WCSC (WSSY) Alumni

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*Alumni are invited to the WSSY/WCSC Reunion & Blessing of The Nelson Good House on Aug. 20, 2005. Be sure to join us!

Ruth Ann Stoltzfus graduated in 1979 with a degree in Social Work from EMU.  She currently resides in Silver Spring, MD where she is in private practice in clinical social work.  She has one child, Miles Kelley.

Daniel Heacock graduated in 1978 with an International Agriculture Development degree.  He lives in Marysville, PA and is a financial planner with offices in Camp Hill, Ephrata, and Gettysburg.

Cynthia Lehman graduated in 1978 with a Psychology degree.  She is currently living in Marysville, PA and works as a mediator specializing in divorce, employment and education.  Cynthia is also the President of The Amethyst Foundation.

Sue Aeschliman Groff resides in Lancaster, PA and is employed as Church Relations and Communications Coordinator for Bridges of Hope (works to end and prevent homelessness) and is the mother of three.  She graduated in 1979 from EMU with a degree in Social Work and hopes her daughter, who attends Goshen College, will be a second generation WCSC.

Rebecca Dietz graduated in 1979 with a degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in English.  She is currently residing in Columbia, MD where she is a stay-at-home mom for her three boys.

Dawn Longenecker currently resides in Mount Rainier, MD with her husband, Jim Rice, and two children.  She graduated in 1980 with a degree in Social Work and is currently employed as a social worker for teen moms at St. Ann’s Infant and Maternity Home in Hyattsville, MD.

Denise Snyder graduated in 1979 with degrees in Social Work and Bible.  She currently lives in Northwest DC and raises her two children with her partner Donna Alexander.  Denise is the executive director of DC Rape Crisis Center and recently completed her first marathon in the Marine Corps marathon that took place October 2002.

John Stahl-Wert is president and CEO of Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation, on the faculty of Geneva College's graduate program for leadership studies, and co-author of the bestseller, The Serving Leader. He and wife Milonica graduated in 1981, and are the parents of daughters Emma (16) and Clara (8).

Sue Rutt Glick married Kevin Glick after graduating in 1980 from EMU with a degree in Elementary Education.  She and her husband reside in Portland, where Sue works at the Portland Ten Thousand Villages store and attends the Portland Mennonite Church.

Kirk Shisler graduated in 1981 with a degree in English/Journalism.  He and his wife, Mary Ann Hostetler, and their two sons ages 8 and 10, reside in Syracuse.  Kirk was recently appointed Vice President of Fund Development for ProLiteracy Worldwide.

Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz is director of MCC Office on Crime & Justice and resides in Akron, PA with husband, Jim, and three children.  Since graduating in 1981 with a degree in Social Work, Lorraine has received a Master’s degree in Social Work from Maryland University, became an associate of EMU’s Conflict Transformation Program, and received the 2002 Distinguished Service Award from EMU.

Kim Lehman graduated in 1982 with an Education degree.  She currently resides in Austin, TX where she is an educator/children’s entertainer, herbalist, beekeeper, artist, workshop presenter and is currently learning sign language.

Philip Rush graduated in 1982 with a degree in Bible and Business.  He currently resides in Quakertown, PA and has completed 20 years of employment at Univest Corporation where he is Vice President of Finance and Accounting. 

Kathie Stoltzfus graduated from Millersville University with a B.A. in Philosophy and from Tufts University in 1997 with an MS in Occupational Therapy. She currently resides in northwest D.C. where she is in private practice as a pediatric occupational therapist.

Chris Longenecker graduated in 1982 with a degree in English from EMU and married Rick Shoup in 2000.  Since 1998, she has served a caseworker and immigration counselor at Tressler Refugee and Immigration Services.  She acts and directs for Theater of the Seventh Sister, a local theater company.  She is also raising money for a friend who underwent a liver transplant recently.

Larry Leaman-Miller graduated from EMU with a degree in International Agricultural Development and minor in Peace and Justice studies in 1983.  He currently resides in Denver, where he is a stay-at-home dad.

Anne Sensenig graduated in 1983 with a degree in French with a minor in Spanish.  She worked for eight years with issues affecting immigrants. Just recently she changed careers and is now an assistant to the librarian at a local elementary school.  She and her husband, Daniel Erdman, live in Albuquerque, NM.

Art Stoltzfus is currently employed by Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which supports the rebuilding of urban neighborhoods.  He and his wife, Regina, have four children and currently reside in Elkhart, IN.  Art graduated from EMU in 1982 with a degree in Agricultural Development/Peace and Justice Studies.

Julie Zimmerman graduated in 1981 with a degree in Community Development.  She resides in Goshen, IN and works as a Nutritionist with the WIC (Women, Infants, Children) program that provides nutrition assessment, counseling and certification in order for families to receive vouchers for supplemental food.

Gregory Hartzler-Miller lives in Baltimore, MD.  After his WSSY year he graduated from JMU with a degree in Sociology.  He recently wrote an article about “hearing God” for the Anabaptist periodical DreamSeeker.

Dave Shenk graduated in 1983 with a Sociology degree.  He currently lives in Lancaster, where he recently became Vice President of Human Resources at the Mennonite Home Communities in Lancaster.

Brenda Chupp currently resides in Mishawaka, IN with her husband, Kent Hershberger (1982/1983 WSSY alum), and two children.  She graduated in 1986 with a degree in Psychology and Spanish and received a Master of Social Work from University of Cincinnati in 1992. She is currently employed as a licensed clinical social worker at Madison Center in South Bend, IN.  Kent is a staff psychologist at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in Elkhart, IN.

Angela Neely graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1984 and continued her education to receive a Master’s degree in Special Education.  Angela is the Supervisor of Special Education in the Spotsylvania County Schools and enjoys being involved in church as the Youth Choir director and keyboard player in the praise band. She currently resides in Locust Grove, VA with her husband and two daughters. 

David Leaman graduated from Goshen in 1985 with a major in history. Currently, he lives in Chicago with wife Marva Williams and has taught comparative politics at Northeastern Illinois University since 1996. 

David Boshart and his wife, Shana Peachey, and three sons, currently reside in Parnell, IA where David is pastor at West Union Mennonite Church.  David graduated in 1986 from EMU with a degree in Biblical Studies and Theology.

Lisa Gallagher Landes graduated in December of 1985 from EMU with a Social Work degree and then received a nursing degree from EMU in 1989.  She currently resides in Harrisonburg, VA where she works as a Nurse Practitioner at a local nursing home.

Cindy Lapp graduated from EMU in 1986 with a degree in Music Education.  After graduation she became WSSY staff (1989-1993) before becoming an ordained minister with the Mennonite Church.  She currently resides in Mount Rainier, MD with her husband and three kids. 

Amy Rosenberger lives in Philadelphia with her husband where she has been practicing union labor law for over seven years.  She graduated from EMU in 1985 with a degree in English.  In her spare time she enjoys gardening and maintaining their 100 year-old house which “brings back memories of Dave Boshart fixing leaky faucets on South Dakota Ave.”

Lee Eshleman graduated in 1986 with a degree in Art.  He married Regan Boshart and currently resides in Harrisonburg, VA with their three children.  He is the Co-owner/Actor/Writer/Designer, etc. for TED & Lee THEATERWORKS.

Gary Gautsche married Kim Burkholder in 2001.  He is currently employed by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families department as a social worker.  He wrote, “Past present and future WCSCers are WELCOME to visit Santa Fe and use our home as a B & B.”

Emilie Stoltzfus lives in northwest DC after graduating from Goshen in 1986 with a degree in English and Communications.  Emilie married and works for the Congressional Research Service in Washington, DC. She recently resigned as chair of  WCSC’s Advisory Board in anticipation of  her second child.

Nancy Chupp graduated with an Interdisciplinary degree with concentrations in Women’s Studies, Religion, and Political Studies in 1987.  She just moved to Seattle, WA with husband, Ron Krabill, and son, Kenyan.  Nancy plans on taking the Washington State Bar exam in February and is looking for employment in the areas of poverty and women’s health.

Robin Gingerich graduated from Goshen in 1987 with a degree in English.  She is currently serving with Mennonite Central Committee at Lithuania Christian College.

Beth Miller Clineff graduated in 1988 with a degree in Social Work.  Currently lives in Phoenixville, PA and is a stay-at-home mom for her two children.  Beth wrote that during her WSSY year, three students attended Howard University. “It was a tremendous learning experience for me beyond the course work.  I wish the best to all who attend.” 

Steven Mumbauer married Amy Smith Mumbauer (1988-89). They live in Waynesboro, VA, with their young daughter Sara Elizabeth.  Steve is a pediatrician in private practice.  Amy is a physical therapist and stay-at-home mom.  Steve wrote,  “We continue to have fond memories of WSSY and are… astounded that Doug Hertzler is now a program coordinator!” 

Mary Jo Swartzendruber graduated from the University of Iowa in December 1994 with a degree in Elementary Education.   She is currently living near Iowa City, IA where she farms organically and works in the children’s section of the Prairie Lights Bookstore.  She also taught bilingual classes in a rural community in Iowa.  She has completed a second year of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). 

Deborah Weaver graduated in 1989 from EMU with a Liberal Arts degree and concentrations in biology and peace and justice studies.  She resides in Chicago, IL with her husband, Dan Arnold, and son, Benjamin.  Deborah is a psychotherapist in a group practice in Chicago.

Douglas Hertzler, graduated from EMU with a degree in International Agriculture.  While studying and serving (MCC) in Bolivia for six years, he met his wife, Jodi-Beth McCain.  Doug graduated with a Ph.D. in Anthropology in 2002.  He now serves in EMU’s highly distinguished Washington program.  He has two children, Aleja and Elizabeth.

 Belinda Wilfong Stahl resides in Hagerstown, MD with husband and small daughter, Audrey Ellen Stahl.  Belinda graduated in 1989 from EMU with a degree in Biology.

Tonya Ramer Bontrager graduated in 1990 from EMU with a degree in Psychology.  She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and keeps busy at home raising her two daughters.  Her family is currently in the middle of a move from Illinois to Goshen, IN.

Neil Horning graduated in 1991 with a degree in International Agriculture Development.  Neil, his wife, and their two children, reside in an Intentional Mennonite Community in Tiskila, IL.  After spending eight years in Indonesia with MCC, he is currently working on developing partnerships with several other people to operate and manage the fruit and vegetable farm owned by the community.

Jon Weaver-Kreider graduated in 1990 from EMU with a degree of International Agriculture Development.  He currently resides in Columbia, PA, with his wife Beth Weaver-Kreider.  Jon is an organic vegetable farmer with a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and his wife is a sixth grade teacher at a Waldorf school.

Jud Shearer graduated in 1991 with a Liberal Arts degree and concentrations in Social Work, TESL and Spanish.  He currently lives in Philadelphia, PA and is the Assistant Director of the Adult Education Department at the Lutheran Settlement Home.    

Pam (Wolfer) McKenna resides in Aloha, OR with her husband and two boys.  She works in the area of Property Management and has recently started a new position as a Portfolio Manager.  In six months she will have a Real Estate and Brokers license in Oregon and Washington.

Heide Hayek (Crittsinger) married Craig Hayek and currently resides in Chesapeake, VA.  She graduated in 1992 with a degree in Liberal Arts with minors in French, Art, Psychology, and English.  She will be graduating with a degree in Art education May 2003, and hopes to be teaching art very soon!

Kevin Kurtz Lehman lives in Middlebury, VT with his wife and works at the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op.  Kevin graduated in 1992 with a Liberal Arts degree.

Kent Davis Sensenig graduated in 1992 with a Liberal Arts degree.  He currently resides in Cedar Falls, IA as a “pastor’s spouse” with his wife Jennifer.  After WSSY and EMU, Kent received an MA from seminary in 1998.  He just completed his third season as an organic market gardener.  He plans on applying to graduate school to earn a PhD in Theology & Ethics. 

Brett Sherman along with former WSSY housemate Keith Lyndaker formed an Alternative-country/Folk-rock group that performs original music.  An album is in the works to be released this year.   Brett graduated in 1992 from EMU and is self-employed in video production while living in Mount Rainier, MD.

Cheryl Peachey-Stoner graduated in 1991 with an English degree.  She lives in Hesston, KS with husband Bob Stoner and two sons.  She is at home with her sons and volunteers with La Leche International, edits the Kansas Leader’s Newsletter, and is on the Conference Planning Committee for the state conference in March.

Carla Joy Davidhizar William graduated from Indiana University in 1994 with an English degree and received a MA in English from Indiana University in December 2002.  She currently resides in New Palestine, IN with husband, Albert William.

Rodney Shetler, after graduating in 1996 with a Liberal Arts degree with a concentration in English and an Art minor, married Jeana Hutsell.  He and his wife currently live in Canton, OH.

Erik Peter Swartzendruber graduated in 1994 from Goshen College with an Interdisciplinary degree.  He currently lives in Corvallis, OR where he is working for Heartland Humane Society.

Valerie Weaver-Zercher currently resides in Harrisburg, PA with her husband Dave Weaver-Zercher. After graduating in 1994 with a degree in English she completed a Master’s degree in Reading/Writing/Literacy at the University of Pennsylvania. She now teaches a writing course at Messiah College and does some free lance writing and editing work. Valerie wrote, “Great memories of my year in WSSY—the experience of living in an urban setting and in community truly changed my life!”

LaDene King graduated from Goshen College in 1994 with an Anthropology/Sociology degree.  She recently started medical school at the University of Virginia.

Melanie Yoder Salim graduated with a Social Work degree from EMU in 1994.  Currently living in DC after getting a MSW from Catholic University, she and her husband, Ismail Yoder Salim, are planning to move to Lancaster, PA in late summer.

Sherri Kurtz currently resides in Alexandria, VA where she is a CPA at Deloitte& Touche.  She also just completed a term as president of Brethren House in DC.  Sherri graduated from EMU in 1993 with a Business Administration degree.

Kellie Talbot graduated December 2002 from Georgetown University with a Master of Science degree and begins a term with MCC in July 2003 as a Nurse Midwife.  She graduated from EMU with a Nursing degree in 1995 and resides in northwest DC.

Dana Joy Hershberger graduated in 1993 with a degree in Art.  She lives in Harrisonburg, VA.

Erin Kennedy Hess graduated in 1995 with a degree in History & Social Sciences and Secondary Education.  She currently resides in West Chester, PA with her husband, Brian, and two children.  She is a stay-at-home mom and also the Regional Guide for Philly.Babyzone, a website for parents.

Rachel (Brubacher) Weaver graduated in 1995 with a degree in Business Administration.  She currently resides with her husband, Mike Weaver, and young daughter in Harrisonburg, VA, where she is an office manager at Elliott, Martin, Beachy, & Mitchell, a CPA firm.  She wrote, “Very glad I participated in WSSY.  It was a wonderful learning experience.”

LeAnne Zook graduated from EMU in 1995 with a degree in History.  After a year with MCC in Haiti, she returned to DC where she completed a degree in English Literature from American University.  She still lives in DC where she is fortunate enough to be the new WCSC advisory council chair.  LeAnne works for McGraw-Hill Cos.

Joy A. Myers graduated in 1995 with a degree in Art.  She has plans to move “up North” and has shown a couple of her art pieces in the Bradenton, FL area.

Maria Linder-Hess graduated in 1998 with an English degree from EMU.  She resides in Lancaster, PA where she works with  MCC’s Communications Department.

Le. T. Summers graduated in 1997 with a Psychology degree and from Delaware State University in 1999 with a Master’s in Social Work.  She and her husband live in Dallas, TX where Le works for Green Oaks Psychiatric Hospital.

Laura Detweiler Rush graduated in 1998 with a Social Work degree.  She married Brian Rush and currently resides in Blooming Glen, PA.  She continued her education at Maryland University, receiving a Masters in Social Work and now works with adolescents having drug, alcohol, and behavioral problems.  She wrote,” WSSY was by far the best year of my college career! When’s the WSSY Reunion?!”

Melissa Hochstetler graduated in 1999 with a degree in Social Work.  She resides in Monterey, MA and works on Gould Farm, which is a working farm and therapeutic community for adults with mental illness.  Melissa has plans to travel to Columbia with MCC and then to move to Illinois for a farming internship.

Makoyo Makoyo graduated in 1998 with a degree in Business Administration.  He currently resides in Springfield, PA.

Kourney (Fisher) Klotz was married last year.  She works as a case manager at a private school for autistic children.

Marla Burkholder graduated this spring with a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Temple University, PA.  She graduated from EMU in 1999 with an English and Theatre degree. 

Grace Duerksen graduated from Bethel College with a dual degree in Bible & Religion and Global Peace & Justice Studies in 1999.  She is currently living and working in Minneapolis, MN and plans to attend Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA in Fall 2003.

Erin Fischer has been teaching Pre-K at Minimeland Private Day School in Harrisonburg, VA for the past three years, since graduating in 1998 with a degree in Sociology.  She is engaged to fellow 1997-1998 WSSY alum Tad Williams and currently resides in Shenandoah, VA.

Steven P. Miller graduated in 1999 from Goshen College with degrees in History and English.  He lives in Nashville, TN and currently is a graduate doctoral student at Vanderbilt University in U.S. History.

Tad Allen Williams graduated from EMU in 1998 with a degree in History.  He is currently the Program Assistant for Sierra Club’s Environmental Partnerships Program in Washington, DC while residing in Broadway, VA.

Jenelle Hershey Hoover graduated in 1999 with a Social Work degree.  She and Keith Hoover (98-99 WSSY alum) married in 2002.  They currently reside in Lancaster, PA after living in DC for three years.  Jenelle is the Youth and Community Development Director at the Lancaster Family YMCA and Keith is webmaster for the Willa Valley Retirement Community.

Jonathan Nussbaum graduated in 2000 with a Liberal Arts degree.  He currently resides in Salem, OR and enjoys raft guiding in Australia.

Charlotte (Gingerich) Shristi  and Micah (Keller) Shristi both 1998-1999 participants, married in spring, 2002.  Charlotte graduated in 2000 with a degree in Psychology/Art from Goshen.  She is currently residing in Iowa City, IA after spending the last four months in Columbia working with displaced children using art and therapy.  Micah was in Iraq with Voices in the Wilderness delegation as a media contact person.  They plan on moving to Nepal within the next year and hope to return to Columbia to support the Columbian Mennonite Churches peace work.

Kari McLaughlin  lives in Philadelphia, PA after graduating in 2000 with a degree in Social Work. She is employed with Bethany Christian Services as a foster care social worker. 

Fikir Tilahun resides in Columbia, MD after graduating in 2000 with a Biology degree.  She is employed at Aventis Pharmaceuticals and completed a Marine Corps Marathon in October 2002.

Sarah Ulrich works in the Registrar’s office at EMU.

Mark Swier graduated from Goshen College in 2002 in Interdisciplinary Studies: Art, History, Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies.  After graduating he spent a year working as an AmeriCorps volunteer in the Mid-Hudson Valley area of New York.  He worked as a health educator in the education department of Planned Parenthood.  He also spent time with the Community Ceramic Center, a group he helped to found, as a potter.

Eric Unternahrer, graduated from the Catholic University of America in 2003 and is currently living in northwest DC.

Kevin Zook graduated with a chemistry degree from EMU in 2002 and is working for Merck while living in Harrisonburg, VA.

Daniele Ressler works at James Madison University's Mine Action Information Center (MAIC). She holds the position of Assistant Editor for the MAIC's Journal of Mine Action and also supports the MAIC as a research specialist, assisting on research grants and publications. Daniele formerly lived in London while obtaining an MSc in Violence, Conflict and International Development Studies at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). She now lives in Harrisonburg, Va., with her husband Jon and is also slowly working on a Master of Public Administration from James Madison University as a part-time student. She holds an undergraduate degree from Eastern Mennonite University in sociology/social work.