The Latest News from Your Classmates

May/June 2026

1940s

1948

“I am having a 100th birthday party on May 5 at the Cornell Club this year,” writes Madeleine Miller Bennett. “If Sam Seltzer reads this, you are invited, as are my friends at the Johnson Museum.” Madeleine also shares the sad news that her daughter Bonnie died last April. We send you sincere condolences on this loss.

We would love to hear from anyone out there reading this! Send us a note. ❖ Class of 1948 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1949

If you’re reading this, we want to hear from you! Please take a moment to write to us and stay connected with our class. What is your fondest memory of your time at Cornell? What brings you the most satisfaction these days? ❖ Class of 1949 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1950s

1950

Paul Joslin shares the following: “A question arose at the class officers meeting at our 60th Reunion back in 2010: What would happen to the funds we had on deposit with the University when we all passed to the other side? Well, those funds would revert to the University’s general fund if we didn’t specify a use. So the class officers decided to spend some of the money to produce a record of our Class of the Century. The surprising result was a book and two related films.

“One film, Class of the Century, recounts the history of the class from the experiences of the WWII GIs who constituted a high percentage of the student body. The other film, Cornell: Birth of the American University, is an exceptional history of the development of all major U.S. universities. The two films are available for viewing free of charge at the links provided.

“The book, Curfews, Chaos, and Champions: The Unique Story of the Cornell Class of 1950, uses personal stories of classmates to tell the story of campus life at Cornell in the years after World War II, when colleges across the country were transformed by the GI Bill. It’s 198 pages hardbound and well-illustrated with photos. It is an appropriate coffee-table book or family keepsake and is highly recommended by our current class officers.

“Should you like, a copy is available for the postage and handling cost of only $12. Alternatively, a box of 10 copies is available for $80. To receive yours, mail a personal check to: Amy Wilson, The Cornell Daily Sun, 139 West State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850.” ❖ Class of 1950 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1951

We heard from Calvin Gage, who writes, “Now approaching the 75th anniversary of the Class of ’51’s graduation, with our numbers of survivors shrinking each month, I look forward to reading the Class Notes of those still above ground. I’m also saddened by news of those who had passed.

“A classmate whose passing in 2025 was reported was Michael Cohen. I want to submit this anecdote about Michael; first of all, however, I should note that I did not know him well. We were in a freshman English class together, so I knew who he was. (Also in that class were Harold Bloom, who became renowned as an expert on William Shakespeare at Yale University, Bill Phillips, Carolyn Thelander Gittelson, and others whose names I don’t recall.)

“Michael was brilliant and majored in some advanced branch of physics. He was so brilliant—so I was told—that during a final oral exam, after his teacher had asked a question, Michael thought for a bit and finally responded: ‘Don’t you think that is a rather silly question?’ Of course, the story might be fictional—totally made up by someone not at the exam. But, given Michael’s reputation for brilliance, it was believable. After graduation, he worked for a time with Richard Feynman and J. Robert Oppenheimer.

“So far as info about myself, not much has changed in my life since my last submission a couple of years ago. However, if you would be interested in my memories of being a Cornellian in the post-WWII 1940s, some thoughts have been rambling around in my mind, and you can read them in the next class column!” ❖ Class of 1951 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1952

We have heard from Barbara Kirk Hail, MA ’53, writing from Warren, RI, and would like to hear from the rest of you.

Barbara shares, “I taught American and world history and civics in Ithaca High School while my husband, Peter Andrews ’54, MRP ’57, finished his degree in architecture and urban planning. After the Air Force, we moved to Syracuse University, where he created a new urban and regional planning program within the architecture department. It has since moved to the Maxwell School.

“Peter died in 1964 of pleural cancer. I moved back to my family home with my three children and began a PhD program in American history, at Columbia University, as part of the Danforth Fellowships for Women in College Teaching Program. Subsequently our family moved to Rhode Island and I became curator of Brown University’s Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology. I retired in 2003, when my second husband, Edward Hail, a dean of Brown University, passed away.

Barbara Kirk Hail ’52, MA ’53, volunteers as a museum curator at the Barrington (RI) Preservation Society.

“I still live in Rhode Island, near one daughter and three stepsons. My son is a professor of public policy and urban planning at Rutgers. My second daughter is an ecologist and geologist. With her husband, Alton Byers (a graduate of the Maxwell School at Syracuse), they have made a life in conservation of high mountain areas, specifically in Nepal, Rwanda, and the Andes Mountains. My stepdaughter works in the Tennessee State Archives in Nashville. As of five days ago, I am a great-grandmother. Seven children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandson—a full life!”

Barbara adds that she’s been going through her family archives and writing self-published books that trace her life and that of her family from the 1880s through the present. She also volunteers as a museum curator at the Barrington (RI) Preservation Society and as a board member of Warren Heritage Foundation and Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology.

She says, “Attending Cornell was transformative. I transferred from Brown University in my junior year due to my marriage to an architectural student at Cornell. The combination of practical research going on at the Cornell state-sponsored schools, especially Agriculture, with the private liberal arts focus of the Arts campus where I studied history, made for a refreshing change from the strictly classical focus of that time’s Brown. I found the vitality of the campus amazing!” ❖ Thomas Cashel, LLB ’56 (email Tom) | Alumni Directory.

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1953

Our inbox is all quiet for now, but we know there are great stories out there. Whether it’s a recent update or a favorite Cornell memory, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your news for an upcoming column! ❖ Class of 1953 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1954

Since Reunion 2019, Bill Waters, MBA ’55, and I (Ruth Carpenter Bailey) have served as your class co-correspondents. We have alternated writing the columns. The name that appeared first at the end of each column was the author that month. We have been happy to do what we could to assure the appearance of the Class of 1954 in Cornellians each issue during these nearly seven years.

Now, sadly, the vicissitudes of our old age have caught up with Bill. He no longer feels able to continue writing to you. This is a big loss for all of us (and especially for me!). Bill enjoyed this task—a perhaps welcome change from his successful career in the world of finance with Merrill Lynch. His dad was the editor of the Ithaca Journal during our years in Ithaca, and Bill was sports editor of the Cornell Daily Sun. So being a journalist was in his blood. We thank Bill for his faithful work to keep in touch with all of you.

Fortunately our class president, Chick Trayford, MBA ’60, has sent some information about his life in Delaware. Here is what Chick wrote: “Toby and I lived in Connecticut for approximately 10 years and during that time we had to finalize our retirement plans. We decided to look for and buy a farm in Delaware so Toby could board horses.

“In 2005 we bought a farm and I moved onto the property and commenced the building of a horse barn and a hay barn, along with taking care of our three horses. Toby still had three years before her retirement became final, so she commuted from Connecticut for three years—every weekend—to help out.

At present we have 10 horses and two cats in the barn, two dogs and five cats in the house, and one cat that meanders in between. A handful!

Chick Trayford ’54, MBA ’60

“We didn’t know that farms became depositories for unwanted cats. Over the years we have had eight barn cats, five house cats, and one indoor/outdoor cat dropped off by persons unknown. Three of our house cats showed up during one week! The most recent addition to our household, however, isn’t a cat. She is a very young Yorkiepoo that a family left outdoors 24 hours a day. She would have died of exposure if we had not intervened and adopted her before it got too cold.

“At present we have 10 horses and two cats in the barn, two dogs and five cats in the house, and one cat that meanders in between. A handful! Oh, yes—we also have three bald eagles on the property. We don’t, however, have to take care of them.”

Oh, my goodness! That sounds like an incredibly active lifestyle. Maybe the need to care for all of those animals hastened Chick’s recovery from a serious illness a few years ago. We’re glad he still has time to hold our class affairs in order. And share his story with us. As always, we want to hear your thoughts and memories. ❖ Ruth Carpenter Bailey (email Ruth) | Class website | Alumni Directory.

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1955

Joan Groskin Promin sent us “a brief, nostalgic note.” She writes, “I frequently play the piano and sing ‘The Evening Song.’ In the days of ‘gracious living’ in our freshman dormitory, on Friday nights, at the end of dinner, we would stand behind our chairs and sing that song. It’s an ode to Cornell that can still bring tears to my eyes. I am painting, as always: portraits, birds, dogs, horses. I was honored to be elected to the Royal Society of Arts in 1983.”

Ruth McDevitt Carrozza has been camping and visiting family in Maine and New Hampshire, as well as crafting, painting, reading, and cooking. She writes, “Sadly, I had to give up gardening. My knees won’t cooperate. I’m happy to share that my fifth great-grandchild joined the family on January 3.” Ruth adds, “Cornell opened doors when I first worked in New York, and later when I was teaching.” ❖ Class of 1955 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1956

We haven’t received any updates this month, but our inbox is always open. Share your news or a cherished Cornell memory—we’d love to hear from you and include it in the next edition. ❖ Class of 1956 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1957

John Herzog sent a note that he now spends quiet days at home in Southport, CT, yet still maintains an apartment in NYC where he is often. His journey after our graduation began when—after studies at the NYU Stern School of Business (later earning his MBA there)—in 1959 he joined the brokerage firm founded in 1926 by his father. The firm became Herzog Heine Geduld Inc. and developed into the largest NASDAQ market maker in the country, and a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange. John was the CEO of the company when it was acquired by Merrill Lynch in 2000 for almost a billion dollars.

John is a lifelong collector of financial documents and memorabilia and had a great desire to educate others in the knowledge of our financial and capital markets. To further this, in 1987 he founded the Museum of American Finance (MoAF), now an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. It is considered an invaluable resource for enhancing the public’s understanding of American capital markets. He donated his collection, including his Hamilton collection, to the museum.

“John Herzog: An Oral History” is a six-part video of John describing the history and continuing development of the museum. The extensive collection has been digitized and is available for research. An education course has been developed and has already been virtually attended by thousands of people. John has emphasized his desire that young people be educated in this understanding, so a course for high school juniors and seniors has been developed. In the summer of 2026, the MoAF will be opening a free exhibit at the redeveloped Commonwealth Pier at the Boston Seaport.

On a personal note, John’s wife, Diana, passed away in 2016 after more than 50 years of marriage. Diana shared John’s interests and was an accomplished businesswoman in her own right. They had two daughters, Mary and Sarah. Sarah has two children. John has served on many boards, which are listed on the MoAF website. He also was the 2022 recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who for his lifetime contributions to finance and philanthropy. His book, A Billion to One, published in 2017, chronicles the business his father began and where John was the fifth employee of the firm. In 2024, the book was produced as an audiobook.

In 1987, John Herzog ’57 founded the Museum of American Finance, now an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Samuel Thier may have been the youngest person to matriculate with our class in September 1953; he had his 16th birthday only three months before, in June 1953. His January 2026 obituary relates his journey as one who was well ahead of others of his age group, even leaving Cornell early to begin his medical studies at Upstate Medical College in Syracuse—but not before meeting Paula (Finkelstein) ’58, his wife of 67 years.

At Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Samuel became chief resident and then chief of the renal division. Noted in his obituary, “After distinguishing himself in clinical practice, he served as associate chief of medicine at UPenn and chairman of medicine at Yale. In 1985 he left Yale to become the president of the Institute of Medicine, where he issued the first public health report on the AIDS epidemic and was instrumental in forcing the government to acknowledge the scale of the disaster.”

After reading Sam’s obituary, Paul Noble sent this anecdote: “Sam was fated to be president from day one. On my first morning at Cornell, there was Sam at the doorway of my class in Morrill Hall. ‘Good morning,’ he said as we shook hands, ‘I’m Sam Thier.’ It took a man with guts to start his career so early.”

Indeed, Sam was president many times. He left the institute in 1991 to become president of Brandeis University; he stabilized the university’s finances and developed a new undergraduate curriculum. In 1994 he returned to MGH. There he served as president, and then president and CEO of Partners Healthcare, overseeing the partnership with Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He was awarded 15 honorary degrees and served as a trustee of many institutions, including Brandeis and Weill Cornell Medicine. He was honored with many awards, yet the one he most cherished was the George M. Kober Medal, a lifetime achievement award for scientific rigor in internal medicine.

Sam left his mark as, according to his obituary, “a mentor to generations of physicians and research scientists as well as a renowned administrator who shaped healthcare systems across the nation and helped to establish the foundations of modern academic medicine in America.” More than anything else, his family and friends treasured his humanity, his ability to do everything he could to help when needed. They admired his “ferocious intelligence, his uncompromising integrity, and his surprising humor.” He leaves his wife, Paula, three daughters, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. ❖ Connie Santagato Hosterman (email Connie) | Alumni Directory.

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1958

Charles Jarvie, MBA ’59, is living in Dallas, TX, with his wife and our former co-correspondent, Janet (Arps), to whom he has been married 66 years. They have lived in their Dallas home for 40 years, where their family has evolved to four children, 13 grandchildren, and, as of last summer, 11 great-grandbabies. Holidays at the Jarvies’ are a bit chaotic!

After earning his MBA, Charles started his career in marketing at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati. He moved to general management over time and pursued a long and varied career as a CEO. He settled in private equity investments and management of companies he acquired. He also sat on 36 companies’ boards over the years. His investments ultimately generated transactions, some of which were better than others. Overall not bad!

He is still active in investing but at a much-reduced level, about half of his time. His career has given him and Janet extensive travel opportunities. They included trips to all the prominent destinations, but also to Hanoi, Vietnam; Nuuk, Greenland; Iceland; and more.

He is quite active with the military through an organization called BENS (Business Executives for National Defense), comprising 400 CEOs who bring business expertise to military projects, strategies, and work with Congress. Based on his experience, he can assure all that our military is in good shape—as shown in early January. Charles adds, “We remain close to Cornell, grateful for the start it gave us.”

Almeda “A.C.” Church Riley writes, “I live at Woodlawn Commons, an independent living community in Saratoga Springs, NY, the city where I have lived since 1960. I am in good health but am pulling back from many of the adventurous activities I used to do. I enjoy bridge and mahjong, as well as chamber music concerts, lectures, and a YMCA exercise class focusing on balance. I drive to several familiar places close to home, but not after dark or out of town.

“Three of my four children and two grandchildren earned degrees from Cornell. I am very pleased with the decisions recently made by the Cornell administration relative to several issues they face. I celebrate their wisdom.” ❖ Barbara Avery, MA ’59 (email Barbara) | Dick Haggard (email Dick) | Alumni Directory.

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1959

We have no news to share this time—but let’s change that! Send along your updates, milestones, or even a favorite Cornell memory so we can keep our columns lively and connected. ❖ Jenny Tesar (email Jenny) | Alumni Directory.

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1960s

1960

Our inbox is all quiet for now, but we know there are great stories out there. Whether it’s a recent update or a favorite Cornell memory, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your news for an upcoming column! ❖ Class of 1960 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1961

A short but important class column. Our class Reunion is upon us. Make your plans to return to the Hill! Here’s the latest from our Reunion committee:

“Co-chairs Rosanna Romanelli Frank and Pat Laux Richards hope your calendar is already marked for June 4–7, 2026 to join our class for our 65th Reunion. Effort is being made to make it special in every way. For starters, we’ll be housed at the Statler, able to enjoy its amenities. Plans for class events are underway. Your attendance will make it complete! To that end, please let us know if you would be willing to contact any affinity group or groups, i.e., fraternity, sorority, college, etc. A list of pertinent classmates would be sent to you. Meanwhile, please keep up to date on our class website.”

Now a note from Susan Williams Stevens to all her classmates. “Alas, no more ‘greetings’ will be sent from Reno, NV. I am retiring from being a correspondent for the Class of 1961. I never wrote to you that I had a femur replaced last year and the resultant difficulties keep me trying to walk again. Not that I was ever kept from sharing your letters to our classmates, which I thoroughly enjoyed doing over the years. Doug will be carrying on. Please write to him as usual and keep the letters coming, which I will regularly read with pleasure.”

I will miss Susan and her fine work over the last years. Keep the class notes coming to: ❖ Doug Fuss (email Doug) | Alumni Directory.

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1962

Many of you know by now that Neil Schilke, MS ’64, our esteemed class president, died unexpectedly on February 7 this year after a brief illness. For those of you who hadn’t heard, this will come as a shocking loss. A graduate of the College of Engineering (mechanical) and an executive at GM for more than 40 years, Neil was in his fourth term as class president, having served from 1977–87 and 2017–present. He also served as class vice president for several terms and as our Cornell Fund representative. Neil worked tirelessly on behalf of the class, from issues of Cornell governance to assuring our class legacy. All additional photos purchased by the class for the Class of 1962 Photography Collection at the Johnson Museum of Art will be made in Neil’s memory.

Neil’s guiding hand, thoughtful presence, and outstanding leadership were ever-present. Classmate Evelyn Eskin spoke for us all when she said, “He was always positive, welcoming, and ready to listen to any ideas.” And, from Lauren Coffey, director of Class Programs: “Having worked with Neil for many years as his Class Programs staff partner, I’ve come to see him as an advocate for his Class of ’62. He approached his role as class president with level-headedness, pragmatism, efficiency, and, above all else, a dedication to his fellow ’62 officers and classmates. He and his leadership will be missed.”

Following a transformational gift from Dave Duffield, MBA ’64, to the College of Engineering, its dean, Lynden Archer, announced that henceforth the college will be named the David A. Duffield College of Engineering. More than $520 million in contributions from Dave—including a new pledge of $371.5 million and a commitment of $100 million, combined with previous gifts—led to this historic moment. Dave’s newest pledge is the largest single gift in Cornell history! His cumulative giving across Cornell’s colleges now totals $550 million, placing him among the University’s leading all-time donors.

Dave Duffield ’62, MBA ’64’s newest pledge is the largest single gift in Cornell history!

“I welcome the opportunity to help advance technological research, innovation, and leadership at Cornell,” said Dave. “I’ve worked closely with many Cornellians over the years, and they consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. It’s a privilege to give back to my alma mater in ways that strengthen the University’s commitment to excellence.”

In February, Cornell presented a program titled “For the Birds: A History of Bird Song Recordings at Cornell,” featuring Randolph Little. If you missed it, here’s a link to enjoy a recording of the program on your time.

And now, for a report on the State of the Class of 1962, as of March 24, 2026. Our class has accomplished a great deal since graduation. Generous donations and consistent giving from classmates over the years have resulted in $321,706,490 total class giving as of June 30, 2025 (Dave Duffield’s $371.5 million January 2026 gift not included). The class has added to that legacy foundation with other class-based gifts, especially our photography collection, Rhodes Fellowship, and baseball scoreboard. We will continue to concentrate on our class legacy, with the focus being the Class of 1962 Photography Fund at the Johnson Museum of Art, as we move toward our 65th Reunion (June 10–13, 2027).

The Legacy of the Class of 1962: Class of 1962 Photography Fund: $150,935 donated to date. Frank and Rosa Rhodes—Class of 1962 Cornell Tradition Fellowship: market value of this endowment is $277,026 as of September 30, 2025. Student subsidy is projected to be $9,944 in 2026: $4,000 to our sponsored student and $5,944 into the general scholarship funds pool to be used “where needed.” Class of 1962 Baseball Scoreboard, located at Booth Field and named for the class through 2032.

Take a moment, please, to send along news and updates of what’s happening with you and your family. And check out “Classmate News” on our class website for timelier information. Send your entries to: ❖ Judy Prenske Rich (email Judy) | Alumni Directory.

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1963

It’s hard to believe, but we are just two years away from our 65th Reunion! Our Reunion chair is Nancy Cooke McAfee, who sends the following:

“Can you believe it? Mark your calendars for our 65th Reunion, June 8–11, 2028. We will be staying in the Statler (we have earned this!) with lots of buses and easy activities, plus all the Cornell traditions that pop up at Reunion. All ideas welcome, including things to do and things not to do. Please send me an email with your thoughts. Be there to amaze all those youngsters with our energy and life experience.” Email Nancy here.

Linda Goldstein Towbin writes, “I divide my time between Bethany, CT, where I live; Brooklyn, NY, where I visit children and granddaughter; and Seattle, WA, where I visit children and grandsons. My Seattle daughter, Jessie Towbin, who has been living with ALS for about eight years, was featured recently in the ALS News. Jessie describes in painstaking detail the transition she made from written communication through normal typing methods to written communication using assistive technology, which allows her to use her eyes to type. Her son, Ethan, will be graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in electrical engineering. He plans to use his knowledge to expand capabilities of assistive technologies. At home in Connecticut, I continue to serve on the Bethany Democratic Town Committee and as a parliamentarian for the board of directors of my synagogue. Attending Cornell expanded my interest in foreign languages and introduced me to classmates who approached matters of daily living in ways that I had never known or imagined.”

Steve and Marjorie Walker Sayer write from Sarasota, FL, “We celebrated Steve’s 85th birthday by taking a cruise around the British Isles with stops in London, Dublin, Belfast, and Glasgow. The day we got on the cruise ship, we also celebrated our 57th anniversary. We still travel in the U.S., but our days of driving 5,000–9,000 miles are now over. We were recently in New York City and saw the newly renovated Frick Museum, the Met, and Oh, Mary! on Broadway. Our children, Kaile, Peter, and Hilary, and their families are doing well.” Of Marjorie and Steven’s 10 grandchildren, one is a model for Hasbro toys, one is a sophomore at Indiana University, one is a sophomore at Florida State University, one is working for Fidelity, one works for a cybersecurity firm, and the others are still in high school.

Our house has views of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods.

Bill ’63 and Frankie Campbell Tutt ’63

Mary Falvey is always busy spending her time in San Francisco and Paris, France. She writes, “I continue to work as a strategy advisor and mentor to CEOs of startups and high-growth companies as well as an entrepreneur-in-residence at INSEAD and professor at the Sorbonne in their master’s degree program in administration and management. I collaborate with colleagues at the San Francisco Symphony, where I continue to serve on the board of governors. This has been a challenging year following the passing of my youngest grandson, Soren, in an auto accident in November 2024. His brother, Aidan ’23, graduated from Cornell—it was fun robing as a trustee emerita and walking with Aidan in the processional. Grandson Colin and his wife Nicole live in Oakland, CA, where Colin is working as an environmental engineer. Granddaughter Evan lives in Washington, DC, where, after receiving her master’s degree in educational policy, she is teaching in Alexandria, VA. Her brother, Will, is a senior at the University of Oregon.”

Katy MacMahon Taylor writes, “My husband, Terry, and I moved to Greenwich, CT, after 42 years in Bronxville, NY. Every road is curvy and stone walls abound, and we feel like we live in the country even though planes from Westchester Airport fly over frequently. We found a house with one-floor living and a large second floor to accommodate family. Our kids live in Boston, Bethesda, Los Angeles, and New York City and visit every summer and Christmas. We fill up cots, bunk beds, and couches and have a lot of fun.”

Bill and Frankie Campbell Tutt write from Colorado Springs, “We are enjoying our gated community that we moved to after downsizing two years ago. Our house has views of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods, as well as spectacular gardens, a mini-waterfall, and a reflecting pool. Our 21-year-old cat, Scooter, and our Lab, Gypsy, have a place to roam. Two grandchildren are at Denison University, conveniently located just a mile from my Ohio farm. Bill has been retired for years but stays busy with rodeo, the space foundation, and other projects. I still work as a travel agent part time. Son Ben, MMH ’97, is managing partner of three fabulous hotels in Puerto Rico. Bill just completed a big project for Mercersburg, his prep school. Three generations of Tutt males have enjoyed matriculating there. We love our Colorado summers and still have homes in Vail and Summit County. We love trout fishing and enjoy the glorious outdoors.”

That’s all for now. Please don’t hesitate to send me news! ❖ Nancy Bierds Icke (email Nancy) | Alumni Directory.

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1964

Janet Warren Fatherley lives in Bradford, VT, having retired in 2005 from the Dartmouth medical school. Now, on Mondays she teaches a class in German conversation at the Orford (NH) Social Library. She also enjoys gardening and cooking, perhaps in that order. In 2019, Janet took a Cornell Alumni Travel tour to France, where in Paris she met classmate Linda Weinstein Brimm and husband Michael ’63, BA ’64. Janet’s granddaughter works at Harvard, while grandson Liam will graduate from Boston’s Northeastern University next year.

Another contribution comes from Harold Evensky, MS ’67, who lives with spouse Deena in Lubbock, TX. He reports on his many trips, “making up for the two and a half years we lost due to COVID.” He lists a Regent cruise from Barcelona to Miami in March 2025; a Canadian train trip in August 2025; Key West in November-December 2025; Key West again in March 2026; a Crystal Alaska cruise from Vancouver planned for August 2026; a Regent Montreal-to-Miami cruise in October 2026; and a Regent Tokyo-Vancouver cruise in May 2027.

Ann Sirrine Rider, who lives just eight miles from Ithaca in Enfield, is retired after 30 years working for Tompkins County as a home economist and a child and adult protective worker. Ann continues to volunteer in the community by teaching sewing, plus she’s active on the Enfield Community Council. Ann writes, “I quilt in my old age and garden in the summer. I have more than 300 different daylilies that we sell in the fall.”

Elaine Wellman Becker is widowed and living in Warwick, RI. She writes, “I retired in 2012 after working for 27 years as a copy editor for the American Mathematical Society in Providence. My previous profession was teaching at various colleges and universities around the country. I took my family to see Cornell several years ago. They were impressed by the beauty of the campus.” The family Elaine writes proudly about includes a son who is an aeronautical engineer living in California, a grandson who plays ice hockey for the University of Mississippi, and another grandson who is in the ninth grade but is actively studying calculus.

I am honorary director of the International African Institute, which promotes the study of the history, societies, and cultures of Africa.

Philip Burnham ’64

Toby Rice Goldberg, who lives in Huntington Station, NY, appears in this column for the very first time with the sad news that her husband died last June. Toby details how she and Bob lived: “We were married for 59 years. We sailed, golfed, traveled the world, and treasured both our suburban and city lives. The last four years were rough, but he was cared for with love and kindness every moment of that time. I’ve made it through that first year and am beginning to venture out of Huntington and back to some of the things we liked to do together. I’m grateful to our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren for their compassionate support. And of course to my dear classmates Roberta Matthews Monat and Linda Cohen Meltzer, who kept my spirits up.”

Philip Burnham, who lives in London, England, writes at some length, “I believe (to my shame) this is the first time I have contributed to Class Notes since 1970, when my wife, Jennifer Folda Burnham ’65, and I moved to London for me to take up a teaching post in anthropology and African studies at University College, London.

“I have made my whole career at UCL, interspersed with numerous trips to West and Central Africa for field research. Although now formally retired, I am still involved with the Human Ecology research group that I set up at UCL and am also honorary director of the International African Institute, which promotes the study of the history, societies, and cultures of Africa.

“For much of our time in London, Jennifer has been involved in voluntary work with homeless and vulnerable people. In particular, for more than 20 years, she created and has edited the arts magazine Homeless Diamonds for St. Mungo’s, a charity dealing with homelessness. Appearing three times per year, Homeless Diamonds features artwork and writing by St. Mungo’s clients. A few weeks ago, we learned that Jennifer had been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s New Year Honours list in recognition of her volunteer work. Apart from this, we keep busy with our six grandchildren, with vegetable gardening and with salmon fishing in Scotland.”

That’s all for now. But I could always use more of your news! Update me by email, regular mail, our class website, or our class Facebook page. ❖ Bev Johns Lamont (email Bev) | 720 Chestnut St., Deerfield, IL 60015 | Alumni Directory.

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1965

The winter in New England has been the worst! Snow and sleet and freezing rain! And after living for 11 years in her condo in Venice, FL, during January, February, and March, Joan Hens Johnson has sold her home in Andover and will sell her condo in Venice, and move to Jacaranda Trace (still in Venice) to enjoy the temperate climate and wonderful culture all year round!

Stephen Appell (Brooklyn, NY) came to campus for the final women’s basketball game of the season on March 7. He was eager to be there for Senior Day festivities, at which time two favorite players, Emily Pape ’26 and Vivienne Knee ’26, were being honored. Emily has distinguished herself as a 1,000-point career scorer for the Big Red and as a tireless contributor to Cornell athletics and benevolent community activities. Vivienne has been a steady and selfless player, always demonstrating joie de vivre on and off the court.

Stephen was joined at the game by class buddy Steve Hand (Ithaca, NY). After the pregame ceremonies featuring the two seniors and their families, the team went on to a convincing 78-53 win over Dartmouth. Emily appropriately had one last double-figure scoring performance with 11 points, and Vivienne secured seven rebounds, five of them offensive, which is really impressive.

Post-game festivities were marked by speeches, commemorative videos about the two seniors, and lots of hugs and good wishes among players, families, and friends. Stephen was particularly happy to see alumnae Kaya Ingram ’24 and Lexi Green ’25, who returned for the game and the celebrations honoring their former teammates Emily and Vivienne. For someone who prides himself on being one of the biggest fans of this team, it was really a special day.

No one else has submitted news, so this is a very limited column! Please send news! Your class correspondents: ❖ Joan Hens Johnson (email Joan) | Stephen Appell (email Stephen) | Alumni Directory.

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1966

We are fast approaching our 60th Reunion. As always, there will be many class activities balanced with University programs and opportunities to just spend time with classmates and explore the campus. It’s been 10 years since we gathered, and all the class officers will be on the Hill—we hope you will join us!

Fran Blau reports that, after 30 years at Cornell and 50 years of teaching overall, she retired in June 2024. Her husband, Larry Kahn, also a Cornell professor, has retired, too. They are both now ILR emeritus professors and are remaining professionally active. They continue to do research and work with grad students. They are enjoying more travel and more time with grandchildren, adding “we now have six, ranging in age from 3 to 10.” Fran enjoyed talking to Beth Saulnier for an article in Cornellians on the gender pay gap titled “Do Women in the U.S. Still Earn Less Than Men?”

Emily Hewitt reports that she was an educational support worker at Union Settlement House from the 1960s to the early 1970s. She was then a student at Union Theological Seminary and was ordained as an Episcopal priest. She graduated from Harvard Law School, became an attorney, and worked at Hill, Barlow, and Bastone from 1973–93, and was general counsel with the General Services Administration from 1993–98.

Emily became a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims from 1998–2013, including a stint as chief judge from 2009–13. She retired in October 2013. Emily was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016. She and her wife live in Washington, DC. They designed and built a fully accessible solar house on Cape Cod, MA, and plan to leave D.C. and move to the Cape house. Over the years they have traveled to Saratoga, NY, the Grand Tetons and Jackson, WY, Texas Hill country, Cape Cod, Maine, Vermont, and New Orleans, LA. They have a young great-niece in New Orleans whom they love to visit.

Joanne Biancaniello Wills retired from practicing law in 2010 and moved to San Francisco. In 2020, she moved to Los Angeles, where she is a docent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She also represents asylum seekers in administrative proceedings. She writes that she enjoys art and spending time with her grandchildren and their sports activities. In ’66, she never imagined being retired or living in California. Travels have included Egypt and Japan.

I’m helping support ‘my’ orphans in Luang Prabang, Laos, and enjoy their letters.

Thomas Cullen ’66, PhD ’83

John Glovack lives in Perrysburg, NY. He taught high school English and college philosophy for a total of 49 years. Now retired, he enjoys farming and ballroom dancing, and has traveled to Ireland and Poland. He never imagined having six children. The family had an 80th birthday bash for him, and in the fall he attended a Cornell football game with two grandsons.

Thomas Cullen, PhD ’83, and husband Barton Wong currently live in Long Beach, CA. He has been retired for many years, spending time largely at home with “dodgy health issues.” He enjoys his garden, reading, music, and theater. He is grateful for the care his husband gives him, as well as visits from his daughter. Thomas adds, “I’m helping support ‘my’ orphans in Luang Prabang, Laos, and enjoy their letters.”

A note from Alice Katz Berglas, Mary Jansen Everett, Jeanne Brown Sander, and Rolf Frantz, ME ’67: “We begin with our warm and true thank you—for all the incredible emails, phone messages, texts, and contacts that you have shared with us along this 60th Reunion year. So many of you reaching out since fall to say, ‘Of course I’m coming! See you in June!’ And too, whether attending a Hidden Jewels webinar, adding a memory to our upcoming ‘Straight Talk’ PDF scrapbook, or supporting our 60th Reunion Class Gift ’66 Overlook, the energy and encouragement you have given has infused us too. Your questions and suggestions about Reunion weekend helped shape the four days we will soon share on the Hill. Helping us to know that you are excited to be coming back and adding your wisdoms about what a 60th Reunion should be. What new considerations (with a nod to our—yeep—80+ years) we should be sure to include (or not!). It truly makes this Reunion weekend OUR 60th, planned together.

“Many of you will have registered by the time you read this. And it is not, not, not at all too late still to make plans to come! Come on your own, or with a guest. There’s no best way. It’s quirky Cornell—with all those criss-crossing paths up Libe Slope and across quads. So, pick yours! There’s no best first time to come—indeed, so far eight classmates are hoping to come to their first class Reunion! Reach out to us with any Qs. We’re here to make it easy. We cannot wait to see you, to thank you, to welcome you—and, mostly, to talk and walk for four days together, making new memories.”

Cornell 60th Reunion: June 4–7, 2026. Class of 1966 Reunion Qs: cornell66reunion@gmail.com. Call/text Alice (917-968-8280) or Jeanne (703-401-3049). For overall “University-wide” Reunion weekend Qs, visit alumni.cornell.edu/reunion. ❖ Susan Rockford Bittker (email Susan) | Pete Salinger, MBA ’68 (email Pete) | Alumni Directory.

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1967

Welcome to May, classmates. Last column, I provided some information about some of our esteemed deceased classmates—diving deeper than what can be reported via In Memoriam sections. Due to another slow news month, I continue with this research in this column.

W. Andrews “Andy” Kirmse of The Hills, TX, formerly of Napa, CA, died on June 30, 2025. After graduating from Deerfield Academy, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1963–67. He earned an MBA from Columbia after graduating from Cornell with his BS in Hotel Administration.

Andy began his global hotel career with Inter-Continental Hotels in West Africa and Asia, where he held positions including food and beverage manager, resident manager, and general manager in Liberia and Pakistan. In the U.S., he worked at the Barclay Hotel in New York City, followed by management positions in Miami and San Antonio, where he was a deputy sheriff in Bexar County and was elected president of the SPOA board, leading initiatives to beautify the neighborhood and improve residents’ quality of life.

He went on to be VP and GM of Hotel Nikko in San Francisco and later consulted for Priceline, Swiss Hotels, and Synxis. He also co-developed and managed a Holiday Inn Express & Suites in American Canyon, CA, and shared his time with many civic and professional organizations, serving as president of the San Francisco Rotary Club and on the business council of the de Young Museum.

Chris Williams of Houston, TX, passed away on August 30, 2024. His family moved all over the world; thus, he traveled from Argentina to Connecticut for boarding school at Kent, then graduated from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. In the words of the Cornell Rowing Association, “his greatest achievement was in varsity crew. He rowed all four years, culminating in an undefeated senior season as the stroke for the lightweight eight in 1967. That year, Cornell won all their collegiate races and claimed the prestigious Thames Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in England. His passion for endurance athletics persisted all his life.

Chris Williams ’67 rowed all four years, culminating in an undefeated senior season as the stroke for the lightweight eight in 1967.

“In 1968, due to the Vietnam War, Chris enlisted and served in Germany. He began his career in human resources with Dresser Industries in Dallas and moved to Connecticut and then Brussels, becoming fluent in five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German. Another corporate transfer brought him to Houston, which became his home for the rest of his life. 1988 was a pivotal year when he was baptized in the church and married Carolyn.

“Chris was a specialist in turnaround management running restaurants, marinas, golf courses, and even oilfield services companies. He was managing director of GulfStar Group; owner of Williams Ventures; senior vice president at First City Bancorp of Texas; and president of Williams-Randolph Inc., then returned to independent consulting.

“He found a new passion: road cycling. Even as he aged, every March on his birthday he would organize an ‘age’ ride where he would go out and bike his age in miles. He once ran the Houston Marathon … at age 67! Chris loved his spreadsheets and would apply them to all his projects—work, house remodels, cycling events, and even family vacations. His relentlessly upbeat outlook on life was expressed in his favorite phrase: ‘It’ll be great, you’ll see!’”

William Abel, MBA ’69, of Fort Myers, FL, who died on October 15, 2025, grew up in Rochester, NY. Bill is remembered as quarterback on the 1966 Big Red football team, which posted a 6-3 record. He had a successful career in sales working at P&G, Dr. Pepper, Wilson Sporting Goods, Black & Decker Manufacturing (where he was vice president), Knoll Furniture, NK Lawn & Garden, and Langeveld Bulb Co. “He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. He loved sports, especially golf, football, baseball, and basketball. His favorite activity was spending time with his soulmate, Nancy, and beloved children and grandchildren.” ❖ Richard Hoffman (email Richard) | Alumni Directory.

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1968

More news to share with our classmates! We always need more news and updates from you, so please let us know where you are and what you are doing, or share your reflections on your years at Cornell with our classmates.

Seth Goldschlager has sent a “rewind” from Paris of what he has been doing since graduation. He writes, “I am still ‘alive and well and living in Paris,’ as the famous Jacques Brel song goes.” The path to Paris started after Yale Law School. Having been a Daily Sun editor, Seth decided that journalism was his first calling, “and so I began a very exciting, and professionally as well as culturally rewarding, five-year period as a Newsweek journalist in the U.S. and Europe.” Seth conducted many interesting interviews, including with Vladimir Nabokov, Henry Miller, and François Truffaut, as well as Mick Jagger on a U.S. tour with the Stones!

Seth was then recruited by IBM, and worked for them at their European headquarters, to run communications and public affairs for one of its biggest divisions. He then moved to IBM’s Washington government affairs office and then to its corporate headquarters in New York. After IBM, Seth launched a consultancy for business and financial communications, which included counseling French businessman Bernard Arnault on his takeover of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy. This led to another recruitment by Publicis, now the world’s largest advertising and communications group, to develop its international business.

Seth continues to counsel companies and foundations through his own company, TargetWrite, and says, “I’ve gone back into the writing business through a number of film projects.” He and his wife, Isabelle, travel throughout Europe and Asia and visit their children and grandchildren in Washington, Lausanne, and Los Angeles. Seth also keeps in touch with his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers, including through some mini-reunions.

George Loranger ’68 and his wife, Sue Ann, live on their boat on Chautauqua Lake, NY, with a number of their grandkids in the summer!

This past January, Sharon Lawner Weinberg, PhD ’71, and I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful 80th birthday celebration for David Gertler ’67, ME ’68, in Boca Raton, FL, hosted by David’s wife, Jane Frommer Gertler. Also in attendance were Gordon Silver, Carla Ginsburg ’69, Helen Karel Dorman, BS ’67, Rick Bailyn ’67, MD ’71, and many other friends and family, including David and Jane’s son Howard and daughter Meredith Gertler ’98.

Ron Kopicki, MA ’71, retired in 2018 from the World Bank and its Food and Agriculture Organization and continued to consult for the World Bank and other economic development organizations for another five years. Ron writes that he and his wife, Ann Ashby, live in St. Michaels, MD, and they enjoy spending much time with their four grandkids, all girls, one of whom recently graduated from bicycle camp. The entire family showed up for her graduation and watched her ride her two-wheeler around the camp track. Happily, their grandkids live with his son and daughter-in-law only an hour and a half from Ron and Ann. Ron writes, “Cornell provided me with a solid intellectual foundation in the physical sciences (I was a chemistry major) as well as in the humanities.” He has authored or co-authored more than 10 books “dealing with various functional aspects of economic development.”

George Loranger and his wife, Sue Ann, live in Budapest, Hungary, in the spring and fall; they live in Sarasota, FL, in the winter, and on their boat on Chautauqua Lake, NY, with a number of their grandkids in the summer! According to a Los Angeles Times article dated April 2, 2000, as the Cold War was ending, George “visited a Soviet military base in Budapest in 1990 to check out investment opportunities. His timing was good in more ways than one. ‘A Soviet officer told me that the year before, if I was standing on the same spot, I’d be shot right then and there,’ Loranger recalled. ‘I said, Thank God times have changed.’” The L.A. Times article says George “was gearing up for talks with the Hungarian government on turning the base into a commercial enterprise.” He went forward with a Hungarian partner to form a 650-acre industrial park outside of Budapest, which successfully continues to this day. It is now called the Sóstó Park.

I look forward to receiving more news and updates from all of you! Please email me about you and your family with news you would like to share with our classmates. ❖ Steve Weinberg, MBA ’70, JD ’71 (email Steve) | Alumni Directory.

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1969

Although this column will appear during (hopefully) spring weather, here in eastern North Carolina we have just finished digging out from 15 inches of snow with single-digit lows and near-hurricane force winds. Not what one expects in this part of the country.

The good news was that I had a snow shovel. The bad news was that I had no excuse for not shoveling the driveway. The nostalgia of snowy mornings in New York wore off pretty quickly!

Participating in Cornell activities can lead to unexpectedly interesting connections. Our class co-president Bill Bruno, ME ’71, met Randolph Little ’62 through the Cornell Engineering Alumni Association and learned about Randy’s deep ties to the Lab of Ornithology. The classes of ’62 and ’69 co-sponsored a February Zoom program in which Randy highlighted the lab’s early days in Fernow Hall and at Sapsucker Woods, along with the history of bird-song recording. More than 350 Cornellians attended this firsthand personal account of birding at Cornell. Randy’s book For the Birds is widely cited by bioacoustics enthusiasts for capturing the era when recording technology finally caught up with the complexity of nature.

Doug Yoder reports that his wife of 43 years, Margaret, passed away after several years of dealing with Alzheimer’s. A day after the celebration of life he enjoyed his 6-year-old granddaughter and 20 other first-graders splashing in the pool, something he knows she would have loved. He’s enjoying singing with the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami and traveling and visiting friends and relatives. He advises us to value our time, reflect on the past, live in the present, and anticipate the future.

James Shaw, ME ’72, reports that his latest book, Historical Diseases from a Modern Perspective: The American Experience, is doing well. It deals with medical history and the peril of re-emerging diseases.

Michael ’69 and Marcia Madden hosted a mini West Coast reunion in Tacoma, WA, for eight ATO brothers and spouses who all enjoyed wild salmon, Northwest wines, and a photo history of the group.

Michael and Marcia Madden hosted a mini West Coast reunion in Tacoma, WA, for eight ATO brothers and spouses (Ted ’67 and Char Hamilton, Bob ’67 and Marcia Holman, Kent ’70 and Elspeth Franklin Werle ’72, George and Ann Mavko, Tom and Gayle Allen, John, ME ’70, and Pat Rees, Charlie and Kathy Smith, and Mike and Marcia Madden) who all enjoyed wild salmon, Northwest wines, and Tom’s photo history of the group. There were many stories shared, and he states that some of them were true. Kent reported on the building of the second Tacoma Narrows Bridge that replaced the Galloping Gertie of our Physics 101 class.

Sandra Mathis Tarpinian, MAT ’73, is enjoying living in Tucson and spending time with her 2-year-old grandson, Peter, while also hiking and availing herself of the theater, dance, and musical venues. She volunteers at the Mission Garden, an outdoor museum of gastronomy history and over 4,000 years of the cultivation of food in the Southwest.

Friends Peter Fink and Stephen James both went on from Cornell to earn MDs at the same time from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and are still contributing full time to their professions. Pete is a psychiatrist with Rush University Medical Center, specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. He says that empowering his patients to communicate is the key to successful outcomes. Steve, a recognized expert in gastroenterology, spent most of the last 50 years engaged in academic medical research and administration at the National Institutes of Health—but still has time to enjoy his four grandchildren.

Richard Nelson writes, “With 2026 well underway, it continues to be an interesting time politically, culturally, and personally. After more than three decades, my company, AALC, is drawing down the final curtain for my longtime friend and colleague Fred Hof and me. My health remains excellent, but my motivation to work is slipping! With our country wrestling with its identity, I find solace in the knowledge that I possess the friendship of so many fine people of every persuasion, many from days at Cornell. I feel very lucky.”

Here’s hoping we get some better weather soon! ❖ Robert Tallo (email Robert) | Alumni Directory.

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1970s

1970

It has been two months since I last sat down to write a column. As St. Valentine’s Day approaches, there is still some snow on the ground, but the temperature during the day has advanced past freezing, the sun may shine, and the climate here, between Chicago and Milwaukee, may be moving toward spring. By the time you read this, spring will be in full bloom.

Normally, as each deadline approaches, my contacts in Ithaca will send me whatever news they have received. As of mid-February, I have one nice news piece from them. Given that there is some space, I decided to actually make my own personal news item.

John Cecilia, MBA ’79 (Lake Bluff, IL) reports that he is now undergoing a significant change in his recent life. His small private airplane is being sold, with no replacement. Not unlike those who sail or own boats, the classic line is: the best days of owning an aircraft are the day one buys it, and the day one sells it. Living in the Midwest, with highly varied weather determining when one might safely fly, especially in small planes, is one reason; increasing costs of fuel, maintenance, and particularly insurance are additional reasons.

John Cecilia ’70, MBA ’79, has been involved for several years in the Young Eagles program, where children between the ages of 8 and 17 are given an opportunity to sample flying in small aircraft.

In particular, regardless of other factors, the insurance underwriters make pilot aging a significant component of their fees, along with constant attention to skills and regular training required by the FAA. So fun evolves into work. Having been involved for several years in the Experimental Aircraft Association’s national program called Young Eagles, where children between the ages of 8 and 17 are given an opportunity to sample flying in small aircraft, the focus on that for John will now be on ground school and supporting parents.

Neal Weinstein (San Jose, CA) writes as follows: “I retired (for the second time) in 2010. After six months of hiking and doing projects around the house, I was ready to be more productive. I remembered an article about SCORE, a national volunteer organization whose mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. I found the local chapter, was accepted as a member, and have been helping small businesses (including nonprofits) to get started, thrive, and grow. I mentor clients and teach some business classes online. Our mentoring is unlimited and always free of charge. I have also been a mentor for several teams at the Bronco Ventures Accelerator at Santa Clara University, and for an NSF I-Corps team from Texas Tech.”

As always, you may contact me directly, or you may use the university’s standard form, the online news form. ❖ John Cecilia, MBA ’79 (email John) | Alumni Directory.

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1971

We do love hearing from classmates, by email or via the online news form. Keep the news flowing!

Have you participated in our years-long ambitious attempt to leave our mark for posterity? The Cornell ’71 History Project continues gathering recollections of our time at Cornell. Various cohorts have met regularly on Zoom. Recently, the project began collecting classmate memorabilia. There is still time for your contribution—of memories and memorabilia! Do join them virtually, or at Reunion. Engage with the website, and please consider supporting the preservation of the videos and the collected material by making a financial donation to the project that honors our 55th Reunion and ensures the class’s legacy (you can target a Cornell gift to the Class of 1971 Student Collections Assistant Archives Endowment). Leading the project are Naomi Katz Mintz, Arthur Mintz, Dale Cohen, Kathy Menton Flaxman, and Craig Ewing, MBA ’72.

From Larchmont, NY, we heard from Gail Sussman Marcus that she’s still teaching history at the Brearley School in Manhattan. She says she’s having such fun that she refuses to think about retirement. For many years, she’s brought students to D.C. for sightseeing and learning from professionals who work in town. Once again, she asked Art Spitzer to speak to her group about the ACLU. Gail’s husband, Marty, retired after a long career as a judge in New York. In addition to visiting children and grandchildren in Washington, DC, and Berlin, Germany, they remain committed to getting older. She, too, ends her remarks with: “Here’s to our 55th Reunion!”

Even before the Reunion of the (Great) Class of ’71 in June, John Henrehan, BS ’76, was hoping to attend WVBR’s annual gathering, April 17–18, to reminisce (again) with generations of fellow ’VBR alumni. That student experience led to his 45-year career in radio and TV news. Can you hear his sonorous radio voice as he adds, “Thanks to my broadcast union pension, I lead a comfortable retirement, socializing several nights a week with my dance pals, my old volleyball pals, and neighbors. See you in June for Reunion!”

Maria Yurasek and her husband, Rob Benedetti (Stanford ’73), continue to enjoy splitting their time between a home 30 miles west of Aspen in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley and their hacienda in San Jose del Cabo, Baja, Mexico. They have the joys of all three grandkids living in the Colorado valley and they do lots of travel. Maria trekked to see gorillas and chimps last year in Uganda and was off to Japan and Vietnam soon after she wrote. Their older daughter, Christine, is scheduled to run Tokyo’s March 1 Marathon! “Life is pretty wonderful. See you at Reunion!” she adds.

This winter, Martha Coultrap invited Pi Phis to Zoom together. We giggled and tried not to interrupt each other; Martha taught us to “popcorn,” a way to pass the mic. Among those on the call were Karen Snider, Betsy Cairns Reveal, Marilyn Porter Woolfolk, Joey Burtaine-Kolodrub, Martha Coultrap, Martha Hurd Meredith, Elisabeth Kaplan Boas, and Patricia Yuan Zuroski, who Zoomed from across the planet in New Zealand, where it was summertime and already the following day!

We puff with pride that the University of Michigan School of Dentistry endowed a professorship named for our classmate Marilyn Porter Woolfolk ’71.

From the news, observant Betsy Cairns Reveal from St. Paul, MN, found this outstanding December 10 headline from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry: “Three New Professorships and a Historic Gathering of Former School of Dentistry Deans.” We puff with pride that the University endowed a professorship named for our classmate Marilyn Porter Woolfolk, who retired in 2014. Among the most modest of our classmates, Marilyn agreed to let me publish the news, saying, “Likely few people will remember me.” Pshaw; of course we remember her as a dedicated student, able athlete, and generous sorority sister who loved/loves telling good stories with a delightful twinkle in her eye.

Excerpts from the news clipping follow: The honor is “a reflection of the more than 40 years she devoted to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, building a legacy of resilience, leadership, and advocacy. She earned three degrees from UM—MS ’72, DDS ’78, MPH ’82­—advancing from student to professor emerita of dentistry and assistant dean emerita of student services, marking milestones as the school’s first Black female full professor and assistant dean.

“Her career showed a strong dedication to public health and diversity, from faculty member to administrator, consistently prioritizing student outreach and support. Her teaching and scholarship emphasized the need to reduce oral health disparities among underserved populations. For 12 summers, she directed the Traverse City Migrant Program, delivering essential dental care to children. She also held a joint appointment with the School of Public Health (1983–98). Woolfolk advocated for diversity in both dental education and practice and helped reevaluate admissions processes and expanded student support structures.”

She leaves “an enduring legacy of community engagement, inclusion, and public health.” Marilyn and Gerald live outside Ann Arbor. She reports that she will miss Reunion due to a grandchild’s graduation.

Another classmate is in the news, this taken from the mid-winter headlines seen by several eagle-eyed classmates. On a late Friday night in early February, in a ruling handed down just two days after oral argument, a divided federal appeals court upheld the Trump Administration’s policy of placing people arrested in its immigration crackdown in mandatory detention without an opportunity to be released on bond. The Fifth Circuit’s opinion was written by Judge Edith Hollan Jones, who had also been chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She was nominated by President Reagan in 1985.

Patricia Wohlsen Epps wanted us to know the sad news from Lititz, PA, that her husband, Ron, died a year ago in May. Our classmate Edward Martin Remick, PhD ’81 (and JD University of South Carolina School of Law, 2002) died in early October last year in Greenville, SC. His widow, Linda, sent the news. ❖ Elisabeth Kaplan Boas (email Elisabeth) | Cara Nash Iason (email Cara) | Alumni Directory.

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1972

Rob Blye writes that he and his wife, Carol, are proud to say that their granddaughter, Naomi ’29, began her freshman year at Cornell in 2025 as a premed major, following in the footsteps of her father, Jason Cohen ’97. Her sister, Sara, is a sophomore at Northeastern majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in astrophysics. She follows in the footsteps of her mother, Amy Blye Cohen ’97, a civil engineer.

These days Rob’s three daughters and nine grandchildren bring him the most satisfaction, as does his volunteer work at two food banks. In addition, he goes birding worldwide and leads bird trips locally. Thinking back, Rob states that Cornell significantly changed the trajectory of his life. While still in Ithaca he was hired by Dr. Ed Raney, PhD ’38, Cornell ichthyologist, to work as one of his few wildlife biologists at his consulting company, Ichthyological Associates Inc. Twenty-five years later, Rob became president of the company.

Nancy Roistacher, our energetic and devoted Class of ’72 president, writes that she has been retired since May 2024, after a long career as a cardiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. She and her husband, Wayne Merkelson ’73, JD ’75, still live in Manhattan but are traveling frequently, as their sons and their families do not live nearby. In addition, they are traveling to different parts of the U.S. with the goal of visiting all the state capitol buildings. They are well on their way, having been to 38 so far, with the most recent trip to Honolulu in December. More trips are planned.

Nancy remarks that retirement feels good after many years of working, but Cornell is keeping her busy—as does travel, theater, crocheting, and other activities. Nancy notes that our 55th Reunion is coming up June 10–13, 2027, and planning has already begun. Since many people could not make it to Ithaca five years ago in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, she expects our 55th will be even better attended. In addition, Nancy states that she would appreciate help with Reunion planning as well as arranging smaller local events around the country. She looks forward to hearing your ideas and meeting up with you at these events.

Keep the news coming! ❖ Susan Farber Straus (email Susan) | Wes Schulz, ME ’73 (email Wes) | Alumni Directory.

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1973

Abby Ershow writes from Columbia, MD. She’s very involved in volunteer work for the Friends of the Patuxent Research Refuge, part of the Natural Wildlife Refuge System. She fully retired from the federal service after 40 years as a nutrition scientist at the National Institutes of Health. Aside from her involvement as a Maryland Master Naturalist, Abby also travels, does choral singing, and wins state fair prizes for her jams and preserves. She learned at Cornell the importance of staying connected with colleagues and friends with similar interests.

Mary Ann Walsh Lynch lives in Sanford, FL. She has enjoyed three different careers as a science teacher, bookkeeper/administrator, and, now, part-time human resources professional. She also coaches and does volunteer work, including at her local food pantry. After the loss of her spouse of 50 years, she found that with the support of great friends, and a commitment to staying mentally and physically active, life continues to unfold in meaningful chapters.

Joan Tompkins Lifson gathered for a reunion in Arlington, VA, with her apartment-mates from 505 Dryden Road. They included Paula Smith Avioli, Joan Rabinor, and Marideth Sandler. They hadn’t met since the 20th Reunion, so had plenty of catching up to do.

Mary Gilliland, MAT ’80, has published her sixth book of poetry, called Within the Shop of the Divine. It’s her first available in the U.K. She was also interviewed for a story for the College of Arts and Sciences. “For Gilliland, senior lecturer emeritus with the John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines, a poem begins with sound, when ‘an arc of language, a phrase or sentence sonorous or obvious or riddling wants to be written down,’ she said. ‘Part of the art is being found by the words.’”

Apartment-mates from 505 Dryden Road gathered for a reunion in Arlington, VA. They hadn’t met since the 20th Reunion, so had plenty of catching up to do.

Phyllis Haight Grummon ’73

Lastly, we have news of the deaths of classmates, which I share here in case you missed their listings in recent In Memoriam sections. Daniel Frank, BS ’75 (Rochester, NY) died on June 23, 2025. He was a sales representative at Vision Buick GMC and enjoyed golf, fishing, biking, and collecting sports memorabilia. Stephanie Fain Morrow, MRP ’75 (Red Bank, NJ) died on February 12, 2025. She was a social worker in the City of Alexandria, VA, and enjoyed international travel, reading, and word games.

Mark Marder (Weston, MA) died on May 23, 2025. He was a principal consultant at ASG and a systems architect and product manager in the computer industry. Mark attended Woodstock and enjoyed international travel, boating, landscape painting, woodworking, origami, and chess. He is survived by his wife, Mary Chandler Marder. Thomas Padgett (Mill Valley, CA) died on August 1, 2025. He was an emergency physician and chief of the emergency department at Kaiser San Francisco, and also worked at Brookside, Novato Community Hospital, and the San Francisco V.A. Thomas enjoyed international travel, music, literature, playing piano, learning Italian, and cooking.

Sandra Wagner Herrington (Marion, SC) died on October 22, 2025. She was the owner and a broker for Century 21 Wagner Realty and an elementary school teacher. She also worked in the ceramics industry and enjoyed roses and antiques. Anne Woods (Henrico, VA) died on September 21, 2025. She was a dancer and created a meditative movement practice called Moving Meditations, blending dance, yoga, Tai Chi, and other techniques. She is survived by her husband, Neil Sonenklar. ❖ Phyllis Haight Grummon (email Phyllis) | Pam Meyers (email Pam) | Dave Ross (email Dave) | Alumni Directory.

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1974

Benny Lorenzo of Fort Lee, NJ, still pursues a career in venture capital, angel investing, and community activism. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, traveling, and serving on philanthropic boards. Benny shared several memories of Cornell: the student takeover of the Straight, COSEP’s attempt at DEI, Astronomy 101, and the engineering college’s participation in space exploration. It’s remarkable learning how classmates in different majors had very different experiences at Cornell.

Ed and Paulie Brooks Drexler ’75 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and are enjoying winter months in Florida after escaping from the most recent extended cold spell in Central New York. They recently attended an agritourism conference in Orlando, the better to keep up with trends to enhance their booming event business in Pompey, NY. Ed enjoys doing large jigsaw puzzles and fishing in a nearby lake while dodging its resident alligators.

Continuing the momentum from the 50th Reunion in Ithaca, several Kappas (and some husbands) recently gathered in Columbus, OH, for a long weekend of conversation and sightseeing. Jodi Sielschott Stechschulte and her jovial husband, John, acted as local hosts, arranging enjoyable dining events. We got lots of steps in among visits to the downtown Columbus neighborhood, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and a guided tour of the impressive OSU football stadium. Attendees included: Danny ’75 and Claudia Hebel Malone, Patty Near Merrifield, BS ’73, Mark and Wendy Zurn Allen, Richard, MBA ’76, and Nancy Miller Clifford ’73, MA ’76, Mary Vane ’73, Lorraine Palmatier Skalko ’73, and Jeri Sielschott Whitfield ’72 and husband Peter.

Ed Drexler ’74 enjoys fishing in a nearby lake while dodging its resident alligators.

Jodi and John recently welcomed a new granddaughter, Elena Lynn, daughter of son John ’06. They helped John and his wife, Elizabeth, unpack boxes at their new home in NYC, during a regular circuit of visits to their five children and their families. Patty Merrifield kept an active travel schedule in 2025, with two trips to visit family in Sweden between gardening in her Wisconsin summer home and prepping her house in Las Vegas for sale.

From a fond but vicarious distance, we may share in celebrating the recent wedding of Will Reeve, son of our deceased but notable classmate, Christopher Reeve, a.k.a. Superman. Will married Amanda Dubin ’18, an event planner who majored in fashion design and management. Will has been an ABC News correspondent since 2018.

I keep busy here after retirement from teaching interior design for 33 years at Cazenovia College. The college closed in 2023, but local investors purchased most of the campus and are in the process of developing plans for re-use. I serve as a vestry member at our local Episcopal church, sing in the choir, and act as liaison for the buildings and grounds committee. I updated the church’s architectural drawings and can now offer a guided tour of all the mechanical and fire alarm system shutoffs. Not typical content for a Human Ecology grad, but who knew? I pursue the challenge of watercolor painting (assisted by YouTube videos) and enjoy trying to capture the moods of local Central New York scenery.

Please send us your news! ❖ Betsy Moore (email Betsy) | Perry Jacobs (email Perry) | Linda Meyers Geyer (email Linda) | Alumni Directory.

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1975

I hope you have safely gotten through this winter (for those of you who experienced the massive snowfall)! I am going through my mailbag and realize I have some very old news that I would like to share, and fully apologize to those who sent the items in long ago (but at least we finally do get to share it)!

In late 2024, Margrit Lichterfeld Thomas wrote from Waterville, ME, where she and husband Richard live. She volunteers at the school that she taught at, working with fourth and fifth graders, and is a climate change activist. In mid-2024, Barbara Woodford wrote from Portland, OR, where she lives with husband Tom Kelly. Back then she was retired from being an attorney at Liberty Mutual Insurance but volunteering for her County Elections Bureau. She said that the years in Ithaca were fabulous and made her more willing to go out into the world and engage.

I found more recent information on Margrit by going to BrightCrowd (our class memory book!). She wrote, “We did a lot of sailboat racing, including the Victoria, British Columbia, to Maui race, Oregon offshore races (from the mouth of the Columbia River to Victoria), Swiftsure races, Van Isle races (circumnavigating Vancouver Island), and many local races. Recently, we purchased a real house, on land, with our youngest son and daughter-in-law (and two beloved grandchildren).”

Also mid-’24 (I am sooo sorry for the delay!), Stephen Pearlman wrote from Greenville, DE, where he lives with wife Ellen. His interests were bike riding, saxophone playing, and improving patient safety. He was the clinical effectiveness officer for ChristianaCare and was the 2024 recipient of the Avroy Fanaroff Neonatal Education Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Another note from mid-2024! Neal and Suzanne Heller Haber live in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, and were both still working at the time—Sue at the Pleasantville, NY, library (where I ran into her while visiting and walking the town, but that’s a story for another time!) and Neal as a private practice attorney. They are both active volunteers. Sue has been chair of the Pride Committee at Congregation Sons of Israel and the Synagogue Board of Trustees since 2020. Neal has decades of service on the Croton-Harmon school board and joined the Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES board and plays on his softball team in the Central Park Lawyers Softball League.

In 2023, the Habers celebrated their 40th anniversary by traveling to Sedona, enjoying a rare vacation with their children and spouses. To celebrate their 70th birthdays, they joined a Cornell alumni expedition to Antarctica with professors Warren Allmon and Holger Klinck. “It was a once-in-a lifetime adventure that we will always treasure!” Also in 2023 they celebrated the marriage of younger son Gregory ’12 and Claire Leyden. Many Cornellians were in attendance, including Gregory’s brother, Alex ’08, who officiated at the wedding.

The woods, lakes, and gorges of the Ithaca area were as much a part of my education as life on campus.

Greacian Goeke ’75

Greacian Goeke shared that she contributed a collaborative chapter to a book published by the International Orff-Schulwerk Forum, The Role of Movement and Dance in Orff-Schulwerk, which focuses on movement and dance education with older and elder adults and intergenerational groups. She added, “I longed to live in a more rugged and hilly landscape, coming from the flatlands of New Jersey. The woods, lakes, and gorges of the Ithaca area were as much a part of my education as life on campus. After graduating I met the founder of the Robison New York State Herb Garden (at the Cornell Botanic Gardens) and my life as a writer turned toward botany and the natural world. Later I became a photographer, to accompany my Grapevine articles with images.” In 2008, Greacian founded an elder dance ensemble, Impromptu No Tutu, based at Albany Senior Center, to show the world what dance in later life can be.

Nadine Salley, MS ’79, wrote from South Kingstown, RI, where she lives with husband George Helwig. After retiring, Nadine created and incorporated a chapter of the nonprofit organization Zonta International, whose mission is to build a better world for women and girls through service and advocacy. Nadine was a member for 34 years and created and became president for the first-ever chapter in Rhode Island. The organization has chapters in 62 countries.

Michael Rosepiler, ME ’76, wrote from Charlotte, NC, where he lives with wife Peggy Chin. In 2024 they returned from a 34-day cruise in the Mediterranean. “It was a wonderful experience touring the historic cities such as Pisa (Italy), Mdina (Malta), and Dubrovnik (Croatia).” Richard Levitan wrote from Chestnut Hill, MA, where he lives with wife Susan Edgman-Levitan. In 2024, he was still actively consulting in the energy-management space, including on offshore wind, solar, nuclear, and grid-reliability challenges. He spent lots of time on Cape Cod and enjoying family life in Boston, as well as in NYC, hanging out with his young granddaughter! (I ran into Richard at our 50th Reunion, and we reminisced about our fathers, Jerry Levitan ’44, BA ’47, MBA ’48, and Maurice Gellman ’44, MBA ’48, who were both in the first graduating class of the Cornell Business School!)

Again, many apologies about dated news. I recommend going to BrightCrowd and our Facebook page—maybe you will get the urge to share news and pictures about you, your trips/visits with classmates, and how life in our 70s has changed and been enriched. (BrightCrowd will be available for submissions/edits until June 30!) And please continue to send us highlights of your life and we will share the news in our upcoming columns (I promise!). ❖ Deb Gellman, MBA ’82 (email Deb) | Karen DeMarco Boroff (email Karen) | Mike Tannenbaum (email Mike) | Joan Pease (email Joan) | Alumni Directory.

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1976

We have a super creative and hardworking team getting ready for our 50th Reunion, June 4–7. It’s going to be a humdinger—you won’t want to miss it! We’ll be headquartered at Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall (with AC!), eating specialties from the Hot Truck on Thursday. We’ll have the Straight all to ourselves for a Saturday lunch to celebrate the buildings 100 years, and we’ll have a chance to try the award-winning Toni Morrison Dining on Saturday night. Add to that a panel discussion by illustrious classmates, music, dancing, the gorgeous campus, and lots of old friends—the best!

All the details can be found here. You can keep up with Reunion plans, share some memories, and find old pals in our new Facebook private group, Cornell Class of 1976. We also have an Instagram account by the same name. And do go to BrightCrowd; your email address admits you to a private group where you can look up classmates from the full directory, catch up on what they’ve been doing all this time, and share your own contact information, photos, and memories. It’s been great fun to hear from friends from years ago!

In classmate news, Philip Loud writes from Michigan, “I am a retired civil engineer working with various community-focused organizations including Leelanau Energy (clean energy advocates), Northport Lions Club (serving our community by raising funds for vision-related issues and those in need), and New Community Vision (developing a land trust property for affordable housing).” What great work!

When Bill Hanavan ’76 retired, trees became his full-time passion. He joined a charitable organization, planting hundreds of trees a year, free to the recipients.

I have news that’s not so happy. My husband, Bill Hanavan, was diagnosed in March 2025 with a brain tumor and died in September. After Cornell, he worked in a microbiology lab at New York Hospital, then went to medical school at SUNY Buffalo. He did his residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Case Western in Cleveland and went into practice in Kalamazoo, MI. Early during our time in Michigan, he started planting trees—first in an old pasture on our property, then for anyone who would have them. I knew if he came home late from work, he wasn’t at a bar—he was looking for bargains at a nursery. When he retired at the end of 2017, trees became his full-time passion. We moved back to Cleveland, and he joined a small group of people who were planting trees. Before long they became a full-fledged charitable organization, Heights Tree People, planting hundreds of trees a year, free to the recipients.

We have two daughters: Louise, who lives in Nova Scotia with husband Silas and daughter Hilda; and Emily, who lives here in Cleveland with husband Alex and children Theo and Bea. Bill adored them all and had them out there planting with him. Over the summer while Bill was sick, dear friends came to visit, including Janet Cogswell ’75 and Mark Weinfeld, who was Bill’s three-year Cornell roommate and had also been a high school pal from Buffalo; we also reconnected via Zoom with Barry Goldstein and Susan Wiegers ’77, and Tom Turco, MS ’81, and Susan Itzkowitz ’77. I met Bill during our senior year at Cornell, when we lived in different apartments in the same terrible Collegetown house. As a result, Bill and I didn’t share a lot of memories when we went to Reunions, just the laughs and fun that always surrounded him.

If I learned one thing last year, it was how important old friends really are. I can’t wait to see you all at our Reunion! And do keep all your news coming our way. ❖ Pat Relf Hanavan (email Pat) | Lisa Diamant (email Lisa) | Alumni Directory.

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1977

Lots of news to share! Brian Dunn, MBA ’81, lives in Hampton Bays, NY, with his wife, Kathy. Brian reports that when his wife asked him what he wanted to do for his 70th birthday he responded that he wanted to have a party to celebrate the most influential people in his life. What he realized when putting together the invitation list is that a significant number of them were Cornellians, including his younger brother, Alan Dunn ’80, and Phi Delta Theta fraternity brothers Doug Young ’78 and Rick Zimmerman ’78, plus Rick’s wife, Kathy Kelly Zimmerman ’78. There was also a large contingent of his MBA classmates, including Bill Reynolds, MBA ’81, Steve ’79, MBA ’81, and Shauna Ryan King, MBA ’81, Tom Storey, MBA ’81, Bill Bettencourt, MBA ’81, Barb Pacl Bjornson, MBA ’81, Keith Lewis, MBA ’81, and Jon, MBA ’81, and Susan Bleckman Beyman ’80.

There were also colleagues from ILR, including Diane Burton and Ray Everett. Many more Cornellians were invited but could not make it. Needless to say, Cornell has had a profound effect on his life and he has been blessed with many lifelong friends from his four years as an undergraduate, two years as a graduate student, and ten years teaching in Ithaca. I believe many of your classmates have had the same experience, Brian.

Jeff Earickson, MS ’80 (Waterville, ME) and his spouse, Amy, celebrated his 70th birthday last August by flying off to Schiphol Airport to catch the MS Rotterdam for a two-week cruise in the fjords of Norway. He and Amy saw a lot of Norway by water, crossed the North Sea four times, and spent a day in Amsterdam to boot. “Norway is pristine, neat, and clean (and expensive), with zero potholes in their roads, and the fjords should be on anybody’s bucket list.” Jeff shares that it’s amazing that a huge ship can sail right to the end of the fjord and pull up to a little dock, and he adds that what they saw of interior Norway was the most spectacular.

Bill Grant lives with his wife, Cindy, in Ponte Vedra, FL. He and Cindy will be moving to Oahu, aptly named the “gathering place,” to be closer to daughters Katrina and Krista and their eight children. Son Daniel ’10 and family just left Oahu to move back to Quantico, VA, where Daniel will soon pin on Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. “We just welcomed grandchild number 12 (and grandson number six), Kai Xin, into our Ohana. Xin is a family name from daughter-in-law Kelly’s family that means ‘calm before dawn.’ Kai is much loved, particularly by his amazing big sister, Luna, and is a gorgeous baby!”

Coaching youth basketball has been a source of joy for Bill. He first began coaching in 1978 at the Briarwood Recreation Center in suburban Atlanta with fellow Hotelies Edgar Garin ’76 and Mike Busman ’76. His current team is the Landrum Middle School in Ponte Vedra, and they are having fun and working hard to repeat as league champions.

Bill maintains real estate licenses in Florida and Hawaii. He and Cindy run a small management company for their humble residential real estate business in Nocatee, FL. He and Cindy enjoy cruising and were “gobsmacked” by Holland America’s 51-day cruise through the South Pacific and French Polynesia as well as their 28-day cruise through Norway, Iceland, and Greenland.

Bill Grant ’77 and wife Cindy were ‘gobsmacked’ by Holland America’s 51-day cruise through the South Pacific and French Polynesia.

Bill says that Cornell absolutely changed the trajectory of his life. He was the first in his family to attend and graduate from a four-year college. The business education he received from the Hotel School (and in part from the Dyson School and CALS) prepared him for productive careers in hotel accounting and finance, hospitality technology sales, and real estate. Today he is very grateful for the opportunity, education, and tools given to him by Cornell so that he is able to build a legacy for his family while continuing to do good deeds in his community.

Henry Morgenbesser reports that he retired at the end of December 2025 from Katzke, Miller & Morgenbesser LLP, an executive compensation-focused boutique law firm based in Manhattan that he co-founded in 2013 after taking early retirement as a partner with Allen & Overy. Perhaps the most interesting matter during his tenure involved their representation of an executive committee of the NFL owners in negotiating Commissioner Roger Goodell’s 2017 employment contract renewal. Henry and his wife, Karen, currently split their time between homes in Greenwich, CT, and Edgartown, MA. During his two-year self-imposed downsizing of work heading into retirement, they traveled to Egypt (while there during the Hamas attack on Israel, they canceled a scheduled Jordan visit and instead rerouted to safer ground in Tuscany), Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Sicily, and Morocco.

Henry and Karen spent February in Dubai and Sri Lanka before a return trip to Morocco and to Paris in April. Their rescue dog, obtained last April, is shell-shocked by their extended travel absences! Their two daughters live in Manhattan and their son recently fled Manhattan after a one-year stint and has just returned to Boulder. Henry remains in constant contact with his Phi Psi network. Approximately 70–80 fraternity brothers, plus spouses, of the classes of the ’70s and early ’80s meet every three years (this started in 1980 with five-year intervals) on April 1 in different locations, most recently in Nashville.

And last but certainly not least, Mike Nolan reports that he was graced with his fifth grandchild, Lucy Alexandra, who arrived the first week in November 2025. His wife, Alex, arranged a small surprise combination 70th birthday/holiday party, and they were fortunate to have longtime friend and fraternity brother Chuck Samul and his wife, Pamela, in attendance. Mike is just back from a 10-day trip to the Galápagos and reports that it was astounding! Add it to your bucket list, he says. During travels to and from, he enjoyed a couple of books, including Drew Nieporent’s I’m Not Trying To Be Difficult, which he says is a fun read.

Work continues to be very rewarding, exciting, and stimulating. Outside family and work, he is attempting to comprehend AI’s impact on our lives and those of our children and grandchildren. He wishes us all luck—which, indeed, we will need. AI’s impact is profound in healthcare.

Please keep all your news and views coming in via the online news form! ❖ Howie Eisen (email Howie) | Mary Flynn (email Mary) | Alumni Directory.

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1978

A great crowd gathered at Midway, FL, for our 50th Reunion Spring Training event the weekend of February 20. Some had difficulty getting home due to the nor’easter, but no matter. Thanks to Lori Wasserman Karbel for compiling some of these updates. I wasn’t able to attend due to work obligations and my fear of being stranded in O’Hare Airport on the way home. (Maybe next year we can do this in Arizona so more Left Coasters can attend.)

In addition to Lori, two other South Bakerites were in attendance. Kurt Erlenbach is a general magistrate for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida, with a courtroom in Titusville, a position he has held for 10 years. When out of court, he spends time with his four grandchildren and supporting his wife, Susan, in her second career as a florist. Chuck Hasbrouck lives on a horse farm in Virginia that he and wife Dianne share with their daughter Katrina, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Chuck and Dianne have three other grandchildren. Lori and husband Frank ’76 divide their time between Rochester, NY, and Las Vegas. They travel and spend time with their two grandchildren in Florida. Lori volunteers in her communities and mentors food truck owners for the Service Corps of Retired Executives.

Florida residents (full or part-time) were well represented. Eric Kates, DVM ’81, and wife Shari Watchman-Kates ’79 divide their time between New Jersey and Parkland, FL. The latter is closer to their three children and one grandchild. Dave Millman, who retired just before our 45th Reunion, recently moved to Boynton Beach. Melinda Dower splits her time between the Princeton area and Dunedin, FL. Stephen Southwick and spouse Rebecca live near Pensacola.

Angela DeSilva sent me the details of her trip to the Spring Training event. She writes, “My trip to the Florida weekend started with a trip to NYC to see the New York City Ballet perform The Sleeping Beauty. My flight from NYC to Tampa was delayed two hours, so I missed the happy hour reception on Friday night. I caught up with Mary Bowler and her husband, Ken, at breakfast on Saturday morning. My sister, Donna DeSilva ’82, and I made our way to TD Ballpark for the Phillies vs. Blue Jays game.”

Angela continues, “Unfortunately, my sister had a medical emergency at the game and Mary and Pat Riley were kind enough to come to the hospital with me as moral support. Fortunately, my sister was treated at the ER and released to rest. Saturday evening we had dinner at Doc Ford’s with Mary and husband Ken, John, JD ’73, and Beth Cooper Kubinec, Eric Kates, DVM ’81, and Shari Watchman-Kates ’79. The food was good and our outdoor table was near the water. At Sunday’s game at Steinbrenner Field it was great fun watching the Mets win over the Yankees. I was supposed to return to NYC on Monday for more ballet, but the flight got canceled due to the snowstorm, so I re-routed myself and returned to Houston on Tuesday afternoon while Donna returned to her home in D.C.”

Two friends and I started Compass Precision in 2019; it makes high-precision metal components used primarily in aerospace, defense, and space markets. One of our parts was used to explore Mars.

Gary Holcomb ’78

Jim Megna lives in Boston and shares his knowledge at Raytheon. He spends time with wife Kathy Moscillo and visits his grandchildren in Boston and San Francisco. Suzanne Bishop Romain lives in Maine. She loves summertime visitors, goes to Massachusetts for “Nana time,” and travels to Montana to visit her fourth grandchild.

Jeanne Arnold Schwetje just appeared in A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin at the North Fork Community Theatre. She is presently taking tap dance and an acting class, and doing costumes for upcoming shows 1776 and Anything Goes. She sang with a funk band and a rock band over the past year, but opted out of that to do more theater. Jeanne has also joined the North Fork Polar Bears club. She finds a plunge into icy water awesome! She does volunteer work for a few charities on the North Fork of Long Island, where two feet of snow fell during the blizzard.

Some classmates still make regular trips to Ithaca for good works. Mark Rust returned to Ithaca in December for his annual holiday benefit concert where he, along with John Simon, Dee Specker, and Russell Posegate, raised about $3,000 for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

David Smith writes, “After a long career in R&D, mostly in the food industry for Fortune 100 companies (Campbell’s, Pepperidge Farm, Nabisco, Frito-Lay, etc.), I retired about six years ago. I’m thoroughly enjoying life in Philly (except the sports teams successes!), and I’m seeing our grandkids a lot and working hard to get them ready for Cornell, despite being 9, 6, and 3 years old. We are traveling as much as we can—spending a lot of time in Snowmass, CO, and Margate, NJ. Getting to some trips of a lifetime as well, visiting the Galápagos, Machu Picchu, and lots of European cities, plus great sites and events like Wimbledon. I’m engaged with Cornell, getting up to Ithaca a couple of times a year, and serving on the CALS Advisory Council.”

Lastly, Gary Holcomb sends this update: “Professionally, I have transitioned from president and CEO of Charlotte, NC-based Compass Precision to its chairman. Two friends and I started the company in 2019. We now have about 250 employees and 10 manufacturing facilities spread around the country. Compass makes high-precision metal components used primarily in aerospace, defense, and space markets. One of our parts was used to explore Mars. We are expecting to have more on the Moon and Mars in the coming years. How cool is that?”

Since this column will hit your inbox in May, enjoy the spring and don’t forget our 50th Reunion in 2028. Stay well! ❖ Cindy Fuller, PhD ’92 (email Cindy) | Ilene Shub Lefland (email Ilene) | Alumni Directory.

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1979

Pete Pfitzinger, MBA ’82, was recently featured in a Cornellians “Ask the Expert” post titled “Want to Start Running in 2026? A Big Red Olympian Has Tips!” According to the story, “At the 1984 and 1988 Olympic marathons, the top American finisher was an athlete who’d previously run for the Big Red. An alum of the cross country and track teams who was a three-time Ivy champion, Pete Pfitzinger ’79, MBA ’82, went on to an impressive running career.

“As a marathoner, he came in first at the 1984 U.S. Olympic trials, twice won the San Francisco race—boasting a personal best time of 2:11:43—and placed third in NYC in 1987. In 1984, Track & Field News ranked Pfitzinger the top American marathoner. He went back to school to earn a master’s in exercise physiology from UMass in his late 30s, and for a decade wrote a column on training for Running Times.

“In July 2025, the fitness publisher Human Kinetics released the fourth edition of Pfitzinger’s coauthored book, Advanced Marathoning. Zooming with him at his home in New Zealand, Cornellians tapped the CALS grad for advice for fellow alums who want to tackle the 26.2-mile race—or may just be thinking about getting off the couch in the new year.” You can read the full story here! ❖ Cynthia Ahlgren Shea (email Cynthia) | Larry Bunis (email Larry) | Linda Moses (email Linda) | Alumni Directory.

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1980s

1980

Roberta Walter Goodman reports from her home in Nashville that she and her husband, Lenn, recently returned from a long-overdue trip to Israel, where they enjoyed time with family and friends. Lenn spoke at Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan, and they spent a difficult but important and meaningful day visiting the Gaza envelope. They also took a lovely river cruise through the Netherlands in spring 2025. Their family continues to grow with the addition of a third great-grandchild, an adorable little girl. Roberta continues to enjoy her horses, and her homebred mare won the regional dressage championship in her division.

While at Cornell, Jay Taylor and a group of other residents of the Living Learning Center in Clara Dickson Hall started a DJ business that provided music for many Dickson and North Campus dances under the banner of Soundcrew. Last September, Jay and his wife, Susan, hosted a Soundcrew reunion at their camp in the Adirondacks. Joining them were Beth Lane, Marty Muggleton, Scott Haworth ’81 and wife Sandra, and Tom Schubert ’81, with Jon Gilman, now living in Sweden, checking in via Zoom.

The group enjoyed long hikes—covering several miles, despite what Jay referred to as “their advancing age”—and was treated to a rare display of northern lights under the dark Adirondack skies. Much of the long weekend was spent catching up on life and reminiscing about time at Cornell. Jay had hosted similar Soundcrew reunions at his Adirondack camp until 1995, at which point life started to get in the way (e.g., children, school schedules, etc.), making this their first in-person reunion in 30 years.

The group of friends was treated to a rare display of northern lights under the dark Adirondack skies.

Chas Horvath ’80, ME ’81

After a few years of “snowbirding,” Jim Dake and his wife, Diana, relocated to Wilmington, NC, Jim’s second rodeo in eastern North Carolina. Two of their four adult children, and their grandchildren, are there as well. They love the shore, the lifestyle, and the weather. Jim looks forward to hearing from any classmates in the area or boating through on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Chas Horvath, ME ’81, and his wife, Mary, continue to enjoy living in the 1850s vintage house they have been restoring in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. Aside from being a five-minute walk from a subway stop, Chas and Mary are also walking distance from the 500-acre Franklin Park and 300-acre Arnold Arboretum. After a several-year hiatus, there has again finally been enough snow this winter for Chas and Mary to take advantage of the great cross-country skiing both greenspaces have to offer.

Chas has not run into any Class of ’80 folks since Reunion but spent time with Cornellians from other classes including at a yearly party he and his wife host each January for New England-based alumni of his fraternity. Attendees this year included Paul Barresi ’84, Paul Bauer ’84, Bill Bosak ’89, Moshe Cohen ’83, Mike Dowd ’83, Mike Mathewson ’88, Dave ’83 and Marnie Olt Mertz ’85, John Peterson ’83, Bruce Rubenstein ’83, and Kevin Vanginderen ’83.

Please share any Class of ’80 news you have with your class correspondents. ❖ Chas Horvath, ME ’81 (email Chas) | David Durfee (email David) | Karen Vecchio DeFusco (email Karen) | Dik Saalfeld (email Dik) | Alumni Directory.

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1981

Spring is in full bloom here in Delray Beach, and I’m sending a little Florida sunshine to all of you. As lovely as this time of year is in Florida, there’s another place calling our names: Ithaca.

First things first: Reunion! Before you read another word, grab your calendar and circle June 4–7, 2026 in red. Our 45th Reunion is happening, whether we’re ready or not!

Reunion weekend will be filled with outstanding university programming, but just as important, there will be plenty of time to savor Ithaca at one of its most beautiful moments of the year. Our class headquarters will be in the lovely Alice Cook House, where we’ll reconnect, reminisce, laugh, and undoubtedly meet classmates we didn’t know nearly well enough back in the day.

If you’re thinking about coming (and you should be!), reach out to Laura Dake Roche, our affinity chair. She can help wrangle your old crew—whether that’s a dorm group, club, team, major, or Greek house—and may even be able to provide contact lists to get the ball rolling. Now is the perfect time to nudge your Cornell besties. What are we waiting for? Let’s meet at our 45th!

Laura and her husband, John, recently returned from Steamboat Springs, CO, after a mini-reunion with Sigma Pi brothers, including classmate Brad Crooke and friends from ’80–83. Snow or not, the skiing was a success. Laura also caught up with her Balch Hall roommate, Grace Jenkins, for an afternoon that included a reprise of their favorite procrastination strategy—backgammon. (Grace still claims victory!)

Highlights of Reunion weekend: By now you should have received Reunion information in the mail, but here’s a preview of what’s in store. Thursday: We gather at Alice Cook House to kick things off. Throughout the weekend: Enjoy breakfast in Alice Cook’s beautiful dining room, just like today’s students. Friday morning: NPR journalist David Boraks will host our class panel, “What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up? Second Acts and New Adventures.” Expect wisdom, humor, and perhaps a few surprises as we explore this next chapter.

Friday midday: a limited-number Class of ’81 biking tour around Ithaca for the adventurous. Friday evening: dinner at Duffield Hall and on the terrace, followed by tent parties on the Arts Quad. Saturday: ample free time to explore campus or attend university programs. Saturday evening: we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Willard Straight Hall with a reception on the Terrace and dinner in the Memorial Room. Cornell architectural historian and classmate Roberta Moudry, PhD ’95, will share stories and history of the Straight. Dinner will be inspired by the cross-country gourmet meals that debuted our freshman year—and yes, we’ll cap it off with a nostalgic Straight Break treat back at headquarters. Sunday morning: a farewell breakfast, our class meeting, and a serenade from one of Cornell’s a cappella groups before we say our goodbyes (for now).

Be sure to register by May 15 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. Come for the whole weekend or just a day—whatever works. Just come!

Eric Sargent ’81 is—by his own admission—occasionally blowing up his ancient Fender amplifiers.

Now, on to some classmate news. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Sue Levitt in New York City this winter and am hoping she’ll join us in June. I also met Janet Ellison Pearsall at the iconic Empire Diner—she’s definitely planning to attend!

On the home front, I continue fundraising for Hadassah Hospital in Israel, work that makes me immensely proud. I’m also incredibly honored to have been nominated to join the Cornell University Council—a meaningful opportunity to serve our alma mater.

At the same time, I’m stepping into a new role as associate director of development at Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. This feels like a true full-circle moment. Both opportunities represent leadership, service, and giving back to institutions that shape communities and create real impact. I’m deeply grateful for the belief in me and excited for what’s ahead.

My daughter, Ella, is a sophomore at the University of Florida working with donors for the baseball team—proof that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. My son, Brayden, is a junior at Dreyfoos School of the Arts and gearing up for college applications this fall. Who knows—perhaps Big Red is in his future?

After 34 years in otology and neurotology, Eric Sargent (MD University of Michigan ’86, residency at Washington University in St. Louis ’92, fellowship at Michigan Ear Institute ’93) is stepping away from active medical practice, though he’ll continue teaching the diagnosis and treatment of ear disease. Having missed our last in-person Reunion due to COVID, he’s looking forward to reconnecting with his Cornell rowing crewmates now that his schedule is more flexible.

Eric has also been channeling his creative side—writing jazz songs (“My Secret Joy,” “Where Were We?,” “Anachronismo”) and playing guitar in jazz, rock, and bossa nova groups, including Fernwood Underground, Identity Crisis, and Identidade. He’s traveling to Greece, attending the Big Ears music festival in Knoxville, TN, volunteering, reading, and—by his own admission—occasionally blowing up his ancient Fender amplifiers. His son, William, is pursuing graduate studies in math and statistics while working at Lighthouse of Oakland County.

Scott Sanford, ME ’84, shares that after 27 years in Wisconsin, he moved back east to Western Pennsylvania to bunk with Carol Butler ’80. They first met at a summer job in 1979 during their Cornell years, dated briefly, and then lost touch as careers took over. Some 40 years later, they reconnected through Mary Lee Petrie Wrege. Shortly after reconnecting, Scott joined Carol on a service trip to Zimbabwe. Five years—and many miles between Wisconsin and Pennsylvania—later, they bought a home together near Prospect, PA.

Scott retired in late 2020 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison after 20 years in outreach and extension work helping farmers save energy and conducting specialty crops research. Prior to that, he spent 17 years in the dairy equipment business. Both of his children followed him into engineering: his son, Joseph, is an assistant professor at University of Wisconsin, Platteville, and his daughter, Jennifer, is a food engineer in Denver.

Scott and Carol love to travel and recently returned from a work-and-pleasure trip to Alaska, where he presented programs for the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He also serves as agricultural development leader for the Nyadire Connection, supporting a United Methodist mission in Zimbabwe with the goal of long-term self-sufficiency. He’s been back four times—30 hours of travel each way! Closer to home, he enjoys time with his two grandsons, gardening, making maple syrup, renovating his house, and occasionally brewing beer and wine. He hopes his Alpha Zeta brothers will join us in June and would love to hear what everyone has accomplished in the last 45 years. How fast the time has gone.

Barbara Shaffer, writing from Virginia, reports that November’s highlight was celebrating the first birthday of her grandson, Owen Miles. Owen’s grandfather, Roy Apseloff ’80, shares in the family’s joy—a wonderful blessing indeed.

That’s all for now—but I would truly love to hear from you. Please send your updates, milestones, adventures, and reflections. See you in Ithaca in June! Warmly: ❖ Betsy Silverfine (email Betsy) | Alumni Directory.

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1982

As I write this, both the women’s and men’s ice hockey teams are gearing up for the ECAC tournament. By the time you read this column, we will know how it went! Don’t forget that our 45th Reunion is scheduled for June 10–13, 2027.

We heard from Nathaniel “Chip” Myers, DVM ’87, who resides in Pittsburgh, PA, with his wife, Dana Kellerman ’85, DVM ’90. Chip says, “I’ve reached a milestone. Like many/most of our class I have just turned in my paperwork for Medicare and can stop my private health insurance (just as rates will spike upward).” As to retirement, he notes, “With my son in his sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, we look forward to working for at least three more years.”

Some of Chip’s favorite memories are friends (classmates and fraternity brothers) from his eight-plus years on the Hill; Concert Commission with “classic” Cornell shows, including the Dead, Springsteen, Heart, and the Police; and movies at all of the venues (on campus, at the mall, and at the State Theatre). He also fondly remembers his first date with Dana at Zorba’s on West State Street.

I recently noticed when perusing the online archives of Cornellians that the Johnny’s Big Red Grill sign is now restored and on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. And in the comments section I saw that Mike Wapner noted, “Photographs I took that include the Johnny’s sign appear in the Class of 1982 yearbook. Why? I was the Sun photographer assigned to cover the protest of topless dancers performing inside Johnny’s that year as part of a rent dispute. (No, I did not take pictures inside.)”

From our Facebook page, Barbara Jeffery Danzi announced that she is a cofounder of a new art gallery in New York City, the Textile Art Gallery NYC, that focuses on textile and fiber art. She exhibited her quilt, Geometric Junction, at the “Surface Tension” inaugural exhibit in March. From our class Memory Book, I learned that Barbara was a chemical engineering major who lived in Baker Tower her first year and is a member of Alpha Phi. She lives in Los Angeles, CA, and does cybersecurity work for Accenture. She is also an artist who makes large-scale improvisational abstract quilts for the wall that are influenced by her engineering background.

Please send us your news. It is always so interesting to hear what we are all doing as we contemplate current and new careers, retirement, Medicare, travel, hobbies (with all that retirement free time), and all things Cornell! ❖ Mark Fernau (email Mark) | Nina Kondo (email Nina) | Doug Skalka (email Doug) | Alumni Directory.

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1983

One of the most rewarding activities of the Class of 1983 is funding an annual scholarship to help a worthy student better handle the financial pressure of a Cornell education and concentrate on their academic and extracurricular pursuits. For the current academic year, our class scholarship went to senior Aidan Mulvey ’26, the son of classmate Catherine Mulvey, MBA ’87. Please read his thoughtful letter thanking our class and sharing how he is spending his time on the Hill; it’s posted on our class website. We’re very proud of Aidan and wish him the very best!

Class secretary Mark Rhodes and Kim Osborn Rhodes were pleased to host class president Nancy Gilroy-Smith and new husband Gordon in Phoenix in mid-March. Despite unusual 100°+ temps, they took in an awesome air show at Luke Air Force Base featuring both the Navy Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds, attended a baseball spring training game, enjoyed an evening lakeside music festival, and met up with their pickleball and trivia team friends. They look forward to catching up again this summer at the Wildwood, NJ, Barefoot Country Music Fest and other Cornell class events.

Great to hear from Kathleen Tobin Erb, JD ’86, who also writes from Arizona, where she lives in Scottsdale. “After 18 years with CVS Health, I retired from my role as vice president, legal health services, in November 2025.”

Jeff Shampnois sends news from Burdett, NY, where he lives with spouse Margarita Ditmars. Jeff would love to re-connect with his old Cornell friends, and wants them to know that he is still grinding away at some of the old late-night topics they batted around back in the day in Sperry Hall. Jeff’s essay “Time and Timelessness” appeared in the May 2025 issue of Pari Perspectives. Many of Jeff’s essays can be found on his website.

Big congratulations to Susan Wasserman Guerin on her wonderful announcements: “I am happy to say that I was married in October 2025 to Terry Harrison—we celebrated our wedding in Ithaca—and my new name is Susan Harrison. We are splitting our time between Boca Raton, FL, in the winter and Cornwall and London, England, in the summer. We also have some fun upcoming travel planned, to France, Norway, and Italy—a few trips!” Susan adds more exciting news, “We are going to have a granddaughter in June, so that is also booking up summer!”

A sea of red welcomed visitors to Ingalls Rink at Yale University on January 30, when the Cornell Big Red took on the Yale Bulldogs men’s hockey team. Tony and Barbara Giobbi and Ellen Bobka and Jim Travis cheered on the team along with favorite tunes from the Big Red Pep Band. The final score was Cornell 5, Yale 2. Before the game, the group enjoyed Modern’s famous pizza in New Haven, the pizza capital of the U.S. Thank you to Ellen who organized the gathering as part of Class of 1983 outreach, including her contacting many Connecticut-based classmates. “Hope you can make the game next season!”

A sea of red welcomed visitors to Ingalls Rink at Yale University on January 30, when the Cornell Big Red took on the Yale Bulldogs men’s hockey team.

Stewart Glickman ’83

Kudos to Nancy Gilroy-Smith for organizing our Class of ’83 block at the Cornell-Princeton men’s hockey game on February 21. Alumni support helps make every Big Red away contest feel like a home game, so come on out!

Cornell ’83’s quarterly TechChat series continues under the leadership of class VP Yonn Rasmussen, PhD ’89, who recaps the first TechChat of 2026 from February 5: “We watched the full TED Talk ‘The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers’ by Adam Grant. We had a lively discussion on a wide range of topics related to the theme of AI and humanity—from what makes us uniquely human to the accelerating pace of AI adoption in our society today.

“We shared our experiences in professions such as teaching, healthcare, and technology startups, and explored how—and how quickly—AI is being adopted across many different fields. We also discussed the pros and cons of AI adoption in our society, along with its impact on our daily lives. In addition, we considered how our future may change depending on the pace and direction of AI adoption.

“Our next TechChat will take place on May 7, 2026, from 7–8 p.m. ET. We will watch together ‘Why AI Is Our Ultimate Test and Greatest Invitation’ by Tristan Harris (a TED Talk from April 2025), then open up to discussion. Please join us as we continue this important conversation on AI and humanity!”

Class VP Lynn Leopold and Sylvia Han organized a super interesting event to commemorate Earth Day 2026: a virtual lecture on April 22 called “Contemporary Art Photography of the Anthropocene,” featuring the exciting, beautiful, and troubling work of documentary-style contemporary photographers who have focused their practice on the impact that humans have had on our global landscape.

Lynn and Sylvia say, “Our point of departure was the 1975–76 watershed exhibition, ‘New Topographics: Photographs of a Man-Altered Landscape.’ In contrast to the spectacular and pristine landscapes that Ansel Adams captured while exploring America’s national parks in the 1920s to the ’40s, this groundbreaking exhibition captured the tension between natural scenery and the mundane structures of post-war America: parking lots, suburban homes, and crumbling coal mines. It was the beginning of a new type of photography that would document the Anthropocene, the new geological epoch defined by the significant and dominant impact of human impact on our planet.”

Please keep on sending news. Connect on our Class of ’83 website, and help by paying class dues. ❖ Stewart Glickman (email Stewart) | Alyssa Bickler (email Alyssa) | Nancy Korn Freeman (email Nancy) | Jon Felice (email Jon) | Alumni Directory.

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1984

Greetings, classmates! We have news to report but are always on the lookout for more, so please keep the updates coming, and don’t be shy!

I saw many Cornellians at the Cornell vs. Boston University hockey game at Madison Square Garden on November 29, 2025, and if you haven’t attended one of these, I highly recommend it! To maximize your fun, I recommend sitting with the Class of 1984 section. I went with Matt Siegal and his wife, Laura Weiner Siegal ’85, and wealso ran into Mark Katz ’86, who said next year he’ll sit with the Class of ’84 group because we’re so much fun. I hope to see you there!

Meanwhile, Ed Rekosh reports that he’s been spending a lot of time lately in Indonesia, working on a project relating to the adverse human rights impacts of nickel mining—a cumulative total of three months last year, including some nice breaks in Bali, making for a pretty nice work/life balance.

We have news from Kathy Witkowsky, who had a chance to reconnect with Dan Geller ’82 when his documentary film, Everywhere Man: The Lives and Times of Peter Asher, which he produced and directed with his wife and collaborator, Dayna Goldfine, screened at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Kathy’s hometown of Missoula, MT, in mid-February. Kathy hadn’t seen Dan since they worked together at WVBR—Dan as general manager, Kathy as jock and then reporter. Kathy adds that it was “super fun to compare notes on our respective storytelling careers. And I highly recommend the film!”

Kathy also had the pleasure last summer of hosting classmate Brigitte Siefringer Gouchoe, and her husband, Dave, and their kids, Jennifer, Stephanie, and Rudy, who were vacationing in Montana, at Kathy’s family cabin on Flathead Lake. Brigitte was Kathy’s beloved news director at WVBR, and she reports they “had a great time reminiscing.”

Laurie Sheffield shares that, six years into her transition from English teacher to artist and art teacher, she’s found a community of printmakers at an artists’ studio building not far from her home in Cambridge, MA, and conducts monotype printmaking classes at a local art center. The print shop is in the building where Longfellow’s blacksmith hammered iron under the “spreading chestnut tree.” Her kids both live in Brooklyn, so she and husband Jonathan enjoy regular visits to New York, even getting as far as Staten Island with artist Diane Matyas ’83, MFA ’89, as guide. Laurie is spending some summer time in Maine and visits Provincetown year-round. A highlight of last year: Laurie and her mother, Allison Hopkins Sheffield ’56, accompanied Laurie’s dad, David Sheffield ’55, MRP ’61, to the Class of 1955’s 70th Reunion. She reports great views from the Statler, and many funny stories from the ’50s.

If you have any updates to share, please let us know! Your faithful class correspondents: ❖ Charles Oppenheim (email Charles) | Michael Held (email Michael) | Alumni Directory.

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1985

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago recently named Anne Evens a featured leader in its 2026 Women’s History Month exhibit!

The museum’s annual exhibit celebrates women whose work transforms their fields; this year, the focus is on “Women in Energy” and features women in a wide range of energy-related careers, from scientists and engineers to powerline technicians and data analysts.

Anne is the CEO of Elevate, which has helped create more than 2,350 jobs in the clean energy sector, invested more than $155 million back into communities through energy savings and incentives, and prevented over 576,000 metric tons of carbon emissions through cleaner, more efficient home performance solutions.

Under Anne’s leadership, Elevate has expanded its mission to ensure everyone has access to clean and affordable heat, cooling, power, and water. Elevate implements clean energy and water upgrades across affordable housing and nonprofits, supports the growth of clean energy businesses, and invests in workforce training to open pathways to long‑term careers.

“Clean energy touches every part of our lives,” Anne said. “We need it to support our homes, schools, and small businesses. Access to safe, affordable energy is essential, and it impacts the health and wealth of communities. Working in clean energy could mean improving grid reliability, advancing energy efficiency, or moving toward renewable resources. All of these efforts help make energy more affordable.” ❖ Class of 1985 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1986

How lovely it is to have so much news from the Class of ’86. And it is filled with tales of travels and trips taken and good works that others are engaged in. Please keep sending us your updates.

Margo Wootan unexpectedly joined the COVID retirement boom. As she shares, it was never her intention to leave her job as policy director at the food policy nonprofit the Center for Science in the Public Interest, where she had worked for more than 25 years. Margo loved what she did (and I always loved hearing her being interviewed on NPR). Her work was deeply fulfilling, and she was proud of the progress they made—helping remove junk food and soda from school vending machines, requiring trans-fat labeling, and posting calorie counts on chain restaurant menus.

Eventually, Margo found that she was not enjoying her work as she had. Her drive was diminishing, and she felt a growing desire to leave the work to the next generation. So Margo retired from her longtime position and launched a consulting practice. She has found working for herself quite satisfying and free of drama, and she says her life is now filled with contentment, peace, and joy. She is consulting about half her day and also fundraising for an organization that protects and supports the WIC program, which provides vital nutrition for moms and babies.

With the flexibility of semi-retirement, Margo has traveled and worked around the world. Her first post-work adventure was three months volunteering at a wildlife rescue center in Costa Rica—feeding monkeys, cleaning enclosures, and living in the jungle (“with air conditioning in my room, to be clear”). It was exactly what she craved after decades at a desk. Margo always had a passion for animals, and now has the time to pursue it, volunteering locally with surrendered cats and kittens. Many of her travels are to see animals in the wild or at sanctuaries. She has fed monkeys, gorillas, giraffes, rhinos, lions, and bears—and even slept next to a tiger, a lion, and a sloth bear (not all at once).

Travel planning has become a joy in itself, and Margo has visited all seven continents. She has visited Europe’s great cities, ventured down Australia’s Great Ocean Road, sailed the Nile, and braved the cold to come eye to eye with the Matterhorn. Margo closed her update with some great advice for the rest of us: “As a high-powered Cornellian who once thought she’d never retire, when that quiet voice whispers that it may be time for a new dream, pause—and listen.”

Also among the ranks of the retirees is Amy Sharp Hammerstedt, who spent 32 years teaching high schoolers. I am sure they learned a lot from Amy, who shared that even though she did not have an exemplary GPA, she always was able to learn from her own mistakes. That is an important lesson for young minds. Amy now has time to spend with her toddler grandson and her adult children. She is not resting on her laurels either; after a three-year break, Amy has returned to summer lifeguarding for the State of New Jersey.

Stacy Feuer has been very busy since graduation. She started her career as an international lawyer and then worked for the Federal Trade Commission in consumer protection. Now she runs a privacy certification company for toy and video game companies. Stacy and her husband, Michael Ostheimer, are also among the world travelers. She shared that they have been as far as Southern India and as near as Rockland, ME. For work, Stacy has traveled to Rome and Vilnius, Lithuania, and she will be taking her family to Japan in May. She is active with her local Cornell Club (D.C.) and enjoys her continued interaction with classmates like Henry and Nancy Kessler Platt, Brian and Miriam Aronson Schimmoller, and Emily Mathes Kuvin, JD ’95.

Margo Wootan ’86 has fed monkeys, gorillas, giraffes, rhinos, lions, and bears—and even slept next to a tiger, a lion, and a sloth bear (not all at once).

Brad Feinknopf was recently recognized by Architizer as one of 100 Visionary Creators Changing How We See Architecture. Brad’s father and grandfather were architects, and his career has focused on photographing architecture. He has traveled throughout the world shooting projects, many of which have been published internationally or nationally. Brad has received numerous awards and prizes for his photographic work.

While most of our classmates are traveling by air to see the world, Susan Meier has been running marathons. As of this writing, she is just short of her 70th! Susan is running the Boston Marathon this year on behalf of the Boston Athletic Association Gives Back charity, which focuses on community programming that brings people together through running and fitness.

John Campitelli is also working for the greater good. John founded Italiadoption, which assists Italian-born people who were adopted in the U.S. between 1950 and 1970. The organization helps adoptees locate their birth families and recognize their Italian origins and heritage. This work and John’s personal story were featured on “60 Minutes” and in a book by Maria Laurino called The Price of Children: Stolen Lives in a Land Without Choice.

Mariangela Nicolosi Noyes wrote, “Being one of the younger residents in a 55+ active adult community, I’m often asked to help neighbors with random tasks. One day, on a hike with my community hiking club, a neighbor asked if I could help pick fruit … not just her trees, but as part of the Sun Lakes Citrus Sharers, a local volunteer group that does just as the name suggests and shares fruit.

“When the community was developed in the 1990s, many homeowners planted citrus trees, which grow quite well in the Arizona weather. Years later, both the homeowners and trees have aged—the people may be less able-bodied, while the trees grow bigger and bigger crops each year. Homeowners are often no longer able to pick all of the fruit their individual trees produce, may not be able to eat citrus as it interferes with many meds, and/or simply cannot eat that much fruit! Many put baskets on their driveways with ‘free fruit’ signs for neighbors to enjoy, but chances are, those neighbors have citrus trees, too!

“That’s where the Sun Lakes Citrus Sharers step in to help. Made up of 400+ volunteers, we head out in groups of 10–20 during picking season (late January through mid-March) to pick fruit for homeowners in the community. Last season, we picked over 100 tons (yes, tons!) of oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and other citrus varieties. We pick the fruit carefully to minimize damage. We haul it to a central drop location, where St. Mary’s Food Bank picks it up. St. Mary’s inspects and cleans the fruit, then disperses it in their food boxes and food pantry for local patrons. As one can imagine, even St. Mary’s cannot use all that fruit, so they exchange it for other items they need with other local and regional food banks. Our fruit gets dispersed in a wide radius!”

We look forward to hearing more of your vocations and vacations, your families and your charitable work. And don’t forget, Reunion is but a month away, June 4–7, and there will be plenty of opportunities to share stories with other attendees. But don’t neglect your class correspondents: be sure to send us your updates and news. ❖ Toby Goldsmith (email Toby) | Lori Spydell Wagner (email Lori) | Michael Wagner (email Michael) | Alumni Directory.

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1987

Happy spring, everyone! We had an unusually brutal winter in the Northeast. I spent a lot of time following both Dave Price and Bob Maxon’s weather reports and remembering that it was always so much worse in Ithaca! It’s hard to believe that we are officially in countdown mode to our Reunion next year! Here’s what our classmates shared.

Jim and Sue Davis Frontero wrote, “We hosted our daughter’s wedding reception last fall in Wellesley, MA. Twenty-one Cornell family and friends were in attendance, representing more than 15% of the attendees! We all had a great time reconnecting with our ’87 classmates and other Cornellians there. We rocked the dance floor to familiar songs from our fraternity party days such as ‘Shout’ and ‘Burning Down the House.’ At the end of the night, we all posed in front of a giant Cornell flag to capture the moment. It was a great night!

“Class of ’87’s attending included: Monica Frindt Cheskin, Marissa Rago Hedengren, Nancy Tamasi Hunter, Jeff Johnson, Steve Lipic, Tom and Cara Giarrusso Malone, Allison Passer Ostern ’86, BS ’87, Cynie Scher Simon, and Leslie Kalick Wolfe. Other Cornellians in attendance were John Frontero ’84, Scott Sidman ’84, BS ’02, Doug Barta ’86, Fred Hedengren ’86, Dave Hunter ’86, Leesa Storfer ’86, Beth Falk, MBA ’90, David Frontero ’93, and Lauren O’Keeffe ’22. Marty and Terri Clark Stallone tried valiantly to attend but encountered car trouble!”

I’m going to be a grandma soon, but singing in a band makes me feel young.

Wendy Marx ’87, MD ’91

Amy Benigno Fothergill shared that Hotelies and old friends came together to celebrate Jenn Gonsalves Cotter’s big birthday this past January in Boston. Also in attendance were Jen Miles Coulter ’86, Jennifer Scanlan, and Cheryl van Steeden Schneider. A good time was had by all as we danced the night away, did shots from an ice luge, and ate great food. Two of us traveled from California, one from Long Island, and one from New Hampshire. Happy birthday to all of us!

Wendy Marx, MD ’91, shared that she is in an ’80s cover band called Press Play and they play all over Westchester County in New York. “I sing, mostly backup, but I have a bunch of leads too, which is fun. I started singing a few years ago, almost on a dare in School of Rock shows. I never thought this would be my ‘second act,’ but I’m loving it. I’m going to be a grandma soon, but singing in a band makes me feel young.”

Darrell Butler got married in April to Mahjabeen Rafiuddin in Orlando, FL. Congratulations! Bob and Lindsay Liotta Forness ’84 are planning to attend Homecoming next fall. They are hoping to revive the tradition of tailgating by bringing “Orca,” their large RV, to campus.

I had the chance to catch up with Sharon Raider in February to attend a movie screening in NYC about the joys of being a grammar nerd. It brought back some traumatic memories of being told by my freshman seminar TA that I seriously needed to purchase a copy of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style after my very first paper! Afterwards, we caught up for dinner with our shared little sister, Marcy Epstein ’88. ❖ Whitney Weinstein Goodman (email Whitney) | Liz Brown, JD ’90 (email Liz) | Alumni Directory.

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1988

Greetings, fellow classmates! By now, many of you have celebrated the big 60! We would love to hear how you are marking this wonderful milestone. Please send your news to me so I can share it with the rest of our class.

Here’s an update from Steve Werblow, who is currently residing in Ashland, OR, with his wife, Anna (Barnsley) ’90. He just celebrated 30 years as a freelance writer and photographer. Congrats, Steve! In 2024, he was elected president of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, which has allowed him to visit and work in more than 40 countries. Their daughter, Shoshana, recently purchased a house near them, and their son is working in St. Louis, MO, after completing his education at Tufts and Oxford. Steve says, “Studying at Cornell introduced me to the world of agriculture; it’s where I met my wife, Anna, and many great friends.”

Jacques Boubli has been working as a partner at the Portfolio Strategy Group in White Plains, NY. He manages money for both wealthy individuals and families. His wife, Elyse Entin, took a “voluntary” early retirement after 25 years of federal service. Their daughter, Sophia ’26, BS ’25, graduated from the College of Industrial and Labor Relations last May. Meanwhile, their son, Jeremy ’28, is enjoying his time at Cornell, living in Collegetown and attending the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

During the summers, Jacques participates in sailing races with his two children in Eastchester Bay. During his time on campus, Jacques was very busy singing with the Chorus and Glee Club. He still gets together with alumni from these “multigenerational brotherhoods and sisterhoods,” making music and sharing stories about their experiences with these organizations. Recently, he was thrilled to reconnect with Ken and Lisa Simpson Szydlow, Pam Goldberg Greenstein, Howard Greenstein, Pat Cook ’89, and Rob Rosenberg. Jacques also enjoys “regular contact with Laura Bloch.”

Lastly, Kelly Smith Brown, MBA ’92, writes in that she had the pleasure to attend Cornell’s winter commencement to applaud her daughter Sarah Grace ’26, who graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and a Dyson School minor. In August, Kelly’s father, George Smith ’56, MFS ’57, accompanied her to the graduation—and his Class of ’56 blazer even fit after all of these years! A very meaningful celebration for the entire family. Kelly’s younger daughter, Caroline, is on the women’s tennis team at Colgate. Kelly recently took a trip to visit her at Colgate and was able to cheer on the Big Red men’s hockey team as they won 5-2.

Remember to pay your class dues. Your dues help fund class activities and scholarships. That’s all for now. Please keep sending your news to me. I love hearing from our classmates, both near and far. ❖ Pamela Darer Anderson (email Pam) | Alumni Directory.

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1989

I’m sitting down to write this within hours of the closing ceremony at the Milano Cortina Olympics. It’s been two weeks of downhill skiing at 90 mph, uphill cross-country races, hunched short-track skating, figure skating spins of 4Gs or more, brutally forceful hockey games, and more. I’m exhausted and, quite frankly, a bit sore from sitting in my recliner so much.

That said, it’s possible that Debbie Schaffel is slightly more tired from Italy, as she volunteered at the games. (For those of you keeping track, this is Debbie’s second Olympics; she also worked the Paris games—and actually had her online interview during our Reunion.) Debbie is an avid traveler; immediately before Milan, she had been in the Southern Hemisphere.

She writes, “I just returned from a January 2026 trip to Chile and Antarctica and it was spectacular. We spent a few days in Santiago before flying to Antarctica so we wouldn’t have to sail through the Drake Passage, and we spent six amazing days exploring the continent. Days were split between time on land and zodiac tours around the bays where we were anchored. We saw multiple species of penguins and seals as well as numerous humpback whales.

“I got to check off my seventh continent before finishing all 50 states (still two more to go) and even did the polar plunge into the frigid Antarctic Ocean. We lucked out on weather, as it was sunny and right around freezing each day. I came home to much colder temperatures in Chicago.” For further details of Debbie’s adventures, check out her Instagram account. Great photos there, including the day Snoop Dogg visited the USA Welcome Experience. (There’s a joke in there somewhere …) Of course, as usual, Cornell was well-represented at this year’s games via the Canadian and U.S. women’s hockey teams. (I’ll let their classmates brag on them in other columns.)

I got to check off my seventh continent and even did the polar plunge into the frigid Antarctic Ocean.

Debbie Schaffel ’89

Trevor Steer has also been globe-trotting, having visited France and Germany at the end of January, with a quick overnight in London to meet up with classmate Brian Dooley. Closer to home, he saw Wynton Marsalis in February with the Cornell Club of Michigan. When not on the road, Trevor writes, “I’m just living my best life by trying to meet up regularly with friends and simply enjoying life.”

Lisa Spellman Porter was also able to make a Cornell connection recently, when she attended Zinck’s Night in Pittsburgh for the first time in many years. “It was held at the Finch, which has a great view of the river and downtown. I ran into and spent the whole time talking to an old friend, Mike Parkinson ’75 (our kids used to be in music together).”

We also have news from Alex Martin, who sends greeting from his home base. Alex writes, “I’ve been living in Princeton, NJ, for nearly 20 years and our kids are all now out of the house. Oldest son Alex graduates from Duke Law School in May, second son Thomas is doing research at Penn, third son Christian quit his job at McKinsey to join the Marines, and daughter Kat ’25 graduated recently from Cornell and is doing stand-up in NYC (you can follow her @Kat9Live). My wife, Maria Sophocles, recently published her book, The Bedroom Gap, a look into sexuality as we age, and while my day job is in biotech, my passion is mentoring, coaching, and paying it forward for anyone needing counsel or a sounding board. Please reach out to me if you or your kids are interested. I’m serious!”

As for me, I was actually going to miss those closing ceremonies I mentioned at the beginning. I was supposed to meet up with Vaishali Trivedi Bhatt in New York City this past weekend but the latest snowpocalypse to hit the mid-Atlantic and New England foiled our plans. I don’t think the mental conditioning I was doing while watching the events from my La-Z-Boy would have been enough to allow me to negotiate my way effectively through two feet of snow in the city. However, I now have plenty of time to train-up for the French games in 2030. “Citius, altius, fortius.”

Make sure to let us know of your activities and events, even if the scale is not Olympic. Just click this link to share. ❖ Kris Borovicka Gerig (email Kris) | Anne Czaplinski Treadwell (email Anne) | Lauren Kidder McGarry (email Lauren) | Stephanie Bloom Avidon (email Stephanie) | Alumni Directory.

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1990s

1990

If you read the news, it’s easy to find an overwhelming number of examples of things going wrong and people making poor choices. But as you read your Class Notes, you have an opportunity to share in the successes and other happy news from the people we knew “back in the day.”

Deborah Klein Glasser, for example, continues to be a force on the steering committee for the President’s Council of Cornell Women. She enjoyed a meaningful weekend with the group earlier this year, where they brainstormed ways to strengthen and evolve the organization. Highlights included hearing from Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, MBA ’89, on the value of truly listening to the people you serve, and lessons on the “power of the pause” and the “cost of compliance” from Cornell professor Sunita Sah.

Deborah also mentions being inspired by the resilience of Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman (who is a grandparent of someone in the Class of 2027), and enjoying reconnecting with friends old and new at the event. She is “looking forward to carrying this energy to Ithaca in October.” It’s hard to believe that meeting is less than half a year away at this point.

Andrea Yang, MRP ’00, shared on social media that she started 2026 in the permanent role as executive director at the Greater Cincinnati Water Works. She noted that she began her career there as an attorney working on economic development deals for the City of Cincinnati. “I then had the opportunity to serve as GCWW’s chief legal counsel, helping the utility to develop the legal aspects of one of the country’s first voluntary lead service line replacement programs. But I never dreamed I’d be in the role of leading one of the best water utilities in the country.”

The Wall Street Journal featured NYU Stern School of Business Professor Dolly Chugh in a piece on the year’s best advice on strengthening connections and boosting well-being. “I realized you can get better at joy,” she’s quoted as saying. “And that’s worth the effort.”

This next bit of news I find a small connection to because I’ve lived most of my life somewhere along Interstate 90 in the northern portion of the U.S. You see, even though it was held in the Bay Area of California, this year’s Super Bowl was a matchup between two teams at the extreme ends of I-90 (that would be Seattle at one end and New England at the other). It was also the site of Super Bowl Media Row, where the president of Mueller Sports Medicine, John Cayer, unveiled the creation and promotion of their REVIVE Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize “outstanding college student-athletes that have overcome significant obstacles and recovered, gaining both athletic and academic triumphs.” Nominations were welcomed during the first quarter of 2026, with results expected to be announced later this year.

The Wall Street Journal featured Dolly Chugh ’90 in a piece on the year’s best advice on strengthening connections and boosting well-being.

And speaking of awards: congratulations to Jane Kim Hyun, who was named to the 2026 Global Gurus Top 30 in the coaching category. “Small victories like this make the journey worthwhile,” she says. “I’m always grateful to have made it to the list.”

This past February, Lan Elliott, MBA ’91, was appointed to the advisory board of Hospitality Tech Show Inc. This new position marks the culmination of over 25 years in hotel real estate and hospitality transactions as well as activities in mentorship and education. The organization says that her experience teaching hotel ownership at university hospitality programs serves to support their mission “to connect students and industry leaders while advancing hospitality technology education.” Congratulations, Lan!

And while we’re at it, congratulations to Michael Karangelen on his new (as of February) position as managing director at Star Mountain Capital.

Meanwhile, former class president and current partner at Heidrick & Struggles Julian Ha recently enjoyed the opportunity to help host the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Rising Policy Leaders in Washington, DC. As part of his duties at the event, he conducted a conversation with the senior VP of public and external affairs at Comcast. And all of this was very soon after his firm announced his appointment as their new global head of the government and corporate affairs practice. Julian, do I remember correctly that we first met in the news department at WVBR during our days on the Hill? You’ve definitely traveled quite the path forward!

So, here’s to our classmates from back in the day. Just as we all inevitably know struggles (no, Julian, I’m not referring to the namesake of your firm), may we also enjoy our share of successes. And what stories do you have to share with the Class of 1990? Please reach out with any news for your fellow classmates! ❖ Allan Rousselle (email Allan) | Liselle Petzen Esposito (email Liselle) | Rose Tanasugarn (email Rose) | Nancy Solomon Weiss (email Nancy) | Class Facebook page | Alumni Directory.

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1991

Across the country and around the world, members of the Cornell Class of 1991 are living out the University’s founding values through service, leadership, and community engagement. Their words tell the story best.

Eric Rosario shares the joy of his work at the Sciencenter in Ithaca, where he is “honored to be elected chair of the board of trustees” and energized by “an outstanding team dedicated to making science accessible to all.” Dorine Colabella’s service with the Assistance League of Northern Virginia reflects the same spirit. She supports clothing, literacy, and food programs for Title I students and recalls a moment that shaped her work: a young boy arriving on a cold, rainy day with no socks because “his brother got to wear them that day.”

Many classmates devote their careers and volunteer time to protecting children and improving health. Jeannette Perez‑Rossello describes her national advocacy to prevent child abuse as “a meaningful and rewarding part of my journey.” Steve Merz exemplifies this commitment through his leadership roles as a committee member of the American Heart Association Heart Walk and as a board member of the American College of Healthcare Executives of Northern New England.

Pediatric epilepsy specialist Eric Kossoff supports epilepsy foundations through lectures, walks, and triathlons. Cardiologist Anthony Magnano has spent two decades volunteering with local education and refugee‑support groups, while pediatrician Stephen Turner partners with schools to “provide medical advice and talks for expecting parents and preschool children.” Family physician Julie Nielsen Lindsey reflects that what drives her is “the desire to serve others and make a difference on the individual and community level,” even as she embraces a new chapter in telehealth.

Education and mentorship run deep. Jana Pompadur Kierstead leads programs at Harvard Business School that “develop leaders who make a difference in the world.” Kristin Hurley Van Riper mentors D.C. public school students through Minds Matter, calling them “really inspiring” and admiring “their ambition and motivation.” Your class correspondents give back to the Cornell community by volunteering to write this column and keep our classmates connected; Evelyn Achuck Yue shares that reconnecting with classmates has been “so fulfilling.”

Environmental stewardship is another hallmark of the class. Susie Curtis Schneider works to protect Cayuga Lake, recruiting “hydrilla hunters” and supporting HAB (harmful algal bloom) monitoring. Andrew Stifel has dedicated years to wildlife conservation, noting that “all of it has its place” in protecting ecosystems for future generations. Troy Resch supports historic preservation through the Landmark Trust USA and Scott Farm, while Cynthia Miller Mason fosters community well‑being through pop‑up yoga that brings “peace, restoration, and deeper connections” to her Texas community.

Chris LaPunzina ’91 first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity as a senior and says he ‘was hooked after one day,’ continuing that work in every city he’s lived in.

Classmates also strengthen their local communities in countless ways. Amy Gellert Lebovitz supports the Friendship Circle and St. Joseph’s in New Jersey. Denise Law LaGalia treasures her work with the Allendale Woman’s Club, saying it has been “extremely rewarding in many ways.” Sabrina Strickland balances her orthopedic surgery practice with raising a proud Cornell family, while Karen Paul Zimmer, MD ’98, shares the joy of her blended family, including Cornell alumni.

Cornell itself remains a lifelong anchor. Paul Hayre reflects that “augmenting Big Red vibrancy dramatically increases the greater good in the world,” and credits his wife, Jeannette Perez‑Rossello, with expanding the impact of the President’s Council of Cornell Women and alumni engagement. Joe Marraccino (that’s me) keeps classmates connected through the annual Frozen Apple hockey outing, now drawing “over 100 Class of ’91 strong.” Meredith Clark Shachoy celebrates her multigenerational Cornell family, calling it “a true legacy.”

Some classmates discovered their passion for service at Cornell. Chris LaPunzina first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity as a senior and says he “was hooked after one day,” continuing that work in every city he’s lived in. Andrew Stifel echoes that early experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to conservation.

Together, these voices form a portrait of a class that leads with purpose, empathy, and action. The Class of ’91 continues to show that service is not a moment but a way of life, one that reflects the very best of Cornell.

Our 35th Reunion is just around the corner, June 4–7, and we’re hoping to see many of you back on the Hill in person! We have an exciting weekend planned, full of class festivities, athletics, lectures, tours, and much more—including favorites like the tent parties on the Arts Quad, Cornell Dairy ice cream socials, and Cornelliana Night. You can find all the details at our class website. We encourage everyone to register online ahead of time, but onsite registration will be available throughout Reunion. See you in Ithaca!

Got news to share? Use the online news form or feel free to contact one of us directly. ❖ Joe Marraccino (email Joe) | Susie Curtis Schneider (email Susie) | Evelyn Achuck Yue (email Evelyn) | Ruby Wang Pizzini (email Ruby) | Wendy Milks Coburn (email Wendy) | Alumni Directory.

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1992

Alli Frank recently wrote an essay for Cornellians about her experiences with with her longtime co-author. The pair have a new book out, Run For Your Life, Callie Kingman. According to the book’s description, “Two decades have passed since Callie Kingman begrudgingly followed her husband, Thomas, across the country in pursuit of his career at the expense of her own. Today, Callie is an empty-nester with no job prospects, a declining mother, and a spouse who announces his intention to leave her—in Sacramento, the dullest city in America. His parting potshot: ‘It’s not me, it’s you.’

“Taking to bed, Callie relies on delivery for food, her neighbor for booze, and her college best friend for commiseration. When an overdue annual exam leads to a health scare, Callie is forced to contend with her fractured and unfulfilled life by revisiting the vibrant, indomitable woman she used to be. From her idyllic years at Princeton and an extraordinary first love to the pressures all women face to strive, serve, and be sexy as hell, once again she’s face-to-face with it all. Callie is running for her life, determined to forge a path ahead that is better than the one she’s leaving behind.”

Shelli Klein Faber writes that she and her husband, Jeff ’90, have had fun visiting their son, Josh ’26, who is a senior and the drum major for the Big Red Band, especially enjoying watching their performances at Ivy Madness and the ECAC hockey quarterfinals. Yell Cornell!

Greg ’93 and Maia Albano Coladonato ’92 helped found Repair Café Silicon Valley, which brings neighbors together to help one another repair (for free) and extend the life of everyday items.

Amanda Hecht Palan still lives in Overland Park, KS, with her husband and children. Amanda retired a few years ago and spends her time supporting nonprofit and volunteer organizations (including serving as PTO president). Their daughter Ariel will be attending Tulane in the fall and dancing with the Tulane Shockwave Dance Team. Son Jacob, still in high school, won first place at the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) State Conference and will be competing at DECA International in April.

Maia Albano Coladonato and her husband, Greg ’93, have been busy keeping items out of the landfill. They helped found the nonprofit Repair Café Silicon Valley, which recently hosted its 100th event. These gatherings, which routinely draw dozens of fixers and more than 100 customers, are gaining momentum—bringing neighbors together to help one another repair (for free) and extend the life of everyday items. See if there’s a local Repair Café near you!

Lastly, as for us, our son Jack ’27 is a junior at Cornell and is enjoying his abroad semester in Prague. He is studying at the film school there, and his script was chosen to be made into a movie! We are excited to see his directing debut when we visit in May! ❖ Sarah Ballow Clauss (email Sarah) | Wilma Ann Thomas Anderson (email Wilma Ann) | Jean Kintisch (email Jean) | Alumni Directory.

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1993

AI may be saturating increasingly wider swaths of modern life, but it will never replace earnest, in-person, authentic connection. In celebration of the real, I’m spotlighting a few classmates I was lucky to reconnect with in real life, or “IRL,” as we say at Lox Club, the dating app startup I work for, which features IRL events and personalized matchmaking.

Hope to see more of you IRL ASAP. I did not take for granted escaping a snowstorm at home to sip smoothies in South Beach with Greg Dinkin! Greg has authored six books including a number-one Wall Street Journal bestseller, and will be publishing his seventh book, about fulfillment, this fall. Despite his claim that he has a “face made for radio,” Greg’s been posting insightful videos on social media (@gregdinkin on Instagram, and Greg Dinkin on LinkedIn and Facebook).

I also loved seeing our awe-inspiring classmate Kim Azzarelli, JD ’97, the co-founder of Seneca Women, a global leadership platform advancing gender equity through media, convening, and action. Elise Rosenberg and I were grateful attendees of Kim and Seneca’s Health & Longevity Summit at MoMA, which convened leading scientists, physicians, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons who shared fresh insights on women’s health-filled aging, and highlighted Seneca’s unique ability to blend thought leadership, influence, and relevance.

I did not take for granted escaping a snowstorm at home to sip smoothies in South Beach with Greg Dinkin ’93!

Melissa Hart Moss ’93, JD ’97

Elise is based in New York City, where she runs her own financial services consulting firm, Rose Hill Advisors. After serving as a part-time finance career consultant for Cornell’s College of Business career office last academic year, she now also works as a private career coach for students and professionals navigating internships, full-time roles, and career advancement.

Elise and Juliette Boone, MMH ’97, had a great time catching up at February’s President’s Council of Cornell Women Symposium in Washington, DC. Juliette is living and working in Boulder, CO. She loves spending time outside hiking, biking, and skiing with her husband. She also had the good fortune of reuniting with several Touchtones friends at a mini reunion last fall with Beth Yancey Storz ’92, Lily Tung Crystal ’92, Kirsta Leeburg Melton, Rebecca Rutstein, Katie Goldberg Zwick, Leah Strauss ’91, Kim Martin-Epstein ’91, Wendy Fuhr ’91, and Karen Crowley Bechtold ’94, ME ’95.

Speaking of Cornell reuniting, I was so happy to cheer on the Big Red with several classmates, including Kim Powell Sendelbach, at the festive, annual Frozen Apple men’s hockey extravaganza at Madison Square Garden. Thank you, Kim, for coordinating our class ticket block! I hope more of you will join that party next November, as it’s a cool (cold!) celebration of major Big Red spirit.

I will close by inserting the link to reconnect with our class, and by circling back to AI, congratulating Harshvardhan Kaul, ME ’95, on the release of the timely Handbook of Global Philosophies on AI Ethics: Toward Sustainable Futures. Take care, connect IRL, and please share. ❖ Melissa Hart Moss, JD ’97 (email Melissa) | Theresa Flores (email Theresa) | Mia Blackler (email Mia) | Alumni Directory.

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1994

What is something you’re doing now that you never thought you’d be doing? What is your fondest memory of your time at Cornell? What brings you the most satisfaction these days? No matter if your news is big or small, please take a moment to write to us and stay connected with our class. ❖ Class of 1994 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1995

To start off with some personal reflection this month, I had the distinct honor of participating in my first symposium as a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women (PCCW). This is a group of highly accomplished alumni working to enhance the involvement of students, faculty, staff, and alumni as leaders within Cornell and its many communities.

PCCW was founded in 1990 by then-president, our beloved Frank H.T. Rhodes, with the guiding leadership of trustees Lilyan Affinito ’53 and Patricia Carry Stewart ’50. While there, I connected with some incredible women from all geographic locations, careers, and walks of life and, together, we listened to the words of some really inspiring speakers, including Tova Friedman, the youngest survivor of Auschwitz, whose bravery brought us to tears.

Classmates who are also PCCW members include Abigail Spencer Charpentier, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Aramark outside Philadelphia; Courtney Goldstein, vice president of human resources at Penske Media Corporation in Los Angeles; Melissa Biren Singer, a clinical psychologist in private practice in Chappaqua, NY, who was featured in our last column for her volunteer work with Guiding Eyes for the Blind; Sona Sanganee Menon, partner and outsourced chief investment officer at Cambridge Associates in Massachusetts; Amy Kaplan Rosenow, founder and president of Bold Vision Financial in Chicago; Heather Lipson Brucker, a mental health counselor outside of Philly; Alexis Bar Bataillon, a managing director at JPMorgan Chase; Janet Nelson Gerhard, partner at BETR Inc.; Jennifer Tsai Ebbitt, founder of and leadership and executive coach at Tsai Coaching; Wilasa Vichit-Vadakan ’96, BS ’95, digital construction director at SCG in Thailand; Charlotte Schluter Bashforth, managing partner and founder at Bragg Hill Capital; Isela Hernández, founder and president at Hernán (who supplied the incredible mole and Mexican hot chocolate at our 30th Reunion!); and Suzanne Ehlers, executive director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, for whom I received a wonderful update.

Toward the end of last year, Suzanne Ehlers ’95 spent time in Syria, offering rare on-the-ground reporting from a place few Americans, and few journalists, have been able to access.

Toward the end of last year, Suzanne spent time in Syria, offering rare on-the-ground reporting from a place few Americans, and few journalists, have been able to access. She met with both newly returned families and those still unable to return to Damascus and Daraa, witnessing first-hand how recovery is directly tied to stability across the region. On December 2, she was featured in a LinkedIn Live titled Inside the Mission: Frontline Insights from Syria and Jordan. Suzanne says, “Cornell cemented my dedication to public service.” She added that she’s constantly struck by memories of her first days at Cornell—and all the days since that were shaped by her experience on the Hill.

Another classmate making an impact is Jordan Berman who, in January, was announced as a new board member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Writes Jordan, “We live in a time when it’s tough to be a Jewish kid. When it feels risky to reveal you’re a Jew. When it’s unfashionable to support a state in our ancestral homeland of Israel. When a Google search of ‘Jew’ shows a stereotypical image that fails to reflect most of our faces. When physicality and a fighting spirit are thought (by too many) to be alien to diaspora Jews.

“Well, the game has changed. I’m working with incredible board member colleagues to present Jewish sports icons from around the world (past, present, future) that smash stereotypes in new and dynamic ways. Sport is the tip of the spear for social and cultural change. The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is rallying the Jewish world by getting our Jewish heroes in the game of being visible role models for our kids, our community, and anyone in need of inspiration from the underdog.”

Keep those updates coming! ❖ Alison Torrillo French (email Alison) | Class website | Class Facebook page | Class Instagram page | Alumni Directory.

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1996 & 1997

Nothing new to report this round, but we’re always eager to share in the lives and memories of our classmates. Have an update or a favorite Cornell moment? Write in—we’d love to hear from you. ❖ Classes of 1996 & 1997 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1998

Amy Peterson shares the following: “Kristen Keenan Kapoor ’97, Kristin Fidler Cavicchi, Michelle Pangborn, Michelle McManus Dinsmoor, Gabby Sfiligoi Hughes, DVM ’02, and I met in New Orleans in January 2026 to celebrate turning a number with a 5 and a 0 in it this year. Great food, drink, and culture were enjoyed immensely, though the East Coast snowstorm shortened our long weekend! We had a great time catching up!” ❖ Class of 1998 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1999

Our inbox is all quiet for now, but we know there are great stories out there. Whether it’s a recent update or a favorite Cornell memory, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your news for an upcoming column! ❖ Class of 1999 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2000s

2000

Hello out there. I hope everyone is doing well, wherever you are. I’d love to hear about what you’re getting up to, so feel free to drop me a line or submit an online news form. ❖ Denise Williams (email Denise) | Alumni Directory.

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2001

It’s here! It’s here! It’s the 25th anniversary of our graduation—which means it’s finally Reunion time again, a decade after we last got together as a class on the Hill. (Pour one last cat-pee-smelling Wines Class glass out for our virtual 20th, although the “Cornell Chicken” cooking class was lots of fun and certainly easier to do via Zoom from each of our own kitchens.)

Join us June 4–7 as we relive our glory days, explore the gorgeous and ever-evolving Cornell campus, and participate in all kinds of exciting activities—thanks to months of dedicated efforts by our Reunion co-chairs Lorraine Medeiros and Marisa Laks. Don’t miss the chance to taste Hot Truck and Cornell Dairy Bar treats, jam with the Big Red Band, sing along with the Chorus and Glee Club, stop to smell the roses in the Botanic Gardens, climb McGraw Tower, skip across the Suspension Bridge, and load up on Big Red swag from our class party favors and the Cornell Store.

Our class will be based out of beautiful Becker Hall on West Campus. Now that we’re all mid-lifers, what better way to tackle all those “second puberty” changes than spending a long weekend power walking up Libe Slope? (A little bird tells me there will be shuttle buses available, too, but even exercise-averse me is excited about getting some fresh air and steps in after seven years of being driven around Delhi!)

Got kids? Bring ’em! There’s lots of family-friendly fun planned for all the Reunion classes—and what better time of year to introduce them to our stalwart pals Ezra, Andrew, and Herakles? (No pressure!) Plus, Salil Gupte and I are shlepping up all the way from India and really hoping that our own offspring—R.J., age 16, and Katia, age 12—have good company for eye-rolling at all our cringe ways.

Registration should be open by now. (Always tricky, writing these columns about the future.) Keep an eye on our Facebook group, our Instagram page, and your email inbox for more details, including the chance to add songs to our HQ playlist and get some photo scavenger hunt clues early.

Several classmates showed up to support Vicki Johnson ’95 at her book launch party in Washington, DC.

As always, we rely on interested and engaged alumni to help put together events and other ways to keep us connected to our alma mater and each other. Whether it’s helping plan Reunion activities or other ways to use your skills and experience in a meaningful way, we’d love to have you. Please visit our class website for descriptions of the officer roles, including president, vice president, membership chair, communications chair, Cornell Annual Fund representative, Reunion chair, secretary, treasurer, affinity chair, and class council representatives. (Most roles can even be shared, if you know a classmate who may want to partner up with you, too.) Come to our officers meeting during Reunion to learn more!

Speaking of Class of 2001 volunteers, congratulations to hematologist Nathan Connell, named one of this year’s top doctors by Boston Magazine and featured as a speaker on the subject “Gender Diversity in Haemostasis Care: Bridging Gaps in an Evolving Landscape” at the European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders conference in Dublin, Ireland, a few months ago.

Have you heard that we have two more authors to celebrate in our class? Kudos to Vicki Johnson on her first book, Pitch Your Potential: The Formula for Winning Dream Jobs, Awards, and Elite Opportunities. She writes, “The book is a guide to storytelling to achieve extraordinary success in the competitions of your career. It includes my story applying to Cornell. It’s relevant to all career levels!” As shared by Tara Benedict Desmarais on our Facebook group earlier this year, several classmates showed up to support Vicki at her launch party in Washington, DC, including Christina Falck Armstrong ’02, Amy Cunningham Ganderson, Lauren Tingey Smith, and Kathryn Winstanley Tuttle.

And in his new book, Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection, UC Davis psychology professor Paul Eastwick reveals how pair-bonding really works. As the publisher’s description notes, “While beauty and charisma factor into first impressions, their influence fades fast—after a few months, we barely agree on who’s ‘desirable.’ Drawing on pathbreaking research—including original experiments from his own lab—Eastwick explains that lasting attraction has, from ancestral times through the present, been built through gradual, often mundane moments that forge strong attachment bonds. Ultimately, he offers a liberating new paradigm for finding meaningful, exciting relationships.” (Reminds me of one of the psych/HumEc classes Salil and I took senior year, which is still why I use the word “limerence” confidently in conversation.)

See you soon? Got updates or memories to share? Email either of us, visit our website, join and participate in our Class of 2001 Classmates Facebook group, and follow our Class of 2001 Instagram. ❖ Nicole Neroulias Gupte(email Nicole) | James Gutow (email James) | Alumni Directory.

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2002

If you’re reading this, we want to hear from you! Please take a moment to write to us and stay connected with our class. What is something you’re doing now that you never thought you’d be doing? What is your fondest memory of your time at Cornell? What brings you the most satisfaction these days? ❖ Class of 2002 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2003

Praveen Sethupathy is co-chair of a faculty task force exploring Cornell’s role in a changing educational, research, and social landscape. He recently penned a personal essay for Cornellians titled “As Higher Ed Looks to the Future, It’s Vital to Understand the Past.”

In it, he writes, “There is no singular definition of an ‘American university,’ because institutions of higher education have always adapted in part to meet the needs and goals of an evolving society. We are now at another consequential period in history and we must do what universities have done before at important junctures: clarify timeless principles, but also adapt and transform where necessary.

“In what areas are we already strong and well-positioned to meet the moment, and in what ways have we missed the mark and fallen short of our promise? How do we chart an exciting new direction for Cornell as a shining example of the American university for the future? These questions are at the heart of the work of the Future of the American University committee, and we eagerly look forward to engaging stakeholders within and beyond the university, including alumni, to reimagine our future—still where ‘any person’ can study, still to do ‘the greatest good’ for everyone.”

Seth Harris writes, “I am in my 21st year as a classroom teacher, currently teaching seventh grade social studies in North Colonie Central Schools, near Albany. In addition to my career, I just completed a 12-year stint (three consecutive four-year terms) as trustee and deputy mayor of the Village of Menands.

“In November, I received the Susan V. Siegel Community Service Leader Award from Sunmark Credit Union, which honors an individual who has made significant contributions to their community in a leadership role and builds partnerships and connections in order to do so. I was recognized for forging a partnership between the Village of Menands, Menands School, and Menands Public Library to create a StoryWalk on the trail system in the village. The StoryWalk, which features a children’s book in waterproof panels along a nature trail, is sustainable and year-round, with a new book and discussion prompts posted each month.

Seth Harris ’03 helped create in his village a StoryWalk, which features a children’s book in waterproof panels along a nature trail, with a new book each month.

“I was also recognized for my service on the Education Committee of the Glens Falls Symphony and working to bring the orchestra into North Country (Adirondack) schools to introduce the students to the different instruments and put on a performance of Peter and the Wolf. The award comes with a $2,500 donation to be made in my name to the nonprofit of my choice. I chose the Lake George Land Conservancy, and have directed that the funds be used to promote outdoor education, stewardship, and responsible recreation in the Lake George basin.”

Shaun D’Souza writes, “I am working as a technology architect in the artificial intelligence group at Accenture, Mumbai, researching machine learning, compilers, algorithms, and systems. Technologies like artificial intelligence, social, mobility, and cloud are disrupting the enterprise. Architects foresee and resolve some of the biggest challenges in technology, including developing efficient language models to enable applications and systems in the enterprise.

“I had the opportunity to pursue higher education in the U.S. I had employment and internship experiences in multiple places including Bangalore, Portland, Austin, and Burlington. I have traveled to conferences in Santa Clara, Seattle, and Amsterdam. I am presently employed in Mumbai. I enjoy traveling and exploring cultures around the world.

“As a student from India, I was most proud to have the opportunity to pursue an education from Cornell, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. I completed my BS with a double major in computer science and electrical and computer engineering. My undergraduate education imbibed in me the qualities that I would use in the subsequent phases of my professional life: hard work, perseverance, and self-confidence.” ❖ Jon Schoenberg, ME ’03, PhD ’11 (email Jon) | Candace Lee Chow, PhD ’14 (email Candace) | Alumni Directory.

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2004

Kristen Eaton writes, “I run a small nonprofit founded by author and filmmaker Sebastian Junger (The Perfect Storm, War, Tribe, and In My Time of Dying). Vets Town Hall works to increase understanding between veterans and non-veterans by facilitating events where veterans are invited to stand before their community and speak for up to 10 minutes each about what their service means to them. These events are nonpolitical, and all perspectives are valued.”

Sarah Matt has released a new book, The Borderless Healthcare Revolution: The Definitive Guide to Breaking Geographic Barriers Through Technology. According to the description, “Healthcare isn’t broken because we lack technology. It’s broken because the people redesigning it have never actually practiced medicine, and the people practicing medicine have no seat at the table when the systems are built.

“This book is the framework. Built from a decade at the intersection of clinical practice and enterprise health technology, it offers a working model for how care delivery can be redesigned across the ‘Five Pillars of Access’: geography, financial, trust and knowledge, cultural, and digital.” ❖ Class of 2004 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2005

Monica Cutillo Cody is the founder of Farmstead 1868, a lavender farm and lifestyle brand based in Cazenovia, NY, that produces farm-grown lavender wellness products and hosts agritourism experiences including educational workshops and a seasonal lavender festival.

“Farmstead 1868 began simply with lavender plants, curiosity, and a desire to explore what natural ingredients could become when grown and crafted on a working farm,” says Monica. “What started as a small-scale experiment has grown into distilling our own essential oil, creating farm-grown products, teaching classes, and welcoming visitors to experience life on the farm.”

Monica was recently named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500, which recognizes women entrepreneurs building innovative companies nationwide. Each year, Inc. editors evaluate applications through a rigorous, multi-round selection process. Founders are assessed on both quantitative performance metrics, including revenue growth, funding, sales, and audience size, as well as qualitative factors such as innovation, social impact, and brand momentum. The final list represents entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and measurable progress over the past year.

Monica was recognized for “representing small farms at state advocacy events for agriculture and building cross-sector partnerships with universities and community organizations.” ❖ Hilary Johnson King (email Hilary) | Jessica Rosenthal Chod (email Jessica) | Alumni Directory.

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2006

We have no news to share this time—but let’s change that! Send along your updates, milestones, or even a favorite Cornell memory so we can keep our columns lively and connected. ❖ Class of 2006 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2007

Hello, Class of 2007! We are officially one year out from our 20th Reunion! Who is already making plans to go to Ithaca? Does anyone have fun travel plans for this summer? Let me know. Looking forward to hearing more as we move into the warmer months!

Congratulations are in order for Jennifer D’Amato-Anderson! She has taken a big step and turned a former hobby into a small business, called Amethyst Papercrafts LLC.

“A lifelong lover of beautiful paper, I discovered my passion for papercrafting after being introduced to a Cricut machine by my sister-in-law,” Jennifer says. “What began as a hobby making cards for family and friends blossomed into Amethyst Papercrafts, a small business dedicated to sharing the joy of handmade cards.

“My cards combine decorative papers, cardstock, vinyl, and other details to create unique keepsakes. My cards have even earned ribbons at the Oregon State Fair! In late 2025, I decided to turn my hobby into a small business that helps others send a little handmade joy.”

Looking forward to sharing more exciting stories with everyone! Have more updates to share? Please feel free to reach out to me or submit online. ❖ Samantha Feibush Wolf (email Samantha) | Alumni Directory.

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2008

In December, Aaron Gingrande joined national employment law firm Jackson Lewis PC in the Boston office. Previously, Aaron served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Hampshire for five years. In his new role, he focuses on representing employers in all areas of workplace law, particularly litigating employment disputes and providing advice and counsel. ❖ Class of 2008 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2009

Emma Osore was recently featured in a Cornellians story about her work to preserve Black community. According to the story, Emma “is the co-founder and executive director of a collective of planners, architects, artists, and designers who work to protect, elevate, and create Black spaces. Based in Brooklyn, BlackSpace is currently marking its 10th anniversary. And its impact has been notable, including helping to drive $1.3 million in investment into public space projects in the Northeast and reaching 22 million people with its educational content.

“The group has produced a Black neighborhood conservation playbook and partnered with New York’s Council on the Arts to present workshops around the state; it co-sponsors a youth internship program in urban planning, entrepreneurship, and food justice. The collective’s planning principles have also been cited by several NYC municipal agencies, which have referenced them in environmental studies and design guidelines.

“‘A lot of times in Black neighborhood planning processes, there’s a focus on community centers and basketball courts, which are important,’ Osore says, ‘but our group has always wanted to then say “Yes, and …” What are the other cultural assets that sustain place?’” You can read the full story here! ❖ Class of 2009 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2010s

2010

While you are reading this in the springtime, I am writing this month’s column from the depths of the Ithaca winter. It has been truly interminable. Each time, venturing outside felt like we had stepped through the wardrobe and straight into Narnia under the influence of the White Witch’s terrible power, when it was “always winter, but never Christmas.”

Sick of waking up in the pitch-dark at 7:00 a.m. to penguin-waddle to the car each morning, my daughter declared herself to be done with school forever. (She is in kindergarten.) My husband and I trundled through the polar vortex that hit Chicago in January 2014, but January 2026 was another breed of unrelenting, not a quick shot of bitter cold. Suffice to say, it was bad, y’all. So bad, I even started to learn how to crochet. I fully reconsidered my humanity and fantasized about what it would be like to hibernate, to brumate, even—such was the depth of the Ithaca winter.

The payoff of living with such lowly lows, as you may remember, is that the first rays of spring and summer sunshine are that much more glorious. After pitifully huddling together for warmth for months on end, an Ithaca May and June can feel stupidly blissful.

The payoff of living with the lowly lows [of an Ithaca winter], as you may remember, is that the first rays of spring and summer sunshine are that much more glorious.

Jennifer Wholey Lehman ’10

Do you remember our last month on campus in May 2010? Much of my memory is rosy colored thanks to Dr. Konstantin Frank Riesling and/or Viva Taqueria margaritas: Drake headlined Slope Day (if you can believe it) and we learned to sing the jingle for Red Cat on the Seneca Lake wine tour, braved muggy weather to ride roller coasters at Six Flags Darien Lake, made too many Wegmans runs, hiked and picnicked by waterfalls, and did a whole lot more.

I’d love for you to share a memory of your time on the Hill or send an update about your current life and times so I don’t have to. As I said in my first column, you don’t have to write about jobs, marriages, moving, or children. You’re free! I hereby absolve you.

It’s not an official Cornell Reunion for us this year, but if you decide to drop by campus for Reunion, June 4–7, please say “Hi.” Non-Reunion year classes are always welcome to attend. (And there’s also a Continuous Reunion Club!)

Your next Class Notes will be from Grace Guichardo Watkins in the July / August edition. ❖ Jennifer Wholey Lehman (email Jennifer) | Grace Guichardo Watkins (email Grace) | Alumni Directory.

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2011

Julia Momosé’s bar, Kumiko, was named the world’s best bar at the 19th Annual Spirited Awards, held in New Orleans in summer 2025. “This comes as no surprise to anyone who has ever sipped a cocktail there,” TimeOut Chicago wrote, noting that Kumiko is one of the city’s “most beloved (and best) dining experiences, seamlessly blending the precision of Japanese cocktail culture with Midwestern hospitality.”

Julia was recently featured in a Cornellians story: “Momosé drew on her upbringing in Japan—her father is Japanese-American—when she opened the establishment with two restaurateur partners. Its name comes from the woodworking technique kumiko, in which intricate patterns are created by assembling thin, grooved pieces that are held in place through pressure alone.

“The restaurant was created around an omakase-style tasting menu for its food and paired cocktails—a multicourse, chef-driven, bespoke experience using fresh seasonal ingredients. (‘Omakase’ translates to ‘I leave it up to you.’) It immediately became a local favorite, even earning a Michelin star in 2019.”

Sami Fishbein Sage is chief brand officer of Betches Media, a news and culture company she co-founded with two fellow alums as undergrads. In 2024, she coauthored the New York Times bestseller Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives. And in April, the book was released in paperback with a fresh introduction written for this political moment.

According to the publisher, Simon & Schuster, the book is “a whip-smart combo of self-help and political manifesto that is perfect for anyone who wants to know how to save democracy but doesn’t know where to start. In America’s current political climate, it’s hard not to get discouraged. Isolated, doomscrolling, lacking a sense of purpose or community … it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the dire state of the two-party system and do nothing, because why try when the odds are never in our favor?

“At this fragile moment in history, [the coauthors] want to reframe civic engagement as a form of self-care: an assertion of one’s values and self-respect. This book is not just about voting, but about claiming your singular place in your country and community.” ❖ Class of 2011 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2012

Adam and Olivia Moore Nicoletti welcomed their second daughter, Mackenzie, on January 2, 2026. Mackenzie joins big sister Sophia, who is 3 years old. Congratulations to the Nicoletti family!

Daniel Thomas shares that he will soon be launching a new project called AuthentiKate, which will be the world’s first app allowing the public to freely verify whether or not they are speaking to a real celebrity or potentially expose a would-be scammer in the act. You can visit their landing page here.

Over the past two years, Daniel has been working on the topic of scam prevention with the company ZerID, whose mission and goal is to make every digital communication verifiable, prevent digital imposter scams, and bring trust back to the digital world. ❖ Peggy Ramin (email Peggy) | Alumni Directory.

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2013

What is something you’re doing now that you never thought you’d be doing? What is your fondest memory of your time at Cornell? What brings you the most satisfaction these days? No matter if your news is big or small, please take a moment to write to us and stay connected with our class. ❖ Class of 2013 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2014

Hello, Class of 2014! I hope you have all had a great spring. I would love to feature you or your classmates in a future Class Notes column. Please reach out with news to share. ❖ Samantha Lapehn Young (email Samantha) | Alumni Directory.

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2015–17

We don’t have any news to share for either of these classes, but we hope that will change soon! If you’re reading this, please take a moment to send us a note. Have you marked a career milestone or taken a trip recently? Do you have a Big Red memory that would make your classmates smile? Share your news here! ❖ Classes of 2015–17 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2018

Kim Murstein and her 83-year-old grandmother, Gail, co-host a podcast called Excuse My Grandma, where the pair discuss dating, etiquette, career choices, family relationships, entertainment news, and more.

“Brutally honest wisdom is at the core of Excuse My Grandma, in which the pair dig into dating topics old and new (from evergreen woes like how to make a long-distance relationship work to more modern phenomena like ghosting and sexting),” the New York Times wrote in 2023. “They also answer questions from listeners and try to find a middle ground between their twentysomething and eightysomething approaches.”

You can learn more in this Cornellians story! ❖ Class of 2018 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2019

A three-time captain for the Big Red women’s hockey team, Micah Zandee-Hart, BA ’20, now leads the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. According to a recent story in Cornellians, “A left-handed defenseman, Zandee-Hart has played in every game of the 2025–26 season for the Sirens, whose home ice is at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ; as of early March, she’s ranked at the top of her team for blocked shots and boasts three assists.

“‘From day one, Micah has been a model of what it means to lead,’ the team’s general manager said in a statement announcing her contract extension through 2026–27. ‘She consistently puts our team, our culture, and our family before herself. She is the definition of an exemplary captain.’

“As a child, Zandee-Hart spent years playing on boys’ teams before leaving home to attend a hockey-focused prep school—a common pathway for young Canadian athletes aiming to play in the NCAA. She landed on the Hill eager to make her mark on the program, and earned the rare honor of being made a team captain as a sophomore. …

Micah Zandee-Hart ’19, BA ’20, leads the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

“‘I want to continue to be a role model for the next generation,’ says Zandee-Hart, who grew up a diehard Vancouver Canucks fan in an era when there were no female pro players. ‘Seeing kids fall in love with the sport has been my favorite part. Having people bring my jersey for me to sign at games reminds me I’m part of something so much bigger than me.’”

Garrett Hastings recently wrote a book, Guarded Streets: An Undersider Tale, a young-adult, historical fiction novel that takes a snapshot of a pivotal moment in American history. “In 1968, after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the National Guard was called into many U.S. states, but Delaware was unique. The Guard would stay in Wilmington for nine months, one of the longest military occupations in America since the Civil War. This ghost story explores the reasons for, and longevity of, the occupation through the eyes of two fictional characters.”

Garrett, the founder of the Scare Me at Cornell club, received his bachelor’s in archaeology and performing and media arts and was a contributing horror movie critic for the Daily Sun. Additionally, he wrote his thesis, with research funding from the Hunter R. Rawlings III Scholarship, about the Lost Colony of Roanoke; this helped him write his debut novel, The Undersiders. And for any who saw In the Mind on the Risley Theatre stage in 2019 (a one-act Garrett wrote and directed), they may recognize a few characters.

He later attended Texas A&M University, where he honed his craft and earned his master’s in maritime archaeology and conservation. ❖ Class of 2019 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2020s

2020

Justin San Antonio is proud to announce that the independent film he co-produced, Before We Begin, is now available to watch worldwide—for free—on Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, and YouTube.

According to its description, “Olivia, a young artist living in Boston, questions her impending move to New York. At a dinner party, and a chance encounter the very next day, Olivia finds an original and unexpected connection with Phillip, a ‘peculiar’ philosophy student. Over the course of the fall, as her move approaches, Olivia must contend with her evolving relationships and find the courage to match her ambition and pursue her desires.” You can watch it here! ❖ Class of 2020 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2021

One of our classmates was recently featured in a story on the alumni website titled “Captain Megan Unrath builds a legacy of service.”

“In her first year at Cornell, Megan went on a field training exercise with her Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) cohort. The group included ROTC students from Cornell, Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland, Binghamton University, Elmira College, and Wells College. It was bitter cold, and they were outdoors doing tactical training.

“Megan says this experience was pivotal for her. In the blizzard, she and her peers bonded around the bigger mission that underlies the physical and mental challenges they were enduring.”

“‘In the moment, when you’re doing some type of tactical exercise, you think to yourself, what is this going to do for my life? I remember thinking, I want to be a doctor. I want to work in a hospital. I don’t need to know all these things from the Ranger handbook. Like, why do I need this? But then I realized, Oh, they’re teaching me this so that I can think under pressure. They’re teaching me this so that I know how to talk to people, how to communicate to my squad, how to be a leader that people look to, how to make quick decisions, and how to problem solve.’

“Megan says that once she understood the bigger purpose of what she was doing, she realized that she and her ROTC peers shared some core values. They believed in the value of service—to their squad, to their community, and to their country.” ❖ Class of 2021 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2022 & 2023

Nothing new to report this round, but we’re always eager to share in the lives and memories of our classmates. Have an update or a favorite Cornell moment? Write in—we’d love to hear from you. ❖ Classes of 2022 & 2023 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2024

Alexander Michailoff recently co-authored a book called Consequences: The Rise of a Fractured World Order.

According to the book’s description, it’s “an engrossing and practical discussion of how to deal with contemporary challenges to democracy and civilization. [The authors] deliver an engaging, timely, and insightful analysis of identifying the sources and challenges facing liberal democracies and their ability to confront autocracies and autocratic behavior.

“The authors identify and address structural flaws present in both democracies and autocracies. The book explains why the creation and distribution of wealth matters in creating nations where democracy can flourish, and the populace at large can win.” ❖ Class of 2024 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2025

Our inbox is all quiet for now, but we know there are great stories out there. Whether it’s a recent update or a favorite Cornell memory, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your news for an upcoming column! ❖ Class of 2025 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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Grad

Agriculture and Life Sciences

Frank Rossi, PhD ’92, was recently featured in a Cornellians story about the University’s Turfgrass Program, which he directs. “It’s mid-June 2002. At the PGA’s U.S. Open, Tiger Woods prepares to putt on the damp 18th hole at Bethpage Black, the notoriously difficult public golf course in Farmingdale, NY. The spectator gallery stands silent as Woods taps the ball into the cup, winning the championship by three shots. He raises his arms—and putter—to the heavens in triumph. Standing several yards away, Frank Rossi, PhD ’92, absorbs the scene—and thinks about the turf below Woods’s feet. A few years earlier, Rossi, an associate professor of horticulture science and director of the Cornell Turfgrass Program, had helped the course prepare for its first major pro tournament. And it would hardly be the last: Bethpage has gone on to host the 2009 U.S. Open, the 2019 PGA Championship, the Barclays in 2012 and 2016 and—most recently—the 2025 Ryder Cup, which had never before been held on a public course in the U.S.” Read the full story here!

Lee Cadesky, MS ’15, has a book, Grub: Why We Eat, Why It Matters, and the Seven Forces That Shape Our Food, coming out in July 2026. It takes a deep dive into the cultural and scientific influences that shape our food by probing the past, present, and future of what, how, and why we eat. Lee is a food scientist, strategist, and engineer who invented and commercialized novel insect-based ingredients in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. His research work has been featured in Wired and Scientific American, and on NPR and PBS. Lee lives in Toronto with his wife and daughter, where he works in the Canadian food industry.

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Architecture, Art, and Planning

​​Kim Janice Gillan, MRP ’75, returned to the Hill in October 2025 to meet up with classmates Steven Fader, MRP ’76, Michael Beyard, MRP ’76, and Susan Wald Patoski, MRP ’76, for an informal 50-year reunion. The group had fun roaming the halls of Sibley, taking a hard-hat tour of the ongoing renovations, and spending time in Ithaca. Kim lives in Montana and enjoyed a career in healthcare and public service, including years as a state senator. She is now volunteering, traveling, and participating in political activism.

Sarah Jefferis, MFA ’99, has written her third poetry book, Lucky to Have You, which Finishing Line Press will release in late May. The book is a collection of narrative lyric poems that meditate on romantic loss and love. Through her writing, states the publisher, she articulates “how loss and luck are synonymous; luck always appears amid heartbreak, and in moments of unexpected luck, aged sorrow rears its wrinkled forehead.” The collection has three sections: “Lucky to Find You,” “Lucky to Keep You,” and “Lucky to Lose You.” Sarah teaches rhetorical writing in the Dyson School. She also gave a TEDx Talk in 2024 titled “Writing as a Prescription for Healing” about the power that the written word can have to heal trauma.

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Arts & Sciences

Columbia University Press has published a book by Jonathan Kahn, PhD ’92, titled The Uses of Diversity: How Race Has Become Entangled in Law, Politics, and Biology. In it, the Northeastern University professor of law and biology examines the blurring of the distinction between social understandings of race and biological understandings of genetic variation across law, politics, science, and medicine. He uses examples including the Human Genome Project, workforce diversification efforts, U.S. Supreme Court cases on affirmative action, the rise of precision medicine, and the COVID-19 vaccine trials to show why diversity is often deployed in ways that threaten to biologize race or undermine efforts to address racial injustice.

Sarah Ferguson-Wagstaffe Ahrens, PhD ’06, wrote a poetic memoir, Mother Minotaur, that explores disability and motherhood through the lens of the minotaur—a Greek mythological creature. The poetry collection opens with a female minotaur lost in the Labyrinth of Crete, tracing a narrative thread that runs back to the origin of her hearing loss and her struggle to understand her young children’s differently wired brains. “With its reimagining of a foundational Greek myth,” Cornell professor Roger Gilbert writes in a blurb, “Sarah Ahrens’s marvelous Mother Minotaur joins the company of such distinguished works as Louise Glück’s Meadowlands and Anne Carson’s Autobiography of Red.” Sarah teaches at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education.

Duke University Press has published a book by Andrea Mendoza, PhD ’19, titled Transpacific Nonencounters: Racial Disconnects Across Twentieth-Century Japan and Mexico, which explores the seemingly unconnected histories of race and nation in modern Mexico and Japan, showing the commonalities in the way race figures in their state and social formations through a method Andrea calls the “theory of nonencounter.” The book explains how intellectual and cultural productions of racial knowledge were important for the formation of the modernizing Mexican and Japanese states at the beginning of the 20th century and helped conceive the project of national modernity through ideologies that promoted multiracial and multiethnic belonging—mestizaje and Pan-Asian co-prosperity. Andrea is an assistant professor in Japanese and comparative literatures at UC San Diego.

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Business

Byron Roth, MBA ’87, has received a 2026 Horatio Alger Award, which recognizes leaders whose careers reflect resilience, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of opportunity through the American free-enterprise system. Byron is the executive chairman of Roth Capital Partners, an investment bank that specializes in working with emerging growth companies and their investors. Award recipients receive lifetime membership in the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans; with a mission to expand educational opportunity nationwide, it has provided more than $275 million in scholarships to more than 38,000 students.

Justin Stockman, MBA ’09, is an executive producer on the hit show “Heated Rivalry,” a Canadian-made series that has taken the streaming world by storm since it debuted in late 2025. According to a recent Cornellians story, “‘Heated Rivalry’—which is based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling, erotically graphic series of queer hockey romances—has become a phenomenon, attracting global headlines and Olympic shout-outs. ‘We knew it was a good show, and we were pretty confident it was going to do well—but “do well” can mean a lot of different things,’ Stockman observes. ‘We thought maybe it would get some press, and we were excited when it sold to HBO because it would help elevate it in the U.S. But we weren’t sure how many people would watch it, or where it would land. It has obviously outdone all our expectations.’”

Chris Marino, MBA ’20, was featured in Adweek’s AI Power 50 as one of the leaders driving the industry’s adoption of artificial intelligence tools, from the data and engineering talent coding algorithms to the creative and strategic professionals using AI in innovative ways. Chris is the head of agency at Google, where he guides East Coast agencies through today’s media landscape. His insights also drove the creation of Google’s global measurement framework, which lets companies use AI-powered systems in their own workflows to boost revenue.

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Engineering

Gilles Brassard, PhD ’79, won the 2025 Turing Award, known colloquially as the “Nobel Prize of Computing.” According to a recent story in Cornellians, he received the award “jointly with Charles Bennett, for founding the field of quantum information science and for new encryption technology for secure communication and computing. Brassard is a Canadian computer scientist and faculty member at the University of Montreal, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. At age 24, he received his PhD in theoretical computer science from Cornell—working with John Hopcroft, professor emeritus of computer science and a 1986 Turing Award recipient.” Read the full story here!

Gökçe Günel, PhD ’12, and Chika Watanabe, PhD ’13, have co-edited a book called Patchwork Ethnography: A Methodological Guide, which discusses an accessible new way to think critically and transparently about how researchers, especially those doing ethnographic work that can mean spending a year or longer away from home, can balance their personal commitments with long-term research. Gökçe and Chika met as PhD students, and the book—which the University of Chicago Press is set to publish in February 2027—draws on their time on the Hill. Gökçe is an associate professor of anthropology at Rice University; Chika is a senior lecturer in social anthropology at the University of Manchester, England.

Nikko Schaff, ME ’20, built the software PRATUS for an AI security platform that the U.S. Coast Guard is adopting for the upcoming World Cup and America250 celebration. Nikko was Disaster Tech’s first full-stack developer and is listed as a co-inventor on all the company’s patents. “At events like the World Cup, America250, and Sail250, dozens of agencies—federal, state, local, military, utilities, and private partners—must coordinate in real time. Traditionally, that meant emails, spreadsheets, PDFs, and constant reconciliation of which version is current,” says Nikko of large-scale disaster response planning. “PRATUS provides one live operational environment. When a weather forecast updates, a road closes, or a security issue emerges, everyone sees it reflected in the same sitrep instantly, which translates to unified planning and unified execution.”

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Human Ecology

Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, PhD ’73, appeared on “Good Morning America” to discuss the themes of her book, Einstein Never Used Flash Cards. Originally published in 2004 and recently released in a new edition, the book argues that rote memorization is not the most effective way for young children to learn core skills like math, language, and social-emotional development. It also provides scientifically supported guidance on how kids learn best and why play is so important to their progress. Roberta is a chaired professor at the University of Delaware with an appointment at the University of Stavanger in Norway. She enjoys working to better the lives of families through transforming education, as well as returning to the Hill to give talks, playing tennis, and spending time with her eight grandkids.

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Group

University Chorus & Glee Club

If you are an After Eight alum, I hope you have your Reunion plans set, as it’s the 35th anniversary of A8 and the 50th anniversary of the original Nothing But Treble subset of the Chorus! We are planning (or have had, if you are reading this later in June) four fun-filled days of singing, reconnecting, and celebrating these amazing milestones in women’s a cappella music at Cornell. At the time of this writing (February), I’m hoping that I’m able to attend and that I’ll have lots of great updates to share in a future column.

In the meantime, a few updates: Bill Welker ’73, MBA ’75, shared that on Christmas Eve, he and his son Stephen ’08 were in the tenor section of the choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington. He writes, “It was a wonderful evening, singing with good friends, and with a lively performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria. Julie Huang Tucker ’05 conducted and played organ and harpsichord and we had an excellent orchestra, with Scott Tucker playing trumpet!”

And Adam ’12 and Olivia Moore Nicoletti ’12 welcomed into the world Mackenzie Reese on January 2. Writes Olivia, “We are all truly obsessed with her. Reese is named for Adam’s late grandmother, Rhoda. Sophia is transitioning so well into her role as a big sis, and our hearts burst watching our daughters (!) together. I told Sophia last night that last week was the best of my life—finally holding both girls and getting to see them start their journey as sisters. We are wildly grateful to all be healthy and are lucky to be settling into this new phase.” ❖ Alison Torrillo French ’95 (email Alison) | Alumni Directory.

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Top image: Photo by Cornell University

Published May 1, 2026