Instructors

Robert Abel is a former Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University and Senior Honor awardee from the AAO, with 50 years of clinical integrative ophthalmology practice. He lectures at the American Psychiatric Association on why we forget and how the eyes reveal the unconscious mind.

Jim Block studied English literature at the University of Virginia, went to sea for two years on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, and then took an M.A. in English at the University of Iowa. He then taught English, coached, advised, talked with, and lived with teenagers at Northfield Mount Hermon for 43 years. He spent a year teaching at Marlborough College, Wiltshire, and another at Robert College in Istanbul.  

Shane Brill is a passionate educator and practitioner working at the intersection of ecological sustainability and functional nutrition. With more than two decades of experience, he designs and leads dynamic public programs that weave together food literacy, regenerative living, and holistic health. His work empowers individuals and communities to build resilience through practical, nature-based strategies.

Shane is certified as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and Restorative Wellness Practitioner (RWP), bringing an evidence-informed approach to nutrition and wellness education. He offers engaging courses and workshops on topics ranging from fermentation and foraging to sleep, metabolic health, and ecological design—drawing on his deep background in permaculture and wild food traditions to root health education in environmental awareness.

At Washington College, Shane led permaculture and sustainability initiatives for 20 years, mentoring students and guiding interdisciplinary projects in environmental literature, food justice, ethnobotany, and regenerative systems. His own urban homestead serves as a living model of resilient design, supporting edible and medicinal biodiversity.

Joanne Boyle is a retired attorney, formerly employed by the New Jersey Department of Education where she worked in offices that were charged with investigating complaints alleging violations of federal and state law, conducting administrative hearings, adjudicating disputes and preparing legal decisions for both the Commissioner of Education and the New Jersey School Ethics Commission. She drafted policies and administrative code for the agency. Joanne now supports local nonprofits as they address community needs beyond government reach. She is attracted to forums and conversations where public policy is developed and the principles of American democracy are upheld.

Catherine Brooks' early career was in health care and health education. Her BA in Sociology and MBA in Organizational Behavior and Development led her to community organizing and participatory management training in VT, IN, OR, VA, DC, and MD. Her retirement began when she returned to Chestertown at the beginning of COVID to help care for her then 97-year-old mother-in-law. In the last year, she moved her eldest sister of 82 with Alzheimer’s into a care facility where she died 6 months later. Also, after experiencing the losses of 5 others recently, her awareness of the critical need for discussions and preparations for death moved her to take action and teach this class.

Jeff Coomer is a Washington College graduate and the retired CIO of a multi-billion-dollar division of a Fortune 250 company. A long-time student and practitioner of Buddhist and Stoic philosophy, he has taught numerous WC-ALL courses on those and other topics, and led occasional Socrates Café conversations exploring philosophical issues.

Judy Crow retired from 30 years of teaching to return to her farming roots. Judy and Roy Crow were married 16 years ago, and they began on a journey to reinvent the family farm as their way to preserve the farm and allow visitors to immerse themselves in a variety of ways. Together they offer a farm-stay bed and breakfast, a herd of Angus beef, a 12-acre vineyard, and a 5,000-case state of the art winery. They have a wine tasting room that is open each day 12 noon to 5 pm for guest to enjoy award winning wines and farm-to-table lunch specials.

Karen Davis has more than 40 years of experience in corporate learning and development. She brings both depth and enthusiasm to teaching others how to harness new tools in practical ways. She most recently served as the Global Head of Talent Development for a Fortune 500 company, where she specialized in preparing high-potential executives for C-suite leadership roles. She now leads Orchard Consulting, her own practice dedicated to leadership development, coaching, and helping organizations prepare their next generation of leaders. Karen sees an important opportunity in helping people understand how AI could make their lives easier, improve productivity, and enhance results. Known for her friendly, practical, and engaging teaching style, Karen enjoys making complex topics accessible and fun.

Vic Evans is a retired consultant, architect and certified planner whose original college major in English continues to nurture fascination with language and creative expression. In the last two years he has taught two poetry courses for WC-ALL that have focused on creativity practices, as well as poetic form and technique. He is most interested in fostering a community of writers and poets within WC-ALL.

Michael Shane is a Chestertown resident who is an avid player of Mah Jongg, playing multiple times per week and in tournaments. Michael took a WC-ALL class in Spring 2024.

Linda Foster is a Chestertown resident who has enjoyed playing Mah Jongg several times per week and has played in multiple tournaments. Linda took a WC-ALL class in Fall 2024.

Judy Gifford is a third-generation farmer. She and her husband, Robert Fry, purchased what is now known as St. Brigid's Farm in 1996 with a vision to grow grass and graze Jersey cows. She is constantly amazed that what is a way of life to her is foreign to so many of the people who visit her farm. St. Brigid's Farm has hosted Washington College's Chesapeake Semester since its inception to expose the students to farming and challenge their preexisting biases. This course provides the same opportunity for a wider audience.

Wayne Gilchrest served as a Republican member of the US House of Representatives. He represented Maryland’s 1^st Congressional District for 18 years. Following his departure from politics he has worked on environmental education and issues. In 2019, Gilchrest became a registered Democrat. He has extensive personal experience to delve in deep discussions putting in perspective the most critical aspects of the growing nationwide divide, beginning with the Contract with America in 1994, and the strengthening role of wealthy outside influencers.

Dennis Herrmann spent his entire life as an amateur astronomer enjoying the night -time sky while growing up in Columbus Ohio. He began his career in 1972 teaching astronomy and other sciences, and coaching track and cross country for 42 years at The Kent County High School. He is a certified USATF and NFHS track official and works high school and college track and cross country meets in several states. He works part-time at Haven Harbor South Marina in Rock Hall and is president of the congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Chestertown, where he also sings in the choir. He is race director of the Rock Hall Flat 5 footrace which celebrated its 43rd year in 2026. He also has been presenting an annual Planetarium Christmas Program with the help of Chris Singleton and radio station WKHS-FM 90.5 since 1987. These shows are presented during the two weeks prior to the school's holiday Christmas break.

Katheryn (“Kathy”) Lee taught political science for 38 years and retired to Chestertown in 2022 after many years in Spokane, WA. She is Professor Emerita of Political Science at Whitworth University and previously taught at Eastern University (St. Davids, PA), and Seattle Pacific University. She holds degrees from Wake Forest University (B.A.), Johns Hopkins University (Ph.D.), and Temple University (J.D.). Her years in Washington State, home to 29 federally recognized tribes, deepened her interest in Native issues and their place in American law and politics.

Jen Milus DC has been helping people with their health for over thirty years. From working with the Marines, Olympic athletes, and spine injury victims, she has dedicated her life to educating, serving, and coaching people towards bone health, pain reduction, and rehabilitation. Through engaging, interactive, and informative workshops, she is bringing the message of bone health strategies to women, specifically those most impacted in the 40+ age group. She sparks interest and thoughts outside the box of traditional medicine to help her attendees make better and more intentional decisions about their skeletal health. She is passionate about giving participants new and varied choices in prevention and natural care so they can improve function and longevity. She believes that knowledge is power and every woman should be at the helm of her own health journey.

John Murphy is a retired Internal Medicine physician with additional training and experience in epidemiology and clinical informatics. His interest in demographics grew out of his experience as an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 30 years of caring for aging patients, and his interest in graphical data display. He and his wife Deborah have lived in Chestertown for about 5 years. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Kent County Public Library (KCPL) and on the Board of Directors of HomePorts, Inc., a Kent County nonprofit that seeks to help seniors who choose to remain in their homes to live full and engaged lives.

Clayton Newell is a retired Army officer. During his career he taught at the Army War College and was the Chief of Historical Services at the U.S. Army Center of Military History. He has written or edited several books and has been a regular contributor to military and historical journals.

George Nilson was a political science major at college and a lawyer in Baltimore for 50 years. He represented State and City election boards for 10 years, and advised and represented Governors, Congressmen, Senators, State legislators and other candidates. Among many other cases, George defended the narrowest winner of a race for Governor in MD's history and a winning candidate accused of bribing voters with chickens and smoke detectors. George also won an election case in the Supreme Court, successfully defended an incumbent who accused his opponent of having been charged with murder 4 times while burying the fact that no convictions resulted, and convinced the Maryland Supreme Court that a State Senator was still a resident of the City district he lived in for 30 years despite the fact that he had moved his abode to the County at his wife's insistence. George has taught numerous courses at WC ALL.

Dr. Jude M. Pfister, until his recent retirement, was a historian, curator, and cultural resource preservationist. Focusing primarily on the ideas that created America, he is the author of nine books and multiple articles and reviews. He is basing this course on his 2016 book (McFarland) Charting an American Republic-The Origins and Writing of The Federalist papers.

Deb Reid is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a Reiki Master who has been in the medical field and working with energy therapy for over 20 years. After working as a Biochemist, she received a Master's Degree in Nursing from Pace University in 2000 and has worked in Hospice, Family Practice and Emergency Medicine. While in nursing school, she was trained in Therapeutic Touch, received training in Usui Reiki Ryôhô and completed her Master level training in 2010. Since March of 2015, she owns and operates an integrative medicine practice. One of her passions about health and wellness is the concept that our bodies are communicating what they need through symptoms and we just need to learn how to listen. Her goal is to help clients find and realize their personal path to wellness through a combination of allopathic and alternative medicine. Deb lives in Chestertown Maryland with her dog, Clementine, who keeps her busy with walks and snuggle time. She likes to spend her free time outdoors camping, hiking and canoeing. She also enjoys dancing, quilting and nature photography.

Airlee Ringold Johnson and Carolyn Brooks are Kent County natives raised during the 1950s and 1960s. They attended segregated public schools in Kent County and Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Maryland; Morgan State University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore, respectively. Both earned their Master’s Degrees and worked in major US cities in their respective career fields. They both overcame adversities but persevered in their chosen careers, returning home to Kent County for retirement. Carolyn and Airlee have always been interested in history and have developed a passion for sharing the Black experiences on the Eastern Shore. In working with the Chesapeake Heartland Project, they have uncovered major hidden figures right here in Kent County and are excited to share their findings.

Jill Royston has over 20 years of experience as an executive coach, strategic advisor, and former Chief Operating Officer, helping people and organizations grow and thrive. Jill created the INSIGHT framework to teach people how to make decisions with confidence using their head, heart, and the facts. She helps people break free from what they “should” do and to instead create the life experiences that matter most to them, one decision at a times.

Yolanda Sanchez PhD is a scientist with 35+ years of combined academic and industry experience in translational research and drug discovery and development. Yolanda combines her love of science and technology with a passion for literature, especially women writers whose lives and work defy conventions and expectations. She has lived in Chestertown since 2022 and is an active member of WC ALL as a student, instructor, Curriculum Committee Chair and Council Member.

Mark Schulman PhD is an award-winning pollster and policy analyst. He has worked extensively with major news organizations tracking public opinion, political campaigns, analyzing election results, and probing policy issues. He served as Time magazine's pollster for almost ten years. He also served on the ABC News Election Decision Desk for many years. Schulman was 2002-2003 President of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR). He co-founded one the nation's largest public opinion/survey research firms, SRBI, now part of Abt Associates.

David Simison, whose legal career has spanned over 4 decades principally in Annapolis, mediated hundreds of cases for the Courts and private parties for over 25 years. In addition to mediation, he helped train aspiring lay people, lawyers, and judges in mediation. Several years ago, David researched a property issue at the Maryland Hall of Records in Annapolis, and noticed a display case exhibiting a letter from Maryland's Governor Hicks to President Lincoln requesting mediation. The letter from Hicks to Lincoln was a marvel to David who then wondered, "What if?" This course seeks to answer that question.

Beverly Hall Smith is a retired art history professor who has been teaching at WC-ALL since 2015. She is also a regular contributor to The Chestertown Spy. This course is a continuation of a recent course on Art in France 1874-1900.

Steven Solomon, DVM, MPH, has 10 years of private veterinary practice experience primarily focused on food producing animals. Following veterinary practice, he worked in a variety of positions in the Food and Drug Administration dealing with both human and animal public health issues. He has worked with other federal and state agencies on multiple public health issues for 33 years. He retired in 2023 as the Director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine and currently resides in Chestertown with his wife Lisa and their pets.

Beth Spurry earned her Master’s Degree at Washington College in 1996. Her career started as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware before switching to financial services. She is now the President of her own financial advisory firm in her hometown of Easton, Maryland, Tred Avon Family Wealth: https://tredavonfamilywealth.com. Beth offers information to build the skills and knowledge of adults trying to create good financial planning habits for themselves and their families. She is passionate about financial planning and eager to share her nearly 30 years of experience with the community.

Jack Squadrito is a Cybersecurity Analyst in the Office of Information Technology at Washington College, where he works to protect campus systems and help users navigate technology safely and effectively. In addition to his work at the College, Jack provides IT support in the local community and has spent years assisting individuals with everyday technology challenges. Through this experience, Jack has seen that many seniors want to use modern technology—such as smartphones, email, and video calling—but often feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure where to begin. His interest in teaching Tech Savvy Chestertown comes from a desire to close that gap by offering clear, practical instruction in a supportive and judgment‑free environment. Jack's teaching approach focuses on real‑world skills that participants can immediately apply to their own devices. He emphasizes understanding how and why technology works, building confidence with common tasks, and developing good habits around online safety and troubleshooting. By breaking down complex topics into manageable steps, Jack aims to help participants feel more independent, connected, and secure in today’s increasingly digital world.

Donna Van Dusen, Professor Emerita, finds retirement to be a time in which to engage with others in exploring a number of academic topics from an experiential perspective. Her study of rhetoric and communication sparked her interest in the ways media has impacted communication, personal identity and society, as well as in shaping other life experiences, such as aging, conflict, and creativity.

Raymond Vergne is a retired physician and educator with interests in the humanities. He has taught many courses at WC ALL, ranging from fascinating topics in history to Spanish and Latin American literature.

Larry Vetter was as an environmental scientist and industrial hygienist. He started in this career when it first emerged as a viable business and was part of the business when remedial actions and responses were first formed. Larry worked for three large firms and ultimately began his own company from which he retired in August of 2019.

Wendy Sand Eckel is the author of the award-winning and best-selling Rosalie Hart Mystery Series. This cozy mystery series is set in a fictional small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She is currently writing the fifth and last book in the series. In addition to writing, Wendy pens the advice column for the Maryland Writers’ Association. A trained life coach, she loves to mentor aspiring authors and has recently launched a successful book coaching practice.

Whitney Muphen is a life-long lover of classical music. For more than a decade she has provided podcasts for classical music and arts organizations in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. She recently recorded “Conversations and Classical Music with Muphen Whitney”, a 13-program series that aired on WSCL in Salisbury. Whitney also volunteers to organize classical music concerts at The Mainstay in Rock Hall. Whitney’s musical knowledge comes from decades of attending concerts and pre-concert lectures and picking the brains of the musicians, conductors, and composers who are friends and/or who have been guests on her podcasts and radio programs.