Class Notes
1955 Ed Russell has published a book of poetry, The Rhymes of My Life (Outskirts Press), exploring 鈥渢he highs and lows from his own life and the follies of others.鈥
1957 Roberta Allbert Dayer writes that she鈥檚 published Gene & Dorothy: A 70-Year Love Story (CreateSpace), tracing the history of her parents鈥 marriage, in their own words, beginning with their childhood in Raton, New Mexico, through East Pittsburgh and Buffalo to Silicon Valley in the 1990s. Roberta is the former executive director of the Western New York International Trade Council and the author of two previous books, Bankers and Diplomats in China, 1917鈥1925 and Finance and Empire: Sir Charles Addis, 1861鈥1945. She adds, 鈥淚 look forward to celebrating my 60th reunion with classmates in October.鈥
1959 In the January-February issue, we printed a note and a photo from Marilyn Johnson Burday, who gathered with eight other classmates in Port Clyde, Maine, last August. We mistakenly included only a partial listing of the classmates appearing in the photo. With apologies, we reprint the photo of the nine friends who were, as Marilyn wrote, 鈥渞eady to embark on a Puffin tour in the rain.鈥 From left to right are Steve Barnes 鈥66, Marilyn, Abby Barnes Anderson, Bob Geyer, Liz Allen Symonds, Barbara Thomas Geyer, Marcia Sheehe Zornow 鈥65W (Mas), Stu Symonds 鈥60, and Ted Zornow. . . . David Sutliff writes that he and David Linderman traveled to Bloomington, Illinois, last summer to visit their Alpha Delta Phi brother Robert Baker 鈥60W (MA). 鈥淭his gathering was a repeat of a similar get-together two years ago,鈥 David Sutliff writes. He adds that discussion of the 2016 presidential election 鈥渨as given short shrift in favor of catching up on everyone鈥檚 grandchildren and retelling stories of yesteryear, which have gotten better over the years.鈥
1960 Alan Hilfiker has published a collection of short stories, Journeys off the Road (CreateSpace). Alan is a University trustee and an estates and trust director in the Naples, Florida, office of the business law firm Cohen & Grigsby. . . . Stu Symonds (see 鈥59).
1963 We apologize to Jeanne Torre for misspelling her name in the January-February issue, in which she reported on the role of Kirk Dougherty 鈥03E (DMA) as a resident artist with Opera San Jose. Jeanne adds that the opera performed Silent Night, by composer Kevin Puts 鈥94E, 鈥99E (DMA), in February. Dougherty, a tenor, performed the role of Nikolaus Sprink.
1964 Judith Lehman Ruderman 鈥66W (MA) sends a photo of (left to right) Naomi Schwartzman Silvergleid, Barbara Bauling Reeback, and herself 鈥渁t the south rim of the Grand Canyon in May 2016, part of a hiking trip to Sedona, both rims of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion.鈥 She adds: 鈥淭he trip arose from our 50th reunion in October 2014. What a wonderful follow-up to a fantastic reunion!鈥
1965 Tim Londergan has been named a fellow of the American Physical Society in the nuclear physics division. A professor emeritus at Indiana University, Tim has conducted groundbreaking research on quarks. Fellows, who make up about one-half-of-one percent of the membership, according to the society, are nominated by their peers based on original research, innovative applications, teaching, leadership, and service. While a student at Rochester, Tim won a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University.
1966 Steve Barnes (see 鈥59). . . . Judith Littman Ellison (see 鈥83).
1968 David Freese has published East Coast: Arctic to Tropic (George F. Thompson Publishing), a photographic portrait of 鈥渢he threat of climate change along the Atlantic Seaboard from the Arctic Circle all the way south to the Tropic of Cancer.鈥 The book is a companion to David鈥檚 West Coast: Bering to Baja, released in 2012 by the same publisher.
1970 John Bloom has published a book, Inhabiting Interdependence: Being in the Next Economy (Steiner Books). John is a vice president at RSF Social Finance, a San Francisco鈥揵ased nonprofit helping clients make socially minded decisions regarding investments, lending, and philanthropy.
1972 John Kessel, a professor and director of creative writing at North Carolina State University, has published The Moon and the Other (Simon and Schuster), a novel depicting a matriarchal utopia on the brink of civil war.
1973 Steven Hahn has published A Nation Without Borders: The United States and Its World in an Age of Civil Wars, 1830鈥1910 (Viking). Formerly a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, Steven now teaches at New York University.
1975 Dave Russo sends an update about Val Torrens. Dave and Val are married and living near Seattle. Dave writes: 鈥淰al was elected to the US Lacrosse/Washington Hall of Fame Class of 2016. She founded the North Kitsap (high school) girls team, and has helped organize and grow the sport in Washington state.鈥
1977 Science fiction author and film critic Daniel Kimmel writes that his newly released novel, Time on My Hands: My Misadventures in Time Travel (Fantastic Books), is set in and around the U of R campus, and is a satire that 鈥渟kewer[s] all the clich茅s of the time-travel genre.鈥
1979 Sandra Gustafson Long is the owner and manager of Post Road Consulting, with offices in Stamford and Westport, Connecticut. She鈥檚 published a book, LinkedIn for Personal Branding: The Ultimate Guide (Hybrid Global Publishers).
1981 Scott 鈥82 (MS) and Barbara Barasky Birnbaum write that several classmates gathered in Livingston, New Jersey, last November for the wedding of their son, Eric, to Meredith Turtletaub. Pictured from left to right are Daniel Cohen, Katia Segr茅 Cohen, Sam Narotsky 鈥80, 鈥86S (MBA), Irene Feldman Narotsky, Jo-Ann Daniels Suna, Jean Mack-Fogg 鈥82N, 鈥88N (MS), Thom Fogg 鈥90 (MS), 鈥09M (MPH), Scott, Barbara, Nanette Weingarten Strenger, Sandy Strenger 鈥80, 鈥81 (MS), Corine Slawin Milgram 鈥81N, Madelyn Givant, and Steve Givant.
1983 Hope Shapiro Lilian 鈥84W (MS) sends a photo of herself with Judith Littman Ellison 鈥66. She writes: 鈥淯pon Judy鈥檚 retirement, I became her successor as the family engagement coordinator for HeadStart Programming in Westchester County, New York. We were delighted to learn we were both U of R grads.鈥
1984 Robert Friedberg has been named CEO of Health Quest Systems, where he鈥檒l oversee facilities in Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, Orange, Columbia, and northern Westchester counties in New York. . . . Wendy Hauler Pinkham (see photo, page 55) writes: 鈥淕reetings from Djibouti! I鈥檓 the physical therapist for our military personnel deployed to the Horn of Africa and have been deployed here since June. I was promoted to my current rank of captain in October by the Navy鈥檚 surgeon general, and was happy that Rocky could be present to help me celebrate!鈥
1985 Margaret Blank Birth writes that she鈥檚 published Romeo and Juliana (Boroughs Publishing) under the name Maggie Adams. The book is 鈥渁 modern-day multicultural retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but with a happily-ever-after plot twist.鈥 . . . Jennifer Donnelly has published Lost in a Book (Disney Books), 鈥渁n original addition to the beloved Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.鈥
1986 Randy Abate is the editor of Climate Justice: Case Studies in Global and Regional Governance Challenges (ELI Press). Randy is a professor of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
1987 Mary Beth Bain Hynes Walsh was elected to the New York State Assembly for the 112th District, north of Albany. Her district office is in Ballston Spa. Prior to her election to the assembly, she was Saratoga assistant county attorney and the Town of Edinburg attorney.
1988 Mara Shapiro James writes that she founded the Extraordinary Lives (EL) Foundation for mental health awareness after receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2014. 鈥淥ne of my visions is to host National Mental Health Awareness events at Major League Baseball stadiums, and we have our first event in May at Petco Park, where the San Diego Padres play the L.A. Dodgers.鈥 Mara invites classmates to find more information about the foundation, and the May event, at the website EL.foundation. Before establishing her own organization, Mara worked for Drexel Burnham Lambert, Swiss Bank Corp., and Credit Suisse First Boston, where she was vice president of foreign exchange operations. She and her husband, Kenneth James 鈥89, an OB/GYN, moved to California with their three children in 2007.
1989 Kenneth James (see 鈥88).
1990 Jeffrey Barkstrom writes: 鈥淎fter being foster parents for a number of years, my wife, Una, and I adopted our first child, Ariel, last June.鈥
1992 Joseph Santandrea writes that he was a winner of the 2016 Austin (Texas) Art Boards contest. 鈥淢y art will be seen on a billboard that moves around Austin for the year. Look for it if you pass through!鈥 Joseph, who works in marketing for Dell, has been creating art with words for more than 20 years. He has shown his work around Austin, and maintains a gallery of his work at Travelzealot.com.
1993 Rob Aaron writes that he started a new position last December at Northwestern University as executive director of student affairs assessment and planning. 鈥淭his is an exciting professional opportunity, and personally it puts me and my family back in my hometown after living elsewhere (including Rochester!) for 25 years. My wife, Suzanne Stevens Aaron 鈥99E (MM), will continue teaching private voice lessons and singing in the Chicagoland area. Our son, Thomas, is now in his freshman year of high school.鈥
1996 Gregg Roberts has joined the New York City office of the law firm Reed Smith as a partner in the state tax group. Gregg specializes in the resolution of state and local tax controversies across the country.
1997 Julie Reisler writes that after graduating with a double major in psychology and health and society, she earned a master鈥檚 degree in health and wellness coaching and developed her own coaching and personal development training company. She has written a book, Get a PhD in You: A Course in Miraculous Self-Discovery (Empowered Living Books). Julie adds that Professors Ed Deci and Ted Brown, and Dean Paul Burgett, 鈥渨ere each a huge inspiration.鈥
1998 Dave Handler writes that he was promoted to partner in the law firm of Hawkins Delafield & Wood in January. The firm, based in New York City, specializes in public finance. He works in the Newark, New Jersey, office.
1999 Jason and Emily Aronstam Duga 鈥00, 鈥06S (MBA) welcomed a third child, Olivia Violet, in April 2016 (see photo, page 57). Olivia joins big sisters Sienna, 6, and Julia, 3. They live in Webster, New York, just outside Rochester.
2000 Emily Aronstam Duga 鈥06S (MBA) (see 鈥99).
2002 Shane and Ingrid Brill Albright welcomed their second child, Tyler, last December. Ingrid writes: 鈥淢om, Dad, and big sister Anneliese are all excited and smitten.鈥
2003 Matt Davison was recognized as one of Buffalo Business First鈥檚 2016 鈥40 Under 40.鈥 Matt is senior vice president of the Martin Group and managing partner of its affiliate, Martin Davison Public Relations, which is a large and fast-growing western New York firm. Matt is also publisher of Western New York Craft Beer Magazine, co-owner of Consumer鈥檚 Craft Cruiser, and former board chair of Explore & More Children鈥檚 Museum.
2006 Deste Relyea and Nicholas Roosa 鈥07 were married last September in East Burke, Vermont. Pictured from left to right are Lindsay Wech Nabozny 鈥05, Dan Lane 鈥12, Jason Ludwig 鈥09, Sarah Van Cor-Hosmer 鈥13M (PhD), Christopher Nolan, Tyle Stelzig 鈥11, Pete Nabozny 鈥05, Nicholas, Deste, Joe Lust 鈥08, Erika Winkler, Jenna Hoeler Lust 鈥07, Lindsay Kryzak 鈥09, Dan Duett 鈥05, Iskra Miralem 鈥07, Neil Janowitz 鈥04, Laura Suchy-Dicey, Alex Voetsch 鈥04, Basil Sitaras 鈥02, Brian MacIlvain 鈥07, and Dan Chebot 鈥09.
2007 Amanda Michaud and Juan Carlos Hatchondo 鈥05 (PhD) were married last November in Bloomington, Indiana. Amanda writes: 鈥淎lthough we overlapped for two years at U of R (2003鈥05), we didn鈥檛 meet until 2012.鈥 . . . Ryan and Lulu Tsai Korsak write that they welcomed a daughter, Ani, in October. . . . Nicholas Roosa (see 鈥06).
2008 Christopher Bell 鈥10M (MS), 鈥15S (MBA) has been named executive director of the Monroe County Medical Society. . . . Lynn Carrier and David Fersh were married last September at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams. Lynn writes: 鈥淒avid and I were thrilled to share our wedding day with so many Rochester friends. Our mutual friend, Tamar Mintz, introduced us at an alumni happy hour in D.C. in 2012, and our wedding was officiated by our dear friend Caitlin Powalski 鈥11M (MPH). In attendance were Todd Rotkis, Joanna Reynolds, Adam Williamson, Hannah Geswein Williamson, Allen Bediako 鈥17S (MBA), Jonathan DeRight, Jaimie Shapiro DeRight, Tamar, Avi Sommer, Kyley McClain Sommer 鈥06贰, Abbe Cohen Minor 鈥09, William Chesebro 鈥10W (MS), and Caitlin. . . . Tony Vargas was elected to the Nebraska state legislature in November and has been named one of 10 鈥淥utstanding Young Omahans鈥 by the Omaha Jaycees (see page 49).
2010 Jarrod Bogue 鈥15M (MD) sent a photo from a minireunion in New York City. From left to right are Jarrod, Eric Mason, Matt Golder, Mike Fortier, Tom Madden, and Joni Mici. . . . Eric Weissmann writes that he and Colleen Fauerbach were married last September in Washington, D.C. Eric is a member of the Young Alumni Council, and notes that the Office of Alumni Relations sent him and Colleen 鈥渁 nice box of U of R gear before our wedding,鈥 which they put to use in a photo. Pictured from left to right are Bradley Halpern 鈥12, Brittany Crowley, Riley Robinson 鈥09, Wyatt Anderson, Andrew Flack 鈥09, Nikki Socash Robinson 鈥11狈, Hannah Baker, Dan Mendelson 鈥11 (MS), David Axe, Matthew Neal, Jessica Marino, David Fersh 鈥08, Lynn Carrier Fersh 鈥08, Zachary Kimball, Megan Jones, and Kirstin Barry. In attendance, but not pictured, was Eric鈥檚 brother, Matthew Eisenstein 鈥18.
2011 Joseph and Elizabeth Del Mastro Benincasa write, 鈥淲e are thrilled to announce the arrival of our first child, Joseph Kieran.鈥 Joseph was born in June 2016. . . . Leo Fridley 鈥12S (MBA) and Katie Cooper 鈥12, 鈥16M (MD) were married in Ithaca, New York, in May 2016. Leo and Katie met as freshmen in Susan B. Anthony Hall. Pictured from left to right are Steve Paluszek 鈥79, Aditya Jain 鈥12S (MBA), Dhruv Kulkarni 鈥12S (MBA), Neal Miller 鈥78, Ellen McCormack 鈥17M (MD), Claire Lyons 鈥16M (MD), Bridget Hughes 鈥16M (MD), Erin Lauer 鈥16M (MD), Emily Redman 鈥12, 鈥16M (MD), Katie, Leo, Adriana Polisano, Andrew Fisher 鈥12 (MS), Michael Weissman, Eric Auslander, Erin Finn 鈥16M (MD), Andrew Allbee (MD/PhD candidate), Hannah Smith 鈥16M (MD), Rachel Sitts, and Bill Forman 鈥82, 鈥83S (MBA).
2012 Katie Cooper 鈥16M (MD) (see 鈥11).
2013 Kylie Bellis 鈥14N writes that she married Brendan Ewing in June 2016 at the Adirondack League Club in Old Forge, New York. Kylie was a member of Alpha Phi at Rochester and sends a photo of herself and many of her sorority sisters from the Theta Kappa chapter who attended her wedding. From left to right are Joelle Mamon, Sara Speilman, Carla Graff 鈥14, Kylie, Lindsay Shor 鈥15, 鈥16N, Clare Kreckel 鈥14, Nicole Podoloff 鈥15, and Michelle Eglovitch.
Rochester Review
March鈥揂pril 2017
Vol. 79, No. 4
Section as a PDF