Academics

Adrienne Krebs Conger, is in her final year of the pulmonary ICU fellowship at Vanderbilt. After four years of college, medical school, internship, residency and the three year specialty fellowship, Adrienne has started exploring the next leg of her medical career, full-time employment as an ICU pulmonologist. Adrienne married Tyler Conger '06. The Conger's live in Nashville with their son Elliot. 

Tyler Conger is a graduate of Tulane Medical School and is a resident at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Tyler married Adrienne Krebs '06. The Conger's live in Nashville with their son Elliot. 

Allison Erkman is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She works as a mixed animal veterinary intern in Rochester, NH at Myhre Equine Clinic & Cocheco Veterinary Hospital. Her work at Myhre Equine is nearly 100% equine, while her work at Cocheco Veterinary Hospital ranges from small to large domesticated animals.

Megan Forrester Ganschow graduated from Vanderbilt University and earned her MBA from Lipscomb. Megan is a branch manager for Regions Bank in Nashville and recently returned to Vanderbilt University as a color analyst announcer for the Women's Soccer Team. She is married and has two sons.

Jordan Rippy resides in Washington, D.C. where she is a professor of accounting at Johns Hopkins University.  She received a BA/MA in accounting from Baylor University, worked two years at Ernst and Young in New York/Dallas, and completed her Ph.D. in accounting at the University of Alabama.

Josh Trisler spent eight years in the US Army Reserves as a parachute rigger in the 861st Quartermaster Company in Nashville. He is now a software engineer with Morpho Trust USA, a company specializing in processing biometric data for state and federal agencies.

Alex Williams is an engineer in Louisville, KY.

Brandon Birkhead is on staff at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, CA where he leads the Virtual Reality Research Department. 

Dr. Jessie Deffendall, DDS is working with Aspen Dental in Louisville, KY.

Edwin Feagins serves with the Nashville Fire Department.

Father Peter Gautsch was ordained into the Priesthood on May 19, 2018 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Golden Tate attended Notre Dame on an athletic scholarship for baseball and football. While at Notre Dame, Golden received the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nations' best receiver, his junior season. He was drafted in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and ended the 2013 season as a member of the Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVIII winning team. Golden joined the Detroit Lions as a free agent in 2014 as one of the Lions' top receivers. As of 2019, he is playing for the New York Giants.

In 2016, Golden established the JPII Tate Scholarship Fund which provides need-based financial aid to female and male student athletes. In addition to the scholarship fund, Golden hosts the Tate Athletic Skills Clinic every summer at JPII for rising third grade through rising eighth grade girls and boys, which is co-sponsored by the NFL Foundation and USA Football. 

Timothy Cravens is pursing a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Tennessee Tech.

Father David (Will) Dodd was ordained to the Priesthood on April 27, 2019. He studied at the Catholic University of America and is assisting with ministry at Saint Joseph Church in Herndon, VA. 

Haley George is a humanitarian photographer and works with nonprofits and small social enterprises across the world in Haiti, Southeast Asia, and Ethiopia to name a few.

Hanna Griffith is pursuing a Master of Public Health at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. 

Anthony Korzeniewski resides in Houston, TX where he works for Canrig Drilling Technology. 

Stephanie Manners earned Finance and Economics degrees from the University of Notre Dame in 2012. Stephanie spent five years working in corporate finance at Target Corporation in Minneapolis and is working on her MBA at New York University's Stern School of Business. 

Jessica Miller has a strong interest in service to others. Her most recent mission trip was to Belize to help build a home with Hand in Hand ministries.  

Alexandra Patterson is the Director of Library Services at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania.  She is also a dorm parent, teaches English, and works on various committees including Diversity, Equity, and Justice, Community Reading, and the Speaker Series.  In August 2020, she began doctoral studies at John Hopkins University School of Education.

Austin Dages is enrolled in a physician assistant (PA) program at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. He recently received his white coat, which symbolizes the completion of his PA classroom work. He earned a biology degree at Samford and a masters degree at UAB in biomedical health and science.

Patrick Deffendall works a an actuary for Cigna Insurance in the Nashville area. 

Blaise Dempsey is working as a chemist for Vi-John Laboratories. He competes annually in the Worlds Longest Drive (WLD) Competition and is sponsored by Krank Golf. 

Sarah Hickam is pursuing her Ph.D. at Notre Dame in Geochemistry with a focus in Actinide Research.

Katherine Musacchio graduated from Vanderbilt with a Master's in Applied Developmental Science. She is employed by Vanderbilt University in the Technology and Psychopatholgy Lab where she researches the intersection of suicide and technology.

Natalie Beatty Parris attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, after graduation. She fell in love with the service industry and is an entrepreneur in the food and drink industry. Natalie, along with her husband Eugene, owns and operates Main Street Pub & Eatery in Hendersonville, TN. "The Pub," as it is affectionally known, is where many JPII alumni, faculty, and staff often gather. Natalie has three beautiful daughters and lives in Hendersonville. 

Jeremy Polman is medical student at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine pursuing a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine as well as a MBA. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Knoxville with a degree in microbiology.

Ashley Powell played collegiate sports and now shares her love of athletics as a high school head coach for cross-country & track and field at Bearden H.S. in Knoxville, TN. 

Ann Marie Zobl Whitaker is a 4th grade teacher in Sumner County. She is married to Steven Whitaker, headmaster of Sumner Academy. They have a son and daughter.

Sean Druffel is known for his volunteer work at Habitat for Humanity ReStore. He works at Vanderbilt McGuggin Dining Hall and Publix. 

Briana Keightley Franklin is in her third year of a four-year residency for OBGYN at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis. She and her husband Robert live in Kirkwood, MO. 

Melissa MacConnell is majoring in Beterinary Medicine at St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine located on the island of Grenada.

Bryan Mainhardt graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology and is pursuing a degree in dentistry at the University of Louisville.

Mitchell Mayberry is a mechanical engineer in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. His engineering work takes him around the world. His most recent trips have been to Germany and South Africa. 

Michael Nelson is a Captain in the U.S. Army. He is an Aviation Officer stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He is scheduled to take command of a company of Apache Helicopters in September 2020. 

Alek Nochowicz is a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the U.S. Navy. He and his wife, Nikola, live at the Naval Station Newport Rhode Island where he works for the Naval Supply Corp. Alek attended Officer's Candidate School in Newport in 2017.

Tanner Taddeo Tanner is an international development and impact investment professional with experience working in impact investing, technology start-ups, strategy consulting, and international NGOs across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2014 with a degree in philosophy and sociology, Florida State University in 2015 with an MSc in International Affairs (degree of distinction), and from the University of Cambridge in 2019 with a Master's in Social Innovation (degree of distinction). Tanner works in Corporate Development for ModusBox in London.

Kevin Clavin received his master's degree from Vanderbilt University where he received the prestigious Wilbur Tillett Award in theology. He works in community development for Room at the Inn, Nashville, TN. 

Michael Colello graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina and is attending University South Carolina, School of Medicine, Greeenville.

Amelia Ehmling studied Music Therapy at the University of Louisville and received her undergraduate degree in 2015. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2016 with a master's degree in Music Therapy. She remained in Kentucky after graduation and is currently the Music Therapist for Kentucky Children's Hospital in Lexington.

Ehmling will share her research "Music Therapy with People Experiencing Homelessness" to music therapists from around the world at the 2020 World Congress of Music Therapy Convention in Pretoria, South Africa in July 2020.

Sara Gore is an aerospace engineer at Boeing. 

Laura Hickam graduated from Belmont University Nursing School and is pursing work in the neonatal field.

Thomas Koen is pursuing a Master of Theology Degree at Villanova University and plans to teach high school theology.

Kyle Meadows graduated from Duke University with a Biomedical Engineering degree. He holds a research position at the University of Delaware.

Kayty Nochowicz graduated from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, in 2015 with a BA in English Literature. She is also a graduate of the Aveda Cosmetology Institute and works as a stylist at Lunatic Fringe in Melrose. Kayty resides in Nashville. 

Braden Smith graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2015, and as valedictorian at Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2019. Braden works as a resident doctor at the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, in Internal Medicine and plans to specialize in Pulmonary medicine. Braden married Brianna Cantrell in 2019. 

Kaley Stinnett is majoring in Optometry at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN.

Carson West serves on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Junior Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys traveling and recently completed a backpacking adventure to Thailand. Carson works at UBS Financial Consultants as a remediation lead. 

Katy Beth Boyers is the Editor-in-Chief of the Samford Crimson, a student-run newspaper at Samford University.

Hogan Bryant graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2016 with a major in political science and a minor in financial economics. Hogan works for Caterpillar Financial in Nashville. 

Nathan Edwards is volunteering at Red Cloud, a Lakota Indian Reservation at Our Lady of Lourdes Jesuit mission school as a middle school theology and social studies teacher. 

Emily Garretson is a pre-med Major at East Tennessee State University.

Andrew Gilstrap graduated with a Master's in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Houston's Moore School of Music. He is a member of the Resident Artist Program at the Minnesota Opera. He is singing several roles on the main stage, including Der Pfleger for Richard Strauss' Elektra, Don Basilio in Gioachino Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia, the Immigration Officer in Jonathan Dove's Flight, and Masetto in W.A. Mozart's Don Giovanni, as well as covering several roles in the world premiere of Paola Prestini's Edward Tulane and a more significant role in Don Giovanni. Also, Andrew has worked for several other professional opera companies recently: Wolf Trap Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera in the Heights, and the Ohio Light Opera. He has also done freelance concert work with Dallas Chamber Choir, Denton Bach Society, and Lone Star College. 

Rachel Harrison Grisard earned her Master of Science, Social Work at the University of Tennessee and is currently the Director of Student Life and Houses at her alma mater. She is also an assistant coach for the Women's Lacrosse team. 

Rachel Hinlo works in the Medical ICU at Vanderbilt Hospital. 

Ashlyn Keightley Miller, is residing in Forney, TX, with her husband Logan Miller and two children, Bron & Emelyn. They are expecting their third child in March 2021. In addition to being a busy mom, Ashlyn is part of the Life Initiative team at her church, Watermark in Texas; runs an online baking platform at thebakingmiller.com, and serves on a Theta advisory board.

Brandon Sinor received his Property and Caualty Insurance License and is an agent at Dennis Sinor Insurance in Bowling Green, KY and Goodlettsville, TN.

Holly Blankenship graduated from Western Kentucky University in December 2018 with an Environmental/OSHA degree. She is working for NAPA Auto Corporation.

Alexis Cook graduated from Vanderbilt University in May 2018. After graduating from JPII in 2013, Alexis entered a gap year program which sent her to internships at five different nonprofits in five different countries. During her junior year of college, she co-founded a social enterprise "Unlocked" whose mission is to create opportunities for people transitioning out of homelessness. Employees make handmade jewelry and proceeds go directly to create wages that help them transition back into full-time employment and a home of their own. 

Robert Davis is attending the University of Central Florida on an Air Force ROTC Scholarship. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and a Minor in Aerospace Studies, he will receive his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. His goals include entering flight training and being assigned to a jet fighter wing.

Andy Druffel is studying engineering at the University of Dayton on a tennis scholarship.

Kate Fox will graduate from the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis in May 2021. She has been invited to join Smile Solutions in Hendersonville. 

Greg Mills graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Master's degree in Health Care Policy and Management. He lives in Boston and works as a Life Science Consultant for Guidehouse, a management consulting firm. 

Mitchell Nelson is a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and an Armor Officer. He is the Battalion Maintenance Officer for his Battalion in Hohenfelds, Germany. Mitchell is expecting to return stateside in 2021 for his next tour of duty.

Zach Pelka graduated from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2017. Soon after graduation, he started a financial technology student loan company, Paytronage. Zach sold the business in 2018 to Lumni, Inc. but stayed on as the Head of Capital Markets & Investor Relations. In addition, he continued his entrepreneurial spirit by launching Une Femme Wines along with his sister Jen. Une Femme Wines partners with women in the wine industry, including female winemakers, investors, distributors, designers, and wine retailers. A portion of the proceeds benefits the non-profit Dress for Success. 

Wes Rausch earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Automotive Engineering Technology at Austin Peay State University. He is employed by Plymouth Tube Co. in Hopkinsville, KY as a quality engineer. 

Gabe Tiamson graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and works at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital as a mental health specialist. He has plans to pursue his master's degree in psychology. 

Andrew Smith completed the Flagstaff Fearsome 4 challenge, which covers 34 miles and 10,400 feet of vertical gain. The four mountains he peaked are Humphreys, Kendrick, Elden, and O'Leary. 

Taylor Tieche graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a degree in geography. She works for Collier Engineering in Brentwood, TN and enjoys traveling to exciting destinations such as Thailand, Turks and Caicos, Virgin Gorda, and Mexico City. 

Krystal Tran graduated from University of Tennessee Knoxville and works as an operations service specialist at Servicesource in Nashville, TN. Krystal enjoys traveling and spent the summer after college graduation touring Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Hong Kong. 

Sterling Bishir is working on a Master Degree in Scottish History from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. 

Keely Bryan works as a firefighter and advanced EMT in Wilson County and serves on the Board of Directors for Sumner County's Fire Rehab Group. Keely is attending Paramedic School at Volunteer State Community College. 

Collin Bryant is majoring in pre-dentistry at the University of Dayton. He is a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, the Epsilon Tau Pi Brotherhood of Eagle Scouts, and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society.

Andy Druffel graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in engineering while also playing Division I tennis. He is currently enrolled in law school at the University of Mississippi.

Daniel Edwards graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Chelsea Fair is majoring in chemistry with a concentration in forensic science and minor in criminal justice at Austin Peay State University. Her goals include working for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Jamie Galvin graduated from Vanderbilt University Next Steps. She completed internships with Sumner Academy, University School of Nashville, and The Susan Gray Schoo. Jamie also traveled around the country to speak about her abilities and experiences in Vanderbilt's post secondary program. She works at Painturo's in Gallatin.

Victoria Hickam is majoring in Computer Science at the University of Miami. She is also a member of the Co-Ed Cheerleading Squad for the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Reginald Marshall Jr. played football at Bethel University and Tennessee State University. He graduated cum laude from TSU with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in management.

Emily McRen graduated from Vanderbilt University where she received the Robert D. Tanner Undergraduate Research Award in Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering.

Dylan Pederson is studying International Relations and Economics at The College of Wooster. Dylan is actively involved in the Peace Corps Prep Program at Wooster as leader of the program and acting liaison between the college and the major office in Cleveland. He plans to serve in the Peace Corp in South America.

Ellen Gerstner is majoring in pre-dentistry at the University of Dayton and accepted in the Honors College.

Hailey Lavender graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in three years with a bachelor's degree in Child & Family Studies due to the AP credits she earned at JPII. Hailey is pursuing her master's degree at UTK and her teacher's licensure for grades PreK-3rd.

Rachael Leonard is attending Saint Mary's College where she studied abroad in Rome and plays lacrosse. She has been awarded numerous recognitions through the SMC athletic program and MIAA Conference for lacrosse. 

Michael Koen is majoring in pre-med at Bellarmine University in molecular biology and biochemistry. His plans include attending medical school and practicing medicine in Uganda.

Abigail M. Sturgill majored in International Business Management and Marketing at University of Dayton's School of Business Administration. Abby served as Mu Lambda chapter Treasurer of Chi Omega sorority and is a member of Sigma Pi Professional Business fraternity. She served as VP of Communications for the campus Panhellenic Council, was awarded membership in the Order of Omega and the Greek Leadership Honor Society. Abby also spends time volunteering at Love Your Melon and KORE.

Jacob Telli continued his baseball career as a pitcher at Rhodes College where he was named to several NCAA Division III teams and Southern Athletic Association teams.  

Sam Tieche graduated with a degree in supply chain economics at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and interned with Sertigas Technologies in Chile. 

Collins Brown continued his love of foreign languages and travel after graduation. He traveled to Peru, Columbia, Mexico, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, England, Holland, Austria, Belgium, Cuba, UK, Switzerland, and Panama. He is fluent in Spanish and French and is learning German. Collins attends Northeastern University in Boston where he studies Economics and Finance.

Jacob Businda is majoring in History with a minor in Secondary Education at East Tennessee State University. Jacob is  routinely named to the Dean's List. 

Madeline Barber is attending Bellarmine University where she is studying nursing. Maddy traveled to Mao, Dominican Republican on a medical mission trip with Timmy Global. 

Pace Dempsey is studying at Mississippi State University in the School of Architecture. He recently traveled to England, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Prague with his brother Reece '13.

Mason Hickman continues his athletic career pitching for the Commodores at Vanderbilt University. Mason is studying Human and Organizational Development. 

Justin Humphries is studying at the University of Alabama where he has been named to the President's List as an Honor student. Justin spent an entire month in Indonesia with Chi Alpha where he ministered in the city of Medan and in remote villages on the island of Sumatra.  

Thomas Janes attends the University of Indiana where he is active in the Model United Nations program. The team was recognized as a top team in the nation by Best-Delegate.com.

Caroline Leonard continues Pom at Saint Mary's College in South Bend, IN. She is a member of the Notre Dame Pom Squad and dances at all home football and basketball games. 

Coby Neal continues his studies at the University of Cincinnati. He was named to the Dean's List and was selected for the Emerging Campus Leaders Council. 

Jack Palen spent his summer working as a legislative intern for U.S. Representative Jim Cooper in Washington, D.C. Jack studies international relations, French, and economics at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. He is an active member of the Model United Nations club and hopes to pursue politics and law in the future. 

William Peter completed a 5-week French immersion program in L’École de Langue Française et Culture Québécoise of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.

Braden Sanford attended Elon University before entering University of Tennessee Chattanooga to study clinical psychology.

Brady Slaughter is majoring in mechanical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.