Class notes
Submit a class note
Want to know what your classmates are up to? Check out the class notes in our biannual magazine, State & Hill. And don't just read about what your friends are doing—let them know what's going on in your life, as well.
New job? Recently married? Just had a baby? Let us know!
Babies
We love it when alumni share news about future Fordies. And pictures are a must.
On January 9, 2021, Peter Fritz (MPP/MBA ‘10), his wife Jane, and sons Henry and Stanley welcomed baby George Arthur Fritz to the world. The combination of family leave, working from home, and virtual school are giving the Fritzes plenty of time with the little guy, whose favorite lullaby so far is The Victors!
Michele Majors (MPP ‘15) and her husband Rob, welcomed their third son, Oliver, on Thanksgiving 2020. He joined Brennan (5) and Ellis (3). Rob and Michele are adjusting to being outnumbered by all their ruckus-raising boys, and have great hopes that the latest model will turn into a quiet, easy-going, introverted kiddo who sleeps.
Sandy Mervak (MPP/MBA ‘17) and his wife, Eliza Singer (MS '17) welcomed baby James Reid Mervak on December 30, 2020.
On August 26, 2020, Simon Tam (MPP ‘11) and his wife, Kaira, welcomed the addition of Kiana Tam. Kiana, who has loved all the constant snuggles that come with her parents working from home, stayed up past her bedtime to cheer on the Wolverines during March Madness. Because, forever Go Blue!
Dr. Dilara Üsküp (BA ‘11) and Walter E. Morgan Jr., welcomed their son Pharaoh Sedrik Üsküp Morgan into the world on November 2, 2020. Pharaoh was put to work in utero helping his mother apply for and successfully win several large public health grants for her work at UCLA.
New job
What's new at work?
Maureen Donohue Krauss (MPP ’85) was recently named president/CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership, an economic development organization covering the city of Detroit and the surrounding 11-county region.
Stacy Dean (MPP ‘92) left her position at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and was appointed deputy under secretary for USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services by the Biden Administration.
Lisa Nuszkowski (MPP ‘03) recently started a new job as president of M-1 RAIL, the nonprofit entity that operates the QLINE, Detroit’s streetcar.
Farouk Ophaso (MPP ‘06) was appointed chief of staff of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) at the U.S. Department of Defense.
David Rogers (MPP ‘07) was assigned as the deputy director of the Office of Economic Growth and Integration at USAID/Kenya and East Africa and will start in the role in August 2021.
Menna Demessie (PhD ‘10) started a new position as senior vice president and executive director of the Taskforce for Meaningful Change at Universal Music Group.
Jerry Nelson (MPA ‘20) became the treasurer/finance director for the City of Frankenmuth, MI, in October 2020.
Recently married
Who's the lucky partner?
Ryan Pretzer (MPP ‘12) married Amanda Patino at Great Falls National Park in Virginia in November 2020. To conduct a COVID-19 safe event, the couple invited only a small group of local friends, including Collin Gerst (MPP ’12). Ryan and Amanda live in Arlington, VA, and work for government consulting firms.
Submit a class note
To submit a class note, simply complete our online form:
Note: Class Notes are published in the print version of the magazine on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high volume of Class Notes received, notes and photos may not be printed in the State & Hill issue immediately following their receipt, and/or maybe published alternately online. As always, PDF and web adaptations will be retrievable by most search engines.