Class Note 1994
Issue
January-February 2026
Class Note 1994. Hello, fellow ’94s.
Winter is upon us. This month’s class news focuses on those living in the Upper Midwest. Yes, they have chosen a part of the country even colder than Hanover.
Dr. Elissa (Slovik) Gaies has been living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the past two decades, raising her two daughters. Both are high-level gymnasts, and one has an NCAA championship ring with the University of Michigan. From Big Green to “Go, Blue!” As a general internist, Elissa had been practicing outpatient primary care, but like many doctors, became frustrated with insurance dictating how she practiced medicine. Recently, she has taken the plunge, starting her own private practice with the emerging direct primary care model. While she notes the hard work and long days, she loves the time she spends with her patients and can go the extra mile to provide medical care the way it should be.
Rob Manly is our only ’94 living in Fargo, North Dakota. He is helping keep the class diversity and representation across all states alive and well. Rob and his wife have three kids who are now out of the house. Another free bird (sounds so much better than empty nester), Rob has been an attorney at Vogel Law since 2001 and was recently elected president for the State Bar Association of North Dakota. He is also active in the Fargo community. If ’94s want to check the North Dakota box for states visited, give him a call.
Chris Greene left Northern Virginia in 2007 and relocated his family to Minnesota, embracing the cold like a local. Chris works as an environmental scientist focused on emerging contaminants in drinking water. You may have read about “forever chemicals” in the environment—that’s been a major part of his work. Chris says he is fortunate to have dedicated colleagues to work with on these issues. And we are fortunate that he is continuing this important research.
Minnesota native Mike “Sly” Sylvester lives in Duluth on the world’s largest freshwater sandbar along the shore of Lake Superior, “the greatest of the Great Lakes,” with his wife and two stepchildren. After his legendary softball career in intramurals and on 5 Olde Nugget Alley’s team, he began coaching softball at U Wisconsin-Superior. With several conference titles and two national championship tournament appearances, he was enshrined in its hall of fame. Sly is a five-time heart surgery survivor, thankful to be alive, and promoting cardiovascular health and healthy lifestyle choices.
Finally, Josh Heikkila maintains a Minnesota address but has lived in Accra, Ghana, since 2009. Previously, Josh, a Presbyterian minister, worked in churches in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Chicago. Currently, he works for the Presbyterian Church of the USA with community and church development projects in West Africa. In addition to Ghana, he works with communities in Togo, Nigeria, Niger, and Liberia. Josh encourages people to visit the region for its vibrant business, arts, tourism, and incredible energy.
Keep in touch.
—Sean Kinney, 53 Lighthouse Lane, Moultonborough, NH 03254; seankinney2001@yahoo.com
Winter is upon us. This month’s class news focuses on those living in the Upper Midwest. Yes, they have chosen a part of the country even colder than Hanover.
Dr. Elissa (Slovik) Gaies has been living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the past two decades, raising her two daughters. Both are high-level gymnasts, and one has an NCAA championship ring with the University of Michigan. From Big Green to “Go, Blue!” As a general internist, Elissa had been practicing outpatient primary care, but like many doctors, became frustrated with insurance dictating how she practiced medicine. Recently, she has taken the plunge, starting her own private practice with the emerging direct primary care model. While she notes the hard work and long days, she loves the time she spends with her patients and can go the extra mile to provide medical care the way it should be.
Rob Manly is our only ’94 living in Fargo, North Dakota. He is helping keep the class diversity and representation across all states alive and well. Rob and his wife have three kids who are now out of the house. Another free bird (sounds so much better than empty nester), Rob has been an attorney at Vogel Law since 2001 and was recently elected president for the State Bar Association of North Dakota. He is also active in the Fargo community. If ’94s want to check the North Dakota box for states visited, give him a call.
Chris Greene left Northern Virginia in 2007 and relocated his family to Minnesota, embracing the cold like a local. Chris works as an environmental scientist focused on emerging contaminants in drinking water. You may have read about “forever chemicals” in the environment—that’s been a major part of his work. Chris says he is fortunate to have dedicated colleagues to work with on these issues. And we are fortunate that he is continuing this important research.
Minnesota native Mike “Sly” Sylvester lives in Duluth on the world’s largest freshwater sandbar along the shore of Lake Superior, “the greatest of the Great Lakes,” with his wife and two stepchildren. After his legendary softball career in intramurals and on 5 Olde Nugget Alley’s team, he began coaching softball at U Wisconsin-Superior. With several conference titles and two national championship tournament appearances, he was enshrined in its hall of fame. Sly is a five-time heart surgery survivor, thankful to be alive, and promoting cardiovascular health and healthy lifestyle choices.
Finally, Josh Heikkila maintains a Minnesota address but has lived in Accra, Ghana, since 2009. Previously, Josh, a Presbyterian minister, worked in churches in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Chicago. Currently, he works for the Presbyterian Church of the USA with community and church development projects in West Africa. In addition to Ghana, he works with communities in Togo, Nigeria, Niger, and Liberia. Josh encourages people to visit the region for its vibrant business, arts, tourism, and incredible energy.
Keep in touch.
—Sean Kinney, 53 Lighthouse Lane, Moultonborough, NH 03254; seankinney2001@yahoo.com