Class Notes

Eddie W. Runde, AB ’85, has written two novels in his sci-fi trilogy, The Genesis Trust (December 2023) and Trust and Obey: The Genesis Trust Book II (April 2025), both published by Christian Faith Publishing. The books, which he wrote under his pen name, Wayne Runde, are available at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

Gabriel Spalding, AB ’83, took up the gavel in January 2025 as the incoming president of the American Association of Physics Teachers.

Tim Olsen, BM ’83, released the Tim Olsen Big Band digital album/compact disc Obsidian. It features nine original works and one arrangement. Inspired by the work of Duke Ellington, the pieces span five decades and showcase Olsen’s collaboration with a host of talented musicians. Olsen is professor of music at Union College in Schenectady, New York, and directs the Union College Jazz Ensemble. He also performs as a soloist, with the Tim Olsen Quartet and the 17-piece Tim Olsen Big Band.

Brian S. Zachariah, AB ’82, was named professor of emergency medicine at the new Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee. The college took its first class of 81 future physicians in August 2024. Previously, Zachariah was associate professor at the William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Craig McKown, BS ’82, retired to the California Central Coast after more than 34 years building large commercial geosynchronous satellites in Silicon Valley. He will continue to coach cross country at Nipomo High School.

Mark Feldman, MS ’82, PhD ’86, writes a blog, www.inside-higher-ed.com.

Mark Brostoff, MHA ’82, was named director of career advising at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University on Aug. 1, 2024.

John L. Hammond Jr., AB ’80, BS ’80, retired on April 14, 2024, after a fulfilling career in various petrochemical and polymeric fields. He served in various positions including design engineer, senior projects engineer and management positions. Hammond and his wife, Betty, have two children and four grandchildren. He looks forward to dedicating more time as a docent on the newly refurbished memorial battleship USS Texas. Hammond feels the combined engineering and arts and science background he received at WashU put him in the position to be successful in his career.

Robert Kulesher, MHA ’77, retired after 21 years at East Carolina University. It was announced at the College of Allied Health Sciences Recognition Ceremony on May 3, 2024, to be effective Aug. 1. Kulesher was elevated to professor emeritus at the university.

Ann Friedman Calandro, MA ’77, had a short story collection, Lost in Words, published (Serving House Press, February 2025). Her stories, some of which have been published in literary journals, were written between 1979 and 2023. A retired medical editor and writer, Calandro is working on a nonfiction collection and a poetry collection as well as creating mixed-media collages that have been exhibited, published and awarded prizes.