20 Years of Innovative Admissions After the Last Curtain Call

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THE OWL The Alumni Magazine of Columbia University School of General Studies

After the Last Curtain Call: Dancers In Transition

Forecasting Success: Remembering 20 Years of Innovative Dean Emeritus Admissions Peter J. Awn

2019-2020 Table of Contents THE OWL Letter from the Dean The Alumni Magazine of Columbia University School of General Studies

Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90 Dean

Curtis Rodgers Vice Dean

Jill Galas Hickey Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations

Aviva Zablocki Director of Alumni Relations 18 14 12 Editor Dear GS Alumni and Friends, Allison Scola In This Issue Communications, Special Projects As I reflect upon the heartbreak and challenges we have faced her network in the fashion industry to produce and donate PPE to frontline medical workers, to name just two of our alumni who Feature Story 14 The Transitional Dance since the last printing of The Owl, I am struck by my feelings of Since childhood, most professional dancers sacrificed, showed Contributors pride in how our amazing and resilient GS community has risen have made significant contributions. discipline, and gave themselves over dreams that required laser to meet these moments. When I step back, our school motto, Adrienne Anifant Lux Meanwhile, the accomplishments of members of our community focus on their goals. But what happens when their dream careers —the light shines in the darkness—is taking on Eileen Barroso in Tenebris Lucet extend across industries and causes. Poet Louise Glück, who are closer to the end than the beginning? new meaning. From the tragic loss of our beloved Dean Emeritus Nancy J. Brandwein attended GS in the 1960s, recently was awarded the Nobel Prize Peter J. Awn in the winter of 2019 to the difficult circumstances Cover Story 18 Forecasting Success Hannah Brassord in Literature. The work of Eliza Factor ’97 and Akiva Zablocki of the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to express For more than 20 years, GS Admissions has used a distinctive Eric Butterman ’07 is impacting families with children with special needs (see process to successfully evaluate prospective students’ potential my deepest gratitude and admiration for the strength and tenacity David Dini Alumni Notes). impact on the greater good at Columbia and beyond. The stories of Skylar Failla of the Columbia University School of General Studies alumni, four alumni who are now well established in their chosen careers Gilda Fasullo students, and staff. The leading stories of this issue illustrate the legacy GS illustrate the powerful results of this holistic, time-tested process. has established over recent decades and the outstanding Sara Fox As you read through the pages of this issue, I hope you will professionals our graduates have become. “The Transitional Alexander Gelfand understand my sentiment. The articles, photos, and stories herein Dance” recounts how a Columbia education has helped formulate 4 GS, Columbia, and COVID-19 Bruce Gilbert capture the vibrant spirit of who we are. From the March 2019 the next moves of alumni who came from the world of professional Christina Gray ’15 Military Ball’s final roll call ceremony that recognized our fallen hero Remembering School of General Studies Dean Emeritus Kathrin Havrilla-Sanchez dance, while “Forecasting Success” not only explains how our 12 Dean Awn (described on page 39) to the remarkable contributions Peter J. Awn distinctive admissions process expertly identifies the potential Ashley Kuitunen our alumni and students have made to the greater good—related to A beacon of healing and redemption for so many, GS Dean Emeritus Noah Kutzy of nontraditional prospective students, but it also details the Peter J. Awn was one of the most beloved and impactful people in the global pandemic and beyond—your light shines. Kristen Lykins achievements of four alumni who may not have been considered the history of Columbia University School of General Studies. April Moorhouse In the face of COVID-19, GS saw a 20 percent increase in applications for admission by our traditionally-minded peer institutions. for fall 2020. We enrolled more than 800 new undergraduate 42 Kikka Hanazawa ’00 Employs Her Smarts Jennifer Pellerito I hope as you read The Owl you too will garner a sense of pride and Postbac Premed Prehealth students and moved our support Tokyo native Kikka Hanazawa uses her knowledge of the fashion Sirin Samman and embrace our motto, Lux in Tenebris Lucet, with new fervor. industry and her passion for social change to make a difference services online. Before the era of social distancing, alumni and Allison Scola The sense of resilience, professionalism, and thoughtfulness that for the world. current students were engaged more than ever—and now, finding Aviva Zablocki exists in our community is evident, and as a result, I am inspired opportunity instead of obstacles, they have shared hundreds of every day to work on your behalf. I have so much admiration for interactive conversations and events virtually, thanks to the creative each of you, and I send you my thanks and appreciation for your contributions and tireless organization of the GS staff and so many Sections light. Keep shining! generous graduates (learn more on pages 39 to 43). 4 In General: Campus News Published December 2020 All the best always, 17 Faculty Spotlight Members of our community have contributed their talents and 24 The General View Questions, Comments, know-how to many COVID-19 causes. Faculty of Mailman School 26 Giving and Change of Address of Public Health, Columbia School of Social Work, and the School of General Studies collaborated to establish the new Justice and 28 Graduation: GS Class Day Gallery, Postbac Premed Office of Alumni and Development Class Day Gallery, and New Grad Notes 408 Lewisohn Hall, MC 4121 Pandemics Preparedness Academy (learn more on page 5). Military 2970 Broadway veteran students served patients and doctors at field hospitals in 37 General Interest: Alumni News New York, NY 10027-9829 Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90 44 GS Alumnus Spotlight [email protected] Manhattan. Andrew Satz ’15 used data science to help develop Tel 212-851-7432 effective treatments for COVID-19, and Kikka Hanazawa ’00 used Dean 45 Postbac Alumna Spotlight Fax 212-851-1957 46 The General Direction: Alumni Notes The Owl is designed by 53 In Memoriam Di Vision Creative Group 56 Last Look New York, NY

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In General Rosen-Metsch Establishes GS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce GS Dean Lisa Rosen Metsch appointed eight staff members, four current students, and four alumni to the new GS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce. The committee is GS LAUNCHES meeting regularly to develop its overall goals, identify initial areas of work, and implement GS, Columbia, and COVID-19 a plan and timeline to work towards an anti-racist, multicultural school that builds on GS’s In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to the common cause of more than JUSTICE AND long-term commitment to educational access and equity for students of all backgrounds. on March 11, all course instruction at reducing the transmission of 115 countries. Columbia moved online. On March 16, all COVID-19 within and around In a written GS administrative offices moved to remote the University community. PANDEMICS address to MOLLY OLA PINNEY ’09 WAS AWARDED operations. A pass/fail grade policy was The Compact works in the University implemented for the spring semester and concert with a significant effort PREPAREDNESS community, THE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MEDAL FOR students were offered emergency funding by the University to encourage University President to transition out of Columbia housing. social distancing through touchless Lee C. Bollinger said, ACADEMY Over 400 GS students took advantage of a technology and reservation systems EXCELLENCE FOR HER WORK AROUND THE “Thanks to the tireless work of many, I am $500 grant offered by the University. alongside with sanitizing enhancements fully confident we can provide a meaningful The COVID-19 pandemic has raised urgent throughout all facilities. WORLD WITH THE GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECT. 256 dual degree students living and academic experience no matter where our questions about the failure of the public studying in France and Ireland were There are approximately 4,400 students students reside. And so today I welcome health and political systems in the United supported in moving to safe environments, living in and studying from off-campus all Columbia students, faculty, and staff States and throughout the globe to protect and the GS Board of Visitors raised more Columbia residences, and approximately to this new era with a full heart and 2020 marks the 10-year than $200,000 to create a COVID-19 15,400 students living and studying enormous appreciation for your patience, all people, especially those in vulnerable emergency fund to assist GS students. remotely, including those based in resilience, and determination.” and marginalized groups. As a call to action, anniversary of the Dual BA Rent-abatement initiatives were put into together with Mailman School of Public Health Program with Sciences Po. place and educational financing was and the Columbia School of Social Work, the enhanced. School of General Studies created the Justice There are currently over 300 Courses for the 2020 summer session and Pandemics Preparedness Academy, a co- students in the Program. were conducted remotely and a normal curricular activity for undergraduates across grading policy was restored. The ability to the University. study remotely attracted a record number of students. Enrollment for the summer The Academy is an interdisciplinary experience More than 2,500 10students are currently enrolled across all of sessions was up 57% over summer 2019. consisting of introductory lectures, a weekly GS’s programs. For entrance in Fall 2020, GS received 20% more During June, July, and August, faculty journal club, and production of an individual or undergraduate degree program applications than in 2019. reconceived their course instruction for fall collaborative project. It offers an opportunity 2020, redesigning teaching methodology for for undergraduates to collaborate with one an online environment and integrating novel another and faculty mentors on service and technologies to facilitate remote learning. Louise Glück Awarded The Nobel Prize In Literature research projects while exploring the history All undergraduate courses for the fall of pandemics, scientific epidemiological In October, Louise Glück, who spent years in the 1960s studying at semester were administered online and will and social justice concepts, and frameworks Columbia GS, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. On behalf remain online or will be offered as a hybrid of the University, President Bollinger extended his congratulations for the spring 2021 semester. Faculty of effective public health and social justice to Glück, writing, “At risk of appearing to celebrate—or even claim members are employing synchronous and research and practice. asynchronous teaching concepts. The some credit for—the achievement of anyone with a Columbia tie With successful completion of the program, academic calendar was modified to three (which I am, in fact, always happy to do), I want to extend the students will strengthen their skills in critical shorter terms featuring an array of new University’s warmest congratulations to this year’s Nobel laureate thinking and reflection, research, speaking, seven-week immersive courses. There is in Literature, poet Louise Glück. Ms. Glück took classes at an ongoing effort to create co-curricular and and writing and be able to analyze the Columbia’s School of General Studies and our School of the Arts, extra-curricular programming to support relationship between illness and the ways and she later taught at SoA. In 1993, Columbia and the Pulitzer community building, even if at a distance. social, cultural, economic and political factors Board awarded her the Pulitzer Prize for The Wild Iris. Ms. Glück About 1000 students who are living in shape health outcomes. was a treasured traveler through our gates, and we delight in her Columbia residences and faculty and staff who are working on campus are The Academy will be offered each of the three extraordinary moment of richly deserved, international recognition.” required to participate in weekly testing for semesters in the 2020-2021 academic year While at GS, Glück was published in Quarto, the School of General Studies literary COVID-19. Anyone participating in campus and will seek to accept 20 undergraduates magazine that went on to become Columbia’s official undergraduate literary magazine. activities must abide by the Columbia each semester. In Fall 2020, the Academy She attended night classes with the poets Léonie Adams and Stanley Kunitz, teachers Compact, an agreement that represents a welcomed 24 students. she credits with helping her find her own voice. commitment by each person to contribute

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In General

“I am thrilled to have Online joined the School of Arts & Sciences General Studies. I made a commitment when 4 courses offered I began my career in in Fall 2019 higher education to join institutions that believe Online in transforming education with a profound interest Arts & Sciences in the overall student

2,476 courses offered experience.” 100 Before she graduated, Soo Lee ’19, an in Fall 2020 advocate for people with disabilities, – Marlyn Delva, EdD In 2020, the Columbia Core Curriculum celebrated its Dean of Students at Columbia GS successfully petitioned CU Facilities to centennial year. Today, all GS students take University have the wheelchair lift in Lewisohn Hall Writing, Art Humanities, Music Humanities, and the upgraded. Lee is currently a student at Global Core. In Fall 2020, for the first time, GS students were able to enroll in Columbia College sections of Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. Literature Humanities and Contemporary Civilization.

On June 1, Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz was Current student James Van Hess served as Vice President of summer 2020, he interned at Honda R&D as a simulation CAE selected to be the eighth chancellor of External Operations of Columbia University Formula SAE in engineer working with driver-in-the-loop simulations. In spring The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). 2019-2020. As a part of the group, he helped design, fabricate, 2021, Van Hess will matriculate at SEAS for a master’s in Prior to serving as chancellor, Schwartz assemble, and pilot a formula-style open-wheel vehicle. During mechanical engineering. served as provost at JTS and dean of the Gershon Kekst Graduate School. For 25 THE NUMBER OF UNDERGRADUATES years, she was dean of List College, GS’s IN THE INAUGURAL PROGRAM undergraduate Joint Program partner. OF THE JUSTICE AND PANDEMICS PREPAREDNESS ACADEMY.

With nearly 500 veterans enrolled at GS, Columbia RECOGNITION University boasts the highest GS students were recently awarded prestigious scholarships undergraduate veteran and fellowships including: student enrollment in the

Ivy League—enrolling more Belfer International and Global Affairs Fellowship at Harvard University JAMES than all other Ivy League Kathryn Davis Fellows for Peace schools combined—while Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University maintaining a graduation National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship rate above 90 percent

and a record of job and Pat Tillman Scholars Program HESS VAN graduate school placement Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University that equals Columbia’s

LEADING THE WAY non-veteran graduates.

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In General Vice Dean Curtis Rodgers New Public Health Honored For His Service To Veterans

On March 29, 2019 at the 9th Annual Columbia University Military Concentration Prepares Ball, Vice Dean Curtis Rodgers was honored with the Peter J. Awn Lifetime Service Award by members of U.S. Military Veterans of a “Global Citizenry” Columbia University (MilVets). The award honors a lifetime of outstanding support for military veterans and service members. By Nancy J. Brandwein “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for recognizing me for COLUMBIA this work that I’ve been called to,” Rodgers said. “But I have to It is easy for college students to feel helpless in the face of ask one thing—be there with me as we go forward because there UNIVERSITY GS ever-mounting crises: gun violence, the opioid epidemic, climate are so many great accomplishments ahead and there is so much change, mass incarceration, healthcare inequities. However, a more work to be done.” new special concentration in public health gives Columbia and LAUNCHES DUAL DEGREE Barnard undergraduates the perspective and tools with which to As vice dean, Rodgers is the senior administrative officer of GS. address these and other pressing national and global problems. During his time at Columbia University, he has gained broad PROGRAM WITH experience identifying a variety of top-performing adult, returning, The number of public health programs for undergraduates has veteran, nontraditional, and traditional students, as well as TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY more than doubled since 2007, according to a study by the developed innovative enrollment and retention strategies for Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, but almost Sciences Po Dedicates Reims Campus these distinct populations. Rodgers’ impact on the workings of all of these programs are pre-professional. Victoria Rosner, Dean the School over the past two decades is profound. By Christina Gray of Academic Affairs for the School of General Studies, emphasizes Library to Late Dean Emeritus Peter J. Awn that this expressly liberal arts concentration aligns perfectly with “It was truly a heartwarming and an electrifying moment to see Last December, Columbia University School of General Columbia’s Core Curriculum because, “Public health courses focus Curtis awarded the Peter J. Awn Lifetime Service Award,” said Lisa In September 2019, Sciences Po President Frédéric Mion hosted Studies (GS) announced a new dual degree program on meta level thinking. They focus on reasoning, analytical and Rosen-Metsch ’90, Dean of Columbia University School of General a ceremony in Reims to dedicate the French university campus’ between Tel Aviv University and Columbia University. critical thinking skills, and, most importantly … using knowledge Studies. “It is because of all that Curtis has done over the past to help solve problems from multiple perspectives.” main library in honor of late Dean Emeritus of the Columbia 20 years that GS is the destination for student veterans. He is The program, which welcomed its inaugural class in the fall of 2020, transcends traditional study abroad opportunities University School of General Studies Peter J. Awn. The newly-named the reason why Columbia is a national leader in veteran transition Dana March, Director of Undergraduate Studies at Columbia by providing the chance to pursue a rigorous undergraduate and integration. Mailman School of Public Health, considers public health key to Bibliothèque Peter Awn will hold the beloved dean’s personal book liberal arts education spanning two continents. Upon developing a “global citizenry,” and after seeing undergraduate completion of the four-year program, graduates earn two collection and serve as an intellectual commons for students. “Curtis is an exceptional, incredibly talented, brilliant, and kind public health courses become ever more popular on campus, she bachelor’s degrees, one from each institution. Relatives of Awn and numerous students, staff, faculty, parents, leader who has mentored countless students, alumni, and staff proposed the concentration and teaches its foundation course: over his 20 years at GS,” continued Rosen-Metsch. “When we and alumni of both institutions were present at the ceremony. “I am especially excited about our partnership with Tel Introduction to Public Health: Population Health and Society. Other announced his recognition, the room, in which Peter’s family was Aviv University, which is consistently ranked among the required courses are Fundamentals of Global Health, Social History Speakers included President Mion, GS Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch present along with dozens of MilVets who Curtis had personally best academic institutions worldwide. By giving students of American Public Health, Your Longer Life: Biology, Person and the opportunity to study full time at a top-tier university in ’90, past Vice President for International Affairs at Sciences Po recruited to Columbia and supported over the years, exploded Society, and Environmental Justice. Students must take five required the Middle East before bringing them to study in the Ivy Francis Vérillaud, Vice Dean of the School of General Studies Curtis with joy and thunderous applause, for it was so meaningful for courses and three electives to complete the concentration. Curtis to receive this award just one month after the loss of our League, they will not only benefit from being immersed in a Rodgers, and Norman Laurila, a lifelong friend of Awn. beloved Dean Awn. wide range of cultures and experiences, but will also make March notes that Columbia GS students, many of whom have an immense contribution to the Columbia undergraduate witnessed the HIV and, now, coronavirus crises, and who come to “Peter was never one to seek the spotlight, but somehow the “He truly deserves such recognition.” classroom,” said Lisa Rosen-Metsch, Dean of the School school with more life experience, are “really well poised to take of General Studies. spotlight always found him,” Rodgers said. “While he was always what they’re learning in the classroom and do even more with it.” the first to thank everyone else and give credit to everyone else Students will spend years one and two at Tel Aviv University One such student is Jeffrey Scott Bailey ’17, who came to GS and was a reluctant recipient of all the honors and accolades he (TAU), Israel’s largest and most comprehensive higher after a career in TV and film acting and three years as a surgical education institution, studying within one of eight academic first assistant. March’s course, Introduction to Public Health, was received during his life, this honor—the naming of the library on this programs, after which they matriculate at Columbia to crucial to helping him choose his life’s path. Bailey is currently campus—would be the one he would embrace most.” complete a major and the University’s Core Curriculum in completing an MS in nursing at Columbia Presbyterian, after years three and four. which he will pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus on The notable distinction preserves Awn’s legacy of belief in the “This is the first time that an Israeli university partners with women’s health and oncology. power of nontraditional, innovative education. a leading American university such as Columbia University Vice Dean Curtis Rodgers in a joint undergraduate program of this kind,” said Prof. “The most important thing was having a snapshot of where you are (pictured left) with Mark Raanan Rein, Vice President of Tel Aviv University. “This currently,” said Bailey. “It prepares you for the problems you’re going to Franklin ’19 (right), former program represents a milestone in Tel Aviv University’s face not only with American populations but also globally. March [and President of MilVets SIRIN SAMMAN PHOTO: globalization strategy.” the public health coursework] inspire you to meet those challenges.”

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Dual Duos: JTS’S 21ST CENTURY Sibling Pairs Share CAMPUS PROJECT Their International Dual “All of our spaces Degree Experiences By Nancy J. Brandwein are designed By Nancy J. Brandwein In 2015, the Jewish Theological Seminary students and scholars alike to engage with The Dual BA Program Between Columbia time to pursue extracurricular interests, (JTS) embarked on an ambitious capital JTS’s unique, special collection. to encourage University and Sciences Po is such an so Julia was drawn to Reims, where there improvement plan not only to bring the exceptional undergraduate degree program were many ways to explore photography, According to Gary, “All of our new spaces campus into the 21st century but also to that it is surprising when two members of art, and fashion. A student of psychology are designed to encourage not only shared make it a global center for Jewish life and not only shared the same family matriculate; yet, three at Sciences Po and business management Jewish living, but innovation, collaboration, community for decades to come. This 21st sibling pairs have this Program in common. at Columbia, Julia put on the first fashion and the exchange of ideas.” In keeping Century Campus Project includes a modern Jewish living, show at Reims and thinks this spurred with JTS’s long history of hosting enriching Marie-Sophie ’16 (Reims) and Julie-Anne residence hall located within the flagship Elisa to apply and participate in student community events, the performance Revault ’18 (Menton) grew up in New York quadrangle at 122nd Street and Broadway but innovation, life, too, albeit in a way that aligned with space’s design will allow the school to City as French citizens to French parents as well as a state-of-the-art library, her studies in law at Reims and in human present cutting-edge work by Jewish and attended high school at the Lycée performance space, and conference facility. collaboration, and rights at Columbia. theatre, music, and performing artists, as Français. “I always enjoyed comparing and During the Fall 2019 semester the first well as discussions by leading thinkers, exchage of ideas.” contrasting both cultures,” said Marie- While their enrollments never overlapped, List College students trundled wheelie bins writers, and public figures on Judaism Sophie. Her sister Julie-Anne concurred Elisa “got the perks of having some of their belongings into the residence hall, and significant issues of the day. The new that growing up as a Frenchwoman in New great course, professor, and restaurant which opens directly onto the JTS campus. 200-seat auditorium will feature a larger York played a significant role in her decision recommendations,” along with common Designed to encourage community among stage, excellent acoustics, and advanced to apply to the Dual BA Program, for when friendships from the Reims class of 2018. students and allow them to grow together streaming technology, enabling events to Julie-Anne attended her sister’s political Furthermore, Elisa devilishly said, “I learnt with shared Jewish values, the residence reach an increasingly global audience. science class at Sciences Po, the visit some fun orientation stories about my features large common areas for cooking, Joining all the buildings—old and new—a convinced her that the Program “was the sister’s debut in Reims!” But she keenly studying, and sharing meals on each floor. light-filled atrium will welcome visitors, place I needed to be.” remains mum about what those were. The residence hall also features a large light- encourage relationships, and reflect the Both share a keen interest in social With a Cuban father and an Irish mother, filled “moadon,” Hebrew for gathering space, inclusive, open, dynamic spirit of JTS in the sciences, a specialty of the French university. Ignacio ’16 (Menton) and Monica ’20 where students can meet, work, relax, and 21st Century. “We were bathed Marie-Sophie majored in economics at (Reims) Villalon spent their early years hold holiday celebrations and social events. Sciences Po and Columbia, and she earned in Senegal, and returned for summers in two cultures “All of our new spaces are designed to law degrees at Sciences Po and University while living in Gainesville, Florida during encourage not only shared Jewish living, but of Pennsylvania. At Menton, Julie-Anne the school year. As friends stayed in that at home and a innovation, collaboration, and the exchange immersed herself in Mediterranean-Middle college town after high school, the siblings of ideas,” said Marc Gary, Executive Vice East Studies and double majored in Middle gravitated to an international experience third [at school] Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer of Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies and similar studies. Ignacio studied Middle JTS. This is especially true of both the (MESAAS) and political science at Columbia. East and Mediterranean political science ... so we were new library and auditorium. The library’s Enrolling after her older sister meant and history at Menton and MESAAS at entire rare materials collection, including Julie-Anne met a lot of people who knew Columbia, which Monica pursued as well, 11,000 manuscripts and 25,000 rare her sibling, and they consequently had along with the Africa program in economics really attracted printed books, among thousands of other common friends, especially at Columbia. at Reims. Both siblings agree that artifacts, will be stored on site at the Ignacio’s expanded worldview influenced to the Dual BA’s Sisters Julia ’17 and Elisa ’19 Sisto new facility. However, in order to create Monica’s decision to apply. “His points of both studied at Reims. Born to an Italian larger collaborative spaces, JTS is moving cultural, social, and intellectual reference international father and American mother in Monaco, many of its current books off campus and grew exponentially … and I wanted to “a country smaller than Central Park digitizing them. A dynamic exhibit area for understand those … too.” outlook.” with many international residents,” the displaying rare treasures will highlight one sisters attended a strict French lycée and For Ignacio, studying abroad had one of the world’s oldest surviving decorated - Julia ’17 and Elisa ’19 Sisto explained that they “were bathed in two unexpected effect. “Paradoxically it was ketubbot and a wedding poem in the world’s cultures at home and a third [at school] … through this program that I realized just oldest and most important manuscript of so we were really attracted to the Dual BA’s how American I was … My sister and I talk the “Machzor Vitry”—the earliest record international outlook.” about this quite a bit.” As with all “Dual of Ashkenazic Jewish practice. Rotating IMAGES COURTESY OF JTS COURTESY IMAGES Duos,” conversation is enriched by their exhibits of rare materials will encourage Long hours at the lycée did not permit them shared transatlantic experiences.

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Peter J. Awn (1944 – 2019) was one of the eyes,” yet behind “the soft, deep chuckle most beloved and, as Columbia University which signaled his delight at the turn of the President Lee C. Bollinger eloquently conversation,” was, as John H. Coatsworth, stated, impactful people in the history of then- Columbia University Provost, described Columbia University School of General him, a maverick—a strong manager with Studies. No one cared more for our entire razor sharp logic and a clear vision of what school community—students, staff, alumni, would best benefit Columbia students. friends, and family—than Dean Awn. Peter was motivated to serve others, Peter served as Dean of the School of Lawrence explained. He possessed “a General Studies from 1997 to 2017. selfless devotion … first as a priest, then When he passed on February 17, 2019 as a scholar and teacher, then as the leader from injuries sustained when he was of a block of nontraditional students, a struck by a car weeks before, the loss to role in which he exemplified the concept our community was overwhelming. “Peter of leadership as service rather than as personified the School’s character, its a quest for any form of individual glory or values, and its mission,” wrote President recognition.” Bollinger in a letter to the community. “In Frèdèric Mion, President of Sciences Po, every way that mattered, he and the School the French university with which GS has a were one. This unmatched legacy, in cutting-edge dual degree program, said in Remembering addition to his remarkable scholarship DEAN tribute, Peter’s “mentorship, charismatic and teaching as Professor of Islamic presence, and genuine kindness were an and Comparative Religion, made School of inspiration to students and staff alike.” Peter, without question, one of the essential leaders of Columbia “Dean Awn took on the bold issues from General Studies University’s modern era.” fighting for the rights of transgender students to supporting the opening of a Bollinger went on to say, food pantry in Lerner Hall,” said Dean of Dean Emeritus “The rare gift [Peter] was the School of General Studies Lisa Rosen- able to bestow upon Metsch ’90. “It is only Dean Awn who could PETER generations of General Peter J. Awn have the gravitas, the elegance, and the Studies students was courage to be the person who was a loud his unconditional belief that voice in both bringing ROTC back to campus A beacon Columbia was better for their and being the faculty member to cut the presence and his insistence that ribbon for the Donaldson Lounge for LGBTQ they believe this as fervently as he students in Schapiro Hall.” of healing and did. Peter recognized that General Studies represented the “cutting edge A generous educator, Peter was known to be redemption of undergraduate education,” as he put completely invested in his students. Najam it, and under his stewardship the School Haider, Associate Professor in the Department AWN for so many has been able to fulfill its promise. For him, of Religion, explained that Peter, who taught that meant a student body heavily comprising Introduction to Islam for decades, was famous 1944–2019 student veterans, first-generation students, for grading and commenting on every single and international students, whose age and life paper himself. “He had a thoroughly unique experiences would further diversify and enrich presence and an amazing knack for presenting our undergraduate classrooms.” information without losing the interest of an audience,” Haider said. Peter was a rare and special person who leaves many legacies. President Bollinger Over the years “Dean Awn gave us so many said during the May 14, 2019 celebration gifts and tied so many bows for thousands of Peter’s life, “He was a mix of personal of us at Columbia,” waxed poetic Rosen- qualities and life experiences: an ex-Jesuit Metsch. “There are few people in this world priest, a scholar of Islamic studies—his life, that I can say have had such a tremendous like his socks, was always a surprise. He was impact through his personal relationships, the very embodiment of a humanist in the true teaching, scholarship, service, and to our sense of that word, as a person who relished social structure here at Columbia. As we the realities of the diversity of humanity.” reflect on Peter’s legacy and heal from our loss, I encourage all of us to honor his Larry J. Lawrence ’69, ’71BUS described memory by embracing the opportunities to Peter’s personality as effervescent and reevaluate our beliefs and to celebrate the slightly mischievous, saying there was amazing possibilities that occur when we “a twinkle almost always present in his open our minds and our classrooms.” PHOTO: SARA FOX PHOTO:

12 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 13 FEATURE STORY

“It was a hard decision to move on, but I hadn’t been THE home in eight years, and I knew I wanted TRANSITIONAL to come back to the United States. I felt returning to college emphasized,” he says, explaining that was part of doing Higgins’ Place in the World DANCE partly because of his liberal arts degree, “I Larissa Higgins ’10 traveled the world have the confidence I can do this job. Now the first step right.” since she was a teen, dancing for the it’s so much more about what I can help Hartford Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, and others to do.” –Larissa Higgings ’10 Dresden Semperoper Ballet, but always knowing that eventually, her world of Michael Novak ’09, who tried many popular Novak knows that one day the curtain dance would stop spinning. Despite her Since starting to dance, sports in those northwest Chicago suburbs will fall for the last time for him as a “I actually thought I would flunk out career success, she made the decision yet failed to find his ballplayer footing, performing dancer, and he feels fortunate of Columbia because you’re required most professional dancers to walk away in 2006. would ultimately succeed as an athlete on about having this second act in his career. in classes to contribute to the “I see the opportunity but also the trust discussions,” she says. “I was an actual stage. “When I found dancing, I She has not danced sacrificed, showed discipline, that [Paul] put in me when he chose me,” so afraid to talk and share. found a part of myself,” Novak says. And professionally since. and gave themselves over after a failed audition with the famed Paul Novak says. “There’s a terrific history here, But then I actually ended up Taylor Company in 2008, Novak found he and I want to honor it.” taking a public speaking “It was a hard decision to to an immense dream. had only just begun to compete for a spot. course which made the move on, but I basically Finding Her Voice difference—so much that hadn’t been home in

“The first time, I at least made it to the final

I took it twice.” Z eight years, and I knew I By Eric Butterman They required laser focus on their ultimate group—I looked at that as encouragement, Alicia Graf Mack ’03 has a resume that N A T wanted to come back to not an exit.” S goal. But what happens when their dream flies through the air and causes all to take Graf Mack singled out O C the United States,” she Y career is closer to the end than the notice. Both having been a principal dancer economics, accounting, R O Then, the next time, in 2010, Paul Taylor G says. “I felt returning to E beginning? Or what if the music stops all at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin and finance classes as R himself choose Novak—but not for G would O: college was part of doing together? They rely on the foundation of Ailey American Dance Theater, she now particular standout courses. OT the last time. PH that first step right.” their Columbia education to help formulate calls The Juilliard School her home. As Not exactly unrelated when you their next moves. In 2018, at age 87, Taylor thought he director of its dance division since July of consider fundraising is a key part of While at Columbia, Higgins found a should find a successor to lead his modern last year, she inherently knows the hunger her current job description. Of course, way to still be involved in her old life—a Life is a dance. And for those who live to dance company. After years of dancing for to succeed that student dancers face— the most important part of her position is move that not only helped quench her move, the tempo of life may change, but him, Novak, much to his own surprise, was because for her too, that fervor came from working with students. “Getting to know thirst to share her enthusiasm for dance, their desire for motion keeps beating long selected to become the second artistic within, when she could barely walk. the dancers has been very special, and, but also inspired her career aspirations. A after the stage lights dim. director since Paul Taylor Company’s with their performances, my heart bursts founder of Columbia Dance Collaborative “All my life, dancing is what I wanted,” she founding in 1954. with pride when I see how much work in 2007, together with fellow students, she Stepping Into A Spot On A Different says. “Now, I want it for my students.” they’ve put in,” she says. brought professional and amateur dancers Big Stage “I didn’t expect it, and I knew I just had so Though Graf Mack still occasionally from the University community together much to learn,” Novak says. As Graf Mack’s performing career The northwest suburbs of Chicago are a performs, mostly that life is left behind, to share the joy of this age-old art. “But, gets closer to its final steps, she sees hub of passion for sports—Da Bears, Da Yet he remembered, he had more than his and now she must inspire. “I’m just trying again, I made the decision not to dance,” gratitude. “I wanted to be a ballerina since Bulls … you get Da picture. So, when a experience as a dancer to reference, he to forward the ideals of being innovative, she says. “I needed to be done with it, so I was a toddler, and it was unimaginable local athlete arrives at the big time in one also had his Columbia education, which pushing boundaries, and finding talented I instead focused on the business side, that it would happen,” she says, still with of these sports, it is often a question of he immediately called upon. “Different students and helping them to get the such as public relations. a sense of surprise. “I toured so many whether they can handle “the big stage.” skills in communications were widely education they need to then generate places, performed in major theatres, and Helping get Columbia Dance Collaborative what it is to become the future of our had a chance to inspire young people who off the ground showed me I loved being a profession,” she says. wanted to have a similar career.” And part of launching new things.” With where she now stands, it may be hard now, from her position at Juilliard, she She has continued to do just that. to believe that Graf Mack once had trouble continues that work, yet from the other finding her own voice. side of the curtain. Over the last few years through her roles

14 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 15 FEATURE STORY F ac u lt y F e at u r e Spotlight on James Colgrove ’01MSPH, ’04GSAS at ZX Adventures, owned by terms of seeing what was out from ballet—quite the opposite. “I started Anheuser-Busch, and now there beyond ballet. A world to understand that ballet never really left Examining the relationship between her own business, Deadly where no one could tell me me,” she says. “[In ballet], you had to give Clean, she has exploited what I had to look like everything you had to succeed, and that’s individual rights and the collective well-being both her professional physically and my career what I’ve done since. dance experience and didn’t depend on it, and I By Allison Scola “People ask me what investment banking her Columbia education. leapt at that opportunity.” can possibly have to do with ballet. The In the midst of the spring 2020 semester, of privacy and confidentiality, and government “Ballet made me used to That meant finding an long hours, the strong focus, the discipline, when the COVID-19 pandemic was measures to improve public health. being in another country answer to the question the will and determination—that’s ballet.” declared, faculty member and dean of the and having to maneuver,” “Partly why I like to teach about these of who she was separate Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program she says. “You’d get used things is because it gives me an opportunity from ballet. Columbia School It Moves Them James Colgrove ’01MSPH, ’04GSAS was to your bearings and need to to spend a semester with a room full of of General Studies, she says, teaching The Social History of American get down to the job at hand.” Regardless of where their lives have taken smart people talking about challenging helped reveal that. With every Public Health and Coercion and Persuasion his notable guests as sociologist, activist, them, all four GS grads have a belief in issues,” Colgrove said. Higgins credits Columbia GS as the stimulating class, with every success, she in Public Health: Ethical and Historical and author W. E. B. du Bois, nurse, dance’s importance, which continues to perfect partner for a life-altering change would find a new clue to answering her Perspectives. Having researched and Even so, he did not set out to be a professor, social worker, and public health official this day. in her routine. “I just don’t know a better personal question. published many works about epidemics, nor a college administrator, yet in these Lillian Wald, and workers-rights advocate school for helping with this transition,” she “From my point of view, ballet is a unique vaccinations, and the relationship between roles, he has stepped into his element. and Secretary of Labor Francis Perkins. She thought she would be a journalist. says. “The classes in psychology assisted art form because it is transcendent, public health policies and social, political, Such renowned diners would certainly An internship at a media company As an undergraduate at University of me in understanding what people respond both for the audience and for and legal processes, what unfolded before offer stimulating conversation and place gave her one of her biggest California, Davis, Colgrove studied Latin to, and the school is what it says it is—it the dancers,” Higgins says. him in real time was all too familiar. Colgrove in his ideal domain—a group of clues—the business side and English, and confesses, “I had understands the non-traditional student “There is a magic to ballet smart people talking about challenging of that company interested “When I look around at what is happening, absolutely no idea what I wanted to do and shows them a path to graduating and that still excites me to issues that face humanity time and again. her more. I see very little that’s new. These when I finished. It’s been a very circuitous thriving.” this day, and I love when themes of … the relationship between route, which is one reason why the job that In 2006, Melamed others are moved by that individuals and the state, about what are I now have as dean of the Postbac Premed A New Start graduated as valedictorian magic.” JAMES COLGROVE the appropriate limits of public health to Program speaks to me very much.” with a bachelor’s in N A Eleena Melamed ’06, like Higgins, also M For Novak, who spoke control the pandemic… these have always D political science. A In the 1980s and 1990s, while teaching decided to make a clean break from dance. W to us from a past tour in been the questions related to disease Professor of Sociomedical Sciences L IL English as a second language in San B Joining the famed American Ballet Theatre After Columbia, she was O: Germany, he has seen how control,” Colgrove explained. OT Francisco, Colgrove volunteered, conducting Dean of the Postbaccalaureate at the age of 17, she loved the challenges recruited by Lehman Brothers PH it can bring people together Indeed, Colgrove has spent much of the HIV prevention work. Volunteering led to a Premedical Program at the School of her career presented, but through much and embarked on a career as around the globe. “I’ve watched better part of the past two decades writing staff position in a community public health of her successful tenure, she dealt with an investment banker. She worked with from shows in different countries that General Studies about the history of public health, infectious organization, which led to another staff the personal battle of having an eating Lehman Brothers Private Equity, where dance communicates in a way that breaks disease, immunization, and ethics, and as position, and after about a dozen years, Faculty Member Since: 2004 disorder. she helped them through bankruptcy language barriers,” he says. “The visuals a result, he sees history repeating itself, if he decided to move to New York City to during the financial crisis. Eventually she speak in their own way.” Dean of the Postbac Premed Program Melamed wanted to use her struggles to even not exactly. “Mark Twain is attributed pursue a Master of Public Health. He then became vice president at Lehman Brothers since: August 2019 help others, and so she appeared in a Among other reasons, Graf Mack loves the as saying, ‘History doesn’t repeat itself, sought a PhD in sociomedical sciences. Holdings Inc. and an associate client NOVA documentary on eating disorders response children have to the art. “You but it often rhymes,’” Colgrove said. Education: advisor for Bridgewater Associates, one Citing having worked with many talented in the ballet world and became a see how their faces light up,” she says. “It “That’s true with coronavirus. PhD, 2004, Columbia University of the most well-known hedge funds in the people throughout his career and spokesperson on the subject, helping inspires like few things.” Mailman School of Public Health country. She recently started as a “There were anti-mask societies in 1918. benefiting from the guidance of many countless others with her principal at KKR, working with [A century ago], there was much less of mentors himself, advising students as he outspoken advocacy. After 5 And for Melamed? Well, it even brought MPH, 2001, Columbia University the firm’s strategic partners a scientific foundation saying that masks does now was a logical next step in his years with ABT, she took a her something through a child. When Mailman School of Public Health in the Customized Portfolio would work, but the underlying motivation career trajectory. break from ballet to see her daughter asked to go to the ballet, Solutions Group. Melamed reluctantly agreed. of the anti-mask societies was, ‘I don’t MA, 1992, San Francisco State what a change might “I love mentoring students,” he said. want the government telling me what to University bring. She felt so much “I love working on deals, “Helping them realize the value of their “She fell in love with it and—I never thought do,’ and ‘I don’t trust elites and experts.’ healthier physically and structuring investments, I’d say this—but we go very often now and prior preparation for what they are now BA, 1984, University of California at spiritually, she opted to and helping my clients she is following in my footsteps studying “There’s always some new feature of the doing is rewarding.” Davis move on. achieve their goals,” she ballet herself!” Melamed shares. “It’s come context that gives things a different flavor, but Although Colgrove describes himself as Favorite Movies: says. “You can see all your back into my life in an extremely positive you definitely see similar scenes recurring.” “Thinking about having painfully shy, when asked who he would The Godfather Parts I & II hard work get results and it’s way through her. Through my daughter, a career which didn’t Colgrove spent much of his early career choose if he could have dinner with anyone very gratifying.” I remembered why I loved it so much to have anything to do with my working in the HIV field and examining throughout history, he responded, “Could I Fun Fact: begin with … and, just as importantly, I appearance was liberating …” she Melamed eventually realized that she the socio-political issues surrounding its have a dinner party?” “I love baking desserts with fruits remembered the joy it brings to others.” says. “I saw the door slightly opened in did not succeed because she got away outbreak. He has always been fascinated by 9 like apple cake and lemon cake. Particularly interested in early 20th controversies around contact tracing, issues When I used to teach a seminar at century United States history, he named Mailman, I baked something for my 16 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES students2019–2020 every I THE OWL week.” ALUMNI MAGAZINE 17 COVER STORY

For more than 20 years, GS Admissions has used a distinctive process to successfully evaluate prospective students’ potential impact on the greater good at Columbia and beyond. The stories of four alumni who are now well- established in their chosen careers illustrate the powerful results of this holistic, time-tested process.

By Alexander Gelfand 2002 was a good year for Pavan Surapaneni “They ultimately took a risk on me—a huge ’06. risk, I think,” Surapaneni says. A one-time high-school dropout, Surapaneni It paid off immediately. had overcome his teenage struggles with Surapaneni served in student government substance abuse and was preparing to and on the Ivy Council while double- graduate from a therapeutic boarding majoring in political science and MEALAC school with stellar test scores and a brace (Middle East and Asian Languages and

SUCCESS of college classes at a leading liberal arts Cultures). He taught conflict resolution college under his belt. to fifth graders in Washington Heights There was only one problem: the traditional through a volunteer program sponsored by top-tier colleges and universities he had Community Impact, the University’s largest applied to were not interested in a 21-year- student service organization. And he old with a troubled past. graduated as salutatorian before going on to Harvard Law School, where he landed a “They felt like I was too big a risk,” says coveted summer associate position at his Surapaneni, who is now a partner at a current firm following his first semester— leading global law firm. with only one semester’s worth of law Risk was also on the minds of Vice Dean school grades in hand. Curtis Rodgers, then Dean of Enrollment “That opportunity came about almost Management and Communications, and entirely on the strength of what I’d done at Peter Awn, then Dean of the School of GS,” he says. General Studies. But for very different reasons. These days, Surapaneni spends his time helping clients navigate complex high- Rodgers and Awn were not sure if stakes transactions such as multibillion- Surapaneni was ready to jump into the dollar real estate deals and sales of major- academic pressure cooker of an Ivy League league sports teams. Yet he continues to school. But as Rodgers recently explained volunteer, serving on the School’s Board of from his office in Lewisohn Hall, the greater Visitors and on the board of SavingTeens, danger seemed to lie in passing over a a nonprofit that helps troubled teens and nontraditional applicant “with all kinds of their families cope with anxiety, depression, contributions to make.” and addiction. FORECASTING

18 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 19 COVER STORY THE LIFE OF A GS Application

The GS Admissions Committee comprises six admissions officers. Members of the Committee spend up to two hours evaluating each A 10-year-old high and every application—three, if an interview is required. school or college THE APPLICATION transcript might To apply to Columbia University School of General Studies, undergraduate reflect an applicant’s degree applicants must submit the following:

One might argue that GS was willing to academic history, but Consider David Drury ’08, who currently “I lacked the confidence that I could 1 An online application form that seeks vital information about the applicant. gamble on Surapaneni when its peer it is a poor guide to teaches history and classical literature handle this level of academic expectation,” institutions were not. But if GS took a risk at Estancia Valley Classical Academy, a he says. 2 High school transcripts, secondary school records, or GED/TASC charter school near Albuquerque, New with Surapaneni—or indeed with any of the one’s current ability. Drury may have lacked confidence, but GS Mexico. After graduating from high school Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Documents not in GS alumni profiled here, all of whom are did not. As Rodgers puts it, other schools on Staten Island in the late 1970s, Drury 3 now eight to 15 years into highly successful tend to accept nontraditional candidates English must be accompanied by certified translations. went straight to work on the docks at Port careers—it was a highly calculated one, opposite page”). Among other things, GS like Drury in spite of who they are, whereas Mobil, a petroleum storage facility in the the end result of a unique admissions requires candidates to submit a lengthy GS admits them because of who they are. Test Score. If an applicant’s native and predominant spoken language is southwest corner of the borough. At age process that is custom-tailored to gauge autobiographical essay explaining why Rather than viewing their unconventional 4 English, or if the primary language of instruction in his/her high school or the potential of nontraditional students. they have chosen to enter such a rigorous 22, he joined the FDNY; and he spent backgrounds as liabilities, the School secondary education was English, the applicant must submit an official academic environment at this point in their the next 20 years as a firefighter before Evaluating nontraditional applicants poses sees these as assets: crucial elements in lives—and what in their past has prepared retiring in 2001 after working on the ruins score report from a Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College a variety of challenges. On the one hand, building a rich and varied student body. them to handle it. of the World Trade Center. Testing Program (ACT) score or the Online General Studies Admissions Exam the relevance of grades and test scores— “Our concept of diversity takes age and Towards the end of his firefighting career, (College Board). If an applicant’s native or predominant spoken language is the traditional measures of academic But it also involves an admissions team experience into account,” Rodgers says. success used by most traditional that specializes in determining the Drury worked as an instructor at the FDNY not English and the primary language of instruction in his or her high school undergraduate admissions offices— motivation, the potential, and the overall fit Academy, an experience that convinced The admissions team considers those or secondary education was not English, he/she must demonstrate proficiency fades with time; a 10-year-old high school of applicants who present very differently him to pursue a second career in teaching. factors as it tries to determine what a in English by submitting official scores from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. candidate might contribute not only to GS or college transcript might reflect an than high schoolers, and who may be Drury admits that coming to Columbia was but to the broader Columbia community— applicant’s academic history, but it is a very different people than they were as intimidating—an ironic situation for a guy One typed, double-spaced autobiographical essay of approximately 1,500- something that is even more important 5 poor guide to one’s current ability. SAT teenagers. It takes time to extrapolate a who once ran into burning buildings for a 2,000 words that describes in detail the applicant’s educational history, now that GS students are fully integrated scores, for example, are less predictive of person’s current academic potential from living, but an understandable one given work experience, present situation, and plans for the future. The applicant successful outcomes for GS students than their experiences outside of the classroom, into the University. that he had been out of school for nearly is invited to address why one considers him/her/themself a nontraditional they are for Columbia College enrollees— and the learning curve can be steep; three decades. “For a 17-or 18-year-old to engage in class and less predictive still than the School’s according to Rodgers, it takes several student. A successful essay explains why the applicant wishes to pursue one’s with someone like Dave Drury? That’s own in-house assessment tools. admissions cycles to become adept at education at Columbia University School of General Studies and identifies incredible,” says Marinaccio. interpreting the files of GS applicants. But and describes specific elements of the program, academic or otherwise, On the other hand, conventional metrics the climb is worth it. Drury himself could not have been happier. completely ignore the rich backgrounds “Rather than viewing that meet one’s needs as a nontraditional student. By majoring in history and minoring in that nontraditional applicants bring with That may be especially true of those their unconventional education, he was able to pick up real- them. Weighing high school transcripts applications where the team must peer Two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources, world teaching experience at the Bronx 6 and standardized test scores, says Jessica more deeply into a person’s history to requested and submitted via the application portal. backgrounds as School for Law and Finance while fulfilling Marinaccio, Dean of Undergraduate identify what Rodgers calls “the moment the coursework he needed for his New Admissions and Financial Aid at Columbia of transformation.” Unlike the more 7 A nonrefundable application fee. liabilities, the York Social Studies Teaching Certification. College, is “entirely different than obvious cases where applicants have “It was a really great trifecta,” he says. understanding someone’s job or their life demonstrated such extreme discipline School sees these choices.” Consequently, while GS and and success in their lives that there is a After graduation, Drury earned a master’s THE REVIEW PROCESS Columbia College are essentially looking clear connection to future success in the as assets: crucial degree from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, Once an admissions file is complete, it is packaged for the admissions team for the same thing—i.e., evidence that classroom—the principal ballet dancer, digesting a curriculum of Great Books in to review. Typically, a decision is released 6 to 8 weeks later. applicants can succeed at Columbia—GS the Olympic athlete, the Navy SEAL— elements in building small seminar classes structured around admissions officers must dig deeper to these candidates require more careful a rich and varied the Socratic method—something he says Two admissions officers evaluate and comment on each application package find it. consideration. he could not have managed without the 1 before sending it to the Admissions Committee. education and work ethic he acquired at GS. Part of that involves an application “We look to understand how their time student body.” process that is designed for students away from school has prepared them for Drury now uses the same methods and – School of General Studies 2 At Committee, the admissions team may spend between 10 and 25 minutes who have spent time away from school the rigors of the undergraduate classroom materials to teach his students at Estancia discussing a candidate before voting upon admissibility. (See “The Life of a GS Application, at Columbia,” Rodgers says. Vice Dean, Curtis Rodgers Valley. “I am literally doing exactly what I planned to do,” he says. The committee may vote to interview a candidate before a final decision is 3 made. Once an interview has been conducted, the application is brought before

20 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES the committee again for a final vote. 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 21 COVER STORY

only because they have become adept at fashion models. In 2012, Ziff founded the they have to contribute to that classroom sussing out whether an applicant is poised nonprofit Model Alliance to fight for basic based on their past experience?” asks to take full advantage of their time at GS; labor protections for models. But she Rodgers. “What will a 32-year-old combat at seeing them clearly for who they are and soon broadened its mission to promote veteran who served in Afghanistan be able what they are capable of, even if others fair treatment, equal opportunity, and to contribute to a foreign policy class?” cannot. sustainable practices from the runway to These are the kinds of questions that the the factory floor, taking up the cause of admissions team asks, and that they have When fashion-industry labor activist Sara garment industry workers in Bangladesh become expert at answering. Ziff ’11 first considered applying to GS, for and pushing for state and federal instance, she worried that her years as a Of course the same qualities that predict legislation to protect child models here in fashion model might count against her. success for Columbia College students— the United States. qualities that, according to Marinaccio, Scouted on the street when she was just While pursuing an MPH at Harvard’s include independence, resilience, creativity, 14 years old, Ziff began earning money in Kennedy School of Government, Ziff also intellectual curiosity, and a desire to draw high school doing magazine and catalog collaborated with a public health researcher connections between ideas and to engage work. Knowing that modeling careers are to produce the largest study to date of short-lived, she figured that she would eating disorders among professional take a gap year and work full time, saving The motivation and grit that helped Inspired by the diversity of the GS models—a study that tied those self- enough to help pay for college or a down “For a 17- or 18-year- The Admissions Drury make his dream a reality are key community, Rejwan came to New York a destructive behaviors to workplace payment on a home. But before she knew to successful nontraditional student very different person than she had been pressures, and offered policy solutions Committee is adept it, Ziff had become the face of Tommy old to engage in outcomes. Along with everything else, the on her first collegiate go-round: possessed such as better worker protections. at sussing out GS admissions team therefore also looks of a work ethic forged by years in the film Hilfiger and Gap and was walking the class with someone for signs that applicants have what it takes industry, determined to get everything runway in Paris and Milan. The work was Following the rise of the #MeToo whether an applicant to persevere not only in the classroom, but she could out of her GS experience, and fun, the money was good, and one year movement, Ziff turned her attention to like Dave Drury? also in pursuit of their larger goals. grateful for the opportunity to do so. turned into several. “I just kept working,” combating human trafficking within the is poised to take full she says. fashion industry. She also initiated the That’s incredible.” Fortunately, that kind of discipline often “I felt so lucky to be exposed to so many RESPECT Program, which urges brands, At the same time, Ziff began keeping a comes with time. diverse lives and experiences,” she says. modeling agencies, photographers, and – Jessica Marinaccio, advantage of their video diary and giving cameras to other “And it enriched my own.” other fashion-industry players to accept Hollywood producer Michelle Rejwan models so that they could do the same. Dean of Undergraduate time at Columbia; at a legally binding code of conduct aimed ’08, for example, was not sure precisely After graduation, Rejwan moved back to She turned the years of footage she at stamping out sexual harassment and Admissions and Financial what she wanted to get out of her first, Los Angeles and became assistant to accumulated into , an award- seeing an applicant Picture Me workplace abuse. abortive attempt at college. A native of filmmaker J.J. Abrams, who gave her the winning feature-length documentary Aid at Columbia College clearly for who they Los Angeles, Rejwan headed first to UCLA chance to coproduce Star Wars: The Force released in 2009 that included frank talk Ziff credits GS with giving her the to study theater, then transferred to USC, Awakens for Lucasfilm. She went on to about sexual harassment and abuse in the confidence and the conceptual framework with the world—also predict success for GS are and what they where she gravitated towards film. But produce Abrams’ second Star Wars feature, fashion industry. to do the work that she does today. And college felt like something she had to do The Rise of Skywalker, collaborating with she emphasizes how important it is that students. But identifying those attributes in By then, Ziff had begun to feel frustrated are capable of, rather than something she wanted to do, him from beginning (developing the story, the School gives nontraditional students someone who has experienced a lengthy by a business that often treated her as and she could not quite find her focus. joining him on set during shoots) to end from all walks of life both a world-class break in their education requires a finely even if others little more than a clothes hanger. So, at (choosing trailers, designing marketing education and the means to apply it in tuned nontraditional admissions model and “I was really lost,” she says. the age of 24, she applied to GS, which cannot. campaigns). meaningful ways. a staff that knows how to implement it. So, she left, landing a job as an assistant offered the unique opportunity to attend Now senior vice president for live-action Fortunately, Columbia University School to a prominent casting director and an Ivy League institution while continuing “It’s essential that people have access development and production at Lucasfilm, of General Studies has both a uniquely working on productions such as to work part-time. Ziff worried, however, to an education that will allow them to go The Rejwan finds herself drawing regularly on thorough evaluation process and an , , and that she would not be taken seriously; that back to their communities with the tools 40-Year-Old Virgin The Office Curb the skills she acquired at GS—in particular, admissions team that can expertly apply . Eventually Rejwan her modeling career would be dismissed they need to be advocates, and to bring Your Enthusiasm the ones she developed under Guy Gallo, a it. And the successful long-range outcomes became the assistant to costar and as frivolous, and that she would be seen about the change we need,” she says. Curb former adjunct professor of screenwriting of students who would traditionally have executive producer Jeff Garlin, who invited as someone who could not possibly enrich at the University who wrote several highly Providing nontraditional students with the been viewed as high-risk (a former high her to work on a film he was directing. In the GS community. regarded Hollywood films. Studying with tools they require to achieve their goals and school dropout, a 20-year veteran of the the process, she realized that she really Gallo “really changed the way I approached All the admissions team saw, however, was fulfill their potential is what GS is ultimately NYFD, a 10-year veteran of the modeling wanted to be a producer, collaborating reading scripts,” says Rejwan. “To this day, her potential. about. The admissions team is at the industry, a Hollywood insider whose first with artists, writers, and directors to move forefront of that effort, identifying applicants stab at college did not quite pan out) it informs my instincts in terms of how I Classes in labor history and feminist projects from inception to completion. who have what it takes to thrive at the School provide ample proof that the School’s time- approach any kind of material.” literature helped Ziff frame her own Despite that moment of clarity, however, and contribute to the Columbia community— tested methods do indeed work. Rejwan was primed and ready for that experiences in the fashion industry—the Rejwan felt that she had what she calls and to society as a whole. kind of transformative experience, and sexual harassment, the pressure to lose Just as importantly, those outcomes prove “unfinished business with education.” the admissions team knew it. But that is weight—as labor-rights issues; and she “How will they fit into a classroom with that taking thoughtful risks can pay off for began to think about organizing her fellow Columbia College students, and what will everyone concerned.

22 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 23 Recognizing that attending GS is not limited to the matriculant, as part of New Student Orientation each semester, parents and families of incoming The General View GS students are invited to attend Family Orientation, an event that is aimed at introducing loved ones to the community and resources available at the University that will support “their student” during her time at Columbia. Pictured with Dean of Academic Affairs Victoria Rosner ’90CC, ’92GSAS, ’99GSAS (center) from January’s New Student Orientation are new undergraduates Rachel Adams (second from left) and Iynul Waseekah Rizwan (third from right). Rizwan, who described feeling “simply ecstatic!” that day, was accompanied by her husband Zainul Rizwan (first from left) and her two younger children Wais and Mareeha (first and second from right, respectively). Rizwan’s two older children are both in high school and were not able to attend; however, she said having a caring family and supportive husband who participated in Family Orientation was, “frosting and a cherry on top of the cake” of matriculating at Columbia GS.

24 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 25 Support GS at gs.givenow.columbia.edu. Contact us at [email protected] or (212) 853-2447. G i v i n g G i v i n g N e w s G i v i n g Making Strides: Giving Day 2015 to 2020 Our top goal at GS is to strengthen Columbia Giving Day is a spirited world-wide fundraising event produced our financial aid program so we can to engage alumni, students, parents, and friends to donate to schools, support every student in need. With initiatives, and departments across the university. Giving your generosity, we can alleviate financial hardship and allow students to focus on their studies and 2015 327 DONORS $208,010 Thank you for GROWING UP achieve their goal of attaining 2016 332 DONORS $212,949 changing lives a Columbia TOGETHER education. that change 2017 286 DONORS $215,703 the world! By Eric Butterman Calvin Reynolds ’52, ’59BUS has truly had factory in Cuba, and I also worked on one 2018 346 DONORS $322,526 a global career. From Uniroyal Europe to in Venezuela and other places,” he says. working with the United Nations, he has “When the change in Cuba occurred, I 2019 338 DONORS $445,537 experienced and contributed. But, when he worked on one in Scotland. These were rich looks back, he credits Columbia University experiences that created a foundation.” School of General Studies as a vital 2020 338 DONORS After Uniroyal, he served as vice president $695,784 contributor to what he accomplished and of the National Foreign Trade Council and to who he became. then Organization Resources Counselors “I just wasn’t a very motivated student (ORC) as a senior vice president and later, before General Studies,” he admits. “It a senior counselor. “With the National made me more well-rounded … Some Foreign Trade Council, I helped make the may be surprised to know that the logic human resource activity with international Did you know? and astronomy classes made as big a assignments a major force, and that led difference as any in helping me expand my to eventually being recruited by ORC,” he The Columbia Commitment Campaign is a university-wide initiative to appreciation for learning.” says. “At ORC, one of the major things I address world issues from climate change to social justice. The Columbia was able to do was set up a subsidiary It was his classmates as well. Commitment builds partnerships with donors and volunteers sharing an urgent in Japan. I [also] did expert witnessing sense of what Columbians can do for our students and the world. At GS, we “I was one of the few students who wasn’t in different legal affairs, primarily for a veteran of World War II,” he says. “They Japanese companies.” are focused on providing a world-class education in pursuit of social justice. were so focused after what they’d been GS is set to surpass our goal of raising $35 million to support our students. through, and that also encouraged me by Still Learning example to reach higher in academics.” Now retired, Reynolds is still quite active, Reynolds contributed his own military even ballroom dancing multiple times a service from 1952 to 1955, serving week. “I was very involved in choir as a as a lieutenant and an air intelligence child and never lost the love of music,” he $35,000,000 The Campaign for the officer in the Naval Reserve. After being says. “This was just a new way to be a part $30 million dollars a year is given to General Peter J. Awn Lounge stationed in several posts throughout of it. I actually took it up in my 80s. I like In June of 2019, Dean Rosen-Metsch Studies students in financial aid. Ideally, to the world, he embarked on a career with to have the attitude that it’s never too late announced the naming of the GS Student a long international presence, even being to learn something new.” $30 support our students’ needs, GS would offer Lounge the Dean Peter J. Awn GS Student called on by everyone from the Australian $45 million dollars a year for financial aid. Lounge after two generous alumni donated Though Reynolds has contributed to many government to the United Nations to lend MILLION $1 million to support the initiative. To worthy causes, he admits donating to expertise on monetary-related issues. date, $3.5 million has been raised for “General Studies General Studies is his favorite. He sees, in naming the Lounge after Dean Emeritus Spending more than a decade with Uniroyal, a way, that they have grown up together— Seven new GS scholarships were established in 2020 Awn. Funds raised for the Lounge support truly helped make he ultimately rose to director of operating since General Studies was in its infancy student scholarships and grants. services for Uniroyal Europe, serving in that when he enrolled. “There aren’t many of us me who I am, and capacity from 1964 to 1967. “Specializing still alive from those early days,” he says, I want to help it do in international finance at Columbia, my even allowing a chuckle. “It’s been special first job at Uniroyal was bringing together to see what it’s become. General Studies The Board of Visitors raised over marketing, financial, and engineering truly helped make me who I am, and I want 7 $200,000 the same for others.” for a student-centric COVID-19 emergency fund. information on foreign investments. I to help it do the same for others … You – Calvin Reynolds wrote recommendations for building a don’t forget an experience like that.” ’52, ’59BUS The Center for Veteran Transition and Integration raised $2.6 million in the last two years, including two major grants from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The Center is gaining national recognition for its work with veterans.

26 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES G r a d u at i o n G r a d u at i o n

Graduation

Class Day 2019

PHOTOS BY BRUCE GILBERT

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1. Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90 rejoices with the Class of 2019.

2. Class Day Speaker Sara Ziff ’11

3. Class of 2019 Valedictorian Brittany Summer

4. GS 2019 Campbell Award winner Raisa Flor, Dean Rosen-Metsch, and Alumni Key Award winner Yona Aryeh Kornsgold

5. Dean Rosen-Metsch addresses the graduates and their families.

6. The graduates cheer for their colleagues.

7. Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger

8. Eytan (Ethan) Penn, a graduate of the Joint Program with List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS)

9. Acting Dean of Students Ivonne Rojas ’12GSAS presentes the graduates to family and friends.

10. Dean Rosen-Metsch congratulates graduates.

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28 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 29 G r a d u at i o n G r a d u at i o n

Postbac Premed Class Day 2019

PHOTOS BY BRUCE GILBERT

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1 2 7 8

1. Andrew Sunshine ’79CC, ’83GSAS, ’89GSAS, ’91GSAS, Associate Dean of Students, addresses graduates. 2. The faculty and staff of the Postbac Premed Program recognize the graduates. 3. Graduate Catherine Jennings deliveres the student address. 4. Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90 recognizes the graduates. 5. Postbac graduates show off their new scrubs. 6. Rachel Monane with Mike Allen, Senior Assistant Dean of Students 7. Class Day keynote speaker, Dr. Olajide Williams, Chief of Staff of the Department of Neurology and an Associate Professor at Columbia University 8. Always attentive, the Postbac graduates listen to the wisdom imparted by the day’s speakers. 9. Graduates celebrate their accomplishment.

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30 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 31 G r a d u at i o n G r a d u at i o n New Grad Notes 2019

GS Bachelor of Arts Recipients Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Graduates

Class of 2019 the election’s televised coverage. Her time candidate in film and TV production at the United States including the Boston Before enrolling in Currently a medical salutatorian Matthew as an artist and stylist for such brilliant University of Southern California, where she Opera House, the John F. Kennedy Center the Postbaccalaurate student at Icahn Hess is a Marine minds led her to discover and fulfill her own was awarded the George Lucas Scholarship, in Washington, D.C., and the David H. Koch Premedical Program, School of Medicine Corps veteran and intellectual curiosity, and after a decade in which seeks to support perspectives of Theatre in New York City. For Boston Ballet’s Catherine Jennings at Mount Sinai, Riva first-generation the beauty industry, Yasmeen enrolled at artists from underrepresented communities. 50th anniversary, she performed a leading taught middle school Letchinger holds a college student. He Northern Virginia Community College, where role in front of 50,000 people at Boston science in both Bachelor of Science grew up in Ogden, she excelled academically. Transferring to Rubén Darío Common. Off stage, Brittany worked with the public and private degree in biological Utah where, because Columbia GS, Yasmeen worked as a resident Ordoñez-Parra Boston Ballet’s Education and Community school settings for sciences, ecology, of family financial advisor with GS Student Life and a research and his parents Initiatives division. Additionally, she studied more than 10 years and evolution struggles, he started working at a young assistant at Columbia Business School. She immigrated to at Northeastern University. Once matriculated in Knox County, Tenn. and Brooklyn, N.Y. She from The University of Chicago. As an age. In 2009, he enlisted in the Marine acted as chief of campus life with the GS the United States at GS, Brittany studied psychology and served earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and undergraduate she studied wing patterns Corps. After completing a tour in Okinawa, Student Council. Her accomplishments and in 1998 from on the membership committee of Columbia a master’s degree in educational leadership and performed behavioral mate-choice Japan, he volunteered for the Marine Security leadership at Columbia led to induction in the Colombia. Upon Women in Business and volunteered for the and administration from University of research on butterfly species. After college, Guard (MSG) Program, eventually working at GS Honor Society and being awarded the Olga completing high GS Mentor Program. Outside of her activities Tennessee-Knoxville. Catherine also danced she continued biological research at Lincoln embassies in New Delhi, Beijing, and Cairo. Knoepke Scholarship and two GS Leadership school in Jersey City, at Columbia, she served as an intern at the with a modern dance collective in Tennessee Park Zoo in Chicago, Ill., studying monkeys Matthew excelled in the Corps and was and Service Awards. Since graduation, N.J., he enlisted in the United States Marine private equity firm KKR and with Heidrick and worked in therapeutic horseback riding, and flamingos; at the Smithsonian Tropical recognized for his leadership. At GS, Matthew Yasmeen has been a management consulting Corps. After graduation from bootcamp & Struggles, an executive search and teaching riding lessons for children and Research Institute in Gamboa, Panama, served on the Veteran Advisory Board and analyst with Accenture. in 2014, Rubén attended Marine Combat leadership consulting firm. After graduation, adults with mental, physical, and neurological investigating the potential effects of climate volunteered with the Veteran Mentor Program, Training at Camp Geiger, N.C. and Military Brittany joined Heidrick & Struggles as disabilities. At Columbia, Jennings served change on tick ecology; and at Rutgers where he was instrumental in developing the Eight years ago, Occupational Specialty School at both the an associate in their artificial intelligence as vice president of the Columbia University University performing research on bee Program as a peer-to-peer support system Randall (Blaine) Naval Air Station Pensacola and Marine and data & analytics practice. Her main Premedical Association (PMA) and worked species. While volunteering at Inova Fairfax that values inclusive community building. Morris left her BFA Corps Base Camp Pendleton. With an eye interest lies in organizational psychology as a research associate in the Metropolitan Hospital in Virginia, she helped pediatric Matthew was awarded a Presidential Global program in musical towards becoming a Marine Corps officer, and leadership, and she hopes to be able to Hospital Emergency Medicine department. patients and their families negotiate Fellowship to study abroad in Amman, Jordan theater at Elon he was awarded an NROTC scholarship to make workplaces better environments for the While under the mentorship of Dr. Getaw longtime hospital stays. As a student in the and a Gilman Scholarship that allowed him to University when support his enrollment at Columbia. While a individuals that inhabit them. Worku Hassen, she published her first Postbac Premed Program, Riva demonstrated intern with the Department of State at the U.S. her summer job history major at GS, Rubén served for four clinical research in the American Journal of outstanding leadership and a commitment Embassy in Muscat, Oman. Matthew received as a teen writing semesters as a New Student Orientation When Annie Whitney Emergency Medicine. She also served as a to service to the premedical community. a Service Award from the School of General advisor on MTV leader, as events chair and multicultural and of Charlotte, N.C., patient educator in Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Upon completion of the Program, she was Studies, recognizing his dedication to service Skins turned into a recurring acting role. Greek life chair of the Student Organization discovered the Dual Department of Bariatric and Minimally recognized with the Dean’s Citation Award. and leadership within GS and the Columbia She spent the next few years acting in of Latinxs, and as battalion logistics BA Program Between Invasive Surgery, where she led patient She served as an orientation leader and vice University community. He graduated summa indie films, television series, and national officer, administrative officer, and company Columbia University support groups and education sessions to president of social events for the Premedical cum laude with a degree in Middle Eastern commercials. Blaine earned an associate commander of his NROTC unit. Upon earning and Sciences Po, help patients prepare for bariatric procedures. Association all while working as a clinical studies and plans to pursue a master’s degree degree from Hudson County Community his BA, Rubén was appointed second she knew it was the Catherine is currently matriculated at the research coordinator in the Department of in international relations or a related field. College, and upon matriculating at GS, she lieutenant in the Marine Corps and then college experience Columbia University Vagelos College of Neurocritical Care at Columbia University joined Columbia University Sketch Show as a proceeded to The Basic School at Marine for which she was looking. The daughter Physicians and Surgeons. Irving Medical Center, where she examined Yasmeen Ibrahim director and editor. As a member of the Ferris Corps Base at Holly Ridge, N.C. with hopes to of a mother who was born in Cairo and a diagnostic tools used to treat neurological grew up in Cairo, Reel Film Society, she helped curate and earn a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). father who served with the U.S. Army in disorders. Egypt before coordinate free screenings for the campus Currently a battalion engineer officer, Rubén Iraq and Afghanistan, she enrolled at the immigrating to community. Blaine was also the production plans to pursue a PhD. Menton campus for its academic focus the United States and interchapter chair for DKA Professional on the Middle East and Mediterranean. At support organizations in Greece and Egypt. at age 10. As Cinematic Society, coordinating productions, 2019 valedictorian Sciences Po, Annie served as student council At Columbia, Annie studied human rights, a teenager, she evaluating pitches, and allocating monies Brittany Summer treasurer, co-founded the campus yearbook, worked as a tour guide for the School of accepted a position for student films. During her time at GS, she grew up in Gastonia, and received grants to conduct research in General Studies, served as a GS student at a department directed, wrote, edited, and produced 16 N.C. At an early Istanbul, Paris, and Marseille. Off campus, representative to the Joint Committee on store beauty counter, where she fell in love films, and her interest in writing for television age, she fell in love she volunteered with the Red Cross at a local Instruction, received the Department of with makeup artistry and styling, which led blossomed. She attended the MFA summer with dancing. She migrant camp to support the thousands of Education’s Foreign Language and Area her to cultivate a career in the beauty and TV writing intensive where a pilot she wrote attended high school asylum seekers passing through Menton. Studies Scholarship for Arabic language W elcome to the fashion industries. Yasmeen worked as a was chosen to be part of NBCUniversal and at the University The experience prompted her to develop an study, and travelled to Tunisia as a Kraft Global makeup artist, hair stylist, and wardrobe the National Hispanic Foundation for the of North Carolina interest in immigration law, and she enrolled Fellow. She graduated summa cum laude and Alumni stylist for influential figures including Bill Arts - Pitch NY. In addition to receiving a School of the Arts, and after graduating, she in Sciences Po’s law specialization. Annie Phi Beta Kappa, and she is currently a JD Gates, Nancy Pelosi, Deepak Chopra, and scholarship as an emerging content creator joined the Boston Ballet as a member of the deferred her enrollment at Columbia to intern candidate at Harvard Law School. Community Tony Bennett. In 2012, Yasmeen played a key to NALIP Media Summit, she also interned corps de ballet. During her more than nine at the European Parliament in Brussels role in the presidential election. Along with at Quebrada Entertainment and Assemble years in Boston, Brittany had the opportunity and with USAID in Washington. Also during a talented team of industry professionals, Media. Blaine majored in film and media to dance on stages in London, Spain, and her year away from school, she studied she won an Emmy Award for her work during studies at GS, and she is currently an MFA Finland, and on acclaimed stages around Arabic in Cairo and volunteered with refugee

32 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 33 G r a d u at i o n G r a d u at i o n

Class Day 2020: On Monday, May 18, following best practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1,800 guests gathered for an online Class Day An Online Occasion ceremony that recognized the accomplishments of the graduates of the Class of 2020. The presentation included remarks by Dean transition young adults from homelessness lab at the Columbia University Department for the GS student population and as a New Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90, Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger, School to higher education. In fall 2020, Logan of Ophthalmology and participated in the Student Orientation leader. As vice president of General Studies Dean of Students Marlyn Delva, and keynote matriculated at Fordham University School of selective Summer Undergraduate Research of premedical events for the Postbac Premed speaker Michael Novak ’09, Artistic Director of the Paul Taylor Law School, where she is pursuing a JD. Fellowship program. Under the guidance Student Council, she organized and helped Dance Foundation. Sungtae Yoon was the class valedictorian, of his mentors, he worked on in vitro and establish an affordable MCAT preparation and Alison (Ali) Block was the salutatorian. Rachel Ballew was David Treatman is bioinformatic research, investigating FGF- course for her fellow students, and she recognized as the Campbell Award recipient, and Jessica Krejcie used to wearing induced transcription factors in murine lens created the Break the Barrier Initiative, an and lacrimal gland development, which led was granted the Alumni Key Award. many different hats. affinity group for underrepresented students A graduate of the to a first-authored poster presentation and seeking a career in medicine. For her The Class of 2020 comprises 683 graduates from diverse Joint Program with co-authorship for articles published in peer- outstanding student leadership, Huda was backgrounds, representing 59 countries and 34 U.S. states. Ranging List College of the reviewed journals. Outside of his research, awarded two GS Spirit Awards and the 2020 in age from 19 to 71 years old, it also includes 116 military Jewish Theological Sungtae served as executive officer of the Dean’s Citation Award. veterans and 133 dual and joint degree program graduates. The Seminary, during his At Your Service volunteer program for the time at Columbia, Terence Cardinal Cooke End-of-Life Care new graduates join a global community of nearly 20,000 GS alumni. Raised by two David was captain of the Columbia sailing Hospital, as well as a student scholar for the physician parents, club, overseeing operations and managing Columbia Research Cluster for Science and before matriculating in the organization’s budget. Meanwhile, as Subjectivity. He was a student consultant for the Postbaccalaureate a student, he produced or co-produced 14 180 Degrees Consulting, a worldwide non- Premedical Program plays in three years. In 2016, for Koolik & profit consultancy, and he volunteered as Christopher DeVita New Grad Notes 2020 Treatman Theatricals, he co-produced the off- a Korean language medical interpreter for toured the United Broadway play Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Mount Sinai Hospitals. Sungtae graduated States as a Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic summa cum laude with a degree in biological Class of 2020 honors courses while developing her honors professional ballet GS Bachelor of Arts Recipients and Magic with Columbia Engineering sciences with departmental honors. He is salutatorian Alison thesis, which examines the role of cultural dancer and choreographer. Chris holds a BA alumnus Alan Koolik ’19SEAS. The success currently conducting clinical research and (Ali) Block is a norms in the workplace on women’s use of in theater studies from Emerson College and of Puffs led David to many other projects, applying to medical school. Rachel Ballew professional ballet voice and reporting of sexual harassment in earned a competitive fellowship with Alonzo including being part of the production team is a former staff dancer. She began the world of professional ballet. In addition to King LINES Ballet in San Francisco, Calif. for the 2018 Tony Award-winning Broadway sergeant in the her ballet training her own work, she was a research assistant He founded I Am A Boys Choir, a New York- revival of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America U.S. Marine Corps, at the Cleveland for the Laboratory of Intergroup Relations based dance company that incorporates and the 30th anniversary tour of Fame. where she served School of Dance, and and the Social Mind. Awarded a GS Service Postbaccalaureate Premedical performance, video, music, and installation While the pandemic has postponed many of for 10 years as a she pursued more Award, Ali graduated summa cum laude. She to inspire serious conversations about his upcoming projects, David sees a silver Program Graduates female engagement advanced training at North Carolina School is continuing her career dancing and teaching personal politics, gender, community, and lining, “While it’s tough and disappointing team (FET) and civil of the Arts, with summers dedicated to while also staying active in the research otherness. After over a decade of success that things will likely never return to normal, Huda Algsasa earned affairs specialist. completing intensives at Canada’s National community. She plans to eventually pursue in the dance world, Chris decided to pursue I am also excited to be on the ground floor, her BA in linguistics During her time in the military, she worked Ballet School, Chautauqua Institution, graduate studies in clinical psychology. a career in medicine to make a direct and trying to reinvent the industry. I’m already and Japanese in the Middle East, studied Arabic and Jacob’s Pillow, and BalletX. After graduating positive impact on lives. In addition to the working on new projects to pioneer the post- from University of Farsi, volunteered with Engineers Without simultaneously from both high school and Growing up in performing arts, Chris’ interests include pandemic landscape.” Pittsburgh. With Borders, and built a water infrastructure conservatory in 2008, Ali spent an additional Nixa, Mo. Logan LGBTQ health and infectious diseases, and fluency in modern system in Morocco. While studying political year training at Miami City Ballet School Everett dreamed since June of 2018, he has been volunteering Following the Korean Arabic and five science at Columbia, Rachel served as a before she was contracted by the Texas Ballet of becoming an as a health educator with Project Stay at adage: take a detour dialects, prior to veteran mentor, was a Moody’s Scholar, and Theater in Dallas/Fort Worth. She spent actor. At age 17, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, to find the way, enrolling in the received the 2019 Agent of Change Award the next six years dancing professionally she moved to Los an organization that provides free sexual 2020 valedictorian Postbac Premed Program, she worked as an for her impactful contributions to the women for companies across the United States. Angeles and signed health education and healthcare to at-risk Sungtae Yoon grew Arabic language and culture interpreter at veterans community at Columbia. She also Highlights included performing as Clara in with an agency. demographics. Chris also volunteered as up in South Korea a refugee health clinic in Pittsburgh, Penn. served as the director of women veteran The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and in Hollywood, however, a research assistant in the Department of and pursued a The position was pivotal for Huda. Because initiatives for the U.S. Military Veterans of Balanchine’s Serenade at the Hollywood Bowl was not so glamorous. While she loved Neurointensive Care at Columbia University nontraditional path her parents came to the United States as Columbia University (MilVets), and graduates Opening Night Gala. In 2014, Ali relocated the craft of acting, she did not love the Irving Medical Center, where he conducted well before coming refugees, having escaped the dictatorship as the first woman to serve as president of the to New York City to pursue her bachelor’s entertainment business. She valued the hour-long phone interviews with subarachnoid to GS. While studying biotechnology at Korea of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, she saw the organization. For her exceptional leadership degree at Columbia. While studying nuances of human connections and wanted hemorrhage patients and their families for University, Sungtae felt it was important opportunity as a way to give back to the and Columbia spirit, she was recognized with psychology, she was an active member and to inspire an audience to connect with a a longitudinal study. During his time in the to gain additional life experience before community that raised her, yet in the process the prestigious 2020 Campbell Award, named leader in the Columbia Ballet Collaborative, story, which led her from acting to advocacy. Postbac Premed Program, Chris served as continuing his education. He paused college of giving, she received. Working with the for the late Bill Campbell ’62CC, ’64TC, Chair and she served as both the public relations After attending Santa Monica College, Logan an orientation leader and campus tour guide, to pursue missionary work and complete his healthcare professionals and their culturally Emeritus, University Trustee, and CAA co- director and a mentor for the GS Mentorship enrolled at Columbia GS, where she studied the president of the Queer Health Alliance, military service for the Republic of Korea diverse patients exposed her to the world founder. In spring 2020, Rachel, acting as an Program. Meanwhile, Ali continued to work political science and government. She the Postbac representative of GS Alliance, as an army sergeant. During his service, of public and global health. Her desire to operations team leader, was part of a team professionally as a dancer. As a company interned in the office of U.S. Representative and the vice president of social events for he received ministerial commendation by help others drove her to a new path: that of student veterans who worked at NewYork- member with Eglevsky Ballet, she created the Adriano Espaillat and the office of U.S. the PMA. Chris successfully applied through the Minister of National Defense. When of pursuing a premedical education. While Presbyterian Ryan Larkin Field Hospital title role in Maurice Brandon Curry’s Cinderella. Representative Jerry Nadler, and she linkage and is currently a medical student at Sungtae chose to return to college, he a Columbia student, Huda helped establish at Columbia’s Baker Athletics Complex at She also performed with Barry Kerollis’s currently works at Dare2B, a non-profit that the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. enrolled at Columbia. At GS, Sungtae worked 218th Street in northern Manhattan that was Movement Headquarters Ballet Company, supports homeless children in New York City. the GS Mentorship Program and acted as its as a research assistant in Dr. Xin Zhang’s opened to treat patients with COVID-19. Thomas/Ortiz Dance, Lydia Johnson Dance, Also, while a student, she launched her own co-founder, co-chair, and the postbac mentor and others. Ali completed four semesters of non-profit, Do Well Be Well, Inc., that helps manager. She served as a resident advisor

34 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 35 G r a d u at i o n N e w G r a d F e at u r e s

General Interest Donita Session ’19: From Service to Serving

Upon separating from the U.S. Air Force and moving back to New York City, Donita Session found herself in need of housing and employment assistance. She attained assistance from Easterseals New York, which has a program that provides transitional programs to returning veterans. Once settled, recognizing her potential, the organization hired her as a PHOTO: BRUCE GILBERT BRUCE PHOTO: case manager and outreach specialist. While in this position, she experienced firsthand that laws and policies can make it difficult to serve those who need help. Determined to continue serving and Qutaiba Idlbi ’20 supporting her community, Session matriculated at Hostos Community College Driven by Justice to study public policy and administration. She graduated with honors and earned Qutaiba Idlbi survived detention, torture, the Gold Award for Public Administration. and political exile in his home country of Session was inducted into the Phi Theta Syria before being granted asylum in the Kappa honor society and the Veterans in United States. Idlbi grew up in Damascus. Global Leadership Fellowship Program— His father, a community activist focused on all accomplished while working full time. nonviolent political reform, died when Idlbi Alumni News With help from the Warrior-Scholar Project, was 15. That moment was a turning point SETH WENIG/AP PHOTO: she applied and was admitted to Columbia for Idlbi, who, once he entered university University School of General Studies. for finance in 2008, began his own pro- tuition and room and board scholarship democracy activities that led to multiple program that supports displaced students At Columbia, Session participated in many arrests and an eventual need to flee Syria from anywhere in the world who are unable clubs and organizations. She served as to protect his life in 2012. to complete their higher education due to treasurer of the Students of Color Alliance, wars and natural calamities. as a chairperson for the Columbia University While attending a political meeting in Egypt Model Congress, and as a constituent of where he had found refuge, Idlbi helped Idlbi applied and was accepted into the the Black Student Organization, and she United States Ambassador to Syria Robert inaugural class of CUSDS, matriculating found a new interest for theater as an Ford diffuse a fight between two diplomats. as a political science major at Columbia actor in the Black Theater Ensemble. Her They struck up a friendship that eventually University School of General Studies in passion for improving the lives of veterans led to Ford encouraging Idlbi to apply to 2017. While a student, he continued led her to major in political science. be part of the Leadership Development to work full time as a researcher and Fellowship, a U.S. Department of State analyst and in May 2020, Idlbi earned his “It is my belief that the veterans that training initiative and partnership program bachelor’s degree. return home and are capable have a for leaders from the Middle East and duty to support their fellow veterans who Now a representative to the United North Africa who are involved in civic are unable to support themselves,” said States at the National Coalition for Syrian engagement and social entrepreneurship. Session. Revolution and Opposition Forces, Idlbi Idlbi successfully completed the intensive plans to continue his research fellowship Session is currently a job developer for training and applied for and was granted with the International Center for Transitional homeless veterans in New York City and U.S. asylum in 2013. Justice in New York City while applying serves as an executive board member While working as a consultant and to law school. When looking toward the of Even Me, a non-profit organization researcher for various think tanks in future, he said, “In an ideal world, I imagine that assists young people who are aging Washington, D.C., it became clear to Idlbi myself working internationally, making sure out of foster care and transitioning to that if he wanted to fully contribute to building that people get the justice they deserve. independent adulthood. Committed to her a better Syria, he would need to complete My dream is someday to establish a small life’s work of serving others, Session plans his education. The stars aligned, and in college in my home country where I can to study law to strengthen her ability to 2016, Columbia launched the Scholarship transfer my knowledge and experience to assist her community fully. for Displaced Students (CUSDS), a full- Syrians like me.”

36 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 37 G e n e r a l I n t e r e s t G e n e r a l I n t e r e s t

General Interest GSAA EVENTS A robust alumni community continues to grow and celebrate our Columbia What has been the most fun and GS connections. The rewarding GSAA project with which you’ve been involved? photos included are just a Being on the Programming Committee. I glimpse into the engaging would say all of our events are fun, and one can take away something from each programming produced by the

gathering: whether it be intellectual, GSAA throughout the year. DINI DAVID PHOTOS: 1 making connections, or just socializing. The opportunities for students to learn The 2019 Winter Cocktail Reception and practice their networking skills with a was held at Landmarc in New York City. friendly, but demanding, group of alumni are excellent. 1. Member of the Board of Visitors Joseph Ehrlich ’92 spoke to the attendees of the Winter Cocktail Tell us about your career. Reception in February 2019. Where do you work? 2. Sarah Walker ’95, who majored My career is here at Columbia. I am the in psychology at GS, talked with current student Director of Contracts and Compliance at and political science major Andrew Benally. Columbia Technology Ventures (CTV). In a nutshell, CTV’s mission is to help bring 2 3 the cutting-edge scientific innovations emerging from Columbia’s research labs out of the lab and into the market via During Roll Call... partnerships with industry and startups, in Following tradition of military balls, a Missing order to benefit society on a local, national, Man table, pictured, was set in the dining area. and global basis. Most people don’t know Its significance was described to the guests: meet that Columbia’s research leads to over Military Ball The table is round to represent the everlast- 400 new inventions, over 100 agreements March 29, 2019 at Capitale NYC ing concern survivors have for the missing. A with industry, and over 25 science- Elizabeth Beerman white tablecloth illustrates the pure intentions based startups each year! In addition of service members who responded to their to managing two teams, I oversee the The March 29, 2019 Military Ball was country’s call to arms. A single red rose in a Columbia Tech Ventures Fellows Program. held at Capitale in Little Italy. The Ball ’98 celebrates Columbia’s distinguished vase reminds us of the blood that service members have shed. A slice of lemon on the bread What do you do in your free time? veteran community, uniting them with plate signifies the bitter fate of the missing. Volunteer and Former Co-Chair, Programming Committee In addition to volunteering for the GSAA and the leaders and scholars of New York Salt sprinkled on the plate suggests the tears being involved in the Columbia community, City and the world. Proceeds from the of the General Studies Alumni Association (GSAA) shed by waiting loved ones. An inverted glass I stay active by participating in sports. Military Ball help underwrite academic and career transition programming for represents the fact that the missing and fallen cannot partake. A lit candle connotes the light Tell us about the Programming Committee of the GSAA. What is your favorite Columbia GS memory? all veterans and military family members of hope that lives in our hearts in order to illu- The Programming Committee develops programs and events My favorite memory stems from the nationwide, financial aid for veteran minate the missing’s way home. An empty chair reflecting the diversity of GS students and alumni and their American Lit class I took. We were such students at Columbia University, and vet- exhibits the absence of the missing and fallen. respective interests and backgrounds. We want to ensure all a group of inquisitive and emotionally eran student and alumni programming. alumni and students feel welcome and comfortable participating charged students! When asking us a Attendees of the 2019 Military Ball During the evening’s roll call, the sergeant at in our events, whether they be social gatherings, educational and question, the instructor had no idea where included current students, alumni, arms called to the stage each of the current arts events, or family-oriented programs. any of our conversations were going to and members of the community. officers and past presidents of MilVets who all lead but took it all in stride. Interacting donned gaudy socks with their formal attire. Fi- What drives you to contribute to GS’s alumni community? with my class that summer in Fayerweather nally, the officer called out the name of Peter Awn GS affords its students opportunities that many think would be was so enlightening. Thirteen years later, with no response. A moment of silence ensued. otherwise unattainable. Its diversity goes beyond the standard I randomly encountered one of those “Peter J. Awn,” he called again. Still no response. definition of traditional schools, and being able to interact directly classmates in Harlem. We connected as A third time, the sergeant called, “Dean Peter with this cross section of students and alumni is so fulfilling. We if no time had passed, which proved we J. Awn.” A final moment of silence gave way to are also fortunate to have many alumni actively involved with the learned so much more about who we the sound of “Taps,” and in recognition of Dean

School who want to make a difference. I hope the current students were as individuals than just learning the SIRIN SAMMAN PHOTOS: Awn’s lifetime of support of the education, transi- feel welcome to meet with us and will choose to get involved once material. Now this classmate and I sit on tion, and integration of United States service they graduate. the GSAA board together! members and veterans, a U.S. flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol was solemnly and 38 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES proudly2019–2020 presented I THE to OWL his ALUMNI family MAGAZINE and friends.39 G e n e r a l I n t e r e s t Throughout 2019 the GSAA hosted panels on film and media, finance, and tech, happy hours celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and students’ return to campus, dinners and discussions about career transitions and entrepreneurship, a dance performance and backstage tour at Lincoln Center, and many more engaging happenings. PHOTO: DIANE BONDAREFF PHOTO: PHOTOS: DAVID DINI DAVID PHOTOS:

Graduating seniors were invited to a Senior and Alumni Reception at Faculty House on May 8, 2019, where She Opened the Door convened women from all 18 undergraduate, On February 25, over 100 GS alumni, Senior Class President Raisa Flor ’19 (pictured right with graduate, and affiliate schools at Columbia for an historic students, and guests enjoyed the GSAA board member Damienne Harfouche ’14, left) PHOTO: DAVID DINI DAVID PHOTO: addressed attendees. conference in New York City. February 9th’s event celebrated Annual Winter Cocktail Reception 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment that at Ascent Lounge in New York. granted women the right to vote in the United States and featured a powerful lineup of inspiring speakers including two Right: Hilary Katzman ’16 talks with fellow alumni at the 2020 On September 7, 2019 over 50 Columbia GS alumnae, Sara Ziff ’11 and Carla Zanoni ’05, ’06JRN. Winter Cocktail Reception. alumni met Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90 for a reception at Reid Hall in Paris, one of Columbia’s Global Centers. Laetitia Butler ’16 (left), Dean Alumni Online: “GS Alumni In Conversation” and More Rosen-Metsch (center), and Justice Betty ’18 Columbia shifted many of its operations to an online format in “If there is one silver lining in our current work environment,” spring 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving students said Aviva Zablocki, Director of Alumni Relations, “It has been the (right) all spoke at the event, which highlighted and alumni an opportunity to engage with one another in a safe ability to connect members of our community far and wide, without the Dual BA Program Between Columbia and meaningful way via the internet. the obstacle of geographic boundaries.” University and Sciences Po, the program from which both Butler and Betty graduated. PHOTO: AVIVA ZABLOCKI AVIVA PHOTO:

Life in Politics and Public Service Sara Ziff ’11 and the Model Alliance

Welcome Back Students Social Hour Veterans in Tech Education Advocacy ALUMNI IN CONVERSATION On October 19, 2019, How Performing Artists Are Adapting During the Covid-19 Crisis Witches Tea Party alumni, students, The Fashion Industry’s Response to Covid-19 Social Hour families, and staff gathered at Columbia Abroad Artificial From Dance

Homecoming and Times cheered on Columbia in Law to Finance Financial PHOTO: ALLISON SCOLA PHOTO:

Intelligence Uncertain Women Women

Football as they in Wellness PHOTO: DAVID DINI DAVID PHOTO: defeated Penn!

40 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES To receive notice of upcoming GSAA events, submit your email address to2019–2020 [email protected] I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 41 G e n e r a l I n t e r e s t A lum n i N e w s A lum n i N e w s G e n e r a l I n t e r e s t

2019 Reunion

PHOTOS: DAVID DINI DAVID PHOTOS: Weekend drew more than 500 GS alumni Alumni Gathered and their guests back to campus to reconnect, celebrate, Virtually for and enjoy several new and exciting events. Reunion 2020

This year’s first ever virtual reunion weekend drew more than 300 GS alumni and guests from all corners of the globe. On Close to 100 alumni and guests attended Saturday’s reunion lunch held in Friday evening, June 5, Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90 hosted the elegant Skyline Dining Room at Faculty House. After mingling and being alumni and guests for A Celebration of the Performing Arts greeted by welcoming remarks from Jill Galas Hickey, Associate Dean for at GS, a multifaceted online presentation. Dancers from the Hundreds of Alumni Reunite at Development and Alumni Relations, guests were treated to conversation and Columbia Repertory Ballet and the Columbia Ballet Collaborative a Q&A featuring a panel of four current GS students, moderated by Aviva presented pre-recorded excerpts from Love Letters and Sonatas, Zablocki, Director of Alumni Relations. Pictured are student panelists Chris Reunion Weekend 2019 for Lee. Musician Sumar Frejat ’21 performed an Iraqi folksong DeVita and Jonathan Criswell. on the oud, while songwriters Sondra Woodruff ’19 and Anna It all began on Thursday, May 30, when alumni, Saturday morning’s programming began with 50 Troy ’19 both played original compositions. alongside Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90, kicked guests attending the first-ever welcome breakfast off the weekend with dinner and drinks on the hosted by Dean Rosen-Metsch and featuring The presentations were followed by a discussion between Hudson River at the 79th Street Boat Basin. Nearly remarks by Molly Ola Pinney ’09, 2019 recipient actress Rachel Ticotin ’19 and Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90, 100 guests enjoyed reminiscing and meeting new of the Columbia’s University Medal for Excellence. friends at the popular waterfront restaurant on which explored the path of being an artist in the Columbia Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Pictured are GSAA community and beyond. Originally from the Bronx, Ticotin board member Trevor Lawson ’01, April Carter ’02, began her career as a child in theater. She was one of the and GSAA board member Avinoam Paul Sharon ’78. founding members of Ballet Hispánico of New York dance company before she began appearing in films such asMan on Friday night featured A Celebration of Dance at Fire and Something’s Gotta Give. Ticotin has also appeared on Columbia, a performance in Lerner Hall’s Roone Arledge Auditorium featuring Michael Novak ’09, Broadway and television, most recently in The Act. Artistic Director of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Saturday’s programming began with 50 guests attending GS and Alicia Graf Mack ’03, Director of the Dance Division at The Juilliard School. These two world- Update: Innovations and Growth of the School, during which Reunion weekend class artists reunited on campus to perform Dean Rosen-Metsch reported on recent innovations and concluded with the alongside students from the Columbia Ballet developments at the School, discussing its unique international annual GS alumni Collaborative (CBC). After the performances, Dean dinner, held in Roone dual degree programs and thriving military community. Rosen-Metsch hosted a talkback on stage with Arledge Auditorium Novak and Graf Mack. Following Dean Rosen-Metsch’s presentation, nearly 100 alumni in Lerner Hall. Nearly 300 guests attended, from throughout the University tuned in to a faculty lecture from During Saturday’s dinner, Dean including (above, Dean of the Postbac Premed Program James Colgrove ‘01MSPH, Rosen-Metsch spoke about the late pictured from left) ‘04GSAS. Pandemics and People: Contagion in the U.S. from Dean Emeritus Peter J. Awn. She Theresa Patterson, Smallpox to Coronavirus prompted high levels of participation Cristin Darmstadt recognized two alumni, including and engagement. Dean Colgrove placed the current health Marcella Stapor ’59 (pictured), who (née McConnell) ’14,

ALL PHOTOS: DAVID DINI DAVID ALL PHOTOS: crisis in historical context, examining the enduring scientific, donated a combined gift of $1 million Dru Munsell ’13, and to the School to name the GS Lounge Diana Armand ’12. ethical, and political challenges of such emergencies. in Lewisohn Hall in Awn’s honor. Christopher Riano ’07 acknowledged Paul Yates ’05 as the recipient of the The online reunion concluded with an engaging conversation 2019 Owl Award, in recognition of his commitment to military veterans within between Christopher Riano ‘07, coauthor of Marriage Equality: both the GS and wider University communities. Yates co-founded the U.S. From Outlaws to In-Laws, and Dean Rosen-Metsch. Riano Hope Arber ’65 and GSAA board member Military Veterans of Columbia University student group in 2011. discussed his research and writing process for the work, which Joshua Kraus ’93 The GS Owl Award is given annually to graduates, benefactors, and faculty is a definitive history of same-sex marriage equality in the members whose life and accomplishments have been distinguished by eminence United States. Riano explained that the theme, “treat people in public service, including achievement in a profession or organization, so how you want to be treated,” propelled the discussion to a as to bring credit to Columbia University and the School of General Studies. positive place, resulting in a move towards marriage equality. Originally created in 1959 by Barbara Levy ’48 and Marshall Page ’35, it has been given out each year, excluding its hiatus from 2003 until 2016.

42 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 43 G e n e r a l I n t e r e s t GS A lum n a S p ot l i g h t P o s t b ac P r e m e d P r o g r a m A l u m n a S p o t l i g h t G e n e r a l I n t e r e s t

Barbara A. O’Neil, MD ’76PBPM

Current Career: CEO of VPL; founder of Fashion Girls for Humanity GS Degree: BA in Art History/Architecture Theory Other Education: MBA, Harvard Business School, 2002 Fun Fact: Her mother, Ikue Hanazawa, owned her own A WINDING ROAD fashion business in Japan; her aunt, Tomiyo Hanazawa, designed the modern kimono. TO CLEAR SUCCESS By Gilda Fasullo For much of her career, Barbara A. O’Neil, Bassoff, a premed advisor at Columbia MD ’76PBPM was clinical instructor of University School of General Studies, she medicine and supervisor of second-year decided to leave her banking position, and medical students at Harvard Medical moved to the Upper East Side of New York School. Because of her contributions to the City. Her studies at Columbia coupled with future of medicine, Dr. O’Neil garnered a a research project at the Eastern Women’s By Kathrin Havrilla-Sanchez certificate of appreciation from the School. Center, and all that was available in New Furthermore, she was eventually charged York, made it an intense period of personal with the supervision of the outpatient clinical growth to which Dr. O’Neil attributes her medicine program, and she was appointed success. preceptor of primary care residents at Mt. Dr. O’Neil earned her MD in 1980 from Auburn Hospital and Cambridge Hospital. KIKKA HANAZAWA ’00 Hahnemann Medical College, now part of Still, even with such clear success that is Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. During indicative of a self-assured and personable her medical training, Dr. O’Neil traveled to doctor, the road leading to O’Neil’s choice various countries including Thailand, where, EMPLOYS HER SMARTS to practice internal medicine was like from November 1982 to January of 1983, many who attended the Postbac Premed Fashion is in Kikka Hanazawa’s DNA. Her After graduating in 2000, Hanazawa went she assisted Cambodian refugees while Coupling fashion with Program—winding. mother and aunt were both professional directly to Harvard Business School to working with doctors of the International women highly involved in the fashion earn her MBA. Her goal at the time was passion for social change, Having had a close relationship with her Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). business—quite rare for 1930s and ’40s to get out of fashion and into finance, father while growing up, O’Neil valued his Dr. O’Neil had always been interested in Japan—but despite these deep roots, interning at Accenture in Tokyo and at a opinion. Her father, who served in the this executive makes a the applications of cross-cultural medicine, Hanazawa had no designs on starting her private equity firm. U.S. Navy as a surgeon during World War and experiences with the ICRC only own career in the industry. positive impact. II, consistently encouraged her interest “Working in finance, I felt the glass ceiling nurtured them. She did her internship and in medicine and praised her academic Born and raised in Tokyo, Hanazawa first in a way that I didn’t in fashion,” Hanazawa residency in internal medicine at Rhode achievements and mental toughness. came to the United States and the School says. “I gained a more positive outlook much collaboration, but Fashion Girls for Island Hospital in Providence from 1980 Nevertheless, when it came time to make of General Studies in 1989 to study English on the fashion industry in that I saw that Humanity has been a great success.” to 1983. Following her residency, she in the American Language Program. She women could do more.” the decision of a major area of study Today, Fashion Girls for Humanity is 100 became employed by Harvard Community was blown away by the resources at during college, O’Neil found her own voice Post-MBA, she headed solidly back into percent volunteer based with minimal Health Plan (today called Harvard Vanguard Columbia and in New York, and she knew and chose English literature. fashion, working as director of strategic operating expenses, relying largely on Medical Associates) and participated in the that this was the place she needed to be. A personable doctor planning for Theory before investing in VPL, excess inventories and holding sales After earning her Bachelor of Arts at Harvard Medical School Teaching Program, She enrolled at GS the following year. a women’s wear company selling leisure and online. The organization has benefited Manhattanville College in 1967, she where she subsequently earned the Robert with international “I had no idea what I wanted to do with my active wear, eventually becoming CEO in 2007. victims from 2012’s Hurricane Sandy became employed at New England Ebert Teacher of the Year Award (1983). Merchants National Bank in Boston, life at the time—I kind of thought I could do and 2015’s earthquake in Nepal, and Dr. O’Neil loves to travel and continues an experience, Barbara Then, on March 11, 2011, a massive entering their management training program whatever I wanted,” Hanazawa remembers. most recently, it set up a fund to support annual tradition of spending time in Grand earthquake and subsequent tsunami and progressing to branch administration. “GS was perfect because it enabled me to COVID-19 frontline medical workers. Cayman, which she considers a second A. O’Neil ’76PBPM devastated northeastern Japan. Hanazawa Eventually, in 1973, she earned the title study any subject with amazing faculty in home. In the past, she made several trips rallied her peers in the industry and Looking forward to the future, Hanazawa of assistant branch manager. Despite her supervised hundreds each discipline. I decided that no matter to South Korea, where she made the life organized designer clothing sales in New wants to use her knowledge of the fashion success, Dr. O’Neil recalls thinking, “this how long it took, I was going to figure out changing decision to adopt two children, York, Japan, and London, raising $600,000 industry and her passion for social change was not a full life,” knowing she “could of medical students and what I was interested in at Columbia.” Brendan and Meeya. to benefit the victims. This act of generosity to try to make a difference for the world. do more.” Meanwhile, doctors she knew In order to pay for her education, Hanazawa and support would become the seed for new doctors throughout “Every day, I think about how all of the in Boston and her roommates at the time Making the decision to enroll in the began her degree part time while also founding Hanazawa’s nonprofit, Fashion excess fashion merchandise out there encouraged her interest in medicine. So, Postbac Premed Program at Columbia was working at Itochu, a major Japanese trading Girls for Humanity. her rewarding career in affects our environment,” says Hanazawa. to “put her toes in the water,” as O’Neil clearly a pivotal moment and had such company, bringing American brands like J. describes it, she enrolled at Boston “We all wanted to help, but we knew that “We need to think about sustainability an enduring impact on her professional medicine. Crew to Japan. She took her time at GS, University to study biology at night. individuals can only do so much and that and question if what we’ve been doing for trajectory that she contributes to the taking courses in anthropology, literature, Program to this day and has included we would have a greater impact together,” a long time is helping humanity advance. After a trip to New York City, during which philosophy—anything that interested her. 1 Columbia in her estate plans. 4 says Hanazawa. “Typically, fashion can Innovation is more important than making she had a very positive visit with Ms. Sylvia be an industry with a lot of egos and not more of the same old thing.”

44 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 45

Alumni Notes 1950s Milton “Mickey” Meshirer ’54 Stuck to His Curiosity “Wall Hanging: Entrance II” by Artist Dolores The General Direction Dembus Bittleman ’52 was recently dis- played as part of the Taking A Thread For A Walk By Allison Scola textiles exhibition at the newly renovated MoMA. The 76 inches by 72 inches wool piece From the time he was a child growing up in Astoria, Queens, Milton Meshirer became a machine gunner facing combat in Korea, where was created in 1964. Bittleman says that she “Mickey” Meshirer ’54 was curious about how things worked. When he served the remainder of his duty. “The Army makes you into a is inspired by listening quietly to the threads. he was five, he set his house on fire while seeking to learn what was different person,” Meshirer explained. “You are tougher. You’re not They “suggest what could be done with them.” flammable and what was not. His father had a successful business afraid of anything. as a milliner, and Meshirer was tracked to inherit the family trade and “When I came back from Korea, I wanted to win.” Fun Fact: Major League, left-handed pitcher discouraged from seeking other professions. But he loved chemistry, briefly attended GS in win- Sandy Koufax and despite his mother’s attempts to undermine his ambitions, he He was driven to complete his degree at Columbia, and Mickey recalls ter 1955. While at Columbia, he studied ar- enrolled at Columbia to understand who he was. “I had the only Jewish going straight to the admissions office after his flight home. He chitecture, graphics, and physics. Koufax went mother who didn’t want her son to become a doctor,” Meshirer said. enrolled to study chemistry and was determined to do well. “I was on to pitch 12 seasons with the Brooklyn/Los intolerant of professors. If I didn’t understand the lecture, I would Angeles Dodgers and was inducted into the A budding chemist, Mickey’s creativity and curiosity led him to create insist that they helped me learn it.” Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. The Dodgers a new type of floor wax that he proceeded to sell to institutions such won the 2020 World Series. as The St. Regis hotel. His success, however, led him to postpone Meshirer worked for his father’s hat company during the day and his university coursework, and inevitably, notice arrived from the U.S. studied at night. Meanwhile, the demand for hats was waning. He Austrian resident Herbert Khuner ’59 military. It was the era of the draft and the Korean War, and Meshirer asked his father to give him a few months to consider other ideas continues to be a prolific writer, translator, reported to Fort Dix and enlisted in the Army. for the business, and eventually it became clear that the glue—or and thinker. He publishes a blog at www.vien- an improved version of it—that they had been using for attaching the Fate would have it that because of an incident he witnessed, nanet.info. Khuner’s most recent publication is feathers, beads, pompoms, and other decorations on the hats was Meshirer’s troop shipped out to Asia, while he stayed behind. A desk a collection of poetry by artist and poet Willy the future of the business, and Beacon Adhesives was born. job in the personnel department presented itself, and fortunately, Verkauf-Verlon, Seiltänzer/Tightrope Walker. The it delayed his assignment to the front lines—yet he found himself As the company’s chief chemist, Meshirer continued to invent new poems reflect Verkauf-Verlon’s “Jewish odys- on a different front line, one that revealed itself through patterns adhesives and other products, including in recent years, a sealant sey,” an account depicting post-war Austria as of personnel being sent to Korea. A colleague revealed to him that that waterproofs bullets. He sold the patent to the U.S. Army. viewed by an individualist and non-conformist. a sergeant was prioritizing soldiers with last names that appeared Jewish, and Meshirer could not ignore this unethical behavior. Along A great success, Beacon Adhesives products can be found in Walmart, with two other colleagues, they collected evidence to prove what the Michaels, and Jo-Ann stores. In 2019, Mickey retired at 91 years old. sergeant had been scheming, and eventually their work led to the Today, his son and grandchildren operate the business. “It was time sergeant’s transfer. But it also led to Mickey’s transfer to Asia. for me to slow down,” he said. 1960s New York City historian and mapmaker John Tauranac ’63 recently published Manhattan’s Little Secrets: Uncovering Mysteries in Brick and Mortar, Glass and Stone, a guidebook that makes New York City’s social history come alive.

Mary Edwards ’66 is a professor of art history at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. and is a member of the Renaissance Seminar at Co- lumbia University. Her articles have appeared in Studies in Iconography, Zeitschrift für Kunstge- schichte, and the Journal of the Society of Archi- tectural Historians. Edwards recently published Doppelgangers, Alter Egos and Mirror Images in Western Art, 1840–2010, an edited collection of essays during which scholars focus on double portraits and other pairings, human and otherwise, that appear in a large variety of ar- Alumni tistic media.

During summer 2019, Gail Rodney ’69 ex- hibited her watercolors, pastels, oils, and col- lages at Old Sculpin Gallery in Edgartown, Mass. After majoring in English at GS, Rod- ney started painting once she began spending Notes time on Chappaquiddick Island, Martha’s Vine- yard. Its scenery became a muse. She went on to study fine arts at the National Academy School of Fine Arts in New York. Multigenerational GS: Shanna Polley ’18 showered affection on her grandfather Milton “Mickey” Meshirer ’54 during the 2018 Class Day celebration.

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Writer won first place Alumni Notes s Stephen Page ’97 1970s 1990 in poetry for the 2019 Bravura Literary Journal, Mark Robbins ’91, ’93GSAPP of MHR Chef, author, and television host Jacques the journal of Palomar College, for his piece Development based in Norwalk, Conn. com- Pepin ’70 was awarded a lifetime achievement “In the Room of the Dead.” Also this past year, pleted a comprehensive building and sustainabil- award at the 46th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Page’s poem “Parrot Plague” was published by ity project at the School Sisters of Notre Dame’s Emmy Awards. He is the first culinary profes- the Noctua Review, a literary journal produced 38-acre campus in Wilton, Conn. The project in- sional to have been recognized in this fashion. by Southern Connecticut State University. Fin- cluded creating Wilton’s first ground-mounted

Alumni Notes ishing Line Press recently published Page’s tale solar system, one component of a large-scale Maria Nodarse ’73, ’74JRN published in verse, The Salty River Bleeds, about the world project aimed to reduce the environmental im- Approaching Freedom: An Exile’s Quest for a New of a large Argentinian ranch. pact and operating expenses of the international Self. A memoir, the account starts when she educational institute and congregation. arrives in the United States as a political ref- Linda Trischitta ’97, ’98JRN is a mem- ugee from Cuba at 15 years old. A writer, ed- ber of the South Florida Sun Sentinel team that was featured itor, and translator, in 1979, Nodarse made a Jay Amari ’92, ’95SOA was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for in Backstage magazine in December 2018. A three-week, life-changing trip to Cuba with a breaking news. The reporters covered the professional actor and entertainment profes- group of young, left-wing exiles. Inspired by the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High sional for more than 30 years, after graduat- experience, she wrote an extensive article that School in Parkland, Fla. Trischitta, along with ing from GS, Amari was awarded a fellowship was picked up by two major American newspa- her colleagues, was also awarded the National Arthur W. Bingham ’84 at Columbia University School of the Arts pers. Now retired, Nodarse devotes her time Headlines Awards first prize of spot news. film division. Invests His Acumen to writing. Approaching Freedom is the result of her quest to interpret her life’s journey. Mark Rotella ’92 has been appointed di- s rector of the Joseph and Elda Coccia Insti- 2000 By Adrienne Anifant PowerHouse/Simon & Schuster recently pub- Daniela Petrova ’01 published “Her tute for the Italian Experience in America at lished The Boys, a photobook and memoir by Daughter’s Mother,” a psychological suspense Montclair State University. He joins the Coc- Arthur W. Bingham ’84 has worked in corporate and family Rick Schatzberg ’78, in which images in- novel that was named one of five thrillers to cia Institute from Publisher’s Weekly, where he finance for the past 30 years. Currently, he is a managing director teract with text. Schatzberg collected old snap- read during summer 2019 by Time magazine was senior editor since 2006. Rotella is an in- at New York Private Finance, where he initiates and structures shots that tell the story of a group of men who and one of the best summer books by O Mag- ternationally recognized writer on the Italian loans for private investors and entrepreneurs and oversees the have been close friends since early childhood. azine, the New York Post, PopSugar, and InStyle. American experience. He has published two credit compliance function. Bingham also brings his financial Pairing vintage photos with contemporary por- books, Stolen Figs: And Other Adventures in Ca- expertise and acumen to the General Studies Alumni Association traits, he connects the boys to the men, in- Filmmaker Julia Bacha ’03 recently re- labria and Amore: The Story of Italian American and Annual Fund Committee of which he has been a member for terspersing images with poetic text about ceived a grant from the Enterprise Documen- Song and nearly four dozen articles in an array several years. friendship, aging, memory, and loss. tary Fund by the International Documentary of outlets including the New York Times, New Association for her latest project. Bingham’s commitment to GS and to the Columbia community is York Times Book Review, the L.A. Times, Washing- grounded in the profound and exciting experiences he had while ton Post, Wall Street Journal, Minneapolis Star Tri- s Erica Cantley ’02 published Teaching he attended Columbia. After completing a year at University of 1980 bune, Vanity Fair, Saveur Magazine, and NPR.org Deerbrook Editions released The New Plan- HAMLET as My Father Died, a memoir about Pennsylvania followed by a year working in restaurants, Bingham to name a few. returned to his hometown, New York City, to start a new chapter. tation: Lessons from Rikers Island, a memoir by the timeless bond between parent and child. novelist Jason Trask ’81. The New Planta- Organized by act and scene, just like the play, Advocacy-based storyteller “It was the 1980s and a very happening time,” Bingham said, tion chronicles Trask’s experiences as an Eng- JoAnn Stevelos Cantley’s book offers the insights of a passionate holds an MS in bioethics from Albany explaining that students’ political activism on campus was lish teacher of incarcerated teens in a public ’94 and skilled educator, the humor and sweet- Medical College and an MPH from State Uni- electric, echoing the social movements occurring in our country high school on Rikers Island in New York City. ness of young people confronting epic themes versity of New York. As a public health pro- today. Groups were protesting the apartheid regime in South During his three years on the island, over 200 on being human, and the complex never-ending fessional, Stevelos works with community Africa, seeking to remove world support for apartheid laws. students passed through his classroom, but love between a daughter and her father. organizations, policymakers, schools, govern- only five were non-Hispanic whites. Trask also “The world was coming together as it does from time-to-time ment officials, and more to create health- published a novel in 2011, I’m Not Muhammad, In July 2020, Keren Yarhi-Milo ’03 was on a big issue. On campus, there was a growing movement for ier and happier environments for children. A by Red Wheelbarrow Books. named director of the Saltzman Institute for War divestment of investments and other economic ties from South writer and author, since publishing her novel and Peace at Columbia’s School of International Africa. There were student demonstrations in front of a trustees’ Howard Be Thy Name, she continues to write Becoming Arab: Creole Histories and Modern and Public Affairs. Yarhi-Milo joined Columbia as dinner, in front of Low Library, and the students chained the for Psychology Today and recently published Un- Identity in the Malay World by Sumit K. Manal professor of political science and international doors of Hamilton closed forming a barricade,” said Bingham. covering the Hope, a five-step guide aimed to ’84, ’85GSAS, ’87GSAS, ’94GSAS was affairs in fall 2019. Prior to this appointment, she help people in crisis. Bingham is inspired by such activity by students, both then and awarded the Harry J. Benda Book Prize in was an associate professor with tenure of poli- now—his reason for staying involved with GS. For example, he Southeast Asian studies for 2020. tics and international affairs at Princeton Univer-

has been a member of the Annual Fund Committee for more than Michael Ehrenreich ’95PBPM, ’96GSAS sity Department of Politics and the Woodrow is a practicing dermatologist living in South Or- five years, and he is proud of GS’s reaffirmed commitment to its Mystery writer Stan Trybulski ’86 com- Wilson School for Public and International Af- ange, N.J. He invented Zigo Leader Carrier Bike students, citing an increase in the number of advising deans, peted in the 2018 Amsterdam Marathon. Be- fairs. In 2018, her book Who Fights for Reputa- and designed the board games StartUp and academic support services, combined alumni and student fore publishing books such as One-Trick Pony tion? The Psychology of Leaders in International Election. He composed the music and wrote events, and workshops and networking events. and The Ides of June, Trybulski was a felony trial Conflict was published, also by Princeton Univer- the book for Medicine the Musical that pre- prosecutor for the district attorney’s office in sity Press. Yarhi-Milo’s research and teaching fo- “A lot of alumni like me are putting real effort into this community miered at Here Arts Center in New York City Brooklyn and later a civil trial attorney for the cus on international relations and foreign policy, and into making this school as strong as possible. I’m very proud in fall 2018. Medicine the Musical follows a group New York City Department of Education. with a specialization in international security, in- of that,” said Bingham. of first-year medical students as they grapple cluding foreign policy decision-making, interstate with their lives, loves, and the rigors of a med- communication and crisis bargaining, intelligence, ical education. and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

48 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 49

Akiva Zablocki ’07 Alumni Notes Veronika Gueci (née Gan) ’04 is exec- Eliza Factor ’97 Brings Together utive director of the Center for Mindfulness, Extraordinary Circumstances Led Families Possessing Strange Beauty Compassion and Resilience at Arizona State to Founding a Global Community University (ASU). In fall 2018, she graduated with an EdD in leadership from Mary Fulton Teachers’ College at Arizona State University. By Adrienne Anifant By Adrienne Anifant Gueci was recognized as an outstanding gradu- Akiva Zablocki ’07, ’09PH, and wife Amanda Zablocki ’07BC were Alumni Notes ate. Her dissertation research focused on cre- Eliza Factor ’97 (née Miller) is a novelist and founder of Extreme ating programs for students in recovery from enjoying life in 2012. The couple had married after meeting at Kids and Crew, a community center for children who have substance use and misuse. Her goal in her posi- Columbia, were enjoying their careers, and, above all, they were in love disabilities. In addition, she is the author of novels The Mercury tion as director of the Center for Mindfulness, with their eight-month old baby, Idan. Then they were struck by the worst In 2016, Idan received a second bone marrow transplant that was Fountain and Love Maps and the memoir, Strange Beauty, in Compassion and Resilience at ASU is to create news parents could hear: their son was sick. Idan had a rare immune a success, and today, he is thriving with his own immune system. which she discusses her journey of mothering her son Felix and a culture that is inclusive of all students. deficiency disorder called Hyper IgM Syndrome that affects one person Meanwhile, the Hyper IgM Foundation continues its efforts “to how that precipitated a transformation within herself. in a million. People with the disease do not have functional immune help improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outcomes Early this year, systems and are more susceptible to developing infections and unable for children and adults living with Hyper IgM.” The eldest child of three, Felix was born in 2003 with multiple Carla Zanoni ’05, ’06JRN was appointed as the first director of Audi- to fight off infections that do occur. Idan could not produce antibodies, disabilities including autism. Factor put her writing career on hold for In the last five years, the Foundation has established a global ence Development by TED, the nonprofit or- and he had a 50% chance of making it to adulthood. The only known a few years to take care of Felix as well as her two younger children. community consisting of hundreds of families. It has connected ganization devoted to ideas worth spreading. cure for their son was a highly risky bone marrow transplant. patients from around the world with treatments, doctors, and the “Felix has a very powerful and charismatic, funny and furious Before joining TED, Zanoni worked as mast- “We had never heard of Hyper IgM. There was no real [support] community, most current information available about the disorder. Raising personality. He is wonderful, but the world of hospitals and head editor of audience and analytics at the and most of the information that was available was outdated. We felt very over $200,000 for research and working closely with families from doctors’ offices was becoming very isolating,” said Factor. “I Wall Street Journal and director of social media alone,” said Zablocki. The couple started a campaign to cover the costs diagnosis through treatment, the Foundation provides advocacy didn’t have other parents with whom I could compare notes.” and engagement at DNAinfo.com. of their son’s bone marrow transplant that subsequently drew extensive on behalf of its patient community, empowering them to make Factor became inspired by the idea of creating a communal space that coverage from the media. Families around the world who saw Idan’s story informed medical decisions. produced the would be accessible to families with children who have disabilities. Lia Mayer-Sommer ’06 on the news reached out to Akiva and Amanda expressing that they also music video for “Sunflower,” a song by Vampire The Foundation’s international scientific advisory committee In 2011, she opened the first location of Extreme Kids and Crew in had a child diagnosed with Hyper IgM and never believed they would Weekend. The video was directed by Jonah Hill. includes some of the world’s most renowned immunologists. In Bedford-Stuyvesant with the intention to create a place that felt like “a meet another patient with the same disease. addition, it works to drive research on Hyper IgM by raising money warm embrace” for families to meet and enjoy their children. Christopher R. Riano ’07 has published When Idan was diagnosed, Akiva and Amanda did everything they could every year for grants that support scientific research of a possible Partnering with the Department of Education, Extreme Kids Marriage Equality: From Outlaws to In-Laws for to become educated about Hyper IgM. A bone marrow transplant was cure of gene editing that could fix the disorder on a genetic level. and Crew now has two fully outfitted play stations and sensory Yale University Press. Coauthored by William the only known cure. In 2015, frustrated with the lack of information Idan currently attends elementary school, loves building with gymnasiums in Title One elementary schools in Brooklyn and N. Eskridge, Jr., the work is a thoughtful his- available and armed with the knowledge that they could use the Legos, playing with friends, and solving multiplication problems. Queens, and one underway in the Bronx. All are free. The gyms tory of how the nation wrestled with an im- information they compiled and exploit the experts they met along the are located in elementary schools so students with disabilities portant question of moral and legal equality way, Akiva and Amanda established the Hyper IgM Foundation. “We had “He lives a normal life without ever thinking about Hyper IgM. can use them during the week for therapy. while never losing sight of the personal stories the skill sets to approach my son’s medical situation,” said Zablocki. “I [Meanwhile], I’m staying in this world because it is my mission to help of the people involved. Riano is the executive used to work as a healthcare consultant for corporations and Amanda is other families,” said Zablocki. “Many times people don’t have a donor “On the weekend the space is an art/play space for families, director of the Center for Civic Education a healthcare attorney. We wanted to help people around the world who or the resources, or a child may not be healthy enough to have an including siblings, and it is packed. We hold art classes and and a lecturer in constitutional law and gov- had this disease but did not have the resources we did.” already risky bone marrow transplant. We need to find a better cure.” concerts to bring people together. We also have parent education ernment at Columbia University. programs, where parents socialize, learn from one another and bolster their advocacy skills.” Since its founding, New York City’s Benjamin Waldman ’08JTS and Bracha families with kids who have disabilities have made about 30,000 Waldman ’11CC, ’15TC are pleased to dedicated to educating underprivileged chil- Elegance Bratton ’14 graduated from visits to its play-spaces and special programs. announce the birth of their second son, The- dren and young adults in Ethiopia, she re- NYU Tisch School of the Arts with an MFA cently contributed a chapter to the book Why in film. His long-awaited documentary Pier In her book Strange Beauty, Factor writes about the multifarious odore Max. Mom, dad, baby, and big brother Women Will Save the Planet from The Univer- Kids about queer, black homeless young peo- ways she changed when Felix was born and all that she learned Samson are all doing well. sity of Chicago Press Books on why educating ple in New York City is currently on the festi- from spearheading Extreme Kids and Crew. She speaks candidly girls is essential for a sustainable future. val circuit. While editing more than 400 hours about the beauty and the violence inherent in parenting Felix, about Keith J.D. Hightower ’09 is director for of footage for Pier Kids, Bratton directed and incarceration of adults with disabilities, corporate and public partnership at Teach for In November 2018, produced the documentary series My House and the interrelationship between the America in Las Vegas, Nev. His appointment Kenneth Bogner ’13 was elected state senator of District 19 for that aired on Viceland TV network, published a creative process and disability. comes after having served for more than a year as a leader in legislative and intergov- the State of Montana. photo book on the queer subculture ballroom “People come up and hug me, saying, ernmental affairs for the governor of Nevada, scene called Bound by Night, and started produc- ‘Thank you,’ and start weeping. They Steve Sisolak. Hightower holds a JD from Wil- Jeffrey Omar Patrick ’13 is pursuing ing on The Inspection, a semi-autobiographical fea- feel they have found a home. Their liam S. Boyd School of Law at University of his MPH in health policy and management ture film about a gay teen who joins the Marines.

lungs expand. They get strength from Nevada-Las Vegas. at New York Medical College. This past year, TIMES NY CREDIT: PHOTO each other. It is a very deep feeling-- he co-authored an article for the Journal of Chef Chad Brauze ’14 is director of culi- that immediate sense of belonging,” Health and Human Experiences titled “Healing nary and menu development at Chipotle Mex- Factor said. 2010s through Self-Expression: The Role of Art Ther- ican Grill, Inc. and was recently featured in a apy in Medicine,” with Mill Etienne, MD, MPH, commercial for the international restaurant “At times, I prefer the disability world so Former model and Miss Ethiopia Atti FAAN, Adam Karp, and Nathan Carberry, MD. chain. A classically trained chef, Brauze acted much more than the other one. It can Worku ’14 works to create progressive ed- In March, Patrick was appointed to New York as the R&D chef and recipe writer for Dan- be such a joyful, open place without a ucation and community development centers Medical College’s Strategic Planning Subcom- iel: My French Cuisine by Daniel Boulud and Syl- lot of pretense. Sure, there is pain and within urban communities in Africa. Founder mittee on Community Engagement. vie Bigar which was released in 2013. He has frustration, but also humor and a deep of Seeds of Africa, a nonprofit organization understanding of interdependence.” 50 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 51

Alumni Notes

Maria Markina ’17 woman—the woman of many talents and Outstanding Entrepreneurship. passions,” said Markina. In Memoriam Period. Markina hopes their company will reveal the whole truth about menstruation and menstrual

Alumni Notes products, working to improve women’s By Adrienne Anifant relationship with their own menstrual cycles. Joseph Kissane Through their blog, Owl Periodical, they discuss Entrepreneur Maria Markina ’17 founded her company topics and questions that women and girls may Athena Club in 2017. Athena Club offers women an have about periods, menstrual cycles, and birth affordable subscription plan for high quality, menstrual control. products that are free from harmful chemicals. Recently By Allison Scola named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, she foresaw a need “People are not always comfortable talking about in the market for these products while working as a consultant at periods, but we are trying to change that. It is the most natural Joseph Kissane, former Director of in 1963 and 1973 respectively. “He was McKinsey and Company. experience for a woman and the human body,” said Markina. Columbia’s Summer Session, former wickedly funny. He was a wonderful boss— School of General Studies Dean of so supportive.” “Everyone knows your period can catch you by surprise, and it is Markina raised 3.8 million dollars in seed money and became Students, and a beloved preceptor of inconvenient to run to the pharmacy. Then, furthermore, you don’t know so comfortable discussing menstruation with investors that she Thomas Kissane, Joseph’s younger English and comparative literature, passed what is in the products or anything about the manufacturing,” said Markina. described the experience as “fun.” brother, recalled how his older sibling was away from COVID-19 on April 19. thoughtful and kind and that he could talk With an Athena Club subscription, women receive high-quality, “There’s nothing to hide about your period and menstrual products. Described by many as an extraordinary to him about anything. He was an excellent responsibly manufactured menstrual products in their mailboxes We should care how these products are made and what is in them.” person, Joseph was “smart, savvy, mentor. “He would go out of his way to help for as little as $6.50 a month. Women can customize their order Also, Athena Club is committed to its social endeavors. The company thoughtful, gracious, loyal, kind, and always you,” said Thomas. depending on quantity, size, and absorbency. They choose between has partnered with organizations and donated over 30,000 tampons good-humored,” explained David Scott the Premium option made out of rayon and cotton or tampons made “I loved his wry and sometimes savage to both local and international women and girls who are in need. From Kastan, George M. Bodman Professor from 100 percent organic cotton. In addition to the quality and wit which, oddly, was combined with women in homeless shelters in NYC to women in other countries of English at Yale University. The two convenience, Athena Club is 35 percent more affordable than other a charitable and kind disposition, an where there is not enough access to menstrual products. shared a mutual interest in Shakespeare. menstrual product subscription companies. inclination to accept people as he found In the coming months Athena Club will expand their line to include “Even after I left Columbia,” Kastan them, and to find in them what was of value. Markina named her company after Athena, the Greek goddess of war and other period products such as pads and panty liners. wrote in an email, “Joseph and I stayed I learned a lot from him,” Frank Wolf, Dean creative arts. Athena’s companion, the owl, is symbolic of the moon and in touch, usually after he had seen some “I am most fulfilled when I receive feedback from customers saying Emeritus of Columbia University School of femininity and sits on her blind side, so Athena can see the entire truth. Shakespeare production (and he seemed how much our products have positively impacted their lives. People Professional Studies, said of Joseph. to see them all) and had noticed some “We named it after Athena because she strikes us as the modern love our products and that makes me happiest,” said Markina. rearrangement of the text, or an actor’s Joseph enjoyed teaching. Not only was interpretation of a speech, or a director’s he an instructor for GS, but he also idea about how to make the play relevant taught English to veterans in Germany for worked in the kitchens of world-famous chefs William Falcon ’18 is passionate about to a modern audience.” University of Maryland and served on the such as Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Alex using artificial intelligence (AI) for social im- faculties of Rutgers University and Hunter Born in Pittsburgh, Pa. on December 4, Lee, and Ferran Adrìa to name a few. pact. Falcon was selected to receive a 2019 College. member and close Kissane friend, 1930, Joseph Kissane graduated from National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate concurred. Central Catholic High School and Duquesne Ferrante, who spent many an afternoon is a PhD candidate in Research Fellowship. The Fellowship provides Neal D. Curtis ’14 University. After serving in Korea as a 2nd and evening with Joe after a day of work at “He was extraordinary in many ways. English at University of Virginia. Along with financial support for three years of - gradu lieutenant in the Army during the mid- Columbia recalled that her neighbor, who Sympathetic to the students’ points of two of his colleagues, he was awarded a ate work. Falcon is earning a PhD in AI at the 1950s, he enrolled at Columbia University had had Joseph as a teacher, described view, and a very good administrator. He ran $30,000 grant to realize Thomas Jefferson’s Computational Intelligence, Learning, Vision, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, him as, “The best professor I ever had.” a tight ship, yet in a gentle way. It’s a gift to original vision for the centerpiece of UVa’s and Robotics Lab at New York University. As where he earned an MA in 1956 and a He was very dedicated to his students, be able to do that.” campus, the Rotunda, as a planetarium. The in- a co-founder and chief technology officer of PhD in 1968. His field of study, according both as a teacher and an administrator. stallation was operational from fall 2019 for NextGenVest, he built and led the engineer- Babinski saw Kissane often. His fondest to friend and Columbia Professor Emerita one year using an array of digital projectors to ing team that helped thousands of low-income memories included 45 years of dinners Joan Ferrante, was 18th century novel. His Kissane was GS dean of students in cast a high-resolution star map onto the Ro- students access over $39 million in financial aid. shared and planned with Joan Ferrante. dissertation focused on Jane Austin and the late 1960s and 1970s, when many tunda’s domed interior. “We discovered that we all liked cooking Samuel Richardson. matriculants were veterans returning from Abigale Wyatt ’14 and Christopher Vietnam. Burton explained that Joseph, and our birthdays were nine days apart, Jesse Chase-Lubitz ’18 was chosen by Beierschmitt ’17 were also awarded NSF “He led a fascinating life,” Ferrante said. having been a veteran himself, helped so we planned an annual dinner party— the Henry Luce Scholarship Foundation to Graduate Research Fellowships. students transition from the horrors elaborate, 13-course dinner parties with That life not only included travel, hearing join the 2019-2020 class of Luce Scholars. of war into an academic life. “He was a menus in French and live chamber music concerts, and attending the theater, but Aimed at the enhancement of the understand- good counselor to students,” said Burton, preludes!” also dinners with friends such as former ing of Asia among potential leaders in Ameri- whose late wife Carol was director of co-worker Carl Burton. “Joe was probably The last one was in November 2019. “It’s can society, the Luce Scholars Program places development and alumni affairs at GS from the best company I’ve ever met,” said an incredible loss,” Babinski said. “He was students in various host countries within Asia 1981 to 1994. Burton, who was a preceptor in English always there.” for an immersive living and working experi- Share your news at Columbia upon earning his master’s “He was very good and fair to students,” ence, along with supporting them through sti- and PhD in English literature from GSAS Hugh Babinski, former Columbia faculty pends, language training, and individualized with us at professional placement. [email protected] 52 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 53

In Memoriam

Alumni Notes Dr. Kurt L. Shell ’48, ’55GSAS (1920- Dorothy C. “Decie” Rosapepe-Bodwell Sarah D. Madden ’69 (1945-2018) 2018) was a prolific writer who published ’64 (1942-2019) maintained a varied ca- was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. dozens of works in three languages. He wrote reer throughout her life all while cultivat- “Sassy,” as she was known to her loving grand- about comparative politics, culture, and society ing her family and community and volunteer children, was an active and respected member of Austria, the United States, and West Germany. work. After graduating from GS, she worked of the Greenwich, Conn. community for more Forced to emigrate from Austria by the Nazi as a photo researcher at the Associated Press, than 40 years. She was chairman of the Friends occupation during World War II, he worked in which included cataloging pictures of the Ho- of the Greenwich Library and a trustee of the a London bakery before serving the U.S. Army locaust. Later, she moved to the AP sports Greenwich Library. on the Italian front. After the war, he earned his department, where she wrote stories and ed- bachelor’s and graduate degrees from Colum- ited copy. Rosapepe-Bodwell’s husband, Doug- In 1981, Edda Machlin ’79 (1926-2019) bia. Shell was a professor of political science at las Faulkner Bodwell ’64CC, was working for published a definitive cookbook on Italian Jew- Goethe University in Frankfurt Am Main, Ger- the president of Fisk University in 1967 when ish food, The Classic Cuisine of the Italian Jews. many from 1967 to his retirement in 1986. race riots erupted at the foot of campus. Ros- Machlin, whose father was a rabbi in the Tus- apepe-Bodwell volunteered to manage press can town of Pitigliano, survived Fascism in Italy Dr. Uriel Barzel ’54, ’58PS (1929- relations for the university during the crisis. In during World War II when anti-Fascist parti- 2019) was a professor emeritus at the Depart- 1985, while a resident of Virginia, she worked as sans hid her, her siblings, and her parents in the ment of Medicine at Albert Einstein College of a legal secretary, and then served as legislative countryside. After the war, the Jewish commu- Medicine. He and his wife Aviva recently estab- aide to Virginia delegate Warren G. Stambaugh. nity in Italy was splintered, and in 1958, Mach- lished the Professor Uriel S. Barzel, MD 1954 lin moved to New York. In 1999, she wrote The GS Achievement Fund which provides support A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Classic Dolci of the Italian Jews: A World of Jewish to GS students enrolled in the Postbaccalaure- Joseph F. Studholme ’64 (1936-2018) Desserts, which detailed the Jewish influence on ate Premedical Program. An internist, Dr. Barzel wrote for MD Magazine and conducted analy- Italian cooking. was motivated to create this fund to alleviate sis work for Standard & Poor’s before beginning a the financial burden of students pursuing a ca- successful banking career during which he held se- Robert S. Steel ’93 (1961-2019) was an reer in medicine. nior positions with both national and international artist, photographer, and bartender before ma- institutions. He was a member of the Bank Credit triculating at GS. After he earned his BA in his- Memoirist and essayist Barbara Probst Associates of New York, taught a variety of train- tory, his Columbia mentor, historian Kenneth Solomon ’60 (1929-2019) was known for ing and introductory courses on credit analysis, T. Jackson appointed him project editor for documenting life in Spain during and after the and worked on behalf of various NGOs overseas. The Encyclopedia of New York City, to which he regime of General Francisco Franco. Her ob- contributed 25 articles. Steel became a social servations of 20th-century culture and politics Richard Munger ’67 (1928-2019) was studies teacher after earning his masters from were renowned. Probst Solomon’s 1972 mem- grateful for his Columbia degree from GS which Teachers College. From 1994 to 2015, he was a oir, Arriving Where We Started, recounted her he earned while working as a full-time pilot for beloved teacher at Rye High School (N.Y.). time as a young woman in post-war Paris when United Airlines. she teamed up with novelist Norman Mailer to During his time at Columbia, Kevin Clarke “spring a few people from a Franco jail in Spain.” William A. J. Bremer ’68 (1944-2019) Johnson ’14 (1962-2019) was active with Read our interview with Probst Solomon in the enjoyed a decades-long career as an actuary for Columbia PRIDE, as an orientation leader, and 2009 issue of The Owl at https://gs.columbia. private insurers and government agencies. A shared relationships with fellow California ex- edu/content/owl-alumni-magazine. devoted husband and father, after marrying his patriates. Upon graduation, he was recognized wife Kathy Hochberg on the Columbia campus, with the GS Service Award and for his contri- Robert W. Berger ’64 (1933-2019) was they raised their family in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. butions to multicultural affairs. After graduation, a professor of fine arts. Holding a PhD from Bremer was proudly in the middle of the stu- Johnson worked at City University of New York Harvard University, he taught at Brandeis Uni- dent demonstrations that overtook Columbia’s as a library assistant in technical services and versity, Brown University, Penn State University, campus in the spring of 1968 and loved regal- was pursuing a graduate degree in library sci- and University of Virginia. Berger published ex- ing family and friends with first-hand memories ence. Johnson possessed a wide-ranging volun- tensively on French art and architecture in the from that incredible time in American history. teer history in fundraising and committee work, period of Louis XIV, including 12 books such which he notably cultivated at the Congrega- as In the Garden of the Sun King: Studies on the Physician Joyce Wallace ’64PBPM (1940 tion Sha’ar Zahav in San Francisco. Park of Versailles under Louis XIV, Versailles: The – 2020) established the Foundation for Re- Chateau of Lois XIV, A Royal Passion: Louis XIV search on Sexually Transmitted Diseases in as a Patron of Architecture, and Public Access to 1982. A pioneer in women’s health, she was Art in Paris. given the Brooke Russell Astor Award that recognized her as an unsung hero who was “re- lentless” in improving the quality of life in New York City for her treatment of prostitutes during the height of the AIDS epidemic and beyond. 54 2019–2020 I THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE 55 THE OWL The Alumni Magazine of Columbia University School of General Studies

Alicia Graf Mack ’03 performed for A Celebration of Dance at Columbia during Reunion 2019. Graf Mack is one of the alumni featured in “The Transitional Dance,” this issue’s feature article. “I wanted to be a ballerina since I was a toddler,” Graf Mack said. “I toured so many places, performed in major theaters, and had a chance to inspire young people who wanted to have a similar career.” And now, from her position as the director of the dance division at The Juilliard School, she continues that work, yet from the other side of the curtain. Read Graf Mack’s full story along with those of three other alumni who are former professional dancers on page 14. PHOTO: DAVID DINI PHOTO: DAVID

56 THE OWL ALUMNI MAGAZINE I Summer 2015