Class Notes

Douglas Krogh ’59 is retired and playing golf. Living between Louisville and Sunset Beach, N.C.

Michael Kolbay ’63 writes: “For those in the Class of ’63, at or approaching age 80, remember - in Celsius - that's only 27. Happy Holidays to you and your family.”

Jeffrey Berger ’65 writes: “Fast approaching 4 score years of age and still kicking.”

Robbie Kaufelt ’65 writes: "Nine classmates from Prep '65 came to Small Farm the other evening for a wine and cheese party hosted by Nina and myself.

We were glad to see Max, Michael, Maureen, Mary Beth, Peter, Larry, Jeff, and David. Several classmates brought their partners.

Nina led us in a round of Rose, Bud, Thorn: the rose is a good thing that is happening; the bud's what you're looking forward to; and the thorn, well, you get the idea. This brought us up to date on where we're at in life these days, as well as where we've been these past ten years (or longer).

The big news was Maureen's engagement ring...from Dr. Gottlieb. Mazel Tov to both!

Sixteen of our classmates have passed, the nine listed above were at our home, and twenty six did not - or could not - attend. Some, of course, we've never heard from since graduation (James Blaise Callaghan, are you out there?).

We spoke of another party, where perhaps more of the missing members might be able to make it. If so, there's no point in waiting to our 65th or 70th, as each year is precious at this point. Nina and I are always happy to host, in NJ or NYC, perhaps a weekend, perhaps a pot luck dinner or a show.

We look forward to seeing John A, Viv, Gale, Bobby, Jeff, Sheila, Judy, Ruth, Renee, John D, Allyson, Randy, Michael F, Edie, Rich H, David J, Billy, Brett, Ted, Don, Jay, Rich, John R, Ralph, and Abby in the near future. Send news!

I learned this at the 50th, but it hit home at the 60th: no matter what nonsense we indulged in back in school, no matter which group or groups we hung with, or who did what or with to whom, none of it matters anymore. All of us have had our share of success and heartbreak.

We are people we know intimately, having lived those school years together, in a small class, as teens (I have three teens myself now, my only kids), and it turns out we haven't changed all that much. But in any case, where we have changed... it's for the better.

See you soon, I hope. Meanwhile, Prep is on a building campaign, so those who can afford it, please send some money. And I recommend asking for a copy of the History of Rutgers Prep Vol 2, which I've begun. Fascinating in its own way, a very old institution that gave us an unusually good education, with some very peculiar but wonderful teachers!

Best, Robbie

PS: I just turned 78 on Oct 7, and as a birthday present to myself I leave tomorrow for a week in Israel. I hope it's the beginning of a better future for them and for us here at home."

Anthony (Tony) Montagna ’66 writes: “Hello to fellow classmates, former sports team members and friends; I hope everyone is doing well and living their fondest dreams.”

Charlie William (Bill) Petrics ’69 writes: “Now retired lawyer & educator. We enjoy skiing in Vermont's winter & hiking in summer, & able to live & visit friends in Italy during the Fall. Lucca, Italy- our 2nd home.”

Charlie Daniel ’76 writes: “Our 50th class reunion is coming up on May 16th. Please come and contact classmates to do the same!”

Johnny O'Connell ’78 received the Lou Carnesecca Lifetime Achievement Award on  Wednesday January 15th. According to his nephew Ryan Klipstein '07, Director of Community and Athletic Programs at RPS, "The number of lives he has touched over his 41 years at St. Andrews is truly incredible, but it was his time growing up with his father, Dick "Oke" O'Connell, in the gym of Rutgers Prep hanging around the legends of the game (before they were legends!) that was the focus of his acceptance speech." 

Paul Kuharsky ’87 is in his eighth year running PaulKuharsky.com, a membership website covering the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, where he is also a radio regular. He's on the selection committee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also just completed his first semester as an adjunct in the journalism department of Belmont University.

William “Sandy” Somers ’91 writes “I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025! 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada.”

Kamari Price Alexander '93 had the honor of introducing US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson at the Martha's Vineyard Black Book Festival. In her remarks, Kamari said, "US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson serves with poise, humility, power and brilliance as our country's first Black woman to hold this illustrious position. The time she spent speaking at the Martha's Vineyard Black Book Festival after reading from her memoir entitled Lovely One, encouraged us all to do our life's work with perseverance. She is the embodiment of diligence and preparation and lauded the support of her parents, various teachers, judges, her husband and multitudes of supporters from the community who contributed to ability to hold this reverent role on the US Supreme Court. I might add that in her application to Harvard University she said she wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice. Mission accomplished! It was truly a great honor of my life to be able to introduce Justice Jackson and I will always be marked by the privilege."

Jill Glazewski Gladish ’93 MD writes: “I’m still living mainly in Oregon with my husband Jimmy. We split our time between Portland and Rockaway Beach (OR not NY) and Cocoa Beach, FL. I continue to work in private practice (psychiatry). I was lucky enough to have a visit from Kamari Alexander (nee Price '93) and her family this March. Wishing everyone a happy 2026!”

Alana Karen ’95 recently launched the second edition of her award-winning book, The Adventures of Women in Tech. The book subtitled Navigating the Hard Tech Era has three new chapters exploring what's happened with DEI and WFH programs, why many companies feel more traditional again, and how to navigate this new, AI-driven career landscape.

This past summer, the governor of California nominated Matthew Scherb ’96 as an Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, based in Los Angeles. On November 17, 2025, the Commission on Judicial Appointments confirmed his appointment to the court and the Chief Justice of California administered his oath of office.

Rachita Bhatt ’01 and her spouse, Dipesh Shah, welcomed their beautiful daughter, Riya, into the world in August 2025. Big brother, Nikash (Class of 2036), is excited to have a new mini Argonaut in the family!

Devjit Roy ’01 MD, MAS, MSPC, LSSBB, FAAFP, FHM, CHCQM, CPE, CMD, is a physician executive and practicing hospitalist & palliative care physician dedicated to advancing rural healthcare. He serves as Chief Medical Officer, Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Medical Director for Post-Acute Care at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Upstate New York. He is also a Board Member at Mountain Valley Hospice and Co-President of Fulmont Medical PC, a joint venture uniting two rural hospitals. He recently authored a book “Between Heartbeats and Algorithms: Reclaiming What Matters in Healthcare.”

Holly Halmo ’02 writes: “Greetings to all! Sharing a few updates from this past year...I recently completed my Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Innovation, focusing on the use of predictive analytics for university academic advisors, and have taken on the role of Assistant Vice President of Student Success Initiatives and Global Integrations at New York University. Additionally, I've begun serving on the Board of Trustees for the Village of Ardsley (Westchester, NY). I'm grateful for the foundation Prep provided as I balance these new roles in higher education and local service!”

Tara Broyles ’03 and her wife Katie welcomed their son Kashton Nicholas Fontaine Broyles-Zehner on 9/15.

Sonal Bhatt ’06 and Mital Patel joyfully welcomed their daughter, Sophia, in April—and she's already cheering for the Argonauts!

Rachel Meshell ’09 writes: “My husband and I welcomed Theo on 8/18/25 to join his big sister Parker and our dog! We are all living in Cedar Grove, and I'm currently practicing dentistry in Parsippany, NJ.”

Kiersten Mulvey Hovan ’12 and Liz Mulvey ’13 have been running marathons.

Kiersten earned entry into the September 2025 Berlin Marathon by fundraising for Get Kids Going, an organization that provides wheelchairs, therapies and transportation to disabled kids and adults to get them involved in sports. 

Liz, in addition to running the Berlin Marathon (by the luck of the lottery system!) also ran the London Marathon in April 2025 with the charity VICTA, whose mission is to empower blind children and young adults to stay active, build confidence and personal independence through their camps and activities!

Christian Klipstein ’15 wed Sarah Esserman on September 20, 2025. Pictured: Kevin O’Connell ’73, Reaves Klipstein ’12, David Klipstein ’81, Rory O’Connell ’75, Groom Christian Klipstein ’15, Tom Smith ’15, Evan Lombardo ’15, Mike Coiro ’15, Ed Smith ’15, Ryan Klipstein ’07, Tara O’Connell Klipstein ’81, Bride Sarah. Missing: John O’Connell ’78. Went to bed early, so missing: Ryland Klipstein ’39 Stella Klipstein ’39 Oke Klipstein ’40.

Hannah Merges ’17 completed her first marathon, the California International Marathon in Sacramento. She was surrounded by an amazing support team and can't wait until the next race!

Sophie Thellmann ’17 is engaged to Jack Ayre! We met at Rutgers University and have been together since Covid. Excited to get married in September 2026!

Cameron Withum ’19 and Nora Hall ’19 joyfully celebrated their marriage this June, surrounded by family and friends!

L to R: Jack Withum ’17, Colleen Vinchur, Patria Sullivan, John Sullivan, Sam Withum (mother of the groom), Allie Schantz ’21, Danny Schantz ’16, Jack Sandtedt ’19, bride Nora Hall ’19, groom Cam Withum ’19, Devin Sullivan, ’19, Kevin Zheng ’19, Kyle Johns ’19, Rachel Emmet ’19, Danielle Bernstein ’19, Ryan Withum ’19, and Corey Rosen ’19

Lauryn Repollet ’20 writes: “In January 2025 I went to China with my architecture program at Kean University to the Wenzhou Kean University campus for a design build. Students and faculty from both campuses worked together to build art installations on Doungtou Island to help promote tourism. My group’s project is called Delta Sunset. Our installation frames the sunset and is built with local materials found on the island. We used over 2,000 recycled glass bottles for our project.”

Pooja Rangarajan ’21 writes “Hey everyone! I just wanted to announce that I just released my first preprint titled, ‘Mitigating Harmful Erraticism In LLM's Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy Based De-escalation Strategies’ in collaboration with my company MARCo Health. This work aims to make AI safer and more reliable and has already shown promising results with the MARCo Health AI chatbot. If you would like to learn more about the work that was done, you can check out the link here. The paper has also been released on ArXiv. I hope you enjoy!”

Jadin Collins-Roberts ’23, a junior point guard at Marist, has been officially named the first captain of the men's basketball team under head coach John Dunne, who had not selected a captain in any of his previous eight seasons.

Mikayla Blakes ’24 scored her 1,000th career point, becoming the second-fastest player in the SEC to reach the milestone in just 43 games. Now playing for Vanderbilt, she also joined an elite group of only nine NCAA women’s basketball players to reach 1,000 career points in 42 games or fewer. Mikayla continues to add to her impressive résumé, most recently earning the 2025 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award.

Beth Portnoy ’24, a Business and Psychology student at Stony Brook University, published a debut fantasy novel named “A Single Spark” on November 1, 2025. Written entirely in verse to pay homage to her roots as a poet (with poetry previously on RPS shelves and the founder of Poetry Club). It debuted to international sales west to east coast and on three continents, a release party at the Stony Brook University Campus Store, and triple expected sales for books of a similar caliber during the early release period. Based on classical Ancient Greek mythology bordering on Mycenaean, the high fantasy novel tells of a struggle for justice and a clash of bonds of revenge against duty.

See more here!

Annalyse Santowasso ’24 was selected to the 2025 Academic All-District Women's Volleyball Team by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). One of only two Wilkes student-athletes to compete in all 31 matches, Annalyse led the team with 398 digs and ranked in the top five in assists (50) and service aces (30).