Class Notes

Robyn (Abeles) Silverman, LA96, wrote How to Talk to Kids About Anything (Sourcebooks, October 2023). The book is the culmination of six years of conducting research, interviewing, writing and editing. In it, Silverman — who also hosts a popular parenting podcast, also called “How to Talk to Kids About Anything” — provides parents tips, scripts, conversation starters and talking points to make even the toughest conversations easier. For a profile on Silverman, visit source.wustl.edu/2024/02/the-scripts-every-parent-needs.

Alan Griswold, LA96, FA96, and his Clio Award-winning production company, Monkey Deux, celebrated its 20th year in business last October and was shortlisted for the 2023 Clio Entertainment Awards for a piece they did for the film Dungeons & Dragons called “The Bestiary.” While they didn’t bring home any trophies in 2023, the company has won two gold, four silver and two bronze Clios in past years.

Howard P. Goodkin, GM95, MD95, was elected as first vice president of the American Epilepsy Society at its annual meeting in December 2023. Goodkin is the Shure Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the University of Virginia and serves as the chair of the Department of Neurology and the director of the Division of Pediatric Neurology.

Sean O. Ervin, GR94, SI94, retired from his architectural practice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after 38 years and has taken a position at South Dakota State University as program coordinator for architecture in the School of Design. He has both administration and faculty roles and is enjoying the transition to mentorship for 130 students at a time.

Pedro Jaime Torres-Díaz, BU91, was featured in the 11th edition of the Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico. Torres-Díaz is the office managing principal in the Miami office of Jackson Lewis P.C., and a principal in the San Juan, Puerto Rico, office.

Margaret Beckley, UC91, SW98, earned a doctor of education degree in educational practice in August 2023 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Michelle Kibby, OT89, is a professor at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in the clinical psychology and brain and cognitive sciences programs. She serves as faculty ombudsperson as well. Kibby is also a child-clinical neuropsychologist, a wife and a mother.

Alexander S. Douglas II, LA86, was named to the advisory board of the Professional Fiduciary Council of Florida. Douglas practices in the area of fiduciary litigation, with experience in trust and probate litigation and contested guardianship cases. The board was created to identify for the public qualified individuals who are available to serve as fiduciaries and have demonstrated a commitment to a high level of fiduciary service.

Jon M. Althoff, GB82, was named president of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce after serving as the chamber’s interim president. He also has served on the board as an active member and chair, helping revitalize the charitable foundation and working within Dakota County for over a decade. Althoff owns his own boutique marketing and sales consultancy, Parachute Consulting Group, LLC.

April D. Nauman, LA81, penned Down the Steep (Regal House Publishing, October 2023), a literary coming-of-age story set during the Civil Rights era in southeast Virginia, where she mostly grew up. The protagonist is a white girl who learns to recognize and challenge the racist, misogynistic beliefs of the culture she was born into. Writing under the name “A.D. Nauman,” Nauman has published many short stories as well as a previous novel. She is a professor of literacy education at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. At WashU, she was editor-in-chief of Student Life from 1979-80. She’d love to hear from old classmates through her website, adnauman.com.