Hello, Class of ’97!
For any of you doing math, we graduated and moved on to new adventures 25 years ago. I hope this finds you well and hope to see you later in the year at Homecoming! News? Email me at yolandasly@gmail.com or via Facebook Yolanda Sly Kozuha.
Speaking of graduating and moving on to the next chapter, best wishes to Pamela A. Rhein G and her husband, Kevin, on their retirement from teaching music at RSU 18 after 40 years, reported the Portland Press Herald. Their many accomplishments include building the music program into one of the region’s best, bringing students to Carnegie Hall, Disney World, and having the district-wide choir record songs for the Maine Holocaust Museum, which was submitted for a Grammy. When discussing her career, Pam said, “It’s been an honor to watch so many students begin with us. . . .We have a unique privilege,” she continued. “We watch them grow into wonderful human beings.”
Danielle Mayhew Louder was named to the board of directors of the Maine Connectivity Authority, a new state entity charged with achieving universal availability of high-speed broadband in Maine, reported the PenBay Pilot. Congratulations to Danielle who is co-director of Medical Care Development’s Domestic Public Health Division and director of the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center. She also serves on various boards advocating for telehealth services that depend on broadband.
Marie Hansen ’97 Ph.D., dean of Husson University’s College of Business and New England School of Communications, spearheaded plans for a $17.5 million College of Business building that features a new iEX (interactive experience) Center that will create a space that will facilitate synergy between students, faculty, business, and technology, reported Maine Biz. When discussing collaboration with the magazine, Marie said, “I have the opportunity to reach out to businesses and look at how to make Maine a strong economic environment and how to help businesses grow.”
Congratulations to Maine Forest Service ranger specialist Kent Nelson for receiving the Silver Smokey Bear Award. The Portland Press Herald reports that it is the highest national honor recognizing outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire prevention. Kent has worked for the Maine Forest Service for two decades and was one of two people to receive this award in 2021.
Congratulations to Angela Cole Westhoff ’99G on being named president and chief executive officer of the Maine Health Care Association. Angela was previously executive director of the Maine Dental Association and held a similar position with the Maine Osteopathic Association.