Alumni Connections
Sayre’s Alumni e-newsletter, ALUMNI CONNECTIONS, is published two times a year. Please continue to send news about your family, accomplishments, travels and employment.
Please submit your news and photos to Tom A Grunwald, Director of Alumni, at tgrunwald@sayreschool.org or at (859) 254-1361, extension 205.
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The New Era
1971
Margy Stone Cantrell writing from West Bloomfield, MI, says that her house is busy. “My son, Evan (27) has entered law school after eight years in the Army. His wife Denise gave birth to a new boy Preston in August, 2010.” Margy’s other son, Will, graduated from Concordia University in Ann Arbor and wants to teach and coach high school. Margy writes that she is a proud mom and grandmother.
1972
Guy Harris writes that he and his wife Priscilla Johnson Harris ’74 are still living in the country near Burgin, KY. The couple’s son, Joe, is a Navy Ensign currently in training in Florida where he and his wife Amanda welcomed their first child on October 10, 2010. The couple’s daughters, Ann and Beverly, are currently attending Transylvania University.
1973
This past April, Marion Clark walked into the Alumni Office and donated a number of historical artifacts relating to David A. Sayre’s bank, an 1895-1895 school catalogue, and several post cards dated 1906 and 1910. Marion found these priceless items while going through her father’s papers. Many thanks to Marion for adding to the school’s collection.
Julie Ruschell Snow writes that her son is “in law school having already earned a degree in engineering.” Her daughter is in Charleston, SC, working on her MBA and her Yoga International 200 hour certification. Julie says that she now has three masters – an MBA, MPA, and MS. She is also a certified yoga trainer.
Sally Hackett Norkus lives in Virginia with her husband, Michael, and has become quite an author. Her most recent book is a novel set at the time of Sally’s childhood memories when she attended Sayre and is titled, Until the Wind Changes. It is in the process of being published by Xulon. Although she changes the names of the characters, there are a number of fictional characters based on her classmates.
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From left to right: Cindy Loy Darst, Rose
Buckner, Kathy Ross Arterberry, Susie
Lawrence, Marlene McCarty,
Mary Johnson Gillum |
1974
The daughter of Richard and Allison Turnbull, Ms. Katherine Prewitt, was married to Mr. Mark Harris Cannon on May 14, 2011, in a ceremony at Spindletop Hall. Attending as bridesmaids were Sarah Prewitt ’04 and Hannah Turnbull ’12. Serving as a groomsman was Ben Turnbull ’12.
1976
Hollie Hopkins joined the office of the Governor in December 2010. Hollie was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear as the General Counsel for the Office of the Governor. She previously served as General Counsel of the Finance and Administration Cabinet from 2002-2003. Prior to her return to state government, she served as counsel to Frost Brown Todd LLC and was formerly a partner with Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs. Hollie is a 1984 graduate of the University Of Kentucky College Of Law. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1981 with a B.A. in economics and is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the Louisville Bar Association.
1979
Louise de St. Jorre writes from Australia that all of her family had a reunion at Christmas in Maui for two weeks to celebrate her parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. She says they chose Hawaii as a somewhat central location as they are currently spread all over the world. She says that Susan de St. Jorre ’82 and her family are in Calgary, Canada, while Danielle and her family are in London, UK. She continues that it is another hot, dry summer in Western Australia- in stark contrast with the punishing rains in the eastern states. Australia is really a country of extremes!
Katy Banahan writes that she is living in Seattle, WA. Katy says she loves the Pacific Northwest with its bookstores, excellent Thai restaurants, urban green spaces, and progressive politics. She keeps busy with “lawyering” and raising her son, Patrick. Patrick, age six, is in the first grade.
1980
Lini Kadaba Rajagopalan retired from the Philadelphia Inquirer and is busy blogging, working out at a local gym and volunteering as the newsletter editor at her son’s, Rohan, school.
1983
Jon Paul Wallace writes that his oldest son, Andrew, earned his Eagle Scout rank with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 185. Jon Paul and wife, Lisa, live in Winchester, TN.
1984
Chris Williams sends news that he is the Department Chair of History and teaches AP United States History at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville.
1985
Will Arvin and wife Shannon are the proud parents of Anne Miles McCutchen Arvin born on May 5, 2011. McCutchen weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 19 inches long. McCutchen, named for her grandmother, Anne McCutchen Arvin, joins sister Bishop in the Arvin household.
Ben Graves took a December 2010 trip to Cairo, Malta, Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Ben writes, “history comes to life; just checking off the Bucket List one trip at a time.” Sounds like a good way to learn history!
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| Children of Ivan I. Monclova '89 |
1988
Cindy Moss Imlay and husband Scott are the proud parents of twins Lucy Jordana and Courtney Miranda born on April 15, 2011. The twins join their big sister Caitlin in the Imlay household.
Theresa Lankster is living in Bangkok, Thailand, with her husband, Mark. Mark is the Vice President of an Iowa based company called Diamond V. She writes that things are wonderful there…”we live in a moo baan or neighborhood full of expats. We are the only Americans which is quite fun. We have friends from France, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Japan, Germany, and Thailand. The compound is full of families with children so Sophia has plenty of neighborhood friends.” Theresa works as an equine nutrition consultant and is also taking Thai language classes with a private tutor.
1994
Chris Darmand and Amy Duncliffe are the proud parents of Emily Kate Darmand born on February 22, 1011. Emily weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz.
Olivia Johnson Scholz and husband Louis are the proud parents of August Meyers Scholz born on February 28, 2011. August weighed 8lb. 4 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. She joins her older sister Samantha in the Scholz household.
Tom Stephens writes that he left Alltech where he was a co-manager of Alltech’s World Equestrian Games Activation Team. To quote Tom, “when the games were over, I took stock of my accomplishments. Determining that it had nothing to do with the traditional practice of law, I closed up my book of business and went out on my own. I am now doing business consulting and a bit of legal work.” Tom says that he is very “passionate” about getting up in the morning and going to work.
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| Child of Lizy Aulick Robertson '95 |
Sarah Tully Marks graduated from the University Of Kentucky College Of Medicine in May 2010. Sarah and her husband, Jeremy, moved to Milwaukee, WI, where she is doing her residency in family medicine at St. Joseph Hospital. This past year, she was also elected as the resident representative to the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Board of Directors.
1995
Joe Ruel and Emily Cowles are the proud parents of Charles Graham Cowles born on October 11, 2010. Charles joins his older brother Walt, Sayre School pre-schooler, and weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long.
1996
Courtney and Nicole Bearse are the proud parents of a baby girl, Laney Valentine Bearse, born on May 9, 2011. Laney joins her older sister, Zoe. She weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long.
Mike Nolan writes that “all of the Nolan’s are doing well! Sarah ’94 is working for the State Department in Washington, D.C. I’ve recently moved back to Kentucky after completing my mechanical engineering degree.”
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| Child of Chris Thornbury '98 |
1997
Kristin Elizabeth Nelson and Robert Scott French Russo were married on April 9, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. They reside in Charlottesville, VA.
1998
Bradley and Adrianna Nahra are the proud parents of a baby boy, Brady Allan Nahra, born on March 2, 2011. Brady weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19 ½ inches long. Mother, Dad, and Brady are all doing well in Chandler, AZ.
Robert Simpson Walker ’98 and Juliana Lambuceti married on May 8, 2010, in Lima, Peru. Rab and Juliana now live in Washington, D.C., where Rab works as an engineer.
Knox van Nagell spoke in April to the assembled senior class at the annual Alumni-Senior Breakfast. The Breakfast is sponsored each year by the Alumni Council in honor of the graduating seniors. Past speakers have included Dr. Lloyd Ireland ’70, Steve Ruschell ’67, Ann Bakhaus McBrayer ’74, Lydia Curtz ’06, and the Blackey sisters, Ellie ’00, Cady 02, Beth ’05, and Dory ’08. Knox is the Executive Director of the Fayette Alliance, Lexington’s only land-use advocacy group that regularly educates and lobbies local government for a sustainable Lexington that benefits all of us.
Robo and Sarah Sutherland are the proud parents of William Robert Sutherland III born on August 23, 2011. W.R. weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19 ½ inches long. The family resides in Lexington, KY.
1999
David Parrish Isaacs and Sydney Patricia Rosencranz were married on March 12, 2011, at the First Congregational Church of Houston. William Stewart Isaacs ’01 of Charlotte, NC, served his brother as best man. The bride is a cum laude graduate of Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA. She is the Vice President, managing the Houston office of the Abernathy MacGregor Group in Houston. Parrish is a cum laude graduate of Williams College, Williamstown, MA. He received his masters in Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, in Hanover, NH. He is the Finance and Planning Manager with Leedo Cabinetry. The couple resides in Houston.
Margaret Tate Russell and Joshua Clayton Sherman were married in Hilton Head, SC, on October 8, 2011. Tate currently works as a representative for Eagle Beer while Josh is the owner of Great Lawns. The couple resides in Lexington.
2000
Rob Dalton and Elizabeth (Betsy) Dortich were married on April 9, 2011, at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nashville, TN. Serving as best men at the wedding were brothers Charlie Dalton ’98 and Lisle Waller Dalton. Groomsmen included Elliott Miller ‘00, Chris Lemaster ‘00, and George Nicholson ‘00. Rob works for Perfect Serve a medical information supplier. The couple lives in Knoxville, TN, where Betsy is completing her Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee in mass communications.
Clinton Salyer Combs announced the opening of his law practice on November 1, 2010, at Goodwin Square, 444 East Main Street, Suite 101 in Lexington, KY.
Amy Hastie Samples joined Sea Grant in 2011 to support the Green Marina Education and Outreach Projects, with the aim to provide consistent guidance and training opportunities to marina operators and boaters across the Great Lakes basin. She also supports the Michigan Clean Marina program. Amy has her B.S. in Environmental and Natural Resources from Clemson University and her M.S. in Natural Resources and Environment from the University of Michigan. Amy and her husband Adam are the proud parents of Brynn Elizabeth Samples, born on August 20, 2011. Brynn weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 inches long. The family resides in Ann Arbor, MI.
2001
Sarah Elizabeth Asbury and Matthew Colter Bishop were married on October 8, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington. Lauren Lane Williamson ’03 served as a bridesmaid and her sister, Megan Williamson Huber ’02 served as a reader. Serving as one of the groom’s attendants was Miller Asbury ‘07, brother of the bride. The couple resides in Auburn, AL.
Katie Martin is employed by Thompson Miller & Simpson PLC in Louisville, KY. That makes two Sayre graduates who work for that firm - the other being Ellie Blackey Davis ‘00. Katie lives in St. Matthews and says that her job has been “challenging, but also interesting.”
2002
Dr. Cady Blackey, having graduated from the University of Kentucky Medical School, is doing her residency in New Orleans. Cady writes that she loves working in that area.
Gunner Richard laCour Jr. and Melanie Helene Price of Tampa, FL, were married on May 21, 2011, at Temple Adath Israel in Lexington. The bride is a graduate of The Gilmour Academy, the University of Kentucky, and the University College of Law. She is an attorney with the Florida Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. Gunner graduated from Hanover College and is a cum laude graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law. In addition, he graduated with distinction from Tulane University College of Law with an LLM in Maritime Law. He is employed as an attorney with RiverHawk Fast Sea Frame, LLC in Tampa. The couple will reside in Tampa, FL.
Sandy Ockers graduated from Emory University where she earned a combined masters degree in Public Health and Physician Assistant.
2003
Elliot Douglas Neuman and Whitney Elizabeth Tucker were married on June 11, 2011, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington. The bride is a graduate of Daviess County High School, the University of Kentucky where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, and the Bluegrass Community and Technical College where she received her Associate Degree in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Elliot graduated from the University of Kentucky where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. He is currently a resident in the Graduate Periodontology Program at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. Serving as Elliot’s best man was Allan Richard Watson, Jr. ’02 and Vincent Arthur Tew ’03 was a groomsman. The couple will reside in Lexington.
Anne Lawrence Gess and Madison Robert Smith were married on October 30, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. Ann Lawrence graduated from High Point University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Furnishing Marketing and a minor in Interior Design. Madison graduated from High Point University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. Serving as bridesmaids were Anne Chenault Van Meter ’06 and Elizabeth Irene Tsamas ’15. Serving as ushers were Benjamin Gess ’06 and William Bush Gess IV ’06. The couple will reside in Richmond, VA.
2004
Courtland Leer is a new English teacher at Sayre this fall. Courtland spent a year teaching English as a Second Language at Nanjing University in the Peoples Republic of China after graduating from Sewanee.
Blair Campbell recently wrote that she finished doing Teach For America in Charlotte, NC. She is now working for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte in community development.
Richard Ockers is working for the Laclede Gas Company in St. Louis. He is in Utilization Engineering, which is a part of the Marketing Department focusing on green buildings, energy efficiency, and alternative uses for natural gas.
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| Leigh Ann Gill '05 |
2005
Elizabeth Borrowdale-Cox has completed her Masters Degree in archeology and Greek and Roman History at Wadham College, Oxford, England. Elizabeth is currently teaching history at Transylvania University and working at the art museum at the University of Kentucky.
Leigh Ann Gill living in New York City writes, “I graduated from Parsons School of Design in 2009 and love living in New York. I’ll be here forever. After designing purses for Kate Spade, I have recently accepted a position with Vogue magazine. I know that Louise McCready works at Vogue and I'm hoping to hook up with her soon.”
2006
John-Michael Lorton and Kimberly Struss were married on February 12, 2011, at St. Hubert Episcopal Church.
In November 2010, Chris Carson began an internship with Senator Mitch McConnell in his Washington D.C. office. During his internship, Chris will be working with issues related to agriculture and energy. Chris is a 2010 graduate of Duke University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
2007
Caroline and Elizabeth Dowell graduated from SMU in December 2010 and have moved to Louisville. Caroline has taken a job with Mortenson Family Dental.
Elizabeth Zibell graduated from the University of South Carolina this past May and has been accepted into the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy.
Chase Barnett graduated from Georgetown College in 2011 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and political science. This past summer Chase took an internship with Ray Larson in the Commonwealth Attorney’s office and plans to continue her education by attending law school.
Barton Smith graduated from Centre College this past May with his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies.
2008
Rachel Hollingsworth, a senior at Butler University, spent the past spring going to school in Australia. Among her many adventures were trips to the Great Barrier Reef, scuba
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State Track Runner-Up from left to right:
Philippine Couturier '15, Ann Eason '11,
Bea Cameron '11, and Maddox Patterson '15 |
diving, and learning about rugby, cricket, and Australian football.
2009
Grant Linder writes that he is majoring in English at Connecticut College with plans to be certified as a teacher.
2011
On May 22, 2011, Camille Fishback was recognized by the Church of the Good Shepherd for her years of service as a senior acolyte.
Faculty Notes:
Tom Isaacs, Sayre teacher and tennis coach, retired this past May. Mr. Isaacs attended the Sayre Lower School in the 1950s before there was an Upper School. He returned to Sayre to teach full time in 1971. Beginning in 1972, Mr. Isaacs coached the boys and girls varsity Tennis Team winning three state tournaments in the 1980s. He also led the Middle School Chess Team to a state title in 2007. He was recognized by the school receiving the Short Award of Teaching Excellence and in 2005, honored by the Alumni Association with the Faculty and Staff Award.
Obituaries:
Mrs. Betty Greathouse Talbot Buttermore ‘38 died on January 27, 2011 after a short illness. Mrs. Buttermore attended Sayre and graduated from Transylvania University in 1942. While in college, she met Harry King Buttermore, Jr. of Harlan, KY. They were married and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Harry King Buttermore III of Atlanta, and Robert Talbot Buttermore of Charlotte, NC. Mrs. Buttermore lived in Harlan for 27 years where she taught at Cawood High School and owned a book store. In 1969, Betty and Harry moved to Lexington. In December 2010, she celebrated her 90th birthday with a luncheon for family and friends.
Dr. William Lipscomb Jr. ’38 died on April 14, 2011. In 1976, Dr. Lipscomb received the Nobel chemistry prize for his work on man-made compounds consisting of boron and hydrogen and the problems of chemical bonding. Dr. Lipscomb’s father served as the school’s doctor in the 1930s and following his father’s death, his mother taught voice at Sayre. Dr. Lipscomb spoke at the 1984 Sayre graduation.
Robert Dowell Tye ’67, died at his home in Connecticut on January 12, 2011, following a struggle with esophageal cancer. Dowell was the son of Hiram Speed Tye and Elizabeth Renfrew. His mother, “Zibby” Tye Beattie served as the secretary of the Upper School in 1967 – 68. Dowell joined the army and became a commissioned officer in the 6th Special Forces Group where he served as a Green Beret during the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he received a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the Wharton School. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Tye of Darien, Connecticut, and children, Elizabeth Tye, and Alexander Tye.
Mark Anthony Rose’70 died suddenly of a heart attack on October 29, 2010. He is survived by his wife Lenora Rose, two brothers, Scott K. Rose, and Michael D. Rose ’73, and a sister, Peggy Rose Wheeler ‘76.
Mark Edward Durbeck ‘78 died on January 26, 2011 in Lexington. Mark is survived by his wife, Karen Wilson Durbeck, his son, Brandon Mark Durbeck, and a daughter, Brittany Marie Durbeck. Mark was an auto mechanic and owned his own shop.
Mary Bridgeforth Oldham Betz ’84 died on November 22, 2011. Mary was born in Mt. Sterling and attended St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, VA. She graduated from Sayre and went on to earn her undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas. Following her graduation, she was employed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and worked on the Galileo Project for NASA. She was most currently employed by the Korry Division of Esterline in Everett, WA. She is survived by her husband, Ryan; sons, Josh and Justin; brothers, Ben, Bill, and Matt Oldham, and her father, David Oldham.
Thomas Maffett Primm ’02 died on April 17, 2011. Maffett was a talented artist and an accomplished horseman and foxhunter. He attended Culver Military Academy where he played polo for the school and was a member of the jumping team. Thomas is survived by his parents, a sister, Bentley Primm ’05, and a brother, Mason Primm ‘10.
Richard French McCready, Jr. died unexpectedly on August 22, 2011. Mr. McCready was a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Virginia Law School. He also earned a Masters of Law degree at the University of London. He served in a number of capacities in Winchester and was a highly regarded member of the Sayre Board of Trustees from 1986 until 1993. He is survived by his wife, Jane H. McCready, and two daughters, Sarah McCready Boston ’94 and Louise French McCready ‘03.
