Class Notes

1945 Evelyn (Evvie) Meyers Currie ’46E died in June, her daughter, Meg Currie, writes. After graduation, Evvie married Robert Currie Jr., taught vocal music, and was a choral director at all levels from kindergarten through college during 30 years of teaching. An active volunteer for the University, Evvie received the Reunion Volunteer Service Award in 2005, having served as chair of the Class of 1945 Reunions every five years since her graduation. She chaired the 70th reunion when she was 91. Evvie also volunteered in her local community. A longtime member of the American Association of University Women, she was for two years president of the Schenectady Branch and for two years the association’s New York State president. She was also a volunteer usher at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center for 30 years and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York.

1952 Tyrone Martin, retired from the Navy, has been awarded the Commodore Dudley W. Knox Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Naval History by the Naval Historical Foundation in Washington, DC. The author of six books and about 200 articles to date, he is the creator of the website The Captain’s Clerk, which has been selected for inclusion in the permanent electronic archive of the Library of Congress. He was also technical advisor and on-screen interviewee for the award-winning, 35-part History Channel series The Great Ships. He holds the title of Distinguished Overseer of the USS Constitution Museum, where his research is cited as foundational to the facility’s mission.

1954 Leona (Frosty) Frost Hess ’55N died in May in Arkansas, writes her son Jonathan. She was married to Carroll (Chuck) Hess ’56M (MD), who died in 2002. Jonathan writes that Frosty and Chuck met at Rochester, and that Frosty “wanted me to make sure that her nickname ‘Frosty’ and my dad’s nickname ‘Chuck’ were mentioned—that is how classmates knew them.” In addition to Jonathan, she is survived by five children, including Thomas Hess ’82.

1958 John Rathbone writes, “It is with a heavy and devastated heart that I am reporting the passing of dear friend and classmate Char Drotning.” Char Dorwald Drotning died in Ohio in April. She and John Drotning, who died in 2009, had four children. Char enjoyed sailing, fly fishing, birding, travel, church, bridge, and volunteering.

Medallion Reunion October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1959

1959 Daniel Botkin was selected as top environmental scientist of the year for 2019 by the International Association of Top Professionals for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and contributions to environmental conservation. Daniel, a professor emeritus of the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a former adjunct professor in the biology department at the University of Miami, Florida, is a speaker, presenter, lecturer, journalist, and published author.

1961 Lynn Selke ’65 (PhD) and Sharon Whipple Selke ’64, ’64N celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this summer. Lynn retired from Kodak in 1991, and Sharon retired from part-time nursing. They live in Fairport, near Rochester, and have two children and two grandchildren. Lynn still plays regularly in the University’s wind symphony and brass choir. He writes that he and Sharon have fond memories of time spent at the Theta Delta Chi house. They send a photo taken in May 1961 after the military review in Fauver Stadium, at which Lynn commanded the winning NROTC company. . . . Bill Anderson ’57 writes that Garrett Smith died last February in Connecticut. After graduation, Garrett earned two master’s degrees, one from Harvard and one from Columbia, and served in the Air Force, specializing in linguistics. Among other career positions, Garrett worked at Citibank in the Foreign Service office in Japan, was a professor at Barnard College, and was the first county recycling coordinator in the US.

1962 Roger Nelson published Connected: The Emergence of Global Consciousness (ICRL Press) in 2019 and, with Georg Kindel, Der Welt-Geist: Wie wir alle miteinander verbunden sind (The World Spirit: How We Are All Connected) in 2018. The books describe the Global Consciousness Project, a 20-year research program, and other recent scientific work on human consciousness.

1963 Bob Sylvester (see ’68 Warner).

Medallion Reunion October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1964

1964 Phyllis Lyons published an English translation of the novel In Black and White (Columbia University Press), by one of Japan’s leading modern writers, Tanizaki Junichiro. In 2018 she was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government for her contributions to developing Japanese studies and promoting knowledge of Japanese culture during her 38 years at Northwestern University, where she is professor emerita of Japanese language and literature. . . . Judith Lehman Ruderman ’66W (MA) writes that she published her fifth book, Passing Fancies in Jewish American Literature and Culture (Indiana University Press), in January. She is a visiting scholar of English at Duke University and the winner of the 2017 Harry T. Moore Award for lifelong contributions to D. H. Lawrence studies. . . . Sharon Whipple Selke ’64N (see ’61).

1965 Barry Libin published his second novel, The Vatican’s Vault (Milford House Press), in February. Barry is chairman and CEO of Sustained Nano Systems.

1966 Harrington (Kit) Crissey Jr. writes: “I had an article entitled ‘A Concert to Remember’ in the February 2019 issue of the Journal of the Association of Concert Bands. It was about hearing the Eastman Wind Ensemble under Frederick Fennell ’37E, ’39E (MS) give a performance in my hometown of Troy, New York, in April 1959, when I was a high school freshman. That concert not only made me a devotee of wind music in general and band music in particular—it filled me with a strong desire to be part of the University of Rochester scene. One of the trumpet players that day was John Landis ’62E. At my invitation, he journeyed to Laureldale, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Reading, in March of this year to give a presentation on what it was like to be part of the wind ensemble under Fennell’s direction. The presentation was part of a symposium on band history and repertoire called the East Coast Band Conference. I started the symposium in 2010 and still have a hand in managing it.”

1967 Mariana Marcovici Grinblat writes: “I was written about in the University of Toronto, Canada, alumni magazine for engineers. This was an unexpected honor, though I am an active alumnus. I was president of the Ontario Industrial Hygiene Association. My late husband was quite ill and we had young children when I went back to school at age 38 to get my second master’s degree. I am now happily retired with six grandkids and enjoying life very much in Toronto.” . . . Leslie Dean Kucerak died in May. Her daughter, Michele Kucerak Stolberg ’91,’97W (MS) writes that her mother was a “proud member of the Class of 1967.”

1968 Louis-Jack Pozner writes to say that his grandson, Miller Hickman ’22, from Summit, New Jersey, “made dean’s list in 2018–19, his freshman year, far exceeding his grandfather’s achievements at U of R.” . . . Ed Wetschler received the 2019 Marcia Vickery-Wallace Memorial Award for excellence in travel journalism at a June ceremony in New York City for his reviews and reporting on trends in the Caribbean. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this pace up,” he writes, “but I’m happy to ride this wave as far as I can.” Ed, who has twice won the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Inner Circle King award, is a contributing editor for the travel publication Recommend magazine and has written for various other travel media outlets. Ed sends a photograph from the ceremony in which Donovan White (right), director of the Jamaica Tourist Board, presents him the award.

50th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1969

1969 As part of their milestone 50th reunion, members of the Class of 1969 have been working on a “Memory Book” that will be distributed during reunion activities at Meliora Weekend. For a sample of the kinds of memories the book will include, see pages 50 and 51. . . . Daan Braveman will retire as president of Nazareth College in June 2020. Before joining Nazareth, he was with Syracuse University, first as a faculty member in the College of Law. He was then appointed associate dean for academic affairs in 1989 and associate dean for administration in 1992 before becoming dean in 1994. He stepped down from the dean’s position in 2002 to return to teaching. In 2005, he was named Nazareth College’s ninth president. . . . Clyde (Louis) Putallaz (see ’75 Graduate).

1970 Nancy Heller Cohen ’70N writes: “I was thrilled to attend Malice Domestic in May and receive a certificate as an Agatha Award nominee for Writing the Cozy Mystery: Expanded Second Edition (Orange Grove Press). I also participated in the Florida Library Association conference along with members of the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.” . . . James DeTar (see ’00). . . . Angela Longo has published Dr. Angela Longo’s Quantum Wave Living Workbook: Tools for Discovering and Living My Eternalself (Balboa Press). The self-help workbook aims to guide readers to “an understanding of how a quantum worldview can be used to structure a successful life.” She has a PhD in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and taught holistic health and interdisciplinary science at San Francisco State University, after which she founded the Traditional Chinese Medical College of Hawaii.

1972 Kathie Phillips King ’72N (see ’68 Warner). . . . Linda Horvitz Post had a solo exhibition of large-scale oil paintings, titled The Willing Suspension of Disbelief, in April and May at R. Michelson Gallery in Northampton, Massachusetts. She is the founding director of the Paradise City Arts Festivals.

45th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1974

1974 Cory Amron sends a pair of then-and-now photos. For more than four decades, former suite mates Cory, Jacqueline Tema Miller, Debbie Gephart Worbis, Janice Rowe Blinder ’75, Joanne Harap Kovener, and Helen O’Connell-Short, have been getting together annually to stay connected and celebrate their friendship. “It’s amazing to be able to share life’s experiences with people who have known you for so long,” writes Cory. Pictured from left to right are Janice, Joanne, Jackie, Debbie, and Helen at one of their first reunions in the 1970s, and Jackie, Joanne, Cory, Janice, and Helen at another get-together about 40 years later. . . . As the Class of 1974 approaches its 45th reunion, we asked Sakhile Ntshangase ’21, a student employee in University Communications, to catch up with reunion committee member William Samuels. Here’s his report:

“As an undergraduate, some of Bill’s most memorable experiences were living on the Hill in Morgan 3, spending a semester at the West Indies Laboratory in St. Croix on the US Virgin Islands, and graduating with a BS in biology-geology. ‘I made some very close friends during that time and we remain friends to this day,’ he writes. In his junior year, he met Bernice Marcus , and they married three years later. ‘On some milestone birthdays, Bernice and I get together with my freshman hall friends (and their spouses) for a long weekend or more (so far it’s been Key West, San Antonio, Hawaii, and the Texas Hill Country).’ After graduating, he pursued a PhD and got his first job at the US Geological Survey. His memorable professors include David Raup, Bob Sutton, and Zedie Bowen from geology and Wolf Vishniac and Tom Bannister from biology. For the last 35 years, he has worked at Science Applications International Corporation and Leidos. ‘We live in Potomac, Maryland. Bernice does biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health. We have two children. The oldest, Emily, is married and works as a software engineer. Her younger sister, Diane ’11, works as a cybersecurity analyst. Other U of R family connections include my brother, Louis ’83, and his wife, Fania Leiderman Samuels ’83.’ Bill has also participated in many projects and conferences around the world. ‘On a recent trip, we visited Iceland, which has some spectacular scenery.’ ”

1975 Janice Rowe Blinder (see ’74). . . . Thomas Krissel (see ’68 Warner).

1977 Madeline Topkins Michel received the 2019 Excellence in Theatre Education Award presented by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University in June. The award recognizes a K–12 theater educator in the US who “embodies the highest standards of the profession and demonstrates a positive impact on the lives of students, advancement of the theater profession, and a commitment to excellence.” Madeline is the theater director for Monticello High School in Charlottesville, Virginia.

1978 Jane Dubin ’79 (MS) writes that she’s a coproducer of a new Broadway musical comedy, The Prom, which has been nominated for seven Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and Best Director plus three Best Acting awards. “I am so excited for the cast, creative team, and my fellow coproducers. The show is about big Broadway stars, a small town, and a love that unites them all,” she writes, adding that a group of alumni joined her at the show last November.

40th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1979

1979 As the Class of 1979 approaches its 40th reunion, we asked Sakhile Ntshangase ’21, a student employee in University Communications, to catch up with members of the class, including reunion committee members Brian Bennett, Sharon Lear, and Jane Smith Tuttle ’84N (MS). Here’s his report:

“ Brian fondly remembers his Rochester experiences as an optics major, as an NROTC midshipman, and as a member of an Eastman School of Music jazz ensemble. As a junior, Brian also met first-year student Debbie Stonitsch , and they have been together ever since. ‘My college sweetheart is now my wife of 39 years,’ Brian says, ‘. . . and we just celebrated the birth of our first grandbaby, born on my birthday!’ At the Institute of Optics, Brian had the privilege to learn from legends in the optics field, including Brian Thompson, Rudolf Kingslake, and Duncan Moore, and his NROTC experience propelled a 30-year career in the Navy. Brian was a naval aviator and made a total of 10 deployments, including tours as a squadron and wing commander. He flew missions over Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan and still works with the Navy in Pearl Harbor as the US Pacific Fleet’s liaison to Congress. Rochester also inspired his love of music while studying trombone at Eastman. ‘My first date with Debbie included one of my concerts. I also took the trombone with me on my first deployment, but that did not sit too well with my seven roommates.’ Debbie and Brian were also dance partners during the disco heyday. ‘We won the U of R Genesee Cream Ale Dance competition in ‘79. The trophy was a beer can, of course . . . still have it.’ Forty years on, Brian and Debbie still dance. One of his favorite recollections is when Dr. Thompson offered him an opportunity to work with Corning Glass on their new ‘fiber optics’ product. ‘I thought at the time that he was recognizing my optics achievements, but in retrospect it was only because Debbie and I had recently taught the dean and his wife how to dance!’ ”

“Thanks to her father’s knowledge of the University and its reputation; a ‘fantastic’ interview with Professor Elizabeth Fox-Genovese; and learning about the relatively small student population, Sharon knew that Rochester was the right place for her. Her experiences at the University included majoring in English with an art history concentration, being a news editor of the Campus Times, and serving as social chair of Delta Zeta sorority. ‘It was a great experience. I got to do a lot of things that I would not have been able to do at a larger school.’ Reflecting on her college years, she’s proud of the strong curriculum that the University offers. ‘Having a liberal arts background is one of the best secret weapons because it trains you to think, write, and evaluate situations at a great scale. It was the greatest asset of my career.’ Some of her favorite moments included taking piano classes at Eastman, studying abroad, and conducting an archaeological search in England with Professor David Walsh. Other notable professors included Russell Peck, George Grella, and Anthony Hecht, all of whom she praises for good teaching and mentorship. After graduation, she worked at McGraw-Hill Publications; Advertising Age magazine; Northwestern Memorial Foundation, raising money to build Prentice Women’s Hospital; and as chief development officer for Lycée Français de Chicago, a bilingual school. She currently works for Harris Made, which makes bespoke recognition and stewardship gifts for universities, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and cultural institutions. Sharon’s advice to any student: ‘Don’t be threatened by people saying “what are you gonna do with that major?”’ Looking back on her own career path, she knows there are lots of opportunities after college.”

“After graduation, Jane earned a master’s degree in 1984 as a family nurse practitioner from the School of Nursing and later completed a PhD in family studies at the University of Connecticut in 1992. During this time, she taught at Yale for eight years before returning to the School of Nursing as a faculty member in 1993. ‘I love the U of R. The School of Nursing is the best place to get your nursing education.’ Reflecting on graduation, she recalls Dr. Elaine Hubbard encouraging her to continue her education, which has laid the foundation for her whole career. While serving as president of the Connecticut Nurse Practitioner Group, she recalls reaching out to Dr. Loretta Ford, the founding dean of the school of nursing and also the cofounder of the nurse practitioner role to invite her to keynote at a conference that was being planned. She was delighted to hear back from Dr. Ford directly and to continue connections with her over the years. A special memory is attending Dr. Ford’s induction into the Women’s Hall of Fame. Jane joined the Eleanor Hall Society shortly after the passing of Ms. Hall, another key leader in the School of Nursing. Jane is married to Doug Blue III and has a son and a 12-year-old granddaughter who is a gymnast and plays piano. She also has two grown stepchildren and two other younger grandchildren. She retired in 2017, and continues to teach part time at the School of Nursing and participate actively with the state and regional nurse practitioner organizations. She volunteers at Equicenter, a therapeutic horseback riding program and is actively involved as a member of the Lifelong Learning Advisory Council, which organizes the Alumni Forum during Meliora Weekend.”

1982 Peter Antonucci writes: “I am pleased to share that my first novel, Billionaire’s Paradise: Ecstasy at Sea (Willow Street Press), was released on Amazon.” The book is a “fictional tale of the scandalous lives of socialites in Manhattan and the Hamptons—who purchase and live on a mega yacht.” It was named Book of the Month by Boat International Magazine and “is the first in a series of four books, with the second set to launch later in the year.” . . . Thomas Hess (see ’54). . . . Ian Koenig published Principle Based Enterprise Architecture: A Systematic Guide to Enterprise Architecture and Governance (Technics Publications). Ian spent more than 35 years in various technology roles, most recently as chief architect of LexisNexis. He was the chief architect for Thomson Financial prior to that, and for Reuters before that. He built his Principle Based Enterprise Architecture (PBEA) method from the experience he gained as the chief architect of those large corporations covering multiple industries.

35th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1984

1984 As the Class of 1984 approaches its 35th reunion, we asked Piffanie Rosario ’20, a student employee in University Communications, to catch up with reunion committee member Bob Ford. Here’s her report:

“As an undergraduate studying history, Bob knew he wanted to go into sales and marketing after graduation. Unsure of where to start, he began at a career fair at the University, where he was offered his first job. He had several executive positions in consumer health companies but now works for Olly, a health and nutrition startup best known for its gummy vitamins and supplements. Bob says he’s excited to work for a company that puts ‘well-being of others’ in its mission. When asked about differences between graduating in 2019 compared to 1984, Bob marvels at the speed of technological innovation. Apple, for example, was just launching when he was an undergraduate student. Bob remains interested in athletics. He played football at Rochester and says he continues to be involved by volunteering to promote interest in athletics within the reunion committee. He doesn’t have much free time with Olly’s growth, his volunteer work, and his family—but he is looking forward to attending the 30th reunion this fall.”

1985 Vince Amodeo sends a photo and an update: “Just letting you know that after almost 31 years of federal government service with the Department of the Navy and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, I will be retiring to enjoy life traveling and relaxing with my wife, Renee, and our dogs and cats.”

1987 Donald Graff writes that he published his first novel, The Last Offering (BookLocker), this year.

1988 Paul Turner was named a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in April and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in May. He is the Elihu Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University.

30th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1989

1989 Larry Abrams gave a presentation on BookSmiles, a nonprofit foundation he started almost two years ago, at the iZone in Rush Rhees Library during the last Meliora Weekend. BookSmiles has sourced, sorted, and distributed more than 135,000 gently used books to underserved babies and children. Larry will pursue BookSmiles full time when he retires from teaching high school English. . . . As the Class of 1989 approaches its 30th reunion, we asked Sakhile Ntshangase ’21, a student employee in University Communications, to catch up with Marianne Seidman Cohen, the cochair of the class reunion committee. Here’s his report:

“ Marianne ’s connections to the University are undiminished, 30 years after graduating. ‘I keep in touch with many people from school. I’ve been to every reunion except for one,’ she says. ‘So when they asked me to cochair the reunion committee I couldn’t say no.’ Some of Cohen’s most memorable educational experiences at Rochester include majoring in psychology and getting a certificate in marketing, taking a class on dinosaurs, and doing a senior research study on smoking cessation. A member of Phi Sigma Sigma, she volunteered for over 25 years, including being a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation’s board of directors—a philanthropic arm of the organization with a goal of raising money for scholarships and grants for undergraduate and alumni sisters. She also advised a Phi Sigma Sigma chapter in Massachusetts for almost 20 years. ‘My closest friends are Phi Sigma Sigma sisters. And because I was also involved nationally as an advisor and director, I have Phi Sigma Sigma sister friends all over the world.’ On campus, she was president of D’Lions and a member of the pep band. Reflecting on her college experience, she says, ‘I would absolutely do it again in a heartbeat. U of R was wonderful.’ After graduating, she worked for a bank in Boston and then the USS Constitution Museum for almost 20 years. ‘It was an amazing experience; one of my favorite jobs.’ She also worked as the executive director for the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce in Massachusetts. She currently works at Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, an etiquette consulting firm founded by J odi Rubtchinsky Smith ’90, one of her Phi Sigma Sigma sisters, as well as for the Malden Chamber of Commerce. ‘I really feel like U of R prepared me for being in the working world.’ Her advice to any student: ‘Enjoy every day; it goes by very, very fast. Get to know people that you wouldn’t otherwise get to know. And try new things because you are at the time in your life where you can. There is so much to offer at the University, embrace it.’”. . .

Kara Smith Cumiskey had a mini reunion in Middletown, Delaware, with Regla Pérez Pino ’89W (MS) and Annika Kaye Vitolo, thanks to the St. Andrews Regatta, where Kara and Regla also reunited last year. Pictured (see page 51) from left to right are Kara, Regla, and Annika. . . . Regla Pérez Pino ’89W (MS) also sends a personal update: “I’m pursuing an Educational Leadership endorsement at James Madison University through my school division. My first class was taught by an elementary school principal, former ROTC, and U of R alumnus!” . . . Linda Smith was promoted to fellow of SPIE for her achievements in entrepreneurship. She is founder, president, and CEO of Ceres Technology Advisors and serves on SPIE’s Financial Advisory Committee.

1990 Michael Lee wrote and published Not Gonna Write Poems: A Poetry Book for All the Non Poets (Lulu), a collection of whimsical poems and sketches for children. Michael and his 10-year-old daughter, Jessica, illustrated the book. . . . Jodi Rubtchinsky Smith (see ’89). . . . John Sotomayor writes: “The Associated Church Press awarded my magazines, Elevate and Elevar, in their national competition Best of Church Press six awards in writing, design, and photography, including Best in Class for Digital Edition/Mobile Publication during the press’s convention in Chicago in April. These are the first national awards won by my start-up publications, which won several state-level awards in 2018, including first- and second-place Best Digital Magazine in Florida.” Sotomayor is publisher and executive editor of both magazines, which are owned by his company, Sotomayor Media Creations.

1991 Michele Kucerak Stolberg ’97W (MS) (see ’67).

1992 Valery Perry is editor of Extremism and Violent Extremism in Serbia: 21st-Century Manifestations of an Historical Challenge (ibidem Press/Columbia University Press). Following a year and a half in Belgrade, Serbia, with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, she has returned to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she is a researcher and consultant and a senior associate with the Democratization Policy Council. . . . Michelle Proia Roe writes, “I’m serving as vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of Mettler-Toledo International Inc., a NYSE-listed company in the S&P 500.”

1993 Kelly Fitzsimmons has published a book, Lost in Startuplandia: Wayfinding for the Weary Entrepreneur (Lioncrest Publishing). Describing the book as “a field guide,” she writes, “I draw on my own trials and triumphs, as well as those of other entrepreneurs, to share our most valuable lessons for surviving start-up failure.” She is cofounder of Custom Reality Services, a virtual reality (VR) production company whose first two projects premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. . . . Jeremy Glick’s legacy was celebrated in June when he was inducted posthumously into the Rochester Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, with his father, Lloyd Glick, accepting the honor in memory of his son. Jeremy was one of several passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, who counterattacked the hijackers.

25th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1994

1994 Renee Lalley (see ’00). . . . As the Class of 1994 approaches its 25th reunion, we asked Piffanie Rosario ’20, a student employee in University Communications, to catch up with reunion committee member Jono Rosen. Here’s her report:

“After graduation, Jono joined the U of R’s archaeological dig at Yodefat in Israel, enjoying his time before law school started. He felt well prepared after graduating from Rochester and has nothing but great things to say about his undergraduate experience pursuing a degree in religion. ‘It was a very special time with wonderful professors, including Douglas Brooks, Emil Homerin, and Bill Green, who were all highly engaged with the students,’ he says, explaining how he became interested in the field. The religion department allowed Jono to travel to Israel and study abroad in India. The department’s emphasis on ‘learning how to learn’ has been critical to his career. After graduating from NYU School of Law and Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, he joined an investment firm in Los Angeles, where he met his wife, a screenwriter. He currently lives in Boston and is a partner at Applied Invention, a multidisciplinary innovation company that partners with corporations to design and build new technologies to help them grow as well as cofound and incubate start-ups. He doesn’t get to visit Rochester often but is excited to attend his 25th reunion and see the son of classmate and fellow religion major Brad Schwab , who is starting as a freshman this fall.”

1995 Stephen Faraci was recognized as a 2019 Virginia Super Lawyer in General Litigation. He is a partner in the Richmond office of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, representing clients in various business segments, including construction, real estate, coal and natural gas, and pharmaceutical industries.

1997 Rob Sudakow writes, “I have launched my own consulting company, RevUp Revenue Management Consulting, and in June I rode in my sixth AIDS LifeCycle ride, biking 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles.”

1998 Stacey Trein was named partner at the law firm Leclair Korona Cole. She joined the Rochester firm in 2015 and concentrates on commercial litigation, contract disputes, insurance coverage, and employment law matters. She is a Daily Record Excellence in Law recipient (2017) and was given the President’s Award from the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys in 2018.

20th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/1999

1999 As the Class of 1999 approaches its 20th reunion, we asked Sakhile Ntshangase ’21, a student employee in University Communications, to catch up with Raquel Ruiz, the gift chair for the 20th reunion. Here’s his report:

“Reflecting on her years at the University, what stands out the most for Raquel was her personal growth, community building, and being a role model for her family. A first-generation Latina student, she helped found the University’s first Latina sorority, Lambda Pi Chi, an organization that she hopes will be a legacy for Latina students. ‘You want to feel like you belong to something and also have something that you could belong to after you graduate. That was the one thing that really spoke to me.’ A public health and society and premed major, Raquel is the associate director for the Center for Leading Innovation and Collaboration, a University-based national center for clinical and translational science institutions. She earned a master’s degree in education and is pursuing her MBA at the Simon Business School. Her biggest life lesson is summed up in the words of Neil Donald Walsh: ‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.’ For her, ‘going to college was a leap. I was going away from home, and I was the first graduate. I had no one to tell me “here are some stories.” That’s really how my adult life has been shaped. Be ready for change and be ready to take some risks.’ She continues to immerse herself in the University community. In addition to helping plan the reunion, she serves as a member of the University’s alumni board. Her message to any first-generation students: ‘Find someone to mentor you through the process. It’s very difficult to figure out your path by yourself. Know that there are people who have been there. Find those people, the ones who will serve not just as a mentor but also as an advocate for you and help you figure out your path. You’re not alone; a mentor can give you ideas on how to navigate both successful and difficult times.’”

2000 David Lalley writes that his son Nico, nephew of Renee Lalley ’94 and grandson of James DeTar ’70, celebrated his first birthday this summer. David and his wife, Katie DeTar Lalley, live in Rochester with sons Nico and Shane. . . . Neda Barzideh Levy joined Rhodes Associates, an executive search firm specializing in the real estate industry, as senior principal and head of business development in March.

2001 Michael Goldstein, vice president and head of sponsorships, North America at MasterCard, has been named to Sports Business Journal’s 40 under 40 list for 2019. His clients include the British Open, PGA Tour, and four marquee Major League Baseball teams—the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs. While a student, Michael was sports editor for the Campus Times.

2002 Christina Seid writes that she and Simon Chiew continue to work together in their Chinatown and Lower East Side communities in New York City. Christina has expanded her business, the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, into two new locations: Flushing Ice Cream Factory and Lower East Side Ice Cream Factory. Simon has become the chief strategy officer for the Chinese-American Planning Council.

2003 Samuel Howard writes, “In May, I received an MA in theology, summa cum laude, from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut.”

15th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/2004

2004 Chloe Corcoran writes that she was one of 10 people across the country named as a Victory Empowerment Fellow. The Victory Institute is a national organization dedicated to elevating openly LGBTQ leaders who go on to careers in politics, government, business, and advocacy. Chloe is the assistant director of alumni engagement at the University of California, Davis. She adds, “I was also a featured panelist for the University of California system’s panel, LGBTQ @ Work, despite not being an alumna.” . . . As the Class of 2004 approaches its 15th reunion, we asked Piffanie Rosario ’20, a student employee in University Communications, to catch up with reunion committee member Chris Johnston ’06S (MBA). Here’s her report:

“ Chris and his wife, Grace ’09M (PhD), live in Newburyport, Massachusetts, with their two daughters, Flinn and Oliana. Chris recently started his own business, Wing Walker Marketing, which focuses on helping small-to-midsize businesses enhance customer relationships. The new company is part of a career in marketing that he says the University prepared him well for. He majored in health and society as an undergraduate, and some of his favorite classes were in sociology and psychology, courses that he continues to find relevant to his work. He says his goal with his new company is to show that marketing can be a tool for elevating customers’ experiences. ‘In my professional experiences I’ve noticed that companies think of marketing in different silos. “This is what we do online.” “This is what we do offline.” “This is what we do for consumer experience.” In reality, all of these aspects are small pieces that need to be put together like a jigsaw puzzle. Wing Walker does that and takes it to the next level and helps companies be creative and stand out.’ And, he says, it can be a lot of fun, highlighting a project in which he worked with a local winery and an alpaca farm.”

2006 Princy Thottathil ’10M (MD) and Emmanuel Illical were married in Long Island, New York, in June 2018. Princy writes, “We were lucky to be surrounded by family and friends from college, medical school, and residency from both the USA and Canada.” Pictured are (left to right) Kelly Townsend Jennings, Arielle Freshman Hall, Tess Troha-Thompson, Jessica Mayer, Julie Stoltman, Jessica William Cummings, Princy, Emmanuel, Tim DeGrave ’04, ’11S (MBA), Shivani Patel ’10M (MD), Laura Fornarola ’14M (PhD), ’16M (MD), Nidhi GeeVarghese, Danielle Nguyen Dahle ’10M (MD), Ruth Baciewicz Schneider ’10M (MD), ’18M (Pdc), Mohammed Faraz Khan ’04, and George Varghese ’04.

10th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/2009

2009 Melissa Schoenberger published her first scholarly book, Cultivating Peace: The Virgilian Georgic in English, 1650–1750 (Bucknell University Press). Melissa is an assistant professor of English, specializing in Restoration and 18th-century poetry, at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. . . . Emily Stone (see ’10). . . . Charity Wallace writes: “Since graduating in 2009, I obtained my first master of science degree, in pharmaceutical sciences, from the University of Maryland–Baltimore and worked in biotechnology as an associate scientist at both MedImmune and BioReliance in Montgomery County, Maryland. As of January, I am a senior quality control analyst at AstraZeneca Manufacturing Facility based in Frederick, Maryland, with the goal to pursue a career in validation of analytical chemistry methods. In May I received my second master of science degree, in biotechnology, from Johns Hopkins University, and in the near future I plan to start a nonprofit for women and minorities in the STEM field based in Frederick, Maryland.”

2010 Le Doan (see ’11). . . . Kathleen Maloney writes, “I have an exciting professional update: the biotech company Emily Stone ’09 and I work for, Entasis Therapeutics, rang the NASDAQ closing bell in March. I have included a photo from this very exciting day!” Katie is a clinical project manager at Entasis, which is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

2011 Alyssa Epstein sends a photo from her wedding and writes, “I got married in April to Chris McDermott. I was fortunate to meet some of my best friends at the University of Rochester. Whether we formed bonds through shared dorm rooms or sorority sisterhood, no matter how these people came into my life, they have each played a special part. Our wedding wouldn’t have been the same without my Rochester crew. Meliora!” Pictured from left to right are Tiffany Chanthasensak, Cristin Monahan, Alyssa and Chris, Susanna Virgilio ’12, Anna Richlin Millstein ’12, and Michael Millstein. . . . Christopher Young writes: “In March, Le Doan ’10, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and I traveled to China together for a 10-day vacation. We visited Shanghai and Beijing, including hiking the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. Le and I were both members of the YellowJackets a cappella group on campus. It’s fun to see where friendships made at Rochester will take you in the world!” The photograph shows Christopher, left, wearing a Spirit R hat, and Le in front of the Great Wall. Christopher adds that he lives in Richmond, Virginia.

2012 Andrea Morrell Campi writes: “I am excited to note that I have completed my PhD in biomedical engineering from Columbia University. I defended my thesis in May and participated in Columbia Engineering’s Class Day exercises.” At Class Day, Andrea received a Graduate Student Life Award, presented to her by Vice Provost and Senior Vice Dean Soulaymane Kachani (see photo). The award “honors students whose participation and involvement at Columbia has enhanced the spirit of graduate life on campus, creating a more purposeful, caring, and celebrative community.” Andrea adds, “Beginning this summer, I will be working as an associate with Prescient Healthcare Group, a biopharma consulting company in Jersey City, New Jersey. I’m grateful for my Rochester BME education and mentorship from the David T. Kearns Center that brought me to this milestone.” . . . Annamarie Spielmann writes that she married Joshua Yerkes last December, surrounded by her closest Rochester friends and family, in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Pictured with Annamarie and Joshua are Robert Valdovinos, Lucas Piazza, Katherine McLean DeVisser, Trevor Baisden, Chris Cummings, Alissa Brill, Laura Sharkey Takach ’11, Alyssa Shoup ’10, ’11W (MS), Matthew Spielmann ’09, Megan Battin, Sthuthi David ’17M (MD), Meredith Boyd, and Kurt Spielmann ’08.

2013 John DiBartolomeo ’13 helped lead Israeli basketball club Maccabi Tel-Aviv to an unprecedented 53rd Israeli Basketball Premier League championship in June, scoring a team-high 15 points in an 89–75 title game win over Maccabi Rishon (see photo, page 55). He was the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2016–17 and averaged 11.3 points this past season. The former All-American point guard and Division III National Player of the Year from Westport, Connecticut, finished his Rochester career with 1,779 points, third most in program history.

5th Reunion • October 3–6

Rochester.edu/alumni/class/2014

2014 As the Class of 2014 approaches its fifth reunion, we asked Piffanie Rosario ’20, a student employee in University Communications, to catch up with two members of the class—reunion committee member Kathryn Flaschner ’17S (MBA) and Sara Leung ’17S (MBA), the gift chair for the reunion class. Here’s her report:

“Now working in San Francisco as a senior manager at Walmart eCommerce, Kathryn says she expected her stay to be relatively short. But she has grown to love the West Coast. She describes her career as having been influenced by many different industries, and she connects part of that to the experiences she gained at the University. Initially studying political science and media studies as an undergraduate, she says, ‘I always joked that I was dabbling in college,’ because of the extent of her learning experiences. But she says that the experience benefited her in the end because of the influence it has had on the way she sees the world. As an undergraduate, she was a member of the field hockey team, which was a huge part of her education, eventually leading her to pursue collegiate coaching right after graduation. She earned her MBA from the Simon Business School and claims that it opened her up to everything she could take on beyond the athletic world, leading her to technology consulting in San Francisco. At Walmart, she says her goal is ‘building meaningful brands.’ Flaschner makes clear, however, that her passions and interests go beyond her position as a senior manager. She says, ‘I work at Walmart, I study acting, and I teach yoga. And that’s just kind of my story right now. And I want to start my own company. They all fit together for me. And that’s what Rochester showed me.’ She’s excited to embrace new opportunities and looks forward to attending her fifth reunion after spending so much time on the West Coast.”. . . “Reflecting on postgraduate life, Sara , a vice president at First American Equipment Finance in New York City, says the path to her career was not always very clear. As an undergraduate, she pursued a BS in math and a BA in economics. She laughs, saying, ‘If you met me my freshman year, I still had no idea what I wanted to do, and for a while I think I wanted to study music.’ She eventually changed her mind and decided to pursue business. Through the help of a career fair at Rochester, she contacted the company she currently works for and was hired as an intern during her senior year. She slowly worked her way up in Rochester from sales intern to operations intern to project manager—and eventually, to vice president in New York City. She is grateful for the company and all it has done for her. Now living in New York, she’s part of the company’s bank support team in sales but continues to have close ties with the Rochester community. Thinking about the ways that life as a U of R student has changed and the difference between graduating in 2014 as opposed to 2019, Leung believes students have more opportunity to ‘take action and make a change’ as the University grows in resources and as society changes. She keeps up with the University and says she admires the students who are working to promote change in areas they’re passionate about. As the Class of 2014 gift chair, she is looking forward to traveling to Rochester for her fifth reunion.”

2017 Daniel Kannen (see ’85 Eastman).