, presentations, exhibitions, and gatherings including the rededication of Dartmouth Hall. Thank you to all for representing our class so well!
Lastly, Matt Heineman won three Emmys this fall for his film, The First Wave. Make sure to check it out, as well as his next film, Retrograde, which has been shortlisted in the best documentary category for the 95th Academy Awards as of the writing of this class update.
—Matt Nicholson, 5308 Yorktown Road, Bethesda, MD 20816; mtnicholson3@gmail.com
Next, we remember classmate Bob Bruce, who lost his battle with cancer in October. After time spent living and working in Alaska post college, Bob was accepted at the Tufts School of Medicine Maine track program and at the same time was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He received a combined diploma from Tufts School of Medicine and Maine Medical Center in 2013. Bob did his residency at the Army Hospital at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, and then completed a fellowship in critical and pulmonary care at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He then moved to Southern Pines, North Carolina, and practiced at Womack Army Hospital at Fort Bragg, reaching the rank of major. Bob is survived by his wife, Becky, and children Robert, Abigail, and Malcolm—his greatest joy in life. We will update the class on additional ways to remember Bob as they are made available.
In baby news, Allette Vayda and Mandy Yow welcomed baby Parker Vayda-Yow in August. They are celebrating 12 years of living in Nashville and are always interested in meeting alumni in the area!
Katie Bell Barnett lives outside Albany, New York, with her husband and two kids, Nora, 7, and Reuben, 4. After a decade as a journalist and nonfiction author she switched gears and became a psychotherapist and has been doing her part to address the pandemic mental health crisis, working mostly with teenagers and some adults in private practice.
Dartmouth celebrated the 50th anniversary of coeducation in Hanover in November. Our class had the largest group of young alumni in attendance, including panelists Kimberly Marable, Lis Smith, and Becca Heller, Dartmouth trustee Caroline Kerr, women’s initiatives subcommittee of the Campaign Executive Committee member Ashley (Donnenfeld) Shackelton, Kate Carolan, Kate (Lyon) Bustard, and Colleen Harrison. The celebration included panels, presentations, exhibitions, and gatherings including the rededication of Dartmouth Hall. Thank you to all for representing our class so well!
Lastly, Matt Heineman won three Emmys this fall for his film, The First Wave. Make sure to check it out, as well as his next film, Retrograde, which has been shortlisted in the best documentary category for the 95th Academy Awards as of the writing of this class update.
—Matt Nicholson, 5308 Yorktown Road, Bethesda, MD 20816; mtnicholson3@gmail.com