Association news & class notes
Ginger Bandeen shares that Mission Driven Data, the company she founded, continues to thrive. The organization now supports over 60 mental health agencies nationwide, helping them harness the power of data to enhance services and expand their impact. Ginger feels fortunate to work alongside a passionate team committed to creating positive change. On the home front, her son now lives nearby in Portland, Oregon, and she loves hosting her nieces for summer city adventures. She occasionally crosses paths with fellow McDaniel alums, which is always a fun and nostalgic surprise.
Eric Barry checks in from Los Angeles, where he and his wife, Karem, have recently resettled after a relaxing cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. Eric is marking his eighth year as a segment producer on MTV’s “Ridiculousness,” hosted by Rob Dyrdek. The show made headlines recently when Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh revealed he earns about a million dollars annually from their song “Uncontrollable Urge” being featured on the show. Eric also took a trip down memory lane when his character Fidget from “Cecil B. Demented” was featured in the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ yearlong John Waters exhibit — complete with a life-size mannequin and props!
Stacy Dobres writes from Rockville, Maryland, where she’s celebrating her 25th year as a school counselor in Montgomery County Public Schools. Life is full and joyful with her 4-year-old, and she enjoys spending time with Colleen Shannon Mdingi, who lives just a short drive away.
Elizabeth Price Glover recently celebrated her 25th year of teaching in Worcester County, Maryland. Outside of her career, she treasures spending time with her two sons, Mason and Cooper, who keep her life full of energy and excitement. Mason, 17, graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in May and enrolled at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the fall to pursue a degree in Psychology. Cooper, 15, is a sophomore at Decatur and has a passion for football. Liz was especially proud to be in the stands at the Naval Academy when Cooper’s team clinched the Maryland State Championship.
Emily Murphy Hollins, M.S. ’09 has now visited over 50 countries! She led a student trip to Malaysia in 2023 and continues to enjoy her work as registrar at Shenandoah University. Emily and her husband reside in Virginia. She caught up with Kate Hampson during a trip to England last fall and enjoyed reconnecting with Jen McCabe ’99, Nic Johnson, and Brian Hornbecker ’99 stateside.
Kittie DeLuca Pain and Jameson Pain ’99 were thrilled to celebrate the July 2024 wedding of Martin Camper-Schearer ’07. It was a joyful day shared with family, friends, and even Dr. Mary Bendel-Simso and Bill Spence ’83. Kittie is in her second year of an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration, balancing coursework with life as a mom to 7-year-old Brodie. With over two decades in higher ed under her belt, she felt it was time for the next academic step. She frequently connects with McDaniel friends at Homecoming and Potomac River getaways, including Rob Taber, Nathaniel “Nate” Winegar ’97, Jeremy Osteen ’96, Andrea Williams Alcombright, and Jackie Leazer Englebrake ’01. Kittie was also the recipient of the 2025 Alumni College Service Award!
Anthony “Tony/Wally” Santillo recently celebrated six years of marriage with his wife, Ambry, in February 2025. Together, they’ve explored incredible destinations like Turks and Caicos, Antigua, the Bahamas, and California’s Monterey Peninsula. Tony is entering his 18th season as head golf professional at Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown, New Jersey, and marking 31 years in the profession overall.
Jodi Reese Vallaster shares that, after three years, her position at the Department of Education was unfortunately eliminated — but she’s viewing it as an opportunity to find her next adventure. These days, she’s fully immersed in her secondary role as her daughter s chauffeur, roadie, and cheer squad supporting softball games, marching band, and everything in between. She and her family still find time to connect with Veronica Esteves Dietz and Erin Garoutte Thomas, M.S. ’09 whenever possible.
Tim Walker had an exciting literary milestone in 2023: his story “Bidding War” was featured in the official anthology for the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention in San Diego, California. The anthology, featuring bestsellers like Ann Cleeves and C. J. Box, went on to win an Anthony Award.
Lynnell McLean Williams and her husband, Donell, are celebrating 14 years of marriage and raising their amazing 12-year-old daughter, Alyse, in Baltimore City. Lynnell is a school social worker with Baltimore City Public Schools and is passionate about making a difference in students’ lives. Her family also shares food content on Instagram (@thosewilliams_), highlighting Baltimore’s rich culinary scene through weekly restaurant visits.
Kristi Thayer Yowell and her husband, Chris, are officially empty nesters, with their youngest now attending Loyola University Maryland. Kristi was recently selected to serve on the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources Navigators initiative, mentoring new chief human resources officers in higher ed. She’s also on the 25th Reunion Committee and was looking forward to reconnecting with many of you this summer!
Elton Keith Knupp, your class reporter and a proud member of the 25th Reunion Committee, shares that she and her family have called Wakefield, Massachusetts, home for the past five years. Life is moving fast with daughters Haley (16) and Allie (14), who are thriving — Haley on the ice rink and flag football field, and Allie in the dance studio and on theatre stages. Elton channeled her lifelong love of theatre into founding Children’s Playhouse of Wakefield, where she teaches and produces shows with elementary-age students. She also serves as director of the local middle school theatre program. Recently, Elton and her husband, Brian, attended a dinner event in Boston with members of McDaniel College s advancement team, where she had a great time connecting with both older and younger alumni living in the area. In February, Elton enjoyed a cruise to the Bahamas with Faye Ingram Hillman, Roxann Ingram Todt, and Sara Gruber Long ’99. They soaked up the sun, caught up on life, and sang their hearts out at the piano bar — proving you can take the theatre kid out of the theatre, but…well, you know the rest!
Elton Keith Knupp2000 Class Reporter86 Outlook RoadWakefield, MA 01880elton.eek@gmail.com