News, Notes, and Nods: Undergraduates
1963
Roger Regnier ’63 is planning his class’s 60th reunion, which will be held during Back to Babson, the weekend of Sept. 22–24. “We know we will be challenged fiercely for the 2023 Roger’s Cup,” Regnier wrote. “There’s a large number of classmates who are supporting the effort.”
1982
Steve Connelly ’82, founder of Connelly Partners advertising agency, was awarded the 2023 A-List winner for Best Agency Culture by Ad Age. Ad Age, which held its 2023 A-List & Creativity Awards Gala on April 24 in New York, reports on news regarding marketing and the media. The gala highlights the extraordinary work of newcomers and well-established figures in the advertising and marketing industry.
1983
Aaron Walton ’83 was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Fame on April 27 for his innovative work at Walton Isaacson marketing agency. Walton is CEO at the Los Angeles-based agency he co-founded with Cory Isaacson and Earvin “Magic” Johnson in 2005. The Hall of Fame honor came less than a week after Walton was named Agency Executive of the Year at Ad Age’s 2023 A-List & Creativity Awards Gala. Both events seek to celebrate industry legends who have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements.
1984
Chantal (Grace) Polsonetti ’84 hosted a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in March, resurrecting a 40-year tradition where Babson alumni get together on the Irish holiday. The gathering, which was on hold during the pandemic, also serves as a birthday party because many in the group have March birthdays. Attendees included (front row, left to right) Paul Baker ’80, Tina (Uhtenwoldt) Oppici ’83, Carolyn Brzezinski ’81, Bill Downing ’80, MaryLou (Landry) Anderson ’83, Marti (Crompton) Johnson ’82, MBA’91, Susan (Chambault) Baker ’82, and Veronica (Grant) Alger ’82; and (back row, left to right) Mandy (Hopper) Nurge ’83, Jeff Johnson ’83, MBA’92, Polsonetti, Linda MacDonald ’82, Lori Sullivan ’82, Roberta (Czarnecki) Woodward ’81, Wendy (Shepherd) O’Brien ’82, Peggy (Kelley) Davis ’81, Michelle (Raso) Carli ’82, P’15, and Sam Davis ’80.
Robert Wahlert ’84 hit the slopes in Breckenridge, Colorado, with a group of his former Babson College rugby teammates. The ski trip has become an annual tradition for the Babson friends, who have been reuniting at the Colorado ski resort for the past 30 years. The alumni at this year’s trip include, from left to right: Steve Libbey ’83, Nick Hathaway ’84, Wahlert, David Levy ’83, Greg Fontana ’84, John Lawler ’84, MBA’89, Ken Jasper ’82, Ken Romanzi ’82, Steve Ashekian ’83, Peter Cain ’84, and Joe Kerwin ’83. Others who often make the trip, but aren’t photographed include Rick Bruno ’83, Bill Farmakis ’83, Paul Kageleiry ’85, and Mike Vazza ’83.
1986
Charles Hajjar ’86, P’25, who has served on the national board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for more than 20 years, celebrated the TomorrowNite Gala’s 30th anniversary in March. Anne Hajjar, his wife, chaired the event, helping to raise more than $900,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Several other Babson alumni attended the fundraiser, including (from left to right) Paul Natalizio ’84, Paul Iantosca ’74, P’00, Peter Roberti ’86, Hajjar, and Richard Hajjar ’25.
Sheilagh Hamill McNeil ’86 and her classmates had a south-of-the-border reunion in Cancun in April. The friends went to Mexico to reconnect and honor their long-running bond. “We celebrated 41 years of friendship,” McNeil wrote. “We all met freshman year in Green Gables and have maintained our friendship since.” The group includes (from left to right): Kaylee Dodge Murphy ’86, Gerri Nathan Russo ’86, McNeil, Linda Lackey ’86, Carolyn Fox Mula ’86, Marianne Citro Flayhan ’86, Maryellen Papelian ’86, and Lisa Haskins ’86.
1990
Andrew Bank ’90, along with several alumni, gathered to honor their classmate Robert Studley ’90, who died January 27. Alumni in attendance included Pete Conley ’90, Scott Dias ’90, Terence Faherty ’90, Steve Kavanaugh ’90, Brian Kennedy MBA’94, Hank Lawlor ’90, Charlie McCarthy ’90, Peter O’Toole ’90, Ed Pollis ’90, Kevin Richardson ’90, Rob Scheschareg ’90, and Karl Smith ’90. The group gathered to watch a Red Sox game and toast Studley on April 20. “Rob is sorely missed but will never be forgotten,” Bank wrote.
1999
Charles E. Gaudet II ’99 (right), an independent consultant who helps businesses maximize their profits, recently spoke at a gathering of spring manufacturers put together by Don Jacobson III ’01 (left), vice president at the Spring Management Institute. Jacobson hadn’t connected with Gaudet since graduation, but he reached out to Gaudet, founder and CEO of Predictable Profits, and asked him to speak at one of the institute’s meetings. “He absolutely crushed his presentation,” Jacobson wrote. “Charlie was even gracious enough to stay onsite to catch up with me and my wife and participate in the cornhole tournament that afternoon.”
2004
Zareen Amber ’04, MBA’20: See Graduates, 2021.
2008
John Hudspeth ’08 was recently named to Financial Planning’s 2023 Top 40 Brokers Under 40 list. Hudspeth is a Merrill Lynch wealth management financial advisor and serves as senior vice president at his firm, The Hudspeth Group, located in Naples, Florida. Previously, he has been named to the 2022 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list and the Forbes Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors list from 2017 to 2022.
2011
Stephanie Tidman ’11, MBA’21: See Graduates, 2021.
2012
Lauren von Stackelberg ’12 and Nicholas von Stackelberg ’12, welcomed their son, Maximilian Hudson Baron, into the family April 1. Maximilian, who weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces, “insisted on meeting mum and dad three weeks early,” the new parents wrote.
2013
Widmaier M. Charles ’13 joined Todd & Weld LLP as an associate litigation attorney, concentrating his practice on complex civil litigation, including business and real estate litigation. Charles represents clients through all stages of litigation and arbitration proceedings, such as pleadings, discovery, substantive motions, settlement negotiations, and court appearances for trial. Prior to joining the firm, Charles was a civil litigation attorney focusing on cases involving construction litigation, personal injury, and premises liability. Prior to private practice, he was a judicial law clerk at the Massachusetts Appeals Court, as well as an assistant attorney general at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Jessica Lynch ’13, MS’13, MBA’18 announced that her venture, Wishroute, a leading provider of human-powered engagement and healthy habit coaching, has been acquired by Suggestic, a leading provider of AI-enabled Telewellness solutions. Wishroute, which was a participant in Babson’s Summer Venture Program in 2018, also recently licensed its IP to two other startups, Guidely and Runzy.
2020
Johanna Mouyal ’20 recently released Life Reset: A Holistic Wellness Guide to Nourishing Mind and Body, a book about personal growth and how to improve mental and physical health. “My vision on health focuses on a holistic approach to nourish our three selves: mind, body, and soul,” Mouyal wrote. “After more than two years of research on what the latest scientific research has to say, I’ve compiled my learnings, tips, tricks, and exercises to make a 180-degree (turn) in your life.”
MORE NEWS, NOTES, AND NODS FROM THE SUMMER 2023 ISSUE:
Graduates » In Memoriam »
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