Class of 2009 Update

Here's what some of last year's graduating class is up to:

Former editor in chief Erin Geismar writes, “After graduation I enjoyed a summer on Long Island with family and friends. In September, I was hired as a reporter by The East Hampton Press (www.27east.com) and in February will move to the swankiest small town in the world. One of two reporters, I'm constantly writing. I cover village government and the school board and am responsible for most of the paper's feature stories.

Former managing editor Joshua Mellman is writing web content and blogging for a law office, interning at a monthly magazine, and freelance writing for publications and companies — all in the South Jersey region.

Former online media editor Andy Swift is the weekend editor at Bonnie Fuller's new celebrity/entertainment news site HollywoodLife.com in New York. He has full control over the site on Saturdays and Sundays, and goes in during the week on scattered days for writing/reporting.

Emma Strachman, who was an assistant photo editor and online media editor, writes, “I'm currently working as a makeup artist for Bobbi Brown. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, but I love it! I'm being creative in a very different light. I'm also co-producing an independent film that is projected to start shooting in February. We'll be entering the film into festivals and screening it in the greater Albany area.”

Former chief proofreader Tahleen Ovian is starting graduate school at Simmons College. She'll be working toward a master's degree in library and information science, with a concentration in Youth Services. She’s also still working at Barnes & Noble part time.

Farewell to Erica Hendry

Got together with Aaron Munzer ’08, Kara Cusolito ’08 and Byard Duncan ’09 over break to say goodbye to Erica Hendry, who, having completed her journalism degree in May, has just completed her music degree. She leaves Ithaca with those degrees, extensive experience in both print and multimedia journalism, a couple of great internships under her belt (USA Today, Chronicle of Higher Education), and experience as one of the best editors in chief (2007–08) the Ithacan has seen. In short, she leaves well prepared for the world of journalism. Her first step is to Washington, D.C., where she'll spend the next six months writing for Smithsonian magazine. We'll miss her.