Class Notes

1955 Ed Russell has published a book of poetry, The Rhymes of My Life (Outskirts Press), exploring “the highs and lows from his own life and the follies of others.”

1957 Roberta Allbert Dayer writes that she’s published Gene & Dorothy: A 70-Year Love Story (CreateSpace), tracing the history of her parents’ marriage, in their own words, beginning with their childhood in Raton, New Mexico, through East Pittsburgh and Buffalo to Silicon Valley in the 1990s. Roberta is the former executive director of the Western New York International Trade Council and the author of two previous books, Bankers and Diplomats in China, 1917–1925 and Finance and Empire: Sir Charles Addis, 1861–1945. She adds, “I look forward to celebrating my 60th reunion with classmates in October.”

1959 In the January-February issue, we printed a note and a photo from Marilyn Johnson Burday, who gathered with eight other classmates in Port Clyde, Maine, last August. We mistakenly included only a partial listing of the classmates appearing in the photo. With apologies, we reprint the photo of the nine friends who were, as Marilyn wrote, “ready to embark on a Puffin tour in the rain.” From left to right are Steve Barnes ’66, Marilyn, Abby Barnes Anderson, Bob Geyer, Liz Allen Symonds, Barbara Thomas Geyer, Marcia Sheehe Zornow ’65W (Mas), Stu Symonds ’60, and Ted Zornow. . . . David Sutliff writes that he and David Linderman traveled to Bloomington, Illinois, last summer to visit their Alpha Delta Phi brother Robert Baker ’60W (MA). “This gathering was a repeat of a similar get-together two years ago,” David Sutliff writes. He adds that discussion of the 2016 presidential election “was given short shrift in favor of catching up on everyone’s grandchildren and retelling stories of yesteryear, which have gotten better over the years.”

1960 Alan Hilfiker has published a collection of short stories, Journeys off the Road (CreateSpace). Alan is a University trustee and an estates and trust director in the Naples, Florida, office of the business law firm Cohen & Grigsby. . . . Stu Symonds (see ’59).

1963 We apologize to Jeanne Torre for misspelling her name in the January-February issue, in which she reported on the role of Kirk Dougherty ’03E (DMA) as a resident artist with Opera San Jose. Jeanne adds that the opera performed Silent Night, by composer Kevin Puts ’94E, ’99E (DMA), in February. Dougherty, a tenor, performed the role of Nikolaus Sprink.

1964 Judith Lehman Ruderman ’66W (MA) sends a photo of (left to right) Naomi Schwartzman Silvergleid, Barbara Bauling Reeback, and herself “at the south rim of the Grand Canyon in May 2016, part of a hiking trip to Sedona, both rims of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion.” She adds: “The trip arose from our 50th reunion in October 2014. What a wonderful follow-up to a fantastic reunion!”

1965 Tim Londergan has been named a fellow of the American Physical Society in the nuclear physics division. A professor emeritus at Indiana University, Tim has conducted groundbreaking research on quarks. Fellows, who make up about one-half-of-one percent of the membership, according to the society, are nominated by their peers based on original research, innovative applications, teaching, leadership, and service. While a student at Rochester, Tim won a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University.

1966 Steve Barnes (see ’59). . . . Judith Littman Ellison (see ’83).

1968 David Freese has published East Coast: Arctic to Tropic (George F. Thompson Publishing), a photographic portrait of “the threat of climate change along the Atlantic Seaboard from the Arctic Circle all the way south to the Tropic of Cancer.” The book is a companion to David’s West Coast: Bering to Baja, released in 2012 by the same publisher.

1970 John Bloom has published a book, Inhabiting Interdependence: Being in the Next Economy (Steiner Books). John is a vice president at RSF Social Finance, a San Francisco–based nonprofit helping clients make socially minded decisions regarding investments, lending, and philanthropy.

1972 John Kessel, a professor and director of creative writing at North Carolina State University, has published The Moon and the Other (Simon and Schuster), a novel depicting a matriarchal utopia on the brink of civil war.

1973 Steven Hahn has published A Nation Without Borders: The United States and Its World in an Age of Civil Wars, 1830–1910 (Viking). Formerly a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, Steven now teaches at New York University.

1975 Dave Russo sends an update about Val Torrens. Dave and Val are married and living near Seattle. Dave writes: “Val was elected to the US Lacrosse/Washington Hall of Fame Class of 2016. She founded the North Kitsap (high school) girls team, and has helped organize and grow the sport in Washington state.”

1977 Science fiction author and film critic Daniel Kimmel writes that his newly released novel, Time on My Hands: My Misadventures in Time Travel (Fantastic Books), is set in and around the U of R campus, and is a satire that “skewer[s] all the clichés of the time-travel genre.”

1979 Sandra Gustafson Long is the owner and manager of Post Road Consulting, with offices in Stamford and Westport, Connecticut. She’s published a book, LinkedIn for Personal Branding: The Ultimate Guide (Hybrid Global Publishers).

1981 Scott ’82 (MS) and Barbara Barasky Birnbaum write that several classmates gathered in Livingston, New Jersey, last November for the wedding of their son, Eric, to Meredith Turtletaub. Pictured from left to right are Daniel Cohen, Katia Segré Cohen, Sam Narotsky ’80, ’86S (MBA), Irene Feldman Narotsky, Jo-Ann Daniels Suna, Jean Mack-Fogg ’82N, ’88N (MS), Thom Fogg ’90 (MS), ’09M (MPH), Scott, Barbara, Nanette Weingarten Strenger, Sandy Strenger ’80, ’81 (MS), Corine Slawin Milgram ’81N, Madelyn Givant, and Steve Givant.

1983 Hope Shapiro Lilian ’84W (MS) sends a photo of herself with Judith Littman Ellison ’66. She writes: “Upon Judy’s retirement, I became her successor as the family engagement coordinator for HeadStart Programming in Westchester County, New York. We were delighted to learn we were both U of R grads.”

1984 Robert Friedberg has been named CEO of Health Quest Systems, where he’ll oversee facilities in Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, Orange, Columbia, and northern Westchester counties in New York. . . . Wendy Hauler Pinkham (see photo, page 55) writes: “Greetings from Djibouti! I’m the physical therapist for our military personnel deployed to the Horn of Africa and have been deployed here since June. I was promoted to my current rank of captain in October by the Navy’s surgeon general, and was happy that Rocky could be present to help me celebrate!”

1985 Margaret Blank Birth writes that she’s published Romeo and Juliana (Boroughs Publishing) under the name Maggie Adams. The book is “a modern-day multicultural retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but with a happily-ever-after plot twist.” . . . Jennifer Donnelly has published Lost in a Book (Disney Books), “an original addition to the beloved Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.”

1986 Randy Abate is the editor of Climate Justice: Case Studies in Global and Regional Governance Challenges (ELI Press). Randy is a professor of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

1987 Mary Beth Bain Hynes Walsh was elected to the New York State Assembly for the 112th District, north of Albany. Her district office is in Ballston Spa. Prior to her election to the assembly, she was Saratoga assistant county attorney and the Town of Edinburg attorney.

1988 Mara Shapiro James writes that she founded the Extraordinary Lives (EL) Foundation for mental health awareness after receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2014. “One of my visions is to host National Mental Health Awareness events at Major League Baseball stadiums, and we have our first event in May at Petco Park, where the San Diego Padres play the L.A. Dodgers.” Mara invites classmates to find more information about the foundation, and the May event, at the website EL.foundation. Before establishing her own organization, Mara worked for Drexel Burnham Lambert, Swiss Bank Corp., and Credit Suisse First Boston, where she was vice president of foreign exchange operations. She and her husband, Kenneth James ’89, an OB/GYN, moved to California with their three children in 2007.

1989 Kenneth James (see ’88).

1990 Jeffrey Barkstrom writes: “After being foster parents for a number of years, my wife, Una, and I adopted our first child, Ariel, last June.”

1992 Joseph Santandrea writes that he was a winner of the 2016 Austin (Texas) Art Boards contest. “My art will be seen on a billboard that moves around Austin for the year. Look for it if you pass through!” Joseph, who works in marketing for Dell, has been creating art with words for more than 20 years. He has shown his work around Austin, and maintains a gallery of his work at Travelzealot.com.

1993 Rob Aaron writes that he started a new position last December at Northwestern University as executive director of student affairs assessment and planning. “This is an exciting professional opportunity, and personally it puts me and my family back in my hometown after living elsewhere (including Rochester!) for 25 years. My wife, Suzanne Stevens Aaron ’99E (MM), will continue teaching private voice lessons and singing in the Chicagoland area. Our son, Thomas, is now in his freshman year of high school.”

1996 Gregg Roberts has joined the New York City office of the law firm Reed Smith as a partner in the state tax group. Gregg specializes in the resolution of state and local tax controversies across the country.

1997 Julie Reisler writes that after graduating with a double major in psychology and health and society, she earned a master’s degree in health and wellness coaching and developed her own coaching and personal development training company. She has written a book, Get a PhD in You: A Course in Miraculous Self-Discovery (Empowered Living Books). Julie adds that Professors Ed Deci and Ted Brown, and Dean Paul Burgett, “were each a huge inspiration.”

1998 Dave Handler writes that he was promoted to partner in the law firm of Hawkins Delafield & Wood in January. The firm, based in New York City, specializes in public finance. He works in the Newark, New Jersey, office.

1999 Jason and Emily Aronstam Duga ’00, ’06S (MBA) welcomed a third child, Olivia Violet, in April 2016 (see photo, page 57). Olivia joins big sisters Sienna, 6, and Julia, 3. They live in Webster, New York, just outside Rochester.

2000 Emily Aronstam Duga ’06S (MBA) (see ’99).

2002 Shane and Ingrid Brill Albright welcomed their second child, Tyler, last December. Ingrid writes: “Mom, Dad, and big sister Anneliese are all excited and smitten.”

2003 Matt Davison was recognized as one of Buffalo Business First’s 2016 “40 Under 40.” Matt is senior vice president of the Martin Group and managing partner of its affiliate, Martin Davison Public Relations, which is a large and fast-growing western New York firm. Matt is also publisher of Western New York Craft Beer Magazine, co-owner of Consumer’s Craft Cruiser, and former board chair of Explore & More Children’s Museum.

2006 Deste Relyea and Nicholas Roosa ’07 were married last September in East Burke, Vermont. Pictured from left to right are Lindsay Wech Nabozny ’05, Dan Lane ’12, Jason Ludwig ’09, Sarah Van Cor-Hosmer ’13M (PhD), Christopher Nolan, Tyle Stelzig ’11, Pete Nabozny ’05, Nicholas, Deste, Joe Lust ’08, Erika Winkler, Jenna Hoeler Lust ’07, Lindsay Kryzak ’09, Dan Duett ’05, Iskra Miralem ’07, Neil Janowitz ’04, Laura Suchy-Dicey, Alex Voetsch ’04, Basil Sitaras ’02, Brian MacIlvain ’07, and Dan Chebot ’09.

2007 Amanda Michaud and Juan Carlos Hatchondo ’05 (PhD) were married last November in Bloomington, Indiana. Amanda writes: “Although we overlapped for two years at U of R (2003–05), we didn’t meet until 2012.” . . . Ryan and Lulu Tsai Korsak write that they welcomed a daughter, Ani, in October. . . . Nicholas Roosa (see ’06).

2008 Christopher Bell ’10M (MS), ’15S (MBA) has been named executive director of the Monroe County Medical Society. . . . Lynn Carrier and David Fersh were married last September at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams. Lynn writes: “David and I were thrilled to share our wedding day with so many Rochester friends. Our mutual friend, Tamar Mintz, introduced us at an alumni happy hour in D.C. in 2012, and our wedding was officiated by our dear friend Caitlin Powalski ’11M (MPH). In attendance were Todd Rotkis, Joanna Reynolds, Adam Williamson, Hannah Geswein Williamson, Allen Bediako ’17S (MBA), Jonathan DeRight, Jaimie Shapiro DeRight, Tamar, Avi Sommer, Kyley McClain Sommer ’06E, Abbe Cohen Minor ’09, William Chesebro ’10W (MS), and Caitlin. . . . Tony Vargas was elected to the Nebraska state legislature in November and has been named one of 10 “Outstanding Young Omahans” by the Omaha Jaycees (see page 49).

2010 Jarrod Bogue ’15M (MD) sent a photo from a minireunion in New York City. From left to right are Jarrod, Eric Mason, Matt Golder, Mike Fortier, Tom Madden, and Joni Mici. . . . Eric Weissmann writes that he and Colleen Fauerbach were married last September in Washington, D.C. Eric is a member of the Young Alumni Council, and notes that the Office of Alumni Relations sent him and Colleen “a nice box of U of R gear before our wedding,” which they put to use in a photo. Pictured from left to right are Bradley Halpern ’12, Brittany Crowley, Riley Robinson ’09, Wyatt Anderson, Andrew Flack ’09, Nikki Socash Robinson ’11N, Hannah Baker, Dan Mendelson ’11 (MS), David Axe, Matthew Neal, Jessica Marino, David Fersh ’08, Lynn Carrier Fersh ’08, Zachary Kimball, Megan Jones, and Kirstin Barry. In attendance, but not pictured, was Eric’s brother, Matthew Eisenstein ’18.

2011 Joseph and Elizabeth Del Mastro Benincasa write, “We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our first child, Joseph Kieran.” Joseph was born in June 2016. . . . Leo Fridley ’12S (MBA) and Katie Cooper ’12, ’16M (MD) were married in Ithaca, New York, in May 2016. Leo and Katie met as freshmen in Susan B. Anthony Hall. Pictured from left to right are Steve Paluszek ’79, Aditya Jain ’12S (MBA), Dhruv Kulkarni ’12S (MBA), Neal Miller ’78, Ellen McCormack ’17M (MD), Claire Lyons ’16M (MD), Bridget Hughes ’16M (MD), Erin Lauer ’16M (MD), Emily Redman ’12, ’16M (MD), Katie, Leo, Adriana Polisano, Andrew Fisher ’12 (MS), Michael Weissman, Eric Auslander, Erin Finn ’16M (MD), Andrew Allbee (MD/PhD candidate), Hannah Smith ’16M (MD), Rachel Sitts, and Bill Forman ’82, ’83S (MBA).

2012 Katie Cooper ’16M (MD) (see ’11).

2013 Kylie Bellis ’14N writes that she married Brendan Ewing in June 2016 at the Adirondack League Club in Old Forge, New York. Kylie was a member of Alpha Phi at Rochester and sends a photo of herself and many of her sorority sisters from the Theta Kappa chapter who attended her wedding. From left to right are Joelle Mamon, Sara Speilman, Carla Graff ’14, Kylie, Lindsay Shor ’15, ’16N, Clare Kreckel ’14, Nicole Podoloff ’15, and Michelle Eglovitch.