September / October 2025

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1950s

1950

The whole thrust behind our 75th Reunion started in 2022, when we celebrated a mini-Reunion because of COVID canceling the in-person gathering in 2020. We hoped to have a full-blown Reunion in June 2022 (during the first Reunion weekend that was in person again), but we weren’t given the go-ahead to really plan to be included until March 2022, which was too short a time period to generate many people to come to a Reunion in June of that year.

However, eight of us planned to come—one couple from Europe!—and each of us made reservations at the Statler. We laid out a schedule, and our eight could participate in whatever they wanted from those different activities. That year happened to be the 100th anniversary of the women’s Chorus, so many of us attended the joint Glee Club and Chorus concerts on Friday night and, of course, all of us attended Cornelliana Night on Saturday. A number of us went to Schoelkopf to see Bill Nye ’77, who was back for his 45th Reunion—he was a stitch.

So this was the impetus behind our 75th; we set out to bring back a larger group for our Reunion in three years’ time. We started to promote coming to our 75th Reunion in correspondence with our classmates beginning with my Christmas letter to the class in 2023. We talked about getting reservations at the Statler and alerted those we knew were interested as to when those reservations would become available.

Our Reunion chair, Ben Williams, began to put together a list of activities that might be of interest to our classmates. Certainly, having a new president of our University and his address would be high on that list of activities our classmates would probably want to attend, particularly after the new administration in Washington had canceled over three-quarters of a billion dollars in research grants that Cornell had.

Because our classmates attended different schools at Cornell, many would want to learn more about what was going on in their particular fields of interest, so some would attend programs offered by their individual schools. We made it quite clear there would be ample time to do whatever they individually wanted to do.

As the names came in, it became clear that we had a shot at setting a new attendance record for a class’s 75th. When we attended the mini-Reunion in 2022, there were only two members of the Class of 1947 back for their 75th, but we still had a fairly big hurdle to exceed to set a new record.

We attracted classmates from as far away as Montana and Colorado, which was wonderful. Our classmate from Montana was Ilonka Karasz Turner, an Arts student on the Hill who married a Cornellian, William ’47, BA ’50. He became a professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, and I presume they moved to Montana after he retired. Ilonka was in a wheelchair, flew to Detroit, and had her son Darin drive her from Detroit to Ithaca; he stayed with her during the Reunion, which was really very special.

From Colorado, we had Dan Moylan, BEE ’51, his son (also a Cornellian, Class of 1984), and a grandson, which was a nice addition. Dan was a five-year electrical engineer but affiliates with our class. They were an excellent addition for Reunion. Dan spent his entire career using his electrical engineering background, with over 30 of those years working on high-frequency radar for two different companies, which was very important at that time.

When it was announced that we had set a new record for a 75th Reunion, there was a loud cheer from the Bailey Hall audience.

From Cleveland we had a previous class president, Dick Pogue, accompanied by his daughter Tracy. It was wonderful to have Dick join us, as his last Reunion was 2015; he and Tracy had a great time. Dick, being a lawyer, attended some of the programs that were put on by the Law School. He was head of the largest law firm in Ohio, also one of the largest in the U.S. overall, and he is still affiliated with the firm.

We had several Ag students attend. Doug Lockwood and his wife, Leslee, came in from Albion, NY. Another was Allan Mitchell, who came in from North Rose, NY, for the dinner on Thursday with son George ’73. Al was one of those who attended in 2022. Their family farmed in the State of New York through several generations, changing what they raised until they got to a family of daughters who didn’t want to continue in agriculture.

Another Aggie was John Mellor, PhD ’54, who also attended in 2022; he and his wife, Zarmina, came in from Washington, DC. In addition to being on the faculty in the Ag School for some period of time, John was director general of the International Food Policy Research Institute and also served as chief economist at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

And, of course, Reunion chair Ben Williams. Ben was an Aggie and he even has a vegetable garden by his home in Ithaca to keep his hands in the soil. Among other things, Ben worked for the University, and at one point was assistant to the president of Cornell; today, he and his friend Marlene Pierson are busy travelers on the world stage.

Another returnee from the 2022 Reunion was Walt Spalding and his wife, Rae. They live outside Cleveland. Walt graduated from the ILR School, which was brand new in our time; then he went to law school and is in financial planning. One of their children, a daughter, will be attending her 25th Reunion next June.

Yours truly (Jim Brandt) is a graduate mechanical engineer who spent his career running manufacturing businesses. After retiring in ’92 from managing a clutch company, I was asked to start a new business from scratch in 2000, which I ran for two years and is now a $25 million clutch company. These clutches are one-way clutches like you find in a turnstyle—the difference being many of these were used on heavily loaded inclined conveyors that were in mines so the clutch would engage when the conveyor stopped, not allowing the conveyor to reverse and dump the load back in the mine.

Many of the group attended activities such as Cornelliana Night and the Glee Club and Chorus concert, as well as various school activities, fraternity house receptions, etc. When it was announced that we had set a new record for a 75th Reunion, there was a loud cheer from the Bailey Hall audience, and many younger alums came up and congratulated us individually as we were leaving the auditorium—it was a very nice experience.

The entire Reunion was wonderful and I believe all of those who experienced it had a wonderful time. As we were leaving, one of our classmates said, “Let’s get working on our 80th!” ❖ Jim Brandt (email Jim) | Alumni Directory.

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1951

Hello, Class of ’51! If you are reading this, please take a moment to write to us about what is going on in your life these days. Where are you living now? What is happening with your family or friends? What is your fondest memory of your time at Cornell? We’d love to hear from you. ❖ Class of 1951 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1952

Arline Braverman Broida writes from Wayne, NJ, that socializing with friends brings her the most satisfaction these days. She lives in an active adult condo community, where she enjoys event planning as a member of a Four Seasons social committee. Arline attended her grandson’s wedding recently. He is a football coach at Penn. The most impactful thing she learned at Cornell was personal responsibility to keep up with obligations.

Anthony Bryant writes from Waukesha, WI, that he derives the most satisfaction from contributing support to so many wonderful causes worldwide. In 2024, he says, “We provided over $2 million to support our favorite nonprofits in Wisconsin and mostly in the United States.” He devotes his time to his family’s wellbeing and has established a dynasty trust to provide a successful future for his family members.

Patricia Dexter Clark writes from Concord, MA, that being with her family, some of whom live nearby, keeps her going. She is sorting through her things and deciding who will have them. She lives in a great home for the elderly in Concord and has daily help there. Her time at Cornell taught her how to deal with all sorts of people.

Jim Ling ’52 recently returned from an Honor Flight for 119 veterans from Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska to Washington, DC, to see the monuments.

Allen Galson writes from Syracuse, NY, that staying fit gives him the most satisfaction. His daughter published a biography of his wife, Nirelle, some time ago and is now going to publish his. Allen engages in public service activities and credits Cornell for his belief in the importance of participation in community life.

Jim Ling writes from Fort Collins, CO, that he recently returned from an Honor Flight for 119 veterans, mostly Vietnam War veterans, from Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska to Washington, DC, to see the monuments. The trip was funded by contributions from local businesses. The veterans were warmly greeted everywhere, and Jim felt that the wonderful experience restored one’s faith in America.

Shirley Sagen Norton writes from Canton, NY, that, at 94, just getting around is satisfaction enough for her. She has long lived in an “independent” living facility—only two other people have lived there longer than she has. They have a meal together each day. Shirley enjoys the activities there and shares that she is expecting a fourth great-grandchild. ❖ Thomas Cashel, LLB ’56 (email Tom) | Alumni Directory.

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1953

Bertram Pitt writes, “I stopped seeing patients about 20 years ago, but am still active in cardiovascular research. Recently, I am working on strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease associated with aging. My son, Geoffrey, heads the cardiovascular research program at Weill Cornell.”

Dot Jeremiah Jackson, PhD ’76, enjoys participating in activities at Balfour Senior Living, and especially enjoys their excellent food. She does exercise classes and water aerobics and keeps up with Boulder, CO, friends and activities. Cornell taught her strength and the importance of taking courses in all the different colleges.

Joyce Wisbaum Underberg, BS ’52, gets the most satisfaction in life from her family, including her four children, their spouses, and her nine grandchildren! She has also been enjoying friends, some travel, and many volunteer exploits. “Fortunately everything is good,” she writes. “The entire Cornell experience was important to who I became and who I am today. I grew in many dimensions—invaluable!”

Evelyn Glasier Ginter is spending time with her family and volunteering at the local hospital these days. She writes, “My grandson’s wife is expecting triplets!” Cornell taught Evelyn how to have fun with work—and how to cooperate in community projects.

Dottie Clark Free greatly enjoys friendships, her Bible study group, bridge, and the interesting people and community at the Vi Living retirement home. She has welcomed two new great-grandchildren within the last six months!

Please take a moment to share your news with us. What is your favorite Big Red memory? What did you learn at Cornell that impacted the trajectory of your life? What brings you the most satisfaction these days? Let us know. ❖ Class of 1953 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1954

Bob Friedman of Garrett Park, MD, writes that he has retired after 55 years of instructing future military medical physicians. Bob and his wife, Harriet, have four children and 12 grandchildren. He still takes courses in literature and history to balance the science and math he had to take at Cornell.

Bob Greenwald of Monroe Township, NJ, claims that he is happy “being upright and having a pulse.” He still works 20 to 30 hours a week training salespeople via Zoom on how to improve their production.

Phila Staines Slade of North Andover, MA, lost her husband two years ago and is still adjusting to living alone. She does not drive anymore but is supported by members of her family who live nearby. Phila serves on several committees dedicated to improving her community.

Our class fundraising chairman, Warren Breckenridge of Yarmouth Port, MA, checks in to share that he’s “still in good health” and staying active delivering Meals on Wheels, volunteering at the hospital, playing poker, going to the gym, and traveling. Breck has a large extended family, down to “several ‘great’ great-grandchildren,” which keeps him busy remembering names as well as birthdays.

Jacob “Jack” Martin, MS ’61, of Worcester, MA, writes that he entered Cornell as a very poor reader who did not know how to study. His small scholarship forced him to study, study, study, and it worked. His scholarship increased and he got into the co-op program at GE. The rest is history. Well done, Jack. ❖ Bill Waters, MBA ’55 (email Bill) | Ruth Carpenter Bailey (email Ruth) | Class website | Alumni Directory.

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1955

Marlene Medjuck Green gets the most satisfaction in life from her family. She writes, “I am keeping my mind active with reading the New York Times and listening to CNN and WNBC daily. I’m also playing duplicate bridge with friends and online. For my 90th birthday, 22 of us enjoyed five days in Cancun, Mexico. For my 85th, 33 of us met in Hawaii for R&R and celebration!” At Cornell, Marlene says she learned critical thinking.

Jean Weissman Lesser greatly enjoys being well, happy, and independent—and her family relationships! At Cornell, Edmond Comans, DVM ’59, learned “what a diverse world it is.”

Buck Cody writes, “I continue above-ground with my 96-year-old significant other, enjoying golf and the social life offered for a couple of folks in their golden years. Retirement continues great, along with a few aches and pains. I have just had my first great-grandchild, a girl.” At Cornell, Buck learned to “relax, enjoy, and make the most of every minute.”

Nancy Eisenberg Grabow has been enjoying family events and other local activities with her college club. She has four grandchildren (including one Cornellian!) and one great-granddaughter. Cornell taught her to “pay attention to the news/community.”

In 1977, I created the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement, of which I am a member today.

Michael Shinagel ’55

Michael Shinagel writes, “I retired as the longest-serving dean in Harvard history and was hailed as a transformative dean. In 1977, I created the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement, of which I am a member today. My daughter Victoria died two years ago, and son Mark is retired. I am happily married for 30 years to my loving third wife.” At Cornell, Michael says, “I learned that agriculture was not my calling and, after time in the U.S. Army in Korea, I became an academic dean and English professor.”

Rob Stotz greatly enjoys time with his family and activities at his retirement community, including drama club and a fused glass class. He says he’s doing some travel, and “keeping busy staying ahead of the Grim Reaper.” Harold Fountain enjoys mowing the lawn in retirement.

Elizabeth Rothermel Hopwood greatly enjoys her exercise. “That’s medicine, as we well know,” she says. “I’m doing active docent work at the NSU Art Museum and am on the docent council board.” She shares that the most important thing she gained from Cornell is “the great friendships created by my sorority. I not only have ADHD but dyslexia too. Cornell was very difficult for me, but I did get through and I’m proud of it! So sorry that I missed our Reunion this year. Maybe next time, I hope!” ❖ Class of 1955 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1956

Roy Curtiss gets great satisfaction from “science discoveries and using knowledge learned to make life and living better for all. I design, construct, and evaluate vaccines—mostly to protect farm animals from infectious diseases.” He shares the great news of the births of grandchildren number 14 and 15, who now outnumber great-grands (13)! Roy adds, “Cornell taught me how to think, to adventure, and to take risks!”

Henry Dogin enjoys reading, going to the Metropolitan Opera, and going to New York Rangers hockey games. He writes, “I recently retired as senior immigration judge in Newark, NJ. My grandson is a sophomore at Cornell!” Henry vividly recalls learning from Prof. Nabokov on the Hill.

Robert Gerhardt writes, “I attend a men’s group where I live in Orange City, FL. Our son-in-law has become a U.S. citizen!” At Cornell, he learned “how to participate in group activities—both as a participant and as a leader.”

Mary Ann “Polly” Whitaker Dolliver gets the most satisfaction these days from family interactions with her four daughters and their spouses, 12 grands, and 14 great-grands. She also enjoys activities and friendships at her retirement community, church involvements, friends, and study. Polly is on the residents’ council at her retirement community, serving as treasurer. She is also in four book clubs and plays bridge several times per week. She adds that she and some of her family members are avid sports fans of many different colleges and universities. Cornell taught her how to study various subjects in depth and how to relate to a variety of people. “I formed many lifelong friendships there,” she writes.

Robert Abrams derives great satisfaction from his new work project, which has to do with packaging and protecting biotech drugs. At Cornell, he says, he learned to do a detailed study of an issue, concluding that it was important to come to your own conclusions.

Judith Jabloner Bumble loves to see the emerging peonies, leaves, grasses, garden plants, and wildflowers. She also enjoys lots of adventures with her grandkids—and a really good book. Cornell, she says, taught her to be careful.

I design, construct, and evaluate vaccines—mostly to protect farm animals from infectious diseases.

Roy Curtiss ’56

Lael Jackson has been dancing, reading, and enjoying intimate dinners with friends, family get-togethers, movies, and parties. She says, “I wrote a book, called Jump at the Chance. It has a detailed description of our days at Cornell. My son, Devon Boyd ’95, turned out well; he’s making me look good. And his kids are superstars, making us all proud as can be!” At Cornell, Lael learned that “it really pays to reach out to strangers. I arrived as a transfer from a Southern college. I became known as ‘that weird Southern gal who speaks to everybody.’ In my senior year, I was so well known I was elected fall weekend queen! Do they even have that now?”

John Long, MS ’57, writes, “My wife and I enjoy living in the farmhouse we moved into 63 years ago after we were married. Life remains good!”

Arlene Shatsky Chasek enjoys discovering something new each day. “Cornell taught me curiosity and an open mind.” She attached a news release, which reported the following:

“Arlene, a proud native of Elizabeth, NJ, has dedicated her career to advocating for children and families. A product of Elizabeth’s public schools, Arlene attended Battin High School before earning a BA in English literature from Cornell University and a master’s degree in English from Columbia University. Her deep roots in Elizabeth, where her immigrant grandparents settled and raised her parents, informed her lifelong commitment to her community. Arlene’s professional journey includes serving as the founding director of the Center for Family Involvement in Schools at Rutgers University, where she developed influential programs that strengthened family-school-community partnerships.

“These programs have been instrumental in fostering academic and social success for underserved children. Arlene’s expertise has been vital to the TheraYouth Foundation, guiding the organization from its early stages and ensuring its impact in the community. Her work has helped create opportunities for children and families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“In recognition of her dedication and invaluable contributions, we are proud to name our first clinic the Arlene Shatsky Chasek Clinic. This honor reflects our immense gratitude for Arlene’s lifelong commitment to improving the lives of children and her pivotal role in shaping the future of TheraYouth Foundation.” ❖ Class of 1956 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1957

Lucky me! I was able to be at Cornell Reunion again this year with the Continuous Reunion Club and caught up with two of our classmates. Both Jo Field Bleakley and Phyllis Shames Korn were attending with their Class of 1955 husbands. So many coincidences! Both women earned their MSW at Syracuse University and both husbands earned their MD at Cornell Medical College.

Jo and husband Paul ’55, MD ’59, were at the Passing the Banner reception, where we spoke of Jo’s lifelong friend and college roommate, the late Patricia Farrell Marinelli. Pat passed in 2023 after a very active life as mother of four (two Cornellians) and many local activities in the Albany, NY, area.

Jo met her husband not at Cornell, but at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, where she was a social worker in the child study division. Paul was there finishing his medical training on his path to becoming a cardiologist. They settled in Geneva, NY, and within five years added a daughter and three sons to their family. As their children grew, she became a social worker in the parent-infant therapy program in their local United Cerebral Palsy Happiness House. In fact, Jo loved the work she did there and retired from there.

Jo and Paul have remained living in the Geneva area, although not in the old farmhouse they remodeled “stem to stern” many decades ago. One of their sons and his family now live in that five-bedroom home while Jo and Paul have downsized to a two-bedroom home, all on one floor. Their family of four children has expanded to 10 grandchildren, with one great-grandchild already here and another due in October.

Phyllis Shames Korn was a classmate for our first two years when pre-med student Marty ’55, MD ’58, wooed her away to NYC. Phyllis completed her undergrad degree work at Barnard while Marty was working his way to becoming an orthopedic surgeon, with training after his Cornell MD at, where else, Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. Their three children arrived in the 1960s. Phyllis was determined to earn her MSW, so she made the commute over and over from their home in Penfield, NY, to Syracuse University, and in 1977, her MSW became a reality.

Lucky me! I was able to be at Cornell Reunion again this year and caught up with two of our classmates who were attending with their Class of 1955 husbands.

Connie Santagato Hosterman ’57

Phyllis became the executive director of a new agency in Rochester called Alternatives for Battered Women. She saw firsthand the devastating circumstances that brought these women to the agency. However, she also saw the heartbreak these women felt when their children were placed in a different shelter. Phyllis took action. She went to the state capitol in Albany, NY, and successfully had the regulations changed for the entire state. After her efforts, the children were not separated from their mothers, but safe shelters were developed where they could remain together.

A 2023 article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle remarked that Phyllis had transformed the agency “from a humble hotline in a church basement into one of New York State’s model programs for victims of domestic violence.” The agency has been renamed the Willow Domestic Violence Center, open to any gender and helping an average of 10,000 people a year, even more through its prevention programs. Phyllis has been honored with many awards, most notably the Hannah G. Solomon Award in 1981, and more recently the 2016 Farash Prize for Social Entrepreneurship. That prize included a $100,000 gift to the agency Phyllis led.

Two classmates, fraternity brothers, chose to continue their medical training at Harvard Medical School. Both graduated with their MDs in 1961. Norman Cohen, originally from Schenectady, NY, graduated from Nott Terrace High School, not Nottingham Terrace. (Here is our opportunity to clarify the incorrect listing in our yearbook. Nott Terrace High School was the site of the original Schenectady high school located on a street named Nott Terrace. The street is still there, but the building is long gone, and all public high school students now attend Schenectady High School in a sprawling building located several blocks away from the original site.) Norman’s chosen field became oncology. Douglas Sheft, originally from West Orange, NJ, became a diagnostic radiologist. Their careers were spent in the San Francisco, CA, area. Throughout most of their careers, they were also clinical professors at the University of California Medical School, teaching medical students and residents in their respective specialties.

For more than 20 years, both Norman and Doug have been contributing their expertise to a unique organization in San Francisco, the Second Opinion. The mission of this organization is to provide free, comprehensive second opinions to adults in California diagnosed with cancer. Since 1969, through the volunteer staff, lives of cancer patients and their families have been impacted by providing them with clarity, compassion, choice, and hope. At the heart of the program are the volunteer efforts of board-certified physicians like Doug and Norman. They began their volunteer work while still in active clinical practice and have continued their commitment since retirement. The organization adds: “They both enjoy the stimulation of studying these difficult cases and the responses they receive from grateful patients.” ❖ Connie Santagato Hosterman (email Connie) | Alumni Directory.

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1958

John “Jack” Bierhorst was formerly a concert pianist and writer for an advertising agency before he became a prolific writer about the myths, legends, poetry, and history of Native Americans. He has notable book citations for In the Trail of the Wind: American Indian Poems and Ritual Orations and Black Rainbow: Legends of the Incas and Myths of Ancient Peru. He has edited and translated many other books, including children’s books, about the tales and culture of Native American. A list of Jack’s publications can be found here. Jack lives in West Shokan, NY, with his wife, Jane; they have an adult daughter, Alice. At Cornell, he was a member of Quill & Dagger. He honed his writing skills as editor of the Cornell Widow and creator of a skit for his fraternity, SAE, spoofing a campus tradition.

Eugene Ceglowski, DVM ’67, and his wife, Jean Blume Ceglowski, DVM ’67, celebrated the graduation of their grandson in December 2024 from American University. Their granddaughter is in her third year of a PhD program in physics at Cornell. Eugene derives satisfaction from “picking them up and putting them down”—his feet, we assume. He also enjoyed phoning classmate Don Pratt, who he had not spoken to since our 30th Reunion in 1988. He is still raising young cattle stock and putting up big round bales from May to October. At Cornell, he learned to work until he achieved his goal.

Ann Gaffey Coyne is enjoying retirement in Kendal at Ithaca, where lots of Cornellians and lots of Pi Phis form a very busy community. She has been taking a memoir writing class from a Cornell English professor. She has already published two books about her life in Nicaragua with Amazon Publishing. Recently she went on a cruise to Italy and Greece with her oldest son and his wife. The most impactful thing she learned at Cornell was that she had to study if she wanted to learn anything!

This spring, Philip Gellert, MS ’60, planned to attend the graduation ceremony of the 23rd member of the family to graduate from Cornell. The family has a total of 34 degrees, and more future Gellert Cornellians, too. Philip derives the most satisfaction from enjoying life with friends and family. He is still actively engaging in various real estate activities with no plans of ever retiring. He has, however, taken time to travel around the world, skiing at least 20–30 times a year, as well as hunting and hobby farming. Cornell changed the trajectory of his life by opening up possibilities, helping him realize that one could continue to expand their horizons.

John ‘Jack’ Bierhorst ’58 is a prolific writer about the myths, legends, poetry, and history of Native Americans.

Michael Griffinger is getting great satisfaction out of enjoying life. In April, he hiked in Yosemite National Park for five days, covering 30 miles. Although retired, he is working on a startup in the biofield, involving biofertilizer and biofuels. The most impactful thing he learned at Cornell was people skills.

Burks Hamner is now living in Santa Barbara, CA, but also spends time during his retirement in Casa Dorinda, in Montecito, CA. He is now getting great satisfaction from reading and attending classical music concerts. The most impactful thing he learned at Cornell is that one is responsible for their own future. And one should never stop working on projects.

Since his wife passed away 14 years ago, Hugh Hartzberg has inherited Sandra Silverberg’s family. They have accepted him as their surrogate grandfather and great-grandfather. Sandra and Hugh miss their spouses, but feel very fortunate to have found each other. “We call ourselves a ‘lost and found couple,’” Hugh says. He finds great satisfaction with his five “great-granddaughters,” ages 3 months to 7 years. They keep him happy and are fun to be with, although sometimes exhausting. He reads several books each month and spends his winters in Scottsdale, AZ, enjoying concerts. He appreciates music and enjoys growing older and making new friends, while traveling on cruises and other trips. At Cornell, he learned how to read with objectivity and to communicate at all levels. He learned critical thinking and patience in listening to other people’s viewpoints.

Patricia Tillis is deriving a lot of satisfaction from socializing, music, reading, group exercise, dancing, and maintaining an active role in her church. She has been seriously studying Spanish, including spending nine weeks in Costa Rica, taking Spanish classes during the day and living with a Costa Rican family where she could practice the language. At Cornell, she loved the gorges with their beautiful cascades, waterfalls, and huge trees. Her child development/family relationship professors led to her career as a clinical psychologist. The most impactful thing she learned there was that she has a privileged life, making her grateful for her family, for Cornell, and for her many opportunities to travel.

In 2019, Carol Boeckle Welch moved from suburbia to Park Slope, Brooklyn, where she enjoys views from her apartment of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and Prospect Park. Carol enjoys visiting the many museums in Manhattan. Best of all, she lives six blocks from her daughter, Rebeccah, and her family. Rebeccah works writing grants in program development for a K–12 charter school in Patterson, NJ. Carol travels to California a couple of times a year to visit her son, Matt, and his husband, who have a lovely home in the Oakland Hills. Matt is a cellular and molecular biologist at U.C. Berkeley and runs a research lab, which has been funded by the National Institutes of Health for years. ❖ Barbara Avery, MA ’59 (email Barbara) | Dick Haggard (email Dick) | Alumni Directory.

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1959

In recent issues, we’ve focused on classmates who were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. “I believe that only students in the Arts & Sciences college were eligible to join PBK,” notes Al Newhouse, “and that other colleges and disciplines at Cornell also had honor societies that recognized academic achievement.”

For instance, Al, an electrical engineer, was inducted into four honorary societies that included high GPA standings in their membership requirements: Tau Beta Pi, for engineering; Eta Kappa Nu, for electrical engineering; NARMID, for naval science; and Scabbard & Blade, a military society. “I don’t think the memberships had any effect on my career,” he says. “I don’t recall ever being asked if I had been a member of any of these groups. Most technical, non-academic careers care more about what you’ve done lately, not what your résumé lists—and military-related jobs could care even less.” Note that upon graduation, Al was commissioned as an ensign and went to work for Admiral Hyman Rickover in Washington, DC—the start of a lengthy career in electrical aspects of nuclear power and various energy conversion technologies.

“I dusted off my certificate from Gargoyle, which read ‘excellence in scholarship and proficiency in architecture,’” writes Marty Lehman. “I retired from architecture in 2008 and have been painting watercolors since then. I’ve had several shows, most recently in late 2024, and am always glad to see Cornell friends at them, which over the years have included Dick Seegel, Frank Mead, Richard Schriefer, Sid Boorstein, Harry Petchesky, and Bob Furno.”

Marty and his wife, Gittan, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Quebec City. They attended our 65th Reunion last year, and as they departed Ithaca, stopped at the Miller-Heller House on Eddy Street, where Marty and several other architecture students lived during their fifth year, when the building was owned by the College of Architecture. “The house, built in 1876, was designed by William Henry Miller 1872, a member of Cornell’s inaugural class. When we visited, it had been recently purchased by a young couple who are restoring it to its Victorian grandeur, including the pipe organ in the living room! We got a tour of the house, and it brought back many memories.”

I retired from architecture in 2008 and have been painting watercolors since then. I’ve had several shows and am always glad to see Cornell friends at them.

Marty Lehman ’59

George Vernardakis also recalls an award: “In high school, I was not given the prize in chemistry and physics because of my handwriting, so I was told. It still has not improved!” Reflecting on days gone by, George is planning to write about those memories. The recent Share Your News form sent to classmates asked, “What brings you the most satisfaction these days?” Writes Rolf Barth, who continues his work as an academy professor in the Department of Pathology at Ohio State University: “The success of our four children—two sons, MDs, who are saving lives every day, and two daughters, both PhDs, who are on the frontiers of science—and our 13 grandchildren who are all moving forward with their lives.”

Traveling to visit family and friends plus traveling with Lions Clubs International is what brings Phyllis Corwin Rogers particular satisfaction. Among recent travels were trips to attend the graduations of two grandsons, both of whom received their PhDs, one from Duke University and the other from the University of Trondheim in Norway. Phyllis “finally” retired from Coldwell Banker, though she is keeping her real estate broker license active.

Family brings Helen Sugarman Presberg enjoyment these days. She has “just been blessed with a second great-grandchild.” Ann Marie Behling, BS ’63, gets satisfaction from coordinating a two-table bridge group, playing pinochle and Rummikub with friends, reading mysteries, and donating to the homeless and other people in need. And traveling! She recently took her niece on an Overseas Adventure Travel trip to Sicily.

Other answers to the news form question: “Being up and around, being able to still practice medicine part time, swimming 20 minutes a day, and having a good wife!” writes Phil Yarnell. “Making new friends and sharing life stories with them,” says Charles Hill, MD ’63. “Working in my profession and with the young generation of ophthalmologists,” says Jerry Schultz. “Spending time with family, international travel, and reading novels,” says Ruth Chimacoff Macklin, BA ’58, who is “just about fully retired!” She’s been taking adult learning courses at the University of Pittsburgh; goes to local museums, lectures, and concerts on a regular basis; and “walks a lot outdoors to keep fit and healthy.” ❖ Jenny Tesar (email Jenny) | Alumni Directory.

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1960s

1960

I, Linda Jarschauer Johnson, MS ’63, headed to Ithaca on June 4 for my 65th Reunion armed with my Freshman Register (which we affectionately called the “Pig Book” then), which contains photos and information on all the incoming freshmen in September 1956. I love that I only admitted to being 5’ 7¾” there because I thought 5’ 8” was too tall. I also brought our most recent Class Directory, which was from our 55th Reunion in 2015. Our 60th Reunion, originally planned as an in-person event, became a virtual one when Cornell transitioned to virtual instruction in March 2020 due to the coronavirus. Sadly, we never got to use our fabulous slogan, “’60 is 60.”

At last, this year we were headquartered at the Statler Hotel on campus, rather than one of the dorms. Reunion headquarters for three classes, 1960, 1955, and 1950, were set up in the lobby of the hotel, and members of those classes met and mingled there, too.

Reunion began on Thursday afternoon at 5:15 p.m. with a reception and the Spirit of ’31—Passing it Forward ceremony. The “oldest” Reunion classes pass on banners to the youngest. This year, the Class of 1955 passed on a banner to the Class of 2015, which did not have their 5th Reunion in person. Sadly, the Class of 2020 missed an in-person Senior Week, Slope Day, and graduation. The Class of 1960 passed a class banner on to the Class of 2020. In addition, our class and the University each contributed $25,000 to the Class of 2020 so they could have a special “Slope Day 2.0” celebration in Barton Hall with a live concert, pizza, and an open beer and wine bar. One thousand alums of the Class of 2020 returned to campus for their first Reunion, and all of them signed a large thank you card for our Class of 1960, which they presented to us on Saturday evening at our dinner in Klarman Hall.

I headed to Ithaca on June 4 for my 65th Reunion armed with my Freshman Register (which we affectionately called the ‘Pig Book’ then).

Linda Jarschauer Johnson ’60, MS ’63

We had most of our events and meals at the Statler. Corey Earle ’07, a favorite of our class over the years, told us about the additions to campus and filled us in on what had changed since our days on the Hill. At lunch later that day we honored Sue Phelps Day, MEd ’62, who served as our class president for 50 years and passed away in May 2024. Her husband, Bill ’59, and daughter Carolyn Day Flowers ’89 joined us for Reunion. Illness kept many classmates from joining us, and several registrants were unable to come at the last minute. We had about 42 classmates in attendance and 16 guests.

Three of our class members did stop by the Class of 2020 event in Barton Hall on Friday night. The young people were having a grand time—although it was on the loud side for our class members, the only other class permitted to attend the event.

On Saturday morning, some of us attended breakfasts hosted by our undergraduate colleges, which was followed by the State of the University Address by President Michael Kotlikoff in Bailey Hall, who spoke about the problems emanating from the federal administration. I also attended the Reunion reception for the Cornell in Washington Program, which I was affiliated with for 25 years. I still think of the former students as “kids” but learned that some in the Class of ’85 had just turned 61 and retired. I’ll have to make some attitude adjustments.

Michelle Vaeth ’98, associate vice president for alumni affairs, and Julie Vultaggio ’02, president of the Cornell Association of Class Officers, as well as their husbands joined us for our Saturday night dinner. And then we headed to Cornelliana Night at Bailey Hall. It was great to be back on campus, and, as always, Reunion is an opportunity to spend time with old friends and to make new ones.

I end this column with a special shout-out to Judy Bryant Wittenberg, who served loyally and extraordinarily well as our class correspondent for decades. We’re sorry she can’t continue in that capacity, but are so appreciative of all she wrote for all those years. ❖ Linda Jarschauer Johnson, MS ’63 (email Linda) | Alumni Directory.

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1961

Save the dates, June 4–7, 2026, and plan to join us for our 65th Reunion. Reunion chairs Rosanna Romanelli Frank and Pat Laux Richards are making initial plans, doing some homework, and getting excited in general. Plans are being made for monthly Zoom chats beginning in August. Be sure to stay informed of class happenings at our website. Larry Wheeler does a great job keeping it up to date with class news and other pertinent information. Suggestions for Reunion are welcome. Call your classmates and join in.

Now some news from classmates. Frances Shapiro Ivker writes from a new address in Louisiana, after living 20 years in Birmingham. Lately she’s been going to family functions, including a high school graduation, a college graduation, a professional school graduation, and weddings—two in Israel and one in Chicago. At Cornell, she learned how to love and let go and how to balance work and play, plus “a solid foundation in the sciences.”

From Westport, NY, Fred Marcus “enjoys daily chores, working, reading, and staying busy. 2026 will be my 65th Reunion, 90th birthday, and 60 years of marriage.” Fred writes that education is a lifetime learning process that he would like to start over again. He adds, “My first year at Cornell was 1955. I know that isn’t possible.”

Diana Frumkes Thompson says, “I am relatively healthy, as is my wonderful husband. I’m enjoying playing piano and playing bridge. I have received awards for helping seniors and persons with hearing loss in my activity with a hearing loss association. I’ve moved to a CORE senior retirement community. I enjoyed classes at Cornell.”

A notice came in from Alfred Kromholz’s wife, Yonna Yapov-Kromholz. She writes, “Alfred was working on various databases and also putting his PhD dissertation in Cypriote archaeology (Brandeis University) online, projects that were not completed. Unfortunately, Alfred passed away December 4, 2024 at age 84, three and a half months short of his 85th birthday, on Long Island, NY.”

Fred Siegal from NYC is “singing with All Souls Church choir and Fieldston Choral Society, and dog walking. Daughter Nina Ann ’91 writes for the New York Times and lives in Amsterdam, and son David ’89, an attorney, was a U.S. federal prosecutor.” Fred credits Cornell for teaching him to write, especially the Daily Sun.

Stan Marks is “still playing tennis and practicing law (marginally), and still a municipal court judge in Paradise Valley, AZ. (We have the only all-volunteer magistrate court in the country.)” About Cornell, Stan recalls that it’s a place where one can freeze to death if not bundled up. Hey! Consider Reunion! Fun in June! ❖ Susan Williams Stevens (email Susan) | Doug Fuss (email Doug) | Alumni Directory.

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1962

In addition to writing his second book, More Snippets of My Life: Nature’s Wonders and Interesting Folks Along the Way (Lightning-Press Book Printing), which is to be published this fall, Dave Bary (Galveston, TX) is also teaching two “life story” classes at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. He’s also volunteering at Galveston Island State Park as a Texas Master Naturalist, restoring the Coastal Prairie. He and wife Susan are having a great time with their three great-grandkids and nine grandkids! The most impactful thing he learned at Cornell? “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Cathy Van Buren Bomberger (Dune Acres, IN), an active volunteer with philanthropic groups in support of civic education and art appreciation, notes that she is most appreciative of being able to spend the winter months in her condo on Marco Island, FL. She is also proud to report that her grandson is in a master’s program in library information at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Another proud grandmother, Brenda Shencup Lederman (Pittsford, NY), reports that granddaughter Juliet Kaufmann ’27 is a junior at Cornell where sister Caitlin ’29 is now a freshman! In addition to playing bridge and mahjong and gardening, Brenda is in touch with classmates Freddy Herrmann Amstey and Marilyn Nankin Schuster.

Over the last 15 years, yeast geneticist Reed Brendon Wickner (Galesville, MD), NIH distinguished investigator, has discovered six different anti-prion proteins that have cured over 99% of yeast prions as they arise. “The hope,” he explains, “is that similar anti-prion systems in humans can be found and used to treat/prevent amyloid diseases in analogy with the way the immune systems are used against bacteria and viruses.” Wow! In his down time, he enjoys sailboat racing on the Chesapeake Bay with his wife, Yang-ja Lee, studying math, physics, and Japanese and playing tennis.

Jack Loose, MS ’64 (Huntsville, AL) keeps busy these days with yard and home maintenance, volunteering with a social group, exercise, golf, and following today’s politics!

In retirement, Rebecca Cook Corner (East Lansing, MI) finds satisfaction with family, friends, her book club, and “fighting against loss of democracy.”

From Neil Schilke, MS ’64 (Rochester Hills, MI): “Ro and I just (May 2025) returned from a fascinating trip to Japan. We had a perfect cruise planned with stops in 12 ports and shore excursions everywhere. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans, and bad weather delayed our departure from Tokyo Bay by 36 hours, which led to a couple of key cancellations. We visited the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery in Kobe, which is where sake was first created in 1753. The early very-labor-intensive processes are now fully automated in the original location, a remarkable technological evolution.

I have a beautiful view of the front range of the Rocky Mountains!

Peggy Bergquist Palmer ’62

“Of the many temples we saw, the Chikurin-ji Temple in Kochi stands out. It’s connected to the huge Prefectural Makino Botanical Gardens that are overwhelmingly beautiful. We also made sobering visits to ‘Ground Zero’ in Hiroshima and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park including the Peace Statue, symbolizing a pledge to eternal peace. We learned many things about Japan, including that the country is nearly 80% mountains; there are five main islands, but overall there are 14,125 islands; and there are no trash cans in Tokyo because you are expected to put any refuse in your pocket, take it home, and throw it out there. End result is that Japan is the cleanest place we have ever visited.”

Paul Schreiber (North Easton, MA) reports that in retirement he is busy with exercise, cannabis education, and travel to Europe and the Caribbean.

After the death of her husband, Chuck, Peggy Bergquist Palmer moved to a continuing care residence in Highlands Ranch, CO, to be nearer to two daughters. “I have a beautiful view of the front range of the Rocky Mountains!”

David “Buzz” Ruttenberg (Chicago, IL) is in contact with classmates Stu, MD ’66, and Joan Weill Levin, Bob Goldberg, and Marilyn Goodstein Kushen.

Now retired, John Burns, BEE ’64, and his wife, Helen, have moved to a continuing care residence in Adamstown, MD.

In honor of the 20th Annual Cornell Mid-Atlantic Crab Feast, Judith Shulman Weis, professor emerita at Rutgers University, presented a Zoom webinar on June 17, “Under the Shell: Crab Biology, Butter, and Beyond.”

According to Annie Abernathy, curatorial assistant at the Johnson Museum, “We’ve been using many of the gifts from the Class of 1962 Photography Fund in teaching this semester (spring 2025), including in classes such as Spanish Photography, Special Topics in Visual Representation (an architecture course requirement), and Dialogue Across Differences for Public Policy.” In terms of legacy, our photo collection is turning out to be most everything we could have hoped.

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

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1963

Debra Willen Stern wrote: “I’m not sure if this is good news or bad, but here goes. For years, tempted though I have often been to write a note to Class Notes, I have avoided doing it because, really, there was nothing to say that was not dull and boring. This year, life became interesting, but, as we all know, that is not necessarily what a wise person wants to say. I have lived in the same house in Los Angeles since 1974. We live in a rustic and beautiful canyon that pierces the Santa Monica Mountains for five miles, a winding road that twists through a peaceful, botanical wonderland.

“On January 7, with Santa Ana winds whipping through our hills and black smoke descending from the west, my husband and I got into our car with a disorganized collection of stuff and inadequate suitcases, and headed down the canyon to Sunset Boulevard, destination unknown. We were unable to return for 10 days; for half that time, we were not sure we would have a home to return to. Friends in Pacific Palisades and Altadena are without homes. One of our daughters cannot live in her Pacific Palisades townhouse, though it is still standing. Our other daughter lives in Mandeville very near us and, like us, was able to move back in after 10 days.

“I am still having PTSD moments, and I am quite certain that, had our home burned, I would not be all right. This is certainly one of the moments in life that forces evaluation and introspection, ongoing, in some ways fun. I am grateful to our friend who took us into her home and was gracious enough to say she enjoyed having us there. As I sit here today, looking out the window at the mountain across the street, it is hard to remember that anything awful was happening three months ago. But I did use my daughter’s permit to enter the Palisades and I can’t unsee the devastation, a wasteland that reminded me of photos of Hiroshima. Cynthia Raymond is visiting right now and we spent an hour this morning on FaceTime with Judy Kross.”

Harvey Rothschild, our intrepid membership chair, wrote, “I just completed my 52nd (count them) tax season. Please take a few moments to re-up as a duespaying classmate (if you haven’t done so already). My daughter, Wendy ’86, and I hosted our annual Easter Sunday dinner. Our ohana (it’s Polynesian, look it up) includes five Cornellians from four different decades.”

Bob Ulrich, one of this column’s regular contributors, wrote, “I acquired a love for teaching early American history and presented at several venues, including Marist University, Vassar College, SUNY New Paltz, and the Mohonk Mountain House.” Bob gets great satisfaction from watching his grandchildren grow and succeed. Two of them just finished their sophomore years at Cornell. Bob visited them this past spring.

I acquired a love for teaching early American history and presented at several venues, including Vassar College, SUNY New Paltz, and the Mohonk Mountain House.

Bob Ulrich ’63

Mary Ann Blewer Gilbert lives in Midland, MI. She enjoys her friends and does church volunteer work. “My grandson graduated from the University of Michigan in May. Daughter Heather is involved in theater lighting and designed Good Night, and Good Luck on Broadway starring George Clooney.”

Irene Eskenazi Mastrangelo wrote from Verona, NJ, that she gets the most satisfaction these days from “attending art classes, artsy jigsaws, crossword puzzles, and getting together with family. Two grandsons graduated from Cornell and Lehigh and are working. Two granddaughters are about to graduate from Lehigh and Tulane, and one granddaughter is entering her sophomore year at Michigan in the fall. The most impactful thing that I learned at Cornell was how to paint abstractly in the fledgling art program and studying fine arts history and seeing its impact on the art world of its time and the present.”

Anthony Turel, MD ’67, and his wife, Mildred, live in Danville, PA. Anthony wrote, “I am frustrated by old injuries as well as not being even able to drive a car. I do get satisfaction from being close to my family as well as my many friends. At Cornell, I learned blessed freedom and not leaning to the communists.”

Another loyal contributor to our columns is Whin Melville, ME ’68. He wrote, “I get the most satisfaction helping other people or organizations using my skills. I am retired but am working out, traveling, and helping others. I now have 11 grandchildren. I planned a family gathering at Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont last June. At Cornell, through ILR, I learned about government and the development of America.”

Barbara Hartung Wade, MEd ’64, lives in Malvern, on Long Island, and enjoys “travel, golf, the beach, family, and friends. I tutor homebound children in Spanish and English on Google Meet.”

Richard, MBA ’65, and Diane Jackson report, “We just moved to a retirement community in Virginia Beach, VA, near our Navy son, our musician son, numerous grandchildren, and one great-grandson.”

Warren Icke ’62 and I just moved into our retirement community here in the northwestern part of Tucson, AZ, called Oro Valley. I no longer have to cook dinner and we are more than happy that we made this move before we had to. We are trying to teach others that doing this before you are told to by your children is the way to go. ❖ Nancy Bierds Icke (email Nancy) | Alumni Directory.

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1964

At times it seems that the older we get, the more active we become—an example being this month’s column: a chronicle of diverse activities.

Lynn Friedhoff Feigenbaum, BA ’09, has written a highly detailed, illustrated, quasi-reflective description of her freshman year at Cornell, and wishes to pass copies of it on to interested classmates. Lynn is otherwise retired and living in Virginia.

Walther Bartz Schneider, who lives in Crystal Bay, NV, with wife Bernadette, has been retired since 1994, but is “still in competitive sailboat racing.” Walter’s quite good at the sport, as he was recently the San Francisco fleet season champion. And water-borne racing isn’t his only venture. In April 2024, he writes, “I finally checked off the lifelong bucket list item of scaling Machu Picchu with my two sons, Marshall and Elliott ’97.”

Bruce Waxman checks in with a somber story: “I am very sad to report the death of my very dear friend, George Johnson, on March 30, 2023. We met as freshmen in 1960 in one of the U-Hall dorms and remained friends until he died from blood cancer. George and I had overlapping tours at different locations with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. There is a picture of him and me, taken in 1968 in front of dog kennels at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, when we contrived to meet to have lunch in Saigon at a French restaurant. You will see the picture in an excerpt from his unpublished book, which appeared in Moment Magazine. Here is a link to the article from the book titled ‘When One’s Duty and the Right Thing Are Not the Same.’

“We were roommates in law school, and in a Baltimore suburb when we returned from overseas, but still in the Army, and when we moved to Washington, DC, after our respective service. Our families spent time together for 49 years. My son remains friends with one of his sons. George’s obituary was published in the Washington Jewish Week.”

Alan Larris, MBA ’65, who lives with wife Pennie in Copley, OH, writes that he “retired as CFO of a mid-sized, privately owned chemical company. Still doing some consulting and also tutoring college accounting. I had previously taught at the University of Akron and Cuyahoga Community College. My wife is a retired RN. We have three children and four grandkids. Our son moved to Australia 18 years ago, so we’ve been there five times.”

Marty Seldman updates us: “I am living in Berkeley, CA, and although our fraternity, Beta Sigma Rho, no longer exists, several Class of ’64 brothers stay in touch: Morris Shriftman, Matt Chait, Ken Feldman, DVM ’68, George Bornstein, Mark Colman, and Pam Kagan Silverstein, MBA ’76 (widow of Spencer, ME ’73). Enjoying good health at the moment, I continue to work as an executive coach and writer. My 10th book came out in February. On the personal side, I am married, with three kids and six grandkids. We don’t travel much so would love to hear from anyone visiting the San Francisco Bay Area.”

I finally checked off the lifelong bucket list item of scaling Machu Picchu with my two sons, Marshall and Elliott ’97.

Walther Bartz Schneider ’64

Harold Evensky, MS ’67, is busy, in his words, “making up for the two and a half years we lost due to COVID.” He and wife Deena, who live in Lubbock, TX, returned last spring from a cruise from Barcelona, Spain, to Miami Beach, were set for a cross-continent train trip in Canada this past August, and planned to be in Key West around the time you read this. He has even laid out cruise plans for the next two years, concluding with a trans-Pacific jaunt from Tokyo to Vancouver in May 2027.

Classmate Steve Lewenberg seems to have his own upcoming adventures laid out. He relates, “My wife, Liz, and I continue to spend most of the year on Martha’s Vineyard, heading to the mainland only to spend the coldest months in sunny San Diego. As the former commodore of the Cornell Corinthian Yacht Club, I am happy to report that I am about to commence my 72nd sailing season on my Catalina 34, mostly day sailing on Vineyard Sound out of my slip in Menemsha Harbor. I continue my law practice as a labor arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association on a very part-time basis. As my wife, two children, and four grandchildren are all doing very well, I can report that my life is as good as it can get at our advanced age.”

Eric Mann, who lives with wife Lian in Los Angeles, is making his very first appearance in this column. But he makes up for lost time! “It is strange that this is the first time I have corresponded with you, 61 years after I graduated. In 1960, when I was a freshman and president of my dorm, I met Angel Flemings, and she and I, along with two other Black students and two other Jewish students, formed what we believe was the first group demanding Black admissions at Cornell. In our incoming class of all schools, there were at least 2,500 students, only 10 of whom were Black. We were part of the civil rights movement the same year of the far more significant lunch counter sit-ins, but still part of history.

“In my summers, I worked at the East Side House Settlement in the South Bronx and have worked in the Black, Chicano, labor, and environmental justice movements ever since. I now work full time in South Central L.A. as co-director of the labor/community strategy continuing that work. I have been married to Lian Hurst for 50 years, a Marxist feminist architect and very beautiful, cool person. We have two daughters, both of whom run their own businesses, also in L.A., MuMu Mansion and South L.A. Cafe. I have written seven books, and my most popular is Playbook for Progressives: 16 Qualities of the Successful Organizer. Lian wrote a book with Tom Dutton called Reconstructing Architecture.

“I play the congas, sing and dance, do yoga, and take long walks. I am still a fanatical New York Knicks fan. My wife and I spend a lot of time together watching ‘Shrinking’ and ‘Dark Winds.’ My health has been very bad, but presently it is very good, truly thank God. At the 50th Reunion someone said that ‘70 is the new 50.’ I am now 82, and think it’s the new 82—some days, when I am depressed or overweight or just mad at myself, I feel very old. On the days when I feel happy and in shape, I feel ageless. Would love to hear from folks. Also, when I was in Tau Delta Phi, we had a wonderful fraternity brother, Vann Jones ’62, who was an all-star lacrosse player. Yesterday, and I never watch lacrosse, I just stumbled on the NCAA final between Cornell and Maryland. It was a wonderful game, which Cornell won 13-10—its first national championship since 1977. I cried with joy.”

Eric continues, this time defining his years at Cornell: “I began Cornell in fall 1960. I was 17. I graduated in June 1964 and I was 21. I went from teenager to young man at Cornell. The cold was very depressing to me, and I never fully got used to it. The falls and springs were magnificent. Cornell shaped my political consciousness, and of all my wonderful professors, Walter LaFeber and his course on diplomatic history and William Appleman Williams’s The Tragedy of American Diplomacy shaped my anti-imperialist consciousness. I am deeply appreciative of the many friends who helped me through that exciting and difficult rite of passage.”

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 Class of 1965 60th Reunion was a total success! Over 70 classmates converged for the wonderful weekend of June 5­–8. Many thanks to co-chairs Liz Gordon and Myron Jacobson, and to Bill Vanneman for serving as registrar.

Classmates reconnected and made new connections, striking up memories in our headquarters at Barbara McClintock Hall. Some of us stayed in the dorm—whoopee, it was comfortably air-conditioned! Others found lodging at the Statler; Dianne Zimet Newman and her husband enjoyed staying at the Inn at Taughannock Falls!

Folks arriving Thursday registered and received Reunion booklets; and those staying at McClintock settled into our rooms. It was interesting to see what it was like to sleep in a dorm bed and then realize you went out of your room to brush your teeth, etc., in the nearby bathroom. Three rooms were assigned to a bathroom, which worked out fine! There was a buffet dinner at the Appel Commons, near McClintock. We enjoyed dessert and conversation at McClintock for our famous ice cream sundae bar, an absolute must at every Reunion!

Our Friday class program, introduced by class president Jamil Sopher, ME ’66, at the Atkinson Center for Sustainability, featured speakers on the fascinating topic “Digging Deep in the Search for Climate Solutions: Earth Source Heat at Cornell.” We can follow further on the Atkinson website.

On Friday afternoon, I, Joan Hens Johnson, attended the Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at Sage Chapel. Each person recited the name of a Cornell family member or friend who died, and lit a candle. I spoke of Derek Pickard, Lauren Pickard ’90, Joe Ryan, and Sharon Hegarty Williams. We enjoyed singing the “Evening Song” along with the men’s chapel choir.

The beautiful Human Ecology Commons was the site of our Friday class dinner featuring Corey Earle ’07, the unofficial Cornell historian. Then the Cornell University Glee Club and Chorus presented a terrific program of music at Bailey Hall. Those joining current singers from earlier classes included our own Barbara Press Turner and Tove Hasselriis Abrams.

Early Saturday morning, many of us who graduated from Home Economics (now Human Ecology) enjoyed mingling with graduates of all ages for the celebratory 100th anniversary breakfast. It was fun sharing stories with Stephanie Schus Russin, Judy Gleicher Seiff, and Clare Downey Graham, and with Brenda Teeter, who worked with our class for years and is now the development officer for Human Ecology.

President Michael Kotlikoff gave the State of the University Address in a packed Bailey Hall. His remarks stated the dire situation Cornell and other colleges/universities are facing because of research funding being reduced in Washington. He spoke about student unrest on campus. He was an informative speaker of the truth, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation after taking questions following his address. How proud I am to be a Cornellian! Everyone was in full voice singing the “Alma Mater” at the close of the presentation. You can read his speech here.

Saturday afternoon featured the panel discussion of our class gift, establishing the Class of 1965 Student Mental Health Fund. It was kicked off by gift committee chair Jeff Kass, outlining how we came to decide on this coaching program. Thanks to Chuck Andola for his thoughtful comments regarding the need for student coaching at Cornell for those wanting to refine their goals and feel more at ease with the academic rigor of the University.

As panel moderator, Bruce Smoller directed the conversation with Julie Edwards, assistant VP for student health and well-being, and Abi Dubovi, PhD, director of strategic planning and data analysis at Cornell Health; they have anchored and developed the program with input from Bruce, Liz, and Jeff. The overwhelming success of the pilot program paves the way for future expansion. The amazing Ceriale gift has enhanced our efforts to provide more coaches and therapists in the dorms for further student outreach. The success is validated by statistics and the commentary of students who express satisfaction that wellbeing coaching has made a positive difference in their academic and personal experiences.

Mingling with classmates who knew each other, as well as meeting “new” classmates, took place during cocktails before our gala Saturday night dinner at the Statler. President Kotlikoff and his wife, Carolyn McDaniel, circled the room to chat, and then addressed us all before leaving to address other classes who had arranged for him to say hello.

During our ice cream social, we applauded Bob ’65 and Mary Jansen Everett ’66 for their well-deserved receipt of the Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award.

The Cornelliana Night of songs and laughter at Bailey showcased the NCAA lacrosse trophy won by our amazing men’s lacrosse team, which emerged victorious over Maryland 13-10 in the championship game.

During our final ice cream social at McClintock, we applauded Bob and Mary Jansen Everett ’66 for their well-deserved receipt of the Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award.

Our Sunday farewell breakfast featured the Sherwoods in concert. What a treat it was to hear the songs they’ve sung over the years. Liz Gordon smiled through their special serenade to her and we all applauded at the conclusion. Jamil officiated at the class meeting and our slate of officers will be listed on the class website.

Our class clerks were outstanding in providing help and friendship. At headquarters, as at past Reunions, we displayed an array of photos, posters, sports programs, and other memorabilia from 1961–65, as well as photos and books from past Reunion years. In the background we could hear our CDs with popular songs from our student years.

The Reunion album of photos will be posted on our class website. Onward we go to the 65th! And our headquarters will be the Statler!

My co-correspondent Stephen Appell had the following to add about his time at Reunion: “The above conveys my own enthusiasm and experiences; may I add the following concerning more personal, and non-class-related, activities.

“Driving up, we stopped for lunch at a favorite place, Village Farmer and Bakery in Delaware Water Gap, PA. Upon reaching Ithaca, we first visited and patronized two favorite stores: Quilters Corner for Madi, and Buffalo Street Books for me.

“In talking with our wonderful student clerks, I noted my enthusiasm for Cornell basketball, mentioning two favorite players who had just graduated. I was told that one, Summer Parker-Hall ’25, was serving as a supervisor to the student volunteers and we would see her shortly. Getting to see Summer after her Big Red playing career had finished was an unexpected bonus of our Reunion experience. Summer epitomizes the excellence and ebullience of so many Cornell community members.

“On Friday morning, we visited Marie Roller, administrative team member at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who years ago regularly handled reservations for me and my sons at the Willard Straight Hall guest suite. While we have long stayed in touch, it was only the second time I have actually met Marie, the first being during a basketball visit earlier this year. Marie is a great ambassador for our University.

“After this heartwarming visit, Madi and I went to ILR, the school that helped shape my labor law career, to see the exhibit ‘A Living Institution: ILR at 80,’ and meet the curators, at the Catherwood Library. It was great reminiscing about my student experiences, including the days in the Quonset huts before Ives Hall opened.

“We and Steve Hand met up for lunch in Collegetown with Jackie Schaaf and Mike Kuntz. They are members of the family that owned Hal’s Deli on Aurora Street going back to our student days, and with whom I have become very friendly through the years, with their family devotion to Cornell basketball. Their dad Hal Kuntz was the official scoreboard operator from 1961–86, with Mike thereafter assuming that role.

“Friday afternoon, Madi and I attended the Big Red Athletics reception at Friedman Wrestling Center, highlighted by the introduction of men’s lacrosse coach Connor Buczek ’15, MBA ’17, displaying the NCAA trophy. I especially enjoyed meeting up with Ken Bantum ’85, Ivy men’s basketball player of the year as a senior, whom I have known through the years; Laura Bagwell ’20, a star of the women’s basketball team; and Jon Jaques ’10, men’s basketball coach and a star of the 2010 Sweet Sixteen team and a long-standing pal.

“On Saturday morning, Madi and I went to the Law School to hear Prof. C. Evan Stewart ’74, JD ’77, discuss his book Myron Taylor: The Man Nobody Knew, about the prominent alumnus, corporate head, and diplomat who donated the funds for the present Law School home. Afterwards, we met the author at a Cornell Store book-signing and purchased his book. From there, we walked to the Johnson Museum to view the exhibit ‘Home Making: Artists and the Domestic.’ At our Statler lunch, we got to meet our Cornellians editor, Alexandra Bond ’12, who like Madi is an avid quilter.

“The joy of the Saturday dinner was enhanced by meeting President Mike Kotlikoff and his wife, Carolyn, for my second time. I previously had this privilege at the Ivy League basketball tournament in Providence in March.

“The weekend was topped off by Cornelliana Night, where we marveled at the appearance of Class of 1950 members; breakfast with the Sherwoods; a class meeting on Sunday; and fond farewells to departing classmates as well as Summer Parker-Hall and the student volunteer staff.”

Remember our class legacy gift—and look forward to meeting at 2030 65th Reunion! In the meantime, please send news to: ❖ Joan Hens Johnson (email Joan) | Stephen Appell (email Stephen) | Alumni Directory.

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1966

I hope many of you will be able to attend Reunion next June. It is always a great experience.

Susan Frame is a psychoanalyst, artist, and designer in New York City. She also volunteers with school-based art and academic tutoring for inner-city students, grades 2 to 12. Susan enjoys sculpture and photography, as well as volunteering with adolescents, and she writes that she never imagined she’d be doing furniture design, sculpture, and gallery exhibitions! She has traveled to Thailand, China, and St. Petersburg, Russia, and went on a South African safari.

Ted Sprinkle, DVM ’69, writes from Naples, FL, that he started three companies in veterinary consolidation of small animal clinics. He retired in December ’23 but is now working “by request” with a new animal care company in Paris, France. He enjoys golf and Thoroughbred racing and says he never thought he would return to work at 80! Travels include Italy, Spain, and Portugal and summers on Lake George, NY.

Harvey Mays lives in Atlanta, GA, where he enjoys golf and pickleball. His last vacation was to Italy. He never imagined being a grandfather but now travels to California to see his new grandson.

Bonnie Lazarus Wallace lives in Cheshire, CT, where she goes to the gym every morning to exercise and socialize. She also enjoys cooking and baking. Her husband is a dentist and lectures on dental implants at locations in the U.S. and Europe, so they travel to wherever he is invited to lecture. They have six grandchildren. Three live in Santa Barbara, CA, and three on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.

This past February and March, Len Coburn enjoyed a month-long trip to Naples and Sicily, Italy, and had a fabulous time.

Linda Michelson Baumann wrote that she and husband Paul were going to Estonia. For her, this was the year to introduce younger family members to their Estonian relatives, fulfilling her niece’s desire to visit the country and participate in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Linda’s cousin, Ernst Enno. Ernst was a well-known author and Estonia’s poet laureate. He and Linda’s grandfather were first cousins. Linda will also visit Valguta, the location of Valguta Manor, where they grew up. In Haapsalu, she planned to meet Ernst’s granddaughter, Elin Toona Gottschalk, for the first time. Linda connected with Elin through Elin’s book Into Exile: A Life Story of War and Peace, which describes her escape from Estonia during WWII, a path similar to that taken by Linda’s relatives.

Fred Half ’66 and his wife celebrated their 80th birthdays and 55th wedding anniversary with a family trip in Alaska—15 family members, ages 7 to 80!

Fred Half writes from Palo Alto, CA, that he worked for more than 40 years as a reliability engineer in the aerospace/intelligence sector for small and large companies, a time that overlapped with his consulting practice. He retired in 2009. Fred follows Cornell sports, especially track and field, cross country, and hockey. He enjoys reading, politics, and family history. He and his wife celebrated their 80th birthdays and 55th wedding anniversary with a family walking/riding trip on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska—15 family members, ages 7 to 80! The trip was magical and Alaska was the only state Fred and his spouse had not visited!

Paula Hollerbach writes that she retired from full-time work in her 60s and worked for a few years as an independent consultant with a variety of cooperating and U.S. government agencies. Assignments included evaluation of overseas family planning programs, adolescent reproductive health, proposal review, report writing and editing, and systematic literature reviews. She also served as an interviewer for the U.S. Census Bureau. Retirement has been spent catching up on all the things we ignore while working.

Paula’s civic activities include serving on the board of directors of her homeowners association. Since 2012 she has belonged to Independent Consultants for a Better World. It is an informal, peer-led network of consultants, which helps members by sharing resources and opportunities, building consulting business skills, and encouraging collaborative connection. Since 2014 she has managed a “healthy youth subgroup” listserv, something she never imagined doing in 1966. The subgroup has many independent consultants, full-time professionals, donors, and youth advocates working in the area of global adolescent health and wellbeing. Weekly listserv mailings to members include resources and publications, notices of webinars, and training, consulting, and employment opportunities. Paula’s travels include visiting her son’s family in Florida and spending holidays with relatives who live out of state.

A 60th Reunion-year note from Alice Katz Berglas and Mary Jansen Everett: “We are writing during June’s 100-degree heat wave that hovers over the East Coast. We’re just back from visiting campus for Reunion 2025, looking over the shoulders of the Class of 1965, snooping sites, sampling caterers, and simply sharing and joining the joy of 7,000+ alumni, each excited and delighted to be back on the Hill—a place all Cornell alumni call home.

“As you read this, Ithaca’s leaves will soon be turning red, and we hope you will begin making your plans to return to campus June 4–7, 2026. So many of you continue to write to us about how much you missed walking the quads together and sharing time together in person at our 55th Reunion. COVID morphed us to virtual—and we were grateful to meet ‘from afar’—but the real deal, on the (very) real Hill, with its nutty weather (sometimes four versions in a single day) and the Chimes and the sunsets over Libe Slope are the gift of what being a lifelong Cornellian is all about.

“We are here to lure you to give that gift to yourselves. We believe in a Reunion ‘year’—not just a Reunion weekend—so we hope you will read the mailings, join the yearlong spirit (yes, send your news and your dues), and be a part of our 60th milestone. And, of course, we hope you will join us for the June 4–7, 2026 weekend in Ithaca—for a Big Red wine toast, celebrating the Class of 1966 and our friendships, at the Big 60th!” ❖ Susan Rockford Bittker (email Susan) | Pete Salinger, MBA ’68 (email Pete) | Alumni Directory.

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1967

Janet Tierney Kranich (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) enjoys volunteering: “I work with those who are unhoused or at risk of losing shelter. A group of us founded a nonprofit 15 years ago to provide housing and support services for homeless, pregnant/parenting young women, and children. I still serve on the board.” She adds that she and her husband, Bruce Taylor, “do a lot of traveling, taking trips several times a year.” How did Cornell impact her? “It gave me an appreciation for meeting people from various walks of life and cultures.”

Lois Thetford (Seattle, WA) reports that she “still loves teaching medicine to PA students at our five campuses—MEDEX, University of Washington School of Medicine, where I am teaching the Healer’s Art course. I plan to retire for my 80th birthday. I’ve been doing a lot of birding.” Lois credits Cornell for her learning about “collective living.”

Richard Ornitz (Waitsfield, VT) writes: “As the founder and chairman of Infralinx Capital for over 30 years, I have led a global infrastructure development and investment firm that works on four continents, including a focus on impact investment. Our partners have closed over $100 billion of deals from roads to energy to airports and ports to telecommunications to schools to courts to community centers to hospitals, etc., and we have for a couple of years won Project Finance Deal of the Year in London.

“We also helped establish with the UNECE in Europe the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on basic rights for people and countries for security, eliminating hunger and poverty, family development, human dignity, and advancing fundamental human rights. These 17 SDGs are now recognized as the international standard around the world. Major corporations also incorporate them now as part of their global objectives. I am very proud of my team and what we have accomplished to make the world a better place. I am still privileged to serve on the Private Advisory Board for UNECE, as its past chairman. Today as a company we have $16 billion of projects underway.”

Benjamin Blaney supports culture in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH, and spends his time reading, biking, and singing. Cornell’s impact on him included “anti-Vietnam War activities and a breadth of career opportunities.”

I plan to retire for my 80th birthday.

Lois Thetford ’67

Stephen Fraser Johnson (Missoula, MT) is a volunteer researcher at the Rocky Mountain Labs of NIAID, where he published “Neutralizing Antibodies against California Serogroup Orthobunyaviruses in Montana.” He adds: “Grandson Ishaan is a good baseball player.” What did Stephen learn at Cornell? “To think carefully and broadly. And to smile more often.”

Jane Capellupo (West Henrietta, NY) reported: “I continue to sing in my church choir and in the Rochester Oratorio Society, an amateur chorus that’s good enough to perform regularly with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. We recently performed the Mozart Requiem with them.”

Les Glick, JD ’70 (Germantown, MD) “was invited by the Cornell Law School to be a Reunion speaker last June 7.” His topic: “The Return of Donald J. Trump: Trade and Tariff Implications.” He says, “Although intended for the 350 Law School alums attending Reunion, it was open to all registered Cornell alums.” Les specializes in international trade and customs law in the Washington, DC, office of the Butzel law firm, where he chairs the firm’s international trade and customs specialty team and is the immediate past co-chair of the American Bar Association International Trade and Customs Committee. Les is the author of several books on international trade including most recently The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): Legal and Business Implications.

Andy Kirmse (Austin, TX) likes “living in Texas, spending my retirement time on golf and at the gun range, and lots of travel.” Andy notes that Cornell enabled him to build a hotel career.

Richard Weldgen (Webster, NY) reports: “I have officially retired from my landscape lighting business and can spend the time with my family and granddaughter. Recently I visited the Cornell campus with son Franz, his wife, Shannon, and granddaughter Zazie. Franz, a professor at Monroe Community College, received a Cornell fellowship for Latin America comic creators. Zazie is looking at Cornell for graduate studies for her master’s in art. “I enjoy coffee a couple of times a week with a group of guys I went to school with. Our golden years have treated us well, so we can all get together; however, we all walk with a limp.” ❖ Richard Hoffman (email Richard) | Alumni Directory.

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1968

More news to share with our classmates for September! We always want and need more news 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!

Jim Bruenn writes, “Since leaving Cornell I moved to the beautiful Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. I opened a successful CPA practice, then after several decades I shut it down, went back to school, and opened a more personally satisfying practice as a Certified Financial Planner. More importantly: In the ’60s and ’70s I played electric bass in several rock bands throughout New England. In 1999, with the help of my wife, the former Tigger Outlaw (she sang Joni Mitchell’s ‘Songs to Aging Children’ in the movie Alice’s Restaurant, which you can listen to here), I formed a ten-piece R&B/rock/jazz ensemble called After Silence. We recorded two excellent albums available on Spotify: Live’ll Get You Ten and Now You See ’Em … Now You Don’t.

“I also performed in the pit for the Berkshire Theatre Festival’s remarkable 2011 production of The Who’s ‘Tommy’ starring Randy Harrison as the adult Tommy and the Narrator. Turn it up! Act 1 can be seen here and Act 2 can be seen here. Several reviewers commented that the six of us musicians in the pit sounded as good and even more energetic than the 20 on the Broadway cast album. Happy to send out fun and interesting details on both the band albums and the ‘Tommy’ performance.

“Besides music, my passion is motorcycling on my BMW. I have ridden all over my beautiful New England and Eastern Canada, the Pyrenees, Rome, Sicily, Ireland, Croatia, and South Africa. Next up is the Dolomites in June.” Jim visited Cornell about a year and a half ago and was pleased to see that a fitting memorial finally had been created in 2019 to commemorate the deaths of eight members of an accelerated six-year PhD program plus an advisor, which reads: “In memory of the nine vibrant and brilliant young scholars who died in the tragic fire at the Cornell Heights Residential Club on April 5, 1967.” The plaque is located outside Sage Chapel.

I have ridden my BMW motorcycle all over New England, Eastern Canada, the Pyrenees, Rome, Sicily, Ireland, Croatia, and South Africa.

Jim Bruenn ’68

Gordon Silver, a past class correspondent, writes that he had a wonderful “mini-reunion” this past winter with Sharon Lawner Weinberg, PhD ’71, me, and our former class president Jane Frommer Gertler and David Gertler ’67, ME ’68, at David and Jane’s beautiful new home in Delray Beach. With Gordon at the lunch was Carla Ginsburg ’69. Gordon and Carla, who is a gastroenterologist, live on Fisher Island, FL, in the winter months and in Aspen, CO, in the summer. Gordon remains active in a variety of sports, including golf, hiking, biking, and pickleball. He has five grandchildren who live in Boston and New York. Gordon visits Cornell annually as a life member of the University Council.

Bill Wise and Delanie continue to live in Framingham, MA, where Bill plays the clarinet and gives local concerts each year accompanied by accordion or piano. His CD, Y2Klex, all originals, is distributed worldwide and is used in video streams on Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms! He got to play with the Cornell University Klezmer Ensemble at our last two Reunions! He continues to provide support for his software product, CALCWISE, “an intelligent interface for hematology.” Bill developed the software for UMass Chan Medical School and other labs. He and Delanie are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year! They have five grandchildren. The four oldest learned to play chess from Bill. On the sports side of things, Bill played squash as part of our PE requirement and went on to rank fourth (45–49 age bracket) in Massachusetts and won his club’s open championship! He is now an avid swimmer.

It is with deep sadness that I report news from Beth Deabler Corwin that our classmate and fellow class officer Corinne Dopslaff Smith passed away suddenly in July. Corinne had updated us on her activities since graduation a number of months ago in our class column. She was active in our class, serving as our website community manager, a job that clearly was created since we graduated, and with her husband, Bob, who predeceased her, attended all of our Reunions but for one. She will be missed by so many of us, including all her close friends from DG, Mary Sander Alden, Mary Jo Ashley, Bernice Bradin, Beth Corwin, and Susan Clark Norwood, who had kept in touch with Corinne through monthly Zoom meetings.

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

Greetings, Class of ’69! This column was written in June by guest columnist Alan Cody.

In January 2005, the Cornell Association of Class Officers established the William “Bill” Vanneman ’31 Outstanding Class Leader Award to recognize Cornell alumni who, in their capacity as class officers, have provided long-term exemplary service to their individual classes. The award is appropriately named in honor of Bill Vanneman ’31, who served his class tirelessly for more than 75 years. Join us in congratulating the 2025 recipients of this award, our classmates Nancy Jenkins Krablin and Larry Krablin.

For the Krablins, what first began as an assignment to greet dinner guests at the 15th Reunion led to more than 40 years of service to the Class of 1969: as Reunion chairs, vice presidents, and class council members. Additionally, the Krablins have served together as Reunion registration chairs for seven Reunions and hope to do so again for our 60th in 2029! Read more about their story here.

Alumni Affairs is collecting examples of how Cornellians try to “do the greatest good” in our world. These examples illustrate the vastness of the good Cornellians do as citizens, humanitarians, and volunteers. Starting with this column, we are sharing three of the stories that our ’69 classmates have submitted about the good they are doing in the world.

Adam Sieminski, MPA ’71, serves as president of Friends of Peirce Mill, which was formed in 1997 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the mill to operating condition. From the outside, Peirce Mill looks like a simple stone structure standing at a crossroads in Rock Creek Park in the heart of Washington, DC. Inside, however, is a pioneering complex of early industrial innovations, incorporating labor-saving devices developed around 1800 by noted inventor Oliver Evans.

Built in the 1820s by Isaac Peirce, the mill is a survivor—a remnant of a thriving industrial enterprise that included a carriage barn, distillery, sawmill, spring house, orchard, and residences near the mill, all constructed with stones quarried from nearby hills. Commercial operations ended in the mid-1890s, but the mill was incorporated in the newly established Rock Creek Park and was used as a teahouse for three decades before undergoing a complete restoration in 1936 as a Public Works project. In the 1990s the mill fell into disrepair once again, but, at the time, the National Park Service lacked funds for repair or restoration.

Working in partnership with the National Park Service, the Friends of Pierce Mill organized an extensive fundraising campaign along with a restoration and rehabilitation effort that reached a major milestone in 2011, when basic milling operations were restarted after a 17-year hiatus. The Friends of Peirce Mill continues to work to preserve, restore, and interpret this last working gristmill in Washington, DC, for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of all generations. The Friends have partnered with NPS to develop innovative school programs and lively public events. Dedicated volunteers welcome visitors to the mill and stone barn, and care for our historic orchard.

Lee Stone writes, “For about 15 years I have transported (mostly senior) people who cannot drive themselves to and from their medical/dental/other appointments. I make special efforts for other military veterans.”

Gary Shaye writes, “Following graduation I joined the Peace Corps and served for two years in Cuzco, Peru. After spending another year in Nepal as a volunteer, I went to graduate school and later began what now has been 50 years with Save the Children. I have lived and worked in the Dominican Republic, Nepal, Bolivia, and Haiti, where I served as a country director, and also served as the VP of international programs, and before that regional director for Latin America. I also had two-month assignments responding to hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Florida.”

Join us in congratulating the 2025 recipients of the William ‘Bill’ Vanneman ’31 Outstanding Class Leader Award, our classmates Nancy Jenkins Krablin and Larry Krablin.

We have much other news from our classmates, which follows.

Ken Dryden has written a moving remembrance of his longtime friend and Cornell Hockey teammate Bob McGuinn, who passed away recently. He writes that Bob was a teammate of his longer than anyone else. For 11 years they played together, from when Ken was 10 and Bob was 12, including five years with Humber Valley, two with Etobicoke in the Junior B league, and four years at Cornell. Ken writes of Bob, “He was also the only player to win a U.S. NCAA college hockey championship, with Cornell in 1967, and then a Canadian CIAU championship three years later, with the University of Toronto. … In many ways, we never stopped being teammates.” Read more of Ken’s story of their friendship and his tribute to his longtime friend Bob here.

Watching her grandkids grow up gives Ingrid Vatsvog Wächtler, ME ’70, the most satisfaction these days. She is still managing the Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery. She and her husband, Bill, are acting as contractors to build a new home on the nursery property and were hoping to be able to move in soon. The value of friendship was the most impactful thing she learned at Cornell.

Richard Greenberg, BA ’68, writes that he is enjoying friends and dancing as well as their small band of racehorses in both the U.S. and Australia. Since 1989, he has been working full time as professor of medicine in the infectious diseases division of the Department of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. He and his family have a trip planned to the Spanish Formula One race in Barcelona, a dance competition in Spain, and an African tour in August (Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa). The value of an education was the most important thing he learned from Cornell.

Diane King is having the most satisfaction from being healthy and having the time and ability to pursue favorite activities. She is retired and works during elections as an inspector and also contributes to charities. Cornell’s greatest impact for her was learning how to think outside the box.

For James Miller, running a food service program at St. Mark the Evangelist Church in Syracuse brings him the most satisfaction. Since 2004, he has been lecturing in SUNY Cortland’s history department and is a social studies student teacher supervisor. He has four kids and seven grandkids in Maine, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Liverpool. Of his four kids, one is Cornell Class of 1999 and one is 2002.

For Emily Parke Chase, teaching Bible study at her retirement community gives her the greatest satisfaction. She recently published a debut novel, called The Idol, on Kindle Direct Publishing. It is the first of four novels set in the first century. In The Idol, the emperor Caligula has ordered an image of himself to be installed in the Jewish temple.

Family brings Dick Erali the greatest satisfaction. Gardening flowers and staying in shape is how he is spending his time. More grandchildren are bringing him joy. As a board-certified surgeon, he still considers earning his degree from Cornell to be his greatest academic accomplishment. Robert Miller writes that he is currently residing in Locke, NY.

Her 50-plus-year marriage and the arts and nature give Anne Simon Moffat the greatest satisfaction. Husband John retired at age 80 from the faculty at the University of Chicago. They bought a condo in Key West after visiting for 40+ years. No snow! Anne says that learning to garden in zone 11b is much different from 6a, where she gained Master Gardener status. Perseverance and dealing with misogynists (when the ratio of men to women was five to one in the 1960s) were the most impactful things she learned at Cornell.

Warren Lem writes that living a healthy lifestyle (family, friends, traveling, surfcasting on Fire Island, competitive tennis throughout Florida) gives him the most satisfaction these days. He and his wife will have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and renewed their vows by the time this column is published. He writes that, oddly enough, with how little he knew as an 18-year-old and how much more he needed to learn, Cornell gave him the inquisitiveness to continue learning. Sandra Pell is working as a private math tutor for high school students.

Cornell’s research—in labs, classrooms, clinics, and communities—makes the world safer and stronger. It fights disease, fuels our economy, preserves our planet, and protects national security. As you may know, its funding is being threatened. You can help explain the benefits of Cornell’s research and its benefits to society by signing up with Cornell Matters. Read more here and consider signing up to help advocate for Cornell.

Thanks to everyone who contributed news. Please share your news via the online news form or you can email Alexandra Bond ’12 (email Alex). Best regards. ❖ Alan Cody (email Alan) | Alumni Directory.

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1970

It will be some time before you read this, written in mid-June, and still fresh in my mind and memories are all that occurred during our 55th Reunion, the first weekend of June.

Of course, as you might expect, there was some rain (or “Ithacation”). It was significant enough to cause warnings of possible flooding in the lower areas of town. In my weekend experience, it rained hard enough to fill Beebe Lake right to the top. As an example, with significant water rolling over the Beebe Dam, mist was very heavy walking across the Triphammer footbridge behind what we all knew as Noyes Lodge, now the Martin Y. Tang (’70!) Welcome Center. Also, early Friday, a walk to the Johnson Art Museum was in rain, and significantly low clouds obstructed the extent of Cayuga Lake, normally a grand view from the museum’s top floor. Yet, as Saturday unfolded, the clouds went away and the sun reappeared.

Seventy-eight of our classmates, plus partners and friends, were comfortably settled in Toni Morrison Hall, one of the new residential structures in North Campus. We apparently have crossed the age threshold of no longer being required to climb Libe Slope from West Campus accommodations. And immediately across a walkway was Morrison Dining, a huge buffet-style facility where, for a fixed price, one could wander among an amazing presentation of foods for every taste and allergy, and spend time at tables with friends and classmates.

For old times’ sake, Saturday lunch was catered under a tent near the dorm, with entertainment by the Sherwoods, still in green golf shirts, still singing the songs we might remember.

And Saturday night was Cornelliana Night, with class attendance and donation records, all the old and/or beloved songs, and a couple of special presentations. The first was the announcement of the William Vanneman ’31 Outstanding Class Leader Award for long-term alumni class officers. Special to me was that the award was to a couple, both longtime, wonderful Cornell friends, Larry Krablin ’69 (Engineering) and Nancy Jenkins Krablin ’69 (Human Ecology). Larry was an undergrad roommate of mine, already connected to Nancy. The second special presentation was for all proud Cornellians; the showing of the NCAA Champions’ trophy earned by Cornell’s extraordinary men’s lacrosse team! A unique experience!

Reunion took a lot of energy to organize and execute by a significant number of individuals—too many to name, yet a couple of them stand out. Sally Anne Levine, JD ’73, outgoing president and incoming secretary, and Donald Noveau, Reunion chair and incoming class president. Both navigated the unknown waters of a COVID-driven, 10-year hiatus between actual Reunions, and brought us back together. Thanks to both, and to all the others who added their efforts to make our 55th exceptional in so many ways.

Diana Christopulos ’70 continues her volunteer work with the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club, which maintains and patrols over 120 miles of the AT in Central Virginia.

Already, you will have received a News and Dues mailing, which I would encourage you to return so I have plenty of interesting things to write about our class members! Below are several that were submitted before Reunion.

Stewart Ketcham (South Royalton, VT) finds that traveling brings satisfaction since retiring, going on road trips to Nova Scotia, the West Coast, and the Southwest. In addition to travels, Stewart is also volunteering at a national park and gardening. Family happenings have been about children leaving the nest—one to Georgia, the other to New Hampshire. Stewart’s most impactful things he learned while at Cornell were: 1) to find a way to relax when there is time; and 2) that animals are uniquely different within the species. (He’s a veterinarian!)

Kevin McEnery, MBA ’71 (Darien, CT) finds satisfaction these days seeing how nicely their four daughters (all Cornell graduates) have matured, and feeling the joy of visiting their grandchildren. Kevin is doing some math and physics tutoring for disadvantaged high school students, plus sailing and skiing, and is enjoying good health, at least for the present. Kevin’s most impactful thing he learned while at Cornell was (perhaps) confidence. After successfully navigating the challenges of engineering, he was able to face professional challenges with confidence.

Connie Fern Miller is still practicing law in Watkins Glen, NY. Her most impactful memories from Cornell were loving her science classes and Shakespeare class. Patrick Kelly (Ottawa, ON) finds his most satisfaction in peace of mind! He is enjoying retirement and is an active volunteer with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The most impactful thing he learned while at Cornell was resiliency! Kurt Krammer (Concord, MA) continues to work part time at a local Alzheimer’s clinic.

Reed Stoops (Juneau, AK) writes as follows: “I was a founder of the Juneau, AK, Community Foundation 23 years ago. It has grown from zero to over $80 million in assets and donations to local nonprofits in all areas of about $4 million per year in our town of 30,000. We have built many community projects for the homeless, seniors, disabled, and addicted; given scholarships for youth and artists; and undertaken major parks, trails, and recreation projects and led community initiatives. I came to Alaska as a VISTA volunteer straight from Cornell in 1971 and am surprisingly still here.”

Diana Christopulos (Salem, VA) continues her volunteer work with the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club, which maintains and patrols over 120 miles of the AT in Central Virginia. She is happy to report that after eight years of planning and coordination with partners in the National Park Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Virginia Department of Transportation, and other partners, she helped open the new pedestrian bridge at the McAfee Knob parking area. The Knob is reputed to be the most-photographed spot on the AT, and this road crossing was identified as one of the most dangerous on the 2,200-mile trail over 20 years ago.

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

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1971

Some of your classmates can report that great things are afoot for our 55th in less than a year. Whether you’ve been a regular or will be a first-timer Reuning with the (Great) Class of ’71, do plan to join the fun. Kathy Menton Flaxman, John Henrehan, BS ’76, Arthur Mintz, and the others scouting on your behalf plan to polish the gem delivered the Class of ’70 at their 55th Reunion.

Your classmates continue to depend on the news you send (by email, text, or through the Cornellians website). Here’s the latest potpourri.

In March, Ken Margolies, MPS ’11, shared a range of updates. Four years ago, recovering from a kidney transplant (his live donor was a friend), he finished Managing with Labor’s Values and has already finished the draft for his next book designed for folks in labor and social justice. Recent cataract surgery has given him the best vision he’s had in years. He and his wife, Robin Dintiman, an accomplished artist, split their time between California and New York. He’s become an art “roadie,” using his Teamster background to move her work. For the warm weather, they were in Tuscany for Robin’s art residency.

Very sad news about two classmates: Joel Moss died in February in Sandy Springs, GA, outside Atlanta, where he practiced law. In addition to his wife, Karen Moss, who sent the news, he is survived by a daughter and granddaughter, sister, mother-in law, nieces, and nephews. And in June, James Pfeiffer died in Ridgewood, NJ, leaving his wife of 44 years, two grown sons, their wives, and three granddaughters. After his BS in engineering, he flew aerial refueling missions across the Pacific in the U.S. Air Force. In civilian life, he pivoted early from software sales to the development of renewable energy startups, including Enertec; participated in the Building Resiliency Task Force, the expert panel Mayor Bloomberg convened following Hurricane Sandy; and dreamed of spreading waste-to-energy technology across the planet at Green Waste Energy Corp.

Merry Morris Miller is retired but works as an elementary school substitute teacher near her home in Cabot, PA. She and her husband, Frederick, are happy to report they’re still kickin’. One takeaway from Cornell is that hard, sustained studying has served her very well.

Jim Cooper, MAT ’72, writes from Flat Rock, NC, near Hendersonville, where he and his wife, Jann, moved after 40 years in Dallas. He works as an executive leadership coach but has time to keep up with seven grandchildren, one of whom is a Cornellian, Class of 2029! “Work hard, play hard” is an important lesson he’s carried with him since undergraduate days.

This month’s award for classmate with the most distant address goes to Mark Ellyne ’71, who splits his time between Denver, CO, and Cape Town, South Africa.

From Naples, FL, Charles Staadecker shares of his gratitude for the life he has lived. He and his wife, Benita, have been active promoting the arts, including two plays winning awards from the American Critics Society, Becky’s New Car and Bloomsday, and four symphonic commissions including a violin concerto by Samuel Jones that premiered on PBS TV, a flute concerto premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra, and a trombone concerto—themed and dedicated to Cornell—performed by Joseph Alessi of the New York Philharmonic. All three are on a CD by Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Charles and Benita’s kids, Tess ’07 and Ben ’08, BS ’09, are Hotelies like their dad!

Michael Scheibel loves birding near his home in Brookhaven, NY, and throughout Central and South America. He’s retired from work as a senior wildlife biologist with NYSDEC and the Nature Conservancy on Shelter Island. Oh, and he’s a captain twice a week for South Ferry Inc. He and Lynne have two college granddaughters, one at St. Bonaventure and the other at Sienna College. The most important thing he learned at Cornell, he says, is responsibility.

Continuing to work and contribute to his community in Brookline, MA, Thomas Nally remains in charge of the land use and development unit (and the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project!) of A Better City. He’s also president of the Greater Point Neighborhood Association in Brookline. He and Susan, who is retired, are healthy; their son works for a national insurance consulting firm. At Cornell, Thomas developed an appreciation for colleagues working together for a common shared goal.

Denise Marchand Pakala and her husband, Jim, live in Manchester, MO, now. She retired as St. Louis Covenant Theological Seminary’s tech services librarian but continues to volunteer there. She’s active in the Christian Service League in her church, and at lecture and book discussions at the local art museum, history museum, and zoo. As Jim loves historic trains, they do a fair amount of Amtrak travel, too. For her, education and study are lifelong pursuits rather than something completed at graduation—or ever!

This month’s award for classmate with the most distant address goes to Mark Ellyne, who splits his time between Denver, CO, and Cape Town, South Africa. Even retired, he and his wife, Joyce, have just launched an exhibition on African tribal art at the University of Cape Town.

From Champaign, IL, our classmate Don Meier tells us that “gardening and photography” bring him the most satisfaction these days, and in retirement he travels, having “no wife, no kids, and no pets.” The most impactful thing he learned at Cornell? “Just how important this degree was going to be in my career.” ❖ Cara Nash Iason (email Cara) | Elisabeth Kaplan Boas (email Elisabeth) | Alumni Directory.

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1972

Fellow classmates, this is Wes Schulz, ME ’73, one of three class correspondents who produce this column. We appreciate your input.

From Newton, MA, Bruce Flenniken, BArch ’75, reports that in April he got together with a fun, mismatched crew of former lacrosse teammates and ’72 SAE brothers at the Cornell/Harvard lacrosse game in Cambridge, MA, which was a successful step in the Big Red’s march to the national championship. It was a day with Frank Davis, Matt Sampson, Jim “Tucker” Fredrickson, and Randy Bryan, BS ’74. Some were part of that first-ever, on-field playoff competition 1971 national championship team. Kudos and great memories.

One of the things that Laurin Herr started at Cornell that turned out to have a great influence on his life was Aikido, a Japanese martial art. It inspired him to learn Japanese after graduating as part of Cornell’s FALCON program for a full year of Asian language concentration. Laurin moved to Japan in 1973 and spent the next 10 years, on and off, living and studying in Japan. This proved to be the foundation for his career in Silicon Valley and as a consultant working between the U.S. and Japan in high technology through his company, Pacific Interface. All along, he continued practicing Aikido and is now a sixth-degree black belt and a senior instructor near where he lives in Oakland, CA. He recently co-authored a book about his Aikido teacher of 20+ years titled Aikido: The Art of Transformation: The Life and Teachings of Robert Nadeau, which is available through Amazon and bookstores around the world.

Rob Blye had an interest in birds when he started at Cornell. This interest was ultimately manifested in a 40+ year career as a wildlife biologist. He was hired shortly after graduation by a Cornell professor, Edward Raney, PhD ’38, who started a consulting company. After 25 years, Rob became president of the company. Now in retirement, Rob and wife Carol travel the world on birding trips.

One of the things that Laurin Herr ’72 started at Cornell that turned out to have a great influence on his life was Aikido, a Japanese martial art.

Their volunteer activities revolve around helping people in need get food and engaging the community in protecting the environment by leading bird walks in their community. They volunteer at a food bank that serves low-income people. They also stock an outdoor food cupboard through their church, and sponsor a coat drive, Christmas gift exchange, and housing assistance.

Less rewarding but more fun are the bird walks that they plan and lead on the Delmarva Peninsula. The field trips are open to the public, led by knowledgeable birders, and viewed as educational by participants. They provide an unneeded excuse to hike in the forests and marshes of Lower Slower Delaware and socialize with people who like the birds and outdoors.

Rob relates that his nine grandchildren bring him the most satisfaction these days. His granddaughter Naomi Hope Cohen ’29 from Bolton, MA, has just started in Human Ecology. Naomi is the daughter of Jason ’97 and Amy Blye Cohen ’97 and the great-granddaughter of Elaine Frazier Corey ’53.

Thank you to all who have written in. Keep the news coming! As always, you may contact one of us directly, or use the University’s standard online news form. ❖ Wes Schulz, ME ’73 (email Wes) | Frank Dawson (email Frank) | Susan Farber Straus (email Susan) | Alumni Directory.

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1973

After focusing for many years on careers and children, this column has now turned the corner into retirements and grandchildren—and even great-grandchildren. It’s also being written by someone whose typing would be illegible without auto-correct, which is not actually a new development, but annoying nonetheless. And though it was tempting, I can certify that I have not resorted to AI. At least not this time.

Nancy Dworkin Miller writes from Jersey City that spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandsons (!) is her biggest thrill in retirement, along with live jazz, guitar lessons, and traveling with husband Jerry. She’s been volunteering with professional organizations in the fields of aging, blindness, and human services, and credits her college years for providing the necessary problem-solving skills.

It’s rubbed off: Nancy’s four children have careers in elder mental health, disability services, healthcare, and elder law. As for her grandchildren, they include an engineer, a personal trainer, two college students, a sports announcer, and a third grader. She can witness two generations thriving at the same time. Doesn’t get better than that.

Paul Witt, who stands as a legend in his hometown of Gettysburg for his support of the tourism industry, reports that he and his wife, Dana, traveled to Singapore and joined a Cornell Alumni Travel trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. Ed Evans ’74, MBA ’75, and his wife were among their companions.

Rhonda Frankel-Fein had a simple answer to the prompt, “What brings you the most satisfaction these days?” She said, “Being alive and spending time with loved ones and friends!” Cornell taught her critical thinking and an appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. She spends her time volunteering in the Amherst, MA, community.

Jeff Schwartz lives in Katonah, NY, with wife Kathryn, and his gratitude list is as follows: 1) being vertical; 2) grandkids; 3) friends; and 4) travel. They took a meandering trip along the California Coast from Sonoma to La Jolla that included a visit with classmate John Kontrabecki, and they just returned from a barge trip through Belgium.

Diane Riska-Taylor ’73 writes that retirement has been a true gift—because after a career in the sciences, she’s blossomed into an artist!

Diane Riska-Taylor writes from Long Beach, NY, that retirement has been a true gift—because after a career in the sciences, she’s blossomed into an artist! She works in watercolor and sumi-e ink, inspired by her travels to the Arctic, the subarctic, and Antarctica, sometimes accompanied by her husband, David, sometimes with her brother, and sometimes alone. Diana especially loves Greenland.

Steven Fruchtman reports that he is busy figuring out retirement after a career as a hematologist. He also has the satisfaction of watching his three kids pursue their own healthcare careers. Not that there was any parental pressure involved, but seeing the joy their dad found in helping other people probably played a part. The most impactful thing he learned at Cornell: “Be kind.”

Bill Chamberlain lives in Chicago with partner Howard and is still acting and singing. He and I shared the stage in the Glee Club and Savoyards, but whereas I gave up performing in 2015 (after one last “Pirates”), Bill, as of this writing is rehearsing Chekhov’s Three Sisters for a performance in August. He’ll also be traveling to Santa Fe (where he sang in the Opera in 1981–82) and then to Antarctica at the end of the year. His three takeaways from his years at Cornell: 1) gaining confidence as a singer; 2) that his career would be in academia; and 3) the importance of living at Risley with a group of like-minded friends.

Greg Novak, ME ’74, lives in Carson City, NV, and says what gives him the most satisfaction in retirement is a good round of golf. Which is, as he puts it, “A very rare event.” He wisely participates in not just one, but TWO senior golf leagues, which should improve the odds. As for community service, he’s serving on the local transportation commission, drawing on his experience at Cornell, when he worked on expanding the Ithaca bus system. He also has an acre of land to take care of on behalf of the birds and pollinators.

Greg’s life lesson from four years at Cornell was learning to balance inside work with outside work—and Ithaca’s atmospheric tantrums proved to be the perfect antidote to eight hours in a stuffy office. He also notes that, after 47 years as a federal employee, he finds himself participating in local political demonstrations, as well as voting at every opportunity.

Carol Worman Nolan—a longtime friend since freshman year and an academic genius who worked for 30 years in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals—writes from Whitehall, PA, that she’s taken the plunge and moved into a continuing care retirement community. No more yard or home chores! She volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association and a pregnancy support center. Thanks, Carol, for arranging those double dates half a century ago!

Patti Miller Ross ’72 and I are maybe 40% through our downsizing ordeal, having blown through numerous deadlines. My rational brain reminds me it’s all destined for thrift shops eventually anyway, but the process gives us something we can do together, and however futile it may be, it’s not without entertainment value. Such as discovering a letter written to my grandmother in October 1971—fall of junior year—which included this informative nugget: “We’re living next to four girls this year, which comes in handy when I need a button sewed, or pants mended. They even made our beds a couple of times.” My innocence ran thick in those days. ❖ Dave Ross (email Dave) | Phyllis Haight Grummon (email Phyllis) | Pam Meyers (email Pam) | Alumni Directory.

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1974

Richard Doyle winters in Florida in retirement with wife Marie. He loves playing games and cocktailing with friends, as well as watching grandkids being kids. He shares that he’s moved up to the tee box, so he’s hitting more greens. Richard claims he was better at making friends in college than growing up and says he regrets feeling he wasted getting a finer education. (Probably not alone on that one!)

Russ Kranich retired in March of this year after 25 years with Marriott Vacations Worldwide. He and wife Donna moved to Hilton Head, SC, where he now drives a tram for owners and guests at Marriott’s SurfWatch Resort. Russ enjoyed reconnecting with his fraternity brothers at our 50th Reunion, though some have been lifelong friends. Russ and Donna have refurbished their home while watching their daughters grow their careers.

Jeff Lang lives in NYC with wife Heleen. Ten friends joined him at our Reunion. He’s happy being semi-retired. Karen Axtell Arnold was sad to miss our Reunion but was uplifted by all her friends sending her great photo messages, for which she is grateful.

Barry Raff retired last year and is enjoying his six grandkids with his wife, Micki. They just returned from a trip to Sicily, Malta, and Rome. In June he headed to Thailand with his 24-year-old grandson. Barry says his favorite time at Cornell was the summer between junior and senior years, when he relaxed and sailed on Cayuga Lake. Great weather was a plus!

Barry Raff ’74 says his favorite time at Cornell was the summer between junior and senior years, when he relaxed and sailed on Cayuga Lake.

Stephen Banker and wife Susan live in Rye, NY. Stephen is president of an a cappella chorus, Westchester Harmony, that won three awards at a recent competition. Martin Siegel, DVM ’78, has a beach home in Saltaire, NY, where he hangs out with his kids and grandkids. He is currently running a “100 straight” at the trap range. Drinking at the Palms was his favorite pastime at college.

Ray Kase and wife Louise are all about family. They moved from Pennsylvania to Utah to be near their first grandchild, a girl. Two more followed, a grandson and granddaughter in Alaska, so now they spend their time traveling between the two states. A favorite thing is reading a book to the grandkids.

Doctors Jeffrey Gold, MD ’78, and wife Robin Hayworth ’75, MD ’78, live in Lincoln, NE. Jeffrey served as the ninth president of the University of Nebraska System, and was formerly the chancellor (2014–24) and provost (2021–24). They have two wonderful twin grandchildren. Jeff and Robin celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. ❖ Linda Meyers Geyer (email Linda) | Betsy Moore (email Betsy) | Perry Jacobs (email Perry) | Alumni Directory.

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1975

It is mid-June as I write, a week after our 50th Reunion, so this will be a column with highlights told to me by classmates and from my observations. Any recent news forms that you sent in will wait for the next column!

Ithaca was Ithaca, with rain and cool weather followed by wonderful sunshine! We had more than 430 attending our festivities with more than 320 ’75 classmates! We were treated to a stay at one of the newer dorms on North Campus, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall (RBG). If you were unable to return or missed some of the activities, you can see a “livestream” of the Olin Lecture, the State of the University address, and Cornelliana Night at this link!

We had several class events including: a look back at our time on the Hill by Corey Earle ’07; insights into running a family wine business, with some wine tasting by Fred, MBA ’77, and wife Jennifer Schroeder Johnson, MBA ’79; “In Search of the Orange-Tufted Spiderhunter” led by Peter Kaestner; a film screening of The Artist and the Astronaut, which highlights artist Pat Tapscott Musick Carr, PhD ’74 (and mother of classmate Laurie Musick Wright) and astronaut Jerry Carr; and “Gardening for Small Spaces” at the Botanic Gardens, arranged by Myrna Bank Gardner. Many who wrote notes also sent pictures and videos, which are now on our Brightcrowd site, Facebook page, and Cornell Class of 1975 website! Enjoy and share your memories as well.

On to the news! Peter Kaestner’s return to Cornell was his first in almost 16 years, so he was amazed to see how much had changed on campus. “My highlight was giving my talk on lessons learned from a lifetime of birding, and meeting the staff at the Laboratory of Ornithology. While I only connected with a few of my classmates from the 1970s, I met many new friends along the way.”

Frank Goodwin wrote, “Saturday morning the weather cleared just in time for our Reunion row. Several ’75 members, Mike Parkinson, Don Rose, Steve Clark, MAT ’76, and I were in the shell. Other classes helped fill the boat, including the amazing Gordon White ’55 (92 years old!) as coxswain.”

Barb Peterson Champion said, “I thought Reunion was fantastic, and all weekend heard nothing but positive feedback. Everyone seemed really happy. With barrels of ice cream every night and wine and beer seemingly on tap, how could you not be?! The upstairs lounge area above Novick’s Café was a hidden gem. It was so nice to have that space! It was quieter because it was carpeted, and very comfortable.”

Reunion was fantastic. Everyone seemed really happy. With barrels of ice cream every night and wine and beer seemingly on tap, how could you not be?!

Barb Peterson Champion ’75

Allen Powers’s wife, Kathy Lazary, reported, “I am the spouse of a Cornellian and had a fantastic time! We attended the spiderhunter talk, the artist film, the President’s State of the University, and family genealogy offerings. They were all favorites: inspiring, informative, and interesting. A bonus was meeting two alumni that live in our same city that we plan to connect with post-Reunion!”

Michael Dourmashkin came to his first Reunion and was joined by son Steven ’15, ME ’16, for his 10th! He found that Corey Earle’s talk to our class was top on his list. Other highlights were the artist film, the Arts & Sciences college update in the new Klarman Hall Atrium, the State of the University, and of course the Saturday Reunion dinner at Bartels Hall. He only made it to one Arts Quad tent party (“quite a party!”) and ran into people from our class. He looks forward to our next Reunion in five years.

Cliff Proctor, BS ’77, was also attending his first Reunion! “I enjoyed the whole experience. The clerks were very helpful and I definitely want to make the 55th. I was pleased to connect with John Siliciano, who was on my hall in U-Hall 3. I loved walking around the campus and talking to people (and being able to get a ride when I got tired). I got to go to the Botanic Gardens and the Johnson Museum. I think the best was the dinner at Bartels Hall on Saturday night, where I socialized with classmates.”

Another first-time attendee was Teri Smith Freas. She was grateful to have had the opportunity to attend Cornell and to her parents for making Cornell available to her, and they were with her in spirit all weekend. “I am very grateful to have had 54 years of friendship with my dear Cornell roommates who were able to attend this Reunion together. Ice cream at the conclusion of every day? Excellent!”

Vickie Thaler Vaclavik was glad that the Reunion committee allowed her to have family helpers come with her to help navigate! Personal campus tours allowed her to see her Cornell on- and off-campus housing. She also visited former classroom sites, and even sat on an Arts Quad bench for a while! Visits to Collegetown and downtown brought back good memories.

On a personal Reunion note, I was thrilled to spend a wonderful time walking all over our beautiful campus and seeing so many friends, but especially with my two high school and Cornell classmates, Andy Feigin and Rory Sadoff. It was such a treat to combine the two parts of my life.

Please take a few minutes to send us highlights of Reunion, your life after Cornell, college friends you’ve seen, and memorable moments on campus, and we’ll share the news in our upcoming columns. To update your contact info with the University, go to this website. ❖ Deb Gellman, MBA ’82 (email Deb) | Karen DeMarco Boroff (email Karen) | Mitch Frank (email Mitch) | Joan Pease (email Joan) | Alumni Directory.

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1976

Our old friend John Wiest writes, “My wife, Chris, and I are both retired and are splitting time between San Francisco and Healdsburg, CA.” In May, he joined a group of Cornell fraternity brothers for an amazing adventure.

John writes, “Cornell Sigma Chi brothers gathered in Windsor, CA, for three days of bicycling, storytelling, and more than a splash of wine tasting. Classmate Chip Johnson and I navigated the scenic roads around Healdsburg and soaked up local sights and history at Bodega Bay, Sonoma, Armstrong Redwoods, and Jack London State Historic Park. Dave Pritchard, Stan Gross, and Charlie King, all Class of 1975, and Mort Bishop ’74, organized, led our peloton, and warmed many an ear and heart with tales of yore—and of new family grand additions. We enjoyed fabulous weather and hope to repeat this gathering in the years to come.” You can view some photos from this wonderful get-together on John’s Facebook page here.

Hope you’ll have adventures with old friends this summer! If you do, please tell us all about it. ❖ Pat Relf Hanavan (email Pat) | Lisa Diamant (email Lisa) | Alumni Directory.

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1977

News continues to come in from our classmates. After 50 years in the labor movement, fellow Philadelphian Louis Agre retired. After Cornell, Lou worked in the South, organizing workers in the textile industry; in 1984, he returned to Philadelphia and went to law school.

In his career as a lawyer, Lou represented unions and workers. In 2005 he went to work for Operating Engineers Local 542 as a lawyer, organizer, and business agent. He was president of the union that represents workers in the shipbuilding industry until this past January, and he was part of the effort that revitalized the shipyard in Philadelphia. He has been the Democratic Ward Leader in his neighborhood since 2002. Since retiring, he still does a little legal work. Mostly he likes to walk, fish, watch the Phillies and Eagles, go to the racetrack, and spend time with his grandson. He welcomed his first grandson in 2023.

It was Lou who texted me at the end of May to remind me to watch Cornell play Penn State in the NCAA lacrosse semifinal playoffs, which led to my watching Cornell defeat them, play Maryland in the national championship, and, for the first time since we graduated, win the national championship (little did we know then that it would take 48 years to win another one). Thank you, Lou, for the reminder.

Retirement is a 24/7 gig for Karen Zelkind Buglass, and she says she loves it. She’s still playing lots of dulcimer and enjoying monthly jams with fellow players at the C&O Canal National Historical Park, to the delight of hikers and strollers. She also teaches at American University’s Lifelong Learning Program. Last semester, she took a course on beginning dulcimer. This semester, she’s doing a deep dive into the art and words of picture books!

Karen Zelkind Buglass ’75 is still playing dulcimer with fellow players at the C&O Canal National Historical Park, to the delight of hikers and strollers.

Much of Karen’s time is also spent in Spanish classes. Last year was an immersion program in Puebla, Mexico; this year is Bilbao, Spain. She very much enjoys speaking and learning. Husband Ralph ’75 is putting his history degree to good use as a speaker on local history. He also teaches at American University; this semester, his course focuses on the life of Thurgood Marshall.

Karen is still in touch with M. Jane Klein Epstein; they had the pleasure of attending the wedding of her son, Michael Epstein, just a few months after they attended Karen’s daughter Amy ’80’s wedding. She is looking forward to more music, more adventures, and staying connected with friends and family.

I will now take the class correspondent’s prerogative, which we previously established is a thing, to provide information about me. At my 40th medical school reunion in 2021, one of my classmates recommended joining the “Grandparents Club.” In April 2025, my wife and I joined with the birth of our grandson, Graham Patrick, in Boston, MA. It has been a tremendous joy and pleasure to spoil this young man.

Please keep all of 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

Greetings from the non-sweltering Pacific Northwest! Thanks to all who submitted updates with their class dues. As you can imagine, retirement was a recurring theme among the other news. Paul Brenner, MBA ’79 (Freeville, NY) “accidentally retired” four years ago when his job was cut; however, he’s keeping busy with music, remodeling, hiking, boating, and disc sports. Both his daughters are board-certified physicians, and he and wife Mary have three granddaughters. Paul joked, “My kill rate swatting flies by hand skyrocketed after taking Professor Raffensperger’s class Insects and Man, after learning flies don’t see images, only movement.”

Classmates have figured out ways to keep busy in retirement. Eileen Silverman Guerrieri is retired in Florida and spends her time playing pickleball, line dancing, and hanging out at the pool or beach. Sandy Johnson and husband Frank McNamee live in Scottsdale, AZ, with horses and a standard poodle. She’s taking online classes while her husband makes knives and decorative art. Sandy credits the ILR School for teaching her critical thinking and problem-solving. James Harriott is gardening in Ithaca, NY. Cynthia Gilchrist Moore is traveling, camping, and enjoying a simple life in the country. Bonnie Greenfield Warren continues to write, produce, and pitch music. She also organizes musical events.

And there are still a few of us in the workforce. Gary Holcomb (Wilmington, DE) is president and CEO of Compass Precision, which manufactures precision components for a variety of customers. He and wife Julie have a 2-year-old grandson, Thomas. Gary also has two Class of ’78 neighbors, Mary Bowler and Elaine Zajac Jackson. Court Williams will retire as CEO of HVS Executive Search in 2026 but plans to stay on as chairman and senior advisor through 2033.

As I was pulling together the news for this column, I got word through the class officer grapevine that Randy Nixon had died of complications after a heart attack. Randy was truly a multifaceted man. He was on the Cornell football and track teams. He was a proud brother and alumnus of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He raced bicycles in Europe after graduation. He earned MBA and law degrees. After serving in Maryland state government, he set up a business to lend capital to startups. He was also an active poster on LinkedIn. I only met him when I started my current gig as class co-correspondent and was cruising the tables at Reunion for news from people I didn’t know. He always made for great copy in the class columns and was a wonderful advocate for Cornell. Randy was proudest of his two children, Spencer ’15 and Blair ’11. May his memory be a blessing.

That’s it for now. Enjoy the fall! Take care of each other. ❖ Cindy Fuller, PhD ’92 (email Cindy) | Ilene Shub Lefland (email Ilene) | Alumni Directory.

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1979

This year many of us attended our 50th high school reunion and loved catching up with longtime friends. I was so thrilled to be at mine, but disappointed to only see one Cornellian, Lori Freimark Banks, out of many from our high school class. My next Reunion will be our 50th at Cornell!

Robert Platt lives in Los Angeles and gets the most satisfaction enjoying time with his family and playing golf. Bob is still working at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, where he has practiced for 40 years. Son Aaron ’27 just finished his sophomore year at the ILR School.

Kathryn Spitzer Kim is in Stanford, CA, where she is the chair of the outreach committee for her church. They manage a large fund of money that goes to local agencies serving primarily in the areas of hunger and homelessness. While this is very impactful for the recipients, this is not the fun part of what they do. She has also been a reading tutor, served dinner at a local transitional housing unit, sorted and cleaned in a community “closet” that provides gently used clothing at no cost to those who need it, collected and delivered non-perishable food to a food pantry, assembled backpack kits for school-age children, and donated Christmas gifts for kids in foster care, to name a few activities.

Peg Caldwell-Ott wrote from Rockingham, VA, that she gets the most satisfaction from time spent with family and friends and working on her family history, especially the 36 family members who attended Cornell. During retirement, Peg is writing up three units she taught to K-4 graders for eventual publication and helping to support students at Cottey College—owned and operated by her sisterhood. She and Derek still cruise once a year. Peg also enjoys eating frequently at local restaurants. The most impactful thing she learned at Cornell was what Dr. Kennedy (and others) taught her about how to make postmortem identifications; that still reverberates in her head! Peg continues to give lectures on her coursework once or twice a year.

Many of our classmates wrote about their volunteer activities. Michael Curran resides in Norwalk, CT. These days he gets the most satisfaction spending time with family and friends, helping others, and experiencing the outdoors. He volunteers with a range of programs and institutions such as Cornell, Regis High School, Habitat for Humanity, A Better Chance, and Barnstable Land Trust. Mike is navigating the trials of getting older! The most impactful thing he learned at Cornell was cognitive dissonance in Larry Williams’s organizational behavior class.

Karen Mineo lives in a gated golf community in Spring Lake, NJ. She is the managing consultant for a nonprofit called Advocates for Homeless & Those in Need (AHTN). The organization serves the vulnerable community in Lower Bucks County, PA. Emergency shelter and hunger relief are basic human needs that they provide. AHTN operates a Code Blue winter shelter and partners with 35 different houses of worship that provide sit-down community meals. Volunteer drivers pick up their homeless friends and bring them to these free shared meals.

This year many of us attended our 50th high school reunion and loved catching up with longtime friends.

Linda Moses ’79

Karen is responsible for all of the marketing, public relations, fundraising, and grant writing. She works part time for the nonprofit, but also donates her time writing some of the grants to family foundations and family trusts so they can continue to bring in the revenue needed to operate their three main missions. In addition, she is involved with a couple of other local nonprofits. Every year they host a chili cook-off featuring 13 chilis made by residents, then 100 individuals pay to taste the dishes. All proceeds benefit Fulfill Food Bank in Neptune City, NJ. Karen is also involved with another nonprofit called Just Us Girls that benefits those affected by breast cancer. They run a golf tournament for 100 women who pay to play golf and buy tickets for a 50/50 raffle. The committee that she is on raised $14,000 during the last several years.

Grace Perez-Navarro is nearby in Margate City, NJ. Since the beginning of this year, she has been volunteering to feed the homeless and refugees in Paris through a wonderful organization called Serve the City. Each week they feed more than 400 people in need. Additionally, they offer French and English language and cultural exchange programs for refugees to facilitate their integration. After having spent over 30 years in public service, she says, it’s been fun to support the local community in a very hands-on way together with students, refugees, and expats from all over the world.

Margie Wang is also in New Jersey, in Madison. She is delighted to share that she serves on the boards of two cultural institutions. One is a local museum (Morris Museum) that is a Smithsonian affiliate and serves northern New Jersey with exhibits, activities, and cultural performances for all ages. The second is a private foundation in Winchester, VA, that focuses on providing residencies for artists and writers, especially those in the LGBTQ community. For both organizations, Margie serves as the treasurer and participates on multiple committees. She is a huge supporter of the arts and these associations complement her role on the advisory councils of the Johnson Museum and Cornell University Library.

Personally, I, Linda Moses, am thrilled that two of my children live near each other in Cambridge, MA, and are a relatively short distance from New York City. My son Eric Gurevitch just started at Harvard as an assistant professor in the history of science department. Sadly, academia is much more difficult to get into than it was during our parents’ generation (my father and a number of my friends’ parents were professors) and for our generation with a number of our classmates becoming professors.

We are always looking for more news. Please send updates on your travels, jobs, retirements, and other personal and family news via the Share Your News form, the online news form, or emails sent directly to any of our class correspondents: ❖ Linda Moses (email Linda) | Larry Bunis (email Larry) | Cynthia Ahlgren Shea (email Cynthia) | Alumni Directory.

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1980s

1980

Our 45th Reunion was a blast—seeing old friends, making new friends, and sometimes realizing a new friend you thought you were making was an old friend you failed to recognize! Activities included social hours, class dinners, tent parties, a pickleball tournament, morning yoga, a State of the University address, birdwatching in Sapsucker Woods, a 5K, Cornell trivia, Cornelliana Night, class lunches, a calendar full of exhibits and events all over campus, dedication of the Class of 1980 Elms, and many others.

A shout-out to those instrumental in making Reunion a success! Many people worked very hard on Reunion, some for many months. The ringleaders were Mollie Pulver and Todd Wolleman. Esther Elkin Mildner also put in many hours as the Reunion housing and registration chair, and Beth Bennet assisted with the 6 a.m. coffee runs and other logistical matters.

Also, congratulations (and thank you in advance!) to our class officers elected for the next five years. They are listed on our Class of 1980 website (you know we have a website, right?), which can be found here. We also have a Facebook page: Cornell University Class of 1980.

Now to catch up with some classmates. Class of ’80 couple Vince, ME ’81, and Katherine Leskovec Splett, ME ’81, studied electrical engineering as undergrads, co-oped together at IBM, and stayed at Cornell for a master of engineering degree. They shared the story of their graduation weekend with me at Reunion: Kathy turned her master’s thesis in the Thursday before graduation, she went shopping for wedding shoes on Friday, their wedding was on Saturday, the reception followed at the Andrew Dickson White House, and the weekend was capped off with graduation on Sunday. Vince and Kathy settled in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area after graduation and have since recovered from their wedding/graduation weekend.

Olev Tammer currently resides in Santa Cruz, CA. Since his days in Sperry Hall, Olev has lived in San Diego, the Bay Area, Portland, OR, and New York City. He works on iPad design at the Apple headquarters (a.k.a. the “Spaceship”) in Cupertino. On most days, he bicycles to work, a mere 40 miles each way!

Bruce Falzarano recently retired after 43 years at Hewlett-Packard in California. HP hired Bruce on campus and he spent his entire career with them. Bruce is an avid marathoner, having run 10 Boston Marathons and many ultramarathons, including the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run across the Sierra Nevada mountains. One of his favorites is the Marathon du Médoc, held in Bordeaux, France, during harvest season. The 26.2-mile run is through the famous chateaux vineyards with a stop every mile or so serving French Bordeaux wine and one stop serving oysters and champagne. It’s called the longest marathon in the world because by the end of the race the runners are staggering back and forth across the course instead of running in a straight line. Probably a little classier than the Phi Psi 500.

Bruce Falzarano ’80 is an avid marathoner, having run 10 Boston Marathons and many ultramarathons, including the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run across the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Bruce remains in close contact with many of the fourth-floor Donlon hallmates he met his first day at Cornell, including Nancy Twombly, Judy Nisson, Karen Vecchio Simons, Kathy Boor, and Vicki Butler Miles. He also keeps in touch with electrical engineering classmate (now medical doctor) Nancy Brass. Nancy Twombly is godparent to one of Bruce’s two daughters and hosts Bruce for his Boston Marathon runs.

During our time on campus, Bruce worked on the Cornell Concert Commission’s stage crew, including for a Bruce Springsteen concert. Seeing Springsteen at Cornell made Bruce a huge fan, and he has since seen him 45 times in concert!

Kathy Boor (Donlon hallmate of Bruce Falzarano) was the keynote speaker at one of the Class of ’80 Reunion banquets. Kathy was dean of the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (commonly referred to as the “Ag School” in our days) and is currently dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate education. In this role, she oversees all research MS and PhD programs across the University.

Fellow U-Hall 2 resident Steve Jackman attended Harvard Law School after Cornell and retired around a year ago from Verizon Wireless as an associate general counsel. He worked mainly on mergers and acquisitions during his 23-year career at Verizon, after spending a total of 16 years at large law firms in Boston, New Jersey, and New York. Both of his children followed in his footsteps to Cornell: Monica Jackman ’10, ME ’10, and Adam Jackman ’12. Steve spends much of his time in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, these days.

Richard Lang, ME ’81, is in the San Francisco Bay Area and recently retired from Western Digital. His daughter Olivia Lang, PhD ’25, recently completed a doctorate in computational biology and is currently performing postdoc research at the Cornell Institute for Biotechnology. Rich and his Cornellian dad, Bill Lang ’56, were recently in Ithaca to attend Olivia’s hooding ceremony. Rich enjoyed catching up with Wendy Parish at Reunion. He dated Wendy while at Cornell and had not seen her in over 40 years.

Victor Schwartz recently made the national news as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit alleging many of President Trump’s tariffs were illegal, and won! You can read about it in this Cornellians story. Victor owns specialty wine importer VOS Selections and is married to classmate Cushla Naegele.

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

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1981

Hi friends! Time is just flying by! The summer in Florida was oh so hot, but that is to be expected. My daughter, Ella, has started her sophomore year at University of Florida; my son, Brayden, is in his junior year at Dreyfoos School of the Arts, and I am so busy raising monies for Hadassah Hospital in Israel. And, of course, I am continuing my love of pickleball! It really does bring joy and good health daily to my life.

I recently got reacquainted with my good friend Camille Lepre ’85, who moved to Boca with her twin girls, Isabella and Gabriella. It has been so great having Camille just a few minutes away! John Boochever tells us that the annual pig roast at Gary Stoloff’s Fiddlehead Farm in Bethel, VT, featured the culinary skills of Richard Hutchinson and John Hopple, BA ’83. Other Fiji attendees generally include Dan Conlon, Dave Lessen, ME ’83, MBA ’92, Kevin McCarthy, Craig Keshishian, Dave Ayers ’80, and Jeff House ’79.

They also celebrated their 65ths at the Statler in October, with 28 returning brothers from the classes of 1979–82. Highlights included visits to Ithaca Beer Co. and the Glenwood Pines, the Big Red football game tailgate, and a Saturday banquet dinner followed by stories at “the Gam.” Sounds like a fabulous time all around!

Fiji members celebrated their 65ths at the Statler in October, with 28 returning brothers from the classes of 1979–82.

Grace Wolf-Chase writes, “A central focus of my career has been bridging the worlds of academic research and public education, with a particular emphasis on bringing the wonders of astronomy to diverse religious communities. The pervasive ‘culture wars’ that present science and religion as enemies work to the detriment of everyone in society, and the only way to address this problem is to build trust through establishing long-term, cross-cultural, and interfaith relationships.

“I’ve played a leading role at the intersection of science and religion at both the academic and public levels by teaching astronomy to seminary students (for over 20 years); being a science advisor for programs and organizations such as the AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion; speaking with, and bringing participatory science to, diverse faith and interfaith communities; contributing to science and religion journals and books; and presenting at large conferences, such as the Parliament of the World’s Religions.”

Luis Lavin in L.A. tells us that, after a 22-year judicial career, having most recently served for nine years on the California Courts of Appeal, he joined JAMS as a mediator and arbitrator. JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services in the world. Karen Osofsky Michelson shares that her son graduated high school and is headed to Muhlenberg College on the East Coast. It will be quite different from Seattle!

After six and a half years in Oklahoma City, Mark Elsaesser and his wife have returned to Cincinnati, OH, where Mark works remotely for American Fidelity Assurance, managing the company’s investment function in commercial mortgages. He loves exploring the restaurant scene, and their daughter Catherine ’17 is only half as far away as before.

Please do share your news with me! We would love to hear from you. ❖ Betsy Silverfine (email Betsy) | Alumni Directory.

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1982

Fall has nearly arrived, a great time to remember returning to Ithaca and settling in for another year on the Hill. It is also a great time to catch up with classmates and perhaps rekindle old friendships. It is almost time to think about plans for our next Reunion. I hope to see many of you back in Ithaca in 2027.

We received some great news from Mike Curtis and his wife, Sheryl. Their son, Austin ’29, is a new Cornellian in the College of Arts & Sciences (like his father). Mike and Sheryl reside in Albuquerque, NM.

One of Ithaca’s finest attorneys, Randall Marcus, has announced his retirement after 40 years of practicing law. Randy practiced with several Ithaca law firms including Barney, Grossman, Dubow, Marcus & Orkin, Marcus Orkin Tesi, and Bousquet Holstein PLLC, with a focus on commercial real estate development and financing transactions. He has also been active in the Ithaca community, serving as an officer for more than 25 years in the Ithaca Old Cars club and a founder of the Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation. Randy lives in Cayuga Heights with his wife, Terry.

Many of our classmates have been busy traveling the world. Terry Kilmer Oosterom reported that she was fortunate to travel to Southeast Asia (a bucket-list trip) with Juliet Gibbs and her sons, Max and Arie, in January 2025. Terry noted that she traveled to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand and plans to return to Thailand with her son in 2027. She also writes, “I recently traveled to the British Virgin Islands for a sailing trip with my significant other, Rob Hayes—traveling as much as I can!” This sounds like a great plan.

John Mennell ’82, his wife, Jan, and their golden retriever, Hudson, ‘enjoyed a recent trip to Watkins Glen, a sunset sail on the schooner True Love, and tours of area falls.’

Terry remains busy working for a wholesale plant production greenhouse operation and working on landscaping at her new home. She notes, “I’m putting my degree in floriculture and ornamental horticulture to good use! It’s a work in progress. Nothing better than creating beauty where chaos existed!” She resides in Greenwich, NY.

Our classmate John Mennell writes that he, his wife, Jan, and their golden retriever, Hudson, “enjoyed a recent trip to Watkins Glen, a sunset sail on the schooner True Love, tours of area falls, vineyards and wineries, and duck egg-infused ice cream at the Spotted Duck Creamery on the scenic route over the top of Seneca Lake through Geneva. We also visited Ithaca and Cornell.” It sounds like a wonderful trip.

John noted that “so much has changed on campus—any parking lots remembered are long gone, but we drove around campus where we could and stopped near Day Hall to take a walk past the glen and to the Straight and Arts Quad. Then we toured Collegetown, where so much has changed, but found a summer house on Dryden Road and a house where I spent a year on Linden Avenue still standing. We are looking forward to many more trips back.”

Please continue to send us your news. We are always interested in hearing of the recent trips, events, or developments in your lives. Enjoy the fall and take care. ❖ Doug Skalka (email Doug) | Mark Fernau (email Mark) | Nina Kondo (email Nina) | Alumni Directory.

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1983

Greetings, Class of ’83! Summer is upon us and hopefully exciting travel and family plans await. I get great satisfaction these days, wherever I go, from connecting with our ’83 classmates and other Cornellians and friends. The stories, even after repeating them over and over, and the howling laughs alongside, are priceless. And so are the deep conversations, too. If you’re ever on the fence (“Should I go? Should I call?”), then consider the ’83 leap of faith: “Yes, let’s do it!”

With that in mind, please keep a lookout for emails announcing fabulous Class of ’83 fall events, the biggest of which, of course, will be Red Hot Hockey, Cornell vs. BU, on November 29 at Madison Square Garden. We expect an ’83 block of 75–100 tickets and a chance to gather with classmates before the game. See you there!

We recently started a new online chat for classmates. It is called “ ’83 Experience Matters,” and the first chat on June 23, 2025 focused on the highly relevant “Retirement and Relocation: When, Where, and Why.” Kudos to Lisa Yanguas, who moderated, and the three classmates, Mark Rhodes, Mark Woodard, and Julie Doig McPeek, who shared their thoughts before we opened it up for discussion among over 30 participants. Thank you so much for joining! We heard some really interesting views that might be helpful if you’ve entered or are contemplating retirement. You can watch the replay on our Class of ’83 website and Class of ’83 Facebook page. This chat series will be biannual and will explore topics where our classmates’ experiences truly matter to each of us. Stay tuned for the next session!

It’s been almost 46 years since we all met in U-Hall 1, and we still share personal stuff as if we were never apart.

Gary Bullis ’83

Exciting to hear from Judith Boice, who wrote, “Too soon to retire!” Judith started a position as CEO of a biotech startup, Aviva Biopharm. What brings her the most satisfaction these days is “spending time with family and friends, and getting my new company off the ground.” Congratulations and best of luck and success, Judith!

We appreciate the news from Gary Bullis, who writes from Beltsville, MD. Gary loves boating with his wife, Ann, and gathering with friends and family. He runs parking for the City of Hyattsville, MD, which he finds “less stressful and easier after 20+ years of running parking for private companies.” Gary offers sage wisdom, speaking of his Cornell relationships: “Friendships are lasting when you put the time and effort into them. It’s been almost 46 years since we all met in U-Hall 1, and we still share personal stuff as if we were never apart.” Thanks, Gary, for capturing this perfectly.

On a sad note, we lost a special Cornellian recently, Bill Johnson ’82, BA ’83. ATO brothers from the ’80s attended his inspiring celebration of life along with Bill’s wonderful family and friends. Among his final thoughts, Bill shared a simple ask of all of us, and one which he truly embodied: Be kind and stay close with your family and friends.

Hugs to our Cornell classmates. ❖ 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 received updates from just a couple of classmates, but are always on the lookout for more—so please keep the news coming, and don’t be shy!

I had fun hanging out with Kathy Witkowsky and her husband, Jay, when they were in Los Angeles recently for a family gathering. Kathy had never visited the Santa Monica or Venice beaches before, so I had the pleasure of giving her and Jay a tour (if any other classmates are coming to Los Angeles and need a tour guide, I’m happy to take you around). Kathy and Jay certainly stay busy; the next weekend they went to see Little Feat and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in concert in their hometown of Missoula, MT.

Eric Messinger ’83, BA ’84, updates us from New York City and says he considers himself lucky to have spent his working life trafficking in words and ideas, mostly as an editor, but in recent years as an SAT/ACT tutor. He works with students of families of all income levels and finds the work deeply gratifying—almost as gratifying as correcting the grammar and logic of classmates and friends like Tom Allon, Steve Nachman, Ed Rekosh, Cliff Schoenberg, and Felise Milan, and ’83 buddies including Ken Balick, Stewart Glickman, and Brian Miles.

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

Leora Halpern Lanz writes, “I’m pleased to share that September 15, 2025, will mark the release of my debut book, Developing Your Marketing Mindset: Real-World Lessons from Hospitality. It incorporates the classroom projects from 10 years of teaching at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration and a stint at the hospitality grad program at ESSEC in France—to elevate an individual’s critical and strategic thinking skills, apply hospitality, and connect with audiences more meaningfully through community, wellness, or sustainability. This book is the first of a two-book companion set, with Marketing Mindset in Motion: Inspired by Hospitality to be released February 2026.”

Leora adds, “Our 40th Reunion was fabulous. To see folks with smiles and hugs was so wonderful. Driving with sorority sister Beth Falk Fagin—as is our tradition—was great. She’s an awesome travel partner. I’ve recently celebrated my 10th year as a professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration and had for the last decade consulted through LHL Communications. I love my students. Though I majored in communication at Cornell, it’s the hospitality marketing course I took junior year that put me on a new path. I’ve connected with that inspirational professor, the legendary Peter Yesawich ’72, PhD ’76, as I started composing my books nearly two years ago, and it’s motivated me even more to share my narratives and inspire others, too.”

Larry Carbone, JD ’88, writes, “I recently had dinner with U-Hall 5 floormates Rob Bloch, Jay Bainbridge ’86, Pete Sherwood, PhD ’93, Rudi Chen Tsai, and Rich Shapiro. I attended my freshman-year roommate Russ Hollander’s twin daughters’ weddings last year. I am teaching business law at a local CUNY college and am an assistant Little League baseball coach for my son’s team.”

Margaret Bender is professor of anthropology at Wake Forest University. Her latest book, The New Voice of God: Language, Worldview, and the Cherokee Bible, was recently published by the University of Oklahoma Press. According to the book’s description, “For Christian European missionaries among the Cherokees at the turn of the 18th century, translating the Bible meant wrestling with the extreme structural differences between Cherokee and English. The New Voice of God reveals how these linguistic differences encoded basic predispositions and orientations toward the physical, spiritual, and social worlds—and how their translation in turn encodes the profound linguistic and cultural exchange manifested in the making of the Cherokee Bible.” ❖ Class of 1985 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory

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1986

When I received the tall stack of updates from Ithaca, my mind quickly jumped to the duet for Maria and the Captain from the 1965 film The Sound of Music: “I must have done something good.” I am not sure what I did, but I am very appreciative of all the news that was shared! My fellow class correspondents and I encourage you to keep sharing, especially as we are within reach of our 40th Reunion in June 2026. Aren’t you excited to see how your classmates have changed, and how they have remained the same?

It looks like Jeff Dunlap is one of those who has not changed much, as he apparently continues to gain much satisfaction from two things—the practice of law and the game of golf. Jeff continues to work as a trial attorney and help manage his law firm, Ulmer & Berne LLP. Jeff wrote that Cornell taught him to face and conquer challenges.

Clifford Hurley was brief in his update. A family medicine physician in Rochester, NY, Clifford is enjoying traveling, playing pickleball, and working the 12 steps.

I enjoyed reading Mariangela Nicolosi Noyes’s update. Mariangela retired after 37 years with MetLife. Like many, she is semi-retired, in that she is writing and presenting continuing education courses on insurance and some other part-time work in the industry. She also is doing some substitute teaching. Mariangela is planning on attending Reunion next year, which will be her first trip back to campus. She is warming up by spending time with other alumni. She recently went to a Cornell Club of Arizona dinner in the Phoenix area, where she experienced Korean barbecue for the first time. Another first for Mariangela was a first date—she had not been on a date for 40 years. Keep trying new things, Mariangela!

Jon Meer shared that he has been a partner with Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Los Angeles for the last 17 years. Jon reflected that his education in the ILR School prepared him well to become a jury trial lawyer, appellate lawyer, businessperson, manager, recruiter, and mentor. Jon is grateful for his Cornell experience, academic and otherwise. He remains in contact with his roommates, Jeff McIntyre and Alan Block. Jon finds it interesting that, despite the latter studying chemical engineering and the former majoring in chemistry and biology, all three of them ultimately became lawyers.

Daniel Jones is another classmate who continues to find joy in his work. While Daniel studied in CALS, he ended up in the hospitality field and is the director of guest experience for the Turning Stone Resort Casino for the Oneida Nation. Daniel is lucky to have his son working with him at the casino, while his daughter is a recent Drexel grad working in Philadelphia. Daniel is another classmate who I hope shows for Reunion; I have the feeling he has spent the last 40 years sharing tales of life on the Hill. He wrote that he loves telling stories and has found that a mere mentioning of Cornell invoked interest and questions from others.

Marcus Ruef ’86 is the president of the Illinois Railway Museum, the largest volunteer-operated railway museum in North America.

It warms my heart to see what good things our classmates are doing. Alex Brown is doing a lot to improve the world, in many ways. Professionally, Alex is an environmental attorney. He is the father of two children who are on the autism spectrum, and that experience propelled him to educate other families who face similar challenges. He also works with children with various challenges, exposing them to theater and puppetry. And if that is not enough, Alex is also becoming an instructor with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (an organization close to my heart) to educate parents and caregivers.

As if 25 years as an innovation partner for global brands was not enough, architecture grad Laura Weiss is also an executive coach, facilitator, educator, and professional mediator. It is that last avocation that I find particularly laudable. According to Laura, “My interest in conflict emerged while I was still in the creative fields, and I continually observed how conflict was avoided or mishandled during the design process. Ironically, conflict is a critically important aspect of creative problem solving, because friction is needed for new ideas to emerge. As I explored mediation as a process to support better design outcomes, its broader application became clear, and I began to imagine a world where everyone knew how to deal with all kinds of challenging conversations (radical!).” Laura volunteers as a mediator in small claims court. She also supports peer mediation programs in local high schools and facilitates conflict resolution programs for local communities.

Volunteering in a different venue, Marcus Ruef is the president of the Illinois Railway Museum, the largest volunteer-operated railway museum in North America. Marcus retired as chairman of the National Railroad Adjustment Board in Chicago in 2022. He is making the most of his free time doting on his grandchildren, spending time with his spouse, and puttering around his home. Marcus’s path to Cornell was very different than most of us in the Class of 1986; he worked on the rails for several years before matriculating. I hope he comes to Reunion and is willing to share some stories about his experiences on the Hill.

It is hard to believe that there are only two or three more columns for me to write before we meet again for our Reunion. On behalf of Lori, Michael, and myself, I am strongly encouraging you to share all the details of travels, grandchildren, occupations, and avocations that are fit to print; that which is not appropriate for public consumption can be shared in person when we are together in June 2026. ❖ Toby Goldsmith (email Toby) | Lori Spydell Wagner (email Lori) | Michael Wagner (email Michael) | Alumni Directory.

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1987

Hello, Class of ’87 friends. We are wrapping up a season of celebrating our 60th birthdays at regional events planned by our class council and local volunteers and attended by many classmates. We had events in Boulder, CO; Cleveland and Akron, OH; New York City; Orlando, FL; Panama City, Panama; Portland, OR; Rochester, NY; the San Francisco Bay Area; the Washington, DC, area; and Westchester County, NY—with even more events in formation that are engaging classmates all over the country.

I attended the NYC event organized by Shari Brasner and Jeff Cohen, where close to 40 classmates walked from the northern tip of Manhattan to Midtown (about nine miles) and met up at a bar for cake and drinks. It was a super fun and creative event. Here’s the other news that’s come across my desk.

David Ignall is on a temporary detail within the Department of Justice at their training facility in Columbia, SC. He has been with the AUSA in Philadelphia since 2007. As part of his detail, he runs the basic criminal trial advocacy class for new federal prosecutors.

Amit Batabyal continues to be busy doing two jobs: head of the Department of Sustainability and the Arthur J. Gosnell professor of economics at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Swapna, and daughter Sanjana ’18 recently took a trip to NYC, where they enjoyed flexing their foodie muscles, eating at upscale Indian restaurants, and watching the excellent stage re-creation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Close to 40 classmates walked from the northern tip of Manhattan to Midtown (about nine miles) and met up at a bar for cake and drinks.

Dalia Gold and her husband, Peter Glusker, celebrated their son Joe Glusker ’25’s graduation from the College of Engineering in May. Joe will be staying at Cornell to complete his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, so they will have one more year of easy excuses to visit. Dalia enjoys walks in Brooklyn Bridge Park with friends, time with her family, and their amazing dog. She works at Poly Prep Country Day School, an independent N-12 school in Brooklyn, NY. Dalia switched careers from hotel administration to clinical psychology. She works as the clinical director of school counseling and also maintains a small private practice. Dalia’s other son, Sam, is a rising junior at University of Michigan, and daughter Abby is a rising senior in high school—they will soon go through the college application process for the third time!

Cyndi Steiner completed her second master’s degree in October 2024, this time in environmental sciences with a concentration in environmental chemistry from Rutgers University. In February she started a job with Environmental Concern Inc., a wetlands restoration organization in the town of Easton, on Maryland’s Delmarva Peninsula. She is excited to be starting a new career at 60! This one she considers to be her dream job. She says, “Never stop learning and embrace new endeavors!”

Laura Winter Falk, PhD ’97, just released a newly revised, expanded, and updated book called Culinary History of the Finger Lakes. The book explores different eras of food and beverage in the region and some of the exciting culinary innovations happening today. Laura is the co-owner of Experience! The Finger Lakes, a company that does sightseeing tours, wine tours, boat tours, and more. She is a Certified Sommelier and lives in Ithaca with her husband, Alan ’86, BA ’87. Additionally, she teaches community wine courses at Lev Kitchen on the Commons in Ithaca and is a professor of wine marketing at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). You can read more about her in this Cornellians story!

Dan Alonso has joined the New York office of law firm Vedder Price as a new shareholder in the government investigations and white-collar defense group. He will also serve as co-chair of the Latin America Investigations and Litigation group.

Please stay connected and continue to share your news with us by emailing either of us: ❖ Whitney Weinstein Goodman (email Whitney) | Liz Brown, JD ’90 (email Liz) | Alumni Directory.

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1988

Howdy, Class of ’88! Happy fall to each and every one of you. I hope you found time to relax with your family and friends over the summer.

Now, onto the latest news from our classmates, both near and far. Renée Phelps Valach has been working and living in rural southern Gabon in Central Africa for the past 17 years. She is the medical director of the HIV Treatment Program and the chairperson of the pediatrics department at the Bongolo Hospital. This teaching hospital has programs to train nurses, surgeons, midwives, and people in other areas of medicine. Keep up the good work, Renée!

Back in North America, in Seattle, WA, Laura Staunton Mueser has been working for the state for 34 years. She’s currently a consultant to the state child welfare system. One of her sons is flying F-35s in the U.S. Air Force, while the other son is studying mechanical engineering. During her time on campus in Ithaca, Laura made a great effort to “find great teachers and learn all you can from them, no matter what they are teaching.” Laura enjoys close friendships with her family and friends, learning new skills, and political activism.

Jennifer Dell-Ernström writes in from Mountain View, CA. She recently finished her career in IT and is starting a master’s degree in the fall. Jennifer will be attending the Centre for Sustainability Studies at Lund University in Lund, Sweden. She says, “I’m looking forward to new inspiration.” Good luck in your next adventure, Jennifer.

Renée Phelps Valach ’88 has been working and living in rural southern Gabon in Central Africa for the past 17 years.

On the East Coast in South Burlington, VT, Ellen Andersen is a professor at the University of Vermont. Her classes focus on political science and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies. She recently coauthored the book Making the Case for Equality: 50 Years of Legal Milestones in LGBTQ History. The book focuses on Lambda Legal, the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ legal advocacy organization, and the cases that helped shape the civil rights of the LGBTQ community.

Working in New York City and residing in New Jersey, Jeffrey Eilender is a managing partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan law firm. He has been a partner there for the past 30 years. He enjoys spending time with his three children, reading, and his activities with the Union League Club of New York. He has two kids in college while his youngest just started high school. While at Cornell, he learned a lot about American history and still reads history in his spare time these days.

Remember, paying class dues supports our class initiatives, treasury, and events. It’s a simple process and you can check auto-renew so your dues are paid annually for you. Here is the link to pay dues online. Class of ’88 dues are $30 for an individual and $50 for a Class of ’88 couple. Duespayers will receive exclusive discounts via the Big Red Marketplace.

Don’t forget to join our Class of ’88 Facebook page. It’s a great way to stay in touch with your fellow classmates. 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

Thank you to the classmates who sent in their personal and professional news! Hearing from you fuels the correspondents and delights the readers. Here is a link to the online news form, where you can share your updates with your correspondents!

One year ago from when I am writing this collection of alumni updates, our class wrapped up our 35th Reunion. If you were with us, you know it was one of our best! Please, picture yourself with us for the 40th and make space in your calendar now for the second weekend of June 2029.

Robert Shaul shares, “My wife, Deborah, and I have lived in La Jolla/San Diego since 1997, when the FBI assigned me here out of the academy in Quantico, VA. I retired from the FBI in 2016, and since then have been enjoying my kids’ high school and college activities and the relaxed beach life. My daughter Anna conducts medical research in Madison, WI, and my son Daniel is a rising senior (economics/Spanish double major) at Grinnell College in Iowa.

“I just spent most of March through May following my son’s college baseball team to Florida, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. I watched the team play 31 games (out of 42 total) all the way into their playoffs in Appleton, WI. I can recommend a few breweries in Appleton if anyone is interested. I also got to spend some quality time with my daughter because Madison was right in the middle of the season’s action. The memories are priceless and well worth the 7,800 miles I put on the rental car to keep up with the baseball team. I hope to repeat this again in spring ’26.”

Robert adds, “A shout-out to all the ’89 Reunion organizers and coordinators for 2019 and 2024. I had not attended since ’99 and had so much fun. I especially appreciate how they got all those Phi Sigs back in Ithaca with beers in hand throughout the weekend. So entertaining. As far as class news goes, Larry Wollert recently moved here to San Diego, so we are the Phi Sig annex representatives in SoCal.”

John Dunn writes that he and wife Mona are pleased to celebrate the Cornell graduation of their daughter Kate ’25 this past spring! Marvelous news! I enjoyed chatting with John at the 1989 Reunion headquarters last year. Since we have already lived in New York State since graduation, Michael McGarry and I never needed to fly or drive many hours to attend our 1989 Reunions; we thankfully have made most of them without difficulty. Classmates like John who come from the other coast, or much further, I think comparatively show great commitment! We hope you had a great Reunion, John, and can return with Mona, and perhaps Kate as well, for the 40th. Congratulations to Kate, and your family, John, on her Cornell graduation! It is a big deal.

I just spent most of March through May following my son’s college baseball team to Florida, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Robert Shaul ’89

Classmate Ryan Doherty writes that mentoring younger employees, meditation, and volunteering at faith-based organizations provide the most satisfaction currently. Ryan is chief privacy officer and head of cybersecurity and technology for Charles Schwab Corporation. “Learning is a lifelong pursuit and I am learning every day!”

Classmate Jeff Lampe says that, while his vocation is publishing two newspapers, growing trees provides him the most satisfaction lately. Jeff has three sons—Henry, Victor, and Walter—and “they keep life full. They do not get easier when they hit 20,” he assures. Jeff’s life lesson from the Hill: “Do not work so hard!”

Congratulations to Scott McMahon and Monica Ganatra, who celebrated their second wedding anniversary earlier this year. Scott writes they enjoy travel and “in the past two years have visited Bali, Italy, Canada, India, Budapest, Prague, London, St. Martin, and Antigua … not too shabby! Was great to connect with Psi U brothers in the fall.” Scott has five more years until retirement from his role as a teacher of sixth graders. For recreational satisfaction, he enjoys preparing the sailboat for the summer cruise up to Boston and Cape Cod.

Blaine Riggle writes, “I live in Maine with my wife, Jennifer, and our dog, and work remotely as SVP special counsel for a company called Synchrony, based in Stamford, CT. I have been living in Maine—except for a short spell—since 1990.” He assures that he is “happily in contact with a number of alums including Dan Gross, Andrew Brisman, John Ivry, Bill Fitzgerald, and the brothers at ZBT.” Blaine also shared that he has two sons who have graduated college and now work, one in Boston and the other in Chicago.

Thanks again for reading and sharing! Keep the news coming using the online news form! Only takes a couple of moments. ❖ Lauren Kidder McGarry (email Lauren) | Kris Borovicka Gerig (email Kris) | Anne Czaplinski Treadwell (email Anne) | Stephanie Bloom Avidon (email Stephanie) | Alumni Directory.

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1990s

1990

I write to you after this year’s class Reunion—our 35th. Let that sink in. It’s been 35 years since we graduated.

Thirty-five years ago, Lan Elliott, MBA ’91, walked with us at Schoellkopf Field to be recognized for earning her bachelor’s in Hotel Administration. Earlier this year, she graced the April issue of Global Hospitality in recognition for being named in the Top 50 Social Media Influencers for her role as an interview host for It’s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast. She also teaches at university hospitality schools as part of Athena Leadership Academy, which she launched last year, and she has also launched the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance’s speaker directory. Her list of accomplishments extends far beyond these.

Meanwhile, Amy Wang has gone from walking the Hill 35 years ago to a book tour this year, promoting Intersections: A Journalistic History of Asian Pacific America, of which she was lead editor as well as a contributor.

And as for this year’s Reunion, schoolmates Tim ’89 and Kartini Collier Moran donated and manned our own personal coffee bar at Reunion headquarters. You may remember we mentioned them earlier this year when they soft-launched their coffee brand, Puro Coffee USA. Well, the same coffee we enjoyed at Reunion HQ was also served at the recent NATO summit.

Class of ’90 Reunion Headquarters occupied the North Campus townhouses this year, which gave those of us alumni who had lived in the North Campus dorms plenty of opportunity to witness the many changes to our former stomping grounds. A couple of my floormates from High Rise 1, which has since been named Jameson Hall, made the trek to Reunion: Cam Winey along with his wife, Colleen, and Allee Peck Hoover along with her husband, Chris. I went to several events with them, as well as with former Dickson Hall resident Kristen Conrad and her former housemates David Cohen and Erica Schorr. Each day, we walked by the brand-new buildings that had sprung up in the previously open fields, where we used to play frisbee or volleyball across from Dickson. Then there’s the completely renovated Robert Purcell Community Center. The dining hall that used to grace the top floor (back when we knew it as RPU) is empty now, having given way to the dining facilities found in North Campus’s new Toni Morrison Hall.

While on campus, I found myself executing a mission on behalf of Amanda Willis: to brave the stairs within McGraw Tower and climb to the very top so that I could take a panoramic photo of the campus from the vantage point of the Chimes. Except … the bell tower was undergoing rehabilitation, and the top was obscured with scaffolding and plywood. I nonetheless pursued the mission as best I could and made a video of this adventure to send back to Amanda. After all, having the tower under construction made the fool’s errand that much funnier, and since she and I had both been involved with the Cornell Lunatic humor magazine, how could I not?

While performing reconnaissance for this mission, I passed by members of the Big Red Marching Band on the Arts Quad, playing under the direction of both current and former drum majors. Our own Marshall Kohen conducted the band as it played the “Alma Mater.” Throughout the weekend, I not only got to enjoy great conversation with Marshall, but I also had fun encounters with former Big Red Bandies Doug Onsi, April Brasher ’89, along with her husband, Doug Burtnick, Scott Pesner ’87, and Jeff Weintraub ’91, MD ’95, who was on a recon mission of his own: scoping out some of our vendors for his own class Reunion, which is next year.

The same coffee we enjoyed at Reunion HQ—made by Tim ’89 and Kartini Collier Moran ’90—was also served at the recent NATO summit.

Ten years ago, soon after our 25th Reunion, I wrote my first Class Notes column. I had volunteered to do this at our class council meeting during that Reunion, joining the ever-awesome Rose Tanasugarn, who has served our class in this and many other posts—including Reunion chair and co-president—since we all graduated from the Hill. You may recall that our 30th Reunion in 2020 had to be scrapped, at least in-person, and so Rose and I kept on in our positions as your faithful class correspondents.

Nonetheless, we gratefully welcomed Nancy Solomon Weiss to our ranks in March 2021, and her addition to the team has really driven home the point that many hands do, indeed, make for lighter work. Thank you, Nancy!

It’s unfortunate I didn’t get to meet Nancy in person at Reunion this year, and Rose had been planning to come but an unlucky break prevented her from making the trip as well. She did, however, manage to make a Cornell event in Santa Monica in early June, and then later in June attended the Osaka EXPO with her Chem 207 lab-mate, Masaki Takai, ME ’92, who is now a doctor in Honolulu.

But meanwhile, back at Reunion this year, we had another wonderful classmate volunteer to join your team of intrepid reporters: Liselle Peterson Esposito. She and I didn’t know each other during our time as students, but wow, was she a lot of fun to hang out with during Reunion.

I bring this up not only as a way of introducing our newest class correspondent, but also as a way of highlighting that the more volunteers our class has working on our behalf, the easier and the more fun the work. In future columns, we’ll cover the news from our class council meeting during Reunion, but there was one point that our class president, Caroline Misciagna Sussman, made that is worth consideration in the meantime:

Our Reunion activities and other alumni events, our class communications and special projects, only happen as a direct result of the time, money, and effort contributed by our classmates. But truly, that doesn’t have to be a burden. The more of us who offer just a few hours every month or two, the more events and activities we can plan and execute beautifully.

Is there something that you think would be fun for our classmates that you could spend just a few hours on to help bring into being? Please give it some thought. Reach out if you have any ideas that you could get behind.

And also: reach out if you have any news for your fellow classmates! ❖ Allan Rousselle (email Allan) | Liselle Peterson Esposito (email Liselle) | Rose Tanasugarn (email Rose) | Nancy Solomon Weiss (email Nancy) | Class Facebook page | Alumni Directory.

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1991

Greetings, Class of ’91! Let’s see what our classmates are up to.

On the East Coast, we heard from Stephen Turner, a pediatrician who lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife, Taryn. His greatest joy these days is “playing golf with his sons!” The most impactful thing he learned while at Cornell, he says, was critical thinking skills.

Living in Sands Point, NY, Toby Handler, MD ’95, is a urologist in Garden City, specializing in women’s health. She writes that “spending time with my four daughters, taking care of my patients, and spending time outdoors and exercising” brings her the most satisfaction these days. The most impactful thing Toby learned while at Cornell is “how important long-term friendships are; college friends are still my closest friends today.”

In Connecticut, Jennifer Huber writes, “I am a gardener at Mystic Seaport Museum, tasked with making sure the campus is full of flowers and well decorated at Christmas.” These days, she finds the most joy in “knitting and vegetable gardening.” Jennifer found “lifelong friendships” to be the most impactful thing she learned while at Cornell.

When Cornellians serve their communities, they carry Ezra’s founding ideal out into the world. Ezra wrote about his intention “to do the greatest good” for humanity. There are so many classmates that are serving, and we want to highlight a few.

Karen Baase, MPS ’00, writes, “Fifteen years ago, a group of my friends and I, members of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Hamilton, NY, were inspired by a Reader’s Digest article on the nonprofit America’s Grow-a-Row in New Jersey. From their humble beginnings, they happily gave the excess vegetables they cultivated from their family garden to the food pantry. We wanted to do the same in Hamilton. And so we collaborated with the Hamilton Food Cupboard, which willingly accepted our offer. We launched our efforts in a donated garden space, 40 by 80 feet. Seeds were donated by Tractor Supply and many volunteers planted, weeded, tilled, and harvested our bountiful produce for four years.

I am a gardener at Mystic Seaport Museum, tasked with making sure the campus is full of flowers and well decorated at Christmas.

Jennifer Huber ’91

“After four years, we lost our garden plot, but individually I continued that effort in my home garden, supplying what I could to the Hamilton Food Cupboard. Then I retired and moved to Western New York, where I restarted my own Grow-a-Row model, supplying fresh produce to the Brockport Food Shelf once a week. That went on for six years. Now that my large-scale gardening effort has ended, I keep my hands busy tilling, planting, and harvesting from two cold-frame, 2-by-8-foot beds next to my house. I’m forever grateful for helping to spread fresh produce to needy persons at local food cupboards.”

Rebecca Scott writes, “I started volunteering with Safe Place for Youth, an organization that supports young people who are unhoused. I have volunteered in the community garden, the clothing closet where members get fresh clothes, and the dining area where members are served meals that are provided by different organizations in the community. Recently, I’ve started volunteering in the education and employment office, where we help young people continue their schooling and find work. I love having the chance to interact with the members. Just like any young people, they have challenges in life, but they face them with humor and tenacity. I’ve learned so much from them!”

Save the date of June 4–7, 2026 when we will celebrate our 35th Reunion! Thank you to those who sent in updates! Have news to share? Use the online news form or feel free to contact one of us directly. ❖ Evelyn Achuck Yue (email Evelyn) | Susie Curtis Schneider (email Susie) | Ruby Wang Pizzini (email Ruby) | Wendy Milks Coburn (email Wendy) | Joe Marraccino (email Joe) | Alumni Directory.

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1992

Did anyone else enjoy watching Cornell sports this year? When we don’t go in person, we have so much fun cheering on the Big Red on TV when we can. Recently, we “yelled for Cornell” for men’s hockey and men’s lacrosse.

Speaking of sports, did you catch classmate Colleen Durham Craig featured in a Cornellians article? She is a team owner of the Atlanta Vibe, part of the first women’s pro volleyball league. While on campus, she was a walk-on dual-sport athlete (in volleyball and track and field) and studied agricultural economics in CALS. She went to Harvard Business School and became an entrepreneur.

Thanks to our classmates who completed the news forms! Jennifer Livingston Schwartz and her husband, Larry ’89, just sold their building and DaVinci’s Restaurant in Hailey, ID, after 29 years in business. Their twin sons recently graduated from high school. One son will study business at Boise State, and the other will attend Cornell’s Nolan School with a Cornell Tradition Fellowship. Jennifer writes that they are “very excited to come back to visit and see all the changes at Cornell.”

Another Big Red couple, John Overton and Christine Hand-Overton, live in Derry, NH. They have two sons. One is in medical school, and the other is a rising senior at University of New Hampshire and has an internship at Fidelity. John is caring for his aging parents, and Christine has a thriving medical practice. The most impactful thing John learned while at Cornell was “to live on my own and build relationships.”

The prolific Dylan Willoughby, MFA ’95, had a poem selected and featured as poem of the day by Verse Daily. Dylan is working on a new poetry collection, Extraordinary Writs, a play, The Flood Subsides, and electronic music under his Lost in Stars moniker. His fond Cornell memory: “Taughannock Falls at night, slight winds.”

Please share your news with us via email or use the online news form. Be well and take good care. ❖ Jean Kintisch (email Jean) | Sarah Ballow Clauss (email Sarah) | Wilma Ann Thomas Anderson (email Wilma Ann) | Alumni Directory.

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1993

Miriam Plavin-Masterman and Alejandro Juárez Crawford ’95 have co-authored One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution. Here’s a description of the book: “We increasingly live and work in one-size-fits-none systems. When you hear, ‘Your needs are very important to us,’ you know you are in one of these systems. It is magical thinking to believe they will suddenly become responsive—even to address the biggest crises of our time. Time for a new plan.”

Kate Benjamin was recently featured in a Cornellians article for her work running an online magazine and store that helps humans keep their felines happy and healthy. According to the story, “If you asked the 11 cats who share their home with Kate Benjamin ’93 to rate their lifestyle—assuming, of course, they could talk—they’d probably call it ‘purrr-fect.’ Among their many amenities: tiers of shelving attached to the walls for them to frolic on, soft beds suspended for lounging, and handmade toys scattered about for their enjoyment.

“Creating an ideal feline environment isn’t just Benjamin’s hobby; it’s her business. She has spent nearly two decades teaching cat owners how to give their furry family members the best quality of life—without compromising on style or interior design. Benjamin is the founder of and content creator for Hauspanther, an online magazine and store devoted to all things feline. (The name is a riff on ‘house panther,’ an affectionate term for a black housecat.)

“In addition to articles on topics like promoting play and feeding an optimal diet, the site sells products—both outside brands and its own line of handmade toys. Offerings range from cat towers and scratchers to beds, treats, catnip, and more; there are also items for humans, like kitty-shaped earrings and a whimsical pendant declaring the wearer a ‘childless cat lady.’

“‘An indoor cat needs enrichment in their environment to thrive, and to act out their natural instincts and species-typical behaviors like climbing and scratching,’ says Benjamin, who majored in design and environmental analysis in Human Ecology and is based in Phoenix, AZ. ‘But if it doesn’t look good, some people won’t do it—and then the cats won’t have what they need.’” ❖ Mia Blackler (email Mia) | Melissa Hart Moss, JD ’97 (email Melissa) | Theresa Flores (email Theresa) | Alumni Directory.

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1994

Daniel Chernin writes, “I just celebrated my 20-year anniversary at Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. as SVP, associate GC, strategic transactions, and took on an additional role as managing director, business development. I am a pickleball addict and love playing every day! I go to tournaments and won Nationals for my bracket last year. My daughter just finished her sophomore year at Georgetown and my son is finishing up 11th grade and will be applying to Cornell in the fall! My four years there certainly were the best of my life!”

Monica Flores shares, “I recently completed a statewide implementation to consolidate 70 websites into a standardized platform powered by the Drupal content management system.” On the family front, she writes, “Our oldest graduated in May 2023 and now works as a geologist, and our daughter is entering her senior year of high school. Our youngest won local recognition for her design for a community-wide Juneteenth celebration.”

Dana Hagendorf Feldman says, “My husband, David ’89, and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our baby son, Mason James, born December 13, 2024. David and I met at Cornell Reunion in 2014, and got engaged at Cornell Reunion in 2019, so we cannot wait to introduce Mason to Cornell! His wardrobe is already full of Cornell onesies!”

Paul Bamundo shares, “I am pleased to announce that I have joined RedBird Development Group, an affiliate of RedBird Capital Partners, as senior vice president. I am excited to be part of this organization that is a leader in sports, entertainment, and media, and my focus will be on developing and growing our college sports business. We will be working with individual institutions like Clemson University, as well as with conferences like the Big 12. I look forward to seeing Cornell classmates when I hit the road for events in the fall!”

I am a pickleball addict and love playing every day! I won Nationals for my bracket last year.

Daniel Chernin ’94

Jessica O’Toole was recently featured in a Cornellians article titled “Exploring Adolescence and Young Adulthood, One Episode at a Time.” According to the story, “Growing up, Jessica O’Toole ’94 would write skits for her cousins to perform for the family during the holidays. Now, she works in Hollywood—penning stories viewed by millions of fans worldwide. A screenwriter and producer for TV shows, O’Toole has worked in the entertainment industry for more than two decades.

“Most recently, she has served as the showrunner—the lead writer, who also oversees the production—for Netflix’s ‘XO, Kitty,’ a streaming spinoff from the To All the Boys films. The romcom, which has been renewed for a third season, follows a young woman who moves to Seoul, South Korea, to attend school and reunite with her long-distance boyfriend, while discovering herself and navigating relationships.

“Many of O’Toole’s projects have explored the lives of teenagers and young adults—intermingling drama, romance, comedy, and adventure. She penned 15 episodes of ‘Greek,’ an ABC Family series that ran from 2007–11, chronicling a college freshman’s efforts to shed his nerdy reputation by joining a fraternity. She later wrote four episodes of the CW’s ‘The Carrie Diaries’; a prequel to HBO’s megahit ‘Sex and the City,’ it depicts its protagonist as an adolescent. ‘I love writing about teenagers, because there are so many inherent stakes and drama during that time of life,’ says O’Toole, who’s married to fellow alum Jess Mullen-Carey ’94, BArch ’95. ‘Every decision feels like the most important one you’ll ever make.’” ❖ Dineen Pashoukos Wasylik (email Dineen) | Dika Lam (email Dika) | Jennifer Rabin Marchant (email Jennifer) | Alumni Directory.

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1995

There is something truly magical about returning to Cornell for a Reunion. And since our 25th got canceled five years ago due to COVID and many classmates hadn’t seen one another in 10 years (or longer!), it was all the more special. At last count, we had a total of almost 500 attendees (337 classmates, 67 adult guests, and 64 youth) for our 30th Reunion, and what a wonderful weekend it was, reconnecting with old friends—and making new ones!

Other highlights of mine include singing with the Cornell Chorus and After Eight and holding the lacrosse NCAA championship trophy with Kathy Heppner Trogolo at Cornelliana Night. I also really enjoyed late nights in our class lounge at Mews Hall (neither Matt French, ME ’96, nor I have stayed up that late on consecutive nights in a loooong time!) and Red Reads, where authors in our class—specifically, Brenda Janowitz (The Audrey Hepburn Estate), Henry Neff (The Witchstone), and Siobhan Adcock, MFA ’04 (The Completionist)—signed and gave away copies of their books.

We also approved the slate of class officers and council for the next five years—although you might have missed it when we did it Saturday night at dinner, so I am sharing it here: president, Lisa Powell Fortna; vice president, Anne Catlin Johnson; secretary, Jennifer Wendling Helgesen, MPA ’97; treasurer/registration chair, Steven Strell; Reunion chairs, Shawn Hecht Morris and Stephen Friedfeld; class correspondent, yours truly!; affinity chair, Tannia Horodeczny Schrieber; class historian, Abra Benson Perrie, MBA ’04; nominations chair, Jim Whitaker; class council, Marisol Barrero, MS ’01, Brett Feldman, and Isela Hernandez.

As I was leaving campus on the Sunday, I posted on our Facebook page, asking classmates for their favorite memories, and got a great response! Here is a sampling:

Quite a few of our classmates hiked to various waterfalls. We had some heavy rain on the Thursday night, as well as some on Friday, which made for HUGE, roaring falls. One group that hiked Robert Treman State Park consisted of Michael Mendelsohn, Josh Bell, Rohit Mehrotra, Vaishali Deshpande Apte, and Nicole Gellar. Another group that made what they said was an “impromptu” trip to Taughannock Falls was Joseph Di Talia, Mike Tamber, Thy Nguyen Cavagnaro, Jeremy Zhu, Abra Benson Perrie, and Jon Ho. Commented Thy laughingly, “There was so much to do, and not enough time, even though I woke up frustrated every morning with my body angry at me, screaming ‘STOP BEING IN DENIAL—YOU’RE OLD!’” She also noted how much she “loved hearing the agreement that our freshman year is such a formative year for all of us, because it truly was!”

James McCloskey also visited Taughannock Falls (as, I imagine, did MANY others) and noted that his favorite Reunion memories were “the dinners where I got to meet my classmates (some of whom I hadn’t met before and some of whom made it a point to reach out), the Tyrolean traverse ziplining over Beebe Lake, rappelling off Schoellkopf Stadium, and canoeing on Beebe Lake.” Wow, James, how did you fit all that in?

Meanwhile, Matthew Fortna shared a waterfall photo of himself and wife Lisa Powell Fortna (one of our INCREDIBLE 30th Reunion chairs, along with Patricia Louison Grant), saying, “This Reunion was I think the best so far. Catching up with friends (and now some alumni children!) was a highlight. Returning to the scene where it all started for us 34 years ago was fun.”

Gary Noronha said, “I really enjoyed seeing parts of campus I had never seen before. I have been on campus probably 10 times since graduation and every time I find a new bit of beauty or history or scholarship that amazes me. Laughing and connecting with classmates familiar and new was great, but reconnecting with Cornell as a place and institution with the perspective adult life brings made me fall in love with her all over again.”

I have been on campus probably 10 times since graduation and every time I find a new bit of beauty or history or scholarship that amazes me.

Gary Noronha ’95

From Hanna Stevens: “Most thankful that so many classmates are still with us and in good health. It was awesome to see friends from so long ago and hear about their work and lives that are so interesting.”

Elaine Chang Lu shared that one of her favorite memories was being reunited with professors who taught her 33 years ago—“so many emotions!”—and posted a photo of herself, Vieven Chen, Craig “Snowman” Snow, Shalaine Wang, and “the amazing Giuseppe Pezzotti ’84, MMH ’96!”

“Had so much fun seeing old friends from North Campus, Model UN, and EE,” wrote Dale Rosenthal. “Had a Sui G+G from Shortstop, heard good talks from the president and engineering dean, and stopped by the Dairy Bar and Cornell Store—all with friends and running into more friends! Then stayed out in the 1995 tent at Mews until 2:30 a.m. with Neeraj Choubey and Dan Brachfeld, ME ’96, taking over DJ’ing for Kerry Duffy while we looked at Abra Perrie’s amazing Reunion scrapbooks.”

Jenny Schwartz Corman commented, “It was so fun to be back on the Hill reminiscing and visiting our favorite places on campus like the Dairy Bar and CTB, places we lived, and hangouts. I especially loved hanging with our class at night in the Mews Hall lounge and our Hotelie breakfast Saturday where Class of ’95 definitely represented!”

Dayna Fleming said it was “an amazing weekend! Everything was fun, but to pick out something unique, I really loved the Olympian panel at Bailey Hall.” And, she says, “I still need SOMEONE to corroborate my memory that ‘Crazy’ by Patsy Cline was one of the songs—maybe the very last one?—played on the jukebox at the Palms every night after last call!” Anyone??

Lastly, this Reunion was the first for many of our classmates. James Wilson wrote, “This was the first Reunion I have been able to attend, and it exceeded my expectations. Thank you, not only to those involved in the planning, but also to everyone who attended. The entire weekend really reminded me how much I love Cornell.”

And Andy Yang summed it up well: “It took me 30 years to attend my first Reunion. But better late than never. And what an experience it was. So many highs in rekindling great memories on the Hill with longtime friends and making new ones in the process across all classes. Sharing this with my son made it even better—he loves Cornell and now understands why it holds such a special place in my heart. One of my personal highlights was the alumni row—rowing on Cayuga’s waters was surreal, something you never forget, and having the opportunity to do so again was incredible. If I’ve learned anything this weekend, it’s that age doesn’t define you: it’s one’s actions. And all our actions as Cornellians speak volumes about the amazing community we’ve built. Thanks to all the organizers and their tremendous efforts in making the Reunion possible. Big Red forever!”

I know this is not the full extent of memories made, and I wish I could include everyone I got to see. Please continue to send me your personal/professional updates and Reunion or undergrad memories and I’ll get them queued up for future columns. And here’s hoping we don’t go another 10 years without seeing each other again! ❖ Alison Torrillo French (email Alison) | Class website | Class Facebook page | Class Instagram page | Alumni Directory.

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1996

Steve Gump writes, “Hello, I’m sharing news of my recent book, How to Review Scholarly Books, published last month by Princeton University Press in their Skills for Scholars series.”

According to the publisher, “Scholarly book reviews should be enjoyable—both to write and to read. All too often, though, they offer little more than chapter-by-chapter summaries. In this comprehensive handbook, Steven Gump offers an encouraging guide to crafting valuable reviews of scholarly books in the humanities and social sciences. Readers learn how to write engaging, respectful reviews that make intellectual contributions of their own.

“With extensive experience in both writing and editing scholarly book reviews, Gump walks prospective reviewers through the process of selecting a book to review, identifying a venue to publish the review, reading and annotating the book, and writing a review that is tailored to the audience of the target venue, with the possibility of dissemination to popular outlets beyond the core field.

“Alongside this practical advice, Gump offers a generous philosophy of scholarly book reviewing that considers the roles of book reviews and the responsibilities of book reviewers within the broader scholarly ecosystem. Readers learn how to uplift the voices and contributions of authors, how to prepare the next generation of reviewers (including undergraduates or graduate students), and how to elevate an unjustly underestimated genre. Ultimately, this essential guide brings into renewed focus the joys of reading scholarly works, engaging with intellectual ideas, and writing incisively.” ❖ Class of 1996 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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1997

Over the past few years, I am sure many of us have found ourselves “in the weeds” of life—trying to juggle work, family life, and day-to-day activities. If you have kids, the juggling can become even more complicated—like adding five more balls to the three you are already juggling!

Many of us, me included, have turned to various caregivers to help us manage those balls. It is not easy to find quality caregivers, and Seanna Thompson, MBA ’20, agrees. She recently published Mary Poppins Doesn’t Exist: What Twenty-Two Au Pairs Taught Me About America’s Care Crisis and shares the ups and downs of her own quest to achieve that sometimes elusive work/life balance. Her memoir shares tales of funny, frustrating, and possibly questionable encounters with various caregivers for her children while trying to be a practicing ob/gyn.

Another school year has begun, and we are another year closer to our 30th Reunion. Mark your calendars now for June 10–13, 2027—it will be here before we know it! Remember, Reunion is family friendly, so bring your kids and show them what’s left of your haunts on campus and in Collegetown. While campus may have changed, the people are the same, so round up a few friends and make a pact to meet back in Ithaca. Class officers will share more information closer to the date, but start making plans now! Hope to see you all there!

In the meantime, send along more news—how are you helping “to do the greatest good”? Who have you randomly run into lately? We have found youth travel sports to be a great place to run into Cornellians. My husband, Josh Carter, recently had dinner at a high school club lacrosse tournament in Delaware with Shawn ’94 and Denise Shannon and at another tournament our sons played each other—no small feat when one is based on Long Island and one in Chicago! We are looking forward to hearing about your “small world” encounters, so submit a news update! ❖ Sarah Deardorff Carter (email Sarah) | Erica Broennle Nelson (email Erica) | Alumni Directory.

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1998

Lucie Macelova Ayres shares, “I was recently a guest on the fantastic Cornell (thank) U podcast, sharing insights from my work in luxury interior design. If you’re curious about the creative side of entrepreneurship, give it a listen!” The full episode can be found here.

According to its blurb, “She’s not a decorator—she’s a designer with vision, edge, brilliance, and a strict no-word-art policy. Lucie Ayres ’98 brings bold taste, smart strategy, and signature style to every space she touches. You won’t believe the magic she creates—or the industry giants featuring her work. Tune in for Craigslist romances, accent wall crimes, and how a garage playroom launched a design empire. Oh, and you’ll hear a little bit about her other work with Mariah Carey—you won’t guess …”

Lucie is the founder and principal designer at 22 Interiors, a full-service interior design agency with residential and commercial projects throughout the U.S. According to her website, “Lucie’s style is a hybrid of soulful European meets playful Californian—comfortable, curated, and inspired. Her Cornell degree and world travels influence her entire design process. She is driven daily by her passion for design, color, and creating layouts that transform the way her clients live, work, and feel. Opinionated and hard-working, Lucie lives for the installation—when all the pieces fall into place—and the end result of happy rooms and happy clients.​

“Currently based in Los Angeles and New York, Lucie was born in Prague, then a part of Czechoslovakia, and moved to the U.S. when she was 5. The daughter of a carpenter, Lucie’s passion for design started when she was very young. She helped design the pieces that her father would build, and would constantly rearrange the furniture in her and her friends’ rooms.

“She went on to study design and environmental analysis at Cornell, after which she traveled throughout Europe and Africa before settling in Manhattan. She lives with her husband, Chris, their two kids, Milo and Mae, and two cats, Loki and Ozzy. She proudly serves on the board of Cornell’s College of Human Ecology, and sponsors home installations for the Los Angeles nonprofit A Sense of Home.” ❖ Uthica Jinvit Utano (email Uthica) | Alumni Directory.

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1999

Melissa Gellman Weiss gets the most satisfaction these days from watching her girls grow up (“so fast!”) and being with her family. “I am a venture partner at Wellness Growth Ventures. I have launched a network for women executives in wellness, called WGV.” According to the website, “We provide women with the tools and access they need to launch, scale, and raise. Our mission is to cultivate leaders, accelerate business growth, and create a more equitable path to success.”

Adam Gorski is a landscape and general contractor, and he shares that Cornell is where he learned his work ethic and time management skills. He greatly enjoys living in a ski area and his waterfront vacation home. ❖ Class of 1999 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2000s

2000

Hello, everyone. I hope this note finds you well, wherever in the world you are. I’m curious, how many of you were able to attend the 25th Reunion of the Class of 2000? Unfortunately, I was not able to attend, but I hope to see many friends in 2030. Here is a recap of the weekend’s events from Grace Jean, our illustrious Reunion chair:

“Hey, Class of 2000! It was awesome to see so many of you in Ithaca for our 25th Reunion! We were 500+ strong with family and friends joining us for the fun, and we welcomed back classmates from near and as far away as Dubai and Japan. We indulged in lots of food that brought back good memories of our undergrad days—including Hot Truck, Pudgie’s Pizza, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, to name just a few.

“We enjoyed our breakfasts in Jansen’s Dining Hall—well, Jansen’s 2.0. Our class hosted a Taste of the Finger Lakes wine tasting event at our Reunion headquarters in Hans Bethe House, featuring Hermann J. Weimer and Standing Stone Vineyards wines, thanks to co-owners Fred Merwath and Oskar Bynke ’03. And our esteemed fellow alum and honorary fellow alum both shared their insights on a viticulture panel, moderated by Professor Justine E. Vanden Heuvel, Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Science in CALS.

“When we weren’t hanging out in the dorm for late nights (or sheltering from the rain), we were out exploring campus, stopping by the Dairy Bar, taking in lectures, hiking in the gorges, running the Reunion 5K, rowing on Cayuga Lake, canoeing on Beebe Lake, and, of course, dancing away the nights on the Arts Quad in the tent parties. The sun even came out for Fun in the Sun.

“Many thanks to our Reunion planners for a successful 25th. In addition to me as Reunion chair, we had help from registration chair Kristen Sweeney, class president David Chipurnoi, and Erin Flinn. Thanks also to our 25th Reunion campaign volunteers, led by co-chairs Nick Janiga and Anna Gravino Salerno: Folasade Oluwaseyi Bucknor, Erin Flinn, Melinda Hightower, Alexander Harrison, Melissa Loewenstern Lewin, Laura Little Morris, Deniz Omurgonulsen, Eric Stone, Joseph Treadway, Scott Weiss, MBA ’05, Christine Williams, Barrett Yates-Mack, and Isaac Wong. We raised the amazing amount of $2,384,675—a class record! Thanks to all who made gifts in support of our milestone Reunion. Your generosity makes a difference for Cornell and the next generation of students!

“During the class meeting at our Saturday dinner on the Arts Quad, we voted in our new class officer slate for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2025: David Chipurnoi, president; Kacey Bonner, vice president; Anna Gravino Salerno and Nick Janiga, Cornell Annual Fund representatives; Nick Janiga, treasurer; O. Shane Balloun, BA ’02, secretary; David Chipurnoi, Ellie Flemming, and Grace Jean, Reunion co-chairs; Kristen Sweeney, registration chair; Nick Molinari, nomination chair; Erin Flinn, affinity chair; and Melissa Astudillo, membership chair.

Joey Bonifacio ’00 has released the trailer to his first feature documentary as a physician-filmmaker.

“We’re always looking for classmates to get more involved—please reach out to David Chipurnoi (email David) if you are interested in volunteering or learning about more opportunities to support our class.” And did you know by paying class dues you can help lower the cost of Reunion fees? If you aren’t already, please consider becoming a duespaying member.

We have some news from a few of our fellow alumni. Lindsay Hower currently serves as the global director of development for the Nature Conservancy’s climate program. She’s built her career in the nonprofit sector with experience in the global conservation and education fields. Lindsay is currently chair of the board of directors for La Cocina, a Bay Area nonprofit working with BIPOC and immigrant women to help them launch successful food businesses.

Lindsay is based in Marin County, north of San Francisco, which she’s called home for the last 15 years. Her son, Chase, 5, will be entering kindergarten this fall. Their last adventure together was a road trip in New Zealand in 2024, and this summer they look forward to visiting El Salvador and Mexico.

Joey Bonifacio has released the trailer to his first feature documentary as a physician-filmmaker, called True Colors. Joey is applying to film festivals this year; he did sound, camera work, editing, and directing all on his own. The documentary also features classmate Scott Leibowitz.

Here’s a synopsis: “A pediatrician-filmmaker critically documents conversations around his struggles and joys in providing gender-affirming care while navigating a culture of changing ideology, divisive politics, and a lack of medical literature regarding children and adolescents with gender dysphoria. The conversations serve as a touchstone leading to the increasing number of bans to pediatric gender-affirming care globally, including the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.” You can view the trailer on his website.

Alvin Velazquez and wife Nicole have decamped from Washington, DC, to Bloomington, IN. They are now empty nesters! Alvin left a job as an in-house lawyer at the Service Employees International Union to begin a career as a law professor at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Nicole is now a BookTuber focusing on classic literature. Check out her YouTube channel, Noteworthy Fiction.

That’s all the news I have for now. I’m sure, in this great big world, Cornellians are doing things, helping and changing lives in big and small ways. If you want to reach out and share your story, please share your news here. ❖ Denise Williams (email Denise) | Alumni Directory.

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2001

Our big 25th Reunion is now less than nine months away! Are you getting excited?! When was the last time you were on the Hill? Be there or be square: June 4–7, 2026.

This is a great time to get reacquainted and reconnected with Cornell. If you’re interested in serving as a Class of 2001 officer, take a look at our class website for the position descriptions. As of summer 2025, our team includes: co-presidents Lora Epstein and Michael Hanson, MPA ’02; co-vice presidents and membership chairs Malinda Lesko and Sarah Mehta; communications co-chairs Nicole Neroulias Gupte and James Gutow; Cornell Annual Fund representatives Stephen McBrady and Troy Townsend; Reunion co-chairs Lorraine Medeiros and Marisa Laks; Reunion registration chair Claire Ackerman; treasurer Praveen Anumolu, ME ’03; and class council representatives Claire Ackerman, Praveen Anumolu, Tara Benedict, and Jeremy Werner. The positions of secretary and affinity chair were vacant at the time of this writing.

Got any long-lost classmates you’d love to track down between now and June? Our officer team has some impressive investigative skills, despite the fact that our class is in that weird generation gap of going from being too old to too young to too old again for most social media platforms. Our latest find: Rachel Flores, now an economic development manager in Mesquite, TX. (Rachel, if you’re reading this, Lorraine and co. miss you!)

On the occasionally still-helpful Facebook, my former-life journalism pal Rebekah Gordon Taylor ’00 shared fantastic photos of her family’s June 2025 Reunion weekend. In addition to class-specific events planned by each class’s Reunion committee (please reach out if you have suggestions for activities, speakers, or swag, and/or can volunteer!), “there are some Reunion-wide traditions they have every year that you can count on, like the tent parties on the Arts Quad, Cornelliana Night, shopping at the Cornell Store, the Reunion 5K, ice cream at the Dairy Bar, Fun in the Sun for families on the Arts Quad, etc. Cornell Outdoor Education always offers canoeing on Beebe Lake, rappelling down the side of Schoellkopf, and ziplining.”

The 25th Reunion class typically stays in one of the new (to us) West Campus dorms, with a shuttle available if just the thought of hoofing up Libe Slope feels exhausting. (Hey, there’s a reason some of us emphatically chose Donlon or other North Campus dorms back in the day!) The event is quite family-friendly as well. (Plus, it’s a college visit opportunity for those of us with teens … er, no pressure, kids!)

I got the bug to play field hockey again and have started training with the goal of playing with the U.S. Masters team in the 2026 World Cup.

Christina Peruto-Post ’01

Still with me? Send me a message via LinkedIn (I’m not hard to find) or email (see below) with the phrase “Aardvark, Nicole!”

Speaking of reuniting and aardvarking, my Big Red Marching Bandmate Peggy Imboden Salsbury, MS ’05, played sousaphone with the Pep Band and cheered on Cornell men’s lacrosse when they won the national championship over Memorial Day weekend. As a supporter of Cornell lacrosse since the ’99 season, and former goalie for the women’s club team, she was over the moon to witness this historic victory. Meanwhile, her husband Joe Salsbury ’99, MBA ’05, has started math teams at the local elementary, middle, and high school, nurturing Connecticut’s mathletes. Peggy will see everyone at Reunion next June! (But me first, while I’m dropping off my son from Delhi, India, to a boarding school in Litchfield County, a few towns over from her home and my old Waterbury Republican-American reporting grounds—what a small world!)

Cornell field hockey alumna Christina Peruto-Post has also been keeping busy and connected to our alma mater, from her home base outside Philly. She recently earned her 300-hour Spiritual Warrior yoga certification (to become a 500-hour certified yoga instructor) from Yoga Farm Ithaca, which, she writes, “felt like it was meant to be because Ithaca is a place that always feels like coming home; it’s so healing for me.”

In July, Christina took her son Owen hiking in Watkins Glen State Park and Fall Creek Gorge, with special stops at Collegetown Bagels and the Suspension Bridge; special thanks to “the boys of Sig Ep who did not tow my car when we parked in their parking lot!” (Check our class Facebook group for photos.) Her son is also a field hockey player, and Christina writes, “When I started teaching him how to play, I got the bug to play again and have started training with the goal of playing with the U.S. Masters team in the 2026 World Cup.”

As for me, after dropping my son off in Connecticut, I’m probably back in Delhi working on my MLIS degree from San Jose State University—more time for that now that my new job at USAID has become my old job. (Sigh.) In my free time, I’m also busy with the American Embassy School’s board of governors and helping run Cub Scouts Pack 3060 and Troop 60. Who would have thought an NYC girl would find herself roughing it in tents in Utah (dusty! cold nights!) and Thailand (hot! humid! mosquitos!) for two weeks last summer? Ah, the things we do for the children.

Have a great fall! To share news or memories, please email either of us, visit our website, like the Class of 2001 Facebook page, join our Class of 2001 Classmates Facebook group, and check out our Class of 2001 Instagram page for great photos and stories. ❖ Nicole Neroulias Gupte (email Nicole) | James Gutow (email James) | Alumni Directory.

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2002

Geeta Kohli writes, “Hi! I’ve recently launched a newsletter called Defining Money, where each week I break down a finance or business law term and pair it with a short story or example, designed especially for those of us who may have experienced financial issues or abuse. This project grew out of my desire to make financial concepts more accessible, particularly for students navigating complex legal or socio-economic systems. You can find it here!”

Josh Miller was elevated to named partner of Katzke & Morgenbesser LLP, the New York-based executive compensation boutique law firm, effective June 2, 2025. The firm’s new name is Katzke, Miller & Morgenbesser LLP.

In the mergers and acquisitions space, Katzke, Miller & Morgenbesser represents executive teams in corporate transactions, including private equity buyouts, go-private transactions, and strategic transactions. The firm also represents individual executives in high-end employment and severance matters, including new hire packages, CEO succession and transition, change in control planning, equity “mega” grants, and long-term incentive plan design and negotiation, among other matters. ❖ Class of 2002 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2003

Margaret Caplan Nathanson shares, “I co-wrote a middle-grade graphic novel with my husband! Masks: A Graphic Novel is set for release on July 29 by Andrews McMeel under my pen name, Margaret Rae. It’s about little monster kids who finally get the chance to go out and be normal for Halloween. I’m also a physician and my husband is a screenwriter, but we decided to work together on this during the early days of the pandemic. And, well, it’s finally here!”

Drew Warshaw is running for New York State Comptroller! According to his website, “Drew brings a fresh perspective, big ideas, and an extraordinary combination of government, private-sector, and nonprofit experience—a proven record of tackling entrenched problems and delivering results. From leading one of the biggest rebuilding efforts New York has ever seen—the World Trade Center—to expanding renewable energy and affordable housing across the country—solving our most intractable problems is Drew’s driving force.

“A lifelong New Yorker, Drew grew up with his two sisters (he is a triplet) one block south of East Harlem, with a view north and south that gave him a visceral insight into one of the starkest divides in New York. A witness to the random (and sometimes not random) distribution of power, wealth, and a fair shake. For the last five years, Drew has taken on the affordable housing crisis, as chief operating officer and then as co-CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, where he helped lead a nonprofit that has created and preserved more than 1 million affordable homes.” You can learn more about Drew and his campaign in this video. ❖ Jon Schoenberg, ME ’03, PhD ’11 (email Jon) | Candace Lee Chow, PhD ’14 (email Candace) | Alumni Directory.

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2004

Brian Kwoba is an associate professor of history and director of African and African American studies at the University of Memphis. He writes, “I’m excited to share that—after more than a decade of research, writing, reflecting, and revising—my book Hubert Harrison: Forbidden Genius of Black Radicalism, has come out.

“My book is a political biography of the working-class journalist, activist, and educator Hubert Henry Harrison (1883–1927), who generated an array of visionary solutions to the systemic injustices of his day. After blazing a trail for Black workers and organizers in the Socialist Party of America and the Industrial Workers of the World, Harrison emerged as the most prominent Black freethinker and free lover of his generation. For a more engaging sense of what it’s about, my book trailer just went live recently, courtesy of my friends at the global online media platform African Stream.

“Above all, my book makes clear how Hubert Harrison’s tireless work (against the robber-baron oligarchy, global white racism, and colonial imperialism of his day) speaks directly to the current billionaire-driven, white nationalist, and war-torn political moment.” ❖ Class of 2004 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2005

Hi everyone! My name is Brian Levine, MS ’08, your Class of 2005 president. I had the honor of helping plan our 20th Reunion this past June in Ithaca. After a 10-year gap due to COVID, this was our first Reunion back, and we knew it had to be something special. And it truly was.

Things kicked off Thursday evening at our class HQ, William Keeton House on West Campus. As classmates trickled in and got settled, we gathered for a happy hour with local wines from the Finger Lakes and light bites to get us ready for the weekend. Classmates reconnected, new introductions were made, and conversations picked up like no time had passed. Later that night, we treated everyone to Cornell Dairy Bar ice cream, including Alumni Swirl, a white chocolate ice cream flavor with a tart cherry swirl and fudge pieces that’s only available for Reunion! What a great way to kick off the weekend.

It was especially exciting to welcome a number of first-time attendees, as well as spouses and children who were seeing Cornell for the first time. In honor of how much has changed (and how much hasn’t), we organized a special “Then & Now” campus tour. Our class historian, Tom Balcerski, PhD ’14, put together a pamphlet showcasing buildings that have evolved over the years. A current student tour guide led the way (walking backwards of course!), and even those of us who’ve been back before learned something new.

With about a quarter of our attendees under the age of 12, we wanted to make sure families felt right at home. We created a dedicated kids’ room filled with coloring books, crafts, board games, and even video games (Nintendo Switch!). The room was filled all weekend—from early morning to late at night.

After a 10-year gap due to COVID, this was our first Reunion back, and we knew it had to be something special. And it truly was.

Brian Levine ’05, MS ’08

Friday night’s “Welcome Back BBQ” brought everyone together again for lawn games, burgers and grilled chicken, and of course more Cornell Dairy ice cream, this time with a complete toppings bar to make your own sundae. Held right at class HQ, it was the perfect way to catch up for those who traveled in on Friday. Our Saturday dinner on the Engineering Quad featured another crowd favorite, Taste of Thai.

We held our class meeting, where we voted in our new class officers: president Brian Levine; VP Andrew Vedamuthu; VP of communication Jennifer Shloming; VP of membership and affinities Erica Healey-Kagan; secretary Michelle Wong; Cornell Annual Fund representative Jennifer Lee Krusius; class correspondents Jessica Rosenthal Chod and Hilary Johnson King; treasurer Sreedar Raja; Reunion chair Sarah Perkins Latimer; registration chair Brian Levine; class historian Thomas Balcerski; nominations chair Thomas Balcerski; and class council members Kelly Ruggles, Jamie Newberry Houston, Jason Hnatko, Christopher Mitchell, Cheryl Mensah, Chris Benedict, and Jennifer Tran. A huge thank you to our outgoing officers for their dedication over the past five years!

One of the other many highlights of the weekend was Saturday’s joint event with the Class of 2000, a “Taste of the Finger Lakes” wine tasting with Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard & Winery. Co-owners Oskar Bynke ’03 and Fred Merwarth ’00 walked us through their current wines, answered questions, and even surprised us with a pour of their 2005 Riesling.

And, of course, no Cornell Reunion would be complete without some late-night food. After dancing and reminiscing at the Arts Quad tent parties, we regrouped at HQ for chicken wings and legendary Hot Truck sandwiches—some classmates kept the party going until the early morning hours.

Though campus continues to change, our love for Cornell remains constant. This weekend reminded me of the strength of our class community and how special that Big Red spirit can be. Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a memorable Reunion. We’ll see you for our 25th Reunion in 2030! ❖ Brian Levine, MS ’08 (email Brian) | Alumni Directory.

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2006

Autumn greetings, Class of ’06! Please take a moment to let us know how you spent your summer! If you have anything you’d like to share with our class, please submit an online news form or write directly to: ❖ Class of 2006 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2007

Hello, Class of 2007! Below are some awesome updates on our classmates’ professional developments. I am so happy to be able to share them with you all. As always, my contact information is listed at the end—I love hearing from you, and look forward to future updates!

Jennifer D’Amato-Anderson is living in Portland, OR, with her husband, Andrew. They were lucky enough to catch the Hangovers on their Pacific Northwest tour in Portland. She says, “It was a lot of fun—and fun to reminisce about the many Hangovers shows I attended as a student.” Agreed! It was always a great time to catch a cappella shows on campus. What a fun way to keep the traditions alive!

Since the beginning of 2023, Steven Stern has been volunteering with Kitchen Possible in Chicago, a local organization that works to build empowered mindsets in children through cooking. Each year during the winter and summer sessions, they work once a week at a local community center with children ages 8–13 to teach life lessons through cooking. He says that it’s fun to see skills and confidence grow from week to week, and to show how cooking is such a great way to learn and apply life lessons. You can learn more about the organization here.

Lastly, our classmate Kelly Li was featured in a Cornellians story about her recently published children’s books about financial literacy. This series educates little ones on topics from introducing the concept of money to how inflation works. Says Kelly: “Learning about finances and the economy shouldn’t feel like a task—if we can make it as fun as reading about puppies.”

Congrats to everyone on your accomplishments! 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

Alissa Worly Jerud recently penned an essay for Cornellians titled “Why Our Attempts to Avoid Emotional Discomfort Often Backfire.” In it, she wrote, “My training and work as a clinical psychologist has, over the years, shifted how I perceive and respond to anxiety, as well as other ‘unwanted’ emotions. Instead of dreading or trying to avoid moments of emotional pain, I now see these as valuable opportunities to strengthen my muscles for tolerating distress, thus enabling me to better weather whatever challenging emotions I encounter down the road.

“The reason? As much as we might wish this weren’t the case, the truth is that discomfort is an inextricable part of the human journey and is bound to show up again and again, especially if we want to live lives that we experience as worthwhile. Thus, rather than fight the inevitable or cede control to our ever-changing feelings, we can allow even the most intense, unwanted emotions to tag along for the ride while still choosing to show up as the people we aspire to be.

“Increasing emotional agility in this way is what I aim to help others do—both in my clinical practice and in my new book, Emotion-Savvy Parenting: A Shame-Free Guide to Navigating Emotional Storms and Deepening Connection. To be sure, distressing emotions are inescapable, whether or not we have children. However, as most parents can agree, the never-ending waves of emotions—both ours and our kids’—that we face each and every day as parents make the uniquely marvelous and demanding job of parenting exceptionally difficult. Moreover, as is the case outside of parenting, the control strategies many of us intuitively and understandably reach for to cope with these feelings don’t always serve us (or our kids) all that well.

“Fortunately, although it’s certainly easier said than done, breaking free of the grip that unwanted emotions often have over us is something we can all do, thanks to a number of empirically supported interventions that were designed for this very purpose. Indeed, the research-backed tools for accepting, regulating, and tolerating emotions that I include in my book are ones that I use myself on a daily basis—both in and out of the office—and I feel honored to be able to help others learn them as well.” ❖ Class of 2008 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2009

Jimmy Suarez shares some wonderful news: “I completed my EdD in higher education administration from NYU (Class of 2025)—a quantitative study examining the relationship between completing a pre-collegiate program and enrollment behaviors among first-generation students.” Congratulations! ❖ Class of 2009 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2010s

2010

Nearly 350 2010 classmates and guests returned to Ithaca for a milestone celebration at this year’s 15th Reunion. It was especially meaningful following the cancellation of our 10th Reunion due to COVID, with many of us not having set foot on the Hill since 2015—or even since graduation.

The events officially kicked off Thursday afternoon with a “Sweet Return Home” catered by Insomnia Cookies at the 2010 HQ in the Just About Music (JAM) dorm on North Campus. Early returners basked in the fleeting good weather, their children checked out the Kids Zone, and the “Welcome 2010” HQ chalkboard started to fill up with signatures and messages.

By Friday, the Reunion mood was set: wine tour registrants were off to enjoy three local vineyards; families took a grab-n-go breakfast before heading to the Orchards or other adventures; and some classmates were seen flocking directly to Collegetown to take in the changes (and set up shop at CTB!).

By evening, everyone gathered for the first, informal class dinner. The Dinosaur BBQ meal at Trillium tickled the taste buds and there was a surprise appearance from none other than Touchdown the Bear. Wandering from table to table, Touchdown greeted guests and especially delighted the nearly 35 children in attendance, posing for photos and giving bear hugs. The first full day was later capped off at the iconic Cornell tent parties on the Arts Quad.

Sunday morning, many lingered on the Arts Quad, took a final walk down College Ave., listened to the chimes playing, and soaked in memories one last time.

Stephanie Rigione ’10

Saturday was the emotional peak: everyone had checked in and were somehow transported back to age 22. The skies had cleared just in time for the mimosa bar hot breakfast, and the exclusively designed 2010 red hat souvenir was seen bopping up and down campus. Schedules were filled with 5K runs, tours, lectures, and catching up with friends. Walking past Willard Straight Hall or down Tower Road seemed like second nature.

The Johnson Museum was the backdrop of our final night. Kicking off the reception, the Big Red Pep Band led a spirited rally. They performed songs from our 2010 era—including fight songs and favorite Cornell anthems—and revived the excitement of our college days.

That pep‑charged set led straight into the class photo at the museum stairs. All attendees—partners, spouses, children, and family—were asked to stand with the 2010ers at the museum stairs for a memorable snapshot. Following that, classmates enjoyed the class dinner and swapped stories—from post‑grad careers to pandemic pivots. The room buzzed with conversation and reconnection. With warmed up vocal cords, many classmates then sang along at Redstock or Cornelliana Night, which seamlessly led to karaoke and continued festivities at the final tent party.

Sunday morning offered a relaxed morning for farewells and final laughs. Many lingered on the Arts Quad, took a final walk down College Ave., listened to the chimes playing, and soaked in memories one last time.

The weekend stirred memories of our college years, reignited old bonds, and forged new memories. The return examined not just the change of places, but also our own personal growth—parents introducing children to their alma mater and classmates sharing life arcs.

We returned to Cornell in spirit, some returning in person for the first time in a decade. We left reminded that distance and years may stretch us out, but the Big Red pulse remains at our core. ❖ Stephanie Rigione (email Steph) | Class Instagram page | Alumni Directory.

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2011

The Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA)—an organization of dairy producers and industry partners committed to an economically viable, consumer-conscious dairy industry dedicated to the care and well-being of our communities, our environment, our employees, and our cows—has announced a new executive director. Our very own Allyson Jones-Brimmer, MAT ’12, will take up the helm, after serving as the organization’s VP of regulatory and legislative affairs since November 2023.

“Being named executive director of NEDPA is an incredible honor,” Allyson said. “For nearly two years, I have had the opportunity to work with our board, meet with members, and advocate on behalf of our organization’s priorities in Albany. In this new role, I will continue to work with our industry partners to elevate the voice of dairy farms in the Northeast while navigating the ever-changing policies we are faced with at the local, state, and federal levels.”

Allyson studied animal science and agriculture education on the Hill and participated in the Dairy Fellows program. She is also a 2020 graduate of the Virginia Agriculture Obtaining Results program and a 2016 graduate of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute. She grew up in Jefferson County and now lives in Central New York. ❖ Class of 2011 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2012

Roshan Asrani works as an attending physician/teaching faculty at Mount Sinai Hospital, specializing in the treatment of aggressive lymphomas (blood cancers). He was recently awarded the Hematology/Oncology 2024–25 Faculty Teaching Award at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Roshan enjoys living in NYC, where he enjoys everything the city has to offer, including Central Park, Museum Mile, and playing tennis. Regarding his career, he shares, “Studying biomedical engineering at Cornell gives me a different outlook on how I see various medical advancements. Because of my unique background, I am now seeking to expand my role in non-traditional spaces including the implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Specifically I seek to optimize the patient-physician interactions to offload mundane clerical work and bolster the return on humanism in medicine.”

Casey Call was recently featured in a Cornellians story about his work as “the co-founder and head grower for Zordi, a Boston-based firm that’s pioneering technology to automate greenhouse farming. ‘Automation is already infiltrating agriculture very deeply, because there are a lot of repetitive tasks that nobody wants to do; trust me, I’ve been doing them,’ says Call, whose family includes many farmers (and numerous Cornellians). ‘And those are the things we can use robots for.’

“At Zordi’s test farm, located in southern New Jersey, robots drive down rows of plants, carefully inspecting each one. ‘It doesn’t replace human intervention,’ says Call, whose company has also tested its system for use in growing cherry tomatoes. ‘But it gives a huge boost in workflow.’ Zordi’s berries are currently sold in grocery stores in NYC, New Jersey, and Massachusetts—including in H Mart and Wegmans—and have landed on menus at such fine dining establishments as Eleven Madison Park. In addition to selling its own produce, Zordi is working with other farmers testing the technology—with the aim of having it adopted by growers worldwide.” ❖ Peggy Ramin (email Peggy) | Alumni Directory.

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2013

“Being part of a Stanley Cup-winning team at least once in your career is a lifelong dream, but winning it back-to-back is an achievement only a select few get to experience,” an article on the Big Red Athletics website reported. “Braden Birch, former captain and defenseman of the Cornell men’s hockey team, joined that distinguished group when the Florida Panthers became the ninth NHL franchise to repeat as Stanley Cup champions following their 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena.

“Concluding his ninth season within the Panthers’ front office, including his fourth season serving as Florida’s director of hockey operations and salary cap management, Birch joined the organization before the 2016–17 season as a special assistant to then-general manager Tom Rowe. Birch’s contributions were quickly recognized, resulting in his promotion to director of hockey operations the following year—a title he has held since.

“Throughout his four years at Cornell, Birch participated in 128 games for the Big Red, accumulating 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) and achieving a career plus-17 rating. In his senior year, he served as a tri-captain, sharing honors with Erik Axell and Nick D’Agostino.” You can read the full story here.

In 2015, our classmate Erica Barnell and her brother, Andrew Barnell ’07, BS ’11, co-founded Geneoscopy with a mission to empower patients and healthcare providers to transform gastrointestinal health with its innovative tests that help prevent, detect, and monitor disease.

According to the website, the inspiration for the company was conceived during Erica’s first clinical rotation while in medical school. Erica encountered a woman with stage 4 colorectal cancer who had never had a colonoscopy because she could not take time off work to have the procedure done. At the same time, Andrew had graduated from the Wharton School with an MBA in healthcare management. “Their complementary skills, a mutual passion for healthcare, and a desire to impact patients with gastrointestinal disease provided a clear mission” for the siblings. ❖ Class of 2013 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2014

Hello, Class of 2014. This fall officially marks 15 years since the start of our time at Cornell! Do you have any updates to share with your classmates? If so, please reach out; I love to share your stories with the Cornell community. Homecoming will be October 3–4 this year. If you have a chance to attend, I would love to hear your impressions and include them in an upcoming column! ❖ Samantha Lapehn Young (email Samantha) | Alumni Directory.

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2015

We hope plenty of you were able to join us at our 10th Reunion in June! We had a great time reuniting with classmates, exploring our old stomping grounds, and meeting new friends along the way. We went on a wine tour, partied in the tents, and enjoyed some delicious Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Thank you so much to our Reunion chairs for a great weekend! For those of you who could not make it, we hope to see you in 2030 at the 15th!

In other class news, Ryan Sutton released his debut indie film, The Flustered Boy, in select theaters for a limited time within the greater Indianapolis area. According to Ryan, “It is a horror film with elements of slapstick comedy, which follows a boy who is all flustered all the time. Set in 1950s Mozambique, our titular protagonist is warned of a dark fate that awaits him from a time-traveling Tommy Tutone. I’m really excited about this and think it will evoke a lot of interesting philosophical questions about life, love, and what it means to be flustered.” ❖ Caroline Flax (email Caroline) | Alumni Directory.

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2016

“There’s so much attention and celebration around the pregnancy journey—baby showers, gender reveals, the carefully curated nursery. But once the baby is born, it can feel like the music stops,” writes Kristin Stinavage. “As a postpartum doula, I arrive to find exhausted parents surviving on crackers and whatever takeout they can manage one-handed, while everyone’s attention has shifted entirely to the baby.

“This moment always takes me back to my Cornell Hotel Administration days, where we learned that a guest arriving after a long journey needed more than just a clean room—they needed thoughtful amenities, perhaps a welcome drink, certainly food that would restore and comfort them. Yet postpartum parents, after the ultimate journey of bringing life into the world, are expected to subsist on whatever they can grab between diaper changes and feeding sessions.

“My Cornell education has trained me to see gaps in service and design solutions. So when I became a postpartum doula and chef, I began developing what I now call ‘culturally informed postpartum meal planning.’ Just as we learned to create memorable hospitality experiences through attention to detail and genuine care, I started helping families understand that nourishment during the fourth trimester isn’t just about calories—it’s a language of care.

“This fall, I’ll be presenting at the DONA International Summit on ‘The First 40 Days: Why Parents are Starving in Plain Sight,’ sharing strategies for elevating food as medicine in postpartum care. I’m also launching an ebook that distills everything I’ve learned about integrating nourishment into care work—filled with recipes, guidance on ingredients and equipment, and even business-building considerations for other caregivers who want to incorporate food into their practice. It’s a culmination of a journey that began in those Cornell classrooms, where we learned that exceptional service isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about creating environments where people can rest, restore, and thrive during important transitions.

“Postpartum is not the end of the story—it’s a beginning. And every beginning deserves the kind of thoughtful, anticipatory care that we learned to provide at Cornell. When I help families plan nourishing postpartum meals, I’m ensuring that the people who bring life into this world are finally, properly cared for—not just surviving, but truly supported.” ❖ Class of 2016 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2017

Tobenna Attah, an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona, has published children’s books that help readers learn the importance of teamwork, sustainability, and financial responsibility. His most recent book, Piggy Bank Panic: Bixby Beaver Gets Money-Saving Fever, was created to help kids develop financial responsibility skills from an early age. He also works with nonprofit organizations to help equip children with the skills and experiences necessary for success in life.

Tobe recently earned an exhibit in the Irving Archives and Museum Sports Hall of Fame. He wrote, “I was overcome with gratitude as we unveiled the exhibit. Looking back, this moment would have never come to be if it had not been for the support from my family, friends, coaches, teachers, and mentors along the way. I am so proud to be able to represent Irving ISD Athletics as a lifelong member of this community and Cornell University Athletics, as I will always bleed red. Thank you to everyone who attended and to those who sent their congratulations.”

Sagar Chapagain writes, “I started at community college as a first-generation student, unsure of how to navigate higher education, but certain I wanted to serve others. That sense of purpose has guided me ever since. Today, I volunteer with a local health initiative that offers free care to people who often fall through the cracks—those without insurance or support. I sit with patients, listen to their stories, check blood pressures, and talk about mental health. It’s not just about medicine—it’s about meeting people where they are, and honoring their dignity.

“Outside the clinic, I mentor students walking paths I know well—from community college to Cornell, from med school to residency. Many are Jack Kent Cooke Scholars or first-generation students like me, searching for someone who sees them and believes in them. I’ve been that person, because I remember what it meant to have someone do that for me. Cornell taught me that doing the greatest good starts with showing up—for your community, and for each other. That’s what I try to do every day.” ❖ Class of 2017 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2018

If you’re anything like us, this time of year makes you think of the start of a new semester on the Hill. What are your plans for the fall? Are any of you venturing out of town to travel? Or marking a career milestone? If you have anything you’d like to share with our class, please submit an online news form or write directly to: ❖ Class of 2018 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2019

Dominique Thorne headlined the latest Marvel TV series—as the title character in “Ironheart,” about a brilliant young engineer who’s in many ways the spiritual heir to Ironman. The show came out in late June 2025 on Disney+ and picks up its protagonist’s journey after her adventures in the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, in which Dominique’s character debuted. “She’s definitely not the typical or traditional superhero,” Dominique told Entertainment Weekly. “She’s very much Riri Williams the 19-year-old student first, and then there’s this whole Ironheart business that she has to figure out.” You can read more here!

Max Levin is a managing director at Snapl, a bonded warehouse that helps brands store, manage, and ship products by handling warehousing, packaging, labeling, and more. According to Max, bonded warehouses can be a good strategy for companies to “ride out” the tariff uncertainty. “Companies can pull out smaller releases of inventory at a time and pay tariffs at that time—which may be lower—instead of paying higher rates at the time of purchase.” You can learn more here.

Grace Song, MPS ’20, writes, “I had the amazing opportunity to be a mentor for a student in Frisco, TX, at Centennial High School’s Independent Study & Mentorship Program. Through this program, I was able to teach her about the UX design process to complete two separate projects that she would present at showcases. I met with my mentee twice a week with prepared lesson plans and design exercises to challenge her and provide a well-rounded education in the subject matter.

Dominique Thorne ’19 headlined the latest Marvel TV series—as the title character in ‘Ironheart.’

“We constructed portfolio pieces for each project and I am so proud to say that those pieces got her a UX design internship at HEB! This journey allowed us to build a connection and ultimately led to her applying to colleges to study UX design. We did a lot of research together and I provided her my full support and a recommendation later during the college application process. This experience was incredibly rewarding and I am proud to announce that she has just completed her first year at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign as an information science major concentrating in UX.”

Shivani Parikh, BS ’18, shares, “Dhruv Kumar, BA ’18, Zehra Jafri ’20, BS ’19, Omkar Mahajan, JD ’21, and I are Cornellians who, after attending our respective law schools, decided to form a team to found and lead a new organization, the South Asian Legal Defense Fund (LDF), to fill a gap sorely needed to ensure access to justice for the Desi diaspora in the U.S. Our mission is to empower individuals, advance systemic change, and promote equity and justice through legal advocacy. As Cornell graduates, we have been deeply influenced by the University’s values of public service and commitment to making a meaningful impact as the first in our respective families to go to college and then law school in the U.S.”

Shivani started her career defending vulnerable communities. Her leadership in housing law and her dedication to South Asian immigrants and working-class families have inspired her to steer the organization toward expanding its legal resources, building on-the-ground networks, and fostering a sense of solidarity among immigrant communities. Shivani adds, “As Cornell continues its transformative ‘To Do the Greatest Good’ campaign, the South Asian Legal Defense Fund stands as a powerful testament to the impact Cornellians can make on social equity and justice.” ❖ Class of 2019 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2020s

2020

Jacob Eisner, a med student at the University of Miami, received a Fulbright award! According to the news release, “At 16 years old, Jacob Eisner decided he wanted to work on an ambulance. So he learned how to handle medical emergencies as an EMT and quickly got a firsthand glimpse of the American healthcare system. These experiences drove Eisner to become a doctor, and he is now in his second year of the MD/MBA program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and at its Miami Herbert Business School.

“But some of the things Eisner observed as an EMT, and through his own hockey injury at 23, showed him a need for other healthcare options than a hospital stay. He got the chance to experience pilot home hospital programs during an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, and it is something that Germany is currently rolling out through its national healthcare plan.

“Now, Eisner wants to understand how to make home-based hospital care possible for Americans. And thanks to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, he is about to embark on a research adventure to learn more this fall in Mannheim, Germany. ‘How do we get care to the home, where people need it, how do we pay for it, and how do we make sure it’s not a huge burden on the family?’ asked Eisner, who grew up in Dobbs Ferry, NY. ‘My project will explore how the public and the private sector can work together to make this happen.’”

Michael Scott writes, “As a teacher at a Title I high school in East Harlem, I coached our junior class in the school’s Ultimate Frisbee intramural cup. Despite limited resources, our team trained with focus, determination, and camaraderie. Competing against other grades and staff members, we ultimately won the cup—a moment of pride and unity for the students. It wasn’t just about the game; it was about showing them what collaboration, perseverance, and belief in themselves could achieve. The win created a lasting memory and helped build a stronger sense of school spirit and student confidence.

“I also organized a career day at our East Harlem high school to connect students with professionals across industries—tech, healthcare, arts, finance, and beyond. Many of my students had never met someone in these fields, and seeing successful professionals who looked like them or came from similar backgrounds was transformative.” ❖ Class of 2020 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2021

“For the past 14 years, I have been working with middle and high school students to re-roof and re-paint houses in my hometown at a summer camp known as Care Center Stay-At-Home Work Camp,” writes Grady Owens. “I began as a middle school camper and worked my way up to being a leader, which I have been doing for about eight years. The weeklong camps happen three times over the summer and see hundreds of local students taking to the roofs and houses of the community ‘to do the greatest good.’

“I have spent most of my years re-roofing houses and leading roof sites, helping middle and high school students navigate the complexities of roof work, the mysteries of Christ, and the ever-changing nature of college applications. During these summer camps I have been mentor to many high school students bound for college, as well as helping neighbors in our community with necessary repairs after hurricanes. Care Center Stay-At-Home Work Camp truly is a special and unique experience, leading many to strengthen their ties with Christ and the place in which they live. I am proud of the work that I, and an army of young persons, have done in our small town.”

Maxwell Wang recently self-published an anthology of poetry, Within the Penumbra of Still Photographs. “My book seeks to capture the fleeting, vivid intensity of my lived experience spanning over a decade of travel through 52 countries. From surviving Ukrainian war zones to standing atop an active volcano in Central America, from the quiet surrealism of sharing a Japanese onsen with snow monkeys to the agony of food poisoning 12 meters beneath the Red Sea, and the heartbreaking stillness of witnessing a loved one pass from cancer—each poem in this collection serves as a still photograph of a moment in time.”

Since completing our animal science degrees, my best friend and fellow classmate, Sofie Wilson ’21, DVM ’26, and I have started our very own foster-based cat rescue.

Amanda Cheung ’21, DVM ’25

Joshua Charles, BS ’20, writes, “My experience at Cornell shaped the trajectory of my career in powerful ways. Exposure to international relations, political economy, and machine learning—especially with a focus on the Global South—ultimately led me to launch Frontier Dominion, a market intelligence firm that supports institutional investors and public sector actors working across Africa.”

Amanda Cheung, DVM ’25, writes, “Since completing our animal science degrees, my best friend and fellow classmate, Sofie Wilson (DVM ’26), and I have started our very own foster-based cat rescue called Praline’s Promise. We focus on getting community cats basic primary care (vaccination, deworming, physical exam, and spay/neuter) in the Long Island area. We adopt the cats out and even transport them ourselves, along with our amazing volunteers.

“We are extremely passionate about shelter medicine and increasing and optimizing access to veterinary care for all animals, not only for those with owners who can afford it. Our goal is to turn Praline’s Promise into a brick-and-mortar nonprofit animal rescue in the future so that we can be the home that many animals (dogs included) always deserved but never had. We hope to continue to educate and inspire the public to care for community animals. You can follow us on social media (@pralinespromise) to learn about the work that goes on behind the scenes of adoptions!”

Kelly Liu writes, “For the past two years, I’ve volunteered as a judge for my high school’s science fair. My school has a very extensive research program in various areas including engineering, chemistry, and cell biology. It’s incredible to hear about the students’ projects, understand their thought processes, and get a glimpse of what they hope to do in their careers or what innovations and societal improvements their project could lead to in the future. Seeing their curiosity and dedication gives me hope for the future! It’s also incredible to see how many other high school alumni judges are still committed to supporting the school.” ❖ Class of 2021 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2022

Sage Printup writes, “Every year, I support the Toys for Tots program at the high school from which I graduated by purchasing Christmas gifts for students. It is so rewarding to be able to give back to the community and help children have a bright holiday.” ❖ Class of 2022 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2023

Rafael Bitanga writes, “My journey from Cornell’s Hotel Administration program to becoming a teaching artist with See Stories wasn’t conventional. While many classmates headed to consulting firms or investment banks, I chose a path merging business education with my passion for cultural preservation through digital media.

“Growing up in Laoag City, Philippines, and later moving to Kodiak Island, AK, as an 8-year-old son of immigrant cannery workers, instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling. As the child of two immigrants who worked processing seafood in Alaska, I witnessed firsthand the value of hard work and perseverance. My parents didn’t have the opportunity to attend college, which made my education at Cornell and now Stanford all the more meaningful. In my childhood home, my mother operated a childcare service, often caring for more than 12 children, including my younger sister. Witnessing how storytelling engaged young minds helped me understand education’s transformative potential from an early age.

“At Cornell, I supplemented my hotel major with minors in education and leadership, exploring how experience design principles could enhance learning environments. This interdisciplinary approach proved invaluable when I later joined See Stories, where we’ve engaged 130 Alaskan educators, reached 6,450 students, and produced 150 student films showcasing inclusive Alaskan narratives.

“What drives me today is my passion for measuring and amplifying the impact of education initiatives, particularly for learners in rural and underrepresented communities. Through my work with the U.S. Department of Education-funded Culturally Responsive Teaching and Alaska Studies program, I helped develop a 60-page curriculum that transformed knowledge transmission to young learners.

“Cornell taught me to approach problems with both analytical rigor and creative thinking. The university’s founding principle of ‘any person, any study’ encouraged me to forge interdisciplinary connections that have become the foundation of my work. By combining business acumen with educational design and cultural sensitivity, I’m working to ensure that every community can preserve their stories while creating measurable educational outcomes.” ❖ Class of 2023 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2024

The U.S. Department of State and the Cultural Vistas organization announced recently that Luke Jackson is one of 65 Americans selected to study and work in Germany as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program—now in its 42nd year. The 2025–26 CBYX Young Professionals cohort departs for Germany on July 25 and returns to the U.S. in June 2026. Participants come from a wide variety of career fields and from all over country. This year, about 420 young professionals vied for a spot in this prestigious program.

While in Germany, Luke will attend a two-month intensive language course, study at a German university, and complete an internship. Participants are usually placed with host families throughout Germany, where they act as citizen ambassadors of the U.S., creating lifelong friendships and professional connections to enhance German-American relations.

Shreya Paul has been assisting survivors of domestic violence at a South Asian survivor shelter to rebuild their lives by providing emotional counseling, legal and translational advocacy, being on the hotline during night shifts, and helping them find employment in the New Jersey area. ❖ Class of 2024 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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2025

A recent Cornellians story featured our very own Garrett Spillerman! “During his four years on the Hill, Spillerman captured thousands of images of [campus] splendor—using photography as a way both to chronicle his Big Red experience and to manage the everyday stresses of student life.

“The resulting oeuvre depicts the Cornell campus at its loveliest—be it displaying fall foliage, spring’s joyful florals and bright greens, or the more austere allures of winter. In fact, his images of the Hill’s chilliest days—along with the many sunsets he snapped—often seem the most evocative.

“‘Even the cold winter has its beauty—whether it’s the ice formations in the gorges, or the bare trees, or that wet snow that sticks to everything,’ says Spillerman. ‘While winter might seem long, the seasons themselves are pretty quick—and your time at Cornell moves so fast. I simply can’t believe it’s over for me already.’” ❖ Class of 2025 (email c/o Alexandra Bond ’12) | Alumni Directory.

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Grad

Agriculture and Life Sciences

Jane Saler Miller, MS ’77, belongs to the Friends Association of the Symphony Orchestra in Bryan-College Station, TX—an auxiliary organization that supports the Brazos Valley Orchestra. Jane has served on the board for several years as well.

Stephen Hiemstra, MS ’79, writes, “Cornell sent me to both Puerto Rico, where I researched my thesis, and Germany, where I studied as an exchange student for a year.” A full-time author, Stephen shared with us an excerpt from his memoir, Called Along the Way (2017), which recounts a memory from his time on the Hill. “In the fall, I worked as a graduate assistant for the agricultural economics department, which entailed both research and teaching obligations. Short on cash, I stayed in Ithaca over the Christmas holidays to research the effects of milk taste on consumption. Cornell suspended most campus activities during the break and most of my friends traveled to visit family, which left me feeling desperately alone without much prospect of enjoying the holidays. One Sunday after Christmas I woke up depressed and decided to go for a morning drive. Thinking about a park on the other side of town, I drove down the hill to Ithaca following an unfamiliar road, Cayuga Street, through the center of town, where I discovered the First Presbyterian Church. Curious about this huge church with stained glass windows and an old-fashioned steeple, I parked my car and entered through the rear door.

“Once inside, I must have looked out of place, not having dressed for church and wandering through the building. My depressed state must have been written on my face because the music director, who was running down the hall, stopped and introduced himself. ‘Do you like to sing? Our choir could use another bass.’ I replied, ‘Sure.’ He then ushered me into the sanctuary to sing in a choir composed of local students who had gone away to college and returned home for the holidays to Ithaca. There I met Margaret, who invited me to a sledding party that evening. Sledding was great fun, something I desperately needed, and I began attending the church. When I later joined the church, the elders encouraged me to work with their high school kids. That winter and into the spring, I worked with the high school youth group and joined a small college group. These activities got me off campus and relieved some of the isolation that I felt living off campus.”

David Way, MPS ’77, PhD ’81, writes, “Since retiring from Cornell after 42 years, I have established a consulting business. I am currently serving as co-principal investigator on several multi-university U.S. Department of Agriculture grants dealing with using online simulations for helping students learn engineering principles. I am also training plant science faculty at several universities and developing instructional skills aimed at attracting more students to the field. Last year I made a video in collaboration with the Cayuga Lake Watershed Program, based on Thich Nhat Hanh’s book Letters to the Earth, which can be watched here.”

Daniel Blackburn, PhD ’85, has retired after 36 years of teaching and research. Daniel was the Thomas S. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Biology at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. During his years as a college professor, he taught several thousand undergraduates and published more than 120 papers in the biological literature, and was named one of the top 10 morphologists in the world by Highly Ranked Scholars. He recalls his years at Cornell and Ithaca with fondness and deep gratitude to the professors who made his career possible.

Adam Potter, MS ’98, has been named by the City of Ithaca Common Council as the new Superintendent of Public Works. Adam has over two decades of public sector engineering and leadership experience to bring to the role. After graduating, he worked with a variety of local, county, and state governments and academic institutions on planning, designing, and maintaining public facilities. In his most recent position, Adam worked at the New York State Office of General Services in their Division of Design and Construction as the Regional Supervisor for a 17-county area. “I was raised in a family that maintained apartment buildings and ran an ironworks business in New York City,” says Adam. “My life has been shaped by maintenance, construction, engineering, and, above all, a commitment to serving people.”

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Arts and Sciences

Mary Jacobs White, MFA ’70, writes, “After graduating, I continued acting, taught high school English, and then moved to California. Acting continued and then I moved into investigative work. In 1992 I met a perfect San Francisco Police Department sergeant, traveled the world, and then moved to Grass Valley, CA. I still remember and am grateful for my two years at Cornell.”

Dennis Vail, PhD ’72, has published his second chapbook of poetry, Of Time and So Forth, with Atmosphere Press. His previous volume, Reflections of a Fellow-Traveler, was issued in 2015 by Finishing Line Press. Besides writing, Dennis also does animal rights correspondence work and tutors high school students. His son, Mark, has an endowed professorship in political science at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, and Dennis and his family plan to move there in the coming several months to be closer to him and his family.

Jennifer Wilks, PhD ’03, wrote a book, Carmen in Diaspora: Adaptation, Race, and Opera’s Most Famous Character, about the cultural history of Carmen adaptations. According to the publisher, Oxford University Press, “It explores the phenomenon of the connection between the story of Carmen, which originally appeared in Prosper Mérimée’s eponymous 1845 novella and came to prominence through Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera, with prolific popular recreations in African diasporic settings.”

Lindsey Warren, MFA ’18, won the 2024 Test Site Poetry Series for her graduate thesis, Saint October, and it will be published by the University of Nevada Press next year.

Annie Sheng, PhD ’22, a speculative fiction writer, signed a science fiction novella book deal with Infinivox SF in May 2025 under her pen name, D.A. Xiaolin Spires. Her book, Ellipses, is about a woman and her space exploration team who find a strange set of footprints on an unexplored distant planet and investigate. The publication date is April 2026.

Lucy Lin, PhD ’24, won the 2025 RHIC & AGS Thesis Award Competition for her thesis titled Machine Learning Applications for Improving Accelerator Operations. In the dissertation, Lucy aims to improve operation at particle accelerator facilities by applying machine learning techniques to acceleration operation for a particle accelerator. The honor is selected by the Brookhaven Science Associates, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the RHIC & AGS Users’ Executive Committee.

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Business

John Christmas, MBA ’94, writes, “I’m in a long (20 years!) whistleblowing battle against a group of oligarchs in Latvia, where I’m a citizen, who are money launderers for Vladimir Putin. I’ve written at least 100 articles over the years, which have been published in many places, like anti-money-laundering blogs. My novel, KGB Banker, was published in 2021 and I have a 2025 documentary out called Bankers Game, which includes interviews and Mafia footage about the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development using fraud to cover up financial crimes at Parex Bank of Latvia, my old employer, and its successors. Bankers Game was screened at the UK Parliament in January and is currently entered into a series of film festivals. The first was the Soulplace Film Festival in Italy, where it won Best Documentary.”

Rocky Russell, MBA ’05, was back on the Hill for the 20th Reunion with his EMBA classmates. Rocky’s son started at Cornell this summer and is in the Class of ’29. “It was amazing to walk the campus reliving old memories, and I am looking forward to making some new ones through the next generation,” he says. Rocky built an AI enablement consulting company that does business in Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and other international locations. “The friends I made and the alumni I have interacted with have continued to be immensely supportive and helpful in my career, wherever I go,” says Rocky.

M’Kayl Lewis, MBA ’23, shares the happy news that she was married to Nathan Kirkpatrick on May 31, 2025, in Whitefish, MT.

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Graduate School

Ranjini Govender Dowley, PhD ’11, has been appointed to lead the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a statewide nonprofit with a mission to promote equal rights by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. Ranjini brings over two decades of leadership experience in nonprofit management, government affairs, policy, and development. She also received her law degree from Syracuse University and holds a license to practice law in Washington, DC.

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Human Ecology

Jeanne Mercer-Ballard, MA ’98, has been promoted to professor at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

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Law School

Michelle Sterling Fenigstein, JD ’97, has a daughter, Julia Fenigstein ’29, who will be starting as a first-year student in Arts & Sciences this fall—her top choice. Michelle recently reconnected with James Dugan, JD ’93, who—in a small-world twist—turns out to be the father of her daughter’s best friend. She also happily reconnected with her old friend Dana Rozansky Bookbinder ’92 at Accepted Students Day, because Dana’s daughter is also starting at Cornell this fall. This summer, Michelle is enjoying quality time with fellow alums Melissa Moss ’93, JD ’97, and Nancy Richmond Goldstein ’94, MBA ’96, JD ’97, and is looking forward to attending the U.S. Open with Wan Chen ’94, JD ’97.

David McBride, JD ’13, appeared on Jeopardy! and won an episode that aired June 30 before falling short to another contestant on the next episode that aired July 1. David’s wife, Kellie, and law school classmates Adam Olin, JD ’13, and Lisa Schmidt Olin, JD ’13, attended the taping in the spring in Los Angeles. The Final Jeopardy category for the June 30 episode was “The Supreme Court,” so David would like to thank his late Constitutional Law professor Steve Shiffrin for covering the Bush v. Gore case and guiding David to the correct answer.

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Group

Continuous Reunion Club

The hills of Cornell welcomed the loyal members of the Continuous Reunion Club once again. We met for the 119th time. Of course, none of us living today were at the birth of this fun group. CRC was organized in 1906 by several young male alumni who decided that seeing each other only every five years just wasn’t often enough. The men of CRC met yearly since then, adding women in the late 1980s. Only two years were skipped, one year during World War II and the other during the COVID pandemic, when Cornell shut down all in-person Reunions.

Now, thanks to Katherina “Kat” Balram ’13, we have our own website: Cornell Continuous Reunion Club—Community Home. Here, you will find much more information about CRC, including photos and information about how to join. Our membership is open to all Cornellians!

CRC provides a home away from home for those of us who love Cornell and love Cornell Reunions. We alumni recognized that showing up and participating in our fully scheduled class Reunions kept us from enjoying all the other offerings across campus. That freedom to choose among so many other options is one of the benefits of belonging to this unique group. Perhaps the best draw of the CRC is this friendly community’s camaraderie. The individual class Reunion headquarters most often are quiet once folks return from the tents. Not so with the CRC folks. Their lively discussions on a range of topics are known to continue into the wee hours of the morning. Laughter abounds. How does this happen? Let us attribute this to the intergenerational makeup of our members. This year we had participants from the Class of 1957 through the Class of 2024!

CRC provides a home away from home for those of us who love Cornell and love Cornell Reunions.

Connie Santagato Hosterman ’57

How is this for a sample? Class of 1971 arrivals were Dot Preisner Valachovic, John Henrehan, BS ’76, and Arthur Mintz (yes, the Cornell voice of the Big Red football and ice hockey teams). Then there were the men of the Class of 1973, Eliot Greenwald, Larry Medwin, PhD ’79, and Sam Silverman, men who for many years brought their bicycles to Reunion and who spent many hours daily on the byways in the Ithaca area. Our CRC president Melinda Dower and vice-president Pat Reilly, our very involved ladies, were both Class of 1978. Many alums know Matt Palumbo ’83, BS ’86, for his leadership in the Cornell Asian Alumni Association. Matt made the rounds on campus, busy taking and sharing photos. Then there were the many fraternity brothers from the mid-’80s, all sporting T-shirts showing their fraternity pride. They return annually to enjoy the full slate of activities sponsored by Beta Pi, yet choosing to bunk with and be part of CRC.

Attending Cornelliana Night in person is a must at least once, to have the whole Reunion experience. However, we had a full room in our Mews headquarters lounge who watched Cornelliana via streaming. Sure enough, we spotted CRC member John Cecilia ’70, MBA ’79, in the Bailey Hall audience sitting up front and center with his 1970 classmates. You may want to read John’s 1970 column above to discover how they made up for their missed 50th Reunion with a long-awaited 55th.

Getting ready for his class’s 25th Reunion next year, Praveen Anumolu ’01, ME ’03, spent quality time with CRC, as did the super-enthusiastic Tony Chen ’12, our membership chair. Indeed, our membership has grown each year since our reorganization. We concluded our successful Reunion with our Sunday morning continental breakfast. Special shout-out to new member Andrew Greubel ’19 for jumping right in to help with the housekeeping tasks of wrapping up. And extra special thanks to our clerk, Julia Salatti ’25, who wowed us with her ability to keep up with our diverse group of almost 60 folks. Also thanks to Chloe Walker ’27, a clerk from the Non-Reunion group, who delightfully came aboard to give Julia a helping hand. Let’s put next year’s dates on our calendars, when we joyously will meet for the 120th time: June 4–7, 2026. ❖ Connie Santagato Hosterman ’57 (email Connie) | Alumni Directory.

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University Chorus & Glee Club

So many wonderful Chorus and Glee Club events have occurred since the last column.

On May 10, I traveled up from D.C. to NYC to join the Chorus and Glee Club in performing the National Anthem at Citi Field during Cornell Day at the New York Mets game. I flew up the day prior to stay with Esther Cohen Bezborodko ’94 and then Esther and I took the Roosevelt Island tram—a first for both of us!—to join a group gathering in the Panorama Room of the Graduate Hotel on the Cornell Tech campus. Among those attending were Todd Smith ’95, Kathy Heppner Trogolo ’95, Mike Trogolo ’96, Joe Cleverdon ’98, Robert Rouse ’94, Jacques Boubli ’88, and TP Enders ’90, ME ’96. If you were there and I missed you, my apologies! I may have been too busy enjoying the incredible views once the rain let up.

The next day proved to be a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the 70s. Perfect for a ballgame! We gathered for a rehearsal with director Joe Lerangis, who traveled down from Ithaca with a handful of student singers to conduct. Before and afterwards, I got to catch up with a ton of folks. Esther, Kathy, Beth Livolsi Riordan ’91, BS ’92, Sue Nissle ’94, BS ’96, Nancy Jang James ’96, and I got a great photo of the Chorus’s 1990s representation. Janice Obuchowski ’98 missed that photo but stood between me and Mandy MacBlane Sesquin ’01 to sing the anthem—and this time our short stature paid off, as we were in the front row! And how cool it was to be ON the field, watching professional baseball players throw around just a few feet away from us. And then to sing for a crowd of nearly 30,000 people (including 10 members of my family!). If you’re interested, I wrote a LinkedIn post (with photo) about my experience; if you’d like to see a video of the performance, please contact me via email.

Other Chorus and Glee Club friends I got to reconnect with included Deirdre Courtney-Batson ’72, MA ’75, and Phil Batson ’70, PhD ’76, Allie Bailey Blais ’00, Erin Flinn ’00, Heather Knauss Wells ’02, Megan Lemley ’03, Amelia Pacht ’18, Corey Earle ’07, and Josh Silverman ’96—in addition, of course, to the folks I saw the night prior.

On May 10, I traveled up from D.C. to NYC to join the Chorus and Glee Club in performing the National Anthem at Citi Field during Cornell Day at the New York Mets game.

Alison Torrillo French ’95

And then came Reunion in June. I have the distinct privilege of writing the Reunion column for both my class and the Chorus/Glee Club, which is a great way for me to relive all the wonderful memories that were made. There really is something magical about returning to Cornell for a Reunion. While I didn’t perform in the Friday night concert, I was in the audience while alums including Kathy, Janet Blackwood ’95, Debbie James ’95, Jamie Newberry Houston ’05, and Tara Parmiter ’94 sang onstage with the Chorus while I watched with Todd, Mike, Joe, and Terence Goff ’96. I did go up on stage, though, along with Nina Lee Torkelson ’00, for After Eight’s set, as well as the Cornell songs. Afterwards, Kathy hosted a lovely reception, where more singing ensued.

The following evening was Cornelliana Night and more Cornell songs, same cast of characters. A particularly memorable moment of the evening was hearing our alumni sing solos. Debbie absolutely nailed the senior verse of “Song of the Classes” and Terence performed a beautiful solo for the “Alumni Song.” Another was being able to hold the Cornell NCAA Lacrosse trophy with Kathy. Right before the “Evening Song” and “Alma Mater,” it was paraded around Bailey Hall by the lacrosse coach before coming up on stage to join us. Once Cornelliana Night ended, those on stage had the unique opportunity to hold the trophy and take photos with it.

And then, as is Reunion tradition, many of us walked to the Goldwin Smith lobby to hear the Hangovers and After Eight sing with their alumni: a great way to cap off a fantastic Reunion weekend.

That’s all for now. Please keep sending your news—it’s music to my ears! ❖ Alison Torrillo French ’95 (email Alison) | Alumni Directory.

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Top image: Photo by Lindsay France / Cornell University

Published September 1, 2025