The Classes

Keren McGinity ’99 AM, ’05 PhD, writes that her new book #UsToo: How Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Women Changed Our Communities, is available to read or download for free via Open Access.

Matthew Hart ’91 ScM writes: “After 15 years as a paramedic and flight paramedic, I obtained my license as an instructor of paramedic education and am currently the lead instructor of paramedicine for Ascension Hospitals. Back in the classroom and loving it!”

Lisa Kusel ’88 AM published her psychological thriller The Widow on Dwyer Court on July 16 with Blackstone Publishing.

Howard Frederick Ibach ’83 AM writes: “As an adoptee, I was destined for an emotionally scarred life. Or so I was meant to believe according to The Primal Wound by psychologist Nancy Verrier. I almost bought into that story even though my lived experience bore no resemblance to her research. But something shielded me, call it my skepticism, my innate certainty, or my faith. But most of all I credit my adoptive parents’ instincts and their love, two facts I did not come to appreciate until I was in my sixties. In my debut memoir, Already Home, my journey, and the story of finding my birth mother, and then my birth siblings, is a tale of complexity and emotional upheaval filled with more than a few happy surprises. The lessons I learned about myself and about family will help make the paths of adoptees and anyone considering adoption easier to navigate.”

Kay Parker Scheidler ’66 MAT published Renegade Teacher: Inside School Walls with Standards and the Test with Luminare Press in June 2023. The book illustrates how mid-’80s Brown professor and national school change leader Ted Sizer created a program in which Kay taught at Hope High School, Providence, which better supported teachers to work in a radically different use of time and focus to help all students learn, a proposal for today’s public schools. Learn more at kayscheidler.com

Nora Lange ’10 MFA writes: “I have written a novel, Us Fools, a rambunctious, ambitious coming of age story that takes place during the Midwestern farm crisis of the 1980s, which paints a heart-rending portrait of two idiosyncratic sisters determined to persevere despite the worst that capitalism and their circumstances have to throw at them. Author T.C. Boyle has written, “This is a novel of heartbreak and beauty, presided over by one of the most idiosyncratic and surprising comedic voices I’ve encountered in recent times. In all, a smashing debut.” Forthcoming with Two Dollar Radio September 17, 2024. Contact Nora at: norajeanlange@gmail.com.

Matt Harvey ’10 MPP (see Sriram Krishhnan ’99).

Kate Schapira ’06 MFA writes: “My new book, Lessons From the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth: How to Live With Care and Purpose in an Endangered World, was published in April with Hachette Go. The book offers models and methods for transforming our emotional responses to climate change into connection and action.” 

Greg Moffitt ’05 MAT (see ’02).

Greg Moffitt ’05 MAT writes: “I’m running leadership development programs for D.C. Public Schools. Jenny Lester Moffitt is being recognized with the 2024 Organic Champion Award from the Organic Trade Association to honor her work in government and support of organic agriculture and trade. She is currently serving as the under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs in the Biden-Harris administration at the United States Department of Agriculture after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate in August 2021. The whole Moffitt family is now living in D.C. Our daughter, Maddie, is a high school sophomore. We would love to see any friends and classmates whenever they’re in town.”

Wei Ying Wong ’02 AM, ’07 PhD, has been appointed president and CEO of the Alaska SeaLife Center, where she has served as chief science and education officer since December 2021. Her experience includes serving in executive roles at the Washington Sea Grant, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Philadelphia Zoo. She has received numerous awards and fellowships and is a 2019 graduate of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium Executive Leadership Development Program.

Save the dates for our 55th Reunion, which will take place Friday, May 23, through Sunday, May 25, 2025. If you would like to stay in a hotel, you should make your reservations right away as there are limited rooms in Providence hotels and they fill up fast. Although we do not have details yet, there will be a block of dorm rooms available for our class as well. It’s essential to confirm that your alumni profile has the correct email address for updates regarding Reunion Weekend. Simply visit my.brown.edu and follow the instructions to access your profile. To boost enthusiasm, share some information by sending a note to Geri Williams, Class Communications, at geri3williams@comcast.net. You can also send Geri any suggestions you have for events.

Walker D. Mills coedited On Contested Shores Volume 2: The Evolving Role of Amphibious Operations in the History of Warfare with Timothy Heck and B.A. Friedman. This collection is a volume of essays on amphibious warfare, available at no cost from the Marine Corps University Press website. Contact Walker at walker_mills@alumni.brown.edu.

Suzannah Weiss’s first book Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject was published in June with Polity Press. Suzannah writes: “It talks about sexual empowerment from a lens incorporating personal experience and academic theory.” 

Eunice Hong’s first novel, Memento Mori, will be published by Red Hen Press on Aug. 13. Eunice writes that she wrote the first draft of the book in 2011 when she was a student in Renee Gladman’s class at Brown, and after ten years of sporadic revisions, she won the 2021 Red Hen Press Fiction Award. More information about the book and Eunice’s other creative works can be found on her website, eunicehong.com. Contact Eunice at eunice_hong@alumni.brown.edu.

Michelle Ramadan writes to share that she started Meesh Pottery, a small artisan pottery business. She also teaches pottery classes to adults at a local community art center in Massachusetts. Michelle writes: “So if you live around Boston and want to get muddy look me up!” 

Harry Kashdan’s book, Resilient Kitchens: American Immigrant Cooking in a Time of Crisis, was nominated for a James Beard Award in media for social justice and advocacy. The book is a collection of essays and recipes by American immigrants in the food industry—chefs, restaurateurs, food justice activists, scholars, and more, talking about their experiences during the Covid pandemic and the importance of food to their journeys and identities. Harry writes: “We’re so proud of the book and a bit overwhelmed by the nomination; the recognition really suggests that the importance of what we tried to do with this project is penetrating. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the concern for diversity and representation demonstrated in the book began, for me, with my Brown education.”

Eli Palacios writes: “I was named the new director of the Center for Excellence in Educator Effectiveness (CE3) at Region One Education Service Center in South Texas. I have served in education for more than 17 years and move into this role to focus on continuing to support the development of effective educator practices that impact student growth and achievement across the region and state. I was also named Pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Corpus Christi on March 31, where I serve and lead children and youth ministries, as well as digital outreach ministries.”

Dr. Sean Thomas was featured as a “power player” in the 2024 spring edition of Industry magazine. See pg. 73 on issuu.com/industrymagazine/docs/si_mar_2024links.

Joseph Penza writes: “I started a municipal archive in rural East Tennessee about 13 years ago and was recently featured on our local NPR affiliate, WETS, regarding a state grant I received for creating a digital historic recipe database as a way to document local heritage through food and cooking. As city archivist I’ve collected hundreds of linear feet of documents, photographs, maps, deeds, audio and visual recordings, artifacts and textiles. I received numerous state grants to promote preservation and public access to records and information. From a community perspective, being a member of the public library staff has enabled me to present educational programing at all levels of local schools and civic organizations, start a skateboarding club for youth adversely affected by the opioid crisis, and help in creating distribution policies and practices for clothing and food for our unhoused population as well as free narcan for anyone in the community in need. Creating community archives is my passion, but it loses its relevance if the community itself isn’t thriving. Thus, I take very seriously all the hats I have to wear, from dressing up as a pink T-Rex for story time to assisting recent parolees in developing resumes and seeking public housing, to taking out the trash, or plunging a toilet—it’s all just part of the job I love. If you’d like to know more about our little library, feel free to reach out at jpenza@cityofelizabethton.org.”

Together with Maria Hawilo, Premal Dharia and James Forman Jr. ’88 published Dismantling Mass Incarceration, A Handbook for Change on July 9 with Macmillan. 

Sriram Krishnan writes: “I was on Jeopardy! during its Champions’ Wildcard event from Jan. 16 to 20, 2024, for episodes that aired Feb. 12 and 16, 2024. I was on the show back in 2022 and it was a thrill to come back and see how one of my favorite TV shows was made. In addition to being on the show itself, it was a particular thrill to be able to spend time with other contestants on my shoot schedule, including fellow Brunonian Matt Harvey ’97, ’10 MPP, whom I had not met previously. Of course I had my pom poms out for Justin Bolsen ’26 in this year’s Tournament of Champions.” Contact Sriram at sriram@alumni.brown.edu.

Jordan Silbert announces that after building Q Mixers for 17 years (!!!), an idea that started in his backyard and later expanded to placement everywhere, Ben Karlin ’98 and he are back to doing what they love: creating something new and trying to make a bigger impact. Their new business is called AGRO POWER Jerky, a line of amazing tasting, high-protein snacks made from plants. Available in four terrific flavors, each bag has 25g lean plant protein, 40 percent less sodium than beef jerky, and none of the cholesterol or ethical issues of meat. Their products are available at Amazon.com/AGRO and more information is at getagro.com.

Bekah Saxon writes: “After 16 years with the Virginia Education Association organizing educators in and around Charlottesville, I took a similar job in Connecticut. My wife, Charlene Green, and our son, Max, along with our two dogs, followed me from beautiful central Virginia to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where I now serve as the union rep for the Bridgeport Education Association. It’s nice to be back in New England, and close to my parents. I would love to catch up with any 1996 Brunos in the area.”

Dorian Solot and Marshall Miller ’96 published All About Penises: A Learning About Bodies Book and All About Vulvas and Vaginas: A Learning About Bodies Book on April 30 with Henry Holt and Co. Dorian and Marshall are nationally recognized sex educators and have presented programs on sexuality topics at universities, businesses, high schools, national conferences, and adult education centers over the past 20 years.

Jeff Wetzler published his first book, Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life, with Hachette on May 7. Jeff writes: “Throughout my career, I’ve seen just how often smart people fail to learn what the people around them really think, feel, and know. The only effective remedy I’ve found to this problem is asking, which is what this book is all about. My hope is that Ask contributes to a more curious, collaborative, and connected world.” You can learn more at askapproach.com or contact Jeff at jeffwetzler@gmail.com.

Anjali Mitter Duva writes that after publishing her first book, Faint Promise of Rain, in 2014 and hearing so many stories of writers frustrated with the publishing industry, she has launched her own publishing company, Galiot Press, with the aim of shaking things up in the industry. She would love to receive queries from writers in the Brown community. In the meantime, she writes that she had a fabulous reunion in Brooklyn with classmates Fran Balamuth, Dara Herman, Ariana Kahn ’96, Tamar Renaud, and Marina Vivarelli. Contact Anjali at anjalimduva@gmail.com.

Jessica Strom Rutherford writes: “Earlier this year, I joined Meister Seelig & Fein as a partner in the Intellectual Property and Commercial Litigation Groups. I continue to work with creatives and entrepreneurs to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights. My husband Jason (Grinnell ’93), our girls Melanie (Northeastern ’26) and Nina (American ’28), and I still live in Wilton, Connecticut. We visited my mother Jane Golin Strom ’67 in Tampa, Florida.” Contact Jessica at jessicarutherford@earthlink.net.

Marc Kolb writes: “Life has certainly been interesting over the past 16 months in Northfield, Vermont. After 28 years of being a college football coach, I decided it was time to hang up the whistle and became the director of athletic communications at Norwich University. A year later, I took on the combined role of director of campus and athletic communications. My wife Lisa continues to do great work with Vermont Emergency Management as a hazard mitigation grants manager, especially considering the flooding Vermont has sustained over the past year. As we reflect on the whirlwind of recent or upcoming activity, including our youngest son earning valedictorian at his high school graduation last May, our daughter and oldest son both graduating from Norwich, and two weddings (December 2023 and April 2024), we appreciate the journey.” Contact Marc at mkolb@norwich.edu. 

PR Newswire reported that Douglas Mitchell ’94 has been appointed chief growth officer—a new position—at Polyconcept North America, a provider of promotional products. Most recently, he served as vice president of performance marketing for the online retailer Chewy; he was also general manager of supplier advertising and retail media at Wayfair.

Jason Perkel and Lindsey Fyfe Perkel were married Feb. 24. Jason writes: “An amazing group of Brown alumni, along with family and other friends, made the trek to the Litchfield Hills in Connecticut to help celebrate a beautiful winter weekend. Those in attendance included Matthew Crowe ’94, David Gordon, Mark Marinello ’91, Quinn Moore, Joshua Perkel ’96, Jon Richter ’94, Karen Richter ’94, Jeremy Rothfleisch, Christopher Starr ’93, J. Doyle Walton, and David Westreich.” Contact Jason at jmperkel@yahoo.com. 

Resa Lewiss released her book MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact with HarperCollins on April 16. She writes: “The book is full of advice that’s perfect for students about to graduate and enter the workforce, but also for mid-career professionals who are struggling to find a work-life balance.”

Porpoise Evans writes: “I am pleased to report that I am completing a two-year term as president of the board of directors of Legal Services of Greater Miami. Additionally, in May, I assumed the position of managing shareholder of the Miami office of the international law firm Littler Mendelson. But most importantly, I celebrated my daughter Helena’s graduation in May, with a dual degree in International & Public Affairs and Africana Studies. Helena will begin her post-College Hill journey with a two-year stint in the Peace Corps in Guatemala.”

Lissa Soep is a senior editor for audio at Vox Media and special projects producer and senior scholar-in-residence at YR Media. She published Other People’s Words: Friendship, Loss, and the Conversations That Never End with Spiegel & Grau in April.

Jamie Metzl’s new book Superconvergence: How the Genetics, Biotech, and AI Revolutions Will Transform our Lives, Work, and World came out on June 11. In it, Metzl explores how artificial intelligence, genome sequencing, gene editing, and other revolutionary technologies are transforming our lives, world, and future. To learn more, visit the site superconvergencebook.com. 

At the time of this submission, Jeff Orenstein, who lives in the U.K., is planning to swim the English Channel with a window from July 26 to August 4, after a 35-year absence from the sport. He was a former member of Brown’s swimming team. Jeff writes: “The idea for the Channel swim follows several offers over the years, declined for lack of interest and time, both in abundance today.” He has many Brown friends who are involved in the support and he is training 30-35 km a week, including the occasional six-hour swim. “The distance is 21 miles without the tides, which can add another 5-10 miles (or more) depending on how fast I swim. NB there are four tides to deal with— King (or spring), neap, ebb, and flood tides, each presenting challenges while crossing the busiest shipping lane in the world. I believe I can cross in 12 hours. Go Brown!”

After two decades on Wall Street and a few more years in various consulting roles, Rich Lumelleau started the sports-interview-focused podcast, Chasing Hardware, two years ago. On it, he interviews retired star athletes about the whole arc of their career, from childhood and high school through college and the pros. A new episode is posted every two weeks and is available on all major podcast platforms. There have been 72 episodes that have included athletes Lester Hayes, Rick Barry, Dale Murphy, Nancy Lopez, Bob Lilly, Mel Blount, and many more. The podcast’s title refers to the one thing every athlete has in common...they want to win titles and championships. They are chasing hardware.

Geneticist Marlena Schoenberg Fejzo ’89 is one of Time magazine’s 2024 Women of the Year for her discovery of the cause of morning sickness in pregnancy. Her study, published in Nature, showed that a hormone produced by the fetus—and the mother’s sensitivity to it—are the root of prenatal nausea and vomiting. 

Louisa Kamps writes: “After interviewing many interesting people for the New Yorker and ELLE (Macy Gray, Lauren Bacall, Tyler Cowen, and Jon Bon Jovi among them) during my more than 25-year career as a journalist, I am delighted to have added a new line of work writing and editing personal and business histories for private clients. It’s a joy to continue learning where people get their bright ideas and fire in the belly and to help my clients reflect on important experiences that have shaped their lives. And I’m so grateful to my trusted advisory panel of Jeanney Kim, Julie Chang, and Heidi Brant ’88 for their advice and encouragement as I’ve started this new enterprise. To learn more, please visit my website: louisakamps.com.” 

James Forman Jr. ’88 (see Premal Dharia ’00). 

Beena Sarwar writes: “Since moving to the Boston area from Pakistan in 2011, I’ve done a lot of different things including editing, freelance writing, media training, consultancy, and teaching journalism: at Brown in Fall 2015, in Sayles Hall, no less; at Princeton as a Ferris Professor of Journalism in 2016; and at Emerson College in Boston in 2017. The most exciting thing I’ve done is start a peace movement called Southasia Peace Action Network (southasiapeace.com) and a related, but independent, media syndicated outlet called Sapan News Network (sapannews.com). The idea we’re trying to popularize is that if France and Germany can be part of the EU, why can’t Pakistan and India be part of a Southasian Union, or at the very least, allow ease of visas in the region, collaborate in all areas, and uphold human rights and dignity as outlined in our three-point Founding Charter. We are open to endorse or share with anyone who’d be on board. We’ve taken baby steps, experienced many frustrations, and had some wins. If anyone has ideas about nonprofit startups, I’d love to talk.”

Lisa Kirschenbaum announces the publication of her fourth book, Soviet Adventures in the Land of the Capitalists. She retraces the Soviet satirists Ilf and Petrov’s epic 1935 American road trip to reveal how ordinary people worked to understand one another across linguistic, cultural, and political divides.

Wendy Gordon writes: “After four years of splitting my time between my residence of the past 34 years in Austin, Texas, and the Arkansas River Valley of Central Colorado, I accepted the position of principal natural resources planner for Chaffee County. Many of you may recognize the location, known for its highest concentration of 14,000-foot peaks in the lower 48, destination whitewater, gold medal fishing, skiing, the towns of Buena Vista and Salida, and a lot of second-home ownership. I also joined the board of the Central Colorado Conservancy, a local land trust. If you find yourself in the area, or in Austin where you’ll still find me from time to time, please drop me a line at cambiare2011@gmail.com.”

Lisa Foderaro writes: “After reporting for the New York Times for more than 30 years, I have embarked on a second career in conservation and environmental justice. I am now a writer and researcher for the national nonprofit Trust for Public Land in San Francisco. I work from home in Hastings-on-Hudson (N.Y.), where my husband, Don Pollard, and I stay busy in a newly empty nest. Our daughter, Amelia Pollard (Middlebury ’20), is a reporter for the Financial Times in New York, while our son, Sawyer Pollard, graduated in May from Amherst College with a degree in physics and computer science. I still keep a hand in journalism, freelancing for a few publications, and recently added soap making to a short list of hobbies. I would love to hear from classmates in the area.” Contact Lisa at: lisa.foderaro@gmail.com.

Lisa Amico Kristel writes: "I'm thrilled that #YeahYouWrite—the author reading featuring #LiteraryCocktails, #OpenMic, dinner, a fun rapid-fire Q&A session, and more that I've hosted since November 2015—will be a Brooklyn Book Festival Bookend Event once again! On September 30, Michael Cunningham, Crystal Hana Kim, Komail Aijazuddin, and Nora Lange will be at Someday Bar in Brooklyn. #YeahYouWrite is relaxed and casual, fun and literary. No cover/no minimum. Please reserve: lisa@yeahyouwriteevents.com."

Sara Schley writes: “Forty plus years later, Nina Bogosian Quigley, Bonnie Waltch, and I are thrilled to be working together on BrainStorm, a documentary film about the bipolar spectrum, coming in spring 2025. Leslie Gell, Lisa Gossels, Beth Gould, Betsy Hinden, Melissa Lukin, Janet Friedman Mann, Claude Mellins, Nancy Roosa, Harlan Sonderling, Marie Skomoroch Stein, Greg Stern, and David Tausik are also generous supporters of this endeavor—so much so that our kids now refer to us as the ’82 Cabal. Please contact us at brainstormthefilm.com for news on the project. Also, all are welcome to a preview and fundraiser live at Nina’s home in NYC on November 14. Love to see you.”

Pamela Gwyn Kripke’s short story collection, And Then You Apply Ice (Open Books), looks at transgression and resilience in the lives of women and girls. From fellow author and Brunonian Elizabeth Stix: “In Pamela Gwyn Kripke’s accessible and surprising collection of stories, we glimpse into the rich inner lives of women exploring their boundaries in the world: mothers and daughters; lovers on the brink of connecting or falling apart; and girls discovering what it means to move among boys who claim to love them, whether they want them to or not. With humor and lyricism, Kripke creates characters who struggle to understand each other and themselves, only to find they need more than just ice to soothe their pain.”

Ruth Wernig, former chief investment officer of the California Endowment, has been appointed to the Goldhirsh Foundation’s new all-female investment committee. A 2019 study from HEC Paris business school found female-inclusive investment committees in private equity outperformed male-only teams and were 27 percent more likely to have exhibited substantial value creation.

Alfred Siewers was ordained to the priesthood in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, while still continuing to be on the faculty at Bucknell University. Contact Alfred at: frpauls@pm.me. 

Tom Hier writes: “Thirty years ago I started a resource planning firm, Biddison Hier, Ltd., working with colleges and universities devising strategies to use their facilities to enhance the college experience. We worked on all types of campus spaces: academic buildings, student housing, student centers, classrooms, dining halls, campus public spaces, even parking (the thing that seemed to generate huge interest to many people on campus). Our work had two overarching goals: (1) minimize the need for investment in capital projects by focusing on renovation and re-use before new construction, and (2) foster better and stronger communities through creating spaces that would allow people to come together naturally in various campus settings. Thirty years hence it is time to retire from this work and embark on new challenges. My first post-retirement act will be this summer, when I spend eight weeks in Vermont learning Arabic in a language immersion program sponsored by Middlebury College. After that, who knows? I’m looking forward to catching up with classmates at our 45th reunion in 2025.” Contact Tom at hier@biddhier.com.

Orlando C. Kirton, chair and surgeon-in-chief in the department of surgery at Jefferson Abington Hospital, has been appointed president of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery. In addition to these roles, he also serves as professor of surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and has held positions in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps, the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. He has received numerous teaching awards and has published more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and abstracts on surgical critical care, trauma, and surgical education.

Jim Madich writes: “In April, nine members along with our coach from the 1971–72 mens’ freshmen hockey team (known as the Cubbies) came from the east, west, north, and south to reunite in Las Vegas. We reunited to renew our friendships, watch the NCAA Frozen Four Hockey Championship, attend the Golden Knight/Wild NHL game as well as have a little fun in the process. The Cubbies achieved a 17-2 record during our freshmen year. Though a few years have passed since we were last in the locker room together it seemed like it was yesterday. The friendships and jawboning picked up where they left off. It was a special time then and once again over the long reunion weekend. We are aiming to do it again in five years.”

Class Communications Chair Rhonda Port Walker reports: “Mark your calendar for May 23-25, 2025! Our 50th reunion is less than a year away. A 50th reunion is a huge milestone and ours will be even more special after missing our 45th. Reunion information will be sent via email, so be sure to visit my.brown.edu to confirm that your contact information is accurate. If you are not already one of the nearly 300 classmates who are members of the Class of 1975 Facebook group (private group for our class), please consider joining at facebook.com/groups/103075568767. If you have news to share or any questions about the 50th reunion, contact me at rpwalker@alumni.brown.edu.”

Patricia McMillen’s first full-length poetry collection, Running Wild, was published March 15 with Finishing Line Press and launched at Gallery Victor in Chicago on April 13. Patricia writes: “I didn’t study much poetry at Brown, at the time I was concentrating on short stories with John Hawkes and others, but wrote features and some headlines for the Brown Daily Herald, which gave me a grounding in terse narrative.” Running Wild draws on her mid-twentieth-century Midwestern suburban childhood and subsequent adventures as a musician, lawyer, wife,  and (dog) mother, as well as the losses and triumphs that marked her first 70 years. She has been published in numerous literary journals and anthologies throughout her 25-year poetry career and is listed in the Poets & Writers Directory.

Paul Backalenick writes: “I published my third novel in 2023. Empty Luck is a fast-paced thriller in which four men clash over greed and loyalty in a world of gambling, sex, and addiction. Kirkus Reviews described it as ‘Deliverance in Vegas, with cinematic flourishes of violence and rough justice.’ It is available on Amazon.”

Carol Davidson Humpage and Steven Lewis Humpage moved to Saint Paul, Minn., in 2014 after 42 years in Portland, Ore. Carol paints and teaches watercolor, and Steve is reading his way through his vast library. They are delighted to live near Carol’s sister, Joan Davidson Maclin ’71, as well as their children and grandchildren.

Dr. William B. Spillman Jr. writes: “Wow, it’s hard to believe that it is almost 60 years since our class began their life changing experiences at Brown. What an amazing time that was! At this point, I am working on a small bucket list that I am trying to finish. One part of my life, though, has just ended, and that is my professional scientific life. My most recent and final book, with my old friend Eric Udd, entitled Fiber Optic Sensors: An Introduction for Engineers and Scientists, 3rd Edition has just been published by Wiley–a pretty good book I think, with its two previous editions having been cited more than 1,900 times. So now I’ll turn to Life 2.0 with family and friends full time and indulge my interests in writing poetry, writing, and recording songs and the digital photography of nature, especially the large birds found down here in the Savannah area. To my old classmates and their counterparts at Pembroke I will just say, as Spock taught us, live long and prosper, old friends.”

Joel Bennett has been retired from law practice since 2018. In retirement he has enjoyed traveling before and after Covid. He took nine trips last year, including three Brown travelers trips, and took a Brown Travelers trip to Antarctica this year which he said “was great!” He is looking forward to additional trips this year to California, Iceland, Vancouver and Victoria, and to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Fraser Lang joined the board of the new nonprofit online weekly publication, The Providence Eye (pvdeye.org). Created to fill the urgent need for reliable local news, The Providence Eye is community driven and boasts a growing list of subscribers. Contact Fraser at fraseralang@gmail.com.

Phyllis Ann Kollmer Santry writes: “On April 2, 2024, Gayle Landers and I were able to snag tickets to hear David Buskin ’65 performing with his long-time musical partner, Robin Batteau, at Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. David crushed it. He finished his set with a hilarious medley he composed of songs about getting old. It ended with the line “Try to remember…” You gotta love David.” 

Ron LoLordo writes: “I just started as a senior trial attorney in the major crimes/homicide division of the district attorney’s office in Albuquerque, New Mexico.” Contact Ron at historyron@gmail.com. 

Dale Perelman finished his 10th book, Chuck Tanner and the Pittsburgh Pirates, published by the History Press. It was listed as a Pittsburgh Magazine good read.

Bob Brown celebrated 45 years of Robert Brown Gallery in Washington, D.C., at 1530 14th Street, NW. He has been exhibiting nationally and internationally known artists all of these years and hopes anyone in the D.C. area or visiting D.C. will come say hello. His website is galleryneptunebrown.com.

Tom Bale volunteers with Brown’s Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice helping get out its important message to alumni. He has written a narrative history of the Center’s connection to Brown’s involvement with slavery. He writes that the Marian Anderson String Quartet is considering composing music using the narrative as a background.

Ronald E. Baker writes from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: “Thanks for the recent BAM stories on Covid recovery and getting out of an anxiety loop. Here in Canada, we are getting stoic about the drift of world affairs, pandemics, wars, and politics—hoping for the best and planning for the worst. My wife Barbara and I are active in Rotary, our Church, and community programs to help less fortunate people. That gets our minds off all the negativity. Since my return to Canada after 32 years in Europe, I have been interested in precious metals and copper mining as an investor. Since I attended the Prospectors and Developers Association Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention in Toronto this March, we are pleased to see our Canadian gold, copper, and precious metals companies doing very well. I want to meet fellow Brunonians with similar interests in such pursuits, especially in Canada; and to restart the alumni interviewing program for admissions applicants. Please contact me at (519) 586-2176 or bakermre2@gmail.com.”

Gloria Markoff Winston writes: “Oh, what a great thrill it was for me to celebrate our 75th Pembroke College/Brown Commencement. I walked down College Hill, the only member of the 1948 graduating class. I was escorted by my grandchildren Will Bruno, Shannon Ruff, and Caroline Bruno. Will and Shannon carried our 1948 banner, and Caroline held my hand as new graduates cheered our march down the hill. I will always remember seeing thousands of new grads and hearing their joyous shouting of “1948!” I think about these brilliant graduates and am hopeful about the vision and talent they can bring to meet the challenges of our times. For an update on my life: I have three children, 12 grandchildren, and two dozen great-grandchildren. I still live in Providence at Laurelmead, a fabulous co-op with many Brown alums and retired professors. Please send your news to me at gmwinston@yahoo.com.”

Hope Rosen Einstein writes: “I think it’s probably likely that I am one of the few remaining alumni from the class of ’46. I retired from a Fortune 500 high-tech company where I was an internal control analyst about 25 years ago. Prior to that I was in marketing. I’ve been fortunate to have done a lot of travel for business and personal pleasure. Now I’m pretty much limited to reading and knitting...lots of knitting as well as teaching it. If there are any classmates out there, reach out.” Contact Hope at hreinstein609@sbcglobal.net.

Contify Life Science News reported David Lyden ’89 MD, the Stavros Niarchos Professor in Pediatric Cardiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, has been awarded the 2024 Paget-
Ewing Award by the Metastasis Research Society for his contributions to the understanding of cancer metastasis.

John Thompson ’92 ScM, ’98 PhD is a professor of physics at the University of Maine with a research focus in physics education. He is now in his second term as chair of the department of physics and astronomy at UMaine. He was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2023 “for performing seminal research on student use of mathematics in physics and the learning and teaching of thermal physics, for leading interdisciplinary collaborations and conferences, and for leadership in the physics education research community.” He writes that he and his wife, Kate Dickerson, live in Bangor, Me., and have raised two children. Their daughter Claire ’24 is completing her senior year at Brown concentrating in theater and performance studies and in history.

Liane Strauss ’88 AM, ’93 PhD writes: “My most recent book of poetry, The Flaws in the Story, won the Marsh Hawk Press Prize (judged by Mary Jo Bang) and was launched at Poets House in New York City in May 2024.”

Tricia Rose ’87 AM, ’93 PhD published Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives—and How We Break Free on March 5 with Basic Books. In the book she presents a bracing and powerful breakdown of why and how racism works today is most usefully discerned: as a system.

Elizabeth Robinson ’87 AM writes: “In the past five years I have been the recipient of a Pushcart Prize in Poetry and Editors’ Choice Prizes from New Letters and Scoundrel Time. My new books of poetry are Excursive (Roof Books, 2023) and Thirst & Surfeit (Threadsuns Press, 2023).”

Herman Beavers ’83 AM, the Julie Beren Platt and Marc E. Platt President’s Distinguished Professor of English and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, has been elected second vice-president of the Modern Language Association. In 2026, he will become president of the MLA. He has taught African American Literature and Creative Writing at Penn since 1989.

Dr. Susan M. Schneider ’82 ScM celebrated the appearance of a Spanish translation of her award-winning trade book on learning principles, The Science of Consequences: How They Affect Genes, Change the Brain, and Impact Our World. She currently focuses on climate change.

Robert Zatorre ’78 ScM, ’81 PhD is a professor of neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal. He published From Perception to Pleasure: The Neuroscience of Music and Why We Love It with Oxford University Press. He writes: “It is a kind of hybrid academic/trade book, meant to be accessible to intelligent nonspecialist readers but focuses on empirical findings and theoretical interpretations about how the brain enables us to perceive and derive pleasure from music.” It a synthesis of many ideas and experimental findings. 

Betty Gower ’22 EMBA was appointed to the advisory board of BullseyeEngagement LLC, a leading provider of Cloud-based human capital management software solutions. She currently serves as the CMO for Xapa.com and the CEO of their marketing and strategy company. At Xapa, she spearheads a tech company that leverages dynamic digital learning tools for soft skills and personal enrichment in gamified training environments. She is also the founder of Market Ninja, a consulting agency that helps to empower small to midsize businesses with cost effective marketing offerings ranging from focused tools to full service strategy and implementation consulting. 

Stine An ’20 MFA is one of 18 translators selected to receive a Literature Translation Fellowship of $15,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. This fellowship will support An’s translation of Today’s Morning Vocabulary by South Korean poet Yoo Heekyung into English. 

Houston Chamber Choir founder and Artistic Director Robert Simpson ’70 announced his retirement at the end of the 2024-2025 season. He founded Houston Chamber Choir in 1995 and the choir has grown and flourished artistically over the years, receiving a Grammy Award in 2020 for Best Choral Performance. In addition, the Houston Chamber Choir, under his leadership, has presented several world premieres and received prestigious choral awards, including the Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art. 

Geri Lemoi Williams reports that the officers and Reunion Chairs Elaine Berlinsky Fain and Janice Kruger have started planning with their alumni representative for the 55th Reunion which will take place Friday, May 23, through Sunday, May 25, 2025. “We plan to have plenty of activities and time to reconnect as Covid canceled our in-person 50th Reunion. We’ll use our healthy class treasury to defray costs to enable all who want to attend. If you would like to stay in a hotel, you should make your reservations right away as there are limited rooms in Providence hotels and they fill up fast. To boost enthusiasm, share some information by sending a note to me, Class Communications Chair at geri3williams@comcast.net. I will collect notes and send out Class of ’70 newsletters.”

Sean Briody published his first book, The Brown University Band: An Ever True History with The History Press. The book dives into the history of Brown’s beloved band in honor of its 100th anniversary in 2024. The back cover states “A ‘scramble’ band, rather than a traditional marching band, the Band provides cheeky entertainment on and off campus. Legendary antics from the world’s only ice-skating band include the infamous bass drum heist by the ‘Foxboro Four’ and notable halftime shows at hundreds of football games. While invariably adapting over the years, the band keeps school songs and spirit alive and maintains its longstanding traditions.” Contact Sean at: seanbriody@gmail.com.

Jonah Newman announces his graphic novel Out of Left Field, which was published in March. As an author and illustrator, this debut book highlights his experiences as a closeted kid on a high school baseball team. He writes: “It’s aimed at teenage readers, the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone who has experienced the awkwardness and challenges of discovering and embracing their true self.”

The not-for-profit Unjournal, which funds public, journal-independent evaluation of hosted papers and dynamically presented projects by social scientists whose work has the potential to substantially impact global priorities, has awarded Philip Trammell ’15 an inaugural Impactful Research Award. 

Lily Meyer published her debut novel, Short War, in April with Deep Vellum Press.  

Sam Rosenfeld writes: “My wife, Chloe, and I are now both elected members of the Representative Town Meeting in Greenwich, Connecticut! This is a 230-person elected body that passes town ordinances, approves annual town budgets, and more. Notably, we voted to improve air and noise quality by imposing a summer ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, a first step of many toward environmentally conscious changes in the coming years. The Greenwich Time put us on the front page of a January issue of the newspaper, which is crazy!”

Kate Doyle published a debut short story collection, I Meant It Once, with Algonquin Books in the U.S. and with Corsair in the UK in 2023. The Irish Times calls the collection “quietly devastating” and the Washington Post says “Doyle’s prose reads like Lydia Davis at her most arch and pensive.”

Neko Catanzaro was named first runner-up in the Saturday Evening Post’s 2024 Great American Fiction contest for her short story, “Old Growth.”

Mark Bloom and Colleen Gribben Bloom announce the Dec. 21 birth of their son Kiernan Ryan Bloom on Long Island, N.Y. Kiernan joins sister Grace Catherine.

Christina Sanabria writes: “The children’s music duo I’m a part of, 123 Andrés, won a Grammy for Best Children’s Album for our most recent album, We Grow Together. We’re also thrilled that the PBS Kids podcast that we are hosts of, Jamming on the Job, received an Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Honor from American Library Association in January. Find Jamming on the Job on the PBS Kids app, and all podcast platforms, for 20-minute episodes about our adventures learning about cool jobs your kiddos may want to explore in the future. I love meeting Brown alums and their kiddos at our concerts. Please find our concert listing online and say hi, or drop me a line at christina@123andres.com.”

Phoebe Lapine published Carbivore: 130 Healthy Recipes to Stop Fearing Carbs and Embrace the Comfort Foods You Love in March.  

Clare Frost writes: “My production company’s debut feature film, The Sisters Karras, is available on AppleTV, Amazon, and other major platforms. I hope that the Brown community enjoys our film about family, success, legacy, and Greek textiles.”

Two reunion classes came together when Craig Convissar married Philip Maynard ’11 on Oct. 14, 2023. Craig writes that the joyful gathering in Beacon, N.Y. was attended by Brunonians galore, including proud parents Joanne Ahola ’77 and Keith Maynard ’78, as well as friends Jennifer Gordon Collier, Rebecca Dorfman, Ella Evans-Aguiar ’11, Suzanne Farer, Maxine Sharavsky Garrett ’05, Larry Livornese ’11, Karin Miller ’11, Rachel Mehlsak, Serin Seçkin ’11 and David Smith ’11. Contact Craig at craig.convissar@gmail.com.

Brian Christian is pleased to share that the New York Times listed his most recent book of nonfiction, The Alignment Problem, as one of the “5 Best Books About Artificial Intelligence.” In fact, the newspaper writes: “If you’re going to read one book on artificial intelligence, this is the one.”

Chris Norlund ’03 AM published Positive Angle: Reboot Your Mind, Live Your Awesome Life on August 11, 2023. It is available on Amazon.

Raffi Bilek published his first book, The First Ten Letters with Mosaica Press in February. The book is available on Amazon and in the Brown Bookstore.

Alison M. Friedman writes: “I’m into my third year ‘from China to Carolina,’ leading Carolina Performing Arts at UNC Chapel Hill after 20 years in Beijing and Hong Kong. Last year we launched our video series Athletes are Artists / Artists are Athletes. The first features prior UNC men’s basketball player Caleb Love and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Michael Jackson Jr. showing off the height and hangtime of leaps and layups. The second video features UNC women’s soccer star Sam Meza with MacArthur Genius grant winning tap dancer Michelle Dorrance, showing off percussive kicks and fancy footwork. This initiative is a celebration of common ground between the sports world and the arts world. In this series, we bring this intersection to life, intensifying appreciation for both spheres. Game recognizes game!” 

Dr. Mike Rubin earned his doctorate in education in December 2023 from the University of the Cumberlands. His dissertation study focused on the impact of authentic leadership on classroom innovation practices. He continues his work as a high school principal in Massachusetts, where he also serves as the state coordinator for the National Association of Secondary School Principals focusing on federal advocacy work. He can also still be heard regularly covering a variety of Brown sports for ESPN. Contact Mike at mike.rubin21@gmail.com.

Tyler Denmead was appointed Dean of College, Queens’ College Cambridge. He also received recognition from FindAPhD.com as the 2023 PhD Supervisor of the Year in the United Kingdom. 

Anh Chi Pham writes: “I’ve been in Atlanta, Georgia, for five years. I’m not sure if that makes me a Southerner yet, but my husband and I are grateful for our home, our three fur babies and the beautiful trees, creeks and hills that surround us. Like most classmates, I celebrated my half-century mark and have been reflecting on my life and how I would like to live it for the time that remains. After working in the corporate world, then pursuing creative writing, I am still at my third profession—as a yoga therapist and nervous system coach at Emory Healthcare. I would love to hear from friends at connect@nervous-system-wisdom.com.”

Andrew S. Jacobs published his fourth book, Gospel Thrillers: Conspiracy, Fiction, and the Vulnerable Bible, with Cambridge University Press. Harvard Divinity School’s Center for the Study of World Religions, where he is a senior fellow, hosted a March book launch.

Katie Silberman writes: “After nearly a decade in Brown’s Office of Government & Community Relations, I am thrilled to join the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society (IBES) as director of strategic operations. I encourage classmates in town for our 30th reunion to stop by IBES’s office at 85 Waterman Street, say hi, and enjoy the greenhouse and lovely Maya Lin fountain. Outside of work, I’m a busy soccer mom to two teenage boys and enjoying the charms of life in Little Rhody.” 

Mike Zamore writes: “I was on campus on Feb. 12 doing a day with the Masters of Public Affairs program and a book event with the Watson Institute. I’m now the national director of policy & government affairs at the ACLU after 22 years working on Capitol Hill, the last 14 as Senator Jeff Merkley’s chief of staff. The senator and I wrote the book Filibustered! to bust some myths about the Senate’s history, lay bare the ways in which the current version of the Senate is instrumental in the erosion of democracy that so many of us are concerned about, and chart a path to viable solutions that can restore the Senate’s crucial role as a functioning legislative body.” 

Diane Greco Josefowicz published a novella through Regal House’s new Fugere series. L’Air du Temps (1985) is set in the fictional suburb of Maple Bay and follows a prickly,  foul-mouthed, but mostly good-hearted teenager named Zinnia Zompa whose life is upended when her family is implicated in the fatal shooting of a neighbor. Diane writes: “The early press coverage for the book has been encouraging. In a recent review for Motif RI, Mara Hagen-Spath  described it as ‘a layered novella about the juxtaposed relationships we have with our family, our communities, and ourselves.’ It also earned glowing advance praise from Clare Beams, Robin McLean, and Kirstin Allio ’99 MFA.”

Resa Lewiss published the coauthored MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact in April with HarperCollins. She writes: “The book is a business self-help book with a focus on educating the ready-for-college, ready-for-work, and early stage career professionals on specific, actionable, strategies to be better at work.” 

Ramona Thomas visited the D.C. area over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. She reunited with fellow class members Hillarie Flood, Matt McGuire, Lori Jackson, and Kerrie Thomas-Armstrong for an evening of festivities, great company and conversation.

Anne Tamar-Mattis writes: “After many years as an LGBTQI community activist, social-justice lawyer, and nonprofit executive, my career has taken a new and very interesting turn.  I am now running a (legal, medically supervised) psychedelic medicine clinic in Sebastopol, California, with my physician spouse. In my free time, I am still riding horses and enjoying life on the queer kibbutz where we raised our kids. Anyone who wants to connect or learn more about psychedelic medicine and ketamine therapy can reach me at Liminal Medicine, liminal-med.com.”

Jonathan Yoder writes: “On Friday, October 13, 2023, I made my first and so far only return to Brown since graduating. This was a great joy. In my journal I noted, ‘We made it to Brown! What a joy and a victory.’ And my mother, Susan, was with me. We had a great time walking around. I showed her Pembroke (my freshman dorm) and other sites. It was Family Weekend, so a visiting spirit was in the air, students and parents walking about. I showed my mother the English department, where I had visited late professor and poet Michael S. Harper during his office hours, and where he had rigorously advised me on life and instilled hope and encouragement in me for the long run. How sad to learn he died. I will always cherish his mailed notes on 3x5-inch tan index cards. I reported all this to David Reinstein and Tim Tibbitts in the hope they can give themselves and their loved ones the same treat sometime.”  

Ainissa Ramirez completed her four-month fellowship at the Library of Congress, where she was the Kluge Chair in Technology and Society. She is currently conducting research on materials in history for a new book. While in D.C., she was thrilled to reconnect with Tehani Callazo ’91, Walter Gray, and Malika Saada Saar ’92. She writes: “Being around books and wonderful friends from Brown felt like a homecoming, of sorts.” 

Chikashi Miyamoto just published her first e-book, An Insider’s Guide to Authentic Kyoto for Foodies: A Curated List of Where to Eat and Drink in Kyoto. She writes: “The guide is about gourmet food, drink, and things related to gastronomy. It is not for everyone. It was curated specifically for foodies. If you are a foodie this curated gourmet guide is a great shortcut, a valuable timesaver to access the gems of Kyoto, a city with tremendous depth and breadth. The book includes practical information about Kyoto restaurants including addresses on Google Maps, hours, price ranges, as well as other practical tips. You will learn about some context: history, ingredients, methods, etc. Knowing some background enhances your dining experience, allowing you to discern certain details that you might miss otherwise. Many of the featured establishments have been around for generations, some for hundreds of years.  It is available to download from Amazon.” Contact Chikashi at: cmiyamoto@alumni.brown.edu.

Garrett Fitzgerald writes: “I’m now working for the University of Maine System on the UMaine campus as a senior programmer analyst focusing on the Peoplesoft student records system. I’m also working on a second bachelor’s in music, as it was always a goal of mine for the CS degree to pay for a music degree some day.”

Elizabeth Bernstein Stix’s short story collection, Things I Want Back From You, comes out from Black Lawrence Press in June 2024. Stories from the book have appeared in McSweeney’s, Tin House, the Los Angeles Times Sunday magazine, and elsewhere. The short story “Alice” won the Bay Guardian Fiction Prize and was optioned by Sneaky Little
Sister Films.

Amelie Hastie published Columbo: Make Me a Perfect Murder, on Feb. 6 with Duke University Press. She writes: “In a way I’ve been writing it since I was a kid, as it was one of my favorite series growing up in the 1970s, and, even practically speaking, it’s been a long time coming, so I’m very happy to have it now out in the world. It’s my third book; my first was Cupboards of Curiosity: Women, Recollection, and Film History with Duke University Press and the second was a British Film Institute Film Classics volume on Ida Lupino’s 1953 film The Bigamist. I am the Nancy and Douglas D. Abbey ’71 Professor of English and Film and Media Studies at Amherst College. I’m also the faculty director of the Schupf Fellows Summer Program at the college. I currently live in Northampton, Massachusetts, and I’d love to be back in touch with Brown alums.” Contact Amelie at: ahastie@amherst.edu.

Calvin Walker has earned the distinction of board certification in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Living in Dacula, Ga., he currently serves as the director of Health Services at Presbyterian Village Athens.

Liam G.B. Murphy writes: “A lot’s happened since I last wrote in 2019. My daughter Emily graduated from Oberlin from our side yard courtesy of the pandemic and is now an award-winning paralegal for Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. My son Tom decided that, after working two school jobs back-to-back 10 hours a day during the pandemic, he would get a master’s and teach. Sue continues as a writing instructor and faculty developer, and I learned how to manage a law firm remotely and try cases by Zoom. Just before Covid, my friends surprised me with nominations for both the Boy Scouts’ Silver Beaver and the Outstanding Eagle Scout awards. To try to stay sane during the pandemic, I also worked with my public library board to keep the library open and with the St. Anthony Educational Foundation to support continued undergraduate scholarship and anti-racism work despite the disruption of Covid. I was very pleased to be back in Providence in January at St. Anthony Hall’s national conference to celebrate the anniversary of Brown’s Kappa Chapter and at the time of this writing,  I’m looking forward to coming back in May for the Jabberwock’s 75th.”

Gretchen McCullough published Shahrazad’s Gift, a collection of linked stories published by Cune Press in February 2024. Gretchen has lived in Cairo for more than 20 years and can be reached at gretchen@aucegypt.edu.

Barbara Weiss Kimmel will publish her children’s book Hanukkah Hippity-Hop, with Kar-Ben Publishing on Oct. 1, just in time for Hanukkah. Barbara writes: “I’m so excited about my first book for kids. Hanukkah Hippity-Hop is a cute interactive book that will have toddlers dancing along as they learn about Hanukkah.” 

Eric Jay Dolin announces the publication of his latest book Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World. This is a true story of a wild and fateful encounter between an American sealing vessel, a shipwrecked British brig, and a British warship in the Falkland archipelago during the War of 1812. A tale of intriguing complexity, with surprising twists and turns throughout, Left for Dead shows individuals in wartime under great duress acting both nobly and atrociously, and offers a unique perspective on a pivotal era in American maritime history. Eric still lives in Marblehead, Mass., with his wife, Jennifer. To find out where he is speaking on Left for Dead, visit ericjaydolin.com/events.

Pamela Gwyn Kripke published And Then You Apply Ice, a story collection in March 2024 with Open Books. The characters in each of the 21 stories manage transgression, revealing the complex resilience that imbues women’s lives.

Kim Triedman and Kathryn Geeismar celebrated their Boston art exhibit, Burning Down The House: Women and Art in an Uncertain World. The show opened on January 11 through February 11 at Brickbottom Gallery and then travels on to other New England locations, including the PEG Center for Arts and Activism and possibly Hera Gallery (R.I.). Kim writes: “It’s important and beautiful and challenging and uncomfortable, and it deserves to be seen—especially this year. Five women artists of a certain age—and a lot to say! I do hope you’re able to get by.”

Jack Silverman is currently living in Nashville with his wife, visual artist Wendy Walker Silverman. He released an album titled Prince of Shadows under the Centripetal Force Records label. He writes: “The music weaves elements of psychedelic rock, jazz noir, and improvisation to create an immersive musical experience—what might best be described as a soundtrack collaboration between Angelo Badalamenti, Pink Floyd, and the Lounge 

Anastasia “Stacy” Rubis published her first novel, Oriana, with Delphinium Books after working on it for 11 years. It follows the life and loves of legendary journalist Oriana Fallaci. Contact Stacy at: stacyrubis100@gmail.com. 

Carrie Noland writes: “After 35 years of teaching at Columbia University, then the University of California, Irvine, I have retired. I’ve published four books on 19th and 20th century artists/writers and I’ve learned much from teaching the large population of first generation students at UCI, as well as graduate students both in the United States and Europe. I had the privilege of directing the UC system’s education abroad program in France, where both my children, Julian, 32 and Francesca, 26, were able to go to school and learn French. A grandmother of two, I intend to spend my retirement starting a new career as a fiction writer. I’ll also spend more time advocating for action to protect the planet and for the protection of voting rights with a political organization I adore—Sister District. Join me! A shout out to my friends from the classes of 1979, 1980, and 1981; may you all be thriving.”

The Science Coalition recognized U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan ’80 as a 2024 Champion of Science.  The Science Coalition is a nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research institutions. In an interview with Manchester Ink Link, Hassan says, “Science is necessary for informed decision making, for innovation that leads to economic growth, and for maintaining a high quality of life.”

Peter Simonse writes: “My book, Uncooperative Characters, won the 2023 Best Indie Book Award for best short story collection. You can find samples of my work at
PeteSimonsAuthor.com.”

Terrence Hook writes: “I retired from IBM in 2018 after 38 years there, but I just can’t let it go, so I continue to consult part-time for IBM Research out of Albany (N.Y.), calling in remotely from my farmhouse in Vermont. Our older daughter and our first grandchild live in Westchester County (N.Y.) awaiting baby brother’s arrival. Our younger daughter lives in Los Angeles.  Both fell rather far from the rural Vermont tree! Retirement is good and aside from the IBM work, we ride our horses, play golf, and ski (although not all at the same time).” 

Dr. Michele T. Pato published Nerve with Springer on Nov. 1. The publisher’s synopsis reads: “With profound candor and humor, Dr. Pato chronicles her journey through the enormous physical, psychological, and emotional challenges encountered following her traumatic brain injury, treatment, and recovery.”

Scott Harris writes: “The class of ’74 continues connecting with periodic class Zooms titled ‘Life’s Journey after Brown.’ We have heard from Jeffrey Austerlitz ’78 MD, Mike Balaban, Carol Norris Brown, Pam Constable, Larry Elder, Charles Tansey, and Catherine Vuozzo Ventura.” 

Bob Condon writes: “I had the privilege to give the closing remarks at the 25th anniversary celebration of Community Partners International (CPI) in San Francisco. This event brought together a group of doctors and public health experts that I have worked with for 33 years. For eight years I ran a small nonprofit with a charismatic young doctor before merging with another group with more of a public health focus. This group was the start of CPI. Our initial project was setting up five satellite clinics on the Thai/Burma border working with local partners who were at war with the Burmese military. We were able to document how we virtually eliminated malaria in our border areas. With these results we were able to access multiple grants and other funding which launched CPI on a whole new path. CPI understood that the key to improving health services for the hard-to-reach communities was to support community-led and community-based local organizations as key service providers. Today CPI serves vulnerable communities in Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Nepal. After many years serving on the board and coordinating development activity, I remain involved as board emeritus. CPI will put $40 million to work in 2024. It has been a remarkable journey working with a group of extraordinary people.”

Charlotte Taft writes that she will publish Without Permission, the first of a trilogy that will launch on Amazon in early June. 

David Chichester and his family are faring well. He writes that his daughter Lynn and her fiance Henry Wheaton plan to marry this August. His granddaughter Finley, 19, is a freshman at William & Mary, a midfielder on the lacrosse team, and has proven to be handling college really well. Harper, 17,  is a senior in high school and a captain of the crew team. She has attended tons of concerts this past year, is applying to college, and is by far the best artist in the family. Lowell, 14, is in 8th grade, plays soccer, is president of the technology student association at school, and keeps busy with volunteer work at the church. Lindsey, 4, is tearing up preschool and J.P., 9, is in 3rd grade and busy with Taekwondo, soccer, and pranks. All the big kids are thriving in their respective lines of work. Hilde and David (who had a hip replacement in May) resumed travel in 2023. From New York City, they took the Queen Mary 2 Atlantic crossing to England, Belgium, Holland, and Scotland. After coming home, they traveled east to Providence (for Brown soccer alumni weekend) and Philadelphia. David and his wife were visited by two sets of friends, including classmate Brian Murphy and wife, Terry Simon Murphy ’67 MAT, as well as Lynn and Henry. They immersed themselves in the history of “this great country of ours.” Recently, they also saw lots of the Hoffman family branch and finished November with a wonderful Thanksgiving at the home of Ted and Whit. David continues to serve as copresident of the Sports Foundation, chair of the Men’s Soccer Association, and member of the Veterans Advisory Council.

Don Bernardo published a historic novella called The Lost Colony of Roanoke Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the Legend of the Snow White Doe. Don writes: “It is about Sir Walter Raleigh’s failed attempt to establish the first English colony in America and concludes with a magical love story about Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World. It can be purchased from me at donaldbernardo484@gmail.com.”  

Paul Knutson writes: “After 51 years at 16 Highfield Road we finally did it and found a lovely ground floor apartment for easier living. Life continues to be lucky (but we’re not planning too far ahead).”

Rich Ulmer writes: “As my 60th reunion weekend approaches, my 31st year of efforts to replace the use of hundreds of thousands of animals (mostly rabbits and mice) with globally approved non-animal test technologies continues. I retired briefly after 30 years in pharmaceuticals, having been president of Allergan while acquiring Botox. Then within months, I joined InVitro International on a five-year plan to advance a flailing start-up with their pioneering technologies. I’m still here with wonderful purpose and promise each day of a blessed life. A strange pathway indeed for one who did not take a science course at Brown or Harvard.  All the best in ’24.”

Class Secretary Barbara Smith Langworthy reports that the Class of ’63 received two awards at the March Volunteer Summit: the Brown Annual Fund Participation Award and the Association of Class Leaders (ACL) Class of the Year Award. In addition, Barbara received the ACL Nan Tracy ’46 Award. “In 1988, on the occasion of our 25th reunion, the men of the class of ’63 endowed a scholarship in the amount of $136K to be awarded each year. The scholarship has been awarded yearly since that time. Under Brown’s guidance, the fund has thrived and is available to help many more students. We are very proud of this endeavor. The Class of ’63 has embarked on an online update of our 50th Reunion yearbook, an initiative of Larry Gross. If you are a member of the class and have not received the updated bios of your classmates, please check your email address in the Brown directory or contact Larry at lr144@aol.com. Thanks to the many who have responded. We have a mini-reunion planned for Sept. 10-12 in Portsmouth, N.H.” If you have not received information on this and are interested, please contact Barbara Langworthy at blangworthy63@gmail.com.

Class copresidents Len Charney and Dale Burg continue to reach out to each other and other classmates through Zoom reunions, a custom started by Helene Schwartz Kenvin four years ago. “These virtual meetings usually start with a suggested theme, such as book recommendations, what kind of fitness routine do you follow, etc. (anything but politics!), though they often go off topic.” Len organized a Brown ’62 guys Zoom Reunion during the pandemic with Win Himsworth and Bob Saquet and hopes there is interest in more Zoom gatherings going forward. Any alumnus from ’62 interested in participating should contact him at ljcesq@gmail.com.

David Parent writes: “Cathy and I ended the year with a live-in home care aide and a handicapped van. That would sound grim to most, but actually we are pretty happy. It is far easier to go places in the van as opposed to trying to stuff someone into a car. Cathy is starting to make some real progress in her recovery from what her neurologist believes is a rare form of Parkinson’s. At the time of writing, winter has finally arrived and the people who decamped to Florida can feel well pleased with themselves. We are enjoying a beautiful snowscape from our cozy apartment. We hope that the person who is writing the definitive text on being in love in one’s eighties has discarded items such as ‘afterglow’ and ‘warm embers.’ Anthracite fired boilers producing steam heat is more appropriate, if less romantic a term. I am keeping busy with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Wallingford Planning and Zoning Commission, and our small business. We are looking forward to the reunion and hope that this email finds everyone healthy and happy.”

 Nancy Blacher Shuster is still teaching her writing workshop. She writes: “Brown has been in my family a long time. Happy 2024 to my classmates.”

Harold Demopulos celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends at the Rhode Island Veterans Home. Brown alumni in attendance included George Petropoulos ’50, Amelia Demopulos ’90 and Abigail Demopulos ’94.  Harold maintained season tickets near the 50 yard line to Brown football games for decades until age impeded his attendance. 

Catherine Harbour writes: "Please save the date! Informal, unofficial '92(ish) gathering in San Francisco during the weekend of June-14-16, 2024. The main event will be dinner on Saturday evening June 15." Contact Catherine at ckharbour@gmail.com for more information."