Class Notes
Jessi Shrout, WC ’04
Jessi Shrout, WC ’04, assistant professor of biology at Brenau, has been selected for the Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program, established in 1995 by then-Gov. Zell Miller to provide Georgia’s higher education faculty with expanded opportunities for developing important teaching skills. The program is offered through the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia.
Karri Bentley Neal, WC ’02
On May 6, Karri Bentley Neal, WC ’02, and Christopher Brannon Neal tied the knot at Regions Park in Birmingham, Alabama. After a worship service ceremony, the two dined and danced with family and friends into the night. Amanda Pruitt Graves, WC ’02, served as matron of honor. Other Brenau alumni were present to celebrate the couple, including ShaRhonda Kimbrough, WC ’01, Brandi Harrison, WC ’01, Natalie Grasso, WC ’04, Kalina Haynes, WC ’98, Ambah Fredericks Kioko, WC ’01, and Holley Rotton Adams, WC ’03. The two honeymooned in South Beach, Florida, and currently reside in Birmingham.
Mary Kathryn Wells, WC ‘00
Mary Kathryn Wells, WC ‘00, married Jonathan Harris Winsett on May 12, 2018, at the historic Pink Castle in Atlanta. The newlyweds met in New Orleans while attending the Endymion Coronation Ball in 2013. Jon proposed last Christmas in New York at the Plaza Hotel. Wells was thrilled to accept his formal invitation to join him and his son, Jonny, on a life journey as a family. Mary Kathryn is chief creative officer for The Wells Marketing Agency. Jon, a Georgia Tech grad, is CEO at NPI Financial. AXO sisters Emmie Henderson Howard, WC ‘01, Eryn Manwaring Houck, WC ‘01, Lindsey Redd Fruchtl, WC ‘01, Candi Brooks Silvestri, WC ‘02, and Katie Mitchell, WC ‘03, all took part in the wedding festivities.
Wendy Baker Zepeda, WC ’94
Wendy Baker Zepeda, WC ’94, recently performed with Sacred Music in a Sacred Space at the Church at St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City. James R. Oestreich, a reviewer for The New York Times, wrote that he thoroughly enjoyed the performance and that Baker Zepeda was an “excellent soprano soloist.”
Brooke Desnoes, WC ’90
Brooke Desnoes, WC ’90, founder of Europe’s largest private American ballet school in Paris, is relocating to the U.S. after more than 20 years in France to create a college dance program in her hometown of Cullman, Alabama. The new dance program will offer classes in classical ballet and modern dance, as well as pedagogy for future teachers. Desnoes and her family will be returning at the end of summer 2018.
Melinda Kelleher, WC ’84
Melinda Kelleher, WC ’84, was named vice president of development at Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities in May. She oversees fundraising, marketing, communications and volunteer initiatives.
Melanie Riley Shaw, WC ’83
Melanie Riley Shaw, WC ’83, retired from working for the state of South Carolina after 30 years. Shaw worked for several different agencies, but for the last 14 years she was the accounts payable manager for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, which oversees 47 state parks and nine welcome centers.
Elizabeth Martin Carpenter, WC ’80
Elizabeth Martin Carpenter, WC ’80, and husband, Ed, moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia, in June 2017 after more than 20 years in Michigan. She said it is great to be back in the South and reconnecting with Brenau friends.
Elizabeth Rankin Wardrop, WC ’72
Elizabeth Rankin Wardrop, WC ’72, enjoyed 10 wonderful days in California this past summer hiking in Yosemite National Park, where she climbed the Lembert Dome, visited the Mariposa Sequoia Grove that had been closed for the past three years and enjoyed naturalist walks that averaged 10 miles per day. Wardrop also enjoyed hiking in Northern California, driving along Highway 1, getting up close and personal with wildlife, and experiencing life on the other side of the U.S.
Zoe Ann Bushouse Cerny, WC ’69
Zoe Ann Bushouse Cerny, WC ’69, recalls that her best memories of Brenau include the special friendships that were formed while she was a student. She especially enjoyed a road trip to Provincetown, Massachusetts, just before her graduation. Pictured: Patricia Ann Boss Rowe, WC ’69, Cerny, Rosemary Jones Sanders, WC ’69, Marcia Martin, WC ’67, BU ’89, and Rose Anne Keyes Randolph, WC ’69.
