Class Notes

Dennis Bolazina, AR68, GA70, continues to be involved in the practice of architecture in St. Louis. Coupled with a law degree from Saint Louis University, he has managed a varied consulting practice with clients that include architects, contractors and Fortune 500 companies — the largest a $4.5 billion casino in Las Vegas. For 2024, he will be the president of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Arbitration Association. He also serves on the national committee of the AIA-AGC. At WashU, he was part of the School of Architecture class that first installed the ribbon and bow on the McDonnell Planetarium.

Susan Wilson Krechel, LA67, HS75, has written two additional books on dementia: Two Childhoods? Ollie Explains! and The Dementia Caregiver’s Survival Guide, both published by Palmetto Publishing, May 2023.

Carol Diaz-Granados, FA64, UC66, GR80, GR93, wrote her sixth book, Explanations in Iconography: Ancient American Indian Art, Symbol, and Meaning (Oxbow Press London, October 2023). The book is an edited volume that covers interpretation of various American Indian arts and artifacts. Her previous book, Transforming the Landscape: Rock Art and the Mississippian Cosmos, was published by Oxbow in 2018, and she has two books published by University of Texas Press and two by University of Alabama Press.

Alexine Marie Hanson, LA23, is continuing her WashU education on the Medical Campus, working to earn a doctorate in occupational therapy in 2025.

Brian Sun, EN22, EN23, is currently a student in the MD/PhD program at WashU’s School of Medicine.

Zhaolong (Adrian) Li, LA22, has been working as a neuroimaging researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at WashU since graduation. He has won the Society for Neuroscience’s Trainee Professional Development Award, and he has led several studies, including one investigating poverty’s influences on children’s brain development that was recently published in JAMA Network Open and featured in WashU’s The Source and in national news. He also assumed the role of co-chair for WashU’s Alumni and Parents Admissions Program in the St. Louis North region, helping connect WashU to more high school students.

Gabriella Smith, LA22, was named to the 2023 cohort of Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University. The scholars receive up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary leaders who address complex challenges facing the world. Scholars are selected based on their demonstration of independence of thought, purposeful leadership and civic mindset. Smith is pursuing a medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine and aspires to fuse clinical medicine, research and advocacy to support the health and well-being of children and promote health equity.

Michael Wang, EMBA21, is a current student in the Olin Business School program at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

Tej Seelamsetty, EN19, is head of growth at Fair Square Medicare, a startup that is working to simplify Medicare and empower seniors. Seelamsetty was inspired to join the company after learning more about its mission and how it related to his father’s journey through Medicare. Seelamsetty writes that his enduring love of learning, hard work and mission-driven service was fostered during his years at WashU.

Carter Paterson, LA19, joined IATSE Local 161 Union in 2022 as an assistant production coordinator and worked with Chiwetel Ejiofor on his directorial debut Rob Peace. Paterson also visited his 40th country for WUnderground’s alumni trip to Cuba.