Alumni Executive Council Members

Mary Baucom '13 is an Associate Marketing Director at Hearst in New York City where she crafts pitches and proposals for potential pharma and healthcare advertisers. She attended Northwestern University immediately following SLU where she earned a Master of Science from the Medill School of Journalism. She was previously at Healthline -- the #1 health site -- holding positions on the marketing and editorial teams. While at St. Lawrence, she double majored in English and Government. She was an active member of the Thelomathesian Society, editor of the Gridiron Yearbook, and Student Director of the WORD Studio.

Charlotta Chung '08 is currently Head of U.S. Legal Research at Creditsights in New York City, where she conducts credit research into fixed income securities.  Previously she practiced financial restructuring and leveraged finance with law firms in New York City. Following St. Lawrence, Charlotta earned a J.D., cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where she was a Darrow Scholar.  She graduated summa cum laude with a double major with honors in both government and sociology from St. Lawrence. She was one of St. Lawrence’s first-ever Truman Scholars, named in 2007.  While at St. Lawrence, Charlotta held leadership roles in Intervarsity and SLU Advocates and was a Community Mentor for the Center for Civic Engagement, a Community Assistant with Residence Life, and an avid volunteer with community programs in the Canton community, including the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services.  She was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Pi Sigma Alpha and received a Freeman Grant to study abroad in China and a Career Services Internship Fellowship for an internship in Sri Lanka. Charlotta also studied abroad in Denmark. Post-graduation, she has stayed involved with St. Lawrence through service as a LINC Mentor.

Elsa Coughlin '19 (she/her) graduated from St. Lawrence with a double major in Art History and Government and a minor in Asian Studies. While at St. Lawrence, Elsa was a Gridiron Yearbook editor, Reading and Math tutor and was a member of Kappa Delta Sigma. She also studied abroad in Thailand and earned two travel and research grants for separate trips to India and was awarded a Vivien Garner Hannon Internship Fellowship Grant to spend a summer interning in Shanghai, China. 

Elsa now resides in Leadville, Colorado where she enjoys spending time outside skiing and biking with her dog Maggie. She works for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research as a Fundraising Operations Officer. Prior to joining MJFF, Elsa worked on World Wildlife Fund's membership team for 3 years. 

Dean Eppler ’74* is a scientist and aerospace worker with over 30 years’ experience in human spaceflight. He majored in geology while at St. Lawrence, received his MS from the University of New Mexico in 1976, and his Ph.D. from Arizona State University in 1984. In the years between graduate degrees, he was a Combat Engineer Officer in the U.S. Army, spending most of his time in a divisional engineer battalion at Fort Carson, CO.  His years at NASA have been involved everything from space suit testing, to leading teams building major pieces of hardware for the International Space Station, to writing a wide variety of systems engineering documents for hardware development for human spaceflight, and to developing the geologic training curriculum for training the Astronaut Corps and NASA engineers and managers, teaching the vagaries of field geology to a wide variety of students. He retired from NASA in 2016 and has since worked at The Aerospace Corporation, doing detailed studies of Apollo Program technical history, reviewing technical programs associated with the return to the Moon, and working with the Astronaut Office on planning standards for future crew operations on the lunar surface. In his spare time, he trailbikes, does martial arts, rides horses, and takes the occasional geologic field trip.

E-Ben D. Grisby ’99 is originally from the Bronx, NY and is currently a Special Education Teacher for the Green Bay Area Public Schools in Wisconsin. During his career, E-Ben has either taught or collaboratively taught multiple subjects, with a lens for promoting life skills with an inclusive approach. E-Ben holds a Master's of Science degree in Urban and Multicultural Education, with a concentration in Special Education from The College of Mount St. Vincent, plus additional graduate courses from several institutions, including the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.  He serves as Secretary for the Green Bay Education Association (GBEA), and as Minority Guarantee Representative for the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). In Appleton, WI, where E-Ben has lived since 2004, he serves on several boards, including Celebrate Diversity-Fox Cities and the Community Advisory Board for the Appleton Police Department.

While at St. Lawrence, E-Ben was a member of the HEOP and C-STEP programs, majored in History and minored in Sociology. He was Vice-President of the Black Student Union, volunteered on the Gridiron staff, was a member of the Thelomathesian Society, and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, a resident of International House and Commons College. Currently, E-Ben is a LINC Mentor. In his spare time, E-Ben enjoys weightlifting and powerlifting, playing rugby, cooking, organic gardening, facilitating discussions on current events and challenging issues, politics, reading, and traveling.

Brian Hetzel ’02, M’04 graduated cum laude from St. Lawrence with a B.A. in psychology and loved the University so much that he stayed on to receive an M.Ed. in counseling and human development. As an undergraduate, Brian captained the indoor and outdoor track and field teams, was a member of Psi Chi international psychology honor society, Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, and studied abroad through the Kenya Semester Program. Upon earning his master's degree, Brian entered the independent school world, where he has spent his career working with adolescent students and athletes in a variety of roles at boarding and day schools in the Northeast. Brian is the founder of Hetzel Educational Consulting in Connecticut, where he works to help families successfully navigate the college and independent school admission process. 

Tracy Kay '75, P'13 is CEO of the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens. Prior to his current post, he served as Executive Director of the Westchester Children’s Museum in Rye, NY. Following St. Lawrence, Tracy earned an MFS degree from Yale University’s School of the Environment. He began his professional career as Director of the Rye Nature Center and later was Executive Director of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia, PA before serving as Deputy Commissioner for the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums. He has served on the adjunct faculties at Swarthmore College and Arcadia and Temple universities and is a field reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums and grant panelist for the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. While at St. Lawrence University, Tracy majored in biology and was a member of the Tri-Beta National Biology Honorary and Phi Beta Kappa. He was a member of the SLUSAF Concert Committee and served as a campus tour guide and Orientation Leader. As an alumnus, Tracy has participated in the Shadow A Saint program, Sophomore Boot Camp and as a member of his class Reunion Planning Committee. A native of Buffalo, NY, Tracy now resides in Stamford, CT with his wife Laura Tessier ’76, (Yale MFS ’78). Laura is an Associate Principal with Woodard & Curran Engineering and a member of the Board of Directors of the Woodard & Curran Foundation. Their son, Colin Tessier-Kay ’13 recently received his Masters from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and resides in Washington, DC. Their daughter Madeleine (Harvard ’19, Yale MPH ’21) is currently enrolled at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

John Linsley ’04 is an associate director with Putney Student Travel, a Vermont-based educational travel organization offering summer programs for high school students across the globe. John manages programs for Putney and its collaborations with the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution in Bhutan, India, Nepal, Tanzania, Namibia, Croatia, and Iceland. He previously worked in safety and operations for The School For Field Studies, an international environmental field studies program for undergraduates. He has also taught high school social studies and wilderness emergency medicine courses. John majored in government at St. Lawrence and minored in African studies and history. He studied abroad on the Kenya Semester Program (KSP) and since 2005 has been editor of the KSP alumni news column in the St. Lawrence Magazine, in addition to authoring feature articles about the KSP and the University’s history of outdoor programs. While at St. Lawrence, John was president of the Outing Club, an Outdoor Program guide, KSP student ambassador, and campus rescue squad EMT. He went on to earn an M.A. in international relations at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University and studied Swahili language and culture with the Fulbright Hays Group Projects Abroad program in Tanzania. John is an avid runner, mountain biker, and skier and you’ll find him on the trails whenever he has the chance.

Sally Barker McSweeney '84, P'18, vice president of the Alumni Executive Council, lives in Plattsburgh, NY. While at St. Lawrence, Sally majored in English with a concentration in  writing, obtained her teaching certificate, “studied” during an interterm in Austria, and took hotel management classes at Canton ATC (now SUNY Canton). Sally was a student bell ringer of the Bachellor Memorial Chimes, a literacy volunteer, an admissions ambassador, a student manager of the North Country Pub, and a member of Kappa Delta Sigma sorority. Sally retired from a career in  resort sales management in the Caribbean and now works as an operations manager in the dental field. As an alumna, she volunteered as a class reporter, joined the development committee of her last reunion, was the Northern California alumni chapter president, and previously co-chaired the Engagement Committee for the AEC. Sally and her husband, Tim, have two children: Connor (SLU '18) and Lucy (University of Richmond '21).

Betsy Locke Oberst ’77* lives in Oswego, NY with her husband, Jerry and rescue dog, Jackson. They are the parents of three grown children and four (soon to be five!) grandchildren. While at St. Lawrence, Betsy was a dual major in English and government, and spent a semester on the Washington Semester Program at American University. She was active as a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, an Admissions Ambassador, a tutor at St. Regis reservation and wrote for The Hill News. As an alumna, she has been involved with reunion planning committees. Betsy earned a Master’s degree at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She spent 35 years in Advancement at SUNY Oswego. For 25 years, she led all alumni communications and alumni engagement initiatives at Oswego. She also developed and oversaw a donor relations program, oversaw donor-funded scholarships, and secured major gifts. Betsy retired in 2019 and is active in her community as an elected Trustee of the Oswego Public Library, Co-chair of the Scholarship Committee of The Zonta Club of Oswego, and is a member of the Advisory Council of the Oswego County Community Foundation, committed to improving and enhancing the quality of life for Oswego County residents. She is an active volunteer in her church and at her private Catholic high school in Rochester, NY. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, yoga, kayaking, reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Addie Peterson ’14 (she/her)* graduated from St. Lawrence magna cum laude with a double major in biology and mathematics. During her time at SLU, Addie was a member of the Outing Club, worked as a guide for the Outdoor Program, and was a tutor/TA for biology and chemistry students. She also studied abroad on the Kenya Semester Program (KSP). 

After St. Lawrence, Addie attended dental school at the University of Minnesota where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery, and finally on to the University of Iowa where she received her Master’s of Science and Certificate in Orthodontics. Currently, she practices orthodontics in Fort Collins, Colorado. As a Vermont native, she has quickly embraced everything Colorado has to offer, spending as much time outside the office skiing, trail running, and the occasional gravel biking excursion.

Rebecca Rourke ’02, M’04* graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Counseling and Human Development. She was a member of the Track and Field team, basketball team, and Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Becky continued on to receive her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Dr. Rourke is currently in the role of Chief Psychologist for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Department of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth. Becky lives a full life in the capital region of NY with her husband and two amazing children.

Doug Smith '05 lives with his wife Amanda Smith '04, along with their two future Laurentians Aubrey and Cole, in Newtown, Connecticut.  During his time at SLU Doug rowed on and was ultimately captain of the Men's Varsity crew team, and served as an EMT on the campus EMS squad, ultimately becoming that organization's Director in his senior year.  When not at weekend crew regattas, he also enjoyed time with the Outing Club, particularly the time-honored SLU tradition of Peak Weekend.  After graduation he received a Master's degree from Boston University School of Medicine and worked as an Emergency Department technician at Harvard's Brigham & Women's Hospital.  He and Amanda then moved to Philadelphia where he completed his medical school studies, did research at the University of Pennsylvania, and his residency training in North Philly at Einstein Medical Center.  While living in Philly, they were married in Gunnison Memorial Chapel in 2009, and a few years later moved back home to Connecticut.  Doug is currently an attending Emergency Physician at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut as well as the Director of Emergency Medicine and EMS Medical Director at New Milford Hospital within the same health network. He serves on the Board of the Connecticut Chapter of Emergency Physicians, and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Vermont School of Medicine.  As an alumnus, Doug serves as an Alumni Executive Council member where he co-chairs the Admission Committee, as a mentor in the LINC program, and works with pre-health sophomores in the Career Conversations program.  In his down time, Doug enjoys coaching his son's little league team, timing his daughter's swim meets, hiking the trails of Connecticut, and trying to get out on the water in sailboats when possible.

Lexi Williams '15 (she/her) is the Manager of Diversity and Impact for Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE)- the parent company for the Philadelphia 76ers and NJ Devils. She lives in Philadelphia, with her boyfriend, Reid; but still holds her Rochester, NY roots near and dear. Before transitioning to the sports and entertainment field, Lexi worked in higher education including 3 years in the Office of Laurentian Engagement at St. Lawrence. While studying at St. Lawrence, Lexi majored in Government and Psychology and minored in Communications. On campus she worked in Admissions, served as an orientation leader, was a member of the Upbeats, class council and swim team. She was also a Joan Donovan speech contest winner which allowed her to speak during her Commencement and is a sister of Kappa Delta Sigma.